Vintage Redlands offers walking wine tour

Vintage Redlands pairs wineries, restaurants and retail merchants in downtown Redlands for an evening of wine tasting, appetizers and shopping. The event raises money for the Citrograph Scholarship Fund, a member of the Redlands Community Foundation.

Scholarships go to University of Redlands students pursuing careers in music, business and graphic design.

The scholarships are awarded in the fall to juniors at the University of Redlands, to be used during their junior and senior years. To date, $32,000 has been awarded to 10 recipients.

Participants in Vintage Redlands will spend the evening touring downtown Redlands, sampling wine and appetizers and shopping at participating businesses. The self-guided walking tour begins at Ed Hales Park at State and Fifth streets.

There are six restaurants, 13 merchants and 12 wineries registered to participate. Several locations will host entertainers and a band will play at Ed Hales Park.

An opportunity drawing has replaced the silent auction that has accompanied wine tasting in previous years. Participants may purchase drawing tickets and put them toward items they would like to win. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.

Some of this year's sponsors include Modern Home Relics, Emerson & Farrar Fine Jewelry, Citrograph Printing Co., the Redlands Daily Facts, the San Bernardino Sun, Paxton's Cellar and Brithinee Electric.

Tickets to the event are $50 each. They can be purchased at several downtown locations, including Evans & Co., the Gourmet Pizza Shoppe, Citrograph, JD Myers, Paxton's and Redlands Jewelers.

A form is also available at the event's Web site, www.vintageredlands.com. A list of participating merchants is also available online.

Use `green'

shopping bags, benefit local causes

REDLANDS - Gerrard's Market customers who use reusable, environmentally friendly grocery bags will receive a wooden "Gerrard's: We Care" token at the checkstand.

Customers may choose one of three local causes to receive the "wooden nickel", and at the end of each month, Gerrard's will tally the wooden nickels and issue checks to the three charities - Family Service Association of Redlands, the Redlands Community Music Association, and the Redlands Educational Partnership Foundation.

"These organizations have enriched the lives of thousands of people, and Gerrard's Market is committed to their continued success of serving the community and leaving a better world for our future generations to come through both community groups and environmental betterment," the grocery store said in a news release.

"This is a BYOB program: bring your own bag."

Gerrard's is at 705 W. Cypress Ave., Redlands.

UR offers tax help

REDLANDS - The University of Redlands and the Internal Revenue Service's V.I.T.A. program are offering free tax help to the community every Monday.

The program is 6 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through April 13.

Volunteers will help prepare:

Forms 1040 and 1040 A, EZ, V and ES

Schedules 1, 2, 3, R and EIC, child and dependent, education and additional child credit forms

Schedule C EZ

Bring:

Current year's tax package and/or label

All W-2 and 1099 forms

Information for other income

Information for other deductions and credits

Copy of last year's return

Proof of account for direct deposit of refund, like a voided check

Social Security or Individual Taxpayer ID cards for self, spouse and dependents

Proof of identification for self, spouse and dependents

Participants can use e-file "so the process is quick, easy, and accurate," the University of Redlands said.

The program is at the university's Duke Hall, Room 312 (it is wheelchair accessible). The university is at 1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands.

Parking is available near Duke Hall and the Administration building.

Information: (909) 748-8288.