The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offers FREE tax assistance to people who make $54,000 or less per year & need help preparing their income tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. For your appointments, please bring the following: -Photo Identification -Social security cards for all family members -All W-2 forms, 1099 forms, etc. -1095 A, B, or C -ITIN Cards for all family members The program is available from February 1 through April 15, 2018 at the Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 562-692-0261.

Join us on Friday, February 2, 2018 by wearing red for National Wear Red Day. This focuses on bringing awareness to Heart Health. Chances are we all know someone affected by heart disease and stroke. Approximately 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day; that’s an average of one death every forty seconds! But together we can change that. Have a conversation with your loved ones about their heart health and/or schedule an appointment to see your doctor. The City of Santa Fe Springs encourages its residents to live a healthy & active life. Take advantage of the many health-related programs the City offers. Call us at 562.692.0261 for more information.

Come celebrate Presidents' Day at the annual Penny Carnival at Lakeview Park, 10255 Jersey Ave. Enjoy penny games, crafts, food for purchase & so much more! Festivities take place Monday, February 19, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Call 562-863-4896 for more information.

Calling all Artists! Our Artist Application is active and ready for you! Deadline for artwork submissions is May 1st. To submit your artwork, please go to https://www.artcrawlfest.com/ to submit your entry.

Last call to join our collection efforts in donating much needed medical supplies for our sister city Navojoa in Mexico. Consider donating wheelchairs, canes, walkers, slings, braces and any item that can help their residents gain mobility. Council invites you to give someone the freedom to get around by donating your gently used items. Items will be collected through January 31, 2018 at the Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center, 9255 S. Pioneer Blvd. Please call 562-692-0261 for more information.

Girlsports Day is taking place on Saturday, February 10, 2018. This free event is taking place at the Activity Center located at 11155 Charlesworth Rd., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Junior Troop 14264 is hosting this event to motivate girls to play sports! The event runs from 2:00 - 5:00 pm & features a sports clinic, raffle, motivational speakers, crafts a& of course a Girl Scout snack! For more information please refer to the flyer or email at girlsportsday@gmail.com.

The flu season has been very strong this year. To avoid getting yourself and others sick, please be mindful of your germs & the germs of your loved ones. Be sure to wash your hands often, and cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. If you or your family member is feeling flu like symptoms, please stay home 1 to 2 days to avoid spreading the flu virus.

Throwback Thursday to 1966. Check out this aerial view of the construction of City Hall which is located at 11710 Telegraph Road. What’s your favorite Santa Fe Springs memory?

As of January 19th, all Santa Fe Springs Firefighters, Local 3507 members have returned safely from the January storms incident in Montecito. Thank you for your service, welcome home!

We are accepting submissions of all mediums. Artists, Installation Artists, Pop-Up Artists, Art Venders, Food Venders, Filmmakers, and Entertainment are welcome and encouraged to apply! Spread the word! Prepare and be a part of this awesome event! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Giul9K3J_K0

Have you started training for the SFS 5K Family Fun Run/Walk? Get your running legs ready for our 5K on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Town Center Plaza. This year our SFS 5K Family Fun Run/Walk will be a themed run – Superheroes! Start planning your running outfit too! More information to come.

The Family and Youth Intervention Program knows that parent involvement is the key to behavior change with difficult, behaviorally challenged adolescents. The Parent Project® is a parent training program designed for parents of acting out adolescents. Topics include reducing family conflict and arguing, improving school performance and attendance, identifying and intervening with alcohol and other drug abuse, interceding with negative peer associations (including inappropriate dating relationships up to and including gang involvement) and helping parents to set effective applicable limits. Many parents attending the Parent Project® have had difficulty identifying appropriate limits and enforcing consequences consistently. Parents who attend the Parent Project are more likely to see their child’s attendance at school improve, and to require less school based disciplinary resources as parents find powerful interventions at home with which to bring about change in their children. The motto of the Parent Project® is “Parents are the answer…when they have the tools they need.” Presented three times a year in an educational format, parents are trained at the modest cost of $20 per parent, for a ten week program, and includes a 200-page workbook “A Parents’ Guide to Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior.” Parents can contact the Family and Youth Intervention Program- 562-929-7431 to register. The next 10 week series starts on February 6th at the Betty Wilson Center located at 11641 Florence Avenue, in Santa Fe Springs at 6:00 p.m.