View VIDEO from last weekend's KIDS EXPO >>

Thank you to La Cumbre Plaza for presenting this event with us and thank you to our sponsors: SB  Independent Schools, KidzArt, and Learningden Preschool.  Thanks also to all the volunteers that helped!  Congratulations to our nonprofit beneficiary this year, The Children's Project. They received our $1,000 donation.

Tax season can be a stressful time of year whether you are filing your own return or preparing information for your accountant. Hours are spent gathering bank statements, reconciling child care expenses and donations and the list goes on. It has been reported that changes to this year's tax laws are resulting in higher refunds, up nearly 10 percent from a year ago, so it could mean good news for your family this year!

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has information on the IRS website to help taxpayers see exactly how they can benefit from Recovery Act tax credits. There are quite a few provisions in this law that affect individuals, some include:

• First-Time Homebuyer Credit expansion includes homes purchased by April 30, 2010
• Money back for new vehicle purchases allows taxpayers who buy certain new vehicles in 2009 to deduct state and local sales tax
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives
• Education benefits through the American opportunity credit and enhanced benefits for 529 college savings plans help families and students pay for higher education expenses

CALLING ALL GREEN FAMILIES...For the 2nd year in a row, the Community Environmental Council & SBParent.com are teaming up to find the 2010 greenest families in the Santa Barbara area. Three families will be honored with the title of Green Family of the Year at this year's Earth Day celebration April 17 & 18.
--If you know an eco-friendly family that works to stay green in their daily lifestyle, please tell us! Click here to submit your nomination.  The deadline is Monday, April 12th.

Below is a partial list of upcoming events and activities so click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Camp Calendar | School Schedules | Movie Showtimes

Click on the category titles below to see descriptions on all the businesses.
Click on the business names below to go directly to their websites.

My name is Madison Lewandowski, and I started an event when I was seven called "Kidz for a Cure." All that is, is when kids come together to raise money for pediatric cancer research. It's like a big rummage sale, where kids get to bring their slightly-used things, or things they have outgrown. And, all of the money raised goes to pediatric cancer research.

There will be Cookie the Clown, a jumper, a raffle, a silent auction, food and much, much more. The one thing we don't have is you. All you have to do is gather up your stuff you don't want and come sell it at the biggest kid-run rummage sale in Santa Barbara.

If you don't have a child, then just come for the fun, all the awesome toys and gadgets to buy and the raffle and silent auction. I'd love to see you there.

(Madison Lewandowski is a fifth-grader who started Kidz for a Cure in 2008.)

Kidz for a Cure will take place on Saturday, May 8th from 9am - noon. The event will take place in the parking lot of the Cancer Center behind the Cottages located at 524 and 526 W. Pueblo Street. To participate, you must reserve a space by May 6th. Space is limited. Please send an email to events@ccsb.org to register, or visit KidzForACure.org for more information. Participants should bring gently-used toys (clean and in good working condition), games, books, video tapes/DVDs and/or electronics (operable) the morning of the event. Individuals may set up their "booth" beginning at 8am. All proceeds benefit the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara's pediatric research fund.