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Cat rescued, FAAS sale and job openings, learn to prune roses with Mary Scott, plus tax relief / credits for businesses.

Pete the cat rescued from San Leandro Bay

Cats and water do not mix. A cat caught in the rain is bad enough, but imagine a cat being stranded on a piling in the San Leandro Bay. Nobody knows how Pete the black cat got there. Did he fall or jump from the nearby bike bridge? Was he the victim of a mean-spirited prank?

Pete: Rescued From San Leandro Bay

However it happened, it was clear that Pete needed help reaching dry land again. Fortunately, FAAS board chair Julie Wasserman’s family knew just what to do for Pete, according to Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS), who posted a video of his water rescue on YouTube.

More FAAS news: jewelry sale, job openings

Alameda Post - logo for the Thrifty Kitty. A drawing of a cat wears a dress and poses with a bag FAAS is Alameda’s go-to organization for every imaginable kind of help with animals, from rescue, adoptions, dog training, and other assistance to pet food giveaways and pet loss support groups. One way to help them continue their good work is to visit their secondhand store, Thrifty Kitty, at 1509 Webster Street. They’re hosting a special jewelry sale on Sunday, February 5, noon to 5 p.m., with bargain prices on fine metal and stone jewelry, as well as Valentine items and goodies.

And if you love shopping, have retail work experience, and enjoy helping others, Thrifty Kitty is hiring a part-time Customer Service Associate.



FAAS also is hiring energetic animal lovers who would like to make a real difference in the shelter’s operation. To apply for a position as a full-time Registered Veterinary Technician, send your resume and cover letter to Steve Ferguson at [email protected]. Or if you’d like to be an Animal Care Attendant and get to know each animal personally as you keep kennels tidy, feed residents, and assist in other vital tasks, send your resume and cover letter to Amanda McNair at [email protected].

Free rose pruning lessons from Mary Scott, other experts

Alameda Post - a woman with white hair wearing a blue puffy jacket, Mary Scott, leans over a rose bush and smiles
Mary Scott. Photo City of Alameda / Facebook.

Mary Scott celebrated her 100th birthday in November. For more than fifty of those years, she has been maintaining the lovely Lincoln Park Rose Garden at 1450 High Street. Join her at the Rose Garden this Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., when she and the East Bay Rose Society will offer a free pruning lesson and demonstration.

The rose pruning demonstration will include a Q & A session about rose care, so this is your chance to ask the experts. Learn to prune like a pro by practicing your skills on the roses at Lincoln Park.

This is a free event and pre-registration is not necessary. Be sure to bring your own clippers and gloves. Wear closed-toed shoes, socks, and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. And pray for sunshine!

Emergency tax relief for small businesses impacted by storms

Alameda Post - text over a blue background that says "California Helps businesses impacted by winter storms." A seal of the governor is displayed at the bottom

Business owners and taxpayers impacted by California’s powerful winter storms are now eligible for emergency tax relief from late payment interest and penalties. Small business owners who have been affected by flooding, power outages, and other storm-related hardships may request up to an additional three months to file their tax returns. Taxpayers who face return deadlines between January 4 and January 31, and are granted relief, will not have to pay interest and penalties if they are unable to file their returns and pay taxes and fees by the original due date.

“California is moving with the urgency this moment demands, rapidly bringing support to Californians recovering from the devastating impact of the recent storms,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Business owners across the state can now access much-needed assistance to help accelerate their recovery efforts, including relief from interest and penalties.”

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDFTA) Director Nick Maduros said, “If you cannot file or make a payment on time because of the storms, please reach out to us, and we can offer some relief.”

Impacted taxpayers can request relief:

  • On the CDTFA website
  • By mail with this form at California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, PO Box 942879, MIC 35, Sacramento, CA 94279
  • In person at a CDTFA field office
  • By phone at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), except on state holidays.

Customers can also contact CDTFA to update account information, change an address or contact information, request replacement copies of CDTFA tax records, or ask questions about their account.

In addition to State of Emergency Tax Relief webpage, information regarding relief requests is available in various languages online, via videos in English and Spanish, and on CDTFA’s Online Services webpage.

California tax credit program applications due January 23

Alameda Post - the logo for the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic DevelopmentThe Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). There are $120 million in tax credits available during the application period. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, January 23.

CCTC is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location may compete for tax credits. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.

More information about the program can be found on the California Competes website.

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