Calendar

TODAY

Littlefork Ambulance Thrift Shop open, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Guided Snowshoe Hike, 1-3 p.m., Rainy Lake Visitor Center.

Open Gym, 3-5 p.m., free, Backus Community Center gymnasium.

Anniversary pork loin dinner, 6, Moose Lodge (reservations, 283-3615).

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Alano Club.

SUNDAY

American Legion Post 66 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary-hosted breakfast, 8-11 a.m., VFW Club.

Alcoholics Anonymous Open, 9 a.m., Alano Club.

OverEaters Anonymous support group, 4 p.m., Evolve Fitness Center, 1301 Third St. (No fees/dues).

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Pineview Recovery Center, Littlefork.

MONDAY

Retired Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railroad employees, 8:30 a.m., Chocolate Moose Restaurant.

“Employer of the Day,” Polaris Industries, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., WorkForce Center, Rainy River Community College, Room SC-128.

Walk-ercise group, 10-11 a.m., Backus Community Center gymnasium.

Northland Art Society open, various arts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Backus, Room 114.

“Solution Monday,” All Recoveries 12-Step (RA), 3 p.m., Backus Community Center, Room 103.

Cribbage, 7 p.m., Elks Lodge 1599.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Women’s Step Study, 7 p.m., Coffee Landing Cafe.

Narcotics Anonymous, “How It Works” step gathering, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club.

TUESDAY

Water Testing, 8 a.m.-noon, Koochiching County Public Health Department.

WIC Clinic, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Koochiching County Public Health Department.

Women of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30 a.m., Coffee Landing Cafe.

Koochiching Development Authority Board, 9:30 a.m., Koochiching County Board of Commissioners, Committee of the Whole, following, Koochiching County Courthouse.

Bone Builders, 10-11:30 a.m., Woodland Apartments.

Littlefork Ambulance Thrift Shop open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Northland Art Society open, various arts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Backus, Room 114.

Falls Hunger Coalition Food Shelf open, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 1000 Fifth St.

Immunizations, 1-5:30 p.m., Koochiching County Public Health Department.

Alanon, 1:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church (283-3739, 283-8540).

“Great Decisions” community discussion group, 4-5:30 p.m., International Falls Public Library, lower level meeting room.

TOPS MN34, 5-5:30 p.m. weigh-in; 5:45, meeting, Koochiching County Senior Center.

Women’s Ministries, 5-7 p.m., The Salvation Army.

Community Café, 5:30-6 p.m., beef stew, fresh fruit, dinner roll, Backus Community Center.

Women’s Support Group, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friends Against Abuse office.

Beginner’s Tae Kwon Do, 5:45 p.m., Falls Elementary School gymnasium or cafeteria.

Rainy River Riders Saddle Club, 6 p.m., County Market Deli.

Hamburger gravy supper, 6 p.m., Moose Lodge.

City of Ranier, Committee of the Whole, 6:30 p.m., Ranier Community Building.

Peter Graham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2948 and Auxiliary, 7 p.m., Post Home.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Pineview Recovery Center, Littlefork.

“Celebrate Recovery,” 7-9 p.m., Evangelical Covenant Church.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church.

WEDNESDAY

Recycling curbside collection, 8 a.m., International Falls — Shorewood Drive and areas south of 11th Street and east of Highway 53; Ranier and lake district – east on Highway 11 to Almost Lindy’s.

WIC Clinic, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Koochiching County Public Health Department.

Boise Cascade Machinists Union Local 760 retirees, 9 a.m., Lenard’s.

All-School Music Festival, 9 a.m.; concert, 12:45 p.m., Backus Community Center Auditorium.

Immunizations, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Koochiching County Public Health Department.

Walk-ercise group, 10-11 a.m., Backus Community Center gymnasium.

Littlefork Ambulance Thrift Shop open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Northland Art Society open, various arts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Backus, Room 114.

Wednesday Study Group, 10:15 a.m., Faith United Church of Christ.

Falls High School Class of 1965 Girls, noon, Voyageur Cafe.

Girl Guards, Sunbeams and Adventure Corps, 4:30-6 p.m., The Salvation Army.

International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees, 4:30 p.m., library.

Free At Last, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Forestland Annex, lower level conference room.

Northland Art Society open, various arts, 5:30-8 p.m., Backus, Room 114.

Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Alano Club.

Men’s Non-Violence Group, 6-8 p.m., Friends Against Abuse office.

Members and guests Elks Lodge 1599 Wednesday Meal, 6:30 p.m., chicken Oscar.

Little Lambs (3 years to kindergarten) and King’s Kids (1st-5th grades), Youth Group (6th grade-up), 6:30-7:30 p.m., Full Gospel Fellowship Church.

Koochiching Masonic Lodge No. 270, A.F. & A.M., 7 p.m., 416 Third St.

American Legion Post 66, 7 p.m., VFW.

Adult Mixed Volleyball, 7:15 p.m., Backus Community Center.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club.

Lottery

Wednesday’s Daily 3

6, 8, 9

Wednesday’s

Northstar Cash

4, 12, 16, 19, 25

Wednesday’s Gopher 5

4, 12, 25, 31, 40

Wednesday’s Hot Lotto

6, 17, 37, 38, 42

Hot Ball

5

Saturday’s

Mega Millions

11, 22, 25, 58, 69

Mega Ball

13

Wednesday’s

Powerball

24, 36, 51, 52, 56

Powerball

22

Borderland Briefs

VALENTINE’S DANCE

Borderland Alano Club will host a Valentine’s Dance Feb. 14 at 410 Fifth Ave. Gathering begins at 6 p.m. with the dance at 7. Music will be by Country Touch and Friends. Coffee and goodies will be served.

SADDLE CLUB

Rainy River Riders Saddle Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at County Market Deli. Call Jody for more information, 218-875-2852.

VFW LADIES AUXILIARY

The regular meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2948 will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Post Home dining room. A light lunch will follow the meeting. Members are encouraged to attend.

CLASS OF 1965 GIRLS

Falls High School Class of 1965 Girls will meet for lunch at noon Wednesday at Voyageur Cafe.

VALENTINE LUNCHEON

The Catholic Daughters will host the annual Valentine Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Aquinas Hall at St. Thomas Church, 415 Ninth Ave. Turkey soufflé with salads and desserts will be served. Cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children 5-12; free for children under 5. Take outs available.

‘GREAT DECISIONS’ GROUP

The community group “Great Decisions” of citizen education and discussion programs about foreign policy issues will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at International Falls Public Library in the lower level meeting room. Topic will be “Energy Independence” with Carole and Byrne Johnson facilitating. If a group of students or individuals plan to attend, contact Diane Adams at the library or Sue Nordquist at 283-8687. Information will be provided if notified in advance.

VALENTINE’S PARTY

A Valentine’s Party is planned for Thursday at Koochiching County Senior Center. Music by old timer Don and Bob Smith and Carol will be performed from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with lunch at noon. For reservations, call 283-3460 by noon Wednesday.

CLASS OF 1962

Falls High School Class of 1962 will meet for lunch at 11:38 a.m. Thursday at the Valentine Luncheon at St. Thomas Aquinas Hall. (Note change of date).

The Internal Revenue Service is now processing tax returns, and the agency continues to emphasize the convenience and security of their online services for taxpayers. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota offers some helpful tips for the public as tax season kicks into gear.

BBB offers the following tips on how to find a trustworthy tax preparer:

• Ask around. Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and research free BBB Business Reviews on tax preparers and tax preparation services at bbb.org.
• Consider accessibility. Some tax preparation services wind down their operations shortly after the April 15 tax deadline. In case the IRS finds errors or in case of an audit, you need to be sure you know how to contact your tax preparer throughout the year.
• Bigger isn’t always better. Be wary of tax preparation services that promise larger refunds than the competition, and avoid tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund.
• Look for credentials. Ideally, your tax preparer should either be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney, an enrolled agent or a certified E-file provider.
• Make sure they have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. A PTIN must be obtained by all tax return preparers who are compensated for preparing or assisting in the preparation of, all or substantially all of any U.S. federal tax return, claim for refund, or other tax form submitted to the IRS.
• Investigate whether the preparer has any questionable history with your state’s Board of Accountancy (for CPA’s), the State Bar Association (for attorneys) or the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) for enrolled agents.
• Remember that a Paid Preparer is required by law to sign your return and fill in the preparer areas of the form. They should also include their appropriate identifying number on the return. In addition, the preparer must give you a copy of your tax return.
• Read the contract carefully. Read contracts closely to ensure you understand issues such as how much it will cost for the service, how that cost will be affected if your tax preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected, and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit.
• Don’t forget about Free File. If your adjusted gross income is $60,000 or less, Free File offers free Federal tax preparation and e-filing. Visit irs.gov/freefile to learn more.

The IRS says taxpayers will receive their tax refunds quicker by using e-file or Free File, with the direct deposit option.

BBB is also warning people about tax refund fraud, a form of identity theft where someone else fraudulently files a tax return in your name. This is a rapidly growing problem, one that is difficult to detect and can delay the tax refund you’re due. One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to this type of fraud is to file your tax return as soon as possible.

Contact BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.