【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, December 9, 2022】Per Gifts! Giving them, receiving them―they help put the happy in the holiday season.(Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office)
But all that gift-giving—from wrapping paper, packages and new items that may never be used—can take a toll on sustainability.
What’s sustainability? It’s finding ways to meet our needs today while still preserving our environment and natural resources for our children and grandchildren by using fewer single-use items and consuming less stuff we may never use. And it’s important.
The County of San Diego thinks a lot about sustainability. For example, to address climate change and protect our environment, the County is working on an ambitious plan called the Regional Decarbonization Framework that would move our entire region toward zero-carbon emissions by 2045.
But we’re not just thinking about the big ways to address sustainability. Many County employees think about the little ways they, and all of us, can live in more sustainable ways. With that in mind, here are a few tips from County employees for having a more sustainable holiday season!
Gifts
Give Experiences Instead of Things: One thing you can do to cut down on the accumulation of unnecessary stuff is to give gifts of “experiences” rather than items that will eventually be tossed out. For example, give someone tickets to a show, free lessons in something they’d enjoy, or a gift card to a local restaurant! For a list of experiences, you can go to WasteFreeSD’s “resources” page, do a word search for “experiences” and click on their “Gift Ideas—Experiences Instead of Things” webpage.
Donations: Another thing you can give, or receive, instead of more physical stuff (do you really need another tie or blouse?) is to ask family and friends to donate to an animal rescue or a cause you’re interested in! Many animal organizations allow you to “sponsor” or “adopt” an animal virtually to rescue it and ensure it’s loved and cared for.
Like the Kitchen? Bake a Gift! Everyone loves food at the holidays. And you don’t need to be a world-renowned chef to put a smile on someone’s face. You know, banana bread is really easy to make. Cookies, cakes, quick breads—you got this!
Green Thumbs? If you have any friends or family who like to garden or grow their own herbs, you can re-use portions of the empty cardboard tubes from paper towels to create planting “pots” for seedlings!
Shopping
Shop Local: Shopping locally, especially at businesses that feature sustainable and handcrafted gifts, can cut back on a lot of the carbon emissions that you’ll emit driving hither and yon to shop, or that are emitted shipping items to the stores you’re visiting.
Shop Online, give Yourself Time: If you do shop online, plan ahead and order early so items can be shipped by ground—truck, trains and ships—rather than having to be rush-shipped by air, which leaves a much larger carbon footprint.
Look for Gifts Without a Lot of Packaging: Items like candles, soaps, coffee mugs, water bottles, cooking utensils, oils and sauces attractive enough to be given with just a homemade bow or come in containers that can be reused again and again.
Give Gift Certificates to Zero Waste stores: There’s a movement in retail to create “zero-waste” stores—retailers that sell mostly in bulk or using compostable packaging, to customers carrying their own reusable containers.
Wrapping
Ditch the Fancy Wrapping Paper: There are a lot of ways you can wrap holiday gifts without getting the fancy paper wrapping. In fact, a lot of fancy paper wrapping can’t be recycled. Here are some alternatives. If you’re into crafts, you can sew your own bags to wrap gifts in, then reuse them every year! Not into sewing? You can use fabric scraps to wrap gifts. And remember to reuse ribbons and bags again in the future.
Another option is to use holiday decorative kitchen towels: Tie them up with a ribbon. They’re reusable and “who doesn’t want a new kitchen towel?
Recycled Wrapping Paper: If you do use wrapping paper, choose wrapping paper that is made from recycled materials and can be recycled again.
Holiday Cards
Go Digital: Instead of buying and sending paper cards, send ecards, or post on social media like Instagram and Facebook to send holiday greetings to friends and family.
Display the Cards You Receive for Year-round Artwork: If you receive paper holiday cards from friends and family, you can display them around your home to keep the holidays and your loved ones in your heart all year around!
Food and Gatherings
Inviting Friends Over for Food? Plan ahead, shop smart and serve just enough to make everyone happy without wasting food. Of course, figuring out how much food to make can be difficult. However, SaveTheFood.com has a “Guest-imator” that can help you calculate just how much food you need to prepare, based on how many people you’re serving and how much they typically eat, even during holiday feasts.
Invite Your Guests to BOYRFCs (Bring Your Own Reusable Food Container): Yeah, that abbreviation is unlikely to catch on. However, asking guests bring their own reusable “to go” containers is an idea that should catch on. That way if there are leftovers, it’s easy as pie for your guests to bring some home! No waste and no one-time-only food containers.
Remember to Compost: And don’t forget to compost leftovers if you do have them. If you don’t have your own compost pile or bin, you can place any remaining food scraps and organic waste into your curbside green bin! (Note: If you have your own compost bin at home, don’t compost meats and bones; they can attract pests.)
The Tree!
Ornaments: A lot of us are familiar with stringing popcorn and cranberry garlands to hang on the Christmas tree, but there are other alternatives as well. For example, you can cut slices of oranges, let them dry out and hang them from your tree!
Craft Ornaments: You can also make your own craft ornaments from paper, pinecones, seashells and other items.
LED lights: Of course, using LED tree lights instead of the older traditional bulbs not only uses less energy, but they are more environmentally friendly.
Recycle the tree and wreaths: If you’re using a real tree and natural wreaths, remember to recycle them instead of tossing them out where they can end up in landfills to decompose and generate climate-changing methane.
Recycled trees and wreaths can be turned into mulch to improve soils at parks, farms, home gardens and landscapes. Check with your waste hauler to find out if they offer curbside pickup. Or go to the County’s recycling and hazardous waste database, WastefreeSD.org, to find Christmas tree drop-off sites near you. It’s easy.
So, remember, sustainability is a gift for the earth, your children and their children. And have a Happy Sustainable Holiday Season!
(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)
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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, December8, 2022】Per riminals don’t take the holidays off. Instead, they often find more opportunities to victimize people, especially those who are distracted or alone.(Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office)
With the holiday shopping season underway, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department will be patrolling in busy shopping centers. In Encinitas, Vista and San Marcos this will include the Sheriff SkyWatch, a lookout enclosure lifted by crane two stories above ground to give deputies a better vantage point in shopping center parking lots.
Yet, law enforcement officers can’t be everywhere, so sheriff’s crime prevention specialists remind everyone to stay alert and be cautious. This advice can help keep shoppers safe and may prevent thefts.
More specifically, the Sheriff’s Department also offers the following crime prevention tips for shopping centers this season and throughout the year:
- Shop during the day when possible and shop with a friend.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Don’t overload your arms with packages and bags while shopping.
- Park in a well‐lit area.
- Have your keys out and ready when approaching your car.
- Be aware of how you carry your purse or wallet. Don’t make it easy for someone to grab.
- When parking, lock your car doors and take valuables with you.
- If you absolutely must drop purchases off at your car and continue shopping, consider moving your car to another parking spot in case there are criminal spotters who might have seen you loading up your car with bags. This extra step could make a criminal think you are leaving.
If you see a crime in progress, always call 9-1-1. To report suspicious activity, call the Sheriff’s Department non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)
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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, December 5, 2022】Mild to moderate physical activity is usually OK if you have a common cold and no fever. Exercise may even help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion.(Photo credit :NY Times)
As a general guide for exercise and illness, consider this:
-
Exercise is usually OK if your signs and symptoms are all "above the neck." These include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and minor sore throat.
Consider reducing the intensity and length of your workout. Instead of going for a run, take a walk, for example.
- Don't exercise if your signs and symptoms are "below the neck," such as chest congestion, a hacking cough or upset stomach.
- Don't exercise with people if you have COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses.
- Don't exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.
Let your body be your guide. If you feel miserable, take a break. A few days off from exercise when you're sick shouldn't affect your performance. Resume your normal workout routine gradually as you begin to feel better. Check with your doctor if you aren't sure whether it's OK to exercise.
If you choose to exercise when you're sick, reduce the intensity and length of your workout. If you try to exercise at your normal intensity when you have more than a simple cold, you risk injury or more-serious illness.
(Source: Mayo Clinic)
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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, December 6, 2022】Per Che first Saturday in December really is the most wonderful time of the year for kids and local law enforcement officers at this year’s Shop with a Cop event.(Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office)
Franklin, 8, is all-smiles and practically vibrating with excitement as he’s handed his shopping bag by Probation Officer Pedro Bernal, his partner for the event. The morning has been an amazing surprise to Franklin. “My dad took me to my school and then I saw cops and then they said my name. And I told them, ‘I’m not going to jail,’ and they said no they were going to take me to go to SeaWorld and to go get whatever I want for $200,” he recounted breathlessly.
Franklin happily shows off his blue Switch Lite and game to play on it. The game was an early present from Bernal because the cost of the device used up the gift card.
County Probation and the Sheriff’s Department joined other local law enforcement agencies, SeaWorld, Target and STAR/PAL to sponsor the 28th annual event, providing 300 local children with a happier holiday season and encouraging positive relationships with officers.
The fun morning started at SeaWorld where the children were paired with an officer or deputy. The children and law enforcement were treated to private sea animal shows and breakfast at the theme park. Later, the children and their partner rode in patrol vehicles with lights flashing and sirens blaring for a $200 shopping spree.
Hundreds of the patrol vehicles caravanned to the Sports Arena Target. Children’s voices booming out on speakers wishing people a Merry Christmas.
For Uriah, it will be a 9th birthday to remember. As he walked into Target with his partner Deputy Mike Martinez, he was serenaded by a volunteer when told it was the boy’s birthday. And by two rows of greeters dressed as Star Wars characters and Target staff volunteers clapping them into the store. Actually, the greeters are for every child who went in to make them all feel special.
Inside, Uriah bought gifts for all of his family. And something fun for himself.
“I’m looking for LOL dolls, that one,” said Savannah, 8, who was paired with Probation Officer Janet Moore. From there she went on to discuss all the cute accessories that come with the doll.
The Escondido Police were the host agency this year and over 300 uniformed officers from more than 30 different local, state, and federal agencies volunteered to partner with a deserving child, selected from local schools.
“It’s probably one of the highlights of our year — for me it is,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Ruben Gonzales, who is participating for the fifth time. “This is such a great event, to give back to the community and kids. They love it. We get as much joy out of this, probably more, than they do. He didn’t even know that he was coming today. Mom surprised him. She told him last night, you have to get up early and didn’t tell him why.”
Law enforcement agencies raise money for the event by holding sporting events, breakfasts and other fundraising events throughout the year.
(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)
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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, December4, 2022】As an ongoing effort to enhance our valuable service to We Chinese in America website readers, We Chinese in America website posts English and Chinese versions of “IRS News Release” ， “IRS Fact Sheets”， and “tax tips” directly received from IRS Media Relations Office in Washington, D.C.. We are pleased to take on this important role partnering with IRS to better inform the public.
IRS, Security Summit partners wrap up National Tax Security Awareness Week with steps businesses should take to prevent data loss, fraud
To wrap up National Tax Security Awareness Week, the Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today urged businesses to remain vigilant against cyberattacks aimed at stealing their customer’s personal information and other business data.
The IRS continues to see instances where small businesses and others face a variety of identity-theft related schemes that try to obtain information that can be used to file fake business tax returns. For example, phishing schemes continue to target businesses as well as tax professionals and individual taxpayers.
“Just like individuals and tax professionals, businesses of all types need to be on the lookout for attempts to steal information and data,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “Businesses are especially attractive to cyberthieves because there is a potential to steal a lot of data. They may use the information to file a business tax return or use customer data for identity theft.”
The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax software and tax professional industries operate cooperatively as the Security Summit to highlight data security and fight identity theft. Today marks the final day of the seventh annual week dedicated to information security and helpful tips for individuals, businesses and tax professionals.
Cyber criminals target businesses of all sizes; knowing some cybersecurity basics and putting them in practice will help business owners protect their business and reduce the risk of a cyber-attack. Criminals can target a business’s credit card or payment information, business identity information or employee identity information.
Businesses are encouraged to follow best practices from the Federal Trade Commission, including:
- Use multi-factor authentication.
- Set security software to update automatically.
- Back up important files.
- Require strong passwords for all devices.
- Encrypt devices.
More information is available at FTC’s Cybersecurity for Small Businesses.
Businesses should especially be alert to phishing email scams that attempt to trick employees into opening embedded links or attachments. IRS related scams may be sent to 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。 so the IRS can try to track, stop or disrupt scams.
To improve security, the IRS now masks sensitive information from business tax transcripts, which summarizes tax return information, to help prevent thieves from obtaining identifiable information that would allow them to file fake business tax returns. Only financial entries are fully visible. Other information has varying masking rules. For example, only the first four letters of each first and last name will display for individuals and businesses. Also, only the last four digits of the Employer Identification Number will be visible.
The IRS also has the Form 14039-B, Business Identity Theft Affidavit, that will allow companies to proactively report possible identity theft to the IRS when, for example, an e-filed tax return is rejected.
Businesses should file the Form 14039-B if it receives a:
- Rejection notice for an electronically filed return because a return is already on file for that same period.
- Notice about a tax return that the entity didn't file.
- Notice about Forms W-2 filed with the Social Security Administration that the entity didn't file.
- Notice of a balance due that is not owed.
This form will enable the IRS to respond to the business and work to resolve issues created by a fraudulent tax return. Businesses should not use the form if they experience a data breach but see no tax-related impact. For more information, see Identity Theft Central’s business section.
In addition to phishing and other scams, all employers should remain alert to Form W-2 theft schemes. For example, a thief may pose as a company executive who emails payroll employees and asks for a list of employees and their W-2s. Businesses often don’t know they’ve been scammed until an employee reports that a fraudulent tax return has been filed.
There’s a special reporting procedure for employers who experience the W-2 scam. It’s available in the Identity Theft Central’s business section on IRS.gov.
Finally, Security Summit partners urge businesses to keep their EIN application information current. Changes of address or responsible party information may be reported using Form 8822-B. Changes in the responsible party must be reported to the IRS within 60 days. Current information can help the IRS find a point of contact to resolve identity theft and other issues.
Internal Resource Service
Media Relation Office
Washington, D. C
Media Contact: 202 317 4000
Public Contact: 800 829 1040
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For more details and to learn more about this year’s National Tax Security Awareness Week’s efforts, visit IRS.gov/securitysummit.
