COMMUNITY

SeniorNet of Dallas Learning center offers members a range of in-depth computer courses — learn to email friends, search the Internet, send electronic greeting cards, pay bills, shop, and more using your computer. Enjoy small classes with patient instructors, convenient parking, plus a brand new classroom and equipment. 214.841.2818.

Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law
offers free one-hour tax consultations for anyone who can’t afford attorney services and is facing an IRS audit, appeal or collection process; involved in innocent spouse relief; or needing to resolve a past-due tax matter. 214.768.2562 or smu.edu/law/taxclinic/. The school’s small business clinic also is providing free legal services to new and existing small businesses and nonprofit organizations that cannot afford to pay legal fees. 214.768.4935.

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Lakewood Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) needs neighbors to join the program. While on patrol, volunteers observe and report suspicious behavior to the Dallas Police. The program is non-confrontational in nature. It requires a minimum of two hours a week, tailored to each volunteer’s schedule. Contact Roger Parks, 214.319.2924 or rogparks13@tx.rr.com.

Casa de Vida, a respite care program for caregivers of early onset Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, is offered weekly on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m at NorthPark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central Expressway. It’s strictly a social program, with no medications or health care administered. Activities include morning snacks, exercise, bingo, crafts and music. A $10 fee covers the day’s program; application required. Call Ann Anderson at 972.783.8780 or Nick Harper at 214.349.6584.

The Presby Presenters Toastmasters group meets Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, 8200 Walnut Hill. The non-profit public speaking club was founded to help members overcome public speaking fears and develop and enhance their leadership skills. Newcomers are welcome. Meeting rooms and lunch plans change weekly. Contact Lynda Waters, 214.288.7959, LyndaWaters@texashealth.org.

City Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from area kill shelters, needs foster homes for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. info@citypetrescue.com or citypetrescue.com.

EDUCATION

Woodrow Wilson students Kate Pederson and Bryce Romney have been named as National Merit Commended Scholars. They each received among the highest scores nationally on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam.

The Woodrow Wilson High School PTA is seeking alumni donations for college scholarships. Seniors who have not received more than $5,000 from other scholarship sources will be eligible for this PTA scholarship. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation can mail it to Woodrow Wilson PTA, 100 S. Glasgow, Dallas, TX 75214. Woodrow alums are asked to write their graduation year and “PTA Scholarship Fund” on the memo line of the check. Donations can also be made online at woodrowwildcats.org. 214.327.0068.

PEOPLE

Shannon Kincaid Stringer has been nominated for the Texas State Visual Artist 2-D title. This is one of the four designations recognized by the Texas Legislature. The Texas Commission of the Arts oversees the selection process, and a final decision will be announced in the spring of 2009.

Andy Payne of the Payne Mitchell Law Group has been named to the “2008 Texas Super Lawyers” list. Nominations are compiled through a statewide survey of lawyers and independent candidate research. Payne was included in the “Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Region” portion of the list. He has been recognized all five years that the list has been compiled.