Briefcase

IRS reminds that PFD is taxable

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding Alaska residents to remember that the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is taxable income for Federal Income Tax returns. The agency recommends setting aside enough to cover your tax bill, or consider making an estimated payment when you get your PFD, which this year is $1,174. For more information on how to report the Alaska PFD on the Federal Tax Return, contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040 or visit the IRS website at IRS.gov and input the key words in quotes: “Around the Nation Alaska” in the top right search engine.

Real estate firms combine forces

Cross and Associates of Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group, led by Kevin Cross, have announced a merger of The Salmans Group, led by Wayne Salmans.

“We are thrilled that two of Alaska’s top real estate players are coming together into one,” Salmans said. “We believe that the synergies from this merger will have a positive effect on both our teams and for the buyers and sellers we serve in Anchorage and the Valley.”

Cross agreed.

“The energy and collaboration of our two teams brings a huge advantage in this changing market,” he said. “We are positioning our teams for success, which will ultimately be a huge benefit to our clients. Our goal is to lead the industry in Alaska with personal attention to our client’s needs and advanced technological solutions.”

Within the past four years, Cross and Associates has grown to be one of the top 10 real estate teams in the state. This year alone, it is projected to close more than $20 million in residential and commercial properties.

The Salmans Group out of the Mat-Su Valley closed more than 90 transactions last year and was one of the top 1 percent of teams in the country.

Small Business Administration offers workshops

The Small Business Administration will offer the following classes during October. All classes are held on the second floor of the KeyBank Building, 201 N Lucille St.

• Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, instructor Julie Nolen will teach a class called “Building Your Business with Facebook.” Cost is $30.

• Oct. 18, 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Julie Nolen will teach a free class on starting a business.

• Oct. 18, 1 to 2 p.m., instructor Lisa Carlson will teach a free class called “Key4Women: What Women Want.”

• Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., instructor Julie Nolen will teach a class called “How to Write an Effective Business Plan.” Cost is $50.

• Oct. 20, 1 to 4 p.m., instructor Sam Dickey will teach a free class on 8(a) & HUBZone Orientation.

• Oct. 20 to Nov. 15, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., instructor Jasmin Smith will teach an online class on QuickBooks Pro 2010. Cost is $250.

• Oct. 21, 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Sandi Sturm will teach a free class called “Is Your Website Google-ized?”

• Oct. 25, 1 to 2 p.m., instructor Dave Kaufman will teach a free class called “Employee Benefits in the Age of Health Care Reform.”

• Oct. 26, 2 to 3 p.m., instructor Nelida Irvine will teach a free class on SBA programs and services.

• Oct. 28, 9a.m. to noon, instructor Sandi Sturm will teach a class called “Build Up Your Geek Skills: Blogging.” Cost is $50.

• Oct. 28, 12:30 to 2 p.m., instructor Andrew Mitton, Esquire, will teach a free Lunch with a Lawyer class.

Toastmasters groups meet Tuesdays

There are weekly Toastmasters meetings in the Valley, one in Palmer in the evening and one in the morning in Wasilla. Mat-Su Toastmasters meets Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Wasilla Area Senior Center. And the Palmer Toastmasters meet Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. downstairs at the MTA Building in Palmer. For more information, contact Melissa Vega at 841-0077 or email melissa@greatlander.com.

Plaque sales to help fund windbreak wall

Support the Palmer Senor Citizens Center Inc., d.b.a. Mat-Su Senior Services, with a gift that will last a lifetime. We are now selling plaques, which will be a permanent fixture on the windbreak wall at the entrance of the Mat-Su Senior Services building located at 1132 S. Chugach Street in Palmer. Plaques can be engraved with a saying of your choice, your name, business, family, or friends names (no memorials please). All proceeds from this fundraiser support the Palmer Senior Citizens Center’s mission to provide services for the health, safety, and welfare of seniors. For more information, contact 745-5454.

Raffle tickets on sale at Palmer senior center

The Palmer senior citizens center’s membership is having a raffle. Tickets are $1 each for a chance to win. First prize will be a blue afghan with matching pillow. Second prize will be a hand made quilt. Third prize will be cream and yellow afghan. Drawing is Oct. 19 at the grand opening ceremony for The Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc., dba Mat-Su Senior Services at 1132 S. Chugach St. in Palmer. Proceeds from the fundraiser support the senior center. For more information, contact 745-5454.