Funny response to ‘How old are you?’

I was at Montello Elementary School on April 13 doing a story about school lunch lady Clarie Bailey. She performed the Heimlich maneuver on student Nathaniel Taylor, who was choking. The choking part isn’t cute, it’s what the third-grader said to me.

I asked Nathaniel: “How old are you?” (I ask that a lot.)

He said, “Nine, but put down 10. I’ll be 10 soon.”

I said, “How old will you be tomorrow?” He told me 9, so I told him the story would say 9.

“So your birthday is soon. When do you turn 10?”

“September.”

— Bonnie Washuk

$15 million and counting

In its ninth year of providing free tax help, the Lewiston Auburn CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) coalition wrapped the tax season having served 1,595 low- and moderate-income residents with state and federal income tax filings, according to organizers.

The refund outlook? Pretty bright. Those residents got back, collectively, $2,162,000 in federal refunds and $436,000 from the state. The amount of refunds and the number of people helped has more than doubled since 2006.

Among the 10 CA$H coalitions in the state, the Twin Cities was first in the number of people served, said Dottie Perham-Whittier, city community relations coordinator.

More than two dozen Internal Revenue Service-trained volunteers helped fill out forms and coach residents on financial literacy, including the benefits of starting a savings or checking account and whittling down debt.

Since 2004, the LA CA$H coalition has helped residents claim $15,634,674 in refunds. Plans are under way for next year already.

— Kathryn Skelton