Last weekend, just before the blizzard hit town, Mayor Menino was joined by officials of the Dorchester House, leaders of ABCD, the city's anti-poverty agency, and Paul Connolly, chief operating officer of Boston's Federal Reserve Bank to announce a reach-out effort to encourage local residents to take advantage of a federal tax break.

The Internal Revenue Service offers tax credits to families who earn less that $36,000 annually. Problem is, not enough people know about the program, and thus many miss out on the opportunity to keep some extra cash in their pocket.

The program is called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and low-to-moderate working families can qualify for up to $4900 in federal and state tax credits&emdash; if only they apply for it.

"When working families do not claim the EITC, which they have worked hard for and are entitled to, money is lost to the entire community," Menino said last Saturday. "The best way to get this money into the hands of the people who earned it is by getting the word out."

Toward that end, five local sites have been identified to provide free tax preparation services, all staffed by volunteers who are trained to help local tax filers claim the credit.

"Even though the EITC has been around for years, many taxpayers are unaware that they may qualify," said IRS Boston manager Bill Smits. "The IRS and volunteers want to make sure that Boston residents know about the credit, how to apply and where to go to get free tax help."

Last Saturday's program was chaired by Doreen Treacy of the Civic Health Institute of DotWell, a consortium effort of the Codman Square and Dorchester House health centers. This year, there are five local sites offering free tax preparation: Acorn, 1458 Dorchester Ave, and Dorchester House Multi Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Ave., both in Fields Corner; the Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington St; ABCD servcie Center, 22 Beechwood St.; and the Mattapan Family Service Center, 636 River St., Mattapan. For more information about the program, call 617-918-5275, or visit online bostontaxhelp.org.

- Ed Forry

Not Too Late to Get Flu Shot

We complained long and hard last fall when federal health officials announced that this season's flu vaccine program would be truncated, due to manufacturing problems in a pharmaceutical plant in England. This season's flu shots were not made available, and as the flu season began, many fell ill.

Now, it's good to report that a new supply of flu vaccine has been made available, and doctors and health centers across the neighborhood seem to have a sufficient supply to for most residents who need it.

Last week, we went down to a free clinic at Caritas Carney Hospital for a shot, and were in and out in under five minutes. Many others have received the shot at other locations across Dorchester. Though late in coming, the vaccine is welcome for persons at risk.

Carney Hospital has announced one more free flu clinic for the general public, set for Wednesday, Feb 2, 4-6 p.m. at the Carney's out-patient area at 2100 Dorchester Ave., Lower Mills. If you have not been affected by this season's flu, there's still time to guard against it.

- E.F.