CITY ROUNDUP:

Concerned Women of America, a socially conservative public policy organization, this week has named state Sen. Tom Harman its “Legislator of the Year,” honoring the senator for his “tireless advocacy” on family values, religious freedom, and his work on illegal immigration.

The group cited Harman’s bills requiring parental notification for teenage abortions, strong penalties for online child predators and barring convicted child abusers from becoming teachers, Harman said.

The group has 23,000 members in California, and about 500,000 nationwide.

  Commerce chairman says recession is an opportunity

Amid tropically decorated tables, live music and a live auction, the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce had its annual dinner last week at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort to honor its members and choose its new leadership.

Outgoing Board Chairwoman Donna Gray presided over festivities honoring its departing board members and awarding its Member of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.

New 2008 Chairman Mike Grumet, of Mike Grumet Insurance, made a short speech telling business owners not to be cowed by talk of recession in the country.

“Recession is an opportunity to increase your market share when others are not present,” Grumet said. “Be memorable. Do something exceptional. Don’t just show up.”

  Cash assistance group helps lift families out of poverty

The Orange County United Way will run 30 tax preparation sites throughout the county this February, offering families and individuals who qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit some help in reaping the program’s benefits.

The Earned Income Tax Credit, the government’s largest cash assistance program, helps lift more families out of poverty than any other program, spokeswoman Kristin Bush said. Some families receive as much as $4,716 back, though only individuals earning less than $12,590 and families earning less than $39,783 qualify.

“This is our third year doing it, but last year was the first year that we engaged our community partners, as they are obviously catering to that demographic,” Bush said. “We’re trying to connect with these people and save them income, because most of the people accessing this program are not making ends meet.”

Huntington Beach will host a facility from 3 to 8 p.m. Feb 12, and 3 to 8 p.m. March 12, at Oak View Renewal Partnership, 17241 Oak Lane. For more information, call (714) 596-7064.

  Free tax help available for seniors at Rogers center

Seniors 55 and older who need help with their taxes can get extra help at Rodgers Seniors Center starting Tuesday Free appointments are available from noon to 3 p.m. each Tuesday through April 15. To schedule an appointment, call (714) 537-9387. Residents are asked to bring the following to appointments: this year’s tax forms; last year’s tax income tax returns, W-2 forms from each employer, unemployment statements, all 1099 forms, any form showing federal income tax paid, dependent care provider information, Social Security numbers for dependents, ID cards, and all receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions.

  Huntington dodges most of the weekend storm

This weekend’s storm largely skipped Huntington Beach, according to city reports. The city received an average of 0.63 inches of rain from Friday to Sunday, according to readings at the city’s flood control pump stations.

The largest amount of rain hit northern stations, with 1.25 inches recorded at the Scenario Drive station, while southern stations like the Atlanta and Adams received less than half an inch all weekend.