By Lori Lawson

​After spending hours doing battle with piles of paperwork, you have finally compiled and organized them.  You put them in a folder and drive to your favorite tax preparer.  They complete your tax return and electronically file it with the IRS.  So far it’s all as it has been in the past.  It’s when they call you the next day to tell you that the IRS has not accepted your return because your Social Security number has already been used to file another return, that your world tilts.  You realize this isn’t a joke.  No matter how hard you try to reset the situation, nothing changes.  Someone else has filed a tax return using your social security number! 
OR
You attempt to file your return online and although in past years everything was fine, but for some reason this year, it just doesn’t work.  Yes, it could be a technical glitch, but it also could mean that someone has already filed using your social. 

Written by: Isabella Janovick
Photos by: Kyle Janovick
 
During our nice holiday break my husband and I were in search of some new restaurants that would complement his meat-lovers diet and my vegetarian one. Sometimes it is hard to find a restaurant that will satisfy both needs, but with all these new places popping up in Oceanside, it is becoming easier. I myself am a big wino and a craft beer snob. I had heard the name Barrel Republic, but I didn't really know anything about their menu or setup. Just the word "barrel", which could refer to beer or wine, caught my attention and we gave it a go.
 
When we walked in we were greeted and asked for a credit card. I gave a confusing look since this is not the typical hello one receives when entering a restaurant. The host than further explained that every patron obtains a wristband to wear that has a chip in it which turns on the beer and wine valves. Once a valve is turned on, your pour, no matter what size, is measured and totaled at the end of your visit. Hmm, interesting concept.