Smith's Food & Drug Stores in New Mexico have teamed up with the American Red Cross Mid-Rio Grande Chapter to accept donations for international relief in response to the earthquake in Haiti.

Through Jan. 30, customers of Smith's can make a donation to the Red Cross by simply adding any amount to their checkout purchase.

All funds collected will directly benefit Red Cross International relief efforts in Haiti to provide food, water, shelter, medical supplies and other assistance.

"Smith's feels a great commitment to the American Red Cross, a trusted organization made up of thousands of dedicated volunteers, who respond immediately to the emergency needs of our communities and abroad," said Marsha Gilford, Smith's vice president public affairs, in a statement.


The Santa Fe Association of Realtors, has received a $30,000 grant through the National Association of Realtors' foreclosure prevention and response program.

The funds will be used to host a discounted short sales and foreclosure course for Realtors in February; launch a public education radio campaign in both Spanish and English to help homeowners access vital information on how to avoid foreclosure; and purchase marketing materials for dissemination to the public on foreclosure prevention.

For more information about the grant program, contact the Santa Fe Association of Realtors at 982-8385.


Here are some facts from the IRS for recently married or divorced taxpayers. Following these steps will help avoid problems when you file your tax return.

If you took your spouse's last name or if both spouses hyphenate their last names, you may run into complications if you don't notify the Social Security Administration. When newlyweds file a tax return using their new last names, IRS computers can't match the new name with their Social Security Number.

If you were recently divorced and changed back to your previous last name, you'll also need to notify the SSA of this name change.

Informing the SSA of a name change is simple; you'll just need to file a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card at your local SSA office.

Form SS-5 is available on SSA's Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or at local offices. It usually takes about two weeks to have the change verified.

If you adopted your spouse's children after getting married, you'll want to make sure the children have an SSN. Taxpayers must provide an SSN for each dependent claimed on a tax return. For adopted children without SSNs, the parents can apply for an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number — or ATIN — by filing Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions with the IRS.