Arizona Pride Guide E-News
AUGUST 2011

Hello Everyone! Once again we at The Arizona Pride Guide are excited to provide you with latest events and promote the greatest business's in our state.  We hope this e-mail finds you well and happy!  


               Interview with Jo Carrithers!

JoCarritherspictures

 

 The "Affordable CPA"

 

 The Pride Guide: Jo, so you've left the corporate world and started your own firm.

Jo: Yes, I worked for CPA firms and the Arizona Department of Revenue and the IRS, and decided I would be happier being my own boss.

The Pride Guide: No need to say more. I understand perfectly. I didn't know you worked for the IRS. Tell me about that.

Jo: Yes, I was an IRS agent auditing small businesses and the self-employed.  But, I found myself feeling empathy for these people who had been poorly served by their accountant or couldn't afford professional help.  Sometimes, through no fault of their own, they were in trouble and their lives were about to be ruined.

That's when I decided when I started my own business, I would concentrate on serving the under served and making my services affordable for the average person. Most people can't afford to walk into a CPA firm. So, they think they can do their own accounting or tax return and that's usually not a good idea.

The Pride Guide: Why isn't that a good idea?

Jo: For the same reason that I shouldn't try to fix my own plumbing or electrical problems. I might think I'm saving money, but in the end it will cost me more than if I had called in the expert from the very beginning.

When I was an IRS agent, I saw too many people do their own tax return with Turbo Tax for example. Turbo Tax can only calculate based on the information it is given. If you don't know what information to give it, you may end up paying more tax than is necessary.

The Pride Guide: So, how would people know if they paid too much?

Jo: Take them to an expert. I review past returns for free and let people know whether they need to be redone or not.

The Pride Guide: When you're not reviewing taxes for free, how much do you charge?

Jo: I don't have a set rate. I refer to myself as the "affordable CPA". That's part of my mission. My rates are different depending on the service I am providing. For example, monthly bookkeeping is less than defending someone from an IRS audit. Tax preparation is based on the forms that are necessary. My tax services are comparable if not a little less then H&R Block.

The Pride Guide: Really? How can a CPA charge less that H&R Block? My experience is that they often don't know what they are doing at H&R Block.

Jo: I don't want to say anything against H&R Block, but the quality of the work depends on who you get. Some of the preparers only took one class and now they are preparing returns. I've had many years of experience and I'm required to take continuous training to keep my CPA license.

But you asked how can I do that. I've got three answers to that.
1. Because I want to. My mission is to serve the under served.
2. Because I keep my overhead low. I work in a modest home office. I don't think my clients want to pay for a fancy office.
3. Because I am not trying to get rich. We are all in this recession together and I believe the only way we're going to recover is by helping each other.

The Pride Guide: So, if my LGBT readers want to get in touch with you, how do they do that?

Jo: Just call my office phone. (480) 926-9151. The first consultation is free.  

 

The Book Gypsy Moon will be released August 12, 2011
BecHavn Publishing Group announces the August 12, 2011 release of the book Gypsy Moon, by Phoenix author Pamela Rose Anders. Gypsy Moon will be available at Barnes and Noble and other book outlets around the U.S. in hardcover, softcover, kindle and nook.

 

In the spring of 2004, Philip Anders ingested the first of what would be a daily dose of 4mg estrogen tablets.  From that moment forward, his life would change forever. During the agonizingly slow transformation from male to female, he would lose a 22 year career in journalism and media, his marriage, his home, his savings, and most of his friends.  Faced with the specter of homelessness, he embarked on a three year adventure as an over the road truck driver.

 

 

Gypsy Moon chronicles Pamela Rose Anders' travels across the highways of America, as well as the single most difficult journey of all; transitioning from a male to female truck driver. Packed with a medley of humorous adventures, moments of fear, loneliness and despair, terrifying encounters, bigotry, and unexpected friendships; Gypsy Moon presents an insightful view of the incredible courage and strength required to complete this journey.

 

 

"Gypsy Moon is a product of several years of work, inspired by the hope that my story might help others. If my completion of Gypsy Moon prevents just one suicide, or gives hope and inspiration to just on person, than it was worth the effort," says Anders.

 

 

Chicago native Pamela Rose Anders has penned two satirical books titled, "How to Lose Friends and Influence Enemies" and "Rules of the Rude". Gypsy Moon is her first Narrative Non-Fiction work. She resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where she operates an independent paralegal business.

 

 

For more information on Gypsy Moon:

 

http://bechavn.com/gypsymoon.html 

 

Thanks again to you all for supporting those who support you.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

The Arizona Pride Guide

 

 


Celebrate and Rejuvenate

Weekend PackageRaffle

 Sedona Pride Weekend September 16th - 18th

 

The $800 Package Includes:

HiltonSedonalogo 1. Two Nights Stay  

2. Breakfast for two  

3. Two tickets to all the Sedona Pride Events  

4. One 50 minute spa treatment.

SedonaOffRoadlogo 5. Two hour Tom Car rental to explore Red Rock Country

 

The tickets are $5 and can be purchased at The One Voice Community Center.

4442 N. 7th Ave. 

All proceeds will go to the center. 



Friday November 4th, The Omni Tucson National

 

Format: Four player scramble, low gross � Entry Fee: $150 - Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart & driving range, golf shirt with logo, pasta dinner, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, on-course games, hole-in-one contest and raffle 

Day of Event: Registration at 10:30 am, Shotgun start at 12:30 pm

Three ways to register:

1. Online registration and secure payment 

2. By mail: Registration & Sponsorship Form, and mail to: Wingspan Classic, 430 E. 7th St., Tucson AZ 85705

3. By phone: call either number and pay with credit card by phone 

Tournament Chair: 520.624.1779 x125

Development Ops: 520.624.1779 x118

For more info. click logo above!


Starlight Pines B & B
3380 E. Lockett Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
800-752-1912
928-527-1912
www.starlightpinesbb.com

A Gay-Owned Flagstaff Bed & Breakfast nestled among the pines at the foot of Mt. Elden. 2010-11 Arizona Pride Guide - Best Northern Arizona Accomodations.


Goldstein Gallery
390 N. State Route 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 204-1765
www.goldsteinart.com

Fit Health Care Clinic
Dr. Patric Hernandez-Kline
4312 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 279-5049
www.myfithealthcare.com

Family practice medical clinic dedicated to meeting our community needs. Same day appointments, low-cost, lab services, STD testing and treatment. Most insurance accepted.


Embroid Me
1645 E. Camelback Rd.
Ste. 103
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 277-9242

www.embroidme-phoenix.com 

 Mention Pride Guide & receive a custom printed tee with purchase.


The Medicine Shoppe
305 S. Euclid Ave. Ste.111
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 461-1125
www.medicineshoppe.com

Locally owned & operated. Full service retail pharmacy, caring beyond prescriptions. 


Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-7577
www.bluewillowtucson.com
Restaurant, bakery & gift shop with LGBT greeting cards.