Author: Kim Kalliber

United Way free tax preparation site in Marysville opens Jan. 22

United Way of Snohomish County, www.uwsc.org

(Marysville, WA) – Last year, volunteers at the free tax preparation center organized by United Way of Snohomish County helped 347 customers file their taxes and brought back $516,974 in refunds. That money gave a boost to the local economy, built up savings and helped people pay off credit card debt.

This year, the free tax preparation center in Marysville will be located at Goodwill’s Marysville Job Training and Education Center on 9315 State Ave. The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3.pm from January 22 to April 15.

This service is available for households earning $51,000 or less.

The Marysville site is one of six sites being opened by United Way throughout Snohomish County. The others will be in Everett, Lynnwood and Monroe. All of the sites will be staffed by United Way volunteer tax preparers.

In 2012, 2,511 Snohomish County working families had their taxes prepared for free at a United Way Tax Preparation Site, saving an estimated $414,315 in tax preparation fees. United Way customers had an average refund of $1,700, which amounted to nearly $4.28 million in refunds (including $1.25 million in Earned Income Tax Credits).

Over the past six years, United Way volunteers have prepared 9,181 tax returns worth more than $15 million in refunds for Snohomish County working families.

This year’s sponsors and partners include The Boeing Company, the Washington State Department of Commerce, Moss Adams, LLP, Goodwill, the Walmart Foundation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

What You Should Bring

Although no appointment is necessary, people should bring a picture ID; social security card or tax identification number for everyone on the return; W2s or other income statements from all employers, any 1099 forms; the name, address and tax ID number for your child care provider; records of student loan payments; record of payments for educational expenses such as college tuition; mortgage interest and property tax statements; a bank account number to receive your refund via direct deposit; last year’s tax return – if you have it; and if you’re filing jointly, both spouses must be present to file electronically.

For more information, please visit http://www.uwsc.org/freetaxpreparationcampaign.php or call 2-1-1 for information and referrals.

 

Cantwell Names Indian Affairs Committee Staff Director

U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Incoming U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced Friday that Mary J. Pavel will serve as Staff Director for the committee in the 113th Congress.
 
Pavel, a member of the Skokomish Tribe of the state of Washington, is an expert on Tribal law and policy. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Washington School of Law, Pavel became one of the first Native American women to be made a partner in a National Indian Law Firm. She joined Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry in 1992 and became a partner in January 1999.
 
Pavel is the Founding President of the Native American Bar Association of Washington, D.C., and is a member of both the Washington State Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association.
 
“Mary is well-known as one of the best and sharpest policy experts in Native American and Alaska Native policy and law,” Cantwell said. “Mary grew up in Washington state and understands the diverse issues facing Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. I look forward to working with Mary to improve economic opportunity, strengthen education and increase access to health care for all of Indian Country. With Mary on board, I am confident that the Senate Indian Affairs Committee is ready to tackle tough issues and make significant progress for Tribes.”

Military Officers Association of America hosts Military Spouse Symposium “Keeping a Career on the Move” in Tacoma on February 8

Military Officers Association of America

Alexandria, Va. (Jan. 14, 2013) — Military spouses, service members and veterans are invited to attend the 2013 MOAA Military Spouse Symposium “Keeping a Career on the Move,”  hosted by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 8, at the University of Washington Tacoma (Philip Hall) 1918 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Wash., 98402.  This award-winning event, with executive sponsor TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and with support from the University of Washington Tacoma, is free and open to all military spouses.

Military spouses looking for a job now or preparing for a future career will find workshops, experts and employers who can help. Five minute resume critiques will be available throughout the day.

The day will kick off with a panel of employers that includes representatives from Amazon and USAA, entitled Five Things Employers Want You to Know. Attendees will learn useful information on landing a job as a military spouse and the panelists will answer questions about résumés and the interview process.

Concurrent session workshops include:

  • Resume Writing and LinkedIn Strategies for Military Spouses
  • Education Options: What you need to know about funding and picking a school
  • Your 30 Second Commercial: How to work a networking event or career fair
  • The Dollars and ‘Sense’ of Working Outside the Home

There will be a complimentary working lunch during the afternoon workshops, followed by two afternoon sessions:

  • Real Spouses Real Stories: Careers on the Move
    Three military spouses will share strategies on how they managed home and career, built confidence and made the most of military life.
  • Rapid Fire Update
    Military Spouse Licensure and Unemployment: Policies that support your family.

All attendees at the annual MOAA Military Spouse Symposium may request an advanced résumé review, regardless of MOAA membership. This is a limited offer only for the spouse symposium attendees who pre-register for the event. There are limited onsite resume reviewers, so this is an opportunity to get a more comprehensive review while you participate in the day. To receive the offer register and follow the instructions at www.moaa.org/spousesymposium

Professional LinkedIn photos throughout the day is an exclusive benefit for Premium and Life members of MOAA, members of Voices for America’s Troops and their spouses. Learn more.

To register and for more information about the Spouse Symposium, please visit http://www.moaa.org/spousesymposium/.

 

Two no-cost whooping cough & flu vaccination clinics, Jan. 18 & 26

Snohomish Health District
Low-income and uninsured adults only – first come, first served
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Uninsured and low-income adults can take advantage of two shot clinics for flu and whooping cough at handy locations in Everett, Wash. Both clinics are free and open to the public.
 
·         The first clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Jan. 18 during the WorkSource Community Resource Fair at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., Everett, Wash.
·         The second clinic will run from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett, Wash. This clinic is sponsored by the South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club and coincides with a free skating event for the public in the main ice rink.
 
The Snohomish Health District will provide 200 doses of adult flu vaccine and 200 doses of adult whooping cough vaccine, also called Tdap, at the WorkSource event; and 300 doses of each at the Comcast clinic.
 
Washing hands, covering your coughs, and staying home when you are sick are effective ways to reduce spreading and getting diseases. The best way to prevent illness is vaccination.
 
The flu season in Snohomish County is proving to be more severe than usual. Three adults in our county have died from flu complications in the past several weeks .Getting a current flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and others. Everyone 6 months and older should get a shot every year, since the flu vaccine changes to match the most common illnesses.
 
Vaccination is also the best protection against whooping cough. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is no longer at epidemic levels in Snohomish County, but cases of it are still being confirmed and it can still be deadly to babies. All adults who have not had a whooping cough booster shot should get one. It is especially important that all pregnant women and people – including teens – who are around newborns get the booster shot to protect the infant.
 
Download vaccine information sheets and consent forms in English and Spanish at www.snohd.org.
 
Visit www.flu.gov for more information about flu, and www.doh.wa.gov for statewide updates.
 
Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at www.snohd.org.

Stage 2 Burb Ban in effect for King, Pierce & Snohomish Counties until further notice

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Please rely on your home’s cleaner source of heat until air quality improves
 
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013 – The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 2 burn ban in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to protect residents from worsening air quality.  The bans are effective at noon, Sunday, January 13, 2013 and remain in effect until further notice.
 
Overnight, many areas around the Puget Sound reached air pollution levels of “UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS”, especially in areas where wood burning is common.  Agency forecasters expect the current cold, dry, and stagnant weather conditions to extend well into the week.  The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the air quality and weather situation.
 
During a Stage 2 burn ban:
 
  • No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.
  • No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
  • Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.
 
The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).
 
(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)
 
For more information:
 

United Indians of All Tribes Foundation 43rd Anniversary Celebration Weekend – March 8-10, 2013

GalaDinnerFriday, March 8, 6:00 PM

The 43rd Anniversary of the founding of United Indians of All Tribes Gala Fundraiser Dinner to be held on Friday March 8 2013 at The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.

The Fundraiser will raise funds for UIATF’s Elders Nutrition Program, and the Labateyah Youth Home.Each year we provide thousands of hot nutritious meals for low income Native American Elders and Veterans, and for the past 18 years the Labateyah Youth Home has provided transitional residential services to homeless youth through one of the largest youth homes in the state of Washington.

The Gala Dinner will be a inspired Gourmet tribute to the finest Native American cuisine highlighting its Spiritual and Nutritional components. Traditional Salmon bake, Clams, Shrimp, Crabs, Elk, Wild Rice, Fry Bread and a Vegetarian menu. The evening will include Live Entertainment and a Silent/Live Auction.

Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10: Arts Festival with Artists Market, Live Music, Dance and Food.

Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center

Seattle, WA

http://www.unitedindians.org/

 

CONTACT INFO: jmontano@unitedindians.org

‘By the Salish Sea’ shows February 28 at Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center

By-the-Salish-SeaThe Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve will show  ‘By the Salish Sea,’ a film by Director Serge Gregory, on Thursday, February 28, 6-7 PM.

In the early 19th century on the Pacific Northwest coast, a Salish native’s dream quest is disturbed by the arrival of a tall ship.

Director’s Statement:

“For me the natural world is something ‘out there,’ something I capture, something I pass through and return from. I’m fascinated by the very different animalistic beliefs of early Native Americans, who saw no separation between humans and the natural world. I have made a short film from that perspective.

The Hibulb Cultural Center is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM. The Center is a place of learning and a source of civic pride for the Tulalip people and our neighboring communities.

6410 23rd Avenue NE

Tulalip WA 98271

360.716.2600

http://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org

 

Tulalip Tribal Member Charged in Death of Toddler

Source: 7th Space, 7thspace.com

An enrolled member of the Tulalip Tribes was charged today with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal mistreatment related to the October 2012 death of her young daughter and the neglect of her second daughter, announced United States Attorney Jenny A Durkan. Christina D Carlson will make her initial appearance in United States District Court in Seattle at 2:30 today. Carlson was transferred to federal custody this morning and the criminal complaint was unsealed. The complaint describes how on October 8, 2012, emergency crews were called to an address on Marine Drive NE on the Tulalip Tribal Reservation where Carlson was performing CPR on her 19-month-old daughter, who was unresponsive on a blanket on the ground.

The child was unconscious, not breathing, and covered in urine and feces. A second child, a 33-month old girl, was found strapped in her car seat in a nearby vehicle. The child was pale, unresponsive, and covered in urine and feces. The girl was transported to the hospital and later recovered.

The 19-month old child died and the Snohomish County Medical examiner classified the manner of death as homicide by parental neglect. According to the report, the child was malnourished and dehydrated, weighing only 19 pounds. The child’s skin in the diaper area was excoriated and infested with maggots. Her hair was infested with lice.

The investigation revealed that Carlson had been living in the car with the girls on the property since mid-September. On October 8, 2012, Carlson had left the girls in the car while she went to use a phone at the residence on the property. Carlson was away from the car for more than an hour by some estimates. About 20 minutes after the neighbors told her to go back to the car and her children, Carlson returned asking them to call 9-1-1 because the youngest child was unresponsive.

Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison. Criminal mistreatment is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Tulalip Tribal Police and the FBI. Press contact for the United States Attorney’s Office is Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.

Tulalip Health Clinic offering flu mist through Jan 14

The Karen I. Fryberg Tulalip Health Clinic has the flu mist, a type of a influenza vaccine in the form of a nasal spray available for tribal children ages 2 to 18.  This is not an injection but a mist in the nostrils.

The Clinic will have the mist available until January 14th, 2013.  No appointment necessary, walk-ins are welcome.