Project OK'd to clean up graffiti on private property

The Snohomish County Council has approved a two-year demonstration project aimed at cleaning up graffiti on private property.

The council last week voted 3-1 for the program, which is a scaled-down version of a proposal offered last summer by County Executive Aaron Reardon. Councilman Mike Cooper voted no, saying he had too many unanswered questions and wanted to delay the decision, and Councilman John Koster was absent.

Reardon's office also urged the council to delay its vote. Executive Director Deanna Dawson conveyed Reardon's wish that "slum lords" and businesses with adequate financial resources be held responsible for timely cleanup of graffiti on their properties. Reardon had proposed fines for delinquent property owners.

The council's program calls for the county Public Works Department to alert property owners when graffiti is reported on their buildings or fences. If owners indicate they are unable to clean it up, the department will tell them they can request that county crews remove it for them.

Marysville

Parenting info at community fair

Free parenting advice and information on health and youth programs available in the Marysville area will be offered at the Marysville 411 Community Connections Fair on Saturday.

The free fair includes more than two dozen informational booths along with keynote speakers, live entertainment, craft tables and lunch.

Events take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Totem Middle School gymnasium and cafeteria at 1605 Seventh St. in Marysville.

Tulalip

3 incumbents re-elected to board

The Tulalip Tribes re-elected three incumbents to its governing body Saturday.

Tribal members voted to keep incumbents Mel Sheldon, Glen Gobin and Chuck James on the seven-person board of directors.

The officers for the board also were selected Saturday, and tribal members opted to keep the same officers as in 2007, retaining Sheldon as chairman, Marie M. Zackuse as vice chair, James as treasurer and Marlin Fryberg as secretary.

The elected board members and officers will be sworn in April 5.

Edmonds, Everett

Legal clinics for artists set up

Washington Lawyers for the Arts, a nonprofit legal organization serving the arts, is partnering with Arts Now and the Arts Council of Snohomish County to provide legal clinics for artists at locations in Edmonds and Everett.

The clinics are open to all artists and arts organizations. Topics may include copyrights, trademarks, licensing and other issues. Consultations last 30 minutes, and a $20 donation is requested. Appointments are required by calling 206-328-7053.

The clinics will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday and 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 16 at ArtWorks, 201 Second Ave. S., Edmonds; and 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 21 at the Monte Cristo Hotel, 1507 Wall St., Everett.

For more information, go to www.thewla.org.

Everett

History lecture on art-crafts style

Author and lecturer Lawrence Kreisman of Historic Seattle will present a talk, sign copies of his book and give a slide show based on his new work, "The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest," at 2 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave.

The free talk covers interior design, architecture, furniture and other topics.

For more information, call 425-257-8000 or go to www.epls.org.

Woodinville

Underage drinking is town-hall topic

A town-hall meeting about underage drinking will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Carol Edwards Center in Woodinville to discuss the dangers of underage drinking and steps that can be taken to reduce the problem.

The session at the center, 17401 133rd Ave. N.E., will be conducted by the city, the King County Sheriff's Office and Woodinville High School. The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees will receive information about new national and regional research findings and learn why young people are at a greater risk from alcohol than adults are. More information is available from Officer Kelly Park at 425-489-2700.

Snohomish County

No tax filing, no stimulus money

Snohomish County is urging local charities, churches and people who work with low-income families and senior citizens to help spread the word about the federal 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment.

Many people who might be eligible don't typically file federal tax returns. But they can't get the payments unless they file this year.

Eligible residents, who earned a combined $3,000 in income, Social Security benefits and/or veterans' payments, may receive up to $300 (or $600 for married couples filing joint returns). Those eligible may also receive $300 per child.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has created a one-page flier and other materials that may be copied and distributed, available at www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179735,00.html. Free tax assistance is being offered by:

• The United Way of Snohomish County, through April 15, from 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W., Lynnwood, and North Middle School, 2514 Rainier Ave., Everett.

• ACORN, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-8 p.m. at 2012 Lombard Ave., Everett.

• AARP TaxAide, offering help at many locations: https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp.• The IRS, with help available by calling 1-800-829-1040 or visiting its local office at 3020 Rucker Ave., Everett.