Evergreen College to offer B.A.
program on Tulalip Reservation
TULALIP The Tulalip Tribes and Evergreen State College are joining forces to offer a new Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts on the Tulalip Reservation.
Encouraging our Tribal members to enter higher education will be the key to Tribal growth and prosperity over the next several decades, said Mel Sheldon, chairman of the Tulalip Tribes.
We have been striving for many years to provide meaningful educational opportunities that help place our membership into professional fields within the Tribes, he added.
The degree program is aimed at persons who already have earned an associates degree or have at least 90 hours of college credits. The program will emphasize topics and issues such as contemporary native communities, traditional knowledge and the sustainability of tribal nations. More generally, students will study ethics, management, social policy, social services, cultural traditions, literature and more.
The program will be taught on the Tulalip Reservation on Monday and Thursday evenings. Students also will travel to Evergreens campus in Olympia on four Saturdays each quarter for workshops and activities in the colleges Longhouse.
Evergreen is now accepting applications for spring and fall quarters, which begin March 31 and in September, respectively. Contact Renee Swan-Waite at swanwair@evergreen.edu or call 360-920-7745. A full program description is available at www.evergreen.edu/tribal/curriculum.htm.

Unique MS fundraiser to feature demonstrations, raffles
MARYSVILLE Most people dont even realize I have MS, said Lisa Nelson. When they find out, they dont believe it.
In an effort to help spread awareness of the affliction from which she suffers, for the second year, Nelson is spearheading a local benefit for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
I decided to take a different approach this year, she said, of the event scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 22, in the multipurpose room of the Marysville YMCA, 6420 60th Drive NE.
Nelson has lined up demonstrations from speciality retailers such as A Pampered Chef, Cookie Lee and BeautiControl. Massages also will be available. Of course, the event also will feature information on MS, which attacks a number of bodily systems, including muscles, vision and speech.
The event is open to the public, no tickets are needed. For more information, contact Nelson at 360-659-8527 or send an e-mail to geolis0810@verizon.net.

Local bank branch offers aid to military families in need
MARYSVILLE The local offices of North County Bank are offering a new way for residents to help military families in need.
North County Vice-President Toni Matthews has announced the formation of a Veterans Family Fund, with proceeds aimed at the families of military veterans in need, particularly those who have lost a loved one during military service.
Besides the obvious hardship of loosing a family member, Matthews said survivors of military casualties often must wait seven months or more to receive military death benefits. At the same time, if the surviving family is staying in military housing, they must vacate that housing within three months after the death of the service member.
To help support the Family Fund, those interested can start new accounts at North County Bank with half of the interest from those accounts going to the Family Fund. Matthews said new accounts can be started with as little as $100 at any North County branch in Marysville, Arlington or the Smokey Point area.
Matthews is the driving force behind the Family Fund locally and said she got the idea after hearing about some of the problems military families can face.
I just get these passions, she said. As far as she knows, North County is the only bank instituting the program locally.
For more information, call or visit the nearest North County Bank location.

City plans Easter Egg Hunt
Marysville Parks and Recreation hosts a free Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 22, 10 11 a.m. in Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road, for youth ages 8 and under.
Each participant will be able to collect six eggs from their designated age specific area of the park. All participants are asked to bring a canned food item for donation to the Marysville Food Bank. Additional parking will be available at the Marysville Middle School parking lot.
The Egg Hunt sponsored by Marysville Noon Rotary Club is sure to be fun for all. For more information, please call Marysville Parks and Recreation at 360-363-8400.