Weekend on the Cheap:
– Super Kids Resale consignment event happening now until Sunday inside Mall 205. On Sunday, many items will be half off.
– Twice Around The Block Children’s and Maternity Consignment Sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Emmert International Business Park in Clackamas.
– Milepost 5 Grand Opening Celebration this Friday at 7:00pm and running on Saturday and Sunday at 900 NE 81st Avenue in Portland. This 3-day arts festival features over 100 artists, music, performance, spoken word, tours and much more, all free.
– Friends of the Tigard Library Spring Used Book Sale this Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and on Saturday from 9:00am – 3:00PM.
– Beaverton 2011 Living Greener Summit, this Saturday from 9:00am – 12:30pm at the Beaverton City Library. This free event features educational presentations, organic food options, energy alternatives, waste reduction and over 50 exhibitors.
– Free Family Day at the Washington County Museum and Print Arts Northwest this Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with special activities for families.
– Northwest Family Services Resource Fair this Saturday from 10:00am – 3:00pm in Milwaukie. This free event has over 15 exhibitors with activities for kids, lead testing, blood pressure screening, raffle and more.
– Opening reception of “Discover Your Inner Artist… at the Library!,” this Saturday at Multnomah County Central Library, 3:00pm – 4:30pm. From web site: “View the exhibition and artwork, meet some of the talented artists who teach in the library, and become part of the exhibition by creating your own piece of art! All materials provided. Light refreshments will be served.” Here’s a shout out to one of the featured artists we know — Addie Boswell, with a focus in oil painting, paper collage, writing, and children’s picture books.
– “Cute as a Button,” free project workshop this Sunday at the Multnomah County Central Library, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, all materials are provided, register online or via phone.
– Over on the south side of town, the Multnomah County Capitol Hill Library presents “Budgeting and Saving,” as part of the Smart Saving series, Sunday from 2:00pm – 3:00pm, free.
– Free concert by the Hillsboro Community Youth Choir this Sunday, 3:00pm at the Venetian Theater.
SPOTLIGHT: LAST MINUTE TAX HELP & TIPS
– CASH Oregon, offers free tax preparation service with no qualifications. See the web site for a list of locations in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties. Some locations are appointment only, while others are available on a walk-in basis. Tax preparers are IRS-certified.
– Tax Counseling Services are also provided free by AARP Volunteers for people ages 60 and up who qualify financially. Many sites will also assist people under age 60 with income limitations, but you must call to verify. Please see this web site to search for tax aide locations which includes Multnomah County Libraries and Washington County Libraries. This Saturday the Tualatin Public Library will provide assistance with scheduled appointment.
– You can also locate assistance through Multnomah County Libraries from now until Monday, April 18th. From the Events page, click on ‘Event Finder’ and use dates April 7 – April 18 with key word ‘tax’ and then hit ‘SEARCH’ for a return listing of tax assistance times, dates and locations.
– Portland Taxpayer Assistance Center, open Monday – Friday from 8:30am- 5:30pm. No appointment is necessary – just walk in. If a same-day appointment is not available, a future appointment will be made within 5 business days. Multilingual assistance is available in every office. The office offers Federal Tax Return Preparation if you meet certain qualifications; see web site for full scope of services available.
– State of Oregon Taxpayer assistance for the Oregon Tax form; call 800-356-4222. If you can’t find what you need after listening to the options on the phone, you may press zero to speak with a representative. Since there are just 10 days left to file, be aware that there will be wait times or busy signals due to high call volumes. Next week from April 11th – 18th, they will have extended hours from 7:30am – 6:00pm.
– Call 2-1-1 on your telephone for additional information and referrals, or visit their web site here.
– Have a specific question you need answered now? Then go to the OregonianLive.com blog and pose your tax questions to experts in a live chat TODAY (Thursday) beginning at 12:00pm.
Other resources and articles:
– Article: “30 Last-Minute Tax Tips,” by Laura Saunders and provided by the Wall Street Journal.
– Bankrate.com. Major web site with a slew of tips and help with state and federal income taxes.
– Smartmoney.com. Comprehensive articles, videos and links to help with your tax questions.
– Yahoo Personal Finance page with how-to tax guide, articles, tools, stories and more, including “6 Sources for Free Tax Help.”
