Donate a toy and receive free oil change
You can buy a new toy and trade it for an oil change. AA Auto Service Center, 8004 Avondale Way N.E., Redmond, is holding a benefit toy drive for Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center. Beginning Thursday, you can drop off a new toy at the auto center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 15, and you’ll receive a free oil change.
Gift suggestions include music CDs, books, videos rated PG and PG-13, blankets, Nintendo 64 games and hand controllers, Brio trains, Lego kit sets, infant and younger-toddler toys, portable CD and tape players, children’s clothing, handheld musical instruments, art sketch pads, board games and beach toys. For more information call AA Auto Service Center at 425-558-1092.
Civic calendar
Program for parents
Thursday: Soundview School and the Soundview Parent Association Parent Lecture Series presents Dr. Dimitri Christakis discussing “What Parents Should Know About the Effects of Media on Very Young Children’s Language Development, Attention Spans and Behavior,” 7 p.m., Soundview School, 6515 196th S.W., Lynnwood; $10 suggested donation. For more information see www.soundview.org
“Bridging the Gap” summit
Thursday: The state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Office of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises host a free summit aimed at working on eliminating barriers and improving contracting opportunities for businesses owned by women and minorities. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., DSHS, Office Building 2, 1115 Washington St., Olympia. Register online at www.dshs.wa.gov/dao
Traffic watch
Thursday-Friday: State transportation crews will close the left lane in both directions of South Royal Brougham Way between Fourth Avenue South and Occidental Avenue South from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two outside lanes will remain open to traffic.
Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times lead news assistant Lynne Berry. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.
Nov. 16, 2006: It was a year ago that a 210-foot tower crane, used in building construction, collapsed in downtown Bellevue, killing Matthew Ammon in his top-floor apartment and damaging three buildings. After a six-month investigation, the State Department of Labor and Industries determined the collapse was caused by catastrophic failure of a custom-designed, nonstandard base. The incident spurred the Legislature to pass a crane-safety law that is among the nation’s strictest.
Source: Historylink.org