New map site

A new Web site has been launched in Seattle to help residents pick the best route for driving, walking or taking the bus.

Seattle is the eighth city in the country to be plugged into www.publicroutes.com. Plug in any two addresses, and the Web site will tell you the best way to get from one to another. "It's Mapquest for buses," said Mike Bush, with the New York company that is promoting the site.

It works for addresses in King, Pierce and Kitsap counties and will tell you the fastest way to get from one place to another using public transportation or driving. It includes maps and the ability to send directions to your cellphone or PDA.

Clean up the Skagit

Seattle City Light and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are joining dozens of rafters, kayakers and others to clean up a 26-mile section of the Skagit River this weekend.

It's the second-annual cleanup organized by Blue Sky Outfitters of Marblemount as part of a national river-cleanup week. It will involve trash removal by volunteers walking by the river and floating downstream.

Last year volunteers pulled more than 2,000 pounds of trash from a 10-mile section of the Skagit.

This year the cleanup is targeting a section of the river between Newhalem and Rockport, and guides from Blue Sky are donating salmon for a potluck barbecue Saturday night. The company is also offering free camping for those who participate.

City Light and the Forest Service will supply equipment, trucks and boats. To volunteer go to Blue Sky Outfitters at www.blueskyoutfitters.com/skagit-river-cleanup.asp.

Young professionals seminar

The Seattle Urban League Young Professionals is hosting a professional development event to help groom Seattle's future leaders.

Sponsored by Microsoft, the event is geared toward young professionals who may be interested in personal and professional development, but don't know where to look.

The seminar will be held March 24 at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond. There is no cost for the event, but advance registration is required. Call the organization at 206-461-3792, ext. 3024, or e-mail sulyp_info@yahoo.com.

Read for kids

As part of its commitment to help children succeed in school, United Way is starting a program to help prepare young children for kindergarten by recruiting volunteers to read aloud to the youngsters.

Volunteers will read to children at select preschools, Head Start classrooms and child-care centers throughout the community on a weekly basis. The time commitment is one to two hours per week for nine months, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information or to fill out an application, visit unitedwayofkingcounty.org or e-mail readers@uwkc.org.

Here & Now was compiled by Seattle Times staff reporter Susan Gilmore. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.