Here and Now
Help for a habit

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Gov. Gary Locke has designated this week Problem Gambling Awareness Week. People who need help can be referred for a free screening by calling the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling's toll-free help line — 800-547-6133.

Today

• The Seattle Parks Department will host a meeting at 7 p.m. to present its design for the northwest corner of 22nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 57th Street, where a new Ballard Civic Center Park is to be built in the heart of Ballard.

There's a temporary skateboard park on that corner now, and skateboarders, who want it to become permanent, held a rally Saturday to make their position known.

The meeting will be at the Ballard Segway Building, site of a former Safeway store at 5701 22nd Ave. N.W., next to the temporary skate park.

A parks spokeswoman said the department will present a single schematic design at the meeting based on concepts from the Ballard Municipal Center Master Plan and comments at two other community meetings.

The design doesn't include a permanent skateboard park, but does call for a library and neighborhood service center to be built this year, and the civic park projected to be built next year.

• Dr. David Evans of the Smithsonian Institute will explore coral reefs in a free program at 7 p.m. in Kane Hall 120 on the University of Washington's main campus. "Beneath the Surface: Lessons from Coral Reefs," is the final lecture in the UW's "Oceans to Stars" lecture series. Advance registration requested: www.washington.edu/alumni/ or 206-616-6692.

Program canceled

A program by the Foundation for the Russian American Economic Cooperation, which was to be tomorrow, has been canceled. The program was to feature Jack Matlock, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, at 6 p.m. on the University of Washington's main campus. Information: 206-770-4009.
 
Getting around

Sound Transit's entire five-floor Kent Station garage at the Sounder commuter-rail station in Kent is now open, providing nearly 900 parking spaces. The garage's lower floors have been open for two years. The garage, at 301 Railroad Ave. N., is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., except holidays.

Can you help?

A King County Superior Court program that trains and supervises volunteers to be advocates in court for abused and neglected children is seeking volunteers for cases in Seattle and King County. Volunteers must be 21 and complete a 28-hour training program. For information, call 206-296-1120.

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times staff reporter Charles E. Brown and news assistant Suesan Whitney Henderson. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company