Here and Now
Blue Angels headed our way

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On Thursday, their flight schedule includes circling and maneuvers over the city from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and a practice show over Lake Washington from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

On Friday, they will hold a practice show over Lake Washington from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Air shows will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Spectators can watch preflight walk-downs, takeoffs and landings for free at the team's headquarters, the Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S.

To comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules, all lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washington, between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island, will be closed to cars, pedestrians and bicycles a number of times for practices and performances.

The bridge will be closed Thursday from noon to 12:45 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:20 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. I-90's reversible lanes will close up to two hours before closure of the other lanes.

Exits from westbound I-90 to Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way on Mercer Island will remain open, but motorists should anticipate that heavy congestion is likely during the bridge closures and access to those two exits might not be possible.

Motorists wishing to cross the lake should plan their trip at least an hour before scheduled closings.

Pet protection

Pet owners should protect animals that may become frightened by the noise of the Blue Angels' practice maneuvers and shows.
 
• Owners should make sure pets are wearing up-to-date identification tags and have a microchip ID, or at least have a name and phone number written on their collar.

• Bring pets indoors if you live near southwest Lake Washington where the Blue Angels will be performing or anywhere in the larger area where the planes will fly to regroup.

• Outdoor pets should be placed in a garage or an enclosed patio because fences and strong leads may not prevent a pet from panicking and breaking away.

Can you help?

YouthCare, a Seattle agency, is collecting new and nearly new clothes and school supplies for homeless youths through Aug. 14 at three Plato's Closet locations (in Bellevue at 14125 N.E. 20th St., at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, and in Tukwila at 17095 Southcenter Parkway). A school bus will be parked outside the Alderwood Mall store, and organizers hope to fill it with donations.

Backpacks, calculators, pens and notebooks will go to youngsters in YouthCare's residential programs and students attending Seattle's Orion Center School for homeless youths.

Traffic watch

Seattle: The Battery Street Tunnel's northbound right lane and the Bell Street onramp to northbound Highway 99 will be closed tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for electrical work. Because of that, the onramp at Western Avenue and Bell Street to northbound Highway 99, near the entrance to the Battery Street Tunnel, will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north on Western Avenue to Broad Street for an access route to northbound Highway 99.

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.