Island tradition

For more than three decades, participants in the Mercer Island Rotary Run Day have been raising money to promote public awareness of colon cancer. The 33rd annual event is Sunday.

The event includes a certified half-marathon run and walk, the 8K Classic and a half-mile kids dash for youngsters up to 10. The start/finish line is at the Farmers New World Life Building, 3003 77th Ave. S.E., in the heart of the Mercer Island business district.

Entry fees range from $20 to $45 for adults and are $10 for youngsters. Registration Sunday will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. The half-marathon walk is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m., with other events afterward. More than 3,000 participants are expected.

Information is online at www.ontherun.com/mihalf, or call 206-236-5323, Ext. 1920.

Today

• Sound Transit will hold an open house to provide information about light-rail construction through communities in Seattle's Rainier Valley from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the NewHolly Community Center, 7054 32nd Ave. S.

The Sound Transit staff will be on hand to answer questions about construction schedules, traffic detours and other issues related to construction.

• Two specialists in anxiety disorders will host a free public forum at a downtown Seattle hotel to discuss the causes, diagnoses and treatment of anxiety disorders. The session, part of the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), will be followed by free, optional screenings.

The session will run from 5 to 6.30 p.m. at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave. It will be led by Jerilyn Ross, president and chief executive of the ADAA, and Dr. Peter Roy-Byrne, chief of psychiatry at Harborview Medical Center. Information: www.adaa.org

• The Washington State Bar Association's Civil Rights Committee will hold a free public forum on the topic "USA Patriot Act, the War on Terrorism and Civil Liberties: Balancing Safety and Freedom in the Post-9/11 World" from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., in Tacoma. Speakers will include Michael Lang, an assistant U.S. attorney for Western Washington, and Seattle attorney Michael Schein.

Sights of the city

The 30 new sculptures mounted on pedestrian lampposts along University Way Northeast in the heart of the University District are the product of a University of Washington art class working with the Greater University Chamber of Commerce and local merchants.

The chamber connected students in a sculpture and public-art course with district merchants to sponsor the projects. In exchange for sponsorship, the sculptures, many inspired by individual businesses, are placed as close as possible to the sponsoring business. Each piece is different and meant to be permanent.

Teresa Lord-Hugel, chamber director, said each installation required approval by sponsoring merchants and a design committee of University District community leaders. Eventually, artwork will adorn 75 lampposts in the community, Lord-Hugel said.

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.