Sound Transit, which operates the three-county regional bus line and commuter trains, and the Downtown Seattle Association are throwing a little lunchtime party today — from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Westlake Park — to celebrate the start of the "Shop, Dine & Ride" program, a two-year promotion to lure bus riders downtown during the period the bus tunnel will be out of use.

As incentives, a number of downtown businesses, mostly stores and restaurants, will offer coupons and other incentives to people who use public transit.

The promotion is set to run as long as the tunnel is closed for construction to retrofit it for joint use by buses and light-rail trains.

The tunnel is scheduled to be closed after Sept. 23 and is not to reopen until 2007.

Merchants participating in the Shop, Dine & Ride promotion will display decals in their windows.

A jazz group will be on stage in Westlake Park for today's party. Information about the Shop, Dine & Ride program is online at www.shopdineride.org.

How to report illegal dumping

King County government has a new hotline and Web site for the public to report illegal dump sites. The hotline number is 206-296-SITE (7483) or toll-free 866-431-7483. The Web site is http://www.metrokc.gov/dumping.

The county warns that illegal dump sites can attract rats or pollute rivers and streams, and could contaminate wells if the site contains hazardous chemicals.

Illegal dump sites are a problem that affect public health and the environment.

The Seattle Animal Shelter needs sturdy crates that can be used to transport cats, kittens and other small pets.

If you have an extra small- to medium-size crate you'd like to unload, you can drop it off at the shelter at 2061 15th Ave. W., in Interbay. Donations may be left outside the entrance at any time.

The shelter said it has a short supply of crates at a time large numbers of kittens are coming through the shelter. The crates are used to transport pets to veterinary appointments and adoption events.

Crates should be in good condition with front doors attached, clean and labeled "freshly washed."

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times reporter Charles E. Brown and news assistant Suesan Whitney Henderson.

To submit an item, e-mail herenow@ seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.