That Friday feeling

Superstitions may run rampant today — Friday the 13th. Some years, there's only one of those days. And never more than three in a year. This is the second, and the last this year. The other was in January.

So, there's reason to feel a bit triskaidekaphobic today. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13. If you can make it through today, you'll have nothing to fear until next April. Meanwhile, those with superstitions may want to avoid black cats, sidewalk cracks and walking under ladders today.

Viaduct closure reminder

The Alaskan Way Viaduct through downtown Seattle will be closed this weekend — Saturday and Sunday — for semiannual inspections. Both decks will be closed both days to all vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between South Spokane Street and the Battery Street Tunnel at the north end of downtown Seattle.

The closure is expected to increase congestion not just on Highway 99 but also on all major north-south routes through town, including Interstate 5. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for trips.

Traffic conditions can be checked online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic. Drivers can also get traffic updates by calling the state driver-information line — 511.

Library reopening

The Seattle Public Library's newly expanded Douglass-Truth branch at 23rd Avenue and East Yesler Way will reopen at noon Saturday with a dedication and community celebration. Festivities will continue throughout the afternoon, with free coffee and snacks. The branch will be open until 6 p.m.

The official tree

A "grown in Washington" Christmas tree has graced the White House but never the Capitol. So this is a first: A tree from this state — a 65-foot Noble fir growing in the Olympic National Forest — has been selected as the nation's official Capitol Christmas Tree.

Since 1970, the Capitol tree has come from a national forest. The Capitol Christmas Tree is not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree, which is planted near the White House and is lit by the president and first lady.

Schoolchildren in this state have been called on to create unique decorations that represent the Evergreen state. Kim Schmanke, a spokeswoman in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, said the state hopes to provide about 3,000 handcrafted ornaments. So far, several hundred have been collected.

All K-12 schools — including public, private and home schools — are invited to participate. And the superintendent's office hopes teachers will incorporate the project into classroom studies.

Submitting an ornament will qualify students for a drawing that allows the winner and his or her parent/guardian and teacher a free trip to Washington, D.C., for the official tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 6. The winner will be picked Nov. 6 during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Olympia.

Templates and sample lesson plans for ornament design, based on the theme "A gift from the Evergreen State," are online at www.capitolchristmastree2006.org, and so is information about how to submit ornaments.

They must be submitted before the Nov. 1deadline.

Traffic watch

Seattle: Virginia Street between Westlake Avenue and Sixth Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8 tonight to 6 p.m. Saturday while Seattle City Light workers install a new below-ground electrical vault. The sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians.

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.