Walk power

This region's public-health agency is promoting lunchtime community walks Wednesday and Thursday as a stress-reducing way to note National Public Health Week.

Health department and King County employees will lead 30-minute walks, from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and the public is invited to join in. Each walk will start at Third Avenue and Marion Street in downtown Seattle.

In support of National Public Health Week, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels have declared this week as Public Health Week for King County and Seattle.

Earth works

For more than three decades, Earth Day — on April 22 — has marked a worldwide campaign to increase renewable energy. Activities, from community cleanups to recycling projects, not only focus on Earth Day but are scheduled throughout this month, including many locally.

The Seattle Parks Department says Earth Month and Earth Day are being observed in every corner of the city. A number of activities this month are listed on the Parks Department's Web site — www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/earth.htm.

This week, for example, the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center has scheduled a work party at Seattle's Discovery Park on Thursday, and a two-hour workshop to discuss how "green" remodeling differs from conventional remodeling is scheduled that day at Carkeek Park in Northwest Seattle.

On Saturday, work parties are scheduled at Leschi Park and Seward Park along Lake Washington, at Lincoln Park in West Seattle, and at Magnuson Park in the Sand Point area.

King County's annual Earth Day Expo will be April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle, with free activities for children and adults.

Getting around

After a 12-week winter hiatus, Washington State Ferries has resumed daily sailings between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C., and weekend interisland service in the San Juan Islands. Information is online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

Because the B.C. trip crosses international waters, U.S. citizens will need to provide proof of citizenship and photo identification: a passport, an official birth record, a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of naturalization. Vehicles and baggage are subject to inspection.

San Juan islands passengers boarding boats originating in Sidney, B.C. also are subject to U.S. Customs inspection upon arrival in Anacortes.

Traffic watch

Seattle's Fremont Bridge will have early-morning closures for all traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians, Wednesday and Thursday between 2 and 6 a.m. for bridge work.

The bridge also will be closed to motor traffic from 9 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday for street work, but pedestrians and bicycles will be allowed to cross.

Boat traffic through the Ship Canal will not be affected by closures this week.

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times' Metro staff reporter Charles E. Brown. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.