Library's spring book sale this weekend

This weekend the Seattle Public Library will host the 36th annual Friends of The Seattle Public Library spring book sale at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Building No. 30.

Books, CDs, DVDs, music and art will be on sale at bargain prices and on Sunday will be sold for half-price.

Proceeds will benefit the Seattle Public Library, and unsold items will be donated to charities.

The public is advised to come early. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A special Friends members preview and silent auction of special items will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday. Annual membership purchase or renewal of $15 is available at the door or by calling 206-386-4098.

For more information on the book sale visit www.splfriends.org or call 206-523-4053.

Civic Calendar

Water Pollution Prevention Tour

April 21: King County will host an open house in celebration of Earth Day at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle's Discovery Park, 1400 W. Utah St. Visitors can learn about the plant's role in protecting water quality, safe home-cleaning products, and natural yard- and garden-care methods. Information: 206-296-8361.

Tribute to Bears

April 21-22: Woodland Park Zoo presents Bear Affair, an event recognizing bears in the wild and at the zoo, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the south entrance, North 50th Street and Fremont Avenue North, and the west entrance, North 55th Street and Phinney Avenue North. Booths, bear experts and a Saturday raffle are part of the event. Information: 206-684-4800 or visit www.zoo.org.

Traffic Watch

April 17: From 8 a.m. to as late as 8 p.m., Leary Avenue Northwest will be closed to all vehicles except for Metro Transit buses between Northwest Market Street and Northwest Vernon Place in the Ballard business district.

April 21-22: The postponed closure of the eastbound Interstate 90 exit to Highway 18 and Snoqualmie Parkway has been rescheduled this weekend. The previous closure was canceled because of the weather. Information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/SR18_Eramps.

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times news assistant Allison Espiritu. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.

April 17, 1961: Forty-six years ago, the groundbreaking ceremonies took place for the Space Needle, built for the Century 21 World's Fair. Standing 605 feet tall, with an observation deck and revolving restaurant, it was the tallest structure in the city.

Source: Historylink.org

Information in this article, originally published April 17, was corrected April 17. A previous version of this story mistakenly said April 17, 1961, signified the opening ceremonies for the Space Needle. The date marked the groundbreaking ceremony.