Save the environment — and money

Seattle residents have until Tuesday to help cut down on greenhouse gases, decrease global warming and save money by turning in their gas-powered lawn mowers. By doing so they will earn a $25 rebate toward a new electric or push mower. By purchasing a new mower from any Northwest Natural Yard Days store, residents can receive an added discount of up to $100 through Tuesday.

Mowers can be turned in at Seattle Public Utilities' North Recycling and Disposal Station, 1350 N. 34th St., or South Station, 8105 Fifth Ave. S., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents are asked to empty their mowers of oil and gas before they are recycled as scrap metal. Mowers still will be accepted after Tuesday, but without the customer rebate.

For more information, visit www.seattle.gov/util or call 206-633-0224. For participating Northwest Natural Yard Days stores, visit www.yarddays.com.

Civic calendar

National Aquatic Month

Today-Friday: Seattle Parks and Recreation and the National Recreation and Park Association celebrate National Aquatic Month — to encourage the benefits of aquatic activities — at Ballard Pool, 1471 N.W. 67th St. Aquatic exercise classes can be found at www.seattle.gov/parks.

Seattle Parks Lifelong Recreation Events

Tuesday: Seattle Parks and Recreation hosts Arthritis Foundation Exercise and Aquatic Programs at Rainer Beach Community Center and Pool, 8825 Rainier Ave. S., in a free session from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The public can learn ways to manage pain from a panel of health providers who will answer questions. Door prizes and lunch will be provided. Information: 206-684-7484.

Traffic Watch

Today-Friday: Starting tonight, Seattle's Fremont Bridge will be closed this week to vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for work on its expansion joints. From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday morning, the bridge will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists, for work to upgrade the bridge's mechanical and electrical systems. The bridge will reopen to all traffic at 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

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.

May 14, 2005: The new Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library opens. The branch was built from recycled materials with environmentally friendly adhesives, sealants and paints and is partially solar-powered. It is twice the size of the 42-year-old branch it replaced.

Source: Historylink.org