A look at library's history trove

Want to know more about Seattle Central Library's hidden treasures?

Join Historic Seattle members today when they explore and discuss some of the library's most important collections of books, maps, photographs and ephemera, including a 1903 edition of the "Lewis and Clark Journals" edited by historian Reuben Thwaites, historic photographs, World War I and II posters and a postcard collection. A Historic Seattle meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. and a discussion follows at 7 p.m. at the Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle. The event is free and part of the organization's "Learning From Historic Sites" program. For more information: www.historicseattle.org.

Civic calendar

King County budget

Tue.-Wed., Oct. 30, Nov. 1. : Public hearings concerning the proposed $4.8 billion 2008 budget are at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 Fourth Ave., Kent; Wednesday, West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; Oct. 30, Bellevue City Hall, City Council Chambers, 11511 Main St., Bellevue; and Nov. 1, King County Council Chambers, 10th floor, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Seattle. For additional information: www.kingcounty.gov.

Police accountability

Today: Police accountability review panel meeting, 6:30 p.m., Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., Seattle.

Traffic watch

Today-Nov. 1: Nighttime Fremont Bridge closures are scheduled this week and next for continued work on the bridge's mechanical and electrical systems. The bridge will be closed from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. today through Thursday and during the same hours Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. For updates and cancellations: www.seattle.gov/fremontbridge.

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

Oct. 22, 1961: Burglar, nationally known jewel thief and King County Jail inmate Thomas Rafael Fasenmeyer Jr. masterminded the escape of eight inmates from the jail. The prisoners sawed through the bars of a 10th-floor window of the County-City Building and, using a rope fashioned from knotted bed sheets, lowered themselves to a ninth-floor window, re-entered the building and headed for public elevators.

During the escape, one inmate fell to his death. Five others were apprehended after reaching the street, and two, including Fasenmeyer, got away but were recaptured within a week.

Fasenmeyer ran up First Hill, and at 11th Avenue and Jefferson Street he stole a white Cadillac belonging to Seattle restaurateur Ruby Chow. He abandoned the car near Marysville. He was caught Oct. 24 near Blaine by Border Patrol agents.

Source: Historylink.org