More help on way for flood survivors

A new state hotline and e-mail address have been opened to assist December flood survivors whose essential needs have not been met through federal disaster-assistance programs.

The state's Disaster Unmet Needs Hotline is 253-507-6420 and the e-mail address is unmetneeds@emd.wa.gov.

State officials will connect callers to aid agencies and county long-term recovery organizations, which are being formed by local nonprofit and faith-based agencies. The state will work with the organizations in the flood-disaster counties in a long-term program to fill the gap between federal assistance and disaster-related needs.

Civic calendar

METRO shuttles

Through Sunday: Metro is offering shuttles to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show running through Sunday. The shuttles begin at 8:15 a.m. daily through Sunday from the North Seattle Community College southeast and southwest upper parking lots, 9600 College Way. N. Seattle. The round-trip fare for the shuttle is $2 — cash only — collected at the Convention Center. Children 5 and younger ride free with a fare-paying adult.

• Shuttles will be available for the Spring Home and Garden Show at Qwest Field on Saturday and Sunday traveling between Qwest Field and the Northgate Transit Center, South Bellevue Park-and-Ride and the South Renton Park-and-Ride. The free shuttles will operate from about 9:30 a.m. until the show closes for the day.

For more shuttle information, see www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/transtoday/2008news/feb/tt021808.htm.

Parks lecture

Today: National Parks Conservation Association president Tom Kiernan discusses "The Future of our National Parks" at 10:30 a.m. at REI, 222 Yale Ave., N., Seattle.

"Gay City"

Today: Seattle's Gay City Health Project launch party for a new anthology of fiction, poetry, photography and comic art at 7 p.m., Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle. A $5 donation is requested and the book will be for sale for $14.

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.

Feb. 21, 1979: After a 40-year absence, ferry service between Edmonds and Port Townsend returned. The ferry Kaleetan performed the run. It was the first ferry to do so since the Chetzemoka had the route in 1939. The new run was inaugurated eight days after part of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge sank during a severe storm.

Source: Historylink.org