Boat show ends early at Qwest event center

The Seattle Boat Show at Qwest Field Event Center is closing early because of the Seahawks playoffs. Friday is the show's final day, instead of Sunday as originally planned.

The boat show, which traditionally runs for 10 days in January, including two weekends, will close after an eight-day run, which started last Friday. The show's run dates had already been moved earlier than usual because of the Seahawks' likely place in the playoffs.

The early closure will not affect the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show, which continues through Sunday. Details: 206-634-0911 orwww.seattleboatshow.com or www.boatsafloatshow.com.

An informational meeting for the Vertical Express for MS event is 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Paragon Restaurant and Bar, 2125 Queen Anne Ave. N. in Seattle.

The event at Crystal Mountain ski area, for teams of three skiers and/or riders of all abilities, benefits The Heuga Center, a national nonprofit and leader in the field of wellness and educational programs for people and families living with multiple sclerosis.

Each team must raise a minimum $1,000 to participate. Any team that raises $15,000 or more wins a trip to Vail, Colo., April 6-9 for the awards celebration. Those who can't take part in person can participate online. Details: 888-DO-IT-4MS or www.verticalexpress.org.

SKIFORALL Foundation, considering a name change to reflect its expansion into other sports and activities for children and adults with disabilities, is welcoming entries in a renaming contest through Feb. 3. The winner will receive a $250 REI gift certificate.

E-mail entries to name search@skiforall.org or send to SKIFORALL Name Search, 1621 114th Ave. S.E., Suite 132, Bellevue, WA 98004-6905. Details: 425-462-0978 or www.skiforall.org.

The Orvis Store in Bellevue is hosting a free fly-fishing seminar at 1 p.m. Saturday on "Nymphing the Yakima River in the Winter." Details: 425-452-9138.

Northwest Trek in Eatonville, Pierce County, will offer free admission for up to four children under age 17 with each paid adult Saturday through Monday. The park is open 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Details: 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

East Lake Washington Audubon Society's Winter Birding for Beginners class starts Jan. 31. The two field trips and two class sessions offer the basics of bird identification, birding etiquette and ethics, equipment selection, field guides and local birding areas. Cost is $75 for members, and $100 for nonmembers (chapter membership is $25). Details: 425-576-8805 or www.elwas.org.

State Fish and Wildlife has a 24-hour hotline to report dead or ill swans that have succumbed to lead poisoning in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Leave your name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans, at 360-466-4345, ext. 266, through February.

Volunteers from the Trumpeter Swan Society and the Washington Waterfowl Association will pick up the birds.

The Puget Sound Chapter of the American Cetacean Society is hosting a free seminar on killer whales and salmon at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. in Seattle. Shannon McCluskey will be guest speaker. Details: 206-781-4860 or www.acspugetsound.org.

Mark Yuasa can be reached at 206-464-8780; e-mail: outdoorsnotes@seattletimes.com; fax: 206-464-3255; address: P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.