Mail takes holiday for Columbus Day

Don't expect mail delivery today unless it's express mail. Post offices will be closed, and there will be no home delivery because most postal workers will be off for Columbus Day, a not-so-major but legal holiday set aside to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World in 1492.

Because it's a federal holiday, most federal workers will have the day off. But most city, county and state offices will be open. Most banks and credit unions will be closed. Schools will be open, and the day will be business-as-usual for most workers.

Regional bus lines and most state ferry routes will be running on regular schedules, but the Anacortes-San Juan Islands ferries will be on a Sunday schedule. Garbage will be collected on regular schedules, and transfer stations will be open as usual. Libraries and state liquor stores will be open. In Seattle, regular parking rules apply and meter readers will be making the rounds.

Community calendar

Candidate forums

Thursday: Seattle School Board candidates for four seats in the Nov. 6 general election will participate in a forum, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the school-district headquarters, 2445 Third Ave. S.

Seattle City Council candidates will face off and share their views on city government's role in helping families meet basic human needs, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E. on Capitol Hill. Co-sponsors include the Seattle Human Services Coalition.

Getting around

Seattle's Transportation Department says pedestrians and bicyclists will again be able to ride the Burke-Gilman Trail under the Fremont Bridge within the next week, rather than taking a detour that's been in place during bridge work. The trail from Stone Way North to Phinney Avenue North has been detoured to North 34th Street during replacement of bridge approaches and mechanical and electrical systems. Work has now progressed enough to open the trail using a temporary route through the construction site, according to the city. But there could be brief closures at times when construction equipment is moved across the trail or for other site work. All work should be completed next month.

Meanwhile, private construction near the Burke-Gilman Trail in the Lake City area will disrupt bicycle and pedestrian use of the trail between Northeast 125th and Northeast 135th streets for about 10 workdays, excluding weekends, starting today. The paved trail will be fenced off for about 400 feet north of Northeast 125th. The unpaved running and walking path along the east side of the trail will be open for use. Signs will direct cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes through that section of the trail.

To submit an item to Here & Now, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.

Oct. 8, 1995: The Seattle Mariners edged the New York Yankees, 6-5, in 11 epic innings to advance to the American League Championship Series against Cleveland. The M's dropped the first two games of the Division Series in Yankee Stadium, then reeled off three straight wins at the Kingdome. In Game 5, Randy Johnson came out of the bullpen in the ninth inning to keep the Yanks at bay. In the 11th, Edgar Martinez hit what today is known as "The Double" to win the game. Ken Griffey Jr. scored all the way from first base, and chaos reigned at the Dome.