New Beacon Hill Library
The new $5.3 million branch at 2821 Beacon Ave. S. is three times the size of the old branch, a converted storefront at 2519 15th Ave. S. that served the neighborhood for four decades. The old branch has been closed since June 27.
The noon dedication will be followed by a series of musical events and talks by authors through 5 p.m. League of Women Voters members also will be on hand from noon to 6 p.m. for voter registration.
Along with the library opening, the North Beacon Hill Community Council will host a picnic in Stevens Place Park at Beacon Avenue South and 17th Avenue South from noon to 5 p.m.
The new branch is the 11th project completed under the city library system's 1998 voter-approved $196.4 million building program, which includes upgrades to 22 existing branches, new branches in underserved areas and the new downtown Central Library.
Another tax deadline
Taxpayers who have taken advantage of an automatic four-month extension of the April 15 deadline for filing federal income-tax returns should circle Aug. 16 on the calendar. That's the IRS filing deadline for the extension because Aug. 15, the date the returns normally would be due, falls on a Sunday.
The Aug. 16 deadline also applies to late filers who did not get an extension.
This weekend
Seattle's France-loving community will hold a celebration Sunday at Seattle Center marking a France-loving holiday, Bastille Day (which officially is July 14), and the birthday of the French republic. Events from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. will be at and around Center House and the Mural Amphitheatre. Most activities will be free.
For your information
More than 10,000 sockeye salmon have been migrating daily through the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks. So, now's a great time for home folks and out-of-towners to get a close-up view of the upstream migration through the Locks' lighted viewing windows. Also, visitors can follow brass salmon markers — new this season — that have been placed in the walkway from the main entrance gate to the fish ladder.
Public viewing hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. You can reach the fish ladder from the Locks main entrance at 3015 N.W. 54th St., or from Magnolia's Commodore Park.
520 bridge closure
The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge will be closed for annual maintenance tonight through Monday morning.
Highway 520 will be closed between Montlake Boulevard Northeast in Seattle and 92nd Avenue Northeast on the Eastside from 11:59 tonight until 5 a.m. Monday. The southbound Interstate 5 ramp to eastbound Highway 520 also will close at 11:59 tonight through 11:30 p.m. tomorrow. The northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound Highway 520 will be closed from 4:30 to 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Drivers crossing Lake Washington should use Interstate 90, Interstate 405 or Highway 522 (Lake City Way) during the 520 closure. Delays throughout the weekend are likely.
Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times staff reporter Charles E. Brown and news assistant Suesan Whitney Henderson. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.