Horsing around
Remember Seattle's Pigs on Parade a few years ago? The first of the whimsically decorated pony sculptures in the Downtown Seattle Association's "Ponies on Parade" campaign are hitting the streets downtown this morning.
The first 22 sculptures — life-sized fiberglass ponies made of materials such as blown glass, tile, paint, metal, rhinestones, coins and fabric painted and decorated by prominent local artists — have been unveiled on sidewalks, and in public spaces and parks from the Denny Triangle neighborhood to Pioneer Square. Others will be unveiled throughout the day.
By tomorrow, photos and a map of all pony locations should be online at www.poniesonparade.org.
The ponies will be on display through Jan. 31. In March, they will be auctioned off at a gala to raise money for Northwest Center, a local nonprofit charity for children and adults with disabilities.
Marathon time
Registrations are still open online, in person at several local outlets, or by mail until tomorrow for this year's Seattle Marathon, one of the top 20 marathons in the nation. This is the event's 35th year in Seattle, scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28.
No registrations will be accepted on race day, Nov. 28. But in-person registration will still be possible at the downtown Westin Hotel from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 26, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27.
Festivities are scheduled to begin Nov. 26 with a two-day Health and Fitness Expo in the Westin's grand ballroom.
Nearly 2,500 youngsters are expected to participate in a special kids marathon at 10 a.m. Nov. 27. The big marathon will be the next day, Nov. 28, starting in the Seattle Center area.
Organizers estimate as many as 15,000 participating athletes for the 26.2-mile race, which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, and for a 13.1-mile half-marathon and event walks.
Until tomorrow, registration fees range from $10 to $85. For the fourth consecutive year, the nonprofit Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Puget Sound is the event's beneficiary. Registration information is online at www.seattlemarathon.org.
Contributions also may be made through the marathon Web site.
Care to share?
CityTeam Ministries is in need of frozen turkeys and nonperishable food donations for a Thanksgiving meal the nonprofit organizations plans to serve Saturday. The nonprofit hopes to serve more than 400 meals. Its list of needs includes breakfast cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups, canned meats, top ramen, snack bars, cake mix, canned milk, rice, beans, pasta, chicken broth, stuffing mix, pies and pasta sauce.
Donations may be dropped off at CityTeam offices at 904 Elliott Ave. W., between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. today or tomorrow, and until noon Saturday, when volunteers will be at CityTeam headquarters preparing meals. Information: 206-714-7585.
Getting around
The large lock at the Ballard Locks will be closed for maintenance from Saturday through Dec. 3. However, the small lock will be open for boat traffic. The small lock can usually handle vessels up to 100 feet long with 25-foot beams.
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.