News in Brief

Click it or Ticket
Whatcom County law enforcement agencies will be stepping up their patrol for seatbelt violations until June 3 as part of their Click it or Ticket extra enforcement campaign.
Approximately 115 law enforcement agencies will work 294 extra patrol hours to monitor county, city and state roads for drivers who are not buckled.
The Washington State Patrol district that includes Whatcom County will provide an additional 777 extra patrol hours.
The effort is sponsored by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Whatcom County law enforcement agencies cited 410 unbelted drivers in Whatcom County during the last three years of May Click it or Ticket emphasis patrols. Local participating law enforcement agencies include Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and the Western Washington University police departments.

Senior recognition night
Blaine high school will recognize graduating seniors who have excelled with the presentation of scholarships at their annual Recognition Night on Tuesday, May 23.
The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Blaine performing arts center and will include refreshments and entertainment by the band and choral departments.
For more information, call Blaine high school at 332-6045.

Bike to work day May 19
May 19 is the 50th anniversary of the League of American Cyclists’ bike to work week and day, something they began promoting when Eisenhower was president and the biggest name in American cycling was Schwinn.
Half a million Americans currently ride bicycles to work every day, but according to the League that’s still less than one percent of the total. As gasoline prices climb the group hopes that number will rise.
Locally, Blaine Middle School math and science teacher Dan Steelquist is promoting Bike to Work or School day.
“They’re going to have a station set up at the corner of H and Mitchell by the middle school gym with coffee and snacks to encourage people to ride to work or school,” said teacher Jeff Nyman, organizer of previous years’ events. The refreshment stand will be open from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. with coffee and snacks.
The league says that everyone on a bike should know and follow the 10 Commandments: wear a helmet, conduct an ABC (air, brakes, cranks, chain and cassette) Quick Check before every ride, obey traffic laws, ride predictably and be visible, be in the lane farthest to the right that’s going your way at intersections, signal your intentions, be prepared for breakdowns by knowing how to repair your bike on the road, practice bike handling skills.
Most importantly, though, drink before you’re thirsty, eat before you’re hungry, and have fun!

Teacher Appreciation day
In conjunction with Teachers Appreciation Day and massage awareness week and the second annual Blaine Teacher’s Massage Day, Sharon Barnett and two local massage therapists signed up to give chair massages to staff at the Blaine campus on Thursday, May 11.
The Whatcom County Association of Massage Therapists hosts a Massage Awareness Day with other national groups promote similar events at different times each year.
Staff were invited to sign up for a 15 minute chair massage.
“Wow, this feels better than a 10 minute power-nap!” said one teacher.
If you wish to arrange a similar complimentary program anywhere in Whatcom County please call Sharon Barnett, LMT (Point Roberts) 945-3084 Trista Rawlings, LMT (Bellingham and Blaine) 756-0824 or Esther Moynahan, LMT (Blaine) 332-9492.32-6045.