Combating underage drinking

Communities all over the state will be hosting town-hall meetings, most of them this week, to increase public awareness of underage drinking and its consequences.

According to the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), drinking by people younger than 21 is a leading public-health problem in the state. A statewide survey conducted in schools last year led DSHS to conclude that nearly one of five eighth-graders had recently used alcohol and that one of five high-school sophomores recently had five or more drinks.

Co-sponsors of the town-hall meetings, DSHS' Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and the state Liquor Control Board, say the meetings will provide a chance for communities to hear about new research, including local statistics on underage drinking, and how underage alcohol use can best be prevented.

One of the Seattle-area meetings will be hosted by Project HANDLE, an HIV/AIDS and substance-abuse-prevention program through Neighborhood House, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Kane Hall's Walker-Ames Room on the University of Washington campus. The meeting is open to the public.

Information about other area meetings and meeting locations is online at

www1.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/MR/TH.pdf, or by calling Pam Darby at 360-725-3720.

Studded-tire deadline

The deadline is approaching to get those studded tires off your vehicles. Friday is the last day studded tires can legally be used this season in this state. After that, motorists can get a $101 ticket.

Studded tires are legal only part of the year because they cause more wear to road surfaces than other tires. Drivers concerned about bad weather crossing mountain passes should carry chains.

New shelter schedule

That means the shelter will be open later on Sundays for pet adoptions and for people to claim lost pets or bring in strays and unwanted pets. The shelter is at 2061 15th Ave. W., about a mile south of the Ballard Bridge.

Leadership camp

The YMCA's Patsy Collins Adventure in Leadership for Girls of Promise program is accepting applications for its 10th summer season for middle-school girls. The program is designed to help girls overcome the tendency to withdraw from leadership roles in early adolescence.

Three 15-day camping sessions are scheduled — starting July 6, July 24 and Aug. 11 — on Orcas Island. The program is for girls entering eighth or ninth grades in the fall. Successful female role models from business, the arts, media and community organizations play a key role in the program.

An informational brochure and application packet can be requested by calling 206-223-1622.

Traffic watch

Interstate 405's northbound lanes in Kirkland's Totem Lake area will be closed to traffic tonight and for the next two nights while new bridge girders are set in place. All northbound lanes will be closed near Northeast 128th Street from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. A detour route will be posted.

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.