Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County to host fundraising gala event

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County (BGCWC) is hosting its annual fundraising gala and auction at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28 at Silver Reef Casino Resort.

The gala and silent and live auctions will be held in the resort’s event center. The red-carpet event will have a red meat and seafood dinner with dessert.

Last year, the virtual event raised over $373,000 for BGCWC, according to the nonprofit’s event announcement.

“Funds raised at this event are critical in helping us accomplish our mission,” said Heather Powell, CEO of BGCWC. “We could not continue to do whatever it takes without the support of our community.”

BGCWC was founded in 1946 for students, especially those furthest from an equitable education, to reach their highest success. The organization has clubhouses including Blaine, Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden.

Got B.C. plates on your car?

In May of 2022, B.C. stopped issuing annual validation stickers for vehicle licenses. There have been sporadic reports on social media that police in Washington have been ticketing B.C. drivers for having “expired tabs” and given $529 fines. This does not appear to be the case.

Not according to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater. “While it is correct that B.C. has stopped issuing annual license tabs for B.C. – registered vehicles, vehicles with out-of-date tabs displayed are not being ticketed if the vehicle is currently registered. Washington law enforcement can run the license plate number to verify the expiration of the registration. We may ticket them if they are expired,” she said.

Doug Dahl, Target Zero manager for the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, said he can’t imagine that’s happening a lot. The law (RCW 46.16A.160) says that registration requirements don’t apply to residents whose vehicles are properly registered in their state or country.

Blaine police chief Donnell “Tank” Tanksley also added his naysay to the idea of police ticketing “expired” tabs.

Regarding vehicles from another nation being ticketed for expired license plates, I am unaware of that activity in Washington state. Here in the city of Blaine, we would not issue a citation for an expired B.C. plate,” Tanksley said, adding, “Moreover, Blaine Police Department does not enforce Canadian law(s).”

So, there you have it. Another example of social media gone bad.