Remember being a kid, getting outdoors and riding your bike?  The Blue Water Ramble Bicycle Tour will try to reconnect you with some of those feelings on Sunday, June 23rd.  They are hosting one of the largest one-day international bicycle tours in North America. Riders will enjoy the majesty of the Blue Water Area alongside the beautiful St. Clair River. Passing Great Lakes ships along the way will offer a view guaranteed to please cyclists of all ages.  There are four different routes to choose from, including distances of 30, 45, 65, and 100 miles. The 30 and 65-mile routes are in the U.S. only. Riders on the 45 and 100-mile routes have the option to ride in Canada, as well. Each stop will include food, drink, restrooms, and assistance if needed. The main rest stop will be in the U.S. where a hot lunch will be served.  For more details visit the BWR event page on Facebook.

For those of you headed out on a trip or even just to work the summer season is the busiest for the St. Clair County Road Commission. The Road Commission is reporting a few road watches this week for motorists. In the southern part of the county, in Casco County Line Road between Gratiot and Springborn will have intermittent lane closures for crack-sealing during the week. Residents of China Township will see two days of road closures at McKinley Road between St. Clair Highway and Fred Moore Highway due to a culvert replacement. Clay Township will also see construction with Anchor Bay Drive having single-lane closures with temporary traffic signals for a bridge replacement from now until mid-July. In Port Huron Township motorists should take notice as Dove Road between Michigan and Range will also be closed through mid-July. Although, local traffic will be allowed westbound only. All projects are weather dependent.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, Additional precipitation and high flows are anticipated to continue to contribute to extremely high lake levels. Based on the forecasted June 14th water levels, Lakes St. Clair, Michigan-Huron, and Ontario are predicted to rise above the previous month’s levels by 2, 6, and 9 inches respectively. Using the June 14th water level forecast, all lakes are predicted to have higher levels than last year by 10-13 inches. The projected level change by July 14th is a 2-inch rise for both Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron. Lake St. Clair is expected to be at a similar level on July 14. Lake St. Clair is expected to exceed the average for June by 2 inches. Check out the Army Corps of Engineers website for the most up to date information.

Is quitting smoking on your to-do list this summer? The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services can help with free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges through September 30th. The offer is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tips From Former Smokers® campaign featuring real people who are living with the effects of smoking-related diseases and secondhand smoke exposure. Up to eight weeks of free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges are available to Michigan residents who call the Quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW.

The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is an evidence-based service providing free telephone and online coaching and text messaging. More than 140,000 Michigan residents have used the Quitline or the online coaching program to help them in their journey towards a tobacco-free life. Enrollment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This Friday June 21, the Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center is inviting area residents to join them at Vantage Point in downtown Port Huron along the banks of the St Clair River for the Strides for Recovery 5k run Walk.  Cost to register is only $10, and according to Patrick Patterson, Center Manager, he believes this is the only run/walk in St. Clair County at this price.

Strides for Recovery Run/Walk is designed to spread awareness about recovery, recovery resources & raise funds to help addicts/alcoholics seeking recovery.  Proceeds will go to Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center.  Day of registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. near Vantage Point. Awards will be given to top runners.  Log on tohttps://runsignup.com/Race/MI/PortHuron/StridesforRecovery5K to pre-register.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates about 1 in 7 people with HIV don’t know they have it. This year’s theme, #DoingItMyWay is part of the Act Against AIDS initiative created to build awareness for HIV testing and prevention. Authorities say HIV testing should be a part of every adult’s health routine.

The St. Clair County Health Department offers confidential rapid HIV testing, by appointment, at two locations. The Main Office located at 3415 28^th Street, Port Huron and the Teen Health Center (ages 10-21) at 2215 Court St, Port Huron. Testing provides accurate information about HIV/AIDS, transmission and how to reduce your risk of infection.   For more information about their services call (810) 987-5300 or visit our website at www.scchealth.co. Also, you can follow them on social media @scchdmi.