SELECTIVE SQUEALING: To reduce traffic dangers, highway...

SELECTIVE SQUEALING: To reduce traffic dangers, highway patrol agencies nationwide are asking motorists with cellular telephones to call in about reckless drivers. In California, just call 911. . . . Local California Highway Patrol spokesman Michael L. Lundquist says it welcomes calls about erratic driving. But please, don’t call in speeders, he says: “That wouldn’t be realistic, since 99.9% of the people on our freeways are already speeding. The calls would bog down our lines so much we wouldn’t be able to take care of emergencies.”

OVER REACHING OUT: The Seal Beach City Council’s new budget keeps intact an 11% tax on residents’ monthly telephone, electric and gas bills. The tax is the highest in Orange County. . . . The one dissenting vote came from Councilman William J. Doane, who represents the Leisure World retirement community. He says the tax strikes at the heart of “the one thing Leisure World residents enjoy so much”--long-distance calls to their children across the country.

SAY CHEESE: As a Hillary Clinton look-alike, Teresa Barnwell of Costa Mesa has appeared in a “Tonight Show” skit with Jay Leno. But her most revealing Hillary gig appears in a national magazine ad for Joe Boxer underwear in which she and “Bill” show their undies--yellow boxers with large happy faces. . . . Barnwell, a Democrat, admits she’s nervous about it. “The President’s had such a rough time lately, and here we are with our pants down. I hope the Clintons have a sense of humor.”

BONUS DUTY: The Newport Beach-based consul general for the Marshall Islands republic in the Central Pacific has a new role--helping out youngsters with their homework. . . . Taraur Ria, its educational attache, has worked out a plan with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Schools will call him if any of the more than 200 children from the Marshall Islands have homework trouble. Ria will then work with the students and parents. Says district Supt. Mac Bernd: “It’s just a fantastic idea.”