C-TRAN offers new email and
wireless alert subscription service

C-TRAN has launched a new email subscription service from its website that allows subscribers to personalize the type of C-TRAN news and service information they wish to receive. As part of their preference choices, subscribers can also choose how they receive their information, either by email or wireless alerts to their cell phone, says Jeff Hamm, C-TRAN executive director and CEO of the transit agency.

"Because our customers are on the go,” states Hamm, “we wanted to be able to make our information more accessible to them. Information that is directly available via email or wireless alerts is really the best way to do that.”

The service is free. Anyone interested in receiving C-TRAN news and service updates can visit www.c-tran.com and click on the sign up link from the homepage. Users will then be directed to select from a number of C-TRAN news and service topics, including specific routes, board of director updates, or newsletters and press releases.

Current email subscribers are encouraged to sign-up for this new service to ensure their continuing to receive the latest C-TRAN information.

C-TRAN is a regional public transportation provider for portions of Clark County. C-TRAN offers local bus service within its Clark County service area, limited bus service to the nearest MAX light rail station, and express commuter service to downtown Portland. It also provides connector service within the city limits of Camas, La Center, and Ridgefield.

Bravo offers first compositions
of the masters Sunday

In a program called Classical Firsts, the first symphonies of Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn will be offered by Bravo! Vancouver’s Washington Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Michael Kissinger, at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S Andresen Road.

Admission is $20.

For further information, call 906-0441.

Camas-Washougal port
goes for Twitter and blog

The Port of Camas-Washougal is embracing new technology tools that encourage citizens to participate in an online dialogue and that provide additional methods of communication to spread the word about port activities and events, reports port executive director David Ripp.

The port has launched a Twitter Web site, www.twitter.com/portcw, and a blog at blog.portcw.com. The two new Web sites are currently operational and have content ranging from announcements about current weather conditions on the Twitter site to an article on the blog about the new reader board policy.

According to Ripp, “These new social media channels will help us engage the public using Internet technology that is becoming so popular today. These kinds of tools give us another way to encourage public discussion and provide updates on our activities in the port district.

“What is noteworthy is that having our own blog allows two-way discussion on subjects of interest to the community and offers a site where the public can post questions and concerns, get more detailed information, and learn the rest of the story not found in other discussion forums.”

Mount St. Helens Johnston
Ridge Observatory to open

The Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory will reopen for the season on Sunday, May 17. The visitor center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October, reports Jeanne Bennett, executive director of the Mount St. Helens Institute. Admission to Johnston Ridge and Coldwater Lake is $8 per person, 16 and older.

Admission on Monday, May 18th—the 29th Anniversary of the 1980 Eruption—is free; this includes admission to Johnston Ridge and Coldwater Lake. 

Business Success Association’s
First Anniversary is Wednesday

The Business Success Association is celebrating its first anniversary with a business exposition and networking event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in Club Green Meadows, 7702 NE 72nd Avenue.

Admission for BSA members is $20; $25 for nonmembers. For reservations, call 635-2933.

News brief

Burglars Sunday evening climbed an eight-foot security fence and broke a front door window to gain entrance into the local American Red Cross office, 3114 E Fourth Plain Boulevard, stealing two laptop computers and assorted life-saving instructional materials. The losses were less than the organization’s $2,500 deductible insurance, according to Red Cross spokesperson David Fenton.

Calendar

The C-TRAN board of directors meet at 5:30 p.m. this evening in the C-TRAN administration building, 2425 NE 65th Avenue. <> Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.            

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar