Record ridership leads Amtrak to continue service between the two Vancouvers

Originally scheduled to end on March 31 of this year, Amtrak has announced it will continue to offer direct same-day train service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and historic Vancouver, Wash., through the end of September 2010. The addition of a second Amtrak Cascades train in late summer of 2009 provided, for the first time, direct round-trip service between Vancouver, Wash., and its namesake, Vancouver, B.C.

"The continuation of this popular route through the summer months will allow Vancouver, B.C., residents to travel to Vancouver, Washington, in one day and without having to get off the train," said Kim Bennett, president of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "Everyone from history buffs, to families, to foodies, can now get to know both cities, which, although they share the same name, offer very different experiences."

The first quarter of 2010 set a new ridership record for Amtrak Cascades with an increase of nearly 34,000 riders over 2009, making it the highest ridership for the first quarter since 1994. 

Total ridership for the first quarter was 183,773 for all Amtrak Cascades trains—an increase of 22.4 percent.

"Amtrak Cascades continues to gain popularity as a great travel option for people who want to avoid highway congestion and reduce their carbon footprint," said Paula Hammond, Washington's transportation secretary. "With the addition of the second train service to Vancouver, B.C., and future expansions in the next few years with Recovery Act funds, this service will continue to be a great investment for Washington and the region."

Compared to 2009, Amtrak Cascades ridership has seen growth each month in the first three months of this year. January ridership was 55,989—an increase of nearly 26 percent. In February, ridership soared to 60,745 for the month for an amazing 34 percent increase over 2009. This growth in ridership was due largely to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. March recorded the highest ridership for the quarter at 67,039—an 11 percent increase over 2009.

A good portion of the ridership growth has been from the trains to and from Vancouver, B.C., In August 2009, a second train service to and from Vancouver, B.C. was added which included first-time direct train service out of Portland, OR. Since August, ridership on the second train has totaled 32,091.

Amtrak Cascades operates four daily round-trips between Portland and Seattle, one daily round trip between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and between Portland and Vancouver B.C., and daily service between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland. Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation.  For Amtrak Cascades fares and schedules, visit AmtrakCascades.com.

DiMarco awarded Kiwanis scholarship

Savannah DiMarco

Skyview High School senior Savannah DiMarco, whose resume includes a 3.9 grade point average and hundreds of hours of volunteer service, has won the 2010 Salmon Creek Kiwanis club’s $1,500 scholarship. She plans to attend Western Washington University, majoring in journalism.
 

Dave Armstrong, a history teacher at Skyview, said in a letter of recommendation that, in addition to being an excellent student, "She has been responsible for organizing countless events at Skyview such as Homecoming 2009, school dances and assemblies. Her leadership is invaluable. Savannah has maintained excellent grades and the admiration of the staff here at Skyview High School."

"I have been blessed to partake in community outreach, and I am determined to continue serving after graduation from high school," DiMarco wrote in her application. "My dream is to pursue both of my passions, writing and serving."

A resident of Vancouver since the first grade, she is the daughter of Chris DiMarco and Lisa Marie.

Community Foundation for Southwest Washington wins national award

For the second consecutive year, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has received awards in two categories of the Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications: a Gold Award in the Public Information Campaigns category for the Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Campaign and a Silver Award in the Website Category.

Sponsored by the Council on Foundations, the awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of community foundations. There are over 700 community foundations in the United States. The award will be presented during the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, April 25 to 27, in Denver, CO.

"The work you submitted demonstrates the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s commitment to public accountability and effective communications and serves as a model of excellence for other grantmakers. Through efforts like yours, the field of philanthropy earns the public’s trust and respect," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

In 2009, the Community Foundation received a Bronze Award in the website category and a Silver Award in the Newsletter category.

With a month remaining until the Community Foundation’s annual luncheon, record ticket sales have already been achieved. Attendance has grown steadily from 350 guests in 2007 to 450 in 2008, to 535 in 2009. To date, 560 tickets have been sold through sponsorships and individual sales.

"The Community Foundation is increasingly viewed as central and catalytic to southwest Washington’s charitable giving community. People want to know more about the work we do and how we can help them personalize their philanthropy. The increased attendance results at our annual community event reflect the growing awareness of our work," said Richard Melching, foundation president.

The Community Foundation’s Annual Luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday May 12, 2010, at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. The event is open to the public, and individual tickets can be purchased for $50 from www.cfsww.org or by calling 360-694-2550.

North Parkway in Battle Ground re-opens

North Parkway Avenue in Battle Ground has re-opened to traffic after being closed for six months due to improvement project construction, it was announced today.

The half-mile improvement project involved the installation of detached sidewalks, bicycle lanes, turn lanes, and street lighting. The widening of the road will aid in school buses turning onto adjacent roads and will also provide separation between auto/bus traffic and pedestrian traffic, which is critical for school children and other pedestrians using the roadway.  The road carries approximately 4,100 vehicles per day.

The City will be scheduling a formal dedication of the newly improved roadway in the near future.

The work forced temporary changes in traffic flow to Captain Strong Primary, Chief Umtuch Middle and Battle Ground High schools, scheduled to change this afternoon, Monday, April 19.
 

Parents will once again pick up their children at the Captain Strong Primary parking lot rather than at Chief Umtuch School, where they have been retrieving children since late October. Drivers waiting for their children at Captain Strong are asked to pull forward in the line as space allows. Captain Strong daycare vans will continue using the Chief Umtuch parking lot. There is no change in pick-up or drop-off spots for Captain Strong students riding buses.
 

Chief Umtuch Middle School students who ride school buses and have been dropped off and picked up at the old Lewisville School during the Parkway project will, once again, be picked up and dropped off  in the Chief Umtuch parking lot. Parents picking up Chief Umtuch students will continue to use the Chief Umtuch parking lot. Battle Ground High School students who have been walking to the old Lewisville School to catch buses in the afternoon will once again board buses in the regular place on Stadium Road.

For more information about the North Parkway Improvement Project, please contact the city of Battle Ground'sPublic Works/Engineering Department at 360-342-5070.