As you may have noticed your CMail has a new look.  This new format is part of a new online notification service, which allows subscribers to be emailed when their favorite web site pages are updated. 

As a CMail subscriber, you will receive an email each time a new CMail is posted.  In addition to receiving CMail, you may also request transit rider alerts and updates on City/County web pages. Currently, the service is available only on the site's most frequently updated pages, but it is being expanded to other web pages.  The notification service also offers subscriptions to several other electronic newsletters and content published by City and County agencies.  Subcribers also can use the service to unsubscribe at any time.

Sign up and view all content available for email updates.

The Red Cross will be closing Coliseum shelter operations by Saturday, September 17.  Staff with the shelter and disaster assistance operations has evaluated client needs, operational costs and other factors in determining plans for the transition to community-based service.

On Monday night, 151 residents stayed in the shelter, down from 172 the night before. A combination of staff-facilitated housing placements and client-initiated placements contribute to the resident population decrease. Additionally, the various service agencies have seen a steady decline in demand for services, even from individuals not residing in the shelter.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army will continue to offer services for any evacuees needing assistance. In fact, if there is still a need for a shelter after Saturday, the Red Cross will establish a smaller shelter at a location yet to be determined.

More than 2,000 people received assistance at the shelter.

Employees at the new Northlake Mall located off of Reames Road are able to leave their cars at home and have a relaxing ride to work.  The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) extended Route 200 Trinity Park to provide transit service to Northlake Mall.  Shoppers can begin using this route to get to the mall on Thursday, September 15.

Route 200 Trinity Park connects to the new mall via Lakeview and Reames Roads.  Service operates every 30 minutes Monday through Friday and every 45 minutes on the weekend. The route begins at the Northwest Mecklenburg Health Center on Beatties Ford Road.

For more information, call 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

City Source is a new weekly show serving as your direct source for government news and information.  Tune in to the Government Channel – Cable 16 to watch City Source which premieres Thursday, September 15 at 5:30 pm.

To view the City Source promo, visit click here.

Volunteers are needed to help remove trash and debris from local streams and lakes during Big Sweep 2005: 

Saturday, October 1
9 am – 1 pm

North Carolina Big Sweep is an annual, statewide event that provides citizens with an opportunity to take a stand against water pollution.  To volunteer:

• Call 704-336-5500 to pre-register at your favorite stream/lake location. 
• Dress for the weather.  Don't forget sunscreen and a hat.
• Arrive at the site between 9 – 10 am.  Site coordinators will assist you with gloves, trash bags and an area to clean. Snacks will be provided.

For more information, including site locations, contact Chris Coddington at 704-336-5500 or visit http://waterquality.charmeck.org.

Do you have old, broken or mismatched china sitting in your home?  How about colorful glass, porcelain or ceramic pieces that you are willing to give away?  If so, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) wants your old, unused items to create a wall of art at the future East/West Boulevard Station along the South Corridor Light Rail Line.

During the month of September, please drop off your items at the McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 N. Tryon St.

Tuesdays – Saturdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Friday, September 16, 6 – 9 pm
Saturday, September 24, 1 – 2 pm and 3 – 4 pm

For more information on CATS' Art-in-Transit program, contact Delvin McNeil at 704-432-3017 or visit www.ridetransit.org.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) invites the community to attend the Center City Streetcar public meeting that will focus on the recommended system plan for the Beatties Ford Road, Center City, Central Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue Corridors. 

Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Rm 267
600 E. 4^th St.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Curbside operations/Median operations
• Track alignment
• Urban Design (Stop locations/Platforms)
• ADA requirements
• Center City Circulator (Spider Concept)

For more information, call 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.