Bethesda Green Cleantech Open, Metro's Enhanced Alerts

[Howard Hartman]

Neighborhood News  Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, North Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville and White Flint   March 1, 2012  In this issue Bethesda Green's Cleantech Open Metro's enhanced alert system Vehicle space-counting system at Elm Street garage National Consumer Protection Week Ken Hartman is working on: Bethesda streetscape Development in Twinbrook White Flint maintenance services White Flint sidewalks March advisory board meetings Glen Echo Park consessions     __________________  Quick links  Archived newsletters Organizations   Citizens Advisory Board    Bethesda Urban Partnership   Bethesda Green   Glen Echo Park    Greater B-CC Chamber of Commerce   Potomac Chamber of Commerce   Rockville Chamber of Commerce   Services    Crime reports   Meeting room rentals   Volunteer opportunities   Call 311, get it done   Quick Links Our Website Products Services The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board weighed in last week on local county budget needs in letters to the County Council and County Executive. Check out our blog for more information and links to the letters.     Bethesda Green's Cleantech Open    On March 6, 5-7 pm, Bethesda Green is hosting a reception to introduce regional entrepreneurs, investors and professional services firms to the annual Cleantech Open, the nation's premier start-up business competition in the clean technology sectors.  Those sectors include  energy efficiency, water, air and waste, green building, renewable energy, smart power, green-grid and energy storage, and transportation. The annual competition is open to early-stage businesses and students. Regional competitions are held beginning in the spring, with the national finals culminating in the fall.   Event location Bethesda Green  4825 Cordell Ave. Suite 200 Bethesda, MD  20814     Enhanced alert system from Metro   MetroAlerts is Metro's new email and text messaging alert system. It's designed to provide bus and rail users with targeted, up-to-the-minute route-and line-specific information on planned service changes and delays, detours and unplanned service disruptions (e.g., a sick passenger).     Metro bus users can sign up to receive emailed or texted information for up to four bus lines and can opt to have alerts sent to their mobile devices, pagers or desktop email.     Metro rail users who already are signed up for MetroAlerts now can receive longer advisories on planned service changes, upcoming track work, early openings and travel tips. These users can opt to have short alerts sent to their mobile devices and longer advisories to their desktop email accounts.  In addition, customers can choose to receive targeted alerts and advisories (e.g., on escalators) for up to four stations they use most.  To take advantage of these enhancements, current MetroAlerts users should update their settings.  Vehicle space-counting system at Elm Street garage   The county's 914-space Elm Street parking garage in Bethesda now has operational signs at each entrance that display the number of available parking spaces.  During the busiest times, the sign reads "Full."      The new system was installed to mitigate the impact on parking availability when the two surface parking lots at the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues close for about 30 months. Current plans are for those lots to close in early April.        National Consumer Protection Week, March 4-10 The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection  (OCP) will join  with other federal, state and local government agencies to celebrate the 14th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4-10, 2012.  During NCPW, groups nationwide share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, avoid identity theft, and avoid other frauds and scams. Eric Friedman, OCP director, will host a live discussion, "Consumer Ed Café...Food for Thought," on Wednesday, March 7, noon-2 pm, and will respond to consumer questions.  Visit OCP's  Live Discussion web page for more information and to submit your question.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center | 4805 Edgemoor Lane | Bethesda | MD | 20814