Postal Train Chugs In With Historical Theme

The U.S. Postal Service’s CTC Express train rolls into Spokane on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of an 18-month national public tour.

The traveling postal train museum features a modern exhibit car with colorful, multimedia displays on stamps and American history, a restored railway post office car, a historic railroad business car and a baggage car. A P42 Genesis series diesel locomotive — Amtrak’s newest — hauls the train.

The Spokane stop is one of 100 on the tour, which began in March. It’s the only stop in the Inland Northwest.

The CTC (for Celebrate the Century) Express will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Spokane Amtrak Station, 221 W. First. Admission is free. For more information, call 626-6854 or log onto the Postal Service Web page at http://www.usps.com.

In other events this week:

Monday

U.S. financial markets, banks and government offices are closed in observance of Independence Day. Overseas markets will operate as usual.

Tuesday

The Northwest High Tech Career Expo kicks off a two-day run at the Meydenbauer Convention Center in Seattle. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free; for information, visit http://www.1-jobs.com or http://www.seattle-jobs.com or call (800) 508-9926.

Thursday

Northwest Neighborhoods Council presents Concerts Under the Pines from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Audubon Park, 3000 W. Audubon. Free admission; for information, call 328-3263 or 327-5779.

* Federal Reserve reports consumer credit for May.

* The nation’s largest retailers announce their sales figures for June.

Friday

County Commissioner Kate McCaslin delivers a State of the County address at the monthly membership breakfast meeting of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel Spokane Valley, 1100 N. Sullivan. Cost: $12 for members if paid by Wednesday, $15 later, $20 for nonmembers if paid by Wednesday, $30 later; for information, call 459-4111.

* The Washington State Independent Living Council holds a public meeting from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. For information, call (800) 624-4105 or 407-3603.

* Downtown Spokane Partnership presents a free performance by Dax Johnson from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wall Street.

Saturday

The Pacific Northwest Citizen Advocacy Panel holds a forum to receive comment on Internal Revenue Service policy, procedures and customer service from 9 a.m. to noon at Pier 69 in the Port of Seattle conference room, 2711 Alaskan Way in Seattle. For information, call (888) 912-1227.

ON THE SHELF The rich get richer Forbes, July 5: Strong stock markets have made the rich even richer than a year ago, pushing the combined net worth of the world’s 200 wealthiest individuals above $1 trillion. Business Week, July 5: Legendary investor Warren Buffett is doing more than managing an investment portfolio these days. He’s also building an empire, the magazine says in a cover story.