The Castle Teacher Resource Activity Center, funded by a grant from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, will celebrate its official opening Tuesday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in Chaminade's Brogan Education Building. The public is invited.

"We are excited at giving teachers a place of innovation where they can create new classroom activities," said David Jelinek, dean of Chaminade's education division.

C-TRAC is an extension of the Castle Curriculum Resource Center. The facility serves as a resource to the local educational community, providing teachers with professional development workshops, equipment and supplies to create classroom materials.

C-TRAC is open to the community and Chaminade students, faculty and staff. Memberships are available for individuals involved with educating Hawai'i's children and for institutions such as private and public schools and afterschool or enrichment programs.

For more information, call 739-8539.

NEXT ACT EXAM SET FOR DEC. 9

College-bound high school students can take the ACT college admission exam on Dec. 9, the next national test date. The deadline for postmark or online registration is Nov. 3.

The late registration deadline is Nov. 16, but an additional $19 fee is required.

Students can get registration materials from their high school counselor, or they can register at www.actstudent.org.

UH PARTNER WITH DISASTER CENTER

The University of Hawai'i has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense as the managing partner for the Pacific Disaster Center on Maui.

The center provides research and analysis support in disaster management and humanitarian assistance. The cooperative agreement with the university is expected to have a three-year term, beginning in December.

The center, which employees 40 people, was established after Hurricane Iniki to provide disaster management and modeling capabilities to protect the state from other natural and manmade disasters.

UH SHUTTLE NOW RUNS 7 NIGHTS

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa off-campus Rainbow Shuttle has expanded its service to seven nights a week.

The university has also discontinued free rides on the shuttle. Students need to have a shuttle sticker on their UH ID card to continue to ride to Waikiki, Ala Moana, the Ward shopping and entertainment complex and Restaurant Row. The stickers are on sale for $20 at the UH parking office.

Students who have a U-Pass for the city bus service may continue to ride the shuttle at no additional cost.

The shuttle continues on a trial basis through the end of the semester.