This is an unpopular opinion, and I get why – people crave a scapegoat. CrowdStrike undeniably pushed a faulty update demanding a low-level fix (booting into recovery). However, this incident lays bare the fragility of corporate IT, particularly for companies entrusted with vast amounts of sensitive personal information.

Robust disaster recovery plans, including automated processes to remotely reboot and remediate thousands of machines, aren't revolutionary. They're basic hygiene, especially when considering the potential consequences of a breach. Yet, this incident highlights a systemic failure across many organizations. While CrowdStrike erred, the real culprit is a culture of shortcuts and misplaced priorities within corporate IT.

Too often, companies throw millions at vendor contracts, lured by flashy promises and neglecting the due diligence necessary to ensure those solutions truly fit their needs. This is exacerbated by a corporate culture where CEOs, vice presidents, and managers are often more easily swayed by vendor kickbacks, gifts, and lavish trips than by investing in innovative ideas with measurable outcomes.

This misguided approach not only results in bloated IT budgets but also leaves companies vulnerable to precisely the kind of disruptions caused by the CrowdStrike incident. When decision-makers prioritize personal gain over the long-term health and security of their IT infrastructure, it's ultimately the customers and their data that suffer.

About a month ago I got a notification that my subscription had been refunded and then another email that my account was terminated:

You are receiving this email because we have identified suspicious activity on your account. In order to protect our platform, we have refunded and canceled your subscription. You will no longer have access to ChatGPT Plus service.

This was after using the service for two months. I emailed and sent them a message almost immediately since I could prove my identity, but they haven't responded back in almost a month. Their customer support appears to be non-existent.

I keep wanting to sign back up, but I'm still pissed about it. I'm guessing it is because I used a virtual card when I signed up and they don't stay active for very long so I have to create a new one for each month of service. Usually I just get a failed payment notification and update my payment info with a new one which pulls from my bank account.

It sucks not being able to use the service though because it was so helpful at helping with programming tasks and Bard isn't nearly as good. Has anyone had any luck getting through to support?

Glad to see some improvement. I still don't trust the department, but they're making progress.

Such a tragic incident! Glad to see the police wearing body cams though.

Summer Fest’s Picnic in the Park is back for its second year!

Saturday, July 1, 2023
11 am – 8 pm
Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve

The Fort Vancouver National Site will be filled with celebration and fun with a full day of activities for families and people of all ages.

Free and open to all, Picnic in the Park will feature two stages with live music and entertainment, games on the lawn, magicians, face painting and fun for the whole family.

Bring a picnic or purchase tasty food from local vendors, along with beer and cider tastings for those 21 and over in the beer garden.

Check out the official Downtown Camas Association website for the latest updates. Camas is not considered Vancouver, but is still part of the larger community

Camas Car Show – June 24th, 2023
June 24 @ 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Come stroll the beautiful streets of historic Downtown Camas and enjoy the many classic and custom cars and trucks that fill the town. Old favorites and new discoveries in this 16th annual event. Always an exceptionally fun time!

This event is held the last Saturday of June from 2-7:00pm. June 24th, 2023

$20 entry fee, open event, no pre-registration necessary. The registration form is here if you’d like to print and fill out before you come!

ALL SHOW CARS ENTER AT 5th and ADAMS. There will be limited staging areas for cars that arrive earlier than noon. Arriving after 10AM is best! Staging will be guided by parking attendants. Cars may start entering car show area at 12:00 noon. This time may flex a bit depending on volume of cars.

CARS STAGED FIRST WILL ENTER CAR SHOW AREA FIRST. If you’re there before 12pm noon, you’ll be directed to the limited staging areas. After 12pm, cars still enter at 5th and Adams and parking attendants will lead you to the car show entrance. You must remain parked until the event ends at 7:00pm.

IF YOU WANT TO PARK TOGETHER, COME EARLY AND COME TOGETHER!

Registration will start at the registration booth at 4th and Birch St. (across from Camas Antiques). Registration forms you can fill out ahead of time and bring to the show can be found here. Admission is FREE to spectators.

Spectators, please note that the Georgia-Pacific Camas paper mill operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you park and block their entrances or parking lots you are putting the mill at risk of shutting down if essential deliveries cannot be made. These deliveries can occur at any time and on any day of the week including weekends and holidays. In addition, please do not park in the GP trailer lots on NE 7th and Adams Streets. These are actively used to unload and store trailers for mill operations. Thank you for keeping their entrances and parking lots open.

Check out Clark Public Utilities official website for the latest updates

What’s all the buzz about? We’re celebrating National Pollinator Week at Clark Public Utilities with our first-ever Pollinator Festival on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 25 agencies, organizations, universities, artisans and local businesses are participating in this free outdoor festival located at our Operations Center at 8600 NE 117th Ave, Vancouver, WA.

Festival visitors can enjoy a pollinator garden tour with our friendly staff and learn how to provide food and habitat for the many varieties of pollinators native to Clark County.

Best-selling author, professor and advocate Doug Tallamy will share his hopeful presentation on the simple solution for transforming our yards into conservation corridors for wildlife. Get a copy of Nature’s Best Hope at the festival (while supplies last), or bring your own, for Doug to sign after his talk.

This family-friendly event will include crafts and activities for children. A demo beehive offers a close-up look at bees. Farmers market booths, seminars with local experts, food trucks and music will add to the fun.

Mark your calendar for this lively community celebration of some of the hardest working organisms in the animal kingdom. Dress for the weather and bring your hat, water bottle and some friends!