Brenda Alling named WSU marketing director

Washington State University Vancouver has appointed Brenda Alling to the position of director of marketing and communications, as of March 2.

"Her energy and expertise as a marketing professional exemplify the quality of workmanship representative of higher education," said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Nancy Youlden. "And her collaborative process is an asset in this position."

Alling graduated from Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication in Pullman in 1989. She was co-founder of Alling Henning Associates Inc. in Vancouver.

"As a WSU alumna and lifelong Clark County resident with 20 years of communications experience," said Alling. "I'm looking forward to reaching out to connect the university with our community."

Alling is a recipient of the Top Five growth Award from the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and the Most Dynamic women Award from Clark County in 2001. Her philanthropy has also served the community members through her pro-bono work for CAST, the Confluence Project, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington and the Vancouver School District Foundation.

Habitat for Humanity opens green building supply option

Clark County’s first Habitat ReStore opened yesterday at 5000 East Fourth Plain Blvd. There are 12 ReStores in Washington and 11 in Oregon.

The ReStore uses revenues to support Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, the charity homebuilder.

The new store features 25,500 feet of warehouse space filled with supplies for everyone from contractors to do-it-yourselfers.

Located in the same space is CREAM, a non-profit computer recycling program.

Clark County hospitality industry leaders rally on behalf of local economy

The Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau along with partners from Clark County’s hospitality industry joined fellow tourism industry representatives from across Washington State on the capital steps in Olympia on Monday March 9^th, to show how critical tourism is to the state’s economy. Tourism is ranked as the 4^th largest industry behind software, aerospace and agriculture & food in the state of Washington.

Kim Bennett, (pictured above at podium) president and CEO of the Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau and co-chair of the Washington State Tourism Commission, read a proclamation signed by Governor Chris Gregoire on the steps of the capital during the rally and press conference. The proclamation declared March 9, 2009 Tourism Day in Washington.

Clark County’s tourism industry generates nearly $400 million in visitor spending each year and provides nearly 4,000 jobs and over $102 million in job earnings.  Visitor spending also generates over $28 million in state and local taxes.

People

Alicia Williams worked as a page for Sen. Joseph Zarelli and others last week in Olympia. A sophomore at Hockinson High School, Williams spent last week at the Capitol participating in the Senate Page Program.  She was one of 22 students who took part in the program during the eighth week of the 2009 legislative session.

Calendar

Prairie High School, Battle Ground High School and Kingsway Christian School are presenting a vocal Jazz ensemble at 7 p.m. this evening in the Decker Theatre at Clark College. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. <> A Vancouver Planning Commission First Tuesday presentation at 4 p.m. today in City Hall, will include a presentation by Clark Public Utilities on future energy demand and how the  utility encourages energy efficiency. <> The Vancouver Charter Review Committee meets at 6 p.m. this evening in the Elm Room of the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E McLoughlin Boulevard. <> The Columbia River Crossing project is holding a workshop at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay. Discussion centers on light rail station planning options. <> The Building Industry Association of Clark County and the law firm of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt present the first Builder/Developer Summit: "Strategies and Opportunities in a Challenging Market," at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 12 in the Heathman Lodge. For further information on the $30, half-day seminar, call 694-0933.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar