WESTERN ASS0C[A1r[0N NEWS

Lumber Merchants Assoclatlon of Northern Callfornla has a $5,0fr) grant from the California Forest Products Association to promote forest awareness in California schools with the video "Generations Building the Future." The video will be distributed to over 750 schools for viewing by approximately 68,400 students. Dishibution will begin in areas where LMA members are located and eventually include the entire state.

Videos will be offered to school libraries on a "free loan" basis. Larger school districts will be given complimentary copies, according to LMA executive vice president Jan Hansen. Filmed on location in a lumberyard, the video answers tough questions on important timber supply issues to teach children that it is possible to enjoy reasonably priced wood products while maintaining a clean and healthy environmen! Hansen noted.

Kathleen Patterson, Central Valley

Builders Supply, St. Helena, will be installed as LMA president at the 56th annual convention in South Lake Tahoe Nov. 4-5. Bob Rossi, Rossi's Building Materials, Fort Bragg, is the incoming first vice president.

Mountaln States Lumber & Bulldtng Materlal Dealers Assoclatlon has selected March 16-17 for the 1995 trade show at the J.S. Hammons Trade Center, Holidav Inn, Denver.

Western Building Materlal Assoclation's convention is scheduled Nov. ll-15 at Red Lion/Lloyd Center, Portland.

Quick Pitcb Selling Talks will be heard Saturday, Mike Brallier, Belco, Tacoma, moderating. The Buying Showcase will open Sunday.

Programs include "Training Your People to Lead," Dr. Richard Flint, Richard Flint Seminars. West Palm

Beach, Fl.; "The Health of Our Economy," Dr. William Conerly, First Interstate Bank, Portland; "Politics As Usual - No Way," Allynn Howe, NLBMDA government affairs director; "Jump Start Your Life: Charging Your Inner Batteries," Julie Evans, Balance in Action Seminars, Ashland, Or.; "With PrideEvolving Traditions," Natasha Edscorn, Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way, Wa., & Eric Fritch, Chinook Lumber, Snohomish, Wa.; "Living Safely in a Dangerous World," Byron Wall & Nancy l-aguardia, Citizens Against Crimes, Portland, and "Tbe Loss Monster," Todd Hamilton, Federated Insurance, Owatanna. Mn.

An "Operating Strategies to Survive & Prosper in Today's Building Environment" workshop will be presented by Norville Spearman, Lee Resources, Greenville, S.C.

An all industry reception Saturday; welcome breakfast Sunday; awards luncheon Monday, and presidents banquet Monday evening, featuring comedian/singer Grady Jim Robinson in a program entitled "Quarterback ... Skinny trgs & All!" also are scheduled.

Lumber Associatlon of Southern Callfornla's 44th annual management conference, Nov, 6-8, La Quinta Resort" La Quinta, will hear Frank Pankratz, chaimran and president of Del Webb, discuss "Residential Construction in 1995""

Building Material Sales Surge In Washington

Competition in Vancouver, Wa., and surrounding Clark County is heating up as businesses serving homeowners and contractors rush to get in on tle area's population surge.

HomeBase is the latest store to open (Aug. 27), although Home Depot has an opening slated just across the state line in Porttand, Or., early next year. BMC West, Woodfeatlers (roofing materials), Coco's Fine Tile and Marble, Stix Lumber Co., Fred Meyer, Orchard and Fishers Landing have opened stores in the last two years. Only Pay 'N Pak closed although GI Joe's eliminated home improvement lines and Grover Electric and Plumbing consolidated two stores. Ernst Home & Nursery claims it would like !o enter the market.

Demographics promise continued growth for home improvement retailers. I-atest figures for existing home sales show more than a 4l7o increase over 1992. For the first half of 1994, Clark County averaged 865 new residents each month, adding up to 5,192, compared to 5,016 for the first half

1993 and 4,676 for that1992 period.

Ellis Goebel, vice president of BMC West, says company p[anners watched Vancouver growth for almost three years, trying to find the right time and place to enter the market. They took over a Star Building Supply site in Salmon Creek in March.

"It's a very good growth market with a lot of things going on and that's why we c:rme into the area," he said. "We think it's going to continue to grow."

Clark County retailers sold $81.4 million in building materials and hardware in 1992. Sales jumped neuly l6Vo to $94.4 million in 1993. Lumber sales last year increased nearly Zl%o to $70.2 million. No figures are available for 1994.

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