Clark County Celebrities

Vancouver man to look for love on "The Bachelorette"

Some Clark County viewers might recognize one of the 25 men vying for Ashley Hebert's heart on the new season of "The Bachelorette." Vancouver resident Jon Ellsworth, 26, is a contestant on the seventh season of the ABC reality dating TV show, which premiers at 9 p.m. May 23 on ABC.

Teacher sings praises of writing

Vancouver English teacher has had successful run as a songwriter for Ted Nugent, others

Union High School freshmen get glimpses into teacher Randy Cate’s other career when they show up for English class. Vinyl records decorate his classroom, and he shows students Ted Nugent’s “Tied Up In Love” music video on YouTube. Cate, 62, collaborated with Nugent on the song. High schoolers today might not fill their iPod playlists with Nugent hits, but they’re likely familiar with some of the recent television shows on which Cate’s work can be heard, including “True Blood,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “The Young and the Restless.”

Musician’s songs heard on MTV’s ‘Teen Mom’

Battle Ground musician Dustin Ruth is finding new ways to reach a wide audience. Recently, three songs from his first solo EP, “Learn How To Love Someone,” were used during episodes of MTV’s “Teen Mom 2.” “Life’s Not Fair” could be heard during the reality show’s March 15 episode, and “Close Your Eyes” and “Trouble For You Girl” played during the March 29 episode.

SethAaron takes fashion to the beasts

Vancouver designer and “Project Runway” winner SethAaron Henderson is known for creating fashion-forward women’s clothing, but he recently showed once again just how versatile he is. Henderson, 39, designed outfits for a chicken, an alpaca and a pug for a fundraiser for the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program. It was his second time contributing to the benefit. Last year, he designed clothing for a llama and a rabbit.

Vancouver performer enjoys extended gig

Longtime Vancouver resident and veteran performer Michael Redman is headlining the 20th season of The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies as part of The Four Preps. The Four Preps started in the 1950s and were made famous by such hits as “26 Miles” and “Big Man.” The current incarnation of the group includes its original lead singer, Bruce Belland. Redman, 65, joined the group about three years ago and has toured with them throughout North America.

Band to kick off album release with Portland show

The release of Chris Margolin & The Dregs’ first full-length album was a long time coming, but the local band’s efforts will come to fruition later this month.

Author’s daughter inspired character; now she chats with fans in that role

On Facebook, more than 10,200 people “Like” Bailey Flanigan, the central character in a new series by best-selling Vancouver Christian-fiction author Karen Kingsbury. Readers turn to the site to weigh in on Bailey’s adventures and seek advice about everything from dating to faith to friends and family.

Vancouver film company finishes shooting first movie

'Dancing on the Edge' filmed entirely in 'The Couv'

It’s a wrap on “Dancing on the Edge,” a feature-length film shot in Clark County, by local filmmakers and starring local talent. The film, about a teenage ballerina’s struggles with substance abuse, is the maiden effort by Highland Light Productions, a new Vancouver-based independent film company that aims to create family-friendly entertainment while generating jobs and enriching the local economy. “It’s a hometown project with hometown people all shot in The Couv,” said Alexander “Sandy” MacKenzie, the film’s writer, director and producer and Highland Light’s president and chief executive officer.

Bits 'n' Pieces: B.G. teacher gets nod on Grammys

Greg McKelvey, who teaches band at Battle Ground High School and Chief Umtuch Middle School, turned on the television on Feb. 13 to watch the Grammy Awards, but he dozed off, so he missed seeing his former student, Esperanza Spalding, accept the award for best new artist. McKelvey, a 56-year-old Portland resident, taught Spalding about 15 years ago when she joined his band for inner-city and minority youth in Portland. At the time, she played oboe and keyboard, he said.

Sources: Tonya Harding is pregnant

Ex-skater, husband reportedly expecting a son

Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding and her husband of nearly a year are expecting a baby boy, according to various media reports. Harding, 40, and her husband, Joseph Price, live near Yacolt.

Local dog a stand-in for mascot, wins over fans

Whether it’s in the local Columbia Credit Union, at a Dairy Queen drive-thru or on the Lewis & Clark College football field, Buddy makes friends wherever he goes. He’s hard to miss. His personality is outsized, and his stature is even bigger. When the 152-pound Newfoundland encountered a miniature pony once at the Vancouver Farmers Market, the two stood nose-to-nose.

Camas singer signs with independent record label

Camas singer Katelynne Cox’s holiday wish has already come true. Cox, 16, recently signed with Red Hammer Records, a Portland-based independent record label. Red Hammer Records will release her first full-length album, “One Girl,” on March 22. Cox’s previous EP, “Unbelievable,” was released on her own independent label, KC Records, in 2008.

Local filmmaker raises funds for Carter-Cash project

Beth Harrington has been working on her documentary film about legendary country music dynasties the Carters and the Cashes since 2003. As a former singer with the band Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers, Harrington was able to combine her love of music and of documentary filmmaking in the project, titled “The Winding Stream.”

Vancouver native sings on national TV

Jeff Horenstein, a 1997 Mountain View High School graduate, is competing for a Sony recording contract and $100,000 on the NBC show, “The Sing Off.” His a cappella group, Groove for Thought, consists of seven singers from Western Washington. He started the group 10 years ago.

Former Vancouver resident appears on “Wheel of Fortune”

Former Vancouver resident and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class John Alanis competed on “Wheel of Fortune” on an episode airing Nov. 18 as part of “Wheel Salutes Our Military” week. The training consultant and Arabic linguist won $10,360 in cash and prizes, including a trip to Hawaii.

The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington