• Cary’s Gorgeous Gowns and Wedding Dresses Consignment Boutique has teamed up with Pure Expressions Photography of Apex to create bridal pictures for the walls of its store.

“We keep our inventory of dresses fresh,” said Gorgeous Gowns owner Liz Pogue. “It was with this in mind that we decided to change out the prints.”

In March, Pure Expressions hung two portaits in the store and plans on adding at least four new ones in the coming months, rotating them over time. Brides who participate get a complimentary portrait session.

“We love giving women an opportunity to look beautiful and to show off even just a little bit,” said Pure Expressions owner Aimee Bickers, who also recently announced the addition of a natural light option at the 4-year-old studio.

Contact Gorgeous Gowns at 468-9227 or gorgeousgownsanddresses.com and Pure Expressions Photography at 362-9039 or pureexpressionsphotography.com.

• Kimmy Brunson is the latest Greene Irene eco-consultant and will be servicing the Cary area.

“I’ve recycled religiously,” said Brunson. “Upon finding Green Irene, I was so glad to see a company helping others in their efforts to be more green.”

Brunson offers a 90-minute, $99 “green home make-over,” giving recommendations on energy and water conservation, water purity, indoor air quality, recycling, toxic-free living and waste reduction. She offers similar services to businesses.

Green Irene has eco-consultants across the country offering home and office makeovers, Go Green workshops and green products.

Contact Brunson at 559-7550 or by e-mail at kimmy.cary@greenirene.com.

• Creative Recycling Systems had its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony in Morrisville on Friday.

Founded in 1994, Creative Recycling provides electronic recycling solutions to businesses and government agencies. Their focus is efficient, low-cost methods that promote recycling obsolete electronics into new products with zero waste.

Environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a keynote address at the ceremony and CEO Jon Yob was on hand for a facility tour and demonstration.

The building is located at 619 Distribution Drive. Visit their Web site at crserecycling.com.

People

• Debra Simonette, president of Creative Gifting Inc. in Apex, was named to the Advisory Board of the Business Club of the Triangle.

“The Business Club of the Triangle is made up of some of the best and brightest business leaders in the area,” said Simonette. “It will be important that as a member... I am able to help come up with innovative ideas to ensure those business leaders get the most out of their BCA membership.”

Gift Basket Review recognized Creative Gifting as one of the Top 100 gift basket businesses in America. To contact them, visit creativegifting.com. For more on the BCA, call 612-9458 or visit bcatriangle.com.

• Crescent State Bank announced that Martin B. Walthall Jr. joined them as senior vice president.

Walthall has more than 25 years of banking experience, the last 20 spent in the Raleigh area. He received his BA in economics from Centre College in Kentucky and master’s from the University of Kentucky, Lexington. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, Phyllis and their two children.

Crescent State Bank has grown from 11 employees in one office on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary to over 140 employees staffing 13 offices in North Carolina.

Events

• A free seminar for small business owners, “Strategic Planning Tips for Small Businesses: How to Survive in this Economic Jungle,” will be held on April 30 in Raleigh.

Estate planning specialist W. Thomas McCuiston and consumer bankruptcy specialist Travis Sasser are co-sponsoring the event, which runs from 5-6:30 p.m. at 9131 Anson Way in Raleigh.

Preregister with McCuiston Law Offices at 467-4100.

• The Cary Chamber will host Christine Hall at their April 16 Business of Women luncheon, who will answer the question “Your Children in College — What’s it Going to Take?” The event will be at noon at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

The cost is $15 and tickets can be purchased in advance at carychamber.com.