Extraordinary People

Welcome to Creative ‘98 - a yearlong project that starts today.

This is a chance to meet some of your neighbors in the Inland Northwest.

We’re calling them creative people, but there are many ways to describe them. They’re people who can’t help but be themselves - passionate, exceptional, curious and energetic.

Already, we have more than 200 nominees. We’ll accept more names all year. Watch for a profile every Monday, and for stories on other occasions as well.

So, while the days are still too short and the dark too long, while the Rose Bowl is history, and it’s almost time to get back to work and to school, here are three people whose lives we can celebrate. And learn from.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Peggy Kuhr, managing editor/content