Cindy Hval

A recent Paul Turner column in The Spokesman-Review about bus-riding etiquette prompted a response from a woman in her 60s who bemoaned the lack of courtesy demonstrated by today's youth. She's not the only one. Ramona Patten has also witnessed the decline of good manners. Patten has taught the "Manners Matter" class at the Corbin Art Center for seven years. While she agreed that a lot of respect in society is vanishing, she remains encouraged by the number of parents and grandparents who sign up children for her class. The class, offered through the Spokane Parks Department, is a tutorial on basic etiquette for ages 5 to 12. "Life is much more pleasant for children and others around them when children know how to behave in any situation," she said.

A recent Paul Turner column in The Spokesman-Review about bus-riding etiquette prompted a response from a woman in her 60s who bemoaned the lack of courtesy demonstrated by today's youth. She's not the only one. Ramona Patten has also witnessed the decline of good manners. Patten has taught the "Manners Matter" class at the Corbin Art Center for seven years. While she agreed that a lot of respect in society is vanishing, she remains encouraged by the number of parents and grandparents who sign up children for her class. The class, offered through the Spokane Parks Department, is a tutorial on basic etiquette for ages 5 to 12. "Life is much more pleasant for children and others around them when children know how to behave in any situation," she said.

Many people have several sets of dishes: The good china for entertaining, everyday dishes and even special holiday-themed tableware. But for some area residents, having several sets of dishes represents a spiritual commitment.

When Mt. Spokane High School student leaders wanted to raise money for the tsunami relief fund three years ago, they turned to Assistant Principal Jim Preston for help. Preston, a former basketball coach, proposed a basketball game pitting the faculty of Mt. Spokane and Mead Middle School against the faculty of Mead High School and Northwood Middle School.

Steve and Melissa Alfstad's South Hill home is a hidden treasure. The Mission-style brick house, complete with bell tower, is screened from view by tall shrubs. A pathway winds up to the house. "I distinctly remember walking up this pathway for the first time," Melissa says. "It felt like it was meant to be."

Southside Senior Center board member Pauli Chapman was recuperating from hip replacement surgery when she read the Dec. 12 Home story about Colleen Roe's quest to find a home for the exquisite miniature K-9 Bed and Breakfast Inn. "I thought it would be perfect to bring it to the center," Chapman says. "I e-mailed Colleen and told her we have hundreds of people coming through our lobby."

One would almost expect to hear a rooster crow in the semidark of the fairgrounds, during a recent early morning meeting of the Spokane County Fair and Expo Advisory Board. Coffee perked as members arrived at the Fair and Expo offices. The group serves as a sounding board for the facility staff. They listen to problems and suggestions, and work with the management team and the county commissioners to keep the Fair and Expo Center running smoothly.

Thanks to a successful levy lid election last fall, the Spokane County Library District will be adding 61 more hours to nine of its 10 branches. The new expanded hours will begin March 1. "More hours is at the top of the list when we ask patrons what we could be doing better," said Beth Gillespie, communication specialist for SCLD. "Our student population also asked that we be open on Sundays."