Nina Culver

The final weekend of the year finds many Valley churches altering their worship schedules for the holiday weekend. It's a good idea to check schedules before hitting the road or you might just find yourself in a parking lot by yourself. “ Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., will have a combined worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

“Shannon Yellin recently graduated from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air National Guard. Yellin is a logistics rediness officer assigned to the 141st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base. Yellin, a 2000 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School, holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University. She is the daughter of Michael and Colleen Yellin of Spokane.

Derek Slaughter was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award given in the Boy Scouts. Slaughter, a student at Shadle Park High School, is the son of Dan and Carla Slaughter of Spokane. For his project Slaughter raised guide dogs to be used to help the blind. He is a member of Troop 171. “Four area residents recently graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Sunday is a big day, with most churches offering morning worship services in addition to holding Christmas Eve services. •The children of Veradale United Church of Christ will present their Christmas pageant "The True Story of Christmas" during the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday. The church also will host a Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m. that will include poetry, carols and candles. The church is at 611 N. Progress Road.

“Two area residents recently graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Army Pvt. Ian Bergevin, a 2005 graduate of East Valley High School, is the son of Brian and Claire Bergevin of Newman Lake.

The following students have been named to the first-quarter honor roll at West Valley High School. Seniors

Several area students were recently awarded scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year at Eastern Washington University. Samantha Bowen was awarded a $2,500 Kurt and Gayle Orton Dental Hygiene Scholarship. The award is given to dental hygiene majors with a grade-point average of 3.0 or above. Bowen, a 2003 graduate of Riverside High School, is the daughter of Abraham and Marlene Bowen of Chattaroy.

'Tis the season for children's Christmas pageants, special Christmas concerts and other special events and Spokane Valley churches are delivering. With little more than a week remaining before Christmas, now is the time to take advantage of these heart-warming traditions. “ The worship choir and orchestra at Valley Fourth Memorial Church will present a Christmas musical titled "Jesus, No Other Name" at 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and all are welcome. The church is at 2303 S. Bowdish Road.

As Christmas approaches during this accelerated Advent, Valley churches are beginning to present their annual Christmas programs. “Foothills Community Church will host performances of its Christmas production, titled "Bethlehem Project," at 6:30 p.m. today and Sunday. The production is the musical version of the night of Jesus' birth and the reconciliation it brought about between the rival shepherd children and the Bethlehem town kids.

The Neva-Wood COPS volunteers will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at 4705 N. Addison St. The Five Mile Prairie Neighborhood Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the Five Mile Schoolhouse at Strong and Five Mile roads.

The following students have been named to the first quarter honor roll at Liberty High School. Seniors

“Brian Loupe of Spokane was recently awarded the Honorable John L. McLucas scholarship by the Falcon Foundation. Loupe is currently a student at the Wentworth Military Academy and Junior College in Lexington, Mo. A graduate of Central Valley High School, he is the son of Collins and Alexis Loupe of Spokane. Loupe plans to attend the Air Force Academy after finishing the Falcon Program at Wentworth. “Nearly 30 students at St. George's School have been named AP Scholars for their scores on Advanced Placement exams in the last academic year. Recent graduates are included in the list.

Thursday is Thanksgiving and Spokane Valley churches are among those offering special worship services and gatherings to give people an opportunity to give thanks for their blessings. “ Christ Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway Ave., will host a Thanksgiving eve service at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“Ryan Yoke recently graduated from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps leader development and assessment course at Fort Lewis, Wash. Yoke, a student at the University of Washington, is a 2003 graduate of Mead High School. He is the son of Mitchell Yoke of Spokane. “Army National Guard Pfc. Bryce Adams recently graduated from the light wheeled vehicle mechanic advanced individual training course at Fort Jackson, S.C. Adams, the son of LuAna Adams of Grand Coulee and Dave Adams of Superior, Mont., is a 2006 graduate of Superior High School.

“The Chief Garry Park Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 p.m. today at Stevens Elementary, 1717 E. Sinto Ave. “The Northwest Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 p.m. today at Audubon Park United Methodist Church, 3908 N. Driscoll Blvd.

Vendors are needed for the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council's holiday fair planned for Dec. 9 at the South Side Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. The sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a $25 fee per vendor.

Spokane Public Schools recently announced the list of AP Scholar students who were recognized for their scores on Advanced Placement exams in the last academic year. Students as well as recent graduates are listed by school. National AP Scholars with an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams include: Shadle Park graduate Samuel Comi; Lewis and Clark graduates Lauren Ring and Kirk Sexton.

The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection will host another "First Tuesday" discussion this week. The guest speaker will be Ken Briggs, the new CEO of the Spokane Valley Community Center and Food Bank. The discussion will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church, located at 15319 E. Eighth Ave. All are welcome to attend. Call the church at 926-6450 for more information.

Thirty students at Gonzaga Prep were recently designated Advance Placement Scholars based on their achievement on the AP program exams. Students who earned the designation of AP Scholar with Distinction, based on earning an average grade of 3.4 on all AP exams taken plus grades of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams, include: Joanne Baldwin and Lindsey Parden, both of Hayden Lake, Idaho; Zoe Cross, Post Falls; Christopher Durgan, Ann Freeman, Tristan Krause, Sarah Mimms and Ryan Murray, all of Spokane; Olga Faller, Allyson Fritz, and John McLeod, all of Coeur d'Alene; and Bryson Nitta and Terry Davenport, both of Spokane Valley.

The following area residents are summer 2006 graduates of Washington State University. Graduates are listed by their hometowns. The focus of each degree is listed. Degrees are bachelor's degrees unless otherwise indicated. Chattaroy: Jennifer Englert, Business Administration.

The battle between children wanting to go get candy and parents leery of dark streets and cold temperatures happens every year. But two Valley churches have come up with indoor options for little ghosts and goblins in search of candy and a little fun. Millwood Presbyterian Church will have its annual Trunk-or-Treat event on Halloween from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. There will be cars with trunks full of candy and some hot apple cider to sip on. The church is at 3223 N. Marguerite Road.

Three area residents recently received their Eagle Scout awards, the highest award given in the Boy Scouts. John Maccini, a member of Troop 80, is a student at Mt. Spokane High School. For his project Maccini organized a group of volunteers to refurbish an old gazebo at the Fairwood Village Retirement Community. He is the son of Dave and Merry Maccini of Colbert.

The Valleypoint at Pines church is hosting a training session for youth and senior pastors at the church at 714 S. Pines Road, on Tuesday. The session will focus on the Dare 2 Share Ministry program that focuses on training teenagers for evangelism. Each interested church may send two pastors to the conference for no charge. It will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Call the church at 928-7880 for reservations. More information about the program is available at www.dare2share.org.