Rainey Coffin

Carmen Campbell, a 14-year-old freshman at Gonzaga Prep, was given the opportunity of a lifetime when she was awarded a trip to the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing by the U.S. Paralympics Committee, based on an essay she wrote. Campbell’s adventure started well before she left for China. She was born with scoliosis and began having back surgeries at 2 1/2. She has since had approximately 30 surgeries on her spine. The most successful was an experimental surgery, the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib, or VEPTR Project. Her surgeries are now pretty much over, unless her fusion breaks. She makes the short trip to Seattle once a year for a check-up.

It’ll be anything but pandemonium and chaos, and nothing but fun, when Ferris High School parents and teachers hit the stage on March 8 at 2 p.m. to perform “MayHAM at the Museum.” The annual musical variety show is put on by Ferris’ “Ham on Regal Players” and is in its 46th year. The shows are parent written, performed, and produced, and include dancers, singers and unique characters. More than 250 Ferris parents and 40 committees, along with numerous Spokane businesses have contributed and worked long hours to put this fundraiser together, the largest at Ferris.

Q: Five people at Big Bear Deli, 700 E. Eighth Ave. in Post Falls, were asked: “Do you like to fly?”

Q: Five people at random in Spokane Valley were asked: “How will you spend Martin  Luther King Day?”

Q:   Five people in Post Falls were asked: “Do you think gas prices will continue to fall?”

Q: Five people chosen at random in Post Falls were asked: “Have you started  making any New Year’s Resolutions?”

Susan Lawrence, activities director at Sunshine Gardens, has brought holiday cheer to the nursing care facility. But, she’s also inspired the residents. Each month, Lawrence decorates “Teddy Bear Lane,” the main hallway in the facility at 10410 E. Ninth Ave., with a different theme. But the benefits of Teddy Bear Lane go beyond just decoration.

Q: Five people in Spokane Valley were asked: “What’s on your Christmas wish list?”

Q: Five people at Thomas Hammer, at 3904 E. Mullan Ave. in Post Falls, were asked: “Are you ready for snow?”

Q. Five people at Caruso’s Deli, 402 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls, were asked “How did you spend Election Night?”

Riley Myklebust graduated from Lewis and Clark High School like any normal teenager. He studied for finals, finished his classes and went to his prom. But his school year was far from normal. Beginning in November of his senior year, Myklebust put together an after-school sports club for Mullan Road Elementary School students who had lost their after-school sports program. He was required to intern three hours a week at a nonprofit organization for his practicum in community involvement class.

Kevin Nygaard, 17, knows you need to be prepared at all times. After all, he’s been in the Boy Scouts – whose motto is “Be Prepared” – for years. So for his Eagle Scout project, Nygaard has organized an Emergency Preparedness Fair for the Spokane community on Saturday.