Voices

A benefit auction will be held Saturday for former Ferris High School student and athlete Brooke Blevins at 7 p.m. at Consumer Auto Liquidators, 10828 Highway 2 in Airway Heights. Blevins recently had surgery on a noncancerous brain tumor that has left her unable to work during her recovery.

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. That's what 9-year-old Amber Newton has learned since she was seriously burned in a home accident on Jan. 19. Amber's latest friend to step forward is Terry Shepherd, owner of Terry's Cafe in Bayview – someone she doesn't even know. Shepherd is planning a benefit meal and raffle for Father's Day, and plans to give all proceeds to Amber. Shepherd acknowledges she has never met Amber, but says she has been thinking about holding a benefit since she first heard about the accident. "A little girl came in and told me about her (Amber), and it just broke my heart," she said. Shepherd says she is holding the benefit dinner on Father's Day because it will be "a good time for kids to take their father out, and a great time for fathers to support another kid."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane's Libby Teen Center, 2900 E. First Ave., is hosting We've Got SMARTz today, at 6:30 p.m. The event will focus on the dangers adolescents face surrounding gang-related crime and violence. Skits will be performed, musical entertainment will be provided by D.J. Pyro and former member of the Black Disciples street gang in Chicago Kitara McClure will speak on her experiences.

POST FALLS – Summer temperatures bring on backyard rib barbecuing and also have the tendency to make water hogs of even the best of us. But Post Falls water conservation efforts are being held up as an example for other local municipalities reliant on the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer for their water.

Public clubs, support groups and public meetings in the Post Falls/Rathdrum area in the upcoming weeks: Clubs and Support Groups

Five first-time homeowners will receive new sod, trees, and shrubs at their homes from volunteers beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday during the Takoda Park Community Partnership Day. The event is coordinated by Community Frameworks and marks the 25th Annual National NeighborWorks Week, and begins at noon. A picnic celebration with the homeowners will follow.

Attendant Care Registry – Free service matching disabled adults and children with personal-care providers; sponsored by Coalition of Responsible Disabled; 326-6355. Change Point! program – Ideal for women who are separated, divorced or widowed, have a disability or who have been incarcerated; provides free training in computers, resume preparation, job interviewing, communication skills and conflict resolution techniques; sponsored by the Washington State Displaced Homemaker Program; contact Denise McKinnon at 279-6065.

Every kid knows the date that their particular school lets out. It's still a couple of agonizing weeks for Mead students, who get their freedom on June 18. It's Friday the 13th for students in Spokane Public Schools, West Valley and some others. East Valley exits on June 12. But do you know how long is left until final bell – right down to the millisecond? There's a calculator on the Ferris High School Web site that will tell exactly that – assuming you're on the same schedule with the South Hill school.

Carly Williams' dreams of one day owning her own luxury car lot are moving closer to reality, thanks in part to her involvement in the Distributive Education Clubs of America at Rogers High School. She developed a business plan for the car lot that was good enough to enter and place in a state competition and got a part-time job at the local Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo dealership.

Today Annual Spring Fling – 6 p.m. at Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint. Presented by Sandpoint High School Choir Department. $4/adults, $3/students. 263-9191.

Ongoing "Annie" - Presented by the Spokane Children's Theatre. Wednesday, 1 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Spokane Community College, Lair Auditorium, 1810 N. Greene St. $10/adults, $8/age 18 and younger. 325-SEAT.