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Adopt-A-Room brings the comforts home to families battling cancer

Adopt-A-Room brings the comforts home to families battling cancer

Every year the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane serves over 700 families from around the region. With the Adopt-A-Room program local businesses can help make their stay a little more comfortable.

 

The Ronald McDonald House provides an escape for families while their children receive medical care at local hospitals. The only requirement to stay is that you have to have traveled more than 40 miles from home. Residence is free of charge. Adopt-A-Room helps make the stay free for families, and helps make those room feel a little more like home.

 

Ferrante's Marketplace Cafe has sponsored Room 16 since 2011. To help fund the room adoption all the profits at the cafe from today and tomorrow will go to the Ronald McDonald House. Tony Ferrante owns the cafe along with his wife Bobbie, and says it feels great to know that they are helping families and children.

 

Fifty year tradition continues in "Ham on Regal"

Since 1963, a group of parents and teachers has carried on a unique tradition to raise money for their kids at Ferris High School.

This year they're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the always-original plan "Ham on Regal.

Parents start rehearsing at the beginning of February with a minimum time commitment of two days per week, so it's no wonder that in the 50 years they have been putting on the show they've raised $1.6 million for Ferris High School.

Lisa Reghar has been a part of the show for five years now.

"Start off small. Usually as parents you start off with one or two chorus numbers and then you kind of graduate and do a lot more each year. So this year I am in seven numbers," she said.

Ham on Regal has around 300 parents this year, and participants say it promises to be the best one yet.

"From that one show, we now have a legacy that has lasted 50 years, and it's woven into the tradition at Ferris High School that brings the South Hill and we think the greater Spokane community together," said parent and participant Tim Pearson.

The show opens to the public Wednesday night.

Spokane streamlining mobile food business

Food trucks are all the rave in cities like Portland and Seattle while here in Spokane, interest is on the rise but the long permit process is turning some entrepreneurs away.

Right now the city is hosting an open house for current and potential food vendors to get feedback on how the process to become a vendor can be streamlined and made easier for people in the future.

In a parking space, right outside the courthouse every Tuesday, Couple of Chefs Catering cooks up a little bit of everything from burgers, sandwiches to fried Mac and Cheese.

"We decided Spokane needed another food truck," Joile Forral with Couple of Chefs said.

The interest in food trucks is growing, but getting the right permits and going through inspections takes both time and a lot of patience.

"A couple times we had the issue of asking a question and since it's such a new idea and concept people were like 'Oh, I'm not quite sure, let me ask someone else,'" Forral said.

Doug Bickford with D & D Dogs said it took him three months to get on the street grilling hot dogs.

Police investigating Wells Fargo robbery

Spokane police responded to a robbery of the Wells Fargo bank branch at 30th and Regal on the South Hill Tuesday afternoon.

According to authorities the suspect implied he had a gun, though he never displayed one, and demanded money. He was seen leaving in a white Chevy two-door vehicle. The vehicle model is not known.

The suspect was described as being between 20 and 30, white with red facial hair.

He was last seen driving westbound on 32nd Avenue.

New program hopes to provide running shoes for local kids

New program hopes to provide running shoes for local kids

Would you go for a run in flip-flops and jeans? The answer is more than likely no. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many area children participating in school running programs. A new local group is looking to fix that and needs your donations.

 

Michelle Neill noticed a need for running shoes while she was volunteering last fall with the cross country program at Lincoln Heights Elementary. Neill put out a request for gently used gear over Facebook. Shortly after shoes and shorts started showing up on her front door.

 

Soles4Youth was born and Neill, along with her friend Lesli Cleveland, wants to provide proper shoes and clothes for kids who love to run. They've partnered with Active4Youth who fund the fall and spring school running programs.

 

Begging for your votes: Dancing w/Celebrities Saturday!

Begging for your votes: Dancing w/Celebrities Saturday!

I've already begged once, but I'm not too proud to do it again. Saturday, I hit the stage at the Bing Crosby Theater for the annual CYT Dancing With Celebrities event. In my mind, I plan to cha cha my way to super stardom. In reality, I'm just really hopeful you'll take pity on me, buy a ticket and cast your vote!

Your money equals your vote. So, when you buy a ticket, you designate which dancer you're supporting. If you can't make it to the event Saturday night, you can still pledge your vote online with a donation to CYT. I promise if you vote for me, I'll try to make you proud!

Did I mention I'm going to Moonwalk?

Here's the link - and thanks!