George Carman is still not sure when he’ll go to New York to get a new set of lungs, but his friends, family and fellow firefighters are well on their way to making sure he’ll be ready when it’s time.

They have raised more than $40,000 to help support Carman, his wife and his daughter during the ordeal.

A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter in New Gloucester, Carman has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that infects a person’s lungs until they stop working.

Carman is going to New York later this month to undergo tests to determine if he’s ready to be on the transplant list. Given the long wait, most people do not have the operation until their lung capacity drops to about 17 percent.

The transplant will be performed at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, and Carman will likely have to move there at some point so he can be ready when lungs become available.

In the meantime, his supporters – with their “Lungs for George” campaign – have been working hard to help his family prepare for the disruption.

They’ve sold bracelets, held dances and car washes and recently raffled off a lobster bake.

– Lisa Chmelecki
Walking in circles

How clumsy was the shoplifter at the Promenade Mall?

So clumsy, she stole a pair of shoes fitted for two left feet.

Place rim shot and laugh track here.

It may or may not be true about the young woman’s lack of grace.

But on Monday afternoon, she was reported to have swiped two left shoes from Sears.

Investigators said she fled the store with the odd pair and made her way to Bull Moose Music a few doors down.

Police caught up with the itchy-fingered suspect and collared her for theft. In her possession were the mismatched shoes from Sears, they said.

Police also recovered a pair of compact discs from the record store.

Her music of choice? Two CDs from a band called Slightly Stoopid.

– Mark LaFlamme