Useful information that will help now and in the future

The flood waters that swept through Carson City last weekend gave all of us a good reminder about just how unpredictable Mother Nature can be.

As well as the city prepared, and as quickly as crews reacted for the cleanup, many homeowners were left with soaked floors and a hefty carpet cleaning bill. Some had to replace carpeting entirely. That's not cheap.

I learned something new this week, thanks to the wonderful people at Consumer Reports: homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods. Thankfully we live in an area that may flood once every, say, 10 or so years, but if that thought doesn't comfort you the Federal Emergency Management Agency has a national flood insurance program. The National Flood Insurance Program pays up to $250,000 for your house and $100,000 for the contents, according to Consumer Reports.

I looked up my credit score this week after accessing my free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com. It cost $6.95 to find out that I have a score in the "good" range, which surprises me because I have quite a bit of debt and I've been late on a few payments (such as credit cards and student loans) more than once. A Consumers Union counselor told me it's probably just luck that those missed payments weren't recorded. But I have other things going for me, such as a long history of credit and no collections.

Look yours up. Your credit score determines the credit you receive, such as the size of the loan you qualify for and the interest rate you receive on credit cards, home and car loans.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a new pay study, which compares salaries in certain cities. Carson City wasn't included, so here are the Reno numbers:

After adjustment for occupational mix, Reno pay is 1 percent less than the nation as a whole. Compared with Sacramento, Reno workers earned 8.3 percent less. Compared with Phoenix, Reno workers earned 2.9 percent less.

Installation, maintenance and repair workers in Reno earned 14 percent more than the national average, but office and administrative support workers earned 9 percent less. Sales occupations fared well, earning 11 percent more than the national average.

These numbers are not adjusted for the cost of living.

Job opportunities for paralegals are projected to increase by nearly 30 percent between 2002 and 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . In answer to the rapidly rising demand for paralegals, Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno offers the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, providing a noncredit educational experience of the highest caliber in an intensive weekend format for working adults.

The 16-session Paralegal Studies Certificate Program will be held on eight select weekends, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 21-22, Jan. 28-29, Feb. 4-5, Feb. 11-12, Feb. 25-26, March 4-5, March 18-19, and March 25-26. Computer lab sessions on March 5, 19 and 25 will be held at the University's Redfield Campus, 18600 Wedge Parkway, Reno. All other sessions are held at the University of Nevada, Reno, Continuing Education Building, 1041 N. Virginia St., Reno.

To register or for more information, call 784-4062 or 1-800-233-8928. For more about extended studies courses and online registration, visit: http://www.extendedstudies.unr.edu.

After four and a half years as director of bar services for the State Bar of Nevada, Audrey Bath was named as the new editor of Nevada Lawyer, the official publication of the State Bar. Audrey is the first editor of Nevada Lawyer with a law degree. She will be relinquishing all of her former duties and will be assisted by an all-volunteer editorial board made up exclusively of Nevada attorneys practicing throughout the state. Her first issue will be February 2006.

Syncon Homes earned the National Housing Quality Certification, placing it with a group of 10 builders in the nation to earn this designation. The certification is presented by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center to builders that have documented their management processes, implemented customer-focused quality assurance systems and participated in a rigorous audit by the research center quality experts. Syncon Homes' NHQ Certification represents the company's ongoing commitment to continual process improvement and customer satisfaction in home building.

First launched at the 2005 International Builders Show, the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to foster consistency and quality in building practices, by enhancing home quality, buyer peace of mind and the public's perception of home builders in general.

-- Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.