Donations sought for liver transplant recipient

Friends of a Gardnerville woman recovering from a liver transplant have set up an account at Bank of America to help with medical expenses.

Kathi D'Amico, 52, and her husband Dave are staying in an apartment in Palo Alto, Calif., for the next several weeks as she recovers from transplant surgery Jan. 23 at Stanford University.

"She's doing OK," Dave D'Amico said. "There's some discomfort, but nothing major. She's moving along ahead of schedule."

He said he and his wife try to get out and walk every day. She is tested weekly at the hospital.

She could be released in four to six weeks.

"She's on quite a bit of medication to fight possible infections," D'Amico said.

D'Amico plans to stay with his wife until she is ready to come home.

Donations may be made to Kathleen D'Amico Medical Fund, Account No. 0050 1076 8683 at any Bank of America branch.

Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien recently coined the catch phrase, "Whores and gambling aren't enough," to support Nevada's marijuana initiative. He then added, "You need the three to be happy. Two won't do."

However, the slogan was shot down by 84 percent of respondents to an online, unscientific poll run by the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana.

Because of the overwhelming objection to the motto, committee Chairman Neal Levine said O'Brien will not be sought to serve on the communications staff, according to a press release sent out this week.

"It's unfortunate," Levine said. "But we think he's just not right for the position."

The marijuana tax-and-regulate initiative has already qualified for the November ballot. It would remove all penalties for marijuana used by adults 21 and over in their homes, as well as create a system for the legal cultivation, distribution and sale of up to one ounce.

In exchange, the initiative would provide standards for the purchase and sale of the drug and double the maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It would also double the maximum penalty for giving or selling marijuana to a minor.

For information, go to www.regulatemarijuana.org.