Carson City Rotary Club scholarships available

The Rotary Club of Carson City offers its 'scholarsteps' scholarship in the amount of up to $12,000 over four years beginning in the fall. The application deadline is April 28. Requirements are that that the student be pursuing a college degree at Western Nevada Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno. The students must be full-time, have a grade point average of 3.0 or better and be a Carson City resident. For information, contact WNCC's financial assistance office at 445-3264.

Internet cafe opens at Silver City Volunteer Library

Teachers Meg Burns and Diane Kotik offer free tutoring, access to Internet research, snacks and fun activities to Silver City children ages 5-13 from 4-6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the fire house in Silver City where he Volunteer Library is located. Please call if you'd like your child to attend: This program is organized and funded by The Silver City Task Force and Healthy Communities Coalition and given space by the Volunteer Fire Department.

Department of Education seeks nominations for 'American Stars of Teaching'

The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is seeking nominations and information about teachers who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom and making a difference in the lives of their students. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from each state. To learn more or nominate a teacher to become an American Star of Teaching, see the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative Web site at www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html. All nominations must be completed by April 15.

Cultural Homestay seeking host families

Cultural Homestay International, a nonprofit organization that places foreign-exchange students and au pairs into American homes, is seeking host families for students in the Minden/Gardnerville area, and host families for au pairs in Carson City and the surrounding area. One family in the Carson City area for a student is also needed.

Students are high school juniors and seniors from Europe and Asia. They speak English, and have their own insurance and money. Au pairs are generally in their 20s and have through training in child care and development, and take college classes while in the area.

Host families do not have to have teenagers or be in a specific age range to participate. For information call 882-0367, or e-mail nancyttcc1@msn.com.

Uruguay first So. American nation to be smoke-free

Uruguay became the first country in Latin America to go smoke-free, on March 1. Clean indoor air will be mandatory in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Uruguay follows the lead of Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Uganda, Malta and Bhutan, which have all enacted such legislation.

Tobacco addiction kills 5,000 smokers a year in Uruguay and sickens tens of thousands. Uruguay spends $180 million per year treating people sick from tobacco, according to Joe Cherner from smokefree.net.

To send a letter in support of clean indoor air where you live, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php.