In Nevada, always stop for pedestrians crossing the street

I almost hit a man in an electric wheelchair when I first moved to Nevada but I didn't get a ticket.

"You almost hit that man," the police officer said.

"I know," I said.

"Yeah," he said. "What would have happened then?"

I told him I didn't know. I told him I was sorry. I told him, on top of that, I didn't know cars had to stop for people who walked across the street anywhere on a series of white paint stripes and me not knowing that was the only reason I didn't slow down.

"He's going to get hit if he doesn't move," I tell people I thought.

"I'm going to hit him if he doesn't move," I actually thought.

The officer told me that in Nevada anytime people cross the street, even if it's not close to a sign all cars have to stop.

"You didn't have that in Indiana?" he said.

"No," I said.

This might not be true, but what is definitely true is that people in Indiana stop at red lights and stop signs and that's it.

Besides that, people are only cautious about running over leaf piles because people say one time someone somewhere ran over a leaf pile and a child was hiding in it.

People in Indiana aren't that scared of leaf piles, though, and really aren't even that afraid of red lights - especially red lights where they have to turn left.

No one in Indiana has time to wait through two red lights, of course. There are Applebee's restaurants to visit.

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Pauline Beltz, 81, said she had a wonderful experience at the Carson City Wal-Mart this week. The store gave her a personal shopper, who treated her like a queen and found everything she wanted on her list. "I'm 81-years-old, sweetheart. My body may be going but my mind is sharp," she said. Beltz has lived in Carson City for almost 21 years and said everyone's she has met in the city treats her beautifully.

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Qdoba Mexican Grill has announced the grand opening of its first Carson-area restaurant. Located at 933 Topsy Lane, the restaurant is scheduled to have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday, hosted by the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant will open to the public 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

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John Jantos Mcnus & Advertising Specialties at 44 Laxalt Drive in Carson City is celebrating its 45th anniversary and 23rd year in Northern Nevada.

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Lance Gilman has named Mica Sheehan as his new director of promotions and marketing for his businesses that include L. Lance Gilman Real Estate Services, the World Famous Mustang Ranch and the Wild Horse Resort and Spa.

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Brian Wilk has joined the Nevada Commission on Economic Development as a Procurement Associate.

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Ed Stormo of Stormo Properties said they sold their 14,000-square-foot spec building on 2.1 acres at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center to Viper Steel of Sparks.

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The Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors has announced new officers for 2008 and also presented achievement awards to local Realtors. Officers for 2008 include: Bill Driscoll as president; Joan Zadny as president-elect; Dan Smith as treasurer and Carol Koerth as secretary. The balance of the Board of Directors includes Mae Haden, Marge Hauge, Chick James, Laura Moline, J.P. Pilkinton, Judy Plume, Jason Sanderson, Steven Veatch and Brad Bonkowski as immediate past president.

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The Summit lifestyle center in Reno announced plans for six new retailers. Businesses will include No Fear and Charlotte Russe, set to open this month, and US Bank, the Chocolate Bar, Sephora and Lenscrafters scheduled for early spring.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.