Business news & notes

Several roads and a parking lot are starting to be paved at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

The four-mile extension of the four-lane USA Parkway into Comstock Meadows, the 5,000 acre third phase of TRI, is receiving blacktop.

Also slated to be paved is several miles of Milan Drive.

The parking lot of Vince Griffith's 9,000 square-foot building is also being paved. The building has six 1,500 square divisions. Griffith owns Reno Engineering and is the chief engineer for the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center. He reports that he has several interested possible tenants. He is hoping for a sandwich shop or deli, and a bar.

Also on the paving schedule is the three-mile extension of Portofino Dive, which is the four-lane road into TRI's second phase.

While overall mid-year home sales in Lake Tahoe and Reno are reflective of the national economy and show decreases from this time last year, sales have bounced back considerably from first quarter 2008, according to a mid-year report from Chase International. The Lake Tahoe-based company released the figures, which include activity from Jan. 1 through June 30.

Southgate Coins in Reno is giving away a 200-year-old U.S. half-dollar to a child who answers correctly six questions related to the year 1808.

The child whose entry is chosen in a random drawing will receive what numismatists call an 1808 "Capped Bust" half dollar, minted in Philadelphia nine years after George Washington died.

Southgate Coins will award the 1808 half dollar, valued at $150, to the child, 12 years or under, whose entry, with the correct answers, is selected in the drawing on Aug. 5.

For more information, call Marie Goe at Southgate Coins 322-4455, or e-mail her at mariesgate@sbcglobal.net.

Business events this week:

Wednesday

July Carson City Chamber of Commerce mixer. 5 p.m. at U.S. Bank, 1001 N. Stewart St.

Thursday

REM Nevada anniversary party. 5:15 p.m. at 244 E. Winnie Lane. Hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday

Ribbon Cutting for Advanced Dentistry by Design. 10 a.m. at 403 E. Nye Lane, #A. Hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.