Stories for May 2008

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Saturday, May 31

Community briefs

Carson City Carson City Senior Citizen's Center Senior Follies

Open Season: Spices from the Yucatan to light up your grill

The kitchen has a lot of rules. Don't add hot stock to hot roux, or you'll get lumps. Add salt to pasta water just before you add the pasta, or the water will be bitter. Tear lettuce instead of cutting it with a knife, or it will turn brown.

Friday, May 30

Can Iraq be winning issue in November?

If the current volleys being fired between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are any indication, the Iraq war will be the main and deciding issue for this election.

Community briefs

Carson City Carson City Senior Citizen's Center Senior Follies

Past pages

120 Years Ago All sorts: Cleveland was nominated before the St. Louis convention formulated its platform. The wire pullers wanted it this way because they thought it would be a hard matter to make the platform and the nominee jibe with each other.

Letters to the editor

Our governor seems to be a very strange duck. The first thing he does when it comes to the budget crunch is to "Cut Education." He files for a dissolution of his marriage and his wife doesn't even know why. Now he is in Iraq and says the public doesn't need to know why! The first thing an inept person in government does is to cut education.

Some thoughts while we wait to be branded

Carson City. One of only 50 state capitals in the country. A city of rich history, clean air, beautiful vistas, majestic buildings and an arts community many larger cities would be proud to have. Just close enough to Reno and Tahoe to enjoy their wonders - natural or manmade - without having to endure their hassles - a higher cost of living and congestion. A city with a stable government-based workforce at its core and easy access to recreation of all sorts.

Sheriffs' log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Thursday, May 29

Sheriffs' log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

It's not just broadÐbased, it's Taxapalooza!

If you've been in Nevada for the last dozen years of so, you know that the state Legislature has been spending money like there was no tomorrow. Alas, tomorrow is here today.

What list are we on this week?

It's a rare week when there are no news flashes on my e-mail or phone calls from groups proclaiming that Nevada is at the top or bottom of some list.

Avoiding foreclosure

By Dave Frank Appeal Staff Writer A sale that lets homeowners avoid foreclosure and manage overwhelming loan payments is becoming popular in Carson City.

Business news & notes

Joanie's Creekside Cafe and Catering, 1795 E. College Parkway, has opened a 1,300 square-foot meeting/banquet room that can accommodate 60 people. The business is expecting local service clubs and other groups to use the room for weekly meetings. For more information, call 841-3354.

Community briefs

Carson City Horse adoption at Warm Springs Correctional Center Saturday

Briefcase

m 808 E. College Parkway, Suite 102 882-6680 www.electratherm.com

Wednesday, May 28

How investment advice is helpful, and who's qualified to give it

All through your life, you make investments. You invest in your earnings potential by going to college. You invest in real estate when you buy a house and you defer money into your retirement plans. Sometimes, you do not seek advice and end up making poor investments.

Letters to the editor

I would like to thank the Nugget Casino and its employees for a great Veterans Memorial celebration at the Nugget Sunday night. Kudos to the Sea Cadets for the colors presentation. At the conclusion, TAPS by a bugler, impressive; there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

How much gambling is too much for the capital city?

As new casinos continue to open in Carson City, I keep asking myself a recurring question: How much gambling is too much for our historic capital city? Not that anyone else is asking this question. In fact, our city supervisors seem to operate on the theory that any development is good development.

Reid's memoir reveals a lawmaker forged by the bouts of life

An aura of rock-ribbed pugnacity pervades the pages of Harry Reid's memoir, "The Good Fight: Hard Lessons From Searchlight to Washington."

Business licenses

Business licenses issued in Carson City as of May 23

Briefly

Carson City Senior Follies to start Friday

Numbers help keep Carson's crime problem in perspective

Carson City may look less safe than it did a decade ago, but it's reassuring that crime numbers seem to tell a different story.

Tuesday, May 27

Past pages

120 years ago

Monday, May 26

Humor and opinions to get your week started

Let's start the week by going to the dogs, and telling Jo Ann Gardner's joke about them: "Three handsome male dogs are walking down the street when they see a beautiful, enticing, female poodle.

Letters to the editor

I recently talked to some friends who are having trouble with a medical center in Reno.

Sheriff's log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Lynn Hettrick: A distinguished Nevadan

At the University of Nevada graduation in Reno on May 16, I was privileged to present the Nevada System of Higher Education's Distinguished Nevadan Award to Lynn Hettrick, whom I nominated for the award last year. My remarks for the occasion are printed below:

Sunday, May 25

Sandwiches to enjoy throughout the summer

Molly's Gourmet Catering and Take-Out is renovating itself again! Coming in June are new items that will be available for take-out Monday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 4p.m. We're calling it Molly's Take Out Bistro. Salads, specialty sandwiches, soups and meat specials will be available daily, and we will be open on Saturdays.

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were arrested and booked into Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty:

Saturday, May 24

We remember and honor those who've fallen

It's OK that Memorial Day weekend has become partly an opportunity to get away with the family ... that's important in a world where there are fewer and fewer opportunities for that purpose.

Friday, May 23

Letters

On Memorial Day Weekend, Americans honor those who served when duty called and gave their lives for this country. We gather across the nation to pay our respects to our fallen heroes and mourn the loss of those brave soldiers who fought in defense of liberty. Equally important is remembering and honoring the veterans who are with us today, as well as praying for safe return of the young men and women of our Armed Forces currently in harm's way.

Carson City man following in the footsteps of his uncle

My uncle Richard E. Daigle was a member of First Special Service Force Association, 1st Company, 2nd Regiment, which led the assault on Italy's Monte La Difensa in World War II. He was killed in action taking Monte La Difensa on Dec. 3, 1943.

The Pentagon continues to buy journalists

The Pentagon continues to buy journalists and violate basic precepts of American journalism, but does anyone care beyond a few dedicated defenders of the First Amendment? I don't think so.

Community briefs

Carson City Memorial Day Ceremony at Lone Mountain Cemetery

Bush does right thing (gasp!) on farm bill

The presidency of George W. Bush has been such a disaster that complaining about all the atrocities gets downright monotonous.

Sheriffs' log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Thursday, May 22

Where do brothels fit in Carson City's real brand?

The Appeal's reporters write thousands of stories every year and, as you can imagine, for various reasons they don't always make everyone involved happy.

Business briefcase

Name: Arturo Mena Position: He is one of the owners who also include his son, Chad Mena

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Business News & Notes

Rick Chambers has been named business relationship manager in Wells Fargo's northern Nevada Business Banking group. In his role, he joins 15 business bankers and support staff who provide personal service and financial solutions to mid-size northern Nevada businesses. His office is at 2424 S. Carson St., and his number is 885-5304.

Guv should just say no to pig in lipstick

Make no mistake: It's not Nevada's voters and taxpayers who are clamoring for an increase in the room tax to pay teachers higher salaries. That was a backroom deal struck by one special interest (the teachers union), which wanted more money from another special interest (the gaming industry) which didn't want to pay it. So they've teamed up (not all gamers, just some) in an effort to sock it to Nevada's lifeblood - our tourists - who won't even have a vote on the scheme.

Volatile market a good time to revisit investing fundamentals

While it's never a bad time to revisit the fundamentals of investing, it's an especially good time to do so when volatile markets start making investors feel anxious and uncertain. It's during times like these that you'll hear a lot about asset allocation.

Wednesday, May 21

Letters to the editor

OK! Max! Let's do it! Let's build the casino. NOW!

Businesses skeptical of room tax proposal

By Dave Frank Appeal Staff Writer Carson City businesses and officials are skeptical of a proposed 3 percent room tax increase that would raise money for the state education department.

Sheriff's Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Greater love has no one than this

In the Book of John, Jesus commands us to: "Love each other as I have loved you" and then He says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John caught the meaning of the statement and repeated it in his First Epistle: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down or lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16)

Tuesday, May 20

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Why is the governor in Iraq?

A message to Gov. Gibbons: The people of an arid, economically depressed land are in desperate need of your leadership abilities as they struggle through one of the most difficult periods they've seen in years.

Monday, May 19

Sheriff's Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Event made certain Armed Forces weren't forgotten

Even though we are at war, Armed Forces Day - that holiday set aside to honor men and women who serve and have served in uniform - might have slipped by with little notice in Carson City if not for the efforts of a determined group of residents.

Getting an early start on thanking our veterans

A mystery solved! Have you seen the red shirted, flag-waving group who marches on the sidewalks of Carson Street every Friday around dinnertime and wondered who they were? Well, the answer came in an Appeal news article this week about the family and friends of the late CWO Joshua Rodgers of Gardnerville, who march to remember him (he was killed in Afghanistan), and support our troops.

Chocolate popcycles with a twist

These chilly summer treats are easy to make and offer a great excuse for picking up a set of inexpensive ice pop molds. For lighter versions, fat-free half-and-half can be substituted in either recipe. Don't be afraid to improvise. Replaced the cherry jam with raspberry. Or use peanut butter instead of marshmallow.

Business licenses

Business licenses issued in Carson City as of May 16: Artie Bon Plaza Salon, 2120 E. Long Street, new beauty shops, Phyllis A. Maxwell, owner.

Can church handle its pastor as mayor?

Can the Rev. Ken Haskins continue to fulfill the spiritual needs of the 300-member congregation at First Christian Church if he is elected mayor of Carson City in November?

Groups are fighting hunger from the ground up

There are many grassroots organizations founded by individuals with innovative ideas who seek to advocate for a common cause. For an organization to be successful, its leaders must inspire and recruit like-minded citizens in order to remain viable and work toward a common goal.

Sunday, May 18

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were arrested and booked into Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty:

Saturday, May 17

Community briefs

Wild West Tour Spring Ghost Walk

Letters to the editor

While walking my dog on Saliman Road around 5:45 p.m., I noticed how fast people drive. Some were even racing each other to be sure to make the front of the line when the road narrows to one line just before Kingsley Lane. This is troubling because my teenager who is currently driving with a permit is often scared because of how people ride our bumper and they get frustrated because she comes to a full and complete stop! Please people slow down! After all it is the law.

Sheriffs' log

Carson City The following people were arrested and booked into Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty:

Friday, May 16

Bush's jump into campaign makes Obama smile

President George W. Bush visited Israel last week and stirred up a storm with a speech berating the "some" who want to negotiate with America's enemies, invoking images of Nazi tanks and Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Adolf Hitler.

Had enough of Congressional Democrats yet?

Years ago, when I used to complain occasionally to my Mother that my young kids were driving my wife and me absolutely crazy, she used to just chuckle and say, "have some more!" Well, to borrow a metaphor from my late, great Mother, have the American people had enough of this Democratic-controlled Congress yet?

Thanks candidates; next stop Aug. 12

Our hats are off to an impressive field of candidates running for local office.

State jobless rate at 5.7 percent

About 78,400 Nevadans were out of work in April as the state's unemployment rate dipped slightly to 5.7 percent but remained above the national average, a report released on Friday stated.

Letters to the editor

My name is Ryan. I am 10 years old. Last Saturday I was at Target with my family and I accidentally left a bag containing the toy and DVD I had just bought in the parking lot. The bag also had my wallet with some money in it.

Past pages

120 years ago

Thursday, May 15

Sheriff's blotter

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

U.S. getting a raw deal with its United Nations investment

It's difficult to use the words "reform" and "United Nations" in the same sentence because most UN member nations aren't interested in reforming the flawed world organization. But the United States, which hosts the UN in New York City and pays more than 22 percent of its total budget, has worked tirelessly - if unsuccessfully - for reform in recent years. Well, it's time to get serious about UN reform.

Business news & notes

After its third Board of Directors meeting today, the newly formed business development organization Nevada Business Connections (NBC) is now open for business. The nonprofit business recruitment group has offices located at 3535A Arrowhead Drive. For more information, call Kris Holt at 771-5747.

Sheriff's log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Community briefs

Carson City Surgical Technology pinning ceremony today at WNC

God's perfect knowledge of man

Psalm 139 is a beautiful psalm of David. The first few verses reflect on God's perfect knowledge of man:

Foreclosures booming this year

By Dave Frank Appeal Staff Writer A wood plaque with their family name is tacked to a house filling with cardboard boxes.

Stumbling governor goes wobbly on tax pledge

As if the increasingly public and messy Gibbons divorce wasn't bad enough, Nevada citizens are now treated with the spectacle of a governor who was accused two years ago of inappropriate behavior with a young woman while walking her to her car after a night of wining and dining appointing someone to head up the just-created SAGE Commission who was accused five years ago of inappropriate behavior with a young woman while walking her home after a night of wining and dining. Good grief.

A former resident of Carson City who should be remembered

One of the most important functions of community newspapers is to record the important events in the lives of residents, including births and deaths. Sometimes, however, people move away and become lost to the places they spent much of their lives.

Business briefcase

Name: Gina Chaikwang Position: Owner The store: She has just expanded the restaurant to include a new sushi bar. She recently went to her home country of Thailand to learn how to make the food.

Wednesday, May 14

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Briefly

Carson City Daughters of Norway Queen Maud Lodge No. 42

Tuesday, May 13

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Shouldn't we expect more from our food suppliers?

The largest beef recall in U.S. history took place in February. Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., based in Chino, Calif., "voluntarily" recalled approximately 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef products declared unfit for human consumption by the Food Safety Inspection Service.

Business licenses

Business licenses issued in Carson City as of May 9: All Sierra Environmental Inc., 1595 N. Lompa Lane, new contractor general building, Logan Hand, owner.

Three days to hope for more races

We'd like to thank those candidates who've filed for public office, but we hope there's a stampede at clerks' offices before the filing period ends on Friday. There are just too many pressing issues facing state and local governments that can best be addressed by considering the ideas of candidates running for office.

Briefly

Carson City Carson High NJROTC ceremony

Monday, May 12

Kudos to Heller and Laura Bush

We think Congressman Dean Heller is absolutely on the right track in asking that all our ballots be printed in English. New York City and Los Angeles already print their ballots in over 40 different languages. Excuse us ... that's madness. Aren't all citizens supposed to speak and read English before they become naturalized? Do you really think Germany, France, Mexico or China print their ballots in English? Fat chance.

Sheriffs' log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Community briefs

Carson City Street closures for Carson City Honors Our Troops Parade

High gas prices proving to be a unifying force

If there's any silver lining to the rising price of gas, it's that it's unifying people who normally don't find themselves agreeing on much.

Letters to the editor

Gee, Mr. Jere Schultz, your letter to the Nevada Appeal titled, "Paul supporters should unite, not disrupt GOP" on Thursday, May 1, 2008 was sure sour.

Sunday, May 11

Community briefs

Carson City New hours set for Carson City Library

Sheriffs' Log

Carson City The following people were arrested and booked into Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty:

Saturday, May 10

Friday, May 9

SAGE commission will provide some valuable answers

We're hoping the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission charged with rooting out government waste in Nevada has tremendous success at the endeavor, but its findings will be valuable either way.

Reprocessing nuclear waste makes more sense than storing it at Yucca Mt.

The United States has 104 nuclear power plants, and six more are planned " enough to produce 3,000 tons of waste per year, all of which would be stored at Yucca Mountain if an alternative isn't found.

Colombia held hostage; (and an observation on the governor's divorce filing)

by Guy W. Farmer It's a shame that one of our best friends and staunchest allies in Latin America, Colombia, is being held hostage to partisan politics in the U.S. Congress. Influential Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, are blocking action on a free trade deal with Colombia that would be highly beneficial to both nations.

Letters to the editor

Wilderness proposal not going away

The James Commission ... it's on!

Gov. Jim Gibbons signed an Executive Order in his office Wednesday morning establishing the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission. He also introduced his choice to head that commission, Bruce James. As the U.S. Public Printer in Washington, D.C., for a number of years, Mr. James has extensive experience in just this sort of exercise. James certainly appears to be the right man for the job, but it's the job description itself that raises a little skepticism for this fiscal conservative.

Words too useful to keep to myself

If I ever have a day that goes so badly I begin to doubt what I've long believed true " that this fragmented world is held together beneath its veneer by compassion and love " I know what I will do.

Let's create a high school of our dreams

"Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not?'" Robert Kennedy delivered this famous quote during his 1968 Presidential campaign. Kennedy's spirit excited an entire generation of Americans.

New president has chance to kick America's oil habit

The next president is going to face a litany of daunting challenges: War in the Middle East, economic meltdown at home, rising gas prices, global warming, and on and on and on.

Backyard barbecue season is here

Throwing a barbecue is one of the joys of summer, but it can get pricey.

Past pages

120 years ago Jacob Zech, the well known Piano Manufacturer and Tuner, is here at present and will attend to all work in his line. Leave orders with C. W. Friend. Many ladies admire grey hair Ð on some other person Ð but few care to try its effects on their own charms. They need not, since Ayers Hair Vigor restores gray hair to its natural color.

Briefly

Carson City New hours for Carson City Library

Thursday, May 8

sheriff's Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Health providers clash on insurance deal

Appeal Staff Writer A Carson hospital's insurance deal will hurt patient care and choice, according to a competing specialist. The hospital, however, says patients will get better and cheaper care under the agreement.

Community briefs

Carson City Garage Sale items needed

Business news & notes

Carson Medical Group has expanded its hours and locations to provide enhanced patient care because of the increasing need for primary care and OB-GYN services in the Carson-Douglas area, the group said.

Religion briefly

Calvary Chapel holds first service in new church Calvary Chapel Carson City, 1635 Clearview Drive, will hold its first service in the new church at 10 a.m. Sunday, with special recognition to Mother's Day.

Business briefcase

Name: David Rhines Position: Owner What he does: Rhines runs a landscaping business that handles needs such as tree work, sprinklers and debris removal.

Wednesday, May 7

Letters to the editor

Governor should be in Carson City Why is it even a question of who should live in the Governor's Mansion? Since Dawn Gibbons isn't our governor, I resent that my tax dollars are paying her living expenses. It's just another example of Jim and Dawn Gibbons doing what they want to without regard to what is right. I say, let her live in their Reno residence so our governor will be where he's supposed to be " here in Carson City.

Public office makes governor's bid for privacy in divorce case indefensible

Suddenly we're all starched collars and solemn expressions in the Nevada press. All at once we don't know what to do with our hands, and we keep staring at our shoes.

Gratitude for those who've served

We cannot let this week pass without offering our gratitude to Al Porter and Bryan Bolander.

Sheriff's Log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:

Briefly

Carson City Washoe Tribe to honor youth

Tuesday, May 6

Sheriff's log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Dreaming of public transportation between Carson City and Reno

When the V&T railroad ran between Reno and Carson City it was a popular excursion to pack a picnic lunch and take the train to Washoe Valley for a day at Bower's Mansion park. I thought about that the other day when I talked to local business owner Clint Darquea. Clint lives in Reno, works in Carson City, and would like to be able to commute by light rail. Every car commute is a gauntlet, he says, of road rage, impaired drivers, and high gas prices. He says the hour spent driving is wasted time, time he could be relaxing on a train.

Know your partner's money styles

No matter how deeply you and your partner love each other, money is probably a loaded subject.

Celebrating Mother's Day and Pentecost together

In most churches, two events will be celebrated - Mother's Day and Pentecost - this coming Sunday. In some way both have to do with beginnings, births.

Heller has right idea on ballots

It's difficult to find fault with the bill that U.S. Rep. Dean Heller introduced to Congress this week that would require English-only ballots for federal elections.

Briefly

Carson City Meeting to discuss joint use of center

Real estate transactions

Real estate transactions recorded by the Carson City Assessor's Office by date, address and sale price. For details on individual transactions, visit www.carson-city.nv.us/.

Monday, May 5

Business licenses

Business licenses issued in Carson City as of May 2: Aaron's Rental Make Readys, O of T, new out of town business, Aaron Layland, owner.

Don't wait to make Mother's Day plans

Happy Mother's Day this coming Sunday. Many restaurants in town are open for a Mother's Day treat, so call them, and take your mom out to brunch or dinner. The Nevada State Railroad Museum will be giving free rides to mothers on the steam train Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (regular fares apply to all others). The RSVP carnival will be at Mills Park this weekend, too.

Community Briefs

Carson City Retired Public Employees of Nevada to meet

Pau-Wa-Lu teacher connects kids to faith in her third book

One Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School teacher doesn't care much for the stereotype of teenagers as confused, angst-ridden, helpless beings. "Everyone says being a teen is so hard these days with everything they face, but I have faith that teens can make the right choices," said Miki Trujillo.

Sunday, May 4

Briefs

Carson City RSVP for healthcare auxiliary meeting

Saturday, May 3

Cop log

Carson City The following people were arrested and booked into Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty:

Letters to the editor

Let's face it. We've lost tens of thousands of men and women in Vietnam. In the five years we have been in Iraq, our loss of servicemen and women have come to only 4,000. This is infinitesimal when compared to the loss of life in Vietnam. It is appreciated that the loss of only one life is one too many but war is harder on civilians than it is on the military. It is a known fact. There are casualties among the Iraqi civilians that number into the tens of thousands. Do we value their lives too? We should as their suffering must also be great.

Friday, May 2

Community briefs

Carson City Motor car rides at the state museum

The Democrats' recipe for defeat

My fellow Democrats appear to be doing everything possible to lose this year's presidential election, even though President Bush and the Republicans are hugely unpopular with the voting public. How is that possible?

Why this father isn't sleeping well - and why you shouldn't either

Although Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still locked in their primary struggle, that hasn't stopped Democrats from launching attacks on Republican John McCain and his 100 years of war in Iraq.

John McCain's 100-year war for the White House

Although Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still locked in their primary struggle, that hasn't stopped Democrats from launching attacks on Republican John McCain and his 100 years of war in Iraq.

Cop log

Carson City The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court:

Change begins on Monday

Christmas isn't tomorrow, but for some people looking for new directions and new ideas in their government, it may seem that way.

Past Pages

By Trent Dolan 120 years ago

Thursday, May 1

Ron Paul campaign sends in a clown

Jeff Greenspan, Ron Paul's paid out-of-state political operative who helped engineer last weekend's fiasco at the Nevada Republican Party convention in Reno, is tying himself in knots trying to spin his way out of responsibility for the embarrassment he caused.

Community briefs

Carson City Summer shade tree seminar Saturday

Use periods of market weakness to upgrade portfolios

U.S. equity markets started the month on a strong note on Thursday, May 1, 2008, driven primarily by some better-than-expected economic data and falling oil and commodities prices, in my view.

Health inspections

Carson City Health Department's food-service inspections and the date of inspection (all scores are on a 100-point scale, with points deducted depending on the severity of violations):

The best dog I ever knew

In the past year, each time I've consoled people who've had to say goodbye to their pets, I've taken comfort in knowing I wouldn't have to face that for a few years ... longer if I were lucky. Ranger has been the one constant in my life over the past decade.