Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Another honor for English Channel swimmers

The Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" feature recognizes positive achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.

Silver Dollar: Two area swimmers were recognized for their successful June 13 crossing of the English Channel. Carson Mayor Bob Crowell honored Ryan Hogan and Tatum Boehnke's feat during Thursday's board of supervisors meeting.

Boehnke, a 2009 Carson High School graduate, met Hogan while training with the Carson Tigersharks. Both competed in open water swims and, after competing in the 1.5-mile Escape from Alcatraz event last year, decided to attempt the Channel. In addition, the two determined they wanted to find a cause to support.

They learned about Caden Huarte, a 3-year-old Carson City boy with a malignant brain tumor, and raised $4,500 for Caden's medical expenses. The duo completed their relay swim in 10 hours and 40 minutes.

Hogan, a Bishop Manogue graduate, is attending the Air Force Academy. Boehnke will attend the University of Northern Colorado, where she will compete on the swim team.

Wooden Nickel: To ongoing drought conditions in the Western United States, including the Sierra Nevada range.

Although early summer showers slowed the start of the fire season and recent moisture was welcome, according to research from the U.S. Forest Service, "huge fires" are projected throughout Northern California and the Sierra Nevada during the next six months.

Silver Dollar: Take advantage of a summertime tradition by visiting one of our area's farmers markets - they offer a fun activity and lots of delicious fresh food. The Carson-Pony Express Pavilion Wednesday market runs 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 2. On Saturdays, the farmers market in the parking lot at Third and Curry streets goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is scheduled through October.

Wooden Nickel: As Nevada's jobless rate climbed to an all-time high 12 percent in June and record numbers of residents sought benefits, the state's unemployment trust fund plunged from $806 million a year ago to $70 million.

About 169,800 Nevadans were out of work in June, according to the state. Nearly 1,900 unemployed workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits.