Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Adding silver to the Silver & Snowflakes ceremony

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: To the Redevelopment Authority and the Arlington Group, for hosting the annual Silver & Snowflakes tree lighting ceremony in downtown Carson City. Hundreds of people showed up Thursday to usher in the holiday season with not one but two beautiful tree lightings. The festive atmosphere was a reminder for all about the joys of the season, much needed after what's for many been a tough year. Carson Street looks like a magical fairyland, lined in thousands of twinkling lights. Kudos, too, to the many elves who were tasked with hanging the lights. You did a beautiful job, and we appreciate your efforts.

Silver Dollar: To Carson City health department staff, who've administered 18,531 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in clinics, at schools and daycares, the senior center and other locations. Although it's too early to let up our guard, the swine flu appears to be waning, at least for now. A report from the Centers for Disease Control on Friday showed four straight weeks of falling numbers of new cases. But while numbers are dropping from earlier in the season, there are still more flu cases this year than normal. That's why you should still plan on getting your H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. The Nevada Appeal runs a list of upcoming flu clinics every Wednesday. Get your shot - better safe than sorry.

Silver Dollar: To the dozens of organizations and individuals who are fighting like crazy to ensure that every Carson City resident has food to eat and a gift under the tree this Christmas. Food for Thought, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, coat drives and food drives; the list goes on and on of people who are giving selflessly this season. The Nevada Appeal publishes a sampling each day of organizations that could use a hand, and also posts the full list online at nevadaappeal.com. Please, if you find yourself able to spare a can of food or a few dollars, find one of these worthy organizations and give.

Wooden Nickel: Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. What where you thinking? A hundred-million-dollar income, a beautiful wife and two beautiful children, and the distinction of being the best golfer playing today, maybe ever. You were, we thought, perfection incarnate. And though we know no one's perfect, that even superstars are only human, we could've done without the reminder, from you of all people. For shame.