Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Carson says, 'please pass the breadsticks'

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 another successful year for the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt. The Olson family and their Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Committee concocted a challenging, fun and informative hunt that took searchers through a figurative tour of Nevada history, and a literal tour of Northern Nevada in the search for the hidden prize. Congratulations to Carson Middle School science teacher Mary Stanley, her husband John and friend Terri Ford who discovered the medallion at Fort Churchill and will share the $1,000 prize.

Silver dollar: To news that Olive Garden will be building a restaurant on South Carson Street next year. The plan is for the restaurant to join Big 5 Sporting Goods, which will relocate into the Southgate Shopping Center, Big Lots and Burlington Coat Factory. There was some fancy footwork with tax incentives to make it happen, which is sure to make someone somewhere unhappy. But right now all we care about is the prospect of endless breadsticks, salad and, on special occasions, the Tour of Italy. Yum.

Silver dollar: To the Carson High girls' golf team and its successful year. The Senators placed fifth in what is believed to be their first trip to the state tournament. The Senators rolled through the regular season with consistent play and steady improvement.

Silver dollar: To the fact that there's only nine more days left until Election Day. Are you as ready as we are for campaign season to be over with? As candidates hit the home stretch, let's invoke the spirit of Mills Lane: Let's keep it clean, folks; no hitting below the belt.