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 road crews who've been working at night to repave Highway 395 in the Indian Hills area. It's smart to do the work after 8 p.m., and although nobody likes traffic delays due to roadwork, you get credit for keeping workers and motorists safe.
WOODEN NICKEL: To the Chicken Littles in Washington, D.C., who over-reacted to the earthquake that rattled much of the Northeast last week. Closing schools? Come on. In Nevada, the seismic activity is some 1,300 percent higher than the national average, and you don't see us wringing our hands.
SILVER DOLLAR: To Carson City Community Garden, which is holding a garden party Saturday to celebrate 10 years of harvests. This is a worthwhile, sustainable effort. (The party is at 5:15 p.m. at the garden on Beverly Drive just east of the cemetery office.)
WOODEN NICKEL: To the vast majority of the U.S. House and Senate, for earning a dismal 87 percent disapproval rating in a new Associated Press/GfK poll. Unlike in past polls, the respondents in this one showed a distinct antipathy toward their own members of Congress, not just toward the institution as a whole. It's getting personal.