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 Gov. Sandoval, for restoring funds for personal care attendants in his proposed budget plan. It was penny wise, pound foolish of the previous governor to propose cutting a service that helps keep seniors in their homes and out of even more expensive state nursing facilities. A lot of painful cuts will be coming our way in the 2011 Legislature, but Lord help us if keeping our seniors safe and well cared for isn't a priority for what money we do have.
Wooden nickel: After being lulled into a sense that things were, if not getting better, then at least not getting worse, the unemployment rate for December hit a new high - 14.5 percent - closing out the year on a sour note. Goodbye and good riddance, 2010.
Wooden nickel: There are some things that should earn a person a one-way ticket to Hades. Stealing from a paralyzed vet would be high on that list. Gerald Tharp of Carson City lost the use of his legs in an accident 28 years ago while serving in the Army. Thieves recently made off with Tharp's specially adapted quad, the only toy, his sister says, that gave him a sense of freedom. It's a red Polaris Ranger Razor. Hopefully, whoever took it has a conscience, or at least a healthy fear of eternal hellfire, and returns it soon.
Silver dollar: To U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' remarkable progress after being shot in the head two weeks ago. Giffords was transferred to Texas for continued rehabilitation Friday, and each day seems to bring news of a new milestone reached in her path to recovery. Although we'd never heard of her before the awful events of Jan. 8, we join the whole country in pulling for Gabby.