Silver Dollars and Wooden Nickels: Silver to all involved in Make-A-Wish fundraiser

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 16-year-old Jake Mercer of Carson City for helping some classmates organize a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser for Faithann Hodorowicz, 14, of Carson City, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. For their sophomore class service project at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno, Jake and his classmates arranged a fundraising concert for Faithann featuring American Idol favorite Jason Castro. Proceeds from the concert will reimburse her Wish Trip costs.

WOODEN NICKEL: To the environmental groups that sued in California to try to prevent the U.S. Forest Service from restoring deadwood-infested forests that had burned in the Angora Fire in 2007. The groups feared that the restoration would harm the rare black-backed woodpecker and other wildlife, but a U.S. District judge summarily dismissed their claim and ordered the restoration to proceed. In this case, the short-sighted environmental groups failed to see the forest for the trees.

SILVER DOLLAR: To the Nevada state treasurer's office for using its new Fast Track automated computer system that makes it easier for state officials to track down Nevadans who have unclaimed property with the state. In fiscal 2011, the agency returned $32.8 million in unclaimed property to its rightful owners. Treasurer Kate Marshall said the goal of her office is to ensure that people get back "every hard-earned dollar that belongs to them."

WOODEN NICKEL: To Borders bookstores' lenders and creditors for forcing the chain to close because it was worth more to them in liquidation than it would have been if it remained open. With efforts under way in Carson City and the nation to increase U.S literacy rates, the loss of a large bookseller is good news to no one - and profitable for only a few.