Christmas comes early for children of FISH families

Saturday was a big day for 18 area children. Members of the noon Carson City Rotary Club took the children on a shopping spree at Wal-Mart. The children were from families who signed up with FISH this year, saying they needed help with this year's Christmas celebrations.

Thirty-five Rotarians and their spouses spent more than $1,800 as the children shopped for brothers, sisters, moms and dads.

Wal-Mart provided cookies and juice. Secret shoppers were on hand to make sure the children shoppers would not go home empty-handed.

The children were treated to lunch by the Rotarian assigned to them, then the children returned to Carson Middle School library were all the gifts were wrapped and ready to place under family trees.

Java Joe's donated hot chocolate and coffee for the group. Santa - Rotarian Bill Reeves - made his appearance after Rotarian Monte Fast and Dennis, a wooden puppet, entertained the audience with songs and fun.

Reeves and Fast have helped make the event more fun for all the children, young and old for more than 20 years.

The noon Carson City Rotary Club has been sponsoring families from FISH by taking a young member of a family Christmas shopping since 1987.

The winners of the 2005 Santa Train Coloring Contest sponsored by the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the Nevada Appeal are:

Cole Salaices, age 5, of Carson City

Lauryn Bailey, age 7, of Carson City

Nathan Tripp, age 10, of Carson City

As Americans become increasingly attuned to the virtues of fine wine and food pairings, Gallo Family Vineyards, the first family of American wine, is creating the Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards. The program will recognize excellence across a variety of food categories and will include a signature "Never Stop Growing Award" for the family-owned business that serves as an inspiration for other food industry professionals.

Winners will be invited to attend a private business and industry training program designed by Gallo Family Vineyards in Sonoma County, Calif., and have the opportunity to exhibit their product at the 2006 Fancy Food Show, a business trade association established to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 31 in the following categories:

• Bread/Baked Good

• Dairy

• Meat and Charcuterie

• Fish and Seafood

• Confectionary Good

• Condiment

• Oil and Vinegar

• Fruit or Vegetable.

Applications and additional information can be found on Gallo's Web site at www.gallofamily.com.