Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Some good news as we say goodbye to 2010

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 Carson City Chamber of Commerce board of directors, for their generosity in hosting the free family skate day Tuesday at the Arlington Square Ice Rink. More than 600 skaters got to try out the bigger, better rink as guests of the chamber. "I think Stan and I hit a home run with this - everyone loves this," said former Chamber board president Jim Smolenski, who with second vice chair Stan Jones organized the event. Jim, we couldn't agree more. It was a great way to introduce new skaters to the venue, and reward those who've supported the rink.

Silver Dollar: To news that the long-empty Kmart building will finally be getting a new tenant. Gold's Gym is opening up in part of the space, and other businesses should soon follow to fill it out. We hope this is the turning point for the North Town Plaza, setting off a chain reaction that will lead to reinvigorating the retail center.

Silver Dollar: To Carson City school superintendent Richard Stokes, who earned a "superior" rating from the school board. Stokes has proven a steady, professional presence leading the district, a fact reflected in the opinions of the district's principals. We wish him continued success.

Silver Dollar: To Helen Wiemer, who earned her stripes as a 20-year veteran of managing the Governor's Mansion. Helen will be leaving the position under this administration, and bringing her energy and British graciousness to new endeavors. We'll miss you, Helen.

Silver Dollar: And finally, a parting dollar to 2010. We experienced many things, good and bad: Another peaceful transfer of power in the greatest democracy in the world with the midterm elections: Good. Vuvuzelas: Bad. Chilean miner rescue: Good. Haiti earthquake: Very bad. Rebounding stock market: Good. Moribund housing market: Bad. Giants winning the World Series: Good. Wolf Pack beating Boise State in a nailbiter ... also good. Well, you get the picture. We're a resilient nation, one that has always looked to the future with optimism. Here we are, two days into the new year. We think it's only going to get better.