Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Silver to a fabulous red, white and blue display

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: Thanks to generous donations from Carson City businesses and residents, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was able to produce another wonderful fireworks display and carnival during the Fourth of July weekend.

We are also glad to see that it was a fairly safe weekend, with only minor incidents and accidents.

WOODEN NICKEL: To the Nevada Supreme Court, which hemmed and hawed and waited until essentially the last minute to issue a ruling about Congressional District 2 House race. The court, which ruled Tuesday evening, needed to make a decision by Wednesday in order for county clerks to print ballots and prepare for the Sept. 13 special election. In the end, the high court sided with the Carson City District Judge Todd Russell in upholding the major political parties' right to choose their candidate, instead of having a "ballot royale." The fact that the court agreed with the Russell adds to head scratching on why it took more than a month for the decision.

SILVER: To a $1.27 million federal grant that the Carson City Airport received on Tuesday. Airport manager Tim Rowe said the grant will be used for safety upgrades and expansion of hangars and business space.

Sen. Harry Reid, when announcing the grant, said the Federal Aviation Administration funds will also pay to complete construction of the taxiway on the north side of the runway.

Rowe said the expansion the airport has done has led to more traffic. He said completing the taxiway will draw more corporate planes to Carson.