SILVER DOLLARS AND WOODEN NICKELS: Dodgers piano woman never struck out

The Nevada Appeal’s Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels feature recognizes achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out other acts that missed the mark.

SILVER DOLLAR: After 28 years as the Los Angeles Dodgers beloved organist, Silver Springs resident Nancy Bea Hefley announced she’s retiring last week.

The Dodgers apparently made the mistake of trying to get rid of Hefley before this season began, only to face a huge outcry which included a column from arguably Los Angeles’ most prominent columnist, the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Plaschke. Next to Vin Scully, Hefley is arguably the most beloved Dodger there is.

SILVER DOLLAR: To Enrique De La Paz, who lived the American dream after moving to this country from Mexico when he was 17. De La Paz recently retired from the Nevada Army Guard as the director of logistics responsible for the oversight of $700 million in military equipment, The Genoa resident rose to the rank of colonel before retiring.

SILVER DOLLAR: To local law enforcement and the customers who supported last week at the Carson City Chili’s when they took tips of a different kind during the Tip a Cop fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics.

SILVER DOLLAR: To the Carson City School District for opening a new district and Nevada Health Centers school-based health care center. The center is now open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and a ribbon cutting celebrating its opening is going to be held at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Profession Development Center, 604 W. Musser St. room 2.

SILVER DOLLAR: To the Friends of the Carson City Library, who celebrated their 50th birthday last week.

WOODEN NICKEL: We have to admit we weren’t surprised and we’re biased, but we give a wooden nickel to the Washington Nationals for firing Carson City’s Matt Williams just a year after he was selected National League Manager of the Year. Apparently, Williams lost all of his managerial skills in just one year.