Douglas High School collecting coats for children's cottage

Stephen Done, 17, a senior at Douglas High School, is collecting warm winter coats and outerwear for children 6 months to 17 years as part of his Eagle Scout project for Troop 140 Boys Scouts of America. The items will go to children at Kids Cottage Too in Reno.

Donated items can be new or used, but should be in good condition if use. Drop-off spots include the foyer at Ironwood Stadium Cinema 8, the Pizza Factory at Ironwood, the Pizza Factory in Gardnerville Ranchos, Pizza Barn in Gardnerville, Smiths in Gardnerville, Scolari's in Gardnerville and Papa Murphy's Pizza in Gardnerville. The collection will occur until Dec. 31.

For more information or to arrange a pick-up, call Stephen at 267-3593.

Fremont given $500

Business Bank of Nevada recently donated $500 to three at-risk Nevada schools, one of which was Fremont Elementary School in Carson City. The donations were part of the bank's 10-year anniversary celebration, and designated $10 for every new account opened and loan closed during October.

"Education is a big component of our philanthropic outreach programs, and providing these schools with a little extra holiday cheer goes a long way in addressing some of their most pressing needs," said John Guedry, president and CEO of Business Bank.

Bank employees donate two hours a month paid time at the three at-risk schools. Fremont Elementary was adopted by Business Bank of Northern Nevada in January 2005.

"We will be using that money in part for scholarships for students in the spring going to the Great Basin Outdoor Camp," said Fremont Principal Jan Sullivan. "It's a science camp. We're also using it as incentives for some of our students.

At-risk students who show improvement in academics, behavior and attendance can receive the incentives.

Family to Family January workshops schedule

Family to Family Connection provides both infant and toddler workshops for parents and their children. Infant workshops are for parents with babies birth to one year. Infant workshops are free and held from 10-11:30 a.m. The January classes are as follows;

Jan. 3, tummy time; Jan. 5, La Leche League: breastfeeding support; Jan. 10, baby-proofing your home; Jan. 19, infant/toddler first aid and CPR; Jan. 24, make your own baby food; Jan. 31, infant obstacle course

Toddler Time meets in two sessions on Wednesdays. The program recognizes play as the core element of infant toddler curriculum and is based on developmentally appropriate practice for young children. The 1-year-old group meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The 2-year-old group meets from 11 a.m.-noon. Pre-registration is required and parents must commit to a four-week session. The January session begins Jan. 4. Family to Family Connection is located in the Ron Wood Family Resource Center at 212 Winnie Lane. Call 884-2669 to register.

School of Medicine receives grant to conduct fallout screening

LAS VEGAS - Earning a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the University of Nevada School of Medicine will be the first institution to offer medical outreach and education to Nevada residents affected by the nuclear weapons testing and development of the 1950s and 1960s.

The three-year, $580,000 grant to the school's Family and Community Medicine department will fund the Nevada Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program, which will: identify and locate former Nevada Test Site workers and people living downwind of the site that were exposed to radiation from above-ground nuclear testing, provide medical screening and diagnostic services to facilitate early detection and treatment of cancer and other health hazards associated with radiation, provide medical referral services to facilitate access to treatment, educate the public on radiation induced illnesses, including cancer and assist eligible citizens to access the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

This will be the first program in the state providing outreach to Nevada citizens affected by the nuclear testing of the 1950s and 1960s. Similar programs are found in other Western states including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.

Under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (passed by Congress in 1990), people directly affected by federal nuclear weapons testing may be eligible for up to $75,000 in compensation. To be eligible for the screening, Nevada citizens must have direct ties to above-ground nuclear testing, whether it be as an employee at a test site or uranium mining operation, or as a resident in a downwind county.

Those eligible can call (702) 992-6887 or e-mailnevadaresep@unr.edu.

Sally Ride Science fourth annual design contest

SAN DIEGO - Sally Ride Science announced that the TOYchallenge sign up deadline has been extended to January 6. Toys are a great way to learn about science, engineering and the design process. Sally Ride Science is giving students in grades five through eight the chance to step out of their classrooms and develop their engineering and design skills by creating their dream toy for the fourth annual TOYchallenge.

The mission of this fun-fueled toy-and game-design competition is to motivate kids, especially girls, to get involved in engineering design and recognize that there's engineering in everything. TOYchallenge 2006 launched on September 12.

Creative kids can easily join in the fun. The competition is open to fifth through eighth graders in the U.S., its territories, or possessions, and Canada during the fall 2005/spring 2006 school year. Team size can range from three to six members, half of whom must be girls.

To get started, teams must: find an adult coach (18 years of age, or older) and sign up by January 6 (fee is $45 per team); then choose from themed-toy categories like Games for the Family or Get out and Play and start brainstorming.

Further TOYchallenge information is at www.toychallenge.com. To learn more about Sally Ride Science, visit www.SallyRideScience.com or call (800) 561-5161.

Students, parents: Submit photos for 411

Do you want to see your photos in print?

Or have a picture of an event you want to share? The 411 section needs your work to run as a Kids Snap.

Ideas for pictures include: you and your friends hanging out, getting ready for school or doing summer activities, like catching a ride on the CCOY bus, working at the 4-H fair or going to a farmers market.

There are always activities going on at Mills Park and perhaps one of them is a good place to discover the shutterbug in you.

We will credit the photo to you and include a sentence or two about the photo.

If this interests you, here's what you need to do when you are ready to send your photo in:

If the photo is a print, please drop it at the front desk of the Nevada Appeal, 580 Mallory Way for the 411 section.

Include an original photo, your name and phone number and information about the shot.

If you are using a digital camera, you can e-mail your photo or photos to moneill@nevadaappeal.com.