Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Silver to a successful gaming year

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 bettors who helped pump up Nevada's revenue from casinos. The fiscal year ended with a welcome sign that business is starting to come back for the gaming industry.

WOODEN NICKEL: To the scammers who phone retirees and pretend to be a grandchild who's in trouble abroad and needs money wired immediately. Law enforcement agencies have publicized warnings about this growing ploy. Seniors should be wary of such calls purporting to be from a loved one. The easiest way to short-circuit the scam is to ask the caller for his or her name and a phone number where they can be reached.

SILVER DOLLAR: To the donors who continue to drop off clothing, household items and furniture for the family of Eleanore Muscott, who lost everything when their Carson Colony home burned down last month. One benefactor last week dropped off three women's outfits - complete with color-coordinated necklaces and other accessories. That's an example of just how generous folks are in this town.

WOODEN NICKEL: To the Federal Reserve Board for failing to raise interest rates last week as a means of making up for the stock market's dismal performance. Keeping the federal-funds rate low is good for borrowers and lenders but not good for retirees.