Disability

A federal lawsuit involving Carson City rental property owners has ended with a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that they discriminated against families with children in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The general rule is if you take a distribution from your traditional IRA before you have attained age 59-1/2, there is a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the distribution. That is in addition to the income tax on it.
However, there are a few exceptions that avoid the penalty.

Members of the Carson City Veterans Community Council (CCVCC) met Wednesday afternoon to discuss changes within existing member organizations, as well as to welcome new members onto the council.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell and City Manager Nick Marano, both veterans, attended Wednesday's meeting and highlighted changes to the city's new, improved web site scheduled to go public by the end of May.

After that cold snap earlier this week, it’s time to go enjoy the sunshine. Spend the afternoon cheering on the WNC Wildcats as they take on Salt Lake Community College. You’ll find the softball double-header at Livermore Sports Complex off Edmonds; baseball is played at the Harvey Field at Western Nevada College. Take a look at the weekend summary for all the fun stuff this valley has to offer.

SATURDAY:

About 20 people gathered in the Bonanza Room at the Carson City Community Center Thursday night for a town hall meeting hosted by the State Independent Living Committee (SILC), part of the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.

The meeting's purpose was to elicit public comments about how federal funds for centers for independent living are to be dispersed in the community.

As the old saying goes, "when opportunity knocks, answer the door."

Randy Wright, DDS of Advanced Dentistry by Design in Carson City had little idea who or what was knocking on the other side of his door, let alone the impact he would have, when he answered it in late 2015.

It took a long time, but Congress finally did enact the "ABLE" act. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code gives a way to fund an account for certain individuals with disabilities. The account is sort of modeled after the Section 529 plans that allow the funds for education expenses in the account to accumulate income (earnings) tax free.

Participation in Carson City's local Green Zone Initiative push has more than doubled since the first meeting called together by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong on Feb. 10.

More than two dozen people attended Wednesday's meeting of the Carson City Veterans Community Council (CCVCC), the local branch of the state of Nevada's Green Zone Initiative, a program introduced by the Governor's Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs.

Cathryn Waelbrock was born on July 7, 1950 to Glenn Gullick and Betty Elliott in Chico, Calif. She died February 6, 2016 in Carson City, Nev. Cathryn is predeceased by her brother, Bruce Gullick, and survived by her brother, Michael Gullick. Cathryn is also survived by her five children, Christy Minor, Patrica Hopper, Lucas Waelbrock, Ryan Waelbrock and Tyler Waelbrock.

On the surface, olive oil and balsamic vinegar have little to do with homelessness. But here in Carson City, they have become a big deal.

Last month, noted area Chef Don Pepe, owner of Carpa Nevada LLC, sold more than $1,000 worth of his fine imported Portuguese olive oil and balsamic vinegars through Downtown Coin in Carson City.

The entire proceeds, totaling $400 in profit, were then donated to “Pets of the Homeless,” a Carson City-based non-profit organization that helps provide food and veterinary care for homeless companions nationwide.

Hello fellow anglers, the holidays are over and we have great things to look forward to. It is only 93 days until the California fishing season,43 days until daylight savings time begins, and now that we are past the winter solstice, each day will be lighter 1 minute longer until June 30. Just a few things to get excited about.

January doesn’t have to be dreary. Just grab a coat and head out the door. Whether you want to rummage through antiques at Carson Mall, make crafts with the kids at the Children’s Museum, or enjoy some live music, you’ll find something to do on the list below.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

State Treasurer Dan Schwartz will be speaking at the Carson City Republican Women’s Club monthly luncheon to discuss the controversial Education Savings Accounts (ESA) which enable school choice for parents to meet their child’s unique needs.

With an impressive 135 toys collected, MJ's Sports Bar in Carson City won the Battle of the Bars Toy Drive hosted by the Salvation Army. Crossroad's Lounge collected 79 new toys, placing second in the competition, with Ed's Doghouse collecting 63.

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas program will benefit from the third annual Battle of the Bars Toy Drive. Local bars and taverns have been collecting toys since late November and will push for a final count at 6 p.m. Saturday. Salvation Army officials will be “Bar Hopping” in the afternoon and evening picking up toys and thanking everyone for their support of this Toy Drive.

Walton’s Chapel of the Valley in Carson City is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a day of free events Sunday. The event runs from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at 1281 N. Roop St.

A free Senior Resource Fair will run from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., offering the community access to information on estate planning, living independently, Nevada Rural Housing Authority's affordable housing options, funeral planning, hospice care and more.

Evergreen Gene's Inc. is Hosting a "Canned Food Drive"
and "Sock & Glove Tree" for Carson City's, "Do Drop In."

Saturday November 7, 2015 to December 23, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1811 N. Carson Street Carson City, NV

The "Do Drop In" is a "Rural Center For Independent Living."
Founder, Dee Dee Foremaster, has provided services for people with disabilities and the homeless in this community, for over 15 years.
Services: Advocacy, Housing; Paperwork; Resources, Social Security; Disability Information, Accessibility Information.

With more than 1.5 million rides thus far, this Saturday will mark the 10-year anniversary of Carson City’s public transportation system, Jump Around Carson, also known as JAC.

To celebrate, JAC will offer free rides throughout the day Monday, Oct. 5, on its four fixed Carson City area routes. Additionally, special “10 Years of Service” memorabilia will be passed out to riders and citizens alike throughout the year, said Carson City Transportation Manager Patrick Pittenger.

This column dovetails my last one concerning mental health care in Nevada.

The recent zeal to bring attention to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has rightfully brought the topic to the fore. But I feel that the media blitz has been at the expense of other equally severe mental disabilities, the awareness of which have waned and suffered. However good the intentions toward autism coverage may be, this attention has consequently overshadowed other developmental disabilities that are just as critical to treat, and equally heart-breaking.

Thunderstorms are on the horizon, so seize the day and enjoy the sunshine while it’s here. Muscle Powered has organized a monthly trash mob to help keep our trails clean, join them at US Bank to help out. The Ghost Walk returns: meet behind the Firkin and Fox for some local haunted history. Teens will enjoy a ‘Night at the Library’ with pizza and games. And as always, the Nevada State Railroad Museum beckons: this week with rides on the Steam Train available.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• Muscle Powered One Hour Trash Mob: located at the south side of East College Parkway near the I-580 overpass where the multi-use path meets the sidewalk. Parking is available at US Bank/Dotty's Casino (8am-9am; Gloves, trash bags, and water will be available)
• Weekly Live Auction at Good Time Auctions: 3579 E Hwy 50, Suite 211 (Preview 8am-3pm; Live Indoor Auction 3pm)

The weather app on my phone says that it’s supposed to be a sunny weekend hitting a high around 91 degrees. That sounds like summer to me! Get out and enjoy our valley and the surrounding towns, there will be plenty of good times. Carson Valley Days has begun in our neighbor to the south, complete with carnival at Lampe Park. Tonight, welcome a new exhibit in the CCAI Gallery at the Courthouse: a reception for the artists of ‘Industrial Arts’ begins at 5 p.m. Meet the Journey of Hope bike riders at Western Nevada College; plenty of activities for everyone.

FRIDAY:

• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• Annual Rummage Sale for the Dayton Valley Historical Society at the Carson and Colorado Depot at the corner of Hwy 50 East and Main St., Dayton (8am-6pm)

Western Nevada College invites the community to participate in the second annual Journey of Hope Friendship Visit to WNC in Carson City on Friday. Presented by WNC and the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the event is a stop on a cross-country cycling trip by The Ability Experience, which brings awareness and support to people with disabilities. Festivities run from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition congratulates Spencer Flanders, 16, of Minden, Nev., on his recent award as National Youth Advocate of the Year by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Flanders was honored in early May at the annual gala in Washington, D.C. alongside former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the 2015 winner of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Inc., also known as RSVP, has free Farmers Market coupons for Carson City low-income seniors through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a cooperative effort provided by RSVP, the USDA, the Nevada State Commodity Food Distribution Program, the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the Nevada Certified Farmers Market Association and the State of Nevada Division for Aging and Disability Services, said Susan Haas, executive director and CEO.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval officially signed Senate Bill 196 into law Wednesday, creating a statewide stroke system of care and paving the way to help save thousands of lives each year.

“We’re very pleased to see this important bill become a law. Legislation like Senate Bill 196 is part of the efforts going on nationwide to improve the system of care that have led to significant reductions in stroke deaths and improved care,” said Rick Casazza, Board Chair, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Northern Nevada.

Every 40 seconds someone in the United States suffers from a stroke, making it the fourth leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in the country.

A recent Tax Court case, McCarthy v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2015-50 is an illustration of how it is easy to be confused about retirement benefits and taxation of some Social Security benefits.

The taxpayers are a married couple. She was a retired nurse with state retirement benefits. He worked for wages that were subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. He got Social Security benefits of $19,132 from his earnings history. They were both age 82 and lived in Ohio.

The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a “standardized forms” requirement this week for veterans seeking disability benefits and filing appeals, but the change has drawn criticism from the Disabled American Veterans....

The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is partnering with various agencies to expand its services into the rural areas of Nevada.
Staff members be visiting a different rural Nevada area each week to share information about products and services available to rural residents who have disabilities. They’ll be at the Carson City Senior Center, Friday, March 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the Dayton Senior Center the second Monday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and the Dayton Library the third Thursday of each month, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Avatar: The Last Airbender was a groundbreaking cartoon released ten years ago. It featured an ensemble cast of characters ranging from a woman of color to a young disabled girl, all of whom were integral to the storyline and helped the hero save the day.