Checking under hoods for golden mechanics; Back-to-school fair set

Do you know a hardworking mechanic who is honest, reliable and who has kept your vehicle from visiting the scrap metal yards?

Now is your chance to show support for your favorite independent mechanic by entering them in the search for the Amoco Ultimate "Golden Mechanic." Or, if you fit these criteria, you can enter yourself.

Through Sept. 15, professional mechanics and auto technicians over the age of 21 with more than five years of hands-on experience are eligible to enter the Amoco Ultimate "Golden Mechanic" contest at www.bpgoldenmechanic.com.

Out of all the entries, three finalists will be selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas.

While in Las Vegas, the finalists will participate in a live competition where they will demonstrate their automotive expertise and abilities.

A panel of judges, including industry experts and media representatives, will select one of the three finalists based on various criteria to receive the title of the Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic.

The lucky winner will receive $25,000, Amoco Ultimate fuel at BP for a year and will serve as an Amoco Ultimate national spokesperson in the calendar year 2006, which will include public and media appearances."Golden Mechanic" participants can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

Contest entry forms and complete contest details are available online through the contest Web site.

On July 14, firefighters from Carson City, Reno and Sparks, representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Nevada, battled the members of the law enforcement team, representing the Children's Cabinet, from Carson City, Reno and Sparks, for tips at area Applebee's restaurants.

The firefighters won the competition with the local Make-A-Wish Chapter getting $4,100 to help grant one wish for a local youngster. The deputies weren't far behind with more than $3,300 raised for the Children's Cabinet.

A Good Neighbor Back to School Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Mills Park for those in need.

Free school supplies, clothes, immunizations with shot record and social-services information will be available.

For information, call Rev. Alan Dorway at 882-1032.

A group of adults who have organized as Parents for Quality Information sponsored an afternoon panel with pundits and educators July 27. Part One of the four-segment videotaped series of that forum will show at 1 p.m. today on Carson Access TV 10. It will re-air at 9 p.m. Tuesday, and again at 4 p.m. Thursday. In the upcoming weeks, parts two, three and four will air at the same times and on the same days. Ann Bednarski, a former education, is leading the group along with parent Terresa Monroe-Hamilton and school board trustee Sheila Ward.

Eight graduates of the Western Nevada State Peace Officer Academy were honored Friday at Western Nevada Community College's Carson City campus. Students came from five different communities in western Nevada and eastern California and some have already been hired by the Carson City Sheriff's Office and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

The 2005 WNCC Academy graduates are: Cory Dunchorst, Jose Gomez, Carl Howell and Dan Jones, all of Carson City; Bob Barry, Fernley; George Schramm, Gardnerville; George Dosa, Reno; and Doug Hardy, Markleeville, Calif.

The Peace Officer Academy is a 30-week, 33.5-credit program offered at WNCC that includes a combination of classroom, practical application and physical training. The program also fulfills requirements toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement.