The Washoe GOP County Convention is over. I chaired the Credentials Committee, and given the record turn out we’re seeing everywhere this year, that caused a few sleepless nights, I can tell you.

Good news is that I had a great crew of dedicated and hardworking volunteers and we were able to get everyone registered and in the door by 10:30 a.m. Prelim credentials report at 11:30 - final report before lunch. Over 1,200 people at the Peppermill in all.

The more libertarian-minded Republicans in the room tried hard to get a platform that was a little more “hands off” in terms of government dictates, the platform ended up being adopted pretty much as written.

Even though 52% of Republicans in Nevada describe themselves as “pro-choice,” the County Party’s platform completely ignores the wide range of views party members have on this issue. What was it Ronald Reagan used to say about “the big tent?”

This morning, I took my son to McDonalds for breakfast.  I know - not the healthiest start, but we don’t do it very often.  I couldn’t help but notice a woman sitting there with a cup of water.  Her clothes didn’t fit well …  but I wasn’t sure if she was just having a bad morning or if she was homeless and hungry. 

I hate to say it, but I had to debate for a while about offering just to give her some money.  As I walked over to give her $5, I noticed she was wearing men’s boots but no socks.  Just said, “hey, you look like you could use a cup of coffee or something.”  So simple to do.  She thanked me several times.  Which just made me feel worse.  How hard was that?  Why is it so hard for people like her to get help?  You can help by donating to the Food Bank.  Or the Committee to Aid Abused Women.

Then off to work …. catching up on e-mail.  I’ve gotten about 10 updates from the 40 days for life vigil.  (They pray outside abortion clinics during Lent - and I greatly appreciate their Statement of Peace.)  Today’s update was “don’t you have something better to do?”  (The feedback they get from some people in the community.)  And I thought of the woman I talked to this morning.  Yes, there is plenty to do.  Right here. Right now. 

Many, many women decide to have abortions because they want to be good mothers, and know they aren’t capable of doing that now.  Or because they are doing all they can to take care of the kids they have now, and know that one more will plunge their whole family into poverty.  There are lots of reasons women have abortions. 

Here’s my wish: let’s all work together to end unintended pregnancies.  And, let’s all work together to help women take care of the families they do have. 

If there’s one thing I know about water, it’s that hydrology is an exact science, but to really understand it you have to know a whole lot about the studies and assumptions that went into the modeling in the first place.  Still, I hope the latest study reporting that Lake Mead could go dry gives us all pause. And instead of panic, may we turn to PLANNING!

Lake Mead during the 1951 drought:

When Truckee Meadows Tomorrow asked people to list an example of a community innovation that represents or exemplifies “quality of life” and has made a profound difference here - #1 on the list is the downtown Reno Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield.  My friend Jim Litchfield, of Fluid, deserves a lot of credit and every single award he earned for turning this dream into a reality.  Myrna the Minx thinks so too!

Catch the 12 Horses Podcast with (some of) the story behind the park.

For next year’s Community Well-Being Report, I’m going to have to nominate the Presidential Caucus as one of the most significant innovations of the year.  Record turnout!  Presidential candidates in Nevada for weeks!  Voters paying attention!  Can’t beat it!

What would you nominate?

the positive! Join in the celebration! Not many communities take the time to recognize all those unsung heroes who quietly go about improving quality of life. But Truckee Meadows Tomorrow does just that, in a big way!

Join thousands of your friends and neighbors to recognize the contributions of the Silver Star winners at Accentuate the Positive, October 5, 2007 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in the Rose Ballroom. Don’t miss it!