Cyndi Loza

Teen art

Works done by local students in a teen art contest with various forms of media will be on display throughout July at the Spanish Springs Library, 7100 Pyramid Lake Highway in Sparks.

The library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

An artist reception and prizes are scheduled to be awarded at 10 a.m. July 19. Details: 424-1800 or www.washoe.lib.nv.us.

Toy drive

The 9-year-old third-grader who founded Ashlee’s Toy Closet a year ago is asking the community to donate new or gently-used toys to benefit kids who have lost their homes in the recent California wildfires.

Ashlee Smith, of Golden Valley, collects toys for local children affected by disasters, from fires to floods. Toys and gift cards can be dropped off or shipped to 2205 Glendale Ave., Suite 143 in Sparks.

Monetary donations to purchase toys for children affected by disasters can be made via Smith’s Web site at www.ashleestoycloset.org.

Driver’s ed

Five spaces are still available for the Driver’s Education Class at Wooster High School. This is a four-day course that begins July 28 and runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students between 15 and 18 must complete 30 hours in a driver’s education class to qualify for a Nevada driver’s license. They must attend all class meetings to receive the certificate of completion. This class does not include behind-the-wheel instruction. The fee is $90.

Details: https://ssl.washoe.k12.nv.us/community_ed/.

Half dollar

A local coin shop plans to give away a 200-year-old U.S. half dollar to a local child 12 or younger who answers correctly six questions related to the year 1808:

1. Who was the president of the United States in 1808?
2. Who won the presidential election that year?
3. How many states were in the Union?
4. Which well-known leader of the Confederate States of America was born?
5. Who was the emperor of France?
6. Which famous Austrian music composer premiered his Fifth Symphony?

The event is designed to introduce children to coin collecting and spark an interest in history.

Each child who answers all questions correctly will be part of a random drawing Aug. 5 to receive what numismatists call an 1808 “Capped Bust” half dollar minted in Philadelphia. Its estimated value is $150. The deadline to enter is July 25, and one entry is allowed per person.

Entries can be mailed to or dropped off at Southgate Coins, 5032 S. Virginia St.

Details: 322-4455 or mariesgate@sbcglobal.net.