Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page A1

PROMINENT NORTHERN NEVADANS OFFER THEIR WISH LISTS FOR THE COMING YEAR. RENO REBIRTH, 1D SIX LOCAL LEADERS SHARE INSIGHTS FOR A STRONGER YEAR. BUSINESS, 1F RENO Sundau $83 GAZETTE -JOURNAL A GANNETT COMPANY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012 ONLINEATRGJ.COM Ten BLUE STAR MOM, ALL-STAR CITIZEN 2013 Northern Nevadans poised to make a difference in the coming year STALWART CITIZENS Norm Dianda A longtime area philanthropist and leader in the construction industry, Dianda invested more than half a million dollars in 2012 to construct the Wild West Motorsports Park east of Sparks. The purpose was to add another economic engine for the Reno-Sparks Community. Christy McGill McGill, director of the nonprofit Healthy Communities Coalition, works with scores of agencies and engages hundreds of community volunteers across Northern Nevada to improve access to nutritious food, health care, job training, arts and education in Lyon, Storey and Mineral counties.

Karthik Rohatgi A 15-year-old student at Davidson Academy, Rohatgi is the founder of Farm Fresh for Kids. The nonprofit's mission is to help low-income, nutritionally at-risk children gain access to fresh produce while simultaneously supporting small-scale sustainable local farmers in Northern Nevada. Herb Santos Jr. As co-owner of the Reno Bighorns NBA Development League team, Santos has escalated the team's community outreach and participation. Beneficiaries include the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and many more.

Paula Fleming Is the founder of the Blue Star Mothers Reno-Sparks chapter, and she Is the RGJ's 2012 Citizen of the Year, photos by liz margerumrgj Fleming always looking out for troops By Guy Clifton NEENA LAXALT OCCUPATION: Lobbyist with Kathleen Laxalt Consultings in Carson City. WHY WE'RE WATCHING: Nevada is turning 150. From the Comstockto Caesar's Palace, from George Wingfield to Steve Wynn, the Silver State will decide the best way to commemorate its 1 50 yea rs of statehood i the coming year. Kathleen (Neena) Laxalt, the daughter of former Gov. and U.S.

Sen. Paul Laxalt, became co-chair of the Nevada 150 planning committee in 2012. She has expressed interest in joining the Nevada 150 Commission in 2013. About her Nevada roots, she said, "We were always raised to be proud Americans because my father was a first-generation American. When (my family) immigrated, the first thing they did was make sure they immersed themselves in the culture and language.

My dad had a sense of civil service. Because we were raised around that, there was always a sense of pride in Nevada." Laxalt said her nearly 30 years in government have given her a perspective on the importance of Nevada's history. HER MANTRA: "(History) tells you how you got to be where you are. The lessons in history are always important to define who we are." HER GOALS IN 2013: To present the plans for the celebration at the legislative session in February. The celebration is set to begin Nevada Day 2013 and end in 2014 on the state's 150th birthday.

NEXT UP: Tomorrow: Gabby Williams, Reed High athlete gcliftonrgj.com When her son, Joshua Tash, joined the Army in 2004, Paula Fleming of Sparks went into service as well. She didn't don a uniform, but joined the military support organization Blue Star Mothers and, a year later, formed a local chapter of the group. "I never asked her to do it," Tash said. "She just took it upon herself to do it, and not just for me. She did it for all the soldiers." For her efforts, Fleming has been named the Reno Gazette-Journal's Citizen of the Year for 2012.

Today, the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers has grown from 20 to more than 70, and its out-See CITIZEN, Page 6A A portrait of Joshua Tash sits In the home of his mother, Paula Fleming. Fleming joined the Blue Star Mothers after her son joined the Army. Three returning Northern Nevada lawmakers have their own priorities for the upcoming session, but they all agree that both parties must work together to get anything accomplished. An early test of compromise will be in tax reform, said Pat Hickey, R-Reno, who will be the new Assembly minority leader. Hickey said he would listen to any Democratic proposals as long as Democrats address some Republican concerns.

NORTHERN LEGISLATORS LOOK BEYOND PARTY LINES FOR 2013 See full story on page 5A. For more from the 10 in 2013 series, including video interviews, goto www.rgj.com10in2013 SUNDAY RG ON TABLETS: CHECK OUT RGJ PHOTOS OF THE YEAR Reno's 'Waver' dies in Iowa EW YEAR'S EVE CASH FREE PLAY Did you get a new tablet for Christmas? You can see galleries of SPORTS: Chris Ault's successor will quickly learn the Wolf Pack has one of the most underfunded football programs in the FBS. While Nevada has made some financial gains toward building its program, much work remains. 1C LIFE: Whether you love the piece or hate it, read the story behind the Reno Star roadside art. PAGE 4 NORTHERN NEVADA: The history of Paradise Valley.

1E GIVEA WAY Northern Nevada's "Waver," Ed Carlson, has died. For more than 30 years, he walked local highways and DRAWING TIMES our staff photographers' best photos of 2012 by logging on to tablet.RGJ.com. Find other special features as well. city streets waving at motorists. 9A NEW YEAR'S EVE 2PM I 4PM I 6PM I 8PM NEW YEAR'S DAY 1AM 2AM I 2PM I 4PM I 6PM 8PM Up to 90 off shopping, dining, and more every day! 10 DRAWINGS 30 WINNERS PICK FROM SUITCASES CONTAINING $250 $5,000 CASH Go to DeaiCniCKen.com and sian ud for the best deals in town.

INSIDE TODAY CALL RGJ FOR DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE: Call 775-327-6788 or 800-970-7366 TODAY'S WEATHER High 31 Low 12 Forecast, page 8B Local 1-1 8A Obituaries 14A, 17A NationWorld 1-8B Lottery 8B Sports 1-1 0C Reno Rebirth 1-6D Northern Nevada 1-6E Business 1-6F JobsClassifieds 1-6G LifeSNAPTV USA Weekend Color Comics $3 Retail Home delivery pricing inside 2012 Printed on recycled paper.