The current refuge manager, Ward Feurt, wrote to the governors of all 50 states requesting they proclaim May 27, 2007, the 100th anniversary of Carson's birth, as Rachel Carson Day.
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. replied: "Although I do not personally know Ms. Rachel Carson, I am pleased to submit this letter based on the positive comments I received about her. I understand Ms. Carson has dedicated her life to public service and is an inspiration to many."
Rachel Carson died in 1964.
At least Huntsman didn't act like Utah Congressmen Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon, who voted against naming a post office in Carson's name because she was (gasp!) an environmentalist.
What's the hurry? In light of the evacuation of The Gateway office buildings caused by a broken gas line Monday, here is a troubling story.
Blue Stakes is a service in which experts identify the location of buried utility lines for homeowners who plan to dig in their yards. Shannon Strate called May 29 for someone to come to her Salt Lake City home and identify the lines before June 2, when workers were scheduled to grind tree stumps.
She was assured someone would be there, and when she called June 1, was assured that an emergency call would be made to get someone there. Nobody came.
The stump grinders came on schedule and did the best they could to avoid utility lines. The Blue Stakes people came out the following Monday.
Confusing mailing lists: I mentioned in Monday's column that Ashley May received an application to join AARP, even though she is just 19. Brianna Lange, 23, also received an AARP invitation.
So Shawnee Nash of Tooele wrote to me wondering if she and Ashley could switch applications, since she is a 68-year-old retired great-grandmother. She received an application from Everest College, offering training for the "career and future you deserve."
Directionally challenged: Norin Felton was on the driving range at the Salt Lake Country Club last week and noticed a white sedan driving on the cart path toward the range.
The driver stopped the car and asked: "Is there a Kmart around here?"
Just can't keep up: Despite getting more than $3 million a year in state and county subsidies, Hogle Zoo still must be understaffed.
Dan and Rhonda Bammes recently bought a yearlong family pass and received a temporary membership card good for one month. They asked when they would get the permanent card and were told in about two months.
The Jewish Community Center takes a couple of days. Costco can do it in five minutes. The Children's Center at Gateway allows for about two weeks.
prolly@sltrib.com
