But the Waterford Institute seems to think it has already gotten the $1 million contract to fulfill the mission lawmakers had to sneak through the process to get funded.

Waterford has posted an ad seeking a ''skilled, knowledgable and hardworking project manager'' to implement and plan a large-scale, home-based early literacy program for preschoolers.

The proposal first hit the Legislature as HB200, but was defeated in the House. In the education committee before that vote, most of those wanting to testify were against the bill, so sponsors asked Waterford representatives to testify for it.

Lobbyists for Waterford happen to be legislative insiders Sue and Cap Ferry, who are generous campaign contributors and the hosts of exotic trips that have been taken by selected legislators.

Hmmmm.

Immortalized in booze: In honor of hooker-gate and Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York, the Green Street social club has created a new cocktail called the "Eliot Spritzer."

It contains one ounce of peach schnapps, a splash of orange juice, filled with white zinfandel, blended, then poured on the rocks and garnished with an orange.

It's $5.50. Cash only.

Divorces are ugly: Brian Doughty recently received an e-mail from Salt Lake County Republican Party Vice Chairman Rick Votaw asking him, as precinct chair of voting district 23008, to let the party know where he will be holding the caucus so the party can update its list.

Doughty replied: "I sent an e-mail to [Republican Chairman] James Evans this past summer resigning as precinct chair and state delegate and switched my affiliation to independent. The Republicans of Utah are not true Republicans. A party that caters to the likes of Gayle Ruzika, Chris Buttars and LaVar Christensen is not a party I wish to be affiliated with. It is my intention to caucus with the Democratic party in two weeks."

Votaw replied: "May the door not hit you in the but [sic] as you leave. Adios."

Those little devils: When trying to access the Web site of the Utah Democratic Party, a reader typed in www.utahdemocrats.org," and was immediately redirected to John McCain's campaign Web site, www.johnmccain.com.

The actual Web site for the Utah Democratic party is www.utahdemocrats.com.

Lost and found: Justin and Sandy Lee found a large-sized men's silver wedding ring Thursday in the parking lot of the new Union Heights office complex near 7800 South and 1300 East.

If you lost such a ring and can identify the inscription on the inside, send me an e-mail and I'll put you in touch with the Lees so they can return it.

prolly@sltrib.com