Driving a spike through commemorative quarters

May 8th is apparently a popular day for closing off public opinion. I've recently become familiar with survey conducted by the Utah Arts Council regarding Utah's submission to the commemorative quarters program. They're offering the public the chance to vote for their favorite of three final designs. The voting will close on May 8th and Governor Huntsman will make the final choice before announcing the selection on May 10th.

I feel that by far the Golden Spike design is the best. The first design "Winter Sport" may be a view of Utah shared by many and an economic advantage to the state, but this image, to me, does not adequately project the grandeur of the Utah wilderness nor the sports played there. In fact I do not believe any single image can achieve this. Furthermore, the "Winter Sport" image lacks timelessness. It seems to be dated and directed at a narrow demographic.

The "Beehive" design would be my second favorite design, but is relatively, umm... Boring. In my opinion, those quarters that have depicted naught but a states flower or seal have been less impressive than those which can lay out in a beautiful scene part of the states wealth of resources or events which cement that states importance on the national scene. For this reason I feel the "Golden Spike" or "Crossroads of the West" design is the best.

Not only does "Golden Spike" provide the most interesting and visually stunning design, but it identifies Utah as a central participant in the building of a nation and the focal point of a grand story of American enterprise and industry (two virtues at the heart of the Utah's image.)

I hope you'll take the time to stop by the Utah Arts Council's Utah Commemorative Quarter Survey and vote for your favorite design. I also hope "Golden Spike" will be the design you vote for.

No Nukes! Please :-)

What may be the last opportunity for Utahn's to keep high-level nuclear waste out of the state is upon us. Private Fuel Storage (PFS) already has a permit to store spent nuclear fuel rods in enormous casks in Skull Valley on the Goshute Reservation. What PFS needs now is a permit from the BLM to build a transfer station adjacent to I-80 where casks will be moved from trucks to trains.

Before granting this permit, the BLM is seeking public opinion on the matter and has made it clear that they will base their decision on the input they receive. Senator Hatch and Govenor Huntsman are certain that if enough Utahns expess their opposition the BLM will likely reject the application by PFS for the permit.

I have taken a moment to send an E-mail to Pam Schuller at the BLM's Salt Lake Field Office to share my views as to why the PFS application for a transfer station should be denied. Among my reasons I listed:

• Proximity of this transfer station to I-80 places one of this state's and this nation's most vital thoroughfares in jeopardy. Thus risking not only health and safety, but economic security as well.
  
• Proximity to the USAF Utah Test and Training Range raises the level of danger already associated with the transfer station.

I hope you too will take the opportunity to share your views with the BLM. Bear in mind May 8th is the closing date for public input on this issue. You are probably aware that I devote little space here to political rhetoric, but when I do, I feel it's important. Please join me taking steps to keep nuclear waste out of Utah and the slogan "This is place to dump yer waste" out of the nations view.

Contact Pam Schuller at the BLM Salt Lake Field Office:

e-mail pam_schuller@blm.gov

- or -

Pam Schuller
Bureau of Land Management
Salt Lake Field Office
2370 S. 2300 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Fax 801-977-4397

Let's flood the BLM with messages!

Resources I have drawn on in making my decision and writing this post:

• State of Utah Official Position.
• Govenor's Office Press Release
  
• LeVarr Webb's Deseret Morning News article
• BLM Salt Lake Field Office
• Deseret News: Salt Lake-based firm touts recycling for nuclear waste disposal
• Tribune: S.L. County Council opposes N-waste storage

Laundry Room Band?

I know "Garage Band" sounds way cooler than "Laundry Room Band" but one way or another, that's what we've got. And frankly, we're glad to have it. We haven't played or practiced since the Chirstmas show and I think we were all twitching a bit to get back on the strings. The only open space we cold muster up was our laundry room so we took what we could get and piled in. My munchkin couldn't help but join in herself. She grabbed her Mickey Maracas, got as close to dad as possible, and started in (vocals & percussion of course.)

Don't forget to check out the band web site for all the latest news. We're in the works for the 4th of July show as well as the Bountiful Handcard Days parade and party.