Beehive to Ric Cantrell, spokesman for Republicans in the Utah Senate, for giving the world a look at the inner workings of the GOP offices on Capitol Hill. An Internet user can peer in real time through the SenateCam, a computer-controlled camera, at the Senate's Internet blog, http://senatesite.com/blog/. The location of the camera changes periodically, but it's usually in the office of Senate President John Valentine of Orem, Cantrell says. The SenateCam is a terrific example of using technology to connect people to their government. Unfortunately ...

Buffalo Chip to whomever came up with the heading last time the SenateCam changed location. The heading said: "Senate Eye for the Straight Guy. We moved the SenateCam to the shelf above Laura's cubicle. Yes, she's single." Laura is a GOP staff member. This official endorsement of ogling is shameful. It's inappropriate for the workplace no matter how Laura feels about it. Don't senators have some legislation to pore overfi The GOP should leave the snarky humor to MoveOn.org.

Beehive to Mario Capecchi for winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his research at the University of Utah, and equally for his inspiring story. His work helps scientists use mice to study human disease, aiding discoveries that save lives and ease suffering for victims of ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and cystic fibrosis. As inspirational is his story as an Italian immigrant to the United States. During World War II, his mother was imprisoned at a Nazi concentration camp, and he lived on the streets until she was released at war's end. They came here, where, he said, "I found ... a land of opportunity."

Beehive to the Hale Center Theater Orem for donating costumes to service personnel serving in the Mideast. Costumes director Anne Swenson got a letter from Charles Sparks of the U.S. Navy Customs Battalion Sierra. The unit's thankless chore is to make sure returning soldiers, sailors, fliers and Marines don't bring unauthorized souvenirs back home from their tours of duty. It's a tedious process, stateside veterans told Swenson, and units such as Customs Battalion Sierra do what they can to entertain the servicemen and women, including putting on holiday parties. The Orem folks sent a Greek toga and four pirate costumes; more items -- such as a Little Red Riding Hood outfit and red ruby slippers -- are on the way. We salute Swenson and her cohorts for their efforts.