I meant to congratulate Brandie Balken on her new post as Equality Utah's interim executive director when the press release went out last week but, with one thing and another, it got away from me. So, let me offer my very hearty congrats to the chorus.

I first met Balken several years ago when she agreed to write a gardening column for Salt Lake Metro (now QSaltLake), where I served as editor. Those were great days, and I'll always remember Balken's friendliness, upbeat attitude and professionalism. Besides activism and acting, gardening was another of her many areas of expertise.

I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her, and since then, I've come to admire her as a woman of many talents. They couldn't have picked a better woman for the job, Brandie!