Where I Stand: You can remove your address from phone program — for a fee

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

I MUST HAVE OPENED that proverbial can of worms, and Sprint is doing its best to get off the hook.

Last week this column contained information about Sprint's CNA (caller name and identification) program. We had received complaints about the system that allowed people to get names and addresses of telephone subscribers. If you have a telephone number, you can call CNA and get the name and address of the owner.

Among those objecting were people who had placed classified ads giving only the telephone number for the specific reason that they didn't want their addresses known to prospective buyers until they spoke to them on the phone.

When Sprint became aware of the objections some people had, it offered a plan whereby subscribers could request that information regarding their names and addresses could be deleted. A phone number was given so that subscribers could make this request.

After dutifully printing the number and suggesting to phone owners that they call and request deletion of their numbers from the system, they were advised it would cost $15. Sprint never told me that.

Several copies of letters objecting to the idea as an invasion of privacy and an invitation to disaster were sent to me.

Today, a young lady called and reported that she was told Sprint was now running a survey to see how many people objected to CNA.

Efforts to reach that number to verify her information were met with busy signals. The number is 244-7400.

Move over human beings, we're coming home.

For years we've been pushing animals out of their natural domain into the mountains and away from civilization.

Now the animals are getting even. They have decided to stake out claims in their old hunting grounds.

Mountain lions in Idaho and California are slinking around the suburbs and preying on pets. A few have been spotted out Henderson way and have residents near the mountains on the alert.

A huge brown bear invaded the home of suburban dwellers in Southern California and enjoyed the jacuzzi.

In Reno, homeowners are plagued by wild horses roaming the streets and dining on flower beds.

Polar bears in Alaska have discovered that garbage pits yield food without having to put forth the effort required in a hunt.

Back East, elk and deer have taken over public campgrounds and wandered into small towns staking their claim to whatever edible shrubs, trees and vegetation are available.

Wolves in Wyoming and Montana have ranchers complaining about the toll on livestock.

Over in Japan, small monkeys are running amok in market places where they snatch food right off the shelves. One housewife complained that the monkeys have become so brazen they come right into the house for food.

Raccoons are notorious thieves who think nothing of tearing down screen doors and entering to ransack for food.

Except for a few humans who have had the misfortune of being mauled by large predators, the animals keep to themselves unless provoked, but they are definitely coming back to claim their territories.

The moral to the story, I guess, is that in addition to learning to live with other human beings, we have to abide the animals who have been driven away and are now seeking to return to old haunts.

They seem to be saying, we were here first.

Hire a choir.

What is more appropriate for that holiday festivity than a choir singing songs of the season?

The UNLV University Singers are available for business functions, private parties and celebrations -- and they are very good. So good, in fact, that they have been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall, but they are going to need money for the trip.

When you hire the UNLV Singers your donation is tax deductible and you'll be helping these young people realize a dream as well as adding joy to any function where they might perform.

Call Lisa Benedict at 564-1114 to book the holiday singers.

Fred Dallimore is the baseball program at UNLV. That was the general consensus for many years.

When coach Dallimore announced his retirement, there were many in the community who recalled his absolute dedication to the baseball program when it was in its infancy. Without a proper playing field and with inadequate equipment and frustrating problems, Dallimore brought respect and renown to UNLV. Several of his players are active in the big leagues today.

A group of friends, headed by Paul Endy, have planned a special evening to honor the coach. It's set for January at the Las Vegas Country Club.

This should be an affair to remember and tickets will surely be at a premium. For early reservations at $100 per ticket, call Ken Johann Realty at 382-6336.

It's a learning experience for a popular young coach and his equally young players -- and they are good students.

The Runnin' Rebels are giving fans adrenalin shots and near heart attacks, but they are winning games.

Bill Bayno has these kids playing with intensity, and what they lack in finesse they make up with tough, hard-nosed basketball.

I love it.