Bravo to the cast and crew of this season’s Soundstage production of Chess.
I had some doubts about this relatively unknown piece of musical theatre. All doubt was happily turned around within 10 minutes of the opening.
What a great show from a talented cast that obviously put their hearts, not to mention their time, into this wonderfully entertaining musical.
Performances from the leads were fully up to the mark. Likewise the musicians who were superbly conducted. The precision and grace in chorus and dance were a joy.
The commitment of so many facets of the area’s artistic community over such a long stretch of rehearsals is marvellous
Soundstage relies upon those who do theatre for the love of it and we love them for doing it.
Dave Cursons
Cawston
An alternative to prisons
There is much talk of building a new prison in the Okanagan. How about using the money to build a mental health facility, or a drug treatment centre? We would have good care for those unfortunate people with mental problems — the prison system is not the place for these people. We would help drug addicts kick their habit, with the likely result of reducing crime (even unreported crime).
And we would have good-paying quality jobs for trained professionals. It would be a win-win-win situation.
Angela Harrop
Naramata
In praise of bus service
Yesterday someone told me that they’re considering cutting back on our bus system. I felt sad.
I moved here 14 months ago from Ontario. I love everything about living in Penticton.
One thing is my choice to walk and bus rather than own a car. And that’s thanks to our reliable, punctual, fine bus service that’s available all over our city, and to the fine, courteous, helpful bus drivers, both male and female.
The buses, new to Penticton in 2010, are splendid, accommodating shopping carts, strollers and walkers.
I urge you to discover the joy of increasing walking to bus stops and destinations in all weather, in suitable clothing. Reduce our carbon footprint, breathe deeply, increasing awareness of your body movements and the beauty of nature right here in our neighbourhoods. Here’s to feeling better about our choices and ourselves.
Barbara Baxter
Penticton
Bill in jeopardy
The Bill C-393 is to be debated in the House of Commons on Jan. 31.
The member that drew up the bill is gone and it needs a new sponsor to allow the bill to go forward. It takes only one, unidentified voice, to stop the bill.
The one MP that opposes, never has to be identified or be accountable. It is a cowardly way to vote. If an MP has an opinion that affects millions of people, that MP should have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and be counted.
Bill C-393 is a private member’s bill that amends an existing bill, CAMR (Canada’s Access To Medicines Regime). CAMR allows generic drugs to be shipped to developing countries for TB, malaria and HIV (anti-retrovirus drugs).
Six years ago the original CAMR bill was passed unanimously in the House of Commons, but now the big drug companies are pressuring MPs to vote against C-393.
The original CAMR is so difficult to use that in the six years of its existence, only one shipment has gone out and it cost the generic drug company more that a million dollars in legal struggles. The amendments to CAMR or Bill C-393 will help to speed up ordering and get the drugs where they are needed.
There is no reason to stop the bill. The big drug companies will not be losing money. Rich countries will still pay the big bucks for drugs and this is where they make their money. Africa accounts for only five per cent of the world’s pharmaceutical usage and the big drug companies are doing just fine.
Please write or phone as many MPs as you can to allow C-393 to be to be sponsored by another MP.
On the internet there is a 31-minute documentary called The Lazarus Effect. If you go to You Tube you can watch it and there is an update of two-plus minutes.
What an eye opener and what a difference. Watch it.
Jane Turnell
Penticton
CEO salaries over the top
For more years than I can remember, the Fraser Institute, which represents the business community, has reminded us that sometime in June we’ll have earned enough to pay our tax bill. The mainstream media as expected dwells dutifully on these findings.
On the other hand, the counsel for ordinary folks, The Canadian Council for Policy Alternatives, reminds us that in this era of savage capitalism and the new feudalism, they will at long last annually report the earnings of the 100 top chief executive officers in Canada. According to the CCPA, the average CEO of the top 100 firms in Canada has earned as much by 2:30 p.m on Jan. 3 as the average Canadian worker earns in a year. In 2009, during the world’s worst economic recession since the 1930s, these top 100 CEOs earned on average $6,643,895 each in total compensation.
To be fair, the mainstream media owes the general public as much publicity regarding this revelation as it does in reporting the annual tax freedom day, wouldn’t you think?
I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait to see the banner headlines in our major newspapers and the hourly news broadcasts on television and radio.
H.P. Toews
Princeton