COUNTRY CONCERT COMING
John Babiak of Tokn Productions has announced this week he has received confirmation for all the artists scheduled for his mid-May concert.OLet's Play Princeton country music concert will feature Emerson Drive, Ken McCoy, Justine Stewart, Duane Steele, Cruzeros and Tracey James.
Babiak says local talent will also be featured with a slot reserved for Princetonıs Kristie McIvor.
"This concert could draw a maximum of 5,000 people to the area," Babiak says.
He already has the support of BC Country Music Association, Giant-FM, PXA and the Rodeo Club.
The exact location for the outdoor concert, set for the evenings of Friday, May 13th and Saturday, May 14th, is yet to be decided.
"Iıve been planning this concert for over a year and corporate sponsors are welcome as are donations from local businesses."
Babiak says there will be plenty of advertising space available for businesses to make use of in promoting themselves at the concert.
He is also pushing for advance ticket sales. Tickets will be available locally from March 8th to 18th. A two-day pass will cost $40.00 + GST.
Local ticket outlets include Dairy Queen, Similkameen News Leader, Belaire Restaurant and Billyıs Restaurant.
Tickets will be available through TicketMaster outlets on March 15th with prices set at $60.00 + GST and service charges for a two-day pass and single day tickets will go for $30.00 plus taxes and service charges. Rush tickets will be $35.00 per day at the gate. Youth tickets will be a flat $10.00 + GST regardless of when they are purchased.
"There will also be a OMeet and Greetı event planned for after the concert," says Babiak.
The 'Meet and Greet' will take place Saturday, May 14th starting at 9:30 PM in the Arena. Tickets at the door will cost $20.00 and will include a cold buffet, autograph opportunities with some of the artists featured at the concert and access to souvenirs. Russell Brewer will also be performing live at the event.
Babiak says a portion of proceeds collected from the concert will be donated to youth sports, culture and art in the community.
PETROBANK PLEASED WITH RESULTS
The first natural gas from coal (NGC) test well drilled by Petrobank last November in the Princeton area has delivered positive results. Initial tests indicate there is approximately 130 feet of coal in two horizons. The company now believes a significant amount of gas content exists in the coals. Early estimates indicate that a potential of 500 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas may be contained within the coals under lands leased by Petrobank. Well results to date clearly demonstrate a significant amount of gas is contained in the coals, but the deliverability of gas and commercial viability of a project are still largely unknown.The company continues to evaluate its findings from this initial well.
Plans for the development of a pilot testing program with additional wells to be drilled are in the early stages with a goal to start the program in the second of half of 2005.
"Once our pilot program is outlined, we will commence a variety of meetings with members of the community," said Gregg Smith, Vice President Canada, Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. "The potential of our find holds many benefits for the community and British Columbia but we want to be sure people understand what our project will entail and how we will carefully manage it."
"Petrobank has already met with many officials and members of the community while developing its first NGC test well. We are aware of the many factors surrounding NGC and believe a well informed community can best make decisions based on facts. Princeton and area residents have asked us many questions and we hope to continue to earn the reputation of being open, frank and a responsible business in the community," said Smith.
FIELD NATURALISTS DEMAND ANSWERS
Last week a letter was sent to Victoria demanding details on the coal-fired electric power plant project located at the former Similco Mine location.Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists sent the letter, which appears here in it's entirety.
To the Honourable George Abbott, Minister Sustainable Resource Management P.O. Box 9054 Stn Prov. Govt., Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
RE: COAL-FIREDTHERMAL ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS IN B.C.
Dear Mr. Minister Abbott
The Executive and members of the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists Society have been aware of the impending development of a Coal-fired Thermal Electric Power Plant, to be located on the old Similco Mine site, 14 Km. West of the Town of Princeton.
The Compliance Energy Project was initially rated at 49 Mega-Watts, just below the threshold of 50 Mega-Watts established by the Reviewable Projects Threshold, thus the project is not reviewable under the present Provincial Regulations.
Since the initial rating was publicized, various other ratings have appeared on the Company's Website, ranging from 48 to 50 Mega-Watts and above. The rating that now appears to be stated for Princeton is 50 Mega-Watts, which would make the Project "a reviewable Project under the Reviewable Projects Regulations of the Environmental Assessment Act, Section 10.1". We submit that because of this conflicting information further development or issue of permits should be halted, until these inconsistencies in ratings have been clarified.
We are aware that -
A. Coal-fired Power Generation is being phased out in many countries across the globe, with Ontario being a leader in Canada with its goal of phasing out all of its coal-fired generation by 2007.
B. Toxic and undesirable substances are emitted when coal and wood waste, which Compliance has stated they will use are burned. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury (not listed in the Provincial Guidelines and considered the most dangerous emission), lead, carbon dioxide and particulars all contribute to significant environmental and health risks. It has been well documented across the world, that coal-fired generation has contributed to acid rain, global warming, cardio-pulmonary disease and many other health problems.
C. To our dismay we find that the limits for gaseous and particulates emissions, new to B. C. are higher, thus more permissive than in other jurisdictions.
We ask "Why has B. C. not adopted the best available standards, instead of the worst in North America?"
Given the confusing, inconsistent information we have received on the Compliance ratings and given the known health and environmental impacts we are appealing to the Government of British Columbia, that a. the Compliance Project be a reviewable project, whether ratings are 49 or 50 mega-watts, b. the B. C. Government take steps to adopt policies which will protect it's citizens from know environmental and health effects.
Yours sincerely, M. A. Schouten
FALL FAIR PLANS NEW FEATURES
Fall Fair members agreed to change the entertainment package this year to offer some new features. The most popular attractions will remain: the mechanical bull, the slide for the kids, and the chuckwagon races. Jenn Bernard and Lyn Pudsey will work on contacting entertainers, although all members will help with ideas.
Princeton Garden Club requested some changes in the vegetable and fruit department, and the Fall Fair will work with Garden Club members within budget considerations.
President Jody Woodford said she would like to see a tighter budget this year in order to reduce gate prices, and offer a reduced seniors' rate.
President Woodford appointed committees to run the fair. There are many committees, ranging from seeking sponsorships for the chuckwagon races, to organizing the buildings to 4-H and the concession.
Committee heads are responsible for organizing their own crews of volunteers.
Members reviewed a policy motion made following the 2004 fair which stated the fair reserves the right to refuse any vendor who does not meet the standards set by the Fair Board.
At the end of the business portion of the meeting, President Woodford presented a short seminar on different ways of thinking about an issue before making a decision.
She demonstrated the concept by wearing different hats for the various kinds of thinking. Members thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. The seminar was part of sharing the workshops held at the annual BC Fairs and Exhibitions convention in October.
The next meeting of Fall Fair will see members returning to the fairgrounds office on March 29 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in the fair is welcome to attend. All Fall Fair meetings are open to the public.
