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ee RMR ET OTE a Sk A aE tm cae ed te PRS = naga IC Artists revolt at annual meeting The North Simcoe Arts Council is going to have to start "trimming away ex- penses"' if it is to survive, says Robbert Hartog. He chaired the annual meeting of the council, held last Wednesday night at the Budd Watson Gallery in Midland. Hartog confirmed the grant from the Ministry of Employment and Immigra- tion, which created the Arts Council, runs out at the end of December. Theoretically, the man- date of the council itself might run out with it. There was much con- troversy over exactly how much the organisation was in debt. The financial state- ment which was given to the members ended with the fiscal year in May 1987. Mark Bourrie (a local jour- nalist and consultant to the NSAC, who was elected to the 12-person board of James Keating concert a Christmas success The James Keating Christmas Concert was held last Thursday and it was a phenomenal show. There wasn't just music either; the children put together some excellent skits and a play entiled "Martian Christmas." The performers all seem- ed to have had a great time but the audience probably received the most from the evening. The evening began with the Junior Choir singing four songs: Must be Santa, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Echo Carol and Stars That Twinkle and Shine. The children demonstrated a wonderful feeling for the music, especially on the second number which was per- formed with discipline and gentleness. They had ob- viously practiced for this - evening. The Grade 3 group had a dance to offer the au- dience. Santa's Hitchhikers represented some simple but effective choreography and was perfectly position- ed in the program between the choir and the following performance of a play call- ed Santa's Suit. That was followed by a skit, "Twas the Night Before Christmas, which was as full of life and as memorable as the poem of the same name. Still to come were the Grade 2 chorus, a Grade 4 play, some songs from grades 1 and 2 and seven songs from the Primary Choir. What made the evening exceptional was the diver- sity of the acts. It wasn't just singing but a well- rounded combination of many performing arts. As well, the accompany- ing pianist, Jean Dey, was excellent. Overall, the show ran smoothly without any apparent problems. The staff and students of James Keating are to be congratulated for putting together a Christmas con- cert which was original, refreshing and thoroughly rewarding to watch. governors) asked why more current information was not issued as well. Financial Director Herb Henderson claimed a deficit of $139.17 current- ly exists. However, the ac- tual deficit is more like $7,000 since Hartog claims "we were trying to get the March money (government funding) in August and now we're trying to get the October money in December." Hartog gave the members some credit for their obvious bewilderment. "T can understand why you'd be confused,' he said. Henderson was ques- tioned for over 30 minutes A new board of governors The members of the North Simcoe Arts Council elected twelve members to the board last week at their annual meeting. The evening was controversial as ar- tists attacked the administration for not putting artistic Deft are the hands Margorie La Grandeur demonstrates the ancient craft of knitting as she prepares some more items for Christmas. The Georgian Shores Swinging Seniors spon- sors all kinds of activities for its members. This Arts and Crafts group meets regular- ly on Thursday afternoons. by council members on where money was spent and why a deficit exists. On a number of occasions, Hartog had to explain Henderson's answers to the audience. Hartog said the chief problem with the council was that "wages were taken into account but operating costs were not." Most of the members didn't see it that way. To them, the arts council had ceased to serve the ar- tist and had placed the means of creating the NSAC above the end of supporting the artist. For instance, $15,000 was spent on "'arts and ac- tivities" in 1987. Bourrie suggested "a statement be concerns first. In the picture are Mark Bourrie, Arts Council Secretary Helen Graham, Sam _ Dolin, Elizabeth Cook, Sandra Wilcox, Robbert Hartog, Tim drawn up for last year and be sent out to the members." Peter Stubbins, a local physiotherapist and member of the NSAC's successful film club, com- plained there was no infor- mation revealing exactly where that money was spent. But it was revealed there are "'no definite plans"' for fundraising, that there is "no money available" from arts grants and that the council's only source of in- come is '"'membership." One person in the au- dience stated that "to my mind, membership is not a fundraiser."' Another new member to the board of governors complained her ideas were being rejected by the coun- cil's administration. Jen- nifer Johnson has propos- ed that "artist-run space" be created - but she said every time she mentioned the idea "'it was just the of- fice, the office and nothing for the artist."' When Johnson gathered a number of people com- mitted to her proposal, there was still no response from the administration, she said. The new Board of Gover- nors elected Wednesday night consists of 12 members: John Arpin, Lin- da Bennett, Mark Bourrie, Elizabeth Cook, Sam Dolin, Robbert Hartog, Jennifer Johnson, Paul Kirkop, Tim Laurin, Frances St. Amant, Hilda Sibthorpe and San- dra Wilcox. Ee Laurin, Frances St. Amant, Hilda Sibthorpe and Paul Kirkup. Three governors who couldn't wait for the pic- ture - John Arpin, Jennifer Johnson and Linda Bennett. How wearing your seat belt can save your life today You may only be going around the block to the the convenience store but that doesn't mean you shouldn't wear your seat belt. Most accidents occur on short-distance trips than on long-distance ones. The reason behind this is quite simple. Short trips are more common than long ones, so the chances of a mishap are just that much more common. By comparision, the amount of accidents which occur on the expressway is low. The Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications has provided some helpful information on seatbelts and why you should wear them. The lap belt should be worn snug and low over the hips, while the shoulder belt, if it's ad- justable can be worn loose enough to allow a few cen- timetres between the chest and belt. Seat belts reduce chances of injury and death by 50 per cent. If your seat belt is being worn properly, you could easily survive many accidents which would otherwise be fatal. Most traffic fatalities are not caused by high-speed freeway crashes but by moderate-speed ones close to your home. Don't ever think you can do something to save yourself in a real accident. You won't be able to hold yourself in or block the force of the crash. Even when driving 50 km/h you will hit the inside of the car with a force of 1,000 kg. You are especially vulnerable when sitting in the front passenger seat. It's not called the "death seat" without cause. Chances are that you'll be thrown through the windshield. Even those in _ the backseat will be thrust forward. Many people claim that wearing seat belts will pre- vent them from escaping from the car in the event of fire or crashing in the water. But these kinds of accidents are very uncom- mon and think of this: if you don't wear your seat belt, you probably won't have the necessary con- sciousness to get out of the car. Seat belts keep the driver where he should be: in front of the wheel and in control of the car. Here are some answers to the questions most fre- quently asked about seat belt laws. If your car doesn't have seat belts, you don't have to install them, if the car is a 1970 model or earlier. If the seat belt. and shoulder strap are separated, the strap is op- tional if your car was manufactured prior to Jan. 1, 1974. If the seat belts in your car aren't working, you must have them repaired. Most cars only have two seat belts in the front sec- tion. So if a third person is riding there, he doesn't have to be belted, but be aware that he is gambling with his life by sitting in such a precarious position. The thing to remember is that if there are more peo- ple in the car than seat belts, all available belts must be used. You are not responsible for all passengers buckling up, provided they are over 16 years of age. You are responsible for children wearing their seat belts. There are medical emptions for not wearing a belt. If you feel that seat belts affect your physical ex- or psychological h talk to your doctor and if he finds any veraci:y to your claim, you can obtair a certificate to qualify. Taxi drivers do not have to wear either the shoulder strap or the lap belt. Postal carriers on rural routes are not required to wear a belt.