Ballet BC Pushing Into New Territory

BY ERIN MCPHEE

        Last year, the 2010/2011 dance year Ballet BC got a new artistic director, Emily Molnar. She has changed Ballet BC into a classical and contemporary ballet company but more on the contemporary side. From this change Ballet BC is becoming one of the leaders in contemporary ballet both nationally and internationally. They are not entirely a contemporary ballet company; they continue to perform the nutcracker annually which is a classical ballet yet most of their other performances are very contemporary. However, they are moving rapidly to being an entirely contemporary ballet company. Contemporary ballet is enjoyable for everyone to watch even those who are not interested in dance. Ballet BC encourages people to come and watch one of their pieces. You will learn something about dance, be provided with entertainment and help out the provinces only ballet company. One piece called Diversion is strongly focused on movement. One of the dancers Ellis said, “We had to do it perfectly in synch next to each another. It's really cool to watch, it's kind of almost robotic, kind of weird.” It is mainly based on progression. It starts of small and as the piece progresses the movements get bigger and at the end it is like an explosion. The idea of contemporary ballet companies is very new in the world of ballet and Ballet BC is leading the way.

       For me personally being a classical ballet dancer, it is somewhat disappointing that Ballet BC is so contemporary. They may perform their dances en pointe but that alone is not enough to be called a ballet company. Ballet BC has become so contemporary that it should almost be called a contemporary dance company not a ballet company. Having only one strict classical ballet piece is not enough to please the classical ballet dancers. If they only did one other classical ballet piece such a Cinderella, Don Quixote or Paquita then they would fit under the category of a ballet company. Even though Ballet BC may not be pleasing the classical ballet dancers they are introducing a new form of dance that many are following. Starting this year at my dance school they offer a contemporary ballet company which they wouldn’t have offered before if Ballet BC hadn’t become so contemporary. Ballet BC may not be pleasing me personally with their style change but they are drawing in a larger crowd which is necessary with the economy being where it is.

http://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/Ballet+pushing+into+territory/5730623/story.html

The Isle Seat, Is It Worth It?

BY: PAUL LYNCH

 

When you go to book your plane ticket usually you want the window seat, but, you may want to think twice. Paul lynch is now an aisle-seat convert after suffering from Exploding Bladder Syndrome, EBS on his last plane ride. Being trapped in the window seat for a lengthy flight can be very uncomfortable and sitting in the aisle seat removes such issues. According to a recent survey by the U.S. Lahey Clinic Medical Centre, people who sat in the aisle seat were less likely to develop deep-vein thrombosis, DVT. When sitting in the aisle seat you are more likely to stand up walk around, and go to the washroom as you please while not worrying about disrupting your neighbors. However the downside to the aisle seat is that you will have to move anytime the people sitting next to you want to get up. Also if you fall asleep you may have an unexpected awakening. 

From my experience on planes, I have always prefered the window seat. I find I am able to get more comfortable, and the ride is more enjoyable. It is nice having the wall to lean against and you have a bit more elbow room. For the problem with having to go to the washroom during the flight, you have to not be afraid and politely ask the people sitting next to you to move. Most people are very understanding and will move without thinking twice about it. The problem that arises is if the people sitting next to you fall asleep, then you are stuck. Luckily for me I am not that large of a person and I am able to squeeze by without disturbing the people next to me. For people that are larger, the aisle seat may be the best option for you. If you don’t mind not looking out the window or having a surface to lean against then, the aisle seat should be your first choice! For me, I will continue to sit in the window seat because it is the most comfortable option me and it makes my flight the most enjoyable.

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Tales+aisle+seat+convert/5735085/story.html

Cut Out All Wheat Products

BY TRACEY TUFNAIL

A Wisconsin Cardiologist, Dr. William Davis wrote a book on a nutrition change many of his patients made to get back to good health. His advice is quite simple, avoid all wheat products. He found that his patients that went on a wheat-free diet, lost weight and many other problems were cured such as insomnia, joint pain, skin rashes and diabetes. The reason why wheat was the cause of certain illnesses is not very simple. It has to do with the cross breading of wheat. When two types of wheat were bread together the product was not the same as the parent, 95% was but 5% was not connected to either parent. This is what causes the sensitivity in some people, Davis says. He also states that wheat is the leading cause of belly fat, and he linked wheat to “seizures, dementia and even brain damage”. Davis supports his theory with lots of research, yet many people still do not believe Davis’s theory.

I personally think that cutting out all wheat products from your diet is a very unreasonable request. For a person to follow this they would be cutting out a large amount of food options, which may cause them to not get the vitamins and minerals found in wheat products. For one to cut out all wheat products from their diet they would have to make extreme lifestyle changes. They would not be able to eat any cookies, cakes, pastries, bread, pasta, cereal and much more. It is asking a lot of a person to follow this, what Davis calls a “simple” task. I don’t think that in order to lose weight and be healthy it is necessary to cut out all wheat products. A reasonable alternative would be to monitor your wheat consumption and consume mainly whole grain wheat products. These provide protein, fiber and other vitamins and minerals. By removing all wheat products from ones diet they may rapidly improve their health, and lose weight yet they are decreasing their quality of life and freedom, which is be worth more than anything else.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Doctor+advice+wheat+products/5704519/story.html

Baby Formula Controversy

BY SARAH SCHMIDT

        When people are caring for their babies they want to do what is best for them. Early childhood is when the brain and bone structure develops, both are very important. When parents choose a formula for their baby often what is written on the package has an influence on their decision. Now parents are being told that there are false and unproven claims on the packaging of baby formula and it is still being passed by health Canada. This is very upsetting to many because you want to know exactly what you are buying and the benefits you will receive from the product. Especially in this case, when babies are growing and developing it does not seem right to many that formula producers should be able to get away with having false claims of their packaging. The CFIA indicates that only if there is a health or safety risk then the product will be taken out of store, “making unproven claims” will not take the products of the shelves.

I believe that companies should not be able to make claims to enhance the selling of their product unless their claims can be proved. In this case, of baby formula, parents want to know exactly what their child is consuming and with invalid information it makes it very difficult. A mother said that "It is very overwhelming in that aisle," already, now you have to decipher what is true and what isn't. I wonder if this is the case with baby formula, what about other products? On your toothpaste box, that your teeth will be whiter after 14 days of use or on the cereal box that the cereal will keep you fuller than two eggs, are the claims true? It makes you think about what you can trust and what you can believe, which doesn’t seem like very much anymore!

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Government+allows+infant+formula+claims+despite+acceptable+evidence/5692445/story.html