Flin Flon & The HBM&S Blues: Friday, September 28th!

It is by character and not by intellect the world is won. -Evelyn Beatrice Hall, biographer (28 Sep 1868-1956)

Zinfandel grapes at Passalacqua winery & Chardonnay at Lambert Bridge to accompany gourmet cheeses and olives bring back memories of great tours! Hello Sir Andrew! Trust you and Anne are well. From the great pics it certainly seems so. Funnily enough, have seen quite a few of the squash gang over last few weeks. When are you coming to visit? Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Stay well. Travel safely. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!

Lady Dar spent the morning with her grandparenting hat on, taking care of Ashlynn, for the morning. She enjoyed taking her to a number of community programs before bringing her back to our place to wait until Kid Chelene picked her up shortly after noon. She and her charge, spent some time watching Moana before Corey arrived. He couldn't stay that long as he had to meet the contractor who is putting a pool into their new home in Sendero. The Lives of the Rich and Famous! Glad Nanny Dar is working for such a wealthy family! Tonight, she is involved with a documentary film presentation, Flin Flon Flim Flam this evening, at Oasis United:

In FLIN FLON FLIM FLAM, InvestigativeMEDIA turns its unflinching focus on Canadian miner Hudbay Minerals Inc. and its controversial plans to construct the massive Rosemont open-pit copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains on the Coronado National Forest southeast of Tucson.

The film documents Hudbay’s legacy of lead poisoning in a remote Manitoba community where the company operated a notorious copper smelter for 80 years. It also reports on Hudbay's former operations in El Estor, Guatemala where the company’s security guards allegedly clashed with residents over land claims and the company stands accused of murder, rape and shootings in a precedent setting civil trial. 

FLIN FLON FLIM FLAM also reports on demonstrations and community opposition to Hudbay’s recently opened Constancia open pit copper mine in Uchucarco, Peru. There, indigenous villagers are occupying a mine site after Peruvian police beat and teargased protestors angry over Hudbay’s failure to abide by an agreement and deliver on its promises to the community. Finally, the film covers in detail the environmental destruction that would occur if Hudbay Minerals obtains state and federal permits to construct the Rosemont mine and the threat to Green Valley’s water supply from Hudbay’s planned groundwater pumping. While Hudbay has promised to replace the groundwater it pumps from the Santa Cruz River Valley with Central Arizona Project Canal water, critics cast doubt that Hudbay will be able to fulfill its promise as Colorado River supplies continue to decline.

Unfortunately, there was a conflicting event about the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion with South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings, joined by fellow NDP MP Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley), at the PPL. Lady Dar knew that this particular even was in the works so contacted Dick's local office and she was assured he was to be in Ottawa then! Anyway, too, too bad as I'm sure many would like to attend both.  Anyway, the film was riveting and truly puts into perspective what international mining companies, [Most based in Canada!], are doing around the world. 

Director, John Dougherty, spoke after the screening and provided even more fascinating, post-production, stories. When he returned to Peru to screen film in various rural communities, as well as hand out free DVD's of the work, for wider distribution/exposure, he was arrested, the authorities claiming he was there to foment civil unrest/revolution. American Embassy obtained his temporary release until court hearing but he left country before appearing as he was very worried that he might languish in jail for who knows how long. He is now banned from re-entering Peru!

Hope all goes well with dermatologist. We are grand parenting on the 24.   With all the competition for our services They all have to book early! Hi Grandparents Inc! Sorry that you will not be able to join our bridge gathering but understand your popularity as care-givers of choice! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Patrick, I am very pleased to let you know that today the third Cal Rogan Mystery Lockstep is published and ready for you. It is the latest episode in the life of Cal Rogan, as he battles criminals, gangs and his own demons. You can now get the book that early readers on Amazon have given a perfect five stars. Here's what some of them say:

"I'm a big fan of crime drama books and this one is one of the best I have read so far."  "Grabs you from the first page and the storyline never disappoints." "A fast paced thriller with several twists that was hard to put down."

For the price of a latte, you can get Lockstep right now. Get it and enjoy it right away. Very best wishes, Robert.