The crew at Kaleidoscope Theatre is getting ready to bring their latest top-notch show to the stage starting tonight. Theatre lovers will be treated to Steel Magnolias, the tale of the bond of six women who gather at a beauty parlor in small town Louisiana.
    The play is directed by Kaleidoscope veteran Becky Neuman and stars Angela Keibel as beauty parlor owner Truvy, Geraldine Lee as M’Lynn, Denise Bennett-Bertsch as Clairee, Trisha Lewandowski as Louis (aka Ouiser), Cathie Brown as Shelby, and Darby Andrus as Annelle.
     All of the cast are veterans to the Kaleidoscope stage, but for some this will be their first big role.
    “Darby is new, so this is her first big role in a Kaleidoscope show, but the thing about this play, there really isn’t a main character. They’re all important, so in choosing the cast you need strength all around,” said Neuman.
    The Robert Harling play is notable for the depth of its characters and its humour. The six women range from Annelle who is 18 to Clairee and Louis who are in their 70s.
    Steel Magnolias also delves into deeper issues. Shelby, one of the youngest of the six women struggles with Type 1 diabetes and the play focuses on her relationship with her mother and how they deal with the illness together.
    “It’s basically the idea of the bonding of women when they go to the shop, especially in a town where the women go to the same shop all the time to get their hair done,” said Neuman.
    Opening night for the play is tonight. The play then runs on November 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. To purchase tickets, visit www.kaleidoscopetheatre.ca or by calling 403-823-PLAY (7529).
    Everyone is encouraged to come out for the show, especially with Christmas around the corner.
    “They don’t want to miss it,” said Neuman. “It’s a great opening to the Christmas season.”

    Alberta Health Services is taking action in response to a review of incidences of errors in the interpretation of diagnostic imaging in the province, including Drumheller.
    Last week inSide Drumheller reported that the review of interpretations of CT scans performed in Drumheller was complete. This review was ordered last December. Today CT scans are still performed in Drumheller, however they are interpreted in Red Deer. The doctor whose work was reviewed continues to perform other forms of diagnostic imaging.
    Aside from the individual reviews in Calgary, Edmonton and Drumheller, Health Minister Fred Horne also ordered  system–wide reviews.
    According to a press release Dr. Dennis Kendel, conducted two reviews. The first review looked at licensing of radiologists and pathologists by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. The second review looked at credentialing and privileging within Alberta Health Services and its contracted providers.
    “Many Albertans suffered undue stress as a result of the errors that were made.  The goal of these reviews was to ensure we are doing all we can to prevent such errors from happening in the future so Albertans continue to have confidence in the care they receive,” said Horne. “Dr. Kendel’s recommendations support this goal. Together with Alberta Health Services and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, we have developed a comprehensive action plan to implement those recommendations and address the concerns identified through the reviews.”
    Key points found in his review were:
•    All radiologists and pathologists practising in Alberta are appropriately authorized by the CPSA to practise in these specialties, and CPSA policies and procedures around licensing decisions are sound and rigorous.
•    All medical staff appointments granted to radiologists and pathologists currently on medical staff with AHS are appropriate.
•    The privileges awarded by AHS to pathologists are generally appropriate and uniform across the province.  
•    The privileges awarded by AHS to radiologists are uneven and inconsistent between zones, and some radiologists were performing procedures without explicit privileges or CPSA approvals.
    He made 10 recommendations to Alberta Health Services and two recommendations to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. These focused on improving privileging standards  and sharing information  on the licensing and credentialing of physicians.
    “Alberta Health Services has accepted all of Dr. Kendel’s recommendations, and has identified various initiatives to address them. Many of those initiatives are already in place,” said Dr. Chris Eagle, President and CEO of AHS. “Albertans can have every confidence in the work of our radiologists and pathologists.”