As President of the Dorris Stechmann Johnson Foundation for Community Theatre, I am proud to announce our next project.

Every year, Galveston County Reads chooses one book to study as a community. This year, Nickel & Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America was chosen to illustrate the plight of the working poor. Journalist Barbara Ehrenreich lived that life, and chronicled her very real experiences in 2001.

Originally, we had pledged to sponsor a staged reading at the Strand Theatre. However, the east-end theatre company had previously secured the rights and scheduled their production for the same time.

In the spirit of cooperation the DSJ Foundation will underwrite etc's Opening Night on Friday, January 19, 2007 -- two days before Dorris' 83rd birthday.

Complementary tickets for this special Galveston County Reads Night will be available at the Circulation Desk of the Rosenberg Library beginning January 12. Seating is very limited, so no more than 2 tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis. The play will end with a post-production discussion and refreshments.

By sponsoring this event, our collective hope is that those who do not normally attend theatre will get the opportunity to do so. The play Nickel and Dimed will run from Janauary 20 - through February 3. For those who can purchase tickets, please phone the east-end theatre company at (409) 762-3556 to make your reservations.

Not only would I encourage all of you to read the book, but also to see the play early in its run. Armed with this insight about the working poor, give some serious thought to their plight. Then, participate in the many free activities that Karen Stanley and Galveston County Reads have planned, beginning January 9 through March 24. For more information, please phone Karen at the Library, (409) 763-8854, ext. 119.

One question to ponder: Just what IS a livable wage for Galveston County? Galveston Island??

Like it or not, many of our neighbors qualify as "working poor," and this impacts all of us on a daily basis. It's the main reason many cannot afford health insurance or to own even a small home of their own and pay its property taxes and maintenance. They have no expendable income for entertainment of shopping on The Strand.

To employers -- rather corporate or non-profit, small business or sales and/or service companies -- look objectively at your pay scale and honestly answer these rhetorical questions: Could you live on what you pay others? Do your employees earn enough to cover life's basics? Are you paying them fair wages (i.e., are they adequately compensated for their abilities, skills, experience and knowledge)? If your company receives free services, are you returning them in kind to the individuals or groups? Remember, in order to have a middle class, middle class wages must be paid.

During this season of giving, in "A Christmas Carol's" terms, are you a Scrooge or a Fezziwig?

JAN JOHNSON