Issue 12, Vol 141, The Brunswickan

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arts

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sports

opinions

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The Brunswickan

Volume 141 Issue 12 • Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication • UNB Fredericton’s Student Paper • Nov. 21, 2007

Kings of the Hill

Rock for Life

by Josh O’Kane

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

The UNB Varsity Reds edged the St. Thomas Tommies 3-2 in men`s hockey action on Friday night. Despite firing 45 shots at the STU goal, UNB had to hold on for a shootout before finally burying their cross-campus rivals. Denny Johnston and Kyle Bailey scored for the Reds, while Mike Ouzas turned aside 20 shots, as well as two shootout attempts, to preserve the victory. Justin DaCosta opened the shootout with a goal, before Brad Efthimiou scored the shootout winner for UNB. The Varsity Reds improved to 11-0-0 on the season. For more on the 151st edition of the Battle of the Hill, see Sports, Page 11.

Survivor spreads message of understanding

by Brad Conley with files from Brian Munn

The only value in the mistake we have made is that we can learn from them, and avoid repeating them in the future.

This was the message being shared by Elly Gotz, a Holocaust survivor who spoke last week at UNB. Mr. Gotz was the primary speaker at ‘Remembering Dachau to Defend Darfur’, a lecture hosted by the UNB chapter of Students Helping Others Understand Tolerance (SHOUT) and sponsored by the UNB Student Union.

A retired businessman and electronics engineer, Gotz is a volunteer speaker and educator at the Holocaust Centre

in Toronto. After the war, he lived in Germany, Norway, Rhodesia, and South Africa before coming to Canada in 1964 with his wife of 50 years, Esme, and their three children.

Gotz was born in 1928 and raised in Kovno, Lithuania where he was forced to live in the Kovno ghetto for much of the war. In 1943, he was transferred to the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany, where he was a labourer until being liberated by American troops.

While the subject matter was depressing, Gotz spoke at length about his childhood, experiences in the ghetto, and the subsequent skills he learned had helped him survive the Holocaust.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of his story was the conclusion. After the war, Gotz, who had been with his father in Dachau, was able to find his mother, who had survived another camp. It was rare enough that he survived; that his entire family had as well is unbelievable.

Although Mr. Gotz spoke at length about his time in Dachau, and even

how his life had changed after the war, his purpose in coming to UNB was not simply to tell a story. Rather, he was in Fredericton to show those in attendance that we need to learn from our past mistakes, and that we are not even close to doing this yet.

Gotz spoke of other genocides, such as the Armenian and Rwandan genocides, and acknowledged that genocide is happening right now in the eastern part of the Sudan, in the province of Darfur.

Gotz told the large, attentive audience about the horrors of genocide, and that it is up to humanity to do something about it. Unfortunately, he added, not enough is currently being done to stop the genocide in Darfur. The United Nations has denied any attempt to put an end to it and there has not been enough international support to bring in troops to help stop the atrocities that are occurring.

As part of the lecture, Bill Chernin, the Director of University Affairs for the Atlantic Jewish Council, made a

presentation on the situation in Sudan.

He urged everyone in the audience to place a call to their MPs, saying that only when the people press the government, will the government respond.

Kurt Goddard, the President of SHOUT UNB, was extremely pleased with the event and in particular, the turnout.

“I think the event went very well. We were really impressed by the amount of students and people from the community that came out to hear Mr. Gotz speak. We estimate that there were close to 150 people present Wednesday evening,” said Goddard.

While it was great that so many people attended, what was more important, commented Goddard, is that they were actually getting the right message.

“Many people commented afterwards that they had not been aware of the extent of the crisis in the Darfur. Our hope now is that people take the suggestions from the lecture and begin to find ways to take action on the issue of genocide in Darfur.”

Two years ago, former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Stephen Lewis, came to speak at UNB. The presentation was so packed that then-freshman Brian Beaudette couldn’t get in, so he went online to find out what was so special about Stephen Lewis. After learning about the Stephen Lewis Foundation and its grassroots approach to easing the pain of HIV/ AIDS victims in Africa, he decided he truly wanted to assist in the cause.

Having just started a band, he decided that the best way to spread the word and raise money for the Foundation would be with a concert – and last November, Rock for Life was born.

“We decided to, in the next year, to put on a concert using our band and other bands around campus to try and raise money for the cause,” says Beaudette.

This year, the concert is to become an annual event. On November 23, in the Student Union Building cafeteria, seven acts will take the stage to live to rock, and rock to live. The concert had over 600 people in attendance last year, and Beaudette says that this year could take that even further.

“I think we can sell out,” says Beaudette.

Last year, the event raised more than $3,000, with over $2,000 of that donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation after costs. This year, says Beaudette, he’s hoping to raise over $5,000.

“It’s been easier because it’s not the first year anymore. We know what we did last year and we know how to improve on it.”

Former Student Union President Jessica Stutt was also involved in the founding and organization of Rock for Life last year, and is continuing to co-organize this year’s event. Beaudette says Stutt has seen a strong buzz about the event through the ticket vendors at The Paper Trail.

“Even when they weren’t on sale, people were hounding them for tickets,” says Beaudette. “The SUB’s maximum capacity is 1,000 people. If we do sell out this year, that would be a good sign for next year. We’re thinking of bigger and better places all the time.”

He says that the next step for growth would to be the Aitken Centre, as it would allow Rock for Life to be an event open to the public, as opposed to just UNB, STU, and NBCC students. Beaudette hopes that goal can be reached by next year, and if not, the year after.

The Fredericton public isn’t the only

group to which he wants to open the event.

“I hope we’ll be able to sell out and move to a bigger venue, and open it up to the province and hopefully eventually Canada, worldwide. That’s the goal.”

Various other parties have gone into helping the event and the cause this year.

Aitken House, where Beaudette is President, recently held a wet/dry event at the Social Club, with all proceeds going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. There has been some support from around the province as well – one person from NBCC Miramichi is helping to support the cause from her end.

“One of the professors from NBCC heard about it from one of the people that I know up there. She loved the idea, and what they’re doing is a coffee house to help fundraise for Rock for Life, and the money will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation… they’re actually sending out busses for people from their school to come out and see Rock for Life.”

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Brian Beaudette is co-organizer of Rock for Life, and is one third of the band Darwin.

The success of the concert last year has led several acts to approach Beaudette about being on the bill, which he says is great. He will be playing the show himself, as part of the act Darwin, alongside Cory Vatcher and Tyler McDonnell.

Beaudette says that the Rock for Life concert has the potential to grow and mean something to a much greater audience.

“We have things like Live 8 and Live Aid that happen once to raise awareness, then people forgot about them. I want to do something that can remind people every single year to work towards a cause. This is really wide-open charity event, I tried to open it up to off campus, to as many Houses as I can, and get everybody involved, instead of just being one House.”

“I don’t see how you could go wrong for a great cause. You can really, really make a difference in the world for this.”

Doctor’s life reflects NB’s tumultuous healthcare history

by Ashley Bursey

“When is the government gonna stop building liquor stores and give the doctors of this province the chance to save a few fuckin’ lives?”

That, in a nutshell, sums up the tumultuous history of medical practice in New Brunswick – and the turbulent life of the Fredericton hospital’s namesake doctor, Dr. Everett Chalmers.

Chalmers’ life was brought to the stage last week with Theatre UNB’s production of ‘DOC’, an autobiographical play by the doc’s daughter,

Sharon Pollock, arguably hailed as one of the greatest female playwrights in the country.

It’s the story of Ev, a workaholic doctor pushing to create an essential ‘onestop-shop’ medical centre (the modern hospital – with labs, x-ray centers, and clinics in the same building) in Fredericton, instead of “sending samples by bus to Saint John.”

Despite Ev’s admirable ambition to help his fellow New Brunswickers, it begins to be quite obvious that his home life is suffering: his wife is an alcoholic (giving his ‘liquor store anger’ even more potency) and potentially adulterous, his daughter and son “wouldn’t eat if it wasn’t for the maid” and grow up learning to hate their mother, and Ev alienates his friends and family.

The play itself it a difficult one, mixing past and present in a series of flashback-esque moments that see the

young daughter, Katie, and her grownup self, Catherine, lose themselves in memory. This wasn’t entirely evident at first, although perhaps that was a conscious decision of the director; it took time for the ‘aha!’ light bulb to go off for some audience members. We were to ultimately learn this was the story of Katie’s troubled infancy, with her mother taking the lead role of antagonist.

The piece got off to a slow start.

Rather lengthy – it ran almost two and a half hours – the first 30 minutes were lagging. The script was stilted and the actors seemed cold at first, taking time to get into the groove of their parts and really blossom onstage. The writing was rather dry and contrived, but picked up speed with the first flashback to Ev’s life as a young doctor.

But Ev, played wonderfully by Aidan Dewhirst, was entrancing. His storytelling abilities and knack at switching

between the old, jaded man and the young, eager doctor helped drive the plot, enrapturing the audience with his deft monologue delivery. His chemistry with Eloise, nicknamed Bob (Kathleen Heaney) really kick started the emotional expression of the play: the young romantic lovers, the troubled middleage couple, and the bitter cynics at the end of the play (props to one of the best onstage kisses I’ve seen in a university production!)

The director’s choice to keep most of the characters onstage during the entire piece – a risky decision – was bold, but it worked well. In fact, some of the best directorial decisions came towards the middle and end of the play. While the opening few scenes were almost artificial, the dynamic between characters became

see Doc page 7

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

The cast of DOC, directed by Michelle Dunster, during an earlier practice

News

2 • November 21, 2007 • Issue 12

A piece of history in danger? Something from nothing:

Small electronics recycling Finally, you can get rid of your 1995 Walkman without fear of hurting Mother Nature

by Alison Clack

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

York House, the centre of controversy between the Brunswick Street Baptist Church and the city of Fredericton willing to wait much longer, as com“The reason the City needs to acquire mented in a recent press release. the building is related to an office space “Brunswick Street Baptist Church shortage at City Hall. The building is The City of Fredericton is will continue to move forward with a close to City Hall and would provide undergoing negotiations to Capital Building program that was over- needed office and meeting space for acquire the historical whelmingly endorsed by the congrega- municipal purposes.”

York House tion at a June 2007 business meeting.

Forbes also pointed out that the The Capital Building program will see building is a historical Fredericton the construction of a new facility that is landmark.

by Jordan Gill necessary to meet the needs of a growing “York House is the former Fredchurch family and the accompanying ericton High School and was built in ministry requirements.”

1887. The three storey brick structure A piece of Fredericton’s history may be The press release went on to comment was designed by J. C. Dumaresq and on its way to finding a new owner. The on the condition of York House.

H. H. Mott of Saint John. Dumaresq municipal government of Fredericton is “The plan requires the removal of also designed the Legislative Assembly, undergoing extensive negotiations with one of the Church’s properties known the Charlotte Street School, and the old the owners of York House, Brunswick as York House, which Brunswick Street Daily Gleaner building next door to City Street Baptist Church, and the owners Baptist Church has owned and main- Hall (Phoenix Square)… The additional of adjacent properties, including the tained since the 1960s. During the past benefit of acquiring this property is that Knights of Columbus. year, asbestos, lead paint, and PCBs in it would preserve one of the top ten Alex Forbes, the Assistant Director of the lights were discovered, deeming the architecturally significant buildings in the Development Services Department, building both unsafe and unusable for the City. If we were to acquire the buildcommented on the negotiations. the Church. It was determined, follow- ing, it would remain and preserve a very “The City has been working with ing a lengthy and thorough assessment, unique and architecturally-significant the Baptist Church since June,” said that renovating York House would have building in our downtown area.”

Forbes. “The City made a proposal to been prohibitively expensive, and even Forbes commented that despite the the Knights to relocate them to a differ- with renovations, would not have met time, effort, and financial cost in trying ent site today. We think we have a good the Church’s ministry needs.” to acquire York house, along with the proposal for the Knights to review and However, Forbes said that the build- cost it will take to refurbish the buildconsider.” ing is needed to help with the shortage ing, in the end, the effort will be well However, the Church may not be of office space in Fredericton. worth it.

In a world where nearly everything we buy appears to be made so that it's easy, fast, and disposable, it's difficult to see our possessions as anything more than replaceable. When something like an iPod or cell phone breaks, we buy a new one and dispose of the old one; it just seems to be the way things in Western society work. However, things are not always this way.

Justin Roherty, who recently created a recycling program for small electronics, would like to see a change in the way that our society, and specifically our campus, disposes of our cast-off electronics.

“I've been recycling for awhile and rebuilding old digital cameras,” says Roherty. “One day, I realized that people throw these things out unnecessarily.

People can fix and reuse these electronics, so I thought, ‘why not set something up so other people can reuse them?’”

The new small electronics recycling

program was created by Roherty in order to minimize the amount of consumer electronics sent to landfills and to attempt to fix broken electronics and put them back into circulation.

“There are recyclers that can take [the electronics] apart and recover the materials and reuse the components.

Anything that is damaged to a point where it can't be fixed will be sent to a recycler. Cell phones can be sent to a recycler who fixes the parts and redistributes them to people who can't afford cell phones,” Roherty says.

The main purpose of the small electronics recycling program is to avoid putting so many consumer electronics into landfills. Electronics add more to local pollution, as they break down more than one might imagine.

“Consumer electronics are mainly responsible for the toxicity levels in landfills. Heavy metals contained in the electronics like lead, cadmium, and mercury can leach out into the water table and cause a lot of problems with pollution,” explains Roherty.

The waste that these electronics produce is highly hazardous to human health, and as the World Resources Institutes website ‘Earth Trends: The Environmental Information Portal’, states, “electronic waste is a fast-growing concern for landfills and communities all over the world. Rapidly changing and improving technology has led to a culture of disposable electronics. These

'low cost, hard-to-upgrade but easy-toreplace' electronics are threatening the health of many communities.”

The program also hopes to expand on what it can take for recycling.

“The original plan was to take ink cartridges, but I have to wait because there's a concern about the ink leaking onto the other items, so for now at least it's just the electronics,” says Roherty.

As the problem with leaving electronics in landfills is so detrimental, Roherty hopes that if the program is popular enough here, he will be able to expand it to cover more places in the city and eventually, the province.

“For now, it's just the one recycling station set up in the Student Union Building, but if it's successful, I would like to set one up in Saint John and possibly more stations around the city.

Right now it's too early to say, but if people use it, I'll certainly expand the program.”

If anyone wishes to help with the program, Roherty says, “the best thing someone could do to help would be to drop things off in the bin. Anything is great.”

For those who do wish to drop something off at the bin, which is located in the Student Union Building cafeteria, and are not quite sure what kind of small electronics to donate, Roherty says, “anything that's small electronics that people might throw away: cell phone, pagers, iPods, digital cameras.”

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

The drop-off bin for small electronics to be recycled can be found in the Student Union Building Cafeteria.

Anything from iPods to cameras can be recycled.

News

Issue 12 • November 21, 2007 • 3

Power down for sustainability

Comprehensively awesome: Maclean’s

by Ed Bowes

Students may or may not have noticed, but starting at the beginning of this school year, the student-access computers in labs throughout campus have been set to automatically shut themselves down when not in use. The University of New Brunswick's Integrated Technology Services (ITS) have programmed the machines to go into standby mode after one hour of idling and have set the screensavers to shut off the monitors.

This may not seem like a very important issue, but this simple act is doing a lot for students, the University, and the environment.

Peter Ruddock, of UNB's ITS, explains the new measures taken in campus labs are strictly energy-saving mechanisms.

“There is no point in having these machines running if they are not being used; they are not conserving energy while they are idling,” he said.

Setting campus computers to automatically standby is a very simple technique in the fight to save the environment, but has never been used as a regular policy until this school year.

A couple of mouse clicks can save the university thousands of dollars by prolonging the life of the computers and minimizing energy costs. It costs nothing and takes very little effort to change the settings on a computer, but it pays back greatly to put the machines in these low-energy states when not in use.

Greg LeBlanc, of UNB's Environment and Sustainabile Development Research Centre, describes the Centre's directive of using technology as a means of benefiting the university both economically and environmentally.

The 2007 Maclean’s survey of comprehensive universities ranked UNB in the top five.

by Naomi Osborne

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Computers automatically enter standby after one hour of no use ths year.

“The key concept of sustainability is to lower our use of resources such as water, energy, natural materials, and fuel while simultaneously better meeting the needs of the university and greater community,” he explained. “The idea is to get more from less. The harder we work towards creating a sustainable campus, the more money we will all save.”

The idea of sustainability is not new to the UNB campus, as energy-saving measures have been in place for the past 10 to 15 years. University officials have been monitoring the campus’ use of resources, such as water and energy to ensure that funds are not being wasted.

The goal is to find new and effective methods of channeling the university's resources to save time, energy, and hassle. Members of the Sustainability Centre have combined their efforts with ITS to better invest university dollars in technology and techniques which will lower our energy use, thus lowering our carbon emissions.

Another seemingly insignificant example of the work of the Sustainability Centre is the campus-wide change from conventional light bulbs (incandescing lamps) to new energy- saving bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps, or CFL) that have a much longer life and use far

less energy. While the new CFL bulb may be more expensive to buy, the cost is recovered in energy savings and replacement costs, not to mention their impact on the environment. Compared to their incandescent counterparts, the new fluorescent bulbs can save over $30 in electricity costs over one bulb’s lifetime and can save 2,000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases. When you think about how many lighting units there are on campus, it makes it quite easy to see the considerable savings this simple switch can produce.

LeBlanc feels the entire student body can learn a lot from the work of the ITS and Sustainability Centre. He says it is up to us to consciously make minor changes that will significantly help our environment, not to mention save us all money.

“Technology is not the major barrier standing in the way of a fully sustainable campus,” said LeBlanc. “The technology is there and has been there. It's the culture that needs to evolve; people have to think a little bit differently about energy use and the environment. If we make minor changes to our everyday lives, we can greatly decrease the amount of energy we use, saving us money and bettering the environment.”

Low crops for hops

by Ed Bowes

Beer drinkers could be facing some hard times in the near future due to a potential price increase as local breweries face a worldwide hops shortage.

From Tokyo to Toronto, brew masters are scrambling to fill their shelves with the fundamental ingredient needed to prepare the timeless drink.

For those who are uneducated in the realm of botany, the study of plants, hops (the ‘spice’ of the beer) come from the flowers of the perennial vine Humulus Lupulus, and are one of four principal ingredients in beer, as well as many herbal medicines. This multipurpose plant is used predominantly in breweries, working to bitter the beer, as well as stabilize and preserve the beverage.

Hops are also the chief aromatic agent.

There are many varieties, each of which imparts different flavors, aromas, and bitterness levels to a particular brew.

The crisis can be attributed to a decade-long over supply of hops that had forced farmers to abandon the harvest.

In the United States, where one-fourth of the world's hops are grown, acreage fell 30% between 1995 and 2006. In 1994, there were 234,000 acres of hop plantations in the world, whereas last year, there were less then half of that number, with only 113,000. Now, in 2007, the surplus hop reserve has finally diminished; Australia is currently

enduring its worst drought on record, hail storms across Europe have damaged crops, extreme heat in western United States hurt both yields and quality of the recent harvest.

Prices for the remaining hops have doubled in the past few weeks, and with the low value of the American dollar, European and Asian brewers are snatching up the remaining worldwide supply.

It's not simply lack of hops that is threatening the current price of beer.

The brewing industry is facing mounting costs on nearly every front. Fuel, aluminum, and glass prices have been increasing rapidly over the past several years. Barley and wheat prices have skyrocketed as more farmers are planting corn to meet increasing demands for ethanol, while others plant feed crops to replace acreage lost to corn.

What does all of this mean for the average beer drinker? Industry analysts speculate the worldwide hop shortage could force smaller breweries to hike the prices of some beers by as much as 10% and could cause substantial changes in the field of craft brewing.

The shortage has some breweries rethinking their brewing practices and possibly changing beer recipes to cut down on the use of hops. Small brewers from across the globe face the disheartening prospect of either modifying their existing recipes or experimenting less with new brews, thanks to the shortage and rising prices of other important ingredients.

Big brewers have the money and power to protect themselves against the rising prices of raw ingredients by

EWB Wine & Cheese

by Melanie Bell

You sip your glass of wine and bite into a slice of locally made cheese.

On Wednesday, November 21, the UNB chapter of Engineers Without Borders will host its second annual Wine and Cheese event, featuring a guest speaker and faculty member Gunaseelan Kulasegaram. The event will take place in the President’s Room of the Alumni Memorial Building at 7 pm. Chapter members will prepare a spread of refreshments, including local food, for attendees to enjoy.

Members of EWB will give presentations on the mission and purpose of the organization as well as the actions it takes in Canada and overseas. The chapter will present its Junior Fellows for 2007, two members selected to spend four months of the upcoming summer volunteering with communityled development projects in Africa.

Last year’s event was a success in terms of raising both money for the chapter

and awareness of issues surrounding global poverty. Members have succeeded in including international development elements in the curriculum of an introductory engineering course, and educated more students about world food and hunger issues through Public School Outreach presentations than any other chapter in Canada.

This year, for the first time, the event will include a silent auction. Members have brought back art and crafts from their travels overseas to be auctioned off.

Local artists and chapter members have also donated works related to international issues.

The event is open to the community, with the purpose of networking.

“It’s a spectacular chance to reach out to the community members, university professors and people on campus who don’t usually come out to our loud events like the [recent] car smash. It’s a wonderful way for EWB to get to know the community and for the community to get to know EWB,” said Emily Brown, VP of Communications for EWB. Tickets for the event are $15 for students and $25 for non-students. All funds raised will go towards sending the chapter’s Junior Fellows overseas.

negotiating better, long-term contracts for ingredients (buying in bulk), while smaller brewers generally are left with whatever remains. Craft brewers and local microbreweries simply do not have the means to hedge against rising prices like their industrial rivals.

Brian Titus, President of Halifax's Garrison Brewing Company, told the CBC in a recent interview that his brew master may not be able to produce some of his beers in the New Year because he hasn't been able to find certain varieties of hops at all.

“It's bordering on disastrous, actually.

If you don't have hops, then you don't have beer,” said Titus. “So maybe you find something that smells similar but doesn't have the same taste profile and it doesn't have the same bitterness.”

Customers could potentially be forced to switch their alcoholic tastes if the shortage drives up beer prices. The shortage could trigger a shift to spirits or wine, beverages that give a better bang for their buck.

Jeff Melanson, a UNB Engineering student and loyal Picaroons drinker, says that a price increase will not discourage him from enjoying his preferred ale, but he is frustrated by the possibility of loosing some specialty beers produced by the Fredericton brewing company.

“It’s sad to think that the shortage could potentially threaten any craft beers; brewing is an art form in itself, these recipes have been developed over time by hard working brew masters,” he said. “You like to see local business do well and it's frustrating to imagine big corporations muscling out the little guy with their checkbooks.”

Maclean’s magazine’s 17th annual ranking of the best universities in the country has put UNB in the top five of comprehensive universities.

UNB ranked first in three categories: student-to-faculty ratio, library expenses, and library holdings per student.

UNB continues to be ranked in many national surveys and is rising among its peer institutions.

John McLaughlin, President of UNB, stated in a press release how proud he is of the ranking the university received.

“We pay attention to all surveys like this, but we measure ourselves everyday in terms of the quality of our teaching, the rigour of our research, and the experience we provide our students. As Canada’s smallest comprehensive university, we have set our bar high. We continue to compete nationally for the best faculty, staff, and students and measure ourselves against the biggest and best in the country,” said McLaughlin.

UNB was the first public university in North America and is also the oldest English language university in Canada; today, it has been considered as an engine of transformation for New Brunswick and beyond, with campuses in Fredericton and Saint John.

Last September, UNB was among the 50% of all the universities involved in Maclean’s ranking survey that chose to withdraw when the credibility of the ranking was questioned. It is because of this that Maclean’s now only uses public information on which to base their rankings.

From this public information, the top-ranking comprehensive universi-

Internet

Maclean’s magazine relied on public information to base its rankings of top comprehensive universities. ties this year, in order of best to worst ranking, were Victoria, Simon Fraser, Waterloo, Guelph, Memorial was tied with New Brunswick, Carleton, York, Regina, Windsor, and Concordia.

The Director of Communications and Marketing at UNB, Cynthia Goodwin, is positive that UNB will continue to compete nationally in their quality of teaching, research, the experience they provide their students, and connecting with the community.

“We also need to look at the broader perspective of post-secondary education in New Brunswick and to raise the bar even higher,” said Goodwin. “We look forward to competing and holding our own; it is important for the community, the province, the students, and the teachers.”

Maclean’s is only one national survey that UNB looks at when it comes to focusing on their excellence and improving their overall quality.

Brad Mullins, the UNB Student Union President, feels the university received an honourable and well deserved ranking.

“UNB is truly one of Canada’s great universities. It has a rich history and exceptional facilities with dedicated and knowledgeable staff. For years, UNB has been committed to meeting the needs of the whole student,” said Mullins in a recent press release.

UNB also participates in many other national surveys. One is the National Survey of Student Engagement, which compares student participation in programs and services of over 500 universities and colleges in both Canada and the United States.

The university also participates in the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPEHC) surveys.

These focus on graduates and their opinions on post-secondary education.

The Canadian Undergraduate Survey Consortium also includes UNB. This survey evaluates students’ experiences as well as universities’ contributions to specific skill development.

These rankings show that UNB is a thriving university that will only continue to provide the best experience for its students.

Harry Potter has fun being sober

by Lauren Kennedy

This past week, an event known around campus as ‘Soberpalooza’ was held as one of two events hosted this school year with a goal of getting students involved, without participating in alcoholic consumption. The event is put on once per semester by a team of proctors and a Don from the residence community.

“It’s an event organized for students, by students and it provides an opportunity to go a night without the need to drink,” said Shane Kelbaugh, hall proctor and the co-chair of the event.

This year, the event took place on a Thursday night and its goal was to be like a night out at the movies. ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ was shown, the fifth movie of the Harry Potter series. According to Michael Carroll, the second co-chair and also a hall proctor, the days of the week that are picked to host the event are strategic in choice.

“The aim is to have the event on one of the most popular nights for drinking, that being a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday,” said Carroll, “That way people realize they can have fun at university without drinking.”

Soberpalooza is held in partnership with Drink Smart, an organization on campus that promotes safe drinking.

The Coordinator of the Drink Smart program at UNB, Morgan Manzer, explains the involvement of the program.

“Drink Smart has the mission of providing information on safe and moderate alcohol consumption, as well as promoting and supporting alternatives to drinking. This year, Drink Smart was pleased to provide refreshments and treats for Soberpalooza, an event which exemplifies our goals,” he said. “Soberpalooza is a terrific chance for students to come together with friends, in a fun and social atmosphere, enjoy the witchery and sorcery of Harry Potter, and not feel the need or pressure to drink. This is just one of the many wonderful events on campus that Drink Smart supports in this way.”

In the past, some events have had a good turnout while others have not had the best. Kelbaugh provides an answer as

to why some people chose not to come out to events such as this one, by sharing his own experience.

“Honestly, I had no idea what it really was before I got involved. Had I known, I probably would have gone, but my mistake was that I failed to recognize it as a fun event. For me, I guess it was the name that was a turnoff and I thought it was just another one of those events put on by Res Life, but it turns out it’s not, it’s a fun event,” he explained.

This semester’s event had about 20 people show up, and as Carroll explains, there are many different factors for this low turnout.

The movie choice may have played a factor in the low turnout. As Carroll explains, the committee votes on what movie they think will draw the biggest crowd. The top pick was Superbad, but it was unavailable with the movie company they work with, so they went with the second highest vote, which was the Harry Potter one.

“It all depends on the time of year, and what else is going on at that time of year,” he said. “If we would have been able to get Superbad, I think the turnout would have been greater,” said Carroll.

Feature

4 • November 21, 2007 • Issue 12

Apple’s new cat on the block

the bad

TECHNOLOGY :: a look at Mac OS X Leopard

by Ed Cullinan

Six o’clock Friday, October 26, marked the worldwide release of Apple Inc.’s latest operating system, Mac OS X Leopard (v10.5). This is the fifth major installment of the OS X operating system offered by the company in just six years.

Boasting over 300 new features, including tightened security and a fancy new look to the ‘Desktop’ and ‘Finder’, Leopard is seen by many as evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Apple has added a lot of value to its latest release in a way that allows power users to utilize their machines to the best of their ability, while making it simple for the average computer user to enjoy all its features without being overwhelmed. Leopard adds functionality to beauty, and builds on previous applications native to the OS X environment.

Apple reportedly sold 2M copies of Leopard during the first weekend it was available. New features and improvements increase its appeal in the Mac world, as well as to those users looking to make the switch from the Windows platform. With all of the advancements made in Leopard, many wonder whether or not there is room to further innovate. Apple will undoubtedly continue to focus on functionality with style, but when will the next revolutionary jump come?

Considering running windows?

SAFARI

‘Safari 3’ lets you browse the web at blazing fast speed – twice as fast as Firefox 2 during a fresh launch, and while rendering HTML and JavaScript. Safari includes tabbed and secure browsing and allows you to view your PDFs within the browser. With Leopard, you can use Safari’s ‘WebClip’ to turn any webpage into a widget on your Dashboard that updates automatically, whether on the whole page or just a piece.

SPACES

‘Spaces’ is a new feature in Leopard that allows you to set up to 16 virtual desktops that can hold any amount of windows for you in any program. Switching between spaces is easy and blazingly fast – very cool for the busy student and very useful for the stressed professional. Although virtual desktops are not new to the computing world, Apple’s way of implementing them makes working with multiple windows and/or applications a cinch.

FINDER

The new Finder (the Mac equivalent to Windows Explorer) has been given a brand new look that a lot of users are already familiar with from their exposure to iTunes 7.

The left-hand navigation system is styled after that of iTunes, making it easily customizable, and very easy to browse. Also added to the Finder is iTunes’ stunning ‘Cover Flow’ view that allows you to flick through your files seeing a fully rendered preview of the document within the Finder.

Shared computers are automatically displayed in the left hand navigation, making it easy to interact with other computers on the same network (with authorization). New to the Finder comes screen sharing, which allows you to interact with a shared computer as if you were sitting right in front of the screen.

The new Desktop contributes a lot to the look of Leopard and compliments the new Finder well. The menu bar has gone from stark white to translucent, allowing your favorite desktop shot to shine through.

The Dock now incorporates a new 3D platform look with bright application indicators. The addition of a new wave of folders called ‘Stacks’ keeps your Dock organized while simplifying the way you get your files. A Stack is a folder that pops open in a fan or a grid and displays the icons and names of your files for you to pick from. All the files go neatly back into order upon closing Stacks.

iCHAT

Apple’s iChat client is something at which to marvel, but unfortunately, the grip that Windows Live Messenger has over the instant messaging crowd, specifically in this area of the country, will deter its usage in Fredericton. The advantage included in this version of iChat with Leopard is that you can use your Gmail account to chat through the Google Talk platform. iChat’s video conferencing is simply amazing – you can chat with multiple people, screen share, share a file in iChat Theatre, and send files much like Messenger. Leopard’s internal networking allows you to chat instantaneously with other users on your private network, without having to add them to your list.

TIME MACHINE

A new application, ‘Time Machine’, is a program designed to effectively let you go back in time and restore your files, one-by-one or with a full restore. All you need is an external hard drive with some free space. Apple ruffled some feathers when it nixed a feature it had touted in early builds of Time Machine that allowed a user to back up files wirelessly to a hard drive connected to the company’s wireless router, the Airport Extreme.

QUICK LOOK

Using ‘Quick Look’, you can launch a read-only preview of your documents in which you can play a movie or slideshow, go through pictures, flip pages in a PDF, scroll through a Word document, or change sheets in an Excel workbook.

BOOT CAMP

Of course, we’ve all heard how you can be running Windows XP or Windows Vista on your new Mac, thanks to the switch to the Intel architecture. With Leopard comes a fully-featured version of Boot Camp that replaces the public beta that was available for the past year. While Boot Camp requires you to reboot your computer to switch drives, it allows for simple partitioning of your hard drive and maps your keyboard and drivers for you. Effectively, it makes it easy enough that anyone can make the installation happen with a little patience. For those who need to run an extensive amount of Windows software, you may consider this option, for others who only want to use one or two programs every once in a while, there is other software that could be more convenient, using virtualization instead of a reboot to get the job done.

CROSS PLATFORM :: windows on your intel mac

DESKTOP

MAIL

‘Spotlight’ search is smarter, faster, and deeply integrated into the entire system. With results that come up as you type, the ability to browse results in Cover Flow, and the power to save specific search queries for future use adds extreme functionality to the search. Spotlight is also in every ‘Help’ menu, making it easier to find the help you need faster.

come up over the past weeks since Leopard’s availability, including a blue screen freeze-up after installation has completed, blamed solely on ‘Application Enhancer’, a third party product.

This is remedied either through the terminal or through a clean install of Leopard, disregarding old preferences left behind from the previous OS. The easiest way to avoid installation complications is to perform a clean installation ever y time, but this may not be ideal for all users.

Also, Apple has noted that after installing an update called ‘Login and Keychain Update 1.0’, the computer’s AirPort card may not work. The apparent solution is to start up in safe mode (hold the shift key during start up) and then reboot normally.

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

FEATURES :: inside the box

SPOTLIGHT

BUGS :: early issues and updates

The good most certainly comes with the bad. A few bugs have been discovered within Leopard and the fixes are already on the way. First off, the Firewall has been highly criticized as of late by security experts. It is said that even when activated, the Firewall will allow all incoming connections, trusted or not.

This is clearly a problem that eliminates the purpose of even having a Firewall, and Apple has moved quick to regulate problems. After releasing the first Leopard update (v.10.5.1) on Thursday, November 15, the company addressed many of the first reported issues with the software, including the Firewall. However, it is not clear at this point how the update holds against the allegations against 10.5.0.

Certain installation issues have

So what’s new?

In the past, Apple’s own e-mail client, ‘Mail’, was seen as underpowered and not as capable as third-party applications like Eudora or Microsoft Outlook. In Leopard, Mail has gained stability, speed boosts, and new interfaces that make the whole experience more pleasing. The addition of e-mail stationary; integrated ‘Notes’ and ‘To Do’ functions that update into ‘iCal’, your personal calendar; RSS feeds in your mailbox; and one-step setup brings Mail to the front of the pack. It further interacts with iCal to allow you to create events from your messages, recognizing specific and relative dates like ‘Today’ or ‘next Tuesday’.

(so far)

Comments & Letters The Brunswickan Editorial Board

Editor-In-Chief • Jennifer McKenzie Managing Editor • Tony von Richter Co-News Editor • Josh O’Kane Co-News Editor • Lauren Kennedy Arts Editor • Ashley Bursey Photo Editor • Andrew Meade Sports Editor • Brian Munn Copy Editor • Alicia Del Frate Production Editor • Ed Cullinan

Staff Advertising Sales Rep • Bill Traer Delivery • Mike Lee Contributors Christian Hapgood, Brad Conley, Alison Clack, Jordan Gill, Doug Estey, Dan Hagerman, Sean Horsley, Dave Briggs, Melanie Bell, Naomi Osborne, Mitchell Bernard, Ed Bowes, Jason Henry, Nick Ouellette About Us The Brunswickan, in its 141st year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.

We are an autonomous student newspaper owned and operated

by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a non-profit, independant body.

We are a founding member of the Canadian University Press, and love it so. We are also members of U-Wire, a media exchange of university media throughout North America.

We publish weekly during the academic year with a circulation of 10,000.

Letters Must be submitted by e-mail including your name, letters with pseudonymns will not be printed. Letters must be 200 words maximum. Deadline for letters is Friday at noon.

Editorial Policy While we endeavour to provide an open forum for a variety of viewpoints and ideas, we may refuse any submission considered by the editorial board to be racist, sexist, libellous, or in any way discriminatory.

The opinions and views expressed in this newspaper are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Brunswickan, its Editorial Board, or its Board of Directors.

All editorial content appearing in The Brunswickan is the property of Brunswickan Publishing Inc. Stories, photographs, and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the express, written permission of the Editorin-Chief.

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eic@unb.ca • November 21, 2007

Mice in McConnell Hall...

Dear Editor: I am a fifth year student at the University of New Brunswick, currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program. In all my years on this campus I have always felt a certain pride for our university. We have a beautiful campus, nationally acclaimed programs, successful professors and an international company who have made it their business to provide excellent food to the students on this campus. I would like to take the time now, however; to inform you of a situation that has been taking place at McConnell Hall for several months now.

The main food hall on campus which much of the student body frequents has been infested with mice. The urine and feces line the floors under the counter tops on which the food is prepared. It is a wonder that the students haven’t questioned the smell while waiting in line for their omelets or stir-fries. The sad part of this story, is that management is fully aware of the problem and are refusing to spend the money to properly find a solution.

I find this to be revolting and would encourage the student body to raise their voices in protest. It is my understanding that the mice are getting into the desserts at night by chewing holes in their wrappings. In the mornings, Sodexho management simply changes the linings

and continue to use the wooden baskets.

Is this sanitary? Upon inspection, it is evident that the mice have now tunneled their way into the walk-in fridge and are beginning to feast on the food in their as well.

I would ask that students consider how much they are paying for their meals, only to have to share them with the mice. For those students who are not living on residence, or eating the food at McConnell Hall, please consider your tuition money. In one way or another, some of that money would be going towards Sodexho. Or perhaps you grab a burger at Selona Grill in the Student Union Building. Can we be assured that this infestation has been contained to this one building on campus? It would also be helpful to consider some of the health hazards that go along with sharing company with rodents. While the average student spends an hour or two in the meal hall, many of the staff working in McConnell Hall have been complaining about the smell and symptoms associated with breathing in the toxicity of mouse urine. The Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is potentially deadly and immediate intensive care treatment is essential once symptoms appear. The disease begins as a flu-like illness characterized by fever, chills, and muscle aches. The virus is

spread to humans through inhalation of aerosolized mouse droppings, urine, or saliva, or through broken skin or conjunctivae (around the eye). I know that I have also heard complaints, coming from the doors of McConnell Hall of nausea, diarrhea, burning or stinging eyes and have seen a pallor on more than a couple of faces.

I have personally contacted the Department of Public Safety and was assured that the problem would be dealt with. Not only was there evidence of mice on the premises, but mould was found in the area where the plates are cleaned. They were given a week to solve the problem, but upon the inspectors return, the walls had been bleached and traps had been laid out. The health inspector can only evaluate what he sees. While bleach will temporarily hide the mould and traps will kill the mice that are in the immediate vacinity, it is not a permanent solution. Though I will continue my communication with them as well, I believe that much can be done internally, from here on campus if awareness is raised.

I would like to see this matter taken care of immediately, Sincerely.

Melissa Dockrill

What was your worst haircut?

Like Elvis Duncan Bowes

Shaved my head Oliver Gorman-Asal

Had my eyebrows shaved off Mike Lewis

A mullet-rat tail Lyle Skinner

I had a mullet Justin LeBlanc

Mushroom cut Justin Bernard

Women’s Sexual Issues Q&A

by Melissa Fulton UNB Sexuality Centre

Q: I've heard that women should pee after sex. Why? A: Some women may develop urinary tract infections (such as infections in the bladder) after having sex. During sex, bacteria that are normally found in the vagina can be transferred into the urethra, which is the tube that connects to the bladder. Peeing a few minutes after sex can help flush out bacteria in the urethra and prevent infection.

Q: Does sex hurt the first time?

A: How each woman feels the first time she has sex is variable. Sex is rarely ever painful for a woman, even the first time. Some women say that their first time having sex was a little “tight” or uncomfortable. If you are feeling a little nervous (which can be normal the first time), then you might not be fully aroused, and therefore might not be producing enough of your own natural lubricant. One way to prevent discomfort is to use some water-based

lube the first time; the more lubricant is present in the vagina, the easier and more comfortable sex can be. It's also important to communicate with your partner. Don't be afraid to tell your partner to be gentle, to slow down, to stop, or to add more lube. Feelings of nervousness can keep the vagina closed or “tight”, making sex more uncomfortable. Trying to stay relaxed, and taking your time with foreplay to become more aroused will make the experience much more pleasurable. Using a condom is important every time, but can be even more important the first time, because it may ease some of the nervousness you could be feeling about pregnancy and STIs. If you are feeling very nervous, uncomfortable, or scared, you may want to tell your partner that it's not the right time, and that you can try again a different time. No one should feel

pressured into sex. Sex is supposed to be enjoyable, so if you are feeling really uncomfortable, share your feelings with your partner.

Q: What's a female condom?

A: The female condom acts as a physical barrier between the vagina and the penis and semen, just like a male condom. And, also like a male condom, it can only be used once. Female condoms are made of polyurethane, with two flexible rings are each end of a sheath.

One ring is inserted in the vagina and anchors the condom at the top, just like a diaphragm. The other ring sits on the outside of the vagina and is the entry point for the penis. Because female condoms are made of polyurethane, some people with latex allergies use them instead of the usually-latex male condoms.

Have a question about sex, sexuality, or relationships? Visit us, call us at 452-6272, or e-mail us at sexuality@unb.ca! The Sexuality Centre is located at the SUB room 203, on the third floor by the elevator.

Comments & Letters

6 • November 21, 2007 • Issue 12

The Dangers of the Proposed Elected Senate Rousing the Rabbles by Nick Ouellette

It’s about time that Senate reform got back on the agenda. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s latest tweaks to the stuffy red chamber hit the presses last week. Not only has the government come up with a new plan for effecting these changes to the Senate, it has also come up with more changes than the last time.

Right now, Senators hold office until the age of 75, but eight-year term limits languished in the current Senate and died when Parliament prorogued its last session earlier this year. This time around, it’s in the House of Commons first, apparently in an effort to lend the plan more credibility if it passes the elected chamber.

Now, in addition to limiting Senate terms, the government plans for the

Prime Minister to “consult with electors” – essentially, to hold an election.

These consultations would happen at the same time as federal elections and would produce Senators-in-waiting whom the Prime Minster would appoint when a vacancy occurs in the upper house. It’s kind of like what Alberta has been doing on its own for some time now, even though the federal government ignored those elections until Harper came to office. Even though Senators would be indirectly elected through voter consultations, as long as the Prime Minister follows the “advice” of the electorate, we’ll have an elected Senate.

Great. I’m all for an elected Senate. I know there are many arguments against it. Some people see no problem with our current system, which sees the Prime Minister essentially make patronage appointments to the Senate. After all, the British House of Lords is full of appointees from the upper classes, so why shouldn’t our Senate be?

To me, an appointed Senate strikes the core of our notion of democracy.

The Senate isn’t meant to be a place where political appointees come to toe their respective parties’ lines. The reason Parliament has two houses is to offset disparities between the population bases in each province. Although the number of people living in each province dictates

how many Members of Parliament it elects, each region of the country has a set number of Senate seats. This is supposed to provide a more equitable representation for the provinces.

Appointed Senators ultimately hold allegiances to the political masters who appointed them, and more than once, this has created problems in passing important legislation when government changes hands between the major parties. This can happen even when those votes are not in a particular region’s interests. Electing Senators can remove this political disposition and more effectively represent the will of Canadians.

However, as much as I am in favour of electing Senators, I think we should pause to consider the implications of Harper’s chosen method for Senate reform. In theory, this should require a constitutional amendment to which all the provinces agree, but that kind of consensus is not likely. Instead of attempting such a process, Harper has chosen not to change the process surrounding the actual appointment of a Senator – it will still happen at the hands of the Governor General on the advice of the government. The legislation introduced last week simply sets out a process that the Prime Minister will use in determining whom to appoint. This creative solution does not need a constitutional amendment, so

the provinces do not need to agree.

Suddenly, we can have an elected Senate, albeit indirectly, without the hassle of having to enter into a new round of constitutional negotiations.

Here’s the problem. The federal government, through a number of mechanisms, appoints people in many different positions, including judges.

This doesn’t include only judges on the different federal courts and the Supreme Court. The federal government also chooses the judges for a number of provincial courts.

If Parliament passes legislation that allows the Prime Minister to hold consultations with voters to see whom to appoint to the Senate, what is stopping a bill that sets out a similar process for consulting with voters to see whom to appoint as judges?

Not a whole lot. It’s true that there are conventions surrounding the appointment of judges that the government currently follows, but Harper’s voter consultation bill sets a precedent for allowing the government to ask voters who it appoints to any of the many offices it fills by appointment. It remains to be seen whether the existing conventions surrounding judicial appointments can successfully prevent an argument that voters should elect judges just as they elect Senators. In fact, Harper has already modified the

process slightly by creating a committee to review the most recent appointee to the Supreme Court. The committee did not have the authority to reject the nominee, but without legislation, let alone a constitutional amendment, the government changed one aspect of the appointment process notwithstanding the established practice.

The conventions might not stand, and in theory no constitutional amendment would be needed for an elected judiciary. No consensus would be needed amongst the provinces, any of which might reasonably oppose such a move. With the current party line system in Parliament, such a bill could easily pass during a majority government intent on reforming the process. This is a problem.

I might support an elected Senate, but there is no way I can support an elected judiciary. Judges are meant to be impartial, but can we say that a system where judges campaign for election is truly impartial? It at least opens the door to a situation in which the appointment process for courts inherently impedes upon impartiality.

I, for one, do not want even the risk of such a politicized judiciary. The impartiality of our courts is essential to a free and democratic society. It instills confidence in our system, and we must protect that confidence in order to

ensure that the authority of the courts is well respected. Judgeships are not based on popularity contests. Even though they may be fully capable and qualified jurists, candidates for the judiciary might take positions on a number of matters during the course of their campaigns that call into question that impartiality.

So even though Harper’s legislation achieves the good of an elected Senate, we should at least consider whether or not it is the best way of going about this.

A process that makes such changes while avoiding an amendment to the constitution sets a precedent that calls into question the safety of the process itself.

I’m not saying that electing the Senate the way Harper has proposed will open a floodgate of elected judges that destroy the respect for our courts, but the implication should at least make us pause and think about whether avoiding a new round of constitutional debates is worth risking the chance that we might politicize our courts. I’m not convinced that it is.

Nick Ouellette, a UNB law student, has served on the UNB Student Union Council and the UNB Board of Governors, and now serves on the UNB Fredericton Senate and as an Assistant Don in UNB’s Residence Community.

Arts & Entertainment

bruns.arts@gmail.com • November 21, 2007

Hold on to your Stetsons: it’s Corb Lund, y’all have to do it.

by Jennifer McKenzie

B: The bio in your press release talks about being in a ‘perpetual state of war’.

Can you explain that?

CL: I didn’t write that bio. I don’t know what he means by that...

We’ve been in the Middle East for the last six years. There wasn’t really an intention when I wrote the record. It’s not a deliberate reaction to current events.

It’s not supposed to be a statement on Iraq or anything like that.

It’s more of an exploration of conflict from different points of view. Some of the songs are from a heroic, gung-ho point of view and then others that are more critical and down and dirty about how shitty wars are.

It’s really confusing to me because I don’t know- I consider myself to be fairly well read and well informed and I still don’t know what to believe sometimes about what’s going on. I don’t know what’s behind it and I don’t know what news sources to believe. I’m quite confused by all of it. I mean, I don’t think they should’ve been in Iraq. I think that was bullshit from the start.

A couple days ago, I gave country star Corb Lund a call to chat about his new record, his current ‘Rattling Sabres’ tour and if he really tried to run over a moose with his motorcycle. He and his band, The Hurtin’ Albertans are hitting up The Playhouse on Friday night.

Brunswickan: What’s the best city you’ve played so far on this tour?

Corb Lund: The most fun was two nights ago in Wakefield, a little town just outside Ottawa, at a place called ‘Mutton Noir’. We released our album a week ago, so we’ve played some smaller shows. I like that.

B: Are you playing any of the stuff from the new album on this tour?

CL: Oh yah, a lot of them. I like to play the new songs before I record them, usually. Playing them live is the best way to get them in shape.

B: What’s your favorite thing to play?

CL: It changes all the time because we have five albums now. I don’t know.

Currently some of the new ones are fun, just cause they’re new. The title track from the new album is fun: ‘Horse Soldier’. I like ‘Student Visa’ [too], it’s fun to play.

B: I was listening to ‘I Wanna Be in the Cavalry’ today. What’s the story behind that song?

CL: Its’ my unintentional co-write with Stan Rogers. I realized after the fact that I kinda ripped off the melody from one of his old songs. Sometimes when you’re a songwriter that happens, and you change it a little bit. I thought it sounded familiar, [the melody from ‘I Wanna be in the Cavalry’], and I dug around for it. I thought for some reason it was a Steve Earl song, but I couldn’t find it, so I was like ‘Okay, it’s mine’.

And then as soon as the record came out, someone said ‘that sounds a lot like ‘The Idiot’ by Stan Rogers’. And then I felt like an idiot.

So we called up his estate, and we

Internet

Corb Lund will get his truck stuck in Fredericton on Nov 23 at the Playhouse. made it legally correct and gave him songwriting credit on the music. It happens - it’s kind of a drag. I’d like to apologize to all the Maritimers for accidentally ripping off Stan Rogers, who I’m actually a big fan of. We’ve made it right - we talked to his widow, and she’s okay with it. I guess it’s kind of ironic that we’re heading out to the East Coast…

B: Where do you do most of your writing?

CL: The family ranch is good; a cabin in the woods. We tour so much that I’ve had to write a lot of the stuff on the road this year.

B: I heard a rumour that you chased down a moose on your motorcycle. Is there any truth to the story?

CL: (laughs) Kinda dumb… I’ve got a place in the woods up north of Ed-

monton, 70 acres or so. There’s moose all over the place, and I just wanted to have a look at [one], so I went over a little closer. And he jogged away so I followed him. Pretty soon it was a full-on car chase. It was a bull too. Maybe not the best idea.

B: What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done while drunk?

CL: I think I poured whiskey on my head one time at a show. On stage, in front of a crowd.

B: Best thing about being on tour?

CL: The hour that you get to play.

I get an hour and a half of playing, a night, it’s the best part.

B: The talk is that you’re going mainstream. How do you feel about that label?

CL: The only way that I’ve gone

mainstream is that people outside of the independent underground scene have been exposed to my music. I think it’s great that a lot of the people who are starting to get us are the people who listen to country music, are the people who live in rural agricultural settings.

It’s cool that I’ve been able to live in the underground world for a while, and then get to come full circle and get my tunes back to people who are actually agriculturally based.

B: Best part of being Canadian?

CL: Universal health care…. I like the lack of population density as well.

B: You’ve been on tour for the last two years. Do you miss home?

CL: Definitely, all the time. That’s the great irony of what I do. I sing about all this Western rural cowboy stuff and the more popular I become the less time I

B: You’ve spoken your mind about political situations and current events.

Do you feel as though it’s influenced your music?

CL: I don’t feel like I’ve been outspoken about it, but I do try and keep it out of my music. I respect people who have political viewpoints in their songs, and who write with an agenda. I think there’s a place for music that goes beyond current events that reaches the human soul on a deeper level. I’ve never really tried to be a political songwriter.

I’ve always tried to reach people on a more mystical level.

B: What can students look forward to at your show?

CL: (laughs) A lot of Corb Lund songs. It’s good drinking music. It’s pretty rowdy usually. Beer drinking usually ensues.

B: How does someone get invited onto your tour bus after a show?

CL: Have a case of beer under your arm.

To the beat of his own drum Doctor, doctor, give

by Bruns Arts Department

For Pat Pelletier, it’s going back to basics.

Pelletier, who has played drums in local acts like Age of Daze and Scarecrow, will be part of the Groundbeat performance series on Friday, Nov 23, with his show, ‘Primal Instinct’, a percussion-slash-theatrical presentation that’s a whole lot of drumming and a little bit of improv.

“It’s very three-dimensional. I’m

not just playing behind a drum kit,” he says. “I’ll be incorporating a physical, performance-art concept, combined with playing. I’m there to play the drums, I’m not there to act out a play, but I’d certainly like to incorporate some of that into the performance in a physical sense…

“I don’t want to go up dry, but I want it to be a lot of improvisation, where you have ideas, but what occurs between those points isn’t concrete. It’s a primitive concept: [only] a person and their drums, and whatever music they create at that point in time is up to them. I’m not mic-ing anything, and that’s why it’s scary as heck, because whatever sound is coming off that stage, I’m going to have to create. I wanted it to have that

primitive vibe.”

As his ‘day job’, Pelletier teaches drumming and plays a number of other gigs on the side. He says organizer Marie Maltais, from the Art Centre, heard him drumming and asked him to join the Groundbeat series. “[She] had seen me play with one of the bands I’m in and I was doing a drum solo, and it was kind of tribal, for lack of a better term,” he says. “Not African per se, but influenced by that vibe. She liked it, and approached me…they put on different shows for different artists, music generally, or poets. They basically put on shows to promote artists.”

Pelletier will be performing at Memorial Hall on Nov 23 with ‘Primal Instinct’. Tickets are $5 at the door.

me the news from Doc page 1 vibrant and realistic as the play continued. Oscar and Ev’s ‘getting dressed’ scene was a great way to transition between ‘old Ev’ and ‘young Ev’ as the two best friends chatted enthusiastically and slipped on different clothes – and different personas (costume note: Ev’s brown pinstriped suit with matching tie was fantastic.)

And the rest of the characters, including a particularly memorable Robyn Williams as Katie, played well with each other. Their constant presence on the stage created layers of emotional subtext during scenes in which they weren’t directly involved, and gave an eerie

‘Ghost of Christmas Past’ atmosphere to the entire piece. Williams’ constant interjections as Katie were childlike without being cliché or petulant, and her rash mood changes, realistic instead of melodramatic, were indicative of her troubled home life and deteriorating family.

The piece was well acted and directed, with a poignant finish (and a great lighting tech, if the ‘burning embers’ of Ev’s old life going up in smoke in the waste basket were any indication). But snappier delivery of the lines, an all-around shorter piece, and the presence of more well-developed, three-dimensional characters could have brought this play to a whole new level.

A cyber moment with Wintersleep Sheet Music interview by Alison Clack

Bruns writer Alison Clack had a quick email chat with East Coast phenom, Wintersleep

Alison: Your recent album ‘Welcome to the Night Sky’ was recorded in Halifax, and you recently filmed a video in Nova Scotia as well. How important is it for you to keep close ties with the East Coast and Nova Scotia?

Paul Murphy: We live there so it’s easier to do these things on the east coast since we get to go home and sleep in our own beds! The resources are just as great in Nova Scotia than in other places.

A: Some people complain that the music scene in the East Coast is a little lacking. When you started up, what local bands were inspirational to you? Which bands on a well-known scale were?

P: Eric’s Trip. Yeah! Burnt Black.

Yeah! The Motes. Yeah!

A: You guys do a lot of touring for a band. How has touring changed from when the band first started? Has anything changed since signing with Labwork?

P: It’s great now because we have a good team working with us so we can concentrate on playing music and not worry too much about the rest.

A: You've been on tour with many amazing artists, but did you have any favourites? Who are some artists you would love to go on tour with in the future?

P: This tour has been really great. It’s with the Wooden Stars and we’ve been big fans of theirs for a long time. It’s fun to tour with friends, so we hope to continue doing that in the future.

A: You've been touring long enough that you've gotten to see some amazing places and different things. What has been one of the most interesting places you've seen while on tour? Any places you'd like to visit in the future?

P: We would love to visit Japan and other majestic lands. We had a nice time touring Europe; a lot of great places and good coffee.

A: The latest album was put together over two years, translating into a lot of time spent in the studio. Do any of you have any quirky habits that you’ve developed when in the studio?

P: We spent three weeks in the studio.

Tim acts like a monkey, now. Something happened in there, but we’re not sure exactly what it was.

A: Do you have any funny rituals or habits you do before shows and while on tour?

P: Tim acts like a monkey five minutes before hitting the stage. He always eats one banana. If he doesn’t, he can’t play the show.

A: I guess finally I just wanted to ask more questions about your musical taste. What are some bands that you guys have been listening to lately?

P: Radiohead, Smog, and Wooden Stars.

A: What are your top five picks for bands/albums you think everyone should listen to?

P: Dog Day, Peter Parkers, Eric’s Trip, Elevator, and Wooden Stars.

Arts & Entertainment

8 • November 21, 2007 • Issue 12

From Ledden Street to the Green Room

by Sean Horsley and Dave Briggs

by Mitchell Bernard

Making it in the music industry is difficult, but it gets even tougher when you have a debilitating disease.

But for Robbie Tucker, a singer and songwriter from the Miramichi, that’s just a side note. “My name is Robbie Tucker,” he says. “I am a musician and I am about to change everything. If you don’t believe me, watch.”

A few years ago, Tucker found out he had Parkinson’s disease. But instead of letting it control his life, he has begun to use his condition to take his tunes to the top and show others just how much he can still do.

His latest album, ‘Green Room’, has a folk-ish, Roy Orbison type of sound.

The album was recorded in Montreal and took about a month and a half to complete. Tucker said there was more fine-tuning in his latest album than those of his past, and he is quite pleased with the way it turned out.

But the journey hasn’t been a smooth one. Tucker left Miramichi after recording his first album, ‘The Ledden Street Sessions’, an album partly financed by his father.

After performing in theatres in Charlottetown and a brief stint in Toronto, Tucker moved to Halifax with a friend to start a band.

But things began to get strange for Tucker. Simple tasks like grabbing a wallet out of his back pocket became increasingly difficult.

“Since the summer of 2004, I began to notice a decline in my health, my walking, my talking, and performance abilities,” he said. “The problems were kind of bizarre and hard to explain to doctors, and myself. During this period, I decided I shouldn't be on stage, as I couldn't live up to my songs. My performance abilities were deteriorating quickly.”

Tucker endured numerous tests, but no one could pinpoint the proper diagnosis. “I just thought that maybe I was going crazy,” he said.

“I remember one rainy day, I finally broke down. I quit my job, went home, and sat with my head in my hands and cried. I went back to the doctor’s office one last time and cried the whole time

Sean and Dave talk about #!@$

Submitted

Robbie Tucker, a New Brunswick musician, is trying to raise a million dollars for Parkinson’s disease in the waiting room.”

After pleading with the doctors for help, one doctor finally concluded that Tucker had Parkinson’s.

“Whenever it was brought up before, the doctors just said I was too young to have the disease,” he said, admitting it was almost a relief to finally have a diagnosis.

Tucker felt a revival after the diagnosis. Medication allowed him to perform again and to return to the part of life he enjoys most.

“My voice surprisingly improved since [Parkinson’s],” said Tucker, who is currently working with the band again in hopes of performing live more often.

Robbie, who says he regrets nothing in his past, enjoys working on his music.

“I wake up, answer e-mails, and make contacts. I’ll record for a bit, work on my website; stuff like that.”

Although Tucker loves music, he doesn’t do it for the money. His outlook is more positive: he thinks musicians should do what they do out of love for the craft.

“I was in Toronto recently and needed to make a phone call. I saw this homeless guy, his name was John,” said Tucker. “He was standing beside a sign that read ‘this week’s jackpot is $37M!’ I asked John for a quarter to make a phone call and in exchange, I took him out for dinner. I hugged him and

thanked him before I left.

“The next day, I walked by John again, and this time he was standing beside a sign that said ‘this week’s jackpot is $7M!’ That means that someone out there is $37M richer. Who the fuck needs $37M, anyways? I’m happy if I have enough money for the odd hotdog and Pepsi.”

Tucker plans to tour across Canada in 2008. “I’m hoping to play a show in each of the provinces and raise awareness for Parkinson’s. I’m actually trying to raise a million dollars for Parkinson’s, and I believe it is achievable.”

He hopes to be in Fredericton for his tour, and that people will come out to his performance and support a great cause.

As for his current situation, Tucker is still as lively as ever and rarely in a negative mood.

“Life is great! The only difference that I see now is when I wake up I need to take some medication to help me function through the day,” he said. “But isn't that how we live anyway? Food, water, little blue and gray pills?”

Robbie is truly a remarkable musician who has not let a disease get in the way of his dreams. In turn, he has been an inspiration to many, and has received great support throughout his journey.

You can check out Robbie Tucker online and help in his quest to raise a million dollars for Parkinson’s disease at www.robbietucker.com.

Larry David once said that “by saying fuck, you double your laughs,” and you know something? He's right.

Very rarely is there a comedy that is sincerely funny without being littered with swearing or some sort of content that pushes it to that sweet, sweet ‘R’ rating.

Recently, Jud Apatow has been bringing back the crude, off-colored comedies that Mel Brooks and Kevin Smith have taught us to love.

He's recently produced ‘Superbad’, a movie where there’s probably less than 30 seconds between each curse word.

We welcome this return to crudeness with open arms.

We're not saying you have to swear to be funny, but it certainly helps. Superbad is peppered with sincere swearing, much like ‘Clerks’ was, and it just makes each joke better.

It's not rocket science, fucker.

There’s a reason TV shows like ‘South Park’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ are so consistently funny. It's because of the content.

There are no limitations.

An R rating is a hard thing to sell; with it you lose your teenage audience, but what do we say to that? Fuck ‘em.

They can wait for the fucking video.

Comedies are supposed to be funny.

You know what's funny about PG rated movies like ‘Dodgeball’ or ‘Starsky and Hutch’? Nothing. Both totally weak.

You know what's funny about ‘Super Troopers’ or ‘Swingers’? Everything.

Now that South Park has been airing uncensored episodes, brilliant ideas like Cartman faking Tourrette’s Syndrome have been fully realized in a hilarious episode of non-stop swearing.

A show like that could not have even been considered if they weren’t allowed to use foul language, but since they were, they made a cheery episode that was funnier than any episode of ‘The Office’ or ‘The Simpsons’ we’ve ever seen. (A quick note – The Simpsons used to be funny, but not anymore.)

Even shows like ‘American Dad’ or ‘Family Guy’, which are the same exact show, have funny moments when they’re being lewd.

Take ‘The Break Up’. What a load of crap. The only funny parts are when Jon Favro is swearing and talking about fighting people. If it weren’t for those parts and maybe that scene with Vince Vaughn playing PlayStation, that movie was just another ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ with an opposite ending.

And this bullshit is billed as big hit comedy. Lord have mercy.

Movies like ‘Scary Movie 4’ and ‘Employee of the Month’ don’t produce gut-busting laughs the way ‘The Big Lebowski’ or ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters’ (yes, that’s the real name) do.

It’s not so much that they lack content, but the delivery is too bland, and the jokes are trying to appeal to too wide an audience.

There’s a reason why Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, and Richard Pryor are so funny and Sarah Silverman, Brent Butt, and Dane Cook aren’t, and it has nothing to do with them being black.

Baile Beag in the Black Box Theatre St. Thomas’ latest play explores language barriers between Irish and English culture

by Bruns Arts Department It’s “nothing short of glorious,” according to the New York Times, and on November 21, Brian Friel’s play, ‘Translations’, will be hitting the Black Box Theatre at St. Thomas.

Set in 1833, the piece takes place in Baile Beag, Ireland where a small community is fighting to save their language and their lifestyle from British colonists who aim to anglicize the entire area, including changing the names of various other communities and forcing the language onto the town’s inhabitants.

But, despite its deceptively simple theme, the play offers profound insight on the idea of colonization and the importance of language; although the

British officers speak English, very few of the people of Baile Beag can understand it, causing a further rift between the two cultures.

The play, a Theatre St. Thomas production directed by Ilkay Silk, has had about seven weeks of preparation time, but despite the short rehearsal period, the piece already looks flawless, a week before it’s set to take the stage.

The set – a stone floor, farming equipment, and wooden beams make up the ‘hedge school’ of the play – is rustic and fitting, without being too elaborate.

Period costumes from King’s Landing and an original soundtrack by Michael Doherty further add to the ambience of the piece.

But it’s the cast that really makes Translations work. During the play, several of the cast act as translators for the British officers. Many of the town’s inhabitants can’t understand more than a few words of English. At first, this is a difficult concept to grasp: every single character in the play speaks English, although the audience is led to believe it’s really Irish that many of them are

speaking.

For an amateur cast, portraying this language barrier would be a tough task; the performance could come off as stilted, mediocre, and raw. Instead, the cast does a beautiful job of revealing the difficulties of being forced into a new language, with realistic and poignant renditions by every character. The dialogue alone is enough to advise checking out the play, but the verisimilitude of this particular performance makes a great script even better.

Translations is the first of two Irish plays TST will be doing this year. In February, the troupe will perform ‘The Hostage’, by Irish playwright Brendan Behan.

Theatre St. Thomas' production of Translations runs from Wednesday, November 21 to Saturday, November 24. Curtain is at 8pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased at the door of the Black Box Theatre, Sir James Dunn Hall on the St. Thomas University campus.

Monday Night Movie Series God Grew Tired of Us ‘God Grew Tired of Us’, winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, plays at Tilley 102 this Monday, November 26. God Grew Tired of Us explores the indomitable spirit of three ‘Lost Boys’ from Sudan who leave their homeland, triumph over seemingly insurmountable adversities, and move to America, where they build active and

fulfilling new lives but remain deeply committed to helping the friends and family they have left behind. Orphaned by a tumultuous civil war and traveling barefoot across the sub-Saharan desert, John Bul Dau, Daniel Abol Pach, and Panther Blor were among the 25,000 Lost Boys (ages 3 to 13) who fled villages, formed surrogate families and sought refuge from famine, disease, wild

animals, and attacks from rebel soldiers.

Named by a journalist after Peter Pan's posse of orphans who protected and provided for each other, the Lost Boys traveled together for five years and against all odds crossed into the UN's refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. A journey's end for some, it was only the beginning for John, Daniel, and Panther, who along with 3,800 other young survivors, were selected to re-settle in the United States.

89 minutes, USA, 2006, English.

Send us your Stories Opinions Letters Comics eic@unb.ca

Arts & Entertainment

Issue 12 • November 21, 2007 • 9

Rock your world From Fabio to Reach for the stars

Fredericton

by Ashley Bursey

by Naomi Osborne

Inspired by a legendary juggler and a whole grocery list of legendry talent, the Brian Koval Experience will be a unicycling spectacle not to be missed at the upcoming Rock for Life charity concert on November 23.

The Brian Koval Experience, along with some of Fredericton’s up-andcoming acts and headliners Weak Size Fish and Jason Henry, will be taking the stage at the concert, to be held in the SUB. The concert will also feature Eternal Pirate Radio, Darwin, David Woodside, and Billy Fong.

The Brian Koval Experience formed this year, and is inspired by Queen, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, and Tyler Munford, a legendary juggler.

There are a variety of musicians and artists ranging all the way from jugglers to unicyclers, along with rock and folk acts. Founder Brian Koval, local legend Mike Cormier, punk icon Brian Carr, Fireball’s Louis Debly, and Rob Gray of Albert Street Heat will all take the stage for a mishmash of music.

Koval best describes himself as “a ball jugglin’, unicycle ridin’, rock n’ rollin’, nature lovin’, Johnny Cashin’, freedom fightin’, guitar smashin’ rebel with a cause, and that is to rock for life!”

He, along with all of the other acts, hopes to make this charity event an exciting and memorable evening.

“I hope to make any contribution towards this worthy cause that I possibly can,” said Koval. “So if I can help make contributors happy for even a second for donating to the cause, it’ll all be worth it.”

Billy Fong will also be performing at the event. He began his musical career in North Korea and now plays solo, while sometimes collaborating with other artists around the city. His most recent acoustic duo is played with Colin Davis on the mandolin.

His musical influences include U2, Arcade Fire, and Liza Minnelli. Fong released his first album in 2005, called ‘Coffee and Lost Hearts’, and is currently working on an album for 2008.

Fong will be collaborating with a new lineup, including Colin Davis on the mandolin, Susan Ehrhardt on bass, and Jeremy Freeze on drums.

When asked about his favorite song lyrics, Fong replied, “the lyrics to any Spice Girls song blows my mind,” adding, “‘Cause tonight is the night, when two become one’” – timely, since the spicy quintet has recently reunited.

Jason Henry is a fourth-year UNB student who plays acoustic tunes in-

spired by some major influences like John Mayer, Tyler Hilton, Third Eye Blind, and superstar Kanye West.

When asked to describe himself, Jason was more than obliging. “Jason is a translucently opaque contradiction of stunning pellucidity, who in his spare time, enjoys playing the occasional tune on his guitar… you know, when he gets bored of playing with his thesaurus.”

He tosses away the dictionary, too, and has picked up a few local gigs in the city. To Henry, the Springsteen track ‘Thunder Road’ is an amazing song, and if he had to pick his favourite lyrics out of it, they would be: “... Don't you run back inside darlin', you know just what I'm here for.

So you’re scared and you're thinking that maybe we ain't that young anymore Well, show a little faith, there's magic in the night You ain't a beauty, but hey, you're alright, Oh yeah, and that's alright with me...”

Every artist has to get their inspiration from somewhere; Henry gets his from a variety of famous singers. Most of all, he loves playing his music for people, and even better if he’s able to do it for a great cause.

The night will showcase several amazing talents. Eternal Pirate Radio is a band of pals, who began by playing cover tunes by bands that were inspirational to them, together in their drummer’s room in Rigby Hall. They have played at some key benefit shows at St. Thomas and are now working on a debut album.

Among the other performers are David Woodside, a nineteen-year-old singer/songwriter from Kensington, Prince Edward Island. He plays his own version of acoustic rock and has released a CD titled ‘Amber City’. He also has plans to begin a second in the near future.

Headliners Weak Size Fish, who have a massive following with the university crowd, blend many musical styles, leaving it difficult to categorize them into one specific genre. They do everything from acoustic to reggae to jazz and funk.

The rock trio known as Darwin was born during a Tragically Hip concert in 2007. Cory Vatcher and Brian Beaudette joined together to create their own sound and will be performing some of their new songs at the event.

Rock for Life is an event students won’t want to miss. It encourages students to get out and hear and see some amazing talent while supporting a worthwhile cause.

The concert kicks off on November 23 at 7pm and all proceeds will be going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation for AIDS in Africa. Tickets are being sold at the SUB Paper Trail for $5, or tickets can be picked up at the door.

A quick peek at guitar virtuoso Jesse Cook’s past YouTube videos elicits only one response from the guitarists in the room: “Wow. He can really shred. He should play metal.”

A week later, I’m chatting with Cook during his cross-Canada tour and introduce him to the idea. Cook, who’s garnered a global following with his rumba flamenco tunes and quick fingers, laughs out loud.

“The roots of what I do is flamenco, and for speed, there’s nobody like a flamenco artist; those guys are nuts at what they do,” he tells me. “It’s unbelievable shredding. There are many different ways of playing a guitar…

“When I was a jazz student in Boston, they wouldn’t let me study on a classical guitar. They wanted us all to have electric guitars, because it was a jazz school, right. So I had this electric guitar, and honestly, as soon as I left that school, I put it away and haven’t really played it since…it wasn’t me. I couldn’t express myself as well as I’d like on that instrument…it’s a very different beast.”

But flamenco – that’s the thing for Cook. After seven albums, a Juno award in 2000, and meeting the gal of his dreams – not surprisingly, a flamenco dancer – he’s right where he needs to be.

“This is what I do for a living. It is a very nice way to go through life because there’s constant change, you’re meeting new people every day, doing what you love to do,” he says. “Over the last summer, I took some time off from touring to be a dad.” Cook just had his second child, a girl. “I actually went through tour withdrawal. When you’re used to getting up and performing and people cheering…to have that sort of adrenaline rush every day, you get used to it.

And when you get home, you have to settle into the normal adrenaline rush of everyday life.”

This was, of course, after releasing his latest album, ‘Frontiers’, after spending four months in flamenco central: Seville, Spain.

The lead track off the album, ‘Matisse the Cat’, is an instant attention-getter.

“It’s actually named after Matisse, an ex-girlfriend’s cat…You know how

sometimes [cats will] climb into the engine of a car to stay warm? If a cat’s freezing outside, they’ll climb in, and maybe even fall asleep….well, his leg got caught in the fan belt. It was pretty mangled and it was like that for half a year.”

Ultimately, the three-legged cat began to rule the neighbourhood, “the alpha male cat,” Cook says.

“The song is kinda fun and crazy, and I thought the cat named Matisse was kind of fun and crazy.”

I ask him about that older YouTube video – the Fabio hair, the mid-’90s outfit. He laughs, embarrassed.

“I wish that thing didn’t exist... It was our most embarrassing video. I had just started my career and we had no budget… [The director] really went to [a] sleazy place. There are other videos that I’m much more proud of, and that one isn’t it. It’s kind of cheesy and trampy.”

The video was from the 1995 independent album, Tempest. Since those early, long-haired days, Cook has sold more than a million albums.

I ask him about the hair.

“It was just very long. It’s hard to keep that style going, because the longer I did it, the more I felt completely weird and out-of-date and bizarre,” he says. “Gradually, it’s gotten shorter and shorter. Someday it’ll be like a buzz cut.”

He pauses for a second while he talks to his crew. They’re heading to tonight’s venue to begin setting up, but he isn’t quick to cut the conversation short.

“I don’t really do much of anything except play the guitar. None of us do.

That’s the thing about being a musician,” he says. “Once you hit the road, you become a child; ‘hold the rope, children, get in the car’.”

I ask him about Fredericton. He’s mostly played the bigger venues in Saint John and Moncton, he tells me.

“But I like it. We’ve only played there one time, maybe two times…it seems really beautiful, nice big old Victorian houses. We never stay in a city long enough to really get a feel for it, but a lot of the guys in the band are from out East. We have a very sort of high eastern component to the culture of the band.

And people from out there take over pretty quickly, and pretty soon we’re all talking about ‘going down to the barrr’” – he puts on his version of an East Coast accent – “and getting some cod, and that sort of thing.”

Finishing the conversation, he adds: “I hope people, if they do decide to come [to the show], come and dance. People come thinking it’s going to be serious, but we want people to have a good time and dance and go crazy.”

Submitted

Jesse Cook will bring his rumba flamenco to the Playhouse on Nov 21

The Final Score by Dan Hagerman

Super Mario RPG (SNES) I can’t think of a single person I’ve ever met who hasn’t played the original Super Mario Brothers, or at least one or two of its sequels. But, for many people, the fascination may have ended there.

Not for me, though. I’ve kept tabs on the Italian plumber for years, and so in 1996, when ‘Super Mario RPG: Legend

of the Seven Stars’ came out, I knew I had to play it. When most people see the letters ‘RPG’, they typically think of long, drawn out, Dungeons and Dragons-style hack’n’slash games. Clearly, this is not the case. This game was actually a collaboration between Nintendo and Square (now Square Enix), the makers of the Final Fantasy series. And, not unlike that series, the production value on this game is incredible. Does that mean it’s only for the elite gamer, a mystical being who can sink 100 hours into a game without breaking a sweat?

My answer is a simple “Heck no!” This is a game that anybody can enjoy, which is true for all Mario games.

Graphics: Upon first turning on this game in 1996, I was dazzled by its graphical horsepower. The characters also all have a pretty decent array of animations associated with them. Mario, like many RPG protagonists, lacks the ability to speak, so when a character in the game needs him to explain the goings-on, he has to pantomime what he wants to say. The resulting situations are absolutely hilarious, even more than 10 years later for me. Mario definitely follows the Roger Rabbit gimmick of special abilities, being able to do whatever he wants, “only as long as it’s funny.”

The special effects of the game are also pretty nifty. All of the magic attacks look pretty awesome, and the special mine-cart sequence in the Mole Mountain level is something you’ll be playing through several times. Also, Mario’s special fireball moves get progressively bigger as you level him up, taking up more and more space on the screen and increasing the general awesomeness level. The new character Geno’s special moves with a ray gun are also quite spectacular.

Gameplay: First off, you’ll be introduced to the story, which involves (surprise!) the Princess being captured by Bowser and taken to his castle. Your first goal is to get her out of there, and the game does a remarkable job at getting the player

used to the controls at the very beginning. After this intro sequence, it’s onto the game proper.

First things first, this is an RPG. You will have to read through all of the dialogue, and there is that measure of ‘leveling up’ to increase your characters’ statistics to be able to do more powerful moves. Now, assuming that these things haven’t scared you away, you’ll find a disturbingly fun game in here. You’ll spend the majority of your time exploring the playfield, trying to get from point A to point B. However, you’ll usually find that there are quite a few enemies between you and your goal. If you bump into any of them, the screen will flash to the battle screen. The Battle Mode is a turn-based combat system, but it’s anything but slow or boring.

You have the option of attacking with your equipped weapon, casting a spell, using an item, defending, or running away. Attacks and special attacks can be made even more powerful by timing the button press just right for extra damage.

Depending on which character you

have, you’ll have different abilities and attacks available to you, be it Mario, the marshmallow-that-thinks-it’s-a-tadpole Mallow, the possessed doll Geno, Mario’s nemesis Bowser, or even Mario’s recurring prize, Princess Peach. Mario is your all-around hitter, with a variety of hammers and shells to choose from as weapons, and jumping and firebased special moves. Mallow tends to use more special moves that attack or heal. Geno uses more powerful special moves. Bowser, as can be expected, is an outright tank, with plenty of powerful physical attacks.

Sound: I know that I usually harp on the sound (pun unintended) of most Super Nintendo games, but seeing as this one was made by Square, I can’t complain.

In fact, the sound is very well done in general. The sound effects are classic Mario, and the music contains remixes from the original Mario series as well as completely original tunes. And they’re all very, very catchy.

Also of note is the Tadpole Pond area, where you can actually make your own music into a symphony by the end of the game. If you count four measures as a symphony, that is.

The Final Score: I had a difficult time trying to find very much that was wrong with this game. For one, it’s too short for my taste, but at the same time, its length makes it so that it never grows stale; you’ll always be doing something new and exciting. I’ve barely mentioned 5% of what this game has in store for you.

If you can snag it for the original Super Nintendo, by all means do it, but if you’re one of the lucky few who has a Nintendo Wii, rumour on the street is that it will be released on the Virtual Console before the year is out.

I love this game. The graphics are sweet, the gameplay is fun and engaging while never being too difficult, and the music is worthy of multiple listens. I have no alternative but to give this game 7 out of 7 stars.

10 • The Brunswickan

November 21 • 2007

Classifieds

Classifieds are a FREE service for members of the university community. Please try to limit submissions to 35 words or less. Your name, student number, and phone number are required at submission, but will not be published. We can accept them at Room 35, SUB, 453-5073 (Fax), or e-mail: bruns-ad@unb.ca. Please do not submit by phone. We reserve the right to edit or refuse publication. All classifieds are subject to available space. For display advertising contact Bill at 447-3388. Classified deadline is Monday at noon.

PSAs

We are once again recruiting volunteers for the giftwrapping booth at the Regent Mall this holiday Season commencing December 1st through December 24th. We greatly appreciated your time you gave us to volunteer last year and we are

looking forward to working with you again this year if you are able.

Should you wish to volunteer, you can contact myself at 452-5556 or e-mail: Serena.Wallace@rvh.nb.ca.

Pat Pelletier puts the beat in groundbeat. Off the walls, across the skins, down the floor and up your spine,

this show will stay with you for all time! Pat Pelletier brings his oneman, one-night-only performance Primal Instinct to Memorial Hall, Friday November 23rd at 8:00 p.m.

Pat Pelletier is one of Fredericton’s most seasoned and well- respected drummers. He’s played the local scene for over 15 years, performing with some of the region’s top musicians in country, rock, blues, heavy metal and jazz bands. He’s recorded over 15 albums, been featured at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival and the ECMAs. opened for I Mother Earth, and just launched a CD with Age of Days. Pat Pelletier’s first solo performance will explode with the

TANNING SPECIALS

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2 FREE TANS

530 Queen St. 458-9771 1113 Regent St. 454-8267 154 Main St. 472-5048

20% OFF

Main Street Bowl-A-Drome 301 Main Street 472-2361

1 FREE GAME Student I.D. Required.

Valid Until December 15/2007

Limit 1 per person per day. During public bowling times.

Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid with group booking. No cash value

The Fredericton Shambhala Meditation Centre, 20 Serenity Lane (corner of Hanwell Rd), is offering a free public talk on Meditation & Shambhala Principles, taught by senior teacher Mary Campbell of Halifax, on Friday Nov. 30, at 8:00 p.m. This public talk will be followed by a weekend meditation workshop to which meditators new and experienced are welcome: “The Art of Being Human” on Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workshop cost is $75. For further information call Jean Ahlgren at 455-0089.

The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (www.cippic. ca) is doing research on identity theft for the Identity Trail project (www.idtrail.org). If you have been a victim of identity theft and are willing to fill out a victim impact statement, please contact us. The statement is a questionnaire and will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

Volunteers will receive $20. You can contact me at: Philippe.shink@unb. ca or phone 457-3956.

Dr. Maggie Mamen, family psychologist and author, will present an lecture entitled “Parent Power: The Quiet Revolution” on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Head Hall Auditorium (engineering building), UNB CampusFredericton. The more our children become empowered by influences outside the family, the less confident we parents feel when trying to defend our rights and uphold our responsibilities to our children. This presentation will explore peaceful ways in which we may regain our confidence and reclaim our families.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the event

11/30/07

• Shoe Rental Included • Birthday Parties a Speciality • Restaurant – Licensed Lounge • Air Conditioned • Student Rates

kinetic percussive energy that has become his signature style. Using rhythm and vocals, and an improvisational approach, he will explore the dualities of chaos and control, noise and silence, in a performance that will lay bare the primitive and the civilized. Pat will build it up and tear it down in an hour’s worth of pure power. Primal Instinct is an evening of sonic and rhythmic transcendence. Mark it down and bring all your friends to Groundbeat: Primal Instinct featuring Pat Pelletier. Memorial Hall on the UNB Campus, Friday November 23rd, 8:00 p.m. $5.00 at the door. This is a wet/dry event.

Next Wednesday Nov 28 Will be the last issue of The Brunswickan for the term.

Thank you for your support

is free and open to all. This event is co-hosted by LEAP! and the Healthy Families, Healthy Communities Association and http:// www.fredkid.com.

Would you like to support a great cause? Our mission: To stop impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime . If you would like to help the Fredericton Chapter of “MADD”, either by donations or a fund raising event, please contact MADD Fredericton board member/media rep Councillor David Kelly at 458-8518 or david.kelly@fredericton.ca or Michelle Doiron at 472-1999 or maddgf@ yahoo.ca. You can also check our website for more details at www. madd.ca.

Lintuhtine Choirs present their annual “The Christmas Story”. Special guests include, Derrick Paul Miller as vocal soloist, Katherine Moller on oboe and violin, Barbara Roberts of CBC as narrator, and John Thurber on hand bells.

The two concerts, one in Oromcot and one in Fredericton are a definite guarantee to put the Christmas spirit in your heart. while at the same time you will be supporting a worthwhile cause - the food banks of our area. A monetary donation at the door witll be collected with the proceeds going to the Oromocto and Fredericton Food Banks. Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Oromocto United Church, 144 Winnebago Street, Oromocto, N.B. Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton.

December 9 - Gagetowne Annual Wassail Concert Presented by the Bel Canto Singers, under the direction of Timothy G. Cooper, with special guests quartet Jigsaw Winds. Seasonal music, carol singing and tasty treats. Sunday December 9th.

St. John’s Anglican Church. 7:00 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors, $30 family.

WANTED Looking for a ride to Ontario after exams. (Dec 14 or later). Will contribute gas money. E-mail: v593w@ unb.ca.

FOR SALE Corner cherrywood computer desk $125. Green leather chair & ottoman $100. Small children’s dresser $80. Duncan Phyffe table $200. Two Lyre back chairs $60 each. Caned seat rocker $50. Call 454-6096.

Womens Size 7 Brown Doc Marten boots for sale. Worn one winter, great condition. Asking $50.

E-mail: L367Z@unb.ca.

French courses, indvidual, groups, tutor, in affordable prices, and learning French from France accent. Call 455-0549.

ACCOMMODATIONS Room for Rent: Graduating student leaving in December/07. Furnished room available January 1/08 in private supervised home on Kitchen St.. All utilities included. Share bath and kitchen with one other student.

Five minute walk to campus. Call 455-1979 or 451-2979.

every thursday nite

9pm - Midnite

Check us out on Facebook at “Sweetwaters Rockin Rodeo-Official”

444-0121 www.sweetsrodeo.com

Two bedroom apartment on Graham avenue. Very close to UNB/ STU. Fridge, stove included. Unheated, unlighted. $550 per month.

Parking available. Lease to April 30, 2008. No pets allowed. Call 461-8443

Sports V-Reds Results

Friday, November 16th Women’s Basketball UNB – 61 Acadia – 65

brunswickansports@gmail.com • November 21, 2007

Reds shoot out the lights in win over Tommies

by Brian Munn

Men’s Basketball UNB – 72 Acadia – 96 Men’s Hockey UNB – 3 STU – 2 Saturday, November 17th

Women’s Basketball UNB – 81 Acadia – 65 Men’s Basketball UNB – 65 Acadia – 89

Upcominig V-Reds Events Weekend Tournaments Volleyball Women @ Moncton Men @ Sherbrooke Swimming Double Dual Meet @ Mt. A Wednesday, November 21st Men’s Hockey UNB @ U de M Friday, November 23rd Men’s Hockey UPEI @ UNB 7:00pm @ AUC Saturday, November 24th Women’s Hockey UNB @ St. FX Women’s Basketball Dalhousie @ UNB 6:00pm @ LB Gym Men’s Basketball Dalhousie @ UNB 8:00pm @ LB Gym

Fredericton’s Battle of the Hill needs no introduction. It is the epitome of hockey rivalry, and promises excitement no matter how lopsided the score.

But the 151st edition of the STU/ UNB match had a new feature – a shootout – and the crowd of 2,968 nearly blew the roof off the Aitken Centre. It took the Varsity Reds three full periods, a ten-minute overtime, and three rounds of a shootout to finally silence the St. Thomas Tommies on Friday night.

The Varsity Reds got into penalty trouble early in the game, as Nathan O’Nabigon took an interference penalty just 29 seconds into the game. The league’s best penalty kill was able to withstand the Tommies’ attack, however, and kept STU off the scoreboard.

UNB forward Denny Johnston opened the scoring for the V-Reds at 11:32 of the first, burying a rebound past Tommies goalie Matt Davis. Dustin Friesen and Kevin Henderson picked up the assists.

Although the V-Reds led 1-0 after the first period, it was anything but a one-sided game. St. Thomas mustered seven shots against Mike Ouzas in the first, and had three power play opportunities.

The score remained 1-0 until nine minutes into the second period, when Justin Bowers beat Ouzas on a feed from Jeff Bateman. It was the only goal of the frame, despite UNB out-shooting STU 18-10 in the period. While the Reds tended to control much of the play, the Tommies did an excellent job of holding

Men’s Basketball Dalhousie @ UNB 3:00pm @ LB Gym Women’s Hockey UNB @ Dalhousie

V-Reds Athletes of the week Jill Blanchard Women’s Volleyball Brad Efthimiou Men’s Hockey

UNB off the score sheet.

The V-Reds controlled the play early in the third period, applying constant pressure on the STU defence. UNB broke through quickly, netting the goahead goal just three minutes into the period when Kyle Bailey tipped a shot from David Bowman past Davis in the STU goal. Rob Hennigar also picked up an assist on the play.

Despite controlling the play, UNB gave up one too many opportunities on defence, and the Tommies were able to capitalize on one of their five shots in the period. Justin Bowers scored his second of the night, finishing off a passing play with Jeff Bateman and defenceman Ryan Lehr. UNB pressed for the winner, but despite out-shooting STU 40-22 in

regulation, they could not beat Davis for the winner.

This was the first overtime game for the Varsity Reds this season, but they seemed to know how to handle themselves. UNB controlled the play for much of the ten-minute frame, firing five shots at Matt Davis, including a laser off the stick of Rob Hennigar with 45 second remaining the hit Davis square in the face mask.

Their defence was outstanding, allowing no shots on goal. That stat is deceiving, however, as Tommies forward Ryan Murphy broke past the UNB defence with less than a minute to go in overtime. Murphy couldn’t control the puck, however, and ended up firing the puck wide of the net.

As the teams waited for the shootout to start, there was a mini-controversy over the work the Zamboni driver had done cleaning the ice. STU Captain Anthony Butera complained to officials after there was a wider strip of ice cleaned in front of the STU net than in front of the UNB net, seemingly giving the Reds shooters more room. The officials then summoned the Zamboni again, having the scraped strip in the UNB end broadened.

When the shootout finally began, UNB’s Justin DaCosta, who hadn’t seen the ice in overtime, beat Davis with a beautiful move. At the other end, STU’s Justin Bowers fired a shot over the glove of Ouzas to tie the shootout at 1-1. Brad Efthimiou went next for the

Reds, and beat Davis on a near-perfect replica of DaCosta’s goal. The goalies went into lockdown after this goal, as Ouzas stopped Maxim Chamberland, and Davis stopped Rob Hennigar. The final shooter was Jeremy Turgeon of STU, but he was unable to beat Ouzas to extend the shootout as UNB took the victory.

UNB out shot STU 45-22 in the game, which speaks volumes of the effort by Matt Davis in the STU goal.

Brad Efthimiou, who scored the shootout winner, was named UNB’s Player of the Game.

UNB is in action on Wednesday, November 21 in Moncton, and is back on home ice on Friday, November 23 against the UPEI Panthers.

Maritime contingent Rockin’ Air Jordan’s since ‘85 headed to Vanier Cup Huskies headed to their first Vanier Cup since 2003.

Sunday, November 25th Women’s Basketball Dalhousie @ UNB 1:00pm @ LB Gym

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Tommies forward Justin Bowers is turned aside by V-Reds goalie Mike Ouzas. Ouzas stopped 20 of 22 shots in the game, and 2 of 3 shootout attempts.

by Bruns Sports Department

In a rematch of the 2001 Vanier Cup, the Saint Mary’s Huskies are set to square off with the Manitoba Bisons.

The fourth-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies played a near perfect game to down the previously undefeated Laval Rouge-et-or 24-2 in the Uteck Bowl at the Huskies Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A standing-room only crowd of over 6,000 was on hand to see the Huskies pound Laval, securing their place in the national championship game.

With the victory, the Atlantic champion Huskies are headed to the Vanier Cup for the first time since they registered three consecutive appearances from 2001-03, including back-to-back

wins in 2001 and 2002.

The loss ended Laval's bid to become the first team in history to capture four Vanier Cup titles in five years. The Rouge-et-or had been ranked first in the country all season, and entered the contest riding a 14-game overall winning streak dating back to a 7-2 loss to Montreal in the 2006 regular season finale.

“This is an unbelievable feeling. I'm so proud of the guys right now. They just played an incredible game against a great football team," said Saint Mary's Head Coach Steve Sumarah, whose squad lost 29-22 to Laval on October 13 in Quebec City for its lone defeat of the season, and had dropped the last five head-to-head duels since 2002.

"We're going to enjoy this tonight, and then it's right back to work. It will be a short week from now until the Vanier Cup." The Huskies’ defensive unit, which led the nation this season, allowing only 252 yards per outing, held Laval's high-powered offence to 226 total yards, tallied seven quarterback sacks and forced five turnovers, including three interceptions of starting pivot Cesar Sanchez Hernandez and backup Benoit Groulx, who came off the bench in the second half.

Saint Mary's, now 3-6 lifetime against Laval, is 3-5 at the Vanier Cup, including wins in 1973, 2002, and 2001.

Manitoba downed the Western Mustangs 52-20 in the Mitchell Bowl on Saturday in Winnipeg, extending their perfect record on the season to 11-0.

The Bisons, ranked third in the CIS, opened up with a 31-5 lead at the half with two touchdowns in just over two minutes on a 99-yard interception return from Jim Jeavons and a 41-yard touchdown catch by Simon Blaszczak.

Manitoba will face Saint Mary’s at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Game time is 7:30pm on Friday, November 23. The last time the Huskies played the Bisons was in the 2001 Vanier Cup, a 42-16 decision in favour of the Huskies.

by Ed Bowes

Believe it or not, by the early 1980s, Nike was a struggling shoe company.

The running shoe phenomenon, which had been the major cause of their success in previous years, was gradually dying out. Nike needed a way to revitalize and reinvent itself in order to attract another large segment of the athletics market.

At the same time, rookie basketball star Michael Jordan was already endorsing several products for various other companies and Nike knew they could use his appeal to generate sales; they wanted the rookie sensation on their team.

Jordan, however, had other ideas.

Since his college days in North Carolina, he had always preferred the Adidas and Converse shoes endorsed by his coach Dean Smith, and hoped to sign on with the either company.

The people at Converse were not interested in having Jordan as a spokesman. Already having two high-profile players wearing their shoes, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, Converse had no intention of offering a better deal than Nike, and Adidas simply had no interest in sponsoring Jordan.

Initially, Jordan did not recognize the magnitude of Nike’s offer, but his agent, David Falk, saw the opportunity to release a new line of Jordan shoes and urged Jordan to give Nike a chance.

At the time, there was not a tremendous impact on any company sales from an athlete’s shoe endorsement. Very few companies were willing to risk such a substantial portion of their marketing budget on a single athlete.

Nike saw something special in Michael Jordan. They saw a chance to take the concept of a celebrity endorsement into a whole new world. After much persuasion and coaxing from his manager and parents, Jordan reluctantly agreed

Internet

Nike’s Air Jordan is now one of the most popular shoes in the NBA. to fly to Portland, Oregon to view a special video presentation and proposal at Nike headquarters.

The presentation featured slow-motion clips of Jordan’s college highlights as well as many of his outstanding Olympic moves. Nike Head Designer, Peter Moore, also presented sketches of the Air Jordan 1 (AJ1) shoes and sports apparel, all of which were in black and red – the colors of Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.

It was reported that Jordan was disinterested and less than enthusiastic throughout the meeting, and exclaimed after seeing the first sketches, “I can’t wear that shoe, those are devil colors.”

But after the meeting, Jordan told his agent to “make a deal.” With those words, the Air Jordan legacy was born.

Nike signed Jordan to a five year, $2.5M contract, plus royalties and other benefits.

The introduction of the AJ1 athletic shoe caused uproar in the shoe industry.

Prior to its release, most basketball shoes were white, so the daring use of black and red by Moore completely challenged this convention.

The NBA banned the shoe from the league in response, but Jordan wore them anyway, racking up serious fines that eventually went up to $5,000 a game. Nike was more than happy to completely cover the fines in order to keep the shoes on MJ’s feet and in the public eye.

The combination of all the controversy surrounding the shoe and Jordan’s

amazing stats that season worked to make the Air Jordan line a household name.

After Jordan’s legendary win at the 1986-87 Slam Dunk Competition in the Seattle Coliseum, it was now time to discuss the Air Jordan 3, but Jordan, again, was not completely on board.

Reaction to the AJ2 hadn’t been great, partly due to its high retail price, and designer Peter Moore had left the company to start his own business. It was at this time that designer Tinker Hatfield joined the Nike team to try and save the AJ shoe line.

Hatfield immediately sat down with Jordan to discuss the new design and get his personal input on where he wanted the shoe design to go. This was completely new to Jordan, who had never played an active role in the design process. At Jordan’s request, the AJ3 was to be a three quarter cut basketball shoe made of higher quality, lighter materials. This unconventional style of shoe design caused the AJ3 to rocket off the charts in popularity, and allowed Hatfield to go on to create 12 more designs for the shoe.

With the release of the Air Jordan 15 and Jordan’s second retirement, both Hatfield and Jordan stepped back from the Jordan line, allowing other designers to grab the reigns and continue the Air Jordan legacy.

Air Jordan shoes were always an important part of the Nike family, but in late 1997, Nike unveiled a new marketing plan and Air Jordan became its own sub-brand of Nike. The Jordan brand no longer features the Nike Swoosh logo; now their only affiliation to the company is a fine print address for the Nike headquarters for insurance purposes.

Since their creation in 1985, the Air Jordan has become one of the most successful shoes in history. To date, Air Jordans have consistently been among the best selling basketball shoes in the world.

What does the future hold for the Jordan brand? Many speculate that the brand will be retired in the coming years, honoring Jordan with the release of the Air Jordan 23.

No matter what happens to this influential line, it’s a safe bet that its tradition of quality, high-fashion basketball shoes, and innovative influence will live on long after it’s retirement, following in the path of its namesake.

Sports

12 • November 21, 2007 • Issue 12

Green vs. Gold in Grey Cup The Alex Rodriguez Hospital for

by Mitchell Bernard

Most of you may be preparing to watch the New England Patriots against their next opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, in their journey for the perfect season. But before you begin to plan your Sunday football schedule, you may want to consider a football game being played north of the 49th parallel.

While the Pats are looking to go 11-0, a long-standing Canadian tradition will be taking place in Toronto.

The Grey Cup, Canada’s version of the Super Bowl, is a full week of festivities leading up to the actual game.

In this year’s match-up, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will meet the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 95th edition of the Grey Cup on Sunday.

Both teams were ranked second in their divisions, and upset their opponents to earn a birth in the championship.

The Roughriders defeated the defending Grey Cup champions, the BC Lions 26-17 in the West final. This will be their first appearance in the championship since 1997, with their last Grey Cup title coming in 1989.

The Lions posted the top record in the CFL with a 14-3-1 record in the regular season. The Roughriders were the only division opponents to defeat the Lions when they stomped the them 21-9 in August.

In the East division final, the Blue Bombers upset the Toronto Argonauts 19-9. The Blue Bombers will see action in the championship for the first time in six years. Their last title came in 1990.

The defeat comes as a serious blow to the Argos, as the 11-7 team was a favorite in the East final. The loss may mark the end of the careers of a few Argos, such as Coach Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons and quarterback Damon Allen, who have been speculated to retire.

The Blue Bombers are one man down for the final, as quarterback Kevin Glenn, a nominee for CFL Most Outstanding Player, broke his left arm in the fourth quarter of the East final last Sunday. Glenn has been a major part of the Blue Bombers organization and will leave a gap in the starting line-up.

His replacement will be Boise State product Ryan Dinwiddie who spent

time playing in NFL Europe, has been unproven thus far in the CFL. Milt Stegall, a slotback of the Blue Bombers, will be looking to finish his career with a championship. There is much speculation that the CFL all-time touchdown leader will retire after the championship on Sunday.

The Riders will look to quarterback Kerry Joseph for support. Joseph, who was also named a nominee for CFL Most Outstanding Player, leads his team in touchdowns this season with 13.

Riders Kicker Luca Congi continued his great season, notching four field goals and two converts against the Lions in the Western division final. Congi, a native of Waterloo, Ontario was drafted

by Saskatchewan in 2006.

Kent Austin, who was the quarterback when Saskatchewan last won the Grey Cup in 1989, is going to the Grey Cup in his first season as the Riders head coach.

In the two meetings so far this year, the teams split games, which will make for an interesting match-up on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if Dinwiddie can fill in the hole that Glenn has left on the Blue Bombers roster.

The Winnipeg offence must continue to play to its full potential to counteract

the Riders offence. On the other hand, the Blue Bombers will have to find a way to shut down Kerry Joseph. Joseph is arguably the top all-around player in the CFL and will find gaps in the Blue Bombers defence.

A sold-out crowd is anticipated at the Rogers Centre on Sunday. The Grey Cup is Canada’s largest sporting event and will be aired in more than 160 countries around the world. Recording artist Lenny Kravitz will perform during the half-time show.

Although 45 of the previous Grey Cup matches have been held in Toronto, this will be the first time in 14 years that the city has hosted the CFL championship. The last championship game was held in 1992, when Doug Flutie led the Calgary Stampeders over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-10.

The Grey Cup may not be as well known as the Super Bowl, but it is still a spectacular event. So for one week of the season, at least, tune into a Canadian station and watch a Canadian game. With an even match-up of teams and a great half-time show, the Grey Cup is looking to be an entertaining evening.

And for those of you thinking about changing the channel during the game, don’t worry. The Patriots are winning.

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The Blue Bombers will be looking to claim their first CFL title since 1990.

The Roughriders, meanwhile, have not won a Grey Cup since 1989.

Sick Birds and Wounded Turtles The Fifty Mission Cap by Brian Munn

We all know the ballad of Alex Rodriguez. First, he’s a machine in April, and in October, a seven-year-old girl.

He can’t win. He’s selfish. He’s bush league.

Consensus around Major League Baseball has long been that despite his 40 home runs and 120 RBI talent, Alex Rodriguez is a dud. I don’t mean that he can’t hit or can’t play, I simply mean that he’s not the kind of ‘team-first’ guy that you need to win.

Let’s look at the Red Sox, the defending World Series Champions (Man, I love the sound of that). They have guys like Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz, who are committed not to cashing in for Youk and Big Papi, but to landing another World Series ring for every guy in the Sox clubhouse.

A-Rod, on the other hand, is all about A-Rod. He isn’t ‘Mr. Yankee’, a tag you could stick on Derek Jeter. A tag, in fact, I have stuck on Jeter this very semester. “[Jeter]’s like the anti-A-Rod,” I wrote back in Issue One. “Pinstripes, yes. Lifelong Yankee, yes. Would it be considered a bad thing for Derek Jeter to be considered your favorite ballplayer?

Not a chance.”

This off-season, the same saga has continued. A-Rod opted out of his $252M contract with the Yankees during Game 4 of the World Series, when the last thing anyone wanted to hear about was the Yankees and A-Rod. New York said they were done with Alex, and Alex agreed he was done with New York. But then, shockingly, the Yankees decided it was necessary to overspend. Overspend, I might add, to

Internet

With Derek Jeter the focus of tax fraud allegations, can the recently named AL MVP Rodriguez really be the Yankees new “team player”? the tune of a $275M, 10-year contract.

While it hasn’t been signed yet, every report out of the Bronx says this is a done deal.

So A-Rod is still looking out for himself? I’d have to think so, unless he uses his continued and expanded riches to open, as Tony von Richter suggested, the “Alex Rodriguez Hospital for Sick Birds and Wounded Turtles.”

But suddenly, Alex Rodriguez isn’t the devil in pinstripes. Suddenly, the tables have turned.

Derek Jeter has been accused of tax fraud. Derek Jeter, the clean-nosed, hardworking captain of the most professional team in baseball, claimed he lived in Florida to avoid paying city and state income taxes for several years, when he was actually living in New York.

Anyone reading these forms should easily recognize that he lives in New York from April until early October, when the Yankees get bounced from the playoffs in the first round. I think seven months counts as “primarily.”

Jeter didn’t, though. He filed nonresident income tax returns to New York State between 2001 and 2003, claiming that he lived primarily at his off-season home in Florida, which, unlike New York, has no state income tax. But officials at the State Division of Taxation and Finance argued that Jeter's primary residence during those years was in New York, where he owns an apartment in the Trump World Tower.

Sure, you can say tax fraud isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not as wild as, say, being

indicted by the Grand Jury on accusations of perjury. But Barry Bonds isn’t supposed to be a model citizen.

And compared to years of being a selfinterested egotist, à la A-Rod, maybe tax fraud isn’t terrible.

The fact of the matter is that Derek Jeter doesn’t have a massive new contract, and he isn’t the best player on his team anymore. And just when it looked like A-Rod couldn’t be any viler, he endeared himself to Yankee fans.

After originally walking away from the club, Rodriguez contacted the Yankees without the consent of his “Super Agent” Scott Boras, who, along with A-Rod and Barry Bonds in any order, rounds out the three most hated men in baseball.

So in the same week that Jeter gets called in for not paying his taxes, A-Rod seemingly does something for the team, not only himself.

Forget that $27.5M per year for the next decade. That’s not really about him, anyway.

Truth be told, it doesn’t matter what Jeter does. He could not pay taxes for the rest of his life, take up winter residence in Canada, and wear a Red Sox hat around town.

It’s because Derek Jeter wins. And the only thing that Rodriguez’s monster contract won’t buy him is a World Series ring.

He totally should have gone to Boston back in 2003.

Whatever. The devil belongs in pinstripes.