Issue 15, Vol. 148. The Brunswickan

www.thebruns.ca

Volume 148 · January 7, 2015 · Issue 15

brunswickan canada’s oldest official student publication.

UNION ISSUES BEAR STRIKING SIMILARITIES

STRIKE 2? POTENTIAL STRIKE VOTE COMING FOR STU STAFF

BY EMMA MCPHEE | PAGE 3

AUNBT SENDS OPEN LETTER TO EDDY CAMPBELL, RELATIONS STILL ICY

BY BENJAMIN CROUSE | PAGE 3

OUR GUIDE OF WHAT TO DO IN FREDERICTON THIS WINTER

BY SEBASTIAN MAYNARD | PAGE 9

CURLING ADDED TO AUS 2014-15 CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY SARAH ROUSE | PAGE 11

2 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

Dr. Richard E. Lee Optometrist

406A Regent St. 458-1580 (2 buildings past Harvey’s Hamburgers)

New Patients Welcome

BRUNSWICKANNEWS

Bookstore blues: The cost of your education

Benjamin Crouse News Reporter

As if the holiday season and Boxing Day sales don’t wreak enough havoc on one’s wallet, students have the added cost of textbooks as the New Year brings a new academic term.

Johanna McPhee, a third-year mechanical engineering student at UNB, knows all too well how expensive textbooks can be.

“I spent approximately $800 on textbooks last semester. All my textbooks were purchased at the UNB bookstore.

One was a used copy and the four others were all new,” said McPhee.

“I buy the majority of my textbooks new, but when the option exists I buy them used.”

The high cost of textbooks does not rest solely on the responsibility of the UNB Bookstore, which doesn’t actually set the price of textbooks.

“We understand how expensive they are because publishers set the prices.

We’re always looking for ways to help with the cost of books,” said Shelley Nowlan, the general manager of the UNB Bookstore.

One of these options is a textbook rental service.

“The rental program is based per term. You can rent a book and return it by the return date for generally half the price of a new book. It varies book by book, but it’s usually about half,” said Nowlan.

In order to rent a book, students will need to present a credit card for filing purposes.

Digital copies of text books can also be purchased at discounted prices.

“There are little cards that can be purchased ... right here off our shelf.

You can buy them on our website if it’s available digitally, which a lot of our books are,” Nowlan said.

In the entryway of the bookstore, students may notice a small window to the left. This is the home of one of the

lesser-known services the store offers: the buy-back program.

“We do buy back here at the bookstore all year long,” said Nowlan. “A lot of students don’t really take advantage of the program because they’re not aware of it.”

The buy back window is open all year long and is based on the demand for specific textbooks.

“If an instructor is using a book for an upcoming term, and it doesn’t have to be the next term, that creates demand in the bookstore system and we can buy the book,” Nowlan said.

The books that are bought back from students then become used books and are sold for 25 per cent off of the original price.

The UNBSU also provides a means for students to save money on textbooks through their Book Buy and Sell.

“Book Buy and Sell is an event where students can drop off used textbooks for resale and other students buy the used textbooks at a lower price compared to new ones,” said Georgie Kokolantonakis, the Buy and Sell coordinator.

This year the Book Buy and Sell runs from Jan. 12 – 16. One dollar from each textbook sold also goes towards UNBSU’s charity, Shinerama.

“Book Buy and Sell is an easy way to save money. Most of the time the textbooks are at least half the price of the original price of the book, and you are also helping fellow students who have their textbooks up for sale,” Kokolantonakis said.

Although a help, unfortunately, these options do not always work for students.

“I have gone once to the Book Buy and Sell but did not have much success in finding the textbooks I was looking for,” said McPhee.

“I have never rented a textbook either as I like to keep my textbooks for future reference.”

January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148 • 3

THE BRUNS

NEWS news@thebruns.ca

The St. Thomas University Support and Administration Union will vote on a final offer for their first contract from the STU administration.

Adam Travis / The Brunswickan

Emma McPhee News Editor

Strike threat at STU

Almost a year after the faculty strike at UNB, the St. Thomas University Support and Administration Union (STUSAU) is facing a vote that may also result in a strike.

The STUSAU represents the support and administrative workers at STU. This includes members in the Registrar’s office, Student Services, Residence Life, IT services, Financial Services, Recruitment, Facilities Management, Communications, Alumni, Drama, Admissions, Campus Ministry, Athletics as well as Office Coordinators.

The union has been negotiating their first contract since they were certified in July 2010. On Dec. 19, STU administra-

tion made a final offer to the STUSAU negotiating team.

“We were able to sign off on six of 12 outstanding articles and we ended the evening even though progress was being made. Talks were cut off and we were given a final offer,” said Jennifer Burry, president of the STUSAU. But Burry said that the STUSAU did not want a final offer from the university.

Instead, the union wants a negotiated contract, which would mean they could negotiate the remaining outstanding articles.

On Jan. 7, the members of the STUSAU will vote on the final offer. A “No” vote is an automatic strike vote.

“The outcome of the Jan. 7 vote may

result in a strike vote,” said Burry. “Should that happen, we would aim to get the employer back to the table to negotiate the remaining articles. If they cannot be resolved, a strike may occur.”

“We don’t want to worry students, but job security and the remaining articles are extremely important for our membership.”

Two of the union’s main concerns are unfair hiring and firing practices and workplace bullying. As of the Dec. 19 final offer, the STUSAU and STU had signed off on articles about harassment discrimination and health and safety.

“Some of the reasons that we organized were amongst those articles as well as respect, communication and transpar-

ency,” said Burry.

“Having time at the table, definitely actually having the administration allocate the time at the table and getting their face to face time with both teams, has definitely been a struggle within the last four years.”

Burry said that the union is still hopeful they will be able to negotiate the remaining articles.

“Lockouts and strikes are not the solution, and everything should be done to reach a negotiated collective agreement,” Burry said. “We still would like to see a negotiated first contract. There’s still time for that. We want a tentative agreement, not a final offer.”

The current situation with the STUSAU is only one illustration of the univer-

sity environment toward unions in New Brunswick.

“I think in general it would be safe to say that the university environment in New Brunswick appears to be less welcoming of unions than ever before,” said Miriam Jones, president of the AUNBT, which went on strike last January.

The repercussions of the faculty strike at UNB last year are still being felt today and Jones said she hopes the STUSAU and STU will be able to reach an agreement.

“Strikes are to be avoided. I hope that the STU administration will … make a fair settlement with STUSAU.” The STUSAU will vote on the final offer on the evening of Jan. 7. Check Thebruns.ca for updates as this story develops.

Letters between Eddy Campbell and the AUNBT reveal ongoing tensions Benjamin Crouse News Reporter Ongoing tensions between the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers [AUNBT] and the university administration surfaced once again last month after an open letter to president Eddy Campbell was published by the union.

On Nov. 24, UNB president Eddy Campbell sent an email to faculty, staff and others associated with the UNB community stating his regrets about last year’s strike and how it has affected the campus as a whole.

The AUNBT published an open letter response to this email on Dec. 6,

critiquing Campbell’s vagueness and lack of responsibility taken for the strike.

“President Campbell’s letter was much too little, much too late,” said Miriam Jones, president of the AUNBT. “He, as well as the rest of the upper administration and the Board, persist in describing the concerns of academic staff as emotional, something we need to ‘get past.’”

“While there are certainly emotions on both sides, UNB management has failed to acknowledge that the academic staff have substantive criticisms of the direction taken by the upper administration and the Board.”

Campbell said he wasn’t surprised when he received the open letter and the

criticism from the AUNBT, but that he was more concerned with overcoming the differences.

“My interest, however, is in working with people who are interested in moving forward with the very important work of the University of New Brunswick, not in picking apart the criticisms the AUNBT might have about me or my letters,” Campbell said.

In the AUNBT’s open letter, Jones wrote that the association wanted an apology and acceptance of responsibility from president Campbell before proceeding to open discussions about where to go next.

“We are not so much looking for an

apology as an acknowledgement of the real issues, and genuine accountability for choices made,” Jones said.

Beyond his Nov. 24 email, on Nov. 25 Campbell proposed the possibility to the Fredericton Senate of hiring a consultant to meet with members of the UNB community and discuss how to proceed.

“It should be clear that it is not our intention to hire a big consulting company.

What I have in mind, and have asked our Senates to consider, is to bring in an individual or individuals who are impartial and highly respected, who would listen to people … and let us know what they heard,” said Campbell.

Jones and the AUNBT, however, see

hiring a consultant not only as a waste of money, but also as an unfair action towards the UNB community.

“I think we should forget about spending money on consultants and design our own internal process, rather than deflecting responsibility elsewhere,” said Jones.

Campbell maintains that administration was not in favour of the strike taking place.

“One of the points that tends to get lost in all of this is that the university administration did not vote for the strike,” said Campbell. “I’ll also point out that labour disruptions are horrible in every way imaginable. Everybody involved should make every effort to avoid them.”

BRUNSWICKANNEWS

4 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

Voting at 16? MLA David Coon

seeks to lower voting age

Emma McPhee News Editor Sweet 16 may give youth in New Brunswick more than just the right to drive a car if a bill tabled by MLA David Coon is passed by the Legislative Assembly.

On Dec. 18, Coon tabled a bill to lower the voting age to 16. If the bill is passed, New Brunswick will be the first province in Canada to allow 16 year olds to vote.

“What I’m hearing from young people, aged 16 and 17, is they are frustrated their voices aren’t heard and being able to vote is one way of engaging 16 and 17 year olds in helping to determine what kind of New Brunswick we want in the future,” Coon said.

Coon hopes that by lowering the voting age, it will increase the voter turnout of the 18 to 35 demographic — an age bracket that traditionally has a lower presence at the polls.

“From 18 to 35, voter turnout is pretty low relative to 35 and up, and so this would help change that. The point

is that the evidence from elsewhere is that if people start voting from 16 and 17 ... it’s adopted as a regular practice so that through their twenties and thirties they’re still voting.”

But Coon also said that this can only be achieved if it is coupled with a strong civics program in the public school system.

Kevin Collins, a third-year political science student at UNB, agrees.

“Expanding the franchise, in terms of lower age restrictions, will undoubtedly increase the number of students who cast ballots in future provincial election; it will do this by expanding the number of people who are able to vote,” Collins said.

“However, it fails to directly address the issue of the declining proportion of those who possess the right to vote who actually choose to exercise their right.”

Collins said the root of the issue of low student voter turnout lies in their knowledge of the political system.

“A well-informed electorate is key to ensuring the effectiveness of a democracy, and our electorate, especially students, is, to a large degree, poorly informed,” he said.

“The first step in fixing the problem is reforming the civic education students receive in public secondary schools; all students ought to be compelled to take civics classes in order to graduate from high school.”

However, according to Collins, the bill is a promising first step.

“Mr. Coon’s proposed legislation is a step in the right direction in terms of addressing declining voter turnout numbers, but it is only a step; more needs to be done in order to directly address the root causes of political apathy,” said Collins.

The bill is the first that Coon has tabled in the Legislative Assembly. It must pass a second and third reading before it changes the New Brunswick Elections Act. “My experience from the campaign in Fredericton South and certainly there were lots of 16 and 17 year olds engaged and paying attention and interested,” Coon said.

“I don’t see why [not lower the voting age] when in New Brunswick you’re 16, you can get a licence, the province treats you as an adult essentially.”

Doors remained closed for UNB residence students hoping to move back before Sunday’s storm Adam Travis Photo Editor UNB students stormed Twitter this weekend to express their outrage at the school’s refusal to open residences a day early in anticipation of the messy forecast.

While Mount Allison University and even St. Thomas University released statements giving students the option to move in a day early to avoid the snowy skies and icy roads, UNB stayed silent, maintaining that students’ only choice was to move in on Sunday.

“Shoutout to @UNB for risking student’s lives by not opening rez

before this storm hit #nbstorm,” tweeted Karen Philpott. “ Not feel i ng t he love f rom UNB. Avoid storm and put myself up in a hotel or avoid storm and m iss my cla sses #lack luster response,” wrote Sarah Hirtle.

In response to the complaints, UNB released a statement online that check-in hours would be extended to 8 p.m. and encouraged students to use good judgement while driving.

But for Erica Scriven of Aurora, ONT., it was too little too late.

“My f light [to Fredericton] was cancelled Sunday, and [wasn’t] rescheduled until Tuesday at 11:35 p.m.,” said Scriven.

“I think Res Life should allow st udents to move back on t he Saturday… in case travel plans are affected by weather. Students pay well over $8000 for the year and [they] deserve a better service.”

“With a storm in the forecast, we encou r age d ou r re s idence students and their families to use their judgment about travelling to Fredericton on Sunday,” said UNB’s Kelsey Seymour.

We ex tende d ou r r e s idence move-in hours ... so that those travelling could assess the situation before venturing out on the roads, and will work to accommodate students who could not return safely on Sunday.”

UNB residences did not open a day early to accommodate students wanting to return before the storm on Sunday.

Adam Travis / The Brunswickan

THE BRUNS OPINION editor@thebruns.ca

POLITICAL CHATTER

Mark Mancini As young people, our cell phones contain our entire lives. Cell phones contain our banking information, our private text messages, access to social media platforms and

private tranches of information pertaining to our personal lives. In many ways, cell phones are simply extensions of ourselves.

But the Supreme Court of Canada doesn’t necessarily think that these cell phones, so central to our lives, are worthy of legal protection in certain circumstances. So goes a recent decision of the Court.

In the recent case of R. v. Fearon, the Supreme Court ruled in a narrow 4-3 decision that cell phones can be searched after the arrest of a suspect without a warrant, if certain conditions are followed. Such a decision, of course, is an attempt by the Court (and the legal system as a whole) to grapple with emerging technological issues and the use of electronics as they relate to crime.

No need to fear new cellphone search ruling From terrorism to international drug cartels to corporate crime, the use of technology has allowed those wanting to skirt the law the leverage to do so more than ever before.

A big mistake to make would be to react to these threats in an overly robust way. The privacy of the average Canadian must be paramount in designing tactics to fight the advent of international networks of crime.

We wouldn’t expect a stranger to rifle through our phone. This is why the police are restricted in their ability to search us, our homes and our cars; the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects our reasonable expectations of privacy from unreasonable searches and seizures. Undoubtedly, our phones fall under this ambit.

But those who wrap themselves in the cloak of the Charter, who are constantly on guard for governmental overreach (and of course in the internet era, these civil libertarians are legion), shouldn’t wring their hands over this ruling. In fact this ruling is well designed to protect public safety while balancing privacy interests.

First of all, police can only search cell phones after a lawful arrest. This seems

obvious, but it’s an important distinction.

The police do not have a power writ large to search cell phones.

Secondly, the search needs to be specifically tailored to a reasonable purpose. This means that the search needs to serve one of three purposes: it needs to protect the public or the person being searched, it needs to preserve evidence, or it needs to discover new evidence. So, in situations where these three purposes are not served, the police need to get a warrant. Generally, the information gleaned from the search should be related to the crime, so the power serves to protect against criminal action. Only recent text messages, the call log and the like are warranted for search.

Finally, the police need to keep a record when they conduct the search as to what they viewed on the phone, how long they viewed it and the reason why they viewed it.

Taken together, all of these limitations make the search power reasonable. All of us are aware that communication occurs primarily via text these days. Criminals are no exception to this rule. They use technology to facilitate their purposes, whether

it be armed robbery, drug trafficking or otherwise. Again, text-based communication allows those wanting to break the law to do so with relative ease. Criminal planning and conspiracy have never been easier — people can easily hide their tracks nowadays and erase their technological footstep. The purpose of this search is to minimally affect civil liberties while keeping pace with creative criminals. All of our business occurs via text message; why wouldn’t the business of criminals occur in that same place?

Taken in this light, we should all view with suspicion those who try to shine a light on something that doesn’t exist. That is, there is no overreach of government power here. Police have a job to do, and they should be given the tools to do so limited only by the constitution of this country. Of course, there will be the skeptics — those who believe the police will abuse their power. But no law should be framed around suspicious minds. We need to believe in the police.

So, all told, no need to fret. Your phones, and your safety, are not at risk.

Minimum income is what this province needs AN OPINION

Micah O’Donnell-Gillies New Year’s 2015 will go down in the history books as a moment of triumph for New Brunswick’s low-income earners — that’s all the workers throughout our province who make minimum wage.

From the 16 year old starting his first job at Tim Hortons to the 50+ father forced back out to our depleted workforce to the single mother who is breathing a sigh of relief after having paid rent once again this month, each one of them will make an extra $10 to $16 a

paycheque.

Our really, really good-looking premier Brian Gallant increased minimum wage on Jan. 1 from $10 to $10.30. That means that New Brunswick citizens are worth, at the very least, $10.30 an hour. A political party, body, or bureaucrac y decided “maybe t hey ’re worth more, but human life is definitely worth no less than, say, $X an hour. I’m drawing the line there.”

When minimum wage was originally instituted, it was likely tied to some consideration of existing median wages. Now, minimum wage is arbitrarily connected to the whims and wishes of government.

But m in imum wage ea rners, t he lower-class, a re u nsk i l led.

They generally don’t have education. Some have no experience, and others still are just incapable.

There are even the workers whose careers are completely irrelevant to our economy. Some of these lower class of citizens don’t have the

the brunswickan

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief • Tess Allen Business Manager • Liam Guitard News • Emma McPhee Arts • Sebastian Maynard Sports • Jamie Tozer Photo • Adam Travis Art Director • Andrew Spindler Copy • Sarah Dominie Multimedia • Devin Patterson Web Developer • David Ackerson Staff Advertising Sales Rep • Bill Traer Delivery • Dan Gallagher Arts Reporter • Kevin Lemieux News Reporter • Benjamin Crouse Videographer • Avi Diggle Sports Reporter • Sarah Rouse

Contributors

Lee Thomas, Mark Mancini, Grace Gallow, Seb Arseneault, Brad Parker, Melanie Michaud, Emily McPhee, David Milley, Siddharth Raval, Stephanie Sirois, Barbara Roberts, Stacey Taylor, Armin Afrough, Marc Gagnon, Alec Boudreau, Travis Piercy, Alex Warman. Waleed Khokar.

The Brunswickan relies primarily on a volunteer base to produce its issues every week. Volunteers can drop by room 35 of the SUB at any time to find out how they can get involved.

About Us

The Brunswickan, in its 148th year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.

We are an autonomous student

right geography. Others, the right gender or ethnicity. And, because of these seven sins, they don’t deserve to make enough to live.

The word “deserve” is an amazing word. It’s more consistently vitriolic than bible­b elt Baptists.

It’s a word t hat’s manipulated every Friday by a large portion of the workforce who are sitting in cubicles looking at their clock. “It’s 4 p.m. I am going to happy hour. I deserve this.”

A hugely influential book was written back in 1989 by Michael Katz called The Undeser v i ng Poor. I n it, he states t hat “t he vocabu la r y of pover t y i mpover ishes pol it ica l imagination.” When we diminish our language on poverty and wages to deserving and undeserving, we relinquish a part of our humanity.

When we talk about what people deserve in terms of wages, we are directly discussing whether or not people deserve to eat, be dressed and have shelter.

When we use reductive terms, we draw on any number of experiences or impressions that justify our belief of who is undeserving or deserving. This can range from gendered and racial perceptions we might unknowingly carry to our own prejudices against difference.

There is no such thing as deserving and undeserving when it comes to basic essentials. Food, water, shelter, clothing and entertainment. Each one of these is necessary to living. Sure, not everyone deserves a Ferrari. Everyone does deserve food that isn’t shit, clothes that fit, shelter that’s warm and money to do something they enjoy.

Minimum wage disagrees. It says that a person deserves this arbitrary amount of money if (and that’s a big “if ” here in N.B.) they can find employment. With that amount, they are free to scrounge together some semblance of life in a country where prosperity constantly surrounds us.

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Letters to the editor

Letters must be submitted by e-mail to editor@thebruns.ca including your name, as letters with pseudonymns will not be printed. Letters must be 500 words at maximum. Deadline for letters is Friday at 5 p.m. before each issue.

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.

M inimum wage is a political choice. There is no morality or ethical decision-making surrounding minimum wage. A group of mostly middle­-income to wealthy men get elected and decided whether or not the worst off in our province deserve heat for the winter.

Don’t get distracted by wage. It’s a huge failure of humanity’s ability for compassion to think that wage is an appropriate meter of what people deserve in life. Deserving starts at having ever ything you need. Not at zero.

A minimum income is what our province needs. New Brunswick must put more money into the hands of its citizens and less into the hands of its corporations. One will rise and fall. The other will stand amongst the rubble.

Poverty is one of the most pressing issues facing N.B. In that vein: Brian, you handsome devil, do something real for those who don’t deserve it.

THE BRUNS

ARTS arts@thebruns.ca

Local musician Josh Bravener performs solo as well as with his three bands: The Hypochondriacs, SexGhost and Nuages.

Submitted

For Josh Bravener, performing is the only option Growing up in a musical family, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Josh Bravener’s musica l ca reer off icially began. Born in Fredericton, the local folk artist attributes his love of performing to a peculiar event many years ago in Collingwood, Ont. It was there, at an Elvis festival, when eightyear-old Bravener saw his father performing on stage.

“I guess there was something about seeing all those Elvises getting up on this huge stage in front of thousands of people with a live band. Something in me just said ‘I could do that,’ and I did,” said

Bravener of the experience.

A year later, Bravener took a trip to the Salvation A rmy, and was ready to hit the stage with h is second-ha nd t u xedo, some ma keup a nd a greased up ‘do.

This f irst attempt left him with a second place victory. The following year, he won f irst.

“That’s kind of what got me started. I decided that music was what I wanted to do.”

The Bravener family tree has ma ny a mu sica l bra nch. Dad has been dubbed an “entertainer extraordinaire” with his brother A a ron in t he same rea lm, just on drums. It wasn’t long until Bravener, his brother and father were play i ng toget her, most ly

rock ‘n’ roll and classic country.

After Aaron left the band for other musical pursuits, Bravener began writing his own stuff.

“I t hink in doing t his I developed a real love for the classic/ roots music. After some pushing and prodding I convinced Aaron to drum for me. He joined and we just played folk music,” explained Bravener.

When it comes to nailing down just exact ly what his sound is, Bravener credits his musical inspirations.

“Some say it’s old school but I don’t know if it’s that. I have always loved the way the old country artists could play three chords, no crazy instrumentals just guitar,

bass and vocals, and still tell such a story with so much feeling.”

The artist plays in three Fredericton bands: The Hypochondriacs, SexGhost and Nuages, all the while tapping into the New Brunswick beat. His love of the loca l scene in New Br u nsw ick is reinforced by the camaraderie rampant in the province, looking up to bands like The Olympic Symphonium, the Waking Night and Motherhood, to name a few.

“I get to play alongside guys I really look up to. Just the fact that I get to play with these guys is awesome but to also call them friends and collaborate is another thing.” Bravener added. “There is so much support from local busi-

nesses. We are blessed to have so many people who care about music.”

With a musical background this colorful, it’s obvious Bravener will continue his ride through New Brunswick’s music scene with that trademarked, folky zeal that not just any millennial can pull off.

His coarse crooning sets the melodious storyteller apart, and will def initely have a say in where and when Bravener takes his next step.

“I mix ever ything I have always loved about music. Boogiewoogie, doo-wop, blues, and so forth. I throw all those things into a pot, mix it around a bit, take it out, let it simmer and see what happens.”

BRUNS ARTS

THE

Emily McPhee The Brunswickan

BRUNSWICKANARTS

7 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

The Brunswickan’s Food & Liquor: Winter beers Guinness Draught

Winter Warmer by Picaroons

Let’s be honest: Guinness is in a league of its own. It is the pinnacle of how science can create art, and how art can actually be a tasty beverage. There are debates on how to perfectly pour a glass of Guinness, with the company apparently saying it should take 119.5 seconds, while the widget that you hear clanking around in a Guinness can releases nitrogen into the drink to produce a more authentic draught taste. It’s dark, it’s creamy, and it’s beautiful.

Like a warm hug on a cold day, Picaroons Winter Warmer lives up to its name with a strong alcohol content and fruity taste with hints of cinnamon. Despite its 7.5 per cent alcohol content, the drink goes down surprisingly smooth, and only gets smoother and more flavourful as it warms slightly. It’s the perfect beer for kicking back by the fire (or fireplace channel) at the end of a day out with friends.

Sebastian Maynard

Adam Travis

Lions Winter Ale by Granville Island Brewing I was excited to try this B.C. brew, and I have to say that I think I found my new favourite after-activities drink. Whether it is skating, sledding or struggling to get around campus in the cold, this is the beer for taking on the Canadian winter. I love the smooth-sweet cocoa taste it brings at the start, and the hint of sourness it leaves. My friend Evan swears he tasted raspberries, but that’s not an ingredient so he might be lying.

Devin Patterson

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Call Or Email Our Sales Department 452-6099 – bruns-ad@unb.ca

8 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

Independent comedy tour making stop at UNB Kevin Lemieux Arts Reporter With Canada having some of the worst weather possible during the winter months, things sometimes end up cancelled. But one show with an ironic name is trying to defy those odds.

The Weather Permitting Comedy Tour is coming to the UNB campus on Monday, Jan. 12. With the beginning of the semester arriving, and the

cold weather starting to get colder and colder, the comedy show could not come at a better time.

Michael Flamank, Andrew Barr and Michelle Christine have been on tour since early November. After two weeks off for a Christmas break, they’re ready to start the East Coast part of the tour.

“We just did 42 shows in 40 days, so things on this leg of the tour are much more relaxed but still exciting,” said Christine.

Barr says that so far, everything has been great.

“We’ve had no cancellations yet because of the weather, everything’s been successful. We’ve had the chance to see a lot of Canada you might not get to see, like the mountains in British Columbia. But we also got to see lots of boring stuff too.”

The three comedians all have different material that they like to do in their shows. Flamank does a lot of crowd

work, while Michelle uses personal experiences and video game humor.

Barr on the other hand, makes fun of himself and tells dick jokes.

The cross-Canada tour isn’t the first time that the trio have worked together, as they have also done other projects with SiriusXM radio, MTV and iChannel, just to name a few.

While the trio have been featured on TV and played many of the major clubs across the country, it is universities, bars and ski hills that are making up the venues for this tour. Produced entirely by the three comedians, they hope that the Weather Permitting tour can inspire other artists to also take the independent route when starting their careers.

As Christine explained, “We all bring something different to the table.

So we all took on different parts of organizing the tour. Having a boss sucks, so it’s great to do this independently.”

The Weather Permitting Comedy Tour is coming to UNB on Jan. 12.

Submittted

BRUNSWICKANARTS

Fredericton author writes on overcoming dyslexia Kevin Lemieux Arts Reporter Sitting down and writing a paper, let alone a story, can be a daunting task.

The construction of a well-written piece of work is difficult at the best of times, but not being able to read would make it that much tougher. This was the case for one New Brunswick man, Andy Flanagan.

Flanagan, of Belledune, recently wrote a 22-page short story, titled “How I Laerned to Read.” His book looks at his journey with dyslexia and how he’s learned to cope with it.

“We didn’t know in the ‘60s what it was. I couldn’t read well in Grades 1 through 4. Only seeing two to three letters at a time, something wasn’t right.”

The 59 year old said that while he wasn’t good at reading in school, he had great memory and imagination.

“One day in the fifth grade, one of my teachers asked me to read a story that I had wrote. So I got up in front of the class and told the story that I had supposedly wrote. But, I handed her a blank piece of paper. She still gave me an A+ for creativity.”

But Flanagan’s inability to read led him to fail Grades 7 and 9.

“At that point, I thought about leaving school and joining the military. My dad was a POW in Hong Kong and you didn’t need to read to be accepted into the military.”

Instead though, Flanagan’s family realized he needed help, and sent him to a summer camp in Quebec for reading problems.

“They sacrificed a lot to send me to camp so I made sure I was going to learn to read.”

Now as a grandfather, he realizes that that his granddaughter is going through a similar situation.

“I see her and she’s doing the same thing I used to do. Switch B’s for P’s, things like that.”

When it came to writing the short story, Flanagan just sat down to write and everything came out. He then sent it to Fierce Ink Press who have since picked it up and are now the publishers.

Flanagan says that, while he isn’t as bad as he used to be, he is still living with dyslexia but has learned methods to cope with it. He also says that this book is for anyone living with dyslexia, or a parent or teacher of someone with it.

“Keep at it. You’ll figure it out on your own.”

“How I Laerned to Read” looks at growing up with dyslexia.

Submitted

BRUNSWICKANARTS

January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148 • 9

Winter in Fredericton

Second semester is here and with it comes a whole new list of activities that can keep you busy. While staying indoors and watching Netflix may seem like the only option, there are a lot of cool things going on both indoors and outdoors that can get you out of the house and hopefully through the winter. And no matter how bad things get, just remember, the snow will melt before you know it … probably.

Movies

Festivals

WhiletheeasychoiceformoviesistogototheCineplexinthe Regent Mall, there are also other options that allow you to see filmsthatmaynotbeshownintheatres.CinemaPoliticascreens adifferentdocumentaryeveryweekwhiletheMondayNight FilmSeriesatTilleyHallshowsarangeofforeignandlocalfilms.

Along with these weekly options, the Banff Mountain Film Festival will be coming to Fredericton at the end of January, and will feature a lot of cool films about life in the mountains.

There are lot of events going on this winter that can help take your mind off school and the weather.

The Fredericton Craft Beer Festival, for example, would be great for this. The third annual festival is happening in March, and is said to have over 130 beers to choose from. Along with this, January will see the Shivering Songs festival bring musicians like Owen Pallett, Buck 65 and Zeus to the city.

Music

Outdoors While New Brunswick may not be known for its big cities, it is known for its natural beauty and even if it is cold, the winter providesawholenewarrayofactivityoptionsthataren’tavailable duringthewarmermonths.FromgoinguptoCrabbeMountain with the UNB Ski & Board Club to skating around on one of the many outdoor rinks, tobogganing at Mactaquac or simplygoingforawalkalongthetrailsatOdellParkortheUNB woodlot, there are arguably more fun things to do here in the winterthanthereisduringtherestoftheyear.

We’ve already seen a lot of great musical acts come through Fredericton this year, and second semester looks like it will continue that trend. Hey Rosetta! is coming in late January, with Dan Mangan + Blacksmith and Jill Barber playing shows later on in the season. Venues like The Capital and The Cellar are always announcing new shows as well, and with a lot of good albums set to come out this semester, tours are sure to follow.

10 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

Songs of the week Sebastian Maynard Arts Editor

BRUNSWICKANARTS

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7 D’Angelo ¬— “Ain’t That Easy” Having not released an album in 14 years, fans of D’Angelo would have taken any news or sign that something was on the horizon, but they got a lot more than that right before Christmas, when the R&B singer surprisingly released Black Messiah. The album screwed everyone’s yearend lists for best albums and has been compared to Marvin Gaye and Sly and the Family Stone, with its blending of social commentary and love songs. Along with the release, D’Angelo penned a message to fans saying that the album was inspired by the protests in Ferguson and Egypt and by movements like Occupy Wall Street. The album, he says, “is not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them … Black Messiah is not one man. It’s a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader.” I wonder what Yeezus thinks of that.

Arts & Crafts Wednesdays with Mumble and Merle The Capital, 8 p.m., Jan. 7 – 28

FRIDAY, JAN. 9 Stephen May: One Year Gallery 78, Jan 9 – 23

SATURDAY, JAN. 10 Joey Bada$$ — “On and On (featuring Maverick Sabre and Dyemond Lewis)” Brooklyn’s Joey Bada$$ is set to release his debut studio album on Jan. 20, and there has been a steady flow of teasers that have been coming out in anticipation of the release. Arguably the best offering yet, Bada$$ recently unveiled “On and On,” which features European singer/songwriter, Maverick Sabre, and Bada$$’s Pro Era affiliate, Dyemond Lewis.

The track features a confident yet self-aware Bada$$ as he readies for the next stage of his career, which for him also means looking at how he got to this point. A good portion of the track deals with the death of his good friend and collaborator, Capital Steez, with Bada$$’s ultimate message being “time don’t stand still, so you’ve got to move on.”

Back to Clash Bash The Cellar, 10 p.m., $5

SUNDAY, JAN. 11 Emerging Artists Series: Andrea Brewer Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Nov. 4 – Jan. 11

MONDAY, JAN. 12 Weather Permitting Comedy Tour 3 Bailey Dr., 8 p.m.

The Weeknd — “Earned It” While I can’t say I know much about Fifty Shades of Grey, from what I have heard, the addition of The Weeknd to the upcoming film’s soundtrack is a very logical collaboration. On his latest song, Abel croons overtop of some choppy orchestral strings, giving the song a somewhat playful feeling. Though the beat is a little different from what the Weeknd has become known for, and the lyrics are pretty tame for what would be expected, it still features a catchy chorus, and some cheesy lines that you can pull out to try and impress someone, try: “you’re my favourite kind of night.” That might get you some brownie points.

Wale — “Keep It Moving (featuring Ab-Soul and Magazeen)” For the rest of us, Wale gave us Festivus, a mixtape that continues to prove his obsession with Seinfeld (he has previously released The Mixtape About Nothing, More About Nothing, and his upcoming album will be titled The Album About Nothing). The newest release features appearances by A$AP Ferg, Pusha T and Chance The Rapper and is done in collaboration with Canadian producer, A-Trak. One of the standouts on the mixtape is the Ab-Soul and Magazeen assisted “Keep it Moving,” which as the title would suggest, is a fast-paced song that sees Wale and Ab-Soul trading verses that even Frank Constanza would appreciate.

January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148 • 11

THE BRUNS

SPORTS sports@thebruns.ca

The V-Reds sit second in the Atlantic university standings with a 4-6 record.

Adam Travis / The Brunswickan

Aiming for consistency Sarah Rouse Sports Reporter The first half of the 2014-15 season has not been easy for the UNB Varsity Reds men’s volleyball team.

Following a devastating loss in last year’s AUS championship series, the Varsity Reds looked to rebound this season with a revamped roster. While the team lost three of its mainstartersfromlastyear,theyhavealsobeen playing without star libero Chhase McFarlen, who was injured early in the season.

Despite the circumstances, the V-Reds have held their own against strong competition from the Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

The team currently sits second in the Atlantic university standings with a 4-6 record.

Head coach Dan McMorran lists early success at the Brandon Bobcats tournament in September as one of the highlights of the first half, as well as strong play in the team’s firstAUS-RSEQinterlockinNewfoundland.

UNB went 2-1 in St. John’s, with 3-0 wins over Laval and Sherbrooke.

That being said, McMorran still believes there is ample room to improve heading into the final stretch.

“In the first half of the season we played some of the best volleyball we’ve played in years, but we’ve also had matches where we struggled both offensively and defensively, so consistency has been an issue,” said the coach.

“This is due, in part, to the number of players who are getting major minutes for us this season who didn’t last year, as well as some having to play a different position than they’re accustomed to. This has resulted in

some of those peaks and valleys that we’ve experienced, but we’re hoping that this is whatwillmakeusstrongerdownthestretch.”

McMorran credited several of his returning players for taking on more significant roleswiththeteam,bothonandoffthecourt.

“Matt Losier has played some of his best ball as a Varsity Red so far this season, and Marc White has also added some much needed stability for our service reception and behind the service line.”

Outside hitter Ryan Colpitts has also impressed in his second year with the team, where he moved into a starting position and currently leads the conference in total points.

“With the injury of McFarlen, Tristen Burridge has moved into the starting libero role and has done a great job. Brett LeDrew has earned a starting position in the middle this season, and both he and Craig Toonders have made solid contributions to our team’s overall play.”

Heading into the second half, UNB’s roster will be bolstered by the addition of Elvind Andersen, a 6’4” AUS all-star right side player who will be returning from his native Norway.

“Andersen has been a big part of our programforthelastfewseasonsandwilldefinitely help us this semester,” said McMorran.

“Allofourplayershavebeenworkinghard to improve as individual players and as a team, in the hopes of achieving our goal of winning another AUS Championship and returning to nationals.”

The team also recently announced the signing of two recruits who will join the

Varsity Reds for the 2015-16 season. Simon Davis-Powerisa6’4”outsidehitterfromConceptionBaySouth,N.L.,whileFrancoisPitrePelletierisa6’11”middlefromBalmoral,N.B. “UNB is gaining not only two excellent athletes in Simon and Francois, but two

Sarah Rouse Sports Reporter

top-level students as well,” said the coach.

“We expect that these young men will help us compete for a CIS title while performing at an exceptionally high level in the classroom and in the community.”

The Varsity Reds men’s volleyball team

returned to play Saturday, defeating Sherbrooke3-0inexhibitionplay.Theteam’snext league match will take place Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Currie Center, as the V-Reds take on the MUN Sea-Hawks. Game time is 8 p.m.

Curling added to AUS

Beginning this spring, the stakes are even higher for Canadian university curlers.

Atlantic University Sport (AUS) recently announced the addition of men and women’s curling to their list of 2014-15 championships being awarded this spring.

The inaugural AUS curling banners will be awarded this winter, with the University of Prince Edward Island slated to host the 2015 Subway AUS men and women’s curling championships. The event will take place from Feb. 13-15 at the Montague Curling Club.

For the 2014-15 season, the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of New Brunswick, St. Francis Xavier University and Memorial University have declared and will now compete for the 2015 AUS curling titles.

The 2015 CIS/CCA curling cham-

pionships will be hosted by Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. from March 18 – 21. The AUS will be sending two men’s teams and two women’s teams to the national tournament.

Two teams recently earned the right to represent the University of New Brunswick at the AUS championships next month.

The school’s representatives were chosen through a play down process, in which teams were independently formed and competed in a best of three series.

On the women’s side, Cathlia Ward, Marie-Elaine Little, Jamie Ward and Katie Forward will represent UNB while Josh Barry, David Easter, Andrew Burgess and Alex Robichaud won the best of three series on the men’s side.

Team Ward will be heading into the AUS championships with a solid season behind them. The team had a semi-final finish at an international spiel in Ottawa early in the season and qualified first for the under-21 provincials held last weekend in Moncton. Their winning

ways are particularly impressive given that the team began playing together just this year.

While it is an accomplishment in itself to qualify for the AUS championships, Team Ward intends to take their play to the next level.

“Our goal for the AUS championships is to earn one of the two spots available to compete at the CIS national championships,” explained Cathlia Ward.

“There will be a number of talented women’s and men’s teams from across Atlantic Canada playing in PEI in February, but we hope to make UNB proud and represent our school in Waterloo at the national championship.”

In addition to their championship aspirations, the team hopes to increase the visibility of their sport across New Brunswick, and specifically within the university community.

“Curling is still only a club sport here at UNB,” said Ward. “However, we’re hopeful that if we can have a successful season, curling will evolve into a varsity sport at UNB in coming years.”

BRUNSWICKANSPORTS

12 • January 7, 2015 • Issue 15 • Volume 148

Journey to the Tower Scott Hems Columnist

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Scott Hems

Accomplishments always meant more to me than impressing the unknown. I know I can’t beat some of my enemies in a foot race, but I know there are things I’ve done in my life that no one can ever take away, and will never experience. My success with my weight loss has taken me on some amazing journeys, and no matter how much I’m made fun of for my weight, or insulted for my speed, or spoken down to by anyone in my life, I know they can’t take away the best moments of my life.

I’m from Toronto, and I’ll never forget the summer I decided to run the length of the city. I looked out the apartment window one day and saw the CN Tower

off in the distance highlighting the Toronto skyline. For absolutely no reason I thought it would make a good story if I ran all the way down and touched the tower which was about 23 kilometres from home. But to me, it didn’t make much sense to run all that way without saying I ran the entire length of one of the larger cities in the world. So I took a bus all the way up to the 407 and Yonge Street after grabbing nothing but a token for the subway, and a five dollar bill to buy a Gatorade after I surely met my demise down the longest street in world.

I stumbled, I walked, I cried, I grunted and I passed by strangers who stared at some 250-pound red blur in torn up shoes and a Team Canada jersey. My legs weren’t working, it was raining slightly at times, and all I thought about was

the scene from Forrest Gump when he runs across the country. The hills were gruesome, and my feet were tearing through the remainder of my first pair of running shoes.

Every step the tower was getting closer and closer. So many people have seen the tower or gone inside it, but I’m not sure how many people ran the entire length of Toronto to pass out on the steps between the tower and Rogers Centre.

The last block I was dying. I ran a little less than 30 kilometres and made it to the tower about four hours after viewing the tower and deciding to run there. I sat in the subway for the half hour trip knowing I ran every step and more while going back up Yonge.

I woke up that day, and decided to do something incredible that no one could

ever take from me, and no one ever will.

It’s amazing the places you can go when you decide to go there. Some things in life I’ve worked unbelievably hard for, and some I’ve accomplished for one sole reason – “I can do this.”

Don’t ever take for granted the small victories, they mean so much more in the long run. Comparing this run to my marathon, I still don’t know how I lived through either of them. But I do know when people pass me in the streets and outrun me, they haven’t run a mile in my shoes, and my shoes will take me as far as my heart will.

“When a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible” —Nido Qubein

The big games on campus Jamie Tozer Sports Editor The first half of the 2014-15 Atlantic University Sport season was a good one for the UNB Varsity Reds.

The Varsity Reds men’s hockey team finished the half in first while the men’s and women’s basketball teams and men’s and women’s volleyball teams all finished in second.

On top of all that, the men’s and women’s soccer teams each made it to the AUS championship game with the men’s squad reaching nationals.

The strong first halves from UNB’s teams should bring an exciting second half. Here are some of the marquee home games on the Varsity Reds schedule over the next couple months.

Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. & Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. – Women’s basketball vs.

SMU(RJCC) The Huskies have won back-toback AUS championships and went a perfect 20-0 in regular season play last year. Saint Mary’s is off to a 6-0 start this season, a record that includes 64-48 and 59-45 victories over the Varsity Reds in Halifax. This

will be the only visit to Fredericton for Saint Mary’s this season.

Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. & Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. – Men’s volleyball vs. MUN (RJCC) It’s only early January but the Varsity Reds will play their final home games of the regular season against the Sea-Hawks Jan. 10-11 at the Currie Center. UNB sits second in the AUS standings with a 4-6 record while MUN is third at 0-10.

Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. – Men’s hockey vs. SMU (AUC) The Huskies manage to defeat the Varsity Reds twice in the first half but it was UNB finishing on top of the standings, one point ahead of Saint Mary’s. This will be the final meeting of the regular season between the two and possibly a preview of a playoff matchup down the road.

Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. – Men’s basketball vs. Dalhousie (RJCC) After sitting atop the AUS standings for much of the first half, the Varsity Reds entered the break in second after dropping two road games. Dalhousie grabbed top spot, but first place could be on the line again when the Tigers and Reds meet

PANEL

in a four-point game.

Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. – Women’s volleyball vs. SMU (RJCC) Saint Mary’s and UNB entered the break heading in opposite directions. The Huskies sit in first with a 6-3 record and won five straight.

Meanwhile, the Varsity Reds slipped to second with a 4-4 record thanks to a four-game losing skid. This will be the first of two meetings between the two.

Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. – Men’s hockey vs. STU (AUC) It’s been another tough AUS campaign for St. Thomas’s men’s hockey team, entering the holiday break with a 1-12-3 record. Against UNB this season, STU has lost both meetings by scores of 7-5 and 6-4. This will be the final Battle of the Hill of the year.

Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. – Men’s hockey vs. Acadia (AUC) In another potential playoff preview, the Varsity Reds take on last year’s AUS champions for the final time in the regular season. Like Saint Mary’s, Acadia opens the New Year one-point back of UNB for first overall.

Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. – Women’s vol-

Hayley Gates runs the ball up field at the AUS championship in Halifax.

Nick Pearce/AUS

leyball vs. Cape Breton (RJCC) The V-Reds host the Capers in their final game of the regular season, meaning this will be their final tuneup before the playoffs. UNB will host the AUS Championships Feb. 13 – 15 at the Currie Center.

Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. – Men’s basket-

ball vs. UPEI (RJCC) The Panthers enter the second half in a tie for second with the Varsity Reds. This will be the final meeting of the regular season between the two and it will be a four-point game.

This match could play a big factor in playoff positioning.

What was the biggest sports story of 2014?

THEY KNOW WHAT’S UP

Jamie Tozer

Jonathan Copeland

Devin Patterson

Sports Editor

Sports Fan

Multimedia Editor

How about those Toronto Raptors?

This is a team that entered the 201314 season with little fanfare. A division title and an unreal playoff series later, the 2014-15 Raptors season was one of the most anticipated ever. To say 2014 was a good year for the Raptors — despite losing in the first round of the post-season — would be a massive understatement.

LeBron James returning to Cleveland. The world waited in anticipation in 2010 for LeBron to make “The Decision.” Predictably, “The Decision” made him look like an unrelenting, arrogant tool and he quickly became the top villain in the NBA to many fans. The summer of 2014 saw the prodigal son return home to the open arms of Ohio natives that craved for their matured son to return home. The signing captivated every sports fan and breathed positive life into the NBA that was still reeling from Donald Sterling’s douchebaggery.

The biggest sports story of the year to me was the Sochi Olympics. Everything from corruption allegations, construction cost overruns, homophobic laws in place, the biggest security effort at an Olympics and weather much too warm for a winter games made it an event hard to forget. And of course who can forget Canada’s heroes from the games, like Kaillie Humphries, Justine Dufour-Lapointe, Charles Hamelin and the men’s and women’s curling and hockey teams. It’s still true — there is nothing in sport quite as interesting as the Olympics.

Scott Hems

cellarpub.ca

Columnist

As much as I want to say the Sochi Olympics, I’m going with the Women’s Rugby World Cup and Canada almost winning gold. It was nice to watch both men and women win gold in hockey. The women’s game over the States was the best game of hockey I have ever watched. But with Canada not being that much of a rugby nation, seeing them make their way tothefinalsbyupsettingeveryoneintheprocess,doing so with an amazing attitude and coming up just shy of a Rugby World Cup Championship, that is something we may never see again in our lifetimes.