interrobang_2010-03-22

Scalia elected FSU president 3 Littering everyone’s problem 7 Fanshawe grad stars on TV 9 Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010

www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

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INTERACTIVE

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Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

201 0 march

Question of the Week

e ve n t s 22

Has daylight saving time ever caused you any problems?

Disband Audition Tour /Fanshawe’s Battle of the Bands

La‘Shawn Burk - No, nothing that I can remember, and now it’s not a big deal or anything because my cell changes the time on its own, but I did forget about it this week.

9 PM in OBS admission is $5

Finals

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Tuesday

Coffee House

James Dunton No I‘m pretty good about that, plus it really helps that my cellphone changes the time on its own whenever daylight savings comes around.

Jessica Sweet I remember one time I ended up going to class two hours early before because I think I changed my cellphone‘s time back an hour the day before. So when I woke up my computer and cellphone were saying different times so I went to class early because I thought it would be better if I showed up early rather then late, to bad it turned out to be way too early.

Monday

featuring prominent singer/songwriters 8 PM in Oasis, No Cover coffee and dessert only $2

Campus Idol Round 1 $1000 Grand Prize 5 PM in Forwell Registration and info at the Biz Booth

The Andrew Stephenson Band were one of several acts to grace the stage at Out Back Shack during electric open mic night on Tuesday, March 16.

PHOTO: ANTHONY CHANG

10 Things I Know About You...

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Wednesday

First Run Film The Bounty Hunter

Nothing like papa’s vino Alison Gains is a first year student in broadcast radio. She says “Everyone just calls me Ali G. I’m 18 years old and the youngest in my program! I’ve got a crooked sense of humour and way too many piercings. I’m from a small town called Dunnville, its biggest ‘things’ are a pickle factory and a 20ft fish sculpture.”

1. Why are you here?

Truth be told, Fanshawe, and London sounds a whole lot cooler than McDonald’s and Dunnville.

2. What was your life changing moment?

My life is constantly changing, and

there hasn’t been ONE specific moment in the past that changed my life.

3. What music are you currently listening to?

Currently streaming CFRL and The Falcon online, but for real, Faster Pussycat, Crashdiet and Dashboard Confessional.

4. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“The way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.”

Yeah from the Lion King!

5. Who is your role model?

My sisters Madison and Danielle as cliché as that sounds. As different as they are, they are both

Lori Hamilton Yes, like right now my eyelids are so heavy, it really wreaks havoc on my sleep. I don‘t know why because it’s only an hour. Though it really messes me up when I have to change the time for everything, so I end up playing with all the clocks for awhile because I don't remember how to change the time on them.

admirable individuals.

6. Where in the world have you traveled?

All around Southern Ontario and to Southern Alabama a couple times.

7. What was your first job?

Rosa Flora Greenhouse, it was SO jokes.

8. What would your last meal be?

My mother’s homemade strip dumplings and a big glass of my papa’s wine.

9. What makes you uneasy?

Thinking about the future, and discussing my personal life, views and beliefs.

10. What is your passion?

I am passionate about talking to and learning about other people.

It’s so eye-opening and refreshing.

Do you want Fanshawe to know 10 Things About you? Just head on over to fsu.ca and click on the Ten Things I Know About You link at the top.

$3.50 students $5 guests @ Rainbow Cinemas Tickets and info at the Biz Booth.

Campus Idol Round 2 $1000 Grand Prize 5 PM in Forwell Registration and info at the Biz Booth

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Thursday

Bikini Pub 9:30 PM in Forwell tickets and info at the Biz Booth

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Friday

New Music Night Nine Mile FREE in OBS Doors open at 9:30 PM

Who runs the Health and Dental Plan?

‘‘ Michael Turchet - Well I‘ve missed class because of it before but not this time around, I remembered to put everything up by an hour this time.

Drop by the Welcome Kiosk with your answer. Five winners will be selected from correct entries and we’ll notify winners by email.

Alison Gains is the youngest in her program.

KIOSK QUIZ

The Welcome Kiosk (between the Bookstore and the Library) is open all year between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

PRIZES SPONSORED BY CHARTWELLS

NEWS

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

The votes are in . . .

Total ballots:

1566

President SCALIA, Joe MCGARRY, Rob Spoiled

968 546 52

1302 174 90

VP Internal BARAHONA, Veronica YES NO Spoiled

1271 209 86

VP External PHILP, Malcolm MCDONALD, Bruce Spoiled

830 633 103

VP Athletics HOWES, Derek R. YES NO Spoiled

1329 166 71

1235 235 96

Board of Governors GRAHAM, Mary

Presentation skills workshop has great turnout IVANA PELISEK INTERROBANG

The international department at Fanshawe College is continually coming up with innovative ways to engage students studying on campus from abroad.

On Wednesday, March 17, theatre arts students were called upon from their downtown campus to share presentation skills they developed as acting students within our community.

The presentation skills workshop had eagerly awaiting international and post-secondary students experience what it takes to give audiences an unforgettable presentation – minus the typical nerve jitters.

Shy at first, the international students gained more confidence as the two hour workshop progressed and individually embraced what they had learned from the workshop.

Shortly after, students were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and revealed what they believe is the problem with proper presentation skills.

Tuyen Nguyen, a graduating ESL student and future marketing hopeful at Fanshawe, expressed her personal concerns for speaking in public. “I find presentations difficult‌and they make me nervous,â€? she admitted.

Adding this workshop has helped her by being able to associate with other international students who are in the same position as she is presently in. “I will recommend this (workshop) to other students‌definitely,â€? Nguyen said.

Living in Canada for a short nine

Scalia cruises to FSU presidential win JESSICA IRELAND INTERROBANG

VP Finance PAYNE, Andrew YES NO Spoiled

VP Entertainment AYOTTE, Joe YES NO Spoiled

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months from her native Vietnam, Nguyen remains optimistic anything is possible with the right attitude, she mentioned.

Beverly Haggerty, ESL technologist at Fanshawe, demonstrated the workshop, and even though it was not part of students’ curriculum, was a great success.

This is the first time a presentation skills workshop was held for post-grad and ESL students, and the theatre arts students as well, she said.

The students did very well, she added.

As the workshop progressed, the comfort ability of all students involved became evident through speech and activities they were asked to perform in front of their peers.

Theatre arts students emphasized the importance of confidence when giving a speech to an audience.

Knowing your subject and being able to present it well is a must, they explained.

Francesca Ranalli-Atherton, professor for the theatre arts program emphasized how important it is for individuals who are presenting to remember that “you cannot control what people are going to think� about your presentation.

Haggerty is hopeful the presentation skills workshop will be made available for students in international and post-grad programs in the future. “In Canada you have a lot of opportunity‌if you practice speaking English,â€? added Nguyen.

It is seminars such as this one that help make it all that more possible for internationals and postgrad students.

Last Thursday, Jabari Cooper passed the torch onto new Fanshawe Student Union president, Joe Scalia. “Joe has the experience and (he’s) passionate about the FSU and issues facing the students,� said Cooper.

Scalia was voted in with 968 votes to Rob McGarry’s 546, and he’s grateful for each one of them. “Thanks to everyone who voted and supported the campaign – people who came to talk to me, who told their friends,� he said.

Scalia is already an active member of the FSU as the vice president finance. This year, he was most proud of the FSU putting more money into bursaries for students.

He has also held the position of southwest director for the College Student Alliance this year, where he helped create a new provincial award that gives $1,000 to a student at each of the 17 member colleges.

The self-proclaimed “workaholic� has also been involved in examining the possibilities for more sustainable practices around the college, an issue that remains as one of his goal for the upcoming school year.

But the preliminary focus of his platform is communication – to reach out to more students, letting them know what the FSU can do for them, whether they’re here for one year or four and he’s prepared to hit the ground running this summer.

“Next year’s going to be big – we’re going to build on what we did this year and focus on getting more students involved in the student union even if it’s just talking to them (about it),� he said.

Other goals he aims at accomplishing include better management of class representatives, open forums and a video blog to keep students in the loop, increased variety in events such as more open mic nights, free market events, addressing annual issues, such as Fleming, and putting students’ interests first when dealing with the college.

The rest of the FSU team for 2010-2011 is as follows: Malcolm Philp will be reprising his role as VP external and academic affairs after defeating Bruce McDonald 830 votes to 633 votes; Andrew Payne, who ran uncontested, was voted in as VP finance with 1302 yes votes; Veronica Barahona, also uncontested, is the new VP internal affairs with 1271 yes votes; the new VP entertainment is Joe Ayotte, uncontested, with 1235 yes votes; and the new VP athletics is Derek Howes, uncontested, with 1329 yes votes.

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NEWS

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Looking for a summer job?

CAREER CORNER Susan Coyne Career Services Consultant Fanshawe Career Services

Cell phone contracts can have you seeing red if you don’t know your rights.

Dreaded cell phone contracts LAW TALK Community Legal Services & Pro Bono Students Canada (UWO) 519-661-3352

You probably have a cell phone, which means you probably have a cell phone contract. You might have even tried to cancel this contract - in which case, you probably were confronted with a steep cancellation fee. Or you might have tried to change the contract, which means you probably ran into more unexpected fees.

Cell phone contracts offer little wiggle room for the consumer.

And while its difficult to avoid committing to a contract when buying a plan, there are some things about cell phone contracts you should know.

The contract you signed is likely a standard form, with no room for negotiation. The key provision of this contract is that if you choose to cancel it early, you choose to pay a cancellation fee. So it is important to shop around and ask friends and family their experiences with various providers. It is also important to read the contract put in front of you.

Diligent research, however, can still lead to a monthly cell phone bill being higher than expected.

This can be the result of service charges or other hidden fees. Also, service providers often make billing errors.

If you have an issue with your bill, first take it up with the service provider. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can then file a complaint with the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services.

The CCTS is a non-government, not-for-profit organization that counts almost all the big cell phone companies as members. Filing a complaint with CCTS is free. It handles billing, service delivery

Unemployed?

Good Attitude & Work Ethic?

Now hiring; Full-time customer service & sales Training provided Call for interview 519-645-6662

and contract compliance issues.

However, CCTS does not deal with the actual terms of a contract, plan prices, privacy/confidentiality concerns, false advertising or general issues about members not covered by the contract. Complaints to it can be made online, by mail, or by fax. Go to www.ccts-cprst.ca for more information on filing complaints.

The CCTS can suggest a company to give an explanation or apology; order it to do or refrain from doing something; and/or call for compensation of up to $1,000.

For contracts signed in Ontario, a consumer can also file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Branch of the Ministry of Consumer Services. It can attempt to mediate any dispute about the cell phone contract. If you simply want out of your contract, there are ways to avoid the fee. For example, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 says that if the service provider made false representations about the service or product, the contract can be cancelled without penalty within one year of signing.

Also, there is certain information a contract must have, otherwise it can be cancelled any time during the first year.

The contract must include your name, the service provider’s name and contact for the provider (phone, address and any other methods of contact). The contract needs to include a list of the goods and services being provided, including taxes and shipping charges. This list must also have a fair and accurate description of the goods and services. All additional fees must be listed, as well as the total fees. Details of how and when the payments need to be made must be included. Any consumer’s

rights beyond what the law already provides must also be outlined.

And it needs to list any rules or regulations regarding trade-ins.

Finally, the contract needs a date and any other restrictions or conditions that may apply.

The consumer can also cancel a contract within 30 days if the provider has not delivered the goods or services. This applies to goods or services that are substantially different from what was agreed upon. First, though, the provider has to refuse to fix the problem or its attempts at repairs must have been inadequate. If this is the case, do not withhold payments. Instead continue to pay until cancellation and seek reimbursement afterwards.

Once all other avenues have been exhausted, the final option for a consumer is suing a service provider. The Small Claims Court in Ontario, where costs are lower and you can represent yourself, is likely the best place to do this. The court handles contract disputes, misrepresentation issues and negligence cases.

This column provides legal information only and is produced by the students of Community Legal Services and Pro Bono Students Canada (UWO). If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1900-565-4LRS. You can contact Community Legal Services at 519661-3352 to book an appointment to discuss your legal issue or mediation services. Fanshawe College students may also book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college. Please call us at 519661-3352 with any inquires or to book an appointment.

Looking for a summer job has never been easier! The Career Services Office in Room D1063 advertises hundreds of summer jobs both on and off campus in addition to numerous full-time and part-time positions throughout the school year. Our Internet job site is available to make job searching even easier for you. Visit www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices or go directly through Fanshawe Online (www.fanshaweonline.ca).

Once there select the link “Career Services/Co-op Job Site” from the left hand toolbar. Log in as a “Student” user, click on the Job Postings link followed by

SUMMER JOBS Position Title Company Name Landscape Designer Inside and Out Garden Design Garden Centre Assistant VanLuyk Greenhouses & Garden Centre Pro Shop Assistant Pine Knot Golf and Country Club Designer-student Pickard Construction Landscape Labourer Naturally Maintained Ltd. Landscape Technician Greentec Landscape Design & Construction Garden Centre Zellers Technician Globus Theatre BBQ Catering Staff BBQ Feast Catering Landscape Labourer Gaias Gardens Day Camp Counsellor Boys & Girls Club of London Franchise Manager Sunshine Student Painting Manual Worker Parks of the St.Lawrence Marketing Assistant Parks of the St.Lawrence Tent Installers Raymond Brothers Recreational Aide PeopleCare Service Technician Naborhood Pool & Spa Camp Chef Camp Kennebec Landscape Designer Old South Lawn, Garden & Construction Administrative Assistant Hollandia Gardens Limited Gardener Catherine Siddall Garden Design Inc. Chef Garden Island Lodge Groundskeeper Glencairn Golf Club Painter/Marketer Student Works Painting - London Camp Counsellors Camp Doodles, Inc. Need help with your job search? Why not drop by the Career Services office located in Room D1063. The Career Services staff is available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit D1063 to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 519 452-4294.

For job listings visit www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices

BE YOUR OWN BOSS! Take charge of your future with Summer Company, an Ontario government program for full time students aged 15 to 29.

It provides hands-on business training and mentoring and awards of up to $3000 to help start your summer business.

Got a question, concern, or comment about college policies?

Visit our website to check out the eligibility requirements and fill out an on-line application.

ph: 226-234-9724 fx: 519.451.8831

Apply early, space is limited.

bog.student@fanshawec.ca

Get your application on-line at

Jessica Sweet

www.sbcentre.ca (click on Youth)

Call : 519-659-2882

ext 230 234 for more information

~ Work for the best boss in the world this summer - YOU! ~

100.72.C.03

Student Representative to the Board of Governors

“Summer jobs.”

Perhaps you’d like to work on campus? If so check out the Fanshawe College - Summer 2010 Work Program jobs. You must complete the Summer 2010 Work Program application (online at www.yourmoneydance.com). The application is reviewed by staff in the financial aid office and decisions on eligibility are generally made within 10 working days.

Once you’ve been approved by the financial aid office, you will then be advised to visit Career Services, located in room D1063 and present the approval letter in order to see the detailed job descriptions.

The following is a list of some of the summer jobs currently being advertised. Information on job requirements, duties and how to apply are outlined on the Career Services website.

“In all types of missions, information can be the most powerful weapon of all. As a signal operator, I play the important role of keeping that information moving.”

Corporal JONATHAN FULLARTON

« Peu importe la mission, la maîtrise de l’information peut être l’arme la plus redoutable.

En tant qu’opérateur des transmissions, mon rôle est donc capital. C’est moi qui fais en sorte que les informations circulent constamment. » Caporal JONATHAN FULLARTON

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OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR fsuletters@fanshawec.ca

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

The decline of young men? London roads congested FAITH MEETS LIFE MICHAEL VEENEMA

I have a 23-year-old son. We’ve been hanging out this week - well not really hanging out as much as we’ve been working together, building an addition to the house.

I thought I had been doing all right with this project before Nick arrived on the site.

Right away he took a level and showed me a post that was not quite vertical and a beam that was not exactly horizontal. Lucky for me, nothing serious, and with a little adjustment, including some “gentle persuasion” with a sledgehammer, both problems were corrected. The past few days he has demonstrated that building a structure from the ground up is something he is completely capable of.

Of all our family members, Nick is the least inclined to sit in classrooms and the most into working with his hands.

Observing this brings to my mind that a number of researchers are concerned about the number of male teens and young adults who not only can’t wait to get out of the classroom, but have gone one step further: they’ve lost their motivation.

Recently a mother in my church approached me about a book she’s come across called, Boys Adrift. The author, Leonard Sax, claims on his website that there are “five factors driving the decline of boys.”

The five are video games, prescription drugs, teaching methods, endocrine disruptors and the devaluing of masculinity.

I am not a researcher and don’t think that I have much anecdotal evidence about the effects of prescription drugs and endocrine disruptors. But the other three “factors” listed do connect with things I have observed and experienced.

Video games, long a favourite target of critics of social trends, probably have some positive effects. However, it surely must be true that spending hours every day in front

of screens responding to the scripted, though sophisticated, frequently violent, game plots provided by programmers can’t be all that great. Playing games, especially in solitary, does not prepare people for the real world of friendships, family, parenting, personal crises and long-term commitment to work.

But is video gaming a bigger issue for males than females? I just took a research poll in my home asking for a response to one question: “Do boys spend more time with video games than girls?” The answer from 100 per cent of the participants (both of them) was a resounding “Yes.” What about the devaluing of masculinity?

Sax reminds his readers of the once (long ago) popular TV show, Father Knows Best.

Today the world’s most well known TV father is Homer Simpson. Check out an old episode of Father Knows Best on line and contrast it with The Simpsons. Homer has some nice qualities, but The Simpsons depicts him and other males as goofy, beer guzzling bimbos who just can’t get it together, and if they do, it’s more by chance than design - not a lot for a growing teenage boy to aspire to.

Finally, there’s early education. Sax claims that in earlier decades pre-school and primary education focused on socialization with lots of Duck Duck Goose and similar games. Today early education is more about math skills and literacy. Have the children count and read as soon as possible. The problem, according to Sax, is that while five year-old girls are often ready to read, five year-old boys are not. This is because parts of their brains develop at different rates.

According to Sax, school favours girls and leaves boys at a disadvantage. It doesn’t take many boys long to hate school, and that can set the tone for the long term.

It might help us to re-consider our use of video games and the male role models we’ve been absorbing. And it might be helpful to take into account the possibility male teens and young adults may have been damaged by their schooling. In the meantime, I’m thinking that reading a lot of books can remove one from the real world just as video games can.

with carelessness IVANA PELISEK ipelisek@fanshawec.ca

Every morning I face the same problem on my way to work.

Careless drivers.

Why is it that there is so many Londoners who cannot operate a vehicle?

They swerve repeatedly into other lanes, don’t signal and still chat away on their cell phone despite recent changes to the law.

Drivers seem to think it is their right to hold a license yet don’t know how to occupy the roads that we all must share.

The roads in London have become so overpopulated it is extremely difficult to get from point A to point B in a matter of minutes leaving drivers with nothing but a short fuse.

We all have somewhere we need to be at specific times throughout our busy days, but have we ever stopped to think how extremely important it is to drive with caution?

All the president’s men Dear Editor: When I first glanced at your recent Interrobang issue with FSU presidential candidates Joe Scalia and Rob McGarry on the cover, I honestly thought it was Tony Danza and Paul Reubens posing for a Celebrity Death match. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that “dream team” was not a reality.

I used that pop cultural logic though when casting my vote; Mr. Danza would take Pee Wee down in one hit. He is the Boss after all.

Long live Scalia!!

First Lady Wannabe

I am not referring to those drivers who believe driving 10km lower than the suggested speed (that’s a problem all in itself). I’m talking about the bad drivers that are evident every morning, noon and night while I am driving. When is the common sense going to kick in? It is really not all that complicated.

You have after all been given a license for a reason. Correct?

It’s funny how drivers see what’s in front of them (most of the time) yet lack to see who might just be beside them or even approaching from behind. Some drivers in the city have become so concerned with getting wherever it is they need to go only on their clocks. I guess they’re alone on the roads. Who knew?

The truth is, we have all at one time or another screwed up. Made a wrong turn.

Didn’t signal to let other drivers know where we would like to go. But what about repeat offenders who do as they wish, simply because they feel they can. I don’t think that’s right. Let’s not kid ourselves.

And those drivers know exactly who they are without me having to point any fingers.

So the drivers who swerve, don’t signal, and simply think they are the only ones present on the road-should honestly think long and hard about all the families, children and innocent people who are simply trying to get home in one piece.

FSU Publications Office SC1012 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/ Publications Manager & Editor John Said jsaid@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext. 224

Staff Reporter Ivana Pelisek ipelisek@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext.247

Staff Reporter Jessica Ireland jireland@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext.291

Graphic Design Darby Mousseau dmousseau@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext.229

Advertising Sara Varley svarley@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext. 230

Web Facilitator Allen Gaynor agaynor@fanshawec.ca • 519.453.3720 ext.250

Letters to the Editor fsuletters@fanshawec.ca

Graphic Design Contributors: Pieter Luong Jenny Newton Megan Easveld Photographers: David Kolodij Maurine Mikhail Anthony Chang Contributors: Rose Perry, Michael Veenema, Darius Mirshahi, Amber Harwood, Aimee Brothman, T.K. Dallman, Sharla Paino, Kate Slade, Robert McGarry, Rick Melo, Chris Walker, Wendy Lycett, Susan Coyne, Jason Drury, Kim Rowe, Baden Roth, Joshua Hoffman, Trent Williams, Alyssa Pageot, Justin Vanderzwan, Bobby Foley, Nicole Collins, Josiah Gouin, Amy Plachta, Kathyrn Fudurich, Danielle Bardawell, Bruce Langer and Nauman Farooq Comics: Rachel Oakes, Scott Kinoshita, Chris Miszczak, Sean Thornton, Dustin Adrian, Andres Silva and Laura Billson

Cover Credit: DAVID KOLODIJ

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. All photographs are copyright 2009 by Fanshawe Student Union. All rights reserved. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., London and distributed through the Fanshawe College community.

Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online at www.fsu.ca/interrobang/ by following the Interrobang links.

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR fsuletters@fanshawec.ca

7

Littering: everyone’s problem to deal with B.A.L.L.S. TIM HANDELMAN

Bitching about Life in London and Society is a weekly column that attempts to delve into the smaller irritations in our society. This week we take a look at littering.

It seemed to me, upon embarking on this article, that the populace at large would recognize littering as a global issue. A Google search on littering and the practices therein left me scratching my head. What do you suppose was the number one page that appeared with this query? One would imagine it would link to something like the Swedish symposium on human behaviour relational committee, or something Swedish like that. Or the American coalition of custodial enforcement, you know those Americans and their coalitions. But no, what I got was a page from the Prince Edward Island parks association on littering in the park. This may denote the turning of a global eye on littering. Well, it is what it is, so let us use the PEI parks association model of litter control as the basis for this article: Why people litter reason 1: They don’t realize that they are littering: This ranges from the cigarette butt flicker to the gum sticker. A carelessly tossed cigarette butt may cause a forest fire or be picked up by many of our diverse animals here in our park: raccoons, squirrels, birds, street bums and young teenagers that horde discarded butts and smoke them in a flurry in desolate underground parking lots and alleyways.

Our smaller animals and birds can swallow discarded gum, clogging their digestive systems causing death. Have you ever brailed your way under a table and read the bumps of someone’s gum? Ever been tempted to pop it in your mouth? Ok, secretly yes, but more often than not, nope. In fact one may be a little irritated at feeling up your discarded wad of mucus.

Fanshawe has an issue, I have observed, of those that leave their left over pizza trays and drink cartons on the cafeteria table instead of tossing them out. This may not technically be littering, but it does offend the next patron of the campsite.

Why people litter reason 2: Lack of social pressure to do the right thing: Hikers in our park may well feel at liberty to discard refuse from energy bars and bottled water. These are not natural elements to our carefully managed environment. I was up by John Paul II High School not long ago trailing a collection of maroon uniformed students. They boisterously and rebelliously crossed the street on a red light, started across the parking lot where that desolate mall resides. You know the one, where the stores stock their shelves from the things that won’t sell at dollar stores, garage sales, and the stuff no one else wants from the bins at the back of Walmart. Anyway, this one guy tosses a wrapper on the ground. Without thinking about it I yelled out, “Hey buddy, this is OUR world, not YOURS!” and pointed at the garbage. Not sure where that came from, but it seemed to fit. He picked it up. I wonder if he will remember the tone of my voice in years to come? I wonder if this hiker will pocket his garbage in the future and not just toss it when no one else is looking?

I spoke out to another hiker downtown not long after that. He was much larger than me, and I was a little intimidated actually. He tossed an empty water bottle on the ground.

I said, “What are you doing man, pick that up.” I expected to be boot f#$@ed at this point, instead he said, “Sorry sir” and picked it up.

Sir? I wonder if people really just want to be directed to do what they already know is the right thing.

Why people litter reason 3: People feel no sense of pride in the areas that they are littering: You will find a number of designated garbage receptacles placed around our park.

Please use these animal proof bins to dispose of your garbage. Refuse left behind attracts animals, insects and those people that collect

jingly things in stolen shopping carts (see The lonely abandoned grocery cart, Interrobang issue 24, March 8). It is not advisable - it seems, to dispose of your left over Burger King meal deal by tossing it out of your car window. Or the contents of your ashtray in a parking lot or, or, or...

Why people litter reason 4: Laziness and maliciousness: According to the Environmental Education Program for the Post Endowment Fund of Prague Czech Republic, over 50 per cent of littering occurs within five metres of a garbage can! This was the second most popular page after the PEI parks association.

It is a federal offence to dump on public parkland. Penalties for dumping range from maximum fines of $10,000 to jail terms. It may be difficult sticking the paperboy in jail after dumping the entire edition of the Sunday newspaper into a water culvert. Or backup-pickup-truck-guy dumping into a field. Deliberate littering can also be a subtle thing: like those that wedge garbage into crevices and seat gaps so it will not be seen.

From a gentle stroll or relaxing picnic to a long-distance walk or heart-pumping adventure, our park provides every opportunity for enjoyment, relaxation and trees to stuff your garbage into.

My Take: Since the 1950s our national compulsion with consumerism has increased in proportion to the decline of our national happiness (see The Story of Stuff). We live in a fastpaced, throw away society. It really seems to be a matter of pride and laziness. If they won’t keep it clean, why should I? Why should I say anything to someone who litters, or pick up another persons trash, or throw out my popcorn box after the movie, or blow my nose and stick it on the back of your head. I ask you, why? Ask yourself, why not?

Conclusion: This park belongs to us all; please leave your campsite clean and tidy before departing.

Comments? Look for the group B.A.L.L.S. on Facebook

It’s all about the money, dude BACK TO SCHOOL BRUCE LANGER b_langer@fanshaweonline.ca

Eun Joong Kim’s letter to Interrobang two weeks ago brought back an unpleasant dealing I had with Fanshawe College last fall when I also ran into the “it’s our policy” attitude in the registrar’s office.

For those who might have missed Kim’s letter, his complaint is as follows: in 2008 he was accepted into a program at Fanshawe.

However, on the first day of classes Kim was informed he didn’t have enough mathematics qualifications and was thus “uninvited” from the program. That was bad enough, but then when he asked for a tuition refund, he received all but $250 back.

Kim’s point is that he shouldn’t be penalized because nobody had told him he didn’t meet the program prerequisites. Further he was told he could apply the $250 to his tuition fees if he reapplied. He did apply again for a program, but in his words was told “your money is gone.”

Now I haven’t heard the other side of the story from college officials, but I do feel Kim’s pain about the “missing” $250. You see, I ran into a fee issue myself, and I figured I’d just sit on this story until I read Kim’s plight.

I’m in the post-graduate corporate communication and public relations program, for

which I graciously received funding through the province’s Second Career plan. I’m in the process of reinventing myself as a public relations person after being downsized in December 2008 from a 28-year newspaper journalism career.

I consider myself lucky that I received the funding and also that I continue to receive what they call “salary continuance,” a kind of drawn-out severance from my former employer.

Yet I can say I was a bit puzzled when a few weeks afterwards I received an e-mail from the college’s “fees team” that said I still owed them money. A quick look on WebAdvisor showed that somehow the $2,032.68 that I had paid a week after the start of classes had mysteriously been downgraded to $1,895.47. Yikes, did Uncle Dalton not have enough money in the second career account?

Well, actually Uncle Dalton’s cheque wasn’t rubbery, but the college’s accounting had a whiff of elastic. This was in the form of a $137.21 “Payment Plan Setup Charge” that had devalued the government funding.

It turns out that although the college had granted me a fee extension that didn’t exempt me as a second career student, from having to pay this service charge. Now, luckily $137.12 wasn’t going to break the bank for me, but I figured there are probably other second career students for whom such a bill could mean the difference between paying the rent or eating. It was, to use Kim’s words “our policy.”

That wasn’t really good enough for me, so

I contacted the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities official in Sarnia, who had approved my application. She was surprised at this fee, since neither Lambton College nor St. Clair College had been levying such charges against Second Career students.

Later that week, I buttonholed my MPP, Bob Bailey, at the Petrolia farmer’s market and in effect asked him, dude where’s my $137.12? Bailey’s assistant made inquiries on my behalf and found out that the province can’t tell the colleges to defer fees since these are determined by each institution’s governing body.

Yet many do, since they are assured of funding for approved students. After all, the provincial government pays the lion’s share of colleges operating budgets. The real issue was the delay in processing applications, not money.

Fanshawe insisted that “all students are made aware of this fee.” And the college

wouldn’t entertain an appeal “as they are not a charity.”

Like Kim, I don’t recall getting that message, although somewhere in the bowels of Fanshawe’s policy vortex there probably is such a clause.

The point is that it’s all about the money.

Sure, the college says it’s student-focused, but in the end it’s just a business, like your friendly cell phone provider or landlord.

Actions speak louder than words, my friends.

Maybe, administration should follow some of the tenets I’ve learned in my courses and do the right thing and fix their attitude towards students. After all, they are customers and alienating them is bad for business.

Bruce Langer is a student in the Corporate Communication and Public Relations program at Fanshawe College. He can be reached at b_langer@fanshaweonline.ca.

8

OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR fsuletters@fanshawec.ca

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Leisure activities not what they used to be CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED BUT...

Rose Cora Perry www.rosecoraperry.com

I don’t know if it’s just me, this city, the schizophrenic weather as of late, or maybe for once I’m on to something, but in the limited free time that I do have, it really seems like there’s a lack of genuinely interesting things to do! I mean if you don’t get wasted, and aren’t looking to pick up some tail, what sort of activities are left for a gal to choose from? The mall as a hangout? Well, that went out of style once I surpassed my designation as a teen. A movie? Frankly, with the exorbitant amount of cash they charge to watch something on the big screen, I’d rather catch a flick in the comfort of my own home, rocking my flannels with vegan-friendly foods to munch on. A concert? Don’t even get me started on the limited musical revues one can attend these days. Dinner? See the above vegan comments – London doesn’t have many restaurants appealing to picky eaters such as myself, and the ones we do have, well been there, done that. Perhaps the theatre? If it ain’t off-broadway in NYC, or at the very least a Stratford Shakespearean production, you can count me out. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – they just don’t make recreational activities like they used to.

Long ago are the days where communities hosted large-scale dances, meet and greets, and community-oriented affairs just so their youth could have something to do, and well, to keep them out of trouble.

Even when London does get a festival going down in Victoria Park, let’s be honest, there’s a pretty limited demographic to which these events appeal. Yet you’ll notice pretty much everyone in the city comes out of their hovels to gather downtown because it’s SOMETHING (who cares what?) to temporarily fill us with amusement.

I’d just really like the opportunity to attend a beat poetry reading, a meditation/drum circle, a magic show, a philosophical debate or consciousness-raising seminar, a really emotional jazz performance, or a jump-jive-and-wail dance-off – not just as part of a special limited time offer sort of deal but any day of the week. A little

maypole twirling never hurt anyone either!

I’m not saying these things don’t exist altogether, but they are few and far between, and typically they tend to remain on the down-lo (read as: they’re poorly attended beyond the host’s family members, if at all). I mean even just having a genuine old-school 50’s diner with a dance floor, jukeboxes and rollerskating waitresses to congregate at with some of my closest pals would be an improvement. There are only so many times I can go out and sing karaoke.

What I’m trying to get at here is it’s not just the lack of venues offering such forms of entertainment; it’s also the people. We’ve changed. As my anti-technology discussion alluded to last week, it seems (at least for kids my age) there are only two extremes: 1) you’re a shut-in who’d rather establish online pen-pal relationships than step out into the real world or 2) you’re a sex-crazed party animal which is equally non-conducive to the aforementioned activities.

Is it wrong that I fantasize sometimes about being swept away into a 1950’s high school rom-com where all the girls got ready collectively in their Sunday’s best to wow the boys at the Sadie Hawkins’ dance? Is it weird that I crave attending dress-up theme parties in the vein of full-on masquerades where everyone actually dresses up? What about storming off with a gang of 20 compadres to take over the local drive-in movie theatre, go on a crazy road-trip where you only make left-hand turns, or spend a day playing beach volleyball? Even hippie festivals like Woodstock far outdo the ones we try to host these days in terms of music, connectivity with others and overall atmosphere.

Not to sound like a broken record, but I think the changes in what we value, then versus now, have played a considerable role. To think many people don’t actually celebrate their honeymoons or that foreign business dealings are often akin to vacations – I don’t know, it seems rather weird and sad to me.

You work hard. You earn your money.

Hopefully you achieve both doing what you love. But if you don’t, it’s even more essential that you value and get all that you can out of your much deserved R&R time. I mean money? You can’t take that to the grave with you. Memories? You and those involved most certainly will.

But no, instead the all-too-commonly embraced forms of entertainment and social engagement are getting trashed to the point

of temporary amnesia. Given what I’ve just said, don’t you see how this is rather counterproductive? But again, we have to ask ourselves, what is so wrong with our contemporary world that people want to engage in mind-numbing activities as a form of leisure? Substance abuse, admittedly, is as old as humankind itself, but at one point it was primarily associated with religious rites and spirituality, as opposed to constituting the ideal form of escapism and social revelry.

While I would never opt for reviving the days of the Middle Ages where the “thing to do” was watch criminals get tried and tortured, I would like to see a bit more variety – not to mention a focus on “cultural and perceptual expansion” – in the typical recreational itinerary of us future leaders.

Medieval revival fayre anyone? Come on, there has to be someone out there too who believes fun can be had without alcohol, stingy nightclubs, and clothing I affectionately term “slutwear” and “napkins.”

Referendum follows dead fish’s suit against fisherman ADAM WINER THE MCGILL DAILY

MONTREAL (CUP) — Recently, Swiss lawyer Antoine Goetschel affirmed the importance of human rights while defending his client. He told the Telegraph newspaper, “It’s about fairness and defending a minority.”

His client? A dead pike.

A Swiss animal advocacy group felt that the fish had been subject to cruel treatment when a local fisherman took 10 minutes to reel it in before killing it.

Since the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into international law in 1948, this all-important tenet of “human rights” has been in a state of constant flux. Its plain meaning is crystal clear: absolutely all humans have the inalienable right to be recognized as humans.

This maxim guarantees an array of fundamental rights and freedoms for all, regardless of who they are.

Theoretically, then, people are protected from state cruelty, religious intolerance and many other atrocities. Today, these protections form much of the backbone of international law and — in many places — domestic law.

Unfortunately, this noble notion is often used and abused by individuals and groups attempting to promote a specific cause unrelated to human rights. Goetschel is one such user and abuser.

With his arguments, we enter the realm of the ridiculous. Goetschel is Switzerland’s — and the world’s — sole public animal rights lawyer. He was at the forefront of a heated public debate over a Swiss referendum to appoint an animal rights lawyer in each of the 26 districts of Switzerland, funded by taxpayer money. The March 8 referendum failed, garnering less than 30 per cent of the vote.

Animal advocacy groups put the question to voters in response to perceived injustices to non-humans in Switzerland. Voters were not pleased — an attitude reflective of the absurd nature of this referendum in a country where popular support for animal protection is already quite high. Just look at the legislation already in place: Animals classified as social (including pigs, budgies and even goldfish) are not allowed to be kept alone.

People wishing to own pet dogs must undergo training courses. Farm animals are legally required to be exercised regularly.

So why, you might ask, should we begrudge these creatures the right to a lawyer? Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate animals. On the contrary, I am a devout vegetarian who can barely look at a piece of meat without cringing. I love my pet dog, and have verbally abused friends who see fit to ignore her.

As much as I love animals, however, there is a certain line that our society cannot cross.

We must show animal life respect, but not to

the detriment of people. If you give animals the rights enjoyed by humans, then you strip “human rights” of their special meaning.

We need to consider some fundamental questions with far-reaching implications. Is there something exclusively human about our rights? Is there a line that separates human beings from animals? In allowing the campaign for animal protection to adopt the terminology of rights, we actually put our own rights into question. Sure, it’s fine to say that animal protection laws must be enforced, but to use taxpayer funds to hire animal rights lawyers, even in a prosperous

country like Switzerland, is madness. The 4.4 per cent of Swiss that are unemployed (as of 2009) need that money a whole lot more.

To be sure, animal welfare is important.

We must act ethically toward animals. But Switzerland sent an important message by drawing the distinction between animal welfare and animal rights. A spectre has raised its cute, furry head, and we must put it down before it deprives us of our intrinsic rights.

And in case you were worried, the Swiss fisherman was found not guilty. The pike was unavailable for comment.

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

LIFESTYLES

9

The Schomberg Fair is an experience BOBBYISMS BOBBY FOLEY

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. If you like the unexpected, you’re going to love this; in anticipation of their show this Thursday night at Moon Over Marin, The Schomberg Fair sent a copy of their record Gospel to the Interrobang office.

It becomes apparent right away that this trio — Matt Bahen on guitars, banjo, harmonica, and vocals; Nathan Sidon on bass guitar and vocals; and Pete Garthside on drums and vocals — are nothing like you’ve heard in the past. A quote from Clash Music in their press release sums it up pretty well, “Seeing The Schomberg Fair is unlike any experience I or presumably you have ever had with a band.”

There’s no wondering why the record is called Gospel — it’s not possible to miss the running theme present in the lyrics while you listen. Drunkard’s Prayer opens with “mother, sweet mother, don’t

worry for me / I’ve been talking to the man from Galilee / the Lord loves a drunkard I heard him say / with every breath invoked His name.”

It would be pretty easy to assume a few things; one, that the band are some ultra-religious outfit (maybe a country band) just trying to spread the righteous word, or two, that the album itself is heavily concept-laden. Digging just a little deeper, though, reveals the more interesting aspects of the dynamic.

To begin, The Schomberg Fair actually fall somewhere between indie and punk rockabilly. Their energy is evident even just by listening to their record, and rightly so — each song is a testament of survival and will, rooted deep in self-destruction, ambition, and redemption. Much of the record is inspired by true stories and struggles that Bahen witnessed during his time as an outreach worker.

And these songs are rich, nothing like the concept album of assumption’s sake, but rather more like a conversation; Bahen and Sidon play very well off of one another, trading vocal phrases back and forth over an upbeat, accented rhythm. Garthside adds some real texture in here as well, no small

feat over the sort of speed gospel that ensues as the record gets into gear.

After a slight introduction, the record kicks into a full swing with Angel’s Wings and carries a momentum through Drunkard’s Prayer and Tall Grass, each stronger than the last. The Schomberg Fair also includes a few traditional pieces they’ve arranged in their style, including Wayfaring Stranger and Blind Willie Johnson’s Trouble Will Soon Be Over (which is a personal favourite on this record).

Honestly, it’s hard not to enjoy the record in its entirety once you open up to it, it’s just a matter of being receptive to the sound. It’s not going to be for everyone’s tastes, but anyone that especially enjoys roots blues music combined with an indie rock edge will find this disc to be a welcome addition to their collection.

Top five songs: Trouble Will Soon Be Over, Can’t Go Home, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Drunkard’s Prayer, Tall Grass.

Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): Introduction, Wayfaring Stranger.

You can hear The Schomberg

The Schomberg Fair will be at London’s Moon Over Marin on March 25.

Fair on their Myspace profile (myspace.com/theschombergfair), and get a sampling of this and their other album, Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground. You can also see them live this Thursday,

March 25, at Moon Over Marin, 194 Dundas St downtown. I will definitely be in attendance, and I even have an extra guest list spot available. Anyone interested? I’m out of words.

TV’s Meet The Wilsons stars Fanshawe grad T.K. DALLMAN INTERROBANG

Dave Wilson, country music singer and CMT reality star has rejection letters from every major record label in Toronto. “[They’re] in my parents basement,” he laughed while in Kitchener-Waterloo, where he was doing a week of press interviews, “I’m going to make a collage of them!”

That struggle for success has been a key part of Wilson’s life, now documented through the CMT Canada series, Meet The Wilsons.

It follows Dave and his wife Kortney as they try to make it as a country duo, while working full time jobs and supporting three children. It’s a refreshing change from other reality series that cash in on existing celebrity. As a middle class family, the Wilsons are just trying to follow their musical dreams.

“Once we left our record deals and our publishing deals, [the industry] kind of patted us on the head and said ‘It’s really hard to make it with kids.’ Almost like ‘good luck.’ And they were right in a way. It is really hard, but we’re stubborn and determined. [So] we put the plan together for the show and it got turned down by everybody. Then, four days before Christmas, Ted Ellis at CMT Canada said ‘I want it.’”

The reason Ellis loved it, Wilson asserts, is “because it’s very family. Very PG. And the reason it was turned down by every network in the [United] States is because Kortney and I [don’t] cheat on each other, we don’t fight all the time, we don’t ignore our kids or slap them around, and that’s the stuff that gets the ratings up, and we can’t fake it. I can’t just start fighting with her because [of ratings].

You have to get to know us, then root for us, because as you’ll see,

just because we have a TV show does not mean we are going to be famous radio celebrities.”

Still, being virtually unknown to the greater audience has been a difficult challenge for the Wilsons, and the family have had to work hard to win over fans, endearing themselves to viewers with humour, kindness and talent. But it’s working. Now in its second season, Meet The Wilsons is quickly becoming the flagship show for CMT Canada; much more than this former Fanshawe student of Music Industry Arts could have ever imagined. Still, figures from his past make sure to keep their careers in check.

“I still talk to Terry [McManus, professor of music industry arts] every once in a while. I’m an old guy. I graduated in ’92. But Terry still calls me, like, when the show came out, and he didn’t call to say ‘Hey congratulations! Good on you,’ he called and said, ‘This is what I think you should be doing.

You need more music. This is what you shouldn’t be doing,’ and it’s really funny. He will always advise and council.”

And even though the Wilsons now reside in Nashville, Tennessee, they return to Canada frequently, for both family and business.

“Kortney and I joke that we both moved to the States and married Canadians, like, why did I even have to leave to do that? [And now I’ve spent] 10 years swinging the bat trying to make it, and the only place I get recognized is when I go home to see my folks,” Wilson laughed.

And while it’s true that the Wilsons’ success, so far, has been found primarily in Canada, they don’t plan on moving back, at least for the time being.

“Nashville is the only place where you can actually say ‘Hey...I’m a songwriter,’ and they

don’t look at you like, ‘Aw, you poor guy.’ So I wish Toronto or Vancouver or Ottawa had a Nashville, a music row. But I think the city almost has to be built around it. You can’t just go in and

go, ‘This is what we’re doing with Bloor Street!’”

Still, Canadian country music fans can be happy that we have some of the most kind, talented and hard-working individuals repre-

senting us in both Nashville and across the country on CMT. Watch new episodes of Meet The Wilsons every Sunday on CMT Canada at 10 p.m. and fall in love with the Wilson family.

10

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Power noise delivers ambient abstract sound Musician Jean-Paul De Roover recently played in London.

PHOTO: SHANNON LEPERE

De Roover puts on an interesting show MAGGIE MCGEE INTERROBANG

On a rainy night in a small room that seemed more the comfortable house of an old friend than a music venue, Jean-Paul De Roover stood before an undeniably intimate crowd of wet-haired individuals on couches and folding chairs and showcased some original works from his album Windows and Doors in promotion of his latest music video for his song Fix at London’s East Village Arts Co-op.

Fix is a stop motion video created with more than 2,000 still photographs and has been recently featured on Much Music. Seizing the moment, De Roover decided a tour was definitely necessary. The walls of the EVAC reverberated with sounds produced by De Roover through his unique set-up.

Arranged on an apparatus consisting of red tubes, listeners were met with digital looping, synth drum, and a series of assorted pedals.

While constantly adjusting and changing these, De Roover also manages to hold a consistent beat and guitar melody as he electronically composes the layers of the song.

De Roover is a busy guy, taking only short breaks between tours and now on the first leg of his cross-Canada tour. Growing accustomed to life on the road, and catching up on sleep in the backseats of cars and friends’ couches, one would assume a sense of weariness and apathy, not so.

There is an inherent bi-polar quality to De Roovers music, and it is something he knows all to well through his touring, some nights playing to rooms of 600 plus people, and then playing small coffee shops. The EVAC crowd was energized by danceable tracks and a palpable sense of enthusiasm, the organic aspect of De Roover’s performance is definitely an important point, and it’s obvious there’s a deep love for the music created through the effort and showmanship displayed (including dancing, audience interaction and even wrapping himself in a string of Christmas lights), but it doesn’t

come across as pretentious, but rather more down-to-earth, and while it’s obvious De Roover likes to work alone, he invited his friend and percussionist Richard Modin to join him in some laid back hand drum beats.

Using a do-it-yourself aesthetic, one that seems to be a key element in his performance, De Roover uses improvisational handclaps, tongue clicks and other vocal instrumentation. (Think more Regina Spektor than Sigur Ros.) With a selection of favourite artists near and dear to De Roover’s heart ranging from Bjork to Mike Patton, the show itself expressed intriguing fluctuations in style, from lighter, more mellow radiofriendly tracks to heavier songs such as Knife and How Come No Bones with baritone vocals which are at times somewhat reminiscent of Nick Cave. It is difficult to classify the music created into a specific genre, as many of the songs are varied and employ a wide array of different techniques, and while one could say that this vagueness could represent a lack of direction, De Roover manages to carve his own niche and express his personality and parlay it into a personal chemistry and stage presence that is something distinctly his own. If the innate optimism and excitement can be maintained and nurtured through experience, De Roover’s growth as an artist will be impressive and will come as no surprise.

The show drew to a close with Radiohead proving to be a popular theme of the night, with De Roover presenting an a cappella four-part harmony (a favourite technique) layered version of Idioteque to accompany a cover of Creep performed earlier in the evening by musician and self-described “angry house cat” Jeffery Ormston.

More about DeRoover at http://www.jeanpaulderoover.com, and listen to some tracks at: www.myspace.com/jeanpaulderoover.

Info about the London East Village Arts Co-op can be found at: http://www.eastvillagearts.com/

YOU NEVER KNEW YOU LOVED ...

AMY PLACHTA

Distorted guitars have become a mainstay in rock music, whether used sparingly to provide just a touch of edge and texture, or so heavily that notes and melodies become almost indiscernible behind chugging rhythms.

Some electronic artists have followed suit, combining the steady 4/4 beats of IDM, drum and bass, or breakcore with the distorted textures of post-industrial music to create a new sub-genre called power noise.

Unlike its predecessors, power noise is not always particularly danceable, making it slightly less popular at raves and in clubs.

Despite a steady beat, the overall tone is often more ambient and abstract.

Songs are atypically driven as melody comes in second behind rhythm. Instruments are added more for embellishment than focus, and lyrics are often completely absent or else sampled from film dialogue, leaving entire tracks to be driven solely by a thumping kick drum. The backbone is often generated by a drum machine like the Roland TR-909, a favourite among hip hop artists.

While power noise traces its influences back into the eighties and nineties via such artists as

Spanish industrialist Esplendor Geometrico and Belgian act Dive, the term itself only dates to 1997, when Noisex released the track United (Power Noise Movement).

The band gained publicity in the United States for the genre when they were signed to the label Mental Ulcer Forges by :wumpscut:.

Over the years the style has spread globally, though early artists were predominantly European, focused mostly in Germany or Belgium. Today the largest scenes are still in those same regions, with a smaller yet still notable degree of penetration in North American markets.

Prospero: For roughly the past decade Wade Anderson has been working under the name Prospero.

Based in Toronto, he produces original music and also remixes tracks by other industrial artists.

His 2008 album Folie a Deux features the track Protection and Precaution.

Combichrist: Crossing between many genres, Combichrist is distinct among many power noise musicians in their inclusion of lyrics, such as on the track Get Your Body Beat from the album What the F**k is Wrong With You People, due out in April of this year.

Asche: Ant-Zen, Germany’s foremost industrial and power noise label, proudly boasts Asche, who moves easily between power noise, power electronic, and various ambient genres. His harsh, rhythmic approach can be heard on tracks like Another Kind ov Being from Distorted Disco, released in 2000.

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Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

LIFESTYLES

11

ON campus

students enjoying campus life

PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY CHANG

idents had to say tential next FSU pres e free pizza… po r ou at wh ar he e to came for th at the Alumni loung re elected. Or they we ey th if Students gathered we ha ns r Fa about their plans fo

All the candidates were at Forwell hall to see if they could sway students in their favour in order to get the votes they need in order to become one of our next FSU executives.

Electric open mic night ran into a few problems as the Outback Shack was left without a drum kit or bass amp, so acoustic bands like The Late Night Scene played first while things were getting sorted out.

rnithe academic frate ts hool that’s part of en sc ud st an e di nc na ra Ca su ly in siness and bu is th Fanshawe is the on of e at th us s ca ive Sigma. Be s execut ty of Gamma Iota r games with many of the busines ke ea br ice ay pl got to were there.

For students the week of St Patrick's Day only means one thing… A lot of drinking

Students were just outside of the Oasis playing music, handing and handing out flyers in order to raise money for the St Joseph‘s Health Care Foundation.

12

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Canadian Music Week bands – making their mark BADEN ROTH INTERROBANG

Last week musical talents, professionals and music lovers descended upon Toronto for Canadian Music Week. While a ton of bands performed, here were the ones that stood out.

Jason Collet, Zues and the Bahamas This unique collaboration project features three bands that help write songs for each other. They join forces with their counterparts to create a sound that is refreshing and a very different experience for the average concert-goer. At Canadian Music week they played Lees Palace, which starts them on their tour across Canada and they just recently made a stop in London Ontario at Call the Office.

The Treasures This new Canadian country band is one to look out for as they played a well-crafted set at The Silver Dollar on the Wednesday of Music Week. They originate from right here in Ontario and have a fun time doing what they do best – singing their hearts out – and they are very upbeat. They have a rock edge to them, which makes them a fun live act as they write their songs to ensure they’re laced with thick harmonies and smokey steel lines.

We Are The City We Are The City is three-piece progressive rock act hailing from British Columbia. This Coldplayand Muse-inspired band know how to really blend orchestra-style storytelling and rock lullabies together, which creates something that sounds somewhat new when you first listen to them. Their songs have a sense of nostalgia of blue summer skies and jamming with friends at night. If you’re looking for something to add to your Ipod

Jason Collet

playlist, this is it. They took over the famous El Mocambo (Mick Jagger played there) on Spadina Avenue during Music Week. They were also featured on CBC Radio 3’s website recently too, so this currently unsigned band could make it big as they have gone onto play numerous local shows, record in a professional studio, and get positive recognition from both audiences and professionals alike.

The Dudes Calgary has its share of good solid bands and they can add another one to the list. With the mixture of ska riffs and emotional stories, these Dudes literally can rock any space. They are a barrel of laughs and have the style of Motion City Soundtrack but are more vibrant and address those awkward situations that we avoid talking about such as liking your best friend’s girl. It just feels like they’ve been there, done that, and with that type of experience, you know you’re in for a treat. They played the Horseshoe Tavern on the Thursday with great presence and had a blast on stage.

ADDIE SORRELL addie.sorrell@gmail.com

“Isn’t this song pretty, girls?,” my then-professor asked us, speaking above an array of strings, bells and overall fluffiness. Of course it was, but the first time in weeks that he had acknowledged the presence of the three women in class, was to ask if we thought this graceful composition was “pretty” - had we ever been asked what we thought of a guitar solo or a snare sound?

No. Only manly men listen to manly men music. Rawr.

I’m not really a feminist - sure, I like to vote, but that’s about where it stops. Up until two years ago, I never once thought to myself “He just thinks that because I’m a woman,” and I never thought I had to. But when I was assigned as producer on a class project, and I watched my creative ideas get shoved down the drain by my own teacher the message became clear the music industry is a man’s world, I just live in it.

I don’t resent this fact; I get it women are less likely to be active

Jets Overhead Alan Cross asked recently, “Why is no one talking about these guys?” It seems that bands from British Columbia are making their mark and for Jets Overhead they are making an impact on the music scene as one of the most respected and hard-working ensembles around. They combine synth and edgy bass to forge an easy listening groove not unlike Metric and Radiohead. When I heard these guys at the Horse Shoe Tavern, I just had to buy their new disc No Nations. They really hit chords within their lyrics as they create a metro underground feeling that you will be addicted to.

Melissa Auf der Maur Montreal legend Melissa Auf der Maur, who has been in bands such as Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, is just releasing her second solo studio album. She made an appearance at The Horse Shoe and really got the evening going with her Joan Jett style of bass playing; you could feel it in your soul. If you’re looking for a new rock anthem or something to go along with your

Handbook Handb H andb bo ook kC Contest onttes et

Diary of a girl in the music industry IS THIS IT

We Are The City

in the music industry, and, to state the obvious, we’re not men. In a way, it’s almost like an opportunity - if I got chosen for a job, I’d feel pretty proud of the fact that I clearly got past the 90 per cent male competition... presumably keeping my morals intact.

There are just some aspects that women run into when we work in a male-dominated field, like walking into a room and having people stop laughing at a crude joke, just because we weren’t supposed to hear it. Men are fine with me smelling their farts, but make a joke about it and suddenly you think you’re defiling me. I think by that point it’s a bit too late, guys.

I can’t exactly fight it. If I went to every interview saying, “Hire me or I’m suing you for sexual harassment,” I wouldn’t get a job in addition to making false threats.

Not to mention I just don’t care that much anymore. I’ve taken a humourous perspective to it and just roll my eyes now. Boys are silly.

Speaking as a girl who used to specialize in a female-dominated industry, I’d rather put up with a bunchy of smelly, drunk boys than deal with the neurosis that is the female mind. Or worse, over-active feminists. As I said, I like voting.

Melissa Auf de Maur at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto during Canadian PHOTO: BADEN ROTH Music Week. collection of progressive rock then you have come to the right place.

Hot Hot Heat They have been busy getting signed onto labels, recording new songs, and hiring new bassists.

With their new outlook on their work, they are back on track to

bring a powerful sound to the stage as they took control of the Horse Shoe after Auf der Maur. They surprised everyone with their sound.

If you have never heard them you’re actually missing out on a lot of with what this band has to offer.

Check out Future Breeds in July.

www.fsu.ca w w w. f s u . c a

YOUR DESIGN

HERE

HANDBOOK ENTRIES TRIES S DUE D MARCH MARCH R 26 COVER CO VER R CONTEST T > EN 1ST ST PRIZ PRIZE ZE GIFT CERTIFICATE $200 GIF G FT CER RTIFICATE PRIZE 2ND PRIZ ZE CERTIFICATE $ $50 GIFT T CER TIFICATE

Get y your our ur ar artwork twork on the fr front ront co cover ver o of th the 2010 - 2011 Student Ha Handbook.

Submission fforms or ms can be pick p up in t the Office - SC2 2001 or FSU Office SC2001 www.fsu.ca/handbook w www .fsu.ca/handbook fsu ca/handbook your FSU Office Submit y our work to the F SU Of fice Student Centre) SC2001 (2nd Floor Floor Studen nt Centr e) F or more more inf or mation cont act: For information contact: Darb y Mousseau in SC 1012 or Darby SC1012 d dmousseau@f anshawec.ca a dmousseau@fanshawec.ca

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Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Happy birthday to WWW INTERWEBOLOGY AMY PLACHTA

The Internet is young. While computer technology has been gradually developing over the course of several decades, and connection technologies like ARPANET showing signs of life since the cusp of the 1970s, as a network open to commercial use, the Internet has only really been available since the late 1980s.

Residential use didn’t take off until the 1990s, with the greatest peak in 1996 and 1997.

The opening months of 2010 have marked milestones for almost every major Internet service, as well as the Internet itself. Twenty-five years ago, on March 15, 1985 the first .com domain was registered. It was one of only six registered in that year, though within a dozen years that number had ballooned up to one million.

In the top level domain game .com is still by far the most popular, gaining in excess of half a million new registered sites each month, though others such as .ca, .org, .net, and .biz still hold steady among the almost 300 TLDs available.

The lifespan of a dot-com is often quite short. While the aforementioned first site can still be viewed at symbolics-dks.com, the company itself has long since folded. Certain sites like Google seem to be destined to become mainstays, though for many other services the verdict is still up in the air.

One of the older social networking sites to still be kicking around is MySpace. While the site has had to shift its focus and redefine its identity to compete with Facebook, its numbers are still strong. Things have changed behind the scenes, too, as former president Tom Anderson is no longer being added as a friend to every new account.

The company fired the founding team - Anderson included - in mid2009, but visibility saved Anderson to a degree as he was kept on, though his title was reduced from president to unofficial mascot.

Facebook’s recent news is somewhat more celebratory, as the beginning of February marked the site’s sixth birthday. The project, originally called thefacebook.com, has expanded from its earliest iteration as an exclusive Harvard network to include a broader swath of university students, and later open membership. These days having a Facebook account is almost as common as having an email address, with the site boasting roughly 100 million unique visitors each month.

A week after Facebook’s birthday, YouTube joined the celebration at age five. The domain was registered on Valentine’s Day 2005 and has well surpassed competing sites like Vimeo to become the premiere online video portal. The site, however, has not been without controversy. Copyright issues still abound, and it is argued that YouTube’s lenient attitude towards infringement is as responsible for its popularity as ease of use and accessibili-

ty. As well, deportalization threatens the site’s future as many people are now seeking their videos at more specialized sites, or through social networks like Facebook.

A little older and a little smaller, LinkedIn also achieved a milestone when the site welcomed its 60 millionth member. The “social networking for business” service has noted exceptional growth in the Netherlands and India. In fact, half of all LinkedIn users are international, making the site far more multinational than its competitors, some of which (Facebook included) are actually banned in some countries. As well, opening up its API to developers and releasing a new iPhone app have also given the site a boost.

Most recently, the Internet’s youngest social phenomenon, Twitter, hit 10 billion tweets in early March. This milestone indicates exponential growth in usage, as the site marked its one-billionth tweet well over a year ago, and its fivebillionth late this past fall. In fact, the process of “tweeting” has become official as the service’s “update” button now simply reads “tweet.”

Also celebrating the 10-billion mark is iTunes, whose downloads hit the landmark on February 24 when a man in Woodstock, Georgia bought Johnny Cash’s Guess Things Happen That Way. The purchase date also happened to be Steve Job’s 55th birthday, and he celebrated by giving a $10,000 iTunes gift card to the lucky user.

For many, these services have become so commonplace that it is hard to imagine living without them, though less than a decade ago that is exactly what we did. While their growth has been exponential, it remains to be seen whether or not they will fall as quickly as they rose, and what new services will soon become social essentials.

LIFESTYLES

13

Unique finds piloted by students IVANA PELISEK INTERROBANG

Spring’s fashion forward must haves can now be purchased on campus.

Fashion merchandising students at Fanshawe have been hard at work to provide fellow students with fashion forward, must-have accessories for this spring.

A three-week pilot project was launched last week in conjunction with the campus bookstore as part of a hands-on practical experience for second year fashion merchandising students.

The project was integrated into the program to allow students the opportunity to learn how a business operates successfully. “(This) experience is a must,” said Michelle Giroux, a fashionmerchandising technician in the program.

“The project covers all fields of work - marketing, communications, buying. A real hands-on experience,” she said.

The college, along with the campus bookstore, has been nothing short of supportive for the pilot project, mentioned Giroux.

She could not thank the college enough.

The project is awaiting approval by the college for upcoming fashion merchandising programs.

In turn this pilot project allows

Second-year merchandising students Andrea Mlina (left) and Casey Maia showcase some of this spring’s must have items in DEF conjunction.

PHOTO: JOHN SING

students to get real life work experience to add to their resumes for future use.

Ryerson university student and owner of Oh Dina! (accessories) Nicole McInnis joined forces with the Fanshawe community while at a MODE fashion event.

McInnis stated she was approached by fashion merchandising students at the event while at her booth and the rest is history.

“I try to create very feminine pieces,” McInnis spoke of her oneof-a-kind headband accessories, that are sold in 21 stores across Canada.

McInnis opened her business just last year.

The store sells everything from scarves to fashionable headbands, jewelry and fashion forward carry-

ons.

“If you’re looking for something unique for the spring… we have it,” Giroux joked.

If you have not yet checked out Fanshawe’s FM Connection in the DEF conjunction, be sure to visit the store to see all the amazing items spring cannot wait for.

The store will be opened until March 25, 2010.

For further inquiries regarding this year’s must have spring items please drop by the store.

If you wish to inquire about Oh Dina’s amazing headband accessories, please see her website at www.ohdina.com March store hours: Tuesday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Event to examine Canada’s military industry ANDREW JONES SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUB

The Fanshawe Social Justice Club is hosting a speaking event focused on Canada’s role in the military industrial complex. There will be various lectures given on Friday, March 26, from 7-10 p.m. in room D1060. If we truly live in a democracy, we should be more informed and concerned about our government’s foreign affairs.

Speakers such as Ed Corrigan and Josh Randall, who have affiliations with war resisters groups, will be discussing various issues regarding Canada’s role in the pro-

duction of war weaponry. Corrigan has written about Canada’s role in the production of depleted uranium. Also, Alex Balch will be discussing the Alberta tar sands, and how they contribute to the military industrial complex. Other topics will be addressed, and there will be a chance for questions and group discussion after the lectures.

It is a good time to be wondering

about Canada’s part in the Afghan war, especially since Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has recently weaseled his way out of questions concerning allegations of covering up prisoner cruelty.

Clearly it brings up an issue concerning our rights to be informed in a democratic society. How can we choose a party if they will not disclose what they do overseas?

You have your diploma, now get your degree!

Compliment your diploma with a degree from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto. Check us out and learn about the opportunity to earn advanced standing for related programs.

Apply by May 1, 2010 to be considered for September start!

416.798.1331 O guelphhumber.ca

14

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Emilie De Ravin and Robert Pattinson in Remember Me.

Remember Me powerful film Put your Hands together for a classic horror flick Cinema Connoisseur Allen Gaynor www.cinemaconn.com

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) When the writer, producer, director and star of a film is a fertilizer salesman, you can normally expect the flick to reek of manure.

Luckily this week’s film, Manos: The Hands of Fate, manages to break the seemingly never-ending streak of poor films conceived by poop peddlers.

Before I get into the plot of this extraordinary film, I thought I would share a little background information first. The aforementioned fertilizer salesman Harold P. Warren decided to make the film after a conversation with a screenwriter, in which Warren stated that making a film would not be that difficult. They placed a wager as to whether Warren himself could make a film. Warren immediately began writing the script on a napkin. A similar situation years after resulted in Francis Ford Coppola releasing The Godfather into theatres. Warren managed to raise $19,000, assemble a cast that worked for free aside from the promise of a percentage of the profits, and complete a film unlike any other in cinematic history.

The film opens with a lengthy scene that sees a family driving around, looking for a place to stay.

They keep driving. And driving.

And driving. Allegedly, this sequence was supposed to contain the opening credits, but Warren either could not add them, or simply forgot to. Hey, sometimes small details like that get forgotten on a project of this scale.

We learn that the couple, their daughter and their dog are lost.

The parents (Michael and Margaret) decide to ask for assistance from an odd man named Torgo, who can best be described as a sinister, bowlegged, mentally

disabled hobo. He is reluctant at first to allow them to stay at his lodging, referring continually to his “master.” However, it quickly becomes clear that someone, or something is intent on keeping the family exactly where they are.

First the family dog is killed, and then the daughter temporarily goes missing. The oddball Torgo then makes a pass at Margaret in a genuinely creepy scene. Imagine getting hit on by your uncle – at your aunt’s funeral - it’s that creepy.

We learn that the master is quite the polygamist, and plans to add Margaret as his latest trophy wife.

Not only does Margaret’s husband have a problem with this, but so does Torgo and The Master’s many wives. This leads to a huge catfight between the women that is reminiscent of a divas match on WWE Monday Night Raw (except without all of the production values).

Manos: The Hands of Fate is not without flaws. There are some editing problems due to the fact that they could only shoot 32 seconds at a time with the camera they used. The actor’s voices don’t always match up with the movement of their mouths (the camera also didn’t record audio). And a few of the actors deliver subpar performances that would not seem out of place in the latest Twilight movie. That being said however, the sum is greater than its parts. It is fitting that the project was the brainchild of a fertilizer salesman, as it grows into something special by the time the end credits role.

Yes, he did remember to put those in.

Not sold yet? What if I told you that “Manos” is Spanish for hands, meaning the title translates to Hands: The Hands of Fate? Or if I told you that an actress who was slated to be in the film broke her leg before filming, so all of her scenes take place in a car. Every once in a while, she is seen making out with a man in a car, although neither character has any connection to the story. What if I told you that you could watch the film for free on the Internet? Visit www.archive.org and do a search for “manos hands.” I’ll just say it in advance - you are welcome.

KATHRYN FUDURICH INTERROBANG

Remember Me (2010) Remember Me is nothing like what you’d expect from only viewing the trailers. The love story is as passionate and complex as the characters themselves. Tyler (Robert Pattinson) and Ally (Emilie de Ravin) are wonderful in this film as college students in New York City both covering up tragic pasts. Director Allen Coulter brings the beautiful story alive and allows the audience to understand the characters in the film on a personal level. He achieves this through insights into their thoughts and habits and clear explanations for why they are the way they are.

The heartbreaking opening scene sets the mood for the story that takes place in the summer of 2001. Through a twist of fate Tyler, the independent and rebellious twenty-something crosses paths with Ally, a girl who lives each day to the fullest since witnessing her mother’s murder. As the plot progresses it becomes evident that the circumstances that brought the two together could also tear them apart.

Set in a hot New York City, Pattinson brings a whole new character to the screen beyond what he is recognized for in Twilight. His talent is unmistakable and he really embodied Tyler Hawkins. Pierce Brosnan also does an incredible job as Tyler’s father Charles. He comes across as an unloving man who has become a misunderstood and disconnected father after the sudden death of his oldest son

Michael.

The story is touching, current, and proves that the only way to live is to live in the moment. If you take nothing for granted and live each and every day like it could be your last, then in the end you’ll look back with no regrets.

Coulter puts great emphasis on the spectacular little moments in a relationship that can easily be forgotten. It is these moments that make life special and in these moments where you can learn the most about a person. Remember Me is most definitely worth the price of admission and I can only hope that the fact Pattinson is in it does not deter anyone from seeing the film. It is completely different than anything he has done and the cast as a whole wonderfully depicts a story full of pain, love, and life.

Made in 62-hours, viewed in 10 minutes JESSICA IRELAND INTERROBANG

The second annual London Fringe 62-Hour Film Contest has finished another year of fast-paced filmmaking and is currently awaiting the results of this year’s contest.

This year, 14 filmmakers got their films back in time, said producer, Alison Challis.

The production teams spanned across the board in terms of experience, from amateur-filmmakers to performers, to those whose focus is on mixed media – all different ages from 18 years old to those in their 50s, said Challis.

The teams met on Friday, March 12 at the Morrissey House, where they learned the four secret elements that they were required to incorporate into their films moments before they had to rush out to film.

The secret elements involved a prop – which was a container of bubbles; a line of dialogue – “I’m a bear of little brain and big words bother me;” a downtown London location – any mural; and the overall concept which was “second chances.”

The films must be 10 minutes or less and are judged by a panel of five – Dwight Coughlin of CIVA Communications, Mike Knoll of the London Free Press, professor Janina Falkowska of the department of film studies at the University of Western Ontario and

Lionel Morise of Clever Monkey Creative.

The short films are judged based on editing, script, cinematography, originality, creativity and sound.

The final results will be shown on Sunday, March 21 at the London Convention Centre Theatre at 300 York St. Audiences can see the screenings of all the films at 1 p.m. or wait until 7 p.m. to see those that won at the awards presentation.

The first place team receives $300 cash and the chance to win an additional $750 from the Producers Post after they complete a special project through their Pay It Forward Productions program.

Tickets for Sunday’s events are $10 for either event, or $15 for a pass to both. Those interested in purchasing tickets can contact the Fringe office at 519-434-0606, go online at http://londonfringe.ca or get them at the door – cash only.

SUMMER JOBS COLLEGE PRO PAINTERS is presently looking for responsible / hardworking University or College students for:

Full-Time Painting Positions May - August No experience required, we will train you to paint.

Positions available in your area.

If interested call 1-888-277-9787 or apply online at www.collegepro.com

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

15

UWO Film Festival shines spotlight on talented student filmmakers MARC RAFFA SPECIAL TO INTERROBANG

Student filmmakers took their creative visions to the big screen at the tenth annual UWO Film Festival last week.

Presented by the Western Undergraduate Film Society, the Fest was an energetic night of film screenings, elbow-rubbing, and celebration. Set against the artful backdrop of Museum London downtown, the evening was an opportunity for talented student filmmakers from Fanshawe and Western to display their work before a packed theatre of indie film supporters and judges.

Of 20 films submitted to the festival, 10 were pre-selected to be screened by the audience. Festival coordinators Monica Wang and Soha El-Sabaawi welcomed guests to the event and regretted that while only 10 films could be

viewed, all 20 submissions were “truly impressive.”

The goal of the event was to inspire more of an interest in student filmmaking and to provide a venue outside of the classroom for student work to be viewed and recognized by the public, said the organizers. “After seven months of planning, the event was an amazing success,” says El-Sabaawi.

While the event name is rather misleading, students from both Fanshawe and Western were invited to submit to the festival and could compete for a chance to win four hefty cash prizes: the Viewer’s Choice award of $350, the third place prize valued at $300, second place at $600, and the coveted first place award of $900.

For the extremely affordable price of a $10 ticket, the audience was in for a diverse night of film genres, storytelling, and imagination. The first film, Ian Murray’s

Celebrity Candy

Celebrity buzz BRIANNA GARE INTERROBANG

Here’s what’s happened in La-La land this week…

• For all those Twitter fanatics, make sure you’re following Justin Bieber, who is one of the most popular accounts on the site. The Stratford teen has been in the top 140 most popular, averaging 11,000 new followers daily! If his hot streak continues, he’ll enter the Top 100 by next month. Why the popularity? This I have yet to figure out, but some say he just might give Ashton Kutcher a run for his money.

• Spring must be in the air, because couples are splitting.

Jennifer Love-Hewitt and boyfriend of one year, Jamie Kennedy broke up. A rep for the couple had no further information but claimed the split was amicable. However, from the beginning of the relationship, many speculated over what seemed an unlikely pair. I guess the thrill of opposites only lasts so long.

Continuing the unfortunate trend, Kate Winslet and her husband, director Sam Mendes ended their nearly seven-year marriage.

Mendes, who is 10 years older than Winslet, 34, have one son together.

Winslet also has nine-year-old Mia from a previous marriage.

• According to Corey Haim’s mom, the city of Toronto is picking up the tab for her son’s funeral.

However, a representative for the city said it “does not confirm or comment on any potential, pending or active applications for assistance in such matters…” The ex-child actor, 38, who is also a native of Toronto, died last Wednesday – cause of death still pending. The celebrity memorabilia site Startifacts claims to be donating the tombstone and providing for other additional costs.

• Lady Gaga has replaced the toxic with antioxidant. The wild and crazy performer is becoming health conscious and replacing her cigarette addiction with Detox Tea. Apparently, Gaga is goo-goo over Kusmi Tea, a 140-year-old brand.

According to claims, the muslin sachets are filled with a lemongrass and green tea blend. The Detox Tea also contains the blood pressurelowering and mood-boosting amino

acid theanine. I see a major spike in sales for this Parisian company happening soon.

• Why didn’t they cancel the Toronto Music Festival!? Girlicious member Natalie Mejia missed her Friday March 12 performance, for being arrested for cocaine possession. The 21-year-old was in Glendale, California, on Tuesday when police pulled over a car she was a passenger in. Finding 12 bags of cocaine in her purse, Mejia and driver Peter Asencio, 28, were both charged with possession with intent to sell. Mejia claims she did not know the cocaine was in her purse.

Well, oversize purses are the fashion now; maybe she didn’t notice it amongst her lipglosses and hair extensions.

$2.75, started the evening off strong with the story about personal metamorphosis and acceptance.

His shots were crisp and professional, setting a high standard for cinematic achievements ahead.

The Life of Hands by Nikolai Ostonal was an offbeat mockumentary chronicling hands as if they were an endangered species.

Other films that kept the audience laughing were Lanes To by Matt Rossoni, where a lonely man drives two cars into each other in his mind, and Matthew Winquist’s Toast, the story about three men trying to overcome the demonic power coming from their toaster.

Drama and suspense also took to the screen. Ten Thousand Words (dir. Brad Freeman) and Stalled (dir. Jordan Brown) were ambitious scripts that demanded authentic performances of the actors who definitely delivered.

Independent student filmmakers

should be credited for their resourcefulness. After an initial concept didn’t flesh out, My River director Benjamin Mercer and editor Josh Romphf built an entirely new story around the beautiful 16mm footage they had saved. To make deadline, the new film was edited in one night.

Experimental film was also screened. Ruurd Dykstra’s For Mr. Mouse was a careful and meticulous use of screen space. Nightcap (dir. Sama Rahimian) blurred reality in a dream sequence. Media, theory and production student, Kara MacLean’s Keep in Touch, blended her interest in photography with film to create unique photo-animation sequences.

After deliberations, judges Tobias Nagl, Christine Sprengler, James Bialkowski and Fanshawe’s Joseph Dunlop-Addley came to a unanimous decision. Viewer’s Choice Award was split four-ways

between Keep in Touch, Toast, Ten Thousand Words, and My River.

Third place went to The Life of Hands; second place to Keep in Touch; and first place prize went to For Mr. Mouse.

Dunlop-Addley said the judges came to a unanimous decision rather quickly. Concept, execution, and impact were factors in the decision, as well as the pacing of the film. A tip for future years: “You can’t put too much into preproduction,” he said.

The party went on into the night at On The Fork Bistro at Museum London. Appetizers and wine were served while congratulations were passed around the room. The UWO Film Festival proved to be a delightful evening full of excitement, ability and a true passion for filmmaking.

LOLA brings back Brooklyn-based band IVANA PELISEK INTERROBANG

The London Ontario Live Arts festival is proud to present a band right out of Brooklyn, N.Y. at one of London’s favourite establishments.

On Monday, April 12, LOLA will present the highly anticipated Brooklyn-based, guitar-electronic trio Growing at Call the Office.

Growing has played in London previously and this performance will be a follow-up to their performance on the trans-media stage at LOLA 2009.

“What I expected of Growing at LOLA 2009 was the blissful wash of pulse and texture underlined by glacial passages for which they were known for,” said LOLA music director, Ian DoigPhaneuf.

But Growing surprised their audience with the inclusion of their third member Sadie Laska, who contributes tribal rhythms and a punk rock swagger for the band, he added.

Growing has performed with acts such as Sunn O))), Black Dice, Gang Dance, Boris and OOIOO, while also having traveled with Fuck Buttons and Hot Chip.

About the band: Originally formed in Olympia Washington and currently based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Growing have gradually progressed from a strict focus on slow, instrumental drone pieces (through noise and ambiance) and more toward pulsing, rhythm-based sonic tangents.

Kevin Doria founded the band, and plays the electric bass guitar,

Joe Denardo plays the electric guitar, and Zack Carlson is on drums.

Unfortunately Carlson left the band shortly after the trio’s first album was released leaving the other members to play as a duo until 2009, when they decided to recruit Laska who provides the vocals. According to LOLA fest, Growing is highly respected by their musical peers and have recently been signed to Vice Records.

Their latest album is Pumps.

This all-ages event is licensed and costs $10 at the door.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and the concert will begin at 9:30 p.m.

For more info on LOLA please visit www.lolafest.com

The minimum wage is going up.

If you're an employer, here's what you need to know.

General Minimum Wage

Students under 18 and working not more than 28 hours per week or during a school holiday

Liquor Server

Hunting & Fishing Guides: for less than five consecutive hours in a day

Hunting & Fishing Guides: for five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive

Homeworkers (people doing paid work in their home for an employer)

Current wage rate

$9.50/hour

$8.90/hour__

$8.25/hour

$47.50

$95.00

110% of the minimum wage

Mar. 31, 2010 wage rate

$10.25/hour

$9.60/hour__

$8.90/hour

$51.25

$102.50

110% of the minimum wage

On March 31, 2010, the general minimum wage will increase to $10.25 per hour from the current rate of $9.50 per hour.

To find out more about how the new minimum wage guidelines affect employers and employees, call or visit the Ministry of Labour web site.

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

1-800-531-5551

www.ontario.ca/minimumwage

16

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Spring style: Copying designers stealing lessons in layering ideas and creativity AIMEE BROTHMAN FASHION WRITER

ALYSSA PAGEOT FASHION WRITER

Design piracy is an ongoing issue in the fashion world that a lot of people don’t take seriously.

While gathering information on this topic, I asked a few people their opinion on buying fakes and knock-offs and if they would or have in the past. Many saw no reason not to purchase fakes, listing the main benefit as the lower costs for a seemingly similar item.

Although the original item is always of better quality, it’s not always a large difference. I was surprised by the small amount of people that cared about buying fakes, and that nearly no one saw it as a crime.

I personally have never bought anything fake, but on the other hand, I’ve not bought any real and expensive designer pieces either.

When I have money I intend to pick up a few designer bags and maybe some accessories, but I certainly can’t justify spending so much money on pieces of clothing that I won’t get to wear casually.

As a fashion design student, and aspiring designer, I strongly disagree with copying other designers works directly. Of course everyone says that it is impossible to be completely original because everything in fashion is cyclical and nothing is new. That is true, but I’m talking more about exact copies, not similar silhouettes or colour schemes. I mean the stores that sell knock-off sunglasses, bags, shoes, or obvious duplicates of garments.

A designer puts a lot of work into creating clothes and accessories - I know this first hand. It is such a feeling of accomplishment when a piece is finished to perfection and to see that piece worn. I can only imagine the feeling of seeing my designs on a runway, or in a magazine, or on a celebrity on the red carpet. A lot of people don’t understand how much piracy affects designers and most simply don’t care. A long term effect is the damper it puts on the exclusivity of a franchise, but it also lowers their sales volume, and I’m sure it reduces their strive for creativity and makes them less willing to produce certain pieces, knowing that if the wrong person snaps a photo on the runway, it could be sent to production and knock-offs could be sold in stores faster than the original product hits the shelves.

I would never buy fake because I simply don’t see the point. I would invest money into a designer piece if it were a designer I truly admired and wanted to support, someone I would be proud to wear and contribute funding to. I also know that in shopping, there is no greater rush than buying that unique piece you’ve been waiting for. Just browsing through Chanel boutiques in Paris sent shivers down my spine and sent me on a high. The looks on some of the women’s faces as they purchased that perfect scarf, or necklace,

Designer knockoffs continue to flood the market despite the harm it does to the industry as a whole. were priceless. You don’t get that sort of satisfaction buying a purse off the back of a truck in the city.

I also think fakes are rather silly, because most of the time if I see someone with a “designer” bag, they will willingly admit that it is not “real.” What’s the point in buying it if you are telling everyone it is a cheap knockoff? Wasn’t that the reason to buy in the first place, so people would see the label and either admire or shoot jealous glares? And even if it was purchased for the quality or comfort, there are a million places you can get plain bags or shades without the large D&G or LV labels.

There are trademark laws that work for designers and therefore in some ways, protect them under what is called the Lanham Act. A trademark is defined as any word, name, symbol, or device, or combination thereof that is used by a designer or corporation, to identify merchandise, and distinguish them from other designers and companies. This works well for words, emblems, logos or symbols and it is great for protecting designers against counterfeiters and gray marketers in some areas. For example, Chanel’s interchanging C’s as a symbol is protected by the company and therefore cannot legally be manipulated.

I have a different opinion on copying garments and styles because it is definitely a lot harder to catch and there are some benefits to the fashion cycle. There are no laws against copying garment styles, I think it would be very difficult to set those standards; but a lot of designers want action taken

on this matter. One opinion I found online illustrated the benefit of copying to the fashion cycle and it basically works like this: A designer comes out with a new dress that is sold in stores, and soon copied and manufactured by another company. The dress then gets mass manufactured and sold at lower rates, making it more available to various people at various retailers and promoting popularity. Soon the trend becomes so big that it is no longer in fashion, and it wears out until the original designer comes out with a new idea. This helps move along the fashion cycle and reminds me a bit of a certain scene from The Devil Wears Prada. Although there aren’t direct benefits to the original designers, it still works out trends faster and in ways still promotes the original design. There is also the notion that copying is the largest form of flattery, but somehow I hardly see that as a silver lining for designers losing millions a year due to design piracy.

Just be aware of what you are purchasing and whom you are affecting. It’s as simple as putting yourself in the other persons shoes and goes further than just fashion, an imitation of an original defeats the purpose; I will always support the true designer for their work.

Harper’s Bazaar has a campaign entitled Fakes Are Never In Fashion dedicated to exposing the criminal activities connected to the sale of counterfeit luxury goods- child labor, drug trafficking, and even terrorism. For more info visit www.FakesAreNeverinFashion.com

Spring is in the air, and I like it.

Sunnier, longer days, no ice to wipe out on while walking to work, and a return of the smoothie in replacement of hot chocolate, are all part of my seasonal overhaul. Although these telltale signs assist in transitioning me into warmer weather, as a fashionista, it’s the retirement of my parka and boots that really works to signify that the pleasant skies are here to stay and the flowers will soon be blooming.

Come spring, I am definitely ready to replace heavy, bulky pieces for finer garments that are easier to wear, but despite the slight temperature increase, there is still some need for bundling; this is where the “art of layering” comes in. Thinner layers can be worn, and when worn in multiples, you can avoid that last bit of winter chill, while starting to enjoy the new spring styles.

One of the key layering items in any ensemble is the button-down shirt. Flannel, cotton, pin-striped, plaid, or plain, any button-down that suits your personal style will do just fine. Layered over a casual t-shirt or a slinky camisole, you can wear it either way. Top it off with an unzipped hoodie for comfort, or a cardigan for polish, but be sure to let the cuffs and collar peek out for contrast.

My spring coat of choice will forever be a leather bomber (they evoke such a “badass” vibe; just ask Adam Dick) but as of late, I have been finishing off my accouterments with a fur vest. Denim jackets are also soooo spring 2010. On my wish list?

A hip-length cargo pocketed military throw-over. Marc Jacobs’ adaptation, with its silk ruffles peeking out from below, and equipped with a leather waist-belt to match, is

undoubtedly my dream version, but I’m beginning to try and become a more “price conscious shopper.” Its $2,040 price tag is just a bit too much of a shock, even for yours truly!

A thick, knit scarf is a great transitional spring piece, as well. If it’s still a bit frosty in your area, don’t rule out cotton scarves either. Plenty warm when wrapped around your neck, both kinds are available in spring-friendly colours and patterns.

Layering instantly adds interest to any outfit because when you mix pieces, you also mix colours, textures, and styles. Although I am a big fan of looking a teeny bit dishevelled, there is a method to my madness. Colours, patterns, and textures can and should be mixed – just keep it harmonized.

Grey, black, white, brown, cream and navy – “the neutrals” - are all great layering colours that will pair up well with any other shades you’ve chosen for your ensemble.

For example: A black t-shirt can be worn with a poppy red plaid, so long as the hoodie or cardigan is in the neutral colour palette, and only one of the included pieces is patterned.

Mixing styles through layering is my very favourite way to add personal charm and let all of my style inspirations mesh together. This could mean mixing new trends with some of the classics, or balancing two separate fads evenly. I’m looking forward to combining my loose, cream lace (and very girly) tank with my previously mentioned black leather bomber, as well as pairing one of my sheer, sweet looking slips with that tough military coat that I’m on the hunt for.

By amalgamating trends (lingerieinspired and military-borrowed, respectively) and styles (girlie and masculine), the layered look appears balanced, but never too painstakingly co-ordinated. Finding all the right pieces can be a bit tricky, but the carefree and stylish vibe that the layered look gives off will be worth every item that you scrounged for.

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Sibling grad issues, two timing friend and Casanova LOVE LOLA LOLA I. LOVE lolaletters@live.ca

Dear Lola, My brother and I are both graduating this year, we’re in different programs, but our ceremony will be on the same day.

The problem is he doesn’t get along with our parents; he moved out when he was 18 and never looked back. I want my folks there, but he’s asked me not to invite them. What should I do?

Little Sister Dear Sister, Hmmm, you’ve got yourself into quite a messy predicament here, don’t you? What’s the saying? Blood’s thicker than water?

Is it thick enough to blindfold your brother so he doesn’t spot your parents making home movies and tearing up in the back row?

It’s a shame that your brother’s relationship with your mom and dad is so damaged that he wouldn’t want their support on this day; perhaps he’s worried that they actually wouldn’t be supportive?

Maybe I’m a softy for siblings, but I honestly think your brother deserves this moment. Without your parent’s support (emotionally or financially) he’s made it to this place in his life. If your parent’s presence is going to be that upsetting to him, I think you need to respect him. Perhaps there’s another family member who can stand in? Another sibling? A favourite aunt or a grandparent?

Someone who can sit in the audience and capture the moment for both of you.

There’s no reason why your parents can’t take you out for dinner afterwards to show you how proud they are. Perhaps this sticky situation will act as catalyst for change in your family, once your parents realize what they’ve missed out on.

Good luck!

Dear Lola, My “best friend” and I have been BFF’s since grade 3. Now that we’re in college though, she makes me crazy. She’s totally

selfish and superficial and she treats her boyfriend and I like crap. I finally got fed up, so last weekend while she was back home I invited her boyfriend over, got drunk and slept with him.

Problem is; now he likes me and thinks I like him too! Help!

Part-Time Lover Dear Lover, Okay, let me get this straight; your “best friend” was irritating you so you slept with her boyfriend? Huh? How about spending some time apart or making some new friends? Did you honestly think that the perfect way to magically change her behaviour was to shatter any sense of trust or confidence that she had in the people she’s closest too? Dear lord, good thing they didn’t send you in to settle the college and faculty union’s contract; an orgy is not an effective tool for dispute resolution, sweetie!

I don’t know what bizzaro world you’ve just landed from, but sleeping with someone actually does usually mean you’re “kinda into” them. Your disbelief and apparent frustration with the fact that this guy actually took your behaviour as a sign that you possibly harbored some type of desire or interest in him beyond sabotaging your lifelong friendship is mind-boggling!

Girls like you could be made into prototypes to be used in war; self-destructing narcissists with complete and utter disregard for decency or the complexity of human life.

I’m crossing my fingers that this guy gave you herpes.

Love Lola

Dear Lola, I have a friend who is constantly updating his “relationship status” on Facebook. Every time he goes to a bar or a party and meets a girl, “boom” they’re in a relationship. It’s so pathetic and painful to watch. He is in and out of relationships on a weekly basis. The worst part is, he expects us to be excited or invested in these couplings as though they were special or significant. What’s the social protocol here?

Face Value Dear Face,

Unfortunately for many of us, the world of social networking does not appear to be a fad that is passing us by anytime soon.

The days of talking on the phone, meeting up on the weekends and anonymously running errand is over!

Between Twitter and Facebook we’ve all become so flipping obsessed with our own image that we’re constantly marketing ourselves through sexy profile pics and catchy status updates; “Jessica Smith has a bad case of the Mondays” is now considered newsworthy enough to warrant the purchase of a $400 pocketcomputer and demand WiFi access in coffee houses across the city.

Sadly, your friends behaviour cannot be exclusively blamed on Facebook (or Twitter, or his blog or his MySpace page…), the ugly truth is that he’s probably always been one of those guys who is a little out of touch with reality and is just one of those (hopeless) romantics that believes every girl he meets is “the one.” It’s just now he’s putting it out there for the whole world to see.

For people who are socially awkward, isolated or otherwise romantically-challenged, these sites offer an invaluable opportunity to connect with dozens of women of all ages and sizes without ever having to leave the comfort of the Dungeon of Dragons.

They can sculpt and edit their profiles to appear gregarious and quirky and, in the case of your friend, a lover to many, many women.

Sure, it’s sad to see a man claim victory and then slip silently into the shadows over and over again, but eventually one of them will stick, right? I think the modern Miss Manners would suggest that you wait until you actually meet one of these women before scheduling a double date.

Good luck!

Love Lola Got a question?

Email me at lolaletters@live.ca All emails are confidential and your identity will be protected. If you’re not comfortable sending me an email, just visit the Interrobang website at http://www.fsu.ca/news_lola.asp to send me your question.

LIFESTYLES

17

Nutrition Month: being mindful of a mouthful AIMEE BROTHMAN FASHION WRITER

March is nutrition month, which means it’s time to watch what we are eating and cut back on all the indulgences of the winter season.

As a student of the food and nutrition management program, this means this month is the perfect time to spread my knowledge and educate people about the effects foods may have on their bodies (for good or for bad). This is why the students of food and nutrition management have been setting up some nutrition related displays in A-building this week to share some of the information we have learned throughout the year.

For the rest of the month, the students will also be fundraising for a local charity by selling healthy homemade granola with yogurt for a dollar. To support this cause and get an affordable and nutritious snack, come by Olive Oyles Deli located in A-building where they will be selling the granola and yogurt for the rest of the March.

Why is granola and yogurt healthy?

1. Fibre! Granola contains tons of oats, which are jammed packed with soluble and insoluble fibre.

While the soluble fibre acts as a nice gel to help your food pass with ease, the insoluble fibre bulks it up and helps to make things

move. You can think about it if you want, but it’s easier to just take my word for it.

2. Dried fruits also contain lots of fibre, but the drying process can also saturate some of the nutrients in the fruit (while depleting others). Dried fruit will saturate the fruit sugars, which is a great and natural way to get a little energy boost throughout the day.

3. Nuts are a wonderful source of some good fats and protein.

4. Probiotics found in yogurt can be a treat for the lovely little bacteria friends that live in your tummy.

Probiotics are an active bacteria culture that works with the bacteria in your intestines to digest and keep things in check. They also love fibre, so the combo works great.

Granola and yogurt is just one of the healthy snacks that can replace the junk food you may have been eating all winter. This month is the perfect month to turn a new leaf in your diet, right between the comfortable bundling of winter and the bikini days of summer. Now’s the time to start working toward that tank-top and short-short goal, and you can do it by eating lots of fruit, popcorn or pretzels instead of chips, French fries and other deepfried foods. Water, tea and unsweetened juices should replace the sugary pops and fruit drinks to cut down on calories.

Simple adjustments like these can help you make nutrition month and beyond a great leeway into summer. Don’t forget exercise is just as important as diet, so whatever you do, get moving!

18

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

Rachel

Nostalgia. The perfect excuse for immaturity.

Chiko, I choose you!

Seriously, you chose chikorita?

Why not? her evolutions are the cutest.

What? Even Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m allowed to be girly once and a while.!

Trainer Pwert uses Chikorita! laura.billson@gmail.com

Bus Stop

My attorney at this time advises me to not answer the question given in this exam.

I want answers.

You don't scare me.

BY RACHEL OAKES

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

19

Across

Aries (March 21 - April 19) You have a few crucial days in which you can either enhance or degrade the quality of your life. It helps to know that you’re not alone in this. Follow a star that promises to lead you somewhere better.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) You’re a sucker for good, oldfashioned happy endings. Taurus is frustrated by darkness and ambiguity. If others want to keep the peace, they’ll let you choose the movie this time.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Good sports are better company than those who cry wolf or sour grapes. People will trust you after it becomes clear that you respect them. The compassionate partner is eager to help iron out the wrinkles.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) You want to replace a situation that isn’t ready to go away. Cancer comes to the grim realization that life is unfair. Collectors and hunters are more optimistic than those who are without a goal.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) Your life is much better than those of people who struggle melodramatically in the distance.

You’re having fun, and your good vibes make a difference. Leo turns a grim science into a joyous art.

Virgo (August 23 - Sept. 22) The letter of the law is nothing without the spirit in which it was written. Check your impulses before they cost you too much money. An informed decision is impossible while any concerned parties are out of the room.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) Lucky you. The stars coincide perfectly with your weekend.

Winter may still be a reality, but in your heart Spring is just around the corner. Your vision is the one that others want to see.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) Although you’d like the subject to be closed, there are still words to be said. A positive attitude minimizes your frustrations. If you lose this round, there’s always the next one.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) You impress other people whether or not you try. The weekend brings out your spectacular side. If you’re in dating mode, work without a cutoff time, just in case things get interesting.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Speak your mind in a friendly public place. Those who laugh at your worries have just disqualified themselves from your inner circle.

Foster connections with people who will be able to help you soon.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) Your best approach is one that’s entirely original. Inventive minds take over if the right discoveries aren’t being made. Reach out generously and indiscriminately, whether you seek funding or just plain fun.

Pisces (Feb. 18 - March 20) You’d rather be playing, but the universe has other plans. Make peace with your work load and view it as self-improvement. In a few days, you’ll look back and thank yourself for putting in this effort.

1. The Japanese city of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaidō Prefecture, is famous for its winter carnival, in which teams compete to create ice sculptures. Some of

these creations are the size of multiple-story buildings.

2. Since 1989, Alaska has hosted the annual World Ice Art Championships. Nearly 100 sculptors come from around the world to sculpt large blocks of pristine natural ice.

The event is run almost exclusively by volunteers.

3. The New York subway system is the largest mass transit system in the world with 468 stations and

Sudoku Puzzle 4 5 1 8 9 2 5 1 6 5 8 7 4 3 9 3 2 5 3 2 8 6 1 7 6 4 puzzle rating:very veryhard hard Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. That means no number is repeated in any column, row or box. Solution can be found on page 20.

Daily Sudoku: Wed 17-Jan-2007

1. Strong lockable containers 6. Restaurant food listing 10. Male bovine 14. "Trick or ___" 15. Small computer graphic 16. Water buffalo 17. Letter of the Greek alphabet 18. Soft murmuring sounds 19. Inquires 20. Of careful design 23. Three-toed sloths 24. Erstwhile Fords 25. Tiny (informal) 27. Alter written material 30. Capital of Bahrain 33. In motion 37. Basic monetary unit of Iran 39. Japanese sashes 40. Ensign 41. Bring together in support of 42. Forearm bone 43. Small stream 44. Within (comb. form) 45. Soak in liquid 46. Hateful 48. Make hot 50. Parts of feet 52. Cleansing machine 57. Sports room (informal) 59. Reticent 62. Glean 64. Industrial city in European Russia 65. Had great affection for 66. Highest and most active volcano in Europe 67. And others (abbr.)

68. Nail filing board 69. Have a desire for 70. Financial obligation 71. Eat a morsel

Down 1. Author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" 2. Provided with weapons 3. Examines by touch 4. Cliff dwelling bird

842 miles (1355 km) of track.

4. Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways.

5. Buckingham Palace has over six hundred rooms.

6. The largest school in the world is City Montessori School in India and has over 25,000 students in grade levels ranging from kindergarten to college.

7. The world’s only museum of Phallology is in Reykjavik, Iceland. Phallology is the the science of the penis.

8. Tacoma Narrows Bridge which was located in Washington was nicknamed “Galloping Gertie” because of the unusual way it twisted and swayed with even with the slightest winds when people would drive on it. The bridge collapsed on November 7, 1940.

9. The worlds tallest free fall rollercoaster is The Giant Drop located in Australia. The drops is 120 meters which is equivalent to a 39 storey building.

10. The Mount Horeb Mustard Museum which is located in Wisconsin has the biggest collection of prepared mustards. They have approximately 4,000 different jars and tubes from all over the world.

11. The largest ketchup bottle in the world is a 170 feet tall and is located in Collinsville, Illinois, USA. It was built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Company as a water tower.

12. Honolulu, Hawaii boasts the only royal palace in the United States of America.

13. The Great Wall stretches for about 4,500 miles across North China.

5. Paper fastener device 6. Silicate minerals 7. MBA's subject (abbr.)

8. Not anybody (2 words) 9. Indecent 10. Sheep's cry 11. That which would be improper to mention 12. Scandinavian mythological mischievous god 13. Highlands’ girl 21. Hallucinating drug (abbr.)

22. Genetic letters 26. Pig's nose 28. Iraq's neighbour 29. Condition of cultivated soil 31. Not yours 32. CEO's "Pronto!"

33. Bushy hairstyle 34. Skidded

35. Amulets 36. Eskimo's dwelling 38. Healing plant 41. Felt indignation at 45. Promising young actor 47. Inuit knife 49. Feeling of respect combined with fear 51. Fry quickly in fat 53. Minute pore in the epidermis of a leaf 54. Bees homes 55. Turn inside out 56. Change back to original colour 57. Increased in size 58. Abominable snowman 60. Thick slice 61. Popular condiment 63. Expressing disgust Solution on page 20

Word Search Z N B V F O C Z L A V E Z J D

L A S V E G A S E E M S S I K

X M U R C N Q U I G B I C O F

F E E L A G E S I W S K U L B

D S C G O Z K C F E T M D B N

B V I L F X R O H I M E U R E H T A X R S K R S D E L V A U E L I W F M T B P Y O I B M C Z O O Y A W Z T Q R G T S E L E P C H G M S C V X D T I Z E T I L M E W K R S V S Y O B X Starring James Caan

C W F T B B X M Z F G J E B U

A Z D G O D C J M E V N F E Z

B Q O S N E D R A G I L D Z H

D O G V I L L E L Y E K C I M

(Words in parentheses not in puzzle)

(A) Bridge Too Far (Comes a) Horseman Dick Tracy Dogville Elf

(For the) Boys (The) Gambler Gardens (of Stone) (The) Godfather (The Killer) Elite

Kiss Me (Goodbye) Las Vegas Mickey (Blue Eyes) Misery Wisegal

KIOSK QUIZ ANSWER FROM MARCH 15

Career Services, D1063, can help with your resumé and job search.

PRIZES SPONSORED BY CHARTWELLS.

20

LIFESTYLES

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

BEST IN LATE NIGHT COMIC RELIEF THE TONIGHT SHOW with Jay Leno

JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE with Jimmy Kimmel

LATE NIGHT with Jimmy Fallon

THE LATE LATE SHOW with Craig Ferguson

THE LATE SHOW with David Letterman

Scientists at Rutgers University have invented a bedbug detector and trap. It will enable you to catch millions of bedbugs. If you’ve got millions of bedbugs, you need to switch your online dating service.

Government officials are warning spring breakers about violence from Mexican drug gangs. They say to stay out of L.A. It was on this day that Julius Caesar was stabbed in the back by members of the senate, ironically, while pleading for healthcare.

As part of an art project, 31 lifesized nude male statues will be set up all around Manhattan. They’re so lifelike, Eric Massa tried to tickle three of them.

Tiger Woods is reportedly planning a return to golf. It will be nice to see him getting back to what he does best, or at least second-best.

A new study says that women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol every day lose more weight than women that don’t drink at all.

At least, that’s what your wife will slur to you after she forgets to pick up the kids from soccer practice.

Heidi Montag has fired her husband Spencer Pratt as her manager, and hired a psychic instead. Do you really need a psychic to tell you that you can’t dance, sing, or act?

If you’re wondering why we don’t have healthcare, it’s because there’s too much tickling in Congress.

Federal officials just revealed that a member of al-Qaida worked at three nuclear power plants in New Jersey over six years. Wait, there are three nuclear power plants in New Jersey? I guess that explains Snooki.

A 75-year-old great grandmother in Poland was arrested for riding her bicycle drunk. Did I say great grandmother? I meant the greatest grandmother.

On Saturday, the Chicago River was dyed green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Also in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, New York’s East River will remain green.

President Obama talked about healthcare reform at a senior center. The most common question he got, “When’s bingo?”

Some people get very excited about weddings. They’re called “women.” The only time men get excited about weddings is when they’re marrying other men.

My wedding was the best day of my life. It was the day I got satellite TV installed.

There are rumors that the Obama administration may ban fishing in lakes. Fox News is saying “Obama wages jihad on fisherman,” and NPR says “Obama protects aquatic unicorns,” and I don’t know who to believe.

On The Early Show, Harry Smith got a live colonoscopy. I am so proud to be a part of this network.

You can tell that it’s tax season.

Naomi Campbell hit somebody with a calculator.

Some New York City cab drivers are overcharging as much as $4.00 a trip. If you think you’ve been unfairly charged, just haggle with the driver. They love that.

Sarah Palin is campaigning with John McCain for his reelection in Arizona. There’s an unbeatable combination.

President Obama announced over the weekend that he gets 20,000 letters per day calling him an idiot. I said, “Welcome to the club.”

In all fairness, a lot of those letters come from Dick Cheney.

CLASSIFIEDS

Office hours Monday to Friday 9am - 4:30pm. Classified deadline is every Wednesday by 12pm. email: fsuclassifieds@fanshawec.ca

TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE CALL SARA AT 519.453.3720 FOR SALE

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FRIDAYS and SUNDAYS. Google us: niagarashuffle Reserve now: niagarashuffle@gmail.com Comfy new shuttle vans and professional drivers.

GYMWORLD GYMNASTICS is looking for coaches. Flexible hoursweekdays, evenings and/or weekends available. Excellent pay. Call 519-474-4960 for more information. www.gymworld.ca

BALL HOCKEY PLAYERS NEEDED: I am currently looking at filling out my roster for the upcoming 2010 Summer League Season in the London Ball Hockey Association. If interested e-mail Ean at bhrecruiting@hotmail.com with your name, contact information (e-mail, phone) and previous hockey experience (ball, inline and ice hockey).

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UNBOUND FASHION SHOW: Mark your calendars, fashion lovers!

Once again, students in their final year of the Fashion Design program at Fanshawe College, are ready to sign off in style at their annual UNBOUND fashion show. Twenty students will debut their final collections at this high profile event on April 16, 2010. The show at Museum London will feature a meet and greet with industry professionals and a dazzling runway show. Please join us at 7 p.m. for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres followed by a show that is guaranteed to wow and impress over 300 guests. Tickets go on sale at the Grand Theatre Box Office on Monday, February 15, 2010. Order by telephone 519-672-

year of experience, Competitive rates, able to finish drywall, Interior decorating advice available, If I do not know something I will find it out for you! Eric 519-630-8809

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FANSHAWE STUDENTS: 434 Charlotte St., London, On., N5W 4A4 Available April 1st. Three Bedrooms at $475.00 Each, Inclusive. Features: Many, recent renovations; including laminate floors, windows, and freshly painted throughout. An interesting two floor layout. The main floor has one bdrm., common kitchen. The upper level has two bdrms. Each level has a bathroom and living room. All bdrms. are approximately 12’ x 10’ in size. Laundry on site; included in rent. Plenty of parking in rear yard. On excellent bus routes, close to all amenities. This building is well Managed 24/7/365! To view please e-mail vproperty@rogers.com with name and number or call (519) 872- 9407 Between 8am – 5pm and ask for Vern.

TUTORING SERVICES: Offering on campus tutoring of physics, chemistry, calculus, statics, financial mathematics, etc. For questions or to make an appointment please contact forestcity.tutors@gmail.com.

JOIN THE BLOOD 101 CHALLENGE! Help Save Lives – Donate Blood: Canadian Blood Services will be hosting a blood donor clinic on Tuesday, March 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union Alumni Lounge, SC2013. Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit www.blood.ca for more information or to book an appointment.

MOVING LARGE AND SMALL/ JUNK REMOVAL AND DELIVERY Two men, 17 ft truck, 5 hrs - $299.

Three men, 26 ft truck, 8 hrs - $799.

Junk removal $139. Pick- up truck with side walls, full. Contact Ev at 519-282-5516 or evaton@live.ca.

NEED HELP WITH ASSIGNMENTS? Professional copyeditor will proofread, edit and format essays, reports, presentations, applications, correspondence and any other written material. Fast, affordable expert service. ESL welcome. dawn@linesbylyons.com; 519-3195211.

NEED ESSAY HELP? Experienced Masters and PhD graduates can help! All subjects and levels. Plus resumes, applications and editing.

1-888-345-8295 www.customessay.com LOEWEN PAINTING: I am an energetic student painter with over a

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FOR SALE: Industrial drafting table.

Good condition. $25. Email John at johnsaid@gmail.com if interested.

4 PLAYSTATION 2 GAMES FOR $15: I have 4 Playstation 2 games for sale, will sell all 4 as a bundle for $15. The games are Hot Shots Golf 3, Fifa 2003, Serious Sam: The Next Encounter and WWE Smackdown vs.

Raw 2007. The first 3 games listed include the game, box and manuals, the WWE game includes the game only (with printed off instructions).

Contact me at acgaynor@yahoo.ca if interested, I’m at Fanshawe between 9 and 4 each day so I can give you the games anytime during those hours.

THE CANADIAN LIVER FOUNDATION is seeking student volunteers for exciting projects and programs.For more information call Lloyd Fischer, Education Development Coordinator at 519659-0948.

BRAND NEW STETHOSCOPE, barely used: I have a Littman Stethoscope for sale, I’ve only used it a couple times. $100, or best offer.

Email Jonathon at keyboardjo@hotmail.com.

MICROSOFT OFFICE POWERPOINT 2007: Brand new never opened Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 textbook by B.Zimmerman. $60.

Email d_brzozowski@fanshaweonline.ca

8800 or online at www.grandtheatre.com. For more info call Fanshawe College 519-452-4227 or visit www.fanshawec.ca/unbound.

THE SPIRIT OF INDIA An evening of live theatre. Featuring two short plays inspired by the classics of modern Indian literature. Friday, March 26. 7:00pm. Wolf Performance Hall: 251 Dundas Street, Central Library. All proceeds go to charity. Tickets: $15 Available at the door or call (519) 520-0277.

THE FANSHAWE COLLEGE LETTERS AND ARTS SOCIETY PRESENTS... Lawrence Hill Thursday, March 25, 2010, D1060, London Campus, 2 to 3 p.m.

Reading, book sale and signing.

Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book Winner for The Book of Negroes. Dan Falk, Thursday, April 8, 2010, D1060, London Campus, 2 to 3 p.m. In Search of Time Science writer, journalist, and broadcaster, author of Universe on a T-Shirt.

EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES AT “CONNECT TO YOUR FUTURE” CAREER FAIR: Job Connect agencies throughout London invite you to “Connect To your Future” Career Fair at Centennial Hall on Wednesday March 24 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The Career Fair will be a great opportunity for job seekers to network with employers and community agencies and get information on training programs.

Workshops on “First Impressions” and “Networking” will be held at 10am and 11am. This event is free to the public. Step into Centennial Hall and connect to your future!

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Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

SPORTS&LEISURE

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St. Pierre looking to bigger things Tough guys finish first TRENT WILLIAMS INTERROBANG

As Canada’s top fighter Georges St. Pierre gets set to defend his title in a few weeks against British upand-comer Dan Hardy, the question begs to be asked; when will it be enough for St. Pierre at the 170lb division?

In this day of dominant champions St. Pierre is the only one that hasn’t made a move, or a commitment to jump up a weight class for another challenge. Lightweight champ BJ Penn, who is also a former welterweight champion, decided to try his luck in St. Pierre’s weight class before. We all know that was an experiment gone wrong for Penn but he at least had the balls to do it.

Anderson Silva is already a contender in the 205lb division to go along with being the reigning 185lb champion for his past 10 fights. Unlike Penn, Silva has seen a very large amount of success fighting guys in the weight class above the one he calls home.

Realistically, there’s not many challenges left for Silva at middleweight, pretty much forcing him to move up in weight. This could be the same dilemma that faces GSP soon as well.

St. Pierre has dominated any top contender thrown his way at 170lbs. The only person left after he fights Hardy will be Paul Daley, who realistically is the same fighter that Hardy is.

After defeating everyone in your weight class, what do you do? Sit around and start to fight rematches of everyone? The grass seems so much greener for St. Pierre in the 185lb division in regards to interesting fights.

MAC FAIRBAIRN THE CAPILANO COURIER

Speculation is growing that UFC 170lb champion George St. Pierre could be looking for new challenges and moving up a weight class if he defeats Dan Hardy in a few weeks.

I’m not saying he should jump in and fight Silva right away for the title, that would be crazy, but fights against Michael Bisping, Alan Belcher, Damien Maia, Chael Sonnen all make sense and would all be great tune-up fights to help introduce the French champion to that new division.

Rumours are already swirling about GSP making that jump to 185 following his fight with Hardy – given that he wins. His training camp has said that he’s added 10 pounds of solid muscle to his

frame in preparation of the Hardy fight and that he’s looking for new challenges in his career.

It might not come right after the fight, but I fully expect that St. Pierre will make the decision to start fighting in the 185lb division eventually. It just makes sense for him to do given the current state of his career, the state of the UFC and how so many people are making this claim that it would be a good thing to see.

Red flag flying high in London IVANA PELISEK INTERROBANG

(Sang to the tune of The Red Flag by Jim Connell) United’s flag is deepest red, It shrouded all our Munich dead, Before their limbs grew stiff and cold, Their heart’s blood dyed it’s every fold.

Then raise United’s banner high, Beneath it’s shade we’ll live and die, So keep the faith and never fear, We’ll keep the Red Flag flying here.

We’ll never die, we’ll never die, We’ll never die, we’ll never die, We’ll keep the Red flag flying high, ‘Cos Man United will never die No more lonely mornings by the television waiting for that football game to start. No more lonely nights looking at the time difference in anticipation for your Red Army to step on the green. The time has come. It is here.

Together we shall cheer on and sing in harmony, for the official Manchester United Supporters Club of Canada – London Chapter has arrived. Thanks to Derek Collins-Newman, co-founder of the London Chapter has finally seen the light and is officially up and running with over 50 members.

“The club is the first official supporters club in Ontario and one

of three overall in all of Canada,” said Collins-Newman.

The time has never been better for Manchester United and their fans, as they are competing strongly in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

“Being around other members makes games more exciting,” Collins-Newman said.

The club’s headquarters are located at Scott’s Corner Pub, located at 268 Dundas Street at the corner of Wellington. Many of London’s soccer fans are already familiar with the pub and their

Saturday and Sunday mornings are well known amongst those who appreciate the soccer spirit and passion.

The official website for Manchester United Supporters Club of Canada – London Chapter is www.redtilldead.com, which features detailed information on how to become a member, biography of the club, game updates, and meet times. The games are free to watch at Scott’s Corner, so all that is required is your Red Army spirit, your passion and the love of the game.

VANCOUVER (CUP) — “No one in the whole of Tough Guy’s 24 years has ever won Tough Guy and arrived first over the line. No one.

Tough Guy is too tough for everyone. Everyone.”

Mr. Mouse wears a scarlet British army uniform, sports a bushy white moustache, and, at one race, fired live ammunition over the heads of participants as they crawled under barbed wire in the freezing mud. “The course is recognized throughout the British army as the most arduous test of mental and physical ability,” he says from an armchair in a self-produced video, staring into the camera seriously. “It is the safest, most dangerous sport in the world.” The race is called Tough Guy, and it’s as kooky as the man who created it.

Although the obstacles are updated annually, Tough Guy has followed a consistent pattern in each of its 24 years. Each race is held in January on Mr. Mouse’s farm in Staffordshire, England and begins with a six-mile cross country run, followed by a hill slalom — which sounds like fun, but really isn’t.

After completing the easy part of the race, participants continue onto an obstacle course — a series of obstructions that are collectively referred to as the “killing fields.”

The most terrifying obstruction is a series of underwater tunnels, where racers pass from section to section by swimming through underwater concrete corridors. Other obstacles include “The Tiger,” a wooden Aframe that competitors scramble through while being shocked by dangling electrical wires, a fortyfoot vertical wall climb, a kneedeep mud crossing, water ditches followed by burning hay bales, and a twenty-foot crawl underneath barbed wire.

Mr. Mouse and his event organizers warn potential racers of a horrifying list of maladies posed by the killing fields, including “barbed wire, cuts, scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia, acrophobia, claustrophobia, electric shocks,

sprains, twists, joint dislocation and broken bones.”

Knowing this, it would seem a wonder that Mr. Mouse could get anyone to volunteer their bodies for his race — yet surprisingly, the race draws nearly 5,000 applicants a year. So what’s the attraction of Tough Guy? One person who can shed light on this question is Capilano University student Jeff Torres, who has never competed in the Tough Guy race, but has the distinction of being able to call himself an Ironman. On Aug. 24, 2008, the then-19 year-old Torres became the youngest male finisher of the Ironman Canada triathlon, placing 988th out of 2,211 participants. For Torres, Ironman presented an opportunity to prove he was in control of his life. “(In high school) I found myself getting into criminal habits such as drug dealing. When I was arrested in Grade 11 and nearly charged with trafficking, I asked myself, ‘Is this really where I want my life to end up?’”

Trying to straighten out his life proved difficult, however, and Torres found it hard to balance his past life and the one he truly wanted. In his senior year he found himself in trouble for dealing again.

“It looked like I was going to get a criminal charge this time, but when (the officer) decided to give me one more chance, I said to myself, ‘What am I going to do this time so that I don’t make the same mistake as I did last time? How am I going to turn my life around?’”

For Torres, Ironman offered the chance of proving that he could conquer an “impossibility.”

Tough Guy offers the same opportunity for average people to achieve this. Not everyone is a Tough Guy, nor an Ironman, yet achieving the title of one offers a tangible reward that validates life goals, gives proof to physical training, or as evidenced by Torres, proves you have the control to shape your life for the better.

“When I got home afterwards, people saw me differently. They now believed in me, and so did I.”

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SPORTS&LEISURE

Volume 42 Issue No. 26 March 22, 2010 www.fsu.ca/interrobang/

XC60 a nice crossover MOTORING NAUMAN FAROOQ naumanf1@yahoo.com

Will he or won’t he play? That decision by Brett Favre, right, won’t come soon, but Minnesota head coach Brad Childress is willing to wait for the answer.

Favre Watch 2010 NFL CZAR JUSTIN VANDERZWAN

Every year there are certain events and storylines that happen in the National Football League.

For example: every year we have a Super Bowl, an NFL draft and a veteran player that gets paid way too much to sign as a free agent (i.e.: Larry Johnson to the Washington Redskins). But, there is one storyline that trumps them all, I am talking about Brett Favre.

There aren’t many words that haven’t been attributed to Favre over his 19-season career. Legend, hero and superstar are all things that describe Favre. However, for the past seven years or so, the main stories about the ageless Favre have been about whether or not he will retire once and for all. Favre has officially retired from the NFL twice.

After the 2007-08 season (when he was with the Green Bay Packers) Favre held a teary retirement press conference, saying he had given all he could to the sport.

As we all know, Favre was back in

the NFL during the 2008-09 season, after being reinstated by the NFL and subsequently traded to the New York Jets. Favre’s tenure as a Jet had its ups and downs, culminating in a disappointing 9-7 record, and 22 interceptions from the old gunslinger. However, after another less dramatic retirement, Favre would return once again.

Since the Jets released Favre shortly after his “retirement,” Favre was free to sign with any team he wanted to.

That team turned out to be the Minnesota Vikings, the same team that said they were interested in having him after he retired from Green Bay. The result this time? A trip to the NFC championship game, and a career low seven interceptions. Now, the Vikings and Favre are facing the same questions that have haunted the 40-year old Favre for nearly a decade.

Favre is under contract for another season in Minnesota, and many experts feel it is almost certain that Favre will be back.

I tend to agree with the experts on this one. Favre came back for one thing (over and over again), and that is to win a Super Bowl, to have an ending similar to that of

John Elway and Jerome Bettis.

With the Vikings bringing back much of the same roster as a year ago, it isn’t a long shot to say that they will be heavily favoured to win the NFC North division again and make a run at the Super Bowl, with Favre at the helm that is.

Vikings coach Brad Childress has gone on record saying he will give Favre all the time he needs to make the decision, and it is very likely we won’t hear the final word until sometime this summer. While this continues to be a top offseason story, it seems as though the media is downplaying it a bit more than usual. Maybe everyone is finally sick and tired about Favre and his terrible decision making skills, or maybe they are so sure he will be back that they feel it isn’t worth focusing on.

Either way, I personally would love to see Favre make one more run at a title. He deserves to go out on top after such a stellar NFL career.

Favre Watch aside, next week I will take a look at a new trend in the NFL: trading players.

For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com

Science leads to nutrigenomics FUN AND FITNESS RICK MELO melo_rick@hotmail.com

Last week I discussed the incredible 1000 Genomes Project that was announced by International Consortium several years back. In case you missed the article, basically the resulting catalogue produced by the project will be utilized to study and analyze how an individual’s genetics may influence their risks for diseases. Interestingly enough, the project could also assist in a few other monumental breakthroughs.

Diet, health, and genetics are all converging under a specific science called nutrigenomics.

Nutrigenomics is the extensive

study of the biology of nutrition.

The scientific research behind nutrigenomics seeks to find out how individual genetic variations respond to food. The nutrients we get from food alter gene expression. So different outcomes will result according to the genetic makeup of people. Supporters argue that understanding these mechanisms can help consumers make up for their inherited weaknesses or genetic flaws by eating differently.

First, the different genetic makeup of the population needs to be analyzed in terms of the responses to the various macronutrients and micronutrients. This is where our beloved crew at International Consortium come into play. Even if this project becomes successful years down the road, it will inevitably become more compli-

cated. Food companies will need to understand their consumers in terms of metabolic groups and play an important role in sponsoring and participating in studies to link the gene variants to food chemicals.

There have been limited studies with the knowledge gained thus far that have showed positive results with nutrigenomic implementation for weight management. However, nutrigenomics is not yet a predictive tool to determine which type of diet will lead to greater weight loss. Imagine the day when tailored meals will ward of diseases.

It may be years away, but as you can see, competent scientists are already on the search. They’ve even started selling assessment kits in supermarkets that are geared around nutrigenomics. And people say science is boring?

Volvo is one of those manufacturers that is unfortunately misunderstood by many consumers. Ask anyone who is shopping for a new vehicle, and you can be certain that Volvo won’t be mentioned right off the top of their head.

Being a car company that wishes to make a profit, they want to change that very quickly. To do this they have launched a new crossover. It’s called the XC60 and it has been on sale for a year now.

It seems to be working. I see plenty of XC60’s driving around, so plenty of people have found it alluring enough, but is it any good?

I was quite skeptical when I went to pick up this vehicle. I am happy to say, that within five minutes I was loving it.

It wasn’t just because I do generally like Volvos, but because this one feels up to date and fresh right from the start, something that is usually missing from new Volvos.

For a start, the styling is modern and sleek, not a typical Volvo box.

This really can win a beauty pageant when parked next to an Audi Q5 or Mercedes-Benz GLK. It’s the same sort of story when you step inside. The quality of the materials look very good, and it is not only well equipped, it is well designed too. This is exactly what a Volvo ought to be in this day and age.

Of course it is still very safe, and this one has a clever new feature too. It’s called city safe, and basically this system is meant to stop you from crashing into things at speeds below 30 km/h. In my demonstration, Volvo had set up some pylons and asked me to drive towards them at below 30 km/h and not touch the steering or the brakes. Sure enough, it came to a sudden stop on its own just a few feet away from the object. This

very clever system uses a system of cameras and radars to identify an object and stop the car accordingly. However, the system isn’t quite perfect yet. I decided to demonstrate this to family members by driving it towards a snow bank. I followed the procedure, kept the steering straight, and kept the speed at 20 km/h. Sadly, it didn’t stop on its own.

Thankfully, the snow bank was very soft and didn’t seem to cause any damage to its nose. Some may say that the system probably didn’t recognize the snow bank as an immovable object, but I say a system like this should work no matter what it’s about to hit.

Apart from this setback, the XC60 is indeed a very capable machine. I love its ride quality, not too soft, not too hard, just perfect.

I also love the way its 235 hp, 3.2-litre, straight-six cylinder motor revs up. It might not be all that quick when you look at the numbers (zero-100km/h in 9.4 seconds) but it just feels quick and feels like its willing to rev to no end. For those looking for more grunt, there is a 281 hp turbo model on offer too.

The XC60 with either drivetrain is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. Power is sent to just the front wheels in the base model, or all wheels as in my tester.

This transmission is very smooth and responds to your throttle inputs very quickly. Sometimes too quickly, as just a slight dab on the accelerator would have it drop down a gear and accelerate on.

This is fine when you want to really get going, but other times it can be a bit irritating. It also doesn’t help its fuel economy. I averaged 13.2-litres/100km, which is fine, but not great.

However, even despite its niggles, I still loved the XC60 and would happily call it the best crossover in its market segment.

With prices starting at $39,995, it is also one of the best priced. So if you haven’t been to a Volvo dealer recently, I’d say you’re due a visit.

Pressure check THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC DAVE REDINGER davidredinger@rogers.com

The second best thing you can do to maintain your car in reasonable condition is to maintain tire pressures. The first being regular oil changes. You’ve heard it many times in this column, “tires are the only thing between you and the road.” Low tire pressures not only cause handling issues, braking issues, and premature tire wear, running on underinflated tires cost you money. Pushing a flat tire down the road will cause you to use more fuel. Fact: tires will lose up to one pound of inflation each month. Just like the deflating party balloon, there are no holes yet the air escapes. Cold weather also has the effect of reducing tire pressures. Be smart, invest in a tire gauge and don’t be afraid to use it.

Q. Are there any drawbacks to using CO2 to inflate tires? There is

a product on the shelves where a small regulator is attached to a CO2 bottle supposedly enough to fill three 13” tires and with a coiled, flexible hose attached to which one would attach the tire inflator. I’m wondering if mixing air with CO2 would pose a hazard or if the tire was inflated totally with CO2 would be a problem.

This product appears to be the ideal “emergency” kit when on vacation should one be unfortunate enough to have a flat.

A. The latest trend in tire inflation is to remove oxygen from the equation. This is done by charging the tires with nitrogen. Oxygen encourages the degradation of the rubber and has a tendency to expand more dramatically as the tire warms up. By switching to nitrogen tire pressures are more stable. Using CO2 does not remove the oxygen from the charge so I would assume it can’t be more harmful than straight air. I would also think that CO2 fill is just a temporary measure and when the tire is repaired you use the proper alternative.

e v i s u Excl

College students pay tribute to Saint Patrick, a champion of Irish Christianity

ork Dentist vows to never w n. on English patients agai

Canada in mourning: 14 gold medals...a rising dollar...it all doesn't mean a thing after Corey Haim dies

Mime hired to liven up night events at the Out Back Shack

MARCH 22 2010 $4.79 Canada

Woman momentarily enjoys Sonic Unleashed moment... as ring fetish escalates.

Disclaimer: This page is for purely entertainment purposes and is fictitious. Proudly campus global watching since 2008.

FORWELL HALL • 6:30PM