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Must-see festival highlights
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Sports
Supersized summer roadtrips
Arts
Features
News
Inspring and inspired student projects
Kenyon’s legacy
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Working for the summer Student executives get to work as semester ends by Zoey Duncan News Editor
NEWS EDITOR: Zoey Duncan newseditor@TheReflector.ca
April 15, 2010
BRIEFS
I
f you’re sitting around on the Internet this summer, use that time to develop your personal brand. Mashable.com recommends making contacts via Twitter — search for “#yyc” for Calgary-related Tweets. Mark Luckie at 10000words.net suggests starting a blog and updating it regularly with interesting content.
P
erhaps the most heartbreaking part of leaving school for the summer months is the lack of a Universal Transit Pass. Without a U-Pass, every bus or C-Train trip will run you $2.75. If you need to take transit during the summer, invest in a monthly pass for $85.25, then keep the pass until next tax season because it is deductible.
Getting elected was the easy part. Now the Students’ Association executives must begin to honour their commitment to the student body by immersing themselves in an intensive learning process over the spring and summer semesters. In order to hit the ground running come September, there are many relationships to be made and much knowledge to be gathered during Mount Royal University’s quietest months. Meghan Melnyk, incoming VP external, said that the most important part of her summer will be absorbing knowledge about bylaws, regulations and issues that affect students, while also building effective relationships with decisionmakers outside the institution. Those steps are an essential part of understanding and negotiating the assortment of issues that arise every year. “The VP external really has to think on their feet,” she said. “I feel like the prep for me is in the knowledge and the knowledge transfer.” Melnyk said her position is unique in that it is annually shaped by what is happening in and around the Mount Royal community. During the 2009-10 school year, for example, VP external Robert Jones dealt heavily with the transition to
the university. Much of Melnyk’s job involves dealing with the media, so along with countless meetings and conferences, Melnyk will be under the tutelage of communications dean Marc Chikinda. Along with Melnyk, Anna Piltingsrud is new to the executive committee. Piltingsrud, incoming VP academic, called this year’s election — in which all candidates ran unopposed — “saddening.” She said she was looking forward to facing some competition for her position and that it’s now up to the students to judge her performance. Piltingsrud said she intends to finish the projects of her predecessor, including the cocurricular record for students’ resumes. She also wants to make contacts at the library in order to establish a textbook loan program. Continuing on as VP student life, Eily Sweeney is the sole executive returning to the same position as last year. “I think for me, going into my second year, I keep on saying, ‘thank God I have another year,’ because one year in this position is not enough,” Sweeney said. “Going through it twice is just an exciting, exciting way to really heighten my understanding of leadership and also to give back to students in the best way that I can.” Along with attending a variety of conferences with the
Photo Illustration by Zoey Duncan
(From left) Robert Jones, president; Meghan Melnyk, VP external; Eily Sweeney, VP student life; Anna Piltingsrud, VP academic. Members of the Students’ Association executive committee begin their terms on May 15, though their schedules began filling up long before. rest of the executives, Sweeney plans to get a community garden underway on campus this summer, and is hopeful that she will be able to establish a ride-sharing program to help students find affordable and sustainable ways to get to campus. Guiding the team of student executives is self-proclaimed policy nerd Robert Jones. “The summer is really about me transitioning the two new executives this year,” said Jones, who will be going
through a transition himself as he takes over the presidential chair. Though he understands that tuition, transportation and parking will always be important issues for students, Jones’ outlook is positive despite difficult budgets from the province. “I can’t really see any big challenges ahead,” Jones said. “No, I think it’s a pretty bright future so long as the economy doesn’t blow up in everyone’s faces.”
Civic election should fascinate students by Zoey Duncan News Editor
Municipal politics may not strike most Calgarians as riveting or glamorous, but the approach of the 2010 civic election is already highly anticipated by some. Participation in the municipal election is generally low. The 2007 election brought out one-third of eligible voters, an increase over the dismal 2004 election when barely one-fifth bothered. The apathy is paradoxical, said Mount Royal University business professor and civic engagement advocate Naheed Nenshi, because municipal maneuvering affects individuals more directly than national or provincial decisions. “The municipal system…is actually really, really important to students though students never think of it that way,” Nenshi said. If the federal government were to stop functioning, Nenshi said it would be a week before anybody noticed. If the
provincial government ceased operations, we’d notice within a few days. But if the municipal government shut down, the impact would be immediate, he said, because it is responsible for such essential services. Aldermen, candidates and citizen advocacy groups are all making efforts to engage
a younger audience through social media. “[They want to] communicate with students where they live, you know, on their phones,” Nenshi said. Twitter is proving to be a popular forum for local political discussion. The Calgary Herald is keeping track of all
Photo Illustration by Zoey Duncan/Wordle.com
Naheed Nenshi predicts that the effective use of social media could be key to getting a younger group of Calgarians engaged in municipal politics.
candidates using a Twitter list at Twitter.com/CalgaryHerald/ RaceforCityHall, and city council-related tweets are all labelled with “#yyccc.” Grant Neufeld is building a resource site for the election. His site, CalgaryDemocracy.ca, is an attempt to equalize candidates’ abilities to communicate to the public. “[The goal is] getting people more engaged in the election process whether it’s through voting or running as candidates or working on campaigns,” Neufeld said. Along with a small team of contributors, Neufeld is working on videos featuring candidates’ answers to three questions: why are you running, what do you consider to be key issues and why should we vote for you? Neufeld said that if enough voters had gotten together in the last civic election, they could have “owned city hall.” “It’s to the advantage of those in power to have people not voting,” Neufeld said. “It means that they are far more likely to hold on to power.”
April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
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Photo by Josh Naud
(Clockwise from top) Wild Gunmen contributors Eymeric Widling, Patrick Gall, Aaron Chatha, Edward Osborne and Marina Giannitsos are earning credits and gaining experience creating a magazine from the ground up; Electronic publishing students launched a magazine of their own in fall 2009; Saxophonist Brian Johnstone has seen a string of gigs since playing at an MRU event; Entrepreneurs Chelsey Patrick, Matt Zoeteman, Nathan White, Jonathan Zoeteman and Erik Paul earned thousands of dollars during the Innovation Tournament.
Students ply trades in the real world by Catherine Szabo & Devin Ayotte The Reflector
Geeking up the magazine business A group of students in Mount Royal’s journalism and electronic publishing programs will be premiering the first edition of their new magazine this spring at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. Wild Gunmen is Calgary’s newest “geek culture” magazine, covering topics ranging from gaming and “Internets” to fast cars and camouflage. “We’re trying something new with this magazine,” said Patrick Gall, the magazine’s founder. Declining to engage in the obsessive coverage of downtown parking and blatant lack of distaste for Animal Collective that typifies Calgary’s independent press, Wild Gunmen targets a more specific audience. The first edition covers all things geek: video games, movie reviews and an unnerving fascination with firearms. Gall said this focus on a particular audience will be key to Wild Gunmen’s success. “There’s no magazine in Calgary like ours,” he said. Gall has secured approval for himself and five other founding contributors to use Wild Gunmen to fulfill internship requirements for their degrees. “Every member of the team
is learning what it’s like to start up a magazine from the ground floor,” Gall said. “It’s a lot more work than simply joining a publication already in progress.” Gall and the Wild Gunmen team have ambitious plans for the magazine, including print publication. “This summer, we plan to be in full-swing and I’m sure more and more challenges will present themselves,” Gall said. Check out the magazine online at WildGunmen.com. —D.A.
Money from nearly nothing In the Innovation Tournament, students are given a household object with which to create as much value as possible. The tournament also taught Matt Zoeteman another lesson: keep your cell phone close. Presented with business cards on March 9, Zoeteman and his team decided the next day to create art with multiple blank business cards. Zoeteman and Erik Paul created 32 designs in 15 consecutive hours of work, and by the end of the week, Paul was taking orders for the artwork. “Every time [Paul would] make a sale, he would call me or text me,” Zoeteman said with a laugh. “I was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’” The team finished first in the tournament; their revenue
Photo by Zoey Duncan
totalled $3,090. They donated $300 to the Alzheimer’s Society, a foundation linked to the group partially because of the repetition of the number seven. “Alzheimer’s comes in seven stages, and they gave us seven cards to begin with,” Paul said. “That’s also why we called our business Seven [— The business of art].” The team also set aside $425 for group member Chelsey Patrick’s upcoming volunteer work in Haiti. After expenses, they were left with a profit of $1,694, which covered the cost of the course tuition for all the group members. “If we can create a business out of it, and then afterwards donate the profits that we created from the business, then we’re essentially being a socially responsible company,” Zoeteman said. —C.S.
Campus connections lead to gigs When Brian Johnstone walked into the high-ceilinged atrium of city hall with the rest of his quartet in September, he realized that the sound had only one way to go: up. “Not everybody likes jazz, and not everybody likes smooth jazz, and the sound is going nowhere but up,” Johnstone said. “So everyone is going to be hearing what’s going on — well, OK, Hail Mary, right?”
Photo by Catherine Szabo
The quartet — comprised of drums, keyboards, bass and Johnstone on sax — landed a gig at city hall after Reid Spencer, an associate professor in the department of theatre, speech and music, received an email asking for a combo to play at the announcement of Mount Royal becoming a university. Other offers have since come from that first performance at city hall, Johnstone said, but his focus this semester was on the recital that all second-year jazz students have to do. Even though he plays in the community and outside the four walls of Mount Royal University on a regular basis, the experience of playing at city hall and in the Mount Royal recital have been valuable, he said. “I try not to look at gigs as just ‘one more gig.’ There are those, but I try not to,” Johnstone said. “The ones through the school, it gets you on the map in different ways….there’s nothing wrong with that.” —C.S.
Students in discontinued degree program get noticed The electronic publishing students ensured that they were noted this year. Note Us, the magazine produced by third-year electronic publishing students in their Document Production II class, was not intended to be
“just a ‘Yay! Calgary,’” magazine, according to the rationale notes in the magazine. Though the magazine has been a regular fixture for e-pub students in the past, Note Us is likely to be the final instalment because the degree has been replaced by a new bachelor of communication in information design. “The experience is invaluable as you learn about all aspects of magazine design and production,” said student Farin Manji in an e-mail. “[Instructor Ben Kunz] teaches us best practices and ensures that we adhere to a strict schedule like we would if we were working in the industry.” The magazine’s name came from two meanings: the students said that the contents of the magazine were “notes by us,” as well as “a play of ‘notice’ being a public address of Calgary’s creative people, places and things.” The work was divided amongst everyone, Manji said, adding that her roles included the layout and design, photography, and print production. “I am thrilled to be a part of Note Us,” Manji said. “The amount of knowledge and experience I have gained as a result far exceeds any other class I have taken at Mount Royal.” Though Note Us was produced as a print magazine, it is also available at NoteUs.ca. —C.S.
Photo by Kaitlyn Pecson
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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Shakespearean revelation
THE REFLECTOR April 15, 2010 EDITORIAL STAFF: Publishing Editor: Katie Turner Managing Editor: Ivar Bergs News Editor: Zoey Duncan Features Editor: Gabrielle Domanski Arts Editor: Sean-Paul Boynton Sports Editor: Kelsey Hipkin Photo Editor: James Paton Layout Editor: Kelsey Chadwick Web Editor: Kevin Rushworth CONTRIBUTORS: Selina Renfrow, Catherine Szabo, Jamie Witham, Devin Ayotte, Josh Naud, Michael Bull, Blaine Meller, Kylie Robertson, Justine Rodrigues, Kaitlyn Pecson, Walter Domanski COVER: Deisgned by James Paton
Summer show will see play’s first performance in centuries Photo by Zoey Duncan
Nursing students Laura Last (left) and Kathleen O’Hara said their greatest hope at this point of their education is that they will be able to secure registered nursing positions following graduation.
Nursing job prospects by Zoey Duncan News Editor
The Reflector, with an on- and off-campus circulation of 10,000, is the independent voice of the students of Mount Royal University. It is published fortnightly during the academic year (Sept. to April). The Reflector is editorially autonomous and financially independent for all other governing bodies at Mount Royal University. The Reflector welcomes newsworthy submissions from all students and community members. While the right of editorial comment is reserved for editors of The Reflector, opinion pieces may be submitted as letters to the editor, and may be published on the editorial page as such. The Reflector reserves the right not to publish submissions deemed by the Publishing Editor to be offensive. Complaints arising from the content of the paper should be directed to the Ombudsboard. This board has been established as a mediator between the Reflector Publications Society staff and its readership. All decisions of the Ombudsboard are final and binding on both parties. Letters to the Ombudsboard must be sent in confidence, care of the Reflector Publications Society, to the Reflector Publications Society office. Submissions and letters to the editor should be a maximum of 500 words, typed, doublespaced, and contain the writer’s name and phone number. No unsigned letters will be published. Only in exceptional cases, at the discretion of the Publishing Editor, will writers’ names be withheld. The Reflector reserves the right to edit submissions for brevity. Contents are copyright © 2010. No material may be reproduced without express written consent. All opinions contained within this paper are those of the individual authors, and not necessarily those of the Reflector Publications Society. For more information, contact The Reflector office at:
THE REFLECTOR
Wyckham House Mount Royal University 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 All depts.: 403.440.6268 Fax: 403.440.6762 TheReflector@TheReflector.ca
Mount Royal University nursing students are learning that a lot of education only goes a little way in this tight job market. Like other job-seekers, nursing students are facing a shortage of job opportunities this summer. Compounding that shortage is the restructuring of Alberta Health Services (AHS) into an amalgamated entity that has few jobs available to those not already working in the system. “A few years ago we were getting postings that would say vacancies: 100,” said Patsy Valenzuela, supervisor for Career Services on campus. “Or, we would get lots that were local as well as the smaller towns and especially the smaller health regions that used to exist.” Valenzuela said there have been instances this year when there were absolutely no postings on the job board from AHS, and no health care boards attended the career fair to recruit nurses this year. Adding to the frustration of the job search is the publicized lack of nurses in the province. “The messages about a nursing shortage in the country and globally continue and they’re really strong messages of having a nursing shortage,” said Pam Nordstrom, director of the school of nursing at Mount Royal University. “So, it seems incongruent with the messages that Alberta Health Services has — that they don’t have positions, or that they’re not hiring externally. I can’t interpret those messages…because they seem quite inconsistent with each other.” The demographics of current nurses and the population as a whole suggest that there will be an increased need for nurses over the next one to five years, according to the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). Mary-Anne Robinson, the chief executive officer for CARNA, said that many nurses in Alberta are reaching the age of retirement and the
general population is both aging and seeing an increased incidence of chronic disease. “We do know that over a year ago there were significant vacancies [for registered nurses in Alberta] and those vacancies haven’t been filled,” Robinson said. “What’s happened to them? We’re not involved in [it], we’re not privy to that information.” Some student nurses have been able to secure jobs thanks to a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals. Kathleen O’Hara, a third-year nursing student, will be among the first group of students to graduate with a bachelor of nursing from Mount Royal University. O’Hara got a job at Rockyview General Hospital in her first year working as a nursing attendant where she changes diapers, and bathes and feeds patients. Some students couldn’t handle the bottom-rung position, she said, and chose instead to work in the service industry during school. “Any position you hold, that will kind of be part of your job and I think they might as well get it now, [because it will] benefit them in the future,” O’Hara said. “They don’t see that.” Adam Bratt, a nursing student who has worked in the health services industry for nearly six years, said that budget-related cutbacks are clearly impacting services for patients. “Obviously if you start reducing the amount of nurses, aides, care attendants, [and] everything else you have on a shift, then that affects the quality of care,” Bratt said. “Even just in affecting the morale of the hospitals; the hospitals right now are not pleasant places to be.” Valenzuela said that nursing students, like all job seekers, should search for jobs where they can develop skills that are transfereable. “Getting the job that you want at the level that you want is going to take a lot more work and networking, connecting with employers, rather than just applying to a posting,” Valenzuela said.
by Katie Turner Publishing Editor
While the works of William Shakespeare are known around the world, this summer, Mount Royal University’s Shakespeare in the Park will feature the world premiere of the Bard’s newly discovered play. Scholars are newly crediting the play Double Falsehood to Shakespeare and fellow playwright John Fletcher, rather than the Shakespearean editor Lewis Theobald. After following the story in the news, Martin Fishman, the artistic director of Shakespeare in the Park, searched online and found a copy of the play and decided to use it for his summer production. “The Royal Shakespeare Company in London, the big one, is doing it in the fall, so we’re preempting everyone and doing it here first,” Fishman said. “So, Calgarians will be the first people in almost 300 years to see this play.” “[The play is] a world premiere in our time, but I’m sure this was performed back in the day, but I think we’re one of the few companies that are doing it right from the get-go,” said Haysam Kadri, the play’s director. In addition to working with Shakespeare in the Park, Kadri spent nearly seven years as an actor with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, and is no stranger to the Bard’s work. “Everybody has done Shakespeare, all the plays have been done, so this one is really exciting and, you know, of
course I’ve got the nerves but it will really be exciting to jump into that,” he said. Not only will Kadri be directing Double Falsehood, he will also be acting in the two main stage shows at this year’s Shakespeare in the Park. An abridged version of Double Falsehood will be performed for lunchtime audiences, while Much Ado About Nothing and Othello will fill the evening slots. “It’s really, really exciting to tell this story for the first time. I have no reference to it so it will be a learning process for me, but I’ll have some great students working with us,” said Kadri. Twenty-three years ago, Shakespeare in the Park began as a theatre program at Mount Royal. Now, the company is overseen by the Mount Royal Conservatory and incorporates both professional and studentactors. It takes place at Prince’s Island Park throughout the summer, and rather than charging for tickets, the company asks the audience for donations, a feature, Fishman said, that makes for a diverse audience. “You will have — and it happens all the time — a street person and a business person sitting side-by-side on the hill watching Shakespeare, which would never happen anywhere else,” he said. Double Falsehood will run Aug. 11-21 from Wednesday through Saturday at noon, while the main stage productions begin with Othello on July 2 at 7 p.m. For more information and a full schedule visit www.myshakespeare.ca.
Photo courtesy James Bailey
Beginning in August, Shakespeare in the Park will feature the newly-attributed Shakespeare play Double Falsehood on the Prince’s Island Park stage.
Provincial roadtrippin’ Local tourist spots are bigger than you’d think
by Kylie Roberston The Reflector
Summertime is when university students have the time and hopefully the financial means to travel. But then the question becomes – what to do? The immediate thought for some is to hop on a plane to get to some exotic locale, but there are plenty of exciting things to do right here in our province. Why not take a themed road trip? More specifically, why not go big? There are several huge monuments scattered around Alberta that would make for an interesting road trip, and some great photo opportunities. It’s possible to start right here in Calgary. On the corner of 69th Avenue and Ogden Road, an 8.2-metre mechanical man was built in 1988 for the 75th anniversary of Ogden train yards, and he is made entirely out of locomotive and freight car parts. From Calgary, it’s a relatively short drive to Drumheller and the Alberta Badlands. Drumheller has a unique combination of natural and man-made attractions. In the desert, there are natural structures called hoodoos. According to the Travel Drumheller website, “hoodoos take millions of years to form and stand five to seven metres tall. Each hoodoo is
a sandstone pillar resting on a thick base of shale that is capped by a large stone. Hoodoos are very fragile and can erode completely if their capstone is dislodged (in other words, no climbing allowed).” After you’ve seen the hoodoos, you can travel back into town and check out the world’s largest dinosaur. “The world’s largest dinosaur is actually four times the size of a real Tyrannosaurus rex and anatomically speaking, she is a female dinosaur,” the website continues. “Weighing in at a grand total of 145,000 pounds, she’s constructed almost entirely out of steel. She stands 86 feet tall and is 151 feet long.” “I think tourism in Alberta is great,” said Cait Jaycock, a Drumheller-raised student at Mount Royal. “But many people do not know about a lot of the things that there are to do. I know Tourism [Alberta] has recently put out a campaign to encourage Albertans to take in the attractions that our province has to offer, but it still isn’t making everyone aware of all of the things that there are to see.” From Drumheller, it’s a quick two-hour jaunt up the highway to arrive in Donalda, Alta. Donalda is a small town with a big attraction: they’re home to the biggest oil lamp in the world.
See ROADTRIP pg. 9
FEATURES EDITOR: Gabrielle Domanski featureseditor@TheReflector.ca
April 15, 2010
QUICK QUIPS
“R
oad trippin’ with my two favourite allies/Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies.” — Red Hot Chili Peppers
“O
ne always wonders about roads not taken.” — Warren Christopher
“A
journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” — Tim Cahill
“D
riving is a spectacular form of amnesia.” — Jean Baudrillard Photo illustration by Gabrielle Domanski and James Paton
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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DRUMMIN’ BEAT
On April 6, in Wyckham House, a drum circle was organized by VP student life Eily Sweeney for student stress relief. Over 30 students and staff came out to an event facilitated by Malcolm Lim of Circles of Rhythm.
NERD CULTURE
Third-year journalism and electronic publishing students at MRU started Wild Gunmen, a nerd and geek culture magazine at the beginning of the semester. Check out photos of the staff and writers online.
ALBERTA ADVENTURE
Check out an exclusive web gallery of all the largest attractions in the province of Alberta. Crane your neck upwards when on the website.
LINGERING MEMORIES
Reflector contributor Arielle Murielle was at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and took in the little things the international sporting event offered. Photo by Zoey Duncan
MRU students drummed their stress away on April 6 in Wyckham House in a drum circle event organized by Eily Sweeney, VP student life.
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April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
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Hacking into the blogosphere How to successfully take on social media “Have fun…stay true to your passion and the rest is easy.” As far as types of blogs go, if you can think it, you can blog it. Among the most popular are: personal, travel, business and reviewbased blogs. From fashion to food, the topics that are covered by the average blogger these days are too numerous to count. For all the novice bloggers out there, the easiest way to start is by going to Blogger. com/start. By following just three short steps, one can be on his or her way to getting an opinion out there to the masses. “We live in the age where people want to hear other people’s opinions,” said Bonsol, when asked why blogs are so popular. “And because people spend all their time online [these days].” One of the most important tips lies in readership. “Whatever you’re interested in, and whatever you feel that you have a viewpoint on, start blogging about it,” said Patrick. “The blog reader today is an überefficient web surfer who is most likely a multi-tasker… if your delivery isn’t genuine, you’ll likely get passed over.”
by Jamie Witham The Reflector
The term blog has found its way into society’s vocabulary, and permeated the way we think about communication. But what is a blog, and why are they so important? Straight from the dictionary, the word blog is described as: “a website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.” The definition leaves something to be desired, as the world of blogging has come to mean so much more than a person’s quaint, little slice of their world on a page. “Don’t be boring. Please, don’t be boring,” advised Erin Bonsol, a freelance blogger. Bonsol blogs for the site TimingandDelivery. com, which focuses on reviewing the customer service of various businesses in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. “Have an interesting opinion – be able to back it up [with] links and pictures,” added Darren Patrick, founder of TimingandDelivery.com.
Assume that your audience is intelligent and cares about what you’re talking about – being condescending to your readers is going to result in a dwindling readership. “If you have good material, your readers will come back and just like sea monkeys, when you add water… grow,” explained Patrick. One may ask if crosspromotion is important? According to Patrick, absolutely, especially “in today’s inter-linked world that we live in.” “Integration with the social media tools we have at our disposal is crucial to building a social base. Cross-platform promotion is a very important building block to a successful blog,” Bonsol added. “It’s also important because more people see it.” While writing a blog is easy, managing a successful blog requires more effort than telling the world about your day – even from the other side of the planet. Patrick explained that a blogger needs “passion” and said, “Write in so far as you have fun doing it. Focus on quality content and less-so on the frequency.” One may wonder how the blogger bug bit Patrick and
Bonsol. “I got into the habit of passing along recommendations of places to go/avoid to friends and colleagues,” Patrick said. “Once that reached a critical mass, I was encouraged to start writing about it – I used a simple blog focused on the timing and the delivery of the service a consumer should expect.” Bonsol, on the other hand, started blogging on a website called Yelp, based out of San Francisco, and was recruited from there, which goes to show that no matter what your roots are there’s a blog out there for everyone. A word of caution though – in the Internet age, it has become increasingly popular for prospective employers to Google potential candidates before they are hired. Keep those blogs on the up-and-up to avoid embarrassing situations down the line. According to Patrick, in the end, it’s all about communication. “I am a strong believer in expression,” Patrick added. “Blogging provides another means of expression for those who may not have been able to find the appropriate channel.”
A taste of the East The Reflector recommends local Vietnamese delights by Justine Rodrigues The Reflector
Trends come and go. Clothing, music, hot spots around town, travel destinations and even food all have moments of frenzy, where one particular style, genre, place or flavour is all the rage. Some trends however, last longer than others, and eventually make their way into the normalcy of everyday life. Vietnamese cuisine stands as a prime example of food that has planted concrete roots in the hearts of Calgarian’s. So where can you go if Pho and spring rolls are what you are craving while you’re on or around campus? Ease those hungry minds and look no further, for The Reflector suggests three great Vietnamese restaurants that are close to campus, and affordable too.
1. Saigon Palace: 460 – 5255 Richmond Rd. SW (403) 246 – 0951 Saigon Palace is tucked away on the corner of Richmond Road, and is one of the southwest’s best-kept secrets. They offer 26 variations of Pho soup among other menu
items. Their soup comes in either medium or large, and ranges from $6.25 to $8.75 per bowl, depending on what you order.
Satay Beef Noodle Soup + spring rolls: This soup consists of a brown beef broth speckled with green onions, yellow onions, semirare beef strips, egg noodles and hints of chili pepper. The spring rolls at Saigon Palace are made of rice vermicelli, slices of pork, and carrots, all wrapped in a crispy shell.
The satay beef noodle soup came out nice and hot, most probably to cook the strips of beef. As for the spring rolls, there were four on a plate, complete with a lettuce leaf for garnish. The highlight of this meal was the ability to add different sauces, specifically fish oil. It really accentuated the already present, but somewhat dormant flavours that graced both the soup and spring rolls. Cost: $ 13.86 + Tip 2. Nho Saigon: 2111 – 33 Avenue SW (403) 246 – 1388 Nho Saigon is located in Marda Loop next to Casablanca Video.
See SOUP pg. 10
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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Pinching pennies during summer break Summer jobs on the horizon means budgeting that extra income by Kylie Robertson The Reflector
Students and money: two words that contrast starkly when placed together. Students, by the very nature of tuition and textbook prices, aren’t supposed to have any money. But for four months every year, it’s possible for most students to earn some cash to help finance their education – or maybe to just survive. “My bank account is prepared to start having an income,” said Kirby Davis, a recent Mount Royal graduate of the nursing program. “I have some concerns though. I know that I need to get some guaranteed work because I do owe a lot of money and there is not a lot in my bank account. In my line of work there are currently no jobs for new graduates in this province.” Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C. offers some budget advice to their students online, and they’re four fairly simple rules to live by: 1) Set goals for yourself 2) Create an accurate picture of where your money is coming from and where it’s going. 3) Plan out where your money needs to go to first and where you want it to go second. 4) Discipline yourself to stick
with your plan. Mount Royal also offers a money calculator online to help students visualize where their money will be going when they’re enrolled, but they have fewer resources to help students budget their money for the summer. Davis said that she thinks she’s great with money, and uses credit only when necessary and pays it off at the end of every month. But lately she’s been more hard-pressed to pay it off. “I have been unable to work for the last three months due to my busy practicum schedule so groceries, gas, my temporary work license, have all been paid for with my credit card,” she said. Simon Fraser’s site recommends dividing expenses into fixed and variable expenses, then into high and low priorities. For example, rent would be a high priority, fixed expense. Shopping for clothing would be a low priority variable expense. Davis has these rules in mind. “Generally if I don’t need something, I don’t buy it,” she said. “When grocery shopping, I only buy something if it’s on sale or it’s a necessity. I’m very money conscious and it’s always in the back of my mind.” Discipline is also an important
samru.ca
Photo courtesy of iStock
For many people trying to stick to a budget, credit cards can be their biggest downfall. aspect of keeping track of money. For students, it can seem more difficult because of the many demands they face. Davis echoes this sentiment. “I stress about finances a lot,” she said. “Especially while in school. I stress about paying off my bills monthly and having made enough money that month to do so. Paying your own tuition, phone bills, car payments, gas, groceries, rent... everything. Plus, going to school
full-time makes it difficult to stay out of the red.” For Davis, this summer will mark a first – there will be no more tuition to worry about. She needs to secure permanent, full-time employment but in the meantime, she’ll continue to stress about money. She currently doesn’t have a budget, and knows that it’s not sensible. “I probably should. Last year, when money was really tight for me and I was working two jobs
samru.ca
and going to school full-time, I created a budget for myself,” she said. “I started by taking my fixed expenses and subtracting them from my cheques. From there, I set budgets… I was very good at sticking to this budget but it kind of got thrown out the window once I moved and got a different job.” So make sure you manage your pay-cheques this summer, just in case those deposits stop coming in September.
April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
ROADTRIP from pg. 5 “In 2000, the World’s Largest Lamp was constructed in Donalda to overlook the Village and the Meeting Creek Coulee as part of Donalda’s Millenium Celebration,” the tourism site states. “The Lamp is designed to replicate a pioneer oil lamp and is lit 365 days of the year. Visitors to the Lamp can enter the Lamp base and view a mural painted by Phyllis Starling, a renowned area artist. The Lamp stands 47 feet high and is, as far as we know, the largest working oil lamp replica in the world.” From Donalda, it’s another two hours to Edmonton. West Edmonton Mall may no longer be the biggest mall in the world, but according to a 2008 study done by the Eastern Connecticut State University, the mall is the largest in North America and the fifth largest in the world, and still has some impressive attractions that you can’t find anywhere else. Beyond the shopping, the mall houses the largest indoor amusement park (with the largest indoor triple-loop rollercoaster), the largest indoor wave pool, the tallest indoor permanent bungee tower, the largest indoor lake and the largest parking lot, according to their website.
It also has some American stores that can’t be found elsewhere in Western Canada, such as Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister. The Chinook Centre expansion will include the latter two, but they won’t be operating until October, according to a story printed in the Calgary Herald. Edmonton to Vegreville is just another hour east on Highway 16. If you have Ukrainian roots, this is a stop that you’ll definitely want to make. Vegreville, Alta. is home to a giant Pysanka, or Ukrainian Easter egg. The egg was designed for the centennial celebration of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. There is a dedication on the base of the egg, written in four different languages: Ukrainian, English, French and German. It reads: “This Pysanka (Easter Egg) symbolizes the harmony, vitality and culture of the community and is dedicated as a tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who brought peace and security to the largest multi-cultural settlement in all of Canada.” But, on the way to Vegreville, you may want to detour to Mundare, Alta. Just 20 minutes northwest of the Easter egg off Highway 16, there is a 13-metre,
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Photo by Walter Domanski
The indoor water park at West Edmonton Mall is one of the many large attractions that make the shopping centre a hotspot for tourists. six-ton kielbasa (Ukrainian sausage) ring. It’s the world’s biggest sausage ring, according to a feature article from the Edmonton Journal in June 2001. On the same note, there’s also a giant perogy in Glendon, Alta., but the town is another two hours northeast of Vegreville, near Bonnyville. If you’re looking for something less cultural and more pop culture, Vulcan, Alta. should also be
on your road trip list. Vulcan, according to their tourism site, is the official Star Trek capital of Canada. Vulcan is between Calgary and Lethbridge just off of Highway 2. “On June 10, 1995, Vulcan, Alberta took a major step towards developing its own brand of space tourism when the town unveiled the Star Ship FX6-1995-A. The original USS Enterprise of Star Trek inspired the Vulcan
Association of Science and Trek (V.A.S.T) with the idea to construct a starship in Vulcan,” explains Vulcan’s tourism site. Plaques are mounted around the ship, written in English, Klingon and Vulcan languages. So if you’re looking for a truly interesting road trip this summer, don’t stray too far from home. Amazing sights are scattered all across this wonderful province of ours.
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THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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Swapping sex for money British TV show captures life of a call girl JAUNTY JEZEBEL
by Selina Renfrow Sex Columnist
I’ve been called a whore, but I’m not. However, I’ve wondered from time to time what it would be like to be paid for sex. Recently a friend suggested watching the British TV show Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Not because we were talking about becoming prostitutes – we were talking about my column and she enjoyed the show because she found it to be similar to my column. So I got hold of the three seasons and spent the hours I should have spent sleeping learning about Hannah and her alter ego Belle. “The first thing you should know about me is that I am a whore,” says Belle in the pilot episode.
Belle is quite frank about the work she does – call her a whore, a prostitute, a call girl or an escort. What matters is that she’s a high-class escort; she charges by the hour and she has regulars. Over the course of three seasons we see Belle dress up in various costumes, pretend to be the clients’ girlfriend (called the Girlfriend Experience), get tied up, try being a dominatrix and of course have threesomes. Belle came to be when Hannah realized after university that she hated hard work. She realized she loved sex and she loved money. Hannah created Belle to keep herself emotionally detached from her job as an escort. The whole show is about balancing her two personalities, which she never does successfully – it’s usually Belle that does well – something Hannah doesn’t mind since she loves her job more than she loves real life. The series is based on the book, Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle Du Jour and here is where I can
Photo Courtesy of sho.com
Follow the exploits of Belle, a call girl from London, which normally runs on Showtime.
relate. Hannah writes about Belle’s clients, what they do, how it makes her feel and the insights she gleans from her encounters. But honesty is tough. Belle protects her clients (discretion is key in her business) by giving them pseudonyms. I’ve had fun giving friends and partners aliases to protect them. But unlike Belle/Hannah, Jaunty Jezebel/Selina are very
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much the same person. It’s great to be open and honest but it’s hard to have to admit to yourself that yes you did regret your actions. As often as things didn’t work out and I embarrassed myself or made a huge mistake, I’ve enjoyed the people I’ve met, the things they’ve taught me and the experiences I’ve had. It’s been great being able to share my experiences with others and I’ve learned a lot
SOUP from pg. 7 They are a family-run business with a full menu that serves 17 variations of soup. Their portions come in a one-sizefeeds-all and range from $6.25 for a Wonton and Veggie Soup to $8.75 for the House Special. Nho Saigon had exceptionally fast service and is a nice place to grab a quick lunch with friends. House Special + spring rolls: The House Special contains beef balls, medium-rare and well-done beef strips, green onions and bean sprouts in rice noodle soup. The broth was an orange colour, spicy, and a bit thicker in consistency than most Viet soups, but was appetizing nonetheless. Nho Saigon had the most beef of all three restaurants, making it perfect for meat-lovers around town. The spring rolls were longer and notably contained more meat than any spring roll I have personally tried. They were also unique in that they tasted sweet. The spring rolls were served four in an order and came out modestly crispy, and were softer towards the middle. Nho Saigon came complete with exceptional service, the water glasses were never below half-full and this restaurant is unique in that they use order cards instead of dealing with the server directly. Cost: $13.70 + Tip 3. Zen Vietnamese Grill: Wyckham House What better place to review, than MRU’s very own Zen Grill located conveniently on campus.
researching my column. Life is amazing and sex is a part of it; you’ve got to make the best of it. While this is my final column, there’s a good chance I’ll continue writing my blog at www.jauntyjezebel.blogspot. com. Please comment on my blog or send me emails if you have questions. The Reflector has a new sex columnist, Vanessa Gillard, and you can read her first column in our first issue for the fall. Thank you. This venue was the cheapest and smallest of all three. They offer four basic variations of soup, and would be ideal for those craving something warm between classes. Sate Beef Soup + spring roll: The beef soup was notably spicy and after consuming a halforder, I find myself completely full. The soup was served piping hot and tasted of beef broth, chili pepper, green onion and bean sprouts. The soup also had strong hints of parsley. This dish included beef balls but the meat was less tender and cut into thicker strips than the other two restaurants. The nice thing about Zen is that you didn’t have to add any additional sauces, the broth tasted just right. The spring rolls were smaller and shorter than most and had less meat, vermicelli and carrot than the previous two restaurants. The spring rolls came out two per order and were served with a side order of fish oil. Cost: $10.00 For those who prefer not to eat meat, have no fear; all three places have a vegetarian section on the menu with delicious nomeat alternatives. Overall, for those on a budget, the best bang for your buck would be Zen Grill. If it’s soup you’re after, try Nho Saigon, and if spring rolls are your fancy Saigon Palace is the place to be. So there you have it, the good and the bad, all wrapped into one roll – or article, however you want to digest it.
Summer Bingo! Highlights from this festival season you must check out by Sean-Paul Boynton & Catherine Szabo The Reflector
The summer is upon us, and with that means a slew of festivals and events gearing up to set your senses abuzz with flavour. Whether it be live music, foreign foods, or just a nice afternoon on a patio downtown, it’s hard not to have a fun
summer even if you stay right here in Calgary. In order to make sure you have the best summer possible, here’s a selection of highlights that organizers from Calgary’s more popular festivals say are not to miss. Basically, if you have a blackout on the bingo card below, chances are you’ll be coming back to school in September with a huge smile on your face.
ARTS EDITOR: Sean-Paul Boynton artseditor@TheReflector.ca
Go for a bike ride through Kensington
Calgary Folk Fest (July 22-25) Attend a Friday afternoon workshop from 3-6 p.m.
Sled Island (June 30 July 3) Watch the Thermals on the main stage
Ride a raft down the Bow River
Take a walk in Prince’s Island Park
Taste of Calgary (Aug. 12-15) Try a new appetizer, entree and dessert
Calgary Jazz Festival (June 21-27) Visit the waterpark in Eau Claire Plaza
Ride the ferris wheel at the Stampede
Calgary Greek Festival (June 11-13) Check out the Parea Band
Try some food from the seven Latin American food vendors
Ride a rollercoaster at Calaway Park
Go to a play geared to children at least half your age
Enjoy a cold pint on a rooftop patio
Watch the Canada Day fireworks from Olympic Plaza
Attend the free pool party at Olympic Plaza on June 25 at 4 p.m.
Fiestaval (July 24-25)
Children’s Festival (May 25-29)
Play beach volleyball at Millennium Park
Dragonboat Races (Aug. 14-15) Watch the Dragonboat races on Lake Minnewanka
Lilac Festival (May 30) Go see the community dance group at 18th Avenue and Fourth Street
Go camping in Kananaskis County
Enjoy an ice cream cone from Red Mile Creamery (17th Avenue)
Calgary Fringe Festival (July 30 August 7) Leave your comfort zone and try a new medium of theatre
Afrikadey (Aug. 9-14) See K’Naan on Aug. 14 at Prince’s Island Park
Attend a backyard barbeque
April 15, 2010
HOT SPOTS
F
ight the power and bring the noise when those rebels without a pause known as Public Enemy welcome one and all to the Terrordome (sorry, that’s actually The Whiskey) on May 25. This time, you’ll be advised to believe the hype. You’re gonna get yours!
U
nleash your tastebuds and enjoy a wide range of locally made salsas at the Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival on July 25. The one-day outdoor celebration will also feature live bands, vendors and dancers, and of course there will be plenty of outdoor pub patios on which to enjoy the sun.
N Calgary Blues Festival (Aug. 2-8) Catch David Clayton Thomas, formerly of Blood, Sweat & Tears
ever mind the bollocks: the people of the Vans Warped Tour are keeping punk rock alive. Unfortunately, the tour skips Calgary for a stop in Edmonton on Aug. 5, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking a drive in order to catch Motion City Soundtrack, Fear, Dropkick Murphys and many more.
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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THE LISTINGS PAGE MOVIES GLOBE (617-8th Ave. S.W., 403-262-3308) April 15-22, 2010 Call for screenings and times. THE PLAZA (1133 Kensington Rd. N.W., 283-2222) www.theplaza.ca April 15-22, 2010 Call for screenings and times. THE UPTOWN (612-8 AVE. S.W., 265-0120) www.theuptown.com April 15-22, 2010 Greenberg: Thurs. @ 7:15 & 9:20; Fri. @ 7:15; Sat. & Sun. @ 12:20, 2:45, & 7:15; Mon. – Wed. @ 7:15. 14A. Crazy Heart: Thurs. @ 7:00 & 9:10; Fri. @ 7:00 & 9:10; Sat. & Sun. @ 2:30, 7:00, & 9:10; Mon. – Wed. @ 7:00 & 9:10; Thurs. @ 9:10. 14A. The Last Station: Daily @ 4:40. 14A. Chloe: Fri. @ 5:00 & 9:25; Sat. & Sun. @ 12:40, 5:00, & 9:25; Mon. – Thurs. @ 5:00 & 9:25. 18A.
Martha Cohen Theatre, Epcor Centre, 205 – 8 Ave. SE. Vertigo Mystery Theatre: May 1-30, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. 403-221-3708. www.vertigotheatre. com. Vertigo Theatre Centre, 115 – 9 Ave. SE. Theatre Calgary: Apr. 20 – May 9, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 403-294-7440. www.theatrecalgary. com. Max Bell Theatre, Epcor Centre, 205 – 8 Ave. SE. U of C, Dept. of Drama: Until Apr. 17, Taking Flight: A Festival of Student Work. 403-210-7576. www.finearts. ucalgary.ca. University Theatre, U of C. Urban Curvz Theatre: Apr. 29 - May 8, 2010, The Vajayjay Monologues. urbancurvz.com. Pumphouse Theatres, 2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW. Lunchbox Theatre: Until May 8, This Could Be Love; BD&P Emerging Director Presentation; May 17 – 29, Ivanka: Not Just Another Pretty Perogy; June 12, 19, & 26 Suncor Energy Stage One Festival. 403-265-4292. www. lunchboxtheatre.com. Lunchbox Theatre, 115 – 9 Ave. SE. Downstage: Until Apr. 17, A New Work by the Downstage Creation Ensemble in Epcor Centre’s Motel. 403-294-7459. downstage.ca.
MUSIC
THEATRE Ghost River Theatre: May 28 & 29, Reverie. 403-240-7469. www. ghostrivertheatre.com. Joyce Doolittle Theatre, 2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW. Theatre Junction: Apr. 28-30, The Spaghetti Western Orchestra. 403-205-2922. www.theatrejunction. com. The Grand, 608 – 1 St. SW. Jubilations Dinner Theatre: Apr. 16 – June 20, Good Vibrations Summer of ‘69. 403-249-7799. www.jubilations.ca. 1002 – 37 St. SW. Gas and Light Productions: Until Apr. 17, A Night with Tom Stoppard (and Silly Policemen). 403-808-3818. www. gasandlight.com. Pumphouse Theatres, 2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW. Alberta Theatre Projects: Apr. 27 – May 15, Communion by Daniel MacIvor. 403-294-7402. www.atplive.com.
Mikey’s Juke Joint & Eatery: Mondays: Steve Pineo’s Blue Mondays; Tuesdays: Tim Williams; Wednesdays: Pussy Willows Open Mic with heather Blush, Trina Nestibo & Dawn Desmarais; Apr. 15, Strat Abuse; Apr. 17, Tom Phillips; Apr. 22, Dawn and Blue Clover; Apr. 23, Urbandivide; Apr. 24, David Newberry Band and Steve Brockley Band; Apr. 29, Rob Hollis and Fred Mallette; May 1, The Perpetrators. 403-245-8833. www. MikeysJukeJoint.com. 1901 – 10 Ave. SW. Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club: Apr. 15, Viviane Martin; Apr. 17, Melody Diachun; Apr. 22 & 23, Keith Smith Trio; Apr. 24, Gale/Rodrigues Group; Apr. 29, Brian Johnstone Quintet; Apr. 30 & May 1, Victor Goines; May 7 & 8, La cage aux folles: Land’s End Chamber Music Society of Calgary; May 14 & 15, Kristian
Aleandrov Trio featuring Shannon Gaye; May 26, Soylent Green; May 29, Tricia Edwards Quartet. 403-263-1650. www.beatniq.com. 811 – 1 St. SW. Ironwood Stage & Grill: Wednesdays, Open Mic hosted by Tim Leacock & Kit Johnson. Apr. 15, Tom Russell; Apr. 16, Keith and Renee and The Mighty Popo; Apr. 18, Ruth Purvis Smith; Apr. 19, Sheena Grobb; Apr. 20, Troy Kokol; Apr. 22, Noel Johnson Band & Mocking Shadows; Apr. 23, Greg Cockerill; Apr. 24, The Good Brothers; Apr. 25, Heather Blush & Trina Nestibo; Apr. 25, Amelia Curran & Rose Cousins; Apr. 26, Kinjo Brothers; Apr. 27, Tim Buck Two; Apr. 29, Laura Bachinsky. 403-269-5581. www. ironwoodstage.ca. 1429 - 9 Ave. SE. Liberty Lounge: Apr. 15, Last Class Bash featuring Hot Hot Heat, Chixdoggit, Miesha & the Spanks, and Bell Tower. www.samru.ca. Wyckham House, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate. SW. Broken City: Mondays: Broken City Monday Comedy Night; Tuesdays: Broken City Wing Night + Punk Rock Binge = Broken City Wingo; Apr. 15, Ghostkeeper; Apr. 16, The Madcowboys with The Colin Decker Free Fall, Voices, and Starve the Artist. 403-608-6360. www.brokencity.ca. 613 – 11 Ave. SW. Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra: Apr. 17, Powerful Percussion (Family Fun); Apr. 17, From Vienna to Rio (Destination); Apr. 29 & May 1, Symphonie Fantastique (Classics); May 7 & 8, ABBAMANIA! (POPS); May 14 & 15, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Classics); May 16, Little Red Riding Hood (Family Fun); May 20, Mozart, Haydn, and Friends (Serenade); May 27 & 28, New Music Festival (Rozsa Centre, U of C); June 2, POPS in the Park (Heritage Park); June 11 & 12, The Best of Billy Joel (POPS). 403-571-0849. www.cpolive.com. Jack Singer Hall, Epcor Centre, 201 – 8 Ave. SE Carma Acoustic Blues Series: Apr. 16, Samuel James; May 14, Gordie Johnson; June 5, Braithwaite and Whiteley. 403-299-8888. epcorcentre.org. Jack Singer Hall, Epcor Centre, 201 – 8 Ave. SE. Stampede Corral: Apr. 29, The Gruesome Twosome Tour with Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper; June 3, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. 403-777-0000. www.livenation.com. Calgary Stampede Grounds.
Mount Royal Conservatory
Pengrowth Saddledome: May 2, Simon & Garfunkel; May 4, Brooks & Dun with Gary Allan; May 31, Nickelback with Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, and Sick Puppies; June 15, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with Joe Cocker; July 14, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert; Aug. 17, Michael Buble with Naturally 7; Aug. 22, The Black Eyed Pears. 403-777-0000. www. livenation.ca. Calgary Stampede Grounds.
SPECIAL EVENTS Military Museums: Until June 20, The Navy: A Century in Art, the first showing of a National War Museum cross-country tour marking the Navy’s centenary. Free admission from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm; Apr. 1 – Aug. 22, Tanks and Tartan: Soldiers for 100 Years, a display of artifacts, photographs, and artwork commemorating the 100th anniversaries of two Calgary reserve units, The King’s Own Calgary Regiment and The Calgary Highlanders. 403-240-9723. www. themilitarymuseums.ca. 4520 Crowchild Trail SW.
VOLUNTEERS TEDDI TIME. Dr Teddi Mascot volunteers needed for events for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Contact jlyall@achf.com. BIG HEART? With one hour a week you can make a BIG Difference in the life of a young person! Volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters www. bbbscalgary.com CHING CHING. Volunteers needed for AB Chinese Canadian Friendship Association Yard Sale Fundraiser on May 15. Call Maggie 403-998-2436. SWIM LIKE A FISH. The Cerebral Palsy Association needs volunteers for its Adapted Aquatics program. Help adults with disabilities learn to swim. Call Natasha at 403-219-3610. YOGA THERAPY. The YWCA Sheriff King Home needs a volunteer to facilitate and lead yoga therapy sessions to women at the shelter. Call Christine at 403-294-3663.
WYATT ARTIST IN RESIDENCE CONCERT SERIES
BBC 2004 Young Musician of the Year & Universal/Deutsche Grammophon artist
Did you hear? All students with a valid student ID from any educational institution can get a spring and summer Rec membership for only $83.45. Memberships are valid from May 1 to August 31, 2010. Visit the Recreation Customer Service Centre (U130) for details. 403.440.6517
APRIL 25, 2010 7:30 PM MRU LEACOCK THEATRE
$50 general $25 students/seniors/MR faculty, staff & alumni Tickets: 403.440.7770 or online at mtroyal.ca/tickets
GET FIT & HAVE FUN. Volunteer with Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life in June. Empower individuals to fight back against cancer. Call Alexis at 403-250-3966.JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES. LINKages needs a handyperson to help with odd jobs in the office (assemble desks, touch-up painting, indoor/outdoor maintenance, etc.) as needed. Call Erin at 403-249-0853. WEB MASTER? W.P. Puppet Theatre Society needs a student or professional with web design experience to revamp their website. Explore your creativity and imagination. Call Wendy at 403-228-3373. PUPPET POWER. Calgary International Children’s Festival needs two volunteers to assist with a workshop on building puppets & bringing them to life. Call Kristin at 403-294-7414 ext 4. HELP THE CROWD. Calgary International Children’s Festival needs volunteers for the information booths and for media check-in. Get free tickets to performances. Call Kristin at 403-294-7414 ext 4. LOL! Love to volunteer and laugh? An event promotion coordinator is needed for FunnyFest Calgary’s Comedy Festival. Contact Tammy at volunteers@funnyfest.com. GLITZ & GLAM. The Third Academy needs help with their 13tth annual fundraising gala for children with learning disabilities. Do registration, 50/50 tickets or auction table. Contact kcolmant@thirdacademy.com. SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. The SouthWest Communities Resource Centre is looking for 12-17 yr olds for the South Calgary Youth Council to plan community projects. Call Paul at 403-238-9222 x 223. TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM. Like to work with Teams? Contact Marie 403-250-7090 to sign up for the setup crew for the ENERFLEX MS Walk June 6 for Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. SIGN UP HERE to be a part of the RONA MS Bike Tour Sign Crew for Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Contact Marie at 403-250-7090 to sign up for June 11, 12 or 13 Tour. FOOD FIGHT! LINKages is looking for an individual or a family who is able to grocery shop, once a month, for the food needed for their After-School Programs. Call Erin at 403-249-0853. DRIVE HOPE. Deliver bouquets around Calgary for the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta’s 2010 Flag of Hope Iris Campaign from April 20-22. Call Sian at 403-264-5161 ext 31. ALBERTA PRIDE. McDougall Stoney Mission Society needs help with planning commemorative services. Help with mailouts, research, bulletins, letters and labels. Call Laura at 403-802-3898. RIDE YOUR BIKE. A Trail Monitor Volunteer is needed to monitor safety through the bike park at Canada Olympic Park. Call Jocelyn at 403-247-5485.
DANCE U of C Dance Program: Dance @ Noon; Apr. 15 & 16, Professional Series II. finearts.ucalgary.ca. University Theatre, U of C.
SECURE A SUMMER POSITION NOW! Interview now, start after finals $16.25 base/appt Positions in Customer Sales/Service Great resume experience-Separate yourself from the crowd! Scholarships Available. Conditions apply. APPLY or CALL NOW!!! www.workforstudents.com
403-243-6635
April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
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Highway music MRU students share their favourite road trip soundtracks by Sean-Paul Boynton Arts Editor
Ah, the open road. Summer is here, which means it’s the perfect time to pack a bag, grab some friends and hop in the car for a journey to…well, wherever you’d like. But whether the trip is short or long, one ingredient must always be present in order to spice up your adventure: the perfect soundtrack. The right music can keep you alert during an all-day drive, or calm you down when winding your way through those dangerous mountain roads. It can also bond you with your travel-mates through a rousing sing-a-long, causing you all to forget about last night’s drama in the hotel room. If music is the soundtrack to your life, then why wouldn’t you want some sweet tunes to play during what could otherwise be a mundane and exhausting experience? The Reflector went throughout Wyckham House and the Liberty Lounge – and even stopped students in their tracks on Main Street – to ask as many people as possible what music they’ll be listening to this summer on the road. The results were varied and wide-ranging, but could probably make a perfect playlist for your iPod.
It doesn’t really matter what station, it sort of depends on where you are in the trip. If you’re close to Calgary, you can turn it onto the rock station and celebrate your return!” Josh Geck Computer information systems First year “Jack Johnson is really chill and mellow, so I like that. I don’t like to party a lot when I’m driving, just sit back and enjoy the calmness of it.” Marie Pollock Journalism Third year “I love listening to the Mama Mia soundtrack, or Rent, so I can sing along to it.” Sarah Pickering Open studies First year
“Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is great driving music, because there’s some ambient parts, some vocal parts, and it makes you relaxed when you’re going through those huge turns through the mountains.” Mia Koegler Open studies First year “I love Simon and Garfunkle; it’s really happy, and you can sing along to it. Me and [Sarah Pickering] are both singers, so we harmonize along with them. So much fun!” Bryce Chernecki Computer information systems Fifth year “There’s this guy from the U.K. called Dub FX, and he sort of does beatboxing, music with his mouth, but with synths and stuff. It’s just really interesting and sounds cool, so I’m not thinking about the road.”
Angie Herman Social work First year “Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, other country stuff is really easy and relaxing to listen to. Also older stuff like Aqua and the Spice Girls is fun to sing along to: everyone knows the words, so we can sing as loud as we want!” Nori Sinclair Journalism Third year “If it’s a sunny day, Bob Marley does just fine.” Thomas Boudreau Bachelor of arts Second year “Wavves is my favourite, they’re like a lo-fi noise band. It just washes over you and you can put it in the background, you don’t have to think about it too much.” Mike Giesbrecht Open studies First year “I really like Black Mountain, they’re really folky, like Ladyhawk, and they have long songs that you can get lost in. It just creates an atmospheric
background that I don’t have to pay attention to.” Jessica Pfitscher Spanish Second year “‘Summer of ‘69’ by Bryan Adams! But also a lot of ‘70s stuff, like Marvin Gaye [starts singing ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’]. I just like it to be easygoing and fun, ‘cause I want to be alert. Rock keeps me going.” Cari Allen Nursing First year “I gotta have a ‘90s mix going, especially the Spice Girls. Anyone who says they didn’t love the Spice Girls is lying.” Grace Lee Open studies First year “Velvet Underground man, for sure. It’s just so expansive and free. Also Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, for the same reasons.” Kylie Robertson Journalism Third year “The Hives: they can’t sing, so I can sing along.” Bob Jones Open studies First year “Gotta go with CCR: nice melodies, it’s calm, and it’s very steady in its progression, just like driving.”
Sarah White Business Fourth year “I like listening to hip-hop, because if you focus on the words, it’s like a story, and that keeps you alert and takes your mind off the road.” Jayden Philips Computer information systems First year “I just turn on the radio.
Illustration by James Paton
Kent Duthie Sciences First year “You can never go wrong with some Beatles. I like Wings, and Journey absolutely. And if you’re really in need of a boost, a little Billy Idol never hurt anybody!”
How to play while you’re away It’s up to theatre students to keep the creative juices flowing over the summer by Michael Bull The Reflector
Theatre is a demanding profession, to say the least. Not to take anything away from any other courses Mount Royal offers, but few demand so much not only mentally, but physically as well. Yoga, calisthenics, deep breathing and, most of all, an assured sense of self are not only required, but also demanded. With summer fast approaching, the theatre students of Mount Royal University are venturing out of the comfy confines of their
hallowed halls, and for the first time will venture forth into the unknown and often scary world of professional theatre. Glenda Stirling, an instructor for the performance department for a number of years, understands the focus required for students to maintain discipline over the summer months. “They are definitely encouraged to continue their breathing and movement, because once they come back it’s really hard if you haven’t done anything for four months,” says Stirling. “What we really do though, is try to encourage
them to read plays. Not only in terms of material for their monologues, but just keeping that actor mindset.” Simon Burke can’t help but agree. A former theatre student himself, he witnessed first-hand the effects of a lackadaisical regimen and laments what could have been. “I definitely read plays,” he remembers. “I read Waiting for Godot and some other one that I can’t remember, but unfortunately that’s all I did.”
See ACTORS pg. 14
Photo by Michael Bull
Actors both professional and amateur find their choices limited when pursuing theatre opportunities during the offseason.
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
14
With classes specializing in movement and voice and an emphasis on not only mental acuity but physical well-being as well, even a tenure as short as a few months can have a devastating effect on the performance of an actor if they don’t practice during their off time. Burke says: “It’s kind of stupid now to think about it,
but discipline is huge in terms of acting, and I stopped all my breathing exercises and didn’t do any vocals or anything, so when I came back I was basically a giant blob. To come back from that after everybody else kept at it all summer was just impossible. So I dropped out.” Adds Stirling: “You can definitely tell [which] students keep on top of their game. They come back and they are just pretty much really good to
go. You have to keep moving. We encourage them to keep acting or take a recreational dancing class. There are oneday incentives or multi-day workshops that help them maintain that focus over the summer.” This summer the theatre department, specifically the performance side, is advertising audition workshops by awardwinning performers and, like always, are pushing students to
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get involved in the theatre scene in Calgary. Kelsey Ledbury is a stage manager working on plays all across the city. An alumnus of the theatre program with a focus in technical, she thinks that while the technical side may not be as physically demanding as the performance side, they still have to go out and get involved. “We were told to go volunteer and to usher wherever we could,” says Ledbury. “A lot of us were pushed to do Shakespeare in the Park, since that has a direct connection to the department. It’s not to say I did, but the opportunity was definitely there. I actually went back to my high school and worked on their musical, so that was really fun.” However influential the glamour of Shakespeare in the Park may be, Stirling is quick to point out that students have to go beyond that: “They can’t hire everybody.” Adds Ledbury: “In terms of the technical department, they didn’t really say to keep constant contact with them, because I think they thought we were at an age that we could handle ourselves, but they helped a whole bunch. They would refer our name to outside companies and I would get a call and say, ‘I heard your name from Robin, I heard your name from so and so.’ That was always nice.” With such a close-knit program, it is common to hear students calling teachers by a first-name basis, and teachers taking a personal interest in the students they are teaching. “We are extremely specialized,” says Stirling. “At the end of the first year (it’s a two-year program), we have a one-on-one teacher/student evaluation that everybody goes through, and it’s quite remarkable that in terms of
how everybody is in the same ballpark, so to speak, they are all still on different levels. I might tell one student they need to work on calisthenics or another student to work on breathing, so it’s different for every student in terms of what they need to do to not only maintain but grow and mature.” Telly James, another product of the Mount Royal theatre department, has a slightly different opinion. James graduated from the program in 2007 and has had a steady diet of work since, but his route has had less self-imposed roadblocks than most. “People take themselves too seriously,” says James. “I never did anything like that. I didn’t really do anything. I took the break as a blessing and did my own thing. Maybe I’m just lucky, but when I came back I was still really focused. Maybe I was just focused on getting through it, but still. Maybe I’m a hater. I did the opposite.” James believes that regardless of the amount of hard work one does over the break period, if you want to do it, and you want to do it for life, the rest will follow. “It’s just life man,” says James. “If people want to see you and if you want to make yourself seen, then you will. I try not to think about it too much.” Different opinions aside, the students aren’t the only ones that need a break. After eight months of vigorous teaching, the instructors of the theatre department can’t deny the chance for rest and relaxation. However, it doesn’t mean they are taking time off. “We encourage students to contact us if they need anything at all, and most do, but in all honesty, we need a break too,” says Stirling. Ask and you shall receive.
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April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
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Choice Cut
Iggy and the Stooges Raw Power (Legacy Edition) Columbia by Sean-Paul Boynton Arts Editor
B
efore punk was punk and rock was pop, before dyed hair and eyeliner and “Jesus of Suburbia,” there was Iggy Pop and the Stooges, the most dangerous band in the world. Forget the Rolling Stones and their jaunty blues-ramblings laced with sex, or Jim Morrison’s Oedipal fantasies and proclamations to the dark centre of the hippie movement. The Stooges were all of these things yet so much more; a shot in the arm and a punch in the face to every music snob and rock god who thought music should come from endless hours of practicing guitar in your bedroom with the lights out. To put it bluntly, the Stooges changed everything. Their legend was sealed when they broke up for the first time in 1970, after two stone-cold classic albums that set the course for what was to come in 1976-78. Punk rock was born not in London or New York, but in Ann Arbor, Michigan, by these four dropouts, high on acid and bereft of musical talent (at least at first – they got better quickly). What they did have was attitude, and they scared people all right, from their primal grooves to Iggy’s…well, just Iggy himself, whether he was screaming that he wanted to be our dog or smearing his body with peanut butter and shards of glass on stage. But they needed a break – they were human beings after all – and they disbanded. Then, a light from above sent down an angel: David Bowie, who saved Iggy from mental and chemical collapse and urged him to reform the band. So he got himself a new guitarist, James Williamson, who forced original guitarist Ron Asheton to move to bass (former bassist Dave Alexander was well on his way to his eventual death from alcoholism) and join his brother Scott in the rhythm section. With a stack of new songs, the boys went into Bowie’s MainMan Studios and cut the conclusion to their classic, genredefining trilogy, the best second-act salvation and career ender in known music history: Raw Power. Quite simply, Raw Power is exactly what the name suggests: a bruising, highoctane call of the wild, and a template for all that came after it. Its sound is sharp and punishing, its playing grungy and visceral, and the singing…my god, the singing.
Whereas Iggy had tested his actual “singing” abilities within a primitive rock ‘n’ roll band (no doubt confined by the vocal booth) on their debut, and had played a wild, out-of-control madman on Fun House, here he combines the two extremes and solidifies his status as one of rock’s premiere frontmen. The way he method acts his way through every song, giving each its own character and yet tying them all together, is in line with the tradition of the great singers of rock, from Jim Morrison and Bowie before him to John Lydon and Morrissey after. As soon as he utters the first line from “Search and Destroy” after the initial crashing firestorm of the music – “I’m a street-walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm” – Iggy Pop, the Godfather of Punk, was born. The rest of the band is simply glorious throughout. Williamson lays waste to his guitar and replaces Ron Asheton’s wah-wah-washed leads with a slashing, metallic grind that can be heard in the styles of practically every punk and post-punk guitar player that followed in his messy wake. Even the acoustic guitar flourishes in “Gimme Danger” and “I Need Somebody” ooze with danger and destruction. Meanwhile, Ron and Scott Asheton define “brotherly bond” with their stomping rhythms, each anticipating the others’ turns of phrase and less-than-intricate fills that nevertheless sound positively transcendent. Thirty-eight years later, Raw Power is getting the deluxe treatment. One of the main issues that are dealt with in this new edition is the sound, which is as infamous as the album itself. In a nutshell, Iggy produced and mixed the album himself, but the record execs balked, so Bowie was brought in under deadline to mix the album in one day in a cheap mastering studio. That mix was widely booed upon release, and Iggy remixed the album for the first CD remaster in 1997 – which meant that he basically pushed everything into the red until it buzzed and bled. This Legacy Edition restores Bowie’s original mix, as well as a second disc comprised of a live show from 1972 in Georgia. But never mind the added-on extras: Raw Power deserves to be heard again. And even if the thought of paying Legacy Edition prices for a punk record sickens you, it’s a small price to pay for allowing the next generation a chance to hear a record that was truly before its time.
Upcoming tracks on the racks
The Dead Weather Sea of Cowards (May 11)
LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening (May 18)
The Black Keys Brothers (May 18)
Stone Temple Pilots Stone Temple Pilots (May 25)
Christina Aguilera Bionic (June 8)
The Roots How I Got Over (June 8)
Man, Jack White must be some kind of sorcerer – he just keeps on rolling out products faster than we can lap it up. Less than a year after their debut disc, the Alison Mosshart-led super-group shows no signs of stopping soon, continuing their goth-blues obsessions while rocking harder than most so-called rock bands. First single “Die By the Drop” is suitably creepy and funky in equal measure; hopefully the short timeline doesn’t mean a drop-off in quality.
Like a more indie-electro version of Nine Inch Nails, James Murphy has used his one-man band moniker to create some of the most exciting music of the past decade, with 2008’s Sound of Silver ending up near the top of several year’s-best lists (and for good reason). Considering the quality of the tracks leaked out so far – especially first official single “Drunk Girls” – his third record should continue his winning streak.
Since their smash Danger Mouse-produced album Attack and Release, the Black Keys have been busy with other projects, including the rap-blues-rock album Blakroc, so it almost came as a surprise that the duo has a new album on the horizon. Brothers is apparently a more stripped-down record compared to its predecessor, which should come as good news to their long-time fans.
After a stint with the bloated super-group Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland has come back home to roost with his original group, who appear to have lost none of their power since taking a break in 2003. First single “Between the Lines” has the typical Pilots crunch mixed with classic rock swagger, and fans are getting more and more excited for one of the most touted comeback records in quite a while.
The pop princess changes her tune so much and so sharply with each album, it’s hard to take her career as a serious progression. After the typical girl-pop of her debut to the raunchy urban vibe of Stripped to the modern ‘50s soul of Back to Basics, Aguilera hopes to make a mark in the Lady Gaga-ruled pop sphere with this collection of future-minded electro pop. Could this be Black Eyed Peas huge, or simply testament that she should enjoy where she is for a while longer?
Thank goodness that their gig as Jimmy Fallon’s house band has finally exposed The Roots to everyone who already wasn’t in the know that they are the most talented group of musicians to work under the banner of hip-hop. Thank goodness also that it hasn’t slowed down their recording career, as their latest – despite numerous delays – seems finally poised to drop this summer. The title track and first single, a funky ode to the streets, bodes well for what’s to follow.
History repeating Vipers baseball looks to go all the way again by Blaine Meller The Reflector
SPORTS EDITOR: Kelsey Hipkin sportseditor@TheReflector.ca
April 15, 2010
BY THE NUMBERS
6:
Teams in the Toronto Roller Derby including the Death Track Dolls.
10:
Wins with no losses and no draws for Calgary UFC fighter Nick “The Promise” Ring.
26:
Day in May that Cougars golf once again hits the links.
27:
Day in May for the Calgary Vipers home opener.
87:
Years since the initiation of the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club
There’s an old saying: making history is easy, repeating it is the hard part. Such is the challenge facing the Calgary Vipers. When the Vipers captured the 2009 Golden Baseball League title last September, defeating the Tucson Toros three games to one, they became the first Canadian team and first privately owned franchise to claim the league championship. Now, less than a month away from spring training, the team knows what awaits them.
“Defending is going to be tough. We know we have that bulls-eye on our backs now,” said Vipers pitcher Joe Sergent. “But it’s going to be fun.” Sergent went 7-3 last season with an earned run average of 3.88, striking out 72 and only allowing 27 walks. Now 31, he knows the incoming crop of rookies and younger players will be looking to him for leadership. When spring training opens May 7, Sergent says honest communication will play a key role in how these players develop. “I always say, ‘Tell me the truth on everything. If I make a bad pitch, tell me it was a bad pitch. Don’t try to make me feel better by lying,’ ” he said, adding that only three other pitchers are “likely” returning for the coming season. “That’s alright. Burkie (field manager Morgan Burkhart) assures me we’ll have a good team,” Sergent grinned. But will the Vipers’ on-field success translate into success at the box office? Last season, Calgary’s average home attendance was 1,525, placing them sixth out of nine teams and well behind the Tucson, Ariz. average of 3,661. According to Patrick Haas, the Vipers’ media relations director, drawing fans to the ballpark is a challenge. Hass said there is a “big gap” between
Calgary’s major sports draws – the Flames and Stampeders – and teams like the Roughnecks and Vipers. “We’re not selling the actual game of baseball up here. What we are trying to sell is an affordable family outing, sitting in the sun, having a hot dog and talking to people. We’re trying to sell the social aspect of the game,” he said. Exposing and expanding the game through local media outlets is another challenge the Vipers face. Newspaper deadlines often won’t allow for game coverage, and radio stations are not sold on the product, said Hass, adding that all home games can be heard via webcast at Sportsjuice.com. The Vipers have implemented concepts such as the Baseball Buddies program, where little league teams and their coaches can attend Vipers’ home games free of charge. Having players actively promote and teach the game in the community is another. Sergent and teammate Colin Moro, along with former MLB pitcher Chris Reitsma teach at the Absolute Baseball Academy adjacent to Foothills Stadium, working with young players on the nuances of pitching and hitting. Sergent hopes this helps grow the game in Calgary. “I don’t think the City of Calgary understands what we are,” he said. “The Golden League is the same as the CFL, an independent league of professional athletes. It’s just football and baseball.” The Vipers open the 2010 season May 19 in Yuma against the Scorpions. The home schedule kicks off May 27 with a tilt versus the Maui Ikaika; 7:05 p.m. at Foothills Stadium.
April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
17
Legacy lives on A look into the life of Mount Royal’s winningest coach by Josh Naud The Reflector
If you’ve ever taken a trip around the track, or been to the gym for any reason, you’ve seen his name in giant letters across the wall: Kenyon Court. The legendary coach, Jack Kenyon, made his mark long before most of us were even considering coming to Mount Royal. When Kenyon retired in 1994 from teaching math and coaching basketball after 33 years at the college, a lot of us were in grade three preoccupied with playing pogs. In October 2003, when Kenyon was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, we were enjoying our first few full-time pay-cheques after graduating high school. When Mount Royal officially dedicated Kenyon Court on Nov. 13, 2003, we were planning our 18th birthdays. Today, it’s probably fair to say that most of us who walk the halls these days know very little about the icon. A trip into the Mount Royal Archives department turned up page after page of glowing
praise for the coach. Such a storied career and life – he passed away in 1994 – is difficult to summarize, but we can at least briefly touch on the legacy he left through a career dedicated to his players and students. John Charles (Jack) Kenyon started at Mount Royal as a student. In a 1953-54 MRC yearbook – it was called the Varshicom, which stood for varsity, high school, commercial – attached to a picture of a young-looking Kenyon, his entry reads: “A future oilman or chemical engineer, Jack has lived in Calgary 18 years. A graduate of Crescent Heights, this course should be a snap to him as he has brains as well as athletic prowess. Member of Senior Varsity Basketball team.” In those days, Mount Royal had a two-year engineering transfer program, and many students went on to the University of Alberta or University of Oklahoma, said Janice Nermo of the MRU archives department. Kenyon actually did go on to the U of A and received a bachelor of science (honours) in
Photo Image HA 157 Courtesty of MRU Archives
Kenyon was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Photo courtesy of MRU Archives
The Mount Royal Cougars basketball team of 1978 helmed by MRU’s winningest coach Jack Kenyon (top left). mathematics and then a master of science in mathematics. This is about where the career predictions stopped lining up with the path he actually took. He lectured at the University of Calgary from 1960-61, began teaching math at MRC in ’61, and started coaching the men’s basketball team in 1962. This would be the start of a decorated career, with Kenyon becoming Mount Royal’s winningest coach, posting a record of 198-26 until 1982 when he stopped coaching. Kenyon’s Cougars won 7 of 15 ACAC championships in that time; 22 of his players went on to play on the Canadian national team, 10 played pro in Europe and one made it to the NBA. He coached the Canadian national men’s junior team from 1975-80, and the Alberta provincial team in 1984-85. He actually coached his son Jay on the Alberta team that won a National Championship silver medal. Jack’s wife, Joey, said that coaching his son in this tournament was the highlight of his career. In 1988, he was also the assistant coach of the Calgary 88’s in the World Basketball League. By this time he had made a name for himself in the basketball community, and continued to help at various basketball camps and with the Cougars in different roles. In October 1988, he was awarded the Sport Builder Award from the Alberta Basketball Association. While a great coach, those who knew him seem to have
thought of him as an equally great teacher. In 1989, he received a Distinguished Faculty/Teaching award. Here’s an excerpt from the write-up in the May 11 edition of the MRC News, which was a staff/faculty newsletter: “‘Coaching is just a more intimate form of teaching,’ said Kenyon. ‘I try to teach the fundamental skills (both mathematics and basketball have a lot of them), encourage students to execute those skills quickly and properly, and then use them creatively to solve the problems at hand.’” And this is what Joey echoed when talking about Jack, that he always tried to keep things fun and exciting. She said that the Cougars adopted the Harlem Globetrotters’ theme song, “Sweet Georgia Brown,” and would dress up in red, white and blue outfits like the Globetrotter uniforms and burst onto the court through a paper banner the cheerleaders were holding, as a way to get the crowd into it. She said that while Jack was very competitive, he also strongly believed that sports should be fun and entertaining for everybody involved, from players to fans. Joey said that one of Jack’s best qualities, both in the classroom and on the court, was his honesty. He would help players to focus on the areas they excelled at, and used them in these areas to help serve a certain function on the team. In other words, if you couldn’t shoot, he’d tell you to pass. Joey said his players tended to appreciate that he wouldn’t give
out undeserved praise, and this only made it worth that much more when he did handout positive feedback. The naming of the court was one way to honour Jack – Joey said, “It was really an honour; I wish Jack had been here to see it” – but there are also two scholarships in his name, one for basketball players and one for excellence in math. “Jack felt strongly that no matter what you did,” Joey said, “if you did it well you should be recognized, and so he would be pleased [about the scholarships].” When Jack died in 1994, the loss was certainly felt around the school and it seems especially in the math and athletics departments. A tribute article in memory of Jack ran in The Journal, Oct. 26, 1994. In it, Jean Springer, chairwoman of mathematics, is quoted as saying: “I guess the thing that comes to mind is his wit and a real love for what he did… When you needed encouragement you could go sit in Jack’s office – we laughed a lot.” It seems like a lot of laughs, and a lot of national championships are what you could expect from Mr. Jack Kenyon. But this, of course, is only a part of the picture of Kenyon’s life. Those who knew him could share many stories and memories, it seems, but those of us who know him only by name will continue to wonder, and perhaps be inspired to think about what it might take to make a name that lives on long after we do.
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April 15, 2010 • THE REFLECTOR
School’s out for summer
19
Fun and cheap activities to keep you busy in the city by Jamie Witham The Reflector
School is out soon and that means summer leagues and activities are here and they’re filling up fast. For popular sports like ultimate frisbee and dodgeball, registering early can mean the difference between playing on the field or watching from the sidelines. “They’re fun!” said first-year student Melissa Read. “I can’t even explain how much I love ultimate [frisbee].” One great resource for sports’ leagues throughout the year is The Calgary Sport and Social Club. Their website offers up a lot of information about registration on many of the team sports offered in the city. Located at calgarysportsclub. com, the website even has a countdown to the registration deadline to encourage people to register early and create anticipation. Just because these leagues are fun doesn’t mean that they don’t offer players a challenge. Jason Jardine, a University of Calgary student said, “[Flag football] was way more intense than you ever would expect.” For players looking for a challenge, there are intermediate levels open for teams to join in many of the sports, but individuals are usually required to register in
the open levels first. If you’re looking for a different experience, Calgary’s lawn bowling club starts up in mid-May and offers free lessons for beginners, with the option to join the club once players become proficient. The club’s website, calgarylawnbowling. ca, offers information on lesson times, event schedules and the etiquette and culture of lawn bowling. Prices also reflect the club’s desire to welcome newcomers with a trial membership rate and discounted first-year fees. The lawn bowling greens are located just off of 17th Avenue S.W. at 16th Avenue and 12th Street. The City of Calgary also offers an interactive summer program guide for not only league sports but individual activities as well. From slo-pitch to sailing, calgary.ca/recreation contains all the information needed to “get fit, and have fun.” And don’t forget golf: the city offers classes for a range of experience at both their Confederation Park and McCall Lake Golf Courses. Call the courses directly because the city’s website does not always reflect up-to-date information. At the other end of the spectrum, the city parks offer recreation junkies the perfect opportunity to walk, run, bike and spend some time outdoors this summer. Nature walks and
Illustration by Kelsey Hipkin
bird watching also present a great chance to explore the vast park system in the city.
Whether or not you go out for a league, with so many choices this summer, the most difficult
decision is not going to be what to play, but how to fit so many sports into your work schedule.
Hittin’ the links
Be a fan of sport! Special Olympics Alberta is looking for:
Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches Make sport a possibility for all people with intellectual disabilities. Coaching opportunities available in: Youth programs: developmentally appropriate play and physical activity for children Adult programs in 18 different sports: Help adults learn sport skills and develop a healthy body. Special Olympics will provide training and orientation in your areas of interest. Please Contact Courtney Anderson for more information: canderson@specialolympics.ab.ca; (780.993.5709) If you are a fan of courage, if you respect determination, if you can’t help but share in the joy of victory, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics. Why not make it official? Volunteer. Donate. Participate. Photo by James Paton
Wallace O’Neil takes a swing during a 2009 tournament at the Wintergreen Golf and Country Club. Cougars golf returns to the course beginning in May.
www. specialolympics.ab.ca 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton AB, T5N 2Y1 1-800-444-2883/fax 780 422-2663
THE REFLECTOR • April 15, 2010
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Striking it big Calgarian stars on ultimate fighting TV show by Blaine Meller The Reflector
Call it the ultimate opportunity. For Calgarian Nick Ring, the chance to display his talents on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter is just that — an opportunity to showcase his abilities to the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization. Ring, 30, was one of 28 mixed martial artists initially selected to participate in The Ultimate Fighter season 11, a reality show where fighters battle for the chance to be signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championships, and receive a six-figure contract from the organization. Ring, nicknamed “The Promise,” was quick to jump at the chance. “This is the biggest thing I have ever done in my martial arts career and I can’t overstate how much I appreciate getting this kind of opportunity,” Ring said in his blog on heavy.com. Ring’s tryout for the show
consisted of three components: grappling, striking and an interview. He was told the interview would be the most important part of the tryout, but “had no idea what the criteria was going to be other than you need to be ‘interesting.” “I sat down and did my interview which mainly consisted of them telling me I was stupid, calling me some names, and telling me I probably wasn’t any good anyway,” he said, adding he was then asked, in a not very polite manner, to leave. “A few weeks later they called me back and said I made it. I was definitely surprised to have made it, but definitely happy.” In addition to teaching at BDB Martial Arts, Ring is a former intercontinental, North American and Canadian Muay Thai champion, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and bronze medalist at the 2008 FILA Grappling World Championships. He holds a perfect mixed martial arts record of 10-0. He is the sixth Canadian
Photo courtesy pixilens.com
Calgarian, Nick “The Promise” Ring (right) is showcasing his talents on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter.
fighter to appear on the show, following Jason Thacker, Rob MacDonald, Kalib Starnes, Patrick Cote and Krzysztof Soszynski. When Ring arrived at the UFC training centre in Las Vegas, he and the other fighters were told they would have to do exactly that, fight their way onto the show. Ring would defeat American Woody Weatherby by technical knock-out less than three minutes into the opening round, earning his spot on the show. “It was really quiet with just me and Woody staring each other down for an abnormally long time while the cameramen got all of their positions right. I just wanted to rock and roll, I don’t like to wait around and I like to get things moving fast so it felt like a really long time,” said Ring. After the qualification fights, the remaining fighters were divided into two teams. Each squad would be picked and coached by former UFC lightheavyweight champions and bitter rivals, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell. With the first overall pick, Ring was drafted to Ortiz’s “Team Punishment.” “I had my eye on Nick already, and he pretty much picked Weatherby apart,” Ortiz is quoted as saying after the fight. “He didn’t make him look too good, and that’s when I knew that this kid right here has a chance of winning it.” Because of confidentiality agreements, Ring cannot reveal specific details about fight selections and the results that have taken place since. He was, however, able to discuss working with Ortiz. “I found with Tito, he really sets his ego aside and he really, really tries to help you. He puts his coach hat on. He pulls out all the stops to do what he can for his guys.” Although the date for the live finale had not been officially announced at the time of publication, it is expected to take place in June.
Illustration by James Paton
Get sporty Top five sport spots to visit this summer by Kelsey Hipkin Sports Editor
As you may have read in the features section, Alberta as a province holds a vast and sometimes quirky collection of sights to see. If you’re a sports fan and you feel like stretching those proverbial travel legs (as well as your travel wallet), why not check out some of sports most coveted spots? We count down The Reflector’s top five sports spots and/or venues to visit. 5. Spanish Super Cup Soccer in Spain isn’t just a sport with a bunch of rather fit fellows running around kicking a ball and sometimes each other; it’s a culture. The Spanish Super Cup occurs every summer around the end of August. The Cup is played “just before the start of the regular season between the league champions and the cup winners,” according to soccerspain.com. Soccer fans are very serious about their sport, so be prepared for some rowdy and passionate games. On your way to Spain why not make a quick trip to the U.K where you can check out The National Football Museum in Preston; it includes the ball from the 1966 World Cup final as well as the oldest FAC Cup trophy. 4. Pro Football Hall of Fame Like to throw around the old pigskin every once in awhile? If you’re a fan of football, what better place to check out than the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio? For $20 you can tour around checking out memorabilia of football’s many greats, or take part in interactive football activities. For a little extra treat, The Hall’s class of 2010 includes legends Jerry Rice and Emmett Smith. If you want to find out more, check out profootballhof.com or become a fan on Facebook. 3. Wimbledon Wimbledon is to tennis as pea-
nut butter is to jelly; one would just not be the same without the other. Every June people flock by the thousands to the hallowed ground, where tennis greats duke it out for a chance to hoist that big plate above their heads. The tournament is so popular there is a ballot to get your hands on some tickets and the website, wimbledon.org, even has a countdown. If you’re a super tennis buff, you can check out the Wimbledon Museum while staying in jolly old London for the tournament. The museum has a 200-degree movie screen to check out some tennis video and even has a John McEnroe exhibit. Who would want to miss out on that? 2. Hockey Hall of Fame So the Flames missed the playoffs this season, no big deal right? Okay, well it is a very big deal, but while the big boys on skates are battling to hoist the Cup, why not check out the hallowed halls of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto? The greatest of the greats from Howe to Gretzky have their names and memorabilia there, and visitors can check out different exhibits from the NHLPA Be a Player Zone to the Upper Deck Collectors Corner. And if you’re from Calgary, it’s the closest you’re going to get to the Stanley Cup until at least next season. 1. Baseball Hall of Fame Depending on your sport of choice, there’s really no determining what sports venue sits above the rest, but there really is no place like Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Since 1939 the hall has been showcasing baseball’s best and brightest. Highlights to check out would be an entire room dedicated to the “Great Bambino” Babe Ruth as well as the Diamond Dreams: Women in Baseball exhibit. Maybe do a little research and check out A League of Their Own before you go.