Weal - October 14, 2010

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Volume 85 Issue 6 EVERY THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2010

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Hemp car is smokin’ hot Pg 6 plaza celebrates diamond anniversary pg 7 trojans get help from down under pg 9 Texting access to library leaves students :-)

By Carole Dastous Weal Writer

1960s design sees new life PAgE 6

The SAIT library will soon launch a text message service to allow people to text questions to library staff.

“A few other places in Canada (such as Red Deer College) are texting, but no other library in Calgary is doing so as yet,” said SAIT Library technician Jim Gray.

The new service is intended to be the same as someone coming to the desk or phoning in, but adds a new option for communication.

Susan Brayford, library manager, said the service was brought in because students are most comfortable with this communication method.

“The text messaging service will be a point of contact,” said Gray, who expects all kinds of questions to text a response, from hours of operation to how to book one of the library’s study labs.

Gray said if the answer to a query is too complex to be texted, students will receive further information on where to look, or be asked to phone or visit the library.

Gray said turnaround time for questions should be “very very quick, as soon as contact is made.”

Computer systems student Justin Hantos said he’s eager to see current technology bridging the gap between students and library staff. “I wish everything was like that,” he said.

“As a (library) service, texting is brand new and should be really exciting,” said Gray.

The text messaging service will be available to SAIT students, staff and alumni whenever the library is open, including evenings and weekends.

Library staff hope to launch the service by Oct. 18.

The number to text is 403-805-2436.

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October 14, 2010

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A woman among warlords Malalai Joya on war and peace

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She has been called Afghanistan’s final hope for peace and one of the bravest women in the world. She was named one of 2010’s most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

On Oct. 10, political activist Malalai Joya spoke at the University of Calgary to a crowd of over 100 people about the problems Afghanistan faces and how Canada should not extend its mission in her country.

“These bombs that are killing my people are being made in Canada,” she said. “Harper is shamelessly wasting the blood of Canadian soldiers.”

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Joya’s list of accomplishments is long and her journey is tumultuous.

In 2003, Joya shocked the world when she gave a threeminute speech in front of an assembly of the most powerful stakeholders in Afghanistan and denounced them, calling them war lords, drug lords and criminals.

In 2005, she was elected as the youngest female politician in Afghanistan. She has publicly spoken out against the Taliban and the Karzai, the current Afghan government.

Joya was thrown out of government in 2007 for her outspokenness, and has since survived four assassination attempts.

Her speech appealed to Canadians to consider the effects of foreign involvement in Afghanistan.

Joya discussed her pride for her country, and her disrespect for those who continue to pursue violence.

“There are two kinds of mujahedeen in Afghanistan,” said Joya. “One kind fought for independence, which I respect, but the other kind destroyed the country and killed 60,000 people.” Joya spoke also of the decades-long policies of U.S. governments to make war, and asked attendees to consider breaking the pattern.

“War-making has been the policy of every president,” she said. “In reality, the job of the president is simply to implement it.”

Joya believes if North American troops were to leave Afghanistan, her people would find a way to live in peace.

“In my heart, I really believe that ordinary people can change this bleak reality,” she said. “Because when we don’t have freedom, we have nothing.”

Jared Fath, a fifth-year Geology Science major at the U of C, said Joya’s passion for her country was powerful.

“It was an eye-opener,” Fath said. “I think I had this naive assumption that we were doing good in Afghanistan and helping, but it seems to be a way more complex issue than I first thought.”

He said hearing from someone who lives in Afghanistan was beneficial for him, but he would have liked to hear more real life scenarios that he could pursue to make change.

Scott Finney, a second-year Education major, attended the speech because he also opposes the military presence in Afghanistan.

“History has shown that through activism and solidarity of citizens, you can make a change for the better,” said Finney.

“I agree that Canadian troops should just leave her country alone because through the presence of troops in Afghanistan, it’s just an additional force working against them.”

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October 14, 2010

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Angolan students train at SAIT By emily kreiberg News Editor news@theweal.com

W

hat do SAIT’s Calgary campus and the African country Angola have in common?

The answer is close to 100 happy trainees. This August, as part of a six-month operations and maintenance training program, 92 Angolan students came to learn and live at SAIT. Isaias Quengue, 40, has enjoyed the experience so far, save for a few pesky details.

“Yeah, very well, I like Calgary,” he said. “I told friends and family, it’s a good place.

Very nice. (My) only complaint is food. Fast food is no good. I do a lot of cooking on my own, and tell everyone to bring good food for when I go back.”

Quengue, like the other 91 Angolans he travelled with, works for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). The company sent its employees here to learn a combination of competency-based technical English training and technical training in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and operations systems.

In class for up to 10 hours per day, the participants – most of whom have never travelled out of their country – are required to study in English and gain cultural experiences by living in SAIT residence.

Quengue left his wife, two daughters, aged five and 10, and son, 14, to obtain his workplace education and he finds the separation difficult.

He’s never been outside of his home country, and understanding Canadian culture is a gradual process.

“Living in residence is good,” he said. “But sometimes many people is making too much noise. I don’t like partying in Canada. I don’t like drinking or beer or loud music. I just like playing guitar in my room sometimes.”

With the workload Quengue

is carrying, it’s no wonder he wants quiet time.

“The program – the studying, the English – it’s hard. We study for a long time,” he said. “The program is ‘duru.’ It means hard like a stone. It’s hard, but it sure is worth it.”

Quengue’s classmate Luther King Jose agrees, but he’s just glad he was accepted into the program.

Angola has endured over 30 years of civil war, a factor which influenced Jose’s travel decisions, and made him grateful to come to Canada.

“As a teenager, my dream was always to fly around the world,” he said. “But because of the war, my parents lost everything and couldn’t pay for my travel.”

After making it through LNG’s screening process, Jose hopes to get the most out of his time here.

He’s excited to make English-speaking friends, continue checking out Calgary’s attractions, and especially to try skiing at Canada Olympic Park.

“I’m so scared. But I’m going to do it, for sure,” he said. “Once I get the time, I will do it. I will not lose the opportunity. Although I’m not here for a long time, I’m really enjoying it.”

Angola LNG sent another group of employees to SAIT in 2008. However, this group is by far the largest group to be taught by MacPhail School of Energy as part of the Workforce Nationalization Project.

Beth Bailey photos

TOP > Isaias Quengue stands outside the Tower where he’s been living since August after arriving from Angola as part of his training for LNG. ABOVE > Luther King Jose has only been speaking English for a year, and says he’s grateful to be studying at SAIT.

genesta walz photo

ELECTION JUBILATION > Winner Douglas Braden celebrates SAITSA Students’ Legislative Council election results Oct. 7 at the Gate. The elections saw 10 representatives elected from five departments. Voter turnout increased this year with 6.39 per cent of eligible student voters marking a ballot compared to 4.95 per cent in 2009. The elected officials are: School of Hospitality and Tourism Zeeshan Shah; School of Business Kimberly Bosgra, Scott Graham, and Ravi Popatlal; School of Manufacturing and Automation Douglas Braden; School of Construction Matthew Armstrong, Colin Gutor and Clayton Logan; School of Information and Communications Technology Sakshi Arora and Danielle Montgomery.

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October 14, 2010

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Flu prevention best defence against sick days News EDITOR Emily Kreiberg news@theweal.com 403-284-8185

WEAL Staff writerS Bree Gardner

Casey Choy casey.choy@edu.sait.ca

Christine Bassit christine.bassit@edu.sait.ca 403-796-7834

CAreer outlook Editor Pamela Dixon outlook@theweal.com ph. 210-4069

A&E Editor Rebekah Jarvis entertainment@theweal.com 403-464-9602

sports Editor Jenna Prance sports@theweal.com 403-284-8497

To go to class or not to go to class is a choice plaguing SAIT students as they head into flu season.

Even though staying in bed is the healthiest option for a sick individual, ill students might be overwhelmed with the repercussions of their absence.

“I am very concerned with missing classes. My course is 70 per cent practical. If you miss one day, you fall way behind,” said professional cooking student Kate Campbell.

“I had perfect attendance last year, and have had perfect attendance so far this year. I want to keep it perfect,” she said. “If other students or instructors are coming to school sick, it causes a snowball effect on everyone else around them. It’s just not fair.”

Students, fear not.

Although SAIT’s policies indicate a

maximum of six absences before an instructor can fail a student, school guidelines protect the unwell.

If instructors are given a legitimate reason for absences, accompanied with a valid doctor’s note, it’s considered the quintessential ‘get out of jail free’ card.

“If the student has a legitimate reason for being away such as recovering from surgery, I would allow them to be absent for up to two weeks,” said CALS instructor John Dodd.

But when it comes to his own health, Dodd wouldn’t risk missing more than three days. “I don’t want to fall behind, but if I were contagious I would not risk infecting my students,” he said.

This flu season, Alberta Health Services offers city-wide vaccination clinics beginning Oct. 12 and running until

mid-December.

Undergraduate employed nurse (UEN) Larissa Arthur said every person should receive the shot. “(The flu virus) is so contagious it is almost unavoidable not to infect those around you,” said Arthur.

“The incubation period for an adult infected with influenza is five days. You will already be contagious a day before you even begin to feel any symptoms,” she said.

For individuals opposed to receiving the vaccination, Arthur has a few tips.

“An additional, although less effective preventive measure, includes proper hand-washing techniques and frequent use of hand sanitizers,” she said.

– by Alex Glazerman Weal Writer

photo Editors James MacKenzie photo@theweal.com 403-284-8497 Genesta Walz photo@theweal.com 403-921-6041

Layout & Graphics Assistant Thomas Turner

WEB MASTER Aisling Brock

WEB Reporter Angela Tassone

Editorial Cartoonist Jazreet Pratap

Campus Distribution Shane Innes

ON THE COVER Instructor Greg Ball holds a paper replica of a souvenir designed in the ’60s by industrial designer Lawrie McIntosh. Deborah Powell photo

Contributors Fact checker Kiah Gutowski Dave Standish, Matthew Janz, Tyler Ostermayer, Carole Dastous, Jeff Clemens, Michael Grondin, Shane Innes, Andrew Crossett, Beth Bailey, Aaron Corbett, Joel Gaskin, Deborah Powell, Rebecca Middlebrook, Stephanie Zitkis, Ranjene Mazumdar, Derek Wilkinson, Adam Bowen, Alex Glazerman, Janine Morigeau, Aaron Armishaw, Cordell Blanchette.

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Correction: Last week’s photo of rugby/soccer player Bennett Reid was taken by Joel Gaskin.

Direct letters, questions and concerns to:

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advertising inquiries Suzanne Trudel, Publications Manager ph. 284-8458 / fax 210-4216 Advertising deadlines Bookings Monday @ noon

Published every Thursday during the academic year by SAITSA (SAIT Students’ Association).

The Weal V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4 Fax: 403-210-4216 The Weal serves the SAIT community by promoting student activities, presenting news of interest to its members, and by fostering a learning environment in which members may participate; the newspaper is supported by student fees. The Weal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Canadian University Press. Contents do not reflect the views of SAIT or SAITSA. Printed direct-to-plate Adobe Acrobat International Web exPress.

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All dust, no fire: non-emergency alarm disrupts classes By emily kreiberg News Editor news@theweal.com

A mid-morning fire alarm in the Senator Burns building on Oct. 6 disrupted classes for approximately 15 minutes while SAIT security and the Calgary Fire Department assessed the cause of the alarm.

The culprit: a buildup of dust in an air duct located on the sixth floor of the building, said Paladin Security manager Clarke Gay. Campus security took approximately 15 minues to locate the cause of the alarm, assess the risk, make sure there was no actual danger and then reset the fire panel. He said for a campus with as many buildings as SAIT, non-emergency alarms are par for the course.

“It’s not something unusual at SAIT. It’s something, unfortunately, we just have to live with. I wouldn’t say they happen a lot, but they are a common occurrence,” he said.

Last year there were 39 fire and smoke alarms on campus.

Gay said three campus buildings are currently equipped with the twostage alarm system that was employed on Oct. 6.

Due to their size and number of levels, the Heart, Burns and Thomas Riley buildings have the twostage systems.

“It depends where you are in the building,” Gay said. “If you’re in an area where the alarm was activated, you’re told to evacuate immediately. If you’re in a different area, you’re told to stay where you are until further notice.”

The good news is alarms like Wednesday’s dust buildup are not classified as ‘false’ alarms, which cost about $500 for Calgary emergency services to respond to.

“As one of the sensors actually detected a dust buildup, there was no charge for the fire department to come out,” Gay said.

Facilities management director Boris Dragicevic said a work order was issued to clean out the sixth floor duct to ensure the alarm is not reactivated.

But with 12,000 work orders per year on their to-do list, facilities management may not get the duct cleaned out immediately.

procrastinations

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PRODUCTIVE WAYS TO WASTE YOUR TIME Your weekly Horoscope



ARIES March 21 – April 20 You may be in a rare philosophical mood this week. The old way of handling things needs a makeover. Try a diplomatic approach. Where your love life is concerned, be forewarned. Nothing in that department makes sense.

by Janine Morigeau TAURUS April 20 – May 20 A sudden change of heart, something that meant so much to you last week, can be dropped just like that. By next week, you need a diversion. Try doing the opposite of your usual routine. This should be interesting.

 

GEMINI May 21 – June 20 When it comes to keeping up appearances, you are a master.

The goal is simple: appear to be interested and even inspired by other’s ideas. By the weekend, you’ll be needing those same ‘others’ to back you up on something big.



CANCER June 2 – July 22 When was the last time you took a holiday? Even a short road trip could cure the restlessness you’re feeling. Someone you ditched earlier in the year could start to look interesting again, but try to resist.



LEO July 23 – Aug. 22 World-changing events are on the horizon. Travel plans are coming together, but be careful who you let tag along. An important encounter will highlight this week. Don’t let someone else’s opinion change the way you feel.



VIRGO Aug. 23 Sept. 22 Plans don’t always go smoothly this week. You might feel like you are under pressure. Remember you are your own worst critic.

Something you’ve been missing becomes available by the weekend. Hang on to it!



LIBRA Sept. 23 – Oct. 22 This may feel like a passive week of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing.’ Someone’s feelings could be hurt by week’s end. Try not to take someone personally. Romantic possibilities are everywhere if you pay attention.

Not real news

SAIT’s diversity not bound by species SAIT’s diverse student body grows each year. SAIT already has students coming from 125 countries. But this year, the polytechnic acquired another student whose background, culture and skin tone is totally unique.

The creature formally known as Jeff Dueck is the first zombie

Weal Web Picks

By Angela Tassone Weal Web Reporter

Halloween is still a few weeks away, but don’t leave your planning until the last minute. Let the Internet inspire you: cosplaymagic.com Can’t decide whether to dress as Goku, Naruto, or the Tokyo Mew Mew Ichigo Momomiya Maid? It’s fun to ponder while

to ever attend a post-secondary institution in the world, and has become renowned within his species for this achievement.

“Uuuhg uhg uuuuuuhg,” says Jeff Dueck. “Oowwaaaauuhhg!”

Dueck has come to SAIT to become a Dental Assistant, and says getting up close and personal to a human skull, along with its tasty brain matter, is exciting for him.

In the future, Dueck wants to open his own practice. He says sedation dentistry is the only way to go because the pa-

tients won’t be able to feel him nibbling here and there as he works.

“It’s important that we start incorporating these creatures into our economy, considering they are the earth’s future,” says Dueck’s instructor John Thomas.

“Zombie oral health is generally very low, and I am glad that Dueck is the first of his species to begin studying in the area.”

scrolling through hundreds of animation-inspired costumes. partydirectory.com Someone has to plan the Halloween party. From party planning tips and tricks to learning how to dance the cha-cha, this site has it all. It also has a great Bar Mitzvah party checklist. ehow.com Trick or treating at your age requires one of two things: 1) kids, or 2) being ultra-creepy.

Assuming you’re escorting some little ones for free junk food, here’s a website with many safety tips. Just type in ‘safe trick or treating.’ If you feel really ambitious type in ‘levitation’ or ‘pet amputation.’ extremepumpkins.com Tom and his elusive drinking buddy Matt love to carve pumpkins, and they want to teach you too. Perhaps this could become your new hobby?

–by Matthew Janz

Awkward by Aaron Armishaw



SCORPIO Oct. 23 – Nov. 21 This week may have gotten off to a lame start. Don’t let that put you into a downer. Quite the opposite will reign by the weekend. Some mail might upset you, but a simple phone call could sort it all out. Consider this week a test of your ability to see the bright side.



SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 Dec. 21 Someone or something may let you down, my optimistic friend. You will need your best attitude to navigate this. All your efforts may seem futile by the end of the week. Be patient, fate has an awesome surprise for you just around the corner.



CAPRICORN Dec 22 Jan. 19 You may need to delay your launch date. This will prompt you to rethink an important detail. A proverbial ‘path through the wilderness’ will be discovered and things are looking up by the weekend.

by tyler ostermayer



AQUARIUS Jan. 20 – Feb. 18 You have a longing for something interesting to happen. You want to shake things up a bit. Your time for action may have to wait till the stars align. Trust me, it’ll be worth waiting for.



PISCES Feb. 19 – March 20 This week has left you feeling introspective, even more so than usual. Melancholy could set in soon. You enjoy those moods, Pisces, but you’ll need to snap out of it. An interesting, even rare, opportunity awaits you.

Check out Janine’s website out tarot-by-janine.com. Contact her: 403-826-8735.

Crossword across 1 Igneous rock of a lava flow 7 Barely make, with “out” 10 Resound 14 The Muse of astronomy 15 Beetle juice?

16 Sea eagle 17 Piquancy 18 Genetic messenger 19 Baltic capital 20 Impartial 23 Big rigs 26 see it...

27 Bellows 28 Folk singer Burl 29 Goddess of fertility in Roman mythology 30 Down for the count 31 Japanese dish of raw fish 33 Fiddle stick 34 Minor falsehood 37 “Much About Nothing”, play by Shakespeare 38 Born 39 Commercials 40 This stickup!

41 Novelist Deighton 42 Cabinet dept.

43 Unlit 45 Defunct airline

46 Hunky-dory 47 Change for a five 48 Photographic tone 51 Part of RSVP 52 Recording of acoustic signals 53 Carousel 56 Inter 57 News letters 58 Yellowish brown pigment 62 Comic Foxx 63 Impresario Hurok 64 Ancient Palestinian 65 Corner 66 Attempt 67 Dog breed

Down 1 Insect 2 Jackie’s second 3 Japanese honorific 4 Acute suffering 5 Property claims 6 Diamond cover 7 Exit 8 System of Japanese writing 9 Biblical birthright seller 10 Portion of time 11 Writer Jong 12 Ire 13 Guides

21 Small sword 22 Lethargic 23 Agave fiber 24 Circumvent 25 Subatomic particle 29 Last letter of the Greek alphabet 30 Fuji rival 32 Sort of 33 Dry red wine 34 Demon 35 Japanese immigrant 36 Ezio Pinza, for one 44 Noisiest 45 Vehement speech 46 In a gay manner 48 Stylish 49 Conger catcher 50 Self-respect 51 Deep sleep 52 Licorice-like flavoring 54 Sudden blast of wind 55 Employs 59 After taxes 60 Vane dir.

61 ___ Lingus Puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com Used with permission.

career outlook EDITOR PAMELA DIXON

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JOBS, MONEY AND TRENDS

arts and entertainment EDITOR REBEKAH JARVIS

MUSIC, FILM AND ARTS FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY

Plaza turns 75

Mechanical design instructor gives iconic art second life online

By Matthew Janz Weal Writer

Aaron Corbett photo

Darren McKeage’s company Motive Industries Inc. will have 20 Kestrel test cars on the road by 2012. The electric car’s structural material is made from hemp fiber.

Electric “cannabis car“ gets spark from ACAD grad

by Alexandra Glazerman Weal Writer

Just when it seemed hippie activists have established all possible uses for hemp, Motive Industries Inc. introduces the Kestrel – an electrical vehicle dubbed “the cannabis car.”

Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) alumni Darren McKeage is the brains behind this innovative design. At only 29, McKeage is the co-founder and vice president of design for Calgary-based Motive Industries. He works side by side with his wife of 4 years Meagan McKeage, who is Motives VP of Operations McKeage began developing his unique esthetic while attending ACAD, where he received his bachelor of design.

Following his graduation in 2005, he traveled across the pond to complete a master’s degree in automotive design at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. This almost didn’t happen as he was originally set to attend university in Italy. “Meagan and I had everything underway to move to Italy until I was accepted at Coventry University in the UK. It only took a half hour to change our minds to go to the U.K. instead.”

“I learned a global understanding of what design is to people,” said McKeage. “There

are so many Asian and Indian influences that you just wouldn’t get here in North America” Wanting to mentor local talent including future ACAD and SAIT grads, McKeage plans to expand the design department at Motive in the next 5 -10 years. “An automotive interior designer, an exterior designer, a clay modeler and a couple Alias Autostudio CAD modelers,” will hopefully create a well rounded and creative design team. “There’s many talented people in Alberta and it would be awesome to help others realize their dreams and let them explore unique industries like automotive design that don’t really exist in this area outside of what we’re doing.” said McKeage, The Kestrel is itself a pioneering project, given that its body’s structural material is made of hemp fiber. “We never even really realized (that) this car is made of pot until we began to receive so much attention from the

media,” said McKeage.

Drawing its inspiration from the greyhound, the Kestrel runs purely on electricity, and features a spacious four passenger capacity. It hits zero to 60 in seven seconds, topping a maximum speed of 139 km per hour. But it’s not designed for distance, as its battery lasts for only 160 km. And Fast charge ports, an electrical “gas” station, are seldom found outside city limits.

Twenty test cars will hit the roads early 2012, which are equipped with cup holders large enough to hold a big gulp (or a bong).

Canadian industrial designer Lawrie McIntosh has pushed design boundaries by creating new ways to produce items which we use every day. For that, he’s considered a pioneer of Canadian industrial product design.

But in the 1960s, he designed something way outside the box.

McIntosh created a set of Canadian animal souvenirs for the Canadian Souvenir Competition.

“I probably designed the animals to show that I am not just an engineer,” said McIntosh.

Each was originally constructed from a flat sheet of copper with etched fold lines.

Recently, the animal souvenirs have come back to life through SAIT instructor Greg Ball.

Ball, industrial designer and Mechanical Design Technology instructor, used textbooks in the classroom that featured McIntosh’s work. When he heard McIntosh was living in Calgary, Ball connected with the retired designer, and requested that he present some of his work to SAIT students.

“That’s where this all got started,” said Ball. “We got (all) this really positive feedback from people wondering how they could get a hold of them (the animal souvenirs), or buy copies.”

When someone suggested the design patterns could be sold on the Internet, Ball and McIntosh jumped into action.

For the past two years Ball and McIntosh have been adapting McIntosh’s original designs

By Derek Wilkinson Weal Writer

After 50 years, to see these things come to life, that is fantastic.

Lawrie mcintosh canadian designer to PDF files so that they could be downloaded from the Canadian Design Resource (CDR) website, along with written assembly instructions and photographs. However, the CDR found the written instructions were limited, and suggested developing instructional videos.

That’s where two SAIT students, Michael Peel and Brent Gibson, came in. “At that time Michael and Brent had done an amazing video in my class for another project,” said Ball.

For about one year, Peel and Gibson have been making videos to accompany the designs.

They worked with various editing software, even utilizing green screen technology.

“Working with Lawrie was an absolute pleasure,” said Peel in an email. “He is incredibly talented and an icon of Canadian design.” Peel and Gibson are bringing a new perspective and energy to the historial work.

“After fifty years, to see these things come to life, that is fantastic,” said McIntosh.

The Kestrel, a four-passenger electric car, was unveiled in Vancouver at a trade show in September.

Photo courtesy Motive Industries

TOP > Canadian designer Lawrie McIntosh created a series of souvenirs in the 1960s for a design competition. His original souvenirs were made from copper.

“The (original) pieces were selectively tarnished. These objects are still stunning, remaining timeless and exquisite pieces of Canadian souvenir design,” said SAIT instructor Greg Ball on the Canadian Design Resource website. ABOVE: Ball worked with McIntosh to put the design patterns online so the souvenirs can be recreated. Deborah Powell PHOTO

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PHOTO Courtesy Steve Peace

The Alberta Bound Tattoo and Arts festival attracts tattoo artists and enthusiasts who want to learn what’s new in the industry.

The fine art of tattooing

By Rebekah Jarvis A&E editor entertainment@theweal.com

The Alberta Bound Tattoo and Art festival lands at Calgary’s BMO Centre this weekend and the festival’s founder, Steve Peace, says its flock of artists are flirting with the once starkly-drawn line between fine art and tattoo art.

Peace says the crossover between the two artistic realms is increasing and making the tattoo community stronger.

“All the guys doing fine art as well (as tattoo art) are some of the best tattoo artists in the world,” says Peace.

While tattooing is developing to include more aspects of customary visual art, the fineart community may not be inviting of the medium.

“They all look like badly drawn or traced outlines filled in with ink,” says Christopher Willard, head of the painting program at ACAD. “I’ve never, ever seen a tattoo that impressed me as photo realism or even decent drawing.

I’ve seen many though, that look like the type of drawings one does in high school.”

But artist and tattoo connoisseur Olivia Postic says the lessartful tattoos Willard regards as “cliché” are more the result of customer requests than misguided artistic inspiration.

“Unfortunately, a tattoo artist is often treated as a hired hand.

Even if he’s really talented and has amazing ideas, often his role is to solve the problems a customer brings him,” says Postic.

“A fine artist doesn’t need to solve anyone else’s problems.

They do it solely for themselves.”

In the final year of Postic’s painting major at ACAD, she gained a broader view of what could be done with tattoos. She sees definitive movements in tattoo technique and style moving closer to the realm of fine art, but says a great difference lies in the way the two mediums are appraised.

“A big part of tattooing is that it’s private. Once the tattoo is on someone, it’s possible that it be unseen by anyone else’s eyes. (Fine) art is almost irrelevant unless it has a viewer. It kind of needs public admiration and even criticism to breathe life into it.”

Academic tactics for analyzing tattoos might be a long way off since there is no formal schooling for tattooing available in Canada.

“You really need to learn the trade by yourself,” says Postic.

“It’s really surprising too, because it’s quite serious to put something on somebody’s body using a needle. It’s kind of the

I’ve never, ever seen a tattoo that impressed me as photo realism or even decent drawing.

I’ve seen many though, that look like the type of drawings one does in high school.

A local film legend celebrates 75 years in showbiz this month.

On Oct. 23, Kensington’s Plaza Theatre marks its birthday with special films, beer, pizza and live music, and the festivities won’t end until Nov. 11.

Pete Harris, Plaza manager and programmer, says the theatre’s nostalgic appeal keeps it alive. “People love the character of the theatre. It’s film (showing) like it used to be.”

The Plaza, located in Kensington just down the hill from SAIT, began as a stable in the early parts of the twentieth century, and would later become a do-it-yourself garage servicing the Ford Model Ts of the time.

In 1935, the theatre opened its doors to the public, showing the major Hollywood films of the time, and it’s been operational every year since then.

Big-name British films became the mainstay of The Plaza until the ‘50s when it specialized in the projection of Hollywood films. During the ‘60s and

‘70s, the theatre began showing post-classical Hollywood films popular at the time.

But one fateful day in the ‘70s, the theatre found its current niche, independent and art-house films, and has continued to show these films prominently since.

Today, The Plaza still prides itself on its approach to films and the entire cinema experience.

Harris embodies the passion and virtue of The Plaza.

He says the focus should be on the film, not the advertisements beforehand, and he avoids any gimmicks like arcades in the lobby. Harris also believes in being “community-minded, by offering an affordable venue for local filmmakers.”

“I’m really proud and honoured to be here for the seventy fifth,” says Harris. All alumni and friends of the theatre are welcome to attend the Oct. 23 celebration, and tickets are available to the public.

For more information on this historic night, check theplaza. ca.

CHRISTOPHER WILLARD acad head of Painting program Wild West out there.”

Peace says a big part of the Tattoo and Art Festival is to provide a more interconnected network of artists who will share ideas and techniques with each other. “That’s why people come here, to learn and get inspired,” says Peace.

The Alberta Bound Tattoo Festival runs Oct. 15-17.

For more information visit albertatattoos.com.

Send your fave or most-hated tattoo photos to entertainment@theweal. com and we’ll post ’em.

Stephanie Zitkus PHOTO

The Plaza Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary by offering free movies, live music and popcorn.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Riverview Artists –

Birthday Boys

Maestro Fresh Wes

Lights with Michael

Anberlin with Crash

Prime box office

Prime box office

art show and sale

Gate 8 p.m.

with Makeshift

Bernard Fitzgerald

Kings and Civil

Flash Lightnin’ with

Street Fighter Night

Tuesday

Wednesday

First Canadian Place

Free for the first 150

Innocence

MacEwan Ballroom

Twilight

Frankie McQueen

Tubby Dog

350 - 7th Avenue S.W.

students with SAIT

The Gate at 8 p.m.

7 p.m.Tickets $25

MacEwan Ballroom

Republik

7:30 p.m.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ID$15/door

Tix $15 or $20/door

Prime Box Office

7 p.m.Tickets $23.50

8:30 p.m.Tickets $7

Free

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3D demystified for the average coach potato Going cross-eyed over 3D? We break down the “magic” to explain the science of the human eye

sports

9

EDITOR JENNA PRANCE

SPORTS NEWS AND VIEWS FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY

by Casey Choy

$

Nintendo 3DS

Vs.

Big ups from Down Under

Game on, but where to go?

By Adam Bowen Weal Writer

Anaglyph Glass: The iconic 3D movie glasses.

These are passive 3D glasses. RealD 3D glasses are also passive, but they use polarization to eliminate colour alteration. Active glasses use LCD technology to separate the images for your eyes. They syncronize with a signal projected by the media player and open and shut hundreds of times a second to trick your eyes to see a 3D image.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Convergence is the point at which your line of sight of both eyes cross to focus on an object. Your brain interprets the information processed by the eye to determine distance to an object. Figure one is natural sight, figure two is how 3D movies use convergance to trick your brain.

There are two methods to create a 3D movie.

1.Filming natively with 3D cameras, which are basically two cameras strapped together. 2.

Adding 3D effects in the post-production process. Initial costs for filming in native 3D are higher - Avatar’s budget is rumoured to have exceeded $300 million - but the quality is much greater and provides better depth. Post production 3D is a labour intensive process that layers objects in the film to give the perception of depth, but individual objects are still flat, like a cardboard cut-out.

Gaming: Nintendo announced their new Gameboy 3DS at E3 2010. It’s the first gaming device that doesn’t require glasses.

Playstation 3 has started pushing their game developers to support 3D home T.V.s. Titles like Killzone 3 and Gran Turismo 5 will support this format.

Intimate art invites you into the fold

By Jeff Clemens Weal writer

photo courtesy Mongrel Media

To avoid dangerous jealousy from their neighbours a family must lethally gas their food supply in Tales From a Golden age, a film that explores life in Romania under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Gassing the propaganda pig Tales of a Golden Age Film

by Ranjene Mazumdar weal writer

Tales of a Golden Age is an amusing series of popular legends taken from Romanian life under Nicolae Ceausescu’s 1980s communist dictatorship, where characters navigate life in the context of strictly regulated laws. The title of the film exposes the central contradiction of life as it was under Ceausescu, and life as it has been inaccurately represented for the sake of fueling false sentiment for the era.

Legends range from the comic to the absurd as families and strangers struggle to enjoy life with what little they have.

One family decides to gas a pig

to death so the neighbors won’t envy their food supply, while two teenagers steal bottles from tenants so they can store and literally sell air.

Rather than the traditional scathing attack on the propaganda machine executed by heavier films on the subject, these legends express a certain simplicity and sentimentality for its characters. Their reactions to lack of freedom underscore a universal humanity that individuals fortunate to live in democratic societies will find poignant.

If history and politics of foreign soils interests you, or if you appreciate films like Wolfgang Becker’s Goodbye Lenin (2003), you’ll find the film worth watching for its social

commentary on the rise and fall of the communist Eastern Bloc alone. You might also be interested to apply the commentaries of these shorts to your reflections on our very own brand of propaganda-fueled post 9/11 America. Maybe we don’t gas pigs and sell air to survive, but we certainly have to reckon with pigs selling us hot air on a day to day basis.

You decide which is worse.

Those in search of a film with substance and not easily swayed by the fast-paced blowup doll style artifice of Hollywood films will find Tales of a Golden Age is a good way to spend time.

It plays at the Plaza Theatre Oct. 15-21.

Rating:2.5/5

It’s one thing to dance like nobody’s watching, but it’s another thing to dance with your audience right up in your grill.

In its fifth year, The Fluid Movement Arts festival features a multi-disciplinary cabaret that begins suddenly from behind the bar at the Auburn Saloon.

Dubbed the Physical Therapy cabaret, the performance explores confined space by limiting the area between the audience and the performers.

Dance is often performed with a disconnect between the audience and the entertainer.

Performer Mark Hopkins says this won’t be the case at the Physical Therapy cabaret.

“Audiences have a specific idea of how their theatre ex-

tyler’s take Ice Cube I Am the West How west coast is you? Ice Cube is totally west coast, and he doesn’t want you to forget it.

The former N.W.A.’er has put forth his eighth solo effort to date, and it’s hard to tell if it will make a dent on the rap game.

The record starts off slow with lyrics about the smell of Cube’s cologne. It picks up eventually, but anyone who isn’t a diehard Cube fan probably won’t make it that far before changing discs.

Cube, like many celebs who have crossed over into film, is unfortunately harder to take seriously these days.

You can’t record a tough-asnails rap record, and then add a slew of comedic roles to your repertoire. It just doesn’t fit.

perience will be,” says Hopkins. “They go to the theater, sit down, watch the show and leave.” The cabaret tries to eliminate this by providing a unique opportunity for the audience to get involved and feel like they’re part of the show.

“It’s not for everyone. Some people like the fourth wall,” says Hopkins. “If you are interested in seeing incredible artists in a smaller venue, this is perfect. You are so close you can see the sweat on the performers.”

The Fluid Movement Art Festival is a mixed-medium event with a focus on dance. Five venues around the city, including the Auburn Saloon, play host to several events from Oct. 15 – 24. For more information, go to springboardperformance.com.

Still, you probably shouldn’t test your luck by calling the megastar a wuss or anything, but how can he expect anyone to think he’s still the same thug after starring in films like Are We There Yet or the beloved Friday movies?

However, Cube, like most rap stars with longevity, seems to be doing it all for the love of money. Fair enough, but it’s hard to shake in your boots when all you want to do is laugh at his chubby cheeks.

Despite all of this, he’s got balls. One lyric claims that Cube is a Blood and a Crip.

After all the controversy surrounding these two rival gangs, the weight of these words can’t be lost on Cube.

If you grew up on Cube, then sure, buy this record. If not, pass.

– by Tyler Ostermayer

Patrick Mead, a first-year Business Administration student at SAIT Polytechnic and setter for the Trojans men’s volleyball team, is the embodiment of the term ‘long-distance education.’

Mead is approximately 15,000 plus kilometres from his native country of Australia.

From Australia to Taiwan on a 12-hour flight, to another 13hour flight from Taiwan to Vancouver capped off with a 10hour bus ride to Banff, Mead finally arrived in Calgary, and settled into his role with the Trojans.

“Everyone’s a real tight group here. I’ve noticed it’s more like a family type set up here compared to back home,” said Mead.

Originally from Ayr, a “small country town,” Mead became interested in volleyball at a young age, and started playing in Grade 8. Along the way, he developed an amazing volleyball career.

Aside from playing for various local and state teams in Australia, Mead had the honour of representing his homeland, and capturing a medal on native soil at the Youth Olympics in 2009 held in Sydney.

“I played beach (volleyball) at the Youth Olympics, where I got a bronze medal,” said Mead, who describes the experience of playing for and representing Australia as “pretty cool.”

Originally contacted by Trojans coach Andy Hayer about a vacant setter spot on the Trojans team, and after talking with head coach Ryan Marsden, Mead felt that the training program combined with the scholastic program at SAIT was the perfect fit for him.

Perhaps it was the experience Mead possesses that has led Ryan Marsden, head coach of the Trojans volleyball team, to describe Mead as “a very dynamic player loaded with talent.”

Mead has stepped into a leadership role quickly and with ease, said Marsden, “(he) has quickly become one of our teams’ leaders who the guys look up to.”

Marsden believes adding Mead to the Trojans team will ensure the team is “contend-

By Jenna Prance Sports Editor SPORTS@THEWEAL.COM

W

hether you are a diehard Flames and Stamps fan or even an Oilers or Riders fan, you need a place to kick back with your buddies, a beer and hot wings to watch the big game.

With your face in a book, you may wonder where the good times roll. Luckily, you can head off campus (but not too far) to these three prime places to enjoy the games of the season.

Loco Lou’s: Literally a hop, skip and jump away from SAIT campus, Loco Lou’s is geared towards making game nights a good time with affordable prices.

Seventeen flat screen TVs (15 on the main floor and two upstairs) are positioned strategically to give patrons the best view. Whether you’re standing or sitting, you have a guaranteed view of the game. And the ambiance screams student bar Second-year Petroleum Engineering student Mike McKinna has been going to Lou’s for the past two years. He says he likes the “good music and cheap dinner.” Parking is minimal so make sure you get there early to snag a spot or grab another mode of transportation.

Patrick Mead, a SAIT volleyball player from Australia, has quickly become part of the team.

ers for a repeat ACAC championship and possibly another medal at CCAA Nationals”.

These sentiments are echoed

by Tim Finnigan, a teammate of Meads’ on the Trojans. Finnigan describes Mead as “a great leader (who) brings the skill level up”.

In return, hopefully Mead’s new ‘family’ on the Trojans team has prepared this Aussie for his first Canadian winter.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

The women’s hockey

The men’s volleyball

team take on the

team take on the

RDC Queens.

KNOW YOUR AUSSIE SLANG Ace!: Excellent! Very good!

Aussie salute: brushing away flies with the hand Avos: avocados Bathers: swimming costume Bingle: motor vehicle accident Brown-eyed mullet: a turd in the sea (where you’re swimming!)

Bush telly: campfire Chook: a chicken Coldie: a beer

Genesta Walz photo

Dinky-di: the real thing, genuine Exy: expensive Give it a burl : try it, have a go Hooroo: goodbye Jug: electric kettle Milko: milkman Mystery bag: a sausage Oldies: parents Prezzy: present Root rat: somebody who is constantly looking for sex.

Source: koala.net.com

The Yardhouse: A train stop away and in the heart of Kensington, the Yardhouse is a great place to catch a game with a bunch of friends. The pub with a trendy edge has seventeen flat screen TVs featuring two different games – no matter where you sit you’ll be able to catch both of them. “Even our beer taps have TVs, there’s not a single place you can’t see a TV,” says bartender Adam Naaykens.

If it’s a big game night, be sure to snag an alternate mode of transportation. Lack of parking is an issue here.

Along with its edgy atmosphere, the Yardhouse has a classy vibe and a variety of customers, which always makes mingling fun.

See WATCH THE GAME, Page 10

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

The men’s hockey

The women’s volley-

NBA preseason: The

The Calgary Flames

Listen to the Calgary

team take on the

ball team take on the

Miami Heat and the

take on the

Hitmen take on

MRU Cougars.

BC Clippers.

MRU Cougars.

Charlotte Bobcats

Nashville Predators

Spokane on the Fan

7 p.m. on the road

2 p.m. at home

2 p.m. at home

1 p.m. at home

5:30 p.m.

6 p.m. Sportsnet

960 at 8 p.m.

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watch the game, from page 9

Your basement/Rez common room/your one-room apartment: Let’s face it, being a student you are almost always looking for ways to save on some cash.

And in reality your basement is a good alternative to a bar to catch the game with some friends.

Not only will you save money but the only people that will be there are the people you want there. No dealing with random drunk people and service or lack thereof. Just make sure y’all agree on which game you’re watching and you’re golden.

Harness your inner fanatic by wearing a jersey or team colours. With different friends come different elegancies so show your support.

To ensure sure your shin dig is a success make sure you have enough seats for your guests.

Nothing’s worse than arriving at a fete and having to sit on a filthy carpet next to the litter box. Ask everyone to bring their favourite appetizer so no one goes hungry. And request BYOB so you don’t go broke.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter where you are watching the game but who you’re with. If you have the best company – the rest of the night will follow suit.

the last

word

Letters to the Editor www.theweal.com

11

EDITOR EMILY KREIBERG OPINIONS, LETTERS AND COMMENTS

Hit us with your best shot We want to see you decked out in your best fan gear. Send your fandamonium photos to sports@theweal.com. We’ll post them on our new website, coming this month.

James MacKenzie Photo

SAIT’s Michael Jordan lifts the puck over MacEwan goaltender Shannon Szabados’s stick for a hard-earned goal in the season opener on Oct. 8 in the Campus Centre. The Trojans won the game 5-0. The Trojans also went up against Grant MacEwan in Edmonton and came away with an additional win.

Men’s hockey team dominates in season opener

By Dave Standish Weal Writer

The SAIT Trojans men’s hockey team got the winter portion of the sports season off to a perfect start with two impressive wins over the Grant MacEwan Griffins from Edmonton this past weekend by scores of 5-0 and 8-1.

For the four-time defending champions and their coach Ken Babey, who started his 24th season behind the bench, it was a quality start to the season but with things to work on.

“I told the team it was like one of my favourite movies, The Good the Bad and the Ugly,” Babey said after the home opener Friday night. “Our guys battled late to preserve the shutout and that’s the sign of a good team.”

The night after in Leduc, where the Griffins play their home games, rookies accounted for five of the eight goals,

including two for Warren Muir, who joined the team from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the B.C. junior league. “(He) played tonight with Thane Wood at centre and Graham Dearle, and they had a really nice line. They had three goals, and were all over the ice — good at both ends.” Muir had one more on Friday The scores may have been worse if it hadn’t been for Griffin goaltender Shannon Szabados, the gold medal winning starter for Canada at the Vancouver Olympics, who made 84 saves over the weekend.

“I give her a lot of credit.

She made a lot of big saves for them,” said forward Shane Lust, who did score one goal on Szabados on a one timer from the slot on a pass from Mike Ullrich.

“We had a lot more chances we should have buried if it wasn’t for her.”

As for Lust, after a shoulder

injury kept him out of the preseason, he rejoined the team and picked up right where he left off with Ullrich, his line mate with SAIT and back in midget.

“It comes from playing with each other and knowing where the other is going to be on the ice. I fed him a pass (on Ullrich’s goal) that I knew only he’d be fast enough to get to and he put it in.”

The Trojans already find themselves in first place in the ACAC with four points. This weekend they’ll have two home games against the Briercrest Clippers from Caronport, Saskatchewan.

Coach Babey was honoured with a video tribute prior to Friday’s games honoring his achievement last March of becoming post-secondary hockey’s number one all-time leader in coaching wins. The video is posted on saittrojans.com.

Coaches Corner Women’s volleyball coach Diana Bugler answers a few questions for the Weal.

How would you say this season is looking so far?

Our season is going really well so far. We have a strong class of rookies that will bolster our strong nucleus of returning athletes. Everyone has had the opportunity to contribute on the floor in our exhibition games. I am looking forward to continuing our progress as the regular season approaches Who do you think your biggest rival will be?

We have not had the opportunity to play against the majority of the teams in our league yet. However, Mount Royal, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, and MacEwan always field strong teams What games are “can’t miss” games for spectators?

All of them!

Tell us a little about your last game.

Our last match was the

opinion bronze medal game at the Medicine Hat tournament against the Briercrest Clippers ... We won the match in four sets, improving on our previous days performance in which we lost 15-13 in the fifth set.

–by Jeff Clemens

Sports Wrap Men’s Soccer The Trojan men confirmed they will not claim a third straight South Division regular-season pennant after losing against the Mount Royal University Cougars 6-1 on Oct. 6. Head coach Grant Stevens says the Cougars are the better team this year. “They’re strong.

They’re fast. They tackle well,” he said in praise of the crosstown rivals.

Women’s Soccer The women of Troy continue to be a work in progress. After losing 7-1 against cross-town rivals MRU Cougars on Oct. 6, the Trojan women were happy with their final 45 minutes of the game. “The girls came off the field smiling. We felt like we won that half,” said Trojan assistant coach Erica Balmer.

–compiled by Jenna Prance

Battle of 3D technology: good vs evil Weal writers Casey Choy and Cordell Blanchette debate the merits and the pitfalls of 3D technology Blanchette: I’m not a fan of 3D. The format isn’t mature yet.

While products like the Nintendo 3Ds and Intel’s peripheral free 3D TV are just a stone’s throw away, the public is swindled into buying overly expensive equipment. A basic 3D setup for a family of four can cost upwards of $3,300.

Choy: Current generation 3D home displays are only expensive because they’re still a new technology and manufacturers are gouging the market. Savvy consumers can wait a few years for the hardware and software

to be better integrated and then purchase the TVs at a severely reduced price.

Blanchette: But the technology won’t have the proper amount of time to drop to acceptable price levels before a newer, better technology becomes available. Planned obsolescence is one thing, but when newer technology like Intel’s 3D property is merely months away, we’re taking it to unacceptable extremes.

Choy: I disagree. 3D enter-

tainment has proven its power to change hearts and minds on the validity of the format to enhance story telling. Avatar broke box office records after its release. According to boxofficemojo.com, it’s grossed $2.77 billion to date. The people have spoken with their wallets.

Blanchette: Avatar was a special case. Not every story lends itself to this kind of storytelling. Recent movies like Jackass 3D and Step Up 3D aren’t enhanced by the technology.

Shane Innes asks the SAIT campus:

What did your parents say when you got your tattoo?

“They said it was nice,

“They were disappointed

“Why did you do that to

“We knew you were

“They liked it.”

“You realize that’s on

they bought it for me.”

and mad.”

your body?”

going to get one.”

Daniel Broadhurst,

your body for the rest of

Shawna Battersby,

Ashley Daoust,

Steve Smith,

Nigel Midwinter,

Electrical-1

Travel & Tourism-1

BPA-1

PT-1

IT

your life?”

Tegan Cochrane, Nutrition-1

3D is meant to immerse us in the environments of the movies we watch. Lately, this technology has become an excuse for companies to charge more.

Choy: Immersion into the story is still the main selling point behind 3D. It helps transcend the limitations of being an inactive participant and dissolves some of the separation between the audience and the game or movie.

Blanchette: But is this really necessary in our own homes?

The mass market is still coming to terms with the BlueRay format, let alone being bombarded by whole new sets of technology. Not to mention the fact that outside a select handful of genres, 3D isn’t that entertaining.

Choy: Despite greedy studios hastily slapping post-production 3D onto any movie they can, actually filming a movie in 3D can be absolutely punchyou-in-the-stomach awesome!

Similar to fiction writing, painting or any other form of art or entertainment, 3D can be beautiful in the hands of a master.

What do you think? Email letters@theweal.com. You can also write us about anything that gets your goat, rubs you the wrong way or ties your shorts in a sheepshank. But try to avoid clichés. They’re lame.