Chronicle_11-12_Issue_05

Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5

November 1, 2011

See Basketball Page 35

See Animation Page 2

Triple win for DC teams

Robynne Henry

THEY’RE NUMBER ONE: Durham Lords men’s baseball team won gold at the 2011 CIBA national championships in Moncton, NB on Oct. 23.

See Mens Page 33

The Perfect Pumpkin

Tyler Richards The Chronicle

W PUMPKINS AT PINGLE’S: One-year-old Mary Turnbull chooses her first pumpkin at Pingle’s Farm.

See Pumpkin Page 9

See Fastball Page 32

Former UOIT Student needs transplant to live Daniel Shihata waits for donor

Patricia De Bres

DANCING QUEEN: Durham Lords fastball catcher Shannon Ferguson celebrates her team’s win.

e all have to face death some day, but we rarely expect that fate in our teenage years.

Death is something 19-year-old former UOIT nursing student Daniel Shihata has come to understand better the last few months. In June Shihata was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, or MDS, a disease of the blood.

Bone marrow produces 500 billion blood cells a day. Patients with MDS, because of progressive failure in the bone marrow, often suffer from low blood counts.

The disease can degenerate into acute my-

elogenous leukemia in a few months to a year, which is what Shihata is in danger of.

“I was shocked,” Shihata said, “I wasn’t really upset at first.”

His friends have pitched in to help by emailing a letter informing people about OneMatch, a division of Canadian Blood Services that deals with bone marrow and stem cell transplants as research. Shihata needs a match to help extend his life beyond a few months.

To increase his chances of surviving, OneMatch is looking for males aged 17 to 35 from regions such as Africa and the Middle East.

Shihata is Sudanese, which means someone from the Sudan with his blood type would be the best match for him.

Mismatches of specific genes and DNA pairs can result in what is called graft-versus-host disease, which could kill Shihata especially in his weakened state.

See One Page 3

2

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

Campus

DC enrolment at all-time high Tara Oades The Chronicle

If students find the halls busy and lines long it could be because student enrolment rose 7.5 per cent this year, making the college population around 8,500 full-time students. This is close to a 1,500 student enrolment increase since 2009.

This year 11 new programs were introduced to Durham College, which include Chemical Laboratory Technician, Construction Carpentry – Sustainable, Construction and Hoisting Techniques, Developmental Services Worker, Digital Photography, Digital Video Production, Emergency Services Fundamentals, Fine Arts – Advanced, VFX and Digital Cinema, Victimology, and Welding Techniques.

When considering new courses to be added, the administration at Durham College look to both economic trends and potential employers to determine what job fields are growing so students will have an easier time finding a career after graduation, explained Don Lovisa, the president at Durham College.

“There are gaps in the program mix that we have,” said Lovisa. “We are always making sure that we are watching the local economy, where the jobs

Tara Oades

ENROLMENT UP 7.5 PER CENT: Dental hygiene students Taneisha Thomas, Nadine Ajay, Erin Cadore, Amber McNeil, and Danielle Reich show off their DC school spirit. are, who’s growing and who’s not, and providing educational opportunities for students.”

“We are in growth mode,” said Judy Robinson, vicepresident academic at Durham College. “We have nine more programs were approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for 2012, they are working on programs for 2013, and two new college degrees will be added to the program list by 2014.

Also, to continue the growth

at the college, administrators are following a strategic enrolment plan, which was laid out in 2009.

The strategic enrolment plan outlines the steps that need to be taken to reach a long-term goal. The goals chosen depend on the location of the college, the economy of the region, and population growth.

“In 2009 Durham College had about 6,900 students, and we plan to have 10,000 fulltime students by 2015,” said

Robinson. “This means we need to increase our students enrollment by seven per cent each year.”

One reason an increasing number of students are attending Durham College is because of the Durham Region economy.

“We draw about 70 per cent of our students locally; so as Durham Region grows we’ll grow,” said Lovisa. “We’re very closely linked to the Durham Region economy, if the econ-

omy is bad people may need to go back to school to gain new skills, but as the economy grows so does population of the reason, and the college. There will be more local high school and mature students who will look to Durham College for their post-secondary education.”

Long-term plans and new programs are a main factor in the increasing number of students enrolling at the college, but plans and programs can’t take all the credit. Durham College also has a great reputation in the community and among local and nation-wide employers.

About 3,000 students graduate from the college each year with an employment rate of about 87 per cent.

“I work constantly with local and nation-wide employers,” said Lovisa. “And the feedback is always very positive.”

Durham College also guarantees that if an employer who hired a Durham College graduate feels that the graduate needs more training in a specific area, they can come back, within a year, to improve that skill with free tuition.

“We are growing to ensure that students receive a good education,” said Robinson.

“The student experience always comes first.”

Animation Fright Night event a screaming success Matt McPhee The Chronicle

Screams filled the hallways of the Gordon Willey building Oct. 26, as students cheered for the best costume.

Animation 2012 Fundraising presented Halloween Fright Night, a double feature of horror films and a costume competition in the Lecture Theatre.

The theatre doors opened at six in the evening and the patrons gathered in the auditorium while Looney Toons played as the overture on the large screen.

The first feature of the evening was the zany 2009 zomcom, Zombieland, followed by the Stephen King adaptation that began one of the most popular and overused movie quotes of all time, “Here’s Johnny,” from Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 masterpiece, The Shining.

For the low admission of $2, students also received a raffle ticket for a chance to win candy, headphones, movies, art kits, backpacks and other prizes during the intermission.

A costume competition was also held, with 15 students lined up at the front of the auditorium in an attempt to win a bucket full of candy and a $25 Cineplex gift card.

The contestants received votes by the volume of noise the remaining seated Fright Night attendees made.

Eric Werry was happy to win after several “recounted votes” with his sorcerer costume and his homespun face-painting effort, which resembled a ghostly and clownish Darth Maul from Star Wars.

The event was made possible with help from the Student Association, which helps societies such as these with funding and booking.

“We’ve also had some prizes donated by some of the teachers too,” said Melissa Wang, a third-year Animation student who was operating the admission and concession table.

The society was developed

by Animation students and the SA to raise money for the end-of-the-year screening in April at the TIFF Bell Lightbox,

where industry professionals are invited to come and see Durham’s Animation students work.

A film screening was hosted last month where Treasure Planet and Tron: Legacy were shown but was only open to Animation students.

Wang had hoped for a better turnout this time around, as posters for the event were posted around campus, inviting students from other programs.

They have also launched two bake sales and are planning for another one for Christmas time.

Animation 2012 fundraising will also be hosting a concert on Nov. 29 at E.P. Taylor’s with a lineup that includes 20 Amp Soundchild, Jack Rollin Dandies, The Dying Arts, Killbride and Bluestone.

“It’s also a social event to get all the different students out, because we’ve spent so much time in the labs that sometimes you need a night where you don’t do any homework and just have fun,” Wang said.

Matt McPhee

IN DISGUISE: Animation students Melissa Wang, Jonathan Phillips, and Patricia Ricafort show off their costumes at the Halloween Fright Night fundraiser.

Campus

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

3

One match to save a life Continued from Page 1

This isn’t his first bout with a blood disease. In 2000 he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease that also affects the amount of red blood cells being produced.

“We were looking for a bone marrow match at that time too,” said Nagi Shihata, Daniel’s father. “We didn’t get one at the time, but the doctors decided to go with a different treatment.”

His treatment for aplastic anemia was suppressed immune therapy. “The first time he didn’t respond, but the second time he did,” said the elder Shihata.

“It’s very hard,” Nagi said, “financially, emotionally, and time wise. You go from one hospital to another and you have to pay for parking each time. We used to go to Princess Margaret, and we still do, but we also go to Lakeridge Health Oshawa as well, it’s just closer.”

Even though the risks are high for Daniel, both he and his father are optimistic they will find a match.

The Shihata family is working closely with OneMatch to help out at blood donor clinics around the province next month, which is Bone Marrow Awareness Month.

The Shihatas will be at McMaster University on Nov. 8 and 9 to assist with the blood and marrow donor clinic there before they come to Durham College and UOIT’s clinic on Nov. 10.

Kathy Lazenby is the Director of the Health and Wellness Centre on campus and has been working hard to help out Daniel and his family.

“This year we are working in conjunction with the Student Association and the Canadian Blood Services,” said Lazenby, who said the marrow test is a simple procedure.

“What the marrow testing is,

Tyler Richards

WAITING FOR A CURE: Daniel Shihata and his dad Nagi Shihata are hoping to find a bone marrow match to prolong Daniel’s life.

About MDS • One of the symptoms of MDS is anemia, which manifests with chronic tiredness, shortness of breath, chills and sometimes chest pains.

• Another symptom is neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, which increases the affected person’s susceptibility to infection.

• The third most common symptom of MDS is thrombocytopenia, which increases one’s risk of bleeding and bruising.

• The leukemia that results from MDS is often resistant to the common treatments. is a DNA test. There is a cheek swab and your DNA is tested to see if it is compatible with Daniel’s. We are encouraging ev-

eryone to come and get tested because if it can’t be used for Daniel it can be used for one of the 700 or so other people

Blood: it’s in you to give, so donate today

Kim Moreau The Chronicle

It’s in you to give, and in November you will have your opportunity to give your share and save a life.

On Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology will be host to a Canadian Blood Services clinic.

The clinic, which will take

place in the east gym, is open to students and the general public.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds, be healthy and feeling well, and meet iron requirements.

The Canadian Blood Services also recommends donors eat something and have adequate rest prior to donating.

Additional requirements donors must meet include: not having had a tattoo, ear or body

piercing within six months, have fully recovered from any colds, flus or sore throats, a 72hour gap after any dental surgeries, and a 56-day minimum from the last time you have donated blood.

To book an appointment, acquire additional information, or learn about other donation procedures such as stem cells and bone marrow students can contact the Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE.

in the registry looking for a donor.”

The Student Association and the Health and Wellness Centre have invited students from the College and university nursing programs as well as the Campus Emergency Response Team to help collecting DNA from those who wish to participate, Lazenby said.

The blood bank and bone registry is open to the public, not just students. Anyone in the community who thinks they might be a match for Daniel is encouraged come and get tested.

It is a waiting game for Daniel now. Only time will tell if he is able to find a match, but he doesn’t look at it that way. For

him it’s just one more mile on the long road that began for him 11 years ago.

For more information on how you can help Daniel or become a bone marrow donor scan the QR code below with your smartphone or visit their website www.onematch.ca.

Blood donating facts • The Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization operating at 43 permanent collection sites across the country and holding more than 20,000 donor clinics annually.

• As a successor to the Canadian Red Cross blood program, the Canadian Blood Services began in 1998.

• They collect approximately 850,000 units of blood each year.

• Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds, and meet minimum iron requirements.

• Donors are screened and tested for a variety of infectious diseases.

4

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

Publisher: Greg Murphy Editor-in-Chief: Gerald Rose Ad Manager: Dawn Salter

To contact us

Editorial Page

Newsroom: Room L-223; Ext. 3068 E-mail: Chronicle.News@dc-uoit.ca Advertising: Room L-223; Ext. 3069 E-mail: dawn.salter@durhamcollege.ca

Why do you think organ donation is important?

A second chance at life Dr. Dennis Karpiak from Kelowna B.C., is alive today because of the liver transplant he received in Wisconsin. He thanks the U.S. organ transplant system and urges Canada to better its own system.

Canada has one of the worst organ donation systems among countries in the western world, with 14 donors per million people in 2010.

Rather than seeing organ donation as the end of a person’s life, it is better understood as the beginning for someone else’s. The topic of organ donation is often seen in a dark and sad light, but perception is everything.

While you decide your will and who deserves the things you own when you die, signing as an organ donor can give another person the most important thing they need.

Another chance at the life they deserve.

In 2008, there were over 4,350 Canadians waiting for a transplant. And over 200 of those Canadians died waiting for an organ.

If more people signed as organ donors, there would be a higher chance of survival if you or one of your loved ones were seriously injured.

But spreading public awareness about organ donation is difficult to organize because

it can only be organized federally. There are several regulations that restrict local ads for organ donation. Making these restrictions easier to get around could help the public understand just how large of an effect they can have by signing as an organ donor.

The decision seems obvious to some people, in the case of an accident or an unfortunate event, the organs that could no longer be used by the donor could bring someone out of a hospital bed and give them another chance at life.

While Canada’s organ donation rate is among the lowest, it’s getting easier to become a donor. The www.ontario.ca website provides an option in which you can sign as an organ donor entirely online.

Dr. Karpiak believes the system should be reversed so people would actually need to opt out of organ donation, and this could have a large effect on our donation rate. As other governments have implemented this system, it’s time for Canada to follow suit.

There are also other forms of donating, which have an incredible impact on someone in need. Today the bone marrow donation registry is directed under the Canadian Blood Services.

Like blood, bone marrow is another donation that can be taken from a live donor, and saves lives. Yet a lack of public awareness slows the process for waiting recipients.

The online organ donor form card allows you to choose which organs and tissue you would like to donate. The entire process can take less than five minutes. The actual task of the paperwork is short, and the only difficulty is thinking it over. Or you could sign the card that comes with your driver’s license.

Though it may be a difficult decision, it’s a decision we all need to make. At least until the Ontario government makes organ donation a rule rather than the exception.

Many of us hold onto our invincibility bubble for many years, but the fact is there isn’t one. The pattern of thinking ‘that can’t happen to me’ is absurd. Bad things do happen, but they don’t have to end that way.

Philip Petrovski

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he Chronicle is published by the Durham College School of Me-

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Editor-In-Chief: Gerald Rose

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Career Adviser “We do need organ donation and I support it. I’m an organ donor myself and I think it’s very necessary.”

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Opinion

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

Big start for a young sport Fighting can be a positive influence on youths -- especially in the case of Mixed Martial Arts. MMA fighters can be incredibly positive role models for children.

Professional mixed martial arts has gotten a bad rap from spectators. They see it as nothing but a violent spectacle.

Recently, a story about a youth grappling tournament circulated such websites as the Toronto Star. It raised viewer suspicions that the sport’s violence was not appropriate for children, even though it was just grapping.

Because of incidents like these the sport has been labeled something inappropriate for the younger set.

But to the fight fan, and more importantly to the fighter, MMA is so much more than a brawl.

Sandra Lanois-Bazinet is a Can-Ryu Jiu Jitsu black belt and trainer at world-renowned Therien Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing locations in Ottawa. She said martial arts changed her life in many ways.

“When I began martial arts I was only 10 years old, I had very little self-confidence, minimum discipline and the longevity of my interests was short.

“Today I am a loyal practitioner of the sport. I have become a talented fighter with great self-confidence and discipline.

I have achieved many personal goals, won many competitions and have many other accomplishments to be proud of.”

MMA is now one of the biggest parts of her life, and taught her to face challenges in and out of the ring.

“I have determination and perseverance to overcome any obstacles I may face and know there is nothing that is impos-

Austin Rodgers sible. I know MMA has made a dramatic change in my life and has helped me develop into the person I am today.”

Because of the skill set and responsible attitude of instructors, youth fighters can train safely with little to no risk of serious injury and the ability to train in a judgment-free setting in any professionally-run club.

One of Lanois-Bazinet’s students, 15-year-old Angelica

Leclaire, has developed tenacity through MMA “You have to persevere through the fights, never give up even if you’re tired. It’s something that you can’t just throw away because you’ve prepared yourself for it, and your goal is to go as far as you can,” she said.

MMA fighters can prove to be fantastic role models when it comes to showing confidence, respect and determination, she said.

Some of the best professional fighters in the sport are not only the best, but also the best behaved.

UFC Welterweight Champion and Canadian sports star Georges St. Pierre is ranked as the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, according to Sherdog.com’s latest ranking.

He has been ranked in the top 10 or higher on multiple occasions.

Besides being one of the most skilled tacticians in the sport, GSP (as he’s affectionately called) is also one of the most polite. He grew up bullied in school, and learned martial arts only as a form of selfdefence, growing to love the discipline and healthy living it provided him.

Another noticeably polite

fighter is Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, a Sambo practitioner who was considered the #1 fighter in the world for the better part of a decade.

Fedor’s trademark, besides formerly unparalleled skill and an ice-cold stare, is how humbly and politely he carries himself.

MMA has the potential to provide so much more for youths than a violent pastime.

Young students learn discipline, self-respect and camaraderie, and the importance and vitality of a healthy active lifestyle.

Obvious skills in self-defence can be gained through MMA. However, many believe these skills provide youths a means to bully.

MMA’s practitioners and its top tier fighters remain some of the most respectful and professional athletes in the world, despite most of their fans wanting to see a knock-out. It is after all a young sport.

The intelligent planning and technical grace it takes to become the best in the world reflects how beneficial MMA can be to a young person’s development. In the future, MMA could serve to replace orthodox Karate as a favourite among parents for their children.

Staple ninjas steal my stapler Write story, lend stapler. Rewrite story lend scissors. Write final draft, lend stapler again.

I can’t say that I’m ready for class every day because I’m organized. All I do to be ready is leave everything in my backpack, since I’m too lazy to remove my school stuff unless I absolutely have to.

But when I take my seat on any given Wednesday, my little black stapler is like a French fry thrown to the gulls. I can almost guarantee before I’m even finished my morning coffee, someone is at my side looking at me with puppy dog eyes. And before they speak my little black stapler is walking away to be used on foreign paper.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not the entire class approaching me one after the other like poor children at a soup kitchen.

But these other class mates with their own stapler and scissors have got to be us-

ing a stealth technique taught to them by ninja masters because when I actively listen for “can I borrow your stapler?” I don’t hear it, unless it’s directed at me. And I never witness the act of stapling either. It’s a little suspicious.

Brandan Loney

To combat the almost constant siege of students, I’ve begun lying to them saying that I forgot the stapler. Then, when it comes time to staple my work, I attempt to hide the stapler up the sleeve of my hoody and muffle the sound with a cough or distraction of some kind.

It has been suggested to me that I charge others to use my stapler. This actually didn’t cross my mind until it was suggested, probably because I don’t care too much about money, but the idea has merit.

Perhaps I could pay off a portion of my tuition by charging by the staple. What has crossed my mind, as a way to get rid of staple stealers, is to send them on a wild goose chase.

Something along the lines of “I didn’t bring mine, I used someone else’s.” And then watch the person wander from table to table asking for a stapler. It’s given me a chuckle before.

I love helping people, but it does get irritating when it interrupts my work. So to my classmates I say, if you’re not coming in prepared, then don’t get offended if or when I play a few tricks on you for my own amusement.

5

Chivalry is dead when it comes to the bus Lori Marks It has six wheels, carries dozens of students and can be a real pain in the butt.

Yes it’s Durham Region Transit.

Sure, nobody wants to be on a crowded bus filled with 70 or so cranky students, let alone stand for the entire ride. But while most parents try to teach kids the importance of being polite, clearly some students riding Durham Region Transit have only one thing in mind, themselves.

Every day students crowd around the bus stops, and every day it’s a battle until every seat is occupied. As always, a line forms around the first person patiently waiting for the next bus to arrive.

To a person with manners, the first person waiting should get first entry onto the bus. But with certain students around, that line quickly morphs into a mosh pit.

With the giant rush of people pushing, the first girl in “line” is now lost among the swarm of boys and is forced to remove her bag in order to proceed onto the bus.

Whatever happened to ladies first or fairness? A group of guys should not be vigorously pushing and holding back a girl who technically was first in line to enter the bus.

Sometimes bus drivers tend to be on the cranky side, but can you blame them?

If the bus driver happens to step off the bus for a bathroom break all hell breaks loose with those few students who lack respect.

Derogatory remarks such as F***ing jerk, a**hole, and prick are shouted towards the driver.

For anyone that is worried about a spot on the bus, there is a simple solution, take the next bus!

6

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

Campus

Safety CERTainly comes first Nicole Patton

The Chronicle

Someone is having a stroke on campus and you are the one to call for help. So who should you contact first? Your first choice should be the Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) whose educated members will come racing to your aid.

Located on campus, CERT members are trained volunteer students who respond to medical emergencies on campus.

These students are trained to deal with different situations, such as when a person has too much alcohol in their system.

“We always have at least two people on a shift,” said Erin Bacon, a CERT member and communications co-ordinator for the team.

Bacon is a full-time student at UOIT, working towards a degree in Nursing after graduating from Durham in 2006.

“The team started in 2006,” said Bacon. “So I decided to volunteer.”

The CERT office, located in the South Village Residence, gets a lot of calls. “As for call volume we got about 80 calls in September,” said Bacon.

“About 80 per cent were medi-

cal, 15 per cent were trauma and five per cent were other situations.” The team responds to anything from heart attacks to seizures to motor vehicle accidents. “It’s pretty intensive,” she said.

Students wishing to volunteer for CERT can do so in September of 2012 but they must be Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certified.

“You also have to be good with people,” said Bacon. “We spend a lot of time here (CERT office). It’s like a second home.”

Bacon also mentioned teambonding nights where members get to know one another by going out to do things like bowling or laser tag.

But even though this may sound like fun and games, CERT has an intensive application process. Volunteers must be able to dedicate a minimum of one academic year to CERT in order to join. After being accepted members must complete the Advanced Medical First Responder course, which includes many different scenarios for trainees. But this is not just for those in the medical field.

“This is not necessarily just for health sciences,” said Bacon. “We’ve had paramedic,

Nicole Patton

ALWAYS ON DUTY: Erin Bacon, CERT member and communications co-ordinator, says there is more to being a member than just first aid. Being a team and a family is an important part of working together to keep the campus safe. police and firefighter students too. It’s good to know if you’re first on scene.”

These first responder volunteers are always ready to jump into action. CERT members are

on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For medical emergencies on campus be sure to call (905) 721 – 2000 ext. 2400 or the Front Desk at ext. 8000.

For more information on the

Downtown and Whitby students soon to make their voices heard

Turnout might not be consistent, but VP of college affairs remains confident of SVF potential

Bobby Perritt The Chronicle

Your SA held the second ever Student Voices First (SVF) open forum in the new gathering space in the Gordon Willey building, on Oct. 18.

The 2011/12 school year is the pilot run for SVF, which was developed by vice-president of College Affairs Josh Bickle. It is an initiative to make SA policy more personal and transparent. Students can show up and give one-on-one feedback to Bickle about how the SA is doing, or discuss a concern about the school or college life.

Students getting involved with the SVF forum on Oct. 18 between noon and 2 p.m. were handed cotton SA laundry bags filled with goods,

including but not limited to a discount for Canada’s Wonderland/Wonderland Halloween Haunt, a beer sleeve, Kraft Dinner, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, candies, packets of shampoo and shower gels and Uncle Ben’s instant rice.

Vice-president of Campus Clubs Erin Stevenhaagen was at the event to welcome students to the new gathering space in the former Continuing Education office on the first floor of the Gordon Willey building, across the lobby from the security desk.

Stevenhaagen’s office in the new space will be open 8 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m. throughout the week for clubs to book meetings in a private room.

The introduction of SVF, which was a key component to Bickle’s campaign last year,

is not limited to a monthly forum.

Bickle introduced an email program as part of SVF, where students may email any concern or issue they would want the SA to hear, to sasvf@dcuoit.ca. Bickle keeps emails anonymous by retyping and sending the message to the appropriate department.

‘

There will be kinks over the next year to find what works, what doesn’t.

Josh Bickle

’

The third component of SVF is a newsletter, which Bickle said would be coming soon to all students’ school email accounts.

The monthly newsletter will analyze the progress SVF has made, the types of concerns it has received and the action it has taken.

Bickle said that with a cam-

pus of about 16,500 students, something had to be done to strengthen communication between the student body and the SA, so that he could act in the best interests of the students.

Last month’s forum attracted 36 students, who came in to discuss concerns with Bickle in a “positive and receptive” way, he said.

October’s forum saw six or seven visitors attend, but Bickle recognized that it will take time to spread the word about the SVF, and said, “There will be kinks over the next year, to find what works, what doesn’t,” and seeing what generates the largest turnouts.

November and February forums will be located on the downtown and Whitby campuses, where the SA will be handing out free long-sleeve gold or charcoal gray sport shirts, with the SVF megaphone logo on it and the words “I Was Heard!”

Students may check out upcoming SVF and other SA events at Student Association at Durham College & UOIT on Facebook.

Campus Emergency Response Team check out their website, call (905) 728-8700 ext. 8743 or drop by their 24/7 office in room 1056 of the South Village Residence.

New bond lets UOIT students dig deep Kim Moreau The Chronicle

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) created another community bond last month allowing the UOIT Digital Life Research Group access to newer technology and software for research.

On Oct. 20 at UOIT’s Bordessa Hall, UOIT signed a letter of understanding with Resolution Research and Marketing allowing students access to the Relevance Media software platform. The research software will offer students hands-on experience for new, practical research assignments.

As a result, UOIT will develop a Digital Life Research Centre using the program for research projects centered on hidden data in social media, Internet content, marketing analysis, customer data and more.

Researchers at UOIT will have the ability to access worthwhile equipment for data collection and analysis thanks to partnership they have created with Resolution Research.

Campus

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

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The fight to end elder abuse Mike Ryckman The Chronicle

There are specific laws in Canada that protect children from any physical or emotional abuse. In the criminal code there are no laws that outline the treatment of senior citizens in the same way, which is why elder abuse is a concern in Canada.

Senior support co-ordinator for Durham Sergeant John Keating said that in 10 years it is predicted for the first time in Canadian history the number of seniors over the age of 65 will be greater than the number of children.

The Children’s Aid Society has numerous investigators for abuse and there is a law in the Child and Family Services Act to protect children.

Certain types of abuse are criminal for anyone, such as neglect and assault, but there is no act like the Child and Family Services Act that specifies how seniors should be treated and what should be done legally if they’re being abused.

Tammy Rankin, the elderly abuse adviser for Durham Region, suggested making an Ontario Caregivers Act, which could be worded similarly and would help protect seniors who live in the community.

“We do have the Long Term Care Act, which is mandatory reporting in long-term care homes,” said Rankin, “but for those in the community there’s no immediate response.”

The Long Term Care Act helps Rankin and Keating keep tabs on seniors in long-term care homes such as Hillsdale in Oshawa, but offers no response or help for seniors caring for themselves in the community.

Sergeant Keating and Rankin are the only two senior support co-ordinators in all of Durham for elderly abuse.

There is an elderly abuse line

Mike Ryckman

HELPING THE ELDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY: Tammy Rankin and Sergeant John Keating are the only two senior support co-ordinators in all of Durham that runs 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The line has been very successful with over 11,000 calls so far in the two years it has been running, explained Maureen Etkin, a regional consultant for ONPEA (Ontario Network for Prevention of Elderly Abuse).

Although the line has been amazing in helping fight elderly abuse, said Etkin, ultimately when a senior would like to report abuse to someone who can provide help in Durham, they are sent to Keating or Rankin.

“In our region (Durham) basically to provide support to caregivers it’s just myself and Sergeant Keating,” said Rankin. “ Ten per cent of women are victims of abuse. We’ve got women’s shelters; we’ve got all these different programs for

women. Seventeen per cent of children are victims of abuse; we’ve got children’s aid services and all that. Ten per cent of seniors are victims of abuse and we’ve got two people in all of Durham Region to look at, that’s it.”

They receive 25 to 30 phone calls every day that could be a nursing home employee reporting abuse or a call from the community about a family member abusing their power of attorney over a senior.

Power of attorney is a document that can give anybody authority to make decisions for a senior if they’re unfit to care for themselves.

As long as someone witnesses the signatures then that person can have authority over a senior’s affairs and finances.

“The biggest case we ever

had up until now was $122,000 a daughter took from her mom.

Her mom had Alzheimer’s disease and the woman blew it all away at the Great Blue Heron casino,” said Sergeant Keating.

Fortunately the elderly woman lived in a long-term care home, and when one of the workers suspected financial abuse and reported it to Keating, charges were made and the daughter served two years on house arrest.

The reason the daughter was caught is because the senior’s long-term care home hadn’t been paid in a few months. The daughter was stealing all of her mother’s retirement money but she wasn’t using any of it to pay for her mother’s care.

Sergeant Keating said that the Substitute Decisions Act is an act that governs laws like

the power of attorney law. With small changes in this act, Keating would like to see an agency like the Children’s Aid Society that will check up on seniors with a power of attorney on a monthly basis.

To get awareness out and help people understand elder abuse, Keating and Rankin educate community partners who deal with seniors on a daily basis.

Whether it is EMS workers, police officers or even just caregivers in long-term care homes, Keating gives lessons on identifying elder abuse and how they can access the problem and start to help.

In the next year, funding has been put in place to start an intergenerational program where seniors will mentor high school students and teach them about ageism and elderly abuse.

At the end of the program the students will create an art project, whether it be a painting or a poem, and all art projects will be put in an art gallery to be judged by a panel of seniors, and the winners will receive prizes, Rankin explained.

ONPEA Regional Consultant Maureen Etkin would like to see the government put money into the community and help come up with the services needed to provide seniors with housing and social services, along with police and EMS response.

According to www.ONPEA. org, educating yourself on the rights of senior citizens is one of the best ways to recognize and prevent elder abuse in your community.

“The prevalence of abuse in long-term care and the community is a cause for concern and awareness must be promoted.

Continuing education should be a requirement for all health care professionals, specifically in terms of recognizing and reporting abuse,” said third-year UOIT Nursing student Rachel Daize.

Fair sharing his passion for music Matt McPhee The Chronicle

He’s worked as a production assistant with artists like King of the Blues guitarist B.B. King, jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and Canadian country musician Tommy Hunter.

“I could go on to name a long list of artists I’ve worked with,” said Paul Fair, who has brought his knowledge of music to Durham College.

Fair teaches the Blues & Jazz Guitar and the Music Theory courses for Durham College’s School of Continuing Educa-

tion as well as private lessons at home in Peterborough.

“I didn’t expect the course to go and was quite surprised when the college called me to say that I had a full class of students signed up for the course,” said Fair. “The next term we also ran the Music Theory course and we had almost a full class for that course as well.”

Fair’s experience comes from teaching students of all ages, both privately and in classes, from beginners to advanced jazz as well as from having experience as a performing musician.

“What attracted me to teach-

ing guitar is that I’ve always been a big fan of ‘sharing the information’, plus I’ve always been very enthusiastic about learning guitar myself.”

Fair started playing guitar and taking lessons at a local music store in the mid-‘60s when Beatlemania had conquered North America because in the hysteria, every kid wanted to learn to play the guitar.

“I started teaching guitar lessons for a local music back around 1974 when I was a student in the Music Program at Humber College.”

Since then he has taught privately out of his home, taught

at approximately 10 or more music stores in Peterborough and Toronto, taught guitar courses for 10 years at Fleming College and for the past four or five years has taught courses at Durham.

He has also played and taught bass guitar over the last 12 years. “I used to play a little trumpet and piano but I don’t play trumpet anymore and haven’t spent much time on the piano.”

Fair attended The Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts, the world’s largest college in contemporary music. He received certification

in Theory, Harmony, Arranging and Composition. He also attended the music program at Humber College for two years but left the program early to accept a full-time position at the Ontario Place Forum as a production assistant.

When a student tells him they have been stuck trying to learn how to play better guitar and Fair can show them something that almost immediately improves their playing, he said “It’s like I lifted a veil of mystery for that student, so now he knows how to go about learning whatever it is he or she was trying to learn.”

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The Chronicle

November 1 2011

Campus

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

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Occupy moves on Rob Ford

reside in the commune in St. James Park, next to 214-yearold Anglican church of the same name. Church officials have urged protesters to vacate the park. The building has closed its doors due to health and safety issues caused by camping protesters.

The request had little effect on morale in the park, and people were still building up committees to hold the commune together.

Toronto resident Zack Kwzy, 19, is part of the Occupy media committee.

A large part of what attracted Kwzy to the protest was that he said he didn’t have the means to attend a post-secondary school. Kwzy was surprised

by what he considered a “dwindling” crowd living permanently in the park, saying that it is 50 or 75 who are core muscles in making the park livable.

He also called it ironic that Occupy Toronto, a strike back against the “one-percent” was “ninety-nine per cent” composed of people who were “casual” about sustaining the park community.

Kwzy called Occupy Toronto a stepping-stone to a major change, and said he didn’t have to give any second thought to joining the movement when it began on Oct. 15.

The media committee keeps the movement in contact with the world through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and their

own website www.occupyto. org. Donated laptops are connected through wired and wireless routers under a large canvas tent.

Kwzy said he preferred dedicated activists to report on the events in the park. Kwzy personally refuses to speak to most reporters because of the inaccuracy, negative spins and hateful questions he said many have asked him and fellow occupiers.

Television reporter Ezra Levant, of The Source, was one media personality who Kwzy and 22-year-old University of Toronto graduate Ben Lacy remembered for what they felt was invasive reporting and misrepresentation of the occupation.

The Source, hosted by Levant on Sun Media Television, is meant in part to get a few laughs with his blunt, rightwing spin on current events.

In reporting on the occupation, Levant approached a small group of occupiers with unwelcomed comments about condom usage and said he was wearing a condom at the moment. He later referred to the St. James Park on-air as “STDville.”

Occupy Toronto is a movement of people of various ages, political ideologies and ethnicities.

Occupations worldwide sprang from the Wall Street movement, and are meant to oppose strong corporate and government ties, corporate greed and the shrinking standard of living due to a global recession, which has emphasized the financial gaps.

Toronto is one of many Canadian cities and one of over a thousand cities in 130 countries to take part in a stubborn occupation movement.

turned Pingle’s Dairy Farm into Pingle’s Farm Market.

Slowly they have risen to become one of the most popular pumpkin patches in the area.

In 2009 Ontario Fresh Farm Marketing Association named Pingle’s Farm the 2009 Farm Marketers of the Year. “Fall is the busiest time of the year.

Thanksgiving weekend we got 6,000 to 7,000 visitors,” Walter said.

“It’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with your family,” said Eastdale high school student Heather Darrah, who was picking the family pumpkin. Pingle’s offers different activities all year long. The farm opens on Easter weekend, with the Easter egg hunt and a visit with the Easter Bunny.

In the summer you can pick your own fruit like strawberries

and raspberry. The fall offers Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin and tractor rides. Christmas time allows customers to pick their Christmas tree and buy Christmas decorations from the shop.

A popular fall attraction at Pingle’s is the fun farm, with its small corn maze, pedal cart track, horse drawn wagon rides, animal barn, a giant sand box and a giant checkerboard.

It keeps the children busy and gives them a place to make friends and learn a little about life on a farm. The Fun Farm is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Children aren’t the only ones who love going to Pingle’s. Gardeners go for the greenhouse and the bakery attracts those with a sweet tooth. The shop is filled with home made goods, toys and other merchandise.

Pickled asparagus and candy

apples are popular sellers.

Mouthwatering smells of freshly baked bread draws everyone into the bakery, which is opens from April 21 each year until Christmas Eve. It offers the option of treats and freshly baked products. The shop offers many types of freshly baked breads and apple cider.

Fudge and pies are great treats for after you pick your pumpkin.

The giant maze is another popular spot for people of all ages. This year it is an eightacre corn maze called Lost in Space, cut into a space scene, with a rocket ship, a UFO and various planets. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

“It’s rewarding for us when we see large numbers of happy people,” Walter said.

Bobby Perritt The Chronicle

“Let us be good and our message will be unmistakable. Let us be bad and that’s what (the public) will focus on. Let us be great and we will win our world back!” Occupier Gerald Parker’s words brought forth applause from about a thousand protesters outside of Toronto city hall on Oct. 22.

Occupiers sprang from St. James Park where they had lived in tents for a week, and marched through the streets undisturbed by police, under the condition that streetcars would be allowed to pass freely.

At 3 p.m. a thousand voices shook up Nathan Phillips Square in front of city hall.

The people’s mike (a system of echoing the words of a speaker) was replaced with an electronic mike, and speeches were given from the back of a pick-up truck. Occupiers urged Mayor Rob Ford’s removal from office due to his track record of job cuts and cuts to social programming (including social housing).

Shelton, one of the four speakers, is a cleaner at a public retirement home. Shelton was concerned over possible privatization of the home, and the downgrade of care that a private company may impose, in the interest of increasing profits.

“This is a city that works, and we want to keep it that way…

Power to the people,” Shelton said to the crowd.

Michele Landsberg, a noted Canadian social activist and writer, apologized to the crowd for being “too old” to climb onto the truck to speak.

Landsberg fought for women’s rights in the 1960s and

Bobby Perritt

OCCUPY TORONTO: Protesters march to city hall a week after Occupy started.

‘70s. She said that she saw similarities in the Occupy movement and the women’s rights movement.

“We did not have a list of demands that (the government) could attack or ignore. And we had hundreds of different voices…but we were together in the fight against injustice, oppression and equality…You have changed the conversation!” she shouted.

Political messages and slogans were left in colourful chalk across Nathan Phillips Square as occupiers dispersed around 4:30 p.m.

Virtually no police patrolled the square, and protesters controlled traffic in the streets.

About a hundred people still

Pumpkin patch celebrates 24 years Fresh Farm marketers name Pingle’s farm the 2009 farm marketers of the year Patricia De Bres The Chronicle

The bright colours and constant laughter are the first thing you notice when you enter the gates of Pingle’s Farm in Hampton, Ont, a 10 minute drive east of Oshawa. With so many different activities Pingle’s Farm is everyone’s favourite place.

“It’s educational,” Walter Pingle said of their farm. “It offers people the experience of farm life.”

Luke Ryan has gone to the

pumpkin patch every year since he can remember. “I go every year for my pumpkin. It’s kind of a tradition,” said Ryan, 19. “I remember the boo barn scaring me when I was 6,” he said.

Pingle’s is celebrating 24 years in the cash crop industry. When his father passed on his dairy farm to Walter, he decided that he wanted to make a change. “You don’t get any breaks. You wake up every morning and have to milk the cows. Even Christmas morning,” Pingle said. Together with his wife Colleen the family

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The Chronicle

November 1 2011

Campus

The Chronicle

November 1, 2011

Lesson in mind medicine Bobby Perritt Chronicle Staff

You’re driving down the highway and suddenly realize you have no recollection of the last five kilometres you travelled. Sound familiar?

People commonly go in and out of trances or hypnotic states every day.

Other examples include daydreaming, or being so focused that you don’t notice receiving a small bruise or cut.

Hypnosis is not quite wakefulness nor is it a slumber.

Somewhere in that in-between state is where psychologists, counsellors and hypnotists facilitate a controversial but generally affective form of mental therapy.

Marcia Swaby has practised hypnosis for about 30 years and today works in Brampton, Ontario, to treat a variety of problems.

“Hypnosis is great for (breaking) habits,” Swaby said.

She said most sceptical patients have been influenced by seeing stage hypnotists who make people to do purely entertaining and unproductive things.

Movies and television shows have also shaped what people think about hypnosis.

But hypnotherapists do not make people jump out windows, or cluck like a chicken every time a phone rings, as Charlie Sheen has.

As a professional, Swaby said she never forces hypnotism upon people – her methods extend much further than hypnotism.

She would never suggest a client do anything while in a trance that she knows they would be opposed to, she said.

And it’s unlikely anyone could make them do something they wouldn’t agree to, even while they’re hypnotised. “(The) client is always in control,” assured Angela Desilets of Hypnosis Durham on King Street in Oshawa.

Desilets earned her Counselling Technique Certificate around 1999 at Durham College, and since 2008 has also been a Master Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnosis, which monitors her practise.

She uses hypnosis on people of all ages for problems including bedwetting, academic anxiety, addictions (especially smoking) and eating disorders.

Hypnotists do not induce a trance to get inside the mind, but rather to speak to the person’s subconscious mind, which is more sponge-like with a higher “state of acceptability.”

This highly influential state of mind can be convinced that a glass of milk is much more satisfying and relaxing than a drag on a cigarette. This state of mind can also explore the

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School brings AA to campus Sarah Labatt The Chronicle

Alcoholics Anonymous is a new service available at Durham College and UOIT. Alcoholics Anonymous is a group where men and women can share their experiences with alcohol and drug addictions in a safe environment and stay strong together in the fight for sobriety. It is a self-supporting group and welcomes everyone who has the desire and need of support to quit drinking.

The group meets every Monday at noon in room H166C and it is free to become a member.

For more information, contact Barb Bryan, outreach co-ordinator at (905) 721-2000 extension 2315.

Bobby Perritt

HYPNOSIS DURHAM: Master hypnotist Angela Desilets of Hypnosis Durham takes some time in her office to prepare for her first client of a busy day. Desilets is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and a Durham College graduate. brain’s hard drive to find out the root causes for anxieties or compulsions.

Anchors are also a reliable technique. A hypnotist could suggest to a patient that any time they see a plate of lasagne, they are going to experience warm, comfortable feelings instead of constantly being reminded that lasagne is the favourite food of a deceased loved one.

Desilets explained that clients under hypnosis might re-

ject suggestions that they are given, if their minds or bodies would be unable to cope with it.

For example, hypnosis would not necessarily cure an addiction to heroin if the physical dependence were so great that it overshadowed the hypnotic suggestions. It is a way of the body defending itself.

Retrieving repressed memories is a common practice in order to tackle psychological problems that may be routed to

a traumatizing event.

Swaby warned though, that while hypnosis is a method of getting at repressed memories, it should only be done with a professional, highly qualified in hypnotism and psychology.

This area of hypnotism is where matters become much more serious and carry risk for mental health.

“If (a therapist) can’t treat you without hypnosis then they won’t be able to deal with the hypnosis,” Swaby said.

Toronto flatters people of Oshawa Hillary Di Menna The Chronicle

The gardens of Oshawa have made their way to Toronto.

Oshawa’s Communities in

Hillary Di Menna Bloom garden is currently at the base of the CN Tower.

Oshawa’s 2011 entry to LOCAL GARDEN AT CN TOWER: Communities in Communities in Bloom’s Bloom from Oshawa can display our locan green thumb provincial category was at the base of the CN Tower in Toronto. transplanted to the base of the attraction. Oshawa resi- tickets. The tickets regularly people can get a maximum of dents will receive a discount sell for $34.99. With proof four tickets for $26 each. on Total Tower Experience of Oshawa residency This offer expires Dec. 31.

School hosts Food for Clothing Angie Doucett The Chronicle

The 23rd annual Food for Clothing exchange will be taking place at Village Union Public School on Nov. 5.

Donations are being accepted at Village Union Public School until Nov. 3. Donators are asked to wash items before dropping them off. Free dry cleaning is offered at five Oshawa cleaners and a volunteer will pick up donated items.

The exchange is looking for winter clothing of all types for various age groups.

“The question was how do you help people without making them feel like their taking a handout?” said co-ordinator Jim Fergusson. The fix is asking those in need of clothing to donate a non-perishable food item.

Donations in pervious years have been plentiful. “The waste doesn’t even make up one per cent,” Fergusson said. “At most we had four garbage bags.”

Those interested in volunteering can contact Jim Fergusson at 905-436-0275 or attend Village Union Public School on Nov. 4 and 5.

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Campus

Drop your pants and shake it Nicole Patton

Natasha Cohen

ANIMATION FUNDRAISER: The Animation students sell Halloween-themed treats to raise money for Animation program’s end of the year screening.

Scary treats for animation Natasha Cohen The Chronicle

The Joker from Batman holds a card in his hand with a picture of a cupcake and overtop of him are the words, “Why so serious? Have a cupcake.”

The Animation program’s poster for the Halloween bake

sale on Oct. 21 helped attract plenty of eager attention in Vendor’s Alley.

Melissa Wang, Jessica Gibbons, Vincent Bui, and Patricia Ricafort of the Animation program created the bake sale.

All of the tasty treats baked by the students were Halloweenthemed and everything sold

helped support the campus Animation program.

“All the money goes toward the end-of-the-year-screening,” said Jessica Gibbons, an Animation student. The screening is a chance for the animation students to show off their work to professionals in the industry.

The animation program

also held a Halloween Fright Night on the 26th in Room C113. The movies Zombieland and The Shining were played, and drinks, chips, and popcorn were provided to students and prizes for the best costume given. The money earned went to the Animation’s program’s end of the year screening

The Chronicle

Break out your kilts, shorts and hula skirts! It’s time for the No Pants Party!

The campus pub E.P. Taylor’s will be holding the pantless event Nov. 3 from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. and invite all students over 19 to party it up all night with fellow students and Student Association members.

“It’s kind of like the ABC (Anything But Clothes) party,” said Derek Fullerton, the SA’s vice president of Campus Life. “We got a big turnout for that.”

The No Pants Party boasts cheap drinks, glow sticks and big prizes like a Tablet. Creativity wins you prizes! So whether it’s a kilt or even a paper bag, make it imaginative. Music includes old school songs as well as the current Top 40 and female students get to bypass the line before 11 p.m.

Check out the No Pants Party Facebook event page and drop by on the night of to start November off right!

Job search helped by volunteering Students encouraged to volunteer Tara Oades The Chronicle

Imagine this. It’s your first interview since graduation, your hands are sweaty, and your temperature seems to be rising. After a little while you are called into an office to begin an interview with the person you hope will be your future boss. That’s when you’re asked: “What sets you apart from the other candidates?” You stumble to find an answer.

Because students don’t have much experience in their field of study employers look for volunteer experience and campus involvement.

Campus services at both Durham College and UOIT have many volunteer opportunities open to students who want to spruce up their resumes, and get ahead of the competition.

“Every job interview I go to they always ask for volunteer experience,” said Ryan Farrugia, a 2011 mechanical engi-

neering graduate from UOIT who is looking for a job. “I volunteered at various places throughout school and I still don’t feel like it was enough.”

No matter what other commitments students have, there are volunteer opportunities available that can be tailored to fit any personal preferences and schedule.

There are events in October and November for students who are looking to volunteer for a day or long-term.

The Campus Food Centre is looking for volunteers to help with the Trick or Eat Event on Oct. 31, a food drive to raise money and collect food for the campus and local food banks. On Nov. 12, Relay for Life will be holding an overnight event at the Campus Health and Wellness Centre to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and will be recruiting volunteers to help plan and participate. Students interested in volunteering can contact Kathryn Macdonald at kathryn.a.macdonald@gmail. com as soon as possible.

“It’s great,” said Julie Ursini, a Durham College Relay for Life volunteer. “You meet people, make friends and the school will record everything.”

When students participate in campus events, they can request for that activity to be

added to their co-curricular recognition record, a program introduced to Durham College in 2007.

“At the time there were no colleges in Ontario offering it, and we were seeing a trend where employers and students who are furthering their studies were starting to really value the co-curricular recognition program,” said Melissa Bosomworth, an experience co-ordinator at Career Services. “It really shows what a student does on campus in addition to all of their studies.”

The co-curricular recognition program provides an official transcript that students can access through their MyCampus accounts. The transcript shows what events the student participated in, for how long, and the learning outcomes, which when paired with their academic transcript, can be impressive to future employers, explained Bosomworth.

Those students who don’t think they have the time to volunteer can visit Bosomworth at the Student Services Building to find a volunteering position that fits their schedule. This allows students to add to their co-curricular record, and still keep up with their studies and go to work.

“For each activity students can list the learning outcomes

that they achieved while participating in an event, which could become a conversation piece when a student is sitting in an interview,” said Bosomworth.

“We are hearing from students who used it, and Career Services has reported back that employers are really impressed by the co-curricular recognition program, and that they have in fact told students that it has given them an advantage over other candidates for positions.”

The full list of volunteer positions recognized by the cocurricular program is on their website at www.cocurricular. mycampus.ca/durhamcollege/ home. However, if a volunteer position isn’t listed, a student can make an appointment with Bosomworth, and request that a position be added.

“As long as the position is on campus, and meets the program requirements there shouldn’t be a problem,” said Bosomworth.

Students who want to get involved in campus events can become a part of the DC leadership program.

“These are the students that are responsible for running campus tours, they help out at the Open House, student appreciation events, varsity events and during orientation week,” said Krista Watson, a student development co-or-

dinator at Durham. “They are the students you see in the Tshirts that say ‘ask me’ on the front. It’s just one more way to become involved on campus.

We have recruitment sessions in September and one in January.”

Students interested in becoming involved with the DC leadership program can make an appointment with Watson through Career Services located in the Student Services Building.

Long-term volunteer opportunities are available around campus depending on students’ personal preferences.

The Campus Food Centre, Women’s Centre, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) Centre and the Sexual Health Resource Centre are all accepting volunteers.

Students just have to email or visit the centre they want to volunteer at to find out any procedures or training days.

Students can make friends, have fun and learn important leadership skills that could improve their chances in landing a dream job.

When employers look through a pile of resumes and pick out the most promising candidates for an interview, make yours stand out with volunteer experience.

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November 1, 2011

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Durham Region’s burning up

Incinerator opponents plan to launch lawsuit

Larissa Frankevych The Chronicle

The battle against a controversial incinerator in Clarington was thought to have been lost because construction has been approved to start.

That is, until recently, when a possible loophole was discovered by environmental activist group, DurhamCLEAR. The group is suing the Municipality of Clarington, Durham Region and Covanta, the corporation building the incinerator, because of a zoning bylaw.

DurhamCLEAR issues a press release that says the bylaw “excludes a recycling facility, material sorting or dismantling, a waste management or processing facility, or a waste incineration facility.”

The group claims this means that the property where the incinerator is being built does not allow the land itself to be used for that purpose.

“In theory the region can keep building until they are court-ordered not to, but it will cost more time and money for them to apply to rezone the

property,” said Doug Anderson, the president of DurhamCLEAR, which was formed a year ago.

“The political process wasn’t going to work, so we took legal action,” he said.

DurhamCLEAR needs to raise $15,000 to help cover the court and lawyer expenses.

“The majority of the donations have been from private residents in the Durham Region and a few outside, but we need help to raise the amount,” said Anderson.

One of the main reasons driving DurhamCLEAR to try to stop the incinerator is because of what they see as health risks.

Incinerators produce toxic emissions into the air, such as dioxins, heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic and other toxic furans.

These toxins are made of smaller particles, known as nanoparticles that travel long distances and can be inhaled.

Once inhaled, the nanoparticles get into the bloodstream and lungs.

This leads to higher risks of birth defects, cancer, heart and respiratory diseases.

There are no mandatory laws in Durham or Ontario that require testing for dioxins in the local produce.

Dioxins affect land, water and produce, which can become a danger for those who ingest the contaminated produce and water supply.

There will be no studies done to monitor the effects that the dioxins and other chemicals will have on humans.

These are all facts about the incinerator from the advocacy group DurhamWatch Dog’s

site. schools and hospitals. Why “Clarington has the worst air don’t we require Tim Hortons quality already, and the coun- to recycle their paper cups by cillors and consultants have law?”

The mayor of Clarington, ignored that,” said Anderson.

Adrian Foster, doesn’t like the Louis Bertrand, president of idea of the incinerator either. the Durham Green Party of On“I’m not thrilled with antario constituency association for the past five years, supports other smokestack on our wathe legal action DurhamCLEAR terfronts. Both the region and is taking. the province took steps to make “The incinerator is not a sure it was coming.” solution,” he The region alsaid. There is a ready owned the huge amount of “In theory the re- property where is money involved, the incinerator is close to $300 gion can keep building being built, and million. “It’s not until they are court- Bertrand and Fosa gravy train, it’s ordered not to, but it ter agree the locaa gravy tanker.” will cost more time tion was biased.

Bertrand said “Courtice is Durham Re- and money for them mostly commutgion has a good to apply to rezone the ers and young recycling pro- property,” families, these gram that dipeople just don’t verts waste from have the time to landfills. “I don’t Doug Anderson look into politics and deal with see the point in building this incinerator. It’s municipal councils,” said Bernot needed.” He said this in- trand.

“It’s a very apathetic comcinerator would slow down improve elements in Durham’s munity in terms of politics.”

Courtice resident Sandra recycling programs.

“You can improve recycling Stelmachovich is not too happy rates by accepting more mate- either. rials, expanding the programs “We weren’t heard, and for different types of plastic like many residents are angry about styrofoam.” having an incinerator being The incinerator needs ma- built in our back yard.” terials like plastics to keep it Mayor Foster says the incinburning, and there needs to be erator is coming, and residents a reduction in recycling plastic need to move forward with the so there is enough for the incin- region’s decision. erator to burn.

“We need to deal with other Recycling programs now important matters that were become a form of competition. pushed back because of the is“Sixty per cent of materials sues with the incinerator.” don’t come from households, Just because Mayor Foster and households are required to is moving into the future, it doesn’t mean he’s not aware of recycle,” he says.

“Garbage mainly comes residents’ concerns.

“There is a fear of the unfrom businesses, corporations,

‘

’

known,” he said.

“We won’t know the full effects of the incinerator for ten years, and know what we should have been monitoring.

It’s one more burden on the airsheds.”

An incinerator also produces smog, which contains carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and other combustion-related pollutants.

These pollutants will allow the incinerator to have the biggest impact on our air, according the consultants hired by the region.

“We had another option, a modern landfill, but when there was talk of a landfill the last regional chair had to wear a bulletproof vest,” said Foster.

A modern landfill would have been Foster’s preference.

Durham and York Region are currently shipping garbage to a New York State said Foster.

“They could do what Michigan did and shut their doors to our garbage,” said Foster.

“The problem with landfills is that there needs to be a place to put the garbage if that happens.”

Bertrand predicts that future generations will have to mine landfills for materials.

Anderson said Ontario needs to aim for a zero-waste future, and there are many steps our communities can take to get there, but he believes it is possible. How? Recycling is his answer to a zero-waste future.

“Time is on our side, and there is a growing acceptance.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario just started to put out advertisements called Trash Talk, to stress the importance of recycling,” said Anderson.

Food safety facts from Health Canada Larissa Frankevych The Chronicle

Health Canada is concerned that Canadians who bottle and can their own produce may not be doing it safely or prop-

erly.

Failure to properly preserve food can result in serious illness. They say that to reduce the risk of contamination, people should reduce the consumption of canned and bottled food.

The first step is properly sanitized counters, utensils and equipment that will be used in bottling foods.

Be sure to use a pressure canner to get rid of bacteria like clostridium botulinum found in seafood, meats, veg-

etables and sauces.

A pressure canner is used for low-acid foods that have a higher risk of developing bacteria. Food that contains high acid levels, like fruit, pickles, and jams, can’t grow clostridium botulinum, and can be

used in a boiling water canner.

The lid of any canned or bottled food should always sealed tightly, concave to avoid any leakage. Cans and bottles should always be date, and used with the year of being bottled.

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Ashley Anthony

CSSDP BAKE SALE: Students raise money for the local John Howard Society. From left: Alyssa Cooper, Michael May, Bree MacMillan, Jessi Murray, Laura Menzies, Peter David

CSSDP bake sale for John Howard Society Ashley Anthony Chronicle Staff

Vendors Alley held Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s Halloween bake sale last Wednesday, Oct. 26.

CSSDP was raising money for the John Howard Society. Their display had information on the mission of the CSSDP and a quiz on sensible drug use and policies.

“Over half the people don’t even know that you can go to jail for possession of cannabis,” said Jessi Mur-

ray, CSSDP director. “No one ever knows that adding alcohol to cocaine use can increase your chance of overdosing by 80 per cent.”

Some of the members of the CSSDP were out at the bake sale dressed up in their Halloween costumes, promoting safe drug use.

LANwar Bingo night at tickets on E.P. Taylor’s Pub Nicole Patton The Chronicle

Get ready to fill out those cards and shout out bingo!

The repeatedly requested Eddie Presents: Dirty Bingo night has finally arrived on campus.

E.P. Taylor’s pub hosts the sure-to-be-interesting night on Nov. 9 starting at 9 p.m. and ending at midnight.

“Its kind of risqué,” said Derek Fullerton, the Student Association’s vice-president

of Campus Life. “Students would be kind of curious about it.”

And there is a lot to be curious about. Prizes for bingo winners include sex toys, 80’s romance movies, La Senza and Victoria’s Secret gift certificates and more.

More information for the Eddie Presents: Dirty Bingo night can be found on the Facebook event page. So don’t be afraid to let loose on Nov. 9 and play a little bingo with a twist!

Health issues discussed at health and healing sale for $5 conference next week Brandan Loney

Natasha Cohen

Durham College and UOIT gamers will gather in UB2080 for LANwar 2011 from Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 p.m. to Sunday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Tuck Shop for $5 or $10 at the doors. While gaming, attendees will be able to buy snacks or energy drinks to support Let’s Can Hunger, and all donations will be sent to the Simcoe Hall Settlement House.

Students interested in health should stop by for the Health and Healing Conference on Nov. 10 from 11 to 1:30 p.m at the athletic dining room in room G213.

Light refreshments will be provided and students coming are encouraged to bring spare change to support Movember and prostate cancer

Chronicle Staff

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awareness.

Movember takes place every November and each year men grow their mustache in Canada and around the world, starting on Nov. 1.

These men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically for prostate cancer. Students should attend who are interested in discussing health issues and what can be done about them.

Is your profile stopping you from getting a job?

Natasha Cohen The Chronicle

Social media websites like Twitter and Facebook are a lot of fun to use, but students have to be careful – potential employers sometimes check out the person applying on Facebook, and if the person in question has a lot of negative content up on these websites – cursing, swearing, trash-talk and bad photos of themselves – that might make a potential employer decide whether or not they’ll hire that person.

Students in the Sports management program set up a small workshop for students to teach them to learn how

to use social media effectively. The workshop covered topics such as the improper use of social media and the proper way to have a professional Facebook and twitter page.

“Profiles are really an extension of who you are, so you want to put your best foot forward,” said Sean Michael, one of the students in charge of the workshop.

“For instance, most companies you work for, especially for the sporting industry, they will check your Facebook profile before you go into an interview.

They’ll find everything.”

Having a clean, professional-looking social media profile will give a good impression. But this doesn’t mean those

conscious of what employers may see when checking their Facebook should lose their individuality. Common sense when posting on these websites is all that’s needed.

Twitter can be used to follow public figures, and students can post their thoughts and comments on certain issues. It’s a chance to get involved in promotions from companies. But students also need to be careful whom they follow and the posts they make.

Rude language or posts in unreadable chat speak aren’t likely to impress.

The workshop also talked about the site LinkedIn. “LinkedIn is probably the best social networking site for your

career,” said Michael. “Facebook links you to friends but LinkedIn links you to opportunities.”

On the website, students can connect with professionals in the industry, get job offers, apply, join and participate in group discussions. Users can follow any newspaper on the website to keep up to date with the news. LinkedIn is primarily used to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities.

Students considering what employers may see if they went onto their Facebook and Twitter right this instant need to go and re-evaluate the things they post online – or consider putting on those privacy settings!

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LGBTQ Centre is making connections Sarah Hyatt The Chronicle

Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation may be increasing across Canada, but at Durham College things are looking up!

The LGBTQ Centre is helping students.

“There have been multiple reports of differential treatment on campus, but my perception is things are improving at an evolutionary rate,” said Barb Bryan, Co-ordinator of Outreach Services at Durham College.

The LGBTQ Centre was established in 2009.

The centre’s predecessor was Pride Club, which began about eight years ago. The club allowed LGBTQ persons to meet, discuss issues and make new friends.

“For myself and other students it would be kind of hard to go to events,” said Bryan, who at that time was a student.

“It was hard to put yourself out there with a whole group of people sitting there, that you really had no idea who they were. Although it was great, and helped a lot of people, there was a recognized need that we needed more than just that. There was still a lot of homophobia on campus. And we knew students were struggling with their sexuality, and running a club wasn’t necessarily meeting all the needs.”

In November 2008, a gay couple was attacked outside their child’s school in Oshawa.

Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou were both physically beaten by a man who was angry because they were lesbians, and had talked to his son.

Currie and Dimitriou’s son, along with several other children getting out from school that day, witnessed the attack.

“It was not charged as a hate crime,” said Bryan. “Before it went to court, there was a big rally in downtown Oshawa. A bunch of people gathered, and said we want this to be recognized for exactly what it is, a hate crime.”

And, that’s where she and Anthony Boland, former Student Association president and VP for Campus Life, met up, and began to discuss options in regards to creating something more for LGBTQ students.

“We needed something that could respond to something like this,” said Bryan.

“We needed education and an increased awareness, so that people understood this is not acceptable. This easily could have been our students.”

LGBTQ persons are commonly discriminated against,

November 1, 2011

LGBTQ: the facts

Conversation Café offers doorway into a new culture

• Canadian police services reported a 42 per cent increase in hate crimes in 2009, following a 35 per cent increase from 2008.

Amy Valm

• Violent offences such as assault accounted for about four in 10 hate crimes reported by police.

A group of students are seated at a table having coffee. They depict a cultural rainbow with one common denominator- they’re all trying to immerse themselves in a new environment.

Immersion can be defined as diving head first into something.

A new environment with different cultures and languages can sometimes feel overwhelming.

The Academic Success Centre at UOIT offers a way to help International and bilingual students to build their speaking and social skills through Conversation Café.

“Initially, I started up Conversation Café thinking that this would be a good channel for students to practise their listening and speaking skills while they relax over a cup of coffee or tea,” said Catherine Lee, ESL writing specialist with the Academic Success Centre. “Also in the back of my mind it would offer a social support to them in the sense that it would help them to build up a network of people.”

The group is available for UOIT students every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the Academic Success Centre located in U6.

Free coffee, tea, and cookies are provided and all UOIT students are welcome.

Lee also encourages students who speak English as a first language to come, saying that often, international students mention they don’t

• 40 per cent of victims of a hate crime found it difficult or impossible to continue on with regular daily activities after being attacked.

Source: Statistics Canada

and victims of hate crimes because of their sexuality.

Throughout history, they’ve been treated as if they were mentally ill, subjected to electroshock treatments early on, been prohibited from same-sex marriages and practices.

Until recently, LGBTQ persons were unable to participate openly in the Armed Forces.

Since 2006 hate crimes have drastically increased. Canadian police services reported a 42 per cent increase in 2009, according to Statistics Canada. Racial and religious hate crimes accounted for a large portion of incidents. However, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation followed closely behind, and were more likely to be violent in comparison. More than half of hate crimes committed against LGBTQ persons are violent.

The aftermath of being attacked leaves people not only physically hurt, but with psychological long-term effects too. Victims are also often left fearful. Nearly 40 per cent of victims found it difficult or were unable to carry on with life and daily responsibilities after being attacked, according to Statistics Canada.

But at Durham College, the LGBTQ Centre can provide students with services and resources that can help.

Offering a drop-in space, peer support, crisis intervention, and referrals to help LGBTQ persons, the centre serves as a safe haven.

“You can make that connection here,” said Bryan. “We don’t wear labels, so often we can’t find each other. And with all the homophobia that exists, it’s hard to walk up to someone and be like, ‘hey, I think you’re gay. I’m gay, so can we be friends’?”

The centre prides itself on offering people a safe and comfortable place for students to meet new friends, build relationships, learn, and get the individual help they require.

“It’s so they can feel a part of something too,” said Bryan.

“Sometimes it’s about just not feeling alone, having that support or a friend…it’s so much easier when you have a community.”

There is also a resource bank available. Students can check out magazines, journals, brochures and books, which may be educational or of relative interest, for up to two weeks.

The centre also focuses largely on increasing awareness through hosting educational events. And, it’s events like this that are improving things. With an increased awareness comes an increased respect and understanding said Bryan.

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have many opportunities to speak to Canadian-born students.

It is also a good way to be introduced to other cultures, meet new people and broaden your horizons.

“It’s a great way to expand your mindset and have an extended education experience by meeting people from different cultures,” said Lee, who worked in an Indonesian university for eight years. “There are many different ways to approach experiences and many different ways to see the same situation.”

About 18 members attend. Each week is different.

Sometimes everyone will sit in one big group, sometimes in smaller, more intimate groups.

Some students will sit and listen until they are ready to get more involved.

Lee said that although it can be difficult when you’re on your own to take that initial step of coming out to something new, students will be made to feel welcome right away, adding that Conversation Café is a safe and secure area to try out your speaking skills.

When students stop attending it shows success. It means that their language skills and their social network are strong enough that they can have a happy social and academic life.

“This is a relaxed drop-in basis,” said Lee. “Come get to know us a little bit better and get to know other students a little bit better too. It has a slightly more relaxed informal flavour to it.”

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Celebrate diversity

More reason to love your bike

The Chronicle

It’s a disaster! You’re getting ready to leave school on your bike when you realize you have a flat tire. The bike is useless now…or is it? The Durham College and UOIT Bike Depot can answer that question.

This service was started last year as part of the Student Association and has been helping students realize how efficient cycling is as an alternative. “We

Emily Wood

Diversity on campus comes in many forms, the various aspects of individuals endless. But defining diversity can sometimes be as difficult as accepting it.

The First Generation diversity sessions can help students understand all aspects of diversity. The small group was arranged in a round-table setting, creating a welcoming and intimate environment for open discussion.

Last Wednesday, the first of two diversity training sessions was held in the Student Services building. Students were invited to attend a free lunch and discussion that ran from noon to 1:30 p.m. Certificates will be awarded to students after completing this two-part training.

The session was hosted

by Allison Hector-Alexander, diversity officer for Durham College and UOIT. Although most in attendance were not visibly diverse, she insisted that all differences in values, backgrounds and cultures create diversity.

Along with sharing personal experiences, students were able to examine case studies involving scenarios that have occurred on campus, and discuss possible solutions to each.

Discussion questions were also distributed to students, who were asked to pair up for one-on-one discussion before their thoughts were shared with the group. This allowed for everyone to participate to some extent and share personal experiences with others.

What Hector-Alexander emphasized throughout the meeting was the importance of raising selfawareness in terms of personal reactions to stereotypes. She also explored the roots of some biases that typically become problems, many of which stem from the way people are raised.

Students were also told to look beyond visible diversity and consider the backgrounds of all individuals when they find themselves being judgmental.

The second part of the training will consist of discussing the First Generation R.E.S.P.E.C.T campaign. It will be held on Monday, Nov. 14 in SSB 113A. For more information about First Generation, visit the Durham College website.

Nicole Patton The Chronicle

UOIT holding a presidential ceremony Kim Moreau The Chronicle

The time has finally come to welcome a new president.

Deliberations for the third president of UOIT started early last fall, concluding when Dr. Tim McTiernan, a senior administrator at the University of Toronto, was appointed to replace President Ronald Bordessa.

Although Dr. McTiernan, a 25-year veteran of educational leadership and administrative positions, started his term on July 1, an official ceremony will be held Nov. 14 to celebrate his becoming the third president and vice-chancellor of UOIT. The formal ceremony will take place in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasium from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and is opened to members of the university, college, and rest of the community.

want to help people use bikes instead of cars or buses,” said Tamour Zubair, the director of the SA Bike Depot. “Pollution is the main issue. Oshawa should be a better place.”

Zubair, an Electrical Engineering student at UOIT, was a volunteer himself last year when the service was opened.

“It was quite popular last year,” said Zubair. “This year, not really. But fixing tires is our most popular service.”

However fixing tires is not

the only service the Bike Depot offers. Students are free to use all the depot’s tools. They also have access to discounted new bike parts and direct contact to bike part suppliers. The depot can also point students to bike resources in the area such as biking clubs, trails and independent retailers. There are even free bike repair workshops for those wishing to learn more.

But the Bike Depot is in need of the students help. “We’re

looking for volunteers,” said Zubair. “Anyone can come in.

We can teach them how to fix the bikes.” Anyone interested in getting their hands dirty and helping out their campus should contact the Bike Depot.

So if you are looking for some good volunteer work, fellow bike lovers or you just need some help fixing your bike, stop by the Bike Depot office at UL8 (SA Clubs and Services Portable) behind the library or check out the SA’s website.

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Your valued education for a valuable prize FirstGen Angie Doucett The Chronicle

University students who value their education have a chance to win a Blackberry Playbook from the Council of

Ontario Universities.

University students across Ontario enrolled in the 20112012 academic year are invited to participate in the I Value My Education video contest for a chance to win.

Entrants are asked to sub-

mit a 30- to 60-second video on the value of their education.

The video must be educationappropriate with a size of no larger than 500 megabytes.

The winner of the contest will be decided by a voting system and students are en-

couraged to share their videos on social networks to increase their chances of winning.

The deadline for the contest has already passed on Oct. 21.

Voting ends on Nov. 4 so get your votes in at www.myeducationhasvalue.strutta.com.

career advice

Tracey Fidler The Chronicle

Need career advice?

Two information sessions will be held for first generation students, one at the Oshawa campus on Nov. 7 in room SSB113A, and the other at the Whitby campus on Nov. 14 room 123. Both sessions will run from noon to 1:30 p.m., with a free lunch provided.

First generation students are those whose parents did not attend college or university. Students will have a chance to learn about Career Services.

They will also learn how to build a resume, job hunting and interview tips and information about upcoming events, and will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session. “[These sessions will] help students with career exploration and understanding the factors that go into a career and how Career Services can help them as a student and after graduation,” says Career Service’s Anna Degrauwe.

There will be a demonstration of the Hired Portal, an online tool available through the main Durham College website.

This portal provides career resources. Students can also use the portal to book meetings with career advisers, who can assist with job searches, career planning, resumes and interviewing skills.

First Generation student co-ordinator Lucy Romao Vandepol will be hosting, and encourages FG students to attend.

“They will help students get connected to campus services, and help them learn more about what’s available to them,” she says.

Email firstgeneration@ durhamcollge.ca for reservations.

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Costumes, candies and prizes Creative costumes and Winners lots of booze at Shagwells

Lori Marks

Sarah Hyatt

GETTING JIGGY WITH IT: Shagwells Halloween bash was a success, as Dee Conway, Carly Kariunas, and Annina Normantino dance the night away.

The Chronicle ‘From the window to the wall ,’ the club was jumping at Shagwells On The Ridge Thursday night for a Halloween celebration.

Despite freezing cold temperatures people weren’t afraid to show a little skin to pull off a great costume.

It wasn’t long before the drinks were flowing, and the dance floor was filled with partygoers imitating the monster mash.

From Lady Gaga to Budget Bott (LMFAO’s make belief little bro), Shagwells was filled with monsters, characters, and costumes of all kinds. But only three walked away with prizes for best costumes of the night!

Firefighter duo, Brittany Watson, a Criminology student from UOIT, and Cayleigh Noel, a Nursing student at Trent, took home the top prizes for best costume.

“I was really surprised, and happy I won,” said Noel.

Prizes included gift certificates, tanning supplies and clothing, compliments of Shagwells.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Noel. Second place went to Police Officer Angela Closs, who

also took home gift certificates, and a Corona duffle bag.

“I honestly didn’t think I was going to win anything,” said Closs.

Gavin Clark and Joe Brennan, a Smurf Duo, walked away with third place, taking costume creativity to another level with their bodies doused in blue paint.

“We painted each other… well our backs because we couldn’t reach,” joking around.

By the time prizes were given out, a lot of big contenders had unfortunately already left, said Derek Smith, owner at Shagwells.

But songs like Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and Jump On It, more widely known as the Carlton song and dance, still got the remaining party animals amped up, and hitting the dance floor hard until the end.

Allowing students a worry free night out and the opportunity to play dress-up, Halloween’s a favourite time of year for students.

“I love the idea of pretending to be something or someone you aren’t for a night,” said Amanda Lasecki, a guest at Shagwells for the night, and former student at Durham College.

Cayleigh Noel and Brittany Watson

Angela Closs

Gavin Clark and Joe Brennan

Halloween at E.P. Taylor’s Chealse Howell The Chronicle

Instead of battle of the bands it was battle of the costumes for Durham and UOIT students who attended the Halloween Jam at E.P. Taylor’s on Thursday night.

From line-ups outside the door to people bumping and grinding on the dance floor, E.P. Taylor’s was more than crowded with students jamming in their Halloween costumes.

Stephanie Wels, Dental Reception student at Durham, dressed as a cop, was found dancing up a storm. Wels attends pub night regularly, but admits Halloween is her favourite night.

“My favourite part of the night is trying to guess who is

who,” said Wels.

Prizes given throughout the night included a trip for two to Montréal, and a $200 cash prize. From Cat in the Hat to Obama, students made their mark on the stage. Cheering for favourite costume, the crowd decided the winner of the night would be the Party Rock Robot.

Claiming his cash prize of $200 Brendan Costello of Durham College was shocked he won. Costello, fully done up in his Party Rock Robot attire, had a smile from ear to ear after winning the grand prize.

“I had no intention of winning tonight, I just came out to have a good time and I ended up leaving with $200, it was a bonus,” said Costello.

E.P. Taylor’s Halloween bash had students dancing until the very end.

Chealse Howell

PARTY ROCK ROBOT WINS BIG: Winner of the grand prize of $200 went to Party Rock Robot, Durham College, Nuclear Engineering student Brendan Costello.

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An expert on all things ghostly Amanda Darrock

The Chronicle As summer changes to fall, neighbourhoods are full of pumpkins, witches and children masquerading as their favourite fairytale characters or ghosts. For Cameron Bagg, ghosts are an all-year sight.

Bagg is a paranormal investigator who has helped people all over Durham Region and Ontario rid their homes of spirits or helped them to understand why and who the ghost is in their lives.

Wearing a toonie-sized white ghost on the left sleeve of his jacket, with the logo of his show The Haunt Club on his ball cap, he tends to spark conversations of ghosts, spirits and anything else to do with paranormal presences.

Through conversation, he learns of more and more spots that are affected by presences most people only imagine in a Hollywood production. From a man who has seen more of the paranormal than the movies can ever display, he appears Inconvenient Ghost: Cameron Bagg hosts the show amazingly calm and friendly.

Hauntline, where he discusses the paranormal world Bagg was inspired to take this paranormal path by his own first encounter with a tered 0there was no one there.

He finally realized there was spirit.In 1988 he was a typical Thinking these sounds and a spirit in his house one day husband working on starting a moving objects were either when his niece heard a womfamily and paying the bills as paranoia or a case of former an call his name, “Cam.” Bagg an employment counsellor. tenants still holding the apart- himself had heard the same For two years after moving ment keys, Bagg started his voice speak his name only days into an apartment in Toron- own mini-investigation, wait- earlier. to, he noticed strange occur- ing and watching for the next Careful research into the rances. Objects would move noise to catch someone in his former tenants revealed that when no one was in the room, home and reassure himself an older couple had been livnoises could be heard in other that it was not a trick of the ing there, and the woman had rooms yet by the time Bagg en- mind. a stroke in the kitchen and

died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Between the haunting, and other situations in life, Bagg moved out of his apartment shortly after learning of the haunting in 1988. Though his body left the ghosts his mind never did.

He went to numerous second-hand bookstores and bought every book on the paranormal that he could find.

He started off going into old bars and simply asking the employees if they had had any weird experiences. This question alone sparked story after story of first-hand experiences that people had. Through his investigation, he not only has learned more about the paranormal but himself as a person. “Your mind will play tricks on you, when you are investigating in a dark basement, but you have to push through it. I am fearless now,” said Bagg. “It’s not only exploring the paranormal, but exploring yourself.”

Through meditation and self-exploration, Bagg has conquered all his fears and become more open to any and all experiences, he said.

In investigating a haunting Bagg speaks with people and finds out the background, carefully researches the site of the haunting and then counsels the people who have been affected “Some people want the spirit to leave,” said Bagg.”

Others like the spirit, and once they learn that maybe it’s a re-

cently passed family member or a former owner of the bar or building and not harming them, they tend to understand more and are accepting,” If the spirit has been affecting a family or residents of a particular building, Bagg and his team have a strict order of business, which they follow in order to rid a family of their haunting. After the initial investigation, they do a consultation, which discloses the research to the human tenants.

From this point the person who initially contacted Bagg is given a week to decide if they want to have their house “cleared”, a technique which rids the residence of unwanted spirits. Many people choose the clearing option and when the team finishes up the client is beyond relieved.

Bagg and his team of energy workers, who sense energies and emotions given off by the spirits, search not only for ghosts, but also nature spirits, angels, shadow figures, and orbs. He is often taken into places such as cemeteries, homes, restaurants, old buildings, and hospitals on these investigations.All of Bagg’s investigations are free and done out of pure interest. “The fact of knowing that I have helped people affected by the paranormal is payment enough for me.”

With his local show Hauntline, his website/blog, The Haunt Club, and nearly 1,000 investigations over the past 24 years, his life is not boring.

Michigan Left Downtown Oshawa haunts the community Meghan Wels The Chronicle

Angie Doucett The Chronicle

People don’t have to go far to find ghost stories. Many are in our own backyard.

The Oshawa community museum hosted their first nighttime Halloween haunt for children and adults.

The haunt began in Henry, Robinson and Guy house at Lakeview Park, each with its own ghoulish addition to the festivities.

Lisa Lechen, acting visitor experience co-ordinator, was delighted about the turnout.

“Not everybody makes the connection between the houses and the museum,” said Lechen. “It’s Oshawa’s bestkept secret,” Visitors were invited to tour the Harbour Pioneer

Cemetery near Lakeview Park that serves as the final resting place for descendants of Henry, Guy and Robinson house, along with Oshawa’s first settler, Benjamin Wilson.

Archivist Jennifer Weymark led the walk, sharing who was buried and answering questions from the crowd.

“Originally the gravesite was east of the harbour, because of the city’s rapid expansion, in 1975 the bodies were exhumed and moved,” Weymark said. “Unfortunately Benjamin Wilson’s headstone disappeared and has not been found.”

Weymark also shared a story about a ship travelling to York, now Toronto, in 1849 that had an outbreak of cholera.

Many of the passengers

died and were buried in Oshawa.

Paranormal investigator and psychic Zsuzsana Summer of Spirit Matters was on hand to speak and seek out spirit activity.

Summer said the spiritual presence at the cemetery was calm after being relocated.

“They’re just like anybody else: you don’t always run into hostile people, and most people shy away from large crowds and cameras if they’re right in your face.”

Other festivities included making traditional and modern crafts, including Victorian seed wreaths and modern ghost puppets, a ‘goo, guts and gore’ touch station, fortune telling, face painting and interaction with reptiles from D&D Exotics.

Hamilton’s rising stars, the Arkells, give their fans an incredible winter soundtrack to dance to with the release of their new album, Michigan Left, on Oct. 18.

The album doesn’t contain a single bad song. The 10 catchy tunes give this album a much more upbeat feel than the band’s first album, Jackson Square. From Book Club to Agent Zero, each track will have you in a nonstop sing along.

Arkells lead singer, Max Kerman, talked a little bit about the new album when the band stopped by for this year’s Campus Fest. “It still sounds like us, but sonically it has a different feel to it,” he said.

Although Kerman’s signature vocals give it the classic Arkells feel, the use of more synth and fast beats give the

album a “get up and dance” quality that fans will love.

“We always want to try and write good songs,” said Kerman. “We’re interested in songs with melodies, chorus’, lyrics, and stories that we find interesting.”

The album started its success before it was even released with the first single, Whistleblower, which has become a huge hit on the radio. Other signature tracks, Kiss Cam and Michigan Left, have been growing in popularity as they roamed the Internet before the album release. Each song digs into the boys’ experiences with life and relationships, which makes the album feel more personal and allows fans to relate.

The boys will be heading out on their Canadian tour this November to promote the album. The tour kicks off Nov. 2 in North Bay and finishes off with a bang in Toronto on Dec. 3.

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Robots Steel the screen Matt McPhee The Chronicle

In the not too distant future, where robots are the popular form of sports entertainment, these Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots are definitely a step up from the unfortunate Hasbro disaster known as Michael Bay’s Transformers.

The use of animatronics tied in with CGI makes Real Steel a little more believable, as well as giving the acting talent more authenticity acting with tangible objects instead of the awkwardness of sharing lines with nothing while surrounded by a green screen.

Welcome to the world of scrap metal.

In Real Steel, ex-boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) spends his days travelling the country promoting his remotecontrolled robot Ambush.

As Kenton says, “Human

boxing has faded because the money moved on and the people wanted more carnage, more show - what the people wanted was true no-holds-bar real violence.”

He wages money he doesn’t have, in underground robot boxing competitions where participants have the opportunity to walk away with thousands of dollars without laying a penny down.

The promoter is so in debt to loan sharks and bookies that he loses track of who is on the other line of the telephone when he was confronted by debt collectors.

He is also so desperate for cash he attempts to charge a preadolescent girl money for a photograph with Ambush.

Before the first fight sequence, Kenton pits Ambush against a 2,000 lb. bull owned by his old boxing rival Ricky (Thunder Bay’s Kevin Durand).

One would think the redneck patrons would protest the exhibition of animal cruelty, yet the backwoods bumpkins praise and cheer the brutality.

The bull eventually destroys ambush and before he leaves the rodeo, Kenton learns of his ex-girlfriend’s death.

He then gains temporary custody of his estranged 11-year-old son Max (Torontonian Dakota Goyo) until Max’s aunt Debra (Hope Davis) returns from a two-month trip to Greece with her older, wealthy husband Marvin (James Rebhorn).

Kenton holds the illusion of entering the World Robot Boxing championship with his newest bot, but not before entering it in the robot underworld, where there are no rules, to make some fast cash and another one bites the dust.

Scavenging through a robot junkyard with his son, Kenton

is intent on finding parts to refurbish one of his dismembered robots.

Thanks to a close encounter with death, Max stumbles upon an old G2 sparring bot circa 2014.

Max claims the bot, he calls Atom, as his friend and saviour (although the bot was dormant during the intervention) and forges a bond all too reminiscent of the relationship between a little boy and his extraterrestrial friend in the film’s Executive Producer Steven Spielberg’s once highest grossing film E.T. With dreams of winning the World Robot Boxing Championship, Max talks his father into training the shadowbot and the ass-kicking montage ensues.

All the clichés follow as well, including a Michael “Let’s get ready to rumble!” Buffer sound–a-like.

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Great Garage Challenge Angie Doucett The Chronicle

Lakeview Park became a drop-site for Oshawa’s unused clothing, appliances and furniture.

The Mayor’s Great Garage Challenge started with John Henry’s own challenge to clean up his own garage for the coming winter season. “We need to change the mindset and most people need a little bit of a challenge to get things done,” Henry said.

“Just because you’re done with something doesn’t mean that someone else is done with it. To some people what you’re throwing out may be an amazing piece for them.”

An elegant evening for Durham Region Angie Doucett The Chronicle

What began as a budgeting proposal to support the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra bloomed into an evening of elegance for Durham Region.

Oshawa’s first annual Mayor’s Gala entertained guests at Tosca banquet hall on Sept. 18 in support of the orchestra, which

has had its roots in Oshawa since 1957.

The gala, which was themed Music on the Champs Elysees, offered fine dining with locally grown produce, a silent auction and world-class performances by musicians of the orchestra and the Durham Youth Orchestra. “It benefits all of Durham – the arts are a key component to making cities successful,” Mayor John Henry said. “We have unbelievable acoustics in the Regent Theatre and a great venue for concerts at the GM Centre.

We draw people from all over Durham and outside of Durham.”The event also featured a variety of local musicians and special guest Canadian Michael Burgess, famous for his role of Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.

Although totals are still being calculated, the gala raised approximately $55,000 for the orchestra.

Other notable persons in attendance were Oshawa MP Colin Carrie, chair of Durham College’s board of governors Darrel Sewell, Durham College and UOIT presidents Don Lovisa and Dr. Tim McTiernan.

Meghan Wels

Broken Arts: The Broken Arts group as the Scooby Doo gang for Halloween.

Broken Arts get spooky with Soundtracked 20 Meghan Wels The Chronicle

The Oshawa based arts group Broken Arts put on a Halloween themed show, Soundtracked 20, at the Mad Café on Friday, Oct. 21.

The show included local bands Mellowkotzen, Viva Mars, and Home Movies.

Toronto-based band Persian Rugs who have been making a name for themselves in the big city, made their Oshawa debut at the show.

Each band has a unique sound, from Mellowkotzen’s folk tunes to Viva Mars’ indie rock jams.

Entering the Café, people were greeted by Broken Arts members Harley, Erin, Ashley, Dafne, and Lori-Anne, who

were cleverly dressed as the Scooby-Doo gang for Halloween.

The Broken Arts group is dedicated to putting on all-ages events around Oshawa. “We’re trying to create a space for kids under 19,” says Harley.

“We think exclusion based on anything is B.S., whether it’s based on age, sex, race, or whatever.”

They have been very busy since they started in July 2009.

“We have put on 20 concerts over a period of 24 months, as well as other events,” says Harley.The Broken Arts “Soundtracked” is the group’s own concert series. Each show features a variety of local and non-local bands. The Soundtracked concert series started on Oct. 1, 2009 and has

become a big success among Oshawa youth ever since.

Soundtrack 20 was also the group’s first Halloween event.

The event included Halloween games and a costume contest for best individual costume and best group costumes.

The Mad Café had a spooky transformation for the event with glowing jack-o-lanterns lighting up the doorway and a colourful Halloween drawing across the front window.

It was a full house by the end of the evening.

The Broken Arts look forward to their next concert, Soundtracked 21, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 at The Garden Grove in Oshawa.

The show will feature local bands Terror Lake, Stranded Cruiser, and Elephant Shoes.

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Entertainment

November 1, 2011

Mortal Kombat keeps fighting Omar Laing The Chronicle

There are some video games that are made, played and never heard about again. This does not apply to the smash hit video game, Mortal Kombat.

With its eighth sequel currently in stores, Mortal Kombat proves once again, the franchise is here to stay.

The first Mortal Kombat game was released in the fall of 1992 on a Monday. A commercial promoting the game called the release day, Mortal Monday. Gamers all over the world flocked to stores for Mortal Kombat and it became a smash hit followed by a series of video game sequels and two blockbuster films.

This year, the ninth Mortal Kombat game was released and as promised by creator Ed Boon, the game would focus on several strengths the first three games had. According to Boon, Mortal Kombat 9 sold over one million copies during its first month in stores.

Every fighting game should have a good selection of characters. MK 9 has 28 playable characters and four extra characters that gamers can download online for a $5 fee. Most

Mortal Kombat: After all these years of Mortal Kombat fighting games, the original gameplay gets refreshed for a new audience but remains a classic. of the characters are old fan favourites, but they have been revamped with different physical designs and amazing new moves. All characters have their own unique punch and kick attacks along with special super-

natural powers to go along with the MK 9 theme. One of the most beloved features in MK 9 are fatalities.

Fatalities were the original selling point of the first Mortal Kombat game. There were

many fighting games created before MK, but never had there been a game where a player gets to brutally murder their opponent’s character after winning the match. These in-game murder scenes are called fatalities

and each character has several of them to choose from. Players can also perform babalities, which are used to turn an opponent into a baby version of their character after a win.

With a large stock of characters and gruesome new fighting moves, some people may feel overwhelmed with having to remember the buttons for each character. This is where the new training feature comes in handy.

Unlike most Mortal Kombat games, MK 9 has a wide variety of training modes so even the newest of game players can easily learn how to play.

There is even a fatality practice section for people who want to master the button sequences in order to destroy their opponents. The game also has a special story mode, a ladder tournament mode and tag team fighting where up to four players can compete against each other.

Needless to say, Mortal Kombat 9 is definitely living up to its hype.

Due to the level of graphic violence, it has a rating of “M” for mature audiences. Although it may not suit younger video game players, if you are 17 or older, Mortal Kombat 9 is a must have for the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 systems.

Costumes and contests Polar Explorer at Regent Theatre at uniform pub night Kamesha Horne-Simmons The Chronicle

The Student Association at Durham College and UOIT vice-president of college affairs Josh Bickle hosted a pub night at E.P. Taylor’s Pub and Restaurant Oct. 21.

The event was to celebrate Durham College and UOIT Out in Uniform pub night, and to raise money. The tickets were sold for $3 advance, and $5 at the door, and the event was

from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Students came out in their police, firefighter, nurses and other uniforms, ready to have fun and raise money for a good cause.

“It’s mainly a fundraiser to raise money for the LGBTQ centre,” said Bickle. Prizes were given out all night, for best costume, best dancer and bestdressed couple.

The best costume got a $150 gift certificate to shop with at Future Shop; other prizes included a Lady Gaga CD collection, Season 2 of Glee and an

iPod nano. This is the Student Association’s first time holding the Out in Uniform.

“I hope who ever takes over after me for the LGBTQ, will continue this event,” said Bickle.

Bickle also talked about the meaning behind the event, to raise awareness about how hard it is to be gay or part of the LGBTQ community in a position that requires a uniform.

The night was filled with great dancers and lots of uniform costumes.

A time to remember our country’s guardians Nicole Patton

The Chronicle

Get your poppies and wear them proud.

It’s time to remember and celebrate the lives of those lost in the Great Wars.

On Nov, 11 the Royal Canadian Legion Branches 43 and 637 will be holding the annual Remembrance Day Parade and Service.

Residents are free to watch the parade and ceremony when it begins at 11 a.m. in Memorial Park at Simcoe and John

streets in front of the City War Memorial.

The event is dedicated to those men who fought in the wars.

Come to show your support and remember Oshawa’s heroes. And remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Hillary Di Menna The Chronicle

Gemini award winner Mark Terry will be showing his latest film at Oshawa’s regent Theatre Nov. 10. The Polar Explorer is a followup to the filmmaker’s 2010 award winning project The Antarctica Challenge.

The documentary follows the explorer and a scientific team “kind of like an all-star team of polar scientists,” Terry joked in an interview with The Chronicle.

The group explored the Arctic and Antarctica, now accessible due to warming temperatures melting the ice

that had made it previously unhabitable.

Terry has been on a North American tour speaking about the impacts of climate change, inspired by the environments he witnessed and a faith that humanity can find a positive resolution.

The event is free and will be shown twice, once at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. The City of Oshawa, the City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Town of Whitby, the Municipality of Clarington and the Region of Durham are sponsoring the showing. It will be hosted by the City of Oshawa and UOIT Regent Theatre is at 50 King St. E

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Gypsy folk blues take shape Oshawa band makes great music Ray McNeil TheChronicle

“Formed on the open stages of Oshawa and honed in the streets, meshing folk, punk, blues, jazz, gypsy, swing and insanity into a carnival cavalcade of collective creativity,” is how the band Hairy Holler’s Facebook page describes them, and it’s not far off. Their sound is a melding of earthly music, combined with stage presence.

Performing every Sunday night at Murphy’s Pub, and every Tuesday night at The Atria, the group of roughly seven artists is a band for those who have outgrown the ordinary.

Yet trying to uncover the origin of the band is a little tricky.

“What it is now is not what it started as,” said guitarist and vocalist Myke Pulito. He explains it all started nearly two years ago with a friend of his, Deucey the drummer, when they were part of another band.

“After band practice we’d come do an open mic (here at The Atria).”

Ray McNeil

TRANSFORMATIONAL MUSIC: Myke Pulito (Front Right) and Sean Battams (Back Centre) from the band Hairy Holler performing in the group Fish Head Phil at Murphy’s Pub in Oshawa, where they perform every Sunday night.

From there, fellow musicians would come out to see the duo play, and it wasn’t long until they were on stage as well.

“You want to be a part of Hairy Holler, basically you just gotta show up enough and find a spot for yourself,” he said.

The show is too free-form to be considered a set, though the

musicianship is too polished to call what they do a jam. If anything, Hairy Holler provides a performance every time out, with the recorded material only capturing a fraction of the emotion and creative environment they manage to summon.

There’s no division between the stage and the bar.

At the end of one song a bottle of Molson Canadian was knocked over, slathering the stage with hops and barley “It’s a spilly night tonight folks,” said Pulito. “We’re spilling beers all over the place.”

A half-hour into the performance, fiddler Sean Battams arrived, ready to play. Rather

than waiting for the song to end, Battams easily settled into the rest of the group, joining them right in the middle of a song.

“I knew I was going to be late, so I just plugged in and went,” said Battams, who added that the band members sometimes lovingly refer to the group as Shaggy Shiner.

The usual tools of the trade are there, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and some percussion to give some weight.

What is more interesting is the never-ending selection of otherworldly instruments brought into the mix.

Fiddle, accordion, trombone and washboard are just some of the unusual sounds Holler incorporates into their music.

“I can’t believe I’m seeing this for free,” said bar patron Aaron Til, with a beer in his hand and a smile on his face.

“They are the missing C-side to Sgt. Pepper’s.”

The one thing missing is electric guitar, and that’s not a bad thing. The band easily creates a powerful and evocative sound without one.

Currently Hairy Holler is recording their debut album at Suspend Studio in Oshawa, which they have been working on since mid-August.

Pulito said the band hoped to have been done by the end of October, but he has his doubts.

“With all the different instruments and everything involved in it, it’s been a lengthy process.”

Whosarmy recruits more troops Angie Doucett The Chronicle

It was rare for them to get nervous.

After all, they’d done it before – done it countless times, except now the stakes were higher than they’d ever been and the country was watching.

Toronto band Whosarmy has lit up the stage on CBC’s Cover me Canada, a nation-wide televised competition, for the last five weeks with all the passion and talent of a band far beyond only five-years strong.

Out of thousands, eight bands were selected for CBC’s Cover Me Canada to compete weekly, performing their renditions of classic Canadian songs for a chance to win the grand prize of $100,000, release an album under Universal Music and be recognized on CBC radio.

Even seasoned musicians such as like front man Travis Wood, guitarist Cory Williams, drummer Max Trefler, and bassist Greg Markham of Whosarmy felt the pressure.

“I’m not one to get nervous but I was shaking backstage.” Trefler said in an band interview via Skype. “But then it’s like you hit that first note and it all just goes away.”

Wood added that the emotions were complex. “You’re excited and secure and validated but then kind of questioning whether you belong here sometimes.

That first night was really nerve-wracking but our experience really paid off.”

Now, after six weeks, Whosarmy stands as the last Ontarian competitor.

After releasing their self-titled album last spring the opportunity to play on national television seemed to come with perfect timing in their musical careers.

“I think there’s been a huge improvement not just musically, but just improvements on how we function as a band. Every week it’s easier to make an awesome version of that cover tune,” Trefler said. “It’s almost like we don’t even need to talk about it. We just listen to it and start right away.”

Being unable to choose the song they’re told to cover and having only a week and four hours in studio to record the piece, present challenges. The competition is strict about making sure no group has an unfair advantage. When those four hours are up, they’re up.

“There are a lot of variables when you get a song – a lot of things that can stop you or not allow you to do what you might do with it, whether it’s the lyrics or the original voice of the song or just

how good or not good the song really is when you strip it away.” Wood said.

But having a strong background in cover-songs and original tunes, the band has been able to put their own spin on classics such as Raise a little Hell, American Woman, Hot Child in the City, Feel it Again, Ironic and Lonely Boy during the competition.

“We’re playing pretty much every day together and even the way we’re working on the cover tunes, trying to make it original, is a different thing for us,” Williams said. “When we covered songs in the past it was more of a note-for-note thing so it’s a different kind of exercise when you’re taking someone else’s tune and making it your own.” As with many competitions there’s always a twist.

Competitors can win immunity from being eliminated for a week if they have the online votes. Facebook hosts a voting application and Facebook likes, tweets, and YouTube video views are all counted toward the immunity win.

Whosarmy’s videos feature question and answer segments, stop-motion film, and guitar lessons hosted

by Williams. Through it all, rivalry between competitors is friendly.

Since being exposed on a national scale, Whosarmy’s fanbase has grown

significantly beyond the realm of family and friends.

They’ve developed the slogan “Whosarmy for life” and now address their growing fan base as ‘the troops’ on Facebook and with a hash tag of the same name on Twitter.

However, even with the success Whosarmy has amassed, they still face personal challenges.

During the competition, Wood’s mother was diagnosed with breastcancer. With the band’s busy schedule, Wood and his mother have few chances to see each other.

Consequently, the band took the initiative and has set up a system on Twitter where for each of their next 500 followers, they will donate $1 to Re-think Breast cancer, an organization that helps spread awareness of the disease.

As for the band, they remain optimistic about what their future holds.

“As much as we love it, this show can’t make or break us,” Wood said. “There’s a huge level of commitment. In 2006 we left school to take the band on fulltime. It’s all about continuing forth on the path we’ve always wanted to be on.”

Cover Me Canada airs every Sunday at 9 p.m.

Viewers can vote on the Cover Me Canada application on Facebook, tweet @CMC_Whosarmy.

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A special sense visits E.P. Taylor’s Brandan Loney Chronicle Staff

Durham College and UOIT students were given a glimpse into their future as they sat with psychic reader Dan Valkos at E.P. Taylor’s on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Starting promptly at 8 p.m., Valkos took to the stage and from behind a desk with a sign that read Psychic Readings 3 Free questions he shouted, “Free psychic readings for anyone that wants them.” There was no formal line-up. Students and the pub staff were able to just walk up, introduce themselves and ask away.

Keller asked Valkos about family, saying that he was spot on and knew his ethnic background. Keller also said, “He really goes deep. He said that my roommate and I get along so well at the house because we knew each other three or four thousand years ago.”

Keller had never had a psychic reading before and said it was a good experience over all.

Depending on the person, and what questions they asked, the readings lasted between two and seven minutes.

While doing his readings,

Brandan Loney

PSYCHIC: Students look into their future with Dan Valkos.

Valkos looked in every direction or into the eyes of his subject. He made each subject laugh out loud as he slid jokes into the readings and was quick with witty remarks.

Valkos has been coming to Durham College for 18 years, but said that it has been a while since his last visit. During readings, he would fidget with a quartz crystal, and never make physical contact.

UOIT student Anthony Boland asked Valkos where he would be living for the majority of his life. The response he got was in the greater Ottawa area.

Boland also asked what Valkos

saw down his career path.

Valkos’ response was Boland would be working in a government agency or bureaucracy.

Boland’s third question, “What vibe or feeling did you get when I first sat down?.” Valkos replied with “You’re too analytical and you tend to over-think things.”

During a reading, Valkos seemed to quickly analyze a question then answer based upon his analysis. He spoke fast, and when asked about a past life Valkos pressed his hands against the bridge of his nose and looked as though he was concentrating. A common

answer Valkos gave was for the subject to trust his instincts and enjoy life. “If you hear that voice in your head which says ‘Don’t do it.’ Then don’t do it!”

What Valkos enjoys most about doing psychic readings is giving advice, guidance and insight. “Telling some kid who’s never had anybody give him positive input before, that he can make it. Telling him he’s not stupid, that he’s not a loser,” he said.

“I use my quartz crystal as an energy focal point, it helps me fine tune. Do I actually pull energy from it? Yeah. Do I see visions with it? No, I pick up three cable channels,” Valkos joked.

He said he pulls positive energy from the crystal.

In private readings, Valkos says he will never lie to a client, and won’t tell them something he doesn’t think the subject will be able to handle. “Let’s say your wife is in the hospital, and she’s got stage four cancer and she’s dying and the you want to know how much longer she has to live. Then I would tell you.”

Valkos explained.

During the day, walking down the street Valkos says he turns off his ability, saying it is unethical to look inside a per-

son’s head without permission.

“Asking a question gives me permission to get into your head.”

Valkos grew up normally, like the average person. However, he says he listens to his instincts more than the most people and that he has been practising it for a long time. “I don’t consider myself anymore special than anybody else. I wasn’t born with special powers. This is an ability I learned and developed.”

Valkos first got involved in psychics as a skeptic. He majored in biochemistry and minored in math, in college.

The first time Valkos had a psychic viewing he was in school. “One of my teachers gave me a picture of somebody, and said ‘tell me about this girl.’

It was a 14-year-old girl; I said she ran away from home, was throwing a hissy fit. She’s only about three blocks from home and she’ll be home by Thursday.

I wasn’t aware of the fact; the daughter’s father was sitting a few seats down from the partner who gave me the picture. And it turned out she was exactly where I said she’d be, and came home almost exactly to the day.”

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Durham brings home the gold

Robynne Henry

THE SWEET TASTE OF GOLD: The Lords women’s fastball team celebrate after winning the OCAA provincial gold medal in their home town at Durham Fields. The Lords’ undefeated season gave them their 16th national title, which is more than any other OCAA team.

BEAST IN THE EAST: The Durham Lords men’s baseball team celebrated with their first ever CIBA national championship trophy in Moncton, NB.

CANADA’S BEST: Head coach Mike Duggan (left), Tiffany Albath (middle) and Kayleigh Kraemer after winning their second straight CCAA women’s golf national championship.

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Sports

Fastball team wins it all Robynne Henry The Chronicle

For the 16th time the Durham Lords women’s fastball team took a medal at the OCAA tournament, finishing off this short season with a gold medal win over the Humber Hawks by a score of 7-1.

The gold-medal finish marks the Lords second consecutive OCAA title most of any college at 16.

The Lords went undefeated in the tournament, beating Humber 2-1 in the first game, and St. Clair 9-3.

Shannon Galea was the chosen pitcher for Durham, pitching a gem of a game allowing only one run on four hits, while striking out seven Humber batters.

Galea was named the top pitcher for her gold medal performance.

Durham scored three runs in the first inning and added four insurance runs by the sixth.

Brittany Bell, who was named the championship MVP, was 2 for 3 in the final with two runs scored.

“It was a really well-played game, we had our bats on. We were hitting pretty good,” said Bell. “We always come back in the last couple of innings, and we played good defensively.”

Shannon Ferguson went 2 for 3 in the gold medal game, and was named the championship’s top batter after

going 6 for 9.

“Obviously we were a little late when we got our bats going, but I think we did well.

We figured out that we needed more runs, and we pulled our shit together and finally won,” said Erin McConkey, who broke things open for the Lords in the sixth inning with a home run over the right field fence.

With a record of 11-0 during regular season and championship, every member of the Durham Lords women’s fastball team was proud of the accomplishments the team made this year with only four returnees from last year’s gold-medal winning squad.

“I think it was a great season, even though it was shortened by the strike.

The year went very well - 11 freshmen and four returnees, what can I say?” said the Lords head coach Jim Nemish. “They played great, they finally came together this weekend. We hit the ball like we knew they could hit, and that was evident by the shots that went out of here this weekend. I am very pleased with the girls, this is their time of the year, and this is their day.

It has been a very successful year.”

The Lords took their first win at the OCAA tournament a 2-0 over Humber, beating the hazardous weather and cold temperatures.

The Lords scored both runs in the first inning, with Jenna

Robynne Henry

RIGHT OVER THE FENCE: Erin McConkey is greeted by teammates after hitting a ball over the fence at the gold medal game against the Humber Hawks.

Dupuis hitting a home run over the fence in left field. Brittany Bell also scored a run, with Melissa Semeniuk picking up an RBI. “Maintaining focus, we’re here for a reason. So just trying to stay in the game. Take it pitch by pitch, inning by inning, and bat for bat for everyone,” said Lords pitcher Shannon Galea.

The Lords didn’t live up to their strong batting reputation, but held Humber scoreless all game.

Galea managed to get out of a close call a few innings in, with the bases loaded for Humber. Galea struck out the final batter.

“Our defence played well, and it was nice to see us get

out of that inning when the bases were loaded,” said catcher Shannon Ferguson. “It was nerve-wracking, but I had confidence in our team and we got out of it.”

Dupuis was named the Lords player of the game, along with Humber’s Jessica O’Quinn.

Later that day, Durham went on to beat St. Clair 9-3.

The Lords were trailing 3-1 when they started the third inning, but they picked up their socks and got three runs to take the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lords made it through their whole batting order and got five runs to take the lead 9-3.

All-stars Kristin Servinis and Janna Hagan each had two

hits in the game, and combined for four RBIs. “It was a slow start, but we got our bats working,” Servinis said. “That was the main thing, we had really good bats after the first few innings. We had solid defence, and it was great pitching by our pitcher.”

The Lords starting pitcher Kristine Miles picked up the win, allowing three runs on, five hits and recording seven strikeouts.

Miles was named the Lords player of the game.

“The first inning we were a little bit timid,” assistant coach Rosie Theriault said. “Once the girls realized they could bring their game and they could bring their talent, they broke it open, which was awesome!”

Lords dominate the OCAA awards Robynne Henry The Chronicle

“Let me take a loss, just as well as a win. To do any less, is surely a sin. As long as I can play, let me make my parents proud, as proud as I am when they yell my name out loud.

However the game ends, let me always have fun. And if heaven has all stars, let me be one.

When my games here are over, and my seasons are done, let me play on your team just like your son.”

Read by Shannon Ferguson, the players’ prayer started the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) fastball banquet on Oct. 20 at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre.

The banquet allowed the top teams in the league (Durham, Humber, St. Clair and Seneca) a chance to see each other out of their uniforms, and have a night of fun and food before the OCAA tournament started on the 21st.

Janna Hagan was named OCAA women’s fastball player of the year, having a league best .577 batting average with 15 hits in 26 plate appearances. She

Robynne Henry

LORDS TAKE THE SHOW: Janna Hagan, Kristin Servinis, Shannon Galea and Jenna Dupuis all won awards at the OCAA banquet on Oct. 20. was also the co-leader in runs scored with 12 while contributing nine RBIs. The third-year outfielder was also honoured as the OCAA’s top batter, and named an OCAA all-star. Kristin Servinis joined Hagan as an all-star from Durham. She went 9 for 25 at the plate. She had a .360 average, and scored 12 runs and drove in three.

“Our season was very condensed, but we pushed through it,” Hagan said. Hagan and Servinis agreed that tryouts were hard, but worth it in the end.

First-year Lords player, Shannon Galea, was named the OCAA’s top pitcher. Galea was the league’s co-leader in wins, compiling a perfect 4-0 record.

Galea struck out 31 batters in 24 innings, allowing four earned runs on 17 hits, and two walks. She ended the season with an ERA of 0.94.

“It was hard, considering the strike. But, we didn’t let it affect us or the game,” Galea said.

Lords catcher Jenna Dupuis was awarded the title of rookie of the year. Dupuis went 14 for

28 for a .500 average at the plate this season; she scored eight runs and had 10 RBIs. The coaches for the Lords had a small ceremony for the team, with assistant coach Rosie Theriault handing out hand-made dolls with likenesses to the players. Each player got her own personal doll, with a small speech from Theriault, thanking them for playing this year.

“We are quite proud of the girls, they worked really hard,” said assistant coach Mal Swift.

“They’ve learned some good stuff from us, which made them better. They’ve worked hard at what we tried to instruct them to do, and it worked out well…

The awards they won this year only shows that other people see us in the same light as we see a lot of our ladies.”

Scott Dennis (sports information co-ordinator), Pat Kolaski (master of ceremonies), and Ken Babcock (director of athletics) spoke during the evening to give out awards, thank the staff, and tell some jokes that didn’t always hit their mark. Amy LaRue, SA president, also spoke and threw the first pitch at the first game of the tournament.

“I want the first pitch to be a strike! I did play five years ago, and I did play with some of the players,” LaRue said.

Each table had a gift box with items relating to baseball, such as MLB players action figures, pretzels, chewing gum, and flags with the four teams on them.

The winner for each box was decided by who had the youngest MLB player card, which was placed under the coffee cups.

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Men’s baseball steals nationals Another gold for the trophy case Austin Rogers The Chronicle

Lords win! The Durham College Lords men’s baseball team has won the Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Association national championships!

The Lords secured their title with a 6-1 win over the Humber Hawks on Sunday Oct. 23.

The team finished the season with an overall record of 22-5 and a conference record of 14-2.

The championships kicked off with the only Lords’ loss of the tournament to the Humber Hawks in a 4-2 upset.

The Lords quickly bounced back, however, winning their

next four games en route to clinching the national championships.

Lords pitcher Shawn Lamb pitched a complete game, compiling six strikeouts while allowing only one run on five hits in the Lords championship game.

Shortstop Tyler Mitchell led the Lords offensively as usual, going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. Mitchell led the championships in RBIs, driving in seven runs in five games.

The Lords scored two runs in each of the first two innings, reaching a 4-0 lead over Humber. In the bottom of the sixth Tyler Mitchell and Dan Alayon each had RBI singles.

“Going into the game we all felt pretty good,” said Mitchell, who emerged the team’s top hitter this season. “We all just figured we were going to win that game. We had to win that game,” Mitchell, a Durham College carpentry student, is in his sec-

Austin Rogers

HE’S A WINNER: Head coach Sam Dempster tallied his 300th career win at the CIBA national championships. ond year with the Lords and continues to make an impact.

“He’s a leader, a quiet leader, he just goes out and executes all the time,” said Sam Dempster, the Lords’ head coach.

“I’ve never felt more comfortable at the plate than I did this season,” Mitchell said of his productive season. But he doesn’t attribute the win to personal success, “Everybody was

in it to win it for each other,” he said.

Besides the triumph of a national championship, Lords’ long-time head coach Sam Dempster achieved his 300th managerial win during the tournament. However Dempster was hardly focused on it.

“Those kinds of things are nice, but they don’t take the place of the players. It’s more important that the players win than I do. Because I don’t play the game, I just watch,” Dempster said.

Dempster also holds a position with Major League Baseball International, and coaches the British men’s baseball team.

Though Mitchell and likely the other players aren’t focused on next season but rather enjoying the win, Dempster is already hard at work to fill the gaps left by graduating players and to ensure another successful campaign of Durham Lords baseball.

Women’s golf are number one

Zak McLachlan The Chronicle

Inclement weather stopped the golfers from being able to play their second round of the 2011 CCAA golf national championships, but couldn’t stop Durham’s women from defending their national title.

Durham upheld their reputation at this year’s tournament, as the Lords walked away with their second gold medal in as many years.

Tiffany Albath and Kayleigh Kraemer played two solid rounds, outplaying Georgian College’s tandem by eight strokes for the national title.

Durham established their domi-

nance at the OCAA provincial championships just two weeks prior and came out strong again to beat the best in the country.

“It’s just as sweet as the first one,” head coach Mike Duggan said. “It’s nice knowing you have the best girls team in the nation.”

Albath scored back-to-back rounds of nine-over 81, earning her a bronze medal in the individual competition.

Last year’s bronze medalist Kraemer finished just three strokes short of medal contention, as she finished fourth behind her teammate after solid rounds of 83 and 84.

Champlain St. Lawrence’s Jesse Doyon took home the gold medal with a total score of 148, 14 strokes ahead of

Albath.

Both Albath and Kraemer hail from Germany and are attending Durham’s professional golf management course.

This was Kraemer’s last championship because she is graduating this year.

Albath will return next year to try to lead the team to another championship.

Duggan said it will be a challenge to find more girls for next year, but he isn’t worried about winning.

“With Tiffany, I think we have a good chance,” he said. “We automatically have that competitiveness (with her).”

Durham’s men’s team finished in sixth place, 15 strokes shy of a podium finish.

The results would have been even more staggering if it weren’t for David

Lords struggle at CCAAs

By Justin Knaggs Chronicle Staff

The CCAA (Canadian College Athletic Association) championships wrapped up on Oct, 19 in Prince Edward Island at Brudenell River Golf Club, and although the men’s golf team fell way short of a win, the women came out victorious yet again.

With two solid rounds by the women, they were able to wrap up their second straight CCAA championship.

However, the men’s team struggled finishing in sixth SAVING PAR: Albath saving place, shooting a final team score of 321. ent on the team, but the other “We under-achieved,” said teams at the championships the men’s head coach Mike didn’t get to see it.”

Duggan. “We have a lot of talThe Lords are looking for-

Scott Dennis

par from the bunker ward to the springtime when they will be competing in the RCGA championships in British Columbia in May.

Lang’s performance.

Lang shot a two-round score of 149, just a single stroke behind Holland College’s Mathieu Arsenault for the bronze medal.

Duggan said there are a number of changes that need to be made next year.

“I’m very disappointed in the guys,” Duggan said. “Not their attitude, (because) they’re a great group of guys, but their mental toughness.”

With a number of the nation’s best competitors graduating this year, Durham has a good chance to jump up in the rankings and capture a national title on the men’s side.

“It’s going to be an interesting year,” Duggan said. “I’ll look at it over the winter. There will be a lot of changes.”

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Sports

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November 1, 2011

Heartbreak UOIT soccer season on a high note for Durham ends Ridgebacks earn tie Mike Pickford The Chronicle

The Durham Lords women’s soccer team’s season finished in heartbreaking fashion Oct. 22 as they lost 2-1 in overtime to the Fanshawe Falcons in their OCAA quarterfinal match-up.

After a successful season that saw them lose only one other game, the Lords were hopeful of usurping Fanshawe, a team they have lost to at this stage the previous two seasons.

That task was made difficult before the game even kicked off as the Lords were without their inspirational captain and OCAA East Region scoring leader Jenn Sheehan, who had an academic conflict that could not be resolved.

The game started brightly for the Lords as they matched the Falcons in the opening exchanges before Jory-Lynn Uyl, one of Fanshawe’s top three players, opened the

scoring.

This seemed to ignite the Lords as they immediately took the game to Fanshawe, creating several chances before they finally got the equalizer through freshman Leanne Fomenko.

The game petered out in the second half as neither team could find the breakthrough they were both looking for to set up a nervy overtime finish.

Fanshawe pushed and pushed in overtime, with goalkeeper Melissa Linton making a couple of important saves to keep the scores level. There was nothing she could do, however, when Uyl got her second of the game in the 114th minute to send the Falcons to the provincials.

It was only the second time in 15 years that the Lords failed to make the final four, and head coach David Stanley will be looking for his team to rebound in the winter indoor season, when they will defend their silver medal.

against playoff contenders Mike Pickford The Chronicle

The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s soccer team finished the season in impressive fashion as they held the playoff-bound Windsor Lancers to a tie away from home Oct. 23.

The Ridgebacks started the week with a game Oct. 22 at Western University against the Mustangs, another team destined for the playoffs. UOIT started brightly and created several chances that on another day could have been converted.

The game remained level at the break.

The second half started with the same tenacity of the first as both teams worked hard to get a positive result. Unfortunately for the Ridgebacks, it was the Mustangs that broke the deadlock as midfielder Haris Cekic buried one of few chances in

the second half to give Western the 1-0 win in both team’s penultimate game of the season.

So the Ridgebacks headed into the game with Windsor with an overall record of 1-122, and low on confidence following another close loss the day before.

But any doubts regarding their ability were put to bed eight minutes into the first half as veteran midfielder Paul Craven raced clear of the defence before firing the ball across Lancer goalkeeper Dan Mendonca into the bottom right corner of the net to give the Ridgebacks the lead.

This kicked the game into life as the Ridgebacks came forward in waves, forcing Mendonca into two magnificent saves to keep the game within the Lancers reach.

The saves proved instrumental as the Lancers equalized through their star forward

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Michael Pio 20 minutes into the game. The half ended with very little created as both teams evened each other out.

The second half started badly for the Ridgebacks as they conceded possession and chances to the Lancers, with excellent saves from freshman goalkeeper Matt Caldaroni keeping UOIT in it.

Caldaroni, however, could do nothing as Lancers midfielder Mike Watson ran through the defence and fired into the bottom left-hand corner, giving Western the 2-1 lead 10 minutes from time.

Just when it seemed another defeat was in the cards for the Ridgebacks a moment of magic saved them. Forward Matt Craven joined his twin brother on the score sheet as he smashed the ball into the top corner to level the score in the 88th minute of the game.

The game finished 2-2 marking the end of a disappointing season for coach Vaso Vujanovic and his boys, who will have to improve significantly next season if they are to reach the success of previous years.

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Sports

UOIT skates Preseason unkind to away victorious Durham basketball Zak McLachlan The Chronicle

The losing skid is over. The Ridgebacks finally won their first game of the season with a 4-3 victory over the Brock Badgers on Oct. 22.

UOIT dropped their first four games of the season, and in dramatic fashion. Three of the four losses have been by three or more goals.

But the team finally turned it around at home after a three game round trip.

Brock shot out of the gate quickly with the game’s first marker 29 seconds into the first period.

But the Ridgebacks weren’t shaken, as they kept up the pressure and forced a number of Brock turnovers on the forecheck.

UOIT played physical but disciplined as they only allowed Brock two powerplays, and the penalty kill kept the Badgers special teams off the board.

Brock scored again six minutes later to take a commanding 2-0 lead and carried it into the first intermission.

Jeremy Whelan had an opportunity to get the Ridgebacks on the board with just seconds left in the first, but was robbed

by Badgers goaltender Kurt Jory.

UOIT started off the second period on the right foot as Tony Rizzi scored their first goal of the game two minutes into the frame.

Josh Vatri netted his first goal of the season six minutes later to tie the game.

Brock took the lead again halfway through the third period and looked poised for the win heading into the final minute of the game.

But the Ridgebacks had other plans.

Kyle Wetering scored at the 19:17 mark of the third period to tie the game, which would normally take the game to overtime.

But Jeremy Whelan finally capitalized on his chances and scored the game-winning goal 13 seconds later to pull off the surprising come-from-behind victory.

Vatri, Rizzi and Mike Noyes all had two-point games and goaltender Jason Guy recorded 38 saves in the win.

The Ridgebacks will return home on Nov. 5 after their three-game road trip to take on the York Lions in a rematch of the season opener. York won the first matchup 5-2.

Zak McLachlan The Chronicle

The Durham Lords men’s basketball team continued their preseason play against the Niagara Knights with a painful 108-66 loss.

The Lords got off to a rough start and were never able to regain the momentum from the Knights.

Durham’s early foul trouble put Niagara to the line early, scoring on 72 per cent of their free throws to just ahead even further on the scoreboard.

Durham’s Rob Gagliardi turned on the jets late in the second quarter, forcing a couple turnovers and capitalizing on his chances. But his efforts weren’t enough as Niagara stormed back to take a 48-29 lead into halftime.

Durham came into the second half ready to make a push for the comeback, but had no chance against Niagara’s explosive offence that racked up 60 points in the second half.

Gagliardi played a solid game, leading the Lords with 13 points, six rebounds and 33 minutes playing time.

Niagara dominated Durham in almost every aspect of the game, including turnovers, shooting percentage and both offensive and defen-

Zak McLachlan

AT THE LINE: Starting guard Christoff Pierre steps up to the line for a free throw against the Niagara College Knights. Pierre finished the game with eight points and four rebounds. sive rebounds.

Durham wrapped up their preseason with an 0-2 record, but they were impressive with a silver medal performance at the Dave Stewart Tip Off Tournament.

The Lords kick off their regular season play on Nov. 2

against the Centennial Colts as part of their five-game road trip to start the season.

The Lords will play their first home game at 8 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre against the Algonquin Thunder.

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First shot for UOIT lacrosse Tyler Richards The Chronicle

Over the course of the 2011 season the UOIT Ridgebacks varsity women’s lacrosse team improved greatly, their passing and catching was much more accurate and they began scoring more goals, but it didn’t help them in their first OUA championship as a varsity team.

The women played well throughout the tournament at the University of Guelph on Oct. 21, but lost their first game to the home team Guelph 18-0 and their second game to Laurier 18-4.

The Ridgebacks started off a little soft against Guelph, who scored right off the first draw, but that didn’t stop the women as they played hard throughout the game.

Ridgebacks captain Tristen Cruickshank received a penalty towards the end of the first half, allowing Guelph to score another goal, ending the half with eight goals.

The second half didn’t look much better for the Ridgebacks as Guelph came out strong after the break pushing the score up to 18-0. It wasn’t all bad plays, though. The Ridgebacks had quite a few offensive chances, hitting several posts and crossbars.

Ultimately the women lost their first game of the tournament, but Ridgebacks goalie Tessa Lam received the UOIT player of the game award for that game.

After a four-hour break the ladies returned to the field to play the Laurier Golden Hawks, defending champions and former team of head coach Amy Fincham and assistant coach

Tyler Richards

OUA WOMEN’S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP: UOIT captain Tristen Cruickshank takes a face-off against the home team of Guelph during their first game of the OUA championships on Oct. 21.

Liane Chornobay. The Hawks had lost their first game against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, a game they had expected to win.

Before the game captains Stephanie MacAskill, Tristen Cruickshank and Ashley Le Lievre called a team meeting on the warm-up field.

“During the first game with Guelph we could tell we were getting a little discouraged,” Le Lievre said in the group huddle.

“Whether you guys believe it or not we are a good team.”

Halfway through the huddle MacAskill took over speaking.

“As with every sport every play-

er has the ability inside themselves to play better, you just gotta dig deep and find it.”

It was obvious right from the beginning of the game that the pep talk from the captains had an impact on the women. They were playing harder than they were the first game and fighting for the loose balls.

Kellyann Robinson netted the Ridgebacks’ first goal of the tournament early in the first half, tying the game at one.

Within several minutes Cruickshank scored another goal and the women were only one goal away from tying the game at three.

Towards the end of the half, the Hawks increased their score to six, but Le Lievre, who had been relegated to the sidelines for the first game due to an injury, scored with eight minutes left in the half and the Ridgebacks were down by three.

One more goal would follow late in the second half by Le Lievre, but not before Samantha Hagan took a pass in the face from the goaltender, taking her out of the game with a swollen nose.

While the Ridgebacks fought really hard in their last game of the tournament, it was not enough to beat Laurier and ad-

vance to the consolation finals Saturday morning.

The University of Western Ontario and Guelph faced off against each other in the championship matchup the afternoon of the 22nd with Western being the ultimate victor.

It’s now a long wait for the Ridgeback women as the next OUA season doesn’t begin until next summer. Unfortunately, the Ridgebacks will be losing two of their key players to graduation next year, Kellyann Robinson, a health sciences student and Krischele Ravary, in the concurrent education program.

No slam dunks for lady Lords against Niagara Mahmoud El Bayrakdar The Chronicle

The Durham women’s basketball team gave their best efforts Wednesday, Oct. 26 during their exhibition match against the Niagara Knights but lost 73-47.

This was the second game for Durham since the pre-season started at the beginning of the month of October.

The match was anything but slow as Durham sank the first basket, and the first threepointer of the game in less than a minute.

As the game continued with an exchange of baskets and as soon as it reached half time, the score worked in favour of Niagara.

In the third quarter Durham began to close the gap but to no avail because of Niagara’s supply of substitutes.

The Lords girls were dead

Mahmoud El Bayrakdar

FINAL EXHIBITION GAME: Durham’s Kelsey Hare takes on Niagara College’s Shelby Johnston during their final exhibition game of the season. on their feet by the end of the match as they watched Niagara win with by 24-point difference.

Coach Baulk says he has recruited a few of the soccer girls to fill empty slots in order to participate this season.

The team may not be solid but Baulk says it’s nothing to worry about.

“They’re working hard,” he

says. “I’m looking forward to how far we go this season.”

The women’s basketball team has won the championships only once, back in 19961997, and then took bronze two seasons later in 1998-1999.

Key players that are looking good this season are veterans Kelsey Hare (third year) and Erin Emery (fifth year).

Hare played especially well, scoring almost half the game’s baskets herself and never failing to motivate the rest of the team with her assertive performance.

“The rookie you should keep an eye out for this season is Keriann Sullivan,” Baulk says.

Sullivan was an excellent asset for the team during the match, sinking most of the foul shots the team made.

The Lords’ first match of their regular season starts Wednesday, Nov. 2 against the Centennial Colts.

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Scoreboard

November 1, 2011

Athletes of the week

OUA Hockey

Men’s West Division

W

Waterloo Lakehead Western Brock York Windsor Guelph UOIT Laurier

Results

UOIT vs Guelph UOIT vs Brock

L

OTL

Pts

4 1 0 8 4 2 0 8 3 0 1 7 3 3 0 6 1 2 3 5 2 4 0 4 1 4 0 2 1 4 0 2 0 4 0 0 8-1 4-3

Upcoming Home Games UOIT v. York UOIT v. Windsor

Women’s W

L

OTL

Pts

Guelph Laurier Queen’s York Windsor Brock Toronto UOIT Ryerson Waterloo Western

5 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1

Results

Upcoming Home Games

Brock v. UOIT Guelph v. UOIT

5-2 3-4

1 0 1 1 2 3 2 4 4 5 5

Nov. 5 Nov. 11

0 10 0 8 0 8 0 8 1 7 0 6 1 5 0 4 0 2 0 2 0 2

UOIT v. UofT UOIT v. Ryerson

Nov. 4 Nov. 5

UOIT ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: Matt Craven (top right) and Paul Craven (top left) scored two goals against the University of Windsor in their season finale on Oct. 23.

Jill Morillo (top centre) set two UOIT single game records, scoring four goals in UOIT’s victory over Western on Oct. 22, and leads the CIS in goals.

DURHAM COLLEGE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: Kayleigh Kraemer and Tiffany Albath (bottom left and bottom centre) helped the Durham golf team win gold at the CCAA championships at the Holland PEI Brunell Golf Club in Prince Edward Island, Kraemer placed fourth and Albath placed third individually. Shawn Lamb (bottom right) pitched a perfect game in the men’s baseball national championship victory over Humber College.

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