The Daily Voice, March 30, 2016 • Volume 48, Issue 18

Coach Evans retires..........................................8 Langara’s Mike Evans to step down after long coaching tenure with the women’s basketball team

V

the Y L oice I A D PRODUCED BY LANGARA JOURNALISM STUDENTS

MARCH 30, 2016 • VOL. 48 NO. 18 • VANCOUVER, B.C.

Karaoke contest to come

Faculty stuck in elevator on weekend The Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services are routinely called to save people trapped in elevators

Karaoke World Championships comes to Van for first time in North America

By CHANDLER WALTER

T

rapped by four walls of metal, a person was stuck Monday night when an elevator door at Langara refused to budge.

A Langara faculty member had their Easter Monday turn claustrophobic around 10:20 p.m. in A Building’s Elevator No. 2, according to Patricia Baker, building operations manager at Langara College.

Baker said in an email that the fire department was called because an elevator technician would have taken too long to arrive. They freed the trapped person a few minutes before 11 p.m.

The name of the person was not disclosed, but Baker said that they were fine. Baker also stated that this is an incident that has happened in the past.

Jonathan Gormick from the fire department said in an email they responded because the person couldn’t be released from the elevator and that it was not a medical issue.

Phil Stuart, an elevator technician with Eltec Elevator, saw to the repairs on Tuesday.

Stuart said that the elevator doors have a protection feature to stop them from running out of power completely.

“When the cleaners are here, they hold the door open so long that it times out.”

Stuart explained he is often called in to rescue someone, but sometimes the fire department is needed.

“If [the trapped person is] claustrophobic, that’s when the firemen get them out; they can’t wait for us,” he said.

Stuart added that even when he is the one who gets the doors open, it is usually from a control room.

“Once I open the door, they just dart.

They don’t hang around. So a lot of times I don’t even see them,” he said.

Maintenance is done on Langara’s elevators monthly, said Stuart, though a stuck elevator door can happen at the school, as it is a high-density building.

CHANDLER WALTER photo

Elevators in Langara can get stuck.

Printed on recycled paper

By NATALIE DUNSMUIR

T

CHANDLER WALTER photo

A VPD officer warned people walking by the SkyTrain station on Monday to be on high alert.

Sex assaults near campus, cop warns

Woman says she was warned by police Monday

By JENNA TYTGAT

F

ive sexual assaults occurred over the Easter long weekend near Langara College, The Voice has learned, and one transit police officer is advising students and nearby residents to be cautious.

The incidents occurred near the Langara-49th Canada Line SkyTrain Station during the weekend, according transit police officer Donald Cayer. He added that violence was involved and that he believes all the victims were female. The incidents come in the wake of two sexual assaults that occured at UBC on Friday and Saturday.

“I can’t say for sure if it has anything to do with student [traffic], but it’s possible,” Cayer said. He warned those walking alone near the SkyTrain stations to be cautious.

“Nobody’s ever that safe,” he said, “Always be aware of your surroundings and just be hyper vigilant.”

He couldn’t confirm whether the nearby incidents were linked to what happened at UBC on Friday and Satur-

day. Neither the VPD nor TransLink responded to multiple requests for comment on the issue on Tuesday, nor have they issued a public statement regarding any attacks near the college.

But Chelsea Brennan, who was walking through the SkyTrain station last night, said she was stopped by a Vancouver Police Department officer around 11 p.m. to warn her of the attacks.

She said the officer told her that the assaults took place near the Langara49th SkyTrain station; that the perpetrator attacked from behind and dragged the victims into the bushes nearby; and that the attacks happened late at night between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Brennan posted about the encounter on her Facebook account, warning others who may be walking near the site.

“He told me to be on high alert,” said Brennan of the officer. “[The officer] said there was also an attack out at UBC that they believe is linked, so if you’re out walking to be very careful anywhere,” Brennan said.

Check

“

Nobody’s ever that safe...

Always be aware of your surroundings and just be hyper vigilant

he Karaoke World Championships is singing its way to Vancouver this year for its first time in North America.

The competition will take place at the Edgewater Casino from Nov. 1-6. A male and female singer from each of 30 participating countries will be selected to take part.

Whitney-John Stuart, CEO of the Canadian and American karaoke competitions, said the activity is picking up in North America. “Karaoke has always been ‘hey let’s go out to the bar and get drunk with your buddies and have a good time’. That’s a very North American culture way of looking at karaoke,” said Stuart. “If you look outside of North America, if you look to Europe and especially to Asia, Karaoke is just another form of ‘how do I further myself as a musician.’”

The annual championships started in Finland in 2003 and has been gaining popularity ever since. Last year, Winnipeg singer Elsaida Alerta won the world championships for women.

Vancouver karaoke enthusiasts are excited about the opportunity to watch and participate in the event.

“Vancouver has always had a pretty huge karaoke scene,” said Vancouver resident Nelson Chow. “I’m not planning to participate but I may go to see some of my friends sing if they make it that far.”

Stuart originally participated in the championships himself, coming in sixth worldwide.

“Singing is important, music is important,” Stuart said. “Whether we’re singing in the shower, or singing in the car, or you’re that 15-year-old guy singing a love song to a girl for the first time, it’s important. Music is the foundation of life. And karaoke gives you the opportunity to instantly sing a song you connected with. There’s really no other media that will let you do that.”

DONALD CAYER TRANSIT POLICE OFFICER

SUBMITTED photo

Elsaida Alerta won last year. out our web exclusives at http://langaravoice.ca

2

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2016

At large

EDITOR TESSA VIKANDER

Homeless people die at higher rate New study by Vancouver street paper says deaths caused by homelessness have risen 70 per cent

By ALISON PUDSEY

Decomposition under study GAIL ANDERSON submitted photo

Pig carcasses are used to imitate human bodies in an SFU study on the rate of body decomposition in the Strait of Georgia.

New study will change how coroners identify skeletal remains

By JAKE WRAY

A

recent SFU study could help the process of identifying human remains found in the southern Strait of Georgia, according to the Coroners Service of British Columbia.

Researchers, led by SFU criminology professor Gail Anderson, studied underwater decomposition by placing pig carcasses on the ocean floor and observing as the carcasses were devoured by marine animals. The study found that remains can decompose down to the skeleton more quickly than they originally thought – sometimes as fast as three days.

Laurel Clegg, manager of the BC

Coroners Service’s Identification and Disaster Response Unit, said that this research is important because it changes the scope of their DNA comparison when trying to identify remains found in the Strait of Georgia.

“Let’s not assume that these skeletal remains could only belong to someone who’s been missing at least six months … maybe they’ve [the remains we’ve found belong to someone who has] been missing only three weeks, or maybe only been missing three days,” Clegg said.

Anderson’s research, which was published March 1, involved placing four pig carcasses on the ocean floor and studying their decomposition using a state-of-the-art research facility

called VENUS. “It’s so phenomenal, it’s amazing.

You go in there, it’s like NASA, it’s just amazing to have access to this kind of thing,” Anderson said. “There’s no facility like it anywhere in the world.”

Verena Tunnicliffe, a biology professor at the University of Victoria and the founder of VENUS, said this study was designed to measure the impact of small decomposers.

“They look like little squashed shrimp, actually, and they’re called amphipods,” Tunnicliffe said. “This is a group of organisms in the ocean that mostly has developed as scavengers, and so they’re really good at finding stuff to eat that is dying or dead.”

“

Let’s not assume... skeletal remains could only belong to someone... missing at least six months LAUREL CLEGG

Campaign backs old house 1922 Shaughnessy character home was early display for state-of-the-art electrical fixtures.

By LINDA NGUYEN

A

Vancouver character home built with a cutting edge electrical system was recently added to a citywide petition to save character homes from possible demolition.

In the online petition, the Vancouver Character House Network is asking supporters to send letters to Vancouver mayor and council, asking them to reject the demolition and redevelopment proposal.

“Should this development permit be accepted, yet another piece of Vancouver’s built heritage will be ground up, joining the 974 single family homes and duplexes that were demolished last year,” reads the change.org template letter.

A general petition, of which the March 28 letter-writing campaign is a component, was started in 2014 to protest the redevelopment of character homes in Vancouver and has reached

M

ore homeless people are dying in British Columbia now than in the recent past, according to Sean Condon, executive director of Megaphone Magazine.

The Vancouver street paper released a study called Still Dying on the Streets: Homeless Deaths in B.C. on Monday, underscoring the growing concern over homelessness across the province, Condon noted. There’s been roughly 70 percent increase in the number of homeless deaths, according to the report, with 46 reported deaths total this year.

“We know that’s an undercount because of the way that homeless deaths are recorded the true number is much higher, likely twice as high,” he said.

According to the report, the median age of death for a homeless person is 40-49 years of age and the average age of death for the general population is 76. Condon said the primary cause of these deaths is overdose and accidental death accounts for half of all homeless deaths.

“If people have housing, a place where they can feel safe and secure, [if] they have access to health services, many of these deaths could have been prevented,” Condon said.

He also stressed that homelessness needs to be seen as a health issue and government must respond immediately.

“We need to start seeing immediate action by all levels of government. Municipalities, the province and the federal government [need to] start bringing more affordable housing so people can get off the streets, out of shelters and into housing,” he said.

DJ Larkin, staff lawyer and housing campaigner with Pivot Legal Society, an organization that provides legal services to homeless people, said the report conveys the reality of homelessness which she said infringes on peoples’ human rights.

“What is really clear from Megaphone’s report is that homelessness itself is a human right violation. It’s not something we recognize in Canadian law, but we need to,” Larkin said. “It’s a state imposed situation that puts people at great risk and people are dying in the streets. That should be seen as a failure of our legal system to protect people.”

LINDA NGUYEN photo

An application to demolish this character home has been made but city says it has yet to decide. over 5,000 signatures.

The house, built in 1922, is on the market for almost $7.4 million. The City of Vancouver has not yet decided if it will issue a demolition permit for the Tudor-style home at 1550 West 29th Ave in Shaughnessy.

Patrick Gunn from the Heritage Vancouver Society said there are two reasons for the specific home’s significance, the architects who designed the home and what the house was known for.

“It’s a house that’s designed by a top architect duo called Townley and Matheson. And they were one of the top architect duos in the city from about 1919 to the 1960s,” Gunn said.

“Not only it’s a design by an architect, it was built as a show home to show electric use in the domestic environment.”

“

You open the closet and a light would automatically go on.

CAROLINE ADDERSON

Caroline Adderson, author of the book Vancouver Vanishes, which covers the topic of heritage homes, said the home holds significance because it was the first model electric home in Western Canada.

“Can you imagine this is in 1922 so at the time this house was built, the average house had 20 outlets, this one had 170,” she said. “You open the closet and a light would automatically go on.”

Jason Watson, communications manager for the City of Vancouver said via email that no development or demolition permits have been issued for the property and it is under further review by city staff.

The home is not a heritage house and it is not listed in the Vancouver Heritage Register.

AHMAD KAVOUSIAN submitted photo

A person sleeps in a hammock mounted on a public art piece in Vancouver, B.C.

Campus news

EDITOR NANCY PLECHATY

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

3

SEYEDMOSTAFA RAZIEI photo

Kinesiology students practise and monitor their motor skills juggling bean bags outside of Langara College Campus.

Tossing bean bags for grades Motor learning teaches kinesiology students brain and muscle work

By SEYEDMOSTAFA RAZIEI

SKILLS for kids Playdough builds hand and wrist strength Finger painting for hand eye co-ordination Small crayons to practice holding Using scissors for precision Source: www.understood.org

F

or some students, coursework includes juggling bean bags and laughing outside the fluorescent lights of college classrooms.

Yesterday students were tossing bean-bags and plastic balls in the sun as part of a department of kinesiology course on human motor behaviour.

Juggling is part of lab exercises that highlighted different aspects of learning like learning assessment, stages, transfer of learning and prediction of performance, according to course instructor Anne Muscat.

Muscat says juggling allows students measure whether learning is happening and how that learning happens. Because juggling is not an activity that many students are familiar with Muscat said, it shows students how “im-

Mentor for Aboriginals New position created at Langara’s aboriginal studies department

By ASHLEY SINGH

L

angara College has announced plans to increase resource support for the aboriginal program and supports for Aboriginal students.

The resources include the creation of a director position and a new mentorship program. They are meant to align college practices with the stated objectives in Langara’s academic plan and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s recommendations about education.

The college will create a director of aboriginal education and services position. The new director will report to Ian Humphreys, provost and vice-president academic and students, as well as Clayton Munro, dean of student services. The new director will provide leadership and integration for the aboriginal studies program and support services for Aboriginal students.

“This role will provide strategic leadership and integrated administration for both the aboriginal studies pro-

gram and support services for Aboriginal learners,” wrote CEO and president Lane Trotter in a press release.

Link Kesler, professor and director of UBC’s First Nations House of Learning, suggested that in his experience at UBC, First Nations students don’t have the best enrolment services and the process can be discouraging and distracting for students.

“I think [hiring a new director] a really good idea, he said adding, “Hopefully this will really help with the recruitment process, making it more encouraging for students,” said Kesler.

Kesler also said that he hopes that more changes will come to help First Nations students concentrate on their studies.

The college wants to increase recruitment, retention and graduation rates as well as expand awareness of Aboriginal cultures and strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal communities.

The college plans to increase resources for the elder in residence program, release time for instructors to work on Aboriginal initiatives, establish a new Aboriginal student mentor program, and support cultural events and workshops on campus.

provement, consistency, adaptability and persistence” happens in the learning process.

While a good performance can be an indicator of someone having learned the skill, Muscat stressed that the result has to be repeated to know to what degree learning has taken place. Muscat divided people into two broad types, those who learn a lot at the beginning and those who learn a lot at the end.

“If at final we don’t re-test them, you don’t know whether learning actually happened, (especially while) learning is a long term process,” said Muscat, adding that motor tasks are motions that come from a combination of the brain, nervous system and muscles working together.

For Shamus Menard, a student of the course, the observations revealed more than simple juggling skills.

“It is a course where we learn about the interval process of how we learn to perform a motor task,” Menard said.

“We are seeing if learning actually occurs.”

Navjot Brar, another student, found the juggling hard at first, but the repetition of activities and change of focus enabled him to process the information.

“At last I learned and I improved through the trials.”

While many labs use computer technology as a learning tool, Gabriele Brazzoni, a kinesiology student, prefers working outside.

“It is the best way of doing a lab,” he said “I don’t like to work on computers, I like to work outside and today is a sunny day, that’s why it is good.”

No confidence in UBC board Faculty association lacks trust in board of governors to oversee school’s affairs

By ROBERTO TEIXEIRA AARON BAILEY UBC Alma Mater Society president

“

They actually did tell students both in residence and through campus via email about the incidents that occurred...

U

BC’s faculty association has passed a vote of non-confidence in the university’s board of governors. The action comes on the heels of other issues plaguing the campus, including how the university has dealt with several recent sexual assaults.

The UBC Faculty Association yesterday voted 69 per cent in favour of the non-confidence motion in the board of governors. Thirty-nine per cent of the 3,357 eligible faculty members cast ballots. The final result was 800 to 494.

Both faculty and students have complained about a lack of governance and clear policy options on the part of the university’s leaders over the last year, including the board’s dismissal of president Arvind Gupta last June, and the university’s handling of allegations of sexual assault on campus.

The Voice called university’s faculty association but a spokesperson declined to comment. Several UBC professors were also contacted but refused to comment.

The latest attack came last Friday, when a 20-year-old female student was attacked in the 3200 block of Westbrook Mall, according to a statement released

by University RCMP. “At approximately 10 p.m. [the student] was approached from behind by an unknown male who suddenly emerged from a wooded area.

The male proceeded to grab and violently shake her with both arms, forcing the woman to the ground face first.

The male suspect proceeded to rub his midsection against the woman’s back in a sexual manner,” Sgt. Drew Grainger said.

The university has come under criticism from faculty and students who say that UBC took too long to issue warnings. But Alma Mater Society (AMS) president Aaron Bailey believes the school acted appropriately.

“They actually did tell students both in residence and through campus via email about the incidents that occurred over the weekend,” Bailey said.

Regarding the decision of non-confidence in the board of governors, Bailey said the Alma Mater Society is planning to hold a referendum to decide its position on the issue.

“At this time, I can’t express that there is a feeling of non-confidence from the [society],” Bailey said.

4

Entertainment

EDITOR BEN BENGTSON

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

Unveiling S. Africa at film fest VSAFF to showcase the country’s complex and fascinating history at the SFU Woodward’s building

By CHANTELLE DEACON

A

SUBMITTED photos

Participants in last year’s 100In1Day Vancouver; the global initative aims to improve cities with creative, simple solutions.

101 ways to jazzify the city Vancouver to host workshop for initative to make cities better

By DANIEL DADI-CANTARINO

A

n initiative to make Vancouver a better, more liveable city through simple and creative ideas is hosting a workshop this evening.

100In1day Vancouver, described as a global festival of civic engagement, is hosting a workshop at CityStudio near Vancouver’s Olympic Village from 6 to 8 p.m.

The event will allow participants to brainstorm community-based interventions that focus on street art, beautification projects and social events.

This “ideation jam” is in preparation for a global series of one day initiatives occurring in June.

Part of the movement’s success in Vancouver is due to Evergreen, a Toronto based non-profit organization that supports activism across Canada.

Lhazin Nedup, Evergreen’s project leader for 100In1day events across Canada, believes this to be a great movement.

“It’s really a great opportunity to mobilize citizens and make them aware about the different social and environmental issues happening in their cities,” Nedup said.

He said he believes that the workshops are effective in helping individuals network among themselves, gain confidence and follow through to design their plans and interventions.

“It doesn’t matter if your idea is small or big,” Nedup said. “If you want to see a change you have to do something about it.”

Founded in Bogotá, Colombia in 2012, 100In1day has spread to 31 cities across the world. 100In1day Vancouver has been active for the past three years.

Robyn Chan, the intervention coor-

dinator for 100In1day Vancouver, said her favourite part about workshops are the participants’ funny and strange ideas. This year’s ideas have included an outdoor musical jam at Alexandra Park and a cycle and sketch event around Stanley Park and False Creek.

The workshops are there to generate ideas and make sure they become realities.

“We sit down with [participants] and talk about how we can take their ideas and make them into really great urban interventions that they can do in June,” Chan said.

The main goal of these workshops and the event on June 4 is to change attitudes about the city and to make it a better place.

“We have a reputation for being an unfriendly city, so it’s really great to see people doing something great,” Chan said.

CIVIC ideas 1

Art installations and street art

2 3 4 5

Planting community gardens Screening socially conscious films Community potlucks

Setting up a free lemonade stand and talking to passer-bys Source:

100In1Day Vancouver website

n upcoming film festival aims to inform and delight audiences about South Africa and its complex history, according to an organizer.

This year’s Vancouver South African Film Festival (VSAFF) will take place at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at the SFU Woodward’s building from April 8 to 10. According to festival organizer David Chudnovsky, the festival’s mission is to help entertain and inform people of the culture, history and politics of South Africa through feature films and documentaries. Chudnovsky also said another major goal is to help society understand South Africa’s complicated and fascinating history.

“South Africa is sometimes an inspiring place, it is certainly a beautiful place, sometimes it’s a horrifying place,” said Chudnovsky. “It’s a very complicated place with a difficult and challenging history and tremendous cultural background. It’s diverse and beautiful.”

A large part of the festival audience are former residents of South Africa who still want to remember, participate and be part of South African culture, as well as Canadians who want to expand their cultural knowledge.

“Cinema is a cultural form and so the South African movies are an important and interesting cultural form that we’re disseminating in Vancouver,” said Chudnovsky. “The content of the films that we show over the years and this year include history, music, dance and all kinds of cultural forms.”

The fesitval this year will feature 14 South African films. All festival proceeds will go towards funding Education without Borders.

Michael Boucher, director of cultural programs and partnerships at SFU Woodward’s cultural programs, said he is a fan of the festival and that of the many festivals he co-presents the VSAFF is one of his favourites.

“The array of films show the complexity of the contemporary South Africa dealing with the apartheid legacy,” said Boucher. “On top of that all the modern issues that a country like South Africa, with its infrastructural challenges, has to face.”

Hyper-local food on show’s menu CELEB chefs 1 2 3 4 5

Bob Blumer, The Surreal Gourmet Dr. Theresa Nicassio, The Inclusive Chef Chef Dez, Author: Cooking Topless Chef Hamid Salimian, Nextjen Gluten Free Brian Misko, House of Q BBQ

Source: Celebrity cooking stage, Fraser Valley Food Show website

Food festival to focus on artisanal goods and smaller producers from the bountiful Fraser Valley

By REUBEN DONGALEN JR.

M

any local and artisan food producers are set to showcase their talents and goods at the eighth annual Fraser Valley Food Show from April 1 to 3 in Abbotsford.

Various local vendors from across the Lower Mainland and international celebrities in the food and beverage industry will be at the food show to share their passion and craft for food and drink to hundreds of attendees.

According to the event’s website, the festival aims to demonstrate the magic of food, cooking, unique products, beverages, spices and condiments at the

the Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre.

George Acs, the co-producer and coowner of the food show, said that it is a unique showcase because of local, smaller vendors and various events and seminars that are offered to the audience.

“What we have is a lot of the more, artisan, smaller producers that have products that would be very hard to find, because they don’t have the same large distribution networks as other major food producers,” Acs said.

Aside from the local food and beverage vendors, Acs said that they have one of the largest assortments of gluten-free vendors for their third year.

The festival will also offer its annual Great Canadian Sausage Making Competition, a butcher showcase and a strong showing of food industry celebrities, including Hidekazu Tojo of To-

jo’s Resaurant in Vancoucer, to make the show special, he said.

Kerry Dyson, vice president for the Campaign for Real Ale Society of British Columbia, said the event would also allow guests to taste homemade craft beers and beverages.

“It’s good for individual consumers, because they get to see a wide variety of what craft beer is, rather then being stuck with cheap, domestic lager,” Dyson said.

He also said that he believes the food show is good because it allows the general vendors to network and get the public to become more familiar with their products.

“It’s about individuals and people that are passionate about their craft and their own quality goods. The food show really highlights that,” Dyson said.

SUBMITTED photo

Hidekazu Tojo of Tojo’s Restaurant is one of many celeb chefs who’ll be giving demonstrations at the show.

Lifestyles

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 2016

EDITOR MURRAY B. HUNT

5

Manspreading: key to finding love?

Postural expansiveness makes humans more romantically appealing, study says

“

By SIMRAN GILL

A

ccording to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, manspreading is a desirable trait.

The study found that manspreading, a term used to refer to men who sit in public places with their legs spread wide open, appears to be an enticing trait because it makes men appear larger.

“Postural expansiveness makes humans more romantically appealing,” said the study.

The study used speed dating and an app similar to Tinder to retrieve the data. Over 100 speed dates were observed and it was noted that men who sat with their legs open doubled their chances of getting a second date with their partner.

Crossing arms or legs makes one look smaller and less desirable to potential suitors said the study.

First-year criminology student at Langara College, Joey Osborne, said that he knows the value of manspreading.

“I sit with my legs open because it’s comfortable and natural, I think most guys do it because it allows for ventilation, things get hot and having your

I never really pay attention to it unless I am on the bus, sitting next to a person and their legs are invading my personal space RICKI BASRA SIMRAN GILL photo

Langara College student Said Zaid and his friends sitting and relaxing on campus manspreading. legs open solves the problem,” said Osborne.

Second-year social service worker student at Langara, Ricki Basra, said she does not find it particularly attrac-

tive when a man’s legs are spread open.

“I never really pay attention to it unless I am on the bus, sitting next to a person and their legs are invading my personal space,” said Basra.

Designs make it easier for sexes to cross over

Basra also noted that in the right setting she would prefer a man to sit with his legs open as opposed to crossed. In her opinion crossed legs makes men appear smaller.

Chokers on the comeback Choker necklaces have made a return, now seen on the famous runways around the world

By NATALIE DUNSMUIR

C

Courtesy of Nowtoronto.com

Pieces frin a gender neutral clothing line.

Gender-neutral clothing includes sweater vests, button down shirts, male skirts, combat boots

By SCOTT FORBES

T

he line between men’s and women’s fashion is becoming increasingly blurred with the rise in popularity of unisex, or gender neutral clothing.

Androgynous clothing has been around for decades, but in the past few years there has been a wave of designers specifically tailoring their clothing lines to fit men and women.

Gender-neutral clothing includes sweater vests, button down shirts, male skirts, combat boots and military inspired fashion.

Kildare Curtis, owner of Eugene Choo, a Vancouver unisex clothing store, says there has been an increased acceptance of gender-neutral fashion and designers.

“There’s been a rise, and the designs

have made it a little easier for people in both sexes to cross over,” he said.

Curtis offered a reason for the rise in popularity.

“I think it’s that people aren’t being held back by gender roles. There’s more comfort in a woman shopping in the men’s section and vice versa,” he said.

Lisa Baran, a second year Studio 58 student, believes people should be able to wear what they want.

“I think anyone should be allowed to express themselves however they want. Society, for decades, has put us in these separate boxes that I think are so unnecessary.” She said.

Her mood dictates what type of clothes Baran wears on any given day.

“There are days that I’ll dress up in a flowery skirt and a crop top and feel great, and then there are days that I’ll wear baggy jeans and a unisex t-shirt and also feel good,” she said.

Baran feels in society there is still stigma regarding gender and clothing, but said she is hopeful.

“We’re definitely heading in the right direction.”

“

I think anyone should be allowed to express themselves however they want.

Society, for decades has put us in these separate boxes

SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER STUDENT

hokers, were very popular during the 90’s, and have made a style comeback but some Langara College students don’t seem happy.

Celebrities and models alike have been seen wearing them, including Kim Kardashian and Rihanna.

Choker necklaces are here to stay as they have been seen everywhere on the runway such as Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta and Anna Sui to name a few in their Fall 2016 Collections.

Sam Borje, a Vancouver resident who wears neck chokers often, said the accessory is making a small comeback.

“It’s super cute and I think it is in a way kind of versatile because there are different colours,” she said. “Plus you can hang charms from them.”

Borje does not think there will be a complete resurgence in the necklace’s popularity, however.

“I don’t think it will come back full

force,” she said.

The Choker was first worn in 1798 during the French Revolution in a form of a red ribbon to pay homage to those who died at the guillotine. It became a royal trend in 1800 by Princess Alexandra of Wales and an elite marker in the late 1800. It was revived in 1944 by the Life magazine and was also used as dog collars and then came back in the 90’s.

Liza Shein, a first year health sciences student at Langara, said that she would not wear neck chokers.

“I think they peaked earlier this year, no, in 2015,” she said. “They had their rise. But I don’t think it’s going to come back anymore. I think it got some negative views from people. Too childish looking.”

Second year Langara Kinesiology student, Meghan Jamieson agreed.

“I wore them when I was younger but I wouldn’t wear them anymore.” she said. “I think they are coming back in style but it’s not really something I would wear.”

Hans Woo, owner of Vancouver boutique Woo To See You, sells chokers.

She said that the fashion item are gaining popularity locally.

“I’ve seen pieces getting made by local designers,” she said

LISA BARAN STUDIO 58 STUDENT

Courtesy of poisonedappleboutiqu.deviantart.com

A Gothic rosary choker with hints of silver giving off a slight sparkle. A two inch gothic style cross adorns the center with a Garnet glass faceted stone.

6

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

EDITOR SERENA PATTAR

viewpoints

TransLink Feel the Bern up north gates need W closure I

t is annoying for me to see people walking across the big open fare gates at SkyTrain stations without tapping in their Compass cards.

Those gates are for people with disabilities.

It’s not fair for the people who are honestly tapping their cards, while others just stroll by the open gates without paying at all.

Starting on April 4, all fare gates will be closed.

Jennifer Morland, senior communications advisor for TransLink, told NICO HERNANDEZ me that the fare gates for people with disabilities will be closed if there is staff in the stations. If there are no staff available, it will remain open.

I believe that TransLink staff should be present at all times to help people with disabilities.

Regardless of if it’s peak hours or not.

Staff should be responsible enough to handle the 700,000 people who use the SkyTrain and SeaBus on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, the bigger fare gates will remain open when staff I believe aren’t present, that Transallowing some people to potenLink staff tially ride without should be paying at all.

The problem of present at fare evasion will all times to still exist. help people Commuters might think twice with about tapping disabilities their cards for a system that doesn’t enforce using them adequately.

The Compass system has had problems in the past that make it hard for TransLink to be held accountable in their promises.

A 2014 glitch in the system caused customers to be charged extra when they tapped out of buses.

I hope that TransLink recognizes that they can solve the problem of fare evasions and take care of people with disabilities with the solution of closing all the fare gates and have staff present all the time.

ith this years U.S. election boiling down to a three-way race between Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders the results will have ramifications that will directly impact Canada and the rest of the world.

With the three-ring circus side show of politics happening in America it was only a matter of time before the Bern made its way across the border.

Maybe a wall could have stopped it, and maybe we’ll find out.

One front-runner is a borderline racist, misogynistic, billionaire who promotes violence at his rallies and is quick to remind you how much better he is than everybody else at every single thing.

The other, a former first lady that

is so far in Wall Street’s pocket, she’ll probably be front and center in The Big Short 2: Oops, we did it again.

The third and final option is Sanders, running an honest campaign.

He was once JASON HAMILTON charged with resisting arrest back in 1963 while protesting for civil rights and against segregation.

Sanders is willing to hold Wall Street accountable and provide free education.

With Sanders recently making up

OPINION

grounds with three primary wins in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington, he is beginning to close the gap.

It provides just a bit of hope that maybe America is starting to wake up.

With weekly mass shootings, the divide between the rich and poor growing and racial tensions increasing, it seems obvious that it’s time to try a different approach, and perhaps Sanders fits the bill.

So my neighbors to the south, if you’re feeling something deep down inside telling you it’s time to for actual social and economic change and you truly want to make America great again, vot for change.

Spread it around until all of America is infected and everyone is feeling the Bern.

Journalism instructor Erica Bulman oversees The Voice. Email her at ebulman@langara.bc.ca

HOW TO REACH US PHONE

604-323-5396

FAX

604-323-5398

E-MAIL

thevoice@langara.bc.ca

DROP-IN

SNAIL MAIL

The Voice 100 West 49th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 2Z6

WEBSITE www.langaravoice.ca

EDITORIAL STAFF MANAGING EDITOR Rosemary Newton

PAGE EDITORS PAGE 1 Kathryn Wu

PAGE 2

“

Got a different point of view?

Write to us.

Problems with something we’ve said?

Let us know.

Think we got a fact wrong?

Tell us.

The Voice is published by Langara College’s journalism department. Editorial opinions are those of the staff and are independent of views of the student government and administration. We welcome letters to the editor. They may be edited for brevity.

Your letter must include your name and phone number.

Room A226 Langara College There is a mailbox at the entrance to the journalism rooms.

OPINION

We want to hear from you

V

the oice

Tessa Vikander

PAGE 3 Nancy Plechaty

PAGE 4 Ben Bengtson

PAGE 5 Murray B. Hunt

PAGE 6 Serena Pattar

PAGE 7 Kevin Underhill

PAGE 8 Mark Stuart

MANAGING WEB EDITOR Rumana Dsouza

WEB EDITORS Scott Drake Vincent Matak

COPY/WEB EDITOR SEAN LEE comic

The Canucks are pucking bad I

n last Friday’s 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues, the Vancouver Canucks were officially eliminated from the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Let’s be honest with ourselves Canucks fans, we knew they weren’t going to win the Cup this year, it wasn’t going to happen, and it isn’t going to happen next season, and probably not even the season after.

SERENA PATTAR We need to rebuild.

They can’t deny it anymore, and they have to face the facts, they suck. In order for the Canucks to succeed, they need to make smart trades, not ones just to simply make a deal.

OPINION

The Canucks have been relying on the Sedins for far too long, and while Daniel and Henrik can still produce—not as much as they have in the past—it’s clear they’re no longer enough to carry the team.

No one really likes change, but in sports it’s inevitable.

This is not the same team we had in 2011, they don’t have that jump and spirit anymore. They look lazy on the ice, they don’t hustle as much as they should and it’s frustrating to watch them play a fairly good game, and then lose to teams they have the ability to beat.

Currently on an eight-game losing streak—and last night’s game versus the playoff bound San Jose Sharks might have made it nine— this will be Vancouver’s worst season since 1998-1999 when Mark Messier was the captain.

The age-old adage, “There’s

always next year,” is always true of sports. Next season the Canucks will be a different team, hopefully with different We need players.

They have a to rebuild. good chance to They can’t receive a high pick in this deny it summers NHL anymore, Draft—Auston and they Matthews anyone?—and have to hopefully, they face the won’t trade the facts, they pick.

Don’t fret suck Canucks fans, change is inevitable, there’s always next year, and as long as we finish the season ahead of Calgary, it’s not too bad.

So, is it October yet?

“

Sean Lee Seyedmostafa Raziei

REPORTERS Daniel Dadi-Cantarino Chantelle Deacon Reuben Dongalen Jr. Natalie Dunsmuir Scott Forbes Simran Gill Jason Hamilton Nico Hernandez Brian Kurokawa Alyd Llewellyn Jordan Macdonald Veronnica MacKillop Chahira Merarsi Luis Mina Linda Nguyen Alison Pudsey Ashley Singh Roberto Teixeira Anna Tilley Jenna Tytgat Chandler Walter Jake Wray

Contact us: Online at langaravoice.ca

Twitter: @LangaraVoice

News & features

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

EDITOR KEVIN UNDERHILL

7

From self-harm to self-heal Driving campaign Artist says primarily women are seeking self-help through tattoo art

By ANNA TILLEY

A

ccording to Auberon Wolf, women are more likely to visit her tattoo parlour seeking to convert their injuries into art than men are.

Wolf, a Vancouver-based tattoo artist, has been transforming physical and emotional scars into personal pieces of tattoo art to help herself and others move on from past challenges. She said clients are choosing to cover their scars and are then able to escape past perceptions and just see their ink.

Over the past two and a half years, she said it’s more common for women to come to her for this type of tattoo as opposed to men. The reason, Wolf said, is because women and men process traumatic experiences differently.

“I definitely know the numbers are skewed by the way men maintain emotional virginity in order to maintain masculinity,” Wolf said.

She added that having scars covered was personally empowering and now helping others become more confident makes the past worth it.

“Everything difficult and challenging that I’ve experienced that has left me with my own physical and emotional scars was for something really worthwhile,” said Wolf.

Barbara Partridge, a clinical counsellor with Arbutus Counselling Services, has never treated a male client for self-harm issues.

“It does tend to be more women than men. Usually [self harm] seems to be a response to ways of dealing with stress and anxiety,” said Partridge. “Traditionally men have been more likely to drink alcohol or something.”

Melissa Grimes, a Victoria resident has tattoos of her own and said she thinks there’s a lot of pressure to have a perfect narrative behind tattoos.

“I felt [that pressure] with my first piece when I was 20, but with each subsequent piece, those feelings diminished,” Grimes said. “I think tattoos mean very different things to different people. They can be empowering, rebellious, fun or symbolic.”

Advocate calls out ICBC’s crackdown on distracted driving for omitting important statistics.

By CHAHIRA MERARSI

D

AUBERON WOLF provided photos

Auberon Wolf uses her tattoo skills to cover up injuries and scars with art.

Curtains close on Limelight Video Limelight Video is the latest victim of the rapidly changing movie and television industry

JORDAN MACDONALD photo

Owner Don Newton enjoyed his video rental business while it lasted.

criticized

By JORDAN MACDONALD

T

he credits will roll for the last time when Limelight Video officially closes its doors on March 31.

Like many other movie rental stores in Vancouver, Limelight has been unable to keep up with the changes in rental services available to customers.

Limelight owner Don Newton cited increased costs of operation and the rise of video streaming services such as Netflix as the primary reasons for the store’s closure.

“It’s a very enjoyable business,” Newton said. “We sort of peaked in about 2008, and then business has been steadily declining since then.”

Videomatica, another Vancouver video store, has sold off sections of its archive to UBC and SFU in order to keep afloat. As a result, according to store manager, B.J. Summers, they no longer do rentals.

Newton said that movie rental stores such as his could have a positive impact on the movie watching experience for customers.

“It’s just changing times,” Newton said. “Many people would rather sit at home and click play on their remote than drive to a video store.”

Bjorn Olson, from Black Dog Video, said that streaming services provides a more convenient way for people to watch movies, but ultimately customers are missing out on the experience of visiting a movie rental store.

“Sometimes you just don’t want to

put on your pants and go outside, but for a lot of people that doesn’t cut the mustard,” Olson said. “Being able to go into a store and have a tactile experience, that makes a huge difference.”

Olson has an optimistic view of Black Dog Video’s future prospects, despite the overall decline of the movie rental business.

“We’re not going to close any time soon,” Olson said. “I think [Black Dog] is vibrant and healthy. As long as people are still interested in our experience I think we’ll be OK.”

“

It’s just changing times. Many people would rather sit at home and click play on their remote than drive to the video store

erek Lewers, an advocate for B.C. motorists, considers B.C.’s new anti-distracted driving campaign a misuse of resources.

Lewers said the campaign is misleading, and that distracted driving due to cell phones only makes up 1.5 per cent of distracted driving fatalities.

“When ICBC says that 81 people die each year from distracted driving, that’s exactly the information I get,” Lewers said. “But when you drill down and get the FOI request and what that break down is, only one to two of those 81 deaths is attributed to the use of a communications [or] electronic device.”

Earlier this month, ICBC and B.C. police launched a campaign against distracted driving by cracking down on drivers using their phones.

ICBC’s website says distracted driving is the second leading cause of car crash fatalities.

Distracted driving consists of anything that diverts attention from the road, including outside distractions.

However, Lewers said he feels that the campaign exaggerates some of the statistics.

“When ICBC says that distracted driving is the number two cause of fatalities on B.C. roads, what they’re leaving out is that there’s only three top causes they use and they’re also not breaking down the cell phone component,” Lewers said.

Mark Milner, the program manager at ICBC, said that although distracted driving isn’t limited to cell phone use, it’s still an important issue.

“The problem with distracted driving goes beyond mobile devices, but it is the most common form of distraction on our roads,” Milner said. “Our motivation is to try to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that result from distracted driving each year, which causes far too much trauma for British Columbians.”

The Vancouver Police Department’s media liaison officer, Randy Fincham, said the push to penalize distracted driving is fully in the interest of public safety.

“To me, one death as a result of a distracted driver per year is too many.

Eighty-one deaths per year are far too many deaths,” he said.

DON NEWTON OWNER LIMELIGHT VIDEO

JORDAN MACDONALD photo

The dwindling shelves at Limelight Video in its final days.

CHAHIRA MERARSI photo illustration

ICBC and B.C. police will be cracking down on distracted driving.

8

THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

EDITOR MARK STUART

sports

Parkour growing in Vancouver Origins Parkour is open to all those interested and welcomes all ages and skill levels

By VERONNICA MACKILLOP

BRIAN KUROKAWA photo

Women’s basketball coach Mike Evans (standing, right) runs a drill during his last year at the helm of the team.

Coach retires after 14 years Mike Evans to step down after long coaching tenure at Langara

Awards

under Evans Three Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association AllCanadian Awards

20 PacWest All-Star Awards

PacWest Provincial Championship (2005-2006) Source: Brian Kurokawa

By BRIAN KUROKAWA

A

fter 14 years of coaching, Mike Evans has stepped down as head coach of the Langara Falcons women’s basketball team.

Evans started coaching in 2002, making him the longest serving women’s basketball coach in the school’s history.

During his time coaching the team, they won three Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian Awards, 20 PacWest All-Star Awards, and one PacWest Provincial title. Evans was also named PacWest Coach of the Year three times.

Jake McCallum, director of athletics and intramurals at Langara, said that he was sad to see Evans go.

“He meant a lot to the program… and he gave a lot of time and is a good friend, it’s a little sad,” said McCallum.

When asked why he stepped down as coach, Evans said that he didn’t have a say in the matter.

“Well, it wasn’t really my choice,” said Evans. “Our athletic director wanted to go in another direction and I couldn’t really argue with that.”

Evans said that leaving might be the best for the team.

“I think it will be good for the program to bring in someone younger, maybe a female coach, something like that would be good for the girls going forward,” he said.

Evans said that it’s going to be hard to leave the team.

“I loved the team, the kids are great,” said Evans. “It’s not easy, but you don’t always get to do what you want to do,” However, Evans did say that somebody has to be held accountable when a team’s record suffers, and in this situation, it’s usually the coach.

“You know, you kind of are what your record says you are, so you know, I don’t have any complaints or anything,” he said.

When asked about the vacant coaching position, McCallum said the position is still open and that some applications came in over the long weekend.

“So I’m going to get my feet under me and sift through the [applications] this week, and then move forward from there.”

Canadian teams miss post-season “

Despite no Canadian teams in the playoffs for the first time since 1969-70, fans will still watch games

By ALYD LLEWELLYN

T

he lack of Canadian teams in this years NHL playoffs won’t have a major effect on Rogers’ viewership, according to an SFU professor.

For the first time in over 40 years, the NHL playoffs won’t feature any of the seven Canadian hockey teams as they currently sit in seven of the bottom 10 spots in the league standings with less than two weeks left in the season. This will also be the first time this has happened since media conglomerate Rogers Communications bought the rights to broadcast all NHL games for 12 years in Canada for $5.2 billion back in 2014.

Despite Canada’s lack of representation in this year’s playoffs, Yupin Yang, an associate professor of marketing at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, doesn’t think this will have a drastic impact on their viewership.

“I think it’ll impact the viewership but it won’t totally fall off because people will still want to follow their favourite players,” Yang said. “Because it’s a long-term contract, [Rogers] should expect some ups and downs overall.”

Cole Blight, assistant coach of the North Vancouver Storm hockey team, thinks the lack of a Canadian team to rally behind will end up costing Rogers.

“I definitely think they’re going to lose money, and they won’t be happy about it,” Blight said. “Whenever your team gets bounced, you always think, ‘Alright, what Canadian team is left?’

MARK STUART photo

The Canadian flag passes by fans during the national anthem of a game between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. because you’re Canadian and [the team’s] Canadian so there’s a bit of a bond there.”

Oliver Robertson, a film arts student at Langara, isn’t planing on paying much attention to the playoffs this year.

“If there’s a game on, I might watch it, but without the Canucks or any Canadian teams there isn’t the same level of investment,” said Robertson.

Rogers was unavailable for comment by deadline.

I think it’ll impact the viewership but it won’t totally fall off because people will still want to follow their favourite players.

Because it’s a longterm contract, [Rogers] should expect some ups and downs overall

A

few years ago, not very many people knew what parkour was, but with a developing community in Vancouver, more and more people are getting involved.

Origins Parkour, the first parkour gym to open in Vancouver in 2012, has about 300 to 400 visits per week, and is gaining popularity with all ages.

Rene Scavington, one of the founders of Origins, said that the sport is starting to become better known.

“Most people are starting to know what parkour is,” said Scavington. Although he said there are still some inconsistencies about what people think of the sport.

“Basically, we’re trying to interact with spaces that include structures, so it’s trying to find a route that gets you from one place to another,” said Scavington. “You can be creative, add in tricks, and make it your own thing. I’m more of a traditional parkour guy, but everyone has their own style.”

Origins is open to the experienced, but people of any age and skill level are welcome. “[Members] start at the age of five, and we have some participants as old as 60 come in,” said Scavington.

“It is really something that anyone can do, everything is scalable. If you’re older or you’re not physically fit, you’re starting with ground level stuff,” he said. “You’re doing really tiny movements and trying to build up on them.”

Jaxon Wong, a coach at Origins, began parkour when he started teaching martial arts tricking at Origins when it first opened. “I started taking a few parkour classes, and it was too fun not to do,” said Wong.

He said that it’s really nice seeing younger people getting involved in the parkour community. “A lot of kids are coming in, and putting in the time and work,” said Wong. “Before, the [parkour] communities were just teenagers and adults, but now that we have a gym and classes available, younger kids are starting to get into it.”

Wong said that when kids start out, the coaches focus more on motions, and less on technique.

“The structure comes with practice.”

YUPIN YANG MARKETING PROFESSOR SFU VERONNICA MACKILLOP photo

Jaxon Wong at Origins Parkour.