The Voice • October 31, 2019 • Volume 52 • Issue 3

Art meets tech

Women, reading matters

Stop changing the time!

Expert says Daylight Saving Time harms students' health

 By KRISTEN HOLLIDAY

Changing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time affects students’ health and wellbeing, yet moving to permanent Daylight Saving Time will have more serious implications, according to SFU psychol-

ogy professor and sleep specialist Ralph Mistlberger.

Clocks will turn back an hour to Standard Time on Nov. 3, but the B.C. government is reconsidering the bi-annual practice.

Each March the clocks are moved forward to Daylight Saving Time to gain more evening light in the

spring and summer months; it also means shorter mornings. Clocks are then turned back to Standard Time in autumn.

Daylight is a powerful regulator for the internal clock, which controls hormone levels and affects many other aspects of our lives, says Mistlberger.

“You will see negative health and safety consequences if we go to permanent Daylight Saving Time, and we’re actually going to see it more in young people,” said Mistlberger.

“The earlier you wake students up relative to their internal clock, the worse off they’re going to be. Their ability to pay attention, to process information, working memory, all those things are going to be worse,”

But, Michael Paulyn, a fourthyear business and marketing student at Langara College, is one of the

many students who would like to see a permanent switch Daylight Saving Time.

“You’re more up to enjoy 9 p.m. in the summer when the sun is out for longer,” Paulyn said. “You have more fun in the summer and partially spring and fall, so I’d rather keep it to that.”

Results of a recent government survey showed that 93 per cent of British Columbia residents, and 86.6 per cent of students, support a move to permanent Daylight Saving Time.

Gabriella Carvallo, a first-year marketing management student at Langara, likes the current system where the clocks move forward in the Spring.

“We have one extra hour of sun to enjoy after work,” Carvallo said. “I could use that hour. I would like that to stay.



By LAUREN GARGIULO

Young women with higher levels of reading proficiency at the age of 15 earn more than those with lower levels — mainly because they acquire more educational credentials, leading to higher earnings.

The StatCan study, titled “Does reading proficiency at age 15 affect employment earnings in young adulthood?” was released Oct. 17.

This study used data from another StatCan study “Programme for International Student Assessment/ Youth in Transition Survey (PISA/ YITS)” released in 2000, found that high scores in the PISA test in both men and woman accounted for higher earnings.

Laura Gibson, co-author of the new study, said that the wage gap between men was largely explained by other factors such as parental income, the wage-gap for women was explained by something else.

“Education explains much of the gap in earnings between high-skill and low-skill woman.”

Sandra Enns, a sociology professor at Langara College, believes that factors other than education also account for the wage gap difference between the sexes.

“Men and women go in completely different fields and those fields are paid differently.”

The study does note that higher literacy proficency levels at the age 15 does make a significant impact several years later.

“Skills and educational attainment are closely related. For example, Canadian students with higher literacy skills at age 15 are often more likely to complete high school by age 21 and pursue postsecondary education than their peers with lower literacy skills,” the authors said.

Gibson added that the study continues to help us try and understand the wage gap.

“This study helps to shed light on the complex roll of skills and education in outcomes such as earnings,” Gibson said. “

There may be other factors not measured in this study such as skills acquired later in life.”

PRODUCED BY LANGARA JOURNALISM STUDENTS | WWW.LANGARAVOICE.CA

A student sleeps on his bus ride to school before the sun has risen. Students often use their commute to catch up on their sleep. KRISTEN HOLLIDAY PHOTO

A student walks home in the dark by T Building at Langara College. KRISTEN HOLLIDAY PHOTO

“You will see negative health and safety consequences if we go to permanent Daylight Saving Time.”

RALPH MISTLBERGER— SFU PROFESSOR AND SLEEP SPECIALIST

New StatCan study shows impact that reading skill levels at age 15 have on women several years later

'Change is coming soon'

“We are a wave of change and together we are unstoppable,” said Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg Friday Oct. 25, in front of a crowd filled with thousands of climate protestors like herself.

Thunberg’s speech highlighted the 15 young Canadians who have sued the Canadian federal government claiming their rights have been violated due to governmental contributions to climate change.

Thunberg encouraged students to continue protesting each Friday afternoon and encouraged working adults to leave work.

“Change is coming whether you like it or not,” Thunberg said.

See www.langaravoice.ca for full story

Vancouverites want to learn French, stats say

 By HENRI NGIMBIS

Dalila Gonzales, a retired businesswoman who immigrated from Peru 40 years ago, said that although she learned French while living in Montreal, she appreciates the opportunity to continue speaking French in Vancouver.

Francophones fraternize, unify Shoplifting freely

Shopkeepers say more police action needed

By PALAK KLAIRE

High rent isn’t the only thing that challenges Vancouver shops in the downtown core. Some small business owners say robbery — sometimes with inadequate police response — also contributes to major difficulties.

Two Vancouver business owners said they have struggled to get help from the Vancouver Police Department and are beginning to lose faith in the justice system.

Statistics reported by the VPD in 2018 state that, Vancouver’s Central Business District alone, 4710 incidents of theft were reported and the city’s total was 12,270 reported incidents in one year.

Vancouver police media spokesperson, Constable Steve Addison said they work quite closely with loss prevention officers and take all calls very seriously.

“If someone needs us, if some -

one calls us, we will attend,” Addison said.

Yet, Downtown Florist shop owner, Ali Tabasson, said he has sustained losses from theft anywhere from $100 to $150 daily. Although

job when shoplifters come in — and it could be dangerous.

“I am upset,” Huynh said.

With some small businesses being pushed out of the downtown core due to high rents, the theft of even small items can be devastating.

“We rely on selling product to pay this high rent… [stolen goods valued] less than $50, they don't seem to care,” said Huynh, of their dollar store merchandise. “The law seems to be in favour of shoplifting,” she added.

Addison said the police don’t measure the seriousness of the crime by the value of the product.

Tabasson said he has nabbed suspects in the past, when he needed police, he said often they do not respond.

"We call the VPD to report about the issue, but they don't answer [the call],” Tabasson said.

Amy’s Jr. Loonie Toonie Town owner, Sui Huynh, said that her business partner and husband have sometimes needed to do the police’s

“Anything ranging from high-end products valued at several hundred dollars, to someone stealing a bag of chips and a chocolate bar, we will be there,” Addison said.

On its website, the VPD offer crime prevention and safety tips for businesses which may discourage shoplifters from targeting the business.

Gonzales last week attended the Rendez-vous Apéro, a type of French cocktail hour put on by the Alliance Française de Vancouver, where she can practise in the largely Anglophone city.

The Alliance Française de Vancouver, founded in 1904, provides French courses and cultural activities where adults and young students may come and learn.

“I am so fortunate to see such events in Vancouver where I can practise my French,” said Gonzales, adding that being fluent in both Canadian national languages helps unify Canada.

Friday, Oct. 25, was the first social gathering of the school year called Rendez-vous Apéro: Celtic. Eloise Loriot, the event coordinator of the centre, said that this particular evening is always successful and

sees a bright future for students who attend.

“Members come from all over Vancouver, sometimes with their families, to meet and talk with friends in French, and to enjoy French food,” Loriot said.

Attendance at the South Vancouver French language learning centre is on the rise and so is Francophone influence in Vancouver.

Canadians understanding the importance of their official languages, English and French, is becoming more popular. In a 2016 survey, French immersion enrolment in schools increased 30 per cent over the previous 10 years and those who speak French a home in B.C. increased 21 per cent over the prior decade. The Alliance Française de Vancouver has seen increases as well.

“We have observed an increase of French learners of 35 per cent in the last five years in all age groups in our institution,” said Loriot, who added that their students include federal government workers and children who would like to work within the federal administration in the future.

Another participant, Eric Lebrun, a Belgian chemical engineer who has been living in Vancouver for 30 years, also praised the unity of Canada by the knowledge of French and English languages.

“Knowing French and English reinforces the unity of not only the country but the community as well,” Lebrun said.

FRENCH PRESENCE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

FRANCOPHONE PRESENCE IN B.C. IS INCREASING

1. Lower Mainland

Fifty-eight per cent of B.C.'s Francophone population live in the Lower Mainland.

2. French students

One-third of B.C.'s students are enrolled in core French programs.

3. B.C. bilingualism

Seven per cent of B.C.'s population are bilingual in English and French.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGES, 2016

“We call the VPD to report about the issue, but they don't answer [the call].”

— ALI TABASSON, DOWNTOWN FLORIST SHOP OWNER

LIAM

HILL-ALLAN

PHOTO

Downtown Florist flower shop, located on Vancouver's Davie Street, has sustained losses daily up to $150, said shop owner Ali Tabasson. PALAK KLAIRE PHOTO

Chewing gum art a real hit with kids

 By GINA ROGERS

After wowing a local elementary school with their interactive, multi-phased candy project, ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain,’ a pair of artists explained the kind of impact participatory art can have on getting students more involved in public art.

Helen Reed and Hannah Jickling, who came to Langara College’s Visiting Artists series to discuss public artwork, started the participatory project with Queen Alexandra Elementary School in East Vancouver, after the students were seeking more skills-based learning.

Reed and Jickling’s latest collaboration produced chewing gums with different flavors and names. Hello Kitty Bubble Bath is among the different kinds. Sales profits from the candies made by the students are going toward more arts supplies, workshops and visits from artists for their school.

“‘Thunder with green apple’ blows my mind, every time,” said Jickling.

Reed, who shares a background in punk and music scenes with Jickling, said they both have a very strong interest in how to showcase art outside of regular galleries.

College beats university

StatCan study suggests college degrees earn a higher pay

 By LINA CHUNG

Kaely Blanche would not be an event coordinator with Vancouver Film School without the co-op work experience she gained while doing her business degree at Langara College.

“We are always interested in the way art can sneak into places where it may not seem to be,” Reed said.

Or “where it may not be welcome,” Jickling said.

Artist Elizabeth Milton helped host the event, making it the latest in a Visiting Artists series by Langara’s Fine Arts department.

Milton, a fine arts instructor at Langara, believes that exposing students to elaborate, interactive art that manifests in unusual ways is beneficial.

“It’s really exciting for students to be exposed to practices that are participatory, are performative,” Milton said. “And that also show that idea of the radicalism of play and that interrogate various institutional structures but in a way that is accessible and playful.”

Now that Vancouver has gotten a taste for participatory art in schools, the reproducibility of the project, and not just its products, could essentially be replicated, but Jickling is confident they’ve created something quite unique.

“The message we’ve developed is kind of idiosyncratic and particular... I don’t think it’s replicable” Jickling said.

“My resume would have been passed over,” Blanche said, since she only had restaurant server work experience previous to getting co-op work experience in event coordination for Langara.

A recent Statistics Canada study found that two years after graduation, people with college bachelor degrees made on average 12 per cent more than people with university bachelor degrees. The study found that the major reason was because college degree participants chose higher paying fields such as business.

Marc Frenette, the study’s author, said that although the wage gap is a significant finding, college degree graduates are only a small percentage, of roughly four per cent, of total university degree graduates.

“If bachelor degree programs were offered in all community colleges across Canada, would the findings still hold?” said Frenette.

“It’s not clear. This could be a very select group of colleges and types of students taking those programs.”

Don Hill, chair of Langara’s business management program, is not surprised by the wage differential because colleges, in general, are more applied than universities.

“We tend to give [students] more of an education that is business ready,” Hill said.

Rochelle Grayson, chair of Langara’s marketing management program, said she is consistently reading job descriptions that are posted online.

“That’s what drives my curriculum,” Grayson said.

Although Blanche attended Langara with the intention to transfer to UBC’s business program, she changed her mind and decided to stay. “I just had such a great connection with the teachers and I was just enjoying the small classes and the entire school,” Blanche said.

ANNUAL EARNINGS: TWO YEARS AFTER GRADUATION

» $55, 187

Annual earnings of college bachelor's degree holders.

» $49, 281

Annual earnings of university bachelor's degree holders.

» $39, 935

Annual earnings of certificate holders.

» $38, 726

Annual earnings of diploma holders.

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

Kaely Blanche is pictured here in her role as events coordinator with Vancouver Film School, a position she credits to the education and experience she received from Langara's business program. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KAELY BLANCHE

“We are always interested in the way art can sneak into places where it may not seem to be.”

— HELEN REED, ARTIST

Artists give back to elementary students with profitable, interactive candy art

Newest study by Statistics Canada suggests that students who choose to graduate with a bachelor's degree from a college versus a university make more money. PHOTO BY HAI NGUYEN VIA PEXELS

Don Hill BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CHAIR

Art technology

A fusion of and Port Moody artist pushes the boundaries of art, specializes in graphic

Story and photos by Soubhik

Jim Andrews is at the helm of a new art form, creating computer-generated art with a program he built himself. Though he may receive some pushback from the art world who may not accept his work as conventional art.

“I think that the work I do is also very beautiful,” Andrews said.

Aleph Null, Graphic Synthesizer runs until November 20th at Massy Books on 229 Georgia St. E. Andrews said that the exhibit is his second after 1999, but one of his best. The titular Aleph Null is a program that Andrews wrote himself and has continually updated since 2011.

Andrews likened Aleph Null to a musical synthesizer, or an instrument one learns how to play, rather than a tool. While a synthesizer can either create sounds from scratch or

sample sounds from the real world, Aleph Null can create images with pure colour or sample images the user imports into it.

“Aleph Null is a software, but it’s all about computer art. The material I’m using is literary, it’s [poetic],” said Andrews, in reference to his work with bill bissett and Jim Leftwich, collaborators featured in the exhibit. “But then there’s the Colour Music stuff, which is just pure colour and that’s more like the computer art part of it.”

A number of the pieces in the exhibit are part of Andrews’ collaboration with bissett, a renowned poet, artist, and musician. The collaboration was born after bissett reached out to Andrews while curating another exhibit in Toronto.

“I said, ‘how about you send me some of your visual poetry, and I’ll

TOP: POEM, one of the collaborative works Andrews created with Jim Leftwich featured at the exhibit.

MIDDLE: The user interface of Aleph Null, which Andrews uses to synthesize the art featured at the exhibit.

BELOW: Attendees at the exhibit's opening night gather around several of Andrews' pieces. PHOTOS SOUBHIK CHAKRABARTI

Colour Music 1, a piece Jim Andrews created using the "pure colour" synthesizer that can create its own sounds or sample sounds from the

graphic synthesis

Soubhik Chakrabarti

feed it to Aleph Null, and you’ll have something for your show and I’ll have something for my website and other stuff that I do’,” said Andrews, recounting the exchange.

Some of the prints at the show, such as pome that frees and 2 th see, resulted from Andrews using Aleph Null to combine some of bissett’s archived poetry from the 1960s and his more recent works.

“The new stuff looks kind of like computer code and the old stuff looks typewriter-ish,” Andrews said.

Viewers have told Andrews that this work is “really striking visually, but also very readable.”

Bissett calls Andrews a “genius”.

“The way he collages text is really wonderful,” bissett said of Andrews’ work with Aleph Null. “You can see more than usual, the stitches in the letters and the letters in the pictures.

Most languages are [pictographic], so language in letters… comes alive.”

One of the pieces in the exhibit, USAMERICAN HITLER, mashes images of Adolf Hitler and U.S. President Donald Trump together. Although he was commissioned to create the work, Andrews said he’s “not all too fond of Trump” either.

"He's going to contact the band, the Nine Inch Nails, and hope fully get them interested in using these images in a music video,” said Andrews, of a potential collabora tion. He said that the project is his and the commissioner’s attempt to “fight fascism”.

Peter Courtemanche, an exhibit attendee, thought Andrews’ work was unique. “It’s different because of the painted look. It looks more like printing on paper, like multi-media,” Courtemanche said.

Movements that rocked the art world

The entirety of the impressionist movement, similar to Jim Andrews' Aleph Null, made audiences question what counted as art.

Impressionists such as Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne painted quickly as if to capture fleeting moments in their paintings, like early morning or evening light.

The results were frequently panned by conservative art critics of the time, who thought the scenes looked

sloppy and unfinished.

The Impressionist movement was all about breaking hyperrealistic and academic tradition within art of the period.

The movement rejected traditional subjects, such as scenes from history, religion, and mythology, in favour of capturing middle-class urban scenes and landscapes.

Historically, they weren't the only ones to get push back. In 1917, Marcel Duchamp submit -

ted a urinal to the Society of Independent Artists. Fountain is a 'readymade', an everyday object considered art simply because the artist said it was.

Baffled audiences of the day wondered what the evaluation process was for submitted art, and asked whether Fountain and other readymades should be even called art. Regardless, the piece shaped the direction of art created in the 20th century.

» The typical resolution of an Aleph Null print reaches 12,000 by 6,750 pixels, about 50% higher than 8K resolution monitors.

ALEPH NULL QUICK FACTS

» Andrews wrote a similar graphic synthesizer program called dbCinema, which he used in an earlier collaboration with Jim Leftwich.

» 20 total pieces will be on display during the exhibit, including Andrews' collaboration with bill bissett's dirtee konkreet poetry from the 1960s.

SOURCE: JIM ANDREWS' ARTIST'S STATEMENT

colour" synthesized from Aleph Null. Andrews likens Aleph Null to a music the outside world. IMAGE JIM ANDREWS

TOP: Attendees at the exhibit's opening night look at (from left to right) care uv th earth, isis , and turning 2 him

LEFT: USAMERICAN HITLER, commissioned by Bob Kasher, is both Kasher's and Andrews' attempt to "fight fascism with images". PHOTOS SOUBHIK CHAKRABARTI

LEFT: Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, a well-known post-impressionist painting. PHOTO PRUDENCE HEWARD VIA FLICKR

RIGHT: Fountain, a controversial 'readymade' piece by Marcel Duchamp. PHOTO ART IS A WORD VIA FLICKR

Read on. It'll pay off, girl!

Whether it’s fictitious tales of magic flying carpets and genies, or a real historical recounting of a brave war hero, we need to be encouraging our youth to read – especially young women.

On Oct. 17, 2019, StatCan released a study called Does reading proficiency at age 15 affect employment earnings in young adulthood, which concluded that the degree of literacy prowess in women by the age of 15 was more closely linked to their eventual income than men of the same age.

While this particular study brings me delight, I can’t help but think if this harms women’s image or proves their strength as a sex.

OPINION

Gender coding of terms like bookworm has been involved in institutionalized sexism in our western society for decades and for valid reasons.

The earliest documented book club dates back to the 1630’s with Anna Hutchinson, a religious reformer, and the women’s meetings she hosted to discuss their minister’s weekly sermons.

There is one compelling question that comes to mind; when considering the recent StatCan study and the traces of sexism closely associating women with reading throughout history is, do we fight it? Is this stereotype that women are known for their love of books a bad thing?

Modern media has frequently incorporated this history of proven bias for arbitrary plot points, a major example being the media conglomerate, The Walt Disney Company. The company openly indulged in the stereotype with their depiction of Belle from the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast. In the movie, there is an entire musical number that summarizes that Belle is beautiful but weird, mostly because she reads.

Fighting stereotypes that have already been integrated into pop culture will always be difficult especially for women, who arguably fight the oppression of men every day. However, these literacy biases can be their strength.

If we can continue to promote young women’s literacy as a surefire sign of a successful future, then that secures a substantial shift in the bias.

Need my Daylight refund

There is evidence to suggest that Daylight Saving Time is harmful in the long run, and I for one am not sleeping on the issue.

This semi-annual ritual affects our daily routines and causes sleep deprivation. This is especially apparent in March, when clocks are scheduled to be set forward an hour.

I dread losing that hour of sleep every year, as it makes life chaotic to the highest point.

It’s a complex situation where many different people have strong

opinions. These strong opinions are what is motivating the B.C. government to consider doing away with the bi-annual time change.

According to a recent survey done by the provincial government, 93 per cent of B.C. residents and 86.6 per cent of students are

OPINION

in favour of year-round Daylight Saving Time.

It’s both dangerous and unhealthy to switch back on and off of daylight saving, as it interferes with how we should be gradually adapting to seasonal changes.

The idea that this practice is essential for creating more time for shopping and recreational activities is just an illusion.

SFU professor Ralph Mistlberger specializes in sleep patterns and says changes to the number of hours you rest can result in reduced work

productivity and an increased risk of heart attacks.

I myself would opt for permanent Daylight Saving Time, because I believe that the small shift of hours negatively influences our performance on basic day-to-day tasks.

Imagine going to sleep while the sun is still up: how can you expect to wake up feeling fresh, luminous and glittery when it’s still dark outside?

Just one of many reasons to change the system and let our clocks have a rest for once!

The days immediately after starting Daylight Saving Time are agitating and stressful. Considering all the potential health risks and overall decrease of personal wellbeing, is that equally brief moment of gaining the hour back really worth it? JOE AYRES ILLUSTRATION

Orchestras feel the ensemble

South Vancouver orchestras forging community, creating music together

 By RAY CHOPPING

Many people take the time to learn to play a musical instrument growing up and during their schooling — but where does a classically trained musician go in South Vancouver to continue practising their art?

Vancouver’s community orchestras provide non-professional musicians a place to practise and perform their art in large ensembles.

Vancouver Pops Orchestra, located on 8881 Selkirk St., was founded by Tom Kuo in 2008. The orchestra’s mission is to provide a

Night jogs can bring people together

Beginners join latenight five kilometres sessions due to full workday schedules

By STEVEN CHANG

Beth Ringdahl was a long-time office worker. That eventually led to symptoms of sciatica. She understood all too well the importance of staying in shape for the longevity heading towards the next decade.

So she joined Eastside Fitness, which has a night jogging program that offers a free, weekly event in the South Vancouver neighbourhood as an alternative fitness option corresponding to people’s busy schedule.

“I find it important to keep the working perspective. If it means

fun, progressive and challenging environment for musicians to thrive.

Operating as a charity, Kuo feels it is important that Vancouver Pops is affordable and open to as many people as possible.

“We really want to be here for the community,” Kuo said.

For many musicians, whose music is not the primary source of their income, the community orchestra is the only available option they have to play.

“The orchestra really helped me to feel part of the community,” said Kimira Reddy, a violin player who

moved to Vancouver from South Africa three years ago.

Wendy Koh, another violinist, said to her the comradery was a very important part of being in the orchestra.

“Arts are crucial to our development as individuals, ” Koh said. She also believes that the live performances might inspire other residents that they are welcome to join in.

SFU professor of music, David MacIntyre, believes the role community orchestras play in Vancouver is essential to keeping big ensemble music alive.

Many of the musicians who play in these community orchestras bring an enormous amount of experience with them. They allow players to “continue making music while

making a living doing something else,” MacIntyre said.

A Little Night Music Orchestra’s conductor and music director, Alana Chan, believes that while it’s fair to say a community orchestra is not professional, it would also be unfair to call them amateur too.

“They fall somewhere in between,” Chan said.

Both orchestras regularly put on Christmas and Spring shows each year throughout the city.

Violinist Matthew Low feels that our city can always use more art.

“Not everyone can afford to watch the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra,” Low said.

program is a great way to get together as a group, especially for women or people unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.

“It’s definitely about creating the community. I love when a whole bunch of people are consistently meeting up and getting to know each other,” Moore said.

A FEW TIPS FOR SOLO NIGHT JOGGERS

» Stay in the spotlight

»Do not rely on your smartphone for security

leaving a little early to fit in a class.

Just knowing that fitness is as important as your work and knowing that there’s friends when you get to Eastside Fitness,” Ringdahl said.

Located on 5788 Fraser St., Eastside Fitness was established by co-founders Wendy Sinclair and Darnelle Moore. Their goal is to create a friendly fitness community.

As a former police officer, Sinclair acknowledges the challenges women encounter towards exercising, which includes working full-time, raising children and safety at night.

“Women put themselves third or

fourth on the list. Gradually, their health declines in terms of mobility and weight gain. In the long run, it can cause other problems,” Sinclair said.

Lara Penno, manager of runner services at the non-profit organiza-

tion RUNVAN, says that there are a few reasons why people decide to night jog across Vancouver.

“I often run first thing in the morning, before work, before my kids are awake. Running in the dark in the morning is the only time of the day I can get out to run,” Penno said.

She says that from a women’s perspective, there is always that fear factor when you jog in the dark.

“You’re a little bit unsure if someone could be waiting around the corner, someone could be jumping out at you,” Penno said.

Moore says the night jogging

» Make sure you know if your friends are outdoor exercising as well

»Travel on routes you know are safe

SOURCE: WOMENSRUNNING.COM

Musicians rehearsing for the Vancouver Pops Orchestra on Oct. 23, 2019. Music director Tom Kuo believes that it is important for the orchestra to stay affordable for many people. RAY CHOPPING PHOTO

“We really want to be here for the community.”

— TOM KUO

VANCOUVER POPS ORCHESTRA FOUNDER

RAY CHOPPING PHOTO

Joggers preparing themselves before a night session near Eastside Fitness on Oct. 24, 2019. STEVEN CHANG PHOTO

“Fitness is as important as your work.”

—BETH RINGDAHL, EASTSIDE FITNESS NIGHT JOGGER

Aiming for Paralympic inclusion

Power Soccer needs more members for consideration: coach

 By ANITA ZHU

While Power Soccer has been turned down for inclusion multiple times, the team manager of a Vancouver league says the sport provides great benefits and should be included in the Paralympic Games.

Power soccer is a game played using motorized wheelchairs, or powerchairs, with specialized foot guards that allow physically disabled individuals to kick the ball. The game is played in teams off four, including a goalkeeper, with two 20 minute periods.

The sport failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Paris Paralympics, with the International Paralympic Committee citing

inclusion issues.

Margaret McLeod, who manages the Vancouver Lightning Club, said she would like to see it included one day.

“It has been very disappointing Power Soccer continues to fail to meet the inclusion criteria in a number of areas to gain Paralympic status,” said McLeod, whose son Dale looks forward to his games each week.

“This sport provides so much value to its players and reaching the Paralympic status will help to create more

awareness and to provide financial support in this rewarding program.”

Lareina Yung has been playing Power soccer for 13 years, travelling to Montreal and San Jose to play matches.

Yung is optimistic about power soccer’s future in the Paralympics, but isn’t worried about the possibility of another failed bid.

“I think in the future they probably will include it,” Yung said.

“We don’t just play to get into the Paralympics. We play because it is

Pacer: time to give back

Runner become pacer to help marathon peers

By

Experienced runners sweated it out last week, setting the pace instead of competing in an effort to give back to their running community by helping their fellow athletes pump up their race times.

Pacers, experienced athletes who help racers through marathons and other races but don’t compete themselves, have made headlines recently with the unrecognized marathon world record set by Eliud Kipchoge, who was equipped with a team of pace setters. Pacers run at a specific pace that runners can match themselves to reach a certain runtime.

Todd Nickel, who’s pacing for the first time at RunVan’s Fall Classic half marathon, said he hopes he’ll be able to help out his fellow racers.

“It's a way that I can also give back to the community, which is primarily why I volunteer to race,” Nickel said.

“I'm hoping that I'm also going to be the guy that helps some people achieve a goal.”

Justin Bonzo is the manager at The Running Room, on Denman Street which provides pacers for races in

fun.”

Lareina’s sister, Lianna Alexandra Yung, has been coaching the team for more than 10 years and said the sport provides a much-needed way for players to exercise and learn the value of teamwork.

“This is the only sport they can play,” she said.

"They wouldn’t have the physical abilities to join other Paralympic sports.”

However, in order for there to be a stronger chance to qualify for the Paralympics, Yung says there needs to be more players.

Currently there are only about 10 power soccer players in Vancouver, and 70 players all together in Canada.

TALLY

Vancouver, and said there's certain requirements he looks for in pacers.

“We prefer them to be able to run half an hour faster than what they’re pacing,” Bonzo said. “If I'm pacing

the four hour group, I should be able to run a three and a half hour marathon.”

Even with pacers, races can be unpredictable, Bonzo said. Runners can have bad days, or pacers can encounter unexpected difficulties that might delay their expected completion time in a race.

“So that’s why we like to have about a half hour cushion.”

RunVan, which hosts several of Vancouver’s most popular races including the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May as well as the Fall Classic at UBC, said they use pacers in their races to encourage runners.

“The majority of people who are using pacers are in all different race times. It’s really just to reach a goal time.” Lara Penno said. As the manager of Runner Services at RunVan, Penno is in charge of hiring pacers.

“They're just very enthusiastic runners that really want to give back,” Penno said.

“They've had good experiences and then they want to help other runners.”

“We don't just play to get into the Paralympics. We play because it is fun.”

— LAREINA YUNG, POWER SOCCER PLAYER

A pacer at the Fall Classic marathon at UBC. The sign held indicates the time runners following him will make. LAUREN GARGIULO PHOTO

Members of the Vancouver Lightning Power Soccer team, at their weekly practice game at Killarney Community Centre. ANITA ZHU PHOTO

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LAUREN GARGIULO

“I'm hoping that I'm also going to be the guy that helps some people achieve a goal.”