Circus comes to town.....................5
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Cirque du Soleil opens this weekend with a new act titled Amaluna, featuring a predominantly female cast twirling around a mysterious island
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Y L I A D
oice
produced by langara journalism students
Mayors pocket money
Check us out online at langaravoice.com This week look for special features on Bright Nights at Stanley Park and an immigrant exhibition at the Musuem of Vancouver.
November 27, 2012 • Vol. 45 no. 9 • vancouver, b.c.
LSU objects to ‘Vote No’ campaign
THE NIGHT OF FIGHTS BOXING
Aboriginal students oppose move to hold all union meetings in camera. By JANA MINOR
Some politicians keep pay while others decline
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By Richard Hodges
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he Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is taking five lower mainland mayors and councillors to task for not waiving their meeting fees at a conference two and a half months ago. At the Vancouver Convention Centre on September 16, the city of Vancouver hosted a conference on their Zero Waste Challenge. While 20 non-elected speakers took no money for their involvement, CTF director Jordan Bateman says Vancouver councillor Andrea Reimer, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan and Surrey councillor Marvin Hunt collected their usual fees. Documents obtained by Bateman through a Freedom of Information request show that Brodie was paid $692 from Metro Vancouver for his full day at the conference while the others received $346 for half day visits. “If they have a keen interest in this project and it means that much to them why are they keeping money others have declined,” asked Bateman. “Politicians should not be paid extra for doing their job just because they’re in the public sector.” Councillor Hunt strongly disagrees that he did anything wrong. “If you’re a nice guy and you donate $100 to the local food bank does it makes sense to fire off emails asking why the rest of the office isn’t doing the same?” he asked. Hunt said the paperwork for these fees are filled out by his office and he’s not responsible for personally approving each one. “It’s a part of being on the Metro and expected when you’re invited to speak on a subject you’re knowledgeable about,” he said. “The waste challenge is a good thing, I’m not sure why I’m the bad guy here.” Mayor Lois Jackson was unsure what conference Bateman was referring to initially, and seem exasperated with the challenge. “Don’t these people have anything better to do?” she asked. The Zero Waste Challenge is in its second year and focuses on reducing waste by encouraging recycling and reuse through bylaws and behavior changes. Printed on recycled paper
STEVEN CHUA photo
Langara general studies student Jerik Brown, left, on guard against Remy Laovoie during The Night of Fights at the Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre last Thursday.
Ethnic groups anti-reefer
The Conservatives’ values align with the ethic community over pot legalization as political pressure builds over the psychoactive drug By Kevin Hampson
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ecent polls suggest the Conservative government’s marijuana policy is out of sync with popular opinion, but the Tories may be right in step with the values of Canada’s ethnic communities. A recent poll conducted by Forum Research suggested that 65 per cent of Canadians, and 73 per cent of British Columbians, support either legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana. But ethnic communities in South Vancouver are staunchly against the idea. “We think marijuana is illegal for a reason,” said Pastor Yu Jian Hong of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The church’s Mandarin services have attracted about 380 parishioners. Pot is bad for society, Hong said, so the government should discourage its use. Legalization would amount to an endorsement, he added. “Why send the signal to young people that it’s OK?” Up the street, at the Fraserview Muslim Community Centre, the consensus was much the same.
“[Pot] is not good for the health or the development of the brain,” said Imam Abdul Razzaq. Pharmacist Sameh Elbably said that he supports the use of pot for medical purposes, but society should discourage its recreational use. “[Pot] has negative effects on the central nervous system, it effects the brain, cognition,” he said. Legalizing the drug would encourage its abuse and open the door to traffic accidents, he added. Politicians who support legalization just want to make money at the expense of the public good, said Sam Abouzant, a retired engineer. “Let the mayor and anybody who wants to smoke it, smoke it in private, so they don’t harm anybody else,” Abouzant said. “It’s like a ‘soma’ drug,” added Farhan Jan, a communications student at SFU. “Soma” is the drug dispensed by the totalitarian state in Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World. Pot renders people apathetic and dumb, making them easier to control, Jan said.
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Let the mayor and anybody who wants to smoke it, smoke it in private, so they don’t harm anybody else.” SAM ABOUZANT
epresentatives of the Langara Students’ Union have told students behind a “Vote No” poster campaign to cease and desist their opposition to the bylaw referendum currently underway. Three students, all members of the LSU’s aboriginal issues committee, have placed a number of posters around the campus urging students to vote against a plan that would see all LSU meetings held in camera and would cancel all elections until the fall of 2013. The referendum continues until Dec. 5 But a member of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association says the LSU has no right to make such a demand. John Dixon said the initiative’s opponents have every right to express their concerns and to put up posters. Dixon urged the LSU to honour that freedom of expression. “I don’t think the government shuts down websites against the Enbridge pipelines,” wrote Dwight Kematch, who emailed Dixon about deficiencies he perceived in the process leading up to the present referendum. Kematch noted that student consultation sessions were held when most students were in class. “This is not a racial thing how they’re playing this out to be, this is about holding them accountable,” said Kematch’s colleague, Chris Cardinal. “I think that the native students actually just hit a nerve with them about why they’re not being transparent about the funds that are available for events and things.” On Monday the aboriginal committee had booked an event in the Students’ Union Building. But the LSU wanted them to cancel it because they said they had booked the space for a bylaw information session. The aboriginal students said no. “They wanted to set up tables for bylaw reasons and we said no because today is our event,” said Cardinal. “ They should realize they can’t double-book on our day. We planned this a month ago. And they planned this two days ago.” For its part, the LSU said there was a lot of misunderstanding around the proposed bylaw, and that the aboriginal students’ “Vote No” campaign was ill-informed. LSU staffer Saadia Rai said none of the aboriginal students attended meetings where the bylaw was discussed, and so don’t understand the issue. “Our intentions are well-meaning,” said Rai.
See STORY SLUGCAPS, page 3 Check out our web exclusives at http://langaravoice.com/
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Editor stacy thomas
The daily Voice, TUESDAY, november 27, 2012
news & features
Labour Fed leadership challenged CUPE supports one of its own, Michelle Laurie, as “best choice” to usurp Jim Sinclair By Jennifer Thuncher
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he union that represents Langara support staff says it is time for a change at the top of the B.C Federation of Labour. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is backing Michelle Laurie, of the electricians’ union, for president against Jim Sinclair at the Fed convention being held this week in Vancouver. “Under Michelle Laurie’s leadership, I’m confident that the BC Federation of Labour will become more relevant to rank-and-file union members all over the province, and position the Fed as a source of new ideas, not just protest,” said president of CUPE, Barry O’Neill. This is the first real threat to Sin-
clair’s leadership after twelve years in power. This challenge comes at a critical time for Sinclair and the BC Fed. With the NDP quite high in the polls and the Liberals on the ropes over various scandals, the Fed is set to have the ear of Adrian Dix and the NDP who may next run this province. Langara Faculty Association president Lynn Carter says the convention always offers a great opportunity for labour activists to get together. She doesn’t think the challenge to Sinclair’s leadership is a negative thing. “It is great to have options for the election. It will be very interesting to see the outcome,” said Carter. In Sinclair’s keynote speech in front
of hundreds of delegates on Monday, there was no sign of the intense contest for the top seat. Instead Sinclair focused his attack on the provincial Liberal’s lack of action on temporary workers, referencing HD Mining in northern B.C. The company “plan [s] to bring hundreds of temporary workers without rights to extract our coal . . . Christy Clark and the B.C. government saw nothing wrong with that,” said Sinclair. For her part, Laurie says it is time for a change of leadership so that a woman leads the organization, but is somewhat vague about what she would do specifically if elected. In a written statement, she says she will improve the image of the union, be
more accountable and focus on training and education. According to delegate Doug Mackay of the electrician’s union, Laurie is the best choice now. “I have no problem with Jim [Sinclair], but we need a change. She would make a good leader,” said Mackay, who sported a bright green “Support Laurie” shirt. Hospital Employee Union spokeswoman Bonnie Pearson supports Sinclair. “Jim doesn’t just support union card holders,” Pearson said “he was fundamental in the fight for minimum wage . . . . and against the abuse of foreign temporary workers.” Pearson said HEU is asking its delegates to vote for Sinclair. The election is on Thursday.
CUPE’s Top pick
Master’s Degree in Environment and Development
Worked with BC Hydro, Engineers Canada, Environment Canada
President of Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Beer war
Steamworks challenges Granville Island Brewing over Cascadia name rights By Sam Reynolds
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wo high-profile Vancouver breweries may become locked in a legal battle over the use of the word “Cascadia” in their brews. According to the blog the Barley Mowat, Steamworks has recently started sending cease and desist letters to breweries that use the word Cascadia in their titles. In a release, Steamworks stated that most breweries that received the cease and desist letters are going to comply with the letter, with the exception of Granville Island Brewing. Steamworks first registered the trademark “Cascadia” for its cream ale that it started brewing shortly after opening its doors in 1995. The brewpub applied for a trademark on the name in 1999, but its application was opposed by Granville Island which was at the time owned by a parent company called “Cascadia Brands.” It has since been purchased by Molson. At the time, Granville Island did not have a product on the market that used the word “Cascadia”. Granville Island withdrew its opposition to Steamworks’ trademark filing in 2006, and shortly thereafter the trademark was registered with Steamworks. As of 2012, the Steamworks cream ale is no longer being brewed. In June 2012 Granville Island released a dark ale it calls the “Cascadian Dark Ale”, which is described as a dark India Pale Ale—a stark contrast from Steamworks’ lighter cream ale. A public letter recently released by Steamworks explains why the brewery is going after Granville Island. “[Steamworks] has decided that protecting our trademark vs. Molson owned Granville Island Brewing is the best course of action so as to preserve the integrity of the name ‘Cascadia,’” the brewery said in its letter. “Our plan is to license the trademark to other true B.C. craft breweries for a very nominal fee ($1 perhaps) which is legally needed to protect the trademark for all.” Steamworks owner Eli Gershkovitch said that in his opinion this case was “black letter trademark law”. “Geographical locations can be trademarked: think Molson Canadian or Granville Island,” Gershkovitch said. Granville Island Brewing maintains that they are not violating any sort of trademark, and that they have not received a cease and desist letter from Steamworks or Gershkovitch.
OMAR SHARIFF photo
BC Ferries hopes to save $26 million with proposed “service changes” and is inviting the public to respond at various consultations.
Islanders upset by proposed ferry cutbacks BC Ferries consulting public about its possible cuts By SIMONE PFEIFFER
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itizens and community stakeholders expressed the need for a larger vision for transportation at a BC Ferries public consultation meeting Monday. About two dozen people gathered at SFU Segal Graduate School of Business to take part in the small public meeting prior to the open house scheduled for later in the evening. BC Ferries is holding meetings in communities throughout the province to receive feedback on its proposals to meet savings of $26 million through “service adjustments”. The deadline to provide feedback is Dec. 21, 2012. Rob MacNeil, general manager of HapiFoods Inc., went to the meeting because he was concerned that proposed cuts to ferry service might impact his ability to ship his product, Holy Crap cereals.
Holy Crap, based in Sechelt on the lower Sunshine Coast of B.C., depends on the Horseshoe Bay ferry. When it comes to getting his wheat shipment and delivering his products, “There’s no other option but the ferry,” he said. Reducing service is unfair to people who rely on the ferry, he said. “How would people in Vancouver feel if we shut down bridges for 4 hours every day?” he said. “It’s a hot-button topic for anyone who lives in a ferrydependent community.” MacNeil also suggested the consultations are a waste of time. “They have all the data, it’s always the same. Cuts, cuts, cuts.” What’s lacking he said, is a more complete assessment. Keep the ferries the way they are. It’s time to look at the infrastructure of B.C. as a whole.” Concern about the lack of a coherent B.C. transportation vision was echoed by others at the meeting. Katja Mazura said she was concerned about the piecemeal approach. “Questions are very specific but we don’t know where we’re going,” she said.
BC FERRIES photo
Proposed ferry cuts may affect Gulf Island routes.
Campus news
Editor ROSS ARMOUR
The daily Voice, MONDAY NOVEMBER 27
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Top vote getter disqualified by LSU LSU candidate disqualified from three of four elections despite receiving most votes By JANA MINOR
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his may not be Libya, but you’d never know the difference when you compare the election rigging under Moammar Gadhafi to that of the Langara Students’ Union, said one student last week. Former environmental issues coordinator Emma Leigha Munro has been disqualified from three out of four LSU elections, despite receiving the most votes each time ballots were cast. She was elected in October and held the seat for two weeks before being told by election committee staff member Donna Rainford-Cayenne she was disqualified. The LSU website says, “Due to irregularities, the LSU board and elections committee have decided to host a by-election for the position of environmental issues coordinator.”
But no by-election has been announced and the semester is almost over. Furthermore, under proposed new bylaws, which are being voted on by students this week, all LSU elections will be cancelled until fall 2013. As for the irregularities in the recent election, LSU spokesman Adam Giesbrecht released a written statement: “Emma did not abide by election policy regarding campaigning online. She was disqualified for that reason.” When asked to elaborate, Giesbrecht declined. An article in 24 Hours profiling Munro was released online during the voting period. According to election policy, candidates are restricted from campaigning online. The article featured Munro with the tagline “The Politician” in the 24 Under 24 series. “I have no control whether a journalist wants to post an article, positive or
negative, about me,” said Munro, who said she otherwise abided by the policy. Munro is a fourth-year bachelor of business student who is also in the design formation program. She is currently president of the Langara Business Association. She first ran for the LSU in winter 2010, received the most votes, but was disqualified because one of her campaign handbills was found posted during election week. She said that any student could’ve posted it there who was unaware of election policy prohibiting posters during voting. She ran again in summer 2010, but the LSU had just passed a motion barring anyone from running in the current election who was disqualified from the previous one. “They passed it during the election, so the entire election was cancelled, which sounds so democratic,” said Munro. “This was the time where Gadhafi was doing the same
thing,” she added. “I thought, ‘They’re never gonna let me into their union. So I’m going to run for the college position, and I get an honorary position on their board and there’s nothing they can do about it.’ So I ran and I won.” Students elected to Langara’s education council, known as “college positions,” are sent as representatives to LSU board meetings. Munro said she went to every meeting and joined multiple internal committees. “I was one of the people in there asking more questions than most people. Basically, I was whistle blowing, I guess,” she continued. “And for that I paid the price.” When asked whether the LSU thinks the repeated disqualification of a candidate appears suspicious, Giesbrecht said, “I have no idea what the LSU thinks.”
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I’m going to run for the college position and I get an honourary position on their board and there’s nothing they can do about it. EMMA LEIGHA MUNRO
A warning: U-Pass not available until Dec. 17
THE END OF TERM MEANS FINALS, AND THAT MEANS MORE STUDYING
Students only given one week to collect pass before campus closes for holidays By Richard Hodges
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ASHLEY VIENS photo
With the final exam period approaching fast, some Langara students take some time to study and work in the college library.
LFA braces for contract negotiations Faculty association fears negotiations with province regarding wage increase could go on for years By Tanya Hill
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ith the current economic climate of austerity and job action by unions throughout B.C., the Langara Faculty Association (LFA) president Lynn Carter isn’t betting on a quick and easy negotiation with the province when they go to the bargaining table next year. “[It] could take years,” Carter said in a phone interview. Since March 2012 Langara’s instructors have been without a collective agreement. The LFA, which represents instructors, counselors and librarians, had a meeting last Friday to discuss the results of a survey, asking faculty about bargaining priorities. Although Carter couldn’t discuss details, she did indicate that “a wage in-
crease and working conditions” are high priorities for faculty. For six years Langara faculty have gone without a wage increase and some faculty who have taught at the college for over seven years are still not full-time. Camosun College in Victoria and the College of New Caledonia have cut faculty, but there doesn’t seem to be any indication of that happening at Langara. In March 2011 the LFA served a 72hour strike notice to the college because of stalled talks. The LFA did sign an agreement in June 2011 with the province, which saw more funds for professional development and a oneweek spring break, but no increases to faculty wages. Ramping up for this round of bargaining the LFA seems poised to play hardball with the prov-
ince. The bargaining team for this round is LFA president Lynn Carter, counseling department chair Fraser Archibald, English department faculty member Peter Babiak and Cheryl McKeeman from the department of math and statistics. Last year the government implemented a net-zero collective agreement with workers, meaning no wage increases for anyone. In October job action affected 12,000 CUPE employees at six universities across B.C. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is in negotiation with the province on behalf of support staff employees at universities and colleges. The collective bargaining agreements for the faculty association at five major research universities in B.C. all expire this year.
LFA bargaining team 1 2 3 4
Lynn Carter, president
Fraser Archibald, counseling department chair Peter Babiak, English department
Cheryl McKeeman, math and statistics department
angara College students can add one more item to their busy to-do lists this holiday season – grabbing their January U-Passes before the campus shuts down for the holidays. The monthly passes for January 2013 aren’t available until December 17, three days after the exam period ends. For students heading home for the holidays, working to pay for next term or simply swamped by the demands of the season, it gives them just a week to grab their pass before the campus closes from Christmas through to New Year’s Day. You could wait until 2013 to grab your pass but be careful riding transit without it as fare enforcement officers will be out in full force to help claw back Translink’s budget shortfall.
LSU criticized continued from page 1 “It’s not something we just hatched up to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.”While Rai was speaking to The Voice, a fellow LSU member yelled at her: “Saadia, what are you doing? Shut the f’--- up!” Cardinal said the LSU only speaks in generalities, never specifics. He also objected to what he and his colleagues believe is the LSU’s secrecy. “It just seems to be regardless what rules or regulations are in place, they’re not really following them. If people had a tape recorder to hold them accountable to what they’ve said, we could blow this whole thing open.” Cardinal also took issue with what he claimed was the difficult language of the referendum question — language that he said could confuse students for whom English is a second language. “The language they use there is a lot of legal language. And there’s a lot of students in this school whose language is not English. Are they being informed in a way that they understand is happening?”
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The daily Voice, Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Editor Lev Jackson
entertainment
Artists to protest pipeline Robert Bateman, Carol Evans and Roy Nenry Vickers are all featured in Oil-Free Coast, an art exhibit on Granville Island By KEVIN HAMPSOn
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rt for an Oil-Free Coast opens today on Granville Island, featuring works by local artists who journeyed to BC’s Great Bear Rainforest. Artists include Robert Bateman, Carol Evans and Roy Henry Vickers and many Aboriginal artists who live in the region. The show opposes Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal and aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the coastal ecosystem, according to Mark Hobson, We want the local artist to get the who conceived the project. word out “We want to as many to get the word out to as people as many people possible as possible to to stop the stop the pipeline,” Hobson pipeline said. The artMark Hobson, local artist work is the fruit of a fiftyartist expedition to the area of the BC coast that is between Prince Rupert and northern Vancouver Island. This is basically the area that would be affected by an oil spill if Kitimat becomes a major port for oil tanker ships, Hobson said. The artists aim to raise awareness of the region’s natural beauty and ecological diversity. Funding for the project comes from the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, which focuses its research and activism on the middle of the B.C. coast. Raincoast has been outspoken in its criticism of the proposed Enbridge pipeline. It took about $100,000 to cover the expedition alone, Hobson said. The show runs at Performance Works on Granville Island from Nov. 27 until Dec. 2.
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ALEX BRANDON photo
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform during the Wrecking Ball tour at the Wells Fargo Center Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in Philadelphia. The Boss and band were scheduled to play Rogers Arena on Monday night.
Springsteen rocks Rogers
Bruce Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball Tour was scheduled to make its Vancouver stop in front of a sold out Rogers Arena on Monday night By BRANDON KOSTINUK
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ruce and the E Street Band were slated to roll through Vancouver last night for their final Canadian stop. Springsteen and the E Street Band were due to play to a sold-out Vancouver crowd at Rogers Arena in the last leg of their 2012 Wrecking Ball World Tour. “This tour is a reflection of Springsteen’s version of Americana and how he wishes it to be, but unfortunately is not,” said Tom O’Leary, a member of Thunder Road Live, a local Bruce Springsteen cover band. The Wrecking Ball tour is based on Springsteen’s 17th studio album released in March. The album debuted at
No. 1 in 16 different countries including the U.S. and U.K and is Springsteen’s tenth No. 1 album in the U.S. Springsteen’s third single from the album, Death to my Hometown, is reminiscent of his 1984 single, My Hometown, said O’Leary. Roughly 28 years later, Death to my Hometown sounds off on a similar economic message as Springsteen’s Born in the USA single, but with more resolve as the song title suggests, said O’Leary. Death to my Hometown has been played at every Wrecking Ball show as of June 11, 2012, and Vancouver was no different. The E Street Band that accompanied Springsteen didn’t miss a beat despite the absence of long-time saxophonist Clarence Clemons who died of a stroke
in June, last year. Clemons’ nephew, Jake Clemons, stepped in as the band’s new saxophonist along with Ed Manion, an American saxophonist who played with Springsteen and the E Street Band at Super Bowl XLIII. Other veteran E Street members Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt and Patti Scialfa were also in-house. The Wrecking Ball tour concludes Dec. 12 in New York City at Madison Square Garden, which is now being labeled as a concert for Sandy relief. Artists Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney and Alicia Keys are slated to perform along with the Boss, and other prominent musicians, to benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund’s Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.
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This tour is a reflection of Springsteen’s version of Americana and how he wishes it to be, Tom O’Leary, front man to Thunder Road Live
Kid Gloves, local story captivates audiences Kid Gloves, which plays the Firehall Arts Centre, is about Vancouver’s first women police officers By JULES KNOX
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FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE photo
Scott Bellis and Colleen Wheeler during a performance of Kid Gloves at the Firehall Arts Centre
id Gloves offers a slice of Vancouver history that is rich with relevant issues despite being based on a police beat that is more than 100 years old. The show offers a fictionalized account of Vancouver’s first female police officers based on the scarce information that is available about their backgrounds. The Downtown Eastside is rife with colourful characters. While the police force is dominated by a misogynistic culture, these two issues intertwine to spin the tale of constables Lurancy Harris and Minnie Miller. Because present-day Vancouver is
still reeling from the case of the missing women and the RCMP is under investigation for sexual harassment, the subject matter seems rather timely and relevant to today’s audience. “We’re still dealing with how sex trade workers lack value within society a hundred years later,” says actress Deborah Williams. Director Donna Spencer says that one of the biggest challenges of the piece is shifting from the keystone cop silent era into realistic scenes that needed to be portrayed naturalistically. “There’s a bit of a clash of styles,” she says. “I don’t think it affected the storytelling, but from a production-direction perspective it was quite frustrating.” Although the show does lose momentum in a Charlie Chaplin inspired number that quickly fizzles, the talent and experience of the cast is easily apparent. Deborah Williams delivers a flawless and entertaining performance in a double role as a gruff, mentally un-
balanced woman and as a primped and proper upper-class socialite. Kid Gloves is only showing until Dec. 1. It’s at the Firehall Arts Centre (280 E. Cordova) at 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices vary between $25 and $32.
KID GLOVES
What you need to know
Plays at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova.
Kid Gloves runs until December 1.
Shows start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Source: Firehall Arts Centre
lifestyles
Editor Sascha Porteous
The DAILY Voice, November 27, 2012
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Unique gifts for under $25 Christmas shopping on a student’s budget doesn’t have to be a difficult task By Gillian Hames
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inding those perfect gifts on a budget can be difficult this time of year, but Vancouver has lots of unique, local items for under $25. Rather than purchase mass-produced gifts, look for a local alternative that won’t empty your pockets. This week, the United Way Craft and Gift Fair is here at Langara until Friday in the foyer of A building. Zvi Ackerman of Millefiori Jewelry is on campus with handcrafted jewelry, some of which he makes himself. Expect to pay around $20 per piece. Ashton Sanders has a booth set up with GotWood Apparel. They have a variety of baseball caps for $15, toques for $20, or wooden jewelry for around $15. If you are interested in custom orders, check out the company on Facebook. If you plan on venturing off campus, check out Bird on a Wire Creations at 2535 Main Street. The store boasts a huge selection of creative gifts suitable for anyone. “Everything is locally made by artists,” said Jade, an employee who declined to provide her last name. The store provides shoppers with creative options including journaling kits. “[They’re] pretty new,” Jade said, and are selling well. At $20 each, the kits come with a hardcover journal and scrapbooking supplies to decorate each page. For the ethically conscious, the store also offers a line of vegan soaps and natural bath products, as well as handmade organic chocolates. Jade isn’t really a chocolate fiend, but said she loves their balanced flavours. Jade plans to do her Christmas shopping at the store, and not just because it’s convenient. “I want to support local artists,” she said. Pulpfiction Books is another option for the cash-strapped shopper. Their Main Street location offers a huge selection of new and used books. The staff are happy to take special orders if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
LAURENCE LABAT photo
In the act Manipulation, performer Lara Jacobs assembles a set of palm sticks into a giant animal mobile. Cirque Du Soleil opened Nov. 23 under the Grand Chapiteau at Concord Pacific Place. The show is in town until Dec. 30th.
Cirque Du Soleil wows fans
Show’s standout is a Swiss star performing a delicate balancing act
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I loved it, it’s very moving. Especially the aspects of the abilities of mankind: the agility, the flexibility and, oh my God, the courage. KATHY LEA MOYOU, attendee
By KATJA DE BOCK
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housands of people held their breath Sunday when Cirque du Soleil performer Lara Jacobs transformed 13 palm leaf ribs into a giant balancing structure with her arms and feet. Cirque du Soleil is in Vancouver for the first time since 2009. This year’s show, Amaluna, which was inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, invites the audience to a mysterious island inhabited mainly by female goddesses. In the wake of a storm, a group of young men lands on the shore. A love story enfolds between a brave prince, Romeo, and the island’s princess, Miranda. “I loved it, it’s very moving,” said at-
By Annie Ellison
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GILLIAN HAMES photo
“[The] act was created by her father,” she said. “They are the only two people who can perform the act.” Ofranakos said 70 per cent of the 52 artists are female, which is new for Cirque Du Soleil. Fosarolli said his $130 ticket was definitely worth it, but found it hard to follow along with the story line. Moyou agreed, stating that “the story wasn’t extremely clear, but you were able to pick it up.” The show is predominantly without dialogue, apart form a few words that sounded like Italian, French or Spanish, she added. Amaluna runs until December 30 at the Concord Pacific Place. Student tickets start at $40 and are available at www. cirquedusoleil.com.
McCartney takes his fans back in time Beatles’ front-man returns to play in Vancouver for the first time since 1964
An assortment of creative and inexpensive gifts are available on campus and at local craft stores.
tendee Kathy Lea Moyou. “Especially the aspects of the abilities of mankind: the agility, the flexibility and, oh my God, the courage,” she said. Her favourite act was Jacobs’ balancing act. “I heard myself breathing with her,” said Moyou. Jacobs entered the stage with a small “branch” then proceeded to pick up more and more sticks with her hands and feet, assembling them into a delicately-balanced horizontal mobile. Gus Fosarolli said he was also mesmerized by Jacobs’ act. “Everyone was so quiet you could hear her breathing,” he said. “It looked like a skeleton of a huge whale. That was phenomenal.” Cirque Du Soleil spokesperson Amy Ofranakos said Jacobs’ act is very unique.
ans young and old went crazy for Sir Paul McCartney’s sold-out performance Sunday night at BC Place. Forty-eight years after his first show in Vancouver, McCartney finally returned to play a mix of songs from his days with Wings, the Beatles and new tracks from his album, Kisses on the Bottom. Needing no introduction, Sir Paul took the stage without any opening act. “He played for three hours straight and I didn’t even see him take a sip of water,” said life-long fan Barbara Desmarais, who was still in a daze. Desmarais’ daughter surprised her with tickets the day before the concert. “It was absolutely everything and beyond what I expected,” said the 59-year-old. “It was like going back in time.” Megan Forsyth had a different interpretation. “I have never seen so many old drunk people in one place taking videos on their iPhones, “ she said. Those “old people” were capturing a
magical, historical moment, according to Desmarais. She says McCartney’s voice is weaker than it used to be, but still strikes a chord in her heart. During the encore, law enforcement came on stage — not to shut McCartney down, but to accompany him. The Delta Police Pipe Band joined in to finish the show and the kilted cops relished every minute on stage. “It was the thrill of a lifetime,” said
more energetic. “People were giving us dirty looks for singing along and dancing,” he said. But up in the nosebleed section, 14-year-old Zach Genereaux felt welcomed by the older crowd. “It was so happy and upbeat. The hippi vibe is all about peace and happiness,” he said. The Twitterverse was abuzz before, during and after the show. Tweets ranged from ecstatic to nostalgic to d ow n r i g h t cheeky. “You can hear them warming up at BC place!” tweeted Jim Meier yesterday evening. “Able to hear #paul LIVE NATION photo #McCartney Paul McCartney plays in New York. His On the Run tour from my came to Vancouver Nov. 25. house and so jealous of the people at the Major John Ralston. “The guys played concert,” tweeted Jess Nielson during magnificently.” the show. Music critic Andrew Ryce paid $200 This morning, Michael Sangalang apiece for floor seats and was disaptweeted: “About 15-20 thousand middle pointed that the “sea of grey” wasn’t aged-men got so laid last night.”
MCCARTNEY 1942
Born June 18 in Liverpool, England
1956
McCartney’s mom dies of breast cancer
1960
Formation of the Beatles
1964
I Want to Hold Your Hand is the first single to hit number one in U.S. charts
1969
Marries photographer Linda Eastman, first child, Mary, born
1970
Publicly announces Beatles’ break up
1980
Busted for pot in Japan
1997
Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
2002
Marries model and activist Heather Mills
Source: http://bit.ly/hez9b
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Editor Michelle Gamage
The DAILY Voice, Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Ferries too fancy for average joe B
C Ferries is one of the top 100 most profitable companies in British Columbia with a net income of $3,781,000 last year alone.
So why did BC Ferries announce earlier this year that they would be cutting 98 round trips on its major routes? The corporation said the B.C. government, the sole shareholder, told the corporation it needs to cut costs. Other institutions like hospitals and highways lose money but they are not penalized by the government or told to cut costs, so why are the ferries treated differently? It seems like the corporation is now running like a cruise ship and not the essential service it once was. The consultations are a result of public pressure put on BC Ferries since they announced on August 26 of this year that they will be cutting 98 round-trip on its major routes plan to save $1 million dollars. Sure, tourism is a big part of cash flow for BC Ferries but it can’t forget it was originally a crown corporation and operated as part of a highway Tanya Hill system, considered an essential service for people living in coastal communities. Fares were kept at a reasonable rate. Since 2003 when BC Ferries became a private corporation they have been in trouble, and people who live and work in coastal communities and depend on the ferry service have been paying the high price for bloated executive salaries and bonuses. In a letter from chair of the Islands Trust Sheila Malcolmson to Assistant Minister of Transportation Kevin Richter, she states that the consultations need to be held in every ferry-dependent community and during evening hours so students and workers could attend. It is clear she does not trust that the corporation is working for the publics best interest. Most people living on the islands depend on this service for work. With the fares steadily increasing since 2003there has been a drop in people using the service. In August, BC Ferries announced that it will be cutting service to various routes to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. This is a sad state of affairs for people who depend on the ferries to get to and from work. It is insulting that politicians in B.C. think that only rich people live on the Gulf Islands when that is not true.
viewpoints
Lack of NHL introduces other entertainment
T
he Canucks may not be skating in Rogers Arena but it hasn’t stopped the stadium from being the hottest venue in town.
It’s seen an incredible run of shows that have helped Vancouver forget about a looming winter with no pro sports. Bruce Springsteen tore down Rogers Arena last night on the heels of Paul McCartney’s set at BC Place while Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have all played at the arena in the past month. The tickets, while expensive, are cheaper than a hockey game and there’s no danger of seeing your favourite band lose. You are guaranteed to go home happy. It’s also welcome business for the service industries connected to an
event at Rogers Arena, who are the ones hurting the most in this lockout. The NHL has turned into a spiteful mess that appears no closer to resolution then when it started, but so far there have been enough distractions to keep it manageable. We haven’t yet hit the desperation level Richard Hodges that saw poker take over sports TV in 2004-2005. September and October brought a string of beautiful weather that would have been cruel to ditch for watching hockey inside. The B.C. Lions had a fantastic
OPINION
year aside from that last game while the Vancouver Whitecaps made MLS history by becoming the first Canadian team to earn a post-season berth. For 66 minutes in their first-round loss, they led David Beckham and the defending champion LA Galaxy. If you still crave sports, local legend Steve Nash is trying to survive on a Los Angeles Lakers team that has had a terrible start, while just down the I-5 the Seattle Seahawks are in the mix for a wildcard playoff berth. If you must watch something on TV, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire and Louie all have new seasons this year. I miss hockey and I can’t wait until it gets reintroduced back into my life, but until that day there’s still a lot to explore.
Did we get a fact wrong? Tell us. Got a different point of view? Let us know. Journalism instructor Nicholas Read oversees The Voice. Email him at nread@langara.bc.ca
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. All letters must be signed. They may be edited for brevity. Names may be withheld in special cases, but your letter must include your name and phone number.
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OPINION
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the oice
EDITORIAL STAFF THIS ISSUE: MANAGING EDITOR/ PAGE 6 Michelle Gamage
PAGE EDITORS PAGE 1 Brandon Reid
PAGE 2 Stacy Thomas
PAGE 3 Ross Amour
PAGE 4 Lev Jackson
PAGE 5 Sascha Porteous
Anti-pot laws help healthy Vancouverites stay that way W
ith all the hype and hazy celebrations around Colorado and Washington legalizing recreational pot use, Vancouverites would do well to remember why marijuana is illegal in the first place.
No, it’s not stuffy Harper politicians that turn their noses up at the scent of skunk; it’s me. Sure, I have tried smoking pot. Who grows up on the West Coast without trying a toke or two? But it made me noticeably stupid which annoyed me. I stopped and never regretted it. But now it seems that everyone and their dog are complaining about the unfair laws that prohibit B.C. from capitalizing on the marijuana industry and bringing in a fat chunk of cash to the economy. Legalization would lower crime! We waste time policing it! Everyone already does it! Really, society? Have we really been that brainwashed by pretty images of Jane Emery waving the
cannabis culture flag that we are forgetting that marijuana is an illegal drug? The government doesn’t just make things illegal for shits and giggles people; it criminalizes things because they are harmful. A 2009 study by Dr. Wan Tan at UBC found smoking marijuana increases the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can lead to heart problems and Michelle Gamage cancer. Did I mention that marijuana smoke contains carcinogens, which cause cancer? Smoking homemade unfiltered joints suddenly doesn’t look so appealing. A recent study by the National
OPINION
Academy of Sciences looked at 1,000 teens in New Zealand and, lo and behold, found that the long-term effects of pot smoking are decreased memory and reasoning, and a lower ability to process information. Sure, alcohol could be argued to be just as harmful to the body, but just because one harmful practice is allowed, it doesn’t mean that we should encourage a second. I am going to take a page from the Koran and argue that marijuana damages the body and the mind and therefor should be forbidden and remain illegal. Don’t try arguing that it would boost the economy, because legalizing other illegal drugs such as crystal meth – which sells for nearly $2,000 per ounce – would also boost the economy. Perhaps medicinal marijuana is the lesser of two evils when comparing it to pills, but society should still wake up to Aldous Huxley’s soma they are wildly promoting.
PAGE 7 Carissa Thorpe
PAGE 8 Ley Doctor
WEB EDITORS Alex Skerdzhev Jeremy Sally Omar Shariff
REPORTERS Ryan Banagan Judy Chern Steven Chua Katja De Bock Anne Ellison Gillian Hames Kevin Hampson Tanya Hill Richard Hodges Brandon Kostinuk Jules Knox Mike Letendre Jana Minor Simone Pfeiffer Bronwyn Scott Jennifer Thuncher
Contact us: Our blog at www.langaravoice.com
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news & features First Nations, social groups to protest oil pipeline
Editor CARISSA THORPE
The DAILY Voice, MonDAY, November 26, 2012
Hundreds mourn beat cop ‘Whistling Bernie’ Smith is remembered for his big smile and booming voice at memorial Monday
A number of anti-pipeline groups are slated to rally in front of a downtown oil firm at noon today
By BRONWYN SCOTT
F
irst Nations and social advocacy groups are taking their fight against oil pipelines to one oil company’s Burrard Street offices at noon today. The protest is one of several demonstrations scheduled via social media to occur in cities throughout the country today, including Toronto and Montreal. Organized by the Unist’ot’en camp and the Council of Canadians, the protest comes after the Unist’ot’en evicted pipeline surveyors from First Nations territory along Morice River in the B.C. Interior last week for what they say was trespassing on their land. The Vancouver rally is occurring outside the offices of the Apache Corporation, the proposer of the Pacific Trails Pipelines, at 200 Burrard St. “If [Pacific Trails] get their way then Enbridge can come along and say . . . ‘why can’t we have our pipeline?’” said Freda Huson, Unist’ot’en clan spokeswoman. She said if the Pacific Trails project gets approved, it would set the stage for other oil companies to build their pipelines - a sentiment other protesters share. “It might actually blaze the trail for Enbridge,” said Harjap Grewal, regional organizer for the Council of Canadians. “It’s going to be much easier for Enbridge possibly to shelve their project for three years and come back and apply for it once the right of way is already there.” The workers were evicted from First Nations territory along the Morice River in Interior B.C. and denied access to the bridge crossing. The surveyors were forbidden from coming back to the territory to collect their equipment. The proposed Pacific Trails Pipelines project is intended to deliver oil north of Prince George to Kitimat. — Steven Chua
W
BRANDON KOSTINUK photo
Pat Allen and her dog, Ben, would like to see more dog-friendly parks in the Marpole area.
Marpole dog owners seek off-leash parks Marpole residents organize to advocate for more roaming space for dogs than the current singular space available in the area
“
You look at a map of Vancouver and there’s dog parks everywhere, and then there’s a big, giant hole in Marpole SIERRA CLUB photo
The above map illustrates the direction the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline is due to take in B.C.
7
MARJOKE APKING MARPOLE DOG OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION ORGANIZER
By Michael Letendre
D
og owners looking for dogfriendly parks in Marpole have been on a short leash, but that may be about to change. Dog owners met Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Verna Co-op Community House and formed a new group, The Marpole Dog Owners’ Association, to advocate for more off-leash dog parks in Marpole. Meeting organizer Marjoke Apking said the need for more dog-friendly parks was easy for her to see. “You look at a map of Vancouver and there’s dog parks everywhere, and then there’s a big, giant hole in Marpole,” she said. Apking said the closest place to take her German Shepard is Fraser River Park, a 45-minute walk away. A walk, she said, that is down busy streets and narrow sidewalks. “I would need to buy a car to take my dog to an off-leash park,” she said. “I don’t think this is right.” Apking said the new group is going to push for more dog-friendly parks by
using successful park models from other cities. “I took all the best parts of what other cities are doing for dog owners, and I’m bringing that here,” she said. Chris Junnila is a dog owner who just moved to Marpole. He said dog parks are great, but the ones available to him and his dog are too far for the pair to get to easily. “I go to a school park at night, but only if there’s nobody around,” he said. Junnila said dog parks also help maintain a dog’s mental health. “A dog needs to socialize. When dogs are leashed, it makes them more aggressive,” he said. Dog owner Pat Allen walks seven miles a day with her dog. She said she doesn’t take her dog to off-leash parks, but she does think there should be more dog-friendly parks. “Just as long as they leash–up before they leave the park,” Allen added. For more information on The Marpole Dog Owners’ Association, contact Marjoke Apkin at Marpoleoff-leashdogparks@shaw.ca.
hen former B.C. premier Bill Vander Zalm shares memories of a beat cop at his memorial, you know that man was larger than life. Bernard “Whistling Bernie” Smith, as he was known (because he whistled on the job, off the job, and everywhere, as one mourner put it), touched many lives over his 89 years, but the legacy he leaves behind is still alive, and is inspiring changes to policing today. Hundreds came to say a final goodbye to Smith yesterday at The Croation Cultural Centre in East Vancouver, including Vander Zalm. Several members of the Vancouver Police Department spoke, and trumpets and bagpipes resounded to mark the celebration of Smith’s life. Fran Besic, a cousin of Smith’s wife Mary, who predeceased Smith by three years, told The Voice that he was involved in breaking up a lot of drug rings at a time when no one else was. But what she remembered most was Smith driving up on his big Harley, his big smile and booming voice: “When you met him, he was gorgeous.” Smith’s son Lawrence, a policeman himself for more than 25 years, reflected on the long span of his dad’s life, speaking of Smith’s early days struggling to find food, shelter and love. Koos Dykstra is a former sergeant who worked with Smith and was good friends with him for forty years. Dykstra said he remembers the spirited young man who “lived in hobo jungles and hitchhiked across the province [when he was] in only his early teens.” One speaker said Smith was feared by the underworld (and even once had a contract on his life taken out by gangsters). But his son Lawrence said he was also a softie who sang and wrote poetry, children’s books and music, sang, and wrote children’s books, remembering his father as a man “who always put his kids before himself,” and who was “always ready to provide a warm home, a meal or a few dollars” to anyone in need. His optimism was electric and is the reason Vander Zalm felt he was remarkable. “If ever I had any doubts about the existence of God I think it was all solved when suddenly Bernie became my godsend,” said Vander Zalm. “Bernie was my executive assistant and talk about [positivity]. . . . Bernie always had a good word [to say],” Vander Zalm said. “Bernie will always be remembered by [my wife] Lillian and myself and family as one of the greatest lives we ever came to know,” he said. “Community policing - it’s in vogue now,” said Chris Graham, a retired Vancouver police officer. “Cops need to reconnect with the community and become more human, and policing was like that for a long time and we did get away from that with the technical era, and the fact that policemen got into their cars and radio communication . . . [driving] a bit of a wedge between the police department and the community . . . answering radio calls as opposed to actually getting to know the people around you,” he said. “I think that now people are looking back on Bernie’s career and saying, hey, you know, that guy knew something,” said Graham.
sports
Editor LEY DOCTOR
The DAILY Voice, NOVEMBER 27, 2012
8
Intramurals not popular Student lack of knowledge about the program may be to blame for low turnout By JUDY CHERN
T
he intramural sports department at Langara is struggling to get more students involved despite limited gym hours and resources. Current intramural hours are Monday mornings for open gym, Wednesday mornings for basketball and Friday afternoons for yoga and badminton. However, not too many students are keen on coming to school early in the morning for physical activity. Many students also have classes during intramural times. There are also students who haven’t explored the campus enough to take advantage of its facilities and programs, which are included in their student fees. She cites limited access to Langara’s only gym and lack of a workout area as major blockades to getting more students involved. “We would love to be able to do more as a department,” she said. “It’s difficult to do more at this point.” The gym is booked throughout most of the day for classes, and used after class hours by Langara’s athletic teams. A workout area would allow a more diverse range of sports and appeal to a broader range of students. Currently, the intramurals department rotates the sports so that it covers more student interest. It’s also striving to include new sports. “It’s usually the same faces,” said Scarr of the students who drop in. Lawn sports such as bocce ball and croquet have been introduced this year. While these games encourage student interaction and an active lifestyle in the spring and summer, not many want to play outside in the frosty winter air. Also new and hot this year is the yoga drop-in, which has brought more students to the gym. Students receive instruction during the yoga session by a former Falcons soccer player, who went on to develop her interest in yoga and attained certification to teach. All intramural activities are free for students. The department asks that all students sign in at room G004 next to the gym before jumping in.
STEVEN CHUA photo
Chris Van Luven (left) blocks a strike by Adam Querido at the Night of Fights event on Thursday. Querido defended his heavyweight title. At the same event, local boy Jerik Brown suffered a disappointing loss in his non-title match against Burnaby’s Remy Lavoie.
Tough night for Langara boxer Adam Querido, 29, protected his heavyweight belt in the title match while Langara economics student Jerik Brown lost his fight By STEVEN CHUA
L
ast Thursday’s Night of Fights turned out to be a night of disappointment for Langara boxer Jerik Brown. The economics student lost a hardfought 154-pound battle with North Burnaby Boxing Club’s Remy Lavoie in a non-title fight. Lavoie’s ability to move around Brown proved to be his winning strategy. The taller and faster Lavoie maintained a distance and kept jabbing. While Brown was able to initiate some exciting combinations later in the match, Lavoie was too much for him. Brown trains out of Action Boxing Club in the basement of the Astoria Hotel on Hastings Street. Thursday’s fight against Lavoie was Brown’s first fight since fighting for the city championship in a losing effort against George Vourtsis. Langara fans were looking forward to seeing Dangerous Dave Robinson defend his B.C. super middleweight title, but the fight was cancelled at the last minute because his tentatively
schedule opponent pulled out. Meanwhile the main card was a boxing battle that pitted defending champion youthful Adam Querido against experienced Chris Van Luven at the Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre. Querido defeated Van Luven by decision after five rounds in a generally one-sided match that had several nailbiting moments. The fight put the B.C. Combative Sports Association heavyweight championship title on the line. Van Luven, at 280 lbs, 6-5 tall and 36 years old, said he planned to use his weight advantage and his stockier build to get an edge on Querido. Van Luven said the key to his victory would lie in outlasting the taller, lighter Querido, getting him on the ropes and letting loose a barrage of punches. With 20 years of experience fighting in various martial arts — namely kickboxing and boxing — he believed he’d be a more relaxed fighter, giving him an edge in stamina. Querido, fighting at 244 lbs, 6-5 tall, and 29 years old, had a different approach.
“[I’m] working on my speed, you know, I think that’s something in my advantage here,” Querido said. During the fight, Querido established himself as the leader within the first three rounds. Several times he managed to crowd Van Luven into a corner and unleash several shots. However, Van Luven took many shots to the head without skipping a beat — for most of the match he kept moving forward regardless of the damage he took. “I know that it sounds a little strange — a man of my figure, but I’m actually in pretty good shape,” Van Luven said when asked how he weathered several direct shots to the face. During rounds three to five, there were several tense moments when he and Querido traded blows almost simultaneously. Van Luven also managed to corner Querido onto the ropes and fire a volley of punches, clearly shaking the defending champion. After the fifth round it was clear Van Luven hadn’t evened the score.
GAMES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 30 vs. Capilano 6 p.m. At Langara
MEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 30 vs. Capilano 8 p.m. At Langara
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 1 vs. Quest 6 p.m. At Langara
MEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 1 vs. Quest 8 p.m. At Langara
Falcon men on a roll, defeat Douglas College 89-78 JUDY CHERN photo
Denise Busayong of the Langara Falcons basketball team practices shooting a few hoops on Monday during the intramurals session.
Langara’s men’s basketball team might be the best in Canada if they keep it up
By Ryan Banagan
I
t was a busy weekend for Langara basketball fans. The men’s basketball team remained undefeated in conference play after a 89-78 victory against the Douglas College Royals on Friday night. The win, which improves the Falcons to 8-3 on the season, potentially means they could be the top team in the country at the collegiate level.
The current top ranked team, the Kings of Red Deer College, lost to South Alberta Institute of Technology on Saturday. “Obviously it is exciting to be potentially ranked as the number one team in the country,” said head coach Paul Eberhardt. “However, it is a long season and the only ranking that truly matters won’t happen until March 16,” Eberhart added.
The win is the Falcons sixth in a row. Elliot Mason led the Falcons with 21 points. He also shot six rebounds. The rest of the offense came from a well balanced attack. Excluding Mason, four other Falcons put up double digits in the scoring column. Both the men’s team and the women’s team return to home court on November 30 against Capilano University.