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NEWS

U of G recognized at international forum

At WUSC conference in Ottawa, Guelph chapter awarded people’s choice Namrata Tilokani

Hundreds of students from across Canada gathered in Ottawa last weekend for the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) annual International Forum. The theme of the forum, titled “Great Development Debates,” served to spotlight just what its title says: the key challenges and hot topics surrounding international development.

Among these debates were market solutions for those in developing countries, mining and its relation to sustainable practices, and a panel on youth voices in development, which brought to light many issues in development such as education, water, migration, and approaching development on a contextual basis.

The conference also provided capacity building sessions for WUSC chapters across Canada and various research seminars on migration, bilateral discourse, gender equality,

barriers to women’s empowerment, and food security issues. Not only were students able to interact with PhD candidates presenting research, but the conference also provided venues to interact with various development actors, such as the Canadian Council for International Cooperation and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, which partnered with WUSC to host the conference. Partners from Uniterra, WUSC’s study abroad program, were also present.

The University of Guelph was recognized at the Gala Night with two awards: the Event of the Year award and the People’s Choice award for the Local Committee of the Year, which recognizes an outstanding WUSC chapter.

The winning event was hosted in collaboration with Hunger Awareness Week in Guelph earlier in 2013, and served to raise awareness about the portions of food that would normally be distributed in a refugee camp.

Students were able to spin a wheel and were either given a small portion of rice and beans, equivalent to what one that receive in a camp, or a slice of pizza. The small portion of food

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PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

The U of G chapter of the World University Service of Canada received an award for facilitating outstanding events at the organization’s annual forum, held in Ottawa. The Refugee Camp(us) awareness campaign, pictured here, was one of this year’s events. helped start the conversation on camps and illustrated the difference between a North American lunch and a lunch that would be distributed at a camp.

The local WUSC committee at the U of G, which has been an active and recognized part of campus for a number of years, was chosen for the People’s Choice award for Local Committee of the Year. The committee has held events on campus such as the Refugee Camp(us),

which highlighted the materials that refugee camps can be made of, as well as the conditions of the camp. The committee is responsible for fundraising for the Student Refugee Program (SRP), which supports refugee students to come and study at the University of Guelph, and holds various fundraisers in order to meet this goal.

The local committee continues to extend its fundraising efforts across campus. So far, the

committee has hosted the Refugee Camp(us) event and the Ride for Refuge event, where participants bike a certain distance to raise funds for the local committee. The committee has also strived to raise awareness regarding the Student Refugee Program.

The committee hopes to plan more events in the coming year that both contribute to the SRP and help to raise funds for the program at a national level.

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NEWS

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Guelph reduces carbon footprint

City report finds drops in energy consumption and emissions since 2005 Australian PM moves to scrap carbon tax In his first parliament, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott introduced a bill to repeal the carbon tax. Mr. Abbott, who was elected in September, promised to revoke the tax in his election campaign.

He intends to replace the tax with a scheme that would pay industries to reduce emissions, called the Direct Action Plan.

Mr. Abbot has described this most recent election as a “referendum on the carbon tax,” and blames the tax, which is levied on Australia’s 300 biggest polluters, for costing jobs and forcing energy prices up.

Though the lower house may approve the repeal, it is not expected to pass the Senate, where the Labour Party – who introduced the tax – and the Greens have vowed to strike it down.

Senate and Greens leader Christine Milne has said the new government is intent on destroying Australia’s ability to reduce carbon emissions.

Australia is the developedworld’s biggest polluter per capita.

Israel “reconsiders” settlement, citing external pressures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cautioned his housing minister against plans to construct 20,000 homes in the West Bank, noting that the move would cause unnecessary friction with the international community.

The prime minister added that settlement would create “an unnecessary confrontation with the international community at a time when we are making an effort to persuade elements in the international community to reach a better deal with Iran.”

Palestinians want their state to include the territory captured by Israel in 1967, areas where Israel has since developed over 200 settlements housing some 500,000 Jews. The international community considers these settlements illegal but Mr. Netanyahu has rejected any return to pre-1967 borders, saying such measures do not take into account “demographic changes on the ground.”

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has warned that if Israel goes through with the settlement the renewed peace talks, which have already stalled, would be impossible to continue.

The Palestinian Authority has also vowed to appeal to the United Nations on the matter.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed concern over the proposed settlements and has called their construction “illegitimate.”

Compiled by Michael Long

Braeden Etienne On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the City of Guelph released its Energy Emissions and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions report for 2012. The report shows significant decreases in both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per capita over the last seven years in Guelph despite a reported population growth of 21.7 per cent in the same time period.

The report shows that energy consumption has decreased by 26.3 per cent per capita, and a GHG emission decrease of 17.6 per cent per capita since 2005. The report is released annually and is put together using data collected by the City of Guelph with assistance from Guelph Hydro. The report breaks down energy consumption and GHG emissions into five sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and community waste. It also outlines five different sources energy consumption and GHG emissions: electricity, natural gas, diesel, gasoline, and municipal solid waste.

Across the five sectors, transportation consistently remains Guelph’s highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing about 30 per cent of the emissions since 2006.

The total GHG emissions have dropped across all sectors since 2006, including a 5.2 per cent reduction in this past year. The sectors that saw the largest decrease were the residential (10.2 per cent decrease) and commercial sectors (11.7 per cent decrease), which together reduced carbon emissions by over fifty thousand cubic tonnes since 2011. The waste management sector has decreased emissions by 43.6 per cent since 2006, a success largely attributable the new organic composting facility.

With respect to the emission sources, natural gas accounts for almost half of the GHG emissions in Guelph (47 per cent). Natural gas saw a 7.9 per cent decrease in emissions last year, with 11.7 per cent and 13.9 per cent reductions in the residential and commercial sectors respectively.

Gasoline was the next highest contributor to the emissions at 29 per cent, followed by electricity at 22 per cent. Electricity saw an increase from 2011 – the largest contribution being from the industrial sector – but was only up about 2 per cent since the last report. The increase in electricity use was attributed to the weather of this past year.

Although the usage increased, emissions from electricity were still down by 3.6 per cent overall. The decrease in emissions has been accounted for by the phasing out of coal in favor of natural

PHOTO BY CHAD COOPER

The City of Guelph has released a report highlighting a significant decrease in both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per capita since 2005. Energy consumption per head has decreased by 26.3 per cent during that time. gas, as well as the increased use of wind energy since 2011.

“This being our third annual report, our progress is evident.

Together we are creating a more resilient economy and a healthier community by increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Robb Kerr, Corporate Manager of Community Energy for the City of Guelph, about the progress outlined in the report.

The progress that the City of Guelph has seen in both its energy reductions and GHG emission reductions is thanks largely to the Community Energy Initiative, started by the city back in 2007. It is composed of a variety of community and corporate partners, including Union Gas, Guelph Hydro and the University of Guelph. The goals of the initiative are to decrease Guelph’s overall energy consumption by 50 per cent, using the emissions of 2005 as a benchmark. The initiative’s other goals include having lower energy consumption among comparable Canadian cities, having less GHG emissions per capita than the global average, achieving a 40 per cent decrease in energy during the “summer peak,” and having 25 per cent of the city’s energy provided by local renewable resources.

Mayor Karen Farbridge said this about the report: “Riding bicycles to work or school, putting organic waste in green bins, reducing usage of air conditioning, installing solar panels – clearly everyone is doing their part to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases to improve our environmental footprint.”

The report indicates that although there is progress being made towards the city’s distant 2031 goals, there is still much work to be done. The report urges more people to be conscious of their emissions from transportation, and recognizes that the city’s goal to have a quarter of its energy locally supplied from renewable resources is still far from complete

– as of now, it comprises only 0.23 per cent of the city’s energy.

However, thanks in part to the Community Energy Initiative, the city has seen a 78 per cent increase in the sale of hybrid cars and has built three kilometers of bike lanes as part of its “Bicycle-Friendly

Guelph” program, which hopes to aide the transportation sector with the emissions report next year. In addition, the city has been making efforts to install more solar panels on roofs. It plans to achieve its one thousandth solar rooftop later this year.

NEWS

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172.11 • Thursday, november 14, 2013

“On Being Canadian” considers the big questions

Ian Gibson

On Friday Nov. 8, the River Run Centre held its eleventh annual “On Being Canadian” lecture. “A Science of Time; A Time for Science,” was presented by keynote speaker and Canadian physicist, Lee Smolin, and was organized by the Eramosa Institute.

Other special guests included University of Guelph’s own Dr. Karen Houle, of the department of Philosophy, and music

by Ambre McLean, and Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk.

The lecture provided a unique forum for diverse individuals to engage in intellectual conversation and share ideas about humanity’s place in the world.

The discussion allowed for people, both in and outside of academia, to engage with innovative ideas and civic leaders.

“The Lecture is about creating a dialogue to inform ourselves about issues so we can make choices,” said Community Coordinator Taylor Moran. “Lee Smolin plays a big role in science in Canada, big enough to be a strong voice to lead these discussions.”

While focusing on the effects of science in culture, thinking about climate change, and searching for meaning in science and democracy, this deliberately open-ended conversation allowed people and ideas to encounter one another in an open forum.

In addition to reading excerpts of her poetry, Karen Houle (author of Ballast, 2000, and During, 2008) gave a presentation on “attitudinal affirmation versus constructed response.”

She explained that creating and attaining the right kind of “shelter,” whether emotional or structural, is integral to the process of developing ideas and composing literary work.

Considered one of the world’s pre-eminent theoretical physicists, Lee Smolin is a founding faculty member at the Perimeter Physics in Waterloo, and a philosopher and author. Smolin’s most recent book, Time Reborn, contemplates how people think about and organize their lives, and challenges the pervasive idea that time is but an illusion.

Combining contemporary physics with cosmology, Smolin

PHOTO BY VANESSA TIGNANELLI

Lee Smolin, theoretical physicist, author and co-founder of the Waterloo’s Perimeter Institute, was the keynote speaker at this year’s On Being Canadian lecture. Smolin explained the problems of a “timeless” universe. suggested that the implications of thinking in time allowed for both a “pluralistic adventure” and “multiple identities.” His thought-provoking perspective tied in work he had done in quantum mechanics, loop quantum gravity, theoretical biology and deformed special relativity.

Prior to the reception, a

question and answer period gave audience members an opportunity to ask Smolin burning mega-questions. One person asked: “How many infinities are there?” to which Smolin replied, “…each infinity gets bigger than the preceding infinity.” Another asked: “Do we live in a democracy?” to which Smolin conceded

that the democracy we live in is “highly imperfect,” asking rhetorically, “Do our beliefs not help get the organization of society more perfect?”

Smolin added that our “conflicts must be constructive” for the Canadian experiment in pluralistic democracy to continue.

Breaking the glass ceiling for next generation

Michael Long

On Monday, Nov. 11, the Guelph Commerce Women in Business (GCWIB) society hosted a symposium in the University Centre called “Building Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Empowering Women to Lead and Succeed.”

Five female guest speakers, each having prospered in their respective field of business, were invited recall how they came to succeed in this male-dominated sphere.

Though they would have been difficult to predict at the outset, some common themes emerged as the night went on, such as: not knowing where

your career will take you, finding lifelong role models, and continuously learning.

The work-life balance was another prominent theme, and each speaker acknowledged the trade-offs between career and family.

After her divorce, Anna Sgro, now the Senior Vice-President of Sales at Richie Brothers Auctioneers, recalled asking herself, “Is this a time when I need to step back, spend some time with my children?” Her answer: “No way. Because of the circumstances that surrounded me, I had to get on my feet and start to build an even bigger dream for myself. What I really wanted to do was not only build a career for

myself but provide my children with the greatest opportunity.”

Speakers also discussed the pervasive problem of being taken less seriously because of their gender, even as they continued to climb the corporate ladder.

“I found myself sitting in boardroom meetings and my opinion never counting,” said Sgro. “I almost felt that sometimes I would say things and then another man in the room would say the same thing and everyone in the room would go ‘Oh yeah, that’s a great idea.’”

Not taking those slights personally was the moral of that story – working harder than the rest and making sure that your efforts speak for

themselves being the surest path.

“On the whole,” echoed Joan Fisk, who currently sits on several boards, “business itself is about quality and character, education and mentoring. If you succeed in the work, you won’t be considered male or female, you’ll be considered the candidate.”

There were a few points on which speakers diverged, however. Some emphasized the importance of doing what you love, while others said that satisfaction comes from succeeding at whatever it is you do.

Guelph Commerce Women in Business (GCWIB) is a new organization on campus that, according to the creators, aims to “empower young professional

women to dream bigger and feel more confident about achieving their ambitions.”

The organization was cofounded by senior students from the College of Management and Economics, Kiran Puri and Shwetha Chandrashekhar. This was their first major event.

“We had some people come up to us and say it was truly inspiring and that’s exactly what we started off trying to achieve,” said Puri.

Mona Auervuolle, a commerce student who attended the event said, “I’m really interested in powerful women in business… So it’s a big inspiration to see women who are successful in their careers.”

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Guelph pauses to remember

Ceremony in War Memorial pays tribute to fighting and fallen veterans on Remembrance Day Kelsey Coughlin

“We gather here together not to celebrate war, but to celebrate the more than 180,000 men and women who, since the beginning on the First World War, have given their lives in service to human kind.”

It was with these words that President Alastair Summerlee addressed the hundreds of people who gathered in War Memorial Hall on Nov. 11 to show respect for those who have fought, and continue to fight, for global peace.

The proceedings included the singing of “O Canada,” a poetry reading, the playing of the Last Post bugle call, the ceremonial lying of the wreaths, and the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl, a silver bowl filled with red roses, was donated

by University of Guelph graduate Kathleen Dowler Riter in honour

of her friend, and OAC faculty member, RAF Captain John Playford Hales, who was killed in France in 1918. The Rose Bowl remains a prominent symbol of the university’s history.

These events culminated in the one-minute moment of silence where, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canadians pause in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

For Canada, the First World War began on Aug. 4, 1914 when Great Britain declared war on Germany. As a dominion of the British Empire, Canada automatically joined the fight. Over 400,000 Canadians saw service overseas by the war’s end in 1918. Next year will mark the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the war.

On Sept. 1, 1939, the Second World War began with the German attack on Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany and Canada soon followed suit. In total, over 100,000 Canadians lost their lives while fighting in these two wars alone.

University of Guelph student, Mary Walton, attended the service to show appreciation for her grandfather who fought in Burma during World War II. “Remembrance Day gives a voice to soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who, like my grandfather, suffered from their experiences in war,” Walton said. “It is ultimately our way of thanking them.”

Remembrance Day celebrations took place coast to coast, with the most high profile being in Ottawa at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill.

The common theme among these gatherings was not just to reflect on the past, but to address the current state of world affairs and attempt to create a future of peace rather than war. “[We] have to commit to making a difference, [we] have to do more in order to deal with those people who are suffering around the world and end conflicts between human beings,” said Summerlee in his address, adding that this would represent the truest form of remembrance.

NEWS

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

The University of Guelph Chamber Choir, conducted by Marta McCarthy, led the singing of O Canada at the Remembrance Day ceremony in War Memorial Hall.

ARTS & CULTURE

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A to Zavitz: PING PONG

Balmore Gamez Robert Hughes, a worldrenowned art critic, once compared printmaking to learning to play Ping Pong backwards in a mirror with a time lapse.

From Nov. 4 to Nov. 8, Zavitz gallery held an exhibition true to Hughes’ words. A selection of 27 individually chosen works from students who were enrolled in Introductory Printmaking and Intaglio Printmaking at the University of Guelph were displayed in the exhibition, PING PONG. The works presented the audience with an overwhelming presence of personal, meaningful, romantic, and aesthetically pleasing prints. These works, placed in an organized manner, filled the gallery space in a way that could have fooled anyone into believing that there were only 25 works in the gallery. From wall to wall, the visual entertainment seemed to be endless through use of figures, colours, subject matter and contrast within the prints.

Though the visual aspects are what first engaged the mind when first walking into the gallery, the

titles of the works also offered a personal level of engagement with the art. Titles such as “Tapestry of Love,” “Dedicated This to You,” “As I Recall It,” and “Impressions” are just a few of many that spoke to the viewers about the young artists emotions and thoughts.

Some artists presented statements about their works to the audience that provided notions of romantic ideals and meaningful personal relations that exist or existed in their lives.

“I explored my relationship with farming and my familial identity,” said Jordon Perndersen about his work, “Impressions.”

“By leaving the farming traditions I am left with a void, yet the impact that has already been left is crucial to my identity. Exploring hoof prints as both a negative, positive, and documented impression highlights the complexity and evolution of relationship with the farming tradition.”

Frances Botden, creator of “As I Recall It,” stated, “I’m trying to negotiate where my home is and what my family’s history means to means to me by investigating memory and precious objects.”

Of her piece “Untitled,” Olivia Simpson stated, “It’s probably something to do with love.”

Cassandra Koch’s work, “Notions” presented a powerful message that would touch the emotions and thoughts of any individual who has suffered and lost someone dear to them.

Koch stated, “My grandmother was an avid sewer and was always collecting buttons, whether it was buying them or salvaging them from old unwanted shirts.

Grandma had a stroke several years ago and suffers from dementia.

When I go visit, she has no recollection of who I am, yet I get the feeling she knows I’m familiar.

Like my grandmother’s memory, there is only a trace left behind; a notion of what used to be.”

Lean Shabaga, creator of the first piece in the show, “Untitled 1,” stated, “I have been focusing on my ancestry; exploring, in detail, objects which have been passed down to me by my family.”

Overall, the two classes from the University of Guelph’s Fine Art department provided a superb exhibition that showed the passion, love, and motivation of the students to create print works. This show demonstrated an immense amount of talent, and the show was an exhibition to which true print makers could look at and feel proud of the new generation.

PHOTO BY BALMORE GAMEZ

An exhibition reflective of world renowned art critic, Robert Hughes, was held at Zavitz hall from Nov. 4 to 8. The collection was titled PING PONG and housed a collection of works from the University of Guelph’s Introductory Printmaking and Intaglio Printmaking classes.

Strengthening women’s voices in journalism Working their way to the top Kimberly Northcote María Gomez y Patiño, Professor at the Spanish University of Zaragoza, presented her talk about women in Spanish journalism, to University of Guelph students on Monday Nov.11.

After beginning with a brief timeline of women’s rights in Spain, she provided many names and descriptions of women who helped to break down gender barriers in academics.

While the lecture were historically focused, Gomez y Patiño tied these historical facts and figures to broader social issues for women, many of which are still prevalent today. For example, she noted that many of the powerful women she mentioned were born in cities with major universities, leading to women using education as a tool for equity. Today, with a 7:1 ratio of women to men on campus, it appears that women maintain great interest in being educated.

Beyond education and journalism careers, the focus of the talk was the increasing involvement of women in literary, political, and social life. Many of the important women in Spanish history that were mentioned were not only journalists, but writers, activists, and entrepreneurs. They remain examples set to encourage other women to pursue their own careers, even if it may currently be male-dominated.

The lecture served as an encouraging voice for female academics, but also pointed some areas of tension that still exist. Gomez y Patiño’s discussion of a particular female journalist and translator noted that, unfortunately, she was known more for her relations with a famous man than for her own work and writing. Looking at magazine racks today will tell you that this same phenomenon still occurs. Numerous headlines exist that target a woman’s romantic relationships and define them by their ties to men. Women have attained

many legal rights since the beginning of their academic and journalistic careers, but that does not mean that all the social issues have disappeared.

When asked about the current situation of women, Gomez y Patiño brought up the fact that, while women have access to governmental roles, Spain has still not met their quota of women in government. She further explained that many of the women in government are used as ‘makeup’ to give the appearance of progress without actually giving them in a say in the country’s issues.

However, the future is not so bleak as 60 to 70 per cent of students in communications colleges are women, and females have much more opportunity than in the past to make their mark upon society.

With intelligent and ambitious women such as Gomez y Patiño, who are willing to speak or write about gender issues and demand more equity from society, there will likely be much progress and autonomy for women in the future.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Sally Armstrong, “Ascent of Women”

Silence is violence Ian Gibson

Canadian author and journalist, Sally Armstrong, recently spoke at St. George’s Church in Guelph to promote her new book “Ascent of Women.”

Armstrong is an award-winning human rights activist who has covered what happens to girls in countries such as Afghanistan and Kenya. Not only was she a member of the International Women’s Commission and a part of UN Peace-talks in the Middle East, Armstrong is also a member of the Order of Canada.

Her new book, “Ascent of Women: Our turn, our way,” published

by Random House in March 2013, reflects the familiar story of worldwide change happening today.

Drawing on the perilous journey that women have endured, her book shows why women and girls are the way forward to the future.

Armstrong introduces us to leading women who are making change happen, from Nobel Prize winners to young women suing for justice.

The book is about overcoming obstacles and learning what to not take for granted, and focuses on the complacent attitudes towards the position of women in society.

Armstrong argues that, to make a change happen, proper channels and mediums need to be utilized, including suitable tools in our

infrastructure, particularly the legal system. She argues that we must not just educate the general population, but also build awareness within the legal community including law enforcement and legislation.

Armstrong’s lecture was presented by the Zonta Club of Guelph advocacy group and sponsored by the Bracelet of Hope campaign.

She spoke of the plight of women around the world, and the process of change happening via the mount of women.

The lecture revealed how the immense changes are a result of the efforts of women claiming their own space from the intractable binds of patriarchy. Her first argument suggested that the “ascent” of women is the result of women finally speaking up and defying laws. Her second, and alternative, argument inferred that the “ascent” is a result of social media on the internet, such as Facebook and Twitter, which have permitted women to communicate with each other locally, nationally and internationally.

Armstrong discussed a few things that must change, namely “distortion” and “disease.” She began by arguing that the targeting of women within Muslim law is counter-intuitive and the rise of Islamisation must cease. Armstrong also argued that culture that is associated with the impunity of opportunistic men must also be eradicated. Armstrong further accused the Christian Right in wrongfully misinterpreting the feminist’s agenda. Armstrong

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

Sally Armstrong’s reading from “The Ascent of Women,” Nov. 10, was a moving and inspiring way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Armstrong’s passion ignited the crowd and sparked controversy of the good kind. stated that by cutting out the religious dogma - that she argues represses women - would open up an opportunity to elevate women’s voices. “Moral courage is noticed by its absence,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong was quick to associate herself with the likes of Hilary Clinton, also praising the recent activism by Malala Yousafzai. Armstrong argued that, clearly one process women are gaining traction in is defying the rules of the Taliban.

According to Armstrong, by speaking truth to power, the church, and

Movie review: Passion of Joan of Arc

A moving experience, in sound and silence Adrien Potvin

The Guelph Chamber Choir brought Carl Dreyer’s classic 1928 silent film, The Passion of Joan of Arc (Le passion de Jeanne d’Arc), to St. George’s Anglican Church on the evening of Nov. 9. With music ranging from angelic to rapturous, the choir’s music added a new dimension to the incredible film, providing an undeniably powerful film experience.

Deftly placing both the film and Joan of Arc herself into context, Dr. Peter Goddard, chair of the University of Guelph’s History department, opened the event with a podium talk outlining Joan’s life and her longevity as an icon of freedom and sainthood.

Joan of Arc was born Jehanne d’Arc around 1412 in Domrémy, France, and left home as a young girl to involve herself in Charles VII’s army, claiming she heard the voice of God telling her that she could drive the English invaders from France. After a period of military prowess and an androgynous lifestyle, she

was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English. She was put to an unfair trial by the English and was tortured and harassed until she renounced the voices, then burned at the stake in Rouen in 1431, with the charge of heresy. The film is based entirely on her trial centered on a primary source document of the trial.

To portray the anguish of Joan of Arc’s suffering and her unshakeable devotion to God, Dryer used a mise-en-scéne – telling a story in a visually aesthetic way - to create a harrowing space in which the viewer is directly engaged, allowing them to empathize with Joan. With near-obsessive close up shots of actress Renée Falconetti against searing white walls and angular, visually striking architecture, Dreyer placed Joan’s suffering in the architecture of oppression and within the gaze of the judges condemning her, and these kinds of techniques have become a part of film grammar itself. Directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Martin Scorsese have made explicit references to the film and its influence.

Dreyer made his film in 1928, in the immediate context of

Joan of Arc’s re-appraisal for her religious piety - her being beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. Although it was an instant critical success, it was a victim of extreme controversy and a troubled restoration history. The version screened on Criterion DVD, which is considered the standard version now, was thought to be lost in a fire until a near-perfect original reel was, amazingly, found in a Norwegian mental institution in 1981.

Much silent cinema, admittedly, can be lost in translation for the contemporary viewer (movie buffs included). The filmic history of the silent period usually takes the viewer’s attention, and the power of the narrative is often lost. The Passion of Joan of Arc is a film like Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush or Fritz Lang’s Metropolis: a film that still holds overwhelming power and is an early assertion of cinema as a serious art form. The film’s screening with the music of the Guelph Chamber Choir and pipe organist Edward Moroney was an immersive and beautiful event, and an example how silent films should be screened.

society, the progress of women is becoming more apparent. Armstong also supported Jeffrey Sachs’ political argument, which correlated the economy with women, and asserts that women are the way to reduce poverty.

Clearly, the influence of the West has had a major impact on advancing the status of women worldwide, and women’s stories are finally being heard. Yet, besides women breaking their silence, Armstrong also recommended challenging men. She also expressed the wish

for men to speak up on behalf of women. “Elevating ego through kindness,” said Armstrong, is not only Nietzschean, but also the personification of “altruistic egoism.”

Lastly, Armstrong said that one could make a positive impact on improving the lives of women by making donations to charities that hope to solve poverty and end wars.

Change can occur when diverse people engage in this process. The “Ascent of Women” has reached a zenith momentum like never before.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: LONESOME DREAMS

COURTESY PHOTO

Lord Huron’s Lonesome Dreams (2012) makes you want to leave your life behind and run off into the woods, up a mountain or into a lake while simultaneously convincing you that doing so will be a dreamy self discovery. I dare you not to feel at peace and triumphant all at once while listening to this album.

ARTS & CULTURE

Grassroots + Art + Guelph

With a thriving arts community, the Royal City has a lot to offer Jessica Avolio

What contributes most to a rich, critical and vibrant art scene? Musagetes Guelph Café asked this very question in a debate between grassroots initiatives and big institutions last September. Members of the audience voted, with a majority in favour of grassroots - and as members of the community of Guelph, it comes as no surprise.

As a community, we seem to collectively push for local shops in our downtown core over the presence of big-name corporations, we grocery shop at the Farmer’s Market to support our local farmers, and we embrace art and creativity that is community-based and feels more “Guelph.”

Now, this is not to say that we do not find value in institutionalized art. Without formal education in the arts, many may be unaware of the traditional techniques, and fundamentals of artistic expression that have educated many and have prepared them to be well-trained artists.

Without publiclyfunded art galleries, we may have never be able to witness the works of great artists such as Picasso or Pollock; without large music venues and record labels, we may have never seen big-name artists such as the Beatles or The Rolling Stones; without large publishing houses, we may have never read the works of famous authors such as Shakespeare or Hemingway. The same applies for any sort of artistic institution - film, dance, and so on.

But in a time where job prospects are diminishing, and many struggle financially, the culture that is cultivated through these large institutions may seem less appealing.

As members of the community of Guelph, we are drawn to the sort of artistic expression that thrives in grassroots initiatives.

Groups in Guelph such as Silence, P.S. Guelph, Gain, Vocamus Press, Ed Video, Kazoo!, Necessary Arts Company, and Music Lives, all exist because they want to fill a creative niche that publicly funded art does not fill. These groups appeal to artists because they often exist and operate without sufficient revenue and without advertising themselves through typical media sources. Money spent needs not to be justified against other areas of public subsidy, and these movements grow not through taxpayer funding, but out of genuine interest to develop and contribute to the arts and culture

within the community.

Typically, institutions are analyzed in terms of how they play into social roles and expectations - but grassroots organizations feed the artist’s need by creating an environment free from these expected roles and behaviours. Great art is often created outside of these constraints, and a lack of funding creates a perfect platform to do this - as ideas and innovation blossom under limitations.

In “Art Worlds and Social Types,” Howard S. Becker states: “Naive artists achieve their idiosyncratic style and create forms and genres which are unique and peculiar because they have never acquired and internalized the habits of vision and thought the professional artist necessarily acquires in the course of training.” Grassroots organizations stimulate the sort of distinct expression that often has to be unlearned by those formally trained in the arts.

By operating on a local level, these grassroots establishments fill a niche that is true to the community in which they exist.

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They give voice to those who may not have the funds, the power or the support to excel in traditional institutionalized structures of art.

By definition, grassroots means the creation of a movement that is natural and spontaneous. Its very meaning lends itself to the raw creativity that is necessary to foster an artistic environment that makes great work.

Artists within the Guelph community create a breedingground for creativity through these initiatives. Everywhere you look, there are organizations that are experimenting with new ideas of what it means to make great art and to infuse inspiration into a community.

This is what makes Guelph unique in its achievements.

This column will continue, with each article focusing on an initiative that promotes a rich, critical and vibrant art scene.

Keep your eyes peeled in future issues of the Ontarion for more in-depth pieces on specific grassroots organizations in Guelph.

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

Guelph has many grassroots organizations that are not wellknown enough to the general public, but are supportive of community development. Silence and Publication Studio, as seen in the photo above, houses concerts, film screenings and sells rare books.

STYLE PICK OF THE WEEK: ENISE TULK

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

On a not so cold November day, Enise Tulk came to campus outfitted in an ensemble that included a pair of sheer tights, black shorts and a tucked in blouse. Tulk paired the delicate items with a chunky cardigan, wool socks and lace up bootstying it all together with a cropped leather jacket and a tone on tone patterned pashmina.

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SPORTS & HEALTH

The “Mo”st wonderful time of the year

“Healthy Mo Life” raises awareness about living a healthy sustainable life Andrew Donovan

Ah, Movember - a time when those with superior follicular genetics get to sport iron clad moustaches to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer whilst filling themselves with vanity at their ability to look like “real men.”

Movember has become a right of passage for the fraternity of men on campus, and the way that students go about raising awareness for prostate cancer, and men’s health issues in general, gets more creative as each year passes.

This year, a group of University of Guelph students have banned together to create the “Healthy Mo Life” campaign here at the U of G. Their slogan, “live a healthy, sustainable life,” is the premise of the events they have planned for the month of November.

The team hosted a dodge ball tournament on Nov. 9, which gave away prize baskets for the winning team, along with the

best-dressed team.

The apex of the Movember activities will happen on Nov. 22 when Healthy Mo Life will host a MOV-Talks event in War Memorial Hall, which will style itself in a similar fashion to TED Talks. Speakers were not announced at time of press release, but the talk will have a particular focus on organic farming, mental health, spiritual health, and physical wellness, among other topics.

In an effort to raise enthusiasm for MOV-talk, organizers will be having contests for best MoSista (presumably any female sporting a moustache), best team costume, lamest moustache, and best moustache.

Healthy Mo Life has its own Movember page and they are participating as a part of the University of Guelph’s network.

This year, the stakes are high for the U of G as we have joined the Big Moustache on Campus (BMOC) network. The BMOC network has confirmed that Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station, will visit the university that raises the most

COURTESY OF HEALTHY MO LIFE

The Mo Sista seems to have the Mo Bro beat at the moment. money. Hadfield will visit the winning campus to spend oneon-one time with the winning network and give a talk that will be open to the entire school.

In 2012, the University of Guelph raised $75,107 for men’s health initiatives, while BMOC raised over $3.2 million with just over 35,000 student participants.

The schedule and speakers for MOV-talks will be posted to the Healthy Mo Life Facebook group.

Keep sporting the moustaches and awareness loud and proud, Guelph.

Women’s volleyball loses to Toronto

Andrew Donovan Guelph dropped their third of six games on the season to the powerhouse Varsity Blues from Toronto.

Set scores were 16-25, 17-25, 25-22 and 19-25. The loss dropped the women back to .500 (3-3), good enough for second place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West standings.

To say there is a significant disparity between the East and West divisions in women’s volleyball is perhaps an understatement. Though Guelph sits second in the West at 3-3, and have lost two more sets than they have won this year, the Varsity Blues sit fourth in the East as they sport a 5-2 record with an impressive seven more sets won than lost.

Despite the dominance from the East, the women’s volleyball team played a respectable match at home against Toronto on Saturday.

Guelph held their own to begin the match, but Toronto went on a 10-4 run and pulled away with a quick 25-16 win, and carried that momentum into the second set by going up to a score of 12-3. Guelph managed to claw back within five to make it 19-14, but the Varsity Blues showed

why they are among the best in the OUA and took six of the next nine points to win the set 25-17.

The third set saw Guelph behind the proverbial eight ball early once again, but the women rallied to go up 16-14 as teams went into the technical timeout. A late 4-1 rally by the Gryphons set up a 25-22 win for Guelph – their only set win of the match.

Set four started promisingly for Guelph, going up 4-0 early on only to lose momentum shortly after, losing the final set 25-19.

Coach Paul Funk was disappointed with the performance against Toronto. “We had time to prepare for the opponent this week but came out flat for the second match in a row and it cost us,” said Funk Alicia Combe-Decker led Guelph in the Kills-Aces-Blocks category with 7-1-6 respectively, while Madison Decker also contributed with 9-0-3 totals.

Guelph’s next game is at home on Friday Nov. 15 versus their division rival, the McMaster Marauders, who also sport a 3-3 record. On Saturday Nov. 16 the women will host the OUA West’s Ottawa Gee-Gee’s, who currently hold second in their division with an impressive 5-1 record.

PHOTO BY SARAH DRURY

The Gryphons fell to 3-3 on the season after a 3-1 loss to the Varsity Blues on Nov. 9. The women host McMaster and Ottawa this weekend.

SPORTS & HEALTH

Women’s hockey tops in OUA

Gryphons “Fight for Kevin” and top spot in OUA in wins over Windsor & Western Andrew Donovan

The Guelph Gryphons women’s hockey team had a monumental weekend in a number of respects.

The Saturday, Nov. 9 game versus Windsor saw the Guelph community rally around the “Fight for Kevin” campaign to raise awareness for Lymphoma cancer while producing a convincing 5-2 victory over the Lancers. Sunday Nov. 10 was a back-and-forth matchup versus the Western Mustangs that saw Guelph prevail with a 4-3 victory.

Jessica Pinkerton, the OUA’s leading scorer and Guelph’s star third-year centre, picked up three goals on the weekend bring her season point totals to 19 (7G 12A).

Brooke Siddall picked up the win for the Gryphons versus Windsor on Saturday, while Stephanie Nehring tended the net in a win over Western on Sunday to pick up her seventh win for the Gryphons.

Guelph 5-2 Windsor Guelph’s offensive prowess has produced three of the leading five scorers in the OUA, and it was on display versus Windsor. Guelph dominated the play, controlling the puck for the majority of the first period. With the Gryphons constantly on the puck, the

scoring chances were plentiful in the first frame and at 8:46, Kaitlyn Mora scored her third goal of the 2013 campaign on assists from Emily Corbett and Averi Nooren.

Guelph went up 2-0 on a goal by Pinkerton before Nooren buried a goal of her own to put the Gryphons up three going into the second period.

Guelph would add another goal, this time form Christine Grant, prior to Windsor finally getting on the board to pull within three, down 4-1.

That was as close as the Lancers would get to winning; the Gryphons dominated the play from thereon, accumulating a total of 34 shots to Windsor’s 24, helping Brooke Siddall to her first win of the year.

Players from both teams, along with fans, sported lime green clothing and equipment as the hash tag “#FFK” was donned on signs and bracelets in what turned out to be a great showing of solidarity for Siddall’s younger brother, Kevin, who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer.

Guelph 4-3 Western The stresses of planning such a successful event like the “Fight for Kevin” initiative and playing a game the day before didn’t stop the women from coming out firing versus the OUA’s fourth place Mustangs, as Guelph was able to never lose the lead in a 4-3 win over rival Western.

The game solidified Guelph atop a

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COURTESY OF RACHEL SIMPSON

Between the successful Fight for Kevin initiative, a win over Windsor and Western and top spot in the OUA, the women had themselves a great weekend. tight field of contenders in the OUA standings, improving their season record to a very impressive 9-2-0.

Pinkerton once again dominated the ice, netting two goals and picking up one assist; while Nehring achieved her seventh win on the season.

The game began in high-flying fashion for the soaring Gryphons; Amanda Parkins rifled a shot top corner in the first minute to put Guelph up 1-0 on Western. Guelph’s defense couldn’t be underestimated in this game, as they didn’t allow a shot on net until the second half of the first period.

Western’s Brianna Iazzolino was called for tripping, and

Pinkerton took advantage shortly after, scoring a power play goal to extend the Gryphons lead to 2-0. The go-ahead-goal proved important for Guelph as Western’s Michelle Saunders received a pass from Stacey Scott with less than a minute to go in the first frame; the score was 2-1 going into the second period.

Western’s intensity reached a new level to start the second as they rode the momentum from the period-ending goal by Saunders. Nehring stood strong, stopping the onslaught of shots from the Mustangs, and in a change of possession, Rachel Cassidy, first year left-winger for the

Gryphons, fired a slap shot past the Western goalie to put Guelph up 3-1. Western clawed back on a goal from Natasha Panahi, but Pinkerton wouldn’t allow the game to stay that close; she netted her second goal of the game, and seventh of the year, off passes from Parkins and Grant.

The Mustangs fought within a goal of the Gryphons and that’s as close as they’d get. Guelph, on the back of 25 shots on net, pulled off a huge win over Western to stay in the dogfight for the OUA’s top spot.

Guelph’s next game is on Nov.16 at 7:30 against Brock at the Gryphon Centre.

Right to Play hosts street hockey tournament Andrew Donovan Despite the cold autumn weather on Nov. 7, the volunteer staff for the University of Guelph’s chapter of Right to Play managed to host a successful street hockey tournament in the South-Maritime parking lot, with four Toronto Raptors tickets on the line for the winning team.

Fencing separated the four playing surfaces, or “rinks,” and games ran at a constant for most the morning while music blared from the open doors of a car parked beside the registration tents.

Right to Play is an international organization that works at the local level to help underprivileged kids play sports, requiring events like the street hockey tournament to fund future events.

“All the money we raise goes to Right to Play, which is an international organization, an NGO … they work all over the world and most importantly, they work in Ontario now on Native reserves, so they provide a lot of chances for the youth there to play

hockey,” said Jeff Cheng, one of the organizers for Guelph’s chapter of Right to Play.

Cheng continued, “Right to Play has grown really fast and [we’ve] got partners all over the NHL and other sports leagues. It’s a neat way to approach social problems …the idea that you give a kid a chance to play sports and it teaches them life skills.”

The street hockey tournament followed a successful concert at the Brass Taps on Nov. 6, which featured raffles and three local bands; and on Nov. 26, Right to Play will be hosting a “Yoga Rave” in Peter Clark Hall at 7 p.m. to cap off a month with a seemingly endless schedule of events.

The street hockey tournament was successful and by happenstance, Right to Play received some unexpected help and contributions, “We partnered up with HROB*3100 …It so happened that we were planning a hockey tournament on the same day in the same parking lot. We’re all helping out together,” said Cheng.

Help came from sources outside

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

Right to Play’s street hockey event took over the Maritime parking lot and was a great success. the U of G community as well. “We keep a bit of money for operational costs. For example, the fence here,” Cheng said as he pointed to the fence that designated the four

playing surfaces, “… cost us $300 and it was heavily discounted from ‘Modu-Loc’, and that’s $300 we had left over from other fundraising events.”

While money is always beneficial to help stage these events, it comes down to the generosity of Right to Play’s volunteers and organizers.

Google and the World Brain

m o v i e

r e v i e w s

Stacey Aspinall

COURTESY PHOTO

Rent a Family Inc. Jess Avolio Living in a small suburb outside Tokyo with his wife and two sons, Ryuichi Ichinokawa leads a seemingly normal life. But his family is unaware (and doesn’t care to know) of the business he runs on the side. “I Want To Cheer You Up Ltd” rents out people who act as stand-in family members, bosses, friends - purchased by those who have something to hide.

These actors may play a husband in a settlement case, a best friend at a wedding, or a father granting approval.

Even though his job consists of bringing happiness to the lives of others, he struggles to find happiness in his own life, as his family grows more distant as a result of his dishonesty.

Acting as a looking glass into the personal lives of others, viewers were brought to question what would push someone to rent an actor as a stand-in. This thoughtprovoking film forces one to question their own honesty and relationships, and if their own methods to seek approval are any less extreme.

Google and the World Brain, directed by Ben Lewis, was presented at The Bookshelf Cinema at on Nov. 9, followed by a brief discussion on the film. This thought provoking (and at times disturbing) documentary explores Google’s controversial project: to digitize all of the world’s books and create a massive, comprehensive digital repository of human knowledge and history.

The film draws on sci-fi writer H.G. Wells’ concept of the “World Brain,” and touches on issues such as copyright laws, corporate imperialism, surveillance and the power of technology. There are also implications related to the field of artificial intelligence, and the question of “man versus machine” in an age where technology is constantly challenging our perception of what it means to be human. In aiming to digitize all human knowledge, and make it available through Google, we may be fundamentally altering how we use our minds.

The documentary succeeded in provoking a sense of dread and uncertainty within the audience, who was encouraged to think critically about their relationship to information in our digital age. These are questions that society will have to face head-on as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. As H.G. Wells wrote in The Mind at the End of Its Tether, “there is no way out or round or through.”

COURTESY PH

Spring and Arnaud Vanessa Tignanelli The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre was motionless during the screening of Spring and Arnaud, as the audience sat entranced with the idiosyncratic love story of artists Arnaud Maggs and Spring Hurlbut. The breathtaking score and cinematography captured the creativity of Spring and Arnaud as individuals, and the tranquility they established as a couple. Their understanding of each other’s eccentric personalities was intertwined with their mutual fascination with mortality, memory, repetition and collections in their work. One cannot help but to fall in love with their kind of love, a reminder of the importance of finding someone on the same wavelength, grounding and balancing your unique dispositions.

Director Marcia Connolly was in attendance, giving insight to her filming process, her visits with Arnaud leading to his final days, and her support for Spring since his difficult passing. An innate satisfaction exists knowing that this story was meant to be told.

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

Old newspaper clippings, movie posters and advertisements line the walls at Ed Video to showcase Guelph’s unique cinematic history.

To the left: a television plays the silent film Th private viewing station is set up, playing an earl

Festival of

Guelph Festival of Moving Media

Q & A with Carolyn Meili Emily Jones

HOTO

From Nov. 7 to 10, the Festival of Moving Media (FOMM) showcased specifically chosen documentaries at selected small venues throughout the city. Throughout the year Guelph houses many artistic festivals, and FOMM was able to highlight the art form of documentary cinema while enlightening the minds of viewers. The Ontarion had the pleasure of being a part of the festival’s viewership for its 10th anniversary this year, and was able to speak with Carolyn Meili, the festival’s coordinator, who was willing to share the inside scoop.

Emily Jones: How would you describe the Festival of Moving Media’s vision or mission statement?

Carolyn Meili: The Festival of Moving Media is an international documentary film festival.

The goal is to bring challenging, dynamic films that are not available through mainstream media to our urban centre, and to help promote social and environmental awareness while building community dialogue and cooperation.

EJ: Each year, a new focus or topic is developed and chosen.

Can you share how this is determined?

CM: Our themes are developed by looking at the films that we feel most passionately about, and finding the

unifying thread that connects them.

This year, our theme is “How we navigate our world,” as many of the films explored challenging topics such as environmental degradation, mental illness, [or] death of a loved one, while remaining anchored by personal stories that humanized the issues and gave us courage.

We picked stories about the quiet heroes, demonstrating that acts of love, courage and acceptance are both political and powerful.

Centre (GIRC) and University of Guelph. The festival was funded

by CUSO and was one of the first documentary film festivals in the world. When the funding agency was disbanded in 1990, the festival took a hiatus. In 2003 GIRC brought the festival back, and in 2008 it changed its name to the Festival of Moving Media to reflect the changing nature of the medium (i.e. we don’t actually show film now, it is all on discs or digital files).

EJ: How do you choose the films that are showcased in the festival?

Are there certain qualifications that need to be met? How many people are a part of the decision making process?

CM: The Festival has a Programmer, Anna Cox, and it is her job to find the films. She goes to festivals and researches to find films for FOMM. The governing collective and the Festival Coordinator help Anna with the final cut. We look for films that are well crafted and touch on topics that are important to the community, such as environmental and social justice issues, as well as films that offer global perspectives or explore Canadian identity.

EJ: What was the most special part of this year’s festival, with it being the 10th anniversary of the re-launch?

CM: We have an ongoing series called Hidden Histories in which we engage local filmmakers in a project and explore topics close to home. For our anniversary year, we decided that Hidden Histories should celebrate our history - not just FOMM’s - but the entire 105 years of Guelph’s cinematic past; with a walking tour, app, and two ongoing exhibitions. There was so much I discovered through this project. For instance, Guelph is one of the first places films were shown in Canada - they were part of a vaudeville show by Belsaz the Magician. He decided to settle in Guelph and established a film theatre. Also, many of the bars downtown were once grand cinemas.

EJ: What is the history behind the Festival of Moving Media? How has it changed over the years?

What was the reasoning for the hiatus that was taken? Who was responsible for starting it back up?

CM: FOMM began in 1984 as the Guelph International Film Festival, which was run as a project of the Guelph International Resource

EJ: What is the main message about the festival you’d like spread to the public?

CM: FOMM is a great festival where you will discover films you

can’t find anywhere else exploring topics outside of the mainstream.

The festival has visiting directors and workshops as well as discussions after the films, tying global issues to community activism.

This festival makes you smarter.

EJ: Why is this something everyone in the community and surrounding area should partake in? Do you find the festival allows for community to be brought together in a different way than other artistic events? If so, how?

CM: My favourite part of the festival is the post-film discussions where the audience has a discussion with either a director or speaker from the community that has a tie to the film’s topic. These discussions bring a new depth to the viewing experience; knowledge is shared, ideas are voiced and valued, and relationships are built within the community through the interaction.

EJ: How does the sharing of this knowledge help the community and the world at large?

CM: Guelph is a wonderful small city. For it to be a strong, healthy society, we need to be connected locally and aware globally. The festival works on both these fronts. By bringing in films from around the world, we discover stories, traditions, and values we may not encounter otherwise. We also tie the films to local groups in the community to help connect what is happening far away with what is important here at home.

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

he Unknown, made in 1927. To the far right: a ly silent film version of The Wizard of Oz (1910).

Movie Media 4 – Moving Media exhibit, complete with chairs, couches and refreshments to enjoy “Marie Galante” (1934). The silent film was projected on the opposite wall for visitors’ viewing.

moving media

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Guelph loses at home to the Carleton Raven’s

Connor Hewson

In their second home game of the season, the Guelph Gryphon women’s basketball team faced off against the CIS No.10 ranked Carleton Ravens, losing by a score of 66-53 at the W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre on Saturday Nov. 9.

After losing their home opener on Friday, Nov. 8 to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gee’s 67-61, Guelph was looking for their first win of the season. However, they were was stifled by the stingy defense and resilient offense of the Carleton team, led by fifth year guard, Elizabeth Roach. Roach had a monster game for the Ravens, scoring 31 points on 11-21 shooting to go along with two steals and eight rebounds, causing lots of trouble for the Guelph defense all night.

The Gryphons were led by third-year forward, Katherine MacTavish, who finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, while going 9-12 from the free throw line.

Despite MacTavish’s big game, Carleton proved too much to handle for the Gryphons, jumping out to an early lead and outscoring Guelph 18-11 in the opening quarter, in which the Gryphons shot a paltry 15.4 per cent from the floor.

Guelph would begin to storm back in the second quarter though, scoring 12 points to cut the lead to 28-23 for Carleton at halftime, capped off by an impressive hook shot by MacTavish at the half-time buzzer.

The Gryphons seemed to carry the momentum into the third quarter, cutting the lead to 33-36 on a three pointer by second-year guard, Erica McFadden, who had 10 points and five rebounds in the loss. The three pointer was followed up by a big defensive block by second-year forward, Julia Tennant, who played tenacious defense all game and finished with 11 points and eight rebounds on the night. A minute later, the Gryphons would get to within two points of the Ravens off a nice

layup by second-year forward, Katelyn Yallin, which led to a Carleton timeout and a pumped up the Guelph home crowd. However, that was as close as Guelph would get, as Carleton went on an 8-0 run following the timeout, led by the dynamic Roach, and were up 48-41 going into the final quarter.

Roach, who had 21 of her 31 points in the second half, seemed to be able to score at will in the fourth quarter, at one point scoring six straight points to pull Carleton ahead by 10 with two minutes left to play.

The Ravens would go on to outscore the Gryphons 18-12 in the fourth quarter, capping off the 13 point victory and the second loss in as many games for the Gryphons. The loss keeps Guelph winless with a record of 0-4 on the season, while the win pushed Carleton’s record to 3-1.

The Gryphons hit the court next on Nov. 15, when they head to Sudbury to take on the Laurentian Voyageurs, who are 1-3 on the season.

Debate continues over assisted suicide

Andrea Connell

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has vowed to fight a high court ruling banning assisted suicide, and wants the courts to hear the case as soon as possible so those who are suffering can make a decision whether or not to take their own lives. The controversial ruling by the B.C. Court of appeal is the latest in a battle between the law and those with terminal illnesses. The ruling finds aiding and abetting suicide illegal in accordance with the Canadian Criminal Code.

Multiple sclerosis patient Elayne Shapray has filed an affidavit with the court alongside the B.C. Civil Liberties Association’s efforts to have the hearing expedited at the Supreme Court of Canada, as the Vancouver resident wants the right to die with dignity.

Shapray said in a CBC interview that she would consider taking her own life sooner than later if she has to wait a long time for the next court ruling. Under the current laws it would be illegal for her to get family members help.

The history of the “right to die” debate last lasted for decades.

Twenty years ago Robert Latimer was charged with first-degree murder (later downgraded to second-degree) in the death of his severely disabled daughter, Tracy. Latimer killed his

daughter intentionally by means of carbon monoxide poisoning.

He called police immediately, told them what he had done and he could not bear to watch his daughter suffer through any more surgeries. The Justice in the case eventually called the act “compassionate homicide,” and in the end, Latimer served a 10-year jail sentence.

That same year, a B.C. woman took her fight to have assisted suicide decriminalized all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Sue Rodriguez, who was suffering from ALS disease, wanted the right to end her life. She argued that criminalizing assisted suicide violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The big question Rodriguez asked was, “Who owns my life?” It was a question that resonated around the country. The final court ruling stated, “No consensus can be found in favour of the decriminalization of assisted suicide. To the extent that there is a consensus, it is that human life must be respected.”

The vote was 5 to 4 against decriminalizing assisted suicide.

Ms. Rodriguez took her fate and life into her own hands. With the help of friend and an unknown doctor, she ended her life.

On June 12 of this year, the provincial government of Quebec tabled Bill 52, and if it passes it

would allow doctors to administer medication to cause death.

Patients could make the request based on unbearable physical or psychological suffering, need to ask for repeated consent, and have the approval of two doctors.

If it passes, it would be the first legislation of its kind in Canada.

In late October, Bill 52 passed its second reading in the provincial legislature with an 84 to 26 vote.

Quebec’s Bill 52 focuses on “medical aid in dying” meaning a doctor would administer the lethal dose, otherwise known as assisted suicide.

A recent survey by the Environics Institute, published in the Globe and Mail, cited that 68 per cent of Canadians are against charging those who help seriously ill people commit suicide. Despite public opinion favouring assisted suicide, the courts are tough to budge, and politicians treat this as a “hands off” issue for the most part. While it is likely no consensus will be reached in the near future, each side still works with an admirable determination to make their opinion the dominant ideology in Canadian society. Keeping a close eye on Quebec’s Bill 52 and how the Supreme Court acts in response will be a key relationship determining the state of this important issue.

SPORTS & HEALTH

PHOTO BY PABLO VADONE

Marlee Freeman and the Gryphons women’s basketball team were outmatched by Carleton and remain winless on the season.

SPORTS & HEALTH

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Ain’t it sweet?

Why sweet potatoes should be your “go-to” potatoes Sina Woerthle

With fall in full swing, the colour orange is everywhere – bright coloured leaves remind us of the temporariness of summer, carved pumpkins struggle to maintain their cheery demeanour despite the cold winds whipping at their core, and the last campfires of the season crackle in all their fiery delight.

As the colder months advance, along with them come typical comfort foods that make us feel nostalgic for home. Unfortunately, many of these are often laden with high calorie content, high fat and sodium, and low nutritional value. It’s essential to not forget about some delicious and nutritious in season produce that can spice up your evening meals and give your immune system a quick boost

before winter comes knocking at the door.

Root vegetables, along with citrus fruits, are coming back inseason. It’s been a while since the grapefruit has made an appearance in all it’s tangy goodness, but let’s put fruits aside for a minute: there’s an underestimated vegetable that should be making a serious comeback in our evening meals. The sweet potato could be dubbed the nicest vegetable, and for good reason.

To start off, this plain looking, starchy root vegetable has an impressively high concentration of beta carotene per serving – your daily recommended intake will be met with little effort, and your eyes will thank you for it later. Additionally, the sweet potato differs from the yam in a nutritional sense.

When comparing the two, sweet potatoes score higher on the overall health benefits: they’re loaded with vitamin A, are slightly higher in Vitamin B6, and depending on the method of cooking, will yield a lower

glycemic index than the yam.

Why should you worry about glycemic indexes? Choosing lower glycemic index foods can be helpful for those who are at risk of developing diabetes. Foods scoring high in glycemic index will raise blood sugars more quickly than those with lower glycemic indexes.

This has to do with how the body digests the carbohydrates within the given food. Quickly digesting these carbohydrates will spike your blood sugar, and may leave you feeling tired and lacking energy shortly after.

Think of it as a sugar rush – after drinking an XXL blue-raspberry slushie on a scorching summer day, kids will initially be bouncing off the walls. However, after this sugar has been quickly digested by the body for instant energy, sluggishness kicks in, and it will be hard to motivate the child to even complete simple tasks because of a post-sugar slump – and grouchiness often follows as well.

When comparing sweet potatoes to simple white potatoes, the scores are significantly different – sweet potatoes are considered “low GI” foods, whereas regular potatoes score in the “medium GI” foods section. However, it is important to consider how the potato is prepared. “Roasted or baked sweet potatoes have a high GI,

PHOTO BY NATALIE MAYNOR

Ask your waiter or waitress to substitute regular fries for sweet potato fries the next time you eat out. and boiled sweet potatoes have a much lower GI,” explains Dr. Laura Forbes, PhD, Family Relations & Applied Nutrition department at the University of Guelph. Cooking methods will alter the structure of the amylose and amylopectin in the product, which will either lower or increase the speed of glucose metabolism in the body after consumption. “Sweet potato is still a healthy option, either way. Lots of vitamin A,” said Forbes. The sweet potato contains 10-times more

vitamin A than the regular white potato – quite impressive for under-credited vegetable.

As little as half a cup of sweet potatoes will help your meet the suggested daily intake from Canada’s Food Guide.

There are so many ways to incorporate a little sweet potato into your life. Try them as home-made french fries baked in the oven, add them to cakes and pies, or just be creative.

Best of all, sweet potatoes are in season all year long. If that isn’t sweet, then what is?

Gryphons ringette team wins gold in London Morgan Faulds The University of Guelph Gryphons ringette team took home gold last weekend at the London Ringette Tournament, going 2-0-1 through round robin play to make it to the finals. Guelph defeated Toronto in the tournament finals in a tight 4-3 game.

The Gryphons improved on the previous weekend’s silver medal and achieved their first gold medal since last October.

Despite missing two key players, Guelph opened the tournament with a strong 8-0 win against Woodstock on Friday night.

Scoring just 31 seconds into the game, the Gryphons were winning 7-0 going into the 2nd period.

Leaders were Erin Ivens with two goals and three assists and Nicole Giordano with five assists.

Steph Smith had a goal and three assists, Morgan Faulds had two goals, and Sarah Palmeter, Stacey Forbes, and Michaela Ondrejicka each scored one. Although the girls weren’t challenged hard in this game, it was understood

that Saturday would present two much stronger teams.

Indeed, Toronto gave Guelph everything they could handle in game two, knocking the Gryphons off of their game and forcing a 1-1 tie. Jessica Johnston scored for Guelph early in the 1st period, and the score would remain 1-0 for almost the entire game, which lacked flow and Guelph’s usual dominating speed. With only 4 seconds left in the 2nd period, Toronto gained possession of the ring in their offensive zone. Screening Guelph goalie Kim Lamb, Toronto used a heavy shooter to score from the free pass circle with less than one second left on the clock. Although the tie still gained Guelph a point, they were not pleased with their performance.

In the third game against London, Guelph finally found their stride and skated to a 4-1 win. With goals from Giordano, Ondrejicka, and two from Johnston, the Gryphons finally used their speed, opened up the ice and stretched out their breakout

passes in order to earn their place in Sunday’s championship game.

In the final game, Guelph once again faced Toronto, a rematch they welcomed after the previous day’s tie, which was still not sitting well with players or coaches. With two goals and an assist from Johnston and two goals by Shannon O’Dwyer, the Gryphons managed to come out on top of a back-and-forth 4-3 match. The teams exchanged goals throughout the 2nd period, with Guelph going up by one goal three times only to have Toronto tie it up again. However, Johnston’s goal scored with only 22.7 seconds left, followed by a complete defensive shutdown, earned Guelph the win and the gold.

Finally taking the top prize in a tournament gives the Gryphons hope for their most important tournament, the University Challenge Cup. When universities from across Canada come to North Bay to compete in January, the Gryphons will be ready and hope to feel gold around their necks once again.

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LIFE

www.theontarion.com

A new take on sexism in films

Diana Kurzeja

Do you remember the last time you watched a film which contained two or more named female characters, with significant roles, who talked about anything other than a man? If you are finding such a film difficult to remember, you may not be the only one. Swedish cinemas have introduced a new rating system for films, based not on their sexual or violent content, but on how successfully women are treated as equals.

This feminist theory, known as the Bechdel test, requires a movie to contain at least two named women characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. The Bechdel test was first introduced by American cartoonist, Alison Bechdel, who incorporated the test into her comic strip, Dykes to Watch Out For, in 1985.

The test may seem as though it is founded on extremely low standards, and may even be seen as offensive to some, but a startling number of films fail to reach it. “The entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, all Star Wars movies, The Social Network, Pulp Fiction and all but one of the Harry Potter movies fail this test,” said Ellen Tejle, who runs Stockholm’s Bio Rio, one of a number of independent cinemas that has instituted

the classification.

It is alarming to note the amount of films which fail to portray “a female superhero or a female professor or person who makes it through exciting challenges and masters them,” Tejle said. “The goal is to see more female stories and perspectives on cinema screens,” she added.

The state-funded Swedish Film Institute supports the initiative, which is being adopted by other corporations as well. The Scandinavian cable TV channel, Viasat Film, says it will also start using the rating system in its film reviews and has scheduled an “A” rated “Super Sunday”” on Nov. 17, where it will show only films that pass the test, such as The Hunger Games, The Iron Lady and Savages.

The test does have its imperfections, seeing as Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar award winning film The Hurt Locker would not pass the test. It is just as important to see women break through the male dominated sphere in the off screen department of cinema as it is to see this happening on screen.

Although there are certain parts of the test which could use some modification, it is important not to miss the bigger picture.

According to a study by the San Diego-based Centre for

COURTESY PHOTO

Pictured above is a movie still from the Lord of the Rings, a series of films that fails the Bechdel test. This test is based in feminist theory, and requires a movie to contain at least two named women characters that talk to each other about something other than a man. The sheer amount of movies that fail this test may surprise you. the Study of Women in Television and Film, of the top 100 US films in 2011, women accounted for 33 per cent of all characters and only 11 per cent of the protagonists. In another study, the Annenberg Public Policy Centre at the University of Pennsylvania examined 855 top box-office films from 1950 to 2006, where it was found that the ratio of male to female characters in movies has remained two to one for the last six decades. Female characters were twice as likely to be

seen in sexual scenes, while male characters were more likely to be placed in violent situations.

“Apparently, Hollywood thinks that films with male characters will do better at the box office,” said Amy Bleakley, the study’s lead author. Hollywood filmmakers are creating films based on what sells at the box office, and the issue right now is that these well-received films are those which represent women in roles which lack substance.

The Bechdel test is not, by any

means, going to eliminate the gender bias that has been present in cinema for decades. It will, however, be spreading awareness on the superficial portrayal of women in film, which is a necessary step toward changing how films are made and how people think about them. So, the next time you’re sitting on the couch watching a movie, take a second to think about the female presence, or lack thereof, in the film. You may be surprised by what you find.

some extracurricular activities.

In fact, the now-Toronto resident remembers his time spent as part of Interhall Council as one of his fondest memories. “In first year you’re so nervous,” Dehaas explained of the experience.

“But by second year, you become a member of the community, and you know how everything works. You feel you can pass on that knowledge to someone else.

It was just a lot of fun.”

The most important extracurricular for Dehaas, though, may have been the decision to begin writing for The Cannon – a decision that Dehaas credits for fostering his interest in journalism. “It’s really intimidating to write something, to have it published, and to have strangers read and criticize it,” explained Dehaas. “It was nice to be in a university where you could try out new things in a safe environment.”

Seeing an ad to write for The Cannon stemmed a career and a list full of experience that most heading into journalism only dream about. After graduation, Dehaas made his way to the University of British Columbia to complete his master’s in Journalism. During this time at

UBC came half a dozen internships that Dehaas is thankful for. “Doing [internships] during school was really beneficial,” he explained. “Just trying out at several different places was really helpful to where I am now.”

With the sensitive topic of unpaid internships trending recently, Dehaas does not view his experiences with anything but positivity. “A lot of internships are educational, you’re not replacing any full time employees,” Dehaas said, touching on an article he wrote a few years ago on the topic. “You’re getting training that you wouldn’t get elsewhere; that’s perfectly acceptable and a really good experience.”

One of Dehaas’s internships was with Maclean’s magazine, where he is now the editor of “On Campus,” a clear indication that internships pay with more than just experience. In just his first week interning with Maclean’s, Dehaas was sent to cover the G-20 Conference. “I started on Monday, and then on Friday they said, ‘Hey, go cover this over the weekend,’” Dehaas explained of the scary and exciting opportunity, adding that there was no way to predict the dramatic outcome of the event. “It was a really

good experience; it basically showed me that I could do this.”

After covering the G-20 Conference, working internships for renowned places like CBC, and writing for publications such as the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s, Dehaas understands and recognizes the attraction to the journalism world. “It’s probably the same as it’s always been,” Dehaas answered when asked why so many people still aspire to write, even with the negative connotations attached.

“There’s a lot of variety in it being different every day, and it can be really meaningful.”

Before getting anywhere, though, Dehaas believes students should really strive to find out what they’re passionate about, and use university to do so.

“Don’t be afraid to try lots of different things,” Dehaas explained, banking off his own university experience. “Use university as an opportunity to figure out what you really want to do, and what’s meaningful for you - that takes joining different clubs, playing different sports, and trying all kinds of elective classes.”

Dehaas clearly recognizes that university is a once in a lifetime experience, but it is only the experience that you choose to make it.

Alumni Spotlight: Josh Dehaas

History grad now an editor at acclaimed Maclean’s magazine Stephanie Coratti

The University of Guelph wasn’t first on the list for Josh Dehaas; however just as the campus does for many others, the sight and feel quickly changed his mind.

After visiting four universities and staying with an older friend who attended the University of Guelph at the time, Dehaas couldn’t help but feel comfortable during his stay. “It went from lower on my list to my first choice,” Dehaas explained of his decision to attend Guelph.

That wasn’t the last time Dehaas would experience a change of heart. During his time as a student, Dehaas went from majoring in Commerce, to History. “When I started, I was really focused on a business related career,” Dehaas said of the switch. “But then, going through university, I realized that was less important than finding something that really interested me.”

The history graduate also credited a few history professors, and the more personalized experience

offered through the smaller arts programs at the University of Guelph, for the change in interest. “Commerce was a really big program with not a lot of contact,” explained Dehaas. “History was a smaller program when I was there, so it just felt like a better option.”

Doing [internships] during school was really beneficial.

Just trying out at several different places was really helpful to where I am now.

- Josh Dehaas, editor at Maclean’s magazine

Dehaas went on to acknowledge history professors Karen Racine, Jacqueline Murray, and Jesse Palsetia specifically for playing a significant role in the major change. “I know they’re still there - I checked,” Dehaas joked. “I have a brother who goes to Guelph and I want to pressure him into taking their classes.”

Outside of the classroom, Dehaas found a strong interest in

LIFE

172.11 • Thursday, november 14, 2013

Financial literacy month Andrea Connell How much money have you spent today? Bet you don’t know. Coffee, lunch, cute earrings picked up in the University Centre courtyard - it all adds up. November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada, bet you didn’t know that either.

The goal of Financial Literacy Month, as stated by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, is “to raise the profile of the importance of financial literacy in today’s world; to show Canadians the benefits of financial literacy in their daily lives and the real dangers they face without it.”

Money, arguably, is complicated and private. People share more about their sex lives than their money woes.

My parents’ generation would say it’s impolite to discuss money, but what they mean is it’s impolite to ask about someone’s annual income; it’s not rude to ask for advice on how to save for a laptop or a reading week vacation.

The biggest debt young people are facing is student loan debt, in part because it’s easy to ignore until you

graduate and the bank comes knocking with a payment plan that will make even those with strong stomachs want to heave. For each September that your bank account swells with money from OSAP loans, add another year to the time it takes to pay off those same loans. Hindsight is 20-20; trust me on this. I didn’t know how much my monthly OSAP repayment would be.

I know now – the cost of a monthly car payment. Ergo, I didn’t own one until I paid off my undergrad loan years later. I won’t disclose how many years that took - see, it’s private.

Consider this: If you graduate with $27,000 (the average amount according to Canada Student Loans) in student loan debt and plan to pay it off in five years, at an interest rate of 3.5 per cent, the monthly amount you will be required to pay is $528. Want to pay it off in four years? It will cost you $642 per month. On top of that, you will need money for living expenses such as rent, groceries, cell phone bills, transportation and entertainment. Unless you want to live with your parents

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until you are 30, educate yourself now on money matters.

Here are five suggestions to get you started: 1. Get a part-time job; you can’t save money if you aren’t earning any.

2. Open a tax-free savings account and contribute a monthly amount via automatic pre-authorized payments.

TFSAs were launched in 2009 as a vehicle for Canadians to build up emergency funds and, unlike an RRSP, it’s not taxable when withdrawn.

3. If you have a credit card, use it carefully and responsibly.

You must pay the balance owed in full every month or you will pay 19 per cent interest on the balance. Carrying a balance constantly will not only cost you in interest charges, it will also harm your future credit rating.

4. Pay with cash - you can’t spend money you don’t have.

Also, you won’t be shocked by all the charges you have racked up on your credit card.

5. Consider your purchases.

Do you really need another pair of boots or jeans, or is this just a want?

COURTESY OF 401K CALCULATOR WEBSITE

Every dollar you spend can quickly add up, and since November is Financial Literacy Month, you may want to pay a bit more attention to your finances to see where they are headed.

Perfecting being perpetually poor

Budgeting for the holidays

Gabrielle Dickert It’s that time of year again - students are starting to have to pinch their pennies. I’m not going to say that you should have made a budget at the beginning of the semester, but I hope you realize it’s about time to budget now. There are less than two months until Christmas, and with that, you need to make a decision. The way I see it, you have three options.

One: don’t buy people presents.

This can get awkward if someone buys you a present and you have nothing to give them. I mean, you can always have that untimely conversation with the person (or people) who really wants to get you a present, but due to insisting

you don’t have enough money, just won’t get you a gift – or even worse, they’ll get you one anyways.

Two: you can be super stingy (read, creative) with your present purchasing. You know, things like painting someone a beautiful picture on a dollar store canvas, or writing them a song, or maybe even hitting up the thrift store and putting together a box of useless but hilarious Christmas gag gifts. This option can be a good one if you don’t have a job or you have a legitimate reason for being poor, but if your wallet is empty due to a variety of drunken escapades over the last couple of months, your family and friends may be less than impressed.

Three: you can start cutting your spending now in preparation for the whole shindig.

Of course, I recommend option three, but you can choose the

best option for yourself.

If you’re short on cash and don’t have a lot to work with, I’d recommend going back to your boss from your summer job and asking if they have any shifts you can cover over the break. While you may have been excited as a kid going to kindergarten when you finally got to leave that place, remember that it was still a paycheck and minimum wage is better than no wage. It’s only a couple of weeks; I’m sure you can muster up the will to go for just a few shifts. While this may not provide dollars right away for Christmas due to pay schedules, you may be looking at money to spend on New Year’s or even textbooks upon your return to Guelph.

In the event that you decided number three was a good option, I’ll lend you some potentially

helpful advice that an old roommate of mine used to do.

Designate your income/spending money into a variety of envelopes. You’ll need an envelope for rent, food, entertainment, other expenses, and in addition, you’ll need one for holiday spending.

Each person spends a different amount of money on their gifts, so consider making a list of the people for whom you’ll need to get a gift. Designate a maximum spending amount with/for that person and total the maximums (and the minimums, if that’s how you roll). Ensure you have a good idea for what gifts will potentially cost you.

Don’t forget about the holiday activities that come hand-inhand with gift giving. If you’re not in school or working, you’ll have more free time. Does more free time mean more spending?

Or will you be sitting in front of the PS4/Xbox One you’ve decided is a totally justifiable purchase?

Just consider the fact that more expenses may arise from hangouts with old/current friends.

Remember, ‘tis the season of giving and that may require you to give something up yourself.

Keep in mind that, no matter how poor you are as a university student, there are many people in the world who are in a worse financial position. If you can find some extra cash to give this holiday season, donate it to your favourite charity. If you really don’t have the dollars, time is always appreciated.

There are many places around Guelph, and probably in your hometown, where you can volunteer over the holidays and help out people who are less fortunate than you are.

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LIFE

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So little time

Is multi-tasking hurting or helping overscheduled students?

Kimberly Northcote

In a world of smartphones, laptops, tablets, and Bluetooth devices, everyone seems to be multi-tasking in an effort to save time. Living in a society that is constantly busy has led us to value these devices and their ability to accomplish many things at once. But how much are we really accomplishing by multi-tasking? Is it really more effective than doing one thing at a time?

Any university student will tell you that there is simply not enough time to get everything done. The obvious response to dealing with a plethora of assignments, chores, errands, and other jobs is to try to get more of it done at once, juggling many tasks at a time. But another thing that any student can tell you is that trying to study and, say, browse the Internet or watch TV at the same time, is not productive. The key seems to be finding out when multi-tasking is helpful and when it actually hinders productivity.

Jim Taylor’s article in Psychology

Today tells us that efficient multitasking must involve tasks that require different parts of the brain. So, making dinner and catching up with your roommate is a good idea, but talking to your friends and reading both use the language part of your brain, and the reading will take much longer to finish.

A common mistake that many students make is trying to do many similar tasks at once.

Trying to check your email, write a paper, and use social media simultaneously will mean that you are constantly switching back and forth between these tasks. This slows you down because your brain needs time to readjust every time that you begin a different task. Doing one thing at a time may seem slower, but it allows you to give full attention to that task and complete it quicker than if you were trying to do other things at the same time. It also decreases the likelihood of making errors.

How many times have you been listening to music and ended up writing the lyrics in your study notes? This is a result of the language area of your brain trying to do too much at once.

Dedicating yourself to only one thing at a time has many

PHOTO BY RYAN RITCHIE

Is multitasking really the most effective use of your time? Try taking the time to focus on one task instead of multiple tasks, and you may surprise yourself with how much you can accomplish. benefits. Social media platforms, and our easy access to them, have blurred the lines between work and leisure. This can lead to the feeling of always working, but never getting anything done.

Devoting one chunk of time to just homework and one chunk of time to just relaxation can show us more clearly where our

time goes. Social networking while doing homework makes it difficult to decipher how much time is spent actually working, because our work and our internet browsing are so intertwined. Giving yourself a distinct amount of time to relax before getting back to work will keep you refreshed and not over-worked. There are people

that claim focusing on a single task for a while allows them to get “into the zone” and become immersed in their work, leading to better results as well as more personal satisfaction.

The next time you are overwhelmed with a long to-do list, try to pay attention to one task at a time - you may be surprised by how much you get done.

You’ve probably seen this on Pinterest

Getting into the holiday spirit, one drink at a time Alyssa Ottema

It’s officially that time of year again. Snow is falling, even though it’s not sticking. A few eager beavers have had their lights and wreaths up for two weeks already. The pumpkin craze has slowly died out, replaced by an overwhelming demand for anything with gingerbread or cinnamon. Regular coffee has been renamed ‘Santa’s Secret Blend’ - which is an excellent marketing ploy - because at this time of year, anything with the word ‘Santa,’ ‘Reindeer,’ ‘Snowflake,’ or ‘Holiday’ in the title is bound to sell out faster than the same product under a lessfestive name.

When I think of the holidays, however, the first thing that pops into my mind is alcohol.

Now, I’m not a heavy drinker, but there’s something about being trapped in a room with my 15 cousins and their crying children, with my Oma yelling about something or another and my least-favourite aunt continually asking me, “Are you sure you want to eat a third helping?” followed by, “Wow, I

wish I didn’t care about how I looked!” that sends me back to the wine bottle.

So, as you can imagine, I was rather excited when I stumbled upon a recipe for Candy Cane Vodka. Now, I can get drunk at our annual holiday dinner without the judgement, because it’s festive alcohol. I’m just trying to get into the spirit of the holidays, and yes, I do want that third helping.

In reality, this is just peppermint vodka, which is something they sell in liquor stores on a regular basis. But, on the plus side, it is actually cheaper to make peppermint vodka at home. As an added bonus, making it yourself means you can take it to your family dinner, brag about your creativity and handiness, and then drink it all yourself.

Candy Cane Vodka You’ll need: - 1 c. of crushed candy canes - Vodka - Air-tight sealable container - Filter/sieve 1. Place crushed candy canes at the bottom of the air-tight sealable container (mason jars work really well for this, but anything with a seal will do).

2. Pour vodka over the crushed

PHOTO BY JD HANCOCK

Instead of purchasing peppermint or candy-cane flavoured vodka at your local liquor store, try your hand and making your own. The recipe is simple, festive, and is sure to give those who drink it a bit more than a typical dose of holiday spirit. candy canes, filling the container to the top. (Note: if your container is larger than average mason jars, or you plan on making a larger than average quantity of vodka, you may

want to put in two cups of candy canes for added flavour.)

3. Seal the container, and leave the vodka to sit for two full days.

4. After two days, pour the

mixture into a new container through a filter or sieve to remove all of the little candy bits that you might accidentally choke on while drinking.

5. Drink up!

OPINION

172.11 • Thursday, november 14, 2013

Environmental diversity: finding a balance

Taking the first step towards understanding complex systems and the importance of biodiversity Iris Benedikt

Ecosystems in nature are comprised of webs of species, whose roles are all interconnected. As the diversity of an ecosystem increases, the stability of that system also increases, since multiple species may fill a similar ecological role. As we continue to pursue economic and technological growth, we become increasingly dependent on a vast array of the earth’s resources, and our practices may interfere with environmental stability. In order to achieve sustainability, we must understand the importance of many individual species and their role in the ecosystem, and find an appropriate balance between human activities and the natural environment.

Biodiversity is a crucial factor in sustaining ecosystems, as species depend on a variety of habitats and adaptation techniques for survival. If one species goes extinct, this affects the stability of other species that might rely on it.

As human beings, we depend on a wide variety of living organisms to sustain our lives and economies.

We depend on natural resources for virtually everything, whether it is food, travel, medicine, or entertainment.

As we continue to extract more resources from the earth to fulfill our momentary needs from nature, we affect the overall state of natural systems and contribute to global loss in biodiversity.

World Wild Life Fund claims that we use 25 per cent more resources than what the earth can sustain, and our exploitation of these resources has led to diminishing species diversity. The main causes for decreasing biodiversity include: destruction or reduction of habitat; exploitation of hunting, fishing, or claiming other

natural resources; introduction of alien or invasive species to a habitat; pollution and contamination of the atmosphere and bodies of water; and climate change, which has been initiated and magnified by many different factors.

Due to increasing awareness regarding human impact on the environment, many Western societies are now facing a crossroad between economic and environmental needs. In Canada, our federal government is constantly discussing environmental issues, but political interests and economic priorities often outweigh environmental interests. As a result, conservation efforts are not always as effective as they could be. CBS reports that conservation at Parks Canada has declined by 23 per cent in recent years. It has become difficult to manage and satisfy the needs of Canadian citizens and governmental affairs while considering the associated environmental impacts.

The on-going struggle for environmental, social, and economic

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PHOTO BY MARTIN SHARMAN

Biodiversity is just like Jenga: eliminate too many elements and forget to keep a sustainable balance, and it’ll all come crashing down.

balance will likely persist for many decades. Achieving sustainability is a complex endeavor, and one that cannot be solved by “cookie cutter” decision-making. Ideally, we hope to construct an economy that thrives on

environmental action and conservation. Biodiversity is such an important element of environmental concern, and this new wave of thinking needs to be reflected across our Canadian economy and policies.

especially on a cold and blustery October evening. One wonders, though, what happens if a large bloc of University of Guelph students choose to nominate their family or friends, and then vote online? My guess is that life, as we know it, will come to an end.

Can you imagine a majority of politicians here and elsewhere actually interested in the welfare of the poor and downtrodden, to the extent of compassionate budget legislation? It boggles the mind! No more billionaires unable to spend their obscene fortunes in ten lifetimes. No more war, starvation, suicide, or despair - not to mention free education, little crime, and satisfying employment for all and sundry.

Of course, this utopian ideal will not be obtained on this planet overnight; it may take several hundred years, which is all the more reason to live a long and meaningful life.

About 240 years ago, our neighbours to the south revolted against taxation without representation. As you probably know, dumping tea in Boston harbour in the 1770s was simply a symbolic refusal to kiss King George’s ass, while bowing to British taxation.

While this may have been a cause to celebrate in the 18th century, it is of no relevance today. We just don’t have the muskets or goolies to open trust accounts and deposit our municipal, provincial and federal taxes therein.

Why? It’s simple: The powers that

be are backed by the military and police who, it is said, are pledged to serve and protect, which raises the question - to serve and protect whom? But I digress.

Sure, we have lots of politicians to represent us, and taxes seem a small price to pay for democracy, right? Not really. Face it; we’re all slaves to capitalism, prostituting ourselves for the almighty dollar to put unhealthy food on the table, an expensive roof over our heads, and an enormous pile of replaceable junk in our possession.

In my case, I’ve gotten used to the exorbitant tax bite of about 50 per cent (taking all insidious levies into account), but I refuse to shut up about it. When I was a shy youth back on the farm, my dear old pappy said, “If you want things to change, stand up and be counted. Silence, my son, means tacit approval.”

I also remember Robert A. Zimmerman mumbling such lyrics as “the times they are a-changin’.” That was 50 years ago Bob, and times have certainly changed. Of course, students here weren’t even born then, but take my and your grandfather’s word for it: times are a lot worse now.

We study in this city

John C. Como

City of Guelph staff and Councilors have made several costly blunders in recent years, and should have their collective knuckles rapped. Or, better yet, they and their knuckles ought to be exiled to a small settlement just north of Inuvik - in winter and without gloves.

Examples of their ineptitude are many, but ones that immediately come to mind include expensive delays in construction, broken contracts, and the mind-boggling sale, and then leasing, of a prime piece of downtown property. Not to mention their latest waffling about what to do with an insignificant farmhouse, and the tricky question of how much to increase property taxes in 2014, an election year.

Mind you, political screw-ups are not confined to the Guelph area. Indeed, it’s a global disease, something like bulimia, only smellier. The bottom line is that, other than those with corporate interests, the majority of Guelphites are overtaxed and ignored - except, of course, during Councillors’ re-election campaigns.

Anyone who thinks it’s still too early for such activity is simply not paying attention.

Interestingly, some distress has already been expressed over next October’s new online voting.

Presumably, this will result in balloting by many locals who are too lazy to go to the polls,

The views represented in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ontarion nor its staff.

EDITORIAL

An argument in-favour of introverts Talking - it’s what people do.

But in a world where everyone is striving to be heard, introverts may find their voices diminished by those who speak louder, command others attention and win people over with outgoing charm and undeniable charisma. There is a bias in our society that extols the virtues of extroversion.

It’s no coincidence that one of the original best-selling self-help books, How to Win Friends and Influence People, published in 1936, remains popular today. It has sold 15 million copies world-wide, revealing the widespread desire to “make friends quickly and easily; increase your popularity; help you to win people to your way of thinking; make you a better salesman; a better executive; make you a better speaker; a more entertaining conversationalist.” These are just a few of the goals this book promises to help the reader achieve, demonstrating the perceived importance of these esteemed qualities in the social sphere. However, it may be time to re-assess society’s obsession with extroversion.

In Quiet: The Power of Introvert in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain writes about the “extrovert ideal” and traces the history of how the stereotypical outgoing, extroverted individual came to be regarded as the ideal in modern society. Cain characterizes twenty-first century Western society as “the omnipresent belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha and comfortable in the spotlight.”

According to Psychology Today, extroverts make up 50 to 74 per cent of the population. Extroverts thrive on social stimulation, learn by doing, and enjoy talking through ideas and problems. Conversely, 16 to 50 per cent of people are introverts that get energy from spending time alone, often prefer to focus on one task at a time, and tend to observe situations before

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making decisions. These differences stem from the way our brains are wired to process sensory data from the external world.

It seems that not only has the extroverted personality been regarded as the ideal, it has been positioned as the norm – at school, in the workplace, in relationships - and this expectation may have detrimental effects on those whose natural temperaments predispose them to different kinds of thinking, and different ways of making sense of the world.

Cain argues that the introvert’s personality is inherent to the individual. While introverts can learn to appear outgoing in certain situations, introversion isn’t just behavioural; it’s an inherent, inborn temperament. Introverted individuals may spend their lives striving to embody an ideal that fundamentally contradicts their true nature.

However, introverts possess unique capabilities, and their potential should be acknowledged. An article published in Forbes, titled “Introverts No Longer the Quiet Followers of Extroverts,” highlighted the unique skills introverts can contribute to the business world. Introverts can be leaders, but their leadership style is different from what extroverted associates might expect.

Leadership is often equated with public speaking prowess and being loud and persuasive.

But extroverts may be prone to riskier behaviour, and ego can push discussion and decisions in the wrong direction.

“Introverted leaders offer an alternative,” Karl Moore wrote.

“Introverted leaders are maybe more quiet, but the flip side is that they are often more reflective and critical of situations.” The introverted approach is worth not only accommodating, but also

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The majority of the population can be classified as extroverts, and our society seems biased towards the “extroverted ideal.” However, introverts can offer unique insights and contributions that should not be overlooked due to their quiet and introspective approach. encouraging, because it can balance some of the biases that may befall extroverts.

No one is suggesting that all introverts are fragile snowflakes with sensitive souls that ought to be coddled by society at large - but rather, that it would be advantageous to reframe introversion as an asset. Not everyone can identify with the extrovert mentality; we’re not all seeking to “make friends and influence people.” It’s okay to not be the life of the party – we can’t all be social butterflies - and wallflowers fulfill an important social role, too. Just imagine a room full of loud, outgoing people all vying for attention at a party – it would be sheer chaos.

It’s not time for introverts to speak up; it’s time for the world to listen, or risk overlooking the ideas and contributions produced by the 16 to 50 per cent of thoughtful, contemplative, and observant individuals who exist in this world.

As Cain best stated the sentiment, “There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”

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COMMUNITY LISTINGS

November 14 - My Sleep Schedule is Out of Whack! Going to bed at 5:00 am and missing all your morning classes? Learn how to get your sleep schedule back on track. 2:00-2:50 pm, Room 335 UC. A free GryFIT event. Details at www.uoguelph.ca/~ksomers Meet Moe the Camel, experience Bethlehem Marketplace, reflect at the Live Nativity. “A Night in Bethlehem”, November 23-24 & 29-30, 6-9pm. 7427 Wellington County Road 30. www.gracecommunity.ca Friday Afternoon Jazz Series at the Bullring, Friday Nov. 15th, from 2pm-4pm. Second last one of the semester!

This week features Threefold Standard! Free Over 50 floats, bands and marchers will entertain Downtown Guelph this Sunday Nov. 17 at the annual Community Santa Parade, 1.30pm.

Saturday, Nov. 16, Old Quebec Street Mall, 10-12 pm. U of Guelph’s Child Development Research Unit and officials from Guelph Public Health will unveil a campaign designed to reduce the number of head injuries small children suffer accidentally each year.

Thursday, November 14th, 7:00 PM. History Lives Here: Veterans’ Talk. Hear the stories of our veterans from the Second World War, Vietnam, Korean and various peacekeeping missions. Presented by the Guelph Legion at the Main Library.

November 15 - Shad w/ We Are The City @ Peter Clark Hall. 8pm, $22.

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Thursday, November 28th, 7:00 PM. History Lives Here: Amazing Airmen. Ian Darling, journalist and author who grew up in Guelph, will speak about the ordeals Canadian airmen endured during WWII from his book Amazing Airmen: Canadian Flyers in the Second World War.

SUBMIT your completed crossword by no later than Monday, November 18th at 4pm for a chance to win TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS!

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Last Week's Solution

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