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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

Seven questions with Cory ‘Indiana Justice’

Interview with Overheard at Guelph admin Michael Long

The eight admins on the Overheard at Guelph Facebook page invite between 10 and 20 people to their group per day, says Cory ‘Indiana Justice’ Houghton. A month or two ago the page had around 15,000 members; today the number is well over 16,000 – nearly one member for every undergraduate student at the University of Guelph.

Patrick Gormley is the page’s founder, but these days perhaps no one is more closely associated with the formidable forum than Houghton, who is both a long-time admin and seemingly tireless commenter.

The ‘Indiana Justice’ moniker is, incidentally, part reference to a choice to dress up as Indy on the last day of class and part reference to a MegaPizza incident wherein he gave some bullies a lesson in manners – a habit for which Houghton has developed a similarly crusading reputation online.

The Ontarion caught up with the 28-year old U of G psychology and history grad to get his thoughts on Overheard, language and the Internet in general.

Here are a few gems from that conversation: On having ‘too much time on your hands’ “I think the effort people think it takes [to comment] is a lot more than it actually is… The majority of the things I do are written in anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.”

On being outspoken “It actually doesn’t bother me.

COURTESY PHOTO

The debates on Overheard at Guelph can get pretty heady at times, and Cory Houghton is a fixture of most of them - much to many people’s chagrin. But Houghton says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

I find it almost fascinating and funny how many people really, really seem to detest me – not just that they’re annoyed: they hate.”

On the meme/debate balance “That’s what I love about Overheard. As much as it is clearly designed to be funny, amusing things that you see, you end up with a lot of these… debates… I think a lot of good does come out of it because these people aren’t exposed to it anywhere else.”

On (relative) anonymity “People talk about your offline life as real life, as though what you do online doesn’t have consequences, as though what you do online isn’t an extension of your

personality. And it’s very easy for people to say that because it lets them get away with things.”

On political correctness “If you push people too hard in one direction, whether correctly or not, whether they’re accurately grasping what’s happening or not, they will push back. And the one unfortunate side-effect of all the really, really good things that have been happening in the past 10 or 20 years for equal rights has been that some things do go to far.”

On grammar and language “Language is how other people view us… People will say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know I had to write an essay.’ But you were just talking

about racism. Or you were just talking about women’s equality.

You’re going to tell me you don’t think that’s a time when maybe using proper grammar and treating it with the respect it deserves is a good thing?”

On being the face of Overheard “I think Pat deserves all the acclaim possible for what he has created… I am happy to be misjudged as the face of something I didn’t create or seen as the guy who’s trying to make it more than it is, or sounding self-important.

I’m happy for any of that as long as one person has their life changed by anything that happens there, even if it has nothing to do with me.”

Budget Rumour Mill addresses concerns

Proposed cuts and funding issues addressed with Multi Year Plan Alyssa Ottema

On Wednesday, April 2, President Alastair Summerlee and Provost and Vice President Academic Maureen Mancuso held a Budget Rumour Mill to address potential concerns within the university community regarding the budget breakdown for the next few years.

“The big message … is that we are not anticipating any further funding coming from the province,” said Mancuso.

The government has encouraged universities across Ontario to take on Strategic Mandate Agreements (SMAs) and pursue differentiation. System metrics, in addition to institutional metrics, have been adopted to measure these agreements, but Mancuso said

that the question still remains as to how these metrics will lead to a new funding formula. “[The government] is looking really hard at redundancies,” said Mancuso. “At the moment, they are not approving any additional undergraduate programs [or] undergraduate enrolment until … we have gotten through the official SMA process.”

Another issue the university faces is that most of the funds making up the budget – the OMAF-MRA fund, Research and Trust funds, and capital and endowment funds – are restricted and must be used very specifically. “The MTCU operating budget [is] the only budget at which we have discretion and latitude with respect to how we spend it,” concluded Mancuso.

“There’s very little leeway in terms of moving monies around to be able to deal with things,” added Summerlee. “We’ve put back the Priority Investment Fund, [which] has the ability to make …

allocations to projects that we hope are going to … help us deal with the budget challenge that we have.”

The budget remains of interest to faculty, staff, and students, as September marks the beginning of the three years of Multi-Year Plan 2, which is meant to address the university’s $32.4 million deficit. “The cuts are smaller next year, larger the year after, and then maximum in the third year,” said Summerlee. “We absolutely must be able to achieve those targets that we’ve set … If we can do better in the first year when the cuts are smaller, that’s actually going to help reduce the amount of cut later on.”

Regarding the Program Prioritization Process (PPP), which made headlines in the fall semester, President Summerlee reiterated that the allocation of cuts is not overwhelmingly based on the PPP. “Because the majority of the costs come from the fact that units are employing people, 50 per cent of the allocation of those

cuts is based on compensation …

Just less than 20 per cent comes on the basis of the PPP rankings,” explained Summerlee.

“As we are beginning to see some shifts in enrolment – that is, shifts between programs – [it] is quite possible that there may be an opportunity for us to reduce that 32.4 million,” Summerlee added.

“For example, recently we’ve seen more students going into engineering, and they bring in a larger grant, and so if we can sustain that – that actually cuts the amount of money we would need to find in the cut.”

Rising tuition fees, however, will likely remain an issue for students.

According to the proposed budget, students can expect to see their tuition fees rise by the approved three per cent to cover the costs of salaries, benefits, and utilities.

“We’re not really expecting to see huge shifts in the first year,” concluded Summerlee. “The bigger changes will probably come in the last two years.”

Irish President makes historic visit to U.K. Irish President Michael D. Higgins has been welcomed to the U.K. by the British Royal Family in what marks the beginning of the first visit to Great Britain by an Irish head of state.

Three years ago, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland, and, while there, helped usher in a new era of reconciliatory relations between the two countries by laying a wreath at a memorial to those who died fighting for Irish independence.

“I think Her Majesty, in coming to Ireland and addressing, for example, issues of relations between our two people was doing it the right way,” said President Higgins of the Queen’s visit.

Ireland won independence following civil war in 1921, but British retention of Northern Ireland fuelled years of violence thereafter.

President Higgins added that there were “a lot of very difficult memories” and that it would be wrong to “wipe the slate clean.”

Peter Hain, Northern Ireland secretary from 2005 to 2007, said the visit would have been “unthinkable” just five years ago.

CBC braces for budget cuts The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is facing an estimated $100 million revenue shortfall, and on April 10 CBC staff will learn what that means for the future of their employment.

Hubert Lacroix, president of CBC/Radio Canada, has blamed a weak industry-wide advertising market and poor TV rating for some of the deficit – but the main culprit is the loss of Hockey Night in Canada, for which the broadcasting rights were recently sold to Roger’s Media for $5.2 billion, ending the 61 years of CBC control.

Advertising from Hockey Night had accounted for nearly one third of CBC’s total advertising revenue.

Exacerbating problems, in 2012 the government slashed the CBC appropriation budget by $115 million over five years.

“It’s harder and harder to continue working under that kind of atmosphere. Every six months at CBC, the world changes,” said Marc-Philippe Laurin, the CBC branch president at the Canadian Media Guild, the union for the broadcaster’s English services employees. “We’re not talking about cutting to the bone. We’re into the marrow now.”

Compiled by Michael Long

NEWS

173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

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Milestone met: Guelph graduates gather at the Last Lecture Stacey Aspinall What does it mean to be a Guelph Gryphon?

This year’s Last Lecture addressed that very question, offering the graduating class of 2014 one last opportunity to gather and reflect on their time spent at U of G. The lecture, held on April 3 in War Memorial Hall, was a night devoted to celebrating the accomplishments of students both inside and outside of the classroom, and considering the U of G’s legacy in light of the institution’s 50th anniversary.

Three lecturers were chosen to honour the occasion: the student speaker was Thomas Heeman, B.A.H. ’14 (International Development), the

faculty lecturer was U of G President Alastair Summerlee, and the alumn lecturer was Mayor Karen Farbridge of the City of Guelph.

Brenda Whiteside, Associate VicePresident of Student Affairs, spoke briefly, congratulating the graduating class of 2014 on their significant achievements. “While each of you may have had a different experience over the past years, I feel confident all of you have progressed both intellectually and personally through this time,” said Whiteside.

Heeman took to the stage first, presenting the student’s view: “The hours we spent reading, writing, and reflecting have started to unlock the secret worlds, in nature, ourselves, and our place in society.”

Heeman discussed the mythology of the Gryphon: “In my mind, Gryphons hold a fierceness of heart, a commitment to service, and a depth of character,” and also acknowledged the challenges – both personal and academic – that many students encounter as they pursue their education, and highlighted Guelph’s reputation as an accommodating and inclusive university.

Farbridge discussed her own experiences at Guelph, having completed three degrees during her time on campus, and later taking on a role as the director of OPRIG and serving as a faculty member in the Department of Political Science.

“I met and was inspired by people who cared deeply about their

community. I found my growing involvement in my community extremely rewarding, and something that I wanted to pursue,” said Farbridge.

Summerlee’s involvement at University of Guelph started when he joined the faculty in 1988 as a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Summerlee became the 7th President of the University of Guelph on July 15, 2003.

“After 26 years here…being a Gryphon is now very much a part of my blood,” said Summerlee. “One of the essential elements of the mythological creature of the gryphon is that it is the keeper of knowledge, and therefore to be a symbol for the

University of Guelph is incredibly significant.”

Summerlee spoke of a “Gryphon code,” consisting of five L’s: “Live.

Live your life to the fullest, every single moment of it.” Laugh, and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Learn, and “care for the people and planet around you. In a world that is ridden with injustice and beset by dogma, prejudice, and disadvantage, we need people like you – people who care, people who are willing to make a difference,” Summerlee said. Listen to your heart and to those around you, and follow your passion. And finally, leave: “Know when it’s time to leave, know when it’s time to turn and walk away.”

Coalition of CSA staff and Directors call for internal bylaw reform To improve accountability, group proposes recommendations that curtail Executive power Michael Long Members of the permanent staff of the Central Student Association, with the support of several members of the CSA Board of Directors, are calling for reform at the highest levels of CSA governance.

Citing the right of students to “hold their union accountable for its action and inaction,” the coalition has authored a series of recommendations aimed at addressing an “imbalance of power” on the Board of Directors and the potential for conflicts of interest.

At the top of the list of reforms, the coalition recommends that

the five-person CSA Executive no longer be allowed to vote on the Board of Directors.

The Board is responsible for ensuring the Executive is doing its job, says a member of the coalition, who asked not to be identified and spoke to the Ontarion on behalf of the group, “but how are they supposed to hold the full-time paid Executive accountable when they are on equal footing?”

The Executive’s political clout on the Board of Directors presents further difficulties for maintaining equity, says the coalition, who are choosing to remain anonymous out of concern for their job security.

The coalition’s subsequent recommendations tackle issues it claims contribute to that power imbalance.

For example, the coalition recommends that every seat on the Board of Directors be elected, that no individual can sit on the Board of

Directors for more than two consecutive years, that a roster of experts be on-call to attend Board meetings to provide professional advice, and that first-time Directors be better trained so they feel empowered to “make the tough decisions needed to hold people accountable.”

“These are interesting proposals,” said the CSA Executive, responding to the recommendations, “but it is disappointing that individuals have chosen to present them anonymously and without context, making it difficult to have a fruitful discussion. We hope that moving forward these individuals let us know who they are so we can have a productive discussion together.”

While the coalition says it has harboured these concerns for some time, it says events at an April 2 Board of Directors meeting catalyzed the current call for reform.

At that meeting, Mathew Brown,

who was narrowly defeated by Sonia Chwalek in the race for Communications and Corporate Affairs Commissioner in last month’s CSA general election, was planning to challenge Chwalek’s ratification, but his motion was pre-empted by a member of the Executive who successfully moved to approve Chwalek’s ratification before Brown could speak.

Brown, who is also a CSA Events Coordinator and Human Rights Educator with the Student Help and Advocacy Centre, had seven motions to present at the Board meeting and says “guests left very upset with the obvious systematic oppression that occurred.”

“The CSA office is now a toxic workplace,” said Brown, “where many people who support me on this feel like they are walking on eggshells.”

Says the coalition spokesperson: “If

a student comes forward and is shut down, it doesn’t encourage others to come forward with their concerns.”

The coalition adds that their intention is not to single out this year’s Executive in particular, but to amend the bylaws that currently permit manipulations of the system.

“If there are loopholes, it opens the CSA up to accusations of abuse of power,” said the coalition spokesperson.

The group is now hoping the student body takes it upon themselves to press for these reforms – hence the reason for making their recommendations public.

“I think it’s very obvious to the general university community that something is wrong at the CSA,” said the coalition spokesperson, “and I think it’s time for us to all acknowledge it and come together to work towards a positive situation.”

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ARTS & CULTURE

Kim The Lion set to release new album

Lead vocalist talks songwriting and expectations for upcoming release

Danielle Subject Stephen Pepler, lead vocalist and songwriter for alt-folk band Kim The Lion, is a self-driven musician. From Whitby, Ontario, Pepler started his music career at 17 when he wrote most of the music for Kim The Lion’s selftitled debut album. Dave Saliba, the guitarist and back-up vocalist for the band, co-wrote most of the music alongside Pepler.

“I wrote most of that album when I was 17. The first song I ever wrote was the fourth track on the album called ‘You Are Mine,’ and that was the song that me and Dave [Saliba] did together, and that was the first time I ever wrote a song,” said Pepler on the start of his songwriting career.

“There was something special about that, just ‘cause it was the first song, and it was good enough to - at least for us - to be part of the album.”

Kim The Lion’s self-titled album was released in August of 2012, and Pepler and Saliba are currently working on their new album, The Strongest Man. Pepler says that unlike their first album, the songwriting for their upcoming album will be more evenly split between Pepler and Saliba. They are currently recording The Strongest Man at Knob & Tube Recording in Toronto, and the band partnering with David Baxter to produce it.

When asked about what to expect from their new album, Pepler explained that there will definitely be a difference, and he expects to be a lot more lyrically mature: “Just ’cause I’m not 17 anymore…I mean 21’s not that much older than 17 - but it is, in some ways, different, and a very transitional point in peoples’ lives. And … I’m not the person I was when I was 17,” said Pepler. “I’m really excited for this album, because I feel like we have matured musically and lyrically. I think we’ll have a much more lively presence live, and the people who are playing on it, I’m really stoked to work with.”

Being a successful musician at a

PHOTO BY NIKI RENNIE

The above photo features (from left to right) Joe Price, Sahra Featherstone, David Baxter, Stephen Pepler, and Dave Saliba of the alt-folk band Kim The Lion. young age, Pepler exemplifies the effects of hard work and dedication. He is an inspiration for other young and aspiring artists in and

around his hometown.

Kim The Lion avidly performs in Toronto, usually at The Cameron House. Their upcoming album,

The Strongest Man, is expected to be released this fall, and the band is scheduled tour across Canada following the release.

Q: Many journalists have used the term “tribal” to describe your solo music project Petra Glynt, and you’ve recently spoken out against the use of this reductive term and its colonist connotations.

Can you address why this label is so problematic?

A: It’s very much problematic because as a non-indigenous white person, “tribal” does not apply to me. I am made up of Irish, Scottish, and French settler blood. I have no ancestral roots, and therefore no tribal family in my background. I realize that it’s just a word, but at the same time, when used to describe my music, it is a word that dismisses the existence of real tribal societies and music today and historically. I also can’t help but feel that this is a cultural issue that points to an overall lack of respect for indigenous societies. I do not want to point fingers at journalists - and as a society, I should hope that we have come a long way since Canada’s colonial history - but we must all be careful and conscious living here, as it is a place with an ever-changing cultural landscape, home to many indigenous groups, and to people from all over the world.

world I know, but also celebrate what we have collectively. It wants to push you to the brink tears, tear you apart, but also make you feel strong and whole. Maybe that’s too many intentions, but I try to infuse it with as much heartfelt meaning as I can offer. Petra Glynt is a riff on the word petroglyph, which are historical markings that illustrate the life and culture of their time... it’s something that resonates with me. Maybe it enters into the realm of what I feel my responsibilities are as an artist living in failed economic and political system.

Q: What’s next for Petra Glynt and for your visual arts practice?

Having recently received an Ontario Arts Council Popular Music Grant, it seems there are many possibilities ahead.

A: After the Ed Video show I will be bumming around Ottawa and Montreal for bit, playing some shows. Then for May, I will be on Toronto Island doing a residency at Artscape Gibralter Point, which will be devoted to producing a fulllength album.

Q & A: Multimedia artist Alexandra Mackenzie

Stacey Aspinall

Toronto-based artist Alexandra Mackenzie’s creative vision seemingly knows no bounds, and her work – including incredibly detailed and imaginative illustrations, lush installations, and experimental yet danceable music – often employs a maximalist aesthetic to form a stimulating, vibrant, incredibly surreal world that’s equal parts immersive and elusive. Mackenzie will be hosting a solo art exhibition, “Promised Land,” at Ed Video from April 9 to 30, and performing (under her alter ego and solo music project Petra Glynt) at eBar on Friday April 11 (along with DIANA, Manatee, and Adverteyes) as part of Kazoo! Fest 2014.

Q: As an artist who successfully creates work across various mediums, are you conscious of aiming to create a unified body of work or do you consider your projects separate and distinct? If you’ve got an idea to explore, how do you choose between expressing it in visual or musical form?

A: The drawings often feel separate and distinct, mainly because of their fragile nature, but there are elements to my visual work that I would like to see crossover into the musical realm more, where the two may act as support for each other, likely within the mediums of installation or video-based work. I am working on trying to make my visual work as portable as my music project, where the work can fit into a suitcase and

can be assembled as larger pieces.

It’s tricky when visual art and music are typically split into their own respective venues. Some art shouldn’t be viewed in a music venue, and often music performance in a gallery doesn’t feel quite right, so I’m in the process of reconciling these challenges.

Q: Your exhibit at Ed Video, titled “Promised Land,” is described as an immersive environment comprised of animation, installation, printmaking, and drawings. What concepts and themes are addressed in “Promised Land”?

A: Promised Land is a bit of an attack on the senses. It is also a work in progress. I am working towards creating an environment that is as engulfing and totalistic an experience on the mind as media has on influencing our everyday thought.

It takes an over-the-top stance on the fantasy of illusive imagery we are presented in our society, where relevant and important information is often abstracted, left as fine print, avoided, or left out of the picture entirely. My drawings allow me to refer to some of the issues I want to illustrate: overabundance, resource extraction, blind faith in a broken system, powerlessness, but also respect to Mother Earth, the land, and where we come from. Overall, I want all aspects of my musical and artistic practice to be empowering to the listener/viewer. At the end of a show I wanna feel the glow and rage that makes changes. I am forever work-shopping ideas.

Q: How would you describe or categorize your music - and why did you choose to work under the alter ego Petra Glynt? What does the name mean?

A: Ha, well in plain language, it’s experimental pop, but danceable.

The new music is highly percussive.

It’s shadow and light and harsh and beautiful. It tries to be critical of the

ARTS & CULTURE

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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

Macondo Books: A long goodbye

After thirty-six years, Macondo Books will close up shop Will Wellington

April is the cruellest month. On April 1, Nancy Giovanelli took to Facebook to announce that Macondo Books, the beloved second-hand bookstore on Wilson Street downtown that she has owned and operated for the past thirty-six years, is going out of business. “I had hoped,” she wrote in a note on the Macondo Books Facebook page, “that this enormous cultural shift we are all experiencing would slow down, level off … But there have been too, too many days in the past year when sales have been abysmally, shockingly, low.”

When I dropped by Macondo on Sunday, April 6, that sad portrait seemed inconceivable. The store bustled with activity. Shoppers elbowed by each other, murmuring “Sorry” and “Excuse me,” steadily emptying the shelves and leaning over the checkout counter to offer their thanks and condolences, their sadness and understanding, to Giovanelli and her employees. Apparently, the news of Macondo’s closing has opened the floodgates. “I knew there would be an impact,” said Giovanelli, rushing to restock the fiction section.

“I just didn’t know it would be this

big or this emotional.”

I spoke to one Greg Denton, one of Giovanelli’s three employees, who applied at Macondo as an MFA student in 1995 and whose paintings and drawings decorate the store and adorn the bookmarks that accompany every purchase. While he and Giovanelli are no doubt grateful for the attention that the store has received since announcing its closing, Denton expressed mixed feelings: “The response has been stunning,” he said, “but in some ways it seems incongruous, given the reason that we’re closing. We were feeling a little ignored.” Indeed, I hadn’t seen the store so busy in ages, not even during the 50 per cent-off sale that began on March 1. “I think,” he continued, “people liked the idea of [Macondo] more than they had a need for it. People who used to be really regular customers come in and tell us how much they’re going to miss us when we haven’t seen them in three years.”

I thought of writing How I Met Macondo, with a nod to another recently concluded cultural mainstay, but truthfully I have no memory of my first visit to Macondo Books, and I cannot imagine Guelph before or after it. For me, and for many others, it has become an indelible part of Guelph’s cultural and imaginative landscape - and it seems that I, and many others, have taken it for granted. There has been much talk in the days since Giovanelli’s

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD

The time has come to say farewell to Macondo books - a store that will hold a special place in the hearts of many for years to come. announcement of, as she put it, an “enormous cultural shift” of the end of bookstores, the end of books and the end of reading. I don’t think it’s the end of bookstores, the end of books, or the end of reading, but the closing of Macondo may precipitate the end of an illusion - the illusion that we are bystanders in history.

We forget that the world we want will disappear if we do not defend

it, treasure it, and, yes, fund it.

Those of us who speak of our love and need for books and bookstores, for places like Macondo, may have to put up or shut up, and perhaps forego a brew or two to invest in the culture and community and world that we want.

History did not put Macondo out of business - we did. Now, we say our long goodbye.

And it will be a long goodbye.

Everything in the store is now at 50 per cent-off, and that discount will, over the coming weeks and months, increase to 60, 70, 80, and finally 90 per cent, until the store is cleaned out. “No clear idea exactly how and when it will stop,” Giovanelli wrote in her announcement. But it will stop.

Make sure to drop in and say your farewell before it does, even if you have never been.

The Weekly Review: Food, Inc.

3.5 Astounding-TruthsAbout-Our-Food out of 4 Sameer Chhabra

Robert Kenner’s Food, Inc. is a poignant, terrifying, and eyeopening look at the way corporate farming in agrarian America has changed the definition of food.

To say that the food industry is no longer run by farmers would be an accurate representation of the truth. Thanks to the massive popularity of fast food, the spectacular costs of maintaining livestock, and the difficulty associated with having to actively feed over 7 billion people, agrarian America is now a corporate business controlled by a monopoly of a small handful of corporations.

Utilizing Eric Schlosser (author of Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal) and Michael Pollan (author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals) as a highlyinformed set of narrators, Kenner captures the multiple viewpoints of almost all of parties affected by the privatization of the food economy.

Kenner’s film is broken down

into three separate segments: an examination of the industrial production of meat, an analysis of the industrial production of grains and vegetables, and an explanation of the legal power afforded to large multinational corporations.

Food, Inc. is not a film for the faint of heart. There’s an almost fanatical sense of commitment to the idea of showing the exact methods and practices used to make our food. Editor Kim Roberts, therefore, deserves praise for her constant juxtaposition between strong opinion and brutal truth.

Furthermore, visual effects artist Nadia Husain deserves acknowledgement for the occasional informative cartoons that are blended into the film to push a particular message forward.

Husain’s infographics manage to summarize essays-worth of information and are a surprisingly effective way of not bogging the film down with statistics.

Richard Pearce’s cinematography captures the inhumane treatment of livestock while also documenting the equally unfair treatment of food industry workers. Capturing footage from so-called factory farms, Food, Inc.

refuses to shy away from the horrific practices guaranteed to grow the biggest chickens, the meatiest cows, and the fattest pigs.

In the farms of corporate America, Pearce’s camera seems to say both livestock and humans are treated like cattle.

Important is Kenner’s commitment to unbiased journalism.

Though his film scandalizes players like Tyson Foods, Purdue Farms, and Monsanto Company

COURTESY PHOTO

for their needlessly cruel and unethical practices, the floor is constantly left open for rebuttal.

Kenner also makes a point of discussing corporations who have shown a commitment to healthier foods and safer practices. Unfortunately, with the sole exception of Walmart, the cast of Food, Inc. was unable to get a response from any major food corporation.

However, the film undeniably contains an air of underlying malice targeted towards several parties.

Corporations act to maximize their profits, which they can only do so if there’s a responsive market base to buy their product. The desires of humanity plainly guide corporations to unethical practices.

On the other hand, Kenner seems to argue that the inhumane treatment of animals by corporations begins with a consumer who demands more food and ends with a corporation prepared to do anything to make money.

Interesting are both Kenner’s thesis and conclusion. To Kenner, safer, more environmental and sustainable practices begin with the consumer. All it takes to make a difference is a well-informed electorate, coupled with an

understanding of healthy eating.

It must be mentioned that Food, Inc. solely represents the American food industry. Apart from a few details about America’s cultural and economic influence on the rest of the world, Kenner’s film is targeted at the American people.

However, I believe that the film is worth watching, not just because of its subject matter, but because of its intended message. Human problems can be easily solved by humans who care, even within the economic confines of capitalism.

The University of Guelph and the City of Guelph pride themselves on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Despite the fact that policy is already in place to guarantee a safe growing environment for our food, it is still our responsibility to continue these practices.

Food, Inc. therefore, is both a rallying cry and a warning sign designed to show exactly how bad things can get if any number of people grow too comfortable or too complacent. If Kenner’s conclusion is to be trusted, then the solution to this particular human problem begins with an informed and concerned consumer base.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Kazoo! Festival 2014 music preview

Adrien Potvin

Guelph’s eighth annual Kazoo!

Festival, set to take place from April 9 to April 13, offers a diverse and enthralling lineup of DIY/independent musicians, artists, filmmakers and writers from the across the area and the country. The festival is sort of the “culminating” effort of the Kazoo! collective over the year, who put on shows yearround across Guelph, highlighting the newest, most innovative music and multidisciplinary art from the area. Here are some of the bands you won’t want to miss.

Hooded Fang This Toronto pop-rock group headlined the festival’s first night at eBar on Wednesday, April 9.

With infectious hooks, quirky

visuals, and tender lyrics, the band is an absolute blast, and they fit the always-fun eBar venue like a glove. They headlined after Halifax’s power-pop inspired Kelly McMichael and the Gloss, as well as Montreal electro-pop musician Jef Barbara. If you missed them this time around, don’t worry – you can catch them when they begin their North American tour at the end of May. Nihilist Spasm Band A collective project founded in London, Ontario in 1965, this improvisational group has had a consistent lineup since the 60s.

With music in the vein of Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa’s early experiments, and having influenced groups like Sonic Youth, this undeniably important

cult jewel of weird Canadiana should prove to be an anythinggoes, not-for-the-faint-of-heart listening experience. They are playing with Southern U.S.’ experimental indigenous music group Postcommodity at Silence at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

Legato Vipers This Guelph-based surf/rockabilly group is another fixture of Guelph’s diverse downtown scene, and offer a set drenched in vibrato and attitude. They will be playing a special set of covers of songs by local musicians like Gregory Pepper, Skeletones Four, and Biblical. Headlining the Saturday night show at van Gogh’s and playing at 12:30 a.m., they will be joined by VAG HALEN, Biblical, and Whoop-SZO prior to their set.

The Furys These Guelph-based garage rock icons have a huge, filthy sound with devil-may-care songwriting and attitude in spades. Always a pleasure to see and hear, they will be playing with Guelph progfolk colleagues The Medicine Hat, in addition to Halifax rockers Cousins, at eBar on the Thursday night of the festival, starting at 10 p.m.

Diana Diana’s dramatic music is categorized with ’80s synth textures, silky saxophone flourishes, and lulling rhythms and melodies.

A troupe featuring members of Destroyer and Hidden Cameras, Diana will be headlining the Saturday night show at eBar, beginning at 10 p.m. They will be

joined by Toronto’s avant-electro musician Petra Glynt, Guelphbased afrobeat group Manatee, and the eclectic Adverteyes, also hailing from Guelph.

Bleet As one of Guelph’s premiere punk groups, Bleet infuses lo-fi electronics, crushingly heavy fuzz guitar, and powerhouse drumming to craft exhilarating, refreshing noise-punk. In what could be their last show as a band unit, they will be performing at the Jimmy Jazz on Saturday night with fellow Guelphites Soupcans and WTCHS. See our centre spread for further suggestions on events and festivals to check out this spring and summer.

Simply authentic: diary of a local foodie

Quinoa spinach salad Emily Jones

With the warm weather finally making its way into our daily lives, adding a tasty and nutrient filled salad to the mix is a necessity. This week, I want to share a recipe that will satisfy both your taste buds and your hunger.

Quinoa is an ancient grain that is flexible in its use - its mild flavour lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes, and its texture the same. It has a substantially high

level of protein, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer. I encourage you to test things out, and bring this super food into your pantry. This recipe is one of my favourites and is perfect for this time of year.

Begin by measuring out one cup of dry quinoa into a pot that has a tight fitting lid. Then, add in two cups of water, cover and let boil. Turn down the heat and let simmer until the water has been completely absorbed and the quinoa is cooked, stirring occasionally. Once the quinoa is cooked, remove from heat and let cool. Remember, it is

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: THE PHOTO ALBUM

always a 1:2 ratio when cooking quinoa, just like cooking rice.

While the quinoa is cooking, prep your vegetables. Rinse half a cucumber, two roma tomatoes, and two cups of fresh spinach.

Chop the tomatoes and cucumber into small cubes, and tear the spinach if necessary. Then, place all of these ingredients into a large glass dish.

Chop half a red onion and a mince a couple of cloves of garlic.

Add these into the glass dish with the other fresh ingredients.

Then, slice and cube half an avocado and add it into the mixture, adding the juice from one fresh

lemon alongside to prevent the avocado from browning.

Next, add in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Add cubed feta cheese (if desired) to the mixture. Allow all the vegetables and the feta to marinate together until the quinoa is ready to be added.

All that is left now is to add the cooled quinoa. Once added, stir the entire mixture together and allow it to sit in the fridge for a half an hour so all of the flavours are able to come together.

This dish can be eaten alone,

or served as a side dish to accompany some grilled meats or vegetables. A great warm weather salad!

Ingredient list: - 1 lemon - Apple cider vinegar - Extra virgin olive oil - 2 Roma tomatoes - 1/2 cucumber - 1/2 red onion - 2 cloves of garlic - 2 cups spinach - 1 cup quinoa - 1/2 avocado - Feta cheese -Salt and pepper

STYLE PICK OF THE WEEK: LEATHER GOODS

COURTESY PHOTO Death Cab for Cutie is one of those bands that once you’ve fallen for them - you can’t get over them. The band falls under the alternative rock genre but spans across many more and is comprised of Ben Gibbard, Chris Walla, Nick Harmer, and Jason McGerr. It’s been thirteen years since The Photo Album was released and time and time again, the need to play “We Laugh Indoors” strikes and memories come flooding back from years past. Some things never change.

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD Leather goods and the mixing of black and brown. In the photo above, we have chosen to feature a small, black leather backpack alongside a pair of lace-up brown leather granny style boots. Small leather backpacks are making a huge comeback, along with plenty of other 90s style icons, which have been resurrected in the past couple of years. Time for some of us to relive childhood.

SPORTS & HEALTH

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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

Top-8 most “freak” sports injuries

(From left to right) Don Baylor, Anderson Silva & Mitch Callahan all sporting some pretty gnarly sports injuries.

Andrew Donovan In the past two weeks, there has been a rash of freak sports injuries that have spawned this week’s ‘Top 8.’ From the QMJHL’s Jason Fuchs losing the tip of his finger blocking a slap shot, to Don Baylor breaking his femur on a ceremonial first pitch, to (arguably the worst of the three) Mitch Callahan, the Kelowna Rockets phenom who took a shot to the mouth and Tweeted the picture for the world to see, there have been some seriously gruesome moments that make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

While all three could crack this Top 8, we’re going to take a look at some of the most obscure, horrifying injuries in sports history:

8: Anderson Silva’s broken leg At first glance, it looks Photoshopped. Silva goes for a kick on Chris Weidman and Weidman immediately check the kick down.

Silva’s shin proceeds to shatter and wrap around the calf of Weidman.

Weidman won the match.

7: Bo Jackson Bo Jackson may be the most skilled athlete to play a team sport…ever!

Jackson is the only athlete to be a all-star in two professional sports – as an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and a running back for the Oakland Raiders – and some say he’d have been a Hall of Fame candidate in both sports had his career not been cut short by a freak injury to his hip on a tackle

by Kevin Walker. Jackson’s injury is nowhere near as gut-wrenching as the other injuries on this list, but his injury may be the most iconic.

6. Terrell Davis going blind In the 1998 Super Bowl, Davis got hit so hard he went blind.

Moreover, he still went back out on the field a few plays later to run the ball again. Upon getting decimated by the defense once again, trainers realised that Davis was likely concussed or suffering from extreme migraines, so they rushed him to the locker room… no kidding.

5. Anthony Van Loo dies on field That’s not a typo. Soccer player Van Loo suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, collapsed to the grass, and flat lined. Van Loo had a pre-existing heart condition that his teammates were aware of, and luckily, doctors had built in a defibrillating device on his heart that revived him after a few stomach-in-your-throat moments.

COURTESY PHOTOS

4. Wayne Shelford’s torn scrotum Do you know how you know you’ve become a man? By tearing your scrotum open during a rugby match, hobbling to the sideline, having doctors stitch it up right there on the field whilst camera crews capture the pseudo-vasectomy live, and playing the rest of the game.

That’s how you know you’re a man. Or, perhaps you’re just a bat shit crazy English rugby player – it’s a fine line, gents.

2. Kevin Ware It’s something straight out of a horror movie. Louisville’s Kevin Ware went up to block a three point shot against Duke and what happened next wasn’t in the script. As Ware landed he suffered a compound fracture to his right leg that pushed his broken bone through the skin of his shins as the bottom half of his leg hung lifeless. Amazingly, Ware told trainers, “I’m fine, just win the game.” It’s amazing what shock and adrenaline can do to the body.

3. Salim Sdiri gets Sparta’d Remember that iconic final scene from the movie 300 when Leonidas surrenders his armour and tosses a spear at the head of the almighty Xerxes? It’s badass in a movie, sure, but for Sdiri, it was the hard reality of what can happen when you turn your back on a javelin competition.

1. Clint Malarchuk’s skate to throat.

Malarchuk, the goalie for the Buffalo Sabres, got the bad end of a hard play on the net when the skate of St. Louis Blues forward Steve Tuttle came up and cut his throat. Malarchuk skated off the ice on his own two feet, but the way in which the blood was gushing from his neck made the scene look Hollywood-esque.

“I don’t know if we get any athletes that are coming in that haven’t gone to a place to do speed camps or a place to do offseason lifting. I think guys are putting more attention into that and that it all trickles down from the top, where kids are seeing the top players are more developed and they see the programs at that level, so it pulls the bottom along,” added Foley.

That’s the reality of becoming an elite-level athlete nowadays.

It’s one thing to run a marathon just to say you ran a marathon, but if you have a desire to be a great marathon runner, downtime from learning and practicing your sport is few and far between.

As far as each coach’s one favourite exercise for developing athletes,

there is some variation. “Ninety to 95 per cent of our guys squat to develop strength,” said Foley. “It’s such a great combination of strength, stability, power, and mobility, and it tells you a lot about a guy.”

Lang, being a former Edmonton Eskimo receiver, had a slightly different “favourite” exercise that focuses more on position-specific abilities. “As a head coach, for me it’s skills. I challenge the receivers to catch 10,000 balls over the summer.”

Off-season training like the elite do

Why you should incorporate football-style training to your summer regiment Andrew Donovan

Every athlete has an offseason.

Baseball players and runners, for example, have a winter off-season, while football players and hockey players (generally) have a summer off-season.

Regardless of what sport you play and train for, the off-season presents an opportunity to grow stronger and faster for the next season.

I recently sat down with Jordan Foley, the Gryphons football team’s new strength and conditioning coach, and Stu Lang, head

coach for the football team, to find out more about what kind of commitment football players make over their summer off-season to prepare themselves for the fall.

“Starting April 27 through to camp in August, we [train] four times a week on speed, power, and endurance, but we up the volume from the previous winter months,” said Foley. “We look specifically at what each guy needs. Some guys already have enough strength for their position, so we’ll move more into a speed and power-based program.”

That, in a nutshell, is what an offseason should be all about for an athlete: recognizing their weakest points and improving them.

Lang spoke extensively about the specialization young athletes

are practicing nowadays. “The big change from my era to the young men at this time is that back when I played, each season was a different sport. You moved from football to hockey to, in my case, track or rugby,” said Lang. “Now, whether it’s the pressure of parents or the sport in general, the feeling is to succeed, you have to focus. Kids choose one sport and focus on it. If they play hockey, they play hockey, and then when the season is over, they go to these summer camps and strength and conditioning coaches.”

Sports are increasingly becoming about specialization, and the times when coaches and parents didn’t want to pigeonhole a player into one sport or position are quickly becoming an idea of the past.

Is there any coincidence that Lang’s goals fall in line with the old adage that says practicing any one thing for 10,000 hours will make you an expert at it?

“Train insane or remain the same” – unknown. Happy summer!

Spring 2014 Home & Leisure Show April 25-27 The West End Community Centre will host a home and leisure show meant to educate about homeimprovement projects to do in the upcoming season.

Kazoo! Festival April 9-13 Beginning Wednesday April 9, Kazoo! Fest is entering its 8th annual showcasing-a unique blend of talented artists from different mediums.

For more information see page 8 and page 6 for Q and A.

Guelph and District Multicultural Festival June 6-8 Riverside Park will house activities, international cuisine, performances, fireworks and more.

Elora Vintage & Antique Show April 12-13 The 22nd annual show is happening at the Elora community centre, one for vintage and antique enthusiasts from all over Ontario.

Local Food Fest June 22 Held at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, it is a day filled with local food venders, farmers market, instructional cooking and demonstrations, tours and activities.

53rd Annual Painting on the Green May 30-June 1 An annual arts and craft show held at the Old Quebec Street Mall This is a juried arts show that showcases the work of novice and experienced visual artists.

31st Hillside Festival July 25-27 Hillside is a three-day music festival held annually in Guelph, featuring bluegrass, folk and other musicians.

John Galt Day August 2 Guelph’s holidaycelebrating the man who founded Guelph in 1827. The celebrations will happen at 1 Carden Street.

Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games August 8-10 A celebration of Scottish heritage and culture held at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.

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Eden Mills Arts Festival May 24-25 The village of Eden Mills hosts an arts festival open to the public, showcasing multiple art forms.

Guelph Festival and Event Guide

16th Annual Guelph Dance Festival May 29-June 1 This festival showcases the best of what contemporary dance has to offer from Guelph and beyond.

Canada Day in the Park July 1st Riverside Park hosts a day to celebrate Canada. This day-long event is filled with family friendly activities and a firework display in the evening.

Ribfest August 22-24 Riverside Park hosts live music, a classic car show, and food trucks serving smoked meats. Proceeds from the events support local charities.

12th Annual Art on the Street July 12 Quebec Street closes for the day to showcase the work of many local artists.

Guelph Jazz Festival September 3-7 This will be the 20th annual Jazz Festival in Guelph presenting innovative jazz and improvised music. It is an excellent way to start the new school year.

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“It’s more than just a sport”

An interview with Gryphons Manager of the Year – Rachel Simpson Andrew Donovan

Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

When you think of who makes a team work, you think the captains. When you think of who makes a company work, you think the CEOs. When you think of who makes a society work, you think of civil servants, and when you think of who makes a civilization work, you think of politicians and judiciaries.

However, behind the face of every captain, every CEO, every civil servant, and every politician, you can find a person – or a group of people – working feverishly to make sure success is achieved and sustained for the collective.

That’s the job of freshman Rachel Simpson, the manager of the women’s hockey team who was recently awarded the Cathy Rowe Manager

of the Year honour at the 2013-2014 Gryphons Athletic Banquet.

After Simpson suffered a career-ending injury in grade 11, her days playing hockey were all but done. But it was a longing to rediscover the sport she loved in a new light that landed her a managerial position with the women’s hockey team.

“When I came to [Guelph] I was missing team sports so much, so I thought the next best thing would be to e-mail the coach and see if the team needed help around the rink. [Rachel Flanagan] said they did, and they actually needed a team manager, and it kind of just went from there,” said Simpson.

Simpson handled the day-today functions of the women’s hockey team. “If we were going on the road, I would call the restaurants and book those, call the hotel and make sure everything is in order,” said Simpson Simpson attributes the ability to balance hockey, school, and a social life to her lifetime playing elite level sports. “Growing up an elite athlete, you learn a lot of time management skills…But I’m the biggest nerd of life,” said Simpson, laughing. “I am always

in the library, so I know how to balance my work, and I am fine with being at the rink all weekend. When you do something [as work] that you love, it’s easy to be there all the time.”

The crowning moment of Simpson’s season was the Fight for Kevin charity game, which she had a lot of involvement organising.

“I think the FFK charity game hit home for a lot of the girls. We raised four times the amount of money that we wanted to, so to see how hockey brings people together and how it is more than just a sport is one of the biggest highlights of the year, I think.”

When asked what separated her from the rest of the managers nominated, Simpson remained humble.

“I have no idea!” she laughed. “I just tried my best. I know, as an athlete, the kinds of expectations I would have for a manager, so I just tried to make it all about the girls, and I tried to make it feel as though it was. I just tried to be there for anything they needed.”

When asked whether she’d be back next year to do It all again, Simpson finished confidently, with her shoulders back and chin up: “I am…Definitely.”

SPORTS & HEALTH

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL SIMPSON

Rachel Simpson, Manager of the year, puts the needs of her team above all else.

The effects of stress on cancer development Andrew Donovan Stress is a necessary ailment of life that we experience every day.

Some days, particularly around exam season, stress levels can raise to uncomfortable levels that last weeks or months and border on chronic. Other days, stress is as limited as deciding whether to get fries or salad with that burger.

It is how our body, namely cancer cells, responds to stress that interests James Uniacke, a molecular and cellular biology professor here at the U of G. When cells are stressed they, “take a vacation,” which stops

processes such as protein synthesis. The way relatively healthy cells act when they are stressed is opposite to how cancerous cells act. Uniacke found that cancer cells don’t go on vacation when they’re stressed out. “In this sort of environment, a normal cell would die, especially when it’s exposed to prolonged conditions like this. Cancer cells adapt quite nicely.”

The main stressor Uniacke is studying is lack of oxygen in cells, also known as hypoxia.

“Hypoxic tumours are actually very aggressive, so we’re trying to prevent cells from adapting to

hypoxia.” Most types of cancer form hypoxic tumours, so understanding how these cells adapt to and survive in low-oxygen environments – where normal cells would die – is important.

While stress-related cancer would be among the “worst case scenarios” that comes from people’s over anxiousness, stress can lead to a plethora of other illnesses and poor health patterns, such as lowered immunity, sleeping issues, headaches, and depression.

Recent research out of Ohio State University suggests that our own bodies help turn cancer

against us by turning on a ‘master switch’ gene known as ATF3, which is expressed in response to stressful conditions in all types of cells.

“If your body does not help cancer cells, they cannot spread as far. So really, the rest of the cells in the body help cancer cells to move, to set up shop at distant sites. And one of the unifying themes here is stress,” said Professor Tsonwin Hai of OSU. “If the body is in perfect balance, there isn’t much of a problem.

When the body gets stressed, that changes the immune system, and the immune system is a

double-edged sword.”

As far as treatments are concerned, Uniacke said it all begins with understanding how a cancer cell adapts. Adaptation “makes it a prime target to treat with drugs, because your body doesn’t utilize these mechanisms,” added Uniacke, who also stated that normal cells would not be affected because they are not normally exposed to low-oxygen levels.

The drug would be delivered directly to the tumour using injection or cream, depending on the tumour’s location. “It’s a very attractive target for drug therapy,” concluded Uniackie.

LIFE

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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

You’ve probably seen this on Pinterest

Random tricks that will probably make your exam season better Alyssa Ottema

Exam season is officially upon us - a time for cutting corners in the health and cleanliness areas of your life in order to open up more time for studying, final papers, and crying after too many hours in the library. This is the time where you either sleep in the clothes you were wearing yesterday or leave the house in your pyjamas. This is the time when you give up on the concept of real food and sustain yourself only on things that come out of a bag or wrapper.

So, here are a few tips from Pinterest to make cutting corners even easier.

Make your chip bag into a chip bowl.

No more chip crumbs all over your arms. No more chip grease covering your sleeves. Simply open the bag of chips and roll the bottom corners into the inside of the bag. Continue rolling the corners in until the bottom is sort of flat and shaped like a circle.

Ideally, the chips will be at the top of the bag by this point, so you can set down your chip bag-bowl and eat without the mess. When it starts to look like you’ve eaten too much and you start to feel guilty, simply roll in the corners a bit more, and voila! The chips are back at the top of the bag-bowl and you feel justified in continuing to eat (which is great, since this is probably your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the day).

Eliminate stress headaches and back pain Apparently, you can eliminate a stress headache by lying with your legs straight up in the air for five minutes. The “pin” in question suggests putting two pillows up against an open wall to prop up your lower back, and then lying with your legs up on the wall. Although I’m sceptical of the efficacy of this specific exercise, this is a great concept in general. If you have a stress headache, you probably need to do something besides study. Your notes will still be there later. Take a break - you deserve it.

Use Wikipedia without sorting through useless information

Perfecting being perpetually poor Gabrielle Dickert While the end of the semester brings warmer temperatures and the promise that summer is around the corner (even if it is just the summer semester), it also brings new beginnings for many students.

Whether you’re just finishing first year, or finally making the move away from university life, there are a variety of expenses that can be unforeseen. However, there are a number of life hacks for moving that can save you some cash.

If you’re moving into your first house and don’t have a lot of furniture, consider checking out sites like Kijiji or university Facebook groups for grads who are looking to get rid of their stuff.

You can get some gently used items for relatively cheap prices, and sometimes even for free.

If you’re still in town at the end of the month, take a walk or drive around student neighbourhoods – often, people will leave perfectly good furniture lying on the side of the road. I’ve furnished most of my room this way, and a friend of mine once picked up a nice lamp.

Do keep in mind that you want to avoid things with fabrics or things that can carry bugs, and make

sure to thoroughly clean your items when you take them home.

If you’re moving back to your parents’ house or even your own place that is a considerable distance from Guelph, you can make some extra beer money by selling the things you don’t need on sites like those listed above. If you expect to be travelling after school, you can avoid having to move and store large, clunky items by selling them for a reasonable fee. When you move out on your own, you may want to have a different décor or theme in your home, and getting rid of your student furniture is one step in moving toward adulthood.

At the same time, if you have any sort of student or personal debt, make sure you are able to move into your new home with minimal upfront costs. Keeping your student furniture for a couple of years while you pay off your debt is more important than having that careerchic look in your apartment where you can’t afford to entertain.

Regardless of whether you’re moving into your first student home or your first adult home, make a list of everything you expect to need. Consult friends and family on things they think are

Do you need to know the barebones explanation of a concept or term without knowing the entire history of its discovery, usage, and development?

Simply replace the “en.” of any Wikipedia URL with “simple.”

You will then be presented with a two or three sentence explanation of whatever it is you need to know.

Make a brownie (or cookie) in less than five minutes Are you desperately craving chocolate or baked goods, but don’t have time (read: are too lazy) to make a whole batch? Just use a microwave-safe mug and a very small amount of ingredients to end up with an individual serving of your favourite fix.

For a microwave brownie, mix 1/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. flour, 2 tbsp. cocoa, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, and 3 tbsp. water in a mug and microwave for 1 minute and 40 seconds. That’s it. Yes, really. For a chocolate chip mug-cookie, mix 1 tbsp. butter, 1 tbsp. white sugar, 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 3 drops vanilla extract, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 c. flour, and 2 tbsp. chocolate chip in a mug and microwave for 1 minute.

PHOTO BY LIZA LAGMAN SPERL

Exam season is stressful, so this week’s Pinterest article will give you a few tips to make cutting corners a little easier during this difficult time. Pictured here is a mug brownie, a simple way to ease cravings while hitting the books.

DERIVATIVE OF PHOTO BY SUZI PRATT

Moving can account for many unforeseen expenses. The following tips will provide you with the knowhow to moving with minimal cost. beneficial to have, versus something that may be a luxury item.

Once you create your list, be sure to keep an eye out for sales over the summer (and into the school year). Make sure to utilize the great deals you can find on eBay. Often, planning out your new home purchases is just as satisfying as actually buying them.

Having your own place is really just an opportunity to get handy around the home. Want to spruce up

your new bedroom? Time to learn to paint. Often, stores like Home Depot will run free do-it-yourself demos where you can learn how to do things like paint your room or build your own bookshelf. Just be aware that when you go to these demos, their intention is to sell you products, so know what you truly need to complete the project.

Spring and summer are also prime months for garage sales.

Wake up early on Saturday and

Sunday mornings to take a stroll around your area for hidden gems.

Make sure that if you’re going to a garage sale, you only buy the things that you can immediately think of a use for and that you absolutely love. Similar to shopping for clothes, you’re always going to like something the most when you’re about to buy it. Keep in mind your décor theme and personal preferences to ensure your space is all about you.

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Skyline: Gryphons turned real estate titans

Al Ladha

Skyline, a privately-held real estate investment trust, has grown to become a real estate juggernaut employing hundreds of people both in Guelph and around Ontario, with assets totalling in the billions.

Martin and Jason Castellan, both graduates of the University of Guelph, founded Skyline along with Roy Jason Ashdown, a University of Waterloo grad. Their headquarters are located in the historic and newly renovated “Gummer Building” in the heart of downtown Guelph.

Skyline remains committed to the city, and this is evidenced by their generous charitable giving in addition to the scholarships they offer to students of the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Commerce Housing Real Estate program. Jason mentioned that they “like the real estate program and how it’s developing at Guelph.”

The university has an excellent real estate program that is highly sought after by students and employers alike. It only makes sense, being based in Guelph, that Skyline would tap into and utilize this highly educated pool of talent, which can provide them with great human capital. Skyline in turn offers students experience and opportunities to pursue a career in real estate. As such, Skyline is set to enter into an even closer partnership with the university’s Housing Real Estate program. Martin added that the company “made a commitment [to become] more active supporters through more integration with the program.”

Martin, a ’95 graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce Management Economics program, and Jason, a former Guelph Gryphon hockey player and ’94 graduate of the Bachelor of Science program, opted not to stay in residence during their

university days in order to cut costs to save for a future benefit. The brothers soon realized early on that real estate was the way to go for them. Starting out humbly, living in their dad’s basement and using his advice (as well as monetary support), they were able to purchase their first property in 1992. They found roommates to fill the house and help pay the mortgage and bills during the remainder of their university years, and away they went.

The brothers never envisioned that this would be the seed to something much bigger. Soon after, they saw an opportunity and decided to a take a calculated risk to purchase another property in Guelph with their roommates.

“We pooled our OSAP funds together, and our other buddy had a cow he could sell, and the fourth friend was out working and earning so he qualified for the mortgage,” said Martin.

Through hard work and being in the right place at the right time, the Castellan brothers, with their team, were able to steadily amass a real estate portfolio.

Realizing that owning many single detached homes is a lot of work in maintaining landscaping, repairing furnaces, and so on, the partners soon saw the economies of scale in owning apartment buildings and making that their core business. Controlling every aspect of the business from building management to tenant and investor acquisition and retention, Skyline realized the fine art of balance in dealing with two very distinct demographics and how they complement each other to affect the bottom line.

As Martin put it, “based on the long-term perspective, if we look out for the tenants, then naturally, we are looking out for the investor.”

“We think of the property first, and if we take care of the

property and the tenant side first, then the rest will take care of itself – it will flow up,” added Jason.

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is, in its simplest form, meant to give people the opportunity to invest in income producing real estate without doing the landlord side of things. You buy units into the REIT at a certain price and receive a monthly distribution based on a rate of return plus an increase on the initial unit price, both of which can obviously change depending on the REIT’s performance and/or economic factors. Skyline formally incorporated in 1999 and launched its REIT in 2006, with 1,297 apartment units, over 146,000 square feet of commercial space, and a market value of $83.9 million of real estate assets across 13 Ontario communities.

When asked what advice they can offer people looking to get into owning and managing their own real estate investment property, Martin said “do it.” Think about your location first, as this is a fixed asset and unmovable. You can always update a bathroom or kitchen, but your location is what will set you apart from other properties when everything else remains the same.

As always, make sure to have a great lawyer and real estate agent, and be sure to project your present and future costs, break-even points, and monthly cash flow. The worst thing to do is overpay for an investment property so that you aren’t covering your basic costs. Risk and return go handin-hand, so be sure to do your due diligence and consider every foreseeable outcome.

For the amount of people that have made millions in the real estate game, there is an equal amount of those that have lost the shirts on their back, so to speak.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYLINE

Pictured here are the Skyline co-founders from left to right: Martin Castellan, Jason Castellan and Roy Jason Ashdown.

Skyline has grown immensely since its inception, with assets totaling in the billions.

“The nice thing about real estate – and why some people will fail at it – is [that] investing in real estate isn’t like investing in RBC stock where you get a dividend … Be actively involved, and you will change the outcome of that property in determining its success or failure. It’s all about how hard and smart you work at it,” said Martin.

For Skyline, with its young,

ambitious, and highly educated team, the future seems bright with endless possibilities for growth. The same holds true for those of you who are writing your final exams and on your way into the “real world” or grad school: always think big.

With apartments in most major Ontario university towns, you might find yourself calling a Skyline apartment home sometime soon.

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OPINION

EdTech: Ways to Go

Bakz Awan

It is evident that there is an established trend of technology companies developing software for schools. Some of the recent activities are from established players in the technology world.

This includes Google’s Chromebook initiative, which created a stripped down, powerful laptop computer that relied on cloudbased services instead of native software. These laptops have been widely purchased by many districts and school boards in North America. One could also give credit to Apple for its initiatives in EdTech, with many districts providing an iPad for every student to enhance the learning process.

There are also a lot of startups entering the EdTech space.

This includes Top Hat, classroom engagement software that lets teachers ask questions to students, with the students submitting responses via their cell phone or laptops. Another is Remind 101, a texting solution that allows teachers to send text-based reminders to students and their parents about events, homework, and other important information.

While it is exciting to see innovation surrounding the education space, I am skeptical about the consequences of new software entering our school systems and am against some of the technologies being introduced. While many technologies are shiny and appear to be useful, I question whether they will truly impact the lives of students. Many technology companies are trying out different ideas to promote a better learning environment, but I also worry about the impact these ideas can have on a school system. Imagine a software product that a school has become dependent on over these past few years: What if the developers decided to drastically alter its current direction, seriously affecting the classroom’s activities? Is the software developer obligated, as an organization, to provide alternative services to the customer as compensation?

At the same time, who, on the other end, is regulating new technology companies in the EdTech

space? With intimate details such as parents’ financial information, cloud storage of students’ assignments, grades, and personal communication, and even the ability to keep track of a student’s activity on their Chromebook or iPad, who’s regulating the companies, school administrators, and distributors’ access to sensitive information? Who’s deciding what information can be collected and who can see this data?

Despite these risks surrounding new technologies, I am even more concerned about the actual impact they can have on our school systems. How can a private firm stick to developing technologies that improve the educational experience for students? What benchmarks can they compare themselves to and who can assess these statistics fairly? How does a developer know they are making an impact?

Take, for example, software that my younger brother uses as a part of his curriculum, known as Raz Kids. This software requires students to read books created by Raz Kids to collect points and stars, and the teacher eventually grades him based on his involvement with the application. While the software can be commended for its narration and ability to highlight words they think the students will mispronounce or read, the problem is that all of the books Raz Kids offers to students are books created by the platform itself. There is no room for literature or classic novels or reputable authors, and instead of providing thoughtful books for kids that they will remember for the rest of their lives, the platform serves up half-baked books on loosely generated topics by unheard-of authors. Instead of providing kids with a way to truly fall in love with reading through great story telling, Raz Kids has provided a platform for students to get their required grades by reading shitty content that they will immediately forget after consuming.

You’d think that established educators with years of experience would create the content from EdTech companies, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a

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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

PHOTO BY LUCÉLIA RIBEIRO

It is difficult to assess whether or not education technology is impacting the school system positively or negatively, but either way, the introduction of EdTech is inevitable. software vendor responsible for supplying online courseware for Sheridan and many other notable higher education institutions. Their workspace was literally an apartment suite they had rented out, complete with makeshift desks, a sketchy mattress in a separate room, and a messy kitchen. The headquarters was unimpressive, and the “educators” themselves did not have relevant degrees and had virtually no teaching experience. Yet, here they were, providing educational content for many established institutions. The place felt more like a content farm than a place where the boundaries of learning were being challenged.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Raz Kids created its content under the same conditions, with the same types of unqualified authors.

It pains me to think about the generations of children who will continue to grow up without a proper introduction to literature.

With such poor inputs, I wonder what kind of outputs these children will be capable of as a result.

I have spoken to other teachers about technology entering the school system. One teacher quite plainly told me, “you don’t need some fancy predictive software to detect which students are likely to fail the course, I can tell you usually after the first week or two – sometimes even based on who they are sitting with and how they interact with me as a facilitator.” As such, I can’t help but wonder why so many school

boards are adopting useless software in the first place.

At the heart of my concerns is this issue: schools can potentially adapt to include new kinds of software they really don’t need and that doesn’t address the root of their problems. After all, technology spending in education looks great: parents are happy because their kids are getting access to the latest equipment and school boards look like they are actually doing something – or at least trying to solve a problem. The deep-rooted issues, however, like a lack of support for staff, remain standing. Instead of offering teachers additional support, there is online video software so teachers can record lectures in advance, a faster way for students to hand in things, and a faster way for teachers to mark – none of which actually provide staff with the teaching assistance support they actually need.

This doesn’t go without saying: I believe the introduction of EdTech into schools is inevitable, and despite my concerns, I still avidly support EdTech startups. However, as a student myself, I’ve rarely been impressed by the software school boards tend to select. It is apparent that boards have no taste when it comes to technology, and I always imagine a big group of consultants and senior school officials scratching their heads over the latest “responsive mobile based application” presented by a group of 20-somethings fresh out of Silicon Valley.

I dream of a world where a school

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board chooses a more expensive software vendor because they were behind a cutting edge, imaginative platform that could have impacted the lives of many students. However, it pains me to see schools adopt cuttingedge, bulky software while liberal arts programs are cancelled left, right, and centre, or the phys. ed. department has to sell much of its needed equipment. I dream of the day when school boards will learn to recognize the potential of technology in schools without severely hindering the well-rounded educational experiences of students.

New entrants pose many privacy risks and concerns, with EdTech companies trying out new ideas that could drastically affect the school system. However, it is difficult to truly assess if technology is positively or negatively impacting the educational system. I believe that often, technology can simply provide school administrators with a scapegoat, rather than addressing problems at their core.

It will be interesting, in the future, to see the impact of EdTech adoption policies in school systems and on students’ futures, interests, and personal growth.

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

www.theontarion.com

EDITORIAL

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173.13 • Thursday, APRIL 10, 2014

Your degree is just the beginning

Jessica Avolio, Outgoing Editor-in-Chief

In our tender teen years, we are asked one of life’s most difficult questions: “What do you want to do for the rest of your life?” When we consider the endless amount of possibilities, we can be overwhelmed with more questions than answers. Often pushed to pursue post-secondary education, we are told this is the key to achieving our career goals. For those of us who choose to attend university, we plan our lives to such a specific degree - get into the university of our choice, decide on a career path and what field of study applies best, declare a major (and never change it), graduate and obtain a degree, apply and get a job in that specific field, and work in that field for the rest of your life.

But just like every other trajectory in life, things don’t always go as expected.

I was on that path, and at 16 years old, I was asked that same difficult question. “Well, I guess I like art class?” I thought to myself - not quite sure where my true passion lay. I was always interested in becoming a teacher, so the goal of obtaining a degree with a major in Studio Art and a minor in English - and then going to teacher’s college to become an art teacher - seemed to be the ideal path for my life course. Though, after being accepted and then entering the University of Guelph, I was exposed to so much more. I discovered graphic design in second year and found my passion in that moment. I changed my minor from English to Art History, and thought about how I could approach a new potential career path.

It is because of these types of experiences that it is extremely important to consider all the “what-ifs?” Five years ago, did you expect to be where you are now?

Do you think your dreams and passion will lie in the same place in another 5 or 10 years?

Your answer is likely a strong “No.” On top of this, your dream career won’t necessarily be located in your dream city. Goals of financial success may push you into different, more lucrative fields of work. Maybe your dream job is extremely competitive and you choose to explore other avenues which will lead you into a new field. Maybe a part-time job turns into a full-blown career as you climb up the corporate ladder.

After graduation I had no worries that I would find an artistic job right away because I was confident in my abilities and work ethic. My confidence was blown when I spent two full years after graduation between cashier and call centre jobs, and living back home in Niagara Falls with my parents. I needed to do something, anything. I ended up taking three continuing education courses in various graphic design programs, and after completion I

frantically searched for any job that related to my new plan. Luckily, in 2011 I landed a job as an Advertising Designer at the Ontarion, which changed my plan all over again because I had to relocate back to Guelph. The publishing industry was all new to me and something I had never even considered exploring previously. As expected, these types of variables and unexpected elements of life will always throw a wrench in our plans.

As an alternative to thinking about your specific career path, The Harvard Business Review recommends instead thinking about what you want to learn in the next five years. What else can be gained from your university degree other than the information you memorize for a test and forget a week later? And instead of focusing solely on your degree to help you later in life, consider branching out. Ask to help out at a company you are interested in, or job shadow someone in a field or career you’re enthusiastic about. Volunteering or shadowing is a great way to try on a career with less commitment and stress. Hallie Crawford, author of Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles, writes that “asking for the opportunity to shadow someone is a way to not only learn what a job is like, but to expand your network as well.”

Make the effort to discuss potential opportunities with career centres in the city, utilize campus resources, add new connections and send messages on LinkedIn (and network in general), and take more courses and classes to further explore your interests. It never hurts to try something new, and gaining experience through volunteering, job shadowing, or expanding your knowledge base in an interesting field is a great way to build new skills and network - the cornerstone to a successful career path in the future.

When I was an undergrad, I had no interest in volunteering or expanding my skillset, because I thought simply having a degree would suffice once I entered the job market. But the “real world” can be tough, and employers are looking for more than just a degree. I wish I had spent more time getting involved on campus and volunteering for organizations which spoke to my interests, something I learned later in life. Sometimes, the best way to really figure out what you want to do with your life is a bit of trial and error. I encourage you to try different side projects and try out new hobbies with your free time - you may even discover a new, previously unknown passion - just like how landing a job with the Ontarion helped me explore my passion in working for the publishing industry.

Instead of making definite decisions about a career path, become more curious and explore more options. Make note of your interests and find ways to exercise

The Ontarion Inc.

University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone: 519-824-4120 General: x58265 Editorial: x58250 Advertising: x58267 Accounts: x53534 Editorial Staff: Editor-in-Chief Jessica Avolio News Editor Michael Long Arts & Culture Editor Emily Jones Sports & Health Editor Andrew Donovan Associate Editor Stacey Aspinall Copy Editor Alyssa Ottema

PHOTO BY WENDY SHEPHERD This photo was taken just last May when I was hired on as the Editor-in-Chief of the Ontarion. This current issue will be my last with the paper, and after three years of working here, I’ll definitely miss it. Though, with all the experience and new skills gained during my time here (coupled with the unpredictability of the future), I see my subsequent career(s) taking me in new and exciting directions I could have never predicted. passion, even if you can’t make if they can apply themselves to money from it. Interests are often the job at hand. Recruiters want discarded because they cannot a broader set of skills that can be be easily translated into income, translated across several fields, and therefore aren’t as important not just one specific field of study, as paid work. But it is those pas- as we are often told during our sions explored while not being university careers. It may not be paid which can often be translated directly obvious, but the variety into future work success. Getting of skills gained during your postinvolved will help you build a com- secondary education years can all prehensive background of skills be easily translated into a future and expertise that may put you career. Any experience on top of ahead of the rest. Nothing looks this will be an added bonus that better to a potential employer than will set you ahead of the rest.

The important point to drive home a comprehensive list of volunteer experience and a sweeping check- here is to not be so caught up in list of skills showing your flexibility what you’re studying or what steps you need to take to get into your as a worker.

As previously mentioned, I orig- ideal career path. You shouldn’t inally joined the Ontarion team view university as a means to an as their Advertising Designer, end. Step back and start thinking and the following year I worked about what makes you happy and as their Layout Director, all what you’re good at. Become more the while enjoying the creative involved and build up a compredesign aspects of those positions. hensive skillset, whether through But the funniest part of it all, is your university career or through that I am now the Editor-in- other experiences gained during Chief of the Ontarion, a position this time or afterwards. Think about involving a lot of managerial and the bigger picture - what you want writing skills. My two years of to pursue in life, rather than specific previous experience at this paper career goals.

Figuring out the one thing that had proved to my employers that I was worthy of a position I didn’t you will do for the rest of your life necessarily have the right degree with any sort of accuracy is near or the specific work experience impossible. You can make an endfor. I am now nearing the end less amount of choices in your life, of my contract, and I’m off to but you can’t always predict the explore new and unknown paths, end result. Life will get in the way certainly different than my initial and throw new challenges and goal of becoming a teacher! This hurdles at you whenever it can. Be is the precise sort of scenario I flexible about your goals, because reference when talking about the situations change, dreams change, unpredictable nature the future. and overall, you change.

Don’t rush through your degree, You’ll really never know what not truly appreciating what can direction your life will take.

In reality, employers are less be gained through the experience, bothered by an applicants’ degree because the benefits you reap and field and more concerned with the passions you explore will be whether or not they have the right more meaningful than the face thinking and creative skills, and value of a degree framed on a wall.

Production Staff: Photo & Graphics Editor Wendy Shepherd Ad Designer Justin Thomson Layout Director Stephanie Lefebvre Office Staff: Business manager Lorrie Taylor Ad manager Al Ladha Office Coordinator Vanessa Tignanelli Circulation Director Sal Moran Web Editor Alexander Roibas Board of Directors President Heather Luz Treasurer Alex Lefebvre Chairperson Patrick Sutherland Secretary Anthony Jehn Directors Bronek Szulc Sohrab Rahmaty Melissa Yan

o Contributors

Bakz Awan Sameer Chhabra Gabrielle Dickert Adrien Potvin

Niki Rennie Danielle Subject Will Wellington

the

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors.

Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2011 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by the Guelph Mercury.

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FUN PAGE

COMMUNITY LISTINGS Apply for the Shire ADHD Scholarship Program by April 15. The bursary includes $1,500 and one full year of ADHD Coaching ($4,440 value). See here for more details about the scholarship and eligibility: http://www.shireadhdscholarship.com/CA-EN/default.aspx NATURE GUELPH Meeting. Thursday, April 10th at 7:30pm at the Arboretum Centre. With York University’s Paul Delaney, “Our Changing Views of the Night Sky”. All welcome.

City seeks volunteers for annual Clean and Green Clean Up. Residents have until Thursday, April 17 to register by calling Public Works department at 519-837-5628 x 3305 or at guelph.ca. The clean-up will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

ATTENTION LADIES! FASTBALL PLAYERS WANTED! KW based recreational women’s league is looking for players for the 2014 season. Part-time players welcome! Visit www.kwladiesfastball.com for league and contact info.

Sistas in Soccer outdoor recreational soccer league for women aged 18 and up. Games every Sunday afternoon, end of May until October.

No previous soccer experience necessary. Register online at www.sistasinsoccer.com.

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SUBMIT your completed crossword by no later than Monday, April 14th at 4pm for a chance to win TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS! Last Week's Solution

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Stop by the Ontarion office to pick up your prize!