Over the edge volume 19 issue 6

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Community Volume 19, Issue 6 November 21, 2012 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vacant MANAGING EDITOR Shelley Termuende PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Randy Roy WEBSITE MANAGER Behrooz Dalvandi A&E EDITOR Jordan Tucker COPY EDITOR Ben Filipkowski FEATURES EDITOR Gala Munoz NEWS EDITOR Hanna Petersen SPORTS EDITOR Geoff Sargent STUDENT LIFE EDITOR Leila Maheiddinibonab CONTRIBUTORS Devon Flynn Jeff Hollett Reza Akbari

Kallie Smith

The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, November 28th. Be sure to get your articles in on time!

Over the Edge is the official independent publishing media of students at the University of Northern British Columbia.

As such, it is our mandate to report on issues of interest to students in the Northern Region. We encourage all students, both on the main and regional campuses to submit to Over the Edge.

Over the Edge is part of the Canadian University Press network of papers, otherwise known as CUP. CUP is an organization that is entirely owned by member papers, and provides such services as a news wire and advertising to Over the Edge.

Over the Edge is published every second week during the fall and winter semesters.

Office Location: 6-350 MAILING ADDRESS 3333 University Way Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 PHONE (250) 960-5633 FAX (250) 960-5407 E-mail: ote-newspaper@unbc.ca

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

Editor in Chief passing on the torch REZA AKBARI EDITOR IN CHIEF

It has been a pleasure working as Editor in Chief over the last six months. Due to other obligations, I am resigning from the Editorial Board of Over the Edge. The position of Editor in Chief is officially vacant effective November 21, 2012. I accepted the Editor in Chief position in June 2012 with three major objectives: hiring qualified staff, investigating previous issues within the OTE structure, and establishing a Board of Directors alongside the Editorial Board. I believe I have successfully achieved the first two objectives. Now, the Editorial Board is aware of the issues and problems Over the Edge has faced during the last seven years and is motivated and eager to work hard to bring necessary change to the structure of OTE. As a member of this student organization and considering these past issues, I would strongly recommend all of the members of OTE consider establishing a Board

of Directors that consists of volunteer positions, with the responsibility of overseeing the Editorial Board’s general activities such as the financial budget and legal process of filing taxes and AGM reports.

I will stress that OTE is facing a tough financial situation and a very low budget.

November 21st and November 22nd are referendum days for OTE: the question is whether to increase the semester fee from $5.00 to $10.00. I highly recommend all students and members of the OTE Newspaper Society support this motion. Over the Edge acts as the voice of students and is asking for your help. Let’s all support this newspaper together.

This paper belongs to you, and it can only succeed when you contribute; this can be as easy as participating at the AGM and referendum.

I have been involved with OTE, both directly and indirectly, since 2007 and I have seen many changes over the past 7 years. I am grateful for the

opportunity of working with different editorial board members, and I am confident that the current Editorial Board has it in them to be the team that brings great changes to the structure of Over the Edge.

Sincerely, Reza Akbari Editor’s note: Over The Edge is currently accepting applications for the position of Editor In Chief.

Apply within.

Opportunity Agenda for B.C. KALLIE SMITH NUGSS PRESIDENT

On October 18th, the Research Universities’ Council presented an “Opportunity Agenda for B.C.” to the B.C. legislature’s standing committee on finance to advocate for a provincial commitment to postsecondary education. The Research Universities’ Council currently consists of UBC, UVic, SFU, Royal Roads University, TRU, and, of course, UNBC. This presentation called on the provincial government to implement three interventions that the Research Universities’ Council believes to be crucial. First of all, they called on the government to provide a space for every qualified British Columbian student. This proposal comes in response to the skills gap expected over the next decade: demand for workers is projected to outweigh supply by over 61,000 workers! Furthermore, it is estimated that 78% of these jobs will require some university, college, or a trade credential. Following these statistics, it is obvious that provincial government needs to create new funded spaces for universities so that this skills gap can be addressed.

The second appeal made to government by the Research Universities’ Council was for guaranteed financial support for students in need. In order to achieve this goal, the Research Universities’ Council called on government to implement an upfront, undergraduate grant program as well as a guaranteed award for the current Loan Reduction Program. It is the belief of the Research Universities’ Council that these initiatives can help make postsecondary education more accessible to all British Columbians.

The third appeal to government was for a renewed commitment to innovation and jobs. The Research Universities’ Council argues that research is the source of much social, scientific, and environmental benefit. Furthermore, it is argued that research is a source of economic growth, new opportunities, and tens

in the best interest of students and will work to strengthen our economy and our society. What I believe is especially exciting about this agenda is that we are collaborating with other research universities to make concrete, realistic appeals to government.

Furthermore, it is estimated that 78% of these jobs will require some university, college, or a trade credential. of thousands of jobs in B.C. alone.

Considered all together, the three pillars of the Opportunity Agenda for B.C. are about maximizing the benefits that post-secondary education provides to society. The three pillars are also about making post-secondary education and research a priority. As students of a post-secondary institution and potential BC employees, I strongly believe that we can get behind this agenda. I believe that this agenda is

With the upcoming provincial election looming, this is the time to pressure government to make positive changes to our postsecondary education system. For more information about how to get involved in campaigns surrounding post-secondary education funding, contact nugss-president@unbc.ca to get involved in the Where’s the Funding (WTF) Campaign.

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Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

Young Canadians Stressed Action on Violence Against Women VERONIKA BONDARENKO THE UBYSSEY

An online poll conducted by Sun Life financial has found that young adults are more likely to stress about money than anyone else as they struggle to find decent employment. The Sun Life Canadian Health Index survey compiled by Ipsos Reid looked at attitudes toward healthy lifestyles.

It intended to show the impact the global financial crisis has had on the mental health of Canadians. The survey found that nine out of ten respondents aged 18 to 24 experience “uncomfortable” levels of stress, with money and work being two of the largest factors. The survey received 3,113 responses from Canadians across the country.

Those in the next age brackets aren’t better off, with 80 percent of respondents between 25 and 44 indicating they are also stressed from jobs and financial concerns. The poll indicates that younger Canadians are feeling financially stressed to greater extents than those of the Baby Boomer generation.

The survey notes that the unemployment rate for those under 25 sits at 15 percent which is double the national average. Conference Board of Canada health economics director Louis Theriault said the country’s

youngest adults are struggling. “It’s more difficult for young Canadians to find permanent full-time jobs that suit their skills and areas of study. Recent job creation has been dominated by part time work - which is becoming a trend in Canada,” Theriault said in a release. “This impacts younger workers in particular and contributes to their higher stress levels.”

Finding suitable employment after graduation is the main goal of nearly every university student; however, it is easier said then done in this economy.

Added to the employment uncertainty facing youth is the tremendous weight of student debt that is persistently haunting for a majority of graduates.

“We’re concerned to see the impact of economic instability on young Canadians with nine in 10 feeling excessively stressed,” said Kevin Dougherty, President of Sun Life Financial Canada. “This finding is consistent with what we are seeing in our disability claims business for Canadians age 30 and under 40, per cent of their long term disability claims relate to mental health.”

LEY FRASER WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVE, NUGSS

Every year, a ceremony is organized at UNBC to mark the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal. Despite the fact that more than 20 years have passed, women’s organizations all across Canada take responsibility every year for making sure that this tragic event, and the circumstances that led to it, are not forgotten.

As a result of the 14 deaths at l'École Polytechnique in 1989, December 6th was officially established as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada. This day marks the fact that these 14 people died for one reason: because they were women. It also represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society.

This year, the event will be held in the UNBC Wintergarden on Monday, December 3rd between 2:00 and 4:00pm.

Despite the significance of the 6th of December, organizers decided that the event would be more appropriately placed if it preceded the exam period, and thus allow more students to attend. The topic around which this event is organized is ‘Violence as Experienced by Women in Northern BC’ A varied lineup of speakers, performers and poets will share the stage to bring attention to the vulnerabilities faced by women across the spectrums of

age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Speakers include Maggie DeVries, the resident writer at UNBC who will be reading from her sister Sarah’s work, while Indrani Margolin performs an interpretive dance to interact with the piece; Si Transken, a UNBC professor of Social Work who will be reading original poetry; Sarah Boyd, Director of the Northern Women’s Centre who will speak on the legal rights of women in the North; and many others.

This event is an eloquent reminder to take a moment and consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and for whom death by violence, often targeted to them because of their gender, is a real possibility. It is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

As the Women’s Representative for NUGSS, I welcome the Prince George community to attend this meaningful event to reflect on both the issues facing our Northern communities, and support some of the creative and passionate people working to end them. Following the event there will be a reception in the Northern Women’s Centre, with refreshments provided, where both men and women are welcome to attend. The organizers would like to acknowledge the hospitality of the Lheidl Tenee First Nations for allowing this event to be hosted on their ancestral lands.

For more information on the event, email Ley Fraser at nugss-womensrep@unbc.ca.

UNBC second best small university in Canada HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR

Maclean’s magazine has recently released the results of its annual ranking and UNBC has tied its highest ranking ever, placing second among 19 small “primarily undergraduate” Canadian universities. Mt. Allison, which is 150 years older than UNBC, has placed first. The Maclean’s University rankings, for those unfamiliar with the magazine’s annual survey, are “the holy book for anyone planning their education in Canada.” This is also the eighth year that UNBC has ranked as the best university west of Atlantic Canada in its category. Maclean’s comprehensively examines Canadian post-secondary education institutions and creates a guide for prospective students to choose the best schools.

“We have terrific faculty, fantastic students, great relationships with communities throughout the north, and a wonderful environment for teaching and research. Its no wonder UNBC continues to perform well in Maclean’s,” says UNBC president George Iwama. “All those associated with UNBC should take pride in this accomplishment.” In their selection of UNBC, Maclean’s cited UNBC’s favourable student-teacher ratio and research funding: “UNBC, an 18-yearold school, debuted at ninth place 14

years ago. This year it has the highest total research dollars, and the second best student faculty-ratio - impressive for such a young school.”

The Maclean’s rankings are broken down into three categories: primarily undergraduate, comprehensive, and medical/doctoral. To determine the rankings Maclean’s considers 13 numerical indicators of the quality of students, libraries, faculty, and finances to rank 49 universities in Canada across these three categories. Traditionally, older universities in eastern Canada tended to dominate the top spots in the annual rankings, but as UNBC shows the west is continually gaining momentum. “If there’s one trend in the rankings, it’s the rise of the west. Every university from Saskatchewan to the Pacific Ocean maintains or improves its standing. All four British Columbia’s ranked universities placed in the top two in their category,” says Maclean’s Josh Dehaas.

This is not only a win for the University and students itself, but it is also a proud moment for the community as the home of one of the top small universities in Canada. “Be Proud Prince George,” says a spread in the Prince George Citizen. “In the 22nd annual Maclean’s magazine rankings UNBC is the second-highest ranked small university in Canada which reminds us just how much we have to be proud of.”

WWW.UNBC.CA

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Campus News

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

students help to Discover Somaliland’s Troubled Past HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR

Don Ireland and Melissa Simmill are UNBC students who spent part of the fall semester in Somaliland exhuming mass graves as part of the non-profit organization EPAF (The Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team)’s work in the region. EPAF seeks to contribute to the consolidation of peace and democracy where grave human rights violations have taken place by working alongside the families of the disappeared to find their loves ones, and provide a sense of closure. For one month, Don and Melissa worked alongside EPAF’s executive director Jose Pablo Barayabar (known as JP) to discover and uncover the mass graves that riddle the region. Their trip is part of a five year project where EPAF will work to unearth the truth behind an estimated 60,000 civilian deaths during the reign of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre.

“It’s all about dignifying the remains,” says Don Ireland, who is an International Studies and Political Science Joint Major. “Mass graves are not dignified. People have just disappeared and EPAF works to figure out who these people are and give them a proper burial.” Somaliland is an autonomous region of Somalia

Don Ireland and Melissa Simmill spent part of the semester unearthing mass graves

we first got to the site there were cacti everywhere...it looked like it was going to be a possible site. JP hired some workers to clean out the cacti and then we started doing test pits,” adds Melissa. “One of our first indicators that there was a mass grave was that there was these big boulders.

This is really interesting cause JP said that before decomp starts to happen the gases inside start to expand. And that’s where the old zombie myth comes from because people wouldn’t bury bodies properly and you would have bodies protruding from the earth. But if you do it low enough it just looks like abundant mounding which is a dead giveaway for mass graves so they would put boulders overtop of them to make sure that wouldn’t happen.”

The team worked on two graves.

The first had 13 bodies found and the second had 43. “We were all students; we were all there on the same level. Within the first week or so we exhumed enough bodies that we had more work in the lab then in just the field. That is where Franco promoted me to lab supervisor. And Don helped me a lot with that as well,” says Melissa.

“We worked in the lab reconstructing

Dealing with remains, you would think would be more difficult but it’s quite a bit easier because, you can separate the sad from the science. that gained its independence in 1991. In 1988, the Siad Barre regime committed massacres against the people of Somaliland, which were among the events that led to the Somali Civil War. The war left the economic and military infrastructure severely damaged. After the collapse of the central government in 1991, the local government, led by the Somali National Movement, declared independence from the rest of Somalia on May 18 of the same year.

Don, an International Studies and Political Science joint major, and Melissa, a psychology major, became involved with EPAF’s forensic work on a geography field school to Peru conducted in the summer of 2012. In Peru, the two students participated in an interdisciplinary study on the effects of a decade long conflict that has left thousands of people dead and missing. “Peru was structured in that we did the course before going. It was done as an interdisciplinary field school. [Somaliland] was technically a field school but more of a training program. Somaliland was your being trained in this and this is what we are going to accomplish,” says Melissa.

The team’s first goal upon arriving in Somaliland was to locate the mass graves. “EPAF partly found the graves through local heresy and identified the site,” says Don. “When

bones, assessing clothing, teeth and cause of death,” adds Don. “We were working with fecal and brain matter.

We couldn’t do DNA testing because it’s just not possible to bring that kind of expensive equipment to a place like Somaliland where people are

struggling for a decent living.” The evidence that the EPAF team collects in Somaliland in the course of the five year project will be given to the War

time, but he was forcibly recruited into them though,” Melissa recounts of a particularly memorable interaction with a local. “He was telling us about

Mass graves are not dignified. People have just disappeared and EPAF works to figure out who these people are and give them a proper burial

Crimes Commission.

“We had to do a complete skeletal inventory first and then properly package and box all of the remains.

Then they had to have chain of custody forms filled out and the proper inventories done for the war crimes commissioner which we handed off the remains to,” surmises Melissa. “Dealing with remains, you would think would be more difficult but it’s quite a bit easier because, you can separate the sad from the science.

You can look at it and you have a role of agency in what is being done. You are just dealing with a job and once you are done one piece you move onto another,” continues Melissa. “There is a role and there is a finish line and once you reach that finish line you have the knowledge that you were able to change something. You were able to do something about the fate of these people. They are no longer smooshed in one big grave, but they have a proper burial.”

“We saw more trauma then most people will see in their lives,” says Don Ireland. “One of the remains we found had over 20 bullet holes in his clothing. You had to stop and pause sometimes, but we had such a great team that we avoided burning out, but it was mentally draining.”

“He came in and he was working for the Somali forces, I believe at the

what he had done and how he had to escape. He came into the lab and was looking at some of the remains on the table. And he was certain one of them was his friend because he had to shoot towards his friend and he knew that his friend died that day. It was difficult because I didn’t want to tell him that we pulled up 43 people and it could be any one of them. But he was so distraught you could see from his eyes that he was definitely harmed from that experience. He was a broken person. It was very tough to see that.”

“I’ve learned, coming back, that not everyone could do these trips,” adds Don. “It’s difficult work but very rewarding.” While Don Ireland and Melissa Simmill have returned from the first month of the project, the work is far from over. “In the next trip, EPAF plans to do a public event where people can look through the clothing we’ve found. This may help them to trigger memories of their loved ones,” says Ireland. This event may help connect people to the victims that the team has unearthed.

“JP has contacted local schools to bring in local students and train them along side of us, that way when we leave in five years they will be able to continue the project,” notes Melissa. “In Hargeisa alone there are over 200 mass graves... The numbers

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Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

are massive, it’s nothing that can be accomplished in five years. In one month we did two, and we didn’t finish them. We finished the exhumation but not the trauma analysis.”

“The project was between EPAF and the local government. The government invited us there. There were six international students and six Somali students,” says Don. “We worked alongside the Somali students. So it wasn’t just international. In addition to the war crimes commission staff, on the ground we had local labourers to help with the work on the site such as digging up the graves and cleaning the site to we could work on the graves properly.”

Don and Melissa returned from this trip not only having contributed to important international humanitarian work but also with advice for other students. “The main thing that I learned, that I think every student should know, is that no matter what major you are, you will find some common ground in forensics and in field work,” notes Melissa Simmill.

“It is so interesting to see how they use people’s backgrounds. EPAF has a very strong talent in using people’s backgrounds and pulling what they need to from them. Every person has an important role. The knowledge that they come there with is utilized.”

“If you’re interested in doing international work you have to do your research,” says Don Ireland.

“You have to understand the past to understand the present. Research what you want to do and where you

want to go. It’s really expensive but rewarding.”

“If [students] have the opportunity to do something like this, take it.

Do not hesitate, because it is such a rewarding experience,” adds Melissa.

“Field schools like this bring people who are willing and capable to learn over to countries who do not have the opportunity to do this work.

They wouldn’t be able to do that for themselves. In Somaliland they do

not have the resources to tackle the graves themselves, it only happens through programs like this.”

Don’t Forget to Submit Your Health & Dental Claims from Last Year

Important notice for students who were enrolled in their student Health & Dental Plan in 2011-2012

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING CLAIMS FROM LAST YEAR (for students covered in 2011-2012) All health and/or dental claims incurred on or before August 31, 2012 (for the 2011-2012 policy year) must be received by the insurance company (Sun Life) by November 29, 2012.

Claims received after the deadline will not be reimbursed.

Claim forms are available at www.ihaveaplan.ca or call the Member Services Centre at 1 866 358-4431 from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.

NUGSS

NBCGSS Have a smart phone with a QR code reader? Scan the appropriate box to be directed your Plan’s website.

ihaveaplan.ca

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Sports

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

Strong start for basketball

GEOFF SARGENT SPORTS EDITOR

Basketball season for the Timberwolves (their first in CIS play) has begun fairly smoothly. After a home stand against UBC-Okanagan and Trinity Western wrapped up this past weekend, the UNBC programs sit at a combined 7-5 record, with the men at 4-2 and women at 3-3.

While the opposition faced by the men to date isn't expected to be among the top of the conference, winning the majority of the games against TRU, UBC-O, and TWU was crucial to qualify for the postseason. The men now enjoy a two game cushion over those schools and Mount Royal for fourth place in the Pacific Division; a very good spot, as the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. Leading the way for the men thus far are Sam Raphael, averaging 18.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Francis

strength for the women; they lead all of Canada West with an impressive 47.8 rebounds per game, and at more than one point during the last two weeks a game's tide was changed by a streak of five or more rebounds in a row. Another recurring theme for the women, likely tied to rebounding, is going on improbable scoring runs to pull away from or tie games, such as a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter against UBC-O last weekend. The men's runs have seemed to be scored in the first quarter, as evidenced by the 22-2 run they rattled off in the early minutes of the home opener against Trinity Western, and an 18-4 lead they opened against UBC-O last Friday.

The regular season now shifts to the interdivisional play, as UNBC will head to the prairie provinces for a road trip next weekend against Lethbridge and Calgary. Despite their 6-0 record,

The men now enjoy a two game cushion over those schools and Mount Royal for fourth place in the Pacific Division; a very good spot, as the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.

Rowe, averaging 17.5 points per game – Rowe's numbers bolstered by having not missed a single free throw to this point. Rowe and Raphael also lead the team in floor time at over 30 minutes each, while their younger brothers Elliot and Josh still have yet to see any minutes themselves.

The women have been led by Mercedes VanKoughnett, as expected.

The team captain is continuing to average a double-double of 16 points and 11.3 rebounds per game after three weeks, and leads both teams in floor time. Third-year point guard Jordyn Rabbitt has also been noticeable on the court, eating up a lot of minutes, and is frequently found just outside the three-point line. Rebounding is clearly a team

Calgary's suprising women's team has yet to see themselves in the national Top 10 – a fact likely to change by press day. The Dinos' men's team is 2-4, and both Lethbridge teams sit at 3-3.

Visiting UNBC after the team returns from Alberta will be the Universities of Alberta and Saskatchewan, which ends the 2012 portion of the schedule; the exam and holiday break follows, at which point no Canada West games will be played until the second weekend in January. UNBC plans to stay in game form, however, due to a tournament in Winnipeg between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

MLB Trade Woes GEOFF SARGENT SPORTS EDITOR

The ugly head of Jeffrey Loria, majority owner of baseball’s Florida Marlins, has reared again. Older readers may remember Loria from his days as owner of the Montreal Expos, the last such sole owner before he jumped ship to Florida and left the Expos franchise in the hands of the MLB office; the Expos moved to D.C. four years later. Somewhat younger readers may remember Loria for the aftermath of the 2003 World Series, which his Marlins won – Florida kept key players long enough to sell tickets in the afterglow of the victory before dumping every single one of them within a year to save money on salaries, all the while cashing cheques from the extra season tickets sold (at the height of the Marlins inadequacy in 2007, the team was well under .500 while still posting $50 million in yearly profits).

History repeated itself again last week as the Marlins again shed all their relevant players in one fell swoop – but this time in a single trade, and this time to the Toronto Blue Jays. Baseball in Canada hasn’t looked this good since 1993, if you don’t mind supporting a Torontonian team; there’s an extra wild card spot essentially designed for the Blue Jays’ stacked AL East division, the titanic Yankees and Red Sox franchises are

in obvious declines, and the Blue Jays have their strongest roster in well over a decade.

Despite the obvious positives for fans of Toronto sports (and God knows they need them), it’s impossible to overlook what has happened in baseball and what threatens the other professional sports more dear to us Canadians. For over a decade, Loria has made every effort to pay as little up-front as possible for either of the teams he’s run, all the while banking hundreds of millions in profits due to MLB’s revenue sharing rules.

It’s almost too easy to see the same thing happening in hockey, if the lockout results in a luxury-tax, revenue-sharing system similar to baseball’s; teams with sweetheart arena deals like the Florida Panthers, for years the product of inept management and poor fan support barely kept alive by owning their arena and posting revenues from concerts and the like, will suddenly become cash cows printing millions in profits. All this will do is attract financially-driven would-be owners like Loria to hockey, jeopardizing the game. By all means support the Blue Jays and celebrate their massive fleecing of talent from the Marlins, but keep an eye on the NHL negotiations – this same story may well be reprinted in a few years’ time with only the names of the teams and owners changed around, and it would be a terrible thing for hockey.

Spartans win third title in five years GEOFF SARGENT SPORTS EDITOR

The Trinity Western Spartans completed the sweep of the national soccer titles for Canada West on November 11, preventing Queen's University from three-peating as champions with a 4-2 decision on penalty kicks after a scoreless two hours of play. The Spartans dropped only one game all season, finishing with a combined season and playoff record of 18-1.

Long sleeves and gloves were commonplace, as even locating the championships in southern Victoria didn't prevent the windy, rainy autumn weather from creating an impact on the match. Trinity Western fired twice as many shots on target as Queen's was able to manage, but all ten were saved by keeper Madison Tyrell. On the other goal, TWU's keeper Kristen Funk was

named player of the match after saving all five of Queen's shots during play, as well as saving one penalty and watching another sail over the bar.

The Spartans also knocked off Wilfrid Laurier and tournament hosts Victoria en route to their third women's soccer championship in five years. Jennifer Castillo of the Spartans was named tournament MVP, paced by playing every minute of the tournament on defense while adding a goal. Four other Spartans made the tournament all-star team.

With both national champions now crowned, CIS soccer enters the offseason until play resumes next September. UNBC's team, a year older and more experienced, will look to improve on their winless 0-9-3 season in 2013.

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Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

100 years of Canadian football GEOFF SARGENT SPORTS EDITOR

This Sunday marks the 100th Grey Cup, a milestone achievement for a league that has seen no end to its trials and tribulations, especially in the last two decades following the failed U.S. expansion bid and the resulting swath of contracted franchises. This season, the annual championship of Canadian football features the Calgary Stampeders facing off against the host city Toronto Argonauts. This has only been the second Grey Cup in the last ten years (Saskatchewan vs Winnipeg, 2007) where both Montreal and B.C. have been absent, a testament to the way the two perennially contending franchises have been owned and operated.

Attendance in the CFL has been on a slow decline over the last few seasons, and one likely factor is the emergence of the NFL’s popularity in Canada, particularly among younger sports fans.

The stereotypical CFL fan is someone in at least middle age; if they live in B.C., it’s likely by way of Saskatchewan, and they will undoubtedly support the Roughriders until their death. The health of the league until said point is not in question, but to remain on the landscape of Canadian sports for future decades, the CFL needs to re-energize and attract a younger audience, something they must be aware of. To this point, they contacted only the best in Canadian entertainment for the half-time show: Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen.

While that move is sure to generate more negative publicity than good among

Standings Men’s Basketball Pacific Division the average sports fan, it absolutely served its purpose of generating media attention directed towards the CFL that otherwise would have gone elsewhere.

The CFL is showing signs of life, not only with continued efforts to revitalize the suspended franchise in Ottawa and add a tenth in the Maritimes or Quebec City, but also by addressing their obvious lack of youth present everywhere from the league’s structure to its followers.

Contrarily, the league remains an afterthought in Toronto. While Toronto still made sense as centennial host due to its power and influence in Canada, the residents have yet to come around on the CFL and prefer other sports - a problem the CFL must eventually fix.

The Argonauts playing this weekend

CFL.CA

can’t hurt.

One oft-repeated mantra about the Grey Cup is that the game itself, isolated from everything extraneous, is always worth watching. This is usually true – last season’s Lions dismantling of Winnipeg notwithstanding, the CFL has seen an impressive stream of Grey Cups in the last decade including the Riders’ infamous 13th Man game, a double overtime thriller between Edmonton and Toronto, and others within a single score in the closing minutes. With the Sunday afternoon slate of NFL games only sporting three games, each likely to be blowouts, consider watching the Grey Cup instead. You’re allowed to mute the half-time show.

UBC top CIS Men’s Soccer

Prairie Division 5-1 Alberta 4-2 Manitoba 4-2 Saskatchewan 4-2 Winnipeg 3-3 Lethbridge 2-4 Calgary 1-5 Brandon 1-5 Regina

Women’s Basketball

ANDREW BATES THE UBYSSEY

VANCOUVER (CUP) — They were always in command.

The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (UBC) won the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship in Quebec City Sunday with a 1-0 win over the Cape Breton University Capers (CBU). They were undefeated throughout the 2012 season and never conceded a goal at the national tournament.

UBC took the lead early, with Steve Johnson heading in a free kick from Marco Visintin to score in the eighth minute. It was Johnson’s second headed goal of the tournament, and it came on UBC’s first shot of the game.

Throughout the contest, Cape Breton couldn’t gain a foothold in UBC’s final third, with UBC defending well in wide areas and converting any attempts to play route-one balls up the middle into rapid counter-attacks. The Capers managed only two attempts, with their only shot on goal coming in the 81st minute. They did not win a single corner kick.

The Thunderbirds used a possession game to create something of a shutdown offence, keeping control of the middle of the park and shipping

5-1 UBC 5-1 Victoria 4-2 UNBC 3-3 Fraser Valley 2-4 Mount Royal 2-4 Thompson Rivers 2-4 Trinity Western 1-5 UBC-Okanagan

Pacific Division 6-0 Fraser Valley 4-2 Thompson Rivers 4-2 UBC 4-2 Victoria 3-3 UNBC 2-4 UBC-Okanagan 1-5 Mount Royal 0-6 Trinity Western

Prairie Division

ANDREW BATES - THE UBYSSEY

it to potent attacking players such as Reynold Stewart and tournament MVP Gagandeep Dosanjh. UBC turned 13 attempts into eight shots on goal, but despite not finding a second goal, a consistent attack prevented the Capers from gaining a toe-hold in the match.

After winning 4-0 against the University of New Brunswick and 3-0 against Laval University, UBC finishes the year

with an undefeated record, going 5-0 in the playoffs and collecting 11 wins and three draws in the Canada West regular season. Dosanjh was also named the Canada West most valuable player.

With the win, Thunderbirds head coach Mike Mosher secures his fourth national title, and the 12th national championship for the UBC men’s soccer program, a CIS record.

6-0 Calgary 5-1 Regina 4-2 Alberta 3-3 Lethbridge 2-4 Manitoba 2-4 Saskatchewan 2-4 Winnipeg 0-6 Brandon

8

Student Life

Horoscopes CLEO STARSKY ASTROLOGER

Pisces: Beware of those who seem to

have good intentions… In reality, all they have is good looks. Focus your energies on making a name for yourself or maybe just try changing your name.

Avoid getting too caught up in the small, medium or large things. Call your mother.

Aquarius: Introspection has never

been a bad thing… until now. Avoid relying on others for their help. Things are likely to fall through if you don’t have a backup plan (and then a backup plan for your backup plan). At the end of the day, a good pair of socks will be all that matters.

Capricorn: Cover all the mirrors in

your house. Vanity isn’t necessary once the snow reaches eye level anyways. Do something that scares you… or maybe just the people around you. Compliment the first person (or thing) you see when you leave the house. Remember: never underestimate the power of a good serenade.

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

recommended but not required. Avoid leaving things to the last minute: try leaving them to the last second. Keep verbal conversations to a minimum and try communicating with your eyelashes only. Kiss someone (or something) like you mean it.

the times. If you’ve got something to get off of your chest now is the time to do it and I’m not talking about plastic surgery. Reach for the stars or maybe just the ceiling (for now).

strangers, they might report you. Try winking instead. Believe in yourself and every other person you come across. Work on building bridges, not tunnels. Understand that while the universe might revolve around you, not everybody has heard the news yet.

to do so). Experiment with not wearing any colours of the rainbow… Black can be just as exciting! Avoid showing off too much or else you might run the risk of flashing someone you don’t know.

It’s best to keep your clothes on during this time, especially if you don’t feel like getting frostbite.

Leo: Keep your fingers crossed that no

that is their problem. The best thing to do is offer them water. If you’ve been having the sneaky suspicion that the world is coming to an end, you might be right. You also might be wrong. Check back later.

one will notice all the chaos you’ve been Taurus: Throw a party for no apparent Scorpio: Stop staring so hard at causing (so that way you can continue reason. People love an excuse to drink!

Libra: Invest in some good quality

slacks. Or just incorporate the word “slacks” into your day-to-day vocabulary. Listen to your heart… when he’s calling for you (2005 trance club song reference). Stay true to yourself, but not to your significant other. People like mystery. Make sure to include a “bless your heart” in every conversation you have.

You might find yourself with more romantic prospects than you bargained for. Relish in your studliness…

Christmas came early for you this year.

Now is the time to take up a new hobby: try napping or eating. You might just find that you’ve got exceptional hidden talents!

Cancer: Try to finish that project Aries: you started. Or re-start a project you finished. Maybe just do something with your hands. Keep in mind that people can’t read your mind and that is entirely their fault. Be patient and forgiving.

Also be a tad unreasonable. Live every day like it’s your last, right?

Gemini: Remember to walk with Virgo: Stop thinking about it and just your left foot forward. It also helps if do it… I promise nobody will make fun

you do the same for your right. Don’t

You’re obviously just waaaay ahead of

been drinking too much Haterade™ and

If you’ve been feeling competitive lately, try to take your pent up energy out with some good ol’ fashion bar brawling. Everyone loves an aggressive drunk. Try to be more upfront with your intentions. Letting others know what you want might just get you what you want. Subtly is your friend… or your enemy. I’ll let you figure that one out.

Sagittarius: Brush up on your of you for trying out that new hairstyle. pay attention to the critics. They’ve memory

skills…

Flashcards

are

Grad Student Spotlight

Name: Geoffrey Charles de Ruiter III (I added the III to make myself seem more interesting) Age: 29 (Honestly 29, not “29”) Program: PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies

If we can prevent or limit its progression, we will solve many unsustainable problems. My biology background kept me within this field and it is the best I can do to continue pursuing my educational development.

How was the research conducted?

Geoffrey Charles de Ruiter Who is Geoff de Ruiter?

Geoff de Ruiter is a human male who was born on the planet Earth (presumably; he cannot actually remember it happening). Variety is his spice of life with regards to what he likes to do and learn. In general, he likes to browse the internet learning new ideas and flex his imagination. He loves to rock climb, bicycle, surf, and swim. His greatest fear is death, but that drives his greatest motivation to live a humble and fulfilled life, care for others, and attempt to leave the world in better condition for future generations.

What are you studying/researching?

I am studying carbon stuff, but specifically how to best use biochar (wood charcoal) economically. Should we use it to just bury in the ground to store carbon, should we offset coal in power plants, or perhaps another option? I also like studying various life topics, politics, co-operatives, urban planning, etc, but that occurs in my spare time.

Why did you choose this topic?

Climate change (if you believe in that sort of thing!) is at the crux of many of today’s issues, including: energy, plant and animal plant extinction, and planetary homeostasis.

Mainly sitting down. I tend to not research things while swimming or surfing or whatever; it’s hard on the computer, getting wet or bumped around.

Overall, my research is limited to the physical science and it has some hypothetical analyses too. It is truly an interdisciplinary study, but that fits my skillset. There are still some questions and possible changes that might need to happen, but that will figure itself out in time.

Where would your research be implemented?

What are some applications for this research?

My study region is British Columbia. At this time BC is developing some great policies for addressing climate change and biochar is a new resource/opportunity to include in this action.

Some of the applications would be the offset of coal, or as a very stable carbon sequestration method. Biochar could also show to be beneficial for some agricultural applications, but that is a complicated question.

When will you be graduating?

Talk to my professors! I would like to say tomorrow, but realistically, 3-4 years from now.

If you could give one piece of advice to the new grad students this year, what would it be?

Care for all life, including your own, it is far too short and we are far too isolated as a planet to not strive for a better future together. I hope your research reflects this sentiment, and I am sure, in someway, it does.

a beer with ben: The Hardest Working Bands Around BEN FILIPKOWSKI COPY EDITOR

There’s a fun video making the rounds on YouTube called “Why Doesn’t MTV Make Music Videos anymore?” made by bfirenzi that presents a “network head” answering that very question.

The answer is scathing, patronizing, hilarious - and totally true.

The gist of it is that our complacency and nature as consumers has put us

twenty years now. Soundgarden just reunited, and Smashing Pumpkins have…well, let’s just not talk about Smashing Pumpkins.

The funny thing is, most people around my age and from my generation will complain about a vanished era that they were too young to experience in the first place. Most people who got to grow up with Nirvana are in their thirties or forties now; I wasn’t even four when Kurt Cobain died.

So many of us seem nostalgic for a time we never really experienced in the first place; how many of you are

The funny thing is, most people around my age and from my generation will complain about a vanished era that they were too young to experience outside the target demographic; we complain about the popstars and the reality TV, but we still download our favourite artist’s music for free and sigh wistfully for the heyday of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc etc. “What happened to music,” we wail, “when did things get this bad?”

The thing is, though, it’s not all bad.

Though we’re loath to admit it, half those bands we wish were still around kind of are still around. Granted, Nirvana can never reunite, but it’s not like Dave Grohl stopped working.

Pearl Jam have been around for

proud to be a “nineties kid” when you were born in 1990? An “eighties kid” when you were born in 1989?

Of course you can experience some of these ages and some of that zeitgeist, but must we really let ourselves be bogged down with such nostalgia when today is so close at hand?

Those bands and musicians you loved never left. They simply found new places, new outlets, new names and audiences. They’re the hardest working bands around.

9

Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

Sensible Policing Act LEILA MAHEIDDINIBONAB STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

Earlier this month, voters in Colorado and Washington voted to legalize recreational use of marijuana for those 21 years and over, while the state of Massachusetts became the 18th state to vote to legalize medicinal marijuana.

Just as with our neighbours down south, the support for marijuana is rising here in British Columbia, with 73% support for legalization and decriminalization according to a poll conducted by Forum Research Inc. Dana Larsen, who has been touring BC since the beginning of the year to promote the Sensible Policing Act, noted similar numbers during his stop at UNBC on November 9.

The Vancouver-born Larsen started his advocacy by co-founding a club called the League for Ethical Action on Drugs while studying at Simon Fraser University and, after his graduation, became the editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine from 1994 to 2004. He was a founding member of both the Canadian Marijuana Party and the BC Marijuana Party, running as candidate for each in 2000 and 2001 before joining the New Democratic Party in 2003 and founding a group called End Prohibition. Staying active through the ensuing years, he opened the Vancouver Medical Cannabis Dispensary, which now has 2 locations and provides medicalgrade marijuana products to over 3500 registered patients.

“Other than the laws getting worse, many other things have gotten better for our movement for cannabis culture,” says Larsen, explaining that right now the public is with the movement, adding the Health Officers Council of BC voted to endorse Stop the Violence BC and called for regulation of illegal substances including marijuana.

While the laws governing cannabis exist at the federal level and can’t be changed by the provincial government, the provincial attorney general can be instructed to inform police agencies to put cannabis related search, seizures, detainments, and arrests on the bottom of their list of

priorities. The Sensible Policing Act would effectively decriminalize cannabis possession in British Columbia.

The law that Larsen is working to enact is a grassroots initiative referendum, something that will only work in BC because it is the only province with that option thanks to the Recall and Initiative Act for citizen-initiated referendum.

“There’s far more opposition to the cannabis laws than there was opposition to the HST laws in British Columbia. We’re polling way better than they did in terms of public support,” Larsen continued.

The main purpose of this law, the Sensible Policing Act, is to have “effective allocation of provincial police resources, [the] establishment of a commission to study cannabis policy [and a] request to the Government of Canada to allow Provincial regulation of cannabis” much like the regulation of alcohol and tobacco.

“I think the legalization of marijuana is a good idea. It reduces the stigma toward people who use it medically so people can actually be able to go into clinics and request it when nothing else is working” says Adrian,* a fourth year student at UNBC. The cannabis plant has a long history of use as medicine dating back to 2700 BCE, and has a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic applications. Many people, when thinking of medical cannabis, have the image of a joint, but there are new products that have a cannabis base (such as creams and lotions) that produce no cognitive alteration and are changing the face of medicinal cannabis.

Well-documented as a treatment for glaucoma, gastrointestinal illness, an ameliorator of nausea and vomiting, as well as a hunger stimulant, medical cannabis has been used to help people suffering through AIDS or chemotherapy as well as other illnesses like arthritis, epilepsy, sleep apnea, Alzheimer’s, sickle-cell disease and anorexia nervosa. While medical cannabis is illegal in most countries, many governments allow treatment with synthetic cannabinoids such as Marinol, which have a higher THC content that the

cannabis plant products would. “I’ve been on three different anti-anxiety medications and different anti-depressants. I can’t request marijuana and the doctor I go to will not approve it because it’s such a specialized drug in the medical field,” says Adrian.

In Canada we have a federally-run medical cannabis program which was established in 2001 by Health Canada. The cannabis distributed by Health Canada is grown by a company called Prairie Plant Systems Inc. which is the sole supplier of medicinal cannabis in Canada. Grown in an underground mine, the cannabis provided

by Prairie Plant has been contaminated by heavy metals in the past and there has been a large outcry from patients about the low quality of the cannabis as well as the cutting of the cannabis with fill in order to make it less potent.

The Harper administration recently nixed the idea of reforming Canada’s cannabis laws. On the same day that Colorado and Washington voted in the use of recreational cannabis, Stephen Harper’s Mandatory Minimums for Marijuana and Drug Offences came into effect. Anyone selling more than 3 kilos at a time, such as Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, now fall under those laws and can be incarcerated for 6 months. It’s not just the owners that fall under this law but the staff as well.

Hey Ben, leave this line in for spacing and “I buy from a guy who grows his own because he has severe pain. It’s about the only way to make sure my weed doesn’t come from the gangs in the city,” says Alex,* a fifth year student at UNBC. Marijuana is grown all over the world, but here in British Columbia it is a significant crop that fuels organized crime. A report released by Stop the Violence says teens find it easy to buy marijuana and pot use among teens is up significantly since the 1990s, despite heavy spending on drug enforcement.

A growing coalition of policy leaders are urging the legalization and taxation of cannabis as a way to minimize the $7 billion dollar illegal cannabis industry that experts say is directly linked to the spike

Flynn in Scotland: Relationships DEVON FLYNN EXCHANGE STUDENT

I’m sitting in the far corner of the library, writing this over an essay. As with most of my writing, non-academic trumps academic, and I begin to question the idea of responsibility while abroad.

I’ve already touched on the tug-of-war battle of wants vs. needs that I expect most exchange students endure. You want to travel, socialize, and party, to experience the exciting life of a student, but also that of the place and culture around you. All the while, a burden of academic responsibility sits heavy on your shoulders, but you remind yourself, “You’re here for a good time, not a long time.” Probably the motto of most exchange students, right? This leads into an interesting dynamic of

relationships.

When abroad, there are relationships you’ve yet to make, those you’ve left on pause back home, and even a relationship with oneself: relieving homesickness through internet use, Skype, or just doing what you enjoy - in my case, writing and travelling. If anything, my time over here has given me the chance to do a lot of introverted thinking (too much, if you ask me). Take, for example, the simple act of making friends. It’s something we take for granted. As we grow older, it’s no longer as simple as giving someone a cookie like when we were in Kindergarten. Now at 24 years old, I have become self-aware, questioning whether I come off as too friendly, too aloof, or even too cocky when meeting people. Sometimes I

doubt whether I am truly content on the few, concentrated friendships I have made or if should make as many friends as possible. While in another country, you tend to value friendship more when you have to start from scratch, even if you have a lot more cookies to hand out than your 5-year old self.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having met diverse and interesting people, but to what end? Making me feel like my experience here is justified, that I “lived the life” when I have to accept I may never see some of these people again? Sometimes that introspection even makes you do a double-take on the relationships you have waiting back home.

Various friends, family members, and even my girlfriend wait patiently for my

in gang related killings since 1997. Here in Prince George, we have a reputation as Canada’s most dangerous city, and yet the legalization topic has not been breached as a possible way to combat the crime rates.

What many people, including Dana Larsen, are advocating is decriminalization and future legalization of governmentregulated cannabis. “The BC government shouldn’t be growing marijuana, but they should be regulating it, putting rules in place, deciding how it’s done and making sure everything is done safely,” says Larsen, adding that the Sensible Policing Act mandates a council be created in order to put the proper regulations in place so that cannabis is regulated in a fashion similar to alcohol and tobacco.

“I would prefer to buy my weed from a trusted source. Regulation would be great because right now, you have to know the dealer or know someone who has been smoking stuff from the dealer to make sure it’s not laced with something to make it weigh more or to make it addictive,” continues Alex.

It is not just the younger generation that is responding favourably to a proposed plan of regulation and taxation; the baby boomer generation is the group most likely to support legalization or decriminalization, with 73% in support of law reform, according to Forum Research Inc. When talking with some of the UNBC population there was a clear line being heard over and over again: legalization, taxation and funnelling of revenue into other places like healthcare, postsecondary education, and policing of higher-priority crimes.

We will have to wait and see if the proposed Sensible Policing Act will get enough signatures in September 2013 to put it on the ballot for a referendum in 2014. With such support it will be hard not to pass the referendum when or if it happens. *Names have been changed

return. I don’t know if anyone here will miss me on the same level, and perhaps that’s why I’ve been naively pressuring myself to make strong relationships here at Dundee. Did I leave Prince George to experience school abroad, or did I subconsciously want to appreciate that I can establish those meaningful relationships, however temporary over here, or anywhere for that matter?

Perhaps that’s the point: to have a good time, however short, wherever you are and whoever you’re with.

I attempted to write a day-in-the-lifeof piece within a word count of less than 500 words, but that proved futile.

Studying abroad is about the experience, but also those you share them with, and it takes a lot more than 500 words to even begin to describe.

10

Features

The ins and outs of Recycling on Campus CAROLYN KNAPPER SGU CENTER

During the month of October, while scampering around trying to accumulate some new ideas to promote recycling on campus, I interviewed Stephen Patton, facilities supervisor at the Prince George campus. We sat down and discussed the story of recycling on campus: how things got started, what is currently being done, and how students, faculty and staff can contribute. It turns out there is a plethora of materials that UNBC recycles. We aren’t just recycling plastic water bottles and cardboard, but things like light bulbs, car batteries, carpets, metals and more.

Initiated in 2007, much of what is done on campus was a result of an attempt to better live up to the title of Canada’s “Green University,” but was also started because of the economic and financial benefits. Although some materials have a pickup fee attached, others provide revenue when recycled. Prior to our recycling revamp, paper products like cardboard were stored in the recycling centre by the cafeteria and were picked up by a local resident to be sold to Cascade Recovery (Cascade is a Waste Management Company that works to divert recyclables from landfills. They have a local facility in Prince George).

After analyzing the benefits, UNBC decided it would make sense to simply divert all of our paper products straight to Cascade and reap the benefits for ourselves! This marked the University’s decision to start thinking critically about recycling, and more initiatives were put in place. Small receptacles seen around campus were upgraded to larger ones.

Bottle collection from residence commenced, with bottles being saved for pickup by the Bottle Depot for a cash refund. This cash helps supply the University Green Fund, contributing

about $350 a month! Cooking oil is picked up for reuse, while compost is collected from the cafeteria, pub and receptacles around campus, and is processed in a composting heap on site.

This also includes any grass, twigs, and leaves collected by the grounds keeper.

Carpets, fridges and metal scraps from renovations are recycled. Light bulbs are collected and sent off to be turned into paint and sand mixtures. Household batteries, cell phones and printer cartridges are recycled just outside the Green University Centre. Even car batteries are recycled! And get this: they can be dropped off at the recycling centre if you bring them in from home, along with your used light bulbs, plastics and paper products (Light bulb and car battery drop off requires you to send a quick email to Steve at Stephen.

Patton@unbc.ca to let him know when you are bringing the items in. Paper and plastic recycling bins are located in Parking Lot A)! This is great news for students like myself who can’t afford to coordinate local pickup and have been hoarding recyclables in closets at home…we can simply bring it with us to school!

Being at UNBC just keeps getting better and better, I know. “Our recycling procedure on campus has come a long way over the past few years,” says Patton, “and we are always looking for improvements.” Residence is currently coordinating a better way to manage compost produced on site by students, while some are looking into recycling options for one-time-use coffee cups.

So if you have any great ideas on how we can improve how we recycle on campus, feel free to drop by the Green University Centre to chat. Or better yet, submit a proposal for the upcoming Green Fund in January…

Remember, while recycling is an excellent way to keep materials from ending up in the landfill, it all starts with reducing what we consume in the first place. Until next time, reduce, reuse, THEN recycle!

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

6 tips for staying afloat during “Crunch Time”

HTTP://HOWTOPASSMATRIC.CO.ZA/ GALA MUNOZ FEATURES EDITOR

With exams looming ahead and deadlines unapologetically underway, here are some tips to help you keep your head in these times of stress and chaos.

1. Eat healthy and stay hydrated

As easy as it is to resort to unhealthy eating habits, keeping snacks such as apple slices, almonds and carrot sticks on hand and in the fridge or pantry help to keep your mind awake and focused any time of the day (or night). Avoid the crash that comes with sugar indulgences and opt instead to satisfy your sweet tooth with healthier alternatives such as fruit or yogurt. Along with maintaining a good diet, water is key in keeping your energy levels up. Pack a reusable water bottle and aim for about 8-10 cups of water intake a day. Added bonus: ice cold water acts as an instant energizer when you feel yourself getting sluggish.

2. Get enough sleep!

This is a tough one to follow, especially when you find deadlines or exams creeping up sooner than expected but it is important nonetheless. Getting a full 7 or 8 hours night’s rest means that you’re more alert and attentive during class (which will pay off come exam time), less stressed and less likely to feel depressed and by extension you’re likelihood of catching a cold decreases as adequate amounts of sleep keep your immune system in working order.

3. Exercise

Even if it’s only a ten minute walk, exercise will help to calm you and get you more focused. Exercising will give you the natural energy to get through the day and it allows you to work off any pent up anxiety or negativity. Anything to help get your endorphins pumping be it by dancing to Rihanna in your bedroom, taking the long route on your walk home or running on a treadmill will benefit both your body and mind in the short and long term.

4. Choose wisely

As much as you want to be there for your friends when they are struggling to get through hard times, spending a lot of time around those who become stress-cases at this time of year can affect your own mood and outlook for the worse. Stress is contagious and surrounding yourself with those who get major anxiety will only add to yours. Along with being selective about who to study with, make sure to keep distractions to a minimum and be able to

say “no” to some things. If you say yes to a party the night before a final, you’ll probably be tempted to blow off studying.

Resist the urge altogether and focus on the important things. You can party it up all you want come Christmas!

5. Distract yourself

What might seem to contradict tip number three, distracting yourself is meant to be used as a tool to avoid going crazy amongst all the paper writing and notecard making.

Every hour or so that you work, take a ten or fifteen minute break and let yourself do whatever you want (check Facebook, message a friend, etc.). Once the ten or fifteen minutes are up get back to work.

These types of mini breaks give your brain a little rest and help to take your mind off the pressure or anxiety you might be feeling.

6. Map out your exam schedule

A week before your exam: -compile all of your lecture notes, power points and any additional readings in comparison to the syllabus to make sure you aren’t missing anything -after you’ve reviewed the material yourself book a study session with a few classmates -make yourself a practice test if you’re anticipating a problem-based, multiple choice or short and long answer exam or practice your essay writing skills if you’re anticipating an essay style exam -if you can’t get a sufficient answer from anyone else in the class pay a visit to your professor to ask about any points that you’re still unclear on

The night before your exam:

-get rid of major distractions; install a distraction-blocking program like SelfControl and block your favourite websites, turn off your cell phone and let your friends know that you won’t be available -briefly review all of your study materials and then focus in on the areas where you had the most difficulty -avoid pulling an all-nighter by starting early and getting to bed at a decent time

The morning of your exam:

-dress comfortably -don’t try to cram your brain with lastminute facts and other than some quick reviewing, take the morning off -leave with enough time to arrive at least five minutes before your exam starts -take some deep breaths and think positive thoughts

11

Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

What your Moustache says about you GALA MUNOZ FEATURES EDITOR

across the globe.

As you might have noticed, things have been getting a bit hairy around these parts.

In commemoration of the thousands of “Mo Bros” around the world putting their finishing touches to the hair above their upper lip this November in support of raising awareness and money for prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives, the following may give you some insight into the varying styles of moustaches and the personalities behind them, largely according to Cracked.com

You’ve either got too much free time or too little facial hair. You think everything is a joke and you are mostly insensitive to the injustices of the world.

Try a little compassion every once in a while, people will notice and you will be rewarded in kind.

The Chevron

The Chevron-wearer is lean, serious and absolutely incapable of putting up with bullshit. You insist on “telling it like it is” at social gatherings and are “renowned” for your brevity.

The Dali or The English

You fancy yourself a true genius, even if others have yet to catch on. You’d like to think that your penchant for high quality doesn’t make you insufferable, just distinguished.

The Handlebar or The Petite Handlebar You’re fully capable of discussing philosophy, executing a high-stakes corporate take-over, and rigging dynamite to an oversize plunger, all at the same time. You’re as intelligent and genteel as you are brutal and unforgiving.

The Painter’s Brush

You don’t normally put too much thought into how you look. You’re an easy going, all round likeable guy, if only for your ability to smooth over any tense situation. People will always assume that you’re the nice guy, without you having said a word.

The Horseshoe

The Horseshoe says a million different things in a million different language, and all of them are “I’ll light this place on fire.” You just don’t know how to break the news to your father, but your facial hair does. The horseshoe is the staple of convicts, bikers, and general badasses with poor impulse control

The Toothbrush or Lampshade

A Variation Moustache

of

the

Pencil

You know the word suavity exists, and you plan to use it in every sentence you speak for the rest of your life -- even if it’s just whispering it seductively at the end of them like Sex Punctuation.

There are three things you do better than anybody else: Dance, have sex, and avoid immigration. Sure, you look like kind of a pervert. But it’s the good kind of pervert.

A Variation of the Pyramidal Moustache

You fancy yourself a lover of good wine and good food. You’ll pay any price to enjoy the earthly pleasures of this world. You are well-read and even better spoken. Some think you’re over confident, but they just don’t understand your virtuoso.

The Fu Manchu

You are an intellect, with all the resources of science past and present.

You have few enemies, only by virtue of having killed most of them already.

You are the closest thing to a modern day ninja as is desirable.

The Imperial

You fancy yourself God’s great prodigy and you seek to spread your wealth of knowledge and good sense wherever you go. You think you have all the answers and take every opportunity to show people the ways in which you are superior to them. Try to remember that not everyone strives to be an egomaniac like you.

The Walrus or The Cowboy

The Walrus/Cowboy is a monster of a moustache. You’re a man of honour, infinite patience and a short fuse. You feel strongly about the “way things

WWW.THEWEBTRICKS.COM

used to be” and your favourite topic of conversation is the “simple things in life.” You demand to be taken seriously and you don’t take crap from anybody.

You might give the impression of being a sweetheart, but in reality you’d rather wrangle a horse than express any emotion.

To donate or to find out more ways to help visit ca.movember.com. For more insight into what your moustache style says about you go to: http://www. cracked.com/blog/a-guide-to-themodern-moustache/#ixzz2CKIwlHTV

Recipe: Black Bean, Chickpea and Avocado Salad GALA MUNOZ FEATURES EDITOR

Ingredients:

½ can (540 mL) black beans, drained and rinsed ½ can (540 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 green onion, sliced 1 tomato, chopped ½ sweet yellow or red pepper, chopped ½ avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed 1/8 cup chopped fresh coriander ½ teaspoon grated lime rind 1/8 cup lime juice 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 clove garlic, minced 1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss together black beans, chickpeas, onion, tomato, yellow pepper, avocado and coriander.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime rind, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

3. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat and enjoy!

FOOD.COM

12

Arts & Entertainment

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

AC Newman

JORDAN TUCKER ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Carl Newman, whose professional name is AC Newman, is well-known for being the vocalist and main songwriter of The New Pornographers.

Carl Newman is the de facto leader of the Canadian super group, and has been since the year 2000. Their five albums have received consistently good reviews, and Newman’s songwriting skills have contributed much to their

success. It was with interest that I began the quest to review this album. The New Pornographers have been my favourite band for a few years now (shout out to ladies’ man, man’s man, man-abouttown Brian Doddridge for getting me into them) and yet I have never actually listened to any of AC Newman’s solo work. I’ve dabbled in Destroyer, enjoyed some of the coigns of Cathryn Calder, and been enchanted thoroughly by Neko Case, but have never listened to Mr. Newman himself. Previously a member of Superconductor and Zumpano in the 1990’s, Newman has only recently embarked on solo success, a surprising fact due to his key role in the greatness of the groups he has been a part of. Not surprisingly, this album has some great songwriting. It sounds like a slightly deflated New Pornographers record imagine Mass Romantic. Got that? Okay.

Pretend it’s a beach ball, and someone sat on it, except as more air escapes from it, the sadder the beach ball gets. They Shut Down The Streets is a sad beachball of a New Pornographers album. This is not a detrimental thing, or suggesting that

Newman is indistinguishable from the supergroup he fronts. If anything, this album, which is excellent, just serves as evidence of how instrumental AC Newman is to the New Pornographer’s success. While Newman himself typically shies away from being referred to as the leader of the New Pornographers (which, to be fair, would be quite the thing for his grandma to google) it’s difficult to imagine who else could do it. This album, from the sweet vocals down to the guitar riffs and sugary-sweet accordion, is a New Pornographers album; AC Newman just forgot to invite the other members.

One New Pornographer who does appear quite frequently on this album is Neko Case, the other high-profile member of the group. Her wonderful alto provides a lovely contrast to Newman’s sugarsweet grit, and the listener is left wishing the two would just make musical babies forever.

This is a lovely album full of Newman’s trademark fantastic songwriting and sweet n’ sour vocals. Weirdly, and whether this is a feature of production or just how Newman likes to sing, the

vocals actually aren’t super clear. The lyrics tend to get a bit muddied and lost, which is a shame because the man has a killer voice and writes very well.

The album itself is low-key and peppy at the same time. In an interview, AC himself said that Shut Down The Streets “is all about birth, death, happiness and sadness, chronicling a time in my life where all those things had to learn to coexist side by side.” It shows.

Simultaneously miserable and elated, this album wistfully pans through the whole spectrum of human emotion. It’s meandering, thoughtful, and makes you want to hug people.

“wheeeerrrrr wherrrrrr” that summer blockbuster Prometheus pioneered, drawing parallels between this album and an otherworldly, threatening and alien soundscape. This album is actually a lot more accessible than previous EP’s or full-lengths.

While it does have the characteristic shrieking and weird dissonant twang to the sound, III actually adheres to a more mainstream path than has been chosen previously by the group.

For this album, they elected to not use any computers or synthesizers whatsoever: what they did use is beyond me. It’s a joy and mystery to behold, any way you slice it. In the second track, “Kerosene”, Glass sings, “I’ll protect you from / all the things I’ve seen.” It’s hard to imagine what Glass has seen, but her vocals are certainly interesting. Kath met her when she was fifteen, and decided to make her his protege, so unique was her voice. Glass has a very rare way of making her voice both hoarse and melodic at the same time. She can go soft and sweet, and yet her penchant

for not shying away from the louder end of the spectrum betrays her background as lead singer of an allgirl crust-punk band. Essentially, the formula works something like this: Ethan Kath creates a series of electronic/industrial tracks with Glass in mind, and she picks the ones that she likes to write lyrics for. It works out to be heavily contrasted, in their favour: while Glass’s voice is gritty and fragmented enough to function as a parallel to Kath’s heavy rhythms, her vocal and lyrical fragility betray the softer side of the act. Kath’s music is not a background whatsoever: the heavy pulsing, rhythmic and at times erratic melodies he brings forth have a personality of their own. To listen to Crystal Castles, according to the BBC, “is to be cast adrift in a vortex of deafening pain without a safety net. You get the feeling you could do anything in the world, but that ‘anything’ would ultimately mean nothing. Crystal Castles marks a nuanced emotional territory that dance music never covered before.”

Music like Crystal Castles are part of the reason that anyone saying electronic music isn’t music is shortsighted and narrow-minded; the incredible songs and emotions that Kath can summon are every bit as evocative as any acoustic set. As a painter can still create artwork with a bit of coal, one gets the feeling that the musicians of Crystal Castles would be celebrated artists in any musical genre. Jack Shankly describes their sound as “ferocious, asphyxiating sheets of warped two-dimensional Gameboy glitches and bruising drum bombast that pierces your skull with their sheer shrill force, burrowing deep into the brain like a fever.”

Love it or hate it (while I certainly recommend that you at least try to see something wonderful in these ethereal shredscapes, it is ultimately your choice) it is undeniable that Crystal Castles and their ilk are creating revolutionary new music. Listen to it, and let me know what you think on the Over The Edge Facebook page, or stop by our office!

Bottom line: for an enjoyable indie-rock album, listen to Shut Down The Streets.

If you miss the New Pornographers, listen to Shut Down The Streets. Listen to this album the morning after a night of heavy drinking with good friends, with hot coffee in your hands and smeared makeup on your cheeks. It’ll do your body good.

Crystal Castles

JORDAN TUCKER ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Alice Glass is back, folks. Also with her is the other half of the experimental, edgy duo of Crystal Castles, Ethan Kath. Hailing from Toronto, this vocalist-producer duo a la Gnarls Barkley made waves for their experimental, shard-like sound. Radical techno featuring shrieking female vocals, the Crystal Castles formula is barely changed.

This album opens with the sort of

Top 20 Albums 1. The Caretakers- Love, War, and Propaganda 2. Wax Mannequin - No Safe Home 3. Parallels - XII 4. AC Newman - Shut Down the Streets 5. Mother Mother - The Sticks 6. The xx - Coexist 7. Rah Rah - The Poet’s Dead

8. Cat Power - Sun 9. The Sheepdogs - The Sheepdogs 10. Nuela Charles - Aware 11. Kreayshawn - Somethin ‘Bout Kreay 12. Amanda Palmer - Theatre Is Evil 13. Nu Sensae - Sundowning 14. Chilly Gonzales - Solo Piano II

15. Artichoke - Etchy Sketchy Skies 16. Sienna Dahlen - Verglas 17. Pet Shop Boys - Elysium 18. Boombox Saints - For The Moment 19. The Zolas - Ancient Mars 20. Kandle - Kandle

13

Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

Your Imaginary Three-Way with James Bond and Silva

JORDAN TUCKER ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Your Imaginary Three-Way with Bond, James Bond and Silva, featuring guest appearances by Ralph Fiennes.

I went to see Skyfall this past weekend. However, if you check any review site or social networking site, you will undoubtedly see about 400,000 reasons to see it or not see it, along with pithy commentary about a hunting rifle. You’ll witness a whole barrel of monkeys about Bond history, Bond styling, who was the best Bond, martinis... I don’t care about any of that. (also, Skyfall made me sad and mopey, and I don’t like thinking about that. SPOILER: waaaaaaah Dame Judi waaaaaaaaaaaah.)

So, in the tradition of the best Over the Edge columns, we’ll just talk about nasty, nasty things instead.

Specifically, my imaginings of how a three-way between myself, Bond and Silva would go.

There was a huge uproar when Skyfall came out over the homosexual flirting Silva uses to attempt to intimidate Bond. Some say that it was simply a tactic of the mind, and that their flirty, sexual conversation was more of a power tactic than anything else.

My question is, when isn’t sex a power tactic? I, and perhaps every male-attracted person out there, would like to think that Bond would do whatever it takes to get any mission done. Also, he’s a man of the world, and has likely seen stuff a little bit more weird than Silva’s rat tail, if you know what I mean.

As for those who say that Silva wasn’t actually wanting to potentially seduce Bond, I have two pieces to counter that: one, Silva has been spying on 007 for years when Skyfall comes out,

which means that he has likely seen the same clip we all did of Bond pouting and brooding in his itty bitty blue swim trunks.

Appreciating Daniel Craig in those swimtrunks has nothing to do with your sexuality: at that point, whatever your gender, it is high art, and the appreciation there of Daniel Craig in his itty bitty swim trunks is the closest I have ever been to being convinced that there is a god, and that he loves me very much. Point two for Silva’s bisexuality: that hair. That goddawful blond hair. That is the hair of someone fancy. Point three for Silva and Bond: it is hot, and it makes me happy. Suck it haters.

For the greatest joy of your life, read on: All right, so picture this: you’re in a hotel. Not any hotel. This is the very hotel where Bond, James Bond goes to reimburse his four million dollar poker chip.

At this point, he totally ditches Moneypenny for that tragic babe with the ugly tattoo. Like whaaat.

Moneypenny is the Betty in that situation! Tragic Babe (I can`t be bothered to google her name, because she is so obviously a dead babe walking) is clearly the Veronica of the situation, but luckily Silva`s Reggie shoots her in the head. Hmm, starting to think Moneypenny might be working with the villains. Anyways. You’re in the hotel, and Bond is like, “hey TB, want to shag on your boat after I feed these hench dudes to giant CG lizards?” and she’s all, “waaah my life is tragic yeah sure why not”. So you creep on their boat too. When the morning arrives, TB is shot dead, and a bit of scotch gets wasted, and James Bond goes all bezerko. Helicopters appear. But what they don’t show in that cut scene where Bond, James Bond and M (sob) are staring down Javie

Bardem in his Loki cage is where you , Bond, James Bond and Silva totally bone! It goes like this: the helicopters appear and Bond is like, “Okay Silva. You gotta get in the helicopter now. Cause we’re going to bone in it, with this random UNBC student we picked up.” and Silva is like, “Fine by me, Bond, James Bond. Also, wow, what an attractive student, I am totally okay with that”. This response is good, because consent is always important for hot sexy love-making with a secret agent and his fiiine nemesis. You get into the helicopter, and Bond gives you a martini. Martini is a euphemism, but suffice to say you’re really happy, and martini is his dong.

Silva puts on his favourite Mariah Carey album, and dances around all sexy like. Damn, that Cyanide may have melted half of his face off, but his body still looks great. You are not complaining as they get into the onboard hot tub and start making out. Silva’s all, “Oh Bond, James Bond, you are super hot, stick me with your goldmember.” and Bond is like, “Silva, THIS is what the two rats do. They make more sexy baby rats. Except we don’t, because we are two dudes. But this is still totally awesome.” and then Silva is all, we may not eat coconuts but I am totally going to rub you with coconut oil.” the three of you then absolutely dissolve into a pile of lips and tongues and rock hard secret agents, and this is awesome.

(Side Note: Bond is still wearing cufflinks and his shirt, except it is open and the shirt is wet and clinging to his abtasticness. Silva is still wearing his prosthetic face and jaw, because, you know, gross.)

Your life is perfect. Everything is perfect. Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) appears, and strips, revealing himself to be infinitely more than

an office jockey. He has tattoos of hearts and crosses peppering his back, a cross for every life he`s taken, and a heart for every heart he has broken. Your loins are on fire, mainly because Bond, James Bond accidentally spilled acid on your crotch. He smiles like the dirty thing he is and licks it up. Ecstasy!!! After the three sex bombs pleasure you with all sorts of MI6 gadgetry that Q has unearthed (oh my god, he is totally there too! He’s flipping his hair around and smiling over the rim of his Scrabble mug) the four of you lay back in satisfaction. Mallory traces a latticework of kisses on Q’s arm. Silva is drooling from exhaustion, his hair fluffed up like

Winter Sexy Times With Domino Kyle

DOMINO KYLE

Dear Domino: Just some questions about food.

Specifically, food being put in places that are not my mouth.

Cosmo says that to spice up my long-term relationship, I should bring whipped cream and chocolate sauce into the bedroom. This seems somewhat messy. Discuss.

-Sara Hey Sarah!

It’s about fun, when it gets down to it. It’s also so ridiculous that you’re bound to wind up laughing together, which will lead to some playfulness. It winds up spontaneous and silly, and can be a great new element to add to sexy times if you’re getting tired of the same ol’, same ol’.

I have one question for you: do you like kissing? Sucking? Licking?

That’s three questions, but whatever. Some people like kissing, and some people don’t, but I find that the people who do tend to like food in the bedroom a lot more than those who don’t. Essentially, the more into doing things with your mouth you are, the more you will generally like mixing pleasure... and eating? I dunno, man. I honestly find it kinda hard to mix those two things: like, mmm delicious chocolate... and a dick/vag in my mouth! Kind of a weird taste combination, but to each their own. If you can figure out a way to enjoy the taste sensation of cum and sprinkles, more power to you. But seriously, do it! It’ll be fun. Make sure it’s premeditated, however: no one wants to roll over late at night to see their lover leaning over them manically brandishing a whipped cream can. Happy boning!

-Domino

Dear Domino: It’s my first year, and I’m a pretty chunky dude. I’m self conscious about my weight to the point of not wanting to take my shirt off when I go swimming. I’ve been hanging out with a really cool girl who I like a lot for about a month now.

We both want to have sex, but I’m worried that when it happens all she’ll see is rolls of fat and will be turned right off. I want this to go well. Help?

-Steven Hey Steven!

Well, if she’s with you at this point, she probably has noticed that you’re not the sveltest gazelle in the herd. I read somewhere that Halle Berry had huge body image issues growing up. Halle freaking

Berry. The woman who singlehandedly stole all of the hot body tickets from everyone else. The point is, we get a bit too hung up on how we look, and forget that we all are impacted by the shiftiness of those hot little Abercrombie models strutting around (no offence to models, they’re cool). We see ‘em, we feel that’s how we should look, and we judge ourselves hardcore.

You’re sitting there in your t-shirt at the pool feeling flabby and your girlfriend probably just wants to touch your skin. Dude, she likes you. I doubt she even cares. If she did, she would be with a skinny guy, harsh but true. You’re probably hung up over your belly flab when she’s noticing how kind you are to your friends, or your eyes and smile. Don’t question it too much, go with the flow and give her some credit: you’re a nice guy

some strange bird of paradise. It is a weird, glorious world, and you’re overjoyed to be a part of it. Bond, James Bond is sobbing slightly. He always does this. You stroke his hair and shush him quietly. Silva announces that due to the sexual healing he has experienced today, he no longer has any plans to kill Dame Judi’s M. He will instead rejoin MI6 as a double agent, and help reveal terrorists. Nobody dies today! Except for Tragic Babe, but whatever. Everyone applauds, and falls back into the hot tub for round two. Clouds part. The sun shines through, and a chorus of angels sing Handel’s Hallelujah chorus. THE END

and obviously care. That’s all you need, really. You both sound awesome, just have fun. To be good at sex you don’t need six pack abs and the stamina of a racehorse.

You need to be able to figure out what your lady needs to have a good time (hint: find the little man in the canoe) and be willing to do it. A bit of advice, from Monty Python, before you go on your merry way: “What’s wrong with a kiss, boy? Hmm? Why not start her off with a nice kiss? You don’t have to go leaping straight for the clitoris like a bull at a gate. Give her a kiss, boy...Good. Nibbling the earlobe, kneading the buttocks, and so on and so forth. So, we have all these possibilities before we stampede towards the clitoris, Watson.”

Happy humping!

-Domino

14

Opinion

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

November 30

Global Fridays: Dr. Liza Sudstrom

November 21

Yogattabekiddin’

A weekly yoga class instructed

by Alice Muirhead with all food donations going to the NUGSS/GSS Food Bank.

Cost: $2 and a non-perishable food item 4:30 - 6:00 pm @ the Gathering Place

Games Night

Come join NASA in our board game night.

4:00 – 9:00 pm @ the Wintergarden

Charity and Chance: Blue Buckets, White Ribbons and PussyRiot: Opposition Protests and Democratic Prospects in Russia 12:00 – 1:30 pm @ Room: 10-450

November 23

Global Fridays: Dr. Elizabeth Cooper

Charity and Chance: the Manufacture of Uncertainty through Child Sponsorship in Kenya 12:00 – 1:30 pm @ Room: 10-450

Lecture: Dr Philippe Pasquier

Computational Creativity.

Computational creativity is a new and expanding field that attempts to simulate human creativity, and to discover creative processes that are beyond human capability.

1:00 pm @ Room: 10-4588

Dual Fluid Reactor: A novel design that will revolutionize nuclear power.

10:30 am – 12:00 pm @ Room: 7-158

Annual Great Santa Claus Debate

The ever-pressing question of "does Santa exist?" gets a thorough and hilarious academic examination.

7-8:30pm @ the Canfor theatre

Exam Jam

December 1

Come out and take advantage of instructor and peer-led tutorials, FREE food for participants, and fun and stress-reducing activities.

Wellness Centre staff and peer counsellors will be on site. Visit the Academic Success Centre for a complete schedule of tutorials and activities for the day.

9:00 am - 2:30 pm @ UNBC Main Hallway and Winter Garden

December 5

Yogattabekiddin’

A weekly yoga class instructed

by Alice Muirhead with all food donations going to the NUGSS/GSS Food Bank.

Cost: $2 and a non-perishable food item 4:30 - 6:00 pm @ the Gathering Place

Lecture: Dr. Olav Lian

Optical Dating: historical background, basic principles, and its application to research in geomorphology, Quaternary geology, and archaeology 3:30 pm @ Room: 7-152

November 26

Psych. Graduate Colloquium Series: Cherisse Seaton

Dissertation defence: The role of positive emotions and ego-resilience in personal strivings.

11:30 am - 12:20 pm @ Room 104044

November 28

Yogattabekiddin’

A weekly yoga class instructed

by Alice Muirhead with all food donations going to the NUGSS/GSS Food Bank.

Cost: $2 and a non-perishable food item 4:30 - 6:00 pm @ the Gathering Place

The Northern Anthropology Student Association is putting on a pizza and beer social! Come out and help them to raise money to send some anthropology students to Victoria.

7pm-2am @ 1459 Manson Cres.

November 24

Lecture: Dr. Ahmed Hussein

November 22

Northern Medical Program Information Session Do you have questions about preparing to apply to Medical School? If so, then attend this NMP Information Session.

12:00 – 1:00 pm @ Room: 9-280

Novermber 23

NASA Sponsored Social

Festival of Trees at the Civic Centre Kicking off on the 24th with a Dance from 7:30pm-1:00am the Festival of Trees runs until December 2nd.

For more information on hours and activities visit spiritofthenorth.ca Admission: $3 for students, $5 for adults and $10 for a family

Recycle Toy Drive

REAPS is collecting quality used toys for local children and accepting donations to the SPCA. For more info email events@reaps.org.

10-2 pm @ REAPS (1950 Gorse St.)

Craft and Collectables Market Annual craft fair with proceeds going to the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre.

10-4pm @ ELder Citizens Recreation Centre (1692 10th Ave.)

Craft Fair and Social

Shop for quality local crafts including fused glass, wood working, artwork and women's clothing.

10-4pm @ ArtSpace (above Books & Co.)

The Queen of Versailles

November 21

Discover the future of energy with the movie that's changing the global energy conversation.

7-9pm @ the Canfor Theatre

November 22

Madison Violet in Concert

JUNO nominated duo Madison Violet's folksy and lyrical compositions are something you don't want to miss!

Tickets: $37.50 at Studio 2880 (2833 Recreation Pl.) 7-8pm @ the PG Playhouse

Peace Sanctuary Sculpture

Stop by the Two River Gallery to see their latest installment of sculptures created by Victoria-based artists.

Free admission every Thursday, otherwise $6 for students and $7.50 for adults

Celebrate BC's Multiculturalism week with laughs by Improv Ad Nauseum and music by Sound Addiction.

Tickets: $35 from Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (1270 2nd Ave.) 6pm-12am @ the Ramada

Improv Comedy and Dessert

Comedy, live music and dessert… what more can you ask for?

8-10pm @ the Westwood Church (2658 Ospika Blvd.)

December 1

Pioneer Christmas

Make traditional Christmas crafts and candy and partake in old fashioned holiday activities… Word is that a special guest will also be making an appearance.

Admission: suggested donations of $5 for adult, $3 for kids & seniors, or $10 for a family 10-3pm @ Huble Homestead (40km north of PG, off of Hwy 97)

Artisan Fair

10-4pm @ ArtSpace

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Nove Voce presents the choral story telling of this Christmas classic.

Admission: $5 Showing times: 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm @ the Civic Centre

Cinema CNC presents the documentary that follows billionaire David Siegel and his wife Jackie as they plan the construction of their dream mansion.

Tickets: season passes $24, single ticket $8 7-11pm @ CNC (Room 1-306)

Boy

Drum & Bell Tower and the Townies

BC Boys Choir

Tickets: $12 for students, $15 adults 9-11pm @ Nancy O's

Movie Showing: Switch

November 30

Embrace Diversity Gala Dinner

November 24 & 25

Craft Fair

Over 250 tables to choose from at Kelly Road Secondary.

10-5pm @ KRSS (open till 4pm on Sunday)

Cinema CNC presents the movie "Boy" which follows the dream of a boy to one day see his idol, Michael Jackson, in concert.

Tickets: Refer to "Queen of Versailles" on the 24th 7pm & 11pm @ CNC (Room 1-306) The Prince George Symphony Orchestra presents the BC Boys Choir who have received international acclaim.

Tickets: under 25 $12, adults $25 and seniors $22 7:30-9:30 pm @ the First Baptist Church (483 Gillette St.)

Smalltown DJ's and Grandtheft

Civic Centre Plaza Light Up

Sure to be a crowd-pumping combination, Smalltown DJ's and Grandtheft are known for getting people dancing across the nation.

Tickets: $20 (available at Ruins and Homework) 9pm @ Heartbreakers

Northern Lights Festival

Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk Anticipate indie folk-pop melodies and an authentic and energetic performance.

TIckets: $10 (at Books & Co.) 8pm @ ArtSpace

November 28

With live music, ice skating, storytime and hay rides around the Plaza this is a festive evening that you won't want to miss out on. Visit princegeorgeciviccentre.ca for more information 5-9pm @ the Civic Centre Plaza Connaught Hill is lit up for the holiday season from 5 until 10pm until January 1st.

December 4

Coffee Break

Over the Edge •November 21st 2012

(CUP) — Puzzles provided by BestCrosswords. com. Used with permission.

Across

1- I smell _ !; 5- Draft org.; 8- Glacial epoch; 14- Nonsense; 15- Choose; 16- Norwegian arctic explorer; 17- Good digestion; 19- Winter vehicle; 20- Conventional; 22- Part of ETA; 23- Belief; 24- Obscuration of light; 26- Warned; 29- Blue; 32- Come with; 33- Influential person; 37- Make a trade?; 40- Start of a Dickens title; 41- Anklebone; 42- _ the season...; 43- Kenyan, Nigerian, or Congolese; 45- Heavy napped woolen fabric; 48- Assembly rooms; 53- Nabokov novel; 54- Annoyance; 58- Distant; 60- Green visor for an accountant, perhaps; 61- Cricket team; 62- Convened; 63- Draft classification; 64- A place for vacationers; 65- Howe’er; 66- Subsided;

Down

1- Bikini blast; 2- Path; 3- Colorado resort; 4- Twice, a comforting comment; 5- Fair; 6- Roasting rod; 7- Hang around; 8- Invertebrate creature;

9- Church festival of Feb. 2; 10- Brian of Roxy Music; 11- Songwriters’ org.; 12- Toothed wheels; 13- _ nous; 18- Domestic animal; 21- Arbor; 25- Billy _ had a hit song with “White Wedding”; 26- Horace’s “ _ Poetica”; 27- An item in a series; 28- Early computer; 29- Health haven; 30- Gallery display; 31- 1950 film noir classic; 32- Yeoman of the guard; 34- Obtain, slangily; 35- Israeli submachine gun;

36- Bandleader Brown; 38- Planar; 39- Convent dweller; 44- Governor; 45- Less common; 46- “Die Fledermaus” maid; 47- Domesticates; 48- Gives birth to; 49- A Musketeer; 50- Woody vine; 51- Water-repellent cloth; 52- Move stealthily; 55- Break; 56- Indian nursemaid; 57- Rejection power; 59- Egg head?;

15

16

November 21st 2012 • Over the Edge

Cornered on Campus They passed it. Marijuana is now legal for recreational use in Washington and Colorado, and Barack Obama is still president. It’s slowly happening below the border, so when will it happen here?

Over the Edge asks: What do you think about decriminalization and legalization here in BC?

Derek

Georgette

Abdullah

1st Year Commerce

1st Year Commerce

4th Year Accounting

Good! If they legalize it will mean less crime, it’s a win-win. The government will regulate and restrict while making money, and it will be out of the hands of gangs.

Jamie

5th Year Nursing

I had a presentation and it’s a big debate.

I think the issue is, Canadians don’t like cigarette smokers, but they like marijuana smokers, and it’s inconsistent. Isn’t it all smoke? Why give marijuana smokers legalization when cigarette smokers have to stand 3 meters away from the door in minus 20 weather?

It is quite a grey issue.

There’s something in the integrity of keeping it illegal, not allowing a drug to be a social norm. But it’s a great moneymaker for gangs, and legalizing would take revenue away from criminal activity. So I don’t know, we’ll see how the States do.

Suin

2nd Year Biochem/ international studies

I don’t think it’s bad because the drug isn’t bad. The problem comes in when you legalize one drug... people will want you to legalize other drugs.

It should be legalized; it’s the same category as tobacco and alcohol. As a commerce student I’m thinking about the money that the government could make off of taxes.

Brandon

5th Year Education

Curtis

1st Year Commerce

Jennifer

I don’t think it matters for the people who do it. If we legalize it, the money goes towards the government through taxes; if it’s kept illegal the money goes towards the dealers and gangs. So legalize.

Doug

4th Year Accounting

Kasey

3rd Year Psychology

It’s a positive thing.

People will do it anyways and it’s safer than alcohol.

Since we’re connected to Washington it’s an encouragement to legalize here. Get more regulation across the border.

We’d get to tax it and regulate the distribution here too.

4th Year International Studies & Political Science

I have no problem with it. So many people are doing it anyways, legalizing won’t affect how many people do it, and if it’s taxed the money can go towards education.

I’m in favor of legalization not that I do it but cause of the benefits of taxation, taking it out of the hands of organized crime. Lots of people would stop support of gangs just through happenstance. Other countries like Switzerland and large parts of Europe have already legalized it.

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