Radix Issue Three

R ADI X The University of Guelph-Humber Newspaper

Culture Shock ‘09 Monday, March 30, 2009

Shannon Vieira

A Hawaiian dancer competes at the GHSA’s Talent Show, which took place on March 19th in the Humber Student Centre. For more coverage, turn to page 5.

NEWS

LIFE

OPINION

SPORTS

GH goes green in spirit of Earth Day Pg. 3

Organic bakery provides healthy options Pg. 10

Should fighting in hockey be banned? Pg. 15

Indie wrestler endures injuries for dreams Pg. 16

News 2 A&E 5 Life 8 Eyes On 11 Biz/Tech 12 Editorial 13 Opinion 14 Sports 16

NEWS 2

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Mature students bring experience to class ZAIB ABBAS According to a population study done by Humber Sociology Professor, Jim Jackson, there has been a significant increase in the number of mature students attending Humber.

In 1978, 28 per cent of the student population was under the age of 18 compared to only about 10 per cent in 2007.

In the same year, just over half the population was under the age of 19 compared to more than a quarter in 2007.

“They’re aging because the population of our society has been aging since 1978,” Jackson said. “We’ve had a shift.”

According to a Humber staff communiqué printed in February, this trend in the aging student body shows the need for the labour force to retrain and upgrade the qualifications they have.

“There is a shift in the population of those over the age of 25, baby boomers are now retiring so they could be returning to school for non-credit course for the sake of recreation and students are returning to recertify and upgrade their area of specialty,” said Jackson.

The job market now requires that employees stay on top of and ahead of changes in their industry.

“These changes have led to more adults wanting and needing to upgrade their credentials or pursue a more dream career,” says Catherine Wilson-Cheverie, a mature student advisor from Humber’s Lakeshore campus.

“More than 50 per cent of Humber students do not enrol right out of high school” and they return to school “because of increasing educational requirements, changing life circumstances or personal growth,” according to Humber’s website.

There has also been a huge marketing effort on the part of the school, said Jackson, particularly aiming towards students and immigrants.

With the changing economic times, the recession is taking its toll.

“They can’t get a job so they go back to school,” said Jackson.

Paul Je said he made the right decision to go to Humber.

“It’s never a bad thing to go back and study,” says Je. He also says there is sometimes a negative connotation attached to mature students. “It’s that stigma,” says Je, recalling incidents where younger students had made fun of his age. “A lot of us mature students have to face that.”

Je is among two other mature students who made Humber history by contacting the Interna-

Gino Cunti

Mature students who contacted the International Space Station gather around former astronaut Roberta Bondar.

tional Space Station (ISS) with a communications system they designed and built with their own hands.

Mature student Gino Cunti was also part of the team to contact the ISS. His motivation to return to school was to make more money.

“There wasn’t much I could do,” said Cunti about life before enrolling at Humber. “I was motivated enough and I just had to get organized. I knew I could get more money,” Cunti would ideally like to

work for the Canadian Space Agency and his success at Humber in contacting the ISS has made him more employable.

However, the recent 25 per cent tuition hike proposal doesn’t help mature students and the current 5 per cent cap on tuition is going to expire next September.

“That’ll definitely hurt the low and middle-class,” said Jackson.

Wilson-Cheverie is equally troubled. “Funding is always a concern for mature students as many of them have children, homes, debts etcetera. Hopefully

the opportunities for support will keep pace with any tuition increase,” she said.

The shift in population varies amongst Humber’s three campuses. At the North Campus, 57 per cent of students have completed high school or less of an education, 46.1 per cent at the Lakeshore campus and the campus with the youngest population is the new Orangeville campus with more than 76 per cent of students with a high school equivalent or less education.

GH mingles with media moguls Students say it’s low

to raise tuition price

Media experts share advice with students

VALENTINA d’aliesio

Christine Xuereb Over 150 students were in attendance last week at this year’s Media Studies networking event, “The World @ Ur Fingertips: A media social.” Taking place in the Atrium at Guelph-Humber, students were able to network with a long list of professionals who work in the media industry.

This is the third year that this event has run at GH. “It’s about getting professionals and students together, giving them an opportunity to hand in their resumes, pick up business cards and really lay the ground work for future relationships,” said Donny Halliwell, event chair.

The event was focused around a social media trend know as web 2.0. According to the World @ Ur Fingertips website, web 2.0 “refers to activities that integrate technology and social interaction with the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio.” This is achieved by using such web utilities as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and any other social networks. “What we really tried to do this year was try to compile a theme that was meaningful to our careers,” said Halliwell.

Ed Wright, Media Studies Program Head, said he was really

Christine Xuereb

Media students met with industry professionals in the GH atrium on March 23.

pleased with the response from the students.

“There are so many people here and from all streams, everybody’s out there in full force and they’re getting a lot of great information that’s going to help them prepare for their internships.”

Students were very eager to speak with the industry professionals, “I haven’t spoken to anyone yet because there are line ups every where, but I am excited to,” says Leviana Coccia, a first year journalism student who attended the event.

The event ran from 4 to 6 pm with guest speakers from each media stream giving students a chance to ask questions and gather information on their future careers.

“I think the event is extremely well organized and I think the PR students did a good job with promoting it,” said Wright. “They have a really good cross-section of the industry here, so there is something for everybody and lots of energy and enthusiasm. I don’t think it can get any better.”

Canadian universities and colleges must consider hiking up tuition fees in order to survive the recession, said a recent report released by an education research group.

The non-profit Educational Policy Institute, based in Toronto, suggests a fee hike of 25 per cent.

This would mean an extra $1- to $2 billion for campuses that have been affected by the recession.

The money would help maintain the current quality of education during the economic crisis.

Ali DiMarco, who plans to study Broadcast Journalism at either Seneca College or Humber College in September, believes in a tuition increase only if it helps students and school services.

“Why should students entering post-secondary studies this year have to pay 25 per cent more than the ones that entered last year?” said DiMarco. “If school services are still the same then we should not have to pay more.”

A nationwide tuition hike would also mean an increase in students applying for and receiving loans. The report by the institute says there would be over 105,000 new borrowers by 2011 if the youth unemployment rate drops to 17 per cent.

“This will force more students to take out student loans, which

doesn’t help the recession situation. It just doesn’t make sense,” said DiMarco.

The report proposes that Canadian families can afford to take on the additional financial burden, despite a time riddled with recent job losses. Shelley Melanson, chair of the Canadian Federation of Students, Ontario, believes this suggestion is unfair to the middle class families of Canada.

“I think it is completely unrealistic and fascinating that [it’s] in a time in history where you’d be hard pressed to find an economist who agrees with this. This is essentially a flat tax being put on students,” said Melanson.

According to Melanson, 70 per cent of new jobs require some form of post-secondary education and there are more students than ever needing funding to help pay for schooling.

Current Guelph-Humber students, especially those in their second or third year of study, have also expressed concern over the suggested tuition increase.

“Why should I have to pay extra to finish my education?” said Christina Felekides, a thirdyear Justice Studies student. “I think that the hike in price, if there is a need for one, should be given to new students, not those who are already enrolled in the school.”

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

GH adds electives Starting this fall, students will have more selection with five new electives Michael Lockhart City Life, Sociology of Consumption, Philosophy; the same electives seem to re-appear as Guelph-Humber students pick their courses each year.

This fall, the university will offer a new group of electives in addition to the current selections. Among them is Introduction to Classical Culture, a course on Grecian and Roman society; Classical Mythology, which will examine the nature of myths; and Canada: A Regional Synthesis, a Canadian geography course. Additionally, there will be both a politics and Canadian issues course.

These five courses were part of a seven-elective proposal that was approved by the University of Guelph’s Board of Undergraduate Studies last year. Two of these courses, Post-Confederation History Canada and Leadership and Motivation were offered as a preview this year.

More electives offer opportunities to students who want to branch out of their respective fields, said Catherine Salole, Manager of Student Life, Career and Alumni Services “They add breadth to the experience,” said Salole. “I think that if there is a possibility to

take electives it can’t be a bad thing.”

GH students take fewer electives than those in other university programs because of the degree-diploma hybrid. Most universities start with more elective choices in the first year followed by core courses in the subsequent semesters. GH students, however, start their specialized courses first semester eliminating the possibility of additional electives.

“As we’ve added programs there has been demand and interest from students and the school has tried to be as responsive as possible to offer up courses that will help students in their ca-

“There has been demand and interest from students and the school has tried to be as responsive as possible” reer and educational paths,” said Jock Phippen, Manager of Registrarial Services.

Bharvi Pandya, a second year Early Childhood Education student, agrees with Phippen.

“Our university should incorporate more electives, specifically, ones based on our programs,” said Pandya.

GH students will be able to register for the new electives in the early summer for the fall semester.

3 NEWS

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Campus is a green scene GH and Humber mark Earth Week Matthew Ing It’s the greenest week of the year again and both GH and Humber are in full force.

This year’s Earth Week kicks off April 6, with many green related festivities for the entire community.

Almost every department at Humber is doing its part to observe Earth Day. “Humber is really setting the bar for all post-secondary institutions this year,” said Troy Dettwiler, president of the Humber Environmental Action and Awareness Club (North Campus). “Don’t get me wrong, other schools are celebrating Earth Week in their own ways, but everyone here at Humber is really hopping aboard to make our festivities memorable.”

The opening ceremonies will feature several guests including the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman, MPP Etobicoke/Lakeshore Laura Broten and one of the most influential advocates of environmental sciences, Bill Nye. Nye will be the keynote speaker later that evening.

Nye is a big supporter of science education and his visit to Humber is expected to be an enlightening experience for all who attend.

The next day, a panel of experts, which include governmental officials and professors from the Humber community, will discus everything from food and energy consumption to how we

Courtesy of HEAA

Members of the Humber Environmental Action and Awareness Club did their part to be environmentally friendly when they planted trees in early October.

can be better stewards with these resources.

There will be a display of green energy at Caps on Tuesday evening. Mr. Something Something, a band known for its western improvisational style, afrocentric beats and green politics, will perform with instruments and equipment powered by students. Everyone is encouraged to bring in their bicycle, which will power a battery connected to the instruments and band equipment. The students will be responsible for keeping the show going.

“Hopefully [being green] will become a recurring theme throughout the school as a lot of people are extremely passionate about the environment here, and we are all committed to doing our part,” said HSF president Mike Berg.

There will be lots of contests throughout the week. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges Humber is offering is “Humber’s 10,000 Acts of Green.” It is reminiscent of Humber-grad, George Stroumboulopoulos’ segment called the “One Million Acts of Green” on his television show The Hour. The challenge asks Humber and Guelph-Humber students to complete as many acts of green as possible and report what they have done on a website.

Berg said he is proud to see the reaction from both schools.

“They continually want to push the envelope, and I feel that if it’s the students saying that, it is the student government’s responsibility to reflect those thoughts and opinions.”

Be sure to check out the new and improved

R ADIX The University of Guelph-Humber Newspaper

online at www. radixonline. ca

NEWS 4

MONDAY, MARCH 30 2009

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Students pay for each credit Despite being at internships, students continue to pay full price for tuition DESMOND D’SOUZA For the typical University of Guelph-Humber student, paying tuition every semester isn’t easy to do. Some expect it only needs to be done seven times over a four year period and then it’s off to an internship.

Yet that isn’t how it really works. Even in the last semester of study, students at GH pay full tuition while leaving for internships.

Guelph-Humber’s media program, for example, has three strands, Image Arts, Public Relations and Journalism. All three feature unpaid internships in semester eight.

The pattern holds in other programs as well.

Paying almost $3,000 to GH while not even attending classes may seem unreasonable to some, but faculty say students do gain valuable experience.

The media studies Program Head Ed Wright says that internships are not that different from attending classes.

“Students are going out on their internships and many of

Desmond D’Souza

Students discuss prospective internships at recent GH event.

them are being exposed to the workplace for the first time,” Wright said. “So it’s their opportunity to learn in the workplace.

It’s very much an extension of classroom learning.”

Jock Phippen, Manager of Registrarial Services at GH, says the explanation for the continuing tuition fees during internships relate to how the academic credit system works.

“Tuition is driven by the credits that a student is enrolled in,” Phippen said.

“In the eighth semester of the Media Studies program, the vast majority of the students are enrolled in the internship course and the senior research project

course. The credit weight that those two courses hold is a fulltime credit weight.

“So if you’re in 0.5 credits, you would pay the equivalent of $500. Once you amass 2.0 credits or more, you are considered a full-time student and pay fulltime fees.”

The internship course that media students take has a credit weight of 1.5, while the senior research project carries a weight of 0.75.

This is almost the equivalent of the 2.5 credits media students take in each of the other seven semesters, making tuition just about the same as it would be otherwise.

GHSA postpones elections

Phippen also takes a similar stance with Wright on how internships are an extension of the classroom.

“Learning takes place in different venues. It doesn’t always mean you’re sitting in a classroom with an instructor lecturing,” Phippen said.

Phippen uses both the internship and senior research project course as an example where learning takes place outside classrooms.

While students are assigned a faculty advisor for the senior research project course, there isn’t a designated three hours of class time.

Students at GH have tuition set by both Humber College and the University of Guelph. Knowing that academic fees are based on the credit system, Humber sets the ancillary fees.

The money goes towards things such as ID cards, dental and athletic fees.

Even though students might not be at the campus, Humber still expects the services to be used.

If students still aren’t convinced, Wright uses a metaphor when speaking about the necessary experience students get when going out on internships.

“It’s like baking a cake when you mix all the ingredients,” he said. “A cake isn’t a cake, until it’s fully baked.”

HSF election results

Courtesy

New HSF President Shugufa Kaker

President: Shugufa Kaker VP of Campus Life North: Ben Rodgers VP of Campus Life Lakeshore: Bryan Tran VP of Administration North: Melissa Mendes VP of Administration Lakeshore: Kristen Arcega

Stars of our future

Voting re-scheduled for April 6 to 9 MICHAEL LOCKHART

The Guelph-Humber Student Association (GHSA) halted their 2009/2010 elections over halfway through the established process.

On Thursday, March 19 the GHSA council voted unanimously to restart the elections due to concerns that there was not enough interest from students in the 21 person general membership.

The concerns were brought forward by students and also the Humber Students’ Federation (HSF) of which the GHSA is a subsidiary.

“We have many more contested positions and many more filled by the new group of nominees, so I don’t have too many concerns,” said Sunny Dhillon, current Vice President of Operations and Chief Electoral Officer for the elections.

“HSF wanted to ensure we had a good representation of students for nominations and were concerned about having some positions that were going uncontested and positions being vacant and they also wanted to ensure that the electoral process was being done with fairness and integrity,” Rahm Derrick, one of the can-

Michael Lockhart

Sunny Dhillon is the current Chief Electoral Officer for the GHSA elections

didates running for Vice President of Activities was confused

“HSF wanted to ensure we had a good representation of students for nominations” by the sudden change.

“I wasn’t sure why it was stopped. Things were in full swing during campaign week and it seemed to be going well,” Derrick said.

Despite the setback, Derrick

is still eager to run for the position.

“I second guessed it at first but then I decided that I wanted to keep running. This position is about maximization of happiness at Guelph-Humber and I’m all for maximization.”

To ensure this a new Chief Electoral Officer and Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO) were chosen by the GHSA with the new AEO being a full-time HSF staff member.

The nomination period was reopened last Monday for the week of March 23 to March 26.

The campaign period will run from today to Friday, and the voting period will begin next Monday April 6 until Thursday April 9. Students will be sent instructions through their Gryph Mail accounts.

Taryn Black

Agha Ahmed, fourth year Business student at Guelph-Humber, gave a speech last Thursday as the Student Lecturer at Last Lecture. The event, dubbed “Stars of Our Future,” took place in Humber Lecture Theatre where Ahmed received the Michael Nightingale Community Enrichment Award.

MONDAY MARCH 30, 2009

5 A&E

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Culture shocks Guelph-Humber Show represents cultural diversity among student body

Critic’s corner

Shannon Vieira Students, families and friends were infused with diversity at the Guelph-Humber Student Association’s (GHSA) fourth-annual Culture Shock event on Thursday, March 19.

The evening took place in the Humber Student Centre, where the audience was entertained with a fashion/talent show and indulged in ethnic foods.

“Culture Shock is just one way to bring students from different backgrounds together to enjoy an evening of talent,” said Urmila Puran, President of the GHSA. The event opened with the fashion show that displayed clothing from different cultures.

Hosting were Jessy Singh and Savita Sharma. Sharma is a justice studies representative for the GHSA as well a coordinator for the event.

“We want to raise awareness for the GHSA because we hold a lot of other events throughout the year and we want students to know that what we are doing is for them,” said Sharma.

The various performers were greeted with grand applause from the audience. A belly dancer opened up the talent show with an act that left the crowd wanting more.

Next was a Sri Lankan Tamil student who danced the ‘Bharatanatyam’, a classical South Indi-

Jessica Gubert Spears wows the audience

Concert: Britney Spears SHANNON VIEIRA Rating: 4 / 5

Shannon Vieira

Urmila Puran, president of the GHSA, participated in the event she helped organize at the student centre on March 19.

an dance, with grace and passion.

The salsa dancers took the audience south of the border while the Hawaiian dancers transformed the student centre into an exotic island that drove the crowd wild. Other performances such as poetry, solo artists, break-dancing, and Bollywood dancing continued to amaze the crowd until the very end.

“This event did a good job representing the cultures on the GH and Humber Campus. The performances were very spread out

and did not represent one culture more than another,” said Puran.

Audience members also had the opportunity to enter raffles for a chance to win some great prizes.

“We had a huge candy basket that was worth over $50. We had a movie basket worth over $100; CN tower tickets, Fantasy Fair tickets for the Woodbine Centre and many more,” said Raadiyah Nazeem, early childhood representative for the GHSA and event volunteer.

Proceeds for the event all went towards at-risk youth.

“We are setting up a scholarship for the closest high school by GH to give at-risk youth an opportunity to be able to experience post-secondary education,” said Sharma.

Culture Shock took GH around the world for a night of entertainment that put schoolwork on hold, even if just for a moment.

“It was a great way to end the semester,” said Nazeem.

Vice Provost by day and performer by night John Walsh’s talents take centre stage

Album:All I Ever Wanted SEAN GRECH Rating 5/5 All I Ever Wanted showcases Kelly Clarkson’s powerful vocals that she brings to every song, like the cherry on top of a sundae. The album is a mix of country, rock, pop, and R&B sounds that will have you rocking out of your seat. Her soothing voice carries each note with grace and not only are they fun songs, but are also lyrically well written. The album will fly off the shelves proving she still has what it takes to get people to open their wallets, and for that we give her an A+. She isn’t so Low after all.

Movie: Watchmen JOHN O’CONNOR Rating: 3.5/5

MICHAEL LOCKHART If you remember your first visit to Guelph-Humber, you will probably remember a man speaking with a strong English accent, stepping up to the podium and welcoming you to the University of GuelphHumber.

This man’s name is John Walsh, Vice Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the university.

During the day, he may preside over the atrium, halls, and classrooms, but about twice a year for a few weeks, Dr. Walsh leaves his suit behind and dons a costume.

Not Batman, as you might be guessing, or Spiderman, but even better: Shakespearean characters.

“I seem to like Shakespeare plays a lot,” said Walsh. “He was the Quentin Tarantino of the age.”

Dr. Walsh has found his place on the stage playing roles in theatrical plays such as a Midsummer Night’s Dream and Death of a Salesman.

He began performing opera during his undergraduate degree. A few weeks ago, if you strolled into the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, where Dr. Walsh has acted for years, you would have found him

The circus starring Britney Spears made its way to the Air Canada Centre on March 18 and 19. Prior to her grand entrance, the audience was entertained with magicians, jugglers, contortionists, acrobats, gymnasts, and martial artists. Britney may not dance like she used to but the sexy Spears attitude was all there.

The effects ranged from a ring of fire to a magic show to an explosion of fireworks and confetti.

Spears’ entertaining show was indeed, “just like a circus”.

Sean M. Puckett

Guelph-Humber Vice Provost, John Walsh, played the role of Exeter in Henry V at the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre.

throwing medieval insults as Exeter in Henry V.

“It’s a complete and utter switch and that’s why I like it.”

“It’s sometimes funny to be taking orders from someone who is 26, ” Walsh admits laughingly.

But what is it like to go from being the head of a university to performing on stage?

“It’s a complete and utter switch. And that’s why I like it,” said Walsh. “I’m not very good but I take instructions well.”

The time commitment is something Walsh has learned to work around. “Rehearsal time for a show is about six weeks, so about 20 rehearsals for one character. I find it possible for me to leave [GH] and get there in time for the seven to nine, or seven to ten rehearsal time.”

“I manage to eat a lot of Tim Horton’s sandwiches and hamburgers in the car.”

As for advice to young performers, he says “know your lines and speak loudly.” Following his own advice, Walsh often turns to his peers for help. “I even practice my lines with the staff here. We sit around at lunch and run lines, because I do need to know them.”

As Shakespeare once said, “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Dr. Walsh has found his place on stage and in the GH community.

Watchmen, based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel, focuses on an alternate history where super heroes exist as costumed vigilantes who help shape the 20th century. Zack Snyder, director of 300, is a very “loud” director.

The movie contains over-thetop violence and an uninspired soundtrack. In terms of a faithful adaptation, Snyder has succeeded, but in terms of captivating the audience, Watchmen still leaves something to be desired.

Video Game: SingStar HEATHER BUTTS Rating: 4/5 With two microphones and a large list of great country music, this Playstaion hit is sure to get you off the couch. The disc is filled with classics from Johnny Cash to new school hits from Taylor Swift. There wasn’t a song I didn’t like or didn’t know, and I’m not even a big country fan.

This is a great change from rock band or guitar hero. Making you feel like a real country star, right in your own living room.

A&E 6

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Magic March takes Humber by storm HSF packs March with entertainers, events to mesmerize students Heather Butts Magic March had students lining up last week at Humber College’s Student Centre to see what the future had in store for them.

The three-day event kicked off on Monday with one psychic and a tarot card reader. Students lined up for over a half hour to explore their futures by getting their palms and tarot cards read.

Humber Students’ Federation representative Herla Gyshkollari was running the event and organize the long list of names.

“It’s great to see the amount of students that want their cards read, even though many don’t sign up due to religious reasons.”

Student Nancy Santos had a session with the psychic and was amazed at what she knew about her life.

“Everything she said was right on the spot. It was kind of creepy.

She told me to combine my two loves into my career job. I’ve never thought about doing it [but] I’m going to do it now.”

Ryan Quinney had a chance to get his tarot cards read. He’s always wanted to try something like this,

“I was surprised it was very accurate, kind of tripped me out,” Quinney said, adding it was really cool that the reader was able to connect the cards with his life.

The event was another instance of Humber Student Federations goal this year to create activities for one full week each month focusing on different themes. Aaron Miller, head of events for HSF, called it “a spin off of Frosh Week”.

Rather than just having one week at the beginning of the year, HSF thought having one week each month would help students ease the stress and get into student life.

Tuesday’s schedule for Magic March brought on the magic.

Students were startled and some seemed to be put to shame as Spidey the magician boggled minds.

Almost every trick involved a student volunteer and was explained in a slow demonstrative manner.

Even those watching very closely weren’t able to figure out how Spidey was working his magic. There were card tricks, photo drawings and blinded balloon hunts through the audience.

Each trick ended with the crowd cheering.

Alex Shepherd, a first-year Fitness and Health student, was spending his lunch hour when he volunteered to assist the magician on stage. Shepherd was given a book from which he could

Heather Butts

Humber Fitness and Health student Alex Shepherd (right) stepped up to the stage to help magician Spidey (left) perform one of his tricks during the Magic March that was at Humber for three days and featured magicians performing for students.

pick any page and view the last word on the page. He was asked to think about the word as Spidey read his mind. The magician wrote the word on a page, flipped it over and to Shepherd’s amazement got the word right.

Shepherd came down off the stage astonished by how Spidey was able to complete the trick. “It was so weird; I didn’t think he’d

Reality TV takes over ALEX MAVEAL

A

fter a long day of work or sitting in class, there is nothing I would rather do than set myself in front of my TV and allow my mind to fixate on the moving images before me. As of late my favourite medium that was always so easy to watch has become just a little too much to bear. It’s official; reality TV has killed my enjoyment of television, and I can’t take it anymore.

There was once a time when sitcoms and dramas flooded prime time television. This is when the revolution of reality-television occurred. The types of programs I take issue with are the Flavor of Love, Girlicious, and just about anything on MTV, VH1 or Much Music. These programs are filled with paid ‘actors’, a term I shudder to use to describe these ‘stars’. These people have in fact been recruited by talent agencies to fill such roles. Prime examples are those on shows like The Hills and The City. Even if such programs as Girlicious choose average Janes, then it is even more embarrassing that people are willing to overlook their morals, get half-naked, and knowingly

sell their sex appeal in search of instant fame.

These opportunities are made possible by the needless digital cable smorgasbord of 500-plus networks. The advantage of a world of only 60 channels is that no-talent beauties are flushed out, because only the finest actors and shows make the cut. But now, producers of the specialtychannel era are forced to fill their networks with content, which is usually irrelevant to what people need, making reality television the definition of smut.

“The quality isn’t always the best, but it’s popular,” said Ilana Gutman, professor of Film and Television at Humber College. “Producers are in it to make money, so whatever sells.”

If this is what producers think people want, they’re right. But frankly, I’m insulted. I am not suggesting that I hate the idea of reality television, because I watch it on a regular basis too.

I tune into The First 48, Deadliest Catch, The Amazing Race (although I’m a little uncertain whether this falls under the category of reality TV or game show). I like these shows because they at least provide viewers with honesty, insight, and even opportunities to learn. Offer me the Science Channel’s Survivorman,

a show that strands its host Les Stroud in an exotic location for a week, challenging him to get out alive, while teaching his viewers how he does it. If ever I find myself stranded in the Arctic hoping to catch some arctic fowl, I’ll be glad I had watched that rather than Gene Simmons mistakenly being arrested for soliciting prostitutes, when in ‘actuality’ he was researching for a new book. Useless.

Why is reality television not looked at with the same mentality? Don’t produce mock reality dramas starring underpaid Hollister retail employees, when a proper sitcom could be televised.

“There are trends in television, and I can’t see this sustaining. It has to change, because it’s like style, and style changes,” said Gutman.

One of the purposes of television was to make it possible for detailed stories from the silver screen to be shown on the small screen in as concise and inexpensive a format as possible. This format has worked for decades, but is being replaced by redundant reality shows at a choking rate.

I am overwhelmed by the amount of garbage on my television, and the relaxing act of watching it now feels like a tiring and dirty workout.

guess the word I was reading.”

After a few minutes the amazement had still not worn off.

“There is no gray area. I still don’t understand it.” Shepherd said.

Wednesday featured the last entertainer for Magic March, Sailesh the Mentalist appeared on stage to capture the attention and minds of Humber students

and staff.

Miller, who had seen the acts before said, “He’s done some crazy stuff. You’re sitting there asking, how did he do it?”

Although the Magic may be over, the next HSF events, Earth Week, is set to kick off at Humber on Monday April 6, with Bill Nye the Science Guy

Lakeshore Students bring out the laughs live at Yuk Yuk’s Alex Maveal Stand-up comedy can be nerve wracking enough, but imagine performing in front of the czar of Canadian comedy, comic pros and other heavy weights in the Canadian entertainment industry. That is exactly what second-year students in Humber’s Comedy Writing and Performance program are doing.

Students have been polishing their material in preparation of the Humber Showcase, where students will take to the stage before Mark Breslin, Yuk Yuk’s founder, and co-founder of the program that these students hope to graduate from. “I feel six or seven comics had good potential in the comedy business,” said Breslin, following the first showcase of 22 performers. However, despite his 33 years in the business, Breslin admits that even he is not always accurate when it comes to judging a performer’s potential for success.

“It’s an art, it’s not a science,” he says. “It’s so subjective, that you just never know.” The showcases which began last Tuesday and conclude tomorrow night do not have any bearing on whether or not the students graduate,

but act as opportunities for personal achievement and stepping stones for future success. “A lot of professional comics will be there to watch and critique them,” said Larry Horowitz, standup comedy teacher at Humber, and organizer of the showcases.They begin to second guess themselves, change their material, and perform stuff that they think I would like,” he says.

Students have been given five minutes to perform their best stuff to a crowd of invited judges and critics, whose comments and critiques will be used in class to help improve students’ material.

“This is the accumulation of doing stand-up every week, three nights a week,” says Deborah Primeau, jokingly describing what she had hoped to gain from the experience. “I don’t want to live in a ditch, but maybe this set will get me a tarp.” “You get to see the stars of tomorrow.” The second showcase is Tues.

Apr. 24 starting at 7:30 at Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond Street W. Tickets are $3 at the door.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

7 A&E

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

LG Fashion Week shines in Toronto 25, 000 fans of Canadian designers showed up for LG Fashion Week ALEX MAVEAL Toronto’s 10th annual Fall/Winter LG Fashion Week wrapped up last week, bringing to a close six days of cutting-edge designs by Canadian designers and proving that Canada is a fashion powerhouse.

“This has been our most successful event so far,” said Megan Loach, Communications Coordinator of the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC), organizers of Fashion Week. “It was a great event for the world market to see what Canada has to offer.”

As North America’s second largest fashion event, and largest in Canada, the FDCC thrilled more than 25,000 fans with 25 runway shows. This displayed more than 20 of Canada’s top fashion minds.

Nada Shepherd, designer and creator of NADA, gave onlookers an ironic take on the destructive nature of science and technology with her new Fall

2009 UTOPIA collection.

“I’m not anti-science and technology at all, but where is it taking us?” asked Shepherd in a post-show interview. “I think we have to ask ourselves, what is appropriate? Not what is possible, what can we do as mankind, but what is appropriate?”

By combining the old and the new, Shepherd showcased a collection that was dark, yet beautiful.

“It’s kind of that melding of the past and the present, so there’s traditional garments or fabrics with a modern edge,” said Shepherd. “We had a coat that had like the quilted-embroidered diamonds on top. It’s actually a layer of neoprene and a layer of velvet.”

The theme of Fashion Week was Show Love, which invited runway revelers to join in the celebratory support for fashion during the bi-annual event hosted at Nathan Phillips Square.

“Times have changed in regards to the economy, and it was an opportunity for the industry to come together and show love,” said Loach. “Designers were having a good time and just supporting one another.”

Any fears of the tough economic times influencing designer collections were quickly

Alex Maveal

Designer Nada Shepherd, second from the right, is interviewed by Jeanne Beker, right, from Fashion Television.

forgotten once the models took to the catwalk, as designers displayed fashion-forward styles.

“I would definitely say it was modern. It was all crisp and clean, and on the cutting edge,” said Loach. “You can look at NADA which had a very rock ’n’

roll and fierce type of feel, and I think every designer was moving forward.”

Overall, LG Fashion Week left spectators and industry insiders with many inspiring and exciting designs for the coming fall and winter seasons, and gave the

world another look at the Canadian fashion landscape.

“People and designers are wanting to come,” said Loach.

“We would like to build to the international market, and I think artists.” it’s absolutely essential to have this platform for these Canadian

From hardcore to Hot Flashes: Jason Mante JOHN O’CONNOR As an alternative to Toronto’s club scene or the usual pubcrawl, there is a monthly party in Hamilton that moves to its own rhythms.

Jason Mante, a.k.a. NIGHTS, has DJ-ed throughout Toronto’s clubs, but makes his home base in Hamilton’s Casbah Lounge, located just outside Hamilton’s Hess Village club district.

Mante’s start as a DJ was something of a risk. Previous to his work as DJ, Mante was the lead guitarist in the Oakvillebased Rosesdead, a hardcore band that focused on heavy drums and bright guitar melodies. To go from playing heavy music in front of a gang of edgy hardcore fans, to mixing top 40 hits for the Hamilton hipster scene wasn’t easy.

“When someone thinks of the Casbah they think ‘sweaty punk show’,” Mante said “I don’t blame them, that’s what goes on there a lot and it’s awesome, but we are just trying to bring a different view to that place.”

However, after the breakup of Rosesdead in the summer of 2008, Mante felt that mixing music was something he could enjoy.

“We did our last show of our band,” Mante said. “We had an after party after that, that I made kind of a mini-mix for, that was sort of like a prompt for the whole party thing.”

“We would go to dance par-

Mark Luciani

Jason Mante deejays at the Casbah Lounge during their Hot Flashes event.

ties and stuff and we found that a lot of people from the Hamilton area would be travelling to Toronto to do that,” Mante said.

“We came up with the idea of trying to bring that fun party vibe to

something in Hamilton, but make it something different from what is already being offered in Hess Village.”

With a good response from friends and fans, Mante, along

with his fellow band mate Cole Stephenson, decided to try promoting their band at club nights once a month at the Casbah Lounge, the very venue they used to play rock shows with their band. Beginning in August and picking up steam every month, the pair knew they were on to something. The duo debuted the brand ‘Hot Flashes’ under a parent organization appropriately called ‘You Need To Party’, and began promoting a monthly party that appealed to an audience they had already gathered with their band.

Trying to create a new clubbing event so close to the thriving bar scene in Hess Village didn’t come easy.

“I didn’t make a dime off any of them…until the last two [in February]” Stephenson said.

“You have to pay your dues you know, it’s a lot like a being in a band in that sense.”

But feedback from friends and fans gave the pair the confidence they needed to keep pushing it.

“Everyone had a really good time and people came up to us and said we should party like that all the time,” Mante said. “And we thought, well why don’t we?

Why does it always have to be a hardcore show? We took it from there.”

Creating a party for your friends to go to is one thing, but making sure they will have a good time can be a whole different story.

“I was pretty nervous because, they’re your friends, you care what they think,” Mante said. “It might have been different if it was a bunch of people I didn’t know. I would have been less nervous.”

While Mante and his band were experienced with promoting punk shows, they understood that creating a party experience was going to take something different.

With several financially successful Hot Flashes parties under his belt, Mante has expanded his horizons to DJ-ing clubs throughout Toronto. But he notices a different vibe amongst partygoers in Toronto, as opposed to his home base in Hamilton.

“It’s a place that has just so much going on already, it’s hard to have such epic nights every time,” Mante said. “It’s got its ups and downs, I have really awesome nights and some not so awesome nights.”

With the popularity of the Hot Flashes events growing every month and the You Need To Party brand planning to expand outside of Hamilton, Mante stresses what makes their parties different.

“It’s just genuinely us trying to have a really good time.

I think people can sense when things have genuine intentions.

We’re not trying to do anything other than just get a bunch of friends together and go wild once a month.”

LIFE 8

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Get the most out of your summer job Choose a summer job that’s fun and rewarding

Try these summer jobs If you:

Stephanie Gonsalves As winter semester winds down, university students are on the search for summer employment.

The hunt for the perfect job is a very competitive venture as everyone hopes to be working in an exciting field.

People want to do something they love, though not everyone is lucky enough to land their dream job. Surprisingly, ideal work is what the employee makes of it.

Working in a warehouse may not be the most glamorous, but Colin Elvis, a third year GuelphHumber Business student, said it was quite enjoyable.

“I was hired as an order-picker for Home Depot. They needed a great deal of help, so I worked long hours. It was really good because I made a lot of money,” said Elvis. “The majority of employees were people my age, so we spent a lot of time joking around, and that made the days go by quickly.”

Megan Provost, a third year Kinesiology student at Queen’s University, thought her job in sports field care and maintenance for her hometown was going to be boring and monotonous – she did not expect it to be as cool as it was.

“I looked after soccer fields and baseball diamonds. I had to drive trucks and tractors,” said Provost. “It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. The people were good to work with and it was such a relaxing envi-

... want to get a tan: - landscaper - lifeguard - construction worker ... like kids: - camp counsellor - nanny/babysitter - tutor ... want extra cash: - server - bar tender - tour guide

Stephanie Gonsalves

The easiest way to get on the road to summer employment is to refer to the classified ads in your local newspaper.

ronment for most of the time. I enjoyed going to work and spending my summer break outside.”

If people must spend the better part of their summer days working, then they must choose to have an optimistic mindset.

According to Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell, authors of the Workplace911 column, enthusiasm can create a positive attitude in the workplace.

As some students recognize, an unexpected perk of any summer job is networking.

“I get the chance to meet so many people; professionals and fellow employees,” said Stephanie Eldridge, a second-year

media student at the University of Western Ontario. Eldridge is returning to a Golf Services position at the Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville for her third summer. “I don’t mind having to wake up at 4 a.m. to drive shuttles. I get the chance to speak with lots of people, making friendships and creating connections that may come in handy, all while being in an enjoyable atmosphere.”

Building relationships in any job is advantageous. The experiences a person has with certain acquaintances looks good on a resume and is beneficial when looking for a job in a desired ca-

reer field.

To some, making money is what needs to be done, and it does not matter what job they work. Henry Whitfield, an English student at Dalhousie University, worked many summers at a Price Choppers grocery store.

“Working there was kind of boring, but it was easy enough and something to do,” said Whitfield. “I got the money I wanted in the end.”

Whether it is for the money or to meet new people, students may find enjoyable jobs in the most unlikely places. As Eldridge noted, “the environment and friendships made each

... are sociable: - cashier - receptionist - sales associate ... want to work in PJs: - online surveyor - telemarketer - data entry clerk ... want to drive fancy cars: - auto detailer - personal driver - valet attendant -- Stephanie Gonsalves shift enjoyable and the summer months memorable.”

Student housing made easy: don’t be afraid, negotiate Renting during the school year shouldn’t be such a challenge jordan vanden dool

For many students, the search for off-campus housing can become more than a headache, but with a few tricks of the trade finding the right fit is easier than some might think.

What to look for, what to avoid and where to begin.

These are the questions students’ ask themselves and others when starting the search for the perfect pad.

“For students looking to rent it can be really difficult to know where to start. Look out for any improvements that have been done to the house within the past five years. This will no doubt help out with your utilities bill,” said Matthew Regan, a real estate agent with Royal LePage.

Suggestions from professional realtors can help give students a leg up and offer insight into renting that most students often wouldn’t be educated enough

themselves to know.

“Find a property with new windows and it looks like the landlord has put thought into the house that he’s providing,” said Regan. “Don’t be afraid to speak up and negotiate with the landlord, this is something students often fail to do.”

Students who have already been through the process of the hunt for off-campus housing probably have some of the most valuable advice to offer.

“Do lots of research, you can never be too informed when it comes to the landlord/tenant rules. Also the sooner you start looking for places to rent, the better choice of places you’re going to have,” said Jamie Monteith, a Humber marketing student.

“I remember looking online for an apartment and this girl was renting out her apartment saying it was a two bedroom.

My roommate and I went to look and it turns out the second bedroom was her closet sized living room,” said Sarah McMahon, a student resident of Toronto.

Since both Humber and Guelph-Humber are known as

Jordan Vanden Dool

Students should ask questions, do their research, and compare prices before settling into their new homes.

commuter schools, living accommodations can range anywhere from across the campus to downtown Toronto. Because of this, landlord rules can change drastically depending on local.

“Landlords tend to assume that because we are young we know nothing. They think they can charge us for anything and we won’t know the difference as first time renters,” said Monteith.

Along with professionals and classmates, parents can act as great sounding boards for any questions or concerns.

Even if they act as a last resort in a sticky situation never underestimate the wisdom of any previous renter.

“Talk to your friends or family who have rented before, they can be helpful with tips for the home, or even what to look out for,” said Monteith.

Whether you live on Bloor

Street or Humber College Boulevard, the rules never seem to change. Take your time, look around, compare and don’t be afraid to speak up.

“Never be afraid to bargain with your landlord, something students really fail to do. Don’t underestimate the power of persuasion,” says Regan.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

9 LIFE

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Inexpensive getaways for the summer Cheap yet fun vacations for student budgets VANESSA FREITAS With summer vacation soon approaching, dreams of trips abroad and Caribbean getaways may have students planning to dig holes in their wallets. Keeping to a budget is important, especially while in a recession when funds for fun may be getting low.

Brian Kelly of Flight Centre travel agency suggests booking a flight ahead of time.

“Book as early as possible.

You can take advantage of early booking bonuses,” said Kelly.

By planning ahead, agencies not only offer more options, but also more time to pay for a trip.

“If you book early enough you can put a deposit down and then final payments are usually due about 60 days out,” said Kelly.

Choosing the right destination is important.

“You can get really good prices to Cuba and the Dominican and the rest of them just start

going up in price. [These] are the most popular because they are better priced.”

However, students do not need to feel restricted to travelling by plane. Taking the train is an alternative. VIA Rail offers student discounts like the youth fare, eligible for people between the ages of 18 and 25. It grants a 25 per cent discount on economy class tickets.

With an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), fulltime students of any age can receive discounts on all trains year-round.

“It gives, I believe a 35 per cent discount,” said Barbra Busse of VIA Rail. “These cards are sold at most Travel Cuts travel agencies, and sometimes on campus.

Cards usually sell for about $16.”

The Canrailpass gives students 12 days of unlimited travel within a period of 30 days to anywhere in Canada. The price of the Canrailpass ranges between $518 in off-peak season and $831 in peak season.

“VIA Rail also offers, say from Toronto to Montreal for a student, what they call 6-paks, which are six one-way trips. For a student it would cost $415.80 including tax, which works out to about $69.30 per trip,” said Busse.

Vanessa Freitas

By planning ahead and booking summer vacations early, students can save money and have a great time.

For an affordable vacation abroad, consider backpacking through a particular set of countries, only needing enough cash for a plane ticket and minor expenses. Matt Reider of Canuckabroad.com believes backpacking is cost-effective.

“Backpacking is much cheap-

er than conventional travel,” said Reider. “You can stay in hostels or very low-budget accommodation [such as] camping or sleeping in huts. Typical expenses really depend on where you’re going, for how long, and what activities you’re doing.”

Reider said the biggest group

of backpackers are students and points out that with an ISIC card, they can redeem discounts in many countries worldwide.

Students do not usually have the liberty to spend on whatever they choose, but with careful planning and enough savings, dreams of going away can be-

Students have different views on having a good time Whether it be at clubs or pubs, students at GH know how to party

in to a club,” he said. “Then you need to book bottle service if you even plan on wanting somewhere to sit.”

In contrast to often noisy and crowded clubs, low-key bars typically have plenty of available seating “and most even of-

MARNI ZARETSKY Partying is a common aspect of student life in post secondary environments and most college and university campuses have pubs on school property.

From downtown clubs to the local student lounge, there are many opportunities for students to socialize in different settings than were available in high school.

“The environment is much different [than high school],” said first-year Humber College student Avi Dinar. “When you go to school with people who are legal [age], you want to be able to go out and party with them.”

Even though Caps, the Humber pub, is both lively and conveniently close, there are plenty of other places to go in the metropolis GH and Humber students are surrounded by. With the school’s location being so accessible to Toronto, students often opt to go closer to the city or even downtown for a night out.

“There are so many places to go downtown,” said second-year business student Sergei Modelski. “Raves, clubs, pubs; you name it.”

Deciding on the city may not

“We are starting to see more bars with live music and dance floors.”

Marni Zaretsky

With different atmospheres some students prefer clubs while others prefer pubs because of their casual setting.

be hard but picking a place to go can be. Students often debate between a comfortable pub with obtainable seating and live music, or an upscale club with loud beats and bottle service booths.

“It’s so dark and I can never hear anyone [in a club],” said former Humber student Paul Celestini. “How are you supposed to meet someone or hang out with friends under those conditions?”

While nightclubs may be great

for showing off a new outfit or cutting a rug, a pub environment caters to a more casual crowd.

Clubs usually have a dress code that restricts clothes like running shoes and hats. More upscale places won’t even let guests wear jeans or a t-shirt. Bars on the other hand rarely have a dress code.

While most bars are free of charge, cover prices for a club can range from $5 to $25.

Geoff Chan is a floor man-

ager at Brix Napa Valley Grille and Wine Bar, a mixture of fine dining cuisine, full service wine bar and live entertainment. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with live bands and DJs playing for a packed dance floor on weekends. Chan said people are more likely to choose a bar because the price of going to a club is getting too expensive for a student budget.

“It already costs enough to get

fer a late night menu,” said Chan.

These kinds of places are instant attractions to students as they offer the lively club atmosphere in a very social environment.

“We are starting to see more bars with live music and dance floors,” said Chan. “They offer the best of both worlds for a portion of the price.”

Even with the combination of turntables and chairs, diehard club goers often say that it is hard to top a good DJ and a packed dance floor; a sort of sweaty sophistication (for the acquired taste).

One thing post-secondary students tend to agree on is whether they’re ballin’ with bottles or simply hanging with friends, a night on the town and a drink in hand is often a nice break from the stresses of schoolwork.

LIFE 10

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Making it a joyful ride for everyone Sara Pimentel

I

t’s no secret, Humber is a major commuter school. Staff and students from across the GTA travel to the school daily, whether it be by car, taxi, or the infamous shame train, otherwise known as public transit.

Of course, like any other transportation service, there are rules. But the ones I’m talking about aren’t the standard “no smoking, no pets, no skateboard” rules. They’re a whole different set of unofficial guidelines riders should follow.

Though the friend you’re speaking to on your cell might care about the guy or girl you brought home from the bar last night or about the bitch in your psychology class, the 60 yearold-woman sitting next to you and the business man across the aisle most likely won’t.

“What I hate most is when people are talking so loud they’re yelling, whether it’s someone on a phone or talking to someone beside them,” said Robyn Black, a fourth-year Early Childhood student who frequently travels on Mississauga Transit.

The bus is a place to gather thoughts and relax. Speaking loudly on the phone can be distracting and annoying to other

riders. So please remember the cardinal rule we all learned in kindergarten and use your indoor voice when on the bus.

Speaking of things we learned as children, it’s amazing how selfish some people can be. When an elderly man, woman, or a parent with a stroller gets on the bus, the civil thing to do is give up the front seat for them. Reggie D’Souza, a Mississauga Transit Bus Driver, announces to passengers to give up a seat when parents with children or elderly people arrive on the bus. It’s important for these people to have a place to sit while travelling, but it’s not important for your bag, purse or briefcase to have a seat.

I am aware of the anti-social world we live in and understand that sometimes it’s difficult for someone to sit beside a fellow human being for half an hour.

Apparently, some people think this is a good enough reason for them to rest their bags on the seat in order to repel other passengers from sitting. A bag is an object; its feelings won’t be hurt if it gets put on the f loor or in your lap.

These are the ‘rules’ that should be obvious to all commuters; but clearly they aren’t.

It boils down to a simple matter of the respect we must remember when we commute. This is to ensure that everyone, including yourself, has a peaceful bus ride.

Sara Pimentel

A commuter violates one basic rule of bus etiquette. Instead of giving your bag the extra space, give it to other riders.

Organic bakery caters to diets “Peachy” the baker offers alternative, nutritious treats Zaib Abbas On a busy street in Brampton, the smell of freshly baked bread and a sweet and salty aroma welcomes customers in to Pilar “Peachy” Yutangco’s bakery, Organic Oven.

The bakery specializes in gluten-free, wheat-free, dairyfree, flour-less, sugarless, eggless, vegan and diabetic-friendly delicacies.

A cake made with no f lour, sugar or eggs may seem out of the ordinary, but according to Yutangco, it is possible and is also a healthy alternative, especially for the sweet-deprived.

“It’s not only being diabetic, some people are allergic to sugar or sensitive to sugar,” said Yutangco.

Trained as a chemical engineer, it was baking that was Yutangco’s real passion. Even before she opened her first bakery in the Philippines, she would bring baked goods to her office and dream about the day when she would have a bakery of her own.

In the summer of 2001 af-

ter immigrating to Canada, her dreams became a reality when Organic Oven opened its doors to the public.

With news of an organic bakery spreading, people came to Yutangco asking what she had to offer.

“Some people thought if everything is organic then maybe they have what we want,” said Yutangco.

People who were lactose-intolerant or allergic to something like wheat often came to Yutangco with high hopes.

“Some people come with their list of allergies,” said Yutangco. “I have files of allergies here, papers and papers of allergies, so we started creating new recipes.”

They have even stopped using milk and use rice milk instead. They also don’t add any preservatives and advise their customers to eat their goods right away or freeze it for later.

Yutangco is always listening to her customers and a year after she opened her first store, began making gluten-free and vegan goods, among other specialty orders. Gradually, the business began to bear fruit.

Even her facility and future facilities are gluten-free.

In 2005, the City of Brampton

recognized Organic Oven as part of their Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. They received the award for Emerging Business and have since been featured in many newspapers and magazines. They received all this without any formal advertising.

“Our growth became exponential in the last three years because people spread the word, our customer spread the word,” Yutangco said. “I have customers coming from Pickering, Ajax, Niagara Falls.”

Customers also come on a regular basis from as far as Barrie and Elora, she said. “I have customers from day one.”

Organic Oven is still growing and “perfecting the taste of healthy baking” as their slogan says, with more variations of products and a new location in Toronto at 3189 Yonge St., north of Lawrence Ave. Yutangco is looking forward to opening the Toronto café and in the future she also plans to open a location in Oakville where there is a significant market.

They are also currently hiring for various positions and are set to open in early April.

For more information or special orders, go to www.organicoven.com.

Healthy camping Stephanie Gonsalves As summer approaches, it will soon be time to bust out the camping gear. When heading up north for a few nights of nature and relaxation, it is important to pack all necessary items – including nutritious food.

“My kids always remember to take lots of alcohol and junk food, but don’t even think to bring any proper foods to eat,” said Diane Jacob, mother of a 21-year-old daughter and 19year-old son.

“They don’t realize they can’t just go through the cupboards or run to the store if they get hungry.”

Convenient foods are great to bring on a camping trip.

“I try to send them with a cooler full of pre-cooked hot dogs and other items that are fairly easy to cook and make part of a good meal, like instant rice and canned corn,” Jacob said.

Nutritious snacks are critical as well. Be sure to pack an assortment of light weight, healthy, on-the-go foods that can be thrown into a backpack when you go on hiking trips or boating excursions. Such items include fresh and dried fruits, pre-cut vegetables, gra-

nola bars, and everyone’s favourite trekking partner; trail mix.

You may have brought plenty of food, but do not forget to bring along the appropriate gear to cook with.

“You should bring a fire grill, a frying pan, and a large pot for all your basic cooking needs,” a Canadian Tire employee in the Sports and Recreation department, Jordan Medeiros said. “They can all be used right over a campfire or a burner.” Medeiros also suggests to pack appropriate cooking utensils.

A surefire way to dampen a camping trip is a raid from unwanted visitors. To avoid attracting animals, lovetheoutdoors.com recommends “keeping food stored away or up above ground level.”

When preparing for your next camping trip, keep simple meals in mind and make sure you have covered all your food needs. In the case that you happen to run out of food, be sure to always pack a fishing rod. Fresh fish is easy to catch and cook.

For recipes on how to cook fish while camping check out ht t p://campi ng.lovetok now. com /O pen _G r ill _O utdoor_ Cooking_Recipes

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

11 EYES ON

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Students take advantage of the break Jobs and internships during summer helps students gain experience in their industries Brenda Ha

Students in post secondary schools are constantly being reminded of the moment they graduate and enter the ‘real world’ to pursue their career aspirations. The closer students come to graduating, the more stressful it can get - but this can be easily avoided.

Karen Fast, Manager of the Career Centre at Humber College, advises students to volunteer, intern, and work in their field of choice and she says to do it as early as possible.

“I think there’s nothing more important then getting related experience,” said Fast. “You need to be building your portfolio all the way along. You need to show [employers] that you’ve been building this base of knowledge.”

Many students at the University of Guelph-Humber are getting a head start in their field by making use of their summers to work with a company related to their career aspirations.

Truth to post-grad rumours?

Lindsay GrovES

The recession has plagued the minds of a lot of students and it has forced many to take a deeper look at their futures.

With graduation comes the pressure of getting a job, yet continuing with grad school could mean extra work with little benefits in the end.

“Too many students these days seem to be doing their M.A simply because they think they have to, or they have no idea what they want to do,” said Nick Cameron, a fourth year student at the University of Western Ontario.

Cameron graduates from Western in April, and has been considering his options. He was dedicated to the idea of grad school a few months ago, but is now debating the idea.

“I’ve been second guessing grad school because I have been looking at other career options.

Ones that do not require a research intensive year, which grad school is,” said Cameron.

In these uncertain economic times, rumours concerning the pros and cons of grad school are circulating among undergrad students.

“I’ve heard people who have their master’s have to ‘dumbdown’ their resumes. They are

Sohail Ali, a transfer student completing his Business Administration classes at GH, has worked at Enterprise Rent-ACar for the past two years. Ali said the skills he has learned in school have helped him apply his knowledge at work.

“I learned how to manage a place so whatever I learn here [at GH], I have to apply there at work,” said Ali. “If you have some experience before graduating, it’s a bonus for you. And because you know more about the field, it’ll be easier for you and the company.”

Students at GH are not waiting for their fourth year to do their internship and are getting work-related experience as early as their freshmen year.

Hailey Zysman got her “break” in her industry the summer of her first year accounting for Frank Risman and Associates. She will be going back to the same company this summer and is happy to have had this opportunity.

“It was a good landing experience because I got to see what it’s really like in the real world,” said Zysman. “It’s going to benefit me because now I have practical experience. I got to do a lot of the work that I’ll be doing in the future.”

Of course, even before heading out to find your internship, it overqualified and no one can afford to pay for their level of education,” said Cameron.

Lorena MacDonnell, a second year University of Toronto student, has also heard rumours about post-grad students. She knows someone who “has her master’s in Business, and she’s working at Tim Horton’s,” said MacDonnell. “That’s scary.”

Adrienne Roston, owner of Brazen Careerist, a website that helps companies locate hard-tofind candidates, warns students in her blog: don’t dodge the recession with grad school.

“A recession is typically a good time for graduate schools.

Their application pool goes up because people see them as safe shelter from the storm,” said Roston. “The more desperate you are for a job, the more likely you are to take a job that doesn’t teach you what you want to learn. And then you get to that job and you think, ‘Grad school could solve this problem.’ But, in fact, grad school creates larger and more insurmountable problems such as avoiding adulthood.”

However, Ontario universities have received additional government funding for 3,300 more master’s and doctoral students between now and 2012.

Perhaps young people are running for shelter, believing it’s better to be a starving student than a poor worker. While rumours continue to swirl, students will be forced to make their decisions.

“Whether I go to grad school or join the RCMP, I’m learning something new,” said Cameron.

Brenda Ha

As students leave for the summer break, experts suggest using the time to build on portfolios and improve job resumes.

is important to properly prepare your resume and cover letter.

“Be very clear so the employer knows right up front it’s an internship you’re looking for.

Don’t make your objective line vague,” said Fast. “Don’t make your cover letter too long; short and sweet is way better. What

“...experience before graduating, it’s a bonus for you” you’re trying to do is match the

employer’s requirements with your background.”

Fast advises students to keep the choices wide open. Look broader, opposed to searching for a specific job title. A portfolio is also ideal because it produces tangible evidence of your experience for employers

As graduation approaches students question where to look for jobs Matt powell Graduation is quickly approaching. Fourth year students are finishing internships and thesis papers, anticipating that ceremony that has been four years in the making. But, it’s what comes after that really matters.

“It is frightening,” said Taryn Gibb, a fourth year photography student. “I’m confident in my knowledge, talent, [and] experience that I feel I’ll be able to find a job relatively soon. It just may be a different job then what I actually would like in the end.”

Graduates will find it especially hard to get jobs this year.

Canada has lost 213,000 jobs since October. Hiring projections are down – for most industries at least. However, there still may be hope.

A number of job outlook surveys continue to surface, and can be accessed online. In Canada, the Manpower Employment Outlook survey is most frequent, providing accurate information regarding current hiring markets and also where and where not to look for jobs.

According to this year’s fall survey, the economic downturn has changed the hiring market’s outlook for 2009 graduates. This

Matt Powell

Guelph-Humber offers career guidance to graduates trying to start their career.

year, 1,900 Canadian companies were surveyed, all in different sectors. About 15 per cent of those surveyed expect to continue hiring into late 2009. Meanwhile, 73 per cent of those surveyed expect to maintain current workforces.

While there is still a window of opportunity of about 15 per cent, it’s important to understand where the jobs are within that percentage of companies still hiring.

Data released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 2009 showed new hires have decreased from just over 20,000 to about 19,000 between August 2008 and October 2009.

The construction industry

anticipates the largest decrease in hiring (down by about 19 per cent), while government jobs have flourished – increasing by almost 20 per cent.

Some students are still landing dream internships, like University of Toronto female studies student, Laura Fraser, who will be working for MTV this summer as a researcher. She says networking is key for students to get noticed.

“I knew someone who knew someone else who worked at MTV, so I got her contact info and went from there,” she said. As for her last words of advice for students, she said “Networking is huge. Use all your contacts wisely.”

BIZ/TECH 12

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

E-books popular choice for book worms These convenient, compact, portable devices could replace paperbacks erika Faust The Wireless Reading Device (WRD) sounds like some kind of high-tech super-book straight out of a science-fiction novel.

However, it’s not as futuristic as it seems.

Last month, Amazon released the Kindle 2, an updated version of their original WRD, the Kindle. It is the size of a small paperback, as thick as a magazine, and weighs 10.2 ounces. Don’t let its small size fool you; the Kindle 2 has the capability to hold more than 1,500 books, as well as newspapers, magazines and blogs. Users can access 230,000 titles in the online store, and download them wirelessly from their Kindle 2. Wired magazine called it “the best e-reading system on the market.”

Michael Walter, a graduate student at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, owns a first-generation Kindle and is beginning to prefer reading his Kindle over traditional books.

“I usually read three or more books at the same time. It’s nice to not have a bunch of books to haul around,” Walter said.

As is often the case with new technology, Canadians have to wait for the good stuff to come.

According to an article in the Toronto Star, the Kindle is not available here because Amazon has not yet signed with a Canadian Internet Service Provider.

Since one of the major selling points of the device is users’ ability to wirelessly download books, internet access is vital for this device.

George Bragues, Business Program Head at Guelph-Humber, said he believes it will be two or three years before the Kindle 2 is available in Canada.

While people wait, the choice is to continue to read paperbacks and hardcovers, or try to satisfy their inner techno-geeks with the technology that is available right now.

The only electronic reading device currently available in Canada is made by Sony. The company released the latest model of their simply-titled Reader in November 2008. The newest model, the PRS-700, is very similar in size and appearance to the Kindle. However, the Reader has only about a quarter of the space that the Kindle has. Mac users should note that the eBook Library, the computer program that comes with the Sony Reader, is only compatible with Windows.

Janet Pilby, a librarian at the North York Public Library, said she does not think WRDs will ever completely replace books.

“I think it will all find its own balance,” Pilby said. “Certainly people still want to read fiction in a paperback form.”

Bragues, on the other hand, said he thinks that WRDs will “take away from the paper market” within the next decade. As surprising as this sounds, he pointed to another popular device.

“Fifteen years ago, people never would have thought they could carry their whole music library with them to the gym.

These things happen faster than

Courtesy of Sony Canada

The Sony PRS-700, which costs $300, is currently the only Wireless Reading Device available in Canada.

people think.”

Walter said he hopes WRDs will replace textbooks. “If textbooks ever get on them in a big way, the weight savings alone will pay for them.” He said portability is a big factor, especially for students. “You can take all your books with you to the coffee shop and work on whatever comes to mind.”

Providing students with textbooks on their Readers is something that Sony is looking into.

“It’s just a matter of working out a deal with the publishers,” said

Candice Hayman, a public relations representative for Sony.

Students can still use the Reader for school purposes, since the device supports many different file types. “If your professor makes notes available in a Word file or PDF or other accepted formats, you can download notes onto your device.”

WRDs are making their way into the mainstream market very slowly, and price may be part of the problem. The Kindle 2 sells for $360 – the price of several textbooks – and the steep price

may be what’s holding some consumers back. Though the Reader has much less memory space, it sells for only $60 less than the Kindle.

Bragues is optimistic about the future of both traditional books and electronic readers.

“I think they will coexist – the market is definitely growing for digital reading, but I don’t think they will ever completely replace books. There’s a place for both.”

Economic turmoil sends travellers packing Recession turning people off flying Megan Rowney With job losses on the rise, a worldwide recession and dire economic conditions, Canadian companies and leisure travelers are reconsidering business trips and vacations.

The International Air Transport Association has reported business and leisure travel has dropped 5.6 per cent compared to last year. In addition, the world’s 230 airlines have all seen passenger and cargo flights decrease this year as the current economic situation worsens.

“That’s not surprising,” said Mallory Wielgosz, a former Travel and Tourism Management student at Humber. “Many people don’t have enough money to take a vacation to begin with, but now with our economy the way it is, it makes sense that there would be a decrease in numbers.”

The IATA also reported that

Megan Rowney

Smaller planes such as the Air Canada Jazz at Pearson International Airport are being used more frequently. This is a result of the 5.6 per cent drop in travel from last year reported by the International Air Transport Association.

overall passenger demand is down, and revenue for February and March 2009 is expected to drop 20 per cent, with an overall drop of 14 per cent in 2009.

Many airlines are being forced to offer discount prices in hopes to better their passenger demand

and revenue.

“The only reason I went on vacation was because they were offering a really good deal,” said Melissa Coombs, a second year fashion arts student at Humber College who went to Cuba in the February. “Otherwise there

would have been no reason for me to go.”

With the decline in flight popularity, the IATA reported that airline stock prices fell 28 per cent in February and an overall 42 per cent since the beginning of 2009. The IATA represents

airlines such as Air Canada, British Airways, US Airways and United.

“It’s a tough business,” said Business Program Head George Bragues. “It’s very competitive.

When you fly a plane your costs are the same whether there are five people on the plane, or if the plane is full.”

Recently, investors in WestJet have sent stocks down 56 cents on the Toronto stock market.

Since the beginning of 2009, WestJet shares have dropped 28 per cent. In comparison, Air Canada’s stocks have declined 59 per cent in the same time frame.

“When it comes to stocks and the economy you should keep trends in mind,” said Bragues.

“WestJet in particular has seen some recovery, but in general, when the economy is down, business will be down.”

Air Canada recently cut 2,000 jobs and seven per cent of its seating capacity while WestJet has reported a 46 per cent drop in its fourth-quarter earnings in 2008.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

13 EDITORIAL

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

GH students finally set to hit the polls Students may not be aware of everything the GHSA has to offer them

Election time is upon us at the University of Guelph-Humber.

Beginning on March 30, the student body has the opportunity to vote and elect the new GuelphHumber Student Association team for the 2009-2010 school year.

Students often hear about the GHSA but what does the organization, consisting of 20 elected Guelph-Humber students, actually do?

Students should be confident that the GHSA works effectively for and by the students. Formerly known as the Guelph-Humber Student Council, when it was founded nearly seven years ago, the two main priorities of the GHSA are to advocate for the student body and organize all events going on around the school.

Funded by the Humber Students’ Federation, the GHSA acts as the middleman between students’ and administration. It gives a voice to students who may think they do not otherwise have the clout to do so. Elected members of the GHSA can talk to the appropriate people and work out a compromise that both sides can be satisfied with.

The GHSA is made up of four

executives including the President, Vice President of Operations and Finance, VP of Activities, and VP of Academics.

Within each of the 8 programs, two program representatives are elected to represent their respective program.

All programs are given a $500 budget that the representatives can spend according to program needs and events. Students are encouraged to speak with program representatives, to let them know what they want for their program and find out how they plan to budget the money.

Next year the position of Vice President of Operations and Finance will become three positions: the VP of Communications, VP of Operations, and VP of Finance. This will be done to allow the association to run more efficiently.

The nomination period has been postponed from the week of March 2 to 10 to the week of March 23 to 26, due to the lack of student intrerest. The situation is unfortunate because it reveals apathy among students at Guelph-Humber.

With two new positions availabe next year it is important for students to get involved. The GHSA makes decisions for the school. As students themselves they look out for students’ best interests and can benefit the entire student body.

Young people generally do not take an interest in elections

Paul Dellapenta

Urmila Puran, the current GHSA President, will hand over her position to a new candidate at the end of this year .

because they feel that their vote is too insignificant to make a real differance.

We here at the University of Guelph-Humber are fortunate enough to have such a small number of students. This translates into your voice being more likely to make a differance.

Once the candidates are selected the campaign process begins

on March 30 and continues to April 3. Voting will then begin on April 6 and continue to April 9. The elected students will be announced on April 13.

The GHSA relies on the student body to run as an efficient organization. We encourage students to make full use of what the GHSA offers to ensure that it continues to run as an effective

Word Has It...

“What are your plans for summer vacation?”

Megan McCormick, second-year Marketing Admin.

“Going to the cottage in Wasaga Beach”

Jolene Brincat, second-year Early Childhood

Gen Shapira, J.D Henvey, Nadia Guicini, first-year Image Arts second-year Business second-year Public Relations

“Working with the City of Brampton”

“Taking an elective “Work Work at Ryerson in the Work” spring”

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kelsey Riley MANAGING EDITORS Paul Dellapenta Ashley Foley PRODUCTION EDITORS Kristine Mason Kavita Sabharwal ART DIRECTOR Sasha Munsami

PHOTO EDITOR Taryn Black ONLINE EDITORS Mark Millard Melissa Reber NEWS Kristin Feddema Thomas Hurst Corey Johnson Stephen McCann Christine Xuereb

R ADIX The University of Guelph-Humber Newspaper

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Carmen Brosseau Jacqueline Redmond Rita Silva Alexander Young The Guelph-Humber Radix is a publication of the Univeristy of

Guelph-Humber Media Studies program.

205 Humber College Blvd.

Toronto, Ontario M9W 5L7 Phone: 416-798-1331 ext.6337

“Travelling, maybe to Cyprus”

student voice.

On March 30 go vote and become an active member in the Guelph-Humber community to ensure you, the students, get what you pay for.

Students can check out the GHSA website at http://www. ghsaweb.com/index.shtml. For more information.

Corrections In the last issue of Radix, the names of Humber Hawks assistant coach Dean Wylie and sports reporter Desmond D’Souza were misspelled.

Radix regrets the error.

Don’t forget to visit us online! www.radixonline.ca

OPINION Stefania Bartucci Andrew Patrick

EYES ON Christina Coughlin Sarah Frank

LIFE Alexis Coronado Yentl Lieuw Bianca Teixeira Karla Wobito

SPORTS Sara Dipietro Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb Marc Valeri Michael Weissman

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY John Paterson Daniel Ponzini

FACULTY ADVISORS Salem Alaton Pierre Hamilton Kimberley Noble

OPINION 14

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Recession affecting working students Students’ part-time hours get cut

MATTHEW ING

L

ess work hours mean less pay. People across the United States as well as Canada are being laid off due to the invisible bandit known as the recession.

It has hit down hard on average hard-working people from automobile workers to the recently laid-off Eddie Doyle, face of the famous Bull & Finch Tavern in Boston which was the inspiration for the hit show, Cheers.

By this time, I know I’m not the only one being hit by this nationwide recession. At first I thought it wasn’t going to be such a big thing and that it mainly affected our southern neighbours.

Was I ever wrong.

Now I’m not saying that within the next month, we’re going to walk outside and see complete and total chaos. Cars running red lights, fruit vending carts toppled over or trees crashing through homes. These are incidents the recession can’t be blamed for.

Factors such as a declining U.S. economy, and tumbling oil prices, lead some forecasters to predict this recession will go right into 2010.

Of course we all know what this means. It means for commuters, gas prices are going to rise, which is a huge burden for students here at Guelph-Humber. Some of us may even need to stop the next time we think about buying an extra box of Froot-Loops.

Stores and businesses are coming up with marketing gimmicks to help aid their financial woes in this time of turmoil. For instance, advertisements are being posted up, promoting cheaper prices just in time for the recession.

I received an email from a friend a few weeks ago. She recently started her own hair salon and has even dropped her prices due to the economic slump. The title of the email read “Come and Get Your Recession Hair-do’s!”

Another great promotion is the one that the legendary rock band U2 is doing. It enables you to snatch up tickets for their upcoming 360 Degrees Tour for a low price of $30.

But aside from thinking of the downturn from the merchandisers’ and consumers’ points of view, what about those of us that work part-time jobs? As a retail worker, I’ve noticed a huge drop in work hours each week. To start off, with school, I can only work four days a week. The rest are devoted to attending classes and getting my assignments done. For three weeks straight I was only receiving one shift a week. And of course this affects my financial stability as a student, as I am working to pay off

As the recession continues, students find that they now have less money to spare.

my bills and with a lack of shifts and hours, it’s going to be harder to do so.

Bader Chowdry, a first-year

“...forecasters to predict recession will go right into 2010.”

Business student at GH, said “I work at Future Shop and used to do around 30 hours a week and now it’s down to 12. There also used to be three store managers

and now there’s only one left.”

You can’t exactly blame your manager either, since they have to assemble the schedules according to the company’s budget.

And once again, with less people shopping due to the recession, there’s less money circulating, most of which won’t make it into your pocket.

So with a set-back in work hours, many students like myself are thinking and even being forced into finding second, or in some cases, third jobs.

In terms of a resolution, there’s only so much we as students can do.

In this dog-eat-dog world, if someone isn’t willing to do some-

Matthew Ing

thing, there’s about 100 more who will. All that this means to your employer is that they’re going to have to find someone willing to do the job that you chose not to do, for the same price.

Everyone is experiencing some sort of anguish in the recession. In the U.S., President Barack Obama promised to help get them out of their recession, and we can only hope that he along with our government can do the same.

Amongst all this there is one thing that us part-time working students can look forward to: minimum wage increases to $9.50 at the end of this month.

Gutfeld’s emailed apology is not accepted Say it in person or don’t say it at all PAUL DELLAPENTA

“I

sn’t this the perfect time someone invades this ridiculous country. They have no army.”

“I didn’t even know Canada was in the war.”

“This is not a smart culture.”

“They’re getting manicures and pedicures, everyone needs a little time off.”

These were just some of the statements made on the putative satirical humour show Red Eye last week on Fox. The segment, broadcast on March 17th, saw host Greg Gutfeld, heading a panel of other commentators, mock the Canadian military for its proposed decision to take a year off to repair and regroup after they return to Canada from the war effort in Afghanistan.

The mission’s planned ending is in 2011.

Last Monday, Greg Gutfeld

issued an apology for his tasteless actions on the show. It came in the form of an email.

Gutfeld needs to take responsibility for his actions, and issue a proper apology on behalf of Fox and his show.

It does not take much to issue an apology in an email and it shows the true character and unprofessionalism of Gutfeld, along with his band of ill-informed guests.

The apology was an embarrassment to Canadians and Americans and should not suffice as a sincere gesture of regret.

In the email, Gutfeld writes, “I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women, and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.”

Gutfeld suggests in his email the comments made on the show were misunderstood. I suggest thousands of Canadians understood them very well. It was a pathetic excuse to try and rectify a situation and sweep it under the rug. It brought to mind the childish, “I’m sorry that you’re stupid,” apology.

Gutfeld claims the show takes the form of satirical hu-

mour and what was said should not be taken seriously. Let me be the first to say that I am all for satirical humour. The news media is filled with so much negativity that it is a relief to hear some comedy injected into it. I find it a relief to hear shows such as This Hour has 22 Minutes, The Rick Mercer Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and all the late night talk show hosts provide their audiences with every day.

However, Red Eye’s attempt at satire falls to an unbelievable low. Making fun of the Canadian military after 116 soldiers have died in Afghanistan is not satirical humour. In fact the segment was aired just days before four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan.

However, it is important for Canadians not to paint all Americans with the same brush. Gutfeld’s show does not speak on behalf of the entire country.

In fact there has been many apologies on several social websites—such as YouTube and Facebook— from American people expressing their anger over the show’s subject matter. Gutfeld, his panel of guests, and Fox News should be ashamed.

Greg Gutfeld’s show “Red Eye” not so satirical after all.

Paul Dellapenta

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

15 OPINION

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Is fighting in NHL getting knocked out?

Death on ice reopens debate JORDAN VANDEN DOOL

F

or most people, especially Canadians, when people say hockey they think fight. However, after too many close calls and one death on the ice, officials are being forced to once again re-evaluate the rules surrounding safety of the game and its players. Some people are wondering if hockey should just eliminate fighting altogether.

When 21-year-old Don Sanderson died in December as a result of striking his head on the ice during a senior-league hockey game, the spotlight was once again on fighting in hockey. Regulators for the minor leagues made a stricter helmet policy for players, demanding their straps be buckled and tightened at all times. Meanwhile, the NHL commission has been debating how to tighten the rules of fighting in professional hockey without losing

Jes Woj

Men’s recreational hockey leagues can be just as fast-paced and violent as the NHL. fans and money.

A medical survey was conducted recently on players who suffered concussions as young athletes as opposed to athletes who had never suffered from a concussion. The results showed that damage to the head as a youth increased the risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia for adults.

These new medical results demanded the attention of athletes and sports administrators nationwide.

As a varsity athlete I know that injury and insult are part of the game. However, when a sport condones, teaches and even celebrates behaviour that is reckless and dangerous a line must be drawn.

Fighting in hockey is not only unnecessary but it takes away from the main ideal of any athletic competition: sportsmanship. Hockey officials both in the big leagues of the NHL and here in our minor leagues, the OHL, need to take a stand and push for stricter rules and harsher penalties.

It’s simply unacceptable to allow a player to lose his composure and lash out physically against another competitor. What is even more intolerable is that coaches have specialty players whose main job in the game is to ‘enforce’. A hockey player who gets into a fight gets at most a slap on the wrist and a fiveminute penalty.

With discussions still in the works concerning major league hockey some professionals believe the problem needs to be fixed at the bottom in the minor leagues and eventually work its way up. Regardless of who fixes the problem of fighting first there is no argument that fighting on the ice offers any sort of a positive influence. If you want to see two grown men duke it out I suggest you see a boxing match.

Fighting is unacceptable, period, and hockey shouldn’t act as an excuse. To allow fighting in a sport is to take away from the very lessons it’s designed to teach: composure, respect and cooperation. In my opinion fighting in any sport should be forbidden. It doesn’t take a commissioners group to figure that out.

TTC: Tired-eye Transit Commission Jaywalkers an easy target The TTC provides a comfortable place to take a nap

JENNIFER SANASIE

T

BRENDA HA

I

t’s 10:30 a.m. and as I ride the TTC to school, I see at least three people in my peripheral vision napping until their desired stop. There is the ambitious sleeper who tries really hard to stay awake by struggling to fight their falling eyelids. There is the deep sleeper who slowly tips over, as you’re watching them anxiously to make sure they don’t tip right over onto the ground. And then there is the prepared one who seems to have the whole TTC napping routine planned out: they’re sprawled out in the corner, head supported by the window ledge of the train, and mouth open, possibly snoring. This is the sleeper that makes you so jealous that you want to wake them up just so they can suffer like you.

I am a long-time rider of the TTC and can say with confidence that my best naps have always taken place in a TTC bus or train. I block out the world with my iPod to help set the mood.

The smooth ride on the road or in a tunnel helps relax my mind.

Then as I lay my head against the window, my eyes slowly close and I’m out.

Not only is it the best place to nap, the TTC also looks out for you to make sure you never

Brenda Ha

Often riders find themselves dozing off on their daily commute. miss your stop. No matter how sleepy you are, there will always be something that will wake you up: the abrupt stop of the train or bus, the chatter of a group of loud teenagers, or even when someone accidentally nudges you after taking a seat.

As easy as napping sounds, there are strategies and tips to get the most out of your experience.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a 20 to 30 minute nap “provides significant benefit for improved alertness and performance without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep.”

A nap rejuvenates your body and mind to help you perform better for the rest of your day.

A study was performed at NASA on military pilots and astronauts, and it was discovered that a 40

minute nap improved performance by 34 per cent and alertness by 100 per cent.

The National Sleep Foundation advises that a nap that lasts more than an hour or two forces you to oversleep, leaving you to wake up more tired and feeling worse than you did before going into your nap.

So there’s no wonder why my naps on the TTC have left me feeling my best. I take the subway for 20 minutes and then a bus for another 30. I have two opportunities to take that perfect nap, which I never take for granted.

With these precautions in mind, what should you do before you rest those eyes? Set an alarm of 20 to 30 minutes to avoid over sleeping? Ask your roommate to wake you up? Of course not, silly. You take a trip on the TTC.

he City of Toronto has gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of pedestrians. There are countdowns at crosswalks and intersections, there are illuminated signs at crosswalks that are not at intersections, and to top it all off the city has even put zebra stripes on the road where pedestrians can cross.

Despite all these efforts to make sure people don’t get hit by cars, for some reason almost every single time I am driving at night at least one person decides the best idea for them is to cross the road, wearing all black, right in front of my car.

Now, it is highly unlikely every time I’m on the road I happen to encounter at least one person with a death wish, so when did pedestrians become so cocky?

I do my fair share of walking in the city, and have also done my fair share of jaywalking; there is a smart way to jaywalk and a not so smart way. The smart way would include looking both ways; this

should come naturally since parents have been engraving this life lesson into children’s minds for years. A smart jaywalker might also try to limit the illegal activity to daytime hours only.

But, if you just can’t wait to cross at a crosswalk during the night, just look both ways; it is hard to miss a pair of beaming lights coming right for you.

Maybe I’m being too hard on the jaywalkers of the night.

Maybe they’re in a hurry. But most would agree that wearing all dark colours in the middle of the night while running across a street like the cat burglar is stupid. I thought our common goal was to arrive alive.

The City of Toronto has made it so convenient for pedestrians to cross the street.

It may take 30 seconds longer to wait at a crosswalk, or to find an intersection, but isn’t it worth it? Cars are not always going to come to a halting stop, and when they do, it could be too late.

If crosswalks, intersections, and zebra stripes still aren’t your thing, remember next time you go out for a nighttime stroll to wear a neon jump suit. Both you and the driver of the 3,000 pound vehicle hurtling toward you will be grateful.

SPORTS 16

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Guelph-Humber

RADIX

Suave laying the smackdown on his dream Local wrestler grapples with life’s obstacles to live out dream career marc valeri One thing that many of us will never be able to say is that we have lived out our childhood dreams.

That won’t be the case for Sebastian Dastranj, who makes a living kicking ass across the country.

Dastranj, who juggles wrestling, school and a part-time job at the same time, has been wrestling on the indie circuit for almost three years under the name ‘Sebastian Suave.’

“I knew I always wanted to do this, as soon as I was exposed to wrestling at such an early age,” said Dastranj. “My parents forbade it. I could only watch it if I promised not to become a professional wrestler.

“I trained behind my parents’ back for a long time – four hours travel, four hours of training, four days a week. There were so many obstacles, I didn’t think it was possible.”

Dastranj, a product of Squared Circle Wrestling, lives his dream, but at a steep price.

“Wrestling hurts,” he said.

“Right now, I have two jammed thumbs, an injured rotator cuff, and I have a knot in my back.

Wrestling takes a toll on your body.”

‘Sebastian Suave’ is what the wrestling industry calls a ‘heel’; a persona that is intended to anger the crowd. The more you hate him, the better he does his job.

“You create people’s reactions and emotions, and there’s no bet-

Courtesy of Sebastian Dastranj

Sebastian Dastranj, better known as Sebastian Suave in the ring, finishes his opponent with ‘The Suave Effect.’

ter feeling than putting people on an emotional rollercoaster.”

Dastranj currently works for a number of organizations, but his home company is Blood, Sweat and Ears (BSE).

Dastranj has made countless sacrifices. Luckily, he’s had help from friends and family along the way.

“I’ve had to sacrifice just about everything. School took a hit, I missed key classes. I saw my girlfriend maybe once a week if I was lucky with all the training and shows. You’re always on the road,” he said.

“Money is tight because of training, attire, seminars and stuff. You have to go out of your way to get someone to remember your name down the road.

“I’ve been on the road a lot, three-to-four days a week, 200

plus days a year. Anywhere from Sudbury to Montreal to Detroit. I’m trying to attain my dream.”

One thing that Dastranj is asked about is the validity of wrestling – is it real or fake?

“It’s not black and white. It’s real inside a fake show. The beauty is not knowing what’s real and fake,” he said. “Especially at real shows compared to TV, it’s a big difference for fans and their reactions. If the wrestler’s job is done right, they will captivate people and suspend their disbeliefs.

“Think of it as a good movie – you know it’s fake, but when the actors are doing a really good job, you forget that you’re watching a movie.”

Dastranj recently recovered from a broken-and-bloodied nose after getting kicked in the face. He also had his head

Landis Doyle sets the bar high KARINA GUTIERREZ Standing at six feet tall, Humber Hawks women’s volleyballer Landis Doyle packs a mean punch, or spike rather.

However the twenty-year-old, middle blocker was not always a volleyball player.

“I played recreational soccer first,” Doyle confesses. She played both soccer and volleyball simultaneously for a while back in elementary school. In the end, Doyle chose kneepads over cleats.

“My soccer coach made me pick between soccer and volleyball, and I chose volleyball and I think I made the right choice,” said Doyle.

Doyle first started playing volleyball in grade four on the school team. Then in grade eight, she started playing club volleyball. “That’s where I attained most of my skill,” she said.

Doyle continued with club volleyball until she turned 18. She still plays against girl teams from University of To-

shaved after losing a hair-versus-hair match.

In order to better his physique, Dastranj recently upped his diet and workout regimen.

“I always try to take advantage of workout opportunities.

I hit the gym between classes all the time, four-to-six times a week,” he said. “Since wrestling is big on wrestler presentation and physique, you have to look the part.”

Dastranj, whose nickname is “Your Savior”, has had a lot of success in the business, including numerous championships in the Great Canadian Wrestling (GCW) company.

“In my first year, four of your five matches will suck.

I’m my own biggest critic, and I’ve only liked four or five of my own matches ever to this point.

Indoor soccer teams tamara jovic

Karina Gutierrez

Humber Hawks’ Landis Doyle started playing volleyball in grade four. ronto, which can be considered club volleyball, but this type of game ends at college level. Currently, Doyle does not actively participate in other leagues.

“I do play beach volleyball, but in the summer time,” admitted Doyle, who plays on a provincial team for the Ontario Volleyball Association.

Doyle’s favorite part of volleyball is the sensation of being on a team.

“It feels like you’re on your

side of the court, and you’re so dependent on the players around you. It’s not like soccer where you can just take the ball by yourself, in volleyball you have to play as a team,” Doyle said. “You have to be close with your mates in order to be successful.”

Doyle has two years of eligibility remaining in her Hawks volleyball career. She’s transferring to the graphic design program in September.

“Education is key; you really need something to back up when your wrestling days are over. No one can predict the future, so if something happens, wrestling won’t be your only way to make money,” he said.

Suave has wrestled WWE legends The Honky Tonk Man, as well as Brutus Beefcake. Superstars such as these, Dastranj says, is what got him addicted to wrestling in the first place.

“WWE is somewhat like real wrestling. A lot of wrestling is based off WWE, since it’s the biggest promotion,” he said. “Only a portion of the show is what you see in the ring. There’s a lot that goes into it – creating storylines, designing the matches, the working out and diets. There’s a lot that goes on backstage and upstairs.”

WWE has gotten bad press from the tragic deaths of Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. Pro wrestling organizations have now implemented steroid testing policies to ensure that no one is on the juice.

“I personally haven’t seen steroids on the indie circuit,” Dastranj said. “It’s more of an issue at bigger level where the money is. All wellness policies, like WWE’s, are legit and real; they’re definitely taken very seriously.”

The wrestling world was again stirred by Mickey Rourke’s performance in The Wrestler.

Dastranj says the film was very accurate in portraying the life of a wrestler. He still says, however, that he wouldn’t trade his job for anything in the world.

“It’s easily the best decision of my life to take up wrestling,” he said. “It’s my passion and love.”

The men’s and women’s indoor soccer teams worked their way to the nationals with a tremendous season.

“We have really good chances and a great team, we have to capitalize,” said Melissa Migliazza, a midfielder for the women’s varsity team.

The Humber women’s soccer team struck gold, while the men’s team took home silver medals.

“It’s a short season, there is no room for mistakes,” said Adriane Finelli, the assistant coach on the women’s team. The women are 3-0 for the season so far and heading to provincials.

“Definitely we are the team to beat,” said Finelli.

On March 9, the men’s and women’s teams played well at the OCAA indoor soccer regional’s that took place at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

The men finished with a 2-1 win over Georgian and Confederation, but were unable to get

by Sheridan. They will move on to the provincials as the numbertwo seed in their division.

The women were even more successful than the men’s team.

They beat Georgian, Sheridan and Confederation, and will move on to the provincials as the team to beat.

For the entire season, the women have medaled in all their tournaments.

At the Centennial tournament on January 17, they won silver, and on February 14, they won gold, defeating Fanshawe 2-0 in the finals.

Finelli says that she has been with the team for the last four years, and her expectations continue to rise. “We’re really counting on returning players,” she says.

Humber will be hosting the CCAA’s this November.