Valentine’s Day costly It shouldn’t be all about the money. Page 4 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
SPOKE
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM
Varsity teams battle it out Basketball and volleyball teams see action. Page 8 49TH YEAR — NO. 5
Skiers attempt Guinness record BY MIKE TURCOTTE
Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort played host to the Canadian Ski Patrol on Feb. 3 in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most snow angels made at once, participating simultaneously with many other ski resorts across Canada. Kao Saechao, assistant patrol leader at Chicopee, and also a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol, spearheaded communications with Chicopee to see if the resort was interested in participating in the event this year, to celebrate Canadian Ski Patrol Day. The result was an overwhelming turnout of 624 participants at the Chicopee location. “We are a national organization of volunteers who provide advanced first aid at the hills and rescue services. Two years ago we celebrated our 75th anniversary, and to help raise awareness for the ski patrol, we decided to try and break the record for snow angels,” Saechao said. When asked why they chose snow angels, he said, “Because we are kind of seen as the guardian angels of the hills, for people in need.” At least 15,851 participants were needed in order to break
PHOTO BY MIKE TURCOTTE
Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort, along with other resorts across Canada, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for most snow angels created at one time on Feb. 3. the old record. Chicopee CEO Bill Creighton said, “I thought that if we could hit over 200 people here participating, I would be happy. I think 624 people is an awesome place
to jump off at, and I think we might even get to a thousand next year.” Previous attempts to break the record have fallen short, and alas, this one did as well. Only 7,058 angel-makers
participated. Despite this, the highest club turnout in the past was just over 400 participants, so with Chicopee having over 600, everyone was happy. When asked to summarize
the events of the day, both Creighton and Saechao called the experience “epic.” More information about the Canadian Ski Patrol can be found on their website at www.skipatrol.ca/.
BY LUCAS HUTTERI
and gender-nonconforming individuals. A CSI report stated, “Being able to safely use a public restroom isn’t a privilege – it is a right. Furthermore, alluser restrooms aren’t only for transgender people. There are many people who don’t identify as transgender but do not appear stereotypically male or female and may experience harassment in gender-specific facilities. “Non-gender-segregated restrooms would also be helpful to fathers caring for their daughters or mothers caring for their sons. In addition, disabled people who have a caretaker of a different gender to assist them in restrooms benefit from nongender-segregated facilities.”
CSI advocating for a more inclusive campus
PHOTO BY LUCAS HUTTERI
Conestoga Students Inc. wants gender neutral restrooms on campus.
Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) has proposed a new campaign to create a more LGBTQ2+ inclusive campus at Conestoga College, as well as raise awareness for sexual assault. “We will be working collaboratively with the college to implement this campaign and hope to begin within the month,” said Aimee Calma, president of CSI. First the student association will advocate for access for students to gender neutral restrooms on all campuses. They want these restrooms to be accessible to all students regardless of gender and the plan is to have them in addition to gender segregated restrooms in order to provide a safe space for transgender
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
NEWS
Page 2 s SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, February 12, 2018
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
What is your phone wallpaper?
SUPER BOWL PARTY AT THE VENUE
“A lion.”
Sam Al-Malaika, second-year welding and robotics
“A photo of the sunset in Hamilton.”
Noah Ecker, third-year accounting
“A coastal beach.”
Wilfred Evertsz, third-year international business management
“Palm trees.”
PHOTO BY AUSTIN WELLS
Venue staff and Conestoga students watch the Super Bowl as part of the Venue’s Super Bowl Party event, which offered full food and drink services, giveaways and complimentary snacks.
Steph Fournier, human services foundations
BIG SKILLS LEAD TO BIG GAMING PRIZES
“An oil painting.”
Steve Haller, third-year accounting
“A bottle of Courvoisier cognac.” Michael Morrone, first-year business foundations PHOTO BY PETER SWART
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
Ten finalists competed in a video game tournament for a grand prize of a video worth $10,000 produced by Astrodog Media. For video story, see www.spokeonline.com.
Monday, February 12, 2018
2018 Grammys stirs up controversy BY VERONICA REINER
The 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on Jan. 28 at the Madison Square Gardens in New York. This year was different as it commemorated the Time’s Up and #MeToo movement, with stars wearing white roses to show solidarity and empowerment. However, this year caused controversy as there was a noticeable lack of female winners at an event that celebrated equality. The event did celebrate the #MeToo movement in several ways. The celebrities who wore a white rose or all white clothes included Lady Gaga, Kesha and Cyndi Lauper. Kesha also performed her ballad Praying. Other singers who performed included Camilla Cabello, Julia Michaels, Andra Day and the Resistance Revival Chorus, a collective of women who sing protest songs. However, R&B star Bruno Mars swept the top categories, winning album, record and song of the year, and Kendrick Lamar won five
of the awards. The lack of female winners was criticized despite the show promoting a message of equality and solidarity. This controversy was expressed in various news outlets, including the Washington Post and by using the hashtag on Twitter #GrammysSoMale. In further controversy, Neil Portnoy, Recording Academy president, said women need to “step up” in response. Others called for him to step down after his comment, leading to its own hashtag. Rapper Iggy Azalea suggested next year’s Grammys be boycotted. “That was not the point I was trying to make,” said Portnoy, in response to the controversy, according to The Guardian. He issued a second statement announcing a task force would review “every aspect of what we do as an organization and identify what more we can do as an organization and identify where we can do more to overcome the explicit barriers and unconscious barriers that impede female advancement in the music community.”
CSI hoping to introduce a visual advocacy campaign CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
A “bricks and mortar” safe space is also a topic in the proposal. Two options for where this space would be located on campus would be the A-wing staff lounge (2A601) or B-wing staff lounge (1B19). Students who need a place to feel safe and accepted could use the space, which ideally would be stocked with resources and a peer-to-peer support member. CSI is also advocating for the college to review and revise college policies and procedures, including using the pronouns they/them/their to ensure that someone’s gender is not assumed or implied. This would ensure those who don’t identify as either gender will be respected. Next on the proposal is a sexual assault awareness campaign. “Conestoga College has been strong in creating a Sexual
Assault Policy and Procedure on campus over the past year, but we have yet to truly create awareness of sexual assault and how to prevent it. We must continue to be a proactive college community and be hands-on by creating awareness to break the stigma of speaking about sexual assault,” says the report. CSI is also looking to introduce a visual advocacy campaign. It would ensure no vulgar or offensive language is used and also clearly communicate the simple message of consent and that no one owes anyone sexual favours. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness, remove the stigma of sexual assault and encourage victims to speak up about the abuse they suffered. CSI aims to continue to represent students of all backgrounds with this proposal and make the campus a safer place for all students.
NEWS
SPOKE s Page 3
PHOTO BY REBECCA SOARES
Conestoga College’s Bookstore has everything from clothes to cups, and, of course, textbooks too. It is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bookstore offers different price points BY REBECCA SOARES
Not all establishments consider their relationships with students. Some stores don’t offer student discounts or the discount only saves the students a few dollars, but that isn’t the case with Conestoga College’s Bookstore. “We keep in mind that students have a budget and we try to offer lots of different price points,” said Grace Sham, Bookstore communications specialist. Conestoga students also have the option to purchase new textbooks for a fresh copy or used textbooks for a cheaper alternative. Besides books, the store offers a wide variety of products such as clothing, games, electronics and stationery. “I’m not sure what percentage of our sales is not book-related; however, I think that percentage is still small
relative to book sales,” Sham said. While the Bookstore’s revenue and focus is predominantly book sales, that doesn’t mean it’s the sole priority. “We run different promotions and sales (on non-book related items) throughout the year that students, staff and faculty can take advantage of,” Sham said. “Different promotions and events see different discounts on different products. However, I try to put clothing on sale more often as I know that is what seems to be popular with students and staff.” For students interested in purchasing clothing representing their respective programs, the Bookstore offers default and custom options, though the custom options have conditions attached, according to Mary Bomber, an employee at the
Bookstore. “We have a large variety of products that we believe students on campus would enjoy. We even have a ‘Your program, your way’ clothing line, which is where students can get customized Conestoga wear for their specific program. They just need 12 or more people to place an order,” Bomber said. The Bookstore is very student oriented and is constantly ensuring they are supplying what the students need throughout the year. “We have worked hard to bring in a good mix of what students are typically asking for, which included conducting surveys last year to find out what students were looking for. We do consider what students ask for, but we need to make sure there is enough demand for new products before we can bring them in,” Sham said.
NEWS
Page 4 s SPOKE
BLOOM RESTAURANT REOPENS
Feeling the love this Valentine’s Day BY JOSH PEDERSON
PHOTO BY MELISSA HORTON
Chef Gini Bechtel stands in the kitchen of Bloom Restaurant, located at Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus, the day before its reopening. For video story, visit www.spokeonline.com.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Love is in the air. Decadent chocolates and cuddly stuffed animals line the shelves, all a sign that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. For some, Cupid’s holiday is a blessing. Those under the spell of love use this day to show their affection toward their significant others, often with small, yet thoughtful gestures. Those who aren’t so lucky to have that special someone in their lives often associate Valentine’s Day as one of sorrow, or it being simply just another day on the calendar. Regardless of relationship status, Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday in western culture and, as is with most holidays, corporations have turned it into a money grab, hoping individuals want to go the extra mile to impress their partner. Looking at the prices of gifts this February, it may be better to go with a homemade, inexpensive, thoughtful gift as opposed to store-bought options.
Take a stuffed teddy bear for example. Buying one is a popular choice, yet even medium-sized bears can run upwards of $50. Or maybe you are thinking of showing your affection with a beautiful bouquet of roses? Think again, the prices of these will be a real thorn in your side, with some companies increasing their profit margin by over 100 per cent. When it comes to gift giving, it truly is the thought that counts and with prices skyrocketing on tacky little gifts, it may be better to substitute those roses and teddy bears with a more personalized approach. Also, when it comes to this holiday, everyone’s idea of the perfect, romantic occasion can vary. “My ideal Valentine’s Day would probably be going to the Keg because it is my favourite restaurant and then finishing up the night by cuddling up to some School of Rock,” said Lauren Granger, 19, a Guelph resident. “For me, I would say getting tickets and going to a Toronto Raptors game would be the perfect date idea,” said Connor
Hertel, 20, a Conestoga student. Some staggering numbers about the holiday of love can be found on the website StatisticsBrain. According to it: n The average annual Valentine’s Day spending is $13.3 billion. n The number of Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually is 180 million. n The average number of roses produced for Valentine’s Day is 198 million. n Fifty-three per cent of women say they would end their relationship if they didn’t get something for Valentine’s Day. n The average number of children conceived on Valentine’s Day is 11,000. There is no better time to show that special someone how much you care about them than Valentine’s Day. If you have been waiting for the perfect time to tell someone you are interested in them, now is the time to reach out and show that person what they mean to you. Who knows, you might just get the answer you’ve been too nervous to hear.
PHOTO BY JOSH PEDERSON
Lauren Granger, 19, holds a Valentine’s Day-themed teddy bear prior to the Feb. 14 holiday.
NEWS
Monday, February 12, 2018
SPOKE s Page 5
The internet made you eat what? BY TYLER MEDEIROS
Throughout the years there have been many dangerous fads that have injured or killed the people who participated in them. The Tide Pod challenge is the current fad of 2018 and we have already seen about 40 cases of people ingesting the detergent pod in Canada. In 2016 anonymous users online started posting jokes about Tide Pods looking like Fruit Gushers, the children’s snack. However, it wasn’t until late 2017 that people actually took the joke one step further and started to eat them. Tide Pods include ingredients that are toxic when ingested. These substances include hydrogen peroxide, ethanol and polymers. Ingesting them can cause coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and drowsiness. “Children and adults need to be aware that eating one of these pods can leave lasting effects like breathing problems and a decrease in stomach bacteria that could affect them for many years,” said Dr. Elionora Sofronova, a family physician at the Boardwalk Medical Centre in Waterloo. There have always been dangerous trends that have involved putting things in
your mouth but most of those fads involved substances that were at least edible. “I remember the cinnamon challenge where kids would take a spoonful of cinnamon and try to eat it. It was still dangerous but at least it was something people could eat without poisoning themselves,” Sofronova said. Many people are now asking questions about why adults and children are doing this. Most people think it has to be a joke. CounsellorDaniel Rzondzinski of KW Counselling Services said, “In my opinion, it comes from the need to fit in or the need to have attention. By participating in this challenge, they are showing their peers that they are in on the newest and coolest sensations that are going around. On the other hand, people who are brushed off or even those who are adventure seekers want to show off and have their five minutes of fame.” He added, “People often struggle to find their own path in life and are sucked into things by peer pressure. At a younger age, people are also more concerned with their physical image but also their social image. I think many of them do these kinds of challenges
INTERNET PHOTO
According to Consumer Reports, detergent pods have posed a major health risk since 2012. . because they think it will boost their social image and make others think that they are cool or brave.” Dangerous fads have been around for many years and
INTERNET PHOTO
Some stores have put Tide Pods under lock and key to indicate that this is a dangerous substance that should not be eaten.
show no signs of going away. If you know of someone ingesting or who has indicated they might ingest a laundry detergent packet you should urge them not to.
If someone you know has eaten one of these packets you should call your local poison control centre at 1-800-2689017 or if they are having trouble breathing, call 911.
COMMENTARY
Page 6 s SPOKE
Monday, February 12, 2018
Additional parking garage not needed BY AUSTIN WELLS
Last week, reports were released that Kitchener officials plan to build a sixth parking garage in the city, despite the other five being underused. One of the newest lots reported 36 per cent monthly occupancy, while the market garage reported a 52 per cent occupancy. The industry average for occupancy is 86 per cent. These low numbers should be reason enough to drop the project, yet the city persists with plans to build a new parking garage that will cost millions of dollars. City officials have already gone over budget on the ION rail transit project, which has cost over $860 million so far. The construction and scope of the project is extremely significant. Once construction is complete, if all goes according to plan, the ION Rail and bus systems will allow easy transit between Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Additionally, the regular Grand River Transit bus systems are being upgraded, with a loadable tap card for payments being considered. With all these transit upgrades, what’s the point of adding more parking garages? Generally, the point of upgrading and installing a transit system is to cater to people without cars, or eliminate their use. Considering all the work that Kitchener City Council is doing for the future (beyond ION, council is working to upgrade the Kitchener-Toronto GO Train rail and schedule so that it can run daily) toward making Kitchener-Waterloo more accessible via public transit, the insistence on these underused parking garages just seems unnecessary. If council has the best interests of Kitchener citizens in mind, there are far better uses for the money, such as offering compensation to business owners who lost money during LRT construction. The parking garages that exist in K-W are underused, so constructing a sixth one just doesn’t make sense. Instead, council should continue to focus on the upgrading of the transit system. When complete, if it leads to a population boom and residents start to demand more parking, only then should it be considered. The views herein represent the position of the newspaper, not necessarily the author.
Letters are welcome Spoke welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be signed and include the name and telephone number of the writer. Writers will be contacted for verification. No unsigned letters will be published. Letters should be no longer
than 500 words. Spoke reserves the right to edit any letter for publication. Address correspondence to: The Editor, Spoke, 299 Doon Valley Dr., Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4M4
Many people consider Don Cherry to be a clown.
The time has come to take Cherry off the air I grew up in a household that loves hockey. Hockey Night in Canada was a huge part of my childhood, even though I never really had a huge interest myself. I grew up looking forward though, to Don Cherry, and always seeing what kind of suit he might wear that night, or his forward and blunt opinions on things. However, there have been times over the years where he has crossed the line, and I think there is only so many times you can forgive someone for being insulting and rude on national television, before things need to escalate; nobody should be untouchable. Cherry recently made a comment during his segment about how only “cuckaloos” believe in global warming. This isn’t the first time either, having called David Suzuki a “left-wing kook.” Now, I love the way that society has started to change thanks to millenials starting
Mike Turcotte Opinion
to take over, where people are more open to new concepts, ideas and beliefs. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there is a fine line between entertainment and comedy, and being arrogant and insulting. Cherry is a wonderful man and a great entertainer, but crossing that line is not entertainment. If Cherry was anyone else, he’d have been canned on the spot, but because of his long-standing history of being outspoken on just about every topic, it’s become acceptable for him to act like this on television. This is preposterous really, and sets a perfect example for how rules are only applicable when people want them
to be, and aren’t REALLY applicable to everyone equally. If the CBC really wanted to play fair, Cherry should be taken off the air, just like anyone else would be if they aired similar views. I write this with a heavy heart, as I always enjoyed watching the man, but at this point I think enough is enough. I think if perhaps more had been done earlier about things like this, maybe it would not have come this far; but there is no sense in crying over spilled milk as we all know. Maybe we should be blaming the CBC, not Cherry, for not riding Cherry about his rants sooner. But maybe it is a moot point, since those who watch Saturday night hockey probably don’t want to hear someone rant about global warming in the first place. One thing is for sure, if his ratings dive, he will be shown the door, even if he is Don Cherry.
SPOKE
IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: Taylor Pace Assignment Editor: Austin Wells Advertising Manager: Christina Jonas Spoke Online Editors: Mike Turcotte-McCusker, Josh Pederson Production Manager: Christina Jonas
Photo Editors (print): Lucas Hutteri, Tyler Medeiros Photo Editors (online): Veronica Reiner, Peter Swart Social Media Editor: Melissa Horton Circulation Manager: Becky Soares
Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1B23, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4.
Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694 Email: spoke@conestogac.on.ca Website: www.spokeonline.com
The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Conestoga College. Spoke shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the amount paid for the space. Letters to the editor are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or typed; a MS Word file would be helpful. Letters must not contain any libellous statements.
FUN & GAMES
Monday, February 12, 2018
SPOKE s Page 7
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of February 12, 2018
Aries
March 21 April 19 You know in your heart what’s right, so don’t put it off any longer. Act now.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Now is the time to try something new. Luck is on your side. Trust your intuition and you’ll end up where you want to go.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Try not to worry too much about what people are saying about you. Now is the time to act on your dreams and use other’s doubts as fuel to push you.
Cancer June 22 July 22
If you’re feeling unsure about a decision, seek advice from someone you know. Take a leap of faith and trust someone else’s advice for once.
Leo
July 23 August 22 Self-doubt won’t get you anywhere. Find ways to restore confidence in yourself before taking on a new task or project.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 You’ve been working hard and it’s paying off. Don’t let up now. Keep working. The results are going to show soon.
The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during the Second World War were made of wood.
Libra
September 23 October 22
The average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.
Someone is in need of advice. A solid Libra like yourself is equipped to offer guidance. Reach out and offer help to this person. They will thank you later.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours.
Scorpio
October 23 November 21 You’re making significant progress in your life but still feel empty at times. Allow some time to explore your passions. That’s where your happiness lies.
During the chariot scene in Ben Hur, a small red car can be seen in the distance.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius November 22 December 21
Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
Lately you’ve been feeling your goofy side coming out. Embrace it. People will gravitate towards your positive energy.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Your comfort zone may not be all that comforting. Do something spontaneous in order to let go.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
Are you doing something like exploring a new possibility? This is the month to make a decision.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 Your diet has been getting away from you but that’s okay because pizza is more important than people’s salad opinions.
Diodonna Winona dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension. She also enjoys people watching and coffee.
Word Search
Page 8 s SPOKE
SPORTS
Monday, February 12, 2018
Super Saturday sees four varsity teams in action
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR PACE
Conestoga’s Doon campus hosted February Freeze in the rec centre on Feb. 3. The day featured four varsity games against the Boreal College Vipers and the St. Clair Saints, as well as entertainment, prizes and free popcorn. Above: Conestoga’s Jamila Beckford shoots a foul shot during a game against St. Clair College. St. Clair won 78-50. Below, left to right: CSI event staff Kritika Gupta fills bags of popcorn; Cliff the Condor entertains the crowd; Megan White dribbles down the court toward the Saints’ net. The Saints also won the men’s basketball game 72-71. Earlier both Conestoga’s women’s and men’s volleyball teams won 3-0 against Boreal College.