A spin on everyday life Toronto lawyer’s webcomic still going strong. Page 11 Monday, april 13, 2015
SPOKE
On the decline Sales of acoustic guitars outpacing electric. Page 9
A learning newsroom for journalism students
Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont.
www.SPOKEONLINE.COM
46TH Year — No. 13
Hobby now a career By Nicole Nemeth
While most little girls enjoy pretending to be princesses and playing house, Alissa Gee was drawn to ghouls and monsters. Her fascination with all things horror eventually led her to a creative career at Paul Jones Effects Studio Inc. just last year. “Ever since I was younger I have been interested in monsters and strange things, which later transitioned into liking horror movies,” Gee said. “My parents bought a video camera and I was always making up stories and filming things with my friends and my cousin, either live with costumes and props, or random action figures bought at thrift stores. I liked to read books on oddities, monsters, witches and vampires, and I liked to read crime stories and watch horror movies even though I wasn’t allowed. My parents didn’t let me watch them until an older age but when I would go to my grandma’s house or visit my aunt I watched what they did: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Tremors, Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” Although Gee was fascinated with the scary, strange and supernatural early in life, her decision to become a special
effects makeup artist didn’t happen until her early 20s. “I used to buy makeup products and play with it at home, turning myself into zombies or making my own terrifying wounds. It was something I did for fun, nothing serious. Then, in June 2013 I went to Niagara Falls Comic Con and checked out Paul Jones’ seminar. It sparked an interest in me, that someone could be so passionate and creative about something and do it for a living. Afterwards I thought to myself, I wish I could do that too,” Gee said. Paul Jones is an awardwinning special effects and makeup artist who founded the Paul Jones Effects Studio Inc. in Scarborough, Ont. He has worked on many horror movies over the past few decades including Hellbound: Hellraiser and Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth, Bride of Chucky, Ginger Snaps, Wrong Turn, Silent Hill and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, three of the Resident Evil movies and many more including the new hit TV show, Man Seeking Woman with Jay Baruchel. “I’m happy to say I started my career in 1988,” Jones said. continued on Page 6
PHOTO courtesy of daniel blancher
This mask was created by Alissa Gee in her prosthetic makeup course at CMU College of Makeup Art and Design. The Cambridge native currently works at Paul Jones Effects Studio Inc. in Scarborough.
Region revisits Conestoga universal bus pass BY CARMEN PONCIANO
Waterloo regional council may be doing Conestoga students a favour as they once again consider whether or not to give students here a deeply discounted bus pass. Currently, students at Wilfrid Laurier (WLU) and Waterloo universities (UW) purchase the universal pass for $81 per four-month term. In 2011 the region had some staff work with Conestoga Student Inc.(CSI) and administrators to see if a college U-Pass was feasible. Student travel surveys were conducted to predict the amount of extra service needed if the pass were to be offered to all the students. However, they found that it was a lot more expensive than the program at the two universities.
Because both university campuses are located along King Street and University and Columbia avenues, there is already a lot of transit there. But in Conestoga’s case, an additional 18,000 service hours and 10 extra Grand River Transit (GRT) buses would be needed. Due to budget limitations in 2011, the U-Pass was not introduced at Conestoga College. “Since the college is situated remotely from the urban areas, this expansion translates into more service hours than it would have had they been located in an urbanized setting,” said Eric Gillespie, Region of Waterloo’s director of transit services. “It is also very likely that, similar to what occurred at UW and WLU, student use will exceed expectations and that even
more service would have to be added after the program started.” Conestoga students at the moment have to pay $218 a semester for their bus pass in comparison to the $81 (as of Sept. 1, 2014) that university students pay. “When you look at Conestoga’s prices compared to those of the universities, it is uncomfortable to know that this gap exists in our region,” said Jeff Scherer, president of Conestoga Students Inc. However, that could change. Last December Cambridge city council put forward a motion based on a recommendation from the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) “to offer Conestoga College students the same rate as university students for Grand River
Transit passes.” City of Kitchener council member Yvonne Fernandes, who is also an alumnus of the college, has also been working toward this change as she requested that the same motion come from the City of Kitchener at a council meeting three weeks ago. If the U-Pass were to be approved by the region, Conestoga College administration and CSI representative members, along with regional staff, would have to meet and discuss the amount of interest and gather information, as they did in 2011, for the region’s 2016 budget proposal as well as having a student referendum. Scherer said he would also like to see an increase in bus service if the pass were approved.
“The service that is offered at Conestoga, especially for Doon and Cambridge students, is extremely lacking,” he said, adding that UW students have multiple buses to choose from, all only 10 to 15 minutes apart, that go to the same destination. He also raised the point that if students miss their bus, it is normally a half-hour wait for the next bus during regular hours. On the weekend it is an hour wait. The good news is that there is a lot of local interest in resolving this matter. “I am hopeful that we will be able to collaborate with the various partners and find an effective solution to present to regional council in order to introduce the U-Pass program to Conestoga College,” Gillespie said.
NEWs
Page 2 s SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, April 13, 2015
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
What is the one thing you miss about being a kid?
“The amount of time I had to indulge in personal endeavours.” David Gibson, first-year broadcast television
“No responsibilities.”
Roxanna Miller, first-year bookkeeping
“Being with my family all the time.”
Emily Sloetjes, first-year early childhood education
“No bills to pay.” Brooke Horsley, first-year early childhood education
Autism is a part of who they are By Nataleigh McCallum
World Autism Day took place on April 2 around the world, but at Conestoga’s Doon campus the day wasn’t just about raising awareness, it was also about members of the A-team being able to tell their stories and give advice. The event featured games in which students were asked to put a sock on their hand and then try to tie a shoe, interactive videos of others sharing their stories as well as a colourful board display featuring information and cartoons of what it feels like to be on the autism spectrum. Each member of the A-team experiences his or her own difficulties when it comes to being on the autism spectrum. For Alex Menage, the co-facilitator of the A-team and a third-year computer engineering technology student, it’s the overwhelming pace of things that he struggles most with. “I have so much to do in life with school, work, my social life and my responsibilities at home. There is just a lot to focus on,” Menage said about his management skills, adding that he finds the conversational aspect of life hard as well. For Becky Hunt, a secondyear general arts and science
student, she struggles with social cues the most as well as holding conversations. But with the help of the A-team, she is working on this. “The A-team helps with all of our struggles. It shows us we’re not alone,” Hunt said. Vanessa Wojcik, a graduate from the general business program and a member of the A-team, encouraged students who find themselves on the spectrum to join the group. “Mostly my communication skills and my socialization,” said Wojcik when asked what she struggles most with day to day. When it comes to Rebecca Schmidt, a second-year early childhood education student, she said it is hard for some people to understand what it’s like to be on the autism spectrum. “I may be a little slower at learning tasks than other people,” Schmidt said. “Sometimes it just makes me feel different.” The event gave students the chance to talk to individuals who find themselves on the autism spectrum and it gave these individuals the chance to explain that the autism spectrum disorder is not a disease. “I have trouble communicating with people. It makes me really shy with making
friends,” said Carly Crooks, a third-year business accounting student, adding that when she first came to Conestoga she didn’t have many friends but thanks to the A-team she does now. “It makes me feel like I’m not alone,” Crooks said. Rachel Gagne, a first-year media foundations student, said it is people who do not try and understand and are not patient that upset her the most. “I really think that it’s important for people to understand what autism is,” she said. “A lot of people say autism is a disease. But it is not, it’s not something that can be cured. It’s just how your brain is wired and it’s not something bad.” Each member of the awareness group told their story to whoever stopped and wished to listen. They raised awareness through their own experiences. Charlie Matjanec, the cofacilitator of the A-team and an employment adviser at Conestoga, said people are surprised that members of the A-team want to tell their stories since they struggle with communication and social skills. “Be yourself, it’s all you can do. People will like you for who you are,” Schmidt said.
“The freedom.”
Janessa Smith, first-year early childhood education
“McDonalds’ play park.”
Marlon Saravia, first-year broadcast television PHOTO BY NATALEIGH MCCALLUM
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
Alex Menoge (from left), Carly Crooks, Rachel Gagne, Becky Hunt, Rebecca Schmidt and Vanessa Wojcik pose with Charlie Matjaneo, the co-facilitator of the A-Team, and Casey Plumbtree, a counsellor, at their annual Autism Awareness event.
NEWs
Monday, April 13, 2015
SPOKE s Page 3
Ending the year with a bang
BY RACHEL ROY
Students are working hard, finishing last-minute projects, studying for finals and wrapping up their last couple of weeks. What better way to celebrate all of this then with free food and drinks. Conestoga Student Inc. (CSI) put together an end-ofthe-year barbecue where they had good music and complimentary hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks. Students lined up behind the Sanctuary from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. waiting patiently to receive their desired food and beverage choice. “I think it’s great and the weather ended up being perfect for it too,” said Kelli Leis, a first-year office administrative student. Students were also given free sunglasses in different colours that had the CSI logo on the side, and Cliff, the Condor mascot, made an appearance to promote his Instagram account. “This is something we started last year,” said Samantha Schwier, programming coordinator for CSI. “We kind of wanted to end the year off
with a bang and we thought, with students studying and stuff right now, a turnout for a specific event wouldn’t be so great. So we wanted to just have a free barbecue for some of the students so they can kind of come and go as they please, grab a bite to eat, get a free lunch and hopefully fuel themselves up for the next few weeks of studying.” Last year Schwier said they planned on feeding around 1,500 to 1,800 students and this year she was hoping to feed closer to 2,000. Paul Kelly, president of the DJ Club, Essay Michael and Reid DaCosta were the DJs who played upbeat music so students could eat and relax outside in the nice, sunny weather. Other students threw a football around, relaxing and killing time. “There is a lot of people out here and everybody seems to be enjoying themselves. Cliff is dancing with the sign, and free food is the best food,” said Felipe Gonzalia, a secondyear broadcasting television student. “It’s a nice way to kick off the end of the year.”
PHOTO BY Rachel Roy
Showing off his moves, Cliff the Condor, the school mascot, dances to the music while advertising his Instagram account at CSI’s year-end barbecue. Go to www.spokeonline.com for video story and Page 7 for additional photo.
COMMENTARY
Page 4 s SPOKE
Monday, April 13, 2015
New bus pass being considered – again By HEATHER STANLEY
After a long wait, Conestoga College students may finally get discounted bus passes. According to the Waterloo Region Record, Waterloo regional council is debating whether it is financially feasible to offer Conestoga’s 11,000 full-time students a universal pass in 2016. The U-Pass is currently used by students at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. Students at Waterloo and Laurier pay $81 for a semesterlong pass that allows them to use GRT buses to travel around Kitchener-Waterloo as well as Cambridge and Elmira. The cost is included in their tuition. Contrasting this, Conestoga students pay $218 for the same privilege. That’s $137 more per term, a cost which many are deeming unfair. Students at the college have been pushing for cheaper rates for years. Many were disappointed when regional council first denied Conestoga students’ demand for the U-Pass in 2011. In 2013, another proposal was put forth by Conestoga Students Inc. after a student referendum the previous year showed students would use the service, but it went nowhere. Jeff Scherer, CSI president, said in an interview with the Record that the pass has to go hand-in-hand with extended bus service. Many buses are so overcrowded that students sometimes get left behind, making them late for classes. Currently buses run every half-hour, excluding rush hour, on half a dozen routes for both the Doon and Cambridge campuses. Students at Conestoga live all across the region, and 70 to 75 per cent of them stay in the region after they graduate, unlike university students. A U-Pass and more buses would make travelling to the school more accessible and affordable. Also, Conestoga is home to many middle-class and lower-income students whereas those from universities tend to come from higher income families. Not only would the pass create more fairness between the post-secondary schools in K-W, but it would make the lives of college students a little easier. If a U-Pass is offered at Conestoga in 2016, students will pay $162 for the school year, the same as university students, saving them $274. But the bigger bonus will be more buses and better service. 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., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4M4
A universial bus pass would not only save students money, but reduce the long lines.
Fowl pests pose a problem As a long, chilly winter gives way to warmer temperatures and sunny skies, most people rejoice in the return of spring. Although retiring heavy coats, boots and mittens is a welcomed notion, the return of walking, honking, aggressive birds is far from ideal. At Conestoga College’s Doon campus, we proudly boast impressive grounds complete with trees, sprawling lawns and a pond. However, it’s these sprawling lawns and pond that attract the least welcomed visitors to our grounds, Canada geese. Despite having our country’s name, Canada geese have become notorious for their aggressive, territorial nature and for being a general nuisance. Not only do these geese walk unimpeded around the campus, the mess they leave behind is gross. These pests are found everywhere where water is available which makes Doon campus a frequent home to these two-footed terrors. With spring flowers comes mating season and soon little goslings will be strutting their new feathers across the side-
Beth Crouse Opinion
walks while their proud parents will be on red-alert for any perceived threat. We could praise these creatures for their instincts, but it’s these parental instincts that cause enormous problems.
“
Conestoga College does not have to roll out the welcome mat every spring to the returning fowl.
”
There have been too many situations where students have been chased indoors and prevented from venturing out for fear of being attacked. Students are forced to maintain a safe distance from these birds, which are free to roam unchecked across the campus, or else face a fury of feathers
and beaks. If a student does come under attack and defends himself, he is then publicly reprimanded and faces further, more severe punishment for harming a protected Canadian icon. Although the birds are protected by federal law, Conestoga College should put its responsibility for students’ safety ahead of its responsibility to these webbed-footed pests. Deterrents, such as noise makers, should be put in place to kindly suggest to these migratory birds that their presence is no longer welcomed. In North America the Canada goose population is on the rise. Conestoga does not have to roll out the welcome mat every spring to these returning fowl. There are plenty of other places these feathered foes can go to nest and set up house. Students shouldn’t be forced to choose between battling a wild goose or enjoying some fresh air on their break. It’s time to tell these webfooted fiends that enough is enough. It’s time to start saying “no” to geese and “yes” to freedom.
Spoke
i s p u bl i s h ed and prod u ced weekl y b y t h e j o u rnal i sm st u dents of C onestoga C ollege Editor: Nataleigh McCallum Assignment Editors: Kali Caudle, Jordan Johnstone Advertising Managers: Beth Crouse, Justin Ford Spoke Online Editors: Matt Howell, Nicole
Nemeth, Nathan Brown Production Managers: Alex Riese, Maryssa McFadden Photo Editors (print): Cassie Tulecki, Carmen Ponciano, Ian McBride Photo Editors (online): Rachel Roy, Jack
Parkinson, Josh Kennedy Social Media Editor: Carson Deshevy-Renouf, Cody Mudge Circulation Manager: Heather Stanley Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas
Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4. Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694 Fax: 519-748-3534 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.
NEWS
Monday, April 13, 2015
SPOKE s Page 5
The ins and outs of buying a car
By Nicole Nemeth
For young adults, nothing smells quite like freedom like a new car. But, can most really afford to buy one? According to Angela Gee, a Bank of Montreal branch manager, it all comes down to the buyer’s debt ratio. Finding your debt ratio is easier than it sounds. You can easily find a debt ratio calculator online or you can do the calculation yourself. To calculate your debt ratio you first add up all of your monthly payments: rent, credit card bills, loan payments, insurance, cellphone bills, etc. After you come up with a total you divide that number by your total monthly income and that will give you a percentage which is your debt ratio. “You never want your debt ratio to be over 40 per cent – the lower it is the better,” Gee said. According to Gee it’s not so
much the price of a new car but the monthly payments that are the most important factor when considering if you can afford it. “If you have a $20,000 car loan and pay it over five years at five per cent your monthly car payments will be $353 … Most bank sites have calculators you can use to find out your monthly car payment amount,” she said. When calculating your debt ratio to find out if you can afford your car payments, it’s important to add the estimated amount the monthly car payments will be to the total monthly expenses amount before dividing it with a person’s monthly income to ensure it’s still below the 40 per cent mark. There other things to consider as well during the hunt for a new car such as interest rates. “Dealerships have better interest rates than banks do because they have to be more competitive. You can get real-
ly low interest rates like three per cent or five per cent, but it can also go up to 13 per cent,” Gee said. First-time buyers are considered higher risk because they haven’t established a mature credit rating yet and that may affect the interest rate, especially when purchasing a used car at a dealership through a loan. According to Gee, “Used car interest rates depend on your credit rating. If you’re a new buyer you would be considered a higher risk and have a higher interest rate.” Although buying a used car could be a lot cheaper than a new one, buying a used car with a loan can cause other problems. “If you’re buying a used car and want a bank loan, it (the car) will be held for security, but we’re not going to take a car that’s 10 years old for security. Therefore, you would want to find a car no older than six years old
K-W’s Got Talent at THEMUSEUM
when purchasing it used. Otherwise, once the car is old it’s not considered a car loan but a personal loan.” Buying used has other downsides as well. Older cars usually require more maintenance and work done to them. While some older cars can continue to run smoothly for a long time, it’s not uncommon for someone who’s purchased a used car to end up paying thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. According to Trevor Miller, head mechanic and owner of TTM Motors in Kitchener, there are certain questions every buyer should ask the seller when looking to purchase a used car. “Has it passed a safety and emissions test? How long have you owned the car? Do you know much about the history of the car? Has it been in an accident? Which garage do you take it to? Who worked on it last? Have you made any modifications or upgrades?
What’s the mileage on it?” Miller said. Gee also recommends that when someone is looking to buy a car that they do not submit an application until they are sure it is the car they want. “When you go to several dealerships make sure they’re not doing credit checks at every one. It can hurt your credit rating.” In the end, whether you choose to buy a new car or a used car, there are many things to consider, but the most important factor all comes down to money and what you can afford. “Really, when purchasing a car, whether it’s used or new, buyers need to understand the monthly payments and the commitment that comes with a car. Even if someone does get approved, they should make sure they will continue to be able to afford it for however long the payment plan is for,” Gee said.
Grand River RockS the body and mind
PHOTO BY Ian Mcbride
K-W’s Got Talent, which was held at THEMUSEUM on April 1, showcased some of the area’s most talented performers. Above, winner Aaron Cornish (second from left) stands with judges CJ Allen (left to right), Carlos Benevides and Heather Riemersma. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
Ontario Colleges Finalize sexual assault policy Shawna Bernard, a counsellor at Conestoga College, is excited to see the new, provincewide sexual assault policy take effect. Since early March, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has been pushing for colleges to have official protocol in place for victims of sexual assault. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com. PHOTO BY Carson Deshevy
PHOTO BY Jordan Johnstone
Scotty Hamill is one of the owners of Grand River Rocks, an indoor rock-climbing gym in Kitchener. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
NEWS
Page 6 s SPOKE
PHOTO courtesy of DANIELLE BLANCHER
This mutant rat, along with its babies, was created by Alissa Gee in her creature design course last year at CMU College of Makeup Art and Design.
Monday, April 13, 2015
PHOTO courtesy of ALISSA GEE
Gee recently graduated from college and now works for Paul Jones Effects Studio Inc. located in Scarborough.
Artist creates the good, the bad and the ugly CONTINUED From Page 1
“Before turning professional, makeup effects was my hobby since the age of 12,” Jones added. Jones started his career in his home country of England, but moved to Toronto while working on a television show for Pinewood Studios. He eventually started freelance prop building, and then opened his own studio in 1995 so he could create the effects for the TV show F/X The Series. “My career so far has been quite varied. I have worked on tiny little independent movies, huge Hollywood blockbusters, TV series and many commercials ... I would have to say that certainly creating the Pinhead makeup for Hellraiser 3 was the highlight of my career in so much as it is still an iconic makeup in the world of horror. I am also proud of my work on all of my movies and TV series, but most of all my work on both Silent Hill movies and the Resident Evil movies,” Jones said. Gee grew up in Cambridge, but now lives in Toronto. She spent a large portion of her childhood playing with her cousins while being babysat by their grandmother. Every summer they would go camping, to water parks and do other outdoor activities. “I was really close to my family growing up, including my parents and sibling,” Gee said. Her mom worked at a bank and her dad took over the family hardwood flooring business, but the idea of hav-
ing a regular job wasn’t something she wanted for herself. “At one point I wasn’t sure which direction I was going. I just knew that I didn’t want to have a regular 9 to 5 job and I wanted the option to be creative,” she said. It was difficult for Gee to realize what her passion was for quite a while. As a young child she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, obsessing over reality veterinarian shows and even attending the humane society’s summer camp with her younger sister, but she found math and science too difficult and “eventually let go of that dream. “It took a while to make a decision. Then I worked at D3 Artworks and there I learned how to express myself artistically and with the help of the amazing staff I planned out future goals. I researched schools and sat on it for a few months until I decided to go for it and apply to Complections (now called the CMU College of Makeup Art and Design),” Gee said. After getting accepted, Gee decided to move to Toronto where she attended the complete makeup artist program from January until August 2014. “My experience there was amazing. I learned a lot from my instructors who are still active within the industry and I made some really great friends there who I still keep in contact with. It was a very fast-paced program and I didn’t want to leave once it was over. My favourite courses were prosthetic and crea-
ture design. I was fortunate to have the instructor that I did for those courses because he taught me more than I imagined I would learn and had an immense amount of patience,” Gee said. One of her teachers was also in contact with Jones, and officially introduced them. Gee would message Jones over Facebook whenever she had a question about the industry, or wanted tips on a class assignment. Shortly after graduation, Jones offered her an internship. “First and foremost, I look for artistic ability, obviously, but ability is nothing without commitment to the craft. With that, I mean the drive to always try to do their best work and the hunger to try new techniques, to always push themselves to be the best artist they can be,” Jones said. During her internship Gee worked on multiple shows and movies including Man Seeking Woman. After attending the wrap-up party for that movie, Jones asked her to stay on for the next big project. “It’s surreal. I feel very fortunate that he has given me this opportunity. Sometimes the days are long but I enjoy every part of it and I am learning so much from him and the other employees. He is incredibly talented,” Gee said. Gee is currently one of four staff and is working on several movies and TV shows in studio and on-set. “I finally have a job that I look forward to going to every morning.”
PHOTO courtesy of PAUL JONES
Paul Jones, owner of Paul Jones Effects Studio Inc., did the special effects and prosthetic makeup design and application for the iconic horror movie character, Pinhead, in Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 and Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth. Jones said creating the makeup for Pinhead has been a highlight of his career.
NEWs
Monday, April 13, 2015
Spreading the word about Parkinson’s By JUSTIN FORD
April 11 was World Parkinson Day, and April also marks Parkinson Awareness Month. It’s a time when 100,000 Canadians and six million people worldwide affected by the disease simply ask for our attention. “My handwriting was getting smaller, and because it took a year for a clinical diagnosis, I was already thinking that it could be Parkinson’s,” said 61-year-old Kitchener native and Conestoga College graduate, Dee Brown. “I wasn’t so surprised with the diagnosis, but when you hear it coming from your doctor – I went into denial a little bit.” Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when dopamine-generating cells in the brain die, but why this happens is unknown. In the early stages, the symptoms are usually movement-related. Those affected are usually prone to shaking, slowness of movement and have difficulty walking. The disease is much more common in the later stages of life, with the majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 50. Still, there are the rare occasions of early-onset Parkinson’s disease. “Life changed dramatically for me. I had been driving my car, and that got to be too much,” Brown said. “The car turned into a bicycle, then I couldn’t pedal or balance, and the bike turned into an electric bike. Then, that changed (to being in a wheelchair).” This April marks the 50th anniversary of Parkinson
Awareness Month. Christopher Haddlesey, communications co-ordinator for Parkinson Society Ontario, encourages people to spread the word about PD in any way they can. “You could join in on Cut-AThon, or simply make a post on Facebook, or send out a tweet about how important this month (#ParkinsonAwa renessMonth) is,” Haddlesey said. “Really, it’s as simple as telling as many people as you can. The more people who know, the more support Parkinson’s gets.” Ten people are diagnosed with PD every single day, and the number of people living with the disease in Canada is expected to double by 2031. PD also has the third highest direct cost of neurological conditions annually, with a worldwide financial accumulation of just over $120 million. “The impact on individuals and families can be overwhelming,” Joyce Gordon, president and chief executive officer of Parkinson Society Canada, said in a press release. As PD progresses and begins to firmly take hold of its victim, dopaminergic neurons continuously die and the drugs used to treat it eventually become increasingly ineffective. Rehabilitation and certain diets have been proven to combat PD in some cases, but every person is different and there is no specific course of action that is guaranteed to improve a person’s condition. “When your world gets
smaller on the outside, I turned inside and I started meditating,” Brown said. “It helps you put things into perspective and you learn to not take things for granted. It’s not terminal, it’s just debilitating.” Brown said she was weary of trying the suggested medication at first, and it took a lot of soul searching and trial and error for her to come to a conclusion of what worked for her. She was diagnosed with PD in 2003, and a combination of positive thinking, meditation and medication ultimately led her to be well enough to obtain her driver’s licence again in 2011. “I do have my licence back – I’m driving my car,” Brown said. “I share my story, to go inward and not take things for granted.” Brown stressed that there is a tremendous amount of help out there for people living with PD. The simple act of letting go of pride and attending a support group is something that can go a long way for someone dealing with the mental aspect of the disease. It’s about starting a dialogue, and during Parkinson Awareness Month, Brown wants the community to open up those channels of communication. “I think that the best thing that we can do is just to encourage communication, (and) if you have time and money or energy to donate, be active in that,” Brown said. If you’d like to donate or help in any way, visit www. parkinson.ca.
SPOKE s Page 7
easter stories told through music
PHOTO BY heather stanley
Highview Community Church in Kitchener held a live concert called In the Name of Love on April 2 and 3. It featured local artists such as Eric Fisher (pictured) who told the Easter Story through the music of U2.
cliff promotes important message
keep calm – don’t drink and drive
PHOTO BY Nataleigh mccallum
Advertising and marketing students held events all over the Doon campus the past two weeks for their year-end projects in their events class. Above, Adrienne Reaburn (from left), Hanna Johnson, Steven Nguyen, Aleksander Stevic and Wes Gough’s event was based on drunk driving. They had sponsors from MADD and a local company called Drivers Seat, which provided free coupons as prizes. If you are over the alcohol limit, the company will pick you up, take your keys, drive you home and also drive your car home.
PHOTO BY Nataleigh Mccallum
Cliff the Condor and Wes Gough pose together at the annual barbecue at Doon campus on April 2 which Gough ran for one of his classes. The event was about drinking and driving and included simulated tests while wearing “beer goggles.”
Entertainment
Page 8 s SPOKE
Monday, April 13, 2015
Play explores a forbidden love story It’s a ‘snapshot of the struggles faced by moderate Iraqis’ BY JOSH Kennedy
Students at the University of Waterloo got to see a different side of the Iraq war with a showing of the play, The Widow: a Portrait of Love and Upheaval in Iraq, which played on March 31 at the school’s Theatre of the Arts. The Widow centres on Nour, a widowed woman living in Iraq during the 2003 war, who falls in love with Samir, a young outspoken teacher, and soon starts an affair with him. Samir is then forced to flee Iraq after he receives threats from a religious militia group, leaving Nour to deal with all of the consequences on her own. Three months go by and Samir is now a jobless refugee living in Canada who tries to return to Iraq so that he can be with Nour,
despite the warnings from his family. The play was written by Amir Al-Azraki, who is a lecturer in the Studies in Islam course at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo. He based the play on a story told to him by one of his colleagues back in 2006. “The play explores a forbidden love story that talks about taboo topics like abortion and young love,” Al-Azraki said. “It also shows that it wasn’t just the invasion from the Americans that caused problems for Iraq and their society.” The Widow first debuted last summer at Summerworks 2014 in Toronto and received rave reviews. Torontoist Magazine ranked it No. 2 in their “Ten Favourite Things from Summerworks 2014” list. NOW Magazine gave it four stars and
called it, “A gripping, heart-wrenching drama about forbidden love in present day Basra,” and “A badly needed snapshot of the struggles faced by moderate Iraqis.” “The well-written script by Amir Al-Azarki had me intrigued, in tears and at the edge of my seat. A thought-provoking, powerfully written, well-performed play,” said Ashima Suri, a critic for Mooney on Theatre. Over 50 students attended the play and were moved by how powerful its message was, giving it a standing ovation. The Widow is an emotional story that shows the hardships people in Iraq must go through everyday and how something as simple as falling in love can be a death sentence.
NEWS
Monday, April 13, 2015
SPOKE s Page 9
Carved wood and wound nickel Has the electric guitar’s final chord been played?
By Alex Riese
On the corner of Victoria and Park Street in Kitchener, there is a sleepy little plaza tucked out of the way. Within this plaza is a musical haven called The Guitar Corner. Opened by Duane King, the music retail store is the only one in Kitchener that specializes in guitars. King sells brands that other stores don’t carry, conducts repairs for people who need instruments and equipment fixed in a pinch and makes custom guitars for acclaimed recording artists. The Guitar Corner is dedicated to keeping interest in the guitar high. Unfortunately, the instrument’s effect on modern music is slowly dwindling. According to a March 27, 2015 article on multimillion-dollar marketer Brandon Gaille’s official website, shipments of electric guitars have declined 4.6 per cent to 1.10 million units in 2014, whereas shipments of acoustic guitars have increased to 1.2 million units over that same time frame. The acoustics market now has 34.7 per cent of the market share, a full 10 per cent more than the electric market. Purchases of used guitars are also increasing dramatically due to the rising price of new guitars (up 10 per cent in the last decade), coupled with high unemployment rates and changing musical tastes. In a similar trend, the 2014 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Global Report demonstrates that the
PHOTOs BY Alex riese
The guitar still has its place in independent music. Above, local singer and guitarist Jon Knight warms up on a Cole Clark acoustic guitar before shooting a promotional video for his band’s March 22 show at the Jazz Room. Bottom left, local blues guitarist Gary Cain is one of the most promising up-andcoming players in the region. Bottom right, the Guitar Corner on 165 Victoria St. S. sells a wide array of custom-made guitar gear. biggest gains in instrument sales were in DJ equipment and synthesizers, the former growing by 15.52 and the latter growing by 13.53 per cent in 2013. Conversely, sales of electric guitars only rose by 4.21 per cent in 2013. This trend can be easily explained
by the rise in electronic dance music’s popularity over the past decade, which also accounts for fewer sales in entry level guitars. In the report’s analysis, authors Larry Morton and Joe Lamond suggested the lower sale rates are simply a phase. “In the five-plus decades since the guitar has become the world’s most popular instrument, the market has run through a half-dozen booms and busts,” they wrote. “Those old enough to remember the early ’80s would recall
the bleak acoustic guitar sales, the modest electric guitar sales and the sense that the best days of the electric guitar market were long past. If the past is any guide, interest in the guitar, particularly electrics, will rebound in the not-too-distant future.” Though interest in the guitar has declined from a business perspective over the past 10 years, it still holds vast cultural significance in the Western music market. The independent music scene in Waterloo Region fea-
tures many bands that still play guitar-driven music. Local band Jon Knight and Soulstack’s eclectic blend of different Americana music styles would be bleak without the inclusion of the guitar. “With a keyboard, you have the ability to play notes very quickly, but each note only has one pitch,” said Jon Knight, the band’s lead singer. “With a guitar, you can bend the pitch or modulate it further. It’s the little bends and vibratos that add so much to the instrument, and that’s why we love it so much.” Knight has been a dedicated guitarist since he was a kid. His influences range from country blues guitar player Mississippi Fred McDowell to legendary slide player Derek Trucks. “He added so many little different vibratos and different touches to slide guitar that just opened up how expressive the instrument can be,” he said. Through years of practice, Knight has developed his own approach to playing slide guitar. “I try to make my slide playing sound like the whisper of a ghost,” he said. “To do that, I tense up my bicep, take my wrist out of the equation and only apply vibrato after I’ve held the note for a second or a second and a half.” The guitar’s immense popularity is hardly an accident. Local blues picker Gary Cain has been playing the guitar since he was nine years old. After an education in Humber College’s music program, Cain became an expert. He thinks the instrument is among the most versatile instruments in music. “Aside from the human voice, the guitar is the most expressive instrument I can think of,” he said.
fun & games
Page 10 s SPOKE
Monday, April 13, 2015
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of April 13, 2015
Aries
March 21 April 19 You are determined to move up the ‘ladder’ in your career. Listen carefully to those in authority and work hard. Your efforts will pay off.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Don’t let others tell you that you’re aiming too high for your goals. This week, be determined to prove them wrong.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Don’t take your anger out on those around you. Channel the anger and use it for something good.
Cancer June 22 July 22
If you help others now it will benefit you in the near future. Friendships will bring personal satisfaction.
Leo
July 23 August 22 New changes are ahead. Take the opportunities that will arise and don’t look back. This week, challenge yourself.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 Success is just around the corner. Keep doing what you’ve been doing and you’ll get there soon enough. Patience is key.
Useless Facts Anteaters prefer termites to ants.
Libra
A squirrel cannot contract or carry the rabies virus.
September 23 October 22
A Czech man, Jan Honza Zampa, holds the record for drinking one litre of beer the fastest – in 4.11 seconds.
Don’t let one defeat bring you down. There’s always another chance. Keep your eyes open and be ready for what’s coming your way.
If you plant a seed from a certain type of apple, you are almost guaranteed to grow a different type of apple tree.
Scorpio
October 23 November 21 You are known to be lazy. You need to complete those tasks that you’ve left unfinished before moving onto new ones.
Chinese-crested dogs can get acne.
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.
Something important is coming to an end. Work hard and your efforts will be greatly rewarded.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Soon you will be tempted to trust a complete stranger. Listen to your gut feelings, this may benefit you in the long run.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You have recently experienced the loss of someone close to you. Look for comfort from those around you and keep a positive outlook.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 Don’t stick your nose in your friends’ personal business. If they want advice, they’ll simply ask for it.
The Stars have spoken.
Word Search
NEWS
Monday, April 13, 2015
SPOKE s Page 11
Laugh with High Comedic Value By CASSIE TULECKI
It’s not often that you find a lawyer who is also a cartoonist. Husein Panju, a criminal lawyer in Toronto, started drawing High Comedic Value, a weekly webcomic that focuses on issues that people care about, when he was an undergrad at York University. The single image cartoon is structured more like improv comedy than a comic strip. “I was flipping through the school newspaper, and saw the comics page and was immediately hooked,” he said. He really enjoys comedy, mainly stand-up and improvisation, and thought that comics would be a unique platform to try out. There is always a challenge when coming up with each comic, and he has to do a lot of problem-solving to make his drawings work. He needs to make sure that the punchline fits in with the drawing. He believes that reading a comic is more of a personal experience than watching someone tell a joke. “Obviously I liked seeing my name in print, and more specifically, casually pointing out my comic to strangers,” he said. Panju started out drawing
comics for his school newspaper, which he did every week for two years. But he had to put it on hold when he went to law school. After he graduated from Queen’s University, he began working as a lawyer, but missed having that creative outlet. “I decided to revive my comic series and put it in an online format,” he said. He has been drawing comics and posting them online every week since September 2013, usually getting a couple of thousand views weekly through his website, Facebook and Twitter. Most of his comics feature two main characters who play different roles in various settings. “Most other webcomics are heavily reliant on existing sci-fi or fantasy themes. The majority of my comics are based on everyday life, and put a spin on what’s going on,” he said. His favourite comics are the ones that say what everyone is thinking, but haven’t been able to put it into words. He gets his ideas from anywhere and everywhere. They are often based on something that has happened to him the week before. “My close friends often find their thoughts and inadver-
tent one-liners on the main page, but such is the price of friendship,” he said. Panju does not have any art training, but he believes his drawings are OK. He is very proud of how much he has improved compared to when he first began the comic. “I was terrible in art class in elementary school, and my Grade 7 self would be horrified to learn that I was pursuing this cartooning hobby so seriously,” he said. In the past month, Panju has exhibited his comics at conventions across Ontario, including at the Kitchener TriCon. He will be at the Ottawa ComiCon this May and Toronto Fan Expo in September. “While the vibe at these events is way different than what I’m used to, it’s really neat to meet readers in person and to get feedback about what they like about the series,” he said. Panju plans on publishing a paperback version of his comic in the future that will include his best ones. He also plans to explore deeper themes in the comic that will include short story arcs. To view his work, visit www. highcomedicvalue.com or the Facebook page titled High Comedic Value or follow Panju on Twitter @legally_brown.
PHOTO BY Cassie Tulecki
Husein Panju shows off his online comic series titled High Comedic Value, which focuses on funny, everyday events.
Page 12 s SPOKE
Monday, April 13, 2015