Pets are not presents It’s a bad idea to give animals as gifts. Page 8 MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2017
SPOKE
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
Agency has a giving spirit
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Your horoscope See what’s forecast for you this week. Page 7 48TH YEAR — NO. 18
FESTIVE FOOD AND FUN IN THE BIG CITY
BY MELISSA HORTON
Every holiday season, heartwarming stories come out in the news about communities helping families in need. These families are struggling to make ends meet and need help in buying gifts for their loved ones. However, the need is so great that some people are overlooked. One Kitchener company has stepped in to help. Thresholds, a nonprofit community mental health agency, works with mental health clients as well as the homeless on a daily basis. They see the struggles that these people go through but when the holidays roll around, the struggles become even harder. With many clients barely being able to afford the daily essentials, buying gifts is not always possible. To help with this issue, Thresholds teamed up with Manulife in 2003 and started an Angel Tree program. Each year, a list of clients and their requests are sent out to staff in the office. A staff member then picks as many people as they can, buys gifts and delivers them to the person in need. In its first year, the program helped 39 people and has since helped more than 100 clients. A few years ago, Thresholds teamed up with another Kitchener-based company, Spinal Garage. Amanda Renner, housing support co-ordinator for Thresholds, expressed her thanks to Spinal Garage, a chiropractic business, for all the donations they have given over the years. “They did about half of our whole list,” said Renner. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
PHOTO BY AUSTIN WELLS
Toronto’s annual Holiday Fair in the Square began on Dec. 1 in Nathan Phillips Square, and runs until Dec. 23. It features vendors selling local handmade items, food trucks, a 21-metre Christmas tree, skating and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.
Prolonged semesters raise concerns
Students worried about part-time and summer jobs BY REBECCA SOARES
Christmas may not be ruined for college students but their school year definitely got more difficult. On Oct. 16, colleges across Ontario began a strike that lasted five weeks and because of it, the remaining semester, as well as the winter semester, got extended. While the strike didn’t impede Christmas plans for many students, it affected those with jobs. In October and November, students couldn’t sign up for more hours because they didn’t know when the strike would end. Others thought about looking for work but didn’t because they couldn’t tell potential
employers how long they would be available. “I basically just sat at home for five weeks,” said Christian Apostolovski, a second-year journalism broadcast student at Conestoga College, “I considered getting a job but the strike was only supposed to last three weeks so I tried waiting it out.” However, some students were lucky enough to pick up extra shifts, but that didn’t mean it was without complications. “I worked extra throughout the strike but it was hard to know when I’d be working and when I’d finally be told it’s time to head back to school. I essentially had to be on an on-call basis which was difficult for me and my
employer,” said Georgina Vitelli, a first-year practical nursing student. Now that classes have resumed, students who have jobs can’t work full time during the usual three-week Christmas break because classes are being held for two of those three weeks. “I feel like I have to be more money cautious to make up for what I lost,” said Emma Van Haaren, an interior decorating student at Conestoga. It’s not just the remainder of 2017 that’s difficult for students either. “I didn’t have travel plans for around Christmas but I did for January and because of the semesters getting extended, I can’t go on my
trip anymore which sucks,” said Vitelli. And she’s not alone. “Since the winter semester was extended as well, it interferes with the summer job I have and when I was supposed to begin that,” said Van Haaren. Students say the extension of both semesters has interfered with their ability to earn and save money, creating a financial burden. “I’m actually heading to the financial office because of everything that’s happened,” said Vitelli. Conestoga students believe the college should consider helping every student and not just those who fit the criteria for the “hardship” fund.
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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College Random questions answered by random students
How do you de-stress?
“I avoid stress by spreading out the workload so that it’s balanced.” Jason McIntee, supply chain and operations management
“I de-stress by playing games and watching anime.” Zain Hansrod, computer programming
“I deal with stress by Playing Xbox, Ps4 and Call of Duty.” Kirtan Barot, business foundations
“I de-stress by going to the venue and having food and drinks.” Tarundeep Hans, business
“I do yoga when I’m stressed, it clears my head.”
Briar Smith, community criminal justice
“I walk my dog when I’m stressed.” Julia Purza, design foundations
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
FILBERT CARTOONS
Monday, December 11, 2017
NEWS
Monday, December 11, 2017
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Students have eye on the prize Three make finals of Code/Design to Win challenge
BY PETER SWART
Communitech is hosting the finals of its third annual Code/ Design to Win Challenge in Waterloo on the weekend of Jan. 19 and Conestoga College students are up for the challenge. Communitech is an organization that focuses on helping the tech community develop by assisting businesses in starting and growing in the region. The goal of the Code/Design to Win Challenge is to attract students in the technology field from across Canada to the region to see the many opportunities for co-op and future careers. Also, it’s a chance for the students to win a grand prize of $5,000 and a runner-up prize of $1,000. Melissa Roth, the Code/ Design to Win program manager, believes that not only is the money a great help but the opportunities the competition presents to students are incredible. “They also get to have interviews with some of our local tech companies as well,” she said, “which is interesting for the students because they get to have that opportunity to interview for co-op positions or post-grad positions.” The number of competitors
this year has been the biggest yet according to Brittany Arbutina, Communitech’s external relations co-ordinator. “We almost doubled our numbers from last year’s competition,” she said. The 900 students who entered was narrowed down to 50 coding students and 25 design students. Of those 75 remaining students, Conestoga College is being represented by two in the coding challenge and one in the design contest. Margaret Tavares is a Conestoga computer programming and analyst student who made it to the finals in the design category. Her co-op placement at Vehikl is the reason she signed up for the challenge. “Working has helped me gain the skills needed to succeed, and being mentored by the developers and UX designers at Vehikl enticed me to participate and see where my skills stacked up,” she said. Her skills stacked up very well as she went from a group of 200 students down to 25 of the best in the country. “She placed in the top 10 per cent of over 200 students to make it to the finals,” Roth said.
Companies help less fortunate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Rob Martin, manager for housing support services at Thresholds, shared the same sentiment, saying Spinal Garage has brought a lot of attention to the Angel Tree through their office. “They can use all the support they can get,” he said. However, it is not just Spinal Garage that has fulfilled many of the needs of mental health clients during the holidays. The staff at Thresholds also makes sure no person is left behind. For the clients who are left, staff buy what they need and deliver the gifts right to their door. “Staff have always stepped in,” said Martin. Many of the gifts delivered are essential items such as toiletries. With many of the clients being homeless, even the most essential items are needed. Other clients simply
ask for gifts they can give to their family members since they can’t afford to buy any themselves. This year alone, the Angel Tree program has helped over 60 mental health and homeless people. These are people who, without help, would not have been able to afford any of the items they needed. The Angel Tree is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Thresholds does for the community. Year-round the agency helps not only those with mental health issues but helps with housing the homeless as well. Although the Angel Tree is just one of the many ways Thresholds gives back, it is one of the most impactful. If you would like to learn more about Thresholds, you can visit their website at www.thresholdssupports.ca
PHOTO BY PETER SWART
Communitech is ready to host 75 students from across Canada at their annual Code/Design to Win competition being held on Jan. 19 and 20. In the coding challenge, the college is being represented by Ilia Zhuravlev, a software engineering tech student, and Qiang Zhang, a computer applications
development student. Both managed to make it through despite facing tougher odds. “They placed in the top 7 per cent of over 600 students across Canada,” Roth said.
The challenges are two hours long and will start on Jan. 19 and conclude on Jan. 20. The winners will be announced at the end of the weekend.
’TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE BACK
PHOTO BY MELISSA HORTON
Gabby Pintea, a Thresholds employee, gazes at the Angel Tree at the Kitchener non-profit community mental health agency on Dec. 1. People in need let the agency and a partner business know what gifts they would like for Christmas.
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VARSITY SPORTS A GREAT WAY TO GET INVOLVED
PHOTO BY JOSH PEDERSON
Members of Conestoga College’s basketball team warm up prior to their game against Mohawk College on Nov. 29. The Condors lost 88-51. For video story on all the programs and sports at the rec centre, go to www.spokeonline.com.
Monday, December 11, 2017
EMERGENCY PHONE BROKEN, NO FIX IN SIGHT
PHOTO BY LUCAS HUTTERI
This non-operational emergency phone at Conestoga’s Doon campus has not been repaired, putting students at risk. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
Monday, December 11, 2017
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COMMENTARY
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Monday, December 11, 2017
Don’t take your family for granted BY AUSTIN WELLS
December is upon us, meaning the time for Christmas trees, candy canes and carols is finally here. People around the world are finishing up their Christmas shopping, setting up trees and decorations, and sending out invitations for their family’s Christmas dinner. However, the same cannot be said about students at colleges such as Conestoga. Having lost two of the three weeks in a standard winter break due to the faculty strike, students lose two important things: time off after a long semester and family time. While the latter may not seem like a big deal, spending time with your family is something that many people take for granted and is something that students will not be able to capitalize on as much in a shortened break. Normally students have limited time to visit family members other than on the occasional weekend or for a holiday dinner (Thanksgiving in the fall, Easter in the spring). This makes the Christmas break especially important. Family is a constant in students’ lives. They help with picking a school, with homework, by giving emotional and educational advice and through providing a constant familial love. No matter how much someone tries to deny it, spending time with family and friends is important, and losing the winter break may have unintended consequences. Being with those significant others results in a mental refresh, and losing time with them makes prepping for the next semester (which doesn’t start until Jan. 15) much harder. Family exists to help you through your problems, to help make and keep you happy and to stay focused. An argument could be made that some students spent time with their families during the five-week strike, but that was different. That period caused a great deal of stress for students and parents alike. This made for an unenjoyable break, but helped parents sympathize with what their sons and daughters were going through as the work stoppage dragged on with no end in sight. An unfortunate consequence of this was the loss of the long and helpful three-week winter break. This year, cherish your family even more. Make memories, spread cheer and joy, and remember, time flies so spend quality time with those you love. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! 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
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.
Stop rejecting safe injection sites In the middle of an opioid epidemic, safe injection sites are becoming a real possibility in Waterloo Region, and we need to stop resisting them. Although regional councillors have expressed strong support for the sites, they have launched an anonymous online survey to get a consensus on whether the area wants and needs them, before making any firm proposals. Like most drug-related topics, safe injection sites are controversial, but they shouldn’t be. They are merely a short-term solution to the long-term, complex drug problem the region has been plagued with. The go to argument is that safe injection sites normalize and even promote drug use, jeopardizing the safety of the residents in the community. But this argument is fueled by stigma and fails to provide an alternative solution to the problem. The sites would provide things like clean syringes, cookers, filters and tourniquets for users to safely inject themselves. Nurses would be onsite to monitor users, preventing overdoses and helping those who want to seek treatment.
Taylor Pace
Opinion In November, a rally was held at the Cambridge City Hall to encourage the government to act on the epidemic. The region is littered with used syringes and regularly has drug-related disturbances. Businesses have even begun to flee downtown Galt for safer streets. More importantly, there were 529 overdose calls in the region from January 2017 to September alone, almost 50 per cent more than the same period in 2016 and 135 per cent more than 2015. By installing these sites, the safety of both drug users and the neighbourhood would increase. Of course, the municipality should tread carefully, but safe injection sites are the most feasible and immediate solution. They would be modelled after Vancouver’s safe injection program, Insite: the first of its kind in North America. Since it opened in 2003 it has been the
subject of numerous studies and seen tremendous results. The facility has over 600 injections every day, but no one has ever died from one due to the onsite responders. With counsellors and social workers available, studies found that those who used Insite are 30 per cent more likely to go into detox than those who don’t. Studies published in publications like The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine also found that safe injection sites do not increase crime rates or drugrelated litter, contrary to public belief. Not only that, but in 2015 the neighbourhood saw a 25 per cent decline in overdose deaths. That alone should be a selling point for Waterloo Region residents. Our primary concern should be saving lives, but if you truly want a cleaner Cambridge, you should want safe injection sites. Drug addiction is a disease, and those inflicted are going to use, with or without a safe injection site. Is it better to condemn users to unsafely using in the street, or should we provide a safe service while lowering overdose deaths and keeping the streets clean?
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 Managers: Melissa Horton
Photo Editors (print): Lucas Hutteri, Tyler Medeiros Photo Editors (online): Veronica Reiner, Peter Swart Social Media Editor: Ashley Sprague Circulation Manager: Becky Soares
Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1B230, 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, December 11, 2017
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Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of December 11, 2017
Aries
March 21 April 19 If you think now is the time to do something new, then this will be a big year for you. There’s no reason to rush into anything rash.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Before you know it you will find an item that was lost which had significance to you. It will again mean something to you.
Gemini May 21 June 21
If you’re just not sure what you want from life, then the real question is, what is holding you back. Consider that life is not a destination, but a journey.
Cancer June 22 July 22
Are you thinking you might consider exploring a new possibility? The day will come where you will stand up for yourself and though it will be uncomfortable, you’ll know what to do. Look a little more deeply into any situation.
Leo
July 23 August 22 If you think you might be ready for a major commitment, it might be time to focus more on yourself than others. Realize that everything happens for a reason.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 It’s time to make a change for the better. It starts with being open and honest with yourself, and accept who you are. Look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you can do this. Today is only one day in your life, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the most important.
If one places a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death. (Who was the sadist who discovered this?)
Libra
September 23 October 22
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
Today you will own a fact from your history, and it will become important to you once again. This means a lot to you, so act on it.
Winston Churchill was born in a ladies’ room during a dance. Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because passing wind in a space suit damages them. (The suits or the astronauts?)
Scorpio
October 23 November 21 If you’re wondering what the point of life is, then you might just be right. Don’t do anything you’ll regret for the rest of your life.
A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius November 22 December 21
If you think you might be ready for a big change, it might be time to focus more on yourself than others. Consider that you can’t control every aspect of your life.
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.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Are you wondering about talking to your significant other? Now will become a moment you’ll remember and it will be time to act. Try to get someone close to help out.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You will see something from your childhood, such as a stuffed animal, toy or keepsake, and it will become important to you once again. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 You should think about individuals of the sign Scorpio who will be as likely as not to look out for you. There’s no reason to weigh the options any further. Make a commitment and follow through on it
Diodonna Winona dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension. She also enjoys people watching and coffee.
Word Search
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Pets are not presents
BY ASHLEY SPRAGUE
Every Christmas thousands of young animals are given as gifts; kittens found in stockings, puppies with crimson, red bows on their heads, all found by their unexpecting, new owners on Christmas morning. Some of these new additions to the family may work out, most, however, do not. Marisa Kelland has been a volunteer at Toronto Cat Rescue (TCR) for four years. The popular cat rescue and adoption agency in southwestern Ontario has local outlets including at Petsmart. She said every year their intake increases tenfold in the weeks after Christmas. “It’s really sad, the amount of rescues we do is way more around then. So many people are taking their ‘unwanted gifts’ to the shelter, or leaving them on the streets because they don’t know how to take care of them properly. People buy these pets for their children and loved ones because they’re really adorable at first, and then give them up as soon as they realize that a pet takes work. It’s just sad.” Michelle Amey, a customer service representative at Petsmart in Kitchener, deals with adoptions throughout
the year and agrees with Kelland about the increasing number of adoptions around the holidays. Pet adoption is at a high throughout this season, especially when most chain pet stores have 25-50 per cent discounts on adoptions on Black Friday and Boxing Day. “Animals are treated like inanimate objects when it comes to Christmastime. Children open their gifts and are excited for the first few days and then they get put on the shelves and never thought about again,” said Amey. “A pet should be a welcome addition to any family, and should be talked about with everyone involved in the adoption, not just given as a gift, last minute. Just like it’s a big decision to have a child, it’s a big decision to have a pet and shouldn’t be taken as lightly as it is.” Some people may not realize just what giving a pet as a gift entails, with the end result being the recipient becomes a pet owner. The act of giving such a sweet, innocent full-oflove new pet may be exciting, but what happens the next day when that perfect ball of fur makes a mess on the carpet, or the next week when he scratches the back of the new leather couch in the living room?
Owning a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly, and when given as a gift, many people do not weigh the repercussions of making this decision. The best case scenario is the pet and his new family live happily ever after, in a home full of love and cuddles, but that’s easier said than done. More often than not, the sweet Christmas morning surprise ends up in a shelter, unwanted and emotionally scarred by the time Valentine’s Day comes around. “Pets that have already been adopted once are less likely to be adopted again, especially when they grow out of the small puppy or kitten stage, which happens at about four to five months. Everyone wants baby animals, not many people will opt for a full grown cat or dog. “If you welcome a pet into your home, they will gain your trust, and if they’re given up afterwards, it will be very hard for them to bond again with another family. Some pets lose adoptability all together because they become so hostile when they are surrendered,” said Kelland. “I think it’s really important that people understand pets are not presents. They’re just not.”
Monday, December 11, 2017
FLEUR IS THE BIG DOG ON CAMPUS
PHOTO BY REBECCA SOARES
Fleur, a four-month-old black lab, was at Conestoga College’s Doon campus on Nov. 28 to help fundraise for six guide dog programs: Canine Vision, hearing ear, service guide dog, seizure response, autism assistance and diabetic alert dog guides. Fleur will be placed in one of these programs based on her abilities. In the meantime, a Conestoga staff member brings her to the campus on a regular basis so she can continue her training.