Hypnotist is XXX rated Students get down and dirty at show. Page 5 Monday, December 1, 2014
SPOKE
A learning newsroom for journalism students
Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont.
www.SPOKEONLINE.COM
The Book of Mormon South Park humour takes to the stage. Page 8 45TH Year — No. 26
CSI considering a ‘living wall’ BY BETH CROUSE
PHOTO BY rachel roy
Professional ballet dancers Saniya Abilmajineva and Daniel Da Silva performed during The History of Ballet with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen on Nov. 17 at the Kitchener Public Library. For more photos see Page 7.
Ballet through the years BY RACHEL ROY
History, as we know, is filled with war, blood and disagreements, but there was a time where the world revolved around something else – ballet. On Nov. 17 at the Central Library branch of the Kitchener Public Library, Bengt Jörgen, artistic director of Ballet Jörgen Canada, introduced the history of ballet. In addition, Jörgen displayed some of the different costumes for different times and music. He also had professional dancers Saniya Abilmajineva and Daniel Da Silva perform. Jörgen said ballet was a form of language and was used politically at first. People could not be a part of the government unless they were able to perform ballet and do it well.
Only men were allowed to perform because during the beginning of ballet, in the early 15th century, women could not hold power. “I think that although it is sexist by today’s standards, and rightfully so, things like that were common back in those times,” said Victoria Meijer, a University of Waterloo student. “For example, I’m studying Shakespeare right now, which is about 1580-1600, and only men were allowed to be actors in the theatre. For a woman to do that was considered immoral.” Jörgen said ballet started in Italy before spreading to France where it was performed to entertain aristocrats. Over time ballet changed from a political statement to artistic and the ballerina came into being. Jörgen believes that ballet should continue to act as an
art form. “It’s about the people,” he said. Ballet takes years to master. Dancers don’t just start out one day and become stars. Abilmajineva said she started “training” to become a ballerina when she was 10 years old and she continues to train at the age of 29. Silva started out later and began his “training” at 14. “I think it makes sense,” Meijer said. “I mean, start early and they can form their bodies and minds easier to the lifestyle and demands of that kind of life.” Although the history of ballet is interesting, Jörgen doesn’t think those who go to watch a performance need to know everything. “If you need to know the history we have not done a good job when you see the show,” he said. “Ballet has adapted itself to whatever situation it’s in.”
In an effort to combat drab white walls and toxins in the air, a proposed “green” wall was discussed at the Nov. 24 Conestoga Students Inc. board of directors meeting. CSI board member Colin Gaudet suggested a vertical garden, or living wall, be constructed at Conestoga College’s Doon campus in an effort to turn one of the high school-like halls into something professional. The green wall would feature hundreds of different species of plants. The benefits that come from having a living wall are numerous. Some of them include increased esthetics, improved indoor air quality, energy savings, health and wellness benefits, acoustic benefits and more. With Algonquin College and the University of Guelph as examples, “living walls are beautiful works of art that will enhance Conestoga’s professional atmosphere,” Gaudet said. “The sound you hear in the halls, echoes and stuff, that’s white noise and it bounces off hard surfaces, but the plant leaves absorb sound so this would cut down noise and make places like Door 6 tranquil,” he added. Another benefit that Gaudet pointed out was the improvement of air quality if the college and CSI go ahead with the plan. Gaudet addressed the fact that the average person spends over 90 per cent of his or her time indoors so formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and benzene are just some of the harsh fumes that they can be exposed to everyday. “We build buildings to shelter us from outside but in reality, we release harmful chemicals with building materials,” Gaudet said. “A green wall can contain over a thousand plants, all of which filter air and, in addition, create energy-rich oxygen, so a 20-square-metre wall can take out as much toxins from the air as a medium-sized tree,” he added.
Studies have shown that simply having a view of greenery increases productivity as well as eases stress and fatigue. Therefore, by adding thousands of plants at Conestoga there will be a major positive impact. “We are CSI, we’re trying to promote good grades so this is how we do it; this is a large scale version of the oxygen bar,” Gaudet said. The cost of constructing and maintaining a living wall was not known, but it would be approximately $70,000 to $140,000, depending on which company was contracted to build the structure. It was proposed that CSI partner with the college to split the cost. “The interest on the faculty side is there, but they (the college) don’t have the budget to do this alone,” CSI president Jeff Scherer said. Although the operating and maintenance costs vary, it was speculated that the price would be around $2,400 to $4,800 a year. Scherer said currently, to maintain four plants, CSI pays $1,400 a year. In other business board members discussed a potential board game library. The games would be loaned out and would help students socialize, bond, relieve stress and have fun. The board game library would cost approximately $800 and would include 30 popular, classic and lesser known titles such as Settlers of Catan, Monopoly and Carcassonne. A CSI Leadership Centre was also discussed at the meeting. Sheena Witzel, assistant general manager for CSI, and Lisa Steele, leadership development coordinator, gave an update to an earlier discussion held about the creation of a Leadership Centre building. The Leadership Centre would be a shared space with the School of Business and the funds would be drawn from the innovation fund. More information about this project will be discussed at a future date.
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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, December 1, 2014 NEWs grand opening for waterloo auction store
Random questions answered by random students
If you were to have a tattoo, what graphic or text would it be? “A fish that says faith in it.” April Hope, second-year practical nursing
“The Condor on my back, if I was paid to do it.”
PHOTO BY IAN MCBRIDE
KW Auctions celebrated the grand opening of their new store on Nov. 22 in Waterloo. General manager Ian Watson and executive assistant Elizabeth Groen stand in front of some of the auction items at the grand opening. For story see video at www.spokeonline.com.
Jordan Crosby, first-year recreation and leisure services
Conestoga offering new program
In the Nov. 24 issue of Spoke, a story on a blood donor clinic held at the Doon campus said that in order to donate blood you had to be between the ages of 17 and 23. In fact, people who are in good health can start donating blood anytime between the ages of 17 and 61. Regular donors can continue until the age of 71, and even longer with the authorization of their doctor. Spoke apologizes for the error.
“I have no idea.” Meiying Chen, first-year occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant
“I already have four.” Brittany Brown, first-year human service foundation
PHOTO BY Carson deshevy-renouf
“Probably a huge tree on my back, like kind of a wintrylooking tree.” Elaina Petker, first-year visual merchandising
“No tattoo.” Doug Epp, first-year computer programmer
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
CORRECTION
A new program designed to make post-secondary learning accessible to those with developmental disabilities and other learning challenges will be coming to Conestoga this January. Shannon Lipskie, left, the manager of the new program, and Goranka Vukelich, Conestoga’s chair of community services, are excited to see what impact it will have on the college community. For more, see video at www.spokeonline.com.
NEWs
Monday, December 1, 2014
SPOKE s Page 3
Diversity is healthy on campus BY JACK PARKINSON
The positive power of cultural diversity was put on display last week at Conestoga College’s Doon campus. Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week is a weeklong event occurring twice per school year at Doon, organized by the Student Life department. On Nov. 17 the opening ceremonies took place alongside the first day of events, which featured student displays of music, food, dance and technology from a host of countries and cultures around the globe. The ceremonies started with music and dance performances from the Latin Ballroom Dance Club, and featured other performances such as Bollywood dancing and belly dancing. There were a number of speakers at the ceremonies, including Alan Vaughan, vice-president of enrolment management and international education at the college. Vaughan said the college’s international student population has increased from 450 in 2009 to more than 1,100 in 2014, with students attending from more than 65 countries. He spoke highly of the positive effect that a diverse range of cultures has on a campus. “You can see the improvement (cultural diversity) makes when you walk across any campus,” he said. The ceremonies concluded with a speech delivered by Myeengun Henry, manager of Aboriginal Student Services. Henry emphasized Canada’s history of cultural diversity, which he said can be traced back to the First Nations and their reactions to early European colonists. Afterwards, Henry said an aboriginal prayer and two women from Aboriginal Student Services sang a traditional song. Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week can trace its origins back to the Respect campaign at Conestoga, which started around 2008,
Above, dancers in Conestoga’s Bollywood Dance Club perform during the opening ceremonies of Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week. The opening ceremonies took place on Nov. 17. Right, Myeengun Henry, manager of Aboriginal Student Services, speaks to the crowd at Conestoga. Henry said the history of Canada’s cultural diversity can be traced back to the First Nations. PHOTOs BY jack parkinson
according to Laura Black, who was appointed head organizer of the week last year. Over the years it has grown considerably and now has a 15-member committee dedicated to planning it, with representatives from services across the campus. Black, who works with Student Development and Student Services, said balancing inclusivity is a tough job. “With inclusion, you always have exclusion,” she said in an interview. She also pointed out that Conestoga has many demographics of students beyond what people usually think of in terms of culture.
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You can see the improvement (cultural diversity) makes when you walk across any campus. — Alan Vaughan
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“We have mature students, students with children, students straight out of high school,” Black said. Under-representation and over-representation are often brought up at committee meetings, Black said, and the Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week is still figuring out how to balance it perfectly. As an example, Black described the visual design of last year’s logo compared to this year’s. In 2013 the logo featured a design emphasizing flags, though it naturally couldn’t include every country involved in the week. This time the committee tried a new spin on the idea: a fourcolour design, where each of the four colours is present on the flag of every country involved. That sort of lateral thinking about inclusivity and diversity is an approach Black tried to bring to the special week when she was appointed to organize it.
Stress-Free Zone in Atrium Dec. 3 BY NATHAN BROWN
The time of year that every student dreads is fast approaching, exam week. During this week, and the ones leading up to it, students are extremely stressed. Keeping a level head is hard. Staff at Conestoga College’s Counselling Services under-
stand this and want to help, so on Dec. 3 they are holding a Stress-Free Zone. “Students need help to not let stress take control of them,” said Lydia ElmoralesRey, a counsellor at the college. The counselling office gave some tips to help lower stress including eating well, getting
the right amount of sleep, relaxing and just having fun. “It (The Stress-Free Zone) gives students an opportunity to engage in a few relaxation techniques, to introduce them to that and to show them how to manage stress differently or more effectively,” ElmoralesRey said. “The whole emphasis of the Stress-Free Zone is
to give students that support during a very stressful time in the semester.” The zone will include a variety of activities such as a bath salt making workshop, tips for stress management and a free mini massage or reflexology treatment. “It’s an opportunity to provide students with tech-
niques, suggestions and a mini experience on how to reduce stress and manage stress,” Elmorales-Rey said. The counselling office will also be handing out healthy snacks and a variety of teas. The Stress-Free Zone will take place in the Atrium at the college on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
COMMENTARY
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Monday, December 1, 2014
Legal system far from perfect BY josh kennedy
In 2008, Nicole Ryan, a teacher living in Nova Scotia, tried to hire a hit man to murder her husband. The hit man turned out to be an undercover RCMP agent who had Ryan arrested for counselling to commit murder. During the trial in 2009, Ryan told the court that she feared for her life because her husband had been abusing her, and that the RCMP did nothing when she asked for their help. The undercover agent who Ryan met said she never mentioned being abused, instead saying she wanted her husband dead so she could inherit the three properties he owned and his $500,000 military pension. Many key witnesses were never called to testify, including Cpl. Chris Thibeaudeau who was the RCMP agent on the file. Ryan’s husband said he wanted to testify but was never called as a witness. Ryan got off because the court thought that she had “suffered enough” and the RCMP and Ryan’s husband were labeled as the “bad guys.” This is just one example of many legal mistakes. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne created a documentary called Dear Zachary, which was a video diary about his friend, Andrew Bagby, a Los Angeles lawyer who was murdered in 2001 by his girlfriend, Shirley Jane Turner. Turner was found not guilty. In 2003 she gained full custody of her infant son, Zachary, who was being taking care of by Bagby’s parents, and then jumped off a cliff with Zachary in her arms. After the incident, investigators found evidence that revealed Turner was mentally ill. One of her ex-boyfriends came forward and said after he broke up with Turner, she came to his house with a gun and threatened to shoot herself if he didn’t get back together with her. And she had eight restraining orders filed against her. This evidence was never brought up during Turner’s trial Courtroom mistakes can also have innocent people thrown in jail. Michael Anthony Green was jailed for 27 years for abduction and rape before being found innocent. The legal system is supposed to protect citizens and make sure that criminals get what they deserve. Instead, mistakes are being made and ruining lives. The justice system must be overhauled to protect both victims and the accused, and overhauled soon. 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
Burnt out students can’t wait until the holidays.
Two progressive citizens open gay bar in Waterloo Thanks to two progressive citizens, the City of Waterloo will have a gay bar. The brainchild of business partners Rami Said and Devon McKenzie, the Order at 56 King St. N. could be open this week, depending on how long it takes to put the final touches on the building. According to a Nov. 20 article in the Waterloo Region Record, the club will feature a rotation of themes, a variety of music and an inclusive attitude for all those in the LGBTQ community. Personally, I’m surprised there isn’t a gay bar in Waterloo now. In a world where inclusivity of all races, religions and sexual preferences is the norm, logic would dictate that there would be a gathering place for people involved in the LGBTQ community in our region. However, according to the Record article, the only other gay bar in the region is in Cambridge. There was a gay bar in Kitchener called
Alex Riese Opinion
Renaissance, but, according to the article, it closed last year.
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With most of society still fairly intimidated by alternative sexuality, it’s becoming more necessary than ever for these people to have a safe environment.
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With most of society still fairly intimidated by alternative sexuality, it is important for these people to have a safe environment. Considering that most
other groups have their own venues to safely express themselves, it’s abhorrent that the LGBTQ community doesn’t have a place to call their own. It’s also a little terrifying. According to a June 26 article in the Globe and Mail, police reported a drastic rise in hate crimes. A 2012 Statistics Canada report found there were 1,414 haterelated crimes, 82 more than the previous year. Of those crimes, 13 per cent were committed based on sexual orientation. Troublingly, two-thirds of the crimes committed based on sexual orientation involved violence. There are also far too many people using homophobic language casually, making it uncomfortable for LGBTQ members, if not downright unsafe. A club just for them is great, but even better would be a life free of harassment and fear.
Spoke
i s p u b l i s h ed and prod u ced weekl y b y t h e j o u rnal i sm st u dents o f C onestoga C ollege Editor: Beth Crouse Assignment Editors: Alex Riese, Maryssa McFadden Advertising Managers: Jack Parkinson, Jordan Johnstone Spoke Online Editors: Carson Deshevy-Renouf,
Cody Mudge, Ian McBride Production Managers: Cassie Tulecki, Carmen Ponciano Photo Editors (print): Nathan Brown, Kali Caudle, Justin Ford Photo Editors (online): Josh Kennedy, Nicole
Nemeth, Heather Stanley Social Media Editor: Nataleigh McCallum, Matt Howell Circulation Manager: Rachel Roy 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, December 1, 2014
Nothing is off limits at X-rated show
SPOKE s Page 5
BY NATALEIGH MCCALLUM
How much would you pay just to watch your friends completely embarrass themselves on stage in front of a bunch of strangers? Or better yet, hear their sex noises? Tony Lee, an X-rated hypnotist, blessed Conestoga with one of his raunchy yet entertaining shows on Nov. 20. Students saw everything from hypnotized students thinking they were having oral sex to having full out intercourse with the chairs they were sitting on. The content of the show? Sex, sex and a lot more sex. And of course the f-bomb every other word. “We’re here for the beers and entertainment,” said Matt Marson, a first-year welding and fabrication student. And entertainment was most definitely what Marson and all the other students got. Lee hypnotized students and had them do almost anything – most definitely things they would not do in front of strangers. He had hypnotized male students put their hands in their pants and made them think they were masturbating – yes, everyone saw that. But how does Lee do it? He relaxes individuals into a subconscious state of mind. A conscious mind works as a problem-solver and analyzes situations. But a subconscious mind has no power to reason, it simply accepts and acts on suggestions that it is given. The X-rated show, which has been performed over 30 times since the mid-’90s at
PHOTOs BY nataleigh mccallum
Conestoga Students Inc. had Tony Lee, an X-rated hypnotist, perform at Conestoga on Nov. 20. Above, hypnotized students were made to believe the chairs they were sitting on were their significant others and were told to have intercourse with them. Conestoga, made the most sexually uncomfortable situations over-the-top hilarious. “It’s a great event from CSI. It’s hilarious; he’s like a comedian hypnotist and it’s hilarious for our age group,” said Colin Gaudet, a member of CSI’s board of directors and a second-year environmental civil engineering student.
A student was hypnotized to think he was a naked female model at the show.
The students who were hypnotized were chosen from the audience at the beginning of the show. Lee, now having performed over 7,500 live X-rated hypnotist shows, never thought he would be doing this as a career. “The reality is I started by accident. I hypnotized my girlfriend once,” Lee said. “I
had a club and I started playing around with it (hypnotizing people) and doing stuff to make me laugh. Then I started doing other clubs. It took on a life of its own so I figured I’d tour Canada and see the world a bit before I got a real job but it just kept snowballing.” The show had students laughing all night. At one
point Lee actually convinced hypnotized students that a girl’s genital could talk. Now that was something interesting to see. Lee even walked around handing out shots to students and everyone knows, college students enjoy free liquor. “It’s always a blast here,” Lee said about performing at Conestoga.
Male students were convinced they were female and sent out into the audience to perform lap dances on other men.
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feature
Monday, December 1, 2014
Leaping through history
PHOTOs BY Rachel roy
Saniya Abilmajineva and Daniel Da Silva, ballet and lifting partners, helped present different eras of ballet during a History of Ballet seminar on Nov. 17 at the Kitchener Public Library.
Monday, December 1, 2014
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entertainment
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Monday, December 1, 2014
The Book of Mormon makes K-W the centre of attention BY JUSTIN FORD
Kitchener’s Centre In The Square has landed arguably one of the biggest Broadway musicals of our time. The Book of Mormon will be performed at the centre from Tuesday, Dec. 9 until Sunday, Dec. 14. Kitchener will be one of the very few Canadian stops the musical makes. “It (the negotiation process) took about two years,” said the centre’s chief executive officer, Sandra Bender. “We were a top venue and a top market to consider.” The Book of Mormon is a satire created by South Park jokesters Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Their crude and direct humour may not be for all, but it was more than enough to earn them nine Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical. “There’s no question The Book of Mormon is going to shock some people,” Bender said. “But, you don’t want to spoil it. It’s kind of its charm.” The musical tells the story of two missionaries sent to Africa to convert people to Mormonism. If you’re a fan of South Park, you may be thinking this doesn’t bode well for the Mormon religion, and they’re clearly going to be taking some heavy shots at the religion itself. But, that’s not exactly the case.
“They don’t actually attack the Mormon religion, it’s just about making you think,” Bender said. “They deal with worldly issues that we’re ignorant to, and some people are shocked and offended, but people forget that they aren’t making anything up.” Bender compares what Parker and Stone have done to Broadway with what they did to prime-time television. Yes, it’s obscene and even vulgar at times, but there’s always a message and there’s always a bigger issue being dealt with. She said people are reacting to The Book of Mormon almost in the same manner that people initially reacted to South Park. “Prepare to be shocked,” said Woodstock resident and Broadway goer Nicole Hill. “They take funny to a whole new inappropriately and hilarious level.” The centre has one of the largest stages in Canada. They also boast a crew that’s been there since day one. Bender said the theatre itself is highly regarded for its acoustics, and has one of the best sightlines, regardless of where you’re sitting. Essentially, the centre has ideal facilities to host a Broadway musical. Bender has an illustrious background programming
festivals, sometimes working with over 200 acts. She’s even been involved with Mumford and Sons. Still, she admits that in terms of production, this is one of the biggest shows she’s ever been involved with. “Broadway shows come completely packaged,” Bender said. “They’re beasts. They know exactly what they’re doing.” Bender’s goal in her twoyear tenure at the helm of the centre has been to create an atmosphere and tone of relevancy. She’s been chipping away at this goal by bringing the most contemporary and relevant work to the centre. She’s pushed the boundaries of what people would expect to be available in a market like Kitchener, and she’s succeeded by bringing huge acts like John Legend and now the most successful Broadway musical in recent history. “Everything in the arts is always worth one shot,” Bender said. “Love or hate, it’s that emotional response. Really, when you think about great art, it comes from being pushed to think differently.” Just like Bender pushed the centre’s boundaries and succeeded, The Book of Mormon pushes the boundaries of what a Broadway musical is supposed to be.
PHOTO BY Joan Marcus
Mark Evans performs in The Book of Mormon which will be performed at the Centre In The Square from Dec. 9 to 14. “They (Parker and Stone) take the piss out of Broadway,” Bender said. Tickets for The Book of Mormon can be purchased
online at www.centreinthesquare.com or by calling 519-578-1570 or 1-800-2658977. Tickets range from $55 to $155.
A multiplatform evolution for the Toronto Star
BY CARMEN PONCIANO
As part of a new movement, Canada’s largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, announced on Nov. 5 that they will drop the digital paywall which restricts readers without a paid subscription from accessing the full site when they launch a digital tablet edition in the fall of 2015. “This is an important strategic step forward for the Star and for Torstar as we commit to our future of crossplatform, a future that we recognize will be increasing mobile,” said David Holland, Torstar president and CEO, according to a Nov. 5 CBC article. The Star is working with Montreal’s La Presse to develop a new tablet app for the Star. It will be based on the La Presse+ (La Presse’s tablet edition) platform technology of delivering news information in an interactive and intuitive environment by combining print, video, web and mobile. La Presse released its tablet edition back in 2013 and decided to go with an advertiser supportive model, in other words, advertising
PHOTO BY Carmen ponciano
The Toronto Star announced on Nov. 5 it will remove its paywall and release a tablet edition in September 2015. is what pays the bills. Since its launch it has had positive results, one of them being able to attract a younger audience. “The new tablet edition will be a key element of our multiplatform evolution,” said John Cruickshank, publisher of the Toronto Star in an article in Marketwired on Nov. 5.
“We are encouraged and impressed by the reception of La Presse+, which has attracted a highly engaged younger audience.” Readers of La Presse on average spend about 45 minutes a day on the tablet app and up to an hour on Saturdays, which is what the Toronto Star hopes to
achieve as it will be investing around $15 million on making their tablet edition. Like many other newspapers across Canada, the Toronto Star has struggled with a decline in readership and advertising revenues which is why the tablet edition will be incorporated into the multiplatform family.
“The Internet is a great source for content but most people below a certain age don’t believe in paying for content,” said Paul Woods, executive editor of the Toronto Star. “You put up a paywall then your readership declines, and if you put it up for free, you’re not getting much revenue.” However, despite this new movement, the Toronto Star will not be getting rid of its print edition any time soon. They will continue to support their large group of loyal print subscribers. “But they are aging, they’re 57-year-olds and older,” Woods said. “We need to have a whole new generation of people who are now in their teens, their 20s and 30s who would want to come to us for content in a format that they are more comfortable with.” So far La Presse and the Toronto Star are the only two Canadian newspapers to jump on the tablet edition bandwagon. However, it is a method that is becoming more popular in North America since some newspaper companies such as The New York Times and Washington Post also offer a tablet edition.
Monday, December 1, 2014
NEWS
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Brace yourselves, exams are coming Students get off the bus by Door 3 for yet another busy day of academia at Conestoga College. With exams and project due dates rapidly approaching, the workload and stress levels are reaching a fever pitch. PHOTO BY alex riese
five fun things to do in an exam Note: for humourous purposes only. Get a copy of the exam and run out of the room screaming “Andre, Andre! I have secret documents!” Bring cheerleaders. Bring pets. Make patterns or spell words using the answer bubbles on multiple choice sections. Do the exam with crayons, paint or fluorescent markers.
FUN & GAMES
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Monday, December 1, 2014
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
horoscope Week of December 1, 2014
Aries
A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair. It’s illegal to spit on the sidewalk in Norfolk, Va.
Libra
March 21 April 19
September 23 October 22
Relationships shouldn’t be your first priority at this point in time. Make adjustments and focus your energy toward what’s in front of you.
Woodpecker scalps, porpoise teeth and giraffe tails have all been used as money.
Your easygoing attitude serves you and others well. Don’t forget that your needs cannot go unfilled. This week, focus on yourself.
India has a Bill of Rights for cows. In the four professional major North American sports (baseball, basketball, football and hockey), only seven teams have nicknames that do not end with an s.
Scorpio
Taurus
October 23 November 21
April 20 May 20
Taurus, you are known to be stubborn. Listening to someone else’s point of view might be beneficial.
You will benefit by looking toward the light in a terrible situation. Focus your energy on the positive things in life.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius
Gemini
November 22 December 21
May 21 June 21
Discuss your conclusions with someone who shares your outlook on the world. You’ll enjoy their point of view and feedback.
Cancer
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.
You are detached from emotions. You are known to experience emotions then move on. This week, don’t let emotions hold you down.
Capricorn
June 22 July 22
December 22 January 19
Find someone who you can trust. Share your feelings with that individual in order to prevent resentment in the future.
For the sake of happiness, appreciate what you have instead of striving to reach the next step in your life.
Aquarius
Leo
January 20 February 18
July 23 August 22 Take time to acknowledge the feelings of others around you. If you don’t make time for them, you may hurt someone you love.
Virgo
Aquarius, you are often known to be rebellious. At this point you can’t afford to be. Knuckle down and finish what you are procrastinating on.
Pisces
August 23 September 22
February 19 March 20
Virgos do not like to analyze their feelings. They pretend everything is OK and use it as a defense mechanism.
Pisces, you are known to be indecisive. Those around you notice this and are easily frustrated. This week, go with the flow. It will make things a lot easier.
The stars have spoken.
Word Search
NEWS
Monday, December 1, 2014
Students making new friends as English conversation partners BY CASSIE TULECKI
The English Conversation Partner (ECP) program offered on campus is providing fluent English-speaking students with the chance to talk to English as an Additional Language (EAL) students in order to create friendships as well improve EAL students’ English. “This is a beneficial partnership for both individuals, as both the EAL student and the fluent English-speaking student are able to have the opportunity to increase their cultural awareness, connect with someone new and improve interpersonal and communication skills,” said Janina Robinson, Student Life Programmer – Leadership Initiatives. EAL students participate in this program to help improve their English as well as become more confident and comfortable while attending college. Both EAL students and fluent English-speaking students who
are interested in the program can go to Student Life located in Room 2A101-2 to sign up. EAL students can fill out an application form at Student Life or on Student Life’s website. After speaking to someone in Student Life, students then go in for an interview for 15-20 minutes. The meeting provides more details of what the ECP program is, as well as gives Student Life a chance to get to know the students so they can find a partner who would be well suited to them. “Students are not randomly matched, rather, we try our best to match students with another student who we feel would make a great partner,” Robinson said. Volunteers are then asked to attend an hour-long training session at the beginning of their involvement in the program. Volunteers are also asked to meet with their partner a minimum of six times per semester. “We have had some great feedback from both volunteers as well as EAL students about
the great relationships that have been formed through the ECP program,” she said. Students can stay involved with the same partner throughout the year, although a year commitment isn’t required. They can also choose to volunteer for just one semester. This applies to EAL students as well. Conversation Circles are also being offered this year by parttime Student Life staff members. EAL students who have already attended the initial interview appointment are welcome to attend. It is a group session that is focused on providing the chance to practise English as part of a group. “Not only do we see that language ability and confidence increases for the EAL student, but both partners often feel as though a friendship has been formed. For volunteers, a deeper understanding of their partner’s culture and life experience provides a great learning opportunity,” Robinson said.
Rec Centre RENOVATIONS continue
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superheroes to the rescue
PHOTO BY Josh Kennedy
April Lee (Spider-Man) and Brian Connor (Iron Man) did a super job as superheroes, walking around Doon campus selling chocolate to raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters Nov. 18.
making friends on campus
PHOTO BY Justin Ford PHOTO BY Beth crouse
The cement walkway and huge mounds of earth have been removed as construction on Doon’s rec centre continues.
Second-year early childhood education student Erica Pagnan and first-year journalism broadcast student Dylan Wilson took part in a “make a friend” pit run held by the early childhood education program in the Atrium.
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Monday, December 1, 2014