Off to a strong start Condors do well in first tournament of the season. Page 10 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016
SPOKE
Conquering a fear of flying Spoke reporter flies high indoors. Page 14
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM
47TH YEAR — NO. 4
Bring calm to your life BY MIKE STROMME
“There’s also a new bar called Smash in the Village,” said Lovell. “It’s a Ping Pong bar and it’s been quite popular.” If you don’t want to empty your wallet but really want to relax at the spa, try the GanBan volcanic rock therapy at Iwa Spa for $30. “It’s so warm and relaxing,” Lovell said. “They also offer hot yoga classes in the room. There’s also a tube park, a skating rink and the Runner Mountain Coaster operates all year-round. If you’re looking to get outside, we’ll get you outside.” While most Canadians may be flying south this winter, Reading Week can be one of the most costly times to opt for an all-inclusive. However, if sun is the only option, Cuba is the most cost-effective country for Canadians – fact Allen insists won’t last for much longer. “Cuba (is the cheapest) followed by Dominican Republic and then Mexico,” Allen said. “But as Cuba opens itself up to the U.S. market, that will change in the next two years.
Things are going to get a lot more relaxed at Conestoga College now that the QiGong Moving Meditation Club is up and running. QiGong, (pronounced cheekung), is an ancient Chinese meditation that emphasizes breathing techniques, slowing down the mind, natural movement and posture. QiGong emphasizes the importance of breathing, teaching solid breathing techniques to give the body oxygen. More oxygen allows for better cognitive function and improves sleeping patterns. “How many times in a day do we actually realize that we’re breathing?” said club president Suzie Nunes. Nunes, a first-year occupational therapist and physiotherapist assistant student, is a certified QiGong instructor and member of the National QiGong Association. She has been using QiGong ever since she broke her ankle in 1996 while living in Malaysia. She attributes much of her recovery to QiGong. “The more (QiGong) I would do, the more I was feeling better,” she said. “I wasn’t feeling so restricted in my walking after QiGong.” Nunes grew up in Montreal and lived there for much of her life. She went to business school in the city, acquired a bachelor of business administration and worked for SAP Canada before a corporate merger forced her out of a job. She parlayed her severance package into a diploma in commercial photography, which led to a six-month internship in Egypt. After her internship, she moved to Penang, Malaysia. From there, she spent the next five years travelling all over Southeast Asia taking photographs before coming back to Canada in 2010.
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The Ridge Runner coaster is open year-round at the Blue Mountain Resort. Riders twist and turn down the mountain for 1,085 metres at speeds up to 42 km/h. The resort offers activities at a variety of price points for those looking for ‘staycations’ this Reading Week.
These travel spots are budget friendly BY SARAH VEENSTRA
Picture this: it’s Friday night. Twinkling lights brighten the ebony sky. It’s a brisk evening but the warmth steaming from the crepe keeps the fingertips warm, while the bittersweet taste of the Grand Marnier and sugar that fills the pastry warms the rest of you. The structure before you twinkles. It’s a scene that you swore you’d only see in movies. Bienvenu à Paris… Wait – you’re on a student budget? With essays, exams, work, class and social engagements, it’s no wonder students are feeling stressed. Yet, just because students are on a beer budget, doesn’t mean there’s not a budget-friendly way to catch a little R&R this Reading Week. “First of all, you’ve got to determine what you want to do and that doesn’t matter whether your budget is $600 or $5,000,” said Scott Allen, a certified travel counsellor for Frederick Travel in Kitchener. “After you determine your budget and your needs, make a plan. What I’ve
always done with my clients is take $100 from their budget. This offers them a buffer for hidden expenses and prevents them from incurring unnecessary debt.” Determining your budget and what you want to do will narrow your focus. This will help determine your flexibility. Often the more flexible you are, the more cost-effective your vacation Allen said. “If you’re planning on going to a major city, booking lastminute vacations aren’t always the cheaper route,” he said. “When you look at any travel, and I mean any travel, anywhere, the most expensive trips and the least expensive trips always book up first. What you’re left with is the mid-range.” Allen added that while booking last minute in a big city might not save any pennies, booking in a larger city like Toronto, the home of 400 hotels, may be more costeffective than somewhere like Kitchener, which may only have 40 hotels at most. “So, if you’re talking about a large city, you’ll have more selection. However, if you’re
looking at activity-based holidays, a place like Blue Mountain where you can do some cross-country or downhill skiing might be a great choice,” said Allen. Blue Mountain’s five-star spa, amenities and winter sports may not be budgetfriendly for a whole week, but could be for a couple of nights. Skis, snowboards and day passes can run as high as $160 a day but the mountain offers plenty more. “If skiing’s not your thing, snowshoes can be rented to follow a few of the local trails,” said Tara Lovell, public relations manager for Blue Mountain Resort. “There’s lots of different restaurants from burgers to fine dining, depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for the best viewpoint from an après ski perspective, Jojo’s at the Blue Mountain Inn is the original après spot to keep your boots on and have a drink.” Walk through the shops in the village or enjoy the nightlife. Twist, a martini bar and wine lounge, is the town’s hot spot.
NEWS
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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, February 1, 2016
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
If your house was burning down, what three items would you save?
“My dog, my passport and my birth certificate.” Alanna Fitzgerald, first-year social service worker
World comes together in fight against cancer BY GARRET BURCHETT
“My cellphone, my cat and my shoes.”
Allen Bezeau, second-year journalism broadcast
“My phone, my phone charger and my coat.”
Byanca Stefan, first-year human services
“My phone, my clothes and probably my phone charger.” Crystal Kolgekaya, first-year interior decorating
“My phone, wallet and my keys.”
Mitchell Huitema, second-year electrical, construction and maintenance
“My desktop computer, my phone and some clothing.” Victoria Frey, first-year bachelor of design
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
The fight against cancer is a global one. And the fight ramps up on Feb. 4, on World Cancer Day, when the world’s population unites to raise awareness about the disease and to press both governments and individuals to take action. “On World Cancer Day, we have an opportunity to collectively examine cancer control strategies to identify winning formulas that will accelerate progress,” said Heather Bryant, VP of Cancer Control at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The primary objective of World Cancer Day this year is to have as many people as possible, all around the world, talking about cancer on Feb. 4. It’s being called the Thunderclap. It’s a way for everyone around the world to show their support and share the #NoHairSelfie all at the same time. And it’s
easier than ever to show your support. While you can still physically shave your head, you can now virtually shave your head as well with the NoHairSelfie app. World Cancer Day was established on Feb. 4, 2000, at the World Summit against Cancer for the new millennium in Paris, France. Sixteen years later, the goal remains the same – promote research for curing and preventing the disease and to mobilize the global community against cancer. “The goal for all of us is to ensure fewer people develop cancer, more people are successfully treated and that there is a better quality of life for people during treatment and beyond,” said Bryant. The motto for this year’s World Cancer Day is “We can. I can.” It signifies how everyone, collectively or individually, can play a part in reducing the global burden of cancer. Cancer affects everyone in different ways,
but each of us has the power to take actions to reduce the impact it has on individuals, families and communities. For example, as a group, we can: inspire action, shape policy change, and work together for an increased impact. But even as an individual, I can: support others, make healthy lifestyle choices and speak out. Over eight million people worldwide die from cancer every year, and that number is expected to rise to 11.5 million by 2025. In Canada, cancer is the leading cause of death, responsible for 30 per cent of all deaths in this country. Last year 539 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer every day. On average, 214 Canadians died from cancer every day. These numbers are echoed in other countries. They highlight the necessity of coming together on a day like Feb. 4, to support a cause that is truly a global challenge.
NEWs
Monday, February 1, 2016
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Blue Mountain has a lot to offer
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That demand will increase costs.” Heading anywhere below the border at the present time might not be the most ideal for those looking to save a few dollars on travel costs. “Let’s be honest, anyone heading into the U.S. right now is doing so at a 40 per cent premium,” said Allen. “So, if you’re thinking of a shopping trip, remember that extra 40 cents on the dollar.” Instead, Allen offers the solution of a “staycation,” a vacation that often stays within a driving distance of between five and six hours from home. “If you feel like a city tour, Ottawa is an excellent choice,” said Allen. “Take the train down, spend a couple of nights, see the Parliament buildings and some museums. It could be a great option. Another is Montreal. Just an hour outside of Ottawa.” Toronto, Niagara Falls, Stratford, Niagara on the Lake and Elora were also suggestions made for a budgetfriendly “staycation.” “There’s theatres, shops, entertainment, restaurants and tours everywhere,” Allen said. “If you are set, however, on something a little more exotic, Travel Cuts is the best one around.” Travel Cuts, a travel website strictly for students, offers price cuts and deals that not even travel agents have access to. “Best recommendation I can make is plan in advance,” said Allen. “And do your research.” Even though students may lack a big budget for travel, it doesn’t mean they can’t have an enjoyable and relaxing Reading Week no matter what adventure is chosen. Besides, Paris will always be there.
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If students are looking for budget-friendly places to go during Reading Week from Feb. 15-19, Blue Mountain offers many fun activities to do with friends or family.
Check out a band and relax at Jozo’s Bar in The Village at Blue Mountain Resort.
Chill out on the slopes with a snowboard or skis at Blue Mountain during Reading Week.
me, “To learn is to teach,” so here I am,” said Nunes. Each class is held in an environment that is conducive to relaxation. The setting features soft, flowing, earthly music. All lights, aside from a big circle of string lights, are turned out. Despite QiGong’s ancient origins, the practice is not religious. “It’s not critical, it’s not judgmental. It really is a health practice,” said Nunes. Nunes’ rave reviews and positive testimony caught the attention of first-year occupational therapist and physiotherapist assistant student Jen Coombs. “Suzie is very well-spoken, very bright. She gives off a lot of good vibes. She talked a lot about it, and it got me interested in (QiGong),” said Coombs.
QiGong Moving Meditation Club president Suzie Nunes demonstrates QiGong at Conestoga College’s Doon campus on Jan. 21.
QiGong Moving Meditation now offered at Conestoga CONTINUED From Page 1
“Identity has always been a huge question for me,” said Nunes. “QiGong helps me answer those questions.” Upon her return to Canada, Nunes attended QiGong classes in Toronto. The practice inspired her enough to begin teaching her own classes. She started on a volunteer basis at Sunnyside Home Long Term Care in Kitchener, a position that eventually turned into a paid job. She now has classes at the Rockway Community Centre in Kitchener, the Affinity Health Clinic in New Hamburg and at the Self-Help Alliance in Kitchener in addition to the club at Conestoga. She also does private sessions. “I had one instructor tell
“The nice thing about (QiGong) is that, when we finally get started, it will be something new that everyone can start to see and start to move into.” The QiGong Moving Meditation Club held its first class on Jan. 27. Classes run from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 2E26. However, the location is subject to change pending class sizes. Nunes’ other classes are Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at the Rockway Community Centre in Kitchener and the Self-Help Alliance building in Kitchener on Saturdays at noon. For more information on the club, follow Suzie Nunes on Twitter at @SuzieNunes or look for Conestoga QiGong Moving Meditations on Facebook.
PHOTO BY mike stromme
COMMENTARY
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Monday, February 1, 2016
Paid internships should be the norm BY sean malinowski
Internships are an integral part of today’s college experience. Having the opportunity to get your foot in the door of a business or organization of your choosing is a great way to get useful experience, as well as beneficial self-promotion. For most students, internships are mandatory to graduate, there is no avoiding them. This is a difficult credit to complete though, having to travel off-campus during odd hours, and cramming it into your already chock full schedule of work, school and socialism. So you shouldn’t have to settle for doing it for free. That being said, busiInterns shouldn’t be nesses should recognize hired just to make this and offer more paid internships. Time is coffee runs, they are there money, especially for a student. Having your to test drive a career. pockets filled from a good day’s work should be a part of the workplace experience. Also, businesses should give interns professional roles and duties that are realistic for a beginner in that field. Interns shouldn’t be hired just to make coffee runs, they are there to test drive a career. Of course, the main focus of an internship is to make sure individuals have the best learning opportunities that match their career interest. But, with an hourly wage, students would become even more engaged. Money talks. In Ontario, unpaid internships are illegal unless they are a requirement of a college or university program, or if it offers specific professional training in a certain field (law, agriculture, dentistry). Paid internships need to be more prevalent, readily available, and should be a post-secondary school norm. It’s a tough economic time to be throwing money at the future of the world, but the future has to start somewhere.
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Can’t we all just make up already?
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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
The Starving Intern
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
I may not have many social media accounts like some people, I just have Facebook and Twitter, but I still notice all the nasty comments that people leave for others and I don’t understand why. Something I’ve noticed lately is people hating on makeup tutorial videos that are posted. Comments will say that the girl looks like a clown, or that she looks more beautiful au naturel. Some even ask why she’s showing younger audiences how to cover all their natural beauty, or that she’s teaching others to be insecure about themselves. I highly disagree. I admire girls who post videos on how to do different makeup tricks. I like to watch them and get ideas. Do I think that some wear too much? Of course they do. But do they like wearing it? Yes, and that’s all that matters.
Kandace Gallant
Opinion I love getting ready to go out for a nice dinner, or for a shopping trip to Toronto, and a part of getting ready is doing my makeup. I think it’s fun, especially when you learn different techniques. I like trying different ways to do my eyeshadow, or different ways to do my eyeliner. I also have a slight obsession with shopping for my favourite makeup brand names, like Urban Decay or Benefit. I love trying their new products and I don’t care if people judge me. I have fun with it, it’s an interest of mine, and I will continue to wear makeup no matter how much people feel like girls shouldn’t.
It’s funny because my girlfriends have said the same thing and I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s noticed the negativity toward makeup. They’ve asked me things like, “Why can’t I just do my makeup the way I want to do it without people judging me?” or, “Just because I wear makeup doesn’t mean I’m insecure. I just like it and find it fun to do.” Makeup is also a personal, unique style that defines someone. Some girls like to wear black eyeshadow every day, some like to wear red lipstick every day, some like to apply fake eyelashes … It’s a part of who they are. So why does that have to be turned into negativity? People should feel free to dress and look the way they want without it becoming an issue. After all, if we all liked and did the same things, the world would be a pretty boring place.
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 of C onestoga C ollege Editor: Chris Hussey Assignment Editors: Matt Linseman, Jenna Braun Advertising Managers: Christel Allison Spoke Online Editors: Emmie Siroky, Sean Malinowski, Marissa Cuddy Production Managers: Sarah Veenstra, Garrett
Burchett, Taylor Schweitzer Photo Editors (print): Jason Mota, Paul Boreham, Ashley Nequest, Ethan Kompf Photo Editors (online): Josh van Ostrand, Mike Stromme, Michelle Maisonville, Kandace Gallant Social Media Editor: Joe Weppler, Jessica Pett,
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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.
Feature
Monday, February 1, 2016
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Creating with the Kwartzlab Nikolas Trutiak, field solutions engineer at Aeryon Labs. “I wasn’t sure I was going to like Waterloo but it’s this kind of thing that excites me. There are a bunch of people who are all doing research and building their own things, sort of poking at new technologies and trying to figure out how it
BY JOSHUA VAN OSTRAND
The Region of Waterloo is a vast tech hub known for many advances in technology, but the region is also well known for its art. What most people don’t know the area for is a growing subculture that is becoming a very active part of the community. In an unassuming building on the corner of Kent Avenue and Charles Street East resides a technological and artistic powerhouse that is maker culture. Every nook and cranny inside is filled with trinkets and gadgets to bring wonder to even the most creative of science fiction fans. The Kwartzlab is a maker space, a workshop where members get together and share tools and experience as a way of helping each other to reach their creative potential and to solve problems. While that may evoke images of a boring, sterile environment or a dingy basement, the group of people who make up the Kwartzlab exude nothing but fun and creativity. Maker culture is a combination of art and engineering spanning all kinds of creation from mechanics and robotics to computer code and design. On Tuesday evenings members of the Kwartzlab gather to open the space up and show off maker culture, and to work and talk with people who are interested in the space or the culture that it represents. To a lot of people in the lab, maker culture is very dear to them. “It’s a collaboration of individuals coming together to better humanity,” said David Metcalf, a creative and daring member of the Kwartzlab and Conestoga alumnus. “When it comes to (the Kwartzlab) it’s all about a bunch of people helping each other. We all have our separate projects and we all come together to help with those as well as collaborate with each other to do something cool for society.” The culture has a fairly short history according to Ben Brown, a founding member and former director of the Kwartzlab. “Kwartzlab is six years old and it was pretty much my first big project,” said Brown. “Maker culture got popular with Make magazine about 10 years ago but before that there was DIY and hacking, the non-’90s Internet movie version of hacking, that is. Working on projects just solving your own problems kind of thing.” The solo aspect of it changed when the culture became more accessible to people and maker
evening creating small buttons emblazoned with the Kwartzlab logo and greeting people who spent the evening touring the lab. Ben Eaton, a firstyear computer engineering technology student at Conestoga, spent much of the evening cutting wood with the Kwartzlab’s laser cutter to form a wooden steam locomotive. “You have to love learning, I think, to really gel with it because that’s the kind of thing that unifies us – learning new things and making cool new stuff.” Loving learning is something that each member
PHOTOs BY Joshua Van Ostrand
Above, David Metcalf, a Kwartzlab member, works on a prototype that could someday allow wheelchairs to climb stairs during the Kwartzlab’s open night on Jan. 19. Below, Jim Fare shows off a Kwartzlab member’s creation, made with a laser cutter. spaces began to form out of camaraderie. That camaraderie and constant drive to help others create is an integral part of maker culture and it’s evident in the way that members greet each other and how they react toward newcomers in the space. It’s not uncommon to see a joke from one side of the room make everyone laugh. People come to the space to use the collective set of tools that are shared by all the members. Everything from ovens hot enough to melt aluminum to a laser cutting machine and a small array of 3D printers provide everything needed to create something unique. However, according to Brown, the space itself is only a small part of what Kwartzlab is. “Kwartzlab is a community,” said Brown. “The space is where we get together and it’s where all of our tools and materials are but Kwartzlab is really just a community. There are people from all kinds of different backgrounds coming together and making things.” An important part of that diversity is a very welcoming atmosphere. “I’ve only been in Waterloo for about three weeks,” said
all works. They’re making fun stuff and learning. I feel like this is a really good way to build your skills and have fun doing it.” The things that Kwartzlab members create are something that members are often very proud of. All of them spend open nights working on their projects and talking about them with other members and with the Kwartzlab’s visitors. Metcalf has a working prototype of a spinal neuro bridge for helping people dealing with paralysis and has been working on a new device which uses a combination of moving tracks to, hopefully someday, allow wheelchairs to climb stairs. During the evening, he experienced problems getting an old Xbox power supply to make the motor in his machine run and it took several members’ advice and extra hands to get the power supply running the motor. Brown spent most of the
of the Kwartzlab talked about, how important education is and how much of an impact maker culture has had on their learning. Even Trutiak, who has only been part of the lab for an evening, brought it up. “A friend was talking about training his kids
in kung fu one time,” said Trutiak. “I asked him, ‘How come you’re not doing harder lessons?’ He said if you make the lessons a game, they’ll train themselves and that’s kind of what you have here. It’s amazing.” It’s easy to assume that maker culture in the region ends at the door to the Kwartzlab but many parts of the culture make it outside of the lab. The biggest one is Maker Expo, being held this year on Sept. 10. Maker Expo was started as another of Brown’s projects and according to him, last year’s expo featured over 100 exhibitors from gardening to robots and everything in between. The expo was attended by about 7,500 people and local startup companies showed off new products to the public. One of the biggest draws was Bot Brawl where the mayors of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge battled each other with robots. Barry Vrbanovik, Kitchener’s mayor, won the competition. New memberships to the Kwartzlab cost $100 for initial registration and $56.50 each month to cover Kwartzlab’s expenses but the public is welcome to visit the space during Tuesday open nights at 7 p.m.
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NEWS
Monday, February 1, 2016
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Get Involved Fair promotes unity BY LEAH MORROW
“O Captain! my Captain,” Robin Williams once proclaimed in his iconic role of the poet, John Keats, in the movie Dead Poets Society. These four words, first written by American poet Walt Whitman, became a symbol of unity and belonging within the society. On Jan. 22 Student Life and Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) worked together to give new meaning to the term unity by hosting the Get Involved Fair at the Doon campus. There were booths for seven different services, including Bridges to Success, part of Accessibility Services, Student Life, marketing, athletics and clubs. Laura Black, Student Life programmer, said events like the Get Involved Fair are held specifically to promote a sense of community. She said it is the perfect opportunity for students to find out everything that is going on around the campus from events and volunteering to workshops and ways to get involved. “People are very hesitant to commit and get involved and talk to one another but that’s really what building a community is all about, you never know what one conversation is going to lead to,” she said. Black said that now, with everyone so focused on school, phones and emails, it has become harder to have oneon-one conversations with people. “It is easy to put that aside and avoid it all together,” she said. She added the most surpris-
ing thing about the fair is that all the people involved with it want to do is have a conversation. She believes there is a mutual benefit to the conversations. “The more you get to know people in the college,” she said, “the more comfortable you will feel in the space. Whether that’s through a club, through a department here or through volunteering in some way.” Black believes that classes are not the only reason to attend college. She said it is about having conversations and learning from one another. Chris Hussey a second-year journalism print student and one of the founding members of Conestoga in Action (a club devoted to creating real and positive change on campus), said there is something for everyone. “There are a lot of cool clubs,” he said. “Like the music club, which is basically just one big jam session. There are, like, four dancing clubs, an accounting club, Toastmasters and the chess club. There are a lot of options for students to do stuff, like volunteering and doing massive events or just have fun with people.” He said these opportunities give people a sense of meaning and purpose. Though most students will not be standing on the tops of their desks shouting “O Captain! my Captain!” to show their sense of solidarity, they could do so by getting involved. As Black said, all it takes is one conversation.
PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT
Members of the Conestoga Music Club, Jason Mohle (right), a second-year international business student, and Sam Ramirez, a second-year biotechnology technician student, entertained those in attendance at the Get Involved Fair. For video, go to www.spokeonline.com.
PHOTO BY LEAH MORROW
Chris Hussey, founder of Conestoga In Action, participated in the Get Involved Fair on Jan. 22, where he encouraged students to join his club.
NEWS
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Monday, February 1, 2016
New series reinforces the importance of social media BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
“Marketing has gone to social media.” Those were the words of Nicole Reilly, who works in client services at Mad Hatter Technology Inc. in Kitchener, so it makes sense that the company is currently holding a social media madness series. The series is to show people how to unleash the power of their social sphere of influence, build their brand and learn how to share their stories across all media platforms. The idea for the series came when the agency director of Mad Hatter, Melanie Witzell, had conversations with women in the professional world who inspired and encouraged this series. The series has 10 sessions with each one focusing on a new platform or aspect of social media. The next session is Twitter Talk, being held on Feb. 9 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Twitter Talk is part three of the 10-part series. Two of the sessions, Leveraging LinkedIn and the Power of Pinterest, have already been held, but there are six more to come. These are Google+ is a plus, Facebook Fundamentals, Instagram Influence, Read it on Reddit & Take in Tumblr,
Snapchat Stories, Vine Videos & YouTube, Content is King & Queen and Managing the Madness. Each session is $50 or $450 for all 10. You can sign up for one particular session or sign up for all sessions and get one session free. “Having a LinkedIn company page and a Facebook page isn’t enough, you need to be on all outlets to reach a wider audience,” Reilly said. “We know businesses are present on it but they’re not doing it (social media) right.” She said the series is for anyone who wants to refine, brush up on or learn new skills. “Students should come to increase their awareness on taking a professional approach to social media and learning the line of separating your personal from your professional,” Reilly said. Twitter Talk will discuss the dos and don’ts of Twitter. Some dos include thanking others when they retweet you, including hashtags in your tweets and keeping tweets short, to name a few. Some don’ts are using direct messaging to spam people, making multiple tweets in a row and having your account set up to automatically direct message new followers. It will also focus on what,
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
Nicole Reilly, who works in client services at Mad Hatter Technology Inc., holds a social snapshot made by Mad Hatter with statistics on 10 social media platforms that the company gathered through market research last year. These 10 platforms are being discussed during a social media madness series. when and how often you should be tweeting, how to get your name out there on Twitter and connecting with customers and consumers. “I think this series is valuable,” said Jason Miller, a sec-
ond-year broadcast television student. “First for the younger generation to keep up with the latest trends in social media … Secondly, for the older generation to keep them edu-
cated with social media technologies.” Anyone interested in the Twitter Talk or any of the other six sessions being held can visit Mad Hatter’s website at madhattertech.ca.
SPORTS
Monday, February 1, 2016
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‘Miracle Mike’ promotes Hockey for Heart
Annual tournament raises money for Heart and Stroke Foundation BY CHRIS HUSSEY
It was a Friday night when Mike Chicchine’s heart stopped. The 64-year-old was playing a recreational hockey game with his friends in New Hamburg at the community centre on April 17 last year. It seemed like just another game, until he went into cardiac arrest. He awoke the following Sunday and learned what had transpired in the moments after the incident. One of the players from the opposing team, Wes Cressman, ran over to try and help. “He ripped my equipment off,” said Chicchine. “He knew exactly what was going on.” Luckily, there was an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the building, and Cressman was able to use that to get Chicchine’s heart beating again until an ambulance arrived. He would later learn that Cressman had only completed his CPR training a week before the incident. Almost a year after the neardeath experience, Chicchine was standing in a sweaty dressing room again, but this time with a different group of men. He was not the one putting on hockey equipment or taping his stick. Instead, he was using his story to show the players why the upcoming game was so significant. After all, what they were set to play for went far beyond hockey. Chicchine was actually speaking at the seventh annual Kitchener Hockey for
Heart, an event organized in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The event took place on Jan. 23 and 24 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, or The Aud as it is known, and consisted of 10 teams playing at various times over the course of the two days. These teams were assembled independently and each paid a team registration fee of $850. Additionally, individuals were given the chance to fundraise for the foundation on their own. As an incentive, the top 10 fundraisers were able to play together as a team during the last game of the event. Pat Boucher, a volunteer who has served as chair of the Kitchener Hockey for Heart for all seven years, said they raised at least $16,000 for the foundation this year, much of which will be invested in getting AEDs installed in local buildings. “After seven years, it pretty much runs itself,” said Boucher. “It’s a great tournament and it’s a lot of fun.” That’s where Chicchine came in. The event has typically had guest speakers in the past, and he knew better than many people how important AEDs are. “If it wasn’t for the AED in the rink (that day), I wouldn’t be here,” he said. The event hit home for him in other ways too. Although he works full time as a parts manager with Jaguar Waterloo, his real passion is hockey. He has been playing since he was five and loves the game.
Brayden Short (left) and Kyle Snider look on as their team plays during the fundraiser at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Jan 23. Their team, the Dark Knights, was one of many teams that raised money in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS HUSSEY
Rob Shooter (right) looks on as his team plays during the seventh annual Kitchener Hockey for Heart at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. His team, the Kowboys, was one of many teams that fundraised for the event, which was organized in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “It’s been my life,” he said. After his cardiac arrest, he had to get rehabilitation for six months. He has improved so much that he can now go recreational skating. However, his doctors recommend he never play hockey again. While undoubtedly disappointing, Chicchine takes it in stride. “At my age, you know what, it’s not a big deal,” he said. Looking ahead, Chicchine
hopes to do a lot more of this sort of work. He is actually set to do a video with Cressman explaining how to properly give CPR to someone, and he said he would be very interested in speaking at events similar to Hockey for Heart in the future. He was quick to point out how thankful he was to even be at this event in the first place. Even though the AED was able to get his heart beat-
ing again, he still was in bad shape when he arrived in the hospital that day. In fact, Daralee, his wife, was told only eight per cent of patients who arrive in the shape he was in walk out. He defied the odds, and so now his friends call him “Miracle Mike,” and it’s a nickname he has come to embrace. “That’s what it was,” he said. “It was a miracle.”
Mike Chicchine (right) speaks to some players pregame at the Hockey for Heart event. He was brought in as a guest speaker because a hockey player used an automatic external defibrillator to save his life last year after he experienced cardiac arrest during a hockey game.
SPORTS
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Impressive start for indoor soccer Women’s and men’s teams both look strong at tournament BY ETHAN KOMPF
Conestoga College’s indoor soccer teams got off to a strong start on Jan. 22. Both the men’s and women’s teams competed in a tournament at the CORE lifestyle and fitness complex in Kitchener and fared well. The men’s team won their first three games without having a goal scored on them, but lost in the finals, taking second in the tournament. The women’s team won their first two games without a goal scored on them, but lost their next two games, leaving them in fourth. Both teams felt strong going into the tournament. “We felt really good, really confident,” said Sarah Ongarato, a player on the women’s team. “We practised hard and we were expected to win today.
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The atmosphere in training has changed immensely. It’s increased positivity and players’ confidence. — Stefan Brisevac
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Both teams played their first game against St. Lawrence College Brockville, the men winning 5-0 and the women 4-0. Their second game was against Lakehead. The men had crisp, accurate passes and most of the play took place in Lakehead’s end. Conestoga’s shots were wild at times, but with their strong defence, they easily won the match 6-0. The women’s game had more back and forth, but the Condors delivered when it mattered and came out on top 3-0. In their third game against Centennial, the men won 1-0 and the women suffered their first loss 3-1. The men played in the finals against Sheridan College, which was one of the teams they were most worried about. Sheridan scored early in the game and followed that up with a few close, powerful shots. Conestoga struggled with defence and Sheridan took advantage of it. The Condors could not match their intensity. Sheridan scored two more goals and the Conestoga players became frustrated with each other. Tempers ran high and Conestoga’s play became sloppy. They lost the match 4-0, taking second in the tournament. The women’s team faced Georgian College for third place and only fared a little
better than the men. Georgian scored early and Conestoga struggled to keep them out of their end, although they played well defensively. Georgian scored twice more in the match and although Conestoga scored a late goal, it wasn’t enough and they lost 3-1, leaving them in fourth. “We got tired ... but we still played really well and I’m proud of how our team played,” said Ongarato. “I’m feeling really confident that our team’s going to do really well (this season).” For the men’s team, this tournament was a huge success when compared to their outdoor season. The team has not won a regular season game in outdoor soccer since 2012. Part of the reason for the Condors’ change in fortunes may have been a change in coaches. In an interview with Matthew Davidson last year, a player on the team at the time, he said many players on the team were dissatisfied with the coaching staff. Now that the coaching staff has changed, the team seems happier. “The impact of bringing in two new coaches has been really good for the dynamic of the team,” said Stefan Brisevac, a Conestoga player. “The atmosphere in training has changed immensely. It’s increased positivity and players’ confidence.”
PHOTO BY ETHAN KOMPF
Conestoga’s indoor soccer teams participated in a tournament on Jan. 22. The men’s team won their first three games before losing to a strong Sheridan team in the finals, taking second place in the tournament.
PHOTO BY ETHAN KOMPF
The women’s team won their first two games before dropping the next two, finishing the tournament in fourth with a 2-2 record.
NEWS
Monday, February 1, 2016
SPOKE Page 11
Syrian refugees flock to Kitchener library BY JENNA BRAUN
While Syrian refugees are waiting to be placed in permanent homes and in schools, many of them have taken to spending time at the Kitchener Public Library. “The kids, who do not speak English, have discovered our library,” said CEO Mary Chevreau. “At first, just under 40 kids, then over 50, and now, up to 80 at a time. The kids will eventually be placed into schools, but until they have housing, this will not happen and the library is their only source of outside socialization and creative play.” The KPL staff at the central library worked quickly to
create things for the Syrian children to do, including craft making, art, structure building and involvement with technology. Currently, all Kitchener libraries are offering tours to new community members, Arabic books, informal English conversation circles and English as a Second Language material to help them feel as comfortable as possible, meet new people and allow the children to develop essential skills and literacy. Laura Reed, the manager of children’s and teens services at the library, has been looking into a reading buddies program for when the Syrian children start school so they can remain involved
with them. “The experience has been amazing and exhausting for my whole team,” she said. “One little girl and I have formed a funny little friendship. She sought me out one day this week and we read wordless picture books together. It was lovely.” According to Reed, the staff are hearing a bit more English from the children as they become more comfortable. She said they’re eager to learn and have been practising making letters and speaking. “They need the space to play, explore, and create,” said Reed. “I know the impact will be lasting.”
SALSA DANCING AND RUM TASTING AT THEMUSEUM
PHOTO BY JESSICA HAMMER
Irene Divaris, co-founder and president of Meal in a Jar, holds up one of the jars at the company’s headquarters. The item features layers of delicious, healthy foods designed to appeal to the eye and the stomach.
Art in a jar is edible too BY JESSICA HAMMER
For students, eating healthy lunches can be hard to do with the temptations of Tim Hortons and other cafeteria foods, but one neat idea that could help is bringing a meal in a jar to school. And you don’t even have to prepare it yourself. A company called Meal in a Jar has a variety of deliciouslooking meals all beautifully presented in jars. “People eat with their eyes first,” said Irene Divaris, cofounder and president of Meal in a Jar. The company came about when Divaris was making her daughter’s lunch one day. She took some food she found in the fridge and put it into a glass jar that was sitting on her counter. She bought more jars and filled them for her family’s lunches. She posted photos of the jars on Facebook until she was told by a friend to create a separate page. That was when she came up with the simple name Meal in a Jar. Someone commented asking if she sold them and in a split second Divaris said yes. That was how Meal in a Jar was born.
“It (would) save time if you’re on a tight schedule,” said Linda Pedro-Martin, a second-year practical nursing student. “It’s nutritious as well.” The meals in a jar can be eaten hot or cold. All that needs to be done to warm them up is to put the jar into the microwave with the lid off. “I think I could potentially make my own now that I know it’s a thing,” said Lindsay Dietrich, a secondyear recreation and leisure student. The other thing that gives Meal in a Jar that special touch is they have no preservatives, are prepared fresh and can last up to five days. The business sells between 400 and 500 jars each week. There are 10 different kinds of meals available that are priced between $9.99 and $11.99. Even the names sound delicious, like cowboy casserole, naked beef burrito and chicken showdown. There are even a couple of options for vegetarians. For more information about the company and their meals go to http://www.mealinajar.ca/.
PHOTO BY CHRISTEL ALLISON
The Havana Dialogues exhibition is ongoing at THEMUSEUM in Kitchener. Above, Donnie Wheeler, Havana Club ambassador, talked to rum tasting and salsa dancing event attendees about the various types of rum. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
FUN & GAMES
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Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of February 1, 2016
Aries
March 21 April 19 You’re a very independent person, and that’s the way you like it, but you have to reach out and let someone make all the decisions for a change.
Taurus April 20 May 20
You are very loyal to your friends but you don’t give each of them enough attention. Call up a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
Gemini May 21 June 21
You leave everything to the last minute and don’t sleep enough. Put your phone away at night and try and catch up on some sleep.
Cancer June 22 July 22
Everyone can lean on you, but after spending so long with the same person you get to be very uneasy. Step away before getting angry.
Leo
July 23 August 22 You are stubborn and forceful, it’s your way or the highway. Try and keep yourself from taking over the recent group project; let others have a turn.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 You are the first person who people run to for help. You need to spend a little more time fixing your problems before everyone else’s.
An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
Libra
Lightning strikes the earth about 8 million times a day.
September 23 October 22
A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.
You are very at peace and know who you are, but you need to expand your mind to become your whole self.
If you yelled for eight years, seven months and six days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.
Scorpio
Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.
October 23 November 21 You obsess over every little detail, relax. Take it one day at a time and it will all work out just fine.
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.
You don’t spend enough time sharing your feelings with others. Stop hiding everything inside and let people know what is on your mind.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
You are very loyal to the people that you are close to, but it’s hard to break from your shell. Try and go to the library to meet some new people, don’t be shy.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You are witty and know a joke for every situation but sometimes you go too far. Try thinking a little more before saying a joke at someone’s expense.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 When it comes to something you enjoy you are very devoted, but you come off as lazy when working on projects. Expand your mind and learn to enjoy more.
Ephram Strange dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension on a regular basis. He also enjoys young adult novels and taxidermy.
Word Search
NEWS
Monday, February 1, 2016
SPOKE s Page 13
Naturopathic services available through health plan BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
Conestoga students may be surprised to learn that Conestoga Student Inc.’s health plan covers students for 70 per cent to a maximum of $500 per benefit year for the services of a naturopathic doctor. Other students may know they have coverage for a naturopathic doctor but not what a naturopathic doctor is, or how one could be of use to them. Naturopathic doctors provide an alternative medicine for those who are frustrated with traditional medicine, or for those who just want to try a different approach. Naturopathy uses a wide array of natural treatments, including homeopathy, herbalism, acupuncture, and diet and nutrition lifestyle counselling. The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors defines naturopathic medicine as “a distinct primary health-care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.” It also states that the naturopathic philosophy “is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of the disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body.” Dr. Camilla Krause, a naturopathic doctor at Healthsource Integrative Medical Centre in Kitchener, said the simple explana-
tion she likes to use is “a naturopathic doctor is medically trained and naturally focused.” She said medical doctors and naturopathic doctors have the same training to some extent, but they differ in how they decide to treat. “We have a more connected view of what may be wrong,” she said. For example, Krause said if you went to a doctor for stomach problems, anxiety and fatigue, a medical doctor would see them as three separate issues, whereas a naturopathic doctor would see them as being linked. Naturopathic doctors offer a different approach to health care and can help with a wide variety of physical and mental health problems. “It can help pretty much everyone,” Krause said. “I like to say, ‘If you’ve been hit by a bus, go to the hospital. If you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus but you haven’t, you can come see me,’” she said. Some common issues people come to Krause with are lack of energy, anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, and stomach and digestive concerns. Krause said the first thing she does when meeting with a new patient is an initial assessment. This will take about an hour and during that time she will ask you the basics about your current health. This will include your sleep patterns, diet, stressors, level of activity, past medi-
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
Conestoga Student Inc.’s health plan covers 70 per cent of the cost of naturopathic services to a maximum of $500 per benefit year. cal history, medications you’re currently taking and your diet. “The whole time (during the initial visit) I’m listening and picking up little clues,” she said. After the initial assessment it could take a few visits to get to the underlying problem. One thing that may be done to get to the root of the problem is bloodwork, to see if there are any vitamins or nutrients missing. College students often have a lot on their plate between school, homework and parttime jobs. Oftentimes students aren’t taking care of themselves as much as they should be, physically and mentally. “I know very well what it’s like to be a student. I did eight years of post-secondary so I really have a lot of feeling
for people who are in school,” said Krause. “It demands a lot from you.” Krause said in order for the brain to work as well as it should it needs help sometimes. “Sometimes you need somebody on your side to tell you what could make things work better just so that school isn’t as hard.” “It’s one thing to learn everything that you need to and get all of your assignments done but it’s another thing entirely when you’re facing an uphill battle with your own health.” Krause reached out last semester to Cassidy Avon, president of Conestoga College’s Wallflower, which is a club for individuals who deal with anxiety, low selfesteem and depression, providing them with a safe place
to be able to share their experiences. Krause wanted to share what she knew in the hopes of helping the members of the group. Avon thought having a professional teach club members about the importance of taking care of themselves in all aspects – mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally – was great idea. She also thought Krause could provide the group with different ways to deal with depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem in a natural way. “I believe that naturopathy has many benefits for one’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Having the ability to understand what your body and mind needs, and using all natural products and methods is so valuable when dealing with any issue,” she said. “Camille was a great addition to Conestoga’s Wallflower and we were very lucky to have her join our club meetings.” She said she hopes to have Krause back this semester to continue to share her knowledge. Krause said, “If you have your health, you can do anything. The rest of what you do is that much easier.” Anyone interested in contacting Krause can find her at http://healthsourceimc. com/contact/. You can also find other naturopathic doctors in the area through the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors at www.cand.ca.
MIND diet said to reduce chance of getting Alzheimer’s BY KANDACE GALLANT
“You always hear stories of people with Alzheimer’s and how terrible the disease is,” said Zoe Doran, a first-year student in pre-health sciences. “But when you actually have someone in your family who is suffering from it, that’s when you truly realize how horrible the disease really is.” There are currently 47.5 million people worldwide living with dementia. It is estimated that by 2030, that number will increase to 75.6 million, and will then triple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada (www.alzheimer. ca). What is Alzheimer’s exactly? It is a brain disease that causes memory disorders and personality changes. It mainly affects people ages 65 and up, but in rare cases it has even affected people in their mid20s and 30s. “My grandfather is 69 and was diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s last year,” said Doran. “But we’ve known that he’s had it for a couple of years now. He would write himself notes but have to read them 20 times, or he’d ask where we’re going when we were out for a drive even though we told him five minutes before.” Doran said she read an article in a Women’s Health magazine about the new MIND diet that everyone is trying. She said it seemed really simple, so she decided to start doing it. “I had never heard of a MIND diet before,” said Doran. “So when I started reading about it more and found that it helped to prevent diseases like dementia, I wanted to try it.” Although the MIND diet doesn’t necessarily cause you to lose a few pounds or cleanse your body, it’s supposed to drastically help you reduce the risk of dementia, according to womenshealthmag.com.
“I started doing it too,” said Danielle Elgie, also a first-year student in pre-health sciences. “I’m also personally affected by this disease, so when Zoe told me about the MIND diet, I said I’d do it with her. It’s super easy to follow.” Elgie said you don’t have to cut things out of your diet, but that you really have to eat certain things in moderation. Instead of going out to eat a couple of times a week, keep it to once a week. Eat red meat about four times a week, and eat more meats like chicken and fish. She said instead of eating junk food for a snack like chips or chocolate, she eats almonds or cashews or fruits and vegetables instead. “When you say to people that you’ve started a new diet, they immediately think that you’re cutting out a bunch of things or that you won’t want to go out for dinner with them anymore,” said Elgie. “But that’s not the case with this.
It’s easy to follow and it’s easy to keep track of the things you eat. If I go out for dinner I’ll have a chicken burger with salad on the side, instead of beef and fries.” “I’m not saying that it’s going to prevent me from getting brain diseases in the future,” said Doran. “But it doesn’t hurt to try. And I’ve also been educating people about it too.” On the website webmd.com, it states people who have stuck to the MIND diet cut their risk of getting Alzheimer’s by 54 per cent, and adults who tried it just for a short period of time still cut their risk by 35 per cent. The cause of Alzheimer’s isn’t 100 per cent known, but it is likely caused by a buildup of harmful proteins in your brain called amyloids. They form large clumps and get in the way of brain function and kill the healthy cells. Symptoms differ from patient
to patient, but many everyday things start to become a challenge, mainly being able to remember things. “We’ve had to put my grandfather in a nursing home so he has help 24/7,” said Doran. “But he’s still as happy as ever and he remembers who his family is. He needs help eating and going to the washroom and bathing and sometimes he’ll be embarrassed, but we let him know it’s nothing to be ashamed of and that we’re happy to help him.” The age expectancy after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is anywhere from four to eight years, but Doran and her family stay positive. “It’s your family member, so you’ll do anything to help them out,” said Doran. “No matter what.” Doran and Elgie encourage people to try the MIND diet and to research other methods of reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
NEWS
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Monday, February 1, 2016
iFly - an unforgettable experience BY SARA SASILA
The moment I stepped into the glass wind tunnel, I felt my heart sink into my stomach. If you are anything like me, living on the dangerous and wild side isn’t something that comes easily. Despite this, I’ve always wanted to try skydiving. I feel like all adults need to be able to say, ‘I jumped off a plane and it was awesome,’ at least once in their life. For me, the closest I ever came to conquering the fear of skydiving was going to iFly. Most people don’t really know what I mean when I say I went indoor skydiving. It’s really no different than going real skydiving, except instead of jumping out of a plane, you’re walking into a vertical glass tunnel in which an airstream flows through at a speed of 175 km/h. Just like real skydiving, you always have an instructor with you to make sure everything goes according to plan. The first time you fly, you have an instructor clutching onto your hands to make sure you are getting the positioning right, but don’t worry, they teach you everything you need to know. Before flying, it is mandatory that you take a beginner’s class, just so you can get a feel of how
it works and know what body position you should be in. While I was watching the movie that the instructor played for us, explaining what to do, I was in shock. I wanted to walk out and never return. It looked painful. When you are in the air, your body is supposed to be in the “banana” position you learned in gym class. You had to keep your arms and legs shoulder width apart. Your hands had to be facing down and your head had to be looking up so you wouldn’t fall like paper. The instructor also taught us the basic hand signals while flying, because there is no way that you could talk. If he gave you a thumbs up, that meant you were doing everything perfectly, and if you are anything like me, I got the ‘Spread your legs more’ and ‘Lift your arms up’ and never saw a thumbs up once. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. After what seemed like forever, the class was finally over and it was time to fly. I got in my flyers suit, put a helmet, earplugs and protective glasses on and everything got real. One-by-one we lined up and entered the glass tube. Once you are standing at the entrance of the tunnel, you are supposed to just ‘fall’
PHOTO BY EMMIE SIROKY
A student at Gina’s College of Advanced Aesthetics and Hairstyling practises safe nail care techniques on a fellow student. The school’s sister company, Gina’s Spa, was recently selected by Waterloo Region Public Health as an example of best practices in Waterloo Region. The spa was also used in an educational video on the topic of good spa sanitation.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Mike Gravelle, an instructor at iFly, holds onto Spoke reporter Sara Sasila as she enjoys her first flight. frontwards so that the air could lift you up right away – and when I did that, I felt my heart drop. While in the tube, my mouth got so dry, all I could think about the entire time was ‘breathe’ and then I’d somehow end up with my face against the glass wall. My instructor kept signaling me to do things but I could barely look up or
move my body because the pressure of the air was too much. Overall, it was amusing and fun. My instructor told me afterwards that he had never seen someone smile that much. Little did he know, I was just smiling through the pain. The iFly centre is located in Oakville. The introductory package, that includes two flights, which is equivalent to
two minutes of flying, is $81. The introductory package for four flights, which means four minutes, is $119. Although it was expensive, especially for only two minutes of flying, it was totally worth it. It was a great experience, but instead of going back, I’ve decided that in the near future, I should endure real skydiving.
BY EMMIE SIROKY
marketing and communications person for Gina’s College of Advanced Aesthetics and Hairstyling. “The Waterloo Region has an online listing where you can look up a spa or salon by name and it will list the results of their inspections. You can use this to see if they’ve ever had any infractions and make an informed decision before you book an appointment. It’s a great way to be certain because you can’t always judge by appearances.” Having a salon that strives in having clean tools starts from the beginning. Ramirez believes that teaching nail students to use clean tools will help them to run a better salon and have happier customers. “This is something we consider extremely important at Gina’s College – proper sanitation and infection control is absolutely vital to a professional service. It’s like cleanliness in a restaurant – you would never want to eat at a restaurant where the kitchen is dirty and unhygienic and it’s the same with spa services,” said Ramirez. “When customers are paying for a spa service, they expect a professional service and that includes proper infec-
tion control ... Bad sanitation can have a slew of negative effects on your business. You can lose clientele and your credibility and your reputation as a professional go down the drain. And it can be even more extreme, like a fine from health inspectors or even having your business shut down.” Going to an unsanitary nail salon won’t just leave you with a few broken nails. There are infections and funguses you can pick up from dirty tools, such as athlete’s foot. “When I go into nail salons I always look to make sure all nail polish bottles are closed and stored properly,” said Whitney Shaw, a regular at Mickey’s Nail Salon in Guelph. “I like to make sure all table tops are clean and free from clutter. Having a lot of stuff on the tabletop makes me feel like the place is dirty.” If a place is dirty there are a couple of things you can do. Start by letting the business owner know that you are not happy with the service. If you aren’t satisfied with their response, find a new spa or salon. You can look up health and safety reviews on chd.region. waterloo.on.ca.
Beware the unsanitary
Taking a trip to a nail salon is a weekly ritual for some people, while for others it’s a rare treat. Regardless of how often you visit a salon, you want to be sure it is sanitary. When walking into a business it’s hard to tell if it’s sanitary or not, but there are things to look for. Make sure they are using disposable nail files and if they are, ensure it’s one per customer. If they aren’t disposable, then they need to be metal only, so that they can be sterilized between clients. The other types of files cannot be sterilized and so they should not be used more than once per client. The cuticle pushers should also be a one-time use, and customers should be given fresh, clean linens or disposable towels. Although you can’t see those red flags just by peeking in the window, there are other ways to get background information about a salon. “The reception area and entranceway is a high-traffic zone, so it might be hard to tell just from appearances. A better bet is to look up the spa’s inspection history before you go,” said Amalia Ramirez,
NEWS
Monday, February 1, 2016
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Spoken word workshop inspires activism BY JASON MOTA
A workshop promoting activism and the spoken word was held at the Kitchener Public Library on Jan. 20. The free workshop is a regular event and inspires creativity and openness in all who come. Janice Lee, a local spokenword poet, musician, and arts educator, led the workshop, which, after introductions, saw open discussions about topics such as the meaning of activism and writing activities, and finished off with a beat-boxing jam in which everyone huddled together, got a beat going, and one by one, recited a few lines of their written answers from earlier along to the beat. “Spoken-word exists in community,” said Lee. “There needs to be a storyteller, there needs to be an audience.” And a room full of storytellers meant that there were lots of stories to be told. Throughout the two-hour workshop, each person shared stories from their past, hopes for their future, and their current feelings about the world and the way life was treating them. No one was judged, and everyone was encouraged to spill their thoughts. When people enjoyed or agreed with what another
person was saying, they would snap to show their support. “(What draws me to these workshops is) meeting the extraterrestrial humans that are always in these rooms, because it’s people who are crazy enough to want to not stay within their status-quo,” said Jasmin David, a participant at the workshop. “This is a place where no one is judged.” Jen McGuire, another participant, said, “last week was my first time coming (to a workshop) ... but I left with this feeling of acceptance and freedom here to say or be or do whatever I wanted. It was a perfect opportunity to try something that I had always wanted to try.” Lee also holds real poetry slams, competition style, on the first Saturday of every month at Cafe Pyrus, a small coffee shop across from the Charles Street bus terminal in Kitchener. These slams are $5 at the door, or pay what you can – since no one is turned away. “The poetry slam, as a structure, is meant to democratize poetry, for it to not be this ‘elitist’ form (of art, only accessible) if you have a certain kind of education or you understand a certain kind of style,” said Lee. “It’s always super fun, very energetic, a very supportive audience.”
PHOTO BY JASON MOTA
Janice Lee, a local spoken-word poet, musician and arts educator, leads a beat-box jam during a workshop promoting the spoken word at the Kitchener Public Library Jan. 20.
TO MARKET, TO MARKET AT DOON CAMPUS
PHOTO BY MATT LINSEMAN
Gurpal Singh Bhatia, one of CSI’s board of directors, helps Tiffany Kleinsteuber, a first-year broadcast radio student, select produce at a farmer’s market event in the Sanctuary at Conestoga College’s Doon campus on Jan. 29. For video story, visit www.spokeonline.com.
CONESTOGA PRESENTS A JOB FAIR
PHOTO BY SARA SASILA
Michelle Tang, a first-year global business management student, handed out pamphlets to Conestoga students and faculty about a job fair that was taking place Jan. 20 in the rec centre.
THE ART OF WINE AND A LITTLE PAINT Cocktails and Creations teamed up with Conestoga Students Inc. and held a wine and canvas event. Students created paintings they could take home with them. Right, Joslyn Milton, an office administration legal student, and Sarah Babin, an office administration executive student, paint away. For video story, visit www.spokeonline. com. PHOTO BY MARISSA CUDDY
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NEWS ‘SMILE WITH CSI’ BANNER CREATED BY STUDENTS
Monday, February 1, 2016
PHOTO BY JOE WEPPLER
Zack Dodge, a communications co-ordinator with CSI, holds up a finished portion of the ‘Smile with CSI’ banner that was painted by students on Blue Monday, Jan. 18. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
LACK OF PACKING SNOW EVOKES CREATIVITY
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
Kristen MacLennan, a second-year fitness and health promotion student, enjoys painting flowers at CSI’s Beat the Blues event on Jan. 18.
PHOTO BY TAYLOR SCHWEITZER
A Kitchener boy searches for fake snowballs while playing a game in the lobby at the Waterloo Region Museum, after the free event, called Snow Graffiti, on Jan. 23. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
PAINTING IN THE SANCTUARY HELPS RELIEVE STRESS
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
CSI held the event on the third Monday of January, which has become known as the saddest day of the year. Students could decorate cookies, pop bubble wrap and paint. Above, Steffanie Panchaud, a first-year practical nursing student, decorates a cookie, adding a Christmas tree shape.
PHOTO BY SEAN MALINOWSKI
Some Condors enjoy stress-relieving poster painting in the Sanctuary on Jan. 21. The event was organized by Conestoga Students Inc.