The Cascade Vol. 24 No. 21

SEPTEMBER 21 TO SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

VOLUME 24 ISSUE 21

Taco Del Mar before hot yoga since 1993

Soles4Souls pg. 3

Trumpin’ around pg. 12

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Blair Witch pg. 19

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

EDITORIAL

Be a “do something” student JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR THE CASCADE

It would be challenging and likely unproductive to define in terms of specific accomplishments and goals, the definitive purpose of higher learning. This is to say that generally speaking, we all come from unique backgrounds and for just as unique reasons have chosen to continue our exploration of the world, now aided by the channels of university curriculum and programming. But to what end?

The benefits of a university experience are typically measured in terms of employability and earning capacity; this naturally reflects our culture’s value of a citizen. Of course, there are also those who hope to see personal growth in a student above anything else: instructors and employers and hopefully friends who hold cultural awareness, self-induced self-evaluation, and confidence as the preeminent objective for students. We all ultimately want some kind of value and worth, so how does one measure these rather abstract concepts?

Students, especially today’s, are inherently consumers. There isn’t exactly anything innately wrong with this mentality, but like breakfast at Taco Del Mar before hot yoga, it has implications. The focus of a student (when there is one) is to absorb the knowledge and experiences from instructors and professors, to absorb the knowledge and insights from texts and film, to absorb a breadth of concepts and theories, philosophies and assumptions. This is consumption. We may talk of ambitions to one day make change, have influence, start charities, donate time

or money to others who are making that change, or shape our for-profit careers around corporate responsibility. This is good; it’s preparing for the future, or rather, preparing to prepare the future.

Suppose the responsibility of the student is then to take the time now for critical reflection and learning and at some later time, after all the necessary facts and figures have been collected and configured, it’ll then be the appropriate time to give back.

Okay, when will that actually be? There’s this conversation in

The education model is what it is, but while participating as consumers of knowledge, could students not receive with one hand and give with the other? medical, philosophical, and theological circles about when life starts. Opinions vary anywhere from before the formation of a zygote way up to the delivery of a newborn and it tends to be controversial. Fair enough, but I think the debate should extend to and include adulthood. Because so frequently it’s only in early adulthood that the ideas of starting one’s life, one’s career, one’s vocation are problematized and considered. Planning for the future is great, but better yet is shaping the future.

It might be the case that many of us really weren’t prepared for adulting and instead we’ve been moulded into consumers. We’re ideologically motivated creatures, our upbringings and assumptions are the rudders of our ever-drifting yachts of pretense and obtuse design, each at the centre of the world. It’s not a surprise most millennials don’t naturally bend towards authentic social entrepreneurship; this wasn’t taught.

The education model is what it is, but while participating as consumers of knowledge, could students not receive with one hand and give with the other? I’m not aware of any reason, theoretical or empirical why not. In fact, even among us dead walk a few who are truly living. There are students who actually give back to their community, in a purpose driven way. They take time out of their me-centred lives, driven by some kind of prospect for a more desirable later. As you read this, there are a number of students part of UFV who are living out the future they hope we can one day call the now. I believe this mindset is deeply rooted in the understanding that when you put things off for a time when you’re more informed, more creative, more confident, more whatever, you never actually come to realize those self-inflicted prerequisites. Nothing to be done, Godot doesn’t actually come.

To avoid the consumption / production dialectal labels and their complications, I won’t suggest we change our focus to be producers in a consumption-focused culture, but I will advocate that we invest back into the world we expect to invest in us.

News

Opinion

Culture

Arts

Presidents Lecture Series

Foreign Investment

Survivor and its lessons

So many concerts

A meet and greet with Benjamin O’Keefe

Investors are pricing middle class folks out of Vancouver and into Abbotsford

How Survivor can help you to survive University

Drake graces Vancouver twice and our pages once

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STAFF

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Broadbent vanessa@ufvcascade.ca

Opinion Editor Panku Sharma panku@ufvcascade.ca

Illustrators Amara Gelaude amara@ufvcascade.ca

Managing Editor Mitch Huttema mitch@ufvcascade.ca

Culture & Events Editor Jeff Mijo jeff@ufvcascade.ca

Multimedia Editor Martin Ranninger martin.r@ufvcascade.ca

Business Manager Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts jennifer@ufvcascade.ca

Arts in Review Editor Martin Castro martin@ufvcascade.ca

Advertising Rep Kayla Schuurmans kayla@ufvcascade.ca

Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca

Production Manager Brittany Cardinal brittany@ufvcascade.ca

News Editor Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca

Online Editor Tanya Vanpraseuth tanya@ufvcascade.ca

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Joshua DeSilva Klara Chmelarova Miranda Louwerse Bradley Peters Rachel Tait Kanika Jham Harvin Bhathal

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Volume 24 · Issue 21 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529 Front & Back Cover Design: Brittany Cardinal

The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a print circulation of 1,250 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.

The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Writers meetings are held each Monday at 2:00 p.m. in The Cascade’s office on the Abbotsford campus.

In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 400 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

Collecting shoes, a good fit for team fundraiser UFV Cascades women’s basketball team gathers shoes for charity

B.C. minimum wage increased The minimum wage in B.C. was raised from $10.45 to $10.85 per hour on Sep-

VANESSA BROADBENT THE CASCADE

tember 15 to accommodate economic changes as reflected by the Consumer Price index. Premier Christy Clark announced in May that the promised 10 cent raise would be increased to 40 cents, changing B.C.’s status as the province with the lowest minimum wage. The provincial government has also promised another increase to $11.75 set for September 15, 2017.

UFV hires indigenous student transition coordinator UFV recently hired a new indigenous student transition coordinator. This position will support indigenous students transition into university, as well as provide academic and support services to improve students’ ability to successfully complete UFV programs.

Fuelled by a desire to give everyone access to shoes, the UFV Cascades women’s basketball team is challenging much of the world’s norm with their latest fundraiser.

The team is collecting shoes for Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes shoes and clothing globally.

“Basically, they distribute the shoes to people in need in third world countries and in our own communities,” second-year forward Taylor Claggett explained.

Claggett, who is spearheading the fundraiser along with the help of the rest of the team, noted that the team has already collected more than half of their initial goal since starting in August.

“I had a goal of 1,000 and so far we’re at 600,” she said.

Claggett was inspired to start the fundraiser at UFV after participating in the Envision Financial Run for Water during high school.

“It was really eye opening,” she said. “We learned about how people have to walk so far just to get water and I realized how easy we have it and I thought just a pair of shoes can help them when they have to walk that distance.”

This fundraiser is only one of many that the team has done and Claggett noted that Al Tuchscherer, the team’s head coach, encourages them to participate in as much community involvement as possible.

“He takes fundraising and school as seriously as basketball,” she said. “We know so many people in the community because of basketball, so we’re using basketball to help people.”

While Tuchscherer considers community involvement to be an important aspect of varsity sports, he explained that most of the time, the team organizes their fundraisers on their own.

“A lot of the fundraisers we have are just initiated by the girls, I don’t really assign them anything,” he said. “They’re things that they bring with them from their life experiences and whatnot. I just strongly encourage them to use their platform as a student athlete to give back to

the community that they grew up in.”

Claggett finds that the extracurricular involvement has also improved her overall university experience.

“If we didn’t have any of this stuff and it was just school and basketball it wouldn’t be as rewarding,” she said. “Doing other things is way more rewarding than just doing good in the classroom or just being good at basketball.

Helping people is more fulfilling.”

For Tuchscherer, it’s also a way to build relationships between the team.

“You build relationships deeper than just on the court and you’re working towards something off the court,” he said. “You’re organizing things together and supporting each other. It’s building our team.”

The team will be collecting shoes until their first home game on Nov. 4 against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Envision Athletic Centre.

Betty Peters, the new coordinator,

Photo: UFV Cascades

will also work to create an indigenous mentorship program for the purpose of training upper level indigenous students to mentor other students. Peters is a member of the Stó:lō community and has previously worked in the Indigenous Student Centre.

SUS hosts working groups for pride and women’s centres The Student Union Society has created working groups, open to any students wanting to help shape the direction for the recently announced pride and women’s centres. The groups will be responsible for drafting mandates for the centres with a proposed fee that will tentatively go to referendum by the end of this semester, with the centres open and running early next year. The groups will meet on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in room S2102c for the pride centre and from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in room S2102b for the women’s centre.

Cascades’ Dhaliwal and Kell names athletes of the week The UFV Cascades women’s soccer team’s Gurneet Dhaliwal has been named the Canada West second star of the week, and the women’s golf team’s Jennifer Kell earned the title of PacWest women’s golf athlete of the week.

Dhaliwal earned the title after scoring four game points during Friday’s game against the UBC Thunderbirds. Kell was awarded the title after winning

THE CASCADE IS LOOKING FOR A FEATURES EDITOR! The Features Editor is responsible for writing and / or coordinating each issue’s feature.

Applications should include a resume, cover letter, and a sample of your writing.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 23. To apply, or request further information, please email mitch@ufvcascade.ca.

the women’s individual title at the UBC Okanagan Invitational this weekend.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

NEWS

Sitting down with one who stands up A conversation with Benjamin O’Keefe JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR THE CASCADE

Outwardly, he is a charismatic and expressive voice; inwardly, a thoughtful dissident. Benjamin O’Keefe has touched many lives internationally with his testimony and was determined to reach many more through the speech he delivered at the University of the Fraser Valley on Sept. 15.

Benjamin is an activist, not so much fighting for, but engaging directly in changing his world.

Living his formative years poor and growing up out of bullying and low self-image, Benjamin has become an empathetic and sturdy role-model for anyone: we all at times experience invasive selfloathing and condemning thoughts. His message is that we all have a story and through our stories, through the connections we create, though the relationships we build we all have something intimately unique with which to change the world.

He is a speaker, a writer, an actor, an activist and Benjamin spoke to The Cascade about some of his experiences leading him to where he is now and the ones he hopes to see lead him to where he wants to be (Oprah). A deliberate and engaging conversationalist, this is some of what he had to say: Do you like speaking?

I love doing this, I really do. I also like when it goes well, you know? So that was good, and I think people liked it too. That’s all I can do is just go out and say what I want to say. This was all really new material, I wrote a lot of new stuff for this. It’s only 45 minutes, that’s not a lot of time to say what you want to say but yet it also feels like all the time in the world you know what I mean?

How would you describe your role, because you’re sort of an instigator?

An instigator, a rabble rouser, and agitator, but a mentor more than anything. I have so many great mentors that have come into my life. I’ve done a lot on my own, but no one gets where they are by themselves. Sure, you have to have the tenacity to go forward and the drive to do it, but no one gets where they are by themselves and so being willing to accept help and being willing to give help without reward, that’s what really takes you to a different level.

So you’re in a position where you have a great opportunity to speak to a mass of people and connect with large groups personally, but not one-on-one. Considering you have a lot of powerful mentors of your own, would you ever take on a role of mentoring individuals to be something greater?

Yeah, I mean, I help people now. I’m not audacious enough to think I have all the answers. I think that being a mentor isn’t giving people the answers, it’s just guiding them to the answers themselves. I do a lot of producing, I work at MoveOn and I have my associate producer and it’s really cool having the opportunity to help him navigate things that I’ve already navigated. That’s what a mentor does, right? They give you their story, and you use their story to influence your story.

That’s why I say we all have a story and our stories have the power to change someone else’s and, if we give them the chance, to change the world. I’ve said that thousands of times by now but I say it because I actually mean it, that’s not bullshit. When you break it down and you take away the fancy words, what you’re saying is that you have the power to influence one

person, that person has the power to influence someone else and all those different pages, all the different chapters that we’re writing can write a whole book that you never knew you were writing in the first place, that’s what’s so powerful. And this is all part of my journey of learning to appreciate the moment I’m in and enjoy and value the moment I’m in as opposed to always looking to the future. We should always be moving forward but we have to appreciate and understand what we have now before we can really do anything later.

We should always be moving forward but we have to appreciate and understand what we have now before we can really do anything later.

You’re talking about how being in the moment is key, not in the ‘throw caution to the wind’ sense or to not acknowledge that the future exists, but to be aware of where you are and how you got here and that there will be a future. So if you do what you’re

Photo: UFV Flickr

supposed to do now, the future will align itself in a way that’s beneficial to everyone, right?

Yeah, I think that your life can be good if you allow it. I had to will it to be and I had to fight for it to be, but I also had to allow myself to let go because I don’t have all the answers, and so why am I trying to create this future that I don’t have all the answers to yet? I have so much more to learn before I can create the future I really want to. And I’m going to create that future but let me get all the tools that I can now to make it the best future later. That was really hard for me because I want to be Oprah tomorrow, or at least I wanted to be, and now I absolutely don’t want to.

Now you’re beginning to appreciate the journey, because it’s comprised of the necessary steps to get to the next thing?

Absolutely, I’m just finding little moments in my life to smile about that I would have never smiled about before, like a Snapchat. Little things that are like, oh my gosh this is great, I can be happy I can smile I can live my best life now, so that’s what I’m doing.

When you were on the journey of fighting Abercrombie, what kept you motivated?

Tens of thousands of people writing to me every day. In one day I got 10,000 emails from people who had similar experiences and stories. It was really hard because up until really recently, I never felt beautiful and I never felt worthy and I never felt like I’d ever be desired by anybody, like actually desired for anything other than the success that I was manifesting. So knowing that me speaking was helping other people feel better and feel loved and feel worthy, that’s crazy. I was 18 years old just living my life just trying to make a difference and it was really impactful to hear to voices of people being touched by the movement.

You’ve struggled with body image and you’re in the process of healing, what has really been one of the biggest influencers in that healing?

Truthfully, I think that I only really recently have felt like I don’t have body issues anymore.

I put on 50 pounds last year because I was stressed and busy and working and I broke up with my boyfriend and was like, well I’m never going to find anyone else. And then I found my boyfriend Matt and he just wholeheartedly takes for me who I am and I think it’s sad because you shouldn’t rely on other people’s validation to find your own, but there was something special about someone authentically loving me and it took me time to realize that he did. That made me realize I can love myself.

Now I really do in a way where, I was speaking at schools and talking about these things but I didn’t fully grasp it, and now I really do.

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What was it that you grasped?

That someone could love me just the way I am without changing anything, with all my flaws, every stretch mark, and not even just that because image isn’t only body image, it’s self image. And learning that my anxiety disorder didn’t upset him and when I get cluster

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

NEWS headaches which are really painful he sits there with me. And realizing that I’m worthy of love and that we all are. Continued top of page 5 It’s about finding the people who love you for who you are. I always wanted the love of people who never would love me and so I was fighting this battle that I would never be able to win, how could I fight a losing battle? I was fighting a losing battle trying to find love and affection from the wrong people instead of finding love and affection from the wrong people instead of finding love and affection and acceptance from people who already loved me and accepted me without me having to change.

Why do you think so many people are disenfranchised with wanting to make change?

A lot of people don’t feel like they have the ability to make a difference. What can I do what can one voice do? If my story can do anything I hope that it does tell people that one voice can make a difference, one voice when amplified by millions of other voices can make a huge difference but it has to start somewhere, there’s always a beginning. Even if that beginning is small and feeble, having the audacity to lead, but the ability to know that you can’t do it yourself, that’s the key.

Would you say it was easier fighting Abercrombie than fighting that battle trying to find acceptance?

Oh my god, yeah. And I’ll be really honest with you, so much of it wasn’t real and I said what other people needed to hear and there’s something really powerful about that. And you know I’ve been speaking for 4 years now and I speak to tens of thousands of people a year and I still wasn’t authentically sharing my story, I was afraid to be vulnerable. Every voice crack was planned, and that’s just not the case anymore.

I wrote what I said tonight, tonight. And I’ve never said it like this before and I’ve never done it like this before because I want to be authentic I want to be real and I want to live in this moment without censoring or changing myself for anyone.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

I really like to make people laugh, and I feel sometimes almost psychic. That sounds a bit weird but I have this ability to connect with people. I don’t think people stop and connect with people enough. It’s shocking what you can sense in someone if you open yourself up to them and they allow you to come in. And I think one of my greatest skills is the ability to connect with real human people we’ll have real human interaction that’s not staged or fake or inauthentic. You never know, like in the crowd you can always point out the person you need to talk to afterwards. I take pride in that, I really take pride in connecting with people. I think one of the reasons I take price because obviously it’s nice to make an impact but selfishly it’s not to allow myself to be vulnerable enough, allow myself to be brave enough to be weak, to actually connect with someone like that.

You obviously have great influence, what kind of encouragement or suggestions would you give to young people that are trying to do something but just don’t know how to break into the world of influence and activism?

I think here’s the key: you don’t have to

Photo: UFV Flickr

start a viral movement to make a difference.

Changing one person’s life means so much.

Literally helping one person get through the day, that’s why I say open the door and smile and you never know what that smile means or how that person is feeling today or what they’ve been through yesterday or what they’ll

be going through tomorrow. Think small then scale big, because small ripples turn into huge splashes. So make a little ripple and you’ll be surprised to see the big splash you can make in the end.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Chinook to change weather in UFV’s Aviation program JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR THE CASCADE

Increasing program diversity, the University of the Fraser Valley is collaborating with Chinook Helicopters LTD to bring a rotary-wing pilot training focus into the current aviation program.

Currently within UFV’s aviation diploma, students are trained in fixed-wing flying by Coastal Pacific Aviation and academically within UFV’s school of business.

The helicopter training program collaboration between UFV and Chinook is only in the exploration stages. However, Rod Hayward, assistant professor at UFV hopes that the program will be ready for admission as early as 2017.

Rod Hayward brought the prospect of partnering with UFV to CEO of Chinook

Helicopters, Cathy Press at an aviation leadership forum when he found out that she had an interest in partnering with a university or technical college.

“She was discussing the possibility of starting a degree or diploma program through BCIT and I said, ‘We’ll have to talk about that,’” Hayward said. “So I talked to her and [she said] she’d much rather deal with a local university, and now we’ve started the process of getting a diploma program going with Chinook.”

As one of largest helicopter training schools in Canada and issuing about 25 per cent of licenses in the country, UFV welcomes the partnering to expand their program into rotary-wing training, a program Hayward believes the community is in need of.

At present, UFV offers a four-year bachelor degree and a one- and two-year diploma within the aviation program. Students receiving

Photo: Courtesy of Chinook Helicopters LTD

a diploma obtain their commercial pilot’s licence and advanced training while the fouryear program fulfills requirements for UFV’s bachelor of business administration.

“We’re moving away from just the pure technical attributes, creating a more wellrounded person,” Hayward added. “People that can understand the industry can relate to each other, know and understand their role within the

community, as well as being able to fly helicopters.”

The rotary-winged piloting focus would be designed closely after the current fixedwing program in which the flight training component would be carried out by Chinook Helicopters, based out of the Abbotsford International Airport, and university credits fulfilled at UFV.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

OPINION

Trading city for country How the rising Vancouver real estate market is causing millenials to head East BRADLEY PETERS CONTRIBUTOR

Jeremy, a grizzled 30-something with an easy smile, stood next to his noticeably pregnant wife, Amanda, and their contagious laughter drew curious looks from around the bar. Jeremy and Amanda were at Field House Brewery in Abbotsford and I had met them that night, along with their four friends, by chance. I was standing nearby when something they said caught my attention, something that seemed to contrast the group’s joyful composer. All six had recently been forced to leave the city they grew up in due to an impossibly overpriced housing market.

Chinese foreign investors have egregiously inflated Vancouver real estate. I know this language may cause some unease, fearing accusations of stereotyping or racism, but facts are undeniable. Kerry Gold’s The Walrus article “The Highest Bidder” highlights how Chinese buyers accounted for 70 per cent of Vancouver’s Macdonald Realty Firm’s sales for houses above $3 million, and according to Andy Yan, an urban planner for Vancouver’s architectural firm Bing Thom Architects, Chinese buyers accounted for 66 per cent of all residential land purchases in Vancouver’s sought after westside.

Of course, the issue is that B.C. real estate is desirable, and there were no laws protecting locals against this endless flow of foreign money. Wealthy people around the globe desire secure investments for their money, regardless of their race.

The price for an average home rose 30 per cent in the last year and nearly 175 per cent over the last 10 years. Between 2001 and 2014, average Vancouver salaries increased by 36 per cent while home values skyrocketed 63 per cent, and the city has recently been christened the third least affordable city in the world, according to Demographia’s Housing Affordability Survey.

This inflation has priced out thousands of Vancouver’s local aspiring homeowners.

Young families, professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs have all been forced to look elsewhere and thrown up their hands at Vancouver. The result: a mass exodus of young dreamers towards the Fraser Valley, and with them their creativity, zeal, and culture.

“It’s a city solely for millionaires now,” Jeremy snickered as the six of us shuffled out of the long lineup, steadying our mason jars brimming with craft beer. “Vancouver has been overpriced for years,” he tells me, “but it just rocketed beyond possibility.” Jeremy and his wife had always dreamed of raising their children near the same Kitsilano neighbourhoods they grew up in.

With those dreams dashed, I didn’t understand how they could still be so chipper.

Jeremy and Amanda moved to Chilliwack, lured by the “bang for buck” and seemingly endless outdoor activities. They view Chilliwack as B.C.’s pristine gateway to the outdoors. People who want to climb, hike, kayak, or paraglide, but don’t want to deal with the swelling crowds of Squamish, are turning towards the far side of the Fraser Valley. Jeremy is guiding kayak excursions down the Chilliwack River, with plans of starting his own outdoor adventure guiding company. Amanda is in the beginnings of opening a yoga studio in walking distance from their quaint, three-bedroom detached home. The other four friends had also recently moved from Vancouver to Chilliwack. One of them, Dawson, recently purchased a townhome in Chilliwack’s new riverside housing complex, The Current; a place directly marketed toward Vancouverite expats. (The website features the tagline, “The affordable dream: city slickers move to the country.”) Dawson hopes to open a brewery just like Field House in Chilliwack.

“The market is there,” he said. “ People are looking for cool Vancouver-like spots, and with all of that natural beauty, boom. Chilliwack is undiscovered.”

Abbotsford has also seen a dramatic switch in the last few years, from young people drooling over the prospect of moving to Vancouver, to

an influx of young adults coming from the big city. This trend has certainly peaked over the last eight months due to the extreme inflation in housing prices. All of this new blood is bringing forth a renaissance to our once drab city. For evidence of this, one has only to look at the gentrification of our previously derelict downtown district.

It’s a city solely for millionaires now.

Vancouver has been overpriced for years, but it just rocketed beyond possibility.

In a neighbourhood that was once known as the place to go if you fancied a gander at the local tent city and dive bar(s), or if you felt like that clear spring evening happened to have the precise weather ideal for getting jumped, a remarkable remodeling has taken place.

The old hourly-rate Attangard Hotel has been renovated into a hipster’s paradise: a communal living apartment building with an age limit, daily home-cooked meals. and hallways that resemble modern art galleries. Downtown Abby now sports a café serving beer on tap, a bakery with a brick oven, and a fantastic brewery, each started within the last three years, and each owned by Vancouver exiles.

In August, Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals introduced a new tax on foreign investors, hoping to slow the inflation of Vancouver’s housing prices. It is difficult and too early to say whether this line of action will ultimately balance the market. Many residents are relieved the government was willing to not only finally acknowledge the problem, but to

take fairly strong action against it. It appears to be slowing things down and according to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver: “for the second straight month, home buyer demand in Metro Vancouver moved off of the record-breaking pace seen earlier this year and returned to more typical levels.”

Perhaps housing prices in Vancouver will level out, but what is “level” in a city that has always expected its citizens to be fine with living eternally mortgage poor? Perhaps the fiasco has reached its head, but the walls that have encapsulated Vancouver as B.C.’s epicenter have fallen, and the Fraser Valley has been revealed as a culturally blossoming and naturally beautiful alternative to six-figure debt.

Chilliwack is our province’s new playground, full of limitless possibilities and immense beauty while Abbotsford continues to move away from its contrasting titles of Canada’s “bible belt” and “murder capital” — out of its limbo of seedy boredom and into an era of embracing the fresh and exciting while retaining the honest and honourable parts of its roots. The Fraser Valley is no longer a place to get out of, it is the start of something new, the beginnings of a massive re-branding campaign, and it may all be thanks to those unwitting foreign investors.

Photo: Martin Ranninger

Data Source: City of Vancouver Open Data Catalogue.

Property values are based on BC Assessment data.

Inflation adjusted from Assessment base to 2015 base. Source maps by Andy Yan, BTA works + SFU City Program, February 2016.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

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OPINION

S Curtailed commentary on current conditions

Not Bored Games Mitch Huttema

Paper Towels: Why I learned to love the blow dryer Bradley Peters

I’m a huge fan of board games. I pride myself on being most excellent at Scrabble with a near perfect winning streak. My favourite game, BANG! is a translated Spanish game which I do not often win, but I enjoy playing it as it allows for many players to join in. However, the last time I played I was singled out by a partner player who murdered me out of the game before I could play two turns. “Oh this is okay, you are just being competitive because it’s your first time. That’s cool,” I thought. I sat by for 30 minutes until the end of the round and tried to enjoy watching. We began a second round, and before I could have my first turn the same player murdered me out once again. Now, I try to be a forbearing dude, but this was just a travesty. How do you deal with these situations? I moved to the living room alone and considered my life and if it was okay to just be cool with ding-dongs like this, or if sportsmanship was the kind of thing you extended up to only a certain unspoken point of contractual reciprocity. I settled on a plan of attack. I suggested Scrabble next and then beat them into oblivion. That’s the sportsmanlike thing to do, right?

I spent the past summer in Nicaragua where almost all wood is protected or otherwise considered a luxury item reserved for boutique furniture and art. It was a culture shock when compared to life in Canada, where lumber is so expendable that we literally use it by the ton every day just to dry our hands. Perhaps this is a result to our society’s culture of disassociation and mindless consumption. Or because our government subsidizes the logging industry so extravagantly that wood and paper products are practically shoved down our throats. Or both. Either way, I want you to step back and ask yourself: does it really make sense, and is it necessary, for every person using a public washroom to dry their hands with wads of paper?

Paper towel uses 51,000 trees a day. And I hear you groaning, “But UFV composts their paper towel!” I commend their contribution to protecting our environment but consider the immense energy needed to mill, produce, transport, and remove even compostable or recycled product.

Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology completed the first major study assessing the greenest way to dry your hands and found that paper towels account for 70 per cent more carbon emissions than Dyson hand dryers. I propose UFV add substantially more hand dryers to campus washrooms and install counters on them, similar to the water-refill stations, that tally the amount of trees saved. The counters will hopefully make us more conscious of our consumption — the first step towards environmental sustainability.

Driven to drive Klara Chmelarova

Hannity: Trump is your fault Joshua DeSilva

The biggest issue with not having a car in Abbotsford is not having a car in Abbotsford.

Essentially, there are three options to try getting around efficiently without one. You could take a cab, which while convenient can be very pricey. Second, you could find someone with a car and impel them to drive you (without committing grand theft auto).

Although this option is free, it can prove troublesome and time consuming. For one, you must get to know the target on a personal level without making your intention known.

(You wouldn’t want to raise suspicion would you?) And even if that is achieved, the person might actually have plans (and a life) of their own that can interfere with them driving you around. Two down, one to go: the bus. It’s for free with your U-Pass, that’s a pro. It runs around the whole city, also a pro. It’s always late, con. Sometimes it doesn’t come at all, con. Finally, even when it does come, you risk not being let on because it’s full and the driver doesn’t give a damn about your schedule. In conclusion, if you’re close enough to what you need, I suggest you to adopt the most reliable mode of transportation: Walking.

Sean Hannity went on his show on August 30 to let out the secret: a small group will be responsible for Hillary Clinton’s Supreme Court appointments if she is elected.

That group is the infamous #NeverTrump movement within the Republican party.

That’s right; Hannity believes all five Never Trumpers are going to be responsible for Hillary Clinton winning the presidential election, even though until recently his orange-faced God-emperor never went above 41 per cent in polls since late July.

Hannity, I hope you have your smartphone ready, because I will show you the real reason Hillary might win. Turn on the camera app, and press the button that looks like a camera turning. Who do you see on the screen? That is the person you blame for picking such a terrible candidate to run against another terrible candidate. I am sure you have complained about the mainstream media shilling for Hillary, but now it is time for some self reflection. So as you have your camera facing you, take that time to mull over your decision to toss away options like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio for a candidate no one likes. Never Trumpers wanted one of those two during the primaries, and you yourself shilled for the bombastic business owner. Stop shifting the blame onto people who wanted someone who could have had a better chance, and take some personal responsibility. I thought that’s what conservatism was all about.

Illustrations: Amara Gelaude

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www.ufvcascade.ca

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

OPINION UPCOMING EVENTS

How Survivor can help you survive university Whether you’re living off of bugs and fish or ramen and coffee, the rules for coping are the same.

SEPT 19-24

Fitness class - try before you buy week @ Abbotsford Gym Times vary

SEPT 21

Kwakiutl Art History Workshop @ CEP Gathering Place 12:00PM

SEPT 22

Scholarly Sharing Initiative - art for social change @ UFV U-House 1:15PM

SEPT 23

Envision Concert Fall Series: Roads Unknown @ Cliks Coffee Bistro 7PM

SEPT 26

Kwakiutl Art History Workshop @ Abbotsford room TBA 12PM

SEPT 29

Sustainable UFV Waste Audit @ Green 9AM

Photo: insidesurvivor.com

JEFF MIJO

THE CASCADE

This Wednesday (Sept. 21), television fixture Survivor returns for its 33rd season, 16 years after the cultural phenomenon swept the world in the summer of 2000. For some UFV students, that year may sound like the distant past, perhaps even before their earliest memories. While not nearly as pervasive as that first year, when it all but created the reality genre, the show still comfortably draws a large crowd every week.

I’d always assumed it was dull, lazy TV, but four years ago I gave it a chance. Fast forward to now, and I’ve watched every past season, re-watched a few, and am struggling to fit three episodes a week of the recently debuted Australian Survivor into a schedule already packed with school and work. I think it’s safe to say I’m a fan of the show. From an analytical perspective, it’s fascinating to pick apart the ways personality, age, race, and gender all play into the competition, not to mention how the producers choose to portray these elements.

And that’s before you get to the strategy, and yes, all the drama you’d expect from starving people competing for a million dollars.

I never predicted that I’d be this obsessed with the show, but that’s because I had no idea of its depth and what an effective mirror it holds up to not just the players, but to human interaction in general. Despite the name, Survivor is a social game through and through, with the wilderness elements taking a backseat in modern seasons.

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The strategies its most successful players employ aren’t just good game advice — they’re good life advice, especially for someone suddenly thrown into a new, and potentially uncomfortable social situation. University, for example.

In the first season, players set their own parameters for what was “fair.” They viewed the game as a meritocracy, and voted to eliminate those that they considered least deserving. That is, until four contestants banded together and became an unstoppable voting bloc that cruised all the way to the endgame. Viewing audiences vilified them, but alliances became a staple of every following season. In the book The Psychology of Survivor, Dr. Anne Moyer explains that alliances are not purely strategic; studies showed “those subjected to repeated social upheavals engage in significantly more affiliative behaviours,” which “serve to buffer the stress of losing one’s sense of place.” That certainly applies in a school setting, too. Adjusting to university is a massive change, especially for students who may have moved away from home at the same time. Joining a club or social group of students who can show you the ropes, offer advice, and understand your struggles is an excellent coping method. You can find a list of current clubs on the Student Union Society website at www.ufvsus.ca Another key component of both Survivor and student life is adaptability. Whether short or long term, it’s good to leave your options open and have a backup plan, because you never know when you’ll be hit with a twist. In the game

that could be a shuffling of teams, a betrayal, or an opponent’s hidden immunity idol. In the real world, cars break down, group projects fall apart, and required classes fill up. By planning for possible situations, you’re less likely to be caught off-guard. An academic advisor can help you figure out your path and lay down a plan. Even if you don’t end up following it, it’s something you can always fall back on. Familiarizing yourself with services like the campus food bank and FixIT before you need them will also help you keep a clear head if life throws you a curveball.

Finally, balancing your efforts is key. If you work constantly from day one, either studying or formulating strategies, you’ll burn out long before the semester — or season — is over. Many Survivor contestants have fallen into paranoia by worrying about every detail and found themselves voted out for being unpredictable. Whether you’re trying to win the million dollars or get through the school year, you have to take the time to relax.

There’ll be days where you have to work nonstop to finish an assignment or prepare for an exam.

But for the benefit of your mental health, school can’t become the only thing you do with your life.

You may not have a lot of free time, but consider taking an hour every week to relax, shut off your brain, and watch starving people manipulate each other on a tropical island.

Survivor’s 33rd season premieres September 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Global.

Shauna Singh Baldwin book launch @ Centre for Indo Canadian Studies 6PM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

STUDY BREAK Crossword poor ways to spend that new student loan

Across 3: Irish beer 4: False identities 8: Extinct creature or movie monster

Down 1: The person in charge of a prison 2: People who willingly work for free 3: To produce sound electronically, especially for music 5: Past tense: airing a grievance 6: A transportation accident, or metaphorical disaster (2 words) 8: Something other than stones that can break your bones Made by Jeff Mijo

Horoscopes

Star Signs by Master Moji

Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 The armoire dances at midnight, but does he dance for the dresser or the candlestick?

Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 Water is the space suit to the astronaut that is your health. Be sure to drink lots of spacesuits.

Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 Sometimes a Babar is just a Babar.

Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 There’s so much to do, so much to see. So what’s wrong with taking the back streets?

Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 Good news! That smell that’s been haunting you? Definitely not demons, just a rat that died inside your walls. Its friends will take care of it before too long.

Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 This week you will learn someone’s terrible foot secret and be fine with it. This will precede a dramatic spike in your internet popularity.

Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Remember that scene in the new Star Wars where BB-8 gives a thumbs up with his lighter? That was pretty funny. Sorry, that’s all you get this week.

Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 Ella the Salmon says: “foodborne illness is no joking matter. Don’t let meat sit on the table for hours, get it in a fridge!”

Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 An old friend will return to your life unexpectedly. They must really, genuinely like you! Unless… no… no.

It’s too absurd to say. Never mind.

I’m sure you’re just a good friend.

Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Sometimes the best jokes are the ones you don’t intend.

Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Go ahead, count your chickens before they’re hatched. I dare you.

Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 Mercury is in retrograde — You’ll attend a masquerade, where you can persuade a renegade to give you an accolade for your serenade to a fire brigade drinking lemonade. You’ve got it made!

the

CASCADE

is looking for a Varsity Writer!

The Varsity Writer is responsible for compiling sports scores and the upcoming games schedule, and writing at least one sports story per issue.

Applications should include a resume, cover letter, and a sample of your writing.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 23. To apply, or request further information, please email mitch@ufvcascade.ca.

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I

was walking around New Student Orientation last week when I came across a group of first year students introducing themselves to one another. They were outlining their various one-, two-, and four-year degrees to each other and talking about all their plans for after university. I chuckled and kept walking, thinking about the gap between my expectations when I first walked into this place four years ago, and how I’m still here for at least another year and a half. As a student, you have probably experienced waitlists, course withdrawals due to stress, and sat in line on the fee payment deadline to pay the remaining balance with your freshly deposited student loans.

Many students choose to extend their degree by taking a reduced course load in order to manage the stress of being a student. With that comes more expenses and loans while postponing getting a job that will help you pay off those loans. Because of this, entertainment, stress relief, and relaxation ironically often become sources of stress themselves.

We are part of an economic system that uses rest and vacation as a reward for working hard instead of defining time off as a component of normal mental health in a work / life balance.

Advice from a vandwe;;lling Student Written by Mitch Huttema Design by Brittany Cardinal

42% of all Canadian students

reported that stress has caused them to receive a lower grade As a student, this makes finding relaxation a challenge because taking time off means that: first, you won’t be at work generating income, and second, you will likely be spending your resources to lower your stress and level up your brain to deal with work and school once more. When money is tight, this exchange of resources for a more competent and calmed mind can lead to a dangerous spiral of guilt. A 2016 survey of Canadian university students done by the American College Health Association studied the factors that affect the academic performance of students. Forty-two per cent of all Canadian students reported that stress has caused them to receive a lower grade, drop a course, or experience a severe disruption in their work. Thirty-two per cent said the same of anxiety and 20 per cent for depression. That same study calculates that 90 per cent of Canadian university students felt overwhelmed at least once in a period of 12 months by all they had to do.

Fortunately, there is help for whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. UFV has free counselling resources for students which are great to check out for anyone, even if you don’t think you need it. There is a stigma around mental health and around pursuing counselling, but the process can only benefit you. It helps you to develop tactics and processes that aid you in dealing with your stress, and it can be instrumental in helping you work out issues you don’t know how to (or don’t want to) deal with on your own.

However, if you are in a place where you don’t feel you need to pursue counselling there are plenty of informal ways to deal with stress. In an interview with National Geographic Magazine David Strayer, a cognitive psychologist from the University of Utah, talked about his hypothesis of how nature affects the brain. He figures that spending time in nature allows the prefrontal cortex to chill out and rest just like any muscle in your body. I would advocate that you head out and spend time in nature. But Mother Nature isn’t everyone’s best friend. If you can find something along the same lines that allows you to step out of “getting shit done” mode, and into a “this is okay for now” mode, then latch onto it and use that time to recuperate and prep yourself for when you need to bring your A-game.

For me, cost-cutting and balancing personal time with school came in the form of living in a van. Because of the confined space of a van I have had to hone my ability to focus in on what I really need to survive, eschewing extra luxuries and possessions that I don’t have the space or need for. By analyzing what I need to make it by, I have been able to pay more attention to what helps me to thrive.

HAVE YOUR OWN SPACE Being able to walk three minutes to the parking lot and spend time in my own space has helped me realize how valuable it is to have a place that I call my own and that I can let down my guard in. You may not have a van, but you likely have a car, a bedroom, or some other space that is important to you. Try to determine what that space is for you and then do your best to keep your work away from it. In order to relax there, you need to separate your workspace from your living space. Mixing the two will confuse your brain and make it difficult to separate them psychologically. Going to sleep in the bed that you just laid on to do homework doesn’t allow your brain to move into sleep mode because the only way you have differentiated between working and relaxing is putting your books away. Location, location, location, you know? We are a pretty bright species, and throughout history work and play have usually been separated geographically.

Pay attention to history and try working somewhere other than where you sleep.

OTHER HUMANS No matter how busy you are, it’s also critical to make time for other humans. Having a van for a home base allows me to park in my friend’s driveways and spend time with them without having to commute back home to sort out myself before I finish up for the day. Granted, this assumes you have friends that will let you sleep in their driveway, and this is possibly the key. Develop relationships with people that are meaningful and where there is a healthy give-and-take. Close friends allow you to vent to them, help you in tough times, and are often essential to recreation time. I identify as an extrovert, so social time comes naturally to me. For the more introverted types out there, I am not telling you to spend every night out, that would be hell for you, I get it. Instead, spend quality time with a friend at a coffee shop, or doing homework together. If no one is down for that, try connecting with a sibling, an uncle / aunt, or a parent. We are built to connect with other humans, it makes our lives easier.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY Perhaps the most essential thing I have come to know through van dwelling is that you need to be able to take responsibility for your decisions. I bought an $800, 42-year-old van that didn’t run and was faced with having to make it work or not have a home.

If you choose to postpone homework to work on your state of mind, that is okay. Just keep in mind you still need to save a realistic amount of time to finish your work. Relax intentionally, and then work intentionally. But don’t fall into the trap of blaming other situations for you not having enough time to work. It was your decision to postpone: take responsibility for it. Making lists and keeping an internet-synced schedule is my key to staying sane. I am the worst procrastinator of them all, so I understand how terrible it makes you feel when the deadline is so close it is actually unrealistic for you to finish in time. Sometimes anxiety gets the better of you and you are incapable of starting, but with a plan of attack that breaks the work down into manageable chunks and allows you recreation time or that has a built-in reward system, 12-page papers can become reality.

MAKE SURE YOUR TOOLS ARE SHARP Regardless of what your workload is, it is key to make sure that the tools you use to get the job done are in good condition. Instead of spending an hour and a half frustratedly working on an essay, intentionally chill for 20 minutes, get your head straight, and then spend an hour and 10 on the essay with your head in the right place. It is common in our society to just push through instead of stopping, focusing, and then re-attempting. Don’t fall victim to this. It is not cool, macho, strong, or anything like that.

Care for yourself first, get ready to work, then take a shot at it.

I’ll wrap up with this: Challenge yourself and don’t stop yourself from asking for help. Your brain is a muscle and the more frequently you are in tough situations that you can develop creative solutions to, the more likely you are able to come up with the solutions quicker and more creatively in the future. And that is what life’s all about, isn’t it? Getting better at what it is you are doing, enjoying it, andz sharing it with others. For me, van life has been the most significant challenge I have faced yet. That time when I was in a tough spot washroom-wise because the building I was parked by was closed, I simply relocated. Don’t get too attached to one particular place or phase of life, because nothing lasts forever. Change keeps you on your toes and the better you are at dealing with it the simpler life becomes. Enjoy where you are for now and keep in mind you can always look back on how excellent it was here, but you never know if the grass is greener over there till you get there.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

CULTURE & EVENTS v HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Try Optimism for Breakfast KANIKA JHAM

CONTRIBUTOR

Staying optimistic can be challenging and being a student doesn’t make it any easier. However, studies have shown that those who have positive expectations for their future do well in their work and maintain good health. Being optimistic helps make this world a better place to live, and helps us look on the brighter side of life. Optimists see the glass as half-full and are better at self-development. Being a university student is an important phase of life, and our end goal is to settle with a good job and even better experiences. A positive outlook towards life helps produce a charming resume leading to a happy job.

We tend to talk to ourselves in times of emotional distress, or just when we need some “me time.” During this period we usually try

to either boost our mood or clarify our thought process while giving ourselves a sense of hope.

As a student, when we lose a race, fail an exam, face a breakup, or go through any kind of stressful event, we can lose self-confidence and hope. That is when we use the method of selfcompassion to calm ourselves down. We human beings often give ourselves this cognitive boost, which can be both negative and positive.

We all have an inner critic in us that, if it is not healthy, ends up coming out as pessimistic behaviour. In other words, seeing the worst of everything.

Don’t worry if your thought process ends on a gloomy note, because the way we think can be changed if you wish to try optimism for breakfast.

Be it in studies, student jobs, or university life, a positive outlook is not only helpful, it’s necessary. There are many ways we can train

ourselves to achieve a balanced state of mind. To name a few: 1. Start talking to yourself in a positive tone.

2. Don’t let everyday life events turn down your self-confidence. It is your most precious property.

3. Try to add exercise into your weekly regime, for improvement in cardiovascular health and brain function.

4. Start a journal. Write, talk, and click pictures.

Don’t let your emotions just stay in a locked box.

Set them free!

5. Explore, wander, travel, and search for new experiences. Don’t let your inner nomad drown down.

6. Take a break, breathe, set a goal, and attack to achieve it.

7. Stop procrastinating. Handle your responsibilities, don’t let them kill your sleep and mental peace.

8. Stay hydrated. Did you know there are apps available that remind us to reach our daily goal of eight glasses of water?

To conclude, we should always remember that our goal is not just to graduate with a degree, but to also mentally prepare ourselves to enter a new phase of life where routine and optimism are equally respected and projected. Don’t let your own inner critic kill you, rather train it to act hopefully. Your every mistake is another opportunity to create history. There’s a saying that goes, “When it rains look for rainbows, and when it’s dark look for stars.” Positive thoughts lead to a positive life, after all. Don’t be so harsh on yourself, let your first thought of every day be a healthy breakfast for your brain. Let it be a happy and optimistic one!

FASHION

Try the iconic fedora felt hat for fall RACHEL TAIT

CONTRIBUTOR

From the dawn of time — or since Harrison Ford, to be more accurate — the stylish hat known as the fedora has been a hip part of pop culture. Everyone remembers the iconic and breathless moment when Indiana Jones pulls out his whip and lashes the gun out of a hired thug’s hand in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The hat is the first thing you see of Indiana’s character, and it shows restraint and strength in his character better than any other part of his ensemble (besides the whip, of course).

The fedora was created in 1882, originally for a woman’s wardrobe, and according historyofhats. net is a hat with a large brim, a crown that is pinched and indented, and mostly made in felt or wool. Shortly after it came out, playwright Victorien Sardou wrote a play entitled Fédora in 1882. The title character, played by Sarah Bernhardt, wore the stylish fedora that quickly made the fashion popular. In 1924 the hat became a favourite of Prince Edward of Britain’s, and consequently, many men adapted this new look. The peak of the fedora was in the 1920’s during prohibition, and it has been universally associated with gangsters and mafia bosses ever since.

The fedora usually comes in neutral hues such as tan, black, grey, and brown, but today it comes in jewel tones as well and is advertised in posh stores such as Le Chateau and H&M. Throughout different decades, fedoras have signified attitude in characters such as Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Laura Holt in Remington Steele (portrayed by Stephanie Zimbalist), as well as many other roles in

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

television and film. Even in the musical world, superstars such as Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake have used this hat in their performances.

While there is some cultural stigma against fedoras at the moment, associating them with angry young men, it’s worth mentioning that what many people call a fedora these days and picture those men wearing is actually a trilby. Trilbys are a similar hat with a smaller, downturned brim. Wearing an actual fedora may not draw the same associations a trilby would, but the word does have a negative connotation for a lot of people.

That said, this fall the stereotypical detective or mafia hat is very available for both men and women as a suitable accessory for the frigid cold weather that is soon to come. In lace, it’s stylish and trendy; in black, sophisticated and mysterious; in suede, it is luxurious and soft; in felt or wool, durable and practical for cool nights.

As a unisex fashion, the appeal of the fedora is not limited to the ever changing trends women find themselves caught up in. The hat serves a very masculine and attractive quality for men as well. With a simple shape and good angles, this hat can suit almost any face shape.

On women, the fedora is almost protective gear that is at the same time alluring and adds a distinct level of sophistication for the wearer.

On a gentleman, the fedora is an almost rugged reminder of adventure and daring. It adds a good roguish quality to a man of style, giving the much needed imperfection that makes any outfit work well. Additionally, it also protects the head from the cold elements. So try a fedora hat this season and see what it means to you. You never know, it worked just fine for Harrison Ford!

www.ufvcascade.ca

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

CULTURE & EVENTS

Eid al-Adha celebration proves SUS can throw a party MIRANDA LOUWERSE

CONTRIBUTOR

“Celebrate Eid al-Adha with a hundred of your new friends!” read the Student Union Society’s invitation to UFV students. SUS hosted an Eid al-Adha celebration last Friday in the Great Hall of the Student Union Building.

Eid al-Adha is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. Also called the “Festival of the Sacrifice,” it commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah, as well as the concepts of sacrifice and devotion for Muslims today. It is celebrated worldwide with a sacrifice of animals and a large feast.

VP External Thanh Ma opened the event by encouraging students to celebrate and have a good time, but to retain their professionalism so that SUS can hold more events like this in the future. The vibrant traditional clothing worn by many students added to the atmosphere of festivity.

The Great Hall was decorated with large paper cut outs of a mosque, a camel, trees on the walls, and a photo booth complete with props. Tables along the sides made space for a large dance floor where colourful lights danced around and added to the celebration. And of course, since this is a feast, authentic Middle Eastern food was served.

Photo: Miranda Louwerse

An open letter to anyone who needs it, now or in the future.

MARTIN CASTRO

THE CASCADE

Hi. How are you doing?

Are you new? How are your classes going?

How are your classes going even if you’re not new?

Maybe you’re worried. That’s ok. I’m worried, too. Ask almost anyone that knows me, they say, “Martin why are you so worried? Don’t be worried,” they say. Don’t be tense. And I try not to be, but I am. I’m worried about a lot of things, maybe you are too.

I want you to know that that is ok. You are ok.

You are more than ok, you are essential.

Whatever you’re worried about, no matter

how trivial you think it might be in the eyes of others, is important. And your opinions and experiences, those are even more important, they — and most of all you — have worth.

The past year has been kind of grim. There’s been a lot of violence, both at home and abroad, marginalized peoples are trying to shed their oppression, others feel unfairly targeted — I think it’s safe to say that there’s a lot of dissatisfaction in the air. And this affects us personally, regardless of where you stand on any one issue. Maybe it manifests itself in the form of anger, or anxiety, or outrage. Perhaps this has you thinking, Wow, the world is kind of a shitty place.

You’re not wrong, it could be a lot better. Why

do I bring this up? Because if this is where you’re at, overburdened by work or social pressures or feeling helpless, you are not the only one being affected. Whatever your stresses and burdens might be, there is always something that you can do about it. You always have options.

I’m going to ask that if you ever feel as if taking your own life is an option you might take, to please reconsider. And remember there is always somebody to talk to. Because, believe me, as bad as things might seem, your presence in this world is more valuable than any problem, any social strife. If you are here we can help it.

Here are three facts, courtesy of the Canadian Mental Health Association: 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a

mental illness at some point in their life.

49 per cent of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about it.

Mental illness can be treated effectively.

You are not made less by seeking help. You are not worth any less despite any struggle you might be dealing with.

Know that you are wanted.

The Crisis Centre hotline number is 1-800-7842433. Their mental health support line is 604310-6789

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

v

www.ufvcascade.ca

vvv

ARTS IN REVIEW TV REVIEW

Shuffle

CHARTS 1

Angel Olsen My Woman

2

Blessed Blessed

3

Aleem Khan Urbana Champaign

4

Preoccupations Anxiety [single]

U2 Pride (In the Name of Love)

5

The Pack A.D. Positive Thinking

Not a song that is intended to refer to pride in the same context that we use it most commonly today, but it still is a protest song of sorts, much in the vein of many of their other 80s turns. I don't think 'Stuck In A Moment...' qualifies.

6

Jessy Lanza Oh No

7

Dan Mangan Unmake

8

Anvil Anvil Is Anvil

9

Majid Jordan Majid Jordan

10

Tricky Skilled Mechanics

11

Duke Robillard Blues Full Circle

12

Cheap High Picture Disk

13

Brendan Canning Home Wrecking Years

14

Rae Spoon Jump With Your Eyes Closed

15

The Albertans Legends of Sam Marco

16

Allah-Las Calico Review

17

Tough Tits Hairless

18

Glass Animals How to be a Human Being

19

PandaTooth Undertake Melody (single)

AARON LEVY STATION MANAGER

CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy is excited for the Student Union to continue supporting women and pride initiatives on campus at UFV!

Modest Mouse A Different City Forming the cornerstone of the now 15 year old classic, The Moon and Antarctica, it's another one of those 'not really my fave''s, but tells the story of hating the lack you're surrounded with. Lack of options, support, hope, motivation and accountability all beg for solutions rather than simply receipts.

Beyoncé Single Ladies At its heart, this is really just saying it's not always the thought that counts; people need to make conscientious and substantial commitments if they want others to be able to feel safe in knowing they are supported in their day to days without worrying the bottom will drop out.

Ricky J No Means No This guy comes off as a grade-A mysogynist, both in these lyrics, his attire, even the timbre of his voice, but despite the positive message to young men laden in the terminology of the hook in this 90s Can-pop throwaway, it's super grating, and I hope, subversive.

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Aesop Rock The Impossible Kid

Will Arnett plays an asshole and so do you MITCH HUTTEMA THE CASCADE

When you watch television, it’s usually to be captivated by some other universe in which it is probably easier for you to satisfy your emotional and / or social needs without putting yourself out there, or getting hurt. You can dip into a different style of life for a while, but you don’t need to commit and technically no one except your other Netflix leeches know what you’re watching. You watch Game of Thrones for the drama and the interwoven characters, you watch House of Cards because of its intrigue, but you watch Flaked because you’re an asshole.

Flaked stars Will Arnett. Will Arnett is an easy to look at dude. He’s not astonishingly attractive but he looks the kind of guy that doesn’t waste hours or countless dollars on perfecting his appearance like some celebrities I can think of.

What I mean is, he’s like you, and when you watch Flaked, this is the key ingredient.

Arnett plays Chip, an alcoholic, and a pathological liar.

He takes advantage of his friends, and he does it all behind a smiling face that’s unassuming and unwilling to take responsibility. If any of this sounds familiar at all it’s because that’s the human condition.

You may not be an alcoholic, you may not consider yourself a pathological liar, but you do take advantage of your friends, you do neglect to take responsibility for things you’ve done, and you often don’t want to think about how you do all this.

But this is where Flaked finds its strength. It hooks you with its attractive looking people, its paradise location of Venice Beach, and the laid-back, beach-vibe lifestyle it purports. It looks like a comedy and plays out like a drama, but the real power is in how it lays out how easy it is to look good and sound good but underneath it all actually be a selfish, lying jerk. Bojack Horseman does the exact same thing but doesn’t hide it the same way Flaked does.

Set in Hollywood and the surrounding villages, Bojack follows the downward trend of the life of Bojack, a once famous cartoon horse that starred in Full Hou … er …

Horsin’ Around back in the ‘90s. Will Arnett voices him too, and he’s nearly the same character as our friend Chip. Instead of utilizing beautiful beach bungalows and babes on bikes, Bojack Horseman gets past your guard with its colourful, animated, humanoid animal characters and by reminding you of all your other favourite animated adult TV series. It’s

humourous, crude, self deprecating just like the rest, but like Flaked, it uses alcoholism and addiction to reel you into its web of really real shit that you don’t want to deal with while you’re vegging out on the couch.

With each of these shows, you intend to start them because they look appealing, and remind you of other things you like.

But when you get into them and the underlying themes start to present themselves, you realize there’s a dark side that you didn’t anticipate but you go along with anyways because you’ve already started and you can still see the good of it all.

Re-reading that, I guess that’s exactly the same way a lot of relationships pan out; that’s the big secret, isn’t it? That’s why these shows work so well?

At the end of the day, everyone has their own intimate struggles and challenges that they don’t want anyone else to know about. The real beauty is how each of these shows relays the darkness in their own way. Flaked slowly relays, as the show winds on, the true nature of the actions of each of the characters, while Bojack utilizes animation as a way to present situations that would be far too uncomfortable and graphic to attempt to show on TV with real actors. (If you're that curious: work your way towards S2E11.)

In Flaked, the source of most of Chip’s subdued depression and misery is his own inability to allow himself to enjoy anything or feel like he deserves anything — he doesn’t, but instead of sort things out he turns to constant lying to avoid facing the reality that he hates himself. For Bojack, his demon is that he holds himself to an ideal of his former fame, striving to prove that he was worth something by his own right and not because of the help of others. Basically, he just wants to feel like he’s worth something.

If you have not yet realized your own fears and subdued lines of questioning in this past paragraph, then keep moving on, watch another show, return to Amazing Race, Friends, or whatever it is that makes you feel good and happy or caters to your ideals. But if you want to change your Netflix-andchill into a personal-reflection-on-the-human-condition session (you sad, existential nihilist, you), check out Bojack Horseman’s third season and watch Flaked in anticipation of its second season. Will Arnett is what ties these two shows together at face value, but it’s your self-analysis and the company of some other people willing to look at their own piles of shit alongside you that can really make these shows great.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

ARTS IN REVIEW CONCERT REVIEW

Drake takes over the weekend with great music and energy TANYA VANPRASEUTH THE CASCADE/PHOTOS

The much anticipated weekend of the year finally arrived! On Saturday, September 17, Vancouver welcomed Drake, along with fellow rapper Future, for the first of his two shows on his Summer Sixteen tour. The excitement surrounding Drake’s long-awaited concert for the past few months was worth it; Drake did not disappoint.

Being a Canadian, Drake was extra excited to be back in his home country and did not fail to show off his Canadian pride. At the beginning of the concert, he came out, draped in a Canadian flag, and proclaimed how proud he was of being Canadian. The singer did not fall short of connecting with his audience as he continuously engaged with the crowd and added “Vancouver” and “Van City” to his lyrics. He also consistently spoke to the crowd and pointed out certain fans throughout the concert. Drake was not only there to perform his set, but he also wanted to connect with his fans and followed through on that promise throughout the concert.

Drake’s energy filled the arena and had everyone on their feet and dancing for the whole night. Even though I felt as if the concert lasted longer than most I had been to, Drake always kept the crowd wanting more. The excitement and energy was not only because of Drake’s performance, but because unlike many concerts that have a similar stage set for each song, each one of Drake’s songs had a unique spin to it. The stage would not only change in decorations, colours, and visuals, but the Summer Sixteen tour took a step further to add fireworks, foam, and bursts of fire on stage, not only once but many times throughout the night. One of the most notable stage effects was the round balloon-shaped decorations in the air that descended and formed into a large “6,” referencing the nickname given to Drake’s hometown of Toronto. However, the best part of the night would definitely have been when Drake ascended into the air on a platform suspended by cables and went through the crowd, waving at fans while performing “Hold On, We’re Going Home.”

Drake had a long set list composed of songs old and new. From current hits such as “One Dance,”

“Too Good,” “Pop Style,” and “Hotline Bling,” to more dated tracks like “All Me,” “Started From The Bottom,” and “HYFR,” which had gotten the crowd even more excited than his current songs on Views. The rapper also covered songs he was featured in, such as Big Sean’s “Blessings” and “For Free” with DJ Khaled, but his songs with Rihanna caused an uproar. This was partly because word was going around that Rihanna might have been in Vancouver filming for her role in Bates Motel and might have been making a surprise appearance for Drake’s concert. Drake asked the crowd multiple times how much we loved Rihanna, making it seem as if she might appear on stage. Unfortunately, she did not make an appearance.

Someone who did join Drake towards the end of the concert was Future. Future’s music was upbeat and he was a great addition to Drake’s tour, adding even more energy to the crowd. Future’s best songs of the night would have been “Commas” and “Low Life,” with “Low Life” being the best song of his set. However, even though Future was a great performer, he definitely did not outshine Drake.

Nonetheless, one of the best moments of the night

was when Drake joined Future as they sang their most notable song, “Jumpman.” Furthermore, Drake and Future’s friendship was evident on stage which made all of their performances even more enjoyable. The two artists didn’t seem like colleagues performing together, but two friends having fun on stage, which in turn helped the audience have even more fun with the both of them.

After Future left the stage, Drake continued on with a few more of his songs, ending his set with fireworks. However, the most memorable part of the end of the concert would have been when Drake once again took out the Canadian flag, waved it in the air, and proclaimed that no matter how many other cities he visits, Canada will always be his home. I appreciated the fact that no matter how successful Drake is, he is still humble, shows pride for his country, and tries to make his shows in Canada extra special for his fellow Canadians. In the end, it wasn’t only the songs, the stage, or the effects that made this concert extra memorable, it was also the love that Drake showed for Canada.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

ARTS IN REVIEW ALBUM REVIEW

Kera and The Lesbians introduce the world psychedelic folk HARVIN BHATHAL CONTRIBUTOR

Think Portugal. The Man, except folk, or as Kera and The Lesbians prefer to address their genre, bipolar folk. While both bands’ voice and vibe have a certain similarity, the latter have a uniqueness that cannot be missed. Kera and The Lesbians released a self-titled album, Kera and The Lesbians, and it is a collection of music that can only be described as psychedelic folk, which before listening to this album, I did not know existed.

The concept album, which delves into the person behind the music, consists of eight songs that detail lead singer Kera Armendariz living in a world so black and white despite fitting more in the grey area. From beginning to end, the album shows her inability to feel fully male or fully female, and her ultimate discovery of being okay with herself.

With Kera’s favourite musician of all-time being Elvis Presley, it only makes sense for the album to begin and end with a vibe of the late, great Elvis; though a modernized, new age version. “One

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Moment Please” and “Walls of Giza” pay homage to her idol.

Continuing with the vibe of the album, “Nail Biter” is old school noir with a Jazzy undertone that complements the bipolar folk nature of the band quite well. Within the first ten seconds of the song, the listener is transported to a Jazz club where whiskey is all around and the scent of cigars overpowers the air.

In “Green”, the listener travels back in time to an especially light hearted version of 20th century France. It’s as if the backdrop of the song is a small café in Paris where one simply sits there and observes the crowd while drinking their cappuccino.

While the album has the old school style that Kera and The Lesbians are known for, the band does not forget to pair that with songs of a more modern nature.

Easily the most upbeat song of the album, “Witch’s Tit” has an instrumental that will remind the listener of the SpongeBob SquarePants with the classic guitar riffs and the quick change in pace to suit the lyrics, and as if someone were surfing. However, it has a hidden darkness in its lyrics, much like “Cold Wind Blows”. Both of these songs convey a darker message in a hidden manner thanks to the

instrumental, which plays a pivotal role.

“November” is alternative folk at its finest. All throughout, the psychedelic and undeniable quirkiness are ever present in the instrumental and lyrics, respectively.

When the lyrics fade away during certain moments of “Balls”, there is a sense of eeriness added by an alien-esque synthesizer. The added affect of the synthesizer further cements the album as a psychedelic refuse.

The instrumental in each song reflects the message and the tone it is emitting, and every song has a psychedelic vibe that gives you a natural high, especially if you were to listen to them on a late night drive or simply lying in bed, awake at night.

Kera and The Lesbians held on to their self-titled album and its songs for so long to perfect it, and she’s finally ready to let it go and continue writing and perfecting new songs for our pleasure and her own. With Kera and The Lesbians as their first full release, the band is poised for success in the near future and beyond.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

ARTS IN REVIEW CONCERT REVIEW

Band of Skulls and Mothers was a masterful blend of energy and mellow vibes HARVIN BHATHAL CONTRIBUTOR

You know those bands that are as good, or even better live than they are in the studio? Without a doubt, British indie-rock outfit Band of Skulls falls under that category. Promoting their latest album on their By Default tour, Band of Skulls brought their usual grittiness and heavy indie-rock with blues undertones to the famous Vogue Theatre in Vancouver. What made their concert even better were their performances of older songs, which the audience ate up.

Band of Skulls chose Mothers, an indie-folk rock band led by vocalist and guitarist Kristine Leschper, based out of Athens, Georgia, to open for them. In comparison to Band of Skulls’ frenetic performance, Mothers was a great opening band because their music didn’t take energy from the audience, but rather warmed them up and sets them in the mood.

Leschper’s eerie and soothing voice, along with guitarist Drew Kirby and bassist Chris Goggans giving it their all, led to an enjoyable performance, and Matthew Anderegg’s performance on the drums

was a show within itself. It was mesmerizing to see a person one with their instrument like Anderegg was.

Between the four songs Mothers performed, the best part was their pacing in each song. The start-and-stop, where the pace would suddenly pick up and die down smoothly was enjoyable to watch.

Their best performances were “Copper Mine” and “It Hurts Until it Doesn’t.”

By the time Mothers was finished, the audience was more than ready for Band of Skulls. Coming out from the dark with only epilepsy-inducing flashing lights to give us an indication of them arriving, the band opened up with the namesake song of the album, “In Love By Default.”

Throughout the rest of the night, Band of Skulls paired a song from By Default with a song from their previous albums. The audience primarily consisted of diehard fans that have followed the band for years, as the majority sang along to each and every lyric of their older songs.

The songs eaten up by the audience were “Bruise,” “Death

by Diamonds and Pearls,” “I Know What I Am,” “Sweet Sour,”

“Nightmares,” and “Cold Fame,” which the fans in attendance clamored for from the very beginning. Besides the last two, these songs were high energy and had the audience rocking along with them for the entirety of each song. With “Cold Fame,” Band of Skulls had their fans in a trance with the emotional journey of the highs and lows of the song. In between classics, they performed newer songs such as “So Good,” “Something,” “Embers,” “Black Magic,” and “Bodies.”

Guitarist Russell Marsden and bassist Emma Richardson delivered with their vocals on the songs, and Matt Hayward was no slouch on the drums. The audience noticed and appreciated this, chanting “Band of Skulls” at the top of their lungs until the band had to come back out for an encore. Each of them had massive grins on their faces, as even they did not expect a reception as resonating as the one they received the entire concert. After an encore of a few songs, everyone left exhilarated.

After a concert ended, there was a temporary high, but with the performance that Band of Skulls had, I would not be surprised if that high were to be permanent.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

ARTS IN REVIEW

S undBites

Frank Ocean

Greys

Blond

I have never considered myself the kind of person that listens to hip-hop, rap, R&B, or soul. However, as of late it has been growing on me. Blond is a solid mix of all the above genres with a dose of atmospheric pop and experimental in the mix.

Fans of Frank Ocean have been eagerly waiting to hear more from him since his last release in 2012, and he prolongs the wait till halfway through his first track.

The introduction to the album is an autotuned, dressed up voice, which Frank’s own undisguised lyrics follow. Apparently the four year wait has been well worth it though, as Ocean dropped a visual album, this album, a magazine, and music videos,

Mini album reviews

Outer Heaven` all within two days.

Frank avoids a formulaic pop approach to the album and instead opts for a delivery that is irregular and unexpected. The hook on Frank Ocean’s second track “Ivy” doesn't repeat itself like you want it to. You hear it once and it echoes within you for the rest of the song. The power of it is that he repeats his chorus but never delivers it the same way again.

This is the case for most of Blond. The album is a genre-bending work of art — if you love categories and structure, avoid this record. Ocean has created a work that is personal and unstructured up close, but altogether masterful and precise as a whole.

Toronto-natives Greys’ third album, Outer Heaven, starts with the decidedly slow-paced “Cruelty.” This would be a good song to slow dance to if it weren’t for lyrics like, “We want to know your name. We want to see your face before we hurt you,” being slowly moaned out at us from the haze of the track.

Things get much more fast-paced and much more angst-ridden with “No Star,” although the catchiness of a simple, clean guitar line over much noisier distortion and drums makes for an eerily catchy bout of freefloating (or rather, shooting) energy.

“Blown Out” is probably the most

Martin Castro

Mitch Huttema

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Preoccupations

Nonagon Infinity

I heard of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard through a friend who swears they’re the best live band he’s ever seen. Having now listened to Nonagon Infinity, I can at least say they sound like a band we need at the moment.

Reminiscent of Peter Gabriel, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s eighth studio album is everything a summer album should be: energetic, reckless, and most importantly, fun. Opener “Robot Stop” is full of staccato guitar riffs and drum fills every couple of seconds. The entire album seems to be the result of fast-paced, tightly-

Preoccupations

constructed instrumentalism coupled with just enough traditional folk and blues influences to create a sound that’s somehow still modern.

Every song on the record plays like the soundtrack to some magnificent, increasingly tense action sequence: the drums rattle on in the background, a harmonica squeals out, and fuzzed-out guitars harmonize endlessly.

I dare you to keep your foot from tapping along.

Martin Castro

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accessible track on the record, although it still overflows with distortion that sounds as if it belongs to the drumkit. Mostly, what we get is energy being built up until the track cuts short and we get some slight commentary from a member of the band.

Songs like “In For A Penny” and “Erosion” play more into the mainstream punk-rock fields, giving the record a more rounded characteristic overall.

All in all, Outer Heaven is the cake you get when you mix two cups of angst and one cup of “I don’t want to deal with this right now” together.

Preoccupations’ (previously Viet Cong) self-titled sophomore release shines a murky spotlight on Matt Flegel’s not-quitemonotone singing, almost the only aspect of the band’s soundscape that is consistently the point of focus throughout the record.

That’s not to say there’s no direction throughout the record, but it swoops and swivels, almost unsure of its transitory nature. Take “Monotony” for example. The track is reminiscent of Joy Division with its dreary, reverb-draped vocals, but features a hopeful little guitar line fading in and out at the end of the chorus. The track that follows, “Zodiac,” could be mistaken as another

band’s song, as it follows an oscillating synth pulse all the way through.

“Memory,” again a departure, starts with a distinctly funk-flavoured drum and organ intro, only to give way to watery guitars reverberating over a much darker tonality lent to the track by Flegel’s morose singing. Tracks like “Sense” distinctly recall Interpol’s more energetic spin on the Joy Division formula.

It seems as if Preoccupations is supposed to serve as a taster platter of sorts, and if you can stomach the bittersweet collection of tracks, it’s pretty tasty.

Martin Castro

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

ARTS IN REVIEW

MOVIE REVIEW

Every horror movie ever made: Blair Witch 2016 KLARA CHMELAROVA CONTRIBUTOR

Do you know the feeling of wasting time? It’s called procrastination. It usually means doing nothing at the moment, although you know you should work on something important. Now imagine this feeling while watching a movie in a theatre. That would be the short review where watching Blair Witch is procrastination and the thing you should be working on is living your life.

Blair Witch is the sequel to the 17-year-old original The Blair Witch Project that no one expected and no one asked for. But we enjoy negativity don’t we?

So buckle up and let me dissect this Frankenstein of the horror genre. In recent years it’s been very challenging to actually find a horror movie that doesn’t make you feel like you’ve seen it before.

And looking down memory lane, 1999’s The Blair Witch Project is partly to blame. Starting as a small indie project turned blockbuster, the forefather of shaky homemade cameras and screaming groups of teenagers gave life to another branch of horror films, including Paranormal Activity, Quarantine, and its Spanish predecessor, Rec. This new adventure to the Burkittsville forest feels like all the running-around-with-a-shakycamera pieces of cinematography that came before it patched together. Story-wise, the recent Blair Witch doesn’t really bring anything refreshing.

The main plot is about the younger brother of Heather (main character from original film), who, together with his three friends, go searching for his lost sister once more after watching questionable footage on YouTube. Initially they arrive at Blair to find out that the pair who discovered the footage in the woods won’t tell them where exactly

(because that matters for some reason?) unless they can join the expedition. So, we have bunch of adolescents, again. They go into the haunted wilds, again. They camp, again. Hike randomly around the place, again. Get lost, again. (This time only once for budgetary purposes, obviously.) And we finish with the abandoned camera taping until it runs out of battery ... again. Technically there was nothing wrong with the movie. It had everything an average horror movie should have: a terrifying legend about a witch, seedy motel rooms, on-screen text confirming that movie was shot according to real events, malfunctioning equipment, campfire storytelling, hysterical black chick, even more hysterical white chick, chaotic tapings of surroundings, wooden symbols, an abandoned, haunted building, the typical black-guy-getskilled-first policy, underground tunnel crawling, and everyone hastily dies as a form of wrap-up.

It almost felt like director Adam Wingard followed some “How to make a horror movie” guide, but messed up completely. The thing that lifted The Blair Witch Project to its cult status is absent. You don't believe the characters and for that matter, don't care about what happens to them.

James doesn't seem like a brother who is devastated by the disappearance of his sister. The rest of the group don't seem actually desperate, and overall, the viewer is given a very shallow atmosphere — kind of like a guy who tries too hard at the bar.

At the end, my advice is to do yourself a favour.

Forget about this movie and go watch something worthwhile. Personal recommendations are REC, The Cabin in the Woods, The Conjuring, The Others, and the first Silent Hill. Or if you want something connected to the Blair Witch franchise, read Heather Donahue's book Growgirl: How My Life After Blair Witch Went to Pot. It’s really good.

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ART

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

www.ufvcascade.ca

OF THE

MONTH Submissions & questions can be sent to jeff@ufvcascade.ca

Submissions are due Friday, September 30th Limit of three submissions per person, per month Submissions must have been created since June 1st 20

Accepted mediums: painting, drawing, print, photography, digital art, sculpture, 3d work

Include a 50 word bio, 150 word artist statement, and image list with titles, mediums, sizes, and dates of creation

All images must be in CMYK format, 300+ DPI,in Zip file, less than 5 MB total. All files must be in PDF format.