The Cascade Friday, April 16th, 2010

Friday, April 16th, 2010

On the air since 1993

Director'• Festival ps.10

THE CASCADE

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FRIDAY.APRIL 16th, 2010

CIVL Radio'sCRTCHearing Needs Input broadcast. Finally.

SONJA SZLOVICSAK CIVL's attempt to acquire a towEDITOR-IN-CHIEF er has been a debacle, to put it poow many students are aware litely. For yearS, it has seemed that that tJflV has a radio sta- CTVL was so close getting an all tion? Not too many. Why? It's not important tower, but it never quite because CJVL doesn't get out and happened. Now that CJVL is parlabout on campus. In fact, you've nering up with CBC on this tower, probably seen a few station vol- it seems, that UFV's radio station unteers holding bake sales around might actually broadcast through campus and DJing at campus something other than the magic of events. In all likelihood, it's proba- the interweb. bly because CIVL doesn't actually But they need public input first.

The Canadian Radio-television broadcast over the radio.

That isn't to say that CIVL Telecommunications Commission doesn't exist. You can tune into (CRTC) is holding hearings, to get www.civl.ca to listen to om radio public input. CIVL will be switchstation. That's right, ours. Students ing their broadcast frequency pay $3.50 per semester for CIVL (from 88.5 FM to 101.7 FM) and radio. Since CJVL radio can only they will be changing the location be heard online, they have very of their tower on their broadcast lilittle advertising revenue. Thcir cense. Since CJVL has yet to broadoperations rely, for the most part, cast on 88.5 FM, this shouldn't be a problem in the comn1unity. on student fees and community donations.

I fully support this switch (and But all that could change. Af· not just because 1 volunteer over tcr many years, CIVL is moving at CiVL). The radio station would towards a tower, and hence, radio be of huge benefit to this com mu-

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nity, and to our campus. Perhaps it would kill off :;ome of the :;tudent apathy which seems to be a chronic problem around UFV. At least it would give us a chance to listen to local music on the radio.

CJVL is a place for students to go and get involved. Any student can apply to be a show host. Of course, you have to go through some basic training, and adhere to CRTC guidelines about Canadian content (and not swearing on the radio, tsk tsk), but other than that, it's your show.

The station is run by, for the most part, volunteers. These are people that arc willing to dedicate a lot of time and effort to CIVL radio, for no reason other than the fact that they support UFV's radio station.

The CRTC is holding these hearings to sec how CIVL's new tower location and frequency will effect the community. Right now, CIVL needs the community to go to the CRTC's website and provide some

input.

Since this frequency will be picked up by people other than UFV students, the community at large needs to give some sort of feedback. Community groups, music lovers and students should go to the CRTC's website and let the government know that they support (or don't support) CIVL's new frequency, and their possible new tower location.

If CIVL can get enough positive feedback, by the fall sernester we might be able to tune in to 101.7 flM and listen to fellow students on the airwaves. But this will only happen with your support.

In other words, CIVL is hoping the community out here in the Fraser Valley participates in this hearing more than UflV students participate in SUS elections. Hopefully, for CfVL's sake, they do.

To participatein the CRTC hear-

ing,visit the CRTC'swebsiteat www. crtc.gc.caand clickon notice2010-192 beforeMay 4.

Volume 18 • Issue 14 lloorn CI027

-HH·il King Road Ahhorsford, BC V1.S 7M8

Editor-in-Chief cascade.chief@ufv.ca Son1,1Szlov 1t sak

Managing Editor cascade.manager@ufv.ca l.t·w1s Van Drk

ProductionManager cascade.production@ufv.ca R,u1do11,1 ( .011rnd

Production Jc:,dMlllor

Copy Editor A.M Bois

News & Opinion Editor cascade.news@ufv.ca Paul Brammer

Arts & Life Editor cascade.arts@ufv.ca

CIVL SeeksCommunityInputfor CRTC Hearing CIVL's application to switch broadcast license from 88.5 FM to 101.7FM enters into public hearing FM and to move their tower locanear the Mount Lehman NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR Road highway exit."

ClVL Radio and the CRTC are FV's campus and community asking community members and radio station, CIVL Radio, is organizations in the area of Abasking for feedback from its listen- bob;ford, Mission, Aldergrove and ers to aid with the amendment of Langley for public consultation as part of the deal. its broadcasting license.

The announcement further At present, CIVL is in negotiations with the Canadian Radio- states that "Community organizations can submit their comments television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).The negotia- online at the CRTC website, by tions are for the purpose of break- mail or by fax. To find the CIVL ing the long-standing deadlock in Radio application, Google "CRTC regards to CIVL's acquisition and 2010-192" and click on the section operation of a new radio tower, called the "UCFV Campus and which wi11 allow the station to Community Radio Society." Dur• broadcast over the airwaves £or ing the consultation process, the the first time since its inception in CRTC will need to know why the organization supports CIVL Radio 2004. with details to support their posiAccording to an announcement made on the ClVL website, the ra- tion.

Organisations are offered the dio station "has recently filed an application to the CRTC to change chance to have their various events their allotted frequency to 101.7 and drives promoted through the

PAULBBAMM£B. tion to

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radio's public service announcements. Previous CIVL Radio Society President and present Station Manager Dustin Ellis said, "CIVL Radio has a mission to support the local cot11mupity ,lJl\yway that we can. CIVL Radio- docs this by promoting local events and by playing public service announcements ... CIVL Radio is a non-profit society and these services arc provided free-of-charge as long as the message is for the benefit of the community.''

In addition, individuals who wish to pledge their support to the radio's cause are advised to send an e-mail to psa@civl.ca, or alternatively, phone 604 851 6306.

Previously, CIVL had acquired the license to broadcast on the 88.5 FM frequency. This idea was scrapped, however, when the 88.5 FMfrequency interfered with CBC Radio One. CBC and CIVL came to an agreement 'whereby CIVL

would change their frequency to 101.7 FM, and the new tower's location was identified as the west side of Abbotsford.

According to Ellis, this frequency will allow the station to "play from approximately 200 Street (in Langleyj to Lthej Whatcom road exit in Abbotsford, and well into the hills of Mbsion.''

The tower, therefore, will reach the Abbotsford and Mission carnpuses, though it will not have the capacity to broadcast into Chilliwack. The station will be forced to acquire a separate frequency for Chilliwack, which will necessitate further negotiations with the CRTC and another amendment to CIVL's broadcasting license.

According to a CIVL press release, the new tower in Abbotsford will begin broadcasting on the FM frequency by fall of this year. Until then, CIVL can be listened to at www.civl.ca.

Paul fl,dardt,111

Sports & Health Editor cascade.sports@ufv.ca Hrmany Wiesner

News Writer J\kx Wmkrns

Staff Writers Trevor 1-ik Justlll Orlewiu .Jord,111 Pttlhl'r

Jm:l Sm11n

Contributors Ray dl' Kroon

Marina P,uapini

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PRIDAY,APRIL16th,2010

THE CASCADE

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Mayor's Annual Address Reflects on 2009 it. ..We want the Heat to be suc-

PAUL BRAMMER cessfu I."

NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR bbotsford mayor George Peary gave his second annual State of the City address on April 8. Around 400 people bought tickets to the event, which was held at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre.

Peary touched on several themes and events that have affected Lhecity in Lhelast calendar year. Among them were the introduction of professional hockey to the city in the form of the Abbotsford t-leat's residence at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC), the city's efforts to discourage gang-related activity from locating in the city, and the city's murder rate which comes as an offshoot of organized crime's presence, the city's success in its Olympic endeavours, and the city's need to develop in a way that will facilitate for its continued growth.

Amid accusations that the city is unfairly, or even illegally, funding the Abbotsford Heat to reimburse any losses the organization may make over the course of the season, Peary gave an emphatic statement of support for the franchise. ''l'm thrilled the Heat is here.

If I had been on council [when the decision to build the AESC was made], l'd have been promoting

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Last year's inaugural State of the City address saw mayor Peary addressing the crowd clad in a white Abbotsford Heat jersey with "Peary 1" adorning the back. It seems that recent accusations that city council is mismanaging taxpayer money by funding the Abbotsford Heal has not affected the council's support for the franchise.

The AbbotsfordNews projects that the AESC is running a deficit of around $2 million this fiscal year.

A more positive sports story for the city came in the form of the various Olympic activities and events that coincided with the games in Vancouver. The city was able to attract the Japanese speedskating learn and the Russian figure-skating team to Abbotsford for their pre-games practice sessions. According to the AbbotsfordMission Times, these events alone attracted 30,000spectators.

Peary dedicated the success in part to former Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson and former city councilor Brian Frankish, who both supported the construction of an Olympic-sized rink at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.

Despite the worldwide recession, Abbotsford issued building permits last year to the tune of $156 million, and Peary estimates that that number may top $200 million by the end of 2010. The

city will also reap the benefits of a federal government injection of $80 million which will be devoted to building infrastructure, such as improving the city's airport and constructing two overpasses.

Work on one overpass has already begun; tree clearing on McCallum Road has been underway for a few weeks already. These developments "will ease access to city's newly-released 450 acres of industrial lands and other major developments," according to the

Abbotsford-Mission Times.

In addition, Peary confirmed

that the city will look to invest almost $200 million in Stave Lake in order to guarantee a water supply for the city in the decades to come. "[Investing in Stave Lake isl critical for our growth and will provide 30 more years of water."

The city's murder rate, which led to Abbotsford being dubbed the murder capital of Canada 2009

by Statistics Canada (based on 2008 statistics), is an area that the city must work on to stamp out, according to Peary. The city had 11 murders last year, nine of which were attributed to gang violence.

Peary confirmed that the city will be pursuing aggressive tactics to make Abbotsford inhospitable to gang members and gang-related activity. "We will not act illegally.

We just don't want our business people welcoming these people into our places of business."

'111eState of the City address was hosted in conjunction with the Mayor's Breakfast. Individual tickets were priced at $25, and all proceeds went to charity. This year, the breakfast raised $2,750 for the Salvation Army.

store in Abbotsford. "Don't for one minute think I'm leaving, and don't think for one minute that it's over for Dan Banov," he informed local press.

In addition to his appeal, Felger is currently involved in a legal battle regarding his May 2009 arrest in a police sting operation. Felger is being charged in Abbotsford provincial court with possession of marijuana and six counts of the trafficking of a controlled sub· stance. When interviewed around

the time of his arrest, Felger expressed little concern with the prospect of incarceration. "Every arrest is a badge of courage, and every Uail] sentence is a medal of honour."

The term "Da Kine" is Hawaiian pidgin, and is used as a shorthand or substitution for another word, similar to the colloquial English term "whatchamacallit."

However, the word is also used to describe high-quality marijuana.

Tim FelgerEvictedfrom Da KineOffice ALElWAJKINS NEWSWRITER

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ocal marijuana activist and businessman Tim Felger was given a final warning to remove his belongings from his former Da Kine political office on March 31, several weeks after he was initially told lo vacate Lhcpremises. The warning stated that if any of his possessions remained in the building by 5 p.m. that day, they would be declared abandoned property and disposed of by the bailiff.

Felger was originally issued a court order in January and ordered to vacate his Abbotsford office by March l. The order was the result of a complaint launched by the building's owner, Dan Banov, who claimed that Felger owed him two years' worth of rent.

Banov - who ran with Felger as a candidate for the Marijuana Party in the 2005 federal election - stated that he had purchased the building and agreed to rent it to Felger to be used in efforts to change marijuana-related laws that "breed criminals and waste tax dollars fighting logic."

Felger allegedly did not live up to the rental agreement, paying his dues irregularly and in small amounts. Banov argues that his former tenant now owes him almost $53,000 in back rent, and states that it took him nearly two years and between $30-40,000 in legal fees to get the issue addressed in court.

Felger denied the allegations, and claimed that not only was his rent completely paid, but that he owns half of the building. He has launched an appeal contesting that the pair agreed upon a $1600 monthly rent, which is approximately half of the figure demanded by Banov.

In addition, he argues that Banov owes him $4200 in overpayment. Felger launched his appeal on the grounds that the judge made errors, did not give his evidence due consideration, and did not allow him ample time to refute allegations.

The Da Kine store was redesignated as a campaign office last year when Felger's business license was revoked by the City of Abbotsford.

Felger said that he has an alternate location for his office arranged in

Mission, and claimed that he had been planning the move even before his legal conflict with Banov.

When questioned, Felger expressed uncertainty about wheth• er or not he would apply for a business license in order to revive his business and once again operate Da Kine as a store, stating: "It depends how the municipality of Mission treats me."

Felger expects to win his ap• peal, and plans on returning to the location and opening a second

THE CASCADE

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FRIDAY,APRIL16th, 2010

U.S. Consulate Attacked in Pakistan TREVORFIK STAFF WRITER he north-western city of Peshwar in Pakistan has been the T site of the latest attacks against American targets in the region, where as many as seven people arc dead, and 20 injured, as the result of the bombing of the United States consulate there.

The attacks, which were committed by a team of five individuals, are being called "the most sophisticated raid" on an American target in Pakistan in recent years by the LosA11geles Times.The strike occurred midday on Monday April 5, and took place wilh the aid of machine guns, rocket launchers, and a truck bomb.

Although the assailants were unable to get past the security perimeter that protect the consulate, the explosion caused by the rocket-propelled grenade and vehicle explosion (which originated from vests worn by the suicide bombers) were enough to create a crater in the road seven feet long and three and a half feet wide, according to the New YorkTimes.The explosion resulted in the death of one police officer, two security guards, and several civilians in the immediate area.

Witnesses of the attack said that the truck carrying the explosions emerged from a nearby intersection. An individual then emerged from the truck, exchanging a volley of machine gun fire with security officials which witnesses noted lasted up to 20 minutes. Afterwards the truck, still carrying

passengers, exploded.

"There was this massive blast, and then the whole area went all black," security guard Mohammed Ishtiaq said.

Shortly after, one of the assailants, clad in an explosive vest, detonated the explosives next to the consulate's perimeter. One of the security guards said that he saw "four gunmen escape."

According to the BBC, Pakistan's main Taliban faction has claimed responsibility for the attack. A Taliban spokesperson in Pakistan confirmed this, and added that the attack was orches· trated in response to American missile strikes along the PakistanAfghanistan border.

"Americans are our enemies.

We carried out the attack on their

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consulate in Peshawar. We plan more such attacks," said Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the consulate in Peshwar is active in the distribution of aid to many of Pakistan's tribal regions, which is part of the United States plan to undermine Taliban support in the Swat Valley region of the country.

The assault on the American consulate in Peshwar was the second attack of the day with civilian casualties in Pakistan. Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber had struck a political rally of the Awami National Party in Timergara. Forty-five people were killed, and as many as 100 people were injured in the attack. The Taliban party in Pakistan is taking credit for this attack as well.

The attack on the US consulate in Pakistan is one in a string of attacks on American consulates worldwide. Attacks in Nuevo Laredo in Mexico on April 10, and U.S. Consulate of Ciudad Juarez on March 13 (where three people were killed), have forced the United States and Canada to issue travel advisories to those travelling to these regions of Mexico.

The increasing attacks in Pakistan have come at a time when there has been a relative lull in Taliban insurgent activity in the country, according to the New York Times. This has come as a result of increased attacks by America11 troops and drone planes in northern Pakistan, which has long been a Taliban stronghold.

The area of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Peshwar has been a hot spot for suicide bomb activity during the previous year, as reported by the Los AngelesTimes.

This is due to the cities' proximity to the volatile tribal areas to the east. As many as 100 people were killed in Peshwar in a car bomb in October of last year.

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uOttawa Manitobans tosee50centincrease to minimum wage Theprovince ofManitoba hasannounced a SO-cent increase tominimum wage,butJonny Sopotluk thinks thegovernment could domore thanthattohelpstudents. ·1definitely thinkIt'sa positive stepIntheright direction forstudents whoareworking part-time andminimum wage jobs.It'sgoingtogoa long way ...It'sgood,butIthinkthegovernment needs todomore;saidSopotluk, chairperson ofthe Manitoba component oftheCanadian Federation ofStudents.

TheManitoba government announced InIts March budget thatitwillallow tuition fees toincrease byfivepercentthisyear- which Sopotluk saysIs"going toundermine anyIncrease theydototheminimum wage,because students aregoingtobepaying allofthatmoney towards moretuition feesnextyear.• Theprovince ofManitoba announced aSO-cent Increase tominimum wageeffective Oct.1,2010.

Thehourly ratewillIncrease from$9to$9.50 perhour.

Ashley Gaboury - CUP Central Bureau Chief

Diversity research inthename of publicpolicy

Canadian Council onLearning Reports onPostSecondary Ed.

Essays offersvision forCanada's role intheworld

Federal funding inadequate forFirst Nations University

Canada Isslowtoreacttochanges InloternatlonalThefederal government hasannounced thatItIs ANova Scotia researcher wantstolookatthe Thedaybefore thefederal government ended fortheCanadian Council onLearning, affairs anddoesnothavea concrete vision for Itprepared toInvest $3million IntheFirstNations differences Indiversity andIntegration Indifferent Itsfunding Itsforeign policy, according ajointUniversity of University ofCanada toallowstudents tofinish theeducation thinktankpublished a reportof areasofCanada. andCarleton University study. theiracademic year- a decision studentDiane Cape Breton University professor Ruby Ram)! ls Itsfindings overthepastfiveyears- conclud- Onawa Thereport, titledRethinking Canada's lnternatlon- Adams saidsheIs"appalled by.• looking tofindouthowculture andreligion affect IngthattheCanadian education system needs alPriorities, waspublished onMarch 29. work.

"Thefederal government hasoffered funding that thelivesofyoung adultsofimmigrant andnon- extensive Thereportconsists ofa collection ofessays by isonlyforthreemonths - It'snotforthefullthree Whlle Canadians enjoy somepositives Intheir Immigrant backgrounds InCanada. system, therearemanyareasthat 10researchers - Including university professors, years(forstudents tofinishdegrees) and...itcan"These regional variations mayhavea number of education andformer diplomats - outlining notbeusedforoperations orrestructuring; said public policy andotherimplications; sheexplains, stillneedwork.

TheConservative government Journalists, theInternational challenges faclog Canada, then Adams, president ofFNU students' association. announced earlier thisyearthatthefunding Including howdifferent provinces canbenefit FNU sawbothItsprovincial andfederal funding proposing policy options foraddressing these - uponwhich theorganization reliesalmost fromImmigration. entirely toexist- would runout,despite the challenges. pulled InFebruary, totalling overS12million, Theresearch willbenefit thecountry, shesays, extended theoriginal five- Thereportopensa debatebetween fourcompet- afterallegations ofmisspending attheReginabecause lt"wlll advance knowledge inreligious factthatConservatives basedinstitution. grantbyanextra12months Ingviews onCanadian foreign policy: thefirst studies andthesocial sciences while alsohaving year,$85-mllllon urging Canada tofocus onItsrelations with Thefederal government Isyettobudgeon potentially Important Implications forpublic lastyear.

United States, thesecond assigning canada a reinstating Its$7.2million Inannual funding to "The federal government demands, unfortuunderstanding andpublic policy." roleInInternational organizations, the theschool.

Instead, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck nately, thatwereturntothemanyunspent funds," leading Thisarea ofresearch hasrarely beenexplored Canadian polltlclans tobemore Strahl announced lastweek thatthefederal explained PaulCappon, president andCEO ofthe thirdasking systematically orcomparatively Ina global conIsprepared toInvest $3million.

•we[collected funds] during thetimeIn selective Inforeign Involvement, andthefourth government text,saysRam)!.

Inaddition toassisting withher council. onCanada to battlenewthreats toglobal "Asmuchastheywould liketomakeItlooklike daylikethis,sothatIfthis calling research, sheurgespotential participants tojoin casetherewasa rainy daydidcome, wewould havemoney leftover security, suchasglobal warming. they're trying tohelpus,Inreality thisislittle thestudy's focus groups asa waytobeheard, to arrangements forFirstNations "Under minority governments, foreign policy has morethanfuneral learnmoreaboutCanada, andcontribute toIdeas fromthegovernment allocation - but,Infact, beennarrowed andthereIsnodiscussion ofthe University ofCanada.

Quite frankly, Iamappalled they've demanded wereturneverypenny." ofhowknowledge ofdiversity mightchange Intheworld," saidRoland byIt,"saidAdams.

Theorganization formerly housed a staffofover largerroleforcanada Canadian pollcles.

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Parts, director ofCIPS. Ashley GabouryCUP Central Bureau Chief Lucy MacDonald - ThecaperTimes LenSmlmov - TheFulcrum Emma Godmere - CUP Onawa Bureau Chief

THECASCADE

FRIDAY,APRIL16th, 2010

5

Grizzly Bear Population in Danger Due to Trophy Hunting JORDAN PlTCHER STAFF WRITER .C,'s grizzly bear population B is being killed at dangerously high rates, substantially above that which is allowed for annual trophy hunts.

In a recent study performed by two distinguished environmental groups, the David Suzuki Foundation and National Resources Defence Council, it has been revealed that British Columbia's widely disputed grizzly bear trophy hunt is exceeding the number of kills authorized by the B.C. government, as reported by CBC News.

Furthermore, the study, which focused on the four year period between 2004 and 2008, revealed that the total grizzly bear deaths exceeded B.C. government authorization levels by 63 per cent at least once during the time span studied.

In a release published by the CanadianPress, director of science and terrestrial conservation at the David Suzuki Foundation, Dr. Faisal Moola, said, "This is new science that really questions the sustainability of the hunt. Held up against the government's own estimates of what is sustainable, the number of grizzlies being killed in B.C. is excessive. Nothing is being done to stop it."

"This new research casts serious doubts on the sustainability of the trophy hunt given the fact that the government's own data show that humans arc killing more grizzly bears than allowed." Dr. Moola went on to say that "This is a disaster in the waiting. If we do not act to protect the species given what

we know about its vulnerabilities, we may no longer have bears.''

According to the CanadianPress, grizzly bears in B.C. arc divided into 57 distinct areas of popula• tion. The report states that, in as many as 20 of those distinct areas, hunting accounted for grizzly bear deaths is higher than the levels au-

thorizcd by the B.C. government.

However, legalized griz:Glybear hunting ls not the only danger for B.C.'sgrizzly bear population; illegal methods, such as poaching, arc also prevalent in British Columbia.

Moola said, "You can't look at trophy hunting in isolation • you have to look at trophy hunting in addi·

tion to the other sources of humancaused mortality. What the study shows is that if you removed trophy hunting from the picture, you would actually drop the mortality rate below what the government thinks is sustainable."

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner defended the gov· crnment, and said that the B.C. government would not allow the grizzly bear hunt if it endangered the grizzly bear population. In a written response to the recently published report, Penner stated: "Our record on grizzly bear population management is strong ... the independent Grizzly Bear Scicntif• ic Panel, comprised of independent bear experts appointed on the recommendation of the International Association for Bear Research and Management, confirmed thal B.C.'s grizzly bear management approach is effective and that our population estimates are sound.''

According to the Canndinn Press,other provinces in Canada, (including Alberta and Manitoba) have outlawed trophy grizzly bear hunting. Alberta banned grizzly bear hunting in 2006 and is currently debating whether or not to uphold the ban or revisit the issue and, last year, Manitoba added grizzly bears to the list of animals protected under the provincial wildlife act.

AbbotsfordHeat Deal Called llegal

Privacy Laws Anachronistic

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ALEX WAIKLNS

ALEX WATKINS

NEWSWRITER

NEWSWRITER

urrent electronic privacy laws have been rendered anachronistic by rapid advancements in technology, according to some of the leading companies in electronics.

The Digital Due Process Coalition - a group formed by American privacy advocates and technology companies such as Google and eBay - is pushing for a revision of the 198'5Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), stating that the law did not foresee current advances in technology, and therefore provides inadequate protection for personal data.

The parties involved argue that the current laws allow governments too much access to lndivid· uals' private data, and believe that the act should be altered so that law enforcement agencies must present internet providers with warrants before they may be given a user's information.

Advocates support the revision as a logical extension of current privacy laws, which demand that a warrant be presented before an individual's personal computer or personal belongings may be searched.

A Microsoft spokesperson, speaking on behalfofMicrosoft associate general counsel Mike Hintze, said: "When law enforcement officials s~ek data or files stored in the Internet 'cloud,' such as Webbased e-mail applications or online word processing services, the privacy standard that is applied is often lower than the standard that applies when law enforcement of. ficials seeks the same data when stored on an individual's hard drive in his or her home or office."

The Digital Due Process Coalition (DDPC) cited many issues associated with the significant

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ritics have deemed Abbotsford City Council's recent move to guarantee the revenue of the Ab· botsford Heat franchise illegal under B.C. municipal law.

TI1e council finali:led a contract with the Heat last month that guaranteed the team a $5.7 million revenue per year for the next 10 years. The deal states that the Heat will receive the sum regardless of whether or not income from fan attendance is high enough to provide it; if earnings fall short, the city will be required to pay the remainder. lf revenue for the year exceeds $5.7 million, the city will charge $200,000 in rent for the team's use of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre; however, the rent is not charged if the team fails to make a profit. The Heat is legally entitled to 60 per cent of any additional earnings, and the remaining 40 per cent can be claimed by the city.

The City Council also granted the team financial assistance for the purchase of $250,000 in video equipment and a $350,000upgrade to change rooms, which included a hot tub installation. Tn addition, the Heat and any visiting hockey teams will be given permission to use the AESC's rinks for practice al no charge.

A major critic of the deal is Lynn Perrin, owner of PairAII Consulting. Perrin believes that the contract violates section 24 of the Community Charter - which prohibits the city from giving assistance to any group unless it has notified the public first - and section 25, which states that the council may not provide "a grant, benefit, advantage or other form of assistance to a business."

Perrin said that the deal is of-

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changes to technology since the ECPA was written. Representa· tives said that email communication poses a complication because - due to increases in storage capacity - many people don't delete emails. This means that many users have years' worth of personal emails stored on the computers of service providers. · Cell phones and mobile Internet devices are also seen as problematic because they generate location data about users in order to support the devices themselves and the location-based services that they provide. This issue is compounded by the fact that many phones now have pre-installed GPS systems.

The consequence of this is that those who are able to intercept this information - either stored in fil 'S or in real-time - are able to track the user's movements and therefore determine the type of activities they participate in and the people that they associate with.

Anot her issue was the increased use of cloud computing, which the website Dictionary of Computing defines as "any system providing access via the Internet to processing power, storage, software or other computing services, often

via a web browser."

The DDPC also expressed concerns about the safety of the information people share via social networking sites, which are becoming increasingly popular.

The DDPC would like to see a revision to the act which affords the same type of protection to specific types of information, regardless of the means by which they were created, shared, or stored.

The coalition also desires to maintain the aspects of the act that are necessary to aid criminal investigations. Members believe that clarifying the rules set out in the tlCPA will solve the legal problems associated with its use.

However, the coalition stresses that it is not pushing to rewrite the ECPA entirely, but rather addressing what it feels arc the most important legal problems stemming from the current act.

Members of the coalilion expect resistance from law enforcement agencies, and believe that it will take considerable lime and debate to successfully create changes. As Jim Dempsey of the Center for Democracy and Technology acknowledged, "We are not expecting that these will be enacted this year, but it's time to begin the dialogue.''

ficially between AESC owners Global Spectrum and the Heat, yet the city is still required to foot the bill if necessary. However, she is uncertain whether or not this approach was intentionally done to subvert the community charter.

Frank Pizzuto, Abbotsford's City Manager, defended the council's deci~ion, "The charter permits a local government to do anything that anybody else can do, unless there is a specific prohibition. The city is free to enter into contracts as it seesfit."

Pizzuto added that "none of these sections [cited by Perrin] prohibit Global, as agent for the city, from entering into this contract.''

He also argued that the Heat is a valuable contributor to local business and estimated economic impacts at $20 million annually, including benefits to Abbotsford's hotels and restaurants.

Mayor George Peary also argued that the council's agrccmcnl with the Heat is fully legal, accusing lhc critics of "[doing] what they can to discredit the agreement, and the council.''

Peary said, "The reality is our municipal solicitors have been in• tricately involved with the negotiations. They specialize in municipal law. The city would not have entered into the contract without our solicitors' recommendation."

This year, Abbotsford is expected to pay the Heat $275,000in order to meet the promised revenue, because fan attendance has been considerably lower than expected.

THE CASCADE

6

FRIDAY,APRIL16th, 2010

The Politics of Pot JIMMY THOMSON Ir DEVANNE O'BRIEN THE XAVERIANWEEKLY

s one of the country's foremost marijuana legalization activists, Dana Larsen knows the score when it comes Lopot laws in Canada.

He's been involved in the marijuana debate in various capacities: as a politician, as an entrepreneur and as editor of the alternative magazine *Cannabis Culture•, alongside Canada's "prince of pot," Marc Emery. His most recent project has been the publication 0£a parody called *Hairy Pothead and the Marijuana Slone•.

Larsen made his formal entry into Canadian politics as a cofounder of both LheB.C.Marijuana Party and the Marijuana Party of Canada. Although he jumped to Lhe NDP in 2003, Larsen says he still views the Marijuana Party as an important educational tool, though nut a realistic electoral one.

"Under our first-past-the-post system, there's not a hope in hell the Marijuana Party is ever going to elect anybody," he comments.

"Really, the goal of the Marijuana Party (is) to educate politicians, to educate other people. You get a great platform in an election."

In 2008, he was the NOP candidate for a BC riding during the federal election, but resigned his candidacy following the release of a controversial video of him alleg• cdly under the influence of marijuana and LSD. Last summer, Larsen was banned from the federal NDP convention in Halifax after the party's spokesperson accused him of vote-buying for a pro-legalization resolution he submitted to the convention.

He spent the duration of the event standing on the street in Halifax wearing a sign that read: "I was banned from the NDP convention. Ask me why."

Though he may battle with some members of the party leadership, Larsen remains an active member of the NDP and works to encourage drug policy reform.

"I've never had a single NDP member say anything bad to me or criticize me or give me any kind of negalivity at all, but within the upper echelons in th!.!party, I think they're worried about me," he claims. "They sec me as a loose cannon."

Larsen suspects that the reason legalization doesn't have much political traction is due in part Lo the construction of the issue in the media.

"There's always some sort of pun, or making fun of the issue (in the media)," he says. "But really, it's somclhing that affects our lives very directly. Many peoples' lives are ruined by marijuana pro• hibition and many lives arc saved by the benefits of marijuana."

Activists continue to face the challenge of asserting their own credibility in a political dimatl.! hostile toward loosening drug laws.

"It's always a concern of anyone who promotes drug policy reform - you get tagged as a stoner. I am," he laughs. "I smoke marijuana everyday."

"I think I'm the first person who has run for a mainstream party who admitted he was a chronic marijuana user. There are plenty of people who say, 'fused

A

to smoke pot,' " he notes. "I would hope that one day, people who smoke pot are involved in politics just like those who drink alcohol - because our political system is awash with alcohol drinkers."

Cannabis is a sticky issue. Fluc• tuating severity of enforcement, constant political babble and increasing social acceptability have many Canadians confused as to what can happen when they light up.

Prohibition "The current laws in Canada constitute prohibition," explains Larsen, who is one of Canada's most active drug-policy reform advocates. "The only real change recently has been that medical marijuana has opened up quite a bit. About 2,000 Canadians now have permission to grow and possess marijuana for medicinal uses."

The use of marijuana for recreational use, howtJver, is a different story.

According to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, of possession under 30 grams of marijuana in Canada can lead, in mo~t circumstances, to a sum-m a r y conviction offence- a fine up to $1000 or six months in prison.

More severe penalties can be prescribed for amounts over 30 grams, or if possession is enhanced by the presence of signific:ant amounts of cash, individu• ally-packaged "dime bags", scales, or lists of money owed, as this can be considered possession for th4;1purpose of trafficking.

No mandatory minimum sentences currently exist in Canada for drug offonces.

Stephen Harper's Conservative government, how- ever,has been trying to institute a nurumum penalty. The federal government introduced the controversial Bill C-15 during the 40th session 0£ the Canadian Parliament. It marked the second major attempt by the

Tories to curb serious drug crimes through legislation designed to dish out stiffer penalties.

Legalization · activists decried the bill, calling the mandatory minimums for marijuana-related offences "draconian." ln the original bill, cultivation of between five and 201 marijuana plants fot the purpose of trafficking would have earned a mandatory minimum of six months in prison. By the time prorogation killed the bill in the Senate, amendments from the upper house ensured that those who cultivate up to 200 plants on their own property for the purpose of trafficking were safe from a mandatory minimum, without the presence of "aggravating factors."

These factors include the presence of weapons, unsafe or booby-trapped cultivation locations, proximity to a public arl.!a to which cultivation could pose a danger, or the use of a third party's property.

A

Beyond Prohibition Foundation was quoted by the •Georgia Straighl* last December stating that those caught cultivating even a single marijuana plant, who did not dosoontheir own property, would be subject to mandatory minimum of nine months in prison.

Add I· tionally, the original bill stipulated increased penalties for trafficking marijuana, with a mandatory minimum sentence of one year if the offence was committed "for the benefit of organized crime." This clause has some marijuana activists concerned, because the definition of organized crime is extremely vague in Canada and can be applied to a group as small as three people.

Although it died with prorogation, the bill is expected to be reintroduced in its original form in the Senate during the current parliamentary session.

Oddly, new hope for legalization is coming from south of the border, while penalties become more sever in traditionally cannabis-lenient Canada.

Role Reversal "There's been a loosening under Obama, which (has) opened things up a lot," explains Larsen. "Although they haven't changed any laws federally, they've changed some of their rhetoric, and they've backed off from the confrontational stance they used to have."

Tn Calif or-

nia, a battle has been waging for years between the state authorities that legalized medical marijuana dispensaries and the Drug Enforcement Agency, which routinely raided and shut down these legal operations. Now it appears the raids will cease, and medical marijuana continues to gain legitimacy in the state.

This news is exciting for medical marijuana advocates, confirms Larsen.

"Under previous administrations under Bill Clinton or George Bush ... they would have done everything they could to have shut this down. Obama's done nothing. He hasn't supported it or said anything positive about it, or mentioned it at all, but he's done nothing to stop it. That's as much as we can probably hope for with the new administration."

This coming November, citizens of California will likely vote on whether or nol to legalize the cultivation and possession of marijuana, which would be a firsl for modern North ¼merican drug policy "I'm really hoping it gets on (the ballot)," says Jake Kiley, guitarist for California punk rockers Strung Out. "It will definitely pass."

This could set the precedent for what Cpl. Ron Bryce of the RCMP Street Crimes unit describes as an essential condition for the successful legalization of marijuana in Canada.

"Tf it were legalized, I think the key wou Id be that it were legalized in the States as well," Bryce says. "lf it was legalized in Canada, and still illegal in the States, you're still going to have people producing it here, and exporting it to the United States and selling it there."

Withfiles from the CanadianGovernment, Cannabis Culture and the GeorgiaStraight

FRIDAY,APRIL 16th, 2010

THE CASCADE

7

Studying Abroad Pt. 9: The Land of Swiss Cheese MARINA PARAPINI CONTRIBUTOR

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henever someone found out I was spending my Easholidays in Switzerland, they would laugh and tell me to bring lots of money. But I defy anyone to visit Swit:.l:edand and not fall in love with it. It has everything except for the sea; and it is worth every penny.

I am one-quarter Swiss through my maternal grandmother, just enough to qualify for Swiss citizenship. My mother teases my Italian father about the immediate differences seen when crossing the border: on the Swiss side lawns are manicured up to an inch from the road, while Italian highway edges arc akimbo with weeds and wildness.

Another amusing comparison is the different receptions I had at each of the consulates while applying for my passports. I spent over an hour in the ltalian consulate; the whole experience was steeped

•

I

in Kafkaesque bureaucracy. In contrast, T was in and out of the

Swiss consulate within 15 minutes after fjlJing out a single, simple

form. They are orderly and precise about everything. Even the cinema seats are numbered.

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The history of Swit· zerland b also interesting.

Before becoming the neutral world bankers they are today, they were highly fierce mercenaries for hire, prized for their dedication. There are stories of brothers forced to fight each other in battles, each hired to a different side.

Napoleon wrote in his memoires that the Swiss were the hardest soldiers he ever fought, and at Bastilles during the French Revolution, they died to the last man even though it wasn't their personal battle. They were the European Spartans.

I am very lucky to have relatives who Jive in Switzerland and could host me. I first visited Zurich - I saw the Kunsthaus art museum, the zoo, the lake with preening swans, Langstrasse and the nightlife.

11,e funniest experience I had was getting on the tram one afternoon and seeing two mature men dressed in handsome suits wit'h.

1-,e"-litiftil leather 'btiefc'as~s • I,"( 't:.,.T' • " t f ,, . f, ' placea across tlicir knees drinkmg red wine out of real winegla8ses.

When I told my cousin he gagged and said that 1had seen the worst of Zurich: the pretentious rich.

Lugano is beautiful in another way: it is set in a picturesque valley and on the shore of a lake with a warm micro-climate that allows palm trees to thrive. When I arrived; spring had just kisse<;Ithe flora arn;I everywhere. ·bea1.1tiful magnolia trees were bloo~-ning.

But my favourite memory is of my six year old second cousin Sasha, who speaks French, Italian and Russian fluently. While playing with him and his friend, I stumbled over some Italian and then switched into French. He turned to his friend and said sadly, not without a little pity in his voice, "She can't speak Italian very weJJ,11 and translated what I had clumsily tried to communicate.

Providence was with me on my trip home. I completely forgot that there is a train strike in France and started my journey without a second thought, as the Swiss trains were predictably running like clockwork. Unbelievably, my train was the only one to France out of Geneva still scheduled. I can't imagine what I would have done had it been cancelled like the others; I was over 500 kilometres from home with school Monday morning.

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Formoreinformation on UFfs study abroad programs ortofindout howtotalktoanInternational Study

Advisor visit:

http://www.ufv.co/internotion

THE CASCADE

8

Apathy Epedemic at UFV JOELSMAlll STAFF WRITER ~te for your SUS _representaV tive, come see this awesome presentation by a world-famous author, and get involved in campus culture somehow. Oh wait, you probably won't, because if you're like most of the students at UFV,you're probably too apathetic to bother.

It reminds me of the way people vote in this country. We're dcciding who runs the country, who is going to make the decisions that control how your money is spent and how your future is going to unfold, but half the country is too busy watching reality television to care.

Pick up the phone and vote for your next American Idol instead.

Talk about opiate of the masses.

Most people djdn't even bother to find out what the BC-STVsystem was during our last provincial election. Typical. ft would be easy to blame that kind of apathy on the type of people who don't really care about their future, but we are university students. We wouldn't be here if we didn't want to improve our lives.

Maybe you're just procrastinating. You'll get involved on campus, but just not right now. After all, you've got stuff to do. Oh, and you should probably check your Twitter again.

The truth is, r understand why UFV students aren't the most involved group of all time. Some have to travel from different cities just to get here, while others don't have access to a car. Coming to some events costs money that is near impossible with a poor student's budget. Nevertheless, it would be nice if you'd make the effort once in a while.

Look at the posters scattered all over the walls as you walk to and from your classes. Jot down the time and location of a few of them that sound interesting, and try to show up. At least join a few of the various Facebook groups and pages for UPV and the various affiliates so you can sec what is going on.

Check out our campus radio, CIVL, at civl.ca sometime. Who

knows, you might even like it. Check out one of the UFV sports teams in action. Go to Casey's on Campus and watch the Canucks in the 2010 playoffs. Check out the Fashion Design program's Absolute Style annual fashion show on April 28. There arc plenty of ways to get involved.

The student apathy is pretty staggering here and it's a real shame, because there are plenty of opportunities. You don't have to do everything, but at least do something. You can join or start a student club. Bring a book to school this summer and read it on campus. Don't just go home after your classes - how boring. Show some pride in your school. r always enjoy the days when UFV hosts a free barbeque, because it seems like one of the only times when a good number of students will hang around af. ter class and get to know each other. IL would be nice to have more events like that, but part of the responsibility is definitely on students to care a little about taking part. Stop being so apathetic and have a real university experience.

FRIDAY,APRIL16th,2010

UFVSPEAK

Matt Q. What is your major?

A. Biology.

Q. How far do you think the Canucks will go in the playoffs?

A. Maybe semi-finals ... thcyrc doing pretty well so far. They could Lwin the Cup], but I doubt it.

Q. What was the last movie you saw at the cinema?

A. RepoMen...It's brutal. It's good but very violent and quite graphic.

Q. Do you think movies are a bad influence on kids?

A. They do focus a lot on violence but it's sort of perpetuating a cycle.

They give people what they want.

Q. Are you stressed at this time of year?

A. No ... I just try to have as much fun as possible.

Why George St. Pierreis So Much Betterthan AndersonSilva JED MINOR PRODUCTION hile there are many amazing fighters in the world of mixed marti.il arts (MMA) today, Brazilian Anderson Silva and Canadian George "CSP" St. Pierre arc two competitors who show up near the top on most "best poundfor-pound" fighter's lists.

While Silva has been a human wrecking ball destroying such greats as Rich Franklin (twice), Dan 1-fonderson and Nale Marquardt en routeto 12 straight wins, St. Pierre has used his superior wrestling game to suffocate opponents and literally make them quit while winning his last 25 straight rounds in the UPC. Often called the best wrestler in MMA, St. Pierre has been criticized recently for rus inability to finish fights, as he has gone to decision in three of his last five bouts. Silva, on the other hand, has always been a devastating finisher, but it seems that his embarrassing wealth of talent has dulled his competitive edge; lately he seems content to taunt his opponents in the ring in a bizarre manner rather than try and finish them.

Their two most recent fights arc probably the best indicator to use when arguing which of these fighters is better pound-for-pound.

On March 27, St. Pierre defended his welterweight belt (170 lbs) against the brash Englishman Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. Having bulked up to 195pounds before the fight, St. Pierre swarmed Hardy from the start, taking him down with ease and attempting numerous submissions on the Brit while testing his newfound power.

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He almost forced Hardy to tap out on a Kimura and an Arm-bar, but other than that did little damage from a "ground-and-pound" standpoint. In the end, GSP won a five round unanimous decision, and this is where things get sticky.

While MMA aficionados can appreciate the subtle beauty of GSP's takedowns and technical mastery of his ground game, it seems that all the average fan wants to see is a knockout. GSP may have domi• nated the fight but in the opinion of many it was not an impressive victory.

Silva's last title defence came against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wizard Demian Maia on April 10 in Abu Dhabi. While Maia had won six of his last seven fights (five by submission), the general consensus was that he would have to get the fight to the ground or be obliterated.

While Silva started strong with his trademark sledgehammer strikes and Spidcrman-esque ability to avoid return fire, he started

to showboat and hotdog late in the first round. His strange display of contempt for his opponent continued well into the third round, at which point he seemed to tire.

At this point, Silva started dancing around the outside of the canvas, apparently unwilling to engage, drawing boos and chants of "Maia." The champion eked out a five round decision but was roundly booed after the fight and even had to endure the fans' chanting for George St. Pierre.

One of the great hypocrisies in sport is that while we claim to cheer hard work, diligence, intelligence and heart, what we are often applauding is simply God-given genetic ability. A guy like Anderson Silva could probably eat donuts and watch TV his whole life and still knock you out with one punch. On the other hand, other fighters work their brains out and never even make it to the UPC due to their lack of natural talent.

The difference between GSP and Silva is that GSP works for it; while GSP is obviously a talented fighter, he has become the best wrestler in MMA despite having no background in amateur wrestling. That is simply an unduplicated feat in the sport.

Most importantly, CSP never displays any arrogance toward his opponents: he competes in every fight like it is his last and continues to be a humble and polite ambassador for a sport desperately in need of heroes.

That is why GSP is the best fighter, pound-for-pound, in MMA.

Antonio Q. What is your Major?

A. Biology.

Q. Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup? A. To be honest l don't really follow hockey.

Q. Arc you stressed at this time of year?

A. Just right now; I got a project I need to finish.

Q. Does ur,v give students enough support?

A. If the students want it it's always there ...! think the institution does a decent enough job.

Q. Any advice for UFV students?

A. Stay organized and do the homework the day it's assigned so you don't have to worry about it.

Daniel Q. What is your Major?

A. Probably Philosophy, T Lhink they just added that [Editor'sNote:They did].

Q. IIow do you think the Canucks will do in the playoffs?

A. I hope they do well. I don't follow it too much, though.

Q. How stressed are you at this time of year?

A. I'm okay now, but when l go home and realize how much work I have to do its probably gonna start hitting me pretty bad.

Q. Do you think it's important for students to travel and see the world?

A. Well yeah, you can't just learn about life without living it.

••••• FRIDAY,APRJL 16th, 2010

9

THE CASCADE

The Intern is Coming to UFV Students willcompete forcash jobexperience PAUL FALARDEAU learn abilities

ARTS& LIFEEDITOR y now UFV students and staff will surely have taken heed of the posters which can be found on walls all over campus that read "You're Fired" and sport a businesslike man who is packing a snazzy 'stachc. They arc for UFV's own version of The Apprentice,the reality show which features Donald Trump making grown people cry and, from a casual viewing, includes something vaguely pertaining to "the business world."

The validity of Trump's money grab, err, show aside, UFV's intern seems set to help local contestants

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and develop their minds for their future careers.

"The Intern" is the brainchild of fourth year UFV student Brigitte MacKenzie, who developed the idea as a practicum for her Communications 413 class. MacKenzie explained that "[the practicum] initially began as a social networking research project and through the creative team at The AbbyNews it evolved inlo 'The Intern'."

The Intern is a competition diverse in its scope with a reward for the winning "Intern" being an opportunity to work with The Abbotsford Entertainment Centre for five weeks and receive $5000.

"The application process is going very well," MacKenzie said.

Thirty students attended a information session on March 31 and many of them signed on, filling out the required application forms complete with photographs. The application process ends on April 16, so prospective "interns" should sign up soon.

The competition well help out more than just the "interns." It will be run by the AbbotsfordNews with assistance Crom the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre and UFV. MacKenzie stated: "This will provide UFV students the opportunity to compete for a high

profile cmploy ment opportunity. This will benefit the community because there arc many local businesses participating and will involve our UFV community."

For more information for possible "interns" and interested parties go to Abby

news.com page.

or

UFV's

Facebook

AlbumReview Xavier Rudd - Koon umSun PAUL FALARDEAU ARTS& LIFEEDITOR ummer's coming, it's time to S smile" sings Xavier Rudd over an up-tempo bass line and drums that are happily acceding to the words which flow over them. An entire album hasn't been summed up in one snippet of its lyrics since the final few morsels of mad gibberish on DarkSideof the Moo11.

Xavier Rudd's new long player, on which he teams up with his new backing band, Izintaba, is thematically and stylistically about as far from the neurotic Pink Floyd masterpiece as iL could be. However, like Ployd more or Jess perfected the concept album with Dark Side, Rudd may have created the perfect summer album with Koonyum

Sun. The album isripewithlushbeats which bask in sunny melodies as

we plod through track after track of summery gold. On no song does any instrument seem neglected, ignored or like a necessary after thought. Although most of Rudd's instrumentation seems to almost lazily make its way through songs, it does so with such a sense of joyful determination and wonderful interconnection with other parts inside the song that each track becomes a blissfully alive entity.

This is all possible thanks to the addition of Izintaba, whose playing takes Rudd to entirely new levels. Indeed, this may be his finest work Lo dale - his Australian heritage shines through with liberal use of didgeridoos and aboriginal singing. In olher places these might seem like gimmicks, but Rudd and Izintaba put them to such good (and unique) use that its hard to find any reason to fault

----------Ml NI

NonStopErotik

Black Francis

him. In this same way Izintaba makes Xavier Rudd stand apart from others who attempt the barcroots folk approach.

The songs on Koonyum Sun arc tailor-made for summertime. The first track, "Sky to Ground" provides a stark contrast of the wonderful and truly low parts of our world.

From the epic jams like the album-closer "Badimo" lo the roadtrip ready "Set Me Free" with it's driving bass to the slow and hot, bluesy "Love Comes and Goes."

There are all sorts of things to get into here from stoner philosophy

happy, sad, introspective and transitory as they are rooted.

Koonyum Sun

that demands to be discussed at length around low burning fires and carefree romps Lhat conjure images of open fields and hot sun.

The 13 tracks on KoonyumSun are

is a marvel to lislcn to from the very first run through. It is both immediately accessible as a good natured fun ride, at the same time it is waiting to evolve and be uncovered layer by layer by the willing listener.

Xavier Rudd has created an album that will dominate your headphones this spring and not leave your cars all summer.

LBUM atEVIEWS----------

Saffron Ron Contour & Factor

If you have listened to guitar Perhaps you know him betmusic that was released since 1990, ter as Canadian hip-hop stalwart it owes some kind of debt to Black Moka Only, and for his work with Francis and the Pixies. Their all- Swollen Members but here he (real too brief career encompassed four name Daniel Denton, by the way) albums that changed the face of is Ron Contour and he's bringmusic. A reunion or two have been ing some solo rap to the plate. peppered through the last five or so The tracks are largely relaxed years, though the long-term future and have interesting hooks and of the band remains unclear. So, beats and Conlour raps with good principal songwriter Black Francis rhythm. I Iowever Contour sufkeeps chugging away at his solo fers from trying to bring too much career. His new release, NonStopE- machismo gangster swagger in an rotik, gets as close to a love album age when good hip-hop no longer as a character as strange as Francis does. When you could be popping could. Song titles such as "When K-os, Outkast or K'naan into your I Go Down On You" tell you all player why do you really want to you need to know. Pixies fans will hear another misogynist rant full be reprieved by the methadone of graphic references to swinging of this latest release, and, while it balls and the overuse of the word could never release another album "pussy" in songs that have no fefrom the American greats, this line imagery? will do for now.

Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones Cancer Bats

You may see some obvious similarities to their peers, Alcxisonfire, by the albums name alone, and with good reason; Cancer Bats fit very well into that same scrcamo genre. However, the Bats are a much more true to form act which doesn't rely on prettily sung hooks, which can give it more and less depth at once. It's really the listeners call on what sort of scrcamo is right for them. That said, this album is completely worth owning if only for the wicked cover of "Sabotage" by the Bcastic Boys.

It is rare that a song is covered as uniquely, fittingly and with proper respect to the original as this has been. Combined with an album of above par screamo, this ls one worth owning.

Objects ill Mirrors The David Liberty Band

This album starts with a recorded sound clip of a cougar roaring.

The album proceeds in that exact direction henceforth. The David Liberty Band seems to be in direct competition with Chickenfoot to see who can beat the eighties in the ground fastest. This is both the band's obvious undoing, a shtick which might get tiresome, and its possible hidden genius, vintage Aerosmith riffs paired with a country-ish Roy Orbison inspired vocals. Worth checking out if your interests on faccbook include Van Halen and hair gel and you want to find a band that brings that tradition into the present with a modern alt-country twist.

TheDefamation of Strickland Ba11ks Plan B Plan B's first album Who Needs

ActionsWhen You'veGot Wordswas a dark, brooding release packed with gallows humour and biting social commentary on the state of England's youth. He was lazily heralded as "the British Eminem," a tag that apparently irked Plan B so much that he decided to largely ditch the hard-hitting rap and become a soul singer. All for his art, you understand. Strickland Banks is a concept album about Banks, a soul singer who gets sent to prison for an unconfirmed crime. The rap elements are still there, and serve as a fitting counter-point to Plan B's newly-embraced vocal range.

Innovation is not a by-word for chart success, but Plan B has performed well in sales, validation for his career move. It all leaves his fans salivating as to what twist his career will take next.

THE CASCADE

Director's Festival at UFV RAYDEKROOH belief, Chilliwack campus is bareCONTRIBUTORly 20 minutes from the McCallum Road exit! l know, closer than you FV's '111eatreDepartment will think, hey . .And for d-fcst, it is inbe hosting the fourteenth an- deed worth the jaunt.

Shows arc only $5 each or four nual director's festival at the end of this month. Or it might be the for $15, which is, ridiculously ecofifteenth annual I'm not sure if they have updated thci r website yet so don't shoot me if I'm wrong. '111efestival runs from April 28 to May 2 and takes pince at the Chilli-. wack Campus Theatre. Take a moment right now to enter it into your Blackberry or other electronic device of choice. T'm serious, just do il; you do not want to miss this.

I have been a religious attendee of the director's festival, or "d-fest" as the theatre crowd terms it, for a number of years now - ever since I stumbled quite haphazardly upon this diamond of artistic creativity nomical, really. They typically run out in the rough and wild wilderness somewhere beyond Sumas around one hour long and there Prairie. l know it may be a shock are about 15 to 20 shows in total.

You can also purchase a pass for to some but contrary to popular

U

forty bucks or so (you have to buy the pass in advance), and this will get you into every show. You do not sec them all in one day; the pass is for the entire weekend.

Shows take place in the main theatre and in the studio. They also run more than once, so if you miss something on one particular day, you can usually catch it on another.

D-fest shows range from comedy to tragedy, frorn the straightforward to the cuttingedge to the avant-garde to the wildly bizarre.

Some singing is always a dangling possibility, as arc epiphanies, uncontrollable laughter and spontaneous tears.

There will be good clean fun and good notso-clean fun if previous seasons are any indication.

Some of my favou· rite shows I recall fondly from past years are The Duck Variations (how Mamet must have envisioned it), Naomi in the Livi11g'Room (l laughed so hard I think I may have made water in my seat), 1'he Dumb Waiter (Pinter's finest), Pawns (written and directed by UFV student, Billy Derksen), The

FRIDAY,APRIL16th,2010

college pro PAINTERS

SUMMER JOBS

COLLEGE PRO PAINTERS is presently looking for responsible / hardworking University or College students for:

Full-Time Painting Positions May - August No experience required, we will train you to paint.

Positions available in your area.

If interested call 1-888-277-9787 or apply online at www.collegepro.com Occupatio11of Heather Rose (good Lord, I'm ashamed to admit that I actually wept), Boundary (same reaction as Naomi i11the Livi11gRoom, only more water), and Awake and Dreaming (a touching, magical adaptation of a Kit Pearson novel).

That is just a small sampling, and it does not begin to do justice to the incredible talent and creativity I have witnessed over the past number of years. And this year's line-up of shows looks equally promising.

I would highly recommend d-

fest Lo all students. Come on out and support some of BC's finest up and coming actors and directors.

There will be something for everyone at this year's festival. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your significant others. I can assure you that d-fcst will not disappoint.

Formoreinformation, visitwww. ufv.co/theotre.

AlbumRev.iev, .

WuMassacre b Method Man·Ghostface Killah andRaekwon ' l'

released new album Wu Massacre.

PAUL BRAMMER

But is this a release worthy of Nl:WS& OPINIONEDITOR the title "album"? It seems awu-Tang Clan's Rackwon just fully slight at just over 30 minutes, released his long-gestat· but those of you in the know arc Ing solo album follow-up, Only surely aware that it's better to have Built For Cuban Li11x2, a couple of 30 minutes from three members of months ago. The album had been Wu-Tang than 80 minutes from planned, recorded, discarded, just about anyone else. mulled-over and f'cd around with The flavour of Wu Massacre is for so long that it became some- reminiscent of the Wu-Tang clasthing like the hip-hop version of sic refined grit (and the title is ChineseDe111ocracy. surely a reminder that the Clan members don't want their solo Some of us started thinking that we'd dreamt the whole thing, stuff to fall too far from the tree). which made it a pleasant sur- The delivery of the three compleprise when the album finally ar- ment each other perfectly, as they always have; it's only when you rived, and an ever more pleasant surprise when it turned out to be take the Wu-Tang members out of a worthy successor to Part 1. The their comfort zones that you realwait had definitely been worth it - ize just how gifted each member is on their own. which makes it a little bit shocking when, seemingly from out of noA minor gripe is that the three where, Raekwon teamed up with rappers only appear together on long-time Wu collaborators Meth- three of the album's tracks - seeod Man and Chostface Killah and ing as the album is sold on the in-

W

PAUL FALARDEAU ARTS& LIFEEDITOR

Stone Temple Pilots Creep One of three songs called "Creep" that came out in 1993 (the others were by Radiohcad and TLC) this was by far the most ambiguous in its meaning. The whole thing sounds very brooding and somewhat self-deprecating, yet distinctively catchy.

The Stray Cats Rumble in Brighton

I'm not a history major but have a feeling that the Stray Cats didn't quite fit into 1980's England. Or any Lime period for that matter. Still, these built for speed greasers fit in well with listeners who loved blistering rockabilly guitar riffs and howlin' screams. (oh, and what a live show ... youtube (or hey, sec them live)).

clusion of all three artists together, it does raise hopes that the majority of the tracks feature Meth, Rae and Ghostface together. That be· ing said, thankfully, the album doesn't have the feel of having been "phoned-in" - the various tracks do sound as thou~h all three artists did sit down in a studio and thrash it all out.

Age does not seem to dull the sharpness of the wit of all involved - in particular, Method Man's verses still have the erudite humour to elicit laugh-out loud responses at times, especially when he raps on "Me£ vs. Chef" about how Cap'N Crunch is his favourite brand of cereal. "that's the shil right there," Method Man announces with dead-on deadpan timing.

Other tracks that stand out include album opener "Criminology 2.5," "Smooth Sailing (rmx)" and "Miranda" (notable for a reference to Vancouver- brrap brrap!). How-

Stabilo One More Pill Once called Stabilo Boss and now I'm pretty sure well faded into the wallpaper of the massive room that is vaguely-folkish-alterna-rock, Stabilo's first El~ Cupid?, is still an album worth owning.

For that brief moment Slabilo was a beacon of pop tune perfection and none better than the infinitely pretty "One More Pill" (oh, and do they ever bring lhc Wah).

ever, it's the flow of the mini-album as a whole that really makes the whole thing worth listening to. Meth, Ghost and Rae take advantage of the shortened running time to cram in as much five-star material as possible.

If this release is anything to go

Elbow Sparrow

A perennial favourite from the excellent The Seldom Sec11 Kid, Sparrow shimmers with a tense yet exuberant kind of magic that feels like first love as lyrics gush beautiful lines like "You arc the only thing in any room you're ever in" which never once sound corny in the least. A truly joyful experience.

by, the next Wu-Tang album will not fail to meet and succeed expectations. lf you're looking for something to tide you over until that day, Wu Massncre is all you need.

If you just want a smoothly-produced, expertly-executed hip-hop album, Wu Massacrefits the bill.

Nirvana Breed Nirvana really bring it here with a track that moves along quicker than a hummingbird on coke. lt's truly a treat for the carbuds with a riff and spastic speed that you can't help but get into.

The lyric:;, nihilistic and anti-um, everything are classic of Nevermind-cra Nirvana.

.

. ',.. . .

FRIDAY,APRIL16th, 2010

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11

National and Provincial Book Prizes Announced Literary awards ready reading lists forsummer PAUL FALARDEAU ARTS& LIFEEDITOR

. saresummer approaches there A many ideas that begin percolating in our minds. The sunny days ahead have no doubt already begun to inspire images of plans for the long and luminous days to come. Certainly one of the most serene and relaxing images of summertime is that of laying back and reading a book in the sun.

With spring in full bloom, Canada and B.C. arc helping you plan your reading list in advance as the winners and nominees for various book prizes are announced, including CBC's "Canada Reads" and the the 8.C.Book Prize.

First up is "Canada Reads," put on by the CBC. In the past, this award has gone to such books as The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, King Leary by Paul Quarrington and Lullabies for Little Criminalsby Heather O'Neill. Past nominees have included Stanley Parkby Timothy Taylor, BrownGirl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson and Icefieldsby Thomas Wharton.

This year, nominees included some big names in Canadian literature, such as Douglas Coupland's Generation X, a disturbingly realistic look at modern culture and Marina Endicott's Good to a Fault, a look at one woman's possible redemption. They were joined by Wayson Choy's The JadePeony,set in Chinatown in the 1930'sand 40's and Fallon YourKnees by Ann-Marie MacDonald, a story of the Piper

family set on Cape Breton Island. their lives. Leaving almost everyThe big winner was Nicolas thing behind, they each carry only Dickner, whose book Niko/ski a few artefacts of their lives - pos· took home the prize. Nikolski is a sessions so formative that they story of renewal. In the spring of can't imagine surviving without 1989, three young people bom them - but also the accumulated thousands of miles apart each cut memories of their own lives and themselves adrift from their birth- family histories. plac:es and :,<:tou,t to di:,cover what The Canada Reads prize is in- or who • might anchor them in teresting in its judgement meth-

od, which is quite different from traditional prizes like the Giller.

"Canada Reads" has been an annual event since 2002. The competition sees a panel of noteworthy Canadians each choose a favourite work of fiction to defend, and go head-to-head on air to debate its merits. This year's judges battled it out in half-hour debates aired on CBC R.adio One in March, with the panellists defending their work of choice. Books are voted off the list one at a time until the winner remains.

Provincially, there is the 2010 B.C. Book Prize - BC's top literary event- whose finalists have recently been announced. As in previous years, AbeBooks is a sponsor for the event, and is supporting the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize.

This year's finalists for the prize include a loving and painful memoir of family life on the prairies of Saskatchewan, an intimate portrait of Ted Hughes from a unique perspective, a harrowing tale of man vs. nature in the Arctic, an unflinching discussion of the metamorphosis of farming, and a frank and thorough examination of the city of Vancouver and its growing pains.

AbeBooks is an exciting newage online bookseller that rivals and often bests Chapter's online store in finding and selling books new, old and rare. It is headquar• tered in Victoria and was founded

by British Columbians in 1996.An onllne letter ~ays that Abe books is "..,thrilled to acclaim the writing

talent on our doorstep."

There is certainly a lot of talent here. Laura Croizcr, whose collection of poetry, What the Living Won't Let Go, won the 2000 Dorothy Livesay award; here has Small Beneaththe Sky: A PrairieMemoir.

It is a collection of recollections which are poignant and moving, as well as allowing the reader to look deeper into one of Canada's most celebrated poet.

The Ice Passageis a harrowing tal of discovery and survival in the artic circle by Brian Payton.

Ehor Boyanowsky's memoir of his time spent with Ted Hughes is revealing and .riveting and a landmark opportunity to understand one of the more tragic stories of the literary world from another angle; SavageGods,SilverGhosts:ln the Wild with Ted Hughes is a connection to Canada's literary and natural worlds.

These worlds are challenged and given accolades by Brian Brett and Charles Demers, who investigate modern farming practices and the city of Vancouver respectively, in their books TraumaFarm: A Rebel History of Rural Life and Vancouver Special. The BC Book prize is announced on April 24.

These books and more are all worthy of being read with special attention and vigour, something they all inspire in the reader.

Without a doubt this summer they should be paired with a hammock, a spot of shade and a nice glass of wine. Read on!

miliating asshole things" that he does because he believes that it will eventually make for a good story. Not only that, he is grate• ful for the awkward and sometimes terrible experiences he has had throughout his life, going so

far as to state: ''I wish my school had corporal punishment. I could write a story about being beaten with a key chain. Now I just wish all those people had been worse.

I would have had more to write about."

BookRaviaw MeTalk Pretty One Doy byDavid Sedaris sistance to her therapy in order to ALEX WATKINS

NEWSWRITER trick him into saying "Sorry."

He also recounts the music merican humorist David Se- lessons forced onto hlm and his daris' own personal brand of siblings by his father, who harself-deprecati1i1ghumor arguably bored dreams of forming a family shines most brightly in his auto- jazz band. Sedaris ends up being biographical collection of stories, given private guitar lessons by a Me TalkPretty One Day. The book, misogynistic, homophobic and ill• which earned him the title "Hu- tempered "midget," and is asked morist of the Year" from Time Magazine, as well as the 2001 Thurber Prize for American Humor, show• cases Sedaris' knack for finding both the comedy and the tragedy in everyday life, often within the same moment.

One of the standout sections of the book is Sedaris' talc of his childhood experience with a speech therapist named Miss Chrissy Samson, who is intent on curing his lisp. He quickly grows to resent her, and speculates that "Had her name included no s's she probably would have by· passed a career in therapy and devoted herself to yanking out healthy molars or performing unwanted clitoridectomies on the schoolgirls of Africa. Such was her personality."

He attempts to outwit her by expanding his vocabulary, aided by a pocket thesaurus ''which provided [him] not to come back when the teacher with s-free alternatives to just eventually discovers he is a homoabout everything." The therapist sexual. inevitably gets the last laugh, Sedaris' uncanny ability to feigning a meltdown over his re• write stories that arc both caution-

A

ary and outright hilarious is demonstrated as he recounts his college years, in which he simultaneously discovers methamphetamine and conceptual art. He is drawn into the medium by his persistent belief that he is an artistic genius deserving of fame, despite the fact that after years of study he has been unable to develop any technical skills. The addiction fuels his art, because, as Scdaris recounts, "Speed eliminates all doubt. Am l smart enough? Will people like rne? Do Treally look all right in this plastic jumpsuit? These questions are for insecure potheads. A speed enthu1;ia1;t knows that everything he says or does is brilliant."

The tales presented by Scdaris wereoften so outrageous that I couldn't help wondering if his life was genuinely as strange as described, or if he was simply endowed with an unusual gift for observing the harsh and sometimes illogical aspectof human behavior. In interviews, he expresses irritation at the implication that his stories are sometimes exaggerated for effect, and maintains that they were drawn entirely from experience; in fact, he declares that a good part of his essays arc plucked directly from the diaries he has been writing for over thirty years.

On the whole, Sedaris professes to get enjoyment out of the "hu-

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FRlOAY,APRIL 16th, 2010

e RedDead Redem tionPreview The enormoui; environment will JOEL SMART STAFFWRITER be one of the largest ever created in a video game, featuring numerublished and developed by ous towns, plains, forests, rocky Rockstar Games, Red Dead passes, lakes and rivers.

Though the story and scale Redemption largely takes after the GrandTheft Auto series (even using are no doubt fantastic, what rethe same game engine), but in this ally seems to set this game apart game you won't be stealing cars in is its focus on the little details. The horses arc without a doubt the best a modern day city; instead, you'll be riding your trusty steed in the t've everseen in a game. If you've Old West. It is set to be released on had a particular horse for a while, a whistle will cause it to come to May 18.

John Marston, an ex-outlaw, is you.

You can even take a wild horse forced to hunt down and take out his former gang when the lives of as your own in the game, but first his family are threatened by fed- you must catch, break and saddle eral agents. It is the early 1900s, the them. At first they will be more difera of the Wild West has begun to ficult to control, but over time they get to know you. You also have be tamed by an ever-expanding industrial culture. Of cou rsc, there a Lasso at your disposal, which will be plenty to do and see in the you can even use to lie people up and drag them behind your horse. process. Through open-world, free-roam, third-person gameDrinking whiskey in a saloon may also provide entertainment. In orplay, a la Grand Theft Auto, players will be able to explore three vast der to quickly transport across the fictional regions, one of which be- gigantic map, Marston can nap in ing the entire state of New Austin. travelling stagecoaches or the fut-

P

ly-functlonal train.

The game will feature some interesting mini-games, like throwing horseshoes, arm wrestling, gambling, and playing five finger fillet with a knife. Perhaps the coolest is the quick-draw duels which will play a large role in the game.

You can also hunt the myriad of animals in the game, from wild cougars to grizzly bears to vultures. You can then skin the animals and sell them to a merchant.

Marston will be able to purchase guns, ammunition, newspapers, camping gear, and various other items. Other side quests include bounty and treasure hunting. In online multiplayer free-roam, up to 16players can take part in quests together, or do almost anything else available in single player.

TI1ere will be numerous weapons, ranging from knives, pistols and shotguns to mounted Gatling guns, Molotov cocktails and dynamite. During combat, players can free-aim, blind-fire or lock-on

enemies. One of the most unique features of the game is the "DeadEye" precision targeting system which slows the game down to a snail's pace, allowing the player to take a bit more time when aiming.

The game features an honour syi,tem that allows players to be judged based on their actions. How you dress and act will actually impact the way you are perceived and respected by local townspeople.

Being dishonourable makes it eas-

icr to get a wanted level. To evade a wanted level, Marston must get a certain distance away from the scene of the crime, but will have to personally work, pay off, or bribe a law man, in order to get rid of a bounty on his head.

Whether Red Dead Redemption will find a large audience remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure; riding a horse into the sunset never seemed so good.

is a ncrd's wet dream.

because of people like you, people who would rather watch Two and a Half Men than my precious Chuck. This is why we can't have nice things!

I'm sorry; I'm getting a tad emotional. Chuckends its third season (and possibly its entire series) on Monday, May 24 from 8-10 p.m. on NBC. If Chuckisn't renewed, the next time you'll see me is in the obituary section of the Cascade.

ChannelSurtinu JORDAN PITCHERSupernatural:

Supernatural is one of those STAFFWRITER programs that I didn't really enjoy until the fourth season, which his is the last Channel Surfing is when they started to delve for April and when it returns in early May, my esteemed col- deeper into mythology and the subtle relationship between two league, Justin Orlewicz, Is going brothers that are polar opposites to drop in for a week to talk about of one another. Supernatural's programs that he's enjoying that finale is on Thursday, May 13 at 9 I'm not covering. I figured I shou Id p.m. on the CW. Supematura/ has discuss seai;on finale dates before been renewed for a sixth season. it ls too late.

The end of May is far and away Small ville: the saddest period of every televi- I have been watching this sion fan's life. All of their beloved program since grade eight. It Is no programs are ending, the sun is longer a conscious act to watch it; coming out and they will soon be it is simply something that must forced above ground to languish be done. $111allville ends its ninth unhappily until mid-September, season on Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m. on the CW. Smallville has been when all of their programs return (unless they were cancelled). Here, renewed for a tenth season.

I will provide you, dear television enthusiast, with a rough tlmeline Bones: of season finale datei; so you can I understand that a large part of stock up on suntan lotion for the what makes a program enjoyable is sexual tensions, however, summer or cryogenically freeze after last week's 100th episode yourself until September. bombshell, I think the will-theywon't-they bullshit Is getting a

T

little stale. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the program but I think if they don't throw fans a curveball, a lot o,fthem are just going to get fed-up.

Bones will put their fans out of their misery on Thursday, May 20 at 8 p.m. on Fox. Bones has been renewed for a i;ixth season.

Lost: Never hE1~tl;iere b/c)l!.Q.,a p~ogra.in as compelling and divisive as Lost, and never has a program had such an intricate mythology or inspired so many theories about what was really happening. Just writing about the series finale of Lost makes me want to weep openly.

I will be strong, though, for there is a silver lining to this dark news: the entire series will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 24, 2010. This will allow fans lo re-watch the entire series, drawing correlations from seemingly inconsequential things that happened in the first episode that had ramifications on what happened in the final episode. It

Lost leaves triumphantly on Sunday, May 23 from 8-10 p.m. on ABC. I will miss you, Lost.

Chuck: Though this is technically being described as the season finale of Chuck, it may well be that Chuck will end on its May 24 finale. The reason Chuck may end for good is

Movie Review Dote Ni ht TREVOR FIK couple-centered comedies. Bored suburban STAFFWRITER married couple venture out for a night on the town to see if they still ''have it in them," mishaps and calamity inevitable ensue, aving seen Titans clash and hot tubs transport people through time my last complete with a shirtless Mark Wahlberg few movie outings, 1 was desperate for a and enough "whacking off" to keep the more down to earth motion picture going night interesting.

Ok, so maybe it is not completely formu• experience. Something funny, that was able to balance just the right amount of absurd laic, but the story is riddled with enough laugh-out-loud and "oh my God'' moments situational humour, with just the slightest bit of action and crude gags to keep things to keep you genuinely interested in the fate interesting. Essentially, something on a Im- of the Fosters. It does not hurt either that man level, with enough relationship woes there is undeniable chemistry between Carcll and Fey, who play off one anothers and comedic banter to keep me entertained for the 90 or so minutes it takes me lo get comedic talents in a way that makes you root for them throughout the movie. through a bag of popcorn.

Insert Dnte Night, the newest from Sat11rCameos from James Franco, Mila Kunis, day Night Live alumni Tina Fey, and Tlie Of Ray Liotta, and, as mentioned befor1:,a bare/ice star Steve Carel I. They play beleaguered chested Marky Mark also help to make sure New Jersey couple Claire and Phil Foster, that Fey and Carel! are not forced to carry the movie all on their own. who after a short visit and look at the deteAlthough the movie docs not appear riorating relationship of the couples' good friends, begin to wonder if they to might be to cover much new ground comedy wise, character driven films like Date Night live headed for divorce. This prompts the couple to take a night out on the town, resulting in a or die on the performances of those within them. Carell, in all his goofiness and charm case of mistaken identity, and a run in with is able to keep things interesting for the the criminal clement of New York City.

The plot of the movie is formulaic, having entire span of the movie. Nobody does the awkward humour shtick like Steve Carell. repeated a tested and true storyline of most

H

Having forced me to fast-forward through many scenes of The Office due to the unbearable awkwardness of the actions of Michael Scott, Carel! is a master at making me laugh, while at the same time feel incredible uneasy and insccu rc.

Fey also does not disappoint. As a fan of everything she has done since her film career began, it is easy to fall for her loveable, mom next door mannerisms.

She plays the everyday women with ease, turning the sometimes humourless dialogue into moments of intense hilarity.

Date Nig!tt would have been lost without Carell and Fey, and could have destined to be another straight to DVD dud. Instead, the casting director had enough sense to go for talent and chemistry, making the movie something worth checking out.

FRIDAY,APRIL 16th, 2010

THE CASCADE

13

THE£EJXC chit~

~ ~ 'flM; ~ .j~ enjoy watching women on the inDUDEHU6E ternet embrace their Sapphic sid1.1 PLAYING ONESIDE until I realized that the lesbians in my fantasies wanted nothing to do ex is one of those things that with me because, they were, sureveryone always wanls lo Lalk prise, lesbians. about - myself more so than most From my experience, men who - but when it comes to fetishes and are "into" lesbians view lesbianfantasies, no one wants to say any- ism as this fluid thing that will thing, oftentimes not even to their shift when a penis is introduced partner. This is largely b cause fe- into the equation; and that's a tish(;)sand fantasies are something large part of the lesbian fantasy. dark, something outside the norm. In fact, that's probably all there is No one's fetish or fantasy has ever to it: the idea that if two women been som thing as white bread as are having sex, they are only doplain old P in the V sex. Instead, ing so because there is not a penis fetishes and fantasies are most- available. If a penis is produc~d, ly made up of fairly innocuous the two women will automatically things like latex, role-playing (not ditch their sexual orientation in fa.

Dungeons & Dragons, though), vour of pleasuring the male.

Some of the men reading this and maybe a little pain.

On the other side of the spec- will probably be like, "so what, trum there is scat, golden showers, this is nothing special." But it is dressing up as stuffed animals, etc. actually something quite special Most of these fetishes and fanta- in that I would bet there are very sies pale in comparison to the one few women who would watch two ·sh tha i ~ most nonsensical men h v-ing · and think that t of them all: lesbians. Ask any man two men would switch from howhat his ultimate fantasy is and mosexuality to heterosexuality if lesbians will almost always have only her vagina was in the room. something to do with it. I used to This is a phenomenon that is, I be-

S

lieve, limited only to men.

It would be impossible to chastise men for thinking they can "turn" 11.)sbians(and it is not (;)ven my goal, really, to do so. I merely seek to educate) becaus(;) that is what the media has, by and large, led us to believe. In every program T'veseen (I haven't seen TheL Word) where there is a lesbian character, she will, at some point in the series sleep with a male (whether it be some drunken indiscretion or simply to see what it was like).

The media, nefarious beast that it is, sends the message that lesbianism is no stronger than a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon or idle curiosity. Conversely, every homosexual male on television will awkwardly, but politely, rebuff a female's advances. For many people, though, television or film is the only way they will ever interact with the idea of homosexuality, and it is conveying the wrong message. It,is 110 Wot;tderevery 1'11ale on the face of the planet is a "big fan" of lesbianism, when, in fact, they don't really know what lesbianism means at all.

How To Elnd True Love On Chatroulette

•

Don'ts Don't go on with friends: This wards off potential lovers by giving others the impression you are merely visiting the site as a pastime and not using it as a love connection tool.

Don't hide your video feed: Hiding the feed is a sign of insecurity and is unappealing to potential lovers.

Don't ever use the "next" button: This makes you look like you are passing judgment, which is just plain rude.

Don't disable sound: Some of the most interesting things happen when you can hear and see what is going on in that other person's bedroom.

Don't compare someone to a celebrity: I made the rookie mistake of asking one person if he was Justin Bieber and received the middle finger.

Do Do put on makeup: Cnatroulette is a toof to meet boys; the fresh-out-of-bed look is a major deterrent.

Do share A/S/L: 0

Auto start~

Cicen c:hetlog ~ Chatsounds

0

Autostert

Clc1111 chatlO\j

Chat sounds

The Cascade experiments with ChatrouleHe ... and the results were mixed and shocking.

was out there writing about me.

I admit, THECONCORDIAN I was pretty surprised and upset.

Luckily, my sulking was interam a fan of the Internet and its rupted with the discovery of Chawondrous ability to help people troulette, a website that allows usfind true romance. I spent months ers to have video and text chat with on Craigslist's "Missed Connec- random people across the world. tions" reading through the mes- One use and I was hooked. Since sages hoping that my soulmate then, I have met a multitude of ,, " , ...

EMILEBLA,CK When this did not happen,

I.

'\

..-· ..... ~

people - some who have become real love interests and others just friends. Though I have not met rny soulmate just yet, I have learned a lot and I figured I should share my wisdom with the other loveless individuals roaming around the world. So, I have created the dos and don'tsof Chatroulette.

Age, sex, and location are necessary information to share if you want to seriously meet Mr. Right.

Do give the penises a chance: As scary as alf those strangers' penises may be, it's important to give the man behind the package a chance.

Do as your partner asks: When the boy from Italy you have been chatting with asks to see some Canadian tits, do it. You only Jive once and if he ends up not working out as a future husband, it will ensure you have a place to say when on a Eurotrip.

Do accept MSN requests from online strangers: This is t'he best way to show users you're serious about Toveand that you're eager to create a more serious relationship.

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FRIDAY,APRTL 16th, 2010

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They Gavethe Dude a Mulche1· eration, to grasp the moment and make il indelibly, demonstrably theirs?

Because this is a cruel, onesided conversation {ifa Mulchcr speaks, and noone hears it, does he still get paid?), I'm going to offer an answer to my own question -Eminem.

Remember May, 20007 The

PAUL BRAMMER NEWS& OPINION EDITOR

F

or those of you mlasmatlc enough to regularly read this column, you'll know that l've been on something of a music bend recently. For those of you who haven't read this before, I've been on a bit of a music bend recently.

Whether you're whooping with delight at the thought of musical musings on music and musicality or hanging your head for fear of bloated death by over-music, I don't cayugh, as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say. Just one more music Mulcher, and I'll move on to something else. Anything else.

I promise (actually, I had that one about John Cazale the other week, so you can all get bent).

There is a musician who sums up a generation, a time, a movement, a feeling. You all know who they are. As society has evolved/ devolved (delete where applicable), and the digital age has tore the proverbial arsehole out of our homogeneity, music has lost some of its luster in the sense of its ability to provide a uniting, blanket experience for all peoples near a radio.

The lnternet allows us to become virtual magpies, picking and choosing which music we want to listen to on a minute-byminute basis. It is beyond comprehension how startling and fundamental the changes that the digital age has wrought upon us are. No more sitting by the stereo, pushing down "Play" and "Record" every time one of our favourite songs meanders onto the airwaves, to compile that elusive mix-tape of your favourite tracks.

Remember that song that you first kissed your true love to?

You needn't swoon every time you stumble upon it as you scan

through the RiTwave!I- it's right there on YouTube whenever you want to recreate that electric moment. What was that song that you got drunk to in tenth grade? You can find it. ls musical nostalgia dead? !don't know - at the very least, it's been anaesthetized or placed into a stu· por. Also, I couldn't say whether this is a good or a bad thing - it's not as though the radio has lost its ability Losurprise and delight. Every time 92.9 FM have a 300-hour Led Zeppelin marathon, which is precisely every 10 minutes or so, I

,mil myself with delight (not liter-

ally, for God's sake don't tell anyone I meant it literally).

So, if we can agree that music in the shiny, cool-as-frig Western world has been put to sleep llke a hibernating hobo or obliterated like human pin-cushion Boromir, we should agree on a moment when this ended. Coming from the digital lntercobweb side is tougher than sitting through a Chuck Norris without ejaculating with masculine amazement, so let's consider the other angle - who do we think was the last artist lo define a gen-

and childhood, to his separation from ex-wife Kim (who gets her very own song, which might be the most disturbing song of a II time) is there. Eminem also railed against his fame and fortune- indeed, one of his saving graces and moments of great brilliance is his ability to turn his fire on anyone and everyone who entered his sight-line.

Journalists, record company execs, overbearing fans, lawyers, radio DJs, hangers-on, sycophants - no sacred cows, no punches pulled.

"The Way I Am" might be the greatest single of the last 20 years.

Its lyrics are breathtaking, its themes brave and brilliant. EmiMarshall Mathers nem calls out parents, Columbine LP? If you do, massacre blame-apportioners, then you rememand the media's eagerness to iniber that Eminem tiate witch-hunts, among others. was, without a His delivery as w~ll is something shadow of an iota to make the jaw-drop. lcc-T put it of a scintilla of a right when he said that it's not a doubt, the most matter of race - Eminem is simply electrifying, in- one of the best rappers of all time, cendiary artist of regardless of colour. his generation. If Following album The Eminem you don't quit11 Show was brilliant, but The Marrecall, think of shall Mathers LP stands alone as a the album's last defining work of its time. As I'm three singles sure you're awaro, Eminem has - "The Real Slim released new music afie.r going Shady," "The on hiatus, and some tracks on his Way I Am" and latest album Relapseare great, but "Stan." it seems that the Internet has deA lesser artist would have rid- prived us of the ability to produce den any one of these songs to fame music, or indeed, art, that will proand fortune, but for Emincm it vide us with a unifying experience was just another link in what was anything like Emlnem at the turn of the CPI'ltury. then the strongest chain in music.

So, is Eminem gone but not forEminem was the natural heir to Mark Twain, the Marquis de Sac.le, gotten? More like forgotten but not gone. I hope and pray that there is William S. Burroughs. another undisputed masterpiece Where Eminem's art becomes in him, but who knows? Even if independent of the great social commentators/absurdist geniushe did produce his opus tomores/crazy bastards is the way his row, would we listen to it for long work was so nakedly self-aware. enough before we got bored and Everything, from his relationship YouTubed something else? with his mother, to his schooling

..:....:....::M~ov~ie~R~e=vi~ew~~-----------HO~ I I liot Tub Time Machine Hot Tub Time Machine, shot in

JOEL SMARTVancouver and in Fernic, British

STAFF WRITER Columbia, was remarkably t's not going lo win any awards for funniest comedy, but Hof Tub Time Machine has its moments of hilarity. With a title only rivalled

by Snakes on a Plane, the.?science fiction comedy is largely an intentional parody of itself. It relies largely on sight gags and grossout humour, but if you grew up in the 80s there is plenty to enjoy about the film.

Three depressingly unhappy men who used to be popular party animals in their heyday are transported back to the moment when their lives took a turn for the worse, Winterfest '86. They soon realize that anything they do differently could have enormous effects on the future, and attempt to go through all of the events of their day the same way in order to protect the future. One of the characters has a nerdy "Second Life" addicted nephew who is also transported back in time with the men.

I

well cast. Both John Cusack and Craig "Darryl-from-The-Office" Robinson play familiar roles, while the lesser-known Rob Corddry's crazy antics stole the show. The loner nephew is played by Clark Duke, the unlikely ladies-man from Sex Drive. The four characters have good onscreen chemistry that feels oddly reminiscent of The Hangover.

The talented and beautiful Lizzy Caplan also has a wonderful, but minor performance in the film.

The film plays around with a lot of the ideas found in 80s time travel movies, particularly Back to theFuture.Criwwspin Glover, who played Marty's high school aged father in the classic series plays comical role in Hot Tub Time Ma· chine. Chevy Chase, another actor famous from his work in the 80s, plays a minor but comical role.

The largest drawback of the film is that the comedy sometimes takes a backseat to the storytelling, which should really never happen in a film of this calibre. When the

jokes are good they arc hilarious, but there are just not nearly enough of them.

Easily the best part of the film is the numerous 80s references and jokes. The 80s were a strange, but awesome time. It feels as though Hof Tub Time Machine is paying tribute to that retrospective realizalion of the decade. There are several moments that fans of the film will leave the theatre quoting or laughing about. "Tmpossibly black" might be one of them. ln a film like this, it simply doesn't matter that some of the time-travel logic is flawed. Certain time-spans within the film are also illogical, but since it doesn't take itself too seriously it's easy to forgive it for this fact.

While there are certainly better comedies out there, there is a charm to Hot Tub Time Machine.

There is no shame in waiting for this film to come out on video before checking it out. However, if you are a fan of the 80s, .it would be a waste to never bother watching it at all.

y·- B u·

TI M E ___

MACH IN E KICK SOME BAST rA

lS

THE CASCADE

FRIDAY, APRIL 16th, 2010

The Road to the

Los Angeles Kings JOllS,MAJllty. In a city

that lives and breathes

STAFF WRITER hockey, it isn't a minor feat.

with a concussion, may also be ready to go for the playoffs adding another offensive punch to the team's lineup - but his return is still uncertain. Newly acquired Andy Delmore is also uncertain for the playoffs but his return is not out of the question. Players tha~,,dt(~~tely :won't be making a return for the playoffs are John Armstrong and Matt Pelech.

With the Heat finally healthy and all their guns firing they may just have a chance to make an honest run at the Calder Cup. Their first home playoff game will be Monday, April 19,at the AESC and it's exp(;!cted to sellout. ln other words, get your tickets while you still can. For more inside information on th(;!Heat's playoff run you can follow me on twitter at JustinOrly.

ith a playoff spot scltlc~, the Canucks were caught in meaningless third place purgatory until their first round opponents were settled. Henrik Scdin was perhaps the only player with anything to play for.

It was pretty exciting stuff to see Sedin win the Art Ross trophy.

Vancouver fans have watched the Sedin twins for years now, so to score more points than any other player in the league was pretty great. For those paying attention, it was a pretty close race near the end. Alexander Ovechkin briefly passed him just before Henrik's last game, but with a full team effort trying to get him the puck, he was able to notch four points in the game, a spectacular feat.

Ovechkin played his last game the next day, and with bated breath, the second place star tried to pass Henrik, but failed to regi stcr a single point. Henrik's title seemed set in stone because third place Sidney Crosby would need eight points to tie it up. Halfway through his final game, though, and Crosby had notched five points; he only needed three more to steal Hank's win. That was it for Crosby, so th four-point outing against the Flames was enough to clinch the Art Ross for 1-kmrik Sedin. , Henrik'f\ ,magnHicent season could also put him in contention for the Hart trophy, awarded to the player determined most valuable to his team. During parts of the season, he almost single-handedly kept the team in contention. When his brother broke his foot early in the season, it was enough for some to give up hope on the team.

Not Henrik though, he was just getting started. He scored and as• sisted and made everyone around him better, but without even the slightest bit of arrogance or celebri-

But Henrik wasn't the only drama for the Canucks as the last weekend of the regular season drew to a close. As fun as the game against the Flames was, and it was fun to win 7-3, many people were much more anxious about four other games; two by the Los Angeles Kings, and solo outings by both the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators. l'herc were over SO possible ways that those four gam(;!s cou Id have played out, and as the weekend drew on it seemed likely that the Canucks would play the Predators. But when the last game, the Red Wings versus the Chicago Blackhawks went into overtime, it meant there were only two possible situations left if the Red Wings won the game, the Canucks would play the Los Angeles Kings. If the Red Wings lost the game, it would be the Wings they faced, A crossbar in overtime signaled how close it could have been to a D(;!troltR(;!d Wings first round for the Canucks, but when the Wings scored, the Los Angeles Kings were it.

Previous to the 8·3 disaster we played against the Kings on April Fools day, we have actually had nice wins all three times we played them. Last October we beat them in LA, 2-1. Then in November we beat them at home, a convincing 4-1. Then in mid-December we to9k ..thcm on again in Vat\~~':lver, taking a 3-1 victory.

Consistent play from our defense and from our goaltender is going to be a necessity to win any playoff series, The Canucks have had success against the Kings, though, and due to the blowout they faced in April, the Canucks likely won't take them lightly. If their back end stays healthy and their high-scoring offense can keep putting it in the back of the net, the Canucks might really have something this year.

The finalists will probably be Pittsburgh and Chicago but who knows. Chicago lacks depth in goaltending but Antti Niemi and Christobal Huct have been playing well as of late - they have the rest of the pieces to the puzzle and it's their Inst year before they are affected by the salary cap, so maybe this is the year Chicago finally gets another one.

After the golden season Sidney Crosby has had, you can expect him to lead the Penguins to an honest defense of their Stanley Cup title.

Now for the underdogs, there is always at least one or two in every conference. This year in the West Jt has to be the Coyotes. Maybe it's a Bettman conspiracy as to why they did so well this season, especially now that the league owns the team, or mayb(;! th•y finally just got better after a'll these years of sucking. Either way, I can see them being really dangerous or a

complete bust.

This brings us to Detroit, the best team in the last 10 games of the season and coincidentally the Coyotes opponent in the first round. Maybe it's not fair to call Detroit an underdog with all the injuries they had this season and their I(;!C>nt success in the playoffs, but one thing is for sure, the winner of thi:, series will do some damage in this year's NHL post season.

Los Angeles could have also had a decent shot at being an underdog this year with all of their young talent, featuring Team Canada hero, Drew Doughty. However, with a draw like Vancouver in the flrst round it probably won't happen this year. Watch out for L.A. in the future- they should be deadly!

In the East th(;!t(;! ar, .no rea I dark horses. The top four will probably advance to th1a?second round. But if I had to pick a bottom half team,

it would have to be Tim Thomas's Boston Bruins.

They might be missing Marc Savard but I could see them pulling off an upset or two in these playoffs. Buffalo surprised a lot of people by winning their division and can't be considered an underdog sitting in the third place playoff position in the East - but no one seems to be picking them as favorites. Buffalo has Olympic silver medal caliber goaltending and some great young players up front and on their back end, including rookie of the year candidate Tyler Myers. Buffalo is definitely a contender.

The first round is usually the most surprising and exciting - it's definitely my favourite round.

Not to mention that you get four channels of high definition hockey games every day. Like always, it should be an interesting playoff season and may the best t(;!am win!

W JUSTIN ORLEWICZ STAFF WRITER fter finishing the regular season strongly at home, the Heat went on a three game road trip to close out their season. Despite clinching a playoff birth last week, these three games were not meaningless; the Heat were still chasing the Rochester Americans for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Heat needed to wirl all three games and then need some help from Rochester's next three opponents to earn home ice - it was a bit of a long shot but not impossible.

First up for the Heat was a two game series with division rival Lake Erie Monsters. Abbotsford lost the first contest 5•4 in a shoot• out earning themselves one point.

With Rochester losing as well, the Heat still had hopes and aspirations of home ice in the first round.

The Heat returned the fa_~ourthree nights later beating the Monsters in another shootout 4-3. Red hot David Van der Gulik got another goal for the Heat, and Colin Stu• •.,,a;;t,WilllAl!iO,p11fir1::witl\~wo goals in the first game and the shootout winner in the second contest.

1'hc Heat traveled to Toronto the fotlow111g day to close out their regular season against another division rival, the Marlics.

The Heat won this contest 5-2, but with a Rochester win they fell one point short of home ice advantage.

The Heat finished the regular season with a 39-29-5-7record and 90 points.

The Heat will now play a best of seven series with the Roches-

A

ter Americans that will begin in Rochester on the April 13. After two games in Rochester the series will then shift to Abbotsford for games three, four and five, before going back to Rochester again.

This season series between the Heat and th Amerks is at 3 • 1 in favor of the Heat - so this is a win- , nable series for them. If the Heat can manage lo steal one game on the road they can steal home ice advantage and be in the driver's seat for the rest of the series. The Heat will also have AHL all-star Jason Jaffray back in the line up as he is rcturnit1g from an injury.

Also Mikeal B1.1cklund and Brett Sutter are back with the team now that Calgary has failed to make the playoffs and they no longer requi re their services.

Carsen Germyn, who b out

like San Jose, Chicago or even DeJUSTIN ORLEWICZ troit. However, the Canucks final-

STAFF WRITER ly have a team that doesn't need

W

ith the NHL regular season out of the way and all the playoff match-ups set, the speculating can begin. Everyone has their obvious pick for who will win the cup or be in the Stanley Cup finals but no one is really focusing on the dark horses in this cup race. Where does Vancouver fit in this conversation? Are they a favourite or an underdog?

Most of the insiders are talking about how great Washington will do, but their goaltending and defense is very suspect; all it will take is a good defensive team to knock them off. I don't sec them going past the final four and that's if they don't get Sidney Crosby and company in the second round; we all know Sid is Ovi's Kryptonitc.

Vancouver is another team that has the potential lo do well bu twill have to go through a powerhouse

to rely strictly on Luongo to steal them a win.

This year the Canucks had six twenty-goal scorers and almost four thirty-goal scorers. Add to that the fact that Henrik Sedin ls the Art Ross trophy winner (most points in regular season), and they're shaping up very well. So the offense is definitely firing for the Canucks, they just need to take it into the playoffs with them and, if they do, the sky's the limit.

Maybe it's even th(;!iryear to win it all - but it's way too early to determine how likely that is.

This season there are so many good teams in the playoffs that it is hard to tell who's going to do what. Personally, if I had to call a final four right now, I would have to say Chicago and Vancouver in the West and Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the East.

16

THE CASCADE

FRIDAY,APRIL 16th, 2010

W om.en In Roller Skates Abbotsford roller derby islooking good JQELSMARI

STAFF WRITER hey warn me that I've sat in the T most dangerous corner. I've brought my own lawn chair and I am preparing to watch a bout between two local, all-female roller derby teams, the Anarchy Angels and the Doomsday Bunnies.

There is cement flooring in this grungy, industrial warehouse at the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Centre; it's perfect. A half hour before the first jam the people flooded in to circle the taped off race track. It's a diverse group of spectators, ranging from children to seniors. Women of different shapes and sizes slide around wearing stockings (fishnet and otherwise), uniforms and roller skates. A man who calls himself ''The Reverend" picks up a microphone and addresses the boisterous crowd.

Not including the bushel-full of children running around and having a great time, or the numerous volunteers who helped to make the show possible, there were 254 paying spectators in attendance.

After a brief explanation and demonstration of how the game works, the match began. The teams huddled, the music began. After a team-uniting roar, the teams lined up along the track. On the signal, they all took off around the loop.

Each match has two periods, each made up of numerous, short jams. Two players on opposing teams, called jammers, line up wearing star helmet covers. In front of them are eight players, four from each team. In order to score, the jammers must race through the pack of eight, all the way around the loop and then attempt to pass players from the opposing team. For each member they pass, they gain a point. The Jammer in the lead can call off the jam at any point, usually done after all four points are earned.

It immediately reminds me of

the Drew Barrymore directed film Whip It, that starred Ellen Page.

Though it takes a while to understand the scoring, it only takes a

second lo understand why people show up to watch. These women do not hold back and the inevitable crashes begin early on and they continue for the entire duration of the event.

In this outing, the Angels easily outmatch the Bunnies, taking an early lead and finishing the match with a 119-63 win. The highlight was watching a jam between Angel's star player YoMama, number 23, against Bunnies' star Terra N Half, number 31.YoMama took an early lead, but felI mid way th rough the match. Terra N Half almost came back, but Yo Mama was able to get up and score the point. This was a common theme with number 23, who looked a league above the rest as she easily slipped through the seams to victory. Though the match was never close, it didn't keep either team from competing and putting on a good show for

the crowd.

A f t e r the match I spoke with Karie Best who plays for a third local Roller Derby team, Kiss Me Deadly. She is number 66, and goes by the moniker Cherry Poppin' Karie, exemplifying the awesome use of names in Roller Derby.

She explained to me how a coworker encouraged her to try it out when she was working at Cascade Aerospace as an aircraft painter. "I told him he was crazy and thought it was him saying that because I'm a bigger girl and I could crush the girls. He made me promise to go to the very first try out and that was

it ... I was hooked," she said. 11l love the feeling when I'm out on the track. A Her a bout, I'm sad it's over and forget all about the tired limbs and bruises because adrenaline is still pumping and you're feeling awesome."

Best advtsed budding Roller Derby players to find the dedication to improve their skating. "I was a lousy skater when I started

but if you want it bad enough, you can and will do it. You also can't be a complainer. You do the skill building drills to become a better skater, not to be a derby girl. Leave your attitude at home or on the tracl<.''

Best urged those who are interested at UFV to give Roller Derby a chance. "University students should come and check it out cause there really hasn't been much to do in the Valley until now.

This is a really entertaining sport and it's fun for all ages."

The next bout is Sunday April 18 at the Ag-Rec Center on Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 3-5 pm.

The big event, though, will be April 24. All of the local teams will be battling it out, as well as a team from Saskatoon.

Starting at 6:30 pm, the doubleheader will be available only to those aged 19 and over. It will take place at the MSA Arena on Emerson Road.

For more information on tickets, or how to get involved, check out www.reignvalleyvixens.com.

NFL Update: Draft Picksfor 201 O Season TREVORFIKthe intense dislike of many of PhilSTAFF WRITER adelphia's notoriously brutal fans (images of throwing snowballs at ith the NFL draft still a week Santa come to mind). away, teams have been busy Early reports out of the Redscoping out the free agency mar- skins camp have indicated that ket, as well as wheeling and deal- McNabb is fitting in well with his ing in an attempt to up their draft new teammates. As Washington picks with other teams or make tight end Chris Cooley commentthe right, team and season altering ed, "It's like he (McNabb) has been here for years." trade.

McNabb wasted no time getEasily the biggest trade news of the week was quarterback Dono- ting to work, throwing himself in van McNabb's departure from the to the Redskins offscason training Philadelphia Eagles, to his new program. This was something, as home in Washington playing for fans of the Eagles know, McNabb the Redskins. McNabb was ac- was often unwilling to do in Philaquired in a trade that saw the Ea- delphia. The early indication is gles pick up two draft picks (a sec- that the influence of McNabb will ond round thirty-seventh overall have an immediate effect on a pick, and a third or fourth round team that has been low on morale since last season. What this means pick for next year).

Given McNabb's proven ath- for backup Jason Campbell has yet leticism, and the fact that he is a to be said, but new Redskins coach seasoned veteran of the game, Mike Shanahan has commented the trade could easily be one of initially that he would "try and acthe most lopsided of the year. commodate" Jason Campbell "in a McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia trade that benefited both parties." (in which he broke quarterback reThe Redskins have dominated cords across the organization, in- trade news this past week, with cluding most touchdowns thrown rumors swirling of a potential (203),and most NFC championship multi-player deal for costly defenappearances (six)),was one marred sive tackle Albert Haynesworth. by controversy and peppered by Haynesworth, who signed a re-

W

cord $100 million deal (with $41 was shipped to the New York Jets defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh million in guaranteed money) for a fifth-round draft pick. Hol- of Nebraska. Impossibly difficult in April of last year, has been mes, who is facing a four game name aside, this six foot four, 300 shopped around to potential buy- suspension for marijuana use, is pound defensive force will either ers over the last couple of weeks also currently battling charges in go first or second in the draft. It

by Shanahan. Thus far, the teams civil court where he is accused of is up to the St. Louis Rams, who that have shown the most interest throwing a drink in a women's get the first pick, and arc currently are the Chicago Bears and Dal- face at a nightclub. bouncing back and forth between las Cowboys, both of whom have Jets General Manager Mike Suh and Oklahoma quarterback tried to stomp (sorry stamp) out a Tannenbaum commented on Hol- Sam Bradford. deal. mes rough past, noting that "We And speaking of not being able In Pittsburgh, the Steelers final• understand the risks, but the price to make up their minds, Brett Faly found a little bit of good news was right for us." vre has become the league's first In NFL draft news, tackles ap- grandfather. And no, this is not in a team that has seen its share of off-field controversy this year. Be- pear to be the most sought after a cheap dig at Favre's age, or silleaguered quarterback Ben Roeth- position to be filled, with five of ver fox image, but a commentary lisberger was recently acquitted of the top 10 draft rankings being set on the fact that his daughter Brit· charges relating to allegations of a aside for offensive and defensive tany, 21, gave birth to a baby boy sexual assault charge (his second tackles. Number one on the list is on April 2. in as many years).

"Big Ben," who was BCNU's 4th Annual Practice Conference accused of assaultSharing Our Successes ing a 20-ycar old Georgian college Way of Knowing, Ways of Doing student, has not S & 6th May 2010 commented on the Hyatt Regency, Vancouver, BC allegations since they surfaced.

Check It ()ut tm the 13C~lJcalendar The good news ~.bcnu.oro/mlendar continued for the Learn more about opportunities like these Steelers across the at www.bcnu.org or contact your Fra11er lineup, as perenValley Regional Chair at lplpe@bcnu.org nial trouble maker Santonio Holmes