Staring wistfully into the future since 1993
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
rty lay uitar. Pg.3
World Cup Musings
Pg. 16
Ban the Bottle!
Pg.2
2
TIIE CASCADE
FRIDAY,JULY9th, 2010
See you in September, Folks. of everyone's favourite student SONJA SZLOVICSAK
EDITOR-IN-CHIEFnewspaper, so I might as well give readers something to keep an eye Well, it's that time of the year: out for, since we won't be telling summer break, at least for the Cas- you about it. cade. Classes are still in session, but we're going on holidays. It's The Gulf of Mexico versus BP good timing too, since the weather and oil has finally warmed up. Will that hole be plugged by And it's about time. It's been a September? It's tempting to crebusy summer. Two of the Cascade's ate an "Oil Spill Pool" and place staff members have said their bets on the date that geyser will nuptials and are now officially be plugged. The only problem is, hitched; we've been working hard the longer it keeps gushing oil, the on getting our website up and more we all lose. The sad thing is if running; and we've taking care of the hole isn't plugged by Septempesky things like computer main- ber, the nuclear option is going to tenance and organizing old issues look a lot better. Hey, it worked of the paper for archives. for the Russians, so I'm sure the I've decided to compile a list Americans can make it work bet- of things that might be different ter! in the world outside the Cascade G-8/G-20 security forces somecome September. Two months is thing somethipg a long time without a new issue Is this story going to go any-
where? There probably won't be an inquiry into the violence used during the G-8/G-20 protests. There were over 1,000 arrests, but in all likely hood most of these people aren't going to end up with any charges that stick. Windows were smashed, cars were lit on fire, and peaceful protesters were on the receiving end of police batons. It's much easier to forget this all happened, rather than worry about someone else's black eye. Bill Vander Zalm declares himself King of British Columbia We all hate the HST - and Vander z.a1m is going to save us from tax hell! Right. Remember how mad everyone was about the Carbon Tax (which went up last week, by the way)? We all forgot about it pretty quickly. Unless the HST petition received enough sig-
Volume 18 • Issue 19 Room Cl027
natures to stop the tax and the BC government ig~ores it (as they've been threatening to do), this story will probably fade into the background to be replaced by some other "big deal" story. CIVL Radio FINALLY broadcasts at 101.7FM September is CIVL's deadline to get on-air. If our campus radio station is not broadcasting by then, they risk losing their call letters. In short, it will be the end of CIVL Radio. Currently, CIVL is working on getting a tower that will broadcast a short distance until they can get hooked up to their large tower off Mt. Lehman. Make sure you tune into 101.7FM when you're heading into your first class in September to see if we still have a radio station.
33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8
Editor-In-chief
cascade.chlef@ufv.ca Sonja Szlovicsak
Mike Lawson
Productlon■--
cascade.p,oductfon.ufy.c:a R.andonaBushell
Production
JedMinor CopyEditor A.M Bois ~ Newa4 Opinion
cescacle.newsOufv.ca JedMinbc
NEWS
UFV Fine Arts Deptartment to Ban Disposable Water Bottles are several excellent documenta-
ing their way into recycling. But ries available which examine the with the [reusable) water bottle[s], NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR current water crisis, [for example) I have been using [them] for years, Water Voices,Flow,Blue Gold:World where you just fill it up with water In the interest of promoting susWater Wars, Running Dry, and Poi- and it's a significant enough purtainability the Fine Arts faculty at soned Waters." chase that you take it with it's not UFV has banned the use of water While sustainability is not men- going to find itself in the trash." bottles inside the studios on the tioned in the mission statement Freisen continue: "We don't Abbotsford campus. Grace Tsuof UFV, Tsurumaru feels that the seem to be recycling enough, so rumaru, the faculty member who university has a responsibility to there are facilities available but we spearheaded the ban spoke to The promote concern for the environdon't have the mentality to recycle Cascaderegarding the decision. ment. "This seems like such a so that's why I support [the ban)." "I came up with the idea for small step to take in promoting When discussing UFV's role in banning commercially bottled sustainability and sensible envi- promoting sustainability Friesen water in the Visual Arts Departronmental practice, but one that explained: '1 think it is important ment at our last faculty retreat, is so easily attainable. Hopefully, that a university get behind any but the trend towards banning the ban will extend to other class- sustainability action to minimize bottled water has been developrooms within the University. I do their impact on the environment. ing at many institutions for some feel that UFV should play a signif- If it's something as minimal as time now, and we are a part of sible resistance to the ban stating: icant role in setting an appropriate water bottles and we can moderthat trend. Some Canadian uni- "The only resistance I can see to example within the community." ately affect [our environmental versities have taken the issue fur- this would be from individuals The move appears to have the impact) then it is something worth ther by banning the sale of bottled who are unaware of the dubious full support of the Fine Arts fac- doing." water on campus entirely (e.g. The quality and cost of the product and ulty at UFV. When discussing the While the ban seems to be a University of Winnipeg), includ- the environmental damage caused . ramification of the ban, painting step in the right direction in terms ing vending machines. There have by the bottled water industry. In- instructor Chris Friesen said, "It's of making UFV more sustainable also been suggestions that public formation is easily accessible on- kind of interesting because water it remains to be seen whether Sowater fountains be reconsidered line as to why some municipalities bottles are just part of the problem dexo or Coca-Cola will oppose the as an alternative." in Canada have enacted complete that I see. I see a lot of the bottles ban based on their contracts to sell Tsurumaru addressed any pos- bans on this product, and there from vending machines not find- bottled drinks at the University.
JEDMINOR
Arts & Ufe f.ditor cascade.artsOufv.ca Paul Falardeau
Sports Editors cascede.sports@ufv.ca Justin Orlewicz Joel Smart
News Writer Alex Watkins
Staff Writers Trevor Fik Jordan Pitcher Brittany Wiesner
Distribution Jack Brown
Contributors Sara Krught, Larry Portelance
PrintedBy International Web Express
TheCascadeis UFV'sautooomous1111dmtIIIIWll()llllel. k providesa forumfor UfV sludenlsto havedim journalism
publitbed.ltalsoaas•an akemalive ~for theFlasa'Valley. TheCasc:ade is fundedwi1hUFV lluden funds.The Cascadeis pubJisbed~ Fridaywida a circulalionof 2000andis cutributed at UfV campusesand dlrougboutAbbotsford,aiiDiwad:, andMission.The Cascadeis a memberexdie Canadian Univmity Press.alllllionalcoopentive ex90univfflity andm&ep newapeJlft'IIfrom Victoriato St.Joho'a.The C.ascadefollows theaJPcdJical policy mning marerialex.pqjldcial or qipmaiwlllllla. s,.......,._psemldiadeellonie
foilnattitberdlroudae-mail-liie. sendsabmilllioas ia "tit' or".dJ.x!' fmutclllly.
Alddesilnilleaerstotbeedilor-be
.,,...n.c.o .........
fD
edit.NI ltlMClllfer___,aad.._. Theeaade 1rillrdpintmay artldet dlatcoalllilllllCist,-.ut. lloaqbobic
orlilldlousCOIDllt. -0.wnt«'IIIIIIDe 811d lltlldentlllllllber-be subDlltledwidaeacll........... •.eaasto the.... 111111tbeuadlr2SOwoidsif lllleatledforpriat.Onlyc-.
..,_.,die
«ID',-Mlwlnaaypenedilioa. Opaioaap.-idoaot--
ilyn:leetdlat«UPV,C.-tllllf 811d boaddmeatlD.c-.~ IIINlllllcl,
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
THE CASCADE
3
NEWS
Duncan Africa: A New Way to NGO JEDMINOR NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR
Being a North American means being asked for money by charities on a daily basis. Many of these charities do valuable work in helping the needy in underdeveloped countries, but if no money is put into the local economic infrastructure then people can become permanently dependent on foreign aid. Jay Duncan aims to change that model by developing a viable industry for the local community in Suubi, Uganda, so that they can make a high quality product that can be sold on the international markets. The product is guitars and the company's name is Duncan Africa. What is your experience as a guitar maker and how did you learn the trade?
I have been making guitars since 1992. I started in my Dad's garage in Spruce Grove, near Edmonton, AB in the middle of winter. In 1996I moved to Vancouver, BC to work for the Larrivee Guitar Co. where I had the privilege of hanging out with a small group of real luthiers. I think I've made 50+ guitars over the years, mostly steel string acoustic, but also some electric, classical, archtop and even bass and electric upright bass. What were you doing before you started DuncanAfrica?
Prior to starting DA, I was on sabbatical in Australia after going broke building guitars. I'm good, but I'm slow. Perfection takes time, and time costs money. Before that, I was working at the Larrivee factory for seven years. Where did the inspiration for Duncan Africa come from?
I was just 14 when I watched the Ethiopian famine on TV. The images of those kids starving to death have never left me. I believe God worked in my life and planted the idea for DA in, me a long time ago. A lot of great people have helped to form DA into what it is now, and what it will become. What were the early steps in getting the organization going?
The earliest stages of DA were fun. There was lots of dreaming
and hoping. The hard work began when we were applying for official status as a registered charity in Canada. We learned lots the hard way. What are the biggest obstacles in the way of the development of Duncan Africa?
Our biggest obstacle right now is funding. A couple years ago, we believed the time was right, and we took my whole workshop - machinery, jigs, templates and wood supplies etc - and we shipped it over to Uganda and started to teach two guys. We had been planning everything for three years and were waiting for some kind of miracle funding to come along, which never did. In 2008, I remember saying to my team, "come hell or high water, we're going to Uganda." We've never looked back. What is the capacity of Duncan Africa at the moment?
Right now, we work in a very limited capacity, as our major source of funding comes from the sale of these guitars. With adequate funding, we will begin teaching math, English, business and computer skills. We currently sell three to six guitars every month. Our long term goal is to sell 200 per month. Recent buyers include worship leaders Brian Doerksen, Sean Dayton, Hector Cervantes, (Casting Crowns), and Roy Salmond of Whitewater Studio's. Where do you see Duncan Africa going in the future?
The vision behind DA is to grow to a point where this first venture can generate enough funding to plant a second venture. After that, it will plant two more, then two more. There is a lot of room to grow in the developing world. Africa is home to 850 million people. We have been asked to bring our program to India, Guatemala, Korea amongst others. I don't imagine DA will get smaller as long as there are people to empower.
How has DuncanAfrica affected the local community in Africa?
From the very beginning, five years ago when I took my first trip, the idea behind DA gave, and is still giving people hope. Hope that they can find work, hope that they will find dignity in that work. Hope that they could be the one's to make a change in their communities instead of waiting on a westerner to rescue them. Africa does not need a rescue. Africa needs a chance to do business with the rest of the world. What kind of guitars does DuncanAfrica produce?
DA produces high quality acoustic guitars, patterned after my own guitars. We build Orchestra and Dreadnought models, and next year we may add jumbo and parlor guitars to the fold. We build with a variety of woods, some local and some shipped from all over the world. This allows us to create guitars with a variety of vo1ces for players with a multitude of requirements. All our guitars carry a five year warranty. Wood choices include Sitka Spruce and Western Red Cedar, Nkahlati, Mugavu, Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood and Western Flamed Maple. Electronics are also available. Is there any story or anecdote that sums up the mission of Duncan Africa?
I often hear people summing up what we do as this: teach a man to fish and feed him for life. But what we are really doing is much, much better and could be summed up like this: teach a man to fish, show him how to sell that fish in foreign markets and you will feed him, his family and his grand kids for life. Then he will be the one who brings positive and permanent change to his community. Regardless of gender, skin color, ethnicity or religion, we think that God sees us all as having a dignity that is rarely recognized. We hope that our partners in Uganda and our customers in Canada will experience some of that rare dignity as we work to create a viable relationship between them. If you haven't tried a DA guitar yet, what are you waiting for? Play guitar. Poverty sucks.
CIVL Metal/PunkT-ShirtContest BRITTANY WIESNER STAFFWRITER
UFV's radio station, CIVL,is having a t-shirt design contest. The contest is open to all UFV students and all residents of the Fraser Valley (Hope to Maple Ridge) as well as Langley residents. The idea is simple: design a shirt that will speak to the metal crowd in the community that also has CIVL's new frequency on it, 101.7FM. Angie Reid, one of the organizers of the contest, explained that to support CIVL.' So now we've CIVL decided to have a metal · thought, 'okay let's make a metal t-shirt because "most of our mer- and punk t-shirt' and what betchandise before has been geared ter way to do that than to actutowards the indie community, ally have a contest so people can which left all of us in the metal decide." and punk community going, 'no I If you're worried about it bedon't want to wear that but I want ing classically and garishly metal,
Reid explained "we're really open to anything at this point. .. it really depends on what gets submitted. Our panel of judges, so far, is a psycho Billy person, a death metal person, myself - and I grew up on classic metal - and I think one of the classically punk guys will be
judging as well. So really it's all going to be the quality of the image and less what it's geared towards. If every one of us likes it, great, but again it all depends on what they give us as long as it has a punk and metal feel." The design will be printed on one side of a black t-shirt and it is allowed to include three colours including white (this includes the logo). The design must be original creative work (no copying images off the internet) and each person can only enter the contest twice. Submissions can be sent to tshirtdesign@civl.ca or dropped off at CIVL Radio during office hours. CIVL is located in room C1061in Building C of~ on the Abbotsford campus. Submissions must include your
first and last name, your e-mail address and daytime phone number, your home address, your student ID (if applicable) and your favourite CIVL radio program. The submission deadline is July 16, 2010. As for monies raised by the tshirt sales, Reid explained: "Profits of the shirt [sales] will go towards CIVL.Most of our t-shirts we don't actually make a profit on. We pretty much sell them for what it costs to make them. This is probably going to be $20-$30 depending on the image - what colours are used, how big it is, etc - which is why we decided it's a three colour maximum." For more information, visit blogs.civl.ca/tshirtdesign, e-mail Angie Reid at lace_leather@civl.ca, or visit the Facebook event "CIVL Radio T-shirt Design Contest".
,..
4
THECASCADE
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
NEWS
TourismVan Presidentin Favourof Park Name Change ALEX WATKINS NEWSWRITER Squamish First Nations recently suggested that Stanley Park - a popular Vancouver landmark that attracts approximately 8 million visitors each year - be renamed Xwayxway, in acknowledgement of l:he fact that the park was once the home of several Coast Salish groups. While the proposition has numerous opponents, Tourism Vancouver president Rick Antonson believes that the name change could be extremely beneficial. "I think it is a wonderful name, and the opportunity to be a part of taking that name internationally _ to help introduce it would be just a wonderful, though challenging, opportunity," he told the Vancouver Sun. "There is nothing to lose by doing this and much to be gained." He went on to note, '1 think true and honest good would come from this if the undertaking is done with good planning and timing and everybody gives it their best communications skills. This . isn't something that is intrusive or presumptuous in any way. This is about doing something that can be seen as just but also brings with it a true recognition of what was and can be in the future." DigitalJournalreports that Antonson believes that using the name Xwayxway could help stimulate tourism, as many tourists are interested in First Nations art, history and culture. "I can see ourselves as Tourism
Vancouver as being advocates for this additional name. This will be something quite comfortable to take on to the world stage as part of the Vancouver story." Members of the First Nations community, such as Sechelt elder Theresa Jeffries and Squamish elder Emily Baker argue that the park should be renamed to acknowledge the title it held for the thousands of years in which it was occupied by the First Nations peo-
pie, rather than keeping the name of Lord Stanley, which it has held for a mere 122 years. Jeffries asked the Province, "Why do they call it Stanley Park, by a white man's name, when our ancestors lived here for 10,000 years?" She also noted that the Queen Charlotte islands have also recently been given back their aboriginal name, stating: "It's always been Haida Gwaii and now the government finally took back their
Queen Charlotte Islands name." Vancouver Councilor Ellen Woodsworth told the Provinceon behalf of Mayor Gregor Robertson that she thought the proposed name change was "an excellent suggestion." She acknowledged that many of the native homes had been removed from the park over time, and stated that "An aboriginal name would honor the land's history." Robertson himself stated that
the name change should be considered, and noted that the park could potentially keep both names. Others, such as Vision Vancouver Councilor Tim Stephenson, advise a more cautious approach. He stated that since the proposal, he has already received several emails from community members in opposition to the idea. He told the VancouverSun: "My feeling is that there are a lot of people who hold very strongly to the name Stanley Park and that this is coming really as a surprise. We therefore need to discuss it openly and honestly with aboriginal people. I was quite surprised- that some said automatically, yes, we should do it." "For most people it is coming right out of the blue. In the end it may turn out to be something Vancouverites would like to have, to happen for all kinds of historical reasons such as the Salish Sea and Haida Gwaii." Raymond Louie, Vision Vancouver Councilor, told the Vancouver Sun that he believes that the proposal could act as another step towards resolving aboriginal land claims. "I think as we move forward we should try to find that opportunity to meld both our history and our present day situation," he stated. "Stanley Park may present some of that, of providing some level of understanding and ultimately hopefully closure and agreement to proceed on with our many disputed lands that aren't settled yet in British Columbia."
·.:<
.4?
.... ,,,. I f
RYERSON UNIVERSl1Y
G20 ♦TORONTO
G20accredited student journalist assaulted bypolice TORONTO (CUP) - Stephen Davis waskicked, thrown againsta wallandsearched byfivepolice officers nearwherehundreds ofpeaceful protesterswerekettledindowntown Toronto duringthe G20summit onJune27. , Davis, a reporter fortheMcGill Daily, saidpolice accused himofparticipating inblackbloctactics - thesametechnique usedbydisguised rioters accused ofburning police carsanddamaging property theprevious day.
Global economy toppriorityduring
G20
UofTstudents protest campus closure
Harper promises billions to maternal health
Danielle Webb- CUP National Bureau Chief
Alexandra Posadzki - CUP Ontario Bureau Chief Danielle Webb- CUP National Bureau Chief
TORONTO (CUP) -While theG20leaders have committed tohalving theirdeficits by2013,Prime Minister Stephen Harper saidCanada willmeet thisgoalasearlyasnextyear.
TORONTO (CUP) -While a spokespeoon from theOntario Coalition Against Poverty protested themassive G20summit spending inlightof rampant homelessness, a groupofstudents joinedthemina Toronto parlc onJune25with somehousing gripesoftheirown.
Atthesummit's dosingpressconference onJune 27,Harper announced thattheG20countries had agreedtoCanada's agendaformaking theglobal economy stableonceagain.
TORONTO (CUP) - PrimeMinister Stephen Harper hasannounced Canada willspend$1.1 billion moreinmaternal healthfunding overthe nextfiveyears.
Harper madetheannouncement - known as theMuskoka Initiative-attheopening press Somestudents weretheretoprotestgovernment conference oftheG8summitinHuntsville, Ont. spending andputstudentissuesonthetable onJune2S.Themoneyisinaddition tothe$1.7 butUniversity ofToronto students hadadditional billion thathadpreviously beenallocated tomaHesaidhewascarrying a camera, waswearing a "Aswestrivetobuildstrong, sustainable and concerns. Theuniversity hasbeenshutdownfor ternalhealthprojects thatarealready underway. bandanna andimmediately pointed tothemedia balanced economies, thatistheissuewehavehad theduration ofthesummit, resulting instudents badgearoundhisneck,buttheofficers continued totackleheadon;saidHarper. "Wehavearrived beingevacuated fromtheirresidences forhalfof "Ourcon~ribution willmakesignificant, tangible theirsearch. atfirmtargetsforadvanced economies ondebt theweekanddeniedaccess tootherservices like differences inthelivesoftheworld's mostvulnerreduction.• thelibrary. ablepeople," saidHarper. "Canada ledthewayin 'Theykicked mylegsapart,pushedmeintoa mobilizing supportamongGSandnon-GS leadwallandhitmeinthecrotch. Theysearched me Butfiscalconsolidation isnottheonlyanswer, the Monica Espaillat, aninternational studentfrom ers,keydonors andprivate foundations forthis farmoreaggressively thantheyneededto,while Prime Minister said. theDominican Republic, isoneofthesestudents. initiative toreduce themortality ratesofmothers swearing at merepeatedly,"Davis said. andtheirchildren. Wehavebeensuccessful." 'Therewillbea continued roleforongoing Espaillat saidshewasforced tomoveoutofher "Outofthatcrowd ofpeople Ican'timagine what stimulus intheshorttermaswedevelop the Monison Halldormby6:00p.m.onJune23,and Making theG8countries moreaccountable tothe wouldhavemademetheonethattheytargeted frameworlc forstrong,sustainable andbalanced hasbeenrelocated toa building justsouthofthe promises theymakehasbeena priority ofthe - outofeightor10people, theygrabbed me.H growth." university thatwillplayhometo hundreds of PrimeMinister, a pointhealsoemphasized inhis studentsuntiltheevening ofJune27,whenthey maternal healthfunding announcement. Whenheaskedthemtodosehisbagtoprotect "Ifwefailtotakedecisive, co-ordinated and willbeallowed toreturnhome. theexpensive equipment, oneofficer toldhim, balanced actions, a bleakscenario mightemerge 'That'stheleastofyourworries rightnow." wheremillions ofpeoplecouldlosetheirjobs," he said.'Thisistheresponsibility wehave."
.._
Undercover Mountie escorted off Ryerson campus Shannon Higgins - TheEyeopener (Ryerson University) TORONTO (CUP) - Anundercover RCMP officer hadtobeescorted outofRyerson University's studentnewspaper officebycampus security on June23aftersherefused toleavewhenasked. Around 4:30p.m.RCMP officer Leslie TullattemptedtousetheEyeopener's office tomonitor about10quietG20protesters inRyerson's student unionbuilding. Dressed inplainclothes, Tullrefused requests to leavewhileasking several staffintheoffice ifthey knewhowmanyexitsthebuilding hadandifthe protesters couldbekicked out. After Tullprovided hernameandbadgenumber, Eyeopener editors calledtheRCMP tomakesure thedetailsweretrue.After theywereconfirmed, theyaskedTulltoleavetheoffice again.She refused. Eyeopener staffthencalledcampus security to remove Tullfromtheworlc space. Toby Whitfield, Ryerson's students' unionpresidentandmanager ofthebuilding, hadsecurity escortTulloutofthebuilding.
FRIDAY,JULY9th, 2010
THECASCADE
5
Toronto G20 Protests Turn Violent ALEX WATKINS NEWSWRITER An anti-G20 protest in downtown Toronto on July 26 turned violent, resulting in a total of 412 arrests and the deployment of tear gas for the first time in the city's history, according to CBC News. The crowd of protestors - which was estimated to be as large as 10,000 people - was initially peaceful. However, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair told CBC that a violent mob of protestors eventually formed, including several groups of vandals. He stated that those responsible for the violent acts were "anarchists" and confirmed the arrests of several of their leaders. Blair stated at a news conference that he was, "profoundly disappointed in the criminal acts which have taken place." "We have seen windows broken and police cars burned. It is very regrettable that such vandalism and violence could not be prevented. I want to assure you that the
persons responsible will be held accountable." Blair told press that while no police officers were seriously injured during the protest, over the course of the day many were hit with bricks, rocks and bottles, and some were spat on and assaulted by protestors. He denied the use of rubber bullets by police, but confirmed that tear gas was employed once "after warning was given to the public about its impending use."
WILL VANDERBILT
by police 'f)
& EMILIO DELJUNCO THEMCGILLDAILY TORONTO (CUP) - Stephen Davis was kicked, thrown against a wall and searched by five police officers near where hundreds of peaceful protesters were kettled in downtown Toronto during the G20 summit on June 27. Davis, a reporter for the *McGill Daily*, said police accused him of participating in black bloc tactics - the same technique used by disguised rioters accused of burning police cars and damaging property the previous day. He said he was carrying a camera, was wearing a bandanna and immediately pointed to the media badge around his neck, but the officers continued their search. "They kicked my legs apart, pushed me into a wall and hit me in the crotch. They searched me far more aggressively than they needed to, while swearing at me repeatedly," Davis said. "Out of that crowd of people I can't imagine what would have made me the one that they targeted - out of eight or 10 people, they grabbed me." Davis explained that the police searched everything, including his camera bag, which included three professional-grade lenses. When he asked them to close his bag to protect the expensive equipment, one officer told him, "That's the least of your worries right now." "I've never been afraid of the police at all of the protests I've covered, including ones that have turned violent, because I've always thought that their movements were rational and predictable. I thought that if you stayed away from the people who were acting violently, you could stay away from the police," he said. Davis was released without charge, and continued to cover events in downtown Toronto later in the day. But he wasn't the only young journalist who had run-ins with
of protestors were seen migrating there to change clothes. This was cause for concern as it was related to a protest tactic referred to as the Black Bloc, in which participants wear black masks, balaclavas, skateboard helmets and hooded sweatshirts, and engage in violent acts. Several hundred police in full riot gear were relocated to the area to line the government buildings and streets in the area, attempting to push the protestors back. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre where the summit was located and its surrounding area was put under a security lockdown. Subways, streetcars and bus services in the area were suspended, as was the train service in and out of Union Station. Additionally, the airspace over downtown Toronto was temporarily closed, according to CBC. Toronto Mayor David Miller denounced the violent individuals as "thugs," stating: "People are calling them protestors. That is not fair to the people who came to pro-
test." Miller praised the police for doing a "commendable job under difficult circumstances," noting the preparations they had made in anticipation of the summit. He told reporters that while there may have been certain incidents of tension between police and protestors, "in the broad brush, I think we should be very confident in their work." He stated that Blair had been clear in informing the public that there would be no objection to a lawful, peaceful protest, although he demonstrated concern that some groups would "come here just to perpetrate violence." Miller noted: "We've seen that his concern was justified." According to CBC, one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokespeople stated that although free speech is an important part of our democracy, "the things that prompted violence earlier today represent in no way, shape or form, the Canadian way of life."
G20 CondemnsIran Korea
G20 accredited student iournalist assaulted
Protestors reportedly set four police cars on fire over the course of the day, and smashed the windows of numerous banks and businesses. Observer Micheal Hyatt, who was at a gym in the area, noted that protestors appeared to target certain American chain stores. He told CBC: "It is pretty horrible what they have done to a lot of the stores here. They've destroyed the windows at an American Apparel - they destroyed all the windows and pulled out the mannequins and [threw) feces into the store. It stinks and it is unbelievable. Foot Locker is destroyed. Pizza PizZft is destroyed. They've kind of gone up the street and picked at every U.S. vendor they could find. It's really kind of sad." The area around the Ontario legislature at Queen's park became a particular concern for police later in the day, after groups
law enforcement while covering the G20 protests. Late on June 26,Jesse Rosenfeld, a freelance journalist working for the U.K.'s *Guardian* newspaper, was allegedly beaten and arrested while he was covering a sit-in on a city street corner. Toronto journalist Steve Paikin documented the entire incident on Twitter. "As I was escorted away from the demonstration, I saw two officers hold a journalist," Paikin tweeted. "Two officers held him, a third punched him in the stomach [...] the man collapsed. Then the third officer drove his elbow into the man's back." Paikin then wrote that a fourth officer who escorted him away from the scene told him the beating never should have happened. Rosenfeld was released in the evening of June '27.He is a former editor for the "McGill Daily", and was Quebec Bureau Chief for Canadian University Press in 2007. For Davis, though, covering the G20 was unlike anything he had ever done. "I'm really scared to be working as a journalist [during the G20) because I feel like anyone could be arrested at anytime," he said.
tions noted the continued "lack of TREVORFIK
transparency'' from Iran regardSTAFFWRITER ing their nuclear program. Iran has claimed repeatedly that their With the Group of Eight powers nuclear ambitions are purely civil(G-8) summit corning to a close, ian in nature, as they are going to leaders of the world's eight leading be used for construction of a nueconomic powers left the confer- clear reactor. ence on a note of disapproval, con"While recognizing Iran's right demning North Korea and Iran for to a civilian nuclear program, we continued international violations note that this right comes with related to their nuclear activities. international obligations that all The G-8 nations, which include states, including Iran, must comCanada, the United States, Japan, ply with," noted the declaration. Germany, France, Britain, Italy Speaking on both North Korea and Russia, presented their mes- and Iran, the G-8 nations added sage via the Muskoka Declaration that nations "cannot be complabefore the leaders met with mem- cent about the grave threat posed bers of the G-20 group of nations. to the security of present and fuThe statement largely cen- ture generations by the proliferatered on the March 26 sinking of tion of nuclear weapons." Cheonan, a South Korean naval The declaration calls for invessel that was destroyed near the creased United Nations involveborder between North and South ment and sanctions against both Korea. After a lengthy investiga- Iran and North Korea, and a contion, it was discovered that the tinuation of U.N Resolution 1929. South Korean vessel was wrecked The resolution, which was ratified by a torpedo fired from a North by the U.N Security Council in Korean submarine. Also under early June, will authorize and condiscussion was the 2006 testing of tinue sanctions against Iran. a nuclear device in Pyongyang by Speaking from Huntsville, Onthe North Korean military, which tario, Canadian Prime Minister was reported by CBC News. Stephen Harper echoed these senSpeaking on the March 26 sub- timents, as he noted that the costs marine attack, the G-8 noted that suffered by the Iranian and North "such an incident is a challenge to Korean governments "spent on acpeace and security in the region quiring these weapons will not be and beyond," and they "call[ed) the only cost they incur." for appropriate measures to be The resolution however, was taken against those responsible not completely unified, as Russia for the attack." refused to join other nations in Concerning Iran, the G-8 na- "chastising" North Korea and Iran
,.., . · •;c .
,,L
MM~KLTs t-_, o~wMv
.
according to The Globe and Mail. Russia's unwillingness to condemn North Korea and Iran over their nuclear programs has been a continued hindrance Also under discussion by the G-8 nations was talks of an exitstrategy for troops in Afghanistan (to be completed within five years), and dialogue of the current state of the Gaza-strip (which leaders called "unsustainable" according to CBC News). Before the leaders representing the G-8 summit met together with the nations of G-20, the nations pledged $5 billion dollars over the next five years to assist with health costs for women and children in developing nations. An additional $2.3 billion will come from private donors and seven other nations according to The Vancouver Sun, leaving Canada's contribution at $1.1 billion dollars. Speaking on the G-8 conference, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted the success the leaders had in discussing issues of "development of poor nations, and global-security issues." The focus of the G-20 nations shifted to discussion of recovery of the global economy, which has been largely fuelled by, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted, "fears of another "cataclysmic event" similar to the collapse of the Lehman Brothers investment bank in 2008!'
-·
SUMMIT°'" FINANCIAL MARKETS ANOT>-iE WORLD ECONOMY
SUMMIT
"
•·FtNANc.11<1
,..WORLD
Ee
6
THE CASCADE
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
OPINION
A Fool for Hard Knocks JEDMINOR
I
NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR
The life of a mixed martial arts (MMA) fan is hard. First of all everybody thinks that you are a bloodthirsty idiot. Furthermore people think that rather than being a sports aficionado, you are in fact what is wrong with the world, and a sure sign that the end is near. While I have written numerous articles for this paper defending MMA I freely admit that sometimes I question my own love for the sport. It's one thing· to watch two finely tuned athletes perform at a high level in the octagon. It's something different entirely to _ ~atch two journeymen lacking the ability to finish each other battering themselves bloody while plodding onward toward a split decision in a macabre display of human will. At this point MMA does seem to be a pointless glorification of senseless violence as many of it's detractors claim. I generally find myself on the positive side of the ledger when arguing the merits of MMA but recently I found my boosterism tested while watching UFC 115 in Vancouver. Rory MacDonald, a 20 year old fighter from Kelowna, fought veteran Carlos Condit, losing the fight in the third round by technical knockout due to strikes. It was heartbreaking. I had followed MacDonald for some time and
Angry
Drivers
watching the 20-year-old being humbled by repeated elbows and punches in the face was truly hard to watch. It was then that I realized the difference between MMA fans and the followers of other sports. While the average sports fan may see their team lose a game by being "crushed by the opposition" they don't usually have to watch their favourite player being literally crushed by the opposition. I say "usually" because of course both hockey and football are contact sports and injuries are common. On the other hand there is a certain honesty to the violence in MMA. While hockey and football promote the violent aspects of their game as marketing angles, they tend to deny the drawing power that violence entails. Would the NFL be as popular without the crushing hits or would hockey be
Need
to Look
SARA KNIGHTSpricks-on-purpose, or both.
CONTRIIBUTOR While driving on highway 1, despite going at least 30 over the Most of us, by college age, are posted speed limit myself, I was licensed drivers, or if we aren't, persistently tailgated, in a seriouswe've had sufficient experience ly obnoxious way, all the way to driving in cars our whole lives Vancouver by at least five differto know the difference between ent vehicles. I was passed, on the "good driving" and "really, really right, by a Mazda 6 going at least awful driving." We all complain 150 in a 90 zone. It was inches, lit-
as compelling without fighting? At least in MMA you can see your opponent coming. The other fighter approaches from the opposite side of the ring and you don't have to worry about someone concussing you with a blind-side hit or snapping your ACL with a low tackle from behind. I don't know whether it is because of the adrenaline rush of watching Georges St. Pierre execute a perfect superman punch or if it is just a way to cathartically release my own violent tendencies but chances are I will continue to watch and enjoy MMA. What I have finally realized I can't do, however, is justify why I like MMA with logic. Then again the attraction of some of the most compelling things in life can't be fully be explained with words; love, art, and for me, MMA.
the
erally, from hitting the front of my car; five inches was the difference between my boyfriend and I getting into a horrific accident, which most likely would have been fatal, yet this guy decided it was worth the risk to execute his illegal pass poorly, just so he could close the gap in traffic and get to the exit half a minute faster. I'm not even driving safely myself; thirty over the speed limit is just crying out for a ticket, yet people still don't find it fast enough. It's as though we've all forgotten that we're driving metal death
Ashley Q: What are you studying at UFV? A: English Literature Q: Who are you wearing? A: Value Village. Q: What is the wierdest thing you did this summer? A: I moved into my Volvo. Q: What classes are you taking? A: Creative Writing and The Structure of the English Language. Q: How do you prepare for your demanding schedule? A: I showered today for the second time this week. Q:Do you ever get lonely? A:No.
Mirror
machines at fatal speeds, even if we're only going 70 kilometres an hour. Yet I would be willing to bet that all the unsafe drivers I came across this long weekend had exactly the same complaints about everyone else. I am sure that the two motorcyclists who used the shoulder of the Sea-to-Sky highway en route to Pem'
about ridiculous drivers who don't put on their turn signals or pass on the right or start backing up without checking for errant pets or children. Many car rides are peppered with expletives, muttered death threats, and heartfelt questions posited to the universe regarding the overall intelligence of everyone else as compared to ourselves, and rightly so. Driving the 300 or so kilometres from Hope to Whistler this long weekend made me question whether drivers in BC are either stunningly stupid,
UFV~ SPEAKSII
berton to pass at least
five vehicles on the right this weekend felt that the flow of traffic at 120 km/h was simply too slow to be conducive to good motorcycling. And I myself am guilty of so many traffic infractions and unsafe manoeuvres every time I drive, it's almost ironic that I'm writing this article. Every day, though, despite warnings from police, ICBC, tragedies, and our own logic, we all seem to have a serious lack of respect for the reality of driving a car. We let the pressure from other . drivers, from passengers, from tedium and habit, drive the car for us, breeding complacency for our own mistakes, and contempt for others. So maybe, if we instead turn our virulent criticism of others onto our own driving, we'll stop texting in the middle of left turns, or passing people within an inch of their lives, or driving up the side of Sumas Mountain whilst attempting to eat a Blizzard (guilty). Maybe, then, we'll finally consider what it means to drive a car.
Randona Q: What are you studying at UFV? A: Anthroplogy Q: Who are you wearing? A: I am wearing '~melia." Actually it is Swank Collective available at Jam in Jubilee in Abbotsford every Thursday this summer. Q: What is the wierdest thing you did this summer? A: I drank gasoline by accident. Q: What classes are you taking? A: I am not taking any classes. I am going on my honeymoon. Q: How do you prepare for your demanding schedule? A: Uh. Is that a trick question? Q: Do you ever get lonely? A:No.
Dustin Q: What are you studying at UFV? A: Philosophy
Q: Who are you wearing? A: Wearing? In what sense? Q: What is the wierdest thing you did this summer? A: What a question. Summer hasn't even begun yet! Q: What classes are you taking? A: Just a rhetoric class. Q: How do you prepare for your demanding schedule? A: Beer. Q: Do you ever get lonely? A: Not as much as I should.
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
7
TIIE CASCADE
OPINION
BP Wont' Clean Up Mess
Soccer Vs. Hockey JUSTIN ORLEWla SPORTS EDITOR
With the NHL season done and the World Cup of Soccer well under way, many Canadians have started making the comparison between the two sports. Let's face it: soccer is not one of Canada's stronger sports. In Canada hockey rules. Both sports require that the athletes be in supreme physical condition, and both sports are games of precision and skill, but when it comes to toughness hockey wins by a long shot. Hockey players lose seven teeth, get a quick cortisone shot and then continue on. A hockey player will play through pain on any given night. Hockey players are more than athletes, they are gladiators. Soccer players are like children. They drop like a shot deer after being barely touched to draw a penalty. They take their shirts off when they score a goal and occasionally bite each other in the crotch (check it out on YouTube). They act like fragile metro-sexuals on the field and their behavior as athletes is sometimes questionable. In the referee department, once again, hockey wins. The officiating in soccer has only one referee calling the shots and no form of video review. Hockey has two full time referees and the full use of video replay when it comes to reviewing a questionable goal. After this year's World Cup, it is clear that they need to employ another referee and the use of video review for goals. It is 2010, you would think that Fifa would use the technology that today's modem society has. Hockey has been reviewing goals for over 20 years. Loigcally, soccer should have been one of the first sports to use video replay with the huge global following that they have. Even sports like American Football and Baseball have started using video replay. It really is sad to see all the mistakes that were made in the World Cup this year. As far as excitement and scoring, hockey has the edge once again, especially in the "New NHL." I know watching a 0-0 Soccer game is thrilling but I would much rather watch an NHL shootout. Hockey also has very fast pace, it's easy and exciting to watch. Personally I would rather watch baseball than soccer; at least almost every game is good for at least one home run and there is nothing more exciting than watching a ball player actually run. There you have it folks, hockey wins by a long shot. It might not be as popular on an international level but that's because only countries that have cold winters can play hockey. I am just lucky that I live in a country that has such a supreme hockey program.
SONJA SZLOVICSAK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Will BP Oil pay to clean up the Gulf of Mexico? Should they? Ethically, they should. It's unlikely that BP shareholders would continue to invest in a company that has caused one of, if not the largest, environmental disaster in mankind's history. Keep in mind, hurricane season is just beginning in the Gulf, so the worst is yet to come. Even if that hole was somehow plugged tomorrow, the mess will still take years to clean up. The American government has promised to hold BP accountable for the spill and make them pay for the clean up, but considering the U.S. government's track record on holding big corporations "accountable," it's likely that BP won't be cleaning for too long. One need not look any further than the recent Wall Street meltdown to realize that holding a major corporation accountable is mere political posturing. A few people will probably take the fall for the majority of banks that were involved in bringing the economies of the western world to their knees, but as of yet, nobody has actually gone to jail. Criminal charges that actually- stick are going to be extremely unlikely in this case. While the Securities and Exchanges Commission has charged Goldman, Sachs and Co for defrauding investors, the end result will be a lot of money wasted to slap a multi-billion dollar company on the wrist.
Looking back through history, a trend becomes quite apparent: the bigger the company is, the faster their wrong-doings are forgiven. Bayer, the company that makes aspirin, was once a part of the German chemical company I.G. Farben. After World War II, I.G. Farben was split into six smaller companies because the company did naughty things like running a concentration camp and performing horrific experiments on humans. The company also manufactured Zyklon B, the chemical used in the Nazi gas chambers. These six companies have since merged together into three major chemical companies (Bayer being
the most recognizable name of the three). The directors of I.G. Farben were released from prison early for good behaviour, and many of them went right back to work sitting on the boards of these new versions of I.G. Farben. In other words, they got away with running a Nazi concentration camp and killing millions of people. At least the U.S.S.R. seized all bits of I.G. Farben that ended up on their end of the Europe chopup. If we couldn't properly punish a company, or the directors of a company, that committed crimes against humanity, what makes us think we can force an oil com-
pany to play nice and clean up after themselves? Because, let's face it, the U.S. Government can't actually force BP to clean up this oil spill. Yes, the American market is very lucrative for oil companies, but so is the Chinese market, so is the Indian market, so is every other market. The U.S., and Canada for that matter, need oil, and they aren't too picky about where it comes from. Should BP decide that the Gulf is clean enough, they could simply stop cleaning. There will be a few complaints from environmental groups, but all of that will be almost forgotten in 10 or 15 years. Tops. So there really is no reason to think that BP will actually be forced to see the whole clean up of the Gulf of Mexico through to the end. Once people forget about how awful the oil spill is, once there is some new disaster to be blasted across CNN, FOX, MSNBC and YouTube24 hours a day, BP will be able to walk away from the clean up. And until we don't need oil, there really isn't a whole lot we can do to stop them.
The G8/G20 SummitsAre Outdatedand Pointless JOELSMART SPORTS EDITOR
Only three days and over a billion taxpayer dollars have been tossed out the window. This year it was Canada's turn to host the controversial Group of Eight (G8) and the Group of Twenty (G-20) political meetings. The gathering, which features world leaders from designated countries, acts as a forum for the discussion of pressing global issues. However, not only was the event a waste of money, the promises made at these meetings are well-known for being broken. Though there is potential and goodwill behind these summits, in reality there are better, cheaper options that make a lot more sense. Both summits took place in Ontario over the same weekend. G-8 took place on June 25-26 in Huntsville, while G-20 took place in Toronto, on June 26-27.Issues at G-8 ranged from discussion about the global recession and the economy, to international relations, nuclear programs, war issues and financial aid for poorer countries. To discuss these issues, the meeting rooms were filled with 20 of the world's presidents, prime ministers and leaders, including a king. Outside, though, a different discussion of rights and issues was taking place. Police brutality, free speech, and other civil liberties became the important topics of discussion, as many peaceful protestors were rounded up by police in riot gear and often arrested. If they were lucky, they weren't first beaten with batons or riot shields. Complicating matters were a small group of violent protestors
known as the Black Bloc who were filmed smashing certain store windows and even lighting a police cruiser on fire. Of course, this became the only story the world would hear about the protests on television. Numerous YouTube videos circulating on Facebook newsfeeds told the opposite side of the story, with police violence seemingly at an all-time high. One video showed a group of violent protestors, one with a rock in his hand, trying to incite violence amidst a group of peaceful protestors. When the crowd turned on the men, the police arrested violent protestors, but not before a cam• era caught the fact that the men
were wearing police boots. Those are some pretty slimy tactics by the police, to go undercover and try to incite violence. Another video showed police on horses run down a journalist who was facing the opposite direction. There were also a bevy of videos displaying unprofessional activity on the behalf of police officers, including one officer who ripped a microphone out of the hand of a journalist and threw it on the ground. From the perspective many of the YouTubevideos portray, the police are painted in an extremely negative light. Given the fact that the police needed to protect 20 of the world's most powerful men and women,
some of the tactics and funding seem quite understandable. It does seem like the prime location for a terrorist attack. However, what would be even safer than spending a billion dollars would be to not bring them all to the same lo- · cation at all. We do have the internet, in case you forgot. We've even got 3D televisions these days. For an extremely tiny fraction of the cost, the world's leaders could likely have conducted the summits from the comfort of their own respective countries on an extremely well-secured video conference~ You never know, though, maybe without all the distractions they would be forced to actually get something done for once.
FRIDAY,JULY 9th, 2010
THE CASCADE
8
ARTS &LIFE
~ ::f/(/).f'L ~ DUDE HUGE CRANBERRY JUICELOVER s a devout reader of this column, you have no doubt experienced unfathomable amounts of raw pleasure because of my laid back and oft hilarious take on sex and everything that the dirty business entails. However, today I will not be providing you with an extended meditation on the subtleties of goatse (Google image that shit, if you dare); instead, I will be providing you with an invaluable knowledge of the forgotten STI: The Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Sure, it isn't one of the main ones. There is no putrid milky white discharge; it does not strike repeatedly, making your sex organs looks like someone put a cigarette out on; and it does not last forever. Put simply: it hurts real bad. Urinating while suffering from a UTI is the equivalent pissing Pahoehoe lava but instead of it coming out of a volcano, it comes out of your urethra A UTI is caused when bacteria enters any part of the urinary tract. This could range from the kidneys to the bladder, the kidney being the more serious of the two locations. The symptoms are fairly straightforward: you will
A
Testis----
need to urinate all the time, when you urinate it will hurt a lot, and there will be blood. However, if only the urethra is infected, you will only experience the pain of urinating, not the frequency; if the only the bladder is infected, you will only experience the frequency and possibly a low-grade fever; if only the kidney is infected, you will experience serious symptoms
such as vomiting, chills, and a high fever. So you're taking a tinkle and it feels like fire ants have set up shop in your cozy urethra, how did it happen? Well, UTI's happen for a number of different reasons, but this is a sex column, so let's focus on how it is possible to develop a UTI by having sex. I was reading a reputable health journal (Wikipe-
dia) and it told me that 75-90 per cent of the UTI's a woman suffers in her lifetime will be due to intercourse and the disease is quite a bit more common in women than men. UTI's have been given the antiquated moniker of "honeymoon cystitis" because people are only having frequent, hard sex on their honeymoon, right? The bacteria that causes a UTI
is a form of E.Coli, a bacteria often found in the digestive tract and trace amounts can be found around the vagina. To prevent UTI's, it is important for the woman never to wipe back to front (do people actually do that?!?!).Unfortunately, it cannot be prevented by any means of birth control or by cleaning yourself up after urinating or defecating. They seem damn near impossible to prevent, actually. If you are stricken by this ungodly infection, there are some things you can do to mitigate the symptoms. You should drink cranberry juice, and lots of it. I know that drinking a lot of liquid sounds counter intuitive, but the more often that you urinate, the more bacteria will be flushed out and the more your roommates will be able to hear desperate sobs emanating from the washroom. Win-win. It should be noted that the infection is much harder to treat in men than in women and, for men, the pain may persist past the length of your dose of antibiotics. If this happens, get more antibiotics and pray it works this time. Good luck avoiding this infection, dear readers. But, much as death does, the UTI comes for us all in the end.
FRIDAY,JULY 9th, 2010
9
TIIBCASCADE
ARTS&LIFE
Berry Beat Fe~tival Celebrates Community Musicians, local vendors celebrate Abbotsford's favourite crop LARRY PORTELANCE CONTRIBUTOR or nearly thirty years the Berry Beat Festival (BBF) has cultivated community with a berrythemed street party in old historic downtown Abbotsford. With humble roots as a one-block street party, the BBF has since grown into a four-block street party that is complete with food, music, memories and, of course, berries. At the centre of he BBFis a community stage on Montrose Avenue and Essendene Avenue where chairs, tents and the community take back our streets from the normal flow of traffic and people just passing through. There were a few government and corporate presences but it was mostly a cornucopia of local businesses and food vendors, independent performers and artisans from the grassroots. UFV Student Liz Sweeney said that this was her "first (BBF)in a while." The third-year psychology student went on to explain that one of the last times she came to the BBF was when she and her family were singing on stage. On this BBF this year, Sweeney said "the beer garden is wonderful" and "the music has been pretty good." Throughout Saturday and Sunday, performers from the local community took the stage and
F
gave the BBF a soundtrack. Some highlights on Saturday were Cinnamon Toast Funk who performed last on Saturday night. On Sunday, Los Amigos got the crowd grooving with latin world music in the late afternoon.
For entertainment, there was more than just the community stage. There was also mini-golf, mini-donuts, magic performers and many other vendors. When walking southbound up Montrose, the scent shifted from donairs
to kettle corn to spraypaint from a man making stencil art. Tush, the swimwear, lingerie and active wear store, even held a fashion show Sunday afternoon at the Air Fair Lounge. AT the BBF and the Air Fair
Lounge, bartender and assistant manager Seth Bell noted that the Air Fair Lounge was "taking the role of bars in the past and made the beer garden this year:' Bell and the Air Fair Lounge are no· stranger to entertainment as they ' are one of the only venues for local independent artists of the metal, punk and indie scene. On the BBF, Bell said that "as much as he enjoys the entertainment, I'd like a more eclectic style of entertainment." Speaking about his favourite memories of the BBF, Bell said "When I was six years old, I got an anti-drug comic of Spiderman." Bell went on to say that the BBF used to have "rides and games, and now it's just a lot of booths that all look the same." Up the street on the other side of the community stage, Pyle from lnfuzens Cafe says the BBF was "very nice and (she) got to see lots of local people." Pyle went on to say that "it's great to get fresh berries on sale." With homemade deserts on the menu, Pyle and lnfuzens Cafe certainly has great uses for the berries of the BBF. Pyle, who has been with Infuzens Cafe for four months, also said that this was her first BBF. Pyle said that she will probably remember the "nice turnout and meeting lots of people."
The Reach UnveilsNew Exhibits Artists include Warhol, Singletary andShadbolt PAUL FALARDEAU ARTS& LIFEEDITOR
O
n Trethwey Street, just off of South Fraser Way is one of Abbotsford's most important buildings, The Reach Art Gallery. The building contains some of the Fraser Valley's most important artwork. Newly opened exhibits, "Challenging,Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast," "Abbotsford Collects: Selected Works from Local Collectors," "Photography is ... " and "Essential Information," are paramount in documenting, and creating, the Fraser Valley. Furthermore the staff are all friendly and willing to answer any question or, as was my experience, to join you on a bench and discuss the pieces on display. This builds a friendly and encouraging atmosphere to explore our community through art. "Abbotsford Collects" is a display that reflects the importance of art to citizens of the Fraser Valley. All the work comes from private collectors so the exhibit dutifully shows what interests its collectors, and how diverse those interests are. Works on display come from William Kurelek, including his "Passion of the Christ" series, which depicts the nativity as if it had occurred in various Canadian locales. There was also-delightfully bold coloured work from Ted Harrison that sets landscapes alight in neon colour. Several other artists were on display in this gallery, including Marcel Ferron, Rita Letendre, Kaka Ashoona, Kenajuak, the sbtract work of Guido Molinari and a piece by famous British Colum-
Boy on the Bank, ChristopherFriesen, 2005,acrylic on canvas
bian artist, Jack Shadbolt called "challenging." These artists brave "Energy Flux." Finally there was the oft stormy waters, challenging work from Andy Warhol includ- the traditions of what it means to ing the piece on the cover of the make Native art. Rolling Stones album SickyFingers Aside from traditional sculpand several self portraits. ture, masks, bracelets, pendants, "Challenging Traditions" bowls, drums and rattles, there speaks to the Native American art are paintings, carvings and statscene, which some say has had a . ues that propel the Indigenous art revival over the past 40 year. This traditions into modem art, taking may be true, but only because the what is old and giving it new life government finally began to help while respecting where it began. and not suppress the age old tradi- Ian M. Thom explained the exhibit tions of West Coast Native art. As "takes as its premise the idea that such much is expected from this traditional art forms provide an younger generation. Thus, the tra- important point of reference for dition of making art in this way is all First Nations artists working
today. These artists are challenged to live up to the exacting iconographic and technical stan1ards of earlier work or conversely challenged to move beyond the forms of earlier work to use new materials and express ideas that are of relevance to both traditional and contemporary life." With that in mind one of the most interesting things to remember while viewing the exhibit is that the materials used in creating the artwork vary from traditional material like deerskin, red and yellow cedar, abalone shells, beads, silver, gold, fur and even human hair to contemporary materials that include paper, brass, blown glass, canvas and even lacquered aluminium, which was used in creating an abstract statue that embodied traditional qualities of native art. Marianne Nicholson's ''Tunics of the Changing Tide" is a circular and seasonal work that incorporates old and new materials including wood, brass, acrylic,. copper and abalone shell Mixing materials was as common as mixing new and old ideas. Don Yeomans' "Creator" features a carved Raven figure with arms spread open, backed by a Celtic cross, the crucifixion in BC terms perhaps. Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas' paintings displayed Haida figures in a some times comical way in acrylic and watercolour. Lyle Wilson's "Raven and the Fisherman" is a carving which depicts Pacific Northwest sealife and shows an understanding ecosystems that is at once traditional and current. "Photography is ... " is an exhibit of photo prints by the Abbotsford Photo Arts Oub that shows that
the city is not only interested in collecting art, but making it themselves. The photography on display shows what can be done above and beyond the ordinary. Subjects include wildlife, stunning urban and country scenery, pets, abstracts and some fantastic . close-ups. Another local artist, and UFV professor, Christopher Friesen had his own exhibit called "Essential Information," a series of paintings that reimagine landscape and portrait in neo-pointillism. The effect of pixilation is given to everyday scenes. The paintings are composed of small coloured squares, about one cm by one cm, that make up a larger image; it's like a collage, but with pieces of pure colour instead of pictures. Friesen's art asks us to look at our pixelated world, only instead of seeing far away places made of pixels on a computer, a TV or in a newspaper, we see common images and perhaps may wonder if pixilation, and its technological progenitors, are affecting the way we see the world. It is ironic then that by putting these paintings, still objects on a wall, in pixels Friesen has given them more depth than a here-onesecond-gone-the-next computer image. As the viewer spends time with each piece he is rewarded: from different angles and at differing distances from the paintings, new facets of the work are revealed; new images come into light and new dimensions unfold. The Reach has done a fine job iri securing these exhibits and in creating a lasting image of the Fraser Valley community both in its past and in its future.
THE CASCADE
FRIDAY,JULY 9th, 2010
MoviaRaview ToyStory 3 'SONJA SZLOVICSAK character. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF At the same time, it always bugged me as a kid that these toys hate sequels, especially when didn't seem too concerned about it's a sequel to a favourite mov- Andy forgetting about them. ie from my childhood. The first That's what the big thing in Toy movie was fine on its own; I could Story 2 was_- Andy might grow picture the characters running off up and forget about his toys. So, I into the sunset, living happily ever had to go see how this animated after. Then along comes the sequel, toys were surviving now that their making my favourite characters owner was a surly teenager. "quirkier" or "zanier" than they That's exactly what happens in were in the original film. Toy Story 3; Andy has forgotten Disney is especially good at de- about his toys. They.'ve just been stroying my childhood memories sitting in the toy box, waiting to with sequels. Peter Pan, The Little get thrown out. Thankfully, for Mermaid, Mulan and Cinderella fans of the series, the toys haven't were all destroyed because some- changed. body decided that the original Andy is off to college, and so story just wasn't good enough (in- the toys end up donated to a local cidentally, Marley and Me has a se- daycare (which doesn't seem very quel coming out soon - despite the sanitary, but I guess at Disneyland fact that Marley is deceased). toys don't end up covered in dust, So I'll admit I was concerned muck, bacteria and HlNl after 15 when I went to see Toy Story 3. I'd years). It seems like everything • seen the previews with "Spanish will be okay, since the toys will Buzz Lightyear" and groaned, be played with again. However, thinking that Buzz had been made Andy wants his toys back, and into a zany and therefore pointless the daycare isn't as nice as it once
I
seemed. So now the toys need to get back to Andy. Sounds familiar? Toy Story 3 is just like Toy Story and Toy Story 2. The only difference is, now Andy is all grown up and he still needs his toys. And this one is in 3D. But really, if you're watching the third instalment of a Disney series, you probably aren't looking for a hugely original plot line or spectacular character development. Just like the first two movies, the land of Toy Story isn't all fuzzy and happy. Whereas in the first movie, Buzz and Woody had to contend with a young boy with some aggressive behavioural problems and his mutilated toys, and in the second movie they had to fight off a slightly insane mint-condition Stinky-Pete, this time Andy's toys have to deal with another mentally unstable character. This time, he's a power-mad teddy bear. The toy world must seem so menacing to small children. This should be the last instal-
ment of the Toy Story franchise, and if it is, the series will end on a high note. The characters don't do anything too outrageous, the storyline didn't get bizarre, and like all Disney movies, it had a happy
ending. This movie is worth checking out, even if you only want to relive a childhood experience. Oh, and the Spanish Buzz was not the nightmare that the trailers made him out to be.
eral feet into the air. Moving the camera around closer to the map made the building seem enormous. On the streets were zombie creatures walking around, and the demo allowed the player to fight them. The developer threw out the idea that games like Risk and other popular board games could be played "with a computer game on top of it". With the Microsoft Kinect having two cameras in it, it allows the device to read the depth of the environment it surveys. This should allow it to superimpose digital objects onto the environment in a way the PlayStation Eye currently cannot. The Kinect can even draw objects onto your body as you continue to move around. The applications of this are somewhat mind-boggling. The PlayStation Move allows the Eye to superimpose any object
onto the Move, allowing you to use it like a sword or pen, whichever suits your fancy. A new game called EyePet will superimpose a cuddly creature into your living room (or so it will appear on your TV screen). You can then use your hand - or the Move - to pet or otherwise play with the creature. There are games of this variety in the works for the 360 as well. Whatever the case, the Nintendo DS really has the most promise, because of its mobility. Like the iPhone apps, it could be used to provide real life directions with superimposed imagery, or it could do the board game map game. The fact that it has two cameras gives it that added precision and depth-perception that makes the Kinect so alluring. Only time will tell whether it will usher in a new age of AR gaming, but it certainly seems more plausible now.
cascadeArcada Augmented Reality Could beAwesome JOEL SMART space on the screen, as users view SPORTS EDITOR the world through the device's camera. ith the Nintendo 3DS reThis technology is being used vealed to the gaming public for fairly simple tasks, such as at E3, its dual-mounted cameras directing users to the nearest bus were touted by some as the next stop, or allowing them to read step in Augmented Reality (AR). more about a museum exhibit. AR has already been successfully AR is also used on television. The impll:mented on both handheld moving lines added to races durand console games. However, the ing the skating events to show technology is still quite limiting in viewers the record pace is a simple terms of how well reality is being example of this. augmented. In terms of gaming applicaThe term AR is thrown around tions, the PlayStation -2had a numa lot, and thanks to science fiction ber of motion games with its wemovies, we all have visions of an beam accessory, the EyeToy.These AR-dominated future that has allowed users to see themselves on us digitally interacting with our screen and complete mini-game world through computerized con- challenges simply by moving their tact lenses, or something to that arms. It was not all that complex effect. But presently, AR is a much in terms of AR, but it was a start. less exciting affair. There are a few With the release of the PlayStation iPhone applications that allow cer- Eye, the camera for the PS3, a card tain markers-to hover seemingly in game called Eye of Judgementmade
W
a bold move in AR. To play, garners focus the camera on a patterned mat and then lay down special cards within the squares on the mat. The cards contain a code that can be read by the Eye, and on the TV screen a digitally rendered creature appears on the mat. The creatures engages in battle right there on the mat on your coffee table. Unfortunately, at least when I played the game, it was quite finicky. Some handheld phones have similar games in the works. One working demo for a phone I saw over a year ago featured a similar cloth that the camera recognizes. In this case it was a maplike view of a small portion of a city. Through the phone, realistic graphics were displayed over top of the map. On the map, between roads was an empty square, but on the phone, a building rose up sev-
Channe1surlin1 JUSTIN ORLEWlathe supernatural underworld. It looks like we
SPORTS EDITOR will also be seeing some new interesting love connections this season. One of the main charhe only show that I can remember that started acters will be getting involved with a werewolf_ in the summer and eventually went on to be- We are only two episodes deep and it's already come a regular season hit is the O.C. So I figured heating up. Keep watching for more supernatuI would mention some of the trash whose trailers ral drama. TrueBloodairs 8:00p.m. on HBO. happened to catch my eye while I was watching the NBA playoffs. Breaking Bad: The season finale of Breaking The first show is surprisingly another Vam- Badaired last week on AMC and was it ever specpire drama, titled the Gates.I give it four epi- tacular! I don't think that anyone saw that endsodes. Next up is a show called Scoundrels.It's ing coming. It seems Walter is always one step about a family of small time criminals. This one ahead of everyone else. His ability to outsmart might last the summer but it's highly doubtful. his opponent is very cunning and entertaining The last trailer that I caught was a show about for us viewers. Is Walter White going to become rookie cops, I think it was called RookiePoo or the new Meth king of New Mexico? We will just RookieBlue or A Rookie That Tooka Poo.It looks have to wait for season four to come out. On the terrible; I don't think this one will go past three bright side, a new season of Mad Men is starting episodes. soon, so if you don't have HBO yet at least you On the other hand, here are some shows actu- can catch these two beauty's on AMC ally worth your time as you try to weather out the heat. Entourage: The wait is finally over! Season seven of Entouragestarts this week and the True Blood: The season three opener of True anxiety is just killing me. The show has so many Bloodaired last week on HBO and it delivered ev- loose ends to tie up before they call it quits. Ruerything that it promised. Immediately we found mor has it that after season seven there will be a out what happened to Bill and a lot of other loose movie made featuring our four favourite Hollyends from season two were also addressed. We wood players. It should be interesting to see how now know that werewolves will be present this this season is going to pan out. Entourageairs 9:30 season, rivalling the vampires for supremacy of p.m.onHBO
T
...
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
1llE CASCADE
11
ARTS&LIFE
. . Grrrls, R1verv1ew· Interview
Grrrls, Grrrls
Heidi Currie discusses filmsonmental institute Bedlam:very expensive to make MIKE LAWSON INTERIMMANAGINGEDITOR (relatively speaking considering we're not a studio corporation!), he film Asylum provides a fasci- Asylum: small self funded project nating glimpse into how men- along with CitizenShift grant. .. tal health professionals cared for Asylum's story could be a feature their patients at Riverview hospi- film in my opinion. Lesbian patal. It is a must see for anyone who tients self committing (or actually is curious about Riverview's past committed by family and the esand it shows viewers that compas- tablishment in some cases) formsion really was a massive part of ing meaningful relationships with mental health care. The one flaw the nurses ...the regimented nature of that film is that it leaves view- of nursing care, the "us" - "them" ers wanting to know more about dichotomy ...could be truly fascithe level of care at Riverview. This nating ....could account for sexualiflaw is solved with the release of ty among the nursing staff...power the sequel Bedlam which provides relations in medicine. the viewer with a much more indepth immersion into the world of If there was one thing mental health care at Riverview. In an exclusive interview with from Bedlam the viewer the Cascade,producer Heidi Cur- would walk away with rie was kind enough to take some what would you wish it time out of her busy schedule to to be? give a few statements on the film.
T
What is the main message that Bedlam is trying to convey? It's really not a message per se, but the recollection {true story) of a care provider (Kay)in a time that is rarely considered or recounted now. The message is hers, although we take the liberty of suggesting that the story invites consideration of how we may or may not define care in the present context, a time far removed from Kay's. The reason we wan\ to tell the story is just that, it's remote in time, and that there is value in the story, a nursing story, a woman's "work" story. I hope the layers are appreciated by the viewer. I feel we haven't been complete in our accounting in inferring that the mentally disordered now live in poverty at a level appreciated when viewing the Downtown Eastside in all its horrors ...! endeavour to perhaps in the voice over account also for the burgeoning population of mentally ill in our prisons and jails ....many of these individuals would have, if they lived in BC (and North America) in the 40's, the time frame of the film, found themselves in the asylum, not in prison necessarily.
What are the differences between Bedlam and Asylum? Asylum, a short project...the story tells itself ....Bedlam is the "Recreation'' on the wards. That enriches the story immensely, provides some real visualization ...we had Kay on set to see the work ... she enjoyed it, and expressed approval...we got it right, apparently! Our consultant Anna T. also provided her expert opinion that indeed, we did have it right.
I would be disappointed if the viewer came away with only "one thing" from Bedlam.It's a layered, complex topic, I hope the viewer takes the time to really consider the means/context/definition of care for the mentally ill, both in the past as shown in Bedlam, but also considering what care means in our present context.
Finally what is Catharis (the third film in the series about Riverview)? I think it's going to be a highly valuable recounting [on film] by numerous professionals, women and men, including the most fascinating psychiatrist: Dr. Arrowsmith, now very elderly, who recounts patient care in the most compassionate voice I've ever heard that was not that of a nurse, or a woman ....amazing. To choose to work in the asylum at such a young age is so interesting. It's not just medicine for him it's an art, a deep interest in humanity. I do not think we have ever seen a psychiatrist like him ever captured on film. Catharsiswill see us move away from female voices alone ... this is a very significant change, as it's not "womens work" at the core of care here. Overall Bedlamis a unbelievably fascinating glimpse into the world of mental health care at Riverview and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating Catharis which will close out the trilogy. It is slated to be released in the middle of this month.
LEAHWERIER that these women embody. "Iron prets perfect matrimony through THEMANITOBAN Maidens sort of said it all," says a portrait without a face; it is a Ashcroft. "Most of the chicks in cropped image of a woman below WINNWEG (CUP) - In 1991, the portraits are all in the music the belt with a man's tattooed arm Kathleen Hanna wrote that riot scene. They are all rock girls." resting suggestively on her thigh. grrrl came to be "because we are "I sorted through photos that I As such, it comes as no surprise angry at a society that tells us girls that Ashcroft has been involved in had taken of her at a bar one night = dumb, girls = bad, girls = weak," the Winnipeg music scene, playing and the thing that I liked about in The Riot Grrrl Manifesto. guitar for the (recently defunct) this particular shot is that her husHanna was the lead singer of all-female punk band Shrimp. band's hand is in there and you can Bikini Kill, an all-female lineup '1t depends who you talk to - a see their wedding ring. And so to of punk rockers who, in the same lot of people could look at these me that is some sort of punk-rock year, self-released a cassette en- ladies as medieval torture devic- wedding bliss," says Ashcroft. titled Revolution Girl Style Now. es, but it's more about the music Many of the works in the colThe motto was quickly embraced thing. It's more about an attitude. lection are highly personal images by the riot grrrl movement. They You know, these are women of of the artist's friends. Because of called for women to create their iron. They are not just your fair this closeness, Ashcroft was able own scene; to revolutionize music, maidens. They are not your typical to capture heightened moments art and writing in an entirely "girl portrait of femininity at its finest, in which her subjects are displaypower" way. They moved femi- lavender flowers. These women ing emotions nakedly. Whether nism out of the ivory tower and rip the heads off of flowers," says they are screaming at the top of into the underground music scene Ashcroft. their lungs or ferociously glaring of Washington, D.C. Through hand gestures, facial outward, the viewer always gets a Echoes of the riot grrrl cry expressions and body language, strong sense of the subject's charresonate in Show Grrrl, a wildly these portraits assault traditional acter and personality. expressive portrait of a woman representations of women in art. Ashcroft has celebrated these with deep auburn hair and a hot ''There are enough pictures of women and, to her, an Iron Maidpink boa over her shoulders. In women in the history of painting en is "someone who speaks their . one hand dangles a lit cigarette, - particularly portrait work - of mind, doesn't take shit and doesn't the other flashes a perfectly mani- shy smiles, coy grins, little looks- become a victim to their own tragcured middle finger to the viewer. ies, seductresses, slutty whores, edies. Bad things happen to everyDone in an illustrative style using let's say; and I wanted to have a body. I wanted to show that these vivid colours, this Show Grrrl as- fighting attitude," says Ashcroft. are people who had bad things saults the very notions of "girls = She does just that. There are no happen, moved forward and I reweak." The portrait hangs along- smiles to be seen in Iron Maidens ally admired that skill because side 10 other highly-stylized oil - only raised fists and mouths sometimes it's hard ... but most of paintings of in-your-face women caught mid-scream. With visible these gals, they turn it into a song. as part of the show IronMaidens by brushstrokes, there are women in They will play it out on the stage, Winnipeg artist Arlea Ashcroft. white dresses wearing gas masks, they'll write it down, they'll use it, Rather than referring to tor- "ready for battle" rather than pre- they'll enrich their lives through ture chambers, the exhibition title paring to be the perfect bride. their experience, as opposed to reflects the defiant personalities In another work, Ashcroft inter- shut it down."
12
11IE CASCADE
FRIDAY,JULY9th, 2010
Album Review TheRoots -How I GotOver is an album with a complex, eclecPAUL FALARDEAU ARTS& LIFEEDITOR tic sound that rewards the listener with undeniable depth and intent may be one of the few reasons sity. to watch any late night show, let The Roots have always been a alone Jimmy Fallon. The Roots are unique experience because of their easily the best house band playing use of live instrumentation instead through the late night hours. They of a reliance on pre-recorded samcertainly beat the cheesy guy in a ples (something few rappers can beret and sunglasses mumbling say) and the same goes here. Even jive talk. Of course that's a pretty in the cases of remakes of pre-exeasily achieved feat considering isting tunes the band enlists the the aforementioned competition. help of the original singers to sing On the other hand, the Roots may hooks and phrases. Joanna Newalso be the best thing happening som, Patty Crash and Jim James in hip hop music, a much greater lend guest vocals in this way. John accolade. Legend signs on to the original Which isn't to say that being on song, "The Fire." Fallon hasn't been beneficial for There is an unquestionable enthe Roots. On their new album, thusiasm present on How I Got titled How I Got Over, the band Over and, as the name suggests, has tightened up their sound, re- a healthy dose of optimism afsulting in what may well be their ter two previous albums which best album in over 10 years. Aside turned in disgust from Bush's from the nightly practice, the America. The Roots have created Roots have had the opportunity something here that is comparato mingle with other artists on a ble to such masterpieces as Marregular basis, playing their music vin Gaye's What's Going On. Like and exchanging ideas. The result Gaye's opus, the Roots cautiously
I
.,,l"r •. ~ -
~-:·.~
sanguine lyrics are deep and call for several listens to gain entrance to their message. The musicality of the tunes is the key to unlocking those messages. The beauty of the album is that its depth lets it become perfect background sounds, ideal chill out music or, when you are ready and the tunes are deeply ingrained in your mind, the terrific set of ideas to bang up against. There is the neo soul of "Walk Alone." Jim James lends his sublime voice to ''Dear God 2.0" as we get questions like ''Why's the world so ugly if you made it in your image?" "Radio Daze" brings the classic funk vibe and the titular "How I Got Over" is an upbeat groove that exemplifies the positive tone of the album. The Roots aren't claiming the world is perfect, as the album smoothly moves from track to track we are treated to a certain number of scenes of horror in modern society. But as we are asked to deal with questions of societal degradation, we are also asked
to ruminate on some rather existential ideas. In the end what the Roots have done, and what makes
-
this album such a masterpiece, is take the bad, see the beautiful and take a step forward.
•
-·,•
--. ,
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UFV SHUFFLE PAUL FALARDEAU The Rose Mudhoney ARTS& LIFEEDITOR
I Want to Take You Higher Sly and the Family Stone The funky classic in all its glory. The Family Stone blended all the wicked grooves of funk with the feel good, share-the-love hippie vibe and came out with uplifting songs like this.
Who says grunge rockers can't show a bit of tenderness? You· know the song ("some say love, it is a river ... "), but here it is transformed into something different, something that youth can emote to, while still feeling tough.
Brokenhearted The Hits This track kicks and screams through a breakup with a surprisingly upbeat double guitar double helix of a riff. The lyrics are simple and seem made to captivate an audience and encourage them to sing along.
You'll Scream Tonight Anti-Flag
Crosscut Saw Hindu Love Gods
Delivered in a trademark punk rock snarl, this is nothing less than a wakeup call. Of course these aren't things many of us are blind to anymore but it's because of these bands that many of us have learned about them.
A new rendition of the classic folk song done in a great rootsy style by the Hindu Love Gods, a band comprised of Warren Zevon and REM minus Michael Stipe.
out all new material for this tour had me dangerously titillil,ted. The new material was, in a lot of ways, funnier than his previous material. Where his older material focused on his encounters with celebrities and other random concepts (see: the supremely grating Raaaaaaaandy), the newer material seems to focus less on others and more on himself and his family. For instance, he has trouble talking to women, specifically asking out a woman who works at one of his favourite restaurants. A lot of people in the crowd suggested he use his celebrity status to pick her up, but Ansari knows that doing so would make him look like a douchebag. The comedy feels a lot more everyman than it did before, and I am thankful for it. Before you start thinking that I mean it was a maudlin affair, it was anything but. Ansari has hilarious bits about his younger cousin Harris fucking a cinnamon bun and his other cousin, Darwish, passing up the stereotypical college vices (drugs, sex, money) in order to eat so much Chick-fil-A that he overdrafts his
bank account. The only downside to Ansari's performance was that he ran out of material and ended his set fifteen minutes early and had to take requests for old bits from the audience to make up the time. Now, to gripe like the parsimonious bastard I am. I am a little stunned that I should have to pay $50 for a 90 minute comedy show, when I can pay $30 to see a three hour music show. fwonder if what I'm paying for is celebrity; Ansari is on television (Parks and Recreation) but Wolf Parade is not on television, therefore I should pay more to see Ansari than I would to see Wolf Parade. I suppose that the venue doesn't make as much money on alcohol during a comedy show as it would during a music show, but still. Also, there was a late show added directly after the show I attended, so everything felt a little rushed. However, considering the quality of the performances and the overall experience, the price is not detrimental to the experience at all, even in the advanced state of cheapassery I seem to be in the throes of.
liveReview AzizAnsari attheVogue Theater JORDAN PITCHER STAFFWRITER
've been a huge fan of Aziz Ansari ever since he was on MTV's Human Giant. While that statement could be seen as generic hipster posturing, I only mention it to illustrate the overriding emotion I felt when I saw he was doing a tour that included Vancouver: unbridled excitement. I was so excited, in fact, that I did not initially balk at the $50 USD I paid for excellent fifth row tickets. However, after the show was over I found myself feeling mildly short-changed; not because the comedy was subpar, indeed it was superb, but because the show only lasted from 7:15p.m. until 8:45p.m. Youprobably aren't interested in hearing me be a tightwad sonofabitch about things, so I'll comment on the comedy now and circle back around to being a cheapskate near the end. The opener was a comedian named Dan Levy (pronounced leevee), not to be confused with MTV personality, Dan Levy (son of Eugene Levy) who called Kristin Stewart a bitch. To be honest, I was
I
surprised at the quality of Levy's comedy; it was better than it needed to be considering everyone in attendance was ostensibly there to see Aziz. The jokes ranged from a spot on Justin Timberlake impersonation to a diary entry a roommate of his wrote while stoned out of his mind on four ultra-potent marijuana cookies (each of which lasted for eight hours).
I find that the problem with some comedians is that they are really goddamn annoying. Dane Cook, for example, is someone that I want to punch in the face repeatedly as soon as I see his cocksuremugon the television or hear his crazed, hyperbolic voice in my ears. I didn't have that problem with Levy at all. He was charming, awkward, and ultimately - I suppose this is what separates him from the Dane Cook's out there - funny. Having listened to Aziz Ansari's great debut comedy album Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening nearly a dozen times, the news that Ansari would be testing
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
THECASCADE
13
Album Review WeAreScientists - Barbaro BRITTANY WIESNERto branch out using different mu-
1
Champ Tokyo Police Club*
2
Brothers The Black Keys
3
ForgivenessRock Record Broken Social Scene*
4
Expo 86 Wolf Parade*
5
Crystal Castles(II) Crystal Castles*
STAFF WRITER sical styles, yet they maintain the sound that brought them populare Are Scientists, came onto ity in the first place. the Indie scene in 2000, Since they've been a solid band gained mainstream success with for almost 10 years (they even cretheir album With Love and Squalor ated a television show) they aren't in 2005, and they haven't stopped going anywhere for a while. since. The band consists of Keith The members of the band have .,, Murray and Chris Cain and new- commented on how this album est member, Andy Burrows. Their was a bit more personal, they put music is a wonderful mix of pop a lot of themselves into the songs and indie with each of their al- and tried new things. Favourite bums slightly different than the tracks are "Nice Guys" and "You last. Their newest album Barbarais Should Learn." no exception. The one thing that might work Barbaramay have only a short against this album is that the songs track list (10 songs) but they are all have a slower rhythm than usual, jam packed full of interesting mel- but while it isn't as fun when you odies and clever lyrics. While the compare it to their older albums, it band first made it big in the U.K. worked, giving this album a fresh (even though they're New York new sound. interviews. based) they are slowly taking over On the other side of that coin, Overall the entire album is very North America and it's not hard to their lyrics are more mature than original and unique for the band see why. With this album it is clear their previous albums - which is and their genre. Luckily these vetthat they are becoming a more interesting, because in person the erans of the music scene took a mature band. They have started guys are known to give hilarious chance on a new sound and it paid
W
6
Say It Born Ruffians*
7
Together The New Pornographers*
8
New Interiors Wintersleep*
9
SomethingFor Everybody Devo
10
We Kill Computers The Pack A.D.*
ll1111111111111111111111111111~
July8th
12
This is Happening LCD Soundsysten
13
Swin Caribou*
14
BeforeToaal_ Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti
15
DarkerCircles . The Sadies* * indicates Canadian artist.
To view the entire chart, visit: http://www.earshot-online.com/ charts/civl.cfm
July 15th
~lllllllllllllllllfii1111
July22nd
After DarkSeries (Atangard Community Project)TheMagician & thegates of Franklyn Currie band(alt/ Back Door Slam(bluegrass) love(indie pop) country} ./ I. • LosAmigos (latinworld) Steve Elliott (Elvis Jordan Klassew,acoustic/folk) Impersonator) 1 Birch Taxis (alt,rock)r
:
,I
/
l
1
/
.
11 .
July29th
After DarkSeries (Airfo.re Lo~nge) \ ; / 1 Roger Poff.er (c!Qssic rock) J OldMare {qhco~ntry) YouSby'Rartyf \relectro dance / new,ave) I
·~
liveReview TheOffspring oftheVogue Theatre Band and fans tear down the house
11
High Violet The Natio:p.al
J<M!/4 J~
off, We are Scientists' Barbarahits stores soon in North America and once it does pick it up. Until then enjoy their single "Rules Don't Stop," available on their Myspace page.
MIKE LAWSON
"Original Prankster" was not played, a sentiment which was echoed by my friends. It was one of my buddy's first concert and he may have described it best, calling it "being balls deep in a bucket of awesomeness while eating pixie dust from God's ass." Next time they come to town be sure to see them as it is an amazing experience.
INTERIMMANAGINGEDITOR
he Offspring rocked the shit out of the Vogue Theatre on Wednesday June 23. That's coming from a fan who was not sure to begin with; I'll admit I wasn't sure what to expect when I attended the concert. I had one friend decline attending because she called The Offspring "old news." It was also pointed out that they had already come to town the year before and hadn't released a new album in a while. Having been a massive fan over the years of the Offspring I was undeterred and brought along two really good buddies who could be best described as casual fans. Their opinions differed, with one expecting The Offspring to fail in comparison to their recorded work. He however, was proven wrong as he eventually admitted that The Offspring are much better as a live band. The Vogue is a perfect venue for a concert as its size allows for everyone to have a good view of the band. Our seats were in the first row of the balcony which gave us an easy view of the action and memorable moments, amongst the best of which was when someone in the mosh pit ripped out a seat and it was passed around the pit. The crowd surfing got really crazy and enjoyable to watch as
T
The full set list:
the Offspring rocked out with the crowd, blending their old and newer songs together in what turned into one hell of a set, blending songs with a mind for new fans, greatest hit seekers, and deep cutseeking hardcore fans alike. They opened the show with "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" and rocked out from there. One of my
personal highlights was "Gone Away" performed as a solo on the piano by Dexter. The crowd ate it up as the lights were dimmed and the lighters went up in tribute to a powerful song. The concert was closed with my all time favourite Offspring song "The Kids Aren't All Right." The only complaint is that
-You're Gonna Go Far, Kid -Alli Want -Hammerhead -You Will Find A Way (New Song) -Have You Ever -Come Out and Play (Keep 'Em Separated) -Gone Away (Solo piano version) -Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? -Gotta Get Away -Guns of Brixton (The Clash cover) -Why Don't You Get a Job? -Bad Habit -Genocide -Staring at the Sun -Want You Bad -Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) -Self Esteem
Encore: -Americana -(Can't Get My) Head Around You -The Kids Aren't Alright
THECASCADE
14
ill tlJD[II
_j\llu
:HeA
1
1
l
FRIDAY, JULY 9th, 2010
'
I
1
1
•------------------------------------------------Mulch Goan Give it to You C
I
PAUL BRAMMER NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR
anchester is a music city. In the same way that the mountains are written into the DNA of my beloved home-awayfrom-home Vancouver, so is music etched into the very foundation of my home-when-back-at-home Manchester. I'm not going to bore you with some silly list detailing some of Manchester's musical luminaries. Actually, yes I am - The Smiths, The Bee Gees, The Stone Roses, Elbow, The Buzzcocks, Oasis, Joy Division, New Order, The Hacienda, Factory Records, Martin Bannett, etc. The list goes on and on. I could go through them all (I'm quite tempted), but that short runthrough will suffice. The point I am making is that Manchester without music is not Manchester. To make a comparison between Manchester and the Nazis - hear me out - intellectuals muse on whether the Nazis would have won World War Two if they had not implemented the Holocaust. Doris Bergen, an expert on Nazi Germany who spoke at UFY, rebuffed this line of thought by saying that, for the Nazis, the War and the eradication of the Jews and other of society's undesirables were innately entwined. To Hitler and the other knobheads of the Nazi Party, the Holocaust was the War, for all intents and purposes - as much as shelling the shit out of London and doing that funny walk. Manchester and music cannot be separated. They are Romeo and Juliet, Henrik and Daniel, Hummers and pricks (the perjorative, not the gland). I'm going to stick
M
my neck out and say that Manchester has offered more to us in terms of music than any other city in the last fifty years. New York? Eat my dust. Montreal? Get knotted, in French if you must. London? Tits to you, so-called capital city. You want an example? Fine, I'll give you a bleedin' example. And then I'll find you and beat you for making me check my dates. Do you like DJs? You know, those fellows who stand behind that glass in that dark room and try to look cool? Well, Manchester has a couple of those. In fact, Manchester had the first modern DJ in Jimmy Savile. In 1946, Savile was the first DJ to use twin turntables,
1
Water forElephants by_ SaraGruen STAFF WRITER Jacob as a man in his nineties remembering a past he longs for TA Jater for Elephants is an ex- once again and a secret he can V V traordinary novel about a barely keep anymore. It entangles young man, Jacob Jankowski, who the past and present beautifully. has run out of options during the Each of the characters are so vivid depression. With no alternatives, and -memorable the reader feels he hops a train and inadvertently the pain as deeply as the characjoins the circus. He's stuck in a ters do. The author has an uncantravelling second rate show but ny ability to present the animals of he uses his veterinarian skills to the menagerie in such a way that help the animals of the menag- the reader cares as much for them erie and gains many friends who as any person. You worry about may just be enemies. He meets one Rosie as you would Jacob. creature in particular that catches The author, Sara Gruen, said in his eye and heart; Rosie a loveable her author's note that she got the elephant and Marlena her rider, idea for the novel "unexpectedly" who also rides horses. While Jacob while she was while researching travels with the Benzini Brothers another novel. The ChicagoTribune Most Spectacular Show on Earth, "ran an article on Edward J. Kelty, a photographer who followed travhe becomes a man. Waterfor Elephantsis a haunting elling circuses around America in masterpiece that takes the reader the 1920's and 30's." Gruen took on a journey of friendship, love, such an interest in it she "abanloss and heartbreak. It gives us a doned the book [she was) planpeek at the world of the 30s and ning to write and dove instead into how a second rate circus tried to the world of the train circus." She
I
I
its politics, its racial and ethnic make-up, its architecture, and who knows where one ends and the other begins? I am going to say something now that will probably make you guffaw into your poutine - art rebuilt Manchester. As close to literally as you can get without meaning something literally, I mean that. How? Manchester was the world's first industrial city. In the nineteenth century, Manchester exploded with the Industrial Revolution to become the foremost industrial city in the world. Unsurprisingly, the city was a fucking hellhole for the industrial workers, who suffered pain, poverty and misery all in equal measure. A bit like being a Liverpool fan, though probably not as bad. Of course, as soon as the crown of "Industrial City #1" was on Manchester's head, it was jostled off by the rest of the world, who all caught up and eventually surpassed Britain in industrialisation and share of the world's market, to ensure continuous playing of most notably Germany and the music. Also, in 1964, Savile hired - U.S. Britain and Manchester's inthe world's first full-time DJ in dustrial standing declined steadily. Tony Prince. The 1980s brought another Zip forward to the 1970s and chapter in the history of the city's Manchester is a grey mess of disculture. The now sadly-deceased used factories, crumbling red-brick Tony Wilson, Alan Erasmus and buildings, awful council estates Rob Gretton created Factory Re- and bland tower blocks and not a cords and The Hacienda, the whole lot else. Unemployment was world-famous club that was the nice and rampant, and young peoenvy of the world and gave us rave ple were on the bones of their arse culture and gave dance music its (not like tqday, of course - Subway character, feeling and spiritual is hiring dozens of Pakistani brain home. surgeons and Nigerian architects These fabulous traditions live are driving us to and from pubs on in the city today. Of course, and betting shops. Yippee!) the music of the city is inextricaCue local newscaster Tony Wilbly linked to its art, its vibrancy, son and his comrades Alan Eras-
BookReview BRITTANY WIESNERstay afloat. The story is told by
I
took many true events she had researched and added them into her story making a realistic and tragic story. Rosie the elephant was created from tidbits about past circus elephants. Overall the novel is amazing. It's been a best seller all over the world and has captured the attention of many avid readers. It's even being made into a movie by Flashpoint entertainment. Francis Lawrence is directing it, Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz are starring in it. It should be interesting to see how the story transfers to the silver screen. This is Sara Gruen's third novel and it's by far her most successful. The story of Jacob and his short time with a crazy circus is so powerful and emotional it will leave readers wanting more. If you get the chance to read it, do - this is not a book you want to pass up.
,
I
I
I
mus and Rob Gretton. They started a night at the Russell Oub and called it Factory, in ironic honour to the wastage and degradation of the city around them. From there, they started Factory Records, a record company that gave all of the power to the artists and none to themselves. This ''human experiment," as Wilson called it, lost them millions but was a vital and important factor in the rejuvenation of the city. The Hacienda Club followed, and became the most soughtafter club in the world, despite also haemorrhaging millions of pounds every year. Musicians such as Joy Division, The Stone Roses, The Smiths, New Order, The Happy Mondays, DJs such as Mike Pickering and Dave Haslam, and artists such as Peter Saville all contributed to and benefited from this blossoming and madness. It all went tits-up, and Factory and The Hacienda closed and left its owners bankrupt several times over, but that is beside the point. The point is that, at the time when Manchester fell on the bones of its arse, it was art, not guns nor buildings nor government grants, that tore the city from its torpor and gave it its swagger again. It was art that rejuvenated a dormant global city and turned the first industrial city into arguably the first post-industrial city. It was art that remade Manchester. Manchester Mark II is a wonderful and horrible place to be. It's inspiring, depressing, drunken, friendly, confrontational, funny, beautiful, grey, colourful, cold, wet, vibrant, sad and hopeful. Whatever Manchester is, was and will be, it owes a big debt to the art that it produced and was in turn a product of.
FRIDAY,JULY9th, 2010
15
THE CASCADE
SPORTS EDITOR Blackhawks had when they made their final four run just one season s expected Taylor Hall was ago. The Oilers also lost over 600 selected first overall by the man games to injury last season Edmonton Oilers in the NHL en- which is one of the main reasons try draft and Tyler Seguin was for their poor finish and first overselected second overall by the Bos- all draft pick. With guys like Ales ton Bruins. Hemsky, Shawn Horcoff, Sheldon With youngsters like Hall, Jor- Souray and goalie Nikolai Khabibdan Eberle, Sam Gagne and An- ulin healthy next year, the Oilers drew Cogliano, the Oilers are now could be the surprise team. starting to look like the BlackThe Vancouver Canucks traded hawks did just a couple short years away their first round pick in the ago, before winning the Stanley Keith Ballard deal so no one went Cup. The Oilers seem to have the to the Canucks in the first round. right combo of youngsters and The only real surprise was that veteran players to really make an Cam Fowler went so low in the impact in the NHL next year. They draft at the tenth spot to Anaheim.
The NHL free agency frenzy be- Both the Leafs and the Canucks gan on July 1 and the Canucks now have great Defen'se and goalwere busy again signing defense- tending and should be two of the man Dan Hamhuis and local boy premiere teams in the NHL next season. Jeff Tambellini. As expected, the Chicago BlackThere are still some free agents hawks began dismantling their that are yet to be signed by a team. Stanley Cup team to remain under The biggest name still out there the salary cap. The Blackhawks is Ilya Kovalchuk, who will most sent Andrew Ladd, Dustin By- likely return to New Jersey, but fluglien and Ben Eager to the At- there is still nothing carved in lanta Thrashers and Kris Versteeg stone. Brendan Morrisson is also signed with the Toronto Maple still without a home, but there are Leafs. The Maple Leafs also an- rumors that Brian Burke wants to nounced that they will be going sign Morrison in Tqronto. There back to the jerseys that they last are also rumors that the Vancouwon a Stanley Cup in. They also ver Canucks are interested in announced that Dion Phaneuf will bringing back the hometown Morbe the Leafs new team captain. rison, at a fraction of the price that
News from the CFL
TH ECl\fMA BEAT: UFC 115
JUmNORLEWla even have the same goalie as the
A
UFV.
JED MINOR
TREYORFIK
PRODUCTION
STAFF WRITER he CFL season began in true Canadian style this past week, with the former Eastern and Western league champions facing off in a 2009 Grey Cup rematch in Saskatchewan on Canada Day. After the controversial "Thirteenth man" incident that had haunted the Saskatchewan Roughriders since their 28-27 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the previous season's Grey Cup match, those returning for the squad were craving a chance at redemption in the 2010season. The Roughriders did not disappoint, winning in remarkable fashion in overtime with a 54-51 victory that saw 1,058yards in net offence put up. Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant went 30 for 44, racking up 478 yards and five touchdowns in the process, solidifying his star\ing position with the squad. Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo put up a similarly dazzling effort, going 28-42 for 368 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception to his credit. If the opening game is any indication of how exciting the upcoming season is going to be, CFL fans are going to be exhausted early on from the sheer quality of football that will be coming. In other Canada Day action, the Calgary Stampeders made a last ditch defensive effort to stave off a Toronto Argonauts comeback, and emerged victorious 30-16. With a chance to tie it for the Argonauts in the last minutes of the game, Calgary defensive back Wes Lysack caused a Argonauts fumble after he blindsided quarterback Cleo Lemon. The resulting fumble lead to a touchdown by the Stampeders, solidifying the victory for the squad. The Argonauts have now lost nine straight games stemming from last season., , The Winnipeg Blue Bombers began Friday's CFL action with a 49-29 defeat over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Former Lions quarterback Buck Pierce, starting for the Bombers, helped the squad rake up 472 net yards in their victory over Hamilton. Pierce ended up going 17 of 25 for 291 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Bombers
he was making here before. Another notable event from the freeagent frenzy was that the San Jose Sharks managed to re-sign forward Patrick Madeau. With all the changes in the NHL in this off season, it really should be interesting to see who next year's super powers of the league will be. I really don't see a Blackhawks repeat next season considering all of the talent they lost. Who knows, maybe it will finally be Vancouver's turn to claim the Holy Grail, especially with their new and improved blue line. Until next season, stay classy-
D
T
slot back Terrence Edwards had a standout day as well, going for 191 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Ti-Cats. Commenting on the game afterwards, rookie Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice noted that "there's a lot of things we need to do, execution-wise, better." In Edmonton, the BC Lions quite literally kicked the Eskimos while they were down, as BC Lion's kicker Paul McCallum booted through six field-goals to help the Lions on their way to a 25-10 victory at Commonwealth Stadium. On an opening drive that saw the Eskimos deliver the ball to the Lions' one yard line, a pair of penalties and a huge fumble recovery by Keron Williams shifted the momentum of the game back into the Lions' favour. "That was the turning point," noted BC Lion's 'head coach Wally Buono. "That set the tone for the whole game." The Lions, with the assistance of a pair of 44 and 49-yard field goals and a 66-yard Jamal Robertson touchdown run, went up 130 with six minutes remaining in the first half. A resulting Eskimos touchdown and McCallum fieldgoal put the score at 16-7 after the first half. Coming into the game, doubts had been cast about the Lions ability to rush, as the teams aging offensive line, and a newly acquired running-back, were both questioned. Robertson quickly silenced all critics however, rushing 11 times for 168 yards and a touchdown, in what was to be a career game for the young back. Casey Printers also had a stellar game, going 20-34 for 218 yards. The Lions head back to Empire Field next Saturday, where they will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
espite being the fastest sellout in UFC history, UFC 115: Llddel Vs. Franklin had many detractors. Although the legendary Chuck Liddell was headlining the main event, many fans felt that Vancouver deserved a title fight in its first UFC card. A common sentiment was that given the sport's popularity north of the border, Dana White felt he could foist any old mediocre card on the Canadian fans and still make a profit. Those fears went unrealized however, as UFC 115 proved to be one of the most entertaining UFC events in recent memory. Beyond Franklin's brutal knockout of Liddell in the first round, great fights were held by the ever-dangerous Mirko Cro-Crop and BC's own Rory Macdonald. In the headlining fight, fans were treated to some vintage Liddell combinations as he struck Franklin with power shots right from the bell, even breaking his arm with a high kick. It seemed as though Liddell had regained his light heavyweight championship form. As in many of his recent fights, however, Liddell was too eager for the finish. He thought he had hurt Franklin towards the end of the first round as he pounded him on the fence and went in for the kill. But it was not to be. The toughest math teacher alive ended Liddell's night with a devastating counter right hook. I am a big Liddell fan, but it appears that he has been unable to modify his style to suite his age. Earlier in his career he was able to wade into danger while throwing bombs because he could usually handle the return fire. Lately though it seems his weak chin is his biggest liability and his ticket has been punched one too many times. I for one hope that UFC 115 marks the retirement of Chuck Liddell before he does more damage to his brain and his legacy. In the Mirko Cro-Cop vs. Pat Barry fight the mutual respect seemed excessive to the point of bromance. As one of the greatest kick boxers ever, Cro-Cop was one of Pat Barry's childhood idols and the Creole fighter even asked him
for an autograph in the press conference. Having staggered him twice in the first round, Barry inexplicably refused to jump on Cro-Cop and finish him, either because he wanted to finish the fight standing or because he was afraid of CroCop's ground game. This turned out to be a mistake on Barry's part as a late Cro-Cop rally saw Barry being punched on the ground re-. peatedly and then submitted via rear-naked choke. So much for friends in MMA. One of the most anticipated fights of the night from a local perspective was the showdown between Kelowna's Rory Macdonald and former WEC champ Carlos Condit. Rory Macdonald put his 10-0 record on the line in admirable fashion, linking together great combinations that had Condit on the run. It appeared as though MacDonald had won the first two rounds and even floored Condit with a push-kick at the end of the second round.
Midway through the third round, however, MacDonald's inexperience showed. Condit reversed his clumsy attempt to shoot and put him on his back. This was to spell the end for MacDonald as he was unable to scramble back to his feet from under the more experienced fighter and was hit with elbows and punches until referee Josh Rosenthal ended the bout with ten seconds to go in the third round. Although the crowed booed this decision as it potentially robbed MacDonald of a decision win, the referee was just trying to protect the young fighter who had taken a lot of damage on the ground. After the fight, MacDonald said that he agreed with the stoppage. UFC 115 was a great night of fights and ended without any of the fan-violence that had been predicted by MMA's many detractors. It looks as though the UFC is here to stay in Vancouver and, as such, fans can hopefully look forward to another card coming here within a year's time.
16
TIIBCASCADE
FRIDAY,JULY 9th, 2010
SPORTS & HEALTH
A Smattering of World Cup Impressions
The 2010 Vancouver UnderwearAffair
SONJA SZLOVICSAK
EDITOR-IN-CHIEFreceiving an official time do not have to use a timing chip. sually, running down the The 5 km walk route heads streets of Vancouver in only from the armoury down to just your skivvies will get you a few past Charleson Park, then turns stares, and maybe the chance to around and goes back to the arspeak with the nice people over moury. The 10 km run is far more at the Vancouver Police Depart- scenic; it loops around False Creek, ment (unless it's Saturday night). past Science World and then back If, however, you're running in across the Burrard Street Bridge. the Vancouver Underwear Affair, After the race, there is the EXyou're likely to get a few cheers, POsed Afterparty. The party is some orange juice, and a cotton t- a chance for race participants to shirt. mingle with each other, listen to This year's B.C. Cancer Foun- music, and drink. After they've dation's Underwear Affair takes become re-hydrated, of course. place on July 10. The 10km run/ Participants pay a $35 registra5km walk raises money for can- tion fee, and must raise a minicers below the waist. mum of $300. The money raised The Underwear Affair was de- will go to benefit the B.C. Cancer veloped because cancers of the Foundation, which supports reprostate, ovaries, bladder, cervix search at the B.C. Cancer Agency. and testicles did not receive the According to the B.C. Cancer founattention that less taboo cancers dation, approximately 42 per cent received. Many people feel un- of people diagnosed with cancer comfortable discussing health last year were diagnosed with one problems "down there" with their of the cancers below the waist. doctors, never mind their friends. Like most races that raise funds The aim of the race is to raise for charity, there is plenty of supawareness and funds. Hence the port for participants. Organizers underwear. the Underwear Affair have tips for training and fundbrings raises money for research raising posted on their website. of cancers covered by your knick- Regular emails are also sent out ers. . to participants that have already The race is essentially a big registered. party. Participants meet at the The Underwear Affair is a fun Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver race for newbie runners and walkwhere they can pick up plenty of ers. For more information, visit free merchandise and check in for valO.uncoverthecure.org. Be sure the race. The race is timed, how- to check out the race this Saturday ever participants not interested in at False Creek in Vancouver.
U
JOEL SMART some plastic horns to the crowd for SPORTS EDITOR cheap needs their ears checked. I was also surprised by the heard the hype as the nine- negativity of the players involved. teenth FIFAWorld Cup competi- More than a few were openly very tion approached. Having followed critical of the Jabulani, the official football (yes, I'm going to call it ball of the tournament. Beyond football) only very casually and that, many of the leading stooften only in the middle of the ries surrounding the games were night when nothing else was on, about in-fighting and officiating my knowledge of the game was, to issues. I was further disappointbe quite honest, very basic. How- ed by the incessant diving of the ever, undeterred by this point, I players that was going on, in order decided I would follow the tour- to give their team an advantage. It nament,, which was taking place is hard to respect a player who acts in an African country for the first so clearly deceptive, even writhing time in history. around on the ground in mock.I initially found the schedule pain. It happens in other sports somewhat frustrating. Trying as well, but it certainly seems the to watch the events live meant most elaborate in football, and that watching them at the most pecu- is ashame. liar hours, but watching them reAfter the first round was over, played later on felt less exciting. which included the 32 teams jockThere were also so many games eying for position in games that going on in the first few days that all-too-often ended in a tie, the top I really was not sure which games 16 teams moved on to the knockI should be watching, and which out stage. In these eight games, the ones I would be fine ignoring. By top team from each advanced to the third day of the event, I ended the quarter-finals. That is, except up just watching whichever ones for the United States, who were were on television when I had bested by the last African team to the time. f will be the first to ad- remain in the tournament, Ghana! mit that this method of watching Finally a storyline I could get exa tournament is less exciting than cited about. I immediately began it is for someone following their to think back to the Olympics, own particular favourite country and the strong desire by Canada with baited breath. to win men's hockey on home soil. The combination of the slower Unfortunately, before I could get pace of football in comparison with too enthralled in the comparisons, hockey and the solitary play-by- Ghana was defeated in its very play announcer made it difficult next game. to sit through some of the games The defeat prompted me to (and sometimes I didn't). The in- think even more critically about cessant blaring of the crowd-sized the game of football. Hockey has vuvuzela band has not added to recently added shootouts to reguthe charm of the game either, for lar season to conclude undecided that matter. Whoever thought it matches. However, in the playoffs, was a good idea to sell those irk- overtime continues until a winner
!
is decided. A game that stretches on into the second or third overtime is enough to give a game a decidedly epic finish when it finally arrives. In football, the quick transition to a shootout makes it all feel a bit trivial, especially when the scores in each game are so low. Take the Paraguay versus Japan matchup, which finished in a 0-0 tie. Watching players run around for ninety minutes and not score, and then settle the whole game in a few minutes where the goaltender often jumps in the wrong direction of the kick just feels unsatisfying. Perhaps I just haven't developed a nuanced appreciation for the subtleties of the game, yet. But while I never found a team to really cheer on the way I had hoped, and despite not really appreciating a lot of the commotion surrounding the games, I was impressed by the global scale of the game. Football is appreciated so widely that it was hard not to care about what was going on in the tournament. A record of 204 different countries entered the preliminary qualification to take part in the competition. Now that's huge. Beyond simply being impressed, I also gained a greater respect for the technical strategy the players take on as they play as a unit. I realized as I watched players head up the field in specific formations that the game feels a lot more like a chess match than other sports I have watched. I can only hope that the 2014FIFA World Cup in Brazil will have some better storylines to get me excited about, something to live up to the hype. To me, that was sorely lacking this year in South Africa.
COULD BEH E e-mail:--cascade.business@ufv.ca