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Faci~~E~~~.o~s~,~~?onsaurus THECASCADE gevity is astounding. Will American Idol make it to 40? How about The Cascadehas several articles Jersey Shore? What do we watch, what do we read, what do we listhis week about the changing nature of media in our modern ten to that will endure through a world. Whether in chronicling year, five years, a decade? Why is the swift decline of the soap op- it that both in our technology and era (Nick Ubels 12), or discussing our entertainment, change is prothe changing roles of libraries gressing at a rate unprecedented ·(Ami Van Veen 6), it is easy to see in recorded history? And at what the ways in which human modes point do we, as consumers, decide of communication are evolving, our world is changing -too fast, adapting, and improving (hope- that we can no longer keep up? fully). What is perhaps harder fo . The question hits close to home recognize is the relentless accel- for those of us in the newspaper eration of change in our culture, a business, trying to keep alive a process driven by ever more fick- print tradition in a society inle consumers armed with infinite creasingly dominated by other options, and the irritating knowl- mediums. How can a traditional edge that true entertainment is . newspaper compete with the inonly one mpre click away. stantaneous transfer of information available through Twitter or For example, before it's grand exit next fall, the soap Days of Our Facebook, or the domination · of Lives will have run for over 40 television as t~e primary source years, entertaining several gener.;i- for news? Have we been left betions of viewers. In an age where hi!J.d,the stegosaurus of the news few programs run for more than world? Have we been out-p\lced,
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chance to present the work to their
THECASCADE those planning on mqving on in he Writing Centre at UFV does their chosen fields. The submission deadline was a number of things for the student body - from helping with ci- May 19 - extended from May 16. tations to the actual writing itself; Pieces of writing are submitted they're an invaluable resource by writers or by tl;leir instructors. paid for by fees. Aside from_their When submitting, the course· is basic services, they like to cel- listed and the assignment guideebrate exemplary students at our lines are provided. This gives the institution. One way this is done judges a way of gauging the effiis with the annual writing compe- cacy of the piece; as the submission content is institution-wide, tition. The competition has been held it has a broad range of content. annually for more than 20 years. Because the topics are so varied, It's changed formats a few times; the award categories are not desome years, the Abbotsford Times cided until all submissions have has helped sponsor and judge the been received. A look at last year's event. Other times, it's been only winning essays proves this: one faculty. Beginning last year, the category was Upper Level French Discourse, the winner of which Writing Centre · started holding an awards ceremony for the com- was Katey Stickle for her essay on the French version of the play "No petition. This gives the winning students and their instructors a Exit." The essay was titled "Huis
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~:½844 King Road
Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8
Acting Editor-in-Chief esau@ufvcascade.ca
f>aulEsau Managing Editor nick@ufvcascade.ca Nick Ubels
out-evolved, unable to change fast enough for the requirements of our newer, more dynamic society? The answers to these questions are not mine to provide, although my allegiances should be easy to discern. The Western news tradition was founded in hot type and smudging ink, and the legacy of print news suggests that it will not "go easy into that good night," nor should it. In fact, the v_erything that separates print news from its electronic counterpart is prob-
Imageby SonjaSzlovicsak ably its biggest asset. A newspaper functions as a newspaper and will continue to fulfill its function even without batteries, motherboards, Wi-Fi, or monitors. It can be touched, it can be folded, it can be clipped and stored in a drawer, it can endure beyond the opening of a tab or the closing of a window. It provides an element of stability in a fluctuating, changing world, and that, I think, should not be underestimated.
Clos et la Theorie Existentialiste." Stickle's French essay was highly praised by her instructor, Betty Joan Traverse. The play, ~he said, is difficult enough to analyze in English; Stickle's ability to do so in a second language is admirable. This piece juxtaposes starkly with that of another winner, Alison MacNamara's "Anti-Racist Critique of Avatar." MacNamara praised the institution for allowing her to tackle such a current topic. As her paper was for a social work course, this demonstrates the power that comes with freedom of study; her writing excelled because the topic was relevant to her experience and field of choice. One particular success story from last year's competition is that of Kam Fung Li. She. is an immigrant to Canada, originally born in Hong Kong. There, she was a professional writer and journalist.
Business Manager ali@ufvcascade.ca
Ali Siemens Production Manager production@ufvcasca~.ca Randona Bushell
Production Scott Varga
CopyEditor Chris Bonshor t
Writing Centre awards: keep your eyes open for this year's winners URENANEY peers - valuable experience for
Volum. 19 • tssue 14 RoomC1027
When she came to Canada, she began the struggle to learn English as an adult. During this process, she was in a car accident and as a result suffered many injuries that impacted her ability to write. This led her to UFV: she took an English 081 course in the hopes of being able to "organize sentences and thoughts" once again. Her piece, "Chicken or Egg: a Food Story of a Family Custom," won the award for Best Lower Level Short Fiction, demonstrating that she is wen· on her way to regaining her abilities. With such interesting topics . and submissions last year, this year is sure to be just as fascinating. Keep an eye on the Writing Centre's website to find out when this year's winners are announced.
News Editor alex@ufvcascade.~ Alex Watkins
Arts & Life Editor paul@ufvcascade.ca Paul Falardeau Sports Editor joet@ufvcascade.ca Joel Smart DistributionSpeciaU$t Jack Brown Staff Writers Karen Aney Jennifer Colbourne TtevQt Fik •
Sophie Isbister Chelsea Thornton Amy Van Veen
Contributors
JoelColbourne Desmond Devnich Freet Dhaliwal Sarah Kingston Sasha.Moedt Tim Ubels
Jason Ho
. Printed-By International WebE1.'])tess
TheCascadeis UFV'sauionotnoos Sllldent newspaper.It providesa forumfor UFV$l:Udenl$ to hav1> tftcir joumafuilnpublished.It also acts asanftltemauve press fur the FraserValley.The Cascadel.sfunded WithUFVstudentfunds. The Cascadl'ls published ,weiy Fridaywilhacin;utationof 1500andisdl~l)ut«I ar UFV~ and throughout Abbotsford,On1liwack,and Mis,. sioo.The Cascade is a memberof theCaDadlall Universi1y ~. a nationalcooperative of 75 university andcollegenowspapers fromVictoria to St. John's.TheCascadefollowsthe CUPethical policyconcerningmaterialof a prejudicialor
oppressivenature. Submissionsare preferredin electronicformat lhroujJhe-mail.Pleasesendsubmissions in ~.IX!'' or" .doc»formatonly. Anicles~ lettm ID theeditor tntlSI betyped. The Cascade reserves theright to editaubmis,. sionsfor clarify and length.The Cascadewillpot printany articlesthat containiaciSt,sexist,homophobicor libellouscontent.The wriler'sname andstudentnumbermustbe aubmitted wilheach submission,. Lettersc to the edik>rmustbe under 250wordsif intendedforprint. Only one_leller to the editor per writerin anygivenedition. Opinionsexpr.,,ssed do not necessarilyJed~ that
ofUFV,Cascadedand ~e.orassooi-
ared~.
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
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Impark addresses student concerns "because there's too much of a risk ALEX WATKINS THECASCADE with doing that" but because it would violate Canada's Freedom When you're a student on a bud- of Information Privacy Act. Impark get, every dollar counts, which is Operations Manager Dave Lebans why it's especially important to explained that ·"the meters process transactions online and in real regularly review bank statements and make sure that all charges are time." Butcher reported that a classlegitimate. UFV student Ashley Butcher knows the value of this, mate who experienced the same as a recent review of her credit problem had received a different card statement showed that she ap- explanation for the billing from a peared to have been overbilled for Mastercard representative, "that they batch out the machines once parking on campus - a discovery that led to conflicting and unset- a month and that all the times that tling explanations from Master- she used her card in the last month were charged on that one day." card. Butcher became concerned However, Butcher expressed diswhen her Mastercard bill listed satisfaction with the response betwo charges for parking on a Sat- cause, as she explained: "I. .. have a parking pass which is good for the urday, when she does not attend classes. When she contacted Mas- whole semester... so there's comJ tercard requesting a refund, she pletely no reason in the past two, was informed by a representative three months that I would have "that they see this a lot with park- had to use the card." ing meters and what might have Sarrasin confirmed that Impark happened is that the card has a had looked into the issue and rememory bank and that if you've ceived the same explanation from ever used your credit card in the Mastercard, namely that "somemachine... [your information is in times what'll happen is that... it the] memory bank so your card can doesn't get billed for that particular month, [the charge will] show be charged by accident." Butcher said that she was un- up later on." He asserted that the confusion comfortable with the idea of her information being stored in a ma- students have experienced with chine, expressing concerns that the billing is the fault of Mastercard machines could end up a target rather than Impark, which acts as for thieves. Dan Sarrasin - Man- a separate vend<?rthan Impark. "If ager of UFV's Safety, Security, and the credit card <;ompany refunded Parking - however, assured that [a student], that's the credit card accepting the responsibility, that's the machines at UFV do not retain any student information, not only not really a parking issue, that's a
credit card issue ... if Impark was in the wrong, it would have been reimbursed [by Impark]." As of press time, Mastercard could not be reached for comment on the issue. Butcher raised additional parking concerns, however - namely that upon conversing with her classmates about her issue, she began coming into contact with several other cases in which students who had purchased parking passes for the semester were receiving tickets. Sarrasin emphasized that Impark representatives follow a set process when issuing violations that reduces the possibility of error. He explained that representatives first begin with a printout that lists all the spots in the lot that are currently unpaid, then go to those spots and "check on the mirror ... for a hanger if it's a staff member or an athlete or somebody who's got a special pass; if they've noticed that there's no hanger then the next thing that they'll do ... [is] punch in the license plate number to verify whether or not they have an e-permit and that they're registered in the system. So if they're not registered in the system then ... they may receive a violation." He added that when issuing tickets, reps must also take pictures of the cars' license plates for reference. Lebans explained that students who have epasses may still receive tickets for several reasons, most commonly because they are parking in areas where their pass is not
Casey's:dry summer on campus said she and her friends will feel the SOPHIE ISBISTER
with people and get to know each loss of the restaurant. '1 eat only at other. I think if we just had a restauTHECASCADE Casey's. I don't even go to the [caf- rant with no licencing, we wouldn't ust off your lunch bags, UFV eteria] at all. Everything's horrible have the same clientele." students - as confirmed in a and the prices are bad." Casey's Vidal and the SUS stand by statement by Student Union Soci- Assistant Manager Joshua Schoen- Casey's as a social hub on campus, ety president Carlos Vidal, the Ab- berger also. recognized a need for stating that the establishment "is botsford campus' licensed restau- affordable food on campus: "Un- a great thing that [SUS] all enjoys rant Casey's has officially closed fortunately there's not many places and ... feel[s] is important for the for the summer as of May 19.Vidal. close by, not a lot of cheap food op- Students, but keeping it open in explained that the reason for the tions:' the Summer really creates a deficlosure was fiscal in nature, notSUS has a solution to the new cit that we can't justify carrying," ing: "The Board felt that the cost food deficit on campus, however: adding that "the SUS is all about of keeping it open for those three they will be providing dinners for Social Spaces·on Campus. We promonths was too great, especially students on Thursdays at Universi- vide them as much as we can, and when there isn't eno1;1ghpatronage ty House, much like the community in some cases, fight to establish or to even break us even [during regu- dinners which took place over the maintain them." lar semesters]:' winter semester. ''There is every intention to open It's true that Casey's is not a monCommunication Administrator Casey's in the Fall - full force, full ey-maker, especially in the less-at- Jhim Burwell explained that the throttle, and in the best ·shape ifs tended summer months. Numbers UFV Community Food Coalition ever been," Vidal said about Casey's from SUS show a rising deficit of "is a brainchild based on the idea future. But some of the staff seemed $67,000for the year of 2010/11 (due that Casey's is closing [and that] . unsure. Schoenberger shared: "My in part to operating with a Food Pri- Sodexo offers sometimes limited return to Casey's is up' in the air," mary license). But what about the hours through the summer." He and Toews expressed concerns gap that Casey's will leave for hun- added that the CFC will consist of · about her ability to find work for "one meal or a couple meals a week the rest of the summer, noting: "if gry students? Business student and Baker that's hopefully going to be offered you want to come.back here in Septo students on a free or nominal tember, nowhere's going to hire you House resident Jane Parkhomenko price basis so that if they happen to for just two months." She added be on campus and they want to get that "[SUS]haven't given us any disome food, they can." He expects rection, or [told us] if we can come back." the program will run "throughout the summer, as long as students are The problem of poor participataking advantage of it." tion in student life is a known one, But will weekly dinners replace with no obvious solution. Vidal the social space that Casey's has is clear that this decision was not come to be known as for stuqents? made without deliberation, stating: For some - like Parkhomenko - the 'We're trying to be responsible with issue isn't just about food. "A lot their money, despite our personal of friends are here and this is the preferences - which would be to place for us to meet. This is the place keep Casey's open." For now, stuwhere we all go to chill out. It will dents should make a point of enjoybe horrible." ing the weekly dinners offered by Staff member Adrianna Toews the Student Union Society. The first also thought that the university dinner was held at U-House on May needs a licensed restaurant for stu- 26 and included free burgers; the dents to socialize in: "People can next dinner will be hosted by the sit down at Casey's and have a beer Chinese Culture Club on Jurie 2.
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Image by Cascade Staff
valid. "The majority of the disputes we handle are from students who park on the city streets (Mckenzie, Gillis, College) and believe their epass is valid. Epermits are only valid on UFV lot 1925 and 1926 student lots. They are not valid in the Arena overflow lot, Mckenzie Rd, Gillis or College. This is communicated on the signage and when at sign up." He continued, "The other issue that causes students to be ticketed is when a student signs up and unknowingly enters the wrong license plate number. This can be changed by calling 604-420-6446
extension 10. Human error also accounts for a very small amount of violations, [but] it ,is limited as the equipment used is quite accurate." Sarrasin encouraged any students with concerns about UFV parking to approach him about them, and noted that UFV has also posted a page of frequently asked questions regarding parking on their website. The site also has listed a number that students can call with complaints. Sarrasin emphasized that he welcomes all legitimate student recommendations related to parking, noting: good ideas will be implemented."
What's'happening on campus er's Market, please call Desmond DESMOND DEVNICH
STUDENT LIFE at 604-792-0025 extension 2509 or email desmond.devnich@ufv.ca. eeling a little hungry these There will be music, food, games, days? Perhaps you're having and fun for the entire family. UFV difficulty finding food on Abbots- students, faculty, staff, alumni, and ford campus? Have no fear; your parents are all invited to participate Student Union Society is here! With in this spectacular red and white the support of the UFV Student Life event. department and UFV Residence Student Life's Whitney Fordham Services, and with the blessing of and Desmond Devnich, SUS'sAmaSodexho, the Community Food ra Vanderveen, arid students Kyle Coalition has been formed with the Andresen and Jason Leboe will be intent of providing a healthy, low- walking all night long in the annual cost meal for students once a week Canadian Cancer Society Relay for at University House. On Thursday, • Life in Chilliwack, Friday June 3 at May 26, the Student Union Society Prospera Centre. Each of the participrovided free burgers to students. pants_have been touched by cancer Next week, the Chinese Culture in a different way. If you would like Club has stepped up to provide a to join the team or donate to the delicious meal with live entertaincause, please visit www.relaybc.ca/ ment at U-House at very little cost chilliwack/desmond. · to students. Due to the significant Many ·excited student leaders decrease in active students on cam- returned from the Student Leadpus during the summer, the Stu- ership Institute spring retreat at dent Union Society decided to close Zajac Ranch in Mission two weeks Casey's on Campus until the end of ago. Devi Bain will be heading up a August as a cost-saving measure. community garden project .outside The SUS also provides the U- of U-House; Julia Hodgins is formPass program to active students ing a club that will raise funds for each semester, allowing for un- relief efforts in many parts of the limited use of ptiblic transit in world due to natural disasters; and Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mis- Shirley Jiang will be a Student Life sion, as well as discounts at many work-study helping at a number of local businesses and restaurants. summer· campus events, including Sodexho, our cafeteria servic~s, showing the Stanley Cup playoffs is developing an online pre-order on the big screen. For information system for Baker House residents on all these projects and many to order meals ahead 0£ time that more, call Martin Kelly at 604-792can be stored until dinner time, 0025 extension 2509 or email marafter the cafeteria has closed mid- tin.kelly@ufv.ca. . day. ' You may be slowing down and Student Life is hosting a ma- relaxing this summer - however, jor celebration of Canada Day on keep your eye on The Cascade every Thursday, June 30 on the Green at - two weeks for some very exciting Abbotsford campus. If your club or events and Fall programs to be anassociation would like to participate nounced. Rain or shine, we're still as live entertainment, sponsor an working for you. activity, or host a booth in the Farm-
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Conversational Science Possibilities of viablecoldfusionarisein Italy JASON HO one have a miniature fusion reacSCIENCE WHIZ
Quite recently, there has been some commotion in scientific communities across Europe, as two Italian inventors have claimed to have created a device which consumes much less energy than it generates, through the mechanism of nuclear fusion. While nuclear fission has received some bad press lately in light of natural disasters, nuclear fusion as a source of energy has been the topic of investigation since the 1930s (as well as the topic of many science fiction films since). If you're a bit rusty on the details of fusion, here it is in anutshell: While fission involves splitting the nucleus (the dense center of an atom), fusion is the opposite process. With nuclear fusion, smaller, lighter atoms are smashed together and their centers are fused into larger nuclei. Both of these processes produce energy, but fusion can produce 3 to 4 times more energy than fission. Also, nuclear fusion involves smaller, more stable elements, which don't create the same radioactive by-products as fission. The best example we have of nuclear fusion as a source of power is in our very own solar system. The :;;unis a gia~t ball of nuclear fusion, with hydrogen molecules fusing together to produce helium. The fusing of the atoms releases energy in the form of heat. Now, if we know exactly how fusion works, why doesn't every-,
tor in their backyard?The issue lies in the nature of the nucleus. The center of the atom is made up of smaller particles, namely, protons and neutrons. What makes fusion difficult are the protons inside• of the nucleus, as each proton carries a positive electric charge. The problem we face with nuclear fusion is something we call the Coulombic barrier . .when_two positively-charged ·objects approach each other (as is the case with nuclear fusion), they experience increasing repulsive forces as they get clpser and closer together. As an analogy, picture trying to press the south pole of two magnets together. With electrical charges, the effect is even greater. It turns out tl,.at enormous amounts of energy are needed to overcome this barrier. Scientists have performed nuclear fusion, but at the moment it takes up much more energy to perform than it releases. It is an active field of research, however, and there are several companies currently testing methods of viable controlled fusion. These projects are an ~ttempt at recreating the reactions inside the sun, which take place at temperatures in the order of thousands of degrees. This leads us back to the claim from two Italian scientists, Andrea Rossi and Sergio Foucardi. The device they have made, they claim, utilizes Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR). From their original
Egyptian uprising herosayssocial networks crucial AGoogle executive whobecame thefaceofthe Egyptian democratic uprisings earlier thisyearsaid onMonday thatsocial networking wasnowakey topolitical activism.· ''You can'tkeepadictatorship aliveinthehighly connected 21stcentury,'Wael Ghonim saidin Boston. Ghonim accepted theJohnF.Kennedy library's "Profiles inCourage" award onbehalfofthe Egyptian people, whostoodupinJanuary and February to helptoppletheregime ofPresident Hosni Mubarak. · Theaward honors slainPresident JohnF.Kennedy, whose 1957Pulitzer Prize-winning bookbythe same name profiled U.S. senators whoworked across partylinesonunpopular issues. Past recipients include former UNSecretary General KofiAnnan, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman Sheila Bair. Ghonim, 30,helped crystallize Egypt's political movement, inpart,bycreating aFacebook pagein June201Othatcondemned theviolentkillingofan Alexandria businessman byEgyptian police. Thepage, "We·are allKhaled Said:'1ater became avehicle to promote democracy andorganize large-scale pro-democracy protests inCairo, includinga"DayofRevolt'' onJan25thatdrewtensof thousands ofordinary Egyptians ontothestreets. headoftheJFK Library Foundation
Alberta firecountdrops;PMtou_rs devastation Damp weather helped crews douse thenumber of wildfires raging across northern Alberta onFriday asCanadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper toured thetownofSlave Lake, wherehundreds ofhomes, businesses andpublicbuildings wentupinflames. Abigvolume ofoilproduction intheregion remained shutinduetotheclosing ofamajorpipelineas56firescontinued tobumacross thenorthof Canada's biggest energy producing province. Tenof thefireswereoutofcontrol. Thatisdownfrommorethan100firesburning atthestartoftheweek. Sofar,2,638 square Ian (1,019square miles) haveburned, anareaabout thesizeofLuxembourg. Slave Lake's morethan7,000residents remained evacuated andsomestructures stillsmoldered fivedaysaftertwoblazes, whipped byhighwinds, converged onthetown,acenter fortheoilandgas andforestry industries. Aftertouring theregion bymilitaryhelicopter, Harper metwithash-andsoot-covered firefighters andemergency personnel attheircommand center inSlave Lake andthanked themfortheirefforts. ''Youhavetolookatthebrightside--it'samiracle thattherewasnolossoflife;'Harper said. Inastatement, hesaidthefederal government wouldworkclosely Withtheotherlevels ofgovernmenttohelpresidents through ttiedisaster.
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THECASCADE north of Blueridge Drive, and at Fire Hall 7 on Old Clayburn Road. ne of the most common com- Both rides will meet up ~t 7:50at the plaints amongst students at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and UFV is lack of parking and the price Cancer Centre Celebration Station, we pay for those coveted stalls. The where Life Cycles will provide free Abbotsford Cycling Action Group mechanics. Together, the rides will is organizing the local Bike to Work continue to the City Hall CelebraWeek event to demonstrate that tion Station, arriving at 8:20.At City cycling is a viable alternative to Hall there will be,tables set up by cramped parking, expensive fuel, the Green Team and Healthy Aband harmful emissions. botsford. On Tuesday May 31, the Eastside The event's organizers would Abbotsford Bike to Work Week 2011 like to encourage UFV participawill be led by Mayor George Peary, tion; "we want to get as many stualong with many members of the dents, faculty, and staff people at city council. There will also be a UFV involved," Wuschke said. Westside Ride, led by Abbotsford If you miss Bike to Work Week, Cycling Action Group Chairperson you can still start your own cycling Ken Wuschke. ''Bike to Work Week commute routine. Secondhand .is trying to encourage people from bikes can be found listed for as Abbotsford through to Hope to get cheap .as 25 dollars in online classicycling to work," he explained. fied ads. The employees at local bike The goal of Bike to Work Week is stores can be a great re§lource, not to attract new riders to bicycle com- just for information about bikes, but muting by showing the community routes around town, as they often that it is safe, practical, and easy to cycle to work themselves. There are replace your vehicle with a bicycle. marked bike lanes in 1 Abbotsford In Abbotsford, the BTWW Rides are running along parts of Downes demonstration commutes, but also Road, Clayburn and Old Clayburn serve as a celebration of the City of Roads, George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford's efforts to make this South Fraser Way, Bevan Avenue, car-dominated city a better place Peardonville Road, and the Fraser to bike. Wuschke explained that Highway. Highway 11 is also a pro"the installation of bike lanes and vincially designated bike route. A the continued commitment to ex- complete map of bike routes in Abtending the Discovery Trail clearly botsford is available at http://www. shows us that the· City of Abbots- abbotsford.ca/ Assets/ Abbotsford/ ford is committed toa more sustain- Engineering+Department/Cycling/ able future through actions today." Bike+Route+Map.pdf Bike lanes are The rides start at about 7:10a.m. also being added in Mission and in two separate locations: at Town- Chilliwack.
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indicate piloterrorinAir Europe onalertforIcelandic volcano Blackboxes France crash: report ashcloud Airlines began cancelling flights toBritain lateon Monday because ofanashcloud fromanIcelandic volcanoreaching itsairspace, although experts expected norepeat oftravel chaos fromaneruption ayearago. Britain'.s MetOffice forecast theplume ofashfrom theGrimsvotn volcano would cover theIrishRepublic, Northern Ireland, Scotland andparts ofnorthern England by0600GMT onTuesday. Worries about theeffect oftheashcloud pushed forward President Barack Obama's planned departure fromIreland andhearrived onMonday nightinBritain tobegin astatevisit. TheIrishAviation Authority saidflights toandfrom Ireland could bedisrupted laterintheweekbutdid notexpect problems inthenext48hours. Iceland's mainairport reopened lateonMonday, whileother partsofEurope wereonalert. Withtheashdoudapproaching, airlines began cancelling flights overtheUK,raising thespecterof biglosses forairlines already.facing sky-high fuelcosts. British Airways grounded allflights fromLond<m to Scotland until2p.m.(1300 GMT) onTuesday asa precautionary measure, aspokeswoman said. Flybe, Easy JetandAerUngusall saidtheywere cancelling some oftheirflights toandfromScotland onTuesday.
Image: Wikicommons
Image: ABC News
linage: flikr.com
Preliminary findings fromtherecorders ofanAir France jetthatcrashed intotheAtl~ntic Ocean in2009havefoundthatthepilotsbecame distracted withmalfunctioning airspeed indicatorsandfailedto properly manage othercritical systems, theWallStreet Journal reported, citing people familiarwiththematter. ' Thecrewdidnotfollowstandard procedures to maintain airspeed andkeeptheaircraft's nose levelaftertheAirbus 330encountered some turbulence andunexpectedly highicingat35,000 feet,thepapersaid. AirFrance andAirbus wereunavailable forcommentoutside business hours. TheJournal saidthecockpit recorders showthat thepilotsapparently became confused bythe alarms blaringfromtheirinstruments anddespite tryingtosystematically respond to eachwarning, wereunable to sortoutthechaos andmaintain a steady course. Thefindings fromtherecorders, whichareto be released onFriday, areexpected to showthatthe twin-engine jet slowed dangerously afterthe autopilot disengaged. Thecrashkilledall228people onboardFlight 447,whichwasonascheduled flightfromRiode Janeiro to Paris.
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Abbotsfordbikesto work CHELSEA THORNTONline Hill Park on Blue Jay Street just
paper, in one trial they record an input energy of 0.2 kilowatt-hours, ,and an output of 83 kilowatt-hours (in contrast, using a typical, 60 Watt incandescent light-bulb for one thousand hours requires 60 kilowatt-hours of energy). The machine, called the "Energy-Catalyser", weighs around 4 kg, and fits quite easily on a tabletop. The remarkable thing about their claims is that the reaction takes place at unexpectedly low temperatures, and the device appears to work without emitting recordable levels of radiation. Due to past fraudulent claims of so-called low energy "cold fusion," scientists are sceptical to accept Rossi and Foucardi's claims. Several independent organizations have tested the device, and all of the claims made by the inventors seem to hold. As of the beginning of May, companies in both Greece and the USA have signed business agreements with Rossi to produce the device. Much more investigation is required into the device and the science behind it, as the mechanism behind how and why the device work is unclear. The next year or so should shed a lot of light on what is going on, and-if we indeed are heading towards the advent of cold fusion. -Jason Ho is a BSc. student at UFV currently in his fourth year of study in the areas of Physics and · Chemistry. He enjoys jazz music, gazing into the cosmos, and long walks on the beach.
Image: Canwest
Image: Wikicommons
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
DNAevidence reported to tieStrauss, Kahnto accuser Evidence fromtheclothing ofahotalmaidmatched DNA samples submitted byformer IMFManaging Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn whohasbeen charged withsexually assaulting her,media reported onMonday. Thetestresults wereconsistent withwhatlaw enforcement officials have saidabout theaccount provided bythewoman, TheNew York Times reported, citingaperson briefed inthematter. TheWallStreet Journal alsoreported thattests, matched Strauss-Khan's DNA sample andsemen found onthewoman's shirt,citinglawenforcement officials. Other testresults, induding ones onsamples taken fromthecarpet inthehotelsuite,werepending, The New York Times said. Bothnewspapers saidStrauss-Kahn's leadattorney, Benjamin Brafman, had~eclined tocomment Asked about thereported DNA results, York Police Department spokesman Paul Brownesaid:"Experienced NYPD detectives found thecomplainant's account credible fromtheoutset, andnothing since thenhas changed theirminds:' Strauss-Kahn isfacing charges ofsexual assault and attempting to rape themaidattheSofitel hotelin New York onMay14.Heisbeing heldinanapartment inManhattan under armed guard afterbeing freedon bailonFriday.
Reuters
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BC Liberals consider rebranding SARAH KINGSTONover the last decade from scanCONTRIBUTORdals like the BC rail corruption trial and the way that the HST he BC Liberal party is consid- was introduced. In November ering changing its name. They 2010 Premier Gordon Campbell claim that the purpose is to differ- resigned his position after 10 entiate themselves from the fed- years when the Liberal party was suffering greatly in puberal Liberal party. There has been quite a bit of lic opinion polls throughout the. province. He was r_eplaced speculation in the media about Christy the true intentions of the po- by Premier-designate tential name change. NDP can- Clark in March. It's hard to believe that one didates say exactly what one Premier has done irreparable would expect from the opposidamage to the party. Premier tion: the Liberals are just trying Campbell was- elected in 2001 to renew public opinion after the abysmal decision making with an unprecedented landslide of 77 of 79 seats in the Legof the previous party leader over the past' decade. BC Liberislative Assembly after a decade leadership als insist that they want to dis- of disappointing tinguish their party from their from the BC NDP. This was also the first time the Liberals were federal name twin. It's true that the BC Liberal elected provincially in about 50 years. party has suffered scrutiny
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The epic downfall of the BC NDP was due to poor management, which led to a failing economy, resulting in exceedingly high unemployment, forcing about 10,000· Br,itish Columbians per year to relocate and find employment in other provinces. There were many other face-palm moments for the BC NDP, one of which includes a unified, province-wide eye roll: fast ferries. The public message of outrage dhected at the NDP was heard loud and clear in the 2001 election resulting in only 2 seats won for the New Democrats. However, in the years to follow they regained some of the trust of their constituents winning 33 seats by ·2005 and 35 seats in 2009. This year the BC NDP appointed a new leader, Adrian
201~ CensusreveaJs. Canada's sex/gender bias ALEX WATKINS THECASCADE
NDP or right wing BC Conservative party. The BC Liberals need to show British Columbians a financially responsible party. We need a party with a concrete plan for the economy, families, and health care, with a reasonable proposed budget and roll out _plans that represent the needs and priorities of the public. Premier Clark needs to remind people what Campbell did right and assure them that what he did wrong will never happen again. If British Columbians decide that they have not yet forgiven the BC Liberals the party needs to use the next few years to fight for the trust of the people based on what they can offer them moving forward and what they have offered them in the past.
Slutwalk Vancouver getspeoplethinking JOEL SMART cally used to refer to a woman who THECASCADE has sex with a lot of partners, it has evolved into meaning, a womo means no. It's never the an who is sexual (and therefore victims fault w~en they are trashy), as though any female with assaulted, and it's about time our a sex drive is somehow worth less. society learned to stop sex-sham- For such a harmful word, it's chilling and victim-blaming. This was ing how commonly it is still used. the message of Slutwalk, which When the official Slutwalk Twitfirst took place in Toronto, and has ter decided it was going to "resince spread across the country and claim" the word slut, it began a baracross the globe. It all began as a re- rage of infighting among feminists action to Michael Sanguinetti, a po- over whether the Slutwalk was lice constable in Toronto, who told helping or harming the progress students at York University that of women. Kirsten Powers wrote in women could avoid sexual assault the New York Post that she was apby not dressing like "sluts." Slut- palled by the sentiment, and said, walk Vancouver took place on May "let's not pretend that women hold15, and was a resounding success, ing 'slut walks' is a step forward but it also showcased the trouble for womankind or will in any way facing the increasingly-fragmented change the treatment of rape vicfeminist movement, as it struggled tims." to agree on what exactly the march Although I agree with Powers was seeking to accomplish. that taking the negative power The real purpose of the Slutwalk away from the word slut is unlikewas simply to say that it's not okay ly, I think it was a shame that this to suggest that the way someone became the focal point of the march dresses ·makes them in any way for so many people. The real purresponsible for being taken advan- pose of the event was hidden by the tage of. It's not fair to pin assault on ferocious debate by feminists on eithe group of people already target- ther side of the "reclaiming" issue. ed by criminals. Although the com- ' Thankfully,. the march itself ments by the police officer were drew an enormous crowd, and the strictly about women, it was easy speakers at the event did not mento see how they could relate to an tion the controversial side of the issue like ·homosexuality. He might issue - instead focusing on the imhave said that gays could avoid be- portance of consent, and the worth ing assaulted if they were to just of an individual no matter what act straight in public. When we put they wear. As fat· as I'm concerned, any blame on the victim, we're ac- we need to stop using the word slut tually taking blame away from the altogether, because it c9mes from a person who committed the crime. bad place that we would be best to Although, as CBC reported, the of- leave in the past. Additionally, we ficer apologized for his comments, need to realize that even if you go his words echoed the beliefs of outside naked, no one has the right many people, and Slutwalk was to rape you, and putting blame on about setting the record straight: the victim will only serve to keep victim blaming is not okay. future victims quiet and ashamed. The insult "slut" is an incred- I hope to see the Slutwalk again ibly troubling one, which can be next year, and maybe next time used to put down a woman for we can get the different feminist just about any reason - something groups on the same page, and ulgirls in middle school learned years timately create far more positive ago. While the term is most specifi- change together.
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id you know that - according to a 2009 study by Anne Fausto-Sterling - between 1.7 and 4 per cent of the world's population is born intersexed, meaning that their "primary and secondary sexual characteristics [i.e.: internal sex organs (gonads), external genetalia and chromosomesJ are neither clearly male nor female" but rather a combination of the two? Apparently Canada doesn't. According to the 2011 Census, everyone who lives here is ·either strictly "male" or "female" - no intersexed, transgendered, transsexual, or transitioning people here, thank you. Canada generally considers itself to be multicultural, diverse, and accepting, yet when.it comes to issues surrounding gender, sex, and sexuality, it seems that there is still plenty of new ground to be broken. India added the option of a "third sex" to its voters' list in 2009, though its intersexed and trans populations are arguably no less marginalized than they are in Canada, and in January Nepal moved to include a transgender option on its official census - so why are we behind the curve? Leaving out any categories for gender apart from male or female on a census meant to collect information about Canada's entire population reflects an attitude to~ wards intersexuality as a medicalized problem that must be fixed by assigning one of two accepted genders - rather than an acceptance of intersexuality as a legitimate and natural way of being - and of an attitude towards trans people as illegitimate or simply not understood. It is incredible how pervasive the idea of intersexuality as problematic remains within a society that considers itself so progressive and how damaging this attitude can be. Many parents are so unsettled by intersexuality or consider it to -be such a potential source ·_of stigma that they elect to surgically alter their intersexed infants's bodies, removing and/or reconstructing the genitals to craft something that resembks the genitalia of a single recognized sex: The problem is that in insisting that children have genitals that are
Dix, and are moving forward with their name and their sordid history doing all they can - promising to do better next time. If the Liberal party chooses to change their name they will distance themselves from all of their history, not just their shortcomings. The Liberal party did a lot to rebuild our province after the Glen Clark years, which should not to be undersold. The people of British Columbia were angered with some of Campbell's 'antics,' and now must look to Premier Clark, the current leader of the BC Liberals, and decide if we trust her and her leadership as an advocate for 'Families First.' BC Liberals are currently and should continue to be a right of center alternative to the left leaning ·
Image: ic r.com
"normal" in appearance, we typically cause painful scarring and destroy not only any actual reproductive capabilities but the nerve endings that allow them to experience sexual pleasure as well. But what's a life without child rearing or orgasms as long as your junk looks recognizably male or female, right? · As for the argument that sexual reassignment surgery saves children from the inevitablt, psychological damage of not "fitting in," consider this: artificially constructed vaginal openings (for children who are assigned "female") must be regularly dilated during childhood in order to keep them from simply closing up. Anyone else think that the psychological damage and trauma of being <,iilated all through childhood by a parent . or other trusted adult might be on par with the alienation of living as intersexed in our society? The fact remains that, despite the progress that has been made on feminist and queer issues, we live in a country that is often uncomfortable with and unsure of how to deal with any individual that falls outside of our given parameters for sex and gender, and this discomfort and uncertainty shows itself in subtle ways that often go unnoticed by those that do not directly experience discrimination or alienation because of it. The specific language we use in our official documents and the data that we deem worthy of
collection is important and has specific implications for the population that is surveyed. When citizens look at a national census and see that their country does not acknowledge their existence, harm is done. The pressure for people to e.xist in prescribed male/female _categories when sex and gender are clearly so much more diverse than that leads to institutionalized violence against trans and intersexed individuals, who are essentially told: you might as well not exist at all. Formally recognizing the legitimacy of groups · that exist apart from the strict male/female categories we have imposed is an important step in not only fostering the public acceptance of these groups but in spreading the knowledge that they exist at all, as trans and intersexed individuals are - for the most part - woefully absent from popular ·media and the public education system. Given the alienation that many intersexed individuals - who do not recognize themselves in the world around them - feel, the pressure parents feel to surgically alter their child's genitals - sacrificing sexual pleasure and reproductive capacity for the appearance of "normality_"- and the persistent violence and discrimination faced by the trans population, I'd say Canada is morally obligated to start taking a serious interest in educating the public on these issues, fostering acceptance, and ensuring that their Census reflects that.
SLUTWALK VANCOUVER
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WiU e-books kill the public library? Nicoretteor death? AMYVANVEEN THECASCADE
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ith everything from Amazon's Kindle to Apple's iPad supplying readers with digital technology to peruse their favourite novels, the question is bound to arise: what about the library? It's already well-known that many independent bookstores are succumbing to the fate of You've Got Mail syndrome where big com~ panies, like Amazon, offer better prices and better options for reading. Flipping through the physical pages of a well-loved novel has given way to the quasi-flipping of pages done on a touch screen, but how does this affect those big - institutions with shelves upon shelves of word-filled pages? According to Christina Neigel, Head of the Library and Information Technology program at UFV, "it is not likely, in the foreseeable future, that books will completely vanish." Physical books "have a property that is not shared by other technologies, and that is the fact that it does not require a device or direct energy to access." Unlike Kindle and . the iPad, . books don't need to be plugged in, . but while the prevalence of new technology affects commercial spaces like bookstores, the library is a different species. "As public gathering spaces become rare, the library becomes an ever-more important public space for ideas to bloom and people to develop knowledge," Neigel said. The library is more than just a physical
building that holds a bunch of books that people can read from time to time. "Few people ·are aware that the principle behind the public library is to aid in the development of an informed citizenry so that we, as members of democracy, are able to make informed choices about our political, cultural, and social wellbeing," Neigel explained. When people start to look at public institutions that clevel~p and sustain a critical and partici-
pating society as something that is or isn't economically viable, they miss the point. According to Ne!gel, "libraries do not turn profits, they enhance human capital." Though libraries. are not seen in dollar signs, they, too, are subject to the financial strains of the economy; however, "most public libraries in Canada do an incredible job of balancing their collections with community needs and interests." In regards to the burning que_stion of the e-book as the way of the future, the reality of it is much less optimistic than the technophiles would like to think. "Few people understand that publishers have not only been highly cautious about e-hook production and often place s·evere limitations on circulation agreements, but they are also creating resources that limit personal sharing and use," Neigel said. In the case of Amazon and their milch publicized Kindle, they only let users "share" their books for a mere two weeks, which is highly restrictive compared to the opportunity to have access to any number of books at any time simply by picking it off of the library shelf. Libraries are much more than free bookstores, they "remain as one of the only gateways for individuals to improve and enhance their station in life." For those naysayers who doubt the relevance of these public institutions, Christina Neigel puts it succinctly: "libraries signify much, much more than the 'book."'
JENNIFER COLBOURNE right direction, like we do with THECASCADE any other drug addict. Why? Not only do 6000 British Columbians It seems Christy Clark is onto die every year from tobacco, the something with giving away free largest number of preventable nicotine replacement therapies, deaths in the province, but it's including Nicotine gum, patches costing the B.C. economy $2.3 bilor prescription drugs, though B.C. lion annually (CBC News). Smokis not the first province to imple- ers think they're only hurting ment this strategy. themselves, but they're hurting Smok1ng is a disgusting habit. It their loved ones and everyone else does awful things to people's bod- around them. Not only in medical ies and lungs. It stinks up the air. It costs and ·second hand smoke, but yellows the walls. Cigarette butts even the little things like the smell litter the streets. It's hard to see and the billions of cigarette butts the benefits of sm.oking, even to a decorating our cities and streets smoker. It's certainly not cheap. and starting many of our forest The fact is that smoking is an fires. addiction, in every sense of the If the initiative succeeds in word. It's not that smokers don't helping the large numbers of know what smoking js doing to smokers who want to quit smoktheir bodies - it's just that the ing, the savings to our health care ·addiction outweighs the conse- system in the long-run will vastly quences. Overwhelming desire outweigh the cost of giving away blocks out long-term planning; free quitting aids. only when a smoker is literally Furthermore, the gesture will choking to death from their de- send out the important message teriorating lungs dbes the regret that B.C. cares about fts citizens. sink in. In the meantime, a smoker We don't think anyone should die hopes for the best - they· won't be because of an addiction; smoking the one who dies a painful death seems like a choice, but it's not from lung cancer o_remphysema - so black and white once you're or they pretend they won't care if hooked. Otherwise all those peothey do; it's worth it, right? ple who claim they want to quit This is the logic of a drug ad- smoking would have quit by now; dict. And let's face it, smoking is a it's the rare person who can stop drug, and it is addictive. Just like smoking cold-turkey. Our governmore serious drug· users, smokers ment should help those who have believe they can quit at ap.y time. been enthralled by this highly According to CBC News, 70 per destructive habit in order to fill cent of B.C. smokers want to. quit, the greedy corporate pockets of but haven't. Clearly it's not that Imperial Tobacco, Tfl-Macdonald, easy. Philip Morris International, and We need to urge smokers in the friends.
Fox News North plagued by problems and straight talk" programs. The TREVORFIK THECASCADE news network premiere tempted an initial 37,000 viewers to tune ailed as "Fox News North," in. However, recent numbers have Canada's newest all-news been increasingly telling for the channel Sun News Network re- now struggling news program. Within a week of the network's cently celebrated its first month on television, and what a month it has first broadcast the total number been; Network battles and low- for Sun News was a staggeringly ratings have plagued the Quebec- low 12,000 viewers, compared to based company's initial run, leav- CBC News' 263,000 viewers on ing the future of the news channel the same night. It is estimated that in some time slots the netin doubt and the network's current work_has been attracting as few status in disarray. Despite strong premiere rat- as 4,000 viewers according to the ings, and an even stronger sense Canadian Press. Low-ratings have been due in of optimism that heralded the program's premiere, Sun N~ws part to the subscription nature has faced nothing but dismal rat- of the channel, with individuals forced to pay a monthly fee ings and rejection by network to watch the network. And while carriers since it began broadcastcompanies like Shaw Cable are ing on April 18. · Sun News CEO Pierre Karl Pe- offering the first 6 months of the network for free, satellite televiladeau's motivation for creating sion company Bell has dropped the pay-news channel was based on the initial promise of featur- Sun News Network from its proing more daring and ''hard news gramming. Bell has cited a lack
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of fee agreement, as a reason for doing so. "We had hoped to come to a commerdal agreement based· on the fact that Sun News is a new and relatively untested channel on the market," noted Bell spokesperson Jason Laszlo. "But the price being asked is quite excessive - it's in line with what would usually be quoted for a well-established and populc!r channel," he said. Sun News CEO Pierre_ Karr Peladeau asserted that the central reason behind the network's creation was to halt what he felt was the overwhelming export of American news in to Canada. CBC news and other Canadiannews mainstays are "uninspiring" according to Peladeau, forcing many to look south of the border to get an adequate world news "fix." And while the promise of a more daring and audience friend-
ly newscast is not something to news on a regular basis online, frown upon, when your main an Internet savvy population is marketing ploy is centered on a increasingly looking elsewhere comparison with the scourge of to become updated on world hapthe television-journalism world, , penings. And while people are it does not inspire very much con- starting to move away from TV to fidence. watch the news, it seems counterFox News has kept itself alive productive to ask them to come not with credible investigative back to television, but first pay for journalism or by presenting a bal- the privilege. anced and fair look at the issues, The current market for news but can instead credit its ratings television would be difficult to right-wing, borderline offen- eneugh to break in to as it is, with sive ·news commentators. With such industry giants as CBC, such a star-studded news line- Global, and American news chanup consisting of Glenn Beck and nel CNN, without the added cost Bill O'Reilly, it is a wonder that of paying for a program with an Sun News Network would even unproven track record. Unless the want to be mentioned in the same product that Sun News Network breath as the American media is offering is at such a premium mogul. that it requires payment, Sun This marketing blunder is should not be forcing individuonly the first of many mistakes a.ls to pony up for the privilege of that will continue -to hamper any viewing it. chance at success Sun News NetAnd according to the ratings work may hope to achieve. thus far, it is not something worth With people accessing world parting with your cash for.
Erika
S!! The Question: how do you feel about Casey's closing down for the summer? ImagesbyAli Siemens
"I thinkit'sa negativething,it keepsstudentsinte11acting in a goodenvironment. Ifit wasclosingdownfor FallandWinter semester,I'd probablyswitchuniversities. It'sa goodpub,evenif it is runninga def icit,it'sa partof ourstudentfees." ·
Jack
"I've beentherea coupleof times, I like it. It definitely sucks for people who live on campus, especially with the cafeteriaclosingat 1pm, that's pretty rough."
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
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The PSN and the end of personal privacy would like us to believe.
have extra protection by using a chip card with pin, so why are THECASCADE !rom S,;my on the Playstation online purchases treated differblog, the following informaently? very day, in every way, we tion may have been stolen over · Marketing and selling games the course of two days in April conveniently is the double antake our privacy fo:r:granted. The stalls always have walls from an undisclosed number swer. Companies like Sony and a door; the toilet paper is of customers: "name, address gather personal information on flushed down the toilet, away (city, state, ·zip), country, email millions of their customers in from prying eyes; people don't address, birth date, PlayStation order to track purchasing habits and the other information watch what you do in front of Network/Qriocity password and login, anq handle/PSN on- needed by marketing experts your computer. However, privacy extends line ID. It is also possible that in order to sell products. Really, beyond what people can see. your profile data, including online profiles linked to credit What about your name? People purchase history and billing ad- card accounts are something the fellas in Mad Men would have you haven't met rarely call you dr~ss (city, state, zip), and your Network/Qriocity by name until you have been in-. · PlayStation had wet dreams about. Not only troduced and if they did know password security answers may do they get all of the info they , about you it would be awkward. have been ol?tained. [... ] If you could want to make informed · What about your banking in- have provided your credit card decisions on how to market their formation? The money you work data .through PlayStation Net- products, but these companies hard to earn should be no one's work or Qriocity; out of an abunthen have you as a very convedance of caution we are advising nient customer. business but your own. Your credit card number? That you that your credit card numHow convenient? Up until along with only a few other piec- ber (excluding security code) the time of the hack, if you have es of information is all it takes to and expiration date may l;tave made one purchase and logged been obtained." into your PSN account once, you buy lots of things online. No:w that we use the Internet This leads me to wonder why could set it so that you no longer and other networked dev1ces all of this massive amount of in- even needed_ to input your passto do a 1ot more things that we formation on customers needs word or credit card information used to do face-to-face, it is in- to be retained by companies (the password thing has since creasingly common for these like Sony, Microsoft, and Nin- been fixed). This means custompfeces of information to be tendo. Since many transactions ers can sit in their living rooms, asked from you only once and are simple one time purchases see a game, and buy it on their of games (in digital instead of credit card, which works out then kept in a secure database for convenience's sake later on. hard disk format) why does the very nicely for the company sellAs it is becoming clear with company need to keep your in- ing the digital copies. the recent massive "hack 'n formation and history in its daWhat I am trying to say is tabanks? You certainly wouldn't grab" of the Playstation Network that companies are compromis(PSN), secure databases are no- expect St:ars to keep your inforing your personal information where near as secure as the com- mation if you bought a bed with for their own benefit - and your panies that build and own them your eredit card; you would even purchasing convenience, which
CHRISBONSHOR According to a· press release
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is not necessarily a good thing as anyone with a maxed out credit card can tell you. These companies need to be held accountable. They have been swimming in a flood of our personal information for too long. It is time to stop telling them more than they absolutely need to know and to
PREET DHALIWAL CONTRIBUTOR to the UniC ongratulations v~rsity of the Fraser Valley Giddha team for winning 3rd place at their very first giddha competition. The girls traveled_ to Fresno, California, to participate in the event hosted by the Punjab Cultural Association, on May 1, 2011. The team was awarded with a prize of $750. The participants included P.,reet Dhaliwal, Steffy Chowhan, Jessi Dhaliwal, Neha Sidhu, Simar Bansi, Tina Gill, Tejinder Nijjar, Sukhman Aujla, and Sandy Sekhon. UFV Giddha is thankful to everyone for all their support as the team may not have made it this far without all the help, The girls had a great experience and are looking forward to going back next year.
"I think it's a negative thing, if they aregoing to closeCasey's,they should at least keep the cafeteriaopen so students can grabfood somewhere."
· Mohammed "I think it's a badidea.Its the only pub we have on campus, and I think the food is good.I can't imaginewhowould think it's a goodidea,I wouldrathereat at Casey'sthan the cafeteria."
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UFV wins 3rd place in California giddha competition
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Lucas "I think it will have a negativeimpact on the student life and the university, not to mention an inconvenience; planning mealsand meetingsbecomes more difficult. I would rather eat at Casey's than the cafeteriabecauseit's a more comfortableenvironment and you have the ability to meet otherstudents there. Without Casey's, there is no other resourceon campus that provides the sameatmosphere."
make sure they don't keep your information somewhere. Next time a company asks you for anything more than is necessary for payment, tell them to fuck off. It's for your own good as the less they know about you the less they can lose.
www.ufvcascade.ca
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RE.LOW THE VIOLET HEARTgoing to die and decay.
It is no wonder that sex is often perceived DIRTYBIRDIE as disgusting, since it is, after all, weat. Smegma. Lube. Vaginal one of the most "animal" acts we. commit, driven by instinctive, and secretions. Saliva. Cum. Many virgins' are appalled to sometimes even irrational, urges discover -- after having had it ro- to reproduce. Of course, sex is a manticized for so long -- that sex pleasure as well, and one that is is gross. It does, after all, involve often linked with romantic love nearly all the bodily fluids we se- but lets face it, sometimes humans crete, the smells and odours we act like nothing more than horny try to hide, the parts of our bodies animals. We should, obviously, we keep discreetly covered. control these urges when they are Yet it isn't exactly natural to inappropriate, but the fact we have feel disgust and shame about our inappropriate urges at all hints at own bodies. According to psycho- the wildness of sexual lust and dephilosopher Martha Nussbaum, sire. It's not surprising, then, that it isn't until toilet-training that animals figure so often in sexual children are taught to find things "disgusting," starting with their language; we constantly compare partners to lions, tigers, stallions, bodily wastes. Not that Nussbaum imagines that humans could or bulls (or less positively to snakes should live without a sense of dis- and dogs). It's not surprising, eigust, believing that it often fills a ther, that the parents of teenagers positive evolutionary role. How- worry that sexual urges will get ever, because of disgust's social the best of their children, fearing origin and influence, each per- their passion will override practi-son's sense of disgust varies wide- cal concerns of pregnancy and disly. While some may find cum dis- ease, or their personal morality or .gusting, others enjoy it, and while sense of social responsibility. Sex some find body odours and sweat fascinates humans because of its nauseating, others don't even no- unpredictability and power over us; but at the same time, sex distice them. Where does disgust come from? gusts and scares people because Nussbaum argues that it derives it reminds us that we are actually animals, and therefore mortal. from our fear of our own animalSo what exactly am I getting at? ity; we do not like things that remind us that we, like animals, are Let's face it, sex gets a burn rap.
S
FRIDAY, MAY 27th, 2011
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We may not be as puritan as our neighbors down South, but there is still a lot of negativity surrounding what is ultimately a natural, personal act. The first step is to free us from the attitude that sex is disgusting and gross. While it may be difficult not to find certain aspects or acts disgusting, making the effort to reserve judgment is crucial. You don't judge people for liking foods that you find disgusting, and while anal sex may not be your cup of tea, liking it is, for some people, no different than liking, say, a certain kind of tea. The point here is that disgust is an artificial construct, and, while such constructs may be difficult to eradicate, simply being aware that "disgustingness" and "grossness" are not something inherent in any sexual act can help us overcome our own irrational, personal hangups. Nobody should feel ashamed of any consensual, legal act they indulge in. Not only is it not anybody's business, but it's nobody's right to judge either. Enjoy the animal-side of sex, in all of its various smells and messiness! Add "Violet Hart" to your facebook for up-to-date surveys, links, and articles. Or, e-mail violet. hart@ufvcascade.ca if you .have any questions you would like to have answered in Below the Belt.
Outside the (take out) Box
:hilltopcare 23904 Fraser ·Highway,Langley 604.514.9424
Image by Chuck Schrader
Image by Wem-yan King
AMY VANVEENrestaurant chains) and the hash browns THECASCADE were definitely not out of a premade package; they were made from scratch and more he Hilltop Cafe on Fraser Highway and delicious than anything McCain could 240th Street has been a landmark be- corn~ up with. tween Langley and Aldergrove for the last The place is full of regulars, but the serv65 years, and on May Long Weekend they ers don't treat newcomers any differently. celebrated their anniversary in style. Everyone is welcome in this little highway This little diner is easy to pass by on the . diner, but the busy-ness does not detract from the homey feel. With eight tables and commute through the Lower Mainland, but it is worth the stop. They're open Tues- counter seating for six, there isn't a lot of day through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 room, but sitting at the counter is no difp.m. for breakfast and lunch. Their break-· ferent than sitting at your own table. The fast menu offers all the classics, as well as entire restaurant, bathrooms included, is their Hilltop Breakfast that includes baked spotless, with freshly wiped countertops beans, if that's what your appetite calls for. and appliances so shiny you can see your They also offer a variety of omelettes and reflection. · There was a line-up of a couple of parBennys, French toast, pancakes, and the normal side order options. All of the break- ties taking their time for a space to open fasts are between five and twelve dollars. up, and though it took a little while for For lunch, Hilltop Cafe serves a few the food to come out, it seems expected to different burgers for under $20. Their pat- slow down your routine in a place like this. ties are made fresh daily and their French People come here to chit-chat, not to drivefries are hand cut. There's a soup of the thru, and the friendly service encourages day, which is also homemade, and the pies conversation over an impersonal on-the-go they make - traditionally considered a meal. dessert - are good enough to be the main Before I even sat down their signature attraction. coffee was in front 0£me, and the refill was For a pre-breakfast dessert, which is so quick and seamless I never saw the botcompletely justified, I had a slice of their tom of my cup ..This is a place I would defihomemade apple, and with one bite, I could nitely come fo again, and with decent prictell its quality and freshness of ingredients. es, fresh ingredients, and truly welcoming The crust is flaky without being dry and service, those breakfast chains have got nothing on this classic diner. the filling is full of cinnamon and thinly You can follow them on Twitter @Hill~ sliced apple.eliciting thoughts of a simpler, topDiner and on Facebook at Hilltop Diner pastry-filled era. For breakfast I had their · classic ba- Cafe. con and eggs served with toast and hash Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 8 a.rn. to 2:30 browns. The bacon and eggs were delicious without being overly greasy (unlike some p.rn.
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FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
www.ufvcascade.ca
9
A Madcap Night with Misty HilU Themayhem, theromance, theexcitement! SASHAMOEDT CONTRIBUTOR
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oming to the Fraser Valley: a deadly tangle of dark sci-fi forces, ;i. snarl _of corruption, an ancient, dreadful presence threatens to ensnare a sleepy Midwestern town not unlike Abbotsford! A young student - no different than any of UFV's own young gentlemen - bravely faces cruel; mysterious powers dividing him from his only love! Horror, humour, romance, and riveting adventure is performed at a breathtaking pace on stage, as Fraser Valley artists command the audience's attention with their new musical, Misty Hill Automation! Misty Hill Automaton! The Musical! is a cutting-e9ge creation of two Fraser Valley artists, Steve Martens and Ray de Kroon. Work on Misty Hill began back in 2004, as Martens, a former UFV student and singer-songwriter began writing music for the play. de Kroon, a slam poet, freelance writer, and recent UFV graduate, began writing the ~cript for Misty Hill a few years later after connecting with Martens through UFV's English department head, John Carroll. "The general idea for Misty Hill was conceived around 2004, before I was involved," de Kroon says. "In 2008, Steve and I met ... Steve was in a band called Lo-Fi Love, and had this vision for a musical involving an automation. He wrote and recorded around
twenty brilliant songs for it, but struggled with the script and was never satisfied with what he had." In 2008, de Kroon continues, Martens approached John Carroll, looking for a writer. Carroll suggested de Kroon. ",t\.fter meeting with Steve and listening to the music, I decided it would be an exciting c:hallenge, quite unlike anything I had ever
written. in the past, so I joined up with him and wrote a new script." And then there · was Misty Hill! De Kroon calls it, "an explosive stage production quite unlike anything you've· ever seen before!" Set in the US town of Misty Hill in the 1950s, Misty Hill Automation! intertwines romance, deception, comedy, breathtaking adventures - with space age technology - and fifteen enthralling musical numbers. The plot involves intricate love triangles, some intense science fiction action, a single mother and her bridge club churns, a gang of high school bullies, <1 rigged election, and a devious mayor, in a lacklustre Midwestern town. de Kroon explains that "Misty Hill is a fresh,· original, modern take on our world. It is as much about the Fraser Valley and current world politics as it is about 'Coalvale Valley' and the quiet town of Misty Hill where it is set. Still, the work is heavily influ-
enced by all of those larger than life creations from our past, both real, as in Apollo 11 and the atomic bomb, and fictional, as in King Kong and Godzilla" "It's fresh and funny and a little over the top, but its themes are timeless, and besides, what can compare to live theatre?" de Kroon &.dds. The lead, played by Kyle Schick, is Edwin, a brilliant student hidden beneath a bumbling exterioP. Edwin's one true love is the elusive Sadie, played by Jacklyn Kirsch. Some UFV notables include Dana Boogerd, recently graduated from UFV with a BA, who re-ignited her passion for acting when she took an advanced playwriting course and acted in a showcase of works produced by the class. Boogerd plays the mysterious Janine. Also, Brandon ¥indel, currently enrolled in the theatre diploma program, plays both the characters Lo-fi and Larry. Finally, set design and construction benefited from the expertise of UFV student Evan Hutchinson. Directed by Steve Martens, who also does the music, Misty Hill Automation! features irnRressive choreography by the highly accomplished Kaela Large, a live band, and a cast of eighteen. Actors and actresses hail primarily from the Fraser Valley, and are largely students. Misty Hill promises to be alive with tongue-in-cheek humour and countless twists and turns
that will keep you on the edge of your seat all night. What does one do when, in a small, monotonous sort of town, one is confronted by wild and dangerous forces that threaten to intervene with you and your hot date? How does one challenge evil and get the girl? Can Edwin overcome his shy bashfulness and charm Sadie into dinner and a movie?. Could you? Misty Hill Automaton! is showing at GW Graham Theatre, 45955 Thomas Road in Chilliwack. It plays May 25 to 28 at 7:00 p.rn., with a matinee on May 29 _at2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, and are being sold at both PriceSrnart Foods and Save-On~Foods in Chilliwack. Tickets are ·also available online at www.rnistyhill.ca. Tickets will only be available at the door if seating remains! de Kroon 'tells us to get out there, to "support your local Fraser Valley artists and find out how the residents of Misty Hill become entangled in a web of deception and blackmail, where freedom and innocence are ruthlessly held captive by an ancient corruption!" It'll be brilliantly imaginative, bloody original, it'll be comic gold - spookily unearthly - and damned romantic to boot! It'll send shivers down your spine. So grab your significant-other and prepare yourself to be utterly gripped by unpredictable courage shown by the citizens of Misty Hill in their valiant struggle for freedom!
www.ufvcascade.ca
ctrL RAIIIII
FRIDAY,MAY27th, 2011
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T'xwelittse, Sikh Pioneers, and Betty Goodman at the Reach
tslll!l'il~Gallery-museum explores themanystoriesof o_ur communities
1Needles//Pins* Drop b/w Kalifornia It
PAUL FALARDEAU
Korner Papermaps* 2Papermaps Galaxy* · 3Young We Have Everything
(EP) Fortress* 4Miracle Was I The Wave?
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Lindi Ortega* 5Little Red Boots 6Digits* Lost Dream Peninsula* 7Bruce The Bruce TrailFire
Sale of Love* 8Chains Singles Are The City* 9We High School B-Lines* 1OThe The B-Lines Ipsen and The 11JJ Paper Crown*
THECASCADE
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he current exhibits at the· Reach until the ep.d of the month reflect its double mandate as both an art gallery and a museum. Furthermore, its excellence in these fields is outlined by its ability to trace the Fraser Valley's history _from the deep past to the vibrant present. Starting with distant history, , The Reach, wjth the help of the St6:lo tribes, brings forth "Man Turned to Stone: T'xwelatse." This four-foot high granite stone figure is expected to be over ten thousand years old. The Ts'elxweyeqw (Chilliwack) tribe tells the story of the Shaman T'xwelatse who is turned to stone by The Transformer because he refused to settle his dispute without fighting. From that time on, the man - in his stone form - was set as a constant reminder to his people (several of whom still bear his name) that all must work together for harmony; the man's wife and descendents to this day care for the Stone T'xwelatse. The exhibition displays T'xwelatse and his guardians, but also tells the story of his birth, his transformation and -
sound
bites
Goodwin Darkness and Memory." From the collection of the Musee d'Art Contemporain de Montreal, Goodwin (Montreal 1923- 2008) was a constant presence on the Montreal art scene• over five decades and made an undeniable impact on modern Canadian art. Her work · is represented by mixed prints, drawings, sculpting, and her monumental tarp pieces, showing off the depth of her talent and originality of her work. Throughout her work, Josee Imageby_RandonaBushell Belisle, Curator of the Permanent colle.ction at MACM, notes that 100 years ago _:_his tragic loss. As munities, Our Stories" series with "Goodwin's oeuvre developed in Europeans settled the Fraser Val- "Sikh Pioneers - 100 years of im- cycles of works, linked but disley, T'xwelatse became separated migration, Integration and Identi- tinct, that were executed either from his descendents and eventu- ty." With the centennial of the Gur concurrently or in alteration but ally ended up in various curiosity Sikh Temple in mind, The Reach were always compelled by a sinshops and museums in the United ·examines the trials and struggles gular and powerful thread: that States. After tireless efforts by the - as well as the successes - of Sikh of the traces and signs of the presSt6:lo he has been returned and, pioneers to the Fraser Valley. Ar- ence (or absence of the other and, until May 29, can be seen at The chivaf photos, as well as period by extension, the self). Betty GoodReach. A one-of-a-kind opportuartifacts and other treasure awaits win persistently re-examined the nity, T'xwelatse offers historical, visitors and helps .to explain the objects that shape our time and political, geographical, geological, journey that so many Canadians our passage through the uncertain and anthropological interests to underwent. The area of the Reach territories of existence." scholars, while remaining a living called "The Grotto" also featu~es a The current exhibits .will close being, a holy relic, a source inspi- special exhibit on the Sikh Gurus on May 29, with a performance by ration, and a positive message to for anyone looking to brush up on Rapsure Rising and The Reach's the first peoples of the Fraser val- the tenants of Sikhism. next exhibits will open to the publey. Finally, and the most contem- lic on June 16. Live at the Reach, with Art Napoleon, is on May 27, Moving ahead in time, The porary and artistically-leaning Reach continues their !,Our Com- of the current displays is "Betty at7p.m.
mini
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reviews ROME
Entertainment Ordinaire
12Old Adventure/Love Nick Everett* I
Songs
13.New YorkLights 14 The GoldenRecord The Carps*
Little.Scream * ·
ls
Destroyer*
KapuU
16The DoubleCross 17.Feel Break 18 Sloan*
Austra* It
Carmen Townsend*
Waitin' And Seein;
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D-Sisive*
Jonestown2: Jimmy ·co Bye Bye
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James* 2·OGraydon A Smalltown Eulogy *CanadianArtist
The Lonely Island · Turtleneckand Chain The boys from The Lonely Island are back, reppin' style advice, .impressive guest artists, and the finest hip-hop comedy yet · with their second album Turtleneckand Chain. Surprisingly, throwaway tracks are at a minimum and production values are high. Listeners will especially enjoy the title track, as well as "The Creep," featuring Nicki Minaj (!), and "Attracted to Us," featuring Beck(!!). Other stars on the album include Snoop Dogg, Michael Bolton, Santigold, Akon, · JT, and Rihanna. T&C is slicker than their first effort, Incredibad, and even without the accompanying Saturday Night Live digital shorts, many tracks are laughout-loud funny and feature catchy . hooks and crunchy beats (90s children will especial!y enjoy the 30second Falcor vs. Atreyu sex scene skit). Fun for the whole (depraved) family, the only criticism of Samberg, Shaffer and Taccone is that much like some SNL skits,· it goes · on way too long. Definitely worth a few listens, if you're not too embarrassed.
Sloan The DoubleCross Titled after the Halifax power· pop quartet's 20th anniversary rendered in Roman numerals, The .Double Cross is Sloan's tenth LP. Though lesser bands might have long lost the requisite drive and focus by the time they reach such a milestone, Jay Ferguson, Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland; and Andrew Scott only sound more assured and dedicated than ever. The album kicks off with a blistering trio of hook-laden top down classics that flow seamlessly into the next, a trick perfected on 2006's Never Hear the End of It. While these three ·tracks alone would make The Double Cross a worthy addition to Sloan's impressive catalogue, they are but a sampler of the riches to follow. Whether _ the vaguely Stonesy stomp of the Pentland-penned first single "Unkind" or Ferguson's deftly fingerpicked si~e one closer "Green Gardens, Cold Montreal," the album is peppered with incredible three-. minute bursts of pure aural joy. Here's to XX more.
Danger Mouse Rome Norah Jones, Jack White, and Italian composer Daniele Luppi come together with "Danger Mouse" (Brian Burton) to make an album that is cool, hip; smooth, and groovy. Many of the tracks in the album sound like they come from a late sixties heist movie with maybe a hint ·of modern sound to it, though no more. Rome is slow, moody, and melancholy, with a laid back R&B rhythm, haunting vocals, and powerfully beautiful violin· underneath. Especially notable is . "Two Against One" with its eerie lyrics and wild west sounding electric guitar licks that bring to mind a seedy bar ·in a Quentin Tarantino movie. It's got a unique, good groove that is rare to hear anymore; definitely worth chilling out to in your car. Joel Colbourne
Sam Roberts Band Collider Along with changing the title of his act to Sam Roberts Band for Collider, Sam Roberts called upon nmowned saxophonist Stuart Bogie to add a jazzier sound to the album. Songs like "Streets of Heaven" and "Let It Be" would be noticeably bare if it wasn't for Bogie's sleek grooves. As much as Roberts' seeks to evolve his sound on this album, he's never been one to neglect his roots. The high-pitched and dreamy organs used on "The Graveyard Shift" are reminiscent of those from "No Sleep," which appeared on his debut album eight years ago. Altho\lgh terrific songs do exist on this album, it feels like Roberts is caught somewhere in the middle between his old and new sound. The Strokes-like "Sang Froid" clashes with mellowe_rsongs such as the rootsy "Twist the Knife" or the effortless "No Arrow." Sam Robei:ts again proves his worth with Collider;however, one might wonder whether this album serves as a transition or a deviation in the Canadian singer's career.
NickUbels ~ophie Isbister
Tim Ubels
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
www.ufvcascade.ca
Boo~ Review:
11
HIRING: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
All current UFV students are welcome - nay, encouraged! - to apply!
Bossypantsby Tina Fey Duggar would have flinched at SOPHIE ISBISTERthis thing"), Fey is a self-proTHECASCADE claimed feminist and the book is clear on that. She takes pokes at ou may already know who feminist backlash by participatTina Fey is. It's hard not to if ing in it, and frankly discusses the you've owned a television at any barriers that she and other women point in the last 12 years or if you have faced in the sometimes notlike comedy even a little bit. Long- too-funny industry of sketch comrunning SaturdayNight Live writer edy. and Weekend Update co-anchor, Bossypants,while not explicitly outspoken liberal femi~ist, and a "how to survive in the world of creator of the critically success- male-dominated comedy" book, ful comedy 30 Rock, Tina Fey l\as ends up churning out some much a history of making us laugh on needed advice for women,- includscreens both small and big. But ing "No pigtails, no tube tops," can she make us laugh in the old and also the more serious, "Don't fashioned chunk-of-paper book be fooled. You're not in competiformat? Yes, it turns out she can. tion with other women. You're in Bossypants delights on many competition with everyone." But levels. Both autobiographical and like everything in.. this 277-page social commentary, the book has tome of tee-hees, most of her adcontent that will appeal to Fey's vice is tinged with the particular fans and foes alike. She spends as Fey brand of cutting dry wit and much time recounting her sum- pop-culture references. Perhaps mers spent in youth community the topical nature of Fey's funny theatre as she does on her early will keep this book from reaching days with comedy troupe The classic biography status, but who Se__sondCity and on SNL and 30 cares? Not me, as long as we get Rock insider stories that will de- such comic gold as: "I am proud to light even non-Fey-devotees. But say I would never sabotage a felfor a self-proclaimed Fey fanatic low female like that now. Not even (as I am), the real joy of the book if Christina Applegate and I were is hearing her take on everything both up for the same part as Vince from Photoshop to Titanic, and Vaughn's mother in a big-budget from feminism to TNs (Teat Na- comedy called Beer Guys." zis, or breastfeeding mothers who Beauty, body image, first peri"brag endlessly about how much ods ("I knew from commercials their five year old still loves breast that one's menstrual period was milk"). a blue liquid [... ] This wasn't blue, You could say that aspects of so ... I ignored il for a few hours"), Fey's book are controversial (TNs father figures, fashion shoots, being the mosf notable), but the motherhood, honeymoons, being message running behind each Sarah Palin, being the boss: Bossychapter is one of strong feminism pants touches on all the hallmarks without any woe-is-me whining. of Fey's life. The reader gets to Fey is interesting in that she sees know Fey's long-suffering (not rea future that eschews gender su- ally) husband and daughter and premacy ("Once we know we're also gain some illuminating inreally open-to all the options, we sights into being a working mom can proceed with Whatever's the ("By the way, when Oprah WinFunniest... which will probably frey is suggesting you _may have involve farts"), yet acknowledges overextended yourself, you need the struggles women face in the • .to examine your fucking life"). By workplace. While her book takes a the end of the book, you may feel bombastic raunchy-humour tone, like you know a little too much and occasionally employs mildly about the star-studded and bedazmisogynistic jokes ("Then she took zled life of Tina Fey. But you'll be out a speculum the size of a milk happier for it. shake machine. Even Michelle
Y
Qualifications:
The responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief include overseeing all aspects of the paper's production including (but certainly not limited to):" managing the paper's editorial boru:d; hiring, training and tutoring • staff; and liaising with the Canadian University Press. The Editorin-Chief reports to the Cascade Board of Directors and is ultimately resportsible for the editorial conten't of the newspaper.
Experience or knowledge of newspaper writing, editing and layout; candidates with previous experience editing and/or layout experience will be given preference.
The job requires heavy time commitment and is not recommended to full time students. Candidates will be required to pass an editing test to be cbnsidered for the position. This position has a term of one year.
Ability to work in a highpressure environment with a diverse and eccentric group of volunteers.
The Editor-in-Chief is paid an honouraria of $300 per issue
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Copy Editor All fierce grammar Nazis are welcome to apply! Have you found the typos in the Cascade? Are you constantly correcting your. friends grammar? Does the capitalization of "inte.rnet/Inte.rnet" keep you up at night? Perhaps you should try Copy Editing. The Copy Editor is i;esponsible for ensuring that the Cascade adheres to Canadian Press style. Don't be fooled - this is far m.ore difficul( than it sounds! On top of correcting spelling and grammar, the Copy Editor ensures the appropriate sentence strm:;ture is used. The Copy Editor prepares all articles foi: production. In addition to these duties, the CC?J)Y Editor wo.t:~'W'!th write.rs to improve the qualltj of their writing.
QualificatiQtls: Must be registered in at least one credit ~urse at UFV during the fall/winter semesters. Must be available to be present in the office for at least 5 hours per week during pub_lishing weeks in the fall/winter semesters.
Must detnonsttatest.rongcoD'.llllll1ld of the English language by passing an editing test. which will be administered during the .interview process.
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Interested? Questions? Email nick@ufvcascade.ca by June 24
GOODT PAUL FALARDEAU Tusk THECASCADE
Drummers: underappreciated? Untalented? Explosive? Spinal Tap may lead us down any of these pat}:ts,but which, if any, are true? Here are some interesting, skillful and, well, explosive drum-songs.
Fleetwood Mac Such a fun drum part; Mic Fleetwood really picks up on the whole tribal-rock thing the gang is going for. Of course, we all know full well it wasn't elongated teeth that were the body part Mac were referring to.
Throw Away Your Television Red Hot Chili Peppers
A rarely-glimpsed classic in which Chad Smith's heavy-handed drum-line smacks right up against Flea's bass groove and Johnny Frusciante's hip caveman guitar. You ever play Chrono Trigger?Prehistoric level? Am I wrong?
Tom Sawyer Rush Because "There is no fucking drummer better than Neil Pert!" and I know it ain't easy being cheesy. These Canadian heavyweight prog-sters carry a lot of talent, but none so much as the guardian of the kits, the grandmaster of the splash cymbal, the ...
Molalatladi BLKJKS
Afro-drum rhythms? Check. Wick neo-pop Radiohead sensibilities? Check, check. BLK JKS were associated with whatever you soccer fans do while Hockey fans are checking on the draft (something in South Africa??) Still, the drumming here is tops, it could win the drumming world cup .
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FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
www.ufvcascade.ca
ChailnelSurtinu operas shaped North American culture Doctors, divorce anda death inthefamily hows·oap NICKUBELS THECASCADE
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fter 41 years on the air and over 10,000 instalments, the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children will air its final episode this fall along with One Life to Live. Soap operas have been in steep decline since the mid-1990's, but will these two cancellations be the final nails in the coffin for the once popular genre? In 1969, there were 20 daytime soap operas on U.S. network television. Now there are only four, and they are struggling to keep up with reality and talk shows, which are much more attractive to networks due to their lower production costs and increasingly high ratings. Compared to last year's ratings for the same week, daytime's most popular soap, The Young and the Restless, was down· approxim~tely 483,000 viewers, according to Neilson TV Ratings. Although scripted daytime television has never attracted the critical esteem of some prime time programming, it once held an important place in North American culture, reaching an estimated 20 million dedicated American followers every week in 1976,according to TIME Magazine. Changing audience sensibilities - spurred by the advent of first confessional talk shows and then reality tele-
vision - have been steadily eating away at their ratings with a technique gleaned from the soaps themselves: heightened viewer identification. Soap operas first came to prominence in the early days of romantic radio serials, taking their name from personal hygeine companies like Procter and Gamble who sponsored the live programs. These melodramas centered on fantastic events in the lives of the elite. Murder, paternity suits, divorce, and other scandalous affairs provided an unprecedented level of escapism for listeners. It was only natural that these popular pulp narratives would find a home on television in the 1950s. So what made these new serials so different from other fiction? As Dennis Potter notes in his 1977 article for College English entitled "Soap Time," Aristotle rightly defined drama as possessing a beginning, middle and end, but soap
this conceit has worked well in comic books and graphic novels, enabling new writers to provide fresh, disentangled storylines for their audiences. A soap opera only ever ends according to criteria external to th_e story itself, such as low ratings. This firmly establishes the show as a commodity instead of an art form. While there seems to be an Image by Pedro Oliveira ongoing tension between content operas forgo these basic elements creators and network personnel in entirely.'When one watches a soap prime time television, shows are opera, it is easy to lose sight of the often granted a greater say in their initial conflict or the original char- length as seen in the case of ABC's acters entirely. · LOST, whose end date was estabtake the second-longest run- lished three years in advance to ning soap of all time, Days of our accommodate the writers' vision. Lives. When the show premiered The soap opera reached its peak in 1965, it told the story of the tri- as a pop culture phenomenon als and tribulc1ttions of the Hor- in the 1960s and 1970s. In a 1976 tons, a family of doctors living in cover story about the craze, TIME Salem. Today, not one of its origi- reported that CBS was obliged to nal cast members is still working eliminate all poor characters from on the show. In fact, Suzzane Rog- their soap operas because the ers, who joined the cast 8 years on network was receiving too many in 1973 as Margeret Horton, is the · CARE packages from concerned only current regular cast member viewers. One viewer complained to have worked on the show before. in a letter about the frustrated romance of the characters of Another 1980. World,saying that she had already This sort of memory-impaired storytelling makes soap operas purchased four dresses and four a bit of an anomaly compared to bottles of champagne to celebrate typical linear narratives, advanc- each season's ultimately failed nuptials. She lamented, "Why ing such absurd plots as bringing Matthew Ashford's character back don't you let them get married?" It is no coincidence that soap from the dead three times during his stint on Days of our Lives. Yet operas began to decline in ratings
CascadeArcade
Film Review
Video game ploy-by-ploy
Fast Five
with the emergence of confessional day time talk shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1980s and reality television starting with The Real World ·in 1992. Both of these formats similarly promise a programming option unbound by artistic constraints for networks and a narrative with characters designed to be relatable, so relatable that audiences could presumably participate in such a program themselves. More importantly, these formats anticipated the emergence of today's confessional digital culture in which relatability has been subsumed within a greater desire to be the centre of attention. There is an ever-increasing urge to feel like a participant in whatever entertainment one chooses to engage in. Where soap operas helped plant the seeds for this type of hyper-identification, daytime talk and reality programming have further exploited this desire and come out on top as a result. Yet something has been lost in the exchange. Viewers have traded in the exciting intrigue and suspense-filled vicarious living of soap operas for the mundane parallel lives of reality television. While neither is a particularly artful example of. modern entertainment, reality · television suffers from a substantially greater lack of imagination.
ALISIEMENS Taking things to an even more fasciTHECASCADE nating level, however, is the play-by-play commentary being made for cult-favourite ifh the emergence of online team- League of Legends (LoL). LoL is a free-toplay multiplayer-online-battle-arena game based gameplay, the popularization inspired by the classic Defense of the Anin parts of the world of elite pro-gamers, and the easr ot sharing gameplay videos cients, a specialized "game, mode" within over YouTube, it should be no surprise that the real-time strategy game WarcraftIII that •video game commentary is starting to grow allows players to control highly-powerful and specialized "heroes" that can level up in popularity. The "Let's Play" phenomenon on You- and be upgraded, which had previously Tube boils down to the fact that people who only been possible in role-playing games. In love playing video games also love to share 2010, LoL players from as far away as China that love with the world. If you're having and Europe came to the World Cyber Games trouble in a game, you can probably find Grand Finals in Los Angeles to compete in a someone playing that section of the game tournament with a $7000 prize. Because LoL is team-based, and because on YouTube and see how they accomplished it. Most "Let's Play" videos consist of the each "hero" in the game is controlled 'by a video footage of gameplay with commen- different _player, the progress of each battle can be "called" by commentators almost as taryby the person playing the game dubbed over top. From my experience, these com- though it were a sports game. Commentators get to know the players, learn the com·ments tend to include off-hand remarks about characters or the storyline or a simple mon strategies, and discuss the games as description of what their thought process is they go down. They explain to the viewer in how they are choosing to play. Some are what is going down, explain what each , funny, some are serious, while some are ... team needs to do to be successful, and call out players who are having especially good something else. YouTube user KPopp, a criminology ma- or bad games. However, because the game is fairly comjor from Chicago, makes her own brand of "Lef s Play" videos. She recently bought the plex, it's unlikely that this play-by-play will new hit detective game L.A. Noire, and has ever gain mainstream acceptance like an been uplqading videos with her experience, NHL or NBA game. Each hero in the game has unique powers and abilities that make where she tells her audience her suspicions about the cases that she's trying to solve. them dangerous if used correctly but also While some game commentators make only quite difficult to understand for a casual sparse comments' while they game, she observer. Nevertheless, the growing popumaintains a near-steady monologue dur- larity of g~me commentary does signal ing the entire experience. She has also made that players are interested in more than just "Let's Play" vtdeos for Fallout, Oblivion, playing games, just like many people enjoy Bioshock,and Heavy Rain amo11g others. To watching sports. I can't wait to find out how this side of gaming will evolve, especially if date, KPopp has almost 42,000 subscribers and four million upload v1ews. The most a developer ever chooses to design a game popular "Let's Play" video on YouTube has specifically for professional gamers, with the intention for it to be primarily a spectaalmost four million hits on its own, strangely for a SpongeRobSquarePantsgame. tor sp?tt. Qnly time will tell.
JOEL SMART
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ast cars, beautiful women, rippling muscles, and flying bullets add up to the perfect winter semester wind down. Fast Five is the latest addition to The Fast and the Furious series, bringing all the best of cast members from the other movies into one great action flick. Starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Jordana Brewster, Fast Five also brings in another badass movie star,· Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Although judgment day has come and gone, FastFive fans will no doubt often feel looked down upon. Regardless, this is one of the most fun movies I've seen all year. In earlier films Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and ex-cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) used to hate each other, but the latest film creates a new relationship for them as best buds. A love affair has risen between Mia, Dom's sister, and Brian. The movie starts with the couple i:tsin_gtheir combined driving skills to break Dom out of jail - from there, the action just gets craphoto by: Universal zier. After Dom is "free," the team flees to Brazil, where the laws are different, or rath- took the stage together, tubbing against er, the corruption works in their favor. Dom each -other while they fought in the streets starts getting together a team to steal cars of Rio, the tumbling mess of muscles often and enough money so they can all disap- Jead to confusion of which bicep belonged pear and create a new life. Lucky for audi- to whom. Although Fast Five may not be on par ence members, actors Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and Sung Kang all re- with say The King's Speechor Inception,you appear in perfect working condition to help can't help but be on the edge of your seat, in the latest heist. High-teach goodies. and cheering through the high speed races, ducking as bullets_fly, and staring at all the pimped-out rides await. Although Brian and Dom are best friends bulging muscles that overtake half of the now, · don't- forget about our other iron- IMAX screen. At the end of the day, an acpumping-bad-ass, F.B.~agent Luke Hobbs tion flick's purpose is to jump from one dra(The Rock) who is trying to bring down matic event to another and involves a bad the hammer on these criminals. Sweating guy. Fast Five develops these components, in every scene, glistening like ·someone but super-sizes it by adding fast cars, abso· rubbed him in butter, The Rock was every- lutely ridiculous shoot outs in the streets of thing Fast Five needed him to be. The best Brazil, a dramatic love element, and, like I scenes were when Vin Diesel and The Rock said, so many muscles.
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
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Shots, Shots, Shots· for Boom- Boom Bieksa JOEL SMARTgood shot or losing a fight. There's
always time for a rematch." THECASCADE Bieksa, who stands six feet tall Vevin Bieksa has come up huge and is roughly 200 pounds, has -'-'.in the 2011 playoffs; not only played his entire professional cawith three goals and an assist in reer as part of the Vancouver Cathe first three games of the Con- nucks franchise. The right-handed ference Finals, but also with his defenceman was drafted in 2001 extraordinary defensive play. in the fifth round, 151 overall. If the 7-3 victory in game two However, he didn't play his first against the Sharks was may:be the NHL season until the 05-06 seamost fun game of the playoffs to son. With the exception of injury, date, it should be no surprise that including two serious calf laceraBieksa played an enormous role in tions, Bieksa has been a regular making that happen, managing a in the lineup ever since. Before he Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, as- played for the Canucks, and before sist and a fight) and first star in the he played for the Manitoba Moose, game. That is because although Bieksa played four seasons in the · Kevin Bieksa is one of the toughest Central Collegiate Hockey Asplayers in the NHL, he's also one sociation (CCHA), with Bowling. of the most entertaining. Green State University in Ohio. It Sometimes it is tough to know if was his excellent play there from it's more enjoyable to watch Bieska 00-04 that got him noticed by Ca· fight someone or hear what he'll nucks scouts. have to say about it after the game. , Born and raised in Grimsby, Perhaps his most famous fight Ontario, he grew up playing hockinvolved a jumping "Superman" ey with his two brothers. "My dad punch to the face of Mike Rich- coached all three of us," Bieksa ards in December of 2009. How- said in an interview with The St. ever, even after a tough punch to CatharinesStandard. "It was one of the eye in a fight earlier this year those childhoods where you went against Tom Kostopoulos, Bieksa to the rink and played hockey, was in light spirits; "I've been hit then went home and played road harder than that before," he said hockey. You'd wake up the next in an interview with The Province. day and go to school and then do "My daughter has head-butted the same thing all over again. It me harder and you're naive if you was an enjoyable childhood." He think you're going to go through still lived in Grimsby until a few your NHL career without taking a years ago, when he moved to Yale-
town, but still has close ties, as both he and his wife Katie grew up there together. They have two children, Cole and Reese. This was by far. the Bieksa's best season. to date, and some of the credit has to go towards his new linemate Dan Hamhuis. Whatever the cause may be, he finished the season second in the league in plus-minus with an unbelievable plus-32, despite missing a couple weeks with a fractured bone in his foot. Although Bieksa has always had an impressive offensive edge to his game, it's been smarter plays under pressure that have taken his game to a new level. In a revealing video produced by ESPN, Bieksa and Alex Burrows are seen interviewing ~ach other, asking each other questions that no sports journalist would dare. Bieksa dearly gets a rise out of roasting his teammate. "Your beautiful wife Nancy is expecting her first child fairly soon, a girl I believe," Bieksa began. "Are you prepared to be a father and what about all those degrading comments you've used towards women the last few years?" Laughter ensued, but Bieksa wasn't done yet, "You're French obviously, and you and Nancy have a pretty passionate relationship. I've heard about some of the stories and all that. Will having a child around affect that? Will you keep the ro-
SportsYou've Never Heard Of: Tough Guy _Competition CHELSEA THORNTON THECASCADE
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ome would argue that there is no universal standard for toughness: everybody has their own personal strengths and weaknesses. The Tough Guy Competition, however, might be as close to that standard as possible. Contestants fac'e fire, ice cold water, heights, underground tunnels, barbed wire, cross country running, mud crawling, rope climbing, and electric shocks. In fact, competitors need to sign a "death warrant" before they can even start the race. The race has been held on the last Sunday in January every year since 1986, on a farm in Staffordshire, England. The creator of the event, Billy "Mr. Mouse" Wilson claims that no one has ever com- sound of a herd of angry stallions. pleted the race to his stringent Ahead of you is a giant _wall standards, although a winner is climb it. The stallions are still after still declared every year. you. Climb through muddy unThe event often attracts more derground tunnels -you can't see, than 6000 competitors from 20 you can't breathe. Exit the tunnel ·countries, more than a third of and look upon an endless field of which often fail to finish at all. obstacles: barbed wire, live electric Competitors must be at least wire, sucking mud pits and fences. 16-years-old, ·and both men and When you finally reach the other women are welcome to compete. side, the sound of·stallions is fadThe event has two fatalities to ing. Wake up from the nightmare its name: one man died of a heart and realize it is reality. _ attack induced by intense hypoWhat Dana White is to the thermia, another collapsed in the UFC, Mr. Mou·se is to the Tough heat during the event's summerGuy Competition. As the creator time equivalent. The Saint John of this brutal sport, he appears Ambulance Service sets up a tri: to relish its punishing power. In age centre at each race. the race's promotional video, he On the Tough Guy official web- is seen proudly boasting:, "Tough site, the following mental exercise Guy is too tough, for everyone. For to prepare for the race is recom- everyone!" He wears a classic red mended: imagine you are running · British officer's uniform, <;omplete and behind you, you can hear the with gigantic steely moustache,
Image: canuckz.com
mance in your relationship?" Burrows took the bait, including in his response that he'd taught his wife all about the "French kiss." Bieksa couldn't help but burst out laughing in his final comment about Burrows and his wife, "Okay, well, you know what? You two turn
me on." Despite being hilarious, though, the real value of the interview was how it showcased how tightly knit the Canucks really are. Bieksa plays a huge role through his play, but also by keeping the team loose and making the environment fun for his teammates.
·MayisMelanomaAwarenessMonth ALISIEMENScertain moments and ask your-
THECASCADE self, "What was I thinking?" The "Dear 16-year-old Me," video is trying to prevent that situation I I Slip-Slop-Slap" is a common from happening in regards to canphrase in the summer months to remind people to, "slip on a cer. The video reminds teenagers shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap and young adults that the tools on a hat." As we welcome the are there to help avoid the converbeautiful summer weather, folks sation no one wants to have with are reminded to stay smart anc;;I. their doctor when they tell you know the affects that the sun has that you have an aggressive form on our body. Coming from the of cancer. The video touches on very imdreary months where most people crave their fill of vitamin D, it's portant facts that are crucial when important to stay mindful of the trying to become aware of sun· side effects too much sun has, but safety. Recognizing that putting c.1,lso not be fearful of the rays we on sun-screen is a huge annoyance, the adults that appear in the are all yearning for. video remind young adults that May is Melanoma Awareness Month, shedding light on a form receiving one bad sun burn before turning 18 doubles your chances qf cancer that is more commonly known as "skin cancer." On May of getting Melanoma skin cancer. 2, 2011,· ''Dear 16-year-old Me" The word "cancer" brings on many was released by the David Corn- scary thoughts; and so it should field Melanoma Fund. It is a vid- cancer is scary. But the purpose of the video is not to scare people eo public service announcement _Imageby swissrolli from ever going outside. Rather, it featuring real people hypothetiand nostalgically rem1msces cally addressing their 16-year- educates people on how to avoid a about contestants' past suffering: old selves about what they wish disease that is often fatal. "1992 was a cold year. There were they'd known about protecting Many of us have been looking forward to the beach weather. The their skin. The video campaign six hundred people with hypothermia, all in serious trouble; .Promotes awareness that the ~is- summer is associated with all of and there was a line of broken legs ease does not only affect people in the fun things we love to do, like waiting to go, all whining and cry- their old age. Melanoma can strike hang out with our friends outside, ing. A young woman said 'Shut up · young, and as one doctor in the barbeque, or just lie on the beach and quit whining; that won't kill video explains, "(Melanoma] is the and soak up the rays. It is so imyou but this [hypothermia] will."' second most common cancer for portant to remember that although these activities are harmless in The Tough Guy Competition children and teenagers." now includes a variety of related There are ways to protect your- nature, nature itself is working events, like Nettle Warrior, its self, but a theme of the video against us. During this season of summer equivalent; Screwball explains that for many people, relaxation, remember to be the (T).H.U.G, an event for kids aged "hindsight is 20/20." As one of friend that brings sunscreen along 10 to 16; and Toughest Army, a the fastest spreading cancers, it is to the beach and re-apply as necchallenge Mr. Mouse has issued worth being aware of the risks in- essary. Although this is our time to the world's armies to compete volved with expo~ing your skin to off, no one wants to take a year off against each other in the origi- the sun. Although the diagnosis is from school after being diagnosed nal Tough Guy Competition. Mr. skin cancer, if it is not caught early, with skin cancer. Papers and finals are stressful enough; throwing the Mouse promises a good time for all areas of your body are at risk. all: ''They all go home with the As university students who word "chemotherapy" into the same feeling. Marvelous. Thanks have done their time in high mix is a scenario no one wants to MrMouse!" school, it is easy to look back on face. Be safe!
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War of attrition as NBA finals loom
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
Whitecaps - quick and dirty KAREN ANEY THECASCADE
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TREVORFIKWhile the Miami Heat were THECASCADE able to grind out a win, relying on exceptional rebounding and del A Tith the 2011 NBA Champion- fensive skills to hold the Chicago y V ship looming and only the Bulls to 29 points in the second final four teams remaining, each half of game two, the teams were squad is leaving it all out on the only shooting a combined 43 per floor for a chance to play in the cent from the field. Not the high NBA Finals. And while physicality number expected from teams vyhas reigned supreme in the East- ing for a spot in the finals. ern Conference, with the Miami In order to win this war of attriHeat and Chicago Bulls exchangtion both teams will have to rely ing their fair share of elbows and on key starters to close, as was shoves, scoring has been plentiful the case with the Miami Heat's in the West with the Dallas Maver- star player LeBron James in game iclcs edging out the Oklahoma City two. James, who has played 40 Thunder to even the series 1-1. minutes or more in nine out of The finality of game two of the the last 10 playoff games fur the Eastern Conference finals was Heat, had nine big points in, the likened to a battlefield, with both closing quarter of Miami's 85-75 teams taking time off to survey victory. Both squads have been the carnage and strap on a few allotted four days rest, which icepacks before returning to war should be enough time to heal, as Sunday night. The physicality of any number of small or big plays the series and the Bulls' key to vic- could make a difference in Sunday tory was summed up best by Bulls nights' game. point guard Derrick Rose. "Some On to the Western Conference way, somehow, we've just got to where Dallas Maverick's star Dirk come up with this win no mat- Nbwitzki had an atrocious start to ter how we get it. We've just got the night, missing 10 of his first 14 to have more intensity than them shots. However, he still managed and play wa:y more aggressive." to contribute to the Maverick's
ne way or another, the NHL season will come to a close rather shortly. Vancouverites need to fill the void somehow, and pub-hopping is hard on the liver. Shocking as it may seem, though, the Canucks are not Vancouver's only sporting franchise. One other team we have to focus on is the Whitecaps. While Vancouver has had a team called the Whitecaps since 1974, it has gone through a few incarnatio_ns to get to where it is today. Originally, it was a member of the North American Soccer League, which is no longer _in existence. From 1986-2010, it was a member of the Canadian Soccer League. In 2010, though, it moved up t9 the Major League.Soccer category. This may be interesting to even non-sports fans: David BeckImage by Kieth Allison h~m, husband of Posh Spice, plays in the same league. 93-87 game three victory over the Their season isn't going terribly Oklahoma City Thunder. Scoring well at this point - their last five problems · plagued both teams, games have garnered them three with Oklahoma City's Kevin Du- losses and two ties. However, socrant struggling consistently on cer games offer an atmosphere shots, managing just seven of 22 that is unique in the sporting in the game. Durant, who was the world, at least in Vancouver. While NBA scoring champion this past there are die-hard Canucks fans, season, ended up with 24 points and even die-hard Lions fans, socand 12 rebounds. While Dallas cer fans are a different breed alacquired a 22-point lead going together. Fan clubs dominate the into the fourth quarter, the team spectator scene. These clubs play was not about to enter cruise con- such an important role in a soccer trol, havi;ng already given up a team's culture, in fact, that images 23-point lead against Portland in of the Whitecaps main fan club, the Southsiders, are used in offithe first round of the playoffs. Although the Thunder made cial promotional materials for the every attempt to compensate for team itself. their dismal first quarter, in which Another Whitecaps club, called. they turned the ball over seven La Doce, follows a Latin Ameritimes, in the end it was not enough can tradition of soccer fandom. and Dallas was able to go up 2-1 in Thls includes drumming and the series. Along with the sloppy long cheering songs. This is pretty ball play that lead to several steals impressive considering they've and blocks, Oklahoma City strug- · been a fan club for less than two seasons. The Southsiders, who've gled most from behind the threepoint line, having missed their been around much longer, have first 16 three-point shots. If they . many chants and songs of their are to have any chance at tying up own, which they even distribute the series, the field-goal area is a online. Due to their seniority, the Southsiders have numerous partpart of their game that will need nerships that enhance the gaming definite improvement.
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experience for members. They get discounts on Whitecap merchandise, and even at two local pubs - Oscar's Pub & Grill for home games and Doolin's Irish Pub for away gaines. Further deals can be found on their website, including everything from road trip packages to employee pricing on tires! Part of the Whitecaps franchise is the women's team. The league they belong to is the W-League, which is the second tier of women's soccer in North America. Their statistics look a little bit better than their male counterparts: they placed second in the Western Conference last year. Their season runs concurrent to the men's team, and costs less at $12 dollars a ticket. Tickets for the men's league, while more expensive, cost under $50 a piece. While season ticket sales are long past, holders regularly sell off excess tickets on Craigslist, making this an affordable night for those suffering from post-NHL season withdrawal or just in search of a fun night out. If you're planning on attending a game, remember that these aren't the President's Trophy winners. There's no ice to throw salmon on to, and Michael Buble is unlikely to put in an appearance. Focus on the atmosphere - grab some tickets in the Southsider zone (sections 248-254), learn some songs, or bring along a drum and join the La Doce crowd. Game on.
Genderedprec_onceptions unspbrtsperson-like Certain sports stillplagued bygender notio~s that.athletes mustlookbeyond ty soccer. And for women playing NATHAN LOWTHER
THE MARTLET a sport perceived as masculine, the comments are a bit harsher. VICTORIA (CUP) These "Dykes on spikes is what people days, few raise an eyebrow at a call it a lot/' said Chelsey Minter, woman on a varsity team doing a a fourth-year rugby player at the layup, or a man on a varsity team University of Victoria. "The ,gay sending a perfect cross into the jokes got brought up, and butch penalty area. jokes and things like that." Say rower or swimmer and no ,That can carry over when hex; gender pops into your head, but teammates trade in the cleats for say field hockey or rugby, and heels and head to the club, when a that's not the case. guy finds out the woman he's talkJames Kirkpatrick has tried ing to plays university rugby. most sports - ice hockey, soccer, ·"They just assume that rugby even rugby. But today, varsity field girls are all butch and not pretty," · hockey is the sport he plays. He Minter explained. started playing when he was about She also finds that people exeight and heard the comments. pect the women's game to have "When I was younger, people different rules than the men's. would make fun of you a little bit, "A lot of people ask if it's full conlike, 'You're playing a girl's sport,' tact. It is, and that's kind of shocking or whatever," Kirkpatrick said in for a lot of people.,."Minter said. a phone interview. "But at univerThe gender biases haven't kept sity, I guess people have a bit more either Minter or Kirkpatrick from class and it's more a surprise than thriving in their chosen game, as anything else." both have played for national juStill, no one would react with nior teams. And both agree that surprise if he said he played varsi- .as the levels get higher, the stereo-
typing abates. "There's still a little bit, but definitely not as much," Kirkpatrick said. "When people hear what level you're competing at, they're more impressed." Less impressive are the results the men's team has put up. The women's field hockey team is one of the most successful programs at UVic, and the men have never , been able to match that. Part of the problem is that fewer men play field hockey in Canada, and many of those that do are from Vancouver and end up at the University of British Columbia. "Once they come over to UVic they love it. But getting them to come over can be a bit of a struggle," Kirkpatrick said, adding they do have a good group of guys here now, and that despite missing the playoffs, they had a good season. The women's rugby team is in a similar sih,1ation. Men's rugby gets plenty of press, partly because of their success. However, the women's club is going in the right di-
rection, including a fourth-place showing in this year's Canada West playoffs. "We came up with our best season," Minter said. "We went 2-2, which doesn't seem that good, but it's a big improvement from the 0-4 and stuff we've had before." Once exams are finished, Kirkpatrick and the junior national team are heading over to Europe. He's not feeling too confident about playing the top-ranked men's team in the world though. "The Germans will definitely stomp us, theire number one in the world right now," he noted. "We're playing England and Poland. Those are the teams we'll probably match up best with." In rugby, the national teams give a good glimpse into how gender still influences sporting decisions. ' "When I started, the boys that I knew that were playing on Canada's junior team didn't pay for anything, we paid for everything," said Minter, who aspires to make the 2014 World Cup squad.
"There was no carding system for the women until 2007, and then they finally started giving us a progressive carding system so that some costs are covered. But it's nowhere near what the men are getting, even now." Neither athlete gets too worked up over the negative comments they still sometimes hear. "People who are coming [to UVic] are trained and have gotten over any of those kinds of things," Minter said. "They're here to play rugby and do well." Kirkpatriclc has been asked "too many times to count" whether: he has to don the skirt women field hoclcey players wear. While he mostly just laughs that attitude off, he understands where it's coming from. "I just encourage people to take a look at it before knocking it," he said of his sport. "A lot of the comments that people come up with are born out of ignorance. If people ever came out to watch one of our games ... I'm sure their opinions would change."
FRIDAY,MAY 27th, 2011
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The practicality of spandex
.Spandexgate: whatVolleyball Canada doesn t wantyoutoknow
Image: flikr.com
PAUL ESAU there fsrt't a lot of material to get in
one with a slightly subversive purpose. "It's as simple as that's what the way and [they] ~on't touch the THECASCADE net when jumping." Yet despite the league rules have adopted," omen's volleyball is a sport her five years playing for UFV, he states. When asked why such a rule would exist, Bokenfohr carethat generally draws a lot of and a volleyball career beginning attention - especially male atten- in middle school, Mintenko con- fully replied, "there has been some tion - for its intense action, rivet- fesses she's unsure why spandex belief, that at the higher levels it's to attract TV ratings." He contining pace, and skin-tight uniforms. shorts have become the standard Two of those three are common attire for her sport. "I remember ued, "if it was because of tangling to most court sports, yet the third it was kind of awkward to wear," and all that stuff, the men would presents a bit of a puzzle. What is she says of her introduction to the wear spandex as well.''. UFV's volleyball teams play in it exactly that justifies that most shorts in grade eight, "but I knew memorable component of wom- that everyone was [wearing span- the BCCAA, which defers to an en's volleyball, spandex? Why has dex] so I got used to it." annual rulebook put out by Volif permeated almost every level of Obviously it's important for a . leyball Canada for matters of game play, and what does it do for our sports team to don matching uni- play, officiating, and, surprisingly, athletes that normal shorts can- forms, but such pressure explains uniforms. When asked whether not? Every spectator has, at one only how the spandex phenom- the organization enforced a rule point, turned to his or her neigh- enon perpetuates itself, not how it regarding spandex shorts, BCCAA bour and asked a vari~tion of one began. As Mintenko notes, "I have contact Andre Tee admitted "I have of these questions, and few, if any, never seen a team that wears baggy not heard of that rule but if it is rule have received a valid response. shorts before, but I think if they did specific in the Volleyball Canada This is not to say that nobody everyone would have to. I think handbook and it's written in there, has answers. Many female vol- that's the main rule; that everyone then I am not sure why the confuleyball players argue the supe- has to wear the same uniform. But sion with players." A fair enough rior flexibility and fit of spandex I've never even heard of ~ team that answer, yet one that leaves three compared to conventional op- has done that, so I'm not sure if it significant details unresolved: tions, and credit it with improved can happen or it can't." a. If Tee himself does not know performance on the court. ForDennis Bokenfohr, UFV's the handbook which provides the mer UFV setter Kim Mintenko Women's Volleyball coach, sees basis for his organization well even mentioned that a "positive spandex shorts as a semi-official enough to confidently deny such a to ·wearing the tight shorts is that requirement of the sport, albeit rule, how can he expect the p~ay-
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A rainbowchainof ·events Thechanging faceofsexuality insports KAREN ANEY It has sparked some interestTHECASCADE ing reactions. First, Burlington hockey agent Todd Reynolds went ean Avery isn't often a name on record as saying that Avery's synonymous with positive choice to make his support known things. He's notorious for cheap is "very sad" and "wrong." Surely hits and angry explosions, and this sentiment was felt by many, has even been suspended for his but most chose not to voice it. Dademoralizing comments about mian Goddard, a sportscaster for ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert. Be- Rogers Sportsnet, decided to air cause of this, it was a surprise to his support of Reynolds, tweeting many when he decided to voice "I completely and wholeheartedly his support of homosexual players support Todd Reynolds and his in the NHL. support for the traditional and This began in February of this TRUE meaning of marriage." Less year when he pledged to stand than 24 hours later, Sportsnet ternext to any player in the dressing minated Goddard after more than room who decides to come out to a decade of employment. his teammates about being gay. The interesting aspect of this "Maybe if Sean Avery is there, situation is that Goddard tweeted they would have less of ~ problem his support on his personal twitwith it," he said. This stance has ter account, from his personal taken a deeper turn, though - not computer. This brings up some only has he spoken with the me- employment rights issues, but furdia about his support, he has now ther than that it demonstrates the formally voiced his stance in an extent of the influence the sports ad campaign for the human rights media has. What's more, it acts as coalition New Yorkers for Mar- an example of just how loud the riage Equali~y Campaign. There's world of sports fans can be - and no turning back now - he's in a that they, by and large, support commercial. It has a white back- homosexuality. While this isn't ground, corny music, and sub- completely unprecedented - the titles. In other words, it's official. death of Brian Burke's son Bren-
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d.an and his subsequent stance on homosexuality is one example that comes to mind - the immediacy of the fallout is a testament to how important this issue is for the public. The internet allows information to travel quickly; perhaps this is one reason for the chain of events that is transpiring. Less than a week after Goddard was fired, Phoenix Suns CEO Rick Welts publicly revealed he was homosexual. He cited a few different reasons fqr his announcement, such as the recent end of a 14 year relationship and the need to be a mentor in the sports .world, but it's difficult to imagine that the fallout sparked by Avery did riot contribute in some way. In an interview on May 20, he said that the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive: "hundreds and hundreds of texts and voicemails ... Parents of kids who are struggling with the same issue. Kids themselves who just reached out to say thank you." Whether or not you agree with homosexuality, the public's stance is impossible to ignore. Avery and his counterparts have sparked a revolution.
Coach Bokenfohr, upon a secers to be familiar with it? b. The Volleyball Canada Hand- o.nd interview, admitted_ that he book is only available through Vol- also was unable to find the rule leyball Canada in hard copy at a pertaining to spandex shorts as cost of $12.50 per book. There is no part of the uniform which he had electronic copy available to players. at first referenced, explaining that c. Tee himself offered no expla- "for the women's game you're nation as to why female volleyball brought up doing it [wearing teams overwhelmingly wear span- spandex shorts], and if it's the only option you have then you do it." dex shorts as part of their uniform. Obviously that pair of spandex James Sneddon, Domestic Development Director for Volleyball shorts represent a mystery; a fascinating, yet sensitive hole in public Canada itself, was marginally more helpful. According to him, .knowledge that results from a verthe section of the handbook per- itable conspiracy permeating _the taining to participant uniform very highest levels of organized is contained in the following: ''A volleyball in Canada. The idea that player's equipment consists of a no one knows why spandex shorts jersey, ·shorts (the uniform), socks, are standard uniform for female and sport shoes." He was unsure volleyball players is hard to swalwhy spandex had become the low, especially considering the norm. '"I can't find any reference position is unique among court to spandex anywhere in the rule sports. Yet if the players thembook," he said. "I'm not sure why selves don't complain, and audiit has become a custom. It may be ences (at least the male members) better to ask someone . who was continue to appreciate the unique around during the [19]70s."When contribution of spandex to the asked whether he could recom- viewing experiEonce,then it seems mend someone who 'was around unlikely we will find the .answers during the 70s' to provide a more to these questions any time in the definitive answer, Mr. Sneddon near future. I suppose there could did not reply. be worse fates.
Now Hiring: Arts and Life Editor Job Description: The Arts and Life Editor of the Cascade is responsible for assigning, collecting, editing and laying out the content of the Arts and Life section of the Cascade. The Arts and Life Editor shall ensure that issues relevant,to students are presented in his/her section, and allow the UFV arts community to be represented in his/her section. At all times, the Arts and Life Editor shall adhere to the Cascade Journalism Society's byl~ws, Code of Conduct and other polices, as well as ensuring that all material in his/ her section does not violate the Canadian University Press Code of Ethics. Qualifications: Mus.t be registered in at least one credit course at UFV during the fall/ winter semesters. Must be available to work varying hours. Must be available to be present in the office for at least 5 hours per week during publishing weeks in the fall/ winter semesters. Must be able to deal effectively with Society and university staff, students and the general public. Must demonstrate strong command of the English language by passing an editing test 1 which will be administered during the interview process. Basic literacy is required: Must have knowledge of all relevant laws and journalistic standards concerning libel.
Please email resume and sample arts and life article (500 to 750 words) to nick@ufvcascade.ca
Application deadline is Friday, June 24 at 11:59 PM
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