OCTOBER 26 TO NOVEMBER 2, 2016
VOLUME 24 ISSUE 26
Haunting our own dreams since 1993
SOMETIMES SMALL IS KIND OF COOL pg. 10-11
A REPLY TO “LIFE IN THE DORMS”
FUTURE CITIES pg. 5
pg. 6
THE CASCADE’S GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN pg. 12
WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
EDITORIAL When policital correctness and freedom of speech collide VANESSA BROADBENT THE CASCADE
Publishing anonymously is not ideal, and is something that The Cascade generally tries to steer away from, but occasionally it’s necessary. The Cascade published a piece last month anonymously, which recently received more feedback online than we expected. The writer had asked to remain anonymous, and this was one of those situations where we thought it was necessary. The writer shared their experiences of living at Baker House, UFV’s campus residence, and commented on how there seems to be a cultural divide between international students and domestic students. We knew that the opinion the writer expressed would not be agreed with by everyone and although it’s good to hold writer’s accountable for their writing, we agreed that in this case, the piece should be published anonymously. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion and the campus newspaper is the perfect platform to voice that, this was a situation where publishing the person’s name could have resulted in hostility towards the writer. Being a university on the smaller side, it’s not uncommon for a lot of UFV students to know each other personally, especially if they live in Baker House, and the last thing The Cascade wanted to do was create tension between students, simply because one felt like sharing an opinion that others might not have agreed with. However, this isn’t simply a problem at UFV, or even universities in general. As society has become more inclusive and forward thinking, sometimes the old ways of looking at things are pushed aside. It’s not that this is necessarily a bad thing —
transitioning into an accepting society is good — but more often than not, anyone who does not share what is now the common opinion is looked down on. I spent a few weeks of the end of last summer road tripping through the States. The long drives were spent listening to whatever public radio station I could find in each city, and I was
An opinion is an opinion, whether it lines up with what’s seen as politically correct or not, and everybody should be entitles to share their own shocked at how different their news stories were. Gay marriage had just become legalized and was still a hot topic in every news source. A public radio station in Missoula, Montana, which felt like the heart of Republican America, interviewed a state senator (I think — it’s a little too long ago to remember exactly who it was)
News
Opinion
Culture
Arts
Overdose awareness training
English degree stereotypes
Science time!
Alex Rake and the Leaves
Crim department offers Naloxone training
Getting past “are you going to be a teacher?”
What happens when stars (not the famous kind) get into fights
Local music from the Valley in the form of folk punk love songs
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STAFF
CONTRIBUTORS
Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Broadbent vanessa@ufvcascade.ca
Culture & Events Editor Jeff Mijo jeff@ufvcascade.ca
Multimedia Editor Martin Ranninger martin.r@ufvcascade.ca
Managing Editor Mitch Huttema mitch@ufvcascade.ca
Arts in Review Editor Martin Castro martin@ufvcascade.ca
Advertising Rep Kayla Schuurmans kayla@ufvcascade.ca
Business Manager Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts jennifer@ufvcascade.ca
Production Manager Brittany Cardinal brittany@ufvcascade.ca
Researcher Trevor Johnson trevor@ufvcascade.ca
Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca
Online Editor Tanya Vanpraseuth tanya@ufvcascade.ca
Staff Writers Emma Groeneveld emma@ufvcascade.ca
News Editor Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca
Features Editor Bradley Peters brad@ufvcascade.ca
Michael Chutskoff mike@ufvcascade.ca
Opinion Editor Panku Sharma panku@ufvcascade.ca
Illustrator Amara Gelaude amara@ufvcascade.ca
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that opposed the passing of the bill. Although it was clear that the senator’s opinion wasn’t shared by the general public and was opposed by many, she was still given the opportunity to comment and her point of view, which was presented logically and ethically, was valued, even though not agreed with. I know that the States is in no way a role model, especially in current circumstances, but I admired how they handled representing both sides to an argument, even if one of the sides was one that I didn’t agree with. Fast forward to more than a year later, and more than 1000 km away, and I honestly can’t say that this is the situation here at UFV, or the rest of Canada. There’s been times throughout my university career where I’ve kept my mouth shut in class or in discussions with other students instead of sharing my opinion on certain issues, simply because I know that I won’t be agreed with and it’s just not worth the hassle. Part of this may be, and probably is, a result of fear of confrontation, but it seems as if siding with certain political stances that the majority of the population no longer agrees with instantly labels you as “one of those people,” no matter how educated or well-informed your opinion is. We pride ourselves in having become an inclusive society where all walks of life are accepted, and that’s great, but we need to remember that all walks of life includes views that may be seen as outdated. An opinion is an opinion, whether it lines up with what’s seen as politically correct or not, and everyone should be entitled to share their own — in a respectful and tactful manner, of course — without fear of ruining their reputation or being looked down on.
Kayla BWD Volume 24 · Issue 26 Room S2111 Rei van Liempt 33844 King Road Amanda Graham Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 Klara Chmelarova 604.854.4529 Harvin Bhatal Mike Friesen WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA Front & Back Cover @UFVCASCADE Joshua DeSilva Design: Genevieve Klassen FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE Brittany Cardinal INSTAGRAM.COM/THE.CASCADE Rebekah Brackett The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a print circulation of 1,250 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities. The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Writers meetings are held each Monday at 2:00 p.m. in The Cascade’s office on the Abbotsford campus. In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 400 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.
www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
NEWS
NEWS BRIEFS
UFV Alert increases emergency notification channels
Abbotsford Police host fentanyl forum The Abbotsford Police will host a forum on the growing problem of fentanyl. The panel of experts will include representatives from the Abbotsford Police Department, Fraser Health Authority, and a clinical specialist in mental health and substance abuse. The forum will be held at the MCA Auditorium at City Hall on South Fraser Way on October 27, 2016, from 7-9 p.m.
UFV to host refugee forum UFV will host a forum on the experiences of refugees and their journeys to Abbotsford. The forum will be looking at the refugee settlement and integration into local communities. This year Canada opened its doors to thousands of refugees and this forum will examine the effects this has had on the refugees and communities. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov 2, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Abbotsford campus lecture theatre, B101.
University of Ottawa will not be investigating pub crawl On October 7, the science students’ association at the University of Ottawa hosted a pub crawl event that has been criticized for reportedly encouraging students to engage in sexual acts for team points. In regards to the event, Jacques Frémont, the university president, has denounced the event but at this time will not be calling for an investigation into the events that took place. The university has officially condemned the actions taking place at the event.
Man shouting racist comments in Abbotsford parking lot identified The Abbotsford man who was caught on film hurling racist comments during a parking violation dispute has been identified by police. The altercation began when a parking attendant issued a ticket to a man whose truck was double-parked. The 47-year-old man, who is known to have an extensive history with police is caught on film shouting obscenities such as “White power!” during his argument.
Photo: The Cascade
AMANDA GRAHAM CONTRIBUTOR
Aiming to provide a safe and informed campus for students and employees, UFV created UFV Alert, an emergency notification system to keep participants updated during an emergency. Last week they tested the system. On October 20 at 10:20 a.m. a voluntary earthquake drill was held at UFV campuses with the hopes to better prepare students and faculty for any future complications or disasters. The drill coincided with ShakeOut, an annual international earthquake drill and not only took place on campus, but across B.C. and internationally. The drill also facilitated a test of UFV’s emergency notification system, UFV Alert. UFV Alert is an system that was set up to send
text messages, emails, or voice messages to cellular devices that will alert participants about anything from power outages to earthquakes. Dave Pinton, UFV’s director of communications said that “The idea with crisis communications is to get the right information to the right people at the right time, and then to keep people updated. It takes many channels to achieve this goal.” The alert system is intended to predominantly be used for weather-related closures or emergencies. It will keep faculty, staff, and students informed with important information about the situation. “Registration is way up for UFV Alert — up 250 per cent from September 2015,” said Pinton. “We now have 2045 people registered to receive a text, email, or voice message — or all three.” British Columbia is located in one of the most
seismically active regions in the world with more than 3,000 earthquakes occurring every year. Even though most of the earthquakes are too small to be felt, the risk of a major earthquake is imminent and it is better to be well prepared then to think it’s never going to happen. ShakeOut took place for British Columbians as a way to practice safety procedures to decrease damage or injuries caused by an earthquake. The university runs drills like this one so as many people as possible know what to do during an emergency. Sign-up for the service and instructions can be found at fraservalley.bbcportal.com/Entry With files from Joel Robertson-Taylor
Senate approves masters in integrated science and technology MICHAEL CHUTSKOFF THE CASCADE
UFV Senate recently approved a master’s in integrated science and technology (MIST) program at their October 14 meeting, and it is now pending approval from the Degree Quality Assessment Board and the Ministry of Advanced Education. With the creation of the MIST program, UFV will now be offering its third master’s degree. Eric Davis, UFV’s provost and vice-president academic, sees the program as a way to increase opportunities for students. “It creates more research opportunities for students and built into the program is an interdisciplinary structure,” Davis said. “It’s creating opportunities for our students, both for students who go into the program and also, the ability of undergraduate and graduates in science to connect and for grad students to mentor undergraduate students.” The program will combine both the fields of science and technology, and will have students combine methodologies from at least two different disciplines in order to graduate. According to Davis, this will increase students’ employability, but more importantly, provide them with the tools to combine different perspectives in
order to solve problems in the workforce. “It, I think, enhances their employability afterwards,” he said. “That kind of a skill, being able to cross lines and combine different perspectives and be able to understand different perspectives is a big plus when you’re in the workforce, whatever your job.” With the continuously rising levels of competition in the workforce, Lucy Lee, the dean of sciences, also sees the MIST program as a unique opportunity for students. “Students will have the opportunity to work in close contact with faculty members who have wellrecognized expertise in their research fields,” Lee states. “The requirement that research projects integrate the knowledge base and methodologies of at least two disciplines is also a key feature that will ensure innovation beyond the traditional disciplinary silos.” The degree will also include a laddering option, which will give undergraduate students the opportunity to complete courses required in the master’s program while still completing their bachelor’s degree. As a result, some 400-level courses will contain both undergraduate and grad students. Undergraduate students can also enroll in the MIST program while they are still in their undergrad studies to help ensure that they can
complete their degree in two years. Davis sees this as a way provide an environment of mentorship between students. “We have an undergraduate focus at the institution, so we wouldn’t just develop graduate programs for their own sake,” he said. “We would want the graduate programs to either bring in enough money to help subsidize the undergraduate programs or create the educational benefits of having grad students mixed with undergrad students.” The MIST program can help set students up for careers in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) and can specialize in fields such as biotechnology, bioinformatics, or environmental science, depending on their areas of expertise. Acceptance into the program requires a 3.0 accumulative GPA with a bachelor of science, or equivalent degree from an accredited postsecondary institution. There is no official word yet as to when the master’s in integrated science and technology program will be brought to UFV but the hope is that the framework will be ready for the Fall 2017 semester. The approval of the program is still in the hands of the Ministry of Advanced Education, and when they will approve is unpredictable. With files from Vanessa Broadbent
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www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
NEWS Theatre and peace and conflict studies degrees approved JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR THE CASCADE
After more than three years of development, UFV will now offer two new degree programs within the bachelor of arts. The programs, peace and conflict studies (PACS) and theatre studies, come as a result of increasing demand from students and the community. Both programs have been set to begin in the Fall 2017 semester. Both degree programs are unique in that they offer focuses not offered elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. Dr. Alisa Webb, the associate dean of students for the college of arts, who reviewed the program proposal, curriculum, and calendar copy for the new programs, said the programs were in high demand. “Theatre students have long asked for a major to increase their marketability within creative industry and to enhance their graduate school applications,” Webb said. “As for PACS, we live in a global world in which conflict and the need for peace are ever present.” Surveys conducted by Institutional Research showed that 90 per cent of theatre program students were interested in a theatre major. A focus of UFV’s has been to create programs that are individualized to the institution. Their desire is to build a specific environment that students would want or need to come to because it is only offered at UFV. The university has also made a commitment — as outlined in their Education Plan —
to be a student-focused institution rather than research-based. “The PACS major and minor are unique programs in Western Canada,” said Webb. “Until now, students interested in focusing on peace and conflict studies at the degree level needed to travel to Winnipeg.” Dr. Steven Schroeder, a faculty member in the UFV history department, chaired the peace and conflict studies program working group. “There are numerous aspects of the PACS program that, at least in my view, render it distinct,” said Schroeder. “Each respective PACS program develops uniquely, based on the expertise and resources of the faculty members and university in which it develops.” The PACS program has two essential elements: research-based academic learning and engagement, and practical application in peacebuilding work. PACS is a field of study that examines conflict and peace strategies spanning a large sphere of inquiry, from conflict in personal relationships, to conflicts in the local community or internationally. “It spans a very wide field of inquiry, from conflict in personal relationships, to conflicts in the community, the nation, and in international relations,” said Schroeder. UFV’s theatre program also comes highly anticipated and is unique in the Lower Mainland because of its comprehensive approach to theatre and performance studies. Theatre majors will study applied practical theatre skills in conjunction with a liberal arts education, giving students a broad range of
transferable skills. Theatre department head Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch was part of the program development committee that created the proposal for the theatre major and a member of the college of arts curriculum committee when the theatre major was approved. “Performance is everywhere — just look at the U.S. presidential race,” said Davis-Fisch. “Because our theatre major is focused not only on traditional theatre but on performance studies, our graduates will be well-equipped to analyze and critique the performances that surround them.” Community members have also been supportive of the development for the theatre major, particularly because of UFV’s theatre having been a part of the community for 35 years. “UFV theatre department has been a central fixture in the Fraser Valley, not only offering numerous productions a year, but also graduating students who have gone on to expand on creative practice and opportunities within their communities,” said Webb. The programs were approved after more than three years of deliberation within UFV’s own committees, and the Ministry of Advanced Education. Much of the cause for delay resulted from a change in education ministers and a review of the Ministry’s Degree Quality Assurance Board procedures followed by changes to the process of assessment. While UFV’s internal approval process takes about 18 months, government approval took over two years.
Overdose awareness and training for students Criminology department offers naloxone training VANESSA BROADBENT THE CASCADE
In an effort to educate students on the dangers of overdose — and what to do if an overdose happens — UFV’s criminology and criminal justice department is offering naloxone training to its students. Naloxone is a medication used to prevent overdoses by stopping the effects of opiates, and with overdose rates in B.C. at an all-time high, it is in higher demand than ever. As of this month, there have already been 555 deaths in the province as a result of illicit drug overdoses, compared to the 508 overdose deaths in 2015. Statistics released by the B.C. Coroners Service credited 61 per cent of these deaths a result of fentanyl — three times the amount reported last year. Michele Giordano, career development coordinator with the criminology and criminal justice department, saw this as an opportunity to educate students on the constantly growing dangers of overdoses. “We have an epidemic on our hands,” she said. “The province has declared a state of emergency for the amount of overdoses coming from fentanyl.” The training, which is currently only available to students of the criminology and criminal justice program, will prepare students to prevent overdose deaths when they enter the workforce where many of their careers will include working with an at-risk population. But with overdose numbers climbing, Giordano is hoping that the training will be relevant to students in their personal lives as well. “We are educating students about the risks of drug overdose, but we’re doing it in a context where we’re giving them tools to apply to their chosen profession one day, but at the same time, they’re learning for themselves too and for their friends,” she
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said. “The nice consequence of providing students with these tools is it’s educating themselves and their peers as well.” A similar program was recently launched at the University of British Columbia, where students were educated on how to administer naloxone and even had access to the medication — a service that unfortunately went unused and is exactly what Giordano is hoping to prevent from happening.
“We have an epidemic on our hands” “That demonstrates that there is a great deal of stigma associated to drug use and it puts people’s lives at risk and that translates to the larger system, into health care systems, into the criminal justice system, where people, for fear of stigma, won’t access,” she said. “So having the dialogue at university is a really good place to start.” While completely erasing the social stigma surrounding drug use may be hard, Giordano is hoping to at least start a discussion among UFV students. “We want to just start talking about it,” she said. “Youth are the fastest increasing risk group right now that Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority have established who is increasingly overdosing more and more.” Having worked in the field for years, Giordano has offered naloxone training to many drug addicts and at-risk users, but found that training students with the medication was a completely different experience. “It was really difficult to keep people engaged that were street
active because they’ve got to go, the drugs are calling their name, so we had to keep it really fast. Now we’re realizing we’ve got to slow things down,” she explained. “We realized in our first training that we have to expand from one and a half hours to three hours each.” In those three hours, students will learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose, how to respond to one, how to administer naloxone, as well as what to do if naloxone is not available. “What they learn is a little bit about the drugs and the concerns, issues, and barriers facing people that are suffering from addictions and then we actually practice using naloxone,” Giordano explained. However, the training sessions are not lead by Giordano, but Erica Thomson, HIV / hepatitis C outreach worker and former user, as well as a peer worker who is also a current drug user. “I think it’s much richer when it comes from somebody who has been there,” Giordano said. “I can stand up and talk about drugs, but it’s quite different if it’s a sober person who’s been through all those drugs and an active person in their addiction. It’s much more powerful and meaningful than coming from somebody who has no experience directly with it. Only two sessions of the training have been offered so far, but because of the overwhelming response, Giordano is already planning for the next and hopes to eventually be able to offer the training to all UFV students. “We’ve done two trainings so far and it was immediately booked — there’s an absolute appetite for knowledge regarding overdose,” she said. “We recognize that we need to do more. We’re starting with crim students and then we’d like to open it up to more students in general, whoever is interested.” Although there are currently no dates set for the next training sessions, Giordano noted that students interested in learning more about naloxone can do so by visiting towardtheheart.com/ naloxone/.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
NEWS
Photo: The Cascade
The future of urbanization UFV hosts forum discussing the future of population growth and its impact KLARA CHMELAROVA CONTRIBUTOR
On Tuesday, the Great Hall in the Student Union Building on UFV’s Abbotsford campus became a space for debating urbanization, development, environmental impact, and what kind of future humankind is heading towards. Urbanism is the shift of population from rural to urbanized areas. In a world that is undergoing mass population change — by 2050 the population is projected to be double what it is today — urbanism bears the potential to dramatically change the living conditions of a large number of people. This month in Ecuador, world leaders will organize to adopt the New Urban Agenda, a document that will outline and standardize the conditions under which people live and the way cities are developed and managed. Amy Prevost, the director of the criminology and criminal justice department, Cherie Enn, associate professor of geography and the environment, and Justin Mhina, who works in the field of land management administration and is an environmental engineer, opened up about their experiences with urban planning and the role citizens have to embrace the future. Why host the forum on urbanization in the first place? Amy: The purpose of the forum is an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and the community members to get together and share ideas about urbanization, and topics on the Habitat III Urban agenda. It’s really an opportunity to see how that intersects with their interest, their studies, teaching, and research as well. For students, it’s an opportunity to share ideas about how that intersects with their future goals and future professions. Ultimately, urbanization is a driving force as well as a source of development with a power to change and improve lives. Furthermore, university is a great forum to bring everyone together — academics, researchers, and community members — to talk about this. What we’ve seen in the past with similar forums is someone says something that peaks your interest
and you have the opportunity to go and follow up on that conversation. What topics will be covered? Amy: Topics range from foreign and local policy, urban planning and infrastructure, climate change, governance challenges, and crime prevention. Through crime prevention we’re looking at safe cities for women, for children, for vulnerable groups. All factors that ultimately promote increased physical and psychological well-being. It covers a broad range of topics, and again, the presentations are two minutes each, so it’s a rapid-fire dynamic exchange of views but it does cover a broad range of topics that fall within the Habitat III Urban Agenda. What is the goal? Amy: I think the goal is to encourage conversation, to encourage engagement, and to encourage the sharing of ideas. That’s the whole purpose of a forum like this; it’s to get people talking about the importance of the agenda. I think it creates a unique opportunity for UFV students and faculty together with local community leaders to reflect on the future of our cities and towns in British Columbia, Canada, and the rest of the world. What are your experiences watching the world becoming increasingly urbanised? Justin: To me urbanization is a resource, it depends on how you work with it. If you look at it at the perspective of increasing number of people, the people to me, are a resource. If you have so many people in the city, the probability of having so much talent, so much brains, so much thinking, different specialities and ways of looking at the environment actually increases. That goes all the way to the issues of economy and marketing. That’s a positive way of looking into urbanization. But, then again, when talking of urbanization, if you don’t utilize all these resources I am talking about — the minds of the people, the skills they have — into something constructive, then urbanization can turn ugly. If you have so many people living together, their
environmental footprint is something to be concerned about, especially if it’s not controlled. Do you think the new generation will have to become more interested in sustainability? Justin: The future of the world itself is resting on the hands of the young people, the Millennials. I can say the mindset of the Millennials should lead towards the idea of making the world better in the future, not making the world a better place today. Because with all these development trends we see today (like rise in the population numbers) will most likely increase in the future. And that is probably going to be the most difficult time to live in the world. We don’t really see the impacts of environmental problems we are creating today. So they have the role of making sure that they have a creative mind in everything they do, making the sustainability of the future world their main aim. What is happening today is a result of the mindset of the people who lived so many years ago, and we can see those impacts today. But, during those years the population was not as big as what we are expecting. So I will agree to the statement that we are going to have to be much more future-oriented. How will urbanization affect career choices of people currently studying at the university? Cherie: I think there will be a lot of job and career options related to planning of cities, from social issues, social justice, to homelessness. So if you look at sustainability as three pillars: environment, economics, and social, and really, the foundation is governance. So you can only imagine the opportunities jobwise and research-wise within those four areas will provide a lot of profession potential. So lots of opportunities for jobs and research. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
THE CASCADE IS HIRING A VARSITY WRITER If you have any interest in writing sports then send your resume, cover letter, and a sample of your writing to mitch@ufvcascade.ca. The deadline for applications is Oct 31st. 5
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
OPINION
Mentors come in many forms MICHAEL CHUTSKOFF THE CASCADE
None of us have gotten this far alone, and I believe it is a duty for us to lend a helping hand and pay our support forward. There are thousands in our community everyday who give their skills and hearts to volunteering, and I would like to encourage students here at UFV to do the same. I asked for a story from one of our writers, to highlight the impact one person can have on a young life. Hopefully this can inspire some to either recognize the people in their lives who deserve a phone call or get involved in their community in their own way. If you’re not feeling particularly altruistic or concerned with your own personal growth, I’ d like to point out it looks great on a resume and could possibly qualify for your co-curricular record. - Panku Sharma
Growing up, I never really had a mentor. I never idolized a celebrity, a superhero, a legendary athlete, or cartoon character. While other kids had a role model, I never really had anything like that. Confident in my ways, I learned from my own mistakes and set my own path out for me. While it was a tumultuous expedition in life, it worked for a time. As I got older, I led myself into a pit that I couldn’t get out of. When I came out, I was really confused. I never really knew what my life was supposed to look like at that point. Based off of what I learned on the internet, I thought I knew everything, but inadvertently started alienating those around me. My mentor came to me in the form of a program coordinator at the Abbotsford dropin at the Fraser Valley Youth Society. Ray Covenant was shorter, somewhat stern, and
maybe a little weirder than I’m used to, but in my eyes, he was my guardian angel. When I first met him, I realized that I had seen him before. A year prior, I did a program with the Abbotsford Police, and Ray was an actor that I had ended up arresting during an exercise. We seemed to both realize this moment at the same time, and it was an awkward start to a conversation. Once we brushed that off, Ray slowly became a father figure over the duration of my teen years, and he helped me become the person I am today. He guided me in the right direction to success; he kept me away from some seriously bad life choices, and let me experience some of the other bad choices in order for me to learn and grow from them. No matter what I was experiencing, he was there to help and ensure that I didn’t fall apart. I never felt awkward asking him any questions, and he never made any answer awkward for me.
While Ray doesn’t have as much of a handson role in my life, I still greatly value him as a person. I’m not able to talk to him as often, but when we do, I feel reassured that the path he helped set out for me is the right one. Seeing him be so selfless and approachable in the community is something that I aspire to be like. Despite having so many things on the go, his time management skills are legendary, and that’s why I am able to juggle so much while still taking care of myself. I never thought of him as a mentor until recently and I am ever so thankful for the role he played during my teens. While many of us may think mentors often show up as knights in shining armor, mine came in a short, balding man with a wacky sense of humour; but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
A reply to “Life in dorms at UFV” GENEVIEVE KLASSEN CONTRIBUTOR
The snapshot “Life In Dorms at UFV” from Issue 22 of The Cascade had a misleading title. At first glance, I expected to read about the interesting activities that took place in residence, but no, it was the author’s frustration about cultural divide. As such, I would like to offer a few suggestions on how this self-imposed divide can be torn down. You are not as helpless as you might think. For the record, I’m an exchange student from Singapore, and I live in Baker House. Every other nationality is as foreign to me as we all are to the author of the snapshot article. The suggestions are simple and it starts with the self. Tip 1: Get out of one’s comfort zone. Living in Baker House has been wonderful. The best thing about Baker House is its kitchens. Every evening, the kitchens become a melting pot of cultures. For instance, the first floor kitchen is occupied by the Japanese, Singaporeans, Dutch, Swiss, and Scottish at the same time every day. (No locals, though!) Now here’s the problem: I am not a very vocal person, choosing to listen more than to speak. However, my desire to learn more about people unlike myself forces me out of my bubble. Interacting with people from various nationalities has helped so much in broadening my view of the world and its peoples. Tip 2: Get rid of one’s pride. The author says, and I quote: “This tends to make it hard to get to know your neighbours when you don’t speak the same language and don’t have any intention in learning the others.” For the benefit of those who don’t already know, every single person living in residence has to know basic English in order to be studying in UFV where English is the medium of instruction. As such, one does not have to go through the torture of learning a foreign language in order to communicate with international students. Just humble yourself a little, use simple English along with Google Translate and you are good to go. Of course, if
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Photo: Ashley Mussbacher
you are humble to the extent of being willing to pick up a foreign language, that would be great. Tip 3: Stop limiting oneself. I am sad that we made the author feel un-Canadian because no foreigner in my country ever made me feel less Singaporean. If anything, interaction with foreigners enhances
my own identity. Do know that everyone is empowered with a mouth to speak, ears to listen, legs to move about, and technology to aid in communication. Use them actively, and the cultural divide you imagined will not exist. In the meantime, interaction does not happen if you choose to box yourself up in your room
when everyone else is in the kitchen engaging in meaningful conversations over sumptuous meals. I hope the above is more constructive than the rant in the snapshot.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
www.ufvcascade.ca
OPINION
SNAPSH
TS
Curtailed commentary on current conditions
Lately I’ve been seeing more and more ads for “autocorrect” apps or add-ons. Facebook’s got one now, and apparently, if you use Chrome as a browser it can extend to all the writing you do on there. Now, we all like being able to know when we’ve spelled something wrong (especially if it’s going to lead to an embarrassing exchange later on), but my question is this: How useful, in the long run, is this app and others of its kind going to be? If users misspell a word, notice their mistake, and as the app corrects it, note in their mind the mistake, then they’ll be furthering their spelling skills. I just hope whoever uses this app manages to glean the difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re.”
Autocorrect Martin Castro
Modern is outdated Joel Robertson-Taylor
I love Rock ‘n Roll! Klara Chmelarova
But you don’t necessarily have to. Have you ever wondered what leads people to listen to certain types of music? It started bugging me when my best friend (the kind of best friend you have at the tender age of 13) stopped talking to me when I told her that Tokio Hotel wouldn’t last in the music industry more than four years (and they didn’t). To be fair, I realize now that telling a crazed teenager the band she is crushing on sucks probably wasn’t the most tactful approach. It’s interesting that as you get older your musical taste usually becomes broader. Take my early teen start with symphonic and power metal, which evolved into the darkness of black and death metal during my first year of high school. (Mind you it was also a time of wearing chokers around my neck and hating society.) This eventually mellowed into an embrace of ska and reggae. Today, at the age of 21, I listen to music ranging from metal, indie, jazz, progressive, or classical, all the way to the occasional pop song. What I’ve picked up is that you go through life and experience a huge amount of things you link emotions to, especially songs. As you expose yourself to more music and experiences, one also becomes more tolerant to the musical tastes of others. With all that said, I still consider myself a metalhead and my friend is still a boy band lover. But, I don’t laugh at her music choices (that often).
“Modern” sounds old. The word itself strikes me as one looking off to the bright and distant future of radio wave communications and automobiles. “Aren’t we such modern gentlemen? Why, just look at this light bulb I had installed in my study!” “Indeed, indeed, quite modern we are.” Modern, the word, dates back to the 1500s. I imagine Elizabethan physicians selling “modern” cures for plague — dried toad and lily root tinctures being the most apotheosized medicines and only for the rich, of course. The word itself was “modern” for a time — when did it stop adequately describing itself? I find that modern tends to be used in positive terms. Only things that are favourable are modern, and when we find out that they are no longer adequate, they become archaic. It would seem that objects bearing the description of modern, by sheer self-imposed semantics, can only be as such for an undefined but limited period of time. At the very moment that the description is applied it begins to decay. Both “outdated” and “antiquated” could exist forever if we let them, but “modern” works itself out of the job.
Nothing is more irksome than trying to open a door, and hoping you don’t smash some poor first-year’s face on the other side of it. This common occurrence happens at one of the stairwells to the second floor of D building. A single, heavy, windowless red door stands guard between the stairs and the hallway. However, the door is always closed, and when opened, swings into the stairs. Seeing as half of my fall courses are on the second floor of D building, I have no choice when it comes to taking the stairs to and from class, and have to hope that I don’t get smacked by the door, or become the smacker. Gingerly opening the door is the most successful technique, but due to the single door, and it being rather skinny, if someone is on the other side, things can get awkward. While the D building door duel may have been prevented, nothing can stop the ensuing Canadian standoff.
D building door duel Michael Chutskoff
Illustrations: Amara Gelaude
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www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
OPINION
No, I don’t want to be a teacher and no, I will not edit your paper
Illustrations: Rebekah Brackett
HARVIN BHATHAL CONTRIBUTOR
In university, every degree has stereotypes, but the degree that seems to have the most is English. As the only English major in a group of friends who are either science, math, or business majors, the constant remarks are humorous in all honesty, but the fact of the matter is, most of them are misconceptions. While it is true that we are often English majors because we had an inspiring teacher that made us fall in love with reading and writing, it does not mean we want to necessarily become teachers. And no, becoming a teacher is not the only plausible career option. Continuing on the subject, the most common misconception about being an English major is that there are few job prospects and the ones that are available are low-paying. Besides teaching, there are careers in copywriting, editing, freelancing, marketing, publishing, social media, and writing as a whole, and these are merely the tip of the iceberg. While it is true that jobs pertaining to English majors pay less than higher-end professions in medicine, accounting, or other fields, we don’t decide to major in English because we want to earn a six-figure salary. It would be absurd to study for only that motivation. To pursue a career in English and become successful, the love for reading and writing
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needs to be there, but that applies to any degree; to become successful in any facet of life, there needs to be passion. Aside from the careers in English, another common misconception is that becoming an English major is “easy,” as if a four-year degree is easy in any sense. According to the stereotypes, all we do is read books and write essays. While that is true to a certain extent, what isn’t taken into consideration is that we are often required to read several novels a semester and in the upper-level classes, even multiple novels a week. The amount of extensive research and time put into writing an essay and rewriting it puts an immense strain on the brain. Being the only English major in a group of friends, I edit their papers from time to time. This stereotype is subjective because some enjoy it and others hate it. Personally, I side with the former, as I like editing papers and reading what my friends are writing because it’s fun to see how their thought process works in comparison to mine. But no, we are not your personal spell checkers who you can call upon at all times. We have to write and edit our own papers as well, so pay attention to our corrections! It will save valuable time for the both of us. On a lighter note, it’s true that we’re known for using impeccable grammar, knowing the proper placement of commas, and knowing the difference between “your” and “you’re,” and “their,” “there,” and “they’re.” That is a stereotype that I will
not deny and am proud of. But that does not mean we know everything. There is a difference between writing and editing; there are people who can write but cannot edit well and vice versa. Everyone has his or her role and everyone needs help at times, including us. However, with the use of impeccable grammar, the moment we do slip up, we’re given a hard time. Speaking for myself, I text with proper sentences, starting with a capital and ending with a period. However, my friends text “normally” and when they obviously misspell or use a word incorrectly, I correct them. The moment I accidentally make a mistake in grammar, my friends harp on me, but that comes with the territory and I accept it. It’s funny, really. While most English majors do prefer to text with proper sentences, we use slang and acronyms as well; we’re not judging you for not writing like us (at least most of the time), we’re people too. While most of the stereotypes of an English major are false, I will admit that the bookstore is one of my favourite places in the world and whenever I see a bookstore, I have to go in and walk the aisles and marvel at the selection of books, even though I may not buy them. The smell of books, old and new, is a fascination that one can only understand if they take the time to take in the experience. And yes, I love tea.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
www.ufvcascade.ca
STUDY BREAK Crossword - Happy Halloween!
Across 1: Artificial faces 5: Drink that, while not a potion, is brewed 8: Undead verbalization 10: Person who breaks divine law 12: Age group that’s getting a little too old to trick-or-treat, but can still get away with it
Down 2: Horrifying or otherwise frightening 3: Ethereal dead folks 4: Gelatin dessert — popular for parties, not so great for trick-ortreaters 6: Number of legs on the spider that might be crawling up your leg 7: Del Toro movie: “P_ _’s Labyrinth” 8: Execution method: _ _heading 9: Archer of the night sky 11: Casual negative response, possibly to something horrible or disgusting
UPCOMING EVENTS OCT.26
Teaching a New Masculinity @ Great Hall 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
OCT.2730 OCT.28
Astrological mysteries interpreted by Master Moji
Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 The misdeeds of the past are ready to resurface, and they are not subtle about it.
Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 The years start coming and they don’t stop coming. You’ll be fed to the rules, so you’d better hit the ground running. Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Don’t worry, that strange skittering noise isn’t all in your head. It’s waiting until you fall asleep to climb in there. Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Stock up on garlic while you still can. (It adds a nice flavour to a lot of things!)
Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 What happens when you cross a Sagittarius and a haunted house? Well, let’s just say the house gets more haunted. Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 There are no monsters under your bed. Spiders, yeah. A rat living between your walls? For sure. But monsters? The only monsters in this world are the people pretending to be your friends.
Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 While staying hydrated is important, don’t forget that salt water won’t work. So when it begins to pull you deep underneath the waves, try not to let it into your mouth. That’ll only make escape harder. Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 This seems like a good week to test out those magical powers you’ve always thought you had. Just be ready for whatever results may come. Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 Don’t wait for November 1 to stock up on cheap candy. You’ll need the calories when the calamity begins.
Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 They’re coming for you. I hope you know what you must do now.
Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 It’s looking like a pretty crumby week for everyone else, but you’re in for a week about as exciting as plain porridge. Revel in your astrological superiority! Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 Let’s just say you don’t want to try driving through an empty stretch of road alone at night.
UFV Theatre: Possible Worlds @ UFV Performance Theatre 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM (2:00 PM on Oct 30) UFV Halloween Bash @ SUB 7:00 PM
OCT.29
League of Legends Worlds Viewing Party @ SUB 3:30 PM - 12:00 AM
OCT.30
En Route trip to Fright Nights @ U House 4:30 PM
OCT.31
CreWri club: Spooky Readings @ Great Hall 11:00 AM
NOV.2
Current Palestinian Realities talk @ B121 3:00 PM
Made by Jeff Mijo
Horrorscopes
Diwali - Festival of Light @ Clarke Theatre 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Present-Day Newcomers Fleeing War Torn Regions @ B101 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
SPORTS Scores
Women’s basketball Oct. 21 UFV Cascades vs. Lewis-Clark State Warriors L 88-48 Oct. 22 UFV Cascades vs. Lewis-Clark State Warriors L 110-63 Men’s soccer Oct. 21 UFV Cascades vs. UNBC Timberwolves T 1-1 Oct. 22 UFV Cascades vs. UNBC Timberwolves W 2-0 Women’s soccer Oct. 21 UFV Cascades vs. Calgary Dinos T 2-2 Oct. 22 UFV Cascades vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns W 2-0 Men’s volleyball Oct. 20 UFV Cascades vs. CBC Bearcats W 3-0 Oct. 21 UFV Cascades vs. CBC Bearcats W 3-0 Women’s volleyball Oct. 20 UFV Cascades vs. CBC Bearcats L 3-1 Oct. 21 UFV Cascades vs. CBC Bearcats W 3-0
Upcoming games Men’s Basketball Oct. 30 3:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Laurier Golden Hawks (home) Women’s basketball Oct. 28 12:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Regina Cougars (away) Oct. 29 3:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Calgary Dinos (away) Men’s soccer Oct. 29 2:15 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Calgary Dinos (away) Women’s soccer Oct. 29 5:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Victoria Vikes (away) Mens volleyball Oct. 28 8:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. VIU Mariners (away) Oct. 29 3:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. VIU Mariners (away) Women’s volleyball Oct. 28 6:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. VIU Mariners (away) Oct. 29 1:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. VIU Mariners (away)
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SOMETIMES SMALL IS KIND OF COOL
www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
Small class sizes and talking with your profs are the perks of UFV BY BRADLEY PETERS LAYOUT BY BRITTANY CARDINAL
It’s a starless night at 11:30 p.m. when Amy Chiasson, a UFV peace and conflict studies student, arrives in New York City. Outside of the airport hundreds of cabbies holler in Spanish from the roadside; their Englishspeaking accomplices hover near the glass doors to haggle with her over the price of a ride. Amy, an emerald-eyed, 23-year-old with Métis heritage, is attending a universitysponsored trip to the United Nations headquarters. It’s a dream opportunity for her, one that would have been impossibly competitive had she been attending a larger university. UFV is a modest university by anyone’s standards, hosting only 14,400 students last year compared to UBC’s attendance of over 60,000. Modesty may be a disparaged trait these days, but a smaller university can be a massive benefit for a student’s education and future career. Students, of all people, would do well to remember that it isn’t the size of a university that matters, but how well you can use it. UFV’s 2016 financial report shows that revenue from donations, non-government grants, and university contracts equalled $4,469,936 this year, with total revenues amounting to $122 million, $46 million (36 per cent) of which is from student tuition. More UFV students should take advantage of the university’s financial surplus by attending and applying for the grants and extracurricular opportunities. An example of one of these opportunities came out of the recently created peace and conflict studies (PACS) program. Peace and conflict studies was declared an available major at UFV this year, the first degree of its kind in Western Canada. The program collaborates with community partners such as MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) to offer students an immersive educational experience. MCC sponsored three UFV students to attend the “Politics of Peacekeeping: A Haiti Case Study” conference at United Nations headquarters in New York. Amy sits in the back of the bobbing cab as it peels through midnight Brooklyn. She is one of the lucky PACS students chosen to attend the UN conference. Old brick buildings hunch overhead. Cabs thread the dim roadways. Every car is a taxi. A subway tram rises out of the ground onto skytrain stilts, clapping
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Photo: Amy Chiasson
Amy Chiasson, a Peace and conflict studies student, at the UN up beside the road, and the lights of Manhattan begin seeping through the spaces between each housing complex. Her hotel is an ancient brick shack, the cheapest in Manhattan, but it’s in the heart of the city, just steps from UN headquarters, the Empire State Building, and Times Square. Amy collects her room key through a hand-sized hole at the reception desk. Her sixth-floor room overlooks a ramshackle rooftop with air conditioning units and chimneys rattling away like an overheated teakettle. Her bed is a single mattress. The communal bathroom is in the hall. It’s a shithole, but a wonderful shithole, permeating with potential for the romantic retelling of an acclaimed humanitarian’s humble
beginnings. That night, as Amy unpacked her bags in New York, David Fawcett, a UFV alumni pursuing a master’s in geography from the University of Guelph, sat down with me at Field House Brewing Company in Abbotsford to speak about university sizes. “A big university like Guelph is sort of soulless,” says David, swiping beer foam from his tawny moustache. “Most prof’s never see a student’s work. They just lecture and when they’re done, they leave, and T.A’s (teaching assistants) like me are left to mark the papers. I never even see the people whose work I mark.” David works as a teaching assistant the University of Guelph, a university
of approximately 25,000 students. He graduated from UFV with a bachelor of arts in geography. Since then he has spent the summer working with Inuit peoples in Ulukhaktok, NT, researching how climatic (related to climate change) and nonclimatic stressors (such as cultural and economic changes) combine to affect subsistence hunting. The information he acquired on the trip will work toward his master’s thesis. “The best classes I ever had were at UFV,” he said. “It’s so nice to speak with your professors and to have discussions during and after class. The interaction makes a huge difference.” David’s sentiment is not unfounded. Irenee Beattie and Megan Thiele, professors of sociology at the University of California and San Jose State University, respectively, have done research on the topic of class sizes and educational inequality. They found that larger classes hinder interaction and discussions between students and professors, as well as students and their peers about academic and career matters. A larger class directly correlates to lower student achievement, attendance, and participation. Beattie and Thiele establish student interaction as vital for a fulfilled educational experience, indicating that students who interact with their professors and peers have more successful college / university outcomes. Yin Bai, author of “Effects of class size and attendance policy on university interaction in Taiwan,” illustrates how larger class sizes lower classmate supportiveness, student preparedness, and class participation compared with smaller class sizes. At UFV, The Cascade’s research of the opinions of students around campus on the issue of class sizes shows clear results. 91 per cent of UFV students feel as though their professors encourage class participation, 86 per cent are comfortable asking questions during class time, 75 per cent actually speak with their professors about class topics, and 91 per cent of UFV students create friendships with their classmates. Conversely, nearly 67 per cent of polled students felt their answers to the previous questions would change if their class size doubled.
www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
Photo: UBC Public Affairs
Of course the argument for acclaimed universities is undeniable. Large, highly reputable schools claim the world’s greatest intellectuals and innovators as researchers and professors for their university. Compound this with the probability of working alongside future pioneers and leaders in your field of studies. Being a part of something as large and awesome as a historic educational facility that has produced some of your heroes and role models, perhaps even having some of them working their as instructors, will always be unquestionably attractive. As a creative writing student, the allure of the massive University of British Columbia is tantalizing. Earle Birney, one of Canada’s greatest writers, winner of two Governor General’s Awards in Poetry and author of more than 20 books, established the UBC department of creative writing in 1965. Since then, UBC has become the paramount creative writing institute in Canada. UBC boasts an impressive lineup of renowned authors as instructors, not to mention regular guest lectures by Canadian writing giants such as Naomi Klein and Joseph Boyden. The creative writing program at UBC is highly
competitive, accepting 25 students from over 100 applicants each year, according to UBC guidelines for prospective CRWR major. Of course other universities have similar niches, distinguished programs where competition and notoriety work to ensure a fruitful career. It’s impossible
and thoughtful classroom discussions; what about the power of feeling free to speak up, to have your voice heard amongst professors and peers and feel with each word and nuanced tone the subtle formation of your own authority? University students are gaining more than facts or textbook jargon, we are acquiring
“ Students, of all people, would do well to remember that it isn’t the size of a university that matters, but how well you can use it” to deny that prestige is the legal tender of universities. But is prestige more important than personal growth? As students, we benefit more as a whole when we prioritize intimate learning and emotional well-being over competition and reputation. Who gives a damn about the tender of a university; what about the currency of your spirit? What about relationships, personalized guidance,
rich clay to construct our character, and the tools to chip off the old, dried out pieces that no longer fit. Amy Chiasson lamented her last day in New York. She recalled the lacquer and ancient paper musk of the UN Security Council meeting chamber, and watching women in tailored dress suits strut through the expansive marble halls; the clack of cue balls in the underground
jazz club where she watched couples drinking cocktails completely oblivious that musicians were howling their souls through brass horns, dying right there on the clapboard stage and being reborn; tramping the Big Apple streets in the 1 a.m. dim, buzzed, laughing to herself that she couldn’t imagine a better nickname than The City That Never Sleeps. Amy visited the 9 / 11 memorial site in her last hours before catching a cab back to JFK Airport. Memorial pools are imbedded into the foundation of the two tower locations, each lined with bronze panels inscribed with the names of the 3,000 people who died in the attacks. She reads them, the familiar-sounding names, and tears begin to swell and slip from her eyelashes. She lets them straggle down her cheeks. Remember the sting, she tells herself. Remember the gnawing burn in your chest when you decided you would fight this, decided that you would go to war against the hurting in this world, never win, no hope of stopping the suffering, but don your armour nonetheless, and bring this passion to battle with you every day.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
www.ufvcascade.ca
CULTURE & EVENTS
Finding your Halloween fear Harrowing haunted houses, cerebral serial killers, and live music for the unliving. EMMA GROENEVELD & JEFF MIJO THE CASCADE
Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s ready to jump out and scare the pants clean off of you! If you’re tired of midterms, classes, and assignments, and are just looking for a good scare, here is a big list of Halloween events to get your hair standing on end and to wrench some truly bloodcurdling screams out of your very soul! Or perhaps to give you a nice romp through a pumpkin patch or evening of theatre, if horror isn’t for you.
Reaper’s Haunted Attraction
If you are wishing to have a quick, but terrifying heart attack this October, Reaper’s haunted house is the place for you! While the haunt is truly terrifying, it is not a long one as there is only one house and a medium sized maze. It might be this way as being in this attraction for longer than 40 minutes would give any sane person a heart attack! It’s that scary! Tickets cost $11 each for the maze or haunted house, and both are $20, or $19 with a nonperishable food item. Open from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. most nights and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Halloween.
The Zombie Syndrome Theatre
Virtual Theatre has created a play that includes all of Granville Island, and further, where the audience are also part of the play. The story explains that zombies have taken over, and your team of special agents must find clues to stop the zombie apocalypse, all while zombies chase you around the city. A smartphone app is used to solve puzzles and give clues to find the next location of your journey. The event takes place from October 4 to 31 on Granville Island. Tickets cost $48.99, and smartphones are required.
UFV International Halloween Party
Also on the 31st, UFV International is hosting their own Halloween party. Drop in for some spooky fun and make a mask or decorate some appropriately terrifying cookies. There will also be free pizza for anyone brave enough to show up in costume! This free event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Global Lounge (B233).
Grave Tales
This haunted attraction brings a group of victims through the well-known graveyard in the centre of Fort Langley. Expert
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storytellers whisk you away into the night and tell creepy stories that send shivers down your spine, all while you walk through the large, dark, and foggy grounds. This event is so scary that there are two separate attractions, one for youth and another that is 17+. Adult Grave Tales (ages 17+ only): $17.10 plus service fee. October 14 to 16 and 19 to 30, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m or 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.`
The Chilliwack Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
A staple of any October event, the corn maze and pumpkin patch is a great way to get into the Halloween mood without having your pants scared off. With a giant 12-acre maze and an incredible amount of pumpkins to choose from the farm is great for spending time with family, friends, or that special cutie in your life. Open Thursday: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday: 11:00 a.m, to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $11 (plus tax).
Maan Farms Haunted Corn Maze
Not feeling up for driving far out this Halloween? No worries! The farm is just down the road from our very own UFV. Maan Farms has its very own haunted maze that will leave you shaking in fear and jumping at the sight of corn from then on. Filled with clowns, chainsaw wielding murders, and Leatherface (all actors … hopefully), the Maan Farms haunted corn maze is perfect for a spooky October’s eve. Open October 7 to 31, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Last call 9:30 p.m.) Cost is $23.79 per person.
UFV Halloween Bash 2016
On October 28, break out your costume and dance the night away at the UFV Circle K club’s massive Halloween party. Featuring live music from The PropheC, followed by a mix of hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and Bhangra from DJ Hark. Open only to students and their guests, the party kicks off at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Union Building (SUB). The event also serves as a fundraiser, with some of the proceeds from ticket sales going toward the Circle K District Water Project. Tickets: $25 at the Student Union Society (SUS) office, or $35 at the door (if available). Student ID required to buy or enter.
UFV CreWri’s Spooky Readings
Attention all fans of scary stories, frightening fiction, and petrifying poetry! UFV’s creative writing club will kick off your Halloween right, with readings of their most haunting writing on the morning of the 31st. The event is open to all students, and you are invited to join the club and submit your own work for reading before October 29 by contacting crewriufv@gmail.com. This free event begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Student Union Building’s Great Hall.
En Route heads to Fright Nights
On October 30, UFV’s travel club is embarking on a journey to the PNE’s Fright Nights. With seven haunted houses, ranging from asylums to doll factories, there will be no shortage of terrifying creatures to jump out at you. Fifteen PNE favourite rides will also be running if you prefer the fear of being flung through the air to the anxiety of slinking through haunted mansions, with most included in the price of admission. The day will kick off with both Diwali and Halloween activities at 4:30 p.m. in U-House, followed by a drive to Vancouver to enjoy the festival of all things freaky and frightening. Cost: $30. Preregistration is required — go to the En Route UFV Facebook page for details.
Day of the Dead Movie Night
Celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1 with UFV’s Latin American club! The event will include a traditional altar, and begins with a short presentation on the meaning and origin of Día de Muertos. After that, there will be a screening of 2014’s The Book of Life, an animated film about a bullfighter’s adventure in the afterlife. This free event begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Global Lounge (B223).
v CREATIVE WRITING
arson MARTIN CASTRO
THE CASCADE
Summer again and the heat trapped in cars humid and dry it’s unnatural Summer and everyone in cars and everyone trapped in heat swallowing cotton balls dabbed gingerly on glistening foreheads and nobody says a word to each other sweating knives in a cage August again and we’re all sitting trapped in metal frames although we might ignore it also trapped in heat burning leather seats sear white thigh skin jailed in the heat of the moment in the heat of our loins humid and dry it’s unnatural I sit, swallow cotton, sweat in a leather seat and you walk around with your eyes on display legs licked by the breeze breathing out dewdrops I drink your eyes and suffocate sweating knives on burning leather the cotton in my throat is humid and dry and everyone trapped in the heat of your eyes and your legs I drown in your lips it’s unnatural.
CARE GIVER WANTED! Must be available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
4-5 hours a day PAY: $20.00/hour Details: Mother has Dementia, we need a caregiver immediately No requirements necessary, first aid and experience preferred. If interested please email Neil at: neiljfehr17@gmail.com
Illustration: Kathleen De Vere - Loadingreadyrun
www.ufvcascade.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
CULTURE & EVENTS
Art Battle brings competitive painting to Chilliwack campus KAYLA BWD
CONTRIBUTOR
UFV’s Chilliwack campus was host to the 431st Art Battle in Canada on Thursday, October 20. Held in the Trades and Technology Centre, the battle was an array of booths set up along the halls leading guests to centre stage where the canvases stood on easels awaiting their artists. Guests were encouraged to take selfies at the photo booth and paint on a large canvas, while being treated to appetizers from the culinary department and BC VQA wines as they watched thWe competition. As the participants tested their creative skills under pressure, the audience was directed into a “tornado,” walking in a circle to see the different paintings materialize within 20 minutes. CIVL Radio kept the vibes upbeat and energetic and the anticipation high with grooving music and interval countdowns. The event was facilitated by ZoË Howarth, with the help of the students in the hospitality and event planning program. UFV’s very own alumni Sultan Jum emerged as the victor.
Photo: UFV Flickr
v HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Self-labeling and mental health EMMA GROENEVELD
THE CASCADE
Midterm season is here, and the sad truth is that not everyone is going to end up with the grade they were hoping for. For some people, that’s hard to take. It’s easy to think of yourself as a failure or not good enough when those “definitely at least a B” tests come back far lower. But letting yourself fall into the trap of negativity can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once hidden and scorned, mental health is a constant topic in this day and age. Mental illness can affect us in a variety of different ways, and can be influenced by biological makeup, negative experiences, and today’s topic: cognitive thoughts. Cognitive thought is the process of thoughts and emotions that stem from stimuli we encounter in our day-to-day lives. As we go through life and examine the environment around us and the way society works, we put labels on ourselves. Not labels like white, black, gay, straight, etc.; those societal labels are vastly different from the ones I’m talking about today. These labels are the awful things we feel and say about ourselves in spite of who we really are. Dealing with such negative emotions is never easy, but there is a way.
Life can be hard, and negative stimuli and memories can haunt us for a long time. Sometimes these events can be so harmful to our emotions that they cloud our better judgment and lead us to demean ourselves. This unhealthy way of thinking can cause problems in our dayto-day lives. I’ve had personal experience with labeling myself, and nothing good has come out of it. To always think negatively about yourself, to bully your own emotions, is detrimental to your mental health. There are already countless difficult things in life, and adding stress and sadness that doesn’t need to be there is a hard way to live. A dear friend of mine once told me that her grandmother taught her a valuable lesson. She’d said, “If you keep thinking badly about yourself, it shall come to pass.” I was intrigued by this idea, and my friend went on, explaining her grandmother “told us this whenever we felt down, and it always stuck with me. What Grandmother had meant was that if you kept believing that you are a disappointment, a bad friend, a bad spouse, etc., the thoughts in your head will become reality.” Thoughts turn into our actions, and by thinking we are a bad person we can easily convince ourselves to act on it. However, we can
change our ways of thinking and the lens we put over our eyes. Changing the way we see ourselves is no easy task, but the sooner we try, the sooner emotions can be improved. No one should believe that they are not good enough or a disappointment, whatever their grades may be, and regardless of other circumstances dragging them down. While it’s worth considering a free, confidential appointment with one of UFV’s counsellors, reinforcing positive thoughts is a first step to healing self-labeling and improving our mental state. Whenever negative thoughts about ourselves begin to surface, combat them with positive reinforcement. There are always encouraging things going on, even if they’re hard to see at first. List off all the positive things about yourself and consider the cause of your negative thinking and the lies that have been placed inside of your head. There is always a positive part of your person. Stick to that thought and do not let the awful things people have told you, or that you have assumed about yourself, dictate how you live your life. Illustration: Rei van Leimpt
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
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CULTURE & EVENTS Explore cultural diversity with Friends Without Borders
VANESSA BROADBENT
THE CASCADE / PHOTOS
There’s nothing easy about packing up (almost) everything you own and attending university in a different country. From trying to adjust to a new culture and learning its social norms, to trying to meet new people and create new friendships, becoming an international student can be difficult. However, Friends Without Borders (FWB), a program hosted by UFV International, is hoping to make the transition easier for international students coming to UFV. “It’s an intercultural program for both international and domestic students for cross cultural exchange,” explained Anoop Dhaliwal, UFV International’s international student support assistant. The program runs for roughly 10 weeks each semester, and students have the opportunity to participate either by leading as a mentor, or by attending as a “friend.” Through events on, and occasionally off, campus, games, and activities, both international and domestic students learn about each other’s cultures and countries while deconstructing the
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social norms in both. “We cover tons of different topics,” Dhaliwal said. “It’s an opportunity for students to practice their intercultural communication and skills with each other.” Topics discussed range from what dating and relationships looks like in different countries, to how to deal with culture shock, to discussions on the LGBT community. “We talk about sexuality and sexual orientation and how that may differ from what you grew up with or what was considered a relationship in your home country and what that looks like in Canada,” Dhaliwal explained. “Some of the countries that students come from, it’s against the law to engage with homosexuality so we really help students in terms of understanding and deconstructing that.” FWB also operates as a way for students to meet and interact with each other, and while the activities and games have an educational aspect, they’re also social. “It’s an opportunity to make friends,” said Dhaliwal. “Studies have shown that students who are engaged in extracurricular activities do well academically.” Dhaliwal also noted that the skills learned in
the program are transferable, both in university and out. “Many students in this program have gone on to make their own clubs or organizations through SUS,” she said. “They really have an opportunity to build some skills and make connections.” For third-year business student Uchka Letestu, who is a mentor with FWB, making friends and gaining new skills was a motivating factor to get involved with the program. “I chose to be a mentor just because every semester there are so many students that come from so many different countries so it’s my opportunity to make new friends and meet more people,” she said. “Friends Without Borders is really interconnected and inclusive and it gives everyone the chance to get to know more about each other, not just where they’re from, but as a person.” Letestu also noted that the welcoming atmosphere of FWB has made it a highlight of her week. “School can be so draining and exhausting and joining Friends Without Borders, it becomes the one thing you look forward to,” she said. “It’s so bright, positive, and uplifting — it’s just good
energy.” The bright, positive, and uplifting aspects of FWB that Letestu refers to are partially a result of positive messages, an activity where students write anonymous encouraging notes to each other. “It gives people a chance to address other people if they haven’t been able to talk to them yet,” she said. “You really get to see that people care, people notice, people learn from you, and that you don’t have to be deeply connected to learn from each other.” Although FWB has already begun for the semester, interested students can register by emailing Dhaliwal at anoop.dhaliwal@ufv. ca or by applying online at international.ufv. ca/international-student-life/friends-withoutborders. And although the program is hosted by UFV International, Dhaliwal also encourages domestic students to get involved. “There’s a cross-cultural exchange,” she said. “Students get an opportunity to learn about Canadian culture, but then there’s also an opportunity to see different backgrounds and ideologies.”
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
CULTURE & EVENTS v SCIENCE COLUMN
Star vs. star: astronomical headbutting MIKE FRIESEN
CONTRIBUTOR
What would happen to us on the blue marble if our closest stellar neighbours ran into each other? And I don’t mean bumping into each other while picking up groceries. Head-on collisions between stars are rare (this is mainly due to space being pretty big) but they do happen in dense globular clusters every once in an astronomical while. We don’t have a dense globular cluster nearby to work with, nor a lot of time, so instead we’ll find a way to make it happen. The neighbours in question are the close pair of stars in the Alpha Centauri system, each roughly the sun’s mass. One is slightly larger and a good bit brighter than the other, and they are close enough to each other to combine to form the third brightest object in the sky. I mean, they’re still about 30 times farther apart than the distance between the Earth and the sun, but that’s really close in the bigger picture. There’s actually a third star in the Alpha Centauri system as well — it’s the closest star in the sky to us, and the aptly named Proxima Centauri is rather interesting, despite being quite dim and small. There is an Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone orbiting Proxima Centauri, and it’s such a promising planet that there is a plan (“Project Starshot”) to send a scattering of tiny probes there to try and see, among other things,
if there’s any life. Anyhow, we’ll say that to cause our collision, a pretty white dwarf star passes right by the Alpha Centauri pair, miraculously slingshotting the lighter one smack dab into his beefier brother. This should not be an event to miss. Back at home, 4.37 light years away, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat. Reading. The light from the event will take those four years to reach me. But eventually … The two sun-sized stars collide. Hmm. It might be more appropriate to say they merge. It’s simply less exciting than I had hoped for. Even if they were to collide at nearly a thousand kilometers per second, the relative velocity of the stars is pretty similar to the thermal velocity of the stellar matter already there. (Because remember — hot stuff jiggles really fast. It’s a law of nature.) So they merge, and become one star that is quite a bit brighter than either was before, but there is no grand explosion. I guess I’m not going to be reading by starlight. Disappointing. Okay, instead of having the white dwarf being the cause of the stellar collision, let’s have it smash right into both stars. Consecutively. And after that, Proxima Centauri as well. It is extremely unlikely that all three stars are in such a perfect alignment for this to be able to happen, but who cares? I want to see some fireworks. Let’s also assume the white dwarf is pretty
heavy for one of its kind, say about 1.3 solar masses. Just for fun. Well the whole perfect alignment thing turns out not to matter much. Almost as soon as the dense white dwarf hits the first star in the line, it surpasses the Chandrasekhar mass. The what-mass, you ask? Well, this essentially means that all of a sudden, a good portion of the matter inside the white dwarf fuses all at once, the runaway fusion reaction putting out about 1044 joules of energy. A good rule of thumb is that if you see anything to the power of 44, stay away from it. It’s probably dangerous. On top of everything, this reaction all happens in a few short seconds. The white dwarf is shredded in a supernova that is four billion times more luminous than the sun. If I’m still sitting on the edge of my seat, it’s time to put on some shades. As it turns out, the shades would be nice to have, but not a necessity. Because space is big and everything is far away, the supernova only appears to be six per cent as bright as the sun, which it turns out is still amazingly bright. The moon is only 0.0003 per cent as bright as the sun; our eyes are just kinda really good at adjusting to different levels of brightness. So yeah, reading by the starlight? Not a problem. But also, someone had better call those guys trying to send probes to that little promising planet around Proxima Centauri. If there was life before, well, there’s not now.
Correction In Issue 24 of The Cascade’s Art of the Month page, the artist for “Psycho Betty” should have been credited as Susan Thompson, rather than Susan Thomas. In addition, the descriptions for “Psycho Betty” and “A Beautiful Annoyance” were erroneously listed under each other’s images.
Psycho Betty Susan Thompson The title of my artwork is “Psycho Betty.” It’s an aquatint done in 2016. I was inspired by Betty Cooper of the Archie comic series. I grew up reading Archies, and Betty was always my favourite character. However, it was pointed out to me that her behaviour was psychotic in nature. The Walrus did an amusing tongue-incheek article that proclaimed her to be a psychopath because she would stalk and obsess over Archie and resort to slapstick violence when thwarted by her rival, Veronica. Also featured in my artwork is another icon from my childhood, Jem. It was done as a blind contour drawing and accompanied by a picture my daughter did when she was four years old. Together, these three images speak to the generational impact of childhood cartoons and the strangeness of some of the characters we idolize.
A Beautiful Annoyance Rebekah Brackett In January 2016, I had a solo exhibit titled “The Blue Blanket Period,” which comes from both Picasso’s Blue Period and Charles Schulz’s character Linus’ beloved blue blanket. After the death of Picasso’s friend, Picasso fell into a state of depression and anxiety. During this period, he turned to art. Some people find security in many things; some a blue blanket, others, art. “Picasso believed Art to the son of Sadness and Suffering ... that sadness lent itself to meditation and that suffering was fundamental to life … If we demand sincerity of an artist, we must remember that sincerity is not to be found outside the realm of grief.” — Jamie Sebartés, Picassos’ friend. The notion that an artist — to be sincere to themselves and to the viewer while reaching into various emotional places, such as grief — has fueled all my creative endeavors since 2014. Through this process, I have been Bio: My name is Sue and I’m a third-year student able to find joy, and hopefully have brought joy to my in the BFA program. I’m a mother and an viewers. artist, and I’ve really been enjoying my studies at UFV! Printmaking is one of my favourite classes.
Bio: Rebekah was born in Calgary, Alberta and belongs to the Piikani Nation. Rebekah works mainly in paint, pen, and ink. Her inspirations are drawn from pop culture and music (Radiohead, Morrissey, and The Cure) and also from the Great Outdoors. Rebekah has lived in Nova Scotia and currently continues her art practice in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
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vvv
ARTS IN REVIEW MOVIE REVIEW
Count on The Accountant
Shuffle AARON LEVY STATION MANAGER
In encouraging both the Cleveland and Chicago baseball teams to succeed in their own ways, as well as wanting UFV students to realize their own personal lives in whatever way they see fit, here is a shuffle about wishing you success, and comfort in your own skin. Foo Fighters — "Best of You" Prince sang this song to great fanfare at his legendary Super Bowl halftime performance, nearly a decade ago, and I'm still indifferent to this mid-lateera David Grohl banger. Is it just me or does the tune also sound positively akin to that Kings of Leon torch song named Use Somebody? Audioslave — "Like a Stone" Likely my least favorite band, almost ever. Love Chris Cornell's songwriting and performances with Soundgarden, was super excited about hearing that Rage members would team up with the Seattle singer in Audioslave, and was underwhelmed by all of their releases, just like you were. Be yourself is what he suggests. Eminem — "The Way I Am" Is it fair to complain about radio not even playing your jams in a song that is/was played regularly on the radio, or at least on Much Music and MTV in video form? Though there's no denying that he is whatever he says he is, and the papers agree. Prozzak — "Be As" The opening drum fill reminds one of the classic Spin Doctors track, but this track isn't about wanting to be anyone's baby, more wanting to be exactly who and what it is you feel comfortable with. Don't let anybody stop you from being straight or gay as you want to! Editors note: Aaron is still grumpy that the Jays lost last week. Take this into consideration as you read.
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CHARTS 1
Preoccupations Preoccupations
2
A Tribe Called Red We Are the Halluci Nation
3 4 5
Sad13 Slugger Majid Jordan Majid Jordan Blessed Blessed
6
Kishi Bashi Sonderlust
7
Jay Arner Jay II
8
Against Me! Shape Shift With Me
9
La Sera Music For Listening To Music To
10
Hot Panda Bad Pop
11
Eleanore Eleanore
12
Cheap High Picture Disk
13 14
Phantogram Three Red Velvert Russian Roulette
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FT Island Where's The Truth
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Elephant Stone Little Ship Of Fools
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Harpdog Brown Travelin' With The Blues
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Sunday Wilde Blueberries and Grits
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Al Lerman Slow Burn
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Ghost Popestar
PANKU SHARMA THE CASCADE
My current running measure of enthusiasm and pleasant surprise compared to dollars spent in movie theatres so far this year has been abysmal. Now I’ve seen good films, but they have all been streamed illegally because at this point I get nervous giving someone $8 to $12 to sit with strangers in the dark and be inevitably disappointed. Lo and behold, I was quite surprised to see numbers on the board for 2016 theatre satisfaction from a Ben Affleck side project, of all things. The Accountant isn’t a perfect film, but few films are in my critical and often pretentiously stringent eyes. Yet it does enough right that for once I’m going to write a film review that recommends not assassinating the director and studio responsible for the project. The Accountant follows Christian Wolf (Ben Affleck), a genius forensic accountant and lethal combat expert who, in a humanising turn, is also diagnosed with autism. Ben Affleck delivers a fantastic performance, on the scale of what Ben Affleck as an actor is capable of — not Heath Ledger but definitely on par with current-era Matt Damon. The character is deep enough for the story, a loner who wants to connect with others but faces the obstacles of his diagnosis and his murder-ridden career. Let’s cover the problems first. It’s great that there is an action protagonist that kids with autism can look up to, however while the film handles its depiction and explanation beautifully, it also has a bad habit of constantly name dropping the diagnosis. In a 128 minute runtime you hear the world mentioned enough in scenes where it seemed unnecessary that you’ll wonder what sort of awards the film
is trying to win. I appreciate subtlety because if overdone it will sound like pandering. The side story of a team of feds trying to track down Christian is handled poorly. It is given too much screen time with not enough progression or information. A flashback sequence on a couch with J.K. Simmons tries to tie it in and make it relevant, but the entire film would probably benefit without the B plot. Also, Anna Kendrick was shoehorned into this movie as a love interest in a way only a committee of out of touch producers could insist upon. Not only is it an unnecessary distraction, but it forces the audience to watch Anna Kendrick act for a solid 20 minutes or so. Brutal. Jon Bernthal wasn’t terrible, but he delivers the low effort Shane-from-the-Walking-Dead-esque mumble performance that he’s developed as a fallback. Similar to Tom Hardy’s withdrawn grumble man seen in many feature films and television projects, it's a character that is safe, expected, and can draw audiences in without too many surprises. Don’t expect as much energy and depth as his recent stint as the Punisher. I promised it wasn’t all bad, but some of the reasons I liked this movie might spoil you, so I’ll give praises where possible. The comedic touches from Affleck are gold; I’ve never laughed as hard as I did immediately after a murder. The action choreography is intense. Also something I’ve never expected to point out, the sound work is amazing. There is a scene in the final act of the film involving a sniper rifle being shot into a home that is terrifying and actually makes you feel bad for the antagonists. Overall, you can easily make a worse decision than seeing The Accountant. At the very least, give it a chance on Netflix in five months.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
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ARTS IN REVIEW GAME REVIEW
Wings of Freedom is wings of meh
JOSHUA DESILVA CONTRIBUTOR
Contains spoilers from both the game and the manga / anime. Based on the popular manga and anime of the same name, Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom was a dream come true. I could finally fly through Eren Yeager’s hometown, the Shiganshina District, with the 3D maneuver gear, outride titans on my warhorse through the plains outside the walls, and play as Levi Ackerman in his cleaning garb. After accepting that the game was unplayable with a keyboard (no mouse), I grabbed my controller and really started playing. Once you get the hang of the controls, you can tether from tree to tree, building to building, and respond to
green “Help me!” flares in a mere minute. It feels exhilarating to dodge the titan’s hands and proceed to dive in for the kill, spinning around like an ice skater to strike at its only weakness. But wait, there’s more! My God, they’re surrounding you, taking swipes left and right, what will you do? You kill them, because they’re lumbering fools with no coordination whatsoever. You are a badass, pure and simple. If you are really overrun, you can use up your energy to make yourself better depending on the character you are playing. If you’re playing Eren, he takes on his titan form, and you beat the hell out of the other titans in the area for a short while. Levi, however, simply becomes more badass than he already was. How can one set the bar so high? The game follows the exact storyline that the anime does throughout most of the game, and I
believe they stay true to the manga for the most part. The only times where they deviate are during side quests, which I will get to later. So for those who already know what the story contains, you can skip most of the cut scenes, because they will bore you to tears. If you don’t skip them, you can listen to Eren saying something cringey from time to time. The game is in Japanese, but all of the text is in English, and there are subtitles. So for those who wanted to listen to Matt Mercer voice Levi, tough luck. We all love his sexy voice, but, after all, this is a Japanese game. Despite the promising mechanics and the strict following of the story, the game lacked far more than it made up. As I said, using the keyboard is simply impractical without the mouse, which is not configured for the game to recognize without
unconventional means. That was of no issue for myself, as I had a controller, but I felt cheated of my weapon of choice. The biggest problem I had with the game, however, was the repetition. Think about it: what else is there to do in a game about killing titans than to kill titans? There’s nothing else to do. Kill titans, celebrate victory, upgrade your equipment, rinse and repeat. I don’t think I would have gotten tired of it after six hours if it wasn’t for the sidequests. After a certain point in the story, the game developers just gave up. I don’t know why, but they eventually require you to complete at least 60 to 70 per cent of a sidequest “area” to move on to the next storyline mission. I don’t know who came up with that lazy design, but it happened, and I was very disappointed.
PODCAST REVIEW
A trepid toast to Politicoast PANKU SHARMA THE CASCADE
The landscape of Canadian podcasts that tackle homegrown politics and power is pretty dry. We have Canadaland and a few produced by CBC and prominent magazines like Macleans, but they are either focused on federal and mediascape stories or like most things on CBC, excruciatingly boring. An oasis for politics junkies for the past few years was undoubtedly Calgary-based The Strategists, three hosts from across the spectrum who provided insight into both federal and provincial politics. However after their recent cancellation (SAD) a
new player has come up to the plate. Politicoast is looking to fill the gap in provincial coverage, and being based in B.C. this is a much-needed service considering the upcoming elections. Now there are only four episodes as of me writing this, but I’ve given them a listen and I believe there is great potential in this podcast. The hosts Ian and Terry might not have the resumes of The Strategists (although Ian is the executive director of the B.C. Humanist Association and has engaged in lobbying), but although they don’t have as much behind-the-scenes experience they are both well informed and give reasoned insight. Content wise, they address the implications of stories both small (B.C. Green Party's
Donor Policy) and current (obligatory but entertaining coverage of the American fiasco). Podcasts are a weird format, and it often takes a while for hosts to find their footing and develop engaging rapport, and so while I don’t fault them for it, it's a dull step back from the 500-episode-deep catalogue of their late competitors. Hopefully with the right guest booking and continued skill and experience building, Ian and Terry can provide a stage for critical examination of how politics plays on west of the Rockies. My generation has proven itself reluctant to rely on traditional outlets, so it will be platforms and projects like Politicoast that can engage with and inspire that audience.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
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ARTS IN REVIEW ALBUM REVIEW
If you want it darker, darker is what you get MARTIN CASTRO THE CASCADE
The first real interaction I had with Leonard Cohen’s body of work (aside from having heard “Hallelujah,” the 1984 single which would later be covered by every band with access to a piano or keyboard with a “strings” setting), was not with his music. It was, oddly enough, his poetry that first caught my attention. More than that, it was the fact that Cohen came across as equal parts Buddhist and hedonist. “You go your way,” he writes, “I’ll go your way too.” You Want It Darker, in stark contrast, is not nearly as innocent. Cohen’s latest record retains his portrait as an absolute lover almost flawlessly, but it’s also informed by decades of experience. Cohen is explicitly aware that, at 82, he’s nearing the end of his life, and it seems that You Want It Darker addresses the topic in opposing ways. The narrative of the record seems withdrawn to a certain extent. Cohen is glancing back at us over his shoulder. But as a writer and musician, the man is clearly still full of vigour, of life. And he’s the same old lover. “If the sun would lose its light, and we lived in endless night, and there was nothing left that you could feel,” he sings on the record’s fifth track. “That’s how broken I would be. What my life would seem to me. If I didn’t have your love to make it real.” The thing that sets You Want It Darker apart from the many other singer-songwriter records out there today, is that Cohen isn’t pandering. The writing
in You Want It Darker doesn’t purport to give us anything other than the meditations of a man who has, over the course of his life, dedicated himself to calmly and deliberately capturing all there is to know about feeling, about emotion, only to simmer it down through the lens of his own being before giving it back to us. Cohen’s lyricism is, if not more reserved, as insightful as it ever was. The difference is that Cohen knows he’s going to die soon, and on tracks like “Traveling Light,” he’s keenly aware that he’s running out of time, of life, of energy. And if there’s anything that’s apparent on the record, it’s that Cohen has, to a certain extent, made his peace with his own mortality. But even facing the road to his own end, love’s on his mind. He’s “just a fool who forgot to dream of the me and you.” One thing Cohen does a lot of on this record is look back. On “It Seemed the Better Way” he addresses mixed feelings on Roshi (a monk who served as Buddhist mentor and friend to Cohen), having been accused of sexual misconduct. The track only serves to further the aesthetic of coming to grips with things that were, and things that are. Even his own religion is put to question in tracks like “Steer Your Way.” More than anything, though, it seems as if Cohen’s tidying up his thoughts, trying to make sense of a life that’s been more illustrious than he himself cares to acknowledge. Well done, Mr. Cohen. There are worse (and less fulfilling) ways to bow out.
ALBUM REVIEW
Valley local Alex Rake delivers folk punk love songs KLARA CHMELAROVA CONTRIBUTOR
Have you ever wondered what happens when a punk voice meets a ukulele, banjo, and mandolin? Wonder no more, because that's what Alex Rake and The Leaves’ new demo album is all about. The scene of alternative and experimentation music is quite a tricky genre. Its biggest problem is that there is a very thin line between what is an experimental piece and what becomes just a mash of howling and indistinguishable sounds topped with an overdone voice. In the case of Alex Rake, however, the combination of playful, lighthearted ukulele and his desperate voice goes beyond intriguing. The album consists of four pieces, each carrying a unique layout of both voiceover and background instrumental, provided by solemn ukulele and sometimes mandolin. The first demo “We Can and We Can’t” greets us with a brisk Spanish riff and later on flows into Irish undertones. Which is remarkable considering it is provided by a ukulele. It could be called a bizarre love ballad, a rant. And its rhythmical quality sort of matches with song “Devils Dance Floor” by Flogging Molly. (Try to play both songs simultaneously; it's unbelievable how they complement each other.) For such a melodic song it has an unexpectedly forceful finish. In contrast, “Love is a Train Station” is a gentle, painful, trampy song, with a bit of recital thrown in for good measure. Overall the singing is slightly displaced from the rhythm of the tune, which creates a disarray characteristic to grunge and punk.
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More so the dynamic switching of the tempo keeps you focused on the song. As said, there is nothing quite like a good song about love. “I Skimmed the News Today Oh Boy Blues” has a cheerful beginning. It's political criticism in song, standing up to its punk quality with a reaction to social issues. The song is enjoyable, for its playful background quite sharply contrasts its heavy lyrics. If I want to go even further, the contrast itself is an ironic reflection on how politicians like to talk about our (not) flawless society. Out of all four songs this one probably has the biggest focus on storytelling. The last piece, quite fittingly called “The Sailor Returning” leans its sail into Ireland again, this time with a mandolin. It’s a voice-based piece. One might call it a progressive sea shanty. With it, we end our cruise through alternative sound waves. I repeat, it’s dang hard to create quality music in the experimental genre. But, I can say with peace in my soul that Alex Rake did it. He found that thin line between song and chaos and walked it — most of the time. If I want to be a nitpicker, there were some passages which brought a feeling of repetitiveness and on few occasions, Rake’s voice became too painful. But, overall those small missteps cannot overshadow the good in the album. Honestly, I haven't heard anything so hauntingly fine since Plastic People of the Universe went out of business. (They are Czech, but if you like alternative I prod you to go and listen to them.) The end verdict is: play it. It’s good, it’s local, and it’s not easy to come by these days.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
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ARTS IN REVIEW CONCERT REVIEW
Tom Odell brings excitement and emotion to Vancouver
TANYA VANPRASEUTH THE CASCADE / PHOTOS
Tom Odell, an English singer-songwriter, brought his No Bad Days tour to The Imperial in Vancouver on Friday, October 21. Odell is originally from Chichester, West Sussex, England and released his first album, Long Way Down, in 2013. Odell’s music from that album gained recognition after his songs, “Can’t Pretend,” “Long Way Down,” and “Grow Old With Me” were featured in TV shows. His current album, Wrong Crowd, was released in 2016 and featured songs such as “Magnetised,” “Wrong Crowd,” and “Here I Am.” The venue opened their doors at 8 p.m., but Odell was not scheduled to come on stage until 10:15 p.m. However, the audience was not left unattended as opening act Barns Courtney entertained the crowd with his folk-pop music and guitar playing. Courtney’s performance had impressed the crowd. Not only was he a great singer, but his charisma and interaction with the audience gained him constant applause and cheers from the crowd. There are many opening acts that have lacked the ability to gain the audience’s attention and build
their excitement; however, Courtney had no trouble in that area. He had easily gotten the audience to sing along to his music towards the end of his set and it was clear that his astounding performance had gained him new fans. Courtney had raised our expectations of the night and generated more excitement and anticipation for Odell’s arrival. When Odell did arrive, he immediately began singing, “Still Getting Used to Being On My Own.” Odell’s music consists of indie-pop and slow ballads so I had assumed that his concert would have been more calm. However, the singer did not fall short in bringing excitement to each song, even ones that were meant to be sung as ballads. He would start off most songs slow, only playing on his piano, but as the song progressed the rest of his band would join in. Guitar and drum solos were added, along with stage effects, and heavier bass music. Odell gave a good balance between soft, indie-folk ballads where the audience could connect more with his lyrics, and music that the audience could dance to. Songs such as “Wrong Crowd,” “Here I Am,” and “Magnetised” had gotten the crowd on their feet and dancing. However, songs such
as “Somehow” and “Heal” were performed in a more intimate way, focusing mostly on Odell and his piano. The singer even dedicated his song “Heal” to the homeless population he had seen in Vancouver. Performances in small venues, such as The Imperial, are exceedingly different in comparison to concerts that are situated in Rogers Arena and B.C. Place. Smaller venues and general admission settings can be unfortunate in certain circumstances if the area becomes crowded or you can’t see above other people; however, what small venues lack in space, they make up for in intimate settings where the audience can truly see and hear the artist and connect with them on a more personal level than they would have been able to at venues such as Rogers Arena. Overall, Odell’s performance was an entertaining experience and I would definitely attend another one of his shows in the future. Odell had connected with the crowd through his music and lyrics and there was not a moment throughout the night that lacked excitement. Although his stage had been simple, with only a poster that hung behind him, his music, band, and stage lights made up for it, creating a memorable night for his audience.
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ART
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
www.ufvcascade.ca
OF THE
MONTH Submissions & questions can be sent to jeff@ufvcascade.ca
Submissions are due Monday, October 31th Limit of three submissions per person, per month Submissions must have been created since June 1st
Accepted mediums: painting, drawing, print, photography, digital art, sculpture, 3d work
Include a 50 word bio, 150 word artist statement, and image list with titles, mediums, sizes, and dates of creation
All images must be in CMYK format, 300+ DPI,in Zip file, less than 5 MB total. All files must be in PDF format.
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