The Cascade Vol. 22 No. 17

Vol. 22 Issue 17

www.ufvcascade.ca

June 18, 2014 to July 1, 2014

Letting consumerism eat our hearts since 1993

A new pride of graduates

p. 14-15

John McCallum on temporary foreign workers p. 3

What theatre students are up to in the off-season p. 12-13

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NEWS

News

Briefs Northern Gateway Pipeline approved Canada’s federal government has approved the construction of the Northern Gateway Pipeline, complete with the 209 conditions from 2010. CBC News reports that it is just one more step in a long line of permits toward getting the pipeline built, which will run oil from Alberta through to Kitimat BC. Responding on Twitter, CTV’s St. John Alexander quoted Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. “The Northern Gateway will not happen,” he said, if he wins the 2015 election.

VP external position eliminated After a long year of funding cuts, UFV president Mark Evered issued a letter on June 5 announcing the elimination of senior administrative position VP external and the reallocation of work to other departments. Harv McCullough, former dean of trades and technology was acting VP and will be stepping down. He will continue his work in developing the new Agriculture Centre of Excellence during his administrative leave.

Further details regarding Evered’s decision are forthcoming.

Aboriginal Awareness Day at UFV June 21 marks Canada’s national day of awareness for Aboriginal people. UFV celebrated with their own event on June 17 including drumming, powwows, refreshments and door prizes. Complete details of the event and the work behind putting it together will be in the next issue of The Cascade.

Have a news tip?

Let us know!

Email news@ufvcascade.ca or tweet at @CascadeNews

News

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Opinion

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Culture

10

Arts

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Sports & Health

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

UFV has a new French major? Oh la la!

It’s been a long time coming, but there will finally be a French major available in September. Taylor Breckles has the story.

What do UFV’s international partnerships offer students?

Find out why Vanessa Broadbent is happy that UFV and the Beijng Concord College of Sino-Canada are partnering up again – this time for an aviation program.

Alex Stewart gives the details on Stratification Stewart, a UFV alum, sat down with Kodie Cherrille to talk about his unique artwork, which was featured at UFV May 22 to June 12.

Anne takes the stage

You weren’t a Canadian child if you didn’t know about the misadventures of Anne (with an ‘e,’ thank you very much) of Green Gables.

Gallery 7 brings all your favourite characters of Avonlea to the stage. Check out the review.

An uphill climb

Kodie Cherrille takes on Elk Mountain – and almost makes it all the way up – in the latest installment of our Exploring the Valley column.

The political sales pitch makes apathy easy KATIE STOBBART

THE CASCADE

Every time I turn around, someone is lamenting the loss of the elusive Sasquatch that is the “youth vote.” Youth apathy is hauled out every election at every level of government as a reason for why this party or that didn’t win.

When the idea for this article occurred to me, my first thought was, well, it’s not that timely, since we’re not in or very near an election. But that in itself is apathetic thinking. Politics are not something we drag out when it’s time to decide who has to deal with them — they are infused with our daily lives. To ignore them is to give up our agency.

But to a certain extent, I don’t blame those who have just stopped caring. I do my best to keep up with politics, but at times it’s exhausting. Finding information is less a process of gathering and analysis and more one of ignoring the glut of media that is the internet.

It means wading through advertisements (including those from or about the political sphere), cat-stuck-in-a-tree stories, and a whole slough of perhaps entertaining but often irrelevant buzzwords and baby-kissing photo-ops both online and in print. Then there’s sorting out which articles are actually from reliable sources and which are strung together with flimsy research and poor reporting.

Whose activities do you

Volume 22 · Issue 17 Room C1027 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529 Editor-in-chief katie@ufvcascade.ca Katie Stobbart Managing editor valerie@ufvcascade.ca Valerie Franklin

know more about: Rob Ford’s or Joe Oliver’s? Are you more familiar with easy-to-digest sensationalism, or with what Canada’s Minister of Finance is doing with your money?

The saturation of media with biased stories that distract from what is really important in politics exacerbates my own frustration with politics, and I am politically engaged to begin with. The other obstacle in the way of engaging anyone is that the information that comes from the source (politicians) is one-sided and usually self-serving.

What student has the time to navigate the internet for hours in search of “the real news” on politics?

Politicians need to set their priorities straight. I’m not talking about the environment, education, or the economy — the lapses I see are fundamentally connected to the nature of the job.

Any person who is elected or selected to hold a position of power has a responsibility to the people affected by his or her decisions. This responsibility encompasses a few rare and abstract virtues (integrity, for one) as well as a willingness to communicate with those people and represent their needs in whichever assembly accords to the elected position.

A politician is not a salesperson. The way the issues of the day are delivered, whether in media or from the primary source, often echoes the way

News editor jess@ufvcascade.ca Jess Wind

Staff writer nadine@ufvcascade.ca Nadine Moedt

Opinion editor brittney@ufvcascade.ca Brittney Hensman

Staff writer breckles@ufvcascade.ca Taylor Breckles

Interim culture editor jess@ufvcascade.ca Jess Wind Arts editor sasha@ufvcascade.ca Sasha Moedt

Business manager joe@ufvcascade.ca Joe Johnson

Sports editor catherine@ufvcascade.ca Catherine Stewart

Online editor ashley@ufvcascade.ca Ashley Mussbacher

News writer katherine@ufvcascade.ca Katherine Gibson

Interim copy editor katie@ufvcascade.ca Katie Stobbart

we receive sales pitches for dish soap or cereal: we know it’s biased, we can tune it out, and we treat politics as products we can choose to consume or not.

An attempt to convince constituents to buy a product, especially when that product is the politician (or affiliated party), does not serve those constituents. Political sales pitches to the electorate are often an appalling waste of money which could be put to use actually serving the needs of a community, or province, or country; they exploit the power vested in the elected official.

When I see an ad telling me “this party is better than the leading brand because it’s better at removing stains from the budget” or a pamphlet from the City urging citizens to vote YES to a municipal referendum, it makes me want to throw my hands up. Another peeve is when I start seeing commercials boasting about “how great the current party in power is doing on this or that issue.”

The people behind this need to take a creative writing workshop, because the first thing you learn will make or break your ability to reach an audience and suspend their disbelief is: Show, Don’t Tell.

Anton Chekhov expressed this perfectly: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

Don’t tell me you’re doing a

News writer megan@ufvcascade.ca Megan Lambert

Production manager stewart@ufvcascade.ca Stewart Seymour Art director anthony@ufvcascade.ca Anthony Biondi Production assistant shyanne@ufvcascade.ca Shyanne Schedel Contributors Dessa Bayrock, Vanessa Broadbent, Martin Castro, Kodie Cherrille, Owen Coulter, Remington Fioraso, Jeremy Hannaford, Jeff Hughes, Kier-Christer Junos, Riley Nowlan, Ashley Thornhill Hayes Cover image Anthony Biondi

great job. Do it. Trust me, I’ll notice.

This is certainly not all there is to apathy, but maybe if I felt like politicians were actually representing me instead of constantly trying to sell me something, I’d be a little less disgusted with the whole lot of them.

There often doesn’t seem to be a real choice among them: is Dawn really any better than Palmolive?

Of course, we can choose not to search for the buried information we need to make informed decisions, we can choose not to educate ourselves, and we can choose not to vote at all. The effects are not always evident immediately, but the consequence is that we show our own audience very clearly that we don’t care and that they can do whatever they want.

So while it’s not currently election time, I encourage you to start searching for the information on the issues that are relevant to you early on: municipal elections are coming up in the fall, and it won’t be long before provincial and federal elections approach.

Politicians are not collectively going to start living up to the ideal any time soon, so reclaiming our political power has to start with looking more closely for the man behind the curtain.

Printed By International Web exPress The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It provides a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a circulation of 1500 and is distributed at UFV campuses and throughout Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. The Cascade is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national cooperative of 75 university and college newspapers from Victoria to St. John’s. The Cascade follows the CUP ethical policy concerning material of a prejudicial or oppressive nature.

Submissions are preferred in electronic format through e-mail. Please send submissions in “.txt” or “.doc” format only.

Articles and letters to the editor must be typed. 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. The writer’s name and student number must be submitted with each submission. Letters to the editor must be under 250 words if intended for print. Only one letter to the editor per writer in any given edition.

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, Cascade staff and collective, or associated members.

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Foreign workers discussion sparks debate on abuse JEREMY HANNAFORD

CONTRIBUTOR

JESS WIND

THE CASCADE

A discussion on Canada’s temporary foreign workers policies turned into a debate regarding abuse of workers in agriculture when Liberal critic for citizenship, immigration, multiculturalism, and seniors John McCallum visited UFV. McCallum took the stage in B101 on June 5 to talk about the federal Liberals’ position on the temporary foreign workers program; a short lecture breaking down the problems and potential fixes for the program left the rest of the time for an open question period.

After welcoming remarks by Student Union Society (SUS) VP external Dylan Thiessen and communications department head Samantha Pattridge, Rick Rake, former editor of the Abbotsford News, introduced McCallum with a list of his extensive credentials, to which McCallum responded by laughing at how his introduction read like a resumé.

“You might think I have trouble holding onto a job,” he joked.

He began his lecture by stating the program — which guides how we accept and coordinate temporary foreign workers to find employment and housing in Canada — was a mess.

McCallum explained due to lack of constant management and relaxation of the rules regarding intake of foreign workers, the number of people entering Canada on a temporary basis rose beyond control.

Then the government tried to reverse their actions.

Image: Som Jandu/ flickr

McCallum says it’s time to fix the temporary foreign workers program by returning to stricter regulations.

“The Conservatives have had the gas pedal on the floor in terms of goosing up this program of temporary foreign workers and then just recently a crisis hit so they slammed on the breaks to the point of calling a moratorium on the whole food sector,” he said.

McCallum suggested rules and regulations had not been properly monitored, which in turn increased the number of temporary workers employed in jobs that could be performed by permanent residents.

“They loosened all the rules so that it became virtually automatic for anyone that wanted to bring in temporary foreign workers to bring them in,” he said. “It used to take five months to get a labour market opinion ... then they changed it so that at least for some categories it took five days.”

Citing a report from the Economist, McCallum noted that the program caused higher unemployment in British Columbia

and Alberta.

“The fact that companies … have quick access to temporary foreign workers means that they don’t necessarily have to hire Canadians who might look for those jobs,” he explained.

McCallum went on to cite ways to fix the problem. These included tighter restrictions on the admittance of temporary workers and opening pathways to obtaining permanent residency.

“Make a pathway to permanent residency for more of the temporary foreign workers,” he said. “We need a more responsive immigration system if we are going to have less dependence on temporary workers.”

The floor was then turned over to the audience. McCallum answered questions concerning the changing number of skilled workers over the past 10 years, the need for institutions that ensure workers’ rights, and who should be allowed into the country as a

temporary worker.

“Companies ... may find that the foreign workers are more committed, more hardworking, more docile (that’s a slightly pejorative word), more likely to obey orders, and less likely to quit, but I think companies have to deal with the reality of who Canadians are,” he said, responding to questions about low wages for temporary foreign workers in fast-food-style jobs.

Then one audience member brought up temporary foreign workers in the agricultural sector, saying that their presence keeps farmers employed.

“In agriculture we can either import workers or we can import food,” he said.

McCallum responded by assuring the audience that his comments were not directed at the agricultural program.

“I’ve never heard anything negative said about the agriculture program,” he said. “None of my comments were about the agricultural program, because … it hasn’t grown in a huge rate like some of the other components. That has been a rock of stability and nobody’s talking about that.”

In response, a member of the audience pointed out that many Mexican workers have been mistreated working in agriculture, rapid deportation and misleading housing accommodations being a couple of examples of alleged abuse.

“I’ve been dealing with agriculture workers for about eight years and … there are a lot of people in the industry that have lost their jobs to temporary foreign workers and it has been a way to suppress wages in the industry as well,” he said. “That program has been rife with abuse.”

A 2012 CBC article stated that Mexican fruit-pickers were treated like “hostages,” having been denied the ability to change jobs or return home.

“Many workers want citizenship,” the audience member continued. “If they were to acquire it, the first thing they would do is leave agriculture.”

One member of the audience, who said he worked with the British Columbia Agriculture Council, stated there has only been one reported complaint regarding possible abuse of Mexican workers.

“We’ve had one case of abuse … it’s not nearly rampant, it’s not strife … I would say that 99 per cent of the farmers in the valley are using the system properly,” he said.

UFV criminal justice student Trevor Johnson replied that there is, in fact, a large amount of information on human trafficking in the agricultural and foreign worker program. He cited specific reports and listed various means of physical and psychological abuse used to coerce workers to work in unsafe conditions, and said when workers complained, they would be deported.

McCallum responded gratefully to the questions and resulting debate, noting he could no longer say he’d never heard anything negative about the agricultural sector.

“This is one of the reasons I like these tours. I learn about things I didn’t know before,” he said before concluding. “We should make sure there’s a proper system … to go after the abuse, but I certainly would not exclude the agricultural program from that.”

Correction:

The Cascade would like to make the following corrections to an article in our June 5 issue titled “SUS talks Bill C-23 and what it means for student voters:” The original article stated Bill C-23 “prohibits vouching for the identity of another voter.”

The Cascade would like to correct this statement to address the fact that the bill has been amended, with vouching reinstated.

The article also stated ” the bill would also prohibit non-partisan democracy groups, which educate citizens.” It has been corrected to “the bill would also prohibit Elections Canada, which educates citizens.”

Also, “location of the shuttle’s pick-up and drop-off moving to different parts of each city was also mentioned” has been corrected to say “the forthcoming express bus pick-up and drop-off locations were also mentioned.”

SUS takes official stance against Bill C-23 MEGAN LAMBERT

THE CASCADE

“The bill at large poses a pretty big risk to democracy or to politics in Canada, but a lot of specific focuses are detrimental to students,” explains Dylan Thiessen, SUS VP external.

At the May 29 board meeting, the Student Union Society (SUS) took an official stance against Bill C-23, not only for its content but for the manner in which the bill was passed.

Approximately 300 amendments to the bill were reviewed in a matter of days.

SUS concluded that it would remain non-biased, though president Ryan Petersen noted that SUS is “not speaking against the party that put for-

ward this bill,” but the bill itself.

Put forth by the Conservative Party of Canada as part of the Fair Elections Act, Bill C-23 limits the power of the Chief Electoral Officer to transmit advertisements to voters, increases the spending a candidate can contribute to their political campaign, and originally prohibited vouching, which has since been amended.

Elections Canada, a non-partisan organization, has been restricted in terms of advertising. Before Bill C-23, Elections Canada encouraged voter turnout by educating citizens through advertisements and workshops.

However, since the bill passed, they are only able to

communicate information regarding when and where to vote, and only hold educational workshops for children and underage youth.

Because of this, post-secondary students will have greater difficulty accessing the nonbiased information Elections Canada has to offer.

“What concerns me is that a lot of students now, postsecondary students, don’t have that sense of importance attached to voting, or being politically engaged. This measure in the bill makes it more difficult for Elections Canada to remedy that,” Thiessen notes.

This leaves student unions to initiate their own programs to educate and encourage student voter participation — a respon-

sibility that SUS has neither the funds, or the man power, to successfully carry out, explains Thiessen.

“Hosting more political events on campus,” he suggests as one way to increase awareness, adding, “Whether that’s a speaker series with individual politicians, or all candidate’s meetings in times of an election, or registration drives with Elections Canada on campus to ensure that as many students as possible are registered voters.”

Another potential issue could be a question of student and staff volunteers remaining neutral. Elections Canada staff adhere to certain mandates and regulations preventing political bias, whereas student

and staff volunteers are not necessarily held to the same contract.

Bill C-23 also prohibits the use of voter ID cards, which are mailed out to all registered voters, as proof of identification or residence. Because students are a demographic with various and often temporary living situations, this could cause greater difficulty with proving residency at the polls.

While no specific actions are being carried out by SUS to directly combat the bill at this time, according to Thiessen, the stance against it is a start.

“Student voices are not heard when Student Unions do not take a political stance,” said college of arts representative, Greg Stickland.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Science on Purpose

Pretty in plastic DESSA BAYROCK

CASCADE ALUM

Plastic is everywhere.

But could we have reached the point where plastic is considered part of the natural world?

After studying rocks from a Hawaiian beach, Dr. Patricia Corcoran from the University of Western Ontario thinks it might be fair to say the world has entered the Anthropocene epoch — which is “marked by human interaction with Earth’s biophysical system,” she notes in a recent paper, titled “An anthropogenci marker horizon in the future rock record” published in GSA Today.

And when looking at human interaction with the planet, pollution is a good place to start.

Corcoran and her team headed to Kamilo Beach on Hawaii’s Big Island after she was told about the existence of strange rocks. Half plastic, half debris, fused together into a whole: plastiglomerate.

The team studied 21 sites on Kamilo Beach, and found examples of the plastic-rock hybrid at every one. But how was plastiglomerate created, and what were the larger ramifications?

The first thing Corcoran noted was the remote nature of the beach; because it’s 12 km from the closest paved road, the likelihood of visitors leaving their trash increases.

“The remoteness of the beach plays an important role in the formation of a potential plastiglomerate marker horizon, as most visitors camp for extended periods of time,” the report reads. “In addition, regular,

Image: epSos.de/flickr

Discarded plastic on beaches has become a whole new substance unto its own: plastiglomerate. organized beach clean-ups are difficult.”

The research team found that the beach was littered with plastic — some of which had been left behind by visitors, and other pieces that had washed ashore. The variety ranged from fishing equipment to “plastic confetti” — plastic worn into tiny pieces by water and weather, and impossible to pick up.

Because of the pervasiveness of plastic on the beach, it would be impossible to find a plastic-free area to build a camp or bonfire.

The result? Plastics emerge from beach fires fused to other materials, like coral, shell, rocks, sand, and charcoal. The substance is what Science magazine referred to as a “junkyard frankenstein” — impossible to pry apart, and a new material

altogether.

Corcoran noted that the same effect could be achieved by lava flows, forest fires, and so on — although Kamilo Beach in particular doesn’t have a history of lava activity, other beaches in Hawaii might see plastiglomerate form near volcanos.

The team observed two kinds of this new plastic rock: situations where plastic has melted

to a larger piece of rock, perhaps sinking into the cracks and crevices, and situations where plastic and debris mix in roughly equal measure in a “plastic matrix.” Either way, forming into a plastiglomerate increases the plastic’s chance at survival; when the lump gets heavy enough, it can sink into the soil or the ocean, away from the rays of the sun which seek to break it down. In this way, Corcoran says, the plastiglomerate can stay preserved indefinitely — perhaps eventually making its way into the fossil record and serving as an identifier of the Anthropocene epoch.

“Given the ubiquity of nondegradable plastic debris on our planet, the possibility of their global preservation is strong,” the study reads. “Our study presents the first rock type composed partially of plastic material that has strong potential to act as a global marker horizon in the Anthropocene.”

Corcoran also believes that plastiglomerate is probably common on beaches around the world since all that’s needed for the rock to form are bits of plastic and a hot fire. Now that there’s a name for it, she believes it will be identified on beaches all over the world.

Geophysicist Douglas Jerolmack, quoted in Science magazine, says the substance may be more prevalent than we think.

“All around the world where there’s trash being openly burned in mass quantities,” he notes. “You can imagine there are even larger melted plastic deposits.”

R2R Mentor system gives researchers a leg up on competition JEFF HUGHES

CONTRIBUTOR

Many university professors take on their teaching roles to advance the sum of human knowledge through research.

That research requires money, of which there is a limited amount available.

In February 2014, the government of Canada announced that $1.5 billion would be allocated to fund research projects over the next 10 years. While this may sound substantial, it’s less of an investment than the funding made available only a decade ago. Even with higher investment, it was a challenge to ensure that money came to schools like UFV, and it is an even bigger challenge today.

UFV already works with faculty members on a regular basis to support and encourage success in research, notes Adrienne Chan, associate VP of UFV’s research, engagement, and graduate studies department.

“We already provide a mentorship program by giving training and workshops, but beyond [that] people often need one-to-one,” she says.

That’s where the recently established R2R Mentor system comes in.

“It helps researchers through a mentor,” Chan says. “The mentors themselves have been successful as researchers.”

Having been through the process of obtaining grant money for research projects, experienced researchers — like Garry Fehr of UFV’s geography and the environment department — are in a unique position to mentor less-experienced researchers in their efforts.

“There are a lot of faculty members that would like to be more engaged in research,” says Fehr. “There are those who have been engaged in research for a long time. But it’s very challenging to get funding — funding to hire students, funding for travel, funding for research supplies. It’s getting

more difficult all the time to get money to do that kind of research.”

Overcoming these difficulties is a task Fehr seems glad to take on as a mentor, passing on knowledge to give other researchers a leg up on those who may be competing for the same funding.

“It’s particularly important for the university to have faculty members get funding from

SSHRC [Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council] or NSERC [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council],” he continues, explaining that besides the money that comes to the faculty member, there is also money that goes to the university, including funding for bookkeeping and for the students.

The benefits of programs like this extend beyond helping

less-experienced researchers obtain funding — it also benefits the school and students.

With funding for research projects come opportunities for student employment: the chance to work in a field related to their studies and potentially jumpstart a career path.

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High school students shadow city councillors TAYLOR BRECKLES

THE CASCADE

These high school students are combatting political apathy in youth by getting early exposure to the municipal political process.

The city of Abbotsford’s annual Youth Shadow Council program allows students to “shadow” city council members for a few months, during which time these students are able to learn, work, and grow.

“They accompany us to meetings, have chats over coffee, go to events with us, and finally, sit beside us at a council meeting in April. Each councillor will go over that day’s agenda with the students prior to the meeting, explain the reports, and have discussions about the issues,” Abbotsford city councillor Patricia Ross explains.

“Then, for several of the items, after council has already discussed them and voted on it, the students would have their own discussion and their own ‘shadow council’ vote.”

Although the votes of the students can’t count legally, this allows them to practice voting so they can be informed for the real thing once the time comes.

The students gain knowledge and experience from this program, and the councillors have something to gain as well.

“We hope to both learn from our younger generation what their needs, hopes, and dreams are, [and] learn from conver-

Image: Patricia Ross/ Facebook

High school students are taking an interest in municpal politics by sitting in on council meetings. sations with them what their perspective is on issues,” Ross says, “[while] at the same time, inform them more about city government, our community, and inspire them to get involved in the community; per-

haps [they will] work at City Hall someday, either as staff or an elected city councillor or mayor.”

In addition to guiding students through the duration of the program, Ross also says

she remains in contact with her mentees afterward.

“I still stay in touch with all the students I’ve worked with over the years, and it is so exciting to see how they grow and succeed in life. I try to help

them still, advise and mentor them, [and] give them letters of reference if they want that,” she says.

Even though the participating students gain a life-long mentor as well as hands-on experience in government, Ross notes that another purpose for the program is to increase the number of young voters within our community.

“The younger generation typically doesn’t [use] their right to vote, but if only they knew the incredible power they have to completely change the political landscape and the way things are run, I am sure they would vote more often,” she says. “Maybe they don’t feel connected to the city government very much, and that could very well be a failing on our part, so this whole Youth Shadow Council program is an attempt to change that, to do better to engage them with us, have them talk to us about their concerns and suggestions so we can make better decisions that help them succeed in life.”

Not only are the students gaining experience with politics, but their engagement inspires those they work with.

“I am so impressed by our younger generation that they make me very hopeful for a bright future,” Ross says.

A new major has arrived, en français TAYLOR BRECKLES

THE CASCADE

After many years of development, UFV will be able to offer students a French major as soon as September.

“This French major has been a long time in coming,” says UFV French professor BettyJoan Traverse. “We know that a lot of students that are doing the bachelor of arts want to go into teaching, and we know that students who can teach French are hired more easily.”

According to a recent article in the Globe and Mail, Traverse notes, there is a skyrocketing demand for French immersion teachers within Canada. To validate this demand, she also mentions 43 per cent of available positions listed on a teacher-hiring website require some degree of French.

According to Traverse, the usefulness of this major is not limited to teaching, as it can also provide students with an edge to get hired in federal government, translation, and CBC R adio.

However, it was more than career opportunities that prompted UFV to make this major possible.

“Of course, it is our other official language, so it seems like now that UFV is a university, we should at least have education in our second language,” she says.

According to Traverse, those

Image: Jess Wind

The French language major will be available to students in the fall 2014 semester. who live in BC often forget how prominent French is in provinces such as Quebec and Ontario which use both French and English almost equally.

She goes on to explain that the importance of the language extends beyond Canada as well.

The program will focus on bringing awareness to francophone cultures around the world.

“It’s not just Quebec and France; there’s also extensive French language and culture in francophone Africa, in parts of Asia, and [in other areas] around the world,” Traverse explains.

In order for students to be able to major in French, more courses have been added to the curriculum. One third-year course and three fourth-year

courses will be offered, including one in francophone myths and legends and a French linguistics course.

With the new major, Traverse hopes the path will be paved for other languages to expand their options and potentially create majors of their own, although it’s not as simple as adding new courses to the timetable.

“It’s a chicken-and-egg thing because if you don’t have the courses, you can’t get the students, and if you don’t have the students, you can’t get the courses,” Traverse explains.

With a demand for French teachers, years of development, and a dash of national pride, UFV’s French major will be available come the fall 2014 semester.

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UFV sets flight path with China KATHERINE GIBSON

THE CASCADE

Starting this fall, UFV will look to expand its global partnerships to include China.

Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada (BCCSC), UFV has agreed to discuss Chinese students taking part in the university’s aviation program.

Although nothing official has been decided, the MOU reflects UFV’s desire to not only partner with China but also to strengthen its current partnership with Coastal Pacific Aviation. “[Aviation] is certainly a flagship program. It’s not something that’s offered everywhere,” notes UFV International executive director David McGuire. “We really hope that the ‘i’s can be dotted and the ‘t’s can be crossed so that we can get off to a good start re-

cruiting for it in the fall.”

As McGuire explains, ideally, Chinese schools will recruit students as early as grade 10 for UFV’s aviation program.

These selected high school students will come to UFV during the summer to upgrade their English and take part in a “junior aviation camp” — an opportunity that will give these individuals both a taste of the program and a leg up on the intense coursework that they will face should they choose to enter the program after graduation.

Beyond giving Chinese students the ability to obtain their commercial and private pilot licences, this partnership will help UFV competitively recruit more international students to the university.

“We traditionally think of the UK, Australia, and the US as being our major competitors but what people don’t realize is that countries like Malaysia …

are now bringing in all kinds of students,” McGuire notes. “[Those countries are] recruiting internationally as well. So we’re not competing with just the Western countries … international education is now international.”

The addition of international students from China will also add a unique diversity to UFV’s campuses, which McGuire believes is an important part of university life and student education.

“We owe it to our students … to outline the different cultures around the world that they will undoubtedly be exposed to,” McGuire continues. “If we don’t prepare our students for a globally engaged world, then we’re not giving the best undergraduate education that we can,” he concludes. “More international students here, as long as students work and engage together … it benefits everybody.”

Smoke actually leads to fire near campus JESS WIND

THE CASCADE

KATIE STOBBART

PHOTOS

The evidence is still out there if you take a walk to the corner of College Drive and Gillis Avenue behind C building — the cedar hedges were early victims of dry summer weather.

On June 5 the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service responded to a small fire outside UFV in which a number of cedar hedges lining the townhouse complex caught fire.

The trucks responded quickly after a resident attempted to put the fire out with a garden hose. Smoke and ash drifted through the parking lots, drawing a small crowd of onlookers.

Ken, one of the officers responding, explained the more

effective process of using foam to penetrate the ground and surrounding area before dousing with water.

“We get a lot of [fires] now and right through summer,” he said, suggesting a disposed cigarette was a possible cause of the fire. “You just get a breeze like this … it doesn’t take much.”

Cedar hedges dry out quickly and are frequently planted in beds lined with bark mulch.

Dry weather, a light breeze and something like a still-smouldering cigarette easily lead to fire; the AFRS reminds everyone to use caution through the summer months with regards to discarded cigarettes. As well, the city-wide burning ban is in effect from now until September 30.

Image: UFV Today

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OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE , 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Curtailed commentary on current conditions

SNAPSHOTS

You park, you pay Ashley Mussbacher Those of us who drive to school every day know that if you pull in any time after 9 a.m., it’s almost impossible to get a good parking spot (especially if it’s the beginning of the fall semester). That is, unless you are allowed to park in the lot behind C Building. But you can only do that if you have a permit.

That’s right. If you take on those extra shifts and pay top dollar, you too can park in UFV’s gravel lot.

Think of all the joy you’ll get season-toseason when you have to replace your suspension, get a new paint job, and fund windshield repairs. Also, who doesn’t want their own mud pit to sink their car into every winter? Or dust storm to clog up their air filter in summer?

This is a no-brainer. It’s no wonder the university won’t pave the lot after at least four years of filling pot holes, and grading it.

I mean, who really cares about money anyway?

Teachers vs. government

Beauty is pain

Phone phobia

Jess Wind

Katherine Gibson

Taylor Breckles

Teachers make enough money. The government is simply trying to ensure a balanced budget. Won’t someone think of the children?

Or, you could look at the whole picture instead of sharing the latest and greatest Facebook has to offer.

It doesn’t matter what side of this debate I’m on — because you don’t give a shit. You will continue to latch onto whatever media mumbo-jumbo the outlets want to feed you.

It’s okay though, because when it comes to being angry about things, you only need to read one 400-word article to understand the magnitude of the situation. Or maybe you just read the comments below, because those people are probably informed — right?

I am sick of arguing with people who read that, despite a weekend of bargaining attempts, neither side budged. Sure, perhaps that’s true, but what about the other side that says the government sat on the offer, only to shut it down. Who’s to say who’s right?

News is rarely objective, as much as we want it to be. It’s your job to click on links, check dates of publication and sources (if listed), and cross-check the information that’s touted by countless media outlets. The BCTF strike is easy for journalists to cover right now — there is so much to latch onto.

Do us all a favour and take the time to inform yourself.

Ear piercing: two tiny words which carry with them a lifetime’s worth of presumed female identity and beauty assumptions.

One little pinch and then it’s over — or is it?

For many young girls a seeming rite of passage quickly morphs into terror, tears, and screams.

During the time I’ve spent piercing ears, I have witnessed many mothers pressure or directly force their daughters into getting a coveted set of earrings, despite the obvious emotional discomfort of their child.

But why?

When did children lose the right to control the appearance of their own body? When did it become necessary or even socially acceptable for mothers to force a cosmetic alteration on their daughters?

So often I stand, piercing gun in hand, and watch as young girls cry and beg their mothers to let them leave without holes in their ears. I remember one mother who looked at her five year old daughter as she sat, hyperventilating and crying in the piercing chair, and told her, “Beauty comes at a cost — you just have to suck it up and pay it.”

That moment has stuck with me.

Beauty should never come at a cost, especially when you’re five years old.

I can’t talk to people.

I found out the extent of this paranoia when I had to call a contact and set up an interview in order to write an article for this paper. If you put me up in front of a horror movie, full of blood and gore, it’s not a problem — but when I have to call someone for my job I become a mess.

It’s sad, really, how our generation has developed this ineptitude with talking on the phone. Sure, there are some people who have no problem chatting away. However, you have people like me in the world: the completely awkward, partially brainless, almost unable to speak people who find the task of telephoning — whether the number is foreign or well-known — an unspeakably terrifying job.

The availability of communicating through text has destroyed our ability to talk through an actual phone by turning the experience into a heart-pounding, and often embarrassing, situation.

Dare to care?

ASHLEY THORNHILL HAYES

CONTRIBUTOR

Should people take responsibility for the feelings of others in social settings? Are people who are unaware merely insensitive or just selfish?

I consider myself to be very accepting of people, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation. Does that mean that I always watch what I say around people that may be offended by a particular joke or comment? Not at all. Do I cringe when others say offensive things in my presence? Absolutely.

I feel everyone has a responsibility to at least try and be aware of the feelings of others in social settings, regardless of their own personal feelings. I’ve asked friends and family for their opinions on the matter and have received a wide variety of answers.

Some have discussed social anxiety disorders, some have brought up morals and personal values, and others have simply said people are responsible for their own feelings. Also, the type of social setting can be up for debate — there’s a big difference between

Image: Mid-century pretty/ flickr

Baby, does my behaviour offend you? Becasue I don’t really care. how people act around a group of friends versus meeting a stranger for the first time or being in a public venue.

I’ve just recently returned from a four-night trip to Vegas, the city of sin and debauchery, where I became very aware of how unaware

people are of their surroundings.

Not only were people drinking and smoking with hopeless abandon, the completely unfiltered language that came out of some people’s mouths amazed me (and I’m not easily shocked). There were several moments during my trip where I thought no way would I ever bring a child to Vegas, regardless of the amount of “familyfriendly” activities there might be.

I understand one needs to at least have an idea of what to expect when going to a place like Vegas, but I will never get used to smoke blown in my face or people using racial slurs in their everyday conversation. People don’t care who is around them or whom they might possibly offend, especially after one-too-many cocktails.

People’s morals and personal beliefs remind me of a recent card game I was introduced to. The goal of this game called Cards Against Humanity, is to be as offensive, inappropriate, and gross as possible. The first and most entertaining time I’ve ever played the game was when I met my boyfriend’s extended family. His grandma is a devout Christian while the rest of us are either not religious or are on

the fence regarding our personal beliefs. Throughout the evening, when a card could be played that related to Christianity and could offend his grandma, it was played, and everyone laughed except her.

Now one would think a person who is easily offended wouldn’t participate in a game like this, but his grandma had no problem playing cards that would offend others — it was only the cards surrounding Christianity which she had a problem with. In a situation like this, you need to consider your audience and the people around you.

Close family and friends know which buttons they can push before someone gets truly offended.

People deal with their feelings in all sorts of ways. There are people who are blissfully unaware of the feelings of others and then there are people who are very aware, but could care less. I think people are ultimately responsible for putting themselves in positive social settings, but as human beings, we should all try to be in tune with the people who surround us and our environment. A little awareness and compassion can go a long way in this world but ignorance can completely destroy it.

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OPINION

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

A well-rounded education embraces multiculturalism VANESSA BROADBENT

CONTRIBUTOR

As a future exchange student, I was completely thrilled to hear of the UFV’s partnership with the Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada (BCCSC). UFV will be expanding its global partnership with China by accepting up to 30 Chinese exchange students every year to take part in its aviation program, which is unique to UFV. Unlike most aviation programs, this program will combine aviation with business.

It not only prepares students to be pilots, but also enables them to work in management. Come September, UFV and BCCSC will start coordinating to make this happen.

This will be a great opportunity for BCCSC students, as well as for students of UFV. The world around us is becoming more globally engaged and the opportunity to study abroad is a great way for students to adapt to these changes.

While Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley are very diverse, it can be easy for people to become uninvolved in the multiculturalism around them. North Americans are so caught up in our daily routine, and this lifestyle is no different for students. The chance to immerse oneself in a foreign culture, especially while studying, is the perfect way to achieve a well-rounded education. What better way to learn about the world around us than to actually study in the world around us?

Image: K.W. Barrett/ flickr

When cultures collide, we learn to look outside our view of “normal” and embrace the diversity amongst humanity.

I understand this is not possible for every student. Not only can studying abroad be extremely expensive, but it also requires moving to a foreign country and leaving behind friends, family, jobs, and much more. This is not a commitment every student can make.

Though many students are not able to study abroad, this doesn’t mean they can’t experience foreign cultures in their education.

UFV may send out large numbers

of exchange students every year, but students come here to study as well, and this partnership will increase those numbers. There are many opportunities for students to volunteer with UFV’s study abroad program and become more familiar with the different cultures at UFV. I see travelling and experiencing various cultures as a very important aspect of life, and I can honestly say I am proud to attend

a university that does its part in becoming globally involved. My education is of great importance to me, and I feel the best education anyone can receive is one full of diversity and multiculturalism.

I am always looking to expand my view of the world around me and what it has to offer, and I know there are other students who feel the same way. The partnership between UFV and BCCSC will only lead to strong connections

between Canada and China, the universities, and most importantly, the students. While the students of BCCSC may only be coming to study aviation and business, they will bring with them their culture and that will have a beneficial effect on us. We are extremely privileged to be able to accept these students into our university and offer them the international experience they deserve.

Tesla offers up its patents to the public domain VALERIE FRANKLIN

THE CASCADE

Half a dozen of us were sitting on the patio, shooting the breeze over a bottle of wine and watching the stars come out, when someone asked what we should each be doing to make the world a better place.

“I’d buy an electric car if they weren’t so damn expensive,” someone said, and there was a susurrus of disappointed agreement.

It went without saying that none of us could afford the $80,000 price tag of a Tesla, the only fully electric car currently on the market.

That was on Wednesday. On Thursday, Tesla Motors released its patents — a move that has shaken the transportation industry and has set the internet abuzz. In a June 12 blog post titled “All Our Patent Are Belong to You,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated all of the company’s patents are now publicly available and Tesla will not pursue intellectual property lawsuits against anyone who chooses to use their technology.

Musk’s move is not unprecedented, but it is unusual. Altruists occasionally offer world-changing technologies as their gift to the world, like Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the World Wide Web and refused to patent it or receive any royalties. Jonas Salk, an American doctor, also famously refused to profit from his discovery of a polio vaccine.

“There is no patent,” he replied, upon being asked who would own the vaccine’s patent. “Could you

patent the sun?”

In an age of capitalism when everything has a price tag and corporate secrets are guarded like gold, this kind of altruism is rare and beautiful. Musk’s move is especially fitting considering Tesla Motors’ namesake — Nikola Tesla, an eccentric Serbian-American inventor who, among his prolific list of inventions, allegedly discovered a method of collecting free, renewable energy from Earth’s ionosphere. The project was shut down by financier J.P. Morgan, one of his backers, who was outraged at the thought of developing a source of energy that he couldn’t profit from. Although Tesla died in 1943, Tesla Motors has carried on his legacy by developing the electric car industry based on his electric motor. And now, they continue to do so by sharing their technology with others with no expectation of compensation, just as Nikola Tesla wanted to share free energy with the world.

Musk’s decision to release Tesla Motors’ patents isn’t entirely altruistic, however. The company is working to create an enormous battery factory that could manufacture power sources for a global fleet of cars. If the electric car takes off, Tesla Motors could stand to monopolize the new equivalent of the fuel industry.

But Musk’s move could still be one of the best things to have happened to the environmental movement in years. Companies like Ford now have no excuse to not develop electric vehicles. The technology exists; the patents are free; and, with approximately two bil-

Image: Bobo Boom/ flickr

Thanks to Tesla Motors’ altruism, electric cars may be available to the common consumer before long. lion cars currently on the road and 100 million more being produced every year, we can’t deny that the world desperately needs to quit its fossil fuel addiction.

What would it take for the electric car to catch on? As my friend on the patio said, it’s the price that’s stopping us. If manufacturers like Toyota or Mazda begin to create affordable electric car models for the middle class, it could finally hit the mainstream. In our post-environmentalist culture,

being “green” is more fashionable than serious: we take trendy canvas bags to the grocery store to reassure ourselves how environmentally conscientious we are, but choose to buy kiwis from Chile anyway. The electric car could ride that eco-chic trend and be the new yoga, the new vegan. In 10 or 15 years, maybe it’ll be gauche to have a car that runs on gasoline.

Instead the streets will be full of clean, sleek cars that silently roll up to the charging stations avail-

able on every corner – all because Tesla Motors decided to share the rights to electric car technology.

Call me naïve, but I hope Musk has set an example. Maybe he’ll start a new movement of corporate altruism — CEOs, engineers, and inventors sharing their discoveries and patents with each other, just because they can. Wouldn’t that be an amazing world?

Mr. Tesla would be proud.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE , 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

OPINION

What do you think about the BC teachers’ strike?

Feel like sharing your short-andsweet opinion? Keep an eye out for our whiteboard-toting pollsters roaming the halls.

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CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Drug wars, dirty money, and the beautiful game NADINE MOEDT THE CASCADE

Geoffrey Spurling’s course on Latin American history can’t help but address the cultural kingpin that is soccer. With the World Cup now underway in Brazil, it’s a timely subject.

As part of a new film series hosted by the history department, Spurling presented The Two Escobars, a documentary which examines the intersection between soccer, organized crime, and politics in Colombia during the 1980s and ‘90s.

The documentary was a part of the ESPN’s 30 for 30, a series of films celebrating the network’s 30th anniversary, and was directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist. It follows the lives of Pablo Escobar — brutal drug lord, soccer fan, and philanthropist beloved of the Colombian

people—and the chiseled Andres Escobar, captain of the national soccer team and “gentleman of the field.”

The documentary detailed the two men’s similar beginnings.

Both drug lord and soccer star grew up in abject poverty. Andres chose to pursue his love of soccer; Pablo eventually turned to crime.

Pablo Escobar ’s rise to power

brought him limitless riches, which he spent building soccer fields and channelling wealth back into the communities. His business was the export of cocaine, and this needed a laundering front. Owning a soccer team provided an ideal cover.

The manager of the underworld now held control over the hugely popular and influential Colombian national team.

For the wild Colombian soccer fans, “soccer was a religion.”

This allowed it to be part of the political process both nationally and internationally, as the American “war on drugs” found its front lines in Colombia. As Pablo struggled to maintain his power, soccer was used on both ends as a political tactic to gain support.

The film documents the rise of “narco soccer,” a term used to describe the dirty money that funded the rise of the Co-

lombian national team. Pablo’s money was funnelled into keeping highly skilled players as well as the trading of foreign players. The film zeros in on Colombia’s devastating loss in the 1994 World Cup in which Colombia had been favoured to win as predicted by the “god of soccer,” Pele. The bloody political turmoil provides a fascinating study for a documentary to explore not only Colombian culture, but also the history of the cocaine industry.

The history film series will continue into the fall and winter, according to Spurling. Instructor Ian Rocksborough-Smith will host a documentary on slavery, race, and civil rights as part of his American history course. The films are open to UFV students, who can take part in a discussion of the film and history as it pertains to current conditions.

Stratification and stencilled Michelangelos: an interview with Alex Stewart hauntingly beautiful about the female expression, compared to male expression. You get more of a haunting visage rather than, say, something a little darker with a male face, where it would just look darker, and not have such an underlying beauty to it.

That’s, at least, what I think. I’ve always thought, “just paint what you want to paint,” that’s all.

KODIE CHERRILLE CONTRIBUTOR

Artist and UFV alumnus Alex Stewart just wrapped up his Stratification art exhibit, which was on display in room B136 on the UFV Abbotsford campus from May 22 to June 12. Between taking down his exhibit and travel preparations, Stewart found time to talk to The Cascade about his art, stencilling in general, and having a show in Tennessee.

I found a really interesting effect upon coming into the B Building entrance on the first floor. The first thing you see is “Flamenco,” with the eyes of a woman looking right at you as you walked through to door. I got sucked in right away, it was such an eye-catching thing. Did you plan that?

I knew the layout of the gallery, knew how it all worked and flowed, and I planned to have a larger piece for the back section of the wall. I didn’t know exactly what it was going to be, but I knew I wanted it to be the focal point of the show. When I did [Flamenco], it just worked. After I painted that piece, I had it hanging in my studio for a while, and I found that the eyes would follow you no matter where you went. So after that happened, I figured, perfect! Let’s just put that dead-centre.

Would you say that Stratification is more ‘out there’ for you? Or is it something that relates to a lot of what you have been doing before that?

A lot of what I do is based around stencils and lots of colour. I tried stencilling in my final year at UFV — it was a challenge from one of my professors — and I fell in love with it. I’ve been trying to find other ways to stencil — you know, more than what your grandmothers would do on their kitchen cabinets. I try to bring depth to it — all of the faces are stencils as well. Everything I do is stencils, I don’t use a brush anymore. So it’s just about finding new ways to progress that art form: using stencils to create paintings.

Would you say that ideas of masculinity could possibly “hijack” your work, then?

It could, in a way, I think, but I have also toyed with Michelangelo’s “David,” like that style of sculpture, and translating a style like that into actually painting.

This show is more about what I have been doing lately, and from here I will explore other avenues. I’ve seen some work done in that “David” style, and it just blows my mind.

Artwork: Alex Stewart

Stewart’s intricately layered artwork takes dozens of stencils — and just as many hours of careful work.

How many stencil layers would you say went into the art in Stratification?

If you were to go onto Photoshop and work in layers, that’s how my head works when I’m making a stencil, when I lay them all out and make a stack.

For “Flamenco,” I would say, for her face alone, it was about 12 separate stencils.

How many hours of work is that — just making the stencils?

I lose track of time when I cut out the stencils. I just put on some music and go. But it’s probably between eight and 24 hours to cut out one piece’s worth of stencils.

In most of your displayed works, there are very ornate patterns — like a fleur-de-lis — that surround the women.

In “Sinking,” the woman is almost completely covered in these designs. It made me think of someone plastering those patterns over her, like she is literally being painted out of the picture. Is that the effect you were going for? And is that why

this exhibition is called Stratification?

Yeah, I’m playing with that a lot — just going for a full painting and obscuring sections, so that your mind can draw its own conclusions about what is missing or happening — and I find using just a design, rather than specific objects, makes the mind travel further, because it is not being told that “this is an anvil” or something like that. It’s just colours, essentially.

Were you looking for something purposefully ornate to do that?

Yeah, I tried out a lot of different styles, and then I drew that one up ... I’ve drawn that one up hundreds of times now, since stencils deteriorate quickly when they’re being used. I just keep using it. It’s become a static feature in my paintings now.

Why women in these paintings?

I’ve been asked that question tonnes of times, especially when I was at school — “why is your subject matter always women?” There is something

“David” in stencilling? That’s insane!

Yeah. Not like a sculpture, but just that textured look, captured in a stencil.

That would take a lot of layering.

It would, but it would totally be worth it.

Totally. You just recently had an exhibition out in Tennessee.

It was your first show outside of the valley.

It was my first international show, you could call it. It was really, really cool. I didn’t have anything to do with it, really.

They found my work via Instagram, and then they contacted me, asking, “Would you like to submit to our gallery for our opening show?” I was blown away by it. I didn’t think my art was that far-reaching, but apparently it is. It was a really great experience, and I have stuff down there for another show right now, too.

Have you gone down to Tennessee?

I was going to, but with the overlaps between that show and Stratification, it was hard to find the time to actually get down

there. I’m looking to get down there soon, though, because the galleries down there are phenomenal.

Why Stratification?

I was brainstorming titles for my show, and stratification is an archaeological term for objects hidden within layers, and I found that that fit with my style of painting really well. I found it, and it just stuck.

There’s also the possibility of sexual stratification. They are all women, they all wear lipstick and eyeliner.

There is definitely a little of that within my work. I always go for an aspect of beauty that is captivating or haunting. Like when you would look at photos of old pin-up models: that generation focussed all on the face, and not so much on the body.

That’s what I try to go for in the work – trying to have it all in the eyes, and have the eyes captivate the audience. The eyeliner is there to suck the audience in.

Have you been influenced by anything local or contemporary?

Not so much local, more so the international art scene and a lot of artists that I’ve admired for a long time. Particularly one artist named Rone, I think he’s somewhere in the States — he does mural-size paintings on a building of female faces, and they’re absolutely wonderful. I’d love to be able to work on a scale that large one day, but for now I’ll stick to what I do on canvas.

He’s been a huge influence, as well as another artist named Hush. They both do similar, but different, things than I do …

Hush’s work, he calls them “urban geishas,” and he does the almost the exact opposite of what I do. He does the female form, and blocks out the eyes, where I block out the body, and accentuate the face.

This article has been edited for length and calrity.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Below the Belt

Satisfying sex is nothing to be ashamed of ROXY NOVA SEXPERT

The issue before last, the sex column was authored by Advice Mallard, entitled “Sex with a side of intimacy.” Mallard made some good points, but I think there are several that can and should be expanded upon.

This is part of the reason I offered to take on the sex column, if only for a couple of weeks: I think the conversation Mallard opens is in need of another voice — not in opposition, necessarily, but at least to serve as a counterpoint.

For those of you who didn’t read it or don’t remember it, Mallard touched on a couple of important points — any relationship we pursue as humans is in search of connection, be it sexual or platonic. Ultimately, Mallard states that the best connection we can hope for is when sex meets intimacy and fireworks ensue. Mallard says intimacy is required in a sexual relationship for that certain bang, and without a connection between people as well as bodies, you’re looking at a ball game without the home run.

As someone who has been in a steady relationship for the last few years, I agree with many of the things Mallard says — recognition of the varied meanings of the word “intimate,” the value in finding someone to share more than your body with, and the important (if not entirely relevant) urging to the reader not to sell themselves short when searching for a mate.

I enjoy being in love with one of my best friends, and all the benefits that spring from that. We can talk about almost anything.

We support each other in a variety of ways. We are, in many senses, intimate with each other.

My mind is consistently blown that, in this strange wide world, I managed to find a human who loves me just as much as I love him. A good part of our relationship is composed, as Mallard suggests, of the sweet moments — waking up together, cooking for each other, talking until two in the morning, discussing the things that delight or terrify us.

On the other hand, I absolutely have to note that this triedand-true recipe for relationship bliss would not be complete without a generous portion of sexual activity.

Mallard’s right: you need a connection for a rousing bout of afternoon delight to blow all the circuits. But what that connection looks like is completely up to the user.

There is no one on this planet who can dictate the correct or incorrect circumstances to have sex other than you. That may mean a serious relationship sans sexual relations. That may mean a series of one-night stands. That may mean ongoing flings with a couple of friends.

That may mean a body-andsoul-and-mind attachment to a

specific human that you happen to love the fuck out of. The important part is that you decide what works and what doesn’t.

Don’t let anyone shame you into telling you what is or isn’t right.

For me, personally, at this point in my life, the inclusion of sex is an indispensable part of my relationship. Partaking in good, satisfying sex is like having someone scratch an itch you can’t quite reach yourself.

Masturbating can serve as a temporary substitute, but as 14-year-olds everywhere can attest, it’s no replacement for the real thing.

In my experience, sometimes a body just needs a good fucking. You might not be able to put a finger on it, in the same way you might not realize how much tension you carry in your shoulders until someone gives you a massage. Aha, you might think, as someone squeezes their thumbs into your shoulders.

That’s what I needed. Sex can be just like that. Why do you think the stereotypical sex cry is usually a variation of oh, yes, god, please, yes?

While Mallard says a one-

night stand is bound to end in a walk of shame and an existential crisis sooner or later, I have a hard time believing that to be true for everyone. The fact that one-night stand culture exists and is recognized as a cultural interaction proves that a decent portion of the population pursues it and continues to pursue it. For some people, one-night bed-sheet bonding works out just fine. Their bodies need a good stretch, a good scratch, and that’s the solution that works for them.

Personally, I don’t foresee breaking up with my human any time soon, but I’m not sure how long I would last before really, truly requiring a good fuck should we part ways. I’ve never had a one-night stand, but I could 100 per cent see myself pursuing one. I guarantee that my body will be ready to get back on the horse long before my heart will, and sleeping with strangers seems like a reasonable solution. After all, sleeping around with people you already know runs the risk of complication far more than an in-and-out operation. Having a one-night stand with someone you never, ever intend to see again seems like a fine solution — it’s only entering that scenario expecting another sort of intimacy that stands to hurt one party or another.

Mallard counsels taking care of both heart and body when searching for intimacy, a sentiment I hope to emphasize as well. I just hope to clarify that the two don’t always have to be sated by the same action, and that you should never, ever feel guilty about the way you choose to tend to your desires for intimacy — no matter what sort of intimacy you’re in the market for.

Cheddar-tomato soup THE CASCADE

This soup is perfect for making, freezing, then reheating at work or school. It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, and easy to make. You can tailor the ingredients — there are a lot of optional ones — depending on your preferences. It’s rich enough to stand on its own, but works great with grilled cheese or garlic toast or even a spring mix salad.

Events June 22

Support the kittens How would you like to eat dinner and feed the kittens at the same time? This is a distinct possibility for you — just pencil the Fraser Valley Humane Society (FVHS) silent auction and dinner into your datebook. Tickets are $22 for a dinner at the Mission Grill Station, and you’ll have a chance to bid on some auction items and participate in a 50/50 draw. All proceeds go to cats!

What’s not to like? Pick tickets up at FVHS in mission or call 604-820-2977 for more information.

June 28 Music in Mill Lake There’s nothing like a picnic and some sweet tunes to set a Saturday summer evening off in irresistible style. Head down to Mill Lake Park on June 28 at 6 p.m. to catch a couple hours of Kristal Barrett, singer of soulful songs and purveyor of fine country tunes. Bring a blanket and relax on the grass, and maybe head to Afterthoughts for cheesecake at the end of the night for the perfect summer date.

July 1 Get your Canada on

Recipe

SASHA MOEDT

Upcoming

Ingredients: 2 tbsp softened butter 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1 28 oz. can tomatoes (preferably fire roasted) 2 cups chicken broth 1 small sweet onion ½ cup heavy cream 2 cups sharp cheddar, finely grated 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 1 tbsp dried thyme (optional) 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (optional) 1 tbsp fresh basil (optional) 1 dollop sour cream (optional)

Photo: Creative Commons Attributed

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for five minutes or until the onion softens, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook for three minutes.

Add the tomatoes (including the juice from the can), chicken broth, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Use this time to make garlic toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, or whatever side strikes your fancy. Then blend the soup in a blender until it reaches your desired consistency — it’ll take about two minutes for a smooth blend.

Return the soup to the pan and stir in cream.

Keep on low and stir in cheese until melted.

Add a spoonful of sour cream to your bowl, and season to taste with basil, salt and pepper, thyme, or cilantro.

It’s time to celebrate our nation’s birthday; July 1 marks Canada Day, and that means all kinds of things. Maple leaves! Flags! Parades! Fireworks! You’re bound to find something to do. Try heading out to Abbotsford Exhibition Park or Townsend Park in Chilliwack at 10 p.m. for a bright and shiny fireworks show. Check your community for more celebratory action and possibly some free face-painting!

June 24 - Aug 3 Into the Woods!

It might just be time to jaunt out to Chilliwack to catch some live theatre: Secondary Characters presents Into the Woods at the end of this month and into the next at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. This theatre group knows how to do a shindig right: their costumes, make-up, and vocals are always spot on. Treat yourself!

Tickets range from $12 to $22.

Bring a younger sibling or cousin to this fairy-tale-based show, or how about giving your grandma a call? I’m sure she’d love to hear from you!

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Current students and alumni share their

Image: Used with permission from Casey Por

KATHERINE GIBSON THE CASCADE

For UFV theatre students, the Fall and Winter semesters mean demanding rehearsal schedules, memorizing scripts, and putting on some of the most professional university theatre productions around.

But what do these students do once the curtain closes on UFV’s official theatre season? Where do students and alumni go to express themselves and continue practicing their art?

For students looking to stretch their acting skills and wet their feet locally, Vagabond Players, Gallery 7, and Bard in the Valley have proven to be three theatre companies that are beneficial to both student and alumni growth.

Branching out locally For former student Casey Por, directing Fawlty Towers through Vagabond Players has allowed him not only the opportunity to grow as an artist himself, but also to help other actors learn about their craft.

“It’s really, really cool to be able to walk into a theatre and have ideas, sit down in rehearsal

… and make a show start to come to life,” Por explains. “I also really liked the idea of helping a bunch of people, especially actors, develop … because I’ve been on the other side of that fence a lot.”

Shifting away from the backstage work and acting he did at UFV, Por ’s decision to direct was a move that brought challenges. However, Por maintains that the experience was overall a rewarding one.

“It was a hell of a lot more challenging than I expected. I had some experience directing short films before this and I’ve done a lot of stage acting,” he notes, “but it’s vastly different from being an actor [or backstage].

“To know that everything sort of rides on you having this vision and answering everybody’s questions,” he continues. “It was very, very difficult and demanding but it was also a lot of fun and I’m glad that I did it.”

Similarly, recent graduate Danielle Warmenhoven, acting in the title role of Gallery 7’s production of Anne of Green Gables, also finds her local work beneficial. Complementing her four years spent learning at UFV, Warmenhoven’s return to the local stage means both getting the opportunity to put into practice

her passion for acting and build personal awareness.

“It’s really fun to go back having changed and learned a lot at UFV in the last four years,” she explains. “I really love the energy of live theatre, especially because the show is so alive and you kind of hang on a wire — things can go wrong and the audience is right there with you, so there’s no retaking. It’s kind of thrilling and exciting.

“It’s also a really powerful thing to do as a person,” Warmenhoven continues.

“You get to walk around in someone else’s shoes and learn about a different perspective, be it a different gender or time or role in society — it’s really quite a learning experience.”

Current student Dylan Coulter has found his time acting as Brutus in Bard in the Valley’s production of Julius Caesar as an opportunity to stretch his Shakespearean acting range outside the more comedic roles he has been prone to take at UFV. “Before last year working on Romeo and Juliet, I had never worked on a tragedy with UFV Theatre,” Coulter notes.

“In this show, it’s a significant departure for me and I’m grateful for that. I suppose I’m grateful for my previous experience and grateful that I get to see how a role like Brutus will be different than what I’ve done previously.”

UFV as an integral training ground Despite acting in varying productions and with different theatre companies, Por, Warmenhoven, and Coulter all point to UFV’s theatre department as being a defining factor in their ability to find success and confidence within the local theatre world.

For Warmenhoven, it is UFV’s formal acting training that she has found indispensable, as it has allowed her to find more direction creating new characters.

“Having the formal training from the UFV theatre [department], I have learned a lot about how to work through the process of creating a character,” she notes. “I learned a more technical and formal version of the craft.

“As a younger artist I was just kind of figuring it out as I was going,” Warmenhoven continues, “but with [UFV] you just learn such valuable skills. UFV, in particular, stands out by really training its students to be well-rounded theatre practitioners.”

Similarly, Por credits UFV for both building his theatrical ability, as well

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

CULTURE

r talents locally during the off-season “[I] can directly take that knowledge and start applying it here [in Julius Caesar] and the show is going to be better for it.”

Image: Mandy Dyck UFV ALUMNI

as giving him the necessary personal confidence to be successful within the theatre industry outside of the school community.

“Everything that I did at UFV turned into [Fawlty Towers].When I first started doing theatre, I was a really, really introverted kind of person,” explains Por. “Being part of the UFV theatre department really helped me grow as a person in general.

“Everything that I learned there, even outside of the theatre context, informed the way that I’ve done this whole project,” he continues. “Almost all of my theatre knowledge … comes from UFV at this point and the people that taught me there — it was just completely and utterly indispensable.”

The opportunity to learn specialized skills, such as combat fighting technique, through UFV has also helped Coulter navigate the extensive battle scenes Julius Caesar demands from its actors. In fact, Coulter credits UFV for teaching him not only about combat, but rather how to enact stage violence with caution and care.

“In the fight scenes [we want] to try and make sure that everything stage violence is stage violence and not real violence — that no one is actually going to get hurt in any of the rehearsals.

That’s something that our fight director [at UFV] … showed me,” says Coulter.

A call to get involved Reflecting on their theatre experiences at UFV, one thing that sticks out to all three actors is the importance of getting involved with many different theatre productions and maintaining their craft.

While some theatre students choose to only engage with UFV’s theatre community during scheduled class time, Warmenhoven asserts the importance of getting involved, if not locally then with the many production opportunities on campus.

“I really encourage students who are [currently] at UFV to get involved with the productions. There’s a handful of students that just go to the classes and that’s kind of it — they don’t really invest in the whole experience of the productions and the student life,” says Warmenhoven. “Those things have been some of the most valuable parts of my experience at UFV.” While lacking involvement can hinder a student’s theatre experience, Coulter notes that being heavily involved can also lead to students feeling burned out and in need of a break when the regular theatre season ends. However, Coulter maintains the importance of pushing past the initial feelings of tiredness in order to pursue different acting oppor-

tunities during UFV’s off-season.

“I have a number of friends who get very busy with theatre during the school year and as soon as the summer comes I talk to them and ask, ‘hey, are you going to audition for this or that?’ and they say ‘no, I need a break,’” says Coulter. “In some ways I understand that … but for me it’s never draining or tiring to be working on a theatre show — it’s almost rejuvenating.”

Por shares Warmenhoven and Coulter ’s sentiments, encouraging not only current theatre students but alumni to actively pursue their artistic passions, whether they choose to do it in a professional capacity or just for fun.

“A lot of people, when they graduate from university … their art drops. I want to encourage the UFV Theatre alumni to continue even if they’re not doing it in a professional capacity — continue doing your art,” Por concludes.

“You, as a UFV Theatre grad, have some of the best theatre training that’s available to you in this province, if not the entire country. So take advantage of that and let it enrich your life.”

Image: Dianna Lewis, Creative Memory Studios

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

UFV comes together to celebrate grads and milestones at Convocation

KATIE STOBBART THE CASCADE

Convocation always seems to strike a balance between giddy exuberance and decorum. New graduates in black robes and a variety of footwear ranging from sparkling stilettos to sneakers beamed as they stepped into the dim, cavernous Abbotsford Centre. They would enter as UFV students and exit as alumni.

Three ceremonies took place over two days, June 12 and 13: one for the college of arts; the second for the faculty of professional studies and faculty of access and open studies; and the last for the faculty of applied and technical studies, science, and health studies. More than 2,750 students graduated in total.

Finding wings on the way President Mark Evered stressed the continuing relevance of higher education in today’s world despite “gloomy” media reports, and reminded students and guests that in many countries — indeed, even within our own borders — many do not have access to university because of gender, socioeconomic status, political connections, and proximity to a school.

Chancellor Brian Minter noted, among other pieces of advice for graduates, that many leaving UFV would forge their own innovative careers.

“Airplanes were built before there were airports; cars were built before there were roads.

This is your future,” he said. He also cautioned that fear keeps all of us from doing what we want to do, and we should instead embrace it. “Jump off that cliff, and find your wings on the way down.”

Honorary doctors share wisdom Three honorary doctorates were awarded over the course of the three ceremonies. Charlotte Kwon was recognized for enabling artisans in developing countries. She said three basic questions fuel her business decisions: Will this elevate skills?

Will this improve the lives of artisans? Will this make the world a better place?

“Work should generate not only income, it should generate meaning,” she said.

George Siemens, who co-developed the first massive open online courses (MOOCs), encouraged grads to shape the future they want to see.

“Everything is in flux. Tools we now view as a daily part of our lives … are less than a decade old,” he said. “Become clear about what kind of world you want. It is the best point in history to be alive.”

The third honorary doctorate was awarded this year to Doug Hamilton, who has been with UFV since the beginning. Hamilton, soon-to-be 90 years old,

Graduates rise to collect their accolades and shake hands with school administrators. was a bright spark on the stage, chuckling as he revealed he “grew up in Cloverdale when it was still in the country.”

The agrologist said he knew there was a hunger for learning in the Fraser Valley, and would settle for “no less than a college.” He even went to Ottawa to pitch the idea of a college to the member of parliament.

“Forty years later, I look around … and I am overwhelmed with pride and joy at what I helped to create those decades ago,” he said.

Post-humous diploma awarded In the second ceremony, Kristen Erickson, who passed away on February 9 after battling cancer, was awarded a post-humous diploma in library and information technology. Her daughter, a grade five student in Abbotsford, crossed the stage in her mother ’s stead, accepted the framed certificate, and shook Mark Evered’s hand.

UFV hits a milestone and Minter’s last convocation As many students are aware, this year ’s convocation also marked a milestone for the university.

Banners with the number 40 hung behind the stage to proclaim UFV four decades old, and before each ceremony, a slideshow on the screen above showed scenes from along the way: pictures from back when UFV was Fraser Valley College, when students met in community spaces like church basements and storefronts, when campus media like The Cascade and CIVL Radio came into being.

It featured initial snapshots of Abbotsford campus buildings, the early days of the theatre program, the opening of Baker House, and many more events that formed the school we know today. The UFV community includes not just students and faculty, but members of its surrounding communities, many of

Stó:lō drummers lead the academic procession to the stage. whom attended this year ’s convocation ceremonies.

After the last graduate in the last ceremony had crossed the stage, emcee Brad Whittaker approached the microphone to conclude convocation. Before he could begin, however, Mark Evered hijacked the microphone to make a surprise announcement.

Evered explained the chancellor of a university, the only person at the university with the authority to grant credentials, as at convocation, has a maximum service of six years.

“When Dr. Minter ’s term as chancellor ends this fall, we will hold [an official ceremony], but we could not allow your last convocation to go unrecognized,” he said, going on to acknowledge that Minter had put in about 60 hours total of convocation hugs and handshakes in his years as chancellor.

Charlotte Kwon was recognized for enabling artisans in developing countries.

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The academic procession gathers for a photo op before heading to the stage.

Student awards Dean’s medals of excellence Paul Brammar — Bachelor of arts, history Rosalie Luymes — Bachelor of arts, geography and the environment Courtney Barber — Bachelor of business administration John Andrew Alexander — Bachelor of science, biology An Thuy Luu — Bachelor of kinesiology

Student

Speakers

Governer General’s Bronze Medal Brennan Gleason — Graphic and digital design diploma Lieutenant Governer’s Medal Angela Lebedovich — Community support worker certificate Governer General’s Gold Medal Shannon Torhjelm — Master of social work Governer General’s Silver Medal Nicole Wierks — Bachelor of schience, biology major

Faculty awards Research Excellence Award Michael Gaetz, Kinesiology and physical education Teaching Excellence Award Andrea Hughes, Psychology

Kelsey McHattie-Simpson poses with her dad.

ASHLEY MUSSBACHER THE CASCADE

Looking back, it’s unlikely anyone will remember word-forword all the advice given by the 2014 convocation speakers, their regretful choice of shoes, or even whom they sat next to during the procession.

But we all remember the quirky moments even the most rehearsed events can never go without.

Before the first ceremony Chancellor Brian Minter ’s gold star, which he humbly calls “the shiny thing,” was fastened to his green robes with safety pins. He

noted UFV is a fantastic institution where faculty and students can mingle without any sense of pompous ego getting in the way.

Chairman Justin Goodrich of the Board of Governors practiced his speech in a hallway off the side of the stadium, and the Stó:lō drummers and elders prepared their outfits before the order of procession march.

Among graduates, emotions ranged from bouncing and excited to fretfully nervous. Family and friends found each other in the scattered crowd of over 300 graduates and their guests.

Graduates of sociology Jessica Bradley and Sophie Michalenko waited for their relatives, beam-

Professor Emeritus Awards Paul Burkhart — Communications Elizabeth Dennis — Social, cultural, and media studies Cheryl Dahl — Social, cultural, and media studies Susan Fisher — English Larry Gritzmaker — Applied and technical studies Paul Herman — Philosophy Moira Kloster — Philosophy Ron Laye — Psychology

ing at everyone around them.

“We’re pretty excited, maybe a little nervous,” says Bradley, “but after this I’ll be jumping into the Teacher ’s Education Program here at UFV. I would like to teach at the elementary level.”

“My feet hurt!” exclaimed history major Amy Jones. “I definitely regret wearing heels.”

Bachelor of fine arts graduate Kelsey McHattie-Simpson posed for a picture with her father.

“I’m starting in Capilano University in September to begin my master ’s. I would like to be an art administrator, or curator for small, non-profit sectors,” she explained.

As graduates crossed the stage many opted for hugs from President Mark Evered and the line of delegates instead of a firm handshake. Some do fist-pumps, or a happy little jig for the audience.

One student even gives Evered a small gift as she shakes his hand.

Noise-makers and whistles greet the graduates in and out of the ceremony. People quickly line up at the wine table and the photography stand, before scattering to the parking lot, en route to some much-deserved celebration with family and friends.

Ceremony 1: Matthew Dirks Bachelor of arts in global development studies, minor in sociology and business “Youthful exuberance was not enough to effect change — it needed to be combined with skill.”

“It’s really important to have balance in life.”

Ceremony 2: Valerie Waughtal Bachelor of arts in adult education “Opportunities like today are not achieved in isolation.”

“The trick is just to jump in and do it.”

Ceremony 3: Megan Froese Diploma in agriculture technology “I don’t think I’ll be inspiring a nation, but if I inspire one person, that is enough for me.”

“Just sit down, be yourself, and start a conversation.”

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CULTURE STUDY BREAK

SUDOKU PUZZLE

CROSSWORD Summer blues

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

6 1 8 9

by KATIE STOBBART

www.ufvcascade.ca

3 2 9 4 8 4 3 6

2 5 1 8 3 5 1 7 6 9 5 2 8 9

8

6 5 2 1 6 3

5 2 9 8

ACROSS 2.

4.

7.

9.

10.

This mineral’s name comes from the Old French word for Turkish. (9) Closer to grey than blue, this is named after a metamorphic rock. (5) This element is number 27 on the periodic table. (6) A pale, fragile colour you might find nesting in your crayon box. (6, 3) A rich blue pigment made from powdered lapis lazuli. (11)

Answer keys Last week’s crossword

Sudoku solution

ACROSS

DOWN 2 BOWN 3 CHROMATICS 4 WAKE 7 JEPSEN 8 SUNSET

The Weekly Horoscope Aquarius: Jan 20 - Feb 18: You can totally pull off that haircut you’ve been thinking about. Worse comes to worst, it’ll grow back.

Pisces: Feb 19 - March 20: Just keep swimming. If you want to.

Aries: March 21 - April 19: Don’t eat flammables.

Common sense will prevail.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20: Billy Joel would probably like you, if he met you.

Gemini: May 21 - June 21: Your twins will wear matching sweaters and be embarrassed to be seen together.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22: Stay away from open water and fishing boats.

Leo: July 23 - Aug 22: Trim your fingernails. Personal hygiene will get you far in life.

Virgo: Aug 23 -Sept22: Bake some cookies and have a bubble bath. You deserve it.

6 5 4 7 1 3 8 2 9 1 8 3 2 6 9 4 5 7 2 9 7 8 4 5 3 1 6

This colour’s name belongs to both a myrtle herb and a small sea snail. (10) You could put a crown on this colour. (5) A deep blue stone which was used for the eyebrows in King Tut’s funeral mask. (5, 6) This compound was originally used to dye blue jeans. (6) A serene sky hue. (8) The smell of talc comes to mind. (4) A deep, dark, official blue. You might even say it’s sea-worthy. (4)

7 4 2 9 8 6 5 3 1 8 3 5 1 7 4 6 9 2 9 1 6 3 5 2 7 4 8

1.

3.

5.

6.

7.

8.

11.

3 7 9 4 2 8 1 6 5 4 6 8 5 9 1 2 7 3 5 2 1 6 3 7 9 8 4

DOWN

1 OBLIVION 5 FINISH 6 SLOWDIVE 9 UNTITLED 10 ANDY 11 GYMNASTICS 12 FREEZE

Star Signs from Sybil la Clair

Libra: Sept 23 - Oct 22: DOLLA DOLLA BILL$

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21: You’ll bounce back.

Sagittarius: Nov 22 - Dec 21: Pick your battles.

Capricorn: Dec 22 - Jan 19: Try not to post the same picture on instagram and facebook ... it annoys people.

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ARTS IN REVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Film Review

Edge of Tomorrow revives a classic concept JEREMY HANNAFORD

how many alien invasion films are set there). Ironically released on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the film’s recurring battle takes place on the beaches of France, where the humans try to launch a massive offensive against the alien aggressors.

These adversaries were a hidden feature of the film, having had little to no trailer exposure. It was truly a treat to see them when they finally appear on-screen — though terrifying at first. While their origin seems a little cliché, they are still relevant in the end; however, director Doug Liman hardly focuses on the aliens. The real conflict is Cage’s growing connection to Rita. Living through the same scenario repeatedly takes

CONTRIBUTOR

Edge of Tomorrow breathes some fresh air into the film industry with a tale of time travel and sci-fi warfare. Based on the Japanese novel All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, it brings in elements from many sci-fi action films that fall short of their mark: the exosuits from Elysium, the mimic/sentinel aliens from The Matrix, and the macho military attitude from Starship Troopers. Edge of Tomorrow brings these together to form an incredible creative work.

The film uses the bizarre Groundhog Day concept in a future-war scenario, and it works so well, it feels like its own story.

It’s interesting to see Tom Cruise embody the egotistical, self-righteous persona many believe is his regular routine — and to see how he rolls out of that persona as he fights over and over in a battle in which he always dies. While the film starring Bill Murray left the time-travelling paradox unexplained, Edge of Tomorrow gives an answer.

As Cage (Cruise) continuously discovers his newfound power and interacts with Rita (Emily Blunt), who had the power before, the connection between the two main characters builds a story that is intense, dramatic, and (something often overlooked in this genre) humourous.

Watching a person die con-

Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow. tinually can be humourous when handled carefully — it was bizarrely entertaining to see how many ways Cruise could kick the bucket. But the film doesn’t stay in a single dimension; Cruise and

its toll on Cage, which Cruise displays well.

When we are first introduced to Cage, he is slimy and two-faced.

But through his experience, we see an unwanted affection grow toward Rita — this, in turn, works against him, as her repeating death haunts him throughout the story.

Edge of Tomorrow takes a classic concept out of the norm, and boasts great acting from the two leads as well as some great action scenes. Doug Liman’s smooth directing paired with meticulous editing makes this film a great thrill from beginning to end … and then to the beginning again.

Image: Tom Cruise / Google

Blunt are just as interesting to watch.

The setting of the film was a surprise — not based in Japan (like its source material) or in the US (a great relief, considering

Image: Emily Blunt / Google

Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow.

Book Review

Lost Lake is a magical refuge for readers RILEY NOWLAN CONTRIBUTOR

Sarah Addison Allen has always been able to create a world readers long to throw themselves into, and her newest novel Lost Lake is no exception.

Allen has continuously provided readers with stories about realistic characters dealing with relatable problems. She also always subtly includes an extra element that makes her novels impossible to put down: magic.

Things that can’t be possible are, instead, matters of fact. There are no outlandish spells or talk of witches and wizards, just a light layer of wonder that gives readers hope that there is more mystery in our world than they originally thought.

Before getting to Lost Lake, I should mention Allen’s short story prequel, Waking Kate. This short story allows for readers to make a connection with the main character, Kate. It draws on the heartstrings of anyone who has known the pain and frustration of settling.

Kate has a daughter she adores and a husband she is comfortable with, yet struggles with the life she allowed herself to fall into. Although the short story leads you to believe the following novel will show Kate navigating through the repercussions of leaving her hus-

Sarah Addison Allen / Facebook

band, Allen never writes a story readers will expect.

Lost Lake opens with a grieving Kate who has lost the husband she was considering leaving, and with him the life she regretted settling for. Even though she grieves, she is also faced with the newfound knowledge that she can no longer live her life to make other people happy.

Kate feels like she has finally woken up from the long sleep she entered after her husband’s tragic accident, and with this renewed awareness she is guiltstricken for leaving her daughter in someone else’s care while she

was in a year-long daze. This knowledge leads her to escape the hovering care of her motherin-law, take her daughter, and escape to an unknown destination: Lost Lake.

The scene of Kate’s last family vacation and her last happy childhood memories, Lost Lake was owned and run by her aunt Eby. Years later, Kate can still feel the magical power in this run-down place that surprisingly still feels like a home.

“They looked in the sitting room first, which was filled with dusty chintz furniture and a wall of built-in shelves, sagging with the weight of hundreds of books.” Then, as a welcome, “the scent of something savory curled over and tapped her on the shoulder … several small hamand-cheese puff pastries and two large slices of plum cake.”

Allen is so capable of setting the scene as one of refuge, renewal, and acceptance that, as a reader, I long to go there myself.

Through the perfect scene, Allen introduces readers to a cast of captivating characters whose pasts and intentions for the future are revealed as the story unfolds. Along the storyline, these individuals merge together as a group of misfits who find what they were missing from their

Image: Lost Lake Photo Contest / Facebook

Lost Lake is a novels readers can easily dive into. own lives in each other and in the comfort of Lost Lake.

Allen has successfully created a story readers will connect with, re-read, and love. This is the perfect end-of-semester book you will want to throw yourself into

after months of textbooks and lectures. If you’re ready for an escape from your own life and you’re open to learning some lessons from the lives of others, Lost Lake is the place for you.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Dine & Dash

Duft and Co. takes the cake for Abbotsford bakeries SASHA MOEDT THE CASCADE

103 - 2686, Montrose Ave, Abbotsford Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Picture this: a vanilla cream Danish topped with strawberries.

The pastry is flaky and tender, the cream is cool and light, and the strawberries are a burst of fresh sweetness. Or how about a rich carrot cake, with layers of icing, topped with a crown of swirly icing? Or decadent chocolate brownies, with lacy chocolate sauce on top?

It’s no longer a dream, my friends.

I first visited Duft and Co. Bakehouse because of a friend’s recommendation. I love visiting new local coffee shops and bakeries. I thought Afterthoughts in Abbotsford couldn’t be beat for baked goods, but with a pear and almond Danish — dusted with sugar, and topped with toasted almonds — Duft and Co. blew me away.

It was magic. I’m the type to have a few favourites and stick with them. For Duft and Co. that includes anything with fruit, especially strawberries. And if it has cream... Well, I’m a sucker for cream. Though I don’t like taking risks, I managed to try a variety of items on the menu, and I wasn’t ever disappointed.

Pastry lovers will swoon in the presence of Duft and Co. Bake-

Image: Duft and Co. / Facebook

Vanilla pastry cream danish topped with fresh local strawberries. house’s products. Whether you love croissants, muffins, cakes, donuts, éclairs, biscuits, cookies, or pie, Duft and Co. will seduce you. Pastries cycle in and out of daily features, and there is always a variety to tempt you. If

you are more of a savoury person, they’ve got tomato pie — essentially pizza, with a very crispy crust and delicious toppings such as ham, red onions, and herbs (fresh basil is the best).

Duft and Co. also serves soups

— from sweet pea to potato leek — paninis, and sandwiches.

The magicians — ahem, I mean, bakers — that run Duft and Co. Bakehouse are professional chefs. Tyler Duft is a Northwest Culinary Academy graduate, and Cassandra Crocco (maybe it should be called Duft and Cro!) is a Red Seal pastry chef and a Vancouver Community College graduate. They and the rest of the staff are very friendly, and aren’t shy of small talk!

The interior of Duft and Co. Bakehouse is very spacious and simply decorated. Rolling pins adorn some of the walls, looking like something straight out of Pinterest. The table that has the cream and sugar for drinks is some kind of vintage stove. It comes across as professional but cozy.

The tables are my favourite part. I despise rickety and wobbly tables, which so many coffee, tea and bake shops seem to gravitate towards. Comfort over cute vintage, I say. Duft and Co seem to agree with me. The tables are heavy wood, with a pleasant potted plant on top. Perfect for leaning on with your elbows, playing a card or dice game, or setting down your notepad to write.

My one complaint about Duft and Co. is that they don’t have drip coffee. The closest you can get is an Americano. As a coffee addict — and for someone who doesn’t believe in going out for tea (I mean, come on. Two bucks for a cup of tea? And my

tea at home is WAY better) — I was disappointed. You can get a mocha or a latte or a London Fog, or a whole list of specialty drinks. My issue is that their coffees are too expensive compared to a plain old cup of joe (and not as tasty).

This place will be the new bakery of the year in Abbotsford, guaranteed — maybe even the Lower Mainland. I’m pleased that Downtown Abbotsford has such a wonderful addition (especially after the closures of Little Farmhouse and the Roasted Grape), and I’m looking forward to seeing Duft and Co. Bakehouse flourish and expand.

Image: Duft and Co. / Facebook

An espresso-glazed croissant.

Cascade Arcade

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo yielded spoilers, surprises, and a big gamble JEREMY HANNAFORD CONTRIBUTOR

In the weeks prior to the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the event seemed to be going the way of theatrical movie trailers.

Developers and publishers alike released (or leaked) announcements and trailers prior to E3, which took place from June 10 to 12.

You know how it was awesome seeing movie trailers before the featured movie at the cinema? It was something I always looked forward to, but now, they always come out on the internet first, so the thrill of seeing new trailers in the theatre has vanished.

In the final days before E3, the question of whether the event was on its last legs began to arise in the gaming community. What came out of E3 were few surprises, but even fewer disappointments. The three mega gaming publishers showed a revitalized interest in actually talking about games this year, and while maybe games were sequels or already-known IPs, developers were still able to pull a few rabbits out of the hat.

Microsoft subtly addressed everything they had done wrong with their Xbox One announcements and the lacklustre showing in their previous year. Their opening comment about giving

The Electronic Entertainment Expo took place in Los Angeles on June 10-12. gamers the thanks they deserved continued throughout the event.

While Microsoft unfortunately opened with the uncreative juggernaut that is Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, they did present some new titles: the insanely fun-looking Sunset Overdrive, the incredibly ambitious Project Spark, Playdead’s new creation Inside, and another look at The Division.

EA began with a lighthearted look at the development of the next Star Wars Battlefront. Bio-

ware made a vague announcement for the next Mass Effect game and a new IP. They finished with an insane presentation of Battlefield Hardline, then opened up a beta for anyone to play!

“Available now” was another trademark at E3 — the moment after Sony presented the mystical new IP Entwined, for example, they announced its availability on the PSN. Ubisoft held a great show hosted again by Aisha Tyler. After an

Image: Rick R. / Flickr

awesome opening with Far Cry 4, they showed off more footage of Assassin’s Creed, Division, and The Crew. They gave a great inside look at the WWI story game Valiant Hearts, then blew the crowd away with the gameplay presentation of Rainbow Six Siege. After a six-year hiatus, the beloved series is finally coming back. The gameplay footage was an example of ridiculous gamer dialogue, but it showed off great graphics, destruction physics, and a new take on level start-up.

Sony ended the day with a showing of exciting games.

Many gamers looked forward to the announcement of sequels to games like Infamous, Far Cry, Uncharted, Arkham Knight, Little Big Planet, and Dead Island. It was great to see the new Dead Island trailer reverse the emotional aspect of the acclaimed original.

The big surprise from Sony was No Man’s Sky. What looks like a combination of planet exploration and space-age discovery, this game is sure to be on must-play lists for 2015.

With the financial difficulties Nintendo has been facing, they desperately needed to pull off something incredible. While it wasn’t exactly creative, they certainly pulled all the stops. The extensive list of titles included practically their whole character library — Nintendo is taking the hint that they need to make more games their consumers want. It’s a big gamble, but necessary if the company wishes to pull itself out of its current financial hole.

After repetitive blows against one another during last year ’s console wars, it was great to see rivalries set aside this year to focus on gaming; it was definitely what gamers wanted. For now, E3 still lives, as long as developers and publishers keep that focus on what matters.

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ARTS IN REVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Album Review

These Wicked Woods offers honest Cascadian folk-rock KIER-CHRISTER JUNOS

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR

Mini Album Reviews

SoundBites

The Archers’ steady career has shot past me twice. The first time was during my short-lived writing stint at Youthink Magazine in 2012, a publication that organized a competition won by the Archers; the second time was much later, at Café Deux Soleils in Vancouver, where, to my surprise, the Victoria-based folk-rock band was on stage to perform.

Since then, the Archers have performed just about everywhere and been decorated for their precociousness. And with the June 2014 release of their first studio album, These Wicked Woods, the Archers have shot me again. This time their sound is more holistic than anything I’ve experienced from the Archers before. These Wicked Woods listens easy and is extremely dynamic, from the romantic and explosive slow-step breakdowns to the little quavers in the vocals.

The album starts sparse with only vocals and vocal harmonies, comparable to the haunting work of Fleet Foxes, and expands from

there. The thin-to-thick sonic theme that recurs throughout the entire album initially shows itself in the first song’s transition into “Consequences.” This song parallels and expands on the melody of the first song and plays loudly from the start. The entire album remains cohesive throughout because of this thin-to-thick motif.

Prudently, the Archers don’t deviate.

When the album sounds “thin,” melodies are light-hearted and endearing. Active instruments hold back, and subsequently the vocals swell like a lullaby. When the album sounds “thick,” then hunger for something louder is sated, and this monumental sonic thickness makes the album. Stack soaring vocal harmonies with the endless wash of open hi-hats and crash cymbals combined with the powerful, linear expansiveness of strings, brass, and overdriven guitars, and what do you get? A fullness that sounds like millions of tonnes of water crashing. We’re talking some Michael-Bay-level shit here.

The Archers’ choice to frequently employ and layer vo-

The Archers / Facebook

The Archers will shoot you down with their dynamic sounds. cal harmonies impressed me the most about this album, and this choice is the foundation that defines These Wicked Woods. It’s what makes the album sound full. From a production point of view, I find that vocal layering fills massive spaces in a song, and neglecting this choice would have nullified

Image: Diamond Mind / Facebook

this album. Regardless, their lead vocalist sings expressively and dynamically, and succeeds in being a strong, singular presence. “Consequences” is my favourite example, as the lead vocalist belts, “it’s been so long, so fucking long.”

Conceptually, I feel the Archers wrote from a raw, earthy place. It’s

Image: Hishasakite / Facebook

Diamond Mind Fake Tape

Highasakite Silent Treatment

In Canada, the major music scenes are in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Edmonton doesn’t normally come to mind. Yet the city has some rising talents, including Diamond Mind with the release of Fake Tape. The prominent sound on the EP is reminiscent of the ‘50s and goes from being serious to more upbeat. “Swimsuit Scene” has a summer vibe that will make you wish that BC didn’t have as much rain. Interestingly, the song “Dragon Egg” appears three times on the EP, evolving into a new song each time. The “selfie” remix makes it into an electronic version. I would definitely recommend checking out the original version of “Dragon Tape,” and if you want to make it feel a bit more like summer (amid rain and exams), “Swimsuit Scene.” If you enjoy what you hear, get the whole EP.

For you who favour Fun or Beach House, this Norwegian indie band Highasakite will appeal to your ears. Lead vocalist Ingrid Helene is not your typical female vocalist. Her voice holds an intriguing hollow timbre and goes in and out of sounding like a male tenor to a deep female alto. Her vocal style could be compared to a tamer version of Florence and the Machine. Utilizing steel drums and other percussive instruments, the band keeps you flying high with their energy, yet aren’t so eclectic and chaotic that they make you feel overwhelmed with the diverse instrumentation in the background. The beat stays steady with its strong underlying consistency. In “Indian Summer,” the band has definitely jumped on the gang-vocals bandwagon, but they achieve the sound well. Though the melodic contour of most of their songs seems to sing with a sense of disappointment, there’s a hopeful bright element with the use of light-sounding instruments like the flugabone (marching trombone), zither, and synths paired with syncopated rhythms.

This feature acts as friendly lift of the proverbial downcast musical chin, indicating to the listener that “everything is going to be all right.”

Remington Fioraso

MARTIN CASTRO

like the album was written from the perspective of a hominidgone-fauna, whose heart loves like a human, but whose heart is also made of Douglas firs and termites. The album, in its entirety — song titles, literal sound, and even album art — invokes feelings of being in love, and being outdoors. Specifically, being in love outdoors in beautiful British Columbia.

The entire product is familiar to me. I’ve said it before about other BC bands like Derrival or Tommy Alto; the Archers possess the Cascadian sound unique to this part of North America. Bigger bands like the Decemberists or Said The Whale have it too.

The Cascadian sound is honest, romantic, and grandiose, and the Archers achieved this perfectly.

It also helps that Canadian Tom Dobrzanski (the Zolas, We Are The City) and Roger Siebel (Broken Social Scene) helped produce These Wicked Woods. I think this most recent effort by the Archers’ is an easy addition to the roster of classic Cascadian albums that perpetuate this unique genre.

Put on your headphones; we want your thoughts on new music.

Pop into the Cascade offices in C1027 for a free album to review, or email arts@ufvcascade.ca for more information!

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ARTS IN REVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Anne of Green Gables charms the Gallery 7 stage

NADINE MOEDT THE CASCADE

1 2 3

Shuffle

CHARTS

Greys If Anything

DESSA BAYROCK

CASCADE ALUM

Stamina Mantis Hondo

Cowards World Champions of Male Chastity

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

weird candle weird candle

Les Chaussettes Bunky

Cult Babies Cult Babies

Zebra Pulse Live On Big A, Little a Fountain Fountain Warpaint Warpaint Betrayers Let the Good Times Die

11 12 13 14 15

Various PIXXX4 Cool Paint Role Mach Holy Shades of Night Diamond Mind Fake Tape

Acid Mothers Temple & Melting Paraiso UFO Astrorgasm From The Inner Space

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Shearing Pinx/ Lunch Lady Take That, The Devil!

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Shonen Knife Overdrive

Destroyer Five Spanish Songs

Dessa Bayrock used to work for the Cascade but now she just volunteers at CIVL, serving as kick-ass co-DJ with Joe Johnson on Everything Indie. Together they surf the indie-infested waters of the internet every Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. This mix represents Bayrock’s love of Canadian content and weird indie side projects. God bless CanCon. Prairie Cat “Just Cuz” “Temporary lovers / deserve longer summers,” croons Cary Pratt, the one-man band behind the moniker Prairie Cat. He played drums on Said the Whale’s very first EP, but he manages a variety of instruments in his solo band with love and a touch of whimsy. Nothing like a soft staccato set of tunes for summer, and Prairie Cat (ironically hailing from Vancouver) is just the ticket for a day at the beach or some kind of road trip. After all, it won’t be long before “summer’s done / and so are we.”

Sunny Pompeii “Brother” Now that I’ve mentioned Prairie Cat’s past, I can’t not mention that this band stars the skills of another Said the Whale drummer.

You have to appreciate some Vancouver talent, because apparently there’s a shit-tonne of it hanging around. Sunny Pompeii just dropped their first full album, and this song is probably the closest to the tone they set with their EPs — quiet, contemplative, and rocking out by turns.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables novel was rejected by five publishers over a period of two years before finding success in 1908. Seven books later and over 50 million copies sold, Anne has become an icon, the Huckleberry Finn of the Canadian East Coast.

As part of its 2013/14 “spice of life” season, Gallery 7 Theatre featured Canadian playwright Paul Ledoux’s adaptation of Anne in an attempt to find out.

The two-and-a-half-hour production had a warm audience, who anticipated Anne’s various mishaps with presumptive chuckles.

Anne features an intimate cast of eight. Danielle Warmenhoven,

character was a little neglected and felt colourless. Anne’s friends repeat that they could “never resist” Gilbert, which has those in the audience who haven’t read Montgomery’s novel wondering why. Gilbert’s major contribution to my favourite scene did have me forgiving his flat character, as he is comically hit over the head with a chalkboard slate by a furious Anne.

Image: Dianna Lewis, Creative Memory Studios

(Left to right) UFV Theatre alumni, Glen Pinchin and Danielle Warmenhoven rehearse a scene in Anne (of Green Gables), adapted for the stage by Paul Ledoux from L.M. Montgomery’s novel.

Anne’s whimsy and moxie has its place next to Alice of Alice in Wonderland. She isn’t the cutesy precocious child of Family Circus, but rather the young fearlessness of Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline. Can Anne be captured anywhere else but in the safe pages of Montgomery’s novels?

a familiar face from the UFV theatre department, played the apple-cheeked Anne with her usual easy charm. Warmenhoven’s Anne is believable; she is vocally introspective and a pleasure to watch.

While Anne shone, her rival and love interest Gilbert Blythe’s

Graham Wright “Randy Quaid” Wright is the keyboardist of Tokyo Police Club, but shows off his weird old comfortable knack for lyrics in a variety of side EPs available on bandcamp. This song, memorably, involves a saxophone and an organ solo by turns. The subject matter? Wright telling actor Randy Quaid to not feel weird hanging out with his wife. “If she looks afraid, well, I’m often away / and she lives by herself in this sweet little place / don’t be ashamed if you’re down by the lake / and you’re holding her hand and she floats away again.” Okay, Graham. I’m sure Randy will, uh, keep that in mind.

Indigo Joseph “Honey Bee” These Saskatoon bandmates can’t really settle on a genre, which is just fine. It sounds a little like indie-blues-rock-and-roll, with just a touch of punk. “All I want to do / is drink all day / is drink all day / oh yeah.” Sing it, Joseph. I think you’ve got the right idea and I’m willing to follow those ideals just like a honey bee. (This band isn’t a indie side project of a bigger-name band member, but they are a helluva good time.)

www.ufvcascade.ca

Image: Dianna Lewis, Creative Memory Studios

(Left to right) UFV Theatre alumni Glen Pinchin and Danielle Warmenhoven, together with Charlene Crawford, rehearse a scene from Anne of Green Gables.

The play borders on the overly sweet, but Catrina Jackson’s performance of the acid-tongued Josie Pye comes to the rescue with some well-delivered snide comments to diffuse any stickiness. Marilla further added some humour at the expense of others, and while her attempt at being stern came across as simply an overly enunciated delivery, her moments of dry wit came as a welcome surprise.

Anne hits on all Montgomery’s most beloved scenes: Anne accidently getting her friend drunk on what should have been raspberry cordial; her dramatic and sorrowful apology to the delightful gossip Rachel Lynde; the saga of the missing brooch; and her various failed attempts to play the romantic.

As if things weren’t Canadian enough, Canuck singer-songwriter Stan Rogers was played between sets, lending a quaint small-town rustic feel to each scene.

The play attempted to frame Anne’s childhood with brief scenes years later. Although the transition from children to young adults was smoothed by a clever wardrobe change, the “do you remember” ledes felt forced, and a little awkward.

The audience clearly didn’t need the background filler, but no one seemed to mind.

Gallery 7’s attempt to capture all that is Anne Shirley relies a little on the audience’s already established love of Mongomery’s Anne of Green Gables. While the play-goer who hasn’t read the novel may miss out on some of the nostalgia, the direction does a fine job at catching up without over-explaining. Anne’s charm and simplicity makes this an excellent choice for a night out with family.

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ARTS IN REVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Concert Review

Rock in Idro festival features solid metal performances OWEN COULTER contributor

The festival line-up on June 1, day three of Rock in Idro, included Skillet, Hawk Eyes, Black Stone Cherry, Opeth, Alter Bridge, and the metal gods: Iron Maiden. It was hot, it was muggy, but that did not stop the plethora of worldwide metal fans from enjoying the festival in Italy — and the main acts did not disappoint.

Solid performances: Skillet It is hard for any opening band to have a solid performance at 2:30 p.m. Half the crowd has not arrived, everyone is hot in the 30° afternoon and is just excited for the headlining band, Iron Maiden. But I will give it to Skillet — they did extremely well, and it is no surprise they have had two Grammy nominations for their albums Collide and Comatose. There is one element that can keep a band from being great: does the lead singer have stage presence? John Cooper checked this box for Skillet and was able to get a great reaction from funs. Moreover, drummer Jen Ledger has improved on her technical skills since joining the band at age 18 in 2008. There is also always the plus of having a small Japanese guy in a white suit jumping around and playing the violin.

Alter Bridge Since the release of Fortress in October 2013, Alter Bridge has embarked on a world tour.

They received four of five stars from Allmusic and The Guardian, four and a half from Loudwire, and five stars from Total Guitar.

While I was elated to see one of my bucket-list bands live, the crowd did not seem to care much, with only small pockets of dedicated fans in support.

Alter Bridge has gained a new wave of fans from the new album and had a solid previous album in ABIII. However, their first two albums are not par with the latter two, and most of their set came from the older albums, One Day Remains and Blackbird. They had 13 songs in total: four from Fortress, two from ABIII, five from Blackbird, and two from One Day Remains. Their first single “Metalingus” is still one of their best songs to date, but playing five B-side tracks from Blackbird was an odd choice. Considering there are no weak links on Fortress, I would have thought its tracks would dominate the setlist.

This was why Alter Bridge did not get the reaction they wanted.

(When they asked the crowd, “How are you guys feeling?” it was pretty quiet.) They had the stage presence with Myles Kennedy, Scott Phillips on drums, Brian Marshall on bass, and the solid guitar solos of Mark Tremonti, but the setlist was poorly chosen.

Best sets Black Stone Cherry It came as a surprise that Italian metal fans loved the American southern hard rock band as much as they did — more than any other band besides Maiden.

But who could blame them?

Image: Rock Festival / Sasha Moedt

Thousands gather in Italy for Rock in Idro festival, where big names in metal music performed in the hot summer afternoon.

They did all the right things as an opener for the “big four.”

Their exuberant energy made fans want to go into the mosh pit. You can tell they enjoy what they’re doing — lead guitarist Ben Wells said, “It’s hot as balls up here, but we love playing for you guys.” Though frontman Chris Robertson plays guitar, he had the stage presence to keep the crowd in it. They picked every perfect song for their set list. It’s too bad they only had a 50-minute set; judging from this performance, they should have gone ahead of Opeth and Alter Bridge.

Iron Maiden Some things in life remain constant: trees grow, the ocean laps against the shore, and of course, Iron Maiden keeps playing. The metal gods have brought their theatrical musicianship all over the world without changing a thing. It is why they have been successful since 1981. They have never changed and never will, from Eddie coming out on stage to Bruce waving the Union Jack.

The anticipation was obviously unbearable for some — Maiden brings a certain zeal many bands cannot create. Fans from all over the world flock to see them — including yours truly, making the stop in Bologna just for Maiden.

Right from the opening song, the audience adored them, and the mosh pits quickly formed.

They opened with 1988 hit “Moonchild,” from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Maiden knows how not to disappoint: their continuous stage changes, pyrotechnic flares, and the tightness of the band on stage addicts every metal fan. Their set was perfect. “The Prisoner” and “2 Minutes to Midnight” followed “Moonchild.” Then Maiden hit the middle of the set with “The Trooper.” This was followed by “The Number of the Beast,” “Run to the Hills,” and “Wasted Years.” They also chose the encore perfectly, opening up with

“Churchill’s Speech.”

From start to finish, it’s like stepping back somewhere in time with the band. Harris provides killer bass while Murray, Smith, and Gers play in-sync guitar licks and solos. McBrain provides stellar drumming, and no one is like Bruce Dickinson on vocals. The man is 55 and still going strong. Fans are reminded every show why he is highly regarded in this business, bringing more theatrics, energy, and excitement than most younger lead singers. Jovial fans left the festival grounds singing along with Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” reminding us Maiden has not lost its vigour and effectiveness.

“Some things in life remain constant: trees grow, the ocean laps against the shore, and of course, Iron Maiden keeps playing.”

Biggest disappointments: Hawk Eyes Whoever was working the sound booth or is Hawk Eyes’ guitar technician should be fired.

Lead guitarist Rob Stephen had problems throughout the entire set. I would rather have listened to nails being dragged across a chalkboard. It was so bad, many people diverged from the stage to grab another drink. Lead singer Paul Astick tried numerous times to get the crowd back in, but hearing the loud, continuous screech from Stephen’s guitar was enough to drive fans away.

Opeth Opeth just did not fit in with this lineup. It was an odd mixture to begin with. Granted, all four major bands — Black Stone Cherry, Opeth, Alter Bridge, and Iron Maiden — can put on a solid show and have stellar LPs.

But Opeth is vastly different from the other three bands, and its mixture of screamo and psychedelic stoner rock left many fans confused. After “Devil’s Orchard,” lead singer Mikael Akerfledt even said, “You guys probably wondered what the fuck that was.” The band even tried to change things halfway through, saying they’d “change it up and drop down to D, to sound more American, and something for the heavy metal fans.” Unfortunately, it did not work, even with Akerfledt trying to get any response from the crowd: “Who’s excited for Iron Maiden? We’ll be down there singing along with you guys.”

All you could hear were crickets.

Festival report card: Food Overall grade: A Rock in Idro knocked this out of the park. It was way better than Squamish, Fox Fest, or any festivals I have seen at the Gorge Amphitheatre. Granted, it is festival food, so it’s not going to be the greatest, but for this atmosphere I give it top marks.

Prices were reasonable, around 8€ for a plate of pasta, 5€ for any panini, 3€ for a plate of fruit (a great idea when it’s hot, especially the watermelon, which went quickly), 2€ for a bottle of water, and 5€ for an assortment of beer (not this BC Lions stuff, where they pour the rest of the beer down the sink if it doesn’t fit in the cup, and by the way that will be $7.25).

Location Overall grade: C+ The city of Bologna is on the outskirts, and this is not the festival’s fault, but Bologna has a horrible transit system at night.

To cross a town that is smaller than Vancouver, it takes an hour and a half by bus. There is no train like the SkyTrain, so people are forced to sit on the bus for an hour or two, or pay 20€ for cab fare.

Security Overall grade: A+ While security was strict with people bringing alcohol into the concert, turning some away, fans could bring anything else they wanted into the festival: food, non-alcoholic drinks, chairs, towels, and so on. This was a bonus — it’s a great way to save money, while festivals back home refuse to let people bring food or water in. I had to hide sandwiches wrapped in a towel to avoid paying for overpriced food at Fox Fest. Rock in Idro did not have too many problems with fans, so security did not have to do too much.

Atmosphere Overall grade: A I was only here for one day because the lineup on other days did not suit my taste. But the atmosphere of the festival was amazing. European festivals bring one element festivals back home don’t: pure dedication to music. I am not saying fans back home do not have an appreciation for the festival, but many go to festivals “just ‘cause.” I listen to music while I’m working, at the gym, doing papers, or driving the car — I wasn’t there just because I’m in Italy, but because my favourite bands are playing.

Similarly, I met a couple there from France who were big Iron Maiden fans; they were going to Dubai but changed their plans just to see Maiden again.

In Italy there may not be the best sound quality, washroom facilities (I’d rather use my high school bathroom, which was pretty bad), concert perimeter (the fence was makeshift wire and aluminum siding, giving it a ‘70s festival feel), but what it brought was an entire group of fans waiting to sing along with every chorus and jump into the mosh pit.

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SPORTS & HEALTH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

A new season, a new leader for men’s volleyball CATHERINE STEWART THE CASCADE

The men’s volleyball team has just welcomed a new addition: head coach Kyle Donen. Having already been the men’s assistant coach, he’s eager to dive into the season and make this year one volleyball fans won’t forget.

Where did you get started?

My parents have been involved in volleyball since I can remember. Mom won national titles with the UBC team and my dad was involved in the group who put the first-ever posts in Kits Beach in Vancouver. Their passion for the game influenced my own passion. I have been playing volleyball since grade five. Once high school came around, volleyball became a primary. I then got the opportunity to play four years at university level at TRU in Kamloops. After I stopped playing, I then coached right away. I didn’t really take that much time away from it. It’s a long journey looking back on it now, but it’s been great at the same time.

What’s been the biggest challenge transitioning from assistant to head coach?

There’s more responsibility.

It’s on you as a coach to make the program successful, make the players successful. It’s a challenge but I’m excited about it at the same time, it makes the experience more fun.

What do you plan to do differently?

I’m hoping I can bring that

Image: Catherine Stewart

The team’s first official practice of the season. new voice and a different style that hopefully will get the guys to respond in a way that will allow them to have success. I believe the core group is intact, and after fine-tuning some of the strengths they have, I think we’ll have a lot of pieces in place that could make us successful this year. It’s a learning experi-

ence to me, too. I want to be able to find out what’s the best way to get these guys to be successful.

If something that I say doesn’t work or doesn’t get them to respond in the right way, I might have to change it, try something different to make it work. Some might say their coaching styles are engraved in what they do and they’re always going to do that, but I think there’s reason to wanting to adapt to what’s there. If it doesn’t work this way, you just need to try something different to make the players successful the way you think they should be, or are capable of.

What’s your relationship with the players like?

I feel pretty confident in my ability to continue to make that relationship strong and I think that will be a key to me having success with teaching them and helping them reach their potential. If I can’t connect with them and I can’t communicate properly, I’m not doing my job and they’ll have a tougher time being successful ‘cause they’re frustrated that they can’t get their coach to understand them.

There’s always room to better the relationship. You need to be able to have some sense of authority with the group, recognize when things need to get done, but there’s always going to be a time to joke and have some fun and I think that’s important.

Image: Catherine Stewart

“It’s a long journey looking back on it now, but it’s been great...”

What do you think has gotten in the way of the team reaching the playoffs?

It’s a very tight league. We need to find the mindset to want to be a winning team. If we can change that and realize our potential, I think the team has the capability to be a playoff team. I think the guys are excited about the new direction and the new

opportunity. Hopefully that revives some of the energy that some of the players had when the team was last in the playoffs.

I don’t see any reason why we’re not capable of getting there. I think it’s important to have little goals here and there. Each game is a goal to reach. Eventually those goals will build up to having the playoffs as another goal.

We’re very capable of turning things around this season. I feel like a lot of the teams I’ve had have been successful because I’ve had a good relationship with them. The relationships that are built between coaches and players are something that will stay with them forever. I had a coach in high school that I still talk with. We even go out for drinks with each other. We reminisce about past volleyball games, of course, but we can also talk about things outside of volleyball. You learn the good and the bad from any coach that you’ve had and that’s important to be able to take with you wherever you go, even outside of volleyball.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

KATIE STOBBART THE CASCADE

James Najman of the UFV men’s soccer team was named honorary local chair of the Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis, which took place on June 8. Najman, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 11 years old, and his teammates gathered at Trethewey House in Abbotsford at 9 a.m. to participate in the fivekilometre walk. Across Canada the event raised more than $3 million toward finding a cure for Crohn’s and colitis, and pledges will still be accepted until July 2.

For more about Najman’s story, read “James Najman creates strength from weakness” at ufvcascade.ca.

Image: Catherine Stewart

“I think the guys are excited about the new direction and the new opportunity.”

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SPORTS & HEALTH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca

Through fog and snow Spartan sprinters take on the elements JEREMY HANNAFORD CONTRIBUTOR

The Spartan Sprint is the first all-terrain race I have done solo.

It is the shortest race in the Spartan series at over five kilometres, featuring about 15 obstacles. This year, it took place on June 14 on Mt. Seymour.

The idea of doing the task was both compelling and terrifying, but despite going solo I never really felt alone. My fellow runners and I traversed the course in the cold rain and bitter wind with great enthusiasm.

The last Spartan race I did was the Sun Peaks Beast in September 2013. What I learned from that race was that Spartan races consist of hills, hills, and more hills. As much as I tried to train and prepare for them, my outlook on hills is still the same: I hate them. So did many others, by the looks of it, as many were exhausted after only the first one.

While my training did give me an advantage, it wasn’t long before I, too, was struggling on the slopes.

Every time I thought I had reached the top, another peak would appear in the misleading fog. The fog played an interesting role in how Spartans saw the event unfold before them.

Spartan race veteran and fellow UFV student John Gammater commented on the fog’s gamechanging aspect.

“I actually really liked the fog on the course. It prevented you from seeing what was ahead,”

Image: Spartan Race’ / Facebook

“I actually really liked the fog on the course. It prevented you from seeing what was ahead.” he said. “Venturing into the unknown!”

After hauling up sandbags and dragging concrete blocks, we finally reached the top and the descent could begin — all in knee-high snow!

To move down with speed, I adapted a manoeuvre that mimicked skiers as I slid down the hill. Then came the monkey bars, which I had failed miserably at in Sun Peaks. This time, I

succeeded and continued down the mountain with glee.

That is, until I tweaked my ankle — twice.

Once I recovered from that spill, I continued down through brush and watery mud pits.

After traversing several more obstacles, the race took a turn heading back towards the finish line. The course passed right by the final rope-climbing obstacle.

But victory was not in my grasp

yet.

The road turned around and came down into a valley. I found myself working alongside other Spartans throughout the next set of obstacles, including balance beams, tire-flipping, and wall-climbing. I was wary of the wall obstacle, due to another unpleasant past experience, but with the help of runners I met along the way, I was able to climb over and continue.

It was then that another hill appeared, much to my and the other runners’ displeasure.

After climbing that hill, we crawled down through barbed wire to reach the final hill. Now it was on to the final stretch.

When you fail a challenge during a Spartan Race, you must perform 30 burpees. So when the spear-throwing challenge appeared, I began preparing myself for that inevitable outcome. After that gruelling exercise came another challenge of crawling through wire, but this time it was through thick mud and cold water as well. Afterward came the final obstacle — the rope-climb.

I had tried to prepare myself for this challenge, but just like the last time, I had to drop down and do 30 burpees after not being able to attain the proper foothold with the rope.

After a leap over fire, I crossed the finish line.

In comparison to the Beast on Sun Peaks, the Sprint on Mt. Seymour was much more fun, and a large portion of that was because of the shortened distance. Sun Peaks was long, drawn out, and featured terrible obstacle placement. The Sprint was much more concentrated and organized.

If you want to experiment prior to taking on a Tough Mudder, I would highly recommend the Spartan Sprint next year.

Exploring the Valley

Take your time on Elk Mountain KODIE CHERRILLE

bit into the apple and stared at the angular, rocky shape of a nearby mountain crowned in permanent snow.

Finally, after climbing the most difficult part of the mountain, you have made it to the first viewpoint: a breathtaking panorama stretching from Baker in the south, to the huge fields of Chilliwack, with Cultus Lake and the Fraser River in the distance. From here the path meanders back into the forest, where the grassy summit of Elk Mountain awaits — indeed frustratingly close for the time-constrained hiker who must turn around at the bluff.

CONTRIBUTOR

I have wanted to climb Elk Mountain for well over a year now, after hearing from a friend that it was somewhat difficult but absolutely gorgeous. After volunteering to contribute a hiking article to the sports section, I pulled up my very willing socks and finally did most of it. Since then, I have been looking at photos of the summit and its view, vowing to return.

The drive to Elk Mountain is simple and lovely. Before the pavement turns to gravel, the hills give way to expansive acreages and meadows under the dominating Canadian Border Peak, Mount McGuire, and Mount Baker. You might also want to drive slowly to take in the fantastically rustic sight. The gravel road widens into a parking area at the trailhead. Park here, and set out. Make sure you bring water with you, as there are no streams on the hike.

The first bit of trail doles out its inclines mercifully: flat bouts lead to moderately steep inclines, which become flat again.

The hike gets more intense as it progresses, however, and the compact dirt path becomes steep and gravelly. Things get real at the 2.5-kilometre mark, where

Image: Gus MacLeod / flickr

“Elk Mountain has nearly everything one could ask of a moderately difficult hike...” steep switchbacks zigzag up the mountain, but the path is accompanied by a few wooden stairs here and there. The surrounding hemlocks grow sparser as you climb the path, and the trees give way to wildflowers and a constant, delicate breeze as you begin to climb the 35° incline to

the rocky bluff. Take your time, as the steep, loose path can make you slip.

Elk Mountain has nearly everything one could ask of a moderately difficult hike that takes less than five hours. It is no wonder that it has remained a popular trail — with very po-

lite hikers, to boot. One man, having joined me at the bluff to eat an apple, boasted that he had snow-shoed up the mountain last winter.

“The clear view of the valley in the summer is something else, though,” he added, smiling and nodding energetically as he

Directions to Elk Mountain After taking the Prest Road exit (123) off the Trans Canada Highway, just outside of Chilliwack’s centre, head south until you reach the Bailey Road intersection. Take a left there. After about a kilometre, the road will fork gently. Take the right road onto Elk View Road, and continue to follow it until the smooth asphalt turns to rougher road, then finally gravel. Drive slowly — the road winds constantly and has a fair number of hairpin turns as it manoeuvres among the wooded hills.

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SPORTS & HEALTH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 www.ufvcascade.ca