INSTAGRAM.COM CASCADE_FY TIKTOK CASCADE_FY Volume 32 · Issue 07 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529
The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by The Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.
The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Pitch meetings will be digital for the remainder of the semester. Please email managing@ufvcascade.ca to be put on the assignment email list.
In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.
The Cascade is published on the traditional, unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples. We are grateful to be able to work and learn on this beautiful land.
THE CASCADE
In issue 32.04, published on May 1, 2024, we printed an article titled “Riley Gaines among 16 female college athletes challenging NCAA’s transgender policies.” In this article, the wrong terminology (“chosen gender”) was used. While using the incorrect terminology was not intentional, The Cascade recognizes the harm this causes the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The Cascade has never tolerated any language or behaviour that promotes hatred of any group of people, transgender people included. We aim to do better at catching mistakes like these in the future.
Please take care of yourselves. If you’re struggling, UFV has pride support you can access, including a list of community and online resources.
Gearing
A rumination on endings, beginnings, and confidence
KIARA OKONKWO
My final year of undergraduate study is approaching quickly — almost as fast as the preceding years went. If MyGRADPlan is as accurate as my advisor says, I’m on track to graduate in the coming spring. Yes, I’m feeling all the things: excited, nervous, terrified, but most of all, confident.
Of course graduating is daunting; the big question of “what’s next?” has been plaguing my dreams and is a point of conversation with every new acquaintance. And as I’ve been told, time and time again, the job market is less than ideal at the moment; apparently careers in the arts are taking a blow from artificial intelligence. Still, I’m optimistic.
I’m optimistic because any time I try something new, or I’ve done that thing just out of my comfort zone, I think “oh shit.” And that “oh shit” feeling stays with me for a while, and when I forget about it, it comes waddling back as a doubtful reminder. Yet in spite of it, I do the
hard thing anyways. And I continue to do the hard thing, and that hard thing comes with some pretty sizable pay-offs, whether that be material or theoretical.
When I think about the safe bubble of my undergraduate studies ending, I really feel that “oh shit.” But, honestly, I can’t wait to see what’s on the other side of the hard, scary thing that is graduation. I can’t wait to see what progress looks like for me. Winnie the Pooh needed to hear it just as much as we do, that “you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
So, if you too are approaching graduation, or maybe undertaking a hard, scary thing — like starting at a new school in a brand new place — feel all the feelings and give it your best shot anyway. Put yourself in positions where you are unsure and ill-equipped so you can learn that you are a fleshy, adaptable human, prone to mistakes, but with good reason to trust in yourself.
Nishi Channa
Noah Schmidt
Jasleen Sandhu
Joshua Sulpico
Canada //
Introducing Canada’s newest tax
Canada’s Digital Services Tax and what it could mean for taxpayers
CASSIE WILLIAMS
On June 20, 2024, Canada’s Digital Services Tax Act was enacted and on June 28, 2024, the Canadian federal government officially implemented the Digital Services Tax (DST). The DST will take three per cent of revenue collected from major streaming services including Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Disney+. According to Frank Mathieu and Geneviève Beebe, “The purpose of the DST is to ensure that revenue earned through online services in Canada is subject to Canadian income taxation at the federal level.” As of right now, the provinces have yet to declare and implement their own fees going forward, and the tax remains at the federal level only.
The DST will be “derived from the engagement, data, and content contributors of Canadian users.” Mathieu and Beebe add that “the DST will only be applied to the amount by which digital services revenue of the business or Consolidated Group exceeds C$20 million.” According to the Government of Canada’s website, the four categories of in-scope revenue are: online marketplace services revenue; online advertising services revenue; social media services revenue; and user data revenue.
The goal of this new tax is to help support the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and content produced in Canada by taxing streaming companies without ties to a Canadian broadcaster. The taxed funds would be used to contribute to underfunded areas of Canadian broadcasting including local news, French language content, and Indigenous content. However, with the introduction of Bill C-18 in 2023, Canadians still don’t
have access to the vast majority of news content on social media platforms like Meta, where the majority of Canadians get their news from.
For those unacquainted with Bill C-18, the phrase “People in Canada can’t see this content” may sound familiar, as it has been “one of the most seen phrases on social media.” The controversial act was enacted in June of 2023 and resulted in Canadian news being blocked on Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram. The decision to remove Canadian news content was headed by Google and Meta, and it came in response to the law that required large tech companies to give compensation to Canadian news organizations in hopes to sustain Canada’s quality of news. Despite those hopes, Bill C-18 has disrupted Canadians’ access to certain news at all.
Journalist Stephanie Swensrude expressed how “Bill C-18 puts big tech in power and Canadian journalists at a disadvantage.” Now, with the aim of the DST being to provide compensation to broadcasting organizations, there is federal support being put behind Canadian media industries once again.
However, University of Ottawa Professor Michael Geist wrote how the DST could “increase the chance the company complies with Bill C-18 by following the Meta model of removing links to Canadian news and cancelling existing news deals.” Thereby leaving Canadian news outlets, the ones hoping to profit from this new tax, to suffer from the costs.
This could impact Canadian consumers by requiring them to pay higher prices following these streaming giants being told to invest in Canadian content.
Digital Media Association President and CEO Graham Davies added that “the
move will only worsen the ‘affordability crisis.’” It is difficult to imagine that businesses of this enormity will hand over hundreds of millions of their earnings to the government willingly and without any consequences.
In 2018, a similar situation occurred when there was pressure from the NDP to tax streaming services. At that time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by stating, “The NDP is claiming that Netflix and other web giants are the ones who will pay these new taxes. The reality is that taxpayers will be the ones to pay those taxes.” It is unclear whether Canadians will indeed have to pay for this decision, but according to Trudeau’s 2018 statement, we will be the ones footing the bill.
Geist explained to Global News why this tax could be risky. “If we take a look at how [the United States] reacted to
similar taxes from other countries in the past,” he said, “they’ve used tariffs to try to make up for what they perceive to be lost revenue, or to almost punish other countries for moving in that direction.”
Chrystia Freeland, minister of finance, responded to the matter of how the United States will react, given that many of the newly taxed companies are based there. She said that “Canada acted collaboratively with the U.S. and continues to engage with the United States over the issue.” Freeland further addressed the controversy surrounding this tax by explaining how countries like the U.K. and France have DSTs, the revenues of which are used to invest in their countries. Ultimately, the question of what this could mean for Canadians in the future still remains unclear, but knowing the potential risks along with the benefits is a start.
Photo courtesy of Six Pixels of Separation
One dead and two injured during Republican campaign rally in Pennsylvania
Former president takes cover as gunshots erupt during speech on immigration; Secret Service responds quickly
LARRY ODEY
On July 13, 2024, former United States (U.S.) President, Donald Trump, attended a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump addressed his supporters on the issue of immigration, which has been a big speaking point of his campaign, when a series of gunshots were fired. The presidential candidate was shot in his right ear, taking cover seconds later when the Secret Service moved in. One civilian attendee, Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father of two, died after being shot by a stray bullet. Comperatore was reportedly shielding his family from the open fire.
Two other men were also injured at the rally shooting. David Dutch, 57, a Marine Corps veteran, and James Copenhaver, 74, a registered democrat, are both in
Politics //
recovery. Members of opposing parties made a united stance against violence as a true, undeniable threat to democracy. President Biden emphasized that everyone must condemn the attack:
“There is no place in America for this type of violence.” Vice President Harris also commented, stating, “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell described the attack as despicable. “Violence has no place in our politics,” he said. Foreign offices, such as the recently elected British Prime Minister Keir Stamer, condemned “all forms of political violence in the strongest terms.”
Rhetoric was brought into question regarding a comment made by President
Biden at a Detroit rally, where he said, “...it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
Many Republicans consider the comment an incitement of violence. In an interview with NBC News, the President retracted his statement, claiming it was a mistake.
The attempted assassination of former President and Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, captivated the Western world. Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated since the founding of the U.S., and over 10 assassination attempts have taken place on various presidents and presidential candidates throughout U.S. history.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was subpoenaed by the Republican chairman of the House, and on July 22, 2024, she appeared before the House committee. Cheatle was grilled by lawmakers on both sides, and
2024 U.S. election update
acknowledged that there were in fact massive issues on the day of the rally, admitting that the Secret Service had been notified about five times that there was suspicion in the area. Cheatle called the events of July 13, “The most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.” Cheatle stepped down from her position as director after a widespread call for her resignation.
Events occurring in the presidential campaign leading up to the November election
RACHEL TAIT
Throughout the U.S. 2024 elections, the world has witnessed a few shocking historical events that include the assassination attempt of Donald Trump, President Joe Biden dropping from the presidential race, and Vice President Kamala Harris succeeding him as the Democratic Party’s new lead candidate. According to Time Magazine, Biden’s decision to drop out of the race for re-election is a monumental move made by a current president that has not occurred since President Lyndon refused re-election back in 1968. Here is an update on the 2024 presidential elections.
On July 13, an attempt on Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump occurred during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. The failed attempt resulted in the deaths of the shooter and one audience member, with two other people in attendance injured. Trump was shot in the right ear, and was quickly escorted off the stage by his Secret Service detail. This failed attempt shook the country and the investigations resulted in the resignation of
the former U.S. Secret Service director.
Another unexpected turn of events occurred on July 21, when Democratic presidential candidate and current president Joe Biden made an official statement on social media that he would be dropping out of the presidential race. Biden’s reasons for doing so are in part due to the aftermath of his failed debate with Trump that brought members of his own party to question the likelihood that he could win the elections. In a statement posted on social media, Biden wrote that, “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
With presidential candidate Kamala Harris formally running for the Democratic Party, surveys have reportedly concluded that Harris has been successful in gaining the support of “nonwhite voters” and that the election race is now more balanced since her entry as the lead democratic candidate. Trump and Harris are reportedly tied in the race at 42 per cent, with Harris’
platform greatly coinciding with Biden’s. Some of the goals she focuses on in her campaign include “affordable childcare, paid family leave, and expanded health care.” Harris also desires to reinstate the right for women to have abortions on a national level.
Photograph by Evan Vucci/AP
U.S. President Joe Biden (C-L) holds hands with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, flanked by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden (L) and U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, as they arrive to watch the Independence Day fireworks display from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2024. (Photo by Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images)
Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Kimberly Cheatle,
“I want to effect change” — Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains
Dr. Bains shares her journey as an educator and advocate for anti-racism and South Asian research
PRATI KAPOOR
Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at UFV recently talked to The Cascade about her past, her desire to make change, her aspirations, and more. Dr. Bains’ journey started with contractual work and sessional teaching in 1999 with UFV’s School of Social Work; she has now been working for the university for more than two decades. Bains took over the role as the director of SASI in 2006 and eventually became an associate professor in the School of Culture, Media, and Society.
Dr. Bains has had many dreams over the course of the years, but coming to Canada surprisingly wasn’t one of them. “I never actually thought I would immigrate to Canada,” said Dr. Bains, who believes it was destiny that brought her to immigrate when she was 18. Dr. Bains believes her life’s passion is to teach, and emphasizes that she wants to “effect change” as well as to write and be published.
Her current role as the director at SASI gives her a broad horizon to follow many pursuits. Bains said, “I’m a researcher here and so that, to me, is the canvas that I play on, that I paint on, and that I write on.” Bains explained that her position “helps me fulfill my research agenda to ensure that the South Asian studies research gets done.”
Transitioning from personal experiences to professional advocacy, Dr. Bains’ drive to be an agent of change comes from personal experience. As an immigrant herself, she found it distressing to experience racism first hand. “I remember being very hurt by it,” recalled Dr. Bains, who went through multiple stages of experiencing and understanding racism to become an advocate and educator on anti-racism. Her challenges ignited her passion to fight against racial injustice and advocate for social change.
Additionally, Dr. Bains has held many significant roles in her journey that have left a mark on the community, including being the commissioner of Agricultural Land Commission, director of the Fraser Basin Council, and serving in the Law Society of BC. She is currently the director of the Abbotsford Land Commission and the chair of the Knowledge Network. Bains is grateful to be able to follow her pursuits. “I have the ability to follow my dreams and to make them come true. Not everybody has that ability, so it’s been
University of the Fraser Valley scholar Satwinder Kaur Bains is raising awareness about the lives of South Asian pioneers to B.C. (Image from the film Unarchived, courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada)
very, very fulfilling.”
Bains has been published over 25 times, the latest being in 2020 with a paper on exploring gender and Sikh traditions. Dr. Bains highlighted that Canada does not have enough scholarly contributions in the context of South Asian Canadian studies: “There’s only, you know, five or six ethnographies in Canada that have been written by South Asian immigrants about their experiences. Only five or six. That’s a very small number.” Dr. Bains believes there is a responsibility to publish research on the South Asian experience in Canada “to make sure that the record becomes [richer], more robust, more diverse, multidisciplinary, [and] interdisciplinary.”
Following her pursuit to publish more, Bains was an editor on Social History of South Asians in British Columbia which includes contributions from different individuals on their personal stories and history in British Columbia. Bains found
the project fulfilling as it collected diverse experiences from various South Asian countries, like Bangladesh and Pakistan.
“We are seen as [a] kind of homogeneous group of people, and I want to move away from that idea because all of us are individuals, and we bring very interesting experiences to the forefront.”
According to Dr. Bains, being a woman, a visible minority, a person of colour, and an academic, allows her to contribute a different, diverse perspective to the organizations she works in.
The idea of a constantly evolving society keeps Dr. Bains moving forward in her role as an advocate. She believes, through the collective response to make a better world and understanding society’s history, she can help people have a better future. “In my job as a citizen of this country, as an immigrant,” said Dr. Bains, “it’s a sense of trust, but it’s a sense of responsibility as well.”
SNAPSHOTS
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
BY MARIE-ANGE ROUTIER
I find summer to be the most depressing season. Sure, I like the heat. And there’s nothing nicer than taking a nap to the sounds of children jumping on the neighbours’ trampoline, dogs barkin’, and that one guy down the street who seems to always be mowing his lawn. I’m not being sarcastic, those really are some of my favourite sounds to fall asleep too — only second to harsh rain and thunder. Even so, I get the summer blues.
I think the naps are to blame. Not the sleeping part of it, but the fact that I have time to nap. In contrast to the constant stress I subject myself to during the semesters, summers are too relaxing. I end up feeling depressed and guilty about having the space to just relax. By August I start to pile on new projects, and by October they’ve either been forgotten or I’m burnt out. Maybe next year I’ll take summer classes. If not, I’ll have to find a healthy way around these summer blues.
BY NISHI CHANNA
I like to have meaningful conversations with people to strengthen our bond. But asking about someone’s favourite colour, food, or hobby often doesn’t do the trick. So I created a “pick your poison” game as a conversation starter. In this game, participants take turns asking each other questions with two options. The person who is asked the question must choose one option and explain their decision. I played this game with my distant cousin when I was just starting to get to know her. During the game, I asked, “Would you like to be immortal or have
memories of your past life?” Without hesitation, she chose to have memories of her past life, because she doesn’t want to outlive all her loved ones. When she asked me the same question, I chose immortality. While immortality may become a curse of loneliness at some point, I am interested in seeing where humanity’s journey will take us.
When we added her little sister to the blend, she made the game into a question of “do-or-die” — though you are guaranteed to die 100 per cent of the time, just pick the poison you like. She asked, “Would you rather be poisoned by a snake or frog?” Hmm… so which one would you pick: snake or frog?
Out with communication, in with silence
BY VERONICA POWELL
Growing up in the decade of the 2010’s, I never thought I’d see the day when people stopped texting until their fingers fell off. It was all the rage, thought to last in society for as long as there were phones. Now, it’s the newest trend to disregard or ignore text messages. Before, we weren’t waiting longer than five minutes for a response. Today, we’ll be lucky if we only have to wait a week.
Texting was such a convenient and efficient way to communicate. Need to ask your mom how long to put dinner in
the oven? Send a text. Need to confirm that your assignment is due tomorrow at midnight and not in two hours? Send a text. Being part of a world where everyone is constantly pushing us around and trying to accomplish things quickly, texting was an easy way to get things done.
Unfortunately, I can no longer trust texting as a reliable form of communication. Being busy or distracted is the default reason for unanswered messages, but we all experience that. If we have time to like an Instagram post, we have time to message someone back. The least we can do while we live in the generation of technology, and where time and speediness is valued, is to have the courtesy to just answer the text.
You are what you drink
BY KIARA OKONKWO
The tendency to personally identify with my drink order has me in a slight chokehold. Every time I order a flat white, I think: this is who I am now. I immediately walk to the nearest corner store for a pack of cigarettes. I spit on the ground. A first edition Anna Karenina with the pages dog-eared appears in my hands. Then, some days, when the jitters of that daily transformation get to be too much, I switch to something lighter — a green
tea. Suddenly, I am the girl next door. Seriously, I’m right outside your house in a sundress with beautifully unruly hair. I baked you cookies, and I just hope you like them.
Other times, I’ll splurge on an iced matcha. The grains that fail to dissolve and sink to the bottom of the plastic takeout cup are no match for the absolute unit of a woman I am. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. this morning for reformer pilates and planned my entire week in a day planner while I sipped. I’ll have cocktails with my friends later on a patio, two drinks max. — I need to be in bed by 10 p.m.
Summer blues
The Environmentalist: what is the environmental problem?
An exploration of the climate crisis
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
What is the most urgent environmental problem? We often hear about floods, indiscriminate deforestation, loss of wetlands, extinct species, forest fires, and many more climate disasters. So, what causes all this? Well, every issue related to weather, natural disasters, and biodiversity loss can be tied to climate change to a certain extent, either as a consequence or a cause. This is not groundbreaking news — evidence of this dates back to 1824 — but do we truly understand climate change?
Welcome to the first edition of The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will explore the environmental problem we currently face: climate change.
Climate change, defined by the United Nations (UN), refers to the “long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.” These changes can happen naturally as a result of volcanic activity or the sun’s radiation. For example, 56 million years ago, one of the largest volcanic events in the history of our planet was recorded, causing a huge increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, the global temperature rose by an average of 6°C over a few thousand years, affecting natural landscapes and living conditions.
Since the 1800s, our planet’s temperature has been rising 10 times faster than it did 56 million years ago. The burning of fossil fuels, which produces about 40 billion metric tons of CO2 a year, is kept in our atmosphere as greenhouse gas. Therefore, it is safe to say that humanity is responsible for the current state of climate change. But how do greenhouse gases (GHGs) cause climate change?
To start, electromagnetic radiation moves in waves that can be classified by wavelength. The sun emits short-wave radiation that GHGs let pass through the atmosphere onto the earth’s surface, but when the radiation hits the planet
and gets reflected back, it turns into long-wave radiation, and GHGs don’t let those out of the atmosphere. With all the radiation trapped inside, the planet begins to heat, causing a “greenhouse effect.” This is one of the most fabulous processes in our planet, since it allows life to flourish. But why is it such a concern now? Simply put, this process is out of balance.
Scientists have maintained a record of the atmosphere’s CO2 since the late 1950s. Over this period, atmospheric concentrations have increased from around 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 410 ppm today. This rise in ppm concentration is the cause of global warming. Moreover, the global average surface temperature briefly increased by two degrees celsius. Surface temperature is measured by registering the near-surface air temperature from weather stations, by the ocean surface temperature from ships and buoys in different parts of the world, and by comparing these findings with past data.
Those two degrees have very severe consequences. According to CNN, warming permanently to two degrees will expose communities to extreme weather. This also increases the chance of our planet reaching a point of no return with horrifying events, “such as the collapse of polar ice sheets and the mass death of coral reefs.”
The consequences of climate change will be the topic we explore for the next edition of The Environmentalist. To conclude this edition, it is worth mentioning the different levels of responsibility that exist. Neither you nor I contribute to climate change in the way that big corporations do, but this does not mean we should feel helpless. We have power and our actions matter, but we need to get informed; I encourage you to keep learning. And as The Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
Illustration by May Beeney
Tech Talk: What to look for in a new laptop
A quick guide for students looking to buy a new laptop this school year
SEAN HORN
With the fall semester just around the corner, it’s easy to get washed up in the mad dash to get ready. Clothes, tuition, textbooks and... uh oh, a new laptop. But what should you look for in a new portable companion (if you are indeed looking to upgrade)? Some courses may recommend certain specifications, but most just tell you that you need a laptop of modest capability.
If you’re involved in business, English, or any other word processor heavy courses, you don’t need to splurge on an expensive laptop. Something within the price range of $300 to $600 is more than adequate; most of what you pay for at this point is battery life. Some laptops like the Acer Aspire 3 or Dell Inspiron series have been mainstays in good workhorse laptops on a budget. What they lack in the bells and whistles department, they generally make up for in their longevity.
For those who hit the harder sciences, engineering, media arts, or even software development, you may need something with some extra grunt. For the most part that usually means something with a dedicated graphics card, like the NVIDIA RTX 20XX to 40XX line of cards. These can be found anywhere from $900 and above. If you do end up needing to invest in such a beast, I would suggest staying away from Alienware and ROG series laptops. They have the hardware, but generally the “RGB/Gamer Tax” is applied (for those who are wondering, many gaming-focused laptops have a higher price tag and lower life expectancy. It’s the price you pay for high power and flashy accouterments). The downside to all this power is, well, a lack of battery life. You’ll on average see about four hours maximum, and that’s with all the battery saving technologies turned on. Incidentally, workstation laptops like the higher-end Dell Inspiron or even their Precision series lines would be more than adequate, and they usually go on sale or have discounts for students.
This is just a very generalized recommendation, and you may have noticed I left out Apple — this isn’t for any malicious reason, but more of a budgetary one. Apple makes a fine product, but much like the ASUS ROG, Dell Alienware, and MSI Cyborg lines of gamer-focused laptops, there’s a tax of sorts involved. Not to mention a rather locked-down ecosystem that makes it difficult to work outside of Apple’s sandbox (meaning their hardware and software ecosystem). That being said, if you don’t require any kind of engineering design software or play AAA games, Apple is a fine choice if it’s within your budget. They are capable machines, and with the newest technologies involved, they are getting very competitive. But again, price is a major stopping block in my opinion.
There are plenty of new laptops coming out with AI embedded within the system, such as the new line of “Copilot+” laptops being released by many Windows based manufacturers. These are again fine machines on paper, but they are built on the Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) platform of processors (similar to Apple’s M series and what you find in most Android cellphones). At the moment I would recommend these for any student that will be focused on more word processing and perhaps light media arts work. As the technology matures this could change, but if you are unsure of having AI constantly working behind the scenes while you use the laptop, maybe sidestep these for now.
Hopefully this helps when picking a new computer. The best rule is to think about what you want to use it for. If you just browse the Internet, answer emails, and complete writing assignments, you don’t need the latest and greatest technology. If you plan to make something in 3D, run simulations or games with your laptop, then you may want to invest in something with more power. Always try to compare specifications and prices to get the best bang for your hard-earned buck.
I need a vacation — and so do you!
A reminder that your summer break is your own
SAMANTHA PENNER
Sometimes the concept of a vacation, or simply time off, is better in theory. When that break finally creeps up, and we trade in our textbooks for a beach day, we can be met with fatigue, mental blocks, and internal pressures to be productive. Summer is fleeting and the pressure to relax becomes its own stressor. The need to achieve the ultimate vacation by building a résumé of “things I did this summer” — while simultaneously craving rest — has me asking, how can we find balance for ourselves in order to really make summer a true break?
Every summer, I am overcome with nostalgia. I crave the feeling of being a child running around my cul-de-sac until the sun starts to set. The cabin trips where ice cream was dinner, and the beach was home base. Sleepovers with friends where we would stay up all night to spite our parents because “It’s summer, mom! ” Yearning for that idealized Technicolour childhood summer is bittersweet — the expectation of it all generates a self-inflicted tension to feel that kind of happiness. I am trying to accomplish all this “me time” before school starts again, yet the pressure I place on myself remains a year-round sensation.
An article titled “The art of a getting a great summer break” in University Affairs, discusses giving power to yourself during summer break. This piece acknowledges the life of an academic and how we owe it to ourselves to rest and address our mental well-being through steps for a restful summer, such as: defining your own great break, giving yourself permission not to work, prioritizing that which gives you flow, addressing your guilt, and getting proactive and practical. I find my own balance in summer by
ensuring I do something that fulfills me every day. On days where motivation is hard, or work is jam-packed, doing one joyful thing can make me feel more like myself. Little things ranging from watching a show before bed to sitting by the river with a friend. Any little joy is customizable, and I work to prioritize adding those things to my schedule to feel personal fulfillment. That way I get to have lazy rest days without feeling the guilt of rotting away, and my busy workday is balanced with something extra, just for me, at the end of the day.
It’s hard to avoid being overwhelmed by the guilt of wasting a day, not getting enough time with friends, or feeling money stress while wishing for a day off work; these are normal summer stressors. These stressors are why I have worked within myself to create that balance and give myself something for me every day. All the little things count.
Summer can look different for everyone and knowing what will feel best for you is the key to balance. Taking a step back from the internal pressures of time and achievement can help you define what you need from summer. Those needs can be anything from a jam-packed road trip with friends to five consecutive beach days with a book in hand. The key to summer is a personal perspective on balance. I work with myself to enjoy the present moment while being realistic, yet excited for what’s to come. Some days I do completely rot in bed because the thought of anything else is debilitating. Some weeks I have to work full time. Other times I will be out and about with friends for the entirety of the day, enjoying the sunshine and quality time. All instances are my reality; one is not “better” than the other, because at any given time that is what I need.
My ultimate advice, as someone in the same boat as you, is to give yourself kindness and grace. Do what fulfills you. Trust yourself and your needs. Rest, be lazy, go outside, enjoy events, celebrate your time off, lay on the beach, have backyard
parties. Doing anything, everything, or absolutely nothing is perfectly acceptable for the summer you need. Summer is yours to use in any way you see fit. Happy break everyone! Be gracious with yourself.
Illustration by May Beeney
Cascade’s UNIVERSITY survival guide
COME OVER PREPARED CASCADE STAFF
Kiara Okonkwo
There’s nothing worse than sitting in between classes, starving, tired, and twiddling your thumbs. I used to yearn for the day to be over, so I could just go home. I’d be antsy, unfocused, and distracted in class, a mental state not conducive for any kind of knowledge retention. Not to mention, as someone who took public transit last semester — sometimes buses delay, and the days where I had nothing to keep myself busy dragged on in a cold and unrelenting way. Now a semi-seasoned student, I come prepared for every day that I am on campus. Armed with an assortment of snacks, something to keep my hands busy (yes I have a fidget spinner), the book I’m currently reading, my trusty journal, and a comfort cardigan. My artillery helps me feel safe and well taken care of, and I do my best learning when I have made the effort to give myself the things I need.
Tips for new and returning students from your friends at The Cascade
ONE BIG LIST
Catherine Campbell
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a new or returning student is prioritize your tasks and assignments for the semester. As soon as you have your syllabi, sit down with your favourite pens, highlighters, and a calendar, (or, if you’re like me, your Notion account) and write your assignments — and any extra tasks, like readings — out in the order that they’re due. You’ll end up with a list of everything that needs to be done for the semester all in one, neat little list. By doing this, you not only see what needs to be done when, you also get the thrill of checking assignments off as you complete them! (Well, it’s thrilling to me, at least.) No longer will you need to sift through syllabi to find a due date, or forget an assignment exists at all, and you’ll avoid the last minute “This was due when?”
WAIT FOR BREAK
Jeffrey Kennett
Presentation day can be daunting, and after a lot of build-up can sometimes be the most important day of the semester. I’ve come to realize that presentation day is about students looking out for each other, no matter who’s in your group. There are several ways your peers can positively affect the room during presentations, but there are subtle ways they can make it tougher too. My tip is to treat your classmates’ presentations as if they’re your own. Before you leave during another group’s presentation, think to yourself first: would I want someone (or a group) to walk through the centre of the room and exit during my five-minute presentation, when the professor has already allotted time for a class break in half an hour? If you do exit the room, or you’re late, take a gander through the window first before opening the door. You’re already late — five more seconds won’t hurt. If you see a student in the middle of their presentation, cut them some slack, wait a few minutes until you hear clapping … then enter. Give them their best shot to succeed in the course, uninterrupted. All you can do is hope your classmates will do the same for you when it’s time for your PowerPoint.
KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING
Adjusting to the ins and outs of university may seem like a daunting task, especially if — like me — you came from a high school that was a glorified rectangle. Understanding the layout of campus can be tricky, but not if you plan ahead! Make a copy of your timetable, write out which rooms your classes are in, and carve out some time to explore your future stomping grounds. Once you know where all your first semester classes are, familiarize yourself with some of the hot spots on campus, like the Student Union Building (SUB), somewhere I often find myself killing time between classes. Fair Grounds Coffee is also located inside the SUB for whenever you may need a little caffeine pick-me-up. Even after a year at UFV, I sometimes still end up a little disoriented on the hunt for my classes, so don’t worry about knowing where everything is right away. But if you can find where all your classrooms are before school starts, that first day won’t feel like such a shock.
SHOW UP
It might seem like a no-brainer, but attending your classes is huge. Life tends to get busy, and skipping several 8 a.m. classes feels incredibly easy, especially when you don’t have anyone forcing you to go. During class, professors typically highlight important information for assignments, tests, and exams that you’ll need to pay extra attention to. Turning up will also help build a good repertoire with professors, which makes it so much easier to connect with them when you’re stuck or are having issues. Having a relationship with your professor is also incredibly helpful when it comes to reference letters for graduate school or career opportunities.
Cassie Williams
Anna McCausland
PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES
Gauri Sethi
University can be extremely intimidating, especially when you’re an international student hundreds of miles from home in a completely different environment than you’re used to; it becomes quite difficult to adapt to this new environment, make new friends, and fit in. To add to that, as if being an international student wasn’t enough, I am an introvert as well — which wasn’t any help, either. The good news is that, even though it doesn’t feel easy and seems like the end of the world, it’s not.
My tip for students is to be as open to new experiences as you can be. Join a club! Or an organization. Whether it’s related to a hobby of yours like UFV Dance Club or UFV Hub Club, or something you want to be involved in and gain experience in, like Enactus UFV or South Asian Studies Institute, there’s lots to choose from at UFV. As someone who finds joy in writing, I joined The Cascade, where I met fellow students from other courses with the same passion. Moreover, I have had the opportunity to attend multiple events and interact with new people as part of The Cascade’s team.
Put yourself out there and attend as many events as you can — you’ve paid for it. Go through the bulletin boards, follow official university social media profiles, and definitely check out The Cascade. Approach professors and join study groups to establish a better understanding of your courses and what is expected of you. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone; you never know what might be your best university experience.
FUEL YOUR MIND AND BODY
Chifaa Bouzid
Amid the chaos of preparing for exams, meeting deadlines, and keeping up with a busy social life, spare some time and effort to take care of both your physical and mental health.
First, be mindful of what you eat, as it is the source of energy that keeps you going. A diverse diet incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help you maintain your best physical health. Other than that, try to avoid excessive junk food. One way I do this is by picking a specific day out of the week on which I go for a “not so healthy” meal. A research study published by the National Library of Medicine identified that university students “...consuming two or more servings of fruit attained higher academic achievement ... while those regularly consuming French fries or soda, or meals at university restaurants, were less likely to attend exams.”
Second, as simple as it might sound, move your body. Be it a walk around campus, playing your favourite group or individual sports, or hitting the gym, any activity that makes your blood rush through your veins and your body sweat will eventually have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. In fact, UFV has a comprehensive Campus Recreation centre that provides various sports and programs to support the well-being of their students.
Lastly, when exams, group projects, and presentations accumulate, try your best not to sacrifice your sleep. In fact, try to prevent this from happening in the first place by keeping an organized schedule where you get things done as soon as you can after they are assigned to you. Regardless of how much you need to do, aim at getting a minimum of six to seven hours of sleep. Last semester, I made the huge mistake of getting two or three hours of sleep when preparing for my exam; little did I know that my mind would go as blank as an untouched paper.
ORGANISE YOURSELF, YOUR TIME, YOUR TASKS
Parul Bhola
One of the best things to do for your success is to organize yourself before the first day of classes. Declutter your thoughts, your calendar, and your to-do lists.
Create a list of tasks you need to do in the first week: buying books, putting all the assignment due dates into your calendar, reading the class schedule and course outline, and meeting friends for coffee. Using the calendar in your phone, add all your classes, including the time and the room number they are in. Do this for the first week. Change the settings to repeat every week for the next four months.
Next, go to Blackboard and open each of the course schedules/outlines. Look at all the due dates and put them in your calendar as well. Have an assignment due every week on Fridays at 12 p.m.? Put that into the calendar and set it to repeat every week. Do this for all courses and you can avoid weekly mental stress related to checking what is due and when; you also won’t miss deadlines, and will avoid last-minute panic. While this may all sound like too much, these tasks take no more than 30 minutes combined. This puts you a step ahead and makes the entire semester flow smoothly and stress-free.
BE COMMITTED
Larry Odey
Speaking from experience, I can understand how hard it is to dedicate time and effort to studies while also balancing other priorities. That being said, it is easy to assess which priority is the most important and what degree of commitment it deserves. Our studies are the main goal of our presence in university; our time here provides assistance and all the necessary tools we need to achieve our end goal of graduating.
Along the line, we tend to engage in other activities, primarily leisure, which take a considerable amount of our time and energy. Balancing both academics and our social life could be the hardest part of our university years, but with great commitment comes great will, and with both there is hardly anything that cannot be achieved.
Scheduling could be a great method of also balancing priorities and sustaining your commitment. For instance, always make sure study time will not interfere with any social activity you had planned. When planning your schedule beforehand, ensure you finish assignments and study for a reasonable period, then designate a time that you can pursue other activities — advisably not on the same day.
Again, it is not always easy to stay committed to all your tasks, and it is certainly not expected as soon as you start your semester, but your commitment will develop one day at a time.
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar
CanucksCampus: Revisiting 2011 Stanley Cup Final – Part Two
UFV’s home for all things Canucks!
Vancouver’s second Stanley Cup Riot on June 15, 2011. (Photo by Darren Stone/Flickr)
JEFFREY KENNETT
What were you doing in the early summer of 2011? I was, like most UFV students, just a kid at the time. When the Canucks went down 3-0 in the second period of Game 7, I did something I would never do now. I turned it off. I went to play street hockey with friends outside.
Before the game ended, turmoil had already begun breaking loose among the estimated crowd of 100,000 people in Vancouver’s downtown core. Leading up to the event, there had been a lot of media discussion around Vancouver’s previous riot in 1994. I think the local media driving theories on how a riot could potentially break out once again essentially served as advertisement for those looking to incite violence in 2011. “If you want to riot, here’s where one will be!”
The volume of people packed into such a small vicinity was an issue that became apparent early in the day. Vancouver lacks a proper space downtown for an appropriate viewing party, which led to viewers climbing onto roofs, bus stops, and light posts, literally people stacked on top of each other to get a view of the game on screen. If you recognize downtown Vancouver, the sight of so many people — seemingly looking for trouble — all stuffed into the fan zone on Georgia street, is quite an astonishing visual.
As a fan I was certainly more than just upset with the loss; the Canucks have only been to three Stanley Cup Finals (SCF) in just over 50 years in the league. Would I ever get to see Vancouver get this close to
winning a Cup again before I’m ready to retire? Who knows — that’s how sports work. While being emotional from a loss is understandable, breaking windows to steal clothes from the Bay is not. While it is slightly hilarious, there’s no justification to violently swing the leg of a mannequin through an H&M window. There just isn’t. Being in that intense of a moment can bring about unexpected responses. While some are captivated by the chaos, and need to take part in any sort of violence they can, there is at least one instance of a man standing up to defend his city. This clip is quite interesting to me, as we see the psyches of two very different types of men clashing against each other: one is doing anything he can to protect his city; the other is doing anything he can to burn it down. What bonds these men? The Vancouver Canucks.
A video of the riot from nearly start to finish was recorded by BCNEWSVIDEO, and documents the captivating collapse of downtown Vancouver. As from the official B.C. Prosecution Service, the city was overtaken by rioters for five hours, three of which are fully recorded. This isn’t the Dark Knight Rises, it’s just about an hour away from home. The footage captured is a remarkable journey to follow. As the cameraman keeps turning corners, there are more and more cars engulfed in flames, and police slowly start pushing people back by horseback. Glass is shattered on every sidewalk, store owners and staff are distraught; I’ve never seen the city look worse. Despite a strong police presence, they were overwhelmed by the crowd and gave no real resistance to abstain from a larger injury count.
In all, there were at least 140 injuries, and 100 arrests the night of the riot. In 2016, after one of the largest investigations in Canadian history, The Province reported that police had laid 912 charges against 300 rioters, with 94 per cent of adult rioters charged receiving jail time.
This is important to realize with the Canucks becoming a contender again: If you act criminally, you will get caught, and you will get charged. Celebrate wins and losses responsibly.
Football // B.C. is hosting the Grey Cup; will the Lions be there?
With a stellar start to the season, the BC Lions and their quarterback are on pace for a historic campaign
MARIE-ANGE ROUTIER
The Canadian Football League (CFL) is celebrating their 111th Grey Cup at BC Place this November. The BC Lions have won two Grey Cups as host in their history; the first in 1994 and the second in 2011. They’ve won six championships in total. This will mark the 17th time that Vancouver has hosted the Grey Cup since the Lions’ inception in 1954, and with how things look so far, it’s fair to wonder if this year might be the third time in history that the team is victorious at home.
At the time of writing, the Lions are ranked first in the West with a 5-2 record. After losing their first game of the season to the Toronto Argonauts, the Lions broke out with a five game win streak, launching them to first in the division. A loss to Calgary on July 21 knocked the Lions down to second place, but they wouldn’t be there long. The Saskatchewan Roughriders held the spot for a few days before losing to the Montreal Alouettes on July 25, bumping the Lions back up to first.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the Lions’ success is stemming from, but one thing for certain is that this year’s team is stacked to say the least. Vernon Adams Jr. has had a dominant season so far, and is already in consideration for MOP (Most Outstanding Player). “Big Play VA” leads the league in passing yards with 2,395 as of July 30, and is second in total passing touchdowns (TDs) with 14.
Adams Jr. is on pace to be the fifth quarterback in CFL history to break 6,000 passing yards — with half the season completed, Big Play is on track to throw for approximately 6,200 passing yards and nearly 40 passing TDs. This history-making performance would put Adams Jr. in the same company as another former BC Lion and CFL Hall of Famer, Doug Flutie, who twice threw for 6,000 passing yards — including in 1991 when he played what could be the greatest season by a quarterback in CFL history. Alongside Flutie, Adams Jr. would also join the ranks of Anthony Calvillo, Kent Austin, and David Archer.
There are players to keep an eye on outside of the quarterback position as well: Justin McInnis and William Stanback are the ones to watch. McInnis has been VA’s go-to target this season, with 780 receiving yards and six receiving TDs, placing him first on the team in both categories. In the team’s last encounter with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, McInnis had 243 yards and Adams Jr. threw for 451, dominating the game to win 35-20. The BC Lions also signed two-time CFL All-Star William Stanback earlier this year, who has been making positive contributions for the team thus far. There is a lot to be excited for if you’re a fan of the Lions. B.C. might have their eyes set on scoring records in the shortterm, but come November, they hope to be locked into the Grey Cup in front of their home crowd.
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher makes a touchdown reception as Calgary Stampeders’ Kobe Williams watches during the CFL Western Semifinal at Vancouver in November. (Photo by Darryl Dyck/CP/PNG)
Cascade Q&A: Eli Greene
Get to know your student athletes through our Cascades player profiles
JEFFREY KENNETT
Eli Greene is a men’s golfer at UFV — this past June at Golf Canada’s University/College Championships, the Cascades won a silver medal as a team and Greene finished tied for seventh individually at +2.
Which building on campus is your favourite for class?
It’d have to be the Chilliwack campus. I know a lot of people there, and I like the openness of it. There’s a lot of natural light — a lot of classrooms have huge windows that go maybe 15 feet up in the air, so you can see if it’s snowing, raining — you still feel in touch with nature a little bit.
Besides that, they don’t really have a food court or food service, which I’m sure is a common thing people say. I want to pitch for a Pita Pit in where that café is; get a franchise owner to pop in there and you’re good!
Do you pay attention to the speed of other people’s windshield wipers?
I care more so about my own…are mine too fast? Depends on how self conscious I am about how fast they are, or safety reasons [for] how much it’s raining (laughs).
Do you love practicing golf?
I hate putting, I hate practicing putting. It doesn’t satisfy me. A few of my teammates and I started this group chat called ‘the Champions,’ and it’s an accountability group chat. Every day you have to say something you’re going to do that’s golf related; so that could be meditation, visualization, putting. Anything that you feel will get you one per cent better that day. Having my teammates around to do that has helped me enjoy [putting] a little bit more and have the motivation to do it, even though sometimes I’m like ‘dang, I don’t want to do this.’
Who’s the most underrated player on your team?
Brett Bateman. I think people recognize how good he could be; I don’t know if he himself recognizes how good he could be. Not sure if the energy just needs to be put in the right place, but he’s going to be very good.
What is your least favourite road city and why?
Newark; [the] airport sucks. A few years back we went to Ireland — we stopped [in Newark] before going over the water, and they had porta potties inside! It was horrific, it was grimy; there weren’t a lot of food options.
The team went on a golf trip to Ireland?
Yeah! During [the] COVID years we fundraised a team trip to Ireland, just for fun. We got to play some of the best courses in the world. We were there for seven days, got to sightsee — we saw this little island off the coast where they filmed Star Wars…
Any highlights from that trip?
Probably playing this course called Ballybunion — we played in some ridiculously difficult weather, and it’s already an extremely difficult golf course. There were 70 km/hour winds and it was raining sideways. I didn’t have a hat on, I had a rain jacket but it didn’t do anything, and it was an extremely tough test to golf…but you’re there with your friends. You’re having fun, and can let go a little bit.
[We were] on the side of a cliff with the ocean beside [us] — that’s where Rory McIlroy grew up playing too — I’ve seen clips of him hitting shots over the ocean and coming back on the fairway [where we golfed]. That was a highlight.
What does your team like to do together on the road?
Maybe some karaoke? Normally in the hotel rooms, lights are out — we’re just singin’. That’s recent, as of this past year’s nationals. [If] there’s a pool, we’re going to be in it, we’re going to be in it, for sure...
If you had to sing a duet with a teammate, who would you choose?
Give it to Lucas O’Dell. Good country voice.
What does playing the “Cascade way” look like?
We have a locker room at Chilliwack golf club for the golf team, and one of the sayings there is ‘Take Dead Aim.’ I think it’s kind of cool and ironic because in golf, sometimes you don’t always want to take dead aim at things — it’s not as beneficial.
I think [the Cascade way] is knowing your goals, knowing your intentions, being calculated. Matt Chapdelaine, [our] strength and conditioning coach, is super influential with that perspective of dedication, [and] goals. He’s a part of the Cascade way. At the end of every team lift, no matter what team, he does a final thought — where he gives us an inspirational or perspective-shifting story, quote, lesson that he’s learned — and that’s part of the Cascade… ever-changing your perspective, and trying to grow, and climb, and conquer.
Interviews were edited for length and clarity.
Photo courtesy of WWU Athletics
Eli Greene in The Cascade office (Photo by Joshua Sulpico)
culture@ufvcascade.ca
Culture Editor - Elyssa English
Event Coverage // Rock out with Jam in Jubilee
Stephen Munga on Abbotsford’s festival and what it brings to musicians in the Fraser Valley
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
Have you ever gone to Banter or driven past Jubilee Park on a Thursday night in July and wondered, “What are all these people doing here?” The large crowds, booths, and food trucks are all part of Jam in Jubilee, an annual music festival hosted by the Abbotsford Arts Council, showcasing up-and-coming artists from the Lower Fraser Valley. Established in 2010, Jam in Jubilee is dedicated to encouraging emerging musicians throughout the early stages of their careers, giving them a space to perform for their home crowd. Every Thursday in July, a stage is set in Jubilee Park, with food trucks and vendors set up to accompany the event as well. Starting at 7 p.m., people bring lawn chairs and blankets to listen to the music.
The Cascade was able to chat with Stephen Munga, the music director of CIVL radio station and talent booker for Jam in Jubilee. Munga also hosts CIVL’s Earshot 20 countdown. What he likes about working Jam in Jubilee is the ability to bring as much “diversity [to] the line-up” as possible, which is evident in this year’s festival, which included music from soulful folk artists to R&B singers. The goal is to bring as much new music to Abbotsford as possible, and from different cultures and countries too.
“I feel like we needed something else and what I really appreciated was, because my ethnicity is Congolese, being able
to bring different countries from Africa to Jam in Jubilee [...] And to see people getting up and dancing, that to me is a win,” Munga said. With the crowd either bobbing their heads along to the music or dancing near the stage, he’s doing a good job of bringing together some entertaining artists.
But, in Munga’s eyes, there’s still room for the music festival to grow.
“It’d be nice to pack out the park every week,” the radio host said when asked about the future of the festival. “It’d be nice to have surrounding communities like Mission, Langley, Surrey, come out and also be a part of this.” Munga remarked that a lot of the Fraser Valley tend to make their way over to Surrey and Langley for their music festivals, and said how encouraging it would be to see the roles reversed, putting Abbotsford in the same spotlight when it comes to the music scene here.
However, with growth comes more work. Munga emphasized how it takes a village to put together the festival. All the people at the Abbotsford Arts Council and the volunteers who worked the festival are the ones who make it all worthwhile; everyone “really cares about the community and wants dope stuff to happen.” There are always more volunteers needed, which Munga also emphasized.
“We’re always looking for people to come help us out… if you feel pushed and you’re passionate about supporting local
and pushing for the community that you live in, then hit us up anytime.”
For the aspiring musicians looking to get discovered, Munga had advice for you, too: “Use the resources that are out there.” Going viral on social media platforms has been a quick way to gain a following and a rise to fame. Or if you are looking for a more traditional way of getting out there, “Reach out to one of
your local radio stations — here at CIVL, but if you’re in Vancouver, CITR, SFU has their radio station, right? There’s a bunch of radio stations throughout the Valley that you can reach out to and get your music played, or come in and do live performances.” Most importantly, stay consistent with making music; maybe we’ll see you playing on stage at Jam in Jubilee.
Festival goer at Jam in Jubilee, July 25, 2024 (Photo by Joshua Sulpico)
Kate Yahn at Jam in Jubilee, July 25, 2024 (Photo by Joshua Sulpico)
Event
An artist’s first steps
The Reach celebrates
the 10th anniversary of their Emerge program with a new exhibition
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
The Emerge program, offered at The Reach Gallery Museum, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a collaborative exhibition featuring thirty-two artists who have been tied to the program. The wide range of experience between artists is evident when walking through the gallery. Each artist brings something unique to the exhibit, providing a sampling across genres of art.
There are two tracks in the Emerge program. The first, called Art on Demand, is a series of exhibitions put on with a student curator — from the practicum run with UFV and Trinity Western — and an emerging artist from the Fraser Valley who is in the early stages of their career. CITI/SEEN is the second program track. This part of the program brings an experienced muralist to work with a team of emerging artists to create a mural in Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
One of the biggest impacts of the Emerge program is its ability to bring the artistic community together. Artist Eisha Menon, who’s performance art is being featured in the 10th Anniversary Exhibition, says it “gave [her] such a big social platform” which helped her as a self-proclaimed “introvert.” Opportunities and connections are always being made through this program.
Talking with Kelley Tialiou, the curator of the Emerge 10th Anniversary Exhibition, she revealed just how interconnected the people in the program are: “Two of the artists who are featured in the grotto, Jenny Hawkinson and Mohadese Movahed, actually are studio mates, which I did not know when I initially paired their work.” Throughout the curation of the
exhibit, Tialiou found other connections and themes between each artist’s work, one being the theme of time. “The deeper theme that runs under the undercurrent among all of these works, for me, is time,” she said. From the time it takes for the pieces to arrive — especially in regard to Lindsay Spellman’s piece “Colorado Peaks,” which was sent all the way from Colorado — to the time spent on a piece, like Yifei Zhang’s ink splotch installment.
Yet in other pieces, Tialiou finds that time “manifests in a different way,” like Tanya Vanpraseuth’s collections of photographs from Laos, where she was “accompanying her parents on their
journey back to rediscover some of their childhood.” Vanprasueth’s photosets, which feature Lao landscapes, take her “back in time” with her parents.
For new artists, both Menon and Tialiou have advice. The performance artist encourages new artists to “just express yourself” when it comes to making the art you want to. Tialiou said something similar while also encouraging artists to “speak with as many people as they can about their work,” because “you never know which of all those people you’ve talked to might remember you and your work, and come back to it and want to explore further.”
Tialiou also encourages artists and students to come out to a launch celebration of the two murals worked on this year through CITI/SEEN, taking place on Sept. 20 in the Open Space, Downtown Abbotsford. “If students would like to chat with UFV alumni and others, and if they have questions about the program, that’s one of the other things the events have —whether it’s a season exhibition opening or something like the mural launch — are also prime opportunities for young artists, whether they’re UFV students or from elsewhere, to come up and chat with us.”
The Reach Gallery Museum, 2024 (Photo by Anna McCausland)
Sidi Chen, When I Am When I Land Between the Waves, 2023, ink, charcoal, pastel, water, oil on raw canvas with mylar installation
(Photo by Gabriela Gonzalez)
Jenny Hawkinson, For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like my fathers, 2020, tarp, grommets, rope, hook, 34 x 36 inches
(Photo courtesy of The Reach)
CULTURE
UFV Speaks //
UFV Speaks: Who would you be if the lockdown never happened?
UFV students speak on the impact of the COVID-19 isolation
VERONICA POWELL
Who would you be if the lockdown never happened? I took it upon myself to ask some fellow UFV students this question. The COVID-19 quarantine was undoubtedly a hard time for all of us, and it impacted a lot of people in different ways. At the same time, it also created an outlet for people to explore, try new things, and start trends. From people spontaneously dyeing their hair and learning how to bake sourdough bread, to everyone suddenly adopting a pet, the lockdown was a point in time where anything and everything happened. I’m sure we all remember the toilet paper hoarding crisis.
Amelia Lutz / English major “I think I would have been more influenced by the people at my school. I spent a large part of my time — should I say part of my life — being home-schooled. I was home-schooled all the way up until high school. Then lockdown came when I was in tenth grade, so it was, sort of, going back to the way things were for me. I found that while I was in school I was
Event Coverage //
getting a lot of influence from the people I was around, from my teachers, and even my accent changed a bit. Then I sort of went back to the way I was in middle school when the lockdown happened. So I think I would have been very different, I definitely developed a stronger Canadian accent while I was in high school and that sort of wore off while I was in lockdown, so my accent would be different now. I might have had a better social life, things like that. Yeah, maybe my style would have been different.”
Emily Neudorf / English major
“I’d probably be in mostly the same place. When lockdown happened, I was working in London Drugs, which was considered an essential service, so we stayed open the whole time. But, because people had to leave — they were immunocompromised or they had to live with someone who was — we were working a lot more with a lot more customers. It was really exhausting. So I think if anything I would probably just be, now, more into my creative endeavours because I didn’t get that time back then to work on them.
I didn’t start school until, like, six months later.
I love writing. I would have done more writing back then […] I got into a lot of other art things around that time that I didn’t have time to do. So I’d probably be a lot more into those things too. Sewing, painting, all that.”
Angelina Joseph / Criminology major
“If the lockdown never happened, I would imagine I would be someone on a thrilling journey, pursuing my dream of studying medicine in Europe and securing a spot in the army and later the United Nations as a trauma surgeon providing care in war-stricken zones. I would be diving into new cultures, languages, and medical practices, expanding my horizons and embracing the adventure. However, instead of Europe, I found a new path illuminated by the welcoming glow of Canada’s open doors […] I still want to secure a spot in the United Nations and carry out relief work […] but in the form of a humanitarian/diplomat who has had prior experience in the field
Rise and Pride with UFV’s Queens and Cocktails
SUS hosts a fun night of drag and drinks
SAMANTHA PENNER
On July 24, 2024, UFV’s first ever Queens and Cocktails was hosted by Vancouver drag queens Mina Mercury and Sisi Sinatra. Queens and Cocktails is an interactive mixology event, a night of entertainment and banter topped off with delicious drinks and fabulous company. Mercury is an established Vancouver drag queen who is best known for her impersonations and event hosting within the drag community. Sinatra is a Montreal queen who moved her art to Vancouver in recent years. Both of their artistic abilities shone through their physical presence while showcasing the magic of drag. The evening took place in the Student Union Building’s restaurant space, decorated by the Student Union Society (SUS) to create a vibrant and exciting environment. Snacks, including popcorn and candy, were provided as well as
everything needed to create the evening’s signature cocktails, with custom coasters and recipe cards. The queens made a grand entrance performance, strutting to ABBA, exciting the crowd, and setting the scene for the evening. Once the initial excitement settled, Sinatra and Mercury began the conversation through introductions and funny anecdotes that further developed comfort and happiness in the room. Sinatra and Mercury guided the attendees through creating the evening’s two featured cocktails: Rise & Pride and Taste the Rainbow! The drinks were easy to create while being rewardingly delicious and included both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
The night wrapped up with a surprise performance from a volunteer in the crowd. Pulled up to the front by the queens, our UFV crowd member gave into the stardom and put on a great show alongside Mercury and Sinatra. It was
vibrant and brilliantly funny; the whole group was having a good time. The grand finale was not the queens, but more crowd members brought up to the front for an epic dance battle. They lip-synced for
of policing and law, hence my current path pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in criminology and criminal justice, and minoring in psychology.
I strongly believe this detour has and will keep bringing its own unique opportunities and insights, shaping me into an even more resilient, adaptable, and compassionate future police officer and humanitarian. After all, life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths, often to places we never imagined, but sometimes exactly where we need to be.”
Interviews were edited for length and clarity.
their life, and did they ever show us what they got! It was non-stop entertainment and fun from everyone involved. The night drew to a close with a touching speech of gratitude from Sinatra and Mercury. They spoke of how significant it is to bring the drag scene into diverse places, and to spread love and affection toward such a great community. Reflecting on this night provides me with nothing but joy. Though no plans have been made, it would be fantastic to have this event become recurring. SUS does a wonderful job of hosting events for all students to enjoy, so definitely keep an eye out for what they have next. If you get the chance to attend a drag event — DO IT! Follow updates through the Student Union Society’s website and social media to get your tickets to any upcoming events! Events such as these are special, and I am grateful to have been a part of this one.
Photo courtesy of UFV’s Student Union Society
Illustration by May Beeney
Column //
Campus Fashion: Fall back into style on campus
Ten back to school trends to wear this fall semester
RACHEL TAIT
Fall is all about apple pie, Thanksgiving, leaves changing colour, pumpkin spice, and corn mazes. For students, fall is also a new start to the school year, and what better way to comse to campus than with an exciting new look? Here is a compilation of 10 trending pieces that can freshen up your look this fall.
Flannel shirts: Never out of date or style, flannel shirts are warm and soft. They layer great with a tee-shirt and jeans or paired with yoga pants while studying for a test. A nice flannel shirt can add colour to one’s wardrobe and is a classic piece.
Bomber jacket: Add a touch of utility to your wardrobe this fall and wear a bomber jacket. It is one of the most trendy jackets of the year and looks great paired with jeans and a Henley or worn with a casual dress and boots.
Jeans: Jeans have been a comfortable wardrobe staple since the popularization of denim in the 1850s. As the cooler weather approaches, consider wearing fall colours like black, indigo blue, or a rich brown. Wear a style that works for you; whether they are skinny, wide-legged, or even jeggings, jeans are a comfortable necessity for students studying all day and night long!
Boots: Boots are another great transitional piece to wear in the fall, pairing great with jeans, dresses, and leggings. Not only are they stylish, but they keep your feet dry during rainy days. Some different types of boots you can choose from include Uggs, ankle boots, rain boots, platforms, tall boots, and hiking boots.
Runners: Runners are comfortable and multifunctional, perfect for sportswear and getting to your classes on time. Having one or two comfortable pairs of running shoes is a good investment to make, especially if it’s a shoe you wear constantly around campus and beyond.
Athletic wear: What is comfort without a little athletic wear in your life? Yoga pants, sweatshirts, and sweatpants are always in style as the temperatures drop and layering up becomes the cool reality. Wearing a matching yoga set or a sweatsuit is not only great for throwing on when the temperatures turn cold, but they are
also comfortable to wear while studying. Consider wearing an iconic UFV hoodie and sweatpants around campus or — if you have the budget — athletic wear from Lululemon.
Sweaters: Whether striped, cable knit, or merino wool, having a nice chunky sweater can help keep the cool autumn air out this September. Sweaters can look elegant with dress pants or a skirt and heels. They can also pair well with jeans and sneakers.
Shacket: A cross between a jacket and a shirt, shackets have become a staple in fall weather each year, coming in a variety of colours, fabrics, and lengths. This transitional piece is great for layering and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
Vests: One of the most versatile layering pieces in fashion, vests help bridge the gap between warm and cool weather and look effortless with a hoodie and yoga pants, or paired with jeans and a sweater. Vests can look both casual in a nylon puffer material or snazzy in a wool blend three-piece suit. Vests are versatile in creating great looks in your wardrobe while avoiding overheating when the weather can’t make its mind up.
Animal print: Animal print is in fashion this coming fall. Pair a simple outfit with an animal print top under a chunky cream sweater to add a wild side to your wardrobe. Playing with patterns can be fun and can add dimension and spark to an otherwise plain or minimal look.
And there you have it, a compilation of 10 easy and comfortable styles to cozy up in this fall semester. Hope to see you on campus in style!
Column // The Cascade Kitchen: Mango Salad
* 1/2 avocado
ELYSSA ENGLISH
The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back weekly for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca.
I’m a major advocate for minimizing food waste. As of 2019, over 50 per cent of the food produced in Canada goes to waste, with a recorded 47 per cent of that waste coming from Canadian households. In an attempt to reduce food waste, as well as time spent preparing food, this pantry busting mango salad is one of my go-to, quick and easy methods to use up whatever produce I have laying around the kitchen. You can add anything you want! The only requirement: mango.
Serves: 3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes - 1 hour
Ingredients:
* 1 large red mango
* 1 jalapeno (remove seeds for less spice)
* 1/2 cucumber
* 1 red bell pepper
* 1-2 cups of cooked rice (cooled)
Dressing:
* 2 tbsp lime or lemon juice (fresh or from a bottle)
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 2 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar
* 1 tbsp honey
Optional:
* Sesame seeds to garnish
Method:
1. Cook rice and leave it to cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid; shake to mix thoroughly.
3. Prepare your produce: chopping, slicing, or dicing to your preferred bite sizes.
4. Assemble! Fill a bowl halffull with cooled rice, mix with dressing to your liking, then add your fruits and vegetables; topping with sesame seeds if desired.
5. Bon appetit.
Illustration by Gabriela Gonzalez
Photo by Elyssa English
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle
Inventor
Crossword Puzzle
Horoscopes //
By: Madame LaCarte
Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19
An opportunity to work with others will arise. Be wary of team members who might not pull their weight, and reflect on your own usefulness to the group. There is a good chance this will lead to a positive outcome. Trust the process.
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
Your pride has been hurt, and you feel like those around you don’t recognize your value. Break away from your pride to avoid future suffering. What others think of you is none of your business.
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
You try your best to remain practical in your approach to your goals, but the balance that draws the line between accomplishment and burnout is threatened this month. Some things are out of your control and that is okay; focus on what you can control.
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
Your rigidity stands in the way of your success. Sometimes life is give-andtake. Try to find a compromise.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
Life is full of choices, and your decisions will either get you closer or further from your purpose. Moving forward sometimes looks like walking away, and fear of change can hinder healing, but every journey has its ups and downs.
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Virgo, your platonic relationships are highlighted this summer. Who is supporting you and wanting to see you win? Keep those people close. Ask yourself what you’re doing to be a good friend, and keep it up. Don’t underestimate the abundance in these relationships.
Libra - Sep. 23 to Oct. 22
Compassion can be hard in the face of adversity. Positive change stems from love. Practice love and compassion indiscriminately this month.
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Struggles with communication are threatening your relationships with loved ones. You are surrounded by many who want your happiness, but this breakdown in communication has left you feeling unloved. Remember that people are not mind-readers, and as uncomfortable as it can be to communicate at times, it is necessary for relationships of all sorts to flourish.
Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Opportunity knocks on your door and you don’t know if you should answer. Recognize when bad advice is given and you will find prosperity.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
You are not a martyr, you’re just insecure. A breakthrough is needed for more clarity, but breaking through anything demands effort. Are you willing?
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
Are you being frugal, or are you just greedy? You control what you give and what you save, and this month your decisions will affect how connected you feel to those around you, and how happy you choose to be. Pay attention to the number four.
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
Your inability to delegate will hinder your accomplishment. You have been fooling yourself into thinking you can do it all, but the need for quick decisions will test you.
Movies
//
If you feel it, chase it
Twisters
has all the ingredients of a summer blockbuster: beautiful people, natural disasters,
and red trucks
JEFFREY KENNETT
Twisters (2024) is the perfectly synthesized summer blockbuster. Director Lee Isaac Chung has woven together all the essential movie-making chemicals — humans conquering Mother Nature, flawless bone structure, and pickup trucks — formulated to bring crowds back to the movie theatre this summer. There’s just something about a big summer movie release, a certain aura or energy. I can best describe it as buzz, a buzz I’ve been chasing since the summer I saw Transformers (2007) as a kid.
Seeing the movie in IMAX takes the viewer directly into the heart of a tornado, a white-knuckling experience I can’t recommend enough. While not filmed with an IMAX camera, the movie’s large scale still benefits greatly from the format; besides, who’s going to complain about being able to see Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell’s pores? The locations are gorgeous, and everything down to the red dirt roads pop on screen.
Jones and Powell are a scintillating duo. I pay a lot of attention to a character’s introduction, and Kate, played by Jones, is the focal point of the opening scene in the movie. The audience sees right away that the movie revolves around Kate, and her love of storm-chasing. The question becomes: will she pursue her passion or be afraid of it?
As for Powell, there might not be a more charismatic actor in Hollywood right now. Powell has perfected the “guy you love to hate” moniker to a tee…but his character, Tyler, has depth beyond that. His catchphrase of — “if you feel it, chase it” — gives him the passion-based persona that Kate is drawn to, perhaps because she’s repressing in her own life.
By the end of the movie I was convinced this wasn’t just an average “hot guy” stereotypical role, and one that takes real chops to sell to an audience.
My movie preferences tend to lean away from superheroes and toward films with an emotional core. I thoroughly enjoyed Chung’s previous A24 Films LLC release, Minari (2020); a personal and intimate telling of the director’s childhood family move to Arkansas. Minari is striking because of its rich visuals — you can smell the farm, feel the dirt under your fingernails — Arkansas is more than a setting, it’s a character.
Oklahoma has the same feel in Twisters. Located about five hours West of Arkansas makes the setting just like Minari, very close to Chung’s heart. Country music is obviously integral to the location, and makes up the majority of the movie’s soundtrack. I personally find an original score more compelling in film and more likely to create tension. I can’t argue with the authentic approach of Luke Combs blasting with the windows down though — Texas forever.
Despite the storyline revolving around tornado season and the destruction of entire towns, Oklahoma comes off charming and resilient. After each storm on screen, communities are seen giving food to one another, and recovering artifacts from damaged homes; each tornado is like an appearance from Godzilla or Jaws: devastating. Tornados are effectively the movie’s “monster.”
Summer blockbusters need action; it’s part of the formula. I respect Twisters’ integrity to create action sequences but not for the sake of “adding action.” I don’t personally care for meaningless things going boom, but building the essence of the tornados on-screen to be genuinely
terrifying is accomplished in the movie. While the visual impact of an on-screen tornado is frightening on its own, when accompanied by a shaky cam, each storm has a signature sound. Chung revealed to Vanity Fair that the sounds were actually audio of horses.
Quirky dialogue is to be expected, such as Tyler’s line “you don’t face your fears… you ride ‘em.” Part of your suspended disbelief has to involve not getting too hung up over dialogue. Some movies are just about being fun. I found it comical how on two or three different occasions, Kate would be by herself, gazing at the horizon, only to be interrupted by Tyler and his masculine bravado, waddling side-to-side into frame like he just hit two months straight of lat pulldowns. His true talent might be turning cringeworthy conversation into something authentic, that only he could get away with.
I disliked the notion painted by the
Can The Rolling Stones still satisfy?
The Rolling Stones are one of the most beloved bands in history, but should they hang up their guitars after 61 years?
NOAH SCHMIDT
I’m what you’d call a Rolling Stones super fan. Record collection? Check. Avid follower of any and all news? Check. Can’t go a day without listening to at least one song? You bet. But even as the Stones nerd I am, I was apprehensive at
best about the Hackney Diamonds tour. Legacy acts, such as the Rolling Stones, Queen + Adam Lambert, and Aerosmith — who happened to retire from touring as I was penning this article — occupy an interesting niche in the music world.
One doesn’t go to an AC/DC concert in 2024 expecting to be wowed by an
energetic performance, it’s about seeing AC/DC live, and all the bragging rights that entails. It’s essentially a nostalgic novelty, and that’s it. But with all that said, I think I was wrong thinking this way about Mick & the boys.
Hackney Diamonds wasn’t my first time at the legacy rodeo. I saw AC/DC
movie that Kate was seemingly an object of desire to every male character and friend she had in the movie. It’s reductive of her intelligence and natural knack for tracking weather, can’t she just have friends? It seemed as though the movie was loading up on sexual tension between Kate and Tyler, and that there would be some sort of pay off for the audience in the form of a kiss, although the kiss was controversially cut from the final product. I don’t disagree with the decision to cut the kiss, but why tailor the rest of the movie to build up to a moment that ended up being cut?
Twisters has a little bit of something for everybody. It’s not on the same level of summer blockbuster as The Dark Knight, (2008) or Inception, (2010) but it’s much more enjoyable to me than Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) for those looking for an original-ish storyline. Twisters gets four out of five stars from me on Letterboxd.
some years ago, and I don’t remember being very impressed. Brian Johnson’s vocals were obviously strained to the max, which makes sense given his age. I expected a similar outcome here, Mick Jagger out of breath, Keith Richards
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones take shelter from the storm in Twisters.
(Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment)
ARTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
slumped over in the corner, etc. But I’ve got to say, Jagger, Richards, and Ronnie Wood all seemed to be having an absolute blast, with minimal signs of age at all. Mick belted “Satisfaction” louder and prouder than I ever could at the local bar’s karaoke night, and he’s 81! “Keef” Richards, while still having that classic “stoned” expression on his face he’s had since the beginning, still oozed the same passion from over half a century ago — especially during his solo set, his smile at the end being the most genuine I’ve seen from the man — it wasn’t hard to see that he was genuinely proud of what he’s accomplished. Ronnie Wood shredded his guitar and belted vocals to the best of his abilities, appearing, like the others, to be enthralled with his work.
Television //
That all probably sounds a bit like the reaction of a shill, who’d applaud Mick Jagger for eating an apple, and although I am of course a diehard fan of the band, I was shocked at how much I loved the concert. The Stones are often used as one of, if not the example of a group overstaying their welcome, performing long past their prime, but it was plain to see that money wasn’t the driving factor in this instance. If Jagger wanted an easy paycheck, which he absolutely could get performing at minimal effort, he wouldn’t have strutted down the stage 100 times, travelling the distance of a marathon in two hours while dancing. It never felt hollow or unenthusiastic; the band was firing on all cylinders the entire night. Despite my testimony, there’s always those who say they should “just retire already.” I’ve heard my own friends make
statements like that, and sometimes, they might be right. Did Queen still need to tour after Freddie Mercury’s death? Probably not. But the cold hard truth is that a lot of these acts are labours of love, performed by artists who already have all the money they could ever want, and choose to create for themselves and the joy of others. I can’t in good conscience tell you that
Mick Jagger was just trying to swindle me out of $400 by appealing to my nostalgia, because he wasn’t. I think my perception of legacy acts was formed by what others had to say, making me believe that they were the musical equivalent to Disney’s soulless live-action remake films; but now that I’ve seen my idols myself, I can say that I was indeed satisfied.
Brutal, yet brilliant: The Bear nourishes its viewers
A spoiler-free review about a series that leaves you as stressed as it does entertained
JASLEEN SANDHU
Watching The Bear (2022) is not for the weak. Now, this isn’t meant as an insult, rather an invitation to challenge oneself, because the show is hectic and horrific. Watching The Bear feels like you’re in a pressure cooker: even after it goes off and the whistling eventually stops, you can still hear it ringing in your ears. It’s probably the best thing I’ve seen on TV in awhile.
Professional chef and author Anthony Bourdain described an encounter with a fellow chef in his Les Halles Cookbook: “I suggested once to a maniacal barbecue professional that cooking well was not a profession, it was a calling. He laughed and went further: ‘It’s an illness.’ I knew just what he meant.” This particular sentiment is one The Bear depicts so well. The series is able to translate realistic experiences, so even a viewer who’s never stepped foot in a dining establishment has no choice but to understand what it means to work in one.
The Bear is about food, definitely, but it’s about people, too.
The show centres around main character Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), and his journey of fixing up his deceased brother’s sandwich shop to turn it into a fine dining restaurant — this is not a spoiler, I promise! It’s not just White’s acting prowess on display, but the whole cast is full of talented individuals dedicated to adding their brushstrokes to the masterpiece that is The Bear
Three seasons in, there are pillars that
the series’ creator Christopher Storer is adamant about maintaining: the setting of Chicago, the narrative haunted by a character we hardly know, and food.
The series is entrenched in the culinary world, throwing out terms like James Beard Award, Michelin Star ratings, and plenty more. The Bear is daunting with its culinary jargon, but it manages to relate the viewer, and the characters, to a world outside of it by depicting something raw and real. It portrays the ugliness of what it means to make something with your hands only for people to rip it and – by extension – you, apart.
The Bear starts in the middle of the narrative. While non-linear storytelling isn’t conventional in Western media, it works in the series’ favour as it leaves viewers with questions and allows for its writers to provide us with more answers.
Season one is the amuse-bouche, introducing the audience to the plot and characters. Season two is a dish deconstructed, providing a backstage look into the culinary world. Season three isn’t exactly the main course, but more like the stage between appetizers and the entrée, where you’re not starving, yet are still hungry. The newest season might be the most divisive in terms of public opinion, but in my humble opinion it is still very, very good.
Despite dichotomous reviews, The Bear has cemented itself in contemporary popular culture. The acclaimed series has won several awards, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, even though it was released just two years ago.
No matter what you may assume about The Bear, it’s nothing like you imagine. All preconceived notions are shattered once you press play. Each episode remains loyal to the series’ overarching themes, but the show doesn’t shy away from varied presentations: certain episodes are dedicated to the art of cooking, while others showcase particular characters and their stories. The series is excellent as a whole, yet the episode “Forks” is outstanding. It makes its mark by being the best episode of the series, and I would not dare to disagree.
The Bear is a drama and a comedy. Some deem the latter genre to be inapt, but I would argue that the show is simultaneously dramatic and hilarious. It includes witty writing, sharp cuts, diverse characters, rich storytelling, and a soundtrack that serves. The Bear doesn’t limit itself to
any television conventions. It takes risks, providing a new and profound perspective on what is commonplace, and calls for us to push open the door dividing the dining room and kitchen in order to see the culinary world as it is.
If, by the end of the series, you don’t find yourself uttering “Yes, Chef,” nor do you tear up over a stack of napkins, I would highly advise that you watch it again.
The Bear is about more than cooking: it’s about the art of creation, the glaring differences between stasis and change, the persistence of love in times of hardship, the destructive nature of unrelenting ambition, and so much more. If you haven’t seen The Bear yet, I’m not requesting you do, I’m begging, for The Bear isn’t something you watch, it’s something you experience.
Jeremy Allen White, second from left, in The Bear. (Photo by Frank Ockenfels/FX)
The Rolling Stones — Charlie Watts, left, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood — are the subject of a new docuseries, My Life as a Rolling Stone. (Photo by Mark Seliger)
Television //
Ripley’s tension burns from start to finish
A miniseries
that’s unsettlingly beautiful until the very last scene
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
A quiet, unassuming man meets another who is confident and commanding, becoming enamoured with him to detrimental results. No, it’s not Saltburn (2023), but Ripley (2024), a miniseries based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Having just watched The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) on film a couple months ago (and read the novel not long after), it’s difficult not to compare the three. There are a number of similarities, including the inciting incident: a rich shipbuilder, Mr. Greenleaf, asks Tom Ripley to travel to Italy and covertly convince his son Dickie to come back home.
However, the differences soon start piling up. One that stuck out immediately was how Dickie engaged with Tom upon meeting him. In the movie, Dickie — charming and charismatic — warms to Tom almost immediately, and is thrilled to learn of his father’s plan. In the miniseries, Dickie is awkward and distant, taking a long time to warm to Tom. When he does, the warmth doesn’t stay long. While at first I was bothered by this — “Dickie is supposed to be charismatic!” I said. “This Dickie has the charisma of a wet blanket.” — I soon found that this awkwardness lent to the overall mood of the series.
Before we go any further, let’s get to know Tom Ripley. While Tom first appears timid and innocent, we soon find that this isn’t the case; at least not for long. Tom is cunning. Tom is ruthless. Tom is driven, determined to move up in the world. It’s these qualities — for better or for worse — that allow the story to unfold as it does.
What I love about Ripley is that every scene feels intentional; there’s not a single shot that feels extraneous. If anything, it appears that Steven Zaillian, director of the show, planned every moment down to the minute details, from how the camera framed the scene, to which paintings appeared, to how someone’s expression shifted from one instant to the next. I’m generally the kind of person who needs to knit or doodle while watching anything, but this intentionality made it so that I found myself glued to the screen, hands motionless in my lap.
Adding to this sense of intentionality and improving the experience further is that the cinematography throughout the series is breathtaking. Despite Ripley being in black and white for its entirety,
each scene is vibrant, dazzling; Zaillian took care to make up for the lack of colour through intentional framing of stunning locations: the steep stone steps of Atrani; the opulent rooms of an apartment in Venice.
And then everything is so ominous, as though at any moment something terrible could crash into existence. The tension that builds within the scenes — in fact, in almost every scene throughout the eight episode series — leaves you feeling like you need to check around every corner you come to. Even the smallest moments such as Tom talking to Dickie in his art studio or a conversation with Marge in Dickie’s study, contribute to this overall sinister mood.
Yet Ripley is riveting, too; the sinister undertones have the dual ability of making you feel the need to continue watching, even as you’re gripping the edge of the couch, wishing you could close your eyes and look away — for the tension to just break, already.
Spoilers below — read with caution
The one complaint I have is that the last episode feels a little disjointed. While Carravagio and his art is mentioned earlier in the series through a few passing comments by Dickie, the hard focus on the similarities between Ripley and Carravagio feel forced. While I do see some connections, it would have been beneficial to having more parallels throughout to give this connection a more cohesive feeling.
Full disclosure: I was rooting for Tom the entire way through. Yes, this probably makes me some sort of unhinged, and yes, I realize Tom has all sorts of moral failings. But everything about his character, all the way down to minute facial expressions and body language — how he evolves from hesitant to self-assured — are so well-acted, that it’s hard not to want him to get what he’s after. And he does get what he’s after; that’s the entire point. No matter what Tom wants — be it a piece of artwork or someone else’s identity — he’ll get it. It can’t turn out any different way.
Photo by Miramax/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
SHUFFLE
CIVL’s Aaron Levy has four summer songs that should last you all the way to Christmas!
Doja Cat - “Agora Hill”
Though last Halloween’s “Paint the Town Red” may have announced the newest era of Doja Cat’s triumphant return, it’s this track, announcing her new “hot and heavy” — and relatively public relationship — that has me marvelling over her rizz, staying up late thinking about this man with big hands.
Megan Moroney“Indifferent”
Another pre-2024 release, this song is the antithesis of “Agora Hill.” There is a resolute lack of emotion in regard to a previous flame. Easter eggs include the chorus on the simple lyric “so” which precedes the word “indifferent,” and the pointed omission of the f-word following “truck.”
Mac Miller ft. Empire of the Sun - “The Spins”
The late Mac Miller was never shy of excess, hedonism, and the fruits of near-unimaginable levels of what The Game and Drake’s near-decade old hit “100” might dub “success and accomplishments.” This song revels in it all, employing lavish veneer like Empire of the Sun to spit his endearing tramp energy over.
Polo Brian, Snotty Nose Rez Kids - “Wild Boy” “Polo,” as he’s casually referred to, was a big get for Jam in Jubilee After Dark this year. Polo closed out the 15th annual Abbotsford tradition at Townhall on the newly minted outdoor patio stage this past summer, lighting the night up all the way to Mill Lake.
01. THE SYLVIA PLATTERS Vivian Elixir
02. THE ANTI-QUEENS Disenchanted
03. RUBBER TIRE PEEP SHOW Rubber Tire Peep Show
04. LUELLA Summer Bummer
05. ADEWOLF Lostalgia
06. THE VANRAYS Hey! Alright Now! EP
07. DEHD Poetry
08. TOMMY KEYES The Key of Blue
09. FAMILY MAN Iconoclast
10. ANVIL One and Only
11. MORBID SAINT Swallowed By Hell
12. THE DELLA KIT Resilience
13. KARSON CRITCHLEY Lemon
14. LA LUZ News of the Universe
15. CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON Cyan Blue
16. JANE PENNY Surfacing
17. ALEX CUBA Voces De Mi Familia
18. BIBI CLUB Feu de garde
19. COLA
The Gloss
20. SADE AWELE Intuition EP
What we’re reading at The Cascade!
Kiara Okonkwo, Editor-in-Chief Call Me By Your Name
I admit that I watched the movie first, but I am ready to throw myself headfirst into the relationship between Elio and Oliver, no matter how much it hurts.
Gianna Dinwoodie, Arts in Review Editor
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Written by Chinese-American author Malinda Lo, this novel depicts a love story of two young queer women: Lily Hu and Kathleen Miller. Set against the backdrop of 1950s San Francisco Chinatown during the Red Scare, Lo paints an honest depiction of the queer experience and gives insight into the hardships of falling for someone your family doesn’t approve of.
Jeffrey Kennett, Sports Editor
American Prometheus
After last summer’s blockbuster smash, I was self-diagnosed with a wicked case of Oppen-fever. I needed more Oppenheimer! For those also suffering an Oppenheimer-less summer this year, check out the movie’s inspiration and 2006 Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
Catherine Campbell, Managing Editor In the House in the Dark of the Woods
A strange, unsettling journey through the woods to find a woman who’s missing — but not missing, maybe lost, maybe lost on purpose — complete with wolves, wells, and weird interactions.
Penguin Random House
Cassie Williams, Copy Editor The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The journey of a (forever) young woman who sells her soul to the devil early on in life. Her deal is to live forever, but in the fine print lies a curse for her to be forgotten instantly by everyone she meets along the way.
Veronica Powell, Staff Writer Lion
Follows the true story of Saroo Brierley, a fiveyear-old boy who gets lost on a train in India.
Before being adopted by an Australian family, he survives a journey on the dangerous streets of Kolkata with no knowledge about his family or where he is from. It’s incredibly moving and inspiring. I highly recommend the film, too!
Anna McCausland, Staff Writer
Greek Myths: A New Retelling
Stories of women throughout Greek mythology woven together to create a tapestry of love, loss, and heroism.
