Digital Design Manager Mehak Narang mehak@ufvcascade.ca
Illustrator May Beeney
Illustrator Natasha Zilcosky
Staff
Columnist Faby Cruz Alderete
Videographer Eddy Rubi
Editorial // Welcome back to campus with The Cascade
KIARA OKONKWO
Welcome to The Cascade, your source of news, culture, and student life at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Having consumed 12 grapes at midnight underneath a table dripping with alcohol from a ferocious flip cup tournament — I write to you anew. Those green grapes burst under the pressure of my teeth but even more so from the weight of my desires. In theory, I’ve made no resolutions, but I have crafted quite a few plans. One such of those plans began brewing last year, at a Cascade public pitch meeting, and this issue is the result.
Issue 33.01 strays from the norm by showcasing our photographer, Joshua Sulpico, on the front and back cover. Sulpico’s documentation of our evolving campus through film will be a snapshot in time for the future archives that map out UFV’s development and its subsequent impact on the Fraser Valley. On p. 11, you can find more work from Sulpico with a featured photo essay and written contributions from The Cascade staff, thinking in less literal ways, about what it means to be under construction.
On p. 08, we have a call to action on women working in the trades. A personal story about labour work translates to wider conversations about gender pay gaps, sexual harassment, and agency. You can follow up that read with our coverage of CHASI’s Swiftie Scholar on p. 16, where we interview attendees and get the scoop on the UFV community’s reception from CHASI’s resident girlboss, Chelsea Klassen.
If you’re looking for more action, the men’s and women’s basketball weekend is recapped on p. 15, significant games as both teams gear up for play-offs in early spring. Then, slow it down with our winter wildlife watch on p. 17, as our culture editor highlights seasonal birds in the valley.
Our Arts in Review section will leave you with a list of must-watches and reads, with a 2024 movie round-up, as well as reviews of the highly anticipated Nosferatu (2024) and Normal People author Sally Rooney’s latest release, Intermezzo (2024).
We hope you like it, and please, let us know what you think. Send an email to managing@ufvcascade.ca — we’d love to hear from you.
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
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NEWS BRIEFS
FIRES CONTINUE TO BURN IN L.A.
On Tuesday, Jan. 07, massive wildfires — known as the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires — broke out in Los Angeles, leaving many people without homes and 24 confirmed dead. At the time of publication, the total amount of land burned is around 40,588 acres and rising.
The cause of these fires remains a mystery, despite investigations being under way.
While it has been determined that lightning was not the cause, there is the remote chance that the fires may have been started by people. However, there is no evidence at this point to support the theory.
Earlier this week, warnings regarding critical fire conditions were released by the National Weather Service. These warnings are set to stay in place until Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Elevated winds of around 80 kilometres per hour are expected in L.A. on Tuesday, which may worsen the impact of the fires. Local firefighters are doing their best to put out the fires, but there is still much to be done.
MADURO IS SWORN IN AS VENEZUELA’S PRESIDENT FOR A THIRD TERM
On Jan. 10, 2025, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro took power for another six years.
Outrage sparked at his victory and opposition leaders Edmundo González and María Corina Machado denounced this past Friday’s swearing-in as a coup.
The National Electoral Council announced Maduro as the winner without releasing the vote tally sheets, leading to disapproval from international forces.
González met with President Joe Biden at the White House and Argentinian President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada, both of whom recognized him as the true president-elect. González fled the country due to a government-issued bounty and threat of arrest.
Maduro attended the International Anti-Fascist World Festival on Jan. 11, and stated in his closing speech that Venezuela is preparing alongside his allies to fight for “democracy.”
“Venezuela is getting ready with Cuba and Nicaragua, together with our older brothers of the world, for if one day we have to take up arms to defend the right to peace.”
Maduro added that this fight would be by any means necessary.
PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS
On Jan. 6, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation and informed the public that parliament is suspended until March 24, 2025.
Trudeau’s reason for stepping away from government stems from the pressure he received from his own Liberal party. Trudeau said he would continue in his role until a new leader has been selected internally.
Confirmed candidates for the position as the new leader of the Liberal Party include Chandra Arya and Frank Baylis. There is speculation that two notable possible candidates could be former Premier Christy Clark and former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Reportedly, all candidates need to pay a $350,000 fee and make an official declaration of intent, which is due on Jan. 23, 2025. It was announced that the next Liberal leader will be chosen on Mar. 9. Those wanting to vote for the next leader need to be a registered member of the Liberal party before the cut off date of Jan. 27. They must also be 14 years or older and hold Canadian citizenship or the equivalent to qualify.
“If it is by fair means, by fair means, we will move forward, and if it is by foul means, by foul means, we will also defeat them.”
Translations by author.
Professor Profile: “I am a Plant nerd” — Dr. Lauren Erland
Dr. Erland on how curiosity fuels her research
PRATI KAPOOR
Dr. Lauren Erland is a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, the director of the Berry Environmental Resilience Research & Innovation Lab (BERRi), and an associate professor in the agriculture department at UFV. She recently shared with The Cascade about her research interests, her journey at UFV, and the milestones and challenges that helped shape her career as a plant biologist.
In her current role as the director of the BERRi Lab, Erland primarily focuses on finding investments for research projects and spearheads various experiments focused on studying plants’ resilience to climate change. So far, she has four undergraduate students and one post-doctoral researcher working for her. However, students are always encouraged to join ongoing projects, receive hands-on experience in the BERRi lab, and even start their own research projects.
Erland’s journey as a plant biologist stems from her passion for science and an insatiable curiosity to seek answers.
PAY TO STAY AT STARBUCKS
All company-owned Starbucks’ across North America are reversing their open-door policy. Starbucks has largely been associated with its accessibility, whether it be the free wifi access or public washroom availability. The open-door policy was first introduced after an incident in 2018 that led to the arrest of two racialized individuals.
Since then, Starbucks employees have struggled to handle dangerous behaviours in stores. The updated policy prohibits “discrimination or harassment, consumption of outside alcohol, smoking, vaping, drug use, and panhandling,” and stipulates for the use of law enforcement if necessary.
In March 2023, 37-year-old father Paul Stanley Schmidt was fatally stabbed outside of a Vancouver Starbucks on the corner of West Pender and Granville Street, for asking the perpetrator not to vape in front of his three-year-old daughter. The video recording of Schmidt’s death went viral online.
“By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone,” said Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson, as reported by CTV News.
“When I started grad school, I knew I wanted to do research. But I wasn’t really sure what that looked like. And as I’ve gone along, I’ve realized that I wanted to be able to investigate whatever questions I wanted to investigate.”
Dr. Erland’s first research project studied an invasive food pest called spotted wing drosophila that had appeared in the Argonne Valley.
During her undergraduate years, she spent her summers as a research student with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. While working in various entomology and insect ecology labs, she became fascinated with understanding volatile communication signals between insects and plants.
“It was way cooler to me that the plants could emit compounds that could basically mind control the insects than to just study the insects themselves.”
After doing an honours project and research assistantship during her undergraduate, Erland focused her masters research on lavender and essential oils focusing on how to make essential oils smell better. However, it was her doctorate degree that helped her find her true calling.
“I realized that I don’t really like molecular biology … But I figured out
that I really like growing plants and understanding [their] chemical signals … my PhD was all about melatonin and serotonin in plants.”
Apart from being a professor and director, Erland has been an author and co-author of over 35 publications to date, including various plain language articles, research articles, reviews, and book chapters. Her latest publication is a peer-reviewed article regarding research on indoleamines (neurotransmitters) serotonin and melatonin in plants.
For Erland, the most exciting part of her role is being able to accomplish her dream projects — as long as she can source funding for them. One of the coolest projects she ever took part in was travelling to Nuvavut for her research and obtaining several Arctic plants for her lab.
“Now we have plants from above the Arctic Circle in the lab that we can use to study environmental responses, which is pretty cool.”
Dr. Erland follows her heart while making decisions, which enables her to enjoy what she does. She pursues what she loves, and moves away from what she doesn’t by trying new things.
When she realized she wasn’t interested in genes or DNA, she shifted her focus elsewhere. Dr. Erland observed that through this process, people can discover what interests them the most, which can be said about any field.
For Dr. Erland, the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing students appreciate and develop a passion for research the same way she does. She acknowledged that research can be a struggle and believes if it wasn’t hard, it would have been done already.
“We wouldn’t be doing the research if we already knew what the answer was. It’s a lot of trial and error; you just have to keep trying.”
Ideally, Dr. Erland envisions a future for herself with no financial constraints and the option to research whatever catches her interest.
RACHEL TAIT
RACHEL TAIT
SKY S. TERRONES
KIARA OKONKWO
UFV //
Campus construction update
Student housing and Building B cafeteria expansion set
SKY S. TERRONES
As a new year and semester begins, questions are raised regarding the highly anticipated updates on the current capital projects being built at UFV. David Shayler, director of Facilities Management (FM) Operations, shared his insights on the project’s positive impact on the community.
“This is going to amplify the dynamics [of] campus life. I think having an extra 400 beds here is going to change the community dramatically.”
He added that these campus projects are going to help revolutionize different aspects of UFV such as athletics, labs, and the campus grounds.
Set to be six storeys high with 398 beds, the 14,200 square metre new student housing project began in 2024 and is expected to be completed for Fall 2025 occupancy.
Shayler said that the prowess required for these projects to come to life stems from a collaborative effort. UFV departments such as FM, capital planning, the academic department, Information Technology Services (ITS), Educational Technology Services (ETS), purchasing, logistics, finance, and the sustainability division gather to discuss the most productive outcome. He emphasized that, during this process, everyone should be receptive to different viewpoints.
“All of those voices have to come together so everybody feels like they’re getting something that they want. Not
UFV //
all of our needs will be met. Not everybody gets what they want. But if we can at least give something to everybody, and everybody’s satisfied coming out of it, it’s a good feeling.”
The new student housing building isn’t the only construction project students have to look forward to. The cafeteria expansion in Building B began in early 2024 and is also expected to be completed by Fall 2025. The Cascade Café is projected to increase its seating capacity by 229 seats. There will be a second floor with an elevator and they will provide a diverse range of food options.
Shayler anticipates how these constructions will brighten the campus.
“[It] is really going to be a beautiful physical feature for a real vibrant community.”
The significance these buildings have on the students is not lost on Shayler, who appreciates the wonder freshman experience when they first step on campus.
“The first year they wander around here and they see these big rooms and lecture halls, and I love it. It’s like, ‘Oh, wow, this is a big space.’ And it’s not really, but I get it.”
When asked what motivated him to be part of these projects, Shayler emphasized the connection and meaning of growing as a community.
“You have to know why you’re here. You have to look at what inspires you to continue on and to continue to grow and lift your people up, and keep them
to be completed in Fall 2025
wanting to grow.”
Shayler goes on to explain how the impact these buildings have on students and faculty built up the spirits of his team, especially in the face of the wearisome aspects of work and life.
“They work on every acre, on every piece of land that we have. So, they see everything that goes on … And what they do is connected to almost everything we do here.”
He added that it’s important to put things into perspective and addressed the benefits of building for a community.
“You can really get bogged down with everyday life and everyday routine … But when you provide value to a community, and you feel that coming back to you, it’s a great feeling. It gets you motivated and keeps you going, [and] it makes you want
to do better.”
The architects’ presentation and 3D renderings of the projects are available on UFV’s Campus Planning web page, which was shared on March 6, 2024.
Shayler recognizes the desire to see these projects to their competition but emphasizes the time required to do these projects justice.
“These are not small projects. They’re going to take two or three years to do. And that’s the majority of a student’s life here on campus.”
Shayler understands that students want the housing project to be completed before they graduate.
“We try to move these things along as fast as we can. But they take time for a reason.”
Digging into food security and technologies
Dr. Stefania Pizzirani shares her insight on new agricultural alternatives in the hope of a resilient future
SKY S. TERRONES
Global warming looms over society, but we have innovative agriculture technologies that adapt to the effects of climate change. Dr. Stefania Pizzirani, associate director of the Food and Agriculture Institute (FAI) and Assistantassociate pProfessor of Planning, Geography and Environmental Studies, spoke to The Cascade about their newly funded fouryear venture into the depths of fluctuating food systems and the necessity to adjust.
“We are looking at all of the ways our food systems are changing; for better or for worse, the food system is changing. A lot of that is outside of our control. Things
like climate change and demographics and globalization and politics … We just have to adapt at times.”
In the Fraser Valley, the impact of the climatic situation is witnessed and felt first-hand. Pizzirani explained how nature’s dramatic changes put farmers in a challenging position as they deal with constant crises.
“There’s a realization that farmers, in particular, are really on the front lines when they feel and first see these impacts … no project can control climate change at this point. But what we can acknowledge is that it’s here and that we are seeing real effects.”
Acknowledging these issues was
what gave birth to this idea, mentioned Pizzirani, as they were attempting to create a “sense of pause” to take the time to contemplate possible solutions. This also gave them the space to include Indigenous people, migrants, and other marginalized communities to collaborate in expanding these innovative approaches.
“We are really advocating for space for our local communities … we hope to include their perspectives, language if possible, protocols, other guidance, and policies, so that we can co-develop strategies and pathways forward together.”
FAI’s research is being funded by Genome Canada and Genome BC, with a $2.5 million-dollar budget. They are
mainly focusing on three new technologies: vertical agriculture, cellular agriculture, and alternative proteins. Pizzirani acknowledges the daunting situation but has an optimistic vision of what the research could do for the community.
“I am hopeful because we are funded … [Genome Canada and Genome BC] really are embracing it, and I want to pay respect to their vision because they really understand the role of social and cultural impacts in these technologies.”
Vertical agriculture, which explores growing food in a controlled environment
— specifically with LED lights — is already venturing into the market, as is the case with some lettuce sold at Costco. However, the research emphasizes that the practice of vertical agriculture isn’t seeking to replace industries or leave farmers behind; instead, it is trying to join forces and work in unison and by being mindful of any potentially detrimental inadvertent consequences these new technologies could have while diversifying food system options.
Pizzirani encourages people to be more curious about the food they consume, what it tells people about its journey, and to be conscious of its influence.
“I teach a course on sustainable fashion, and something we talked about in
that class is, ‘how many pairs of hands touched your item of clothing before it came to you?’ To really understand the full story. And that’s the concept I want to bring to the food system as well, [which] is to not just think of it all as products, but to think of it all as a story that you are, [that] each of us is.”
She added that there’s agency to the choices people make regarding consumerism.
“As all stories go, we all play a role. We’re all characters, and we all can affect the storyline. If we accept high prices, abuses to migrant farmers, if we accept that as characters in the story — then that’s how the story will continue.”
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity
SUS CASA Ottawa trip 2024
Trudeau, federal advocacy, and the goal to implement the FVX 66 on U-Pass
RACHEL TAIT
During the week of Nov. 25-29, 2024, the Student Union Society (SUS) President Jayden Hovey and Vice President External Roxy Granikovas participated in the national Advocacy Week in Ottawa, as part of their work with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). Hovey spoke with The Cascade about his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal advocacy, and the goal to implement the Route 66 Fraser Valley Express as an opt-in for the U-Pass in 2025.
CASA, created in 1995, is a national organization made up of 24 student unions with the goal of supporting and advocating for students on a federal level. Currently, CASA advocates on behalf of 365,000 students in Canada.
SUS has been working with CASA for more than 15 years, and Hovey explained that this federal advocacy work enables them opportunities that they would not have otherwise. As the Director of Policy on the CASA Board of Directors, Hovey was granted a 45 minute audience with Prime Minister Trudeau, where all six recommendations were presented to him.
“He was receptive to some of them and he was less receptive to others, but I would say generally, the meeting went well.”
SUS lobbied for more government financial support for the next three years for the Student Work Placement Program, and for more opportunities for students to partake in practicums, co-ops, and internships.
Another recommendation was made to implement an allotted amount of work hours for apprentices working on construction projects that receive federal
funding.
Additionally, recommendations for more government financial support in the areas of graduate research funding and Indigenous students were made, as well as the recommendation to double the opportunities for graduated international students to earn their permanent residency in Canada.
However, Hovey mentioned that this last point was not as well received, due to the country taking a step away from attracting more international students at this time.
The final recommendation made was to maintain the $4,200 a year Canada
Student Grant instead of allowing it to go back down to $3,000.
Hovey explained that there are some challenges surrounding their work in federal advocacy, as they need to ensure that what they are lobbying for meets the criteria.
“It’s a lot of preparation trying to make sure that the work that we’re doing is something that the federal government can invest in and can support us on.”
Hovey shared that one of the main goals that SUS is working on is to finally implement the Fraser Valley Route 66 as an opt-in option on the U-Pass for students for 2025.
He reiterated that this has been a growing concern for students and explained that this opt-in was supposed to have been implemented in the Fall 2024 semester. Unfortunately, it fell through due to BC Transit buses being too full.
Hovey said that there are now talks that BC Transit is interested in implementing this for students in 2025, and spoke about some of the steps SUS is taking to make this work.
“We’ve been talking to stakeholders and to government officials to promote and express that this is a serious issue and that this bus is something that students rely on.”
Hovey met and spoke with Ross Siemens, the Mayor of Abbotsford at a recent event, informing him about how the lack of access to the bus was affecting students.
“I’m also in the process, hopefully, of trying to set up a meeting with [Mike Farnworth] the Minister of Transportation and Transit in Victoria, where I can sit down with him and tell him more about the Fraser Valley transit issues and about how students in the Fraser Valley really rely on it.”
He addressed that taking Route 66 is stressful and expensive for students and he wants to help by advocating for a lower price option.
“This is a big thing that we’re pushing the government to address and to understand so that they can actually implement a cheaper student tier pricing.”
When asked if there was anything he’d like to add, Hovey said that the upcoming SUS election for executive positions will begin in January 2025, and to be on the lookout for more information.
Lettuce grown using vertical agriculture (Photo courtesy of FAI)
SUS President Jayden Hovey and Justin Trudeau (Photo submitted by SUS)
Opinion Editor - Natalia Toscano Murua
One trend is another year’s treasure?
The
ultimate test of keep or no keep
VERONICA POWELL
Another year has passed, which means another set of trends have cycled through society. Fashion, media, and music are all key industries that create cultural influence on consumers. As with most trends, those created in 2024 seemed to come and go in spurts. Some were positively impactful, some were not, and some were just another silly addition to 21st century pop culture. Still, each one was incredibly influential in their own way. As a reflection, I’ve compiled a short list of the trends that stood out to me and the rest of the world in 2024.
The rise of AI
In 2024, the world really thought: why should we have to think anymore?
Thinking is overrated, apparently. Generative AI, also known as artificial intelligence, made its bold entrance into educational systems and workplaces, and became more sought-after than ever. Before anyone knew it, using our brains was out and using a technological one was in. Needed an answer? Chat with a disembodied, built-in force in your device that will help you with anything. No need to be creative, problem solve, or produce authentic work; AI will do it all for you. Humans claim it to be beneficial, but AI prevents us from boosting our basic human skills. Learning and mental growth are going extinct, along with human interaction, and speaking from a bird’s eye point of view. It’s a trend and practice we might regret continuing.
The era of Eras
You guessed it: singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was a trend herself. But by creating music we could all bond over and enjoy together, the Swifties emerged. If you weren’t piling friendship bracelets up your arms, going to see The Eras Tour in three different cities, and dressing up in a DIY costume with excessive amounts of sparkles, you were not in on one of the biggest and brightest trends of 2024. Simply conversing about Swift was a natural practice. Not only that, but her Eras tour integrated the word “era” more into our regular vocabulary than ever before, and propelled a whole new meaning behind it. With Swift and her impact on music lovers alike, it’s doubtful the trends born from her tour will be forgotten as we enter 2025.
The year of sporty fashion
Some might say this one was a hot take on Sporty Spice, and others might say it
was welcoming back the ritzy, country club aesthetic. The style of “tenniscore” took over fashionistas around the world last year. Could it have been that they wanted to take up playing tennis as a healthy hobby? Maybe. Mostly, it was influenced by the sporty romantic film Challengers (2024) After its release, pleated skirts, polo dresses, and white sneakers consumed the streets, and not just the tennis courts. At the same time, many exchanged their inner tennis player for the shoe of 2024: ballet flats. No matter if it was for easy on-and-off access or a secret desire to be a ballet dancer, society’s exploration of ballet fashion couldn’t get more extreme. But no fashion trend lasts forever. Going into the new year, it’s likely that tenniscore and balletcore were only taken by storm temporarily. Just like 2023’s pickleball craze, the fashion and the sport will be pushed out for another influence to be welcomed in.
The Nedoroscik meme
Anyone who watched the 2024 Paris Olympics would not have missed Stephen Nedoroscik, known as the “pommel horse guy,” who competed for the United States’ gymnastics team. His picture on the sidelines with his glasses on and eyes closed, waiting for his turn to perform
the make-or-break routine for his team, went viral. His relaxed demeanor before a moment of intense pressure caught the world’s attention, and people started calling him “the Clark Kent of pommel horse.” He became a worldwide meme when he took off his glasses and effortlessly performed a stellar routine that casually won his team a medal after 16 years without. Needless to say, Nedoroscik unlocked an Olympic heroism that inspired many, curating courage and strength within them. For that, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it going in the new year.
Country cross-overs 2024 brought audiences a new version of country through many pop artists. Whether it was true country music or not, artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone topped the charts and quickly established the music business’ entrance into the country aesthetic. With Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album and song “Texas Hold ‘Em” making a statement, and Lana Del Ray’s wilderness-infused sound through a new country album, country rapidly became the new trend, and it’s likely that it’s just getting started. Listeners will continue to be influenced by it and encouraged to embrace their inner cowboy or cowgirl well into the near future, and I see no harm in it.
Waiting for a new episode of “Canada”
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Politics is kind of like reality TV. As we all know, Daddy Trudeau has officially stepped down from his post. So long to our salt and pepper prince — we no longer have the hottest leader worldwide. In the background, Chrystia Freeland lurks, waiting for her chance to strike. Her resignation came at a strangely strategic time. She says she stepped down because of Trudeau’s lack of confidence in her, but can we please get the confessional on that? Was that really it?
For reality TV fans, we know that in the background is a sneaky producer; in the case of politics, it’s a team of “advisors.” For those who don’t know, a confessional on reality TV is a chance to get the juicy behind the scenes drama. We would get so much more clarity as a nation if we got cut-away commentary during parliamentary proceedings. I would be elated. Our villain across the border is literally a reality TV star, and it seems to be working great for him. To be honest, the whole scene is so full of performative drama — it might just be enough to actually keep people interested in the fate of our country.
BY DARIEN JOHNSEN
Illustration by May Beeney / The Cascade
SNAPSHOT
A new year means new recipes
Each time a new year arrives, I get a giddy feeling in my stomach when imagining how many new treats I’ll be baking. I scroll through my Pinterest every January and plan a baking schedule for each month of the year; baking is my comfort zone and I find so much joy in trying new recipes. As someone with a slight baking obsession, I love a good theme — from St. Patrick’s Day muffins complete with a shiny gold coin, to a Queen of Hearts two-layer cake. It’s so satisfying to experiment with a visual theme and bring it to life.
Despite how excited I am to bake, I tend to get easily discouraged by something going wrong in my process. Baking is an intricate skill, and I’ve learned how tricky it can be to master. Over time, it has repeatedly taught me how to be more patient with myself and to not give up, no matter how frustrating it can be. To my fellow bakers and non-bakers alike: trust the process, don’t be too hard on yourself, and remember that perfection takes time.
BY VERONICA POWELL
Column //
The Environmentalist: The ticking clock
What the Climate Clock tells us about our planet’s future
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will introduce the Climate Clock, a bold reminder that the window we have to take action on climate change is rapidly closing.
Imagine yourself walking through a busy city square, where you stop in your tracks at a gigantic clock ticking down — not to the new year, but to the moment our planet reaches an irreversible climate tipping point.
The Climate Clock is a graphic countdown located in New York’s Union Square that demonstrates how quickly the planet is approaching the sustained temperature increase of 1.5°C. It also demonstrates nine lifelines — renewable energies representing the percentage of global energy consumption generated by renewable resources. Okay, cool, but what does the clock ***mean*? First, in the special report on climate change published in 2018 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of climate experts quantified the remaining global carbon budget that can be emitted to keep global warming below 1.5°C. The Climate Clock shows how much time we have
before this carbon budget runs out, using as a reference the amount of carbon we emit globally before reaching that limit. Second, the lifelines represent progress in the fight against climate change and serve as a symbol of hope.
The project originated when activists Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd were inspired by similar projects. They created it with a collaborating team of scientists and environmental organizations, but failed miserably — their project wasn’t popular or understood for over a year, until Greta, the Greta Thunberg — a renowned environmental activist — wanted a clock to hold up during her speech in front of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The UN’s security team did not let the clock through, but still Greta made the project public, bringing the attention it deserved.
In addition to the lifelines, the project displays Indigenous land sovereignty, showing the total area of land and inland waters currently managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities around the world. The loss and damage lifeline represents what high-emitting countries owe for the devastating impacts their
excessive carbon emissions cause. The gender parity lifeline shows the percentage of women represented in all national parliaments. Another, fossil fuel divestment, shows the reduction in investment toward big oil and gas. The regenerative agriculture lifeline measures hectares dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices, and another measures the money saved if we act now. “30x30” shows the progress within the initiative to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030. Lastly, “End fossil fuel subsidies” shows the amount of money wasted on subsidizing dependence on fossil fuels instead of climate action.
The clock has received significant criticism, since it allegedly oversimplifies the intricate topic of climate change; even so, it serves as a way to inspire people toward climate action. Should we have a climate clock at UFV? Would we start caring then?
Let’s not forget what 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 Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Lifestyle //
What it’s like disliking the winter holidays
What about a time of such joy and warmth could possibly upset someone?
NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA
Ah, the holiday season: such a wonderful time of the year. There’s all of the beautiful decorations that pop up wherever you look, exquisite food that gives a hug to the heart, and many more gleeful happenings that sweeten the end of the year. But if it’s all joy and warmth, how can there possibly be people who dislike the holidays? Surely they need to allow the Christmas spirit into their hearts to uplift and free them from their Grinch-like demeanour, no? Well, not quite. It is not a manner of
Illustration by May Beeney / The Cascade
Work //
needing to be rescued from that state of despisement, because in truth, there is always a story beneath the surface.
There are plenty of reasons people can’t stand the winter holidays, and it largely has to do with what it reminds them of. Namely, things that are generally very important to oneself — such as family, friends, and experiences. As a holiday disliker myself, I know first hand what it feels like to go about the winter break feeling alienated when observing everyone else having the jolliest of times. And then there is always that conversation that eventually pops up: “Oh, so you really hate Christmas? How come?” For many like me, there’s likely a lengthy explanation of why exactly this is.
For me, Christmas lost its charm long ago when my parents separated near the holidays; the next year, my grandfather passed away close to Christmas. This caused my extended family to drift away almost overnight, taking with them the warmth of winter I yearned for. Experiencing such an abrupt end to my holiday bliss — with disputes and disillusion taking its place ever since — scarred me. Going from anticipating the season to bracing for its impact wasn’t nice, and it remained awful for several years. I am happy to report that after a lot of inner work, I’ve begun to reclaim some joy for myself during this season, but for others in similar situations, it just doesn’t work that way.
If someone’s family dynamic has gone sour, then being forced to meet with family members — or on the opposite end, being deprived of meeting them when you yearn for a warm reunion — can be torture. There are others who struggle more each year to meet the expectation of giving out gifts to show that you care for the people in your life, who despise the pressure to spend tons of money on gifts you don’t even know if the recipient will use anyway. Another reason may be because of the consumerist craze: people who have worked retail adjacent jobs often have to endure the strain of keeping up with the demand and the clientele, while being unable to enjoy their holiday break themselves out of necessity to work. Last but not least, some might feel like Christmas gets pushed down their throats when they don’t find it agreeable for personal reasons.
So, whenever you meet a person that dislikes Christmas — or any other holiday for that matter — I invite you to listen respectfully and be kind. Even if it is hard to believe that one can dislike a time so commonly associated with happiness, this does not make them a Grinch. In fact, I guarantee there is a very human reason they feel that way — because if there is a feeling powerful enough to overcome a holiday’s festiveness, then there must be a heavier reason behind it worth understanding.
The beauty of a pink hard hat
Women in trades work strenuous and disappointing. I burnt out after two years.
DARIEN JOHNSEN
Last year, I did something that I never thought I would do as a woman: I bought a pair of steel toe boots, dawned a hard hat and a reflective safety vest, and got to work as a finishing labourer for a property development company. I graduated in 2021 with an arts degree — my first mistake (there have been many) — and then took a job with a non-profit company doing anti-racism and community development work. This was a job where interpersonal stress was high and the political climate in Abbotsford made
It took me a while to even be ready to get back into the job market— every fibre of my being was resisting the non-profit world. So, when a friend’s mom offered me a job as a finishing labourer with her company, I took the leap and bought those boots. The starting wage was higher than any non-profit job I had previously worked at, but I didn’t know what to expect the first day I showed up on site. Unsurprisingly, I was one of about four women on the ground. Having grown up in a family where all the men worked in trades, I wasn’t too worried about my ability to do the job. I’d been doing labour
work with them since I was nine-yearsold, and while I may not be as strong as a 200-pound man, I do have a fierce desire to prove myself.
I loved it. I loved that I was left alone for most of my day, I loved that I was outside, moving, smelling fresh air. I loved that I didn’t have to don stuffy office clothes, engage in dull small talk, that I didn’t have to be overly nice to anyone. I especially loved my pink hard hat. After I received my first pay cheque, I was pissed. Not because it wasn’t adequate or because I got ripped off — it’s because despite working part-time, I was making
SNAPSHOT
Designated parking decals: A how-to guide
One day, I was running late to an appointment. When I finally arrived, the building’s tiny parking lot was full — save for one designated parking spot for those with disabilities. I admit, I was tempted. I didn’t feel like scouring the area for another spot and then having to walk farther to get to my appointment. But my conscience got the better of me, and one awkward three-point-turn later, I was on my way. Just then, as if on cue, another car drove into the lot — a bright blue parking decal hanging from its rearview mirror. At that moment, I knew I’d made the right call.
Decals allowing persons with disabilities to park in designated parking spots have been available in B.C. since 1977. Now, my math skills have certainly worsened since high school, but I’m sure this means that those decals have been around for nearly 50 years. Still, I see cars parked in these spots on an almost daily basis with not a decal to be found.
Listen, if you have a decal, then those spots are for you. If you don’t, then find somewhere else to park instead of making things harder for those who really need them.
BY CAITLYN CARR
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 08
more money than I had at a job I spent four years working toward. My bachelor of arts degree was pulling in pennies compared to the wages that I was getting at the property development company; and I looked around, and saw almost no women. In fact, the British Columbia Construction Association noted that in 2024, women comprised only 5.7 per cent of the construction labour force.
My arts degree with a specialization in sociology did pay off in one way — my gender wage disparity alarm was ringing. No wonder women earn 17 per cent less than men in B.C., no wonder so many
Media //
women stay in unhealthy relationships for financial reasons, no-freaking-wonder women experience poverty at higher rates than men do. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, “In 2019, average individual income for women was $43,010, compared to $60,680 for men.” That’s absolutely outrageous to me.
After this glorious first pay cheque, I started looking into wages for jobs in construction. Of particular interest was the HEO certificate: a heavy equipment operator. I’m not talking about a forklift here, I’m talking about the big stuff — the loaders, the dozers, the graders, the scrapers, the mother flipping bulldozers. And I’d be raking in over $70,000 a year.
My research led me to my alma mater: the University of the Fraser Valley, that offers a number of trades programs, but sadly, not an HEO certificate. However, there are tons of grants, bursaries, and scholarships for women in trades. If you’re interested in checking out the amazing opportunities, funding, resources, and support available to you, check out the BC Centre for Women in the Trades.
But Darien — you are surely asking — aren’t construction sites full of toxic masculinity? Won’t I be at risk of sexual harassment? Let me tell you, I got hit on more at my customer services jobs than I ever have in construction. Moreover, in service jobs, you still have to be nice to
Can’t put your phone down?
How social media companies play with your emotions
AKASHBEER SANDHU
Have you ever opened Instagram for five minutes, only to find that an hour has disappeared? It’s not your fault — it’s built to do that. Social media companies designed these platforms to engage you for as long as possible, even if it damages you psychologically. TikTok, X, and Instagram are known to be addictive — and it appears to be getting worse. The companies behind these social media platforms express their intentions as “bringing you closer to the people and things you love” and “to inspire creativity and bring joy.” But now more than ever, those statements have become obsolete as more people are realizing that media platforms are motivated by one thing: money! Revenue sources for social media companies include advertisements, partnerships, subscriptions, and selling your data to other companies. In simple terms, the longer people stay on a platform, the more ads they watch, the higher the company earns — and these companies want you to stay on as long as possible. Platforms engage you by getting to know the user. They track what the user likes and responds to, then feed this data to a computer program or algorithm. The algorithm shows you content that caters to your personality to keep you engaged. Things like cute animals, food, or something funny will trigger the brain to release dopamine, giving us pleasure or satisfaction. It’s our need for dopamine that keeps bringing us back — even if we don’t want to.
This sounds harmless because, relatively, it is; but only in moderation. The more you use social media as a form of pleasure, the more likely you are to become dependent on it. When this happens, we become less patient because other activities take longer to release
dopamine. Real life can’t compare to what your phone can do, which in turn increases the risk of becoming depressed. The reliance on media creates a disconnect between people who are addicted to their phones and those who have the will to put it down and forget about it.
Former Facebook executive Chamath Palihapitiya has expressed his guilt in having a hand in these types of data models that put profit over customer safety. Palihapitiya said that such systems are contributing factors in “destroying how society works” and that there is “no civil discourse, no cooperation, misinformation.” This wasn’t the original intention at first; social media was simply about connecting people. But as companies realized the potential of dopamine-driven engagement, the business model shifted.
Businesses aren’t wrong to seek higher profits, but their practices should consider the health of those using their services. Using harmful strategies to condition customers to come back more often and stay longer should be sanctioned. There need to be regulations, either imposed by the companies or on the companies themselves. Australia imposed a ban on social media for teens under 16, fearing for their development. Though extreme, it is a step that reflects growing concerns worldwide. Rather than waiting for governments to act, companies should take proactive measures to regulate content and usage to build trust and safeguard users.
Until there is a much-needed change in the industry, there are resources such as crisis helplines and techniques you can use if you feel you need social media to be happy. If you can’t focus on activities that don’t naturally produce as much dopamine in your brain — like studying, cooking, or going on a walk — without constantly looking at your phone, the goal is to take back control. Start small: social
those people. In construction, I could tell so-and-so to eff right off with no repercussions. Luckily, I was never really put in a position where I felt uncomfortable. The men I worked with were problematic in their own ways, but I generally experienced nothing but respect from them. That’s not to say that sexual harassment and even assault doesn’t happen in the field — that’s a very real issue — but my theory is that if more women enter the field, the less likely any of us are to be harassed. So this is my battle cry, ladies: why can’t we be the modern day suffragettes of construction and mechanics? Take off those heels and turn that smile upside down! We’re labourers now.
media’s design revolves around compulsiveness, so small things like the sound of a notification can make you reach for your phone. Start watching longer videos, either on YouTube or TV. You will still want to pick up your phone every so often, but as long as the spaces between scrolling get longer, you’re on the right track. If you still find yourself endlessly scrolling, try setting up app blockers that stop you from accessing certain things. Use the freed-up time to reconnect with reallife experiences, like spending time with friends, exploring nature, or pursuing a passion project. Then, gradually explore hobbies you enjoy — just take it slow to
avoid feeling overwhelmed and reverting back to old habits. The first few days may feel miserable, but you owe it to yourself to want to get your life back. Instead of feeling your time slipping away, you’ll gradually feel it come back to normal, allowing you to enjoy every moment. Although social media has changed the world, its leaders have made it a threat to vulnerable people. The conversation around social media addiction needs to shift from blaming the people affected by it to the companies that design the apps. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Illustration by Lisa Van Der Weijst / The Cascade
Local //
Snow survival guide
Useful tips on how to be best prepared for winter
MEHAK NARANG
The snowy season can be an exciting as well as a challenging season in Canada, especially for international students. In B.C., winter weather generally begins in November and lasts until March, with the snowiest months generally being December, January, and February. Although it is very exciting for international students to witness the feathery flakes falling, snow can quickly become a cause of distress if unprepared. Whether it is health, safety, transportation, social or emotional well-being, everything seems to be adversely affected by the winter season. Many students are not able to cope with these conditions, leading to stress and isolation.
The lack of proper preparation can make it difficult to survive extreme weather conditions, which emphasizes the need to have a strong snow survival guide. So, here are some guidelines to help survive the winter season:
Warm clothing: Buy a warm winter jacket that is suitable for very low temperatures. Winter clothes brought from one’s home country may not be suitable to counter the extreme weather conditions here, so it is advised to have a winter jacket that is rated for the coldest situations.
Layered clothing: Layer your clothes — both tops and bottoms — to increase insulation. For the top, wear warm inner layers underneath, followed by sweaters or sweatshirts, and finally warm jackets as the outermost layer. For the bottom, wear thick leggings under your bottom garment. Wool and synthetic fabrics are recommended for the innermost layer.
Caps, gloves, and socks: Wear warm, multi-layered caps, gloves, and socks, and always keep a cap and a pair of gloves in your backpack when leaving the house. Make sure to cover your face with a warm scarf or muffler to keep the wind off your face.
Footwear: When snow freezes and turns into ice, it becomes dangerously slippery. Thus, it is important to have proper footwear to avoid slipping, as slipping on ice can cause severe injuries. Shoes made of leather or faux leather are recommended for this season.
Weather alerts: Always check for any weather alerts before planning to leave the house. In case of severe weather warnings, such as ice storms, try to stay indoors.
Commuting through public transport: If you use public transit for commuting, always check for delays in the scheduled times before leaving; delays
are common during the snowy season. You can also use apps like Transit to see the location of the buses in real time.
Snow tires: Make sure to get snow tires on your vehicle prior to the winter season. Without snow tires, it can be difficult to handle the car in snowy and icy conditions. Driving at a slow speed is also advised in poor weather or dangerous road conditions.
Ice scraper and snow brush: Always keep an ice scraper and a snow brush in your car to remove any ice or snow that may obstruct your visibility. Before you start driving, make sure to get all the snow off the vehicle.
Umbrella: Always keep an umbrella in your backpack when leaving the house, as winter weather in B.C. can be very
unpredictable.
Stock utilities: Check for weather alerts regularly to keep yourself updated, and in cases of adverse weather forecasts, stock your food supplies and other home utilities to avoid going out in winter weather conditions.
Skin: Your skin can easily become dry in cold conditions, so be sure to apply lotions, moisturizers, and lip balms frequently.
By planning ahead and carefully following precautions, you can easily survive and enjoy the Canadian winter season without being overwhelmed. By being proactive, you can keep yourself healthy and safe this winter while having peace of mind.
SNAPSHOT
Help! I have too many sweet treats
For a number of reasons, I now have a lot more free time on my hands than I’m used to. I’ve cycled through all the options available to me to fill my time, including becoming a lion trainer and learning to dance an Irish jig. But what I keep coming back to again and again is an old favourite: baking.
When I was in middle school, I discovered that I can throw a bunch of ingredients into a bowl, toss them in the oven, and end up with a sweet treat that I can eat for days on end. From this glorious realization came the understanding that I can make anything I want (read: buy the ingredients for, find or make up a recipe, and then actually create).
Now, eons later and with hours to fill, I’ve returned to my roots: jam-filled muffins, layered chocolate cakes, peppermint cheesecake, and loaves and loaves of gingerbread. My cupboards are filled with baked goods and my heart is full of joy. Not the joy I’d get from taming lions, but we work with what we have, don’t we.
BY CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar / The Cascade
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
Photos by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade
The University of the Fraser Valley is 50 years old, and with fifty years of life comes marked stages of development and change. What started as the Fraser Valley College in 1975 has blossomed into a booming university with an ever-growing student body. As we look around us, we see our beloved university growing through yet another period of change as our campus is fenced off, deconstructed, and reimagined — making way for new generations of students. It’s got us at The Cascade feeling mighty sentimental, so here are some of our thoughts on what it means to be a campus under construction in the year 2025. We hope you enjoy it.
Darien Johnsen, Features Editor
I think it means to be strategically working toward your true self and being the foreman of your own life to see the project through to completion. People can do this by creating a blueprint for the stage of life they are in and the person they want to become, and finding ways to efficiently achieve it. If we all put effort into ourselves we can create a structurally sound community.
Cassie Williams, Copy Editor
The literal definition is the process of being created or built, and I think this can be taken a multitude of ways. As university students aren’t we all under construction in a way? None of us have reached our final stage of development yet; no one’s cutting a big red ribbon in front of us saying “voilà, all finished!” To me, being under construction is a continual phase. I strive to be in this phase because it means I am constantly growing and improving, even when it feels like I’m not. So to anyone who feels like their structure is still a little unstable, try to enjoy the process and relish in your own self-creation. Enjoy being the foreman of your personal construction.
Catherine Campbell, Managing Editor
As humans living in this weird world, I believe we need to be continually open to improving in our personal and professional lives. I don’t think this improvement needs to be some grand gesture all at once; rather, to take tiny steps each day toward the person you want to be. Being a huge dork, I like to think of it in terms of percentages: being under construction means striving to be one per cent better every day — but not beating yourself up if you don’t make it to that one per cent all the time — and moving toward the person you want to become
Jeffrey Kennett, Sports Editor
It’s short-term pain at the expense of creating a stable long-term solution. Maybe your first choice doesn’t work and you’re forced to adapt on the fly. Sometimes being forced to take an unexpected detour can give you a new perspective on something you thought you already knew. Other times it might be worthwhile to grin and bear the struggles, because it would take longer to go an alternative route. The end result is usually worth the renovation — the mud needs to be dug up before the lanes can be widened.
Natalia Toscano Murua, Opinion Editor
Change itself is ironically the only thing that does not change in life. Being under construction means that one can decide to target that natural state of change into specific goals and achievements. Everyone is constantly evolving, but the choice to take that evolution and use it to build the desired version of oneself is ultimately what I aspire to. I embrace the potential to constantly deconstruct and reconstruct myself, guiding change into the areas of my life that I want to improve.
I think of my personal goals and the battles I have within my mind on my way to achieving them. Each time I work on one project or another, it means consistently trying to remind myself to be patient, and that good things take time. It’s believing that my creation of something will reach a final product, but trying to enjoy the journey while I’m at it and not rush. Everyone’s future is on a blueprint, no matter how big, small, clear, or unclear it is — it’s there. If we can imagine even one thing about our future, we can progress enough to have it. Being “under construction” is drawing out a plan and seeing it through, even if there are troubles along the way.
Anna McCausland, Arts in Review Editor
It’s tearing out the old and re-building something new on top, which is kind of scary. Over time I’ve learnt that it’s just change, which in itself is a pretty neutral thing, but we label it with the quality of “good” or “bad.” The thing is, it’s always happening, whether we like it or not. We are always changing, always undergoing construction with every choice made or word said. I find everyday, every interaction, every moment as being an opportunity to be “under-construction.”
Sky S. Terrones, Jr. News Editor
Winter holidays and the end of the year, as usual, come in like a wrecking ball, smashing through my utterly exhausted self — leaving me desperately gasping for air as I lay under debris and realize with heartbreaking certainty that I’ve been defeated despite achieving my goals. Yet another year, a new adventure, and a new beginning bring the realization that in every milestone, we restart the process of rebuilding. So, as the pieces of asphalt and cold concrete are cleared to unveil solid ground, I find myself once again in a hopeful state of “under construction,” on my way to weathertight, slowly laying down my foundations — and that’s okay.
Veronica Powell, Staff Writer
Elyssa English, Culture Editor
It’s to be unfinished, rough and unpolished, and full of potential. We’re all works in progress. Every person, every thing. There is space to grow and room for changes, and ideally, improvements. While construction implies an element of structure and planning — blueprints to reference, codes to follow, standards to uphold — life is chaotic and messy. Shit happens. Not every change is positive and not every choice made is going to be an improvement (like sacrificing UFV’s already sparse parking space to allow for more student housing). But you’ve gotta give it a shot anyway. You won’t always know the impact of a change until it’s put into action.
Kiara Okonkwo, Editor in Chief
I accept that a plot of earth must be reduced to its smallest parts before something grand can be built on top of it. I, for the most part, respect the flimsy orange fences and “no trespassing” signs; I tolerate the unsightliness knowing that something better is being built here — even if the ones who are meant to enjoy it will come after I’ve already left. For whatever future glory comes from the promise of development — whether symbolically and personally, or literally and structurally — I recognize the state of becoming I have weathered alongside this university, this town, as I witness it undo itself before my eyes. I hope to bring the patience and respect that I have for impermanent gravel paths to all other undoings, to search for the beauty in dismantling. I hope my feet leave marks.
sports@ufvcascade.ca
Sports Editor - Jeffrey Kennett
Q&A //
Cascade Q&A: Morgan Best
JEFFREY KENNETT
Morgan Best is a second-year golfer at UFV from Pointe Claire, QC. This past summer, Best represented Team Canada at the FISU World Golf Championships in Kuortane-Seinäjoki, Finland, where the team secured 12th place. Best tied for seventh individually at the Canada West Golf Championships in October, where the Cascades WGOLF team locked up back-to-back bronze medals.
What was your introduction to golf?
My dad taught me when I was young [and] my grandfather taught [him], so it was kind of passed down through the family. My grandfather was a pretty good golfer … I was on the golf course pretty much immediately. Around 10 or 11, I started playing tournaments and loved it. How was your first B.C. winter away from Quebec?
It did not feel like winter. It was really confusing for a little while. I absolutely love seeing how people react to snow, because it’s something that I’m pretty used to, and it gets really bad sometimes. I’ve had my fair share of snowed-in days, but a snowed-in day is quite different here. I still enjoy it … I’ll take a snow day any day when it’s a couple inches.
What is your go-to rain jacket?
I stick to the usual FootJoy rain jacket. We always get those ones on the team. Even as a kid when I would see golfers on the golf course … it’d be a rainy day [and] everyone put on their FootJoy rain jackets … and I was like, ‘they’re a big deal.’ It’s a big golf brand, especially for rain gear.
I’m not used to this much rain … I only have golf stuff to wear when it rains. So I end up looking like a golfer on and off the course.
Was it a dream come true to represent Team Canada?
v
I didn’t think it was going to be possible this past year. I felt like I didn’t perform that well in nationals, but they gave me the opportunity, and I know that there’s only a few times that I’m gonna be able to do that, so I definitely said yes.
Representing Canada [and] the leaf is a huge deal. That’s pretty much the dream for anyone, to represent their country … so the fact that I got to do that was amazing, [and for] everyone else that helped me get to that point … It was nice to show people that I made it to that point.
What was your trip to Finland like?
That was such a great experience! I’ve always had connections [to other golfers] through coaches and teammates but I’ve never met them before. We all got along instantly, it was amazing! We all were there for the same reasons … to do the best we could. The fact that we were representing Canada was so cool to every one of us. How did you overcome a challenging front-nine at FISU?
I was in my head still. I’d be like, ‘Oh, I had a bad nine,’ and then it was like, ‘Oh, man, I’m playing in Finland right now!’ So coming through the [front] nine, I remember thinking about that … I saw the big board with everyone’s names coming up … and I was like, ‘This is not that bad! This is great!’ And so that kind of carried on to the back nine.
What does it mean to play golf the “Cascades way?”
It’s all about how you interact with people. Cascades always have leadership and politeness … win or lose, [we’re] always respectful.
Do you have any game-day superstitions?
If I play well my first round, I’ll stick to the exact same routine the second day. I’ll always use whatever ball marker I feel like is the luckiest and keep it going. I used the same ball marker throughout this entire season. I have
a concerning amount because I always get one as a little gift from each golf course … but I used the same one every single tournament this year, and it worked well. Have you picked up anything from golfing with Nick Taylor?
I think the fact that he does that much work with our school is amazing. He still has connections in the area which are really important. It’s nice seeing that he still makes the time for everyone around [Abbotsford]. Q&A has been edited for length and readability.
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Basketball // Allison nearly eclipses record; Leda scores career high
UFV Women’s
Basketball receives key contributions from up and down the roster to defeat UNBC and TRU
JEFFREY KENNETT
The UFV Cascades improved their record to 9-3 on Jan. 11, after sweeping their weekend of Canada West league play with victories over the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves and the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack.
Fifth-year guard and offensive dynamo Maddy Gobeil, along with fourth-year forward and defensive stalwart Esther Allison, propelled the Cascades to a tightly contested 51-40 win over UNBC on Friday, Jan. 10. The Timberwolves are currently sixth in the Pacific division with a record of 3-7.
Gobeil recorded a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, both gamehighs, in addition to two assists. After becoming the program’s all-time leader in steals earlier this season, she tacked on two more to her record against the Timberwolves, as she continues another all-star calibre campaign. Allison picked up six rebounds as well as a game-high five blocks, two blocks short of Sarah Wierks for the program record.
Allison explained her defensive philosophy post-game.
“Defence is one of the areas that I like to
strive in,” she said. “Especially when you get beat [and] they think that they have you — and you come out of nowhere, and get back on defence. It’s fun getting back in transition to get big stops. Not giving up on the play is huge.”
Head coach Al Tuchscherer has seen a tremendous amount of growth from Allison over her career.
“Really proud of Esther. She’s had a really good year this year. She’s been grinding it out for the first three years, and become more and more of a core player for us. She’s one of those key players for us at both ends of the floor. She’s athletic. She’s long. She’s got a knack for getting a hand on shots.”
The Cascades offence struggled to get in-sync, particularly in the first half of their first game back after the winter break. Julia Tuchscherer, one of the division’s most dominant post-players, struggled knocking off the rust, getting into just ten minutes of action on Friday.
Coach Tuchscherer wasn’t concerned about anyone’s individual offense heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Wolfpack.
“We need J. [She’s] really central to our success … a big part of it. Luckily, we didn’t need that tonight. I thought
[Madison] Storme stepped up and did a good job backing her up tonight as well. J will be alright; she’ll bounce back.”
Third-year guard Bernie Leda led the way for the Cascades on Saturday, as they cruised to a 67-23 victory over a rebuilding TRU squad. Leda scored a career high 18 points, shooting 54 per cent from the field and 50 per cent on eight shots from beyond the arc. The loss added to a challenging season for the Wolfpack, as they remain at the bottom of the division, with an 0-12 record.
Leda also collected seven rebounds in her career-game. Coach Tuchscherer was pleased to see her cutting and driving to the hoop with conviction.
“Bern was awesome tonight,” he said. “Good to see. She’s been struggling with her offense, so to see her go off a little bit tonight was good. She’s a pretty dynamic player for us.”
Saturday also marked a return-to-form for Julia Tuchscherer as she shot an efficient five-for-six from the field, notching 13 points and eight boards.
Coach Tuchscherer saw more intent from his starter on Saturday.
“I think J had to stew on last night’s game a little bit. She came back here today, and I thought she had a real purpose
in her game. She’s one of the key kids on our team that can really draw a rotation on the defense, and gain an advantage. She’s a really good passer and a good defender … so it was good to see her assert herself today.”
The Cascades take on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds next at the War Memorial Gymnasium in a battle of the Pacific’s top two teams.
“UBC is going to be a good matchup for us,” said Leda. “We always focus on getting better after every game. I feel like we learned a lot from this game and playing the Cascade way so our focus is to reset. Go into practice, play hard, bring positivity … hustle, and that’s how we’re gonna reset for the next game.”
Jackson returns; Cascades earn split
The UFV Cascades completed the opening weekend after winter break with a split — running away 90-58 against the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves on Jan. 10, before coming up short 83-74 to the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack, on Jan. 11.
This weekend marked the return of #11, Chris Jackson, who has been out of the line-up since the 2023 season due to a knee injury. Jackson racked up 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals against UNBC, all team-highs.
The Timberwolves are currently ranked seventh in the Pacific division and have had a challenging season with a record of 1-9. Only nine of their 14 roster players were able to suit up against UFV this
After checking in at the scorer’s table three minutes into the first quarter, Jackson’s speed immediately shifted the game’s momentum. He made his presence felt with an electric putback and a steal to finish the quarter. The Cascade spoke to the Nevada born guard/forward on the court postgame to discuss his return.
“It’s surreal. I’m just happy to be playing with the guys again,” said Jackson. “It’s better than just practic[ing] and I’m glad we got the dub.”
Coach Enevoldson used rotational player Uyi Ologhola strategically, getting the fourth-year guard onto the court whenever a stop was needed. Ologhola’s robust defence continues to shift the tone of games this season.
“[Uyi] is one of the top on-ball defenders in the conference,” said Coach
Enevoldson. “I’ve seen him play against NBA player Bennedict Mathurin and bring the same level of defence. He presents a different change of pace.”
Coach Enevoldson highlighted that the addition of Jackson brings another dimension to the line-up off the bench at this pivotal point in the season.
“We now have three very high level athletes in Clay [Kurtz], Uyi, and Chris. They can all guard, they can get out and run.”
Kurtz was instrumental in the nail-biter against the Wolfpack on Saturday, playing 31+ minutes in comparison to the 18+ the previous night against the Timberwolves. He registered 12 points, three rebounds, one block, and one steal on Saturday.
Chris Jackson, #11 (Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade)
Bernie Leda, #5 (Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade)
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
The Wolfpack, with a 6-6 record, are ranked third in the Pacific — one spot above the Cascades — and UFV had something to prove after losing by 30 points to TRU in November. The Wolfpack are a team with length that fights hard below the rim. All but two of TRU’s players are listed below 6’2”, presenting a challenge for UFV on the glass, as the home team
CULTURE
Events //
was outrebounded 39-33.
We asked Kurtz what the toughest part of playing against the Wolfpack was.
“They were playing a zone on us and kind of slowed us down … we’re usually not as good in the half court,” said Kurtz. “We gave up so many easy looks. I think dialling in on defence and knowing what we’re doing will change the game — that’s why we lost.”
Coach Enevoldson echoed what his
culture@ufvcascade.ca
third-year guard had to say, and highlighted key areas to tighten up before the Canada West play-offs in early spring.
“Credit to TRU … they outworked us. They hustled us, wanted it more than us … We didn’t really have an inside presence. You can’t be allergic to the paint,” said Enevoldson, “[They’re not] all the Friday night special, right?”
The Cascades gear up next to take on the University of British Columbia
Thunderbirds, who rank second in the Pacific Division, at War Memorial Gymnasium on Jan. 17 and 18. Coach Enevoldson is confident that the boys can hold their own.
“[UBC] is talented, across the board. They’re physical, they’re nightmares on the glass. We just gotta do our job, and do what we ask them to do Monday through Thursday … chances are highly likely that we’ll be pretty successful.”
Back to December with Swiftie Scholar
CHASI debuts Taylor Swift-themed academic conference
CAITLYN CARR
Days before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour made its final stop in Vancouver, UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub hosted Swiftie Scholar, a hybrid academic conference, in Evered Hall. On Dec. 5, this all-day event brought together a wide range of attendees including students, staff, speakers, and of course, Swifties.
Evered Hall was decked out with decorations inspired by Swift’s discography, including twinkling mirrorballs, themed tables, and stations for making friendship bracelets.
After welcoming remarks from CHASI’s lead researcher, Chelsea Klassen, the conference proceeded with Dr. Brian Donovan, a professor of sociology at the University of Kansas. Donovan’s lecture was held via Zoom and focused on the parasocial relationships between Swift and her fans. Following Donovan was Jarin Pintana, a research coordinator at BookNet Canada. Pintana’s presentation focused on book publishing and marketing, specifically how Swifties have become their own market segment within the book industry.
The conference also welcomed Tinca Lukan, PhD researcher and research fellow for the University of Ljubljana. Her lecture, via Zoom, discussed modern-day feminism in relation to the “girlboss” movement. Next was Dr. Erin Morton, Dean of Arts and professor of art history at St. Francis Xavier University. Morton provided a detailed analysis via Zoom of Swift’s eighth album, folklore, and its depiction of white settler womanhood in a Southern colonial context. Lastly, the conference heard from Dr. Hannah Celinski, a business instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, on the undeniable resilience of both Swift and acclaimed basketball athlete Caitlin Clark.
“Seeing how she’s impacted more than just the music industry … It shows how much she’s redefining what it is to produce art.”
“It’s a trifecta of her relatability, the quality of the content that she puts out, and her marketing strategy.”
Pintana also explained why events like Swiftie Scholar are so significant.
“These events showcase a different side of academia and are a really nice change in terms of how positive and [engaging they are] … rarely do we see at academic conferences [where] everybody’s like, ‘we love this.’”
Regarding why Swift’s impact on a variety of industries is worth discussing, library technician and political science student Kara Dunbar offered her thoughts.
“I feel like it would be almost a disservice to not talk about it … She’s such a centre of society and pop culture and how we relate to each other right now, that articulating and understanding that is important to understanding our culture and our world.”
Arts student Austin Pedersen learned a lot at the event, but there was one thing that really resonated with him.
After the conference wrapped up, The Cascade reflected on the event with co-organizers Chelsea Klassen and Madison McKenzie, a BA student at UFV. On the subject of why events like Swiftie Scholar should be prioritized by UFV, Klassen gave her thoughts.
“Having events like this that are related to students’ interests is important for the university to prioritize because we want our campus to be a space where students can engage in a variety of activities.”
As for the backlash the conference faced online, Klassen believes it stems from sexism.
“We even had one [comment] that [was] like, ‘this is a joke,’ which I found very interesting … It does feel a bit sexist in some regard because you probably wouldn’t say the same thing if someone were to have a conference on The Beatles or Queen.”
As for the conference’s $13 admission fee, Klassen wishes it hadn’t been necessary.
“We were trying to get a little bit of base funding to offset some of our costs … I’m hoping in the future we can get the university to put some money in and maybe some sponsors.”
Klassen also expressed interest in coordinating more events. Should students or other members of the UFV community have interest in more scholarly discussion, she encourages them to visit CHASI.
“You can always come to us … trying to organize events on campus is an important part of a student’s experience.”
McKenzie believes organizing events can also help people connect with each other.
“[If] they have a topic that they would really like to dive into … that might be an opportunity for them to find a community at the university.”
Have a subject you’d like to explore more academically? Send a message to chasi@ufv.ca to see if there’s a way to organize a similar event with others who share your interests.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Culture Editor - Elyssa English
Photo courtesy of CHASI
During the event, The Cascade sat down with Pintana to discuss what she attributes to the pop star’s groundbreaking success.
Campus Fashion: fashion must-haves for 2025
Fashionable options for the new
2. Cream
RACHEL TAIT
This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.
The season of holiday cheer, ugly sweaters, sequins, velvet, and other festive wear is now over. As 2024 fades away, 2025 ushers in new trends and styles to revamp your wardrobe. Let’s take a look at five fresh fashion trends to help you start the new year in style.
1. Pink
Looking to add a gentle colour to your wardrobe? Cosmopolitan has dubbed “ballet pink” the soft pink of the season; a colour forecast to be popular in 2025. Try wearing a light pink T-shirt with a black cardigan and jeans, or make a statement with a beautifully structured hand bag complete with an elegant dress in the same feminine shade.
Ecology //
year
Going monochrome can be a fun and fashionable way to lighten up and refresh your wardrobe, and cream is another trending tone to watch for. Try wearing a coordinated look with a cream sweater and matching pants paired with brown boots, gold jewellery, and a handbag for a polished look.
3. Stripes
Want to begin the new year with a bang? Be on the look out for stripes this season. Multi-coloured, classic nautical navy, and black and white stripes are here to make an impact this winter. Try wearing a black and white striped sweater with a long black vest, white or black jeans, and sneakers for a more casual look.
4. Skinny jeans
According to CNN, skinny jeans are making a comeback this year. A flattering and versatile piece, skinny jeans pair great with chunky sweaters and turtlenecks, or blazers for a more dressed up look. Try
wearing them with a white button down shirt, an oversized cable-knit cardigan, and tall boots for a casual look on campus.
5. Suede
Soft and buttery, suede — or alternatively, faux suede — is anticipated to make a big statement in 2025. Try a neutral coloured piece in brown, black, or cream to dress up an outfit. A brown moto jacket paired with jeans, a turtleneck, and ankle boots is a great look that is both casual and on-trend this season.
And there you have it, a few styles that are sure to add a fresh look to your wardrobe. Put your best fashion foot forward in 2025!
Winter wildlife watch
Seasonal birds of the Fraser Valley
ELYSSA ENGLISH
Winter is, perhaps surprisingly, a great time of the year for bird watching in the Fraser Valley. While some of the local bird populations travel south of the border, seeking warmer climates and more readily available food sources, migratory species from other regions settle here for the comparatively milder winters. From waterfowl to northern raptors, the valley welcomes a wide variety of seasonal birds. Many visit on a regular basis, keeping to the same, strict seasonal schedules that their flocks have held for generations. Northern Flicker: A personal favourite of mine, the Northern Flicker is a larger variety of woodpecker, easily identified by its spotted breast feathers and vibrant red facial feathers. In the western half of North America the underside of their tail and flight feathers take on a beautiful coppery orange-red tone, while in the east, they take on a vibrant yellow. While they are present in the valley for most of the year, they seem to have a much more prominent presence during the winter months — especially in rural areas. They are commonly found in more open spaces, among the trees. Keep an eye out for them
Photo by Elyssa English
while hiking. If you’re lucky, you may even find them in your own backyard.
Trumpeter Swans: Heralding winter in the Fraser Valley, Trumpeter Swans are the largest species of waterfowl native to North America, weighing up to 15 kilograms (approx. 30 lbs) with wingspans of up to three metres across. They typically migrate south at the end of autumn as their northern habitats begin to freeze over. They tend to gather in shallow ponds and calm river waters, and
throughout the Sumas Flats, you’re likely to see them resting in farm fields. While similar in appearance to other migratory swans, Trumpeters can be identified by their imposing size and solid black bills, as well as calling or “trumpeting,” a low-pitched call, sounding something like an out of tune bugle.
American Coot: The American Coot, or mud hen, is a unique bird. While commonly found in aquatic environments, and possessing many duck-like traits, they are in fact, not ducks, but a distantly related order of water bird. They are easy to spot, sporting stark black feathers, white beaks, and piercing red eyes. But the most noticeable feature of the American Coot is their scale-like lobed feet. An uncommon trait among birds, these oddly shaped toes are much better suited to all terrain travel than the webbed feet of their distant relations.
American Coots can be found throughout most of B.C. year-round; however, you’re more likely to see them locally in the late winter and early spring.
Hooded Merganser: Of the three species of Merganser, the Hooded Merganser is, notably, the smallest. They tend to favour secluded, forested wetlands, making their
nests within the cavities of trees. This makes them a rare sight, especially in southern B.C., but when they are out in view, they’re hard to miss. Adorned with a prominent crest of feathers, they stick out along the waterlines. The female of the species sports a more subtle, soft brown crest, while the male is heavily contrasted in black and white. You may also notice their beady, golden yellow eyes.
Northern Harrier: These curious raptors are unique among hawks, noted for their owl-like faces and sense of hearing. Though, as the name suggests, Northern Harriers are most commonly found in northern Canada and Alaska, they are known to travel south during the winter months. They tend to prefer wide open spaces — like fields and shallow marshes — for hunting small ground dwelling rodents. Identifiable by the large white patch just above the tail feathers, watch for them when passing farms and expansive fields, as you may find a Harrier looking for mice.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, as this region plays host to dozens of species of birds. Consider this more as a personal recommendation and an invitation to keep your eyes on the skies.
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar / The Cascade
Crossword Puzzle
Horoscopes //
By: Madame LaCarte
Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19
The challenges of last year have left you with a lack of direction on how to start this year. Change things up. Push yourself to some extremes. Try something new. After all, nothing says you can’t enjoy the lack of balance every now and then.
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
You’ve got a head start on your resolution for this year, but now you’re at that awkward stage where it feels like there is no progress and you’ve hit a plateau. But it’s just that: a feeling; something everyone feels at this point. Many quit — trust the process and keep going.
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
What’s the saying? Hindsight is 20/20? You’re reflecting on your past decisions and judging the choices you made, but I would remind you that life is complex, and what seems good at first can be bad later — what could be good in the big picture might then be horrible in the grand scheme of things. Don’t overthink it; hindsight is 20/20, but an illusion nonetheless.
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
You used to laugh off your shortcomings, but with a new year comes new goals for yourself. Be practical, consistent, and deaf to your insecurities in your pursuit of self-improvement. We all start somewhere.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
Home is such a hard thing to define for some, and for others to find. It’ll take strength for you to move forward in your journey, but the cards are hopeful. Go forward in your path, move through your fear, and get on with your life.
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Last year you let your will run riot; this year, concentrate on honing it with focus and intellect. If you can find the balance between impulsive willpower and restrained logic, you will rule over your own life with confidence and skill. Or, you know, go dye your hair in the middle of the night.
Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You did so much last year. Now you’re looking ahead to 2025, and planning out your next moves. Some things you want to hold on to, you will need to let go of. Have you heard of sunk costs?
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
It’s easier to claim martyrdom when you’re alone, but aren’t you bored of that script yet? A union is in your future. Instead of your usual approach of asking yourself what kind of partner you want, ask yourself what kind of partner you want to be.
Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Sometimes we inherit our baggage from others. This year, take some time to sit with yourself and sort out which suitcases you actually want to keep. It’s not because something is given that it needs to be kept. You can also ask well seasoned travellers for advice if you’re not sure, but you need to figure out your baggage.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
Last year had some failures, but these are just lessons to be learned and moved on from. Don’t let them distract you from the future. Having insecurities is okay, but you can have them and still move forward. They don’t have to be the end all.
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
The inspiration that flowed through you has now dried up. Now you’re lounging around, hoping it comes back. Couch ornaments get dusty and wheels that turn stay round.
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
If you keep staring at your belly button as the wind blows, you’ll stay stuck like that. Wait. No. That’s cross eyes. Oh well, either way, look up and try to be a part of life.
Comic by Sherryl Agingu / The Cascade
The Cascade Kitchen: Causa Limeña
After all, I’m being re-built. Column
SKY S. TERRONES
The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back monthly 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.
Causa Limeña is one of the most popular dishes in Peruvian cuisine. There’s nothing else like it. For those unfamiliar, Causa Limeña is kind of a spicy sturdy mashed potato sandwich filled with chicken, veggies and avocado (avocados are fruit and I’ll die on this hill) mixed with mayonnaise and decorated with a boiled egg and black olives. This Peruvian treasure is so revered in our country that when people affectionately call to someone, they’ll say, “Hey, causa!”
Serves: 4 -5
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
* 1/2 kg chicken breast (do yourself a favour and get some without bones)
potatoes and use water instead of milk. Causa Limeña needs a more robust consistency, so use a little less water than is called for.
* 1 medium to large red onion
* 2 boiled eggs
* 1 lime (or 2 tbsp lime juice)
* 1 avocado (more if you like it and can afford it)
* 5 tbsp yellow chilli paste, or Ají Amarillo (vital ingredient that you can get at a Latin store)
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* Mayonnaise “to taste” (making grandma proud with this measurement)
* Salt and pepper, also to your preference
Optional:
* A few pitted black olives (I cannot stress enough how optional these are)
* Instead of chicken, you can use shredded tuna, shrimp, crab, or cooked veggies!
Method:
1. Start by cooking the unpeeled potatoes in boiling, salted water. Cook for 10-20 minutes, until
potatoes are fork tender. When ready, take them out, drain, and peel them.
2. While the potatoes are boiling, cook the chicken breast in a saucepan with boiling water. Take it out when it is ready, let it cool a little, and then shred it.
3. Mash the potatoes, then add the lime juice, yellow chilli paste, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and set it aside. The mixture should be a vibrant yellow.
4. In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken breast with the thinly chopped onion, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper.
5. In a glass cooking Tupperware, assemble the causa. First, add a thick layer of potato, then place a layer of avocado slices. Add another layer of the shredded chicken mixture, and finally, add another layer of potato.
6. Garnish with chopped boiled egg, mayonnaise to taste, and pitted black olives cut into thin slices. Place the Peruvian causa in the fridge until serving time to eat it chilled.
7. Be ready to impress with this manjar de los dioses (delicacy of the gods).
Column // Creative Corner: “under construction”
Creative Corner showcases original creative work from UFV students.
Tall walls without halls; no windows, holes or doors; these are the tricks, the bricks that my mind holds.
Growing is hard without light. Growing is strange and never feels right. The stillness of the darkness that surrounds me shows if I want some light I’ll need to grow.
I take my pen and write a list. I’ll make a plan, and follow through. Or at least that’s what I’ll insist. But in the end those words aren’t true it’s just bullshit from me to you.
In my thinking was a confusion; between making a decision and taking action. For there is only one first step: in my case it’s demolition.
Break the bricks in my brain, although awkward without my armour unnerved, I unlearn my previous conviction.
Photo by Sky S. Terrones
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
Movies // Top 10 (ish) movies of 2024
Last year’s movies you need to add to your watch list
JEFFREY KENNETT
Before 2025 gets into full swing, I’ve put together a list of the best movies of 2024. It was a down year for movies in terms of high-end quality and quantity of notable releases (for a variety of reasons). Nonetheless, here are some top tier titles that I would recommend checking out.
Note: This list sadly excludes The Brutalist, which has yet to hit screens in Vancouver, and Wicked … because I can’t do it.
10.5 Kneecap
This was one of those “surprise” movies that I couldn’t not include. After initially being drawn in by Michael Fassbender (as Arló), I can say it’s not a best picture nominee, but there are a couple of good laughs throughout. This semi-autobiographical story of a local Irish rap group preserving their celtic language through music might be the biggest hidden gem of 2024.
10. A Complete Unknown & The Apprentice
These two share the ten-spot. I like biopics, but what elevates these titles is how Bob Dylan and Donald Trump are approached as characters, and not historical figures. I don’t care if your biopic is 100 per cent factual if it makes up for it in other ways — and that boy Timmy-C can sing.
Something I’ve learned: if Scoot McNairy or Jeremy Strong are in your movie, it’s probably going to be good.
9. A Real Pain
Aside from above-average directing, this doesn’t really feel like a departure for Jesse Eisenberg or his co-star… but Kieran Culkin, man. Aura.
8. The Substance
I’m not really into horror, and while I don’t think it’s accurate to say this is a “scary” movie, it’s the wildest one on the list. Has some icky moments, but overall feels fresh, original, and is undoubtedly compelling. Dennis Quaid eating shrimp is nightmare material.
7. Nosferatu
A very wet movie, like walking to Building K in January. Has a few jump scares, but I feel similarly about this movie as I did with the title previous; it’s not that scary. Anything with vampires is spooky, of course, but I enjoyed it more as a period piece. Deserves to be higher on the list, but the following are very much the top-six.
6. Conclave
Slow burn. If you invest in the first half, the ending is highly rewarding and makes the exposition extremely worthwhile. Edward Berger is an inventive enough filmmaker that it all pays off. Everyone say it with me: give Ralph Fiennes his Oscar!
5. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
I loved this turn from Chris Hemsworth, and hope to see him in more grounded roles in the future. Not that this is exactly a grounded performance, but it’s one that makes you question yourself: “wait, that’s Thor?”
4. Sing Sing
Colman Domingo is one of today’s can’t-miss performers. Some platforms have this listed as a 2023 release, but Domingo was nominated for 2024’s Best Actor in a Drama at the Golden Globes, so it’s staying here! The majority of the cast are former inmates within Sing Sing Correctional Facility playing themselves, giving the movie an authentic, gritty feel. If you’re a drama student, you need to watch this movie.
3. Anora
I’m a big Sean Baker guy. I liked The Florida Project (2017), and really liked Red Rocket (2021), so I was heavily anticipating this one, which didn’t disappoint. Grabs you by the shoulders and doesn’t let go.
2. Challengers
I preferred this movie, Luca Guadagnino’s first of two movies this year, compared to Queer, which was too artsy for me to understand. Movies that construct a narrative through multiple timelines hold a special place in my heart. Guadagnino knows how to challenge us as an audience (no pun intended). None of the characters are likeable, they all suck, and we’re not force-fed any conclusions about any of them.
Tashi Duncan ain’t shit though.
1. Dune: Part Two
Zendaya gets the distinct pleasure of being in the top two movies on my list, a real honour for her. This came out early in the spring, and I don’t feel like it ever got topped. Insane score, cinematography, editing — and Austin Butler is a bat-shit weirdo. It’s crazy to me how Timothée Chalamet is getting more acclaim for his Dylan portrayal than for Paul Atreides, which is, to me, the superior performance.
Count Orlok’s fang-tastic return to the big screen
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a Gothic horror masterpiece
CAITLYN CARR
I’m instantly obsessed with any movie that has a vampire in it: from The Lost Boys (1987) to Renfield (2023), the alluring nature of these undead creatures has me absolutely enthralled. Even Twilight (2008) has a special place in my heart. For fellow fans of these creatures of the night, I have the perfect film for you to sink your teeth into.
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is easily one of the best vampire movies I’ve ever seen. A remake of F.W. Murnau’s silent film, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), Eggers’ revamped adaptation follows its predecessor closely. The movie centres around newlyweds Ellen, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, and Thomas, played by Nicholas Hoult. When Thomas is called away to secure a deal with the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), Ellen gets left behind in the care of Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his wife, Anna (Emma Corrin). The movie flips between Thomas’ horrific journey and a tormented Ellen, who hides a dark secret — one that threatens all of Wisborg.
As soon as the film opened, I knew I was in for a treat. Everything from the beautiful score to the haunting dialogue had me hooked. That, and the heavily desaturated lighting in the film harkens back to the original black and white movie in a way that reminds us that this is still an updated version.
Without a doubt, the most effective parts of this movie were the moving performances of the entire main cast. If
I had to narrow it down, I would say that Willem Dafoe’s portrayal as Professor Von Franz was one of the most memorable. Fans of his know that any film where Dafoe gets to play an odd and eccentric character is always entertaining.
However, the two cast members who undoubtedly stole the show were Depp and Skarsgård. While Skarsgård’s monstrous voice was the most notable aspect of his character, he was also visually unrecognizable as the undead count — not surprising if you’ve seen his portrayal of Pennywise in It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019).
As for Nosferatu’s leading lady, Depp’s performance is extremely captivating. Not only does she convey so much raw emotion with her acting, but her ability to manipulate her body in such unique ways deserves praise in and of itself. In an interview with Extra TV, Depp confirmed that no CGI was used to aid her movements and that she instead worked with a movement coach to enhance her performance.
There is one part of this film that I didn’t love; the beginning was a tad slow and I unfortunately did find myself wondering when things were going to pick up. However, I thought the same of the 1922 film, so I might just be impatient.
The most successful aspect of this film is its deep dive into the gothic. A mysterious plague, a damsel, and more historically, the clash of religion and science that is the focus of so much classic gothic literature — the most famous example of this being Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein (1817). Of course, many of these gothic elements are because the
1922 film was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s original novel, Dracula (1897). Regardless, both versions of Nosferatu have their own unique elements that they bring to the classic tale.
Count Orlok himself is an excellent example of a classic folk vampire paired with the seductive nature that’s been associated with vampires since John Polidori’s short story, The Vampyre (1819). All of that to say, Eggers’ version not only maintains the story’s pre-existing gothic tropes, but it also includes fresh macabre elements that any fan of classic gothic horror will no doubt appreciate.
As for why these darker stories are so important today, Eggers stated in a conversation with Dafoe on GQ’s
YouTube channel, “These stories are deeply important to explore. ‘What is the darkness?’ It doesn’t even have to be about you. It’s like, it’s in humanity.” Safe to say, with all the darkness we’ve been experiencing in the world and online since the most recent US election, it feels right that a movie delving into the subject of evil was made now.
If you want a good vampire movie that explores humanity’s darkness, make sure to add Nosferatu to your watch list. Safe to say, if this superb film doesn’t win at least one Oscar, I will be throwing a fit.
Books // Irish existentialism and complex relationships
The intellectual torment of Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
When I saw Sally Rooney’s newest book Intermezzo (2024) in a Calgary airport kiosk, I knew I had to read it; it seems to be on everyone’s top 10 books of 2024 lists. Plus, I’d just finished Normal People (2017) and its television adaptation (both of which I became instantly obsessed with), so I had to see if Rooney could top it with this new book.
Intermezzo is a story centred around two brothers, Peter and Ivan (who are complete opposites), their inappropriately-age-gapped girlfriends, and navigating grief only a few months after their father’s funeral. Peter, a junior lawyer in Dublin, overthinks to the extreme. His thoughts are incomplete, fast-paced, and tend to bounce around. He’s constantly trying to solve what he sees as the problems in his life, which are usually just the people in his life. Peter carries a lot of responsibility for other people’s happiness. Whereas his brother Ivan, 10 years his junior — who works as an online data analyst and competes in chess competitions — tends to be more methodical in his overthinking: every interaction, every socialization gets examined. Ivan frequently thinks about how people see him instead of how he sees them. The two brothers clash, and although the book alternates between each brother’s perspective, they spend very little time together throughout the novel. Instead, we see how both brothers grieve and try to move on with their lives almost in spite of the other.
Rooney changes her writing style to fit the inner dialogue of each brother, which I thought was genius, although incredibly tedious to read. Every other chapter is written with short, fragmented sentences to reflect Peter’s ever-changing mind. It’s hard to keep track of what is being said with such chaotic writing — largely owing to the fact that Rooney doesn’t use quotations to denote dialogue. There were many times I had to go back and reread full paragraphs to understand what was going on.
This is in comparison to Ivan’s perspective, which is littered with run-on sentences and plenty of commas, making it hard to digest. The perspective change is more useful in this novel compared to Normal People; it really shows how each brother thinks of the other. We also get the privilege of hearing Ivan’s girlfriend Margret’s perspective early in the book, giving readers insight into how skewed Ivan’s perspective of himself can be. In
turn, Ivan’s perspective gives us insight into how skewed Peter’s perspective is.
It’s physically and mentally a hard book to read, and yet I couldn’t stop. The content is as heavy as the writing, as Rooney frequently brings up philosophical questions such as: what is god’s relationship to us (her Irish Catholicism really came through there), why we love, and how we can truly care about others. The long chapters made it hard to find a good break to put down the book and digest these big ideas.
Rooney’s writing really highlights the difference in how someone else sees us versus how we see ourselves. She shows how we are unreliable narrators — even to ourselves — which is what makes her books so compelling. Her characters
are, to quote her own book title, normal people — they live ordinary lives and have complex relationships with each other and themselves.
It’s comforting in a way to know that — even if they are fictional — people overthink, maybe as much as I do. That there are people out there who also self-sabotage and can’t fully say what they mean because of their deep insecurities. Maybe complexity is actually human nature, not desire. Or that, deep down, we desire complexity. Or maybe this is all just babble from a tired writer who thinks too much.
If you want your brain to be constantly thinking, reading, and absorbing the complexity of human relationships, Intermezzo is the book for you.
Cover image of “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney, courtesy of Faber & Faber
Column //
Book Talk: Archives, unhinged women, and the drive for creativity
The Last Sane Woman hits a little too close to home for artists
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Welcome to Book Talk, where we help you find new fuel for your bookish obsession. While you might not find these authors while scrolling short-form content online, you will find their work to be significant, impactful, and, hopefully, something you reach for time and again. Happy reading!
I am a firm believer that those who write poetry before transitioning to fiction will always produce an exceptional novel; one that drives into the core of your being simply because the author is a poet at heart — able to distill the human experience into sharp, biting prose that lingers, rattling around your head for months after reading. Hannah Regel is no exception.
There’s not much about Regel online. She has two poetry collections published with Montez Press — When I Was Alive (2017) and Oliver Reed (2020) — and one novel, The Last Sane Woman (2024), which received the K Blundell Trust award. Otherwise, she’s relatively ghost-like, appearing for the occasional interview before burrowing back to wherever poets live between projects.
The Last Sane Woman is one of those books where I saw the cover on Pinterest and was instantly intrigued. I don’t care what anyone says: you can judge a book by its cover, and this one had something that caught my eye (read: graphic design that isn’t terrible and a tired duplication of every other book cover right now). Add into the equation that I actually read the synopsis for once, and I knew I needed to read it.
Full disclosure: my thoughts on this
CHARTS SHUFFLE
CIVL’s Aaron Levy wants to remind you that the best songs speak for themselves, so here’s a list of New Year’s themed songs whose lyrics will do just that:
book are entirely biased. My favourite genre of book (aside from spooky stuff ) is women behaving in a way that’s not deemed acceptable by society — think breakdowns, bad behaviour, rage, and general rambunctiousness and tomfoolery. Add to this a book about a ceramicist, which includes personal letters and an archive (I am a freak for archives), and you have a book that is entirely Catherine-coded.
And The Last Sane Woman has all of it: an artist working a job she hates while pushing aside her artistic tendencies. A chance discovery of an archive centred on women and their creative work. Mysterious letters between a ceramicist and her friend, full of debauchery and the general messiness that comes with being 20-something years old. And then, the obsessive qualities of the protagonist as she becomes mired in the life of someone no longer alive. While it sounds messy, it’s anything but. Regel manages to refine chaos into something brilliant and razor-edged.
As it’s a relatively new book, and my borrowed copy has long been returned to the library, I have no quotes to share with you this week. However, I will say this: if you’re feeling lost as an artist, are looking for motivation to pick up your artist’s tools, or just need to feel better about yourself and your creative practice, The Last Sane Woman needs to be your next read.
Happy reading!
U2 - “New Year’s Day”
“We can break through / Though torn in two / We can be one / And so we’re told this is the golden age / And gold is the reason for the wars we wage / Though I want to be with you, be with you night and day / Nothing changes New Year’s Day.” — Bono
Akron/Family - “Last Year”
“Last year was a hard year / For such a long time / This year’s gonna be ours / Last year was a hard year / For such a long time / This year’s gonna be ours / Last year was a hard year / For such a long time / This year’s gonna be ours.”
— RIP Miles
Will Smith - “Will 2K”
“The party of a lifetime / 31st of December / Man I remember when the ball dropped for 90 / Now it’s 9-9, ten years behind me / What’s gonna happen? / Don’t nobody know / We’ll see when the clock gets to 12-0-0 / Chaos, the cops gonna block the street / Man who the hell cares?”
Robert Burns - “Auld Lang Syne” (As performed in the film New Year’s Eve (2011)) “Should old acquaintance be forgot / And never brought to mind / Should all acquaintance be forgot / And auld lang syne / For auld lang syne, my dear / For auld lang syne / We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet / For auld lang syne.” — Lea Michele/Robert Burns
PLANET GIZA
Sky Is Recording Me: 100 Years Later , Vol. 2
Illustration by cute_vector / Adobe Stock, book cover of The Last Sane Woman
Photo courtesy of Verso
EVENTS CALENDAR
JANUARY
07:30PM - 09:30PM Argentine Tango for Beginners
@Matsqui Community Hall, 33676 St Olaf Ave, Abbotsford, BC
06:00PM - 08:00PM Back Porch Music Series at Old Yale Brewing @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
01:30PM - 03:30PM Senate Meeting
@Evered Hall, Student Union Building, Abbotsford BC
06:00PM - 07:30PM MVB vs University of Calgary
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
07:45PM - 09:00PM WVB vs University of Calgary
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
07:00PM - 09:00PM Fieldhouse Brewing - Field Sessions
@Fieldhouse Brewing 2281 W Railway Street
03:00PM - 04:30PM MVB vs University of Calgary
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
04:45PM - 06:00PM WVB vs University of Calgary
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
06:00PM - 08:00PM Trivia Night @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
07:30PM - 09:30PM Argentine Tango for Beginners
@Matsqui Community Hall, 33676 St Olaf Ave
06:00PM - 08:00PM Back Porch Music Series at Old Yale Brewing @Old Yale Brewing 33738 Laurel St
10:00AM Global Game Jam
@Room C1427 Abbotsford Campus
11:00AM - 12:00PM Changemaker Cafe via Zoom
06:00PM - 08:00PM WBB vs MacEwan University
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
08:00PM - 10:00PM MBB vs MacEwan University
@Building E Abbotsford Campus (1395 McKenzie Road)
07:00PM - 09:00PM Fieldhouse Brewing - Field Sessions
06:00PM - 08:00PM Trivia Night @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
06:00PM - 9:00PM Stop The Bleed @Ridgedale Rod & Gun Club, 35655 Harris Rd, Abbotsford
07:30PM - 09:30PM Argentine Tango for Beginners @Matsqui Community Hall, 33676 St Olaf Ave Sumas Road, Chilliwack
06:00PM - 08:00PM Back Porch Music Series at Old Yale Brewing @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
07:00PM - 9:00PM Fieldhouse Brewing - Field Sessions @Field House Brewing 2281 W Railway St
07:30PM - 10:00PM The Abbotsford Film Society - Forbidden Planet @The Banquet Room, 3471 Clearbrook RoadRailway St
Note:
Some of the events require tickets, and most are online. If something catches your eye, take to the Internet for more details, including those about any safety measures for in-person events.
