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arts music

Women s rugby heading to nationals p. 16

The Wooden Sky brightens with post-show perfermance p. 14

PepsiCo divides campus

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

life Watch your step: How to avoid the Internet’s pitfalls P. 7

arts Change of tempo as music department joins fine arts downtown P. 9

opinions Digesting the double down: two slabs of juicy rethoric to bite into P. 21 Volume 28 Issue 10

Coverage P. 3, P. 20

Concordia students rally for contract transparency Campus Against Corporatization created to represent student concerns Trevor Smith Copy editor Enraged that, despite earlier promises to consult with student representatives from TAPthirst and Sustainable Concordia before meeting with PepsiCo over finalizing a new contract, the school had proceeded with private meetings, protesters made their feelings known outside Concordia last week.

To voice their contempt for the school’s use of exclusivity contracts as well as the secrecy of the way in which the signing was handled, students gathered outside of the GM building brandishing signs, banners and even a bullhorn which screamed out “bullshit,” the word that students and CSU President Heather Lucas so eloquently used to describe the whole ordeal.

“The students need to rise up and speak out against this,” said Lucas, addressing the crowd.

“That administration is not being transparent or accountable to it’s students. With this deal it’s being disrespectful to it’s constituents, it’s disrespectful to all you here.”

The protest was organized to coincide with the

conference on Wednesday during which members of the school administration and a few students met with the director of corporate affairs from Nestlé Waters Canada, John B. Challinor II, who came to address the students’ desire to place a ban on the sale of bottled water.

About half an hour after the protest’s commencement, the demonstration moved inside the building. The students, numbering about 50, marched up the stairs to the ninth floor, bringing the rally directly to the meeting. There, they were met with locked doors and were thus confined to the hallways.

Initially, the protestors were told to remain at a low and respectable volume, but when TAPthirst co-founder Laura Beach chose to leave the meeting out of frustration, the crowd became rowdy. The students who were congesting the hallways proceeded to chant, clap, yell and even pound on the walls to display their malcontent with being denied entrance to the meeting.

Soon after, the majority of the protestors moved back outside to spread awareness to those passing by on the street, while a handful of representatives staged a sit-in outside the meeting to confront those participating in the conference.

“Obviously the deal is going to pass” said

See “‘PepsiCo exclu...” on p.3

STM not up to par on accessibility Jacques Gallant Assistant news editor

People with limited mobility and those who support their cause for better access to public transportation were in an uproar last week when it was revealed that the Agence de transport métropolitain’s new trains lacked proper access for commuters in wheelchairs.

But the fight to have the city’s public transit system universally accessible does not stop at the AMT. Over at the Société de transport de Montréal, things are not a whole lot better. At least for now.

Of the STM’s 68 metro stations, only seven currently have elevators, with one more joining the list by the end of the month. All eight of these stations are situated on the orange line (Montmorency, Cartier, De la Concorde, Bonaventure, Henri-Bourassa, Berri-UQAM, Lionel-Groux, and Côte-Vertu).

Among the STM’s extensive fleet of buses, 150 lines offer accessible service, meaning low floors that allow someone in a wheelchair to

See “‘Transportation...” on p.4

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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City in brief Evan LePage

Graffiti artists likely did not hear train coming

Three young men were killed early Sunday morning when they were struck by a Via Rail passenger train that likely did not hear or see the train coming, according to Montreal police.

Five young men between the ages of 17 and 19 were on the tracks in an area popular among graffiti artists below the Turcot interchange. The concrete structure of the interchange possibly muffled the sound of the train.

The police are weighing trespassing and mischief charges against the surviving two men, who were narrowly missed by the train and were treated for shock. Sterling Downey, founder of Under Pressure, Montreal’s International Graffiti Festival, told media that one of the deceased was well-known in the local community for his recent work.

Bergeron threatens resignation over the Turcot

Projet Montréal leader Richard Bergeron announced on Saturday that if the city doesn’t improve their plans for the new Turcot interchange, he’ll be leaving his seat on the executive committee. The announcement came during Projet Montréal’s general meeting last Saturday, Rue Frontenac reported. One of 14 of the city’s executives, Bergeron, who is in charge of urbanism, said that he’ll resign unless the city returns to an alternative proposal, which would see the construction of a new circular interchange with preferential lanes for public transit, as well as an attached tramway to reduce traffic.

EDUCATION

High number of Quebec grad students dropping out

Funding pressures create barriers to completing postgraduate studies Jacob Serebrin CUP Quebec Bureau Chief

(CUP) — A new report highlighting high drop-out rates and low funding for graduate studies in Quebec is drawing praise from groups that don’t often agree with one another.

An Oct. 19 report from the Conseil supérieur de l’education was motivated by the increasing number of graduate students and programs in the province and the growing importance of education levels in a knowledge-based economy.

However, according to the report, a large number of graduate students, especially those pursuing doctorates, are dropping out before they complete their studies.

“The dropout rate at the

Brother... I mean, St. André, celebrated at Big O

A Rue Frontenac reporter mused that while Quebec churches are deserted, 30,000 people came out to the Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the life of Brother André, the newest addition to the Catholic Church’s roster of saints and Canada’s first male saint as of Oct. 17. Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte presided over a two-hour mass. A sliver of Brother André’s heart and the suitcase he toted on visits were among objects brought forward. Police pegged total attendance at 30,000, while 42,000 tickets were purchased beforehand at $5. Politicians like Premier Jean Charest, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mayor Gérald Tremblay joined 58 Canadian bishops in the festivities. Merchants were selling souvenir merchandise fit for a music concert: t-shirts, wooden crucifixes, key chains, and candles.

number of graduate students.

The report stated: “Despite recent hires, the ratio of graduate students to regular faculty remains a concern, especially with regard to training and post-graduate research.”

The report has received praise from two groups that don’t usually see eye to eye: The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities and FEUQ, the province’s largest student lobby group.

“We are pleased with the positive message of the advice, which recognizes the efforts made by Quebec universities to assure the quality of training and the importance of graduate education,” said Denis Brière, council president of CREPUQ and rector of Université Laval.

CREPUQ praised the Conseil for raising funding levels as a key issue.

However, it’s not all negative.

The report also highlights “the excellence of expertise of faculty, the development of niches of excellence and the establishment of important research facilities [as] among the

main strengths of universities in Quebec, in graduate training.”

In addition, the report recommends greater opportunities for “fast-tracking” doctoral programs, saying that many master’s students are capable of entering a doctoral program before they complete their master’s.

The report also recommends that the situation of post-doctoral fellows be clarified. According to the report, the provincial government doesn’t count post-doctoral fellows as students when it calculates operating grants to universities.

Fellows also face a “precarious” financial situation since they are sometimes considered staff and sometimes considered students, depending on a wide variety of factors.

“Altogether, these factors create conditions which are not necessarily conducive to recruiting and hosting post-doctoral fellows,” the reports stated, adding that these fellows are providing an “increasingly valued contribution to the national research effort.”

RALLY

Fear and sanity-ing in D.C.

All signs point to Giggle or guffaw? Laugh- Stewart, Colbert ter contest hits MTL rally

Ten contestants brought their best laugh to Montreal last week for the annual Grand Laughing Championship.

Filmed for a documentary dubbed Rire Extreme, the competition will eventually be shown on local channel Canal D, making it the first contest of that kind to be televised, the CBC reported. The championship was created by filmmaker Albert Nerenberg, who said that laughter is healthy, good for both the heart and immune system. Appropriately, nursing home worker Nicole Veillette, of Ste. Eustache, walked away with the title of Quebec’s best laugh.

graduate level is staggering,” said Laurent Viau, president of Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec’s national graduate council.

“More than 32 per cent of graduate students and more than 47 per cent of doctoral students will not get their diploma, which is an immense loss to society.”

While the report says that the issue requires further study, it acknowledges that financial pressure is the reason some students drop out.

“Both graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are susceptible to financial pressures leading some to prolong, if not withdraw from, their studies, as this financial stress can divert time and energy away from education plans.”

The Conseil is calling for an increase in the number of merit-based scholarships in all disciplines and the indexing of scholarship amounts.

But that’s not the only issue the report found. Underfunding Quebec’s universities means that the number of faculty positions is not keeping pace with the growing

Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief (Washington, D.C.) – Estimates vary, but between 150,000 and 215,00 people packed the American National Mall with their banana and teabag costumes, humorous signs and cameras for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in an event that was to represent a general rejection of the hype and over-the-top partisan politics that have coloured the American political scene.

Two months after comedian and faux newsman Jon Stewart first announced plans for the event on his Comedy Central program The Daily Show, he and his comic rival and conservative poseur Stephen Colbert came to duke it out in a show that was part live comedy show, part concert, part “nonpolitical” rally.

While Stewart has denied it, the rally was widely seen as an unofficial response to controversial conservative pundit Glenn Beck’s Rally to Restore Honour last August. Beck, whose event took place on the anniversary of civil-rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, said that the date was arbitrary.

Stewart said the same for his rally, though the event preceded midterm elections by three days, and occured right before Hallow-

een. Attendance was higher than in Beck’s event, both of which took place at the National Mall.

The event tapped into a frustration felt by any Americans. McGill student and native New Yorker Thomas Netting said: “The reason I came down? Because I’m pissed off with a lot of stuff happening in my country. I think this country is being hijacked by extremists.”

The event targeted moderates who were fed up with the drama of extremist punditry. But several political and lobby groups like Amnesty International and fringe conspiracy theorists came with their own messages, often stationing themselves around the Mall, handing out stickers and holding up signs.

Naomi Darenblum was one of those volunteers. The Obama-campaign volunteer and Latin American political studies professor at New York University, took a day during her sabbatical leave to reach out to engage potential voters. A recent naturalized citizen, she said: “My first election was voting for Barack Obama [in Nov. 2008] and whenever I have free time, I’m in the District [of Columbia] now, I give it to the DNC.” Some accused Stewart of skirting his self-held maxim of not engaging in true political activity by holding the rally, but some viewers felt that the political message, if there was one, was muddled.

“I think there isn’t any really clear directive in this thing. I read it as a totally absurdist,” said David Henry Brown, Jr., member of a Brooklyn-based performance troupe who was working for a anti-nuclear weapon group. “It’s extra complicated, that these are mock comedians

David Henry Brown Jr. holds up a sign in front of Capitol. Photo by writer trying to do a mock political rally. I mean, if it could galvanize change in some way, that’d be great.”

Others felt that the event played out like a live version of the Daily Show, like Adam Minsky from Boston, M.A, who flew out with two friends for the day’s festivities. “I think just being here, being in this crowd, and kind of seeing the sheer numbers of people that came out to see this was really impressive.”

However, Minsky found he missed some of the content, sharing a common complaint: “But I think I’d like to get the details from what happened later on in the line.

‘Cause we just couldn’t hear.”

Despite not cleary hearing or seeing what was onstage, for many the best part was other attendees.

Minsky’s friend Alex Harrison said: “The signs were the best signs I’d ever seen, and I’ve been to a lot of rallies and protests, and these were by far, the most clever.”

Netting noted that “the people who showed up were more interesting than the event.”

The rally drew out a diverse crowd, from the apathetic to the politically engaged, from families to university students to senior citizens.

Whether an event that will be a harbinger of true political change, or just another three-hour music and comedy extravaganza remains to be seen.

Netting’s American friend, Andrew Kovstvedt, who studies Canadian studies at McGill and plans on applying for Canadian citizenship, felt that the political impact would be minimal. “I don’t think it’s going to inspire any change at all, but I think that’s kind of the nature of the rally,” he said.

Brown, meanwhile, is optimistic that people will “process” the event afterwards. “The aftermath is more important than the event.”

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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Nation in brief

Continued from cover ...

PepsiCo exclusivity deal sparks student protest David Vidler, a political science major who continued to rally outside the GM building. “I think the worst part is that they did not consult with the students first. What bugs me is this whole aspect of secrecy.”

A great deal of the students involved in the protest were not motivated by environmental concerns but rather to address concerns about a lack of transparency.

“Students should be able to trust the university that they go to and the people that run the university,” said Anum Peerzada, a women’s studies major and an international student from Pakistan. “It just makes me distrust them even more.”

After the meeting, former vice president services Michael Di Grappa, who finished his last day at Concordia this Friday, stated that the security of staff and students were more important than the issues of bottled water and cold beverage contracts. In an email, Di Grappa went on to say that faculty and staff have a “right to an environment free of harassment and intimidation.”

Evan LePage

Rocket launcher still baffling BC authorities

Like a scene out of Grand Theft Auto, a tree pruner found a loaded rocket launcher in the woods beside a highway in British Columbia last week and authorities still don’t know how it got there. The M72 launcher, originally created as an anti-tank weapon in the early ‘60s but still used by the armed forces, was likely stolen from the Canadian military, according to sources like the National Firearms Association. The Canadian Forces explosive ordnance disposal unit had to be called in to take the weapon, which had firing instructions printed right on the side. Officials believe it had been sitting in the bush where it was found for at least six months.

Protesters try to make their presence known outside of the closed door meeting. Photo by writer The day after the demonstration, students and concerned citizens were invited to a public forum at the QPIRG Concordia office which was organized as an opportunity to meet, discuss and strategize about the corporatization of the university campuses. The roomful of people

participated in exercises where, separated into groups, they compiled their visions of a perfect campus, brainstormed about how students need power on such issues as bottled water and then created a list of hypothetical demands such as the creation of an ethical purchasing policy.

By the end of the meeting, select members of the group decided to form an organization in hopes of achieving the “demands” they had set out earlier. Campus Against Corporatization, a banner which some students had been operating under, consequently became an official group.

CAMPUS

Concordia rushes to sign exclusivity contract Pepsi Refresh promotional project backed by Ukrainian Student Union

Trevor Smith Copy editor Despite the vocal protests of many students and student groups, Concordia University has followed through with signing an exclusivity beverage contract with PepsiCo, thereby assuring that the vending machines around campus will continue to be stocked with the company’s products, including bottle water.

While the contract currently allows for plastic water bottles to be distributed, Concordia’s director of media relations Chris Mota said that the university would consider including a clause in the future to

make Concordia a bottled water-free campus.

Initially, the contract was slated to be signed sometime in November, but it was unexpectedly pushed ahead to the last week of October.

This left members of the CSU as well as groups such as TAPthirst feeling that the school’s administration had conducted these moves in a backdoor manner, choosing to bypass student input. CSU president, Heather Lucas, called it “problematic, because there is a clear inconsistency in what we were being told. “ In a last ditch effort to stall the signing of the exclusivity contract, TAPthirst co-founder Laura Beach served several members of the administration with a mise en demeure, a sort of ultimatum that can precede a lawsuit, citing what she felt was a “breach of trust.”

Beach claims to possess evidence that shows the administration agreed that no negotiations or deci-

sions would be made with PepsiCo until after student representatives were met with, prompting her decision to serve the mise en demeure.

She also stated that the administration “not only broke that promise, but then publicly denied making that promise in the first place” at the meeting on Wednesday and in the signing of the contract with PepsiCo. “I would really like to see something positive to come out of this situation,” Beach said. “This situation has provided a really good opportunity to look at the processes within the university in regards to purchasing and sourcing and contracts with outside companies.”The contract was signed at some point on Friday at an undisclosed location according to Mota, who refused to name who from the university signed the contract, stating that it was “irrelevant.”

In what can only be called un-

fortunately coincidental timing, Pepsi can now be seen on campus in the atrium of the MB building. There, company representatives have set up a photo booth where students can have their picture taken set to a background of their choosing to promote any cause they feel worthy, from homelessness to spaying stray cats. The presentations would be eligbible for grants for textbooks, tuition and charities of the students’ choice.

The space was rented by Concordia’s Ukrainian Student Union’s president Vivian Zabuga, and then rented to PepsiCo at an inflated rate. CUSC had been planning this event for over a month and had not planned for it to coincide with the contested exclusivity contract signing. “It was just really bad timing,” said Zabuga. “We had to hire security and if a protest did break out then we were prepared to pack up quietly and leave.”

LEGAL

Lawsuit over Quebec Bar exam back in court Legal organization appealing decision that forced them to return corrected exam to student Jacob Serebrin Online editor The organization which regulates lawyers in Quebec will be in court with one of its own members on Thursday.

The Barreau du Quebec is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn a Superior Court decision which ordered the Bar to give one of its former students a corrected copy of an exam she wrote and an English-language marking grid for the exam.

The Quebec Bar requires potential lawyers to take a four-month

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training course and pass an exam, after they graduate from law school before they are allowed to practice in the province. They must also article, or intern, for six months.

While every province, except for Ontario, requires potential lawyers to take a training course, Quebec’s is the most expensive and the most intensive. Quebec also has the shortest articling period, with most provinces requiring 12 months.

Meena Khan sued the Bar after failing the exam in 2006, after the Bar refused to provide her with the correct answers in English and return her corrected exam. She argued the practice was unfair to students who wrote the exam in English and was not transparent, and that students could not be convinced the corrections to their exams were valid.

While the director of the exam centre did meet with Khan, she would only explain the correct answers, not the specifics of where Khan went wrong. Khan was not

allowed to make notes during the meeting or bring a lawyer who specialized in the area where she scored the lowest, labour law.

Khan claimed that the Bar’s refusal to give her the corrected exam was motivated by a desire to reuse the questions in future exams in an effort to save money.

She also said the Bar’s approach was designed to reduce the number of lawyers in Quebec and artificially raise the fees that customers pay for lawyers.

Khan told the court this was “likely to cause, in the public mind, a doubt about the intention of the Bar and cause a decrease in [public] confidence in this institution.”

Last spring, Superior Court Judge Jeannine Rousseau agreed with Khan, who had since passed the exam and become a lawyer, ruling that the Bar’s decision was unfair and was motivated by financial, rather than educational, considerations.

The Bar argued that Khan had

failed the exam because she did not take an optional prep course, which the Bar had recommended she take, and that she had too many extra-curricular activities. However Justice Rousseau dismissed the relevance of these claims.

In their appeal the Bar is arguing that the Rousseau’s decision was wrong because Bar students do not have a legal right to the answers in English or to their corrected exams.

They are also arguing that the decision is not in accordance with the legal tradition in Canadian and Quebec of not interfering in the academic sphere of educational institutions. In addition, the Bar is arguing that Quebec’s access to information laws allow public organizations to keep some documents confidential and that Justice Rousseau should have recognized the credentials of an evaluation expert the Bar called as a witness. Rousseau dismissed witness Louise Arsenault’s testimony because she has worked as a consultant for the Bar.

P.E.I. to open new performing arts school

Aspiring dancers and musicians will soon have another educational option in Canada, as Prince Edward Island is set to open a new school of performing arts. The Atlantic province will be home to the Holland College School of Performing Arts, a joint effort from the Confederation Centre of the Arts and Holland College according to the CBC. Attendees will be able to choose between a music diploma program and a performing arts foundation certificate when it opens next September, with an additional dance performance diploma program to be added in Sept. 2012.

Soldier got your tongue?

A bizarre attack in the town of Cold Lake, Alta. has made international headlines after a man, who claimed to be a British soldier, bit off and reportedly swallowed a woman’s tongue in early October. The suspect had been dancing with the woman in a local bar when they began to kiss, and he proceeded to bite a large portion of her tongue clean off. The attack has sparked interest from both the RCMP and British military authorities and has already spawned comparisons to Hannibal Lecter. The bar in question is located near CFB Cold Lake, a massive air force base which sees soldiers from many different countries fly in and out every month. Police have no suspect at this point, and are staying close-lipped about any leads.

Using Facebook to find thieves: so it’s not just for stalking

It took 15 minutes for staff at an Ottawa area sports apparel store to find one of a group of shoplifters on Facebook. Last Wednesday, shoplifters got away with a Los Angeles Kings hat and a collector’s edition No. 99 Wayne Gretzky jersey, valued at $1,000. One shoplifter was picked out on Facebook as a friend of one of the 324 users who had ‘liked’ the store’s profile page, leading to the return of the merchandise. Ottawa police chief Vernon White was ‘impressed’ with the find, and said police are working on a social media program, but they never thought of using it for investigations. Store owner Chris Torti, who has decided not to press charges, because doing so could have potentially delayed recovery of the items, told the Ottawa Citizen that he encourages fellow retailers to use the social networking site for fighting theft: “Facebook is a great [technique], because you can really dig deep.”

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

World in brief Evan LePage

Iranian government tightens leash on social sciences

Twelve social science programs are now the subjects of new restrictions in Iranian universities after the country’s education ministry found them incompatible with Islamic teachings.

The areas of study, from traditional fields like law and political science, to the more modern women’s studies, were deemed to be too heavily based on Western schools of thought, according to a ministry statement. As a result, universities in Iran can no longer open new departments in the 12 sciences, and those that already exist will see their content heavily revised.

The changes follow a statement by the nation’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni, during which he suggested officials consider changing the curriculum of these sciences which, having a basis in materialism, could cause mass doubt in the state religion.

Email, text and call from the peak of Mount Everest

What could be more amazing than standing atop Mount Everest? How about being able to call your mom to tell her where you are, then take a picture and email it to your friends. This is all possible now thanks to an Swedish telecommunications company. TeliaSonera and its Nepalese subsidiary Ncell announced this week the installation of base stations set up for a 3G mobile phone network capable of reaching the mountain’s summit. Located in the Khumbu Valley near Everest, at 5,200 meters above sea level, this base station would not only help the thousands of tourists visiting the mountain every year, but would also potential help spread mobile service in Nepal, where only one-third of the population has mobile access. In related news, Sherpa unemployment numbers are expected to skyrocket next year.

Hells Angels sue fashion label and stores over emblem use

The Hells Angels are headed to court again, but this time voluntarily. The biker gang has filed a lawsuit against the fashion label of late, renowned designer Alexander McQueen for what they felt was misuse of their trademarked symbols, like the infamous “Death Head” winged skull. The suit also targets two outlets which sell the McQueen merchandise, department store Saks and online vendor Zappos. com. A dress, a pashmina, rings and bags sold by the label all reportedly sport some of the gang’s symbols, and a few even contain the phrase “Hells Angels” in their description online.

There are two surprising elements to this story. For one, regular people have the guts to sport the Hells Angels symbol in public; and second, someone in the gang had the foresight to file a patent.

Costume witch’s hat stops London subway service

Four subway trains in London, England were stalled mid-trip this past weekend after a costume witch hat containing some metal parts was thrown on the tracks, reportedly causing a power outage. Passengers on the Tube trains were stalled in tunnels for over an hour before being evacuated and having to walk to the nearest station, the BBC reported. No word on who threw the hat onto the tracks, but somewhere in England there are Harry Potter fans desperately trying to phone the ministry of magic about some Death Eater activity.

TRANSIT

Continued from cover ...

Transportation accessibility still a work in process for Montreal agencies board.

STM spokeswoman Marianne Rouette says that all existing metro stations should receive elevators by 2025, while new stations will have elevators installed during construction. Also, as buses have a life expectancy of 16 years, they will all eventually be replaced by those with low floors. Time and money is what is preventing the project from progressing faster, Rouette indicated. ‘’Installing elevators in an existing metro station is much more costly than installing it during the construction of a new station,’’ she said. ‘’The installation costs an average of $10 million per metro station. But as the levels vary by station, some can cost up to $18 million. As the STM receives its funding from the Ministère des Transports, we have to

be assured we have confirmation of the funds before we can proceed.’’

Until the day comes when all stations have their elevators and all buses have their low floors, Rouette points to the STM’s Service de transport adapté as an alternative. It is essentially a door-to-door transportation system for people of limited mobility who pay the same $2.75 fee as all STM users.

Valérie Larouche, director of the Regroupement des usagers du transport adapté et accessible de l’Île de Montréal, is quick to point out that public transportation networks in Quebec are obligated to provide accessible transportation to all users. According to the Alliance des Regroupements des Usagers du Transport Adapté du Québec, about 15,000 people in Montreal use a wheelchair, while

over 200,000 in the region have some form of physical disability that affects their mobility.

Larouche says the Ministère du transport should be focusing its energy on improving the regular network in Montreal, especially the metro. ‘’Instead of putting so much money into repairing parts of certain stations, they should be taking more money and putting it into making the metro more accessible,’’ she added.

Larouche noted that other obstacles to accessible public transportation in Montreal include the lack of simultaneous visual and audio announcements in the metro stations, as well as the notable absence of benches at many bus stops. ‘’Over the past few years, we have

noticed though that transportation officials have become much more receptive to what we have to say,’’ she said. ‘’For many years, there were no elevators in the metro stations, so we had to start somewhere.

It is obviously going to take some time.’’

RUTAA works closely with the Ministère du transport and public transportation networks to guarantee that the needs of those with limited mobility are met, and Rouette promised that the STM is listening. ‘’It is a committee formed by transportation officials and groups representing people with limited mobility who decide which will be the next station or stations to receive elevators,’’ she said. ‘’We make sure that people with limited mobility have a voice.’’

TRANSIT

Students stuck in long OPUS card process Despite positive ratings in North America, lines for getting a reduced fare pass have some students questioning the STM system Kelly Greig Staff writer While the Société de transport de Montréal was declared one of the top transportation networks in North America by the American Public Transportation Association last month, many students are saying that there is still plenty of room to improve, especially when it comes to getting an OPUS card.

“There is always trouble in the metro but we have to do it, what

choice do we have?” said Charlotte Lemay, a Dawson College student in line with hundreds of other students to get her OPUS reduced fare pass at McGill metro station. “We should be able to renew it online so we don’t have to wait this long.’’

OPUS cards expire every two years on Oct. 31, leaving many students scrambling to get new cards.

These students also need to confirm their student status every year to be eligible for the reduced fare.

Vanessa Scarapeakia, a Marianopolis College student, said “I think the service is relatively okay. I just use the bus and metro and those are fine but things like waiting in this line are kind of inconvenient.”

The APTA award was based on a two-year period from 2007 to 2009.

These were also the inaugural years of the OPUS card system. The APTA measured customer satisfaction by surveying 3,000 customers a year, according to STM spokeswoman Marianne Rouette. To be considered, the clients had to use the bus or metro at least four times a month.

The 86 per cent satisfaction rate in

2009 is actually up from 84 per cent in 2006.

“I think they do what they can with what they’ve got,” said Phillip Zen from Rosemont CEGEP. “It’s not that great, but ... it’s better service than other big cities like Halifax or Toronto. It’s not great, but it’s not that bad.”

Compared to the other Eastern hubs Zen mentioned, Montreal’s prices are a steal. At the top of the heap, Toronto’s post-secondary student monthly Metropass is a whopping $99, but there is a deal that offers it for $89/month if purchased in a one-year package.

Halifax’s student MetroPass costs $64 with free bus and ferry transfers.

Montreal comes in with the lowest cost at $38.75/month or $148/four months.

“An average of 50,000 cards a month are being sold,” said Rouette.

“That includes new cards and replacing those that were lost, stolen or damaged.”

The STM is now also trying to appeal to cyclists. “The people who take bicycles to go to work or school

will have to find something else when the bike paths close down on Nov. 15,’’ said Rouette. ‘’We created a pass where people who are members of Vélo Quebec can buy a pass from Nov. 15 to Apr. 15 and so they don’t have to buy it at the beginning of the month. They don’t have to buy on the first of Nov. and not use it before the 15,” said Rouette.

With winter approaching, this bike pass may not seem like an ideal solution for many students who, for the time being, are forced to deal with the lines and delays.

Student Cynthia Lomardi said that this was actually her third time trying to get a reduced pass after the service was offered at her school temporarily.

“At Dawson, the line was even longer and every time I waited I had to leave to go to class,” she said, indicating she had been waiting for 45 minutes at McGill, forcing her to skip her afternoon class. “They should have more stations you could get this done at so there wouldn’t be this big cluster of people,” she said.

Sociology student Patrick Lefebvre stepped up to the plate and shed his locks last week as part of Virgin Radio 96’s month-long Shave to Save fundraiser. Lefebvre was only one of many members of the Concordia community to shave their heads for the cause last month.

The campaign raised over $366,000 for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation in 2010, bringing the 10-year total for the fundraiser to over $3.7 million. According to the campaign website, funds will be put towards research funding as well as education, support and awareness programs. Photo by Tiffany Blaise

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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CAMPUS

Event showcases what part-time faculty members bring to the table

Research and Creative Works Showcase highlights the contributions and achievements of 39 part-timers Evan LePage News editor

Accomplished musicians, film directors, and researchers walk among us.

They are just some of the approximately 900 part-time faculty members at Concordia, a small group of whom had their hobbies and side-professions highlighted at the first-ever Part-Time Faculty Research and Creative Works Showcase last week.

“The various displays and presenters that are here today will give the university community a glimpse of the wealth of experience and knowledge the part-time faculty brings to the classroom,” Dr. Rama Bhat, viceprovost of academic relations, told those in attendance. It was Bhat who originally proposed the idea for such a showcase, while Concordia University Part-Time Faculty Association president Maria Peluso was credited for bringing it into action.

Thirty-nine faculty members put their work on display in the Library Building atrium last Friday, drawing the attention of other faculty and a number of students sporadically throughout the afternoon. Attendees could watch films, look at photo-

graphs, or simply speak to professors about their exploits beyond Concordia’s classrooms.

“There’s not a lot of people here but almost everybody who walks by stops to see,” said music professor Craig Morrison. “It’s not hundreds, but it’s dozens and almost everyone is very interested, so it’s gratifying [...] and it’s a chance to be one-on-one.”

Morrison, who displayed many of his own music CDs and a few of his books, commended the event for recognizing the achievements of part-time faculty who, he said, really do bring a lot to the table at the university, despite their lack of job security.

“Part-timers persevere, and a lot of us are very active in our fields,” he said. “You can just walk around the (atrium) and you can see people are really involved at a very high level, some people at a world-class level.”

According to Peluso, many of these part-time faculty members are professionals in their fields, have had their work showcased in academic journals and museums and have even been the recipients of many awards. All of these practical and professional experiences enhance their teaching and consequently the learning experience of their students, she continued.

Provost David Graham continued in this vein, noting that while part-time faculty teach 40 per cent of courses at the university, those in fine arts and JMSB actually teach closer to 60 per cent. In these two faculties, he said, part-timers are relied upon to bring specialized knowledge, skills and real-world experience which make it “possible for Concordia to offer a range of courses and teach a range of skills that could not otherwise be offered or taught.”

But for Graham, their scholarly contributions were not the focus of the event. “This showcase, to me, is about uncovering one of Concordia’s best kept secrets,” he told the crowd.

“Which is that, although we tend to think of part-time faculty in the classroom, so many of you do a wealth of things outside the classroom.”

Most of the work exhibited seemed like a logical expression of the part-time faculty members’ knowledge: a music professor who performs and records albums, a political science professor showcasing his numerous books and text contributions on vari-

ous political subjects, etc. However, there were also a few surprises.

Francine Jones, a professor in the department of marketing, was showcasing her watercolour paintings at the event, a hobby she said none her students are aware of.

“A lot of the part-time people have hidden lives, alter egos that they pursue,” she said, when asked about the showcased works. “I’ve come to the conclusion that most people who are active and quite interested in a particular field of study or area of expertise probably have a number of other dimensions that could feed off

that same trunk.” Jones added that in her case, art and marketing are linked in many ways, like advertising.

Both administrators and faculty members expressed their approval of last week’s event and the university’s provost and president mentioned in their speeches that they hope and expect that the event will become an annual one. Bhat, for his part, offered one reason for why this should occur.

“Sometimes we take things for granted and an event like this is necessary to remind ourselves what wealth and what resources we have.”

Music professor Craig Morrison performed and showcased his CDs and books at the event. Photo by writer

CAMPUS

Study Abroad Fair simplifies process for hopeful exchange students

Former exchange students, Concordia International members had all the answers for those considering the university’s exchange programs Alessia Faustini Contributor

Students from both of Concordia’s campuses interested in pursuing academic exchanges in countries around the globe showed up in droves to Concordia International’s first-ever Study Abroad Fair last week.

Those in attendance were offered information about the programs available to them, and were presented with the over 200 destination options for students interested in pursuing an exchange, including Egypt, Germany, Australia, Singapore and Brazil.

Andy Lang, the manager of student mobility for Concordia International, said that although the deadline to apply for exchanges is

This year’s Study Abroad Fair offered students a look at over 200 exchange options. Photo by Valerie Brunet Feb. 1, the organization decided to hold the fair midway into the fall semester as there are many things for students to consider before officially applying for an exchange.

“It’s completely up to them to decide where they want to go in terms of destination, but we also encourage them to think about

where to go in terms of a fit for their program,” Lang said. “You’re looking for a double match: you’re looking for a place that interests you and that you’d want to spend a semester or a year in, but also a place that’s going to enhance or complement your program.”

Lang estimates that between 750

and 800 Concordia students partake in exchanges every year, a number made less surprising by the extensive turnout to the fair.

While eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific faculty, in general students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and must have completed at least 24 credits at

Concordia in order to be considered eligible for a foreign exchange.

Bianca Morgan, a graduate of Concordia’s anthropology department, attended the Study Abroad Fair to show her support for the organization which afforded her the opportunity to study for a year in South Africa, and to share her story with students considering going on exchanges.

Morgan, who attended the KwaZulu-Natal University in Durban from 2009-2010, referred to her difficulties with integrating socially with the people in Durban because of the segregation that lingers in post-apartheid Africa.

“When I first arrived it was kind of jarring because I am used to being in Montreal, riding my bike and being out all the time, but there you can’t be out at night and there are so many walls and big compounds with electrical wiring,” Morgan said.

She eventually got over the culture shock, saying that she “learn[ed] to move with the rhythm of people.”

Mattias Graham, a film production student considering exchanges in France or China, attended the Study Abroad Fair on the Sir George Williams campus and expressed his pleasure at how the event simplified the information-gathering process.

“It’s definitely nice to see the options right in front of you - you don’t have to dig through a website with varying degrees of success.”

life

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

6

Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com FASHION

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2010 Minimalism with hints of luxury

Season’s top fashions to instantly update your wardrobe

Many of the trends this season involve items you already have in your closet. Pair your basic black jeans and slouchy white t-shirt with any of these trends and you will look chic for the colder months.

of the most influential of the season. Each model went down the runway wearing a covetable coat in every style imaginable. There were pea coats, military styles and the brand’s classic trenches, but the most enviable of all were the shearlinglined bomber jackets. These leather aviator jackets with over-sized collars were described by the designer as being the perfect versatile coat because they are “strong and sexy, masculine and feminine.” Though the Burberry originals will run you up a couple of thousand dollars, most of the major chains were inspired by Bailey’s designs and have much more affordable options in store.

Classic Minimalism

Capes

Savannah Sher Assistant life editor

We may be on the tail end of the recession but investment dressing will never go out of style. Many of the pieces shown on the runways this season were wardrobe essentials that every woman should own. You won’t have to feel guilty about buying that knee length camel coat, sharply tailored blazer or modest leather skirt.

Phoebe Philo, who started the trend at Celine last season, described her collection in three words, “Strong, powerful, reduced.” The key to this look is an impeccable fit so don’t be afraid to head to the tailor to have your clothes nipped, tucked and hemmed to perfection.

Shearling

Christopher Bailey’s Burberry show was one

In Canadian winters, having a stylish coat is essential. This season, the easiest outerwear option to modernize any outfit is a cape. Throw a cloak on over any outfit, whether it be jeans and a t-shirt or your evening attire and voila, instant chic.

The most flattering styles hit above the knee and can be black, camel or even plaid.

Pair it with elbow or wrist length leather gloves depending on the weather.

Faux Fur

Wearing real fur is a thing of the past. Even at Chanel, which is the epitome of classic dressing, Karl Lagerfeld opted to show models wearing head-to-toe fake fur as they walked a runway

with an enormous melting iceberg in the middle.

The message was clear: being environmentally friendly has never been more fashionable. There are a lot of great imitation furs out there but beware: it’s easy for the materials to look cheap.

Opt for natural-looking neutral colors over black or white as they look more like the real deal.

Whether it’s a vest, cropped coat, scarf or even a purse, adding a touch of fur to your ensemble will keep you stylish and cozy this winter.

Leopard Print

If there is one print to invest in for fall this year it is leopard. It was shown in bags at Mulberry, on bustiers at Dolce&Gabbana and on blouses at Dries Van Noten. Wearing this feline pattern takes a certain amount of confidence so if you’re not ready to don a bold trench or shift dress, try a more subtle accent like a scarf or cardigan. The key with wearing this daring print is to keep the rest of your outfit minimal and let the leopard take centre stage.

Ladylike

Marc Jacobs says it felt like “a time to just do something really beautiful” this season and he succeeded with his fall/winter ready-to-wear collection for Louis Vuitton. The show was all about traditional femininity, taking us back to the New Look of the 1950s. The wasp waist, full tea-length skirts and corsets created a new curvy silhouette that hasn’t been seen for decades in

the fashion world. The collection maintained a modern feel with unexpected details like the leather circle skirts in shades of cream and blush the strong shouldered coats. To achieve this look, focus on accessories. A pointy toed heel or structured crocodile bag will update a simple outfit without looking like you’re in a period costume.

Lace-up Boots

The easiest way to add an edge to your fall outfit is with a pair of sturdy heeled lace up boots. There are many types to choose from whether it is a hiking style, military inspired or lined with shearling. A flat combat style boot works for daytime paired with a touch of femininity and a high heeled ankle variety will toughen up your body-con dress.

Alpine

At D&G, Dolce&Gabbana’s younger and more affordable label, all the models looked ready for a day of sipping hot chocolate at an Aspen ski lodge. There were knit sweaters with snowflake prints and rompers with reindeer prancing across them. This trend translates easily from the runway to the real world but be careful not to overdo it. One piece at a time is cheeky and ironic, more than that is overkill. Michael Kors show also had an après-ski vibe, but with more basic pieces like chunky knits, sporty overcoats and slouchy pants in beige and dove gray.

H&M

H&M

(Left) Leopard print shirt from Zara is the perfect statement piece for fall. (Right) Heeled lace-up boots from Steve Madden can accent any look. Photos by Camille Nerant

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianlife

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

7

ONLINE

Staying safe and discrete as you post and tweet

Graphic by Phil Waheed

Keeping information secure in the social media age Evan LePage News editor One click. One click can mean the difference between the job of your dreams and not being able to pay the rent. One click can mean the difference between casually surfing the Internet and being harassed constantly by advertisers. This is the reality of the new media age, an age of information distribution that goes beyond anything ever seen before.

So how do you protect yourself?

That profile picture from your friend’s birthday party where you had a little too much to drink, that product you ‘liked’ on Facebook and even your tweet about a news story you read that day, these are all pieces of information that may come to hurt you down the road. Here are a few pieces of advice to keep you and your information safe as you tweet, post, and make use of the newest technologies in social media.

Remember: once it is online, it is online forever.

“Once a piece information is out there, it is out there, in all sorts of endless and indefinite ways,” Dr. Kenneth Werbin, a professor of contemporary studies and journalism at the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, wrote in an email.

Every post is a piece of digital information and even though you may feel it is

appropriate to write that blonde joke on your friend’s wall, or tweet a rant about your past employer, these things will never go away.

“People need to think beyond the conveniences of social media,” Werbin wrote. “And always remember that trying to change or delete a piece of posted information is akin to trying to shovel an avalanche back up a mountain.”

The emphasis on permanence was reinforced by social media strategist Michael McCready who wrote, “the Internet never forgets. There is no delete button for online content.”

The detailed nature of this information has also expanded as technology has evolved, according to assistant professor in education at Concordia and social media expert Dr. Anne-Louise Davidson.

“With all the smartphone applications, we can now leave a digital trace of where we were when we did x posting or when we used x application,” she wrote. “That’s powerful information for our government and for businesses.”

Consequently, Davidson advises that people remember everything online is digitized, and “by definition, can be recorded and analyzed.”

Monitor yourself: only post things you don’t mind anyone seeing, including your boss Along with the permanence of your online footprint, the information you add to social media sites is also widely accessible.

The expert advice is simple: don’t share everything with everyone. For Davidson, this means not writing anything online you wouldn’t mind having published in a newspaper.

One of the best illustrations of how social media makes your information available is that these websites act as an entirely new forum for employers to check out job candidates.

While acknowledging the great opportunities presented by social media platforms like Facebook, McCready said “these great benefits could come at a cost - your career or future opportunities. Inappropriate usage of social media has cost the careers of many people.”

Davidson also addressed employment, stating “People don’t realize that what is online is public and people will go and look you up online. That’s the first thing many employers do.”

Considering the possible consequences on future employment, people should monitor their posts and seriously consider the implications of everything they share online.

“Messages or tweets on Twitter can easily be taken out of context because of the 140 character limitation,” McCready said. He offered the example of Octavia Nasr, a 20-year veteran journalist fired by CNN based on a tweet she made. She tweeted that she was “sad to hear of the passing of Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadl-Allah ... One of Hezbollah’s giants,” who she added she greatly respected. The comment reportedly angered supporters of Israel and cost Nasr her career.

This isn’t limited to written content, either.

Candid or incriminating photos may hamper your chance at a job as well. “When I look at some photos people put online, ouch!”

Davidson said. “This is the digital shadow that will follow them for years and they don’t realize it.”

Platforms like Facebook also allow friends to bypass your discretion and post information about you for the world to see. For this reason, McCready also advised caution in accepting friend requests.

“Only accept friend requests on Facebook from people you really know,” he wrote.

“Once they are your friend, they can post to your wall, tag you in photos, etc. “The outcome could be very negative if you don’t really know them well.”

To guard against this, Davidson even advises people to consider the option of not using their real identity. “It could be a matter of nickname, but it could also be a matter of taking a different identity altogether.”

Pay attention to user license agreements.

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter all have license agreements, which outline your rights as a user, as well as the website’s right to use your information. No matter how tedious it may seem, these are definitely worth a read.

“I would advise students that if they don’t value their privacy, they will lose it as a right,” Werbin wrote. “Valuing privacy means paying attention to end-user license agreements and making informed and critical decisions regarding the kinds of information that one chooses to post on social media platforms.”

Facebook’s license agreement forces users to accept that you grant them “a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook.” Basically this means they have the right to use absolutely anything you post on the site, and although you can make a few adjustments in your privacy settings, this is essentially impossible to avoid.

Facebook can also “change how they work without notice,” McCready said, adding that you should check these agreements regularly.

Despite the intimidating nature of information circulation on these platforms, it is important to remember that, when used intelligently, they can be extremely useful tools. This article illustrates this fact, as all interviews were conducted online, via email and other Internet tools like typewith.me, a site which could be considered social media as it allows more than one user to contribute to and edit the same document.

Ultimately, the main message of all this advice is to be cautious. In the 18th century Benjamin Franklin said “distrust and caution are the parents of security.” In the 20th century, as you sit in front of your computer with Facebook open, tweeting to your friends from your Blackberry, these words may have taken on a new context, but they remain as accurate as ever.

8

theconcordian

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

SELF-EXPRESSION

More than just skin deep Scarification is a form of self-expression making its mark in western cultures Jessica Skelton The Navigator (Vancouver Island University) NANAIMO, B.C. (CUP) — Every scar has a story.

It might recall past struggles and pain, courage and bravery, or mistakes and sheer stupidity.

It can be the result of an accident, a life-saving procedure or the birth of a child. It can even be the physical expression of a hurting spirit.

Scars often draw powerful and visceral reactions from their observers, whether sympathy, concern or macho respect and admiration. That’s because most people view them as violations of an unwilling body.

Others, however, choose to have patterns, symbols and words carved into their skin in order to be meaningfully and permanently marked. This is scarification, a form of body modification that originated in equatorial cultures, but is now attracting adherents in Western culture.

Damien Kenny is one of these people. He sports heavily-tattooed skin, numerous piercings, surgically-pointed ears and four small spikes implanted in his shaved scalp. He also regularly pierces his face with wooden skewers and suspends his body from wires attached to hooks in his flesh. Finally, he has several scars that he personally burnt and carved into his legs.

“For me, it’s all about testing the limits of the human body,” he says as he calmly points out all of the modifications he and others have done to his own body. “And I have not and will not do anything to another person that I have not done to myself.”

A professional scarification practitioner and piercer, Kenny is the owner of Nanaimo’s Outer Rim Body Mod. He has practised body modification on himself and others for well over a decade. He learned his trade in the Fakir Intensives, a series of piercing and branding courses in California founded by Fakir Musafar, the socalled father of the modern primitive movement, who is credited for bringing body modification to the Western world.

Kenny continued his education by working in body modification shops and at conventions around the world, in countries including Finland, Australia, the U.S., and his native Ireland.

He has two scars, the first a large, thick, white geometric pattern in the back of his calf — a fully healed mark made a few years ago using a process called branding, which is scarification using heat or electricity.

Blades and burns, the techniques behind scarification The three main types of branding are strike branding, when a piece of heated metal is pressed into the skin; cautery branding, which uses soldering iron-type devices or, more commonly, medical electrocautery units to create instant burns; and moxabustion, which is placing pieces of pure incense onto the skin and allowing them to burn until they self-extinguish.

The scars produced are initially thin, but Kenny says that they always get bigger, to “about the width of a wide-tipped felt marker.”

In general, branding scars are thicker and more pronounced than those made by other methods of scarification.

The second scar Kenny has is a thin red wound just above his left knee, shaped into the Devanagari symbol for Om. Delicately carved into the flesh only a few weeks earlier, the mark is an example of a practice called cutting. In this type of scarification, a design is cut into the skin using a sharp blade, usually a small medical scalpel. Typically, the cut is a few millimetres deep — about the same depth as a tattoo — so the scar left behind is thin, slightly raised and relatively precise. If the cut is deeper, though, the scar left behind will be thicker and more pronounced, as in branding.

Scarification is an ancient practice that started among hunter-gatherer societies, particularly dark-skinned equatorial peoples who have so much melanin in their skin that it is difficult to see a tattoo. According to a National Geographic

Self-empowering lotus scar by Azl at Tatooatouage on Saint-Denis Street. article titled “Scarification: Ancient Body Art Leaving New Marks,” it began as a way to express “cultural identity, community status, [a] connection to ancestors or gods — and to mark rites of passage or to ‘wear’ a permanent amulet.”

In some cultures, the raised marks were also considered beautifying. Maori men in New Zealand scarred their faces to look attractive to women, and women in Ethiopia’s Karo tribe with scarred torsos and chests are still considered particularly sensual.

In the article, Victoria Pitts, a sociology professor at the City University of New York, says scarification came to the U.S. in the mid-’80s as part of a new body modification movement, and was originally embraced by gay and lesbian subcultures.

By the mid-’90s, she says the practice was adopted by members of a neotribal (or modern primitive) movement that was “interested in reviving or [re-enacting] indigenous body rituals from around the world [and] trying to get in touch with a more authentic or spiritual experience of the body.”

Since then, scarification has spread across North America, Australia and Europe, and become, if not exactly mainstream, quite a bit less marginal.

The safety on fear of cutting Although Kenny practices both branding and cutting, he prefers the latter because cutting is more predictable in its healing and offers more control over the thickness and rising of the end result. Kenny also believes that cutting is the safer of the two simply because there is no visible blood in branding. With no bleeding involved, an inexperienced artist can do some serious damage to his or her customer, such as cutting through and cauterizing a major vein or artery, without knowing it.

Cutting, though, is the scariest type of scarification for most people. And it’s not hard to see why, as it involves scalpels, blood and pain.

However, Kenny points out that it doesn’t involve “any greater depth of [tissue penetration], any more blood, or any more pain than tattooing.”

After all, tattooing is nothing more than being pierced several thousand times with ink-covered needles. The only difference is that cutting is silent and does not involve injecting a foreign substance into the body.

Fear of scalpels, however, is a little more difficult to explain away. For many, this trepidation is not caused by the instrument, but by the person behind it. One opinion is that professional scarification practitioners are acting more like surgeons than artists. But, Kenny says, this belief couldn’t be more wrong.

“I don’t think I’m a surgeon just because I use

a scalpel. It’s completely different. I mean, just because you use a hammer doesn’t mean you’re a carpenter.”

Of course, scarification practitioners still need to have some knowledge of anatomy. Through training and later work experience, they learn to avoid vascular areas like the wrist, inner thighs and neck.

“It’s common sense,” says Darren Rinaldi, a professional piercer and brander, and owner of Nanaimo’s Tranceformations Tattoo and Body Piercing. “Stay away from the veins.”

Not everyone is quite so equable, though.

Rinaldi says that he stopped branding — the only scarification form he practiced — at his studio two years ago because his insurance company refused to cover him if he continued.

“They said branding and cutting falls under ‘practicing medicine without a license’ due to the tools used and the invasiveness of the procedure,” he explains. “This isn’t really true, though. There is no legislation on scarification in Canada.”

Overcoming the negative connotation The aforementioned fears only scratch the surface of the reservations people have about cutting and branding. Of all the negative associations that body modifiers must deal with, perhaps the most relentless is that between scarification and psychological distress.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, self-harm — also known as self-injury or self-mutilation — is the causing of mental, spiritual and physical injury to oneself without suicidal intent. Those who self-harm usually don’t know how to effectively express and deal with emotional issues such as loneliness, depression, anger, psychological pain, numbness or stress. Injuring themselves through practices like cutting or burning flesh is a coping mechanism that leads to immediate release of, and temporary relief from, negative emotions. The pain distracts from other problems, or, if the issue is numbness, allows them to feel something, or anything, again.

Body modification, on the other hand, is done for positive emotional reasons — perhaps simply to make one’s body more aesthetically pleasing.

Another person, usually a professional artist, also does scarification. However, even those who cut or brand themselves just to see what will happen, what it feels like and how it scars, aren’t self-injurious, says Kenny. As long as there is no negative emotion involved, they’re just curious.

Indeed, curiosity is one of the many reasons people turn to scarification. For some, cutting and branding are attractive because they’re unusual. For others, the fact that it is a more hardcore type of body modification than tattooing is reason enough to try it.

“People like to be bad,” Rinaldi says. “And some have a primal need to feel pain. It makes one feel alive.”

That might sound the same as needing to feel something, anything, at all, but many practitioners speak of scarification in nearly mystic tones.

“It is a very real experience that brings light to the soul, pain to the dead and life to those who hold out for hope,” says Rob Carlson, Vancouver Island University student with two brandings.

“There is something very sensual about allowing pain to willingly enter your body by any means.

This pain allows you to breathe once more.”

Carlson says his brands now remind him of “monumental changes in [his] life” and that they are also symbols of his mother, as both were made using pendants she had given him.

In fact his first brand, a Celtic eternal flame over his heart, was done specifically to honour his mother. “[The Celtic pendant] was a symbol of my mother’s love, so that if I were ever to lose the pendant, I will always carry something to remind me of her when she’s long gone and I can’t remember her face.”

Kenny notes that many people get body modifications because it helps them learn about themselves.

“It stems from the inherent human need for some kind of coming-of-age,” he says.

There is no such ritual or ceremony in the Western world, but scarification, or any body modification for that matter, allows people to approach something they fear — like blood, pain, needles or scalpels — and overcome it.

“I think cutting is beneficial spiritually and psychologically. Even if you get a cutting and it disappears completely, perhaps due to shallow cuts or improper aftercare, it’s the procedure itself [that’s beneficial],” he says.

In a society where we often define ourselves through appearance, it’s hardly surprising, argues Pitts, that scarification has caught on in Western culture.

“The problem is that we’re taking it upon ourselves to represent a whole range of indigenous cultures in ways that they may not agree with, or may violate sacred spiritual ritual.”

But for most practitioners, it’s not about continuing an ancient ceremony. For them, scarification is about practicing an art form and making a buck. It’s not them who give meaning to the scars they make — that task is for the people who choose to be permanently marked with patterns, symbols and words carved or burned into their skin.

arts

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

9

Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com

CAMPUS

Molson building strikes different chord with fine arts students Program joins dans and thatre in brand new facilities Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Assistant arts editor Graphic by Katie Brioux

There are over 8,500 students in the John Molson School of Business. At any given moment, it feels like at least half of those people are in the Molson building.

But on the eighth floor, a surprise awaits: a small hallway, so quiet you can hear the faint sounds of a flute from one end of the hall to the next. This is the music department, and even though it seems like it is on an entirely different planet, it is only an elevator ride away.

Second-year jazz students Mathew Lobraico and Hugo Roy are hanging around near the elevators, waiting for their drummer to show up for band practice. Lobraico is leaning against the wall. Roy has his guitar case slung over one shoulder.

They are the first year of music students to have class in the downtown campus. The department moved to downtown for the start of the fall semester, reuniting it with the contemporary dance and theatre departments, which had been relocated last year to the floor below it.

Lobraico and Roy met in their first year in the program, which they spent in the refectory building. “It was kind of old,” Roy said about the building.

“Old, but nice!” Lobraico chimed in.

They both agree that “it had character,” something that they say the floor in the MB building lacks.

“I found it cold,” Roy recounts about the first time he walked in. “It probably just needs some murals, some stuff, some soul put in here,” he said, gesturing towards the empty grey wall

Lobraico was leaning on.

Magdalena Zsymanska, a fourth-year theatre major joked: “I’m kind of a permanent student.” She stated the space is “neutral.” “It’s like it has no past. It’s like you’re in the present.

There are no distractions,” she explained, “but at Loyola there was more character.”

All three programs, which are part of the Faculty of Fine Arts, had been situated on the Loyola Campus until recently.

Concordia had been renting the TJ annex, the building which had housed dance and theatre, for over two decades. Part of the reason why the place had such a “lived-in feeling” is its former life as an elementary school.

In 2008, it was announced that the lease would not be renewed, and plans were drawn up to expand St-Luc Secondary school, which is nearby on Côte-St-Luc Road. This move left the contemporary dance and theatre departments with only a year to find a new space. The music department’s case was less pressing, as they operated out of the refectory, but the faculty took advantage of the situation to unite the performing arts under one roof.

Dean of fine arts Catherine Wild explained that while the news was at first somewhat panic-inducing, the faculty was not completely

taken off guard.

“We were undertaking a space assessment over the last few years of the entire faculty,” she said, adding that already having such information at hand had “allowed us to make this an opportunity where we were able to not only move them on short notice, but move them to facilities that far better met the needs of the curriculum and research.”

Boxes line the office of music department chair Dr. Ricardo Dal Farra. He spends several minutes on the phone trying to coordinate the shipment of new keyboards, which have yet to arrive. Despite the clutter, he is happy: for him, the move has been a successful one.

“Someone came and said to me, well you know in my classroom, there is

no eraser. So I said, this is like a perfect world. If after a move of such complexity the only problem is that someone couldn’t find an eraser in his classroom, then I think this was really the confirmation that it was a great move.”

As of yet, the students seem to agree.

Lobraico, Roy, and Zsymanska all praised the quality of their respective programs’ facilities. However, for the music students, the new equipment comes at a cost.

“Here, everything’s locked,” Lobraico said. He’s referring to the practice rooms, which can only be accessed through a booking system, which several students found wanting. Lobraico also stressed the need for a better system, lamenting the fact that “we can’t freely practice when we’re inspired,” whereas at Loyola “it was just first come, first serve. If there was a free place, we would be able to walk in.”

There are a host of advantages to being downtown which balance out the adjustments that need to be made. Contemporary dance chair Michael Montanaro has been pleased with the amount of “cross-fertilization” that has been happening between departments. For example, he has already seen a “much closer affiliation between the dancers’ student association and the theatre students’ association” and “assumes that will happen with music as well.”

“Everyone’s nervous about fine arts being in the John Molson building, but I think it’s been a great mix,” he opined. “JMSB students are already more

curious about fine arts events, such as the monthly Studio 7s which bring together theatre and dance majors for performances to an audience of around 100 people.”

Nevertheless, as state-of-the-art as these facilities are, they are not permanent.

The long-term plan is to move all three performing arts programs into the Grey Nuns Complex in the first phase of the project. According to Wild, “even in the best case scenario it would take about five years to realize the plan.”

That time frame encompasses competition for the site, choosing the site plan, and construction, as well as raising the required funding.

Concordia bought the rights to the complex in 2004. According to the fine arts website, the deadline for this project is 2022, although Wild explained that it was for both phases of the project.

Back in the MB building, Chris Lepp-Forest, the drummer, finally arrives, and the trio head off to their practice session.

The move may have disconnected the music department from its history, but its heart remains in the students. As long as they are not alienated, their character will continue to infuse whichever building in which they reside – whether that is the refectory, MB or Grey Nuns.

For more information about Studio 7 performances, visit dance.concordia.ca/News. html

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

POLITICA

theconcordian

Rainmakers offers a new window on the east Director FlorisJan van Luyn reveals the faces of contemporary China Race Capet Contributor Rainmakers is a different kind of environmental documentary. When Dutch filmmaker Floris-Jan van Luyn was asked by German producer ZDF ARTE to make a film about pollution in China, he did not want to take the easy way out. Many such films could and have been made out of statistics and interviews with government officials. Speaking from Taipei, where Rainmakers has just been screened, he said everyone knows what environmental waste looks like, and knows it is bad.

Van Luyn, who spent six years as a foreign correspondent in China, wanted to do something different. “I am not a journalist anymore,” he said. “I really don’t want to make journalist stories. So I wanted to approach this film in a different way.”

The result is an environmental film that is really about people. In four chapters, artfully structured around the theme of the classical elements, we meet four ordinary Chinese citizens: Wei Dongying spends her days sampling water and petitioning local authorities in a southern village where fish smell like paint; in Beijing, Zhao Lei attempts to organize protests and demonstrations against the city’s deteriorating air quality; Chen Lifang rallies the inhabitants of her town in Hunan Province against a chloropropyl factory that is destroying their river; in Inner Mongolia, the herdsman Nasen struggles to cope with the advance of the desert.

These stories are environmental and political, but what binds them to each other, and to us half a world away, is that they are human stories, in which “people are not only struggling for the

Rainmakers tells the story of four chinese women who have become unlikely activists in a struggle against the pollution that is threatening their communities. environment, but also have relationships, and so they fight about who’s cleaning the house.”

Van Luyn lamented the many “prejudiced stories” that colour our discourse about China and depict it as a monolith with black and white problems and solutions. He finds this narrative “a bit easy.”

“It’s always a massive thing,” he said, “and you never see the faces behind it, and I wanted to really show what it really means to certain individuals”.

Rainmakers shows us not only a side of China that isn’t often seen, but a side of activism that is frequently missed as well. We are inundated with stories of hobbyist activists, who go out looking to fulfill themselves with an adopted cause, but the women in the first three chapters

of this film have had activism thrust upon them.

They are deeply devoted to their causes, because the causes are their own; real threats that face their families and communities.

When Zhao Lei sadly puts the costumes she used to dance in back into the closet, or when Chen Lifang solemnly confides to the camera her love for her husband, who has taken on the household chores to leave her more time for addressing letters to government officials, we keenly feel how much these women wish there were no need for their activism, and how anxiously they look forward to the day when it will be over.

Van Luyn said that the real aim of his film is achieved in these intimate, personal moments.

He believes in telling a story about pollution in

China, and hopes that it will make his viewers think, but Rainmakers is about more than that.

He explained, “I think when the millions become single faces, then it’s easier for people to make the connection, and say, well, maybe I have to think twice before I buy certain kinds of stuff in China, but I can’t say that that is my aim.”

Rainmakers is a film about how the struggle of human life manifests personally, socially, politically, and ecologically. “I’m not an activist filmmaker,” said Van Luyn. “I’m happy if people just see a human side to this kind of struggle and start to think from there.”

Rainmakers is screening at Cinema Politica Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in Room H-110. For more information, visit www.cinemapolitica.org.

FILM

Montreal DIY movie premieres How to make a movie for under $5,000 Andre Joseph Cordeiro Staff writer The allure of the silver screen has captured the hearts and minds of generations, causing the medium to become the predominant fashion of storytelling. In recent years, the allure of directing one’s own feature has risen as well, with the likes of Robert Rodriguez and the independent film movement stirring up future filmmakers to go out by themselves and make a movie. It’s no surprise that one of Concordia’s very own has done just that.

Communications student Lee Thorburn and his crew have produced Juliet is the Sun, a retelling of the classic Shakespearean theatrical production of Romeo and Juliet, infused with the elements of human trafficking, gangsters, and prostitution.

From an escort agency known as “Verona Girls,” to the protagonist’s home on “18 Lawrence Avenue,” the film gives subtle nods to the original, while bringing the story into the contemporary. The long journey of the film’s four-year process of writing, filming, and postproduction culminates with the film’s premiere at the Cinema du Parc on Nov. 6.

The independent spirit of the project is immediately noticeable, with the producer’s choice to shoot on digital video, instead of film negative, which is the technique used in most Hollywood movies.

“Had we shot on film, Juliet is the Sun would have been totally out of our price range,” Thorburn recalled. “In the end we actually came in under budget at roughly $4,800, something we are extremely proud of. The limitations of the budget turned out to be beneficial for all of us because it encouraged us to be creative and efficient.”

In order to achieve the elusive “film look,” the crew employed the use of a field adapter. The adapter, which was attached to a high-definition

Christina Sciotino (above) is the Juliet to Matthe Outerbridge’s Romeo in this dramatic retelling of the Shakespeare classic camera, allowed the cinematographer to attach 35mm photographic lenses, to achieve a shallow depth of field common in most major motion pictures. The depth of field effect can be noticed when a particular character or object is in focus, and the rest of the scene is blurred, focusing the attention of the audience.

Thorburn remarked that “the resulting image, in combination with hand-held camera work, really created a raw look,” which complements the chaotic relationships and the world where they take place.

After the screening, the producers intend to submit to various film festivals, in the hopes of building toward a distribution deal. “But failing that,” as Thorburn pointed out, “we’ll persevere in traditional indie fashion through self-distribution.”

The film crew also used do-it-yourself tech-

niques for their casting. Instead of traditional casting calls, producers followed recommendations from crew. Matthew Outerbridge, for example, landed the role as central character Tristan thanks to a suggestion from the boom operator. Christina Sciotino plays his female counterpart, Michele, a prostitute with a ruthless Russian handler. She was discovered in another student film, and the director offered the role to her based on her potential. Other actors were met through studies at Concordia, past creative work experiences, and even a brother-in-law.

“Selecting Chris Ramsay was a fluke,” remembered Thorburn. Ramsay plays Michele’s Russian pimp. “He caught me completely off guard when he asked to audition, but out of curiosity, I couldn’t refuse. I went in with neutral expectations but his raw talent and amazing Russian accent blew me away.”

Sequences were shot on location in Montreal, moving quickly to avoid the hassle of permits, with indoor locations being shot late at night.

The self-reliant determination of the filmmakers was not always a positive.

“We nearly injured Matthew Outerbridge,” recollected Thorburn. “We were using a realistic BB gun as a prop and neglected to remove the compressed air cartridge from within. So as a result the gun went off unexpectedly.” No one was hurt, and everyone calmed down in time for the second take.

In the independent spirit, Thorburn reminded all aspiring filmmakers: “We are all amateurs.

Keep that mindset, and you will never stop learning.”

Juliet is the Sun opens on Nov. 6, at Cinema du Parc, 3575 Av. du Parc at 12:30 p.m.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianarts FILM

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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FILM

Your weekly spoiler alert! Puppeteer grabs his

The Brain That Wouldn’t Die explained by a girl who knows her shit Jessica Wei Contributor

Man. Science rocks. I’m just an arts reporter, but I can get behind anyone who can talk transplants -- arms, legs, brains, whatever. Which, according to this movie, is possible. Oh, the ‘60s!

This week, we’re giving you one last Halloween goodie... and you thought you were done pulling cobwebs out of your hair. Grab some discount Pharmaprix candy, crack open a brewskie, and continue reading, because I watched 1962’s The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, so you never have to.

(You’re welcome.)

The first shot is total darkness and you hear some girl’s voice shuddering “Let me die... let me die...� Hmmm, maybe that’s the BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE? It starts in an operating room. This surgeon has just killed his patient. His son, Bill, steps up and says, “Hey, my turn.� Obviously the hospital has time for three nurses and two surgeons to keep operating on someone who’s already dead.

Whatever, after some brain magic -- heartbeat!

He’s alive! Cool. They meet up with Jan, Bill’s girlfriend. As he’s walking out, dad asks, “Have you been stealing limbs for your little transplants, again?� Bill answers, “No, leave me alone.�

Bill’s secretary’s got an “urgent message� from some guy Kurt, from the “country place� saying “something terrible happened,� so Bill and Jan go see what’s up.

Bill’s in a real hurry so he’s really “2 Fast 2 Furious�-ing the car, veering sharply, speeding, and-- CRASH! Bill goes flying! He goes back to the car, now on fire. Jan’s in there! Shit! He removes his blazer, wraps something in it, and bolts. Who has time to call an ambulance when Kurt’s waiting?

He finally gets to his house and Kurt’s like, “Check the closet.� There’s groaning and moaning coming from the closet, but Bill ain’t interested. He’s got his girlfriend’s fucking head in his blazer. He hooks her up to this chemistry set. She comes alive! She’s pissed but he’s like, “I

can save you!� Men. He’s like, “BRB, going to the strip club!� Obviously. Meanwhile, Jan is stewing over how she’d much rather die. She hears knocking from the closet and talks to the closet: “Yesss..... revenge?�

More knocking. Kurt comes downstairs and Jan continues bitching, “Blah blah blah, saved my life, trying to find me a body... what a dick.�

Oh -- and Kurt’s hand is fucked.

Meanwhile, Bill’s coasting down the road checking out biddies for a potential girlfriend body. He picks up this blond, but her friend’s like “Ohhaidere, mister! Ride please?� Plot foiled!

But they start talking about Doris, this chick they used to know with a slamming bod and he’s like, “Yes! Tell me more!�

So, he drives to Doris’ house and she’s surrounded by Tobias-FĂźnke-esque photographers who say things like “LET ME PHOTOGRAPH YOU PRIVATELY, YOU WANT MONEYâ€? which she meets with, “No, I’m a bitter lesbian!â€?

Bill approaches her. “Hey, I’m a surgeon.

Sup.� She’s like, “Look! My face!� There’s a scar from when she was abused by an ex-boyfriend.

Embarrassing.

Meanwhile, Kurt and Jan are fighting: JAN: “I want to die.�

KURT: “Fuck off, you’re alive.�

JAN: “What’s in the closet?�

KURT: “Horror.�

JAN: “Oh, shit for you, we’re buds now�

KURT: “You miserable fool!�

JAN: “I can read minds because of this black goo pumping my brain�

KURT: “Oh. Damn.�

Back in that other place, Bill’s talking to Doris, all, “Babe, we can fix that.� Doris goes, “Reeeeeally?� and Bill’s like, “Yeah, come check out my crib.�

Meanwhile, Kurt goes to feed the monster, but is accidentally strangled to death. Bill returns with Doris. He goes to the basement, sees Kurt in a bloody heap on the floor, arm torn off -- no reaction -- tosses a sheet over him, fixes a drink (heavy on the cyanide), returns upstairs. Doris drinks it, says, “I’m tired. Did you drug me?� He nods. She faints. He carries her downstairs, and Jan whines, “Wait! Stop!� (naggy bitch). The monster breaks out, kills Bill, a beaker tips over – Shit! Fire! Jan’s like, “I TOLD YOU TO LET ME DIE.�

Scene.

Graphic by Katie Brioux

audience by the strings

Purves, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his short film Screen Play, said he wishes he had a feature-length film to his name. Photo by Tiffany Blaise

Stop-Motion Festival welcomes Barry J.C. Purves and his dolls Jasmine Papillon-Smith Contributor Film industry great Barry J.C. Purves opened Montreal’s second annual Stop-Motion Film Festival with a glorious sequence of animation classics, along with several of his own clips.

Passionate, theatrical, and above all, knowledgeable, Purves guided the audience through the epitomizing moments of cinema and stopmotion history, from obscure student films, to the original Hong Kong, all the way to classic Hitchcock. “Truth comes out of artificiality, and I think that is really what animation is about,� said the filmmaker.

The internationally-acclaimed stop-motion director, best known for his short films Next, Rigoletto and Screenplay, was unassuming and far from pretentious. In fact, from behind his chic black cardigan and finely-combed hair, he admitted to the audience that he wished he had a feature film to his name, and was a greater success.

His energy not waning for one second, the 55-year-old British puppeteer, animator, director and producer showed the audience clips from the English play Warhorse, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, the famous ballet ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin CafĂŠ, King Kong, and others. “I have been playing with dolls for 33 years, and I love it,â€? declared Purves. “I still have a teddy from the day I was born. His name is Poo.â€?

Purves’ zeal for animation was almost exhausting, but nothing short of inspired. Every short clip he played was used to point out creative use of settings, props, sound, characters and expression. He emphasized the importance of externalizing emotion through animation.

His dedication to the precision of simple movement could be felt throughout the room. “When [Purves] is using examples, when he shows the clip of a movie, he also explains it. For me, that’s gold, because it goes beyond being just a guy who is saying something; he’s also proving it,� said Thierry Brodeur, a third-year animation student at Concordia.

Purves had many words of wisdom for young animators, mostly encouraging them to embrace the simplicity of animation, and not try to copy real life. “I was very happy, because I thought he would just introduce his films in a few minutes and we would watch, but in the end he gave a whole master class, and it moved me greatly,� said Claire Brognier, an audience member.

The creator admitted several times to weeping at the beauty of a life-changing film — of which there were several — only to declare later that he was often criticized for being overly-dramatic.

It is to be noted that such critics were not far off the mark.

The relationship between the puppet and the animator was acknowledged on more than one occasion. In fact, the puppet was awaiting the audience at every turn. “[Animation] uses the elements of music, color, design and movement to say something that the characters can’t — for whatever reason, be it gender, social or political reasons — express themselves,� continued Purves.

Purves’ attention to detail and love of the industry were demonstrated in his own pieces, works which he took turns unabashedly criticizing and praising. “It seems the more high-tech films like Avatar are getting, there still remains an appetite for one man, standing on a stage, telling a story, and there always will be,� he concluded.

The Montreal Stop-Motion Film Festival, which ran at Concordia Friday through Sunday, could not have been introduced in a more aweinducing light, even for members of the audience who were not familiar with the art form.

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12

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

EXHIBIT

theconcordian

Out of Grace morphs over four weeks New exhibit blends mediums to create dynamic space Daryn Wright Contributor

When it comes to the world of art, there are so many different niches to be a part of, from photography to painting, drawing to dancing, multimedia; rarely seen is an exhibit that combines all of these genres, making Out of Grace difficult to define, and even more interesting to witness.

Lynda Gaudreau’s project opens this Wednesday at the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery.

This exhibit in particular explores being “out of dance.” It centres on the relationship between space and time, between the living body and how it coexists with not only other physical beings, but also the transforming world.

Gaudreau, a choreographer since 1992, says her intention of melding the different arts together is to see how the viewer reacts to this meshing, to see if the performers or visual artists cancel each other out, and to question how it is we perceive space and time.

The five white rooms are situated sporadically throughout the gallery, and have been installed with five visual artists’ pieces, and five performers who leap and shudder and slide across the floor, although Gaudreau insists the reoccurring number five is completely coincidental.

The pieces by the visual artists will grow and transform over the five weeks that the exhibit is showing, eliminating the empty spaces of the gallery.

Aude Moreau’s piece, “Caution: Slippery Floor,” appears as a leak from the corner of the immaculate white wall in the main room, oozing slowly out onto the wooden floors, making the viewer wonder whether it’s oil or water or paint or molasses. The spill slowly eats away

Dancers rehearse for one of the five Out of Grace performances to come over the next few weeks. at the dancers’ space, defining an exclusive territory and changing our perception of the room we are given.

Jerome Fortin is another visual artist with work on display in the entry room. The snowflake-shaped tin can cutouts are strung from the roof in the entryway of the gallery, bringing a meditative, dream-like aura to the space. Fortin’s piece will also be added to over the course of the five weeks, limiting the visitors’ walking space, and the dancers’ moving space.

Deep, storm-like sounds and flickering fluorescent lights lead the performing artists from room to room. The contrast of light versus darkness dictates the dancer’s comfort, and the flashing lights cause stunned, abrupt movements. The performers are constantly reaching out, running from room to room, and expanding a physical desire to take up space, to find clarity.

As the exhibit progresses, the disarray seems to grow, and the performers begin shedding layers, gathering in corners like black lumps of clothing strewn about the floor. While this movement is going on, the viewer is constantly uncertain as to where it is safe to stand. The dancers move from every bench and corner available, often moving into the intimate space of the observer. Gallery visitors are welcomed to wander within every corner of the gallery as well, increasing the unpredictability of where is safe; of what is a comfortable distance.

This meshing of viewer to performer to visual art piece reflects the exhibit’s theme: the challenge to make your own niche in an everchanging environment.

By the end of the five weeks, only one performer will remain, yet the art pieces will have expanded to take up nearly all white spaces.

Gaudreau described this transformation as a “start in dance, end in visual art.” She also welcomes the viewer to question the threshold of the body, shifting from a performer, to a photograph, to a sculpture.

Surely, when the spotlight finds a still dancer, leaning with face up against the wall, it is easy to imagine the transformation of living person to solid sculpture, and back to dancer again as she slides across the floor.

Out of Grace will be on exhibit at the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery, in the LB building, from Nov. 3 to Dec. 11. Keep an eye out for our photo essay detailing the progression of the exhibit online.

THEATRE

Fifty Words: a play about love, and everything that comes with it Take a peek at what goes on in Jan and Adam’s kitchen Amanda Dafniotis Staff writer Love. One word, four letters, and an infinite amount of meaning. Don’t you sometimes wish that there were at least 50 words to describe what love means to you? Relationships are complicated. One minute you love the person, the next you can’t stand them.

Fifty Words, by Michael Weller, starring Nicole Braber and Craig Thomas, is about a married couple, forced to face who they have become and what their life is like, something they wish they could ignore. Director Jeremy Taylor believes that part of its appeal is that it “speaks to some degree of the human condition.” Everyone relates to relationship problems, even familial ones. We all, at some point in our lives, question our motivations and doubt our decisions. “The power of the play is in its universality,” said Taylor.

Though the play is set in Brooklyn, this type of confrontation can happen anywhere.

You know that awkward feeling you get when you witness an argument in someone else’s house? That discomfort sums up the mood of the play. Witnessing such a real and private conversation is an unusual experience. The play, shown at The Freestanding Room, is able to seat a maximum of 30.

Not only is the content very intimate, but there is no barrier separating the set from the

audience. The audience members are literally in the couple’s kitchen, adding to the feeling of intruding and invading someone’s privacy.

Taylor and his team successfully create a private and personal space, where the audience feels like a fly on the wall, eavesdropping on conversation.

Jan and Adam can no longer turn a blind eye to what their marriage has become. Since their son is at a friend’s, the two are left alone to uncover layers, revealing secrets and repressed feelings. The couple have a very raw and volatile relationship, full of passion and destructive behaviour.

Braber believes that no matter your age or walk of life “you will relate to Fifty Words in many ways, it will stay with you, and it will change your perspective.”

Both characters are authentic and genuine, and bare their souls for all to see. They were desperately pitiful at times, and incredibly charming together. Sparks flew between the pair, as did dishes, for that matter. People argue all the time, they fight, and they hurt those closest to them. “The audience responded well to the fact that they can relate in some way or another,” said Taylor. “People are personally affected because they identify with the characters.”

Love: such a simple yet complex word.

There should be 50 words for it, just as there are 50 reasons why you should make your way to The Freestanding Room to intrude.

If you enjoy listening in on people’s conversations, then Fifty Words is the play for you! Head to The Freestanding Room, located at 4324 St-Laurent Blvd. to get your dose of gossip. The play runs until Nov. 6, Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m.

Jan and Adam are a married couple in the midst of a turbulent upheaval in their relationship.

music

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

13

We congratulate CJLO on winning Station of the Year, Best Team Effort, Best Use of Limited Resources and two other awards at this year’s CMJ College Radio Music Awards. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at the station, which will include one of this year’s award winners, head music director Omar Husain, in next week’s issue. Bravo guys!

Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com PARTY

An evening of epidemic proportions

Cora Ballou Assistant music editor

Photos by Emilia Alvarez

It seems that this year’s Halloween weekend came and went too quickly. With all the parties happening this weekend, it was hard to choose where to go. Thankfully, we’ve got you guys covered on the hottest Halloween happening of the weekend, Indecent Xposure: Epidemic. If the walk through the deserted Griffintown streets wasn’t spooky enough, the Human Traffic meets Nightmare on Elm Street vibe definitely did the trick. Featuring some of Montreal’s best DJs as well as a suitably Halloweeny theme that included a morgue, test tube shots and lots of scary clownmeets-psychiatric ward costumes, it was definitely a good time all around. Here are the remembered and not so remembered moments of our night.

Held in a huge Griffintown loft, the party started around 10 p.m. Revelers were decked out in their best costumes as they waited in line to get in. Even though the party had sold out a few days before, people were still trying to get in at midnight.

Continuing with the epidemic theme, promoters decorated the walls with psychedelic “blood” splatter. Being their fifth Halloween production, things ran smoothly except for a few minor traffic jams around coat check.

Even with the spooky theme, lots of new love birds were forming in the hidden corners of the warehouse. Numbers were exchanged and maybe a few quick kisses. “Slash, meet sexy french maid. Sexy french maid, meet Slash.”

The year’s first snowfall did little to quell the constant stream of people coming into the venue. A back entrance – with the ominous title of “The Morgue” - lead to a tent-covered area where revelers could smoke and socialize. Here an attendee prepares to brave the cold, while still looking stylish.

A sure marker of a successful event, the party-goers began to lose themselves in the music as the hours trickled by. Soon, the tables were being danced on and new friends were being made. Here a silver devil joins the magic unicorn lady in feeling the beat.

Local DJs spun beats until the early morning hours. A light show accompanied the music, while sometimes racy, sometimes trippy projections adorned the walls.

The great thing about Halloween is that nobody can judge you for dressing slutting or acting creepy. These two clowns discuss their attack strategy before heading out to the dance floor to scare a few sexy sailors.

By the end of the night, the party was in full swing. From the devils to the angels, everybody seemed to have had a good time. Even through the cold and the snow, Montrealers once again proved that they are fully committed to a good time.

For the complete gallery of the night, go to www.theconcordian.com/music.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianmusic

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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INTERVIEW

Everything is going just dandy The Dandy Warhols reflect on their career with the release of a Best Of album and a new tour.

Olivia Dumas Staff writer The reasons behind the release of a greatest hits album can sometimes be unpleasant.

It usually marks a milestone in a band’s career where members have either become has-beens, broke, or are more nobly attempting to commemorate their career thus far.

Regardless of the reasons behind The Dandy Warhols Collection: The Capitol Years 19952007, Peter Holmström, the guitarist of The Dandy Warhols explained: “It feels like it’s the end of something. It’s a strange feeling.

After, there’s the rest, but for now it’s really weird to put things in[to] perspective.”

The album itself holds up well as a solid assortment of most of their best (and famous) songs, such as “Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth,” “Bohemian Like You,” “Get Off” and “Godless,” but it also includes a new song “This Is The Tide,” that fits in snugly with their older repertoire. To this Holmström added: “I mean, you kind of have to put [a new song] on these types of albums.

‘This Is The Tide’ is a classic Dandy song, which is why it fits in so well.”

And the nostalgia doesn’t stop there. Earlier this month, the band reunited with their original drummer Eric Hedford to commemorate the soon-to-be defunct club Satyricon in Portland, where they got started back in the day. A one-night affair, it brought the band back to their roots.

However, the Dandys are not a band to wallow in the past and are currently working on their next album. According to Holmström: “What’s been played around with so far sounds nothing like what we usually make. It’s hard to know what it’s going to sound like cause it’s just the skeleton so far, but it doesn’t sound like any other Dandy album.”

It seems like every band that makes it

We’re still friends: The Dandy Warhols are still rocking out after all these years. Photo courtesy of the artist sooner or later gets labeled as a sell-out. In the case of The Dandy Warhols, this came in the form of a Vodafone ad from the early 2000s. This coupled with their new compilation sees Holmström sensibly sending these claims the other way with the practical reality of today’s music industry: “We definitely got some snide comments, but I mean whatever.

You have to look at it this way, the money from that ad allowed us to buy our studio and the freedom to do whatever we want.”

explained Holmström, adding that the song made made the charts’ top five soon after, and not because of the ad but “because it’s a great song.”

“It’s for this reason that bands these days all want to get in ads. They’re the only people who pay for music. I mean, you don’t make any money from sales, and hardly any money from touring. It’s hard for bands that don’t ‘fit’ into that box.”

With this “screw it” attitude, a noteworthy

career behind them and the promise of more to come, The Dandy Warhols deserve a little recognition in the form of a Best of album.

What this compilation really means in the wake of their career is still a bit foggy, but if that means Montreal will be host to The Dandy Warhols this week, then who cares?

See The Dandy Warhols on Nov. 2 at Le National.

REVIEW

The Wooden Sky got intimate at Sala Rossa An easygoing crowd was treated to a surprise acoustic set

Katelyn Spidle Music editor Although the mellow atmosphere at Sala Rossa on Tuesday night could have easily been misjudged as a lack of interest, Torontobased group The Wooden Sky put on a lively and unique concert with the help of their opening act, Yukon Blonde.

The Wooden Sky was established in 2007 and have been touring throughout North America and Europe for the past year and a half to promote their second album, If I Don’t Come Home, You’ll Know I’m Gone.

The four-piece includes Gavin Gardiner (guitar, vocals, harmonica), Andrew Wyatt (bass, vocals), Simon Walker (piano, vocals, guitar), and Andrew Kekewich (drums).

They have been known to join forces with members of other Ontario-based indie bands such as Timber Timbre, Forest City Lovers and Ohbijou. Unfortunately, Tuesday night’s set did not feature such collaborations.

Once The Wooden Sky came on stage it became obvious that the band considered Yukon Blonde to be both talented musicians and close friends. Gardiner mentioned that they had been touring with Yukon Blonde for, “...pretty much our whole lives.” He thanked the Vancouver-based group at various points

during the concert and encouraged the audience to purchase their self-titled debut album.

The Wooden Sky’s otherwise mellow tunes were amped up for their live performance. Their long and dreamy guitar solos worked nicely with their overall country-rock sound. Gardiner’s vocals were off-key at many points during their set, but these were not extended and could therefore be permissibly brushed off as live bursts of passion.

The band had a mediocre stage presence which was obvious when observing the crowd’s demeanour. The musicians sported serious and concentrated faces only to crack weak smiles at certain points during their more upbeat songs. Consequently, distant faces were reflected in the crowd. The audience gazed toward the stage as if attentive but unmoved.

It seemed as though the show-goers had been expecting a more laidback set because both Yukon Blonde and The Wooden Sky made various failed attempts at upping the crowd’s enthusiasm. Band members would clap at certain points of a song but the trend only spread to the first few rows of people who were standing directly in front of the stage.

However this is not to say that the show was a letdown. In fact, the night was full of surprises. Kekewich and Walker joined Yukon Blonde on stage for one song by enthusiastically shaking tambourines and dancing, adding a fun and engaging touch to the opening act, whom the majority of the crowd appeared to not recognize.

As The Wooden Sky disappeared behind the red velvet backdrop of the stage, the

crowd stomped and cheered for an encore.

A much-needed boost of energy came from two members of Yukon Blonde joining The Wooden Sky on stage for their final song as extra percussionists.

People quickly dispersed after the encore as Gardiner announced that a surprise acoustic performance would be taking place in the stairs almost directly following the set. The convivial, impromptu encore turned out to be the highlight of the night; it lent the show

a feeling of intimacy that their fans appeared to have been craving, and featured a different array of instruments: Wyatt rocked a banjo while Gardiner busted out a harmonica.

Yukon Blonde joined in this time with beers in hand, creating a friendly jam-session vibe which felt far more appropriate and familiar considering both The Wooden Sky’s sound and their reputation for collaborating with various musicians.

Brandon Scott and Jeff Inness of Yukon Blonde at La Sala Rossa. Photo by Shannon H. Myers

15

theconcordian

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

MIXTAPE

Love & Hate

Kalina Rasberry Contributor Serena and Blair. Pam and Tommy Lee. Eminem and Kim. What do these people and characters have in common? They share fascinating relationships that consist of passion, toxicity and fury. They are characterized by countless breakups and reconciliations that become as common as as the act of switching a light on and off. They are consistently inconsistent, addictive and vindictive. Whether

as lovers or “frenemies,” most people have experienced a love-hate relationship in one way or another. It is the heartbreaking and confusing nature of these relationships that make them worthy of a mixtape.

To listen go to www.8tracks.com/the_ concordian/love-hate

SIDE A : LOVE “With A Bullet” - Sam Roberts Chemical City, 2006 “Hey Leonardo” - Blessed Union of Souls - Walking Off the Buzz, 1999 “All My Loving” - The Beatles With The Beatles, 1963 “All I Want Is You” - U2 - Rattle and Hum, 1988 “Mother We Just Can’t Get Enough” - The New Radicals Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too, 1998 “Kiss Me” - Sixpence None The Richer - Sixpence None The Richer, 1997 “When Love Takes Over” - David Guetta feat Kelly Rowland - One Love, 2009 “Stellar” - Incubus - Make Yourself, 1999 “Time After Time” - Cyndi Lauper , 1983 “Wonderwall” - Oasis - (What’s

Quick Spins

The Story) Morning Glory, 1995 SIDE B: HATE “Foundations” - Kate Nash - Made of Bricks, 2007 “Not Ready To Make Nice” - The Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way, 2006 “The One” - Foo Fighters - All My Life, 2002 “You’re Not Sorry” - Taylor Swift (Single), 2008 “Bulletproof” - La Roux - La Roux, 2009 “Bound for the Floor” - Local H As Good As Dead, 1996 “Superman” - Eminem - The Eminem Show, 2002 “I Get It” - Chevelle - Vena Sera, 2007 “I Hate Everything About You” Three Days Grace - Three Days Grace, 2003 “So What ”- Pink - Funhouse, 2008

Retro review

Parlovr- Hell/Heaven/Big/Love (Dine Alone Records; 2010)

Random Recipe - Fold It! Mold It! (Bonsound ; 2010)

Considering Intronaut’s impressive back catalogue, anticipations were high for their newest record, Valley of Smoke. While still maintaining the same focus on the bass and the display of technical proficiency, Valley of Smoke finds them becoming more atmospheric, less aggressive and, for the first time, featuring clear vocals. For the most part, it works. Songs like “Miasma” manage to progress through multiple moods without ever losing focus, while “Core Relations” recall classic Intronaut tracks like “Whittler of Fortune”.

Some tracks are noticeably weaker and less compelling than others. Songs like “Below” and “Elegy” are less recognizably Intronaut and consequently lack the quality that makes the band’s songs so memorable. But the biggest problem is the lyrical content with phrases like “The missing pieces are all that’s left” and “smoke without mirrors” which appear to want to be seem profound.

Valleys of Smoke is a fairly good album from a band that had previously been very good. New fans should check out Void, Prehistoricisms or The Challenger, but long time followers should definitely pick this one up.

Montreal’s own Parlovr (pronounced Parlour), refer to themselves as a “sloppy pop band”, but upon listening to this four track EP “sloppy” wouldn’t be the first adjective to describe this up and coming act. Words like catchy, fresh, creative and distinct would be much better. Hell/Heaven/Big/Love is a follow up to their 2008 self-titled LP, but it has the potential to grow into an awesome full-length album in its own right. Each of these songs is a little gem, and it won’t take many listens before you may find yourself humming along to one of the many hooks. Each of these songs has a distinct sound, drawing from all kinds of influences like Arcade Fire (“Tehching Hsieh”) to the Pixies (“Big Love”). Fortunately, Hell/Heaven/Big/Love is able to retain a certain cohesiveness. Parlovr accomplishes what many pop bands fail to do today: they take on a fresh approach to songwriting that steps outside of typical pop conventions while maintaining an undeniable catchiness and easy-listening quality in their music.

Take a dash of funk, tons of female spunk, a cup of groove and Random Recipe’s got the formula to make you move. Ok, so perhaps it’s better to leave the rhymes to Random Recipe’s two leading ladies, Frannie Holder and Fabrizia Difruscia.

Every track on Fold It! Mold It! will have listeners bopping their heads and thinking they’ve got game. From humble late-night beginnings on various Montreal street corners to recent live collaborations with well-known Quebec artist Pierre Lapointe, this dynamic foursome is headed for big things. So what can be expected of their first full length? A clever and unique mash of English, French, Spanish and Italian lyrics set to a backdrop of beat box, hip-hop, funk, jazz, Argentinian guitars and Latin sounds. Chosen as one of SPIN magazine’s 2008 Artist to Watch and having made waves at last year’s Festival de Musique Émergeante, make sure to catch Random Recipe’s contagious yet unpretentious grooves before the world tunes in and pulls them out of our city’s dingy and intimate bars.

Many people know about The Byrds – the classic ‘60s folk band whose songs were featured in the soundtracks of classic movies like Easy Rider – but few know much about the group’s lead singer Gram Parsons and his solo albums. By the time Parsons left The Byrds in 1968, he had alienated his fan base with his growing appetite for country music.

This obviously did not jive with the rock ‘n’ roll ethos of that period. At the same time, Parsons was struggling with a heroin addiction that made him erratic and unproductive.

Thankfully, good friend and ex-bandmate Chris Hillman introduced Parsons to young country singer Emmylou Harris, and so began a creative partnership that produced his first solo record GP. An 11-track album with an old-fashioned country rock sound, GP is as heartbreaking and as down to earth as any “true” country album. Even though it never received critical success, it did serve to create the legend of Parsons as a melancholic and lonely California cowboy. With tracks like “How Much I’ve Lied” and “Still Feeling Blue,” it’s easy to feel as if Parsons is singing directly to the listener. GP is an endearing and touching classic album.

Trial track: “Core Relations”

Trial Track: “Hell Heaven”

Trial Track: “Sta’zitto”

Trial Track: “How Much I’ve Lied”

7.0/10

8.0/10

8.5/10

Intronaut - Valley of Smoke (Century Media; 2010)

- Alexandre Perrault

- Robert Flys

- Sarah McMahon-Sperber

Gram Parsons - GP (Reprise Records;1973)

- Cora Ballou

sports 16

Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com RUGBY

Queen bees crowned in rugby finals

Cap off perfect season with storybook win against archrival Laval Rouge et Or Kelly Greig Staff writer

On Friday night, the Concordia Stingers proved they are the best in Quebec by winning the finals against archrival Laval. The victory caps off their perfect season and is the first phase to getting to their ultimate goal: nationals.

From the opening whistle it was clear that this victory would be hard-fought. Concordia’s strength is in their forwards - it has been all season - and Laval’s gritty pack was matching them tackle for tackle. In fact, the Rouge et Or started running their forwards into Concordia’s back line, forcing the smaller backs to make the tackle.

This tactic pushed the Stingers back and forced them to play defence early on. On a try-line ruck, Laval’s eight-man picked the ball and dove in for what looked like a sure try.

The referee called her for a diving infraction and the score remained 0-0.

The Stingers, rallied by the near miss, marched their way back upfield. Scrum half Jessie Lapointe quarterbacked the offence and Stinger winger Jenna Giuliani had an impressive run as the forwards finally shared the ball with the backs. A Laval error gave the Stingers the chance to open the scoring. Unfortunately, Jackie Tittley’s penalty kick sailed wide of the uprights and the game remained scoreless.

For the next 15 minutes, the Rouge et Or would barrage the Stingers defence deep in Concordia territory. Hughanna Gaw’s textbook tackling brought down four Rouge et Or in a row and the entire pack sacrificed their bodies to prevent Laval from touching the ball down.

It wasn’t until Tittley broke away, dodged three defenders, kicked and caught her own ball and made it into Laval territory that the Stingers could breathe a sigh of relief.

Although the Stingers had time to calm down and focus at the half, they started the second frame with a slew of penalties. They handed over enough yards to allow Laval to have their own chance at a penalty kick. But Charlotte Vallieres-Villeneuve’s kick from 32 yards out went wide and the Stingers were still alive. Only minutes later, Laval’s Claudine Renaud outran Concordia on the sidelines for the try. This opened the scoring a whopping 50 minutes into the game.

“That try really woke us up,” said head coach Graeme McGravie. “We really realized that we needed to pull together and get it done.”

Only four minutes later, Concordia equalized when the entire forward pack pushed over the line. Flanker Gaw was credited with the try.

It was the Rouge et Or’s turn to become undisciplined, with emotions running high.

Laval took a penalty right in front of the uprights that gave Tittley an easy penalty kick, allowing Concordia to take the lead 8-5.

Not to be outdone, Laval mirrored the Stingers and had their own three-point penalty kick to tie it up.

Concordia’s second try was a thing of beauty. Off a line-out, the forwards started their usual play of trying to maul the ball into the try zone. When the Laval pack halted their

(Above) The team celebrates their win Friday night against archrival the Laval Rouge et Or. The team will now go on to compete in the national championships in Ontario this week. Photos by Cindy Lopez progress, all but the far winger and fullback jumped into the play and helped the forwards push into the try zone. This 13-player maul allowed Cara Stuckey score the winning try to make it 13-8. “I think the backs at this point are used to the fact that we’re not giving them the ball on the line and so they are thinking ‘well if we’re not going to get the ball I’d better go in a help make it happen,’” said captain Claire Hortop.

The story wasn’t over there, however, because with only eight minutes left, the Stingers had to defend their lead. Giuliani made a try-saving tackle by reaching out and getting the jersey with her fingertips. Concordia’s defence was impenetrable exactly when it needed to be.

When the final whistle blew, both squads erupted into tears. For Concordia, they had beaten their archrival in almost a deja vu of last year, and the Rouge et Or had lost in the final for the second year in a row.

“This was part of our game. Our game plan is to get to Nationals and do well there. This is just one step along the road,” said Gaw. Concordia’s Tittley, Hortop, Gaw, Sarah Nesbitt and Patricia Lapierre were named to the league’s all-star team. In addition, Tittley, the league’s leading scorer, was awarded with the title of most outstanding player. Head coach Graeme McGravie took top honors with coach of the year.

For Hortop, beating the Laval Rouge et Or in the finals is only the beginning. Now she is headed to Nationals where the real test starts; she is determined to lead her team to a medal finish among the best teams in the country.

Slated to graduate this year, this is Hortop’s last chance to lead her team to national glory before she hangs up her Concordia maroon and gold for good at the end of this season.

Jackie Tittley tackles a Laval player to keep Concordia alive in the finals.

This year’s championships take place at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., Nov. 4-7.

The Stingers have beat Laval in the finals three times in the past four years.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

17

FOOTBALL

Stingers season ends in ruins But there’s much to look forward to in 2011 Stefano Mocella Staff writer The Concordia Stingers’ playoff hopes were shattered in a big way by the top-ranked Laval Rouge et Or. On Saturday, Laval laid their 16th straight win over the Stingers with a 62-7 thrashing.

The Stingers kept the game competitive for most of the first half, but turnovers and the inability to stop Laval’s running game allowed Quebec’s top team to run away with the game.

Laval gained 322 total rushing yards with the efforts of running backs Pascal Lochard and Guillaume G. Bourassa. Lochard gained 193 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, while Bourassa added 121 yards on 16 carries.

The game stayed relatively close due to the Concordia defence forcing some big turnovers in the first half. With the score already 16-0 in Laval’s favour, Nicholas Arsenault-Hum came up with a huge interception off Laval quarterback Bruno Prud’homme. Arsenault-Hum returned it to the Laval 36. Concordia went on to score on a two-yard option pitch to Daniel Rodrigues.

The Stingers still found themselves down by 16 before forcing a Laval fumble and again taking over with good field position. However, on first down from the Laval 11-yard line, Stingers quarterback Terrance Morsink threw an ill-advised pass for the momentum-killing interception.

“If I hadn’t thrown that pick, it might have been a different game,” said Morsink. He has been starting quarterback for Concordia all season since Robert Mackay suffered a concussion in the season opener.

The game was never close from that point on, as Laval went on to score 36 secondhalf points to end the Stingers’ roller-coaster season.

Considering that the Stingers were with a second-year backup quarterback for most of the season, it’s quite impressive that they remained in the playoff hunt until the final game of the season. But the competitor in Morsink refused to call the season a success.

“I hate to lose,” said Morsink. “I wanted to make the playoffs, so I’m not satisfied.”

Stingers’ coach Gerry McGrath was disappointed with missing the playoffs this season.

It is the first time since 2000 that the Stingers will miss the playoffs.

“I’m embarrassed,” said McGrath. “But if you’d have told me at the beginning of the season that with so many young players and Mackay out for the season, that we’d be in the playoff hunt in the last game of the season, I’d have taken that.”

The Stingers will now look ahead to next season where they’ll lose some key players like Mackay and possibly their best offensive weapon in Liam Mahoney, who is eligible for the CFL draft. However, the experience gained by their young players this year, along with the development of Morsink should help them.

Morsink showed some good flashes this year and if he’s the starter next year, he should be a better player.

Morsink has to work on his decision-

adv

aada

and

Rene Paredes kicks the ball as Brendan Urness, Gracia Mwembo and Philippe Patenaude Lavallee follow close behind. Photos by Camille Nerant

Edem Nyamadi tries to evade Laval’s Maxime Bérubé during one of his four carries on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Camille Nerant making and his ball security. In his season, he threw eight touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Those mistakes happen with inexperience, so we’ll see how Morsink learns from that.

Cornerback Nathan Taylor is optimistic about next season, pointing out that many

players are returning.

“With all the guys we have coming back, we should be a much better team next year.

There are some key guys leaving like Alexandre Turp (defensive tackle) and Kamil Thompson-Hutchinson (defensive end), but

our whole secondary is back.”

There is talent on this team and adding a few key pieces should propel the Stingers back to the playoffs. The young Stingers will also be more mature and that may be the biggest factor in the end.

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18

theconcordian

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 SOCCER

Women s soccer team ties against second-ranked McGill Goaltender Andrea Davidson frustrates the Martlets in front of their home crowd Christopher Palma Alfaro Staff writer The Concordia women were able to escape the Molson Stadium Friday night with a 1-1 tie against a McGill team that controlled most of the game.

The first goal of the game was scored early

by Concordia. At the 13th minute, Stinger Sarah Sullivan passed to teammate Kristina McGovern in the goalkeeper’s area, who kicked it in to give the lead to Concordia.

Moments before, Kristina McGovern pressured a McGill defender into inadvertently kicking the ball out of bounds. A corner was then awarded to Concordia. They failed to create a scoring chance, but kept the ball deep in McGill territory, which led to the goal.

During the first half, Concordia was dangerous on counterattacks, but McGill controlled the tempo of the game by installing their offence in the Concordia zone.

The Stingers can thank their goalkeeper for the result. Kitchener native Andrea Davidson stopped all but one shot directed at her, making 14 saves and subsequently being named player of the match for Concordia. All night, she had the Martlets’ forwards shaking their heads in disbelief after many difficult saves.

The Stingers virtually spent the entire second half in their own territory due to the coach’s

Concordia’s Hannah Lise catches Mélanie Desaulniers-Rioux from McGill going the wrong way. Photo by Anthony Tony tactics to preserve their 1-0 lead from the first half. In the early part of the half, McGill did not do much with the possession, in large part because Concordia’s defence did not let them position themselves in the middle.

The only shot that got through Davidson was a header from McGill’s Julia Bahen from a corner by Selena Colarossi at the 65th minute.

This move was executed flawlessly and Davidson did not have a chance. McGill tied the score at one.

A couple of minutes earlier, the Concordia keeper robbed Martlet Anna Smith. From a free kick cross, Smith found herself alone in front on the goal. She kicked the ball at the wideopen goal, only to see Davidson dive and stop the ball inches before it entered the net.

Concordia was even able to get a breakaway chance. At the 51st minute, Monica White took the ball away from a McGill defender in the middle of the field and sprinted alone for 50 yards. But McGill’s defender recovered and

a calculated challenge from the goalkeeper impeded White from scoring.

The more the game advanced, the more McGill’s attacks became dangerous, but the marvellous play in goal by Davidson negated them. Even after the tying goal, Davidson made critical saves to protect the tie.

The Stingers’ last game of the season, against UQTR on Halloween Sunday, ended in a 1-1 draw. They ended the season in sixth place, and did not make the playoffs.

SOCCER

Stingers men’s soccer team tamed by McGill Concordia ends the season with a loss and a tie on the road Christopher Palma Alfaro Staff writer The Concordia Stingers were overwhelmed offensively by McGill 2-0 on a cold Friday night.

Concordia was playing without many prominent players in its lineup. Most notably, Matthijs Eppinga and Claude-Arthur Diesse, the two top goal-getters for Concordia with six and two goals respectively, were suspended because of previous bookings.

Due to these two important absences, the Stingers found it difficult to generate offence.

Players that were brought into the lineup, such

as Mauricio Soto, Shady Shalaby and Alejandro Quinn, did their best, but were unable to fill the void left in the scoring department.

With the new lineup, Concordia’s players seemed to have little chemistry with each other.

Passes were inaccurate and the offence was unable to keep the ball in the McGill zone. The Stingers were also unable to produce any kind of concrete scoring chances and challenge McGill’s keeper Jean-Lou Gosselin, who stopped only two shots to record the shutout.

The first few minutes of the game were controlled by the Redmen. They spent long minutes building up their offence, almost opening the scoring at the ninth minute when Graeme Tingey’s shot hit the left post.

Concordia started to gain some momentum after the 10th minute, but it was not for long. At the 17th minute, from a free kick 20 yards away from the goal, McGill’s Sami Obaid put up a strike that bent in the air and sailed into the top left corner.

This goal discouraged the Stingers and at the

29th minute, Redman Yohann Capolungo scored from a pass by George Banks. The rest of the first half was controlled by the Redmen. The Stingers tried to reply with some counterattacks and by constructing plays, but McGill’s defence impeded them. At the end of the first half, the score was 2-0 for the home team.

The second half was more of the same; McGill started off strong and kept the pressure on Concordia in their own zone. Concordia’s goalkeeper Nicholas Giannone, who ended up with seven saves in the losing effort, made opportune saves to slow down McGill’s firepower.

Karim Haroun made many attempts to create some chances but was unable to due to close defending by McGill. Concordia was stuck in its territory for the latter part of the second half, resisting the numerous attacks from the Redmen.

Concordia played their final game of the season against UQTR on Halloween Sunday.

Despite a 4-4 tie, they finished in sixth place and did not make the playoffs.

Concordia couldn’t generate much offence against McGill. Photo by Anthony Tony

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19

BASKETBALL

Stingers fall in final pre-season game Carleton scores 23 points in the final quarter to beat Concordia Kalli Ringelberg Contributor The women’s basketball team met with the Carleton Ravens and suffered an unfortunate defeat after a delay of over an hour due to a lack of referees last Friday.

Concordia’s Anne-Marie Prophete sank two points to start the game with a lead for the Stingers. A foul by Concordia awarded two free throws to the Ravens and gave them the opportunity to tie the game. Concordia’s Kaylah Barrett made two foul shots, got the ball back in Stingers possession and then made two more points, securing the four point lead at 6-2.

A strong defence by the Stingers caused the Ravens to miss under the basket several times.

An additional three-pointer by Magalie Beaulieu and two more points from Prophete gave the Stingers hope for a strong lead at 11-4. The Ravens made four baskets, but couldn’t manage to catch up to the Stingers thanks to a basket by Tina Mpondani and a beautiful three-pointer.

The first quarter ended with a score of 16-12 for Concordia.

The second quarter started out with a booming entrance to the basket by Nekeita Lee, who sank the ball for two points while completely covered by Ravens. A bit over two minutes into the quarter, Carleton managed to score five times, giving them the lead. After a foul on a Ravens player and a three-pointer by Kendra Carrie, the Stingers had a one point lead. By mixing good passing under the basket and a strong defence, the Stingers forced the Ravens to run down the clock and regained possession of the ball, making the score 27-24.

Two fouls by Concordia, two baskets and four

The Stingers’ Kaylah Barrett tries to keep the ball inbounds on Friday night. Photo by Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux points later, Carleton regained their lead with a bit over one minute left in the half. The Stingers’ defence tried to break the Ravens, but a threepointer and another basket proved to be enough to finish the first half in the Ravens’ favor with 37-29 lead.

Prophete challenged the Ravens at the beginning of the second half with four points, and teammate Yasmin Jean-Philippe matched her with a three-pointer and free throw three minutes into the quarter. Two free throws by Barrett and a basket by Beaulieu before a time out brought the score to 41-39 for Concordia. Prophete sank a three-pointer and held the lead at 44-42, for a

few seconds until the Ravens got across the court to score again, tying the game. The Ravens made four more points, but also made some mistakes.

Three fouls in a row on the Stingers gave Prophete and Andreanne Gregoire-Boudreau a chance to score a collective five points, ending the third quarter with the Stingers ahead by one at 49-48.

The final quarter began with a three-pointer for Carleton, giving them back the lead early on. Fouls to each team and two more baskets from Carleton ping-ponged the score. With six minutes left in the game, Prophete’s valiant efforts and resulting basket left the Stingers lagging by one point. The next two points from Carleton

were challenged by a basket each from Carrie and Prophete, leaving the Ravens down by one point. A basket and two fouls gave the Ravens a five-point lead with a bit over a minute left in the game. After a time out, Carleton sank one more basket and suffered a foul, making both free throws, which allowed them to hold the ball and run down the clock. When the final buzzer sounded, the score was a heartbreaking 71-63, with the close win going to Carleton. The team finished the pre-season with a 4-5 record.

The Stingers’ first regular season game will be Nov. 12, at Laval in Quebec City.

editorial 20

Can Concordia administration ever be trusted again?

PepsiCo contract secrecy is likely to create an unfortunate relationship of doubt and distrust between admin and student body Student groups are up in arms over the decision

by Concordia’s administration to renew its exclusive contract with PepsiCo. TAPthirst, the group behind the plans to ban the sale of bottled water on all Concordia campuses, is especially upset.

TAPthirst spokesperson Laura Beach has even served people in the administration with formal notices that she may be filing a lawsuit claiming breach of trust.

Early last week, now-former Concordia VP services Michael Di Grappa informed TAPthirst that the administration would be meeting with PepsiCo throughout the week and that a new contract would be signed by Friday, which coincidentally was to be Di Grappa’s last day as the VP services.

While a lawsuit is a bit of an exaggerated and overly-dramatic move on Beach’s part, the administration did promise that campus groups would be consulted before a new contract was signed with PepsiCo. Led by a new group called Campus Against Corporatization, dozens of students protested this decision by the administration on Wednesday. While details of the contract have not been made public or available to students yet - and are likely never to be, as a university spokesperson has said that they have never been available to us in the past - the university has confirmed that a new contract with PepsiCo has, in fact, been signed.

The move is not likely to be as disadvantageous or harmful to students as some groups

may claim, if at all. In all seriousness, PepsiCo has no interest in and nothing to gain from a deal that would harm students’ academic and scholastic achievements, or that would organize lectures sponsored by Mountain Dew. Nonetheless, the secretive, mystery-shrouded meetings between the bottling company and the university administration can understandably lead students to doubt the sincerity of future announcements, plans and promises made by Concordia.

The PepsiCo debacle has gotten out of hand because the administration reneged on their promise to speak to campus groups before making its decision on the contracts.

The Concordia administration probably should not have promised to meet with campus groups in the first place. It did so presumably because it felt the students’ input was valuable to the process. The administration has also stressed the importance of more sustainable projects at Concordia, including having an Environmental

Advisory Committee, which Di Grappa’s office is in charge of. Either way, the administration should have followed through with its promise to consult groups before signing the contract.

Protests happen and feathers get ruffled when people do not communicate well.

Perhaps the administration hoped that Di Grappa’s announcement would dissipate the anger and outrage because the messenger and the bearer of bad news is no longer part of the administration? Judging by the backlash from the announcement, they were not successful.

The student protests called for increased transparency in the university’s dealings with PepsiCo, but the issue is much deeper. Concordia is a semi-public institution, so it is not required by law to make this information public, but it should want to. As students, we are constantly told by professors and members of the administration that our voice matters and that we are Concordia. As members of the community, students are right to demand details about this

nificant time here. In fact I think all the media coverage of QC whining about “omg French may disappear” exacerbates the problem of people not getting how French it is because one would think based on that attitude that the two languages were at least equally used here.

Hardly.

I remember when I first moved here some 15 years ago I really, truly, had NO idea people here lived, worked, played and well, conducted life entirely in French (and yes, some of them even live in Westmount!). I thought maybe SOME people did in small tiny quaint enclaves, some families only speaking it at home. I just assumed though that most people spoke a large amount of English throughout the course of their day as a matter of ordinary life.

Hardly.

My then-husband telling me “oh Montreal is very English” certainly helped me form that misconception. I spent my first several weeks, maybe even months, very culture shocked and confused and realizing counting to 10 and “merci/SVP” was not going to suffice. I was really scared, honestly, at what I’d gotten myself into and bewildered as to how my husband could possibly think Montreal was “very English.”

While Westmount may have mostly an anglophone clientele, the fact is we live in Quebec and if people want to be served in French, they have that right. They shouldn’t have to learn another language in order to visit a Westmount bakery. I’m a bit shocked honestly that someone coming from elsewhere wouldn’t research this and make the effort to learn a basic amount of working French before coming here. Perhaps

Toronto would have been a better choice? I mean you had at least a year to pick up some basic conversational French before even moving here. So I’m having a hard time finding sympathy.

Where else in the world would people move and expect to be able to work without at least a rudimentary knowledge of the local language?

Would you move to the German part of Switzerland and be furious you had no options due to only speaking French? No.

LETTERS

re: Language law makes it impossible for non-Quebecois to find work in the province Cher francophobe (for English, press 9), L’état québécois ne t’empêche pas de t’exprimer en anglais, loin de là. Tu peux parler la langue de ton choix à la maison, dans la rue, dans tous les commerces que tu veux. La langue officielle du Québec est, par contre, le français. Tu devais le savoir avant de venir ici. Si l’apprentissage de l’anglais est un enrichissement culturel pour les francophones, l’apprentissage du français l’est tout autant, sinon plus, pour les anglos.

Fais un effort, tu seras récompensée.

Pierre Marcotte, via www.theconcordian.com

re: Language law makes it impossible for non-Quebecois to find work in the province With all due respect, it doesn’t make it impossible for non-Quebecois. It makes it impossible for people who refuse to learn even basic French before they come here.

I think it’s very hard to understand just how French things are here unless you’ve spent sig-

Wendy Kraus-Heitmann, via the www. theconcordian.com

re: Campus groups mobilizing students for new negotiations of contract held by Pepsi I read with interest the article written by Evan LePage that appeared Oct. 26, “Campus groups mobilizing students for new negotiations of contract held by Pepsi.”

In the piece, Mr. LePage quotes TAPthirst member Laura Beach as stating that her organization is opposed to the sale of bottled water on campus because “water is a human right” and “should not be commodified to be bought and sold.”

exclusive contract.

And if Concordia stands to make a profit off of this deal, so be it: we need more classrooms and many parts of it are in dire need of a face lift. Profit reaped from the event, if any, could go towards avoiding rising tuition, or to funding renovation projects.

But we need to know what this deal is all about and what the members of administration, the school and we are set to gain from all of this, if anything.

“

Protests happen and feathers get ruffled when people do not communicate well.

We at Nestlé Waters Canada agree with Ms. Beach and others that water is a human right.

However, the fact of the matter is that water is also a commodity. It is a fundamental requirement for the growth, processing, manufacture and distribution of all foods consumed by human beings. It is the essence of life. The bottled water industry had nothing to do with this historical fact. The bottled water industry is one of the smallest consumer packaged goods sectors in terms of its use of water. There is little or nothing to be gained by ending the sale of bottled water on the campus of Concordia University.

If Ms. Beach and other students at Concordia University truly want to preserve and protect this valuable resource for future generations, they should give consideration to calling on government to undertake the following initiatives: * Make water and sewer infrastructure development and maintenance a priority; * Make all residential, commercial and industrial water takers pay their fair share of the real cost of water consumption; * Address the inefficient use of water by municipalities, agriculture and industries; * Require treatment of wastewater before it is returned to rivers, lakes and oceans; and * Invest in related public education and communications about water conservation and protection.

Sincerely, John B. Challinor II Director of Corporate Affairs Nestlé Waters Canada

opinions:

21

Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

FOOD

KFC s Double Down is too American for Canadians New breadless sandwich is heart, gut, diet and wallet-busting Jesse Polowin Contributor Kentucky Fried Chicken has been called the nutritional equivalent of smoking crack.

As I walked in the door, the smell of deep fryers and chicken grease made me tingle in anticipation. Now, if I know anything about drug addicts, it’s that anticipation is practically halfof the thrill.

The KFC Double Down (or “Coup-Double” as you’ll see it publicized here) arrived two weeks ago in Canada, carrying enough sodium to make you wonder if the six months it took to get here was because of problems at the border.

The definition-stretching “sandwich” is composed of bacon, cheese and mayo sandwichedbetween two hulking KFC original-recipe chicken breasts in lieu of bread. They had to put a sleeve around it just so you can grab it without your hands getting covered in grease. It looks like something a caveman would eat.

I can just hear the announcement at the beginning of a boxing match: “Coming in at 540 calories and 1,740 milligrams of sodium, packing a salty punch and an uppercut to your digestivesystem…”

Yes, it’s true. A whopping 1740 milligrams of sodium are contained in this gut-busting behemoth. It sounds like a lot, and it is. Health Canada recommends 1500 milligrams of sodium per day. This thing tops that in a single meal.

I stopped off at a KFC on my bike ride home last week and picked one up for a hefty $7.58.

I can honestly say the wheels on my bike were spinning a whole lot faster the rest of the ride home as I had the Double Down stowed away in my backpack, awaiting its destruction.

It’s crunchy, cheesy, gooey and calorie-y all in one bite. The cheese melts harmoniously between the two chicken breasts, while the bacon and “Colonel sauce” tag along for the ride. I’m not trying to make this thing sound like something from the Cordon-Bleu, but it’s the Cadillac of junk foods. Who ever thought of replacing bread with meat in some sort of sick, twisted bizarro- world sandwich? Is there any order left in this world?

It sounds dramatic, but it really makes you wonder what the world is coming to. I guess it shouldn’t really come as a surprise. With fastfood companies coming up with new ways to clog your arteries every day, it was only a matter of time before someone thought of using pieces of chicken in place of bread. What also shouldn’t come as a surprise is that this “idea” came out of the United States. With an overweight population of just over 66 per cent according to the World Health Organization, who better to invent something so unhealthy, and as a result something that tastes so good. Canada isn’t that far down that list. Do we want to become as bulky as our inventive neighbours to the south?

I always said to my mom, if broccoli tasted like chocolate, I would be the healthiest kid on earth. What I think KFC and the rest of these fast-food corporations need to work on is finding some way to make this possible. Maybe a sandwich made of grilled asparagus and raspberry vinaigrette sandwiched between two originalrecipe cobs of broccoli. It doesn’t sound great, but stick it in the deep fryer for five seconds, call it a Broccoli-Buster and you’ve got yourself a sandwich.

These companies are making billions of dollars at the hands -- er, waistlines of people all around the world. They have all the resources, money and power in the world. They could easily take the time and effort to make something that is pretty tasty that doesn’tmake you throw your scale out. But they don’t.

I guess for the time being my mom will still have to finish off my leftover broccoli.

Graphic by Sean Kershaw

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theconcordian

Concordia’s weekly, independent student newspaper.

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 Volume 28 Issue 10.

Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief editor@theconcordian.com Brennan Neill Managing editor managing@theconcordian.com Evan LePage News editor news@theconcordian.com Jacques Gallant Assistant news editor Emily White Life editor life@theconcordian.com Savannah Sher Assistant life editor Valerie Cardinal Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Assistant arts editor Katelyn Spindle Music editor music@theconcordian.com Cora Ballou Assistant music editor Kamila Hinkson Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com Chris Hanna Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com Owen Nagels Assistant opinions editor Jacob Serebrin Online editor online@theconcordian.com Tiffany Blaise Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com Katie Brioux Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com Aeron MacHattie Chief copy editor copy@theconcordian.com Alecs Kakon Trevor Smith Copy editors Jill Fowler Production manager production@theconcordian. com Jennifer Barkun Francois Descoteaux Vincent Beauchemin Lindsay Sykes Production Assistants Board of Directors Tobi Elliott Ben Ngai Richard Taradif directors@theconcordian.com Editorial 7141 Sherbrooke St. W. CC.431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 514.848.2424 x7458 (Newsroom) 514.848.2424 x7499 (Editors) 514.848.2424 x7404 (Production) Francesco Sacco Business Manager business@theconcordian.com Marshall Johnston Advertising advertising@theconcordian. com Business and Advertising: 1455 de Maisonneuve W. H.733-4 Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 514.848.2424 x7420 (Office) 514.848.7427 (Fax) STAFF WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS: Allesia Faustini, Kelly Greig, Amanda Dafniotis, Race Capet, André-Joseph Cordeiro, Daryn Wright, Jessica Wei, Jasmine PapillonSmith, Olivia Dumas, Kalina Rasberry, Rob Flis, Sarah McMahon-Sperber, Alexandre Perrault, Stefano Mocella, Christopher Palma Alfaro, Kalli Ringelberg, Jesse Polowin, Kayla Morin, Alex Woznica, Eva Krotochvil, Sean Kershaw, Phil Waheed, Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux, Cindy Lopez, Camille Nerant, Anthony Tony, Valerie Brunet

NATIONAL

theconcordian

Canada s inaction in Khadr debacle is a mark on its human rights record Canadian terrorist’s guilty plea is not too little, but might be too late since he’s already suffered through years of alleged torture Alex Woznica Staff writer Omar Khadr’s reported plea bargain, details of which were released early this week, will have the Canadian serve no more than another eight years in jail. The Canadian government has finally agreed to repatriate Khadr, and said he can serve the last part of his sentence in Canada, after serving another year at Gitmo. Although this plea bargain finally ends the “undefined” nature of Khadr’s detainment, it represents yet another injustice in a case that has been anything but fair.

Khadr pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, terrorism and spying charges at an American court held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In 2002, Khadr, a Canadian citizen only 15 years of age, was captured by American forces in Afghanistan, where he was a participant in the Afghan insurgency. Since being arrested by the Americans in 2002, he has spent time in the infamous Bagram prison in Afghanistan and subsequently, the Guantanamo Bay prison.

Khadr should have been classified a child soldier, and should have been given the same sort of assistance that is accorded to other victims of war. Instead, he was treated, tried, and is now being sentenced as a war criminal.

A clause in his plea bargain which disables him from suing the American government for anything which occurred while he has been in their custody could make one think that he was indeed tortured, and that the U.S. government is protecting itself. A statement read by Khadr’s lawyer at a recent military tribunal hearing alleges that an interrogator

Graphic by Katie Brioux

at Gitmo had threatened to gang-rape Khadr to death.

While the American government is certainly the institution most directly responsible for the many injustices that Khadr has had to deal with, the Canadian government must also share a portion of that responsibility. As a Canadian citizen, especially one who under international law was a child soldier, the Canadian government should have demanded his repatriation from day one. Instead, both the Liberal and Conservative governments did as little as possible for him.

The failure of the Canadian government to secure even the most basic human and civil rights for one of its citizens must be viewed as a blemish on Canada’s human rights credentials. This will also complicate Khadr’s eventual return to Canada, whether it is to

serve the last part of his sentence or to resume his life as a Canadian. Sentiment in the country toward his case has surely changed.

According to an Angus Reid poll from February, 40 per cent of Canadians were in favor of Khadr being repatriated and standing trial under the Canadian legal system. His guilty plea will surely make Canadians rethink if the admitted terrorist is worthy of the Canadian treatment.

Khadr’s plea bargain removes his right to sue the American government, but curiously enough makes no similar move to prevent him from suing the Canadian government. He should make use of that option, so that the individuals within the Canadian government responsible for the policy of inaction, which has allowed for the great injustices that he has suffered, may be called to account.

PROVINCE

Child abuse is a people problem Mapping child abuse probability is a well-intentioned step in the wrong direction Kayla Morin Contributor Stereotyping should not be a research method. Recently a researcher compiled a set of maps that determine which areas of boroughs in Montreal are at high risk for child abuse. According to Jean Carrière, a geography professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, history of child abuse, low income, language barriers, drug addictions and even bug infestations are factors that make child abuse more likely.

His maps claim to display areas where physical and psychological abuse and negligence are most likely to occur; sexual abuse

does not factor in. Carrière provides his maps to their corresponding borough free of charge because he wants to help with the growing problem of child abuse in Canada.

The professor uses a combination of public statistics to map out the areas of highest risk.

But child abuse and negligence stems from the psychological state of the people involved; it seems like a bit of a stretch to map a psychological problem using only socioeconomic data.

Some of the areas Carrière calculated are as small as one specific apartment building. This is discrimination. Even if there is a history of child abuse in a certain place, this is a people issue.

Carrière told the Montreal Gazette that his project is not saying that if you’re poor you are likely to be a child abuser, just that the probability increases exponentially when people live in areas where several factors come into play. But the solution to this problem lies in connecting and communicating with people, not in removing them from the equation, or actually turning it into a literal equation.

These maps suggest a poor immigrant with bed bugs who is having a hard time commu-

nicating with their children’s school is more inclined to abuse or neglect their child because of the hardships in their life. Someone could just as easily declare that psychological abuse or negligence is risky in high-income families where two educated parents work full-time and don’t hang out at home much, if they had some numbers to back them up.

Still, Carrière’s maps have some merit. A combination of the factors he uses in his research does make a family brawl or two more likely. But there is no certainty here. This assumption, this stereotype, should not lead to discriminatory treatment of the flagged areas by boroughs. Statistics ignore the individual and when you’re talking about child abuse, it’s the individual that counts.

Boroughs need to concentrate on filling their schools with motivating teachers and experienced guidance counsellors. Children have to feel comfortable and safe with the adults in their school life to know the difference if their parents’ behavior is abusive.

Spending time and money on calculating probability is not going to help any children in need.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

23

The Etcetera Page - “Don’t feel guilty for noticing that Billy Ray Cyrus’s divorce will be finalized in time for Miley’s 18th birthday.” - Kelly Oxford (@kellyoxford) - “If there were no women, there would also be no candles.” - Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) - ““I want the Leafs to win. They’re my favourite team,” says Don Cherry. In case there’s any confusion.” - Steve Faguy (@fagstein)

What do you think of the university renewing their contract with PepsiCo without consulting campus groups as promised?

Lena Javidiani - first-year civil engineering “The people who make up most of Concordia are the students so they shouldn’t go behind our backs. I’m an international student and I’m paying so much, so the least they can do is ask whether we agree or not with their decisions.”

Naomi Large - first-year art education “I think it’s childish. It’s kind of like if you go behind our backs, there’s something wrong with that. They’re going behind our backs and not having any regard for what we think and what we want, and that’s wrong.”

Paul Chavin - third-year economics “If they make a promise to students that they will be consulted, then I think that they are obligated to keep that promise.”

A double rainbow appeared over the Stingers dome just before sundown on Monday. Photo by Sarah Deshaies

Compiled by Eva Kratochvil

Horoscopes Aries – March 21 to April 20 You were born after the first equinox of the year, which makes you a natural leader. Your teammates will look to you for all the great ideas for your group projects. Dive into your creative side.

Taurus – April 21 to May 21 You’re a raging bull. You’re determined and strong, and when you set your mind to something, you won’t stop until you achieve your goals. Just remember not to step over other people’s feet in the process.

Gemini – May 22 to June 21 Watch out, Gemini, you’re known to have two faces at times. Be true to yourself and your friends and remember to work on your own vice and versatility rather than on those of your evil twin.

Cancer – June 22 to July 23 You’re a mystery, Cancer. You can be soft-spoken or you can be the life of the party. You’ll be

a pleasant surprise to those who don’t know you very well and think you’re shy. Let your inner clown shine.

Leo – July 24 to August 23 Of all the signs in the zodiac, you’re the most dominant and strong, Leo. Don’t overdo it this week. You’ll feel a bit overwhelmed by everything with your ever-growing to-do list, but take it one task at a time.

Virgo – August 24 to September 23 You can be a little cold on the surface sometimes, Virgo. Don’t be shy when meeting new people this week, you could make some pretty good friends if you just open yourself up a bit.

Libra – September 24 to October 23 You’re cool and mellow this week, Libra. You love balance, so keep that in mind when you’re out having fun with your friends. Remember you’ve got school and work to do as well, so don’t overdo it.

Scorpio – October 24 to November 23 You may appear strong on the surface, Scorpio, but you can be vulnerable underneath. Tap into that inner strength whenever you’re feeling low, and remember that a smile is the best way to do this.

Sagittarius – November 24 to December 21 You always have a positive outlook on life, and you love a good adventure. Obstacles may be thrown at you this week, but stick to your plan and all will work out. You’re always quite optimistic.

Capricorn – December 22 to January 20 You’re stable and serious, Capricorn. But that doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy having a little fun.

Go out and have a beer with some friends, it’ll be nice to get out of the old routine. You’ve been a little too focused lately.

Aquarius – January 21 to February 19 You can be a bit of an oxymoron. One minute, you’re quiet and shy, the next, you’re a complete

exhibitionist. Go ahead and embrace your inner self, whether it be quiet or loud. Don’t be someone you’re not.

Pisces – February 20 to March 20 Your gentle, friendly nature will be given a chance to shine this week, Pisces. Because you’re nice and you have soft features, people will be naturally drawn to you. Open your arms and let them in.

You share a birthday with...

Nov. 2: k.d. lang, Nelly, David Schwimmer Nov. 3: Roseanne Barr, Dennis Miller, Charles Bronson Nov. 4: Sean “Diddy” Combs, Matthew McConaughey, Kathy Griffin Nov. 5: Kevin Jonas, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Adams Nov. 6: Emma Stone, Ethan Hawke, Sally Field Nov. 7: Joni Mitchell, Joan Sutherland, Jason & Jeremy London Nov. 8: Jack Osbourne, Tara Reid, Bonnie Raitt

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EVENTS AT A GLANCE

TUES 02

+MUSIC +MOVIES

WED 03

Le National

20h00

+DANCE & VISUAL ART +FILM

Galarie Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery (1400 boul. de Maisoneuve Ouest) Opening of "Out of Grace" Grindhouse Wednesdays presents: Cannibal Holocaust Cinema D'Amour (4015 St Laurent)

17h30 20h30

THURS 04

+REMEMBRANCE +MUSIC +MUSIC +TALK +FILM +TALK +FESTIVAL!

Remembering Canadian Military History Blackwatch (Royal Highland Regiment) 2067 Bleury Street Le Belmont Junip + Sharon Von Etten The Joy Formidable + Dig + Receivers Petit Campus Bronfman Building (1590 Dr. Penfield) "DARE to be DEEP" The National Tour for Canada's Oceans EV 1.615 Remembering A Memory (public launch & screening) Romeo Dallaire talks about "Shake Hands with the Devil" H 110 CINEMANIA Cinema Imperial

16h30 20h00 20h00 19h30 20h30 18h00 ongoing

FRI 05

+MUSIC The Famines + Play Guitar + Omaha +TALK Zoroastrianism in Iran presented by Professor Richard Foltz +TALK Open to Question: Brian Lewis, "Interdisciplinarity, Multidisciplinarity, Permeability: Why, Who, How?" +MOVIES Premiere: Howl Face-Back-Profile +PERFORMANCE ART +STINGERS Men's hockey vs. Ryerson +STINGERS Women's rugby vs. TBD (CIS women’s rugby championship)

* * * *

SAT 06

+ACADEMIC +MUSIC

SUN 07

+STINGERS +STINGERS

MON 08

+MUSIC +CINEMA POLITICA

+MUSIC +VERNISSAGE +FILM +STINGERS +STINGERS

* *

The Dandy Warhols + Blue Giant Premiere: Exit 67

Casa del Popolo FA 103 AD room 308 (Loyola)

20h30 10h00 13h00

Studio 303 Ed Meagher Arena Trent Field

19h00 and 21h00 19h30 11h00

Hall building (must register) LSAT, MCAT, and GRE preparation exams hosted by ASFA Bonobo + Thunderball Le National The Morning Benders + Twin Sister + Oberhofer Cabaret du Mile End Melvin Charney, Orest Tataryn, Lois Andison, Guillaume Lachapelle, Michael Patten and Bevan Ramsay Art Mur Juliet is the Sun Cinema du Parc Men's hockey vs. Queen's Ed Meagher Arena Women's rugby vs. TBD (CIS women’s rugby championship) Trent Field

Men's rugby vs. Bishops (QSSF semifinal) Women's rugby vs. TBD (CIS women’s rugby championship)

VIOLENS + MAVO Rainmakers

various times 20h00 20h00 15h00-17h00 12h30 14h00 11h00

Concordia stadium Trent Field

13h00 TBD

Casa Del Popolo

20h30 19h00

H-110

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