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CONVERGED CITIZEN GALLERY
NEWS
VOLUME X ISSUE 2
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
OCTOBER 2, 2014
Windsorites walk for ALS Taylor Busch CP Editor
Nearly 500 residents took part in Sunday’s ALS walk along the Ganatchio Trail in Windsor. ALS – three letters that change people’s lives forever. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a rapidly progressive, neuromuscular disease that attacks every part of the body except the mind. According to ALS Canada, every day nearly 3,000 Canadians are treated for it and 0.1 per cent die. Unlike cancer or other neurodegenerative disorders, ALS has no known cure and many treatments to slow its progression fail.
Until recently, many Canadians only heard about the disease when someone close to them was diagnosed with it or died from it and awareness was very limited. Then, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral. Pete Frates, a former college baseball player living with the disease, is credited for being the first person to tie ALS to the challenge. After Frates nominated his friends to take the challenge for him or make a donation towards ALS research, awareness about the disease began to skyrocket. Suddenly, Americans and
SEE PAGE 5
Photo By Taylor Busch Bill Maden, who is currently living with ALS in Windsor, was escorted down the Ganatchio Trail by friends and family during the 10th annual ALS walk Sept. 14,
Community runs with troops at annual event Dan Gray Managing Editor The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment held their fourth annual Trot with the Troops event at the Major FA Tilston Armoury and Police Training Centre in Windsor. Members of the community were given the opportunity to raise money and run with soldiers during their annual battle fitness test Sept. 22. The battle fitness test requires the soldiers to complete an approximately 13 kilometre run with 60 pounds in two hours and 20 minutes. The course for nonsoldiers varied from five to 10 kilometres for adults and 1 km for children. During the run, runners travelled past the Vietnam Memorial, Crimean War cannon and down to the Sandwich Street World War 1 memorial.
The fundraiser was organized by the regiment’s Delta Company, according to their operational commander Cy McGrath. McGrath said some of the money raised has found its way to the Military Family Resource Centre in the past. Through education, support and positive action, the MFRC works to enrich the lives of families and members of the Canadian Armed Forces according to their website. This year, 100 per cent of the funds raised have been earmarked for the regiment. “All the money goes to the military, it goes back to the EnK (Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment ) it’s administered through the Essex and Kent Scottish Association,” said McGrath. “It is used for whatever is needed at the time, so we identify a need and it is earmarked for that need.”
“The Association is established to foster, maintain and promote the tradition and well-being of the regiment” said the webpage associated with the organization. The site also notes the association strives to promote community knowledge of the regiment and other services within the regimental family. Jeff Gravel is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces. He is an active runner and member of the local veteran’s community. He finished first in the men’s 5 km run. “It is important to me to support the troops when they complete activities like this,” said Gravel. The event had many corporate sponsors. The sponsors and volunteers provided food, water, bouncy castles and even a relic cannon to start the race. After the race the com-
Photo By Dan Gray Major Mark Douglas stands near the finish line after completing his annual battle fitness test. His unit, the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment participated in the fourth annual Trot with the Troops on Sept. 22 in Windsor. munity was welcomed inside the armouries to have a meetand-greet with members of the regiment, as well as look at the archives and enjoy some music. The event is expected to
run again next year. If anyone is interested in running in or helping with the event or joining Delta Company they can get more information on their website, www.deltacoy.com .
CONVERGED CITIZEN2
NEWS
OCTOBER 2, 2014
Support for AIDS event drops in 26th year
Shelbey Hernandez Associate Managing Editor The AIDS Committee of Windsor has hosted its 26th annual AIDS Walk which saw fewer supporters than in past years. The walk kicked off in Dieppe Gardens on Sept. 21. The money raised will go towards local programs such as client services, harm reduction and the Education and Outreach program. The ACW was founded in 1985. Its goal is to support
those who suffer from AIDS and to educate the public about prevention methods. The ACW offers services to over 7,000 people annually. There are multiple groups within the ACW which help to educate and give support to specific groups of people. Some examples include the African, Carribbean and Black Community Outreach Program, the Women and HIV group and the Gay MSM Sexual Health Program. There were about 65 people
who attended the walk which raised approximately $5,000 down from previous years according to Michael Brennan, the executive director of the ACW. Lori Doyle, a client support coordinator with the ACW, said these walks are important because they help raise awareness among people who seem to forget about HIV and AIDS. She said HIV and AIDS are just not popular causes compared to cancerawareness causes. “A lot of time people are for-
getting about HIV,” said Doyle. “I know breast cancer and prostate cancer are very popular (causes)” Doyle said people may not recognize AIDS as being a serious disease anymore, but according to Brennan, the number of cases of HIV and AIDS is much higher than people realize. “There are 710 known cases of HIV infection in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. However, a quarter of individuals living with HIV do not know
they are infected,” said Brennan. “Of those cases, a little less than half of individuals seek primary care at the Windsor Regional Hospital HIV Care Clinic and 82 individuals seek support from ACW.” According to the ACW website, HIV can only be transmitted through bodily fluids that have direct access to the blood stream through cuts, mucous membranes, open sores or needles.
Event attracts large line-up of comedians Kenneth Bullock Citizen Staff Reporter A unique comedy show is hitting a local comic book publisher ’s studio and breaking the mould in Windsor. Numerous local comedians will be appearing at the Glass Monkey Studio Sept. 28. What’s unique about the event is the large line-up of performers coming to the show. Typical comedy nights have three to seven acts set up. A Night of Comedy will feature 14 stand-up artists two of which will also be doing musical performances. Many well-known Windsor comics will be appearing such as Jon Peladeau, second place winner at the Border City Comedy Fest and Josh Haddon, manager of
Photo by Chris Mailloux Jon “Jonny P” Peladeau performing stand-up at The Windsor Beer Exchange Comedy Showcase Sept. 25. Rockhead Pub’s Comedy Quarry. “The Glass Monkey is not going to be like any show that’s ever come to Windsor,”
said Paladeau, who has been doing comedy for five years. “It’s not going to be like your typical show where you’ll be staring at the same three guys
for an hour, it’s going to have variety.” Peladeau said the comedy night would not be possible without the show’s host and planner, Chris Mailloux who entered the comedy scene just over three months ago. Mailloux said he has had this night in the work since the end of August. He first performed at Milk Café’s Laughing over Lattes where he watched how other comics conducted themselves on stage. “As each one of them went up, I became more relaxed,” said Mailloux. Robert Kemeny, another veteran comedian headlining Glass Monkey said the show is a great place for new comedians to network. He also said if you want to get into comedy, just do it. “Write five minutes of
stand-up, find an open-mic and if you like it you’ll be hooked,” said Kemeny. Mailloux also said the comedy scene has been growing for the last few years. Peladeau added that more experienced comics have been very welcoming to new people entering the comedy world. The deaths of Robin Williams and Joan Rivers may also have drawn more attention to the comedy world, in Mailloux’s opinion.
GLASS MONKEY 1378 Ottawa Street A Night of Comedy is on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.
First annual West Mesh draws large crowd Taylor Busch Citizen Staff Reporter Over 200 people came out to support Our West End during a free community event held Sept. 24 at Mic Mac Park. West Mesh was a fun day for residents to get together to celebrate the positive things happening in the west end right now. Our West End, the group that organized the event, is a United Way funded initiative and part of the Neighbourhood Renewal project. The group was started two years ago by Fabio Constante after he was asked to take his blog-
ging to a new level. “Our West End is a grassroots initiative designed to really empower and engage residents of the west end towards making the west end a better place to live, work and play,” said Constante. Constante said he started his blog “Our West End” four years ago to notify residents of break-ins and other crimes happening in the west end. Over the years, his fan base grew to the hundreds and some of them started asking him what they could do to change things. “We believe that change, often fundamental change,
happens from the ground up,” said Constante. “One of the big things we’re focused on right now is developing a neighbourhood strategy and part of that is to really engage residents.” Julian Franch is a community analyst and coordinator for Our West End who has worked with Constante since the beginning. He said he has heard many requests for an event like West Mesh during his time with Our West End. Franch said his time with the group has made him more proud to be a resident of the west end today than ever before. “There’s a sense of pride and togetherness in the west end of
Windsor, however, I don’t feel that message is portrayed enough to the rest of Windsor,” said Franch. “There’s a lot of great aspects people might not know about this area and I guess that’s what inspired me to join this movement.” The event included free food, children’s activities, information and music by The Formula. Franch said their goal was not to make money, but to increase awareness of the new services the west end has to offer. Many other community groups were also invited to reach out to residents through interactive displays at West Mesh. Volunteers for the
Sandwich Teen Action Group (STAG) were present with an important message for children and teenagers. “I think a lot of kids feel discouraged because they know there are issues happening in their community that they can’t do anything about,” said Starr Meloche, a long-time volunteer with STAG and founder of Advocating Young Minds. “Our idea is to really get the kids involved in their community by making them want to make changes to it.” Constante said the group has no other events planned at this time, but will likely host another West Mesh next September. To read or subscribe to his blog visit www.ourwestend.com.
NEWS
CONVERGED CITIZEN3 OCTOBER 2, 2014
Unemployment rate for youth increases Klay Coyle Citizen Staff Reporter
Windsor’s Local unemployment rate hit nine per cent in August as younger citizens find it hard to get jobs at home. Windsor-Essex has had a history of youth unemployment over the past six years. According to Statistics Canada, Windsor has seen youth unemployment rates as high as 24.7 per cent in 2013. These numbers can cause local youth and students to leave the area in search of job opportunities. Of those students with degrees who work in the region, one out of four are working at jobs that don’t require their levels of education. Some students take these low level jobs because they need work quickly. Allen Dunwoody, 22, graduated from the Business Administration: Accounting program at St. Clair College but is currently employed at Mastronardi Produce. “I found easier opportunities
Photo By Klay Coyle Maureen Lucas, president and owner of LucasWorks poses in her office in Windsor on Sept. 24, elsewhere and coming out of college I needed what I could get and couldn’t afford to be picky,” said Dunwoody. One of the problems for student employment is not that the area has no opportunities, but the career path students are taking. Maureen Lucas is president and owner of
LucasWorks, a job recruitment agency in Windsor. She said students have to think ahead when looking into their education. She said she thinks people are picking careers that don’t have much local presence and this is causing students to leave the area because these
jobs are elsewhere. “I just think that people need to think long and hard when they go to school about what courses and what path they are taking. They need to look around them in the courses they are taking and say ‘either there are jobs in this community, in the courses that I’m
taking, or there’s not,'” said Lucas. The municipal election on Oct. 27 is a good opportunity for Windsor-Essex to make changes to help reduce youth unemployment rates, according to Bill Baker who is running for mayor of the town of Essex. He said an extensive service sector is important to create jobs for youth. “What we have is an exodus of our young market because in the smaller markets especially, there is no place for them to work,” said Baker. “I believe that having a service sector is a good training ground for them to stay awhile and get trained.” He said having more manufacturing positions will also allow for more advanced and higher paying jobs. Baker said plans to decrease youth unemployment in the area are underway, but these changes will take time. Baker says Windsor-Essex will need four to six years to put all the plans into action.
The Big Reveal against teen suicide Tecumseh MacGuigan Photo Editor Makeovers by “Fairy Godfather” David Clemmer took place for Dina Spencer, Bob Boughner, Dino Chiodo and Norma Coleman. The event raised money for Windsor Pride’s After School’s OUT! program. T h e Wi n d s o r P r i d e C o m m u n i t y, E d u c a t i o n and Resource Centre hos te d the third annual Big Re ve a l S e pt. 20. Last year’s event raised over $35,000 and this year’s is expected to have the same results. Executive director of Windsor Pride, Bob Williams, thanked all in attendance during the evening, including Mayor Eddie Francis, MP Percy Hatfield, and mayoral candidates Drew Dilkens and Larry Horwitz. “Our after school program is about to launch and this is what it’s all about,” said Williams. “We have 17 high schools and all of those kids are coming together on an ongoing basis and make sure
Photo By Erik Zarins Niko Niforos speaks to the crowd during the Big Reveal at Devonshire Mall in Windsor on Sept. 20. Niforos spoke in support of the Windsor Pride Community, Education and Resource Centre association and their services. they have a healthy and wonderful life. That’s what the centre is going to do with the money we raise tonight.” Invited as a guest speaker was Niko Niforos, an 18year-old who said that without the help of Windsor Pride, he would not be alive today. “I am a son, I am a brother, I am a recovering drug addict, I am a productive member of society and I am
bisexual,” said Niforos. “One year ago on an island in Greece, I hated myself so much for being bisexual that I stood at the top of a cliff and was about to take the last drink of my life, or so I thought.” Niforos is a graduate from Walkerville High School, the first high school in Windsor to have a gay-straight alliance. “Earlier that week I had called my mother in a frantic mood saying I needed to
open up to someone who knows what I am going through,” continued Niforos. “She somehow got ahold of Windsor Pride, and they put me on the phone with a man named Mike, Mike Cardinal. He has a special place in my heart because of all his love and support. Mike’s words gave me the courage to live. Although I can not predict alternative
realities, I can tell you that without Windsor Pride I would not be here carrying the message of hope for the LGBT community and our community as a whole.” Over 300 people attended the event. With ticket prices ranging from $90 to $150, Windsor Pride could see numbers as high or higher than last year ’s event. Catered by Moxie’s Bar and Grill and Tim Hortons, the event featured a full course meal, coffee and dessert, as well as local wine available for purchase. “It’s so awesome that all of you came out here tonight to see this awesome show and support suicide prevention,” Clemmer told the audience. “You have all made a difference by being here tonight and that is incredible, I want to thank you all so much.” With the third year of the big reveal being a success, the event is expectedto continue in the coming years.
CONVERGED CITIZEN4
NEWS
OCTOBER 2, 2014
Windsorites voice opinions on city issues Justin Prince Citizen Staff Reporter
Windsorites will have a number of choices in the upcoming Windsor municipal election less than a month away, and several guaranteed changes taking place on city council. More than 90 candidates are registered to run for city council, school board trustee or mayor in this year’s election before the Sept. 12 nomination deadline. Eleven of those candidates withdrew from contention for various reasons. But with current councillors Drew Dilkens, Ron Jones, FulvioValentinis and Alan Halberstadt either running for mayor or not running for reelection and Mayor Eddie Francis not running for a fourth term, the next city council will look very different. “We are looking for people, for the people that will do the
people’s bidding who will open transparencies if they share any ideas that they want to indulge in with the people, not in secrecy,” said Denny Radosz, a business owner in downtown Windsor. “The people have to have a say in (municipal) projects.” Radosz’s business, Aquarium Windsor, was the first recipient of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association’s commercial rent subsidy program last year. The program subsidizes up to 50 per cent of a business’s rent each month for one year. The benefit for the store expired less than a month ago according to Radosz. As part of the program, the businesses must stay in their current lease for at least five years. Compared to his recent visit to Toronto, Radosz said it was a night and day difference between their downtowns.
“You can literally look at the sidewalks in Toronto and you don’t see gum spots, you don’t see oil stains, you don’t see urine stains, I mean it’s immaculately clean,” said Radosz. “Driving back didn’t feel cozy to say the least … This is the heart of our city and it should glow like the heart of our city.” Many people have narrowed their choices for mayor. An unscientific poll of more than 15 Windsorites on Sept. 17 at the corner of Ouellette Avenue and University Avenue said they thought Dilkens, current DWBIA President Larry Horwitz or former Mayor John Millson would become Windsor’s next mayor. But Mike Barat, a 55-year-old resident in Ward 3, harbours resentment towards Millson’s decisions during his past term from 1988-1991. “I couldn’t vote for him and I can tell you why in two
words: Cleary Auditorium,” said Barat. “Probably no one in their late 30s would remember this, but he was in charge of the renovations of the Cleary Auditorium at the time.” Many citizens have different opinions on what the main issues are in Windsor. Both Barat and Radosz said the number of businesses downtown was the main issue going to the election. The city’s roads are an issue for Tiara McMaster, a first-year prehealth student at St. Clair College. “There’s a bunch of roads that need to be fixed,” said McMaster. “My boyfriend complains all the time about potholes.” Despite the road issues, McMaster, 19, said she wasn’t planning to vote in the upcoming election. While McMaster said she wishes there were more things to do in the city,
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she also said she follows U.S. politics more than local politics. “It’s just not something that I follow,” said McMaster. “If I wanted to vote, I would rather vote for something that I know fully about rather than voting for somebody I don’t know.” The Windsor municipal election will be held Oct. 27.
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CONVERGED CITIZEN5 OCTOBER 2, 2014
Ward 4 candidates square off in debate Justin Prince Citizen Staff Reporter
Photo By Justin Prince Ward 4 municipal election candidate Remy Boulbol speaks to the audience during the Ward 4 Candidate Debate at the Walkerville Brewery in Windsor on Sept. 21.
FROM PAGE 1 Canadians who had never heard of Lou Gehrig’s disease were willing to empty their pockets for it. Many Windsorites who walked for ALS on Sunday later admitted they would probably still not know about the disease if not for the challenge. Sharon Colman, longtime president for the ALS Society of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, said Sunday was the best turnout they’ve had in ten years. The walk, which was started by the Beattie family of Windsor, is very different from other charity walks because most of the participants and volunteers have not lived with the disease. Of the 500
people in attendance on Sunday, only two of them are current ALS patients. “This event has always focused on celebrating the lives we’ve lost, but maybe that’s starting to change,” said Colman. “We’re very, very fortunate and grateful to get this size of a turnout and we certainly hope everyone will come back next year.” Since neither of the men with ALS can speak, their wives spoke for them. Peggy Barrette became emotional as she described the support she and her husband George have received from the ALS Society since 2004. Jill Maden, whose husband Bill also suffers from ALS, said she is grateful for the aids and assistance the ALS Society gives them which allow him to continue living at home.
Windsorites in Ward 4 have a lot to think about after hearing from candidates for city council at a recent debate in the ward. The six candidates hoping to become the next city councillor to represent Ward 4 participated in the debate at the Walkerville Brewing Company Sept. 21. The participants, Remy Boulbol, Brian Caza, Adriano Ciotoli, Victoria Cross, Chris Holt and Howard Weeks, answered questions on topics ranging from arts and culture to retail businesses in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Both women also talked in great detail of their overwhelming gratitude for Colman who has given them everything they needed and more since day one. “The ALS Society has been absolutely fantastic up to this point and I don’t know what we’d do without them,” said Maden. “We try to remain positive but this disease is so unpredictable we can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Linda Scaife, a volunteer for the walk, said her family continues to have a very positive experience with Colman and the ALS Society years after the death of her father Frank. Like many of the other volunteers present, Scaife said she participated in the walk with her father several times while he was sick, but began volun-
the brewery. Alan Halberstadt, the current Ward 4 councillor, is not running for re-election after being part of city council for more than 15 years. “I was really impressed by the number of people that came out and the number of citizens engaged in this municipal election. It’s huge,” said Remy Boulbol. “I think it’s fascinating that more than 200 people showed up to a municipal debate in Windsor. I think that’s unprecedented and I’m so happy to be running here and to be working to represent these people.” The debate, which was held by the Windsor Philosophical Arts Association and the Olde
Walkerville Residents Association, had questions prepared from multiple local organizations and businesses. The first question, involving the proposed Windsor megahospital being placed in Ward 4, sparked different opinions to start off the night. According to The Windsor Star, land for the new hospital was being offered by different companies and residents in Windsor, Tecumseh, Essex and Lakeshore as recent as July 23. According to the City of Windsor’s website, Windsor Regional Hospital’s Metropolitan Campus is currently in the ward’s jurisdiction.
teering her time in his memory after he died. She and her family members said they have never felt an obligation to repay the charity, but choose to show appreciation for the support they continue to receive from meetings held each month at the Hospice of Windsor. “I continue to volunteer for this organization now because I know how much it helps families and patients who are diagnosed,” said Scaife. “All the money that’s raised stays right here to help
these people. You can’t ask more than that.” Though Colman said the ALS Society reached their goal for funds and awareness at this walk, they will certainly need more throughout the year. Without the services and supplies they give to local families, experts estimate it could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 per year to care for just one sick relative at home. To find out more about ALS or make a donation visit www.alswindsor.ca.
SEE PAGE 6
MEDIAPLEX CONVERGED TEAM
Miss Universe Canada now accepting applications for Western Ontario Shelbey Hernandez Entertainment Editor Applications for the Miss Universe Canada Western Ontario Preliminary competition are now being accepted. The applications have been available since Sept. 1 and will continue to be accepted until February or March of 2015. Pageant co-ordinator Sonny Borrelli, said the deadline is flexible and depends on how many women apply. Women must be between the ages of 18 and 27 in order to apply. Borrelli said it is best to
apply online by going to the Miss Universe Canada website. Women from all across Canada apply through this website and once the applications are seen by head office, they are emailed to each corresponding region’s pageant coordinator. For Western Ontario, that co-ordinator is Borrelli. Borrelli will then set up the casting calls, where women will be tested on their interviewing skills and their poise. A select few are chosen from the casting calls and begin training with Chelsea
Durocher, a previous Miss Universe Canada contestant. By April, the women who will move on to the national round will be chosen and will compete against women from all across Canada for the title of Miss Universe Canada. The woman who wins will also represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant in the summer of 2015. The location is yet to be determined. The Western Ontario preliminary competition co-ordinator said although experience helps, it is not necessary to compete.
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NEWS
CONVERGED CITIZEN6 OCTOBER 2, 2014
Vandal targets local business Photo by Victoria Parent
Truck collides with stop sign Caleb Workman Citizen Staff Reporter
Photo by Anthony Sheardown
Police survey the scene of a broken window at a downtown business, Sept. 26. A person is said to have fled after the incident occured at Shanfiel-Meyers Gift Shop 176 Ouelette Ave.
FROM PAGE 1
Photo by Justin Prince Ward 4 municipal election candidates (from left to right) Adriano Ciotoli, Victoria Cross, Chris Holt and Howard Weeks look towards the moderator for the Ward 4 Candidate Debate at the Walkerville Brewery in Windsor on Sept. 21, “Wherever this new facility former lawyer who has been is, we have to ensure it has involved in multiple organizaaccessible transportation," tions throughout the years, had said Caza. "For example, you stronger opinions on the topic. look at the new jail (South She said if the new hospital West Detention Centre) that's was built outside of Ward 4, it been built, it's just outside would “tear the heart” out of Windsor ... it needs to be built the community. somewhere where it's going Coun. Halberstadt was in the to be accessible." audience and asked candidates Cross, a local activist and their stance on having an
Auditor General on-staff in the near future. All the participants showed strong support for bringing back the position. The city’s audits have been outsourced to other companies since former AG Todd Langlois was fired by the city February 2012. Halberstadt also asked what the candidates would do regarding urban planning or design proposals. “I was very overjoyed by the resounding answer with regard to the Auditor General because there are some politicians, obviously not in this ward, who don’t want to bring back the Auditor General,” said Halberstabt after the debate. “They want to go with the status quo, which really is not doing a very good job of auditing what the city does.” Halberstadt said he’ll be still running for the General Essex County District School Board Trustee position in Wards 3, 4 and 10. "As I've told most people, I've had my fill of city council," Halberstadt said. "I did the best I could and I think it's time for me to move along and for new people to come in. That’s why we had this exercise to help people choose ... I do think they’re a really good group of people and they’re well-informed." Windsorites will be going to the polls Oct. 27.
A stop sign leans after reportedly being struck by a truck at the corner of Crawford Avenue and Elliott Street in Windsor on Sept. 26. It was suspected that the driver of the truck also damaged a utility pole when he exited the Border City Storage lot. Police are investigating the incident.
SPORTS
Photo By Chelsea Lefler LaSalle Vipers Paolo Battisti prevents a goal against one of the St. Mary’s Lincolns players on Wednesday Sept. 24. at the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle
Vipers Rebuild Chelsea Lefler Sports Editor The LaSalle Vipers have lost more than half of their team since last season and this could be a rebuilding year for them. Bill Bowler, who has been the head coach of the Vipers for two seasons, said he thinks they lost 15 of the 23 players on their roster. Seven of the Vipers who have left are now playing in the OHL. The Vipers compete in the Greater Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference at the Junior B level. The good thing about junior hockey, you’re always rebuilding or retooling,” said Bowler. “We have a lot of young guys and the guys are pretty mature and know what they are doing,” said Korey Morgan. This is his second season playing for the team and he
agrees that this could be a rebuilding year. The Windsorite first played for the Vipers in the 20122013 season, then played for the GOHLWC Top Prospects Game, and he is originally from Windsor. “I’m pretty sure they went pretty far in the AAA year last year. So they are pretty experienced. They are all good guys too.” Rio Anzolin, who is also from Windsor, has played for the Vipers for two years. He also played for the Leamington Flyers, another Junior B team in the 2010-2011 year. He said that this isn’t a rebuilding year for the team at all and that they didn’t even think about it as rebuilding. He also said that the team knew coming into the year that they’d have a lot of good young guys. “There is always a lot of good talent in this area,” said Bowler.
ENTERTAINMENT CONVERGED CITIZEN7 Artwork illuminates Odette Sculpture Garden Scotland the Brave OCTOBER 2, 2014
Justin Thompson Production Manager Hundreds of Windsorites showed up to celebrate arts and culture at Windsor’s Artists, Visions, Energies and Sculptures festival, known as w.a.v.e.s. The event was organized by the cultural affairs and parks department of Windsor and held during national culture days Sept. 26 and 27. The festival illuminated the Odette Sculpture Garden along the riverfront and filled it with wave inspired art creations. Some of the art projects showcased over the weekend included the Motor City Beats Junk Kit, a drum-kit built from recycled car parts and LED illuminated rose sculpture made from recycled plastic bags collected from local neighbourhoods and created by Arturo Herrera. Marz Media Inc. painted the entire festival in vibrant light as part of their piece called Bring Imagination to Light. Windsor Cultural Affairs Manager Cathy Masterson said Windsor tends to take its creative people for granted. “I really hope that this festival reminds us that we have these really amazing opportunities in our city,” said Masterson. “We’re a very open city, we’re a very inclusive city and we really accept that there are all of these opportunities to be a little bit
off-beat.” Windsor’s largest independent inter-arts festival Harvesting the FAM provided w.a.v.e.s. attendees with live stage music throughout the weekend. Musical acts including Middle Sister, Leighton Bain and KERO and Annie Hall performed. All acts played on a stage set up underneath the overpass on Riverside Drive and Crawford Avenue. Guitarist Stu Kennedy’s band Middle Sister was one of the groups brought in to perform by FAM fest. Middle Sister is a five piece folk-rock band from Windsor that recently released a five song self-titled EP. “It was incredible,” said Kennedy. “The stage set up on the river, the people who watched, the weather. All the pieces were in place to make this an unforgettable event.” Middle Sister fan Naska Dizai, 22, attended the festival to be supportive of her community and see her friend’s band play. “My experience was really enlightening. I enjoyed the stage underneath the overpass, and the bands, said Dizai. “I had a lot of fun.” w.a.v.e.s. was funded through a bequest from businessman and key supporter of the Odette School of Business Louis Odette. Masterson said it is likely the festival will be funded again in 2016.
OPINION
Mark Brown Columnist Now that Scotland has voted to remain with the U.K. it brings to my mind a simple Scottish Gaelic word that I think sums everything up perfectly… A-chaoidh– Always and forever. Voters in Scotland did their part Thursday September 18, to prevent an event that would have had far-reaching consequences around the world. A referendum appeared on the ballot with one simple question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Fifty-five per cent of the electorate said no. With that, Scotland remains a part of the U.K. The British Union Jack, long a symbol of a united country consisting of four regions, each with a distinct personality, will continue to fly over a
Scotland's rugged shores, rocky glens and old-school golf links. Just to be clear, I don’t claim Scottish heritage. I’m Irish. I have never been to the U.K. but certainly want to visit before I’m out of here. Once that happens, I will want to enjoy the nightlife in Edinburgh and stroll the grounds of ancient St. Andrews Golf Club - all this in a Scotland that remains with Great Britain…where, in my view, she belongs. A-chaoidh– Always and forever. Had the referendum passed, Scotland would have officially broken away from the U.K. in March 2016. They would have needed to set up their own constitution, armed forces, border patrol, national anthem and more. However, sources say they were open to keeping Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state in a constitutional monarchy, similar to Canada. The Queen herself, I imagine, is relieved things turned out as they did. As the British monarch, she would naturally want to keep the union together. The royal family’s ties to Scotland are very evident, as their summer residence, Balmoral, lies within Scotland’s borders.
Wales has been mulling over the idea of independence as well. A recent BBC News poll showed that seven per cent of respondents would favour an independent Wales if the Scottish vote was successful. Like Scotland, Wales has a strong nationalist feeling and its own identity, complete with the omnipresent Welsh dragon. Closer to home, a “Yes” vote in Scotland would have awakened the separatist movement in Quebec, dormant since the Parti Quebecois’ crushing election defeat earlier this year. Several PQ members were in Scotland as the votes were counted. Needless to say, the PQ was “disappointed” in the Scottish result. Hadrian’s Wall separates Scotland from England – it’s been a symbol of past hostility between the two divisions. Beyond the western end of that wall is the Solway Firth – where the sunset fades with the afterglow of the “No” victory. The maudlin chorus of bagpipes will continue to swell and the plaid will continue to flow - knowing full well that Scotland’s future is secure, still part of the United Kingdom. A-chaoidh – Always and forever.
Local band makes their return home Ryan Brough Photo Editor A local band will soon be recording their second album, after being discovered by a Toronto Record producer. State Of Us, made up of three local Windsor men, moved to Toronto in May. While they were there they performed shows, busked on the streets and met with industry experts. The band played their first show in Windsor after moving bac Sept 18. “It’s always fun to play shows when your friends show up,” said Sebastian Abt. Abt, who is the band’s lead singer, said it was tough playing shows in Toronto. “Crowds in Toronto have a lot more people that listen to a
lot of different styles so I think they are harder to please,” said Abt. The band has been playing shows in the local area for over two years. The only bartender working Thursday night had many positive things to say about the crowd that night. “Intimate but energetic,”said Amanda Sinasac. Sinasac who has been working at Milk Coffee Bar for seven months has seen State Of Us several times before, but said she has never seen the crowd so energized before. “It seemed like everyone was old friends, so there was a really positive vibe,” said Sinasac. While the band was performing, a fan Doug Huha, went
up on stage to sing along with the band. The 22-year-old who is a local musician has played in Windsor local bands and has been playing local shows with some of the members of State Of Us for over three years. “Knowing they moved to Toronto to try and push themselves and grow as a band is awesome,” said Huha While the band was in Toronto they got in touch with producer Ross Hayes Citrullo. Citrullo is the owner of Toronto-based indie recording studio, Epik Productions. Citrullo was at a show watching a band he had previously recorded. When State Of Us played the same show and Citrullo ended up
Photo by Ryan Brough Sebastian Abt of the band State Of Us is seen performing in Windsor at Milk Coffee Bar Thursday, September 18. approaching them about working together. State Of Us is currently writing their third studio album which they plan on recording with Epik Productions. “We would love to have the EP out by the new
year,” said Abt. The band will continue to write and play shows around the city but Abt described their first show back in Windsor as ‘It felt like home, very warm welcoming.”
CONVERGED CITIZEN8
GALLERY
OCTOBER 2, 2014
Journalism students fill their ‘pieholes’ Sean Frame Managing Editor Journalism students stuff their faces at a fundraiser to benefit the Journalism Awards Night. The JAN Club held their first event, a pie eating contest On Sept. 25. Taylor Busch, head of the JAN Club, along with Kenneth Bullock planned the event with the help of the rest of the club. Students from the Mediaplex lined up to take
place in the competition. To enter the contest, contestants collected donations $15 and up towards the club. The pies were provided by Nana’s Bakery on Dominion Blvd. In the first-year contest, Eugenio Mendoza finished his pie first, winning the contest. Journalism student Jon Martin won the second-year competition by a landslide. Prizes were donated by local restaurants The Dugout, Toasty’s Grilled Cheese & Salad Bar and Bubble Tea Express.
Students from the Journalism program compete in a pie eating contest in front of the MediaPlex on Sept. 25 The contest raised $400 for the program.
(The Converged Citizen Photos by / Angelica Haggert, Evan Mathias and Victoria Parent)
WINNER!
WINNER!