The Converged Citizen - October 29, 2015.

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*Volume X Issue 13 *October 29, 2015

The Power Of The Future

Pumpkin memorial illumination

Inside

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Photo by Danielle Gagnier

Roch and Rachelle Ethier stand in their front yard filled with Halloween decorations Oct. 19. The decorations and pumpkins are a memorial for their son Daniel.

Infrastructure spending possible for city YARD PAGE 2

Sean Previl Converged Citzen Staff

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce president Matt Marchand believes the city can access some of the infrastructure funds promised by Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.

Index

His comments came even after Windsor and Essex County elected three MPs to the third party opposition.

During the election campaign Prime Minister-designate Trudeau promised to double investment on infrastructure in the country, raising the current $65 billion to approximately $125 billion.

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Health & Lifestyle............................................6

Arts & Entertainment......................................10

Sports..............................................................12

Marchand said the chamber would use its network of contacts locally, provincially and nationally to bring some of those funds to the region.

“We’re going to be leveraging our chamber network and our local friends, allies and partners to bring forward the Windsor voice and we’re going to look forward to

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working with the new government as they pursue the new agendas,” said Marchand.

The chamber CEO said he met with both NDP representatives and spoke with the Liberal Party the week of Oct. 19 to maintain contact across party lines.

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13 “Get busy living or get busy dying.”

—Tim Robbins/Andy Dufresne

QOTD

Quote of the Day

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Photo by Lyndi-Colleen Morgan

.(left to right) Patti France the keynote speaker, Jordynne Ropat, Sarah Davidson, and Sara Santarossa recipients of the Athena Scholarship Fund pose for a picture in the hallway of the Caboto Club.

Lyndi-Colleen Morgan Converged Citizen Staff

Finding a workplace and life balance is critical, St. Clair College President Patti France told the 2015 winners of the student Athena award at the annual luncheon Oct. 23.

More than 300 people were on hand to congratulate Sarah Davidson, 27, Jordynne Ropat and Sara Santarossa, 25, who have all graduated from the University of Windsor and have gone on to graduate or

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Danielle Gagnier Converged Citizen Staff

While he was growing up, Daniel Ethier’s favourite holiday was Halloween and on the Halloween before he died, he carved 15 pumpkins on his own.

Since Daniel’s death from osteosarcoma in 2013 when he was 14 his parents, Roch and Rachelle, have held a special pumpkin celebration in his honour.

“He loved carving pumpkins,” said Roch. “He’d go on the internet for hours on end looking for the perfect pictures, but then he would have

doctoral studies elsewhere in the province. Each of them received a $5,000 scholarship which is sponsored by corporate partners as well as individual community members, the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.

Davidson, Ropat and Santarossa said they were honoured and grateful to receive the award and the recognition is overwhelming.

Ropat said the Athena Scholarship opens new doors,

the patience to actually carve the pumpkins.”

Although Daniel enjoyed carving pumpkins, he also liked the concept of Halloween. His parents said he loved the idea of dressing up with his friends to go out to collect candy. Once he was older, he began to enjoy decorating the house to scare the trick-or-treaters. The Ethiers continue to decorate for Halloween, inviting their friends and family to help decorate their yard.

While Daniel was sick, Roch kept a blog online in order to keep people updated on Daniel’s life. The fall after Daniel died, Roch asked everyone on his blog, as well

connecting the recipients to leaders in the community who have the ability to offer advice and needed help.

“The Athena Scholarship is a way to recognize individuals who want to raise up women and girls so that they may achieve their dreams and goals,” said Ropat. “I am so grateful to be recognized and am so happy to be receiving this award.”

The Athena Scholarship Fund Windsor was started in

as family and friends, to bring a pumpkin to their home for Daniel and the tradition was started.

“It keeps Daniel’s memory alive,” said Rachelle. “Even through everything that’s happened, it brought the family much closer together.”

The first time the Ethiers hosted Pumpkins for Daniel was in Oct. 2013. It was only a small gathering with family and friends but they were shocked when they received 139 pumpkins. It took approximately one and a half hours to light all the candles. Last year, they received over 275 pumpkins and hope to beat that number this year.

“I think he would love it,”

1999 and the committee presents three women with the award each year. To date, the scholarship has been presented to 44 women from Windsor and Essex County. The women selected for this award are individuals who have lived in and attended postsecondary school in Windsor. This scholarship is presented to women who have demonstrated the Athena spirit, which means they have excelled in academics, leadership, mentorship

said Roch. “He was just like me. I prefer Halloween over Christmas and so did he. I’m sure he’d be happy with 275 pumpkins lit up in his front yard.”

In 2014, Roch invited the fathers from his support group to bring pumpkins carved in memory of their children so that they could celebrate their children together.

“Even though they may not be the best looking pumpkins, what they meant to me was pretty special,” said Roch.

“We’re doing it again this year too.”

Last year was also the first year Roch purchased pumpkin seeds from Windsor, N.S. so he could grow giant pumpkins

and commitment to volunteering their time to benefit others.

“It’s a great opportunity to recognize females who have not only shown their accomplishments academically but also with their involvement in the community,” said France.

“I think it’s great to recognize them and encourage them, and I think that the recognition and encouragement will allow them to mentor members in the community moving forward.”

France is St. Clair’s first female president. She has 25 years of experience in postsecondary education and has herself been widely recognized for her professional excellence, volunteer work and mentorship.

France spoke about finding the balance between work and personal time. She said each of the recipients showed dedication toward achieving their goals and encouraged them to work hard, also telling them the time they put into the work is worth the recognition they will receive for the end results.

“I wish to remind us all that there is someone else with us today in spirit, who is a very hard worker,” said France. “It is Athena, a multitasking juggler and the goddess of everything. Wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, strategy and arts.”

Applications for the 2016 Athena Scholarship will be made available in the new year. Information about the scholarship and information on donations can be found at www.athenaleadership.ca

to put in his yard as the main attraction during the event. He succeeded in growing two pumpkins weighing over 400 pounds and one weighing 250 pounds. Unfortunately, growing conditions this summer were not ideal so they did not grow any pumpkins as large as last year.

At the Pumpkins for Daniel event, his parents ask everyone to bring a pumpkin and a large candle to their home to light on Halloween night. The “Pumpkins for Daniel” event takes place Oct. 24 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. but families are welcome to bring pumpkins to the Ethiers’ home at 1833 Lesperance Rd. anytime between Oct. 24 and Halloween.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Voter turnout highest since 1993 Sean Frame Converged Citizen Staff

Oct. 19 the Canadian federal election saw its highest voter turnout in more than 20 years.

In this year's election, roughly 68.5 per cent of eligible voters in Canada cast their votes, with the Liberals coming out on top. In the WindsorWest area, 55 per cent of the eligible electors voted which is almost seven per cent higher than the 2011 election.

These numbers do not include voters who registered the day of the election.The Conservative Party of Canada lost roughly 220,000 votes from the previous election but the Liberal Party of Canada amassed over four million new voters.

Political analyst Lydia Miljan said she believes Photo by Sean Frame Liberal supporters from previous years felt disenfranchised John Bezaire being interviewed after casting his vote at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School Oct.19. Bezaire with the party because of pre- said he voted because he believes his vote makes a difference. vious scandals. With youthful parison of this year’s election Justin Trudeau, Miljan said to be mired in scandal like Annette Rennie’s reason was Windsor his whole life, but the supporters were given every other government we’ve simple, she said she votes said he has never voted before to when President Obama every year because she is this year. Simpson said this took office in the U.S. When hope for the future of Canada. ever had?”

Canadian. year he is casting his vote he became president he was Elections Canada predicted a “That will depend,” said because he wants change.

“In a lot of countries they able to increase voter turnout, high turnout of voters the Miljan when asked if the It is believed the high turnout don’t get that option,” said but when defending his title week prior with their advance increase of voters will be an is partially due to the Liberal’s Rennie fresh from the polls.

“I his numbers had dwindled. ongoing trend for future elec- polls and the numbers from platform of helping the middle Whether this indicates a future tions. “Are the Liberals going those were to be consistent feel voting is very important and I want my vote to be class and having an honest of dedicated Canadian voters to live up to expectations? Are with the Oct. 19 results. government, according to or just a diamond in the rough, they going inspire people to Voters had various reasons to heard.” be hopeful? Or are they going cast their votes Oct. 19.

Richard Simpson has lived in Miljan. Miljan made the com- only time will tell.

New additions to Trans Pacific partnership Abass Wali Converged Citizen Staff

An expert in cross-border trade is confident the Trans Pacific Partnership will benefit all the countries having signed the agreement, including Canada.

The Trans Pacific Partnership is a document signed between 12 countries which has opened a new path for Canadian businesses to export their products in the world markets.

“Canada will get lots of benefit from the new trade deal, especially with Japan because Japan has a big market especially Japan’s auto industry. It will open more markets for the Canadian export,” said Bill Anderson, director of the Cross Border Institute at the University of Windsor. “After Japan, other fast – growing

places like Malaysia and Vietnam are other opportunities for Canadian exports to bring Canadian products like fruit and minerals to those world markets.”

According to the Toronto Sun, current trade agreements deal with trade in goods and services. Since the service sector now accounts for close to 70 per cent of Canada’s GDP, it is by far the biggest part of Canada’s economy.

Anderson said all trade agreements going onward will involve trade in services.

“Some countries under the TPP deal, particularly New Zealand and few others, wanted to have access to the Canadian market and didn’t want Canada to close its market in those South American cultures,”said Anderson. “It’s actually three to four per cent of that market to competition,

from those 12 countries. New Zealand, for example, will have a close competition with Canada in milk and dairy products.”

According to Foreign Affairs’ Trade and Development Department, Canada has suc-

According to the Toronto Sun, current trade agreements deal with trade in goods and services. Since the service sector now accounts for close to 70 per cent of Canada’s GDP, it is by far the biggest part of Canada’s economy.

cessfully settled negotiations regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the largest free trade initiative in history. It is

a complete, economic, strategic and stable agreement that will increase Canada’s position in the Asia-Pacific countries.

Anderson also said there are some differences between the NAFTA and the new Trans Pacific Partnership.

“There is very strict roles that if you’re going to export something, for example, from the United States to Canada under NAFTA, it has to be 60 per cent of the buyers of that good that has to come from one of the three NAFTA countries,” said Anderson. “Now with the TPP, you have got 12 countries and its only required in a smaller amount, about 45 per cent, so this is one of the things that some of the part manufactures in Canada were concerned about.”

According to Global Research, the TPP could have

implications beyond US economic interests in the AsiaPacific. The region has become increasingly viewed as of being vital strategic importance to the United States.

Throughout the post-World War II period, the region has served as an anchor of US strategic relationships, first in the containment of communism and more recently as a counterweight to the rise of China.

In 2005, the TPP was merely Brunei, Chili, New Zealand and Singapore. Since Oct. 5, 2015 and after five years of negotiations, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the U.S. and Vietnam have finally joined to make that number 12 in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

High traffic intersection Windsor-Essex goes orange worries local residents while Canada goes red Mark Brown Converged Citizen Staff

Photo by Dan Gray

Tecumseh Road East during rush hour in Windsor Oct. 22. As one of the major thorughfares in the city, it is consistently targeted by police for traffic enforcement.

Dan Gray Converged Citizen Staff

Residents of Walkerville are concerned about the recent death of a motorcyclist and local driving habits. They are wondering what the plans are to tackle the many citywide traffic issues.

Joe Baker has resided near the corner of Richmond Road and Chilver Road since 1984.

He has watched the traffic in his area with growing concern over many years. His concerns are based on the number of near misses he has recently witnessed. He said students travelling on foot and by bicycle are frequently put in danger and feels the city is not doing enough to fix the failed intersection.

“It would be a real tragedy to have someone injured seriously or worse,” said Baker.

“That didn’t have to happen if there was better management of traffic control at this corner.”

Ward 5 councillor Ed Sleiman said traffic in the city can be hectic at times and issues are not just happening in Walkerville. He said the city is taking time to revise its

traffic calming measures which have not been looked at in nearly 10 years.

The policy can lead to different measures being implemented in problem areas.

After a lengthy process including gathering raw data and police enforcement, changes can be made to problem areas. No less than 66 per cent of residents in an area need to agree to any changes in their neighbourhood.

“If we have the proper calming measures, I don’t think we need police or the road to be inpsected.”

Changes could include traffic circles, narrowing of roadways or just a stop sign.

“The devices we are installing, whether it’s vertical deflection, horizontal, whatever the case, it will take care of the speeding,” said Sleiman. “If we have the proper calming measures, I don’t think we need police or the road to be inspected.”

Before incurring costs for narrowing streets or adding stop signs, the city takes raw

data gathered by the traffic engineering department to the Windsor Police Service.

Constable Andrew Drouillard explained once the data is organized they have many options available to them.

“Those areas will be targeted by our traffic officers, they will go out to those locations, determine whether or not there is an issue,” said Drouillard. “(with) people running stop signs, people driving very fast in a specific area, that’s how they target certain areas.”

The police notice many problems happen around rush hour when people are entering and leaving the city. According to Baker, Richmond Road is one of those roads. Baker said the local traffic picks up when the local schools admit and then dismiss their students. He worries for the students who frequently weave through traffic in what he describes as a failed intersection.

The new policy is to go up in front of council in the coming months. If passed, it will give the various departments more options for dealing with issues of traffic control within the city.

Voters Oct. 19 brought on a mini-orange crush in Windsor-Essex, while much of the rest of the country went Liberal red.

Three of the four ridings in Windsor-Essex became seats for the New Democratic Party as voters in Essex replaced Conservative Jeff Watson with the NDP’s Tracey Ramsey, Brian Masse was easily retained in Windsor West, and in the open seat of WindsorTecumseh Cheryl Hardcastle was chosen to take the place of the retiring Joe Comartin.

“What a night. The people of Essex have sent a clear message,” said Ramsey as she addressed supporters at St. John’s Church parish hall in Woodslee.

Ramsey, 44, defeated the incumbent Watson by less than 3,500 votes according to the unofficial vote counts, as well as the Liberal candidate, Audrey Festeryga.

At the Teutonia Club in Windsor, Windsor-Tecumseh NDP candidate Hardcastle and Windsor West’s Masse celebrated their victory together. Masse took the riding for the sixth straight time by defeating main rivals Conservative Henry Lau and Liberal David Sundin.

“I want to thank the residents of Windsor West who have once again rejected the negativity of other campaigns and other messaging,” Masse said to the cheering crowd.

Hardcastle, a journalist and the former deputy mayor of Tecumseh, celebrated her election to the only open federal seat in the region.

“For us here in WindsorTecumseh, I feel that it’s very confirming that we have voted to keep our seat NDP,” said Hardcastle during her victory remarks. “We voted to reject the politics of fear and division, we voted for a better and more inclusive Canada.”

Hardcastle defeated a strong challenge from Windsor city councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, running for the Conservatives, and Liberal candidate Frank Schiller. The seat has been NDP since Joe Comartin was first elected in 2000.

The fourth area riding, Chatham-Kent-Leamington, remained Tory blue with Dave Van Kesteren being reelected.

The local tide of orange was a contrast to a red revolution across Canada. The Liberal Party, under the leadership of 43-year-old Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and becoming the only father and son to serve as prime ministers of Canada.

The Liberals earned 184 seats in the Canadian House of Commons, the most since the 191 earned under the leadership of Louis St. Laurent in the 1949 federal election.

The Conservatives under Prime Minister Stephen Harper were reduced to 99 seats and Official Opposition status. The Tories had a 166 seat majority after the 2011 election. The national NDP, under leader Tom Mulcair, has been returned as the thirdparty, falling to 44 seats from 103 four years ago.

Harper, speaking from his Alberta riding of CalgaryHeritage, announced he would step down as Conservative Party leader Oct. 19, paving the way for a Tory leadership campaign.

Elections Canada reported 68 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots Monday, an increase from 61 per cent in 2011 and the highest voter turnout since 1993. Among the four local ridings, voter turnout was an average of 56.5 per cent.

Windsor West, particularly, recorded the third lowest turnout nationwide, with just 55.4 per cent of residents voting.

The date the 42nd Canadian Parliament will be convened has not been determined.

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ONVERGED CITIZEN

Francois explosion results in approximately $260,000 in damage

Photos by Justin Prince Members of the Office of the Fire Marshal look at a gas meter while investigating a natural gas explosion in the 1400 block of Francois Road in Windsor Oct. 21. Two neighbouring houses were also damaged in the explosion. The resulting fire caused $260,000 in damages to the houses. There were no injuries. Seven people have also been displaced due to the explosion.

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With the NDP holding third party status however, there is concern among local politicians and experts about whether the new and returning MPs in Windsor-Essex, Brian Masse (Windsor West), Cheryl Hardcastle (WindsorTecumseh) and Tracey Ramsey (Essex), will be able to bring funding to the region.

“We’re going to make sure that Windsor-Essex, they’re getting their fair share and getting its voice heard...”

---Matt Marchand

Lydia Miljan, political scientist at the University of Windsor, said holding third party status will not benefit Windsor’s infrastructure.

“It’s going to be more difficult to get our voices heard and I suspect that a lot of that

Photo by Sean Previl

Construction work continues on Wyandotte Street West in Windsor Oct. 22. money is going to go to say Toronto where they overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Liberals,” said Miljan.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said even with potential struggles, the City will continue to work at bringing funds for infrastructure.

“We’ll be at the table fighting for our share to make sure

that we get a share of the infrastructure dollars that are going to be made available to deliver for this community,” said Dilkens.

Trudeau’s infrastructure plan includes money to be put towards affordable housing, “green” projects and public transit, which Marchand said is an issue in Windsor-Essex.

“It is an issue that comes up on our chamber surveys to see what we can do to make that transit system a little bit better, a little bit wider, a little more frequent,” said Marchand.

But Windsor’s location is the primary reason the Liberal government should invest in the region. Marchand said it

has a draw on a global scale.

“We are the number one trading location in the world and we need to enhance that infrastructure,” said Marchand.

Marchand said he plans to work with the new government when they reconvene, as well as the cabinet, which Trudeau said in a press conference, the day after the election, he plans to form Nov. 4.

“We’re going to make sure that Windsor-Essex, they’re getting their fair share and getting its voice heard and working collectively across party lines as we always do to ensure that our voice is heard.”

Marchand said though he wants to see more opportunities for local business, it will be up to the mayor and the warden to discuss specific projects to bring forward to parliament.

Meanwhile, with Parliament expected to reconvene early in the new year and a new cabinet being identified prior to that, it won’t be long before local speculation about infrastructure spending is put to rest.

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The reality of multi-vitamins CONVERGED CITIZEN OCTOBER 29, 2015

play essential roles in maintaining good health.

Taking supplements can be beneficial only if nutrient needs are not being met by a healthy food-based diet.

“A supplement generally provides 100 per cent of the daily recommended allowance for all vitamins and minerals,” said Ahmed.

“It is

recommended before taking vitamin and mineral supplements, talk to physician about personal dietary plan.”

Huda Samaan, a pharmacist at Real Canadian Superstore, said vitamins are divided into two groups water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. They are divided into these groups according to

the proper amounts. When you eat or take more than your body needs, it excretes the excess from your body,” said Samaan.

But certain water-soluble vitamins in excess can cause problems, for example too much vitamin B6 can cause nerve problems and excess vitamin C can cause kidney stones. Excess folic acid may also mask a vitamin B12 deficiency which is most common in people over 50.

She also said fat soluble Photo courtesy of WebMD vitamins are one that dissolve in fat and stored in body how they are dissolved and tissues like vitamin A, D and stored in your body. WaterE. Sometimes they can soluble vitamins dissolve in accumulate to dangerous level water and generally are not and can cause toxicity leading stored in your body. Fatto a condition called soluble vitamins reside in your hypervitaminosis. body's fatty tissue and liver Mariana John, a registered and are used as needed in the dietitian, said nutrition is body.

“Water-soluble nutrients work best if you get them in

Sanskrit, another word for it is “dhyana” which means the state of awareness of the mind which can shut out other distractions in life and focus on the peace someone practicing yoga is trying to achieve.

The owner of the Downtown Yoga Studio in Windsor, Gina Wasserlein, said she has been practicing yoga for 18 years and has had her studio for 13 years.

“When you practice yoga and meditation, which go hand-inhand, you release a stress hormone called cortisol. Deep breathing will help with lowering that stress level,” said Wasserlein.

Over time, these practices can lower anxiety and lower depression and can increase

tolerance, memory and selfawareness. They can even motivate for goal setting.

Yoga and meditation can improve heart rate, making it easier for oxygen and carbon dioxide to move evenly throughout the brain.

Meditators also have higher levels of Alpha waves, which is electrical activity in the brain, indicating the brain is in a state of consciousness and relaxation. This increases empathy and has been shown to reduce sadness, tension and anger.

Sarah Smith, 23, is a University of Windsor student, who has experienced a lot of these benefits over the three years she’s been practicing.

“I suffered from anxiety and depression like you wouldn’t

believe. I would have anxiety attacks almost every day and I started to practice with a friend who was really into it,” said Smith.

“Eventually she convinced me to go to classes with her and I haven’t had an attack in months. It’s really helped me in my life and I feel healthier too.”

Wasserlein said practicing yoga and meditation is like programming the mind to take away negative thoughts.

Continuous thoughts of “I can’t do this” or “I hate this” will result in a negative habit pattern.

“Yoga breaks that pattern.

You’ll notice how much better you sleep, how much better your day is. You’re so much more calm, less reactive and it

Naureen Ahmed Converged Citizen Staff

Experts say prolonged deficiency of certain vitamins can lead to illness and diseases. However, there is some debate about whether vitamin supplements are necessary for healthy individuals.

According to Dr. Shahnaz Ahmed, Internal Medicine specialist, Florida, if you eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, there is a good chance you already reach your suggested daily intake.

“If you are taking a vitamin supplement in addition to eating well, you may be reaching vitamin levels which may be higher than your requirement,” said Ahmed.

“Excessive use of vitamins can potentially cause toxicities.”

Vitamins and other nutrients

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The power of yoga and meditation

Samantha Wigfield Converged Citizen Staff

In a recent study, 90 per cent of 300,000 Canadians say they feel overwhelmed and stressed in their academic and daily lives.

Whether yoga and meditation originated in India 5000 years ago or in 500 B.C. in the time of Buddha, experts say there is no doubt students today could benefit from the power of chanting a few “ohms.”

Yoga and meditation are different in small ways. Yoga means “union,” and comes from the ancient Sanskrit language. It means the union between the person and their god or universe. The word meditation also comes from

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helps a lot of people with anger issues if you practice long enough,” Wasserlein said.

It can also change the size of the brain. Over a period of eight weeks of practicing yoga and meditation, researchers found that the amygdala, which deals with stress, blood pressure and fear had actually decreased in gray matter. Gray matter increased in the areas dealing with memory processing, emotions and learning.

Although most people, particularly students, have busy lives and hardly have time for themselves, practicing both yoga and meditation a few times a week could be a great way to reset the mind and keep calm through hectic schedules.

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health & lifestyle

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October 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Trying to save Harrow High

Photo by Ashley Ann Mentley Bryan Meyer speaks to a group of concerned parents and residents at the Harrow Arena Oct. 20 regarding the recent decision by the Greater Essex County District School Board to close Harrow District High School Ashley Ann Mentley Converged Citizen Staff

Some local parents have proposed a plan that involves closing three schools in an attempt to keep Harrow District High School open.

Oct. 13, the Greater Essex County District School Board voted 5-4 to close the school originally built in 1939.

According to protocol, those in opposition have a 30-day window to appeal the decision.

“We now have 23 days to reverse this,” said Harrow resident Bryan Meyer at an Oct. 20 meeting of residents and parents.

This is the fifth time closing

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for everyone and there are a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good and have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins and minerals.

According to Canada’s Food Guide, a healthy, balanced diet which is rich in vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk

the high school has been debated over the past 30 years.

Meyer said he has always been fighting to keep it open, but it is now time to hand it over to the younger generation.

His daughter Rebecca Robinson and local business owner Bill Parr gave the presentation this time. Parr said he wants to help keep Harrow youthful, lively and able to expand. Having a high school in the town centre is necessary for this to happen.

Their proposal, which he said he knew might upset some people, is to consolidate Harrow District High School, Harrow Public School, Colchester North Public

of various diseases and some types of cancer. It can also provides a solid foundation for long-term weight control.

These food groups are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, folate and fibre.

To get the most from fruits and vegetables, eat at least one dark green vegetable, such as broccoli, green peas or beans, spinach, and one orange vegetable, such as carrots, sweet potato or squash, each

School and Malden Central Public School.

“Our goal was to try and move emotion out of our presentation and look at the factual numbers,” Parr said.

Parr and Robinson explained the school board views and evaluates schools based on “empty seats.” Last year, Harrow High had 254 students, but approximately 485 empty seats. The other three schools also have high numbers of empty seats, all operating at less than 90 per cent capacity.

Parr said this means they will also eventually be on the chopping block.

Meyer said the first thing they need to do is get trustees to

day. Choose vegetables and fruit prepared with little or no added fat. Choose vegetables and fruit more over juice.

People should check with a doctor or a registered dietitian about which vitamin or mineral supplements might be best. They should also remember that while there are circumstances when it may be appropriate to take vitamin or mineral supplements, they are not a replacement for a healthy diet according to John.

listen to their plan and while this is certainly not the only available alternative, it is at least one option to keep the

school open. The proposal states when comparing costs of relocating Harrow students to Kingsville versus consolidating the four schools, the plan for consolidation would be significantly more affordable for the board. It will also solve the problem of too many empty seats and allow Harrow to keep a high school within its town centre.

“Protests don’t work,” Meyer said. “We need to approach this on a professional basis.”

Both Robinson and Parr agreed and said it will take a great deal of community support for this initiative to be successful.

“We need one communication with one voice, moving in the same direction,” Robinson said.

The next school board meeting is Nov. 3 and they hope to be given enough time in front of the trustees to explain their proposal and save their school.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

SRC Halloween Food Drive:

Lyndi-Colleen Morgan Converged Citizen Staff

The St. Clair Student Representative Council wrapped up its annual Halloween Food Drive Oct. 20 and 21.

The food collected will be donated to the St. Clair College food bank for students who are in need of assistance.

The SRC’s Halloween food bank collection began with the distribution of bags to areas of Cabana Road, Grand Marais Street W. , Dougall Avenue and California on the evening of Oct. 13. The following week, volunteers collected the bags from those neighbourhoods before bringing them to the TD Student Centre to be counted and taken to the student foodbank.

The event was started by the SRC 10 years ago. In 2014, 8,000 cans were collected from members of the community.

This year the SRC collected another 8,000 cans during two nights of collection.

Miranda Underwood, president of the SRC, said the event uses the novelty of trick or treating to collect donations.

Instead of candy members of the community can give food that will assist those who need it.

“I am still receiving phone calls from the community members about

Rabiul Biplob Staff Converged Citizen

Religion plays an important role in the lives of many and influences day to day activities.

For Buddhists and Hindus, that sacred place is in India.

Thousands visit the Banaras from all over the world seeking to connect with their creator or God. Christians have Vatican City and places like Lourdes. Jews can go to Israel and Jordan and Muslims have Saudi Arabia, Mecca where they perform their Hajj.

Satisfying the hunger

Photo by Lyndi-Colleen Morgan (Left to Right) Lancelot Pratt, Emily Staley and Danielle Ryan display bags from the first nights collection, Oct 20. In total, 8,000 cans were collected between the two nights.

donations,”said Underwood.

“Whether it was about cans that were missed during collection or about people who weren’t part of the collection route, the community is continuing to get involved.”

Underwood also said the Halloween event is one in particular that affects the outcome of the food bank and is where the majority of its food supply comes from.

Underwood said the system the food bank uses is completely confidential, relieving some of the

embarrassment students might feel when asking for assistance. The location of the food bank in the TD Student Centre helps this as well.

“Some students are struggling to support a family or pay their tuition, sometimes even both and don’t always have extras for groceries,” said Lancelot Pratt, a second year student volunteer. “They don’t have to worry, this is a place they can go so that some stress is relieved and they don’t have to feel embarrassed about the help.”

In 2014, Food Banks Canada published a report claiming on average 841,000 people visit food banks for relief assistance each month. This is the equivalent of filling the Rogers Centre 17 times.

Another study conducted in 2014 by the Ontario Association of Food Banks said four per cent of post secondary students in Ontario visited a food bank during their schooling. This number was an increase from the previous year when the total was 3.7 per cent.

Logan Poels, a member of the

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their absence.

There are many reasons why people visit those holy places and spend so much money they could spend in other ways. Salwa Bazzi of Falcon Travel said it takes about $7,000 to $10,000 per person

to carry out Hajj for those who want to go from Windsor.

Mecca to perform their Hajj.

Mohammed Wares Khan, who performed Hajj with his wife, is happy he could visit the sacred place. For many people it’s the dream of lifetime.

“I would love to visit again if I get the opportunity,” said Khan Banaras of India is the sacred place for Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Hindus bathe in the Ganges river to purify themselves. Buddhists believe this is the place where Buddha started his preaching. Known

SRC and first year participant said events like the Halloween food bank collection help bring awareness about the importance of food banks.

“We all know there are the lucky students and that there are the students who need help,” said Poel. “What we want to show is that we all showed up at St. Clair and that we all have support systems that we can reach out to when we need help and also that it’s not just students helping students but the community helping students as well.”

Underwood said the SRC’s next event is the student pub night at St. Clair College’s Griff’s Tavern Oct. 29.

Students are encouraged to bring two canned food items instead of paying the entrance fee of $2.

Underwood also said donations are accepted at any time for the student food bank and can be dropped off at the SRC office in the TD Student Centre downtown at the intersection of University Avenue and Victoria Avenue.

They can also be dropped off at the SRC office at the college’s main campus.

For more information about donations and drop off points contact Miranda Underwood, at 519-972-2727 or email her srcpresident@stclaircollege.ca.

Religious Travel “Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims”

Umrah Hajj costs about $3,000 per person. Pilgrims from all over the world visit

as the spiritual capital of India, pilgrims from all over India and the world visit to connect with their creator or god.

Many spend their hardearned money to get something from being there.

Most are not asking for proof of whether there is a god or not or is there is any life after death.

“As a Muslim, I believe there is a life after death and I will meet with my creator and I have to face the judgement day,” said Khan.

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health & lifestyle ONVERGED CITIZEN Coin show brings history alive OCTOBER 29, 2015

Mark Brown Staff Converged Citizen

Standing among rows upon rows of coins ranging in appearance from dull to gleaming on a recent Sunday morning, Dan Jones takes out a key and opens one of the many cases protecting the coins. He pulls one out and gives a fascinating history lesson.

“Here’s a neat Edwardian coin, this one for sure we have dated,” said Jones, president of the Essex County Coin Club. “This one is 1567, and this coin has Queen Elizabeth I. It was hand-hammered, meaning it was made with a press by hand. The man would have made a plate, put a blank silver in and he’d pull it.

What’s interesting about this is, these would have only traveled with the merchant class and the nobility.”

The 1567 coin was one of the oldest on display at the 11th Annual Essex County Coin Show held Oct. 4 at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club in Windsor. Over a dozen collectors presented thousands of coins and other artifacts to buy, sell and trade. In addition

the show, which raised funds through donations for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Joyce Montrose, the Windsor and district coordinator for the association, said they are pleased with the show’s support over the years.

“We get a donation at the door and they contribute that to the Canadian Diabetes Association,” said Montrose.

Montrose said they have been

involved with the show since 2009 and are glad that the show supports the association’s mission, providing support and resources to the over 49,000 Windsor-Essex residents who are diabetic.

Wandering around the show, visitors saw a wide range of artifacts that included commemorative coin sets from the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as well as the history of the Ford Motor Company. Numerous military medals were on display, as well as giant 18th century coins referred to as pennies.

Collector Thomas Clarke of Windsor also had a relic – a 1954 Canadian $1,000 bill.

“They made them as late as 1986,” said Clarke who added that bills of that denomination were frequently used in illegal activity. They were retired by the Canadian government in 2000 as part of an effort to curb organized crime.

The Essex County Coin Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month.

For further information, contact club president Dan Jones at 519-819-1805.

they can’t cover everything,” said Shirley Beresford, president of the Navy League Windsor Branch. “Donations all go towards providing the Cadets with equipment such as rope, uniforms and instruments.”

Beresford said tagging days usually bring in enough money to cover the cost of the cadets' equipment and Windsorites have always been very supportive.

“In past years, we have been averaging around $14,000. I don’t think we will have that this year but we should come close to that,” said Beresford.

Around 40 Cadets from H.M.C.S Agamemnon will be taking part in tagging across the city. Andre Ducharme has been in Cadets for three years and is a leading seaman. He said tagging may not be fun at times, but is well worth the rewards it brings.

“We give out tags to people who donate and if they are of age to join cadets then we give them a recruitment card," said Ducharme. “The most I’ve ever raised for tagging is $200, but it’s nice that we don’t have to worry about buying things like uniforms or

rope out of pocket.”

Brayden Uttley is a lieutenant in the Navy and the executive officer of Cadet Corps. H.M.C.S Agamemnon.

He said when he was a cadet he also had to participate in tagging days.

“My experience with tagging is an interesting one, “ said Uttley. "I have been snowed on and rained on a lot, but when you are standing out there and raising the money you don’t do it because you enjoy it, you do it because of what you get out of it. “ Despite the weather, Uttley said he is grateful for the support he sees in the community and tagging has many benefits besides raising money for the corps.

“It’s nice to go out and talk to the community," said Uttley. “We get a lot of retired service members that come up and talk to us and it is always nice to hear their stories and receive support from them.

We have always done fairly well in Windsor with tag days.

Other corps I have talked to that will have the same number of cadets tagging usually only bring in half of what we get.”

Photo by Mark Brown Dan Jones, president of the Essex County Coin Club, shows off an 1817 British halfcrown coin with a profile of King George III during the annual Essex County Coin Show at Riverside Sportsmen's Club in Windsor Oct. 4. to rare coins and paper money, the show also showcased rare watches, jewelry and even military memorabilia. Jones said those items often come in coin trades and are displayed with the rest.

“When I go out to buy a collection, I get a gamut of things,” said Jones. “Mostly these are seniors we deal with, and they’re moving – a lot of them are downsizing so they

have coins. Often with the coins are other little things such as military (artifacts)… and even little pieces of jewelry.”

Jones, a retired school teacher who has been collecting since he was 12 years old, said it is a treat to see how the styles of jewelry have changed over the years. Pocket watches were the most prominent pieces of jewelry on display at

Windsor sea cadets tagging Windsor

Photo by Johnathan Hutton Andre Doucharme (right) receives donations from a child (left) while tagging at Devonshire Mall Oct. 16.

Johnathan Hutton Staff Converged Citizen

Windsor Sea Cadets are raising money for their branches one tag at a time.

Sea Cadets from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Agamemnon took to the

streets on tag day Oct. 16 to raise money for their local branch. Tag day is when all available Cadets head out to different locations across the city and ask for donations toward their program. If the cadets receive a contribution, the donor receives a tag from

the cadets thanking them for their help.

“Tagging is crucial to help support the Cadet Corps and the Navy League and the Department of National Defense has always been great for providing the Cadets with what they ask for. However,

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McCartney rocks across the river CONVERGED CITIZEN OCTOBER 29, 2015

Paul McCartney performs in front of a sold out crowd at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Oct. 21.

Allanah Wills Converged Citizen Staff “I hear he plays for three hours straight.”

“Last night his set was two and a half hours and he didn’t even take a sip of water.”

These were some of the rumours overheard around Joe Louis Arena before Paul McCartney’s Oct. 21 show on his ‘Out There’ tour. This was his first time in Detroit since his 2011 gig at Comerica Park. With a capacity of more than 20,000, tickets for the Joe Louis show sold out within minutes.

As thousands of people poured into the venue it became clear the appeal of McCartney and The Beatles has spanned generations. The young, the old and the inbetween waited in the stands with barely-contained excitement, many wearing Beatles shirts and holding homemade signs.

As the house lights dimmed, McCartney and his four-piece band opened the show with the Beatles’ upbeat 1964 song Eight Days a Week.

As the show went on and many, many guitar changes commenced, McCartney’s enthusiasm and charm was

clear to see. By introducing nearly every song and thanking the crowd after finishing every one, McCartney seemed to enjoy talking as much as the crowd enjoyed listening.

Extra applause erupted when he introduced songs from the ‘60s.

When talking with the crowd he often told personal stories.

A stand out moment happened when he spoke of Beatles guitarist George Harrison before going into the Harrison penned song Something with photos of the two playing in the background.

Although his vocals were noticeably more fragile than

they were 30 years ago, McCartney’s charisma and stage presence made up for it as he shimmied across the stage. It would be easy to get lost in the lasers, spotlights and bright, moving LED background that changed with every song, but McCartney continued to own the stage with vibrancy and witty quips, never once seeming to lose steam.

McCartney played multiple songs on the piano including Let It Be, Maybe I’m Amazed and Lady Madonna. The climax of the piano songs, and perhaps the whole show, was the Wings hit Live and Let

Photos by Allanah Wills Die. The spectacle included flames and fireworks that had the audience gasping.

As the crowd stomped their feet and cheered McCartney came back on stage asking them if they wanted more before giving two encore medleys of Beatles songs including I Saw Her Standing There, Yesterday, Carry That Weight and finishing off with The End. With the show spanning exactly three hours and a 41 song set list tincluding 27 Beatles songs, 73-year-old McCartney more than lived up to all the rumours.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Little mermaid swims into town

Photo courtesy of Windsor Light Music Theatre Facebook

Amber Thibert shows off her Ariel costume at Devonshire Mall Oct. 3. The cast was there promoting the show and previewing songs.

Allanah Wills Converged Citizen Staff

Fans of The Little Mermaid can look forward to seeing the animated film come to life next month on a Windsor stage.

Based on the 1989 Disney blockbuster, Windsor Light Music Theatre will bring the production to the Chrysler Theatre starting Nov. 13.

The love story follows a young mermaid, Ariel, who wishes to become human.

University of Windsor student Amber Thibert plays the lead character.

“It’s kind of daunting finding a good balance between what people expect me to be….and what I want to bring to the character,” said Thibert.

This will be WLMT’s 132nd production since its first show,

The Pirates of Penzance, in 1948. Founded by John H. L. Watson as Windsor Light Opera Association, the company started by producing two full scale shows a year and has kept the tradition going ever since. Originally based in Walkerville Collegiate, WLMT moved its performances downtown in 1960. The company runs with the help of volunteers.

“We are a registered charity so we rely on ticket sales, patron donations, sponsorships and fundraisers,” said The Little Mermaid director Chris Fazekas.

The Leamington native has directed other shows, but this is his first time directing for WLMT. To take viewers “under the sea,” special costumes had to be used. Music Theatre Wichita in Kansas provided

WLMT with the wardrobe for the show which will include fibre optics, stilts and tap shoes.

“This show is huge,” said Fazekas. “We would have spent more on material to make the costumes than it took to rent them, let alone the countless hours it would have taken the wardrobe department to design and create them. The costumes are so beautifully vibrant, I don't think there is a colour on the spectrum the Wichita seamstresses missed.”

According to Thibert, the sets are also elaborate enough to rival the movie.

“The sets are out of this world,” she said. “It’s such a great group onstage but you would not believe the level of talents backstage. The people putting these sets together, it’s incredible.”

From the first audition to the first day of the show, Fazekas said it takes about six months to put everything together with more than 100 people involved in the process.

“Onstage, we have 65 people, 21 in our pit chorus and a crew that easily doubles those numbers,” said Fazekas.

“When you include construction, paint, hair, makeup, lights, sound, marketing, orchestra, backstage crew and all the active members within the organization that volunteer their time, it really becomes a staggering amount of people involved.”

The Little Mermaid runs for six days and tickets start at $16.

Disney's The Little Mermaid

On Nov. 17, the classic animated film will celebrate 26 years since its release in 1989. Based off the 1837 fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson, the film grossed more than $200 million at the box office, won two Academy Awards, two Grammys and two Golden Globes.

Take a look at some fun facts about the film!

1. The protagonist Ariel was animated using the inspiration of Alyssa Milano’s body and the hair of astronaut Sally Ride as it waved when she was in zero gravity 2. The villain Ursula was animated to look like

drag queen Divine, who had a starring role in the 1988 film Hairspray.

3. The role of Ariel’s dad King Triton was offered to Patrick Stewart, who was too busy with Star Trek: The Next Generation to accept it.

4. The underwater special effects were some of the most complicated for an animated film at that time. The film’s animator Mark Dindal estimates that a million bubbles had to be drawn.

5. The voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson, recorded the ballad Part of Your World in a dark room to simu-

Compiled by Allanah Wills

late the feeling of being underwater.

6. With around 23 million VHS copies sold and an eventual seven million DVDs sold, The Little Mermaid is one of the most successful home video releases ever.

7. The film would be the last time Disney used traditional hand-painted animation. The final wedding scene was the first time they used a computer-assisted production technique. The system scanned the drawings and coloured them in. This technique was designed by non-other than Pixar, who would eventually partner with Disney.

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The art of winning Christian Bouchard Converged Citizen Staff

The St. Clair Saints men’s baseball team have enjoyed immediate success ever since head Coach Dave Cooper took over in 2012.

After recording the first perfect season in program history this year (20-0), many are starting to recognize the talents of Dave Cooper. Entering his fourth season with the Saints, Cooper has already won a Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Association National Championship (2012) and back-to-back OCAA and OUA/OCAA championships (2013-2014) as coach of the Saints. He was also honoured as the OCAA Men’s Baseball Coach of the Year in 20142015.

Cooper said a major part of his success with the Saints has been the recruitment of players from the summer baseball team he has coached for over six years. The Tecumseh Thunder has proved to be a perennial powerhouse over the years winning three National Championships under Cooper.

Eric Cunningham is one of five players to play for Cooper with both the Saints and Thunder. Cunningham was the recipient of the Male Athlete of the Year Award last year at St. Clair and posted a .548 batting average this season for the Saints. With all his achievements in his baseball career, he credits his coach for much of his success.

“He is the coach that is going to be there from beginning to end anytime you need him,” said Cunningham. “He pushes effort more than any other coach I’ve ever had and gets the best out of his players.”

The effort Cooper asks for proved to work as the team posted a combined .330 batting average and a team Earned Run Average of .161.

While the Saints have been cruising to victories over the

CONVERGED CITIZEN OCTOBER 29, 2015

Sports round-up

12

By Garrett Fodor

Cross Country Titles

The Windsor and Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association championship was held at Malden Park Oct. 22.

Vista Academy’s Mitchell Ubene took the senior boys title. Ubene completed the 7km race in 24:02. Enrique Nepomuceno’s 2nd-place finish with a time of 24:30 helped Holy Names take the division title with the school having four runners in the top 10.

In the senior girls race Vista Academy runners nearly swept the podium with a one-two finish. Maddy Rivelis finished first in the 5km race with a time of 19:15. While Madison Burnham placed second with a time of 19:27.

Noah Costa of Massey led another one-two finish for the Mustangs in the midget boys’ 5km race. Costa won the race with a time of 12:59 while Chase Canty was right behind with a time of 13:00.

Massey won the AAA overall team title, while Vista scored the AA title and Harrow won the A title. The SWOSSAA championship is Oct. 28 at Malden Park.

Photo by Jordan Caschera Eric Cunningham of the St. Clair Saints stands on deck in a game vs. the University of Windsor Oct. 21. Cunningham led the Saints with a .548 batting average on route to a 20-0 season.

years, Cooper said there are always challenges the team must overcome.

“Our pitching is so dominant,” said Cooper. “Our top three have been unhittable.

The problem is our players know if we get one or two runs we’re probably going to win. The tendency is for a lot of the athletes to let the next guy do it. When that starts happening you get yourself in trouble.”

With all the success the Saints have had over the years, they have experienced little feeling of what it’s like to lose. Cunningham said it is something the team will need to figure out before the championships.

“It’s tough not losing,” said Cunningham. “Some guys start coasting and take it easy because we’re expected to win. Winning all the time is a

blessing but it has a curse behind it.”

Cooper is also widely regarded as one of the most accomplished local players that Windsor/Essex has ever seen. As a player he won seven Senior Men’s National Championships with the Windsor Chiefs and another with the Tecumseh Green Giants.

As the Saints head to London. for the OCAA championships, they’ll be without their head coach for their night game. Cooper will be recognized for his talents and inducted into the Windsor Essex Sports Hall of Fame Oct. 23.

“If we win they’ll say we should have won,” said Cooper. “If we don’t, that’s going to be news. We don’t want to make too much news.”

Junior B

The Leamington Flyers increased their lead in the standings when they scored eight unanswered goals to beat the second place St. Thomas Stars with a score of 8-1 Oct. 22. Forward Mark Gangnon had two goals for the Flyers.

High School Basketball

Walkerville Tartan Tess Snaden had 14 points, as she lead Walkerville over the Cardinal Carter Cougars 42-18 Oct. 22.

Holy Name Knights beat St. Joseph Lasers 64-34.

Leading the way for the Knights was Tiarra Davis who scored 29 points in her team’s win.

The General Amherst Bulldogs held the Brennan Cardinals to 14 points, on way to their 51-14 win. Olivia Starling had 18 points for the Bulldogs.

Concluding Oct. 22’s action on Kennedy Clippers won 45-27 over Assumption Purple Raiders. Lydia Abraha scored 16 points. While Villanova Wildcats beat the Massey Mustangs 44-34.

Saints Baseball

The St. Clair College men’s baseball team finished the regular season with a perfect 20-0 record and will look to win their third straight Ontario Colleges Athletic Association title.

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sports & fitness

Express bring in NBA talent for exhibition Ryan Blevins Converged Citizen Staff

A local professional basketball team will be competing against NBA talent next month and donating proceeds to a local charity.

The Windsor Express of the National Basketball League of Canada will be playing the newly formed Raptors 905 of the NBA’s Developmental League on Nov. 5.

Mississauga will be home to the Raptors 905 in what will be their inaugural season after the city’s NBL Canada team, the Mississauga Power, was absorbed by the NBA’s DLeague.

The exhibition game will be held at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre and tip time is 7:30 p.m.

Transition to Betterness is a local non-profit organization that works to ensure comfort for patients and families living with cancer and other diseases. T2B has partnered with Windsor Express for the event and half the proceeds made in ticket sales for the game will be donated to the charity.

While the game is an exhibition, members of the organization are relishing the opportunity to showcase the team’s brand against NBAcaliber talent. Vice President of Basketball Operations Bill Jones has been with the team since its inception in 2012 and said this game benefits the Express a great deal.

“It’s about branding the Windsor Express Basketball,” said Jones. “What we’ve done in our three short years here is we qualified for the playoffs, went to the semi-finals our first year and then won in the championship the next two years. Now, to be able to create our brand and say we played against an NBA affiliate is something that makes our brand look good.”

Not only does the game impact basketball fans locally, but it also effects people and families who rely on Transition to Betterness to assist them while fighting cancer. Each general admission ticket sold for this game will cost $5 and sitting court side will cost fans $10.

Transition to Betterness Fund Development Co-ordinator Melissa Iarusso said she was thrilled when the Express reached out to her organization in an attempt to make a

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Leclair goes pro Michael Hugall Converged Citizen Staff

Amidst a 1-4 start to the 2015 Ontario University Athletics conference season the University of Windsor has something to be proud of at the strong-side defensive end position.

Kellen Leclair, 20, is in his third year of eligibility with the Lancers football team. In the off-season he stays competitive through his love for one of Canada’s oldest and most decorated sports, lacrosse.

“I’ve been playing lacrosse since I was four years old,”

Following the 2014 season Leclair tried out for the Six Nations Rebels of the Ontario Jr. A Lacrosse League, winning a Minto Cup this past season. Just as things seemed they could not get any brighter, Leclair was drafted 26th overall to the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League three months later.

Leclair said although he entered the draft a year early he hopes to garner experience in the upcoming training camp.

“I'm hoping to bring what I learn in camp back to Six Nations in the summer and

Photo By Ryan Blevins Vice president of Basketball Operations for the Windsor Express Bill Jones poses for a protrait at his office with his basketball autographed by the team.

difference in the community.

“The team approached us (saying) that they have the exciting opportunity to play NBA D-League team Raptors 905 on Nov. 5 and wanted to work with T2B so that half of all proceeds would support our organization,” said Iarusso. “Of course we were thrilled to have this opportunity presented to us and we’ve been working ever since to come up with ideas to make this a must-attend event.”

In addition to the on-court action, the game will include a half time show, 50/50 raffle supporting T2B and family friendly activities. Before the two teams square off a special pre-game event featuring former Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment president Richard Peddie will be held discussing his new book, 21 Leadership Lessons.

According to Jones, the average attendance for home games at the WFCU Centre is roughly 1,100 fans. Each of the team’s first three seasons has seen a spike in both attendance and overall ticket sales.

Season ticket holder Kurt Ridgewell, 21, has not missed a game in three years and said he is excited to see NBA talent in Windsor.

“I think it’s going to be a good way for basketball Canada to promote itself. I expect the Express to compete for sure after winning backto-back championships,” Ridgewell said.

Windsor has the unique opportunity this year of being the only NBL Canada team to host an NBA level team in their home venue.

While Mississauga is currently the only NBA DLeague team located in Canada, Jones said NBA DLeague basketball may not be out of the question if the league is ever looking to put another team north of the boarder.

“We are putting our best foot forward in terms of showing that we are a good organization. We’ve got good players, so if an NBA team is interested in bringing another DLeague team to Canada then we want to show that we are a capable franchise,” said Jones The Windsor Express play their second exhibition game at the St. Clair College SportsPlex Dec. 13 against the Lima Express of Lima, Ohio and the Midwest Professional Basketball Association.

Photo courtesy of GoLancers.ca

Kellen Leclair waits for the next play versus the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks in the Lancers' first win of the season Sept. 23 at University Stadium.

said Leclair. Leclair, a native of Windsor, began his lacrosse career with the Windsor Warlocks of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. From there he attained membership to the Windsor Clippers of the Ontario Jr. B Lacrosse League, and stayed there from 2011-2015 tallying 10 goals and six assists in his tenure with the club.

help the team make another Minto cup run,” said Leclair.

“My ultimate goal is to make the team, but I know I will gain a lot of valuable knowledge regardless.”

Leclair’s athletic ability has never been in question according to his Lancer football teammates. At six feet,

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sports & fitness

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OCTOBER 29, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

All aboard the Toronto Blue Jays bandwagon

Photo by Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jay’s Jose Bautista celebrates a home run in Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series vs. the Texas Rangers at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Baustista’s three-run homerun would prove to be the game winning runs.

Christian Bouchard Converged Citizen Staff

With over 11.5 million Canadians watching some part of the broadcast, the Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose

LECLAIR PAGE 13

four inches tall and 225 pounds he is a force at the defensive end position, and looks to bring his arsenal of

Bautista stepped into the batters box. It was the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, runners on the corners and a 1-1 count in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. What happened next

both size and speed to the Calgary Roughnecks next season.

“Kellen’s an important part of our ‘d’ (defence),” said Lancer safety Tarik Bonas.

was the most important thing in over 22 years of Blue Jays baseball.

Bautista rested his bat on his shoulders. The crowd was roaring - even the bandwagon fans the Jays had gained not so

“He brings a unique combination of size and speed that you won’t find in many defensive linemen.” Bonas added, “It is no wonder why he’s able to excel as a two sport athlete.”

long ago. As the pitch was thrown towards home plate, Bautista kicked his front leg up into the air. When his bat made contact with the ball, it left a loud crack throughout the Rogers Centre. Bautista flung his bat into the air and watched as the 97-mile per hour fastball had been directed over the fence for what would eventually be the games winning runs. As the fans cheered even louder, the Jays bench quickly emptied. Teammate Edwin Encarnacion raised both arms in the air and jumped up in celebration.

Jose Bautista had become immortal in the eyes of many Blue Jays fans. For others, they were just happy to be a part of something special.

The Blue Jays season took a turn for the better on July 31, 2015. The Jays traded for star pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

According to Joe Siddall, play-by-play announcer for the Jays, this is where the Jays gained an abundance of Canadian fans.

“A big part of fans jumping on board was GM Alex Anthopoulous trading all those prospects for star players,” said Siddall. “He sent a message to his players and fans that the Jays are ‘All in’ to win a championship.”

As the only Canadian baseball team in Major League Baseball, the Jays are gaining Canadian fans at an all-time rate. The Jays popularity has recently exploded with the team’s official Twitter account gaining over 350,00 followers in the past 10 weeks.

Perhaps it’s that the team is now winning. Perhaps it’s because of the addition of the new star players. Maybe it’s even because the fans were here all along and the Jays’ fans are excited to be a part of Calgary Roughnecks camp begins on Nov. 17 and Leclair said he is excited to get out there and prove himself.

However, Leclair will need to put the thought of profes-

something great.

Dr. Craig Greenham, an assistant professor at the University of Windsor and researcher of North American professional sports said the biggest reason for all the sudden Jays’s fans want to be a part of their success.

“I am not sure if it’s a need; I think it’s more of a want,” said Greenham.

There’s no questioning the clubs popularity nationally and I think people want to be a part of that.”

The numbers prove Greenham has a point. More than 16 million Canadians watched some part of the 2015 Texas vs. Toronto ALDS – 46 per cent of the Canadian population.

Siddall agrees with the idea that the Blue Jays have an entire country behind them.

He described the sudden rise in fans as a party with friends.

When more people begin to arrive, it becomes more fun.

As the Jays have continued to win, more people have joined the party and many have really increased their love for baseball and the Blue Jays.

“Many feel that it is pretty cool to be a part of it all cheering for 'their' team,” said Siddall. “Fans seem to take ownership in the team when it is doing well.”

While winning goes a long way to putting people in the seats at the Rogers Centre, the Jays will have their work cut out for them as they now trail 3-2 in a best of seven series with the Kansas City Royals.

The Blue will look to battle their way back into the series on Oct. 23 as they travel to Kansas City for Game 6.

While we can’t predict the exact outcome, one thing is for sure. Canada will be cheering on their boys.

sional lacrosse on the backburner as he will look to lead the Lancers to their second victory of the season on Oct. 24 against the Waterloo Warriors.