The MediaPlex Examiner - Oct. 5, 2018

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

News

News

Sports

Entertainment

The Downtown Farmers Market is still open for the season, Page 3.

What happens when cannabis is legalized on October 17, Page 4.

A tale of two (rival) brothers. The Spitfires vs. The Knights, Page 12.

A look at the power of cosplay and this years comicon, Page 8.

CASSIDY MCNEA/MediaPlex Examiner Mayor Drew Dilkens and Veronique Mandal smile for the camera while attending the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction start

Gordie Howe International Bridge underway

individuals from separate organizations and more. Speakers at the event included Prime MinisShovels hit the ground to- ter Justin Trudeau, Minister of day as construction starts for Infrastructure and Communities the Gordie Howe International François-Philippe Champagne Bridge. Construction kicked off and Governor of Michigan Rick with an announcement for the Snyder among other dignitaries bridge, bringing in government from Canada and the U.S. representatives from all levels, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

By Matt Flood

MediaPlex Examiner Staff

announces the construction of the bridge. Photo by Lauren O’Brien The 2.5 kilometre bridge costs a total of $5.7 billion and will be running in 2024. The bridge will be connected directly to Ontario Highway 401 and Michigan Interstate-75. Unlike the Ambassador Bridge, the Gordie

Howe International Bridge will also feature a pedestrian walkway. Construction and maintenance of the new bridge will bring in 2500 jobs between the U.S and Canada.

See BEHIND THE LENS Page 10

Health

News

Art

Sports

Windsor refugees gave back to Canada with the gift of life, Page 6.

Two tornados tore through Windsor-Essex area last week, Page 2.

The second annual dropped on droullaird was a success, Page 9.

The colder weather means more muskies. Fishing season is here, Page 12.

LOCAL NEWS PAGE 2

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Ontario drive clean program cancelled

By Guoliang Fu

Mediaplex Examiner

Walk for homelessness

TAMAS MIKO/MediaPlex Examiner Tracey Rogers and other attendees at the first annual Walk for the Homeless event on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

By Alyssa Leonard Mediaplex Examiner

Tracey Rogers was cold, hungry and struggling with addiction and mental health issues on the streets of Toronto before transitional housing helped turn her life around.

The Windsor woman told her powerful comeback story to more than 100 people at Saturday’s first annual Walk for the Homeless at City Hall Square.

“For the first three weeks, I had nowhere to sleep,” said Rogers, owner of White Feather Holistic Arts on Ottawa Street.

“I was cold, I was hungry, I had nothing. I didn’t have a dime to my name.”

She was among about a dozen speakers highlighting the scourge of homelessness, described as a “state of emergency” by one council candidate.

Rogers went from drop-in centres for food and clothing to emergency shelters, before finally finding transitional housing – a free home for up to two years where social workers help the homeless make the transition to low-income housing.

Speaker after speaker condemned the city for not doing enough to combat homelessness and Rogers called on officials to direct more resources to transitional housing.

More than 4,400 people were on the waitlist for low-income housing at the end of 2017, said

event co-organizer Patsy Copus, but that number does not tell the whole grim story.

A little boy hold’s a sign as he walks along Ouellette Avenue in the first annual Walk for the Homeless event on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Photo by Tamas Miko) A little boy holds a sign as he walks along Ouellette Avenue in the first annual Walk for the Homeless event on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Photo by Tamas Miko) “That is just the total number of applicants,” said Copus. “Not the amount of family members who are on the list.”

The city is planning to build a 150-unit affordable housing complex but more than 500 people had been added to the priority list by February, said Copus, who called on the city to convert old schools into housing units.

Ward 8 council candidate and event co-organizer Lisa Valente said homelessness is a hot topic now because of the election, but that the issue was bigger than politics.

“I believe that we’re in a state of emergency and we have to overcome this homeless issue,” said Valente. “By having an event like this it brings everyone together. Let’s all work together…to deal with this issue and get something done.”

World Homeless Day is coming up Wednesday, Oct. 10.

This Spring, drivers will be skipping the usual vehicle testing.

As of April 1, 2019, drivers are no longer required to get Drive Clean emissions tests on their vehicles. Across Canada, Ontario is the only province that has compulsory light duty vehicle emissions testing. But the new P.C. government cancelled the Drive Clean program to “save money”, and will release a new program to target the biggest polluters.

“We’re saving taxpayers over $40 million every year. We’re better targeting the biggest polluters to protect Ontario’s air,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

The Drive Clean has effectively provided a way to target emissions related to smog and other environmental issues, according to Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment.

Heavy-duty vehicles like commercial transport trucks will be the new program’s target. John Yakabuski, Minister of Transportation, said the program is being rolled out to ensure that Ontario continues to lead Canada in reducing harmful smog-causing pollutants.

“These changes will make a real, long-term difference for our air quality, while respecting taxpayer dollars today,” said Yakabuski.

More details about the new program will be available in the coming months.

Two tornados in Windsor-Essex ZANDER KELLY/MediaPlex Examiner The intersection of Ouellette Avenue and University Avenue during the storm on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018.

By Zander Kelly

Mediaplex Examiner

Two tornadoes touched down in the Windsor-Essex area last Tuesday, Environment Canada reports.

“It’s not an everyday event,” said Gerald Cheng, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

“We have had tornadoes in September before, but these were not as powerful.”

Two category EF-1 tornadoes with wind speeds of approximately 150 km/h swept through the region, including one in the McGregor area and one in the Staples area. The strong winds knocked over a garage, trees, and caused roof damage.

There were also reports of a tornado in the Amherstburg area, but these reports are only “probable,” said Cheng. Any

tornado in the Amherstburg area would have likely been the remnants of a tornado that did more significant damage in Michigan, which had worn out to an F-0 category before reaching Amherstburg.

Some of the damage done by this weak tornado included the destruction of a brick welcome sign.

“We’ve had years where we’ve confirmed more tornadoes but recently it’s been grouped,” said Cheng. “We had three in the Ottawa region on the Ontario side, more in Quebec, and two confirmed and one possible in southwest Ontario.”

Cheng encourages citizens to stay up to date with local weather events by checking the forecast section of the Environment Canada Website.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Making the most of millenials RYAN PERCY/MediaPlex Examiner Afshin Ali is the development Officer at the Downtown Mission and focuses on social media to maintain a connection with their donors

By Ryan Percy Mediaplex Examiner Staff

Employees of non-profit organizations in Windsor are exploring different ways to to improve engagement with the millennial generation.

On Sept. 25, the University of Windsor Alumni Association hosted a philanthropy Lunch n’ Learn philanthropy luncheon.

The main speaker was Sabrina Pourmand, an executive adviser to a number of charities around the globe. She talked about the information she gained as vice president of Key Relationships at charity: water.

A study from the Fraser Institute shows for the decade leading into 2014, Ontario saw the number of tax filers donating to charity drop by almost 20 per

cent. The per cent of income donated also dropped almost 30 per cent during that time.

Pourmand said charities should be looking at how to engage with the new millennial generation and help to portray them as heroes while engaging with organizations to gain their funding.

“As an older demographic is now ageing out you need to find a new donor base, and [Millenials] want to be front and centre,” said Pourmand.

According to Statistics Canada’s Summary of Charitable Donors, the zero to 24 and 25 to 34 age brackets Millennials fall under have seen the largest increase in donations in Windsor.

The average increase in Millennial donations rose by 34.5 per cent from 2012 to 2016. The av-

erage donation of the age brackets above Millennials only increased by 7.1 per cent during this time.

Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, said they are working towards reaching out to inspire people by keeping their message simple and showing donors where their money is having an impact.

“We have millennials represented on our board of directors and its standing committees,” Goddard said. “We engage millennials through our Emerging Philanthropists program that connects millennial donors directly with the work of United Way through volunteering, giving, planning, networking and et cetera.”

The New Generation of Cana-

dian Giving study from Hewitt & Johnston Consultants Inc. states Millenials want more transparency with an organization they donate to. The study also states Millennials were almost 70 per cent more likely to increase their donations than Generation X while being seven times more likely to begin supporting more charities in the next 12 months than Baby Boomers.

Development Officer Afshin Ali, 43, of the Downtown Mission said what she took away from Pourmand’s presentation was to keep your organization in contact with your donors, even if they only donate once a year.

“Every individual likes, not necessarily a thank you but the interaction,” Ali said. “Every dollar is a person.”

Downtown farmers market extends season

al manager Steve Green.

“I can tell you there is probaMediaplex Examiner bly over a thousand people that come here every Saturday [beFor the first time ever, the tween] 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.”

Downtown Windsor Farmers’ The Farmers’ Market is a Market is extending its season. non-profit, volunteer-based “This was a very busy year. venue where local food producNot only did we increase our ers and entrepreneurs promote (number of) vendors but we inand sell their product. creased attendance,” said generVendor Dane Fader of GreeBy Amos Johnson

nerBins Composting Company said the busy market was filled with potential customers.

“I am trying to target sort of an eco-friendly community (so) this is a really good place to be,” said Fader.

“If you have a product you want to sell or you have a service you want to tell a community about, especially in this area,

then (the) Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a really good choice for that.”

The season typically runs from the end of May to the beginning of October. This year, the season will continue every Saturday during the month of October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

The legalization of cannabis Nikita Kumbcuris, an employee at Higher Limits.

By Tamas Miko Mediaplex Examiner Staff

Windsor Police are taking a proactive approach to the legalization of cannabis and to the risks it could bring to the community.

With the legalization of marijuana, Windsor Police will use a three step approach, said Police Chief Al Frederick. According to Frederick it will be a game changer for the police and the community. However, officers have been taking training to deal with any potential problems. Impaired drug driving is one of the problems, according to Frederick.

“The first problem is the impaired by drug. Second problem is enforcement,” said Frederick.

Frederick said Windsor Police are focused on three different areas in the training. The first focus of training is impaired by drug. Officers have taken ex-

tensive training and a new unit called DRE, which stands for Drug Recognition Experts, has been formed. Officers will have to make a subjective observation to be able to determine the charge when it comes to stopping someone suspected of being impaired when driving.

The second focus of training is enforcement. According to Frederick, officers need to know the basics first before they can lay any charges. Also, enforcing the law might be difficult since people will be allowed to consume cannabis in public. ”You will be allowed to do that.

So the enforcement piece is not going to be that significant because it seems there is not much to enforce,” said Frederick.

The third focus is internal policy. Frederick said they look at the internal policy related to employees of Windsor Police and the consumption of cannabis.

Frederick said a large committee

TAMAS MIKO/ MediaPlex Examiner

has been working in those three areas to be ready for the legalization of cannabis on Oct. 17.

Nevertheless, Frederick said he does not support the idea of using cannabis in public.

Nikita Kumbcuris, an employee at Higher Limits.

Nikita Kambcuris, an employee at Higher Limits, has a different perspective when it comes to legalization of cannabis. He said it could be a huge need for supply to meet demands, during the first year of legal cannabis use, depending on how the market goes. Kambcuris also said people will be able to buy cannabis from online stores as well when it becomes legal. Nevertheless, people will also buy it in other ways regardless of the legalization, according to Kambcuris.

“I am pretty sure most people are like already have illegal ways of getting the cannabis so it might not be a problem for most people,” said Kambcuris.

Regulating cannabis is necessary in order to prevent under aged youth having access to it said Kambcuris. He said selling recreational cannabis could be taxable and the money could be used for something else. Kambcuris said it might be beneficial to the community if cannabis is regulated in a way which is safe for everyone.

“Also the money that you can make is obviously going to be insane, if you just look at Colorado alone the money that they make from taxes,” said Kambcuris.

Kumbcruis said the legalization of cannabis would theoretically increase their business. He also said the black market for cannabis might go down a little. However, nothing is certain.

Kumbcruis said if the government cannot compete with the black market’s price there is a chance it might become stronger than before.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Watches depicting the history of Rumrunners

By Trisha Kundu Mediaplex Examiner Windsor has become the home of a business which combines manufacturing watches based on the Rumrunner’s history. A local entrepreneur started making watches 10 months ago being inspired by the Prohibition era.

The Rumrunners distilled and distributed illegal alcohol across the borders of Detroit and Windsor during the Prohibition period of the 1920s. They would devise meticulous plans in transporting these spirits either using boats or driving cars when the river froze.

Jonathan Van Lare collected more than 20 watches over the last couple of years but never found one that combined quality, reasonable price and a unique story behind it.

What intrigued him was how he could merge the Rumrunners’ story into his watches.

“It was interesting that we as Ontarians banned the consumption of alcohol, but we never banned the production of the alcohol…I decided to combine that with my watch designs,” said Van Lare.

Border City Style has an app that people can scan on the watches and an automatic electronic voice will start telling the story of Prohibition. He said the first watch design is called The Rum Runner and is dedicated to the local heroes who continued supplying alcohol during that period.

The watch features stainless steel, a silver dial with a touch of sapphire crystal, reflective coating underneath and a unique mechanism.

“The bottom of the dial rep-

resents Windsor. The top of the dial represents Detroit and the middle of the watch, with an open skeleton mechanism, actually represents the Detroit river,” said Van Lare.

The watch also has another interesting feature. It has a 41-hour power reserve which does not require changing batteries and charges itself with kinetic motion. Since the watch is an automated timepiece it can be powered by moving and winding it.

Although pocket and wrist watches have been made in the past which feature a self-winding mechanism, the unique storytelling technique is a special addition to these watches.

Van Lare took The Rum Runners Tour in Windsor and that is when the idea struck him to blend the story with a watch. This in turn made Mark Baker, owner of The Rum Runners Tour, shed light upon the significance of Windsor’s history in inspiring people.

“I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve enlightened people with this story and what an importTRISHA KUNDU/MediaPlex Examiner ant part of our history is and for Jonathan Van Lare sporting his Rum Runner watch someone like that to take it even further now to develop it into the people towards their culThe store would be in the area something else,” said Baker. ture and their history,” said where alcohol was sold illegally Shekhar Shekhar, an interVan Lare’s watches are sold in the basements of Rumrun- national student in Windsor. online for $416 and buyers can ners also known as speakeasys. Van Lare wants to bring a project get a discount of 25 per cent The name speakeasys was used to Windsor that is similar to the if they sign up for his news- by illegal bar owners to pre- Shinola of Detroit, which was letter currently. The business vent attention of police officers based on the history of Shinola is primarily an e-business, by speaking loudly. Van Lare Shoe Polish which was founded but he would like to open a said people can come into the in 1877 in Rochester, New York. store in Windsor in the future. store and browse the designs He is presently working on his while sipping on a glass of second design which he plans “I would love to set up may- wine or whiskey, said Van Lare. to launch at Christmas based be in the Walkerville area, that on the history of the Walkerville “I like the idea because it’s very was one of the hubs in the Proarea. hibition era,” said Van Lare. innovative…because it attracts

Weekend’s crime statistics are skyrocketing statistics in Windsor. In the two Mediaplex Examiner Staff day period, Windsor Police received multiple calls from the community.

Windsor’s crime rate continAccording to Windsor Police, ues to climb. during the weekend of Sept. 15 Over the weekend of Sept. 15 and 16 there were an estimated and 16, Windsor Police Service 587 calls and during this time received numerous 911 calls frame 26 people were arrested. from people across the city.

Windsor Police received 28 doThe increased crime rate in mestic-related calls and nine downtown Windsor is a hot top- vehicle-accident-related calls. ic that needs to be addressed and Some of the officers were directconcerns the community. Wind- ed to patrol the 900 block of Wysor Police held a public meeting andotte East. on Sept. 27 to discuss the crime Windsor Police also responded

By Tamas Miko

to high risk missing person calls and, according to Windsor Police, these are very resource-intensive cases. The police said finding a missing person can take hours. They also received calls of a stabbing, stolen vehicles, firearms, shots fired and an arson call.

Police Chief Al Frederick said the Windsor Police had great success in the last couple of weeks with targeted enforcement. He said the suspects who are sent to jail do not stay in jail, which remains a commu-

nity safety issue. Frederick said downtown property crimes have increased along with opioid and homelessness related issues which might be related to each other. People on probation, however, are able to get support in the community.

“The probation throughout is one way of getting people into the system for treatment, support, rehabilitation and that sort of thing. So we can’t underestimate the value of that that happens.”

HEALTH/LIFESTYLE PAGE 6

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Erika Gossmann and Sue Pellerito at Alan Quesnel Community Dental Clinic on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

JULIANNA BONNETT/MediaPlex Examiner

Downtown Mission dental clinic seeks more funding for program

By Julianna Bonnett Mediaplex Examiner Staff

The Downtown Mission is spreading smiles one checkup at a time.

The Mission’s new dental clinic has offered about $15,000 worth of dental work since opening in late July and is seeking more funding to bring its services to more people.

“Sixty per cent of people living in Windsor and Essex County don’t have a dental program,” said Ron Dunn, the Mission’s

Executive Director. “Research has shown that poor oral health can affect the brain. Gum disease can easily lead to Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s important to pay attention to your oral health.”

The ‘pay as you can’ clinic is named after Alan Quesnel, the philanthropist who led a community matching challenge and provided more than $1 million for the clinic and other Mission initiatives.

Services are free for people with no fixed income or address.

Seventy-five per cent of the cost is covered for low-income patients. Students are welcome with a student card and acceptance letter.

Sue Pellerito left her private sector job to work as a team leader at the clinic because she believes it offers an essential service.

“I had to do this. It’s where my heart was,” she said. “I had a full-time position as a dental hygienist elsewhere but that’s not where my heart was. It was here.”

With only three workers on site and increasing demand, the clinic still needs assistance, said Pellerito.

“We are low on funds,” she said. “It’s hard for us to get people on board due to that, but the more help we can get the better.”

The clinic is located at 875 Ouellette Ave. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for the last Wednesday of every month, when it is open from noon to 8 p.m.

Windsor refugees line up to give blood

By Reem Kodmany Mediaplex Examiner Staff

More than 50 refugees and newcomers to Windsor donated blood last Monday in what is being called a “phenomenal” act of generosity.

“Canada helped me a lot so I try to give as much as possible to support anyone,” said donor Lina Almhagareish, who arrived in Canada after five years of torment in Jordan. “I’m looking forward for my kids’ future.”

Samir Badar also donated blood at the “Give Back” clinic organized by the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. He hopes his blood will save someone’s life in the country that welcomed his family.

He fled Iraq with his four children and endured five years of strife in Syria before arriving in Canada in 2011.

Lina Almhagareish applies pressure to her arm after donating blood at the Canadian Blood Service on Monday, Sept. 17,

2018.

Lina Almhagareish applies pressure to her arm after donating blood at the Canadian Blood Service on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Reem Kodmany) Canadian Blood Services in Windsor needs to collect about 290 ounces per week from about 300 people in order to meet demand. This blood is used within five days, not just in Windsor but across the country.

“We want to be able to give

them an opportunity to give back and this is a beautiful way to do that,” said Marisa Gatfield, territory manager for Windsor and Essex County.

Nahi Hatoom of the MCC praised newcomers for giving back to the country that took them in and provided refuge.

“It is good and healthy for the community to help others,” said Hatoom.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

CASSIDY MCNEA/MediaPlex Examiner Ali Shields, a second year law student at the University of Windsor, studies in between classes.

Lawyers experience mental health crisis: survey

but I don’t think it affects my mental health. I think most lawyers find a way to cope with the stress and cope with Lawyers in Canada are more likely the frustration or the unhappiness of to experience mental health struggles, the work that they’re doing.”

Marley said he would expect to see according to a recent survey.

In 2017, the University of Toronto depression in student lawyers.

According to the Canadian Bar Assoreleased a study in which over 1,000 lawyers in both Canada and the U.S. ciation, lawyers experience depression were surveyed. The study found law- at a rate four times higher than the yers who held jobs at large firms in the general population. However, 40 per private sector and in higher paying po- cent of law students may have “signifsitions had a stronger correlation with icant levels of depressive symptoms.”

“The process of becoming a lawyer depression.

In addition to this, a study done by is very different than it used to be and John Hopkins University had results I think a lot of students encounter deshowing law as the occupation most pression or mental illness because of the apparent hopelessness of it all,” likely to have depression.

Ken Marley, a criminal defense law- said Marley.

He said bar exams require a lot of yer of 29 years, said he understands time and opportunities for law internbeing a lawyer is stressful but he does not see high levels of mental illness in ships are not easy to come by.

Sid Zarabi, 29, is a second year law lawyers around him.

“The subject matter is often de- student at the University of Windsor. pressing,” said Marley. “The subject He is also co-chair of the Windsor Law matter is often challenging emotionally Mental Health and Wellness Initiative.

Cassidy McNea Mediaplex Examiner Staff

The program runs events monthly to help relieve stress. In the past they held tea and meditation days and therapy dog days. They also have an online support platform and clinical therapist for students.

“There is a high amount of stress associated with the program or with the profession,” said Zarabi. “There are a lot of deadlines you have to meet, a lot of work could be overwhelming at times and it is not anything you can not get used to or you can not deal with at all, but it could trigger certain phases of various stressful times.”

He said dealing with difficult topics in cases could have something to do with mental illness too but it is most likely the amount of work.

In a 2012 interview for Lawyers with Depression, psychologist Deborah Serani said the fact lawyers deal with other people’s problems and take on the burden for a solution could be part of the reason they feel stressed or depressed.

“I think that it’s so very clear to the way a lawyer’s minds work— it’s a very black and white way of thinking,” said Serani. “The way the justice system is designed, either you’re a winner or a loser. It can make somebody who’s prone to thinking in black and white terms measure only the failures and do not see the successes.”

In order to combat mental health issues in the field one of the resources available is the Ontario Lawyers’ Assistance Program. It is a counselling program assisting lawyers and law students with stress, burnouts, addictions and other mental health concerns.

As well, the CBA, Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Bell Let’s Talk created a national, online learning program for lawyers, judges and law students to understand mental health and addiction issues and learn about treatments for them.

This year in wineries Miranda Monahan Mediaplex Examiner Staff

Essex Pelee Island County-or EPIC-wineries have become more widely known over the past several years.

They have become a tourist draw for the Windsor and Essex County. Many people visit them each year.

According to a representative from Essex County Wineries and Breweries, there are 18 different wineries right now in Windsor Essex County.

Grapes like a wet spring and a long dry summer.

Earlier this year, winemakers MIRANDA MONAHAN/MediaPlex Examiner were worried about their crops due to the extreme cold which Cab Franc grapes growing at Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards in Harrow, Ont. hit southern Ontario.

“We started with a cold wet

spring but recovered with a long, dry, hot summer. A lower yield but much higher quality,” said Veronica Barris, the director of media and marketing at Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards.

This year’s wine crop is expected to bring a better vintage, the year or place where a high quality of wine was produced.

Despite the good growing season in Essex County, not everyone in Ontario was as lucky.

In Niagara, Ont., this year’s crop is expected to be lower than last year’s crop. How much lower exactly is unknown. Last year’s crop was helped out by ideal growing conditions.

The exact revenue the wine crop will bring the area is unknown.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

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By Reem Kodmany

Mediaplex Examiner Staff

Rachel Peterson (middle right) posing with other cosplayers at Windsor ComiCon

KRISTIAN BEAUDOIN/MediaPlex Examiner

Cosplay: Why heroes walk among us

By Kristian Beaudoin Mediaplex Examiner Staff

Creating costumes and dressing up as characters are entertaining pastimes for fans and artists of the cosplay community.

Events like the Windsor ComiCon attract fans of all ages. Comic book collectors, artists, fans of movies and televison shows and people in costumes all attended this year’s event. Those dressed in costume are referred to as cosplayers. Cosplayers dress up as characters from movies, books,

video games and other media and participate in conventions and attend cosplay events.

Cosplay began in the 1930s in North America. Back then it was called costuming. The term cosplay was invented in 1984 by a Japanese reporter, Nobuyuki Takahashi, after he attended a science convention in Los Angeles. Takahashi combined the words costume and play to create the term.

Rachel Petersen, 30, has been cosplaying for six years and

considers herself a “semi-professional” cosplayer. She goes

by ReyGray Cosplay on social media where she posts photos of her costumes. She sees cosplay as not only a way to express her interest in something but also a fun way to escape from some of the stress of daily routines.

“It’s freedom from our daily nine-to-five,” Peterson said.

Emma Scott, 19, is a student in the St.Clair College fashion design technician program. Scott is also a cosplayer who uses the

name thescottydogscostumes on social media and enjoys making her own costumes. Scott agrees with Petersen about cosplay being a way to appreciate a piece of entertainment, as well as a way to boost confidence.

“I was scared to death of walking in that hall, afraid that people would judge me, and that I would feel too overwhelmed, but I ended up having a lot of fun,” Scott said. “I guess dressing as a hero really boosts your ego.”

Sloan rocks the Dominion House

By James Murphy

Mediaplex Examiner Staff

It was standing room only when Sloan took the stage at the Dominion House Tavern last Wednesday.

But that didn’t bother Gareth Taylor, 35, one of about 150 fans who scored tickets for the soldout show.

“It’s rare to see a band this big, with so many hits over the years, play a venue this small,” said Taylor.

The Juno-award winning Toronto-based rock band made an unscheduled stop in Windsor as JAMES MURPHY/MediaPlex Examiner part of a tour of dive bars and small clubs across Canada and Sloan’s Patrick Pentland, Andrew Scott and Chris Murphy performing at the Dominion House Tavern on Wednesday, Sept 19, 2018.

the United States.

While the DH has seen plenty of big name acts over the years, Sloan sold out faster than any other band, said bar owner and operator Jordan Tough.

“The Sloan show sold out in approximately seven hours,” said Tough. “We have never sold out a show in a day, much less seven hours.”

The group made no mention of their unscheduled stop at the DH on Twitter until about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Rather than selling tickets through Sloan’s marketing agency, tickets for the privately-run show were sold through the bar in order to ensure the price remained affordable.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

ALYSSA LEONARD/MediaPlex Examiner Eugenio Mendoza, locally known as DREVMZ, paints a dresser at the second annual Dropped on Drouillard event on Saturday, Sept 22, 2018. Mendoza created 12 pieces of art in 12 hours.

Dropped on Drouillard

By Alyssa Leonard

Mediaplex Examiner Staff

A local graffiti artist is praising Dropped on Drouillard for giving him the chance to follow his dreams.

“Dropped on Drouillard was my first opportunity to express myself, and take my art from abandoned buildings to something more tangible and legal,” said Eugenio Mendoza, known locally by his artist name DREVMZ. One year ago, Mendoza was given his first mural space in the 1000 block of Drouillard Road to demonstrate his street art skills.

He and fellow artist Eric Faraci had been wandering around asking local businesses if they would allow them to paint on their walls when Dropped on Drouillard offered space at its inaugural event.

Mendoza is now a resident artist at The Art Lab in Walkerville, where he teaches painting one-on-one. He is also holding a graffiti-style painting workshop next month.

“All in a year,” said Mendoza, “which is really a short time span.”

Mendoza started making community connections while painting last year and people started recognizing his name.

“I see him everywhere,” said Gillian Benoit-Gonzalez, chair

of the Ford City residents association. “Eugenio was just a kid walking down the street, and I was like ‘Yeah, we’ll give you a mural’ and then I started seeing him in the news and doing all these other art projects.”

Dropped on Drouillard, an urban street festival that celebrated its second edition Sept. 22, gives artists a space to showcase their work and can help to cut down on illegal tagging, said Benoit-Gonzalez.

Mendoza, who describes his art as “emotional, chaotic and very expressive,” painted 12 pieces during the event. They will be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefitting Ford City.

“Art in itself is a form of expression. When people tell me they don’t know how to paint, they just don’t know how to paint yet,” he said. “Because every piece is unique just like every person is unique.”

If someone had told Mendoza five years ago he was going to be an artist and teaching art, he would have “laughed really, really hard.” He figured he would be working in retail.

“When people create, it’s a beautiful feeling because they get to see that they themselves can create something beautiful.”

ZANDER KELLY/MediaPlez Examiner The former Loop Complex is almost ready for tenants.

Loop almost ready for tenants

By Zander Kelly

Mediaplex Examiner Staff

The downtown Windsor property formerly known as the Loop Complex is almost ready for new tenants.

The exterior work should be complete by the end of October and then the hunt for tenants begins, said Sheila Luno, property manager at Mid-South Land Developments.

The company concentrated on the exterior of the building, cleaning the brick and replacing the windows. The interior will remain empty until the first tenant moves in and further construction will continue from there.

Debi Croucher, Executive Director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, is hoping the development attracts retail shops, boutiques, and professional services like print shops to assist University of Windsor and St. Clair College students.

“What we want are cool, unique shops that attract students, faculty and residents,” said Croucher. “Everything

from arts and crafts to soaps and apparel.”

There are 7,500 residents in the downtown Windsor area, said Croucher, and it would be a great benefit to have more businesses like hairdressers or grocers in the area. Having new business downtown would be a convenience to nearby residents and a draw for ones who live farther away.

“Chatham used to be our busiest street about 10 years ago,” said Croucher, referring to the street running from the Transit Windsor Terminal to Caesars Windsor and beyond. The street has seen many empty storefronts in recent years and Croucher remembers when it was a bustling thoroughfare.

“We would like to see that come back,” said Croucher.

Given the upcoming legalization of cannabis October 17th and the planned opening of the first provincially-owned dispensaries April 1st, Croucher said having one downtown would “absolutely” be a good idea.

Contact Mid-South Land Developments Ltd. at 519-944-4466 if you are interested in the space.

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SUBMITTED Shawn McLaughlin after catching a 47 inch Muskie from the Detroit St. Clair shores.

Midnight Muskies

By Fabricio Rivera

Mediaplex Examiner Staff

With the summer heat gone, fishermen and anglers are gearing up to catch the barracuda of the Great Lakes.

Lake St. Clair is one of the top five Muskie hotspots and the southwestern corridor is considered one of the greatest fishing spots in Ontario.

The Muskellunge (Muskie) is a predatory fish which averag-

es in size from 24 to 48 inches, weighs 15 to 36 lbs and is found in North American fresh waters.

Muskie season opens in June, but anglers target them in early October, when the water temperature gets colder and when the fish start to migrate to warmer waters.

Kevin Kocsis who has fished since he was a boy said he does it passionately.

“I have had a fishing rod in my hand since I was five, but the first time I caught a Muskie was 10 years ago and I been hooked ever since,” said Kocsis.

“The feeling of having to battle a monster fish at the end of your rod is an amazing rush and that’s what keeps me going back, but.. I’ll always be doing thisI’m just an urban fisherman, for me it is all about the passion,” Kocsis said.

Shawn McLaughlin is a local professional angler who has hosted touring charters.

“The first time I went out not only did I break my first Muskie but I joined the 50 inch club by catching a 52 inch Muskie,” said McLaughlin.

Catching a Muskie is not just putting a hook on a line and then throwing it in the water.

It takes a lot of experience, the right equipment, know-how

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

“The first time I caught a Muskie was 10 years ago and I been hooked ever since,” and shared tips from other anglers.

“Fall is your best time to catch a big fish. That is when they’re gonna be their heaviest. That’s when they’re gonna be stocking up all the fat and food for the winter,” McLaughlin explained.

“When they’re gonna spawn in the spring they need to have all the food and energy they cansave, so they don’t have to expel a lot of energy during the cold months. Also in Muskie anglers also learned is to pay attention to the moon phases.

“For me, two times that are consistently good is moon rise and moon set,” McLaughlin said.

If you’re thinking of storing your rod and boat for the season you may want to hold off for a few weeks while the Muskie are still biting is the time to reel in the big fish.

Brothers clash as Spitfires host Knights

By Cody Wall Mediaplex Examiner Look mom, the kids are fighting again.

It was a story of brothers last night when the Windsor Spitfires hosted the London Knights. On Oct. 4 Windsor Spitfires’ rookie Jean-Luc Foudy, 16, and London Knight forward Liam Foudy, 18, faced off against each other for the first time in their hockey careers. Before the game, Foudy was noticeably excited about the opportunity to play his brother for the first time “Of course it’s going to be exciting. I never have played against him, only played on the same team so it will be a really exciting experience,” said Foudy.

Although this the first the brothers played against one

another they are no strangers to family competition. Add in the fact that both of their parents are former athletes—a father who played in the CFL and an Olympian mother, and you can only imagine the intensity of their family battles.

“Between me and my brother it was always very competitive,” said Foudy. “Me and my brother were always trying to be better than one another.”

Foudy has had a strong start to his OHL career, scoring five points in his first five games.

Liam, on the other hand, is a little further along in his career, being drafted 18 overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL draft.

“We always wanted to be better at what we did compared to each other,” said Liam. “When we played against each other in road hockey or mini sticks we

always went pretty hard and now to finally play against him in a game it’s going to be really fun.”

Over the course of the past several decades, there has been a number of brothers who have played together in the NHL. Currently, there are 17 pairs of brothers playing in the league. The Staal family has three brothers in the NHL and a fourth who formerly played in the league. The Howe family even had a father-son duo that played together in the 1970s.

The Foudys are looking to be one of the next brother duos to add to this list.

Well neither brother was able to register a point on the night the game had several memorial moments, including the brothers starting the game on the ice together. However, it was the younger of the two brothers

who ended up with the last laugh. As Windsor defeated London 2-0 after Spits goaltender and Foudy’s teammate Michael DiPietro, 19, shut down Liam and the Knights.

“They are both great players and little fouds [Jean-Luc] is going to have a great career in this league,” said DiPietro. “Playing against your brother is pretty cool on both sides. I’m sure fouds [Liam] on London didn’t like his little brother getting under his skin.”

Though Foudy might have won the first game against Liam, it is clear that the family rivalry is just beginning. The Foudys will not have to wait long for their next opportunity to play each other as the Spits and Knights are set to play four more times this season. The next game is Nov. 25.