The Converged Citizen - October 28, 2016 by Larry Forsyth

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*Volume XII Issue 3 *October 28, 2016

The Power Of The Future

Inside

Students protest strike action 2 News

8 Health & Lifestyle

Photo by: David Lafreniere “Go back to negotiation so we can get an education,” chant St. Anne students after walking out of school to during the WECDSB support staff strike.

SEE STRIKE PAGE 2

Entertainment

Windsor’s oldest gym is on the move Ryan Blevins Converged Citizen Staff One of Windsor’s oldest organizations is getting a facelift. Members of the downtown YMCA, previously located on Victoria Avenue, experienced the organization's last day on site on Oct. 13. Approaching its 150th

anniversary in Windsor, the YMCA is moving to the newly renovated Central Park Athletics complex. Things haven’t always run through Victoria Avenue. The site the original YMCA was located at in 1868 is now a series of lofts. The Windsor YMCA’s history runs deep. The Windsor Y was one of the

founding organizations in the creation of the United Way of Windsor. Three buildings have been home to the Windsor’s YMCA, including Riverside Drive. Central Avenue will be the fourth. YMCA Western Ontario CEO Andrew Lockie understands the history behind the downtown location but stayn-

Index

News.................................................................2

Health & Lifestyle............................................5

Phone

Arts & Entertainment........................................7 Sports................................................................9

ds behind the decision to move. “I recognize completely that the change will require some adjustment, and we get that, but our priority remains serving as many people as we can,” said Lockie Approximately five years

SEE GYM PAGE 3

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12 Sports Quote of the Day Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world -Nelson Mandela

news Black lives matter everywhere

Alyssa Horrobin Converged Citizen Staff The activist movement Black Lives Matter may have started far from Canada, but there are people in Windsor who also feel very strongly about it. The movement began after the man who shot and killed African-American teen Trayvon Martin was acquitted. It campaigns against police brutality toward African-Americans in the U.S. and has become widespread through social media. Unifor Equity Coordinator and activist Christine Maclin believes this is an issue not only in the U.S. but also in Canada. "People who do not fully understand what black people in Canada experience will respond that all lives matter," said Maclin. "Too many people of colour are carded, stopped by police, searched for unknown reasons, arrested, put in jail and even killed right here in Canada." An example of these instances is the high amount of racial profiling/carding in Toronto that caused an uproar in 2015. Toronto City Council made the decision to ban this type of carding beginning Jan. 2017. Maclin said she has had some bad experiences with local police and her children have been targeted as well. She feels one of the main issues is the police not knowing the whole story and only seeing one side. "There's always two sides of the story and we've got to get both sides," said Sergeant Wren Dosant, diversity inclusion officer with the Windsor Police Service. Dosant says Black Lives Matter concerns should be

taken as seriously here as any other groups like it. "It's an issue because a certain segment of our population feels that they are being unjustly treated," said Dosant. "And anytime you have any segment of your population feeling unjustly treated, it should be addressed." Kathy Brown, a certified counsellor and relative of an RCMP officer, also feels there is more than one side to each of these stories. "I believe the same hatred can be found on the other side of this coin in the black community as well that threatens and antagonizes those attempting to uphold the law," said Brown. "Perhaps it's a violence born out of frustration but it doesn't make the minority, violent black community any less guilty then the minority, violent police community." Brown said with so many big issues like this one, the pendulum tends to swing too far the other way, causing the handling of the issue to become part of the problem. Dosant said he feels the WPS is doing a good job of reaching out to the community and hearing people's concerns and that's why there aren't as many issues here surrounding BLM as there are in other places. However, he said he is sure there have been incidents, reported and unreported, and encourages anyone with a complaint against local police to lodge it formally. "Our local professional standards branch here investigates all complaints thoroughly, so they would never get turned away," said Dosant. "There will always be a listening ear here at the Windsor Police for any complaint."

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

The final Run For Rocky Chelsea Girard Converged Citizen Staff The Run for Rocky will be holding the run for the last time in 2017. The Campana family, along with the Windsor Pride Community, Education and Resource Centre created the Run For Rocky, the first of its kind in Ontario. Hundreds of people have run and walked for the past four years raising money to support Gay-Straight Alliances in the public school systems in Windsor-Essex, inspired by Rocky Campana who died in 2012 after taking his own life. This will be the fifth and final Run For Rocky event being held in the city of Windsor. “When we began the Run for Rocky we set a goal of a fiveyear period to create change in our community,” said Nancy Campana, Rocky’s mother and event coordinator. “It is important to our family, for the sake of Rocky’s memory, to end the event on a very high note.” The organization hit many landmarks over the first four years, especially when the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board decided their students needed this type of help. They then began to support the efforts of the Run for Rocky. GSAs in the local high school and post-secondary school systems have ensured that parents, educators and youth have the knowledge and funding needed to help create a “Safe Schools” environment.

Photo by Chelsea Girard Victoria Pedri and Justin Bensette part of Get Real University of Windsor participate in Run for Rocky 2015.

The Run for Rocky funding model includes education programs for parents, youth and educators, GSA leadership mentoring programs, youth mental health awareness programs, youth suicide prevention programming for all students and scholarship opportunities for those involved in their GSAs. “I have friends and family who are gay, lesbian, bi etc. It's something that hits close to home when people degrade those who are ‘different’ than them because these are people I love and care about,” said

first time 2016 participant Pauline Fenton. “I think building up acceptance for all kinds of ‘love’ is important and needs to be done more.” In the four years that Run For Rocky has been held in Windsor, a total of $269,442 has been raised. The 5th Run for Rocky, will be held on April 9, 2017, and will be the final Run For Rocky Run/Walk. You can sign up as a participant, volunteer, or submit a pledge at www.runforrocky.com.

Benefits too good to pass on Dacotach Erwin Converged Citizen Staff People are leaving jobs they have held for extended periods of time to work at Fiat Chrysler Assembly as a new hire, but it is not because of the work. One of the main draws for working at FCA is the pension and the benefits it offers.

These perks are often too good to pass up. People end up working at FCA and other automotive factories because, even though they may not enjoy the line of work. “The pension, benefits and pay help make working here tolerable,” said Jason Caza, a recent hire at Chrysler. “It’s also easy, but boring work.”

Although there are many benefits to working at FCA, factory work is not for everyone. Some people want to get out of it and will even become a full time student while they are working. Their goal is to move on to a better career. “I’m going to school to get out of the factory life,” said Rudy Soto, a recent hire at

FCA who is also a full time student studying electrical engineering at St. Clair. “There are no opportunities to move up in the company.” Out of the 1200 new hires FCA brought on in the recent years, many are working low seniority jobs, 40-48 hours a week and making $20 to

$21.45 an hour depending on the shift they work. With FCA planning to hire 250 more workers in the coming weeks and likely more after Christmas, people interested in applying might want to consider what current workers like Soto and Casa have to say about working there.

news

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Tecumseh flood leaves 1,700 homeowners with thousands of dollars worth of damages Kaitlynn Kenny Converged Citizen Staff Tecumseh flood leaves 1,700 homeowners with thousands of dollars worth of damages After the flood caused a state of emergency in WindsorEssex, residents of Tecumseh have been left with long-term expenses and damaged property Most Tecumseh residents could never have imagined waking up on Sept. 29 to find people canoeing down their streets, but that is exactly what happened. With around 12 inches of water on some roads in Tecumseh, people could not leave home. Residents bought water pumps, dehumidifiers and fans to dry up the water but it still was not enough. "I knew I had a lot of things down there that were important to me," said Bob Garbula, a teacher at St. Pius Catholic Grade School who was working at the time of the flood. He

FROM STRIKE PAGE 1 Students at St. Anne Catholic High School walked out of their school Friday in solidarity with striking support staff. Gathering in a park near St. Anne, students raised signs and chanted “Go back to negotiation so we can get an education.” The strike began at midnight on Oct. 17 when no new contract seemed possible, according to strike captain and secretary Mary Kay Chevalier. “We have been working for two years without a contract and we were supposed to go on strike in June but we postponed it to accommodate the school board,” said Chevalier. As a strike captain, Chevalier brings picket signs out to striking workers and sets the schedule to ensure there is 24hour coverage at the school. Striking workers are letting students and parents through their picket line without delay, but teachers are honouring the picket line by lining up their cars to enter the school in intervals set by striking workers.

Photo by Kaitlynn Kenney Scott Walker in his home in Tecumseh after the flood. was forced to walk home. "I couldn’t find the sidewalk most of the time, I had to feel with my feet to see where the sidewalk was. It was over my knees at different points and it “For timing the entry of teachers, we are following guidelines set by the school board and OPP,” said Chevalier. St. Anne Principal Amy Lafaso said students are waiting in the cafeteria for their teachers and kids are coming in and being supervised. While the time varies on how long it takes for teachers to get into the school, Lafaso said, “it can exceed three hours to get all the teachers in.” Aaron Collins and Raj Petel were among a number of students who have been signing themselves out of school before the walkout began at 11 a.m. “There are no teachers, and there is no point in just sitting in the cafeteria,” said Collins. “We spend about half to threequarters of our time doing nothing. It is setting us back and we really want to get an education.” Petel said the students walked out because they are getting tired of the strike and want negotiations. “It’s a big waste of time. They should keep them working.”

took a long time to get home." Garbula managed to save some very important belongings from the flood, but he had to renovate his entire base-

FROM GYM PAGE 1 ago, the ball got rolling on the move. After investing $4.6 million in leasehold improvements and furnishings to what was formerly the Ice Park, the building became the obvious choice for the new location. According to Lockie, the YMCA Western Ontario operates under a $32 million annual budget, centres from Windsor to Woodstock. Even more impressive is the organization's ability to stay under budget and not use any public money for the renovations. At its peak, the local YMCA had roughly 3,500 members. Those numbers have decreased over the years. On the last day at the Victoria location, around 350 members remained. While these numbers do not seem to warrant a

ment because of the extensive damage. "We had pictures from years ago on the bottom shelving unit we had down there… thousands of pictures. It’s very large investment, the YMCA has high hopes for their new site. According to YMCA Western Ontario Director of Marketing and Communications Anne Baxter, the Y is projecting over 5,000 members to be enrolled. They have a long way to go, as only 600 members are currently enrolled. What is reassuring is the nearly 200 confirmed patrons transferring to the new location. One member of the Victoria Avenue YMCA who is uncertain about his future as a member is former St. Clair College student Dylan Fremlin. “I used the gym because it was close to St. Clair (Downtown Campus). Now I’m not sure where I’ll go and where I’ll get a better price,” said Fremlin. Fremlin, along with the other undecided downtown mem-

disheartening,” said Garbula. He said he will continue renovating into the winter months because of the damage done to his basement. The flood has affected everyone in different ways, some saw it as exciting and a way to have fun. Another Tecumseh resident, Scott Walker, was also affected by the flood. “I was very excited but also upset," said Walker. "I’d never seen a flood this big, but cleaning up the mess was not very fun. I had spent a couple nights cleaning everything and had to throw a lot of things out." Walker’s basement was flooded with three inches of water, ruining personal belongings and important family documents. Although his basement now seems completely dried out, he says there is still work to be done.

bers, may be swayed by what the new facility has to offer. Member of the Central Park Athletics complex YMCA will be provided a series of modern amenities, many of which were not offered before. The swimming pool is making its return at the Central Avenue YMCA location after being shut down many years ago. Also available will be yoga, cycling, boot camp, total body resistance classes and a wide variety of improved weight lifting equipment. “People are excited and impressed at the quality of programs, equipment and facilities,” said Baxter. The grand opening for the newly located YMCA in the renovated Central Park Athletics complex is scheduled for Nov. 12.

OCTOBER 28, 2016

news ONVERGED CITIZEN Police, what is Renovations on schedule your emergency? at Windsor armouries Zander Kelly Converged Citizen Staff

Photo by Lisa Vitale is answering the non-emergency line at the 911 Call Centre.

Jessica Moore Conerged Citizen Saff Every day police dispatchers field hundreds of emergency calls that come into the emergency 911 centre. Dispatchers have to assess the situation of the callers, think quickly to help them and send emergency services to the scene. They are the first response when anyone calls 911. For this job, dispatchers must remain calm and provide assistance, while also taking down information to send to the responders so they can arrive prepared for each situation. “It is not easy. A 911 communicator or dispatcher is always dealing with negative calls,” said Renee Rupert, a Windsor police dispatcher for 22 years. “No one calls the police station unless they have a problem.” Police dispatchers are constantly fielding calls from the public, police officers, fire and ambulance while also monitoring 26 police radio channels. “The three words that best describe the job are stressful, unpredictable and fulfilling,” said Lisa Vitale, who has been working as a police dispatcher for 14 years. “It is very busy at times and at other times the phones are dead. What I like about it is that there are no

two days that are the same.” Dispatchers work around 40 or more hours a week with opportunities for overtime and make around $80,000 a year. Most police dispatchers go through a great deal of stress and every dispatcher has their own way of coping. “I get up and tell the supervisor I'm going to the washroom but really I just want to go in there because it's quiet and warm,” said Rupert. “I try to leave the room on my lunch to get away from the environment.” Being the first to receive emergency calls means dispatchers are receiving information about a situation right as it is happening. They often hear conflicts and shouting in the background and have to continue to pry for information. “As long as I do my best to ask the proper questions to keep both officers and citizens safe, then I've done my job,” said Vitale. Both Vitale and Rupert agreed their job took away a part of who they used to be before they were hired. They learned to repress all their personal emotions in order to be most helpful on the phone. Police dispatchers want their job to be recognized and respected as officers cannot do their jobs without them.

University students are about to bring music to the Windsor armouries. The former armouries, located on Freedom Way, have been under heavy renovations to make way for the University of Windsor to move in with their music program, while a brand new building for the visual arts programs will be built on the site of the former Tunnel BBQ restaurant. John Coleman, director of public relations at the university, said construction of the new facilities and renovation of the armouries are coming along just as planned and that classes will be ready to begin next fall. The new facilities will feature “state-of-the-art” classrooms and a performance hall that will seat approximately 150 people. The new buildings will bring about 500 new university students to the downtown core, adding to the populations at the St.Clair College Centre for the Arts, the St.Clair College Mediaplex and the University

Photo by Zander Kelly The Windsor armouries is currently under heavy renovations to make way for the University of Windsor School of Music.

of Windsor’s School of Social Work. “It is great that the university has been able to repurpose historical sites such as the old Windsor Star building and now the armouries,” said Coleman. The project manager on site is David Lester. “It’s a 115year-old building and so there’s lots of surprises,” said Lester. “While there have been setbacks due to this, construction will be done in time.” Noah Renaud is a first year

music student at the university studying jazz, pop and upright bass. He said while he enjoys the current facilities, he is excited about the more downtown-centralized location. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Renaud. “It’s got a good location. It looks like they’re going to keep that old look, but do it very well.” Coleman said the official name for the new campus and what will be offered in addition to the existing programs will be announced in coming months.

news

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Compose Yourself

Opinion

Danielle Gagnier Converged Citizen Staff Composition is key when taking a good picture. Manipulating objects in your photography is an easy way to jazz up your pictures, especially if certain lenses are out of your price range. Studying your surroundings and using them to your advantage is a lot cheaper than buying a new lens. Composition is important to isolate your subject. Through proper composition you can make the viewer focus on what you want them to. The five easiest ways to improve your photo-taking skills

through composition are: rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, point of view and framing. Rule of thirds is separating sections of your photo off using a grid. The rule of thirds is applied by aligning the subjects with the grid and their intersection points, never putting an object or horizon directly in the middle of your photograph. This makes your picture flow better. Leading lines refers to a technique where photographers use lines within an image that lead the eye directly to the subject. Lines do not necessarily have to be distinct, straight lines; they can be somewhat distorted, curvy, wavy, rounded, etc. If a pair of leading lines with a subject is placed according to the rule of thirds, your image should be very strong. Symmetry surrounds us in our daily life all the time, whether it is manmade or natural. The same goes for patterns. You can use symmetry in your photos to break the

pattern in some way, introducing the subject and a focal point. Patterns bring a sense of visual rhythm and harmony to photographs that captures the imagination. Emphasizing and focusing on patterns can lead to a great shot. Point of view is pretty self explanatory. The angle of your camera changes the subject’s appearance and the outcome of the picture entirely. It gives the viewer different angles of the same subject or scene. Choosing your point of view depends on what you want your photo to portray. Do you want to shoot from eye level, above your subject, or below your subject? Framing is a technique used to bring focus to a subject. Whether it’s an actual frame, environmental, structural framing, framing with light or lack thereof, they all work well to bring the viewer's eye to your subject, which is the main goal when composing your photo.

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CONVERGED CITIZEN OCTOBER 28, 2016

Beauty business shines a green light on city of Windsor Ryan Jones Converged Citizen Staff

Photo by Ryan Jones ShopEco manager Victoria Symons goes about her daily routine in the store.

Employees of a Windsor business say they are creating a positive atmosphere with their cruelty-free and ecofriendly beauty products. Esthetician by trade and business blogger Melissa Menard, an employee at ShopEco on Wyandotte Street East, said the business began seven years ago to make consumers lives easier by providing safe and comfortable products. Menard said the products in the store are never tested on animals and contain natural ingredients such as minerals and botanicals which are substances obtained from plants. These products include organic lip balms sold for around $4

and shampoos and body washes which both cost about $15. Menard said the majority of products sold are Canadianmade or locally produced from locations including Harrow, targeting all age groups. “We do all the research on the products and ingredients so that you don’t have to,” said Menard. “I think crueltyfree really, it’s the future. I feel like it’s just evolution.” Store manager Victoria Symons has encountered people who oppose cruelty-free products. Symons remembers a customer who came in the store complaining their son had a reaction to a cruelty-free product. Symons said she had told the customer it is still possible to have a reaction even if

Rebel, trendsetter, or artist? Torcia Velthuizen Coverged Citizen Staff Tattoos and piercings are no longer just for risk takers and criminals and are becoming part of the way young adults express themselves. Getting a tattoo or a piercing has had different meanings over time. According to Anne E. Laumann’s Dermatologic Complications with Body Art, the practice of tattooing dates back to early civilization as rituals and signs of social status. Tattooing was at one point used to identify criminals and slaves. Laumann also writes piercings can be associated with depression. In a study at Millikin University, students with tattoos and piercings showed the stereotype associated with body modifications is not applicable to modern day students. “It’s become more common,” said Shaun Blythe, a piercer at Advanced Tattoo and Piercing. Blythe has been doing piercings for the last 18 years and

Photo by Torcia Velthuizen University of Windsor graduate Chris Seguin shows off his Greek letters in downtown Windsor. said the trendiness of piercings goes up and down depending on the piercing because styles change. Blythe said he has seen more

variety over time in tattoos and the trend for piercings is the nipples and the daith – a piercing through the innermost fold in the ear cartilage.

He said he sees a range of people usually between 16 and 22 and about 80 per cent are female. Piercings are a less permanent way to express one’s self although according to Blythe, it will leave a scar regardless of what you get. Some also get tattoos as a reminder of people, places and events. Chris Seguin, a faculty of education graduate from the University of Windsor, said his tattoo reminds him of good times and all the good friends he has made. “It reminds me of an important part of my life when I really felt like I was good at something and felt respected. It’s a time I was really happy,” said Seguin about the large and colorful Greek letters representing his fraternity on his arm. If getting inked, pierced, or even just dyeing your hair fun colours is the way you want to express yourself, Blythe has this advice: "There are zero stupid ideas.”

the product is tested on animals. “Humans and animals don’t react to things the same way. So even if the animal tested on didn’t have a reaction and it was put on the shelves, someone could still have a reaction to it afterwards,” said Symons. Menard said their crueltyfree business has a positive effect on Windsor because it makes human beings more caring and respectful to the creatures and the earth around us. “It’s making Windsor better, it’s making Windsor great,” said Menard. “It’s allowing us to highlight something that really is the direction we should all be in the mindset of.”

Quality, consistency and passion Grace Bauer Converged Citizen Staff The owners of a Windsor coffee shop are ensuring every step of their coffee production is fair and ethical by maintaining a unique relationship with their suppliers. Kyle and Rachel Bondy, founders of Anchor Coffee House on Huron Church Rd., take fair trade to a new level by purchasing beans directly from their roasters and maintain relationships with the farmers themselves. As opposed to fair trade, they call it direct trade. A long time dream for the Bondys, Anchor started in 2014 and has grown into something they did not expect. They currently employ seven baristas and will be hiring two more. The Bondys created a three-word phrase that sums up their business model: “quality, consistency and pas-

SEE COFFE PAGE 7

health & lifestyle FROM COFFE PAGE 6 sion.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fair trade as a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices. In contrast, direct trade has a different definition to each business. The Bondys define it as maintaining a relationship with their producers, which enables them to better satisfy their needs. “All of the coffees we feature are direct trade,” said Kyle Bondy. “Fair trade basically negotiates market prices with the people that are selling their coffee, whereas direct trade creates a relationship between the people buying the coffee and the roasters themselves.” One of the coffee roasters the Bondys buy from is Transcend Coffee and Roastery in Edmonton, Alberta. Founder and CEO Poul Mark prefers to use the term “relationship coffee” but says all terms can be confusing. “The challenge with all of this jargon is that the consumer doesn’t know what any of it means, just like most

consumers don’t understand what fair trade means either,” said Mark. “When we talk about direct trade or relationship coffee, we are referring to the relationships we have with coffee producers in countries of origin (the place where coffee grows). For example, we have been working with many of the same coffee producers in Costa Rica now for six years.” Working directly with the farmers allows them to get to know their needs and gives them a better idea of what quality to expect. After the coffee is roasted at Transcend, it is sent to Anchor where it is sold to thousands of local Windsor residents. “Coffee is roasted in Edmonton to order and then shipped via FedEx to Windsor,” said Mark. It typically is roasted on Monday and shipped the same day to coffee shops like Anchor. The Bondys provide variety and ensure the beans on their shelf are of the finest quality by rotating coffees and roasters. “We keep enough in stock for one week and that enables us to sell the freshest quality beans,” said Bondy. Anchor Coffee House is the only coffee shop in Windsor that maintains a direct trade coffee business.

“All of the coffees we feature are direct trade.” -Kyle Bondy

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

St. Clair College will make you a better student entrepreneur Kylie Turner Converged Citizen Staff Students with an entrepreneurial spirit can find support for their ideas at St. Clair College. October is small business month across Canada and students can seek help at the St. Clair College Genesis Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre. The Centre has been offering assistance to students wanting to learn about entrepreneurship since September 2015. The joint effort between Genesis and the Ontario Centre of Excellence makes them a part of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent areas. Genesis’ purpose is to provide students with the knowledge to help themselves and help grow the start-up community. The Genesis Centre welcomes all students or alumni to get involved. Lauren Nantau, Marketing and Events coordinator at Genesis, said all students are encouraged to stop by to see how they can get involved. “Any student or alumnae from any area of study can be involved at Genesis,” said Nantau. “Whether you have a business idea or not, the skills learned at Genesis help you think more creatively and innovatively in any business or job position.” The Centre provides students with resources to educate

Photo courtesy of the Genesis College Facebook Page Lauren Nantau Marketing and Events coordinator for the Genesis Centre at the St. Clair College Genesis Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre. them about how to reach their entrepreneurship goals. It can also benefit students who already have business ideas. “We offer a number of different resources such as workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions, networking events, and an Entrepreneurship Club,” said Nantau. The average number of students who participate in the program depends on what resources they are using. There are many students who have successfully graduated from these workshops. “There are roughly an average of 10 students in each workshop and then we have

about five to 10 one-on-one sessions per week,” said Nantau. “Last year, we graduated 31 students in our workshops in the first year.” Cierra Bray, president and founder of CGal Media, volunteered and helped the Genesis Centre with events in her last year of college. Bray participated in the Business Model Canvas Workshop which helped her with starting her business. “If you’re passionate about something, you can start a business,” said Bray. “The Genesis Centre has helped me a lot and I’m thankful they are a resource for St. Clair

How DIY renovations can pay you back with cash Michelle Laramie Converged Citizen Staff Relaxing with a cold iced drink, wiping the sweat from your brow, feeling proud of your hard work being finished. The smell of fresh paint filling your nose as the sound of dollar signs compound in your head and the reality of the renovation costs reach the pit of your stomach. You silently wish there was some way for it to be cheaper. Well there is. Setting a maximum budget and sticking to it is by far the most important part of any DIY project but how do you

Photo by Michelle Larmie Kris Simon working on a renovation project.

fall in under budget? William Bagely, owner of ALLTRADES home improvements, says to start by doing your research. “It is important to know your project and what the job entails,” said Bagely. He says to make sure you plan ahead so you know what jobs you can do. It is important to know your own skills or lack thereof when taking on a project. You can save a lot of money on renovations if you are a handy person. If you are not a handy person, there is a way around that. For things you are not sure of

you can recruit friends and family to help out. “If you are not handy, call in favours from friends who are,” Bagely said. “A lot of renovation budgets can be eaten up quickly if you are paying labour costs for a professional.” A great trick to get the help of a professional without paying the cost of one is to ask them for advice or help. Most people know someone who has an expertise in a certain field. If you ask them to come over and take a look, usually they will gladly guide you through the steps for any job. Friends and family are always

eager to help, especially when it doesn’t require much physical labour. Kris Simon is a self-proclaimed DIY-er who has done many renovations and is on his second full home renovation. “I am a pretty handy person. This is the second house I have purchased that needs many renovations. I can’t justify buying a house already finished,” said Simon. “Most of the upcharge is labour costs and I can do that myself.” Simon says he calls on

SEE CASH PAGE 9

health & lifestyle

NOVEMBER 1, 2015

ONVERGED CITIZEN

The secret life of a Residence Advisor By Lyndi-Colleen Morgan Beginning of September. Move-in day. The ground shakes and the doors shudder as students shuffle in like a herd of cattle. It appears as if chaos might erupt at anytime, but a light shines in the distance and trumpets blare. The residence advisors ride in on white stallions to save the day. Sounds fictitious, right? Well this is how residence advisors are shown in literature and film. They are also shown to have a number of habits such as drug and alcohol consumption and are perceived as “narcs” or the residence police by students. But who are residence advisors really? What makes them Photo by Gary Burke tick? What are they responsiThis photo features the members of the St. Clair College Residents RA team for the ble for? 2015-2016 year. From top right to bottom left the RAs are as follows; Michelle Snicks, According to Urban Dictionary residence advisers Claire Renaud, Gary Burke, Leah Dalm, Logan Poels and Sam Fougere. are peer leaders who supervise individuals living within a res- Campus Living Centres... I’d are social and academic activ- situations he would deal with. idence hall at colleges and never seen the term RA used ities within the residence “People come to you for universities. in a Canadian residence.” community. everything,” said Toulch. “Where I worked we called Toulch is the current He remembers when he first Toulch says he looks back on them Dons, which is what Residence Life Coordinator considered being a Don at the the memories he made as an they are more commonly for the St. Clair College University of Toronto, think- RA. One he did recall includreferred to as in the residence Residence and is the second ing how fun it would be. ed a young gentleman being here in Canada. RA is a much line of contact between stu- Before becoming an RA, he locked out of his room in his more common term in dents and management. He is had experience with group undergarments and having to America,” said Max Toulch. responsible for supervising living situations, but he said let him back in. “Before coming to work for the RAs and ensuring there he couldn't have fathomed the “Memories are important,”

said Gary Burke, a secondyear RA at St. Clair College. “The memories of the programs and time spent with friends and students are my favourite.” Burke said the fun he witnessed the RAs having in his first year at St. Clair made him want to try his hand at being a residence advisor. He said he liked doing it the first year so much he decided to come back for a second year. One thing Burke has noticed during his time as an RA is the perceptions students have are not always the greatest. “Sometimes I hear students refer to myself and the other RAs as residence cops, and they assume all we want to do is bust them, but that's not the case,” said Burke. Toulch and Burke agree there are some misconceptions about who RAs are, and what their relationships are with students. But Burke said it best... “RAs are just students who are observing and looking out for other students. We aren't here to bust students or rat them out. We are here to be a resource for them to use in times of need and we are also here to have a little fun as well,” says Burke.

Walpole Island elders and their right to live off the Grid Aaron Lombardi Converged Citizen Staff Government benefits provided to the First Nations Peoples of Walpole Island allow them to live a lifestyle devoid of some modern elements. The Johnston Channel runs from Lake St. Clair into the swampy bayou of Walpole Island, a land reserved for First Nations people. Along the riverbank on a small island, an old wooden cabin sits intact and well-preserved. Wally Williams, the cabin owner was a trapper, an outdoors guide by trade, and medical healer who lived on a small island away from the Walpole Island town. He died in 1996. “Steal anything from this place and you’ve got the voodoo for the rest of your life,” said Jim Desjardins, a

local guide. “That’s what the Indians believe and that’s why everything is still here.” Materials of the four-room cabin stand in place, as if they had not been touched in 20

general population.” The Jurisdictions of Distinct Nations Act of Canada allows First Nations People like Williams to move wherever they wish on land reserved for

also known as the act of First Nation Sovereignty, calls for the Canadian government to honour and respect treaties and barters made to them by First Nations Peoples. With

“Steal anything from this place and you’ve got the voodoo for the rest of your life.” -Jim Desjardins years. Maxine Nahdee is the Meti, Inuit and First Nations counselor from St. Clair College who recalls memories of Williams from her childhood. “I remember him very well, I used to play with his kids,” said Nahdee. “He wasn’t crazy or anything. He was very wise and chose to earn his keep living away from the

First Nations People of Canada. Williams was able to live on this small island, paying only for building supplies. “He didn’t have to pay property tax or building tax. A lot of people on the island avoid these types of things,” said Nahdee, “but these are the benefits we’ve gotten after the years of turmoil.” The Distinct Nations Act,

Canadian land being a source of identity for the people of Walpole Island, the terms of land rights must be governed by Walpole’s own council. Chris Riley, chair of the Walpole Island Council, respects the proper building laws zoned on the island. “In reality, you can build a house anywhere you want but

today is different than when he (Williams) built his cabin,” said Riley. Williams was also allowed to build a cabin along the Johnston channel, a popular trapping area, because it worked with his profession. “If you are just looking to build a cabin somewhere around the island you will have to pay a fee for zoning requirements to be done,” said Riley. “A lot of this land is sacred and we’ve got to make sure you are native to the island and will be building in an okay spot.” The Jurisdictions of Distinct Nations Act of Canada provides benefits to people such as Williams who wish to live as they please and according to their profession off the mainland.

health & lifestyle

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

It flu over the cuckoo's nest Lyndi-Colleen Morgan Converged Citizen Staff To get the flu shot or to not… that is the question. The influenza virus attacks the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, throat and nasal passages. When people sneeze or talk, droplets of fluid containing the virus are emitted into the air. Symptoms include a fever lasting for up to four days. A misconception about the flu is it attacks the gastrointestinal tract, which is false. The flu shot assists in protecting against the virus. In 2015, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit distributed almost 294,000 vaccines; approximately 50 per cent were flu vaccinations. The same year, 12,000 Canadians who didn’t receive the flu shot were hospitalized and 3,500 died. Without treatment, flu symptoms can worsen and it and can lead to repercussions like asthma. But there may be an alternative for those wishing to avoid the vaccine. “Influenzinum is a natural alternative to the flu shot… it's used to address the same flu strains that have been identified that year,” said Gale Connor.

FROM CASH PAGE 7 help. If they can’t help, he will turn to the internet. “If I absolutely end up in a pinch and can’t figure something out, Google “how to’ videos are a wonderful thing,” said Simon. Big box stores such as Lowes or Home Depot can be expensive, so it is a good idea to shop around. Check out small businesses or custom shops related to what you are looking for; a lot of times they are cheaper. “I am very frugal,” said Simon. “Sometimes I will take a week looking for the best price for what I need. My solid wood mantle only cost me 60 bucks at Goudreau Saw Mill. If I had just gone to Lowes or Home Depot, their

Connor is the manager of Sangster’s Health Centre in Tillsonburg. The product they sell is produced by Homeocan. It costs upwards of $20, but this is dependant upon the flu strain. Influenzinum is an ingestible homeopathic medicine smaller than a grain of rice. Homeopathic medicines are often made from plant extracts and other organic materials. “It’s vials of little pellets, and the medicine is on the outside,” said Connor. “People take one vial a week for six weeks.” This product is becomes available each season when the flu shots are released to the public. Connor said she currently has six customers who have pre-ordered and continues to see interest grow. Connor herself uses the product, but due to her diabetes she is considered a high-risk patient and cannot just rely on the Influenzinum. “My doctor phones me up when it’s time to get a flu shot and says ‘you have to come in’,” said Connor. “If I weren't on the list I would use the Influenzinum instead.” Some sites suggest that neither clinical nor homeopathic cures are the only remedy. 25 Safe Natural Alternatives

price was over $200 for fake wood.” But big box stores are not always a bad thing. It is a good idea to watch their flyers for sales. The most exciting part is putting money back in your pocket at the end of the day. Keep all of your receipts organized and watch the stores you have shopped at. When they offer better pricing on things you have purchased, they will give you the difference back in cash. This is typically only a 30-day opportunity so keep a watchful eye on the flyers and in-store deals to receive maximum cash back. At the end of the day the goal is to get the most bang for your buck. Keep organized, utilize your contact list and keep money your pocket. Happy renovating.

to the Flu Shot was written by Daisy Luther in Sept. 2013 and was published on Activist Post. It highlights why she

Influenzinum products, there are no specific warnings for the products manufactured in Canada.

“Every year we have people hospitalized, sick and dying from the flu.” - Lora Piccinin will say “Heck no” to ever getting a flu shot. It lists what she believes to be the best ways to fight the flu, most of which is through the “exercise of good personal hygiene.” She recommends using hand sanitizer if “you have to touch things that everyone else has been touching” during the flu season. Luther said she “shouldn’t have to say this, but was your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.” Connor said although she believes there are alternatives to the flu shot, and basic hygiene is key, people should do their research. Although watches have been placed on American

“When considering using this medication or another alternative, it is best to consult a physician,” said Connor. Lora Piccinin is the manager of the Infectious Disease Prevention Department at the Windsor Essex County Health Unit. She is responsible for reducing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the public by identifying cases so further transmission can be controlled. The peak season for the flu starts in October and ends around April. Piccinin says the best option for protection of those aged six months and older is still the flu shot. “Each year the flu changes due to different strains,” said Piccinin.

Piccinin also said there are two types of flus: influenza A and influenza B. When an individual gets the flu shot they get what is called a quadrivalent injection. This means it covers four different strains of flu: two of A and two of B. Research is done yearly to improve the effectiveness of the vaccine. A well matched vaccine can protect 50 to 60 per cent of the population. Piccinin says people who do not get the flu shot often have misconceptions about what it does. “People say when I get the flu shot I get the flu, and that's not possible because there is a very small dose of the weakened virus to help you build up antibodies of the flu,” said Piccinin. She said the flu shot helps to protect those most at risk. “Every year we have people hospitalized, sick and dying from the flu, so if we can do our part by protecting ourselves and the ones from spreading the flu … we can do it to prevent those who are most vulnerable from getting sick as well, ” said Piccinin. So as the saying goes… One flu shot today...keeps the flu away.

CONVERGED CITIZEN OCTOBER 6, 2016

The history of Halloween Windsor Craft Beer Festival 'great beer, great company' Kurlis Miti Converged Citizen Staff

Halloween has not always been about candy, scares and costumes. The holiday has changed substantially since its origin many centuries ago. According to TheCanadianguide.com, Halloween is the second biggest spending holiday in Canada. The average Canadian will spend around $52-$74 on costumes. Halloween is right behind Christmas, when the average Canadian family spends around $1,517 on presents. This holiday has been through many changes and has evolved away from its roots. What originally stemmed from the Celtic holiday Samhain, has become an event of family fun. Father Matthew Durham, a priest from the Hospice of Windsor Essex County, says Halloween originated about 2000 years ago. “The Celts celebrated Samhain on October 31. This festival marked the end of the harvest, the beginning of winter,” said Durham. “A day where the Celts believed that the veil between worlds was less concrete allowing ghosts to haunt the earth and for druids to make predictions about the future.” On Oct. 31 the Celts would wear masks to blend in with any ghosts wandering around. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory designated Nov. 1 as All Saints Day and the day before became known as Hallow’s Eve, and eventually Halloween. Although Halloween is still popular in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Belgium and Japan, it has caused a lot of controversy. Many individuals are trying to ban it from schools and in neighborhoods. Elementary schools in Milford, Connecticut have

Photo by Amos Johnson Pina Ciotoli, co-owner of Windsor Eats (left) and Gino Gesuale, co-owner of Motor Burger (right) posing by a food truck at the festival at Willistead Park.

Amos Johnson Converged Citizen Staff

Photo by Kurlis Miti Marty, 19, trying on costumes at Spirit Halloween.

banned Halloween due to it excluding some children who can’t or won’t be participating in the holiday. But Brianne Ward, an employee at the Thiessens Haunted Barn, which started in 2014, said judging by the popularity of the haunted barn, it will be a great year for Halloween. “This opening day we had over 220 people. That's a record for us,” said Ward.

“And the weather has been great. It’s rained on Halloween for the past five years.” Ward says people enjoy getting scared for a good adrenaline rush, especially if they know they’ll be safe in the end. “Halloween seems to be making a comeback,” said Ward. “Nothing like a good scare to get the blood pumping.”

The annual Windsor Craft Beer Festival is now in its fourth year and showing people the variety craft beer has to offer from local and provincial brewers. Gino Gesuale, co-owner of Motor Burger in Windsor and local brewer, has been in the craft beer business since 2011 and explained craft beer as being a unique style. “When you drink a beer you possibly think of a big brand,” said Gesuale. "Craft beer is defined as creating a style of beer and in that style you create different flavours." The festival is hosted by Windsor Eats and started in 2013. It has grown to become an annual event. According to the Ontario Brewers Directory, there is a total of 187 breweries in the province of Ontario, 18 of

which are participating at the festival. The brewer lineup changes every year and this year the festival focused on award-winning brewers who have won medals in craft beer competitions, as well as some new brewers who are experiencing the festival for the first time. The festival took place Friday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11:30 p.m. at Willistead Park. According to Pina Ciotoli, coowner of Windsor Eats, it was “as flawless as an event can be.” The festival sold out on tickets and had a range upwards of 4,000 people over the course of two days. “I like to call them boutique festivals. Where it's intimate, it's cozy, everybody has a great time. They enjoy great beer, great company,” Ciotoli said. The next craft beer festival is set for Oct. 13-14 of 2017.

From Windsor to Rio Garret Fodor Converged Citizen Staff It has been nearly two months since the Rio Olympics closed and one local Olympian is still living in the moment. Belle River native Noelle Montcalm earned her spot on the Canadian athletics team that went to Rio de Janeiro in July of this year. One month before the Olympics in Rio she won the Canadian trials with a time of 55.83 seconds in the 400 metre hurdles. She made her Olympic debut in the hurdles along with the 4x400 metre relay. Prior to being on the national team, Montcalm spent six years at the University of Windsor, graduating in 2012 with Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. During this time she earned 16 Canadian Interuniversity sport medals and was named the Ontario University Athletics most outstanding performer four straight years. Montcalm participated in Rio with several other athletes tied to Windsor including Brandon McBride, MiahMarie Langlois, Kylie Masse and fellow Lancer track graduate Melissa Bishop. Bishop and Montcalm were part of the Lancers track team, led by head coach Dennis Fairall. Montcalm felt Windsor was

Photo by Torcia Velthuizen Noelle Montcalm laughs through her interview at the MediaPlex

the only place for her when deciding her path for post secondary and track. Lancers hurdle coach Don Garrod worked with her out of high school along with Fairall. Garrod is now her personal coach. Fairall says he believes that having both Bishop and Montcalm stay in Windsor to

train benefited them. Both runners earned fourth place finishes. “Hopefully it (having Montcalm and Bishop here) will put Windsor on the international map. I believe that the facilities are first rate with the indoor track facility only 10 metres from the outdoor

facility,” said Fairall. In Rio, Montcalm was part of the 4x400 metre hurdles team which recorded Canada’s best finish in the event in 32 years and placed fourth, 55 milliseconds off the podium. She would also go on to finish 18th in the 400 metre hurdles. Montcalm said she is grateful for the once in a lifetime opportunity. “It is an experience I will never forget,” said Montcalm. “Wearing the maple leaf brings such pride knowing I get to represent a whole nation. Representing Windsor was amazing. I would continually receive messages of support and some from people whom I didn't know, but whom were proud and supportive of what I had already accomplished by making the Olympic team.” Montcalm said she became interested in track because of the individual aspect of it, as she only affects her results. Since returning to Windsor she has been contacted for speaking engagements and hopes to inspire children to dream big, set goals and work hard to achieve them. Montcalm hopes to inspire young girls to remain in sports past school age. She has plans to keep training. With 2017 being a World Championship year, she plans on taking things one step at a time.

local sports

OCTOBER 28, 2016

ONVERGED CITIZEN

Miracle League of Amherstburg baseball Ken Pastushyn Converged Citizen Staff “Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball,” is the motto of Miracle Leagues throughout North America, giving children with disabilities a chance the step up to the plate. The Miracle League of Amherstburg played their next to last baseball game of the season on an October morning and afternoon at the Libro Credit Union Centre Sports Complex. The Miracle League in Amherstburg was the first in Canada and is one of only two in this country. “When you have children and adults with special needs, it’s hard to find activities for them to participate,” said Michele Vigneux, the public and media relations person for the Miracle League of Amherstburg. “That’s why we have the Miracle League and Special Olympics.” She said one of the cool things you get to see is the change in the players and their development. One boy, when he first came here was in a wheelchair, – then a walker, – and now he’s walking. “I got to see them from little squirts to teenagers and young adults,” said Vigneux. The Miracle League of Amherstburg was organized in

Photo by Kenneth Pastushyn. Hunter, the mascot for the Miracle League of Amherstburg poses for a photo outside the dugout at the Libro Credit Union Centre Sports Complex. 2010 by the Rotary Club of Amherstburg. Since then, it has gone on to become its own charity and raises money through activities such as raffles, sponsorships and golf tournaments. Two years ago, with the support of a generous donor, a brand-new padded surface made for wheelchairs and walkers was added to the Miracle Diamond playing field. “The money we raise is for the children and we put it all back in the area,” said Brian McGee, the capital projects director for the Miracle League of Amherstburg. He is responsible for making the Miracle Diamond look like a minor league ballpark with

lots of advertisements along the fences and flags at centre field. His next project is wheelchair swings. The Miracle Diamond also has a miniature Jumbotron video screen where every player has a bubble-gum cardlike photo for everyone to see before they step up to the plate. There is also an electronic scoreboard, but every game ends in a tie. Every player who participates is a winner in the Miracle League. Every player also bats every inning, is safe on all the bases and scores a run before the inning is over. Some of the players may need what is referred to as a “buddy” like Andrew Drury, a

Grade 12 volunteer student from Villanova High School, for assistance. His role as a buddy is to interact with the players as well as to protect them. “If they need our help we will give it to them,” said Drury. “But we try to let them do it themselves to maximize their abilities.” What Drury likes the most about being a buddy is playing catch with the players. “Making them smile makes us smile.” Chris McCandless is one of the many volunteers. For him, it is also a social event with other parents. He and his wife have three sons participating this year. Usually he is the pitcher and lobs the ball to the batters. “It’s fun first, baseball second. It’s a good time,” said McCandless. “I enjoy coming out.” The players also enjoy coming out. They enjoying hitting a soft rubber ball with an oversized plastic bat and racing around the bases as well as the activities that take place during a three-inning game. At the start of a typical game, each player is given a miniCanadian flag to wave on the field while a Stompin’ Tom Connors song “Canada Day, Up Canada Way” is shown on the mini-jumbotron.

Throughout the game, Hunter, the mascot of the Miracle League, is on the field and in the dugouts to greet the players with hugs and high fives as well as providing photo opportunities for friends and family. At the “second-inning stretch” it’s time for everyone to do the Y-M-C-A dance while a video of the Village People singing their hit single plays on the minijumbotron. And finally after the last batter scores the final run of the game, the public address announcer encourages everyone to participate in the Chicken Dance. And participate they do. The emergencymedical service workers on hand can often be seen flapping their arms and “do-si-doing” around in circles with the players on the field. Both teams shake hands with each other along the first and third base lines while Jackie DeShannon’s hit single “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” is heard over the PA system. After the game there is a barbeque for the players where hot dogs are in big supply. Vigneux thinks the program does a lot for everyone involved. “It’s baseball, it’s music and a whole lot more.”

DiPietro blanks Frontenacs, Day scores in first game Todd Shearon Converged Citizen Staff Newly acquired defenceman Sean Day scored in his first game as a Spitfire to help lead Windsor to a victory over Kingston at the WFCU Centre. Day, 18, stands among an exclusive group as the fourth player ever granted exceptional status by the Ontario Hockey League, including John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad and Connor McDavid. The New York Rangers selected him as the 81st overall at the

2016 NHL draft. “Everybody is talking about the change of scenery, but the guys and the coaching staff made it really easy on me to go out and play my game,” said Day. “It was a good start (with the Spitfires) and I just want to keep it going.” Spitfires’ goaltender Michael DiPietro stopped all 25 Kingston shots to earn the shutout and Windsor’s eighth win of the season. “A win is a win, but getting a shutout is a nice touch,” said DiPietro. “Every game is unique and different and I’m

Photo by Todd Shearon Windsor Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson addresses the media post game at the WFCU Centre. just happy to get the win.” Cole Purboo provided what

became the game winning goal at 7:32 of the first period

and Day added an insurance tally only three minutes later. Logan Stanley, Austin McEneny and Gabriel Vilardi assisted on the goals. “We knew before the game that Kingston makes you work for every inch of ice,” said Spitfires’ head coach Rocky Thompson. “They are a hard working team without a doubt but we were able to inch ourselves forward and dictate the pace of the game.” The Spitfires head across the border to face-off against the Flint Firebirds on Saturday at 7p.m.