Dec. 7, 2016

THERE'S NO DENYING IT

PRODUCING PRODUCERS

MAKING MERRIMENT

B.C. Green Party leader talks climate change

Three TRU alums among awards nominees

Festive ways to spend your holidays

Andrew Weaver visits TRU to talk climate change and politics • Page 6

The Mayor's Gala for the Arts will hand out awards on January 21, 2017 • Page 8

Our picks for the best events around Kamloops for the holidays • Page 5

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DECEMBER 7, 2016

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SAYING GOODBYE Van Damsel splits, playing its final show on Friday, Dec. 9.

COVER/PG. 6

PHOTO KIM ANDERSON/THE OMEGA (FILE PHOTO)

SURVEY SAYS

VOLUME 26

DON'T GET TOWED

Assessing the demand for student housing

Do you have to pay those parking tickets?

TRU has hired a consultant to look at the demand for student housing on campus • Page 2

Private parking co's like the one at TRU might have limited options in making you pay • Page 7

Van Damsel calls it quits, local rockers to play last show Dec. 9

On Nov. 4, Van Damsel announced on their Facebook page that this was it – the band members would be going their separate ways at the end of this year.

Sebastien Ste Marie, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, said that after seven years of creating music together the band members have agreed to pursue new projects on their own.

“Being in a band’s a grind, unless you’re Coldplay or slightly smaller. Most levels are quite a grind, and we just wanted to try something different. A couple of us are going travelling, another one of us is moving to the coast,” Ste Marie said.

Ste Marie also said that they are all leaving on good terms, and there is no ill-will between any of them.

“We might be closer than we’ve ever been, because we are really just enjoying these last moments of being together as a band. We will be leaving as good of friends as ever. It’s bittersweet,” Ste Marie said.

Even if fans of Van Damsel are sad about the news of this breakup, there still might be some hope.

“We’re all going to be involved in music forever it’s in our blood, to use the cliché. All of us have our own individual projects going on. There will be some collaboration with other musicians, but we’re also looking at achieving some other personal goals,” Ste Marie said.

Although Ste Marie says that he is going to continue to create new things after the band's breakup, there are still things he is going to miss about being apart of Van Damsel.

“My two favourite things are both creating, being in the studio and playing live. I love performing and part of performing is connecting with your supporters, both while you're performing and after when you get to mingle. I don’t know if I’ll get another opportunity to play the types of shows that we’ve been able to with this type of project, playing in front of hundreds and occasionally thousands of people. It’s really a special experience and I’m really going to miss that aspect,” Ste Marie said.

CONTINUED page 6

NEWS

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DECEMBER 7, 2016

Social work students' project reveals realities of homeless women TRU social work students draw attention to systemic causes of homelessness Sarah Kirschmann STAFF WRITER Ω

The main issue facing Kamloops’ homeless population is a lack of affordable housing, according to TRU social work students who recently completed a project looking at homelessness.

In a project to raise awareness about the systemic nature of homelessness, students Codi Bergen, Ashley Martell, Mandy Foord, Nicola Falk and Hayley Wuschke spoke to women living on the streets about their concerns. The students did not disclose the names of the women interviewed.

There is still a pervasive narrative that homeless people are to blame for being homeless. The goal of the students’ project was to change this and to draw attention to ongoing housing concerns.

“When we talked to our peers, we got a lot of ‘I think women end up on the because of drug and alcohol addiction,’ and ‘they’re too lazy to get a job,’” Martell said.

A 2014 count found 95 people on Kamloops streets, plus an estimated 1,160 hidden homeless. This second group are individuals who would lose their homes with only a slight rent increase.

There are only 41 shelter beds in Kamloops.

One of the women in the study has been on a housing waitlist for 14 years. “She’s still on it, but she’s given up,” Martell said.

Even when shelter is available,

Second year social work students Codi Bergen, Ashley Martell, Mandy Foord, Nicola Falk and Hayley Wuschke are working to raise awareness about systemic causes of homelessness. (Sarah Kirschmann/The Omega) the women cited safety concerns such as bed bugs, mice and unstable roommates. They also resented being treated like children in assisted housing, with curfews and limits on visitors.

The students found that homeless women experience huge stigma.

Most of the time, they go to other members of the homeless community for help rather than those who

have more to give.

“If they’re short money, someone from the homeless community will give them $10, where middle- and upper-class communities won’t give them a dime,” Falk said.

Attitudes towards alcohol consumption also illustrate this stigma.

“One of the ladies said that ‘after a stressful day, I do want to go buy a bottle of wine and drink’...how is that

different from us? Why do they get judged so harshly for doing that?”

Foord said.

Once on the street, getting a job can become difficult. According to Martell, being homeless strips applicants of their credibility. Lack of a permanent address, paperwork, identification, and the money needed to apply for them are barriers for many people.

The women interviewed want the public to keep in mind that they are no less human than the rest of us.

As summed up by Martell, “people aren’t just on the streets because of drug abuse. Not everyone can afford the housing here...people aren’t aware of the privilege that they have.”

The social work students contacted their sources through New Life Community outreach centre.

Consulting group looking into student housing demand As development around campus picks up, TRU wants to know what renters are looking for Jared MacArthur STAFF WRITER Ω

TRU has hired a consulting company to look at student housing demand and availability at the university.

At the beginning of November, The Omega reported that there would be no new student housing included in the initial developments of The Reach, TRU’s retail/residential neighbourhood development on campus.

Now, TRU has launched an initiative to look at market demand for student housing as it continues to plan development of The Reach. Matt Milovick, vice-president of administration and finance, said there are no designs for a new residence, and that this report is being employed to understand student needs.

“What we do know is that our residences are basically full, within about ten rooms every single year… so for us, there has never been a real urgency to consider building anything because we have never seen that pressure in our own buildings,” Milovick said.

The Toronto-based consulting company Scion Group LLC specializes in assessing student housing needs at post-secondary institutions throughout North America, though most of their work is in the United States, according to a profile of projects on their website.

The report submitted by Scion Group will be available to the public and developers bidding on The Reach, TRU’s on-campus residential housing development.

The consulting group was on campus last week from Monday to Wednesday holding focus group meetings with students living on campus in both McGill Housing and the Residence & Conference Centre (RCC). According to Fatima Baqir, project manager of advisory services for the Scion Group, some trends are already evident.

Baqir said it seems to be that students who can afford to live on campus at either McGill or RCC seem to like it and are satisfied. However, they did note a significant difference in pricing between residences and see that as a potential barrier in the future.

The number of international

students at TRU also plays a large part in the demand for housing, Baqir said. She says more than 20 per cent of the students at TRU are international students, which means there will always be a need for housing on or off-campus, preferably affordable and close to the university.

When developing the report the Scion Group makes sure to assess what the housing market off-campus is like as well, to get a grasp of what students rental habits are if they do prefer to live off-campus or not, since that will play a large role in determining the need for housing.

“It’s important always to get a sense of what’s happening on-campus, but we understand how much the competition off-campus makes such a big impact on the potential and the demand for housing on-campus as well,” Baqir said.

The consultants will also consider other developments happening near campus, including the one just approved by the City of Kamloops across from McGill Housing.

A focus group organized by TRUSU was held on Nov. 30 with the Scion Group, after TRUSU had heard at the last minute that

A bird’s eye view of the TRU Residence and Conference Center. (TRU) the company would be conducting research to assess housing, according to TRUSU university governance coordinator Alex McLellan.

The focus group was made up of students that lived off-campus, and the questions revealed the larger issues students face when deciding whether to live on campus in student residences or pay standalone rent and sign into rental agreements off campus.

One student in the group expressed frustration with the application process for student

housing, saying that students that are put on waitlists before the semester starts often become too stressed about whether or not they will have a place once school begins, so they remove themselves from the list and find housing off campus.

Another sentiment being expressed was that off-campus housing afforded a freedom that some students are willing to pay for. Not being able to have family or friends over at any time and having to pay for an entire semester upfront were among the most common complaints.

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DECEMBER 7, 2016

Presentation explores Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam Social worker Alex Leslie visits TRU to speak about “the repair of the world” Nolan Chapman

CONTRIBUTOR Ω Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase meaning “the repair of the world.”

It has its roots in Rabbinic law, the Kabbalah and the Aleinu prayer, and became a common term for Jewish social justice work and community contribution in North America following the Shoah (Holocaust).

On Nov. 29, Alex Leslie, a registered social worker who holds a master’s degree in social work, travelled from Vancouver to Kamloops to give a speech on Tikkun Olam. After achieving her MSW from UBC, she transitioned to work as an addictions counsellor.

Leslie spoke to the social work class “Theory and Ideology of Social Work,” in Old Main on the Thompson Rivers University campus. The speech was organized by Wendy Hulko and blessings were offered

by Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour and Estella Patrick Moller.

During her presentation, Leslie described her experiences with Tikkun Olam during the study she conducted. Participants in her study spoke to the imperative to act and the existence of responsibility; the connections between external healing and internal healing; collectivity and interconnectedness; the presence of Jewish history in their work, particularly in the case of the Shoah; and the spiritual dimension of working with people. This study also explored the commitment felt by Jewish practitioners to work with Aboriginal

Alex Leslie speaks to a social work class at TRU on Nov. 29. (Nolan Chapman/The Omega) people based on a shared history of cultural genocide.

During an interview with Leslie, she said Tikkun Olam “is the principle that we all have a responsibility to contribute to justice or improvement in the world and society.

Tikkun Olam is relevant everywhere. We live in a time of mounting persecution of minority groups which makes it more important to talk about. Tikkun Olam is also

relevant to everyone because we all have a responsibility to contribute to the world in a unique way.”

After Leslie’s presentation, I spoke with some of the students in attendance. Jonah Kristensen, a third-year BSW student, said he “thought that the presentation was extremely excellent and it was a very good capstone to a very busy and interesting school year.”

Jenna Skogberg, also a third-year

BSW student, spoke to the conversation she had with Alex Leslie after the presentation, commenting on “how powerful it is to link up two different peoples and histories through a shared journey that they have.” Skogberg was referring to Jewish people and the Indigenous people of Canada.

Tikkun Olam is an ancient practice that can be attributed to many aspects of current society.

Understanding the elements of Tikkun Olam can be the first steps in the process of creating a thriving community. This practice promotes the healing of the individual and community as one. A person may rely on the community to heal, but then give back to the same community in return. As long as there is persecution and personal trauma in society, Tikkun Olam will still continue to be relevant.

Long-distance ridesharing platform gaining traction Tara Dorflinger

CONTRIBUTOR Ω A rideshare company named “Pop” is developing a base of users in Kamloops as it tries to expand across Canada.

In 2010, Pop began as a small project named HitchWhistler.

The brainchild of Flo Devellennes, HitchWhistler began as a simple way to incorporate ride-seekers into his daily commute to work from Vancouver to Whistler, following an inspirational conversation he had with a hitchhiker he picked up on the Sea-to-Sky Highway one morning.

Devellennes then slowly developed a community of like-minded individuals who saw the simple benefits of saving money and meeting new people while reducing their carbon footprint, and the idea took off.

Fast-forward to 2014, Devellennes joined forces with his software-developing roommate, Luke Burden, and in an effort to expand the operational area of their project, together they relaunched as an official company named HitchPlanet.

The company re-branded to “Pop” in 2016, and despite the facelifts it took to get the ball rolling, to-date they

have amassed more than 40,000 members who collectively have over 1 million kilometres of travel under their belts, paving the way for Pop to reach its goal of being the largest intercity rideshare company in North America.

Pop has set itself apart from other rideshare companies by setting a minimum travel distance of 50 km, and in capping the cost of what drivers can charge, they’ve ensured community integrity by making sure that nobody can monetize past the point of offsetting reasonable costs.

Devellennes explained the difference between Pop and Uber in the Vancouver publication The Georgia Straight, saying that Pop “take[s] existing cars and people who are already going somewhere, and help[s] them fill their seats. Whereas Uber pays people a wage essentially to drive around and replace taxis in cities.”

The Pop app, developed for both iOS and Android, is simple to use and functions similar to the app for Airbnb that allows users to book privately-owned residences around the world. Facebook accounts and phone numbers are authenticated, all transactions are via credit card, and users are able to rate each other in a feature that promotes a

Looking for a cheap ride up to Sun Peaks? Or maybe you've got one to offer? Try out Pop. (Pop Rideshare) commonality of principled behavior between users.

With Sun Peaks finally open for the new season, and holiday travelling already underway, why not save some money, meet some new people in the community, and help save the environment?

Cory Michael, a Pop member who lives in Sun Peaks, called the site “really simple to use.”

“I just post a ride when I go to Vancouver from Kamloops. Don’t have to deal with Facebook classifieds groups or Kijiji randoms,” he said.

Michael also likes how there’s no awkward exchange of money during the ride – it’s all done in the app and funds are sent and received through email.

“I’ve met some really cool people using this site, as well, due to seeing the people’s profile beforehand.”

ARTS

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Plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays around town There's lots to do on top of gift-giving this holiday season Veronics Kos

STAFF WRITER Ω As each day goes by in December, the temperatures start to drop and consumerism starts to rise. However, the holidays are truly about spending time with loved ones, making all of Kamloops’ festive celebrations the perfect opportunity to do so.

With so many different things to do and see, it’s hard not to get in the Christmas spirit this season. On top of eating your weight’s worth in chocolate, check out the following local events happening this month.

Woodward Family Christmas Tree Farm It’s not the holidays until you pick out that perfect Christmas tree. The Woodward Family Christmas Tree Farm offers all kinds of trees to choose from, along with a concession stand and mulled wine on the weekends to enjoy. Warm up by the bonfire or check out the tasting room at the Privato winery as they offer $5 drop-in tastings.

They are open daily until Dec. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wildlights Festival at the B.C. Wildlife Park Surround yourself with hundreds of twinkling lights this year at the B.C. Wildlife Park’s annual event. Grab a hot chocolate or apple cider to explore the holiday displays, walk through the light maze or snag a selfie with Santa. Make sure to stay until the end, as the park caps off the night with a fireworks show. The event is open from Dec. 9 to Jan. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $12 each.

Christmas Market at the Sun Meadows Equestrian Centre A great place to get gifts for your friends and family this year is at the Sun Meadows Equestrian Centre’s Christmas market.

On Dec. 10 from 2 to 8 p.m., check out local artists pottery and glasswork, along with other crafts and gifts. There will be local chocolatiers selling their latest creations.

CP Holiday Train Concert The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is decked out in Christmas lights for the holidays. As

Up for a fireworks display? Check out the B.C. Wildlife Park's Wildlights Festival. (B.C. Wildlife Park)

one of their many stops on the cross-Canada railroad trail, the train will be arriving in Kamloops on Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.

A lineup of local musicians will be performing at the event out of a boxcar stage on the train itself. Also, make sure to bring a donation for the Kamloops Food Bank.

The Spirit of Christmas with the Kamloops Heritage Railway Starting Dec. 9, the Heritage Railway will be putting on a one hour tour through a snowy night in Kamloops. With all your Christmas classics like hot

chocolate, gingerbread cookies and carols, you will inevitably leave feeling jolly. Departure dates can be found on their website at kamrail.com.

Even if you’re known for being a Grinch on Christmas, check out some of Kamloops’ local festive events and that heart will likely grow three sizes.

The Balconies push through challenges to rock across Canada Break-ups, downsizing and the toll of touring couldn’t stop this band from sharing their music Veronics Kos

STAFF WRITER Ω Burlesque dancers, pregnant women and raw meat can all be seen in The Balconies’ music video for War, the first song on their new album, Rhonda.

Jacquie Neville and Liam Jaeger are the duo behind the band originally from Ottawa, Ontario. They performed War along with other songs from their new album at the Dirty Jersey on Nov. 30. Kamloops was one of the stops on their cross-Canada tour, promoting the new alternative pop/rock album. It’s easy to see that The Balconies don’t shy away from adding dark elements to their music.

Neville, the lead vocalist in the band says, they’re all about pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. “You never see pregnant women in music videos. It challenges people, pushes people’s buttons and makes them feel uncomfortable.”

The band’s big break came from winning Live 88.5’s Big Money Shot back in Ottawa. With a $75,000 development package, workshops with people in the industry and the opportunity to work with producer Jon Drew, The Balconies released the popular EP titled Kill Count.

Since then, it’s been constant working and touring.

The Balconies latest creation is a

self-produced concept album, having Rhonda as the fictional heroine that shares her journey to self-acceptance with each song. Though the songs have a dark rock n’ roll vibe, the main message behind the album is hope.

“Yes, there are some dark elements where Ronda is in this inner turmoil and is listening to her dark tapes, but then she comes out of it and realizes that she has so many amazing people around whose opinions are the ones that really matter,” Neville said.

When asked why they chose to self-produce this album unlike their previous two, Neville said that Rhonda is about doing it on your own and having that faith in yourself.

“We self-produced the album to kind of practice what we preach, push ourselves out of that comfort zone and do something that makes us a little uncomfortable. Clearly, I’m all about that, let’s make everything uncomfortable!”

Performing up to 300 shows per year all over Canada has brought the band some challenges of their own. The Balconies were originally a trio with Neville’s brother Steve. The hectic life of a musician wasn’t for him, though, and he chose to leave the band before the creation of Rhonda.

“We went through some growing pains for sure, but as his sister, I have to respect his choice,” Neville said.

And that’s not the only challenge the band has gone through. Neville

The Balconies performing at the Dirty Jersey. Liam Jaeger (left) Jacquie Neville (right). (Veronica Kos/Ω) and Jaeger originally formed The Balconies as a couple before deciding to break up roughly five years ago.

“When you break up with someone, even if it’s mutual, you don’t really plan on seeing the person for a little while, but for us it was ‘well, I guess I’ll see you in the van every

day for another three months since we were still on tour,’” Neville said, laughing. “It was definitely hard, but at the end of the day what was most important was that the band succeeded.”

The Balconies are already planning on continuing the story of Rhonda on

their next album.

“Liam and I are always writing, always working, always trying to push ourselves. We’ll try to get back into the studio as soon as possible because there are a lot of juices flowing right now. Big things are coming,” Neville said.

NEWS

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DECEMBER 7, 2016

B.C. Green Party leader talks climate change and politics Andrew Weaver, climate scientist, warns of dangers of disengaging media and misinformed skeptics Martin McFarlane STAFF WRITER Ω

As part of his trip to Kamloops on Nov. 30, B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver visited TRU as a guest lecturer for a second-year geography class.

In his talk, titled Climate Change: Problems and Solutions, Weaver talked to a packed room of students and community members.

Topics included the importance of properly communicating science to the media, using scientific evidence to inform public policy and that more has not been done to address climate change because its most substantial effects have yet to come.

“Science that is not effectively communicated is ineffective science,” Weaver said.

He also said that one of the reasons why some people may be skeptical about climate change is because of how the media looks for an opposing view to meet balancing requirements.

The politician and scientist expressed disdain for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent decision to approve the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion in B.C. and questioned the prime minister’s commitment to changing environmental policy.

Weaver also addressed politics in the United States, where several Republican politicians and the President-elect himself claim there is not sufficient evidence that climate change exists. Weaver responded by explaining that the metrics used to determine climate sensitivity, which have been in place since the 1970s, have not changed and have actively been

B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver speaks to a full class of geography students and community members on Nov. 30. (Marcela Arévalo/Ω)

used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s assessment, a UN panel which he had previously been involved with.

“We know more of the same thing with greater certainty,” Weaver said.

When it came to recent commitments, such as the Paris Agreement in 2015, Weaver believes that the pact will end in “disappointment,” citing the gradual increase in Alberta’s carbon tax to $50 per tonne with the federal government meanwhile approving new pipelines.

“Politicians don’t know what they signed,” Weaver said. He also talked about how policy needs to be informed by science rather than science to be created by policy.

In an interview with The Omega after the lecture, Weaver said that he hoped his lecture had student scientists see the importance of their work and that students communicate their work with those around them.

“We as a society are not valuing, I would argue, our public education system the way we should,” Weaver

said, mentioning how he believes that the lack of education is partly due to why “post-truth” politics are emerging in the United States and elsewhere, wherein people look for facts to support their position rather than the facts as a whole.

“The public must recognize what is science and what is not science, and that comes through education.”

When asked about combatting “post-truth” rhetoric with climate change messaging, Weaver thinks that there needs to be more

focus on informing people of the solutions.

“People throw up resistance barriers when you start to talk about problems, they want to know about solutions. And they want to know about no-regrets solutions,” Weaver said, also saying there needs to be less emphasis on “doom and gloom” stories.

Weaver is the only Green Party MLA in the provincial legislature.

He is also a professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria.

Getting ready to say goodbye to local rockers Van Damsel The beloved Kamloops indie rock band is breaking up at the end of 2016, but not before one final show Jennifer Will

ARTS EDITOR Ω CONTINUED (COVER) The band’s four members Sebastien Ste. Marie, Richard Bregoliss, Matthew Barron and Matthew 'Renny' Rennehan all grew up in Kamloops. Ste. Marie says that this makes playing in Kamloops even more fun and special for the band.

“Our shows in Kamloops are always the best. There is just some sort of connection with being at home that brings it to an even bigger level than our standard shows,” Ste Marie said.

Ste. Marie added that although the news of the breakup may have been shocking for some fans, they wanted to go out on top.

“We had a pretty solid year, but it just sort of felt right. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we sort just looked at the path ahead and which direction

we wanted to go in, and it just didn’t work in terms of the four of us. The four of us have sort of our own individual goals, and we decided that we wanted to go off on top. Like Seinfeld I guess, [just] maybe not at the same level,” Ste Marie said.

Ste. Marie says that he is so thankful to all the band’s supporters who have helped them get to where they are today. He hopes that anyone who is in town, can make it to their final show.

“This is going to be extra emotional, because it’s the last time we’ll play together. We’re going to bring back some oldies, from our older projects. So, stuff that we didn’t tour outside of Kamloops, basically for our original supporters and family and friends. We’re going to put everything into it and really revel in the moment,” Ste Marie said.

Van Damsel will be playing their final show with Little India and Windmills at CJ’s nightclub on Dec. 9 and tickets will be $15 each at the door.

Van Damsel drummer Matthew Barron, also a TRU alum, seen at a show in 2014. (Kim Anderson/Ω FILE PHOTO)

NEWS

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7

So do you have to pay those Impark tickets or not?

Jared MacArthur STAFF WRITER Ω

Parking tickets at TRU may not hold up in court, according to a recent CBC News report, but the university stresses that the alternative to parking tickets is an even more expensive option – towing, something the associate director of facilities and services at TRU, Warren Asuchak says would benefit the towing companies more than

A ticket at TRU may not hold you back from graduating or wreck your credit but not paying could send your car to the impound anyone else.

"Tow companies would love that.

We would just have six to eight tow trucks on campus and anyone that didn't pay would just get towed," Asuchak said.

Towing, however, is the last thing Asuchak would like to have to do in his position and he thinks that

students should just pay the fee or find alternatives to parking on campus.

He says one common complaint he hears from students is that they don't believe it's fair to be paying every day when some people are not paying and getting away with it.

The "lottery" as Asuchak

described it, is when students go as many days as possible without paying for parking, with the hope that they will get away with it and save money in the long run.

He added that it is possible, since there is a limited number parking enforcement employees patrolling lots.

The recent CBC report quotes Toronto lawyer, John Weingust, saying that ticketing companies like Imperial Parking (Impark) do not have the legal power to follow up on the tickets they are giving out on private lots, unless they decide to take them to small claims court.

But, Weingust said, the chances of a company following through and going after the tickets for such a small amount is highly unlikely.

Unpaid tickets from a company like impark that are given on private lots also won’t affect your credit score, according to the CBC report.

When asked how this applies to TRU, Asuchak said he has consulted with the university’s lawyers and they have assured him that the

university does have the right to ticket people and or tow the vehicle after multiple infractions.

Asuchak says that he is worried that the information about ticketing will embolden students who already choose not to pay, and may influence others too.

It is also a common misconception that a parking violation (or a whole semester's worth) will hold students back from walking across the stage at their graduation convocation. But, Asuchak says that students will not be held back from graduating if there are outstanding Impark tickets.

With over 2,000 parking stalls on campus, parking at TRU is a significant source of revenue for the university, but with lots being taken up by new construction and the legitimacy of ticketing in question, Asuchak said that it’s unclear what the future of parking on campus will be years from now.

For the time being, however, Impark will still patrol the parking lots of TRU, issuing tickets and towing vehicles when necessary.

Housing development to receive permit, pending rezoning 375-unit rental complex will take up vacant land on the corner of McGill Road and Dalhousie Drive Martin McFarlane STAFF WRITER Ω

A new housing development is one step closer to receiving a goahead after city council committed to issue a development permit once a rezoning application is approved.

The development is on the vacant lot of 1261 Dalhousie Drive and McGill Road, which is across from the current McGill Residence on campus. The development will consist of six buildings, totaling 375 units. According to development owner Barry Cross, who previously developed Summit Village on Summit Drive, the units will be rentals.

Before development can begin, the property needs to be re-zoned from light-industrial use to medium-density residential use. The rezoning application will be voted on for adoption by city council once amendments are made and the project has received approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

A public hearing was held on Nov. 29, however there was no response. Council voted unanimously to issue the permit, which will be finalized once the rezoning is completed.

According to a City of Kamloops planner, the design of the proposed buildings matches guidelines that have been set out for future expansion of the McGill Road corridor, which is the area surrounding the southern edge of the university.

This rendering shows what the buildings in the development may look like. McGill Housing and campus can be seen on the right. (City of Kamloops) “It’s certainly consistent with the McGill Corridor neighbourhood plan,” said Stephen Bentley, a planner for the city. He explained that new buildings in the area need to follow certain design guidelines on properties to make new properties attractive, functional for pedestrian use, and to contribute to the quality of the neighbourhood.

Those guidelines exist in both the over-arching plan for development in Kamloops and more

distinctly within the different neighbourhoods.

According to the city’s community plan, future developments along the corridor are to be designed to better interface with the land use in TRU, transforming the area from its industrial and vacant setting into one that unifies the university with the surrounding area. The plan’s design guidelines dictate that buildings in the corridor should match the exterior designs found

in the university “such as the Campus Activity Centre and the Applied Trades and Technology building.”

The development will include exercise rooms for residents as well as a community garden. It is not known how much the units will cost.

An adjacent development was also revealed last week, as Tri-City contracting submitted a rezoning application to the City of Kamloops to build three towers

across from TRU’s west gate entrance at 1021 McGill Rd. The development would include 208 units in total and commercial space similar to other buildings in the area.

Kamloops’ vacancy rate is currently at 1.1 per cent, which is less than the provincial average of 1.3 per cent. According to a survey done by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the vacancy rate in Kamloops was at 2.3 per cent last year.

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Stellar performances found in Uncommon Women and Others Actors Workshop Theatre's latest boasts strong performances, even when the performance is pushed outdoors Jennifer Will

ARTS EDITOR Ω Directed by Wesley Eccleston, a theatre professor at TRU, Uncommon Women and Others is quirky and, well, uncommon.

Uncommon Women and Others is a story of five girls who meet up six years after their college graduation. This story starts out with them catching up about the good ol’ days and moves straight into a full-on flashback. It takes us through their senior year, as they are trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives.

Starring Hannah Allen as Kate, Kelsey-Lee Launier as Samantha, Kayly Erno as Holly, Ashley Hiibner as Muffet and Brittney Martens as Rita, this production featured an all-female cast. The performances in this production were all well-rehearsed and thoughtful.

Martens, who plays Rita, was a firecracker in this production.

Although this character is sometimes overbearing, Martens gives her a unique charm that helps us forgive her crude mouth.

Chanelle Renee as Mrs. Plumm was one of the best performances of this show, capturing perfectly a quirky woman who is the house mother to these girls. This performance fits a woman of the early 1970s perfectly, with stories of her own youth intertwined in the storyline and awkward humor, it is impossible not to be dazzled.

Stills from Actor’s Workshop Theatre’s newest production, Uncommon Women and Others. (Bart Cummings/TRU) The staging and direction of this play is simple and to the point. Although the girls addressing the audience is weird at first, it ends up aiding the sense of relatability and empathy to these characters.

One of my biggest problems with this play was the off-stage male narration that was giving us bits of intellectual conversation

between scenes. It was an odd choice for a play starring only female characters to have this omniscient male voice narrating their lives.

The final 15 minutes of this production was interrupted by a surprise fire alarm at TRU. As the audience waited outside for the alarm to stop and show to resume, the cast finished the

final minutes of the production outside for the audience.

This weirdly added something to those final minutes that gave these characters a raw emotional connection to us and to each other. Even without the lights or proper set, it gave a realistic quality to this show.

Overall, Uncommon Women and Others had good intentions,

and characters that you grew to care about. Although it’s not the best play of the year, it’s still worth the watch.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and will finish its two-weekend run on Dec. 8 to 10. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased at the Black Box Theatre box office in Old Main or by calling 250-377-6100.

TRU alumni among arts awards nominees Sean Brady

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω Three TRU alumni are among the nominees for the Mayor’s Gala of the Arts Awards, given annually to emerging and established artists in the city of Kamloops.

The three TRU alumni are Robin Hodgson (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2013), Kathleen Lochhead (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2016) and Andrew G. Cooper (Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts).

Hodgson, the co-creator and operator of Padlock Studios & Gallery in downtown Kamloops was named a nominee for best emerging artist for the awards. Hodgson found a space to create his surrealist oil paintings and accommodate other artists, by opening Padlock Studios earlier this year.

Lochhead, who recently had an exhibit at Padlock Studios, was also named as a nominee for best emerging artist. She’s an abstract painter and printmaker, who had some of her undergrad work purchased by TRU for the program’s permanent collection.

Among the three alumni, only Cooper was also named a finalist – in his case, for Artist of the Year.

Andrew Cooper, seen during an X Fest show 2015 (left), and Kathleen Lochhead at Padlock Studios in 2016 (right), were both nominated. (File photos) In the performing arts, Cooper often performed in TRU’s Actors Workshop Theatre and the TRU Drama and Theatre (TRUDAT) club. In 2013, he wrote The Untold

Tales of the Brothers Grimm, and has appeared in a number of plays both on and off campus. He’s been involved with Project X Theatre, Western Canada Theatre and is

the artistic director for Chimera Theatre. He was also nominated for best new play and best comedy at the Victoria Fringe Festival in 2015.

The gala and awards ceremony

will take place on Jan. 21, 2017 at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre. Tickets are available at mayorsgalaforthearts. com.

ARTS

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Film review: Edge of Seventeen Jonathan Malloy

CONTRIBUTOR Ω High school: a place and time in many youth’s lives where nothing is right, everything is wrong, and the answer is usually “who fucking cares?” While that may not be the Oxford definition or even how the majority of people may have found it, writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig has patiently and thoughtfully created that sense with a delicate and surprising touch. Capitalizing on its talented young cast, as well as its industry veterans, the film is never less than substantial and completely heartfelt.

Anchored by the towering and increasingly confident Hailee Steinfeld, as high school junior and recently 17 student, Nadine Franklin, as her life goes from pretty upsetting to a load of… well I think you get the idea.

Steinfeld is able to

communicate the fragility and confusion that comes from opening up to the world and having it spit back in your face that accompanies youth. Tackling serious topics as depression and social entropy, she delves headfirst into the material, never turning back from the awkwardness that (while comic) is always subdued in a sense of serving the characters rather than a punchline.

While the story assuredly rests on the shoulders of Steinfeld, every character stands apart in a unique way adding a layer of complexity missing from many modern teen movies from Nadine’s jock brother Darian to his new girlfriend and recent ex-best friend Krista. But as many have noted, the crackling and witty performance of Woody Harrelson taps into his raw charm that has also been missing from many of his recent roles.

What the Fremon has done

In review: Awaken, My Love! by Childish Gambino Jonathan Malloy

CONTRIBUTOR Ω Changing from rap to R&B vibes actor, singer, writer and funnyman Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover of Community) has undertaken a 180-degree turn and provided an album chock full of interesting new sounds for the artist complimented for outstanding production.

Long teased with private events happening earlier this year in Joshua Tree, California, before shadow dropping new single Me and Your Momma in November, fans who had not attended his recent shows were perplexed by the radical change in style, further amplified by the news that his new album would feature not a single bar spun from Gam-B. Coming off of his widely lauded 2013 thought project Because the Internet, which featured a complementary screenplay and short film with it, Glover has shed his trap and heady/electric rap features in favour of something that is closer to the stylings of Prince and his contemporaries.

The switch lends favourably to the vocals in particular, as Glover swoons over airy keys and pounding guitar as his voice, both vocoded and natural, pushes the various storylines further. Each separated by their vignette nature, the stories told feel broader in their eccentricities, while still retaining the humour carried from Glover’s writing career. He uses on-the-nose mocking of the mumble rap scene on California to the scene setting “chocolate cake with cool-aid” from the sensual Redbone.

Longtime collaborator and producer of his previous albums, Ludwig Göransson keeps the feeling of the album bassy and loose, channeling homages through slide guitars and

funk. The fully instrumental The Night Me and Your Mama Met oozes soul, as if ripped from a smoke drawn studios surrounded by shag and a sepia wallpaper.

It is the new confidence in Glover’s singing that captures the best moments from AML, the shrieking fits from the opening track contrast against the barren final track that strips many of the instruments to allow Glover full range of nostalgic ruminations.

The closing track Stand Tall and blistering Redbone provide exceeding highlights to the Album, while bolstered by the equally terrific Terrified.

Certain songs do come across as odd on a first listen though, both California and Zombies take a few listens to get accustomed to due to the experimental nature of the vocals, yet are each valuable for the introspection being given by Glover and the top notch production on display.

While many may be turned away from the switching of Genres on Childish Gambino’s newest efforts, but it stands as one of the best and fully formed albums of the year. Surely surpassing his former rap-comrades who have released underwhelming and incomplete albums, the likes of Kanye West and Drake are to be imagined.

Awaken, My Love! is strong in execution and not to be missed.

with her characters is quite astonishing, given the minimalistic story and lack of any driving force other than Nadine’s downward spiral of awkward convos at house parties and accidental hookups to be had at Petland.

We follow her as she makes bad decisions based on whims and jealousy, that serve to develop her into the portrait of someone dealing with personal demons rather than a silly caricature.

Let it be said that this film is as raw with its emotions, as it is quick firing and hopeful.

It draws some parallels to last years equally impressive Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, while differentiating its tone by the spectacular central performance from Steinfeld. Her uncompromising dedication to the well thought out script marks as good a performance as she has done of late, and makes me even more excited to see where both her and Fremon will go next.

CFBX TOP 30 CFBX 92.5 FM Campus & Community Radio Kamloops, B.C. Music Director: Steve Marlow Charts to December 1, 2016 * indicates Canadian Content ** indicates a local artist 1) A Tribe Called Red* - We Are the Halluci Nation (Pirates Blend) 2) Savoir Adore - The Love That Remains (Nettwerk) 3) OneOverZero* - Chimera (Independent) 4) Cliff Stevens* - Grass Won't Grow (Independent) 5) Louis Simao* - A Luz (Independent) 6) 100 Mile House* - Hiraeth (Independent) 7) Luisa Maita - Fio da Memoria (Cumbancha) 8) Ace Martens* - Palm Springs (Independent) 9) Monkeyjunk* - Time to Roll (Stony Plain) 10) Fear of Noise* - Hierarchy (Independent) 11) Katie Miller* - A New Day (Nebulus) 12) The High Bar Gang* - Someday the Heart Will Trouble the Mind (True North) 13) Tanya Tagaq* - Retribution (Six Shooter) 14) Billie Zizi* - Moon of Honey (Independent) 15) Duchess Says* - Sciences Nouvelles (Bonsound) 16) Orahe* - In the Downstream (Independent) 17) Diana Braithwaite/Chris Whiteley* - Blues Country (Big City Blues) 18) Kirty* - Kirty (Postwar) 19) Haley Bonar* - Impossible Dream (Thirty Tigers) 20) Jack Garton* - Move This Mess Around (Independent) 21) Parker Abbott Trio* - Elevation (Independent) 22) Fond of Tigers* - Uninhabit (Drip Audio) 23) We Are Wolves* - Wrong (Fantome) 24) Duotang* - New Occupation (Stomp) 25) Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat (Rounder) 26) Hello Moth* - Slave in a Stone (Independent) 27) The Once* - We Win Some We Lose (Independent) 28) Cory Weeds Quintet* - It's Easy to Remember (Cellar Live) 29) Donovan Woods* - They Are Going Away (Meant Well) 30) Big Dave McLean* - Better the Devil You Know (Black Hen)

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YOUR COMIC HERE WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR STUDENT CARTOONISTS. WHY NOT GIVE IT A SHOT? EMAIL EDITOR@TRUOMEGA.CA

DECEMBER 7, 2016

SPORTS

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WEEKEND RESULTS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL No games -

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MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Game 1 (Dec. 2) UBCO Heat @ WolfPack Loss – 82-89

– Audrey Rankin: 18 points, 2 steals, 3 defensive rebounds, 22 minutes – Emily Vilac: 16 points, 5 rebounds (4 defense) 1 assist, 19 minutes – Chelsey Hoey: 12 points, 4 rebounds (3 defense), 29 minutes – Emma Piggin: 11 points, 3 rebounds (2 on offense), 2 steal 20 mins

Game 2 (Dec. 3) UBCO Heat @ WolfPack Win – 57-68

– Leilani Carney: 16 points, 3 rebounds (all defense), 3 assists, 1 steal: 30 minutes – Kanesha Reeves: 11 points, 1 rebound (defense) 20 minutes

MEN'S BASKETBALL Game 1 (Dec. 2) UBCO Heat @ WolfPack Win – 87-81

– Volodymyr Iegorov: 23 points, 5 rebounds (all on defense), 6 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals: 23 minutes – Maalike Hazziez: 14 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal: 19 minutes – Joe Davis: 10 points, 3 rebounds (2 on offense), 17 minutes

Game 2 (Dec. 3) UBCO Heat @ WolfPack Win – 92-80

– Volodymyr Iegorov: 23 points, 12 rebounds (11 on defense), 7 assists – Derek Rhodes: 23 points, 2 rebounds (both defense), 2 steals, 1 asst – Luke Morris: 22 points, 11 rebounds (9 on defense), 2 steal, 1 assist: 36 minutes

Volodymyr Iegorov (Nov 26 (TRU Athletics)

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL 5–5–0

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL 2–8–0

Next game: Jan. 5, Calgary

Next game: Jan. 5, Calgary

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2–8–0

MEN’S BASKETBALL 5–5–0

Next game: Dec. 30, Prince George

Next game: Jan. 6, TCC

WINS, LOSSES, TIES

WINS, LOSSES, TIES

WINS, LOSSES, TIES

WINS, LOSSES, TIES

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THE OMEGA

DECEMBER 7, 2016