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WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE SAIT STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
VOLUME 88 ISSUE 23
EVERY MONDAY THEWEAL.COM
March 24, 2014
SAIT grad hopes to live on Mars page 3
Five ways to organize small spaces page 8
Saddledome security: how much is too much? page 9
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com NEWS EDITOR Amanda Siebert
NEWS WRITER Adrian Hopkins
Graduating debt—free: Mission Impossible?
A&E EDITOR Yasmin Mayne
A&E WRITER Alexandra Bessant
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Sabrina Scarpino
LIFESTYLE WRITER Position available
OPINIONS EDITOR Krista Conrad
SPORTS EDITOR Carys Richards
SPORTS WRITER Position available
PHOTO EDITOR Mikaela MacKenzie
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Position available
ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Susan Kim
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Patricia Rye
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Alannah Pohran
WEB MASTER Jennifer Poon
FACT CHECKER Evan Whitmore
SOCIAL MEDIA GURU Jordyn Thomson
COVER ILLUSTRATION Susan Kim
CONTRIBUTORS
Kenneth Taylor, Nick Basra, Robyn Hertz, Drew Crawford Direct letters, questions and concerns to:
PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Giselle Wedemire ph. 284-8458 / fax 210-4216
BY ADRIAN HOPKINS NEWS WRITER
While the Alberta Government boasts about having the most nationally accessible student aid system, many students at SAIT are still struggling under a mountain of debt. The average post-secondary student in Alberta can expect to graduate owing approximately $26,000, payable to the government and credit card companies. Although there are a number of financial services available at a campus level to assist with the management of debt, many SAIT students are only left with two tough choices: become educated and go into debt, or join the workforce without any education and try to avoid the accumulation of debt with an entry-level position that pays minimum wage. Sonya Nuspel, a first-year student in the hospitality management program, felt that she would have no hope of opening a restaurant if she decided not to invest in a post-secondary education. Since the start of the fall semester, Nuspel has racked up almost $20,000 in student loans. While attending classes at SAIT full-time, Nuspel works part-time at Blush Lane Organic Market in order to support herself. “Financial stress leads to taking on a heavier workload, which leads to exhaustion, resulting in poor academic performance,” she said. “Given that school is the reason I have this monetary trouble, it seems horribly ironic that things are going this way.” Because of the abundance of oil and natural gas deposits
in Alberta, many post-secondary students are attracted to the rigs by the promise of a high-paying wage. Dakota Burkholder, a heavy equipment technician apprentice at SAIT, is not worried about the prospect of being financially unstable after graduation because of his potential of getting a high-paying job in the oil sands. “Debt won’t be an issue after I graduate because of the industry I’ll be working in,” Burkholder said. In a report released on Jan. 30, which studied the average weekly earnings of Canadian employees in 2013, Statistics Canada found that a worker in the field of oil and gas extraction made, on average, almost $2,000 per week. According to the same report, Nuspel can expect to make an average of $366 per week in the food services industry upon graduating, potentially making it harder for her to pay off her student loans. Kenneth Taylor, VP external of SAIT Students’ Association (SAITSA), views situations like Nuspel’s in a more positive light. “Investing $30,000 to make yourself better, taking skills with you that will transfer over to everything in your life—that’s a pretty solid investment,” he said. “There are plenty of opportunities for students to tap into student aid and get the funding they need at a very low interest rate.” Even though Nuspel now finds it difficult balancing school, work, and leisure time with that amount of debt constantly on her mind, employment numbers released by Statistics Canada earlier this month might give her a reason to be optimistic about the
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Sonya Nuspel, who is $20,000 in debt after only one year of studying at SAIT, stands outside of Heritage Hall with a placard that shows how much she owes. MIKAELA MACKENZIE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
future. The new numbers indicated that, in Alberta, year-over-year employment grew by 82,300 positions or 3.8 per cent. It was the highest pace of monthly job creation in nearly three years and was well above the average gain of about 6,000 since the end of the 2009 recession. Angela Wiebe, personal banking specialist at the ATB branch on SAIT campus, interacts with students on a daily basis, many of whom are stressed out over the difficulty of managing their finances. “A lot of students tend to
have high balances on their cards without considering the true cost of an item,” Wiebe said. “Not many students look at the actual cost of purchases with a credit card. Good news for banks, bad news for the consumer.” In her eyes, the student debt problem stems from a generational change in attitude. “We want things now and believe we can pay for them later. “Saving and retirement planning is critical [to understand] today, as well as purchasing things we can actually afford.”
theWeal.com | March 24, 2014
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SAIT grad on a mission to Mars BY AMANDA SIEBERT NEWS EDITOR
A former SAIT student might be moving to space, thanks to Mars One, a project that seeks to establish a human settlement on Mars. Zachary Trolley, who graduated from SAIT’s electrical engineering technologies program in 2004, is one of 1,058 people who have been shortlisted for the one-way mission. If he makes the final selection, Trolley will bravely go where no SAIT student has gone before, and he won’t be returning. The Mars One began its search for participants in April 2013, and Trolley was one of nearly 78,000 that originally registered for the selection program. The Weal interviewed Trolley to find out exactly what his plans are between now and his projected move to outer space in 2024.
volunteers. I’ve always wanted to go to Mars, and not applying wasn’t really an option. This is what I want to do. This is my dream.
TW: How have your friends and family reacted to your pending trip? Trolley: They have been very supportive. Obviously, they have some reservations about never seeing me again. They know this is the path I want to walk, and they are helping me every step of the way.
TW: If selected to go, what earthly things, places, and people will you miss most? Trolley: I think I would miss nature the most. I like going on hikes, listening to the birds, and smelling the forest. There won’t be any of that on Mars. That being said, there will be plenty of Mars things that are not available on Earth, and we are going to go find out what those are.
The Weal: How did you find out about the Mars One mission, and what compelled you to apply for it?
TW: What three can’t-live-without items will you be sure to take with you?
Zac Trolley: I’ve been interested in Mars for a long time. I heard about Mars One when [the company was] first incorporated in 2011, and I followed their progress and became very interested when they sent out the call for
Trolley: Music is a big one. Music speaks to each of us in very personal ways—it helps with hard days and makes celebrations all the better. Books are another very impor-
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tant necessity. On Mars, we will be encountering the unknown and will need guidance. Texts specializing in philosophy and technical information will be equally valuable. The third thing is socks. I’m very particular about my socks and I need good ones if I’m going on a one-way trip.
TW: How did your studies at SAIT and your occupation contribute to this opportunity? Trolley: SAIT helped me gather the skills I needed to be successful in the workplace. I work as a project engineer, and being able to turn a problem around and look at different solutions is an invaluable skill. Being able to troubleshoot and work with your hands is good in any situation.
TW: If you are selected to go, what is at the top of your to-do list before you leave Earth? Trolley: Before I go, I want to see the ancient ruins on Earth. We will be starting a new civilization on Mars. I want to walk the halls where humans created the groundwork for the world we live in today.
TW: What do you hope to accomplish in space? Trolley: I hope to open space
SAIT grad Zac Trolley has been short-listed for a ground-breaking one-way trip to Mars that will depart in the year 2024. MIKAELA MACKENZIE PHOTO
for all. Once it’s been proven that people can live on Mars, the solar system is our playground. Humans will expand to its every corner and a new era will dawn. I know that sounds poetic and lofty, but that’s what I truly believe.
TW: What is your favourite scifi movie? Have you always been passionate about space?
Trolley: My favourite space movie is Aliens. I love that movie. I’ve always been interested in space, technology, and how they can change us. Our ancestors looked up at the sky in wonder and created myths for the planets. It’s a very exciting time to live in [now], and I want to keep pushing the frontier towards amazing goals.
Motor vehicle accident a call from a student reporting Emergency Medical Services Centre. The staff member re-
Security was called to Begin Tower Residence after residence staff reported their concerns regarding the suspected use of marijuana in one of the building’s units. Residence staff, campus security, and a patrol officer entered the unit and collected drugs as well as drug paraphernalia. Their findings were logged and confiscated.
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At 8:20 a.m., a student reported damage to her vehicle from a hit and run. The student said her car had been damaged the previous day after she had parked it on the first level of the P6 parkade between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. the day before.
Theft At 6:15 p.m., Security received
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the theft of his personal belongings from his locker in the men’s locker room in the Campus Wellness Centre. The student completed an incident statement and was advised to file a report with Calgary Police Service.
Medical Around 5 p.m., Security received a call from a Gateway staff member reporting that an individual was feeling ill and vomiting.
2014 M{ZD{3 sedan RAD
responded and transported the individual to an ambulance, but the individual declined further medical help and was not transported to the hospital. He was left in the care of his friends.
ported the incident and was encouraged to file a report with Calgary Police Service.
Trespassing
Theft (private property) At approximately 8:10 a.m., Security was notified by a SAIT staff member around 2 p.m. after his belongings had been stolen out of a locked room in the Johnson-Cobbe Energy
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com
students create sustainable, res-ready gardening BY AMANDA SIEBERT NEWS EDITOR
Students living at SAIT residence will soon have an opportunity to grow their own fresh veggies and herbs, thanks to four environmental technology students. As part of a term project, second-year students Tyler Wolfe, Ryan Drijber, Keith Cole, and Scott Pellegrino have developed an efficient and affordable prototype intended for indoor gardening. The prototype is geared towards students living in tight quarters. The end result is a lowmaintenance indoor gardening system created entirely out of recyclable materials. “We have a Culligan bottle at the bottom, and a doweling that goes up into three two-litre pop bottles which are cut in half and contain plastic planters. A pump pumps the water through, and even if it evaporates, all you have to do is top it up from time to time so it’s really low-maintenance,” Wolfe said. Vegetables are planted within the planters and irrigation oc-
BY KENNETH TAYLOR SAITSA VP EXTERNAL
On March 6, 2014 I had the pleasure of attending the provincial budget announcement in Edmonton. The budget has a lot of good news for SAIT and rightfully so. SAIT is a great school, its students do great things, and it’s a heck of
curs automatically as the water gets pumped from the bottle to each plant. “We built it all out of recycled goods so it’s really affordable.” The system can also be set up on most window sills easily. Drijber said that their group found a similar idea online, but modified it to create their own version. The materials that they have used include one large Culligan water bottle, three to four two-litre pop bottles, a dowel, and duct tape. These were collected by the group members, while Cole provided the pump. According to Drijber, the entire system can be built for less than $50 if everything is purchased brand new. “We’re not going to copyright it or anything… Our idea was to build a prototype for people to follow,” he said. Drijber and Wolfe said that the prototype’s about more than just giving students a chance to grow some of their own food—they’d like to see students thinking more critically about where their food comes from.
“The overall project is supposed to be something that will have a tangible effect on sustainability. We started off with an idea that was too broad and hard to implement so we brought it down,” Wolfe said. “It’s not going to change the world but it’s something that can actually be done.” While the prototype that they have built is rather small as it is intended for apartments and smaller living quarters, it can be easily modified to facilitate growing larger vegetables. Currently, Wolfe and his team are growing peas and lettuce, but said that other small plants like herbs can be grown too. Wolfe and his group members want to inform students of their prototype by using tools like Facebook and posters around campus to get students interested and see if there is a positive response. “It’s a great way to grow all year long. We want to plant the seed in [students’] minds that, ‘Hey, this is cool and I can actually grow food at home,’” Drijber said. “I can see myself using it. I think it’s a good idea and some-
a place to carve out your future so, naturally, the Government of Alberta has taken notice. This year’s budget is what I call an “Opportunity Budget;” it doesn’t spoon feed us anything, because it gives us the spoon. It’s up to us to decide what to do with it. I have some ideas. First, Alberta needs to fund apprentices and tradespersons better: we need more grants and bursaries to help students succeed through all years of study, especially before they start banking an income. Similarly, we should develop Open Educational Resources (OERs) – online/digital textbooks, journals, modules, archives, etc… - because textbooks are just too expensive, and unfairly privilege the publishers, not producers/ consumers. Further still, Alberta must address post-secondary mental health because it’s too easy to lose good students to
entirely preventable mental ailments. Finally, Alberta has to do something about post-secondary transfers! Why is it that some credits aren’t considered parable with other post-secondary credits, when all evidence is to the contrary? The broken transfer system represents a kind of elitism that makes me sick to my stomach. The Good News: The Government has announced $200 Million for skills, trades and apprentices over the next few years. For you, SAIT student, that could mean more grants, more bursaries, more scholarships, and improved resources. Combine this with the push toward tying-in industry with post-secondary to make sure all grads have the skills employers want with a job upon graduation and -- clearly -- it’s
For a term project, environmental technology students Ryan Drijber, Tyler Wolfe, Scott Pellegrino (left to right) and Keith Cole (not pictured) created an apartment-appropriate planter made entirely out of recycled materials. Students interested in building a planter of their own can follow Windows Need Green on Facebook for more information. AMANDA SIEBERT PHOTO
thing that students [at SAIT] could totally take advantage of,” Wolfe said. Students interested in building a garden of their own are
encouraged to follow their Windows Need Green group on Facebook, and to contact Wolfe by emailing him at tyler. wolfe@edu.sait.ca.
a good time to be a SAIT student. The Access to the Future Fund – a $1 Billion fund, dormant for years – has been revived. This year, the Fund will pump $50 Million into post-secondary. I don’t know how the cash will be split, but who’s to say it couldn’t be applied to projects like OERs? eCampus Alberta, an umbrella group that helps direct e-learning among institutions, just announced that its membership now includes every public postsecondary institution; that could be very significant. There is also some new service-funding available, so there may just be opportunities to acquire funding for mental health and on-campus childcare. For more details, check out the Budget yourself: budget.alberta.ca/ Finally, in talking with Minister Hancock, it is clear that trans-
ferability and access are key pillars of his agenda. He seems like a Minister who “Gets it.” At the very least he’s open to ideas. If the Budget’s the “flop”; I’m most excited for the “turn”. SAIT students should take comfort. The Government has noticed all the good you do, and has extended incredible opportunities to you. Of course, nothing will come easy, but I’ve never known SAIT or its students to shy away from a challenge. We’ll work for it; we always do.
The Executive Corner is a weekly column series written and submitted by members of the SAITSA Students’ Executive Council. This content is unedited by The Weal’s staff.
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theWeal.com | March 24, 2014
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SPORTS NEWS AND VIEWS FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY
Basketball provides escape for Trojan athlete
Sara Astorga's best friend's cousin died in the protests in Venezuela before the basketball playoffs, however she pushed through and ended up being a key player on the team. MIKAELA MACKENZIE PHOTO
BY CARYS RICHARDS SPORTS EDITOR
When life gets difficult, sports can provide athletes with a temporary escape, giving them something to focus on other than the turmoil in their own lives. This was the case with Sara
Astorga, a second-year Trojan who plays on the women’s basketball squad and is in the third year of her studies in construction project management. On Feb. 12, students in Venezuela began mounting an antigovernment protest, and it continues to this day. Although it may seem as though this conflict
is a world away, for Astorga, the protests struck close to home when one of her best friends lost a family member during a riot. The majority of Astorga’s family still resides in Barinas, Venezuela, and with the battle impacting both protestors and civilians, she worries constantly for her relatives. “Every day, my family is there, and something could happen,” she said. “We’re scared. My mom is scared every day and night.” With the Venezuelan government controlling all of the media coming out of the country and subjecting severe penalties and fines on any news outlet that does not adhere to their strict guidelines, Astorga took to social media to learn the truth from her friends. “At the beginning I was not paying attention in class, I was always on Facebook looking at everything. I tried [to pay attention], but it was hard. I’m here, and I can’t do anything.” Astorga turned to her teammates for support. Apart from their words of encouragement,
they also offered her flowers and cards, and Donovan Martin, the team’s head coach, nominated her for a Trojan of the Week award. Astorga spent weeks worrying for the safety of her friends and family, but left her troubles behind once she stepped out on the basketball court. “It’s basketball,” she said. “When I’m on the court I don’t think about anything. Just basketball.” Whenever she is playing with the team, Astorga says she can forget about everything else and focus on the game. As a point guard for the Trojans, Astorga’s job is to bring the ball from one side of the court to the other, to set up plays for her teammates, and above all else, to protect the ball. The women of Troy won both of their playoff qualifier games, but lost the quarterfinal to the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings on Feb. 28. “We were down by 20 in halftime,” Astorga said. “We came back, but lost by five points.” The team went on to defeat the Lakeland College Rustlers
in the Alberta College Athletics Conference (ACAC) Championship consolation semifinal on March 1, and then the Olds College Broncos in the fifth-place game the following afternoon. Astorga recorded 21 points over the course of the three games, and an additional 10 in the previous qualifiers. Now that the season is over, Astorga has tried to turn her focus onto her studies, but with the struggles continuing in her home country, her attention remains divided. Astorga plans to return to SAIT and continue playing for the Trojans in the fall, but between her heavy course load and working to secure a summer job, she is often busy and hasn’t had an opportunity to return to the court since the season ended. In the meantime, conflict continues to rage in Venezuela, and Astorga seeks to educate her colleagues about her country’s struggles through word of mouth. “There’s still protesting and people are dying,” she said. “Spread the word so people know what is going on.”
Trojan women’s success lands them in fifth place BY NICK BASRA WEAL WRITER
It was a successful 2013-14 season for the women’s basketball team. A year that saw the Trojans reach the playoffs. Injury plagued the roster early in the year. However, the team’s five rookies rose to the occasion and were a large part of the Trojans regular season success. Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) recognized Logan Moncks, one of the team’s five newcomers, and awarded her with the Rookie of the Year award for her tremendous play throughout the season. Moncks plays the post position on the team and is currently enrolled in the nutrition for healthy lifestyles program at SAIT. “This year was a year for growth. Our rookies got a lot of play time due to injury and were a huge reason we had such a good run down the stretch,” said team captain Kaitie Beard. Despite a slow start, the Trojans took charge and went on an impressive eight-game winning streak and finished the regular season off with a final record of 12 wins and eight losses. “It was very challenging. We had a slow start and a lot of one to two-point losses, but we’ve got a group of girls here that just wouldn’t quit,” Beard said. Last December, the women’s team went on a trip to Victoria,
B.C. to participate in a fundraising tournament. The tournament, in which the Trojans played three games that were not in the ACAC schedule, gave the team a little extra practice while the season was on freeze for exams. Lacking their head coach, assistant coaches Meachel Carnahan and Rambir Parmar coached the team to victory. The squad won the tournament with three wins and no losses. “We brought that momentum back to Alberta to finish the year strong,” Beard said. Thanks to a 19-point performance by Kaitie Beard on Feb. 21, the Trojans beat the Keyano College Huskies by a score of 61–53 in the ACAC playoff qualification game. The women of Troy were victorious again when they beat the Concordia University College of Alberta (CUCA) Thunder in a 53–42 victory the following day. Senior Trojan forward Anne Mercer finished that game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Veteran leadership and guidance from the team’s senior players helped the Trojans be successful early in the playoffs. However, the team fell short five points in the quarter-finals at the hands of the University of Alberta Vikings in a 71–66 loss on Feb. 28. The Trojans then wrapped up the 2013-14 campaign by
placing fifth in the ACAC with a nail-biting 75–67 victory over the Olds College Barons on March 2. “I think the women’s suc-
cess this past season just boiled down to them having fun. Towards the end of the regular season, you could see that they enjoyed playing with
one another,” said assistant coach Carnahan. “Having that chemistry then allowed them to perform better.”
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com
RTBN grad a radio announcer for the FAN 960
Sean Smith, a 2013 graduate from the SAIT radio, television and broadcast news program, landed his current job as an announcer for radio station FAN 960 during his second year at SAIT. DREW CRAWFORD PHOTO
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Radio, television and broadcast news alum Sean Smith broke onto the radio scene as a sports announcer for the FAN 960 before he even graduated from SAIT in 2013. Smith applied for an internship at the FAN 960 in October 2012, and his interview went so well that instead of the internship, he was offered a job as a radio announcer right away. Kelly Kirch, Smith’s interviewer, had heard some of Smith’s Trojan hockey broadcasts and Campus Radio on-air shows prior to the interview, and this went a long way in helping him get the job. “The radio world is really small, and people [in the industry] are always looking for up-and-comers, especially from SAIT,” Smith said. Radio has always been a part of Smith’s life as his father, Collin Smith—known to his fans at CJAY 92, Global Sports, and the FAN 960 as ‘Joe Sports’—was a radio announcer for over 17 years. After Collin Smith died of leukemia in 2007, Sean realized that being a radio announcer was what he wanted to do with his life because “it was a way to carry on [my dad’s] legacy, but through my own process.” Upon graduating from Centennial High School in 2010, Smith upgraded his courses and later began the radio television and broadcast news program in the fall of 2011. “[SAIT has been] the best years of my life, as of this point,” said Smith. “I loved it even though it was tough. Four years’ worth of in-
formation jammed into two was stressful at times.” But all of that tough work has paid off and has enabled Smith to succeed in the industry. At SAIT, Smith learned how to produce and write commercials for radio, as well as work with the same equipment that he now uses at the FAN 960. Smith loves his job at the FAN 960, because he literally gets paid to watch sports and talk about it all day. His favorite sport is basketball, which he played competitively in the Calgary Youth Development Centre (CYDC) basketball house league when he was younger. However, basketball is not a popular sport in Calgary, and according to him, “it’s the least talked about sport at the FAN 960 —that’s probably the only thing I dislike about my job.” Aside from the station’s lack of basketball coverage, Smith also works difficult hours. He does not have control over which shifts he works at the station, and is currently working a lot of mornings from 5 a.m.–12 p.m., though he admits he is “not a morning person.” For RTBN students looking to make it like he did, Smith advises they work hard and listen to their instructors at SAIT because “they’ve been in the industry themselves, and know exactly what to expect.” However, Smith realizes he got a pretty lucky break during his second year at SAIT, and he urges students to keep looking for jobs and keep applying. “Apply everywhere you can. One of those stations is bound to give you a call back.”
theWeal.com | March 24, 2014
Arts & Entertainment
7
CULTURE FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY
ACAD student flaunts creativity with unique style BY ALEXANDRA BESSANT WEAL WRITER
Creativity and style go hand in hand for any great trendsetter, especially Sabrina Di Marco, a second-year visual communications student at ACAD. Wearing a blue cardigan over a white floral dress, black leggings, and heeled boots, Di Marco looked ready for spring.
quirkiness and my passion for art which transcends to my wardrobe.
TW: What person inspires your fashion sense? Di Marco: I do like Andy Warhol’s fashion sense. He was known for being out there with his art and his outfits. They clearly reflected how unique his sense of style truly was.
TW: How does your style differ from others?
Di Marco took time out of her busy schedule to share with The Weal her outlook on style, and other trending fashion statements.
Di Marco: I have been told that my style can be bold. I can wear any colour, such as neons and pastel colours. I find that I don’t care what others think of what I wear. My fashion is to please me, not others. All that counts is that I am happy with what I am wearing.
The Weal: What personal style do you aim for?
TW: Do you prefer online shopping or not?
Sabrina Di Marco: I strive for the boho look. I would really like to pull that style off. I would love to be able to wear clothes that are nicely baggy with bold prints that are new-age…and hippie-like. Though I do like to add [a bit of] conservative style by wearing blouses and cardigans.
Di Marco: To me, it doesn’t matter. I find it easier to buy clothes at an actual clothing store, since online shopping can have its problems. Sure, you may find some cute clothes, but online shopping can sometimes be too expensive, and takes too long for it come in the mail.
TW: What does your style say about you?
Also, it may end up not fitting properly which ends up making [your outfit] look unflattering and [you’re] stuck with a dress you can’t wear at all.
Di Marco: My style reflects my creativity. It shows my
TW: Do you prefer expensive shopping or bargain shopping? Di Marco: I am not too frugal since I do love a good sale, but I can’t buy clothes secondhand. It’s just not in my nature. The feeling of wearing secondhand clothes is alien to me, which makes me feel gross and uncomfortable despite washing them. Though, generally, I do like shopping in trendy but affordable clothing stores like Forever 21 and H&M.
TW: What is something that you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing? Di Marco: I would not wear crop tops. I’m a bigger person, and I know that. It’s just not meant for me, but for others it may just work. Also, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing velvet. The velvet trend should have died and never come back. If I wanted to be a shaggy rug, I would be. But what’s the worst, is six-inch heels because it’s easy to get hurt with them on, and makes you look awkward.
TW: What style advice would you give to other people? Di Marco: People should learn how to wear certain styles properly. For example: crop tops are meant to be worn with high-waisted bottoms. Also, [make an] effort to look your best. You never know who may be looking...Just be unique and be yourself.
Getting to the root of calgary’s folk music festival BY YASMIN MAYNE A&E EDITOR
ALEXANDRA BESSANT PHOTO
Folk music fanatics and novices alike can expand their knowledge of Calgary’s folk music scene March 29 at Festival Hall. The evening will be filled with live folk music, singalongs, and a movie. The Calgary Collection, in collaboration with the Calgary Folk Music Festival, is hosting a movie and live music event, to immerse Calgarians in their city’s rich folk music culture. The event will debut Where the Sage Brush Grows, a 30-minute documentary about the history and growth of the Calgary folk music community. There will also be three performances from musicians from the Calgary Collection —a local folk music group dedicated to exploring folk music and encouraging its growth in Calgary.
“Folk music is for everyone. You don’t need to be able to read music or even sing well. You just need to be able to enjoy seeing someone’s heart on stage,” said Gillian McKercher, the director and producer of the folk music documentary. Attendees will hopefully get a chance to see, firsthand, performers’ hearts on stage. Performing at the event are Nathan M. Godfrey, a guitar player whose music has roots in early Tango dance music; longtime banjo player Barry Luft; and Mike Tod, Robbie Bankes, and Elizabeth Brennan, a trio of multi-instrumentalist musicians. According to McKercher, “the performances are really inclusive, and will probably include some sing-alongs,” but students need not worry if they don’t know anything about folk music or the words to the songs. “Folk music is for the common people. It’s stripped down and it’s basic,” she said.
“You might surprise yourself that, by the end, you may actually know the words to some of the songs.” The 30-minute documentary is also geared towards individuals who don’t know anything about folk music, because it gives a general overview of the development of folk music in Calgary. The event will be especially beneficial for students because McKercher said “there is a big disconnect between students and the city in terms of art, and this event will open the door for them to realize how much we have here.” “Come to our event if you want to try something new that really represents the heart of Calgary.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 online at thecalgarycollection.ca or $20 at the door.
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com
Lifestyle YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Storage solutions for your small space problems
SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
BY SABRINA SCARPINO LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to tackle the dreaded job of cleaning and
organizing cluttered homes, bedrooms, and dorms. Paula Blundell, owner and founder of Calgary’s innercity professional organizing company, Room to Breathe, said
students living in small spaces have plenty of organizing and storage options. Blundell said that many people, including most of their clients, often get panicked when trying to get organized. Rather than panicking, she advised students “just tackle a small space at a time and schedule it in.” The organizer also offered a few tips for students to help them out this spring.
Under the bed In order to take advantage of storage space under the bed, use plastic bins that will fit in the space under the bed for clothing, footwear, sports equipment, and more. “Try raising your bed to fit more organized storage under there,” Blundell said. Buying clear bins makes it easier to remember what’s inside, and labelling each bin also helps. Blundell also recommended recycling old and used wooden crates as an alternative to using plastic bins because they work just as well, they provide a unique style, and are environmentally friendly.
Adding caster wheels to wooden crates—or buying bins with wheels—makes it easier to roll bins in and out from underneath a bed.
stand.” Hardware stores sell rods with attached hooks that can store small bags and hats, as well as bins that can store smaller items like cellphones and books.
Shop smart
Flaunt your floor
Blundell advised students to consider buying furniture items with built-in storage, such as a coffee table with hidden drawers, that maximize storage space in addition to serving its main purpose. For Blundell, there’s only one place to consider shopping at when on the market for furniture fit for a small space. “Shop at Ikea,” she said. “They know what they’re doing when it comes to small spaces.”
Consider buying folding tables and chairs instead of bulkier furniture items. Fold up the tables and chairs when they aren’t needed and lean them against a wall, or hang them up on wall-mounted hooks. This will create floor space in a matter of minutes.
Utilize your walls To make use of wall space, buy removable adhesive hooks and stick them in useful places. Add over-the-door hooks to bathroom, closet, and entry-way doors. These hooks can become a new home for coats, towels, and bags that would otherwise be strewn across the floor. If there isn’t room for a bedside table, Blundell suggested students create a “hanging night
Maximize your closet space Slimline hangers are thinner than traditional hangers and can be purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond. Other non-brand name slim hangers can also be purchased at Sears, Target, and online at the Container Store. The thinner design of these hangers makes it easier to fit more clothes in a closet. Blundell said that adding a portable double rod to a closet can also double hanging space, and can be removed easily from dorm closets when a student moves out.
theWeal.com | March 24, 2014
How much security is too much?
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Saddledome’s Heightened security a sore spot for some BY KRISTA CONRAD OPINIONS EDITOR
The Scotiabank Saddledome is now among many large North American public assembly venues with heightened security and metal detectors at its doors. While the metal detectors may not seem over-the-top on their own, the list of items now prohibited from entering the Saddledome has been the root of much criticism among residents of Calgary and the surrounding area. These banned items range from the reasonably expected—weapons, drugs, alcohol, outside food—to the seemingly absurd—air horns, glow sticks, and spiked jewellery, to name a few. Neck and wallet chains are only allowed to be a certain length and thickness, and patrons dare not bring an oversized purse or bag unless they’re willing to having its contents thoroughly searched. Some bags will be denied entry completely if they do not fit tidily under the stadium’s seats. The National Hockey League (NHL) mandated the change, and the Saddledome is not the only venue implementing these changes at the demand of the organization. The trend began with the National Football League (NFL) in 2012 and by the end of 2014, both Major League Baseball and the NHL will have metal detection devices installed at their gates. Many Calgary residents have commented on news websites that these changes will deter them from attending not only Calgary Flames games, but also concerts, circuses, figure skating performances, and other special events. Some are offended that the league would compare mild-mannered Calgary to U.S. cities like New York or Los Angeles, or that our city
could possibly be dangerous enough to warrant such measures. “If the league is mandating this then [Calgary Flames owner] Mr. Edwards needs to have a chat with [NHL commissioner] Bettman. The article says sign of the times. Not my times,” one commenter declared in response to the article that appeared in the Calgary Sun on Feb. 27, referring to the heightened security at the Dome. In similar online comments, many residents claim they will refuse to visit the Saddledome to avoid long waits in the security lines at the gate, or in objection to the fact that their freedom is being threatened. Among the most concerned are those with medical issues like diabetes or severe allergies, as insulin needles and epinephrine injectors will not be permitted into the Saddledome. “Looks like I’m done going to Flames games,” commented one insulin user on Metro Calgary’s online article about the changes being made to Saddledome security. Families with infants and toddlers will have to think twice before attending familyfriendly events if they can’t bring a backpack or diaper bag to carry the necessities required for young children, as these bags are now barred from the Saddledome. The freedom of Calgarians seems to be at stake, as we bow to the whims of a league based in the United States and hand ourselves over to what many have termed a “police state.” A little enhanced security is certainly reasonable, but the NHL seems to have gone overboard here, and it’s not just their fans who are affected by the new security tactics. It’s affecting all of Calgary, its image, and the general feeling of liberty among the people who pay to live and play here.
sait.ca/recreation
DE-STRESS with a Couple’s Massage Class Thursday April 10 7:00pm-9:00pm $34.50 per person
Please register both people
Register today at sait.ca/recreation or call 403.284.7248
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com
Alberta’s Destination University. Make it yours.
Make
YOUR MOVE Your next move will set your career in motion
College transfer student Courtney Lockhart always knew she wanted to pursue a career in politics. What she didn’t know was that a degree from the University of Lethbridge would take her from Lethbridge all the way to Capitol Hill. Courtney secured a co-op position at Global Centurion in Washington, D.C., an organization focused on the abolition of modern slavery. Not only did Courtney see
former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton give a speech at the Department of State, but her work allowed her to see the impact of human rights advocacy first-hand. Recognized on the national stage as one of Canada’s topthree undergraduate institutions (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings) and one of Canada’s top-three undergraduate research universities (RE$EARCH Infosource, 2013), uLethbridge
Campuses in Lethbridge | Calgary | Edmonton *Terms and conditions apply
provides students opportunities to take their education outside the classroom – something that Courtney says gave her insight into future jobs. The uLethbridge Faculty of Arts and Science offers more than 30 transfer and post-diploma programs for you to choose from. After completing your diploma, earn a degree in as little as two years.
/artsci
Our co-operative education and internship opportunities let you explore your interests while gaining practical experience that will give you the skills and experience to shape your career.
Apply by June 1 to be eligible for a free semester of tuition.*
theWeal.com | March 24, 2014
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WestJet passenger’s modern sexism a flashback to the 1950s BY KRISTA CONRAD OPINIONS EDITOR
It’s hard to believe that with all the progress our society has made toward gender equality, someone could have the nerve to condemn a female pilot for her career choice. When Carey Smith Steacy landed her WestJet flight from Calgary to Victoria on March 2, she found a note that did just that. A man who identified himself only as David scrawled a message for Steacy on a WestJet napkin and left it behind on his 12E seat before leaving the plane. The note stated that “the cockpit of [an] airliner is no place for woman,” and that “being a mother is the most honor [sic], not as ‘captain.’” Steacy, a mother of two and experienced pilot of 17 years, posted the note on her Facebook page with a strong, professional, and witty response that WestJet has proudly supported. WestJet issued a media release on March 7, the eve of International Women’s Day, indicating that they would like to see an increase in the number of female pilots on their flight team. The company’s current roster of over 1,200 pilots includes just 68 females. The low percentage of females in the industry is not uncommon, but is on the rise as more women continue to enter careers previously dominated by men. Of 204 students enrolled in SAIT’s aviation training programs, 15 are female. With the many milestones that have been achieved in gender equality, it is not surprising that Steacy’s retort has made international headlines and caused waves of public outrage
SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
online as the pictures of David’s napkin and her accompanying comeback have gone viral. Yet it is astonishing to realize, in our modern society where women have climbed so many social, educational, and business ladders, that these views can still exist here in western Canada.
I would hate to see what David would have to say about me, a single mother of three going to school full-time for my journalism arts diploma, so that I may obtain a career in what was, historically, a maledominated field. Imagine his views on couples who decide that the
male will stay home with the children, because the female spouse makes more money at her career, or cannot leave her particular job for a full 12month maternity leave. With views like David’s out there—and they do exist, whether or not we see or choose to acknowledge
them—it seems as though for every bit of progress made toward gender equality, there is still someone digging in his or her heels to prevent forward momentum. The encouraging lesson from all of this is that most of the general public will not stand for such outrageous views. The online retaliation against David is proof of that. Unfortunately he does, of course, have his supporters. And those are the opinions that women still have to fight against as they move into their careers and enter the business world. These men believe that a woman only belongs at home with the children, maintaining the perfect household for her hardworking husband. Or, worse yet, they believe that a woman in the workplace is only meant to be a sexual object (read: the 1950s secretaries, or ‘girls,’ as they were called). Realistically, some women choose not to have children, and some physically cannot. That does not make them any less feminine than those who are mothers, and it does not mean that their contributions to our culture and society are less valuable. As for the working mothers, they need not be ridiculed for their decisions either. In most cases, given our economy, a woman has no choice but to be a working mom. Our duty is to ensure that our generation and its children are educated with open minds and open arms to embrace both the men in the home sector and the women who climb the corporate ladder or who choose to spread their wings and fly.
First-year journalism student Robyn Hertz asks the SAIT campus:
“If you were going to space, what planet would you go to?”
“Mars because it is the most
“Mars: the most viable option due
“Jupiter. It has the big red spot—
“Somewhere no human has gone
“Neptune. It has some cool
“Jupiter, from the song ‘Drops of
suitable to human life. It has less
to the past years of research.”
that’s pretty cool.”
before.”
names for [its] moons.”
Jupiter.’”
gravity so your body won’t be as strained.” Bjorn Neustaedter, first-year
Mitch Brayley, second-year
Deana Stewart, six-month
Miguel Miranda, first-year
Mary Pauls, six-month program
Aly Williams, second-year travel
broadcast system technologies
electronics engineering technology
program pharmacy assisting
mechanical engineering student
pharmacy assisting student
and tourism student
student
student
student
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March 24, 2014 | theWeal.com