The Weal December 2018 edition

Hyggin’ since 1926.

Vol. 93 Issue#4 December 2018

Why does cannabis affect people under 25 differently?

A. It doesn’t

B. Because science

C. Their brains are D. Both B and C still developing

l a e W e Th f o g n i n a e m s a m t s i Chr All the way until Christmas, keep an eye on our Twitter feed, and Instagram story for our ongoing Christmas music play list curated by our staff!

D. Both B & C are correct Cannabis has risks at any age.

But until age 25, your brain is still developing.

Weed can damage that.

Take the full quiz at:

drugsafe.ca

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theWEAL PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Sheldon Smith EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ruwald de Fortier LAYOUT EDITOR

Katie Chau NEWS EDITOR

Sean Feagan NEWS WRITER

Rizwana Shaikh A&E EDITOR

Andrew Bardsley LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Tiffany Oud

LIFESTYLE WRITER

Carmen Cundy SPORTS EDITOR

Alex Hamilton SPORTS WRITER

Brett Klassen OPINIONS EDITOR

Emilie Charette STAFF WRITER

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STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Rorie Stannard

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CONTENTS

See the patterns to avoid addiction Too many cooks don’t spoil the broth Elder-in-Residence Maria Campbell recollects writing career The chemical and clinical complexities of cannabis

3 4 6 8

Lifestyle: Counter the strain of the digital age with Hygge Success after SAIT: Instructor of the month Vanessa Mendoza A dose of music

9 10 12

Sports: Matthew Travaglini, the dominant Trojan Spreading the Inferno Behind the scenes at Trojans games Killing it, digging it Don’t forget the Paralympians More national success for Trojans cross-country

13 14 16 18 19 20

Arts & Entertainment: Joey Landreth’s Gateway show in pictures Warm yourself with a bit of Christmas joy Whitehorse: A new twist on the classics Using film to create action

21 22 25 26

Opinions: Grinches gonna Grinch O Christmas tree: ditch the fake tree this December Start the day off right with a personalized morning routine #MeToo: Change from within Post post-secondary: finding success after school

27 28 29 30 32

theWeal.com Dec. 04 2018

3

News

See the patterns to avoid addiction Responsible substance use is about mitigating risk for you and others Sean Feagan News Editor

A

ddiction doesn’t strike like a snake – instead, it’s a slow creep, like a poisonous and proliferating black blob. Thankfully, learning the signs of substance abuse can help stop its toxic tendrils.

National Addictions Awareness Week, Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, is an initiative by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction to raise awareness of substance use disorders in Canada.

Students may be at higher risk of developing an addiction, as statistics published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health indicate that Canadians aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance disorders than any other age group.

While people may think of addiction in terms of the binary states of “addicted” and “not addicted,” it actually manifests across a spectrum of severity, said Jaime Jenkins, a registered professional counsellor specializing in addiction.

The risk of substance use is dependent on the substance, and the way it is used, she explained.

Jenkins assesses patterns of use into broad categories of severity and risk, which she likens to run difficulty ratings at a ski hill, with easier runs representing behaviours with lower risk, and more difficult runs representing riskier behaviours.

“You start with the green run – that’s starting [to use a substance] with beneficial use, like that cup of coffee in the morning, one glass of wine, or cultural practices like the

Safe consumption sites provide individuals with a hygienic and stress-free environment to consume recreational drugs. (Photo provided by Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre) use of ayahuasca in a ceremony.”

The next level of risk is the “blue run”, which is the responsible use of a substance, without affecting the life of the user in a major way, she said.

Where things get significantly riskier are “black diamond” behaviours, which delve into the realm of abuse.

Examples of these include using a prescription medication for an unintended purpose, and feeling dependent on a substance to perform key functions like work, sleep, or socializing.

“If the reason why you are using a substance is something other than pure enjoyment, then you start abusing the substance – you’re using it for something different.”

When there’s abuse, users continue to engage in risky behaviour, Jenkins explained.

“You start to use more alone, you start to do things like drinking and driving, and you start increasing your risk of use – you are increasing your level of risk.”

The double black diamond level is full-blown addiction, which Jenkins says is characterized by the three C’s: cravings (thinking about the substance when it’s not around), compulsion (not being in control of use despite negative outcomes), and [a lack of concern for] consequences.

Given these factors, it’s no wonder people have difficulty addressing addiction, said Jenkins.

“You can see how people progress up there and end up at the top of the mountain without really realizing it.”W Health Link: 811 Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322 Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642

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4

News

Too many cooks don’t spoil the broth Megan Maher News Writer

C

onnie Desousa, SAIT 2018 Distinguished Alumni, became a chef, honed her craft, and co-established a top Calgary restaurant: Charcut.

She’s also the co-founder of Charbar, Alley Burger, and the Rooftop Bar at Simmons, and competed in Top Chef Canada. We asked her a few questions about developing her craft and her approach to food:

What’s your style of food?

My philosophy on food has evolved over the years, but it’s been important to us to support local farmers and producers. We’re very passionate about ingredients. We would never give up things like amazing French cheese or olive oil or citrus because they don’t grow in our region, but we like to say we’re going back to basics. We try not to over-manipulate different ingredients. We try to make them shine.

What has influenced you as a chef?

Every place that I’ve worked for and every opportunity I’ve had to work with other chefs, not only as an apprentice. It’s important to never stop learning and looking for opportunities to grow. I’m always looking for new flavours, new ingredients, and different forms of inspiration.

Do you have any advice for people who want to cook at home?

I think people find cooking at home daunting because of the preparation and clean-up. I think planning is the most important thing before you go shopping. Making prep lists at home and doing meal prep so you’re not doing it all in one night.

I think it’s fun to cook with friends so you don’t have to do it all by yourself. You can each make a dish in whatever theme you’re cooking.

Connie DeSousa poses for portrait inside her restaurant Charbar in Calgary on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. DeSousa is a graduate of Professional Cooking from the year 2000, and will be receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award for her achievements in her field.(Photo by Patrick Concepcion/SAIT)

What’s happening in your community

5

What do think was the most beneficial about the professional cooking program?

The base curriculum itself was great and prepared me for working in the real world. I think the networking with the culinary instructors was more beneficial in terms of hiring employees for my business. I’ve always kept a repertoire of all the great chefs that taught me at SAIT and the ones that I’ve met in the industry. That’s always been beneficial in my work as an entrepreneur.

theWeal.com Dec. 04 2018

How have you developed your craft since graduating SAIT? I’ve travelled to South Africa, Germany, San Francisco, Norway, Italy, USA, and throughout Canada since I attended SAIT. I had the opportunity to go to a technical school and a school as good as SAIT, but I learned a lot through my experience.

Connie DeSousa, a graduate of SAIT’s professional cooking program, won the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award for her achievements as a chef and entrepreneur. (Photo by Patrick Concepcion)

How did SAIT help prepare you for your career as a chef?

I attended SAIT in 2000, right out of high school. I hadn’t always wanted to be a chef. I studied ballet for years prior before the thought of becoming a chef came into my mind.

It was my passion for food, and especially sausages, that took me in the direction of want to be a chef. I enrolled at SAIT in the professional cook program.

The instructors were great, and they prepared you for the real world, in terms of working in a restaurant. The culinary program in SAIT is ranked one of the best in Calgary, if not the world.

They’re leaders when it comes to teaching and the courses they have. I assisted on the board in terms of development of curriculum. They’re always looking at ways to freshen it up and make it more current.

What advice would you give to students?

I think what really helped me when I was in school was having a clear path of what I wanted to achieve. Some people don’t have an idea of what they want to do after school. Graduation kind of creeps up, so once I decided what I wanted, I wrote everything down on paper and tried to follow that agenda.

Out of school, I think it’s important to latch onto a mentor who can really help you with growth in the industry.

As much as SAIT tries to prepare you for the technical world, it comes as a bit of a shock. They want you to do well in school but once you get out into the industry, it’s always a little more tense.

W

Connie DeSousa on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (Photo by Patrick Concepcion/SAIT)

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6

News

Elder-in-Residence Maria Campbell recollects writing career Métis author and elder visited SAIT to discuss her works and role as an activist Rizwana Shaikh News Writer

M

aria Campbell, a Métis author and elder, paid a visit to SAIT to share some of her experiences as an Indigenous writer.

On Nov. 14, she was featured at the Chinook Lodge Resource Centre on campus to discuss her work as an author, playwright, broadcaster, and filmmaker. Prior to delivering a speech to the crowd about her experiences, students were able to sit with her and visit.

Campbell said in an interview that writing doesn’t always result in fame or riches.

“If you want to write, I think you should write, but be aware that there are very few writers that make a lot of money,” she said.

Students should pursue higher edu- Maria Campbell reads from her book ; Stories of the Road Allowance People’ to the cation and possibly a career to support crowd of students and faculty at SAIT in Calgary on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo themselves through the writing pro- by Rizwana Shaikh/The Weal) cess, because not many authors make enough money to live on, Campbell true story about two midwives based a memoir of her first 30 years of life, on her own grandmother and a Ger- will be published, and will include a said. missing chapter and a new introduc“Get yourself something to support man woman.

She said both women met when tion. it [writing] because it’s like a bad habher grandmother needed help while The book started out as journal enit.”

Campbell said her writing comes delivering a baby, and found Missus, tries and eventually transformed into a from “a place of activism,” and helps a midwife who was able to help. The novel, Campbell told the crowd of over play is Campbell’s take on their friend- 70 people, including students and facher speak on issues she cares about.

She usually writes very early in the ship, which transcended the barrier of ulty. When she finalized her novel for publishers, a chapter was taken out bemorning and edits in the afternoon. language.

“The two midwives got together before publication. As a result, the book Her solution to overcoming writers cause one of them needed help, and was published without it, and the origiblock is to put away her work for a latthey became lifelong friends, but neinal manuscript was destroyed. er time.

She said the missing chapter was reCampbell’s upcoming projects in- ther one of them spoke each other’s language,” said Campbell. cently found, and it was “important” to clude two plays: “Inquiry,” about missIn the spring of 2019, an updated include because it spoke about her first ing and murdered Indigenous women, version of her first book, “Halfbreed,” sexual assault

by RCMP officers, which and “The Nohkan and the Missus,” a

What’s happening in your community

was a “significant” event that lends deeper understanding to the turns her life took afterwards.

Her first book, published in 1973, is used in universities and colleges across the country as a course tool in various areas of study. It continues to sell at a steady rate, resulting in steady royalties

7

for Campbell. She said the success of the book has more to do with the timing of the publication, as opposed to her writing.

“The climate was ready for it [Halfbreed], and when it got published, it did very well so I was lucky,” said Campbell. W

Elder in Residence, Maria Campbell at the Chinook Lodge Centre at SAIT in Calgary on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Rizwana Shaikh/The Weal)

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“I feel good about the work that I do – I feel like I’m fulfilling what I wanted to do.” - Maria Campbell, a Métis author and elder.

Maria Campbell giving her presentation about her writing career in the Chinook Lodge on SAIT campus in Calgary on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. She spoke about her writing, beginning with Halfbreed. (Photo by Rizwana Shaikh/The Weal)

theWeal.com Dec. 04 2018

8

News

The chemical and clinical complexities of cannabis Understanding the mechanisms and effects of cannabinoids in the body and brain

By Brett Klassen Sports Writer

T

he science of cannabis is complex – the plant contains a vast array of organic molecules, each of which causes a unique effect on the body.

The interactions of cannabis and health were discussed during a panel, Cannabis: Past and Present, held at the University of Calgary on Nov. 2.

The panel was a collaboration between Reforming Education on Drugs (RED), a student-run organization whose mission is to “establish a foundational understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in illicit drug use and substance abuse,” and KannaVolve, a team of physicians and researchers who develop and provide information about cannabis use.

Prohibition of cannabis has stymied academic research on its effects, said Dr. Craig Pearce, clinical anesthesiologist for Alberta Health Services.

“As a result of it being labelled as a Schedule I drug, we’re about 100 years behind in research,” he said.

Cannabis exerts effects on the body through chemical compounds called cannabinoids, of which there are three main classes: phytyocannabinoids, including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), are plant-derived; endocannabinoids, which are produced naturally in the bodies of humans and other mammals; and synthetic cannabinoids, which are produced artificially.

When these compounds are produced naturally or ingested, cannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid system, an array of specific receptors on cells throughout the body, explained Pearce.

“Receptors are essentially locks that open doors, [while] the chemical, like

THC or other cannabinoids, are like keys,” he said.

“They float through our body, fall into the right shape, that lock opens.”

The two most researched endocannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2, are crucial throughout the body, said Pearce.

CB1 is “probably one of the most prevalent and widely distributed, concentrated receptors of that type we have in our nervous system,” while CB2 is a “peripheral receptor” mainly present in immune cells, Peace explained.

“They [CB2 receptors] probably are the key receptors for cannabis in mediation and treatment of pain disorders,” he said.

The effectiveness of cannabis-derived cannabinoids for pain and inflammation management is well supported by medical literature, said Pearce.

“CBD and THC have both shown to reduce different types of pain,” he said.

CBD is the main substance Pearce prescribes to treat pain and inflammation, as it shows “great potential.”

Besides CBD being effective to counteract for physical anguish, it can also help those who are struggling with anxiety, he said.

For recreational users to avoid a paranoia-laced “bad trip,” Pearce recommends the selection of a CBD-dominant cannabis strain, and limiting THC levels to below around 10 to 12 per cent.

CBD oil, a type of cannabis extract, has been monumental for struggling children and for the medical industry, which is in the process of producing regulatory-approved cannabinoid products, said Pearce.

Epidiolex, the first cannabis drug approved by the FDA, has been shown to help children who are dealing with various forms of epilepsy, and may be favourable to other medications in some

instances, he said.

“Often these kids are on a multitude of anti-epileptic medication,” Pearce said.

“They don’t have a lot of energy to do things, and if you can get them off those conventional anti-epileptic medications with a drug like CBD or Epidiolex, you find that they turn into different kids,” Pearce said.

An endogenous cannabinoids deficiency could contribute to a variety of poorly understood disorders, though this research remains controversial, he explained.

“Some people have a propensity to be anxious, some people are depressed, and some people don’t deal with stress well.

“We think these are neurochemical changes in the brain involved in those disorders.”

The use of cannabis at home could result in more accidents in the workplace, said Dr. Riz Qureshi, clinical associate of family oncology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and founder of KannaVolve.

“There was an increase in risk of accidents with cannabis use employees,” Qureshi said.

“Employees who tested positive have 55 per cent more industrial accidents and 85 percent more risk to injury.”

He added that another important thing for employers to know is the complexity of the substance, and that it’s beyond discussing just THC and CBD. “What’s the dosage? How are you consuming it? How do edibles differ from smoking, or vaping?”

Qureshi believes that there are “massive amounts of potential” with cannabis being used medically.

“We’ve only studied two [cannabinoids], THC, and CBD, and look at what’s come out of that, and there are over 100 cannabinoids in that plant.”

W

theWeal.com Dec. 04 2018

9

Lifestyle

Counter the strain of the digital age with Hygge

Living the Hygge lifestyle is as easy as curling up with a good book and some tea. The Danish way of life focuses on being comfy, comfortable, and stress-free. (Photo by Jp Pitogo/SAIT)

By Carmen Cundy Lifestyle Writer

S

candinavians agree that Canadians could benefit from the concept of hygge time, which might help make the winter a little less frosty, and a lot more cozy.

Winters in Scandinavian countries are long and cold, and days are short with little light. According to Eva Mamchur at the Danish Canadian Club, on a cold, dark, winter night, the Danes will say to each other, “Let’s go home and hygge.”

Hygge time might include some candlelight, hot chocolate, or a glass of wine, but according to Mamchur, it really means getting together with family or friends “to just create a little cozy atmosphere.”

Hygge time has to do with getting through a dark winter, and Canadi-

ans could also benefit from this approach, according to Mamchur.

Hygge, pronounced Hoo-Gah, is an all-purpose word that can be used as an adjective, a noun, or a verb, according to Krista Hermanson, founder of Krista Hermanson Design in Calgary, Alta.

The Danish word means something close to “cozy time,” but the emphasis is on human connection and spending time with friends and family. “[Hygge] is about having real conversations without getting distracted by outside things – so electronics, television, or the outside world.”

Hygge time could be the answer to the “hyper-paced, technologically-driven” world we live in, according to Hermanson.

“I really believe that hygge is the antidote to the stresses of modern

life. So I’ve become a little bit of a hygge evangelist.”

Turning off one’s phone would be a very hygge thing to do, but all technology doesn’t need to get the boot.

Watching television, or playing Nintendo Wii, could be a hygge thing to do as long as it’s time spent with loved ones.

A Friday movie night, with a big bowl of popcorn and some cozy blankets and pillows, all while snuggling up on your sectional would be a very hygge thing to do, according to Hermanson.

“The focus is on people having the experience as opposed to the delivery of an outside experience.”

There are some simple ways Hermanson said students can employ hygge into their lives: Be intentional about the environment you’re trying to create.

Reduce overhead lighting and eliminate fluorescent lights, and light some candles to create a soft glow.

Make yourself a delicious cup of tea, or another favourite hot beverage.

Curl up with a good book or a cozy blanket and take a few moments to exhale the pressures of the day.

Have real conversations, and put the phone away.

“It’s not good for our brains to be constantly yanked out of what we’re doing and pulled into other environments.

“What happens is the opposite of mindfulness. We end up being fractured, which our body translates as stress.” “[Hygge] is stress relief. If you come home and you’re stressed, it’s a little light in that dark winter,” said Mamchur.W

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Lifestyle

Success after SAIT

SAIT culinary alumni find professional success at home and abroad

By Tiffany Oud Lifestyle Editor

S

AIT culinary instructor, Chef Vanessa Mendoza, coaches SAIT alumni to success in an international cooking competition in Shanghai, China.

SAIT graduate and cook at the River Café Jack Christensen, 23, won silver for his chicken dish, and bronze for his lamb during the 2018 Food Hotel China International Culinary Arts Competition.

While traveling to Shanghai, the team was stopped at the border, where the food intended for the competition was confiscated.

“It was a rollercoaster,” states Christensen.

“We had three and a half days to find everything we needed.”

“His [Christensen’s] tenacity and his drive, wanting to succeed and never giving up – I think that’s what I admire most about him,” expresses Mendoza.

Both team members had a successful start to their careers after graduating from the culinary program at SAIT, Mendoza graduating in 1996, and Christensen in 2016.

Mendoza began her cooking journey with a desire to become a food chemist, but attending SAIT gave her the opportunity and support to travel and compete. She says that her mentors and instructors “have given me enough confidence that I could take on the world.”

The chef cooked at the Highwood at SAIT, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in

Chef Vanessa Mendoza is one of SAIT’s Culinary instructors. She has accumulated numerous accolades, and has 19 years experience in the kitchen and counting.

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Rorie Stannard)

“When you’re cooking, you cook from your heart.”

- SAIT Culinary instructor Vanessa Mendoza

“Everything that the chefs [at family always eats together, and “it’s SAIT] told me about sacrifice, dedi- not really a gathering for us if you cation, and humility – and everything don’t eat and laugh.” you need to be a successful chef – it all “There’s a word, it’s called ‘commade more sense.” mensality’. [It] means the gathering According to Mendoza, students of people around the table and sharsometimes lose sight of their passion ing of food and ideas.” for cooking during the course, and She explains that cooking “trancan take it too seriously. spires your love for the food, and the “Cooking’s supposed to be fun.” ones you’re going to be sharing that Cooking is a lifetime journey of food with. learning, which Mendoza says is “When you’re cooking, you cook meant to be shared with others. The from your heart.” W Ottawa, and was a part-time wine chef, who grew up in Calgary, says her consultant in Germany before becoming an instructor at SAIT almost five years ago.

“I would not have been successful without SAIT’s constant support, but now I wanted to give back to the students,” explains Mendoza.

The instructor says she hopes to inspire current and past students to cook, pursue their goals, and retain their passion for cooking.

“My goal is to see all students succeed in whatever path they take.”

She is dedicated to giving her students the same confidence and knowledge that she has gained, and hopes to see her students reach for even higher successes than her own.

Christensen describes Mendoza as a teacher with high standards, yet full of patience and compassion.

“A lot of people will say she’s too tough, but that’s the stuff that makes you better.”

He says the culinary program helped take his skills to the next level. During his first year at SAIT, he competed in a skills competition, in which he finished last. He explains that “I learnt from my mistakes and had to step it up.” The following year he competed again, and won bronze.

He was inspired by the chefs at SAIT, and found himself prepared for his current position by his education.

After graduating, Christensen worked at JOEY Restaurant in Crowfoot, Jack Christensen graduated from SAIT with a diploma in Culinary Arts. He is wearing his before switching to River Café, and two medals at SAIT’s culinary campus. “into fine dining – it was like a whole Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Rorie Stannard) other world.

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12

Lifestyle

A dose of Music Boost motivation and productivity by changing the way we listen to music

By Tiffany Oud Lifestyle Editor

M

any of us store a soundtrack to life on the phone in our pockets, but the music playing through those earbuds actually has a significant impact on stress levels, productivity, and mental health.

“Music has this incredible capacity, when used in the right way at the right time, [to] really boost [your] mood,” explains Jennifer Buchanan, president and founder of JB Music Therapy, and author of Tune In: A Music Therapy Approach to Life.

Using music as a part of therapy has beneficial long-term effects, as Buchanan has experienced while helping people reach their goals. She works through physical, emotional, and mental struggles with patients, watching them “move through their anxiety or depression, or feelings of low productivity.”

Mood shifts happen naturally due to the way music influences hormones.

It effects the body’s level of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and lowers cortisol levels, states Buchanan.

“All [of] those hormones are effecting our mood and motivation.”

Music also has incredible benefits for clients with Alzheimer’s, says Hilary MacAulay, music therapist and owner of MasterworX Music Therapy.

“Music connects to so many different parts of their brain, that it can sometimes jump where the gaps are in their memory.”

In music therapy, songs aren’t meant to only be enjoyed alone, and Buchanan is passionate about the way people are brought together through creating music.

“We’re still on this constant quest to connect to people – and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.

“What music can do is literally bring people together.”

The effects transfer into all areas of life, and “not only helps us individually, but could resonate through all our relationships,” adds Buchanan.

According to MacAulay, music connects people in a noninvasive way, allowing a connection first with music, and then with each other.

“Music’s really great for bringing people together and giving them something to bond over.”

Jamming with friends is also a method of reducing stress and build relationships, explains MacAulay.

Although the therapy sometimes includes playing music, the benefits are in no way exclusive to those who enjoy playing or singing.

It comes down to “intentional use of music,” states Buchanan.

Taking note of what you need in that moment, whether it be to destress

or build motivation, can help you use music to fill that need. Buchanan suggests that before an exam, if feeling a lack of motivation or calmness, put on music and stop texting – just focus.

“Close your eyes – focus on the music itself, even if it’s for two, four, or six minutes – get your brain ready for its next job.”

MacAulay recommends making a go-to playlist of music to combat “when you’re feeling stressed, or you’re having a bad day, or whenever you need a boost.”

In contrast, background music can actually harm one’s focus; for example, music with lyrics can break your concentration, and songs that evoke frustration hinder productivity.

Another method of using music intentionally is to dig deeper into meaningful songs. Buchanan suggests finding the words and elements with personal meaning, and strengthening a personal connection to that song.

“Music is just this incredible thing we have that brings us closer to other people, even if they’re not physically there with us,” states MacAulay.

Music adds greater meaning to everyone’s lives, according to Buchanan.

“Human beings can let you down, but your music can always be there and you can count on it. “And it’s certainly been that way for me.”

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13

Sports

Matthew Travaglini, the dominant Trojan Graduating star a back-to-back cross-country champion

By Brett Klassen Sports Writer

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SAIT running star is leaving an outstanding athletic legacy after another stellar season.

Matthew Travaglini, in his second and final year at SAIT, has become one of Canada’s top runners. He just won his second consecutive national title at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship in King City, Ont. He did not lose a single cross-country race he competed in during the last two seasons.

Matthew Travaglini of the SAIT Trojans cross-country running team, running at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country National Championships in King City, Ont. on Nov. 10, 2018.

Travaglini capped off his unbeaten season with a first-place 26:19 team in the 8-km race, helping lead the Trojans men’s team to silver. (Photo courtesy of SAIT Trojans)

He also helped lead last season’s track team to a first-place finish at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) provincial championships.

Last season, he was named ACAC Athlete of the Year.

However, Travaglini hasn’t always been a running juggernaut.

At first, he had his sights set on soccer, playing competitively until he was 16. However, he wasn’t able to make the final cut at his high school in London, Ont. Therefore, he focused more on cross-country.

“I guess you sort of like something when you’re good at it, and I was succeeding with running, so I stuck with it,” he said.

His brother, who first got into cross-country, was a big influence at the start of Travaglini’s running career.

Travaglini also credits the veteran runners from his first year at SAIT. “The fourth and fifth years who were really good runners, but who were better leaders, shaped the runner who I am now,” he said.

To win back-to-back gold medals, it takes a considerable amount of mental energy.

“When it gets to that hard part in the race, I just tell myself ‘yeah, I’ve been here before, I know I can still run, and I know that I can still push.’”

Travaglini doesn’t like to believe he’s the only reason for the Trojans’ national success this year.

“Point-wise, I was first, but I think we share responsibility and we put the onus on everyone to hold up their end of the bargain,” he said.

Travaglini acted as a player-coach, putting in the hard work and encouraging other Trojans to do the same.

Matthew Travaglini (red) of the SAIT Trojans cross-country team races against Leonard Chesoo of Concordia University at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country Championships in King City, Ont. on Nov. 10, 2018. Travaglini finished first overall with a 26:19 time, a minute and three seconds ahead of Chesoo. (Photo courtesy of SAIT Trojans)

In the national championship, he finished first with a 26:19 time.

Travaglini thinks the team silver will hold more weight in the long run, making him think of the team’s bonding.

“We work out together five days a week. We’re out there in the snow, rain, sun, whatever.

“It’s like this group of guys became brothers, and I think the fact that we were there, everyone ran their heart out to get us the silver medal.

He is graduating this year from the geomatics engineering program, and leaving a memorable athletic career.

He said his fondest team memories were the bus rides.

“Whether it was to or from races, they were always fun.”

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Sports

Spreading the Inferno Calgary Inferno broadcasting four games on Sportsnet 960 The Fan

By Alex Hamilton Sport Editor

T

he Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) will have four of its games broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan this season.

According to the Fan’s Oct. 15 press release, they are “the first commercial radio station in North America” to do live play-by-play of the CWHL. The first broadcast was on Oct. 21.

The other three broadcasts are Dec. 1 against the Markham Thunder, Dec. 16 against the Toronto Furies, and Feb. 10 against the Worcester Blades.

According to Inferno play-by-play voice Sandra Prusina, the broadcasts had been in the works for about a year.

Prusina and Inferno general manager Kristen Hagg both singled out longtime Fan host Rob Kerr for helping make them happen before Kerr left the station in August.

Prusina had started doing play-byplay on Inferno webcasts a few years ago. “[Kerr] tuned into a couple broadcasts and just was impressed by the quality of play.

“You realize that there’s so many Olympians and world-class athletes on the ice – why wouldn’t it be a good idea to get something like this broadcast?”

Fans are thrilled to see athletes “who you see every four years at the

Olympics, and now you can see them on a weekly basis or a monthly basis,” Prusina added.

The Inferno count nine players from the 2018 Olympics on their

the product is that good.”

She relayed an anecdote about a young Rogers Sportsnet assistant becoming an instant CWHL fan after the inaugural broadcast.

Calgary’s Tori Hickel (#3) celebrates her first CWHL goal as the Calgary Inferno host the Shenzhen KRS Venke Rays in Calgary’s Canadian Women’s Hockey League home opener at Winsport’s Markin McPhail Centre in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 20, 2018. (Photo by Dave Holland)

team this year, including four from the Canadian silver-medal team and three from the U.S. gold-medal team.

Prusina noted the feedback was especially remarkable considering the Fan’s listeners are predominantly male.

This appears to have been a simple bias, however. According to Prusina, those in the front office “have been craving for this for so long, because

“He said to me after the game, ‘I can’t believe how good they are’, because that’s the first time he had seen them in person.”

The team and league has seen remarkable growth the past few years.

The first year, Prusina said there were only ever “a couple of hundred” people watching on YouTube.

“For people within the game, there’s some people who say, why is

Sports news and views for the SAIT community

this [radio broadcast] a big deal, because they should be on TV,” said Hagg.

“But on the inside, we know that it’s going to take some time, and this is a big first step.”

Prusina said that the addition of two CHWL teams playing in China last year caused the numbers to go “through the roof.” Fittingly, the first game on the radio was against the Shenzhen Krs Vanke Rays.

Prusina and her colour commentary partner Jenna Cunningham faced a challenge as broadcasters, knowing many listeners would not

“That is the best of the best of the world.” - Inferno play-by-play voice

know the players or teams very well.

“We had to be descriptive in terms of who plays for what team. We had to do a little bit of storytelling.

“At the end of the day, it’s about telling the stories of these ladies who work Monday to Friday and have fulltime jobs, and they still play professional hockey at the highest level in the world,” Prusina added.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to get more fans to attend the Inferno’s games, which are held at Winsport.

Hagg noted that while the last few years have seen a growth in “the players being treated more like professionals,” it hasn’t translated to more fans attending the games.

Prusina encouraged fans to check out the Inferno’s home-and-home series against Les Canadiennes de Montreal on Nov. 24 and 25. As of Nov. 5, the Inferno and Canadiennes were the top two CHWL teams, with identical 5-1-0 records.

“That is the best of the best of the world.”

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Time out as the Calgary Inferno host the Shenzhen KRS Venke Rays in Calgary’s Canadian Women’s Hockey League home opener at Winsport’s Markin McPhail Centre in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 20, 2018. (Photo by Dave Holland)

Inferno celebrate a goal as the Calgary Inferno host the Shenzhen KRS Venke Rays in a Canadian Women’s Hockey League game at Winsport’s Markin McPhail Centre in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 21, 2018. (Photo by Dave Holland)

Celly time as the Calgary Inferno host the Shenzhen KRS Venke Rays in a Canadian Women’s Hockey League game at Winsport’s Markin McPhail Centre in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 21, 2018. (Photo by Dave Holland)

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Sports

Behind the scenes at Trojans games Three long-time minor officials tell their stories Alex Hamilton Sports Editor

T

hey may not make plays on the ice or court, but the SAIT Trojans’ minor officials are the unsung backbone of the team’s games.

While not all of them were naturally drawn to sports, being part of the extended Trojans family has kept them there.

Therese Murray: 30 years on the job Celebrating her 30th season helping put on Trojans games, Therese Murray has seen it all as a minor official.

Before her interview, she tried to track down a pin featuring the new Trojans logo, to add to a jacket adorned with decades of memorabilia.

Murray’s main duty these days is running the basketball and volleyball scoreboards, but she has done virtually everything, from keeping statistics to taking tickets to dabbling in announcing.

Her reputation also allowed her to work other events, including senior men’s and women’s basketball.

However, she “never was” into sports before joining the Trojans staff in 1988.

A 1983 SAIT Commercial Baking Program graduate, Murray was heavily involved in the SAIT student community, but returning to work at SAIT in 1988 was at first just to make some extra money.

She’s seen some great teams and tournaments over the years, but her favourite memory was when the de-

partment held a fundraiser basketball tournament to buy her a new mobility scooter. (She’s been on disability her entire time with the Trojans.)

Murray said the people were her favourite part – seeing old players return as coaches, or play in the senior leagues.

She said keeping stats has only grown more difficult, as interest has grown in more detailed and accurate numbers.

“I haven’t done it in years; it would give me nightmares to try and do stats now.”

Working the “big board” is simple in comparison, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

“You cannot put up a score and put up a mass [basketball] substitution at the same time.”

The board itself has come a long way, from Murray writing down names of players to hoist up on the sides.

“It was easy, though, because [then] it was just score.”

Warren Cargill’s “busy booth” Warren Cargill, the Trojans’ PA hockey announcer since 2013-2014, is not just the “voice in the booth.”

Announcing goals and penalties are a small fraction of the job for Cargill’s “busy booth.”

“No disrespect to [Calgary Flames announcer and SAIT instructor] Beesley,” he starts with a slight laugh towards his friend, “but he gets to sit there and gets all the information fed to him.”

“I have to take phone calls from the score booth, write down the information, I have to relay that information at the same time to the RTBN stu-

dents doing play-by-play next door, I have to reach across the airhorn when we score, I have to then jump back [and] fire the music up.”

“On top of that, we’ve got the mascot in here, the girl [with] the wireless mic, in the stands giving out prizes.

“But it’s what they hear out there that’s important.”

Cargill, who came from a family of SAIT alumni, graduated from what was then called Cinema, Television, Stage, and Radio in 1989.

He also kept up with SAIT while working in radio (he is currently a senior producer at Bell Media).

He always pictured doing in-game announcing.

“One day it happened; I knew exactly what to do.”

He enjoys following the players over the years, and getting to know parents. He mentioned the Skate with the Trojans events as some of his favourite memories, alongside announcing for the champion 20132014 Trojans men’s team.

“It brings us all together here; it’s very much a family and community here.”

Haley Ashton: making games run on time For eight years, Haley Ashton has worked as a timekeeper, penalty box attendant, and goal judge, among other duties.

Similar to Cargill, it’s not so much the individual tasks as much as keeping everything going smooth.

Besides working the clock, she helps communicate with the hockey staff, does general gameday set-up, and helps train new staff.

“It’s a lot of juggling different po-

Sports news and views for the SAIT community

sitions and making sure everyone else is in the right spot and doing the right thing,” she explains.

Ashton notes that sometimes new goal judges have to be trained to collaborate with referees. A casual observer might see them as just the person who turns the red light on when

the puck goes in the net, but that would be a mistake.

Far removed from high-tech video reviews, the role of the part-timers becomes essential.

“I constantly have to be on my toes watching the game for a whistle, because if the whistle goes and I don’t

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stop the clock, that can screw up everything too.”

“Without the rink staff, things would be a lot more difficult for the players and teams,” she said.

The experienced Ashton said her job was “super-easy – I get paid to watch hockey”. W

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Sports

SAIT Trojans middle Simran Dhami, right, backs away from the ball for outside hitter Hayli Hinchey, left, during a game against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in the SAIT Campus Centre gym in Calgary on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (Photo by Shiva Esmaeili/ The Press)

Killing it, digging it Trojans’ women’s volleyball team ‘more balanced’ this year

By Alex Hamilton Sports Editor

T

o build on their strong first half, the SAIT Trojans women’s volleyball team is looking to be more consistent, and more balanced on offence and defence.

As of Nov. 25, the team was sitting second in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) at 8-4.

They won seven of eight games before losing 3-1 to the Medicine Hat College Rattlers at home on Nov. 24.

While the team sat middle-of-thepack in offensive stats among ACAC teams, their strength has been on the defensive side of the ball.

The team ranks strong in digs, ranking fourth in ACAC as of Nov. 25.

Coach Art O’Dwyer said that his team “defended the ball well.”

“Women’s volleyball is interesting in that it’s often about not making errors and forcing the other team to

make errors.”

“The way you do that is if they attack and you can dig the ball, then it makes it tougher on them, because they have to attack again to score.”

O’Dwyer, in his eighth year coaching the women’s team, said that the team was more balanced than previous years.

“We’re strong up the middle, which is a little different than my other teams.

“It’s one of those ones where if we can get better fast enough, we’ll have a lot of success.”

Third-year outside hitter Hayli Hinchey echoed her coach’s comments, calling them a balanced “veteran team.”

“Other than our liberos [Kristen Leippi and Amy Chailler] who are both rookies, the rest of our starting lineup is pretty experienced. “[Rookies] make the starters better in practice every day, and our two liberos are great, because they’re

SAIT Trojans middle Simran Dhami, right, celebrates as the Lethbridge College Kodiaks middle Carley Doneff, front middle, misses the ball during a game in the SAIT Campus Centre gym in Calgary on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. The Kodiaks took the lead 2-1, but lost to the Trojans 3-2. (Photo

by Shiva Esmaeili/The Press)

Sports news and views for the SAIT community

pretty even skill-wise, and are good at pushing each other.”

Hinchey helped maintain the team’s high dig rate – with a career-high 2.75/set through 12 games – while also improving her kills (up over a kill per set from last season).

The team as a whole ranks fourth in the ACAC in kills as of Nov. 25.

The Trojans still have lots of room to improve, however.

Unforced offensive errors, O’Dwyer said, were the main reason the Trojans lost earlier this season to two top ACAC teams, Briercrest College and Ambrose University. The Tro-

jans sat second in the ACAC in errors.

“We need to make sure that offensively we’re making [fewer] errors, terminating more balls, against a team like that.

“The issue is that with the better teams, you don’t get more than one or two chances.

“You can’t give them free balls, you can’t give them easy balls, you have to come at them hard.”

O’Dwyer also said the defense still needed improvement, needing to improve their ball control and terminate rallies better.

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Hinchey said the team needed to improve their passing against top teams as well.

“Lots of other teams are targeting me because I’m a new passer [from the left side].

“I think as a team, our passing could be better as well.”

The Trojans wrapped up their first half on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 with a home-and-away against Olds College.

They, along with the rest of the Trojans teams, can be caught again in January, returning Jan. 11 to host Ambrose University. W

Don’t forget the Paralympians Sledge hockey players give take on Calgary saying no to 2026 Olympics

By Lionel Seaward Weal Writer

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ith Calgary voting “no” to the 2026 Olympic bid on Nov. 13, some of the city’s voters may have forgotten about the Paralympic events that came bundled with the bid.

Paralympic athletes could have had their first opportunities to play in Calgary. When the Olympics were in Calgary in 1988, the Paralympics were not hosted here, but in Innsbruck, Austria.

Like others in the Olympian athlete community, Paralympian athletes hoped for a “yes” vote. Sledge hockey players Jason Beaman and Colton Ribling said they were deeply disappointed with the vote.

Beaman, a sledge hockey player and former Paralympian skier, said that “the most important reason”

for his disappointment was because “[Paralympians] will again have limited support for our athletes at the upcoming Olympics.”

“As a Paralympian in 1992, I had to find my own sponsors, pay for my own training, and in my case, ski pass.

I had to pay the fees to be on the team,” he elaborated.

“In my case, I was young, so I didn’t have large living expenses – I could live fairly cheaply, but for others at the time, with families, that wasn’t the case.

“I think in today’s world, our Canadian athletes still struggle.

“When the Olympics were in Vancouver, our athletes received a lot more funding so they could train with less worries about surviving in life.”

Ribling, who plays for the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association and Team Alberta, said that accessibility was an overlooked part of BidCo’s pitch to voters.

Ribling said BidCo “could’ve brought the issue of accessibility to attention and resolved it,” but with Calgary voting “no,” “we’ll never know what it could’ve done to change the city, and the way of life for its citizens with and without impairments.”

He believes Calgary will eventually upgrade its Olympic facilities, but voters passed up a good deal. “[BidCo] should’ve informed [voters] what was going to be spent for infrastructure way before the vote, because they were going to get a bargain, and now all the things it was going to bring to the city are going to be built one by one and cost the city a lot more money,” said Ribling.

“I believe [the ‘no’ vote] is a loss to Calgarians and Canadians, [not only] from the economic benefit we would have received, but also a loss in not getting new facilities and upgrading others.”

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Sports

More national success for Trojans cross-country Men’s team wins CCAA silver; three Trojans named All-Canadian

By Alex Hamilton Sports Editor

A

ccording to one star runner on the SAIT Trojans cross-country team, their phenomenal year-to-year success owes much to word-of-mouth recruitment.

The cross-country team upgraded from national bronze to silver this year, continuing their ascent as one of the best programs in Canada.

At the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross Country Championships at Seneca College north of Toronto, the men’s team won silver with 58 points. This score was 53 points ahead of third-place Champlain Saint-Lambert.

Emilie Mann and Ann Danard competed as individuals on the women’s side, with Mann finishing fifth overall, improving on her ninth-place finish at last year’s nationals.

Unlike other Trojans teams, the cross-country team is comprised entirely of tryouts.

Mann credited several factors for the Trojans drawing so many great runners, word-of-mouth being the first one.

“That hype definitely brings people in, but what keeps athletes returning to the team is definitely that sense of being part of a team, the friendships that are created within the team.”

“I didn’t know too much about our athletic department before I enrolled in this [respiratory therapy] program.”

But she added that “once you find” how supportive the Trojans’ athletics are, “that’s definitely what keeps athletes coming back.”

Mann was named a CCAA All-Canadian alongside Matthew Travagli-

ni (first overall) and Jacques Saayman (sixth overall). She admitted that last season her main goal was “trying not to finish in last” at nationals.

Mann had not run cross-country since high school, which she described as a “very different dynamic – moreso just participation.”

While her background is in ultramarathon and trail running, she noted that “having coaches tell you what to do and having a set workout and a set schedule” has been important to her growth.

“I think just having coaches hold you to a certain expectation and knowing what you’re capable of also puts a healthy amount of pressure on you,” she added.

“For running [ultramarathons] I would just go out on a trail and run for a couple of hours; however, with this, it incorporates more integral training, and running hills and speedwork.”

While ultramarathons are more about pacing for up to 12-hour runs, Mann notes that cross-country is “about going fast, putting it all out there, and not holding back.”

The unique part of the cross-country team – blending an individual sport with an atmosphere of camaraderie – is another factor in their success.

While Mann singled out the work of coaches Bre MacEachern and Ryan Edgar, she added that “seeing how dedicated other teammates are inspires you too.”

Mann and Danard competed as individuals in Ontario because the women’s team fell just short of a medal at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship on Oct. 27.

The men’s team qualified for nationals after winning their third-straight

Ann Danard (foreground) of the SAIT Trojans cross-country team pulls through with a bloody leg during the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country National Championships in King City, Ont. on Nov. 10, 2018.

Danard, who competed as an individual on the women’s side with teammate Emilie Mann, finished 29th of 117 female runners.

ACAC title.

While noting that the individual nature of the sport means that “you run your own race,” Mann still “missed most of the girls there.”

“It doesn’t change how you race; you go out and do exactly the same thing, you run your own race.

“However, I missed having the rest of the girls there as a team, the experience of being in a different city, and also lining up all up together at the start line.”

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Arts & Entertainment

Joey Landreth live

The Manitoban bluesman serenaded the Gateway earlier last month Photos by JP Pitogo Staff Photographer

Joey Landreth headlines the Nov. 24 show at the Gateway. (Photo by Jp Pitogo/SAIT)

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Arts & Entertainment

Warm yourself with a

Various Christmas decorations and memorabilia was put inside Proof for the Miracle Pop Up’s first day of opening in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (Photo by Patrick Concepcion/SAIT)

Calgary decorated in time for the holiday season, Miracle is thus far the only bar to go to such extremes to celebrate the Christmas season.

Unlike ‘traditional’ or more regular pop-up bars, which essentially borrow a space for a limited time and act as an outlet for entrepreneurs to test ideas and practice, Miracle is taking over its own space for the remainder of the season, at which time it will revert back to its original state.

“We’ve essentially told the staff to consider Proof to have closed its doors, and we are reopening as Miracle,” said Jamieson.

“Lots of places simply decorate.

Since we’re the first of our kind in Western Canada, and it’s our first time doing this, we wanted to take it all the way.”

Jamieson said preparations for

By John Watson Staff Writer

R

e-opening its doors for the Christmas season, Proof YYC has transformed itself into a Miracle on First Street.

The Miracle pop-up bar opened in Calgary on Nov. 23 and is one of four bars in Canada to take up the mantle.

“We’re the only one in Western Canada,” said Jeff Jamieson, who owns Proof YYC and is overseeing the project.

“The other three bars are located in Quebec City, Montreal, and A Christmas card stands in the middle of the table at Miracle Pop Up’s first day of Toronto.” opening at Proof in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (Photo by Patrick Concepcion/ Though competing bars around SAIT)

bit of Christmas joy Culture for the SAIT community

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A bartender dresses up as an elf for the Miracle Pop Up’s first day of opening at Proof in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (Photo

by Patrick Concepcion/SAIT)

the switch have been in the works since August, after he agreed to participate in the project in late July.

Miracle is a concept that is being introduced to 80 cities around the globe, and is overseen by Cocktail Kingdom, an online retailer based in New York, which will also be participating in the festivities out of a bar known as Mace.

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A Santa mug is currently used Proof to replace for the regular bar glasses to serve drinks for the Miracle Pop Up’s first day of opening in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018.

Next page top, and bottom: The inside of Miracle Pop Up in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (Photo by Patrick Concepcion/ SAIT)

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Culture for the SAIT community

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A new twist on the classics Whitehorse releases an instant classic with their new Christmas album

nine Christmas-themed songs, offers listeners a new take on traditional Christmas music. The twist is that these are mostly original Christmas songs, any of which would serve as good company in your Christmas playlist.

Whitehorse, consisting of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, are based out of Ontario and are known primarily for their self titled EP, as well as “The Fate of the World Depends on this Kiss” and “The Northern South, Vol 1.,” both of which were nominated for Juno Awards and were long listed for the Polaris Music Prize.

Husband and wife duo Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland form Whitehorse.

(Photo courtesy of six Shooter Records.)

By Andrew Bardsley A&E Editor

N

ow that the snow has begun falling and the temperature has begun plunging, it is time to dust off those Christmas albums, update your Spotify or Apple music, and listen to your favourite guilty pleasure

Christmas song - except this year, you may have to add another album to your playlist.

Husband-and-wife duo Whitehorse returns with “A Whitehorse Winter Classic,” released in November 2018 on Six Shooter Records. The album, which features

With “A Whitehorse Winter Classic,” the duo provides listeners with what they have come to expect from the husband and wife duo, their traditional music style backed up by McClelland’s well-known vocal ability and range. The album also has an excellent cover of Elvis Presley’s 1957 “Blue Christmas”, which, while not as strong as the original, is a nice spin on a beloved Christmas classic.

The album also features a strong cover of The Pretenders song “2,000 Miles”, from the 1984 album “Learning to Crawl”.

The album is a perfect pairing with any lover of Christmas and a nice hot toddy. It is strong enough to turn even the biggest Grinch into a fan of the holiday. W

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Arts & Entertainment

Using film to create action Thirteenth annual Marda Loop Justice Film Festival kicks off important conversation

By Mark Wiseman A&E Writer

O

n November 13, the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival celebrated the opening night of its 13th year at the new Central Library, with a screening of the documentary “Bird of Prey” followed by a discussion with local naturalist Brian Keating.

“When you look at a film like this, it shows the kind of dedication that a couple people have in bringing to the world an absolutely profound animal,” said Keating, adding that it’s a wakeup call for all of us because we have the same problems in Canada of habitat loss.

The film, which is a beautiful but heart wrenching documentary about the plight Philippine Eagle, one of the most critically endangered birds on the planet, and those that are working to keep it from extinction.

“We hope do some good in the world by showing stories that matter,” said Jenny Krabbe, one of the original founders of the festival kicking the night off with a speech to filmgoers.

The Marda Loop Justice Film Festival was started in 2006 by a group of teachers from Marda Loop with the goal to provide a platform for Calgarians to gain awareness of social justice issues through film and discussion.

Another goal of the festival is to bring these issues and discussions to the public free of charge, making the film festival one of the best value events to attend in the city.

“We don’t charge any money to

our festival goers with the belief that information and education should be free,” said Thao Nguyen-Bettle, president of the film festival’s board of directors.

The festival was originally held 13 years ago at the River Park Church Auditorium, but over the years it has grown to include a few special event screenings at more high-profile locations like the Central Library and the Plaza theatre.

This year, the festival screened 19 documentaries, surrounding three major social justice themes: environmental conservation, gender equality and women’s rights, U.S. politics and diversity.

“Although many of the films are heavy and challenging, it’s a chance to pick from a number of issues, and it gives you the opportunity to find the one that you connect with most,” said Nguyen-Bettle Another important feature of the festival is the Peace Village, formerly the NGO village in previous years, located at all of the River Park Church screenings, which is a collection organizations and non-profits, that can give you more information on topics presented in the films.

“We want to not only have people to see the films, but also take action after the film,” said Nguyen-Bettle, noting that often it’s difficult turning awareness into action from attendees.

The festival lineup screened many international socially conscious documentaries, but two Canadian films were at the center of this year’s program.

The film “Lana Gets Her Talk” was shot in Edmonton, and discusses Canada’s residential school legacy, and its effects on Indigenous communities, which also featured Lana, the film’s subject, in the after-film discussion period.

The second Canadian made film was “Through My Eyes: Hani’s Journey”, a film about a Syrian refugee coming to Canada, and the challenges he faces.

“It’s important that we’re screening films that are current and controversial,” said Nguyen-Bettle.

The film festival’s volunteer committee screened over 200 submissions this year to properly curate films that accurately capture the most pressing social issues in our world today.

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“it’s a chance to pick from a number of issues, and it gives you the opportunity to find the one that you connect with most.”

- Thao Nguyen Bettle, president of film festival’s board of directors.

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Opinion

Grinches gonna Grinch

By Emilie Charette Opinions Editor

I

t seems that the term “Grinch” gets thrown around willy-nilly these days. Don’t think Christmas music should be played before Remembrance Day? Grinch. Don’t like the hustle and bustle of shopping malls? Grinch. Don’t immediately turn into a holly-jolly elf on Nov. 1?

You’d better believe you’re a Grinch.

“Grinch” seems to have become synonymous with anybody who doesn’t dive headfirst into Christmas festivities at the earliest opportunity.

This is the main problem with Christmas: it seems people start celebrating earlier every year.

It becomes impossible to turn a corner without some visual or auditory reminder that it’s spending – sorry, Christmas time. Stores put out Christmas stock before Thanksgiving, and with people playing carols and putting up trees right after the Halloween decorations come down, I feel completely tired of Christmas well before the day itself.

For people who’ve worked in retail, me included, Christmas is the beginning of stress, long hours, screaming children, and too many versions of “Jingle Bells” played on an endless loop. After five years of working every Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, it’s no wonder that Christmas doesn’t inspire feelings of warmth and good cheer in me.

And you know what? That’s okay.

The expectation that no one should ever be sad or even just unenthusiastic during the holidays is unrealistic. For some, it is a time of joy, but for others,

the holiday might bring up painful memories. Many just don’t like how commercialized Christmas has become and simply don’t care about the trimmings and trappings.

Some people might try to “fake it ‘til they make it,” but not allowing yourself to feel your feelings can take a toll. The holidays are stressful enough as it is; students have just finished the first semester and final exams or projects, and some have to work during the winter break. The added pressures of shopping, baking, decorating, and gifting can all pile up. Being accused of Grinchiness doesn’t make people more inclined towards joliness – quite the opposite.

HOW THE

G R INCH CHR

ST O L E

IS T M A S

I won’t go as far as saying people who do love Christmas should be “boiled in their own pudding” or “buried with a stake of holly” through their hearts, but it would be nice if they could tone down the Christmas cheer a little – at least until December actually starts.

Of course, there are some benefits to being a so-called Grinch: • • •

Saving money on Christmas presents.

Saving time and energy by not decorating extravagantly.

Actually being able to relax over the holidays.

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Opinions

O Christmas tree:

ditch the fake tree this December

By Brandon Peniuk Weal Writer

F

or environmentally-conscious Calgarians looking to cut down on plastic use, real trees are the way to go at Christmas.

For as long as I can remember, I would run down the stairs on Christmas morning when I was a child and look in awe at all the Christmas presents surrounding the enormous Christmas tree. It made me feel so warm and happy inside, gazing at the twinkling bright lights on the tree, and the ornaments dangling from the thin branches.

I would wait for my grandparents to come over and have a heyday, opening up all the presents. As the weeks went

by after Christmas, the tree would sit in the living room until it was time to take off the tinsel, lights, and ornaments, and place them in a large box for storage until another year would go by to use them again.

My dad would take the tree outside and wait for the city to take it away, but I was always curious if a real tree is a waste or if it’s better to purchase a faux tree from Canadian Tire.

Local tree farmer Darren, who declined to share his last name, at Calgary Christmas Tree said the city recycles the trees. They get ground down for mulch for parks and the zoo.

If you’re buying a faux Christmas tree from Canadian Tire or Walmart, be aware that artificial trees will never decompose in landfills.

The faux trees are terrible for the environment because they are a petro-

leum based product, and also made of wire and plastic.

Darren said even though the maintenance of a real tree, like watering them, is crucial for longevity, in the end, they are biodegradable.

The average height of a Christmas tree is close to 6-8 feet tall, and those trees take about seven years to grow.

The city used to pick them up, but now there are a variety of solutions to getting rid of them. You can bring them to the landfill or cut them up and put them in the green bins so they can get hauled away, put through a chipper, and used as mulch.

All in all, it’s much better to get a real tree because it is good for the environment and it is not a waste.

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Start the day off right with a personalized morning routine (Photo by Jp Pitogo/SAIT)

By Carmen Cundy Lifestyle Writer

S

etting oneself up for success starts with a consistent morning routine. However, that could look different for everyone.

Shawna Curry, founder of Health Redesigned, suggests students schedule their day around the type of person they are.

For morning people, it might be best for them to schedule their most pressing tasks during the early hours of the day. Night owls should opt out of that 8 a.m. class for one later in the day, suggests Curry.

That is based on a student’s ability to “pay attention, focus, and to be physically present.”

However, students might be better off sleeping in a few extra hours in the morning and going along with their natural night owl tendencies, according to Curry.

“Focus on a routine. It helps to set your body up for success.” - Shawna Curry, founder of Health Redesigned In the late teen years and early 20s, a person’s circadian rhythm shifts forward a couple of hours, and to function at one’s best, it would be better to sleep in a bit later, said Curry.

“I’m not advocating for staying up later, but that’s just more the natural rhythm at your mid-teens to early 20s.

“Your morning routine would stay the same as it would if you were to wake up earlier, but you’re going to shift that whole routine a little bit later in the day.”

No matter how you schedule your day, it is important to stay consistent.

“Focus on a routine. It helps to set your body up for success,” said Curry.

“There’s going to be flexibility in your schedule as a student, but try

to be somewhat predictable so your body can get into a rhythm.”

According to Curry, the best thing you can do to better your morning routine is to get off your technology first thing in the morning.

In fact, checking your texts or social media first thing could actually decrease your productivity by a “significant amount.”

“Get off [your phone]. Don’t even touch your phone for the first hour that you’re up, and use that time to do what is most important to you.”

Curry advises students to make their morning time count.

If students have an important exam to study for, Curry suggests using that time to “quality study” versus “quantity study,” or use that time to get a workout in – do something that will “fuel you for the day.”

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Opinions

Change from within A male perspective on #MeToo

By Jesse Boily Weal Writer

I

t’s been just over a year since the #MeToo movement began, and many people still don’t know how to best support the brave women who faced their darkest moments and revealed them to the world.

“Part of being a good man is recognizing those times in your life when you haven’t done good and recognizing that,” said Rebecca Sullivan, professor of women’s studies at the University of Calgary.

SAITSA’s Consent Week was an opportunity for people to learn how to behave, to help support survivors, to understand what wrong behaviour looks like and what can be reported.

“There is always a fear around speaking up,” said Shona White, SAITSA marketing and communications assistant manager, who was working a booth for Consent Week.

#MeToo inspired photo illustration By ACAD artist Charlie Healey.

The fear of coming forward for many women still rings true today.

Here at SAIT, there have been zero reports of sexual misconduct or violence, but statistically, it is most likely happening, said White.

“The CPS (Calgary Police Service) noted that the number of sex crimes investigated increased from 296 in 2016 to 391 in 2017, recognizing that the 32 per cent increase could be linked to #MeToo and Time’s Up [an offshoot of #MeToo],” according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s website.

The last word on today’s hot topic

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As men, we need to understand that coming forward for many of these women is incredibly hard and that even in high profile cases these women are ridiculed and asked questions, such as “why didn’t you come out sooner?”

Why would anyone want to put themselves under such scrutiny?

“Men resist because they don’t want to put themselves at risk. Meanwhile, women put themselves at risk every day,” said Sullivan.

A man’s experiences will not, in most cases, be the same as their female counterparts’ experiences and men need to understand that they may not be the best ones to give advice, although they could still be an open ear to listen.

Sullivan said the fundamental thing men need to do is believe the women who are coming forward, not only the ones they may know, and understand that this is happening all the time.

The time has come for men to admit a problem exists within the male culture – it’s no longer okay to justify boys just being boys.

Boys being boys has given an excuse for men to be blind towards their wrongdoings.

Adult men seem to think they are exempt from punishment. If a child does something wrong, we take dessert away from them as punishment; if a man does something wrong, he

theWeal.com Dec. 04 2018

too deserves punishment.

If men are to support the woman around them, then mindsets need to change, so that in the future we can have true equality.

To change, we need to start at the root of the problem. Yourself, your sexist self.

We need to admit sexism exists and is alive in all of us, and our culture implanted it into us.

Men have been raised with the belief for so long that they are superior to woman that they may be sexist and not know it.

I remember in middle school, when we were young and very stupid. Puberty was in full swing, and girls were becoming more interesting.

Girls began wearing bras, and boys would go about snapping their bra straps. We were told not to do that, but eventually, it would be said “it’s just boys being boys.”

“Boys being boys” would be our justification and the beginning of a mindset that sexism was acceptable.

We were being brought up sexist.

You can argue that you are not sexist, but we all are – we were brought up on sexism, and it will be our job to help end it.

Our fairy tales told us that the prince saves the princess and she is then indebted to him, for his act of being a decent human being.

If we are to support the #MeToo movement, then we need to be an open ear to women and begin working on the future generation of boys, and no longer excuse boys just being boys.

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Opinion

Post post-secondary: finding success after school

By Emilie Charette Opinions Editor

O

ne thing always at the forefront of students’ minds is what they will do after they complete their schooling. Will they be able to find a job? Will they be successful?

Has school prepared them for the realities of the workplace?

Fortunately, it seems that SAIT grads can breathe easier about the answer to that last question. Despite tough economic times and a competitive job market, the practical skills learned in post-secondary can and will be enough to land jobs after graduation.

Khiana Tucker, a graduate of SAIT’s culinary program, found her time here valuable, and enjoyed learning about all the components of the restaurant industry, not just cooking.

“All my chefs were inspiring and amazing teachers,” she said.

Her education and experience have usually meant that she begins new culinary jobs in a higher position than she might otherwise.

Her feelings were shared by Nicholas Rowley, another culinary program graduate.

“The point of the instruction and training is to set you up for success, not to be a lifelong coach,” he said.

“However, to their credit, many of the instructors do just that, and are always there for support.”

Culinary instructor Chef Michael Allemeyer is one of only five Canadian master chefs, and has been teaching at SAIT since 2009. He came to the job with 25 years of industry experience behind him.

Allemeyer places a lot of importance on teaching employable skills,

not only in the kitchen, but also critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.

“The curriculum is very relevant – we work with an industry advisory committee that is constantly reviewing the curriculum,” he added.

Culinary students are required to do an industry practicum during their two years at SAIT, which also help when they look for jobs after graduation.

Rowley found that his education at SAIT helped him get his first hotel job.

“I remember applying to a hotel before I had started my education, and I didn’t even get the interview. Fast forward to after my first year of industry training, and I managed to get a job at a hotel here in Calgary.”

Taking the time to get educated and trained, no matter the subject, shows potential employers that you are interested and dedicated, which can provide an edge in competitive job markets. Education is an investment in oneself and one’s future.

“The industry has changed considerably since I first started cooking about 10 years ago,” Rowley said.

“Every cook’s motivation for doing what they do is different - it took me a number of years to mature as a professional, but also just to figure out what I want and how best to get there.”

While he admitted that his training could have done a little more to instill the importance of persevering and finding a work environment with room for growth, he would still recommend SAIT’s culinary program to aspiring chefs.

“It’s something special, to be able to work so closely with master chefs,

and to be taught the basics by chefs who are so specialized in their training and experience,” he said. The job fairs that SAIT hosts are also helpful for graduates looking for employment.

“Not everyone who goes through the program is going to be a professional cook,” admitted Allemeyer.

Although some people definitely enter the program with that goal in mind, nutritionists, food writers, and restauranteurs looking to better understand the kitchen also enroll.

Some simply take the program to learn how to cook.

“Success doesn’t necessarily equate to having a job,” he said.

“If you’re practicing what you’ve learned, to me, that’s success.”

Perhaps what is most important to success is a person’s attitude and commitment to their craft or trade.

People who are willing to put in time and hard work, and learn from the people around them, will be more successful.

“Some people don’t understand that sometimes it takes longer to get into the position they wanted,” said Tucker.

“I think success is someone who deals with the bumps in the road and sticks with it.”

While the prospect of looking for work after SAIT can seem daunting, it is clear that a post-secondary education is an invaluable tool that can make a real difference in today’s competitive job markets.

I won’t tell students not to worry – that would be a little hypocritical, after all – but the hands-on, practical experience gained at SAIT can certainly provide an edge. It’s a person’s willingness to persevere that will ultimately decide their future. W

President’s Student Leadership Awards SAIT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE STUDENT LEADERSHIP Nominations for the President’s Student Leadership Award and the President’s Medal are open until December 14. Awards are presented at the annual President’s Dinner on March 7, 2019.

For more information and to nominate visit sait.ca/alumni/get-involved/presidents-awards

S T U D E N T AWA R D S SAITSA awards over $20,000 to SAIT students each year for their hard work and involvement.

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K E YS TO N E AWA R D S D C F L E M I N G AWA R D J M PA R K E R AWA R D T H E R E S E M U R R AY AWA R D M A R C E L C A R P E N T E R AWA R D

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