The
Daily Rockhopper
Sheridan’s plans for academic involvemnet
Megan Tilley There is a seat-shortage in undergraduate degree education in the Greater Toronto Area and Sheridan College is looking to fill that void. The institute is planning to increase the number of bachelor degree programs that it offers in order to become an accredited university. “We don’t have an easy transition, particularly in Ontario between the college system and university system,” says Sheridan President, Jeff Zabudsky, in an interview. “It’s ironic that often a student will graduate from a degree here at Sheridan and not be able to find a place in an Ontario university for graduate study. What I want to ensure is that any student who graduates from [a Sheridan baccalaureate program] is completely eligible for a masters degree study in any institution in Canada.” Zabudsky has said that when Sheridan has finished structuring its business plan, it will then be prepared to formally request permission from the province to create a new kind of university; one that has not yet existed in Ontario. Instead of a research institute, “We are creating a teaching university,” said Zabudsky. “We will create that institution across all of our campuses so that each campus will have some of its learning at the college level, and some of its learning at the accredited university level.” Ryan Ibbott, head of student services at White Oaks Secondary School, worries about what the change will do to the reputation Sheridan has already established in the community as a college. “My concerns are that Sheridan has carved out an identity within the structure right now, as a college and institute for technology,” said Ibbott. “There is an opportunity for a lot of misunderstanding amongst See SHERIDAN, page 2
Video game design program starts in winter 2012
Mustachiod patrons pose for mugshots at Cameron’s Brewery in Oakville during Movember festivities on Thursday photo courtesy of Carlos Trako Roche
Cameron’s Celebrates Movember
Vikki Skalin Cameron’s Brewery in Oakville held an end of Movember event last Thursday evening. The event was planned and run by Andrew ‘Suds’ Sutherland, a beer ambassador at Cameron’s brewery. Sutherland had participated in Movember for the past 5 years with friends, and wanted to get more people involved in supporting the cause. This event was an opportunity to raise money for
Movember and to bring more business to the Cameron’s brewery. “I started to notice that more and more of my customers had moustaches during the month of November, so I finally put two and two together and decided to create something great.” This was the first year Cameron’s held an event to end the Movember fundraising process. Cameron’s Brewery raised 900 dollars for Movember from the event, with a little help from a $20
donation in the brewery’s name. “I think the brewery raised a good amount of money,” said Sutherland, “But I can’t wait to see what we raise in our 4th and 5th Movember events in the years to come.” The event took place in the warehouse of Cameron’s brewery. “We turned the warehouse into a fundraising party that everyone enjoyed. Normally it’s a mess and stinks like beer, but with some hard work we made it classy.” See MOVEMBER, page 3
Chrissy Jarvie Sheridan College is launching a video game design program to keep up with the growing industry. Game Level Design is a first in Ontario, a postgraduate program that simulates a real-world environment, while teaching students story scripting, cinematography and sound, multi-player systems and game testing, the college says. The program will teach and prepare students “to bring together all the different aspects of the game to create the virtual environment in which all the elements play out,” said Avrim Katzman, program coordinato. The program prepares students for careers in game design, project management and digital graphics. Students will learn about the industry through assignments and labs that mirror the activities they will be hired to do. Sheridan is not the first college to launch a gaming course. George Brown, Seneca, Centennial and Algonquin colleges all offer gaming courses but Sheridan’s program is considered a first for Ontario because it is the only post-graduate program that focuses specifically on designing game levels. Sheridan felt it was prudent to launch this course because the demand for workers in the video game industry is increasing at a very fast rate. See GAMERS, page 2
Flu Season is upon us, are you prepared?
The author suffers flu-like symptoms in an undated photo
photo courtsey of
ReelMagazine Life
Andrew Rennox
Laura Vickery With this summer’s hit movie “Contagion” reminding us of the H1N1 and Avian flu scares, the public may be wondering how real a possibility a pandemic flu is. Tracy O’Donnell, a nurse at Sheridan Health Services, points out that world travel has made it easier for flus to spread.
“Its not like with Spanish flu, when it took two weeks to cross the ocean,” she says. Flu transmission occurs through droplets in coughs and sneezes, but you don’t have to come into direct contact with another person to get it. “It is thought the virus can live up to two or three See FLU, page 2
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2 Wednesday, December 14, 2011
News
Gamers on campus next semester
GAMERS, from page 1
The Online Gaming Association says the industry today is worth more than $15 billion and is growing every year. Electronic games are the entertainment choice of the 21st century and it is the
Sheridan to be university SHERIDAN, page 1 the students in the community by [Sheridan] pursuing a university designation. I think it’s quite delicate in how the college handles that.” As a teaching university, Sheridan will be focused on maintaining the applied college programs while providing small classroom sizes for the new baccalaureate degree programs. “A lot of universities have a practice of very large class sizes,” said Zabudsky. “If you want to help address the experience of university grad students, do it in small class sizes and focus on teaching instead of the research.” “We believe we provide a value proposition for a good number of students who prefer that small class size and access to professors who are highly connected to industry. “ Ibbott is apprehensive, though, as the White Oaks high school students have been planning their career paths since Grade 9. “At the end of the day [the students] are making their decisions during their four years of high school, but it is very strained in terms of the pathway,” said Ibbott. “A student who decides in Grade 11 or 12 that they’ve been on the college track and suddenly wishes to pursue university, is not an easy undertaking. It can mean at least a year of repeating or upgrading courses to get back on track.” Zabudsky’s plans look to solve the concerns that students may have when looking to pursue different career paths after making choices so early in their high school years. “If a student concludes study that will help move them into a college program they’ll be able to move into Sheridan college programs,” but he wants to ensure that students can easily move from
fastest growing segment of the entertainment market, says The Entertainment Software Association. Sheridan’s program is responding to the growing need for workers in the gaming industry as the International Game Developers Association found 100, 000 people are employed worldwide by the gaming industry. Indeed this industry has also expanded regards to the people who are interested in it. The ESA poll found that while video games are mostly targeted to males 40 the college programs into the university programs. “In today’s world of lifelong learning, we should be creating as many pathways for students as possible,” said Zabudsky. The plans for the college to become a university are in progress, but it has yet to gain approval from Ontario’s government. “The province hasn’t approved the switch,” says professor Joyce Wayne, a member of Sheridan’s Board of Governors. “To get university status you have to go through a million hoops.” Zabudsky says that in order to change to a university, the college has to prepare a cohesive plan. “You can’t get an approval to be something that you can’t demonstrate in capacity, and [so far] we’ve demonstrated a great capacity to deliver programming at the baccalaureate level,” said Zabudsky. “Twelve per cent of our students at Sheridan now, are in one of our bachelor programs. There’s even an extra thousand students that are in joint bachelor programs with Sheridan and the University of Toronto. We have a track record of capability and demonstrated success in baccalaureate programming.” However, in order to become a university, the college must obtain membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada – the body that accredits universities in Canada. “There are a number of things that the association requires in terms of its membership criteria that we have to implement,” said Zabudsky. One thing the school needs is an academic council, otherwise known as a senate, that will give faculty greater authority for program approvals and must be in place for Sheridan to become accredited as a university. “You need to be structured in a way that you can be called a university,” said Zabudsky.
per cent of the game-playing population is up females. Danna Mercer, 18, looked into Sheridan’s animation program when she was choosing her post-secondary destination but wanted a program that would focus more on the video game aspect. She is studying Video Game Design and Development at the Academy of Design at RCC Institute of Technology and is pleased with her choice. She is skeptical of Sheridan’s program. “The program is not tried and true
considering it’s brand new. My school has the experience, having been around for quite some time. I wouldn’t want to join the program because it is post-grad. I don’t want to be in school that long if there is shorter program.” Lexi Peters knows females like video games. The 14-year old wrote the creators of NHL 12 asking them to design a female character in their game. In previous versions she could only play as a male hockey player. The gaming industry was missing out on a crucial market.
NUMBERS: FACT: 65 %
Households play video games
2 out of 5
Gamers are female
80 %
Female players prefer Wii over PS3
138 million
Sony PS2 units have been sold
34 years
Average age of a gamer
$10.5 billion
Gaming industry revenu
Flu shot or no flu shot? That is the question From FLU, page 1 weeks on a hard surface,” said O’Donnell. Meaning it can be spread through contact with almost any surface. A pandemic is a real, if not imminent, possibility. Regional health authorities are prepared. “Peel region has a pandemic plan on their website,” O’Donnell points out. Meaning anyone who is concerned can see it for themself. O’Donnell also points out that Sheridan College would also have a plan in case of such an outbreak. Such plans include details from the distribution of masks to how morgues should deal with casualties, and everything in between. O’Donnell does not seem to be overly concerned about preparedness for such an event, however she is concerned that the public may be bored by hearing about it. She points to the H1N1 scare as an example of how
over exposure may reduce public interest. “They didn’t want to hear about it anymore,” she said, referring to constant warnings by the media. “And that’s scary.” It seems some Sheridan students have already had enough talk about pandemics. “I think that when the World Health Organization listed H1N1 as pandemic, it was unnecessary,” said Jessica Harmon and General Business student at Sheridan. “It caused a lot of unnecessary fear.” Harmon feels the drug companies pushed H1N1 vaccines for reasons of profit, not public health. It is this attitude that worries O’Donnell. People dismissed news stories about H1N1 either because they got bored or they thought it was all hype. “If an outbreak had happened, people would not have been prepared,” O’Donnell said. O’Donnell urges people
Briefs
s e l l e B Cow
ible Incred gs Savin vable Unbelie Finds
n the Home o with: e rang ie
carr ood r unde w
Two firefighters were injured and a driver was killed when his van collided with firetruck at Trafalgar rd and Dundas St E yesterday morning. A mistake at the Hamilton coroner’s office this week led to the wrong body being buried by a grieving Ontario family. A 19-year old shoplifting suspect died in Burlington this week after bystanders helped detain him while waiting for police to respond to the scene.
. OYS..R ! COWB E V O E MOV R T Y
Teachers will face new restrictions on the use of “Huck Finn” as required reading in Halton region high schools after critics citied racist content.
COUN CHCIHCICKS
GO E’VE WHY W UNTRY O C E GON ! CRAZY
to take basic precautions in protecting themselves from the flu. “Hand washing, lots and lots of hand washing,” O’Donnell said. She also urges people to get their flu shots. Students can visit either of Sheridan College’s health clinics to get the shot. “I try to delay people getting them. Now it’s about time to start,” O’Donnell said. The effects of the vaccine only last about six months, meaning getting the shot to early could leave you unprotected later in the season. O’Donnell urges everyone to get the shot, even those who think they are in good health and would not have any complications from the flu. “You may think that you are young and healthy,” O’Donnell says, “ but if you get the flu, you might give it to someone who is not.” By protecting yourself from getting the flu you ensure you will not pass it on.
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A bail hearing is pending for a Toronto man who faces charges for a hit and run accident that occured, Labour Day weekend.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Daily Rockhopper
Lifestyle & Entertainment Left: Andy Bernard, Maggie Popraki, Susan Smith and Katie Gringmuth celebrate Movember in style Below: Andrew ‘Suds’Sutherland ‘Suds’ Sutherland shaves his moustache at the event
Right: Matt Lepera poses for a mug shot to celebrate his ‘mo. Bottom Left:Cheryl Vallender kisses a mysterious man with a moustache in front of the mugshot wall Bottom Right: Event organizer Andrew ‘Suds’ Sutherland shows his muscle for fighting prostate cancer. All photos courtesy of Carlos Trako Roche
Movember Madness MOVEMBER from page 1 This event was a new high for Cameron’s Brewery, with over 50 people attending. “I was amazed that people actually showed up. So many people said, ‘you’ve just raised the bar for future events at Cameron’s’, and now I can’t wait to keep going higher and higher,” said Sutherland. “Our last event before this one had an attendance of less than 20 people.” Sutherland hopes that the success from this Movember event will carry on to future events held at the Cameron’s brewery. “This was the best event Cameron’s has ever held, said Christi Campbell, a brand ambassador at Cameron’s Brewery in Oakville. Christi said that the only thing she would change for next year would be to have a lot more advertising. “I feel like it could have been even better if we had had actual flyers instead of just Using Facebook to promote the event.” But overall, everything went smoothly, said Campbell, “There were three live music acts, photographers walking around, plenty of
beer for everyone. It was a great night.” Paul Vendetti, a 23 year old from Oakville Ontario played in his two bands, Fresh and The Rescue, at the event. “I wanted to do my part to help with Movember and to bring more people to the brewery,” said Vendetti. Vendetti’s younger sister had Lymphoma when she was younger. “I don’t know anyone that has or has had prostate cancer, but all cancer is important. We all need to do our part.” Matt Lepera, a 25 year old from Oakville who attended the event said, “This was an opportunity to raise money and awareness, but also to celebrate everyone’s hard work and their Mo’s.” Lepera has participated in the fundraising aspect of Movember for the past three years. “I couldn’t think of a better way to finish off a great month than with great friends, great facial hair, great bands and great beer.”
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4 Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Lifestyle & Entertainment Third annual Swim for Mental Health makes a splash Megan Tilley Splash, kick, deep breath. Splash, kick, deep breath. Front crawl ready, Frank Zamuner, 75, doesn’t hesitate to soak up the pool water and add on another 100 laps to Thursday afternoons 120 record. Stroke by stroke, Zamuner’s rocky start turned into an effortless rhythm as he and his team of four moved up and down the lane in unison, without collision. The third annual Swim for Mental Health, led by Zamuner, was off to a great start on the second day of its three-day winter event, Friday afternoon. Appleby College’s pool was full of student participants and volunteers who were prepared for a funfilled afternoon of getting wet. “The student volunteers are standing by and logging the number of laps each team completes,” says Michelle Kerby, the community
fundraising officer for the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Foundation. Kerby said that she, and a team of four from the Oakville hospital, had completed a total of 200 laps at the Corporate Day event Thursday. “Anyone participating will swim whatever number of laps they’re comfortable with,” said Kerby. The event’s goal this year is to raise $45,000, and by Friday had totalled $31,000, with another day to go. The proceeds will help the hospital refurbish private rooms for mental health patients. “When someone comes in with a mental health issue, we put them in a private room to help calm their anxiety,” said Kerby. “This [fundraiser] will give us two more seclusion rooms.” A Statistics Canada study found that 623,017 Ontario residents were diagnosed with some form of
Student View:
her book. Not just because she feels Hamilton lacks history. ”I would have a fresh start. I wouldn’t have any bias,” she says. While Alexa’s goals lie outside journalism, she is still enjoying her classes. “There is an aspect of every class that I really like,” she says. “The programme is not as bad as I was expecting,” she says, explaining that she had expected it to be more challenging. She admits that non-fiction writing is not her strong point. It is not all easy though. “The politician interview nearly scared me to death,” she says, referring to Canadian Politics and History assignment. Interviewing a public figure was a big ask, but Alexa did meet is head on. Her favourite classes are those that involve design. She loves to draw and admits she can sometimes be found doing it during class. “It helps to keep me focused,” she explains. While Alexa is currently focused on her writing, she has not given up on her art. “I have a writing goal and an art goal and I would like to do them both,” Alexa says. She has already thought about Sheridan’s animation program as an option after her current studies.
Journalism student has artistic aspirations
Laura Vickery Alexa Batrynchuk, 17, plans to use journalism to launch a career in non-fiction. Alexa chose to study journalism at Sheridan as a path to her real passion, writing fiction. “I want to be a writer,” says the first year Sheridan student. Alexa also enjoys history and art, and she is an avid reader. (The excitement of her upcoming birthday is that she will now be able to buy books online.) When it comes to literature, Alexa’s main focus the super-natural. Something, she is quick to point out, predates that genres current trendy reputation. She considers combining all these interests in a historical novel. “Maybe if I knew more about the era,” she says. Her concern is accuracy, something she feels the journalism background will help with. She would also like to travel some place new to write
mental illness last year. “The percentage of people – especially seniors – affected by mental illness is quite large, and anxiety is the main trigger,” said Zamuner. Lap by lap, the schools’ students show their enthusiasm towards the cause as they make their way down one of the five pool lanes. Kira Awrey, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student swimming for one of the two Appleby teams, got involved because she, “liked the idea behind [the fundraiser]. I liked the story that surrounded it. It was very personal to me [because] I know a lot of people affected by mental depression.” Awrey’s team of seven canvassed the school campus to promote the fundraiser and encourage students to participate and spread the word. “We focused more on raising awareness than funds,” said Awrey. Zamuner teamed up with
the mental health committee in 2008 to present his fundraiser idea, after being inspired by one of the mental health day programs at the hospitals outpatient clinic. “There would be a meeting room where everyone would be sitting and talking, and I realized something,” said Zamuner. “Mental illness does not discriminate against anybody. We are under stress all the time and we are not doing anything to prevent it.” The first charity event raised $24,000 and was held at Brookdale Pool. “The outpatient clinic’s community room was outdated, and the last [two] year’s fundraisers completely updated it,” said Kerby. In 2005, Zamuner developed a severe case of depression after having triple bypass operation at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga. “I was sent home after two days,” said Zamuner.
A month later, Zamuner was struggling with sleep deprivation and a lax physical lifestyle. “I tried anti-depressants, but the one who really helped me was my psychologist,” said Zamuner. Before his operation, Zamuner was an avid swimmer at Centennial pool in downtown Oakville, four to six times a week. “I started swimming again to give me something to do,” said Zamuner. “I also read online that when a [physically] active person is no longer active, their body and mind suffers.” Appleby College teamed up with the Swim for Mental Health to help bring awareness back to the high school level. “We want to broadcast the therapeutic message across the community,” said Zamuner, “and by helping others, we’re helping ourselves.”
Real Talk, real issues: counselling helps students with challenges of college life Chrissy Jarvie Sheridan college residence is doing its part to safeguard the mental health of its students. Real Talk is the name of the program and it is offered at the Trafalgar and Davis campuses of Sheridan. The program runs every Tuesday night and is free to all students. Real Talk goes beyond helping students with real life issues and helps them get integrated into the college lifestyle. When students participate in this program they get valuable knowledge and learn life lessons at the same time that they are getting to know others and learning to accept themselves and others. Real Talk events include sex, drugs and alcohol education, self defense and student safety instruction, anxiety, depression and suicide discussion, how to find balance in your life when you are feeling overwhelmed by stress and pressure, lessons in self discovery and making life choices, and discussions about body image including eating disorders, pressures and the role of media, advertising and Photoshop. It allows the students to be honest and openly discuss the issues in their lives and share what affects them in a non-counseling setting. Traditionally students would have to visit the counseling office, make an appointment and talk to a stranger about their problems. Traditional counseling at Sheridan connects students with the tools they need for both self help and independence, counselors look at signs, symptoms, routine, lifestyle,
nutrition, family history and student records and provide options based on their findings. Counseling is always a busy place but the busiest time’s of the year is the beginning when students are trying to integrate into their new environment, and during midterm and final examinations, as this is a very stressful time for most students. Unfortunatly Nancy Harries was unavaible to comment but Dani Giles, 26, of the counseling department said, “it [counseling] is never about telling them [the patient] what to do, it’s about listening and providing options.” Giles explained that each student will have their own reasons for seeking counseling, but there are some overlaps. The most common issues that counseling at Sheridan deals with are academics stressors; keeping up with the increasing workload and challenging classes, tests and exams, social stressors; meeting and forming relationships with new classmates, losing contact with old friends, being away from family, adjusting to roommate(s), and dating. Other stressors for college students include finding a job or balancing a job with school, not getting enough sleep, not having enough time to get things done, and getting by with a limited amount of money. It is important that Sheridan take an interest in the mental health of its students because in Canada 24 per cent of all deaths among people age 15 to 24 can be attributed to suicide and a Harvard Study released that there are 1,100 suicides on college campuses each year.
OCC
Ontario Cobalt Club
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Daily Rockhopper
Opinion News
Is it still Trudeau’s Canada? Megan Tilley Who are we? What is Canada? Aside from the mass conglomerate of glowing hearts that reside beneath the red and white flag, our True North is that of mountainous hills and exceedingly flat but nevertheless Great Plains. We are the undesignated “Winter Wonderland” that also provides and maintains a rain forest ecosystem. From far and wide, our summers range from mild temperatures to the occasional sweltering days. Therefore, it is only fitting that our population mirror the grandeur of our vast and unique environment. To define the population of Canada, you will also come to define the world, for it is, and always has been, a multicultural nation. Since day one, the continent has comprised of differing nationalities. Britain and France landed (with Scotland, Ireland, and Germany eventually to follow), took over Native territory, and began to fight over ownership of its property. Back then, it was the New World, a place of opportunity and fresh beginnings, today, it is still considered to be so by many newcomers. The official and established diversity of Canada’s populace is dually recognized to having been implemented by one man – Pierre Elliott Trudeau. The 15th Prime Minister of Canada, although known for recognizing the country’s two official languages, saw “a multicultural policy within a bilingual framework.” In other words, Trudeau bluntly stated the obvious, saw that Canada was a mix of mass culture, or a mass of mixed culture,
“The Canadian government was open to hear what the people had to say about the Charter.”
The
and decided to rightfully establish it as so. However, it is questionable as to whom we owe proper thanks to. The Charter of Rights and Freedom does not discriminate, nor does it break the chain of unequivocal diversity amongst the nation. Although the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were the inspirational documents behind the creation of the Charter, its development is owed to the people. The Canadian government was open to hear what the people had to say about the Charter. In 1980, the government created a special party that would televise hearings. They listened to over 300 presentations from women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, ethnic and cultural minorities, and so-on-and-so-forth. Twelve hundred written submissions were also received and taken into consideration. From the large number of proposals, the committee itself made 123 recommendations to improve the Charter, and over half are in the final document. The Trudeau government did not discriminate the process. They deliberated; they decided; but more importantly, they listened. It was a process, not of elimination, but one that built a foundation of principles that would solidify the country as one. It encouraged the people to speak their mind; it showed that, young or old, they mattered. The development of our nation was that of a conjoined effort. The government was in charge of establishing what would make the Charter, but the nation was not without a voice. We can thank Pierre Trudeau for wanting and giving the push the nation needed in order to move forward collectively, however, the admiration must go to the people of the country. They were the voice. It makes one think today how that could change so drastically. In the fragile world we live in, where the economy stands on unstable ground and we have come to form so many opinions, our voices have gone mute when it comes to speaking up; when it comes to voting. How are we honouring what we once worked so hard to create? We may live in Trudeau’s Canada, and our multicultural identities ring true, but we have shamefully misrepresented who we once were. Where are our True Patriots?
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Pierre Trudeau with his trademark red rose.
Photo from
informedvote.ca
Canadian strong and free Laura Vickery Arrogant, pompous, proud. Just a few of the words sometimes associated with Canada’s 15th prime minister. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t Canada’s greatest. There is, of course, the obvious list of accomplishments to list of in favour of this argument. Most notably, the 1982 the patriation of the Canadian constitution and the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The 1982 Constitution Act was the final step in asserting Canada’s independence from Great Britain in a truly Canadian way. Through centuries of small changes and negotiations, not through the bloody fighting seen in so many other former colonies. The inclusion of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in that was the beginning of Trudeau’s legacy in bilingualism and multiculturalism. His insistence on equal language rights, while reviled in by many, recognised the contributions of both French and English in Canada’s founding. Trudeau’s insistence on multiculturalism is what has made Canada the vibrant society it is today. Trudeau also made Canada a player on the world stage. He met with the People’s Republic of China, even before his US counterparts. He maintained trade links in NATO as well as with Cuba. He also worked with US president Gerald Ford to gain Canada’s place in the G7. Pierre Elliot Trudeau shaped the Canada we live in today. That however, is not what sets him apart as Canada’s greatest Prime Minister. It’s his arrogance, his
pride, his blatant disregard for what people thought him (he once responded to Nixon’s insults saying “I’ve been called worse things by better people.”), that set him apart as a great. What’s that? Not convinced that the very things that seem to play against him are those that made him the best? What made Trudeau great was the fact that he was a proud Canadian, and didn’t let anyone keep him from doing what he saw as being in Canada’s best interest. What made Trudeau pirouette behind the Queen’s back after the Constitution was signed? Arrogance. But people applauded him for it. What made him tell a reporter to “Just watch me?” when asked how far he would go to defend against the FLQ? Conceit. He knew just how far he was able to go, and he planned to go there. The fact that Trudeau was conceited enough to see his way as the best, and sometimes only, way to do things made him uncompromising in his pursuit of Canadian rights. Without that we may have lost many of our rights and freedoms. The fact Trudeau was arrogant enough to stand behind any, and all, of the decisions he made is how he set himself apart as Canada’s greatest. Any other prime minister might have called in the War Measures act if faced with the FLQ’s terror campaign in Quebec. Only Trudeau could do it with such style and determination. When faced with criticism over his controversial decisions, Trudeau always had enough arrogance not to back down.
6 Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Community
Hastings Remembers Veterans Under 19? Beware The Marquee Laura Vickery Cold winds and a few snowflakes did not keep Hastings, Ont., residents from passing along the messages of Remembrance day to a younger generation on Friday. Several hundred people gathered at the town cenotaph and braved the cold weather as more than 50 wreathes were laid, many by children or grandchildren of veterans, to honour the
sacrifices made in Canada’s name. “I’m guessing we have four generations here,” said Rev. Jamie York the local Royal Canadian Legion branch’s padre before closing the ceremony with a prayer. “And the younger generation has been very patient.” “Here we are shivering and shaking,” said York, “but it is no where near the sacrifice that our veterans made and continue to make.” Members of Trenton’s 8th Wing Telecommunication
and Information Services Squadron where also on hand, a reminder of those that continue to serve. “It is always a pleasure for the military to participate in the services,” said Master Warrant Officer André Asselin, who lit the peace candle during the remembrance ceremony. Major Joel Ingimendarsson, of the 8th Wing Trenton, was also happy to see so many children attending along side Legion members and former servicemen and women.
“Communities form the foundation for the services today,” said Ingimendarsson, who added that the event is a reminder of that bond. “We are fourtunate to have the 8th wing with us, we are also fourtunate that we have the schools,” said Legion President Bob Crate, who feels that having students from the local elementary school adds to the day. Crate worries that if Remembrance Day were a holiday, as it is in many places, very few children would attend. “If they weren’t in school, would they be here?” Crate
wondered “I was quite proud today, two of my grandchildren helped lay a wreath in honour of my father,” said Crate “and that’s to me what its about.” Including children in Remembrance Day is also important to the Royal Canadian Legion, who various programs aimed at just that. Crate pointed out that Legion members visit the local schools to educate students, the Legion also sponsors a poem and poster contest, as well as a public speaking comepition. Crate is of the opinion that if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we are destined to repeat them. “Hopefully by doing these things, we’ll change history a bit,” said Crate. Crate is not the only one that believes the message of remembrance is important to our future actions “We have an immunity to death,” said Rev. York “not many of us, kids or adults, have seen someone die.” York hopes that remembering those who have served, alongside men and women who are currently in service, will help to make their sacrifices more real for a younger generation. Local resident Kira Mees, who attended with her husband and two young children, Also felt it was important for her children to be there and “see the faces and remember the sacrifices” of those who served.
IDs, there is only so much he can do. “Unfortunately, we can’t keep the fake ID as that might be considered theft. We usually just turn the person at the door.” Casey said that while there is never a completely fool proof system, he feels he and his staff do a good job of keeping underage patrons from consuming alcohol. Christi Campbell, a 22-yearold Corporate Communications student, has had plenty of experience entering the student pub. “You‘re allowed in during Vikki Skalin the day with a student ID if you Underage students beware, are underage, but the bartender The Marquee means business will always ID you. The only thing This fall. The on-campus pub at you can do during the day there is Sheridan College has strict rules eat and play pool.” on student drinking. Campbell feels respect The Dan Casey, operations Marquee enough not to try and use manager for the Sheridan Student false entry. Union and manager of the Marquis If you are caught at the pub since 2010, says that his staff is drinking underage you may not be specially trained on how to spot allowed back at The Marquee. for signs of tampering and fake “A guy just got banned for IDs. buying underage kids a drink,” “All students present their Said Andy Bernard, an Advanced student IDs. Non-students have to Special Effects Makeup, be at least 19 years of age and must Prosthetics and Props student be signed in by their Sheridan ID who waitresses part time at the carrying guest. We record all non- Marquis. student names,” Casey said. “ I was working that night. A If students are caught guy looked suspicious so security with a fake ID they will face went out onto the patio and saw consequences. that he was with a group of people. “Students are required to Security asked for ID and they surrender their student ID card weren’t old enough but they had and are asked to leave the venue. been consuming alcohol.” They must set up a meeting with Bernard gave a few examples Student Services to retrieve their of the types of id that are valid ID, and face possible disciplinary at The Marquee. “Valid ID, is action depending on the nature of something like your passport, the incident.” driver’s licence, health card, but This does not mean students we are not allowed to ask someone will never try to enter the bar for their health card.” again, but Casey hopes it deters Underage students are them from trying. permitted into the pub during the While Casey tries to keep day, however they are not permitted underage students from using fake to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Light up the Night raises funds and hope for Wellspring patients Chrissy Jarvie An infant boy points at the blue, pink, green and white lights and says “pretty.” He doesn’t know the symbolic meaning of the lights that cover the exterior of Wellspring Cancer Support Centre and the surrounding trees but it is clear that they gave him joy. Other than raising funds the feeling of joy was the point of having the lighting ceremony. Gael Miles, founder of Wellspring said, “Wellspring is a very special place because it’s where people who are trying to cope with cancer can come and share with others who are going through the same experience.” Members and family at Wellspring have the opportunity to participate in 27 programs designed to help them cope with cancer.
The programs include yoga, meditation, arts and crafts, support groups and focus groups, all facilitated by oncology experts, psychologists and social workers. The second annual Light Up Wellspring Campaign held on Thursday surpassed its $15,000 goal, as predicted by fundraising manager Shannon Doherty. Prior to the lighting Miles said, “this time of year (Christmas) is for joy, peace and good will on the earth, and unfortunately when you’re dealing with cancer it’s sometimes hard to feel those kinds of emotions and feelings.” The campaign calls on relatives of the patients and members of the community to purchase, in the form of a donation, an LED bulb, a string of lights or a tree of
lights, with the money going to support the 27 programs that Wellspring offers. “Wellspring being a nonprofit organization means that we depend on sponsors, the community and family member for their donations,” said Robert Filkin, a member of the board of directors. Secretary Kathy Zammit agreed saying, “this would not be possible without all of our supporters.” The lighting ceremony was almost cancelled when early donation counts showed the goal had not been reached. With a few timely donations from members and a generous donation of $5000 from TD Canada Trust, the goal was surpassed and they were able to light up Wellspring. A TD spokes person said, “for TD it is a humbling privilege to be part of such beautiful work that goes on
inside this building.” For Wellspring the holidays are the perfect time for a fundraiser. Sean Genedy, a Wellspring representative said, “most contributors choose to spend their charity money over the holiday because it is the end of the year and they feel obligated as part of the giving spirit of the holiday season.” This coupled with the welcoming nature of Wellspring made it a fun and heartwarming night for all those who attended. Marolyn Morrison, Mayor of Caledon commented after the ceremony saying, “ it’s more than a simple fundraiser for the members here. For them it’s symbolic of lighting all of us up and everyone helping, interacting and supporting each other. That is exactly what the season is about and
it’s what life should be about.” Morrison said “it is so helpful for the people here to have this campaign because it gives them a peace of mind to be able to meet supporters and people who are like them and going through a similar situation. Having Wellspring means they always have a ‘safe place’ to come to, where they can get the support they need to fight cancer.” In addition to the lighting ceremony Wellspring opened the entire house for guests to wander through and get a feeling for what goes on there and why they need the community support. With a turnout of over 300 people Wellspring felt the need to go beyond just lights. Inside the house there was a silent auction and bazar with donated items from the members and sponsors and a room for the children to play.