2010-2011 Issue 1 by Eye of the Tiger Thornhill Secondary School

Toronto: the beautiful See page 16

Toronto: the ugly

See page 11

fall 2010

issue one

the student newspaper of thornhill secondary school

EYE OF THE TIGER

FUN IN THE SUN On September 29th, the staff and students of TSS took the afternoon off and temporarily left the classrooms for the annual Carnival. The Eye of the Tiger brings you some of its memorable moments below. More on the Carnival and Terry Fox Run below.

Out with the old, in with the new

Students will warm up to changes around TSS. BY REBECCA CHUI NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

All photos by Tomer Michailov, except for 1st row centre, by Hubert Si.

A tale of two TSS traditions Introducing our new BOSS Thornhill’s annual events senate representatives! are a resounding success. but unfortunately that goal wasn’t reached. Thornhill students only raised $1500. Come on TSS, you can do better then that! But that’s BY JAYCEE MORRISON okay; every dollar still helps the NEWS CONTRIBUTOR foundation. Hopefully we can raise he Terry Fox Run and Carni- more money next year for cancer val were both complete suc- research. cesses! First, all grades walked around the block to show their support for the Terry Fox Foundation, then they all enjoyed a wonderful and fun carnival with rides, food, and games. Everyone from all grades was there and it was good to see people of all ages getting together to support a great cause. Terry Fox would be proud. The Terry Fox Run was started when a man named Terry Fox at- FUN TIMES A student amuses himtempted to run across Canada after self at TSS’ annual Carnival. The Thornhill Carnival also his leg had to be amputated due to cancer. He did it to raise money turned out great. Between the and awareness for cancer research many different inflatables, includso that what happened to him ing the giant tiger slide and the wouldn’t have to happen to other Adrenaline Rush race, plus the people. That is why every year super fun games, there was somearound the same time, schools thing for everyone to do. Some across Canada walk to support his games included basketball and ring toss. Not to mention the delicious cause. “The Terry Fox run was a fun food! Some of the food offered inexperience that worked great to cluded cotton candy, snow cones bond all the grades together,” says and hamburgers; sounds delicious! Hopefully next year’s carnival will student Emiliya Ismayilova. Another student, Stephanie be just as great. Let’s give a big thanks to BOSS Snider says, “It really showed everyone how much they can make a and TAC for setting up and planning all the events. Keep up the difference.” The goal for Thornhill was $6000 spirit, TSS!

Who made the cut as our next student senators? BY JENNIFER LEE NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

ith the smashing success of carnival and homecoming, and with semi-formal just around the corner, the new school year is certainly off to an auspicious start. But let’s not forget that these amazing school-wide events would never have been possible without the organizational expertise of our committed team of BOSS execs. Though they invest their time and effort into orchestrating the events we’ve come to know and love, it’s the ideas and input of the student body that really bring these days to life; this is why BOSS is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 senate elections— your own, approachable go—to representatives, tasked with the sole responsibility of voicing your personal comments and concerns for the remainder of the year. Congratulations to Mikayla Wronko, Francis Kim, Sarah Shin and Priscilla Leung, who will be representing the grade nines in BOSS senate this year. The grade ten senators are Mary Lee, Sammy Linetsky, Lily Robbins and River

DID YOU KNOW?

BOSS is TSS’ student council. At the start of every school year, student senator elections are held, in which four senators are selected to represent each grade. They serve as liaisons between BOSS and the grades. Wong. Representing the grade twelves are Miga Kim, Elise Furman and Katerina Ryabets. A special congratulation goes out to our new grade eleven representatives- Paul Kim, Shakil Nagji, Rachel Fong and Amanda Yee- all of whom had faced considerable competition in this year’s senate elections but managed to win voters over with a few brief words of wisdom. Throughout the year, these dedicated individuals will ensure that your opinions are voiced. “It’s all about being approachable to others,” says grade eleven representative Rachel Fong. “I want to make sure everyone has the best year possible!” Congratulations to everyone who made it, and if you need your voice heard, talk to your new BOSS senators today!

s a new school year begins, students and teachers, new and old faces, come to Thornhill Secondary School. Routines start to form, and everyone becomes accustomed to school life. Over the summer, many things have changed. Friendships, travel experiences, and even summer school are some of the various memories of those two special months. Thornhill SS also had some changes, those being renovations to the building. There were three main modifications done. To update the school and to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act, the doors of the school leading to the math portables were upgraded to be handicapaccessible. As well, one set of the washrooms on the main floor and the washrooms on the second floor had its doors taken off to allow easier accessibility for the physically-disabled. There has also been an addition of new handicapped washrooms unique to those two sets. In accordance with the Act, a wheelchair lift was also added to the side of the stage in the gym. A full automation upgrade was installed throughout the building. Basically, a thermostat is in each classroom to monitor the temperature. The data is sent to a main computer and it can be reviewed immediately. As a result, it is more energy and cost efficient, and will be better controlled. A change that is less visible by students is the replacement of three old hot water tanks with a new domestic hot water tank. The old atmospheric boilers were expensive, inefficient, and had insufficient water storage, compared to the single tank currently in place. With new improvements to the school, TSS is becoming a more welcoming place for staff and students alike.

INSIDE this issue NEWS ISSUE & OPINION EDITORIAL SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT

1-6 7-10 11 12-15 16-19

123s & ABCs An education in universities & cheating the EQAO. SEE PAGE 4 & 5, NEWS

That’s so gay Words can kill– especially online. SEE PAGE 10, COMMENT

She can dance Ballroom dancer Emily Shtrachman is our Athlete of the Issue SEE PAGE 12, SPORTS

Confessions to a drama Why One Tree Hill’s reign is over. SEE PAGE 17, REVIEW

news

page 2 EYE OFTHE TIGER

fall 2010

EYE OF THE TIGER

Join the club! A

t Thornhill Secondary School, we harbour a great many clubs; there is certainly a club for everyone. Throughout future issues this school year, we at the Eye of the Tiger will be bringing to you a conclusive list of all the clubs that Thornhill has to offer. If you’re not part of any clubs, this is your chance to learn about what exactly TSS has to offer in terms of afterschool clubs, and maybe even convince you to go out and join a few!

Club name: Environment Club Club contact: tss.enviroexec@gmail.com Club heads: Steven Shermin, Stevie Lubin, Morgan Rosenberg, Diego Santesteban Club meets: Mondays after school in room 215 Club summary: The Environment Club is dedicated to reducing Thornhill Secondary’s ecological footprint and to raising environmental awareness within the school. Some major achievements are tree-planting – we’ve planted six trees on school grounds – and indoor plants, which will be coming soon. We are still in the planning stages for our activities this year, but major ideas include better recycling, environmental workshops, and overall publicity. Just come on by if you’re interested in joining! Club name: Free the Children Club contact: hirazch@hotmail.com Club head: Hira Zahid Club meets: Wednesdays after school in room 123 Club summary: The purpose of this club is to raise awareness and funds for the club “Free the Children.” We hope to raise funds for children in developing countries so

basic necessities and education will be provided. The main Free the Children events for the year are Halloween for Hunger, Vow of Silence, teacher vs. student dodgeball, selling t-shirts and various events. In all, the events raise funds which go to Free The Children.

lovely Ms. Swan. We're going to have an awesome (not to mention delicious) time this year and we can't wait to see you all there! Club: Eye of the Tiger Club Contact: eyeofthetigerchiefs@gmail.com Club Head: Caroline Mei Club meets: About 4 times a year, listen for the announcement! Club summary: The Eye of the Tiger is Thornhill Secondary School’s award winning student newspaper. Published four times a year, the newspaper reaches out to the entire student body and Thornhill community. For potential writers, the newspaper is divided into four main sections: news, entertainment, opinion and sports. The Eye also welcomes student photographers, finance team members or layout/graphics editors. Listen for announcements about upcoming writer’s meetings!

Club: ROCK Christian Fellowship Club Contact: rockthornhill@gmail.com Club Heads: Rebecca Chui, Miga Kim, Andrew Leung, David Park, and Greg Chen Club meets: Thursdays after school in room 138 Club summary: Among the many clubs you may join, make sure to check out ROCK Christian Fellowship! ROCK Christian Fellowship fosters a friendly and caring environment. We welcome everyone to come together and have fun while learning and discussing relevant topics. Upcoming events include sports and games days, and our highly anticipated annual Christ- Club: Thornhill Student Debating mas party will be hosted at TSS as Union well! Club Contact: thornhilldebate@gmail.com Club Heads: Caroline Mei, MiClub name: Potluck Club chelle Polster Club contact: Club meets: Thursdays after school avivalevaviv@gmail.com Club Heads: Aviva Lev-Aviv, in room 215 Club summary: The Thornhill Megan MacLaurin Student Debating Union is ready to Club meets: Every other Monday kick-start another great year of after school in the cafeteria debate! The Debating Union helps Club summary: Potluck Club is a students develop their oral comnew club this year at TSS! We are munication, rational thinking, and all about enjoying yummy food and problem solving skills through having fun together. How it works weekly meetings. Students are is at each meeting, we have a differ- given opportunities to participate ent themed potluck where every in organized rounds of debate and member brings a dish to share. It's interactive lessons each week. a great opportunity to meet new Resolutions are informative and friends, show off your cooking (and interesting and prepare particieating!) skills and have a blast! The pants for debate tournaments and club is run by super friendly grade competitions on the local, provin11s, with the assistance of the cial and national scale.

What’s been happening at TSS teer Newspaper category at the province-wide Toronto Star Newspaper Awards. The YRDSB presented the staff with plaques at their monthly APPLAUSE ceremonies, which recognize the works NEWS STAFF and significant contributions of students, staff and community reedom Day On Monday, September 20, a members in York Region. group of Thornhill students joined hundreds of high CN Tower Climb Tigers strive to climb the highest school youth from the GTA at Toronto’s inaugural Freedom Day. mountain, but on October 23rd, The event, which was hosted by our six Tigers strove to climb the Ben Mulroney on the Queen’s Park highest tower in Canada—the CN lawn, was organized by the Friends Tower. They participated in the of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Enbridge CN Tower Climb, hosted Holocaust Studies and featured by United Way Toronto. United Way Toronto is a section several prominent speakers including Marina Nemat, author of Pris- of United Way that focuses just on oner of Tehran- an account of her Toronto. This charity group helps experience as a prisoner in her the homeless, newcomers, and native Iran and Max Eisen, a Holo- youth. Our Tigers were able to raise $622 for the CN Tower Climb! caust survivor. Tony Kim in grade 11 was able to All the speakers and presented emphasized the importance of reach the top within an incredible freedom and enlightened students 18 minutes. Also, a big thank you from all the with their experiences. climbers to Ms Maisel for waking up at 6 am to supervise us. Good APPLAUSE! job TSS! Hope you are up to the th On Monday, September 27 , the challenge again next year! Eye of the Tiger and its staff were recognized by the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) for George Chuvalo: Fight Against their achievements in the 2009- Drugs On Friday, October 29th, re2010 school year, which included a nowned Canadian boxer George nd 2 place finish in the Best Volun-

As always, it’s been a busy school year here at TSS. Here’s a short recap of some noteworthy events.

Chuvalo came to Thornhill Secondary School to speak to grade 11 students about drug use. Chuvalo, who was a prolific fighter and the Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1958 to 1979, lost three sons and a wife to substance abuse. His presentation began with a video detailing his boxing career and troubled family life, followed by a graphic and deeply moving recollection from the man himself. The main message from Chuvalo was that substance abuse— though seemingly harmless— can escalate, with unprecedented and devastating effects on an individual, their friends and family. Interfaith Dialogue During period 1 on Tuesday, November 2, several classes attended an in-school discussion between Rabbi Michael Stroh of Temple Har Zion, Dr. S.M. Kazem Mesbah Moosavi, president and imam of the Islamic Iranian Centre of Imam Ali, and Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, general secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches. The three religious figures shared their ideas on a variety of faith-related matters such as religious extremism and the nature of religious texts. The dialogue was covered in the Thornhill Liberal.

Who will be running the city? The elections are over, the ballots have been counted. Let the upheaval begin. BY DIEGO SANTESTEBAN NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

et ready, Toronto! With his promise to end the “gravy train”, fix municipal debt with a cleaver, and make the city work again, Rob Ford has become the mayor of Toronto, and the most widely elected politician in Canadian history, with no MP, MPP, or mayor having neared the 380,201 votes that he took in his crushing defeat of rivals George Smitherman and Joe Pantalone. The stories of voter anger and taxpayer-friendly candidates came from across the GTA, amidst a fullblown election and increasing amounts of corruption and waste in the governments of our cities. In Vaughan, Linda Jackson, who defeated Michael Di Biase in 2006 after multiple recounts by just 90 votes, was easily defeated by Maurizio Bevilacqua, a former MP and one-time candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. In Mississauga, Hazel McCallion, who had never been challenged since being elected as Mayor, had to debate opponents for the first time in 32 years, among conflict-ofinterest charges involving a construction deal with her son’s company. The story in Toronto was an exciting one. After the city worker strike in 2009, David Miller said that he would not run for re-election, retiring from politics to take care of his family. In January 2010, the three main mayoral candidates were George Smitherman, Adam Giambrone, and John Tory. Smitherman was the Minister of Finance, known as “Furious George” for his short fuse and hot temper. Giambrone, the young New Democrat, was the chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, known for his “Transit City” project to build streetcar lines to Pearson Airport, and Toronto’s suburbs. Tory was the failed Progressive Conservative leader, first defeated in the mayoral election of 2003 by David Miller, then in the 2007 provincial election by Dalton McGuinty, and then in a 2008 by-election effort to rescue his leadership. Two of the three did not run. While Tory never entered the race, Giambrone was briefly a candidate before withdrawing after revelations of his affair with Kristen Lucas, who came out in an interview with the

ALL IN THE POLITICS Rob Ford took the mayoral election by a landslide on a campaign that resonated with both urbanites and those in the 905. Toronto Star that was heavily criticized for being unethically invasive. Two other candidates emerged promptly. Rocco Rossi, a political strategist, left his job at the Liberal Party to run for Mayor on a campaign of downsizing city hall. Joe Pantalone, the deputy mayor, ran on a campaign of continuing the Miller legacy. A back-runner was Rob Ford. Ford quickly emerged as a front-runner throughout the summer, despite allegations of charges regarding marijuana while in Florida, and several offensive remarks about immigration, cultural minorities, and homosexuals. Running a populist campaign to fix waste and excessive spending at city hall, Ford burst out into a huge lead with support from the suburban populace. Aside from waste, the main issue in the election was transportation. In his seven years as mayor, David Miller oversaw the botched St. Clair Avenue streetcar construction, the proposal to extend the Spadina Subway to York University and Vaughan, and the rise and fall of a the Transit City project. As the election loomed weeks away, the focus turned from the issues to defeating Rob Ford, who was portrayed as a “radical” candidate. Thompson and Rossi withdrew, which helped Smitherman to come head-to-head with Ford. Pantalone, however, remained in the election, insisting on the possibility of an unlikely win from behind. As election night came, Ford won nearly half of the vote, winning the post as the mayor of Canada's largest city. Will Ford be able to enact his promised changes? Only time will tell – Ford has few right-wing allies in city council, and faces the possibility of unions drawing drastic measures, perhaps even garbage and transit strikes, to try to stop his best efforts.

STEP BY STEP Members of the TSS chapter of United Way smile for the camera. The fastest member to reach the top was Tony Kim, in merely 18 minutes.

news

fall 2010

A deceptive silence Just when you thought that opening up your wallet was enough for Haiti. BY ESTHER YONG NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

any remember the horror of watching the devastation of Haiti on January 12, 2010. The earthquake in Haiti imprinted a burning image of disaster like no other in people’s minds around the world. Lately, news updates on the progress of reconstructing Haiti have been relatively silent, leading many to assume that the international aid effort is accomplishing its job. As soon as the earthquake hit, many leaders of leading nations pledged to support Haiti in various ways. Canada was amongst many countries that pledged to do all they can for the Haiti project. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Canada has committed more than $1 billion for Haiti. Canada gave Haiti $150 million in the weeks following the earthquake. However, Canada has not yet fulfilled other long-term promises. On July 9th, the English-language Canadian Press news agency reported that Canada had not given a dime to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF) established by the United Nations. Media reports on Canada’s announcement at the UN Donors Conference to contibute $400 million to the HRF gave the impression that it was established on the spot– when that was not really the case. In reality Canada has only paid $30 million - $45 million U.S. which is the minimum payment required to have a seat on the Fund’s board of directors. Many of the financial promises Canada made to Haiti are yet to be accounted for, but Canadian citizens did not stand by to watch Haiti suffer alone. A month after the disaster, $220 million dollars of donations were collected and given to charities helping the crisis. The Canadian government said that they would match the $220 million to donate to Haiti. This promise has yet to be met as well. Haiti still needs help in many ways. Even Canadians who have recently visited or are working in Haiti express anger at the slow rate of rehabilitation. Jim Karygiannis (a Member of Parliament) wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper saying: “I have recently returned from a trip to Haiti. I was appalled by the living conditions of the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake.” “Six months is too long for victims to wait for the rebuilding process to begin” he wrote. “We must act now”. CBC news reported that observers predict it could take an astounding 20 years to reinstate the city the way it was before at the current rate of advancement. These descriptions impel one to ask: Have we truly done enough to support Haiti’s regerneration efforts? Financial support is not the only key to success. The source of this problem originates from past records of unpaid funds for natural disasters. Broken promises and mysteriously misplaced goods will have negative consequences on Haiti as well if current situations continue. However, this problem can be resolved if significant political pressure demands meaningful reconstruction aid from the world’s leaders. It is up to Canadian citizens to support Haiti, without opening wallets, but by exerting pressure on the Canadian government to keep their promises. If Canada is compelled to fulfill all their promises, other leading nations will follow Canada’s example and follow through with theirs.

EYE OFTHE TIGER

page 3

The journey to the “top” of the world Chilean miners are ecstatic to see the light of day BY NIKITA ZHITKEVICH NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

n August 5th, 33 miners were plunged into darkness by the collapse of the main gold and silver mine that runs like a corkscrew for miles under a barren mountain in northern Chile's Atacama desert. The miners were presumed to be dead for 17 days after the collapse of the main mine, until August 22, when the miners messaged the perforation drill. Unbelievably, they had survived in the underground “break-room”, and this caused massive celebrations all across Chile. Since that fateful day when the 33 miners had been trapped, engineers had drilled small holes, (about the size of a fist), and had been lowering food and other necessities to the miners trapped 700m below ground. The miners could still reach many chambers and access ramps in the lower reaches of the mine, and had used a separate chamber

some distance from their reinforced emergency chamber as their bathroom. The miners had also each lost a significant amount of weight, and officials had hoped that for the time being, they would be able to keep living that way, as solutions were being put on the table. The Chilean government, as well as the Chilean mining industry, had both worked tirelessly to devise a solution to rescue the 33 men, but consequently this has been referred to as one of the hardest engineering challenges ever proposed. Due to the incredible instability of the mine, engineers and officials had been afraid to do any serious drilling to further endanger the lives of the miners. Some Chilean officials proposed that it could have been four months before the miners could be rescued. On October 9, 2010 engineers had drilled a shaft about half a mile (700 meters) down to the miners, with the expectancy of getting all of them out safely within four to five days. The relatives of the miners who

SURFACE AREA Rescue procedures at the site operated around the clock. patiently waited, all hoping and and were sent home to their loved praying for the safe return of their ones a mere two days after their loved ones finally got some peace rescue. when on October 11th, 2010, the Though this may be the end of miners were hoisted one by one out the miners’ story, their courage, of the mine through a capsule, not bravery, and determination will live only to the tremendous cheer of on in the hearts of the people of their relatives, but to the delight of Chile, as well as being a vivid reminder to the world of the chalthe world. All 33 miners were thoroughly lenge that 33 average men took on evaluated by numerous doctors, together.

Energy drinks dangerously full We are fat, and we don’t care has been climbing steadily since Below the radar of health of caffeine and glucose the 1980s, to reach a staggering Popular refreshments may be behind some of the dehydration and mood disorders in youth. BY SANDRA SINAYUK NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

nergy drinks are commonly used in Canada and other developed countries for the purpose of increasing alertness and improving athletic performance. Targeted towards children and youth, these beverages have recently been linked to adverse health effects, especially when mixed with alcohol, a global trend seen among young adults. Various North American and European studies have linked the consumption of energy drinks to ailments such as mood disorders, dental enamel erosion, insomnia, and even acute mania. Ingestion of energy drinks mixed with alcohol usually leads to behavior more dangerous than that which results from the consumption of alcohol. Many of these beverages are considered food items in Canada, and are required to merely list ingredients, meaning that caffeine content is not usually disclosed. Health Canada has, however, begun to classify some drinks as natural health products, requiring them to put warnings on labels but not clear information on caffeine content. Energy drinks often contain extremely large amounts of caffeine with American products Wired X505™ and Fixx™ having 500mg of caffeine in each can, equivalent to drinking roughly five cups of coffee in one sitting. Similar drinks can contain 35g of sugar in an 8oz container. “Owing to inadequate labeling requirements, a lack of awareness of caffeine’s harmful effects and marketing campaigns that appeal to children and youth, this is precisely what we are unwittingly allowing in Canada and elsewhere.” N. Macdonald, MD, MSc states her opinion. Numerous countries have chosen not to sell certain energy drinks. The retail of Red Bull was banned in Denmark as of 2009 and forbidden in France prior to 2008. In a medical study focused on the human effects of caffeine, it was concluded that caffeine has been linked to weight loss and decrease of the hazard for acquiring

the metabolic syndrome, which is a condition that increases one’s risk for heart disease and diabetes. Regular consumers of drinks high in caffeine argue that any symptoms of severe caffeine intoxication are present for a short span of time and very few.

TURN IT UP As the energy drink market faces a proliferation of new drinks, ones such as Loko by Four are being marketed with more gimmicks– in this case, alcohol. Another point is that food products containing caffeine have been used without any major unpleasant effects for about six centuries– we are not the first generation who is looking for an energy fix. The most common components of energy drinks include large amounts of caffeine, sugar, carbohydrates, and legal stimulants. “The mixture of three key ingredients of Red Bull® Energy Drink used in the study (caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone) have positive effects upon human mental performance and mood.”, an Austrian study concludes. Another study worries that caffeine levels and sugar concentrations are what we should be worried about. “The amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver either therapeutic benefits or adverse events. However, caffeine and sugar are present in amounts known to cause a variety of adverse health effects.” A Dalhousie University Professor of Pediatrics argues that most young people consume the larger portion of their daily caffeine intake in the evening, which contributes to mood disorders, obesity, lowered self esteem, and worsening of asthma. Healthcare practitioners mention to have observed dehydration,

food promotion, obesity epidemic continues to grow dangerously large.

besity is a term that we, as North Americans, have all become familiar with over the past couple of decades. It has been classified as a disease, and a lifestyle choice; it has been blamed on nature and nurture. We struggled with accepting the fact that we are fat; we have placed blame on corporations, on society, and even the definitions of obesity itself. Measured by a ratio of the weight to the height called the Body Mass Index, a ratio of above 25 is considered overweight, and above 30 to be obese. Though it can be argued that the Body Mass Index, or BMI, is sometimes inaccurate as a measure of one's obesity due to the fact that it does not take into account the extraneous mass of muscle, it is undeniable that obesity is a disease that has spread through North American culture. Morgan Spurlock's iconic and controversial documentary Super Size Me in 2004 struck a chord in the American public; government intervention ranged from awareness programs to the proposal of additional tax, and even ban, on unhealthy food. The epidemic plunged America into momentary hysteria, but it remained just that; hysteria. The increased awareness did not result in decreased waistlines, and the tax proposals fell through as Americans made a return to apathy and fast food. The statistics agree; the rate of overweight and obese Americans

68% in 2010. The rest of the developed, English-speaking world follows closely behind, with New Zealand at 63%, Australia and England at 61%, and Canada at 60%. Surprisingly, these figures elicit much less than public outrage. They are met with indifference, for the world continues to grow fatter with each passing day. The acceptance of the fact that obesity is a prevalent issue did not lead to change, but into permissiveness. Obesity is tolerated, even defended, as any attempt to quell the epidemic is seen as discrimination of the overweight. Supporters of the fat acceptance movement believe that health concerns associated with obesity, such as increased risk for heart disease and diabetes, are products of propaganda used to spread prejudice against the overweight. Toleration for unhealthy practices, such as the lifestyle choices that lead to obesity, can be just as dangerous as the practice itself; upon telling parents that their children are overweight, 60% of Canadian pediatricians were met with a mixture of defensiveness and apathy. The dangers of obesity extend beyond individuals; obesity is a liability on the economy, on the health care system, and on society itself. It is estimated that obesity in the United States costs $73 billion in lost productivity annually, a figure that is calculated on both absence from work due to health issues as well as medical costs. The health care expenditure for each obese individual is roughly 25% higher than that of a person of normal weight, a cost that must be covered by the rest of society.

accelerated heart rates, anxiety, seizures, acute mania, and strokes in youth following the consumption of energy drinks. “It has been also shown that combination of caffeine and glucose, fundamental constituents of [energy drinks], can ameliorate deficits in cognitive performance and subjective fatigue during extended periods of cognitive demand.” an Italian study observes. A survey shows that young adults were four times more likely to drive while under the influence of alcohol when they mixed alcoholic beverages with energy drinks than those who did not mix the two drinks. The reason for this is revealed by a study conducted by the Depart-

ment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy “...users of energy drinks and alcoholic beverages might not feel the signs of alcohol intoxication, thus increasing the probability of accidents and/or favoring the possibility of development of alcohol dependence.” This study holds alarming implications. The short term benefits of energy drinks – increased alertness and concentration - can be quite helpful in situations in which one is need of a cognitive lift, but these drinks should be consumed in moderation in order to avoid ailments that they bring upon the consumer due to an enormous amount of caffeine and sugar.

BY MARINA GONG NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

education

page 4 EYE OFTHE TIGER

fall 2010

THE PRESSURE IS ON. For those in their last year at TSS, now is the time to be thinking about postsecondary options. The Eye of the Tiger presents the first in a series of features on post-secondary options. From the big picture to the smallest details, here’s what you need to know. By Hilbert Li.

Part 1 Decisions, decisions: universities

Clockwise from top left: University of Toronto; York University; University of British Columbia, McGill University

University of Toronto

•

Life Sciences: English, Calculus, Biology Management: English, Calculus, Advanced Functions Forensic Science: English, Advanced Functions, Biology, Chemistry Music: Audition Required

Locations: • U of T has three campuses to choose from: the University of To• ronto St. George (downtown) Campus, the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus, and the Univer• sity of Toronto Scarborough Campus. Tuition Fees: • Engineering: $10, 534.34 Programs: • Arts, Science, Commerce, ManThe University of Toronto offers agement: $5,961.98-$6,306.78 more than 800 undergraduate pro• Music: $5946.98 grams and more than 400 graduate • Physical Education and Health: and professional programs. $5966.98 Undergraduate programs include • Commerce/Management (Years Applied Science and Engineering, 2, 3, 4): $12,634.40-$12,289.98 Business/Commerce/Management, • Computer Science/ Humanities, Life Sciences, MatheCommunication Culture and matical and Computer Science, Information Technology/ BioinSocial Sciences, Music, Physical formatics(Years 2, 3, 4): Education and Health. $9,111.98-$9,456.40 Each campus offers a variety of • Management (Years 2, 3, 4): different undergraduate programs. $10,187.98 Being a faculty of the Arts and Science, the St. George Campus in downtown Toronto is the only campus that offers programs in Applied Science and Engineering, Physical Education and Health, Humanities and Music, and also offers most of the courses in Life Science and Computer Science, and Social Sciences. Most of the Business/Commerce/ Management programs are offered at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, and few are offered at the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus.

Reputation & Rankings: Considered as having one of the top academic engineering and medical programs in the world. “Times Higher Education World University Rankings” ranks U of T at 17th. “Academic Ranking of the World Universities” ranks U of T at 27th. By academic subject, it ranks 19th in engineering and computer science, 29th in medicine, 33rd in natural science and mathematics, 50th in life and agricultural sciences, and 5275th in social science. U of T also has a historic college Admission Requirements : system, in which students of the • Humanities and Social Sciences: Faculty of Arts and Sciences are part English of one of seven colleges. Competi• Commerce: English, Calculus tion is fierce to get into some of the • Physical and Mathematical Sciences: English, Calculus, Physics better known colleges, such as Trinity and Victoria. for most programs •

Computer Science: English, Calculus

Website: www.utoronto.ca

York University

•

Engineering, Computer Science: $6936 Textbooks and supplies (estimated): $1000-1500 Residence: $4456 Meal plan: $3000, $3500 or $4000 Personal expenses: $2200 Living off campus: $9000 Personal expenses if living off campus: $3000 Health and Dental Care: $200

Locations: York University has 2 campuses: • The Keele Campus, and the Glendon Campus. The Keele cam- • pus is York's main campus, housing • more than 45,000 undergraduate students and 4,700 graduate stu- • dents as well as most of the aca- • demic programs. The Glendon • Campus has a small liberal arts faculty where you can study in English • or French. Houses 2,200 students. Reputation & Rankings: The 2010 QS World University Programs: Rankings ranked York 333 out of York University offers more than 200 undergraduate programs such 660 institutions that were evaluated as Accounting, Biology, Business, at an overall level. York has a 3 year Children’s study, Digital Media, average rank of 286. The WebometEngineering, French Studies, Law, rics Ranking of World Universities Marketing, Mathematics, Music, 2010 ranked York University 105 out Science, Philosophy, and Visual of 12000. York's overall grade was a Arts. York is better known for its B+, highest grade among Canadian business programs and law pro- universities. Maclean's 2008 Reputational Survey ranked York Univergrams. sity 36 in Canada, and ranked 9 in Admission Requirements : the “comprehensive” university • Environmental Studies: mid 70 category. • Fine Arts: mid 70 to mid 80 Website: www.yorku.ca • Glendon: mid to high 70 • Health: mid 70's Ryerson University • Collaborative Nursing: low 80 • Liberal Arts and Professional Locations: Studies: mid to high 70 Ryerson University only has 1 campus, located on the west side of • Criminology: low 80 Yonge and Dundas (downtown) in • Administrative Studies: mid 70 • Information Technology: mid 70 the busy heart of Toronto. Inside • Schulich School of Business: low are multiple halls and centres for different studies. 90 • Science: mid to high 70 Programs: • Engineering: low 80 Ryerson offers more than 55 programs. Among these are Aerospace Tuition fees: Full time tuition for most non- Engineering, Architectural Science, professional + compulsory supple- Business Management, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Criminal mentary fees: $6003 Justice, Electrical Engineering, • Bachelor of Design: $8473 • Schulich School of Business: Fashion Design, Mechanical Engineering, Food and Nutrition, and $6989 Occupational and Public Health.

Ryerson is a very hands-onpractical school, with programs tending to be career-focused. Admission Requirements: Overall average of over 70%: • Engineering: English, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors or Mathematics of Data Management or Biology or Earth and Space Science. • Biology: English, Advanced Functions, two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. • Journalism. English, Sociology, Child and Youth Care, Image Arts, Psychology: English. • Fashion: English, Grade 11 U or M math or Grade 12 U math, Visual Arts (recommended). • Occupational and Public Health: English, Chemistry or Biology, Grade 12 U Physics and Mathematics (recommended). • Business: English, Math. Tuition Fees: • Arts: $5758 - $6021 • Community Services: $5878 $6504 • Communication & Design: $5897 - $6475 • Engineering, Architecture and Science: $5758 - $7903 • Ted Rogers School of Management $6210 - $8001 Reputation & Rankings: Ryerson University is known for innovative programs that integrate theoretical and applied learning. Graduates produced from Ryerson are usually already career-ready in their fields. In 2009, Ryerson was ranked second in Ontario for first choice applications from graduating high school students. Website: www.ryerson.ca

education

fall 2010 University of Waterloo Locations: The University of Waterloo has one main campus located in Waterloo, Ontario, a satellite campus located in Dubai offering chemical and civil engineering programs, and a new campus located in Stratford, Ontario. The campus in Stratford was a partnership between the city of Stratford and the University of Waterloo, and focuses on undergraduate and graduate programs in digital media. Programs: Waterloo has six faculties: Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Environment, Faculty of Mathematics, and a Faculty of Science. The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences offers 5 programs such as Health Studies, Kinesiology, and Recreation and Business. The Faculty of Arts offers many programs such as Fine arts, French, Drama, Classical Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, Music, and English. The Faculty of Engineering offers more than 13 programs such as Architecture, Electrical, Mechanical, Management, Environmental, Chemical, Nanotechnology, and Computer Engineering. Waterloo has a very high reputation in engineering. The Faculty of Environment offers 8 programs such as Geography and Aviation, Environment and Business, Environment and Resource Studies, and Geomatics. The Faculty of Mathematics offers more than 20 courses such as Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Mathematical Finance, and Mathematical Physics. The Faculty of Science offers more than 15 courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Life Sciences, Physics, Science and Aviation, and Biochemistry.

• • •

Engineering, Software Engineering: $10,000 Mathematics/English Language for Academic Studies: :$3,700 Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management: $7,000

Reputation & Rankings: Waterloo is generally famous for its Engineering, Computer, and many Co-op programs. Their team has won many competitions for computers and their engineering programs are considered to be the foremost engineering programs in Canada. In the 2010 QS World University Rankings Waterloo was ranked 145th overall in the world, came 27th for technology, 56th for natural sciences, and 114th for life sciences and biomedicine. Waterloo has also earned a reputation on its high performance in Maclean's magazine university rankings. Website: www.uwaterloo.ca

Queen's University Locations: Queen's University has one main campus located in Kingston, Ontario, and an extended campus just beside it. Located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Programs: Queen's University has 10 faculties: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Law, School of Business, and a School of Graduate Studies. Queen's offers a wide range of over 85 programs such as Chemical Engineering, Art History and Art, Canadian Studies, Business, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Economics, Drama, Fine Arts, Film and Media, Medicine, and Medieval Studies. Admission Requirements: • Faculty of Arts and Science − Arts: English 4U and 2 other 4U courses. An Arts credit is recommended, but not necessary, although a portfolio will be required. For music, you must have English 12 and three other academic Grade 12 courses. Royal Conservatory of Music level. − Science: Generally English, Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, and 2 of either Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. All 4U. • Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science: English, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry, Physics, and one of either Advanced Functions, Biology, Data Management, Computer Science, Earth and Space Science. Final grade in English must be minimum of 70%. All 4U • School of Business: English, Calculus or Mathematics. (Minimum grade 80%) Two Grade 12 courses, each from a different category, and not a second English. • School of Nursing/Nursing Science: English, Biology, Chemistry and any Mathematics. Final grade in English must be a minimum of 75%. All 4U.

Admission Requirements: A minimum requirement is that youth have an average grade of over 75% in the top 6 of your grade 12 courses. Programs in the Faculty of Applied Health Studies generally need a passing grade of 70% in English, Advanced Functions, Biology, and Chemistry. Programs in the Faculty of Arts are usually Co-op programs that require a passing grade of 70% in English. Programs in the Faculty of Engineering generally require a passing grade of 70% in Chemistry, Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions, Physics, and English. Programs in the Faculty of Environment generally require a passing grade of 70% in English and one grade 12 math course. Programs in the Faculty of Mathematics generally require Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, English, and another grade 12 course. Programs in the Faculty of Science generally require a passing grade of 70% in Advanced Functions, English, Calculus and Vectors, and 2 of either Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space science, Mathematics and Data ManageTuition Fees: ment, or Physics. • Engineering and Applied SciTuition Fees: ence: $9992.04 • Accounting and Financial Man• Arts and Science: $6265.33 agement, Applied Heath Sci- • Commerce: $13,323.4 ences, Arts, Biotechnology/ • Education: $6105.4 Chartered Accountancy, Com- • Law: $14,248.38 puting and Financial Manage- • Medicine: $19,438.4 ment, Environment, Mathemat- • Nursing Degree: $6303.9 ics, Mathematics/Chartered Ac- • School of Kinesiology and countancy, Science: $5,200 Health Studies: $6260.4 • Architecture: $6,600 • Theology: $6478.3 • Business Administration (WLU) and Mathematics (Waterloo) Reputation & Rankings: Queen's University has a reputaDouble Degree: $6,100 • Computational Mathematics, tion for scholarship, research, social Computer Science, Business purpose, and spirit. Queen's was Administration (WLU) and Com- ranked second in Canada in the puter Science (Waterloo) Double Medical-Doctoral category of the 2008 Maclean's University RankDegree: $9,300-$9,400

ings. Queen's has maintained the highest level of student retention and graduation rates at 95.5%. Queen's was ranked 132nd internationally by the QS World University Rankings, making it the 5th highest ranked university in Canada. Queen's School of Business (postgraduate) was also ranked first by McGraw-Hill BusinessWeek (now Bloomberg BusinessWeek) outside of America. Website: www.queensu.ca

McGill University Locations: McGill University is located in Montreal, Quebec, and has 2 campuses. McGill's downtown campus is located in the heart of Montreal, and McGill's Macdonald campus is located in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, on the western tip of the island. The Macdonald campus is located on the shores of St. Louis and the St. Lawrence River.

EYE OFTHE TIGER

University of British Columbia Locations: UBC is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has 2 campuses. The Vancouver campus is like a city itself, according to UBC, and is located by the shore. The Okanagan campus is actually an official satellite campus which goes by UBCO, and was formerly Okanagan University College. It remains a distinct college within UBC. Programs: UBC boasts an amazing 24 faculties. A faculty of Applied Science (Engineering), Arts, Arts/School of Social Work and Family Studies, Creative and Critical Studies, Dentistry, Education, Forestry, Health and Social Development, Land and Food Systems, Law, Management, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Business/Department of Computer Science, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Human Kinetics, Journalism, Music, Nursing, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. UBC also offers many programs in the arts, such as language studies and family studies. Most of the arts programs are available in the Okanagan campus, and the Vancouver Campus has most of the Science programs, being UBC's main campus.

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Schools under investigation for cheating Is our (mostly) beloved EQAO corrupting Ontario? BY CAROLYN BURTON NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

en schools throughout Ontario are being investigated by the government for cheating on the province-wide EQAO testing. We all remember our grade nine math EQAO, but not necessarily how our teachers prepared us for it. Some teachers provided websites with practice questions on them, others just told us to review our material from the semester, and that would be all the preparation given. In these ten cases, the teachers in question either gave students full versions of the previous year’s test; some were given dictionaries which would alter their writing, and some teachers even gave their students back portions of the tests they had already completed to correct wrong answers. Some people have said that Ontario has become obsessed with these test scores, and that teachers are specifically teaching test material so that their students will get higher marks and make the school look good, instead of just teaching the curriculum. St. Peter Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough is one of the ten on the list. The teacher gave the grade nine students copies of three questions that would be on the test. However, the teacher in question was not aware of the fact that he should not have had access to the questions. According to the director of the school board in the region, “it was an honest mistake and it was not done with malice”. The tests are being withheld from the ten schools until the investigation has been completed. Even though this is the first time the public has heard of problems with the testing, there have been issues in the past. On one occasion, a principal encouraged the teachers to “do what they could” to make sure that their students got high test results. In this case, the sealed tests that are normally left in the principal’s office were opened and photocopied. This is only one of about four incidents. In 2001 the grade 10 literacy test was cancelled because it was stolen and then posted on the Internet. This cost the provincial government an estimated 7 million dollars. Despite not being publicized, there have been many more incidents of cheating on provincial wide testing. All we can do is hope that the government comes up with a better method of keeping the tests secret until the absolute last minute when the test is about to be written.

Programs: McGill has 11 faculties, and more than 300 programs to choose from. The faculties are Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Desautels Faculty of Management, Medicine, Schulich School of Music, Religious Studies, Science, and Graduate and Postdoctoral studies. Programs from the faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences include departments of Animal Science, Bioresource Engineering, Food Science and Agricultural Admission Requirements: Chemistry, Natural Resource Sci- • Applied Biology: English, 1 of ences, and Plant Science. Programs Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, from the Faculty of Arts include Advanced Functions, 3 other studies of economics, Sociology, grade 12 courses. Religions, Women Studies, Philoso- • Arts: English, 5 other grade 12 phy, and Political Science. courses. From the faculty of Engineering: • Commerce: English, Advanced Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, MinFunctions, 4 other grade 12 ing, and Computer engineering. courses. Programs from the faculty of medi- • Dental Hygiene: English, Biolcine include Medicine and Surgery. ogy, Chemistry, 3 other grade 12 Departments of the Faculty of courses. Science include Biology, Chemistry, • Engineering: English, Advanced Physics, and Geography. Functions, Chemistry, Physics, 2 other grade 12 courses. Admission Requirements: • Food, Nutrition, and Health: • Agricultural and Environmental English, 1 of Biology, Chemistry, Science: English or French, Calor Physics, Advanced Functions, culus and Vectors, and 2 of Biol3 other grade 12 courses. ogy, Chemistry, or Physics. 75% • Forest Resources Management: overall. English, 1 of Advanced Func• Architecture: English or French, tions, Biology, Chemistry, or Calculus and Vectors, Physics, Physics, 4 other grade 12 Chemistry. 90.35% overall. courses. • Arts: English or French. 86.5% • Music: English, 5 other grade 12 overall. courses. • Arts and Science: English or French, Calculus and Vectors, 2 • Natural Resources Conservation: English, Advanced Funcof Biology, Chemistry, Physics. tions, 1 of Biology, Chemistry, or 87% overall. physics, 3 other grade 12 • Dietetics and Human Nutrition: courses. Same requirements as Arts and • Science: English, Advanced Science. 75% overall. Functions, 1 of Biology, Chemis• Engineering: English or French, try, or Physics, 3 other grade 12 Calculus and Vectors, Physics, courses. Chemistry. Ranging from 79• Wood Products Processing: Eng90% overall. lish, Advanced Functions, 1 of • Management: English or French, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, 3 Calculus and Vectors. 91% overother grade 12 courses. all. • Nursing: Same requirements as Tuition Fees: Arts and Science. 83% overall. • Applied Science: $5422 • Science: Same requirements as • Arts: $4518 Arts and Science. 91.5% overall. • Family Studies: $4518 • Law: $10,135 Tuition Fees: • Medicine: $15,457 • Canadian Students: $5668 • Music: $5120 • Ancillary fees: $1600 • Science: $4970 • Books and Supplies: $1000 • (not all programs shown) • Total (including residence and meal plan and miscellaneous): Reputation & Rankings: $20,808 – 25,528 UBC is ranked in the top 3 in Canada and 13th in the world. UBC Reputation & Rankings: For the past 5 years, McGill was has the highest percentage of Ph.D the only Canadian University to professors in North America. Its have a place in the Top 24 of the department of economics is ranked “Times Higher Education-QS World in the top 20 globally, and its arts University Rankings”. McGill has programs is very well recognized. also been first in Canada among Website: www.ubc.ca medical-doctoral for 4 years. In law, McGill has placed second for the second consecutive year. In Forbes Look out for the college magazine, McGill’s business school and apprenticeship was ranked 11th in the world outside of American Universities. feature in the next issue TESTING, TESTING Ten secondary schools in Ontario were suspected Website: www.mcgill.ca of the Eye of the Tiger. of cheating on the Grade 9 EQAO

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fall 2010

To ban or not to ban– the Blackberry RIM faces major conflict with governments regarding message encryption BY RICHARD WONG NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

STEADY ON YOUR FEET eLegs, by Berkeley Bionics, is only 45 pounds– but it will allow paraplegics freedom from their wheelchair and allow greater ease of physiotherapy for those who are temporarily unable to walk.

Great strides in robotic prosthetics Technology takes its next steps to perfecting nervecontrolled prosthetic limbs BY STAN RYZHAK NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

he act of walking across a room or up a flight of stairs is seldom thought about; however, once one is stripped of the ability to do so, even such simple tasks may become major undertakings. This is the harsh reality that Amanda Boxtel had to face on February 27 1992 when she lost the use of both her legs in a skiing accident. But now, almost twenty years later, there is new hope for her and paraplegics around the world thanks to a revolutionary new product called the eLEGS. This mechanical support for the entire body not only allows Amanda to stand up straight, but, with some practice, to walk around and even move up and down stairs. th

The benefits of this new technology however do not stop there; not only does it give the wearer the ability to walk, it also sports a key set of hidden benefits. It is no secret that the human body is intended to remain, for the most part, upright, because the eLEGS allow the wearers to return to an upright position, the wearer’s circulatory, digestive and even muscular systems are able to return to return to normal condition and experience improved overall function. Furthermore, the eLEGS may even be applied as a therapeutic aid for patients, as they allow for injured patients to begin physiotherapy right away, rather than leaving them in a wheelchair or bed for extended period of time, allowing for the muscle memory in their legs to degrade. This all made possible by Berkley Bionics, using a system which is capable of detecting gestures and muscular movement which would normally be associated with walk-

ing and responding accordingly, allowing for natural-looking movement. Blurring the border between man and machine, this new concept has applications even outside the medical field; a similar machine being employed by the military. Known as the HULC, it is used as a tool to increase the carrying capacity of the average soldier, essentially doubling their normal load out without fatiguing the wearer. Some models even apply a similar idea to the upper body as well, allowing for the wearer to perform tasks which before, would be unthinkable. The current major players in the field being Berkeley Bionics, Argo, and Rex Bionics are all scheduling their respective walking exoskeletons for clinical trials early next year, and one can only hope that the increased competition between the companies will result in a better product and a lower cost and maybe even, some interesting civilian applications.

The beginnings of a Marvel-ous Makeover Yesteryear’s comic industry is making a comeback. BY ALBERT VONG NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

ave you read the latest issue of Spiderman? Probably Not. There’s a big chance most of you haven’t touched a Marvel Comic in your life, but to thousands of others out there, reading the new edition of Superman has been a need akin to eating or sleeping. Rewind back to 2007. After the recession hit, many Marvel fans found themselves needing to cut back on unnecessary spending and forego watching their favorite superhero in tights fight crime. This left many storeowners finding themselves struggling to stay afloat in a now rapidly declining industry. For several years, a large portion of these people found themselves jobless because of the bad economy. According to the blog Comichron, the comparison in comic unit sales between May 2008 and 2009 revealed a shocking 20% drop. However, for those who hung on, fortune began to turn their way. Recent signs of economic recovery have started to attract comic lovers back to following the weekly exploits of their heroes. Comic giants such as Diamond Comic Distributors recorded a whopping 14% recovery from just a year ago. Furthermore, Disney’s 2009 purchase of the iconic comic titan Marvel Entertainment shows promise towards a revival of the

COVER GIRL In preparation for a relaunch, Wonder Woman has faced a costume redesign, presumably to appease cries of sexist portrayal. many franchises produced by the company. Disney will also be able to use its child-friendly reputation to target younger audiences, especially those aged 8-12. To top it all off, Apple’s timely release of the iPad in April 2010 has primed the comic industry for a big comeback. On April 3rd, Marvel revealed a new comic book application that let readers buy from more than 500 digital comics for just $1.99 each. Its newfound success has shown Marvel Industries’ confidence in the now increasingly popular book genre. However, several unseen

problems and arisen during the economic recovery. Heroes and heroines such as Wonder Woman have been redesigned in order to engage the current generation of comic book readers. Especially in Wonder Woman’s case, many have cried foul over her complete makeover, giving an indicator of future failure. So that leaves us with one question. Even though it even make sense to appeal today’s population of readers, does changing an iconic comic symbol justify that? For most comic lovers out there, definitely not.

he recent issue with the Blackberry is all about the privacy of their devices and the threat they pose to national security. Messages sent from a Blackberry are encrypted so that only the intended recipient will be able to read them. Several weeks ago, the governments of India and the United Arab Emirates threatened to shut down the Blackberry’s e-mail and instant messaging services if the governments were not allowed access to the encrypted data sent. They weren’t without reason. Their fear was that terrorists, gangs and other dangerous groups could use the Blackberry instant messaging and e-mail systems to communicate, unable to be monitored by national security agencies. This would make the proliferation of illegal and harmful activity harder to detect, as well. People could sneak important and potentially dangerous information right under the governments’ noses. Research in Motion (RIM), the developer of the Blackberry, faced a dilemma: were they going to impact everybody using their instant messaging and e-mail by allowing decryption, or keep their encryption and potentially lose customers? If RIM decided to allow decryption of their data, then people would lose whatever privacy they once had when they sent messages over their Blackberries. Their data, which passes through Indian telecommu-

nications servers, could then be monitored at any moment. Essentially, RIM would trade the public’s privacy for national security. However, if RIM didn’t allow decryption, then they would lose a large portion of their market. Without its e-mail and instant messaging capabilities, the Blackberry, once a powerful mobile device, would act just like any plain, old phone on the market. RIM simply did not want to lose its market or reputation for making quality smartphones over such an issue. In late August, RIM finally decided to let go of the argument and allow India and the UAE to monitor its data transfer for the sake of national security. This presented a new problem for RIM, as their agreement with the Indian government set a precedent that would make it hard to refuse other countries that wanted to monitor their own citizens’ Blackberry data. If RIM were to open up to the Indian and UAE governments, they would also have to open up to governments around the world seeking the same type of security measures. There would have to be a compromise between privacy and security, worldwide. A Blackberry’s advantage over the market is the way it makes communication easy when a user buys a data plan. Countries such as India and the UAE felt that its secure, encrypted e-mail and instant messenger compromised the security of the public, finally getting what they wanted at the price of public privacy. Blackberry users can now rest assured; they can continue to use their devices with a data plan without their performance limited by a data ban.

Multi-Touch changes Nano for the better A whole new iPod interface gives another unique experience from Apple. BY SALLY KIM OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

he new iPod Nano has just gotten better. Apple releases an amazing new image to the iPod Nano, as the previous Nano with a clickwheel and a slim figure is transformed into a single touch screen. The 6th generation has a multitouch screen, using the same technology as the iPhone, iPad and the iPod touch. It has a 1.54-inch 240 x 240 LCD display, which allows you to slide your music right into your jean pocket. For those who spent your time with the old iPod Nano while jogging, you will find this new change convenient as it is a lot easier to navigate with accuracy, especially when you are on the go. The new iPod Nano also includes the click-on feature from the IPod Shuffle so that you can clip on your music for your run. The Nano’s change also allowed it to reduce its size by 42 percent and become 42 percent lighter, making your run even lighter. The Nano has a built-in 30-pin connector where you can plug in your car stereo, speakers and many more products designed for the iPod. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery built-in to the iPod allows non-stop 24 hours of music. Apple has also incorporated some random features such as the shake, genius, and the pedometer. Shake is a feature where you shake your iPod and your device shuffles your music, perfect for when you don’t have a particular music you want to listen to. Another feature is the Genius, a music mix master. It makes up a genius playlist of songs from your device to the music you’re listening to so you never have to lose your groove! The pedometer will be your ideal exercise partner as it records all your data, from your calories lost to your number of steps taken. The Nano can also be used in 29 lan-

guages making it a world star! A l though the new iPod Nano carries many pros, it’s worthwhile to look at the cons that come with it. Since the new screen is so small, the small font makes it hard for users with bad eyesight or larger fingers to use. The 1.45 inch display also reduces the size of album covers and photos. While the new Nano advances in many ways, it fails to come with a camera or a video recording system like the new iPod Touch, or even previous Nano generations. There is also no Wi-Fi or any internet access for entertainment such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The new generation of iPod Nano comes in seven bright different colours in sleek anodized aluminum so that you have lots of options to choose from. The 8GB costs $159.99 and the 16GB costs $189.99. The new iPod Nano carries more pros than cons and has overall just gotten better.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD The Nano’s radical redesign ushers in a change in both interface and interaction that is sure to boost its popularity.

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fall 2010

EYE OFTHE TIGER

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EYE EYEOF OFTHE THETIGER TIGER

Why don’t high school students read? The decline of teenagers who read and why we need to reverse this trend. BY MITCHELL GOULD OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

ooks are a wonderful thing. They open up the imagination, they teach us about the world, and they can even be an escape from everyday problems—at least for a little while. So if books can give so much to us, why don’t students read? I would say that there are three major reasons why not. First, because there is always something else to do, be it watching television, checking Facebook, or going on MSN. Second, friends seem to be a much bigger priority than reading. Or, maybe they just don’t like books in general, be it fantasy, realistic, or non-fiction. There always seems to be something else to do when a high school student gets home. There’s always a test to study for, a project to work on, or a profile to check. Yet why can’t high school students take

WELL-READ It is increasingly difficult to find a teen who picks up a book of their own accord, says the writer. maybe half an hour out of their time to read a good book? Do they realize how much it could help them? How much general knowledge can be found? As someone who reads a lot, I can honestly say there is a lot of information that I would not know if not for books. Even fiction books can be helpful because many authors do research before writing about something that is a product of their thoughts. For example, simply by reading Rick Riordan’s Percy Jack-

son series, you can learn a lot about Greek mythology. In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, there are many obvious parallels between the ideas of there being a superior race or people, which has been repeated in literature many times over. Some may ask: “What do I care about these things?” or, “When am I ever going to need this?” Well, no one can argue that a little general knowledge ever hurt anyone. Friends always seem to take up most of the energy and time of a student. After spending a day with

Wait, you’re not 18… The struggle to understand why society is pimping out innocence rages on.

Thumbs off, and back away from your cellphone Texting is getting in the way of your life, and everyone else’s around you too.

BY ALANNA KAZDAN NEWS EDITOR

s gen-X struggles to comprehend why with each passing season, v-necks get lower and skirts get shorter, gen-Y fails to see an issue. This begs the question: is there actually a problem, or is the over-sexualization of this generation simply a fact which no one has any control over? It is undeniable that, thanks to the help of the media, younger and younger children are exposed to a plethora of outlets for obscenity, but what is this really doing? Research is beginning to show that, contrary to what has been proven in the past, sex no longer sells—at least not to a noticeable extent. This in mind, why does society now focus on targeting younger shoppers with clothes not suited for their under-developed bodies, and still perpetuate the notion that overt sexuality will grant them passage into adolescence? A 2005 survey done by Durex shows that the average age of virginity loss is lowering around the world, but concerned parents have no one to turn and blame. And that blame is just the thing; society is constantly on the lookout for someone or something to blame for their succeeding generation’s mistakes. Though people groan about the inadequacies of society, no one searches for a solution. Silent analysis and personal reflection on the part of those concerned will do nothing to derail gen-Y from its hell-bound path of hedonism. The problem is that one person cannot be pinpointed for being the catalyst for creating a generation of sexually charged pre-teens. The media is often the prime target of people trying to quell the issue at hand. Children younger and younger are seeing their favourite celebrities acting in risqué manners, and by no fault of their own, strive

someone, there’s always a text to be exchanged, or something to write on their wall that absolutely can’t wait for another time. A person really can’t learn good grammar structure if they say: “W8, he sed that 2 u?” How will reading something like that assist grammar skills and basic spelling? And reading textbooks doesn’t help, because most of the time the things that you are reading may not hold your interest as well as a novel that may keep you hanging on to each word. None of my textbooks

BY SARAH SHIN OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

E THEN AND NOW Emerging pop sensation Britney Spears, left, stirred controversy in 1999 dressed as Lolita on the cover of Rolling Stone; sexuality is a given with Lady Gaga, right, cover girl of the same publication in 2009. to emulate the figures which they connect to. A relatively recent video posted on Youtube features a three year old girl dancing along to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies video, stirring up controversy on the internet; this child is essentially attempting to recreate all the seemingly-sensual moves being performed by dancers clearly much older than herself, with no understanding that what she is doing can be viewed as “wrong.” The fact that this act was condoned, moreover filmed, by her parents is certainly an interesting point. This is not an infrequent occurrence. Another internet sensation is “Baby Gaga”, where the parents have their young child dolled up as Lady Gaga who, to the best of her abilities, “sings” along to songs while a throng of scantily-clad teenagers writhe around in the background. There are people who find this to be perfectly acceptable, however morally unstable the situation may be. Because of the sheer youth of the, for all intents and purposes, exploited child, they do not have the cognitive abilities to process whether or not what their parents are forcing them to do is wrong, and are inclined to view the actions their parents condone as acceptable, simply because they have no reason to believe otherwise. Does the same really apply to pre

-teens and young teenagers, however? More revealing clothes are being worn, and at that age, it is likely that the outfit will have been bought by a parent or guardian. This signifies a change in the attitude of gen-X toward younger sexuality; it shows that this shift in prime directive to unintentionally oversexualize our youth has assimilated the older generation into thinking its fine. There is nothing overtly wrong with this. However, with the younger generation adopting a more “mature” look, it is possible that this will encourage younger people to go out later and try and fit into a lifestyle that is too old for them. This could potentially end with the kids getting in trouble, or even getting hurt. There is seemingly no end to the means that children will go to in order to make themselves appear more mature. It can easily be seen that, although sex has stopped selling nearly as much as it has in the past, society is essentially pimping out the innocence of its children, and forcing them into earlier sexuality, a mold which they are by no means rejecting, because of its seemingly glamorous connotations. The issue of whether or not this is actually a problem is still up in the air, but it appears that for the time being, everyone will just continue on as they have been in the past, and blame all of society’s problems on the media.

do anything even close to what a good novel can achieve. So maybe next time your friend has something that they absolutely, one hundred percent can’t wait to say to you, you can tell them that you’re busy, and that it can surely not be so important as that it can’t be told the next day in person. Lastly, there are a number of high school students who simply do not like books in general. That is a completely illegitimate excuse. There are millions of books out there, so there must be some that can hold someone’s interest. There could be a biography of their idol, a book about their favourite sport, or even a book that inspired a favourite television show or movie. Walk into any bookstore, and ask them for a topic, and they will have a book on it. Because someone always writes about something that fascinates them. So in conclusion, maybe the next time there’s nothing to do, or if this article changed your mind about reading, pick up a book. You may be surprised about what it does to you!

veryone, if not more than once, experiences feelings of neglect as someone’s phone vibrates signalling a text message amidst a conversation, in the middle of dinner, or in a movie. As someone texts during a conversation, the story moves on, and they start having conversations with both you and their text recipient. The only difference is, you’re aware of both conversations while the text recipient… probably isn’t. Talking to someone who is texting another person can be rather annoying. This detracts from the value of the original and most orientated human interaction. Technology really has to butt in with everything, right? Furthermore, it restrains you from having a nice, uninterrupted, and smooth conversation and sets frustration. You begin to hear those message rings repeatedly, which corresponds to your friend losing their interest repeatedly. Which eventually leads to those, “What was that again?” “Oh sorry, I was just texting,” or something just as simple as ignoring you. And as sad as this is, this is usually where horrible timing and bitter coincidence comes to play. Just as you’re getting to the good part, the point of the conversation, they just have to text someone else back. It all goes downhill from there and gets disordered and forgotten. “I feel invisible when I’m talking to someone texting,” says Sally Yeseul Kim, a student at TSS. Hard to admit, but you kind of get competitive in a situation like so too. You seem like you’re duelling the one on the other side for your friend’s attention.

You seem to get oblivious to the original motif and start talking extravagantly attempting to engage your friend. You grow hatred towards this fellow that’s making you have to try to accomplish this deed. You’re supposed to be free and comfortable. It’s in our nature to be impatient and desire attention and focus only and primarily on ourselves. It even happens in the movies; this is how much of a stereotype it has become. You always have that one person using their cellphone in the dark, completely oblivious to the light, their own laughter and stares. Situations where someone’s phone rings with blasting music during “moments of silence” or even during a formal event happen all the time too. What used to be “cool” isn’t anymore because technology is developing so fast. It’s not fun or advanced anymore– just boring and obnoxious. You also can’t forget texting and driving. This is extremely dangerous and has been proven to be by Oprah’s “Don’t text and drive pledge.” In fact, texting while driving is illegal in Ontario, though people still continue to do it. Everyone always seems to overestimate themselves, thinking they can multitask. It affects not only yourself but other drivers around you, putting them in potential harm as well. Technology has and is rapidly affecting us in simplest actions. There is no doubt that texting is so dominant in our lives it has reached the point of addiction. Studies have shown that the part of your brain that ignites when texting is the same as when using drugs. Despite this fact, how people feel and react to actions is changeless. It’s in our nature to be impatient and not aware of those concerns, but all we need is a little bit of compromise, and we’ll be fine.

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A brief history of male bathroom etiquette The OLG prepares to go online That is to say, one of the most important sets of formalities for boys and men in lavatories everywhere. BY STEVIE KIDECKEL OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

hen one hears the word ‘etiquette,’ high class dinner parties often come to mind. Jackets with too many buttons, settings with too many forks and British accents with far too much politeness are also what one might think of. Unbeknown to over half of our readers is a more common form of etiquette, far removed from the dinner table to which the consequences of not knowing are great. I am talking of course about the etiquette relevant to male bathroom, restroom behavior, washroom, etc. Over the course of this expository piece I will hopefully enlighten you to some of the history behind one of mankind's most important unwritten rules. As with all great unwritten rules, Male Bathroom Etiquette (MBE) is not actually unwritten. The first solid evidence of the codification of MBE is found as an extra clause to the Magna Carta, signed in 1215. King John, the signer of the Magna Carta did not see this clause before signing the document, partially because it was written on the back. In fact it would not have been known to John, or the public in general had he not asked Lord John de Lacy and Baron Richard de Percy what they were snickering about. Through the evidence of the Magna Carta and other sources it is clearly evident that the history of

male bathroom etiquette far precedes the bathroom itself. The Ancient Romans are known to be among the first civilizations with public toilets, often incorporated into their public baths. An early second century painting by the artist Vinicius depicts a common scene at a Roman bathhouse, with bathers leaving at least one toilet between themselves. Willis Koryson discusses MBE in antiquity more in depth in his masterpiece “Sanity and Sanitation”. Throughout the middle ages,

lets, did not need the code, it became a form of etiquette unique to the poor, giving the povertystricken masses a sense of nobility in their lives. However, the foundations of the contemporary MBE were not fully laid until the American Revolution of the late 18th century. Benjamin Franklin wrote an etiquette code to ensure the upkeep of civility and respect in the Continental during the hard fighting of the Revolutionary War. The MBE kept disputes over bathroom incidents to a minimum although it could not prevent the American Civil War, one of the major causes to which being a conflict over whether or not a wall between toilets constitutes the required space, or whether one toilet space must always be maintained, wall or not. Male Bathroom Etiquette is an important part of our society. It has a rich history, intertwined with major world events, ensuring cultural stability. This is that glue which holds the male population together, the greatest wordless agreement to orderly conduct aside from all-way stop signs. Hopefully, Unbeknown to over half of this historical tidbit will help you greatly. our readers is a more comAfter all, if you don’t know mon form of etiquette, far rewhere you’re coming from, you moved from the dinner table don’t know where you’re going. to which the consequences of Note: This article is actually an not knowing are great. I am abridged version of a piece by Smythe T. Stevenson, a Professor of talking of course about the Etiquette at the University of Shelbyetiquette relevant to male ville who has published many books bathroom, restroom, washon the importance of bathroom room, lavatory, etc. etiquette and its influence on leadMBE was a source of empower- ers such as Augustus Caesar, Louis ment for the lower class. While, the XIV, Abraham Lincoln and Charles upper class, using only private toi- de Gaulle.

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The appeal of a red pantsuit McCain’s presidential campaign is long past. A look at why Sarah Palin is still a presence in our lives and how she manages to do it. BY MIKAYLA WRONKO OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

he other day, I was watching Dancing with the Stars. Halfway through Bristol Palin’s dance, my 11-year-old brother piped up, “How is she famous anyway?” Just as he asked that, the camera panned to Sarah Palin. My dad walked by and said, “Oh, please! You’ve got to be kidding me” in his best sarcastic tone. I do not blame my father for being annoyed. Ever since the 2008 U.S. election, Sarah Palin has been everywhere- from the election itself, to various book deals and television appearances, Sarah Palin just refuses to make her period of fame only 15 minutes long. In return, the media can now do whatever they want with her public image. In 2008, many thought John McCain only picked her to be the Republican vice-presidential candidate since she brought a pair of ovaries to the campaign. After interviews and debates, it‘s conclusive that it was not her experience in politics that made her an ideal candidate. Alaskan senator and Republican Lisa Murkowski, for example, would also have been a qualified candidate for this position. How Palin caught the attention of John McCain is beyond me. During the election, the media took its best shot at Palin- from her accent, to her political position, to even her mannerisms, there was, and still is, always something to poke at. Tina Fey did the infamous Palin impression on Saturday Night Live

that damaged Palin’s credibility during the campaign, and got voters laughing to boot. People could not tell the difference between Fey and Palin. Can you remember which one said, “I can see Russia from my house!” when asked about foreign policy? I am pretty sure it was Tina Fey, but a part of me still thinks it’s Palin. After the election, Sarah Palin was still there in her red signature pantsuit. She has since written an autobiography called Going Rogue and has another book in the process (coming out on November 23, if you’re interested). Palin has generated even more publicity with book signings and revenue from the books themselves. She has recently been doing public speeches for the Tea Party and Pink Elephant Movements. At a Tea Party convention in Tennessee, she charged $100,000 to be a keynote speaker. That could be someone’s annual salary and there were some complaints that is was too pricey. Well, if there were a demand for very right wing public speaking and literature, you would expect Sarah Palin to supply it. There is speculation that Sarah Palin will try for the Republican bid in the 2012 Presidential election. I am almost positive she will try to make as much noise as she can about it, but whether or not she will actually do it is another question. I am not sure if Palin can handle it. It is one thing being vice president behind a well-seasoned McCain, but another thing to actually be in charge of the ever-powerful United States of America. Egos would be at stake. Sarah Palin has also invaded my television (Dancing with the Stars, anyone?). She was recently in an episode of Kate Plus 8, going camping with the Gosselin family in Alaska. In addition to her appear-

Should the option to gamble online be offered by the government? BY VALENTIN LITVIN OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

s you may or may not know, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is planning to open an online gambling website in 2012. It claims that it will offer a safe environment that will protect problem gamblers and young people. The OLG has also stated that Ontarians spend an estimated $400 million on online gambling each year, so it would like to retain that money in Ontario and maximize government revenues as well. Before trying to tackle this proposal, I think we must first determine what gambling really is, and how it affects our society. Today in Ontario, a responsible adult can go to an OLG casino, spend some money gambling, and then comfortably leave, knowing they stayed within their limit and had some fun. Likewise, a responsible adult could go do the same in the grey market of online gambling, and not cause any serious problems for themselves or society. However, if the adult becomes a compulsive gambler who is a slave to their craving, that’s when the trouble begins. This person begins to lose more and more money, and they gamble more in an effort to recover their losses. They begin to sell their belongings or take large loans, and even turn to crime to get money. They ruin their own lives, become obsessed with gambling and forget their other responsibilities, and generally require society or the government to bail them out. The main downside of gambling is that it allows problem gamblers to exist; in a perfect world, the government could gather money from responsible gamblers and then put it to good use, while there would be minimal gambling addicts. In order to come as close to this situation as possible, I suggest going ahead with the OLG plan for the following reasons: Simply put, those who want to gamble irresponsibly on the Internet will always find a way. One can gamble recklessly in an OLG casino, there’s no doubt about that. But as seen by the $400 million

online gambling industry in Ontario, there are quite a few people who prefer to gamble through the Internet. If the government is going to attempt to tame this unregulated ‘Wild West’ of gambling, they would find that it is impossible to find and close down every webbased bookmaker, poker site, and illegal casino. Even if most of them can be blocked or removed, it would take an enormous amount of government money and resources, while the problem gambler could still find ways to lose a massive amount of theirs. So if online gambling will always be, it would be better if the government would have a stake. First of all, Ontarians’ money would stay in Ontario, and would provide funding for the government, which, hopefully, would benefit Ontarians in the form of tax breaks or government programs. The government site will help those who are at risk of gambling irresponsibly. According to the OLG, players will be asked to set maximum money and time-persession limits before they play, will be encouraged to take breaks, and will be reminded of ‘red flag’ behaviour. This will differ from the majority of impersonal and unsupportive online casinos that don’t put any effort into stopping people from becoming problem gamblers. Finally, those who start gambling will probably choose the government option. If an Ontarian wants to go into online gambling, they could choose between a secure, reliable government-run website that has features to prevent a gambling addiction and an untested and semi-legal online casino that doesn’t have these features. Since most people aren’t looking forward to a gambling addiction, I think the former will be more appealing. If more people join the government site, that would be better for Ontario and its citizens because there would be less gambling addicts and more money for the government to put to good use. All in all, I agree with the OLG, and I think that the plan to offer online gambling will be beneficial to Ontario and will help prevent the social and personal ills resulting from gambling addictions.

ance on Kate Plus 8, she is now getting her own reality show. Sarah Palin’s Alaska will be premiering on November 14 on TLC and will be chronicling her adventures and time in her own Alaska. Remember, this woman might have been the VP of the United States. This officially marks the transition from over publicized, to plain crazy. She also has a gig as a Fox News commentator, which I admit, is a good place for her. It is the conservative news media that will take her seriously (which is another problem). Because of this bedazzle, we forget that she is not an experienced politician or media milker. If you listen carefully to what she actually has to say, chances are you will not agree, if you are a typical, open-minded Canadian teenager. Here in Canada, we take gun control, gay rights, etc., for granted sometimes because that is the norm for us. But in the States, these issues are still widely debated, with Sarah Palin battling for pretty much the opposite of what most Canadians believe. This brings me to the question: who is using who? Is Palin using the media, or is the media using Palin? It is a mix of both, because Sarah Palin is obtuse enough to say whatever crosses her mind while the media can blow it up at the cost of Sarah Palin getting more attention. And as any public figure can tell you, any publicity is good publicity. We can say whatever we want about her and Palin will keep it coming , milking any extra minute she can. In the mean time, I can watch Dancing with the Stars with my remote control in hand and the fast IT’S ALL ABOUT THE IMAGE From top: Tina Fey, left, makes for an unforward button ready at the tip of canny image of Sarah Palin in her satirical sketches ; bottom, Sarah Palin my finger. speaks to a receptive crowd this year at a Tea Party convention.

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That perfect present: from our hearts or from our wallets? Have the customs of the holiday season been consumed by consumerism? BY MARY LEE OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

s the cool chill of winter finally settles in, the falling of that first snow, flurry of winds that chill you to the bone and crackling of a hearth that is getting ready to roast some marshmallows have got us all thinking of one thing: the holidays. And how could we not? With holidays brings gifts, Winter Break, gifts, family gatherings and even more gifts, be they the ones you receive or the presents you’re planning on giving out to others. Did I mention gifts? Writing lists longer than you are tall is something of the past, but the tradition of a customary gift exchange, no matter the holiday celebrated, is something tried and true. But what was it that made your brand spanking new present so special? How much thought that was put into it… or how much money was spent into its acquisition? In our younger years, it was never really considered how much your mother paid for your Barbie Dreamhouse, nor what lengths your grandparents (or rather, their wallets) went to getting you that that limited edition Yu-Gi-Oh deck. Santa, after all, was the sole con-

tributor and ran the one man job of making sure you got what you wanted. Maybe he did get a little help through relatives by telling them what was on the list you sent him, but all they did was pass it along like a hot potato instead of actually taking time to find exactly what it was you wanted. Price tags were synonymous with numbers that made sense, but didn’t really mean much at the time, so seeing your parents eyes bulge at the triple digit meant little to you. If only things had stayed that simple. It seems that now, whenever we’re asking for it, price is always a top three on the ‘I-need-this-morethan-anything-in-the-world’ list, whether it’s claiming that no, it’s not too expensive or that yes, you’ll pay for it yourself. The former often being far from the truth to your parents and the latter consisting of pulling bills out of your relative’s pockets and scouring spare change from behind the sofa. Now that money, whether you have enough or not withstanding, is something more than the dollar given to you for ice cream, it’s starting to take a bigger role in your lives today. For example, how much would you be willing to spend on others? Forget cute little homemade pots and folded stars; how much hard cold cash did you use to pay for it? It’s one of the most common ques-

tions asked by giftee, though more often then not it’s kept to their own privy. Sure, they probably appreciate the gift, but at the same time they’re gazing into that plush doll’s beady little eyes, they’re wondering exactly how much you paid for it. And if they do ask, don’t you dare tell them that you got it at a dollar store discount bin. Even if it was ‘the perfect gift,’ it seems that the effort put into finding it is quickly overshadowed by how much money was spent on the gift itself. But why? Shouldn’t it be “the thought that counts” when giving someone a present, rather than how much your wallet suffered? Though gifts made with tender loving care is a nice finish to a grand Winter Break, they seem to be outdated and almost obsolete when you can get iPod Touches from family and cute little charms or even food from friends. Though the sentiment is appreciated, it’s not really what people are looking for when asking for something. This has, of course, been an end result of our own tendency to be more concerned with shopping rather than the bonding that winter holidays are supposed to bring around. Rather than seeing propaganda and commercials revolving around spending time at home with family, it’s all about once-a-year sales, brand new toys or tempting get-

Sex sells a little too well Craigslist’s Adult Services section undergoes major public controversy.

BY ISAAC TAM OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

RISKY BUSINESS These writers believe that Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, is not doing his part in making the Internet a safer place. tent can effortlessly bypass the moderators, communicating unwanted information in unexpected locations. If Craigslist ever had the slightest thought that it had finished dealing with its legal and ethical problems of prostitution on their site, they were wrong. Adult Services advertisements won’t evaporate over night because they’re afraid of the big, bad censored label. They’ve got the magical ability to migrate over to an alternative classifieds category, particularly the Craigslist’s Personals section. So unless Craigslist decides to hoist back up the Adult Services section, users should expect to discover some nasty ads posted in various miscellaneous sections. In other words, the Farm and Garden section will probably get much more interesting… By removing the Adult Services link, Craigslist is also potentially exposing other seemingly harmless advertisement sections to prostitution ads, child pornography, and other online sex commercials. Instead of all those disturbing advertisements clustered into one organized category, racy ads will be popping up in the innocent pages of Craigslist. This outcome places more people at risk of catching sight of the inappropriate advertisements than ever before. In addition to the advantages of assigning the sex ads into one specific category, having a separate

section for those ads can aid the law enforcement officials to track down sex criminals. If all the ads were dispersed into a variety of categories on various sites, not only Craigslist, the law enforcement officials will have a difficult time addressing the issues, preventing them from fighting back accurately and efficiently. The Adult Services section was facilitating prostitution and child exploitation, however, the removal of the link will not help that situation. On the contrary, the extracted page will most likely do more damage and harm to the site and to the users than promote safety and a clean environment. Safety issues and human rights aside, Craigslist is not only endangering the people on the popular website, it is also losing money because of the cancellation of the Adult Services section. In 2010, the listing services of certain cities in the United States produced about $122 million and the Adult Services contributed up to 30% of it. It is clear that this controversy makes it difficult to choose sides to stand on, but every time this issue is brought up in front of us, we can’t help but think that Craigslist is at the losing end of this situation. There just doesn’t seem to be a correct way to market sex safely and ethically. This controversy also makes us wonder if censorship of all types properly doing its “destined” task: censoring.

hand knit sweater should be good enough and is far more personal than 1000 songs could ever be. Allowing ourselves to get tempted by the consumerism that has basically consumed the coming of days like Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and New Years has made us lose sight of what they’re really about. No, it’s not the brand new car parked (though buried under snow) in your driveway, nor is it the cutest purse in the world and it is a long shot from the laptop you’ve been going to sleep thinking about. Truthfully, the notion of giving and not receiving is what should be driving us through the holidays, and seeing our precious people smile (or just being able to see them, period) would, could and should be enough. Of course, not all of us tend to swing that way by the end of it, no matter how much it may be repeated or how true it really is. Instead of enjoying the sentiment, we’ve allowed ourselves to get swept up by all the new toys and gadgets that line the shelves left and right. And the holidays have become the perfect time for spending rather then giving, splurging rather than caring and doing before thinking. So Santa had better watch his back; he might have tough competition against the breakneck speed in which the holiday market is growing.

Should cellphones be allowed in Ontario’s classrooms? The Premier thinks so; he wants them to be used as tools for learning.

BY GRACE TO & MAARIA KASMANI OPINION CONTRIBUTORS

ecently, online adult services' advertisements have caused a heated debate in the lives of the users of Craigslist.ca. Craigslist has always been the centre of such controversial discussions. However, Craigslist did not deserve to hear applause for the actions it recently made. The beginning of the Craigslist dispute started on September 4th, 2010, when the site’s Adult Services link was blocked with the word “censored” in white-on-black text. A few days later, the inactive link and the label were entirely removed from the homepage. It wasn’t until September 15th that Craigslist officially stated that it had permanently removed the Adult Services link on the homepage. The page was eliminated only for the United States users, which doesn’t do much to stop global human trafficking and child exploitation. The issues are equally or more harmful in many other countries as well. Nonetheless, this action by Craig Newmark, the founder of the classified advertisements website, has caused quite a commotion. Whereas Craigslist was cheered on by state attorney generals and support groups fighting sex crimes, the site’s use of censorship threatens freedom of speech, preventing Craigslist from communicating information the site was designed for. Craigslist might have come upon this solution in order to avoid heavy lawsuits threatened by several attorney generals. We personally think that this action isn’t worth putting the future of Craigslist in danger. Not only were its rights offended, but the decision has single-handedly caused the online advertisement world to become a much scarier place than it was before. Craigslist is the type of site that is widely controlled by the public and is difficult to monitor. Freaky con-

away vacations. It seems that it’s all about spending money first, whether you need what they’re selling or not. Maybe it’s just corporations and businesses poaching on how we tend to spend more when not buying things for ourselves, or maybe it’s just us taking advantage of their low prices. Either way, we’ve eventually become more and more accustomed to the repetitive jingles, and tend to think more about how much to spend rather than what to get. Even in the face of friends and family, being a wary consumer is at the top of our list, consciously or not. However, being more concerned about how much something costs or its monetary worth rather than the effort put into acquiring it isn’t something to be proud of. Rather than considering how much thought was put into it, you’re weighing its worth by the price tag and at the same time, getting farther and farther away from what the holiday season is about. Whatever you celebrate, how many relatives you see or the number of presents you receive, it should still be about the people gathered rather than the amount of money amassed due to gifting. By focusing on material goods, you’re essentially stripping away from what the holidays are about: getting together with family. So what if your great aunt couldn’t afford the iPod you wanted? The

he first consumer brand cell phones were made in Japan in 1979. These phones were about the size of a brick and weighed as much as one too. After three decades of development, companies such as Rogers and Bell have perfected the modern ways of communication. Cell phones are now about the size of a pack of gum and are usually loaded with hundreds of applications and features such as Bluetooth, games, video recording and Wi-Fi connection. With our modern cell phones we can now surf the web or send messages via texting rather than traditional talking. But because of texting, students that have cell phones are constantly being distracted in class by the incessant updates that often go like this:“OMG! Guess wut im wearing 2day!” or “dude, theres this cool game i wuz playng last nite.” Cell phones, Blackberrys and iPhones alike have become too much of a distraction for students in class. On September 15, Premier Dalton McGuinty suggested that if we can’t stop it for good, why can’t we use it for good? “Telephones and Blackberrys and the like are conduits for information today,” McGuinty said. “And of the things that we want our students to do is to be well informed. It’s something that we should be looking at in our schools.” What?! Is this the same man who banned the use of cell phones while driving? If adults can’t control themselves, why does he think high school students can? This raised quite a bit of controversy for teachers, parents and students. Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath responded hostilely, “I have a son and he’s distracted enough already.” Yes Andrea, so is every teen with a cell phone. McGuinty

doesn’t even let the members of his cabinet use their Blackberrys during meetings. The following day, he tweeted back, “If they’re used to help kids learn, great. If not, they’re a distraction and don’t belong.” So Dalton McGuinty suggests that we use cell phones as tools for learning. Could this actually work? In a recent study at Craik School in Saskatchewan, an experiment changed the way education was perceived. In a split class of eighth and ninth graders, 40 percent of students owned a cell phone. Those who did not have one shared with another who had. At first, the cell phones were only used to send text messages to one another as a sort of forum discussion, but as the teachers started to find new ways of using the cell phone technology, learning became more interesting. One activity made good use of the video recording feature on most of the cell phones. In a group activity, the teacher was only able to monitor one group at a time. To solve that problem, each group recorded. Most parents thought that it was a bad idea at first, but soon warmed up to it as the phones were being used in a productive manner. But in a recent experiment that was undertaken in another school, the teacher asked for all students with cell phones to place them in front of the room. The experiment was to see how many messages altogether the cell phones received. At the end of a 30 minute period, the cell phones had received 78 messages from other students within the school, during instruction time. This comes to show that cell phones are not used for any good purpose. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) currently has a ban on cell phone usage in the classroom. Will the board lighten up? Not likely. Even the students think that having cell phones in the classroom is bad idea because of its distracting nature. But if the school SEE ‘CELLPHONES’ ON NEXT PAGE

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The root cause of recent teen suicides: homophobia Five gay teens have recently committed suicide after being horrifically bullied at school and online for their sexual orientation BY CARLY HASPEL OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

yler Clementi, formerly a freshman at Rutgers University, committed suicide this past September by jumping off of the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey. His death has garnered a great deal of publicity, as Tyler was one of five gay teens who, in the span of three weeks, was harassed because of his sexual orientation, and led to take his own life. Tyler was the victim of an invasion of privacy. An intimate encounter between him and another man was live-streamed on the Internet via a hidden webcam of Tyler’s roommate, Dharun Ravi. On September 19th, Ravi posted the following message on his Twitter account: “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into Molly’s room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with another dude. Yay.” Two days later, Ravi planned a subsequent attack on his roommate’s personal life. “Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12,” he informed his friends, inviting them to spy on Tyler for a second time. “Yes, it’s happening again.” This streaming attempt failed, but the damage was done. Tyler became aware of the breach of privacy, and posted a final message on Facebook, reading “Jumping off the gw bridge, sorry.” And then he did just that. The two students involved in the live-streaming, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, are each being charged

Cellphones don’t always deter learning ‘USAGE’ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

board does eventually allow cell phones to be used for educational purposes, there is still one problem: Who’s going to pay the bill? Most students don’t have unlimited text or data plans for their cell and would be paying a fortune just to use it. If the schools pay for it, where do they get the money? The government. And where does the government get money? The taxpayers. So we end up having to pay for it anyway. So far, you may have noticed some advantages and disadvantages of cell phones. The advantages of using cell phones are the easy accessibility to the Internet and the creativity that can be poured into using the phones as a tool for learning. Though the advantages seem harmless, there are major drawbacks. One disadvantage is that with the Internet, students can surf anywhere without the teacher knowing (students can be very sneaky) and another is all the bills that go along with all the “learning.” Furthermore, with cell phones being used in class, the board would have to change the curriculum to match with the advance in technologies. Teachers would also have to be trained to teach using cell phones for the students to effectively be taught. These expenses would cut back on a lot of school budgets. The disadvantages clearly outweigh the advantages, meaning that cell phones absolutely do not belong in the classroom. But in the end, none of this really matters because nobody likes changes. Dalton McGuinty, being the hip cool premier he is, probably said what he said to get popularity points with the teens of Ontario.

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Ironically, Tyler Clementi is remembered and mourned on the same site that sealed his fate. He committed suicide after roommates posted a compromising video of him on the website. with two counts of invasion of privacy. If they are convicted, they may face up to five years in prison. In an attempt to clear Ravi of accusations of homophobia, his friend and classmate Michael Zuang spoke to reporters about his compassionate nature, “[Ravi]’s normally very nice, and I don’t think that this is a representation of him. He’s very very open minded...if it had been a girl in the room it wouldn’t have been any different.” Regardless of Tyler’s orientation, the camera should not have been turned on in the first place; this goes without saying. (Besides, the fact that Ravi would have spied on Tyler whether he had been gay or straight doesn’t really make him out to be a considerate person.)

But what I really find incredible about this statement is the insinuation that homophobia didn’t play any part in the actions of Ravi and Wei. Even if Ravi had been acting without malicious intent when he broadcast his roommate’s personal life online, the action itself is still homophobic. In other words, Ravi’s intentions don’t really hold any weight, because of the serious repercussions that could have and did result from the posting of the video; repercussions which have anything and everything to do with Tyler’s sexual orientation. In our society, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals are frequently viewed as second -class citizens. This viewpoint is often reflected in the law, which

doesn’t always afford the LGBT community the same benefits and protections that heterosexuals receive. In putting Tyler’s personal life on the Internet without his express permission, Ravi outed him on a public forum, making him an easy target for discrimination and abuse. Furthermore, giving himself the authority to decide when and where Tyler should be outed reeks of the line of thought that the personal lives of gays and lesbians should be everyone’s business, and that the straight population has the right to demand this information. Therefore, to say that these actions did not involve homophobia is not only offensive to victims of homophobia, but mind-bogglingly naive.

It is the 21st century, and although many of us would like to believe that Western society is progressive, the prejudice faced by marginalized bodies proves that we still have a long way to go. The evidence is found in each the reported suicides which occurred in September. And these are only the stories that have made the news. There are countless other instances of discrimination that do not make headlines, but are just as significant. This recent series of deaths has prompted a wave of backlash from people who decry the suicides as being ill thought-out decisions, which could have been avoided had the individuals been stronger, or made more of an effort to deal with their tormentors. As easy as it is to blame the victims, it would be more effective to look at the root of the problem. It is not Tyler Clementi’s fault that he took his life; it is the fault of the bullies who decided to take his personal decisions about his relationships into their own hands and the hands of netizens. Last year, I wrote about the proposed sexual educational reform of Dalton McGuinty, which would have introduced course material on sexual orientation and gender identity into the curriculum. Unfortunately, the proposal was shot down on the basis that the lessons were too graphic for elementaryaged students. But if these suicides are an indication of anything, it is that such a reform would not only be an improvement over the current curriculum, but is necessary in today’s society. The future generation needs to be taught compassion and sensitivity for people of all sexual orientations. It is the only way that we will stop hearing about these suicides on the news each night.

Food for thought: We shouldn’t be afraid of GM foods Why we should open our minds, grocery bags and kitchens to genetically modified foods BY JORDI KLEIN OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

he term ‘genetically modified’ often conjures up images of laboratories, evil scientists, and the grotesque reminders of experiments gone wrong. So it’s no surprise that the idea of genetically modified foods is unsettling to many people. ‘Non-GMO’ has become the ‘it’ label of the upscale food industry lately, and has somehow become interchangeable in people’s minds with ‘healthy’. The irony is that these same people will happily scarf down a hamburger in which 48 of its 49 ingredients begin with ‘processed’ or ‘modified’, but run away, flailing arms, effeminate screams and all, from a purple tomato. What these people don’t realize is that GM foods are everywhere. Most GM foods have little to no aesthetic differences from their ‘natural’ counterparts, making them difficult to spot to the average consumer. Often the only way to tell the difference is to check the produce code. Genetically modified produce is marked with an 8 in front of the regular produce code, meaning that a regular banana would be marked as 4011, but its genetically modified twin would be 84011. Labels of other products made with GM foods, such as bread, don’t explicitly say so at all. Have you ever eaten bread enriched with omega-3s? If you haven’t, odds say that you’ve at least seen the advertisements. The ads usually tout the bread’s superior

nutritional value and tell moms that it’s OK if Junior doesn’t eat his peas, so long as his PB & J is made with their super-nutritious bread. While these claims are not entirely untrue, they’re leaving out an important piece of information: how exactly does one ‘enrich’ bread? It’s not as if a giant tub of vitamins is spilled into the dough during the mixing process. These enriched breads are made with—you guessed it—genetically modified wheat. These types of wheat have been enhanced with the same gene that gives fish the fatty acid. Grind it into flour, mix with water and yeast, and voila! Omega-3 enriched bread.

‘‘

tect against hazardous bacteria such as E. coli. Sounds wonderful? It very well could be. The only trouble with GM foods is the companies that produce them. Like all plants, GM foods begin as seeds. Farming giants like DuPont and Monsanto are the world leaders in genetically modified organisms. On the Monsanto website, you can actually order up what qualities you want your crop to have. Want a crop of soybeans that likes dry weather, grows larger than normal soybeans, and has a natural resistance the disease that killed last year’s crop? Done! But as you may expect, this tech-

It’s a shame, because the people who could truly benefit from this technology just can’t afford it. […] DuPont and Monsanto’s chokehold on farmers restricts it. Naturally, being huge international corporations and therefore quite fond of their money, they’re in no hurry to do any goodwill... But the potential of GM foods goes far beyond making sure picky children don’t go malnourished. ‘Traditional’ crops, such as wheat and corn, have been engineered to grow in all sorts of environments, from very hot to very cold to wet and swampy to drought-like conditions. There are even types of crops that are bred with a resistance to local diseases and a tolerance for high-salinity soil. Theoretically, we can grow crops in places we were never able to, giving impoverished nations a new source of food and trade. These same places could soon benefit from vaccines based in tomatoes courtesy of scientists in Korea, which grow, look and taste like regular tomatoes, but can pro-

nology isn’t exactly inexpensive. On top of the exorbitant fee for your designer crop, there’s a small thing Monsanto forgot to tell you: their seeds have been engineered so as not to reproduce. Once your season is over, it’s over, and next year you’ll have to order another batch. This continuing cost is suffocating for many farmers, and is one of the biggest reasons the GM movement is still relatively small. It’s the same reason why we don’t see strawberries growing in Kazakhstan. It’s a shame, because the people who could truly benefit from this technology just can’t afford it. Technology allows us to grow in places we never could before, but DuPont and Monsanto’s chokehold on farmers restricts it.

Naturally, being huge international corporations and therefore quite fond of their money, they’re in no hurry to do any goodwill missions. Thankfully, not all companies are like Monsanto and DuPont. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences, partnered with the non-profit organization The Rockefeller Foundation, developed a strain of rice with unusually high levels of vitamin A. This strain of ‘golden rice’ was to be distributed to third world countries for free, where blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is rampant. Unfortunately, due to vigorous anti-GMO protesting in Europe, the grant funding the project wasn’t renewed and the project was put on hold indefinitely. This irrational anti-GMO sentiment that seems to be going around the world is disappointing. There is nothing inherently bad about genetically modified foods. In fact, they are often healthier than their identical counterparts. The belief that GMOs are the evil twin of organic foods is also false; many farmers who use GMOs also use organic farming practices. They are oftentimes safer than regular produce, because their natural resistance to insects and diseases warrants less need for dangerous insecticides and the like. Ultimately, the only valid argument against genetically modified food is that they make people uncomfortable, which is a pretty weak one at that. Genetically modified foods have amazing potential, but they have to be made more accessible in order to achieve it. That begins with opening our minds to the idea of change. Rationalizing the familiar is easy, but embracing change with open arms takes more courage than anything.

editorial

fall 2010

EYE OF THE TIGER

Caroline Mei

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Morgan Rosenberg

from the editors

EYE OFTHE TIGER page 11 Jason Li & Adele Chui

Jared Perlmutter

DEPUTY LAYOUT EDITORS

SPORTS EDITOR

Alanna Kazdan

Nathan Oh

NEWS EDITOR

DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Police, protesters and power politics

You gotta be true to your heart A cheesy Phil Collins lyric teaches high school students a valuable life lesson: be honest.

Photo by Tomer Michailov

YES

Morgan Rosenberg

s Canadian citizens, we are all entitled to a vast array of rights. To protect these rights, we look to law enforcement. On June 26, 2010, the day of peaceful and violent protests to the G20, just like every other day, Canadian citizens looked to law enforcement to protect these rights. "We've lived downtown for 25 years and never seen anything like this,” said one resident who was not referring to the large number of police detentions or the drastic measures such as tear gas and rubber bullets used by police in the later part of the day, but rather the absolute chaos that ensued as a result of violent protest. The officers of law enforcement on the scene had a large arsenal of tools to prevent and react to these vio-

Tomer Michailov

he weekend of the G20 summit is one that Canadians, especially those living in Toronto, won’t soon forget. But it wasn’t so much the gathering of the bank ministers of 20 major countries that headlined the event; it was the protests and the accompanying brutal police force. Having witnessed, and being victim to, the blatant human rights violations committed by the riot police, it’s strange to see that a significant portion of Canadians support the police action at the G20. They justify the police action by citing the vandalistic members of the Black Bloc. But how is this any justification when it was mostly innocent, peaceful protesters that were

beaten, pepper sprayed, shot with rubber bullets, and tear gassed, while the 20 or so individuals who did commit property damage ran free? Of the approximately 20,000 protestors that were on the streets of Toronto during the G20 summit, 1,105 were arrested, of which 800 were released without charge. The police arrested masses of people who were simply exercising their right to free speech, and many of whom were passers-by without any intention of protesting. These innocent victims were taken to a movie studio turned detention centre which is now under investigation for shocking claims of sexual harassment, deprivation of food and water, and brutality. And all because of a few dozen kids who decided to smash some windows? This isn’t the way Canadian citizens, or anybody, should have been treated.

Policy allowing zeros for overdue homework not a moment too late Provincial policy respects both teachers and students.

inally, both teachers and students will be able to get the respect they fully deserve in at least one way. In late August of this year, the Ontario Ministry of Education released new guidelines allowing secondary school teachers to give students a zero on late assignments. Previously, a multitude of conflicting board policies stood in the way of a definitive stance towards this matter. The new standards introduced by the province, just in time to

usher in the new school year, leave no grey area of uncertainty in regards to this issue. Long has the attitude in Ontario’s schools been far too lax and laissezfaire; as long as a tardy assignment was handed in by the end of the marking period (be it a year or a semester), the student could get the marks it. In short, the student is able to blatantly disregard the rules set by the teacher and receives little penance for their deference. They’re just kids, no one is hurt, they have time to learn. There are a multitude of reasons people can and are giving in opposition to this new policy.

PHOTOGRAPHER

The Eye of the Tiger is advised by Riviera Lev-Aviv Audrey Vong Annie Xie ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Mrs. Borges. LAYOUT DIRECTOR OPINION EDITOR SEND US LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AT EYEOFTHETIGERCHIEFS@GMAIL.COM FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

FACEOFF The Eye of the Tiger brings you our newest editorial feature where two of our editors provide insights on both sides of a controversial topic. This issue: the police cracked down on protesters at Toronto’s G20 summit during June. Some were detained using force. Were the police right to do so?

lent protests. They were used in the appropriate situation It was not until the more than 300 violent protestors had destroyed dozens of storefronts, smashed several bank buildings and set fire to multiple police cruisers that the officers retired to appropriately forceful means to subdue the chaos. Just like every other day, the officers of law enforcement woke up, went to work, and did their job. They did not use more force than necessary, they did not look for or target innocent people to detain, and they did not operate differently than they would have or should have any other day in a smaller scale situation. What the officers present at the G20 did, was protect the rights of all Torontonians through the use of as little force as possible, and ultimately, navigate a peaceful turned violent protest to an expedient and necessary end.

Tomer Michailov

But here’s the thing. No, they don’t have time. They are not just kids, they are young adults who are making decisions about their careers and futures. And people are hurt by late submission of assignments- it just happens not to be the procrastinator. It’s an issue of respect. By handing in an assignment late, the student is showing disrespect for the guidelines set in place by the teacher. When we allow that student to receive a mark free of penance, other students who have worked hard to submit their work punctually are being disrespected. Will the

late submission garner more marks than some of the other assignments because of and increased work time? Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t matter. Rest assured, this is of no aid to slacking students when they will enter university and the work forceprofessors and employers will be less than charmed. For this reason, setting these new rulesin place make sense. Society asks of us to uphold the ethics of punctuality and respect for those around us. If learning to abide by due dates is a life lesson, there’s no reason why we can’t learn it in school.

ith university applications dawning on some students faster than we can say “report card”, the panic is showing. The common worry amongst students are their marks and, of course, maintaining that Grade A average to seal in a spot at the school of their choosing. What most have also started to do is tap into the great reservoir of scholarships offered at Canadian universities and other organizations. It’s common knowledge that most scholarships, as well as placement to some university programs, are granted to students who not only excel academically, but are also leaders in their school and community. Doing both is decidedly difficult in the face of mounting academic pressures that students experience in the later years of secondary school. Many students have begun an ongoing quest to do new thingsvolunteer, form clubs, join clubs, go on trips- so on and so forth. What is worrisome are not the actions themselves- which are helpful and enhancing at best and inert at worst- but the motives behind sudden spurts of student interest in various extracurriculars. If an action is sincere and done from the goodness of one’s heart, that is accepted and admirable. If charity basket weaving is your thing, then go for it. But if something is done only because it will “look good on your resume or application”, there is a problem. Not only is it extremely unfair to the sincere ones out there, it reflects poorly on an individual’s character and values. Rest assured: if you tell someone you only want a job or scholarship because it will “look good on your resume”, your application is probably going to get chucked into the bin. Of course, most are smart enough to avoid saying this, which makes it all the more difficult for the “nice guys” to compete for the few top spots. However, most students have faith that admissions officers and scholarship committees can smell insincerity from a mile away, just like most people. Sometimes, it may seem like the “resume padders” are getting all the goodies, but what really matters is doing something you truly enjoy, and doing it well. Similarly, if you’re going to volunteer, start a club or get involved, do it because you want to help others and yourself- not just to beef up your university application. Neither you or your resume will last very long. This may sound preachy and just solidifies the sense of infuriating helplessness, but given the circumstances, there’s nothing to be done to change the situation other than hope for the best. But when all’s said and done, Phil Collins had it right— the truest actions are still those that come from the heart.

sports

page 12 EYE OFTHE TIGER

sports fall 2010

EYE OF THE TIGER

NHL has a new look for the new season With a number of NHL teams rebuilding, the NHL is in store for a facelift.

BY JORDAN GRECH SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

t seemed like only seconds ago since the Chicago Blackhawks became the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, and already, the debate has begun on who will come out on top in the spring of 2011. But before we look to the future, we must look to the past. And that means this past summer, to be specific. Anaheim Ducks: With Captain Scott Niedermayer’s retirement, it seemed like the Ducks lost their identity, but not for long. This year, the gold “C” will be stitched onto the jersey of centre Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf is more than capable of scoring 80-plus points, but the Ducks’ underwhelming defense corps likely won’t prevent them for missing the playoffs for the second straight year. Atlanta Thrashers: The Ilya Kovalchuk era has ended in Georgia, and much of the offense will have to be provided by forwards Nikolai Antropov, Rich Peverley, and Bryan Little, who needs to rebound from an awful 34-point campaign. The real question is this: can newcomer Dustin Byfuglien carry his eye-popping performance from last year’s playoffs into his new home? We will have to wait and see. Boston Bruins: Long story short, the Bruins need goals. With Marc Savard’s condition uncertain, newcomer forward Nathan Horton better be ready to score 30 or more. Along with the addition of Horton, the Bruins drafted superstar junior player Tyler Seguin, formerly of the Plymouth Whalers. Seguin is in line to be a top line centre, but with Savard’s health up in the air, he may have to step up earlier then expected. Buffalo Sabres: Beyond adding Jordan Leopold to their blueline, GM Darcy Regier didn’t do a whole lot this summer. My guess is he’s praying that forward Thomas Vanek will once again hit the 40goal mark, but some more scoring support couldn’t hurt. Calgary Flames: The past is the present as forwards Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen are back in Calgary. Both need to top 20 goals for the Flames to make a strong push for the post-season. Captain Jarome Iginla needs to prove that the myth hasn’t outgrown the man.

Carolina Hurricanes: With Rod Brind’Amour retired and Ray Whitney in Phoenix, Captain Eric Staal will really have to up his game, something he is more than capable of doing. But he will need the support of youngsters Brandon Sutter and Zach Boychuk if Carolina wants to even come close to the playoffs. Chicago Blackhawks: After major salary cap problems forced the defending champions to disperse across the continent, a new youth movement is on the rise in the Windy City. 23 year-old forward Jack Skille has finally made it with the big club, and he better perform if he intends to stay there. Colorado Avalanche: After an unexpected trip to the playoffs, the Avs basically maintained their roster. However, Matt Duchene will continue to improve at a rapid pace, and playoff hockey will return to Denver. Columbus Blue Jackets: The long-term arrival of young Russian phenom Nikita Filatov will help, but a terribly shallow defense and the question marks surrounding goalie Steve Mason mean another long summer. Captain Rick Nash will once again have to shoulder most of the scoring load for his team. Dallas Stars: This summer, the 3 longest-serving members of the Stars organization were all exiled. Mike Modano signed with Detroit, Marty Turco with Chicago, and Jere Lehtinen left for parts unknown. Hopefully the re-emergence of Brad Richards can make up for it. If not, Dallas’ young wingers Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson, James Neal, and Fabian Brunnstrom will need to carry the offense. Detroit Red Wings: Detroit’s roster, while aging, is still one of the best in the league. Speedy forward Jiri Hudler has returned to Detroit after a year in Russia, and hometown boy Mike Modano is poised to show he can still score into his 40’s Edmonton Oilers: The kids are alright, but not good enough. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi have definitely brought a change of culture, but Ales Hemsky and Nikolai Khabibulin have to stay healthy (and out of jail) if we are going to see a change in Oiltown. Florida Panthers: After losing long-time Panther Nathan Horton to the Bruins, the Panthers’ offense will definitely take a hit this season. Forwards Chris Higgins, Marty Reasoner and Steve Bernier have been added, but it’s unlikely that any of the three will see minutes on the top two lines.

Los Angeles Kings: Early in the summer, it seemed Ilya Kovalchuk would be heading to California, but any chance the Kings had of signing the superstar dwindled to nothing. However, Alex Ponikarovsky was brought on board, a guy with much fewer ego-related issues than Kovalchuk. He will also give the Kings much-needed depth up front. Watch for Norris candidate Drew Doughty to cement himself as the NHL’s top two-way defender. Minnesota Wild: The Wild are another team that concentrated on adding depth players up front, signing 33 year-old Matt Cullen, and 37 year-old John Madden. The loss of Derek Boogaard to the New York Rangers means the Wild will be lacking in the grit factor. Montreal Canadiens: GM Pierre Gauthier made what was definitely the first big move of the summer, trading goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues for prospects Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. All eyes and possibly pitchforks and torches will be on Carey Price this season. Nashville Predators: In Matthew Lombardi, the Preds finally have a centreman who can take some pressure off David Legwand, and making Shea Weber the new captain can only help the rising star. New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract. That is all . New York Islanders: With Martin Biron’s departure, Dwayne Roloson and Rick DiPietro stand as Long Island’s lone netminders. James Wisniewski should provide a boost to their blueline. But as has become the norm in New York, the team will lack scoring from people not named John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. New York Rangers: Alexander Frolov should be a helpful addition to the Rangers’ top line alongside Erik Christensen and Marian Gaborik. Derek Boogaard, and rookie Derek Stepan round out their roster. Ottawa Senators: One of the league’s top defensive defensemen, Anton Volchenkov, has signed with New Jersey, so GM Bryan Murray has replaced him with one of the league’s top offensive defensemen, Sergei Gonchar. How Gonchar fits in will be critical to the Sens’ success. Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers will undoubtedly miss Simon Gagne, but they did add more depth to their ever-complicated goalie situation, bringing in Russian rookie Sergei Bobrovsky. As well, former Blue Jacket and

Ranger, Nikolia Zherdev returns to the NHL after a brief stint overseas. With Zherved in the fold, the Flyers only add to their already deep offensive core. Phoenix Coyotes: While Ray Whitney is a nice addition to Phoenix’s first line, my questions surround whether or not Lee Stempniak can come close to a 28-goal season, which he accomplished last year. Pittsburgh Penguins: Even after losing power play specialist Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh’s blueline managed to get stronger by adding veterans Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin. But can these two replace one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL? Pens fans will just have to hope. St. Louis Blues: Really, all the pressure is on newcomer Jaroslav Halak, to prove the mind-boggling play from last spring was no fluke. Youngsters TJ Oshie, David Perron, and David Backes will all be counted on to live up their respective hype. Also of concern is whether or not Brad Boyes returns to his 30-plus goal form. San Jose Sharks: The Evgeni Nabokov era has ended, as Antti Niemi takes over. Yes, he’s a Cup champ, but the guy spits out rebounds the way Dave & Busters spits out tickets. Will a change of tender break San Jose’s playoff curse? Tampa Bay Lightning: Simon Gagne and Dominic Moore provide depth at forward, while defenseman Pavel Kubina returns to the Bolts, and will easily find a spot on their weak blueline. Toronto Maple Leafs: With Dion Phaneuf officially at the helm as the new captain, we will see for sure if Calgary fans’ claims of his raging ego are true or not. New Burke additions Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong, and Clarke MacArthur will also be counted on to provide scoring and take some pressure off Phil Kessel. Vancouver Canucks: My pick to win the Cup this year, the Canucks have built an entirely new, and entirely capable, defense pairing, adding Dan Hamuis and Keith Ballard. Add in the high scoring Sedin Twins, and goalie Roberto Luongo, and you have a legitimate Cup contender. Washington Capitals: The Caps got rid of a lot more than they got back, so not a lot to say. Although I do look forward to laughing at Alex Ovechkin trying to backcheck. So there you have it: Reports on all 30 teams, for your reading pleasure. Happy season, folks!

TSS to receive Grade 9 ‘Try Day’ funding Thanks to funding, Grade 9s are able to experience dynamic new activities. BY MARILYN COADY TSS PHYS ED TEACHER

he Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA), supported financially by the Ministry of Health Promotion, is again providing funding for 260 high schools across the province to initiate a new sport or physical activity program into their school curriculum. These ‘Try Day’ programs target Grade 9 students in an effort to motivate them to continue their involvement in sport and physical activity throughout their high school years. Thornhill Secondary School is one of the lucky schools that has been accepted to receive this funding. This is the sixth year of the Grade 9 ‘Try Day’ grant program in which the Ministry of Health Promotion has provided grants of up to $800 per school to assist schools with promoting these goals. In addition, we are appreciative that OFSAA has sponsored T.S.S. in this physical activity initiative for the third year in a row. Full details on this Grade 9 ‘Try Day’ project can be found on the OFSAA website (ofsaa.on.ca).This year, these funds have assisted Thornhill Secondary School’s Healthy Active Living Department to engage grade nine students in an exciting, challenging new activity. Our students have experienced Australian rules football also known as Aussie X Footy. Authentic Australian Footy players have travelled to Canada to share and teach their native sport. The grade nines tested their endurance, power and coordination in an enjoyable, safe, team building, environment. The students loved the opportunity to experience Australia’s national sport: Footy. Thanks, Try Day!

BEND IT LIKE… Grade 9s trying Australia’s national sport at TSS. Photo courtesy of Tomer Michailov.

Emily Shtrachman shines on the dance floor Here is the EOTT’s first Athlete of the Issue of this year.

RAZZLE-DAZZLE Pictured here at Montreal’s Dancesport Extravaganza, Emily Shtrachman and her partner placed second at the championship.

BY CAROLINE MEI EXECUTIVE EDITOR

recently had the opportunity to sit down with Grade 9 student Emily Shtrachman to interview her for the Eye of the Tiger’s first Athlete of the Issue for the 20102011 school year. In past years, we’ve managed to cover a wide variety of athletes; swimmers, runners, soccer players, badmintonites and gymnasts, to name a few. Emily, however, is none of theseshe is a ballroom dancer- and a really kick-butt one at that. Ballroom dance, also called “dancesport”, is a lesser-known sport to the general public. It is

divided into two major categories: Latin American and standard. In Latin American, dancers are required to perform five dances at competitions: the cha-cha, samba, rumba, pasodoble and the jive. In standard, the dancing style is somewhat more rigid and traditional, with five competitive dances: the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep. Competitions can either incorporate all ten dances, or just dances from one category. Dancers are split into six different levels of competition (increasing in level of difficulty): pre-bronze, bronze, silver, gold, pre-championship and championship. Couples are allowed to stay in a level as long as they haven’t won three or more competitions competing at that level.

With over ten years of dance under her belt, Emily and her current partner (a student at Earl Haig S.S.) have worked their way up to the championship level, coming 2nd in October’s Montreal Dancesport Extravaganza- Emily’s first competition at the championship levelafter training together for only two months. For Emily, dancing was something that she grew up with. With an older sister who was into theatrical dance, she first started theatrical dance at the tender age of four, switching over to ballroom dance when she was six years old. She has been dancing at Viva Dance (now known as Club Viva Dance) since then, participating in both group SEE ‘KEEP GOING’ ON PAGE 15

sports

fall 2010

It’s only the beginning of a long process... This year sees the Raptors facing yet another gruelling team rebuilding. BY NATHAN OH SPORTS DEPUTY EDITOR

nd so it begins. In what was arguably the focus of the sports world this past summer, the NBA Free Agent Frenzy of 2010 spared no one. The massive hurricane of money, madness, and just plain mean completely wiped out some areas, leaving behind various kinds of debris (like flaming jerseys) in the street to be picked up by the local garbage truck the next morning. Other areas were less affected, but still dealt a similarly heartbreaking blow as many household names, hard workers, and fan favourites bolted for the greener pastures of free agency. The city of Toronto was no exception, as we lost two stellar defenders in Antoine Wright and Rasho Nesterovic (to Sacramento and Olympiakos in Greece respectively). But those losses pale in comparison to that of the one time franchise saviour Chris Bosh. The five-time All-Star and face of the franchise left the only Canadian NBA franchise to take his talents to fellow 03 Draftees LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. But cold winter climate in Toronto was the least of his problems. In his seven-year career with the Raptors, Bosh only took “his” team to the playoffs twice, both ending in exits in the first round. He failed to gel with key players over the years, most recently Jermaine O’Neal, Shawn Marion, and even Andrea Bargnani. Also, as much as Bosh seemingly loved T.O., he left the Great North with a somewhat sour taste, calling both Canada and the city of Toronto “different”. (Kind of makes you wonder whether or not he’ll be booed when he returns in a Heat uniform.) So now that he’s gone, the question becomes…well, there are a lot of questions. Who will fill the void of 24 points-per-game and 11 rebounds-per-game? Who will represent Toronto at the annual All-Star festivities? And most importantly, who will be the Toronto Raptors’ franchise player? Let’s not be too negative. Raptors management did some things right. They locked up Amir Johnson, the lean and mean dynamite stick off the bench that averaged 6.2 points-per-game and nearly 5 rebounds in 18 minutes a game. Several key bench players were acquired, such as Linas Kleiza and Leandro Barbosa who both impressed at the FIBA World Championships this past summer. Also acquired were castoffs Julian Wright and David Andersen to further boost a young frontcourt. But the Raptors need some other things to happen correctly to really challenge for a playoff spot in the Beastin’ East. Andrea Bargnani and the “Young Guns” (DeMar DeRozan, Johnson, and Sonny Weems) need to step up big time and understand their role on this rebuilding Raps squad. The point guards, Jarrett Jack and Jose Calderon, need to worry less about playing time and more about making the team better. Jay Triano, who was an assistant coach to Mike Krzyzewski at the FIBA Worlds, needs to apply his FIBA experiences to his second year of coaching. So as the post-Chris Bosh era arrives, everyone must understand their roles, and try not to pig out on the spotlight. After all, it is a rebuilding process.

EYE OFTHE TIGER page 13

Hey LeBron? Thanks for ruining our league How the 2010 NBA Offseason made the league go from bad to worse. BY JARED PERLMUTTER SPORTS EDITOR

nd so it is, LeBron James, the prodigal son of Cleveland, the city’s saviour, the man who was destined to bring glory to a long suffering city, has become a member of the Miami Heat. This move, this single signing of this man sent the NBA into a complete landslide. Never before has the NBA seen this: three All-Star calibre players planning their free agency to allow for them to unite and win together. This is exactly what Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and yes, LeBron James had in mind when they signed contract extensions in 2006, all for 3 years with a 4th year player option. Should we not have seen it coming? In what was one the top drafts in NBA history, these three 2003 first rounders (1, 4, and 5) have now united to form what many are calling the greatest trio in NBA history. While some fans have been simply salivating at the high level of basketball these three could play together, many others have instead lost faith in a league they already had little in. The NBA was good to watch because it was balanced. Of course, there were teams that were stronger than others, but that goes without saying. But there was always a chance of victory for any team in any game. The superstars were dispersed throughout the league, which made for good competition and unpredictable results. But after this summer, it appears as though the balance has simply been forgotten. This is, despite our greatest fears, the new NBA.

Miami is not fully to blame for this shift in league philosophy. The NBA was already beginning its mutation into this league. When the Boston Celtics assembled their “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Boston’s attempt wasn’t nearly as drastic as Miami’s, as Allen was well past his prime, and Garnett simply wasn’t the same player he was before. With Boston improving, naturally Los Angeles, and surprisingly Orlando had to as well. (As with the moves Boston made, these are by no means as drastic and leagueshattering as Miami’s moves this offseason). LA’s success is, and will remain to be based mainly around the best player on the planet, Kobe Bryant. What the Lakers did was build a championship team the old way: developing talents, and surrounding a superstar with high quality running mates such as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Orlando, also with a top tier talent in Dwight Howard, made moves similar to that of L.A. They developed their young players (namely Jameer Nelson) and brought in veterans Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter to build a top NBA team. But Pat Riley needed it all. He could’ve gone out and re-signed the Heat’s saviour Dwyane Wade, and added some high quality role players to a young and improving roster. But why would he do that when he could simply ruin the league by uniting the new “Big Three” and giving them all nearmax deals? The only reason they even took less than the maximum is so the Heat could sign all three of them. So instead of dispersing money across the team, Riley simply went out and got a few serviceable at best players (aside from

Mike Miller) to play with his three superstars. Not sure about Pat Riley, but most of the NBA wouldn’t consider either Mario Chalmers or Carlos Arroyo a good selection as a starting point guard on a Championship calibre team. The NBA is really now in a flux of sorts, as the balance has been completely offset and it’s likely that we will see around 4-5 teams contending for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. What made the NBA so great were those times when No.1 seeds were beaten because the gap of talent between 1 and 8 was so small. Now, the only teams that it seems will be able to even contend with the Heat are Boston, Orlando, and Los Angeles. So much for a wide open playoff race. What is perhaps most reflective of LeBron and Bosh’s decisions was the commentary made by former NBA players, most notably, His Airness - Michael Jordan. Jordan was less than impressed with the decision of LeBron, saying “There's no way, in hindsight, I would've ever called up Larry (Bird), called up Magic (Johnson) and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team’”. Michael wanted to beat them, not share the glory of winning a championship with them. As for the Jordan comparisons – well according to Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, LeBron will “never be Jordan, no matter how much he wins”. Barkley went on to say, “If he had stayed in Cleveland, and if he could’ve got a championship there, it would have been over the top for his legacy”. But now, there certainly is no chance of that. Would the NBA have been good if Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird played on one team against Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Karl Malone?

Probably not. What made the NBA so fun to watch, what essentially saved it, was rivalry and competition between the best. Magic vs. Bird was a rivalry born in the NCAA Championship of 1979 in which the Magic-led Michigan State Spartans faced a far smaller and less renowned Indiana State program led by some skinny white kid named Larry Bird. After Magic won that game, it seemed clear - these two would be life-long rivals. That was the way it’s supposed to be. The best respecting each other, but wanting nothing more than to destroy them when it came to game time: no one showed that better than Larry and Magic. The Free Agent Frenzy of 2010 has ended. And the results are perhaps sadder than the draft history of the Toronto Raptors. Now we have a clear divide in talent levels on NBA teams, throwing balance out the window. NBA fans have little to look forward to this season asides from the debut of John Wall. If fans wanted to watch one team simply buy their way to a championship they needed look no further than the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have some competition now though, thanks to Miami and Pat Riley’s spending spree. Hey LeBron James, thanks for making competition a thing of the past. Thanks for caring about balance and playing level. Thanks for showing that commitment means nothing. Thanks for breaking the hearts of an entire city, all because you couldn’t win a championship by yourself. Thanks for disappointing all your thousands of fans worldwide. Thanks for ruining our league.

Reliving the US Open in all its glory From Roger Federer to Kim Clijsters, the stars had the spotlight at the 2010 Open. BY JAMEE WONG SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

S Open 2010 Tennis was where it all happened: the fall of the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, the upset of a possibility of a Federer vs. Nadal final, the extreme heat, the fast and changing wind speeds, the injuries and emotional breakdowns, the sweat and the pain. August 30, 2010 was the start of another great week of tennis in Flushing Meadows, New York City. Fans from all around the world gathered outside the stadium gates and patiently waited for the park to be opened, allowing hundreds of hungry and tennis-crazed fans to flood in. As expected, the Americans were cheering for the hometown favourites Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Sam Querry, John Isner, Melanie Oudin, and Ryan Harrison, who was just 18 years of age. The Americans proved to be resilient opponents throughout the tournament, as they had the upper hand with home court advantage and support from the crowd. With many Americans representing their country, Canada didn’t disappoint, with Peter Polansky making it all the way to the 2nd round. He is only 22 years of age, and grew up in Thornhill, Ontario. Polansky had a great run until he was dismissed by James Blake. Although he lost, he did put up an amazing fight against his opponents and that’s the most Canadian fans will ask for. The overall start of the week was terribly long, as many of the 2nd

round matches were played up to 5 sets for the men and 3 sets for the women. Djokovic barely held off his opponent and friend, Viktor Troicki who also represented Serbia. Many fans already knew that Djokovic would have difficulty on court because of his lack of fitness. It’s hardly his fault, and many Djokovic fans did not blame him for his slow win due to the sweltering heat and humid conditions. Victoria Azarenka, ranked 11th on the women’s side, was not as lucky as she collapsed on court during her match against Gisela Dulko. The searing temperatures were as high as 40 degrees Celsius. However, as the week progressed, it became more interesting as a few of the seeded players were knocked out of the tournament one by one. Andy Roddick, the highest seeded American at 9th, lost to 44thranked Janko Tipsarevic in a competitive five-set match in the 2nd round. With his high serve percentages, Tipsarevic was huge and bold on the court. When Roddick started to lose his temper in the 5th set, he let out his anger on the linesman after he was called for multiple foot -fault violations. Despite Roddick’s bad temper and irritation, we can hardly say it was all Roddick’s fault because Tipsarevic played the best tennis seen in years, smashing 66 forehand and backhand winners, scoring amazing volleys and passing shots, and displayed an unbelievable serving ability. When the game ended, Roddick congratulated and playfully threatened Tipsarevic as he said, “If you lose early, I’m going to kill you.” Tipsarevic lost in the next round. On the women’s side, it was equally as exciting, as last year’s champion Kim Clijsters returned

after her break from having her first child. She came back headstrong and aggressive, displaying her great tennis skill and qualities. Serena Williams, however, did not compete in the tournament due to a cut on her right foot, and she took the time off to recover. Instead, she was seen in the crowd cheering on her sister Venus. Juan Martin Del Potro on the men’s side was also out of the competition when he announced his wrist injury in January and was unable to defend his title. Roger Federer, the greatest player of all time, did not show any frustration and cruised past his opponents. He pulled off another one of his almost impossible “tweener” shots. His opponent seemingly hit a winner, but Federer hit it without looking and the ball sped past Brian Dabul and clipped the line. Djokovic eventually faced Federer in the semis again, this time taking 3 sets off the Swiss, Federer, and also his No. 2 ranking. On Day 14 of the US Open, the women’s finals were held; Kim Clijsters reclaimed the championship as Queen of US Open, winning against Vera Zvonerva in straight sets 6-2, 6-0. In the men’s finals, The Nadal-Djokovic match was delayed twice due to rain, pushing the match from Day 15 to the evening of Day 16. The game started off with Nadal winning the first set, but Djokovic quickly broke back and claimed a set of his own. In the end, Nadal prevailed. Nadal was just better with his huge forehands, outbursts, angry stares, accuracy, and the fierceness in his game. Nicknamed “Rafa”, Nadal won with 49 winners and a 73% serve percentage. But, Djokovic broke Nadal more times than anyone in the tournament and did a splendid job

holding off the Spaniard even when Nadal had a 106-1 record for winning the first set in matches. After an outstanding win, Nadal bit the handle of his silver US Open trophy and smiled at the camera. He currently is the youngest to accomplish and complete a Career Golden Slam (Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US) and winning 3 consecutive Grand Slams this year. He has captured the hearts of many young tennis fans. Through the ups and downs of the US Open, tennis was at its top as fans experienced legendary moments and history in the making, passionate and intense games, breakdowns, fist pumping match points, outrageous forehand winners, furious and energized fans, random outbursts, screams, cheers, laughter, the sound of thousands of people clapping, and of course, Nadal’s biceps. US Open 2010 at Flushing Meadows was another year of brilliant tennis played and watched.

VICTORY Kim Clijsters pumps her fist in satisfaction in her championship match against Vera Zvonerva.

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page 14 EYE OFTHE TIGER

fall 2010

All eyes are on the Big Three after a summer of trading Here are the winners, losers and anticipations for the 2010-2011 NBA season. BY HARSH NAIK SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

he 2010 NBA Free Agency was supposed to be the biggest summer in the history of the

NBA. The results lived up to all the hype, as superstars and franchise players moved teams, divisions and conferences to improve their chances of becoming the next champion. Here’s a recap of the major moves with a list of players and their new team in brackets: 1. Tracy McGrady (Detroit Pistons) 2. Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal (Boston Celtics) 3. Matt Barnes, Steve Blake (LA Lakers) 4. Al Jefferson (Utah Jazz) 5. Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress (Phoenix Suns) 6. LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller (Miami Heat) 7. David Lee (Golden State Warriors) 8. Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer (Chicago Bulls) 9. Amare Stoudemire, Raymond Felton (New York Knicks) The most noteworthy change that occurred was the formation of the “Big Three” in Miami; where All -Stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh teamed up with former NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade. This is, in many fans’ opinion, the best trio in NBA History, or at least in recent memory. Many people are criticizing LeBron James for having to rely on other superstars to capture his first ring; while others defend him, stating no one else has won a ring by themselves, and it is impossible to do so. However it is now almost a fact that the NBA is becoming a league where dominant teams are structured by possessing 2 or 3 franchise players. It started when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce for the 2007-08 season and won a championship in their first year together. Now we have rumours of Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony joining Amare Stoudemire in New York when their contracts expire; or ‘Melo being traded to the Bulls forming another big three with Derrick Rose and newly acquired big man Carlos Boozer. Now that the dust has relatively settled (apart from the Anthony trade rumours), it’s time for these players to make a significant impact on their new teams. Whether it be improving their record, making the playoffs, or winning the Larry O’Brien trophy, teams are searching for reasons to attract their fans; fans that are arriving to arenas in less and less numbers because of the dismal economy and performances. But we aren’t here to talk about the recession; let’s talk basketball. Here are my 2010-2011NBA Predictions for the upcoming season. The Western Conference first: 1. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Season 57-25)(2010-2011 Projection 60-22) The Western Conference has lost much of its power with the transfer of Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, which will allow the Lakers to improve their record. The Lakers are significantly stronger than last year, with the additions of Steve Blake, a formidable backup point guard, and Matt Barnes. The latter will play a major part in making the Lakers the best defensive team on the wing and the ones to beat,with Barnes joining perennial MVP candidate Kobe Bryant, and shutdown defender Ron Artest.

THE TERRIBLE TRIO Simultaneously worshipped or reviled for making the jump to play together with the Miami Heat, the three players will be scrutinized this coming season (from left, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James) 2. Oklahoma City Thunder (5032)(55-27) The Thunder really came on at the end of last season, and gave the back-to-back champion Lakers a scare in the first round. With Kevin Durant having gained more experience with the US National team at the World Championships, OKC looks in prime position to finish second overall in the west, if Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green can contribute on the court on a consistent basis, this team will be one of the best out west. 3. Dallas Mavericks (55-27)(5329) If a trophy were given for best seasonal performance, the Dallas Mavericks would have the most. This would be their 11th straight 50 win season, yet they have no ring to show for it. This is going to be another season where Dallas does very well with franchise player Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Caron Butler coming back. Add in 7’2 shot blocker Tyson Chandler to the mix, and Dallas has the makings of another 50 win season. Could this be the year that Mark Cuban’s boys finally show up come the post-season? We’ll have to wait and see. 4. Houston Rockets (45-37)(5230) With the late addition of Kevin Martin last year, and the return of Yao Ming from injury, the Houston Rockets appear to be a force in the West. With a strong supporting cast of Aaron Brooks, Shane Battier, Brad Miller, Luis Scola and Courtney Lee, don’t be surprised to see the Rockets gain home court advantage once more in the playoffs. 5. Utah Jazz (53-29)(50-32) Although the Jazz lost Carlos Boozer to the Bulls, they made up for that loss with the addition of Al Jefferson, a young big man who can potentially average 20-10 this season, Jefferson already has experience being “The Man” in Minnesota. With Deron Williams playing the point, the Jazz will have a chance to compete every night. However the Jazz lost sharp shooting Kyle Korver off the bench and have some serious questions at other starting positions. 6. Portland Trailblazers (50-32) (48-34) With the Western conference weakened by free agency, Portland looks in good shape to make a move in the West, and potentially make it deep into the playoffs. They only need their young core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden to step up

and stay off the injury list, especially Oden. 7. San Antonio Spurs (50-32)(45 -37) Everyone keeps doubting the Spurs because the core Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker keep getting older, but the Spurs have some solid young players in George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and rookie Tiago Splitter, who has already played professionally overseas. Expect this addition of the Spurs, like the ones before it, to once again make the playoffs, thanks to the guidance of Gregg Popovichone— the best coaches in the league. 8. New Orleans Hornets (37-45) (42-40) With Chris Paul hopefully back for the entire season, the Hornets future is looking a little brighter than before, after acquiring super athletic swingman Trevor Ariza from the Rockets in a multi-team trade. The Hornets may get into the playoffs if the dynamic duo of Paul and David West produce each night. If not, it’s going to be another long year in New Orleans. 9. Phoenix Suns (54-28)(39-43) After losing Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, the Suns went out and got Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick to replace them. It won’t be enough. While still having one to the top point guards in the ageless Steve Nash, the Suns will have a hard time replacing not only the scoring, but the rebounding of Stoudemire. 10. Denver Nuggets (53-29)(3547) After George Karl had to leave the team last year for his cancer therapy, the Denver Nuggets’ season went down the drain. Now Carmelo Anthony is most likely being traded, and the Nuggets’ playoff hopes without him are gone. 11. Los Angeles Clippers (29-53) (34-48) With 2009 1st overall draft pick Blake Griffin healthy and ready for his first NBA season, the Clippers are going to make a jump in the standings. The addition of Griffin however, is not enough to overcome the lack of depth and scoring on this team. 12. Golden State Warriors (2656)(32-50) With the addition of David Lee and the quick back court of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, the Warriors have a bright future. That is if those players don’t hog the ball. 13. Sacramento Kings (25-57) (27-55) The Sacremento Kings have

Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, but they are too young to take Sacramento to higher places this season. Watch for another offseason for the Kings. 14. Memphis Grizzlies (40-42) (23-59) The Memphis Grizzlies have a very bright future with Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, but the new blockbuster contract for Gay will take the air out of his game. 15. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-67)(15-67) The second worst team last year made some good moves, but will stay cellar dwellers in 2010 and 2011. The only thing that T’Wolve fans have to be happy about, is the inevitable arrival of super-child Ricky Rubio from Spain, sometime in the near future. And now the remodelled Eastern Conference: 1. Miami Heat (Last Season 4735)(2010-2011 Projection 66-16) Adding LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade only equals success, but will it transfer into the postseason, where only Dwyane Wade has had success? There are questions surrounding the big three’s chemistry and the contributions of the supporting cast, but it’s looking sunny down in South Beach. 2. Orlando Magic (59-23)(6022) After the Magic’s disappointing loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, Orlando added some depth in Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson, who is already sparking a rivalry with his former team, the Heat. Dwight Howard is only going to get better, and I’m picking the Magic to make it to the finals this year. 3. Boston Celtics (50-32)(54-28) After the Heat went out and got LeBron and Bosh, the Celtics signed a pair of O’Neal’s (Shaquille and Jermaine) to bolster their front court and compete with the Lakers, after getting hammered on the boards in last year’s finals. 4. Chicago Bulls (41-41)(49-33) The Chicago Bulls will be a serious contender in the East after signing Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer to help their budding superstar Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. With new head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls will look to secure the final home court playoff spot. 5. Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)(4636) The Bucks surprised almost all NBA fans last year when they clinched the 6th playoff spot and took Atlanta to a thrilling seven game series without Andrew Bogut. Now with Bogut back and John

Salmons resigned, Brandon Jennings and the Bucks will be a threat in the East. 6. Atlanta Hawks (53-29)(4537) Not wanting to let Joe Johnson fall to another team, the Hawks gave him the maximum salary of $119 million over 6 years (More than LeBron or Wade). While Johnson and the Hawks have shown great improvement over the past few years, it’s still yet to be seen if the core of Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Marvin Williams can contend with the NBA’s best. 7. Charlotte Bobcats (44-38)(42 -40) The Charlotte Bobcats lost PG Raymond Felton to the Knicks, and now have inexperienced DJ Augustin as their starting point guard. As other Eastern teams stacked up on franchise players, the Bobcats remained relatively still and are looking at a worse record because of it. Gerald Wallace can only do so much. 8. New York Knicks (29-53)(4141) The signing of free agent Amare Stoudemire was definitely the highlight of the Knicks’ offseason, but many are sceptical about his scoring ability without Steve Nash dishing him easy buckets. The Knicks also acquired Raymond Felton, and in exchange for David Lee, Anthony Randolph, Kelena Azabuike, and Ronny Turiaf from Golden State. With this major roster overhaul, look for Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks to shoot up the standings. 9. Washington Wizards (26-56) (38-44) With Gilbert Arenas back (unless he does something stupid again) and number one pick John Wall coming in, the Wizards will be hopeful for a playoff spot. But with out much else outside of Wall and Arenas, the Wizards will be hard pressed to find one. 10. Indiana Pacers (32-50)(3448) The Pacers also remained quiet during the offseason and although they have a good team with Danny Granger, and newly acquired PG Darren Collison, it will not be enough for the playoffs. 11. Philadelphia 76ers (27-55) (33-59) The 76ers have a young back court in Jrue Holliday and Evan Turner, but will be looking for production from recent gold-medalwinning Andre Iguodala and oftinjured Elton Brand. 12. New Jersey Nets (12-70)(3151) With a new Russian billionaire owner, and Avery Johnson as the coach, the New Jersey Nets will try and turn around the organization with Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, and 3rd overall pick Derrick Favors as the cornerstones. 13. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21) (29-53) The Cleveland Cavaliers have a major rebuilding process to initiate if they want to get back anywhere near the status they were at when LeBron was throwing chalk into the air at Quicken Loans. 14. Toronto Raptors (40-42)(2557) Losing Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, arguably the two best players on the Raptors roster last year, will only mean bad things for the Raptors this season. For the Raptors to be competitive, they will need big seasons from Andrea Bargnani, and DeMar DeRozan. 15. Detroit Pistons (27-55)(2062) The Pistons just find ways to make themselves bad. First-signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to huge contracts last summer and now, signing Tracy McGrady, who says he will only play if he is a starter.

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fall 2010

EYE OFTHE TIGER page 15

Toronto’s favourite team looking good– so far What this new season has in store for the Leafs

Move over Carlos, the Blue Jays have a new king.

BY JORDAN KAFKA SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

he hockey season is underway, and this year looks to be more promising for the Toronto Maple Leafs. October 7, the beginning of the NHL season, was a good night for the Leafs. They opened the season with a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The win was a good starting point for the Maple Leafs this season– but won’t enough to sustain them until the Stanley Cup. From the beginning of last season the Maple Leafs have almost completely remodelled. The team started rebuilding last season by bringing in young talent and are continuing on the chemistry achieved during the second half of last season. After a near last-place finish in the NHL last season, the Maple Leafs made several acquisitions during the off-season to further develop and bolster their team. The most notable acquisition was Kris Versteeg, a forward from the Chicago Blackhawks to help support Phil Kessel. The past two seasons Versteeg scored over 20 goals and posted over 40 points. Kessel, Versteeg, and Bozak have created a strong line that is sure to have success. Other key acquisitions during the off-season include Colby Armstrong and Christian Hanson. The Maple Leafs have suffered over the past several seasons due to a combination of a lack of a good starting goalie, a weak offence, and

BY MATHEW MENDELSOHN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

BOYS IN BLUE The Leafs started out the season on a strong note by beating the Canadiens— in Montreal too. a weak special teams unit (power play and penalty kill). This season our goaltending should be greatly improved as J.S. Giguere started this season on the right track. Giguere is an experienced goaltender who will definitely strengthen Toronto’s goaltending. Special teams are not something the Maple Leafs are proud of. Last season the Leafs finished dead last and second last in our power play and penalty kill units. The Leafs will have to step up their special teams to win their upcoming

games. In the first game their power play group went 0/5, however Tomas Kaberle was shooting the puck and the Leafs were getting some chances. On the penalty kill, the Maple Leafs kept the Canadiens off the board on all three occasions. There are good starting signs for these groups and continued practice will help turn around our special teams’ woes. Taking a look at the Maple Leafs this season, they have a shot at the playoffs. They have improved their

offence, goaltending and special teams since the beginning of last season. However, the road to the playoffs is going to be long and treacherous and truly relies on the Leafs playing their A game, staying healthy, and attempting to minimize turnovers on their half of the ice. It is early to get your hopes up and only time will tell the fate of the Maple Leafs. That being said, I’d predict their finish to be in the range of 7th - 10th place in the Eastern Conference at the end of the year.

On any given Sunday night... A drastic power shift is taking the NFL by storm. BY GABRIEL WAHL SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

ith another football season underway, every football fan is sitting on the edge of their seats come Sunday. But with only two weeks in the books, there already have been a fair share of surprises and upsets. These are my picks for division winners, wildcard winners, and the ultimate title in football; Super Bowl champs. I would like to start with the AFC, particularly the AFC East. Normally, this is Tom Brady and the New England Patriots’ division, but the Miami Dolphin defence causing the great one Brett Favre to throw 3 picks- are looking like a force to be reckoned with this season. 1. Miami Dolphins 2. New York Jets 3. New England Patriots 4. Buffalo Bills The AFC North is a much tighter race, with 3 strong contenders in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and the Steelers, who with a combination of solid defence and a strong run game led by Rashard Mendenhall will take the division once again. 1. Pittsburgh Steelers

“...you still have to keep going […] stay professional, no matter what happens” ‘EMILY SHTRACHMAN’ FROM PAGE 11

and private lessons, as well as several official practices with the club each week. It’s a big time commitment- over 15 hours per week- but it’s well worth it. In 2006, she and her partner at the time won the Canadian

Wherein King Jose reigns

2. Baltimore Ravens 3. Cincinnati Bengals 4. Cleveland Browns The AFC West has provided fans with some of the biggest surprises this season. The Kansas City Chiefs have been playing incredibly as of late, and are looking like a playoff bound team under second year coach Todd Haley. 2nd round pick Dexter McCluster is also looking like a future game breaker for the Chiefs. 1. Kansas City Chiefs 2. San Diego Chargers 3. Denver Broncos 4. Oakland Raiders The last division in the AFC is the AFC south. The safe pick is usually the Peyton Manning led Colts, but if Week One was any indication, the Texans are also in the running. The Texans posses one of the leagues most lethal passing games, with quarterback Matt Schaub and wideout Andre Johnson forming what is possibly the leagues best QB-WR combo. Look for the Texans to make a big move and take the division. 1. Houston Texans 2. Indianapolis Colts 3. Tennessee Titans 4. Jacksonville Jaguars I think the AFC wildcard will end up looking like this: 1. Indianapolis Colts 2. Baltimore Ravens

3. Cincinnati Bengals 4. New York Jets Now for the NFC. The NFC North probably has the most surprising results after week two. The Minnesota Vikings, -who were contenders for the NFC conference title- are 0-2, and the Chicago Bears who had a sub-par season last year are now 2-0. This is quite possibly due to the arrival of Julius Peppers in the Windy City, as he possesses the edge rushing abilities that Chicago has been missing. But ultimately, look for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to take the division. 1. Green Bay Packers 2. Chicago Bears 3. Minnesota Vikings 4. Detroit Lions The NFC East division had the biggest upset this season, with the Dallas Cowboys starting 0-2, when they were possible Super Bowl contenders. Always one of the toughest divisions in professional sports, look for the Eagles to come out on top this year. 1. Philadelphia Eagles 2. Washington Redskins 3. Dallas Cowboys 4. New York Giants The NFC South features the Super Bowl winning Saints who will most likely take the division again this year with little competition. The Falcons have an outside

chance, as they would need their defence to step it up big time if they wanted to contend for the division crown. 1. New Orleans Saints 2. Atlanta Falcons 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4. Carolina Panthers And Finally the NFC West. What looked like a promising season for the 49ers didn’t start out as they had planned, as they went 0-2 to begin. With former USC coach Pete Carroll in the fold, the Seahawks have a chance to take advantage of a weak year, and come out on topthat is if Matt Hasselbeck can regain his Pro Bowl form. 1. Seattle Seahawks 2. Arizona Cardinals 3. San Francisco 49er’s 4. St. Louis Rams The Wildcard for the NFC should look like this. 1. Chicago Bears 2. Philadelphia Eagles 3. Minnesota Vikings 4. Atlanta Falcons AFC Champion- Miami Dolphins NFC Champion- Chicago Bears The Super Bowl will be a battle of two of strongest defences in the NFL. Ultimately, the Bears pass rush will be too much for Chad Henne to handle, and the Bears led by Matt Forte and Jay Cutler will be able to sneak out with a 23-20 win.

National Ballroom Championships at the silver level. Other notable finishes include: 1st place at the La Classique du Quebec competition in 2009 and more recently, 2nd place at the Manhattan Dancesport Championships in July 2010. To Emily, dance has become an important part of her life, even if some parts of it are far from what non-dancers consider comfortable. Competitions require several expensive gowns, strong makeup, fake tans and über-gelled hair. That’s not factoring in the close

physical (and sometimes emotional) contact that’s required with a partner. Now, for most teenagers, close contact with those of the opposite gender is pretty comfortable, if not standard. However, it’s a different story for children, who often choose to hang out in genderseparated cliques for fear of cooties. But Emily says that, “in the dance society, you have to be comfortable with it [partners]. Everyone’s used to it and mature.”

In addition to her dance commitments, Emily is also a bright student who is in both the gifted and HPA programs at Thornhill S.S. Her closing words about her favourite sport?: “I love it. It teaches you about life. When you can’t go further, if you’re exhausted, you still have to keep going, stay respectable, and stay professional, no matter what happens.” The Eye of the Tiger wishes Emily Shtrachman the best of luck with her future athletic and academic endeavours.

wung on and hit deep to left center field, and it’s gone, home run Jose Bautista. If you have watched any Jays games the past season, you have already got accustomed to this. Jose Bautista smashed 52 home runs over the fence of the Skydome (face it, who calls it the Rogers Centre), and the various ball parks across the MLB. To go along with his 52 towering shots, Jose hit 2 inside-the park-home-runs to give him a grand total of 54 home runs on the season. The light hitting third baseman who the Blue Jays moved primarily to right field can now deservingly shed the words “light hitting” from his description. After having bounced around from team to team before arriving in Toronto on August 18th 2008, in exchange for a player to be named later (Robinzon Diaz) no one really expected much from Jose this year. Other then being a decent defender with a great arm, as well as having a good eye at the plate, Jose has not accomplished much in his major league career to foreshadow this offensive outburst. Going into the season, the Blue Jays brass was expecting Jose to keep up his good OBP (On Base Percentage), and thus placed him leadoff to start the season. This experiment didn’t last long as Jose took on a new mentality this year: swinging for the fences. It wasn’t long till manager Cito Gaston had no choice but to move him down in the lineup in order to capitalize on the long ball. Jose put up a remarkable season, including his first career AllStar appearance (despite not being invited to take part in the home run derby), and setting new personal bests all across the board. He smashed through the Jays’ record books, becoming the first Jay to hit 50 home runs, destroying George Bell’s previous record of 47. He just about doubled his career total for home runs this past year (59 career home runs going into the year plus the 54 he hit this year for a grand total of 113 career home runs). Here is the tricky part: what do we do with him now? Only General Manager Alex Anthopoulos knows for sure. Jose is arbitration eligible this year, and of course I would offer him arbitration. The more difficult thing is actually deciding whether to sign him to a long term deal or trade him while his value is high. I am a firm believer of the buy low sell high attitude, which would be exactly what trading Jose would be; but on the other hand it would be heartbreaking to trade the man after what he has just done for the team and the fans. Nobody knows if Jose is the real deal, and that the everyday playing time and changes in his swing account for his sudden increase in home runs and productivity- or if he is just another one season wonder. As always, the steroids question will be asked, but we will never know the true answer till he retires or if the truth sneaks out. Personally, I believe he is clean, but what do I know? I say, give Jose a short term extension to prove that 2010 was not a fluke and that 2010 is the real Jose Bautista and then, work from there to decide the future. The longball may not be (in my opinion) the best way to win games but it is certainly exciting, so keep on swinging for the fences King Jose.

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EYE OF THE TIGER

Toronto welcomes the (film) world at TIFF A look at the glitz and glamour of the Toronto International Film Festival BY MARIA-AUDREY CHADILI ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

he galas. The parties. The films. It was simply a spectacular year at the 35th annual Toronto International Film Festival, which kicked off September 9th and lasted a total of 11 days. Huge attendance? Totally. The guest list? Many of the world's most celebrated directors and actors. It is widely considered one of the most influential film festivals in the world alongside Sundance and Cannes. Its timing is just before Hollywood's push toward awards

season and the festival is considered to be the launch for Oscarhopeful films to make their debut. In recent years, best picture winners No Country for Old Men and Slumdog Millionaire both premiered at TIFF. This year, besides being able to stargaze at some of Hollywood's biggest stars that came to support their upcoming movies, TIFF offered a great selection of movies-- just over 300 films were played. Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan star in Never Let Me Go as childhood friends whose friendship is put to the test that threatens to pull them apart. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star in Blue Valentine, the story of a couple who try and save their failing marriage.

Not too shabby, Ben Affleck’s latest flick was a surprising success

BY DANIEL JUBAS-MALZ ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

first heard of the new Ben Affleck film, The Town when I was looking for a movie to watch at the Toronto International Film Festival. My first thought was, “Wow, they must be running out of nouns.” However the simple title didn’t stop me from finding its trailer. I’ve heard that Affleck did a surprisingly great job on his previous feature, Gone Baby Gone, so I was curious to see how it looked. After watching the trailer, all desire to see this film was gone. To me, it appeared to be the typical meaningless action movie. No depth and no development of any kind. Just explosions and bland lines attempting to sound philosophical. I was dead wrong. The Town was a pleasant surprise with clever writing and good consistent directing throughout. It tells the story of a group of bank robbers Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), James "Jem" Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert "Gloansy" Magloan (Slaine), and Desmond "Dez" Elden (Owen Burke) and demonstrates how their lives are affected by this “profession.” The film also stars Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Peter Postlethwaite, and Chris Cooper. Affleck was able to get good performances from the entire cast, but unfortunately not from himself. His character seemed to be the most out-spoken character and the only one with a conscience. However his performance seemed too fake. It was if he just drew himself a pair of pointed eyebrows whenever his character was irritated. Ben Affleck should get off the screen and into the director’s seat pronto. The directing style for this movie was interesting. Affleck managed to show point of views from both perspectives, during their robberies. Security cameras captured their thefts reminding the audience what kind of men they were, while other scenes were used to explore their lives to bring out empathy for the characters. There were a number of nice shoots throughout the film and the effects, used to a minimum were very successful. What I found to be

the best part of Affleck’s directing was all of the heist scenes. They were put together so remarkably well that it managed to add an incredible amount realism to the film. All of the robberies were planned out so delicately and precisely that it was if we were watching authentic thefts. That was one aspect to the film that progressively became more exhilarating to watch. Another aspect of the movie that I found to be well done was the writing, compliments of half of Good Will Hunting. The screenplay was another quality that I enjoyed. The film was adapted from the from the Chuck Hogan novel Prince of Thieves and written by Ben Affleck, Peter Craig, and Aaron Stockard. The writing for every character was just great and better than what you would expect from a movie of this genre. The character’s personalities and motives were stitched together so well and with every one being different from the other. All of the characters also had very appropriate and fitting sense of humour which lightened the mood during the darkest of scenes. I always enjoy a good laugh. One of my favourite parts of the script, however, was how they incorporated Ben Affleck’s love interest. It wasn’t similar to most movies where they spend minimal time together and somehow they develop these immense feelings of love for each other, gosh (I dislike that). You actually got the see them spend time together for a good portion of the film and witness them growing close at a very sensible rate. And the way that they meet didn’t come off as improbable, which is something that I absolutely abhor. Thank you writing team. When the movie came to an end, frankly I didn’t like it too much. I found it average, decent and passable. But after letting it sit with me and thought about it, I came to really appreciate it. But that was just me. I doubt that most people will come out of that movie with a frown. It wasn’t a brilliant movie but it was one that will be generally appreciated by many. So I would recommend this movie to anyone with a pulse, with a promise that they will enjoy this film. And no, Ben Affleck didn’t pay me to say that. His wife did.

Coming back again this year was Natalie Portman promoting her new thriller Black Swan. Colin Firth returned to the film fest as royalty in The King's Speech which is already generating much Oscar buzz amongst critics and film goers. While many films proved to be the highlight for TIFF followers, celebrity spotting was undoubtedly the icing on the cake. The stars were everywhere in Toronto for TIFF and premieres were sure to offer celebrity spotters a good glimpse of some A-list faves. Feature films included 112 world premieres, 24 international premieres and 98 North American premieres. The Toronto Film Festival’s “vision is to lead the world in

creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.” So whether you went to a premiere or got Megan Fox to sign your arm, it's good to be in Toronto.

STAR POWER One of many celebrities at TIFF, Keira Knightley came for her new sci-fi flick Never Let Me Go.

THE EYE: EXCLUSIVE The Eye of the Tiger brings you two exclusive reviews of TIFF features. Both films (The Town and Hereafter, reviewed by Daniel Jubas -Malz and Ilan Tzitrin, respectively) are currently out in theatres. Be sure to check out their impressions of the movies below!

Hereafter fails to produce lasting results Eastwood’s directorial effort with paranormal thriller falls short of its potential. BY ILAN TZITRIN ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

ince the beginning of the art form, writers have exploited death as a cinematic plot device in a myriad of ways to invoke a myriad of emotions. In horror films, it has provided shock value and a motivation for frightened teenagers; in comedies it has been applied ironically and cynically for black humour, as either the setup to a punch line or the punch line to a setup; dramas have often used it as their emotional core and catalyst. Part of the initial appeal of Clint Eastwood’s newest work, Hereafter, is that death is employed in practically all of these facets, featuring scenes that are individually droll, wistful and startling. Unfortunately, the film’s appeal diminishes with its running time as it becomes clear that these scenes work on their own merits but not beyond them. Lacking a strong unifying factor, Hereafter is certainly gracious but it provides us with little solace; it is undeniably inquisitive but shares little reason and explanation. For a movie about death, Eastwood’s latest is simply too slight and peripheral. Part of the 80-year-old director’s impressive yearly output, Hereafter is a less publicized film than his Damon collaboration of the previous year, Invictus (the trailer was released a few days before the world premiere in Toronto). The decision to keep the film under wraps is not entirely clear, noting how marketable it appears: a globetrotting premise and recognizable talents, including iconic director, Clint Eastwood (who also composes and produces), well-liked actor, Matt Damon and gifted writer, Peter Morgan, not to mention executive producer, Steven Spielberg. The cast and crew were a recipe for success and expectations were high; the festival crowd received Eastwood with a warmer and lengthier ovation than the one with which the film was dismissed. Writer Peter Morgan, who had worked on the Oscar-nominated Frost/Nixon and The Queen, takes a break from historical dramatization and instead pens an original, tripartite story. The first arc involves French journalist Marie (Cécile de

France), a figure popular enough in her homeland to be a cover girl. At the beginning of the film she is vacationing with her boyfriend and producer when an eerie tsunami strikes and devastates the resort town. Marie miraculously survives but the epiphany takes its toll on her professional and private life as she transforms spiritually and begins to seek answers. Commendably trying something new, Eastwood has chosen to integrate CGI into the tsunami sequence and the result is harmonious and tasteful. In recollection, the scene is also mostly silent, reserving Eastwood’s well-composed guitar-and-violin score for later scenes. The second arc centers on George (Matt Damon), a psychic who had once tried to capitalize on his abilities with the help of his brother (Jay Mohr) but ultimately could not come to terms with them. Unlike some shown later on, George is not a charlatan; he has a veritable ability to speak with the dead and it causes him pain. As rumours of lay-offs in his day job at a sugar plant come to light, George signs up for a weekly cooking class and therein meets a partner (Bryce Dallas Howard) with whom he bonds. But George’s aptitude threatens the bond; he sees too much, and, as he tells her, “some things should be held back.” The final arc, perhaps the most interesting to watch but the least in tune with others, is set in England and involves two young twin boys, Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren), who learn to live with their alcoholic mother. The twins are inseparable and rely on one another. In a strong sequence, they co-ordinate a clever alibi for their hungover mother as two child services personnel arrive at their door. The familial situation is complicated greatly and gravely when one of the boys dies during an escape from a group of bullies and the second loses his other half, inciting another quest for answers. En route to the resolution, Hereafter takes a shortcut. The plotlines converge but do so with great haste. This film’s saving grace could have been a delicate and original intertwining of the arcs; instead, the script relies on coincidence to tie the knots. The storylines might as well have remained completely individual accounts about the ways in which three people deal with death. In fact, this

would have benefited the narrative. Another problem with the writing is that the questions posed regarding death and the titular hereafter are obvious and the answers mundane. It is true that the topic is larger than any movie, but the attempt to address it is still rather depthless. The manner in which George refers to his abilities we’ve heard many times prior; “It’s a curse, not a gift,” he claims on more than one occasion. Likewise, Marie’s depictions of the hereafter the weightlessness, the entanglement of time and space, etc. - are all prosaic. These verbal clichés correlate to visual ones, and every time death is pictured it appears in the traditional flashback style, a windy swoosh followed by shadows on a white background. Banalities in the script lead to an important conclusion: Hereafter is old-fashioned in many respects. And while this quality is responsible for some rough edges, it also does some good. The movie feels very genuine and pure at times, invoking nostalgia-like feelings, a rarity for modern cinema, especially for a proclaimed supernatural thriller. As a case in point, the characters are guileless, moving and speaking with a certain grace. None of them are accordingly very memorable but one enjoys being in their company. With that in mind, the actors cannot overstate their roles and there is only so much they can do. Damon gives a completely solid performance, as usual, and the young McLaren boys, who have their acting debuts, do a serviceable job. They lack experience but one shouldn’t be too hard on them. In his introduction during the premiere, Eastwood joked that he had never seen the film himself. It may be harsh to suggest that sometimes it appeared that way, but it would be accurate to claim that there should have been more thought and attention put into preproduction. As a whole, Hereafter could have been stronger, deeper and more coordinated: greater than the sum of its parts. And despite its flaws, this is a film with an unusual tone and some undeniable charm. Eastwood is too accomplished as a filmmaker for his efforts to have no palliative effect, and there is little doubt he will continue to impress. He is not past his prime— quite the opposite— and perhaps in this youthfulness he should have avoided death as a focal point.

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Here’s the situation (or, “The Situation”?) These self-proclaimed guidos and guidettes will have you hooked to Shore. BY RACHEL FONG ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

hat is the secret to success in life? Well that’s easy. GTL. Gym. Tan. Laundry. That’s what it’s all about if you wanna stay fresh to death. Well then you ask, what’s in store for the night? Clubbing, fist-pumping and smashing. Simple life eh? Since the start of the year, people have become overly obsessed with this show, Jersey Shore. It features Nicole “Snooki”, Mike “The Situation”, Jenni “JWoww”, Pauly “DJ Pauly D”, Ronnie, Vinny, Sammi “Sweetheart” and Angelina “The Staten Island Dump”. The show captures the lives of this group of Italian Americans or “Guidos” who all live under one roof in Seaside Heights, New Jersey and in the newest season, Miami. Every episode is filled with drama, girl fights, drama, hook-ups, drama, clubbing, drama, drinking and oh, more drama. In a recent episode, the drama queen, Angelina, finally left the show to everyone’s contentment. Her exit was rather dramatic, first having an intense cat fight with Snooki and then waiting to see if anyone would ask her to stay. Instead, she had to listen to all of Mike’s rude comments as she took her bags out of the house.

LIVIN’ THE LIFE The cast of Jersey Shore doing what they do best– partying together and posing for the camera. It is ironic how they have be- knows— maybe we’ll have some live a life like that? But this show has caused so come worst enemies now, yet they more Canadian content on the much controversy and the mesconfessed to hooking up with each show. But if you really think about it, sage, if it even has one, is not influother before the filming. Angelina even introduced him to her these twenty-something-year old encing viewers in a positive way. mother. Wonder what kind of im- Italian Americans are getting rich During the day, they go to the gym, pression he left on her. Well on the and famous for G.T.L’ing every day. tan, do their laundry and occasionplus side, we all know that “The They make approximately $45,000 ally go to work at the gelato shop. Situation” loves Canadians. Point for a season and at times, $50,000 At night? They apply a few pounds goes to him. Also, with a new cast for just making appearances at of hair gel and get ready to party member coming for Season 3, who nightclubs. Who would not want to hard.

As for Nicole, she prepares to go snookin’ for love. MTV has gotten so desperate that it needs to film the lives of these people who do nothing but party. Even young children can plainly see that it is an unintelligent show. Many people find the show so bad that it has become funny. Instead of watching another person live their life, just go out and live yours. Not only is it a waste of time, but it is going to negatively influence the morals of the society. Really, grenades, land mines and hippopotamuses? These derogatory terms help the men in the show determine which girls are good enough to be with them. In other words, it is how they rate girls. Does no one else find that the least insensible? Moreover, many people have found the way this group describes themselves, as “guidos”, very offensive. Although they use it lightly, it has been used in the past as a derogatory nickname for Italian Americans. MTV allows this term to be used everywhere as it has become a lifestyle for those on the show. This comical fad is beginning to have a great influence on our youth. It has even spawned multiple shows of the same concept using different stereotypes, like “KTown” in San Francisco, and “Lakeshore” in Toronto. If this show is really becoming such a big deal in today’s youth, well then, I think we’ve got ourselves a situation.

One Tree Hill: your time is over Now going into its 8th season, this teen drama has matured and (in doing so) become a bore to watch. BY ANNIE XIE OPINION EDITOR

few years, I almost missed my piano exam because I busy watching One Tree Hill reruns. A teen drama about a high school’s basketball players and their cheerleader girlfriends, it was my favourite show and I made sure to watch it every Wednesday night. Now the show is on Tuesdays, and none of that description still applies. They’re not teens anymore; they’re twentysomethings and with families and careers. I’ve watched every episode and couldn’t give you a description that’s slightly less vague than, “A bunch of people who live in the same small town and happen to know each other.” The show lacks a focus, a set of main characters, and an interesting storyline. In a teen drama, that’s bound to happen four seasons after the characters have graduated from high school. The death of One Tree Hill has long been overdue. It is time that the producers of One Tree Hill realize that it has aged, and has not aged well. It is time for the show to end. Now, no one loves the show more than I do. I’ve followed it for the past four years and have watched every episode at least once. Ask any of my friends: the show has influenced the books I read, the music I listen to, and the movies I watch. I make OTH references to anyone who will tolerate them. It saddens me to see that my once favourite show is dying. I can’t even talk about it to anyone anymore because everyone I know who once watched the show no longer does. One Tree Hill has matured from a teen drama to a show about young adults, with their mature

problems and such. But the underlying theme has disappeared. All we see are clusters of two or three characters who interact with each other but almost no one else. Where is the drama? There’s nothing for me to root for every week. In season 1, I hoped for Naley. In season 2, I wanted Lucas to speak up. In season 3, I rooted for Brucas. In season 4, I hated Peyton with passion. Even in season 5, I expected Lindsay to realize she couldn’t get in the way of Leyton. But in season 6, 7, and now 8, I don’t have anything to work with that I really care about. In fact, the entire show has just become boring. Most of the supporting characters (Sam, Taylor, Miranda, too many to name…) have been too short-lived for me to develop an interest in them. The show doesn’t have multipleepisode story arcs to keep viewers interested. It’s just a day-by-day portrayal of these characters’ lives. Come on, One Tree Hill, you’re not a soap opera, and you shouldn’t strive to be one, because they’re all dying out anyway. One Tree Hill lost some of its spark when the characters became mature and responsible; it lost the rest when Chad Michael Murray (playing Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (playing Peyton) left the show. I don’t know whose idea it was not to explain why the characters left. Honestly, the coming together of Lucas and Peyton laid the foundation of the show. Leyton was the love storyline that spanned six seasons, from their first encounter to their first child. And after that, they mysteriously leave the town they call home? Their departure forced the introduction and prominence-making of over a dozen flat supporting characters to fill the void only Leyton could fill, even if many viewers do hate Leyton. When Jimmy Edwards shot Peyton in the leg, killed Keith and then killed himself in season 3, it made a profound impact on the show.

Three seasons later, a convenience store worker shot Quentin (yes, remember him?) in season 6. Then Haley’s mom died, in season 7. Then Quinn and Clay got shot in season 8. There need to be better storylines than just people getting shot or people dying every season. The season 4 finale was perfect. Half-brothers Nathan and Lucas came full circle and played a oneon-one game on the river court, but now as friends, instead of the rivals they were in the pilot. Four seasons later, if the show ended now, I don’t know even know what the finale would look like. Nevertheless, One Tree Hill must end. The show has lost its charm. It doesn’t make its viewers laugh and cry and become excited like it used to. I know head writer and producer Mark Schwahn doesn’t care too much about ratings (because he liked Peyton when no one else did), but he should care about One Tree Hill’s legacy. It’s dying.

It’s the era of Gleeks High school at its cheeriest, this season of Glee does not disappoint BY VIVIAN ZHANG ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

“LEYTON” One Tree Hill went downhill, according to this author, after Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton (seen here as characters Lucas and Peyton) left the show.

leeks all over the world have been excited for Glee’s season premiere this September. Glee has started up again with a bang, the season’s first few episodes featuring music by Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, and a guest appearance by the one and only Britney Spears. Contrary to popular belief, Glee’s music is not only show tunes, nor is it solely top 40. As Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) says on the show, “I try to do something for everybody. 25% show tunes, 25% hip hop, 25% rock...” Glee is about Will Schuester trying to restore William McKinley High School’s Glee Club to its former glory by becoming its director, and in a sense, battling cheerlead-

ing coach, Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), who repeatedly plots against the Glee Club. The Glee Club currently has 11 members, but need 12 students to qualify for regionals. They are required to win or at least place at regionals if the club is to continue. The students in Glee constantly search for ways to shine while still at the bottom of the high school social food chain. Constant torments and slushies in the face are no area of surprise to them. This unique plotline is what draws viewers in. Nothing like this has been done before, since Glee is not necessarily a musical. Characters don’t randomly burst out into song; the students sing either in the choir room, in the auditorium, or at a competition. This worldwide phenomenon is not likely to end in the near future, and if that occurs, surely the gleeks of the world will rise in protest.

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Call of Duty to gamers with Black Ops The stuff Get your thumbs ready-you won’t to miss out on the latest action-packed adventure! BY MICHAEL R. CHAN ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

an you hear it? Listen. It is the call of duty. That’s right, Call of Duty: Black Ops is finally here for gamers all over the country. The latest installment of the CoD series puts the player behind enemy lines as various elite special ops members. The campaign throws players in the midst of various special covert operations that take place during the Cold War that shook the world in the 1960s, between America and Russia. Players will be allowed to take control of a dearth of characters, including Jason Hudson and Mason, both members of the Studies and Observations Group (SOG) as well as Major Thomas, the pilot for the SR-71 Blackbird in one of the single-player missions. The folks at Treyarch and Activision have given gamers a new multiplayer mode called, “Wager Matches”. The new mode enables players to bet CoD points, which are used to buy certain weapons at certain levels. The top three players split the winnings. The new game types available in CoD: Black Ops are (in no particular order): One in the Chamber, Sticks and Stones, Gun Game and

Sharp Shooter. Before the multiplayer mode is dissected and innards revealed, Treyarch has announced another multi-player mode that debuted in Call of Duty: World at War. This mode involves you and/or 3 other players as survivors of a zombie apocalypse. There are 4 maps in total (All from CoD: WaW) and the player must survive through as many levels as humanly possible. There is no limit to the levels, but each level gets progressively harder as you upgrade guns, kill zombies, and find that stupid teddy bear in the box. Finally, as many readers have been waiting for, multiplayer shall be reviewed. *Cue dramatic music*. Multiplayer mode has been upgraded with brand-new perks, killstreaks and trinkets. For example, a new killstreak is the RC-XD. The RC-XD allows the player to take control of a remote control car with a bomb strapped to it. Once the player finds their target, the RC will blow up with the touch of a button. Treyarch has also come up with new weapons for the players to utilize against their enemies such as the ballistics knife, minigun, crossbow, tomahawk as well as various versions of previously shown armaments. Players had to wait until November 11, 2010 to get their hands on a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops and experience the action for them- THE WAIT IS OVER Call of Duty: Black Ops is set during the Cold War and includes several new features, including more weapons, deadly enemies selves. and a much anticipated multiplayer mode, called “Wager Matches”, Here’s hoping it was worth it.

Queen of the Universe– at least for this year Internationally renown beauty pageant isn’t all glitz and glam. BY ALANA CHANGOOR ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

he glory, the pride, the admiration. Beauty pageants may sometimes have a bad reputation; however Miss Universe takes the tradition of a pageant to a whole other level. Every year, about 600 million people tune in to watch the glamour of ladies from all around the world, representing their country. This year the winner was the very beautiful Ximena Navarrete of Mexico, crowned August 23, 2010. Her responsibilities are to now travel overseas spreading awareness about the control of diseases, peace, and public awareness of AIDS. In 1998, Donald Trump acquired control of the pageant in 1998, which gave additionally gave the winners a Trump Tower apartment for the duration of their reign. Yet the significance of the pageant goes deep. The title Miss Universe was first used around the time of the Great Depression, and during the events leading up to World War 2. For those who are unfamiliar with the event, the Miss Universe Pageant involves females over 18 from various countries, of who have been chosen to represent their nation by organizations such as modeling agencies. Out of the women participating in the competition, a certain number are chosen by passing the preliminaries. The series of competitions that follow include the evening gown and swimsuit competition. The final 5 candidates then follow through with an interview portion, which ultimately decides the winner. The ideal Miss Universe organizers have in mind when choosing aspiring Miss Universe contestants

tabloids dream of There’s nothing these celebs won’t do for dough – and a little notoriety. BY ALANA CHANGOOR ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

elebrities-- we devote so much of our time watching them on the big screen, singing with them on our headphones, listening to the gossip of a life many of us can only dream of. But perhaps, one of the most important reasons we are so intrigued by them is the fact that most of them are filthy rich. We often wonder in what ways we could get as much money without having to depend on the local lottery. It might surprise you to know that celebrities often try to get more money as well: through some of the most ridiculous lawsuits which makes you wonder if stardom has made them a bit cuckoo! Just this year, Lindsay Lohan launched a one hundred million dollar lawsuit against ETrade, for naming a talking milkaholic baby Lindsay. Apparently some celebrities are touchy about their names, for 50 Cent sued Taco Bell in 2008 for using his name, 50-Cent, in advertisements without permission. The franchise must have thought it was funny for they sent out letter asking the rapper to change his name to 89-Cent or 99- Cent to promote the lower cost items on the menu. Actress Kathleen Turner also got some spotlight after commenting in her memoir on how Nicolas Cage stole a Chihuahua, which led him to sue her. Finally, sometimes it doesn’t take a celebrity to try and stand up in court. I think that a lot of us heard about the case in which Miley Cyrus took a photo in 2009 of her and her friends making slanted eyes. No doubt it could be left to the girl who has “the best of both worlds” to do something this immature and offensive; yet when a million Asian Pacific Islanders in LA County sued the 16 year old for $4 000 each, I couldn’t help feel things were being taken too far. Finally, when all is said and done, I think that although there is sometimes substance in a celebrity’s claim of injustice, when they take it to the point where they are demanding millions for matters such as the use of their name, they are definitely just asking for more attention.

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS Ximena Navarreto reacts with ecstatic disbelief as she is crowned Miss Universe 2010. A model since the age of 16, she studied nutrition in university and is the second Miss Universe to hail from Mexico. is a woman who is intelligent, well mannered, and cultured. Needless to say, it is accepted that although these may be the ideals, there is a definite shallow aspect many see. This is apparent in the image and physique that always seems to be favoured and the lesser regard for intelligence in crowning a winner. Despite this, it is fair to say that there has been success with the winners. Miss Universe 2000,

Mpule Kwelagobe is acknowledged for helping build a 400-bed pediatric AIDS hospital, and an orphanage in her native country Botswana. As well, Miss Universe 1981 Irene Saez of Venezuela became mayor of a municipality and even ran to become president, despite her defeat by Hugo Chavez in 1998. This year’s Miss Universe was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She began locally modeling at age 16, and studied nutrition in university before entering the pageant. She

was the second Mexican delegate to win a Miss Universe competition, and was crowned the winner this year in Las Vegas, Nevada. She, among all past winners, and hopefully future winners will continue and pass on the tradition of the Miss Universe Creed: “We, the young women of the universe, believe people everywhere are seeking peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. We pledge to spread this message in every way we can, wherever we go."

$$$ Some celebrities who have found themselves in situations involving monetary compensation include Lindsay Lohan and 50 Cent.

review

fall 2010

EYE OFTHE TIGER page 19

Taking Dawn: Time to Burn When your ears need to relax Taking Dawn’s edgy debut album relives the best of rock and roll .

For those too-stressful days: here’s a playlist of calming music.

BY ZACK BABINS ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

he glitz, glamour, and sleaze of Sin City come to life in Taking Dawn's hard rockin' debut, Time to Burn. Although this is a young band and it is 2010, their sound takes you back to the 80's and early 90's, the glory days of hard rock. Had Taking Dawn been around in those days, it would be no surprise to see them touring with bands like Motley Crue, Skid Row, and Guns N’ Roses. Their grooves are infectious, their songs are catchy, their solos are flashy, and their choruses are memorable. This is how rock and roll should be. As soon as the album starts, you're hit with track after track of pure attitude and energy. There are a few songs with slower tempos, but those are kept to a minimum. A solid rhythm section and melodic guitar leads add fuel to the fire, while soaring choruses just beg you to sing along in joy. The music itself is classic rock with a metallic modern touch to it. It's a very versatile record. There are songs to mosh and head bang to and there are others that just make you want to dance. This band has mastered the art of getting people moving.

BY JESSICA WU ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

ROCK & ROLL Taking Dawn’s latest record has the right kind of energy, and will alternatively make you want to dance or mosh, says the author. Chris Babbitt, the singer, has a Eyes, Time to Burn, and a few othphenomenal voice, but also has a ers have well written lyrics. wonderful ear for melody. Songs If you're a fan of 80's rock, give like Time to Burn and Take Me Taking Dawn a shot. Pick up a copy Away have such epic choruses that of their record. If you like your rock you can't resist singing along or with a good dose of groove and pumping your fist along to the beat. energy, this should give you the Other songs like Fight 'Em with kick you need. This is perfect music driving Your Rock showcase a vocal style similar to Vince Neil on some of music, and a stunning debut. While the 80's clichés can be tireCrue's quicker songs. An enormously talented singer some at times, it is important to is the catalyst for his band mates’ realize that this music is all about having a good time. sonic fury. Don't try take it seriously. take it Being a band focused around having fun, depth in lyrics is rare. for what it is: fun-loving rock and It's more about having catchy, easy roll. Standout tracks include the title to remember slogans. However, that isn't to say that track, Fight Em’ With Your Rock, there aren't lyrics on here that are and most others. meaningful. Godless, Close Your 4/5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

House’s premiere attracts viewers, the new Lone Star— not so much A new school year means new fall TV premieres! Here’s what’s hot and what flopped.

Styles to fall for All your wardrobe wants and needs this autumn. BY PRIYANKA VASUDEV ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR

BY ADELE CHUI DEPUTY LAYOUT EDITOR

s the school year starts, so does a flurry of new TV shows, as well as whole new seasons for some old favourites. From House to $#*! My Dad Says to Dancing With the Stars; let’s take a look at this season’s premieres. House: Now on its seventh season, this long-time show about a brilliant, albeit unsociable diagnostician was definitely an anticipated premiere for fans. After a strange twist ending last season, where House and Cuddy (a long-time love of his) somehow get together, the premiere did not disappoint. While House’s team struggles to cure a sick neurosurgeon, House and Cuddy try to work out their tangled relationship. The chemistry between House and Cuddy made this episode hilarious. Dancing With the Stars: Always a star-studded show, Dancing With the Stars had one of the highest number of viewers for the fall premiere week. Attracting over 20 million viewers, the season premiere showed off each stars great, or not so great. Already on its eleventh season, Dancing With the Stars shows no signs of stopping, attracting 22 million viewers for its second performance show. Glee: After a sad loss at “Regionals” last season, many gleeks were anxiously awaiting Glee’s second season premiere, and they were not left unsatisfied. From the interesting opening rendition of Empire State of Mind to Billionaire, the new and old musical talent on Glee never seems to disappoint. As well, the season premiere

eing a high school student is tough. We have to juggle friends, clubs, and lessons with overwhelming schoolwork, all while trying to get enough sleep. Sometimes the only leisure we can fit into our tight schedules is music. I have devised a playlist with five mellow and soothing tracks that may help you unwind after a long day. 1) Brian Eno- By This River: When it comes to relaxation, ambient music takes the cake. After all, it's a genre completely dedicated to unwinding and letting loose. And who does ambience better than Brian Eno? A calming song with ethereal hums and the tinkling of soft keyboard sounds, it sounds simple on the first listen, but becomes a much more intricate composition with a few more. 2) Pink Floyd- Comfortably Numb: The opening lines and feel of Comfortably Numb are very mysterious and dark, and the song altogether has a slow tempo. Echo effects and soothing guitar chords paired with the haunting voices of Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour make the song a must-listen. It

BURNOUT Lone Star was cancelled after garnering only 4.1 million viewers. showcased a new teacher, Shannon Beiste, leading to an interesting alliance between Sue and Will. Over 12 million viewers tuned into watch Glee’s season premiere. $#*! My Dad Says: An interesting and already controversial show before the premiere, $#*! My Dad Says stars William Shatner as a crotchety old man. Though the title says otherwise, $#*! My Dad Says premiere did not use any swear words, and was quite funny overall. Like any sitcom, $#*! My Dad Says premiere was full of one-liners. Though some scenes fell flat, William Shatner’s personality and star -power helped $#*! My Dad Says attract 12 million viewers for its first episode. Big Bang Theory: Always an interesting show, the Big Bang Theory’s fourth season premiere was interesting to say the least. From a robotic arm to Sheldon’s first date, the Big Bang Theory did not disappoint. Hilarious scenes were easily found and the unique humour of the Big Bang Theory was everpresent in the season premiere. The chemistry between all the characters meant an overall success for the Big Bang Theory.

Hawaii Five-O: A re-imagining of a 1968-1980 television show, the story follows an elite police force (think CSI, Mentalist) fighting crime in Hawaii. Cop show fans will follow Hawaii Five-O with interest, and its premiere did nothing to detract. An exciting first episode attracted around 14 million viewers, and there are no signs that Hawaii Five-O is going to stop. Lone Star: Critics raved over this new show about a con man living two lives, all the while trying to take over an oil business and making sure no one finds out his secrets. Critics that watched the pilot episode all gave it an A rating and thought it was “unlike anything else currently on TV” (A.V. Club). However, after a depressingly low 4.1 million viewers for its season premiere, it seemed like only a miracle would stop this show from getting cut, even though critics had loved what Lone Star brought to the table. Sadly, there was no miracle, and as of September 28th, Lone Star was cancelled. Fall TV has returned, and with plenty of fresh shows and wellloved favourites, why don’t we all pile on the couch and watch some TV tonight?

also features a legendary guitar solo which is very easy on the ears and brings the piece together. 3) The Cinematic OrchestraTo Build a Home: The tempo of To Build a Home varies from very slow to quick, but every note smoothly transitions into the next effortlessly. The lead singer has a distinctive raspy voice which mellows down the song. Accompanied with melancholy piano and violin, the song itself tells a story that only the listener can decide for themselves. 4) Pretty Lights- Finally Moving: The song is composed brilliantly, the different layers of sound ebbing and flowing throughout simultaneously. The use of different and unique sounds - turntables, violin, keyboarding, and synthesizer- or otherwise instruments that are polar opposites, somehow blend together perfectly. All together, the song is unlike anything you have heard before, and you just may just find yourself entranced by the music. 5) Sublime- What I Got: This song will definitely put you in good mood, and have you thinking positively. A different approach on relaxation, the song emits a happy and carefree vibe which is sometimes what we need when we are facing a particularly stressful situation. Melodious guitar and catchy, meaningful lyrics make this song perfect for winding down.

and wrist watches with studded details, necklaces with large pendants and pins with a rustic feel all incorporate the military style in a more subtle way. Hats are one of the items that are found frequently throughout this trend, both fedoras and beanies in earthy colours accent an outfit as a whole. Leather boots as well as wedged combat boots provide utility in addition to comfort. Canvas or suede bags with faux leather additions also reflect this continuing style and are easier to carry around. The military trend is perceived to be one of the most ongoing trends in fashion of 2010, with its earth tones and rich fabrics it brings fall fashion to a whole new level. With the ongoing market for unique styles, designers are getting opportunities to express their creative nature and bring forth pieces which will leave the public in awe. Overall, fashion is a combination of knowledge as well as inspiration, by referring back to previous trends. Designers are able to create chic pieces, proving that just like history, fashion repeats itself.

rends in fashion are continuously evolving throughout the years, with the creative minds of designers across the globe new collections being showcased each day on the world’s many runways. Fall in the fashion industry has always meant an opportunity to show consumers unique new styles that will meet their requirements for cooler weather. In addition to the temperature concerns designers also take this time to bring back signature styles from previous decades and add modern touches to make them appeal to the present day society. This has been accomplished by numerous designers, all incorporating the main details from both past and present. One of the biggest brought back trends in fashion this season is the ‘Military’ trend, its unique style adds an edge to any outfit. With a colour scheme of mostly charcoal, chocolate brown and olive green, these inspired collections consist of select pieces that accentuate authentic military wear. Military jackets and cargo pants are very prominent pieces in this trend. Even though this season’s designers have come up with various additions to their collections ,these classic pieces are also included but with a few minor adjustments. On top of that, designers are also adding military touches to specific pieces of clothing. Some of these accents include large circular buttons usually found on jackets or blazers, shoulder pads again found on blazers and loose fitting tunics and zipper detailing mostly weavHAUTE COUTURE Iconic French ing through cardigans and simple house Balmain showcased übershirts. Accessory-wise, bold bangles trendy military-inspired jackets.

review

page 20 EYE OFTHE TIGER

fall 2010

SUDOKU

JIGOKU

SLITHERLINK

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. Numbers cannot be repeated; use the existing numbers to help you.

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. > and < connections between squares indicate that one number is greater than or less than another.

Horizontally or vertically connect adjacent dots to form a path that forms a single loop, without crossing itself, or branching. The numbers indicate how many lines surround each cell (only 0-3 are permitted).

CROSSWORD Across 1. Jewel 4. Accumulate 9. One making a point at church? 14. Mine find 15. Money in India 16. Hearing-related 17. Top-ranked player in a tournament 19. Little old man in a fairytale 20. Supernatural 21. Confucian path 23. Network that covers the N.Y.S.E. 24. Reward from a boss 25. Holdup victim's plea 27. Kids' guessing game 29. Cereal that's "for kids" 30. Smoker's mouthpiece 34. Shoot using a scope, say 37. Ripken who played 2,632 straight games 38. Dutch island in the Caribbean 41. Playa ___ Rey, Calif. 42. Trap 45. Decorative foil 48. Cheap laughs 50. Patricia ___, Best Actress for "Hud" 51. Beer drinker's bar request 55. "Of course," slangily 59. See 60-Across 60. With 59-Across, battle planning site 61. Pay no heed 62. Kofi of the U.N. 64. Pilgrims' carrier 66. Long, drawn-out attack 67. Indifferent 68. Dig into, as dinner 69. Check recipient 70. Furrier John Jacob ___ 71. Area between N. and S. Korea

Down 1. Try to attain 2. "Fear of Fifty" writer Jong 3. Parisian thanks 4. Lacking guile 5. Be compelled to 6. Cousin of a human 7. Look after 8. Alternative to a convertible 9. Slump 10. Hit the time clock 11. Rust 12. Classic Stallone role 13. Send to the Capitol 18. "Wake Up Little ___" 22. Hall-of-Famer Mel 25. Easter egg decorator 26. Sophs., two years later 28. Mom-and-pop grp. 30. Dell products 31. Singer Janis 32. Monopoly game equipment 33. Face on a "wanted" poster 35. Vegetable on a vine 36. North Pole helper 39. School funder, often 40. Drink with a head on it 43. Search (through) 44. Squeeze (out) 46. Tassel on a cap, e.g. 47. Grassy plain of South America 49. Logging tool 51. Understanding 52. Ancient region with an architectural style named after it 53. "La ___" ('59 hit) 54. European/Asian range 56. Dragged behind 57. Cat's saucerful 58. Avis rival 61. In that case ... 63. Born: Fr. 65. China's Sun ___-sen

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

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