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NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • VOL. 57 NO. 2 • VANCOUVER, B.C.
LSU still skirting queries
Artists in more ways than one P4&5
Students are kept in the dark regarding LSU affairs By EMILY BEST
A Hank Budd in his studio in Vancouver B.C., holding a guitar he collaborated on with Sadam Pacheco. PHOTO MAIYA SUZUKI
Langara teacher on leave after praising Hamas
Vancouver Police Department is looking into the English instructor's comments at a pro-Palestine rally late last month By MATEO MUEGO
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Langara instructor who spoke at a pro-Palestine rally last month in support of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli citizens is on leave, and the college said it is investigating the matter. Natalie Knight, a Langara English instructor and Indigenous curriculum consultant, has been removed as the instructor listed for English 1123 courses that she was teaching this semester. She has been replaced by another instructor. Knight’s presence disappeared from Langara’s English department faculty web page. Shortly after, the faculty bios of the entire department were removed. No contacts, including names, phone numbers or emails for any faculty in the department are available on Langara’s website. At a public rally in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Oct. 28, Knight called the Hamas attack an “amazing, brilliant offensive.” Her comments were captured on video shared widely on social media. The Vancouver Police Department has told the Voice it is looking
into Knight’s comments. offensive waged on Oct. 7.” On Oct. 31, the Langara execuThe surprise assault in October tive leadership team announced in by Hamas on Israel killed approxan email to all students and staff that imately 1,400 people, mostly civilan employee was on leave follow- ians. ing comments made during a proVPD media relations officer, Sgt. Palestine rally. The college, which Steve Addison, told the Voice in an did not identify the instructor, said email “we are aware of comments the views shared in the video do not made by a speaker during a gathrepresent those ering at the of the college. Vancouver Art The college Gallery last “We are aware of reminded month and students and comments made by have heard staff of mental concerns from a speaker during health support community options. members.” a gathering at the “ We a r e He said the conscious that VPD supports Vancouver Art this has greatly Canadians impacted our Gallery last month...” peacefully community,” assembling — SGT. STEVE ADDISON, the college and expressVPD MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICER email said. ing their views In the video, i n p ro t e s t s Knight introduced herself and a but knows sometimes the views companion, then told the story of six expressed at these events can be Palestinian political prisoners escap- considered “abhorrent and morally ing Israel using only spoons in 2021. repugnant.” However, they are not “This was a feat of determination necessarily a violation of the Crimiand ingenuity,” Knight said. “Only nal Code of Canada, he said. eclipsed by the amazing, brilliant “In this case, as in others, we will
review the comments, follow the Criminal Code of Canada and, if appropriate, consult Crown counsel,” Addison said. Footage of Knight speaking at the rally has sparked outrage on social media, and led to calls for the college to fire her and for SFU to strip her of an academic achievement medal bestowed in 2019. SFU said it does not agree with the comments she made. “Beyond being a graduate of SFU, this person has no current affiliation with the university,” SFU said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Though her early reviews on the teacher review site Rate My Professor were stellar, Knight began receiving scathing comments and one-star ratings in the days following her comments at the rally. Knight’s Rate My Professor Langara page has been removed, though her Douglas College page, where she has a 4.6/5 rating, still exists. According to Rate My Professor’s FAQs, the website does not remove a professor unless “they are no longer teaching at the listed University and have been removed from the college’s website.”
fter multiple email exchanges between the Voice and the Langara Students’ Union, the LSU has refused to further clarify or address students’ complaints about a lack of due process at the recent elections, or the reasons their applications to run for specific roles were ignored. The Voice has been following student complaints and frustrations surrounding the electoral process since September. In an Oct. 26 email to the Voice, the LSU shut down any further discussion about the process — raising more questions about its historical lack of transparency. Prest said students should be able to ask questions and “have them answered with the free press. That’s part of being in a democratic process is being accountable to the media.” Students have long been concerned about the LSU’s lack of transparency over the years. Students are unable to attend board meetings without jumping through hoops and have long complained about the lack of meeting minutes on the website. In November 2018, the LSU assured the Voice that its meeting minutes and financial records would be posted online when its new $15,000 website was launched. Yet, as of the publication date of this article, no minutes have been posted. A search of “minutes” on the LSU website yields “coming soon” messages for executive and council meeting minutes. There are no pages available for meeting agendas or financial records. The Voice asked the LSU why its website was not updated with meeting minutes. Initially the question went ignored, but after being asked a second time the LSU answered, “We will take a look at the website and see what needs to be updated.” A number of other students’ unions, including the ones from UBC, BCIT, University of Victoria, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Douglas College and Capilano University, have past and present meeting minutes and agendas publicly available on their websites. Please see EXPERT: TRANSPARENCY, page 3
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THE VOICE | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023
Studio 58 grad takes run at New West school board
Theatre program taught him ‘to do a lot with a little’ By MILICA ANIC
A Feeling conflicted: Port Moody city council voted unanimously last month to seek an ethics commissioner after allegations of inappropriate behaviour by council members. PHOTO CITY OF PORT MOODY.
Port Moody seeks city ethics commissioner
After controversy, council decides to revisit a call for more oversight that was dismissed in 2019 By CHRISTOPHER HARCOURT
F
ollowing concerns about private meetings with developers and unspecified bullying and harassment, Port Moody city council is looking for an ethics commissioner. The unanimous call for a commissioner was approved at council Oct. 24, following the introduction of the motion earlier in the month by Coun. Haven Lurbiecki. Speaking at council’s Oct. 10 meeting, Lurbiecki said that “municipal councils are selfregulating bodies, judge and jury. That means the truth is whatever it says it is.” An ethics commissioner would be a neutral third party in investigating issues of legality, conflicts of interest, bullying, and code of conduct violations. Few municipalities in Metro Vancouver have an ethics commissioner in place. Surrey was the first city to implement one in 2020. Lurbiecki said that without an ethics commissioner, individuals in government, especially women, don’t have a place to turn to after experiencing bullying and harassment. She also noted a controversial accusation made during an Oct. 3 public hearing that four councillors had met privately last year with a senior developer in an encounter she said should be looked into as a potential “illegal meeting.”
The Voice is published by Langara College’s journalism department. Editorial opinions are those of the staff and are independent of views of the student
government and administration. We welcome letters to the editor. They may be edited for brevity. Your letter must include your name and phone number.
“My clear understanding is that a quorum, a majority of a council, is not able to meet in private to discuss matters that would then be considered at the council table,” she said. “If four people ... were to get together in any place and talk about business that we'll be voting on ... in theory, you could already decide the outcome.” Regarding concerns of individual cases of bullying or harassment at council, Lurbiecki said she did not want to name names. A research project by The Feminist Campaign School of Women and funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada found that 31 per cent of surveyed female municipal councillors in B.C. reported being verbally harassed by council colleagues. Another 13 per cent reported being threatened, and seven per cent reported sexual harassment. The survey took place between April 2022 and May 2023 with over 100 participants. Melanie Rushworth, director of the communications, outreach, and planning division at the Federal Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, said ethics commissioners are vital. “The primary function of an ethics commissioner is to help elected or appointed officials avoid conflicts of interest, which are primarily financial conflicts of interest or something that they would do that would
further their private interest or that of a family member,” she said. “There was a very prominent case here in Ottawa of a councillor who had harassed and sexually harassed either people on his staff or people that he was interviewing for positions.” In the Ottawa example, the local news media highlighted the lack of power city council had to stop him from coming into work and from being paid. Port Moody Coun. Kyla Knowles, one of the councillors who met with the developer last year, supported the call for a commissioner. “I too have been disheartened by recent accusations of potential corruption and unethical behavior being leveled by this body by a member of council,” she said. “As such, I join the chorus of my colleagues here tonight asking for an independent investigation of all breaches to our council code of conduct.” Coun. Diana Dilworth said she had called for an ethics commissioner in 2019, but her move was rejected by the council of the day. “One only has to look at media across the province to see that there are local elected officials and councils that are struggling with issues that could best be managed or guided by an external agency,” she said. A timeline for the implementation of an ethics commissioner has not been set.
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PAGE 6 Christopher Harcourt PAGE 7 Melbah Jacob PAGE 8 Ty Lim WEB EDITORS Cala Ali Thea Catipon Mateo Muego
Studio 58 graduate and father is one of at least three declared candidates vying to be a school trustee in an expected New Westminster school board byelection. Shawn Sorensen, a political rookie and New Westminster parent in school district 40, is running as an independent for an opening on the board after former trustee Dee Beattie resigned in September. A former Langara Studio 58 student, Sorensen believes his Langara and subsequent experience will contribute to the board. “If there is one thing I learned at Studio 58, that has served me in all the work I have done since I graduated, is how to do a lot with a little.” Sorensen, who works as operations director at New Westminster’s Shawn Sorensen Massey Theatre, CANDIDATE FOR said his experience NEW WESTMINSTER has helped him to SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE find ways to collaborate with others to get things done. He said part of his mission is to help transform the school board and district into an inclusive place where parents and caregivers are comfortable and confident to advocate for their children. “I see room for my independent voice,” said Sorensen, who has a daughter. He said he will push for further SOGI educational tools and training for staff and students. “Each and every student should walk to school each day and feel safe, seen and respected,” he said. The other announced candidates are Alejandro Diaz, another independent, and Kathleen Carlsen, who is
running again as part of New West Progressives. Carlsen worked as a dance instructor and recreation leader with the City of New Westminster for 30 years. A former chair and executive member on the district parents advisory council, she said she believes in leading with patience, empathy and integrity. Carlsen said her experience working with children has caused her to see education from the viewpoint of a child as opposed to an administrator or adult. “I've been at the meetings. I've seen how they're run. I've seen how it all works,” she said. Carlsen ran for the board unsuccessfully in the October 2022 civic election. She said it makes sense to throw her hat in again and hopefully win. “Last time, the time wasn’t right for me. I was still working on another project, so that’s why I couldn’t run a normal election,” she said. “Now is the right time.” The date of the byelection has not been announced. The vacancy on the board came after the September resignation of Beattie, who was revealed in June to have been behind a fake X/ Twitter account that harassed other trustees and community members. School District 40 district parents' advisory council chair Laura Kwong said despite significant time and resources taken away from addressing other pressing issues in the district, it was the right choice for Beattie to resign. “The bullying and harassing behaviour Ms. Beattie exhibited was totally unacceptable for a school board trustee,” said Kwong. Kwong is hopeful that the byelection will bring a new trustee to the board who will act in good faith in the best interests of families and their students. She said the board needs to rebuild trust with parents and caregivers. Alejandro Diaz, the other candidate to declare so far, is a local businessman and father of three. The date of the byelection has not been announced.
Langara College Studio 58 graduate Shawn Sorensen is running as an independent in a yet unannounced New Westminster school board byelection. SUBMITTED PHOTO
REPORTERS Jamie Mah Sarah Amy Leung Emily Best Maiya Suzuki Louis Bergeron Edmund Hayley
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Have a different point of view? Write us Journalism instructor Erica Bulman oversees The Voice. Email: ebulman @langara.ca
CONTACT US Online at langaravoice.ca Twitter @LangaraVoice
Campusnews
EDITOR ROY FANG | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023 | THE VOICE
Expert: transparency is critical LSU STILL SKIRTING, continues from page 1
Esmé Decker, president of UBC’s Alma Mater Society (AMS), said its union's bylaws require the meeting agendas and minutes be posted online within a couple days of all meetings, and there is an extensive archive that all students can access. “It's very valuable to be able to ask about what student executives have tried, what issues have been come across, what solutions have been tried,” she said. Karandeep Sanghera, president of Capilano Students’ Union (CSU), said all of the CSU’s agendas and meeting minutes are available to the public on its website. “It contains every information like from small to big like what is discussed, if any motion has failed, why, what is the response, everything,” Sanghera said. In 2016, the Societies Act was amended to allow members to request to see records previously inaccessible. Following this, the LSU changed its bylaws to adhere to the Act but exploited a loophole, continuing to limit access as much as permitted. Section 24(2)(b) of the Societies’ Act states that members may view detailed financial records with receipts, meeting minutes and the names of directors present at meetings “unless the bylaws provide otherwise.” In response, the LSU created bylaw 13.2.1, which states that members cannot inspect or obtain LSU records listed in Section 20(2) of the Societies Act “unless Council determines otherwise.” In addition, the LSU created another bylaw, 13.2.2, stating that members wishing to inspect LSU records permitted under the Societies Act, “shall provide a written request in person at the offices of LSU and schedule an appointment.” When the Voice initially went to LSU offices to request meeting minute records, the reporter was told she needed to submit an email request, which did not match the above LSU bylaw requirements. Reporters returned a few days later, to request LSU policies and the most recent AGM minutes, which are not available online. Again, they were told they needed to submit an online request. However, after reporters pointed LSU resource coordinator Winnie Kuitenbrouwer to the LSU’s actual bylaws, their
Students continue to question the transparency of the LSU after complaints about electoral process. THEA CATIPON PHOTO
written request was accepted. The Voice received a notice Monday from the LSU that the requested documents were ready for review. It is unclear whether the Voice will receive copies or may only look at them, as well as whether all the
“Students are paying you and trusting you to go and do the job.” — WASIIMAH JOOMUN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CANADIAN ALLIANCE OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
requested documents would be made available. As per LSU bylaws, only the president or VP financial and administration can provide permission for any copies of documents to be made for members. In-camera meetings Another area lacking transparency is the LSU’s justification for council taking meetings “in-camera” or privately, with no meeting minutes or agendas made public. The LSU does not state anywhere in its bylaws why it may move a meeting in-camera, in contrast with the bylaws of UBC AMS, Douglas Students’ Union
(DSU) and Kwantlen Student Association (KSA), which all list specific reasons a meeting may be moved. The Voice asked the LSU under what circumstances it may take a meeting in-camera and what kinds of decisions may be made while in-camera. The LSU said that meetings are moved in-camera “at the discretion of the board,” and that “decisions are made out of the camera.” Meetings open/closed to LSU members LSU members are barred from sitting in on council meetings without any pre-arrangements. To attend meetings, members must submit an online application, which then must be approved by the council. The LSU said this change was put into place about 10 years ago, but when asked, they did not specify why. Members do not need approval to attend Annual General Meetings (AGM), held once per calendar year. These meetings used to be held in September, but as of 2013 have been routinely held in June or July, when fewer students are on campus. For two years after COVID, they were held in September again, only to move back to the summer this year. Decker said all AMS meetings are public, and students can participate.
“We have typically three spots for student-at-large statements at the beginning of the meetings, each meeting,” Decker said. “So that's where students have a chance to give a statement and the counselors have a chance to respond.” Sanghera said that students are also allowed in CSU council meetings and have “speaking rights.” “They can speak on any motion going on, anything during the meeting,” he said. “They can bring up any discussion during the question period...like they want to bring something to board. It's totally open.” Wasiimah Joomun, executive director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, said transparency strengthens accountability in her organization which supports students across the country. “Students are paying you and trusting you to go and do the job so that they don't have to really worry about advocacy, and they can focus on their studies,” said Joomun. Shutting down queries In its Oct. 26 email to the Voice, responding to questions about the number of students who attempted to run for VP internal, the LSU responded that “providing a numerical value to measure the accuracy of applicants’ tailored resumes may not
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be the most effective way to evaluate their success in the position they sought during the LSU Electoral process.” The LSU said it was essential “to consider other factors that contribute to the overall outcome.” Other student unions usually require only that candidates be in good standing with the college, while the LSU also requires two work references, one academic reference and a curriculum vitae with the related expertise. But the explanation stopped there. The LSU insisted the election was fair and impartial “based on decisions made by neutral third parties involved in this election,” referring to chief returning officer Jeannie Bates, whose LinkedIn profile, before it was recently taken down, said she also works at Elections Canada. “The Elections Committee and CRO will consider your implied concerns while fulfilling their roles and responsibilities,” the LSU wrote. “This is LSU’s last response to the Voice about the eligibility phase in the election.” The LSU also said it could not reveal the names of the seven students on the elections committee because they had not consented to having their names given to the Voice. However, it did give the names of the two staff members on the committee: Gunkirat Khosa and Donna Rainford-Cayenne, a long-time staff member who has been with the LSU since at least 2012. “If we have questions about the integrity of the election, it becomes a further cause for additional scrutiny,” said Prest, adding he believes students should “question the lack of transparency and to continue to push for an accountability of student government to the student body.” The Voice is aware of at least three students who said their applications to run for VP finance and administration were ignored. They said they were only told they were eligible to run for a different role — and were not given any reason when they asked about VP finance. In addition, because they were not directly told they were ineligible for the role, they were unable to appeal. All student unions fall under the B.C. Societies Act, a provincial legislation that covers all provincial societies. Societies’ bylaws must comply with the Societies Act. — with files from Erin Conners, Emma Shular and Thea Catipon
Langara Starbucks to accept Stars again Payment system fix is on the way, Chartwells says By EDMUND HAYLEY
L
angara students must wait for a new payment system before they can use gift cards at the campus Starbucks or redeem and collect points for free food and drinks. Students ordering from the campus Starbucks are currently unable to earn and redeem Starbucks Stars, the reward currency earned only by paying with money loaded onto the Starbucks app —
but not with cash, credit or debit. Many students are upset they are missing out on opportunities to save money. The old payment system used to accept gift cards and allow students to accumulate points. But the new payment system, installed in August, does not. The root of the problem is that Starbucks and Chartwells — the company that manages the campus food vendors — don’t have compatible payment systems. According to Chartwells Langara general manager Len Svensson, Starbucks was expected to fix the problem in October but technical issues created delays. Svensson said it might require implementing a dedicated PIN pad for Starbucks.
“We've come up with some ideas that hopefully will work,” Svensson said. “And we're hoping within the next three weeks to have something actually in place.” Svensson said with the new system, customers would be able to use the card, as well as use and collect points. Even though Langara Starbucks cannot accept gift card payments at this time, it is still selling them. Svensson said Chartwells is obligated to buy and sell Starbucks seasonal gift cards, mugs and other products. “We have a minimum order we have to purchase to make us compliant,” Svensson said. Langara criminology student Shayna Holmes said Starbucks is taking advantage of not having its payment system immediately
updated. She said she had $50 worth of Starbucks on her phone that she is unable to use and must spend her own money instead. “They’re incentivized to leave it,” Holmes said. Langara fine arts student Naomi Damian is frustrated she cannot receive rewards, such as free drinks, because she is unable to redeem points at the on-campus Starbucks. “It can be really annoying because whenever I’m craving Starbucks, the closest one is the Langara one,” Damian said. Chartwells has also considered linking rewards programs to Boost, an app for pre-ordering food on campus. However, a large fee would be required for Chartwells to pay for such programs, Svensson said.
CAMPUS STARBUCKS
PAYMENT STATUS TIMELINE
August A new payment
system is installed. It is unable to process Starbucks gift cards and Stars reward currency.
October The Starbucks
payment issue was expected to be resolved. However, technical issues caused delays.
Upcoming Len Svensson, Chartwells Langara general manager, hopes a solution can be implemented within the next three weeks.
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THE VOICE | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023 | EDITOR MILICA ANIC
Where guitar playing meets art
Photos and stories by Maiya Suzuki
Fine-tuning the performance
Musicians alter guitar appearance to amp up their style
T
he COVID-19 pandemic killed live performances for months, creating an opportunity for musicians who had free time to customize their guitars. Now that live shows have resumed, the unique style of guitars that musicians created are helping them compete for gigs. Gavin Youngash, Vancouverbased freelance guitarist, said the halt of live music shows gave musicians the free time to modify and invest in their instruments. Youngash used the downtime to design and put together a guitar alongside his friend who is a guitar builder. Guitarists will make minor colour and design
modifications to display their desired esthetic, he said. “The same choices you might make for your attire and your appearance generally might be echoed by your choice in an instrument. Like if you’re all dressed in pastels, you might want your guitar to match that,” said Youngash. In March 2020, all live show venues in Vancouver were forced to postpone shows indefinitely due to B.C.’s Ministry of Health social gathering guidelines. On Oct. 24, 2021, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that concerts and other social gatherings were permitted at 100 per cent capacity.
According to analysis by Canadian Association for the Performing Arts, as of the first quarter of 2023, the live performance market value was still 5.3 per cent less than its prepandemic level. Musician and guitar builder Meredith Coloma of Coloma Guitars in Vancouver said musicians can accessorize themselves with their guitar and express their personal sound to fit their brand. “Their showmanship is part of how they express themselves on stage and that’s why they’ll modify, and then other people are looking for a sound,” said Coloma. “Some people are building their guitars as
an accessory to their brand.” Many musicians and guitar collectors have a specific vision for their ideal guitar that can come to life through custom-guitar builders. Rob Bustos, master builder at Prestige Guitars Ltd. in North Vancouver, said there are various pieces that go into creating the perfect guitar. Customers can choose customizations from the material choices for the body of the guitar to internal wiring options. “Big thing is the material choices, which can affect sound, but also the look, and you know the finish of the guitar can really add your personal touch as well,” said Bustos.
News&features 5
Pimp my axe
Artists give their guitars glow-ups
B
y tailoring the look of their guitars, musicians are using their instruments as an extension to their identity. “Kids don't really want to play their grandpa's guitars anymore. They want something unique,” said Cooper Milani, a musician in Port Moody. Milani designed his first guitar inspired by his favourite childhood cartoon, Sonic the Hedgehog. His guitar has a royal blue glitter paint and the shape of the guitar body is inspired by the silhouette of Sonic’s quills. Milani aims to have the look of his guitar align with his music while performing.
“My whole goal was to make guitars that played as fast as possible, which kind of relate to removing things that inhibit you from musically expressing yourself,” said Milani. “It was just about capturing who I am and the energy that I want to give off.” Hank Budd, guitar builder of Hank Budd Guitars in Vancouver, makes electric guitars by hand with a blues, country, and rock aesthetic. Budd combines the functionality and aesthetic preferences of the customer to create their perfect custom guitar. “It has to look good, but the esthetics can never interfere with the use because its primary function is an instrument,” said Budd. “So, you try and come in like you got to meet them both ways. The guitar is kind of an extension of your performance.”
s i
Far left: Cooper Milani's custom rainbow guitar and his Sonic the Hedgehog inspired guitar on the right. Middle top: Master builder at Prestige Guitars in North Vancouver, B.C. working on a custom order. Bottom right: Hank Budd's collaboration with artist Sadam Pacheco. Bottom left: Cooper Milani's custom Sonic the Hedgehog inspired guitar.
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THE VOICE | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023 | EDITOR CHRISTOPHER HARCOURT
Photoessay
Car crazy: all gas no brakes S Photo essay by CHRISTOPHER HARCOURT ome young adults don’t see cars as just a mode of transportation, but a passion that went into overdrive. These students have multiple cars they work on that they modify, often spending thousands of dollars they can barely afford. Each modification serves a purpose — and creates friendly one-upmanship between peers. Allan Murillo, who attends the automotive technician work training program at BCIT, owns a white 2018 Subaru WRX STI sports car. Currently working as a technician at Mercedes-Benz, he has access to a Mercedes shop, which he uses for repairs. Luckily for Murillo, he can get discounts on certain services or parts like an oil change or a new cooling line.
“Basically, maintenance stuff but I don’t think modification stuff you can really get discounted,” he said. One of Allan’s friends Denver Paganster, a technician from Honda, owns a sleek navy blue 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe. He said his hobby is an expensive one because the used car market is overpriced. According to Paganster, a 2000 Civic currently runs between $6,000 to $8,000 when not long ago it would go for under $3,000. European brands are hard, too, said Murillo. “Just for the body of a rusty car is $8,000 to $10,000,” he said. Despite the toll on their wallets, this group of young adults somehow finds ways to keep their passion of their vehicles running all gas, no brakes.
COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Allan Murillo and Denver Paganster chatting and laughing with their friend group beside their custom cars. Allan Murillo, a student at BCIT, standing in front of his customized 2018 Subaru WRX STI. The golden rims on Alan Murillo's 2018 Subaru WRX STI. Allan Murillo sitting inside his white 2018 Subaru WRX STI in the Independent Grocer parking lot. Denver Paganster, a technician at Honda, checking the oil levels in his 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe.
Arts&life
EDITOR MELBAH GRACE JACOB | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023 | THE VOICE
Kick that crippling coffee crutch
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Nutritionist advocates gradual shift to healthier caffeine choices
By SARAH AMY LEUNG
S
tudents who turned to coffee for academic support and developed a dependency are looking at alternatives to replace their reliance on the beverage. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service reported in June that Canadians’ coffee consumption has steadily increased over the past five years. According to Statistics Canada, Canada imported 15.6 million kilograms of coffee in July 2023 alone. However, without moderating coffee intake, this popular habit can lead to negative health effects. Meg De Jong, a registered holistic nutritionist in Vancouver, said increased coffee consumption comes with greater stress levels, unregulated blood sugar levels, dehydration, and digestive issues. Many Canadians drink coffee for breakfast, but she said it should not be their sole breakfast choice. “If you’re drinking a lot of coffee on an empty stomach, it can actually lead to things like stomach ulcers,” she said. Gurleen Goraya, a first-year education student from SFU, is trying to reduce her coffee consumption due to its heavy presence in her life. “I do think as someone who has been drinking it for a couple of years, I don’t think it’s helping as much as I want to anymore,” said Goraya. She said she could go without coffee for a day, but the ensuing Two students drink coffee while studying at the Tim Hortons coffee shop near Langara College. MELBAH GRACE JACOB PHOTO migraines from coffee withdrawal lures her back to the drink. she has already noted coffee’s can be really helpful with that,” “I wish I wasn’t so dependent on it addictive properties. De Jong said. like I am now,” she said, adding she “Once it starts to become a part According to the Food Biosciis now used to the alertness coffee of your life, it’s kind of hard to stop ence journal, individuals with gives her. drinking it.” diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or Like Goraya, Flosadottir obesity are advised to consider using 180 “Stress can deplete said drinking coffee substitutes like chicory, dandeL a n g a r a student Zack water, taking lion, or artichoke due to their high 160 our B vitamins, so Dawe also a vitamin B12, inulin content. 140 relies on coffee. and getting Those looking to cut down on supplementing with “I’m sure if I fresh air help their coffee consumption should start 120 was no longer seem to help slowly with healthier caffeinated B12 can be really physically her remain options, said De Jong. She suggested 100 helpful with that.” addicted to alert when she matcha, which contains the amino caffeine, then I runs out of acid L-theanine. — MEG DE JONG, REGISTERED HOLISTIC 80 NUTRITIONIST would feel fine coffee. L-theanine, primarily found in with not having “ I p ro b - tea leaves and mushrooms, helps 60 a coffee in the morning,” said the ably could be awake [without it], “metabolize the caffeine more 40 third-year geography student. “But but just not feeling productive,” steadily throughout the day” as of right now, I would not feel said Flosadottir. compared to other sugary and 20 fine.” De Jong, who helps her clients highly caffeinated counterparts, Elisabeth Flosadottir started navigate conditions like anxi- said De Jong. 0 drinking coffee when she began ety through nutrition, said B12 “Even though matcha [can] Roasted + Roasted + Roasted + Brewed studying with Vancouver Commu- can be an effective way to boost be quite stimulating for people ground, ground, ground, percolated filter drip decaffeinated nity College’s dental assistant energy levels. because there’s the caffeine, the program this semester. “Stress can deplete our B vita- L-theanine actually is quite a relaxSource: Statistics Canada, “Caffeine in Foods” Despite being a new coffee drinker, mins, so supplementing with B12 ing substance.” milligrams (mg)
Average amounts of caffeine in coffee (8oz servings)
JOURNALISM
Instant decaffeinated
SportsNews
EDITOR TY LIM | THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 2023 | THE VOICE
Falcons soccer regroups after loss in playoffs A penalty kick puts an end to the men's season By LOUIS BERGERON
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First-year player Dominque Bakuteka battles at the rim to get his lay-up during a hard-fought game against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats on Nov. 3. The Falcons won this game 83-80. LOUIS BERGERON PHOTO
New personnel on basketball squad
Men get a new coach, women a new roster By LOUIS BERGERON
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espite a poor start to the season, the Langara Falcons women’s basketball team is hoping to turn things around by getting their new players up to the collegiate level. The team, led by second-year Langara coach Cameron MacGillivary, has six new players out of 13 total. They lost all four of their games so far this season. “I think it has hindered us to begin with, because the toughness. We’re lacking a lot of toughness right now. We’re getting outworked constantly. So we’ve had players that had success in high school, but I think some people haven’t turned it up to the next level,” MacGillivary said. He said he has set up a mentoring system for the young Falcons, pairing them with the veterans. “We put the returners with the new rooks. So give each player a kind of connection. Some people have formed a great bond,” said MacGillivary. Third-year Langara player Julia Sprott said she agrees with the coach’s methods, saying she and the other returning players are eager to help their new teammates. “I think that this year we have a
lot of systems in place, organization and a lot of structure, and I think that’s just helpful with connecting our team together,” said Sprott. The men’s basketball team, which has gone 2-2 so far this season, also has new players and a new coach. Cassidy Kannemeyer was hired in April to lead the Falcons. “It’s very fulfilling and I love being in charge,” said Kannemeyer. He was previously lead assistant coach at Fraser Valley University and then head coach at Capilano University. With an arts degree in history from UBC, Kannemeyer began coaching on community teams before becoming a college level coach. He said he was inspired by many coaches throughout his career, was enamored with being a coach, and loved making lifelong connections with the people he encountered along the way. “I like being part of something to that team environment, and being the leader of that environment,” said Kannemeyer. The Falcons lost their most recent game last Saturday against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats 97-92. “Our strategy changes week to week based on who we’re playing,” said Kannemeyer.
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The team retained about half of last year’s players. Kannemeyer faced the challenge of recruiting new players to fill out this year’s roster. “You have to put your time in recruiting, it takes countless hours to get at least 15 players,” said Kannemeyer. Dominque Bakuteka, a firstyear player for the team, is excited to get the season going. He hopes the Falcons can win their first few home games. “The team is working hard to win it all,” he said. Josh Kagande, a second-year Falcons guard, is happy with the amount of training and coaching he has received so far. He enjoys the freedom he gets from his new coach and feels comfortable playing on the team. “It’s been kind of nice to see them flourish in their own ways,” said Kagande. Kannemeyer has a prior relationship with the women’s basketball coach MacGillivary, who was one of his assistant coaches when Kannemeyer coached at Capilano. MacGillivary was able to vouch for Kannemeyer when he applied for the Langara job. Both teams will be playing against Douglas College on Friday.
fter a strong regular season, the Langara Falcons men’s soccer team ended their nationals hopes after a 1-0 defeat to the Vancouver Island University Mariners in the first round of the PACWEST playoffs. Going into the next season the Falcons roster will be looking a little different. The Falcons will have to do without their all-star midfielder Taku Ota next season as he heads back to Japan. The team will not be undermanned heading into next season. Long-tenured coach Marc Rizzardo said the Falcons have a multitude of players knocking at his door, including a new Japanese talent Ota helped to recruit. It was a successful regular season for the Falcons. Starting the first few games of the season with a series of losses and draws, the team led by Rizzardo rallied back to finish second in the PACWEST standings. The highlight of the season was the improvement of winger David Rodriguez Zegarra. “He’s had an outstanding three years here. He’s been very, very good for us and just gotten better and better,” said Rizzardo. But the Peruvian winger didn’t come to Langara as good as he is now. Moving to Canada during the COVID pandemic put on hold Zegarra’s soccer improvement. “My first year I was actually a sub, I barely played,” Rodriguez Zegarra said. This season, Rodriguez Zegarra scored seven goals in 11 games, making him the second most prolific scorer in the league. His efforts this season landed him the PACWEST Player of the Year award. “It wouldn’t be possible without my teammates. This is a team game, they gave me the opportunity to show myself,” Rodriguez Zegarra said. The Falcons’ left-back Wizaso Chavula and midfielder Taku Ota were also named as PACWEST All-
Stars alongside Rodriguez Zegarra. Rizzardo was named PACWEST Coach of the Year for the ninth time in his career. Confidence was high going into The PACWEST playoff semifinals were held at the end of October in Nanaimo at Vancouver Island University. In their match, the Falcons suffered from a penalty around the 20-minute mark and were unable to recover in time to tie the game. “I thought the team played well most of the time and I’m disappointed,” said Rizzardo. The Falcons found themselves on the receiving end of a penalty kick early in the game after the referee ruled there was contact between two Falcons defenders and the VIU attacker with the ball. Despite a valiant effort by goalkeeper Blake Charlesworth, the Falcons were powerless to prevent the VIU Mariners from scoring the winning goal. “None of us agreed with the call,” said Rizzardo. Rizzardo and his players said it looked as if the Mariners forward had fallen on his own due to no fault from any of the Falcons. “It might have been a little bit questionable. He did handball it before the penalty happened,” said Connor Thompson, Langara Falcons defender. The Douglas College Royals defeated the Mariners to claim the PACWEST playoffs finals. After a 1-1 tie in regular play, the Royals went on to beat the Mariners 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
PACWEST
TOP GOALSCORERS 2023
1. Dominik Hajdecki
The Douglas Royals forward notched 10 goals in 11 matches.
2. David Rodriguez Zegarra The winger from Langara had seven goals in 11 matches
3.Sebastian Cirotto
The Capilano forward scored six goals in 11 matches.
4. Vasilios Bagiopoulos
The VIU forward collected five goals in six matches.
SOURCE: PACWESTBC.CA
Falcons player scores on a one-on-one during practice for the playoffs. MATEO MUEGO PHOTO