The Ontarion - Issue # 174.1

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Issue No. 174.1

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Doors open guelph

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global development symposium page 3

guelph storm page 5

rob ford page 9

NEWS 3 • ARTS & CULTURE 4 • SPORTS & HEALTH 5 • LIFE 9 • OPINION 9 • EDITORIAL 10 • FUN PAGE 11

UOG_50th_Ad_Conversat_4_Ontarion_HR_JBH_Apr3014.pdf

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Issue 174.1 • Thursday, May 8, 2014

NEWS

Global Development Symposium

Under the Radar

Coming together to plan for a better future

Leader of protests over Nigerian schoolgirl abductions detained

Sameer Chhabra The University of Guelph hosted the second Global Development Symposium (GDS) from May 4 to 7. The symposium began with an opening reception at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre (MSAC) on Sunday, May 4.

The three day scientific and humanitarian conference was host to over 200 researchers, scientists, and students from 18 countries and five continents. The symposium’s three main themes were Global Public Health, Community Empowerment, and Food and Water Security. “[The GDS] brings together people from all over [the world] with different interests in medical, veterinary medical, and environmental issues and tries to inspire people with what’s possible [while also allowing them] to think about what it is that we can do to challenge each other to do more,” explained Dr. Alastair Summerlee, President and ViceChancellor of the University of Guelph. “Anyone who’s interested in international development or global development issues is encouraged to come.”

The opening reception also acted as a book launch for SICK! Curious Tales of Pests & Parasites We Share with Animals – a collection of interesting anecdotes and stories by members of the veterinary community. The book is a detailed examination of how animals and humans are connected through the

Matthew Azevedo

The Global Development Symposium’s opening reception was held at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre on May 4. It was also the book launch for SICK! Curious Tales of Pests & Parasites We Share with Animals, many of the authors were on hand to sign new copies. various diseases that interact with both groups of organisms.

Among SICK!’s many contributors are Dr. Summerlee and Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Both distinguished academics were present at the opening reception. “[The book] was a project that came out of us thinking about what veterinarians do,” explained Dr. Stone. “I had the idea to begin with and I brought together a small group of people that worked on zoonotic diseases. We started to make a list of the people we knew might have interesting stories. People always tell veterinarians ‘You’ve got to write about that.’ We made this list and started asking people if they would [tell their stories].”

The concept for the first GDS was proposed when academics and administrators at the University of Guelph were thinking of a way

to mark the 150th anniversary of the OVC. Deciding against holding a purely veterinary conference, the organizers of GDS 2012 were inspired by the idea of bringing together a collection of minds from various disciplines and walks of life.

“We wanted to show how veterinarians are very involved in international development work within Canada and beyond,” explained Dr. Stone. “Rather than having [mainly] veterinarians talking to veterinarians, we wanted to bring in the engineers, social scientists, and international developers. A lot of the people that came [to the first GDS] said that it was one of the best conferences [they’d ever been to].”

The success of GDS 2012 inspired organizers to put together a larger symposium, with more speakers, presentations, and ideas.

“The [GDS] is an opportunity for people from lots of different

disciplines from many different countries with the thought to help many different problems to come together to talk about how they are solving the problems in their own way,” said Dr. Cate Dewey, Department Chair of Population Medicine at the OVC, and co-author of SICK!.

“What I hope happens is that we meet one another and that we listen to how somebody else is solving a problem. If we were to then [work together in the future], I think we would do a better job of helping the planet than if we were to try to do it on our own.”

Students and members of the community interested in learning more about the ideas presented at the GDS were able to do so by visiting the basement of War Memorial Hall. Detailed posters and banners were hung up to showcase the various projects that were discussed.

New budget one day - election the next Ontarians are going to the polls Ann Westbere On Thursday, May 1, the Liberal minority government under Premiere Kathleen Wynne presented their 2014 budget. By the afternoon of Friday, May 2, Ontarians were notified that they would be heading to the polls on June 12. The expedited nature of the process has left many voters wondering how Ontario went from the proposed Liberal budget (which presented a ten-year plan to invest in job

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creation funds, schools, hospitals, and transportation infrastructure, as well as increase the minimum wage) to an election in only twentyfour hours.

Wynne initially gave both parties one week to review the budget to see if their respective parties would support it. Almost immediately, the Progressive Conservative leader, Tim Hudak, said his party would not support it, and the following morning, the New Democratic Party (NDP) leader, Andrea Horwath, said in a press conference that the NDP could not support the budget. At that point, Wynne had two options: either wait until the following week for a vote on the budget that she knew would not pass and result in a non-confidence

vote, or meet with Lieutenant Governor David Onley and recommend that Parliament be dissolved for a general election (informally known as “dropping the writ”). Upon recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer, the June 12 date was set.

Parties have not wasted any time, as leaders from the Liberal, Progressive Conservative, New Democratic, and Green Parties held campaign kick-off events within the first twenty-four hours of the election being called. All candidates and parties have five weeks to campaign in their respective districts, with the leaders making stops throughout the province.

The cost of the 2011 Ontario provincial election was around $79.2 million, and it is estimated that this

year’s election will cost the same, if not more.

Thankfully, the election process is not all spending. Several employment opportunities will be made available during the election, and residents of Ontario 18 years of age or older can apply to work for Elections Ontario.

Voter turnout has been on the decline in Ontario over the past twenty years, reaching a record low in 2011 with a turnout of 48.2 per cent. To ensure this number does not decline any further, all parties and leaders are stressing the importance of eligible citizens informing themselves about the issues and voicing their opinions through voting at advanced polls or on June 12.

Activists involved in the protests over the abduction of 200 or more girls in Nigeria say that the leader of these protests, Naomi Mutah, has been detained on the order of the president’s wife, First Lady Patience Jonathan.

Mutah represents the Chibok community, from which the schoolgirls were taken several weeks ago.

Mutah herself arranged the Chibok protest outside parliament in the country’s capital, Abuja. The protestors – and many other Nigerian citizens – believe that the government has not taken enough action in attempting to locate and save the missing girls.

According to a BBC News article, the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram has recently admitted fault in the abduction in a video released by the AFP news agency. There are still believed to be about 230 girls missing, taken directly from their school on March 14. The admittance of guilt by Boko Haram, coupled with the detainment of Mutah, has prompted even further criticism of the Nigerian government.

First Lady Jonathan, who is a powerful presence in the Nigerian political scene, apparently ordered the arrest of Mutah after she was sent by the mothers of the abducted girls to a meeting called by the First Lady. However, the First Lady does not officially have the constitutional power to order arrests. A presidency source said that Mutah was detained for falsely claiming to be the mother of one of the missing girls.

Several of the other protestors, however, report that Mutah was asking the government to “bring back our daughters,” referring to the “daughters of Nigeria” in a larger sense.

According to the AP news agency, another community leader, Saratu Angus Ndirpaya, alleges that First Lady Jonathan had previously accused the activists of falsifying the abductions to make the government look bad. Later, according to Ndirpaya, the First Lady accused them of supporting Boko Haram.

-Compiled by Alyssa Ottema

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54 NEWS

Matthew Azevedo

On May 2, Green Party of Canada leader and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May co-hosted a Rally for Democracy at the Red Chevron alongside Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner. On the third anniversary of her election as a MP. May spoke about the need for change to the current Canadian democratic system and condemned the proposed Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23).

Matthew Azevedo

Five hours before the start of the rally, Premier Wynne was granted a provincial election for June 12, which meant that Schreiner’s portion of the rally was mostly dedicated to launching his provincial campaign. Both leaders spoke with media Friday at the Joint Café.

ARTS & CULTURE

The Weekly Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel 3.5 Rose-TintedLenses out of 4

head concierge Zero Mustafa – the younger Mustafa played by newcomer Tony Revolori and the older

Sameer Chhabra I must confess that I had some difficulty with Wes Anderson’s latest dark comedy feature. All of the expected trappings indicating an Anderson film – the distinctly colourful visual style, hilariously quirky characters, and isn’t-this-all-a-bit-much deadpan demure – were present. However, perhaps indicative of a personal failing rather than a cinematic misstep on Anderson’s part, I couldn’t help but feel something was missing.

Set in the fictional European alpine nation of Zubrowka, The Grand Budapest Hotel features a collection of well-known Andersonian collaborators and some welcome new faces in a colourful and elaborate game of whodunnit. Starring Ralph Fiennes as the immaculate playboy concierge Monsieur Gustave H., the film’s plot is set in motion after the affluent and elderly Madame D. is found murdered in her home. As her family’s eyes dart to her will to determine who gets what, the suave and sophisticated Gustave is framed for murder once it’s discovered that he is the sole recipient of a priceless painting.

The film’s narrative is framed by a story-within-a-story-within-aflashback. The story of Gustave is told by his former lobby boy turned

courtesy photo

played by F. Murray Abraham.

Revolori’s straight-faced method works well within Anderson’s quirky world, and both audience and Zero are equally drawn in by Gustave’s charm and wit. The talented Fiennes brings a sense of empty loneliness to the otherwise acerbic Gustave, and his ability to switch between posh and philandering lends the film much of its comedic appeal.

Thanks to a strong script penned

by Anderson and the splendid cinematography of Robert Yeoman, The Grand Budapest Hotel is by all accounts a great film. Among

its strengths are loving homages to the work of Austrian author Stegan Zweig and the haunting theme of long-lost beauty. Despite its near perfection, however, there’s an undeniable air of emptiness that creeps throughout each scene and sequence.

Anderson portrays a world controlled by those trapped in the crippling paralysis brought on by nostalgia. Even the Grand Budapest Hotel’s exterior is a shade of off-pink not dull enough to be grounded in reality. This lack of fulfilment permeates to the audience, leaving us pleased with Anderson’s efforts but wanting more from our own reality.

Anderson’s script calls upon tropes of the Golden Age of Hollywood, when filmmakers were less interested in gritty, realistic drama and more interested in putting on a good show. In the current age of filmmaking where movies refuse to shy away from reality, forcing audiences to confront life-as-it-is, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a testament to life-as-it-could-be.

Calling the film escapism is an error of attribution; it’s not the movie that calls to a better era as much as its characters. When Zero’s story finally ends, the audience is left knowing that the days gone by are truly never coming back. Instead of criticizing or collaborating with his characters’ vision, Anderson allows emotion to interact with emotion.

Art is created in the minds of the viewer. Famous paintings, classic

movies, and great songs overcome the crippling force of time not because they are intrinsically powerful, but because audiences connect with them in a visceral and meaningful way. For Anderson, whose work has always seemed to glorify the “better times,” the relationship between art

and audience is especially important.

Nostalgia is a powerful and dangerous sedative whose effects transcend the human psyche. Being able to invoke genuine nostalgia in his audience, Anderson succeeds in creating a film that feels classical without truly needing to be a classic.

Album of the Week

courtesy photo courtesy Photo

Any album that can seamlessly combine Bran Van 3000 and Marilyn Manson is an instant classic. I burned through two copies of this album before digital music came along. MUCH mixes were always good, but this one has Smash Mouth! Does anyone remember them? This album works as a road tripping mix, great bath tunes, or for pool parties all summer long.

You’re welcome.

Issue 174.1 • Thursday, May 8, 2014

ARTS & CULTURE

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Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State in conversation New album, growing up in Guelph, and future plans Danielle Subject On Thursday, April 24, Alanna Gurr and The Greatest State held their album release show at the eBar in downtown Guelph for their latest album, Late at Night. Being a folkindie band from Guelph, the group decided it was fitting to kick off their release tour in their hometown.

Gurr began her songwriting career solo, later pairing up with The Greatest State, a minimalist rock group with Micheal De Paola on drums, Matt Monoogian on pedal steel, guitar, and vocals, and Joseph Gallo Jr. on bass. Gurr contributes the lead vocals and also plays guitar.

“I started playing music by myself in London when I was done school, and had kind of a makeshift band,”

said Gurr. “People were always coming and going, and then I moved back to Guelph. I wanted to find a group of people that I could play with all the time, and could bring their parts to the songs.”

“It’s lonely when you’re playing by yourself and the songs don’t sound the way that you hear them in your head when you’re writing it,” she added, musing on joining with The Greatest State. “It’s nice to have people that make it theirs too.”

Being from Guelph, the band shared insight as to how growing up in Guelph contributed to their development as musicians.

“I think it’s the ease of being able to meet so many people that are doing different projects all the time,” said De Paola.

“Also, people in Guelph seem to be pretty accepting and excited when new projects happen, because we see the same people so often,” added Gurr.

“I’ve always just kind of been a music kid growing up in high school.

Then, obviously, going to Hillside

danielle subject

Alanna Gurr and The Greatest State at the eBar in Guelph for their latest album, Late at Night April 24. and stuff – that just kind of blows your mind a bit,” said Gallo Jr., better known as J.J. “Especially in those teen years when you start seeing other projects and meeting new people, and you get out of town for a bit for school … and you come back and you find old friends and the next thing you know you’re playing music with [those] old friends.”

The songwriting in Late at Night, reflects themes of love, longing, friendship, and escape. Gurr’s hypnotizing vocals pull the album together – the product of a band that exhibits healthy dynamics and mutual respect for one another.

Alanna Gurr and The Greatest State will be continuing on a minitour to promote the release of their

album, but the band is already looking forward to future prospects with hope.

“We’re doing a little tour now and the vinyl comes out in August,” said Gurr. “The hope is to do a real tour with that in September or October.”

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SPORTS & HEALTH

The mystery of Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper Dutch Super-

centenarian’s super stem cells spur scientific revelation Sameer Chhabra Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper was 115-years old when she died in 2005.

Despite her status as a Dutch supercentenarian, doctors and researchers were shocked to discover that van Andel-Schipper suffered from no debilitating medical conditions, had almost perfect cognition, and showed no signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other such illnesses.

On April 23, 2014, Dutch scientists studying somatic mutations at the VU Medical Centre in Amsterdam published a paper in the journal Genome Research, revealing one more astounding medical phenomenon: Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper’s body had only two functioning stem

cells at the time of her death.

According to the report, scientists studying van Andel-Schipper’s blood and other tissue noticed that all of her white blood cells, necessary for a healthy immune system, were being created by two stem cells.

Furthermore, scientists noted that van Andel-Schipper’s blood cells contained a completely harmless mutation that indicated a far superior ability for her body to correct mutation.

“Is there a limit to the number of stem cell divisions, and does that imply that there’s a limit to human life?”

-H. Holstege More interesting however, was that the stem cells’ telomeres – tips at the end of chromosomes that aid in cell division – were 17 per cent more worn down than healthy stem cells.

Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper’s cells

indicate that stem cells can actually wear out through thousands upon thousands of divisions until they die.

“Is there a limit to the number of stem cell divisions, and does that imply that there’s a limit to human life?” asked Henne Holstege, the head of the research team at the VU Medical Centre, in an interview with New Scientist Magazine. “Or can you get [around] that by replenishment with cells saved from earlier in your life?”

At birth, most humans contain 20,000 to 25,000 stem cells. The cells act as perfect photocopiers throughout the body, becoming part of the body’s internal network of cells and organelles and contributing to cell division and propagation.

Cells continuously divide, from the moment of conception until the moment of death. Like regular cells, stem cells undergo rudimentary cell division. Unlike normal cells, however, stem cells are capable of dividing into specialized cells, like nerve cells or blood cells, with a more specific function.

Courtesy Photo

H. van Andel-Schipper had two stem cells when she died at age 115.

The report, published by Holstege, Wayne Pfeiffer, and several others, concludes that life is defined by the number of times stem cells can continue to divide.

Once stem cells can no longer contribute to cell division, it seems that other cells systematically cease production until they die in a process called apoptosis (or cell death).

For scientists hoping to crack the mystery of eternal life or for those simply trying to find a way to combat disease and harmful mutation, the analysis of Hendrikje van

Andel-Schipper’s body will no doubt continue to present meaningful answers.

Though optimistic about the future of medicine and the possibilities raised by her blood, Holstege is quick to explain that van Andel-Schipper’s stem cells do not indicate the existence of a biological fountain of youth.

“If I took a sample now and gave it back to myself when I’m older, I would have long telomeres again,” explained Holstege. “Although, it might only be possible with blood, not other tissues.”

Neeve-Macdonald

Instruments at Willow Manor

Jenny Mitchell in War Memorial Hall

Doors Open Guelph Showcasing some of the best of the royal city All photos & article by: Matthew Azevedo Doors Open Guelph is an annual function held to experience some of Guelph’s most interesting and beautiful historical buildings and the stories that go with them. On Saturday May 3 we headed to twelve different locations spread throughout the city. Here are some interesting tidbits we learned along the way.

The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre held an opening reception for artist Robert Hengeveld’s “promised lands,” a series of kinetic installations that are on display until July 13, 2014. We caught him

as he was putting the finishing touches on “Howl,” with his son at his side.

Jenny Mitchell, of Guelph-based “Bird City,” was perched in the balcony of War Memorial Hall, banjo in hand. She told us about her great great Grandfather, W.B. Ford, who was part of the Hall’s original construction team and explained that she was spending the day trying to write a song about both him and the story behind one of the building’s nicknames: “Memorial Hole.”

The Guelph Hiking Trail Club led participants through the only stop without a building, along the newly created “O.R. Sidetrail.” Named after the Ontario Reformatory (an old Guelph prison) the hike started at the heritage bridge just south of Stone Road East between Victoria road and Watson Parkway South. The old heritage bridge was in use until 2005 and serviced both directions of traffic but only allowed one lane of vehicles to pass at a time.

War Memorial Hall (above, left and right)

Willow Manor, a bed and breakfast, opened their doors to reveal a display of antique instruments including a Heintzman & Co. square piano built in Toronto.

The Neeve-Macdonald House, a private residence, was one of the first houses built in the College & Edinburgh area and now houses a second generation of artists and their work. Barbara Jean Shaw is seen displaying some of her newer work.

And finally, Ben Grossman of Silence greeted us at 46 Essex Street, which is host to many different studios and businesses.

Grossman is pictured preparing to participate in “Manlicher Carcano,” which is a weekly radio collaboration with CFRU 93.3FM (based out of Guelph) as well as stations in Los Angeles, Winnipeg, St. John’s and Peterborough. We also saw someone playing a didgeridoo!

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46 Essex Street

Barbara Jean Shaw and some of her newer art

Robert Hengeveld’s “Howl” from his kinetic series “promised lands,” on display until July 13, 2014.

O.R. Sidetrail

Neeve-Macdonald House

Willow Manor

58 SPORTS & HEALTH

Matthew Azevedo

The Guelph Storm won the first game of the OHL Finals on May 1 in overtime. The photos above were taken Thursday May 1. For more photos visit theontarion.com

Guelph Storm and North Bay Battalion battle it out OHL finals feature two teams vying for respect Stephanie Coratti The Guelph Storm has the undivided attention of the city of Guelph. Finishing first overall in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with 108 points, breaking a few franchise records along the way, and raising the Wayne Gretzky Trophy to become Western Conference Champions will do that for a team.

Though this Storm team didn’t have a simple hop, skip, and a jump down a path to get to the Ontario Hockey League Finals; the attention from their city is warranted, and there is no doubt that it has been earned.

After a remarkable regular season, the Storm defeated the eighthseeded Plymouth Whalers in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

A series no one second-guessed.

However the Western Conference Semifinals against the two-time defending OHL Champion, London Knights, had Storm City fans raising eyebrows and those in green confident their Memorial Cup hosts would continue down the path to a third straight OHL Championship.

A series win that arguably won the unwavering respect of local fans for good, and earned often hard-toget credit from some disappointed Knights fans.

After the first two games in Guelph were split leaving the Storm to head to the Budweiser Gardens in London with the daunting task of taking at least one game in the intimidating building, the Storm didn’t just show up – they stormed through, defeating the Knights 4-2 in Game three.

Game four’s 6-3 win gave the Storm a chance to defeat the defending champions on home ice in Game five, a task they completed successfully in a suspenseful 5-4 win.

Next up were the Erie Otters in the Western Conference Finals. A series featuring teams who were separated by no more than two points at the end of the regular season gave

way for no favourites in the predicted outcome.

Yet the Storm set to make an impression just like they had been all year. The team played some of their most dominant hockey, pushing the Otters to a potential sweep after winning the first three games of the series. The Otters, on the brink of elimination, won Game four 5-2 to push the series to five. That’s where it would end though, as the Storm took the game 5-0 and the series 4-1 to raise the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference Champions.

After working endlessly to gain the deserved respect, the Storm find themselves facing an underdog that is trying to do just that, too.

In the first round of the playoffs, the now Cinderella Story, North Bay Battalion, were down and out in a 3-1 series against the Niagara IceDogs. A series they climbed back in to win in seven.

The Battalion then went on to defeat the Barrie Colts in six, putting them on a crash course to face the heavily favoured Oshawa Generals, who finished first in the Eastern Conference with 90 points.

The Generals hadn’t lost a playoff game, sweeping both the Mississauga Steelheads and the Peterborough Petes.

The trend of four game series’ continued for the Generals, but in a way nobody would have imagined.

The North Bay Battalion swept the Generals, forcing junior hockey fans everywhere to take notice with wide eyes and several questions left unanswered.

Despite the questions of how, the Battalion pushed their way to the OHL Finals and are playing every minute to prove they deserve to be here.

With many Storm fans believing a sweep to be possible, the Battalion were up 2-1 until the home team stormed back to win the game 57 seconds into overtime on May 1.

If a Game one score of 3-2 and the first overtime of the playoffs for either team didn’t make a statement on behalf of the Battalion, Game two sure did.

The Battalion pushed the second game in two nights to overtime yet again; this time changing the outcome on an overtime goal from

This being such a broad topic that has so many different angles, this column will be written by multiple voices – a column with changing authorship, in hopes that we will be able to convey the many sides of mental health and wellness.

The aim of this project is to help society understand and develop a better knowledge of mental health, illnesses, and ways to cope with life’s

struggles. This is a way to open up a dialogue that needs to speak louder, open up wider and make strides of progress to work to erase all stigmas associated with mental health and create a welcoming environment to share together.

Let’s welcome this new year with an open mind and work together to create change in the realm of mental health and wellness.

Barclay Goodrow, leaving the series tied 1-1 after a strong 4-3 win.

The series is guaranteed a Game five that will be played on Friday, May 9 at the Sleeman Centre. If the Storm continue the trend of five game series, they can very well be playing to eliminate the Battalion to become OHL Champions.

However if there is anything this season has taught a team that has fought night after night to earn the respect they rightfully deserve, it’s the power the fight and desire to earn that respect can have over a team.

As the Storm head to North Bay for Games three and four, they prepare for a Battalion team ready to do anything to prove they deserve this championship as much as the boys in crimson.

The Storm are undoubtedly something special, while the Battalion have proved that they are.

Two teams who know what it takes to earn their stripes. Two teams who will do anything to win the championship.

Who wants it more?

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This publication marks the first of a fresh year with new staff, ideas, and columns. Mental health and wellness is a subject matter that is incredibly important and deserving of a place within our newspaper.

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Emily Jones

Everyone is affected by mental health in one way or another – whether it is a silent personal struggle, a friend or loved one who has suffered, or someone who is working to keep a balance in their life. These are all reasons why mental health and wellness are topics worth talking about and sharing in hopes that we will all feel better understood and supported.

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Mental health & wellness

Issue 174.1 • Thursday, May 8, 2014

LIFE

You’ve probably seen this on Pinterest

Alyssa Ottema

don’t love your mom as much the rest of the year: this means that you recognize what a pain you are, and you’re doing something nice so that she loves you for the rest of the year.

If you’re looking for a more-personalized, less-pricey way of showing your love, here are a few great ideas that won’t empty your bank account.

The day to celebrate the wonderful woman who raised you is once again here, and while you can try to make the typical anti-Valentine’s Day argument about how you shouldn’t show anyone more love on one day than you do on the other 364 days of the year, the reality is that your mom is probably pretty great, and you should probably get her something nice. This doesn’t mean that you

Custom phone cases There are many services out there on the web that will make custom phone cases for you, from a site called Tiny Prints to Case-Mate to Casetagram, which takes photos specifically from your Instagram feed to create a photo phone case. If you’ve got any awesome #tbt photos of you and your mom, try out one of these sites and give her the ultimate gift – a way for

Mother’s Day gift ideas that won’t break the bank

her to be reminded of how cute you were (and are) every time she needs to send a text or make a call. The cases can range anywhere from $25 to $50 plus shipping and handling.

Homemade Gift Basket There are probably a ton of things that your mom loves but never buys for herself. Trashy magazines, new nail polish, candles, new pajamas, and chocolate and peanut butter are some of my mom’s favourite things that she usually doesn’t pick up for herself when she’s busy doing a million nice things for everyone else.

This idea is really great because it can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you choose while still being one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give.

Photo Coasters Perhaps your mother is the kind of person who really cares about water damage on her tables and floors. Perhaps your mother has scolded you once, or twice, or a million times for putting your drink on the table without using a coaster. If this sounds familiar to you, Coastermatic has got you covered this Mother’s Day. Send in your favourite images to be fit onto round sandstone discs, printed using a special ink. A set of four will usually cost about $30 plus shipping and handling.

An IOU Coupon…

For a day with you. The truth is, even though you probably annoy her 85 per cent of the time, your mom loves you a lot. Giving her an IOU

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for a day where you guys grab lunch, see a movie, and enjoy some quality one-on-one interaction is probably the best gift you could give. We’re all busy, and we probably don’t call home as often as we should, or we back out on family plans at the last minute to see our friends. Some uninterrupted Mommy-and-Me time is, of course, priceless.

But seriously, unless she specifically asks for one, a Pandora bracelet is just an easy way to go into debt and still only marginally impress your mother. $400 for a charm does not a thoughtful child make.

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Simply authentic: diary of a local foodie Best-ever vegetarian burgers Emily Jones Barbequing season is upon is and it’s time to begin thinking about some really tasty entrees and appetizers to get the grill fired up! This issue, I am going to teach you how to prepare the tastiest vegetarian burgers, which could be served as an entrée or scaled down to slider size.

Like any delicious burger, there is a process to follow – it does take some time, but it is worth all the effort.

Let’s begin by cooking some of the ingredients that will need to cool before the burgers are able to take shape.

Get out two pots that have tight fitting lids. Measure half a cup of quinoa and half a cup of wild or brown rice, then measure out one cup of water to place in each pot with the quinoa and rice. Bring each to a boil and reduce heat until all the water has been absorbed, then turn off and let sit. Use a third pot to heat

a little olive oil and cook some black beans until tender.

Next, rinse and finely chop a medium onion, a few mushrooms, fresh garlic, and some green pepper.

In a large mixing bowl, add these ingredients together, as well as rinsed baby spinach and the rice, quinoa, and black beans (it is ok if they are still warm).

Next, add in some salt, pepper and a tablespoon of jerk seasoning (I like a paste best). I also like to add in a splash of smoky BBQ sauce for added flavour – this can replace the jerk if spice isn’t for you.

Mix and mash all of the ingredients, allowing the flavours come together. Once this is finished, it is time to create the patties; this is when it is necessary to decide if you want entrée size burgers or sliders.

Either way, spoon out the mixture and form into balls first. Then, lay the patties on a plate or baking sheet covered with wax paper and press down on to flatten.

To cook, place right on the grill, over a fire while camping, or in a frying pan – all work well!

These are the tastiest vegetarian burgers – they are satisfying and

enjoyable for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike!

Groce ry list •Quinoa

•Rice

•Black beans

•Onion

•Garlic

•Spinach

•Green pepper

•Mushrooms

•Jerk seasoning

• BB Q s a u c e

OPINION

Rehab for Ford: Personal advancement or P.R. move?

Ford’s decision to turn himself around comes at critical time Kimberly Northcote On Wednesday, April 30, after a new bout of drug-related drama hit the press, Rob Ford released a statement saying that he was taking a leave from his mayoral duties to attend rehab for his “problem with alcohol,” according to an article in the National Post.

The National Post also reported that another video of Ford partaking

in drug use, as well as launching a round of inappropriate racial and sexual comments aimed at election opponent Karen Stintz was publicized a few days before Ford’s announcement.

Ford’s decision to seek help for his addiction is undoubtedly a positive personal step. However, this should not mean automatic political redemption, nor should this translate into a pat on the back in the form of votes and re-election.

While addressing personal demons is productive and often admirable, we should not fail to look at the big picture when discussing the upcoming mayoral election.

The fact remains that throughout his “leadership,” Ford has embarrassed and offended the citizens of

Toronto with his various forms of homophobia, racism, sexism, and even charges of domestic abuse.

Toronto’s mayor has engaged in a pattern of ignorant and hurtful behaviour, most of which he has chalked up to inebriation.

Does alcohol have the ability to make someone a homophobe or a racist, or does it simply loosen one’s inhibitions, allowing already existing opinions to be more freely expressed? Anyone who has had a drink or has been in the presence of drinking can agree that the latter idea most clearly reflects reality.

A lot of talk about second chances can be heard around Toronto, but the fact is that Ford has had many chances. He had a chance to apologize for the way he handled the

raising of the Pride flag. He had a chance to change his behaviour several times throughout his time in office and to make efforts to become more sensitive towards ethnic and gendered issues. He had a chance to step down when the initial video of his drug use was made known to the public. Ford did not do any of the above.

So why, now, has he decided to attend rehab? It could not be coincidental that it has occurred after another drug scandal during an important time in his campaign – a campaign centered on comebacks and second chances.

Criticism of Ford has been based too heavily on his drug and alcohol use, allowing rehab to be a quick fix for his image. If the public’s main

concern with Ford is his substance use, Ford is offered a more simple solution of rehab, as opposed to addressing his offensive behaviour as part of his ignorant personality.

When drugs are cast in the limelight of the discussion of Ford’s issues, Ford simply has to change the drug factor without admitting that he is not a qualified mayor - addiction issues notwithstanding.

Rehab and addiction recovery are important steps for Ford in becoming a healthier and more stable person, but these steps will not make him a more suitable mayor.

While rehab can help him sober up, it cannot guarantee that the new Ford we are to expect will be free of homophobia, racism, and sexism.

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EDITORIAL

The Ontarion Inc.

University Campus Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone 519-824-4120 General: x 58265 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 53534 Accounts: x 53534 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Emily Jones

Production Staff Photo & Graphics Editor

Matthew Azevedo Director of Layout & Design Carly Jenkins

Office Staff Business Manager

Lorrie Taylor Ad Manager Al Ladha Office Coordinator Vanessa Tignanelli Circulation Director Web Editor Board Of Directors President

Heather Lutz Chairperson Patrick Sutherland Treasurer Alex Lefebvre Secretary Anthony Jehn Directors

Sohrab Rahmaty

Melissa Chong Ay Yan

Bronislaw Szulc Contributors

Sameer Chhabra

Stephanie Coratti

Kimberly Northcote Alyssa Ottema Danielle Subject Ann Westbere

the

Ontarion Have a question, comment or complaint?

Send us a letter to the editor at ontarion@uoguelph.ca.

Deadline is Monday at 4 p.m., 300 word max.

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors.

Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit of refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2011 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editorin-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by the Guelph Mercury.

Women in the media The role women play in their own objectification The media plays a large role in the objectification of the female body and persona, and social media and interactive websites have begun to create an even larger problem.

Women of celebrity such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez have recently made an effort to encourage women to challenge the traditional notions of female sexuality by taking different approaches. Beyoncé has pushed for women to “own” their sexuality, while Jennifer Lopez has, in her most recent music video attempted to objectify men in hopes of showing the ridiculousness the continuous objectification of the female body in music videos (especially in the hip hop and rap genres).

These attempts to propel change in the industry have fallen flat. Beyoncé’s stance for women to “own” their sexuality allows for the public to think of sexuality as something that can be owned and thus an object in itself. In her most recent album and public performances, she has

transformed her persona from one of a strong leader into an even stronger sex symbol. Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, is making a mockery of the situation as a whole – her video for “I luh you papi” showcases men dressed oiled up in scantily clad attire. This may be showcasing how absurdly women’s bodies are objectified – but does it really make it any better if woman do the same to men?

Does this change anything, or does it simply continue a culture of sexual objectification?

“These attempts to propel change in the industry have fallen flat.”

Celebrities make money off their artistic ability, and as entertainers, they know that they are role models for people all over the world.

Beyoncé, as a powerful woman who is also an extremely intelligent business women, must know that by showcasing herself as a highly sexualized being, she is telling women that sex sells and attracts attention – but maybe not the right kind of attention for all women.

courtesy photo

The rise and absurd popularity of interactive websites, such as The Chive, are propelled by the objectification of women. With women in the media using their sexuality to become powerful, it is sending a message to women everywhere that if what you want is attention – any kind of attention, at that – they must use their bodies to get it. The Chive is a daily dose of sexual objectification to the max, with categories such as “mind the gap,” “burn bra,” “happy hump day,” and “in life there’s underboob and then there’s everything else,” among countless others. The Chive has other categories, as well – it isn’t all about the female body, but it might as well be, since pictures of half naked women filter throughout the other categories, as well.

The saddest part of it all is that it isn’t just on the creators of websites

like this who create the content – women actually send in photos of themselves to be published online.

So in a sense, some women are objectifying themselves because they think that is what will make them attractive to men. Some women claim to like The Chive, but the reasons behind this are unclear – some may feel like it is not an issue to showcase sexuality in this manner, or may not be disturbed by the content of the website, and others may be insecure and searching for all the wrong forms of attention.

Powerful women have an important role to play since they are in the public eye so often, and it is detrimental to society to put out the idea that what makes a woman (or any human) powerful is owning and showcasing their sexuality, rather than their personality.

OPINION

What you don’t know about mental illness The truths no one told you about Kimberly Northcote Despite the fact that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience some form of mental illness in their lives, and in spite of the increasing prevalence of mental health problems amongst adolescents and university students, we are, as a society, dangerously unaware of what mental illness really is.

While mental illnesses are discussed in high school curriculums, we lack an in-depth education on the many realities of these illnesses.

Students are given textbook definitions of depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders, but nobody explains to students what it feels like to have any of these afflictions. Rarely do people talk about the everyday inconveniences that accompany

mental illness.

A similar issue exists in media portrayal of mental illness. Television and film provide us with attractive characters that suffer the most stereotypical symptoms of depression.

While these aren’t necessarily inaccurate, they are a narrow view of life with a mental illness. Not every person who is depressed stays in bed all day or experiences falling grades.

Not everyone with an eating disorder will skip each meal. Mental illness is not always so obvious.

Mental illness is a topic that needs to be discussed further. Often, when we hear the word “depression,” we picture someone who is too sad to get out of bed, who doesn’t go out, and is have trouble keeping up with school or work. This is true for some cases, but is also not true for all. Many people who are depressed still function on a very high level and get done what they need to get done, but they suffer through it all. Excluding those cases from the public discussion is

harmful because their mental illness fails to be recognized, and it is even harder for the sufferers to recognize it themselves. Unfortunately, many people go undiagnosed for long periods of time because they don’t match up to the media portrayals of the illness.

Not only do we need to discuss mental illness in more depth, but we also need to broaden our focus to all mental illnesses. While many people have heard of depression, anxiety, OCD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, other illnesses, such as social anxiety, dermatillomania, trichotillomania, and body dysmorphic disorder are less well known.

This is problematic, especially for those suffering from less publicized illnesses. Sufferers who do not realize that what they have is a mental illness might think they are the only ones in their situation and blame themselves for their symptoms. It is not always possible to recognize a mental illness in oneself or in a loved one if no one

has heard of the illness. This can lead to a long delay in being diagnosed, making an illness potentially more difficult and increasing the duration of suffering.

We have been painted a very simplified and easily categorized picture of mental illnesses. We are not told that we will often not know why we are sad if we have depression, or that we will think we need to drink more at a party to be able to socialize if we have social anxiety, or that consistently checking for reassurance from friends and family is a sign of OCD. Mental disorders are not just about washing your hands at specific intervals or being sad. This issue is how these illnesses and disorders interrupt our daily lives and make even little tasks seem impossible.

A lot of work needs to be done in terms of recognizing mental illness and helping others to be able to discern their personality from pathology.

Issue 174.1 • Thursday, May 8, 2014

Across 1- Mar. honoree 6- Primates with short tails or no tail 10- Some DVD players; 14- ___ Perot 15- Boxer Oscar ___ Hoya 16- Florence’s river 17- Bluffer’s ploy 18- Child’s toy 19- Linebacker Junior 20- Begley and Bradley 21Contemplation of death 24- Burial at sea 26- Actually existing 27- Bard’s nightfall 28- Moore’s TV boss 30- Folk singer Burl 33- Aim 35- Paid player 38- 4th letter of the Greek alphabeT 40- Obtained 41- Former Houston footballer 43- Brit. lexicon 44- Sweet dessert 47- Word processing error 48- Monetary unit of India 49- Bring civil action against 51- Mother of Calcutta 54- Worn over the ears in cold weather 58- Collapse of the lungs 61- Cinque follower 62- Queens stadium 63- “___ She Lovely?” 64- Perfect, something to aspire to 66- Exam used to measure aptitude or intelligence 67- Accent 68- Like Thor 69- Gen. Robert ___ 70- River of Flanders 71- Bridge positions

Down 1- Cut into small pieces 2Commerce 3- Composure 4- Horse-like animal, term of insult 5- African fly 6- Pale antelope 7- Unskilled laborer 8- Singer Fitzgerald 9- Chowder cracker 10- Machine for scraping sugarcane 11- Salad green 12- Diarist Nin 13- Lush 22- Clue 23- ___ a customer 25- Annoyance 28- Got up 29- Cpls.’ superiors 30- Promising words 31- Neckline shape 32- Antiquity, in antiquity 34- A shivering fit - often a precursor to malaria 35- Thickness 36- Agent 37- Acapulco gold 39- Entertain 42- Romantic couple 45- The state of being opaque 46- Morales of “NYPD Blue” 48- Narrate 50- Bearish 51- Sample 52- Lucy’s landlady 53- Actress Witherspoon 54- Aromatic compound 55Consumers 56- Sumptuous meal 57- Rasping instruments 59- General ___ chicken 60Diarist Frank 65- 1950 film noir classic

FUN PAGE

Last Week’s Solution

Crossword Winner from 173.13 is….Michelle Mak!

Submit your completed

crossword no later than Monday May 12th at 4pm TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS!

CLASSIFIEDS NATURE GUELPH Next meeting Thursday, May 8th, 7:30pm at Arboretum Centre. All welcome. Paloma Plant, Program Coordinator & FLAP Canada will speak on the impact of buildings on migratory birds.

COMMUNITY LISTINGS May 7-11 - The largest student run organization in the world, AIESEC, will be hosting the National Leadership Development, Conference 2014 at the University of Guelph May 7th-11th.

For more information visit www.strikingly.com/nldc2014

May 8 - Fortnight Music presents The Slackers, w/ The Green Room Rockers @ eBar. 10pm, $17.50 adv/$20door May 9 - Guelph Contra Dance, Friday May 9. 8pm at St. James Anglican Church. No partner or previous experience necessary. Featuring caller Judy Greenhill and band Relative Harmony. Admission $10.00 Free parking.

May 9 - Cantina Music Productions presents 2nd annual Mr. and Ms. Gay Guelph Pageant. Friday May 9th, 8pm at Red Papaya, Old Quebec St Mall. $10 students/$15 adults.

May 10 - Guelph Spoken Word presents Queer Cabaret. Saturday May 10th, 8pm at Sip Club. $5. Performances from local artists and drag performers.

May 12 - Out On The Shelf AGM to wrap up Pride Week, Monday May 12th, 7pm at 10 Carden. Free admission.

AGM will discuss the future of Out On The Shelf.

Sistas in Soccer outdoor recreational soccer league for women aged 18 and up. Games every Sunday afternoon, end of May until October. No previous soccer experience necessary. Register online at www.sistasinsoccer.com

Follow us @theontarion The views represented in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Ontarion nor its staff.

for your chance to win

May 8 - LGBTQA+ Art Exhibit. Opening Thursday May 8, 7pm reception/ 8pm start. 10 Carden.

Will be up for the month of May. Free admission.

May 13 - RELAXATION & STRESS Management Skills Training. 12 session program to decrease anxiety, headaches, insomnia and muscle tension. 8-9pm Tuesday & Thursday evenings. www.uoguelph.ca/~ksomers.

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