The Cascade Friday October 16th, 2009 Volume 17 Issue 25

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The Declining Ancient Forests

U-Pass to the Gym

Plucking Nuts

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Cascade News • Frida October 16th 2009 Volume17 • Issue25 Roomt1027

3384AKingRoad' Abbotsford, BC

Craziness at the Cascade REBEKAH DUPREY ACTINGEDITOR-IN-CHIEF If you've been paying attention to this page in the last few weeks, you should be quite confused right now.

Don't worry, so am I. f was not supposed to be writing any more of these. "Acting" Editorsin-Chief were supposed to be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, the craziness continues.

The Cascade has been trying to hire a new Editor-in-Chief for a while now. There was a meeting of the Cascade Collective, our governing body, on Friday, October 2nd, to decide on the matter. We gathered, heard statements from the various candidates, . asked questions, debated, and voted.

It took over four-and-a-half hours. the contributors who voted as a memFinally, our decision was made. It was a close call, with a tie between two ber had only contributed to three issues at the time of the vote, not four. of the candidates. In accordance with the bylaws of the Cascade Journalism It is required for membership of the Society, the tie was broken when our Cascade Collective that you contribchair cast the final vote. ute to at least four issues, or are hired The meeting was long and intense, on by the paper. and everyone left feeling drained.

The ballots were confidential. The However, we'd gotten the job done. votes had been cast. And it was inOr had we? valid.

During the following week it was The only legitimate course of acbrought to our attention· that one of tion is to recast the vote. We met on

Friday the 9th and confirmed it (another four-hour meeting), so this Friday (probably before you are reading this) we will vote again. In accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, the vote will happen exactly as it did before, with all of our candidates on the ballot.

If anyone is interested in attending, and you read this soon enough, the meeting is open for non-members to speak and observe. We will be hearing short statements from each candidate, engaging in some discussion, and then recasting our votes. The meeting will be held on Friday, October 16 in either Cl429 or Cl027. Room booking is taking a while to get back to us.

Each of our candidates is all wellsuited to the position, and many of

them have strengths in different areas. Choosing between them was, and is going to be again, a very difficult process.

However, it has to be done, and as soon as possible. I've been standing in as Acting EIC, and trying to be Managing Editor as well. It's been a lot.

I'll be having my first baby around November 10, so each week we wait is another week closer to my time off.

There are lots of things I'd like to get finished before I'm away for a couple of weeks, and I won't get a chance to finish them until we have an EIC, and she's been trained.

This Friday's decision needs to be a legitimate and strong one.

Once the EIC has been decided by the Collective, the Cascade will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting to ratify our decision. Any member of the Cascade Journalism Society can vote on the ratification, which will confirm our candidate's position.

All students are members of the Cascade Journalism Society. This means you can come and vote, and meet our friendly staff face to face!

The time and place o~ the EGM will be posted in next week's newspaper.

V2S7M8

ActingEditor-in-Chief

cascade.chief@ufv.ca RebekahDuprey AdvertisingManager cascade.business@ufv.ca Samantha Gunson

ProductionManager cascade.production@ufv.ca RandonaConrad ProductionAssistant JedMihor CopyEditor

Suzanne.Kittell News& OpinionEditor

cascade.news@ufv.ca OavrdMiller Arts & LrrJEditor cascade.arts@ufv.ca Paul Falardeau

Sports& HeaitflEditor cascade.sportS@ufv.ca Br1ttanyWies.ner StaffWriters

A.ngeta Ostfik.off PaulBrammer SonjaSztovicsak. "'tontributors

The Cascade holds writers' meetings every Fri- Table of Contents day at 11a.m. in room C1027. Contributors are News always welcome to at- Opinion tend. Contributors that Arts&Life are unable to attend writ- Sports&Health ers'. meetings should UFVShuffie contact the editor:-in- Concerts chief to be assigned ar- Whoroscopes VirginiaSlims ticles.

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17 10 12& 13 16 16

Letters to the Editor: Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words. Please include your name and contact information with the letter. Ihe Cascade reserves the right to edit for length and clarity. Letters can be sent to cascade. chief@ufv.ca with the subject "Letter to the Editor."

Aprj.lHodson

Joel Smart Justin Orlewicz Michelle fletj:e MikeWestwick PhotographyContributions

Jacque(1neOste-rmt!ret PrintedBy

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Cascadei~ tm1,,sa'\lWn newspaper.It providesa fur · dents to have their jouma . ft also acts as an alternativtipre

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withUFV stt!dentfunds. The Cascadei,s 2000 and is distributedatLIF\<,catppµses and througlwut Abbot~ford,Ch.illi,}"ac,),<, • and Mission.The Cascadeis a;.member Qf the CauadianUniversityP~, a national cooperativeof75 univ¢J:&ityand college news.papersfrom Victoriato St. John's?'Ihe CascadefollowstheCUPethicalpolicy concef!l.ing,inatetial 9f a prejudicialor QPpressivenature.

Submissions are preferredin electro!,)ic formateitl:ierthroughe-mail or on CD. Pleasesendwbmissionsin «.txt" or «.doc'.' fopnaf9J.llf.

Articlesand lettersto theeqitoun®t be ~t.;'Ihe ~.~C$theright to editsubm~ondor tladl:yand length.. 'th¢ (;?,SCadil w'illpotR!,'iPtany articles thatc:onfulntacisti; sexist,horri()f)hobic or

libell&ii°sicontenl'Ihewclter's tiame arui Sl-\l~t.Q.u9d>er ,nus1;_be sub~~

with each SQPmis'sion.

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Only uneiett,i\rtothe edi:tot~writer in apygivenedition.

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Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

ev•o•lu•tion (evil • you • shun) n.

On those occasions when they're trying to impress us with the "truth" of evolution, Darwinists often speak of their process in glowing, majestic terms - as in the following quote from the late Stephen Jay Gould, who for three decades was North America's leading evolutionary spokesman: "For sheer excitement, evolution, as an empirical reality, beats any myth of human origins by light-years .... When truth value and visceral thrill thus combine, then indeed, as Darwin stated in closing his great book, 'there is grandeur in this view of life'" (Science 284:2087, 1999).

But when they're being a little more realistic, Darwinists acknowledge that evolution is an extremely nasty way to generate biodiversity.

A few years ago, Psychology Today magazine decided to host what turned out to be a very revealing dialogue between Richard Dawkins, currently the world's most prominent spokesman for atheism and evolution, and Jaron Lanier, the computer scientist who coined the term "virtual reality" (Psychology Today 30(1 ):59-63, 1997).

Lanier opened the discussion: "I'm worried that evolution is being used in the wrong way by all sorts of people who otherwise have almost nothing in common. It's become a banner for New Agers and for many in the hard sciences. This annoys me no end, because evolution is the only natural force that should be understood to be evil. The evolutionary process that created us was cruel."

Dawkins responded, "Treating evolution as though it were a good thing is a point of view advanced by English biologist Julian Huxley in the 1920s and 1930s. Huxley tried to make evolution into a kind of religion. In contrast, his grandfather, Thomas Henry Huxley, thought that evolution was a thoroughly bad thing, and I agree with him. I would hold it up as an awful warning."

Later in the conversation, Lanier said: "I believe that as a civilization we've helped thwart evolution, and that's good. Every time we help the needy, or make it possible for a handicapped person to live and pass on their genes, we've succeeded in defying the process that created us."

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by Richard Peachey And Dawkins replied, "I believe natural selection represents a truly hideous sum total of misery."

The views of Thomas Henry Huxley (alluded to

by Dawkins, above) on this matter are worth careful consideration. Huxley described his thinking in an 1893 essay titled "Evolution and Ethics" ( Selections From the Essays of Thomas Henry Huxley. New York: Appleton, 1948, pp. 105-111): "As I have already urged, the practice of that which is ethically best-what we call goodness or virtue-involves a course of conduct which, in all respects, is opposed to that which leads to success in the cosmic struggle for existence. In place of ruthless self-assertion it demands self-restraint; in place of thrusting aside, or treading down, all competitors, it requires that the individual shall not merely respect, but shall help his fellows; its influence is directed, not so much to the survival of the fittest, as to the fitting of as many as possible to survive. It repudiates the gladiatorial theory of existence .... Let us understand, once for all, that the ethical progress of society depends, not on imitating the cosmic process, still less in running away from it, but in combating it."

So evolution, according to Huxley (and Dawkins), must become an evil you shun if you are to behave as an upright ethical person!

If the Darwinian process is as vicious as these leading evolutionists say it is (and who will deny that they're correct?), then I wonder why some Christians seem so eager to attribute such a process to God as his method of creation, prior to the first human sin and its consequent judgment?

Jacques Monod (with two other scientists) won the 1965 Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for elucidating cellular mechanisms of DNA replication and protein synthesis. Shortly before his death in 1976, Monod stated in a TV interview, "[Natural] selection is the blindest, most cruel way of evolving new species .... The struggle for life and elimination of the weakest is a horrible process, against which our whole modern ethics revolts .... I am surprised that a Christian would defend the idea

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that this is the processwhich God more or less set up in order to have evolution" ("The Secret of Life," interview with Laurie John, Australian Broadcasting Co., June 10, 1976).

Philosopher David Hull agrees that attributing evolution to God as his creative process makes him look terrible: "What kind of God can one infer from the sort of phenomena epitomized by the species of Darwin's Galapagos Islands? The evolutionary process is rife with happenstance, contingency, incredible waste, death, pain and horror ....

"Whatever the God implied by evolutionary theory and the data of natural history may be like, He is not the Protestant God of waste not, want not. He is also not a loving God who cares about His productions .... The God of the Galapagos is careless, wasteful, indifferent, almost diabolical.

He is certainly not the sort of God to whom anyone would be inclined to pray" (David L. Hull, "The God of the Galapagos" [review of Phillip E. Johnson's Darwin on Tria~. Nature 352:4851., 1991 ).

Creationists do recognize evil as a genuine philosophical problem in a world governed by an all-knowing, all-powerful, benevolent Deity. But we understand natural and moral evil as latecomers.

When God punished the original human couple, and cursed their world, it was in response to their sinful rebellion against their Creator. In the present world, yes, mutations (genetic defects) and natural selection (the early deaths of lots of organisms) are without doubt the agents of biological change in populations. But to view such processes as God's method of original creation is to characterize as "diabolical" the newly minted, pre-Fall world that God himself evaluated as ,NY,)311J ("very good").

Richard Peachey is UFV's first science graduate (BSc, Biology and Chemistry, 1995); he also has a degree in Theology.

Peachey is vice-president of the Creation Science Association of BC, and has for 13 years been a science teacher in the Abbotsford public school system.

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Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

News

SUS Discusses By-Election sitions. Unlike many other university SONJA SZLOVICSAK

STAFFWRITER student unions, UFV's SUS pays their reps-at-large. By decreasing the numt their board meeting last Friday, ber of reps-at-large, it will decrease the Student Union Society began the financial impact of adding a new the process of calling a by-election position to the SUS board.

SUS President Jack Brown exto address the shortage of executive members on the board. A by-election will give the SUS a chance to fill a newly created executive position: Vice-President of Clubs and Associations, as well as address a number of empty positions on the board.

The new position was introduced at the Annual General Meeting on September 29. The VP of Clubs and Associations will be a representative of a very large portion of the student population.

"I believe that VP Clubs and Associations will be dealing with a bigger population of students than VP Res," Jennifer Nelson, VP Internal, explained. "I don't think [potential VP Clubs and Association nominees] necessarily need to be [in a club or association]. I think it would actually almost be detrimental that they were a part of one."

The creation of the new executive plained, "The [VP Clubs and Associaposition will not increase the number of members in the Student Union tions] will be a new community repSociety. Instead, the number of rep- resentative position ... [The new VP] at-large positions will decrease from will be able to better associate and nine to eight to make up for the in- liaison around campus and improve crease in the number of executive po-

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UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS A - Frames Alumni Art exhibit October 5 - 29, Reception on Oct 29 at 3 pm

The A-Frame artist collective is comprised of five UFV alumni, recent graduates Bachelor of Fine Arts program, who will be exhibiting their works at the UFV Gallery on the Abbotsford campus from October 5 - 29. This is the first UFV alumni artist exhibition featuring the works of these BFA alumnae. Join the A-frame collective and the UFV Alumni Association for the closing wine and cheese reception on October 29 at 3 pm in the Gallery.

All are invited to attend.

Diwali October 16 from 5 to 9 P.M

SAPNA hosts this extravaganza of food, music, Kool-Aid painting, lantern maze, and much frivolity on Friday, October 16 from 5 to 9 P.M. in and around U House, rain or shine.

Pete Ondeng, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Economic Development Specialist Oct 19, 2009 Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford

Free admission 6 pm The University of the Fraser Valley Global Development Institute invites you to come spend an evening with Pete Ondeng, as he provides an overview of poverty and international development in Africa. Also enjoy a photo exhibit and brief presentations by UFV's international development interns - including AUCC/ CIDA Students for Development interns. The interns

life around campus" than other SUS board members.

Currently, there are a number of vacant seats on the SUS board. There were several positions on the board that did not have candidates in the previous election. The SUS hopes that

a by-election will fill the "VP Residences", "VP Student Groups", "VP Aboriginal" and "VP Trades" executive positions, as well as the empty "Rep-At-Large" positions.

"Residents aren't really able to run in the main elections because they aren't really sure if they're going to be in residence when we make that decision in the first place ... I think it's our duty to make sure those students are [represented]. And we just made some changes so now we have a Clubs and Associations rep position" Nelson explained at the SUS board meetingonOctober2.

The VP Academic position is also open.

Chelsea Lill beck, the former VP Academic, was removed at the October 2 board meeting. Lillbeck had attempted to resign after being given notice by SUS that she would be removed at the October 2 meeting, but SUS bylaws meant that her resignation did not take place until after the

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October 30, bus leaves Sign up in Student SerUFV from Baker House at 6 vices room B214 Abbotsford P.M. $40 ticket includes all or phone 604 854 4528. your play plus transportation. Tickets are available from the front desk at Baker Journalist Gwynne Dyer House. lecture Oct 21, 2009 Abbotsford campus, Pancake Breakfasts!

There is a free pancake room BlOl 4 pm breakfast every Thursday in The world-renowned u House from 8 to 10 A.M, international journalist and courtesy of United Christian Academy Award nominee Ministries. is presenting a free pub-

board meeting. The position has been filled in the interim.

Only the VP Academic position has been filled by an interim because the position is too important to be left vacant until the results of the by-election have been decided. Jay Mitchell, who was elected as a rep-at-large, was chosen as an interim VP Academic until after the by-election.

Brown explained that the SUS board will probably appoint an Electoral Officer at their next meeting, on October 16.

SUS is also discussing possibly implementing an "opt-in" for the UPass. Currently, students that don't pay the SUS fees simply walk into the Student Union Society office and pay $40 to receive a U-Pass. SUS is working to formalize the "opt-in" option for students.

Debbie Ellis, VP Disability, argued that students that wish to obtain a U-Pass should pay full student society fees, including the Student Union Building Fee. This would mean that students would pay $35 for the Student Union Building Fee, $30 for the Student Union Society Fee, and $40 for the U-Pass, which would be a total of $105 a semester. Students may have to pay the newspaper fee and radio station fee as well. The SUS will continue to discuss the opt-in option for the U-Pass.

A Common Thread: Textiles from St6:lo, South Asian and Mennonite Communities Sept 24, 2009- Jan 3, 2010

The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford presents, A Common Thread, textiles from the St6:lo First Nations, South Asian, and Mennonite Communities.

The exhibition provides an opportunity for these communities to collaborate on a tapestry of cultural traditions from weaving to quilting to the story-telling that embroiders each piece of work. Sponsored in part by the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at UFV. More information at www.thereach.ca

News

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

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Time RunningOut on VancouverIsland'sAncientForests ---------=D;:..:A"'-V:.:ID:..:M=IL:.:LE=R reach the under story (the area beNEWS& OPIONEDITOR low the canopy). In contrast, the productive old-growth forests are more 2 percent of Vancouver Island's spread out, allowing more light in, 3.2 million hectares were home which coupled with a greater amount to forests of ancient trees that were of dead logs creates an environment responsible for much of the island's for a larger number and diversity of biodiversity. The trees, wider then plants and animals. a car, are some of the largest in the "Do the second growth tree popuworld, yet with only 600,000 hectares lation adequately represent the origiremaining they may soon fall victim nal old growth forests? Are they the to the appetite of B.C's forestry indussame thing? No, they aren't," says try.

Sawatsky.

Speaking at UFV, Tara Sawatsky Much of the productive oldof the B.C environmental group, the growth forests reside in the valleys Wilderness Committee, advocated of Vancouver Island. There were 89 for an "educated and active citizenry", "pristine" valleys, yet with only six to pressure the B.C. Government into remaining the forestry industry will creating a more sustainable industry. soon face a crisis as it looses a profitLong replaced by farmland, sec- able resource. The result of this is that ond-generation growth plantations forestry workers and environmentaland cities, only 23 percent of these ists have become unlikely allies. remaining ancient forests are pro"Parks are not the main reason for tected. According to Sawatsky most job losses in the forests," Sawatsky don't see an issue if the trees are being said. "Over the past eight years, no replaced: new parks have been created on Van"So a lot of people ask; as long as couver Island yet we've had some of they replant the trees after they cut the largest loss of forestry jobs in BC's them then why is there a problem?" history."

Sawatsky says the issue is not of Sawatsky p_oints out that 20,000 trees, but of biodiversity. The second- forestry jobs have been lost and 60 generation trees grow more tightly mills have been closed, many of them together which causes less light to on Vancouver Island. While some of

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'NewsBriefs~ · ,

AUCC callsforincreased investments Therecession stillsucks, sayssurvey

this is due·to the mechanization of the milling industry, Sawatsky believes the main reason is resource depletion.

This has been exacerbated by the increasing amount of raw log that have been exported rather than be milled in B.C. "If we're going to increase conservation of our old growth forests and forests in general, we need to cut less and do more with what we cut,"

The solution, according to Sawatsky, is for the industry to focus on providing for more valuable items, such as violins. "It takes more workers and a lot less wood to make violins and other products that have more added value, then to turn out two by fours or export raw logs," Sawatsky said.

The philosophy of the Wilderness Committee, according to Sawatsky

Sawatsky argued. " Every log that is cut in B.C. needs to be processed in a mill...to create B.C. jobs. Exporting raw logs means that we lose forests and jobs at the same time."

is to educate citizens so they become more active. To do this the Wilderness Committee use volunteers to put on educational activities such as sideshows, organize camping and hiking

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tours as well as building trails in endangered valleys.

Sawatsky recalls that what started out as ten people with a bull-horn has evolved into a much larger movement. In October 2008, the committee brought 3,000 to the legislature in Victoria; one of the largest environmental rallies in B.C. history. On Saturday October 17, another rally is planned in Victoria. Meeting at Centennial Square at 11:30,protesters will march up to the legislature buildings to demand more sustainable policies from the provincial government.

"If they come up with a plan to that will phase out old-growth logging from the south coast, we will give them public credit," Sawatsky said. " However, if they continue to say that our old-growth forests on B. C.'s south coast are not endangered, they will face a continued growing movement of opposition to their backwards policies."

Sawatsky ended her talk with a picture of the Klashkish valley, a pristine old-growth valley that was one of seven valleys left from 89. In 1999, the company Interfor cleared it out.

With 83 valleys cleared out, Sawatsky warns that time is running out for the remaining six.

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B.C. student aidcutscouldfind students looking elsewhere

TheAssociation ofUniversities andColleges While Overthesummer, theB.C. government approved theeconomic recession's remaining of Canada(AUCC) has presenteda briefingto severity cutto itsfinancial aidbudgetfor isbeingdebated,a recentsurvey found a $17-million the HouseofCommons standingcommittee on hitwillbeprostudentsarestillworried abouttheeconomy. studentsthisfiscalyear.Hardest financein hopesthat millions ofdollarswillbe Thesurvey,takenby PricewaterhouseCoopers gramsaimedat debtrelief,academic excellence setasideforgovernment grantingagencies, in- LLP, basedonfinancial need. foundthat33percentofstudentssaidthey awardsandbursaries ternational studentrecruitment strategies, and wereveryconcerned campaigned ona promise to aboutthe recession, and "TheLiberals Aboriginal studentsupportinnextyear'sfederal that56percentofCanadian saidMLA DawnBlack, studentsareslightly protecteducation," budget. theNewDemocratic Party's(NDP) criticfor worried.

"Nowthat short-termstimuluseffortshave "Iamworried Education andLabour.

"It'sfoolish abouttherecession nowandlater," Advanced helpedCanadaemergefrom the recession, said BasiaPiekarski, thatweremeantto attract a third-yearpsychology tocutprograms Canadamustcontinueto investin generating studentat Toronto's Ryerson University.

"Iwork studentstofieldswheretherearesignificant knowledge,"Paul Davidson, President andCEO of part-timein retailandI see [tonnes)of people skillsshortages." theAUCC said."Ourpopulation isaging.Wemust handingin resumes programs include the$1.4million allthetimeandnotgetting Eliminated bemoreproductive sothatproportionally fewer aninterview."

Health CareBursary anda $4.7million program workers cansupportoursociety." debt-loads forthosefilling Piekarski is alsoworriedthat the economy will aimedat reducing The AUCC outlinedthree recommendations,affectherchances positions likeresidential home at gettinga jobaftergradua- high-demand whichincluded investments in research through tion,something Alsoaxedwas 42percentofstudentsalsosaid aidesandhomesupportworkers. federalgrantingagencies, financial supportfor inthesurvey. thePremier's Excellence Award of$17,000 tothe Aboriginal students,andfunding foran interna- "Therearea lotofpeoplewhograduatewitha tophighschoolstudentineachoftheprovince's tionalstudentrecruitment strategy.Eachofthe BAin psychology everyyear,"shesaid."Unless 16regions. threerequestsincluded a five-year planto direct youare ableto getyourmaster's,it'sveryhard Though it'snotbeingcutcompletely, theDebt the funding.Intermsof researchsupport,the tocompete."

Reduction inRepayment Program isbeing AUCC hasproposed investing $400million each Thesurvey Education Bursary isalso alsofoundthat41percentofstudents scaledback.TheNurses yearforthefirsttwoyears,startingin2010,and werespending from$2.6million to $1million. lessmoneyandsavingmore.Stu- beingtrimmed subsequently investing $250millionperyearin dentswhosaidtheyhadnoextramoneyto save TheB.C. Permanent Disabilities program isbeing thethreefollowing years. discontinued andreplaced bytheB.C. Upfront orinvestcameinat 26percent.

Grantprogram, whichwillshellout$1,000 to Emma Godmere, CUP OttawaBureau Chief 2,000disabled students.

Vincent McDermott, (Ryerson University)

Newantibacterial compound discovered

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York's wastegoesvegan

Newcone-shaped garbagebinsarepopping A milestonein microbial biologyresearch They'recomposters hasbeenreached at McMaster University, where up all overYorkUniversity. backyard kind. researchers havediscovered a newchemical com- - butnotyouraverage York hasinstalled newadditions tocompostpoundthat isableto targetbacteriaresistantto ing cones all around the university, in a continued established antibiotics.

Thechemical, known asMAC13243, wasfound attemptto makecampusmoreenvironmentally Currently thereare50conesattheKeele bythejointeffortofmembers oftheschool's bio- friendly. andtwoat theGlendon campus. chemistry and biomedical sciences department campus CampusServices and Business Operations withmembers ofthechemistry department. theentityresponsible forwastemanageEricBrown, chairofthebiochemistry andbio- (CSBO), hasbeenexploring the usageof medicalsciences department, ledthe research, mentat York, intheprocess ofcomposting. theobjective ofwhichwasto "address thegrow- worms Composting is the biological decomposition ingproblem ofmulti-drug resistance intheclinic substances. forthemanydrug-resistant infections thatcome oforganic TheInstitute forResearch andInnovation in up." at York(IRIS) lookedintopotential Manyantibiotics that arecurrently available Sustainability compositing oncampus. werediscovered about50 yearsago.Although waysofimproving The outdoor system consists of bottomless incremental changesto groupsof compounds cones that stand above half-a-foot-deep holesin haveoccurred sincethen,drugresistances inbacteriadevelop almostasquickly asthechanges are theground.

Theitemsthatshouldgointothebinsinclude madetothechemical compounds. fruitsandplaincarbohydrates.

"Mostof the old productsare a mecha- vegetables, ThissystemdoesnotrequireYorkto supply nismofactionthat includes disrupting bacteria thewormsthatarealreadyoncamcellwallsynthesis,DNAsynthesisor protein the worms; synthesis," said Brown."There'sa real push pusareattractedto the compostandconsume natureofthe to find new chemicalcompounds that kill the waste.Dueto the bottomless at a ratethatprebacteriain completely newways- that's re- bins,thegarbagedecomposes allywhatwe'vediscovered inthislatestpaper." cludestheneedformaintenance.

ScottDalyandKatEschner, TheMartlet(Univer- LilyPanamsky, TheSilhouette (McMaster) sityofVictoria)

NickiMossavarrahmani, Excalibur (York University)

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News

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

Future Bright, but not Without Challenges, Says New UFV President PAUL BRAMMER people didn't understand the name,

STAFFWRITER and that the word university ...brought hen Mark Evered was ap- a cache, I guess."

Even from afar, Evered recognised pointed as President of the University of the Fraser Valley in July the exciting future ahead for UFV, "I 2009, he was aware of the task facing . saw this sister institution, UCFV, that him. Not the least of his concerns was I thought was as ready for university status as Thompson Rivers was. There replacing a man who had been immensely popular in the post. H. A. were political reasons why Thompson 'Skip' Bassford' served as President of Rivers went first, but I met a number of the folk here and thought there UFV before it was a university proper - the institution was still UCFV dur- were tremendous opportunities. So when the opportunity came along to ing his first ten years.

With the transition complete, in serve as President ...! jumped at the name at least, Bassford retired from opportunity."

Evered sees parallels between his position, and Mark Evered now finds himself in charge. Evered said, the two institutions, but wished to stress the uniqueness of UFV, "Each "It's a great privilege and an honour to get to be the President of this Uni- of these institutions as it develops versity. It's not very often that you get will develop its own ...strengths. One to take over the helm of a university clear advantage and challeng~ we face at such a stage in development. I keep in the Fraser Valley is the growing pool from which we'll draw our stureminding myself and others that, of course, we've been thirty five plus dents. We're a region of-the province where the growth in population and years in development."

In terms of settling in to the posi- the nature of the demographics gives tion, Evered stated, "This has been a us an increasingly greater pool from very easy transition [for me] because which to draw students. We're also of the great welcome I've received, in a region of the province where, in the past, there's been less likelihood both inside and outside the university. This is a very welcoming commuthat people would go on to university. nity, and when I say community I'm .That's changing. We're als? getting ... talki,ng about the F,ras~rValley. We a,n iµcn,aseq in,teres,tand rec~gl),i~ton an; the University, of the Fra~er Y/11- ofth~_v-1-lueof post-.second~ry;e1ucaley; our community is the entire re- ti~n. Our international partne~ships are growing, so we're facing an ingion ... It's that incredible community support. I interpret that to mean ... creased student population in the face people recognise that there are many of limited resources, and that's goadvantages to having a university in ing to require the university to begin quickly to consider its strategies for your region that go well beyond the educational. A university should be the future."

Despite the continued growth in a major contributor to the cultural, social and economic development of numbers of students that UFV expects in the years ahead, Evered stated that the region."

Evered's enthusiasm for the post any growth must not compromise the foundations that the University has is aided by his experience - in 2004, Evered joined the University College built itself upon, 'Tve spoken ...both of the Cariboo as Provost, and went within... and outside the university, of our responsibility as a university on to serve as Vice President Academnot just to access but to student sucic at the school as it was granted unicess. We've committed ourselves as versity status, and became Thompson an institution to being there for stuRivers University, "At Thompson Rivers, I was dents who may have had difficulty brought in as the Provost at the time financially or academically being accepted ...beyond the region. We've that the university was getting university status. I had spent the rest of been there for those students, and my life at traditional universities ... I'm very proud that we've been able to but I was intrigued by this model contribute to the development of the education within the Fraser Valley that brought together the traditional academic and the traditional college region. But I think we need to focus even more closely than we have in the programming, and not only provided a broader range of opportunities for past on student success."

"None of us want to be promotstudents ...but [provided the] opporing the idea of access to failure. None tunity to bridge the theoretical and the applied ... What I saw was a model of us want to see our students fail to with a great deal of potential to devel- complete first year, or fail to continue on successfully in their education ... op new directions in post-secondary education, and, most important of all, I'm less concerned about the student who hasn't continued at UFV because to provide a wider range of opportunities for students and faculty." they continued their education elsewhere ...Many of our students don't "I could see this trend, this desire for University status. Not that there complete their degree at UFV bewas anything wrong with the model; cause they go on to law school, mediwe were simply building on that mod- cal school, veterinary school...or they move into a third or fourth year proel. And there wasn't really anything particularly wrong about the name, gram that we don't offer, and I'm very proud that we've given them that solid except that it wasn't really well understood outside of B.C. As Univer- foundation." " I'm much more concerned abo~t sity Colleges started to develop their ... reputations outside of the province ...! the student who was unable to comthink it became a greater concern that plete first year, or completed first

W

year but didn't do well enough [so] that ...the university no longer recommended they continue... I think we have a moral responsibility ... to focus our support on students who might be having difficulty. It's clearly a partnership with students ...but 1 do wqrry about those, students who I!,lar,be';"~ren(t,readypr ,weren't abJ: to get the kind of support that we c;,m~ld provide." .

• Evered conceded that the University doesn't have, "the resources to duplicate everything at every campus", but said, "At the same time, to the best of our ability, we should try to provide first year opportunities at all of our campuses, because we know th~t students are more likely...to be successful in their first year [of university] if it's closer to home."

As for the challenges facing the institution of UFV in the coming years of his tenure, Evered was frank, "We face serious funding challenges ... For the next couple of years at least, there is no additional money [from the government] for post-secondary institutions, so our budgets are frozen, or, at least, our grant from the government is pretty much frozen."

"The tuition, our only other major source of income, is capped to the Consumer Price Index ...So, between the government grant and the tuition, that accounts for about three quarters of our income, let's say 80% or more, with small amounts of funding coming from a variety of sources to support specific courses, specific research initiatives."

"We have a problem, and we have no option but to become much more entrepreneurial in the way we address our financial challenges. I think we're going to have to rely far more heavily on external benefactors ...We've got a community that's been quite generous ...but we'll probably need to rely even more heavily on that community." "[Right now], we're actively engaged in a fund-raising campaign for student support, to find more money for student bursaries, and for student emergency aid ...I hope students will see that as a clear indication of the

priority that the ·university places on students ...many of our students face... terrible financial challenges."

Another challenge facing students, and the university, is the question of transportation. Evered spoke passionately about the subject, "[This] n~twork of camr,uses ,s,erving the regio~_,will 0 1nly 'York ,if w~ solve the . transportatio11 probl_em...An,d I am dist~rbeito discov~r that it can take a student in Mission an hour and a half to get to the campus in Abbotsford using public transportationi when we all know that's a 15...minute drive."

"The solution to me is not to put more students in cars and on the road, but to find public transportation solutions that enable students , faculty and staff to move freely between our institutions ...We're not really all that far away. We just have to find an efficient and inexpensive way for our students, faculty and staff to move between the institutions."

The President agreed that the first step on that road is the introduction of the UPASS at the beginning of this semester, and was full of praise for the students who helped to implement it, "The leadership that our students have shown in developing programs like UPASS is really commendable.

That's an important first step. But I look forward to a solution that would enable me not to drive [between cam puses] because I can hop on public transportation and join our students and faculty and staff."

Despite the challenges facing the students and institution in the years ahead, Evered stressed the positives, "I should first of all say as we face the future, clearly we've got a solid foundation on which to build. We're now stewards of a remarkable legacy, and it's our responsibility to make sure that we build on that legacy."

One way that the President believes the university can grow is by, "developing a far more vibrant campus with respect to student life. I've been told ...that [UFV is] a quiet sort of place ...because we're a commuter campus; people pop in and pop out ...

I understand that, but we filled our university residence this year, [and]

we know that a lot of our students are coming from the Abbotsford or Chilliwack region."

'T d like to see us provide a more exciting opportunity that encourages people to stay .on campus a little bit longer... [and to see] our campuses as destination sites for not only furthering their .education but having a bit of fun, enjoying each other's company socially, developing those personal attributes, skills and leadership styles that come from the activities outside the classroom as well as inside the classroom ...Again, that's a challenge when you have a multi-campus network."

The planning for the University's future extends far beyond the present year, and Evered's ambition for the school seemingly kn©ws no bounds, "I see UFV twenty years from now as a well established network of campuses throughout this region with a national and international reputation for top quality education."

"I remind people that ...there's a variety of ways in which universities have been ranked. In the past there was a heavy focus on ...the size of your grant, the number ·of faculty with PhDs, the entry gr/lde point average ...

There's b,een a shift in ,recognising that we really_ sl}.ol/ld,ask ...the students ~h~t they think ... [that has] cause<,l.a flipping of the ranking of universities, and I'm very pleased to say that o~r university has ranked right up there at the top in B.C. and in Canada for the quality of the student-faculty interaction."

"If you look at how people judge universities across the country, of course many universities are judged by their research and scholarly output... But if you look across the country and you ask, 'What universities have the reputation of being amongst Canada's strongest [as] primarily student focussed ...under-graduate universities, the three that always come to mind are St. Francis Xavier, Mount Alison and Acadia, three universities clustered round the Nova Scotia- New Brunswick border in Eastern Canada."

"Twenty years from now, I see the University of the Fraser Valley being the western equivalent; being recognised as if not the top [then] certainly one of the very best student-focussed strong, primarily under-graduate, universities in Canada."

As for Evered, he wishes to guide the University of the Fraser Valley along this path for as long as time will allow him, "This is my swan-song.

This is my last stop. I will commit whatever energy I have between now and retirement...to this institution.

I've fallen passionately in love with this institution and I'm committed to this institution. This is it. I love the Valley. I can't think of a better place to finish up my career. .. We have the responsibility here to set the university on this path that will probably be with us for decades to come. So there's a lot of responsibility, but what a wonderful challenge. "

·1

News

Cascade News • FridayOctober16th 2009

7

UFV To Go Carbon Neutral Next Year PAUL BRAMMERredundant... however, it inspires this STAFFWRITER in spirit."

In 2008, the B.C. Government passed Bill 44, which required all Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) to be carbon-neutral by 2010. "Carbon neutral" is defined by K.C. Bell, S.F.U.'sco-chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee, as, "a zero sum between the emissions ...generate[d] and carbon offsets purchase[d]."'

The drive for universities to become more environmentally-friendly began with the Taillore's Declaration, which was drafted in Taillores, France, in 1990. According to the 'Association of University Leaders For A Sustainable Future', theTaillore'sDeclaration is, "a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy .,. at colleges and universities, It has been signed by over 350 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries," In November 2008, former President Skip Bassford .signed the University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action, along with heads from Thompson Rivers, Uvic and UBC. This agreement pledged for the institutions involved to become more pro-active concerning environmental concerns.

Ian McAskill, the Director of Facilities at UFV, stated that the provincial legislation coming into effect means the previous declaration is anachronistic, "[B,C.] adopted Bill 44 ...[which] means that this is kind of

McAskill is in charge of compiling the information for the governmental reports, that will be audited by a civil servant from Victoria every year, "I am in the process right now of pulling together our inventory for taking carbon emissions,., We put the data in and it performs calculations."

"What data goes in? There's three types [of carbon emissions] - scope one, scope two and scope three. Scope one you can think about as burn, things that we burn here. The biggest thing is generating warmth in the building ... so we have a gas bill, natural gas. That's our biggest carbon emission by far."

"Scope two is purchased energy and this is electricity. Scope two is energy that is created and it has a carbon footprint somewhere else and we buy it as energy. It comes in through transmission lines."

"Scope three is that area of our business ... outside the direct and indirect energy purchases. An example of Scope three in our university setting is airline travel. So, a professor goes to a conference and delivers a paper at Quebec City. That airline travel, it's part of the business of our university ... lt's scope three. So we don't count that, we're not mandated to count that under he legislation but core government is."

As to the difficulty of counting carbon emissions, McAskill used the example of a car on UFV business travelling on a ferry from Victoria

UFV's Pride Network Needs Leadership SONJA SZLOVICSAK A Pride coordinator is desperately STAFFWRITER needed right now, The Social Justice

A

ccording to Martin Kelly, UFV's Student Life Coordinator, "Pride is different from just about every group [on campus]. Pride is_ about creating community and acceptance on campus." Pride was a university initiative, to foster a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students on campus. However, the group is open to people of all sexual orientations.

Pride has held several events on campus. Kelly stated "[The Pride Network] did a terrific Halloween party [last year] at U-House ... John Kuipers [the former Pride coordinator] did a conference on men's sexual health."

Last year, UFV's Pride Network coordinated a social justice rally in Abbotsford. About 400 people participated in the march, in the pouring rain. After the march, participants met at UFV's Abbotsford campus to listen to presentations about social justice.

Unfortunately, Kuipers has stepped down as the Pride coordinator and no one has stepped forward to fill the position. "This is a paid position, by the university ... You don't have to be [a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender student]to be the Pride coordinator," Kelly explained. "We need someone who is completely fearless."

March is supposed to take place in November, but since there is no coordinator to organize the march, it may not happen this year. Kelly is hoping someone will step forward to lead Pride soon.

Kelly explained that the Pride coordinator helps with high school recruitment; there are a number of students in high school feeling very isolated because they are LGBT. Many of these students would choose to go to a larger university, like SFU or UBC to find a safe and welcoming environment. The Pride coordinator goes around to UFV's feeder schools to make students aware that UFV has a very active LGBT student association.

Students interested in being the Pride coordinator can contact Curtis Magnuson from the Social Work and Human Services department for more information. He can be reached by email at curtis,magnuson@ufv.ca.

Students can also stop by U-House and speak to Martin Kelly. Currently, as there is no Pride coordinator, Pride does not hold meetings. Pride does however have a web site, www.ufv. ca/pride.

For now, the future ofUFV's Pride Network is up in the air. Kelly explained that until there is a new Pride Coordinator, "There is no Pride ... No meetings, Nothing."

Island to the mainland, "The ferry holds, for argument's sake ... 500 cars, They're one car, the ferry is making the trip ... How do you cout the fuel contribution of that trip? There's all kinds of things like that in carbon counting, where you could count it as zero, or you could count it as one-five hundredth of all the fuel that's burned on the trip, And it makes a difference.

It makes ~ huge difference ... So, you can see immediately that this ·carbon counting can be a mug's game really easily and especially with S~op~ 3."

Another consideration for McAskill is the financial aspect. Despite a mandate to comply with B.C. Carbon Neutrality, UFV has to work within fixed financial parameters, "We'll engage in projects that are economical and we won't engage in projects that are not economic,., Resources are limited, and if we take money and, [spend it poorly], it means we're not [spending money on] things that will be solutions to our worldly problems in the future. It's totally indulgent! And we won't engage in indulgences just to say that we're green. We won't do that ...It doesn't make sense to spend 150 dollars on a light switch in a room ... only to save a dollar-fifty a year ...But everywhere where there's things to do that will save money, we're on it."

The practicalities of possible solutions are another problem for UFV. McAskill admitted that he was forced to change his perceptions about energy-asving since he has become the Director of Facilities, "My nai:vethought

going in[to the job was]... 'There's an easy way of doing this - in the winter, we're going to turn the heat down one degree, and in the summer time we're going to turn up the heat one degree ... and then, in the position, when we had buildings where the heating system was malfunctioning so much ... I realized that ... from the point of view of our organization, and our ability to work, we need light and we need heat.

We need the appropriate amount of it ... although I would say to people 'wear a sweater' and to a certain extent I still am saying those things."

However, in recent years, other areas of thought have made the move to be more environmentally practicable.

One example McAskill gives is the field of architecture, "Now, a lot more thought is being put into building design ... and they actually model the energy consumption, the orientation of the building is in terms of the orientation of the sun., ,and they actually thought of these things that they built ... This whole area ... has been inspired by the architecture department atUBC." One such figure who inspired the paradigm shift towards the environment in architecture is Peter Busby, who McAskill cited when he said, on the subject of the reality behind drives to become carbon neutral, "There's no such thing as a carbon neutral building .. .If we had a carbon neutral building, there'd be no light and no heat, and we couldn't do our business," Melissa Kendzierski is the SustainabilitY' Coordinator Assistant at

UFV. She is urging students to and support sustainability drives around the university, "We are planning to do an Alternative Transportation Week in April ,., to help promote cultural change ... [change] comes from the youth, so my position essentially is to harness that energy,.. Culturally, I think that we're dealing with a unique culture ... Vancouver's way more progressive environmentally than Abbotsford or Chilliwack."

However, she believes that progress is being made, "You have to celebrate the small successes that [happen]. It has to start somewhere, ..[For example], I'm a transit rider, and seeing more people get on the bus is more rewarding; I think it catalyses from there."

McAskill agrees that young people, and especially students, must be at the forefront of cultural change in relation to becoming more environmentally active, "We don't want to meet the goals of the ministry; we want to meet the goals of the world, which is to reduce carbon," "How we inspire that and how we get that change is a tough nut to crack because it involves social change ...In all of history, social change has been led ...by the idealism and the energy of young people. So your generation will make that change, and you'll lead that change,"

PLUCKING NUTS Speakerat UFV on India'scoconutindustry AN6ELA OSTRIKOFF of coconut worldwide, with the cenSTAFFWRITER ter being Kerela, known as, "the land

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n Thursday, October 8, UFV hosted an event put on by the geography department and the Center for Indo-Canadian studies. The speaker was Terah Sportel, from Guelph University and she talked about the shifting labor market in India's coconut district.

Sportel is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph, in the field of geography. She has spent two years in India doing research and field work on the southern coast of India, in Kerela.

It was at Guelph University that Sportel met UFV geography department's Garry Fehr, who was also a graduate from Guelph. Both Sportel and Fehr had the same graduate advisor.

Fehr invited Sportel to lecture '!t UFV, when she was going to be down for the CASA (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations) conference, doing a panel on India. Sportel also spoke in Fehr's class before the lecture, She felt that it went well, being more interactive and a focus on discussion. Many of the students who were in the class, came out to hear her speak again.

Sportel's presentation was about the changing coconut market within India. India is the largest producer

of the coconuts". However, there has been a shift from Kerela to other states.

Coconut is used for everything from making ropes out of husks, consuming the flesh and milk, oils used for cooking, hair products, cosmetics and for use in many religious ceremonies. The number of coconuts has decreased, thus affecting many peoples' livelihoods. The value of coconuts has been declining over time since the

90's. The government oflndia, and specifically of Kerela believes this to be because pf the cheap importing of palm oil. 11herehas been conflicting research as to whether palm oil has affected the industry. The consumption of coconut has declined since the belief that coconuts increase cholesterol; even though much research has shown that the coconut's fat is healthy and a different type of saturated fat.

Not only is there a decrease in coconut production and consumption, explained Sportel, but a shift in attitudes about "plucking", the gathering and harvesting of the coconuts. There is a shortage of pluckers due to changing attitudes, people beginning to value education, and more people in the south migrating to the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates looking for other forms of work. PJucking is done by those in the "scheduled caste", or what is commonly referred to as the "untouchables" within India. There is a large push to get women to start plucking, with some places offering training and certificates in plucking.

At this time, all processing of the coconuts is done by hand, the only part being mechanized being extracting the oil.

Sportel' s research explores the questions of why there is a shift in the coconut market, and whether or not it is impacted by large global forces, issues on a local level, social expectations or a combination of all three.

Sportel has finished her research and is now in the process of writing her thesis, and hopes to be finished by winter, She would like to obtain her PhD and go into a field that is balanced between teaching and more research.

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

The U-Pass:Morethan just a ticket to ride RANDONA CONRADfound that

"Physical activity has been

PRODUCTION MANAGER demonstrated to improve self-esteem,

T

here has been a lot of talk about the U-Pass over the past few months. We've heard all about the perks to free bus usage and green transportation. We've also heard a bit about the Safe Ride Home taxi credit.

Somehow, it seems that the U-Pass buzz has totally passed over what I think is the most important benefit of the pass: free access to Abby Recreation Centre and Matsqui Recreation Centre.

Since getting the U-Pass, I have begun trying various classes at both of the recreation centers. Not only has my chronic back pain subsided since beginning my fitness adventure; but I also feel more awake, energized, and best of all happy. Don't just take my word for it. An article published in The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice in April 2009 will back me up. Cohen and Shamus

self-acceptance, self-concept, and selfefficacy, along with reducing amounts of reported depression, anxiety, tension, and stress."

I will admit, at first I was a bit intimidated at the idea of going to a fitness class. If fitness classes really aren't your thing you can also use the gym or pool and exercise independently but I highly recommend at least trying the classes. I felt very welcomed and encouraged by both the instructors and the other participants in the classes. Also, with many of the classes you are in control because you are able to decide how hard you want to push yourself. Numerous classes use different equipment to aid you in your work-out but the rec. center provides many options for equipment (such as weights) which allow you to start easy and gradually work your·way up within your comfort level.

Although you ultimately have con-

What isCancon? ever, SONJA SZLOVICSAK

the CRTC's Canadian content

STAFFWRITER regulation system gets a little un-Ca-

I

have a friend who's obsessed with Cancon. He insists on analyzing everything, even the NHL, to figure out how much Cancon there is (he's decided that the NHL is only 27 percent Cancon). What is Cancon? The short answer: it's Canadian content.

The long answer: well, I suppose that could be a topic for a Ph.D. dissertation.

He insists that there isn't enough Cancon, and I have to agree. The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates how much Cancon radio stations and television must have. Unfortunately, these rules don't guarantee that we are actually hearing Cancon.

For example, remember Lenny Kravitz? Years ago, he did a cover of "American Woman." Guess what? According to the CRTC, Kravitz's version of the song is considered Cancon.

Kravitz is an American citizen, so why does this song count as Cancon?

The CRTC has four criteria that help them decide if a song is Canadian. Two of the four criteria must be met for a song to be Canadian: the music must be composed by a Canadian; the lyrics must be written by a Canadian; the musical selection was performed and recorded in Canada; or the music or lyrics are performed by a Canadian. The music and lyrics for ''American Woman" were originally written by a Canadian band, The Guess Who, so it's considered Canadian.

I suppose that sounds fair. After all, music isn't just about the performer.

There are thousands of talented songwriters in this country who write for American performers (particularly in the Country music industry). How-

nadian when they define exactly who is considered Canadian.

The CRTC defines a Canadian, for the purpose of regulating Canadian content, as one of four things. A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, a licensee (as in someone licensed to operate a radio station), or someone who lived in Canada for six months before they made their contribution to a musical composition. In other words, if Joe Texas lived in Canada for six months, wrote a song after those six months, then move back to Texas and never returned to Canada, his song would be considered Canadian.

So, it seems my friend is right; there may regulations that force radio stations to ensure that one third of their content is Canadian, but the Canadian content doesn't have to be Canadian at all. Someone just needs to live in Canada for six months before recording a song, and suddenly hi1,or her music is Canadian.

All this adds up to make it harder for actual Canadians (and permanent residents) to break into the music industry. It's hard enough to compete with American musicians who have more money for just for promotions than most Canadian musicians will ever see in their lifetime; but to have to compete with Americans who can pass for Canadian is ridiculous.

It makes me wonder how Canadian we really are. Most Canadians identify themselves with their family's background. It's not unusual to hear someone say, "Oh, I'm one quarter Scottish, one quarter German and my mom's family is Italian." I guess it's easy to forget the fact that you're Canadian when sections of our own government don't know what "Canadian" means.

trol over how hard you work, the fitness instructors are with you all the way making sure you push yourself as hard as you can. This isn't like a drill

you to take your work out to new levels. Their experience is also incredibly helpful because they ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly

instructor or anything abrasive but their encouragement definitely helps

in order to get the maximum benefit from your work out. Some I have met

even have degrees in personal fitness training and are incredibly knowledgeable.

Whatever your schedule, both rec. centers offer classes at various times every day of the week and have great hours even if you want to just go work out in the gym. At ARC there are even times where you and your friends can go play basketball, badminton, pickleball, and other sports in the brand new gymnasiums.

The renovations at ARC are something in themselves. They've added many new rooms with walls of mirrors so you can check your form, hard wood flooring in the fitness classrooms, top-of-the-line workout equipment, and huge gymnasiums for playing sports games.

So, while everyon,e is busy riding the bus around for free why don't you take a ride to one of the rec. centres and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to not only get in shape and look better but feel better too!

Peaching to the Choir A letter to Richard Peachey DAVID MILLER NEWS& OPINIONEDITOR different fields of science and phi-

I

n reading your writings on your website and in your advertisements I see little difference in style and content. This might not be a problem for you as there are many who perhaps agree with you in church halls and Christian journals across the country.

But when you write to an audience who might not agree with you, and especially in environment of multiple disciplines you need to adapt your style or people will just turn off from what you are saying.

For example, your statements about the philosophical motivations of scientists are caricatures loosely justified by quotes from public scientists who don't and could never conceivably represent the minds of at least half a million natural scientists in North America, the vast majority of whom don't have a problem with the theory of evolution.

In your writings, you haven't shown any understanding of how scientists advance their work, the current state of evolutionary theory and the problems faced with it. Unless it's covered in popular science publications, journalism articles or popular books made by famous scientists, their work is ignored. Your only citations of academic journals are just for the letters page. The majority of scientists don't write books, rarely get covered in popular journals and they are the people you insult by misrepresenting their work and attacking their integrity. Unfortunately, they are also the people you need to convince to create any real paradigm shifts in science.

Even worse, you bring together

losophy under the umbrella of the "evolutionary worldview." Again, this is a term that finds favor in creationist circles yet doesn't make sense in a secular context where people in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and philosophy don't pay attention to what the other is doing. This shows in the fact the analytic philosopher, Bertrand Russel, whose main work concerns logic and mathematics, is embarrassingly refered to by you as an "evolutionary philosopher," something that he never was. You might not have thought much about it when you wrote it, but is a glaring inaccuracy that makes the reader wonder if you've ever read any of Russel's work.

You casually dismiss Sartre's notion of "authenticity" without even defining how Sartre uses this term. If you read any of his work, you would know that it is labored with dense philosophical ideas, and know that our mainstream understanding of "authenticity" makes no sense here.

What I am saying is before you start criticizing someone's idea and make serious claims about their integrity, the first you need to get done is to show us that you know what you are talking about and know something about the people you are talking to.

A little more understanding and you would have realized that your "empirical test" of asking skeptics to accept Jesus Christ isn't effective and might seem a little silly. It assumes that people have had no experience in Christianity and could simply try Jesus Christ the same way as you could taste a drink to see if it was Coke or Pepsi.

I am reminded of trying to lure a cat that made its way outside. Come on too fast and too soon, and you'll just frighten it off. You need to stay calm and win the cat's trust.

Richard, If you try that approach in your writing, if you try to understand the people you aim to convince, show a more nuanced understanding of worldviews then you might win the respect of your reader and maybe a few over to your cause. It takes a lot longer to pull it off so you might need to extend that ad contract of yours. but it would be a much better use of money than seeming like your arguments are full of shit.

Cascade News • FridayOctober 16th 2009

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ife

Poetry as a Conversation Q&AwithDaniela Elza MICHELLE FIETJE CONTRIBUTOR

D

aniela Bouneva Elza is a doctoral student of Philosophy at Simon Fraser University. She is an emerging poet who has been published in over 30 publications, including Van Gogh's Ear, The Capilano Review, Rocksalt: An Anthology of Contemporary BC Poetry and most recently 4 Poets. Elza currently resides in Vancouver, and she is in the process of compiling her first full-length manuscript. Michelle Fietje had the opportunity to speak with Elza during a reading of 4 Poets.

This interview sprung from that conversation.

Wasthere an event that prompted you to begin writing poetry, or is it something you have alwaysdone?

I have always written. At first as a child, in small ways. Little poems for my parents, for daisies, for trees, for anniversaries. It was not hard to compete with Hallmark. Through my 20s and 30s it was a passion I cradled, but kind of on the side. It was not my work. It was my way of making sense of the world, and talking with myself and with things.

About seven years ago I decided to give it a fighting chance and ~tarted sending my work out, and soon after went through a crises point at which juncture it had to become part of my work, or my work remained meaningless and lifeless. I was doing my doctorate at SFU at the time.

What inspiresyou to write?

It can be anything. A paradox, an inconsistency, a turn of phrase, a feeling, an event, stepping out of the human made world. Most of all something that needs figuring out. I do my thinking in the process of writing, which sometimes turns into a poem.

As the poem grows, I grow with it. So it may be fair to say the poem and I grow each other. So I started showing up on the page more regularly.

Are you disciplined about your writing? Do you set-asidetime to write, or do things just come to you?

Book Sale

I used to only write when it came to me. Once I took my poetry seriously I became more disciplined. Now I have a date with the muse pretty much everyday. Time to read and to write.

I also have to thank my husband for pushing me to carve that time out of my day. It took me a few years before I truly listened to him. We need these nudges. I was lucky to get them from him, from my mentor Harold Rhenisch, and from my supervisor at SFU, Heesoon Bai, and later Carl Leggo. We are never alone. And my work tries to focus on the conversations we are in. On the fact that we inspire each other, that we are constantly in dialogue with others, books, events, and with our environment. We have to be.

conversation happens in the white spaces. The spaces where we reclaim, remember, create, dwell, meditate. I think of my form as a kind of permeable membrane between me and the reader where we lose track of where one begins and the other ends. In some ways those are the best conversations. Words are not everything.

But they are what we have to keep the conversation going.

Iswriting poetry a therapeutic processfor you, or do you find it emotionally draining?

What is your favourite part of the poetry writing process?Is it once you havefinished a poem?

We spoke briefly about poetry as a conversation.

Would you elaborate on what that meansto you?

First and foremost I think it is a conversation with oneself. If I did not think it was important I will not be writing about it. I think at the base of every poem I write there is a genuine need to know something better. Hhink of a poem not as something to make a point with, but as the point from which things open up.

Robert Bringhurst, who is also one of my heroes, says that the reason for writing poetry is that poetry knows more than those who write it. I think he is right. I learn from my poems. I know it sounds odd, but we might as wc;ll face it. We learn from poems written by others and then later in life the same poem speaks to us differently. That is not because the poem has changed. It is still the same poem. We are the ones who have changed. The same happens with my poems over time. The words remain the same but meaning gets _pushed out of them the way a branch will push out new shoots and grow out of the same roots.

And of course poetry engages the readers in a conversation with me and with themselves. And sometimes that

•

1n

intense concentration. A place where time stops. I could have been there for a few minutes, but it feels like it was a long time. It is also very expansive.

When I return from there I come back from it with a sense of well being. It is a place where we can make better sense of our fragmented world. It is a place where we can access more of ourselves. That part that gets pushed aside when we are in our rushing and calculating mode. Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time in that mode. In that sense the writing space becomes a quiet, meditative space that can bal. ance things out. I have not found it emotionally draining so far. In fact I find it emotionally re-charging.

I guess this relates to the previous question. There are different rewards in the different stages. But I think my favourite part is that first stage where in the first write up there is a moment of surprise, where I feel that I have managed to bring in something new and fresh from the world into the word.

Do you integrate what you have learned or are discovering in philosophy into your writing?

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When we say therapeutic somehow the first thought that comes to my mind is that we are addressing some kind of illness or condition that needs to be healed. And then it is a small jump from there to assume the writer is the one that is sick. Ifl have to think of it I would rather think of it in the sense of having a good effect on the body and the mind, contributing to a sense of well being. And if there is a condition, it is the human condition.

When I write, that initial moment is a place of putting out energy that in return is replenished manifold. In fact most of the time I feel I receive more than I bring to this place. Getting lost in the writer's reverie is a place of freedom, peaceful and relaxed, yet at the same time a place of

Memory of

Yes, for sure. I think my poetry acquires extra layers and more hems, and stitches, if you will, once I stop resisting the inclusion of my philosophical pondering, and quest-ionings, or discoveries. In fact I like philosophy to be part of my everyday and my poetry. That is what makes it alive.

What remains in the books is just text waiting to be interpreted, and discovered, texts that needs to be imbued with meaning. I find philosophy valuable when it can address us today, and perhaps help heal soil, soul, and society (as my mentor would say). When I include all aspects of my life in the poem it becomes the journey. Then follows the translation into language, which constantly shape-shifts. Of course, there is always the question if we can ever truly put the experience in words. Perhaps not. But making

that effort, I think, is worthwhile.

Which language do you preferto write in? Bulgarian?English?

I write in English. It is not a matter of preference. I just do not feel I have as good a grasp on the Bulgarian language, or its subtleties. But it was a most exciting process to translate one of the poems from the book into Bulgarian, and see the life the poem took on in another medium of words.

Who are your influences?In poetry, writing, music?Who inspires you?

I can be inspired by many things.

By the many poets I read, by philosophers, by my friends with their daily conundrums, by my children (who are philosophers in their own way), by scientific discoveries, by events.

Nature is one of my niost influential mentors. I like to listen to the numerous ways in which nature thinks.

I have been blessed with my poetry and academic mentors. As to writers it is hard to just mention a few names, perhaps unfair to the many I will miss. A few that jump out are Robert Bringhurst, Tim Lilburn, Gaston Bachelard, Maria Rainer Rilke, Anne Michaels, Natalie Goldberg, Jorge Luis Borges, Paul Ricoeur, Wislawa Szymborska, Aislinn Hunter, Patrick Lane, Jan Zwicky, Roo Borson, Alison Pick, Sue Sinclair, the list goes on.

Do you have a messageyou wish to sharewith your writing?

I guess with my writing I am discovering the threads, questions, thoughts, and images that are important to me to understand and explore so that I can better inhabit myself and the world. If that transfers over to the reader as valuable, if it coincides with the questions and explorations in the readers' minds, then I have managed to elevate my work to a more universal and public exploration. Then the work has succeeded to communicate.

It is like those dandelion seeds and where they land. Sometimes they will land where they can take root and sometimes they will not.

Jim Andersen

Money raised in honour of UFV professor PAUL FALARDEAU community at large have the chance ARTS& LIFEEDITOR to take a bit ofJim with them. ver the past two weekends, the The sale was located on Main and friends and family of deceased Hastings, amidst some the cruelUFV professor, Jim Andersen, have est streets in the city, a small door, been helping to keep his memory marked with a paper sign opened into alive. In a seedy part of downtown a goldmine for lovers ofliterature.

Vancouver they held a sale, and the Catherine, Jim's daughter explains shelves were stocked with books. the reasons for the sale, "I lost my dear What better way to keep Jim's father in February ...and his memory memory alive than sharing some of lives on ... in 600 boxes full of books his most prized possessions with the that have been driving us all insane," world? This way, all members of the Undoubtedly, these books were a

O

huge part ofJim, his daughter continues "I cannot look at all these books for too long without remembering my father fondly. I was surrounded by walls of books all through my childhood. My dad always had a book I needed when I was in school, from elementary to university level. He never ever stopped reading, and he certainly never stopped book-collecting" These books were now available for the rest of us to be used, like Jim Anderson, ever the advocate of students

learning, was passing them on to anyone who wanted to be a student.

What was there in the piles? There was a lot of poetry and English literature, as well as books about these subjects. Many books were out of print, rare and some were very old. Jim loved history, and there were many books to reflect that, especially histories of England, Japan and World War II. There were also cook books, children's book and book about the dogs Jim loved. "My dad was a very intelli-

gent and well-read man with excellent taste in literature," says Catherine.

The deals were great, with the average book going for a buck or two.

Proceeds went partially towards the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "[Jim] was highly renowned as a teacher," says Catherine "He also had a fabulous sense of humour, and I'm sure wherever he is, he is having a good laugh at watching me figure out what to do with all these books that were his life's passion"

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Arts & Life

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

of creative space. An active art display, the walls are covered in cardboard and a long table in the center of the room hosts piles of art supplies. VASA is inviting arts students and non-arts students alike to come out and create some art.

VASA president, Sarah Weaver, says that the arts students used to have student space in the old building, but since moving . into the new building their space was, "not deemed as imporANGELA OSTRIKOFF ant." VASA is looking for a permanent solution to this probSTAFFWRITER1embut "as for today we are doing an art show called the VASA alk into "C" buildInitiative: We Would Appreciate Enough Space." The Arts ing at some point in department is lacking for space in general, Sarah explains that ·the next week. As you pass by the gal- ·there isn't even room for some offices and classrooms, so it's a lery near the entrance. You are sure matter of figuring out what is important. to see a bunch of artsy students busy The VASA Initiative has brought a lot of people out from all at work; there will undoubtedly be walks of life, which has boosted the feeling of community in some indie music playing not so the building. Personally, I love walking into C building hearing quietly and if you're lucky there music playing and seeing people creating art. It makes me smile might also be cookies. VASA, Vi- as I go about my life. I also love how any person at any time can sual Arts Student Association, is just walk into the gallery and hang out on one of the couches, putting on the art exhibit to raise or pick up a paintbrush and be a part of the active art that they awareness regarding their lack are creating. They've seen much support from teachers who ac-

W

cording to Sarah "also agree that community is a good thing."

VASA has a "lot of crazy stuff planned for this semester." says Sarah. Their student group has about 50 members, although this only represents a small percentage of the students who actually get involved in VASA events. Once the exhibit is over, VASA will need to move all the .things that are in the gallery, but hopefully this will have sparked conversation regarding student space. Sarah plans on hanging the works created during the show around the school. Anyone with a creative bent, or who just has something to say, is invited to come out and say it in paint, pastel or collage.

Stand IpFar■cnlal lcallh: Comedy cures what ails ya MIKEWESTWICKstruggled just as he has with mental illness.

CONTRIBUTOR

S

tand Up For Mental Health (SMH) is a remarkable program that we have had the pleasure of hosting on campus this week.

This event brought an interesting twist to mental health awareness, an approach unique to this program: stand up comedy.

Through laughter, this group, led by David Granirer (who himself suffers from depression), helps break down barriers that are caused by mental illness. Event organizer Pat Bayes said "laughter has proven to be the best medicine for the courageous individuals involved with this program. These are people who were once overwhelmed by their own mental illness, and now they stand up in front of people and make them laugh. For the first time for many of these people, they have learned to laugh at their issues and teach us all a little something about inclusion in the process."

Stand Up For Mental Health was conceptualized by David Grenirer while teaching stand up comedy classes at Langara College.

"I found that many people had amazing personal breakthroughs during the course of the class," David explains. This is where his vision began. He saw an opportunity to help others who have

The first year of the program was in 2004. Granirer worked tirelessly, putting on Skype classes and tutorials for individuals across the province to start this initiative. From there, the program only grew larger. SMH has expanded to encompass 11 cities in Canada, with plans of expansion into the United States.

With a program such as this, there is no shortage of success stories. Michael, one of the comics, has been taking part in SMH for four years. All other outlets of care for mental illness reject~d him because his was not a high enough profile case. Now, Michael is working on breaking down the stigma of mental illness so that others who struggle with similar issues may have a brighter future, and perhaps a chance at the new types of therapy that may stem from the program he has become so involved. Michael met his wife Heather in SMH, and even proposed to her onstage. "I would never have been able to do that before [being in SMH]," Michael told me. Heather, a member since 2007, also had some great things to say about the program. "[SMH] has helped us all become less afraid of being ourselves," she says. Being involved with the program has inspired Heather to pursue her own career in the field of mental health.

As for the future of SMH, David Granirer and his program

PAUL FALARDEAU CountFive-PsychoticReaction

ARTS& LIFEEDITOR

Ed Harcourt- LastCigarette

ambition for SMH is to "have the program spread throughout the English speaking world." They are already working with the Depression ]lipolar Support Alliance in the U.S. and another group is starting in Victoria this year. SMH is also "in discussion" about potentially going and performing for the troops overseas.

SMH was arguably the climax of mental health awareness week, and it was a great time. I highly recommend seeing this group perform any chance you get; I guarantee you will be moved.

JohnFrusciante- Dark/light

Oneoftherealearlypioneers of psyA beautiful songwithsimpleacous- Thistowering epic,startswithpiano chedelic music, Count Fivebroke outwith ticbackings.

The Clash- Stay Free Thenarrative windsits lay driven vocals,whichareladenwithan Amoment ofpureblessed inner peace thishitthathadtrainwhistle harmonica, a through thelivesofseveral people, includ- echoeffectbefore building intoa massive bassbeatthatpaired witha neurot- inga deserting inthemiddle oftheshitstorm of revolu- wicked bombardment.

Thesongsendsin soldier, a cancer patient auditory tionary rock thatwasTheClash.

Anostalgic icguitar rifftoblowsomany young minds. anda awkward mindfuckthat involves a girl,allofthemsmoking a neo-electro-jazz piece,it has.Jieen sometimes overlooked Itstillworks. andzapslikeaneel, theirlastcigarette andtryingto make basslinethatslithers asfluffbyClash fans,butitisthehuman a string section anda remixed choir. somesenseoftheworld. soulthatmakes theprimal roarandoutcryin theirothersongsso tangible and relevant.

Daft punk - The Brainwasher

I'msureI don'treallyneedto recommendthisto manyof you.Youalready know justhowgreatitis.Those driving all nightravebeats, the"Brainwasher" voice, which makes everyone mutter, "Ah,cool" everytimetheyhearit andthegeneral euphoria involved inthesongallpointto DaftPunkshowcasing justhowawesome electronic music canbe. '

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

Arts & Life

11

Album Review

Muse --The Resistance Ups and

downs

end

in

blowout

MIKE WESTWICK

tance.

"Uprising," the first song on the D esistance. This is what I felt when album kicks in and my Tu first looked at the track listing hope returns. This is a on Muse's new album. The first thing simple track displaying I saw was the three-part "symphony" many of the strengths that was to close the album. I could that Muse has disonly shake my head. played in past albums.

You see, all I am able to think of Killer guitar riffs, vowhen I see songs with multiple "movecal virtuosity, driving ments" on rock records is Green Day drums, and washes of synthesizer; all the and their disgraceful attempt at a rock opera with American Idiot. I can never Muse trademarks are seem to allow myself to consider for a · there.

The first three songs moment the exceedingly brilliant executions that have been put forth by on the album are fairly . bands such as the Mars Volta, I always mediocre, other than seem to think of that masturbatory, the aforementioned woeful pile of garbage that was Amer"Uprising." The title ican Idiot. I suppose it's only cynicism track doesn't impress; it seems to be Muse's doing its wonders, but I digress. attempt to make their I couldn't help thinking for a moown dull power balment that one of my favourite bands had let me down, that they had really lad to stand alongjumped the shark with this one. I was side "The Reason" by Hoobastank, in for a roller coaster with The Resis- albeit with Matt Bellamy providing

CONTRIBUTOR

performance much more vocal skill than whoever the hell sings for Hoobastank. The

third track, "Undisclosed Desires," sounds like Muse ripped off Christina

Aguilera's song writing team. Sappy dance beats permeate the track; there is no crescendo, no excitement, and no energy.

"United States of Eurasia" follows this lacklustre piece and doesn't disappoint. It reminds me of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (checkoutYouTube, there's a mash up, it's uncanny), and makes you want to throw your lit Bic in the air. It also contains a lovely excerpt of "Nocturne in E-Flat" that fits into the song quite nicely.

"Guiding Light" burns slowly and contains one of the best guitar solos on the album. "Unnatural Selection" and "MK Ultra" display Muse's harder edge.

Both have outstanding guitar solos, pace changes, and a great deal of energy. "I Belong to You" is

cabaret-esque, displaying Muse's restless creative spirit.

This brings us to the three-part Symphony, "Exogenesis." Nothing could have prepared me for this piece of music. It is by far the most breathtaking piece on the album. Muse really outdid themselves with this one.

Strings and huge guitars twist and turn through a massive arrangement that took 40 musicians to create. This is the piece that defines the album.

Matt Bellamy's voice soars above the layers of orchestration to create perhaps one of the most incredible songs I have heard this year.

What this album lacks in consistency it makes up for with pure genius. Never have I been so impressed by an album while also being so disappointed by some parts of it. The Resistance is bittersweet for me as a Muse fan. Nevertheless, I recommend this album. It has some great anthems and ends off with a song that will blow you away.

AlbumReviewson the Fly

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Alice InChains' Black Gives WayToBlue

Colin James Rooftops andSatellites

TheTrews Devendra Banhart & Total Strangers WhatWillBeWillBe Acoustic Friends

Electric Six Kill

When original singerLayne Staley ColinJamescan be commendedFora bandthathasreceived major Whatcanyousayregarding bandhosyettomatch the a man ThisDetroit if nothing else,he radioairplay diedin2002aftera longgrapple simplybecause, andfourJunonomina-wholooksandlivesa lotlikeCharliegoofy disco-metal gloryof2003's Fire hasalways donethingshisownway. tions,theTrews withheavydruguse,Alice In areeasilyoneofthe Manson, recall"Danger!

HighVoltage," killings(you'll minusthe horrific Thiswasevident on hisfirstself-ti- hardestworkingbandsout there, andpsychotic Chains saidthattheycouldgoon cult?Wellyoucansay featuring JockWhite, and"Goy Bar"). whereinthedirtymidst period. nomore.Theyweretempted from tledalbum, Takeforexample thecurrent he'swrittena songon hisnewLP Buttheirsixthalbum's opener, "Body erahechurned out tour,which thewilderness in2005and2006 ofa synth-filled findstheAntigonish boys fromthe pointofviewof a rodent Shots," nailsitjoyously, withfrontmon someofthemostdazzling bluesyou making todoone-off charity gigsanda sixstopsinvarious locales, ("Rats").

Mostly youcancommentDick Volentine mixing histwovoices couldhopeto hear.Hecontinuedbigandsmall,across briefNorth American tour,butit B.C. aloneover onhowhisupbeathippyjamsarea - Uber-confident growl andsex-crazed the years, eightdays.That'smorethanmany pleasure wasinlate2008thatJerryCantrell that trendthroughout tolistento.Intermsofstyle falsetto --on a cowbell-assisted jam including foraysintoswingandbig localunsigned announced thebandwould be bandscanclaimin thereisn'treallymuch surprise inthe thatcramsTenacious D,Prince, and amongotherventures.theirownhometowns. releasing a newalbum.

Thisalbum, bandmusic, Asyoumight music youhearcompared totheman '80smetalintothesamesweaty club. andSatellites, James divine theirfourth,achieves theunthink- WithRooftops fromthealbumtitle,Acousticyousee.Fine,it'snota badexpecta-Again, E6can'tquite keepitupthroughis backin the blues-rock territory Friends able.Notonlydoesit replace a & Total Strangers isa combi- tionto havefilled,andinthereare out,though theystillsounddelighted seemingly irreplaceable frontman, wherehe madehisname.Still,he nationliveacoustic version ofoldfa- tonsofcrazyinstruments andlyrics to messwithsounds bothfull-throttle music withsongslike vourites butA.I.C. alsoconjure upsongsof defiespopular andpreviously unreleasedin different languages to keepyou ("You're Bored") andloungey ("My "Man's Gottabe a Stone", a not-so- andraretracks.Theseinclude suchbeautyandjoythattheLP their entertained.

Thesurpriseon What IdeaofFun").

Texas shuffle or"Wavelength", becomes nothing otherthanlifeaf- subtle newsingle,"SingYouHeartOut" WillbeWillBeis howpolished this andunapologetic straight andthewonderfully firming.

Sidestepping anypossibilitya jubilant realized cover hippyhas become(well,stillnot source: spin.co oftreading oldground orcoming up rocktrackin a timewhenplay- ofthe1966JoeTexsong,"TheLove reallybut...}.Hisfirstmajorlabel ingthatsortofthingcanhaveyou YouSave(MayBeYour across asold-timers rehashing Own}" thevirtues releaseseeshimfinding burntatthestakebyhipsters.

Being pastglories, A.LC. deliver songs of a goodproducer whosmoothes thatfurther theirrepertoire while hipneverreallyseemedto matter someedges.Somemaysayhe has and honouring theirpast.Thetitletrack, to JamesthoughandRooftops soldout,buttrackslike"Baby" and istheterrific resultofthat anodetoStaley, isoneofthemost Satellites "Angelika" provehe'sstillthesame beautiful songsyou'llhearonone attitude. nut,nocracks. ofthemosthonest andaffecting albums ofthisoranyotheryear.

12

Arts & Life

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

But reading reviews, even positive ones, manifested Gavin Gardiner's self-conscious streak PETER 6REDNERsays. "It was interesting because what NEXUS makes those things special is how it's a group of friends getting together; it's very intimate. But in a lot of ways, that ·America is leading the way in tohappened on the tour. It made each day's folk resurgence, but thanks to Toronto's The Wooden Sky and performance very special and very their unconventional touring tech- different."

The band also played some folk niques, Canada is helping to bring the genre back to the front of today's festivals on the tour, including the Edmonton Folk Fest; the cash they· music scene.

"I don't really know why there's got from that helped them play all the been a resurgence of folk, but part of other shows for free.

Their new record, If I Don't Come why I love it so much is it's a resurgence of song-based music," says The Home You'll Know I'm Gone, has critWooden Sky guitarist/vocalist Gaviri ics and fans talking, which, as far as Gardiner's productivity is concerned, Gardiner - adding, after a moment's thought, "actually, 'song-based music' isn't entirely a good thing. doesn't really make sense."

"It's exciting," says Gardiner, "alThe band just finished a cross- though it's a little strange to read so country tour that was unconventional much about it. When we put out the at best. They played at campsites, last record it just kind of came out, but parks, houses, rained-out rooftops this time there were lots of reviews to and everything in between, all for read; I got way too into reading the reviews." free.

Gardiner's near-obsession with "Part of it was inspired by going to house shows in Toronto, experiencing reading reviews about his band actumusic like that and trying to take that ally ended up debilitating his writing experience on the road," Gardiner process.

"I lost the motivation to write for a while," he adm~, "because I was worried about what people would say.

It's not even just negative; it's positive

ConcertReview

GASLIGHT ANTHEM ((Wild Hearts, Blue Jeans and White T-shirts" MICHELLE FIETJE climax. With Murder

by Death it never comes.

CONTRIBUTORThey leave you poised on the edge always anticam an avid concert attendee. So when The ipating what's to follow. On top of this auditory Gaslight Anthem announced that they onslaught they also performed a great cover of .would be returning to Vancouver, I was ready to Nancy Sinatra's "Bang! Bang!" go. Especially when the concert would be held While I was still recovering, The Gasat the city's most charismatic music venue, The light Anthem stepped on stage and exploded Commodore Ballroom. This iconic place, with into "Casanova, Baby!" a swinging track that its sticky carpet and open floor space is always had the crowd dancing. If Bruce Springsteen an enjoyable place to watch a show. After find- in his younger days had fronted a punk rock ing parking, I headed down Granville Street band, it would have sounded much like this.

These guys embrace the "Jersey Shore" sound (the lack of cherry trees is still bewildering) and maneuvered between the flocks of people wholeheartedly; this creates music that draws huddling over their cigarettes; they were at- a diverse audience. I was dancing with girls sporting red lipstick and sparrow tattoos, and tempting to absorb as much pre-show nicotine as possible (no more in and outs, kids). singing loudly with men that resembled my Englishman Frank Turner was the first to dad (hooray for drunken fans of The Boss). take the stage; while entertaining, he floun- Singer Brian Fallon growled and crooned his way through "Old White Lincoln" and "Film dered without a band to round out the strength of his vocals and angst filled lyrics. However, Noir" from the band's newest album The '59 his heartfelt appreciation to be in Vancouver Sound, accompanied by smooth bass grooves was well received. Lock up your daughters. The and driving guitar. I was impressed by the Loved Ones, a punk-rock act out of Pennsylva- meaningful lyrics embedded on the fast paced nia, delivered a solid performance that caught tracks; songs about death, abandoned relationmy attention. There was a bit of dynamic miss- ships and hard living peppered the set, yet they ing, though, and this was explained when sing- didn't seem forced. The Gaslight Anthem seem er Dave Hause stated that their lead guitarist to be genuine musicians who love to play great was away with a family emergency. Perhaps tunes, and their fans loved them that night. with the full experience The Loved Ones might The guys were constantly thanking the be better appreciated. frenzied crowd, and I could see that sincerity The final opening act, Murder By Death (I rang with every word. They dedicated "Even know bizarre, right) took the stage and immeCowgirls Get the Blues" to their road crew, and diately caught my attention. Why? Their lead followed it up with a cover of"The House of the instrument is an electric cello. Seriously. This Rising Sun". All in all, it was a fantastic showband held the crowd, myself included, spell- ing from the New Jersey band. bound. They were like a well-organized train To the guy with the wicked tattoos that wreck, with songs about whisky, zombies, jail stood behind me: you may have spilled three and the devil. Their sound was both disconwhiskey sours down the back of my jeans, but certing and captivating. I was waiting with you hugged me apologetically and you sang baited breath, with that feeling you get duremphatically to every song-you are forgiven. It ing a horror film, and you are anticipating the was a great night.

l

too."

Gardiner says he realizes he sounds vain, but even though it's mainly glowing reviews he's reading about

his band these days, he still has to put an end to sitting around reading what other people are saying about his band.

Arts & Life

Cascade News • FridayOctober 16th 2009

13

ConcertReview /'r"

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-----------------------------------------,i' Tribal connection is indestructible

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PAUL FALARDEAU beating gropes my girlfriend, and some abrasive

ARTS& LIFEEDITOR do-it-yourselfer loudly squawks her opinion, fol-

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hings are tight and cramped. Things haven't started yet and already my Jeft arm is soaked through with beer that is not mine. I haven't been attending as many concerts as a used to over the past half a year, this is only my second in recent memory.

Still, I can hardly blame my recent lack of activity for my annoyance at the venue. The Vogue Theatre has character, that much is not in doubt, but it is a terrible venue for a band that panders mainly to general admission crowds. This is one of those, and to accommodate, planners have sold general admission tickets. Of course in classic mismanagement tradition there is not nearly enough room for everyone. People in seats are not confined to them either and the general admission area (read: a small space between the front row and stage) is overflowing well into the aisles, creating logjam and fire hazards, which I try not to dwell on.

To ease my venue woes are Apostle of Hustle, the well-picked and talented opening act. Their brand of vaguely world beat music involves songs that are sung in multiple languages and some interesting instrumental choices. Apostle reminds me why so many fell in love with indie to begin with, that is, if call the music indie makes indie more. The use of found instruand unconventional musiwere refreshing and truly ing. The bottom line is have blokes in Apostle of especially the some serious talent, mer. If I had gonzo-wild druma skytrain ,. possessed more than my pocket /. ticket and lint in I would have picked up/ Add it to the / a record. Alas!

Christmas After their set / more mill- ; there about again. / Some oaf who / J less than . twelve /4A high / _

lowed by shrill laugh after shrill laugh. Why did I/ I ever love this concert crowd? Has it been so / long since my last concert outings that I have/_ ...·. become square? Where is the allure of rock . and roll that I had so yearned for? /

The lights go down.

./

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guitar. Things become illuminated.

I remember.

The bleak scenester world falls away. Gone is the creep, the drunk, the concert-goer who has no sense of personal space (seriously why do some people, like the cancer they are, -~- think that general ad-

imin

Things rearrange and as I ,' clasp onto a hand i for good measure :· Eugene Hutz, leader of the band of gypsy punks known as Gogol Bordello steps onstage. He is singing "Illumination" solo but

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side. Accordion, fiddle, bass, perdrums,

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ets and saints.

We are lead by the venerable reverend Hutz. I have returned to the cult of music.

Onstage Hutz is belting out proclamations of freedom and unity in an eastern accent, backed by his band of gypsy revelers.

In the crowd, a girl jumps on my shoulders and I carry her, the seats have become pulpits for those of faith in music and love. A Man parades through the crowd holding a crocheted picture of a dog. Hands rise to the air in rapture, heads fall back uttering lines of the scripture of Gogol Bordello. Get it?

The rapturous effect Gogol Bordello is having on the crowd around me can only be explained by who they are. The rag-tag ensemble of musicians from around the world includes those with nationality and heritage from the USA, Russia, China, Thailand, Scodand, Israel, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Japan, Romania, Poland and the Ukraine, where Hutz hails from. Their ethnicity is not a gimmick though, it is merely an ingredient; an explanation for why they are so jubilant. Their mixed heritage has been a focal point in creating music that celebrates the freedom of the human sprit, a unified world and a raucous return to roots.

Gogol Bordello has taken parts from their

homelands to create music that is attainable for every kind of person. It taps into something primal within your soul, something out of your control, and out of theirs.

Onstage the band is running about, stopping to rip of chords and shout lyrics. Name another rock concert with an accordion, or an old man who leans over the stage and rips of a wicked fiddle solo to impress kids young enough to be his grandchildren.

The show has become more of an old-school southern revival than a rock concert. People jump on stage dancing and singing with the band before tip-toeing their way past security guards, jumping back into the crowd with a pat and a wink from Eugene. Perhaps there is something lost on us that comes from the old world.

The two dancing girls kick their legs as they play drums and cymbals (in the past they have been known to fall screaming into Eugene's arms, like at a faith healing). An Ecuadorian MC yells to the crowd. This is what I imagine music must have been like at the beginning.

It's easy to miss it in all the excitement but our mustachioed menace, Eugene Hutz, is really saying something worth hearing. The act of the show is reflected in the lyrics of the songs. "Not a Crime" preaches a return to old values, "Wonderlust King" asks you to think about a different kind of education, "Start Wearing Purple" is a song about why its good to be different. "Educate Thy Neighbour" is new, a song about the senseless destruction of a Gypsy Ghetto in Turkey.

The crowd never seems to lose their energy, and neither does the band. After the standard first set the band plays a three-song encore which turns into way more. I happened to glance at the set list, and let me assure you that the band added about four or five extra tracks. "Tribal Connection" and "Undestructable" joined a medley that was clearly a thank-you for being a great audience as much as it was a sign that the band didn't want to stop playing.

As a final sign that Gogol Bordello is a band that is really in it for the music and the message, after the crowd started to filter out once the last of the encore was done, several band members returned to the stage to play an impromptu drum-fueled rendition of"American Wedding."

The night done, my soul at rest, and returned to flock of rock, I sighed and remembered what was really important to me. A strange calm was surrounding everyone who stumbled into the streets, a result of broken eardrums and bloody soles or maybe inner peace. Both? Is that real so much to ask?

CorbLund David Crowder Band with Seabird and AttheShowbarn Friday November 13th Danyew 7:00PM AtAbbotsford Pentecostal Church Sunday October 18th

Tickets onTicketmaster

7:00PM Tickets onTicketmaster

HP LAVOS MOBILEELECTRO Every Tuesday Night attheAirfare Lounge $2drink specials

14

Arts & Life

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

MovieReview

PG

Ca.pitaliam: A LoveStory ••(D'l'S) Dailyat l:-00,'3:40, 7~ 1 ft:45 PG

ples'. The way it's spelt now, it reads PAUL BRAMMER

STAFFWRITER like an order - 'Couples RETREAT!'), where I felt like my eyes were going to ith a title like Zombieland, I explode with the sheer shittishness of hope that cinema-goers know it all.

A canny marketing campaign and; what kind of movie they're going no doubt, a strong word-of-mouth into.

For my money, you can't beat a buzz has sent Zombieland straight to good horror-comedy - many genres the top of the US box office, and decome and go, many fads swing in servedly so. In this world of monothrough the door of fashion and out lithic movie companies churning out through the window of sterility, but dross that only gets anyone watching only the good stand the test of time. because of the sickeningly abrasive Horror-comedy is one of those lasting advertising campaigns which drill the shit into your oppressed head so genres. (An aside - I thought of trying to create a nickname - horredy, co- much that you have to go sit through morror - but both sound like sexually it just to stop that voice in your head transmitted diseases: "Stop scratch- from gnawing away at your every living, will you?" "I can't - got a touch of ing moment (ah, Couples Retreat, good to see you again!), it's great to the horredies").

From the first time I saw the trailer see a good movie to slip in under the for Zombieland, I knew I was going radar and Hoover up some cash for a to watch it. Woody Harrelson in a bright idea.

Jesse Eisenberg is our lead and cowboy hat? Check. Zombies (albeit near-sacrilegious running zombies)? narrator, filling the Michael CeraCheck. A procession of inventive ways popularised "geeky good-looking guy" character. Where I come from, to off said zombies? Check. geeks look much uglier than Cera and Compare this with my two-millionth viewing of the Couples Retreat Eisenberg - these guys could pass for trailer (which, I might add, is missing handsome after a few pints. A real geek an apostrophe after the 's' in 'Cou- should have grotesque skin problems

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and morbid obesity, not bookish good looks and bumbling charm.

Geek rant asiae, Eisenberg· fills the twitchy nerd role nicely, his.narration providing the backbone that the film zips along on. Emma Stone is the sassy, gun-toting, ass-kicking love interest who takes Eisenberg's geek for a ride, and Abigail Breslin plays Stone's adopted younger sister- Breslin was Olive in Little Miss Sunshine, and therefore the cutest thing in the world. Even cuter than tiger cubs that don't bite your face off.

However, this review would be incomplete without an entire paragraph devoted to Bloody Woody Harrelson.

Harrelson is great in his role as Tallahassee, the zombie-hating, Twinkieobsessed Alpha male of this ragtag crew. You can see Woody loving every minute of his time onscreen: whether unloading Uzis, quipping one-liners or engaging in a bit of mindless wanton destruction. The man is a natural in comic roles, and one look at his resume reveals versatility hitherto undiscovered.

The plot of the movie is piecemeal, but here it is anyway - Eisenberg's Columbus is alone in the wreckage of

humanity, braving the wastelands to a cinema screen that's showing Zomtry and get to (surprise, surprise) Co- bieland. lumbus to find his parents. His story is One of the points that distances told in a few funny flashbacks, which Zombieland from pretty much any are heavy on slapstick. He is picked other zombie movie is the sheer fun up by Harrelson's Tallahassee. Both of it all. At a lean 80 minutes, the are subsequently duped, mugged and whok,film zips from one set piece to ditched by Wichita (Stone) and Little the next, as a slew of undead peopleRock (Breslin), but their paths meet eaters get offed by Harrelson and co. again during the course of the movie. · However, that's not to say that there's As with any good comedy, the no time for a bit of "emotionality", as plot is really just window-dressing, Tropic Thunder's Kirk Lazarus would mustard to the steak of the gags and say - in particular, one Woody Harset pieces. However, about halfway relson reminisce will surprise you through the movie, the audience is with its rawness and feeling. treated to a block-busting cameo that Zombieland will not be for everyalone justifies the entrance fee. I know one - its devil-may-care mix of blood, that a lot reviews in other places have guts and jokes will leave some cold, or shied away from disclosing who the even repulsed, but I think that most superstar cameo-er is, but I'm too ex- people will enjoy its breezy escapism cited to not tell you that it's Bill Mur- for at least one viewing, whereas for ray. some geeks out there, it will be looked Bill Murray! As himself! In a world upon as another horror-comedy cult overrun by zombies! By anyone's stanclassic, to be enshrined and watched dards, that is probably the best cameo repeatedly along with An American of all time. If you have a pulse and a Werewolf in London, Shaun of the soul, you will love Murray's involve- Dead and the mother of all horredies ment in this movie. I mean they even (there, I said it), Evil Dead II: Dead By reference Ghostbusters. In the words Dawn. of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Get to So, what are you waiting for? Get the chopper!" That is, if the chopper is to the chopper!

ForeignMovieReview Foreign film reveals truth of violent massacre SONJA SZLOVICSAKIt was with some hesitation that I STAFFWRITER watched the Polish film Katyn. The

U

sually, books don't translate well to the big screen. There are countless great books that have been turned into movies that just don't work; the story feels too rushed, it's hard to understand a characters actions without getting into their thoughts and a great deal of back story is missed. I'm usually hesitant to watch a·movie based on a book-particularly if I haven't actually read the book. I don't want to be fooled into thinking that a perfectly good novel is not worth reading just because the movie is an atrocity.

film is based on a book called Post Mortem: The Story ofKatyn. The book and the film are about the Katyn massacre which took place in 1940.

In 1940, about 22,000 Polish prisoners-of-war and citizens were slaughtered in the Katyn forest. After Poland became a Soviet satellite state, the truth about the Katyn massacre was suppressed. The Soviet Union claimed that the massacre was a Nazi crime. It wasn't until 1989, after the fall of Communism in Poland, that the truth began to be revealed. In 1991, the documents which authorized the slaughter were made public.

The director of the film, Andrzej Wajda, lost his father to the Katyn massacre. One of the main characters is named Andrzej, which suggests Andrzej is supposed to represent Wajda's father.

Andrzej is an honourable man. He is captured and taken prisoner by the Soviet army. His wife Anna finds him, and tries to persuade him to escape., Andrzej won't escape because of his oath to the Polish Army; he doesn't want to abandon his fellow soldiers.

This is extremely heart-wrenching, since the audience knows what will happen, but Andrzej is just doing what he thinks is honourable.

The film is told through the eyes

of Andrzej's wife and daughter, who keep hoping that he is still alive, even after the reports of the Katyn massacre begin to surface. The families of the victims keep suffering, because they never really know who killed their men; the U.S.S.R. blames the Nazis, and the Nazis blamed the U.S.S.R. We know, of course, that the truth was revealed in 1989; but for the families, not knowing who killed their men is additional torment.

Wajda was 81 years old when he directed this film. He lived through the Nazi invasion of Poland, then the years under the Soviet Union. It's obvious that this is a personal story for him. In 2008, Katyn was nominated

for an Oscar for "Best Foreign Film."

The film lost to The Counterfeiters, the Austrian film set in the same era.

I've seen both films, and personally, I found Katyn much to be a much more powerful film.

Katyn makes use of actual propaganda footage about the massacre.

There's Nazi propaganda presenting the massacre as a Soviet crime, and there's Soviet propaganda presenting the massacre as a Nazi crime. Clearly, the Katyn massacre had a major impact on Poland for many years. Katyn is a tribute not only to the victims of the massacre, but the families that survived and never knew what really happened to their loved ones.

Arts & Life

Cascade News • FridayOctober 16th 2009

15

BookReview

Catch 22: Classic war novel still excites JOSEPHHELLER

fell madly in love. Joseph Heller an excellent book set during WWII, follows a bombardier named Yossarian and other characters on an air base on the island of Pianosa off the shore of Italy. Yossarian is trying desperately to get out of his military duty but finds it impossible to get around the bureaucracy of the military and is stuck fighting dangerous, horrifying and absurd missions.

As you might guess from the title the novel deals a lot with situations where there is no good way out. Though APRIL HODSONin this case it is approached in a more CONTRIBUTOR circular way. For example you can get out of flying if you are insane but if t was love at first sight. you claim you are insane and try to The first time I read Catch 22 I get home then you clearly are sane

~atch-22

I

since this is something only a sane person would do. This sort of circular reasoning dominates the text and the text itself mimics it. The story is told inconsecutively from different characters' points of view so you are given details of about the timeline in an order outside of when it actually occurred. This sounds confusing but Heller is very good at situating you in the timeline and pulling everything together. The circular nature of the plot creates an interesting symmetry between the content and the structure. Overall it is very cleverly done.

This will be a difficult read for some because there are many characters to follow and the circular nature is confusing while you get used to it but I promise everything will be explained.

Catch 22 is an oldie but a goodie, written in 1961.This might make you think that it lacks modern relevance and would be more interesting in the histor.ical sense, but it deals with a lot of ethical dilemmas that are very relevant to today's world.

Though all this war stuff seems very serious, the book is satirical and it is really very funny. It pairs the very serious issues faced by the characters with crazy occurrences. Overall there is a bit of a theme that the only way to survive the insanity is to be insane.

As a result, you get a lot of very inter-

esting characters.

It is set during the Second World War so there are gruesome and tragic deaths and other sad, horrible things like that.However, it nearly always results in another event, that is ironic or funny or ridiculous. In the end it becomes a very funny novel.

VideogameReview I

Brutal Lc1cnd: Iack Blackin a comedy about heavy metal \

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hordes of imaginaCONTRIBUTORtively designed adversaries with nothn October 13,JackBlackwillstar ing but a batt!e axe and guitar named Clementine - not to mention a hot in a comedic fantasy adventure known as Brutal Legend. The story rod capable of mass destruction. begins when Eddie Riggs (Jack Black), The head demon that Riggs must an ordinary roadie for a heavy metal ultimately face, Lord Doviculus, will band, is accidentally transported into be played by Tim Curry, world-rea heavy metal inspired alternate uni- nowned for his roles in numerous verse filled with mystical creatures. films, perhaps most notably in The The landscape in this post-apocalypRocky Horror Picture Show. Famous tic world is littered with heavy metal musicians Lita Ford, Robert Halford, imagery, from massive sculptures of and Ozzy Osbourne will also play I electric guitars, to mountains crafted roles in Brutal Legend. Its soundtrack from demon skulls. Before long, Ed- is full of the biggest names in metal, die Riggs realizes his purpose - to from Black Sabbath to Children of free the humans of this fantasy world Bodom, and even Jack Black's own band, Tenacious D. who are enslaved by its supernatural beasts and demons. To accomplish Perhaps the most unique thing this daunting task, Riggs will have about Jack Black's latest comedic ef-

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forts is that when it is released, you won't find Brutal Legend at your local cinema. In fact, Brutal Legend is not a movie at all, but rather a videogame being designed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Brutal Legend is the brain-child of Tim Schafer, a game creator with a cult following for his creativity, humour, and story-telling abilities. In an interview with videogame website lup.com, Schafer admitted that he has been crafting aspects of Brutal Legend since he was in high school.

Besides working with some of the biggest names in the heavy metal scene, this will be the first time Tim Schafer has created a game in conjunction with one of the largest publishers in the videogame industry, Electronic

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Arts. As such, it is likely Brutal Legend will reach a much broader audience than any of the games he has worked on in the past. Although the game will include many references and jokes that may only be fully understood by fans of heavy metal music, Tim Schafer has emphasized that the game will be entertaining for all audiences - well, as long as you like Jack Black that is. The combination of Schafer and Black does look promising though, as both share a passion for zany comedy, heavy metal, and sensational fantasy.

The gameplay looks inspired yet. classic. One of Riggs more unique combat moves is to play guitar solos that literally melt the faces off of his opponents. In another highly sym-

bolic sequence, Riggs must tap giant geysers which shoot ghostly beings, known as fans, into the sky by building merchandise booths over top of them.

He must do this before giant winged monsters known as Fan Leaches are able to tap the geysers themselves, and suck up the precious resources he needs to continue his battle.

It is hard to deny that Brutal Legend brings a lot to the table, from big names and sharp writing to creative design and gameplay. Whether all the pieces fit together or not remains to be seen, but this fall, Brutal Legend might just be the comedy everyone is talking about.

Gaming: The casual divide

Examining the new polarization MORGAN ALAN THECORD

L

ast month, Nintendo announced that it would cut the price of its Wii console by $50 to combat slumping sales numbers. The move says a great deal about the financial success of the Wii, given that this minor price-drop is the console's first price reduction since its release nearly three years ago.

Contrast the Wii's relatively consistent price point to its competitor, Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3). Since its launch in 2006, the price of the PS3 has undergone a cumulative $300 price drop, and a cheaper-to-make offshoot, the PS3 Slim, was released.

The PS3's predecessor, the PlayStation 2, sold nearly 140 million units and was the best-selling video game console of all time. Today, the Wii is

outselling the PS3 on a two-to-one basis - so what changed?

Shifts in gamer demographics are central to understanding this transformation in sales. Video game players can generally be divided into two groups: "casual" gamers who prefer games with straightforward concepts and "hardcore" gamers who are more invested in game competition and depth.

It's incorrect to compartmentalize all individuals who play video games, or even attempt to find a concrete definition for a casual or hardcore gamer.

That being said, there is a generally agreed-upon division between those who view video games as an informal hobby and those who have a more in-depth personal investment in the medium.

The PS2's success laid in its ability

of video game players

to simultaneously appeal to hardcore and casual gamers. A look at the topselling games for that console reveals a diverse list of titles, ranging from the lighter "EyeToy" and "Madden" game series to more complex series like "Dragon Quest "and "Metal Gear Solid."

A single, unifying console is nowhere to be seen this generation.

Video game players have become increasingly polarized by consoles, with casual gamers tending to prefer Nintendo's Wii, and the more hardcore crowd gravitating towards the PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

This polarization, combined with the global recession, has had a profound impact on the gaming industry. Gaming companies are willing to pander to casual gamers because, simply put, they are far less picky. In

cold cost-benefit analysis, a casual game thrown together by some junior programmer is far more cost-effective than a multi-year, blockbuster hardcore title that's developed over multiple years.

But it is clear that video games are quickly approaching a casual ceiling, and that the ability of casual gamers to sustain the industry is rapidly diminishing.

Gaming companies have grown complacent in the ability of casual gamers to buy cheap-to-make titles; this has allowed the market to become saturated with truly awful games.

"So what?" you may argue. "Just because you're not interested in 'Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour' doesn't mean no one else is."

Though that argument is valid, it's a short-term observation. Casual

gamers are characterized by their lack of brand loyalty and passive attitude towards the gaming medium. When the next flashy technological innovation comes along, the casual market may very well take their money elsewhere.

If and when the well of casual support dries up for those games, companies will be left with their core support of hardcore gamers who have been ignored.

Though game companies may succeed in fostering a sustained loyalty from casual gamers, they are ultimately too shortsighted for the loyalty to persist.

And when the day comes that the casuals have fled, the hardcore crowd will remain, waiting to be pandered to yet again.

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

tuff ZORA THE MYSTIC

yours. If you do, you will go down in GYPSY/TINKER/DELICATESSEN OWNER their history books.

October is moving alongwell!Turkeys hove beensacrificed to theFatesandsoonso will Virgo: August 23 - September 22 Feeling a little lonely? Buy some copious amounts ofcandyandalcohol.

Thisis new lingerie, get a wax and do some whywelovethefoll. stretches ... guys I'm talking to you.

Aries: March 21 - April 19

You are in desperate need of some excitement in your life! Commit a crime! Just do it! You don't have to do anything big, perhaps just a simple breaking and entering.

Libra, my love! I apologize that your lust forecast is still lacking! Take heart, we've all been through dry spells before! Stesti!

Taurus: April 20 - May 20

Scorpio:October 23-November 21

Take caution! You must begin to practice the ancient martial arts, in due time you will find why this is necessary.

You should most likely seek religious help. A priest, rabbi, pastor.

Anything. Just do it as soon as you can. I will pray for your soul. .. cert bytvlimbu!

Libra: September 23- October 22

Gemini: May 21 - June 20

You must pick up a new vice! Your previous one is getting old and boring, something Gemini must never be.

Cancer: June 21- July 22

Stock up on Halloween candy while you can, your significant other will be leaving you soon and you're gonna need to fill that void somehow.

Leo: July 23- August 22

This week you would be most wise to put your lover's needs ahead of

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21 You will feel down this week as the moon moves into it's new position. You will need to listen to a lot of Enrique Iglesias in order to get you through this.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19

New lovers are on the horizon!

Summer ~ings are over and winter romance~ are ,well~nderway! Hezky!

beerisgreat onitsown-andreally, Beer:OK,realistically thisisa University newspaperFormostpeople, to beconsumed.

Brewing great andthismaybemoreof a unnecessary temptation that'showit'smeant acraftallitsown;therearesomany thananything butifyouhave themoney, tryInnis and beerhasbecome Gunn.

Aunique Scottish creation, thisbeerisagedin varieties of beerthatbreweries should begiventhe oakcasks, previously usedto mature Bourbon.

The same respect asvineyards.

However, therearesome result isatasteofoak,withincredible flavours ofva- really, really lousy beers outthere thatcould usesome or "Lucky Beer").

Whilebeer nilla,toffeeandcitrus.

Thisisn'tlikereading theback help(think"Wildcat" of a crappy Yellowtail bottlethatsays"strawberry" based cocktails arebetterwithgoodbeer,if you're Aquarius: January 20-February 18 If you need to let off some steam, andjusttastes ofasseither.

Those flavours arereally everstuck withawfulbeer, youmightaswellmixit up Theonlysetback isthattheaging process isa withsomething tomake it tastebetter! just dance your heart out. Put your present. l&Gisonlyavailable in pocketbook down and just dance it smallbrewdeal,whichmeans singles.

It'sprettypricey too,butifyouhave thespare Snakebite off. ( a heavierbeer) cash, pickupabottleortwoanddon'tsayI never did Halfa pintofbeer(preferably Pisces: February 19 - March 20 Halfa pintofcider anything foryou. goes through afewbottles ofwine Pourthe beerintoa chilledpintglass.Top It has been divined that this will be Wine:MyFamily Besides the usualRiesling and withcider. a very difficult week for you, so much overThanksgiving. so that no one's life has ever been this Gewurztraminer (weworked through a nicebottleof Gewurzt, courtesy ofArrowleaf Cellars) weweresur- IrishCarBomb hard. prised bytheappearance ofa bottleoutofSerbia.

A 1 PintofGuinness Sauvignon outofBelgrade, thiswinecanbe 1ozBaileys Hovea goodweekfriends.

Remember to Cabernet intothepint,andenjoy! accredited to awinerycalled Navip.

It isnicetotaste DroptheBaileys keepa gypsy happy (welikehummus). different oaksin use,asmanywinesweareaccustomed to stickto eitherFrench orAmerican Oak. The DoctorPepper a basic,boring useofOaks fromplaces likePoland, Hungary andRus- Halfa glassofbeer(preferably .siaiswelcome andadds awhoJe newpalate ofpossi- beerwithout a strong. flavour, like"Canadian"

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The Fornication Conversation Exit

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VIRGINIA SLIMS it into his own ass, then I'd also en-

SEXPERT dure that lovely searing pain that we ladies all got to experience the first find that when most ladies say that time around, again. He never did, or at least never admitted to it. So, popthey've tried jl\st about everything sexually, they're excluding anal. And pets, as far as anal sex goes, I can't when you ask if they've tried it, you give you much in the way of first-hand tend to get a response that suggests experience. But as usual, I come bearthat you should have assumed that ing gifts of advice that you don't need a penetrated asshole to give. anal was definitely not a part of their First off, always ask. Not every lady sexual adventures. I must confess to you, my poppets that anal sex is not is game for taking your intercourse to a whole new world. If you slip it in something I can claim to have tried.

I'm open-minded, but I just can't imagine much pleasure ensuing on my end (haha ... end).

Of course, will never judge someone's sexual preferences; I simply haven't tried it for lack of pressing desire. Some ladies enjoy it, and I know that there are definitely men who wish to boldly go where no man has (probably) gone before. I even had one boyfriend who wanted to do it in the butt just so that he could plant a during regular ol' sex, you'll probably flag, so to speak. As I wasn't a virgin end up being blue-balled. Ladies don't when we started dating, he felt that like surprises when they come in the the only way he could feel important form of dick in the butt. was to penetrate my anus. Chivalry, Second, lube. Always lube. The my friends, is not dead. anus is not naturally moistened like I told him that when he found a a vagina is, and is therefore considerdildo similar to his size and inserted ably more difficult to slide into. This

I

can end up being very painful for the person on the receiving end. So make sure you use plenty of lubrication and remember to be attentive to your partner's threshold for pain.

Third, be gentle. For those of you who have taken a V-card or two .(up top!!), you remember the discomfort that accompanies such a feat. She'll most likely be in some degree of agony, and you'll most likely feel like your dick is being squeezed by a boa constrictor. Tightness calls for gentleness, or you'll both end up being hurt.

Fourth, remember to be safe.

Now anal sex might not come with the chance of pregnancy but that doesn't mean you have license to bareback it. Be careful with your genitals, my dears. STI's can still be quite readily transmitted through anal sex... nobody wants the HIV. Check into your partner's history and make sure you wear a glove.

Fifth, don't be a bully. If your partner doesn't want your parts in her tukas, let it be. Badgering someone about a sexual act will only breed a stronger desire not to do it. And if she does decide to, it will seem like a chore, or something she's doing to appease you.

Some gals just don't like it in the caboose, c'est la vie. And ladies ... don't do anything you're not comfortable doing. It's your ass, you call the shots.

Well darlings, I wish you great fun between the sheets, as always. For those of you about to rock, V salutes you.

bilities towinemaking.

Honestly, I don'tknowwhere, or"Budweiser") besides Serbia, onemightfindabottleofNavip.

Inthe 1 ozAmaretto meantime, youmaywanttogiveawinelikeDunavar, Pourthe beerintoa chilledglass.Dropthe intothe glass,thendownthecockfromHungary, atrytogetafeelforEastern EuropeanAmaretto taillikea shooter. grapes andoaks.

Itisreadily available.

Whatto do withoil thosethanksgiving leftovers ...ohright!Soup!Thisworksforham, gooseor whatever beastyousacrificed this Thanksgiving.

Leftover Turkey Soup 1or2 carcasses withlotsofmeat 1/2kettleofwater(cover bones) 1-2c.chopped celery 1-2c.chopped carrots Useallleftover vegetables youhoveinyour refrigerator Useoilleftover gravyanddressing Ifyouhovewildricehotdish,youconthrow thatinalso thepotandletsimmer foran hourorso.Add Breakupcarcass andplacein a largepot. salt,pepper,andfavorite spicesto yourtaste.

Cover withwaterandsimmer untiloilmeatis Freezeleftovers - they'regoodanytime(use offthebones.Skimofflot andremove bones before3-4years).GOOD LUCK!! andskin.Now, oddoiltheaboveingredients to

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ports &

CascadeNews• FridayOctober16th 2009

ealth

Premier League Update PAUL BRAMMER STAFFWRITER

A

lmost a quarter through the season, the top of the league table is beginning to take on a familiar look, albeit with some notable surprises.

Chelsea have raced into a two-point lead following their win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge; this after Chelsea succumbed to a spirited Wigan Athletic side at the DW Stadium.

Manchester United sit in second, snapping at Chelsea's heels despite an early wobble away at new-boys Burnley. Despite the season's relative infancy, United have already engaged in some classic encounters, including comeback victories against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, and culminating in the Manchester derby, where new United signing Michael Owen converted the Red's absolute dominance with a fabulously-taken winner in the 96thminute.

Tottenham Hotspur are third, after a very positive start to the season, which included victory over title-hopefuls Liverpool; Tottenham have been banging on the door of the top four teams for some time now, most notably when ex-manager Martin Jol led them to fifth-place two seasons running. With a relatively young side and strength through the squad, Tottenham will be one of the hot tips to break the big three's stranglehold over the title.

The other pretenders to the crown are money-rich Manchester City, who occupy fourth.' After years of com-

plaining about city neigh-

Propping up the top-six are Arsenal, who have a game in hand over three of the four above them, and Liverpool. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger celebrated 13 years in charge of the North London club last week, nanmaking him the longest-serving manc i a 1 ager in the history of the club. Unforclout, .tunately for Arsene, he's not had any C i t y trophies to celebrate with for the last h ave four seasons. Wenger would put this suddendown to the youth and inexperience ly changed their tune after the first of his squad, but those excuses only cheque was ~ashed. An ill-fated at- go so far, and those players who were tempt to sign Brazilian maestro Kaka mere babes when they walked through has not stopped City from throwing the door are now at the age to stand money at anything with two legs and up and be counted. It appears that this a pair of boots. It remains to be seen season ranks as one of the most imwhether the riches will do them any portant since the intellectual Frenchgood for the health of the club. A fact man walked through the Highbury for you - Chelsea have not produced doors in 1996. a single youngster who plays in their Liverpool have lost three of their first team since they were bought out opening eight games in the Premier

by Roman Abramovich. Still, after 35 League - last season, they lost two years with no trophies whatsoever, I'm league games all year. All is not well sure City'll be happy to win a corner. on the Mersey, and the summer time

Athlete oftheWeek: Tristan Taylor 'Tm turning 22 on the 21st of this month [October]. I've been playing, oh, since about grade five, so that's probably like, more than 10 years ago, I can't even think right now" Where did you go to high school?

"I went to high school-in Cranbrook at Mount Baker Secondary school and that's where I graduated from. I transferred from College of the Rockies, I'm studying kinesiology. It's kind of an athlete thing I guess."

BRITTANY WEISNER Why did you come to UFV? SPORTS & HEALTHEDITOR "I don't really have a conscious reason I guess. I saw them play in provinFV is lucky to have such a variety cials when I played for the College of of team sports and such talented athletes. The men's Volleyball team is the Rockies in Cranbrook. And I just starting their season this month and I met a couple of the guys and they just was able to sit down and chat with one seemed really nice and then I looked into the school and saw I could still of the team's senior athletes, Tristan play volleyball while I can get my deTaylor.

First off, how old are you and how gree which is impossible for a lot of smaller colleges" long have you been playing?

U

What position do you play? And what is your volleyball history?

"Right now I'm playing middle but I've played every position except for power, which is a little bit crazy, but um, I don't know, I haven't really achieved anything, like my team never won provincials or anything like that, never really on an all star team.

Hopefully we'll find something like that this year."

What are you looking forward to this season?

"Um, well, I'm looking forward to, because I think since this is my last year of eligibility, I'm looking forward to playing as much as I can.

I've been on the bench for a lot of my time in the college league. I feel like it's my time to shine. I am graduating in April, I've one more class left- I'm getting an English minor, so I've also got 4 English classes left to do. It's not going too bad."

Why do you like Volleyball?

"I like the sport because it's the most co-operative sport there is. The guys on the court with you, they have to be, they have to have your back in a sense. You have to know that they're going to make the play, so you can make the next play, I really like that.

I've had a lot of experiences where

departure of midfielder Xabi Alonso is seen as the catalyst for the relative mire that the Scousers find themselves in. Summer acquisition Alberto Aquilani has not yet made his competitive debut for the club; when he does, we may see a change in fortunes for Liverpool, but a league which looks fairly wide open by recent standards poses a greater threat to the top teams than ever before. One of the Big Four seem set to fall by the wayside, or at least stumble, and the Scousers will be hoping that it won't be them.

Other teams that will be hoping to make their voices heard at the top of the tree are Aston Villa, who, despite the loss of captain Martin Laursen to retirement and Gareth Barry to the City cash-flow revolution, will be hoping to stay there or thereabouts.

English players such as Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and James Milner are expected to take the brunt of the team's attacking prowess on their shoulders, and also barge their way into the England squad for next year's World Cup. Sunderland, under the new management of Steve Bruce, are looking much stronger than they did last season, and boast the impressive strike partnership of Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent, the Tottenham misfit who scored twenty goals last season. The team, which seems to have a stronger core last year - no doubt helped by the purchase of hard-bastard Lee Cattermole from Bruce's old charges, Wigan Athletic - emerged

from Old Trafford unlucky not to get the win against a lacklustre United team that clinched a barely-deserved draw.

Infamous for starting slow, Everton are lingering in the wings, after another tough off-season for manager David Moyes, who found new recruits hard to come by once more - maybe it's because he has scary ice-blue eyes and never seems to blink. Nevertheless, Daniel Bilyaletdinov (try saying that after five pints) has found his way into the set-up, and the return oflongterm absentee Mikel Arteta will feel like a new signing.

Down at the other end, Portsmouth are bottom - despite finally securing their first win and points of the season after eight times of trying, they are being written off already, due to the internal turmoil at the club, where no-one's really sure what's going on, and the lack of characters and leaders on the pitch. It would be folly to write anyone off at his stage, but Pompey need to sort themselves out fast, on and off the pitch. Their fall from grace after winning the FA Cup Final in 2007 has been rapid. However, in the last week, they have secured investment from Arab investor Ali Al Faraj, who has promised the team money to spend come January.

As with the top of the table, it seems that the relegation spots are anyone's at this point. Newly-promoted teams Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley will be widely tipped to make the drop, but they are not the only ones: Hull City, who survived by the skin of their teeth last year; West Ham United, who find themselves in a spot of trouble now that the honeymoon period for manager Gianfranco Zola is over; and Blackburn Rovers, who lost top-scorer Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City, but are under the guidance of Sam Allardyce, who worked minor miracles with little money at Bolton Wanderers.

However, so early on, this is all subject to change; there's a long way to go yet.

WorkfortheCascade WeNeedSports Photographers!

Ifyouenjoyattending games,whynot earnsomecashontheside?

Submit sample photos to: Cascade.Business@ufv.ca you're playing basketball or hockey and you don't get passed to you for a long time. But with this one you have to touch the ball, which I found was really cool" There's been a bit of a bad connotation about volleyball, how would you want to prove it's a tough, manly sport?

I would say that that is terribly wrong. Come out and try for yourself how difficult it is. I mean, I guess it's not the hardest sport in the world, not like gymnastics or something like that, which in my opinion, is the toughest sport out there. But it's not

easy you have to have the whole crowd with you. Just try it yourself and you'll see. Come out to game and see that ball is going really fast and it gets hit really hard and people are big and the plays are bigger."

Is there anything you'd like to add?

"I don,t really know, I've never been interviewed before. Um, well, our next game is at CBC [Columbia Bible College] on October 31st, at like 7 or 8. We really want people to come out and watch our home games! So come out and support us!

18 Sports & Health

Cascade News • FridayOctober 16th 2009

Gretzky Says Good-bye to Phoenix JUSTIN ORLEWICZDoan and the other of course is Coach

CONTRIBUTORWayne Gretzky. Sadly on September 24 Wayne Gretzky decided to step

T

he Coyotes have had very few highlights in their franchise since their beginning in the desert 13 years ago. In their thirteen seasons The Coyotes have never won a playoff series and have yet to turn a profit, which has put the franchise on the brink of bankruptcy. The Coyotes' history is anything but glorious or successful, however the franchise has had a couple of bright spots in it's short history. They have a couple of star attractions; one being Shane

down as head coach of The Phoenix Coyotes, so that the organization can figure out their financial situation.

This ends Gretzky's four year tenure as the Coyotes bench boss.

Following his resignation Gretzky posted this statement on his official web site.

"This was a difficult decision that I've thought long and hard about, we all hoped there would be a resolution earlier this month to the Coyotes ownership situation, but the decision

is taking longer than expected. Since both remaining bidders have made it clear that I don't fit into their future plans, I approached General Manager Don Maloney and suggested he begin looking for someone to replace me as coach. I've loved the four years I spent coaching the Coyotes. Not a day went by when I took it for granted, and I will miss the competition of the NHL dearly. It was an honor to hold the position, and I will always consider myself especially fortunate to have had this opportunity.

The Coyotes scouting staff has put together a great group of young and

talented players who are going to improve tremendously over the next few years," said Gretzky. ''I'm proud of the team we've assembled, the organization with which I've been associated and the thousands of dedicated fans who have never wavered in their support of this young team. I'm confident that the best is yet to come for hockey in Phoenix."

Gretzky has been managing partner and part-owner since 2000, and was named coach in August 2005. In his four seasons the club went 143161-24, and missed the playoffs each season.

In Gretzky's absence, UlfSamuelsson was running The Coyotes training camp. The Coyotes have recently hired veteran coach Dave King as their assistant coach, and former NHL goalie Sean Burke as the team's goalie coach. Former Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett has been hired on as Phoenix's new head coach. Dave Tippett's NHL coaching record is 271156-65. He has also has a divisional title with the Stars and has taken them to the conference finals.

Life,Health,Happinessand the CanadianFood Guide ARenewed lookatbalance andrightliving inourdiets that body that looks like it was chisPAUL FALARDEAU

ARTS& LIFEEDITOR eled from marble.

S

o you've tried all the trendy diets that bombard your brain constantly with images of perfect abs and great buns (by the way, when did buns because an accepted term for buttocks and does it really have the same ring to it as "tight ass"?) They don't really seem to work though, do they? You may lose a couple of inches off your tummy quickly, and that's great. In the long run though, you usually seem to regain those lost pounds and often as not, they bring back friends.

There are a few fatal flaws with conventional dieting and weight loss programs. First-off: their marketing is often the reason they don't work.

Modern weight loss "solutions" tend to be endorsed by celebrities, whose glamorous appearance is a selling point for those who wish to sculpt their bodies in light of those lofty images. Here's the reality check. Celebrities have money, and they make more of it by staying "beautiful" and fit.

Movie stars have the funds' to pay dieticians and trainers to force them to lose weight. No will power or effort is really required. Sure they have to put in the hard work and exercise, drink weird shakes or whatever voodoo is required of them but, realistically, they have little choice, they are slaves to their bodies.

When nobody is behind us holding the whip we generally stray from these harshly regimented diets and workouts. No one really wants to eat nothing but cabbage soup, and it's hard to have only a protein shake at lunch when your friends are headed to the local burger enterprise. Who really wants to get up at four AM and power walk or breathe in the aroma of other people's sweat while you jog in one place? I forgive you if you deviate from these preordained paths to "healthy living" and the sainthood of

out of shape and most importantly, unhappy, the longer the revenue rolls in. Improper image glorification, coupled with unrealistic diets and easy junk food alternatives are what has kept western society obese for too long. I'm not going to point fingers, because responsibility lies with every m a n or woman onto themselves, but as far as the weight-loss industry goes, the cat is really out

The next deadly sin that modern "solutions" commit is false advertizing. They are not solutions. They are quick fixes. Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, diet pills, Atkins, you name it, its all really just placebo. Anyone with a marginal understanding of science will tell you the folly of these fly-by-night food hopes. They usually dramatically unbalance your nutrient intake in favour of quick weight loss.

It works, but often too well. You end up more sick than healthy as a result, despite being skinnier and the minute you deviate even slightly, you gain it all back quicker than you lost it.

The problem isn't the idea of dieting. The problem is the extreme diets of today. The root word is from the Greek diaitasthai or diaita, meaning literally "to lead one's life." Webster's dictionary describes it as "a: food and drink regularly provided or consumed b: habitual nourishment." These definitions do not lend themselves to crash dieting or imbalance of nutrients.

In fact they insinuate the complete opposite: a regular intake of food and drink in a manner which w i 1 1 :ilfe~ct. .ail'J!\itrke <ind· pa!ili3, propa.6, ltSCJVin9J· g at e proper nourishment for the human body. of the bag.

So what is the solution for the evSo, after tearing apart current eryday Joe or Jane? Remember that diet trends, where are we left? To a many diets were originally aimed at life of permanent pot-bellied, doucelebrities, so it is really no big sur- ble-chinned, chubbiness? Not at all. prise that the men and women behind Kamo-no Chomei said "To underthem are looking to make a buck. stand the world of today, hold it up to Crash diets do just that and nothing the world oflong ago," Well, looking more, after all, the longer you stay fat, at ancient times, or even a hundred

years ago, our diet was a balanced affair which involved eating all kinds of natural, healthy products. Looking even more recently in history we come across something called "The Food Guide."

This wonderful system was developed by scientists working for our government, under Health Canada.

The difference between these scientists and "scientists" behind other weight-loss systems is that these scientists are not trying to turn a buck.

The system was originally developed during the Second World War and was based around getting proper nutrient intake under ration. Since then, the guide has continued to develop under Health Canada's watchful eye to address modern health concerns and scientific progress. Indeed, there were previously concerns that the Canada Food Guide did not cater well to diets that did not follow the North

American tradition. In response, the guide has been modified to help those whose typical foods are not the same as a traditional Canadian diet. This may be the most wonderful part of the Canadian Food Guide: that, like any scientific idea, it is always up for change and improvement.

The problem many may have is that

following the food guide will not hack and slice the fat off your frame. It does however keep your health, not your looks in mind, and l~t's not forget the two are different and that looks will follow health, they always do.

The up side is that the Canadian Food Guide leaves the choices up to you, giving you breathing room and the ability to eat what you want, so long as it is balanced and doesn't exceed the daily limit of that group.

Luckily, the system is not overly strict and has different set-ups for people of different ages, gender, race and physique:-How closely you follow will dictate how quickly you lose the pounds and inches.

Going back to that old Greek definition, "to lead one's life," you will realize that no diet is an island of weight-loss. To be healthy is a lifestyle.

A proper "diet" involves healthy food choices, yes, but also proper exercise and right livelihood. Information on how to achieve this, as well as free copies of the Food guide, is available at www.hc-sc.gc.ca This may seem like something your doctor has told you a million times before and it is. The simple, blissful, truth is that proper health is a result of balance, and that balance has been mapped out for you by scientists and physicians. Topping all that off, it's free. So look into it. What awaits you is a healthy happy lifestyle. This includes eating fresh, local and delicious foods (an easy tip is buying direct from farmers. It's cheap and it's healthier) and moderate exercise (which is usually more fun than you'd think). Maybe the greatest selling point is that the fate of your weight doe~n't hang on the super-strict regiments of crash diets. Eat fast food or candy once in a while, just do it in moderation, along with a balanced diet and exercise. That, my friends, is the secret to good health. Didn't you know it all along?

AHealthy Initiative APRIL HODSONEach is dedicated to the active com-

CONTRIBUTORmunity initiative and contributes to the initiative in their own way. They ome on Abbotsford it's time to hope to inspire people to live a healthy get moving. No more lounging; lifestyle through their collaboration. it's time for lunging. No more slack- By encouraging everyone to eat well, ing; it's time for healthy snacking. It's be active, and live tobacco free, they time to swap smoking for a smoking hope to make Abbotsford one of the hot bod. It's time to make your health healthiest communities in British Coa priority and the healthy Abbotsford lumbia. initiative is just the program to do it One way that the initiative is hopwith. ing to light some torches is through This initiative is an active partencouraging everyone to take 2010 nership between the city of Abbots- seconds towards better health. This ford, UFV, Fraser Health, Abbotsford adds up to thirty-three and a half School District (School District Thir- minutes, and is the recommended ty-four) and The Abbotsford News. amount of exercise for five days a

C

week. This seems like a lot too many people, but as Christina Vugteveen, one of the organizers for the City of Abbotsford, says, "If you did nothing but now do five minutes, that's great."

The idea is to improve your lifestyle, not do a complete overhaul overnight.

Start with something that you can handle and work up to 2010 seconds.

And if a healthier lifestyle isn't enough of an incentive to get you in gear, than how about some prizes?

There are $75000 worth of prizes to be had for anyone who takes part in the Fall Activity Challenge. All you have to do is pick up an activity log from the Abbotsford or Matsqui recre-

ation centers or on campus and then fill it out and hand it back in to MRC or ARC and you will be entered into a draw. Prizes include gym and rereation centre passes, gift certificates, an elliptical trainer, spa packages and a two day getaway to Sun Peaks Resort including accommodation and lift passes. All are excellent prizes to help you continue to take care of yourself. And everyone has a chance to win, not only the extremely fit; if you make an effort towards positive lifestyle changes and enter the contest you may win.

UFV is also part of the initiative; some of the kinesiology students out

there may have even taken part in it.

Athletes from UFV were being sent to elementary schools around the district to give fitness demonstrations and be "spokespeople" for the healthy Abbotsford initiative. UFV provides education and research and hosted the kick-off event for the Healthy Abbotsford initiative. If you want to learn more about the initiative, the prizes or ways you can make your life healthy than check out the website: healthyabbotsford.ca.

Sports & Health 19

Cascade News • Friday October 16th 2009

Interviewwith Alan Errington:Coach of the men's Soccer team at UFV have won the game ...! thought we PAUL BRAMMER STAFFWRITER played well enough to win. It's some-

A

lan Errington is now in his sixth season as the coach of the men's Soccer team at UFV, and he brings a wealth of experien-ceto the post.

Alan has been inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame twice, first of all during his time as the Head Coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps from 1978-82, during which time the Whitecaps were crowned the NASL Soccer Bowl Champions in ·1979.

The second time was when Alan was on the coaching staff at the Vancouver 86ers, when the team went on an unprecedented 46-game unbeaten streak. In addition to this, Alan was involved with the Canadian national team for ten years.

More recently, he has enjoyed great success with Abbotsford youth teams,· most notably winning the provincial and national championships back-toback.

Recently, I sat down with Alan and asked him about the fortunes of the UFV team this season, plus his own past in the game.

How's the season going?

"It's been a tough season. We've won two and lost six I think, so it's not been as productive as we'd have like it to been. But every game we've played we've been in it ...the worst we've lost is 2-0 ...we've always been in and about it. We're just a little bit short on quality and a little bit short on some characters in the team that have got a bit more drive. I think we have to develop that for next y~ar. But the effort's there ...just some of them don't have the background to know what to do [in certain situations]. It's a very physical, tough league to play in.

It's not a great standard where there's a lot of technical play, it's a lot of really hard work ...a tough league. We try and play football, but you need that bit of toughness both physically and mentally, and I think we've lacked in both areas this year." !

Have you seen team performances improve from the first to the second half of the games? ''I've given them a couple ofroastings this year, and they have responded. We've had a bit of bad luck as well...

We were up 2-0 in Saskatchewan, and we lost 3-2-. We were the victims of some poor· officiating, where we had two players sent off. We still should

thing that we've got to get on with and deal with. We try as best we can to motivate them."

What style do you have as a coach?

"I like us to try and play football. I come from a professional background with the Whitecaps and the national team, where we try and play entertaining but purposeful football...but I think the game itself is a very good enjoyable game. We try to play as much as we can, but the league we're in, you've got to leave a bit of that and kick and run a little bit."

Have you had to adapt your coaching style since becoming a university coach?

"Absolutely. This is harder ...Coaching the national team, if players are not doing well, out, next one in. [With the] Whitecaps, 86ers, when you work with the best players, if they're not performing, out they go. At the university you don't have that luxury - you get handed a bunch of players who are going to school. You've got to make what you've got work. It's a bit more difficult. There's a lot more coaching to be done. Having said that, it's more difficult to coach the players when they're 18, 19, 20 than when they're 14, 15, 16, when they're more impressionable."

What are the strengths of the team?

"I think we've got some good experienced players; we lost s.omelast year, which hurt us. We've lacked up front a bit this year, where we've not scored so many goals."

What are your goals for the team?

"The ambition is- always to make the playoffs. Then it's a lottery. The Whitecaps finished seventh in the league; now they're in the final. We've not done that yet. We were very close the last two years. But that's always the goal at the beginning of the season,'.

What do you think about the recruiting process?

'Tm working with players now that are two years away [from making the UFV team]. I'm working with players, developing them ...so we've got something coming through every year...

It's not gonna happen overnight; it'd be nice to recruit the best players ...the reality is, we're .not gonna do that, so we've got to develop. As strong as the club is inAbb. That's how strong we'll be ...l coach at the club - I coach the Under 17s and Under 18s, so I have a direct influence over how they prepare and how they play before they come to school. I coach at the high school... that's where [current player] Robbie Fadden came out of. But I think again the youth soccer program in Canada is massive, there's millions playing, but the level...is very amateur. Coming from the pro background, they don't understand the game. We have to try to teach them the game at an early age. Not just the game but the habits, how we train, how we play, how much work has to go in."

Is Canadian football growing with time?

"I think it's going ba~kwards.

When I was with the [Canadian] World Cup [team] in '94, '98, we finished second [in the qualifying group] in 94, and only one team went to the World Cup, because the U.S. were already-in it [note - the host nation for the world cup automatically qualifies for the competition]. Mexico beat us 2-1 [in the playoff for the sole World Cup spot]. In today's World Cup we would have been in it, because three teams qualify [now]. So, way way back in 1979-81 when the NASL was around, the standard was much much higher - we had about 40-odd players from British Columbia playing North American soccer. When we had the CSL, we had ten teams in Canada; now we've got three - Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto. There's not enough Canadians playing at that higher level, so it's a domino effect. Now there's no money in the game, there's no opportunities. The standard's dropped."

Do you think Vancouver entering the MLS will have a positive effect on soccer in B.C.?

"I think the MLS definitely will help. But I think it's absolutely scandalous ...that the teams are semi-professional. Most of the players have to go overseas, you don't see them, You just bring them in [to the national squad] because they're playing overseas. We need a league in Canada.

You look at the NASL in 1984, there were players playing at a good level with some world-class players - Pele, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, great players.

Then it folded. The Americans after

the World Cup in '94 spent 50 million dollars ... to develop a new league [the MLS]. I think Nike kicked in 200 million dollars to keep the league afloat.

So they subsidized that for years until it was well established. In Canada ... everyone's got a budget, the trave!'s ridiculous ...people are losing money.

The CSA needs to come in ...and they ~eed money somewhere to say they'll subsidize us for ten years until they get established. When we had the CSL.there were 30 players [on each team] training every day. So, as a national team coach, you can go and look at some of those players as well as players in Europe. You've got more base. We've got three teams now, 80 to 90 players ...all three teams have got loads of foreigners in, not many Canadians. So, where do you look at players? So I think it's gone downhill.

I think the standard's not as good as it used to be."

Career highlights?

"1994, we didn't qualify for the world cup, but we played ...five games - Germany, Holland, Morocco, Spain and Brazil before they went to the World Cup. We tied one-one [with Brazil] -there were 62,000 people there. Brazil went on undefeated ... [they] won the World Cup. Being involved with the Whitecaps 1979 when they won the Soccer Bowl...Vancouver 86ers, who won four national championships in four years. Comparing that to the Whitecaps now is night and day. [In terms of amateur soccer] - I coached in Abbotsford when I quit the national team ... we won the provincials and nationals two years in a row. Probably one of the most satisfying teams I've worked with, bec~use they came from nothing, to, in the last season we never lost a game. [Also], coaching the World Cup team ...! was involved with the national team for 20 years."

Do you still have personal ambition to get back in the professional game?

"If it happens, it happens. I'm not going out looking for jobs. I love the football [in England], but I couldn't live there ...I'm Canadian. I've lived here longer than I've lived in England ...no doubt about it. The Whitecaps bring in foreign players - I think they should be Canadians ...! think when you see the [Canadian teams] bringing in Jamaicans and Haitians and Americans, they're developing players... who are gonna compete

against Canada in the CONCACAF tournaments, and I think that's diabolical. The 86ers, we were so successful, we had one foreigner on the team, a kid from Fiji. Everybody else was Canadian - 95% from B.C., and we won the North American Championship one year, best in North America, not just Canada. The players are still out there ...When I was [at the Whitecaps], I knew all the players [in B.C.], I knew everybody in the area. I don't think they know that now at the Whitecaps. I don't think they know much about the area. I have no aspirations of going back into the ...pro game... I think Colin [Miller, head coach of the Women's Soccer team] is a good coach. When you go into the pro game, you need someone you can trust ...!' d work with him."

Why do you and Colin [Miller, Women's soccer coach] work so well together?

"He doesn't know anything and I know everything! No, I think we've both grown up in the same environment. So we've come through that system of the professional game. The way we were brought up in the game, we had the same philosophies. When he was the head coach at the Abbotsford team and I was the coach, it was scary ...!' d sometimes give my halftime team talk, and he'd walk over and say exactly the same thing. So we're totally on the same page. He's the most honest guy I've ever known.

I don't think there's anything I can say that would offend him. (As a coach] I tell it as it is. I tell the players some things, they might not like it but that's how I see it. That's one of the problems in soccer".

Who influenced you?

"Tony Waiters [was a] huge influence ...Guy who used to play at Arsenal, was a coach at the Whitecaps, Bob Mcnab ...he coached me through my [coaching badges]. He slaughtered me, he was terrible, he used to hammer me, but he did it for the right reasons. Bobby Rohson, great influence ...

Johnny Giles...Nobby Stiles...I'm very, very fortunate to learn from the best...

I've been the luckiest person in the world."

There you have it, the thoughts of a great coach, we are very lucky he's with us.

Pilates:More than just exercise a great deal of concentration can help SONJA SZLOVICSAK

STAFFWRITER the body recover from injuries.

T

here are many exercises that provide more than just physical benefits; Tai Chi and yoga have meditative aspects that are supposed to calm the mind. Team sports (like soccer and hockey) provide camaraderie and arguably teach social skills; and Bikram yoga (or hot yoga) is supposed to make participants sweat the toxins out of their bodies. Pilates was created to help soldiers recovering from physical injuries, particularly back injuries. Joseph Pilates, a German physician, based his exercises on the idea that the mind can control the body (in fact, Pilates was originally called "Contrology." Pilates however sounds so much better). Pilates (the physician, not the exercise) believed that exercises that are performed with

Pilates (this time I'm referring to the exercise and not the doctor) works the core of the body. The spine and abdominal muscles are supposed to benefit the most from these exercises.

Pilates is not a sequence of simple movements, like aerobics, but rather an intensely focused change of postures.

Traditional Pilates does not make use of equipment. Practitioners simply require a mat and flexible clothing.

However, there is a version of Pilates that uses machines to add difficulty to the exercises. A number of PHates studios use different names for their classes which use equipment, but the classes and equipment are usually very similar; a person sits in a machine designed to help control movement and provide resistance while an

instructor supervises and provides assistance when needed.

Pilates positions are supposed to be "held." That is, once a practitioner gets into position, he or she does not release immediately. It's like doing a sit-up, but stopping about three quarters of the way "up." This way, practitioners are forced to feel the full brunt of the workout.

Posture is an integral part of Pilates. To protect the spine,_and ensure practitioners receive the full benefit of the exercises, the abdominal muscles are usually contracted (most instructors will tell participants to "keep their core nice and strong to protect the spine."). This adds stability to the core, as well as working the abdominal muscles.

Because Pilates requires so much focus to perform, practitioners are supposed to have a clear mind. This

.adds a medit~tive aspect to the workout. It you can't focus on the movements being performed, the benefits from the exercises are lessened. Pilates classes can be a great way to unwind after work or school while gaining physical benefits.

Unlike aerobics, spinning, swimming or any number of other exercises, Pilates is not cardio based.

If you're looking to lose weight, Pilates works great in partnership with other, more cardio focused, exercises, but Pilates on its own will not lead to many cardio benefits.

However, it will provide you with a strong core and teach you to control your body. This can prevent injuries and make other exercises, like lifting

weights and running, much easier on your body. There is also research that shows that Pilates can increase flexibility.

There are a number of Pilates studios in Abbotsford, as well as classes being offered on campus.