JANUARY 30 TO FEBRUARY 5, 2019
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 04
Spillin’ the tea since 1993
FAIRGROUNDS INCREASES PrICES
pg.3
The myth of the starving artist
pg. 10
abbotsford schools change opt-out policy for sogi
pg. 7
Cascade Kitchen: Yellow thai curry
pg. 16
WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca
Production Assistant Renée Campbell renee@ufvcascade.ca
Production Assistant Uyen Nguyen uyen@ufvcascade.ca
News Editor Jessica Barclay jessica@ufvcascade.ca
Opinion Editor Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca
Culture & Events Editor Cassie de Jong cassie@ufvcascade.ca
Features Editor Cat Friesen cat@ufvcascade.ca
Multimedia Editor Mikaela Collins mikaela@ufvcascade.ca
Arts in Review Editor Martin Castro martin@ufvcascade.ca
Illustrator Simer Haer Illustrator Cory Jensen
Sports Writer Alex Jesus Staff Writer Emmaline Spencer
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Staff Writer Carissa Wiens
Online Editor Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca
CONTRIBUTORS Beru Bell Aleister Gwynne Alexandra Johnson Darien Johnson Evan Werbin Addison Wiebe Cover Artwork: Mikaela Collins Back Cover: Mikaela Collins
WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
ARTS
Illustrator Kayt Hine
OPINION
Production Manager Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca
NEWS
Managing Editor Jessica Barclay jessica@ufvcascade.ca
CONTENTS
FEATURE
Business Manager Quintin Stamler quintin@ufvcascade.ca
Creative Director Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca
CULTURE
Executive Editor (interim) Cat Friesen cat@ufvcascade.ca
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13 9.......Events Calendar
Snapshots.......8 Study Break.......16-17
@UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/UFVCASCADE Volume 27 · Issue 04 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529 The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a print circulation of 1,000 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.
NEWS Fairgrounds price increases.......3
4......Pedestrian bridge opening
Robbery on Campus.......4 OPINION Venezuela overthrows dictator.......5 Gillette advertisement.......6
6.......Dear Robin 7.......Editorial
SOGI opt-out no more.......7 CULTURE UFV speaks......12
The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Writers meetings are held every Monday at 2:30 p.m. in The Cascade’s office on the Abbotsford campus.
Last of the Ceasars film series.......13
In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.
Wrestling.......14
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18.......CIVL Shuffle
12.......Sexualized violence 13.......Indigenous language lecture
SPORTS
Men's basketball.......15 Glass.......18
15.......Women's basketball ARTS 19.......The Colour Red
news@ufvcascade.ca Jessica Barclay — News Editor
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
NEWS
SUS //
Fairgrounds increases beverage pricing NEWS BRIEFS
Prices jump between 10 and 65 cents
Wage Gap in Abbotsford School District 15 per cent An analysis by Abby News has found that all women in managerial positions in the Abbotsford School District make less than men in the same positions. The analysis looked at the “sunshine list,” the annual disclosure of all employees’ salaries in public institutions who make over $75,000 per year. Different positions showed different levels of disparity: from 97.7 cents for every dollar for female managers to 85 cents per dollar for female directors. “School district spokesperson Kayla Stuckart said ... there are ‘a number of variables’ that affect compensation and placement on the salary grid,” Abby News reported. -Abbotsford News
Student union executives suspended after suspicious credit debt found The president and vice-president of operations of Ryerson University’s student union have been suspended following allegations of financial misconduct. It has been reported that the full financial statements show credit card debt totaling $250,000, though the statements have not yet been fully released. Although the cards are under the names of the president and vice-president of operations, it is unclear who was using the card at the time of purchase. “The statements show that purchases included $2,280.89 to the club EFS Toronto, $2,507.18 at a Cineplex Rec Room in Toronto, and $1,375.21 at Nick’s Sport Shop,” the Eyeopener reported. -the Eyeopener
Farigrounds. (David Myles)
JESSICA BARCLAY The Student Union Society’s (SUS) Abbotsford campus coffee shop, Fairgrounds, has seen an increase in pricing of their beverages. The price increases of 10 to 65 cents were due in part, according to SUS president Gurvir Gill, to the need to “offset” some of their costs, despite the coffee shop being in the green both last financial year and this financial year. Last November a review was undertaken by the SUS team to assess the costs associated with Fairgrounds, including packaging and ingredients. Labour costs were also looked into, as they are expected to increase; the B.C. government announced in 2017 that it would be increasing minimum wage from $11.35 to $15.20 an hour by June 2021. Price increases were set for all beverages except for steamed milk and loose leaf tea, which stayed the same, and certain mocha beverages — specifically, the 16 and 20 oz. mochas — saw a 15 to 30 cent decrease. Increases for 16 oz. drinks ranged from 10 cents for an Americano, to 20 cents for a drip coffee, to 50 cents for a chai tea latte. Along with the price changes,
several new items were brought in. Pizza pretzels, baked pretzels, and samosas were added to the food menu. For cold beverages, a 20 oz. option was added, along with two drinks: raspberry lemonade and pina colada smoothies. This was the first price increase in three to four years, according to Gill, who added that although the cafe was making money this financial year, sometimes price increases are necessary for a business.
SUS also compared their pricing to what Gill said was Fairgrounds competition, naming Starbucks and Waves Cafe as examples of similar business models. “So when we're looking at our pricing, our pricing [was and is] lower than reasonable competition. Like, where else do students get their coffees?” Gill said. “So there was a little bit of wiggle room because we offer a high end quality, we offer our high-end beverages, and everything we do is biodegradable and compostable." Even with the price increases, Fairgrounds is less expensive for most beverages than Starbucks, though there is neither a Starbucks nor a Waves Cafe on campus. The nearest Waves Cafe is in Chilliwack, a short walk from the CEP campus that does not host a Fairgrounds cafe. On campus, the Indigenousowned, organic, and fair trade Spirit Bean cafe is around the same price as Fairgrounds. Drip coffee at Spirit Bear is 15 cents higher than Fairgrounds, but a latte is 50 cents cheaper and a chai tea latte is 70 cents cheaper. Nearly all equivalent beverages offered by the chain coffee shop Tim Hortons have lower prices than the new prices at Fairgrounds.
“When we're looking at our pricing, our pricing [was and is] lower than reasonable competition” “What we do as an organization is serving the membership, but the coffee outlet is it a business, right? It's not a service, right? If it was the service, I think it would be probably just be free in a sense,” Gill said. The price increase would see an initial cost for students, staff, and faculty, but Gill said the SUS would look into using any surplus to expand programming, such as student orientations or the advanced leadership programming, or possibly increasing food or beverage options. As part of the assessment, the
Notice of apology CJS Board of Directors The Cascade Journlaism Society's Board of Directors would like to apologize for the wrongful publication of the "Cavorting at Carport" feature article in the Volume 27, issue 01, issue of The Cascade, published on January 9th. The article had been assigned for publication in Raspberry magazine. "Cavorting at Carport" has also been pulled from all online platforms.
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NEWS
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
Community //
Salton pedestrian and cycling bridge open Overpass creates safe connection between UFV and retail and housing on the north side of Highway 1
UFV //
Double robbery on UFV campus
Thefts prompt Risk and Safety warning for Abbotsford campus JESSICA BARCLAY
Salton Roach pedestrian bridge.(Beru Bell)
BERU BELL The new pedestrian and cycling bridge on Salton Road was formally opened last Wednesday, Jan. 23. The bridge connects UFV on the south side of Highway 1 to the strip mall on the north side, and provides a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists commuting to UFV who previously had to cross the bridge at McCallum over Highway 1. Construction on the project began in November 2017 and was completed in late December 2018. It cost $5.67 million to build, slightly over the $3.9 million estimated early in construction. Funding for the bridge included a $1 million grant from the province’s BikeBC program as well as $3.3 million in funding from the Federal Gas Tax Fund. The opening was well attended by students and locals. The Abbotsford Integrated School of Arts (ASIA) school band as well as the mascot of the Fraser Valley Bandits basketball team and a local dance troupe performed live music and dance on the bridge before speeches were given. Various government officials were in attendance, as well as UFV vice-president external
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Craig Toews and UFV president and vice-chancellor Joanne MacLean, and gave speeches explaining how the bridge was funded by both provincial and federal grants, the meaning of the bridge to the community, and the future of the UDistrict development program. “Essential to a vibrant, connected community, this important link will connect the university community to services and amenities on the north side of the freeway,” MacLean said.
cled bicycle wheels, both with spokes and stripped down to the skeleton, in a wavy, bouncy line which inspires the flow of movement. The art was designed specifically to work with the predetermined structure of the bridge, and is interesting to the viewer both from far away as drivers pass the bridge and see the line and form, and from close up as pedestrians and cyclists cross it and are able to see the fine details. Bukowski usually makes finely detailed works, but said he felt that the bridge itself had a great design and did not want to overshadow the proposed structure. Abbotsford is the 22nd least-walkable city out of the 69 largest cities in British Columbia according to Walk Score. Before the bridge was built, students walking to school who lived on the north side of the highway had to cross off- and on-ramps from the highway over two roundabouts to get to the university. “The new bridge will provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to cross Highway 1, and encourage people to stay active,” MP Jati Sidhu said.
"Essential to a vibrant, connected community." The bridge makes it easier and faster to get food off campus between classes because of the strip mall on the north side of the highway, especially for students who rely on public transit and cannot drive off campus to wherever they want to eat. The bridge has public art installed across the 77 metre span on both sides. Artist Brian Bukowski was chosen through a juried submission process to install his work The Hop Across. The work features recy-
UFV Risk and Safety is warning those on the Abbotsford UFV campus of two robberies, one on Oct. 27 and one on Jan. 17. The thefts are suspected to be by the same person. The first robbery occurred on the Abbotsford campus at Baker House residence. A student’s personal school transcripts and banking information were taken. The second incidence was a series of thefts in Buildings A, C, and S on the Abbotsford campus, where several individual’s credit cards and identification were taken. It is suspected that the thefts were by the same person taking advantage of opportunities presented to them. The suspect has been described as a caucasian male of 45 to 50 years of age, 5’7” with a slim build and short, light grey hair. He reportedly walks with a slight limp. UFV Security has been working with local law enforcement,
and additional patrols have been added around areas at risk. “Security staff are vigilant and are reminding building occupants to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity,” Chris Humphries, security coordinator, said over email. “We are taking other measures that cannot be shared at this time.” An email was sent out by the risk and safety team outlining ways to prevent or deter theft. They encourage those on campus to lock doors to offices, even if leaving for a short period of time, and to not leave items unattended when working in an open space. If a robbery in progress is seen, they recommend not approaching the suspect and instead calling UFV security. “If you see something, say something! If you’re aware of suspicious activity on campus, notify one of our security officers,” Humphries said. Campus security can be reached around the clock at 1-855-239-7654.
OPINION
opinion@ufvcascade.ca Jeff Mijo-Burch — Opinion Editor
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
Politics //
Venezuela just overthrew their dictator, and it’s time for us to pay attention DARIEN JOHNSEN The people of Venezuela have shown a tremendous amount of bravery in their protests against the now former-president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. When Maduro was elected for a second term in office on Thursday, Jan. 10, protests were organized across the country, encouraged by opposition leader Juan Guaidó. Some say the election was rigged and is therefore illegitimate. Maduro has been president since 2013 and this re-election would have meant another six years in office. Maduro has been recognized as a dictator with no legitimate power by the U.S. government, and since taking power has led the country into economic and social crisis through extreme corruption, thousands of extrajudicial killings and violent repression of citizens, and the gross mismanagement of the economy. Resistance began soon after Maduro took the presidency, and each time it has flared up, he has fought back. He has replaced supreme court justices with his own loyalists and stripped the National Assembly of power. Then, in 2017, he created the National Constituent Assembly, a governing body that would give him the power to rewrite the constitution. This would essentially eradicate any opposition to his rule. The response from citizens has been widespread and ongoing demonstrations, which have received violent reaction from the military, with the most deadly happening last spring, when 100 people were killed in protests. Yet Venezuelans are still fighting back. During Maduro’s time in power, data from the International Monetary Fund shows that the inflation rate has risen from 19 per cent in 2013 to over 1,000,000 per cent at the end of last year and is expected to surpass 10,000,000 per cent in 2019. Multiple news sources have reported that Venezuelan bolivars have become so worthless that most citizens turn to the black market to buy American dollars and goods. Most Venezuelans are not able to access the government set exchange rate
We Are Millions march in Venezuela. (Wiki Commons)
of about 10:1 and are forced to buy dollars on the black market and that exchange rate sits at 2,560:1. The military was also given control over the food supply in 2016 and have since been buying food at their exchange rate and reselling it to Venezuelans on the black market at ridiculous prices. Over one million people have fled the country and most still there are liv-
“ If the citizens of a country can step up and demand a new president by uniting their voices and their strength even with the threat of being killed and after years of suffering, we can at least try to care about some of the issues in our community.” ing in poverty, unable afford to buy food, medicine, or other basic goods. Anti-Maduro protests were organized last week on Wednesday, Jan. 23, and thousands of citizens gathered in the capital city of Caracas where Juan Guaidó was sworn in as the official interim president of Venezuela. Guaidó has been backed as the official interim president by many
in the international community, including Canada and the United States. Other countries such as Russia and China have stood behind Maduro, which could cause issues for the country as it tries to move forward. It is yet to be seen how Maduro will retaliate and if he will step down. The army has been loyal supporters of Maduro, and though there have been inklings of resistance from them, they remain so at this point. There are many possibilities for Venezuela. While we don’t know what will happen next, the revolt can serve as an example for those of us here as to what is possible when citizens are motivated. It seems so many people are uninformed and uninterested in issues going on in our own government and community. Maybe people don’t know what to do and feel powerless. But if the citizens of a country can step up and demand a new president by uniting their voices and their strength even with the threat of being killed and after years of suffering, we can at least try to care about some of the issues in our community. Clearly, we aren’t in as extreme a situation as Venezuela, but the world is becoming more and more polarized and pockets of violence and hatred
are growing and popping up everywhere. There are serious issues at home that need our attention. Most of us as students are fed up with the system, broke, and tired, but don’t seem to be motivated to do anything about it. When I read stories like this one from Venezuela, it can be tiring. It feels like the same things keep happening over and over again and there are so many horrible things going on in the world. But instead, I want to try and feel inspired. Venezuelans have been struggling to buy basic goods for the past few years and still managed to organize themselves, literally taking to the streets to demand change. Imagine what we could do if we just pushed that little bit harder; if we allowed ourselves to feel the anger and frustration about the situations we are in, slowed down for a minute to reflect on what’s truly important, and do a little bit of research. We need to step away from social media, ignore the public distraction that is a certain president of a certain country and talk to each other about what’s going on... What can we do? We can’t wait until it gets so bad that we have no other choice but to act.
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OPINION
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
Social Commentary //
Advice //
Dear Robin
On the internet, boys will be boys
Taking a look at Gillette’s controversial new advertisement EMMALINE SPENCER
Dear Robin. (Mikaela Collins)
ROBIN HALPER Life is tough and confusing and weird. We all need help sometimes, and when you need an expert opinion, you turn to an expert opiniongiver like Robin Halper. Whatever problem you’re facing in life, Robin will have a solution. The Cascade cannot guarantee the effectiveness of Robin’s unique approach to life, but if you’re in a jam, get some advice by writing to halp@ufvcascade.ca Roommate ruckus Dear Robin, My roommate is generally a really cool guy, but he keeps watching anime on our TV at full volume in the middle of the night. I haven’t slept in four days, but every time I ask him to stop he acts like it’s no big deal. What can I do? Sincerely, Miffed in Mission Hi Miffed, Your roommate clearly feels an intense shame about his love of anime, and feels a need to symbolically hide it from the world by only engaging with it at night. Perhaps he was once shunned for this hobby. It’s not cool to shun people, but sleep is literally my favourite thing in the world and I hate that you aren’t getting enough. Your best bet will be to challenge him to a duel, with the loser forced to move out. Standard dueling rules will give him the choice of weapon, however,
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so be prepared for this duel to take the form of anime trivia. Best start studying. Robin Party people Dear Robin, I’m a first-year student at UFV, and so far my university experience hasn’t been everything I hoped it would be. Where are the wild parties I see in the movies? Where are the pranks and cool cliques? Nobody has ever chanted “chug” at me and I want to experience that before I die. Thanks, Underwhelmed in Abbotsford Yo Underwhelmed, UFV’s not known as a party place, but they’re there if you know where to look. I don’t think you’ve tried hard enough, to be honest. Next time you see a crowd of people, try putting on your biggest smile and sliding into the group. They may not even notice you’ve included yourself, and if you follow them for long enough, they’re bound to have a party. Some students have also had success integrating with the wider Abbotsford community, but to be honest, people who are proper adults in the real world are terrifying so I’d say pass on that one. The last option is to remember, as a wise soul once told me, that the true party is within yourself, and that only by harnessing that can you truly achieve the state of mind you’re clearly looking for. Robin
This January, Gillette came out with a short film called We Believe: The Best Men Can Be. It would be an understatement to say it caused some discussion on the internet. It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on the detail specifics of individual scenes and clips of the video. The video’s message is that some men need to step up and be the best man they can be because it’s not acceptable to ‘mansplain’ to women or cat-call anymore. The message included stopping bullying as well, and suggested that bullying and harassment are no longer acceptable just because “boys will be boys.” Many of the negative reactions, shown in the comment section of the video and on social media platforms, focus on a few specific scenes in the video. One scene being discussed involved multiple men lined up barbecuing on a lawn while saying “Boys will be boys” while two young boys are on the ground roughhousing. The follow-up scene is one of the men coming forward and breaking the two boys up as one starts to get on top of the other. Based on the comment section of
Close shave. (Cory Jensen)
a forward direction in which things that were normalized in the past like racism, sexism, and violence are coming to a turning point. Another point worth discussing about the video is that all of this was meant to be an attention grab from Gillette. Nowadays the best way to get noticed is to
“Nowadays the best way to get noticed is to do something extreme or controversial.” the video, many people are upset because they believe this to be an attack on normal male behaviour. Some commenters ask, “When will boys be allowed to be boys again?” Others bring up how back when they were kids, they used to get into fistfights all the time and that it’s a normal and healthy thing for boys to do. The video emphasized this scene because this type of behaviour shouldn’t be something people defend. We shouldn’t be defending kids hurting each other at all. Frankly, we shouldn’t be supporting or normalizing any type of violence. In terms of when will boys be allowed to be boys again, no one ever said they ***couldn’t be boys. The video aims to stop us using that phrase as an excuse every time a boy comes home with a bruise or a girl comes home crying because a boy went a little too far. It’s about boys and men understanding that the world is moving in
do something extreme or controversial. Gillette presented a new slogan for their brand, which they haven’t done in a long time. The old slogan was ‘The best a
man can get’ and the new slogan is ‘The best men can be.’ Part of the reason they changed the slogan was for the 30th anniversary of the old slogan. It’s hard to say whether this was all about publicity and money. If the goal was money, it may have backfired due to how many people have decided to swear off using Gillette products until further notice (according to the many upset people on the YouTube comment section and on Twitter). If it was about publicity, then they definitely succeeded. They have the internet’s attention, be it for better or worse.
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
Editorial //
Where’s your money going? CAT FRIESEN Currently, all students pay $30 toward the Student Union Society (SUS) membership fee, $35 for the SUS building fee, $27.24 for the campus connector, and $4.98 for fixIT tech support through their student fees each semester. According to the SUS’s 2017/2018 financial statement, student fees brought in $641,000. This doesn’t include building fees, which brought in $748,000, the campus connector fees brought in $682,000, and IT fees brought in $115,000, student fees. And now, Fairgrounds — the coffee shop in the Student Union Building (SUB) run by the SUS — has increased its prices. Drip coffee, specifically 12 and 16 oz., has gone up by 20 cents; 16 oz. lattes by 30 cents; 16 oz. London fogs by 50 cents; and 16 oz. cappuccino by 60 cents. The baked good prices have stayed the same. For
comparison, Starbucks charges $2.45 for a 16 oz. coffee and $4.45 for a 16 oz. latte. (Fairgrounds charges $2.25 and $4.25, respectively.) What I’d like to know is why the SUS is running a business in the first place. Yes, it’s great to have a campus-specific coffee shop that employs students in need of flexible work hours and a bit of extra cash. And yes, it’s great that they sell sustainably sourced, organic coffee. But they also offer catering services. Student unions are ultimately in place to ***serve the students, and I don’t think many students are hosting events that require them to buy mass quantities of baked goods. (Specifically, a dozen muffins for $20, or a dozen bagels for $30.) Although this is a question for Fairgrounds specifically, it expands to encompass the SUS as a whole. We need to be asking what our student fees are going toward. Right now, the SUS’s website states that some of the available services
they offer are study areas, bookable spaces, vending machines, water stations, and student lounges. On SUS’s website, both the SUB fee and the SUS fee direct you to the same page. Aside from the fact that these perks should be covered by the $35 SUB fee — not by the SUS membership fee — these are all things students can access anywhere else on campus. They aren’t specific to the SUB, or the SUS, for that matter. So the question remains: what is the $30 SUS membership fee going to? What this boils down to is transparency. Sure, the SUS may be funneling all this money into student-centred activities and other things that benefit students, but they need to make this clear. Update us through email announcements, and — this is a big one — keep the website current. Be transparent with budget reports, including the price of running Fairgrounds. As a student union, the SUS is there to benefit the
students. It’s a relationship we enter into when we register for UFV, and relationships take work. Sometimes, you have to ask the hard questions: relationships are all about communication, and, as students, we shouldn’t have to ask the question “Where’s our money going?”
Fairgrounds coffee. (Cory Jensen)
Community //
Opting out of inclusivity
Abbotsford School District changes policy that allowed parents to opt children out of SOGI material CARISSA WIENS
Last week the Abbotsford School District changed their policy allowing parents to opt their children out of class time dedicated to material that conflicted with their personal beliefs. The 17 candidates running for school trustee in Abbotsford’s municipal election last October all answered questions related to the controversial SOGI (sexual orientation gender identity) inclusive education system created by the B.C. government in 2017, which is triggering some parents into wanting to take their children out of the classroom on occasion. Firstly, let’s get this out of the way: SOGI is not a curriculum of its own to be implemented in the B.C. education system. It is, according to the SOGI website, “one aspect of diversity that is embedded across a range of grades and subject areas.” It’s a large tool box of resources for teachers to open the conversation with their students about topics like gender pronouns, gender identity and media stereotypes, and LGBTQ2+ human rights. The fundamental idea behind the SOGI-inclusive education system is to learn about treating those around us with respect and dignity in spite of our differences. It is a way for LGBTQ2+ students and students with family members that identify as such to be represented in class material, in a way they haven’t been previously. SOGI is also an antibullying campaign in response to the stats the B.C. government published in 2017 saying that in the previous 12 months, 28 per cent of LGBTQ2+ students had attempted suicide. This is significantly higher than the four per cent of heterosexual high school students who attempt suicide. The government is doing their part to heighten awareness of lifestyles that may be different to a hetero-sexual lifestyle within the school system. It is not a way to convince children in B.C. to change their genders, as some parents seem to think, judging by the intense backlash the program is generating throughout Abbotsford. According to the Abbotsford News, 10 out of the 17 candidates for school trustee answered the question “I accept that the school district must have a SOGI-inclusive code of conduct along with anti-bullying policies, which are
mandated by the provincial government,” with “strongly agree” and “agree” while two answered with “disagree.” Six candidates were “neutral.” With this in mind we can see that those running for the position made their stance on the subject very clear. Of the seven candidates that became elected, Stan Petersen, Shirley Wilson, Rhonda Pauls, and Freddy Latham stated they “strongly agree,” Preet S. Rai said “agree,” and Korky Neufeld and Phil Anderson labeled themselves as “neutral” towards the issue. The old Abbotsford School District Learning Resource Policy stated that parent(s)/ guardian(s) could excuse their child from access to “material which conflicts with their personal values” and then request “alternative learning resources,” while the updated version approved on Jan. 22, 2019 states, “Where a
missing out on any course material. The school board’s vote for this was unanimous. All of the candidates clearly stated their views on the SOGI initiative and that students must be present when these topics are discussed. But, like all political decisions, there are haters. The thing that surprises me the most about those against SOGI is how outspoken they are on the topic. When I read comments on Facebook or online news articles, most of them are from those who are not in favour. One bold SOGI hater commented that not letting parents take their child out of class time when material from SOGI is discussed is “straight up child abuse,” adding to supporters: “Keep your degenerate lifestyles and choices to yourselves.” Of course now in 2019 we should know to avoid intense comment wars on social media, but I couldn’t look away from that one. How have we become so hateful towards our neighbours that we tell them to leave their “degenerate lifestyles” to themselves? Is it really all that bad that a grade five student’s math problem would ask the student how to calculate the amount of apples Jimmy and his two mothers have picked together? It seems absolutely absurd to me that in this day and age, people are so hostile to those around them. To me it feels like those against SOGI don’t completely understand what it is. The official definition of SOGI is listed above. People need to understand that it’s simply resources for teachers to use to help students in the classroom learn about the diversity of families and differences in our province. No one is forcing a child to become homosexual. Some argue that these topics should be left for discussion at home, but the problem with that is that there are plenty of children whose parents/guardians are not thoroughly informed about the topics of inclusivity that revolve around our culture as opposed to the B.C. teachers who have access to the SOGI initiative to handle these conversations in a peaceful and accepting manner. Is it really so bad that a parent can’t take their child out of class time where they will learn how to accept and care for those in their classroom even though they are different?
“ Is it really all that bad that a grade five student’s math problem would ask the student how to calculate the amount of apples Jimmy and his two mothers have picked together?”
Opting out of SOGI material. (Kayt Hine)
resource is in use in a classroom, parents/guardians have a responsibility to respectfully discuss any concerns with the child’s teacher to arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution.” This new statement completely wipes out the idea of having a child removed from the classroom, therefore leaving it to parents and teachers to conduct a civil conversation about it while still making sure the child is not
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BRIEF BITS OF BITE-SIZED BREVITY
SN S AP HO TS
CURTAILED COMMENTARY ON CURRENT CONDITIONS
Illustrations by Simer Haer
Love letter to Neptune I don’t think we as a society think about Neptune as often as we should. Sure, he’s the furthest planet from the sun and can’t sustain human life, but does that mean we should push him aside like last week’s newspaper? Absolutely not! Find a photo of him online; notice the deep blue and how the different shades melt into one another, notice the subtle bands of white. He’s worked hard to be this beautiful — it’s not easy to create yourself entirely from hydrogen.
(Go ahead, let’s see you do it.) He’s so cool he’s associated with a Roman god — Neptune, the god of the sea, that strong, swarthy chap with the trident. You wouldn’t guess Galileo once mistook him for a star. Neptune? A star?! He’s too prominent, too illustrious to be mistaken for anything but the celestial body that he is. Think about that next time you’re mooning over the moon.
Cat Friesen
Mundane occupational hazards My first job was in the home seasonal department of Superstore, so I didn’t think it was important to listen to the “Be careful, your workplace can be dangerous!” speech. However, what I learned was it was never the giant garbage crusher or chemicals that were dangerous. It was the mundane hazards that sent me to the first-aid kit time and time again. The biggest hazard in my current workplace is the crooked receipt spike. It slants about an inch from the top because it was once used to pry open a jammed
door. There isn’t a shift that goes by that I don’t stab my hand on it. Turns out the worst occupational hazards are the ordinary things you didn’t think could hurt you, like slicing your finger with a box cutter — or worse, the box (imagine a paper cut but five times worse) — and cash register drawers. So I suppose the takeaway here is to always be aware of where the nearest first-aid kit is.
Addison Wiebe
So what is SOGI? Some rejoice over the introduction of SOGI 123 in schools, while others need to learn more about it. SOGI stands for sexual orientation and gender identity, an acronym used in education to describe teachers creating a safe and inclusive space for all of us; everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity. SOGI 123 provides resources to help educators make schools welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ students. Every student understands and expresses their gender and sexuality differently, with interests and choices that can be more or less common for their biological sex. These differences should not lead to bullying and teasing. Ho-
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mophobia and transphobia affect all students whether they identify as LGBTQ+ or not. Educators teach students to treat each other with respect and dignity, so students are all free to express themselves in ways that go beyond the binary. Many people have engaged in debates about SOGI, yet SOGI is here to stay. SOGI is one of many topics about diversity discussed regularly in schools, such as when educators speak about race, ethnicity, religion, and ability. Let’s help develop the capacity within those less tolerant for understanding and acceptance.
Julie Bond
Through rose-flavoured glasses I finally did it: I hit rock bottom of my university career. I have never reached such a low point, not during exam periods, not during medical emergencies, not even during the “I can write a 25-page research essay in four days” trilogy. After six years in university the early morning hours finally broke me. I stood in front of my bathroom mirror Monday morning, groggy and sleepy, reconsidering my life and everything associated with it. I reached for the toothpaste and missed, instead grabbing my rose-
flavoured hand cream. It went onto my toothbrush and into my mouth, and I brushed my teeth the entire way through. I made it all the way to my car before I noticed something was amiss, and I was not nearly as minty fresh as I usually am. Graduation is just around the corner for me, and I think I’m about ready to sit in a hammock for a few months and reconstruct the charred fragments of my brain.
Jessica Barclay
LEGEND:
The Cascade Community Events are in UFV Events are in Music Events are in Art Events are in Cultural Events are in
Blue Green Red Purple Yellow
Note:
Some of these events require tickets, most are on Facebook. If something catches your eye, take to the internet for more details.
Jan 30
Feb 6
Blind Date @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
UFV Blood Drive 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Acrylic Pouring @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
@
Evered
Hall
(Abbotsford
Campus),
Jan 31
Brain Imaging: Presented by UFV Physics Student Association @ Room A353 (Abbotsford Campus), 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
TEDxChilliwack Applicant Showcase @ Cottonwood 4 Cinemas (Chilliwack) 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Feb 7
Art History Course: The Human Form in Art Across the Ages @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford), 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Community Opiod Dialogue @ Mission Leisure Centre, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Mental Health Awareness Club Pub Night Fundraiser @ The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill (Abbotsford), 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Celtic Night with Murphy’s Lagh @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Pizza Night with the Unbranded @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Feb 8 President’s Leadership Lecture Series: Dr. Sophie Schmidt @ Evered Hall (Abbotsford Campus), 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. UFV’s Hospitality and Culinary Experience @ Elements Pop-Up Restaurant (Chilliwack), 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. The History of Romance @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m.
Feb 1
Hotel California Live @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Rise & Shine Toastmasters 25th Anniversary @ Room B121 (Abbotsford Campuse), 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Feb 9
Lonesome Town Painters @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Alison May Rocks @ SippChai Cafe (Abbotsford), 8:00 - 12:00 a.m. Feb 2 Life Writing Workshops @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford) 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. The Greatest Show: Competitive Dance @ Clarke Theatre (Mission) 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Sweet SantaFe @ Mission Coffee House, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Blue Moon Marquee 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
@
Tractorgrease
Cafe
(Chilliwack),
Shawna Caspi @ Acoustic Emporium (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. The History of Romance @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m. Feb 10
Showcase
Armchair Adventure Series - Librarian on the Loose @ Clearbrook Library (Abbotsford) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Fraser Valley Distillery Festival @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
19th Annual Valentine’s Day Dance @ Suburban Swing (Abbotsford) 7:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Roots and Blues with Brandon Isaak @ Tractorgrease Cafe Chilliwack) 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Feb 11
Bonnie Scott - Female-fronted AC/DC tribute @ Captain’s Cabin Pub (Mission), 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Feb 4 Sexualized Violence Prevention Lunch & Learn: Intimacy Direction for Stage and Screen @ Room B101 (Abbotsford Campus), 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Feb 5 Library and Workplace TASK Program Film Screening: Intelligent Lives @ Black Box Theatre (Room A2106) CEP (Chilliwack Campus), 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Open Mic Poetry and Blue Moon Readings @ Clearbrook Library (Abbotsford), 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Feb 12 UFV Physics Student Association: EGBC and Networking Event @ Room A353 (Abbotsford Campus), 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Canvas and Cabernet @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Selfless Documentary Screening @ Clarke Theatre (Mission), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Let’s Just Chat @ Gender Support Network (Chilliwack), 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. New Moon Meditation Workshop @ Haven Yoga & Wellness (Abbotsford), 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
9
Debunking the Myth of the
Tips and tricks to navigating a successful career in the arts.
A
Cassie de Jong - Culture & Events Editor rtists are all too used to peers interrogating them on how they plan to make a living off their art degree. They are already aware that their chosen path will be difficult, but it is important to keep in mind that such a path may not be any less difficult for any other graduate. Nothing is going to be handed out in life, whether studying to be a graphic designer or a rocket scientist. The people that go into the arts do it because it is their passion. Their career often becomes less about the money, and more about the unconventional lifestyle that artists often get to lead. The concept of the starving artist — otherwise known as the poor, hard done by, creative spirit that lives off coffee, ramen noodles, and “experience” in order to live a life off the beaten path — is simply a myth, or at least it doesn't have to be truth. It is ultimately a perpetuated romantic idea that has mainly served storytellers, curators, and critics more than it does artists or anyone working creatively. Despite the overwhelming doubt facing artistic professionals, Canadian citizens have consistently demonstrated their interest and intrinsic need for arts and culture. According to Stats Canada, in 2016, 99.5 per cent of all Canadians 15 or older participated in some type of arts or culture activity. Those statistics also determined that 86 per cent of Canadians attended an art gallery, arts performance, artistic or cultural festival, or visited the movies in 2016. When we remove movie theatre attendance, that statistic only drops to 73 per cent. Canadians are also wellversed in arts practices. In Canadians 15 and older, 18 per cent participate in crafts, 15 per cent participate in music, 13 per cent in visual arts, 11 per cent in writing, 9 per cent in dance, 1.4 per cent in theatre, and another 5 per cent in various other creative arts activities. The list of current staff in the UFV visual arts department are qualified professionals who are able to provide fountains of information to their students. They can speak on behalf of the strong need for culture demonstrated not only in Canadian society, but also closer to home. Paula Funk, Shelley Stefan, and Aimee Brown all have very different personal relationships with their Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees and the real-world application of fine arts education. All three of these individuals have their own very different experiences within the fine arts realm, and are able to provide a wealth of insight into the concept of the starving artist. Paula Funk has been employed at UFV since 2005 in some capacity as an advisor. Currently her role is coordinator of completion advising, which is partially an administrative role where she is able to oversee advising services to students in programs with over 30 credits completed. She also advises directly with students in fine arts, design, and media programs. Funk suggested that the concept of the starving artist is becoming rather outdated. It stems from a time when people chose a career and were expected to live the rest of their life in that profession. The generations currently emerging into the art world are much more comfortable creating new jobs, careers, or even new professional landscapes than in previous decades. Contract-based work or short-term work placements are replacing more stable, steady options, as they offer opportunities to
build creative and professional lives that provide a level of security. While Funk was quick to dispel misconceptions regarding starving artists, Shelley Stefan remembered a time when she too was struggling with such issues. The need for a sense of freedom is sometimes outweighed by the need to pay the bills or rent, both for a home and for a studio space. Stefan is the department head of the UFV visual arts department, and has been an associate professor of painting and drawing here since 2006. Stefan recalled her early 20s, when she often held down three or four jobs at a time. During that time, she attempted to piece together a lifestyle where she could be free to work on her artistic practice. “I do have some experience trimming down my work for nonart-related entities. But it didn't last long, because I don't think it can last long. It's not healthy to have jobs that you hate.” When aspiring creatives can figure out how to piece together work that resonates with their life as a practicing artist, it means their job doesn't deteriorate their artist's spirit. This is important to realize when entering a four-year program such as a BFA, because sometimes expectations for a career when students begin their undergraduate degree can drastically evolve by the time they complete their schooling. When Funk started her undergraduate degree at 17, she was attending SFU and heading toward elementary education. However, when she got married and had children, her plans were derailed. Years later, she approached UFV looking to finish her degree in elementary education. During her time as an undergrad, they introduced the UFV BFA program, and she became rather interested by it. “I didn't really know what the career outcome would be for that. But my husband and I both decided that it was basically [meant for] me.” Many undergraduate students entering a BFA program aspire to make artwork and exhibit in galleries. However, by the time students reach the end of their schooling, they realize that many more options for a professional career in the arts are available. When Stefan received her BFA from the University of Notre Dame, she had no initial interest in working with academia. For many years she worked in museums, community groups, and community organizations, teaching middle school and high school students, and more. When she eventually attended grad school, new perspectives inspired her, and reshuffled all the things she thought she knew about art. Ultimately, grad school helped her fall in love with academia as a concept. Aimee Brown is here at UFV as a year-long replacement for print media instructor Davida Kidd, who is away on sabbatical. Brown will be filling a highly interactive role with VA students until the end of April 2019. As part of her short-term position, Brown teaches the VA360 professional practices course at UFV. The VA360 course prepares aspiring artists for the real world of art and educates them on museum practices, as well as various alternative career options and how to work toward them. She expressed during her inter-
“You want to nurture the internal relationship you have with
“When the world asks creative people, ‘How can you afford to go into the arts, they respond with,
view that she wished a similar course existed when she was a student. When she first began her undergrad, she ran with the idea that she would one day own and run a gallery. However, as she also started out in design with a business marketing minor, eventually that plan changed drastically. “Part of it was because I really fell in love with printmaking as a way of making work. Then the other side of it was also realizing that I didn't necessarily want to pursue art-making solely as a business venture, and I didn't want to approach the work that I was interested in making from a profit or profit-loss margin attitude, which is fundamentally what a business is.” By the time she graduated, she had fully realized that she wished to pursue teaching, which is one income stream that a great deal of professional artists tap into. All three interviewees expressed that they experienced both positive and negative developments when they attempted to apply the knowledge they collected from their schooling to the active job market. Some expressed that they wished they received more education on marketing, in terms of how to connect themselves to the community they wished to become a part of. Others expressed how utterly applicable their degrees ended up being to the real world of art-making. For example, Brown presented a solo exhibition within a commercial space just four months after graduating. Stefan stressed the importance of applying to as many art-related jobs as possible, and advised that getting turned down shouldn’t tell someone that they are not exceptional at what they do. Often, getting rejected from a position simply means that the characteristics that organization or institution is looking for might be different than the characteristics someone is providing. So, no one should take it so personally if they are not immediately hired to the position they want. Keeping a resume active with extracurriculars or organizations that work in partnership with learning, arts, and culture is also key. These type of artrelated jobs provide emerging creatives with experience that looks great to employers. Stefan spoke of her experience during her days in community organizations, where she taught a wide demographic of learners, including five-yearolds, middle school students, and even people in their 60s who just wanted to get back into making art. Brown spoke of a job she had during her undergrad, where a retail shop gave her experience and understanding in how to develop client relationships. Jobs that may not be related to what someone may want to be doing eventually can still provide unexpected lessons or resources. They are also a potential opportunity to network and build a community. Many creatives get used to always having two jobs at any given time, especially if they consider a non-artistic position and their artistic practice as two concurrent jobs. It is also vital to keep in mind that every career has its ups and downs. There will be identifiable high and low points in any professional practice. It is always something to remain aware of.
In 2017 Funk was awarded a show at the Kariton Art Gallery in Abbotsford. However, she was struggling with some mental health issues at the time, which led her to withdraw from the exhibition. Mental health challenges are experienced commonly among struggling creative professionals. After battling with such issues for long enough, goals can drop by the wayside and inspiration can fail. However, this past spring Funk was approached to do a commission by someone outside her circle of friends and family members, which she described as a high point in her career. She enjoyed developing a piece of artwork that encapsulated a bizarre circumstance for a family, which was able to help them through that process. Brown expressed that she has reached a pretty stable high point in her career at the current moment. She is able to project her schedule an entire year ahead of time, including what exhibitions are happening, what her studio looks like, or if she has a teaching gig planned. She has been able to live like this for the last three years, which has provided her stability in what can sometimes be a fairly unstable market. Brown graduated from an MFA in 2008 at the height of the financial crisis. According to her, since that economic decline, tenure track positions have all but disappeared. The industry has reached a “Publish or Perish” state, in which artists must consistently show that they can continue to exhibit their work to prove they are contemporary and relevant. “When tenured faculty are retiring right now across the country, often their positions are not opened up anymore.” It is important to acknowledge that the arts industry is constantly evolving. We must recognize that tenured university positions in visual arts are declining. However, that information should inspire exploration into new fields, and a creative outlook into new landscapes and possible entrepreneurial opportunities. UFV creatives looking to make a living off their creativity could benefit from some frank and honest advice from individuals who have faced professional perils of their own. One thing that students need to realize as they enter a visual arts degree of any kind is that they need to have a plan. Young professionals cannot expect by any means to exit their degree and have a plethora of career options available to them. There are many keys to success in the arts, and no single answer on how to achieve projected goals. Every artist needs to find their own path, as their career will likely never be as clear cut as other professions. Brown suggests that emerging artists look at how they want to be showing and sharing their work. “Start by asking yourself a set of goalsetting questions, because you may not wish to show at a gallery while other people may wish exclusively to show with galleries. Figure out what you want to do and then break those goals down into manageable pieces.”
According to Funk, many aspiring individuals ask questions like, “What job am I going to get? How am I going to make the money to live the life I want to live?” when instead they should be asking, “How am I going to be a part of my community? What am I going to give to my community, and what are they going to give back to me?” In other words, artists should present personal assets and traits to a community in a way that showcases what they are able to offer. Sometimes the healthiest thing an artist can do to keep their creative mind activated is to surround themselves with people who are like-minded. Having a sense of community is imperative. Some of the healthiest artistic and creative pursuits happen in collaboration with other creative minds, especially since family or friends may not always be the best mode of support. Aspiring artists should visit local creative spaces and participate in communities that they envision themselves working with some day. If they can maintain the relationships they build from that, there is an unbelievable possibility for reciprocation on investment. Community engagement is a vital practice, as networking will make or break a career in the arts. Stefan also urged that it is imperative that emerging artists who are just entering their chosen field find a job position that will support them but isn’t mentally exhausting. For example, working at a coffee shop or a small-time office job may allow someone to leave at the end of their workday with the level of mental energy they need to produce artwork. “You want to nurture the internal relationship you have with creative practice. Make sure that you know you’ve got to get stuff done in life. So that you can pay your bills and pay your rent, but also so that you can continue to keep this relationship with your creative practice intact and strengthened.” If someone is truly starving as an artist, then there is most likely something else going on. Whether that be mental health issues that need to be dealt with, or more education to be pursued, creative individuals who are down on their luck would do well by identifying information about their situation, and expanding their focus to find a new path that suits their needs better. When the world asks creative people, “How can you afford to go into the arts?” they respond with, “How can we afford not to?” The world needs more artistically driven people to be their designers, musicians, writers, teachers, and visionaries. Creative people are the backbone of culture and society, and just as the statistics have demonstrated, Canadian citizens will continue to utilize their potential.
CULTURE
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
culture@ufvcascade.ca Cassie de Jong — Culture Editor
UFV Speaks //
UFV Speaks: Young and Homeless ALEXANDRA JOHNSON The Fraser Valley holds one of the most diverse populations in the country. We are home to many unique and amazing cultures, but there is one thing that we, as a community, don’t like to discuss: Youth and young adult homelessness is a sore spot for many. It’s understandable that we don’t want to acknowledge that the Valley has an unusually large amount of young people who don’t have a bed to go home to at night. Why are we so afraid to talk about it? On Jan. 30 the Student Union is hosting an opportunity to do just that. Les Tavio, the executive director of Abbotsford’s Cyrus Centre, will be hosting an evening to talk about this epidemic. It’s important to get involved in the conversation, so we spoke with UFV students about this issue. Many of them were surprised to find out that the Valley has a higher youth homelessness population than most other communities.
or understanding from the parent’s end in such a fragile time in a teen’s life can prove problematic and cause children to do dramatic and unadvised things, such as move out. They decide to move in with a boyfriend or girlfriend because they think they’re adult enough, and then things come crumbling down. Unfortunately, I don’t find there to be a lot of truly helpful resources out there for teens and when they get into the loop of a negative cycle like that it is hard to get out.” Athan Chaudrhy — On solutions — English Student Association (ESA) president
Sarah Martin — On living cost and family — UFV Bachelor of Arts student
“We don’t look towards Vancouver, we look outside it. We’ve seriously considered moving out to the valley, because the rent is more affordable for what we can get. We can get a condo for the same price we are paying for our basement suite in Langley. We are still [living] paycheque to paycheque for the most part though. It’s scary to think what would happen if something crazy happened to my husband, or one of us is off work for a long time. If we lost our place we have family and stuff that would help us, but not everybody has that. I can’t imagine that it gets to the point where you lose your house and that’s it. Homelessness can happen to anybody.”
“We need to do something for that, I don’t know very much about it. But maybe we could make more homeless shelters if they’re at full capacity, and [create] easier access for youth who are just coming out of centres. Like another age range, I know that would create another cap but maybe it would help those kids lift off. It seems like there needs to be that extra little push. Right now it seems like they age out and then they are just falling off when they get to the age of 18.” Samuel Gross — On working — ESA member and BA student
Keara Parsons — On relationships — UFV BA in French
“It seems like there is a general stigmatism about discussing financial troubles, and there shouldn’t be. Maybe if we had some sort of halfway house system, where they had job training like we do for other people needing assistance?”
“Teen homelessness in the Lower Mainland, in my experience, is often caused by a poor relationship between parent and child. Frequently, a lack of support
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Youth homelessness is something that we as a community should not be afraid to talk about. Engaging in discussions like this opens the doorway to solutions. The young homeless population of our city needs us to put our judgments aside and realize that they are young enough that as a communty we might, just maybe, be able to truly make a difference for their futures.
UFV Event //
Sexualized violence: forensic nursing EMMALINE SPENCER On Jan. 23 at the Abbotsford campus, an informational session on the forensic nursing side of sexual violence was held. UFV hosted two certified sexual assault nurse examiners – adult/ adolescent (SANE-A) registered nurses, Susan Short and Kirstin Simpson. A SANE-A is a specialized nurse that gives full body examinations to patients and collects samples of any evidence of abuse or assault for court cases. Part of the job is also going to court and presenting any evidence they
ten age 17-40), children (over two years old), elderly, and occasionally men. According to B.C. 2016 statistics there were 470 incidents of elder abuse, 1,399 incidents of child abuse, 2,384 adult sexual assaults, and 741 child sexual assaults reported to the police. The statistics did not include all unreported incidents, as there is no data on unreported ones. Elderly or disabled victims are less likely to report abuse incidents because most of the time the assailant is also a care provider. Reporting their care provider often puts them in a situation where they will lose something crucial to their life,
“A SANE-A is a specialized nurse that gives full body examinations to patients and collect samples of any evidence of abuse or assault for court cases.” found. Short and Simpson gave a presentation about the process of their job, starting from the moment a victim comes in for an examination. The first step when a victim comes in is for the SANE-A nurse to do a head-to-toe health examination. (Depending on the case, this may include genitals, but rarely does.) The victim is allowed to stop the examination at any point in time or ask to not be touched in specific areas. If a child comes in with a parent, the process changes slightly for each individual situation. Sometimes the parent will wait outside or stay for the whole process depending on what both the child and parent want. After an examination has taken place the SANE-A nurse will explain all the options they can offer to the victim. The main options offered are a report to the police, storage of the collected samples (can be used as evidence in a trial), or if the victim wishes to not pursue any legal action, information on counselling will be offered. The victim is welcome to say no to any or all of the services. If a victim chooses to report the incident to the police and start a court case, then the SANE-A nurse will keep the evidence samples and data to present in a formal trial. A SANE-A nurse works with all sorts of victims including, but not limited to, females (most of-
meaning loss of transportation or reporting the one person they spend time with. The SANE-A nurses also work with strangulation victims. According to 2016 Canada police reports there were 1,921 reports of child abuse, with 1,822 reports including strangulation specifically, of which 71 incidents resulted in the death of the child. For adults there were 13,278 reports with 72 resulting in death. The reason children have a higher death ratio in these situations is due to how children are more fragile because their bodies are still developing and haven’t had the time to strengthen to that of an adult. Children’s assailants also tend to generally be larger and stronger adults. The information session ended at 1 p.m. and attendees were invited to take the pamphlets for the forensic nurse program and the business cards of the forensic nursing services coordinator, Susan Short, as well as the contact card for “In this together UFV” services. Future sexualized violence lunch and learn events will be taking place on both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses of UFV. The next event is on Monday, Feb. 5 at 12 p.m. in B101 on the Abbotsford campus and will feature a theme of intimacy direction for stage and screen from presenter Phay Moores.
CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
UFV Event //
Last of the Caesars
Rebels and rulers film series sheds light on historic figures ALEISTER GWYNNE
Once again, I have sailed to Byzantium, this time under the guidance of Professors Aleksandar Jovanovic and Ian Rocksborough-Smith, who are hosting a second semester of their Rebels and Rulers film series. These documentary film screenings are what Jovanovic and RocksboroughSmith hope will become a UFV tradition. Each one focuses on one or two noteworthy figures in history, some well-known, others obscure. Following the screening, attendees are invited to ask questions and share their observations about the subject. This month’s presentation was on Emperor Justinian I the Great of the Byzantine Empire and his empress, Theodora. Justinian was born to a provincial peasant family, and eventually rose to become emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (or Byzantine Empire, as it is commonly known). During his rise to power, Justin-
ian met Theodora. Theodora was a circus performer (as in circus maximus, chariot racing events). The two fell in love and got married, which caused quite a scandal. Considering that both were ambitious and of humble origins, they likely saw one another as kindred spirits. When Justinian and Theodora took the throne, they inherited a broken and troubled empire. The entire western half of the empire, including Rome itself, had been conquered by barbarian invaders in the previous century. In the early years of his reign, dissatisfaction from Justinian’s high taxes and banning of certain entertainments erupted into riots that burned down much of Constantinople. Justinian was ready to flee, but Theodora was determined to stay, preferring to die an empress than live as an exile. Motivated by Theodora, and with the help of their general Belisarius, they stayed and crushed the rebels. After this, to salvage his reputation,
Justinian embarked on an ambitious project: to rebuild the Roman Empire. In this, he was initially successful. Spearheaded by general Belisarius, the Byzantines reconquered Italy, North Africa, and parts of Spain. But just as it looked as if Rome would be restored, disaster struck. A disease, known to history as the Plague of Justinian, swept through the empire, killing 40 per cent of its population. In the empire’s moment of weakness, their enemies attacked and undid much of their work. After Theodora’s death, Justinian retreated into his palace and allegedly spent the last 10 years of his life in religious pursuits. Justinian is sometimes called “the last of the Caesars.” He was the last, best hope for Rome to prevent its own fall. After him, Byzantium, the direct successor to the Roman Empire, would know only de-
cline and contraction until it was finally ended by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. According to the professors, his reign marks the real transition from the world of classical antiquity to that of the Middle Ages. Next in the Rulers and Rebels series will be ***The Mystery of Champlain, about 17th century French explorer of North America Samuel de Champlain.
“When Justinian and Theodora took the throne, they inherited a broken and troubled empire.” The screening will be held in room B121, Abbotsford campus on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 2-4 p.m. Rulers and Rebels will be of interest to those who are interested in history. Students who are currently taking a history class taught by Jovanovic or Rocksborough-Smith will also receive extra credit for attending the events.
UFV Event //
Keeping ancestors’ words alive
President’s Lecture on preserving Indigenous languages CARISSA WIENS Language is a vital component of culture, and preserving languages was the theme of this month’s President’s Lecture — held in the Indigenous gathering space at Chilliwack campus — featuring a presentation by linguist Dr. Strang Burton. Many Indigenous languages are endangered around the world, including Halq’eméylem, the language spoken by the Sto:lo people of the Fraser Valley. Faced with the dominance of English and other major languages in politics, commerce, and culture, fewer young people among ethnic minorities are learning their traditional language. Seeing that their language was at risk of dying out, the Sto:lo elders, with help from anthropologists and linguists, have been working to record and pass down the Halq’eméylem language. One of these elders, Siyamiateliyot, was in attendance at the event. She is one of the last living fluent speakers of Halq’eméylem, and her knowledge is an invaluable treasure. Sadly, as time goes by, this intimate first-hand knowledge becomes lost, and will be difficult or impossible for subsequent generations to replicate. The preservation work being carried out today will be crucial for the language’s long-term survival. Burton’s presentation consisted of a brief overview of the Halq’eméylem language. Halq’eméylem is part of the Salish linguistic family, which includes Squamish, Okanagan, Bella Coola, and other Indigenous languages spoken across the Pacific Northwest. Halq’eméylem is divided into three dialects: Island (spoken on southeastern Vancouver
Island), Downriver (spoken in and around Metro Vancouver), and Upriver (spoken in the Fraser Valley). One First Nations speaker of (Upriver) Halq’eméylem commented that she can understand the other dialects, but it is obvious where the speaker is from and confusion sometimes results. Halq’eméylem has a number of sounds (or phonemes) that an English-speaker might have trouble with, but includes sounds that a speaker of Welsh, German, or Chinese might recognize. Burton illustrated some of his examples of Halq’eméylem language forms with stories from Sto:lo lore. For example, Lhílheqey, the name for Mt. Cheam, was once the wife of Mt. Baker. Lhílheqey left him together with her dog and seven children, and they were later turned into mountains. Halq’eméylem is slowly clawing its way back from oblivion, but the language’s longterm survival is still in doubt. Halq’eméylem is normally only used in translating place names, or in speeches and the beginning and end of ceremonies, but rarely in conversation or literature, although the language allegedly gets more use in longhouse gatherings, according to Burton. “We are in desperate times,” said one First Nations woman after the presentation. She made a heartfelt plea to the younger generations of the Sto:lo to do their part and “keep moving forward.” UFV, for its part, has been helping the Sto:lo to preserve their language through provision of Halq’eméylem classes. UFV’s indigenization program in general seeks to help the people whose land the university, and the Fraser Valley as a whole now occupy.
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SPORTS
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
sports@ufvcascade.ca The Cascade — Sports Editor
Wrestling //
Cascades wrestling rolls on, claims multiple first-place finishes at the Cascades Classic
Cascades Classic. (UFV Flikr)
ALEX JESUS In a big weekend of UFV sports action, the Cascades wrestling squad may have stolen the show on Sunday, hosting the Cascades Classic: a home tournament that provides wrestlers the opportunity to compete and train prior to the Canada West Wrestling Championships, which also takes place at UFV in just under two weeks. In the relatively short history of the UFV Cascades wrestling program, the 2018-19 season has shown promise after a stellar 201718 campaign. UFV had multiple champions in both the Canada West and U SPORTS championships, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, the Cascades could become a force to be reckoned with in Canadian amateur wrestling. Parker McBride had a strong showing, taking first place in the men’s 57-kg division. The second-year wrestler is coming off a wildly successful rookie campaign that saw him place second in the Canada West Championship (54-kg), win the U SPORTS championship (54-kg), and claim a male Rookie of the Year award. Ali Rahguzar also showed out for the Cascades, taking first place in the men’s 61kg division. Only Ali and the University of Saskatchewan’s Jacob Fritz competed at that weight; however, in back-to-back contests Rahguzar came away with two technical falls (10-0). Karan Dhillon, ranked number one in the nation, ran through the competition at the Cascades Classic, winning all three of his matches. The second-year wrestler also picked up a gold medal earlier this month
at the Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton and will look to keep the first-place finishes rolling heading into the Canada West Championships. Brad Hildenbrandt had a fantastic showing for UFV, winning the heavyweight division (130-kg). Edging Ali Al-Rekabi in a close and tough match by a score of 5-4, the two-time U SPORTS champion now heads into the Canada West Championship on a high note. Many other Cascades also finished the day with impressive displays. The UFV women’s wrestling squad all placed second in their divisions: Calista Espinosa at 48-kg, Amber Wiebe at 55-kg and Ana Godinez Gonzalez at 63-kg. Gonzalez went undefeated (2-0) before deciding to withdraw as a precautionary measure due to injury, placing second. Ravi Manhas placed seventh at 54-kg, along with Simren Brar who placed third in the 54-kg division. De’Andre Williams took fifth place at 72kg while Gurjot Gill wound up taking sixth place in the 76-kg divi-
“The Cascades could become a force to be reckoned with.”
14
sion. Sunny Benning scored fifth at 90-kg and Jason Bains placed second at 100-kg. All in all, it was a great day for the Cascades. UFV now looks ahead to the 2019 Canada West Wrestling Championships which the Cascades will host for the first time. U SPORTS gold medalist and Cascade Brad Hildenbrandt spoke positively of the tournament, hoping to “pack the stands” for the event. Come see the Cascades wrestling squad in action for the Canada West Wrestling Championships, here at UFV on Feb. 8-9.
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
Men’s Basketball //
Cascades defeated twice in weekend showdown with the Calgary Dinos The team went up against their toughest challenge this season, the defending national champions ALEX JESUS The UFV men’s team went up against a Calgary Dinos squad on Friday that would intimidate just about anyone. The Dinos are not only the defending national champions, but they are also undefeated so far this season. UFV had to use its size and length in order to have a chance against a team as well balanced and fast as the Dinos, who do just about everything well. UFV fell to Calgary in two games this past weekend but don’t let that fool you. They were contested with no shortage of highlight reel plays and effort. UFV had a hard time scoring in the first quarter, largely due to excellent play from the Dino’s #15 Brett Layton and #0 David Kapinga. The first quarter score was 16-9 for Calgary and they continued their style of play into the second, also winning that quarter by seven points with a score of 19-12.
The third quarter proved difficult for the Cascades as Calgary only continued to improve. Their rebounding became very effective and while UFV continued to score at a similar rate, the opposing team’s offence improved. The fourth quarter saw improvement for UFV but not enough to put them back in the game. Upon a massive alley-oop slam from Brett Layton, it appeared the Cascades were outmatched, as Calgary went on to win 85-51. The second game, which took place on Saturday, proved to be much different. UFV came with a chip on their shoulder, unafraid of Calgary’s championship-caliber play. They won the first quarter 16-13 — a massive improvement from the previous night. The passion was noticeable from the Cascades as they could sense that a win was possible. Calgary, however,
came back and won the second quarter 22-13 upon a great scoring streak from #11 Lucas Mannes. UFV knew that they had to play well if they were going to upset the defending champs, but the third quarter was all Calgary. The Dinos outscored the Cascades 20-6, almost putting the game out of reach. It would take a Herculean effort from the Cascades to reverse such a lopsided score. UFV came out in the fourth quarter with caution to the wind and wound up outscoring Calgary 24-14. It wasn’t enough, as Calgary would hang on and win (by a much closer score than the night before) 69-59. Come see the Cascades play their last regular season home game of the year versus the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday, Feb. 1 at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre.
“UFV came out with a chip on their shoulder.”
Women’s Basketball //
Cascades Women Swept by the Calgary Dinos
UFV Cascades Sports Scores Jan. 21 – Jan.26, 2019 Men’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV Versus Calgary Jan. 25, 2019 Result: Loss (51-85) Game/Date: UFV Versus Calgary Jan. 26, 2019 Result: Loss (59-69)
Women’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV Versus Calgary Jan. 25, 2019 Result: Loss (56-81) Game/Date: UFV Versus Calgary Jan. 26, 2019 Result: Loss (40-61)
Home team swept out after a tough fought match ALEX JESUS The Cascades had their work cut out for them this weekend when they took on the Calgary Dinos in back-to-back home games. With the Dino’s women’s team ranked top 10 in the nation, it was no surprise that they provided excellent competition for the hometown team. The women’s team started Friday night strong, taking an early lead. Calgary came back but UFV held them off, winning the first quarter 22-15. Calgary completely changed the narrative in the second quarter, holding the Cascades scoreless as they racked up points. The Dino’s fast style of play mixed with their 1v1 capability limited UFV offensively. Calgary outscored UFV 20-7 in the second quarter and from then on it was clear changes had to be made. The third quarter saw the Cascades embrace the fast style of play the Dinos
imposed, causing them to play significantly better. Calgary, however, still outscored UFV in the third, but only by a score of 17-13. Going into the fourth quarter, UFV came out guns blazing and started hitting shots to get back into the game. As UFV scored, Calgary kept up with them, and despite their somewhat sizeable lead, the Dinos only played harder and better in the fourth quarter. They scored more than double the Cascades’, leading to a final score of 81-56 for Calgary. The following day the two teams collided yet again, this time having a better sense of each other. This led to a very low scoring first quarter with both teams locked in on defence. UFV edged Calgary 9-6, out-rebounding the Dinos 12-7, but Calgary led with four steals to UFV’s one. Less than a minute into the second quarter Calgary took the lead, with UFV turning the ball over more than usual. This in part was due to the
“They came out guns blazing.”
excellent defence of the Dinos, which employed a full-court press the entire night. The score at halftime read 21-17 for Calgary, a noticeable improvement for UFV from their previous contest. Even though UFV outrebounded Calgary 24-15, the turnovers were still a problem for the Cascades, as they had 13 to the Dino’s eight. Calgary’s transition game got better in the third quarter, and they began to score more effectively. UFV found it hard to hit shots and this led to Calgary outscoring the Cascades 19-10. Just like the night prior, Calgary had a great fourth quarter, continuing to press with their defence and scoring effectively. UFV improved slightly on offence from a scoring perspective, but it wouldn’t be enough as Calgary went on to win the game 61-40, completing the weekend sweep. You can catch the Cascades last home game of the season this Friday, Feb. 1 when they host the Trinity Western Spartans at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre.
Men’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Versus VIU Jan. 25, 2019 Result: Loss (2-3) Game/Date: UFV Versus VIU Jan. 26th, 2019 Result:
Loss (0-3)
Women’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Versus VIU Jan. 25, 2019 Result: Loss (0-3) Game/Date: UFV Versus VIU Jan. 26, 2019 Result: Loss (0-3)
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STUDY BREAK
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
Sudoku //
Column //
The Cascade Kitchen: A perfectly proportioned meal
Yellow thai curry. (Carissa Wiens)
CARISSA WIENS Canada made some big changes last week when they released their updated food guide. What was once displayed to us a food pyramid with recommended servings is now shown to us as a pie diagram with different proportions, of which foods should be present at each meal we consume: half our plate should be fruits and veggies, one quarter plant-based protein, like beans and tofu, and the last quarter should be whole grains. Now that it’s almost the end of January, our resolutions to eat more veggies have probably started to dwindle. But thank you, Canada, for releasing this comprehensive new food guide to motivate us and get us back on track with our goals. Below is my go-to recipe for when I need more veggies in my life and less pizza. It fulfills all of Canada’s new food guide requirements for a standard meal. Beware, this recipe makes a large amount of curry. It’s great for having friends over or for stashing in the fridge to eat from for the next few days. One more thing to note: the recipe is very flexible. You can easily opt out of some things and replace ingredients if you don’t have them in the fridge. Ingredients for Yellow Thai Curry: 30 ml (2 tbsp) of coconut oil (or butter or veg oil) Half of a red onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, minced 30 ml (2 tbsp) of fresh ginger, minced 45-60 ml (3-4 tbsp) of red curry paste 5 ml (1 tsp) of ground tumeric A couple squirts of Sriracha for extra spice 2 cans of coconut milk 250 ml (1 cup) of cauliflower, chopped (frozen or fresh is good here) 250 ml (1 cup) of broccoli, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1. Grab a wok or the biggest pot you have. Set it on the stove over medium heat. Melt the coconut oil then add the onion. Once the onion is starting to get somewhat flimsy (after cooking for 5 mins), add the garlic, ginger, red curry paste, and tumeric. Let those ingredients blend together for 1-2 minutes. Add the Sriracha if you like more spice. 2. Add the coconut milk to the pot along with the rest of the veggies. Add the chickpeas last. If you like other veggies feel free to sub those into the pot instead of others. And feel free to change up the proportions of veg. I usually add a lot more broccoli. Let all of those veggies cook down for at least 20 minutes. 3. Serve over brown rice or lentils. Garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, lime wedges, and/or avocado. There you have it: an easy to make a meal that has plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, just like the Canadian food guide suggests.
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LAST ISSUE’S
ANSWERS:
YOU WANT NUMBERS? WE’VE GOT NUMBERS!
Fabulous Facts: Fabulous facts is a weekly installment where we consider a specific thing/theme each week and list some neat knowledge about it! Want to try your own? Email Cassie at cassie@ufvcascade.ca with your ideas!
3. Neptune’s rings are probably made up of tiny bits of ice and sand, but for some reason, we don’t know for certain. NASA, get on this. Neptune, the badass that it is, has 13 moons (and
1. Did you know Neptune has a storm called The Dark Spot similar to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot? It draws dark material from the planet’s core, swirling it around the surface. Unfortunately, The Dark Spot is diminishing at an alarming rate. The cause is unknown.
4. Neptune, the badass that it is, has 13 moons (and one potential moon) orbiting it. For comparison, earth has only one. Earth needs to step up its game.
2.Neptune spins at a rate of one rotation per 16 hours. To put that in perspective, the earth’s rotation is 24 hours, Jupiter’s is 9.5 hours, and Venus is 243 earth days (yikes). So, Neptune is fast, but not Jupiter fast, and certainly not Venus slow. Hooray?
5. The average temperature on Neptune is negative 200 degrees Celsius. However, NASA has also discovered that Neptune’s south pole is about ten degrees warmer than the rest of the planet. At negative 190 degrees Celsius, that’s not saying much (but it’s something).
STUDY BREAK
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
Crossword //
Made by Cassie de Jong ACROSS
DOWN
1: Something that is either disturbing or fascinating because of a depiction of death and injury. 4: A building that has been reduced to a state of decay or collapse. 6: The treatment of physical illness by methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise. 7: A person who practices the magical art of communicating with or controlling the dead. 8: A substance or object that is capable of being decomposed by bacteria and returned to the earth. 11: To run away in secret with someone in order to get married. 12: Decade associated with the Kennedy assassination and the debut of The Beatles.
1: Various goods meant to be bought and sold. 2: Mayonnaise seasoned with garlic. 3: The third planet from the sun. 5: Something that is unnecessary by being more than enough, or more than what is needed. 9: To suppose something without having sufficient information to be sure. 10: A person’s or group’s first appearance or performance in a particular role
LAST ISSUE’S
ANSWERS: Across: 1: Woolly Mammoth 4: Pilaf 5: Pterodactyl 8: Taffy 9: Archipelago 11: Track 12: Marilyn Monroe
Down: 1: Whipping cream 2: Offal 3: Hermaphrodite 4: Pea 6: Optic 7: Thyme 9: Altar 10: Ink
Cascade Calamities
Illustration by Elyssa English
Horoscopes //
Astrological mysteries interpreted weekly by Morgana the Mystic Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 Think practical this week, Sagittarius. Whether that means getting ahead on projects or clearing the air with someone is up to you. If you utilize your time wisely you’ll be able to let loose on the weekend, but for now let responsibility take the wheel.
Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 You’ll experience a burst of luck this week, Aries. Use this to your advantage and feel confident when taking chances. Your natural resilience will provide a safety net in times of uncertainty. (Not that you’re very familiar with second guesses.)
Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 You’re often accused of being a little too self-centred. Don’t let this stereotype become a reality — focus on others and how you can help them this week. Communicate one-onone with people to best spread the cheer that comes so naturally to you.
Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 Embrace your stubborn nature when confronted with those who want to dissuade you from any recent ventures. Your sudden increase in productivity is no fluke, Taurus — whatever you’re doing is working. Trust in yourself and you’ll prove any naysayers wrong.
Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 You seem to be bursting at the seams with new ideas, Virgo. Pick out the ones that excite you the most and tackle them one by one. Your new inspiration doesn’t have an expiry date, so take your time and don’t compromise on perfection.
Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 Expect plenty of false starts. There are a dozen things on your mind right now and none of them seem worth pursuing to their full extent. This could be an indication of waning energy. Talk it out with someone you trust and take the advice they offer you to heart. Having an open mind will encourage clarity to return.
Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Encourage some level of homebody-ism with those around you. You’re due for some introspective thought, and the whole process will go far smoother with some support from friends and family. Don’t forget to share any revelations you may have with them!
Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 Mistakes have been and will be made. You’re spread thin and it’s showing. Make a tough decision on what pathways you should continue pursuing. A more concise focus is needed for success, and you’ll find yourself happier in the long run.
Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 Love, luck, and power are all on your side at the end of January. Not much can go wrong for you at this point, Aquarius. Don’t be afraid to follow your innovative whims — wherever they take you will result in great excitement and new successes.
Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Last week’s eclipse no doubt brought a realization you didn’t want. Whether it was your own or another’s, you’re feeling the effects. Confront it head on, Cancer; avoidance won’t yield any results. Aim for objectivity when moving on from this stumbling block.
Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Not that you’ll let anyone know, but you’re feeling a little unsure of yourself lately. This week will provide you with an opportunity for new stability — no outside intervention required. Allow yourself to feel confident in your decision; it’s the right one!
Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 You’re not usually drawn to material things, Pisces, but allow yourself a little bit of retail therapy. A new purchase might reveal something about your newest focus, or you might just enjoy treating yourself for once. Either way, you really can’t lose.
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ARTS
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 04
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018
arts@ufvcascade.ca Martin Castro — Arts Editor
Movie //
A plot as delicate as Glass
Although flawed, Glass is still an enjoyable film in many aspects
CHARTS 1
Blessed Disease (Single)
2
Kellen Saip Winding Road
3
Wallgrin Bird/Alien
4
Swim Team V
5
PUP Kids (single)
6
James Kasper 95 Dalmatian
7
Twist Distancing Nicholas Krgovich Just Ouch
8 9
Lovelet Couple's Fight Night
10
Perry Springman Happy Beach
11
Weyes Blood Andromeda (Single)
12
Vanja Sky Bad Penny
13
Tas Cru Memphis Song
14
Marcia Ball Shine Bright
15
Merkules Cole
16
Ahmed Ag Kaedy Alkaline Kidal
17 18
St. Vincent MassEducation Jack Semple Can’t Stop This Love
19
Walter Trout Survivor Blues
20
Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin Murder Creek
18
SHUFFLE AARON LEVY
NOT BRITNEY SPEARS
CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy was witness today to a disappointing appointment to the Fraser Valley sporting community, as an infamous post-secondary athletics coach assumed a position that brings them undesirably closer to the UFV grounds on a potential weekly basis this summer. Rats.
Depeche Mode - “People Are People” This song asks a presumably rhetorical question, but the answer to such an unanswerable query within the context of the subject of our shuffle this week, is all a matter of integrity and respect; if you don't have it, you won't get it, and if you don't show it, well... Cee-Lo Green - “Forget You” If you're an X-box, then I'm an Atari, which means that I'm less ubiquitous, less flashy, and less integrated with modern technology — as well as not being able to connect to the internet — but also more accessible to local youth who may or may not share in your cultural background. Casinos - “Bad Decisions” I've been excited about this new league coming to Abbotsford; I've offered repeatedly to provide play-by-play services to this fledgling team, and I've been keenly interested in what decisions are made going forward. From here on out though, many of them will have to make up for the... Björk - “Who Is It?” I was speaking with a band from Portland called The Hague a couple weeks back when they stopped in Abbotsford. Hilarious name for a band to be brought up here in this context, but we all agreed Björk is awesome, and this song in particular. The answer is: that's who.
EVAN WERBIN Before we delve into the overall mood of M. Night Shyamalan’s next entry in the Unbreakable franchise, Glass, we need to make something clear: M. Night Shyamalan makes two types of movies, which we can classify clearly. The first type is Stereotypical Shyamalan, which includes lazy writing, bad acting, and a guaranteed (though not always necessary) plot twist. The Happening is a popular example of Stereotypical Shyamalan. Between Mark Wahlberg’s acting, and the fact that it’s the wind causing the mass suicides (seriously?), it’s a wonder the film ever got put into production. The second type is Surprising Shyamalan, which includes okay writing, decent acting, and a plot twist that almost no one could have seen coming until they’ve watched the movie more than once. That second type is clearly evident in Unbreakable, the first film in the Shyamalan superhero trilogy, and honestly, a pretty good way to start a trilogy. Nobody realized that Elijah Price was the true villain until the very memorable ending of the movie, but upon watching the film again, the evidence is present from the beginning. It’s that memorable ending, paired with the fact that ol’ M. Night got one past us that changes our perspective of the movie as a whole. Somehow, Glass fits into both of these categories. On the stereotypical side, there’s the usual suspects that come with a film written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. Expect a lot of awkward pauses between sentences, as well as tons of clunky dialogue. It feels as though threequarters of screen time are occupied by close-up shots of each lead, as if Shyamalan thought that the representation of the close-up would be artistic in giving a forced perspective of the situation, but in reality, it was somewhat annoying and definitely did not come off as artistic. On the surprising side, however, was how great the acting felt compared to the other two films. James McAvoy really amped up his Kevin Wendell Crumb, showing a completely new side to The Horde (the official name of Kevin Wendell Crumb’s 24 personalities) that was very satisfying and surprising to see. However, the leads of the trilogy have always been amazing in their roles. Where the real shock comes is in the supporting cast. Anya Taylor-Joy and Spencer Treat Clark both reprise their roles as Casey Cooke and Joseph Dunn, respectively, and truly shine. When Clark appeared in Unbreakable at the young age of 13, he did not at the time have the full discipline of acting range. This is clear in the way that he did not seem
at all panicked when attempting to test his theory about his dad being bulletproof in the gun scene of Unbreakable. It’s true, he thought that his father had superpowers, but he was a kid who was pointing a gun at his father. As well, Taylor-Joy came off as robotic and lacking emotion in Split, though to be fair, her character was in an extremely traumatic situation, being held captive by a seemingly crazy man who liked to cross-dress and act like a nineyear-old. Strangely, this trauma seems to have had a positive affect on her life, and the film makes a point to show how her life is after her kidnapping. The film truly feels like it was more about the impact that Dunn, Crumb, and Price made on their loved ones, and not in a bad way. Of course, there was the mandatory insertion of M. Night attempting to make himself as popular a cameo guy as Matt Damon by writing himself into the script. He reprises his role from Unbreakable and Split (yes, it is a coincidence that this man happens to be involved in all of the superhero situations in that area) in an entertaining small role that has no significance to the plot whatsoever except to grill Joseph Dunn when he doesn’t allow his father to take a damn walk. “Taking a walk” is the code phrase that David and Joseph use when David feels like acting as a vigilante. Something which, disappointingly, we are not able to see very often in the movie. The film makes the terrible mistake of brushing over what David and his son have been up to for the past 19 years. The inclusion of Sarah Paulson’s Dr. Ellie Staple seems redundant, seeing as her character and motives were not developed or even hinted at in past films. The arbitrary deadline given to her to effectively evaluate and force Dunn, Price, and Crumb into changing their perspective is yet another example of a good old-fashioned Hollywood cliché. It also seems as though during the course of the film, Staple was attempting to change the audience’s mind regarding the existence of superpowers rather than the morality of the actual superpowers. Her clunky explanation of each seemingly impossible act carried out by each character is kind of ridiculous considering we, the audience, have seen it all happen. The film definitely has a plot problem, with a lot of the elements of the situation being left up to chance and not having any solid footing in the real world, but that’s Hollywood. Being totally subjective, Glass, however flawed, is still a solid entry in what turned out to be one of the best examples of a superhero genre set in the real world and put on the silver screen.
ARTS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
Album //
Bored Decor paint the town red MARTIN CASTRO Bored Décor’s full debut, The Colour Red, is incredibly successful on many fronts. It’s focused, and presents a soundscape that’s clearly informed by its predecessors, particularly bands like Magazine and Gang of Four. However, where Gang of Four’s seminal “Damaged Goods” famously twists a dance-floor structure into a grating, selfcriticizing anthem driven forward by a decidedly funky bass line, Bored Décor consistently see and exploit the potential in making each track on The Colour Red explicitly danceable. What do we mean? Two-thirds of the way through “Spasms,” a track that reels back and forth on a choppy, infectious rhythm, the breakdown, which starts with a bluesy, fuzz-saturated riff, builds up into a peak that would have any
concert hall on its feet, only to cut off abruptly as the track ends. The result is cheeky, self-aware, and almost cynical on the part of the band; it’s as if they’re telling us, you could dance to this, but we’re not going to let you, at least not for very long. “Hardworking Man” is a perfect example of this. Nik Barkman’s theatrical, melodramatic delivery swings back and forth over a sharp, four-note riff. It might take listeners some time to catch the groove, given the lyricism is spiked with an attitude that punctuates the fragmented guitar riff. Effectively, Bored Décor really leans
Soundbites //
into blues while balancing it out with enough off-kilter rhythms and counter-melodies to push it into a space where, while what we’re listening to is rock at its core, its main descriptor is more about how it sounds rather than what it sounds like: It sounds (and is) fun. More impressively, The Colour Red manages to do something that many other records fail to do. Entrenched in the tradition of post-punk and influenced always with a bluesy base, Bored Décor never once, in their debut’s 11-track run, become lost. Not once is their identity stylistically in question. The slow closer “Black Bananas” almost veers off into a style that might be read as disingenuous, but one minute in, we’re pulled back in by the core aspects that tie Bored Décor’s material together: vocals delivered with a detached confidence, an interplay of rhythm that jumps from the kit to the bass to the guitars at any moment, and a playfulness that’s hard to pin down. At any moment, most tracks on The Colour Red come off as serious, and they are. They are also, however, imbued with a tongue-incheek appeal that’s infectious from the first. Nowhere is this more apparent than in “No Love in Romance,” the record’s flagship track. Saturated with a tension that would otherwise overwhelm listeners, the two-and-aha l f-m i nute-long romp blasts off and maintains its unforgivingly fun tempo for the entire run, pushed on by the bass, rhythm guitar, and kit all at once. It’s addicting in the sense that it ends too early, but would run on too long were you to jog its pace around your block. Barkman’s delivery ties the track together with a warbling that betrays either the anxiety endemic to the rest of the record, or a giddy excitement that I can only image is always mirrored by every crowd that has already and has yet to swing hips and hair with the kind of self-aware hedonism that’s on full display on The Colour Red.
Backstreet Boys DNA
I’m not going to say I was crazy into boy bands when I was a kid — I was more a Britney Spears / Spice Girls kind of gal — but I did bop along to Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody” and “Get Down” when I was a youngin’ (and gladly still will). And, at the ripe old age of 26, I do enjoy giving in to nostalgia once in a while. I got 20 seconds into “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and realized, it sounds the exact same as every other boy band currently on the Top 40 charts, and a quick flip through the rest of the album reveals the same. Am I listening to
One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Maroon 5, or Why Don’t We? (Not going to lie, I had to Google “boy bands 2018” to get this list.) However, I can’t say I didn’t jive with “New Love” when it came on — that’s something I can get down to. Unfortunately, Backstreet Boys are back, alright, but aside from one or two groovy tracks, you’re better off listening to their late ‘90s bops than DNA.
CAT FRIESEN
Beagles Beagles 2
Michael Todd Berland’s second solo release as Beagles is just as contemplative as his work with Christian Novelli as Fox Academy. Where Fox Academy tracks like “Lavender Blood” bristle with suppressed anxiety, Beagles’ “Watery” is more accepting of the kind of anxiety that comes hand in hand with not being in control of what happens to us. “Karate Kid” and “October Summer,” along with “Watery,”
are particularly noteworthy as continuing the development of the introspective thematic elements set out in earlier Fox Academy records. If you’re looking to take a step back from the hurried or impatient back-toclass atmosphere of the semester, Beagles 2 might just be the record for you!
MARTIN CASTRO
A CLASSIC COMEDY ABOUT FAMILY JAN 25 – FEB 9 ABBOTSFORD COMMUNITY ARTS ADDITION BY MES AN JA ERM SH
2329 CRESCENT WAY, ABBOTSFORD
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