November 24, 2006

Transcription

November 24, 2006

http://www.newsatniagara.com
See Page 20
Nov. 24, 2006
Volume 37, Issue 3
The Best Way To Connect With Niagara
See Page 25
CP (Nick Ut)
Photo by Amy Giofu
Napalm victim speaks about survival through Vietnam War
By AMY GIOFU
Staff Writer
On June 8, 1972, a little girl is running
from the bombs, covered in napalm, with her
brothers and cousins. She’s running to seek
help and shelter. That little girl is Kim Phuc.
You may recognize her picture, a helpless
girl crying out. Today, she stands — a strong
woman, a survivor of war — to tell us her
story.
As a little girl, Phuc remembers living in
Vietnam, in a house with trees in the backyard and lots of animals around. Climbing
the trees surrounding her house, she always
felt safe.
“I was never afraid of anything, until one
day, the war came to our village. A soldier
came pounding on our door very loud. And
for the first time, I felt fear. I was just nine
years old.”
Many people ran from the village and
gathered in the one place they knew they
could find safety: the temple.
“Suddenly, a soldier yelled, ‘Enemy is
coming!’ and they shouted to us, ‘Run out!
run out!’ and then we ran and ran.” Phuc
remembers running, covered in napalm, to
find refuge from her burning village.
“Napalm is the most terrible pain. You
can’t imagine. It’s a burning gas under the
skin. Unfortunately, the soldiers on the road
did not know and when they poured the water
on me, they just made the burning worse.”
Three days after the bombing, Phuc lay
unconscious in what the hospital called “the
death room.” Doctors and nurses worked
to keep Phuc alive until finally, she was
well enough to be released. Going back to
her village, Phuc realized how much had
changed.
“After the war, our lives were very
difficult and very different. Our house was
destroyed and we had nothing left. We lost
everything.”
Picking up the pieces of her old life, Phuc
and her family worked together to re-build
their lives, to find happiness again.
“You can lose everything, but if you have
family love you have everything.”
Phuc longed to be back at school with her
friends. Having to study two years of material
in one, Phuc was finally reached the same
level at which her friends were learning.
After receiving such compassionate care
from her doctors and nurses, Phuc’s dream
was to become a doctor.
Ten years later, Phuc was accepted into
medical school in Saigon. Unfortunately,
the Vietnamese government decided to find
Phuc before she could go to Saigon.
“They thought I should be a war symbol.
The officer would come and take me out
of my school to do a lot of interviews with
the press. They tried to control me, and all I
really wanted was to study, just study.”
Not able to live a peaceful life, a life of
freedom, Phuc went to speak with the prime
minister of Vietnam.
“I went and I say, ‘Please, please let me
go somewhere quiet to finish my school.’”
Soon after that he arranged for me to go to
Cuba to study.”
Phuc went to Cuba for six years to study
at university. Shortly after arriving, Phuc
switched her course of study to learning to
speak Spanish and English.
Phuc met her future husband while
studying in Cuba and they married in 1992.
Coming home from their honeymoon, the
plane they were on stopped in Gander, NL,
to refuel. Phuc was determined to escape to
freedom.
“I said to my husband I had no choice. I
have to stay in Canada.”
With only her camera and her purse, Phuc
and her husband stayed in Canada while
everything they had, their entire luggage,
went back to Cuba.
“All I knew about Canada at first was the
weather was so cold and the Canadians had a
pretty flag. I fell in love with Canada and now
I am so proud to be Canadian. Sometimes in
our lives we need to take a risk. Our journey
to freedom was 14 years ago. We didn’t have
anything but each other and our freedom.”
In 1996, Phuc was invited to the Vietnam
Memorial Day in Washington, D.C., where
she met John Plummer, a pilot who helped
co-ordinate the bombing of Phuc’s village
that day in Vietnam.
“It was a very emotional moment for me
when I saw the names on the wall of the all
the people who died in the war.”
Continued on Page 2
Page 2, news@niagara, Nov. 24, 2006
Shared costs for street conversion
By RYAN MCLEAN
Staff Writer
The one-way street confusion in
downtown St. Catharines will start
disappearing in 2007 with the introduction of two-way traffic.
The role of the downtown as a
commercial hub has diminished
over the years with the growth
and success of the Pen Centre and
Fairview Mall, as well as big box
stores. Many view the return of
two-way traffic as one step to revitalizing downtown and enhancing
tourism opportunities.
Kris Jacobson, manager of
transportation services, said street
conversion is not a new idea, but
because “we are actually changing
the way traffic will flow,” the city
had to do an environmental assessment (EA), which can be very expensive.
The total cost of the assessment
was $120,000. “We [city] spent
$80,000, and the Region of Niagara spent $40,000.” Jacobson
said the entire estimate for the
conversion is $2 million.
“Our estimates have included
total rebuilds for a number of our
signals because we know they’re
old, so worst case scenario is $2
million, with $1 million attributed
to traffic lights.” The city and Region will share the costs, but no
exact figures have been released.
In a report to staff dated March 2,
a major concern involved on-street
parking. There are roughly 5,000
on-street parking spaces downtown; 61 spaces will be lost in the
conversion. The majority of the
loss, about 23, will occur on King
Street between Ontario Street and
Queen Street.
In the case of double-parking,
which is the practice used on St.
Paul Street primarily for convenience versus necessity, almost all
businesses on the north side of St.
Paul Street have rear-lane delivery
access on Summer Street or May
Alley. If two-way is implemented,
they will be required to use these
accesses. For businesses on the
south side, an additional loading
zone will be created between William Street and Queen Street.
The conversion will occur over
three years starting with Ontario
Street. The second phase will see
King Street, St. Paul Street and
Niagara Street converted. Church
Street and Queenston Street will
round out the conversion in the
third year. The report indicated
2006 would be used to fine-tune
the conversion. The earliest the
conversion could start is 2007.
Tisha Polocko, general manager
of the St. Catharines Downtown
Association, said, “We want people to realize its only one piece of
the revitalization puzzle that is the
downtown.”
The new two-way traffic flow
will present many significant tourism opportunities for the city.
“About 600,000 people use Niagara’s wine route,” but currently
there is no reason people should
come through the downtown core
using the wine route, said Walter
Sendzik, St. Catharines Chamber
of Commerce general manager.
“We need the downtown to be a
place where young entrepreneurs
succeed. I can’t watch young
families invest the little money
they have into something that has
a 90 per cent failure rate,” said Joe
Critelli, owner of two Critelli’s
Fine Furniture stores downtown.
The corner of Ontario Street and St. Paul Street in St. Catharines will be the first to undergo two-way
conversion starting in the summer of 2007.
Photo by Ryan McLean
Kim Phuc, goodwill Nothing off-limits in Borat’s movie
ambassador,
remembers her past
Continued from Page 1
“I had a chance to speak with a
pilot who had dropped the bombs
on my village. I told him that I
forgave him. Forgiveness is more
powerful than any weapon of war.”
After being a child of war, Phuc
started what is now called The Kim
Foundation. The idea for the Kim
Foundation began when Phuc met
with Ron Gibbs, an army Infantry
Captain in the Vietnam War. The
foundation was introduced in 1997,
in Chicago, and was incorporated
as a non-profit organization in the
United States.
The Kim Foundation is a private
charitable organization dedicated
to providing funds to support the
work of international organizations
providing free medical assistance
to children who are victims of war
and terrorism.
“What happened in the past was
an act of hatred. I never forget the
thousands of innocent children
who did not get any special help.
These are the children I really want
to help.
“If we want to heal the world, we
have to begin with the children so
children can enjoy being children
again. That is my wish and that is
my cause.”
Phuc is also goodwill ambassador for the Culture of Peace of
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization). UNESCO seeks to
eliminate the root causes of violence
by promoting a set of attitudes, values and behaviours that reflect and
inspire social interaction and sharing based on principles of freedom,
justice, democracy, human rights,
tolerance and solidarity.
Phuc’s life has brought many
experiences for her and she has
learned many things from living
through them all.
“Having known war, I know the
value of peace. Having been under
the government’s control, I know
the value of freedom. Having
lived with pain, I know the healing power of love.
“Having lived with poverty,
with losing everything and having
nothing, I know how to value what
I have.
“And the most important thing
of all, having lived with hatred,
terror and corruption, I know the
power of faith and the power of
forgiveness. Faith and forgiveness
are much more powerful than napalm could ever be.”
At 43 years old, Phuc now lives
a life of peace and freedom in
Ajax, Ont., with her husband and
two sons.
Phuc speaks on behalf of her
picture: “When you see that little
girl running up the road, you can
see her calling, crying out.
“Don’t see her crying out in pain
and in fear. See her crying out for
peace.”
By KATELYN GALER
Staff Writer
Movie Review
Wow wow wee waa! Borat has
finally made it to America — to the
big screen. High five!
Sacha Baron Cohen alarms and
enchants American citizens in
his road trip documentary Borat:
Cultural Learnings of America for
Make Benefit Glorious Nation of
Kazakhstan.
In this satirical comedy, nothing
is off-limits, including race,
religion, politics and sex.
Moviegoers be warned: if you
are easily offended, this is not the
show for you.
Borat will shock and surprise
all audiences with his memorable
quotes and sticky situations.
The story begins in Borat’s
hometown. We meet his sister,
Natalya, the “number 4 prostitute
in whole of Kazakhstan,” and his
neighbour, Tulyak Alkaby.
Borat says, “He is real pain in
my asshole. I get a window from
a glass, he get a window from a
glass.
“I get step, he get a step. I get
clock radio, he cannot afford.
Great success!”
Cameras continue to follow as
he makes his journey to America.
“We decided to not take airplane
should the Jews repeat their attack
of 9/11.”
Borat carries on embarrassing
himself and countless victims at
a rodeo, a dinner party, a feminist
meeting and a driving school. He is
finally hauled down by police.
The plot thickens from an
unorthodox road trip into a tale
of true love when Borat falls
for Baywatch superstar Pamela
Anderson.
He spends a good portion of the
one hour and 22 minutes of the film
chasing after her to make a “liquid
explosion on her stomach.”
Borat
delivers
laughter
throughout the entire movie,
leaving the audience in stitches
after the most vulgar and explicit
scenes imaginable.
Matt Policelli, 22, of St.
Catharines, says he could hardly
wait until Borat came to theatres.
“I’ve been planning to see it for
months, and it definitely lived up
to my expectations.”
Dave Astles, 21, of St.
Catharines, says his favourite
scene was “when Borat went to
this fancy dinner party and invited
a prostitute as his date.”
Karen Coulson, 20, of Thorold,
says she could not stop laughing
long after the movie was over.
“It was way too short. I could
have sat and watched another four
hours of Borat. I hope there’s a
sequel.”
Maybe, if we’re lucky, Borat
will come to Canada, but beware
the foreigner with no boundaries.
Until then, grab a few friends and
head to the local cinema. Borat
could use our support.
“My country send me to United
States to make movie-film. Please,
come and see my film.
“If it not success, I will be
execute.”
NCI dinner cancelled
By KRIS DUBE
Staff Writer
The Winemaker’s Dinner is cancelled.
Slated for the Niagara Culinary Institute (NCI) on Nov. 17,
the event was “marketed too late,” says Jon Ogryzlo, dean of the
Environment, Horticulture and Agribusiness division.
“I think our timing was off this year a little, but we are hoping to
have one before April.
The dinner consists of three courses as well as dessert for $70,
which is “a “pretty typical” price, says Ogryzlo.
Price is not the reason for the cancellation.
This event is hosted by the NCI, along with the Hospitality and
Tourism, and Horticulture and Agribusiness programs.
It is an opportunity for wine enthusiasts and students to come and
share their appreciation of wine with top professionals in the field
and to enjoy some gourmet cuisine at the same time.
Ogryzlo says there is space for 70 people, and he hopes that “next
time there will be a better response.”
We’re back Dec. 8
news@niagara, Nov. 24, 2006, Page 3
Retention rates among ‘top priorities’
By ROBYN HOPPER
Staff Writer
Niagara College’s retention rate needs
improvement.
Dan Patterson, Niagara College president,
says, “Niagara College is very proud of its
track record for not only attracting top-notch
students but also graduating a good and strong
cohort of students who get good jobs.”
In 2003-2004, the retention rate of students
leaving first year and entering second year
was 74.2 per cent, down from 75.5 per cent
in 2002-2003. The rate increased in 20042005 to 76.2 per cent. The retention rate
of students leaving their second year and
entering third year has continually declined.
The rate in 2002-2003 was 80.6; in 20032004, it was 78.2 per cent; and in 20042005, it was 72.9 per cent.
“We still need to do a lot more work in
regard to the retention rate. We want all
students to graduate and to succeed.”
Patterson explains there are a variety of
reasons students are not graduating and
succeeding. Some of the reasons include
financial problems and family and other
obligations or they discover the program
they chose is not the right one.
The college is working to make sure
prospective students know as much as
possible about the program they are applying
for in hopes they will end up with the “best
fitting” program for them, he adds.
“College staff is spending an extraordinary
amount of time upfront to try to explain
what their students’ expectations might be to
minimize the surprise factor when students
get on campus.”
He says because officials are concerned
about the number of students who don’t
complete their course of study, “we have
made this a key objective among our top
priorities.”
Joyce Engel, vice-president, academic,
says, “We have been spending a fair amount
of time discussing retention practices over
the past weeks.
Essentially, the approach that we are
taking is that every student is important, so,
for example, if a student is struggling with
attendance or performance, action is taken to
find out what is happening with the student
and if there is something that can be done to
address the concerns so that the student can
be successful.”
The college has called on the total college
community – faculty, support staff and
administrators – to do as much as possible
to help improve retention rates.
“Clearly we all have a role to play in
student success, and we need to ensure this
is top of mind for everyone.”
He says most colleges in the last few years
have been concerned about the number of
students not completing their education, so
the college system is sharing ideas to find
ways to better identify problems and their
solutions.
Niagara College is working on “early
intervention” to help identify and help
students who are having difficulty in
their programs.
The college has instituted the Turn U
Around mid-term project, which targets
communication with at-risk students
involving professors, counsellors and
other student services staff.
It is also trying to provide more
information and counselling to ensure
students are in the right program.
It has added evening counselling
appointments, as well as an increased
number of drop-in appointment times.
Patterson declares the college is
promoting peer tutoring to make sure
students are aware the services are
available to help them succeed.
It is also following up with students
who withdraw, “so we can identify
and address the decisions that affect
withdrawal.”
Engel affirms, “Retention efforts
directly relate to quality in a program.
We anticipate that awareness of
retention and retention efforts will
enhance the quality that exists already
in our programs.”
“A good college that is responsible
and
believes
in
continuous
improvements needs to look at all
indicators of success or areas where Niagara College President Dan Patterson,
they come up short, and it needs to says he wants all Niagara College students to
take corrective action to improve those graduate and to succeed.
Photo by Robyn Hopper
areas,” Patterson emphasizes.
Ontario colleges celebrating U>Pass adds more
By ROBYN HOPPER
Staff Writer
Colleges
across
Ontario
celebrated College Week from
Nov. 6 to Nov. 13.
College Week’s aim is to create
awareness of the role Ontario
colleges play in Ontario’s success
and prosperity by contributing to
the development of a well-trained
and highly skilled workforce.
This year, colleges emphasized
the quality improvements that
have been made because of the
provincial government’s increased
funding
to
post-secondary
education.
“Ontario colleges are using
improved funding from the
provincial government to make
important investments in new
programs and services for
students,” said Niagara College
President Dan Patterson.
Joyce Engel, Niagara College
vice-president, academic, says,
“The college is most appreciative
of the additional funding from the
government as we think that it is
an encouraging indication of the
recognition that government and
the public are according postsecondary education.”
As the demand for highly
skilled and educated people
increases, college graduates are
becoming increasingly vital to the
province’s prosperity and growth.
“We are committed to ensuring
students get the best education and
training possible,” said Patterson.
Ontario colleges have instituted
200 new programs in the past
two years. The colleges have
added
new
apprenticeship,
certificate and diploma programs
in manufacturing, health care and
business.
In addition, they are developing
bridging programs to aid people’s
access to more options for
education and training.
The province’s colleges are
preparing the 2006 Results
Report, which will highlight
improvements across the province.
It will show the government and
the public how colleges have spent
the additional funding to improve
the quality of the education and
training.
A media release states that
Ontario colleges share the
provincial
government’s
commitment to access, quality and
accountability, and are grateful for
the increased funding for college
education and training.
Niagara College has added
several new programs to enhance
access and to address the varying
entry levels of students. The
new programs include Enhanced
Language Training Initiative,
designed for new Canadians,
Personal
Support
Worker,
General Arts and Science College
Path, Landscape Horticultural
Techniques, Practical Nursing,
Welding Techniques, Motive
Power Techniques, New Media
Web Design and a Bachelor of
Applied Business – International
Commerce
and
Global
Development.
The college completed and
opened the $1-million renovation
of the Broadcasting – Radio,
Television and Film facilities
as well as the $3.5-million
renovation and addition to the
technology building, both at its
Welland campus.
It has also equipped several
classrooms with multi-media
capability to serve program and
teaching needs.
It has improved its computer
and software capabilities and
introduced new instructional
approaches to meet student
expectations better, enhancing
online access to student records,
timetables and registration.
Blackboard, the new learning
software suite, provides students
with access to a wide range of
online learning resources and
improves student to faculty
communication.
It provides greater flexibility
for students to obtain course
materials and grades.
Niagara College has hired 14
new full-time faculty members
across numerous areas and four
student support staff to improve
student service levels.
Engel states, “The new funding
for this year is already largely
committed to the new staff hires for
this year. In terms of funding for
subsequent years, unfortunately
there is never enough money to
do everything that we might like
to do in relation to programming
and services to students.”
“We are making progress
and we cannot afford to lose
the gains we have made,”
said
Patterson,
adding,
“Ontario must continue to
make significant investments
into college education and
training.”
buses, new trips
By ALEX EDDIE
Staff Writer
The votes are in. U>Pass is
coming.
From Nov. 13 to Nov. 17
students at Niagara College had
the chance to vote for or against
the implementation of the U>Pass
costs into every student’s tuition
next year.
With 725 student votes cast,
74 per cent voted yes. The
college has a student enrolment
of over 6,000.
All students enrolled in classes
that include an activity fee will
be charged for the pass at $15 per
month, or $60 per term.
At tax time, expired transit
passes or receipts make users
eligible for a tax credit on their
income tax return.
For many students here,
travelling isn’t the easiest part of
their day.
“I live 20 minutes away from
the college, and I drive there
every day, which usually costs
me about $50 a week in gas. For
the whole year that’s roughly
about $1,200 in gas on top of my
tuition,” says Codie Welychka,
who is taking the Hospitality
Management – Hotel and
Restaurant Management (Co-op)
program at the Niagara-on-theLake campus.
Many students drive to school
every day from Fort Erie. The
U>Pass service won’t help them
since there is no region-wide
transportation system to get them
from the border town to Niagara
Falls or any of the municipalities
who’s transit services are
involved.
The U>Pass is a universal bus
pass that gives Niagara College
students unlimited fare through
the three transit systems of St.
Catharines, Niagara Falls and
Welland. Those systems also
capture riders from Thorold and
Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The U>Pass has serviced
Niagara College for a while, but
new features will include adding
more buses and new trips.
Some of the benefits the Student
Administrative Council officials
emphasized about having a
U>Pass are that it relieves you of
buying a parking pass each year
and gives you unlimited access
throughout the two semesters.
With a car, your total transport
costs would be approximately
$2,520 per term including gas,
a parking pass, insurance and
other repairs.
“I don’t have a U>Pass this
year because I thought having
a car would make things easier.
I was wrong, so my vote for
the U>Pass was yes,” says
Welychka.
For more information visit
www.ncsac.ca.
SIC donates $2,500
to breast cancer
Niagara College and SIC joined
forces for students from LASA,
Police Foundations and Paramedic
programs needing community
service hours to graduate. Every
$10 raised earned students one
hour of community service time.
“You can walk the whole time,
or one hour, two hours. Every hour
equals one hour of community
service time,” said second-year
Police Foundations student
Lyndsay Budgell.
Stephanie Drewery, a firstyear Police Foundations
student, raised $130.
“I wanted to help
with
the
Breast
Cancer Association.
I’ve already done my
[community service] hours. This
is just extra.”
The Breast Cancer Research and
Education Fund is a communitybased organization for women
living with breast cancer.
SIC is run by students, for
students, says Jesse Edsall, secondyear Police Foundations student
and SIC president.
“It’s students helping students
and the community. We focus
energy on helping each other out,”
Second-year Police Foundations student Kelly Felhaber (right) hands
in his pledges to Lyndsay Budgell, second-year Police Foundations
student. Felhaber raised $505 in pledges for the second annual
Breast Cancer Walk for the Cure on Nov. 10 at Niagara College.
Photo by Nadine Webster
he says.
to get involved.
“It’s the initiative and drive of
All students are invited to bring
the members, volunteer groups and ideas for fundraising events to the
groups of students.
monthly SIC meetings.
“Each initiative we run identifies
“We need them as much as they
a problem and a solution to the need us. We’re not in it to make
problem.”
money, just to help one another.”
SIC is always looking for
Interested students can contact
volunteers and encourages students Edsall at [email protected].
Find the
right fit!
Call Lindsay Dekker at 905-735-2211
ext. 7543 to discuss how we can help.
niagaracollege.ca/january
Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer
Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006, Toronto, 2006
Information adapted from the Canadian
Breast Cancer Foundation website
Restart your
College education
this January!
Limited seats
are available in these and
other popular programs.
• Automotive
• Business
• Computer Engineering
• Culinary Management/Chef
• Electrical/Electronics
• General Arts and Sciences
(Preparatory Studies)
• Horticulture/Landscape/Greenhouse
• Office Administration
• Personal Support Worker
• Police Foundations
• Tourism Management
62190090
By NADINE WEBSTER
Staff Writer
Despite the cold weather, the
second annual Breast Cancer Walk
for the Cure event on Nov. 10
proved more successful than last
year’s.
A donation of $2,500 on behalf of
Niagara College’s Student Initiative
Club (SIC) was presented to
the Breast Cancer Research
and Education Fund in St.
Catharines on Nov. 17,
beating last year’s donation
of $1,600.
“We’re at $1,300 this
year, one hour into the walk,”
said second-year Law and
Security
Administration
(LASA) program student and
vice-president of SIC Ryan
Rafferty.
“More funds will be trickling
in from people who can’t donate
right away.”
Kelly Felhaber, a second-year
Police
Foundations
program
student, brought in pledges of
$505, the single largest donation
for the event.
“It’s a good cause,” he said,
adding most of the pledges came
from Niagara College faculty.
Facts about Breast Cancer
• Breast cancer is the most common
cancer among Canadian women.
• In 2006, over 22,000 women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer and
5,300 will die of it.
• One per cent of the female population are survivors of breast cancer.
• One in nine women is expected to
develop breast cancer during her
lifetime. One in 27 will die of it.
• An estimated 160 men will be diagnosed and 45 will die of it.
• In 2006, new breast cancer diagnoses will slightly double the number
of lung cancer diagnoses among
Canadian women.
Incidence by age group:
• Less than one per cent of cases occur
in women aged 29 or younger.
• 20% of cases occur in women aged
30 to 49.
50 to 59.
60 to 69.
70 and over.
Mortality by age group:
• Less than one per cent of deaths occur in women aged 29 or less.
• 11% of deaths occur in women ages
of 30 to 49.
• 18% of deaths occur in women aged
50 and 59.
60 to 69.
70 and older.
Mental Health Awareness
Important information
about mental health
By KRISTIN RASILE
Staff Writer
Mental illnesses are more than a
disorder; they’re a lifestyle.
The Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA) says about 26
per cent of Canadians suffer from a
diagnosable mental illness within
a given year. Mental illnesses are
disturbances in thoughts, feelings
and perceptions that affect day-today behaviour.
Niagara College opened its doors
for Mental Illness Awareness week
in an attempt to inform students
about mental health.
Face Mental Illness posters
were displayed and mental illness
bookmarks were distributed at the
bookstore.
Those who suffer from a mental
illness are often misjudged.
Elizabeth, of St. Catharines, is one
of them.
“When people find out you have
a mental illness, they automatically
think you’re crazy,” she says,
adding people are uninformed
about mental illnesses.
Since she was 29, Elizabeth
has suffered from panic attacks
and mood disorders and is often
delusional.
After being diagnosed as bi-polar,
she says her family went through
changes. Her children moved to a
different town with their father and
changed schools. “It
disrupted my everyday
life and really upset
my kids.”
Although one in four
people suffers from a
mental illness, CMHA
says many people still
fear sufferers of such
diseases. Usually, says
CMHA, this fear originates
from lack of knowledge.
Elizabeth says she agrees
with that assessment. “People with
mental illnesses are discarded so
easily.”
“People are so consumed by this
label of mental illness that they
don’t really see how hard it is for
us to deal with it. It’s hell.” She
says the illness rips families apart
and “that’s something you can’t see
through the stigma attached to it.”
What many people don’t
know, she says, is that there are
foundations within the community
designed to help. After being in
and out of hospitals, she says she
found comfort in the Assertive
Community Treatment (ACT)
Team. The ACT team helps Brown
with her medications and takes her
grocery shopping.
On a good day, Elizabeth says
she is able to go to work, feel
happy, shop, volunteer and talk
with her daughters.
Advice for students
The bad days, however, she says
she feels depressed and delusional.
“Some days I’m so tired I can
barely get out of bed.”
One of the biggest setbacks is
getting back on track after you stop
taking your medication, she says.
“If you stop a taking a med,
you can crash. Sometimes picking
yourself back up isn’t so easy.”
Elizabeth says the best advice
she can give to people suffering
with a disorder is to get support
from their community, stay on their
medications and get a good doctor.
“I’ve got a great doctor.”
More important, she says is
finding a good support system to
help cope with your mental illness.
“I couldn’t do it without my
daughters.”
Help offered to abuse victims
By CHRISTINE KENNEDY
Staff Writer
Attention, victims of abuse: there
is support available, including
helpful, anonymous options.
Some victims are unaware of the
warning signs of an abusive person
or partnership.
Gary Direnfeld, a social worker
in private practice at Interaction
Consultants in Dundas, Ont., says,
“The clearest signs are overt:
name calling, yelling, screaming,
scaring, hitting. Less overt signs
of an abusive relationship include
controlling behaviour such as
managing all of the money,
restricting friends and family
from seeing a person, using guilt
continuously to get one’s way.”
Once a victim acknowledges
the red flags of abuse, whether
the signs are physical, mental or
emotional, the victim must choose
to leave or stay with the partner,
relative or friend.
Persons
stay
in
abusive
relationships for a variety of
reasons. Direnfeld, 50, who holds
a master’s degree in social work,
says, “Children stay as they
have nowhere else to go and are
dependent upon the parents. In
many instances, this is also true of
women in abusive relationships.
At other times, adults may fear for
their well-being, even their lives or
their children’s lives if they were to
leave. At other times, some adults
believe things will get better, only
to be disappointed again.”
Abuse can lead to numerous
mental health problems and other
related issues.
“Depression and mental health
problems and abuse are at times
co-occurring events. In some
instances, the depression, anxiety
or other mental health problems
are a consequence of the abuse.
In other instances, they may predate the abuse and hence make the
person more vulnerable to being
abused.”
Direnfeld is an expert on matters
of family life, including child
development, parent-child relations,
marital and family therapy, custody
and access recommendations and
social work.
The abuse serves the abuser’s
needs. In sexual abuse, this
includes the abuser’s need for
sexual gratification.
Victims must develop coping
skills such as self-management
through assertiveness skills, money
management and vocational skills.
How can a person safely leave
the abusive partnership?
“Support. Generally people
need some sort of help, be it from
another family member, friend or
social service. This is why women’s
shelters are so important,” says
Direnfeld.
Counselling is an effective
coping method. Direnfeld’s website
outlines the three steps so clients
know what to expect.
The first stage of counselling
begins with disclosure and is
characterized by issues of trust,
self-doubt, and even feelings
of shame by some survivors. In
the middle stage of counseling,
victims may experience relief and/
or exacerbation of symptoms, or
ups and downs.
This is to be expected and is
normal in the recovery process.
The middle stage draws to a close
as the victim demonstrates enough
symptom relief and improved
psychosocial
functioning
to
manage independently.
By the end of counselling, the
victim may feel gratitude and
reluctance for the counselloing
to end. The relationship to the
counsellor may have been the
victim’s healthiest inter-personal
experience in that it was nonexploitive.
Recovery time varies with the
variables involved: the nature of
the abuse, the person and the help
available, says Direnfeld.
By ADAM GAMBLE
Staff Writer
Each year at Niagara
College, many new
faces grace the halls. It
is a drastic change from
high school for a lot of
students, and focusing
on schoolwork will be
more important than ever.
Students must remember
they are dealing with their
future success.
Katherine
McLeod,
from Welland, works in the
Counselling Services department
at the Welland campus. Her
advice to struggling students is
to “arrange ahead. If you need an
extension, don’t wait. Make school
number 1 priority for now, and be
organized.”
Many people are available
to help you. Peer tutoring is a
great choice if you feel you are
not confident in a specific class.
Macleod says, “If peer tutors are
available and you are struggling,
make sure to get one.”
Time management is also
important. “Make sure to look at
your week’s schedule and allot
time for everything.
“Do your readings before class
and you will already have your
studying done for exams,” says
MacLeod.
Students must also try to look
at everything in a positive light.
Don’t be discouraged too easily.
MacLeod says, “Be careful what
kind of self statements you make.
If you hear a negative statement,
turn it into a positive one. It helps
you stay focused.”
It is essential that students
maintain proper work habits and
not leave everything until the
last minute. This delay will only
lead to more unwanted stress and
pressure.
The minute you feel you do not
understand something in the course
content is the time to visit the Peer
Services department. Anytime
throughout the year, peer services
are available. The earlier you get
started, the easier it is to find a
peer tutor who fits your needs.
Josie Tremonte, a peer services
assistant, says, “Tutoring can go
on all term long. Even if you are
all caught up in your problem
area and seem to understand
what is going on, keep up with
tutoring services. Research has
shown that continual studying or
reviewing will allow you to retain
information better.”
Tutors can also help with
organizational skills, as they are
usually well organized themselves
and you can gain tips from them.
A binder of useful information on
organizational skills is available
in the peer tutoring office.
Counselling Services is also a
great source for advice on time
management and organization.
“A course you may not find
interesting and put on the
backburner will, in the long run,
affect your overall average. If you
do not get tutored, you will end up
suffering,” says Tremonte.
If you require a peer tutor,
call Tremonte at 905-735-2211
ext.7769 or visit SE102A for more
details.
For
counselling
services,
McLeod can be reached at 905735-2211 ext. 7835. Her office is
in SE102.
NOTL students interested
in a tutor may contact Valerie
Chambers at the counselling
office, in W102 at 905-641-2252
ext.4179.
Nutritious choices best
By JULIANNE VAN DYK
Staff Writer
A healthy body could mean a
healthy grade.
To some it is simple, but to others
healthful eating is a challenge.
“I just don’t have time” is
a common phrase from many
students, including those quoted in
M.J. Smith and son Fred Smith’s
book, The Smart Student’s Guide
to Healthy Living.
Ms. Smith is a registered
dietician and specializes in health
and nutrition and has already
written 12 books on the subject.
In this one, Smith works with
her son and other college students
to find out what is lacking and what
kind of lifestyle a student has.
Each chapter provides helpful
tips and ideas on eating right,
sleeping right, keeping fit and
staying organized. There are snack
ideas and recipes that are quick and
easy. There are two meal plans a
student can choose from and ways
to deal with allergies and fatigue. A
chapter on stress tells how it can be
avoided while a chapter on fitness
gives tips on being motivated.
From start to finish, The Smart
Student’s Guide to Healthy Living
is a good source for students who
want to have good health.
While the average student prefers
to have good health, a nutrition
teacher at Niagara College, Isabelle
Seburn, says, “The cafeteria has
apples, but Timmies has donuts.”
What she is saying is there are
healthful choices in the cafeteria,
but you have to look for them
and make the decision to have
something healthful, rather than
something that may be more
appealing as comfort food.
Smith’s book and Seburn are
excellent sources for students
looking for health information.
Seburn graduated from Pacific
Western University in San Diego,
CA, and spent 27 years as a teacher
in nursing. Now at Niagara College,
she teaches biology nutrition,
pharmacology,
developmental
psychology and dental nutrition
biology.
Page 6. news@niagara, Nov. 24, 2006
One person for one seatbelt
By KRISTEN COUGHLAR
Staff Writer
The Ontario government is closing a loophole in the
seatbelt law.
On Oct. 31, all parties in the provincial legislature
passed the one person, one seatbelt legislation,
requiring one seat belt for every passenger travelling
in a vehicle.
In a phone interview, Liberal MPP Kim Craitor, of
Niagara Falls, says, “When it comes to that type of
legislation, where it involves saving lives, you’ll often
find 99 per cent of all parties in agreement,” further
commenting, “It’s always nice when we’re in the
House [Legislature] and we’re all working together.”
The legislation, introduced on Oct. 16, came on
the heels of a fatal accident two days earlier when
a minivan, carrying 10 occupants and only seven
seatbelts, collided with a tractor-trailer, claiming the
lives of four people.
“I probably received 20 phone calls when the
legislation was introduced from people who were
quite shocked. They thought it already existed,”
Craitor says.
This loophole carried over from the first seatbelt
legislation passed 30 years ago, which focused on the
safety of the driver and front seat passengers.
While the most recent survey done by Transport
Canada reports Ontario as having the second highest
rate of seatbelt use, at 93 per cent, the lack of seatbelt
use was the reason for one-third of people being killed
in car accidents.
When asked, in a phone interview, if the new
legislation is a step in the right direction to saving
lives, Conservative MPP Tim Hudak, of Fort Erie
and Lincoln area, says, “Potentially. I think the
vast majority of people know it’s important to wear
seatbelts. Some people just choose not to do so.”
Hudak added to his point, saying, “We need to
ensure there are enough police officers on the street
to enforce the law. If there is not enough enforcement,
then people won’t follow the laws.”
New Democrat Party MPP Peter Kormos, of
Welland, was of the same mind as Hudak, saying,
“Laws are useless if they aren’t enforced. We have a
real shortage of police cars and police officers, Ontario
Provincial Police officers in particular.”
Kormos further explained the steps the NDP took to
ensure the enforcement of the new legislation.
“We wanted to make it even stronger.” Kormos
explained that the NDP proposed an amendment to
the legislation that would put the onus on the driver to
ensure all passengers are belted in.
SIC offers CPR, First Aid training
By NADINE WEBSTER
Staff Writer
The Student Initiative Club (SIC)
is at it again.
First aid and CPR training were
held Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. at Niagara Region
Children’s Safety Village for all
Niagara College students.
The $85 fee included a level C
certificate in 8” x 11” and wallet
size.
Fifteen dollars from each student
fee was donated to the Children’s
Safety Village at the Welland
campus.
“The funds will be helping
students out, and the community,”
says Jesse Edsall.
SIC is run by students, for
students.
Edsall, a second-year Police
Foundations student at Niagara
College in Welland, could put even
the most hardworking student to
shame.
In addition to being a full-time
student and working two part-time
jobs, Edsall is also SIC president.
“It’s students helping students
and the community. We focus
energy by helping each other out.
It’s a chain reaction of helping
students.”
This year, about 30 members of
SIC set up a Volunteer Watch at the
Children’s Safety Village after it
was vandalized.
Students rotate nightly staying at
the village.
“Since the conception, it has
really been the students’ initiative,”
says Interim Executive Director of
Niagara Region Children’s Safety
Village Bob Wastle.
“It’s as good as having a security
system, if not better.”
Last
year,
SIC
students
organized fundraising events with
all proceeds donated on behalf of
Niagara College.
“It’s the initiative and drive of
the members, volunteer groups and
groups of students. Each initiative
we run identifies a problem and a
solution to the problem.”
Edsall says he wants to bring to
life the college’s idea of not isolating
students from the community.
“We need them as much as they
need us,” says Edsall. “We’re not
in it to make money, just to help
one another.”
As with all fundraising organizations, SIC is always looking for
volunteers and encourages students
to get involved.
“It’s open to every single student
who’s registered and in good
standing.”
Edsall says he wants to “broaden
the group.”
He says he would like to see
a wider range of students from
different
programs
working
together.
While Edsall is SIC president, he
says the club is a team effort.
All students are invited to the
monthly SIC meetings and are not
obligated to sign up.
There is no fee to participate,
and anyone can bring in ideas for
fundraising events.
“I might be the leader, but the
whole club is running it. I’m more
of a liaison between everyone.
Every member is equal.”
Interested students can contact
Edsall at [email protected].
FAQ for Student Initiative Club
By NADINE WEBSTER
Staff Writer
What is SIC?
It’s the Student Initiative Club.
What does it do?
Its main focus is students helping
students. SIC also helps with fundraising
within the community.
What kind of events
has SIC organized?
SIC is open to any ideas students have
for fundraising.
Last year, fundraising events included
Big Brother/Big Sister, Coats for the Cold
and Walk for Breast Cancer.
What will be done this year?
This year, students planned a CPR/First
Aid course on campus.
They are also part of a Volunteer Watch
program at the Niagara Region Children’s
Safety Village.
Why should I get involved?
You can help someone in need. It’s also
a great opportunity to meet new friends,
get volunteer hours and make contacts in
the region.
Who can join?
SIC is open to every student in the
college.
Students must have good academic
standings.
There are no fees or dues.
How do I get started?
Contact Jesse Edsall at si_club@
hotmail.com for more information.
Police Foundations
students get
an opportunity
Police Foundations students Jason Young and
Joyce Devries wait outside the interview room
in the Mackenzie building on Nov. 3.
Photo by Lesley Smith
By LESLEY SMITH
Staff Writer
Police Foundations program
students were dressed to impress
on Nov. 3.
Interviews
were
being
conducted with some second-year
students for a ride-along program
with the Niagara Regional Police
Service (NRP).
A small group of students
gathered outside the interview
room, in the Mackenzie building
at Niagara College’s Welland
campus, looking nervous.
They clutched their resumés and
practiced questions and answers
with one another as they waited.
Twenty-two-year-old
Jason
Young, of Niagara Falls, was
the first to be interviewed. As he
waited, he said he was feeling
“pretty nervous. I prepared a little
bit, so hopefully it goes well.”
He says his preparation included
attending a seminar by program
co-ordinator Gino Arcaro at
which some of the “competencies
of policing” were outlined. He
also studied at home.
Accepted students will ride
along with professional police
officers and get an opportunity to
be involved in everyday policing.
“We get an idea for what
problems police have to face
every day,” said Young.
Arcaro says the program has
been offered even before he began
teaching at Niagara 16 years ago,
but that it has progressed to a
larger scale.
“There was a process last
spring where we put in resumés
and got background checks by the
NRP,” said Joyce Devries, also of
Niagara Falls.
“We have known about it since
last year when we applied, but
found out exactly when over the
summer months,” Young said.
The 21 students who had
interviews faced Arcaro; Sgt.
Pokol, head of the guns, gangs
and grow division of the NRP;
Det. Tripp, with the NRP; and
Det. Ewart, with the Hamilton
Police Services.
The ride-along will begin after
a swear-in date set by the NRP.
All 21 of the students who were
interviewed got into the program,
prompting Arcaro to term the
interviews “very successful.”
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Nov. 24, 2006, news@niagara, Page 7
Niagara Corvette Club puts smiles on children’s faces
By T.J. LUCIANO
Staff Writer
Since the Niagara Corvette
Club’s (NCC) inception 33 years
ago, its sole purpose has been to
put smiles on the faces of children
at the Niagara Peninsula Children’s
Centre (NPCC).
Jim Marino is the executive
director of the NPCC Foundation.
He says it is a voluntary, nonprofit charitable organization
that treats and diagnoses children
with communicative and physical
disabilities. “There are 2,900
children each year with physical
or communicative problems in the
12 municipalities of the Niagara
region.” He says the foundation’s
purpose is to accept and raise
donations to improve facilities and
help purchase needed equipment.
Marino says the relationship
between the children and the NCC
is “incredible.”
“The NCC understood the good
things coming out of the children’s
centre,” and
says the centre
performs “minor miracles.”
George Dalbergs, NCC president,
says the centre is the club’s main
focus. Dalbergs says the members
show off their Corvettes from all
decades at events to raise as much
money as they can. “They do cruise
nights and car washes in the spring.
We’ve got one major show in July
at Reif Estate Winery in Niagaraon-the-Lake.”
“Over the years, the club has
donated roughly $250,000 to the
NPCC,” Dalbergs says.
Marino explains that it’s never
difficult for organizations and
people to donate to charity.
“Fundraising
events
are
spearheaded
by
community
organizations like the Corvette
Club, schools, businesses, clubs,
all kinds of organizations.” People
in the Niagara Peninsula are “kind
and giving.” He says money
donated is money well spent.
“Money isn’t raised and spent
tomorrow; it’s invested in a
child’s future and lasts a lifetime.”
He says there are benefits from
donating to charity.
“You get a good feeling to see
a positive difference in a child’s
life.” He says even if someone
donated pennies, it still would be
something. “Whether it’s one penny
or $100,000, it’s appreciated.”
Some people sacrifice personally,
but get a good feeling and know
“it’s for a need.” He says there are
positive results for children when
people contribute and donate.
“There are too many success
stories,” says Marino. “People came
here and couldn’t walk, and by the
end they could walk again. People
came here with speech impediments
and left speaking better than ever.”
However, Marino explains there is a
concern facing some children today.
He says even though most of
the funding is from the Ontario
government, the centre still needs
to raise money for unfunded therapy
and special medical equipment.
“Funding from the Ontario
government isn’t enough, so the
foundation has to raise more
money.”
Marino says the number of
children who need therapy is
increasing, and this causes a
“waiting period” for children who
need therapy immediately.
“There are more than 600
children waiting for over 700
services,” says Marino, “some with
more than one illness. To maintain
the current services, we need to
raise around $500,000 and another
$500,000 to eliminate the waiting
list.” He says the NPCC’s purpose
is to raise as much money as it can
to get proper medical equipment
and therapy services for these
waiting children.
Marino says the NPCC began in
the early 1950s and “provided relief
for parents who had children with
cerebral palsy.” On Oct. 15, 1965,
it was “officially incorporated.”
For
upcoming
events
regarding the NCC, you can
contact the NCC president at
905-682-2310 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
Since the inception of the Niagara Corvette Club, its primary focus
is to donate to the charity of its choice, the Niagara Peninsula
Children’s Centre.
Photo by T.J. Luciano
New road safety program launched in Niagara region
Factors of less lighting, gravel
shoulders and animals contribute
to people losing control of their
vehicles. There are many intersecting
roads where drivers misjudge the
distance of oncoming traffic.
While all of these factors
contribute to the road safety
problem in Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Beyer said, “Speed is one of the
major problems.”
During the campaign’s launch,
police officers stopped 538
vehicles: 376 drivers were issued
tickets for traffic violations,
15 notices for seatbelt or child
safety restraint violations and 87
warnings for traffic violations
were given, evidence of the road
safety problem in the area. Beyer
said, “Policing has really been
stepped up.”
Since its launch the campaign
has had 16 articles published in
the local news media. Eighteen
groups, such as the Federation of
Agriculture and CAA Niagara,
have published a newsletter article,
and 10,000 mailers along with 900
flyers have been sent out. Seven
presentations and displays have also
been held at community meetings
and events such as Niagara-on-theLake town council and the Lions
Club meetings.
“What we’ve really tried to do is
raise awareness. We’ve been able
to get a lot of information out to the
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
62171235
By KRISTEN COUGHLAR
Staff Writer
The Regional Niagara Road
Safety Committee is trying to raise
driver awareness in Niagara-onthe-Lake (NOTL).
The committee, in partnership
with Niagara Region Public Health,
the Niagara Regional Police (NRP),
Niagara Region Public Works and
Canadian Automobile Association
(CAA) Niagara, has introduced
a Think and Drive road safety
campaign, targeting the road safety
problem in the Niagara region.
On Sept. 5, the campaign
launched its pilot project in Niagaraon-the-Lake, in conjunction with
the NRP’s school safety blitz.
Linda Beyer, 49, health promoter
at Niagara Region Public Health,
said in a phone interview that the
big media campaign surrounding the
back-to-school blitz was “the perfect
opportunity to pilot the campaign.”
Think and Drive is an advertising
campaign composed of posters,
flyers, mailers and a website where
you can test your driving skills and
see what measures you can take
to make a difference in solving
the road safety problem. Visitors
who visit the website also have
the opportunity to enter a draw
for prizes, including XM satellite
radios and CAA memberships. As
of Oct. 18, 866 people have visited
the website.
The Niagara region has one of
the highest rates of serious and
fatal collisions in Ontario, many
of which occur on rural roads in
Niagara-on-the-Lake. Beyer said
that one of the reasons rural roads
are such a hot spot for accidents is
that there are few highways that run
through the area, so there is more
traffic from commuters travelling
on these roads.
VOTED 1
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community,” Beyer said.
The campaign, on which the
Region is spending $20,000 and to
which the community has contributed
$5,000, will continue until the end of
December and then expand across
the region in 2007 and 2008.
The
website
is
www.
niagararoadsafety.com. While the
contest’s closing date is Nov. 30,
the website driving test will remain
available.
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@NIAGARA
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news@niagara is a practical lab for Journalism-Print program students studying at Niagara College. Opinions expressed in editorials and columns are not
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Readers are welcome to respond to columnists by e-mail at [email protected]
2006 WINNER
Professors care about our future
The probability of developing a close-knit, trusting friendship dwindles after high school.
Life becomes faster paced, graduates flee from
hometowns and somehow you become an adult.
How do we expect to create a bond with new
people in the short time we have to grow up and
get our lives together?
Entering first year here as an off-campus resident and an 18-year-old, I found it difficult to
meet people except those within the classroom,
so I found myself turning to my professors for
support.
I realized as the year progressed that professors
can be friends as well. I was always looking outside the classroom, but it turned out my teachers
could be just as supportive and easy to talk to as
my friends were.
Obviously the content of the conversations
might be different, but, unlike my teachers at
grade school, professors at Niagara College act as
colleagues rather than superiors.
I never thought I would e-mail my teachers for
tips on articles or receiving a phone call at 5 a.m.
from my program co-ordinator to tell me class was
cancelled.
The truth is teachers arenʼt just there to get paid
and assign mounds of homework to stress you
out. They are there because they enjoy the content
of their courses and because they care about your
future, as long as you give it your best shot.
If youʼre feeling intimated by professors, remember they are real people with real feelings.
If you are struggling or need an extension, they
will help, but only if youʼre willing to put in the
work.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you.”
CHRISTINE KENNEDY
Polygamy, same-sex marriage are different
It was reported last year that multiple-partner marriages have been
recognized in Canada in spousal support awards.
According to Sun Media, “The former federal Liberal government long
maintained that polygamy is criminal
in Canada but documents obtained
under Access to Information show
polygamous marriages have been
recognized ʻfor limited purposesʼ to
enforce the financial obligations of
husbands.”
It has been recommended in the past
that polygamy be decriminalized.
In a government-funded study,
Beverley Baines, Bita Amani and
Martha Bailey, of Queenʼs University in Kingston, Ont., suggest the
decriminalization of polygamy.
They argue that Canada should
allow polygamous families entry into
the country and Canadaʼs polygamy
laws may be unconstitutional.
One way or another, why is it that
when discussing the issue religious
organizations often cloud the facts
by bring up polygamy and same-sex
marriage in the same breath.
These two issues are inherently
different.
Same-sex marriage is a basic
human rights issue, and polygamy is
anything but.
The sticking point of a polygamist
society is not of multiple partners,
but of systematic psychological,
physical and sexual abuse.
In a Globe and Mail article, law
professor Nicholas Bala says, “Several European countries are facing problems with large immigrant
polygamous populations, and are
now prohibiting this type of immigration.
Such families tend to be plagued
by spouse abuse, poverty and fathers
who are not involved in the care
of their children. Decriminalization
could attract troubled polygamous
families to Canada.”
Many polygamist societies are set
up in an attempt to extract as much
money from social programs as is
possible.
Some polygamists refer to this as
“bleeding the beast” and use scripture to justify their leeching and
fleecing of the system.
A same-sex marriage allows consenting adults to enjoy the benefits of
being married.
Entirely different is a polygamous
world that expels teenage males for
fear of competition and has females
impregnated in their early teens, a
world that is willing to do anything
for another welfare cheque or for
another mind to program with a
twisted agenda.
Some argue that adultery is not
prosecuted, and therefore polygamy
should not be either.
However, there is a massive difference between adultery, two consenting adults having sex, and polygamy,
which boils down to abuse.
Whether Canada recognizes or
outlaws polygamy, one thing is for
sure: there is no reason for anyone
to be comparing it with same-sex
marriage.
SHAWN TAYLOR
@NIAGARA
NEWSCOLUMNS
Gender roles less distinct Miracle girl walks
By KATELYN GALER
Columnist
He said: “Shall we try switching
positions tonight?”
She said: “That’s a good idea.
You stand by the ironing board
while I sit on the sofa and fart.”
In our modern society, is this the
average man?
Not anymore.
Typical gender roles are far less
common, and men are, now more
than ever, engaging in activities
often desigated as women’s work.
This includes the rising number
of men taking maternity leave or
choosing to be a stay-at-home
daddy.
Men are grocery shopping,
cleaning the homestead and cooking gourmet meals, while the women are contributing to the family income in the workforce.
What is the new, modern man
really like?
AskMen.com provides a few alternatives to the traditional breadwinning handyman. They are categorized as the slick professional,
the player, the sensitive new-age
romantic and the metrosexual, who
in recent years has been sweepingly popular — especially on home
renovation shows.
The slick professional, a
businessman, laces himself up in
a suit and tie every morning and
dreams to one day become Donald
Trump’s next apprentice. Often
high-strung from the stress of a
high-profile job, this guy’s a few
premature greys and a receding
hairline away from early retirement
and a third divorce.
“That’s my husband,” says Diana Sherwood, 51, of Hamilton.
“He works 70-hour weeks for a
law firm, and I’m his second wife.
Still, he’s a good person, a really
hard worker.”
The player, who is often charismatic and good-looking, has a
remarkable way of putting women
under his spell. He can charm the
pants off you — literally. Behold in
his left pocket, a little black book,
and in his right, extra large condoms (did I mention the swollen
ego?). If you’re looking for an example, television’s Christian Troy
of Nip/Tuck fits the criteria.
“I think a lot of young guys are
like that,” says Sarah Robinson, 20,
of St. Catharines. “They think they
can get away with anything.”
The sensitive new-aged romantic
is the teddy bear, the shoulder to
cry on, and the sappy moviegoer.
This passive-aggressive character
will go to all lengths to please
people but often takes a back seat
to the outgoing slick professionals
and players.
There’s hope for this guy, though.
Askmen.com says these guys hold
onto relationships longer, have
more friends and are often selfless
lovers. This just proves that nice
guys don’t always finish last.
“I hope I’m the sensitive
guy,” says Sam Fuller, 22 of St.
Catharines. “I’m pretty shy, and
I’ve been in a relationship for a
long time. Plus I loved Titanic.”
Coming in loud and queer is
the metrosexual, who is often
flamboyantly gay, but can also be
just an average guy who enjoys a
good pedicure.
Picture a thin man, with frosted
tips and a charming sense of
humour and sporting next season’s
Armani loafers.
Do you see the most famous
metrosexual of all, Ryan Seacrest?
Perhaps these categories aren’t
an exact measurement of the
average man.
There is still the jock and the
computer nerd, but men’s lives are
indeed different.
Fifty years ago the majority of
the male population was working
nine-to-five jobs or toiling on the
family farm, coming home to their
wife and kids, a well-prepared meal
and the evening news.
Remember when this was the
guy that fixed the clogged drain,
mowed the lawn and taught Wally
to ride his two-wheeler?
He went to bed at a decent hour
for a good night’s rest, only to
wake up and be Ward Cleaver all
over again the next day.
Some men are down to earth,
others are from Mars, and some are
from Uranus.
One thing is for certain, though:
the times they are a-changin’.
Surviving winter all about attitude
By KEITH LAING
Columnist
This winter, turn Jack Frost into
a friend.
The air has turned sharp, the
sky has gone cold and grey and
the trees have shed the last of
their leaves. Once again we are
forced to accept our fate: six long
months of bad roads, runny noses
and excavating cars buried beneath
driveway-glaciers.
Hibernation is the only answer.
Or is it?
People can gripe about the
snow all they want, but surviving
a northern winter is all in the
attitude.
There is much we can love about
winter if we only give it a chance.
Ice skating, snowball fights or
spelling your name in the snow
may seem like child’s play, but
I challenge you to pelt someone
in the head from a block away or
painstakingly spell out a first and
last name by way of snowbankcalligraphy.
There are even times when
winter can be the most visually
stunning of all the seasons.
It’s just hard to appreciate all
this from the couch, with a TV set
blocking your view.
This may be surprising, but
there is no Velcro holding your ass
to the sofa, nor is there anything
dangerous about your cheeks
acquiring a rosy glow.
Skiing and snowboarding are
exhilarating winter sports, and
we are lucky enough to live in a
province with an abundance of
well-maintained slopes.
Some of the best times I’ve ever
had were made getting together
a bunch of friends and renting a
ski-lodge.
If you are one of the many anglers out there, I’ve heard that a
few cases of beer and an ice-fishing
hut can make for a very memorable
weekend, if you can remember it.
Building an outdoor rink can
be a great way to spend time with
friends or family, as well as provide cost-free entertainment all
winter long.
As for students, the Niagara
College
athletics
department
offers an assortment of intramural
activities that run through fall and
winter.
Volleyball,
indoor
soccer,
badminton and, of course, dodge
ball are all free to students, and
there is no limit on the number of
sports you can play. Sign-up sheets
are available at the athletic complex
at the Welland and Niagara-on-theLake campuses.
All it takes is a little motivation
and a few layers of clothing to get
out of the house and make this the
best winter yet.
See our giant Christmas edition Dec. 8.
halls of Niagara
By KATELYN MUIR
Columnist
Bald, ghostly pale, exhausted,
with a chemo-drip is the image
most people conjure up when they
think of someone with cancer.
This is a stereotype. Many
cancer patients may look like that,
but there are many who don’t.
I have walked by many people
who would say I look like a
typical college student. This is
true, for the most part, but I am
also a cancer patient.
I have been living with cancer
for five years.
Many people think that, once
the doctor spills the C-word, your
life is automatically put on hold,
or over.
This is a huge misconception.
I have not missed much school, I
graduated from grade school and
high school with my friends, and
I plan on graduating from Niagara
College on time.
I do miss some class time
because of doctor appointments,
tests and radiation treatments. Plus
it is inevitable that being tired will
come into play. However, I do my
best to stay on top of all my work
and miss as little as possible.
To me, it seems as if my life
didn’t begin until I had cancer.
I was 13 when I was diagnosed,
and just a little girl.
The only things on my mind
at that time were school, boys,
graduation and our class camping
trip. As soon as I was looking at
surgery, radiation, a completely
unknown future and possibly
a very short life, a waterfall of
realizations poured down on me.
I knew what was important. I
began to learn what it would take
to live with cancer: to do what
I wanted and needed to do as a
young person.
I can guarantee you the
condition I am in today is nothing
short of a miracle from God. I
have baffled doctors time and
time again.
They do not understand how it
is that in my condition I can do all
the things a normal person can.
I have been told I was not
going to make it, more than once.
I never thought much about it. I
felt fine, so I knew I was going to
be around for quite some time.
If I could go back and make it
all go away, there is no way that
I would.
Taking back the past five years
with cancer would rob me of me.
My cancer has been — dare I say
it — a blessing.
I have learned much about how
to live my life, what is right and
what is good.
Because of my cancer I have
been able to strengthen and test
my faith in God. I would have died
years ago without His incredible
mercy and blessing.
Bet you didn’t know there was
a miracle girl walking the halls of
Niagara College, did you?
Column Criteria
Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at
Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair
and as objective as possible.
That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters.
In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but
balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated
lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect
the opinions or feelings of the administration of the news@niagara.
Columns reflect the opinion of only one person:
the writer.
news@niagara
Publishing Dates
2006-2007
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Phone: 905- 732- 2414 ext. 281
E-mail: [email protected]
Networking sites have weak privacy controls
By TARA BRADY
Staff Writer
Think before you click.
Posting
your
personal
information on a social networking
website without considering your
privacy options is like diving
off a high cliff without checking
how deep the water is, says Ann
Cavoukian, Ontario information
and privacy commissioner.
“The most dangerous online
crime is identity theft,” according
to Bob Spence, communications
co-ordinator. Cavoukian stresses
the importance of being responsible
about the online information shared
with others.
A social networking website is an
online service that helps build and
maintain networks of friends with
shared interests over the Internet.
Information posted on a website
that has weak privacy controls and
policies may become viewable
by anyone online – not just your
friends, but anyone, ranging from
professors, prospective employers,
to potential predators, says
Cavoukian.
Even websites with extensive
privacy options may be required
to make available personal
information to certain authorized
personnel, such as university
administrators or law enforcement
privacy settings.
Second, you should have access
Facebook
agencies.
Facebook is an example of
a social networking website
providing relatively strong privacy
protection by offering “closed
networks” focusing on realworld communities and friend
connections.
According to Facebook’s website,
the social networking follows two
core principles. First, Facebook
helps people share information
with friends and people around
you. You choose what information
you put in your profile, including
contact and personal information,
pictures, interests and groups you
join. You control with whom you
share that information through the
to the information others want
to share. There is an increasing
amount of information. You may
want to know what relates to you,
your friends and other people
around you. Sharing information
should be easy. Facebook wants to
provide users with the privacy tools
necessary to control how and with
whom you share that information.
Facebook does not allow persons
under 13 to provide information on
its social networking website. It
also allows users to put controls
on what type of information can be
viewed by a third party.
The website www.phonebusters.
com is an anti-fraud centre that
exposes different types of Internet
and phone-related identity theft
incidents.
A new identity theft mechanism
called
“vishing”
has
been
discovered. “Vishing” uses Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
phones instead of a misdirected
web link to steal user information.
Unlike “vishing,” “phishing” is
the sneaky art of sending people an
e-mail pretending to be from a bank
or a major online merchant such as
Amazon or eBay, asking them to
click on a website to confirm their
user account. The users are then
directed to a fake website to collect
PHONE
BUSTERS
The Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre
Le Centre d’appel antifraude du Canada
FRAUD
RECOGNIZE IT.
REPORT IT.
STOP IT.
their login ID and password.
Repeated efforts by officials have
cautioned users to avoid clicking on
websites from unknown senders.
The criminal elements have
changed their approach from
asking people to click on links to
placing a phone call instead. The
number isn’t a bank or credit card
number, but a VoIP phone that can
recognize telephone keystrokes.
A voice-recorded message tells
the receivers of the call that their
credit card has been breached and
to call the regional phone number
immediately.
When users call the phone
number, there is another message
stating they need to enter their 16digit account number.
“Simply put, people are
becoming more aware of the fact
that an e-mail containing an URL
could be malicious in nature. So
hackers are moving away from
ULR and using something victims
are more familiar with, like calling
a number,” says Paul Henry, vicepresident of strategic accounts for
Secure Computing.
Henry says the VoIP companies
are in the business of producing
value for their shareholders, so
they are trying to drive down
transactions costs. They want
establishment of a new account to
be as fast and painless as possible.
Dose.ca will keep young people informed Ability for life
By KATELYN GALER
Staff Writer
Dose.ca has re-launched its new youthoriented entertainment website. The site is
Canada’s online destination for individuals
seeking up-to-date information on celebrity
news, music, movies and television.
The layout and content has been reborn
to increase the website’s appeal and ease of
use. It now focuses more on image-driven
celebrity exclusives and interviews.
Scott Andrew, marketing manager at Dose.
ca, says, “With this new site design, Dose.
ca is pushing the boundaries more than ever
before. We’re not only offering a unique
entertainment spin and the coolest contests
in Canada, but also the new environment
takes visitors behind the scene and keeps
them coming back for more.”
Additional features to the site include
Famous Feedback, a collection of celebrity
quotes, as well as Celebrity Slag, a weekly
look at celebrities at their best. There is also
a section that lists upcoming events, called
Just Announced. In the future, Dose.ca says
it hopes to add a video blog of entertainment
updates.
“With its focus on celebrities, music and
movies, Dose.ca meets the information and
entertainment news needs of youth-minded
individuals, and is one in a suite of CanWest
MediaWorks online properties, which
includes canada.com, working.com, driving.
ca, renting.ca and others,” says Arturo
Duran, president, Interactive and Business
Integration of CanWest MediaWorks Inc.
In the upcoming months, new promotions
and celebrity-focused features are set to
follow the site redesign.
Earlier this year, CanWest MediaWorks
Inc. announced plans to shift the focus of
its adolescent brand, Dose, to the online
and mobile arena. Since then, Comscore
MediaMetrix says the number of visitors to
Dose.ca has continued to climb, reaching
220,000 visitors in July 2006.
Intruder hacks into Brock computer files
By LAURA NARDUCCI
Staff Writer
Information security is a concern.
This past summer Brock University
in St. Catharines had a security breach
of its computerized alumni data files
and donor files. The intruder compromised about 70,000 files in the system.
“The unauthorized access was believed
to occur on Aug. 28 and was discovered on
Aug. 31. We believe there were approximately 70,000 files breached,” says Terry
Boak, provost and vice-president academic
at Brock University, in an e-mail interview.
Terry Cockerline, the executive director of Brock’s Alumni Association, says
about 7,000 of the files belong to alumni.
The alumni association is a separate entity
from the university, but, Cockerline says,
the university oversees the database and
works with the alumni to oversee donations.
The information that was compromised varied from person to person.
“A small number of files contained some
credit card and bank information,” says
Boak. “The majority of the files illegally accessed involved information ranging from
name, e-mail address, birthday, marital status and donation giving level. Significant
efforts were made by the university to individually notify those affected by telephone
or mail in an effort to provide accurate
and individualized information to them.”
Cockerline confirmed that the compromised information varied from person
to person. A group of about 90 people
had their credit card information taken.
Cockerline does not believe the breach
will affect the university financially.
“I think the graduates have a lot of trust
with Brock. Justifiably a lot are reacting
with caution. But in the long run, the university is looking after the best interests
(of graduates) and notified everyone,”
says Cockerline, in a telephone interview.
“We are committed to the highest level of integrity in our computer
and database operations. However, unfortunately this occurrence happened
,regardless of the measures we had in
place,” says Boak. “We have taken measures necessary to re-secure our system
and reduce the risk of future occurrences.”
“The breach continues to be investigat-
ed by the Niagara Regional Police. Given
the ongoing investigation, we are not in a
position to discuss the details of the unauthorized access. We will continue to work
closely with both the police and an external
group of IT experts on security measures.”
Although Cockerline’s information was
compromised, he says, he feels his information is secure and he does not blame Brock.
“Brock is a victim. This was a malicious attack. Someone hacked in illegally.
Brock keeps the information to help out the
graduates after they leave the university.”
Check us out online
www.newsatniagara.com
By AMY GIOFU
Staff Writer
The Niagara Centre for Independent
Living (NCIL) has launched its new
website.
The NCIL, started in 1989, is the
Niagara community’s only cross-disability
organization. There are 29 centres across
Canada that cater to persons with different
and multiple disabilities.
The NCIL offers many programs
including one called workLink, which
helps the disabled with job employment
and work experience. With the help of
workLink, NCIL places over 100 disabled
people a year in the workforce.
Maureen O’Neill, executive director of
NCIL, is excited about the job program.
“It’s very cool, when someone comes in
and has gotten a job for the very first time,
that we were there to help.”
They also help with career changes after
a disability has occurred as well as proper
job training, wage subsidy and paid work
experience.
Along with employment programs,
NCIL also offers peer support groups.
O’Neill describes how they can help:
“People can learn a lot by sharing
information from those who have already
been there.”
Not only does NCIL offers peer support
and employment assistance, but staff also
know how to have a good time. Once a
month they organize a night out.
“People choose a restaurant and go out
for dinner once a month,” O’Neill says.
“It’s an opportunity to meet new people
in the community and also see how
accessible some of the restaurants are for
the disabled.”
On Dec. 1, the International Day for
Persons with Disabilities, the 2006 Ability
Symposium will take place at the Fallsview
Casino in Niagara Falls. For more
information on the Ability Symposium or
NCIL, visit http://www.abilitysymposium.
com or www.abilityforlife.ca.
2006 Municipal Mayoral
Election Results
Welland
On Nov. 13 Welland voters chose incumbent
Mayor Damian Goulborne to lead Council for the
next four years.
Goulborne received 38.10 per cent of the votes
with 6,484. Runner-up John Mastroianni received
5,086 votes; Daniel M. Fortier, 3,089; John R.
Parisee, 2,049 with fifth place candidate John Watt
taking 310 votes.
In this election 42.38 per cent of registered
Welland voters went to the polls.
One of Goulborne’s major plans next term
include better communications with the public on
why processes are implemented. The 2007 budget
will begin outlining the steps taken and why.
“We at city hall see the progress, but the citizens
don’t.”
In the future, when the city works in a
neighbourhood, staff will work more closely with
the residents, said Goulborne.
The public is welcome to attend regular council
meetings held at the Civic Square, 60 East Main St.
in Welland, on the first and third Tuesday monthly.
Besides community outreach, the incumbent
mayor says the economic development plan and
timelines in place must be re-evaluated to accelerate
progress. The commitment to infrastructure renewal
and expansion will continue.
“We have done a lot of water and sewer
improvements, but focus needs to shift to roads.
People should see substantial results in 2008.”
The 37-year-old’s first term as mayor was three
years, but when the province changed the term
length to four years, he said he wasn’t “a big fan
of the transition,” but is now excited about the
prospects.
“With three years, you usually lose one year
due to elections. We can make better long term
decisions with a four-year term.”
Niagara Falls
Thorold
One of the biggest 2006 election upsets came in
Thorold.
Henry D’Angela upset incumbent Robin Brock,
receiving 3,634 votes to Brock’s 2,845.
“It feels exciting to upset the incumbent and
have the confidence of the taxpayer of Thorold,”
said D’Angela.
Voter turnout was up from the 2003 municipal
election. The 2006 turnout was 40.7 per cent versus
2003’s 39.02 per cent.
Council will meet on the first and third Tuesday
of each month at the new city hall facility at 3540
Schmon Parkway.
A popular trend throughout the region’s elections this year was a need for openness and greater
transparency at city hall. The 39-year-old D’Angela
said he would focus on creating transparency at the
local level and create more public meetings for
large issues. “A report card” will be implemented
to report and track council and the mayor; to make
sure people know what council is doing.
Thorold needs taxes that reflect real issues not
political wishes, said D’Angela. After speaking
with Thorold residents, a greater police presence,
more senior housing and stronger bylaw enforcement is what people want. The bylaw issue stems
from some residents feeling students can cause
noise issues, but D’Angela said he does not side
with one group. “Everyone has to live in the community. It’s about quality of life for everyone.”
Moving forward, the father of two, said the
outlook for Thorold residents is “very positive.”
A partnership between Abitibi Consolidated and
Northland Power Inc. will see about $473 million
being invested into a co-generating hydro power
station. This will both stabilize and create jobs in
Thorold.
Ted Salci has been given the green light for another term as mayor.
Council will work “for greater efficiency at city
hall” examining each division to deliver better value
for tax dollars for Niagara Falls’ citizens and there
will be “service delivery reviews,” said Salci.
Salci, first elected in 2003, said, “We are continuing to improve the infrastructure, which could
be the beginning of a true regional transportation
service.”
The father of two said there will be ongoing
improvement of quality of life and employment
opportunities, along with recreation and cultural
events.
Included in the latter are the successful inaugural season of the theatrical Cirque Niagara’s Avaia
and ongoing negotiations for an Ontario Hockey
League franchise.
Asked how Niagara College’s Maid of the Mist
campus would impact the future of the city, Salci
says, “We are hoping the college will continue with
the new culinary arts program. This will provide a
basis for educating people in the hospitality sector
within our city business.”
Preserving the city’s appeal is another goal, said
Salci, during a phone interview.
“We encourage citizens to take part in the beautification programs. The park and city committee
want to expand to make Niagara Falls a prettier
place.”
Voter turnout was down from 47.8 per cent in
2003 to 41.3 per cent in 2006. Salci received 11,820
votes to runner-up Wayne Campbell’s 8,544. Steve
King received 4,285 while fourth-place candidate
was John Beam with 506 votes.
Wainfleet
Her inaugural run for mayor has proven to be
successful.
Former Wainfleet alderman Barbara Henderson
received 1,123 votes in her bid for the Council
chair, 588 more than incumbent Gord Harry. She
defeated second place finisher Albert Guiler by 283
votes, beating out Harry who garnered 535 votes
and Randy Cheynowski with 166.
“I was elated and excited about the prospects.”
Henderson said Wainfleet will see growth, but
she would like to monitor progress closely to
ensure it’s well planned and in the promised areas,
such as the Hamlets.
Henderson said she wants more green alternatives
examined, such as windmills for Wainfleet.
The farmer of 33 years said Wainfleet will
“maintain a rural flavour and not interfere with the
farmers’ right to farm.”
There is work ahead on a proposed sewer and
water line stretching from Port Colborne, said the
mayor.
“Our town does not have the budget for handling
something of this size,” said Henderson. The application for commerce funding has been submitted,
but a decision won’t be known until the beginning
of 2007. “Alternatives need to be looked at.”
Henderson said some residents want to tackle the
issue themselves, but unfortunately, not all will be
able to tap into the pipeline due to property size.
The mother of two has held many titles over her
life including freelance writer, librarian, farmer and
now mayor. She said she utilizes many continuing
education programs offered by Niagara College.
Recently she completed the leadership and personal
success courses.
“I found the leadership program extremely
helpful.”
Port Colborne
Vance Badawey left the office of Port Colborne
mayor in 2003, but regained the title three years
later receiving 5,101 votes. Badawey defeated
incumbent mayor Ron Bodner who tallied 3,138
votes in the election, which saw a voter turnout
rate of 51.71 per cent.
“Our work from 1997 to 2003 was positive
and very well received by the residents,” said
Badawey, adding, “Quality of life is number
one not only for our residents, but visitors and
businesses.” Revitalizing the waterfront is a top
priority said the father of two. “We have a unique
shopping district by the water” and want to add
other amenities to Port Colborne.
Economic development needs to be increased. A
new golf course is being discussed among others,
but Badawey realizes the canal, road, rail and air
must be used to attract investment.
Port Colborne has three aging facilities, which
Badawey is looking to revitalize. “The information
we are receiving is they are non-repairable,”
speaking about two hockey rinks and a swimming
pool. “We need to work with the community to
be transparent and get direction to maximize the
money.” If the waterfront could be looked at as a
new recreational sector, other benefits can come
from this.
When Badawey was 29 he won a spot on town
council. At 33 he secured his first term as mayor.
The 43-year-old who left a hockey scholarship
at North Dakota State University to run the family
shipping business at 20 said students need to keep
an open mind.
“You simply don’t know where life will take
you.”
All stories by RYAN MCLEAN Staff Writer
The town of Fort Erie has a fresh start with
Doug Martin.
“It’s nice. At the end of the campaign you win
the battle,” said Martin.
Martin received 4,867 votes to succeed in his
bid for mayor. Tom Lewis finished second with
2,733. John Papadakis received 1,566 votes to
finish in third.
One of Martin’s top issues, he said will be continuing the process of correcting the sewage overflow problems in Crescent Park.
“We need to show due diligence on the issue.”
In conjunction with the Region of Niagara,
there is a four-part phase to the cleanup, which
started in 2006. The first phase was determining
the budget, the second and third phase being construction. The fourth phase will see the Region
handing over responsibility to the town Martin
said. He said he hopes the completion will be in
three years.
Martin’s council is relatively new to the job
and will need to quickly become familiar with
processes.
“We need to focus on the budget. Nothing can
be done without the finances in place.”
With the 150th anniversary of Fort Erie next
year, immediate organization for the event will
need to take place.
Asked about Fort Erie’s green alternatives, the
57-year-old said that on Nov. 9 an agreement was
reached to partner with a private company to erect
windmills in the Wainfleet area along Lake Erie’s
shoreline after four years of research.
Martin, a father of two, was a student at Niagara College in its inaugural year. Enrolled in the
Small Business program Martin said, “There was
no campus. It was held in temporary classrooms
in Welland.”
Although Martin went on to George Brown
College in Toronto to complete his education
in jewelry design, he said Niagara College has
“grown into a great campus.”
Watch for stories on the remaining six mayors in the Dec. 8 issue.
Pagination by Ryan McLean
Fort Erie
Homestay program eases students into Canadian living
By MIRA NASSER
Staff Writer
For close to 15 years, Welland
native Charlotte Windrow has
provided international students
from all parts of the world a place
to call home, even if only for a few
short weeks.
As part of the Homestay program
at Niagara College, Windrow
embraces at least two students
each year to live in her home for
anywhere from three weeks in the
summer to a few months during the
school year.
In the Homestay program,
international students are placed
with a Canadian family and live
with them for $550 a month. The
homestay family provides the
students with a furnished bedroom,
three meals a day and any help and
advice they may need while they
are living in Canada.
Every student who is a part
of homestay is given a brochure
outlining
homestay
policies,
expectations regarding meals, the
phone and Internet, health insurance
issues and other information about
Canadian customs and culture.
A homestay family can house
from one student to four or five
students, says Brenda Bronson, the
international student housing coordinator. There are currently 65
students in 42 homes in the Welland
area and 35 students in 26 homes in
the Niagara-on-the-Lake area.
Windrow says she became a
homestay parent after meeting
someone from the International
department at Niagara College’s
Welland campus who, knowing
that she had had students live in
her home before, told her about the
program. She has been a homestay
parent for about 15 years, stopping
only when her father lived with
her for a few years. Even then,
Windrow took in at least one
student over the summer.
Since her father passed away, she
has tried to host two international
students, who, she says, are “more
respectful of me, my home and my
family” than other students.
While Windrow says she
sometimes finds it hard to be a
homestay parent, on the whole, it
is fairly easy and she enjoys having
them around. “It’s nice to have
somebody in the home all the time.
It’s a comfort zone.”
Currently, there are two women
living in her home in addition to her
21-year-old daughter, Marianne, a
student in the Educational Assistant
– Special Needs Support program.
Si-yeon Kim, 22, from South
Korea, is in the English as a Second
Language (ESL) program, and
Hitomi Iwashita, 19, from Japan, is
in the ESL – English for Academic
Preparation program. Kim has
been living with them since April
and is due to leave Canada in two
months. Iwashita has been living
with them since September.
Although the two women are in
the ESL program, their English,
says Windrow, is the best of any of
the students they have had. When
the Windrows were first part of
the program, many of the younger
students did not know much
English and the Windrows had
to resort to writing things down,
using a dictionary or enlisting the
help of a translator. As the years go
on, though, she says the students
she hosts have “a better grasp of
English.”
One of the expectations of
homestay is that they have dinner
as a family every night. In the
Windrow household, there is not
a set time for dinner, so it can be
anywhere from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30
p.m. depending on any of the
women having school or not. If
someone is not able to make it to
dinner, Windrow asks that person
to let Windrow know that she won’t
be coming home.
To teach Kim and Iwashita
about Canadian food customs, the
Windrows tend to serve mostly
Canadian food. Kim says that
although she likes to eat Korean
Charlotte and Marianne Windrow welcome students Si-yeon Kim and Hitomi Iwashita into their home
as part of Niagara College’s Homestay program.
Photo by Mira Nasser
food, she also likes to eat different
foods, especially Canadian food.
For the Windrows and the
students, conversation around the
dinner table is not free-flowing.
“Life is too fast, I guess. We have
too much to do and we don’t put
time aside to do that sort of thing,”
says Windrow. “But I try to make
them feel that if they want to come
and talk to us about anything or if
they have problems, to feel free to
come and we’ll do our best to help
you through.”
On special days, such as
birthdays, they will have a family
supper with a cake and a gift.
Sometimes, if one of the students
has a close friend, she would invite
the friend to dinner as well.
Just as in any household, there
are certain rules by which everyone
has to abide. The first, Iwashita
says, is to “wipe any spots.” They
also ask that there be no eating in
the room, no candle burning and
no smoking. To use the phone,
they need to have a calling card.
They are allowed to have guests
over but, out of courtesy, they have
to let her know that someone is
coming over.
The two girls also have to help
wash the dishes after dinner and
are asked to keep their rooms
clean and tidy. They also make it a
point to let them know they aren’t
confined to their rooms and can
roam the house freely.
The first thing the Windrows do
when the students arrive in Canada
to live is to welcome them into
their home and have a cup of tea
with them. They then give them
a gift. Every year brings with it
a different gift, from chimes and
mugs to glass paperweights. The
gifts are usually “something small
so it’s not too large that they have
to try to figure out how they are
going to get this home.”
In order to prepare the students
for winter, the Windrows sometimes
take them shopping or tell them
what they need.
As well as being a homestay
parent, Windrow runs a day care
from her home. She says being a
homestay parent does not interfere
with the running of the day care
and she tells the students that it is
fine if they want to come down and
interact with the children.
While many Canadian students
would prefer to live in residence to
garner the full college experience,
Kim says she prefers homestay
because “living near native
speakers, it can be more helpful
to improve my English.” Iwashita
agrees, adding that she likes living
in Canada because of its nature
areas and kind people.
Windrow has kept in touch with
some of the students who have lived
in her house while her daughter
Marianne has kept in touch with
five of the students.
“It’s really nice to hear how
they’re doing, that they miss
Canada and want to come back,”
says Windrow.
Being a homestay parent has
taught Windrow that while there
are a lot of differences, there are
also many similarities and knowing
that they like the same things you
do makes the experience easier.
“It has taught me not to look
inside the box,” says Marianne.
“You have to be a little more
accepting. you can’t be closeminded about different cultures.”
International students allowed to work outside of college with permit
By MIRA NASSER
Staff Writer
This fall, foreign students
attending Canadian colleges and
universities are able to work
anywhere they choose, whether it
be on-campus or off-campus.
In his first move since becoming
the minister of citizenship and
immigration, Monte Solberg acted
on a Liberal pledge to allow foreign
students to work off-campus while
living in Canada.
Until recently, the approximate
100,000 foreign students in
Canada were only allowed to work
on-campus. However, agreements
signed with all of the provinces
have allowed eligible foreign
students a chance to earn money
and work experience under the
Off-Campus Work Permit program
while they are at school.
“Providing international students
with access to off-campus work is a
long overdue change,” said George
Soule, national chairperson of the
Canadian Federation of Students.
“It will open a lot of doors for
international students who, until
now, have been barred from
looking for work beyond the walls
of the university or college.”
To be eligible for the program,
foreign students must have a valid
study permit and have been a fulltime student for at least six months.
They must also be in satisfactory
academic standing and be enrolled
in an academic program of study
and not in an English as a Second
Language program.
The work permit allows students
to work up to 20 hours per week
during the school year and full time
during breaks and summer holidays
and is valid for the duration of their
study permit.
One of the main concerns of the
program was that foreign students
would not take jobs away from
Canadian students. It was to allay
those fears that Solberg’s Liberal
predecessor,
Denis
Coderre,
implemented
post-graduation
pilot projects in New Brunswick,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova
Scotia and Newfoundland and
Labrador between 2003 and 2005
to test what would happen if
foreign students were given work
permits.
The pilot project put to rest
those fears. Instead, each applicant
is required to compete for
employment on an equal basis with
Canadians.
“Foreign
students
make
a significant contribution to
Khaled Maotassem, 23, is
an international student from
Palestine.
Photo by Mira Nasser
Canada,” said Solberg in an
announcement on April 27. “They
enrich campus and community life
with new ideas and new cultures,
and they are an important pool of
potential future skilled workers
that Canadian businesses need to
remain competitive.”
With
Canadian
companies
complaining of a skilled labour
shortage, Solberg said foreign
students will help address these
shortages and “integrate into
the Canadian labour force more
quickly.”
The work agreements have
come after years of complaints
and lobbying by foreign students
who felt that because of the higher
fees that they pay, they should be
given sufficient work opportunities
to support the rising cost of their
education.
“After living in Canada for six
years, while attending university
and college, I finally get the
chance to apply to jobs and work
off-campus, rather than constantly
applying for jobs at the college
library and bookstore,” said Khaled
Maotassem, 23, a Niagara College
graduate and international student.
“Giving international students an
opportunity to work off campus
will not only support our high
tuition fees, but also help with the
cost of living over here.”
Foreign students in Canada
pay over $17,000 each in tuition
every year, an average of three
times more in tuition fees than
domestic students, and they are not
protected by any provincial tuition
fee freezes.
The new
regulations
are
important in attracting new
students, who may otherwise
be discouraged from coming to
Canada because of the rising tuition
costs, but they may also help keep
students in the country after they
graduate, ensuring they ultimately
become permanent residents.
With the new system in place,
international students can have a
more complete experience when
they study in Canada, said Soule,
in an interview with The Globe
and Mail. “It means that an
international student sitting next to
a domestic student now gets treated
that much more equally.”
Student aims to make difference in community
By KATELYN MUIR
Staff Writer
Kristen DeGraaf wanted to go
into nursing, but changed her mind.
“I didn’t think I could handle the
goriness of it.”
DeGraaf, 18, is a first-year
student in the Social Service Worker
program here. She knew she wanted
to do something in the humanities.
College life is good so far, she
says. She enjoys the freedom, for
example.
“If you skip classes here and
there, it doesn’t matter,” she said,
comparing her college and high
school experiences. She misses
some of her high school friends and
the sports teams she played on.
DeGraaf speaks positively about
her classes and her teachers.
“They’re preparing us for
something that is much harder.”
She expects to have to deal with
plenty of difficult situations in this
line of work.
The program is not difficult
for her, she says. “It could be
overwhelming if you’re not used to
working hard.”
Role-playing class is a favourite,
she says. She enjoys the group
work they do. “Nothing else could
prepare you for the workforce
better than that.”
The students have Fridays off, so
the college sets up small certificate
programs and workshops for the
students. Many of these certificates are
required for jobs in this area of work,
DeGraaf says, so having them set up
is helpful.
She has already gone to a strength
development/relationship course
KRISTEN DEGRAAF
Photo by Katelyn Muir
By KRIS DUBE
Staff Writer
Usually the expression wine
‘n dine is used when there are
matters of business to be discussed.
Now, you might hear it used when
someone refers to the Wine Business
Management program at Niagara
College.
The new program is scheduled
to start in September 2007 at the
Niagara-on-the-Lake
(NOTL)
campus. It is a graduate certificate
program that has already had a
“number of inquiries,” says Jon
Ogryzlo, dean of Environment,
Horticulture and Agribusiness.
The Wine Business Management
(Graduate Certificate) program has
been developed to teach students
about wine industry business
practices.
“It is designed to train students
in their marketing skills along with
agribusiness operations.”
Graduates of the Niagara
Culinary Institute program, the
Winery and Viticulture Technician
program, Hospitality and Tourism
program, or even the Business
and Entrepreneurship program
are likely to enrol in this new
program if they want to further
their knowledge and skills, says
Ogryzlo.
There will be 24 students
accepted for the first time the
program is offered.
Ogryzlo says that this is an
opportunity for students to “get
a really good education” in this
field since the Niagara College
Teaching Winery is “Canada’s only
production/teaching winery, and
the students and the program will
be linked to it directly.”
Some of the courses that will
make up the curriculum are licensee
and agency sales, special events,
export sales, sales and marketing,
and agri-tourism development.
The faculty is “drawn from
experts in the industry,” says
Ogryzlo.
Steve Gill is the program coordinator and the vineyard and
winery manager.
The core assignment is a
“capstone
research
project”
requiring the students to work
with one of the 65 wineries in the
Niagara Region, including one of
the 17 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Ogryzlo adds that this is a
great way for students to build
their business skills in a working
environment, and they will then
have to do a “big report” on their
observations about the daily,
monthly or annual business
procedures that take place in a
winery, says Ogryzlo.
and an aggressive behaviour/selfdefense workshop.
Also, she attended a poverty
workshop at which the class went
into downtown St. Catharines to see
community living. She says they
compared the wealthy and poor
neighbourhoods.
“That was really an eye-opener,
to show the need out there and
what people are doing about it,”
said DeGraaf.
Once she graduates, DeGraaf says,
“I’d like to get a job at the Niagara
Life Centre [doing] something along
the line of group work.”
In a few years, “I want to be
married with a part-time job. Once
I have kids, I don’t want to be
working full-time.”
She works at her grandparents’
store, Heide’s, close to where she
lives in Vineland.
The important things to
DeGraaf are “my support system.
That includes Bill [boyfriend],
my parents, my friends and the
church, too.”
DeGraaf is a member of Trinity
Orthodox Reformed Church in
St. Catharines. She says she is
a regular at her church’s Young
People’s group.
When she is not at school,
DeGraaf says she is “working,
keeping in touch with some high
school friends, helping out at home
and hanging out with Bill.”
Creative Memories is a favourite
pastime. “I do it as often as I can. I
scrapbook everything.”
“I’d encourage anyone to come
here [Niagara College].”
Students applying to new
programs for September 2007 can
start doing so in early December
by visiting the registrar’s office
at either the NOTL or Welland
campuses.
Wine business program to start in September 2007
Leaving things till later won’t work
By LESLEY SMITH
Staff Writer
“I suppose you couldn’t put it off until
Tuesday?”
That is what my friend asked me when I told
him I was going to a workshop on procrastination
the next day.
The workshop was held on Nov. 6 in the
Student Administrative Council Meeting Room
at Niagara College’s Welland campus.
Sharon Moukperian, a counsellor and learning
strategist here, led the workshop giving students
tips for finding out why they procrastinate and
how to get their procrastination under control.
Before learning ways to get to their work,
students must first figure out why they
procrastinate.
“If you don’t know the reason you
procrastinate, you’re putting a Band-Aid on it,”
said Moukperian.
She said procrastination is an emotional
response to a task that must be completed. “Fear
motivates a lot of our behaviours.”
One fear a student may experience is not getting
a good mark on an assignment. Moukperian
said students often leave assignments until the
end of the time they have to work on them so
they can blame lack of working time for any
bad grades.
“Procrastination is common among highachieving and high-ability students because
of its connection to perfectionism,” said the
University of Guelph’s Learning Commons
website.
Students may also procrastinate because the
work ahead of them is difficult or projects will
take a long time. The website points out people
avoid things they find hard and go towards
things that seem easy.
Nevertheless, if you are a procrastinator,
there is hope.
Moukperian spoke of the Stoplight Technique
in which students highlight their notes with
colours of stoplights: green for things known,
yellow for things somewhat known and red for
things unknown.
Organizing notes in this way can help students
know where to focus their attention.
Moukperian suggested starting by studying
something green and to take little steps while
working.
The website suggests making “the tasks look
small and easy in your mind” by doing only a
small part of it at a time.
The Learning Commons website suggests
setting aside 10 to 15 minutes a day to work
on a large assignment as soon as you get it. By
doing this, you will have completed at least an
hour of work in a week.
Moukperian encouraged students to work
with their personality, not against it.
She said it might be helpful to find the fun
in an assignment and begin there, by becoming
“emotionally
engaged.”
Preparing
for
“nightmare weeks” before they come up can be
beneficial as well.
Wine barrels are stored at Niagara-on-the-Lake campus winery,
Canada’s only production/teaching winery.
Photo by Kris Dube
Local woman hosts cooking show
By STEPHEN BOSCARIOL
Staff Writer
As soon as you enter, the smell
overwhelms your nostrils. Your mouth
begins to salivate, and your stomach
makes that squirming feeling only
associated with one thing: hunger.
From an early age, Anna Olson
knew she wanted to be involved in the
culinary arts.
“I grew up in the kitchen with my
grandmother. She was the first person
who really made cooking and baking
interesting for me,” says Olson.
Olson is the owner and manager
of Olson Foods and Bakery in Port
Dalhousie.
“Our prices are fair. We give our
customers quality products with
nothing but pure, natural ingredients.
Our knowledgeable staff is always
happy to help our customers. Value
does not mean discount, but it does
mean quality.”
Olson also appears regularly on
the Food Network, where she teaches
viewers how to create delicious baked
goods on her show Sugar.
“I had to audition for the spot on
the show. I sent them [Food Network
staff] a resumé along with a tape of
myself baking.”
Knowing in advance the slim chances
of getting a cooking show on the air,
Olson didn’t think her application was
going to be on television for a long
time. “I didn’t think much about the
job until I got a call back from the
network.”
Olson admits that her show is a
challenge.
“It’s something else trying to get
information across to viewers in a short
period of time. A lot of organization is
involved. We can’t wait for 20 minutes
while the viewer’s cake mix is baking,
so we need to have that cake prebaked.”
On Sept. 16, in Winnipeg, Anna
and her husband Michael received the
Gold Award at the annual Culinary
Book Awards. Some of Canada’s top
food professionals, chosen as judges,
spend the summer testing recipes and
evaluating culinary books from more
than 50 different cookbooks, a long
process that eventualy pays off.
“We were absolutely honoured to
receive the award. The organization
is great and well recognized across
the country. It’s nice to be recognized
across Canada.”
Michael is a consulting chef at 17
Noir at the Niagara Fallsview Casino
and Resort and a chef professor at the
college’s Niagara-on-the-Lake campus
in the Culinary Skills Chef Training
program.
First-year student David Perreault, 18, of
Welland, lines up a shot while taking a break
at After Hours Pub at the Welland campus.
Photo by Shawn Taylor
Hockey camp educates youth and raises money
By CHRISTINE KENNEDY
Staff Writer
Community children absolutely
adore the St. Catharines Falcons.
On Nov. 12, the Falcons Jr. B
team led the first annual Kids-4Kids ice hockey instructional and
skills competition presented by
Laidlaw Education Services.
Local hockey players under
16 joined the team on the ice at
the Jack Gatecliff Arena in St.
Catharines from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
for $50 per player. All proceeds
support the Children’s Miracle
Network at McMaster University
in Hamilton, Ont.
Paul Pizzacalla, a director
with the hockey organization,
says his eight-year-old son, Paul,
participated because they were
interested in “supporting the
good cause, getting ice time and
(attending) a social event.”
Each registrant was given two
hours of ice time during which
they received instruction by their
favourite Falcons and received a
souvenir warm-up jersey.
Senior Development Officer
Angel D’Andrea, 44, director of
Children’s Miracle Network, says,
“The money funds needed medical
equipment and is used to attract
and retain the best and brightest
minds in pediatrics.”
D’Andrea says the hospital
treats hundreds of children from
the Niagara area and the Golden
Horseshoe has given $25,000 to
McMaster children.
Brian Baranoski, father of
seven-year-old Eric, says he hopes
his son has “fun and a great
experience with older kids that
The St. Catharines Falcons and young admirers stretch before showing their talents on the ice.
Photo by Christine Kennedy
he looks up to.”
Parents looked on as their
children skated across the ice
in the name of a good cause and
a good time.
Lori Sentineal says she wants
her son Wyatt, 10, to “just have a
good time” and meet the players
individually and support Children’s
Miracle Network.
Sentineal says Wyatt “just loves
the Falcons. An avid follower.”
Kris Keen, a mother of two
young players, says Jessica, 9,
and Clayton, 10, love the Falcons.
Keen wants her children to gain
“sportsmanship and a few hockey
skills.”
Baranoski decided to register his
son after attending a St. Catharines
Falcons game. “Eric really idolizes
them. This is a great event.”
Players at the event, sponsored
by Tim Hortons, CIBC and
Bell Mobility, included Steele
De Fazio, Thomas Longland,
Dan
Marwick,
Andrew
Kilcar, Jamie Heywood, Mike
Chmielewski, Miles Torch and
Roch Charbonneau.
Recently opened café brings elegance to downtown Welland
By JENNIFER DESCHAMPS
Staff Writer
The Café on Main is sparking
a glimmer of hope in downtown
Welland.
This elegant Italian-bistro-style
café, at 91 East Main St., is bringing
a pleasant atmosphere back to
Welland’s downtown district.
Patti Fagan, café owner, says she
has come across many cafés in her
travels and these findings helped
her recognize Welland’s need for a
place like this.
Her vision resulted in the creation
of an atmosphere resembling that
of a café in downtown Toronto.
Employee Andi Beecroft, a
Niagara College graduate, says,
“Business has been steady and
there has been a really positive
response” since the café’s grand
opening on Nov. 1.
Fagan says it has always been a
dream of hers to own a business.
Having grown up in Welland,
she was familiar with the local
environment and knew what kind
of business would benefit the
community. With a lot of hard
work and the partnership of her
husband, Paul, she transformed
this location, previously a Sears
catalogue store, into a place “where
good friends meet.”
Located in the downtown
business sector, The Café on Main
often caters to business people on
lunch breaks.
The Café offers a medley of
specialty blended coffees, including
a Niagara roast, all provided by
Select Coffee Roasters Inc. on
Hwy. 20 in Fonthill.
The menu also provides a variety
of soups, salads, sandwiches and
desserts, but what’s unique is that
these meals are entirely homemade.
The Café’s in-house chef, Amanda
Flintoff, a graduate of the Culinary
Skills – Chef Training program at
Niagara College, roasts all the meats
and prepares homemade soups.
Indulgence Bakery in Fonthill
supplies decadent desserts and
baked goods, and The Café also
receives freshly baked breads and
scones from the Welland Bakery.
Fagan says that it is important
that they promote local businesses.
There has been a recent trend
of businesses blooming in the
downtown core. Each of the new
restaurants in the area offers
something different, from The
Venice, with its Italian cuisine, to
La Cantina, an espresso bar.
Fagan says, “In the future I would
like to partner with the library. I
have a lot of ideas.”
She says what is especially nice
is the fact that The Café does not
appeal to just one generation. “In
high school I was never one for
party bars.” Instead she frequented
the coffee houses and views them
as a social gathering spot. People of
all ages can stop in to enjoy a nice
cup of coffee and some friendly
conversation.
Fagan
says
the
greatest
compliment she has received was
from a friend who lived in Italy. He
told her, “This is just like a place
we go to in Milan.”
For further information about the
Café on Main, call 905-788-3888.
MacLachlan unplugged
The Café, on Main Street, brings to Welland a big city café atmosphere as well as many homemade
treats and specialty coffees.
Photo by Jennifer Deschamps
Kayla MacLachlan, 19, of Palmerston, Ont., performs at Rockfords
Nite Club & Resto in St. Catharines on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Photo by Jason Petznick
Students fume over new smoking areas
By AMY GIOFU
Staff Writer
It took two years of discussion
and preparation but in August,
Niagara College introduced new
smoking areas at the Welland and
Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses.
Designated smoking areas arose
when a number of concerns and
complaints came from staff and
students about the lack of clarity
on where you could smoke around
the college. A committee of staff
and student representatives started
meeting about the smoking areas
20 months ago, and a plan was
finalized last spring.
Steve Hudson, vice-president
of corporate services, explains:
“What we’ve tried to do is make
the areas away from the buildings,
so the smoke doesn’t get pulled in
by doors or windows.”
As the impacts of second-hand
smoke become better known and
people’s tolerance for having to
live in it fall, the goal for these
areas is to make Niagara College
as smoke-free as possible.
There are 11 areas at the Welland
campus and nine at Niagara-onthe-Lake. There are differentsized smoking areas around each
campus. There will be continuous
monitoring to see if any areas need
to be larger or smaller or to be
moved around.
“It’s part of the process to finesse
it. If there is a large concentration
in one area, we will have to expand
it or move it,” Hudson says.
Although there is no fine set by
the college for anyone smoking
outside these areas, there will
be repercussions. “It’s not like
a parking enforcement practice.
It’s largely going to be dealt with
through education, encouragement,
a
non-academic
discipline
process, which is non-financial
considerations.”
The Niagara Region Council
passed a new smoking bylaw
regulating smoking of tobacco
in all indoor public places and
workplaces. Bars, bingo halls,
restaurants and workplaces are
to be 100 per cent smoke-free
throughout the Niagara Region.
Private clubs, racetracks and
casinos were exempt from the
bylaw until May 31, when the
Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into
effect. Anyone caught smoking in
these areas is fined $50.
Hudson says the construction
costs for the college smoking
areas, including cost for benches,
cement, signage and paint, were
over $10,000.
Although these areas are to benefit everyone, some students don’t
feel that way.
Devon Prince-Reid, a 20-yearold General Arts and Science
student at Niagara College from
Welland, Ont., expresses his disagreement to the issue.
“I think it’s outrageous, beyond
outrageous. I was told by security
I could be fined 50 bucks. I’m
a student. That’s groceries for a
week.” says Prince-Reid
Janine Klepey, a 20-year-old
Smokers stand within the green border to keep Niagara College
smoke-free.
Photo by Kelly Esser
broadcasting student, says the dandy if you’re a non-smoker, but
smoking areas are pushing smokers if you do smoke, it’s like you’re
out of society.
being segregated to this little green
“The smoking areas are fine and box,” says Klepey.
PR students given a ‘real eye-opener’ during summit
By DARYL BARNHART
Staff Writer
In a hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, three
Niagara College Public Relations (Graduate
Certificate) students were given the unique
opportunity to practice what they’ve been
taught.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce held
its annual economic summit at the Queen’s
Landing Hotel Oct. 24 to Oct. 26. Keynote
speakers included Ontario Premier Dalton
McGuinty, Federal Minister of Finance
James Flaherty and David Dodge, the
governor of the Bank of Canada.
It was the summit events and the steady
stream of media that provided the experience
for the specially selected public relations
students.
Melinda Bruhlman, Jelena Milivojevic and
Katherine Griggs used their public relations
skills to help run the busy media room, where
representatives from some of Canada’s top
news agencies had come to cover the event.
The students’ responsibilities included
signing in members of the media, ensuring
they received information packages and
press releases, job shadowing and writing
an overview of the previous day’s events
for the delegates to read the next morning.
Milivojevic, who entered the program with
a degree in communication studies from
McMaster University in Hamilton, said the
valuable experience has been a “real eyeopener” for her.
She said the most rewarding part of her
experience was “being in this environment
in general. We are seeing a lot of what we
learned in class being played out.”
Griggs, a Niagara College JournalismPrint program graduate, agreed with her
colleague’s statement.
“We are getting to see the tricks of the trade
in the real world,” she said, while mulling
over a laptop to prepare the delegates’
morning overview.
Bruhlman, a Wilfrid Laurier University
honours communications degree graduate,
described the summit as a “really exciting
environment.” She added, “Classes have
definitely prepared us for this [experience].”
Amy Terrill, the Ontario Chamber of
Commerce’s director of media relations and
communications, monitored the students.
“This has been a great opportunity for
them to see what kinds of issues come up
in PR,” Terrill said. “It’s been great to have
them working here.”
Terrill said this isn’t the first time Niagara
College students have had a chance to work
for the Chamber of Commerce. “The college
has a great relationship with the Chamber.
I’m very happy with their performance.”
According to Terrill, the most important
thing the students would work on over
their three days at the event would be the
newsletter that is distributed to the delegates
every morning. “It’s a reflection of the day’s
events and activities. Everyone will get a
copy.”
Milivojevic and Bruhlman said their
degrees have helped them with the theory,
but the college background has provided
them with the real-world application.
All three students said the workload
introduced to them in the public relations
program was heavy. but it helped prepare
them for the real world of public relations.
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International students working with local students
Muslim student Learning about Canada
needs assessed
Exam Tips
• Try the questions
in order, and read
every word in the
question.
• Circle or underline
key words.
• Look for degrees
of correctness.
Very high or very
low in numbers can usually
be eliminated.
include everyone.
Amjad Hareri, 25, is a former
president of the Muslim Students
Association at Brock University in
St. Catharines.
He says 9-11 affected how
people judged Muslims, so, to
counter any misperceptions about
Islam, the association introduced
Islam awareness week on campus
“to educate students about Islam
and what it represents.”
Hareri says besides raising
awareness about Islam, Muslim
students need to have suitable
prayer areas on campus, such as an
all-faiths meditation room where
they can carry out their five daily
prayers.
Access to suitable prayer space
and halal food options are just some
of the issues that have received little
attention, said Greener. He also
expects the issue of student loans
to come up because Islam “can
prohibit [Muslim students] from
taking interest-bearing loans.”
Task force members are expected
to document success at universities
like that of the University of
Windsor where Muslim students
now have a place to pray. They
should also recommend proactive solutions to make Ontario
campuses safer and more receptive
to the everyday needs of Muslim
students.
The task force members include
Muslim and non-Muslim panellists
from the student movement and the
broader community.
They have a diverse range of
experiences concerning Muslim
students and the post-secondary
education system in Ontario.
The CFS unites more than
500,000 college and university
students from coast to coast, and
over 250,000 students in Ontario.
The task force expects to present
its report on March 21, 2007, the
International Day to End Racism.
• Be cautious about changing
answers – sometimes your
initial feeling is right.
www.niagarac.on.ca/counselling
such as Mexico, Switzerland and
Japan and they communicate in
English.
Weekly meetings conducted
by Courage at the After Hours
Centre serve as a drop-in centre for
students to be able to talk with one
another and plan events. They are
held on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4
p.m. and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. Students are encouraged
to go to them if they are not able to
connect with their partners.
“The primary aim of Global
Connections [for international
students] is to improve their
English and have them socialize out
of their norm,” says Courage. “The
Japanese speak to the Japanese, the
Koreans speak to the Koreans. In
Global Connections, everybody
speaks English and they are kind
of as one.”
Connecting with other students,
both international and Canadian,
provides international students
with the chance to improve their
English outside of the classroom
in a comfortable environment. It
also gives them a chance to get to
know other students from different
cultures.
Courage says being part of
Global Connections shows you
there is a lot of diversity and
different cultures.
“You learn a lot from them. Then
after a while you realize that we
are quite the same in many ways. It
opens your mind.”
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• When filling in the blanks,
look for clues in the language
and sentence structure.
• When answering matching
questions, start with the
longest column first,
eliminating the easiest first.
students, “it is up to them to meet
according to their timings.”
Ideally, the partners should
meet weekly for about 50 minutes
throughout the term.
Dina Courage, 35, is a student
in the Community and Justice
Services (Correctional Worker)
program. She works as a mediator
between international students
and Canadian students for Global
Connections. She says she plans
meetings and events where they
can gather and talk.
“It’s hard because they have
conflicting schedules, so we have a
few different days that we can all
meet [at the pub] and have a dropin,” she says. “In case one student’s
partner is unavailable, they could
come in and there’s me or a few
other English-speaking students
that they can talk to.”
Conflicting schedules can be a
bit of a problem for most students.
ESL student Hitomi Iwashita,
19, of Japan, is part of Global
Connections. She says she has
tried to set a meeting time with her
partner but their schedules always
conflict causing her to change the
timing of their meetings. This has
caused them to have limited contact
since being paired.
Another ESL student, Tae-Yoon
Kim, 27, of South Korea, says he
has “never” had any contact with
his Global Connections partner
past their first meeting. However,
he has made friends from countries
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By MIRA NASSER
Staff Writer
What do Muslim students need?
That is the question Canada’s
largest student organization wants
to find the answer to as it tours
Ontario colleges and universities.
A 10-member task-force was
launched on Sept. 20 by the
Canadian Federation of Students
(CFS) to examine the needs of
Muslim students. The task force
will visit campuses in Toronto,
Ottawa, Guelph and other cities
to receive statements concerning
racism, Islamophobia and religious
needs from students, staff and
faculty.
On each campus, a series of
informal hearings will be conducted
to provide an opportunity for
Muslim students and those that
have experienced Islamophobia,
(prejudice against Muslims) to
share their experiences and report
on the challenges they face.
“The goal is to generate a much
more comprehensive picture of the
needs of Muslim students and how
well our institutions are addressing
those needs,” said Jesse Greener,
Ontario chairperson of CFS.
The task force originated from
the CFS’s response to some serious
post 9-11 incidents, especially one
that occurred at Ryerson University
in Toronto nearly two years ago.
The multi-faith prayer area there
was sprayed with anti-Muslim
graffiti, and posters targeting
Muslims were posted all over the
campus.
“When Muslim students at
Ryerson were targeted, students
across the province realized that we
need to come together to promote
inclusive campus communities,”
said Greener. He said he launched
a campaign against Islamophobia,
anti-Semitism and racism on
university and college campuses to
promote campus communities that
By MIRA NASSER
Staff Writer
International
students
are
partnering with Canadian students
for a cross-cultural experience.
The International Department’s
new Global Connections program,
formerly Conversation Partners,
connects international students
with Canadian students to learn
from each other and facilitate
culture sharing. The majority of
international students involved
are English as a Second Language
(ESL) students, but there are many
post-secondary or post-graduate
students who want to learn more
about Canada.
The main goal of these
partnerships for international
students is to help them practice
their English skills, especially
for the ESL students, as well
as introduce them to Canadian
culture. For Canadian students, it’s
a chance to help them expand their
experience of the world.
To participate, students fill
out a Canadian or international
connection
application
form
answering basic questions on their
personalities and interests to help
pair them. An introductory training
meeting is held so the partners can
meet and decide on when their next
meeting will be.
Brenda Bronson, the international
housing and Global Connections
co-ordinator, says that after they
pair the international and Canadian
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284 Geneva St.
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Niagara Falls,
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Katimavik: educating youths through culture immersion
By TARA BRADY
Staff Writer
Twelve strangers from different
parts of Canada unite for a cause.
André Pireault, 18, of Kelowna,
B.C., has flown to Port Colborne,
Ont., as part of a volunteer
organization, Katimavik.
According
to
Katimavik’s
website, 105 volunteer groups are
participating throughout Canada in
the 2005-2006 program.
The organization’s literature
states that Katimavik is Canada’s
leading national youth volunteerservice program. It allows
Canadians ages 17 to 21 to develop
their leadership skills, learn French
or English, discover Canada’s
cultural diversity, participate in
environmental projects and adopt
a healthful lifestyle. Katimavik
participants live in groups of 11
people for nine months. Each group
lives in three different regions of
Canada, two of which are Englishspeaking and one of which is
French-speaking. In each host
community, youth are involved in
volunteer work projects and guided
learning activities.
The Honourable Jacques Hébert
founded Katimavik in 1977 to give
Canadian youth the opportunity to
discover Canada on many levels.
As part of the initial selection
process, applicants complete
forms on the Internet. Then they
receive an e-mail and must answer
more in-depth questions, such as
information about their medical
and criminal records.
Pireault says he was introduced
to Katimavik during a Grade 12
high school presentation. At first
he claims he wasn’t interested,
because it was just another
presentation and he was going to
take a year off school. He thought
about the presentation a little more
and decided to reward himself with
travelling.
Pireault will be journeying to
Parksville, B.C., and a French
community in Winnipeg.
At each new city, volunteers
choose five potential job sites for
interviews with employers.
“My top three choices were the
Port Colborne Marina, the Second
Chance program and the Ontario
Early Years Centre (O.E.Y.C.).”
Pireault received a placement
at O.E.Y.C., working with parents
and their children as part of a
childhood growth program.
“I chose O.E.Y.C. because back
home I did a lot of babysitting and
I like working with children.”
Kelly Newdorf, an O.E.Y.C.
program facilitator, emphasizes
Pireault’s effectiveness as part of
their organization.
“He is a great part of our team.
He is very natural with the children.
They seem to be attracted to him
because he’s very soft with them.
The parents are thrilled he’s here.”
Pireault says living with 12
people (one project manager and
11 participants) is complicated.
“Twelve people living together,
with 12 personalities and 12 ways
of life. The biggest issue is music.
Almost everyone likes different
music. Sometimes you have to
suck it up and let some listen to
their music. On the other hand, it’s
good because I’m always around
people. There’s always someone to
talk to and something to do.”
The team’s project manager A.J.
McCulligh, lives in the house and
takes care of the finances, making
sure the house is run properly.
Pireault says the program teaches participants how to properly
budget their money.
“The food budget for the week is
$450 each, about $5 daily.”
Every week the participants plan
physical activities such as Ultimate
Frisbee, nature walks, soccer and
volleyball.
“We’re trying to do as
many outdoor activities
[as we can] before it gets
too cold.”
The program’s main
goal is teaching young
adults leadership skills and
self-sufficiency.
“It’s pretty much like
living on your own. There
are no parents, and we have
our own responsibilities.
The project manager tries
to be like another member
of the house instead of an
authoritative figure.”
The house has strict rules.
There are no televisions or
downloading of websites
Katimavik participant André Pireault is
such as MSN.
at his placement at the Ontario Early
Pireault
says
the
Years Centre.
motive behind the lack
Photo by Tara Brady
of technology is to create
didn’t know these places existed.”
a sense of teamwork
For more information on
instead of concentrating on
Katimavik, visit the website
individual wants and needs.
“Travelling is the best part about www.katimavik.org, or call
Katimavik. Before the program I 514-868-0898.
Don’t shop for presents
‘That’s Santa’s job’
By KRISTIN RASILE
Staff Writer
Deck the malls with boughs of
holly.
It’s that time of the year when
lights, ornaments, wreaths and
holiday music fill the air.
It’s
Christmas
time
in
November.
“I saw my first Christmas
commercial on TV the day after
Halloween,” says Melanie Graham,
24, of Welland.
“I usually start shopping around
the middle of November,” says
Graham. “I have a big family, so I
need a lot of time.”
“It’s too early,” says 21-year-old
Elka Wilson. “Christmas should
start in December, or at least when
it snows.”
“It’s never too early,” says
Graham. “I was a Christmas tree
for Halloween. I love Christmas.”
Eight-year-old Erika Conte
says she loves seeing Christmas
commercials on TV. “How would
I make a list for Santa if there
weren’t ideas on TV?”
With Christmas commercials
flooding the airwaves, reminders of
the high cost of Christmas shopping
weigh heavily on some minds.
“I’m a student, so debts are
high and funds are low,” says
Wilson. The Toronto resident says
Christmas shopping is more than
costly. “It’s way too stressful.”
Wilson says she won’t start her
Christmas shopping until after her
exams are finished.
“It’s the only time I have time.”
Although Graham says quality
time with her family is her favourite
part of Christmas and Wilson says
it’s the time away from school,
Conte says it’s the presents she
enjoys the most.
“I always get so many because
I’m the baby.”
Asked when she’ll begin her
Christmas shopping, Conte says,
“You don’t shop for presents, silly.
That’s Santa’s job.”
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Natalie MacMaster to play
l Brock
By CODY MCGRAW
At 34, MacMaster has been in the music business for
Staff Writer
25 years and has played with such acts as Santana, Don
Natalie MacMaster plays the music that’s “in the Henley, Michael McDonald and Luciano Pavarotti and
bloodline of many families in Cape Breton.”
has recorded with others such as acclaimed bluegrass
“It’s celebrated in the
artists Allison Krauss and
community,” says MacMaster, in
Sam Bush.
a phone interview while trying
Ten albums later, she
to dodge the sound of bagpipes
is still going strong as a
in the background. “It’s a very
groundbreaker for East
musical community. Families
Coast music. One of the
are seeped in it, generations. The
albums is a tribute to her
music is in the hearts and soul
fiddler uncle.
[of Cape Breton].”
Now on tour with her
MacMaster’s fiddler bloodline
baby, Mary Frances Rose,
extends to her uncle (Buddy
in tow, MacMaster states
MacMaster), cousin (Ashley
having a baby hasn’t
MacIssac) and husband (Donnell
changed her music, but
Leahy), of Leahy. All are famed
rather her life.
for their contributions to Cape
“It’s harder to practice,
Breton music.
but I have to force time.
She shares how her genre of
If you don’t practice, you
music evolved from mid-1700s
might as well quit.”
Scotland and has “thrived in
MacMaster was puzzled
Cape Breton” and lasted 250
when asked what she
years.
hopes to accomplish with
She adds there are also many
the new tour.
outdoor concerts in the summer
“I never thought of it.
and private parties in the winter
I always thought making
that celebrate its traditional Natalie MacMaster is set to play at Brock the album was the
sound.
accomplishment. If people
University’s Centre for the Arts.
On her new album, and 10th
Submitted photo buy it, spend their $15 and
overall, Yours Truly, MacMaster
are satisfied, then that’s an
says it’s the first time she has recorded with the same accomplishment.”
band she tours with.
MacMaster is playing the Brock Centre for the Arts
“Eighty-eight per cent of the music is my own in St. Catharines on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 for an audience
composition, whereas in the past it was two. There was sure to “feel the power” of Cape Breton fiddle music
a lot of work involved.”
and witness MacMaster’s “new chapter in music.”
Moneen members stay down to earth
By JILLIAN GRENIER
Staff Writer
After my interview with
Moneen’s Chris Hughes, in the
quietest corner available in L3 in
St. Catharines, I stepped out to
the patio with two friends to enjoy
some fresh air and a break from the
loud music.
As the band finished, the patio
Chris Hughes of Brampton’s Moneen plays at the End Lounge on
Nov.13 with Welland’s Attack in Black.
Photo by Jillian Grenier
filled with smokers, but the
audience members soon went
back inside when the second-tolast band started playing. We were
alone with the security guard until
Hughes, better known as Hippie,
stood in the opposite corner from
us smoking and text messaging on
his cellphone.
Another
member,
Kenny
Bridges, the lead vocalist and
guitar player of the band, soon
joined us. He found a quiet spot
by the wall and started doing vocal
and guitar warm-ups. The three of
us continued to sit there as smokers
came and went, watching Bridges
conduct his pre-show practices. He
then pulled up a chair in front of
us, told us he was going to play a
song, and since we were there he
was going to play it for us.
The first line he sang to us
was “Hey, how are you” and I
was already impressed with the
beautiful acoustic version of This
Is All Bigger Than Me, one of
the songs of the band’s newest
album, The Red Tree. He finished
at almost the same time the band
inside finished. He shook all of our
hands and thanked us for listening.
The Red Tree was released April
11 on Vagrant Records. Hughes
says this album was recorded
differently than any other. Bridges
and Hughes, along with bassist Erik
Hughes and drummer Peter Krpan,
took six months off from touring
to record the new album. Hughes
says they usually take more time
Homecoming
Raising the Fawn returns to Niagara region
By CODY MCGRAW
Staff Writer
Raising the Fawn is a “fiery beast and tranquil Buddha making
interesting music and touching a nerve.”
On their first non-stop coast-to-coast tour, Raising the Fawn
vocalist John Crossingham and bassist Scott Remila sit in a red
booth after their sound check at L3 in St. Catharines, Crossingham’s
and drummer Dylan Green’s hometown.
“People can pretty much guess the downsides to touring: the lack
of sleep, endless drives, weird weather, not making much money. But
you do your best not to think about it.” says Crossingham, wearing a
suit jacket and CN Rail tuque. “There are a lot of rational reasons not
to be on tour, but touring is following your heart over your head.”
Remila adds being about to see the country is a benefit though. “We
had a day off in Halifax and took a six-hour hike into the wilderness
to a cliff-shoreline place. We got scenery and music all together.”
The members disagreed with being called a buzz band, stating that
if they were, it would have been two or three years ago when many
Canadian bands such as Broken Social Scene, which Crossingham is
also a member of, started becoming popular.
“Our music takes time to get used to. There are no immediate
songs,” admits Crossingham. “Being in Broken Social Scene doesn’t
hurt, but it’s not an instant-access pass. Just because someone listens
to Broken Social Scene, it doesn’t mean they will listen to us.”
There is this “exclusive indie mentality where people say, ‘Oh,
they were my favourite band for a year and now they suck,’” says
Remila. Crossingham agrees that “youth brings the dismissive ‘I
want this to be my experience,’ but it also brings enthusiasm as a
fan. You take the good with the bad.”
Crossingham says he hopes people have a good time at the show.
“Someone could have a giddy, elated time or a very meditative
sort of thing. That’s the fun of the band, having two sides coexist. Hopefully, people forget what’s bothering them or even have
something make sense to them. That’s the best part of seeing a band.
It’s something sacred seeing why people listen to music or why
people play music.”
On their 2006 album The Maginot Line, it is the first time Raising
the Fawn has recorded and toured with the same band members.
“It forced us to become better players,” says Remila.
“Except me,” jokes Crossingham. “I stayed the same.”
touring and only a month to write
and record a whole album, a change
that made writing The Red Tree a
whole new experience for him.
“We got to experiment way more
at the beginning and try [to] write
some different kind of stuff. It gave
us more time to craft the song better
and get more outside opinions.”
The name for the album was
inspired by a photo shoot Bridges
did in the countryside during the
winter. Amidst the snow, dead
trees and dreary colour of the
country, Bridges saw a bright red
tree that stood out from everything
surrounding it. Hughes said once
the artwork was completed and
came together, The Red Tree was
chosen for the name of the album.
Saying Something You Have
Said Before: A Quieter Side of
Moneen, the new dual disc EP/
DVD released on Nov. 6, features
four songs that were re-recorded
from The Red Tree, a b-side that
didn’t make it to the album, and
videos of four songs recorded
from a show at The Opera House
in Toronto played this June. The
re-recorded songs have a lot more
piano, acoustic guitar and strings.
After touring with bigger bands
for so long, Moneen is headlining
its own concerts across Ontario.
The show at L3 on Nov. 8 was
the first show in the area; the band
played again at the End Lounge in
Welland on Nov. 13.
Hughes says he enjoys playing
smaller shows because Moneen
doesn’t have to be there in support
of the headlining band, allowing
the members to just play and act
like goofballs on stage.
At The End Lounge, Bridges
encouraged fans to crowd surf,
even telling some to jump off
speakers at the front of the stage.
“Now we just take the time to
breathe and interact with people
because that’s the most important
thing. People who are here want
to see our show and so got a great
energy going,” says Hughes.
Another way Moneen gets its
fans more involved is a video tour
diary on its website.
The videos, which are uploaded
on the website YouTube.com, keep
Moneen fans in touch with what
the band is doing on tour. Most of
the videos are humorous, showing
band members attacking record
label owners in the nude or showing
them dancing with toddlers in a
parking lot.
Whether the band is touring or
taking time off to record, fans are
always going to love Moneen.
@NIAGARA
ENTERTAINMENT
NEWS
Welland-based band inspired by reggae
By TARA BRADY
as he was going through another band break- eventually get a record deal.
played shows with them. Our brothers from
Staff Writer
up and told me he wanted to play reggae
Colin Daily, the stage manager for the Sex another mother, since they’re older than
Funky reggae beats and a love for music music. I cried tears of joy.” Guay says Fretz Pistols, Def Leopard and other 1980s bands, us, contribute their knowledge, like the big
were the inspiration for this new Welland- believed in what the band was doing.
was one of the originals at the Hope and brothers we’ve always wanted. They believe
based talent.
“That’s crucial because Triano and I never Anchor Bar in Islington.
in what we’re doing. It’s all about love with
Ryan Guay, 20, Nate Triano, 20, Brandon experienced another band member who
“I was sitting at the Hope and Anchor those guys. They love us, we love them.”
Ventresca, 21, and Dan Fretz, 21, all of believed in what we were trying to do. It was Bar eating food, trying to sell my record to
The Street Pharmacy has recently recruited
Welland, comprise the self-proclaimed like when Oprah met Dr. Phil, Nate being the bartender, a good-looking woman from a new bass player, Ventresca.
“pharmacists” in the band The Street Oprah, Dan being Dr. Phil.”
Greece originally, Sarah Dyer.”
“Now with our new bass player, the band
Pharmacy.
The band’s Aug. 6 CD release party at Port
Guay says Daily helped him get into EMI has gotten a whole lot tighter, and we’re
Guay sarcastically says the band started Mansion, in Port Dalhousie, attracted a new and Heavenly Records and get a meeting working on new material for our album,
when he came out of his mother’s womb.
fan base and sold 130 tickets.
with a band scout.
Free Delivery, which we plan to record and
“I always wanted to be in a band and play
“The release party was put on by Gonz
“I got through the door and talked to Matt release next summer.”
reggae music.”
Guay says there will be eight new
Guay met Triano in Grade 8 and
songs unveiled on this album. Some
practically taught him how to play
have already been heard at the band’s
guitar.
show on Sept. 29, in London, Ont.,
Guay says their mutual love for
for the Bastid Sonz release party at
reggae started his attempt to cultivate
Call the Office.
a solid reggae band.
The Street Pharmacy discusses
“The Street Pharmacy happened out
themes and issues in their song lyrics
of the breaking up of another band,
that are relevant to this WellandEuphoria. Rather than starting from
based band’s life experiences, such
scratch again, Triano and I decided
as insanity and drug abuse.
to compile songs from Euphoria plus
“I See Yellow Not Red is about
six new songs.”
the experience I had with mental
In May the pharmacists went into
decapitation, and Joey Beans is
the studio, Studio 282 on David
about someone being addicted to
Street in Welland, and recorded their
ecstasy. Pull Out the Bat is about
album Self-Prescribed Feel Good in
boyfriend-girlfriend drama. The
a mere 37.5 hours.
most meaningful song on the CD,
“We got some of the guys from
In This Town, is about growing up in
the old band Euphoria, Josh Learn
Welland.”
and Jesse Aubertin, to play drums
Guay says the band’s next album
and bass on the album, as a favour to
is similarly based on personal
Triano and I.”
experiences but with broader themes
After the recording of the album,
based on the socialization of 19- to
the CD was pressed, packaged and The Street Pharmacy’s Ryan Guay rocks out at Brock University in St. Catharines on Sept. 25.
25-year-olds, such as the status quo,
then distributed on iTunes by Indiestyle
of life without any choice, the
Photo by Tara Brady
Pool Records in Toronto.
effects of college and university on
“I called Indie-Pool and told them I had Productions; he does excellent shows.”
Rumbold and Matt Edwards A&R managers a person and society inflicting pressures on
a really good product and I’d like them to
In the summer of 2006, Guay had the at EMI, and Dani Mitchell at Heavenly people. Society forces people to have a family,
press it. It cost $1,800 to press 500 CDs.”
chance to study in London, England. He Records. It taught me to try, although nothing a husband or wife and to make $120,000
Guay says he had the CD pressed was in school at Brock University in St. has happened as of yet.”
a year.
inexpensively because that was the Catharines and saw the opportunity to
Street Pharmacy is planning to tour after
Guay says he was advised to get a
company’s regular rate.
travel to England for 17 days. He stayed at press package and business cards and this year of university to promote present and
“I didn’t get anything special. I was at Goodenough College Graduate Residence at encouraged to have a photo taken of the band future albums. The pharmacists are taking a
the right place at the right time, so I took the London School of Economics. While in sent to EMI.
break until Dec. 20 to concentrate on their
advantage. It’s a relatively small company, England, although travelling for educational
Guay played two acoustic shows in studies.
so they are willing to do things for cheap.”
“It’s hard being in a band and going to
purposes, he delved into the musical quality London, opening for the City Bowl Mizens,
At this point in the band’s career, things that England provided.
an old-school rock ‘n’ roll band from South school. It’s like having a mistress when you
seemed to be going well, but the pharmacists
already have a wife.”
“EMI, the first real-deal record label in Africa.
still needed another member to complete the London, was literally a football throw away
The Street Pharmacy’s next show is at the
Guay says he came home from England
circle.
Bridge Pub and Eatery on East Main Street,
from where I was staying.”
with a lot of energy.
“Dan Fretz is ‘the second coming.’ That’s
Guay says he started knocking on doors
“With help from the guys from These with These Three Cities from Toronto and
how good of a drummer he is. He came to me to get someone to listen to his CD and Three Cities [a band from Toronto], we the Basid Sonz from London.
Hip-hop in need of fresh face, universal appeal
By MICHAEL SPECK
Columnist
Hip hop is in a state of emergency. From
bloggers to street corners, most hip-hop
heads believe the genre has had a terrible
year. Artists such as DMX and Outkast, who
are used to debuting at number 1, are now
struggling to go gold.
Even worse, critically acclaimed albums
such as Ghostface’s Fishscale and The Roots’
Game Theory are barely scanning units at
all. What’s to blame for this?
A key factor is hip hop has become
regionally polarized. Hip-hop music made
by artists from the southern United States,
known to fans as “Crunk,” has become
popular in nightclubs and on the radio.
Crunk can be easily identified because it
usually consists of chants about misogyny
and substance abuse, while east coast or
New York hip hop most often contains more
complex and socially aware wordplay. For
example, Young Dro, a new artist from
Atlanta, Ga., had the number 1 song of
the summer with Shoulder Lean, despite a
dreadfully repetitive hook and overall boring
lyrics.
On the other hand, rap legend Method
Man’s album 4:21...The Day After got
seemingly no promotion from his longtime
label Def Jam, despite many possible radio
singles. Does Jay-Z not want his artists to
succeed?
Perhaps he is another problem.
Rapper-CEOs are the new norm. Jay-Z
is the new CEO of Def Jam, and 50 Cent
basically runs Interscope.
Is it any surprise then that Nas’ Def Jam
debut, ironically titled Hip Hop is Dead,
is getting no mainstream attention leading
up to the months of its release despite
a strong underground buzz, while the
mere announcement of Jay-Z’s comeback
album Kingdom Come makes the cover of
Entertainment Weekly? Is Jay-Z putting Nas’
album on the backburner just to shamelessly
promote his own project?
Then there is 50 Cent. His first album, Get
Rich or Die Trying, was an instant classic,
moving 11 million units worldwide and
birthing the G-Unit phenomena. However,
every G-Unit release since has been beyond
boring.
Since the label’s September 2003 debut,
the band has released an astonishing eight
albums. That is a lot of albums in three years.
How much filler do you think each album
contains? The latest release, Blood Money,
by rap heavyweights Mobb Deep, was a
commercial flop, only scanning 400,000 units
to date. Did 50 Cent, a potential rap legend,
kill his own career by making himself into
a trend?
It is going to take a new artist to bring hip
hop back.
Hip hop needs someone who has universal
appeal, who won’t get caught up in label
politics and who simply isn’t interested
in making as much money as quickly as
possible.
Maybe I should just start listening to jazz
instead.
@@ NIAGARA
NOISE
NIAGARA
NEWS
‘We’re sexy as hell’
says Ceremonial Snips member
Welland’s Ceremonial Snips perform at their CD release party in Hamilton on Nov.12.
Photo by Andrea Dyer
Putting fun back into rock music
By CODY MCGRAW
Staff Writer
Concert Review
On a night that seemed like the beginning of
winter, bands at The Opera House seemed to begin
something great.
On Oct. 14, each having released only one album,
the bands played to a sold-out diverse crowd of
music fans.
On my right were three Brits, behind me was a group
of high school kids, one of whom was wearing a lab
coat, and to my left two guys making out.
The Spinto Band from Delaware exited the stage after
its power-pop infused sound got the audience moving,
and a black background with a pink bat flying around
the initials W.A.S., descended.
We Are Scientists ran on stage to a gigantic ovation.
Springing right into Lousy Reputation, lead singer Keith
Murray crooned to the audience with his Heineken at
his feet.
Nobody Moves, Nobody Gets Hurt acted as a singalong since the crowds sang loudly and danced as hard
as possible.
Murray boasted his love of Canada and hatred for the
United States although he is American. During a new
song, guitarist Chris Cain went into the crowd to play
and walk around the venue.
Murray called him brave as he described Toronto as a
“rough city” that is “second to Dayton, Ohio.” He then
revealed Cain is Canadian.
Having only one album to play from, the band
members played almost all of With Love and
Squalor, including such favourites as It’s a Hit and
The Scene is Dead.
The Spinto Band returned on stage with a
choreographed dance number while We Are Scientists
covered Art Brut’s Bang Bang Rock and Roll.
After a new song and “a standard,” Murray was
carried off stage on Art Brut front man Eddie Argos’
shoulders and left the crowd screaming.
Argos returned at 11:30 with his band of Brits. The
band blasted into the tongue-in-cheek song that made
them famous, We Formed a Band.
Those who left after We Are Scientists were robbed
of seeing an amazing performance by people having
as much fun playing as the audience was having
watching.
Argos led a hilarious question-and-answer portion of
the set as he swung around the microphone and caught
it in his left hand.
“I don’t know why the dinosaurs went extinct,” he
said in his highly British manner. An audience member
asked why he shaved off his moustache, which led to
the answer, “We are all in the 27 age range and it made
me look 40.”
Argos was full of advice as he suggested everyone
form a band, adding he will be asking everyone next
time he’s in town.
He also suggested everyone forget about any past
boyfriends and girlfriends during Emily Kane but then
went on saying, “Stop listening to people in bands
because they’re probably drunk.”
Argos charged into the crowd to sing. When he got
back on stage, his mouth was bleeding because he had
been punched in the face.
“It was a small girl, so that’s OK,” he said wiping the
blood off his lip.
The other band members, most notably guitarist
Jasper Future, had uncomfortable looks on their faces,
and they almost looked embarrassed. Their exaggeration
suggests the situation was planned.
As Art Brut’s members blasted through most of
their sole album, Bang Bang Rock and Roll, We Are
Scientists’ singer Murray returned to sing back-up a few
times with his “perfect pitch.”
The highlight of the evening was Bad Weekend,
which Argos called “the song for all the countries who
don’t have Top of the Pops.” He belted about bands he
thought are “top of the pops.”
For the encore, We Are Scientists and Art Brut joined
to sing The Great Escape and drink.
The crowd went crazy with excitement as the band
members poured beer and jumped on each other.
For the third time that night, Argos put Murray on his
shoulders and walked off stage.
The audience couldn’t ask for anything more from
three bands only touching upon what will become huge
careers and surely bring the fun back into rock music.
By ANDREA DYER
Staff Writer
Hit stop. Rewind. It’s time to check your audio, as Welland’s Ceremonial
Snips prepare for the release of their first full-length album.
Vocalist Podio, guitarists Bobbo and Tone, bassist Barty, drummer
Clay, trombonist Ratski and trumpeter Ricky are all a part of this sevenpiece rock band, all of whom are all very personable as a discussion about
the band and its upcoming album unfolds.
“We wear tight pants. We’re sexy as hell,” says Ricky, and while that
can be left as a matter of opinion, the band’s unique sound and endurance
cannot.
With a brass section uncommon to the rock genre and an ongoing effort
of nearly seven years, the Ceremonial Snips could easily be considered
the first wave of the Rose City music scene’s sole survivor.
They’re currently touring western Canada and will hit northern U.S. in
early December before returning to Welland to celebrate the upcoming
release of their album Check Your Audio.
Though their EP album F*** the pain, Bring the Noise was released
by a Canadian label called Pink Skull Records, the band has decided to
take another route this time around.
A Japan-based label called In-n-Out Records, a company that also
works with artists Armor for Sleep, The Bled, Halifax and others, will
release Check Your Audio.
The new album features guest vocals from friend Julius “Juice” Butty
and Chris Creswell from Toronto’s The Flatliners, a contributing factor to
the album’s solid sound.
Ratski says that the biggest changes in the band since 1999 are the
members’ musical abilities. Tone says, “We’ve all grown.”
Check Your Audio is to be released across Canada in early January and
will be followed by a spring release in Japan.
On Dec. 22, the guys will hold a CD release party at The End Concert
Lounge in Welland.
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High program standards win-win for grads
By MICHAEL SPECK
Staff Writer
Niagara College’s programs are
unique and hands-on, and they
often have very high levels of
student satisfaction, according to
recent program reviews presented
to the president and board of
governors.
Three of Niagara’s academic
programs were reviewed: Business
Administration
–
Operations
Management (BA – OM),
Educational Assistant – Special
Needs Support (EA – SNS) and
Winery and Viticulture Technician
(W&VT).
The BA – OM program is a threeyear program including an eightmonth co-op. It covers business
skills such as purchasing, quality
control, operations planning,
supply management, materials
management and logistics.
According to the review, a key
program strength is graduates’
applicability to many areas of
business. Organizations of all sizes
hire BA – OM students for logistics
and traffic, quality assurance,
materials management, purchasing,
management, sales and customer
service.
“Operations management graduates are accessible to many areas
of business because of the broad
application of the science of operations management,” says Rob
Shepherd, BA – OM co-ordinator.
“Operations is present in manufacturing and service organizations
and every type of enterprise in between.
“It ranges from the manufacturer
who makes the computer chip
in your cellphone to the service
provider who provides you with
system access and customer
service.”
In 2005, an agreement was signed
with the Purchasing Management
Association of Canada that provided graduates with advanced
standing towards their Certified
Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.) accreditation. This adds to the many
professional career paths students
can pursue after graduation.
“A C.P.P. accreditation is a
professional designation that
applies to the purchasing area. It
is a very well-respected and highly
recognized designation,” says
Shepherd.
“The agreement significantly
reduces the time it takes to become
certified and is an advantage
for those who want to pursue
careers in purchasing or supply
management.”
Positive course evaluations and
key performance indicators (KPI)
data indicate the BA – OM program
is enjoyable and marketable for
students. Graduate satisfaction
and program employment rates are
consistently in the 80 and 90 per
cent range.
“The program has constantly
delivered statistics in this percentile
range, so I guess we must be doing
something right,” says Shepherd.
“Our focus on customer satisfaction
is one of many reasons Niagara
has been number 1 in student
satisfaction over the years.”
The operations sector has more
job openings than job seekers.
Unemployment rates are below
average while the hourly wages are
above average.
“Many of the co-op placements
students had led to full-time jobs
upon graduation,” says Shepherd.
“The co-op component, combined
with the applicability of the
curriculum, provides graduates
with an advantage when they are
seeking employment.”
One of the review’s recommendations is a need for more full-time
professors with specific industry
expertise.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Dean Neil Chartrand says the
program needs more people with a
logistics background.
“We are starting a new graduate
certificate in Logistics Management. It will be a combination of
operations and human resources,
which would be a very unique program.”
Another issue is lack of employers
looking to participate in co-ops,
making recruiting employers an
ongoing challenge.
“Some potential employers
might not fully comprehend how
the co-op program works and, as a
result, back away from it. The co-op
experience is one of transformation
for our students,” says Shepherd.
“I cannot begin to tell you how
many students have said while on
their co-op: ‘You know that stuff I
learned in operations? I am actually
applying that and making a positive
impact at my job.’ When you hear
comments like that, you know
the process is definitely worth the
result.”
The EA – SNS review was
conducted by Gerry Page, of
Lambton College in Sarnia, and
Dr. Jan Sundmark, chair of Special
Needs
Educational Assistant
program, of Grant MacEwan
College in Edmonton, Alta., on
Oct. 2.
The review found that the Niagara EA – SNS program is unique in
the Ontario college system because
it focuses on children and adults
with exceptionalities. Graduates
have a competitive edge because
they are dually qualified to work in
either field.
“Niagara’s EA– SNS program is
the only one of its kind in Ontario,”
says Laurie Blake, co-ordinator of
the EA – SNS program.
“We have a dual focus and
graduates are trained for two job
markets: as an educational assistant
working in the local school boards
or as a support worker working
within local community agencies.”
KPI data confirms there has been
a consistent high rate of graduate
employment from the EA – SNS
program because graduates are
well prepared to meet the needs of
the employers.
“We are thrilled with the
consistently high employment
rates,” says Blake.
“Graduates would say the
results are due to the fact that the
program includes a field placement
component in a school and an
agency setting, as well as the final
placement in an area of specialty.”
One of the recommendations
from the review was to have fulltime faculty supervise student field
placements.
“Having faculty doing more
supervision of student placement
would be ideal but impractical,”
says Dean of Health and Community Studies Donna Cunningham.
“Satisfaction rates from employers, graduates and students do not
justify changing from the present
model, which is the monitoring of
students on field placement.”
Another recommendation was
to explore ways to ease the burden
on lab space and classroom-
gymnasium access.
“We would love to be able to
have a large area that would be
available for non-violent crisis
intervention training and activities
requiring leisure lifestyle training.
“Right now we share a very
busy gym space for both course
activities,” says Blake.
“We are fortunate to have a
resource room that is shared with
the Early Childhood Education
program as a lending library of
books and kits specific to our
program’s needs.”
“The facilities and space
accommodation committee are
addressing this concern,” says
Cunningham.
“Reconfiguring
space in 106 Merritt is being
considered.”
Dr. Myles Anderson, founding
director of the Institute for Enology
and Viticulture at Walla Walla
Community College in Washington,
and Dr. John Bottomley, former
director of Social Sciences and
Administrative Studies, Open
University of British Columbia,
Burnaby, BC, conducted the
W&VT program review.
The W&VT program resides at
the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus
with about 38 acres of vineyards, a
wine store on campus and Canada’s
first and only production teaching
winery.
Steve Gill, manager of the
winery and vineyard at Niagara,
says having the only production
teaching winery makes the program
popular. “We definitely have more
apply than we let it.”
The program received two
national awards in 2004, including
the Program Excellence Award
from the Association of Canadian
Community Colleges.
Gill says the awards help to
market the program. “It really helps
us to bring in the students.”
The review says faculty and staff
are involved in applied research
products for the grape and wine
industry.
“The program is very community
oriented,” says Gill. “We are
involved with the Grape and Wine
Festival, the Ice Wine Festival
and the Toronto Wine and Cheese
Show.”
The review recommended that
Niagara should move swiftly
toward the development of a stateof-the-art teaching winery.
Gill says the winery on campus
is a typical start-up winery.
“It is still the best one in Canada
because it is the only one in
Canada.”
Another recommendation was
the hiring of a second full-time
faculty member.
“We are starting a post-graduate certificate called Wine Business Management, so it would be
great to have some extra help,”
says Gill.
Wayne Gale, of Niagara’s Board
of Governors, said there was a trend
in the reviews’ recommendations
of newer equipment.
“The review said Niagara should
move swiftly toward a state-of-theart winery program, which is what
I thought we had,” said Gale.
Niagara College President Dan
Patterson said the industry is always
looking for higher standards.
“Given the resources we have, the
program is working in an efficient
and excellent matter.”
FABULOUS FALL GIVEAWAY!
Students!! Fill out this ballot for a chance to
win a prize pack valued at over $100! Drop it in
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Security and listen to “Niagara’s Hottest Mix”
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SPORTS
NEWS@
NIAGARA
Niagara women triumph over Mohawk
By KEITH LAING
Staff Writer
It may be a new season for a team with many new faces, but the
chemistry still remains.
The Niagara Knights women’s basketball team secured its first win, in
a convincing 49-34 victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers on Nov. 10 at
the Mackenzie Building Athletic Complex at Niagara College’s Welland
campus.
The top scorer in the season-opening game was 5’9” forward Kaitlyn
McKenna, who had 15 points and served as a strong rebounding presence.
Next were forward Dana VanDerMark with eight points, centre Candice
Hart with seven and guard Allana Arundell with five.
Explosive and confident with the ball, Arundell relentlessly penetrated
Mohawk’s defence with aggressive drives to the hoop and strong, quick
passes.
Returning Head Coach Ron Lemon says the win is a result of good
hustle, effective rebounding and well-dispersed scoring throughout the
team members.
“We had nine girls score tonight, which is always a big plus. We took
control on defence, rebounded well and hustled the whole game.”
Lemon says the team shows a lot of potential, but, like all teams, still
has areas in which to improve.
“We should be in the top one or two teams by the end of the season,
but we’ve got some defensive work still to do. We have to make sure we
always take care of the ball.”
For a team with nine rookies and only four returning players, trainer/
physiotherapist Ray Ravazzolo says there is lots of chemistry. “We try to
make sure there’s always a good mix of rookies and veterans on the floor
together.”
The team should focus on always staying hungry and being more
“defensive minded,” he says.
“We need to maintain a high pace all game, whether we’re winning or
losing. If we’re down we can’t give up, and if we’re up then we need to
press and keep building on the lead.”
The Knights were hosts to Oakville’s Sheridan College on Nov. 22 at
the Mackenzie Building Athletic Centre. Game results will be reported in
the next edition.
The Niagara Knights’ Kaitlyn McKenna fights for a lay-up against her opposition from Mohawk College
in women’s basketball action.
Photo by Keith Laing
Niagara athletes knighted
JESSICA JAMES
KAITLYN MCKENNA
Six Niagara College athletes have been named male and
female Boston Pizza Athletes of the Week for Nov. 20, Nov. 13
and Nov. 7.
Jessica James, of Norwich, Ont., a second-year Customs
program student and a member of basketball team, and Chyro
Blackwood, of Kitchener, Ont., a member of the basketball team,
won the honour for Nov. 20.
Anthony McAleese, of Hamilton, a Police Foundations student
and a member of the basketball team, and Kaitlyn McKenna, of
St. Catharines, a member of the basketball team, won the honour
for Nov. 13, while Kevin Lewis, of St. Catharines, a secondyear Journalism-Print program student and a member of the
volleyball team, and Hendi Bench, of St. Catharines, a secondyear Environmental Technician program student, and a member
of the volleyball team, won the honour for Nov. 7.
HEIDI BENCH
KEVIN LEWIS
CHYRO BLACKWOOD
ANTHONY MCALEESE
Niagara men
defeat Mohawk
By STEPHEN BOSCARIOL
Staff Writer
Nothing but net.
The Niagara Knights men’s basketball team
put on a show for the fans during its home opener
Nov. 10 against the Mowhawk Mountaineers. The
Knights destroyed the opposition 94-70 in a onesided match.
“We have a very young, strong team this year,”
says 5’11” point guard Ian Harriette. “We’re full
of rookies, but it’s so early in the season that we
can definitely be one of the top teams in the OCAA
(Ontario College Athletic Association) this year,”
With only one returning player to the Knights
squad, the team has as its goal this year to work
hard in practice and games and to surprise the
opposition early on in the game.
The Knights’ impressive shooting helped them
take charge of the court in the early minutes, and
the massive Knights’ forwards made sure that any
rebound was placed with fierce authority.
“I played for Mowhawk [College in Hamilton]
last year; they were a terrible team. They have
new coaches this year but as far as talent goes,
we [Knights] are miles ahead of this squad,” says
Harriette.
The next Knights’ home game is tonight against
Jamestown Community College from Jamestown,
N.Y. in the Mackenzie Building Athletic Centre
at the Welland campus. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Make
sure you bring your student card for big game
discounts.
SPORTS
NEWS@
NIAGARA
Niagara recognizes top student athletes
By KEITH LAING
Staff Writer
Raw talent and a high intellectual
capacity will never hurt, but the
true key to success lies in hard
work and determination.
Niagara College’s Athletic
Department honoured 12 current
and former student athletes for
outstanding
achievements
in
academics and athletics. A brief
ceremony was held prior to tipoff on Nov. 17 at the Mackenzie
Building Athletic Complex to give
out the Canadian College’s Athletic
Association National Scholar
Award (CCAA).
Recipients of the CCAA award
must meet the required 85 per
cent academic average for both
semesters, while contributing their
time to one or more varsity sports
teams.
Winners from the men’s
basketball team were Michael St.
Rose, of Ajax, Ont., a second-year
Motive Power Technician student,
Dustin Bianchin, of Niagara Falls
and Ryan Walker, of Hamilton, both
second-year Police Foundations
students.
Women’s basketball recipients
were Lyndsay Cloughley, of Port
Colborne, a graduate of Police
Foundations, and Jessica James,
of Norwich, Ont., a second-year
Police Foundations student.
Winners from men’s volleyball
were Kyle Akins, of Owen
Sound, Ont., a third-year Business
Administration
–
Operations
Management
student;
Brian
Connor, of Goderich, a second-year
broadcasting student; Brian Feron,
of Chatham, Ont., in second-year
business administration; and Drew
Martin, of Ottawa, Ont., in secondyear Chef Training.
Women’s volleyball winners were
Heidi Bench, of St. Catharines,
a second-year Environmental
Technician
program
student;
Margaret Geurts, of Crediton, Ont.,
a graduate of Police Foundations;
and Kim Roach, of Stratford,
Ont., a third-year Child and Youth
Worker student.
Achieving success in academics
and athletics is within reach, says
Heidi Bench. “It’s a lot of hard
work, but definitely do-able. It
just comes down to how badly you
want it.”
Bench, 20, says there isn’t
usually a designated team study
time, but at the start of this year
a few players had to be put on
academic probation.
“There were some girls who
weren’t keeping up with his [Coach
Kerbey Bentley’s] standards of 70
per cent and had to spend a few
hours a week in study hall.”
Kim Roach, 19, says the players’
Pictured are Niagara College athletes honoured with the CCAA award Nov. 17. Top row: Ryan Walker,
Kyle Akins, Michael St. Rose, Jim Cloughley, father of Lindsay Cloughley. Bottom row: Margaret Geurts,
Heidi Bench, Kim Roach, and Jessica James.
Photo by Keith Laing
grades are monitored through an
academic co-ordinator, who can
randomly ask any faculty member
for a player’s grade report.
“If your marks start to drop, then
you will definitely hear about it.
There will be some issues.”
Roach, who has been recognized
for her academic achievements
three consecutive years, says her
program is very accommodating to
students who play on a team.
“My teachers are great about
giving us extensions when we need
them and covering material for any
classes we missed.”
The honoured received a plaque
detailing their achievements.
Argos’ season over after East Division final loss to Als
By JIM WHYTE
Staff Writer
For the fourth time in five years,
the Toronto Argonauts’ Grey Cup
hopes have been cut short by the
Montreal Alouettes.
In front of an announced crowd
of 35,607 at Montreal’s Olympic
Stadium, the Alouettes defeated
the Argos 33-24 in a fifth straight
East Divisional final meeting of the
two teams.
It was almost the same story
as the Argos’ previous playoff
game versus Winnipeg in Toronto
as Michael Bishop, Argonauts’
backup quarterback, came into
the game and replaced a stagnant
Damon Allen. The only difference
was he was unable on this occasion
to lead his team to another comefrom-behind victory.
By halftime, the Argos had dug
themselves into a hole, trailing
16-3 after failing to capitalize
on two first-quarter turnovers by
Montreal.
On the opening drive of the
second half, Allen forced a pass,
which was picked off by Montreal’s
defensive back Mark Estelle,
resulting in a 78-yard interception
for a touchdown. Allen followed
with one more unsuccessful series
and was pulled from the game
in favour of Bishop. That may
quite possibly the last time the 43year-old Allen may be seen in an
Argonauts jersey, and possibly the
last game of his 22-year career in
professional football.
Although Bishop provided a
spark to the club yet again off the
bench, leading the team to three
touchdown drives in the second
half, it proved to be too little
too late.
“I’m livid,” said Argonauts
defensive back Michael Fletcher
about the loss, in a post-game
interview via AM640 radio. “I
have been here all five years we’ve
played Montreal in the East final,
and you feel like you have aged
two or three years every time you
lose this game. It’s hell.”
Argonauts’ wide receiver Arland
Bruce took bad feelings to the next
level after the game, saying to
media that the referees officiating
the game were biased and racist.
“How much did their [Montreal’s]
coach pay the referees?” said
Bruce, questioning numerous
calls that went against the Argos
throughout the game, including a
debatable fumble call on the Argos’
Ricky Williams. “We didn’t get a
call all game. I don’t think these
guys [officials] want a black coach
winning [referring to Toronto’s
Head Coach Mike Clemons].”
Pete Martin, Argonauts radio
colour commentator for AM640,
said the comments Bruce made
were totally irresponsible.
“He represents a football team
that is considered to have some
class, with all of their community
work including the stop the
violence campaign. For Arland to
say the Canadian Football League
has any tone of racism is totally
ridiculous. I’m very disappointed
with him.”
“The running game was what
really hurt the Argos again,” said
Martin, as Alouettes running
back Robert Edwards rushed for
137 yards on 24 carries with a
touchdown. “All year long the
Argos have not tried to stop the run
with their defensive system. When
it was all said and done, the better
team won. The officials didn’t cost
them the game.”
The Argos move on with
sights for next season with many
questions to address, including
whether they will bring back an
aging Allen or give Bishop a shot
as starting quarterback. Even the
possibility of signing a free-agent,
such as Casey Printers, to fill the
role of starting quarterback may be
an option.
Martin says he believes Allen
will return but thinks it is time for
him to retire.
“Great athletes are often guilty
of hanging on too long. It would
be a shame if Allen came back next
year and had a horrible season to
end his career,” said Martin, who
spent eight seasons as an Argonaut
linebacker in the ‘60s.
Martin says he is not “overly
convinced” with Bishop, and says
if the Argos decide to give Bishop
a shot next season, they need to restructure their offence.
“The key thing for the Argos
is to figure out who will be their
offensive co-ordinator next year
and what kind of offence they are
going to run, and then figure out if
Bishop can run that system.”
Martin says that although the loss
is a disappointment, that sometimes
good things come from the bad.”
“The Argos will be forced to
make some changes with the new
salary cap rules being implemented
for next year. As a team they will
have to get younger, and they will
probably become a better team
because of that.”
Visit argonauts.ca for more info.
Argonauts’ wide receiver Arland Bruce (No. 5) and quarterback
Michael Bishop (No.17) take a breather during what turned out be
their last practice of the season. The Argonuats were eliminated by
Montreal in the CFL’s East Divisional Final 33-24 Nov. 12.
Photo by Jim Whyte
SPORTS
NEWS@
NIAGARA
Notre Dame beat defending champs at Tribune Tournament
By MICHAEL DACH
Staff Writer
They don’t call them the fighting
Irish for nothing.
Notre Dame’s senior girls
basketball team recently clawed
its way to an impressive 5751 final against the Lakeshore
Catholic School Gators at the
annual Tribune Tournament.
“It was a big win because the
team we beat in the final had won
two previous times,” says Notre
Dame coach Paul Ferracuti.
“It was big for publicity.”
He says that he takes great
pride in what the team has
accomplished.
According to The Tribune’s
website archives, the Irish led the
game at halftime, 34-23, building
a 15-point lead through the third
quarter.
Remarkably, the Gators were
able to cut the lead to 47-39,
thanks in part to the three-point
shooting of Ashley MacDonald.
Venessa Meleskie, the team’s
starting forward, was able to capitalize on open opportunities in the
fourth quarter. She hit a pair of
key shots in the final six minutes
of the game.
MacDonald was able to pull the
Gators within two points, but it
wasn’t enough.
With a record of 22-4, the team
is looking towards the Southern
Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) Championships.
Notre Dame is the only Quad A
school competing in the SOSSA
championships and the championships don’t have playoffs, says
coach Ferracuti.
With 18 days between SOSSA
matches, this makes it hard on
the team, with some girls unable
to attend some of the remaining
regular season games.
Ferracuti isn’t worried, however.
He knows his team will work hard
and look to come out on top.
“Our team is quick and
aggressive. We attack the basket.
We’re not a great shooting team,
By KELLY ESSER
Staff Writer
The seat elevates, then swivels
360 degrees, making the cart safer
for the greens than the average
human.
The SoloRider golf cart has
opened many doors for the disabled
and mobility-impaired golfer.
“It’s important to give everyone
an opportunity to play,” says Frank
Peter, 39, of Niagara Falls.
“It’ll do wonders for other golfers
now,” he says, “anyone can use it.”
Peter is a supporter and endorser
of the SoloRider cart. He goes out
to golf courses and events to make
the public aware of the singleperson golf cart.
On Sept. 8, the SoloRider cart
was demonstrated at the Grand
Niagara Resort in Niagara Falls.
“It will prevent people from
leaving the game [of golf]. Seniors
who couldn’t play because of
mobility impairments can now play
again,” says Peter.
The SoloRider has fewer pounds
per square inch than the average
human. This allows it to go onto
the greens and cause less damage
than a human walking on it. It has
seven inches of clearance on the
bottom, giving it the versatility to
venture into the bunkers. The seat
elevates to a 45-degree position,
allowing the golfer to be almost
standing while taking a shot, and
with the 360-degree swiveling seat,
both left- and right-handed golfers
can use the cart.
“It’s a great idea, if it lets anyone, handicapped or not, enjoy
the game of golf,” says Ken Dowswell, 23, manager of Golf Etc., in
Niagara Falls.
Peter’s cart cost about US$8,600
new with the stand-up seat option
and delivered from the Denver,
Colo., assembly plant.
Peter broke his back in a car
accident on Dec. 31, 1985. He is
paralyzed from the chest down, but
this injury hasn’t stopped him from
doing what he wants.
Peter was ranked number 1 in
Canada for Wheelchair Tennis in
2004. He is taking a year away from
tennis because of a damaged rotator
cuff. He has no plans to return to
competition.
Roger Pretekin founded the
SoloRider company in 1994.
It wasn’t until 2004 that the
company introduced the SoloRider
3400 series, which is the newest
generation of carts. In 2004, Monroe
Berkman purchased the company.
It is in Centennial, Colo.
For more information about the
SoloRider cart, go to www.solorider.com.
Frank Peter demonstrates the SoloRider golf cart at the Grand
Niagara Resort in Niagara Falls on Sept. 8.
Photo by Kelly Esser
By MICHAEL DACH
Staff Writer
It was a night of spandex-wearing
antics complete with elbow drops
and high-flying action.
The Knights of Columbus Hall
on Empire Street in Welland was
transformed into an amateur arena
to highlight wrestlers from across
Southern Ontario.
Wrestlers and wrestling fans
alike enjoyed themselves on a
Saturday night, courtesy of Rough
Wrestling International.
Former league champion Chris
“Go Time” LaPlante was featured
in the evening’s main event. In a
segment entitled “The President’s
Court,” earlier in the night, LaPlante
pleads with organization president
Matt Ayres for an opportunity to
regain his title against “The Sniper”
Randy Vine.
Ayres rejects his offer only
to create a two-on-one match,
featuring Kwan Chang, “The Asian
Nightmare,” and Quinten Valentino
against the lone LaPlante.
Throughout the match Chang
and Valentino pummel Go Time
without allowing their opponent to
fully recover.
Not only does the former champ
receive an extensive thrashing,
but “The Sniper” enters the ring
unknowingly, assisting the duo in
inflicting a further beating on the
already-broken LaPlante.
Several wrestlers immediately
enter, aiding the struggling hero,
chasing the gang of ruthless
hoodlums after seeing the triple
threat.
The match ends with an
announcement that “Go Time”
LaPlante has been called upon to
try out with the World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) league.
The evening began with Hamilton
native Rip Impact set to wrestle the
masked agent of the underworld,
Inferno.
A tag-team square dance, between
black-clad Bruno Davis paired with
silver-and-orange-dressed
Jeff
Flurry against a giant Michael Elgin, and the acrobatics of Jay Fenix,
followed the opening match.
An inter-gender match preceded,
with masked villain Infinito
against female firecracker Katelyn
Diamond, hardly seeming fair. With
Infinito tossing the young woman
around, Diamond snaps out of her
daze, deals crushing blows to the
frail frame of the masked string
bean and comes out victorious.
Vine, “The Sniper,” was set to
take on Danny Magnum in the
third round of action. After his
win, The Sniper calls out LaPlante.
“You should take notes from your
180-year-old Grandma, cuz you
won’t live until you’re 30,” said
Vine, who takes aim at Laplante’s
grandmother sitting in the crowd.
She was on hand to watch her
grandson perform on his birthday.
LaPlante enters stage right, only
to have the apprehensive Vine flee
the ring.
The performers weren’t the only
ones enjoying themselves. The
crowd chanted rhythmically during
each grudge match.
Raymond, 12, of Welland, speaks
about the night. “It’s really good,
really entertaining.”
Kyle, 20, drove from Dunnville
to inquire about the league. An
aspiring wrestler himself, he has
been researching different leagues,
hoping to find one that would suit
his interests.
Asked about his thoughts on this
league, “It’s all right, I guess. I go to
a lot of shows. This one’s [explicit].
I’ve already seen and met all the
big names in [wrestling]. I came to
check promotion, see what’s being
offered.”
Rough Wrestling International
was founded in 1998 by Chuck
Simpson.
The next event, Wrestle Rock,
will be held on Nov. 26, at the
Knights of Columbus Hall on
Empire Street.
but we move the ball around really
well,” says Ferracuti.
“The only problem we have to
get by is the top-ranked teams in
SOSSA; however, our realistic
goal is to get a medal.”
Led by the star trio of Tara
Giallanardo, Sarah Mallen and
Meleskie, the Irish will look
to these key players to get that
medal.
Championship play began
yesterday at South Lincoln High
School in Smithville.
SoloRider Cart helps disabled golfers get back onto fairways
Wrestling combines action and antics, creates entertainment
Tickets are $12 in advance and
$15 at the door. Children under 12
get in free.
The theme will encompass
wrestling and rock music.
The Governor Generals will
be on hand to perform during
intermission. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Be Prepared…Get Informed
ATTEND THESE FREE WORKSHOPS!
How to Complete a Degree!
University Prep. Workshop
• Monday October 30 . . . . . . . . . . . • 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Welland Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Room S205
• Monday November 6 . . . . . . . . . . . • 1:30 - 2:30 pm
• NOTL Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Room E310
Procrastinators Unite! Stop the Vicious Cycle
• Monday November 6 . . . . . . . . . . • 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Welland Campus • Meeting Room • SAC Building
Improve Your Study Skills
• Monday November 13 . . . . . . . . . • 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Welland Campus • Meeting Room • SAC Building
Counselling Services
We’re Here To Help!
62148948
Wal-Mart joins Salvation Army in giving hope
By RACHEL TATTERSALL
the Salvation Army, and they really do need it.” She is
Staff Writer
planning to participate soon and feels it is important to
With the help of their customers, Wal-Mart is
help out.
looking forward to making a difference in someone’s
Pat Walker, 69, of Welland, says the charity is a
life this holiday season.
good idea, but the people receiving the gifts should be
A Christmas gift tree stands near the customer
investigated properly because “too many people take
service desk at the Welland Wal-Mart on Primeway
advantage of the system.” She has already participated by
Drive. Each of the coloured construction paper
donating gifts for two children.
ornaments displays the name and age of a child.
Alakas says she thinks the tree has been a huge success
The hope is that each child will receive at least one
because “deep down inside, people believe Christmas is
Christmas gift this Dec. 25 from generous Wal-Mart
all about the children.”
shoppers and staff.
Other charity programs Wal-Mart is working on this
Carolyn Alakas, 40, of Welland, an assistant
holiday season are the Adopt a Family program. A family in
manager at the store, has been with the company
financial distress is chosen and Christmas dinner and gifts
for 24 years. This is the first year Wal-Mart has had
are provided for that family. A food drive by employees is
the Salvation Army and Wal-Mart Gift Tree, thanks
also underway.
to Alakas. She says it was thought of many years
All Wal-Mart stores are encouraged by head office to get
ago, but “got pushed to the side” because of other
involved with their communities and give back as much as
projects.
they can. A few other charities Welland Wal-Mart is involved
This past summer in a work meeting she raised
with are the Heart and Stroke Foundation, children’s hospitals
it again. To date, Wal-Mart is the only company
and Breakfast for Learning, which provides breakfast for
working with the Salvation Army on this project. The
children who are sent to school hungry.
Army is located on East Main Street in downtown
Alakas says her store tries to donate items that will “add
Welland.
to people’s life” such as bicycles, something a child can
There are 324 ornaments hanging on the tree. In
use to stay active and improve the child’s lifestyle. She
the first hour of the first day the tree was displayed,
believes everyone should do charity work, especially Walthree names were chosen and gifts bought. Alakas
Mart. “We have 1.8 million associates worldwide, and that
Linda Elcich, 56, a cashier at the Welland Wal-Mart, places an
believes every name will be picked because 10 per
is a powerful force.”
ornament on the Salvation Army gift tree.
cent of the children are already chosen.
She says it is important for large corporations to give
Photo by Rachel Tattersall
“We put a story about it in The [Welland] Tribune
back to their communities because it is good customer
one gift for the a child named on the tree.
to promote it, so that people know every kid should
service, shows they have respect for people and is good
Denise Paille, 50, of Welland, a customer service manager, publicity. “By helping out with a lot of charities, it helps
have a Christmas.”
The public has been responding well, and so have Wal- says, “I think the tree is a great idea because I have seen the public understand that we give back and if we can help,
Mart employees. Almost all employees have donated at least some of the people who receive gifts and donations from we do.”
Africa getting AIDS help
By ROBYN HOPPER
Staff Writer
Africa needs the world’s help.
More than 300 million people in
Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half the
population, live on less than $1 a day.
Every day in Africa, 6,300 people die
and another 8,500 contract the HIV
virus. Africa is home to 25 million
people with HIV, 64 per cent of global
infections.
In 2002, Bono, the lead singer of the
band U2, along with Bobby Shriver,
created the organization Debt AIDS
Trade Africa (DATA). DATA aims
to raise awareness about the crises
flooding Africa: unpayable debts,
uncontrolled spread of AIDS and
unfair trade rules, which keep Africans
poor. DATA’s core mission is a view
that these issues are not about charity,
but about equality and justice.
The organization invites the
governments of the world’s prosperous
nations, which include the United
States, Europe, Canada and Japan, to
give more resources to Africa. It also
asks nations to adopt policies that
help rather than hinder Africa from
achieving long-term prosperity.
Bono, one of Time magazine’s
persons of the year in 2005, has shown
his heart for humanitarian aid since
1986. “History will judge us on how
we respond to the AIDS emergency
in Africa ... whether we stood around
with watering cans and watched while
a whole continent burst into flames ...
or not,” said Bono in a press release.
On Jan. 26, in Davos, Switzerland,
at the World Economic Forum, Bono
and Shriver announced the launching
of Product RED, an economic
initiative designed to deliver a
sustainable flow of private sector
money to the global fund to fight
AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
It is the first time the world’s leading
companies have made a commitment
to direct a portion of profits from
sales of specially designed products
to the global fund to support AIDS
programs in Africa with a focus on
women and children. RED presents
a new and profitable way of doing
business by utilizing the partners’
brand-building
expertise
while
generating a new income stream
for the Global Fund. International
brands including American Express
(founding partner), Converse, Gap
and Giorgio Armani are the launch
partners.
Shriver, chief executive officer
of Product RED, said, “This is a
long-term initiative designed for
sustainability. RED partners expect
that they will broaden their own
customer base and increase loyalty in
a manner that delivers a sustainable
revenue stream to both the company
and the global fund.”
The private sector contributes less
than one per cent of the global fund’s
resource needs. RED believes this
project will start a new income flow.
“RED is a 21st century idea. It’s an
amazing thing that these companies
are doing — lending their creativity
and financial firepower to the global
fund’s fight against AIDS in Africa,
the greatest health crisis in 600
years. I think doing the RED thing,
doing good, will turn out to be good
business for them,” said Bono in a
press release.
On Oct. 13, Bono appeared on the
Oprah Winfrey television show to
launch Product RED in America.
“If you buy a RED product from
Gap, Motorola, Armani, Converse or
Apple, they will give up to 50 per cent
of their profit to buy AIDS drugs for
mothers and children in Africa. RED
is the consumer battalion gathering in
the shopping malls,” says Bono.
For more information visit www.
joinred.com or www.data.org.
Apply for university soon
By LESLEY SMITH
Staff Writer
Start early. Start now.
That was advice given at the college’s
counselling workshop called How to Complete a
Degree.
The workshop, held on Oct. 30 at the Welland
campus, supplied answers to students thinking
about attending university after college.
Emphasis was on researching universities for
programs and requirements.
“Start doing that now and see what they
require,” said Erik Madsen, a counsellor here.
Students hoping to apply to university should
do research through university sites, open
houses at the campuses, campus visits, talking
with counsellors and e-mailing and calling the
universities.
It was pointed out that students should not
eliminate a possible university until they have
looked into all the advantages of that institution.
Students should pay attention to the school’s
admission requirements, such as required courses
and grade point averages.
They should also pay attention to additional
documents, statements of intent, portfolios,
interviews, auditions and internal tests that may
be required.
“Right now, start gathering everything,” said
Georgina Tibbs, also a counsellor.
Courses completed in college can count towards
credits in university.
“Every university will look at your transcript
and give you credits based on it,” said Madsen.
Once a student has decided upon a university,
applications are available on the Ontario
Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC)’s
website, www.ouac.on.ca/105/.
“It’s not as easy to apply to as college,” warned
Tibbs. The OUAC charges a fee of $105 for three
applications. Every application after that costs an
additional $33.
Each type of university program has a different
application, so it is important that students use the
right one.
“If you use the wrong form, you don’t get your
money back,” reminded Madsen.
It was suggested that students apply to
universities now and after graduation.
Appointments with counsellors can be made by
calling 905-735-2211 ext. 7778 (Welland campus)
or 905-641-2252 ext. 4409 (NOTL campus).
By ADAM GAMBLE
Staff Writer
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at the
college’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake
(NOTL) campuses will be open on the weekends
of Dec. 2 to Dec. 3 and Dec. 9 to Dec. 10 from
noon to 4:30 p.m. to assist students with the
term end.
Sandy Kerr, library services co-ordinator at
the Welland campus, says, “We found in the past
that this time of year there is a lot of pressure
completing assignments and studying for tests,
and there is always that one book you meant
to pick up but didn’t. The LRC is a quiet area
in which to study, free from distractions, that
contains resources in all subject areas.”
Kerr says, “We have online databases, research
books, DVDs, videos and hard-copy periodicals.
The Welland campus has roughly 325 titles, and
the NOTL campus has around 200.”
The computers will also be open for use during
the extended weekend hours, and a full-time
staff member and student helper will be at both
campuses offering assistance.
Kerr says, “I think it is beneficial for students
that the LRC be open on those weekends. Last
school term in April we tried this, but the turnout
wasn’t that great. It may not have been promoted
too well, students may have found out about it
too late or it could have been that the weather was
too nice. Students were either studying outside or
had other things going on. We are hoping we get
more students in this time around.”
Contact Kerr at 905-735-2211 ext. 7731 or email [email protected] for more information.
Students attending the NOTL campus can contact
Ralph Laird at 905-641-2252 ext. 4403 or e-mail
[email protected].
LRC perfect place to study
The water
comes tumbling down
By LAURA NARDUCCI
Staff Writer
Plastic bottles of all shapes and sizes
tumble down. Compact discs hang
suspended from fishing line as are other
oddities, like sunglasses. On closer
inspection, one can see broken glass
bottles and other dollar-store objects.
This is Waterfall, the work of over-40year-old Toronto-based artist Katharine
Harvey. Waterfall is installed in the
former rear bay windows of Rodman
Hall Arts Centre at 109 St. Paul Cres.,
St. Catharines. The work will be there
until 2007.
Harvey says it takes “a couple of
months full time” to create a window
installation.
“It’s hard to say how long a work
takes because everyone does other jobs,
does other things. I started working on
it in June. It took about nine months
spread apart.”
Harvey uses plastic and glass bottles
for her works and other dollar-store
items. She says she gets some of her
materials from the neighbourhood
recycling centre.
Creating a large and complex
installation with different types of
materials can be difficult.
“It’s a challenge because they are
so large. It took me a while to create a
technique for assembling them. It was
a new piece so I needed a new way of
working.”
Besides creating her window
installations, Harvey also paints.
Although she creates art in two
mediums, one aspect is the same: the
theme is water.
“Water is an element constantly morphing into myriad forms both solid and
transparent.” Harvey says.
“I am interested in portraying water
as a mirror-like object that can become
the very object it reflects. For example,
by photographing underwater looking
up at the surface, I discover exploding
galaxies in outer space, or sparkling
mountain ranges seen from the air.
These images can be dizzying, as it is
unclear whether they are aerial views or
storm clouds in the sky.”
Water is her theme because she
“grew up around water.” She was
“always sailing as a kid and swimming
in Lake Ontario.” Harvey adds, “It
always surrounded me in my life and I
get inspired by it.”
Harvey says the mixture she uses for
the gelling technique in her paintings
takes a long time to dry so she works
on many images over several months.
“I apply up to 60 layers of acrylic
and gel, each coat building up on the
one beneath, resulting in paintings up
to half an inch thick. Near the surface,
I repaint sparkling highlights so they
leap forward from the thick accretion of
gel, creating a three-dimensional effect.
Light bouncing off the overlapping
transparent brushstrokes causes the
paint underneath to shimmer and
glow. The fluid, organic attributes of
the glossy medium further suggest
water.”
Harvey says she became interested
in art in high school.
“In high school I took extracurricular classes outside of high school
and found it (art) a challenge. I kept
at it and got into Queen’s University
for my Bachelor of Fine Arts.”
No matter which technique she
uses, Harvey’s work is interesting
and catches the viewer’s eye. As an
artist, she makes a career of life’s
visual aspects.
“I capture magical scenes
that border on the spiritual, the
transformative or the mysterious.
These small environments portray one
impression yet hint at others beneath
the surface, so that the viewing of
the image is a journey of discovery
where hidden treats lay camouflaged
beneath overlaid strata of colour.
“The images become elusive,
like fragile dreams submerging and
emerging from watery streams of the
subconscious.
“I am fascinated by water as a
metaphor, a repository for dreams
and fears, desire for meaning, and the
pursuit of beauty. Water is a substance Katharine Harvey’s Waterfall, on display at Rodman Hall
at once suffocating and beautiful, Arts Centre.
sustaining and destructive.”
Photo by Tara Brady
Tight performance from the Philosopher Kings at Brock
By SHAWN TAYLOR
Concert Review
The Philosopher Kings took over Brock University’s
Sean O’Sullivan theatre on Nov. 3.
For those who had never seen the band perform, the
show was tight and entertaining. For those who own the
Kings’ live CD, One Night Stand, or have seen them
perform within the last year, or, well, ever, the show was
great, albeit predictable.
The Kings have a formula that works and they stick to
it. Parts of the show, including the crowd sing-a-longs,
dancing and the entire closing routine, were more or
less the same as the first time I saw the band perform as
an opening act more than 10 years ago.
St. Catharines native James Bryan took on double
duty, not only as a member of the Kings, but also as
the opening act. Bryan demonstrated his skill on guitar
during an impressive 40-minute opening set.
With so many side projects, it’s hard to blame the
Kings for sticking with a winning recipe. Bryan,
keyboard player Jon Levine and front man Gerald Eaton,
all have solo records. Successful side band, Prozzak,
which features Bryan and ex-bassist Jay Levine as the
cartoon-based Simon and Milo, recently released their
third album. When Eaton is not busy with his alter ego,
Jarvis Church, he is wearing the hat of producer for the
likes of Nelly Furtado.
The formula, which works the first time you pay
$50 to see the show, consists of the band running
through their hits including Castles In The Sand, Cry,
I Am The Man, Charms and their most recent single,
Beautiful Creature, all the while interspersing the
songs with pre-planned fare such as a musical “faceoff” between guitarist Bryan and rookie bass player
Mark Rogers.
Eaton then leads the crowd through a sing-a-long/
dance routine. Eaton seemed to acknowledge the
routine, at one point asking, “How many of you have
been to a Philosopher Kings’ show before?” with
the overwhelming majority acknowledging they had
been.
“Well, then I guess you know what comes next,”
Eaton replied.
Whether you have seen the show or not, the standout
moment of the show is the encore performance of
New Messiah, featuring Eaton’s powerful voice
backed only by Levine on the keyboard.
It was clear when the lights were brought up for
the dance routine halfway through the show that the
sold-out room was made up almost exclusively of
well-dressed 30-somethings, with the lone standout
being a university-aged guy dancing along wearing
a “Tool” T-shirt.
Gerald Eaton of the Philosopher Kings performs on Nov. 3 at Brock
I somehow doubt many, if anyone else, in the crowd University’s Sean O’Sullivan Theatre.
will be showing up the next time Maynard and the
Photo by Shawn Taylor
boys in Tool stop by.

November 24, 2006

Transcription

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