student purchase raises legal issues 11the price of

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THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG STUDENTS’ WEEKLY
02 STUDENT PURCHASE RAISES
LEGAL ISSUES
11 THE PRICE OF PRIVACY
SK8
14 GIRL
Buﬆing up Curbs and Making Noise
Noise
THE MTS CENTRE
23 INSIDE
A Photo Essay
»
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YOUR
PHOTOS/ART
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u n i te r @ u w i nnn
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Contact
News Editors: Derek Leschasin & Vivian Belik
E-mail
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Uniter Staff
STUDENT’S PURCHASE OPENS
PANDORA’S BOX OF PRIVACY ISSUES
VOLU M E 59 / I SSU E 02 / S EP T EM BR E 16, 2004
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF >> A. P. (Ben) Benton
[email protected] 786-9790
MANAGING EDITOR >> James D. Patterson
NEWS PRODUCTION EDITOR >>
Derek Leschasin
NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR >> Vivian
Belik [email protected] 786-9497
SENIOR BEAT REPORTER >> Scott de
Groot [email protected] 786-9497
BEAT REPORTER >> Jacob Serebrin
FEATURES EDITOR >> David Pensato
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR >> Jo Snyder
SPORTS EDITOR >> Leighton Klassen
COMMENTS EDITOR >> Daniel Blaike
HUMOUR EDITOR >> Janet Mowat
PHOTO EDITOR >> Wade Andrew
LISTINGS Coordinator >> Jan Nelson
COPY & STYLE EDITOR >> Melody Rogan
David Pensato
W
hen University of Winnipeg
student Dylan Procter bought
a USB ‘pen’ drive at Computer
Boulevard for transferring fi les between
home and campus, he expected it to be
unused.
“I paid for a new piece of
equipment,” said Procter, “it was
advertised as new, and it was packaged as
new.” He was shocked when he
discovered that the drive had been used.
“I plugged it into my computer and found
out that it was full of fi les. It had clearly
been used.”
Even more surprising were the
contents of the drive, which had been
used to store sensitive Computer
Boulevard documents, including invoices
to several prominent Manitoba
organizations, letters of dismissal and
warning to employees, and some offcolour jokes regarding both management
and staff.
Privacy lawyer Brian T.D.
Bowman says that this may place them in
violation of the recently enacted Personal
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER >>
Scott McArthur
PRODUCTION MANAGER &
GRAPHICS EDITOR >> David C. Tan
ADVERTISING MANAGER >> Ted Turner
T H I S W E E K’S
K S C O N T R I BU T O R S
Erin Chatelain, Damian Purdy, Samuel Z. Thompson,
Michael Goertzen, Dave Streit, Jon Symons, Dustin
Leader, Jonathan Tan, Merkin Muffler, Dave
Warkentin, Dylan Proctor, Paul Wedel, Michael
Pawliuk, Ed Cheung, Michael Banias, William
O’Donnell, Robert Kotyk, Sarah Hauch, Mike Pyl
The Uniter is the official student newspaper of the
University of Winnipeg and is published by the
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association. The
Uniter is editorially autonomous and the opinions
expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of
the UWSA. The Uniter is a member of the Canadian
University Press and Campus Plus Media Services.
SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES, LETTERS, PHOTOS
AND GRAPHICS ARE WELCOME Articles should
be submitted in text or Microsoft Word format to
[email protected]. Deadline for submissions is
noon Friday (contact the section’s editor for more
information). Deadline for advertisements is noon
Friday, six days prior to publication. The Uniter
reserves the right to refuse to print submitted material.
The Uniter will not print submissions that are
homophobic, misogynistic, racist or libelous. We also
reserve the right to edit for length or style.
CONTACT US >>
General Inquiries: 204.786.9790
Advertising: 204.786.9779
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Cover Image
Photo by
Wade Andrew
02
Tele: 786-9497
» Photo by: Dave Pensato
Information Privacy Electronic
Documents Act (PIPEDA). Under the
Act, personal information may not
generally be released without the consent
of the individuals named.
When contacted, Computer
Boulevard manager Scott Macintyre,
who used the drive, said it was used for
“testing.” He wanted to try the item out
before deciding whether or not to
purchase it, a sentiment echoed later by
manager Chad Bernstein, who
described Macintyre as his
“subordinate.” Bernstein also said that
Macintyre used the drive for
approximately a week to see how it
worked in day-to-day use.
When contacted, several other
local computer stores stated that they
would normally sell this type of
product as “open box” and at a
discount.
Both Macintyre and Bernstein
stated that it was normal practice at
their store to resell such items as new,
though the data would normally be
erased first. Neither manager was
familiar with PIPEDA.
Though Computer Boulevard
has offered to exchange the drive for
Procter, his legal counsel has possession
of it at present. Lawyers for both
parties are presently in dialogue
regarding an appropriate and
satisfactory resolution of the matter.
U of W Student Recounts Torture in Zimbabwe
By Scott de Groot
SENIOR BEAT R EPORTER
pretty much whatever we want. It’s a privilege
and an honour.”
But despite Machaya’s newfound
n the sub-Saharan African nation of
freedom, the ghosts of the past still haunt
Zimbabwe, human rights violations are
him. In fact, Tendai Machaya is not his real
commonplace under the authoritarian
name. It’s a generic, Zimbabwean equivalent
rule of President Robert Mugabe. White
to John Doe. Machaya will not allow his real
farmers are being evicted from their land
name to be published because he fears for
at gunpoint. Opposition parties
“Houses were burned. There was
the safety of his family back home.
and members of the media who
widespread torture. You would go to
“My family is in serious trouble,” he
question the government are routinely
warns.
“If it appears that I am actively
detained, raped, tortured, and even
hospitals and see people dying.”
campaigning against the regime, my
killed. Freedom of speech is nonparents could be abducted and possibly
existent. Elections have become a
killed. It’s happened to so many others.”
twisted farce.
international observers from the
So instead of taking a public stand,
University of Winnipeg student Tendai
Commonwealth – an organization of former
Machaya knows this better than most. Before
British colonies – and sent to national capitals Machaya now opposes the Mugabe regime by
participating in the efforts of organizations
fleeing to Canada as a refugee last year, he
from London to Ottawa. Th is was the
like Amnesty International, which is fighting
was a target of state violence.
beginning of Machaya’s problems.
an uphill battle to end the abuse of human
“I can barely even explain it,” Machaya
Immediately recalled to the capital city
rights in Zimbabwe. Winnipeg’s local chapter
told an audience of Amnesty International
Harrare, he was put under surveillance by
has raised over $6,700 to this end, and
members gathered on Thursday, September 9.
government security forces. His phone was
conducted extensive letter writing campaigns.
“It was so unbelievable what was happening.”
tapped, he received death threats and,
The group’s coordinator, Louise
Machaya’s ordeal began during the
eventually, Machaya says he was detained and
presidential elections of 2002. As an
“My conscience would not allow me to Simabdumwe is convinced their efforts
have made a difference.
official with the corrupt Zimbabwean
juﬆ let things like that happen”
“It’s important that
Electoral Commission, Machaya was
[Zimbabwean’s] know there is support here,”
instructed to cover up the political violence
tortured for two nights.
she says. “Having solidarity is quite critical; it
being perpetrated by Mugabe’s ruling ZanuUpon his release, Machaya knew he
strengthens their civil society.”
PF party against the opposition. He was sent
had to escape. “If I had remained in
But Simabdumwe also admits that
out to the province of Mashonaland Central
Zimbabwe, I would have been dead,” he
Zimbabwe faces an uncertain future. Its
to do just that, but Machaya was unprepared
claims. “The only reasonable thing for me to
economy is anemic and while President
for what he saw there.
do was to leave, and try to let others know
Mugabe and his inner circle live in opulence,
“I witnessed horrendous activities,” he
what was going on.”
food shortages are a growing problem. State
lamented. “Houses were burned. There was
Leaving behind his family, Machaya
sponsored militias – comprised of child
widespread torture. You would go to hospitals made a harrowing trek through the jungle
solders as young as ten – continue to kill. A
and see people dying.”
and across the border into South Africa.
culture of violence is being encouraged.
While common throughout Zimbabwe, From Johannesburg, he contacted the
Those interested in getting involved or
the violence in Mashonaland was particularly
Canadian High Commission and applied for
learning more about the crisis in Zimbabwe
severe. Mugabe’s followers systematically
refugee status, which was granted.
are encouraged to contact Amnesty
committed what South African observers
Now, living in Winnipeg and studying
International.
described as “crimes against humanity.” In
sociology and psychology at the U of W,
one case, an opposition member was stripped
Machaya is grateful to enjoy the freedoms
naked, beaten until he defecated, and forced
Canadians so often take for granted. “What I
to eat his own feces. In another, a tampon
want to say to you is that we are fortunate
was removed from a menstruating woman
here in Canada; we are lucky to be able to say
I
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
and shoved in her mouth.
Machaya knew he could not stand idly
by. “My conscience would not allow me to
just let things like that happen,” he said.
Defying official orders, he wrote a
report condemning the Mashonaland
atrocities, which was picked up by
News
NEW FOOD SERVICES PROVIDER ON CAMPUS
By Derek Leschasin
NEWS EDITOR
A
s the fall semester begins
this September, students
will find a different
group of people on hand to
answer the eternal, all-important
question: “What’s to eat?”
On August 30, food
services previously provided by
Aramark Canada, have been
taken over by Chartwells
Educational Dining Services.
Aramark’s contract with the
University was set to expire this
year, and Chartwells’ proposal
to the university was accepted
out of about half a dozen
potential food service providers.
Tony’s Canteen in Wesley
Hall began operations on
August 30, while Riddell Hall
opened September 10, Lockhart
and Centennial halls opening on
September 13. The hours of
operation for all food services
are expected to remain
unchanged from last year, with
all cafeterias opening at 7:30
a.m. from Monday to Friday and
serving throughout the day.
Riddell Hall will be open from
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on
Saturdays.
During the first semester,
Lockhart Hall will be home to
Ritazza, one of the Chartwells’
own brands. Ritazza will serve a
variety of coffees and pastries.
During the Christmas break
Ritazza will be converted into a
Tim Horton’s, one the brands
Chartwells partners with.
“What you see today is not
necessarily what you’ll see a
month from now,” says Grant
Watson, the District Manager
for Chartwells. Since Chartwells
only took over operations at the
end of August, it will take time
for all the services to be phased
in. Watson says that as part of
Chartwells’ contract with the
university, the company has
promised to spend half a million
dollars on improving the
cafeterias.
Watson says the menus
will be flexible and suited for
different diets, reflecting the
university’s diversity. Items will
range from pre-packaged
sandwiches and baking, to food
cooked fresh when ordered.
Whenever possible, Watson says
meatless or vegan alternatives
will be offered along with the
usual fare.
“If we have lasagna one
day, there will also be vegetarian
lasagna,” says Watson.
Watson adds that menu
prices are set to be affordable to
university students, and were
reached through consultation
with the university.
“We’re out to make
money, but I don’t want to pull
blood from a stone,” Watson
says.
Ian Cull, Vice-President
(students) at the university, says
that when the contract with
Aramark expired, a committee
was formed to examine
proposals by the different food
services providers. The
committee included faculty,
administration, and a university
student. After the review of
proposals, which included
contacting campuses where food
services from each company
were already in operation, the
four companies deemed most
appropriate for the university
made presentations to the
committee, which then made a
final decision.
Cull says that in his
opinion, Chartwells won the
contract because of their
reputation for food and service
at other universities, their
enthusiasm to be involved as
partners with the university, and
the “unique relationships”
Chartwells has established in
other communities. Cull noted
Chartwells’ involvement with a
community soup kitchen being
run out of Concordia University,
where the company also has an
ongoing contract.
The staff employed by
Aramark to run the cafeterias
last year were all invited to
participate in hiring interviews
during the summer, Watson
says, and a number of staff will
be remaining at the university
with their new employer. Other
staff were given new positions
with Aramark, a number of
them at the new cafeteria in Red
River College’s Princess Street
Campus.
9/11 DISCUSSION PROVOCATIVE, EXPANSIVE
By Scott de Groot
SENIOR BEAT R EPORTER
“What is terrorism and
what should we do about it?”
Axworthy inquired. “There
were many different
opinions.”
S
peaking on the
anniversary of the terroriﬆ
attacks of 2001, University
of Winnipeg President Lloyd
Axworthy accused the Bush
adminiﬆ ration of using the
threat of terrorism “as a way of
advancing their own political
agenda,” and deciding to invade
Iraq “long before September
11.” Such provocative remarks
were not uncommon during a
town-hall discussion entitled
“Locating the Growing Edges
of the Peace Movement Since
9/11”.
The event featured,
among others, Lloyd Axworthy,
NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis,
and journalist Dave Pankratz,
who collectively discussed
issues of terrorism, war, peace
and statecraft in front of a
large audience assembled at the
Canadian Mennonite University.
Over the course of the
evening, Wasylycia-Leis – a
seasoned politician – focused
primarily on the Federal
Government’s response to 9/11,
which she characterized as a
“failure.”
“Our government
chose to introduce legislation
that does not protect us against
terrorism,” she said, referring
to bill C-36. “There have
been many set-backs in terms
of individual rights and we
certainly are a lot less free.
[The Legislation] played on
fear.” She also lamented post9/11 developments such as
discrimination against Muslim
Canadians like Mahar Arar, and
the tightening of immigration
restrictions.
Pankratz, a journalist
U of W president Lloyd
Axworthy speaks at a
conference about the peace
movement post-9/11 at
the Canadian Mennonite
University.
Winnipeg North Centre MP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis
» Photos by: WadeAndreew
who recently traveled to
Baghdad, focused on the global
peace movement, commended
those who participated in the
protests against the Iraq war
because he believes they had an
effect. But he also questioned
the ability of protests to
“create dialogue” and attract
mainstream Canadians.
Overall, the scope of
the discussion was expansive,
and a diverse range of
perspectives were presented
– from the ardent pacifism of
Project Ploughshares director
Dr. Ernie Regehr, to the radical
musings of CMU theology
professor Chris Huebner, to
Menno-Simons Practicum
director Ruth Taronno’s insights
into the Canadian military.
However, the theme
of terrorism seemed to pop up
again and again.
“What is terrorism and
what should we do about it?”
Axworthy inquired. There were
many different opinions.
Regehr saw terrorism
as stemming from the lack of
food, water, and shelter faced
by people around the world.
Wasylycia-Leis identified
globalization and the “growing
gap between rich and poor”
as a factor. And it was
widely believed that the Bush
administration’s response to 9/11
– the so-called “war on terror”
– was inappropriate.
Also explored was
the weighty question: can war
ever be justified? While some
believed it cannot, Axworthy
argued that war is a necessary
evil in the context of stopping
genocide and crimes against
humanity. With surprising
candor, he reflected on his own
decision as Foreign Affairs
minister to send Canada into
Kosovo in 1999, calling it “the
hardest thing I’ve ever had to
do.”
“We were faced with
hard evidence that some 20 to
30 thousand people were being
murdered and another 200
thousand were being forcibly
removed from their homes,
simply because they were
Kosovars,” he said. “We had a
responsibility to protect people.”
Despite occasional
disagreements between
speakers, and one heated
exchange between Axworthy
and Wasylycia-Leis, the tone
of the two-hour discussion
was relaxed. Questions and
comments from the audience
were encouraged. The event
was sponsored by a variety
of civil society organizations,
including the Mennonite
Central Committee and Project
Peacemakers.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
03
News
BEST BUDDIES PROGRAM R ETURNS
By Vivian Belik
News Editor
in two outings a month with
their buddy for the duration of
the school year. As well, says
Brunel, the entire University of
Winnipeg Best Buddies chapter
will meet as a group four times
during the school year to go
bowling or attend such events
as movies and Manitoba Moose
games.
All students are
encouraged to sign up, as there
is no experience needed and
a long list of buddies who are
waiting to be matched up.
Anyone intereﬆed in becoming a
buddy should contact Stephanie at
632-9535 or e-mail her at
beﬆ[email protected]
F
or many, the return to
school is an unwelcome
exercise in accustoming
oneself to hectic schedules and
mounting workloads. Stephanie
Brunel, a fourth year Education
student, seeks to escape the
stresses of university life by
spending time with her buddy,
Amy Brienen.
Stephanie Brunel and
Tammy Hanslip are cocoordinators of the University of
Winnipeg chapter of Best
Buddies. Best Buddies is an
international not-for-profit
organization that seeks to match
up students with people who
have intellectual disabilities.
The purpose of forming
these one-to-one friendships,
says Brunel, is to help develop
the social skills of disabled
people by giving them the
opportunity to have friendly
relationships with students who
do not have disabilities.
Brunel, who has been
friends with her buddy Brienen
for three years, says she is
excited that the University of
Winnipeg is reintroducing the
program after a two-year hiatus.
In her opinion the program is
»
Photo by:Stephanie Brunel
“ My buddy and I will be friends forever - I hardly
think of the program as volunteer work.”
not only beneficial to those with
disabilities, but also provides
willing students the chance to
make satisfying and long-lasting
friendships.
“My buddy and I
will be friends forever - I
hardly think of the program as
volunteer work,” says Brunel.
Students who are
interested in becoming involved
with the program will be
matched with a buddy with
similar interests. Students
will make contact with their
buddy at least once a week
either by phone or internet
and are expected to partake
MANITOBA TOPS LIST IN ANNUAL
EDUCATION REPORT
Student Politicians Remain Skeptical About Future
By Robert Kotyk
CUP CENTRAL BUREAU CHIEF
WINNIPEG (CUP) -Manitoba came out on top in an
annual study released late last
month ranking each province’s
commitment to education based
on equity, quality and
accessibility.
The report, compiled for
the Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives, compares the
province’s handling of their
education systems. This year,
Manitoba moved up from third
to first place in the country -edging out Québec, last year’s
number one, which dropped to
second.
Overall, Manitoba placed
first, with a top ranking for
equity and quality. The province
was ranked third in the country
for accessibility and fourth for
accountability.
According to Diane
McGifford, Manitoba’s minister
of advanced education, the
report highlights the significant
04
steps that the province’s NDP
government has made since
assuming power under Premier
Gary Doer.
The report “says very
positive things about education
in this province, and we’re really
pleased,” she said. “We’re
obviously extremely pleased to
see that we have scored very well
on accessibility, as well as on
quality.”
Minister McGifford
credited the Doer government’s
commitment to education for
the rankings, citing its decision
to freeze tuition at 1999-2000
levels.
The report is “an
endorsement of our tuition
policies ....of our annual
increases to universities,” she
said. “We think that our tuition
policies have encouraged
accessibility, have allowed more
students to attend universities
and colleges. We see that
reflected in the report.”
Since 1999, university
enrolment in Manitoba has
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
increased by 27.8 per cent and
college enrolment by 30.5 per
cent.
Student politicians,
however, remain skeptical about
the future of the tuition freeze.
By allowing universities to
raise tuition for international
students, as well as for certain
faculties, the province is casting
doubt upon its commitment to
education, said Sarah Amyot,
Canadian Federation of
Students provincial
representative and University of
Winnipeg student union
president.
“The report’s good news
for Manitoba,” she said. “The
caution that I would approach
the report with though is that,
although Manitoba ranks
number one overall, it ranks
third in accessibility. I don’t
think that the tuition freeze is a
true freeze in that tuition is
increasing for specific
demographics.”
Last spring, the University
of Manitoba’s board of governors
approved an increase in the fees
paid by international
undergraduate students starting
this month. In July, it voted to
double fees for international
graduate students beginning
September 2005.
The report warned that
Manitoba’s place in the ranking
would be in jeopardy should the
government lift the freeze.
Amanda Aziz, president
of the University of Manitoba
Students’ Union, said though
she is happy to see the
recognition for education in
Manitoba, she is worried about
the state of other provinces.
“We were obviously
pleased to see Manitoba at first
(place),” she said. “At the same
time, we were disappointed
because it tells a sad tale for
post-secondary education in the
country.”
The report contained
several warning signals for
provinces like Nova Scotia,
which was ranked tenth for the
second year in a row because of
its high university tuition fees.
British Columbia fell to sixth
place overall, down from first
just five years ago. The report
criticized the B.C. government’s
lifting of the tuition freeze and
a lack of funding.
Aziz concluded the report
should set off some alarms for
education policy-makers around
the country.
“The fact that (Manitoba)
ranked first just leads me to be
quite worried about what’s
happening in Canada,” she said.
News
PROMINENT SPEAKERS SET TO SQUARE OFF AT
THIS YEAR’S GREAT DEBATE
By Vivian Belik
NEWS EDITOR
O
n Sunday September
26th some of North
America’s finest
speakers will convene at the
Centennial Concert Hall
in Winnipeg for what event
organizer Raymond Kives,
believes might be “the biggest
[live] debate ever.”
‘The Great Debate’ will
feature four two-person
debating teams with speakers
representing such prestigious
universities as Harvard, The
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Yale, Princeton,
and Stanford. Two of the eight
speakers hail from Canada; Phil
Larochelle from Quebec and
Michael Kives of Winnipeg.
Speakers will argue about
such significant issues as
whether the war on terror is a
war on Islam and whether
Canada should adopt a two-tier
medical system. Teams will be
vying for trophies in each of the
two initial debates as well as in
the following championship
round.
“The Great Debate
promises to be lively and
informative, while showcasing
some of the best college-level
debating talent we have on the
continent,” says Kives. “We are
pleased to welcome these
accomplished teams to our city
so local audiences can enjoy the
thrill of live formal debate and a
spirited discussion of two timely
topics”.
The debates will be
adjudicated by Senator Mira
Spivak, Justice Martin
Freedman, Winnipeg Free Press
editor Nicholas Hirst, CJOB
Radio personality Charles Adler
and University of Manitoba
president, Dr. Emoke
Szathmary.
The Great Debate, which
is expected to attract a nearly
sold-out crowd of 2,000 people,
will not only be noteworthy for
its discussion of current issues
but will also increase public
appreciation for the art of
formal debate. The event will
reinforce the importance of
debating skills, which Kives
believes to be essential to a
well-rounded education by
helping students to achieve both
their personal and professional
potential.
So... You Want to Make News This Year
Write for the Uniter
CONTACT US - at
[email protected]
Come in Wednesdays at
12:30 for our contributors
meetings. Room 0RM14
University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Avenue
There are better ways!
Tickets for the event are
$10 and $25 dollars and are
available through Ticketmaster
at 780-3333 or www.
ticketmaster.ca Proceeds from
the event will support
educational programming at the
Gray Academy of Jewish
Education as well as debating
programs at high schools citywide.
The Uniter is offering a limited
number of free tickets, so those
who would like to take in some
great debate action should get
their butt down to the Uniter
office (OR M14) ASAP.
Join the Global Car-free
Movement
Celebrate World Car-free
Day! On Wednesday Sept.
22 don’t drive or ride in
any car or truck and hear/
breathe/feel how good
a day can be. Join the
critical mass procession
starting at Old Market
Square at 5pm to celebrate
walking, skateboarding,
rollerblading, and cycling –
anything BUT stinky motor
vehicles.
World News Review
Compiled by Derek Leschasin,
News Editor
Nunavut—Inuit are becoming
concerned about the changes
they are seeing in local wildlife,
reports the New York Times.
Animals like Caribou and
Ringed Seals are skinnier and
their fur is patchier, say Elders,
and many people are afraid to
eat older seals because they fear
they are more contaminated by
pollutants than younger animals.
Migration patterns are changing,
and more and more animals are
contaminated with PCBs.
Scientists from the
World Wildlife Fund and Trent
University have been collecting
the observations of over 30
Inuit hunters. Aside from the
problems with pollutants, the
abnormally warm summers over
the past two years can explain
much of the observed changes in
wildlife.
Quebec—According to the
latest report from Stats Canada,
tuition fees across Canada
rose $150 on average this year,
despite tuition freezes in four
provinces. British Columbia
saw the highest increase, up
over 15 percent since last year.
Fees in Nova Scotia remained
the highest in Canada, up more
than seven per cent to nearly six
thousand dollars on average. In
Quebec, undergraduate students
pay the lowest tuition fees in the
country.
Afghanistan—The campaign
for Aghanistan’s first open
presidential election began on
September 7, and will continue
for thirty days until election
day on October 7, UN News
reports. There are currently 18
candidates campaigning.
There are 10.5 million
registered Afghan voters, 4.3
million of whom are women.
The budget for the election
stands at $58 million, donated
by western countries.
Israel—The Israeli Justice
Minister, Yosef Lapid, has
stated that threats made by
leaders of settlements in the
Occupied Territories amount
to inciting civil war, Ha’aretz
reports.
Under the terms
of Ariel Sharon’s plan for
disengagement of civilians
from the disputed areas, most
Israeli settlements in the regions
would be dismantled and the
settlers sent back to Israel.
Hard-line leaders responded by
threatening to meet any attempt
to dismantle the settlements with
armed resistance. Lapid says
that firing upon Israeli Defense
Forces would amount to a form
of internal war.
Also in the past few
weeks, a petition has been
circulating among military
officers, scholars and public
figures, urging IDF forces to
refuse any order to begin the
dismantling of the settlements.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
05
Comments
»
Contact
Comments Editor: Daniel Blaike
E-mail
Tele: 786-9497
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
I
t is a truth well known that
every liberal arts student
of good upbringing will be
in want of dissention (provided
that it comes in bulk and
napkins are supplied). As the
year begins, and as preparation
for the spring march at the
legislature, I feel it necessary
to lay out a few guidelines for
the unrehearsed in the ways
of civil disobedience, and
recommendations to further
advance the student cause.
What follows are my humble
suggestions.
1)
Collectivization. It is
of the utmost importance that the
student body remain strong in
numbers for the cause at hand.
In previous years there have been
setbacks in organizing various
student organizations under one
collective banner. Whether it’s
Procastinators Anonymous
postponing their commitment, or
the Marcel Marceaux Fan Club
failing to respond to their
telephone calls, there’s nothing
more disappointing than a walkout where the megaphones
outnumber the protestors 3-1
(particularly when they are not of
the cordless variety, and
obstructed with hummus).
2)
Sobriety. Put away
that flask, this isn’t your
Sociology of the Family seminar!
If the challenge is to keep warm,
simply follow the lead of the
protest organizers. It is well
documented that chants of “Hell
no, we won’t go!” or “We want a
pitcher” are primarily effective for
blood circulation. In a pinch, the
same purpose is served by asking
random bystanders to whistle
“The Way to San Jose,” but only
if the weather is particularly
windy.
3)
Aim Low. To
ameliorate inevitable
disappointment that the demands
won’t be met, why not be more
frugal and lobby for something
more attainable than the
conventional lower tuition fees?
Various ideas may include more
radishes for the salad bar, or
penguin butlers in bowties. And,
though the fight for smaller class
sizes may be in vain, smaller
hallway sizes may be in order via
cost-effective papier-mache
barricades, stunningly equipped
with “Property of the Province of
Manitoba” sequins for décor
magnifique.
4)
Sneak Tactics. Last
year we met with an almost utter
collapse of morale when it was
discovered that Gary Doer was
wearing an unusually thick pair
of earmuffs at the time that his
attention was to be alerted to the
demonstration at hand.
Fortunately, over the summer, the
organic chemistry department has
been tirelessly developing a new
breed of bran muffin that, when
chewed simultaneously by many
people, produces the correct
subsonic frequency to penetrate
his woolly membrane. If that
fails, perhaps enticing him out
with bits of cheese into a throng
of suburbanites who think
wearing socks and sandals is “cool
and cozy” will shame the
establishment into submission.
will be at best, temporary, but
this is by no means reason to
become complacent. With a
little luck and diligence, perhaps
our voice will finally be heard.
Sincerely,
Merkin Muffler, representative
Winnipeg Ironic Front (WIF),
Uof W Chapter
We’re in for the long haul,
and any concessions achieved
DIALOGUE WITH A CONTRIBUTOR
I
n Issue One we ran a
comment piece regarding an
employee of the University of
Winnipeg who was angered by
constant requests for cigarettes
and the responses received when
he turned people away. We ran
the piece, with some changes, and
the following dialogue ensued.
the works. If you can’t use them,
that’s cool. I’m going to write
them anyways. Like I said, let me
know.
Thanks for your time,
- Dave Warkentin
-------------Friday, August 20
Thursday, August 19
Hey there buddy,
I sort of finished writing
that article I told you I might
write about the smokers. There’s
a couple of things you should
know before you read it. I’ve
tentatively entitled it “No I don’t
have any fucking cigarettes.”
If this is too harsh for a title, I
understand. The “fucking” could
either be changed to “#$!&ing”
or removed entirely depending on
you guys. Also, I’ve made a few
statements that could be changed
if need be. “Assholes” could be
“jackasses” and “stick them up
your ass” could be “stick them
in your armpit”. Obviously I
would prefer to keep the original
version, but I totally understand.
I also understand that the entire
thing may not be up to par, and
may be thrown away. Just let
me know. Bear with my use of
commas. No one has ever been
able to successfully explain them
to me.
Anyways, I would love
to have this, or anything else,
included in the Uniter from time
to time. I have a few others in
06
Thanks, Dave. I’ll
review the piece and give you a
heads up as to when and where
we intend to publish it.
- Ben
-----------Monday, August 30
David,
Your article will be
appearing in this Thursday’s
[Sep. 2] Comments section of the
Uniter. Thanks for contributing.
- Ben
-------------------Friday, September 3
Dear Ben Benton
I am writing you to
inform you that I will no longer
be submitting articles for the
Uniter. I am aware that this will
not hurt your readership or your
ego in any way. I am merely
writing you to inform you of the
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
reason for my decision. I would
hope that my comments might
inspire you guys to improve your
paper.
I am aware that the
Uniter is politically and socially
oriented, and many of the articles
presented therein are of a serious
nature and not to be taken
lightly. Remember however, that
it is a university newspaper and
should have at least SOME sort
of an edge to it.
When I sent in my article about
smoking, I gave you alternative
titles and free reign to alter the
piece as you saw fit, knowing
that profanity is a touchy issue
in any newspaper. When I read
the paper and realized the extent
to which you had altered it, I
was fairly surprised and slightly
appalled. You see, not only did
you take out some of the words
and ideas that gave my article
a certain personality and slight
edge, you replaced them with
alternatives that change the entire
tone and projected persona.
To begin with, the title “No I
don’t have any cigarettes Thank
you Very Much;” I told you you
could delete the “fucking” I had
originally included, or at least
replace it with “#$!@ing”(you
realize that even the Free Press
allows these symbolic swears.
(Check out Beatle Bailey once in
a while.)
Instead of just removing
my words, you put your own
words in. The current title on
the stands sounds like it was
written by my mother. I have
no desire to say thank you to
these people even in sarcasm.
Next. You changed ass-pocket to
back pocket. They say “ass” on
Saturday morning cartoons now.
This isn’t Old Persons Weekly.
You also removed the phrase “in
that small mind of yours.”
This is an opinion
piece. What the hell? You also
removed any detectable wit from
the paragraph beginning with
“consider this.” Finally, the end
of the article is completely cut off,
killing any sort of punch-line or
credibility that it may have had.
I am okay with some
censorship, but this changed the
entire tone and persona of the
article. I will continue to write
more for my own purposes, but
until you guys get a collective
spine and realize that this is
a college newspaper I will not
submit them.
Don’t think that I’m
mad, or will hold a grudge or
anything, I just had to make my
opinion known. I apologize for
any discomfort I may have caused
you.
- Dave “no longer a contributor”
Warkentin
have at this juncture chosen not
to reproduce profane language
of any sort. I do apologize for
the unintended cut to the last
paragraph of your article. We
experienced a number of layout
problems as we are working with
a new production team and new
software.
We’re sorry to hear you
will not be working with us to
bring that “edge” into the Uniter’s
pages. We sincerely hope you
continue to read our paper and
at some time decide that it is the
kind of paper you would like to
support.
A.P. (Ben) Benton
Editor in Chief, The Uniter
-----------Saturday, September 4
Just for the record,
I want to make sure that you
know that I wasn’t trying to be
a prick. I wanted to make sure
that you knew why I made my
decision, and it may have come
off as prickish. I don’t know.
Anyways, I hope I didn’t offend
you. See you around campus.
----------Dave W
Friday, September 3
Dave,
Thank you for you
frank and honest feedback. The
Uniter does reserve the right
to edit a piece for clarity and
appropriateness and as such we
»
Contact
Editorial
Editor In Chief: A.P. (Ben) Benton
E-mail
By A.P. (Ben) Benton
T
he goal of a
business, the
expectation is that
it makes a profit. If every
year at the end of the year
the business turfed all of its
staff, threw out all its policy
and procedure manuals,
and its management left,
and if each fiscal year this
business started operating
completely from scratch....
how sustainable would
it be? It would probably
be pretty difficult to turn
a buck, to produce the
expected result.
What if I told
you that this business, or
the model to which I refer,
actually exists? There are
real people who work in
this environment. This is
the student press, rather,
our student press.
Every year, with
a new staff, the paper
undergoes a revisioning of
style, content, and quality.
For our current staff,
and for its predecessors,
summers are typically spent
trying to understand what
kind of paper the Uniter is
in order to understand how
and where we wish to take
it. Every year we invariably
Tele: 786-9790
look to what we consider our
mandate—By Students, For
Students.
Without the modicum
of continuity that this tired old
adage has provided, I shudder to
think what would become of this
paper. Even with this touchstone
in place, each year’s paper starts
life on slightly unsteady feet, and
gradually gains legs as the year
wears on. At its heart, however,
it tends to remain more re-do,
than re-vision. The more things
change, the more they stay the
same.
As we took a hard look
at how things were done, we
recognized that this discontinuity,
this unsustainable practice of
completely re-tooling each year
represents not so much a passing
of the torch (vis a vis lux et
veritas), but more a desperate reignition of the same old one. We,
and our most recent predecessors,
realized that we needed to put
more sustainable practices in
place so that the momentum we
inevitably gain throughout the
year can carry through. We are
taking steps to do just that, but it
will be a year or two before these
changes come into full effect.
As we examined
ourselves, we also recognized
that the serviceable mandate
By Students, For Students, is
actually a rather poor foundation
upon which to build. What
exactly does that mean? What is
a student? It is an abstract noun
at best that even a dictionary
renders vague definition to: a
person who studies. In truth,
the U of W is no longer a
bastion of left-leaning, activist,
environmentalist, pro-choice,
feminist, LGBT*, communist,
socialist, anything-ists. The
school is changing, it’s students
are changing….and us…?
Our first issues have
populated stands with a usual
mix of response. Some expressed
delight at our new look, others
offering some constructive
criticism. But we have also
received responses concerning our
content. I’m glad that some of
our readers have kicked through
the veil of apathy that seems to
have permeated the relationship
between newspaper and
readership, but I was surprised
at the criticism….surprised in a
good, eye-opening way. I don’t
think I’ll be writing for your paper
in the future, one critic charged.
It doesn’t have the edge a student
newspaper should have. Not edgy
enough? Ouch. Now that’s one I
didn’t expect, but the truth hurts
as they say.
The Uniter has had,
from time to time, a reputation
of being an edgy paper, and not
because it opted to reproduce
columns that were seeded
with profanity or otherwise
explicit content, but because
it was a forum for challenging
mainstream ideas and promoting
alternate viewpoints.
I spent a great deal
of time pondering our critic’s
sentiment and I found that like
the concept of being by and for
students, the notion of edgy
seemed almost as abstract. What
does it mean to be edgy and how
are we no longer considered as
such? While I thought about the
positive and negative response
to the changes we’d made I
realized that fundamentally, the
newspaper hasn’t changed much
at all. We all came on board with
the noble ideal of blazing trails
and shaking some foundations,
feeling that the student press
was just the place to do it. But
how do you push the envelope
when the demographic you serve
consists, one way or another, of
envelope pushers? What once
was the alternative, or edgy view,
what once our campus and our
paper represented has in fact
become a rather moderate and
mainstream ideology.
Perhaps we have failed
to recognize that what we have
been doing of late is simply
mirroring what is occurring
around us, pumping out the same
ideology as years past without
realizing that our readership is
right there with us. If that is
so, then it would seem that we
are certainly not being very
critical, or edgy. I mean,
when was the last time we
questioned the practices of
activists. We’ve basically
been cheerleaders for any
mainline activist cause
rather than taking a critical
stance, offering alternative
viewpoints, including the
comments and reactions from
fringe groups surrounding a
cause. For that matter, when
was the last time we actually
published (disclaimer:
publish does not mean
promote) a more centered,
or dare I go as far to say a
right-wing perspective? Now
that would be edgy (read
controversial)…especially
given our demographic. At
the very least, in doing so we
can inspire some dialogue on
issues, and one would hope
make the Uniter a forum for
this exchange.
So thank you critic
for that painful but healthy
dose of truth. Ahhh…let the
lux floreant people.
STUDENT GROUPS PROVIDED BY THE UWSA
As a service provider, the University of Winnipeg Student Union (UWSA) delivers and
supports a large number of activities and student groups such as:
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
Information booth
Student health plan
Uniter
Food bank
Aboriginal student centre
UWSA Daycare
Ecological Male and Female in Action (EcoMafia)
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Centre (LGBT)
International Resource centre
Photo Club centre
Women's centre
Part-time/Mature Student centre
Peer Support
History Student group
Sociology Student group
The vice president student services are dedicated to support all student groups by working together with the coordinators by organizing events, facilitating on open
budget process and planning other student activities on campus.
The student groups provide space for students where they meet regularly to
share information about what events they want to have during the year and to share
other student issues. The coordinators are responsible for e-mailing all the members of the student groups whenever they are having meetings. If you have an event that you are
interested in hosting you are welcome to book space in the Bulman centre. Just come down and talk to Roselyn, Caitlin and Anthony, and they will be able to book the space
for you.
If you are interested in starting a new student group or service that you would like to see implemented, come downstairs and sign up. The application then goes to the
Board of Directors for approval. Make sure that you have a few students who are willing to start the group with you for your group to be approved.
If you want to form a departmental student group you are welcome to do so as well. Some of the department groups we have are Sociology and History student group.
If you are interested in joining the student groups that already exist, you are welcome to do so. So don't hesitate to get involved. Our University is full of opportunities from
campus media to current activism to community involvement. Check out our Student Service Week from September 20 to 24. We will have the CKUW 95.9fm open house on
Tuesday, September 21, What's Here for You Day on the Wednesday, September 22 , the LGBT BBQ on the 24th and much much more!
Drop by downstairs and come talk to me or one of the other beautiful UWSA staff or executives for more information!
- Roselyn Nkhata, UWSA VPSS
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
07
Humour
»
Contact
Humour Editor: Janet Mowat
E-mail
Tele: 786-9497
YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
by Madam Imadam
Aries (March 21 - April 19): You will make a
new arch-nemesis this week. This person will
become the bane of your existence, and the two
of you will live in a constant state of warfare for
many years.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): You will be extremely
clumsy for the next week. Watch out for
banana peels. You may think it only happens
in cartoons, but they really are dangerously
slippery.
Gemini (May 21 - June 21): Give lots of money to
a deserving Leo, and good things will come your
way! Bear in mind that all Leos are deserving.
Cancer (June 22 - July 22): The smallest things
will start to bug you. For example: why do all
telephone-related billboards feature animals
being weird/cute? Think about it. Depending on
how high-strung you are to begin with, this may
drive you mad.
Leo (July 23 - August 22): You will succeed
enormously this week. No matter how little effort
you put into an endeavour, you will always do
extremely well. Take pity on the pathetic Geminis
who give you money and reward them with your
friendship.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22): You know
how everyone around you is insane? Maybe it’s
the other way around. Remember that denial is
the first sign that you have a problem.
Libra (September 23 - October 23): I know it’s
degrading, but you should start sucking up to
your superiors. They will start to like you, and
you will gradually start climbing the ladder.
Eventually, when you have covertly stolen all
of their power, you will have the satisfaction of
crushing them underfoot.
Scorpio (October 24 - November 21): Don’t
panic. Everything will be alright, so long as you
don’t screw it all up. Don’t let the pressure of
imminent failure get to you.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): You
will be exhausted this week, and all you will want
is a little hole to curl up and die in, but that will
earn you the reputation of being a party-pooper.
Drink some coffee, plaster on a smile, and
banish thoughts of your warm, comfy bed from
your mind.
WANTED:
CURMUDGEONS
Does this man seem eerily familiar? Does he teach your classes? Does he check out your library
books? Well, guess what! We are now accepting nominations for the world-famous, universally admired
UofW Curmudgeon of the Month! Head down to the Uniter office (room ORM14 in the Bulman Centre) and
tell us his (or her) name and where we can most likely find him/her. You can also call Janet at 786-9497, or
e-mail her at
[email protected].
HOW TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF HUMOUR
TIP OF THE WEEK:
Read at least the first three books in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, by Douglas Adams. The
hardest part is getting past the first chapter of the first book. Once you’ve accomplished that, you’re doing
well.
08
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): You have
a lonely week ahead of you. Your friends will
ditch you, your siblings will sulk and avoid you
for no reason, and your significant other will stop
speaking to you. Cheer up, though – if you think
this is bad, wait till next week!
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): You will
spontaneously develop a mortal fear of the letter
Q. This may be brought on by a bad Scrabble
game, or possibly a mishap with a pool cue.
Either way, those around you may try to exploit
your phobia for their own amusement.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20): You are starting
to turn into a homey. The first symptoms,
which you may have already encountered, are
a newfound appreciation for rap music, and an
attraction to gawdy jewelery. Once you start
referring to this as your ‘bling’, the process will
be nearing completion.
Humour
A DVENTURES OF A LIBERAL A RTS STUDENT
By Michael Banias
Greetings all,
M
y name is Michael
Banias, the Liberal
Arts Student, and
these are my adventures.
The world, no....the
universe is a huge place. Not
huge like my ego, but actually
physically huge, sort of like
Andre the Giant was....well is,
though he is dead....his coffin is
huge! So, the universe is big,
similar to the current resting
place of Andre the Giant, and
everything in it (the universe
that is....since Andre should be
the only thing occupying his
coffin) has a story to tell. Every
single thing has its own opinion,
idea, style, and mind. Of course,
some things would have stories
that aren’t as exciting as some
other things. Take George Bush
for example; short of breathing,
his mind moves as fast as a can
of salmon (cheap laugh, I know;
anyone can make fun of Bush).
Anyroad, everything
has a story, and I think it is time
I unleash mine on you. This one
is dedicated to all first year
students, since I am a drone in
that herd of young, brash new
bloods ready to be cut down a
few pegs by staff and other
students.
It was the 9th of
September, Orientation Day, the
perfect time to catch up with old
friends, see the university, and
meet women. As I entered
Centennial Hall, I was overcome
by the sheer amount of students-hundreds of them moving about
like sheep to the proverbial
academic slaughter, which would
come in a few days. But, before I
even knew what to think about
all that, there she was. She was
tall, had a nice shapely figure,
and stood in the corner like a
piece of art, as if Michelangelo
himself had sculpted her. I was
frightened, yet mesmerized, like
a deer by an oncoming train. She
stood there, tempting me to
come closer, and I did. I am a
suave and sophisticated guy with
decent looks. I am a caring
individual who could make her
happy. I built up some
confidence, and was ready to
start pushing some of her
buttons. I made my approach,
smiled, leaned in close to her,
put in a buck-fifty and pressed
the “Sprite” button. I was pretty
thirsty, and obeying my thirst
was my primary concern.
Nothing happened. I
blinked. Nothing happened. So I
paused to think about how I
could do this in a calm and
rational way. I raised an
impertinent brow, and pressed
the coin return button. Again,
nothing. It was as if the world
had ended--my universe stopped
and heaved a final sigh, only to
become totally silent. I wept
inside, feeling betrayed by the
Pepsi corporation....for the
second time in my life (that’s
another story!) But my dismay
quickly turned into hate, skipped
the anger stage, and went
straight to violent rage. I
grabbed the machine, shouted
my battle cry, which was
something like, “What the....” ,
and shook it violently for a few
seconds. After my sudden attack,
I gave it the chance to give up
my money or the Sprite; I didn’t
care anymore. I eyed it for a few
seconds. It did nothing but loom
over me like a Pepsi machine
usually does. I thought that
perhaps I should make a deal
with it or plead my case. I
grabbed it again, said something
that sounded like, “Aww,
please....come on,” and shook it a
bit more, but with less zeal than
the last time. Something inside it
went “clunk” and rattled at me a
bit....but still nothing.
I hung my head in
shame, defeated by a machine. I
turned away, looked at it for a
moment, then walked away with
a broken will. Thinking that the
machine had thought it had won,
I thought it may have lowered its
defences. I thought wrong. I
quickly turned, and rushed the
machine like a madman,
shouting a Ukrainian swear
(fearing some random authority
figure like Loyd would injure me
if I was caught swearing in
English), and ran straight into its
hard but springy plastic shell. At
that moment, I blanked out and
awoke to find myself on the
ground. It seemed that I bounced
off that same springy shell and
flew a good five feet before
hitting my head on the floor. I
rubbed the back of my head,
looked at my opponent, and
submitted. How could I compete
with the mechanical henchman
of a multi-billion-dollar
corporation? I got to my feet,
brushed myself off, and walked
away. So be it, Pepsi....so be it.
Life goes on, except I was
“Sprite-less” now. I swore that
day to never be a sucker for the
corporate entity. That encounter
with the floor, and near death,
has taught me a great lesson.
Yep....a great lesson indeed....
Anyway, Orientation
Day was great fun. Free muffins
and pizza....wow, maybe tuition
costs would go down if they
stopped giving us free muffins....
hmm. At this point, I would
make some sort of mathematical
equation to prove how costeffective it would be for the
university to stop giving us free
muffins, but I’m a liberal arts
student....so screw it. Yay free
muffins!!!
So, for all of you first
year “kidlets” who missed the
Orientation....you missed free
muffins. As for all of you who
were there....you enjoyed free
muffins.
Well, that’s the end of
this week’s “Adventures of a
Liberal Arts Student”. I’ll see
you all later.
Yours,
Michael Banias
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
09
Features
»
Contact
Features Editors: David Pensato
E-mail
Tele: 786-9497
classification: noun
MOTEL: THE TREELAWNY
BY JO SNYDER
classification: noun is a weekly column for writers to explore some or various elements of
something very specific. Possibilities include “Technology: Shoelace,” ”Adhesive: Chewing Gum,”
and “Back Lane: Behind The Albert.” We welcome any and all contributions at
[email protected]
M
ichael and I arrived in Marmora, Ontario
at 10:00 pm. Michael was moving to
Montreal, so we decided to make a trip
of it, and borrowed my mother’s car. The trunk
was full; half with his belongings and half with
camping gear. We were looking for a river
somewhere between Waterloo and Montreal.
We swam there after my sister’s wedding two
years before. That time we borrowed her
car. We could not remember exactly where
the river was, so we drove around the
countryside looking.
“This looks like the place,” Michael
said. He looked out the window, his fingers
perched on the glass like little tents.
“I think I see the visitor centre that we
stopped at,” I squealed. Michael ran his hand
along my arm.
if they are dirty.”
“You have to wash the sheets. You have to.”
“I don’t know. Look here at the bottom. Dried
grass? Dirt?”
“Oh man. Is that one of those little spiders?”
“The red ones?”
“Shit.”
“What do we do?”
I shook the sheets frantically as Michael
jammed the screen back into the window frame for a
second time. We put all of our belongings on top
of the only table in the room. Earwigs crawled
in and out of the cracks in the wood
panelling.
“I’m not taking my clothes off tonight.
Sorry,” I said brushing off my jeans. We sat close
on the bed and stared at the wall in front of us.
After a few minutes of silence, Michael pulled a
Roald Dahl book from his bag. I cracked a beer.
“Let’s drink these really fast,” I said passing one
to him.
Across the road was the ball
diamond. Behind the diamond was the
Crow River. “There it is!” We parked
the car and ran down to the river. Two
small docks led to the centre of the water.
The bank was a small sandbox. It was just as
we remembered.
“Should we swim now?”
“I’m starving,” I complained.
“It’s pretty late. I guess we can’t camp.
Maybe we should get a motel room.”
“I think I saw a couple on the way in.”
We got in the car and headed back.
We spotted a motel with beautiful potted
plants and a wooden face. The vertical sign read The
Treelawny Motel and was lit with a single bulb. We drove
around the “U” shaped driveway, parked, and got out of
the car.
In the motel office a small woman came to greet
us– bra-less and frumpy with stringy blond-grey hair.
Her smile revealed teeth that had just finished a
sandwich. Mayonnaise and white bread, probably. The
stuff y office was full of mosquitoes. The screen door had
a dog-ear tear.
“That’ll be fifty bucks,” she said in a husky voice.
Michael and I looked at each other as we pulled bills
from our wallets. She grabbed the money and stuffed
the cash in her pocket. Then she pulled out a key from a
drawer.
“No refunds. That’s our policy” She handed me
the key. I hesitated then opened my palm for her to lay
the key on. Shit. We were totally screwed and we knew
it. The smell of the office was making me sick. The air
was thick. I could smell her sweat. There was no cash
register, no coffee maker, no board with keys hanging
on it. What kind of motel was this?
Illustrations by: Jo Snyder
back on. Where is it? Shit. There it is. Quick–get it on.
Are those spider webs? Oh man! Look at the bathroom.
Sick. Whose washcloth is this? Eew! Is that blood?
God, look at the dead bugs around the toilette! Gross.
Shit. What did we just do?
“Okay,” I said, “We are just hungry. We have both
slept in places dirtier than this, okay? Let’s just get some
food.”
“Let’s just get some beer.”
“Yes.”
We got back in the car and drove into town to
look for a beer store.
“We have to sleep there,” I said turning down a
narrow street. “It cost fifty dollars.”
“I know. I just hate getting ripped off.” Michael
clenched his fists and looked through the window at the
small storefronts.
“There’s a place. Let’s just get some beer and we
can read our book and then in the morning we can go
for a swim in the river. That’s why we are here anyway.”
“I’ll give you our best room.” Oh, good. “The cable
doesn’t work but I can have my daughter bring the VCR
to your room if you want to rent some movies.” No
cable! Oh no! What did we do? Michael cast me a
worried look. We knew the money was gone. The
woman gave us the keys and we walked along a narrow
sidewalk to a room at the end of the motel.
“Let’s have a quick look before we get something
to eat,” Michael said.
In the brightly lit beer store I casually probed the
cashier about motels. He looked at me curiously.
“What about the Treelawny?” I asked. “We passed
it on our way in. I thought maybe…”
“Well,” he said, “no bodies were found in there or
anything. But, it’s probably the worst place in town.”
“Yeah, well, thanks.” Damn it. We paid for the
beer and left.
We opened the door. Oh god. Mosquitoes
swarmed the room. Where were they coming from? The
window. It’s open. There’s no screen. Let’s put the screen
Back in our room bugs were congregating around
the lamp. Michael pulled the sheets back from the bed
and slowly moved his hands along the edges. “I can’t tell
010
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
“What a lot of hairy-faced men there are around
nowadays,” Michael read. “When a man grows hair all
over his face…”
“Ew.”
“What?”
“Earwig.”
“…it is impossible to tell
what he really looks like.”
“This isn’t working. Is your
bedding in the car, or did it go on the
greyhound?”
“I don’t want to put my stuff in here. What if it
becomes infested?”
“What about putting your bedding on top of the
motel bedding?”
“But that bedding is already on the floor.”
We sipped our beer in silence for another
moment. Michael began to read again. “Perhaps that’s
why he does it. He’d rather you didn’t know.”
Slap! Slap slap. Get it. Shit! There are so many
mosquitoes in here. Where is my sweater? It’s on the
floor. I hope that’s my blood. Cover up your arms!
Gross, there is a huge bug on your sweater! Th is is the
worst. I won’t be able to sleep. Look at the curtains.
They are crawling with spiders.
“I can’t relax,” I said. “We could just drive to
Montreal tonight.”
“But, the river. Our swim. The fifty bucks! Just
drink the beer.”
“I know. Okay. What is the plan? Let’s just
make a plan.”
“I’ve got it.”
We pulled our camping gear out of the trunk
and lugged it into our room. The tent was flat and
round. We inserted the bending rods and the tent
perked up and covered the entire bed. We balanced
our new room in the centre and quickly fi lled it with
Michael’s bedding. We smoothed out the clean
blankets, grabbed our un-infested belongings—the
beer and the book—and zipped the flap shut. Inside
we snuggled close listening to the symphony of insects’
crescendo around our heads.
Features
feature article
ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURE AND SAVING A BUCK
The Coﬆ of a Good Deal Might be Your Privacy
BY DYLAN PROCTER
I
came out of high school disinterested
with the idea of following the path of my
parents’ generation and toddling off to
University. I wanted the education that life
offered, and the idea of spending any more
time in a classroom seemed torturous. I had
a great job, and was making more than any
of my University bound friends, so the idea
paying for school made little sense. Over
the past several years, the education life has
offered me has culminated in one central
theme. If I was going to pursue my goals and
dreams, I needed to get back to school. I have
had to make a few unwanted adjustments to
my lifestyle, but I am finally registered for
classes at the University of Winnipeg, and
looking forward to the experience immensely.
For me it holds the promise of a fresh start.
Like most students I needed a way to
store and transport digital documents
between work, home, and school; a pen drive
seemed to answer that need perfectly. They
are dependable, portable, capable of holding
large amounts of data, and can be connected to most
computers without additional software. About a week ago, I
took the savings I had left after all of my school related
expenses, and took a trip to the computer store I regularly
shop at. Computer Boulevard, also called CBit, is a local
warehouse-style computer, parts, and accessories retailer.
Being a computer enthusiast, I have spent
thousands of dollars there over the years on
hardware and media. I had always been impressed
by the bleeding edge technology they carry, and
their excellent service department.
But this time, something went wrong. I
purchased a 512 megabyte Apacer HANDY Steno
USB Flash Drive. It was sold as new merchandise,
and I paid the full price of $204.95 (taxes not
included). I opted not to purchase the extended
warranty offered by the store. I was very
disappointed at its condition once I got it home and
opened the package. It was scratched and worn, as
if carried in someone’s pocket for some time. As
stated on the receipt, which must be signed before
taking an item home, there are “NO REFUNDS.”
Because of this, I decided I would plug the “new”
USB pen-drive in, and as long as it worked, I
would live with it and find another store at which
to shop.
It seemed to be working fine when I plugged
it into my computer, so I opened up an explorer
window for the drive. I was shocked at what I saw.
Two yellow folder icons glowed in the open
window, along with two fi les. “Ha, caught you!” I
thought, hoping that I might have grounds to insist
that they give me a refund. I quickly checked
online, and there seemed to be grounds to demand
my money back.
Th inking that it might be best to contact the
Better Business Bureau to find out how to proceed,
I called Computer Boulevard to get their membership number.
I was puzzled when told that they “…couldn’t find it right
now.” When I contacted the BBB I was able to speak to
Amaro Silva, who is the Executive Director at the Manitoba
branch of the Bureau. He was quick to point out that it was in
fact possible that they did not have their membership number
readily available, as the name of the business will usually
suffice. He informed me that my only recourse with the BBB
was to make a written complaint. Because the Bureau is not
affi liated with the government, their powers, he said, were
limited to publishing the complaint and removing the business
from membership in the BBB. Even then, a pattern of
misconduct would have to be established, either through
numerous written complaints, or proof of numerous instances
of unfair business practices. My only recourse with the Bureau
was to submit a written complaint.
Silva provided an internet address where I could check
if there had been any other complaints against the store, but
qualified this by saying that their site was in the process of
being updated, so recent complaints might not appear. In
checking the site I discovered that there was at least one
complaint in the past, and that it had been dealt with to the
satisfaction of the Bureau. I did fi le a formal complaint.
My suspicions were substantiated when, after
contacting David Pensato of the Uniter, he interviewed Scott
MacIntyre, a manager at Computer Boulevard about the
matter. MacIntyre stated on record that
the fi les were his, and that he had used
the device to transport documents from
his computer at work to his home. It
was later replaced into its packaging and
restocked to be sold. He also confi rmed
that this was a regular practice of the
store.
Although the store may have
violated the Business Practices Act, and
a manager at the store has confi rmed
that it was not the only occurrence, the
mistake here was of a much more
serious nature.
Four folders containing one
hundred and seventy-nine documents
were found to have been left on the
device and sold to a member of the
public. There were numerous invoices
for computer orders complete with the
names, addresses, and client phone
numbers. Included were private citizens,
commercial businesses, private schools,
community organizations, various governmental offices and a
branch of the military. There were also letters of reprimand
and dismissal written to several CBit employees, and other
sensitive documents, including an instance of homophobic
literature. The fact that the device was sold with personal,
private information , and its disclosure had presumably not
been consented to by the individuals, likely
violated the privacy of the people named
therein.
Fortunately for the people whose
information was disclosed in these documents,
when I received the drive and realized the
gravity of the situation I reacted by contacting
my lawyer. He put me in touch with a lawyer
specializing in privacy law, and both the
authorities and media were contacted. The
documents were secured and are held in trust
by an officer of the courts; the entire matter is
pending further investigation by the Office of
the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Jennifer
Stoddart. But what if someone else had bought
the drive?
The whole event raises some critical
issues concerning the security of personal
privacy. In recent years, both the Canadian
Federal Government and many of the
provincial governments have passed legislation
in order to protect personal privacy. Among
them, federally, are the Privacy Act and The
Personal Information Protection and Electronic
Document Act (PIPEDA); Provincially,
legislation has been enacted such as the
Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act, or FIPPA. Of the three, PIPEDA
has jurisdiction over the private sector.
PIPEDA “sets ground rules for how
organizations may collect, use or disclose
personal information about you in the course of commercial
activities” and “gives you the right to see and ask for
corrections to information that an organization may have
collected about you.”
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner oversees the
»
Continued on the next page
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
011
Features
»
Continued from the previous page
implementation of PIPEDA and
reviews complaints of violations to
the act. Complaints that are
deemed well founded are noted, and
attempts are made to resolve
disputes through negotiation,
mediation and conciliation.
Although it lacks the power to
litigate, I asked how they are able to
mandate their recommendations.
René Coturier, Media Relations
Officer at the Office of the Privacy
Commissioner of Canada stated
that “we use persuasion and the
power to make public information
about companies who refuse to
protect privacy rights.” They can
also take the complaint to the
Federal Court of Canada.
Complaints that are well-founded
and remain unresolved can in some
cases be taken to the Federal Court
by the injured party. The Court can
also award damages to the
complainant, including damages for
humiliation.
In the case of what appears to
be the accidental disclosure by
Computer Boulevard, it appears as
though the individuals named in
the documents may have a wellfounded complaint under PIPEDA.
Brian T. D. Bowman, a specialist in
Privacy Law with the Winnipeg law
fi rm Pitbaldo, Barristers &
Solicitors, shared some
observations.
“Under the law, a
computer store, or any other
business has to ensure that they are
not disclosing the personal
information of third parties, unless
they have explicit consent.”
According to Bowman, if
there is in fact no way of
permanently and completely
removing personal information
from a storage device, a business
must choose between obtaining
consent from every person whose
private information is on the drive,
or not selling the product.
“I could empathize with
computer stores who might find
themselves in this predicament, but
at the end of the day, this is not
merely customer expectation, nor
merely an industry standard, but
this is in fact required by law,”
Bowman said. “Every business,
whether it’s a computer store, a legal
fi rm...any business is under the
same law. They are all responsible.”
Bowman stated that certain law
enforcement agencies will literally
use blow torches on the drives in
order to ensure total deletion of
sensitive information.
In the case of Computer
012
Boulevard reported here, it is clear
that the personal information was
released accidentally. Surely the
store did not intend to release proof
that the drive had been used, much
less possibly violate privacy laws.
However, some sales policies in the
retail computer and parts industry
raise bigger questions regarding
privacy under the act.
Th is siuation has arisen, in
part, due to an inherent problem in
current practices regarding the sale
of computer merchandise. For the
purpose of providing the best
possible price to the consumer,
Computer Boulevard does not
charge a stock / restocking fee, a
charge included in the pricing of
most computer stores. In order to
insure that all merchandise
returned to them by customers was
actually sold by them, CBit opens
every item, placing an
identifications sticker on the actual
equipment. However, because every
package is opened, there is no way
for the consumer to know if the
product is new, used, or has been
“tested” by the staff at Computer
Boulevard, as it was in my case.
Other retailers, however,
have found alternatives to this
policy. Best Buy, the big-box
retailer with whom Palansky is now
employed, chooses to identify items
that are not new as either open box,
“demo”, or refurbished. Used items
are never sold as new. Raj Sharma,
manager at a Futureshop store in
Winnipeg, stated a similar policy,
saying that “if the factory seal is
opened it is sold as an open box”
and display items are sold at
discounted prices.
Computer Renaissance,
perhaps because they specialize in
used computer equipment, takes a
much more aggressive approach to
protecting the privacy rights of their
customers. Scott Schinkel, the
store manager described the process
of ‘wiping’ a drive, ensuring that
there is no recoverable data.
“We do a low-level format,
and FDISK,” which is a Microsoft
product that deletes and creates
partitions. “We [also] write zero’s
on the drive.” He said that apart
from sending the drive to a data
recovery company and spending
thousands of dollars, the fi les
cannot be recovered.
Interestingly, not all
computers are created equal when
considering the security of personal
data. Darren Kerr at MacHelper, a
store specializing in the support,
sale, and service of Apple Computer
products said that PC based drives
are less secure.
“They can be read by a
number of different types of
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
computers,
while Mac
drives can
only be
[accessed] by
Apple Computers.”
Although a few hours
researching on the Internet will
reveal software products available
for using a Macintosh mass storage
device on a PC, none of them
appear to allow a user access to a
drive that is damaged or “wiped.”
Unfortunately, from a privacy
standpoint, the same cannot be said
of PC drives.
R-Tools Studio is a software
package made available to the
consumer by R-Technology, a fi rm
specializing in data recovery
software. When we contacted their
Ontario office, sales rep Alex Gatov
said their software would be capable
of recovering data from devices
wiped in this way.
“There would be a very, very
good chance...more than a chance,
that fi les could be recovered from
the drive. That is the purpose of
the software.”
I was able to confi rm Gatov’s
claims by using a demo version of
the software available on their
website.
I was,
however,
unable
to find
software
that would write zeros on the drive.
It’s important to note that this
software is available online for
prices ranging from $29.00 to
$149.00US, and the unscrupulous
can download “cracked” or pirated
versions for free. Although some
uses are nefarious, without a
software solution like R-Tools,
important data on damaged or
accidentally deleted drives would
otherwise be lost.
In cases where data is
valuable there is almost always a
way to retrieve fi les from a drive.
ONTRACK is a company that
specializes in data-recovery and
offers a ‘cleanroom’ service that is
capable of retrieving data even from
physically damaged hard disk
drives.
Considering that there is
currently no secure way to remove
data permanently from a hard disk
drive, there may be some serious
implications in PIPEDA for
businesses that deal with computer
hardware containing protected
information. Companies that
collect personal information from
the public are most certainly
culpable in their disposal of both
the hardware and the data it
contains.
PIPEDA has direct
implications for computer stores or
services who offer public access to
computers, or who passively receive
personal information on returned,
used or refurbished computer
equipment. In this light, they must
find a responsible means for
protecting the customer’s right to
privacy. If a consumer purchases a
computer, uses it for a time and
needs to return it, they should have
the right to expect that the
documents on the drive will be
protected in a diligent manner, and
it would seem reasonable that they
should be able to expect the same
protection offered in other
circumstances under PIPEDA. Th is
creates some obvious problems for
computer retailers who sell used
computer hardware.
As a society we are taking
our fi rst steps down the path of
digitization. As the technological
curve becomes steeper and the pace
quickens, the footing of our ability
to protect our personal information
is becoming all the more precarious.
And there are more reasons than at
any point in history to protect our
personal privacy. We will need to
be increasingly diligent about whose
shopping cart we will trust to carry
the precious cargo of our privacy.
Unfortunately, in this arena, there
are “NO REFUNDS.”
Features
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
013
Features
travel anxieties
A WINNIPEGER IN NEW ZEALAND
02 COMMENCE FREAK OUT
BY PAUL WEDEL
Paul Wedel was born in Winnipeg and has suffered through 26
Manitoban winters without reprieve. In twelve days he will travel to New Zealand for
a year. Each week he will tell us about it. Laﬆ week he tried not to gloat about his second
shot at spring. This week, he’s having panic attacks.
O
kay. Who’s idea was
this? I’m sure it wasn’t
mine; it must have been
Leigh’s. And when was this
decision made? Was it a year
ago already? And when we said,
“Hey, let’s go to New Zealand,”
was it an idle choice? Maybe it
was my decision, maybe it was
hers; or maybe it was ours. At
any rate, there are only 12 days
now until we leave Canada and
the reality of what we’re doing
is really starting to kick in.
Commence freak out.
Today, I phoned the
National Bank of New Zealand,
spoke to a very friendly Kiwi
woman named Allison (whose
accent, I freely admit, was damn
hard to understand!), and opened
a bank account. One more
errand crossed from the Big List.
How many have we crossed off ?
How many more to add? We
transfer our savings
electronically from Canada to
New Zealand tomorrow. ATM
cards (“Cashpoint Cards” in NZ)
inscribed with our names will
await our arrival. Welcome to
the future. Leigh pointed out
today that in this age, we can
plan a yearlong trip to a
destination on the other side of
the planet without a single
overseas long distance charge
(the NBNZ has a toll-free
number, naturally).
I am not worried, just
anxious. Leigh says she is ready
to get on the plane and go; she is
tired of The Waiting. Really,
we’ve been waiting for almost a
year, and we’ve been telling
people for at least that long.
People whom I haven’t seen in a
few weeks often ask, “Weren’t
you away for a while?” No. I’m
still waiting to go. And exactly
how many people have I told
about this trip? Everyone I’ve
ever known? It seems like I can’t
stop myself from telling every
person I meet about the trip.
The Trip.
The Trip has taken over
every facet of our lives. Last
night, the dreams started. I’m
surprised they didn’t begin
earlier, but it was inevitable.
014
Task dreams on repeat. I was
unable to get my contact lenses
and accessories to squeeze into
my shaving kit. (Travelers note:
contact lens solution is available
in New Zealand, but at thrice
the cost!) I would wake up,
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
curse that damned dream, fall
back asleep, and dream it again.
Leigh complained
about a sore back and elbows
this morning. Bad sleeps. The
Trip is taking over. I assured
her that between now and our
departure date, our dream lives
are going to be fi lled with
anxiety. Yes, that is the right
adjective.
But we’re doing this for
fun, right? So, I’m not
complaining. Like I mentioned
last week, we’re leaving for the
winter. That alone is worth a
few nights of fitful sleep.
g
Listings
»
Contact
Listings Coordinator: Jan Nelson
E-mail
Tele: 786-9497
ON-CAMPUS
Announcements
TAs/RAs REQUIRED URGENTLY by the Department of Politics: Third or fourth
year Politics Majors/Honours students, and especially MPA and Masters students,
for positions as teaching/research assistants. A covering letter including a brief
statement of academic interests, the name of a referee, and a timetable indicating
your availability should be addressed to: Allen Mills, Chair, Department of Politics.
Also, please attach a mark statement. Submit to: Jacqueline Côté, Secretary (6L20)
Deadline for applications is Monday, September 27th, 2004 - 4:30 PM.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PARTNERS for ESL students needed at the Language
Partner Program , U of W Continuing Education Campus, 294 William St.
Time commitment 1 – 2 hrs./week. Contact Rina Monchka, 982-1151, email
[email protected].
STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS: Starting Sept. 29, Student Counselling Services
are offering workshops on Time Management, Note Taking, Reading Efficiently,
Preparing for Exams and Handling Exam Anxiety. Register by phone (786-9231) or
in person at the Counselling Office (0GM06).
MED SCHOOL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION SESSION: UM Med School’s
Manager of Admissions and Student Affairs will be making a presentation on the
admission process on Wednesday, October 6th in 1L13, 12:30 1:30. For more information please contact the Career Resource Centre, 786-9863
or email [email protected]
Fax: 783-7080
Lonesome Club Main St. (@ St.
Mary) Blues and roots live music.
Sundays: Big Dave McLean. Open
late. Sept. 17th Li’l Miss Higgins (old
style blues from Sask). Sept 18th DRangers.
Toad on Main 172 Main St.
English-style pub with good food.
Mondays comedy improv.
West End Cultural Centre 586
Ellice St. Sept 21st David Francey,
Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, & Fats
Kaplin.
Windsor Hotel 187 Garry St.
Monday night jams with Tim Butler,
Wednesday nights with Big Dave
McLean.
The Zoo (Osborne Inn) 160
Osborne St. Live bands punk,
metal, industrial. Sept 17th Saucerman
CD Release. Sept 18th CITI-FM
presents: LA Guns w/ TDH, Gell,
and State of Shock (Vanc). Advance
tickets $10.
film, recognized as the first real-life
documentary, follows Democratic
candidates John F. Kennedy and Hubert
Humphrey through Wisconsin in 1960.
Kenneth Anger – Scorpio Rising, 1963
(29 min.)... Sept 22nd & Oct 13th: Bruce
Bailie, George Kuchar and Elizabeth
Subrin, 5:45 – 9pm.
Cinematheque 100 Arthur St. Sept
17th – 23rd The Mother, 7pm. Cinema
Riff-Raff – new films from the Winnipeg
Film group, 9pm.
Globe Cinema 393 Portage Ave.
We Don’t Live Here Anymore/TBA.
Call 694-5623 for other shows and
times.
Towne 8 Cinema 301 Notre
Dame Ave. Budget-priced first-run
flicks. For shows and times call 9472848.
ARTS
WINNIPEG INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’
FESTIVAL Sept 20 th – 26th , various
venues. Opening night Monday,
September 20th, 7:30 pm at Manitoba
Theatre for Young People (at The
Forks): playwright Primrose Madayag
Knazan and short story writer Carrie
Synder from Waterloo. Spoken word
stars Darek Dawda, Nico Rogers
(Winnipeg) will burn the stage with
Vancouver’s legendary slam team of
Barbara Adler, Shane Koyczan and RC
Weslowski. Sept 21st , Lloyd Axworthy
speaks on Canada’s role in a changing
world, 7:30pm. Tons more events. See
www.winnipegwords.com for details.
McNally Robinson - Grant Park
Sept 20 th Irene Gordon launches
‘Grey Owl: the Curious Life of Archie
Belaney’, 8pm. Sept 21st Anne-Marie
MacDonald reads and signs her second
novel, ‘The Way the Crow Flies’, 8pm.
Dregs Cafe & Gallery 167 Osborne
St. (at Wardlaw) Sept 21st POETRY
SLAM Kick-off event for Winnipeg
Poetry House’s hot new season of
competitive performance poetry, 8pm.
Details at www.winnipegpoetry.ca.
McNally Robinson – Portage Place
Sept 16th 7pm Caelum Vatnsdal, awardwinning writer and filmmaker, reads
and signs his new book, ‘They Came
From Within: A History of Canadian
Horror Cinema’ . Sept 20 th - 25th
CBC Afternoon Book Talk Series.
Daily, 2pm. Sept 20 th Miriam Toews,
Alissa York. Sept 21st Linda Holeman,
Greg Holllingshead. Sept 22nd Helen
Humphreys, Michael Winter. Sept 23rd
Paul Quarrington, Erica Ritter.
Galleries
Presentations
ORGANIZED RACISM AND THE INTERNET: Recognized hate crime experts
Richard Warman, an Ottawa-based human rights lawyer, and University of
Winnipeg lecturer Helmut-Harry Loewen will offer a unique perspective on the
role of the Internet in recruiting members and disseminating hate, with reference
to the WCFU case at this free public lecture. Sep. 9th 7pm Theatre 1L11.This
event is co-sponsored by the University of Winnipeg Department of Politics and
the Canadian Antiracism Education and Research Society. For more information
contact Helmut-Harry Loewen at 786-9473.
NSERC MASTERS SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION SESSION Monday, Sept 20 th
1-3pm, Rm 3C30. A representative from the National Sciences and Engineering
Research Council will be giving students and faculty information and advice on
masters scholarship programs and the application process. Presentation followed
by a question-and-answer period. RSVP by Sept 15th to Kerry Murkin, Research
and Ethics Administration Officer, 786-9058 or e-mail [email protected].
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
GENDER PLAY CABARET presents
‘Chicago Bound’, performances by
local gender outlaw troupe. Sept 16th,
9:30pm at Gio’s bar. $5 non-members.
MISS HONEY DIJON Underground DJ
from Chicago and New York Sept
18th at the Exchange Event Centre,
291 Bannatyne. Tickets $10 at Nyce
Records and Frenzee.
WORLD-WIDE CAR-FREE DAY! Walk,
bike, skate, rollerblade and meet other
car-free compatriots in this ‘Critical
Mass’ procession. Sept 22nd 5pm, Old
Market Square.
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL Oct 1 - 3rd,
Clearwater, MB. Alt folk/roots/electro
agri-powwow. See www.clearwater.
mb.ca for info.
SEND + RECEIVE Festival of Sound and
multi-media works, Oct 15th – 23rd
various venues.
Concerts
PUERTOS, ARGENTINIAN TANGO &
FLAMENCO, Sept 17th – 18th, Prairie
Theatre Exchange. Call Ticketmaster.
VIRTUOSI CONCERTS Gala Opening
Night featuring pianist Robert
Silverman. Eckhardt-Grammate Hall,
U of W, Sept 18th , 8pm. $27 adults,
$25 students/seniors, $15 children.
786-9000.
CHRISTINE JENSEN JAZZ QUARTET Sept
23rd 8pm, Franco-Manitoban Cultural
Centre. $18 advance (233-8972).
AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS Sept 25th,
Pantages Playhouse. $37.50 @
Ticketmaster.
THE TOASTERS NYC Ska, Sept 22nd
West End Cultural Centre. Tickets $20
Music Trader, $25 at door.
SARAH HARMER Oct 3rd Pantages
Playhouse 7:30pm $24.50 Ticketmaster.
K.D. LANG (and the WSO) Oct 8th
Centennial Concert Hall 8pm. (muchos
$$$ ) Ticketmaster.
Coffeehouses
Academy Bar and Eatery 414
Academy Rd. Sept 16th ‘800’
(instrumental trance folk) 9pm. Sept
18th, J. Williamez & friends. Sept 19th
Jazz Composers Forum, 3pm. Details at
www.academybne.com.
Prairie Ink Portage Place (in
McNally Robinson Booksellers)
Sept 17th Frolich Hildebrand Duo,
jazz, 6:30pm. Sept 24th Taste of New
Orleans, jazz/blues, 6:30pm.
Prairie Ink Grant Park (in McNally
Robinson Booksellers) Sept 17th
Winnipeg Steele Orchestra, 8pm. Sept
18th Taste of New Orleans, blues, jazz,
8pm.
Roca Jack’s 775 Corydon St. Friday
live jams w/ local musicians.
Comedy
CROSS-EYED RASCALS: Outstanding
In Our Field Comedy performance
Sept 17th at the Deaf Centre Manitoba
Aufitorium 285 Pembina Hwy, 8pm.
Tix $8 advance, $10 at the door.
3RD ANNUAL COMEDY NIGHT for
the Mood Disorders Association
of Manitoba, at Pantages Playhouse
Oct 2nd Tix $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Call 786-0987 for more info.
Rumours Restaurant and Comedy
Club 2025 Corydon St. (in
Tuxedo) Showtimes 8pm (&10:30pm
Fri Sat) To Sept 25th : Monty Hoffman
(no relation, apparently, to Monty
Hall).
Toad on Main 172 Main St. Monday
nights improv (two shows), $5.
CLUBS/VENUES
Barca Club 423 McMillan Ave.
Billiard hall and cabaret in Osborne
Village. Live shows sometimes.
Bella Vista 53 Maryland St.
Pizzeria and live rock, roots, blues on
weekends.
Charleswood Hotel 34 – 25 Roblin
St. Sept 18th Freeman, Wormhole.
Collective Cabaret 108 Osborne
St. Punk and alternative. Sept 9th
Tugnut, HCE, Sept 10th Telepathic
Butterflies CD Release, Sept 11th
Garth Reimer Band, The Turnstiles,
Sept 16th Los Furios, DJ Dusty Far Eye
Club Desire 441 Main St. ‘Straightfriendly’ glbt dance club: Nyce
Thursdays, co-hosted by Nyce Records
$5, 10pm; Fridays in September:
karaoke with Dave Moffat of ‘The
Moffats’.
Empire Cabaret 436 Main St.
Dance club with very high ceilings open
Thurs - Sat.
Franco-Manitoban Cultural
Centre, 340 Provencher Blvd.
Tuesdays: Mardi jazz – live jazz 8:30pm.
Free.
Gilroy 179 Bannatyne Ave. Sept 25th
Old School Party: dance music, buffet,
happy hour drinks all night.
Gio’s 155 Smith St. GLBT club with
dance floor, private patio. 1st Saturdays
womyn’s night. Sept 16th Gender Play
Cabaret’s ‘Chicago Bound’.
Hooligan’s (formerly Eddie’s
Garage) 61 Sherbrook St. Bar
and restaurant. Local cover, rock and
alternative acts. Mon-Tues Karaoke
nights.
King’s Head 120 King St. Englishstyle Pub. House bands on weekends.
Market Avenue Social Hub 110
(112, 114) Market Ave. Multi-level
resto/pub/disco.
Palomino 1133 Portage Ave.
Cheezy gone hip dance club. DJ’s and
live acts.
Pyramid Cabaret 176 Fort St. Live
acts. Friday, September 17th Inward Eye,
Tele, SteepleChaser. Sept 18th Saturday,
September 18th DJ Tom Baker, Local
DJ’s TBA.
Regal Beagle Pub 331 Smith St.
Sept 17th Freeman, 10pm, no cover.
Sept 18th B.U.M.P. W/ guest Neil Pinto.
Wed’s Open Mic nights: music, comedy
and other buffoonery.
Royal Albert Arms 48 Albert St.
Punk, alternative and cheap beer in the
Exchange.
Times Change(d) High and
Ace Art Inc. 290 McDermot Ave.
Aug 28th - Oct 2nd:’Too Sweet! Go
Away!’ sculptured household objects by
Helen Cho.
Franco-Manitoban Cultural
Centre 340 Provencher Blvd. Until
Sept 26th : The Art of the Book ‘03.
Traveling book arts exhibition.
Gallery 1C03, University of
Winnipeg (515 Portage Ave.)
Opening Sept. 23rd, 4pm (running
until Oct 23rd ) Diana Thorneycroft:
The Doll Mouth Series. Full-colour
cibachrome prints of doll mouths
confront and provoke viewers. Artist’s
talk: Sept. 24th, 12:30pm.
Graffiti Gallery 109 Higgins
Ave. Neil Dyck and Greg Hanec :
paintings, sculpture and installation by
local Winnipeg artists. Runs through
September 24th. Phone 667-9960 for
gallery hours
Platform (Centre for
Photographic and Digital Arts)
218-100 Arthur St. ‘Full Circle:
The Circular Image Revisited’ by Bob
Preston.
Plug-In ICA 286 McDermot Ave.
Opening Sept 17th 8pm, running to
Nov 13th ‘Cheap Meat, Dreams and
Acorns’ - Ken Gregory since 1993.
Survey exhibition, commission and
publication, Winnipeg’s leading
media artist; Also, ongoing billboard
installation at River & Osborne Sts.
(in drug store/video store parking lot).
Current: Jason Kennett, ‘Falls and Folk’.
Quiet Room Gallery 111 St. John’s
College, U of M ‘Prairie Mysteries’,
Dennis J Evans, small landscape
photograph show.
Winnipeg Art Gallery 300
Memorial Blvd. Sept 10 th - Dec 5th:
AMERICAN TABLEAUX Selections
from the collection of Walker Art
Center. To Sept 19 th, Gallery 1:
Autobiographical drawings by Inuit
artist Napachie Pootoogook.
Upcoming: SEND + RECEIVE
Festival of Sound Oct 15th – 23rd.
Presented by Video Pool Media Arts
Centre, featuring artists Clive Holden
(’Trains of Winnipeg’); micro sound
manipulator 3x3is9; computer musician
Blunderspublik; video artist Jacky
Sawatzky; media artist Ken Gregory,
sound-poet Pierre André Arcand;
the Artist Run Limousine Collective;
accordionist/improviser Raylene
Campbell; sound and installation
artist Peter Courtemanche/Absolute
Value of Noise; the duo of Anna
Friz and Annabelle Chvostek and
their Automated Prayer Machine;
video artists NomIg; Roughage [aka
filmmaker and musician Zev Asher];
sound artist and producer [sic]; and
plurimedia work cell skoltz_kolgen and
Sound of Light Film and Video Series.
Film
URBAN REELS FINAL NIGHT Sept 16th ,
dusk. Outdoor screenings by local filmand video-makers at Merchant Park
(Edmonton & Portage). Rain site: Label
Gallery 510 Portage.
Winnipeg Art Gallery 300
Memorial Blvd. Continuous
screenings (American Tableaux)
Saturdays: Sept 18th, noon to 4:15pm:
(2 cycles)Charlie Chaplin – A Woman,
1915 (20 min.) and Easy Street, 1917
(24 min.) Robert Drew – Primary,
1960 (53 min.) This revolutionary
Literary
ETCETERA
Presentations
LIGHT presents their first event in
a new spiritual film series:’ Waking
Life’ – about the nature of reality
and consciousness. Discussion to
follow. Sept 17th 7pm, Robert A Steen
Community Centre 980 Palmerston.
Free admission.
FARMERS MARKET IN THE
EXCHANGE Saturdays until
Sept 25th. Old Market Square
is transformed into an open-air
market featuring fresh produce,
hand-made crafts, and the wares of
local businesses. Be part of a revival
of the historic farmers market in
this beautiful downtown Winnipeg
location. Web: www.exchangedistrict.
org
MEC ANNUAL GEAR SWAP AND
RENTAL SELL-OFF, behind Mountain
Equipment Co-op, Sunday Sept 26th 11
– 4pm. Bring your used or unwanted
outdoor gear to MEC by Sept.
24th, $2 handling fee charged. MEC
membership is required. (So join).
SUPPORT GROUPS FOR WOMEN
offered Monday eves 7-9pm through
fall and winter by Osborne House.
Sept 20 th Fear, Sept 27th Love, Oct 4th
Letting Go. Call 942-4642 Ext 242 for
more info.
CANNED CAT FOOD URGENTLY
NEEDED! Donations will help feed
the 547 cats in care at the Winnipeg
Humane Society animal shelter,
especially sick cats and kittens who
cannot eat hard food. Contributions
can be brought to the shelter at 5
Kent St.to 8pm weekdays, to 6pm
Saturdays, and noon to 5pm Sundays.
Phone 982-2021.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT MARCH
Thursday, Sept 30th 7pm at the
Legislature, rally at 6:30pm. Route
ends at the University of Winnipeg
where there will be speakers, free
food, and dance music.
Volunteer
VOLUNTEER WITH CFS: If you’re
thinking about a career in a helping
profession and want experience
with youth at risk, Winnipeg Child
and Family Services has volunteer
opportunities which may interest
you. Contact Sonya at 944-4184,
[email protected].
ST. AMANT CENTRE is seeking
volunteers to brighten the lives
of children and adults living
with developmental disabilities.
Flexible day, evening and weekend
opportunities for patient, reliable
people. Call 256-4301 ext 274, or
check our website at www.stamant.
mb.ca.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PARTNERS
for ESL students needed at the
Language Partner Program , U of
W Continuing Education Campus,
294 William St. Time commitment
1 – 2 hrs./week. Contact Rina
Monchka, 982-1151, email
[email protected].
WORLD TRAVEL AND HOSTELLING
101: HI - Manitoba’s Fall Travel Seminar
featuring presentations, trade show,
pizza dinner, Sept 20 th 5:30pm, Sport
Manitoba Bldg, 200 Main St. Free to
HI members, $15 for non-members.
Register at 784-1131.
MOOD DISORDERS ASSOCIATION
3rd Annual Comedy Night Sat. Oct
2nd at Pantages Playhouse. Tickets $10
members, $15 non-members. Call 7860987 for more info.
Community
WORLD-WIDE CAR-FREE DAY!
Walk, bike, skate, rollerblade and meet
other car-free compatriots in this
‘Critical Mass’ procession. Sept 22nd
5pm, Old Market Square. Yow!
Classifieds
Need Back to School Cash?
FALL OPENINGS
Good pay, flex schedule,
sales/ service, will train,
conditions apply 949-1828
www.workforstudents.com
RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTRE
OPEN HOUSE Thursday, September
23rd 7 - 9 pm 1-222 Osborne Street
South
An opportunity to see all of the
changes that have taken place at the
Centre, including the renovations,
our new Web site and exciting new
programming coming this fall.
TO SUBMIT SHOW AND EVENTS INFO
FOR THE UNITER please contact Jan at
[email protected], or Fax 783-7080, or call
in 786-9497.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
015
Arts & Culture
GIRL SKATE
»
Contact
Arts Editors: Jo Snyder
E-mail
Tele: 786-9497
By Erin Chatelain
I
n the beginning, we didn’t know what we were doing. A tough patch of cement is the extent of
how we got started. I had horrendous blue bruises and bumps the size of eggs for about a year
trying to do the simplest things. I doubt everyone has this much trouble. I’m talking about
skateboarding. I‘m talking about getting on a board for the first time and sticking to it after it
throws you to the ground, points and laughs. Face plant into an addiction, learn to fall properly,
dust off your pants and pick up one of the most satisfying hobbies out there. Skate for life! Or at
least till you shatter your collarbone, break your ankle or ruin your knees.
Because of the large number of boy skaters on the road, people tend to gawk and tease
when they are confronted with a pack of girl skaters. Even girls have thrown remarks at us for
being how we are. It is still sometimes tough to skate past a group of boys, but not hard enough
to give up. Luckily every once in a while we meet people with supporting words and encouraging
invites to “skate with the boys”.
I have taken the opportunity to catch four girl skaters from Winnipeg out on the town,
busting up curbs and making noise on the streets. Trying to maintain face within a semi-perished
sport, these women have stuck through the painful departure of their first attempt to skate and
relish now in the exhale of perseverance. Enjoy!
» Photos by: ERIN CHATELAIN
Street Name: Blondie
Occupation: Bee Keeper Inspector
Favorite trick: Half Cab
Hardest trick: Kick flip anything and No
Comply’s, which look easy but are actually pretty
hard. It’s a timing thing.
Worst Injury: Brain Damage…oh, wait I had
that before. Pride mostly.
What is your favorite trick to see being pulled
off ? Anything with 360s`, grinds and 180s`.
Absolute favorite is Primo Slides, which are all
insanity.
When and how did you get your first deck? Got
my first deck when I was 16 and messed around
mostly alone. I wasn’t exposed or inspired by
others so I stopped, then picked it up again at
21.
With who and where do you usually skate?
Mostly with Pony Tail and Wheels. We skate
everywhere. Wherever fits with my newest trick.
The parks are covered in skate-lite so it sucks,
too slippery. Damn you skate-lite.
What differences are there, to you, between
male and female skaters? Inherently (and I’ll
probably get it for saying this) women are more
nurturing. We totally cheer each other on and
run over when someone bails to see if they’re
OK. But there are guys who are stoked to see
a chick ripping. Skater guys are too shy to
approach us and then other guys yell from their
cars as they drive by.
Explain a negative experience skating? Not
many. I guess that time when Pony and I were
skating at the BMO and a huffer dude started
harassing us. We had to threaten him with our
decks.
A positive one? As cheesy as it sounds, every
time I go out there are good vibes. Excited about
learning new stuff and being outside, doing what
I love.
Favorite skate shop? SK8. Skater-run and owned.
Boarders is cool too. I try to support local as
much as possible
In a couple words: What does skating mean to
you? Absolute freedom, energy, perseverance.
Ride On- Ride Free!
016
Street Name: Pony Tail
Occupation: Barrista, freelance writer
Years you’ve been skating: 4 years, but seriously
street about 2 ½ years ago
Favorite trick: No comply
Hardest trick: Kick flips, power slides, Rock &
Rolls on a big half pipe.
Worst Injury: A heel jam, a fractured shin, lots
of eggs and one minor concussion.
What is your favorite trick to see being
pulled off ? 50-50s done by a girl or
Vanessa Torres clearing like twenty stairs.
When and how did you get your first
deck? I bought it about four years ago for
like twenty bucks off a girlfriend who never
used it
What differences are there, to you,
between male and female skaters? The
level of competition and the fact that
people don’t holler at guys as they skate by.
Explain a negative experience skating? I
was sk8ing on this huge street and some
truck kept honking at me to get out of the
way, so I told him to just go around. He got
out of his car and started threatening me.
I held up my deck until he squealed away,
basically.
A positive one? I was skating on my street
and like four little girls were sitting on the
curb watching me. Later that night I guess
one of them borrowed their brother’s deck
and was outside by herself sk8ing. And she
stayed out there for like two hours. She
was almost doing moving Ollies and she
was like eight years old!
Favorite skate shop? SK8 and Boarders, I
think they think we’re crazy.
Any pet peeves that drive you nuts? Rain
all summer. Rolling your ankle. Ignorance
and egos.
In a couple words: What does skating
mean to you? Exercising patience,
perseverance and a whole lot of fun!
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
Street Name: Wheels
Occupation: Bike messenger
Years you’ve been skating: 3 years
Favorite trick: Ollying shit, grinding
Street Name: Kiddy
Occupation: Barrista
Years you’ve been skating: 2 years
Favorite trick: 180’s
Hardest trick: Kick flip. Ollying over shit
Worst Injury: Shin eggs.
off ? Any in the half pipe.
When and how did you get your first deck? I
moved to Regina two years ago and bought my
deck the first week there. I went to West 49
cause I didn’t know any better and I totally got
ripped off. Bastard.
With who and where do you usually skate? I
skate to get from point A to B and lately it’s with
Wheels.
male and female skaters? There are more male
skaters.
Explain a negative experience skating? I was
sk8ingat a truck stop in Brandon and forgot my
board there. I went my whole trip without it, and
picked it up on my way back.
A positive one? When I forget I’m sk8ing cause
it’s feeling as smooth as a banana slide.
Best show you’ve seen lately? Peg City Holla.
Favorite skate shop? SK8
Any pet peeves that drive you nuts? Gossip
circles at my work and when people sigh really
heavily.
Explain a perfect Saturday night out for you?
Beers, biking, sk8ing combo, with listening to
music somewhere in between.
Hardest trick: Kick flip
Worst Injury: Sprains, bruises
off ? Anyone who can rip it up.
When and how did you get your first deck?
I got hand-me-downs in the late 80s`. A red
plastic deck. Three girls in the family, I’m the
baby. Every kid had one.
male and female skaters? Girls don’t give a
shit and guys think they’re better. Generally
speaking.
Explain a negative experience skating? Guys
always hassle me for being on a skate. Negative
attention. I have to always prove myself. It’s
annoying.
A positive one? I can better myself. It’s fun. It’s
challenging. I get to hang out with my friends
and maybe be a role model for young girls.
Favorite skate shop? SK8. I like where they
started from.
Any pet peeves that drive you nuts? Loser guys
that scream ‘Do a kick flip or you’re a poser!’ Or
something in that context as you skate by. I hate
those fucking guys.
Hobbies/art medium that best describes your
outlet? I like bicycles, color and scissors.
Explain a perfect Saturday night out for you.
Either chilling at home base or doing a little
this, a little that or being outside sk8ing, biking,
checking out the city from all sides.
In a couple words: What does skating mean to
you? A fine time.
Arts & Culture
THE TOASTERS: NEW YORK CITY SKA
By Damian Purdy
W
ork sucks, but
some people are
better at avoiding
its inevitability than others.
While you’ve been coasting off
student loans in Mom and Pop’s
basement, other people have
found a way to make a living by
playing in a band. One such band
has been shunning real work for
25 years, and have put out twelve
genre-defining albums, and
played upwards of 4000 shows
across five continents.
Yes, North America’s
longest running active ska band,
New York City’s The Toasters, got
to be that way simply by avoiding
the real world for as long as
possible.
“Obviously we love
what we do but, really, we are
way too crazy to do anything
else, and even the thought of a
day job makes me want to shrivel
up,” says group founder/singer/
guitarist Rob Hingley, voicing
exactly the type of sentiment
you would expect from a man
who prefers to go by the name
“Bucket”.
The Toasters are
currently in Chicago preparing to
kick off the Ska Brawl tour which
will see them hit 50 cities across
the United States and Canada,
including Winnipeg on Sept.
22nd. It’s just more of the same
old shit for Bucket and the band.
They’ve been at it for so long that
their shows are becoming multigenerational affairs.
“Fans from the eighties
are bringing their kids to the
shows now. We’ve definitely seen
a generational change,” Bucket
says. “It’s cool to see new kids
coming into the scene constantly.
I guess it’s just a testament to the
enduring nature of the music.”
That endurance has been
tested in recent years. Ska has
been in rough shape since being
used and abused in a torrid fling
with the mainstream during the
mid-90s. The wake of the genre’s
third wave had even stalwarts like
The Toasters feeling the effects
of mass disinterest. Bucket’s
own label, the seminal Moon
Ska imprint, went belly up in
2000, despite being the largest
independent ska label in the
world at the time. The Toasters
persevered through the lean
years, however, sticking to a strict
regimen of touring and recording,
and recently started up a new
label, Megalith Records.
“I think that it’s
important that there be a label to
represent the style. Frankly, I was
surprised that no one stepped up
to the plate after Moon closed,”
Bucket says. “It’s a bad climate.
Sales are still in the doldrums,
but I think it is vital that we have
some kind of flag to rally round.”
Bucket sees the genre
beginning to turn a corner,
though, and estimates that the
fledgling Megalith label will have
around twenty releases out by the
end of this year. His first priority,
however, remains to be getting
out and playing the music that
has made The Toasters one of
the few certifiable legends in the
underground.
“The Toasters haven’t
stopped touring since 1983,”
Bucket says. “In my mind, it is
the past. I think they appreciate
the fact that we have driven
a long way to make the show
happen,” he says.
Bucket hopes the band’s
drive from Fargo (209 miles, to
be exact) is appreciated en masse
on the 22nd. The show, set for
the West End Cultural Centre,
also features New Jersey folkpunks New Blood Revival, and
local favourites The Afterbeat on
the bill.
“We’re looking forward
to checking out some of the local
talent and we’re psyched about
the show. The last time we were
in Winnipeg was 1991!” Bucket
recalls. “I really don’t remember
much about the show except
that we drank a lot of Standard
Lager!”
The Toasters’ shows are a
notoriously good time, so get out
of your parents basement, cash
out some of that latest student
loan and go check them out. In
the meantime, you can keep up
with all things Toasters-related at
www.toasters.org
what has kept the band going,
because it has proven to be the
best method of distribution for
our product. It’s allowed me to
make a living.”
Making a living has
taken The Toasters and their
eclectic, instantly recognizable
brand of ska to literally every
corner of the globe. According to
Bucket, only a handful of locales,
including Australia and Alaska,
remain un-Toasted. It’s surprising,
then, that a whole decade has
passed since The Toasters did a
proper tour of Canada. Bucket
nevertheless claims a particular
appreciation for “Canucks”.
“Canadian crowds have
always been super-supportive in
Catch the Toasters Wednesday
September 22 at the West End
Cultural Centre with The Afterbeat
and New Blood Revival. Tickets
are $20 in advance at Music
Trader, or $25 at the door. All
Ages. Doors at 7:15 p.m. Show
starts at 8 p.m.
LABEL PROFILE OF THE WEEK: Bacteria Buffet Records
By Samuel Z. Thompson
S
ka music was popular
in the mainstream
for about a minute.
At least that’s how it seems.
The genre, which dates back
to Jamaica in the 1950s,
received a massive blast of
popularity in the mid-90s
thanks to bands like the
Mighty Mighty Bosstones,
but after a few months it
became just another “trend
o’ the week,” like the muchhyped swing revival a few
years later. Of course, the
really dedicated ska fans
knew that the music had
never really gone anywhere.
Although it dropped from
being HUGE to almost nonexistent on the mainstream
radar, ska remains alive and
kicking, just as it has been
for the past fifty years.
Strangely enough, the
latest Mecca for the music is
far from its Caribbean roots.
Ska music is alive and well and
making a comeback right here
in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since
the creation of Bacteria Buffet
Records (BBR), the new breed of
Winnipeg ska bands have been
touring North America, releasing
critically-acclaimed CDs and, on
the whole, doing incredibly well.
According to BBR
head honcho and former Royal
Winnipeg Porn Orchestra leader
Matt Henderson, the label didn’t
start off as a serious project.
“BBR started out as a bit of a
joke,” says Henderson, “and a
way for the Royal Winnipeg Porn
Orchestra to get grants. After a
few years, some of the ska bands
in town asked me to put together
a compilation (“Peg City Skank”)
and BBR was born.”
The success of that first
compilation has led to releases by
local groups the Afterbeat, the
Wedgewoods, the Barrymores,
Greg “Milka” Crowe, JFK and
the Conspirators, and, of course,
RWPO.
“So far we have
released 11 albums, including
two compilations and some
horrible RWPO recordings,”
says Henderson. “The ska scene
is much younger than it used to
be in the nineties. Back in the
day, ska was an 18-plus thing,
and a lifestyle, to an extent.
Now it’s more of an all-ages
scene and wrapped up into the
thriving punk, hardcore and
hip-hop scenes. It has become
more professional, in the sense
that the ska bands in Winnipeg
are putting out good records and
touring all over North America.
Part of the reason for
Winnipeg’s new-found place as
the ska capital (or, if you want
to be cheesy, the “skapital”) of
Canada is that, for some reason,
there are always a lot of ska
groups that get started in this
town. According to Henderson, if
his label is looking for potential
success, quality is more important
than quantity.
“Winnipeg has a lot of
ska and reggae bands,” he says.
“But only a few have the magic
ingredients to be successful from
a financial point of view. Bands
need to have complete dedication,
great songs, and an amazing
live show. It’s pretty hard to sell
records if you have shitty songs
and have a lousy stage show.”
The label has also
been responsible for bringing
big name ska acts through
Winnipeg, including the likes of
the Slackers, King Django and
the Toasters, who are stopping in
at the West End Cultural Centre
September 22.
“This wouldn’t have
happened without BBR,” says
Henderson, “and it makes us
feel pretty good that we can
expose people to this music.”
Although Bacteria
Buffet is getting more and
more recognition and success
with each release, through
touring, college radio play and
word-of-mouth, it’s still a parttime job for Henderson.
“ I’m not sure if I
want it to get to that (fulltime) point,” he says.” Right
now it’s fun, a hobby. If I
did it full-time, I would be
broke and probably pretty
frustrated.”
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
017
Arts & Culture
By Michael Goertzen
R EPRESENTING A BSTRACTION: A N INTERVIEW
WITH NEIL DYCK AND GREG H ANEC.
he multi-disciplinary artists,
Neil Dyck and Greg Hanec
have combined their sprawling
talents for a painting exhibit, focusing
primarily on abstraction, at the
Graffiti Gallery. The Uniter sat down
with each of them, on separate
occasions, to get an explanation
of their works from the artists
themselves.
Uniter: How would you
describe your painting so that
someone unfamiliar with your work
would get an idea of what they are
going to see?
Neil Dyck: There’s
probably pure abstraction. They’re
all on eight-by-four foot sheets [of
MDF]. So they are rather large.
MDF is similar to particle board,
but it’s more sturdy and doesn’t
break apart that easily. I use mostly a
hard edge technique, using masking
tape and small rollers. Hard edge
technique is putting tape down to
make lines, taping off an area and
filling it with paint and having
those sharp lines that you wouldn’t
be able to create with just your
brush. Although some people can
[make them] with serious practice.
I think I use sort of a mix between
conventional and unconventional
colour schemes, or composition.
Uniter: Unconventional
composition?
Dyck: It’s all balanced out
or whatever. I don’t know. I think
I do it sort of in a stranger way.
It’s just taking all the elements of
abstract art, like colour and form,
and line and texture and whatever,
and combining all of those, making
them all react. All of the paintings,
or probably ninety percent, are
done with an intuitive process of
putting down a mark and right
away thinking of how to react to
that mark, what to put down next
and just keep going and going, in
steps. Kind of working it out. Like a
puzzle, to complete the composition.
At some point, I feel that everything
is balanced out, and is aesthetically
pleasing, to me at least. There’s a
mixture of geometric and organic
shapes. I don’t know if I hold myself
too much to one certain thing. There
seems to be exceptions to every
idea that I put down. It can always
change.
Uniter: Do you paint or
make art out of or from a system of
references? Do you ever realize what
you are doing is something similar to
someone or in reaction to something
else that you’ve seen?
Dyck: I don’t think that
I really do that. When it does sort
of happen, or those ideas pop into
my mind, I try to hide them or
ignore them cause I’m trying to
do something that is totally nonrepresentational. In my paintings if
something will pop up and looks like
an actual object I’ll get rid of it. I’ll
try to mask any obvious imagery. If it
looks like an object people could read
into; that it represents or references
something. I don’t necessarily
want people to look at it that way.
Right now what I’m doing is totally
avoiding representation. I think for
me it’s the idea of being able to do
something where I don’t…. I was
kind of getting tired of trying to
figure out concepts for paintings or
confessional art. By doing something
that’s completely abstract I’m getting
rid of that, and just focusing on the
visual and what all the elements in a
unmasculine colours. Or bright,
almost childlike colours. Or
feminine colours. [Took] away their
masculinity but also renewed their
kind of aging process. I put them
on a table. It’s called, “Eight Events
in Michael Bardecki’s Life”. I refer
to eight important events in his life,
and put those events by each tool. It’s
a loose way of recounting his life by
the things. People like that, from the
old country, the Ukraine, for them
work was the important thing. If you
didn’t work, your life was over. So
tools are a pretty important signpost.
Something I do a lot in my
work is have a connection that people
would get that is more obvious.
Then I try to figure out one removed
from it, so that it becomes virtually
un-gettable, even though it’s there
in the work. One of the tools is a
scale. I put it beside my birth in the
events, “Birth of Grandson Greg”.
When painters talk about their work
they talk about scale, so I realize
that in the piece, emotionally, by my
inclusion in it, that gives the piece
scale in terms of the temporality of
his life. I used a scale to mark my
birth, which I think is interesting.
Not that anyone would get it if
I didn’t tell them. Maybe they
would. Maybe one out of a hundred
would. One out of two hundred. I
don’t know. I think that it’s okay in
painting and art to have explanations
with the work. That [disclosure] was
really derided a lot; that you should
be able to get it without an essay or
an explanation. But I don’t mind if
some works need or are embellished
with essays. That’s fine.
--------------------------------
T
018
»
Neil Dyck sits in front of his
painting titled “Hanging Bam
#5” at the Grafitti Gallery
Photo by: Wade Andrew
painting that you see are doing with
each other.
Uniter: So it’s more of a
release? Or it’s more peaceful?
Dyck: I think it’s more
peaceful. When I’m working it
just seems more peaceful to just
work with the visual language and
nothing else. And there aren’t many
situations or things that I’m involved
in where you can actually do that.
I guess it’s some
sort of escape or
something. Going
into this thing that
has nothing to do
with really what’s
going on around
me in my life at all.
Just kind of playing
around. Just the
process itself is a
totally enjoyable
thing.
---------------------Uniter:
How would you
describe your
paintings and
installations so that
someone unfamiliar
with your work
would get an idea
of what they are
going to see at the
Graffiti Gallery?
Greg
Hanec: My stuff ’s
very formal. It’s
a combination of
poured painting-an agitated dizzy
poured painting-and extreme
minimalism….
There’s a floor
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
painting that’s geometric, and a wall
painting that’s a poured painting….
The sculpture is what I would call
Invasive Sculpture, abbreviated IS
#1, IS #2 (“is,” that’s interesting)….
They seem to be sculptures, very
minimal, that just fell into the room
or came uninvited, and were just left
there by somebody. They’re not on
a pedestal or anything; they’re sort
of hanging off the pipes and stuff in
the place, and the railings. Invasive
Sculpture is something I’m going to
really look into. These are the first
three I’ve ever done….
The last thing is an
installation based on my grandfather.
He had these tools that I inherited
after he died. They were all old
and rusty. I painted them really
The Graffiti Gallery exhibit runs until
September 24. Hours are 11-5 p.m.
Monday to Friday, and 12-5 p.m. on
Saturday. The gallery is located at
109 Higgins at Gomez. For the U of
W student, that’s a convenient ride
on the 11 or 47 buses. There is no
entry fee, but a donation of a nonperishable food item is encouraged.
Arts & Culture
By Dave Streit
CHEAP MEAT DREAMS AND ACORNS
NOT A PERSON, NOT A COMPANY, NOT A BAND, NOT A LABEL, BUT A WAY OF LIFE
K
en Gregory is that guy
you see walking down
Albert Street. You don’t
know what he does, but it must
be something because he is…the
guy. You know him? Imagine
the sequel to Repo man filmed
in The Exchange District; he
would be one of those retro cool
denizens crossing the street in the
background--low key, stealing
the scene. I’ve served Ken coffee
for four years now--sometimes he
disappears for months at a time,
reappearing only to disappear (I
suppose) back to some electric
Tesla-styled laboratory. He’s
working, he says, sometimes in
Vancouver or overseas, but he
always comes home to Winnipeg.
Now you’re invited
behind the eyes and into the
mind of Ken Gregory via an
ambitious three-part launch of art
exhibition, literature and audio
CD.
»
“It’s all cheap meat in Ken’s
hands….”–Hope Peterson
Ken Gregory
This exhibition of work-spanning over ten years, of
tinkering with dreams, robots,
sound and god–-is guaranteed to
ignite the fire in even the most
sedentary of souls. I got a sneak
peak while he was still setting
up the installations. Imagine
an electric kettle married to the
carriage of a tiny tricycle. Video
images explode from an ancient
gramophone, as you, the viewer,
turn the handle.
My favorite piece, the
sonic pipe bomb, is a satirical
(Winnipeg), Katherine Pirrie
Adams (Toronto) and Tapio
Makela (Finland). Included is
a bonus C.D. compilation of
sound/song experiments created
over the past decade, with
personal pieces, and previously
featured at the send+receive
festival.
look into the fear that threatens
us, brought to you with the
bombast of a 70s K-Tel print ad.
Press a button, the pipe emits
an ominous countdown of beep
beep beeping. Step closer, read
the screen that scrolls the words:
no no no no no no no no no no.
The sonic bomb goes off with all
the menace of a car alarm (the
would-be target, driven mad with
a fifty pound migraine growing
in the frontal lobe)….the scrolling
words turn to: yes yes yes yes yes
yes yes yes yes. The energy you
put into activating this and other
Opening night 17 September @
pieces gives you a personal sense of 8 p.m.
authorship woefully lacking in most Plug-in Gallery 286 McDermot
other static art and stand around
Avenue
shows. This is the performance
Show runs 17 September to 13
aspect that Ken has created. He’s
November 2004.
still performing; he just stepped
For more information go to www.
behind the curtain while you, the cheapmeat.net or
audience, interacts.
http://www.plugin.org
Coming soon: the interview with
The book of archival
information and photos documents Ken Gregory in this month’s
literary supplement.
Ken’s creative course through
Winnipeg’s underground art scene
in the mid- to late-eighties with
essays and analysis by Hope Peterson
(Winnipeg), Robert Enright
THIS YEAR’S WRITER’S FEST WILL MAKE YOU L AUGH, CRY…
BLOW YOUR MIND
By Jon Symons
W
ell, the gray days of
summer are over, and
the grayer days of winter
are right around the corner. But
before that, there’s changing leaves,
wearing hoodies indoors, back to
school, the start of the NFL season,
Thanksgiving and Halloween. Ahh,
fall. Nothing kicks off fall like The
Winnipeg International Writer’s
Festival. Now in its eighth year, the
Writer’s Fest always brings interesting
authors from all across Canada into
town to discuss their work, and this
year is shaping out to be the most
successful yet.
The Writer’s Fest runs
from September 20-26 and passes
for the entire festival are $25, while
individual event tickets can be
purchased for $10, thirty minutes
prior to performance. Here’s a quick
look at what’s happening. All events
are held at MTYP Mainstage unless
otherwise noted.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
7:30 P.M.
The opening night of
the festival, New Waves, resembles
a poetry slam competition. The
evening features local poets Nico
Rogers and Derek Dawda and
Vancouverite Barbara Adler,
among others. Look for the MTYP
main stage to inherit the same
frantic, energetic atmosphere of an
underground rap concert.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 7:30 P.M.
Another event to check
out is “Navigating A New World,”
an evening devoted exclusively to
our own U of W President Lloyd
Axworthy. The Honourable Mr.
Axworthy will read from his book
“Navigating a New World: Canada’s
Global Future”, as well as talk
about his experiences working in
global politics. Mr. Axworthy is an
accomplished speaker with loads of
engaging material, so anyone with an
interest in politics shouldn’t pass this
opportunity up.
Acclaimed Canadian
author Anne-Marie McDonald, who
you’ve seen somewhere on CBC, will
be at McNally Robinson Grant Park
from 8-9 p.m. to read from her new
novel “The Way The Crow Flies”.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 7:30 P.M.
This should be the most
exciting night of the fest. If opening
night’s poetry slam free-for-all has
been described as a rap concert,
Wednesday’s Altered States program
is prog-rock, classical, and 60s
psychedelia all rolled into one. It’ll
be loud, possibly mind-blowing,
and like the aforementioned musical
styles, the stories being told will
make you think.
Winnipeg-born Montreal
resident Jon Paul Fiorentino will
bring his poetry back home as he
reads from his latest collection,
“Hello Serotonin”. Using razor sharp
wit and a dose of self-deprecation,
Fiorentino’s synaptic syntax tackles
pop-culture, prescription drugs
and simple everyday observations,
while “The Switching Yard Song”
and “Transcona LOL” reveal the
true nature of the neighbourhood
Fiorentino grew up in and the rest of
us love to make fun of.
Critically acclaimed poet
and short-fiction writer Kristjana
Gunnars gets into your head with
her character-driven short stories in
her new work “Any Day But This”.
Gunnars will also be on campus
Wednesday to provide a preview of
what to expect in the evening.
The evening also features
Governor General Award Winner
(1995, “The Roaring Girl”) Greg
Hollingshead, who will talk about
his past works as well as his brilliant
new historical novel “Bedlam,” an
unconventional love story which
focuses upon a tea-broker imprisoned
in the notorious Bethlem Insane
Asylum in London, possibly for
political reasons, and his loving wife
Margaret’s attempts to have him
released. Think “Quills” without the
Marquis de Sade and the historical
inaccuracies.
Irvine Welsh fans will no
doubt appreciate Cordelia Strube.
Like Welsh, Strube’s writing deals
with real people going through real
situations, and like Welsh, her novels
are darkly funny and moving, with
a fantastic ear for dialogue. Strube
will read from her new novel, “Blind
Night”, the story of McKenna and
her daughter Logan, who are forced
to live in a seedy motel after a truck
crashes through their house and
burns it to the ground. Oh yeah, and
McKenna’s going color blind as a
result of the accident.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23
7:30 P.M.
The mainstage show is all about
Journeying, with local author Wayne
Tefs joined by six other writers to
discuss the always popular “quest”
story.
Noah Richler and Micheal Posner,
author of “The Last Honest Man: An
Oral Biography of Mordecai Richler”
will be on hand at the Berney
Theatre to discuss Noah’s dad, while
Bill Redekop will be at McNally
Robinson Grant Park to discuss the
very cool “Crime Stories: More of
Manitoba’s Most Famous Crimes”.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
7:30 P.M.
The main stage focuses on “The
Sharp Edge of Wit” and features
well-known CBC Radio host Erika
Ritter, who will read from new
collection “The Big Book of Guys,”
Brian Francis, whose novel “Fruit” is
garnering critical raves, acclaimed
poet George Bowering and local
author Miriam Toews.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25 7:30 P.M.
Seven poets from around the world
will take the stage in the annual
poetry bash.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26
2:30 P.M.
Four Manitoba writers,
Alissa York, Maira Cook, David
Elias, and Chandra Mayor, talk
about their experiences living in
our fine province in “Mapping This
Place”. York and Elias draw from the
rural, while Mayor’s novel “Cherry”
takes place smack-dab in the middle
of urban Winnipeg.
The festival closes with
“Family Matters,” as six writers
discuss family in all its forms.
Winnipegger Linda Holeman will
present her new novel “The Linnet
Bird”.
There’s also the brand
new CBC Afternoon Book Talk Series
which happens every day from 2-3
at McNally Robinson Portage Place,
and will feature a variety of writers
talking about writing. If you don’t
feel like leaving the school, fear not;
there’s a ton of stuff happening right
here on the U of W campus.
Maira Cook will read
from “Slovenly Love” on Monday;
geography majors should check out
Paul Quarrington on Thursday, as
he reads from his novel “Galveston”,
while Friday afternoon’s poetry
session features Erin Noteboom, Don
McKay and George Bowering, three
of the best our country has to offer.
Also on Friday, 28 yearold wunderkind Robert McGill
will present his debut novel “The
Mysteries”, a gripping novel about
a murdered woman in a small
Ontario town and the unique cast
of characters that are in some way
connected with her.
Visit www.winnipegwords.com for
full schedule and more information.
U of W Campus Events
Monday September 20, 12:30-1:20
Room 1L13
Maira Cook
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 12:301:20
Room 1L13
Kristjana Gunnars and Michael
Winter
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 11:3012:30
Studio 1L10
Paul Quarrington
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 12:30-1:20
Room 1L13
Robert McGill, Shyam Selvadurai
Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall
Poetry Panel featuring Erin
Noteboom, Don McKay, George
Bowering and John Havelda.
Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall
Launch of Juice, the University of
Winnipeg’s creative writing journal.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
019
Arts & Culture
REDSAYNO
Show and Album Review
»
Photo by: Dustin Leader
By Jonathan Tan
S
eptember 11, 2004 was many things
to many people. For Redsayno
guitarist Tim Murphy it was the
perfect day to fly home from Montreal, no
lines, no delays and plenty of empty seats
on the plane. For the staff and owners of
the Dregs café, it was their busiest night
to date, with the crowd filling the café
and lingering on Osborne near the open
door, almost an unofficial second grandopening. For others, myself included, it
was the first time seeing the experimental
three-piece instrumental outfit live. Most
importantly for all concerned, including
drummer Sebastian Podsiadlo, guitarist
David Sweatman and their solid group of
local fans, it was a reunion with Tim and
the music after the band’s summer hiatus.
Redsayno have been playing
together since 1999, and have gained a
local following by creating rich, dreamlike,
sonic meanders that draw you in and make
you listen. The group released their selftitled debut album to a packed Gas Station
theatre on May 7, 2004 and it has enjoyed
regular airplay on CKUW ever since,
staying in their Top 30 charts throughout
the summer.
The album, which was recorded
live to four-track at the group’s former
rehearsal space in the Bate building on
Albert, by former Tequila Mockingbird
guitarist Graham Playford, has an intimate
and present feel to it--like you’re in the
room with them. The live recording was
combined with some additional recordings
done in Saskatoon at Transit Sound
Studio, and released in affiliation with the
Teargas Recording Tree, an independently
run, non-profit artist collective based in
Saskatoon.
A quick look through the crowd
at the Dregs revealed that members of
other Winnipeg bands, Teargas-affiliated
acts like The Absent Sound, and Mahogany
Frog, had turned up to support their
020
friends and co-conspirators in what
is becoming known as the Winnipeg
experimental scene. The packed house
made the place look like it was free CD
day at Into The Music (which used to
occupy the space) with people shuffling
around to try and get a view of the corner
stage.
The night began with a poetry
reading by the U of W’s own David Streit,
who lamented and lambasted the highprices, poor selection and outsourced thugs
he encountered at the Village Safeway. This
emotional and vocal performance made
way for the wordless but emotion-filled
hour that followed.
The performance, like the
album, demonstrated how two guitars,
some bass pedals and a drum kit can
build soundscapes that go from sparse
sprinklings of sound to climactic walls of
noise in a series of beautiful transitions.
These boys are clearly passionate about
their instruments and their music, and it
shows.
A look at the show’s poster lets on
that they may be passionate about other
things as well. It reads, “Remember your
first taste of American liberty” against a
backdrop of bombs reading, “Homeland
Security” raining down on a photo from
the Winnipeg General Strike, the bottom
of the poster reads, “REDSAYNO Drops
the Bomb.” Obviously a commentary on
the coincidental date of the show, and
perhaps the politics of the band (although
they assure me that the band’s name is
not a reference to Communism, it’s from
a button), they managed to get a message
out despite their lack of lyrics. Dave
Sweatman thanked the crowd for coming
out and offered only this, “What is the
question? I don’t know….but war is not the
answer.”
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT R EDSAYNO
AND THE WINNIPEG EXPERIMENTAL
SCENE VISIT www.redsaynomusic.com
AND www.teargasrecordingtree.com
p
Sports
»
Contact
Sports Editors: Leighton Klassen
E-mail
By Leighton Klassen
Sports Editor
M
en’s volleyball coach
Larry McKay likely
would have preferred
to have his team fashioned
wearing gold medals at the close
of last season, but the roster
that stenciled out nine wins and
eleven losses on their record
last year is the same roster that
McKay feels can bring home a
championship.
McKay recruited only
two players in the off-season,
the least among the associating
Wesmen teams, and though the
number may appear to be rather
sparse, the talent is exuberant.
Alan Ahow will be
joining the team with a
repertoire of championships
under his belt. A 6’4” outside
hitter, Ahow won the 2003 and
2004 national championships
while stationed on the Winnipeg
Strike Volleyball team. He also
was pinned with the MVP
Tele: 786-9497
award in 2004 and the All Star
award in 2003.
McKay says Ahow was in
top demand across Canada and
feels optimistic about his fitting
nicely into the Wesmen roster.
“Allen was a top player
while in Grade 11,” McKay said.
“He was heavily recruited in
Canada and we’re grateful to
have him.”
Ahow’s size is one of
his prominent characteristics,
something McKay feels Ahow
can capitalize on while on the
court. However, McKay says
Ahow still has to overcome the
dichotomy of caliber between
the university and high school
spectrum.
“He’s a passing-power
hitter and he’s very good at his
skill level, but we’ll see if he’s
just as good at the university
level.”
Although McKay
envisions Ahow to be a top
performer, he’s not putting any
pressure on him or any of the
other first year players to land a
starting position this year.
“No,” replied McKay
when asked if Ahow is expected
to start. “I really don’t expect
him to, and I don’t expect any
freshmen (to be starters).”
Also joining the team
will be Andrew Town, from
Dakota Collegiate. The 6’3”
outside hitter is currently a
member of the Manitoba
provincial team, won the
AAAA championships with the
Dakota Lancers and was the
MVP in 2003. McKay says
Town does not possess the same
credibility as Ahow, but still
carries a robust amount of
talent.
“He’s not as acclaimed
as Allen, but he’s really
outstanding and a very good
athlete,” McKay said. “I think
he’s going to fit real well into
the program and he’s got a lot of
good high school experience.”
The team will be holding
tryouts September 13.
MCK AY LIMITS OFF-SEASON
R ECRUITS TO TWO
Scott LeMaistre, walk
on for tryouts
» Photo by: Wade Andrew
LOCAL WRITER PIONEERS FIRST ULTIMATE
FRISBEE MAGAZINE
By Leighton Klassen
Sports Editor
Y
ou might not think
spending countless hours in
a small office in downtown
Winnipeg would be a dreamworthy career aspiration, but for
Eric Reder, it’s exactly what he’s
looking for. That’s because his title
doesn’t entail blue collar or pencil
pushing classifications--he’s the
publisher for Chasing Plastic, the
fi rst and only Ultimate Frisbee
magazine.
“I couldn’t ask for
anything more,” Reder says of the
satisfaction of his job. “It’s going
very smoothly, I’m getting a lot of
support, and things are going just
great.”
Reder fi rst created the
magazine in July of 2001, but it
wasn’t until recently that he became
the official publisher and moved the
office out of his home. And though
his office is rather small, confining,
and not even fully set up yet--he
just moved in in August--what
comes out is a fully glossy-coloured
magazine that churns out about
4000 copies distributed worldwide,
but more specifically, directly to the
sport of Ulitmate Frisbee.
“That’s the push, to get it
out to a league,” says Reder. “We’re
getting it out to the players.”
Reder says it’s hard for
magazines to survive on
newsstands, and the only real
advantage is to both attract and
satisfy advertisers. But one of the
biggest reasons for his wanting to
keep it off the newsstands relates
directly to the ideology of the
magazine; to keep it community
based within the sport of Ultimate
Frisbee.
“I’m really keeping it
within the community, so it’s less
authoritative,” he says. “It also
keeps the regional interest up.”
And knowing the
expectations of communities is
something that is almost innate
with Reder, considering he’s been in
the sporting community for a
number of years stationed as a
photojournalist. But he says the
»
market for photojournalism wasn’t
appealing, which blossomed his
interest to splice his
photojournalism into a magazine.
“I started with
photojournalism and a little bit of
writing, and I had played Ulitmate
before, but after traveling to
different tournaments, I found there
was no where to market it
(photography), so I started the
magazine.”
He says the magazine,
which is currently published
quarterly, is the best way to get
across accurate and in-depth
information; namely because of the
extended deadline associated with
magazines in comparison to other
forms of journalism.
“A magazine is very
unique,” he says. “It’s very different
than a newspaper and it has a very
specific value to the reader--you
have time to do the research.”
And like any journalist,
quality is the binary of success.
“I want people to get
quality info and thinking in terms
of responsibility,” Reder explains.
“The public needs to see players’
talents on the field. I want people to
get good info that is both accurate
and entertaining.”
But quality and hard work
are two concepts that run parallel to
each other, and it was only a matter
of time before Reder realized just
how much work it is to publish
under deadline.
“Long hours is something
you learn about,” he says. “Th ings
happen unexpectedly when you’re
reaching the deadline. You really
see what’s going on when working
50-60 hours at one time, but when
you’re coming in on the crunch, you
realize you have to put it out, and
now I really know that.”
And once the product is
hot off the press, the hard work is
put into context and the
gratification is something that
revitalizes the desire to keep going
and do it all over again, Reder says.
“When you pick up that
fi rst copy and say ‘this is mine…
that’s what I made happen,’ it’s
really a good feeling.”
Reder’s recent endeavor is
in the ranks of success right now,
but with an evolving popularity
with the sport of Ultimate Frisbee,
it is almost inevitable that other
entrepreneurs might partake in
publishing magazines on the sport.
And though the notion has crossed
Reder’s mind, it hasn’t stinted his
confidence.
“Our quality is pushed,”
he says. “I use a lot of photos, have
covered over 24 tournaments and
have met a lot of people on the way.
I always talk to the local people, so
I’m always staying on top of things,
and because of that, we’re putting
out a better issue every time.”
The gig has allowed Reder
to make a living, but his passion
about the sport and its promotion
are the concepts that make him
happy at the end of the day.
“It’s a tool of growth,” he
explains, of what the function of
the publication is. “I want people to
have a better understanding and
knowledge of the sport, and to
make the magazine unique and
reliable.”
Reder currently runs the
publication by means of a
contracted staff, but he eventually
plans to have a regular staff and to
expand the business to numerous
publication titles.
“I’m looking at more
publication titles, and getting
different ideas of publishing with
different writers, and expanding so
I can expand my time.”
The next issue of Chasing Plaﬆic
will come out in approximately
three weeks and can be picked up
at the head office, located at 20863 Albert Street.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
021
p
Sports
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM A DDS TO
AN A LREADY TALENTED LINEUP
By Jon Symons
A
fter a stellar season last year in
which they finished 13- 7 and took
home a bronze medal in the CIS
championships, the women’s basketball
team is hoping to improve on their success
and find what could be the final piece to
the puzzle that leads to a championship
season.
Wesmen head coach Tanya
McKay added four local players over the
off-season including 5’6’’ guard Jenny
Ezirim from Vincent Massey, (Winnipeg)
who is expected to contribute right off the
bat. Ezirim was the top ranked player in
the province last year and a Provincial
team all-star as well as a member of the
Manitoba Provincial team. Ezirim will
very likely replace departed Sally Kaznica
in the lineup.
“Jenny will probably make an
impact immediately.” Says McKay. “She is
very very talented, athletic and as quick as
lightning. She sees the floor well, is a
tremendous defender and will give teams
some trouble.”
Along with Ezirim, the Wesmen
have added 5’7’’ guard and three-point
specialist Sam Breakenridge from Oak
Park Collegiate, 6’1’’ post Christina Thys
from Miles MacDonnell, and 5’9’’ guard
Ronalyn Olaes from Sisler.
“Sam is very athletic, can shoot
the three and take the ball to the net;
Christina brings in the ability to play on
the perimeter and post and will help us on
the boards, and Ronalyn is very talented
– very creative.” Breakenridge, Thys and
Olaes may not break out this year, but
McKay sees good things from them in the
future.
“We have a nice mix of returning
veteran players and young developing
players,” she said. “As the rookies get
familiar with our system and how things
work in University, with time they all will
contribute. Taking the step from High
School to University is a big leap.”
Lineups are never set in stone
however, and any one of these players
could fi nd themselves in the starting
lineup if they continue to develop and
impress in reserve roles, says McKay.
“The bottom line for all players is
performance,” she says. “ Do your job, do
it well and you will be given opportunities.
Once given the opportunities, the players
have to take advantage of them.”
The Team will be holding tryouts on
September 13.
Fact & Fitness
BY
SARAH HAUCH
Are you frustrated by the astronomical amount ot “get in shape” slogans out there? Don’t
know what to believe or where to start? Well, I’m here to let you know the truth about the
myths and facts of fitness. As a third year student in the faculty of Physical Activity and
Sports Studies, I have the inside info and want to show you just how simple ‘being in
shape’ can be.
PEDOMETERS
AND
10,000 STEPS
I’ve had a lot of people ask me about pedometers. “Do they work”, “are they accurate”, “should I get
one”, etc. So I decided to look into them. Basically, the concept is great. Companies such as Burger
King, Special K and Chatelaine are giving away free pedometers in hopes that people will get off their
couch potato butts and move around. Walking more equals burning more calories.
You must remember, of course, that walking a few extra steps a day cannot replace your exercise
routine. Being more active in your daily life is a positive step but you must continue to work the heart
at least three times a week at a higher intensity for greater health benefits. As well, for your steps to
count as a ‘form of exercise’ you cannot dawdle. You must walk at a decent speed and take generous
steps.
But don’t get me wrong – walking is fabulous, and pedometers are a great way to challenge
yourself to be more active. In my opinion, get one. Use it for a day and see how many steps you take.
Now try to beat that number of steps the next day. It’s worth a try if anything else. Just remember that
we have to be active in other parts of our lives as well.
HERE IS A BIT OF FURTHER INFO ON PEDOMETERS :
Pedometers: The “10,000 steps” phenomenon, originally invented in Japan nearly 40 years ago, is based on a person
walking 10,000 steps per day to achieve and develop their fitness levels. The average U.S. couch potato takes between 2300
and 3000 steps daily. Obesity has tripled over the last 20 years and continues rise. Many adults are now overweight. If this
trend continues, by 2010 obesity-related diseases, such as coronary heart disease, will be costing the economy billions a year.
So how can pedometers truly help?
Use a pedometer to measure 10,000 steps a day. 10,000 steps a day could be the key to reducing the obesity figure by briskly
walking the equivalent of 4-5 miles with intensity and time targets being met.
WAYS
TO REACH YOUR
10,000
TARGET:
Walking 10,000 steps a day can be a daunting task - so here are some tips on how to reach that
elusive figure.
•
Take the stairs instead of the lift
•
Park a little further away from your destination and walk an extra five minutes
•
Walk during your lunch break
•
Walk to the local shops for the forgotten bits and pieces
•
Walk to your friend's house instead of driving
•
When watching TV - take a walk in the ad break
•
Don't call your office colleagues - walk to their desk and talk face-to-face
DON ’T
FORGET TO WEAR YOUR PEDOMETER AT ALL TIMES !
YOU ’RE
PROBABLY WALKING MORE THAN YOU THINK
–
EVERY STEP COUNTS !
A note about the accuracy of PEDOMETERS:
With regard to distance travelled, pedometers are not 100 percent accurate. They rely on the user
setting an accurate stride length into the pedometer. Each time the user takes a step, it is assumed
they have travelled that far, i.e. 3 feet. If you change stride pattern, there will be an increased error.
Keep this in mind and remember to be active always.
PARITY SUGGESTS THERE
WILL BE CHANGES
If you would like to ask a fitness question, or comment on anything related to fitness and
getting into shape, email Sarah Hauch at [email protected], or leave a message
at 786-9497
By Mike Pyl
I
n the Parity Era of today’s
NFL, you only know one
thing – you don’t know
anything.
One season, a team
might languish in the congested
confines of .500-dom. The next,
they could be laughing aloud,
sipping champagne alone atop
the other 31 teams.
Likewise, a team,
which for the last few seasons
would find itself in the upperechelon of the league, can easily
be sent crashing down into the
relative obscurity and futility
amongst the bottom-feeders.
The extremity of the
freefalls and subsequent inclines
both up-and-down the
standings are nearly exclusive to
the NFL. In no other league
will you find the teams so evenly
matched. The difference between
6-10, considered by most teams
to be a failure of a season, and
10-6, a wild card berth, are to
paraphrase “Al Pacino inches”.
A couple of missed tackles here,
one improperly-ran route there,
and you’re done.
Dating back to 1998,
seven of the twelve Super Bowl
teams were at least .500 or
below the preceding season
beginning with the 1998
Atlanta Falcons and culminating
with the reigning NFC
Champion Carolina Panthers
022
who, two seasons ago finished 79.
Likewise, a team can
just as easily fall atop the hill.
No example best illustrates this
than the 2002 Super Bowl
participants, the New England
Patriots and the St. Louis Rams.
After only an Adam Vinaterilast second field goal separated
the two, both clubs followed the
hotly contested championship
game up by missing the playoffs
the next season. Likewise, the
defending champion Tampa Bay
Buccaneers missed the playoffs
last year.
There are many
candidates vying to be 2004’s
answer to the Panthers. The
Washington Redskins (5-11 in
2003) are mentioned
prominently by many pundits
and non-pundits alike as a
possibility, excited about the
additions of Clinton Portis and
Mark Brunell. Sure, Portis is
the real deal, but there was a
reason Brunell, the face of the
Jacksonville franchise for years,
was banished from the Jags.
While he does have something
left, it’s certainly not enough to
be the savior many expect him
to be. Besides, how many times
before have we heard hype about
the ‘Skins, only to see them
implode due to inconsistent
performances and meddlesome
owner Dan Snyder.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
While we’re on the
topic of underachievement, we
might as well mention the New
Orleans Saints (8-8 in 2003).
Once again, they have the talent
to win a Super Bowl and, once
again, they won’t. Head coach
Jim Haslett will once again
coach them out of the playoffs,
inexcusable for an offense
boasting the likes of Aaron
Brooks, Deuce McCallister, and
Joe Horn.
The Buffalo Bills (6-10
in 2003) could emerge as a
Super Bowl contender. The Bills
bring most of the pieces back
from the NFL’s number tworanked defense, led by perennial
Pro Bowlers Takeo Spikes and
Lawyer Milloy. The biggest
obstacle lies, surprisingly, at
quarterback, namely, Drew
Bledsoe. One of the league’s
better pocket-passers of the last
ten years threw for only 2860
yards in 2003, directing an
offense that did not produce a
touchdown in seven games.
Jack Del Rio’s Jaguars
(5-11) are receiving plenty of
publicity. But with second-year
quarterback Byron Leftwich
behind centre, Jacksonville
figures to be a year or two away.
No, the most likely candidate as
Surprise Team of the Year must
be the New York Jets (6-10 in
2003). Virtually forgotten about
and left for dead last season, the
Jets will return to form with
pivot Chad Pennington who,
don’t forget, impressively led
New York to the playoffs in
2002 before falling to injury in
’03. They boast one of the
league’s best young receivers in
Santana Moss and two of the
more underrated signings of this
past off-season in Pete Kendall
and Justin McCareins. They also
have about as soft a schedule as
they come, with home games
against the Bengals, the Bills,
and the 49ers, and road games
in San Diego and Miami.
Now, to make playoff
room for the aforementioned,
some teams have to get out of
the way. As far as these go, well,
Tennessee is a distinct
possibility. Any football club
that is so reliant on one player
must prepare itself for a possible
bust. QB Steve McNair has
been the arm, the feet, the head,
the heart, the eyes, the stomach,
the pancreas, and the liver of the
Titans over the past year. As a
result, he also becomes the most
injury-prone. Should McNair
ever fall for a lengthy period of
time, expect Tennessee to be
drafting a lot higher next year.
The defense has lost key guys
over the past years (Jevon
Kearse for one), and the offense
lacks any real playmakers
outside of Derrick Mason.
Baltimore and Dallas,
two playoff teams from ‘03, find
themselves in the same, ominous
position. Both have done little
to improve themselves. While
both squads’ strengths lie on the
defensive side of the ball, their
offenses are blatantly offensive.
The Ravens are still way too
dependent on Jamal Lewis while
waiting for second-year QB Kyle
Boller to develop. The Cowboys,
meanwhile, are hailing Vinny
Testaverde as their savior. Just
think about that – Vinny.
Testaverde.
Kansas City still has no
“D”, as well as no above-average
wide receiver. At the very least,
do not expect another 13-3
record.
Carolina went 7-0 last
regular season in games decided
by three points or less. That was
on a .500 team’s schedule.
While returning nearly
everyone, their non-division
schedule features exclusively, for
the most part, legitimate playoff
teams. Green Bay, Kansas City,
Denver, Philadelphia, San
Diego (one exception), Seattle,
Oakland, San Francisco (the
other). The Panthers will not be
so lucky this year.
p
Sports
A LOOK INSIDE THE MTS CENTRE
Captions by Leighton Klassen
Photos by Wade Andrew
An outside view of the MTS Centre looking
South on Portage Avenue. The opening day
for the facility is scheduled for November 14.
W
»
hat first broke into the
downtown revitalization
project as controversial
and rippled with many hurdles
both political and financial, the
MTS Centre (formally named the
True North Centre) is finally taking
shape and is in its last stages of
construction. From the outside, an
outer face collaged with windows
has given the building a flashy look
that is both classy and modern,
and the same theme is reciprocal
on the inside. This past Saturday
the Uniter had the opportunity to
partake in a tour of the inside of the
facility. Jeff Mager, director of ticket
sales for True North Enterprises,
led the tour which examined nearly
every area of the building from the
front entrance, all the way up to
the highest seat in the upper-deck,
while mediating the reason for
design and architectural choices
as well as a historical background
to some of the nostalgic items from
Winnipeg’s heritage that have been
placed in specific areas of the
arena. Opening day is scheduled
for November 14. Enjoy the Uniter’s
tour of the MTS Center.
The front foyer that stands parallel to Portage Avenue. A Moxie’s
Classic Grill will be built in this area and will feature an outdoor
patio with a maximum capacity of 100. The patio will be fitted
with a canopy, fire pits, and overhead heaters.
»
»
Photos by: Wade Andrew
»
»
Jeff Mager stands on the arena surface, which is 19.4 feet below
street (ground) level. The sound system, partially constructed at
the right of Mager, will be “state of the art” and will also include
a four-sided digital video screen.
Jeff Mager is seen explaining the paint schemes and architectural
design of the walkway that runs parallel to Portage Avenue on
the ground floor. Baby blue paint was chosen to represent the
prairie sky and parts of the walls are constructed with natural
flax provided by farmers in Elie, Manitoba. On the right side of
the walkway is the concession area where pickerel fillets, fries,
pyrogies, and Philly Cheesesteak will be served. The flooring
material will be an acid-washed brown reddish rust hue and
is considered to be a “warm industrial” theme. The roof will
remain un-painted, but will have a painting propped up on every
banking, featuring a work of a local artist.
Tour attendees are seen walking through the corridor, called
the public walking system, which wraps around the entire
arena. The walkway can be accessed from four separate outer
locations including one from Sommerset Place, City Place,
Newport, and the Eaton Powerhouse, with four additional
entrances at street level. The glass bricks on the right hand
side have been taken from the Eaton’s Powerhouse and fitted
to both add light and add nostalgic value to the facility. Other
areas include the erection of murals that once decorated the
Eaton’s building. The Eaton’s Powerhouse (not in picture) also
accommodates the Tavern United, Manitoba Moose head office,
and a restaurant.
This is the view directly from one of the seats on the upper deck
in the west corner of the arena. Below is the ice surface, which
is currently set up to International size, but can be transformed
to North American (standard NHL size) in 24 hours. The surface
will also serve as a stage for concerts, where a maximum
of 17,144 seats will be available for concert events, while a
maximum of 8,500 will be available for hockey games. Located
near the top of the picture are the club suites (48 in total) that
wrap around the entire facility. Just below the club suites will be
a digital video screen that will wrap around the entire building
where information will be posted. There will be a phone number
posted on the screen where event attendees can call using
their cell phone to order food and drinks directly to their seat.
The seats models are generic throughout the entire building
and are padded and include a drink holder. There are also
seats available for wheelchairs at every section of the building.
Todd Smyth (left) and Jeff Mager are speaking about the area
features.
A look directly up from the glass tower, stationed at the front
entrance of the arena. The skeleton of windows is symbolic to
the theme of the arena, which Mager says has been designed
to utilize as much natural light as possible.
»
Continued on the next page
»
»
SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
023
Sports
»
Continued from the previous page
Captions on previous page
»
Photos by: Wade Andrew

student purchase raises legal issues 11the price of

Transcription

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