November 21, 2008

NIAGARA NEWS
THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF NIAGARA COLLEGE
FREE
Vol 39 • Issue 5
November 21, 2008
Body Modification
The decade of tattoos and piercings
Impressions, she said the “service,
prices and sanitation were all excellent.”
Like most, Stewart’s parents
were against the idea of their
daughter getting piercings for fear
she might deface her body with
them. While Stewart admits she
first started piercing as a teenage
rebellion against her parents, her
views on her tattoos are a bit different.
“I just thought tattoos looked cool,
and the ones I got were because they
were meaningful,” she says.
Shawna Scott, a first-year student
in the Paramedic program, has four
piercings and two tattoos and plans
to get another tattoo in December.
Scott explains that while it hurt
to get the one on her foot done,
she plans to have one on her ribs,
another sensitive spot.
While some people get tattoos
they like, Scott had a different
reason.
“I got mine because they both
mean something to me and I wanted
something I could put on my body
Top: Devin King, main piercer
for Artistic Impressions sports a
double eyebrow piercing.
Right: Franz Stefanic, a tattoo
artist at Artistic Impressions,
awaits customers and phone calls
at the reception desk in the shop.
Left: Nicole Stewart has had
her rook piercing for a number
of years, as well as some other
unique piercings and tattoos.
Photos by Amber Gionet
forever and still love it.”
She believes a tattoo can either
say a lot about a person or nothing
about them, depending on what
they get. She does say that “in the
least, it says something about your
taste in art.”
Body modification has existed
for thousands of years, as shown
by reports of the 5,000-year-old
mummified remains of a pierced
human.
Ancient Egyptians were decorated and adorned with different types
of jewelry, including ear and navel
piercings. They were originally
used as a sign of wealth and status
by the Egyptians.
Romans used genital piercings
on gladiators to tie back the genitals
to protect them from severe injury,
as well as on slaves, to prohibit sex
without the master’s consent.
The Aztecs and Mayans used
piercing in some religious rituals.
They believed it would bring them
closer to their gods. They also used
them to appear more fierce to enemies. In warrior tribes, the piercings were stretched and gauged
with materials such as bone, tusks
and wood.
See Rebellion pg. 8
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By AMBER GIONET
Staff Writer
Ink, metal and needles, oh my! It
may sound scary, but these are the
tools for piercings and tattoos.
In a college full of 7,000 diverse
students, it’s easy to see a few
people exhibiting extra holes in
or some sort of ink on their skin.
In fact, it has become so common,
people hardly notice it. For some, it
is a cultural choice. For others, it’s
a fashion statement defining them
as a person. Whatever the reason,
body modification has re-entered
society with full force in the past
10 years.
Nicole Stewart, a third-year in
the Graphic Design Production–
Art and Design Fundamentals
program, has five piercings and
two tattoos, and plans to get more
in the future.
She says she believes the reason
people get them is because “it’s
everyday culture, everybody has
them, so everybody wants them.”
Although she has only one piercing from the Welland shop Artistic
Page 2
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
off campus
NIAGARA NEWS
Floppy Ear hopes for new home
Animals at local Humane Society looking for ‘forever homes’
6 International Week
INDEX
2 ..............................Pet Adoption
4 ................. Editorial & Opinion
5 ........................... Trivial Pursuit
6 ................. International Week
11 ........................ Band Anatomy
7
Life of an artist
12
V-P leaving
14
Men’s basketball
By MALLORY BRESOLIN
Staff Writer
I am Floppy Ear.
My friends at the Welland Humane Society call me Floppy, for
short. I had no identification when
I was found, so the staff named me
after my sore ear because no one
knew my real name.
You can call me Floppy too, if
you want.
I am a German Shepherd cross,
and I think I am about three years
old. I might be five, but I’m not
sure. A lady opened my mouth and
looked at my teeth to guess my
age. No one knows for sure, since
it seems I have lost track of my
human.
I might have run away from my
home, or I might have been set
loose. I can’t really remember, but
I am positive it was an accident.
All I remember is that someone
found me in Pelham. They called
the Welland Humane Society, and
one of the society’s officers came
to pick me up.
I was in pretty rough shape back
then. I was very skinny, and my
coat was a mess. I had a really sore
ear too.
At first, I was scared and didn’t
know what was happening. Everything was very strange and
unfamiliar.
I was not fond of humans, so I
wasn’t happy when someone tried
to put me in the back of the Humane Society truck.
I did enjoy the ride, though.
When I got to the Humane Society, the officer told me that I had
to see a doctor for treatment on my
sore ear.
Since I don’t like humans, I
wasn’t fond of the doctor, but it
wasn’t long before I realized the
doctor would help my ear. It was
a relief since it had been hurting
me a lot. The doctor told me there
was a hematoma in my left ear and
I would need surgery.
I guess something bad happened
during surgery because when I
woke up, I had no ear.
I was not expecting that to happen and neither were the doctors,
but the hematoma was worse than
they initially diagnosed.
The staff have made me wear a
funny-looking collar around my
neck ever since. It’s pretty annoying because I can’t scratch behind
my ears even though my ear has
been itchy since the surgery. It
is a very cool fashion statement,
though. Only a few of the animals
in the shelter get to wear them.
The good news is, I have been
healing very well and I have been
making good progress, so soon
the collar will come off and I can
scratch behind my ear again.
When I first got here, Jill Baldin
would visit me a lot.
Although she works for the Humane Society, I was very scared
of her. I wouldn’t let her get close
to me. Now I have warmed up to
her and I am not afraid when she
comes to visit. We are pretty good
friends.
The other people who work here
are really nice. They always make
sure I get baths and lots of food.
Someone takes me for walks too.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice
here, and I have made a lot of
friends, but I really want to be
adopted.
Jill says I have been at the Humane Society for “a really long
time” now. I have had to wait to be
adopted so my ear can heal before
I leave.
Ted Bettle, who is the manager of
the Humane Society, says I will be
ready for adoption soon and I will
be able to go home with a new human since my old humans haven’t
come looking for me yet.
I hope it doesn’t take too long
for someone to adopt me because I
am ready to settle down with a new
family.
I hope my new humans will
remember to put a tag on my collar so if I ever get separated from
them, I won’t get lost again.
Lots of my new friends here need
to be adopted too.
The Welland Humane Society
works very hard to find “forever homes” for all of us stray and
abandoned animals who stay at
Floppy Ear, a German Shepherd waiting to be adopted from the Welland
Humane Society, with friend and Society worker, Jill Baldin.
Photo by Mallory Bresolin
the shelter.
My friend Lesley Hardcastle, who
works for the Humane Society, said
there are an enormous number of
dogs here since the animal control
area covers in Haldimand County,
Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet,
Welland and West Lincoln.
For the month of November
there is a sale on dogs. The price
is reduced by $55 as part of the
Adopt-a-Dog program to try to find
us “forever homes” and to free a
little bit of space for other animals
to stay here.
The Humane Society takes in
many other animals too. Anywhere
from three to six stray animals
are brought in on any day. While
many are coming into the Humane
Society, not as many are leaving.
There is only, on average, about
one adoption per day.
If you want to adopt me or one
of my friends, you can call the
Welland Humane Society at 905735-1552 or just stop by for a visit
at 60 Provincial St., Welland.
If you do visit, I promise I won’t
beg you to adopt me, but if you’re
lucky, I might give you my best
puppy eye stare.
Year-long food drive in full gear for holiday season
16
Poinsettia time
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advertisement.
SAC Vice-President Sasha Ley, shelves goods from the food drive, which
runs until Dec. 5.
Photo by Kristin Kay
By KRISTIN KAYE
Staff Writer
You’ve seen them advertised in
grocery stores and on television:
food banks. They are necessary
and they are everywhere, even at
Niagara College.
The annual Food for Friends
drive is on now across the college’s
campuses. It began Nov. 3.
The boxes are brightly decorated,
clearly marked and located around
the college halls.
Although this is considered a
promotional period, the food drive
is on all year. They accept any type
of non-perishable food (canned
goods) and toiletries, like toothbrushes and shampoo.
Terri-Lynn Chernish is vicepresident of student affairs for the
Welland campus Student Admin-
istrative Council (SAC). She is
pleased with the progress of the
SAC-sponsored drive.
“We usually get well over a
dozen cans a day, whether they’re
donated around the school or
brought in right to our office.”
According to SAC, about 20
to 25 students access the campus
food bank a month. However, the
numbers increase during the winter, near Christmas and at the end
of each term.
“This program is in place for
them, for students. The donations
are made by students and staff as
well, but mostly students helping
each other, so there should be no
shame in making use of it. It’s another reason why we are here.”
The drive will continues to run
until Dec. 5.
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
Page 3
on campus
A pledge for laid-off Ontarians
Politicians announce expansion of
Second Career program
By CAMILLE HOLLETT
Staff Writer
Optimism is a funny thing. Pessimism not so much.
Welland resident, and recently
laid-off worker, Ray Borsellino, 39,
attended the Second Career Open
House Nov. 10 at the Technology
Skills Centre.
Borsellino had been in the
manufacturing and construction
industries before being let go and
is in the process of applying for a
January start program.
He, his wife, who prefers not
to be named, and their toddler,
Sophia, were among the shoulderto-shoulder crowd at the event that
made Borsellino question whether
Minister John Milloy’s trip to the
Welland campus was worth the
gas spent amid Canada’s relentless
economic turmoil.
The minister of training, colleges and universities joined college President Dan Patterson and
Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor,
among others, to outline changes
to Second Career.
It is a program created by the
province with the help of Employment Canada aimed at retraining
laid-off workers.
Borsellino wasn’t exactly wooed
by the parliament members’
stopping by to help usher in the
changes.
“Well, you know, it’s always the
same. You hear a lot of stuff but
you wonder if it was even worth it,
them showing up.”
Nevertheless, as he stood next
to his wife, holding his daughter in
his arms, optimism reared its head
once again. He is skeptical but appreciative of the effort to better the
province’s rampant unemployment
situation.
“I hope everything they’re doing is going to actually help,” said
Borsellino.
In its first five months, Second
Career has helped more than 1,500
laid-off workers, numbers Milloy
says should be better.
“We can do better. We think we
can help more people.”
Changes to improve aid are already in effect.
Those laid off as far back as Jan.
1, 2005, can access the help of Second Career.
Workers who had taken jobs
since being laid off are now eligible for program funds. Laid-off
workers ineligible for Employment
Insurance can get shorter-term
training of less than six months.
More than the previous $28,000 in
financial assistance is available to
eligible students.
Additionally, the province will
contribute $355 million toward
helping 20,000 laid-off workers
find their ways to successful second careers.
“We’ve expanded access to Second Career so that more Ontarians
have the opportunities and skills
for success, and are working in
well-paying jobs in a period of economic uncertainty,” said Milloy.
The news of increased funding
pleased Borsellino, since a concern
of his is the likelihood of being
able to support his family while
Laurie Lent, instructor in the Esthetician program.
Photo by Camille Hollett
going to school.
“It’s about whether I can actually
do it.”
Prior to speeches, the narrow
hallway of the Niagara Technology
Centre was packed with community members, staff and students
as they wove their way in and out
of rooms with display boards about
programs offered to Second Career
students.
Plates of finger foods in hand,
people had the opportunity to
learn about the Public Relations,
the Hairstyling and the Culinary
programs, among dozens of other
options.
During speeches, the number
of curious attendees outnumbered
the seats available, so the crowd
filtered into the hallway.
“This is a good example of Niagara coming together,” said Patterson.
Invited to speak was laid-off
worker Rick Barron, who is full of
hope for the future.
Barron never completed high
school but is on a path to a new
career.
Barron spoke in appreciation of
the chance to continue supporting
his four children and “beautiful
wife.”
“Without the opportunities afforded me by the Second Career
program, my future would be unwelcoming with no positive direction or sure path.”
In January, after nine years at
Dana Canada in Thorold and one
year at Magna, Barron will start in
the Electrical Engineering Technician program.
He pursued the regular employment-finding path of handing out
resumés and going to interviews. It
didn’t work.
“I had seen the dead stares in the
job interviews based on looking at
my education level.
“I had the experience. I just
needed to work.”
Then Barron turned to the idea
of going back to school.
With a diploma from Second
Career, Barron would like a career
with hydro or in the communications industry.
In the meantime, he is completing academic upgrading through
the Business Education Council.
Milloy thanked him for his “very
thoughtful words.”
“It’s all about individuals like
Rick,” said Milloy. “Turning the
page to the next chapter in their life
and going at it with a fair amount
of enthusiasm — that’s what Second Career is all about.”
For information about Second
Career at Niagara College, visit the
college website at niagaracollege.
ca/secondcareer or http://secondcareer.ontariocolleges.ca/en/second_career_funding_qualify.html.
You can also call the Business
Education Council Niagara Career
Planning Service at 905-684-7200
ext. 1201.
Ray Borsellino, 39, and daughter Sophia attended the Second Career
Open House Nov. 10. Borsellino is just one of the many laid-off workers
in the crowd.
Photo by Camille Hollett
Do you qualify for
Second Career funding?
• You may qualify for Second Career funding
if you’ve been laid off in the past 12 months
and are unemployed or working less than 20
hours a week.
• This new program, created by the Ontario
government, is designed to help workers who
commit to a long-term training plan make the
transition to new careers.
• For more information about how you can
benefit from the Second Career Strategy, call
the toll-free Employment Ontario hotline at
1-800-387-5656, visit ontario.ca/secondcareer or visit your local Employment Ontario
office.
Page 4
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
editorial & opinion
NIAGARA NEWS
Ain’t no party like a Mayan party
Editor: Jordan Nunziato
Associate Editor: Laura Wikston
Assistant Editor: Amber Gionet
Photo Editor: Sarah Ward
THE END IS NIGH!
Acting Publisher: Kim Walker
Managing Editor: George Duma
Associate Managing Editor: Phyllis Barnatt
Design/Layout Consultant: Peter Conradi
Editorial Consultant: Nancy Geddie, Gary Erb
Photography Consultant: Dave Hanuschuk
Technology Support: Kevin Romyn
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REPENT!
Right on!
You’re not scared?
Nah, that’s old news, bro.
Corona?
TD Canada Trust policy
hurts those who can
afford it the least
Too bad TD Canada Trust
isn’t as understanding of its
credit card customers’ financial
predicaments as it expects
the federal government and
taxpayers to be of its.
While the government is
adding another $50 billion
to the $25 billion already
committed to encourage banks
to keep lending customers
money, TD is punishing credit
card customers with new latepayment penalties.
As of Dec. 1, TD’s VISA
customers who miss two
consecutive
minimum
payments will pay a five per
cent interest rate increase,
putting the interest rate at a
whopping 24.75 per cent.
In a flawed justification of
this new practice, a TD Canada
Trust spokesperson said, “The
changes align with the pricing
practices of our competitors.”
Many
college
students
and working people already
struggling with credit card debt
will be hard hit by these high
interest rates.
It would be easy to blame
students for overspending and
Editorial
mismanaging their money,
but one factor needs to be
considered.
The current generation of
college students has been
marketed to as no generation
before has been . All of their
lives they’ve been encouraged
to buy into the latest trends and
to own all the latest electronic
gadgets.
They’ve been conditioned
to be consumers. In fact,
they’re doing exactly what the
government wants. They’re
making purchases that help
drive the economy.
Banks approve credit cards for
college students, a demographic
they know is often struggling
financially. Therefore, when
student credit card holders fall
behind in payments, banks
should share the blame.
The right thing for banks to
do is to exempt post-secondary
students from the overdue
payment interest rate increase.
LAURA WIKSTON
Clothing donations needed
Students, faculty and support staff
at Niagara College are being asked
to help those who are less fortunate
during this Christmas season.
Students in the Event Management program want to help you
clean out your closet. College personnel can donate used business,
business-casual clothing, accessories, jackets and shoes for a “Dress
for Success” clothing supply open
to everyone.
The event is being held to support
a fundraising initiative for Habitat
for Humanity Niagara on Thursday,
Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in
the Staff Dining Lounge and the
cafeteria at the Niagara-on-theLake campus.
Clothing and donations can
be dropped at Room E108 at the
Niagara-on-the-Lake campus.
For more details, contact Michelle
Silk at 905-735-2211 ext. 4069.
A pox on the apocalypse
Our focus should be on saving the planet,
not its supposed impending demise
As the world turns, so should
the clock of life. With our
planet’s cry for help in recent
times, our life clock may be
almost up.
On major international news
stations such as FOX, CNN
and CBS, we constantly have
reports about terrorism, flash
flooding, plagues, new diseases
and global disasters.
It is almost as if we are going
through an apocalypse.
Surprisingly and chillingly,
these events and global chaos
were prophesied thousands of
years ago in the pages of the
Bible, the temples of ancient
Rome, the pyramids of the
Mayans and today on the
modern-day Internet.
It has been foretold by the
ancients, of every culture, that a
doomsday is set for 2012.
The Mayans even have an
exact date set: Dec. 21, 2012.
Although this may all seem like
ancient mythology, the Mayan
calendar is itself something
supernatural.
The ancient Mayans are so
exact that they could predict
Editorial
lunar and solar eclipses
thousands of years in the
future.
The most chilling is that the
calendar ends on the winter
solstice in 2012.
Are we to believe that our
next four years is set in stone?
I don’t believe a word of it.
If our world is going to end,
it is not going to be because
of some ancient mythological
mumbo-jumbo; rather, it is
going to be by the hand of
humanity.
The 1800s saw the dawn of
the industrial age. It brought the
world out of subsistence and
into prosperity.
That prosperity came at a
hefty price — our world.
I imagine just about everyone
has seen Al Gore’s documentary
on global warming, but, for those
who haven’t, he demonstrated
the effects industrialization has
had on the world in the last 100
or so years.
The future doesn’t look good.
What he displays is fact.
What this nonsense is
about the Mayans and ancient
calendars and hocus-pocus is
just a scapegoat, fallout, an
excuse for our centuries of
mistakes that we are just picking
up the pieces now.
I am not a pessimist. I know
scientists have studied 2012 and
have some sort of evidence.
Instead of wasting time
investigating what long-dead
ancients have depicted on some
decrepit calendar, we should
start focusing on the real issue
here: the melting of polar icecaps, the extinction of polar
bears and maybe — us.
Start putting time and money
into saving our planet and stop
funding pointless, moronic
experiments to see if prophets
from before Jesus Christ was
born were “on to something”
while smoking their ancient
“ganja.”
There is not going to be a
doomsday in 2012.
Get real.
JORDAN NUNZIATO
Page 5
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
Lifestyles
Letter to the editor
Notes on Canada
Canada? View from a stranger.
There are more than 200 international students starting classes
this fall at Niagara College. I am
just one example of an international student who has come here
to study English. I am Korean.
I am a foreigner. In my point of
view, this country is strange.
This country has many natural resources so that the people
can avoid keen competition to
live in comfort. Compared with
Canada, my country is very small
and doesn’t have enough natural
resources. My country has only
human resources to develop.
Therefore, most Koreans live in
a rat race of stresses for having a
comfortable life.
I came here to get the upper
hand by learning English, but this
country has taught me how to cultivate friendship with the amazing
people who surround me.
My story is about friendship.
Do you know how a smiling
face has a big effect on a person?
I guarantee having a smiling face
makes you a lot of friends. A smile
can be infectious and start an epidemic. I learned to smile from this
country.
I like to spend my time with my
friends as most people do. When
I first came here, I just smiled
because I didn’t understand what
the people said to me at all. I
felt embarrassed and frustrated.
Two things I did to survive in this
country at first were to smile and
memorize people’s name. As time
went on and went on, I realized that
these two things are most important
to make friends. Wherever I went,
whoever I met, I tried to remember
their name and greet them with a
smiling face.
A few days later, wonderful things
happened to me. They remembered
my name, and they also greeted me
with their beautiful smiling face. It
was surprising for me.
Now, I have a lot of friends who
are from not only Canada, but also
many international countries. I
believe smiling and remembering
names is the first step to making
friends.
Many international students like
me want to make Canadian friends.
I know some Canadians are open
to getting to know international
students. I would like to make a
request of you. If you are interested
in international students, please
contact us. Each of you represents
Canada.
For international students, the
image of Canada is totally created
by you.
Get contact info: International
department – Global connections.
— Eddie Jang
International Business
100 know
their trivia
By JASON SCHRYER
Staff Writer
It takes a real genius to master
and understand the spellbinding
mysteries of earth, life and everything to do with the universe; but
to master the quirky and random
trivia of history, geography, movies and alcoholic beverages, that
takes a group of Wellanders.
“We’re here to raise money for
the museum and to raise money
for the children’s programs we
run,” Vice-Chair Wayne Campbell said proudly, as the Welland
museum prepared for the latest
edition of Welland’s Trivia Night
last Friday.
With nearly 100 people attending, all ready with copious amounts
of paper and pencils to quickly jot
down a possible correct answer, it
seems that trivia nights are not to
be judged by their cover.
While not the most exciting
from the description, the trivia
night actually takes on a warm
glow. People gather to regale one
another with tales, making the
night a social success.
Walking around the gathering
tables that are scattered about as
though a giant feast is about to
begin, one will notice a variety of
team collaborations.
There are the Brock professors
People of the Welland and Niagara community gather to play an
involving game of trivia.
Photo by Jason Schryrer
laughing and joking about things The most significant event in
layman folk wouldn’t understand if Welland’s history to Lewis was
their lives depended on it, and there when the old Welland canal closed.
are groups of librarians, groups of When asked what date that was,
history buffs and trivia fanatics. he answered, without a moment’s
There are famous people, like hesitation: “Dec. 15, 1972.”
Welland’s own Bill Lewis, who
It was almost time to begin the
modestly speak about their histori- “trivial pursuit” of the end of the
cally amazing timeline in Welland. night, when serendipity struck the
“I’ve lived here my whole life, 77 table.
years,” Lewis shyly, but proudly,
Larry Lanigan, 63, approached
says, adusting his glasses.
the table with his wife, MariPeople at the table dismiss lyn, and coyly the couple asked
his humble claims compared to if they could join the team.
what the man actually represents. They were enouraged to sit, and lo
In the years he’s spent in Welland, and behold, they all soon discovwatching it thrive and change since ered Larry also had a significant
the ‘30s, Lewis has written three historical association with the
books –Aqueduct, Merrittsville and City of Welland and, in particular,
Welland – that describe Welland’s Niagara College.
history in a detailed trilogy.
Continued on Page 12
Be Here!
Tuesday, November
November27,
25,2007
2008 for
forNiagara
NiagaraCollege’s
College‛s 14
Tuesday,
Student Appreciation Day Event
13
th
th
Annual
Annual
“SNOWBASH”
Throughout the College, students will find treats,
giveaways, prize draws, food & campus store
specials and many other surprises.
62758559
of saying
“thanks”
It’s ourIt‛s
wayour
of way
saying
“thanks”
for choosing
for choosing
as
NiagaraNiagara
CollegeCollege
as
your
and play.
your place
place to
to study,
study, work,
work, live
live and
play.
Brought
Brought to
toyou
youby
by the
the staff
staff of
of Niagara
Niagara College
College
who
with much
much appreciation,
appreciation,
who wish
wish to
to acknowledge,
acknowledge, with
your
community.
your contribution
contribution to
to our
our College
College community.
because of you.
Celebrating 40 years of excellence from 1967
Back by popular demand
THE SNOWBALL HUNT
150
200 Snowballs will be hidden
throughout the college.
Find one & win a PRIZE.
Page 6
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
on campus
Library offers more than students think
By AMBER GIONET
Staff Writer
If knowledge is the key to power,
then books should be in everyone’s
hands, all the time. Unfortunately,
this isn’t the case with the college’s
library because most students don’t
know what their library offers.
The library holds “Terrific
Tuesday” month, when it holds a
themed event to attract students.
The staff usually dresses up, and
cookies are given out so students
feel more welcome.
Nov. 11, however, was the first
“Thoughtful Tuesday” as it fell on
Remembrance Day. The library
had a TV set to CBC so students
and staff could view the memorial
ceremony in Ottawa. Most in attendance wore poppies, and some
wore clothes that were red and
white to show their respect. The
library staff gave out maple leafshaped cookies to commemorate
Canadian history.
At 11 a.m. two minutes of silence
was observed. All bowed their
heads in respect for those who had
fought for freedom.
Karen McGrath, the head librarian here, says that it is good to remember the people who fought and
“to remember that we have troops
who are still in Afghanistan.”
“We live in the land of the plenty
and it’s good to be reminded of
what it took to get us here.”
McGrath adds she believes
people are more aware of Remembrance Day now since the events
of 9-11 and thinks people are more
thankful for what they have.
Besides having special Tuesdays, the library has many good
resources that the students either
don’t know about or don’t know
how to access its highest potential.
The library staff is a good resource
and can show students how to use
the electronic databases.
Nicole Stewart, a third-year
student in Graphic Design Produc-
Karen McGrath, the head librarian at the college library, supervises the events and staff to make sure
everything runs smoothly.
Photo by Amber Gionet
tion – Art and Design Fundamentals, has been to the library only
a few times. “I go to do research
projects using the books, computers and magazines.” She says she’s
“vaguely aware” of what the library
offers.
Kevin Simard, a first-year student
in Police Foundations, has been to
the library once. He went because
he had to for a class to learn to use
the database. Simard uses the Internet as a resource instead.
“I use the Internet because it’s
usually a better source and it’s
more convenient.”
Students also have access to
laptops and digital cameras, as
well as books, magazines and
newspapers, of which there is a
wide variety.
Also this year, the library has
feature films that can be borrowed.
There are four study rooms,
but they are usually booked out a
month beforehand for exams.
The library has 20 computers
easily accessible for all students, as
well as wireless Internet, and areas
that allow students to plug their
laptops in. There are also printers
available at 10 cents a page for
printouts.
Students may be unaware that
the library is open on Sundays or
the extent of information available
on the database. The staff is always
willing to help.
The loan period for books is two
weeks; for videos it’s one day and
for feature films it’s seven days.
The student idenfication card acts
as the library card. If the library
doesn’t have it on record, will see
if the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus
has it. If so, they will request to
have it transferred here.
The library does allow food
to be brought in, so students can
bring a snack or lunch if they want
to eat while studying or doing
research.
McGrath explains they are trying
to move away from the old library
customs of “shushing” people because they want to create an atmosphere where students can hang out
or do work and feel comfortable.
She says, “It’s all about students
achieving what they came here to
achieve.”
Even so, some students feel the
library is just not the place for
them, so they prefer to do their
homework at home, where they
don’t need to ask anyone for help.
Josh Cummings, a second-year
student in Fitness and Health
Promotion, hardly ever goes to the
library and only learned about it
“through Blackboard.”
McGrath explains that she plans
to have the musicians that performed in the library on Halloween
back for another performance Dec.
5 and it will be open to all staff and
students.
Students get behind fair trade
Shazia Khan, secretary of the Niagara College International Club,
designs a henna tattoo.
Photo by Mallory Bresolin
By MALLORY BRESOLIN
Staff Writer
Niagara College is promoting
fair trade.
International Week ran from Nov.
17 to 21 and showcased many products from around the world.
Kicking off the week was International Day at the Niagara
Culinary Institute. The event was
arranged by the International Department and promoted various fair
trade products. Free samples were
given out, including chocolate and
oranges.
There were also fair trade items
for sale. Jewelry, artifacts, textiles
and photographs were among
many items available for purchase.
The sale’s proceeds will contribute
to a bursary for Niagara College
students who wish to study or work
internationally. They also help provide teaching materials for Escuela
Clemencia, a tourism training centre in the Guarani community of
Yryapu, Argentina.
“It’s a fundraiser we do annually,”
said Dr. Mary Kilmer-Tchalekian,
manager of International Projects,
Latin America.
The items are bought “by staff,
friends and people who travel,”
said Kilmer-Tchalekian, then donated by the individual to the college for sale.
There were booths set up for
the event including one from Starbucks, whose representatives were
handing out free cups of coffee.
Rich Beaudoin, store manager of
the new Starbucks on Scott Street
in St. Catharines, urged students to
“look at our website. You can see
all the coffees there, including the
fair trade coffee.”
Food was provided and served
by Niagara College students to help
students “become more familiar
with other cultures,” said Tatyana
Ozerova, 22, of the Hospitality
Management – Hotel and Restaurant program.
Many students came out for the
event.
“It was recommended by my
friends, so I decided to check it
out,” said James Campbell, 22,
who is attending the International
Business program.
Between the “mmm’s,” passersbys could be heard saying “This is
wonderful” and “These are delicious.”
Other events planned for International Week were an international version of Guess Who, belly
dancing lessons and henna tattoos.
There will also be a Latin Pub
night at the After Hours pub at the
Welland campus tonight.
“We partnered with the International Department to raise money
for Bike for AIDS,” said Fernando
Blanco, 23, of the Bachelor of Applied Business-International Commerce and Global Development
program.
“The max is 250 people [in After
Hours]. Last year it was sold out.
We hope it’s the same this year.”
This year’s response to International Week was overwhelming to
its organizers.
Sarah Cuthbertson, 22, president
of the Niagara College International Club, said, “We had a lot of
people stop by and ask questions.
A lot of people are interested in fair
trade.”
Page 7
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
lifestyle
A journey through body art
By JORDAN NUNZIATO
Staff Writer
The world of body art has taken
tattoo artist Eric Parent all over
the world.
He has seen many sites and has
experienced quite a lot, but there
comes a time in every person’s
life when it is finally time to
settle down.
For the 37-year-old tattooist, the
time has come.
In January 2008 he opened tattoo
parlour Skinworks Studio in Port
Colborne, Ont.
Parent has been tattooing since
1989, and his interest in tattoos
spawned getting his first one over
two decades ago.
“I became interested after getting
my first one. I went in and got a tattoo, and just kinda started hangin’
around the studio.”
It was at this Ottawa studio his
career would begin.
“I was just hangin’ around the
studio for the entertainment factor; I
never thought I would have a career
as a tattoo artist.”
The owner of the studio needed
help, so Parent’s apprenticeship
commenced immediately.
He learned a lot in a short amount
of time.
What drew Parent into tattooing, besides the artistic nature, was
something more.
“The [tattoo] machines, literally,
the machines.
“I never considered myself an
artist, as much as I basically did
all that.”
Interest in tattooing, for Parent,
extends beyond drawing to the
“toy” you tattoo with.
“For me it’s, like, you watch a
guitar being played, the instrument
looks cool and it’s fascinating what
you can do with it.”
During this time Parent enlisted
in the army, after a few months into
his apprenticeship he was called
up. He served with the Royal 22nd
Regiment in Quebec City.
During basic training Parent
mentioned he had a tattoo appren-
Tattoo artist Eric Parent, owner of Skinworks Studio in Port Colborne, tattoos a Canadian flag on local resident
Doug Ward.
Photo by Jordan Nunziato
ticeship and in his barrack room he
set up a small shop.
With a waiting list of tattoos to be
done and his military contract being
up, he decided to leave and start his
own shop.
He did so with two army buddies
and the future was looking good
until the shop was burglarized. Everything was stolen, but with some
luck and a little bit of time, Parent
recovered some money and opened
another shop called Vision Tattoo in
Quebec City.
During this time, business was
good and Parent would take frequent trips to Montreal to check out
the scene there.
He met a number of world-class
tattoo artists such as Keith Stewart
from Tatouage Artistique, John
Sargerson from Celtic Art Studio in
England and Crazy Ace from Way
Cool Tattoos in Toronto.
After working in Quebec City for
a while and opening another shop,
with his wife Mary, called Metal
Hurlant (Screaming Metal) an offer
came to move to Niagara Falls to
work at Custom Heads Tattoos.
Parent worked for three years in
the shop.
During this time he took advantage of having fewer responsibilities and went back to school
to learn machining to construct his
own tattoo machines.
Parent also had time to travel.
He visited friend Matteo at Crazy
Tattoo, in Legnano, Italy. While
there he went to the Barcelona
Tattoo Convention. He then took a
trip to Germany to Viala Tattoo in
Darmstadt.
While in Germany he visited the
Frankfurt Tattoo Convention.
During his visit Parent and friend
Lyle Tuttle were chatting and the
organizer came to ask Tuttle if
he would go to the stage and be a
judge for the tattoo competition.
Tuttle, having done too many
that weekend, declined his spot
and suggested Parent go up and
be one of the judges for the “Best
of Show” category. He graciously
accepted.
Parent has worked all over Europe. “I’ve worked in Barcelona,
Frankfurt, Liechtenstein – which
is a little province in the middle
of Switzerland and you can walk
through it in about 30 minutes; it’s
eight cities – Berlin and various
tattoo shops in Italy.”
The experience of working overseas changed Parent as an artist. “If
I take the Berlin experience, I arrived there a day late for the actual
convention schedule.
“I’m Eric from Canada, I’m
comfortable with what I do, I’m
comfortable with who I am and my
artwork, but then to arrive there
and suddenly realize that you’re
not gonna hook up with a buddy
and share a booth with him and
share the expense, which is a grand
for a 6x8 space for a weekend, so
you’re going on a whim.
“You don’t know anyone. There
are 250 people in the room who are
there to do the exact same thing as
you, and they’re coming in from
all over. As I said, I’m Eric from
Canada. I don’t have business
cards or a banner. All I have is my
machines and my artwork. The experience doesn’t just thicken your
skin, it breaks you.”
After years of gaining valuable
experience all over the world and
learning from world-class tattoo
artists, Parent opened Skinworks
Studio in collaboration with good
friend Jason Smith.
Parent continues to attend local
conventions, but his main focus
is his studio, where he can be free
to showcase his skill, as any true
professional can.
By LAURA WIKSTON
Staff Writer
Niagara College’s Culinary Institute dining room at the Niagaraon-the-Lake campus serves more
than meals with a reputation for
quality.
It also serves as a teaching tool
for students enrolled in culinary
studies and hospitality and tourism studies at the college and is
a source of part-time work for
graduate students.
Salvatore Bilardo, 26, graduated
from the Hospitality Management
– Hotel and Restaurant Co-op
(HMHR) program in October and
has worked part time at the dining
room since it opened in 2004.
“All students have to work a
certain amount of hours here dur-
Photo by Laura Wikston
Add one teaspoon of knowledge
JENNIFER AMUABENG
ing their programs,” he said.
Some students prepare the
meals while others serve them.
The entire menu is based on
recipes and skills found in the
culinary curriculum. For example,
the student chefs cook with herbs
grown by horticultural students in
the college’s greenhouse, and the
wine served is made by students at
the college’s teaching winery.
Jennifer Amuabeng, 27, is a
2007 graduate of the HMHR
program and part-time server at
the dining room. She says she
enjoys working with the current
students completing their studies
at the dining room because it’s a
“chance to help my fellow mates,
and teach them.”
Amuabeng says the dining room
has a widespread reputation for
fine dining.
“We have guests from Toronto
and the United States and we’ve
had ambassadors from Tobago,
Barbados and Nigeria dine here.”
She says other guests have included members of the Canadian
Parliament.
Sharon Coyne and three others
supervise the dining room service
and the students. Coyne says the
dining room has many regular
customers.
“We have a great following of
people who dine here before going to the Shaw Theatre.”
Coyne says she recommends
people make reservations if
they’re planning to dine at the
restaurant.
Bernadette Wilson came with
husband, Randy, from Grimsby
Nov. 7 to have lunch at the dining
room on the advice of Randy’s
sister.
“We’re meeting my sister-in-law
here for her birthday. She comes
here often with friends from work.
She loves it,” Wilson said.
Randy Wilson said while there
he would be considering the
restaurant as a potential place to
hold the Christmas banquet for
the Professional Hockey Players
Association, with which he is
involved.
Coyne says along with the usual
daily “pre-fixed price” lunch and
dinner menus, from Dec. 2 to Dec.
23 the dining room will be offering a Christmas buffet.
“But we do close from Dec. 24
until Jan. 6. That way our staff are
able to spend Christmas with their
families and friends.”
For dining room hours, contact
www.niagaracollege.ca/dining.
NIAGARA NEWS • Nov. 21, 2008
Page 8
Page 9
Wearing rebellion on your sleeve
Ancient Egyptians started the tattoo and piercing trend that is still prevalent today
Continued from Page 1
Like piercings, tattoos have been around for thousands of
years. They’ve represented religious beliefs, declarations
of love, punishment, personal mottos and the list goes on.
According to an article in The Smithsonian Magazine, the
oldest tattooed remains are 5,200 years old.
Egyptians used tattoos to acknowledge religious beliefs.
Being found mostly on women, they were supposed to have
something to do with fertility and support during pregnancy.
The Greeks and Romans used tattoos as a way to mark
someone as part of a religious group, or as a slave or
criminals.
The Maori culture in New Zealand, began the practice of
ffacial
i l tattoos. These
Th
k off high
hi h status andd were
were marks
specific to the individual, sort of like ID tags.
Early stages of tattoo creation involved designs being
chiseled into the skin with bone or tusk tools and a soot-like
material put into the wounds, which would then heal over
the designs.
Through the years, tattoos and piercings have gone in and
out of popularity, but over the past few years, they can be
found on everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged.
Why do people choose to go through with tattooing and
piercing? With the processes being anywhere from mildly
to extremely painful, as well as issues of healing times,
scabbing, bleeding, rejections, infections and many other
bumps along the way to getting that perfect tattoo or piercing, it’s a difficult road to travel. Do they do it for rebellion? Do they do it for attention? Do they do it for religion?
No one can really answer these questions except the people
themselves.
Artists at Artistic Impressions on Niagara Street have
heard all the reasons, as the shop gets most of its business
from Niagara College students.
The store has been in business since 1991 and has another
shop on Geneva Street in St. Catharines.
For the last two years, there has been a coupon in the
student planner for $10 off the next piercing or tattoo at
Artistic Impressions. The insert boasts autoclave sterilization, which uses a heat and steam pressure unit, a health
board inspected and approved facility, a wide selection of
body jewelry and clean and professional staff.
For students living in the Welland, it is a safe and convenient place for tattooing or piercing.
Andrew McDonald, 20, is the main tattoo artist at the
shop and has been working there for three years. He has tattoo sleeves on both arms, and the bottom of his leg.
McDonald says he ink about two to four tattoos a day, and
roughly 15 a week depending on appointments. He jokes
that all the tattoo designs on the shop’s walls are just general ideas to work from, and few people come in to get one
off the wall.
“Most people bring an idea into us and we draw it up
custom.”
McDonald says the biggest dangers of tattoos are that
Andrew McDonald shows off his intricate genie tattoo, placed on the back of his right leg.
Photo by Amber Gionet
people don’t take care of them. They often go into shops
without checking the shop’s portfolio and end up with a
big mistake for the rest of their life. “They need to do the
research,” he says.
He explains that because tattoos are on the rise, cover-ups
and tattoo removal are on the rise also. He has done a few
cover-ups since he’s been at the shop.
He says the biggest perk of his job is being able to draw
all day and do what he loves.
Franz Stefanik, 20, another tattoo artist at the shop has
been there for two years.
He states the reason people get tattoos is “the same reason
people smoke: They want to be cool.”
Stefanik adds that people don’t understand how tattoos
work. He says, “There’s a lot of effort that goes into them.
They’re not as easy as they look.”
Stefanik has about 80 hours worth of tattoo work on
his body.
Devin King, 24, is the main piercer at the shop and has
been working there for almost three years. He has about 15
piercings in various areas on his body.
He does about 10 piercings a day, and 50 a week, but the
rates depend on the season.
King explains the main danger of piercing is sterilization.
“You want to go to a shop where people have been trained
in sterilization.” He goes on to say some people think they
can pierce each other at home, which raises a lot of sanitization issues.
He says he doesn’t many people coming in with rejected
piercings, and the problem is linked more with surface
piercing than regular ones. He explains irritation, high traffic areas and the person’s capability to have a piercing are
all factors in rejection.
King says the biggest perk of his job is “working in a
good atmosphere with great people.”
Body modification has become popular in the past few
years. From surface piercings, to glow in the dark tattoos, people are constantly finding new ways to express
themselves. There are some things to remember, however.
People need to stay healthy no matter what they do to their
body and must be careful about sanitization.
College students are most likely to be drawn into these
shops to get holes and ink put into their skin, whether it’s
to feel rebellious about being on their own for school, or a
way to express themselves.
When going to get body modification, students need to
research the shop and the people who will be doing it, and
to make sure the place is sanitized. They also need remember, the better a person takes care of himself or herself
heath-wise, the faster it will all heal.
Artistic Impressions is at 29 Niagara St. in Welland (905-7343030). Artistic Impressions does unique/ surface piercings, with
dermal anchoring possibly coming soon. Piercings range from
$30-$60. Visit the Artistic Impressions website at www.artisticimpressions.com for more information on pricing.
Andrew McDonald shows off one of his unique tattoos that is placed on his left shoulder.
Photo by Amber Gionet
Page 10
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
lifestyle
Support workers share the love
Nicole West, 20, reflects on her time in the Registered Nursing program at Niagara College.
Photo by Phillip Boldt
By PHILLIP BOLDT
Staff Writer
Life is just like the flame of a
candle. It starts off small, gains
intensity as it grows and wanes
before it goes out forever. The difference between the waning flame
and life, though, is the aid we
receive at the end. Personal Support Workers (PSW) are trained to
offer their knowledge, their care
and their warmth as individuals to
people near the end of their week.
Kaitlyn Ouwersloot, 20, a Practical Nursing student at Niagara
College, works two jobs as a PSW.
Asked why she chose nursing as a
career path, Ouwersloot said, “Honest truth? [It’s] because when I was
in the hospital I hated the nurses
and decided to be better than them.
But also because I love people and
I’ve seen a lot of sick people that I
wanted to be there for.”
To be a PSW, you need to have
a nursing diploma or currently be
enrolled in a Practical Nursing
Program that is offered at a variety
of colleges and universities. The
other necessity is that you have to
enjoy your work.
Ashley Rogalsky, 20, a Practical Nursing student, says, “The
best feel-good moments are when
people tell [me] they are happy to
see me.”
“I love it,” Owersloot said. “I
love my residents, and the nice part
about it is you become really close
to your residents when you’re a
PSW. You really get to know them
[because] you work so closely with
them every day and they are way
too cute.”
Nicole West, 20, also enrolled
in the Practical Nursing program,
says, “I really like it. You learn a
lot about [seniors] and what they
lived like. Just taking care of them
and helping them is satisfying.”
Every nursing student has a
different reason for choosing a
career path leading them to daily
contact with people who are on
the opposite end of the age and
health spectrum.
“Since I was little I’ve wanted to
be a nurse in order to help people,
so I decided just to go for it. And
I’ve been a big fan of the TV show
ER and all those hospital shows.”
Unlike some jobs, PSWs can
become an integral part of their
residents’ lives. The way they act
and treat them can mean the difference between the resident being
comfortable or in pure agony.
“One of my residents cried on my
shoulder and told me I was amazing and she loved me like I was her
daughter,” Owersloot said.
Although all moments are not
always touching moments in this
particular line of work, as a PSW
you take care of the elderly and,
as with every life, there must be
an end.
“I’ve had three of my residents
die. It’s really hard. It’s kind
of overwhelming to find your
resident dead, but I felt a lot better
[because] most of them suffered
before they passed. When they
did, they looked so peaceful.”
Many students have higher ambitions to pursue nursing careers,
but “I really wouldn’t mind if I had
to be a PSW for the rest of my life.
It’s just something I like doing,”
West said.
Fear the thought of thinking
By PHILLIP BOLDT
Staff Writer
People hide their faces in terror.
They run away just to lose sight of
it. They tremble at the thought of it,
while other people can’t quite see
the fear.
Weird and strange phobias are
not as scarce as first believed. They
vary in appearance and can strike
anytime.
Cacophobia, the fear of ugliness,
can send a person into a fit of fear
anywhere, at any time.
A phobia is an intense feeling of
fright or fear about something that
poses no actual threat. The person
may know that this fear is irrational, but being confronted by the
object or thing may initiate a panic
or anxiety attack.
“Scorpions. There’s something
about them, their tails I think. It just
gives me the creeps,” said Alana
Thomas, a second-year Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film
(BRTF) student, admitting to a
minor arachnophobia, the fear of
spiders and other arachnids.
Thomas says if she’s around
scorpions, she gets a bad case of
the shivers and tries to lean away.
“If I have to handle them [because of her job at a pet store], I
Top 10 Strangest Phobias
Phronemophobia - Fear of thinking.
Bogyphobia - Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.
Caligynephobia - Fear of beautiful women.
Coprastasophobia - Fear of constipation.
Dutchphobia - Fear of the Dutch.
Genophobia - Fear of sex.
Ithyphallophobia - Fear of seeing, thinking about
or having an erect penis.
Optophobia - Fear of opening one’s eyes.
Scopophobia - Fear of being seen or stared at.
Phobophobia - Fear of phobias.
put them down as fast as possible,
pping them as quickly as I can
dropping
can,””
said Thomas.
Even something that doesn’t
seem all that frightening can fill
people with fear or hesitation, even
something as little as fi
fish
sh. The fear
of fish is called icthyophobia.
“I can’t even explain it. I just
won’t do it [and I] can’t do it. Fish
don’t really scare me by themselves But touching them,
them that’s
selves.
weird,” said Kristen Jacobson, a
third-year BRTF student.
The list of phobias isn’t always
g and weird. Sometimes it
strange
borders
border on the classic variety, being
easily recognizable. Claustrophoth fear of small or confined
bia, the
spaces,
spaces is something that’s common and
a easy to recognize.
c
“I can’t
handle [small spaces] I
try to get out. When I’m in a car, I
start to get hot, [and feel] small and
n
confined.
I open the windows [to]
get air.
air I feel like there isn’t enough
air and
an it happens whenever I’m
stuck in a small place,” Tiffanee
Watso
Watson,
a first-year Registered
Nursing
Nursin student, said.
Not all fears incorporate mateob
rial objects.
Some look at the great
scheme
schem of life and its many directions, and they squeal with fright.
Atychiphobia,
fear of failure, has
Atych
rst-ye student Michael Rekrut
first-year
mindfu of the future.
mindful
pa [a little bit]. I [just] want
“I panic
kno there’s a wife and kids and
to know
stabili ahead of me. Looking at
stability
fu
my future
and thinking that parts
w
of it won’t
happen really freaks me
R
out.” Rekrut
said.
Pho
Phobias
come in all shapes and
a stem from inanimate obsizes and
jects to real living things, imagined
or real. If phobia’s start to take over
your life, seek help. Call Niagara
Mental Health at 1-800-933-3617.
Page 11
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
arts & entertainment
Machines + creative minds = a band
Brent Fulop, of the Ceremonial Snips, sets up his drums before a show.
Photo by Jessica Moyse
with the band for nearly eight years that it’s not even the original song
and knows quite well the problems that that person wrote. You end up
with the songwriting process.
being happy with it anyway. Even
“Stuff doesn’t always work. Stuff if you’re not 100 per cent happy
always changes, but it’s always for with everything, sometimes you
the better. It takes a long time [for just have to bend and be into it.”
our band to finish writing a song]
Sometimes arguments can erupt
because we have seven members,
so it takes a while to get everyone
happy. But it’s worth it to go
through the whole process.”
“[One of us] will bring a new
song to the group, and at first we’ll
By CHRIS CARR
be, like, ‘OK, it’s done, sweet,’ but
Staff Writer
then we hear it and one guy will
With an inaugural album older
say, ‘Well, can we change this part, than the general population of
or can we do this?’ By the time you the college, do Niagara students
hear [the end product] you realize care about Axl Rose’s Guns and
Roses (GnR) or his Chinese
Democracy?
In 1987, Rose, along with lead
guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist
Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and Drummer Steven Adler
crafted the band’s first album, Appetite for Destruction.
In the next six years, GnR released four other albums – Lies,
Use your Illusion 1, Use your
Illusion 2 and The Spaghetti Inci-
Now
g
Bookin
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Chris
ook
B
s
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Yours T
over topics that go beyond mere
creativity and control.
“There would always be different kinds of arguments. If we
were just at home, writing songs or
something, little [fights would start]
like, ‘I don’t wanna play that song
anymore’ or ‘I don’t like that part,’”
says Andrew Danch, 27, formerly
of the Welland bands A Day and a
Deathwish and In These Walls.
“Nothing serious, but when you
get on the road, you are living with
other people for lengthy periods of
time. Different arguments about
loading gear into shows and watching merch[andise] and driving arguments always came up. Usually
if there was a big blowout, after
everyone calmed down, everybody
got over it. Even the worst argument eventually got resolved and
everybody made up.”
“Bands usually fight over the
smallest things just because of the
amount of time spent together. This
simplest argument over who wrote
what riff can turn into a huge fight,
but there are never any hard feelings,” says Trembley.
“I think fights in bands are usually caused by a lack of ambition,
girlfriends, a lack of interest in the
band, creative issues, marketing
and stage shows. As you get older,
dent – all not as successful as their
first album.
Now, 15 years later, with only
front man Rose left from the original line-up, Chinese Democracy,
GnR’s sixth studio album will hit
all shelves in Canada, but is exclusively being sold through Best Buy
in the U.S.
“I think the fact it took him 15
years to make the record was a
waste of time. From what I hear,
it could have been made in a
year,” says Stephen Roberts, 21,
a Motive Power program student
and musician. “I think the hype
about it is only because it took
so long to make. Besides, Slash
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it’s basically women, money and
the status quo,” says Guay.
On a positive note, Danch feels
that his perseverance has contributed to the success of his bands.
“To have success in a band, you
need to be good,” says Danch.
“You need determination; you need
band members willing to make
sacrifices. You have to play anywhere and everywhere all the time,
constantly putting your name out
there. Use the Internet to get your
name out there, make contacts and
play for anybody that will listen.
Have a demo [ready] for when you
play shows. Have something for
people to take home with them so
they don’t forget who you are.”
“We just never gave up. When
we went on our first tour, I put
together an itinerary and showed
it to the other members. Some
laughed and others said, ‘Wow,
that’d be cool.’ So I went to work
on it, booked the shows, pushed to
get us on anything. We ended up
going across Canada one summer,
all from a little dream and determination.”
The Street Pharmacy will be
playing next at L3 in St. Catharines Nov. 27, and The Ceremonial
Snips play at The Rex in Welland
Nov. 28.
15 years on the back burner
63335452
By JESSICA MOYSE
Staff Writer
It’s like a relationship.
There are ups and downs, arguments, make-ups and break-ups,
good times and bad. Compromise
is necessary and you might lose a
little of yourself in the whole thing,
but the end result can make all the
tumultuous times worthwhile.
Being in a band is just like any
other relationship.
Justis Trembley, 19, singer of the
now-defunct local band Consumer
Alert, knows what chemistry is needed for members to co-exist in a band.
“[It works] when people can get
together and use everything inside
of them towards a musical intention,” says Trembley.
Ryan Guay, 22, has had a hand in
the Welland music scene for more
than eight years. Guay started by
running shows and booking bands
and venues and then eventually
moved to starting his own band,
The Street Pharmacy.
“What you want in a band, a band
that’s gonna work, is you need two
types of people,” says Guay.
“In Group A, you have the machines. These are the people who
can play really well but maybe
aren’t that creative. In Group B, you
have the creative minds. To make a
great band, you need people from
both these groups. Well, ideally,
you would need people from Group
C, which would be the people who
have both, but they’re rare.”
Any band will face many challenges as it tries to make it. Playing
live shows and songwriting are two of
the largest.
Brent Fulop, 26, of The Ceremonial Snips, has been playing drums
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63335464
was the only impressive part of
the band in the past and he’s
gone now.”
Slash, born Saul Hudson, left
the band in 1996 citing artistic
differences with Rose. In 1998
McKagan left the band to pursue
a solo career. Adler had been
fired from the band long before
Slash had left, in 1991 for his
drug use problems, says an unofficial GnR site, heretodaygonetohell.com
“I’m sure the die-hards will care,
but everyone else who’s not really
into them will barely notice,” says
Jordan Deline, 21, a Law Clerk
program student at the Niagara-onthe-Lake campus.
Where have all the die-hards
gone? As of Sept. 23, 2008, the
Recording Industry Association of
America certified GnR’s Appetite
for Destruction 18X platinum.
That’s 18 million records sold. The
band’s complete discography sales
hit 42.5 million units as of Nov. 5
of this year. With all those records
sold, there must be die-hards left
who still care.
“I’ll be lining up at Best Buy
real early,” says Tyson Lee, 20, a
General Arts and Science program
student who is one of these diehards. The album will be out Sunday morning. “Axl is painted as the
bad guy because of Slash. Axl is an
amazing songwriter and one of my
greatest influences.”
Also excited for the album are
the makers of Dr. Pepper soft
drinks, who had promised every
United States citizen a free can of
Dr. Pepper if Rose released the album this year. With only two days
until the album is released, listeners
are enjoying not only the soothing
sounds of 80’s arena rock but also
a can of pop. Sweet deal.
Page 12
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
sports
He’s all heart and eyes
Disher overcame complications and helps the community
By STEPHEN DYELL
Staff Writer
Five years ago, Justin Disher,
31, had a steady job with a steady
paycheque in the call centre
industry when he went in for bilateral Lasik surgery to correct his
vision. It’s an operation common
in today’s advanced technology
world, and it has positive results
for patients. For the Welland native, it didn’t.
“I was a part of the small percentage of people who have complications afterwards, and after
six months of trying to maintain
my job in the call centre industry
I was forced to go on permanent
medical leave because I could no
longer perform the basic duties of
my position,” Disher stated.
Disher went on Canadian Pension Plan Disability and Ontario
Disability Support Program benefits, which were about 40 per cent
of his pre-disability income.
Rather than sulking and selfpitying, Disher got out and began volunteering his time with
youth sporting clubs around
Welland.
“Even though I was never
athletic myself, I grew up watching my two older brothers play
hockey through to the Jr. B level,
so that certainly created a love for
the game. I’m so appreciative of
what the sport did for them that I
want to give back in any way that
I can,” Disher said.
His work in the community
began to grow as he picked up
small writing assignments recapping games and announcing
hockey games inside the Welland
Main Arena.
He is team manager for the Major Midget AAA and Minor Atom
A hockey teams in Welland. He
helps out with the Major Bantam
A team and the Notre Dame Junior
and Senior Boys hockey teams, attending their games and practices
and assisting where needed.
Disher has created websites for
many of the local teams in the area
including his own, Rink Rats Sports
Blog, for which he writes. He also
did game recaps for the local newspaper but slowly started to stop
once his eyes became worse. That
is the time when another chapter
of his extraordinary story began.
“I am probably familiar to most,
however, as announcer for up to 16
games per week inside the Welland
Main Arena, everything from early
morning house league games to A
and AAA regular season and playoff games,” Disher said.
Kids began volunteering to help
play the music, resulting in Disher
getting some much-needed rest in
the busy world he calls community
sports.
“It gives them an avenue to
give back to the sport they play in
another way, which I think is just
as important of a lesson as I can
impart to them,” he said of the kids
helping him at the games.
“This past summer I also managed the Bantam lacrosse team
here in Welland. Once our season
ended, I finished out the summer by attending a number of
youth soccer, minor football, ball
hockey and minor baseball games
in the area, taking numerous
pictures at each event I attended
and posting them on a website I
created and called Dish’s Sports
Photography.”
On top of the writing, announcing and photography, Disher also
wants to pursue a re-certification in
CPR and first-aid so he help in case
of emergencies should they arise.
Although he has yet to coach
any of these teams, he is fully
capable of doing that with certifications to coach rep hockey and
lacrosse. However, he chooses not
to because of his lack of experience
playing both sports.
Disher receives no money in
any of the various activities he
helps although he puts hours
upon hours into every child’s
sporting experience from teaching how to shoot a puck to supplying photos for a MySpace or
Facebook site.
“Now that I’ve started do-
Justin Disher, 31, is an inspiration to anyone in the athletic community
in Welland.
Submitted photo
ing these volunteer activities, I
can’t imagine my life without
it,” Disher stated. “I may never
know the impact my actions have
on these kids, but I can definitely
speak about the impact they have
had on my life. I was a completely
introverted individual only three
years ago before I started getting
involved, and while I’m still quite
shy, you can see by all the activities in my life how my personality and lifestyle have changed for
the better. I can remember being
so shy that I refused to do public
speaking assignments all throughout my elementary school years
and now I’m having opportunities
where I am announcing to crowds
in the hundreds several times a
year and having my writings read
by thousands.”
From the shy child in elementary
school, to the announcer at the local hockey rink, Disher’s actions
prove that one roadblock in your
life can often mean the beginning
of a new and improved pathway.
Trivia Tournament supports multiple charities
Continued from page 5
Larry attended Niagara College
the first year it opened. “The building they knocked down to put in
the Y[MCA], that building was the
whole college,” Larry said.
He was a Business and Accounting program student and
studied under the likes of Niagara College’s first professors
including Larry Coté, Tony
Goss, John Josak and Mr. Seeley.
The most interesting thing about
Larry was that he was the very
first president of the Niagara
College student body. What
would be compared to Student
Administrative Council today
was known as the Student Administrative Assembly back
when the college started.
The trivia began. The questions
ranged from difficult and obscure,
to somewhat easy, then all the
way back to even more difficult
and obscure with inquiries about
royalty, topography, literature and
history, none of which, unfortunately for Lewis’s, team pertained
to Welland’s history.
The categories of this word-ofmouth advertised event included
MASH, the 1972 comedy about the
Korean War, Cocktails and Alphabet Soup, along with the basics like
geography, movies and sports.
The plethora of questions made
the night worthwhile, especially
since ticket sale funds go to
support charities ranging from
animal rescue organizations to
further supporting the museum’s
current exhibits, and exhibits to
come.
Welland Museum archivist Nora
Reid excitedly explained the most
interesting current exhibit, which
pertains to the art of the Niagara
Guild Hawk weavers and spinners, which demonstrates the art
of making beautiful tapestries
and fabrics by historical methods.
This Christmas, the museum
is planning to raise money for
three different charities: One is
T.E.A.R.S., or The Exotic Animal
Rescue Society, The Seaway Serpatarium and the CAPC Niagara
Brighter Futures, which supports
What drink with fruit juice
and many types of rum is
named after the effect it
has on the drinker?
The Zombie
• This car company based
in Oshawa joined Buick to
make General Motors:
McLaughlin
• What four letter word is a
synonym for quickly and is
also its own antonym?
Fast
By LAURA WIKSTON
Staff Writer
Today, Dr. Joyce Engel leaves
her position as Niagara College’s
vice-president academic for “other
career opportunities” and will be
replaced by Steve Hudson.
Engel will be assisting with the
transition alongside Hudson until
•
What is the name of the
T.V show Mash’s theme
song?
Suicide is Painless
• What decade was Mickey
Mantle elected into the
Baseball Hall of Fame?
1970s
In what sport do you use salt
to purify the ring before the
match?
Sumo Wrestling
King St., Welland, to learn about
their history and enjoy the exhibits.
It’s surprising how something
as simple as a Friday night
trivia event can bring so many
interesting facts to the table.
You never know what historian you
might run into or battle to defeat in
a good old game of wits.
Hudson new VP academic
Welland Trivia Night
•
kids and families facing difficult
life situations.
“There will be three different
Christmas trees in which children
can make cards for and place a donation to the charity underneath.”
Reid explained.
The museum is trying hard to get
people young and old to come to 140
•
JOYCE ENGEL
Submitted photo
Dec. 12. He was vice-president
of corporate services for the past
eight years.
Niagara College President Dan
Patterson, in a release to the college community, says during Engel’s tenure “the college has made
tremendous progress in developing
new programs, increasing institutional awareness around student
success and retention, deepening
our involvement in applied research
and strengthening our partnerships
with Brock University.”
Wednesday, Engel said, “I
would like to express my gratitude
and appreciation to the staff and
students of Niagara College. I’ve
been amazed and appreciative of
the talent and caring of both staff
and students.”
Hudson, reached at his office
Wednesday, said, “I’m looking forward to the challenges, after eight
years in my portfolio, to have the
opportunity to continue to move
student satisfaction and academic
excellence forward.”
Patterson
noted
Hudson’s
achievement as a “provincial leader within [the corporate services]
STEVE HUDSON
Submitted photo
group citing his “strong leadership
skills and expertise in planning.”
Hudson will be replaced by Director of Financial Services Teresa
Quinlin as acting vice-president
corporate services. The post will
be advertised in the near future,
Patterson said.
With files from Jordan Nunziato
Page 13
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
sports
Niagara Knights shred Royals
By JOSEPH CASSIDY
Staff Writer
The Niagara Knights men’s volleyball team lost to Fanshawe College of London at the Mackenzie
building gymnasium Nov. 12.
“This team has all the potential
in the world, but right now we are
struggling a little bit to find the soul
of our team,” said Niagara coach
Joel Mrak.
The Knights are currently 1-4 in
regular season play.
Niagara had strong play from
forward
Derek
Warmelink
with 11 kills and two service
Women show ‘right mix and attitude’
Niagara Knights men’s basketball shooting guard Lamar Grant (No. 12)
brings the ball to the hoop while his teammate Lincoln Cole (No. 5)
waits for a rebound, in a game against Redeemer College played at the
Mackenzie building gymnasium in Welland Nov. 14.
Photo by Joseph Cassidy
Knights making donation to community foundation
The Niagara Knights women’s
basketball team will be making a
Christmas donation to the St. Vincent De Paul Foundation tonight at
6 p.m. in the Mackenzie building
aces and Steve Regier with
seven kills and one service ace.
“We played great the first two sets
and started to lose composure in the
third and fourth set,” said Mrak.
The final scores were 25-19, 2025, 25-18, 25-11.
“Overall, not a bad match for us
as we started to do a lot of the little
things right that we have been working on in practice,” added Mrak.
“All 13 guys work hard in practice every day on improving, so
things are moving in the right direction, though it is a slow process
with a young team.”
gymnasium.
“The St. Vincent De Paul Foundation helps needy families and
the girls have made some money
through summer basketball camps,”
said Niagara Knights women’s
basketball coach Ron Lemon.
“It’s a good positive way for
Niagara College to help the community.”
By JOSEPH CASSIDY
Staff Writer
The Niagara Knights women’s
volleyball team lost a close game
to Fanshawe College of London
at the Mackenzie building gymnasium Nov. 12.
“We tried our best but had a
couple of problems,” said Knights
forward Cassandra Musungayi,
who contributed six kills and six
blocks. “We recently had to forfeit
some games and lost some players, but we still made it close. We
had some great passes and have
to work on our serves, but from
first point to last point everyone
was positive, and we will get
[Fanshawe] next time.”
Kerissa Van Amersfoort also
had a big game for the Knights
with 12 kills.
“Basically we are a new team
right now,” said Niagara coach
Kerby Bentley. “We are working
through some problems and finding our abilities.”
The final scores were 26-28,
25-18, 25-19, 20-25 and 7-15.
The Knights are currently 0-7 in
regular season play after forfeiting
three wins.
“Right now we’ve got the
right mix and the right attitude,”
said Bentley. “That will pay off
in the end.”
Knights
forward
Cassandra
Musungayi is shown in action
against Fanshawe College at the
Mackenzie building gymnasium
Nov. 12.
Photo by Joseph Cassidy
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By JOSEPH CASSIDY
Staff Writer
The Niagara Knights men’s
basketball team is on a roll in the
regular season after demolishing
Redeemer College of Ancaster by
an 83-55 score at the Mackenzie
building gymnasium Nov. 14.
“It was good, we played hard and
played good defence,” said Knights
forward Nick Fadayel, who added
16 more points in the game and
leads all scorers with 14.17 points
per game in regular season play.
“I was pleased with our response
early in the game because we were
casual in the dressing room,” said
Niagara head coach Mike Beccaria.
“We came out sharp but then lost
focus, so I refocused the team.”
Niagara forward Chris Bauslaugh led all scorers with 26 points,
and Niagara shooting guard Lamar
Grant played exceptional defence.
“This was a good game for , and
we played a full 40 minutes,” said
Grant. “We played hard as if it was
a close game.”
Added Niagara guard James “Junior” Gordon, “We controlled the
game and tempo and took all the
rebounds and the game. As long
as our defence is solid, our offence
will flow.”
The team plays tonight at 8
p.m. in the Mackenzie building
gymnasium against George Brown
College of Toronto.
Volleyball team has potential
Page 14
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
sports
The ‘drive’ of the Knights
Buffalo wins bid
to host World Jrs.
Tournament set to go
in December 2010
Niagara Knights men’s basketball point-guard Arny N’Kindu takes the ball to the basket in an 89-72
victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers at Mohawk College in Hamilton Nov. 18.
Photo by Joseph Cassidy
By CORY WILKINS
Staff Writer
The World Junior Hockey
Championship is coming to Buffalo, N.Y.
On Oct. 27, USA Hockey announced Buffalo as the host, chosen
over other finalists Minneapolis,
Minn., and Grand Forks, N.D.
The 10-day tournament, scheduled from Dec. 26, 2010, through
Jan. 6, 2011, features hockey players aged under-20 representing 10
countries.
“We believe this will be the most
successful World Championship
held in the U.S.,” Executive Director of USA Hockey Dave Ogrean
told the Associated Press.
The event is expected to draw
thousands of Canadian spectators
because the event is in such close
proximity to the Canadian border.
Canada has won the gold medal
at the four previous tournaments.
“All of western New York will
benefit greatly from this worldclass event being staged right here
in Buffalo,” said Sabres’ owner
Tom Golisano.
The tournament is expected to
bring US$20-million in economic
benefits to the region.
This is the first time a tournament of such magnitude will be
held in Buffalo. Touring the region
last month, USA Hockey officials
were “impressed with the facilities,” said USA Hockey Director of
Media and Public Relations Dave
Fischer.
Games will be held at the Sabres’
HSBC Arena as well as Dwyer
Arena of Niagara University in
Lewiston, N.Y.
“It’s no secret that the Sabres are
a first-class organization and their
presentation of the bid and passion
for bringing the event to Buffalo
and western New York played a
major role in our decision,” said
Fischer.
For more information, visit
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Page 15
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
sports
Mountaineers slay Knights in 52-43 loss
By JOSEPH CASSIDY
Staff Writer
Turnovers are a delicacy in the
world of desserts.
In the world of basketball, turnovers are a disaster.
The Niagara Knights women’s
basketball team committed 22
turnovers in a 52-43 loss to the
Mohawk Mountaineers at Mohawk College in Hamilton on
Nov. 18.
“We had way too many turnovers.
We didn’t take advantage of their
turnovers,” said Niagara coach Ron
Lemon.
“We made a comeback in the
second half and got [the deficit]
down to four points, but there was
some calls not made and the lead
went to seven. It was just too many
turnovers. If we cut them down, we
can get the win.”
The game crawled along at the
beginning as both teams struggled
to find their offence.
By 10:42 of the first half, Niagara trailed 9-7 after a lay-up
from point-guard Jessica James,
who led the team with 11 points
in the game.
Starting the second half Niagara
was down 22-17, but Mohawk
scored 12 of the next 14 points to
take a 34-19 lead.
Niagara fought back with some
good low-post play, from centre
Rachael Warn, to cut the lead to
36-32 at 10:29.
“We played pretty well, but the
referees didn’t treat us very nice,”
said Warn. “We had some good
plays and ran our plays well, but the
outcome didn’t go our way at all.”
Niagara Knights forward Whitney Jackson (No. 12) scores a basket against the Mohawk Mountaineers at Mohawk College in Hamilton Nov. 18.
Photo by Joseph Cassidy
After Niagara brought the deficit
to four points, Mohawk shooting
guard Katie Daniels sunk a big
three-point shot to put her team up
by seven points and Niagara could
get no closer.
Niagara forward Kristy Lee
played well but gave the nod for
the loss to the officiating.
“It was a rough start and we
didn’t play to our full potential,”
said Lee. “I wasn’t getting any
fouls called on me so I was just
trying not to get hurt. I don’t want
to blame the referees for a loss, but
they definitely played a part in it.”
“I don’t like to criticize the referees,” said Lemon, “but it was defi-
nitely not a good night tonight.”
The women’s basketball team
has an exhibition game against
George Brown College of Toronto,
tonight at 6 p.m. in the Mackenzie
building gymnasium.
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Page 16
NIAGARA NEWS
Nov. 21, 2008
on campus
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e Bel
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flowering, a computer operates
timed blackout curtains to cast the
greenhouse into artificial night and
stimulate the plants’ growth.
Summer co-op students plant
the poinsettias in August, when the
greenhouse is frequently 85 Celsius
inside, according to Gary Mason,
the senior technician at the greenhouse for over 11 years.
Despite a “relaxed atmosphere,
lots of students get in the spirit,”
said Mason.
Students are taught to pursue the
quality of crop.
“The students love to see [the]
finished product and strive for customer appreciation,” said Mason.
“They’ve done very well. Top
notch,” said Thomson.
Profit from the sale goes back into
the horticulture program to help pay
for “state of the art” equipment.
The greenhouse employs one fulltime and two part-time technicians,
all of whom are Greenhouse Technician program graduates.
“Because we have technicians,
we’re able to provide answers to [customers’] questions,” said Newell.
The poinsettias are available in
red, white, pink and bi-colours. Sold
by size, they cost $5.79 for a six-inch
pot and $18.99 for a 10-inch pot.
The greenhouse also offers
wrapping, ting ting (a form of tinsel) and dish gardens, which are a
variety of plants arranged to create
a centrepiece.
The greenhouse is open from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
Nutc
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Amaz
By MICHAEL OWEN
Staff Writer
The Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL)
greenhouse will be holding its 40th
annual poinsettia sale during the
next two weeks.
Close to 3,000 poinsettias are
grown and cared for by greenhouse
technician students, and it’s always
a sell-out, according to James
Thomson, greenhouse manager.
There have been pre-orders as early
as Nov. 6.
“I think we’ll do very well,” said
Thomson.
“[The] customer enthusiasm is
amazing,” said Marcie Newell, a
greenhouse employee who has run
the register in the past and is helping
to do so this year as well.
Of the 29 varieties, Red Angel is
the greenhouse’s bestseller.
The sale is run by staff with the
help of students, who wrap the
plants and operate the register.
Although the sale has been held
for 40 years, it has only been at
the NOTL greenhouse for the past
decade, before which its production
was limited to a few hundred plants
at the old St. Catharines Horticulture
building site.
“We have a loyal customer base,”
said Newell.
The plants are grown without the
use of chemicals. Instead, the greenhouse technician students are taught
how to use biologicals, which are
beneficial insects. Most biologicals
come from Holland.
Because short days encourage
ls
Annual sale begins at Niagara-on-the-Lake greenhouse
Top: Sarah Meilleur, 19 (left), and Andrea Keddy, 26, both second-year Greenhouse Technician program
students, hold up the poinsettias they have been working on at the Niagara-on-the-Lake greenhouse.
Photos by Michael Owen