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02 News07 comments09 Arts & culture15 Listings18 Sports
03 denied enTryamerican peace acTiVisTs held back aT bOrder
09 canadian mOThers bare all lOcal aUThOr chandra mayOr Tells The TrUTh abOUT mOTherhOOd
11 The arT Of energy exhibiT explOres yOga pracTice and zen philOsOphy
18 head shOTs in hOckeydebaTing ViOlence in canada’s faVOUriTe pasTime
Cover Image
The Uniter is the official student newspaper of the University of Winnipeg and is published by Mouseland Press Inc. Mouseland Press Inc. is a membership based organization in which students and community members are invited to participate. For more information on how to become a member go to www.uniter.ca, or call the office at 786-9790. The Uniter is a member of the Canadian University Press and Campus Plus Media Services.
SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES, LETTERS, GRAPHICS AND PHOTOS ARE WELCOME. Articles must be submitted in text (.rtf) or Microsoft Word (.doc) format to [email protected], or the relevant section editor. Deadline for submissions is 6:00 p.m. Thursday, one week before publication. 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 libellous. We also reserve the right to edit for length and/or style.
t h i s w e e k’s c o n t r i b u to r s
Laura Kunzelman, Marleah Graff, Joe Kornelsen, Brook Dmytriw, Dennis Vrignon-Tessier, Curran Faris,
Kenton Smith, Don Moman, David Alexander, Christopher Harder, Sasha Amaya, Aaron Epp, Tom Llewellin, Dan Verville,
Cory Falvo, Daniel Falloon, Nicole Timko, Brittany Budzen
Cyrus smithuntitled
from exhibit “drawing Attention”
showing now at the Graffiti Gallery
mixed media
CONTACT US »General Inquiries: 204.786.9790Advertising: 204.786.9790Editors: 204.786.9497Fax: 204.783.7080Email: [email protected]
LOCATION »Room oRM14University of Winnipeg515 Portage AvenueWinnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9
News News editor: stacy cardigan smithe-mail: [email protected]
Managing Editor Jo Snyder » [email protected]
BuSinESS ManagEr James d. Patterson » [email protected]
ProduCtion ManagEr Sarah Sangster » [email protected]
Photo Editornatasha Peterson » [email protected]
CoPy & StylE EditorJacquie nicholson » [email protected]
nEWS aSSignMEnt Editor Stacy Cardigan Smith » [email protected]
nEWS ProduCtion Editor Ksenia Prints » [email protected]
CoMMEntS Editor Ben Wood » [email protected]
artS & CulturE EditorWhitney light » [email protected]
liStingS Coordinator Kristine askholm » [email protected]
SPortS EditorKalen Qually » [email protected]
BEat rEPortErJenette Martens » [email protected]
BEat rEPortErCameron Maclean » [email protected]
BEat rEPortErdan huyghebaert » [email protected]
BEat rEPortErJames Janzen » [email protected]
UNITER STAFF
NEWSOctober 25, 2007
0�contact : [email protected] Uniter
MouSEland PrESS Board of dirECtorS: Mary agnes Welch, rob nay, nick tanchuk, Ben Wickström (chair), dean dias, daniel Blaikie, Vivian Belik, Brendan Sommerhalder, Brian gagnon
for inquiries email: [email protected]
News editor: ksenia Printse-mail: [email protected]
CamerOn maCLeanBeaT repOrTer
Earlier this month, Canadian border officials
detained two leading American peace activ-
ists as they attempted to cross the border
to attend a meeting of the Toronto Stop the War
Coalition. Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright were
refused entry to Canada because their names ap-
peared on an FBI criminal database called the
National Crime Information Centre.
The Canadian Border Services Agency is
charged with the task of protecting Canadians
from external threats. However, in light of this in-
cident, some are questioning the motives behind
some CBSA policies.
Medea Benjamin is co-founder of Code Pink,
a women-initiated grassroots peace movement
opposed to the war in Iraq. Ann Wright is a retired
United States Army colonel and state department
official. She resigned in protest of the U.S. inva-
sion of Iraq, and now works full-time as an anti-
war activist. Both women are outspoken critics of
the Bush administration, and have been arrested a
number of times on minor misdemeanor charges
related to their activism.
Even so, they insist that they are not crimi-
nals. “We have committed very minor misdemean-
ors, we have paid our fines…we don’t have any
reason to be treated like criminals in the United
States,” says Benjamin.
Rather, they say this move by the Canadian
and U.S. governments is an attempt at “political in-
timidation.”
There is a tradition in the U.S. and Canada of
recognizing civil disobedience as a legitimate form
of political protest which has been undermined by
these actions, says Wright.
“I think the message in the United States is
a very chilling one, which is, ‘Don’t get involved in
political activities; don’t get involved in anti-war
activities,’” says Benjamin.
The Bush administration, Wright adds, “is
saying, ‘If we can’t deal with you to our satisfaction
through the U.S. court system, we’ll just…get some
other countries to help make your life miserable.”
The move was met with swift condemnation
from individuals and groups on both sides of the
border, including several Canadian MPs.
“I am alarmed to learn that Canadian border
police are enforcing rules that have been deter-
mined by the FBI and other U.S.-based agencies,”
NDP MP Olivia Chow wrote to the Canadian consul
general in Washington.
“In Canada, peaceful protest is not a crimi-
nal activity, despite how some U.S. agencies may
regard it,” she says.
According to the Council of Canadians, this
incident is simply the result of a series of initiatives
aimed at harmonizing Canadian and U.S. secu-
rity policies as part of the Security and Prosperity
Partnership of North America. Under the SPP,
which began in 2005, one key role of the CBSA is to
“collaborate to establish risk-based screening stan-
dards for goods and people that rely on technology,
information sharing and biometrics” to facilitate
cross border trade and travel.
“The Security and Prosperity Partnership was
supposed to be about easing the flow of ‘low-risk’
travelers across borders,” says Stewart Trew, re-
searcher and writer for the council. “If peace activ-
ists are ending up in the ‘high risk’ category, what
does that say about whose ‘security’ the SPP is trying
to protect?”
Repeated attempts by the Uniter to contact
the CBSA were met with no response.
There has been an outpouring of support for
the two activists. An online petition on the Code
Pink website has drawn almost 14,000 signatures,
including the likes of country singer Willie Nelson,
author Noam Chomsky, and Ben Cohen, co-
founder of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, as well as ac-
tivists and average citizens.
Benjamin and Wright say they will continue
to fight to be allowed into Canada, and to have their
names removed from the FBI list. As of press time,
demonstrations were planned for Oct. 23 in front of
Canadian consulates in several U.S. cities. Several
MPs have invited the two to speak before a parlia-
mentary committee about the issue. However, this
would rest on the CBSA granting them temporary
amnesty to enter the country.
“Our concern right now is not just us get-
ting into Canada for just one time,” says Benjamin.
“Our concern is to change the policy.”
American peace activists detained at the Canadian bordermotivES bEhiNd SEcurity policy iN quEStioN
Medea Benjamin is co-founder of Code Pink, a women-initiated grassroots peace movement opposed to the War in Iraq, she was refused entry into Canada.
Courtesy of Medea BenjaMIn
Since 9/11, the Canadian and U.S. governments have collaborated on a number of intelligence-sharing initiatives. According to the CBSA website, www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, these include:
• Dec. 2001, the Smart Borders Declaration – Signed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, this declaration contained a 32-point action plan for identifying and addressing security threats, which included intelligence- sharing and enforcement cooperation measures.
• Dec. 2003, the Canadian Border Services Agency – Amalgamated Canada Customs and Revenue Agency with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canada Food Inspection Agency. Created in part to respond to criticisms Canada was not doing enough to ensure the security of North America. Adopted the Smart Borders Declaration, established In- tegrated Border Enforcement Teams with the U.S. to develop a coor- dinated approach to identify and stop the flow of high-risk travelers across the border.
• June 2005, the Security and Prosperity Partnership – A trilateral initiative between Canada, U.S., and Mexico to increase security and enhance trade within North America, this agreement seeks to harmonize security and trade regulations between the three countries and integrate security and
intelligence systems.
October 18,2008, issue no. 06, vol. 62, p. 05 article entitled “ Government legisla-tion seeks to ease immigrants employment woes.” the current head of the ethiopian society in Winnipeg is called mr. Amare shero, not Ali saeed. For further informa-tion, call or visit the ethiopian society Community in Winnipeg located at 595 notre dame, Winnipeg, manitoba.
CorreCTIoN
NEWSOctober 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
JOe KOrneLsen
With the cost of living in Canada in-creasing across the board, some prov-inces are taking a proactive stance and
raising the minimum wage. Manitobans are struggling to make a living on minimum wage, says the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (SPCW), and it argues that the province should be following suit.
The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced that the minimum wage in the prov-ince will be increased to match the Low Income Cut-off Level (LICO), with annual adjustments for inflation.
The SPCW believes the minimum wage in Manitoba remains insufficient, and the province should implement a similar policy.
“Wages are one of the prime aspects in the determinants of poverty,” says Sid Frankel, vice-president of the SPCW.
The SPCW is a non-profit organization in-volved in community planning and providing rec-ommendations for government policies on social issues such as poverty.
The LICO is a measure of a person’s income based on their spending. A person is considered at the LICO level when they spend 20 per cent more of their income than people in their community do on the necessities of life.
The wage a Manitoban would have to receive to be at the single-worker LICO level is $10.65 per hour, states the Social Planning Council’s website. Currently the minimum wage in Manitoba is $8.00 per hour.
Frankel explains that an increase is impor-tant because minimum wage workers are often single parents who lack the time or the mobility to find better paying jobs.
“Children are vulnerable with parents with-out benefits, savings, [and who] can’t take days off,” he adds.
Although only one in 20 workers in Manitoba work at minimum wage, over half of these are stu-dents.
Victoria Moorby is a student at the University of Winnipeg. Her hourly earnings surpass the min-imum wage only by a few cents an hour. She lives at home and is able to save a little bit of money, but she says she would likely have to dig into those savings if her expenses were to increase.
“I have been saving for years,” she says. “I could maybe buy a cheap car.”
Megan Donald, also a student at the U of W, tried living on her own, with less than satisfactory results.
“I was going to school and lived on my own,” she recalls. “It was hunger, strife and greasy hair.”
Donald says she was able to just keep up, but because she was unable to put any money aside she decided to move back home.
Currently the province has no plans to in-crease the minimum wage to the LICO level or to index for inflation annually.
“We had a minimum wage board look at this,” says labour minister Nancy Allen. “Labour representatives and employer representatives have never come to a consensus.”
Although the government has never linked the minimum wage to increases in inflation, the NDP has increased the minimum wage every year
since they were elected.Even those earning above the minimum
wage in Manitoba are lagging behind. According to Statistics Canada, the average wage paid to wage earners in Manitoba was $17.04 per hour in 2006, the second lowest wage in the country and far behind the national average of $18.55 per hour.
James Townsend, an associate professor in economics at the University of Winnipeg, says that economists tend to believe that an increase in mini-mum wage would lead to a drop in labour demand
and will have a negative effect on employment.However, recent studies show that
increasing the minimum wage has no effect on unemployment.
“The question is what you want to achieve,” explains Townsend, “minimum wage is a blunt instrument, and it doesn’t necessarily target who you want.”
Townsend adds it is usually more effective to tax and then subsidize whomever you are trying to help.
JeneTTe marTensBeaT repOrTer
For the participants in the World Food Day conference last week, food is more than a commodity—it is a human right.
The Oct. 16 event brought together three of Winnipeg’s main food-focused organizations and concerned residents to discuss solutions to the lack of food in Winnipeg and the world.
“It’s an issue of relevance for all three in-stitutions in relation to food security and the alleviation of hunger,” says Meagan Peasgood, the youth engagement coordinator for Canada Food Grains Bank.
“The objective of the day is to engage a diverse group of people to think of World Food Day.”
The conference, held at the Broadway Disciples United Church, was organized by Winnipeg Harvest, The Manitoba Food Charter and The Canadian Food Grains Bank.
Jino Distasio, director of the Institute of Urban Studies at the U of W says, “From the work we’ve done here it’s apparent that [the rights to food] aren’t being met right now.” He explains that the rising cost of housing in Winnipeg is forcing many families to take money out of their food budget to pay for rent.
“It’s hard to say we’re making a dent in things when food bank use has proliferated in Winnipeg over the last decade,” Distasio adds.
The right to food would involve: respect, monitoring actions to ensure that no one is prevented from the right to food; protection, ensuring that no one deprives anyone else of the right to food; and fulfillment, an obliga-
tion to step in when someone doesn’t have enough food.
Paul Chorney, the community liaison for the Manitoba Food Charter commented on how poorly food is distributed in the world and how we are ruining our ability to produce food by damaging the environment.
“I think more and more people are be-coming aware that we’re in a type of crisis in terms of food,” he says.
“When everything’s gone, you can’t eat money.”
At the conference, groups discussed who was most vulnerable to hunger, and what needed to change in Canada to fix the situ-ation. Aboriginals, single parents, and stu-dents were three groups that were particularly identified.
Some of the proposed solutions included educating youth about poverty, advertising food as a right, and making food as available
to everyone as Medicare.“The gaps are growing bigger in Manitoba
between the rich and the poor. Something needs to be done to reverse those trends,” says Glen Koroluk, the community organizer for Beyond Factory Farming Coalition and a participant in the conference.
To emphasize their point, conference members signed a giant postcard addressed to Stephen Harper. The postcard encour-ages Harper to honour his promise to address the issue of hunger in Canada and the world.
It was noted that in Quebec and New- foundland the political changes that im-proved the problem of poverty started at the grassroots level. Conference members were optimistic that their lobbying could make a difference.
The conference was a part of a two-day celebration commemorating World Food Day.
World Food Day participants strive to feed the masses
0�
students working minimum-wage jobs are barely making enough to live on.
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a student from Vincent Massy high school signs a giant postcard urging stephen Harper to honour his promises.
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jino distasio believes much work remains to be done in Winnipeg and Canada to make food easily available for everyone.
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Saskatchewan makes headway on living wage: Manitoba remains undecided
October 25, 2007
0�The Uniter contact : [email protected]
NEWS
Dan HUygHeBaerTBeaT repOrTer
University of Winnipeg administration is
looking to set the record straight follow-
ing a Winnipeg Free Press article that
painted a grim picture of the university’s library.
According to Brian Stevenson, the universi-
ty’s vice president-academic, the Oct. 10 Free Press
story left out a lot of important information.
“It didn’t portray correctly the kinds of things
we do in the library,” says Stevenson.
The article, which relied on information from
a brochure sent to past University of Winnipeg
Foundation donors, depicted a library with over-
worked staff, space shortages and empty shelves.
Stevenson opposes the article’s claim that the
library is suffering from a dire lack of books.
“No matter how big a library is, you could
not fit all the info in the world [into it],” Stevenson
says.
He notes that many students now are very
tech savvy and able to better access the library’s
resources elsewhere. While this may have contrib-
uted to a decrease in students’ physical appear-
ance in the library, the library is working on ways
to be more accessible and user-friendly.
Stephanie Sydney, a second-year history
student, says she was forced to use databases for
her research because there were no books that
suited her needs.
“I think they need to get new books,”
she says.
Jackie Gudz, a second-year education stu-
dent, avoids the U of W library altogether, electing
to go to the Millennium Library instead.
“It’s quieter, and easier to find that special
place (to study).”
She says the public library’s computers are
also easier to use.
Stevenson confirmed the library’s Information
Literacy Program has recently been forced to offer
fewer classes due to staff shortages. However, he ex-
plains they will be hiring for the program shortly.
Stevenson adds the brochure sent out to pos-
sible donors also highlighted the positive things the
library was doing, such as hiring an external con-
sultant to do a strategic review and renovating the
reading room with funds from private donations.
For some, it may seem alarming that financial
concerns about the library should arise at a time of
increasing expansion at the university.
According to Jennifer Rattray, director of stra-
tegic initiatives at the U of W, funds used in the uni-
versity expansion are not spent at the expense of
the library.
The library’s operation budget comes from
the University of Winnipeg’s general budget, which
is financed by provincial government grants and
private donations, some of which are raised by the
University of Winnipeg Foundation.
Rattray explains the Winnipeg Partnership
Agreement funds the expansion and campus reno-
vations, and cannot be used for anything else.
“Nothing that is being developed is being de-
veloped using any academic funding,” she says.
A feasibility study examining possible
changes for the library is planned for the late fall
or early winter. It will address the possibility of ex-
panding the library over Bryce Hall, a concept in-
cluded in the original design of the building.
Dan Hurley, executive director of external
affairs, stresses the university library did very well
in seven categories in the recent Globe and Mail
university rankings. While the library garnered a
B+ in the availability of journals and an A- in the
availability of online resources, Hurley adds that
rankings must be taken in context.
“It is important to see how you are doing and
how you can improve,” he says.
Library woes not so dire, claims staff
By staCy CardIgan sMItH
What area should the university invest in next?
Scott McLeod, 2nd year Biochemistry if the university subsidized healthy options in the cafeteria, i don’t think it would cost a lot of money compared to the duckworth renovations, but it would make a lot of people happy.
Jessica Locke, 3rd year Conflict Resolution i’m satisfied with my faculty.
Kelsey Moeller 1st year, Pre-Physiotherapy A bathroom closer to the cafeteria, the bathrooms in general.
Joel Murphy, 1st year Education i hear the library’s really bad, i read it in the paper… it doesn’t look like there’s a lot of librarians around.
Kome Mofedamijo, 3rd year Business Administration lower the tuition [for international students]. the health plan [fee] should not be mandatory before registration.
Rheal St-Onge, 3rd year Linguistic studies new Chairs. these chairs are all breaking and uncomfortable. Cafeteria food should be cheaper.
the library’s lack of books and journals might affect students’ academic achievements.
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News editor: ksenia Prints
e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497
Fax: 783-7080
LiberaL Leader taLks to Winnipeggers after throne speech
A crowd of mostly Grit supporters grilled liberal leader Stéphane Dion last Saturday as he took the stage at the Gas Station Theatre. Questions ranged from childcare and poverty issues to the controversial Security and Prosperity Partnership and Canada-US relations.
The roundtable discussion lasted an hour and a half and was also attended by a number of Manitoba’s leading Liberal figures. The stop was Dion’s third visit to Manitoba since becoming the official opposition leader and came days after a throne speech which Dion rebuked, stating it was weak on poverty and environmental issues.
University of Winnipeg stUdent Wins ebay entrepreneUriaL aWard
Whether you are in need of vintage games or a new challenge on your Nintendo Wii, 21-year-old Winnipegger Jade Pearce is the man to call. The University of Winnipeg Business Administration major started PNP Games, a busi-ness selling used games on eBay, back in 2005 from the basement of his parents’ home. Now, he is the winner of the Inaugural eBay Canadian Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
“It started off as a hobby and it grew bigger and bigger from there,” Pearce says.
Pearce plans to use the $3,000 award to buy additional technology for cleaning CDs and increase his stock.
He encountered the competition the same way he started his business—through blind luck.
“[I was] getting a little extra cash, it went well, and I enjoyed it.”
The “little extra cash” Pearce makes is not that small of an amount. To simply enter the com-petition, applicants are required to be making at least $1,000 per month.
Encouraged by his virtual success, Pearce opened a brick-and-mortar store in Winnipeg.
”There’s not a whole lot of competition, which is why I kind of jumped on it now… before anyone else does it,” he says.
Pearce currently has two full-time and three part-time employees. For more info log into www.pnpgames.com.
gULU WaLk raises aWareness to the pLight of Ugandan chiLdren
This past Saturday, some 50 Winnipeggers braved the rain to participate in the annual Gulu Walk to raise awareness about the problems of children living in Northern Uganda.
The walk, a grassroots volunteer-run event, was initiated by Adrian Bradbury and Kieran Hayward, two Canadians who saw first hand the effects the 21-year civil war in Uganda had on its children.
Not only are Northern Ugandan children victims and witnesses of daily violence, but as many as 40,000 are forced to escape their rural communities for towns every evening to avoid abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army or other rebel groups.
This year’s Gulu Walk in Winnipeg started at the University of Manitoba campus and ended at the steps of the Legislature. Many of the par-ticipants personally experienced the Ugandan civil war.
The evening was concluded with a talk from two Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief representatives. The first Gulu Walk occurred in 2005 in Toronto. For more information go to www.guluwalk.com
Local news Briefs Compiled by James Janzen,
laura Kunzelman & marleah Graff
October 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
NEWSNews editor: stacy cardigan smith e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080 0�
International news Briefs Compiled by Brooke dmytriw
Mp3s get taxed
TORONTO, Ontario: After pressure from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, the Copyright Board will impose a new tariff on downloaded music.
CBC News reported the tax will give 3.1 per cent of each downloaded song from sites like iTunes and other download sites to SOCAN.
SOCAN is responsible for collecting fees from radio and television airplay, dis-tributing the profits to Canadian artists. Out of every dollar a downloader typically pays for their song, half that fee goes to the artist’s record label.
yoUth get tWo years detention for stoning a Man
LONDON, England: Five boys were sentenced for manslaughter and violent disorder after they stoned a man to death.
The victim, Ernest Norton, was play-ing cricket with his son when he was at-tacked in February 2005.
The BBC reported Norton, 67, set up a make-shift game of cricket on a tennis court when he and his 17-year old son were approached by as many as 20 youths. The youths proceeded to throw stones, rocks and pieces of wood at the Nortons.
Two stones hit Norton’s head, and he later suffered a heart attack.
The youths, now between the ages of 12 and 14 were sentenced to two years detention.
greenpeace activists Mobbed for atteMpted tree theft
RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil: Eight Greenpeace members were mobbed by loggers and residents of Castelo dos Sonhos after the activists tried to remove a burnt tree trunk from the town.
The activists were attempting to take the tree for exhibits on global warm-ing in Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo. Yet after failing to get the community’s per-mission and proceeding with it anyways, they were surrounded by irate community members.
Castelo dos Sonhos is located in the Southern Amazon state of Para. According to the Associated Press, this part of the rain forest has been devastated by logging and clear cutting.
The region has been very tense in recent years, with an American mission-ary murdered in 2005 during a land dis-pute and an ongoing conflict between the Brazilian government, loggers and envi-ronmentalists.
retUrn Laptop, get free beer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The owner of Croucher Brewing Co. is offer-ing a reward of beer for life for the return of his laptop computer.
The laptop was stolen during a break-in and contained his company’s fi-nancial statements, marketing plans, and contacts.
Paul Croucher said the lifetime supply of beer was likely worth $20,000, reported the Associated Press.
Coucher Brewery is a microbrewery located on the North Island and exports its three beers to Oceania.
angeLa WILsOn CUp aTLanTIC BUreaU CHIef
KsenIa prInTsneWs prODUCTIOn eDITOr
WOLFVILLE (CUP) – The membership
of the Canadian Federation of Students may
drop significantly in the next year. Three stu-
dent unions have initiated the defederation
process and several others are examining their
options.
CFS national chairperson Amanda Aziz
confirmed receiving requests for membership
referendums from three student societies at
British Columbia universities: Simon Fraser,
Kwantlen, and the University of Victoria’s
Graduate Association.
Concordia University’s Graduate
Students’ Union and Cape Breton University’s
students’ union are also expected to file peti-
tions this year.
The student societies who have initiated
the process of defederation share similar con-
cerns about their relationship to the CFS, in-
cluding a lack of lobbying success, expensive
services, and internal dysfunction.
Yet the University of Winnipeg Students’
Association, which was one of the CFS’ found-
ing members in 1981, is baffled by the con-
cerns.
“Why would you want to remove your-
self from a national organization and from the
experience of other students across Canada?”
asks David Jacks, UWSA’s president.
He believes the CFS provides a network
for individual student unions to learn from
one another. “There are a lot of similarities
in issues [between the campuses], but there’s
also a lot of very specific ones that other cam-
puses might have experienced.”
Ian Lindsey, president of the Cape Breton
University Student Union, critiques the CFS’s
national services and lobby movements.
“Outside of [the Day of Action], we don’t
see CFS winning any battles,” he says.
Lindsey believes that many of the ser-
vices offered through CFS membership can be
supplied by individual unions at a lower cost
to students, including student handbooks and
health insurance policies.
Jacks disagrees, bringing up the issue of
fairly traded merchandise. “An individual stu-
dent union who wants the cheapest deal is
probably going to approach a company that
uses cheap labour, [whereas] the CFS makes
sure our bulk-buying comes from the best
sources possible.”
Derrick Harder, president of the Simon
Fraser Student Society, among the first to file
a petition for defederation, expresses similar
discontent with the quality and cost of ser-
vices offered by CFS, although his complaints
focus more on internal politics and organiza-
tional dysfunction.
“The CFS is not an organization that
takes criticism well,” says Harder. “They seem
to go into lock-down easily or, more specifi-
cally, groupthink.”
He is concerned about the apparent top-
down approach to running the organization,
and accuses the CFS of influencing student
union elections, arguing that the CFS assists
candidates who are considered pro-CFS.
Aziz flatly denies the idea, noting that she
is “not sure where that rumor started from.”
The UWSA is not free of CFS criticism. In
February of last year, Devin King, the director
of education at the association, resigned over
frustration with the organizational structure
at the CFS. He quoted their “top-down men-
tality” in his letter of resignation.
In addition to these issues, Harder ex-
presses concern over the amount of money
that the CFS and its provincial chapters are
willing to spend on litigation. The CFS is cur-
rently involved with legal action against Acadia
University over an attempt to defederate, and
acted as a defendant with the University of
Saskatchewan when they were brought to
court over an attempt to join the CFS.
Aziz defends the CFS’s involvement in
these proceedings, saying that neither situa-
tion has cost the CFS much in lawyer or court
fees.
“Since we only participated through in-
tervener status in Saskatchewan, and at Acadia
the process has mostly just been letter-writ-
ing…there has been very little money spent in
these two proceedings thus far.”
In response to concerns expressed with
the effectiveness of lobbying, Aziz emphasizes
that the CFS’s strength is in its numbers.
“Putting our issues forward as a united
front is how we will get things done,” she says,
noting that tuition freezes in several provinces
like Manitoba and Saskatchewan are a sign
that the message is being heard.
Jacks believes it is CFS’s accumulated ex-
perience with many issues that makes it in-
valuable. “Executive members of student
union often come in fresh, and they don’t
know how to approach things… Having that
larger strength in numbers really gives credi-
bility.”
As several students’ unions have begun
to undertake the process of leaving the feder-
ation, many student societies have expressed
frustration over the defederation process.
They claim that it is designed to make it more
difficult to leave CFS. After an initial petition
and referendum taking at least six months, an
application for withdrawal must be filed with
the head office. The federation’s national ex-
ecutive then has three months to examine all
documents and make recommendations to its
voting members about the legitimacy of the
process. The members of the federation vote
on accepting the application, which Aziz says
would only be overturned if it was proven to
be illegitimate.
Rumours surfaced in September that the
students’ union at Ryerson University was also
seeking to defederate, but according to Nora
Loreto, Ryerson’s student union president,
a motion to that effect served to the union’s
board on Sept. 27 was defeated.
KsenIa prInTsneWs prODUCTIOn eDITOr
The Canadian Alliance of Student
Associations (CASA) has settled its
lawsuit out of court against the
University of Manitoba Students’ Union
(UMSU) over alleged backlogged member-
ship fees. The two recently reached a financial
settlement.
CASA will proceed with similar claims
against the Students’ Society of McGill
University (SSMU), with a preliminary hearing
expected this fall.
“It is very positive that we were able to
settle our dispute in an amicable way for both
sides,” Zach Churchill, CASA’s national direc-
tor, said of the UMSU agreement.
Last week’s agreement followed extended
negotiations outside of court between the or-
ganizations’ lawyers. It includes a cash settle-
ment.
Garry Sran, UMSU’s president, was out
of town and could not comment before press
time. Other UMSU representatives declined to
comment on the agreement.
CASA originally filed claims against
UMSU and SSMU in April 2007, demanding the
remaining membership fees for the fiscal year
of 2004-2005 plus compounded interest, calcu-
lated at a rate of three per cent every 15 days.
SSMU and UMSU were both expected to
pay approximately $40,000 for their annual
membership.
CASA’s claim states UMSU paid $12,346
of its fees around May 12, 2004. After leaving
CASA in February 2005, they were sued for
the remaining amount. The amount of com-
pounded interest owed was not disclosed.
According to CASA’s constitution, the or-
ganization’s fiscal year is May 1 until April 30,
with 30 per cent of membership fees paid by
July 1. The remainder is to be paid in full by
October.
The constitution also stipulates that a
withdrawing member will not be refunded any
remaining fees, and is responsible for full pay-
ment of next year’s fees if the notice of with-
drawal is given on or after March 15.
“We’re a very small organization with a
very small budget; any amount is vital to us,”
Churchill explained.
UMSU responded to CASA’s claim on May
25, 2007 with a request for particulars, stating
that if the fiscal bylaws on which CASA relied
in its lawsuit were constituted after UMSU
joined, UMSU is not mandated by them.
CASA disagreed.
“When all student unions joined CASA,
they signed onto membership,” Churchill said.
“Our members made all of these decisions, so
UMSU would be bound by them.”
SSMU withdrew from CASA in October
2005, having paid $12,000 in fees. It was then
sued for the remaining $28,000.
Unlike UMSU, SSMU offered an $8,000
settlement soon after the claim was filed,
states Max Silverman, vice-president external
of SSMU.
The additional $8,000 would have com-
pleted their payment to a half a year’s worth of
fees, despite the fact the association was not
with CASA for six full months.
“[We] made an offer in good faith to put
an end to this conflict, and they rejected it,”
Silverman said.
Silverman is critical of CASA’s constitu-
tion.
”The second you leave an organization,
you’re not bound by their rules,” he said. “The
CASA bylaws could say the moon is purple, but
it’s not true in reality.”
“We’re a flexible organization,” Churchill
said, “members are allowed to join or leave as
they see fit… All they had to do was pay their
fees.”
He remains hopeful an understand-
ing can be achieved with SSMU in the future,
claiming the union has not approached CASA
after May.
“We’re hoping they will take UMSU’s
leadership example,” he said.
Five student unions expected to attempt defederation from CFS
SSMU and CASA remain in legal battleumSu rEachES a SEttlEmENt With NatioNal StudENt orgaNizatioN
October 25, 2007
0�The Uniter contact : [email protected]
uWSa by-ElEctioNS
UWsa By-eLeCTIOnsaLL BIOgrapHy/pLaTfOrm sUBmIssIOns frOm THe eLeCTOraL CanDIDaTes Have Been prInTeD In THe exaCT fOrmaT In WHICH THey Were sUBmITTeD. THe UnITer DOes nOT CHeCK fOr grammar, speLLIng, pUnCTUaTIOn, sTyLe Or pLaUsIBILITy On any sUBmIssIOn reCeIveD frOm eLeCTOraL CanDIDaTes In aDHerenCe TO eLeCTIOn pOLICy.
stephen milner:I bring experience of communal liv-
ing through the Katimavik program for
which I obtained a leadership certificate
for youth volunteerism. My interests in-
clude biking, social activities and I really
enjoy relaxing with a cup of coffee.
sean mcmullen:Working with the University’s Off-
Campus Housing Registry has given me
insight into the struggles faced by stu-
dents renting properties. I am a theatre
graduate working towards a BSC in biolo-
gy. I like animals, video games, and coffee.
Together we bring with us a com-
bined four years experience as resident
assistants in the University’s Department
of Student Housing. We believe student
living concerns are the most important
part of our duties as members of the uni-
versity community, and feel the mainte-
nance of a friendly and enjoyable living
environment is key to the success of resi-
dents both on and off campus.
In this position we aim to generate
discussion towards ways of diversifying
student life for a stable and more sus-
tainable life-style through:
• Bridging student social connec-
tions on and off campus
• Acknowledging inner city living, its
realities and expenses to these students;
• Bringing about integration and
awareness of our on-campus housing
services.
stephen milner & sean mcmullen
CO-DIreCTOrs Of sTUDenT LIvIng
My name is Margaux Miller, I am
a second year student and I am run-
ning for the position of recreation and
athletics director. I am personable,
strong-minded and have a desire to be
involved in campus activities and de-
cision making. I have leadership skills
and the drive to maintain a positive
and healthy school environment.
Based on the interest of many
students, I hope to start up an intra-
mural or recreational soccer league.
As well, I would like to work with the
Wesmen to organize tailgaters (par-
ties before and after we play the U of
M) to support our teams. As a board
member, I will strive to encourage stu-
dent involvement in a number of di-
verse clubs and liaise with student
groups to ensure that the voice of
the student is heard.
Here’s a little about me: I have
been playing competitive soccer since
I was three years old and currently play
for a division one women’s team. I have
coached volleyball and basketball and
have been a member of a badminton,
fencing and even curling team. I love
acting and singing as well and am cur-
rently recording as the voice of a car-
toon character.
reCreaTIOn anD aTHLeTICs DIreCTOr
margaux miller
Hello! We are Chelsea Duszak and
André Tardiff and we are running as
Science Co-Directors. We are both in our
3rd year of studies majoring in biochem-
istry, and biology respectively. We felt it
best to have both genders representing
the field and both are eager to contribute
and make a difference.
As your Directors of Science we
would act as representatives for you on
issues brought to the UWSA board meet-
ings, voicing concerns, opinions, or new
ideas relating to the student body. We
would also act as liaisons between the
UWSA and current student groups.
As project ideas of our own, we
wish to revitalize activity and aware-
ness among the current student groups
and revive some inactive clubs and
some new ones (such as a Biology club).
Furthermore, we wish to bring in speak-
ers to discuss post-degree career and/or
graduate opportunities for various facul-
ties; particularly currently enrolled stu-
dents in medical trades (i.e. medicine,
dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, etc)
to share personal experiences and advice
in their selected field.
Together we feel we have the energy,
passion, and dedication to accomplish
great things for both the science students
and the student body as a whole.
Chelsea Duszak & andré Tardiff
sCIenCe CO-DIreCTOrs
My name is Jonathan Niemczak,
and I want to be your LGBT direc-
tor. Why? Because I want to repre-
sent the LGBT community here at the
University of Winnipeg and promote
our diverse culture.
If elected I will promote LGBT
events and fundraisers, raise aware-
ness about LGBT outside of the
University, create networks with other
LGBT groups in other universities
and around the city and boast respect
and banish stereotypes about the
LGBT community.
The LGBT community here at the
University of Winnipeg is strong and
diverse, we need a leader who is just
as strong and diverse - I am that
leader. Together we can build on our
success and improve on our oppor-
tunities. So join me on election week
and vote for strength.
Jonathan niemczak
LesBIan, gay, BIsexUaL, TransgenDereD anD * DIreCTOr
vOLUnTeer fOr THe UnITer
Tired of having other people write the news?
Like sports but don’t totally feel like playing them?
you know who the hottest non-mainstream band in Canada is?
email [email protected] to sign up.
commENtSOctober 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
0�
Dave aLexanDer
The plan to deal with the number
of abandoned buildings in the city
can work—but only if the city is
willing to pay to renovate them. Under
the Vacant and Derelict Buildings bylaw,
people are having the buildings they own
taken from them and sold at lower than
cost to improve access to low-cost housing
in this city. The property owners, mean-
while, are angered. After all, don’t they own
the buildings, and can’t they decide what to
do with them?
The problem is that the property owners
aren’t doing anything with them, leav-
ing them unused. From condemned apart-
ment blocks to abandoned banks and facto-
ries, Winnipeg has a dearth of places in dire
need of repair. The only use that anyone has
been able to find for them has been filming
movies inside—like the Metropolitan theatre
downtown, where two films in the past year
have been shot.
There are quite a few non-profit or-
ganizations in the core that are geared
toward helping people find low-rent hous-
ing in Winnipeg. These organizations are
the target recipients of these seized build-
ings and will use them in this way. If we get
the non-profit organizations that are al-
ready doing excellent work involved, it’ll
work out well. But one must look no further
than our inner-city for an example of the
follow-through our government has towards
these initiatives.
The photo for this article is a build-
ing funded by the government. In 1995, the
Wellness Centre board of directors was facing
a financial emergency. Membership was fall-
ing and almost $500,000 was needed just to
bring the facility up to health standards. In
addition, a long-term subsidy was needed to
fund day-to-day activities. The money never
came and on Oct. 31 of 1995 the centre shut
down for good.
This is what happens when the money
doesn’t come. Seizing these abandoned
buildings downtown is the first step, but
when the government doesn’t fund a project
they start, no one does. Seizing the buildings
will make it less likely that future developers
will want to buy them if this happens.
The Wellness Centre continued to
sit vacant until the 2004 election. Politics
came into play, and the Liberals prom-
ised a $3 million subsidy to finance the re-
furbishing and renewal of the facility. I en-
tered the building late in October 2006—11
years after it was shut down. It had not been
touched, aside from vandalism, since 1994,
and it was showing signs of mould even on
the outside. As I entered, I found out why.
The mould covered almost all of the walls
and ceilings in many rooms and especially
in the basement. The walls, once sheetrock,
now looked like crayon rubbed on paper,
done entirely in black and filling most of
the page. It was obvious that the $3 mil-
lion had never come. The pool had sprung
a leak, and black mould-filled water
flooded neck deep into the basement—
thankfully not corroding into the electric
wires or the heating system, which were still
turned on.
The building was only recently
demolished and to this day nothing stands
on the site of the former health, pool, and
daycare facility, like a gaping hole in the
already-frayed fabric of the North End.
Who will repair these condemned build-
ings, and who will fund the repair, even if the
buildings are sold for pennies on the dollar?
Surely, low-income housing is a priority, but
if there’s no money, and the Wellness Centre
is a good example of how the prior govern-
ments have treated services for the North
End, how do you think this new program will
turn out?
Comments commeNts editor : ben woode-mail: [email protected]
Ben WOOD COmmenTs eDITOr
Canadians do not want an election.
This familiar echo from Parliament, how-
ever accurate, represents just how success-
ful the reigning Conservative party has been
in shaping not only the opinions of the gen-
eral public, but more importantly, those of the
Official Opposition Party. They have not done
this through scare tactics, a constant parade of
propaganda, or through manipulation. They
have done this by simply appealing to the gen-
eral public.
The Conservative Party have prepared
themselves for a possible election (that can be
caused by a vote of non-confidence over the
Throne Speech) by focusing on policy that ap-
peals and effects the majority of Canadians—
the one per cent deduction of the GST, for ex-
ample. With the Bloc and the NDP openly con-
demning the speech, it is now up to the Liberals
to decide its fate. However, being quite aware
of the amount of support the Conservatives
hold, the Liberals realize it is not in their in-
terest to force an election by voting against the
Throne Speech.
All the recent polls tell us that the major-
ity of Canadians do not want an election. To
many it has seemed that over the last while
too much of their time has been spent being
forced to think about elections: campaigns,
promises, support and financial contribu-
tions. In short, it has been an interruption in
their daily lives.
The Conservative party has understood
this and they are playing the game accord-
ingly. They tailored their policies to fit the av-
erage, un-political Canadian. They have not
concerned themselves with the academics or
the unions. They have realized the un-tapped
‘market’ of voters: the ones who revel in the
status quo. People do not want their newspa-
pers and TV programs to be bombarded with
election coverage, broken promises, or parlia-
ment scandals. On top of the stress of work,
their families, and their growing debt, they
do not want to have to keep tabs on politi-
cians. It would almost seem like they do not
want follow politics. What they want is simple:
to continue living their lives the way they did
the day before—except with lower taxes, of
course.
So, while it may be that environmental
concerns seem to be on the minds of every
Canadian, these are not really the kinds of pol-
icies that win elections or maintain support.
Sure, you would be hard pressed to find some-
one who admits to enjoying destroying the en-
vironment. We all like to think we do our own
part (because after all, “we’re all in this to-
gether”) to preserve the land we live on, but
the problem is, we don’t get anything from it.
Once again, the Conservatives have un-
derstood this and have tailored their policies
to say so. They have dismissed Kyoto and have
introduced a new made-in-Canada plan, fit
for Canadians precisely because the general
public does not want the government to waste
our tax dollars on a non-binding international
agreement. In these types of policies, all that
needs to be presented is dialogue; results are
not necessary so long as the public can see
that a plan, however vague, is in the (indeter-
minable) future.
To maintain current support and gener-
ate new support, the Conservatives have un-
derstood that the public needs tangible rea-
sons to vote for them. Whereas environmen-
tal success is hard to measure in anything
but numbers (which are meaningless unless
you understand the science behind them
and what they represent), lower taxes can be
seen on paychecks, grocery receipts, and bal-
ance sheets. They are more than just num-
bers; essentially, they are money in the hands
of Canadians and votes in the pockets of the
Conservatives.
The mass appeal approach to policy and
politics seems too obvious to be used. Other
parties have seemed to overestimate the ded-
ication or interest of Canadians to important
issues. They have attempted to project upon
us responsibilities that the majority of us do
not care to have. In the end, all the majority of
Canadians want seems to be the easiest thing
the Conservatives can give them: a minimal
decrease in taxes and empty dialogue in many
other policy areas.
Now this fact is taunting Official
Opposition leader Stephane Dion. Faced with
declining support, the Liberal leader is now
forced to repeat, in response to the recent
throne speech, the very same line Stephen
Harper has been publicly declaring:
“Canadians (read: Liberal Party) do not
want an election.”
Who wants an election?
Funding seized buildings?
Denis vrignon-Tessier
Black mould-filled water flooded the sherbrook Pool
da
Ve a
lex
an
der
October 25, 2007
0�The Uniter contact : [email protected]
aCroSS
1- makes brown; 5- Slumbered; 10- anger; 14- Hit with an open hand; 15- Sound; 16- Black, in poetry; 17- Dynamic beginning; 18- Crawl; 19- Propend; 20- repeated; 22- Travels on; 23- Large body of water; 24- Understanding; 25- entirely; 29- Communicate; 33- With no emotion; 34- manipulator; 36- British nobleman; 37- Pasture used for grazing; 38- Tilted; 39- vulgar, ill-bred fellow; 40- Hearing organs; 42- gull-like predatory bird;
43- Kid leather; 45- Spasmodic; 47- one who establishes; 49- 2004 biopic; 50- Class; 51- monastery; 54- Famous; 60- Underlying cause; 61- Principle of conduct; 62- It’s blown among the reeds; 63- gator’s kin; 64- Brightly colored lizard; 65- Triumphs; 66- 8th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 67- Fiend; 68- You can’t catch fish without them!;
DoWN
1- Nicholas II was the last russian one; 2- Sheltered, nautically; 3- Dea agent; 4- Nuptial; 5- of religious rites; 6- Decoy; 7- Paradise; 8- Painter mondriaan; 9- Summit; 10- Body of retainers; 11- In the sack; 12- Departed; 13- Terminates; 21- Depend; 22- gun, as an engine; 24- “Star Trek” captain; 25- roofing items; 26- Body of salt water; 27- Jewelled crown worn by women; 28- Disgusting; 29- Coffee choice;
30- Tied; 31- Class; 32- Senior; 35- Former coin of France; 38- Wan; 41- Strain; 43- remain sullen; 44- obscure; 46- Small low island; 48- Person in the petroleum industry; 51- Shrewd; 52- Drill a hole; 53- rubber overshoe; 54- Hourly rate; 55- Student’s final; 56- Prom wheels; 57- off-Broadway theater award; 58- Habit; 59- Promontory; 61- Deranged;
sudoku #7
last issue Puzzle solutions:
CUrran farIs vOLUnTeer sTaff
Radiohead had record executives ner-
vously pulling at their ties as the band
recently made their seventh studio
album, In Rainbows, available for down-
load exclusively through their website. That
is, without the backing of a record label. The
price? You decide. Although that may sound
great to fans, it’s less-than-great news for
emerging artists.
The band chose not to re-sign their
contract with EMI Records after their 2003
album, Hail to the Thief, fulfilled the group’s
contractual obligations. A physical release of
In Rainbows is available (a posh “disc-box”
which includes the album on vinyl and CD
as well as bonus material) but no label is
behind this either.
Why is this such a big deal? When a
band records an album, their record label
distributes it for promotion with a glossy
press kit. Eventually someone, somewhere,
leaks it. This is why you could download the
new Arcade Fire album long before you could
buy it. But because Radiohead are not under
contract, they avoided this whole process
and “leaked” the album themselves. What’s
more, the band has added an ethical element
by letting the public decide how much the
new album is worth. Some may pay nothing.
Real fans of the band, I hope, will pay more.
I paid three British pounds (roughly seven
Canadian dollars). Yes, I could have got it for
free. But the money went directly to the band,
not a corporation; good music is worth it.
This likely isn’t going to have iTunes
shaking in its boots—at least until the num-
bers come in. Pitchfork Media reported that
roughly 1.2 million people downloaded In
Rainbows, though this figure is unconfirmed
by the band. It’s unknown how many people
downloaded for free.
Many will be quick to praise Radiohead
for sticking it to the record industry. But
let’s get real; very few bands could get away
with what Radiohead have. Keep in mind,
Radiohead can reach so many people be-
cause they’ve had commercial success—
credit due in part, though it pains me to say
it, to their record label. Where did you first
hear your favourite band? Whether it was on
TV, the radio, or in a mom-and-pop record
store, chances are you should be thanking a
label.
Meanwhile, underground artists have
been independently releasing records for de-
cades. And since the Internet made the world
smaller, it’s been easier for small bands to
get heard. But would following Radiohead’s
lead pay off? Not likely. The sad fact is, record
labels open doors that otherwise remain
closed. Here’s hoping that Radiohead’s ini-
tiative will help change this.
Despite that hope, I find one facet of the
In Rainbows release really unsettling. Most
artists like to think their art is worth some-
thing. Find me a group of musicians who
spend all their spare time practicing, writing
songs in some crappy rehearsal space, work-
ing dead-end jobs to pay for studio time, mas-
tering, and album art, and when the album is
finished say, “No, it’s cool. Pay me whatever.”
By giving fans the option of paying nothing,
Radiohead seems to send these independent
artists a swift kick in the ribs.
What kind of message does “pay what-
ever” send to the record buying public? Some
might argue it says music, or art, should be
free—a service accessible to everyone. The
problem is that most artists have to make
sacrifices (financial and otherwise) to make
their art. They have bills to pay. Music should
be accessible, but few are going to create it if
it means empty fridges and eviction notices.
Radiohead have clearly shaken things
up. But they could have used their unique
position more responsibly—by encouraging
people to pay for music, to support artists.
Hail to the artist Why radiohEad’S labEl frEE rElEaSE dESErvES oNly rEluctaNt praiSE
Cros
swor
d puz
zles p
rovid
ed by
www
.BestC
ross
word
s.com
. Use
d with
perm
ission
.
Crossword #7
commENtS
TAKE BACK ThE fEMiniSM
I stand in support of the arguments
made in Bronwyn Jarrett-Enns’ article
“Why feminism is a dirty word.” It is true
that feminism, an ideological standpoint
that can be extremely radical, has been
distorted and highly watered down by
sensationalist media and loud-mouthed
liberals. As Jarrett-Enns writes, “Feminism
has failed to grasp the hearts and minds
of women in our generation.” The Uniter,
a newspaper that presents the news
and views of “our generation,” is a per-
fect case-in-point for her argument: they
did not even cover this year’s Take Back
the Night, which is a traditional and im-
portant event of the women’s movement
in Canada, the United States, and much
of Europe. Although Jarrett-Enns’ criti-
cisms of Take Back the Night are a tiny
bit over the top, I do agree that the march
was too early, too short and had too many
on-duty police escorts.
I call for a ‘take back the feminism’
in the “feminist movement”—a “move-
ment” that appears to be on smoke break.
This current era of feminism is terrified of
being radical; it is even scared of being po-
litical. But feminism, as I love to admit, is
politics; and politics is “dirty.” In the words
of Christina Aguilera (and in the spirit of
Emma Goldman) “[I] wanna get dirty. Its
about time that I came to start the party.”
Kelly Ross
reaD sOmeTHIng yOU DOn’T agree WITH? Have sOmeTHIng TO say? WrITe a LeTTer TO THe eDITOr! email: [email protected]
Letters to the Editor
October 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
0�artS & culturE
Arts & Culture arts & culture editor: whitney Lighte-mail: [email protected]
KenTOn smITH vOLUnTeer
Chandra Mayor cannot tell a lie.
But that doesn’t make telling the truth
any easier.
Mayor is the poetry co-editor of Prairie Fire
magazine, the 2006/07 Winnipeg Public Library
Writer-in-Residence, and a contributor to the essay
anthology Between Interruptions: 30 Women Tell the
Truth about Motherhood (launched last Thursday
at the Millennium Library), and she says that she
works very hard as a writer to simply “tell emotional
truths.”
The process “of really telling the truth can
sometimes be painful and confusing and upset-
ting, but I feel that that’s how you really connect with
readers,” she says.
It’s not easily done. “I actually find [writing] to
be an extraordinarily painful process,” Mayor says. “I
have to force myself to sit down and actually do it.
“For me, writing is a process of feeling things as
intensely as possible, and really trying to find ways to
communicate that bare-bones, honest feeling.”
Finding the “kernel of truth” at the heart of a
story is one of Mayor’s main goals. For example, one
of her stories focuses on how “many young women
long for a connection with other women,” but that
women of different generations “don’t connect with
each other, don’t talk to each other.” (This theme
also predominates in a short story collection Mayor
is presently working on, All the Pretty Girls.) Mayor
thus turns private observations into public, even
universal, truths.
So how does she find such stories? Mayor says
they can come from anywhere.
Ideas can come from things you read, watch,
or observe, Mayor says. Sometimes she transmutes
episodes from her personal life for her purposes,
while retaining the resonance of her own real emo-
tions. She finds that a useful maxim, in any case, is
anyone’s story “can break your heart.” Getting
inside such stories and helping the reader experi-
ence them from the inside out, from the charac-
ters’ perspectives, is what Mayor strives for: Her
first novel Cherry, for instance, which is about
Winnipeg’s early ‘90s punk and skinhead scene,
examines why some women stay in abusive
relationships and others abuse drugs.
This approach can facilitate empathy, Mayor
says, and help us better understand one another.
A prime motivator for Mayor is her own “desperate
need to communicate with other people, and say
`this is how it is for me.’” On others’ writing, Mayor
says that the works she really loves “are the ones
where I recognize something, and I find that some-
one has expressed something in a way that I haven’t
quite been able to put words to myself.”
That’s the tricky part of the writer’s art—put-
ting into words that which is extremely difficult to ar-
ticulate. A misconception about writing, Mayor says,
is that you
simply “wait
for the Muse to
flow through
you and out
your finger-
tips and you
don’t really
have to do
anything - if
you’re inspired
enough, it’ll
just happen.”
But finding
those elu-
sive words is
a craft. It’s a
set of skills
a writer can
and must work at, simply by writing and writing.
“Nobody’s first poem is any good, no matter
how inspired they are,” Mayor says, “but their 200th
poem will probably be pretty good.”
Between Interruptions: 30 Women Tell the
Truth about Motherhood is the first Canadian col-
lection of its kind, compiling true experiences of
motherhood from across the Canadian geographi-
cal, socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural spectrum.
EMOTiOnAL TRuThSchaNdra mayor tEllS hoW it’S paiNful to WritE thE rEal
DOn mOman vOLUnTeer sTaff
W innipeg’s comic book community is
alive and well, as the scale and
scope of the Manitoba Comic Con
makes clear. October 27 and 28 will see 150 dealer
tables of wonderfully produced comics fill the
Victoria Inn for what promises to be a massive
comic convention.
But in this age of Internet entertainment, from
YouTube to online art networks, how can the lowly
comic book survive? Comic artist Ian Sokoliwski,
who has been working in the comic industry for ten
years, has a few theories.
Sokoliwski is primarily a colourist, a role he
filled for several Conan issues. He has also done
pencils and inking, as well as the comic book artist
mainstay, commissioned artwork. And he has en-
tirely created two comics, Selig: The Second Coming
and Battlewitch, a story about some women who are
the only humans able to resist the psychic assaults
of alien demons who live between the stars. Both
comics are available on the Internet.
The Internet, according to Sokoliwski, is basi-
cally the only reason that a comics industry can exist,
at least to the degree that it does, in Winnipeg. Prior
to the rise of the Net, most people working in comics
had to live in New York, the home of major publish-
ers DC and Marvel. The Net also provides an oppor-
tunity for those who want to break into the comic in-
dustry. Sokoliwski’s advice: “Start a webcomic.”
But as with the music and movie industries,
the Net also poses some problems for the future of
comic books. Of the three industries, however, comic
makers seem to be taking the most proactive and
fan-friendly approach.
“As long as they don’t try to fight it in the same
way that the music industry has been trying to
fight it where that just makes everybody angry,”
says Sokoliwski, the industry won’t alienate its fans.
Marvel, for example, has put back issues on their
website, free, since 2004. Wowio.com, the site that
hosts Sokoliwski’s Selig, follows a format that he
calls “comics as TV.” That is, the reader downloads
comics in .pdf format, which includes two pages of
advertising, at no charge. Unfortunately, at this time,
Wowio only allows downloads from users who have
an IP address from the United States.
Will comics in electronic format replace comic
books? “Whether or not the single issue comic books
will always be around, I’m not sure, [but] at the very
least there will always be graphic novel collections
available in bookstores, which is a huge trend right
now,” says Sokoliwski.
On another recent trend, comic book movies,
he says, “I think it’s a good thing.... anything that in-
creases the exposure of comics is a good thing, es-
pecially the quality the movies have been lately.” He
adds that comic book readership has been up be-
cause of movies and that as a result, the quality of
the artistry in comic books is also on the rise.
Ian Sokoliwski is one of the hosts of “The
History of Comics in Winnipeg” panel at Comic Con
on Oct. 27, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Carlton room of the
Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave. His work will be
available at the convention, and is also available at
Imagine Games and Hobbies at 246 McDermot.
a pin-up of skygirl by Ian sokoliwski for greg Waller’s series Magnitude
COMiCS inTO ThE fuTuRE oNliNE comicS arE WhErE it’S at
Colour by Ian sokoliwski. a james Bond-style pinup of Iron Man and his supporting cast, circa 1965.
Lance Hahn 1967-2007By Jo snyder
Last week punk rock lost one of its most iconic figures of our generation. Over the past few years J Church front man Lance Hahn has been strug-gling with heart problems and kidney failure. His chronic illness kept him in constant pain, debt, and occupied much of his mental space. After a particu-larly bad year, Lance Hahn lost his life last Sunday, October 21, 2007.
J Church formed in 1992 and shook our ideals with their challenging lyrics, pop-hooks, and punk rock truism. For Lance, punk wasn’t a fad or even a
genre. And it definitely wasn’t an ego. It was an ide-ology that allowed him to keep perspective on why making art and music is of value, even when record sales were low, vans were breaking down, and cup-boards were empty. Because of this, J Church out-lasted everyone. Through line up changes and per-sonal tragedies, Hahn kept it going. Even his illness didn’t deter him from planning the next show, the next tour, or the next record. This year J Church re-leased The Horror Of Life, a haunting prediction of what many of us are now feeling.
Hahn contributed more than his fair share over his life. In addition to the bursting J Church cata-logue, Lance played with Hawaii-based Cringer during the ‘80s, the first documented and likely most-talked about project on the island. In 1994, he accompanied Beck on guitar. He owned and oper-ated Honey Bear Records, contributed to Maximum Rock ‘n’ Roll magazine, and put out a zine called Some Hope and Some Despair. Over the past few years Hahn was working on a book about anarchist
punk history called Let the Tribe Increase to be re-leased on AK Press.
The exploding message and punk boards and the kilometre of comments on the J Church myspace page are no doubt only a fraction of those affected by this death. Though his trips to Winnipeg were few, the hue he left in our community is still thick enough to see. Hahn inspired a countless number of people; He is a punk icon in the truest sense.
Lance Hahn (Hawaiian-born) lived his last years in Austin, TX. He collapsed Friday October 12 during dialysis and had been comatose until his death last Sunday.
He was 40.
He will be deeply missed. Our hearts are broken.
www.myspace.com/jchurchwww.j-church.com
jaM
es P
att
erso
n
lance Hahn in Braunschweig, germany 2004
Winnipeg writer Chandra Mayor helped launch Between Interruptions
Ken
ton
sM
ItH
artS & culturEOctober 25, 2007
10contact : [email protected] Uniter
sasHa amaya vOLUnTeer
Not even a year has passed since the death
of composer Gian Carlo Menotti. Best
known for his operatic work, Menotti
wrote over 20 operas (most in English) as well as
countless other compositions, poems, scripts and
librettos. The music of this Pulitzer Prize winner,
roommate of Samuel Barber, and schoolmate of
Leonard Bernstein is featured in the Little Opera
Company’s production of The Medium, which
opens this evening.
The Medium centers on the fraudulent
Madame Flora, who is besieged one night while
conducting a séance. She is unable to identify the
perpetrator, and the line between reality and illu-
sion becomes blurred.
“We like [Menotti’s] music,” explains ar-
tistic director Spencer Duncanson, “because his
music speaks to our time and to the human condi-
tion. The Medium is a story about beliefs and what
drives humans and how, when these beliefs become
shaken, it can take apart our entire world.”
If you’re usually put off by the pomp and cir-
cumstance that surrounds opera, don’t dismiss
The Medium just yet. There’s a distinction in opera
between ‘grand opera’ and ‘chamber opera,’ and
The Medium is the latter. Grand opera is the fare
you’ll see everywhere from the Manitoba Opera
to the Metropolitan Opera. Chamber opera, how-
ever, is quite another thing. With as few as one per-
former, chamber opera is designed for intimate
settings, an audience of a few hundred, and is con-
siderably more succinct.
“The Manitoba Opera, you can’t beat them,”
says Duncanson, “[but] I think the two styles of
opera compliment each other. Chamber opera
is more intimate, sometimes challenging, and
it speaks to the individual more. Whereas grand
opera is meant to be larger than life; grand opera
takes you to another place.”
The Medium is chamber opera, Duncanson
stresses, and, like all of the LOC’s productions, is
accessible. “We do all of our operas in English,
and our mandate is to reach out to the commu-
nity. They’re short: if you’re a novice, it’s not pain-
ful. It also allows us to provide an opportunity for
young artists or emerging artists to get their feet
wet, and for experienced artists to do roles that
they’ve wanted to try out.”
The LOC tries to keep most of its artists, as
well as its crew, locally-grown. “We want to ser-
vice Manitobans, and what has really been good
recently is that we have been able to use some of
the emerging artists from the universities,” says
Duncanson. He himself was once an opera stu-
dent and music teacher before he turned to psy-
chology and counseling at Sisler High School. “A
lot of our singers are finishing their music degrees
at the University of Manitoba.”
This year also marks more active involve-
ment in the LOC by the University of Winnipeg.
U of W student Jamie Butler is on board as The
Medium’s set designer. “She’s really very talented,”
Duncanson says. “They’ve come up with a really
interesting set; I think it will be fascinating.”
In its 13th year, the LOC company is not only
garnering more internal attention—from perform-
ers, artists, students and crew—but is succeeding
with audiences, as well.
John Greer, the Winnipeg-born composer
who tailored the LOC’s spring production of The
Magic Flute, retains not only the essence of the
original work in The Medium, but some of the
more challenging arias, too, so that both young
and old should come away impressed.
“Because chamber opera is not as glitzy
as grand opera, it’s hard to get people out,” says
Duncanson. “But for the most part we have people
come to shows and say they love it and that they’ll
be back again!”
The Medium runs Oct. 25-27 at the Collège
Universitaire de Saint-Boniface. More information can
be found at www.littleopera.ca or by calling 452-1017.
Tickets available at McNally Robinson Booksellers.
CHrIsTOpHer HarDer vOLUnTeer
I met the Nods in the parking lot behind the
Royal Albert, helped them load up their stuff,
and then took a position in the captain seat
of their van. They had just played a show and now
they were about to begin a different one: the night
itself, and what a spectacle it would be.
The Nods have been dishing out their hooky,
abrasive rock for about two years now. Prior to a
name change they were known as Castrati, and
before that, Collateral Jammage, a cover band.
The boys are preparing to release their new
album, Static Pop, on Oct. 26 at the Garrick Centre.
Static Pop is filled with tasty guitar sections,
symbol-crashing drums, and tuneful vocal har-
monies, a sound that’s evolved much since their
earlier work, and seems to continue to do so ev-
eryday. Among their influences, the Nods count
the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the White Stripes,
Queen, and a plethora of other performers.
At first, whisking through the incoherence
was an issue. But eventually we got down to the
hammer, set aside our madness, and discussed
issues, including the state of modern music, and
the dishonesty that latches itself to it.
“For the most part it’s a bunch of ingenuine
pieces of shit!” blared guitarist Micah Braun, before
taking a long pull of his cheap beer and throwing
his butt out the window. I felt this statement was
worth being said; there was truth in it. “But I think
there’s some good music out there,” he later inter-
rupted. “There’s emo bands, there’s punk bands,
there’s metal bands, there’s rock n’ roll bands. We
just try to make music that we feel.”
I questioned the Nods about the benefits of
recently added rhythm guitarist, Serge Broeska.
“I think he brought a more cohesive tone to the
band,” said singer John Broeska.
The conversation slid to the new album as
the Nods discussed recording their new album.
“The recording process was much differ-
ent,” explained John. “This time we knew what we
wanted.” That confidence seems to echo in every-
thing they do.
Euphoric stage antics and fiend-like outings
are what the band has become known for. I remem-
ber once seeing Braun, during a face-melting guitar
solo, jump off stage and onto an occupied table,
horrifying the patrons, nearly spilling their bever-
ages, and almost killing himself. These and other
shenanigans have snowballed into a lingo unique to
the band. One of their phrases is “beastin’ it.” Asked
what it means, John answered, “Beastin’ it is just
beastin’ it.” Isaac Simonson expanded: “It’s giving
every last inch that’s in your soul.”
Immediately I heard, “Wow, that was deep,”
from one of the other members, just as Serge pro-
duced his lighter and ignited my notes. I yelled
with surprise, then threw my notes to the ground
outside the van and poured a sip or two of my
beer on it. As my boots hit the ground, I turned to
see Braun with his personal member kissing the
post-show air. He was attempting to urinate in his
own mouth. Sadly, this was not too surprising. He
missed horribly.
“I pissed in my eye,” he laughed maniacally.
“I have tears of urine.”
“Can I print that?” I asked.
“Print it. Paint me as naked as I can possibly
be painted,” he replied. This, better than any literal
answer I could of hoped for, was the definition of
“beastin’ it.”
Having overcome the image, I squeezed out
one last question: what’s in store for the CD re-
lease party? It will be “Chariots of fire,” predicted
drummer Jeff Bruce, “or chariots on fire.” I, for one,
would like to see both scenarios untwine. The show
will most likely be a Halloween costume party as
well. So bring your finest apparel and some danc-
ing shoes, because “it’s gonna be a monster of a
good time.”
Dave aLexanDer vOLUnTeer sTaff
This Friday, the Winnipeg Short Film
Massacre will unlock the gates of hell to
let thousands upon thousands of imps,
demons, and devils out into the world. Either that
or they’re hosting a Winnipeg-made horror film
festival—I can’t tell the difference.
The non-profit Winnipeg Film Group’s festi-
val gives local filmmakers a chance to exhibit their
short horror films. Annually since 2004, the films
have played to a sold-out crowd, or a standing-
room-only group of cultists. The 2007 festival will
take place at Cinematheque on Oct. 26 at 9:00 p.m.
Be sure to bring your black robes and ceremonial
daggers.
Given the opportunity to preview this year’s
films, I can say they’re very well done, especially
considering the time and budget restraints on the
filmmakers. Obviously, the eight 10-minute horror
films aren’t up to Hollywood production values.
Nonetheless, they promise a terrific night of enter-
tainment with friends and are hilariously fun.
The festival standout is Stephen Kostanki’s
“Insanophenia.” The writing is superb; Kostanski
certainly has a way with dialogue. It’ll remind you a
bit of Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, which seems
very much intentional. The film is about two exter-
minators and their boss, all of who wear facemasks
for the duration of the film (presumably to make
dubbing easier). Without spoiling the ending,
it’s certainly great to see claymation making a
resurgence.
Another film you’ll see at the fest is Adam
Brooks’ “Sebastian and Alan.” It’s a horror film shot
from an unusual perspective, with an altogether
predictable, but very interesting, twist near the
end. We wonder how much of what the two title
characters were saying is false, and how much is
true. The storyline is straightforward, a story we’ve
likely all heard and seen countless times before. But
like I said, perspective is everything. Clearly Brooks
knows how to handle a camera. The cinematog-
raphy and lighting of “Sebastian and Alan” set the
film’s atmosphere well. Especially well done is the
use of a long lens in a car scene, which builds the
claustrophobia inherent in the situation.
If you’re looking for a good scare and a
good time, not to mention to support Winnipeg
filmmakers, the Short Film Massacre is the bloody
place to be.
A BLOOdy hORROR PiCTuRE ShOw
still from HIZ, by Matt Kennedy and Conor sweeney
a vaN, SomE mEN aNd much luNacy
the nods play at the garrick Centre friday october 26th.
Pro
Mo
sH
ot
still from sebastian & alan, by adam Brooks still from Insanophenia, by steven Kostanski
SéAnCE And SOng thE littlE opEra compaNy prESENtS thE mEdium
Back row: jonathon talbot, jennifer sproule, Kim lapatha, Beckie edler. front row: lacey eagle, elizabeth rotoff, jennifer Carter
Courtesy of sPenCer dunCanson
ThE nOdS givE ME ThE ShAKES
artS & culturEThe Uniter October 25, 2007
11arts & culture editor: whitney Light e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080
the uniter Fashion streeter is an ongoing documentation of creative fashion in Winnipeg inspired by the helsinki fashion blog www.hel-looks.com. each week will feature a new look from our city’s streets and bars in an attempt to encourage individual expression and celebrate that you are really, really good looking. Want to show off your style? Contact [email protected]
aarOn sTeeLe vOLUnTeer
K undalini Rising refers to the awakening
and handling of your natural energy. It’s
also the title of the current exhibit at Vault
Gallery. The idea for the exhibit was inspired by the
Ashtanga-style yoga class that is held regularly at the
gallery; artistic expression seemed like a
natural extension. Admittedly, I’ve attended only
a few yoga classes in my time, but when I did, I
felt open (though usually pretty sore too). This ex-
hibit generates the same feeling (minus the aches
and pains), capturing the concept of Kundalini—
your spiraling energy.
Much of the art is by Manitoba artists but
some represents artists from New York, Toronto and
Vancouver. Abstract painting, contemporary photog-
raphy and ceramics are just some of the types of work
on show. By the diversity, it’s clear that each artist has a
unique relationship with the theme. And although not
every piece conveys its intention as well as it might, the
exhibit on the whole explores the idea of Kundalini well.
There is a minimalist, Zen-like quality to all the
work, which thrives in its simplicity. And because of its
pared down style and lack of subtext, it seems a rela-
tively easy exhibit to connect with.
The ceramics by painter-turned-ceramic artist,
Alan Lacovetsky, were inspired by his experience of a
Buddhist Tea Ceremony. Lacovetsky is now a professor
of ceramics at the University of Manitoba. His work is
well crafted and elegant.
Chrissy Wood is a stylistic painter who also adds
well to the exhibit. One of her paintings is a simple ver-
tical line, but the movement in its aesthetic enthralls.
What you won’t see here are smiling Buddhas or yogic
figures, but a general congruence of subject matter
there is. Energy, for example, is captured in several dif-
ferent ways.
Curator Charles Johnston is also a contribut-
ing artist. One of his pieces is titled Prana, which is a
concept that has to do with the breathing cycle. The
piece comprises a series of colour field paintings
with a meditative quality and movement reflective
of energy.
Then there’s Debbie Danelley’s work, which uses
tea stains and bags as mediums to communicate about
the cycle of existence.
In these varied ways, Kundalini Rising speaks like
a Haiku—profound, serene, and calm. Whether you’re
interested in art, Zen, or just want a little peace away
from the noise and haste of the day, this show is worth
your reflection.
Kundalini Rising runs until Nov. 3 at Vault Gallery,
2181 Portage Avenue. See fineartamerica.com/pro-
files/vault-gallery.html for more info.
Augusta Stobbe“my style is influenced by my personality, which is loud and enthusiastic. i’ve traveled quite a bit, so i like things that are ethnic; my dress is from mexico. i’m stimulated by new things and ideas.”
HOLLy rOse
It’s official. The sun has gone south and fall has arrived.
Some might say burnt orange, chocolate brown and grey
are among the hottest colours for fall fashion. But the
truth is everyone’s going green.
With concern for the environment on the front burner,
the fashion industry has caught onto the eco-friendly trend.
Clothing and accessories made with organic cotton, bamboo,
milk, soy and corn are being made without the use of toxic pes-
ticides, chemical fertilizers or genetic engineering. This means
your next new garment could be a product by the world’s best
designer (and Folk Fest favorite), Mother Earth.
From sweaters and jeans to delicate dresses, the main-
streaming of eco chic has proven that you can do good and
look good at the same time. H&M, Levi’s Jeans, Lululemon,
Roots, American Apparel, Mountain Equipment Co-op, La
Senza and even Wal-Mart’s George line have gone ‘green,’ of-
fering some eco-friendly clothing.
But just how `green’ is this trend? Eco-friendly does not
necessarily mean worker-friendly. It’s great that sustainable
materials are being used, but some garment industry workers
are still in unfair labour conditions.
“My advice is to buy second-hand whenever possi-
ble, and read the labels of the new clothes you buy,” says Liz
Dykman from the Manitoba Eco Network. “Also, keep in mind
the further the clothing has traveled, the more environmental
impact is associated with its transportation.”
To ensure that you are not `faking’ the new green look,
try out these stores, which carry eco-friendly clothing made lo-
cally or under fair trade practices:
ShOuT CLOThing, 202-99 Osborne St. The funky sister
of popular fashion boutique Hush Clothing carries American
Apparel’s sweatshop free “Sustainable Edition” of environ-
mentally friendly fabrics including thongs, tanks, and tees.
SiLvER LOTuS, 111 Osborne St. Carries the Montreal-
based Matt&Nat line of chic vegan bags and wallets.
STuLKA, 105 Osborne St. Famous for its EMK line, Stulka
also carries locally made clothes as well as re-worked and pre-
picked vintage items.
BRAvE nEw wORLd, 141 Sherbrook St. With funky cloth-
ing, jewelry and gifts imported from Nepal and Thailand, Brave
New World carries a number of fashionable and affordable or-
ganic and fair trade items.
unLiMiTEd SuPPLiES fROM EvERyOnE’S diSCARdS (uSEd), These bags from Morden, MB are made from recycled
seatbelts. See www.reycledseatbelts.com
For more information on eco-friendly clothing, visit The
Manitoba Eco Network website at www.mbeconetwork.org
ThE STyLE BEAT: gREEn SCEnE
a reclaimed seatbelt bag by Morden’s used
a 100 percent vegan bag by Matt&natt. available at silver lotus.
Wilful Vestiges by debbie danelley
teapot by alan lacovetsky
ThE ART Of EnERgy Exhibit ExplorES yoga practicE aNd zEN philoSophy
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contact : [email protected]
October 25, 2007 The Uniter contact : [email protected]
1� artS & culturE
annUaL generaL meeTIng nO. 2nOvemBer 7, 2007
sCHeDULeD TIme: 12:30pm – 2:30pmLOCaTIOn: UWsa BOarD rOOm, Orm06
• all members have the right and responsibility to attend the meeting.
• all members have voting and speaking rights.
• The election of members to the mouseland press Incorporated Board of Directors will take place at this meeting.
• The deadline to for nomination to the Board is October 24, 2007. please see article 10 of mouseland press Inc By-Law no.1 for the procedures of the election of Directors.
• all nominations of members for election must be provided to the Chair by the nomination deadline.
• motions concerning changes to mouseland press Inc. By-Law no. 1 will be debated and voted on at this meeting.
• all motions to amend the By-Law must be submitted to the Chair by October 17, 2007.
• all questions should be directed to the Chair of the Board of Directors, Ben Wickström, at [email protected] or by phone at 801-4271.
October 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
1�artS & culturE
arts & culture editor: whitney Light e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080
CD revIeWs THe WeaKerTHans reunion Tourepitaph
as I Lay DyIng an Ocean Between Usmetal Blade
multi-instrumen-
talist robert Wyatt has
been flirting with jazz
fusion ever since his
time as the frontman of
influential ‘60s psych-
rock band The Soft machine. His latest solo album,
recorded mainly at his home in Louth, england, is an
eclectic jumble of mellow but not melancholy, laid-
back jazz fusion backed by Wyatt’s ethereal voice.
He brings along a small army of contributors, includ-
ing roxy music’s Brian eno and Phil manzanera. “Be
Serious” is a sarcastic finger-snapping take on con-
flicts between religions that manages, somehow, to
channel barbershop influences. “a Beautiful War” and
the instrumental “anachronist” are also standouts, the
latter featuring Wyatt’s mellow trumpet playing. Wyatt’s
voice is a wonderful, versatile instrument, able to take
on a multitude of different characteristics and ranges
that merit a raised eyebrow. overall, the album sounds
very laid-back and lazy, but lacks the confidence that
would turn those qualities into strengths. It seems a
little half-done in parts, but if you’re a Wyatt or Pink
Floyd fan, or would just like to explore the strange
waters of jazz fusion, it’s worth a listen.
Tom Llewellin
3 out of 5
an ocean
Between Us is the
follow-up to met-
alcore quintet
aILD’s 2005 break-
through album,
Shadows are Security. The band produced the
new disc along with Killswitch engage guitar-
ist/metalcore producer du jour adam Dutkiewicz.
The result is an album that features cleaner
vocals and more piano and synth than Shadows.
Don’t think that aILD have softened up though.
guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa still shred
like it’s 1989, including virtuoso leads that would
make eddie van Halen proud. The rhythms pro-
vided by drummer Jordan mancino and bassist
Josh gilbert lock in tightly with the riffs, and on top
of it all, Tim Lambesis uses a deeper, fuller growl
than on Shadows to shout lyrics about redemp-
tion, grace, and learning from past mistakes. Still,
it’s hard to say whether or not an ocean Between
Us is better than its predecessor. either way, it’s a
worthy follow-up, and a fine offering from one of
the more exciting bands in the genre.
aaron epp
3.5 out of 5
rOBerT WyaTT Comic OperaDomino
What more can
be said about the
Weakerthans? These
Winnipeg natives
have taken their so-
phisticated and intel-
ligent indie-rock across North america and built a
dedicated fan base. Their previous two albums, Left
and Leaving and reconstruction Site, offered some
of the most important alternative rock in years—
Canadian or otherwise. Fans will likely not be disap-
pointed with reunion Tour. Still present are John K.
Samson’s beautiful and clever lyrics; Samson once
again takes the point of view of a housecat, with
heartbreaking results, on “virtue the Cat explains
Her Departure.” after a few listens, however, the
album left me unfulfilled. reunion Tour is not a bad
album by any stretch. It’s just that it sounds familiar.
I wanted to hear the boys take some bigger chances.
Nonetheless, reunion Tour rocks pretty hard and will
stick in your head for days, and that has to be worth
something.
Curran Faris
3.5 out of 5
ChurCh launChes “united for PeaCe” CamPaign
Winnipeg’s Sortie Rèal, Kram Ran, and Broken Orchestra will be joined by touring British cellist Bela Emerson for a concert at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church this coming Sunday. Visual artists Christian Worthington, Andrew Milne and others will display their artwork. CFRUC’s JUST Alternatives program is using the concert to introduce United for Peace, a national United Church campaign ad-dressing the need to work toward just peace in all parts of the world. JUST Alternatives brings social justice issues together with contempo-rary music and art. Sunday’s concert starts at 8:00 p.m. and admission is $7.00 at the door. The church is located at 525 Wardlaw Ave. at Nassau St.
gallery 1C03 Presents PubliCation launCh for two exhibitions
On Nov. 1, the U of W’s Gallery 1C03 hosts a free reception from 4-6 p.m., launch-ing publications for two of its most recent ex-hibitions: Casualty and Show + Tell: Notions of Home and Place by Alumni. Casualty deals with the ongoing social, intellectual and emo-tional losses that are an effect of everyday 21st century North American life. Show + Tell, cur-rently on display at the gallery, includes work in various media by 13 U of W graduates, all on the theme of home or place. One of the artists, Glen Johnson, will deliver his faux lecture per-formance “You CAN Go Home: Thomas Wolfe Was Wrong” during the reception.
lessing wins nobel for literature
Persian-born author Doris Lessing won the Nobel Prize for literature earlier this month. She is the author of dozens of works, including the 1962 feminist classic The Golden Notebook. Lessing won the prize just two weeks short of her 88th birthday, making her the oldest winner in the prize’s more than 100 year history. The Swedish academy that awards the prize was not able to reach Lessing before announcing her win. She found out two hours after, from reporters gathered outside of her house. The Associated Press reported that Lessing later told them, “I thought you were shooting some kind of television series.”
is this the future of musiC?
In the same month that Radiohead re-leased an Internet-only album and Led Zeppelin made their entire catalogue available online, UK rock band Fightstar announced they would release their next single on a disc that is vinyl on one side and a CD on the other. “Deathcar” will be a 3,000-copy limited edition. Germany’s Optimal Media Production created the two- in-one disc, which can hold roughly three minutes of music on the vinyl side and 70 minutes on the CD side. No one knows how the public will respond, but one thing’s for certain: the vinyl-disc should confuse the digital vs. analogue debate for hipster music store clerks everywhere.
arTs BrIefscompilEd by aaroN Epp
arts & culture editor: whitney Light e-mail: [email protected]
phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080
October 25, 2007 The Uniter contact : [email protected]
1� artS & culturE
95.9 Fm CKuW CAmPus/COmmunity rAdiO tOP 10 Cd – AlBumsOCTOBER 17-23, 2007! = Local content * = Canadian Content RE=Re Entry NE = New Entry
lW Tw Artist recording label
1 1 !Weakerthans reunion tour anti/Epitaph
2 2 !Scott nolan reciever/reflector transistor 66
3 3 !Paperbacks an illusion against death Parliament of trees
4 4 !details draw a distance Parliament of trees
8 5 gaudi + nusrat fateh ali Khan dub Qawwali Six degrees
7 6 *Stars in our Bedroom arts & Crafts
6 7 *Emily haines/Soft Skeleton What is free… last gang
9 8 Caribou andorra Merge
nE 9 *Sadies new Seasons yep roc
23 10 M.i.a. Kala Xl
listiNgs coordiNator: kristine askhoLm e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080
Want to submit your listing to Uniter Listings? email your listings to [email protected] DeaDLIne fOr sUBmIssIOns is Wednesday, eight days before the issue you’d like your
listing to first appear in. The Uniter publishes on Thursdays, 25 times a year. liStiNgS @uniter.ca 1�October 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
VirtuOsi COnCerts laurence Kayaleh, violin & Paul stewart, piano. sat, Oct 27, 8 p.m. eckhardt-Gramatté hall. Programme: smetAnA Asu der heimat, strAuss sonata in e flat major, op.18, medtner three “skazi” (Fairy tales) (solo piano) medtner sonata in G major, op.44 no. 2 tickets: Adult $29/ seniors $27 / students $14.50. For more information please visit www.virtuosi.mb.ca
tOXiC tresPAss: mFB Film sCreeninG w/ PrOduCer dOrOthy GOld-in rOsenBerG the story of a mother and daughter looking for answers after being part of a Canada-wide study measuring pervasive, man-made toxins in our bodies. it relates the knowledge scientists and community activists have uncovered on these chemicals, and the serious repercussions they pose to human health. executive producer and principle research consultant for the film, dorothy Goldin rosenberg, mes, Phd, will discuss her work, along with local panelists, following the film. mon, Oct 29, 7 p.m. eckhardt-Grammatte hall. Free admission, all welcome.
GAllery 1C03 show + tell: notions of home and Place by Alumni, until Oct 27. Organized in conjunction with the university of Winnipeg’s 40th anniversary, show + tell features art in various media by 13 uW graduates. new work by steve Bates, richard dyck, richard hines, leah Fontaine, Allan Geske, Glen Johnson, Blair marten, Kegan mcFadden, solomon nagler, Freya Bjorg Olafson, Paul robles, donna szoke and racheal tycoles. Gallery hours: mon-Fri: noon-4 p.m. sat: 1-4 p.m. Opportunities
lOOKinG FOr A GreAt ideA FOr yOur term PAPer? the experiential learning Program offers research topics to students based on the needs of our university and local community. We partner with offices on campus and non-profit organizations working towards social justice and environmental sustainability. these projects range from helping refugees settle in Winnipeg, to protecting our waterways from environmental degradation. Current pro-posals are listed on our website for your consideration, at www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/sus-student-initiatives. interested? Contact the sunset (sustain-able university now, sustainable earth together) student group office at 789-1435 or email [email protected].
meAl eXChAnGe VOlunteers WAnted Groups of costumed volunteers will walk door to door on halloween night on pre-assigned streets asking for donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items. students will also help count and sort donations, then visit community organizations to drop off our collections. meal exchange (mX) is a student founded, student run, registered charitable organization that has grown to 48 campuses across Canada. the mandate of the university of Winnipeg Chapter is to promote civic engagement through the development of hunger solutions. mX imple-ments programs and events that transform students from passive contribu-tors to active agents in the fight against hunger. Contact [email protected]
FrOm OutrAGe tO ACtiOn humAn riGhts WOrKshOP series ses-sions include An introduction to international law, Beyond letter Writing, Corporate social responsibility, refugee Claimants in Winnipeg, racial Profiling in Canada, Activism 101. dates from Oct 30-dec 6. Free admis-sion. space is limited – priority will be given to those who register for all six sessions. to register contact louise at [email protected] or call 475-4565.
WinniPeG Free Press & Writers’ COlleCtiVe nOn-FiCtiOn COntest do you have a story that needs to be told? the theme this year is “i knew i wasn’t in Kansas anymore, when...” and there’s a total of nine hundred dollars to be won. deadline Oct 31. For details, call 786-9468 or email writerscollec-tive.uwinnipeg.ca or visit http://writerscollective.uwinnipeg.ca/nfict.html
Writers COlleCtiVe POetry COntest Attention poets! Over five hun-dred dollars to be won. deadline is Oct 31. For details, call 786-9468 or email writerscollective.uwinnipeg.ca
2008 student entrePreneur COmPetitiOn celebrates the commit-ment, determination and achievements of student entrepreneurs. through this annual program, ACe and CiBC create a platform for young business leaders to network with like-minded students, showcase their business on a regional and national stage to top executives and leading entrepreneurs, receive relevant training and leverage valuable mentorship opportunities to accelerate the growth of their business. nominations and self nominations are being accepted through the ACe website, www.acecanada.ca, and will close on dec 7. the competition is open to full-time students at Canadian universities or colleges who are running their own businesses.
Best student Writer AWArd the national magazine Awards Foun-dation (nmAF) is now accepting applications for the 3rd annual Best student Writer award. Full-time, post-secondary students who have published a non-fiction piece in a Canadian consumer or univer-sity magazine in 2007 are eligible. the winner will receive $1000 and tickets to the national magazine Awards gala next June. Visit www.maga-zineawards.com for more information. deadline is Jan 11, 2008.
mystery WritinG WOrKshOP with Catherine hunter. sat, Oct 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. room 3m50. Participants will discuss the basic elements of the mystery novel and each draft a “discovery” scene for their own mystery. each participant will have the chance to come away from the workshop with a plan for a mystery novel of their own. $15 for WC members, $30 for non-members. to register, email [email protected] or call 786-9468.
GreAt lAKe sWimmers w/ Justin rutledGe thurs, Oct 25 at the West end Cultural Centre. doors 7:15, show 8. tickets $12 in advance @ ticket-master, WeCC, into the music, and music trader.
JACKs Are Better Feat. Jack semple and Jack dekeyzer. Fri, Oct 26 at the Pyramid Cabaret 176 Fort st. doors 7, show 8. tickets $20 at 219-6004.
CrAiG CArdiFF w/ local openers Jacob and lily Oct 29, 8:30 p.m.the Cyrk, 254 young st. tickets $10
tinsley ellis nov 2 silverado’s. tickets $14.15 + Gst by calling 694-shOW(7469)
Jully BlACK nov 7, WeCC. doors 7:15 p.m. show 8 p.m. tickets $14 in advance Available at WeCC and ticketmaster
WintersleeP w/ WOOden stArs thurs, nov 8 at the Pyramid. tickets at into the music, Kustom Kulture and Kitsch on Broadway
CuFF the duKe w/ lAnd OF tAlK thurs, nov 8 WeCC. doors 7:15 p.m. show 8 p.m. tickets $12 in advance on sale now at WeCC, ticketmaster, into the music, and music trader
the mOst serene rePuBliC w/ drAGOnette and mOther mOther Fri, nov 9 at the Pyramid. tickets $12 advance / $15 door, available at into the music, Kustom Kulture and Kitsch on Broadway
A GAlA rOCKin’ FundrAiser FOr Brent “GuitAr” PArKin Feat: swing sonic Jazz, Prairie swing & Good-time Blues w/ Greg leskiw, the swag surf, twang & rock, sensations w/ Chris Carmichael, Ken mcmahon, Bernie thies-sen, the six stringers Blues, Jazz & rock extravaganza fear. terry Barnett, J.P. lepage, Greg lowe, larry roy slidin’ Clyde roulette, Clayton sample. sun, nov 11, Pyramid Cabaret 176 Fort st. doors 7:30 showtime: 8. silent Auction, 50/50, door Prizes. Advance tickets $15 at Windsor hotel, into the music, times Change(d) high and lonesome Club, royal George hotel
CinemAtheQue 100 Arthur st. Oct 25, 26, 28: Get Animated! Oct 27-nov 1: Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman 7 p.m, ten Canoes 9 p.m. GlOBe CinemA Portage Place now playing: elizabeth: the Golden Age, into the Wild, michael Clayton. Call 69-GlOBe for details.
PArK theAtre 698 Osborne st. 478-7275 Oct 25: thin ice Cd release, Oct 26: 92 Kick Fm presents the Original Painkiller, Wormhole, lokus, ends & means, illusive mind Gypsy Crew, Oct 28: Belly dance night. Oct 29: soap scum Presents season 2 “space Quest”. Oct 30: the Asham stompers. Oct 31: Gong show halloween special. nov 1: “2 stroke, Cold smoke # 10” movie Premiere
GitAnJAli KOlAnAd in “A FlOWerinG tree” Presented by india school of dance, music & theatre. enter a magical realm of contemporary dance and theatre with a traditional east indian edge as Gitanjali tells an ancient folk-tale about a woman who turns herself into a tree which blossoms with intoxicat-ingly fragrant flowers. Fri nov 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Centre Culturel Franco-manitobain, 340 Provencher Blvd. tickets: Adults $15, student/senior $10. to reserve call Pamela 256-7812 or Julie 336-0484. www.indiaschool.ca
the need FOr Brussels sPrOuts by murray schisgal, presented by tara Players. directed by linda Kalturnyk and neil Bessette Oct 25, dinner theatre Oct 26 & 27. An engaging, romantic and upbeat comedy about a lonely, down-on-his-heels actor who is visited by a female police officer who not only threatens to write him up for a noise citation, but to change his world forever. irish Cultural Centre theatre 654 erin st.
PAtAnA (ii) with special guest choreographer Patrick Parson (Ballet Creole, toronto) nov 1, 2 & 3, 8 p.m. matinée nov 4, 2 p.m. the Gas station theatre 445 river Ave tickets: Adult $20, student/senior $15, Children under 12 $10, early Bird $5 discount before Oct 26 at ticketmaster 780-3333 or Cash at the door.
stretChinG hide A young métis lawyer introduces his fiancé to the chaotic life of his community one July long weekend. that weekend his law practice and his personal life are threatened when he’s accused by the provincial game wardens of poaching a deer for its antlers. nov 1-11 WCd studio 211 Bannatyne Ave. tickets: adults $20, seniors $17, students $15 at 989-2400.
mAnitOBA theAtre Centre 174 market Ave 942-6537. Oct 18-nov 10: Our town
PrAirie theAtre eXChAnGe Portage Place 942-5483. Oct 17-nov 4: Chimera.
tAlK ABOut stOrytellinG the manitoba Writers’ Guild and FemFest present a discussion on the use of story in east African performance tradition. mũmbi Kaigwa will share her experience in creating stories with and for specific communities and discuss her process as a writer. mumbi Kaigwa is a Kenyan actress, writer and former un advisor. Oct 27, 1-2 p.m. at the Guild’s Burns Family Creative Classroom, second floor (room 218), 100 Arthur st. Free and open to the public.
2007 PrAirie Fire Press – mCnAlly rOBinsOn WritinG COntests Bliss Carman Poetry Award - Judge: Barry dempster, short Fiction - Judge: Bill Gaston, Creative non-Fiction - Judge: mark Anthony Jarman. $6,000 in prizes. First prize in each category $1,250, 2nd prize $500, 3rd prize $250. deadline: nov 30. For information contact 943-9066, [email protected], or check out our web site for guidelines at www.prairiefire.ca.
FernWOOd PuBlishinG BOOK lAunCh doing Community economic development, edited by Jim silver (professor in the new dept. of urban and inner City studies at the u of W), John loxley ( professor of economics and co-ordinator of research for the Global Political economy Program at the university of manitoba), and Kathy sexsmith (a student at the university of Oxford). nov 1, 7 p.m, at mondragon Café and Bookstore, 91 Albert st. mCnAlly rOBinsOn GrAnt PArK Oct 25, 7 p.m: Arthur motyer reading from the staircase letters: An extraordinary Friendship at the end of life. Oct 25, 8 p.m: Bob mersereau Winnipeg launch of the top 100 Canadian Albums Oct 26, 7 p.m: heather robertson reading and signing measuring mother earth: how Joe the Kid Became tyrrell of the north. Oct 27, 11 a.m: Bill Phipps & Carolyn Pogue reading and signing the Very reverend William Phipps. Oct 29, 8 p.m: lorri neilsen Glenn reading & signing Com-bustion. Oct 29, 7 p.m: harry C. hobbs reading and signing the Princess, the Pelican, and the Big Brass Band. Oct 29, 8 p.m: Agnes Grant reading and signing Gretchen: darkness to dawn. Oct 30, 7 p.m: ron Blicq launch of Choosing home. Oct 30, 8 p.m: harold rhenisch reading and signing return to Open Water. nov 1, 7 p.m: Gary Geddes reading from Falsework
oN CamPUS
aroUND ToWN
LeCTUres & semInars
THeaTre & DanCe
LITerary
fILm
evenTs
COnCerTs OCT 25 aT THe WeCC
great Lake Swimmers
sOAP sCum PrOduCtiOns presents space Quest, an improvised space comedy on mondays at the Park theater 698 Osborne st. at 8 p.m. tickets are $5 and available at the door.
Art tOmOrrOW: FOrum On the Future OF COntemPOrAry Art institutiOns Plug in institute of Contemporary Art presents a forum ex-ploring the future and role of contemporary visual arts institutions in Canada. All welcome to attend discussions with local and international guest speakers at the Fort Garry hotel on nov 2 and 3. An opening reception will be held on nov 1 at Plug in and a Cabaret on nov 2 at the Fort Garry hotel. For more information and registration, contact Plug in at 943-1043 and visit our website www.plugin.org.
A lABel FOr Artists is currently accepting submissions for our next exhibition homage to Picasso. We are looking to salute Pablo Picasso by showing works by you that have his influence. this can be collages, paint-ings, drawings, sculpture or photos. if you wish to participate please email [email protected] or phone 772-5165 to make drop off arrange-ments. We ask that all works be labeled with name, title, and contact info. Paper works should be framed.
ACeArtinC 2nd floor, 290 mcdermot Ave 944-9763
GrAFFiti GAllery 109 higgins 667-9960. not-for-profit community youth art centre. until dec 6: drawing Attention.
KeePsAKes GAllery 264 mcdermot Ave 257-0374 non-profit art gallery. handmade art, pottery, candles, cards, paintings, photography.
GAllery lACOsse 169 lilac st. 284-0726 studies in Contrast feat. the work of michael Cox, Jim Corbett, and terry lacosse.
PlAtFOrm Centre FOr PhOtOGrAPhiC And diGitAl Arts 121-100 Arthur st (Artspace) 942-8183
OutWOrKs GAllery 290 mcdermot Ave 949-0274. totem: a member and friends’ exhibition featuring artists’ varied responses to the concept of totem. Opening reception Fri, nov 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Outworks Gallery, 3rd Floor 290 mcdermot Ave. runs nov 2-24, open Wednesday to saturday 12-4 p.m. or by appointment. Contact 949-0274 or email [email protected].
PluG in institute OF COntemPOrAry Art 286 mcdermot Ave scratching the surface: the Post-Prairie landscape feat. 19 Winnipeg artists. until nov 17.
urBAn shAmAn 203-290 mcdermot Ave 942-2674. until nov 10: rock-stars & Wannabes, video and installation feat.Warren Arcand, Kevin ei-ichi deForest, skawennati Fragnito, and Benny nemerofsky ramsay.
VAult GAllery 2181 Portage Ave Kundalini rising, a group exhibition that explores the inner workings of yoga practice and Zen philosophy, until nov 3. Gallery hours 11-5 tues-sat
WAh-sA GAllery 130-25 Forks market rd
WAyne Arthur GAllery 186 Provencher Blvd. until Oct 31: trees inside and outside the box.
WinniPeG Art GAllery 300 memorial Blvd. 789-1760. Warhol: larger than life, until Jan 6. John hartman: Cities. into the Collection: Will Gorlitz, until nov 8. Around here: scenes of manitoba from the historical Collection, until nov 10. inuit Games, ongoing. into the Collection: highlights of historical Painting From 15th century panel paintings to Post-impressionism, ongoing.
ACAdemy BAr & eAtery 414 Academy rd Oct 25: Contrakt with Grubbs Oct 26: the ruffigans Oct 27: halloween with the Fo!ps and Friends Oct 28: Keith macpherson with Greg neufeld nov 1: Kim reimer and inna riddim nov 2: the Playing Cards with richard Brilliant nov 10: Bill dowling, Brenda neiles and marcel desilets
ACAdemy FOOd drinKs musiC 437 stradbrook Oct 25: Greg lowe trio 8-10 then 90s dance party Oct 26: Arbra hill Oct 27: the haste halloween Oct 29: Open mic with little Black dress Oct 31: halloween with those rooks the CAVern 112 Osborne st. downstairs Oct 25: hot live Guys Oct 26: ex-Girlfriends, ex-Boyfriends, Wife Oct 27: halloween Bash with the upsides (theme is super heros & super Villans)
elliCe CAFÉ & theAtre 585 ellice Ave Oct 25: Presentation on fair trade coffee/tea. Oct 26: Circle Productions concert.
KinG’s heAd PuB 100 King st. every sunday: All the Kings men
mCnAlly rOBinsOn POrtAGe PlACe musiC Oct 26: sister dorothy (solo Acoustic). nov 2: Jodi King (acoustic pop). nov 9: Adley (contemporary & folk) shows at 6:30.
mCnAlly rOBinsOn GrAnt PArK musiC Oct 26: marie-Josee Clement (Jazz trio). Oct 27: martha Brooks (jazz) nov 2: the Burtons (jazz). nov 3: dive Knows Best (jazz). shows at 8.
OZZy’s 160 Osborne downstairs Oct 26: helloween massacre (day One) feat. igor & the skindiggers, nailbrick, Amongst the Filth, Of human Bond-age, Krull. Oct 27: helloween massacre (day two) feat. the heatskores (toronto), ramirez, Krotch rawket, the Grim meathook experience. nov 3: Big trouble in little China, the downfall, Jakartah (B.C.), with guests. PyrAmid CABAret 176 Fort st. Oct 26: Jack semple w/ Jack deKeyzer.
reGAl BeAGle 331 smith st. Oct 26, 27: Kathy Kennedy every Wed at 9 p.m. the marlborough men. thurs at 9 p.m. shandra and Jason. rOyAl AlBert Arms 48 Albert st. Oct 25: dog day, les Jupes, Oldfolks home Oct 26: the doers Oct 27: the unwanted, Vile hands, the Knock-arounds Oct 31: sunset rubdown, magic Weapon, Johnny and the moon
shAnnOn’s 175 Carlton st. Oct 25: Ash Oct 26: the Braggarts Oct 27: B.u.m.P. w/ domenica Oct 28: neal Pinto Oct 29: J. Williamez Oct 30: Chris Goertzen Oct 31: halloween extravaganza w/ J. Williamez
the ZOO Osborne Village inn 160 Osborne st. Oct 26: night of the living dread ii feat. dreadnaut, damascus, still Village, Coda - Advance tickets $15 Oct 27: they’re dead & they live in the Zoo feat. the Waking eyes, texas Blood money (edmonton), tdh - Advance tickets $10 or door $10 (with costume) and $15 (without costume). Oct 31: halloween extravaganza feat. damascus, Perdition, igor & the skindiggers, C*nt Punisher, the Cruelty. nov 2: indy nosebone, Broken halo, with guests - Advance tickets $10 nov 3: Civil disobedients, with guests.
times ChAnGed hiGh And lOnesOme CluB 234 main st. Oct 25: the uncas Oct 26, 27: nathan, shuyler Jansen, deep dark Woods Oct 28: Jam w/ Big dave mclean Oct 31: halloween hellraiser feat. the d-rangers and the Poor Choices
West end CulturAl Centre 586 ellice Ave Oct 25: Great lake swimmers w/ Justin rutledge Oct 26: tri Continental Oct 27: elliott Brood, the Acorn Oct 30: Juan martin
Old mArKet sQuAre AutOnOmOus ZOne FAll FundrAisinG dinner Presented by mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse, CKuW 95.9Fm, and G7 Welcoming Committee records. sun, Oct 28 at mondragon, 91 Albert st. Pre-pare for a 5 course gourmet meal including complimentary alcoholic beverage,
dessert, live entertainment, and a presentation on the past, present and future of the A-Zone. seating at 5 p.m, dinner served at 6 p.m. tickets $35 or $60/pair in advance at the mondragon 946-5241.
sKyWAlK COnCerts & leCtures A co-presentation of Wpg Public library, the u of W and Virtuosi Concerts inc. All events take place from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in the Carol shields Auditorium, second floor of the millennium library, 251 donald st. Admission is free. Oct 25: Guitar/Contrabasso synergy, with ryszard tyborowski, classical guitar and nenad Zdjelar, double bass. Oct 31: Athar Ata, u of W Chemistry, on nature as a source of medicine. nov 1: music of the Americas, performed by la Clave del sol (the Key of the sun) reGiOnAl CAll FOr Artists the Winnipeg Arts Council invites artists to submit expressions of interest to create a permanent Gateway and transit-related public art project developed in conjunction with the university of Win-nipeg/spence st. redevelopment. the selected artist will develop a proposal in consultation with City of Winnipeg, university of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Arts Council staff that will include a transit shelter for the ellice Ave transit stop and associated public art elements at the ellice Ave and at the Portage Ave stops. interested artists must submit a complete application package. Please visit www.winnipegarts.ca for full details. deadline for application is Oct 26.
AttentiOn Artists OF All disCiPlines And COmmunity GrOuPs the Winnipeg Arts Council Public Art Program invites applications for With Art, a program for collaborative art projects between community groups and artists in Winnipeg. Artists working in all art forms such as visual, performing and literary arts, and community groups from diverse sectors who have a history working together are welcome to apply. Please see our website for full eligibility criteria and application requirements and for any further information. deadline is dec 3. Call tricia Wasney at 943-7668 or visit www.winnipegarts.ca. for full details.
GOrdOn Bell hiGh sChOOl Alumni ChOir Practices are monday evenings at 6:45 in the Gordon Bell music room. Contact don Askholm at 489-5584 for more information.
100 minutes With An AuthOr the Writers’ Collective and the millennium library are pleased to offer tuesday night lectures with different authors. Oct 30: non-Fiction author Chris rutkowski. All events are free and open to the public and are being held from 7-9 p.m. in the Carol shields auditorium at the millennium library. Call 986-4294 for more info.
Free internAtiOnAl students ClAss An opportunity to meet with other students and Canadian friends while learning english and the Bible. elim Chapel 546 Portage Ave at spence st. (enter from rear parking lot) sundays noon-1:30 p.m. For information call Val & Veda Chacko 257-1670.
trAns dAy OF rememBrAnCe tues, nov 20, 7 p.m. the red road lodge, (formerly the new Occidental) 631 main st (the corner of logan and main). A day to remember and commemorate those who have been killed because of their gender expression. Following the Candlelit Vigil, there will be refreshments and a celebratory Gender F*#! dance Party! this is a free all ages event. All are welcome!
needs Centre FOr WAr AFFeCted FAmilies is looking for volunteers to work with immigrant and refugee children and youth. the needs Centre provides accessible services and programs to children/youth from the ages 5-18. Programming includes arts, crafts, music, computer skills, employment, educational and eAl activities. For more information, contact Jodi Alderson, Volunteer Coordinator at 940-1265 or email [email protected].
teen tOuCh manitoba’s youth focused helpline teen touch is accepting appli-cations for online/telephone helpline volunteers. We provide training that equips you with skills to answer confidential calls on our 24 hour helpline. this op-portunity provides a flexible schedule and allows you to work from your home. For further information or to apply contact Christine at 945-0088, [email protected] or visit our website www.teentouch.org. Our next training will be held on: nov 24, 25 and dec 1, 2 at our offices, 800 Portage Ave from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. due to confidentiality concerns you must be 18 to apply.
lOOKinG tO WOrK With Children/yOuth? the international Centre (406 edmonton st) needs volunteers to work with recent newcomer children and youth from the inner-city in the following programs: 1. sports Club - tuesdays from 5-7 pm @ Victoria Albert school/Central Park 2. After school education (esl) – Wednesdays from 5-7pm @ 511 ellice Ave. 3. youth empowerment (cooking/art classes) – Fridays from 5-7:30pm @ international Centre 4. youth leadership training (team games, volunteer/job skills) – saturdays from 1-5pm @ uofW For more info, contact si il: [email protected] or 943-9158 ext. 285 to apply contact marsha: [email protected] or 943-9158 ext. 260
CAnAdiAn diABetes AssOCiAtiOn October is residential Campaign month. this campaign is an annual event where Canadian diabetes Association volun-teers canvass door-to-door in neighbourhoods to seek and collect donations for Association research, education, service and advocacy. if you meet one of our canvassers in your neighbourhood, please give what you can for a better tomor-row. For more information, contact michelle Perera, development Coordinator, individual Giving at 925-3800 (ext. 240) or email [email protected]
Be A VOlunteer literACy tutOr With FrOntier COlleGe! Work with children, youth and adults in schools and community centres around the university of Winnipeg. the commitment is one hour per week through the school year. Call 253-7993 or email [email protected] for more information. literacy is an essential skill in today’s world. At Frontier College, we believe it’s a fundamental right. 42% of adult Canadians have trouble with everyday tasks that involve reading. through a network of thousands of volunteers, Frontier College is helping people to realize their potential and seize the opportunities that come their way. see www.frontiercollege.ca.
vOLUnTeer OppOrTUnITIes
COmeDy
gaLLerIes
Bars, Cafes & venUesOCT. 25 aT THe Cavern
hot Live guys
COmmUnITy evenTs
October 25, 2007 contact : [email protected] Uniter
liStiNgS @uniter.ca1� Want to submit your listing to Uniter Listings? email your listings to [email protected] DeaDLIne fOr sUBmIssIOns is Wednesday, eight days before the issue you’d like your listing to first appear in. The Uniter publishes on Thursdays, 25 times a year.
aWarDs & fInanCIaL aID The awards and financial aid staff of the University of Winnipeg provides our student body with current information on award opportunities. This information is updated weekly.
UNIverSITY oF WINNIPeg
INTerNaL aWarDS:
ThE univERSiTy Of winniPEg TuiTiOn BuRSARy PROgRAM 2007-08
this bursary program has been developed for the 2007-08 academic year to assist students, primarily those in their first year of university study, who are experiencing financial difficulties because of tuition costs and books and supplies expenses. Financial need caused by living expenses may also be considered in exceptional circumstances.
the maximum award will be equivalent of tuition and books/supplies costs for the
current academic year. to be eligible the student must meet the following criteria:
must be registered in an undergraduate degree program or pre-professional program in Arts, science, or education at the university of Winnipeg during the 2007-08 academic year. registration may be on either a full-time or part-time basis. student should have financial need. student should be making satisfactory academic progress. Applications are available in the Awards office located in Graham hall and at student Central in Centennial hall.
deadline date: december 3, 2007.
univERSiTy Of winniPEg gEnERAL BuRSARy APPLiCATiOnS
General Bursary Application Forms are now in the Awards office located in Graham hall or at student Central in Centennial hall.
Bursaries are small, supplementary financial assistance awards, normally $300 - $750 in value. in order to be considered, you must prove financial need and you must be making satisfactory academic
progress (i.e. maintaining a “C” average). Because funds are limited, not everyone who qualifies will receive a bursary. these university of Winnipeg bursaries are available to our students in any year of their program.
deadline date: January 31, 2008.
eXTerNaL aWarDS:
AuCC AwARdS:
the Association of universities and Colleges of Canada provides 150 scholarship pro-grams on behalf of the Federal Government, domestic and foreign agencies, and private sector companies. Check out website www.aucc.ca look under the heading scholar-ships open to the public.
deadlines: various
MAniTOBA CO-OPERATOR SChOLAR-ShiPS:
these scholarships are given annually via an essay contest for manitoba students in journalism and communications. the contest is open to any manitoba resident enrolled full-time or part-time in a post-secondary program in journalism, communications or broadcasting anywhere in Canada. First prize includes a $1000 scholarship and a paid one-year member-ship in the manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association. second and third prizes of $150 will be awarded. Applicants must submit an original essay of no more than 1250 words on the following topics:
- What does the agriculture industry - including farming, research, agribusiness and other sectors - need to do to attract and maintain young people in its professions?
- to what extent is the hog industry to blame for lake Winnipeg’s current state of water quality?
- Farming is a business, not a way of life, and should be treated that way. do you agree or disagree, and why?
submit essays by either mailing it to “manitoba Co-operator scholarships”, Box 9800, Winnipeg mB, r3C 3K7 or fax it to 204-954-1422 or email to [email protected]
deadline date: november 1, 2007.
MARin MOSER SOCiETy fOR ThEOLOgi-CAL STudiES
this new bursary is available to lay men and women who are studying theology in preparation for ministry within the Canadian Church. to be eligible the student must meet the following criteria:
- be a lay man or woman of any Christian denomination who is enrolled in a recognized Canadian theological school
- pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in theology or theological studies in preparation for ministry in the Canadian Church
note: this bursary is not intended for those preparing for ordained ministry.
Applications are available in the Awards Office in Graham hall.
deadline: november 15, 2007
JOuRnALiSM SChOLARShiP fOR nATivE CAnAdiAnS:
the Gil Purcell memorial Journalism scholarship for native Canadians is now being offered by the Canadian Press. Valued at $4000, the purpose is to encourage aboriginal Canadians to enter the field of journalism through study at a Canadian post-secondary institution. in addition to the monetary award, there is a possibility of summer employment. eligibility require-ments are as follows:
- native Canadian (status or non-status indian, métis, or inuit)
- registered at a Canadian university or community college
- enrolled in a journalism program or actively involved in a volunteer capacity with a student newspaper or broadcast station.
- Open to both French and english speaking native Canadian.
Applications are available from schools of journalism, native organizations or from deborah mcCartney, hr, the Canadian Press, 36 King street east, toronto Ontarion, m5C 2l9. her email address is [email protected]
deadline date: november 15, 2007.
uKRAiniAn RESOuRCE And dEvELOP-MEnT CEnTRE SChOLARShiPS:
Applications are now being accepted for the following awards offered by the ukrainian resource and development Centre (urdC).
the international initiatives in deaf studies Award ($500) to enable a post-secondary student (full or part-time) to pursue his/her interest in deaf studies and/or hearing impairment as it relates to an international context.
the roger Charest sr. Award for Broadcast & media Arts (two awards of $500 or one award of $1000) to create create a special program or series which may later be suitable for broadcast and may further the cause of multiculturalism in Canada.
the roman soltykewych music scholarship ($500) is available to applicants (individual or group) determined to pursue further studies in the field of ukrainian choral or vocal music.
the Anna Pidruchney Award for new Writ-ers ($1000) is available annually to a novice writer for a work on a ukrainian Canadian theme. submissions for this year’s award must be in english.
Wm. & mary Kostash Award for Film and Video Arts ($1000) is offered to a novice writer for a work promoting ukrainian Canadian identity through the medium of film, video or multimedia (i.e. d.v.d)
Applications are available from urdC. Phone (780) 497-4374 or email [email protected]
deadline: november 30, 2007.
nEAdS: EQuiTy ThROugh EduCATiOn AwARdS:
the BmO Capital markets, and the national educational Association of disabled students is proud to introduce the neAds equity through education Awards Program.
these awards are being offered to encour-age full access to post-secondary education for persons with disabilities. Awards will be granted to outstanding applicants who meet the criteria of the program. Visit www.neads.ca for full details.
deadline: december 1, 2007.
SOROPTiMiST wOMEn’S OPPORTuniTy AwARdS:
do you find yourself going back to school later in life? do you need financial assistant to complete your education? Women’s Opportunity Awards are cash awards that assist women in obtaining the skills and education they need to improve their employment status. recipients may use the awards for any expenses related to their educational pursuits.
to be eligible you must meet the following criteria:
- be a female head of household (single or married, with the primary responsibility of supporting yourself and your dependents)
- attend an undergraduate degree program or a vocational/skills training program.
- have financial need.
if you have further questions, contact heather menzies, 1204 - One evergreen Place, Winnipeg mB, r3l 0e9 or phone 475-2526. Applications are available in the Awards office located in Graham hall.
deadline: december 15, 2007
fOREign gOvERnMEnT AwARdS: Countries- Chile, Colombia, Korea, russia and Philippines
Awards are available to Canadian citizens for graduate studies or research abroad at the master’s, doctoral or post-doctoral level. For most countries, applicants must have completed a first degree or, for post-doctoral fellowships, a Ph.d., by the beginning of the tenure of the award. Applications must be submitted on-line via the website, www.scholarships.gc.ca Please note that the governments of italy, Japan, the netherlands and spain also offer awards to Canadian graduate students. the embassies of these countries in Canada are responsible for the administration of their respective scholarships.
deadline: January 28, 2008 for awards beginning academic year 2008-2009
MAniTOBA STudEnT Aid PROgRAM (MSAP)
did yOu KnOW..... you can still apply for a 2007/2008 government student loan online at website www.manitobastudentaid.ca
did yOu KnOW..... you can check the status of your student aid application, find out what documentation is still outstanding, update your address information and much more on line? Go to www.manitobastuden-taid.ca mysAO to log into your existing account.
did yOu KnOW…. if you are a student who has had past Government student loans and you are currently a full-time student, please fill out a schedule 2 document to remain in non-payment status. Please come to student services in Graham hall, were front counter staff can help you with this form.
did yOu KnOW.... manitoba student Aid staff is on campus on Fridays from 1 - 4p.m. to set up an appointment time, phone 786-9458.
the Awards and Financial Aid staff at the university of Winnipeg will continue to keep you informed of available awards, scholarships and bursary opportunities.
Other Award websites
Canlearn site www.canlearn.ca
manitoba student Aid Program www.manitobastudentaid.ca
Surfing for dollars? Try these two websites.
www.studentawards.com
www.scholarshipscanada.com
listiNgs coordiNator: kristine askhoLm e-mail: [email protected] phoNe: 786-9497 Fax: 783-7080
Want to submit your listing to Uniter Listings? email your listings to [email protected] DeaDLIne fOr sUBmIssIOns is Wednesday, eight days before the issue you’d like your
listing to first appear in. The Uniter publishes on Thursdays, 25 times a year. liStiNgS @uniter.ca 1�October 25, 2007The Unitercontact : [email protected]
Sports sports editor: kaLen QuaLLye-mail: [email protected]
nICOLe TImKO vOLUnTeer
The recent actions of Steve Downie and
Jesse Boulerice of the Philadelphia
Flyers have the NHL finally crack-
ing down on hits to the head. Unfortunately,
this is not going to stop unless more is done.
Even 20-plus game suspensions just aren’t
enough.
The NHL doesn’t take prior junior hockey
incidents into account when determining
suspensions. Both Downie and Boulerice had
discipline issues in the OHL, and this should
have affected the NHL’s decisions in disci-
plining them. While playing for the Plymouth
Whalers of the OHL, Boulerice swung his
stick like a baseball bat at a player’s head and
was suspended for the entire season. Then
in the Ryan Kesler incident, Boulerice used
both hands to crosscheck Kesler across the
face. In both instances, it was clear Boulerice
intended to injure the other player. It was
not a reactionary act of stupidity like some
hockey analysts have said. The NHL needs
to look at prior offences in junior leagues be-
cause players need to know the NHL will not
offer a clean slate to players with a checkered
past. The AHL recognizes NHL suspensions,
so why shouldn’t the NHL recognize suspen-
sions from the OHL and other junior leagues?
The NHL needs to do this in order to keep
players like Downie and Boulerice in check,
and at least try to prevent them from con-
tinuing their dangerous actions.
Aside from curbing the number of hits
to the head, the NHL can also soften the hits
that do happen. The NHL needs to disallow
equipment companies from producing hard
capped plastic products. The amount of con-
cussions would go down with softer elbow
and shoulder pads. Although you may see a
rise in other types of injuries, most of those
injuries are nowhere near as life threatening
as a brain injury. Does a player have to die
before the equipment is made differently?
Don Cherry has said many times on Hockey
Night in Canada, elbow and shoulder pads
need to be softer.
Regardless of what the NHL does or
doesn’t do, players also need to take some re-
sponsibility for their own protection. Why do
players turn their backs when they’re about to
be hit? People will say Downie and Boulerice
are stupid, but turning your back to someone
who is about to hit you can be pretty stupid
in itself. Mathieu Roy of the Edmonton Oilers
was in hospital after turning his back to the
Vancouver Canucks’ Rick Rypien right before
Rypien hit him. The NHL does nothing to
stop players from doing this. When you learn
how to body check in peewee you also learn
how to receive a hit, and this doesn’t involve
turning your back to another player about to
hit you.
The NHL is clearly trying to send a mes-
sage with lengthier suspensions. One would
hope the players are listening, but the league
must also learn how to deter these dangerous
hits before they happen.
Dan vervILLe vOLUnTeer sTaff
Like most Canadian kids growing up, I
was immersed in the world of hockey
at a young age. I can remember being
six or seven years old, watching the older kids
play and feeling unable to wait until I could
start hitting like them. When I finally turned
12 years old, my dream of playing “like the
pros” finally came true. And, despite attend-
ing hitting clinics, I spent the majority of my
first few seasons laying on the ice and star-
ing up at the ceiling of the arena. But, as you
learn to play a physical game, you learn how
to take hits and roll with them. Another thing
happens when you get a little more comfort-
able with body checking. You start looking for
the big hit.
Now hockey is innately a physical game.
You need to separate the man from the puck.
And while rubbing out an opponent on the
boards and stealing the puck from him may
help your team out, there’s nothing quite like
the feeling of delivering an open ice hit; or
taking one for that matter. We’ve all seen the
play before: the pass to the centre is just a little
behind, he looks back for that half a second,
and by the time he looks up—impact. Now,
the physics of the play are simple. The shoul-
der of the guy delivering the hit should hit
the other guy in the chest. The crowd cheers
and both players get up and keep going.
When both players get up you know it was a
clean hit. But sometimes, they don’t always
both get up, especially when the shoulder or
elbow hits the other guy in the head.
Everyone who’s played hockey has
seen a variety of versions of headshots. I re-
member my friend getting the worst suicide
pass ever and everyone screaming heads up
before the defenseman jumped up at him at
the red line, elbowing him in the head. He
went down hard. Even though minor hockey
throughout Manitoba is played with manda-
tory cages, those hits still rattle your brain. By
the time we got him onto his feet, he didn’t
know where he was, who he was, or what he
was doing.
You can’t take headshots out of hockey.
Sometimes shoulders and elbows will get
up above the shoulders and do what they
will. But you can educate players and offi-
cials about headshots and take the neces-
sary actions needed to prevent them. And be-
lieve it or not, it has been getting better. In
my final year in the Winnipeg Minor Hockey
Association I saw more hit to the head calls
than ever, letting players and coaches know
that it won’t be tolerated and they will be
punished.
In the end I guess all we can do is edu-
cate new players and punish those who over-
step the limits. In the meantime, I guess all
we can really do is keep our heads up.
SportSOctober 25, 2007 The Uniter contact : [email protected]
1�
Wmha StartiNg to gEt it
hiTS TO ThE hEAd in ThE nhL
hiTS TO ThE hEAd in MinOR hOCKEy
BrITTany BUDzen peer sUppOrT
Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives,
and with midterms lurking everywhere
you turn, it’s not always easy to deal
with. A little bit of stress is fine, but according
to the Canadian Mental Health Association,
chronic stress may lead to depression and can
activate anxiety problems. Twenty-five per
cent of us will suffer from an anxiety disor-
der at some point in our lives, (Source: Anxiety
Disorders Association of Manitoba), so let’s
work hard to keep you in that other 75 per
cent, shall we?
5 TiPS On dEALing wiTh STRESS:
1. Breathe! When you feel over-
whelmed, stop and deep-breathe. Stretch
your arms straight up above your head
and breathe in through your nose. Slowly
exhale and bring your arms back down to
your sides. This will clear your mind and
allow you to better focus your thoughts.
2. don’t dwell on things you can’t change. Freaking out over an exam
date won’t cancel it or push it back a
week, so accept the facts and go with it.
3. Take care of yourself! This means
exercise, eat right (put down the junk food
and go eat carrots!), and get plenty of sleep.
You’ll feel less stressed, and your mood
and energy levels will increase as well.
4. don’t procrastinate. If you know
this is an issue for you, start studying early
to avoid cramming and stressful late nights.
5. Laugh! Laughter is a sure way to get
rid of stress. Watch a funny movie, or the
Colbert Report, or spend 10 minutes doing
something stupid.
Good luck with exams everyone! The University
of Winnipeg Career and Resource Services are offering
a workshop on managing exam anxiety on Wed, Nov.
21 at 12:30. For more information or to pre-register,
call 786-9231 or email [email protected]
If anxiety is a serious problem for you or someone
you know, contact the Anxiety Disorders Association
of Manitoba at 925-0600 or www.adam.mb.ca
PEER SuPPORT’S TAKE 5!quick tipS for your mENtal hEalth aNd WEllNESS
morE NEEdS to bE doNEg
ra
PHIC
By
Cory
fa
lVo
contact : [email protected] The Uniter October 25, 2007
1�SportS
Therma Blades will “revoluTionize The game of hockey”
A new skate blade technology claims to
improve performance by melting the ice. The
“Therma Blade” maintains a temperature of 5°C
with a rechargeable battery and a micro proces-
sor in the skate. The warmer blade increases the
thickness of the water layer between the blade
and the ice surface. Therma Blade Inc. says that
tests have shown this reduces gliding friction
and starting resistance for skaters. According
to TSN.ca, a select few NHL players will begin
trying the new skate blade, developed by the
Verdun, Quebec based company. Wayne Gretzky
has invested in the company, and after testing
the blades three years ago, was thrilled with the
product, saying that Therma Blades will “revolu-
tionize the game of hockey.” (tsn.ca)
Tiger one sTep closer To world dominaTion
Likely inspired by Michael Jordan’s “Special
Stuff” in Space Jam, Tiger Woods will soon have
his own sports drink. According to golf.com,
Gatorade is launching a line of sports drinks
called Gatorade Tiger. Woods even picked out
the flavours, which unfortunately will not include
“Tiger’s Special Stuff.” Woods is already the face
of Nike, Buick, Gillette, and EA Sports’ bestsell-
ing golf video game, and with this new project
will expand his career endorsement earnings to
over $700 million. Gatorade will pay him $100
million over five years, according to Golfweek
magazine. (golf.com)
ToronTo To hosT Bills’ game
Looking to expand beyond their western
New York market and into the strong Canadian
football market, the Buffalo Bills are seeking ap-
proval to play a pre-season and at least one reg-
ular season game in Toronto. The team plans to
play a pre-season game next summer and hopes
to play a regular season game in Toronto as
early as 2009. The team needs to gain approval
from their local county and state to play outside
of their home Ralph Wilson Stadium. There has
been speculation about an eventual relocation as
owner Ralph Wilson, 89, has no plans of keeping
the franchise in the family, and Toronto has been
a rumoured destination for the team.
The Bills will also require permission from
the NFL to play in Toronto, which is almost
guaranteed considering the 2005 regular season
game between Arizona and San Francisco. Also,
on Oct. 28 the Miami Dolphins and New York
Giants play at Wembley Stadium in London,
England. (espn.com)
paying Big for puBlic urinaTion
Baylor University has suspended an assis-
tant football coach after he was cited by police
for public urination. According to espn.com, Eric
Schnupp urinated on the bar of Scruffy Murphy’s,
a tavern in Waco, Texas, Oct. 14 at 2:20 a.m. He
was given a citation that included a small fine,
but was not arrested. According to bartender
Danny Severe, the incident occurred during
closing when security was moving patrons out
of the building. Schnupp apparently didn’t think
anyone was looking and began relieving himself
against the bar. A staff member spotted him and
informed police, who were present for an unre-
lated incident. Baylor, for whom Schnupp is a
first-year offensive line/tight ends coach, is the
world’s largest Baptist university. (espn.com)
nfL PiCKS 2007 GridirOn Gurus
Tom Asselin is the co-host of the Ultra Mega Sports Show and is also the defending NFL Picks champion.
Kalen Qually is the Sports Editor at the Uniter, appears regularly on the Ultra Mega Sports Show, and is a former NFL Picks champ.
Steven Kotelniski is a regular contribu-tor to Uniter Sports, a rookie to NFL Picks, and a former Fantasy League Champion.
Jonathan Villaverde is a long time foot-ball player, first year NFL Picks member, and regular contributor to Uniter Sports.
Dan Verville is a contributor to Uniter Sports and is making his first appearance in NFL Picks this season.
Scott Christiansen is a rookie to NFL Picks and is also a contributing member of Uniter Sports.
Game #1: Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings
“Neither of these teams look very good at the moment. The Eagles are in the cellar of the NFC East and lost a heartbreaker last week at home against the Bears. The Vikings are in the cellar of the NFC North. Last week they put up a fight against the Cowboys in Dallas but couldn’t keep up for four quarters. I like Minnesota’s chances of limiting Brian Westbrook better than Philadelphia’s chances of limiting Adrian Peterson. The Vikings with home field advantage should win this one.”
—Steven Kotelniski
Tom picks: Vikings Kalen picks: VikingsSteven picks: Vikings Jo picks: VikingsDan picks: Eagles Scott picks: Eagles
Game #2: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
“Oh, well here’s a classic: offence versus de-fence. The Bengals are coming off their second win of the season and Pittsburgh lost a game against a Bronco team they should have beat. There are a lot of possible scenarios for this game; it’s almost a coin flip. I think though, Ben Roethlisberger has a breakout game against this lowly defence while I feel bad for Carson Palmer as he is trying SO HARD to win games for his team. Steelers win 31-24.”
—Jo Villaverde
Tom picks: Steelers Kalen picks: Steelers Steven picks: Steelers Jo picks: Steelers Dan picks: Steelers Scott picks: Steelers
Game #3: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“I’m not too sure about this match-up, to
be totally honest with you. Even though the Bucs are coming off a great game against the Lions that saw Garcia throw a minty 37 of 45 and help the Bucs generate 422 yards of of-
fence, they still managed to lose the game. If that doesn’t you make you nervous, I don’t know
what does. The Jags have quietly looked good all year (4-1 going into MNF against the Colts)
and should make quick work of the Bucs.” —Dan Verville
Tom picks: Buccaneers Kalen picks: Jaguars Steven picks: Buccaneers Jo picks: Buccaneers Dan picks: Jaguars Scott picks: Jaguars
Game #4: Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
“The Jets are in desperate need of a bye week. They’re sitting at 1-6, and to put it lightly, they’re spiraling out of control. The Bills, coming off an impressive win against the Baltimore Ravens, are only 2-4 but have lost to New England, Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Denver (combined 20-6). They’re a much more competitive team than their record indicates and will always show up for a division rival like the Jets. Whether it’s J.P. Losman or Troy Edwards at QB, the Bills will get it done.”
—Kalen Qually
Tom picks: Jets Kalen picks: Bills Steven picks: Bills Jo picks: Bills Dan picks: Bills Scott picks: Jets
Game #5: Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
“You have got to like the Lions’ spirit, hold-ing off the Bucs last week at home. But their im-pressive run should come to an end as they head into Soldier Field to play Chicago on Sunday. The Bears, with Brian Griese now their quarter-back, seem to be a hungry team that still has a chance to make the playoffs at 3-4. Detroit has lost their last two road games by a combined 66 points. This could be a breakout game for the Bears, a chance for them to salvage their season, and I can’t see them passing up that opportunity. Chicago by a whole bunch.”
—Scott Christiansen
Tom picks: Bears Kalen picks: Bears Steven picks: Bears Jo picks: BearsDan picks: Lions Scott picks: Bears
Scott c 21-9 .700 Jo V 20-10 .666 tom A 19-11 .633 Kalen Q 18-12 .600 Steven K 17-13 .567 Dan V 15-15 .500
DanIeL faLLOOn vOLUnTeer sTaff
Apparently we can’t all be as smart as paid NHL analysts (like Nick Kypreos?!) but that doesn’t mean we don’t know the NHL inside and out.
It may be a month into the season, but the Uniter’s hockey prognosticators already have the rest of the season solved. See for yourself as Steven Kotelniski, Nicole Timko, Kalen Qually, Dan Verville, and Jo Villaverde break it down for you:
ThE MOST undERRATEd PLAyER in ThE nhL iS…Steven’s take: Niklas Backstrom Nicole’s take: Mattias Ohlund Kalen’s take: Zach Parise Dan’s take: Paul Stastny Jo’s take: Saku Koivu (and Tim Thomas)
CALgARy fLAMES + MiKE KEEnAn =Jo’s take: sinking ship + fall guy
Nicole’s take: massive trades and the end to Iggy and Kipper in Cowtown. Dan’s take: SUCCESS! Keenan has fired up the Flames dor-mant offence. Kalen’s take: some kind of nu-clear reaction. Either way it isn’t good. Steven’s take: play-offs and early exit
SuRPRiSE TEAM Of 2007-08 iS ThE…Nicole’s take: Philadelphia Flyers
Kalen’s take: Minnesota Wild Steven’s take: Montreal Canadiens Dan’s take: Philadelphia Flyers. Can you say Broad Street Bullies? Jo’s take: Los Angeles Kings…Anze Kopitar is the man!
JOnAThAn TOEwS iS…Kalen’s take: Joe Sakic reincarnate. Dan’s take: the future captain of the Hawks, a dura-ble, Trottier-esque player. Steven’s take: the best player on the worst team. Nicole’s take: Chicago’s dream come true. Jo’s take: the future captain of the Jets when they return.
ThE LEAfS wiLL…Nicole’s take: continue to think they’re good and miss the playoffs. AGAIN! Steven’s take: blow it like they always do. Dan’s take: have another terrible year, like they always do. Jo’s take: do nothing, like they always do. Kalen’s take: get no love from the Uniter sports team.
ThE ___________ wiLL win ThE CuP.Dan’s take: Montreal Canadiens (Carey Price will have seven shutouts and win the Conn Smythe) Steven’s take: Ottawa Senators Jo’s take: New York Rangers (they just might buy it, literally) Kalen’s take: San Jose Sharks Nicole’s take: Ottawa Senators
nhL EARLy SEASOn PREdiCTiOnS our takE oN thE 2007-08 SEaSoN
COmpILeD By KaLen QUaLLy
tHe tICKer
MEn’S BASKETBALLOCTOBER 19Th @ MCMASTER
wESMEn 77 MCMASTER 78
niCK LOThER: 21 PTS, 10/11 fREE ThROwS
OCTOBER 20Th @ guELPh
wESMEn 60 guELPh 84
MiKE JAMES: 16 PTS
wOMEn’S BASKETBALLOCTOBER 20Th @ BRAndOn
wESMEn 91 ROyAL MiLiTARy
COLLEgE 51RAndiE giBSOn: 22 PTS
graPHIC By Cory falVo