Nexus Oct. 15/08, Issue 19-4

Camosun’s Student Voice Since 1990

chaMPions!

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Camosun speeds to first prize at national soapbox derby, but not without a hard fight!

Can’t get tickets to that big concert coming up next month? it might be this guy’s fault.

news—4

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Volume 19 Issue 4 October 15, 2008

Sex and studies Working as an escort to pay tuition Page 8 Photo: Courtney Broughton

VIEWS Nexus Editorial

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Next publication date: Oct. 29, 2008 Deadline: noon Oct. 22, 2008 Address: Location: Phone: Email: Website:

3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria, BC, V8P 5J2 Lansdowne Richmond House 201 250-370-3591 [email protected] www.nexusnewspaper.com

Publisher:

Nexus Publishing Society

NEXUS PUBLISHING SOCIETY

Forget to opt out? Too bad!

Do you have that strange feeling you’ve forgotten something? House keys—check. Wallet—check. Opting out of student health and dental plan—shit! Did you forget about the student insurance coverage through Camosun? Well, the Oct. 6 deadline has passed and it’s now too late to opt out of the mandatory plan.

Why do we have to opt out to begin with?

STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Kyla Ferns Kelly Marion Liz McArthur Jason Motz Chris Pal MANAGING EDITOR

Jason Schreurs L AYO U T E D I T O R

Laila Brown STUDENT EDITOR

Tessa Cogman COPY EDITOR

Alan Piffer E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA N T

Kait Cavers

While the opt-out deadline is announced via posters on campus and leaflets in student handbooks, many students don’t notice them. And many of the ones that do pay attention and decide to opt out act like blind mice trying to find the Student Benefits Office during September and October, getting frustrated with the whereabouts of the office. At Lansdowne this year the office was temporarily relocated to the more convenient registration building due to renovations in its

S TA F F W R I T E R S

Guy Alaimo Brendan Kergin Liz McArthur S TA F F P H O T O G R A P H E R

Courtney Broughton ADVERTISING SALES

Breanna Carey Jason Schreurs 250-370-3593 Campus Plus NATIONAL 1-800-265-5372 DISTRIBUTION

Courtney Broughton Ashley Moore CONTRIBUTORS:

Guy Alaimo Jeff Baldry Adrian Binakaj Courtney Broughton Breanna Carey Kait Cavers Tessa Cogman Peter Gardner Maelina de Grasse Christopher Gillespie Jared Gowen Christi Kay Brendan Kergin Donald Kennedy Keltie Larter Alissa Lauren Kelly Marion Liz McArthur Andrea Moir Chantelle Mussell Miriam Putters Alan Piffer Jenna Sedmak Natalie Schlogl Shane Scott-Travis Rhea Smilowski Ed Sum Joel WItherington Camden Wright

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, not of the Nexus Publishing Society. One copy of Nexus is available per issue, per person. Nexus is printed on a mixture of 100 and 40 percent recycled paper. Please recycle your copy. Thanks! Editorial meetings Come out to our weekly Nexus editorial meetings, where all Camosun students can get involved in their student newspaper. Meetings take place every Tuesday at 11:30 am in the Nexus office, Richmond House 201, Lansdowne. Call 370-3591 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Send a letter Nexus prints letters that are 250 words or less in response to previous stories. Nexus reserves the right to refuse publication of letters. Letters must include full name and student number (not printed). Nexus accepts all letters by e-mail to [email protected]

October 15, 2008

Open Space

Richmond House location, but for some students it just seemed to confuse matters. Also, a lot of students don’t know that in order to access their coverage once at a pharmacy or dental office, they need to have a benefits card. This information is in small text on a brochure that’s about as easy to find as Paris Hilton’s virginity. Administered by the Camosun College Student Society and offered through Great West Life Assurance Company, the student health and dental plan is actually pretty impressive for under $100 a year. The plan covers 80 percent of prescription drugs, massage therapy, chiropractor, dental accidents, and much more. To add to this, they cover 100 percent of vision, and diagnostic and preventive dental. There are some catches though. Certain prescriptions are not covered, based on drugs covered by BC Pharmacare, and vision coverage only has a combined maximum of $80 every 24 months for eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. It’s barely enough to get the eye test. Also, dental coverage only in-

cludes two wisdom teeth extractions a year, leaving us to pay for those other two buggers. Fluoride treatment is only covered if students go to the Camosun student dental clinic. But while similar private extended health and dental plans can cost up to five times as much, these details are little to complain about. So why is it such a pain to opt out of the mandatory student health plan we are all charged for when we pay tuition? We have to prove we have existing extended coverage, fill out the info, and track down the office. And why do we have to opt out to begin with? It’s all about money. Even though it’s been promoted this year more than ever, students will always claim they didn’t know about the deadline, or simply forget when the time comes. On the deadline day health plan staff saw over 10 percent of students who wanted out of the plan. If students miss the deadline, don’t know about it, or promotion isn’t as good as it could be, as has been the case in previous years,

the insurance company isn’t going to complain about it. Because the more students who opt out, the less profits they make. The student society is running this program for the students, so it needs to keep making every effort possible to ensure that all students know their options, meet the opt out deadline if applicable, and use the benefits plan to their advantage. We understand that mandatory plans are important for the insurance companies, but what would work best for students would be a plan they could choose to join. The problem is finding an insurance company willing to administer such a plan. Out of 8,404 students enrolled this fall, just over 1,100 have opted out, so some students are starting to catch on before it’s too late. If you are a student with no extended health or dental coverage, then the student benefits are great. But if you are a forgetful student, like many, who already have 100 percent coverage with another plan, the mandatory student benefits plan offers nothing but a big pain in the butt.

Open Space accepts submissions from Camosun students. Submissions to Open Space should be 400 words or less. Responses to previous articles in Nexus should be 250 words or less. E-mail submissions to [email protected] and include your name and student number.

Suzy the Tiger—should she stay or should she go breanna carey Contributing Writer

Suzy is a big, friendly girl living in the Highlands with her owner, Dave Bennett. She’s caused a lot of buzz and has gotten into trouble with the Highlands city council. The problem is, Suzy’s a 350-pound Siberian-Bengal cross tiger. Bennett purchased a $15,000 enclosure for her to live in, complete with a wading pool, oversize doghouse, and tree to perch in. While Bennett was kind taking her in after learning her possible fate when another party wanted to buy her and sell her body parts, he isn’t a tiger expert. He’s just a man caught up in trying to do the right thing. A new District of Highlands bylaw states no exotic animals can

be kept as domestic pets. Whether the tiger was on the Bennett’s premises before the bylaw was enacted doesn’t matter; the bylaw is still enforceable if the council chooses to do so. But until they find Suzy a new home, the tiger stays. If Suzy escapes, she would be the one to pay the price. Raised in captivity, the tiger doesn’t know how to hunt and doesn’t show any signs of aggression. But even if she is friendly, people are not going to react favourably to having a tiger loose in their area. A 1500-member Facebook group states “Suzy should be welcome in the Highlands.” Bennett created the group to gain public support and help with court costs in the upcoming battle against the Highlands council.

The council has tried to arrange a new home for Suzy at a sanctuary, but Bennett is worried it will be a much smaller area that she will have to share with other tigers. According to Highlands Mayor Mark Cardinal, the council is not interested in having Suzy euthanized.

Until they find Suzy a new home, the tiger stays.

I went and saw Suzy the tiger first-hand. There’s no doubt she’s a beautiful creature, and her pen appears to be adequately sized.

But she’s still a tiger. Tigers need grass and want to run and play. Sure, she has Bennett’s dog to play with, but it’s not really a proper life for a tiger. Bennett invited municipal councilors and the general public to see Suzy in her enclosure and prove how safe it is. Meanwhile, the Save Suzy Foundation is a Highlands group that agrees Suzy doesn’t belong as a pet. They are working towards relocating her to a sanctuary where she can roam and play with other tigers. The overall consensus is that while Bennett believes he can continue to care for the tiger, his good intentions need to shift towards finding Suzy a more appropriate home.

help build our team

This is Open Space, a forum for Camosun students to share opinions and thoughts. Open Space accepts submissions from Camosun students. Submissions to Open Space should be 400 words or less. Responses to previous articles in Nexus should be 250 words or less. E-mail submissions to [email protected] and include your name and student number.

nexus needs student volunteers Nexus is looking for a few good students to join our team. If you would like to write, take photos, or just want to help out with the newspaper, get in touch with us asap! 250.370.3591 [email protected] www.nexusnewspaper.com Richmond House 201, Lansdowne

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Aramark caf underwhelms students Liz McArthur Staff Writer

Something sounds familiar around Camosun’s cafeterias— the audible rumble of student dissatisfaction. Aramark, the current food services provider for the college, has had since late August to put its best foot forward and win the student body over. But students are piping up with unhappiness over pricing, food quality, and lineups. And some are wondering if there’s any real difference between Aramark and the former food services provider, Chartwells. At press time, the cafeteria still had two full-time positions unfilled and had yet to open its World’s Fare section. Donna Burger, Aramark’s director of food services, says staffing is their biggest setback. “We’ve had high turnaround with cashiers,” says Burger, adding it’s hard to find staff to fill the hours needed. Camosun’s Director of Ancillary

Services Kathryn Le Gros says there won’t be an ultimatum from the college regarding the unfilled staff positions and unopened section.

Students are piping up with unhappiness over pricing, food quality, and lineups. “We consider ourselves a partner in this,” says Le Gros. “We need clear communication, and meetings build a relationship. You don’t build a relationship with ultimatums.” As far as the college stepping in to ensure what’s expected in the services agreement between Camosun and Aramark, Le Gros says they look at any shortcomings in the data, then work together to address them and decide how to move forward. Meanwhile, students are busy

complaining about the cafeterias. The biggest issues seem to start at the wallet. “Why can’t they remove the unpopular food items?” asks University Transfer student Nicole Papadoulis. She says she understands prices are higher because of local products and the costs of eco-containers, but her personal budget doesn’t allow for more spending on food. Fellow University Transfer student Amanda White agrees the cafeteria prices are too steep. “We don’t make more money than we did last year.” And what are Aramark’s financial responsibilities to the college? The exact details are blacked out on a services agreement made available to Nexus between Aramark Canada Limited and Camosun College. A full version of the agreement and subsequent contract is pending in a Freedom of Information request made by Nexus on Sept. 17. Aramark has exclusive rights

to providing food services on both campuses for the next eight years with a two-year renewal option, and will pay the college a commission on the gross food service income generated. The amount of commission the college receives is also blacked out on the document provided. “It’s safe to say the college relies on that revenue as part of the overall college budget,” says Le Gros. Recently, the Camfood Committee met for the first time this year to allow Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) reps and other students to discuss food services with Aramark and the college. Burger says the meeting was a way for Aramark to introduce their service plan. She says Aramark let the rest of the committee know what their goals are and how the company intends to move forward. The CCSS have heard some complaints from students regarding pricing and they want to work with Aramark to improve service. CCSS External Affairs Executive

Students okay with college settlement Liz McArthur Staff Writer

How does it feel to be caught in educational limbo? The first students to finish Camosun’s Exercise and Wellness Diploma know. Last fall, many of the students in the second year of the new sport health program expected their qualification to translate into the first two years of one of two proposed degree programs for Camosun. But as it turned out, accreditation issues with the program kept that from happening. “Based on information we were given at information sessions, we were told it was two years in the diploma, and then we directly transfer into the athletic and exercise therapy degree,” says Khore Elliott, an Exercise and Wellness Diploma graduate. “Last September, we were being told differently.” After an official complaint launched by the students, Camosun College Student Society Services Coordinator Michael Glover helped the students negotiate a settlement with the college. According to Glover, the process was quite involved. “I was negotiating for a good outcome for the students,” says Glover. “It took some time to resolve

it and find some packages that would satisfy the students.” Once the settlement was reached, the students agreed to individual learning paths. Students transferring into degree programs were offered a bridging option, with their first four university transfer classes tuition-free and up to 20 more courses offered at half price. For those staying at Camosun, costs such as ancillary fees and parking were covered by the college. Three of the 26 students opted not to transfer, and had tuition for two labs reimbursed, plus 50 percent of their external certification covered by the college. Although the accreditation mixup could cost the college thousands of dollars per student, the settlement will keep the majority of the students at Camosun and continue to bring in revenue and fill seats in the degree programs, says VicePresident of Education and Student Services Baldev Pooni. Exercise and Wellness students Khore Elliot and Jen McKinnon were satisfied with the results of the settlement and had no major concerns about the negotiation process. “I understood that [the degree] was always in the process of getting

accredited, that it wasn’t already up and going,” says McKinnon. “They kept us posted every step along the way. I was just going to focus on my current studies.”

The settlement will keep the majority of the students at Camosun and continue to bring in revenue and fill seats in the degree programs.

According to Elliott and McKinnon, some of their peers were angrier than others at first, but this seemed to stem from miscommunication between the students and the college. They feel that most of the students affected were satisfied with the settlement’s outcome. “The college was pretty accommodating as far as the entire situation goes,” says Elliot. “There were some bumps in the road being the first group through with that

diploma, and they forewarned us about that a little bit.” According to Program Director Peter Rehor, the college is delivering what they promised to students. “We just couldn’t make that statement a year ago,” he says. “It was a struggle for them and all of us. With something like this, you either grow apart or grow closer. We grew closer from those experiences,” adds Rehor. Elliot and McKinnon are currently taking University Transfer courses that should be integrated into the Athletic and Exercise Therapy Bachelor program when it becomes a reality at Camosun. Currently, the college is waiting for the accrediting authorities to sign off on the degree. No one knows when this step will be finished, as several agencies, including the provincial government, have to sign off on it. Meanwhile, Glover blames the vague language of the academic calendar for misleading the students. This is something that has been changed as a result of the settlement. Pooni says, in hindsight, the language needed to be cleared up and the course calendar was a good place to start.

Christopher Gillespie, one of the student reps on the committee, says the student society hasn’t formed a firm opinion yet on Aramark’s services. “The CCSS had a good relationship with Chartwells, especially given their support of student society endeavours like the Walk Safer program, and we hope to be able to form a similar partnership with Aramark in the near future,” says Gillespie. Le Gros co-chairs the committee and says timelines and expectations were established. “Our role now is to help with the transition,” says Le Gros. For the unsatisfied students, Le Gros says specific concerns sent to her or Burger at the cafeteria will be addressed, and a survey will take place in January for the entire student body. Also, interested students are invited to join the Camfood Committee by emailing legros@camosun. bc.ca

NEWS BRIEFS by Kait Cavers

Car-hold update

Students who have been stuck behind the wheel in the campus parking lots, 10 minutes late for class, with their middle finger out the window can take solace there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Camosun is well aware of the congestion, spillover, and increasing transport costs that students and staff are facing each day, and is currently committed to organizing a planning process to identify new solutions for transport and parking problems. A series of upcoming workshops through October will address the issues and try to find solutions. For more info, go to www.camosun. ca/gettinghere

Strike? Syke!

If you’ve caught a glimpse of a poster circulating around campus saying, “Strike preparation and information meeting” that conjured thoughts of the ongoing UVic SUB strike, don’t get your panties in a twist. The meeting that happened on Oct. 7 was simply to inform Camosun CUPE support staff members what to do if a strike was to happen. Currently, no strike is being planned. So chill!

Continued on page 4

How far would you go to make sure your tuition gets paid? By Keltie Larter

Marc Dion

Alex Morrow

Luke Kozlowski

Callum Ashby

Ashley Brown

Tom Gurney

Satoko Sotochi

Get high marks, the rest should take care of itself.

I’d sell one of my kidneys.

I’d go through the gates of hell.

I’d go to class naked for a week.

I’d shave my head.

How far? I’d go to Ottawa and back crawling.

I’d work two jobs for a year . . . but in Japan.

NEWS

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October 15, 2008

Camosun wins soapbox derby Guy alaiMo Staff Writer

A team of students and instructors from Camosun’s Mechanical Engineering Program won top prize at this year’s Red Bull Soapbox Derby in Vancouver, but not before a whole lot of drama. Instructors Jeffrey Stephen and Imtehaze Heerah and students Don Sproul and Andrew Johnson of the Camosun Aggressors spent months designing, building, and testing their race cart before heading to Vancouver with high hopes, having finished on the podium the two previous years. “The experience was amazing. We had a blast,” says Heerah. “We literally had no time to eat because everything was happening so quickly.”

“This is a huge victory, not just for us, but for Camosun as well.” Jeffrey sTePhen

Camosun CoLLege

But the experience quickly turned sour for Heerah and the rest of his crew when the winners were announced and Camosun was left off the list. “It was horrible because we were really pumped after we raced,” says Heerah. “We were very disappointed. So many teams were telling us we got ripped off on the way back to our car.” According to a score sheet that Red Bull sent Camosun a few days after the race, the Aggressors finished in 25th place, far behind where they expected to finish and, according to video footage captured

The Camosun College Aggressors dressed as Batman and friends for a recent soapbox derby in which they had to fight for a first-place finish.

at the event, behind where they should have finished. “There was no way it took us 60 seconds from start to finish,” says Stephen. “At the time I wasn’t really sure how fast I was going, but I know I was faster than 60 seconds.” Upset with the results, Stephen emailed Red Bull on behalf of his team on Sept. 18, requesting they review the results and correct the mistake based on the video footage clearly showing Camosun clocking in well under the official score sheet’s 60.88 seconds. The Aggressors diligence seems to have paid off. Red Bull replied to Camosun the following week, saying they would look into the complaint and review the time footage. About a week later, Gillian Salazar, project manager for Red Bull Vancouver, called Stephen and confirmed Red Bull made a mistake in the scoring. Camosun was indeed entitled to first place.

Red Bull’s communication director Lubor Keliar offers a possible explanation to the error. “There may be a third party involved with regards to the scoring, so at this time it would be premature to lay blame,” says Keliar. The third party in charge of keeping score was Vancouver-based company Hangman Productions. “We’re red in the face over this whole ordeal,” says Andrew Markey, president of Hangman. “Red Bull is an excellent client of ours and, in all honesty, our equipment malfunctioned during a couple of runs. Since then we’ve gone back and reviewed the races and corrected the times with Red Bull. My main concern right now is that Red Bull is not taken in a negative light. They are not to blame for this.” The Camosun soapbox team has accepted its victory and is currently deciding what prize to accept. Originally, the choices were $7,500 or a trip to Montreal to watch a Formula One race, but since

then the race has been cancelled. For Stephen, the event win means more than money and prizes. “For us, it’s not even the money or the trip that’s as important as the bragging rights,” explains Stephen. “This was one of the biggest events in the world. Hundreds of teams applied and didn’t even make the cut to race. This is a huge victory, not just for us, but for Camosun as well.” He also feels although Red Bull has acknowledged the mistake by offering financial compensation, they still haven’t made an honest effort to provide the Camosun team with the recognition they deserve. “[Gillian Salazar] was hesitant to update the Red Bull website and she was going to pass us off, but I said we still want to be recognized for what we accomplished. I mean, at the event we were getting spoonfed Red Bull all day, so we were really amped up and full of anticipation. The letdown was huge when we got the results.” As of press time, Red Bull had not updated their website with the correct winners. An estimated 35,000 spectators cheered on the Aggressors as they earned themselves a strong second place finish in the showmanship category, using a Batman and Batmobile theme, but because of the time mistake during the speed category, they were unable to bask in the glory of a boisterous crowd. That was discouraging for the Camosun squad, but it won’t slow them down at next year’s race. “We are looking forward to finishing in first place next year,” says a confident Heerah. Until then, the Aggresssors are still waiting for a formal award ceremony to go along with their prize, something they are discussing with Red Bull.

CEO of brand new sport institute quits Guy alaiMo Staff Writer

Just days before the grand opening of Interurban’s new $28 million sports facility, the CEO of the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence (PISE) has resigned. Michael Wright worked with IMG, a US sports and entertainment giant, for almost 20 years before joining PISE, but he left his post in late September as a result of what PISE chair of the board Jim

Reed called a “mutual parting.” “[Wright] exercised a clause in his contract to give his notice that he would like to move on to other things,” explains Reed, who says at the current time they are not looking for a new CEO. “[Wright] felt, as a day-to-day operator, he wasn’t interested.” Taking over for the day-to-day operations as the General Manager of PISE is the former 15-year president and CEO of Tennis Canada,

Bob Moffatt. “I’ve been involved with the facility for some period of time now,” says Moffatt. “[PISE] is a very unique facility, with a mix of high performance athletics and education. I’m looking forward to working with a number of very fine people.” Moffatt has an impressive resume, overseeing development of the $45 million Rexall National Tennis Centre that opened in Toronto

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near York University in 2004. He will take over day-to-day duties from Wright, such as hiring and startup operations for the PISE. But the title of CEO will not be bestowed upon anyone until further notice. “We are content with what Bob offers as General Manager and we are not looking for a new CEO,” says Reed. As to whether it was possible that Moffat would eventually take over as CEO, Reed replies, “That would be something we would have to discuss with Bob, but I don’t think he has the kind of long-term aspirations that the position would require.”

NEWS BRIEFS by kaiT cavers

Later Liz, hello hopefuls

With the upcoming retirement of Liz Ashton a mere hop, skip and a jump away, the Camosun College Board of Governors is working on a comprehensive recruitment process in order to hire a new president. Board Chair Robin Adair has appointed a search task force that will work with a search agency (yet to be decided) to find the most ideal candidates for the college. Input from the college community is not only welcomed, it’s encouraged, as the board says it’s entirely committed to keeping the community updated during the process. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.

A step in the right direction

On Sept. 2, Camosun’s Indigenous Business Leadership program, the only one of its kind in BC, opened its doors to students. The college developed the two-year diploma program with Aboriginal leaders across the province. The courses offered are based on Indigenous perspectives, with business courses from Camosun’s Business Administration diploma program. “Meaningful community involvement is what makes this program unique. Camosun is listening when they tell us what has not worked in the past and what will work in the future,” says program leader Susanne Theissen. For more info, call 250–370–4165.

Cha-chinnngggg

Camosun could soon be seeing some fancy-schmancy new equipment around campus. Due to the generosity of many ongoing donors to the college, the Camosun College Foundation now has a Technology Equipment Endowment Fund for the purchase of any equipment related to teaching and improving student life. To date, $5,500 has been made available for distribution this year and applications from different departments are being accepted for amounts up to $1,700. The applications will be considered based on urgency and the number of students that will benefit from the new equipment.

Book for a buck, tune for a loon

Feel like doing something undeniably good? Support an incredibly worthy cause by donating used books, CDs, and DVDs to the Camosun bookstores for the upcoming annual Book for a Buck, Tune for a Loon sale. All proceeds go to United Way. The sale starts Oct. 20, so get down to the bookstore to treasure hunt for rare gems, and do some good at the same time!

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5

Student group encourages true democracy alan Piffer Staff Writer

In the turbulent culture of 1960s America, an organization called Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was formed to bring to light the various social issues of that time. Although the group disbanded by the end of that decade, the current political turmoil in America has inspired the SDS to return. Led by new students with new issues to face, a major obstacle has been the general lack of political interest among younger generations. Cameron Brown, a political science student at Camosun, helped found a chapter of the SDS in Victoria last winter. “We wanted to get more political participation in our community,” says Brown. “To try and get more social, political, and economic awareness of what was going on, and try and stimulate more action in getting the people’s views heard.” SDS focuses on a lot of issues affecting Victoria, but emphasizes national and international issues as well. “We do focus quite a bit on the local issues, but then we try to bring the comparison of the bigger picture into it,” says Brown. “For the Nov. 5 Day Against Commercialization

of Education, we’ll be focusing on local issues that are going on, such as raising tuition fees, but the idea is that it’s an international day to focus on that global issue.”

“We’ve found that people seem to be alienated from their political structures, where they don’t really feel like the government represents them.”

Victoria Students for a Democratic Society got creative for their BC Day protest banners this summer.

tion between Canada and the US, a lot of the public, we found, was caMeron brown completely unaware of the policy StudentS for a deMoCratiC and what it will affect,” says Brown. SoCietY “Because it’s not in the news, they assume that we’ve gotten it off of a conspiracy website—that it’s not At its information booth set up actually going on.” on campus earlier this year, the SDS Victoria is planning two SDS took the opportunity to tell upcoming protests. On Oct. 18, students about controversial stories SDS will be participating in World under-reported by the mainstream Against War, which is targeting media. People were often surprised the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts; by what they learned. and on Nov. 5, they will take part “When we were handing out in the International Day against information on the Security and Commercialization of Education. Prosperity Partnership integra- Brown feels this kind of grassroots

political involvement is crucial for society to function. “We’ve found that people seem to be alienated from their political structures, where they don’t really feel like the government represents them,” says Brown. “We want to allow people to understand the influence they do hold, and the change they can make through direct action and participating, to try and break down this idea that they’re somehow apart from it, instead of a part of it.” Fellow SDS member Cynthia Burnett, also a political science student at Camosun, stresses the

importance of people making their voices heard through political involvement. “You look at voter turnout across the board; it’s down, and the comments I hear from people are ‘it doesn’t matter; the parties are all basically selling us the same thing’—that view needs to change,” says Burnett. “We need to start getting more active. If you don’t make an effort, then inevitably you won’t have a say, because you’re not exercising your right to have a say.” For more information contact [email protected]

Looking for safer ways home acquaintances leave downtown with intoxicated drivers. “They simply can’t catch a taxi, are drunk, and don’t want to wait downtown,” says Moorehouse, “so they make stupid decisions because they don’t have the resources to get home safely.”

“[Students] make stupid decisions because they don’t have the resources to get home safely.”

willing to run the service in their off-season. “We are willing to do anything in our power to help create a solution to this problem,” says VBCA media spokesperson Scott Gurney. Gurney has devised some strategies if BC Transit fails to provide future late-night services. He suggests more taxi permits, secondary taxi licenses, and having city-run taxi stands away from residential areas. For more information on how to get involved in the student-run campaign for better transit services, go to www.weridetransit.ca

Dunlop Dunlop House House PUB NIGHT

JasMine Moorehouse

Camosun student

Photo: Courtney Broughton

alissa laurin

Contributing Writer

A problem facing students who party downtown is once bars and clubs close the buses have stopped running and hailing a cab can mean a very long wait. Besides the lack of late-night transit, only approximately 250 taxis are in Greater Victoria to serve a potential bar crowd of thousands. “I remember a time I left the club half an hour before last call because I thought it would increase my chances of catching a taxi but, no, I waited three hours,” says Camosun student Erika Chan. Fellow Camosun student Jasmine Moorehouse commonly sees

Last February, student societies from Camosun, UVic, Royal Roads, and the Canadian Federation of Students were successful in lobbying the provincial government to increase the local gas tax to be put towards extended transit services. The student groups then lobbied the transit commission to increase transit services for students, including late night bus routes. But where exactly is this funding students fought for going? Some new daytime routes were added by BC Transit this September, but most bus routes still end by 12:30 am at the latest. BC Transit did not respond by press time to requests for an interview. Last fall, the Victoria Bar and Cabaret Association (VBCA), along with the Business Association of Victoria and the Victoria Police Department, proposed the idea of a late-night shuttle bus to get students close to Camosun and UVic campuses. They were unsuccessful in finding a private bus company

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Get a grip... There is no Planet B

Drop off your energy saving idea at the Get a Grip box located at the campus bookstores.

Draws take place monthly until December 31, 2008

Suggestion cards available at campus bookstores.

4–6 PM

Off Lansdowne Lansdowne Road, At the campus, beside sta Thomas ff parkingbuilding lot behind thethe Wilna

Winners will be announced online at camosun.ca/green

The Camosun Energy Project SHIFTING TO A GREENER FUTURE

LIFE Surfing the beaches for garbage



October 15, 2008

Jenna Sedmak

Contributing Writer

As the sun sets behind the Olympic mountain range, a light wind picks up and the ocean waves crash against the gravelly shore. It would be a perfect scene if it weren’t for the pile of garbage gleaming in the fading light. A tire, some Styrofoam packing, and fishing nets have washed ashore, while cans, cigarette butts, and food wrappers are left behind by beach users. This kind of pollution is one of the many issues that Danny Amato, chairperson for the Surfrider Foundation Victoria, has set out to tackle. Surfrider focuses on resolving local issues regarding delicate coastal regions. With over 80 chapters worldwide, the foundation was formed by surfers who are “dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research, and education,” according to their mission statement. Growing up on the west coast and wanting to be a part of a grassroots organization is what got Amato motivated to start the Victoria chapter of Surfrider with co-founder Brooke Finlayson four years ago. One challenge for Amato and Finlayson was to lower the pollution levels at Jordan River. “There was diesel coming out of the river mouth,” recalls Amato. Aside from the river and ocean pollution, the pair faced other issues, such as watershed protection, beach litter removal, and public beach access. Some of these problems have improved because of awareness and education, but many

are recurring problems. Surfrider members are constantly working on ways to better the marine environment and educate local residents. Some of Surfrider’s current goals are to maintain public beach access, have a monthly beach cleanup, and start the Respect the Beach program. The surrounding area of Jordan River, owned by Western Forest Products, is in the preliminary stage of land subdivision, despite the local residents’ opposing views.

“There was diesel coming out of the river mouth.” Danny Amato

Surfrider Victoria

“Our main focus right now is making Jordan River a park, maintaining public beach access, and cleared from Vancouver Island preventing urban sprawl in such a beaches. delicate area,” says Amato. Respect the Beach, a universal Amato and other Surfrider program throughout Surfrider members, such as Camosun civil Foundation chapters, will be imengineering student Corisande plemented this year to help raise Creba, support local Jordan River local awareness about beach residents in stopping the area’s preservation. unsustainable growth. Creba, who Volunteers from the foundation designed an information poster on will travel to schools, educating the issue, says she doesn’t want cor- students about marine life, fragile porations to damage such delicate ecosystems, and how to reduce their communities. environmental footprint. Amato Many local members continue hopes this will cause youth to be to participate in monthly beach aware of their surroundings. cleanups. These have proven sucHelping the marine environcessful so far, but Amato says it’s ment on an individual level includes an ongoing issue. Among the usual “picking up trash when visiting the trash, large objects such as refriger- beach and using environmentally ators and tires are also getting friendly products,” says Amato.

New taxicab cameras raise privacy concerns Miriam Putters Contributing Writer

Students in Victoria should get used to smiling when they hop into a taxicab—they’ll soon be on camera. The local taxi industry, along with BC’s Passenger Transportation Board (PTB), are planning to install digital cameras into their cabs that will take photographs of passengers and drivers.

“We hope the cameras will deter attacks on drivers or passengers and assist police with tracking criminal activity.” Michael McGee

BC Passenger Transportation Board

Over 25 Lower Mainland taxi companies currently use cameras in their vehicles as a crime deterrent after a successful pilot project in

June of 2005. By March 31 of next year, the installation of cameras into all Victoria taxis will be required. “The history behind the cameras began with provincial companies requesting additional protection. Serious incidents, including murder, have occurred,” explains Michael McGee, PTB policy and communications manager. “We hope the cameras will deter attacks on drivers or passengers and assist police with tracking criminal activity.” Photographs are received at a rate of one per second and certain actions, such as starting the meter or opening the vehicle’s door, trigger a higher rate of photos. The price of the new technology has led to some concerns, says McGee, such as the possibility of being unable to hold an entire night’s worth of images on a cheaper storage drive. Also, passengers will initially be charged an extra nickel per trip until the cost of the program is paid off. “There is a chance images could be written over in a single night, but larger flash cards and equipment runs a high cost and the recent surcharge will only cover a portion,”

says McGee. With the inside of taxis being yet another location where the public can be caught on camera, privacy concerns are being raised about the initiative. “Privacy was a large concern for clientele,” says McGee. “It is the main reason the board was involved. We needed to support the industry and work conditions involved with basic camera performance and security procedures.” Only Victoria police will have access to the cameras’ images, and they will have to follow official criminal law procedures before camera images can be observed. Passengers will be reminded of the prominently displayed cameras with every vehicle bearing a new decal reading, “You are on camera for driver and passenger safety.” Initial reactions to the cameras by students around campus have been positive. “Cameras are acceptable in public situations for lots of reasons. Safety is an issue and you should be aware of your behaviour,” says Camosun nursing student Elise Arsulnant. “If done correctly, it’s not an intrusion.”

photo: Jenna Sedmak

To be a part of Surfrider Victoria (other chapters include Tofino and Vancouver), it’s not necessary to be a surfer. “Water quality affects everyone—all life. Even if you don’t see the ocean, it affects you,” says Amato. “Everybody should be con-

cerned, whether you’re a surfer, a scuba diver, or simply walking your dog along the beach.” The next Surfrider beach cleanup takes place 11 am on Oct. 26 at Sombrio Beach. For more info, visit www. surfridervictoria.org

What’s in a slice? Ed Sum

Contributing Writer

A typical pizza pie is high in fat, calories, and salt. Consumed on a regular basis, the popular food could be a health concern. But pizza is usually the first food that comes to mind when students want something fast, convenient, and tasty, even though many of them are aware of healthier food choices. “It’s pretty bad with all the oil and stuff . . . and the cheese,” says University Transfer student Daniel Smith. In a survey of 100 Camosun students, the majority said they order pizza based on personal tastes with flavour counting more than nutritional value. Most pizza operations only inform customers of their pizza’s nutritional content when asked. Very rarely do pizza vendors post this information online or advertise it, even though some store operators understand the importance of doing so. “Promoting healthier food is better for everyone,” says Asya Brillon, manager of Hillside Mall’s Villages Pizza. The Hillside Mall location sees heavy student traffic during lunch hour as Camosun College and other students wander down for a quick bite. Instead of trucking in frozen ingredients, most local pizza franchis-

es buy fresh ingredients, preparing everything in-house, unlike some of the larger chains that use prepackaged and frozen ingredients. Locally owned pizza places are trying to strip away the fast food stigma, but that’s how most students still perceive this food. “A lot of food places are making takeout food healthy, but they’re hard to trust,” says Philosophy student Gary Davis. Ali Baba’s Pizza owner Mark Murr says pizza remains as popular as ever, but customers are looking for ways to make it healthier. “It’s all about choices,” says Murr. “Nowadays, people are requesting thin crust and light on the cheese. And soon we’ll be offering a multigrain crust.” Despite pizza’s bad reputation, tomato sauce and olive oil both have cancer-fighting abilities. And researchers for the US Department of Nutrition and Food Service recently found a way to increase cancer-fighting antioxidant content in whole-wheat dough. For those in need of fiber, whole-wheat dough is better than white. Making pizza from scratch is an even healthier option. Toss some veggies on top of flatbread with tomato sauce and sprinkle it with cheese. After 10 minutes, bang, it’s a pizza. For healthy recipes, go to www.the-pizza-gourmet.com

LIFE

[email protected]

7

Online learning an alternative to the ordinary chrisTi kay

Contributing Writer

Everyone should have the opportunity to receive post-secondary education. Unfortunately, other commitments can make coming onto campus difficult for many students. One solution is to take online courses where the student can decide when and where to work. Taking a course online follows a different format than a traditional classroom. Courses are taught from a website that can be accessed by anyone with an Internet connection. While all courses are different, students can expect to utilize forum boards, podcasts, blogs, and power point slides, as well as regular written materials. At Camosun College, the online platform is called Desire2Learn (D2L). Students might only meet classmates and the instructor faceto-face once each semester, but there’s still a sense of community. “I tend to get to know my online students better than my regular students,” says online Camosun English instructor Raj Mehta. “We are in touch daily through e-mail.” Mehta’s classes all meet at the beginning of the semester at an inclass orientation where contacts are made and questions are answered. He suggests more and more students are being forced to work fulltime to afford to go to school. “Online learning offers a convenience and flexibility that a

traditional class can’t offer,” says Mehta. Most online classes are not self-paced and there are project deadlines and papers due just like any other class. But each student can choose when to complete the work and read the material, as long as they meet the deadlines. Kelly Woodward is currently taking her first online course at Camosun. She chose to do online learning due to her busy life. “I have a family; my partner and I have three children between us,” says Woodward. Woodward has found that picking a specific day to do her online course has helped to keep her deadlines. “The main challenge, in addition to the course material, is I had to learn how to do the course online. There was a huge learning curve in the first week,” she says. Online learning is an opportunity for people from all different backgrounds to learn in a non-judgmental environment. “In my traditional classes my age really sticks out, online I don’t at all. It is a level playing field,” says Woodward. Debbie Gascoyne is an online English instructor at Camosun College with 15 years of experience. Gascoyne has seen online learning work for a variety of students, including single parents, students with visual or hearing disabilities, students who live in isolated areas, and those who simply choose to

learn online. Although the discussion in an online course isn’t as spontaneous as in a traditional classroom, it’s generally better, says Gascoyne. “An advantage is you can take your time while formulating responses. Everyone has the chance to speak, even if you are shy,” she says.

“Online learning offers a convenience and flexibility that a traditional class can’t offer.” raJ MehTa

Camosun CoLLege

Royal Roads University offers most programs online. The Next Mode Learning model it uses is broken down into two parts. The first is an intense, on-campus residency that’s between two and four weeks, depending on the program. After the residency, students go back to their lives and continue to do course material online. Doug Hamilton, chair of the Department of Faculty Development at Royal Roads, explains the majority of students attending are already in the workforce. The average age of an undergraduate student is 30 years, while those completing their masters have an average age of 41

Photo: Courtney Broughton

Students who take courses online can do their studies from practically anywhere.

years, he says. “The whole learning model is intended to facilitate learning together as a group,” says Hamilton. Classes are set up so the students are together with the same people throughout their stay at the university. There’s both pressure and support from learning with the same group of people. In an effort to make education available to anyone wishing to pursue it, Yale University in New

Haven, Connecticut offers free online courses. These courses are accessible to anyone and no enrolment or registration is required, according to the Yale website. While the student doesn’t receive credit for taking the course, they do receive the benefit of higher learning. Other institutions are following Yale’s example by posting courses online through the Open Course Ware Consortium at www.ocwconsortium.org

Get out those pasties, Halloween is coming PeTer GarDner Contributing Writer

Gaelic culture believed that on Oct. 31, the boundary between the alive and the dead ceased to exist. People would wear costumes to fit in among horrible creatures and make evil spirits comfortable. If we are still following this frame of mind today, there must be a whole lot of at-ease, scantily clad strippers. In many ways, Halloween is a night to be something different for one day. For younger children it’s often more about being someone of great admiration. If a little boy wanted to be Stone Cold Steve Austin, for instance, he could do that on Halloween. If a girl wanted to be the princess of some faraway, magical land, she could rule them all for a single day. But for adolescents and young adults, Halloween has become an excuse to dress in as little clothing as possible. Gone are the days of dressing in a full red gown with a black overcoat to be the devil. The devil now dresses in fishnets. “It’s the one night where you can get away with dressing provocatively,” says Camosun student Claudia Bachman. “Not that I would dress like that every day if I could, but once a year is fun.” This trend is nothing new, but it continues to grow. More costume shops are carrying a selection of revealing costumes. And some places have even stopped carrying kids costumes altogether. In Character’s Fright Site costume shop at Hillside Mall is one of those shops. This year they’ve

Halloween shopping made easy anDrea Moir

Contributing Writer

Tired of throwing together a Halloween costume at the last second? Here are some of the best places to buy a costume that won’t have you frantically removing Facebook photo tags on Nov. 1. in character’s fright site (Hillside Mall) Photo: Peter gardner

stopped carrying children’s costumes to focus on a more adult-oriented selection. A store employee describes Leg Avenue, their most popular line of costumes, as “short and sexy.”

Camosun student Leah Davis tries to separate herself from the average half-naked girl. “It always disappoints me when I see a girl who is dressed in a typical provocative costume,” says Davis. “It seems as if I am the only one who is actually interested in the spirit of Halloween!” “It’s the one night Davis even goes the extra step where you can get to make her own costume instead of buying one. “Although it is an away with dressing incredible amount of work to make provocatively.” my own costume, I prefer to have something unique and quirky to clauDia bachMan wear, rather than having something Camosun student store-bought,” she says. Still, on Halloween night, the Even adults-only stores like general amount of skin showing Garden of Eden have gotten in on will probably resemble that of a the Halloween sales. They carry a public pool. wide variety of costumes aimed at This has become the new norm the provocative, but it’s not exactly for Halloween costumes. It was the best place to pick up a costume once common to wear large cloaks to help fight the cold Halloween to hide from evil spirits, but now night. it’s the opposite—show everyone, Not everyone is willing to fol- mean spirits or regular folk, as low the trend of skimpy costumes. much skin as possible.

This temporary store offers a large selection and features a wide variety of costumes, from the short and sexy Leg Avenue line, to the everyday scary witch and devil outfits. While you may not be the most original person at the Halloween shindig, there will likely be something here you’ll be happy with. Full costumes run around $50-$90. value village (Store and Herald) There’s a reason this store has a

reputation for being the place to buy Halloween costumes. Its Halloween section is fully stocked with masks, accessories, and full outfits. But don’t limit yourself. Something more original can be found by spending time in other sections of the store. The prices are reasonable (entire costumes for 10 bucks!) so it’s good for students on a budget. Garden of eden (Douglas and Johnson) If you’re going for a more provocative approach, this is definitely the place. Items such as barely-there dresses and fishnets won’t leave much to the imagination. These costumes could strain your budget though—they range from $59-$150. Also, costumes can be tried on, which is a major bonus if you’re going to be shedding some serious dough.

Rob Fleming, MLA Victoria – Hillside 1020 Hillside Avenue

250 360.2023 [email protected]

Serving Our Community

FEATURE



October 15, 2008

Working in the sex trade A former Camosun student bares all Keltie Larter

Contributing Writer

She gets good grades, loves her dog, plays guitar, and jogs for half an hour every morning. Ashley (not her real name) transferred to UVic this fall after spending three years at Camosun studying liberal arts. She looks like an average student; a little tired around the eyes, wearing jeans, and carrying a book bag and coffee mug. What her fellow students wouldn’t guess about Ashley is that at the end of the school day, when the rest of us go home to eat dinner and cram for exams, she trades in her binders and textbooks for stiletto high heels, fake eyelashes, and sexy lingerie. As a means to finance her journey through the hallowed halls of the Young and Clearihue buildings, Ashley works nights as a call girl for a local escort agency. Now 28, Ashley has been working as an escort since she was 20. Before that, she worked as a cashier in a retail store, but had a hard time making ends meet. She heard trading sexual favours for money could be very lucrative. She didn’t feel uncomfortable with the idea, so she decided to check it out.

in society and hiding what they do can cause emotional stress.” Despite Ashley’s initial fears, the money was great. “I’d never made so much money in such a short period of time before, and I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go back again,” she says. But not everyone agrees being an escort is an ideal way to earn a living. Camosun student Josh McKinnis feels it’s a degrading way to make money. “I don’t think they should do it,” says McKinnis. “I know it’s hard out there to find jobs, for men and women, but it’s something that is not appropriate.” Fellow student Fletcher Evans agrees. “It should be illegal. It’s unsafe and demoralizing for a woman; she’s like an object. You pay to rent a car; you pay to have sex with a girl. You can try to justify the situation by paying to go to school, but there must be a better way to get money.” Some women’s rights advocates, such as the Camosun College Women’s Centre, take a different stance on Ashley’s career choice, saying each person has a right to make a living how they choose, as long as they are not harming anyone.

Ashley has on more than one occasion provided sexual services for Camosun College professors. Ashley looked up escort agencies in the phone book and set up interviews with each one to find out how it all worked. Then she chose the agency that best suited her needs. On her first day Ashley was extremely nervous. “The first time [having sex with a client] was scary,” she says. But her co-workers helped to put her at ease. “The people there were really nice to me; after the first day it became pretty routine, like a normal job.” Ashley says her clients are respectful and kind, and in eight years she has never found herself in a position where she felt unsafe. Although Ashley’s situation is not unusual because she works indoors and not on the street, the dangers associated with working in the sex industry are very real. According to research done by Simon Fraser University criminologist John Lowman, women working as prostitutes are are at much greater risk of violent crime than the mainstream public. Also, the Public Health Agency of Canada states that sex workers are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. But therapists who work closely with women in the sex industry say emotional impact and social stigma can also have a lasting effect, even after exiting the profession. “There are many things that can be dangerous for workers,” says local therapist Leah MacInnes. “It can affect how you feel about yourself, but it’s different for different women. There’s a lot of judgment

“It’s not a route I would choose, but if you feel good in your body and you feel comfortable sharing it, then I don’t see any problem with that,” says Natalie Schlogl, Women’s Centre support staffer. “Of course, being safe and using protection is important.” Many wonder how escorts and escort agencies manage to operate in Victoria without having to answer to the strong arm of the law. The answer is they operate within a legal grey area. Technically, prostitution isn’t illegal in Canada, and never has been. What is illegal is for a sex worker or her client to verbally discuss the exchange of sexual acts for money or other material possessions. So escorts can sell their bodies, but they can’t solicit customers or set a price for their services. It’s also illegal to operate a brothel (an establishment dedicated to prostitution), profit from someone else selling sexual services (commonly known as pimping), or tell someone where to find sex for money. But here’s the loophole—escorts don’t sell their bodies, they sell their time. And what goes on between two adults during that time is, well, nobody’s “business” but their own. As to what actually does go on between an escort and her client behind closed doors, there are different scenarios. The escort can either go to the client (out-call), or can be visited at their agency (in-call). Some escorts will provide a GFE (girlfriend experience), which

photo: Courtney broughton

means different things for different people, but often includes kissing on the lips, cuddling, or “dining at the Y” (oral sex)—things usually done with a more emotionally intimate partner. Some escorts do duos with other escorts (a very popular choice). There are also CBJs (condom blowjobs), nude massages, fetish scenarios (use your imagination, but it’ll cost more), and Greek (anal sex). And what about the Johns (customers)? Who are the people whose hard-earned dollars fuel the growing sex industry in North America? Lauren Casey is a former sex worker who has been living in Victoria for five years and is the former executive director of the Prostitute Empowerment Education and Resource Society (PEERS). Casey also put herself through school working as an escort, earning a BA and later an MA. In Casey’s experience, the men paying for the services of escorts or other sex workers are just normal guys, many of whom are married

and have families. “They’re not little trenchcoat guys running around Johnson Street, flashing people,” says Casey. Casey explains that because sex work sees a lot of turnover, it’s hard to say exactly how many workers are in the Victoria area. She estimates at least five local escort agencies and somewhere around 1,500 sex workers working in agencies, as independents, or on the street. “Society tends to cast the whole net on the workers and little attention is paid to the fact that [the sex industry] is not going to go away, because, well, there’s always the buyer,” says Casey. Speaking of the buyers, privacy is always a concern for those working in the sex trade, but Ashley is not really concerned with her two worlds colliding. She protects her secret well. Occasionally, she crosses paths with one of her clients in a public place. Usually it’s understood that both parties behave very discretely,

but she admits there have been unfortunate occasions where a client has approached her in public. Ashley says while she has never had a fellow student as a client, she has on more than one occasion provided sexual services for Camosun College professors. She says, although they weren’t her professors at the time, they were aware she was a Camosun student. “I’ve had profs from Camosun come to the agency to see me; if it’s awkward, I always ask if they want to see someone else,” she says, “but usually they’re more than willing to hang out with me for that time.” And Ashley’s situation is not uncommon. She estimates about one-quarter of the girls she has worked with over the past eight years have been post-secondary students. “Contrary to the image that society portrays, most of the girls are pretty normal, come from middleclass families, and choose to be working in this industry,” says Ashley. “We are not the victims that society makes us out to be.”

ARTS

[email protected]



Scalpers get the upper hand $45.50 to $95.50, they’re now posted on TicketExchange from Remember the days of standing $250 to $450. in line for hours and staking a claim Demand for sold-out tickets with a foldout chair to purchase has one Camosun student getting tickets for a band’s concert? Well, involved in the multibillion-dollar great news! Lineups are passé, and industry. so is buying tickets in person. “You know [the event] is comPopular concerts like the up- ing online at this part of the day, so coming AC/DC show at GM Place you’re there refreshing the page in Vancouver sold out in four min- every 30 seconds to try to get as utes, and the Metallica concert in many tickets as you can,” says December didn’t take much longer. Computer Science student Shaun Because of this, students often Nagainus. have to seek alternative methods Nagainus scalps tickets for of buying tickets. many Victoria events, using a webTwo new websites offered by site similar to Ticketmaster called Ticketmaster—TicketExchange selectyourtickets.com. But he and TicketsNow—have become a doesn’t consider himself a scalper popular resource for buying tickets in the true sense of the word. “Any to previously sold-out shows. Here, concert that I’m going to be buying fans can sell tickets they’ve already tickets to, I’m going to myself,” says bought for up to 10 times the price Nagainus. they paid for them. Think of it as an Nagainus will be going to the online way to scalp tickets. upcoming Nine Inch Nails show “It’s weird that [scalping] in December. He bought eight is part of their actual website,” tickets for the show, the largest says Camosun student Laura amount someone can purchase Swanson. on selectyourtickets.com, and was The reason Ticketmaster pro- disappointed when he couldn’t go vides this service is because they back and buy more. profit again when people buy the “You can use the same credit resold tickets. Their policy states card; you just have to go back and that they retain a seller fee. This go through the same process again, means Ticketmaster gets the profits but you’re only allowed to buy from the original sale of the ticket, eight tickets per payment and then plus more money when someone you have to go back,” explains wants to resell. Nagainus. “Usually on the bigger AC/DC tickets originally concerts they’re already sold out by selling for $99.50 are now priced the time you go back.” on TicketExchange from $400 all Nagainus recalls his most sucthe way up to $1,145 per ticket. cessful scalping moment. “I bought Metallica ticket prices skyrocketed 15 [tickets] for Tragically Hip, sold as well; originally priced from six to my friends and nine on the Andrea Moir

Contributing Writer

Internet, and made quite a bit of money on that—a couple hundred dollars—and then pretty much all my friends went for free, or for $10 or $15.” While some students feel scalping is okay if people are willing to pay the higher price, some question the moral aspect of ticket scalping.

“If people are buying mass quantities of tickets in order to sell them at a higher price, or disadvantage other people, that’s kind of crappy.” Kristin Zajaczkowski

Camosun student

“If people have tickets that they are not going to use because of an unforeseen circumstance, it’s okay,” says Camosun student Kristin Zajaczkowski, “but if people are buying mass quantities of tickets in order to sell them at a higher price, or disadvantage other people, that’s kind of crappy.” While Nagainus understands this point, he has his own opinions on the issue. “I don’t like ripping people off, but if you want to pay what the website asks you to pay, then you can get up and get the tickets and wait

photo: Peter gardner

online and be there. But if you’re not going to do that, then you have to expect you’re going to pay inflated prices,” says Nagainus. Ethical or not, there’s nothing

in the Canadian Criminal Code that states ticket resale is illegal. Maybe this is why Ticketmaster is getting in on the action. If you can’t beat them, join them.

Dreamboat’s dreams not about to sink Peter Gardner Contributing Writer

Aaron Bergunder is a 2007 graduate of Camosun’s Applied Communication Program. When he’s not thinking about typefaces and publishing, he’s Dreamboat. Dreamboat is Bergunder’s solo music project. He also plays in two other bands in town—indie-rock band Colourbook and pop-rock band Nail Salon. But Bergunder describes Dreamboat as “more synthy, more dancey, more gay, and just putting myself into the spotlight, because I like that sometimes.”

“The next thing I knew, I was walking through the mall and one of my songs was playing out of Quicksilver.” Aaron Bergunder

Dreamboat

Dreamboat has been an odd success story in Victoria. In a town often reluctant to embrace new musical acts, Dreamboat’s popularity continues to grow. “I’ve given away a lot of my music for free,” says Bergunder. “When I started, I would make mp3s and send them to my friends, then they sent them to friends, and so on. The next thing I knew, I was

photo: Peter gardner

walking through the mall and one of my songs was playing out of Quicksilver. It was a weird moment.” But someone listening to your songs in the mall doesn’t always bring people to your shows. Dreamboat took a while to catch on in Victoria’s live music scene. “When I started, everyone was super confused because no one else in town was doing what I was doing,” says Bergunder. Because of this, Bergunder is reluctant to take Dreamboat on the road. “It would be a month of me

playing to six kids who don’t get it, good dance albums out there that but will just maybe get it by the end are really well- written, and I’d like of the show. It’s one of those things to do something like that.” where I feel my album needs to get Bergunder’s self-criticism has properly released first, because of him looking for a little help. He’s the kind of music it is.” bringing in DJ Longshanks and Bergunder has been working Sean Evans of I’m Fat You’re Fat on the new Dreamboat album with and Cheers in the Belfry to give him a very focused attitude. “My last a hand on a couple tracks. release is pretty pathetic; how little “I’ve probably started about 30 care I put into it, and the lyrics songs and I’m happy with around are just fluff,” says Bergunder. “I seven of them,” says Bergunder. mean, that’s probably the fun of “I’m trying to take the five or so Dreamboat—that it’s just fluff others that maybe have something, music—but there’s a lot of really and those are the ones I’m trying to

get co-produced. It’s totally exciting for me, because you get bored of hearing your own music over and over again.” As far as when to expect a new release, “It depends on how soon I can write words,” says Bergunder. Bergunder hopes a more carefully constructed record will bring in new fans this time around. “A lot of people write me off as being just a big gay joke and, yeah, maybe that’s how it started out, but now I want to do something big gay serious.”

ARTS

10

October 15, 2008

Camosun students encourage the spontaneous for on-campus improv group Maelina De Grasse Contributing Writer

Do a child making sandcastles, a woman with toilet paper art, and a psychotic Italian chef have anything in common? Nope. But ask Michelle Chowns, a University Transfer student at Camosun, and she will undoubtedly find a way to tie them together.

“I want to provide an outlet for people to actually get out and perform.” Michelle chowns

Camosun student

First created in 1989, Victoria’s Impromaniacs are a group of enthusiastic and committed performers who have made improvisation an active part of their lives. Similar to the previously popular show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, actors from the community come together to form a team of learned and experienced improvisers. With approximately 20 rotating members, the group holds weekly practices and monthly shows and members who have been attending for a long time have learned to

call the Victoria Events Center on Broad Street their home. But Chowns dedicates even more time to her passion by running community workshops that are a way to introduce people to improv. “We explore improv in its many forms,” explains Chowns, who hopes to bring an extension of the workshop to Camosun along with fellow student D’Arcy Briggs. “I’d like to groom a team for theatre sports, a Camosun team [that would] come and perform and compete.” Theatre sport is a competitive style of improv that transforms the standard and fun living room games into something with a little more purpose. “I want to provide an outlet for people to actually get out and perform,” says Chowns. The Camosun team would be open to any students who wanted to give it a try, with absolutely no experience necessary. All that is asked is members be comfortable (or learn to be comfortable) being on stage in front of an audience. So far, Chowns’ only challenge with the workshop is trying to arrange a time that will be convenient for as many people as possible. She hopes many students will want to get involved, but knows it

pHoto: MaeLina de graSSe

Camosun students Michelle Chowns (front, kneeling) and D’Arcy Briggs (far right) hope to start an improv group at the college.

will be tough to sort out people’s school and work schedules. “It’s not something you can just show up [to] for half an hour,” she says. The workshops will be for a minimum of two hours, once a week, though she’d love them to be more. Every two years, the Impromaniacs hold an international im-

prov festival that runs for three nights in the Victoria Events Center. This year’s festival was held on Oct. 2-4 and it was just as much of a hit as it has been in previous years. The main Impromaniacs group are also looking for new members Auditions will be coming up this fall for anyone interested in getting involved with more than just the

planned Camosun team. Chowns encourages people to try it out, even if they have no improv experience. She says it’s about taking risks, being spontaneous, and just going for it. “It’s nice to see people adapt and grow.” For more information, go to www.impromaniacs.ca

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DVD reviews by Maelina de Grasse

Religulous ★★★★★ brenDan kerGin

Staff Writer

Bill Maher ups the ante in controversial documentaries with Religulous. If Michael Moore stirred up emotion with gun laws in Bowling for Columbine, imagine what kind of response an intelligent left wing comedian will have, traveling the world and essentially attacking the three major religions. As Maher puts it, “For society to survive, organized religion has to die.” Throughout the film he looks at the absurdity and stupidity caused by blind faith and literal interpretation of ancient books. The faithful and zealots interviewed do okay for themselves

at first, but most quickly fumble as their blind rhetoric is directly questioned. The people Maher really lays into are those who believe totally in their religion, those who unquestioningly follow the literal teachings. And for the most part they repeat the same lines and deny any of his points. As the film continues, it turns into Maher essentially banging his head against religion. Those he disagrees with have no solid, intelligent debate; only blank stares. Like any other documentary, Religulous is seen through the lens of the filmmaker. Keeping that in mind, this is an excellent look at the irrationality of organized religion that currently leads nations such as Iran and the US.

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Ghost Town ★★★★★

eD suM

Contributing Writer

Ghost Town is a comedy-romance that highlights British actor Ricky Gervais’ characteristic witticisms. Gervais plays Bertram Pincus, a prudish New York dentist who avoids being the life of the party. Pincus’ attitude towards life soon changes when he emerges out of a routine surgery with the ability to see ghosts. The spirit of Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) haunts Pincus, wanting him to ensure his wife, Gwen (Téa Leoni), finds happiness. The story meanders at first, not really developing until Leoni’s character finally graces the screen. This film deserves credit for the message it sends—don’t leave life behind, live. Written and directed by David Koepp (Spider-Man, Indiana Jones), this film shows a different side of his talents that’s refreshing to see. With a brilliant supporting cast, Gervais delivers his trademark humour throughout the film. The comedy isn’t physical or slapstick, and for audiences who enjoy his work in The Office and Extras, Ghost Town is recommended. To those looking for a Halloween flick, it’s best to save the popcorn for later.

Saving Sarah Cain

Starring: Lisa Pepper, Abigail Mason, Soren Fulton Running Time: 87 mins What I intended to rent was Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a comedy about a guy trying to win back his TV star girlfriend. What I accidentally rented instead was Saving Sarah Cain, a drama/comedy about a Portland newspaper columnist who brings her five Amish nieces and nephews to the city. (Note to self—Pay very close attention to the title of a film when it’s referred to you, so you don’t go picking out the wrong stinking movie.) Although I knew very little about the actual storyline of what I was renting, I was expecting some kind of foolish slapstick with a simplistic plot. So, to say that Saving Sarah Cain was a shock to the system would be an understatement. Lisa Pepper plays the self-involved Portland Times writer who goes to her Amish sister’s funeral, only to find out that she has been left legal guardianship of her noworphaned nieces and nephews. Not wanting to stay in Pennsylvania to raise the children, and refusing to let them be separated by the foster care system, she decides to bring them back with her to the city.

As you can see, not exactly what I was expecting. As it turns out, the film is surprisingly intriguing. The story follows the different experiences of each child as they are thrown into a world they know nothing about, and how they respond to it. The youngest, Hannah, feels comfortable in kindergarten right away; 15-year-old Caleb discovers that, after years of wrestling pigs (I’m not kidding), he’s talented enough to make it onto the wrestling team; and his twin, Anna Mae, steals Sarah’s clothes and lets her hair down to escape being labeled as the vintage freak with the weird bonnet. Saving Sarah Cain is a beautiful mixture of comedy, compassion, and consequence, and will have you laughing and crying as the touching story progresses. With award-winning performances, this Michael Landon Jr. flick has incredible warmth and, most importantly, a happy ending. I would certainly rent this DVD again—and, this time, on purpose.

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IslandKidz attempt to make partying safe In the midst of Vancouver Island’s rave scene, IslandKidz is there to look out for those who get a bit too carried away when they party. Established in 1999, IslandKidz volunteers have been providing drug education and safety services at dance parties all over Vancouver Island. “A group of partiers saw a need for a harm reduction group on the island,” says IslandKidz Promotions Coordinator Amanda Farrell. “There was a group in the US called DanceSafe that was doing similar stuff; and the founders of IslandKidz decided to model this group after them, but with a distinctive island flavour.”

“We realize that, like it or not, people are going to use [drugs at parties], so we try to make sure they have access to accurate information.”

Once the booth is set up, the “Drugs will always have some volunteers hand out nonbiased info sort of a connection to music,” says on the drugs that are commonly Camosun student Graham Cannon. used at parties, just to make those “The need for information about in attendance aware of them. what is circulating out there, and “We realize that, like it or not, what you should know about it, will people are going to use, so we try never fade away.” to make sure they have access to acIslandKidz is a non-profit orcurate information,” says Farrell. ganization and all of its members Another service IslandKidz of- are volunteers. Growth and expanfers at these booths is pill testing. sion are an option, but recruiting aManDa farrell “We can take a scraping of a pill and, new help can be a challenge. iSLandKidZ using a special kit called a Marquis “There’s been talk in the past Reagent, test for the presence of about designing workshops that Once IslandKidz shows up at Ecstasy, as well as a few other sub- could be presented in schools or an event, two of the volunteers set stances,” says Farrell. communities, but right now we’re up a booth while two more hang For anyone who wants to know just focusing on trying to get more out in the crowd. what kind of pills are out there, the volunteers trained, so we can be “We do what we call ‘vibe pa- IslandKidz website has info on the more of a presence at parties,” says trol,’ which is just cruising around description and names of pills in Farrell. and making sure everyone is hav- circulation, so people who do use For info about IslandKidz, to ing a safe and happy night,” says drugs will be able to know what book them for an event, or to help Farrell. they’re getting into. out, go to www.islandkidz.org

Joel wiTherinGTon Contributing Writer

A combination of prescription drugs, rap music, and puppet shows is a good way to sum up Legoland, now on stage at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre. Legoland has won many awards in different fringe festivals across North America, including Best New Play, Critics’ Choice, and Pick of the Fringe. The new season at the Phoenix debuts with their Spotlight on Alumni, and Legoland gets it started on the right foot. This highly entertaining play began as a Directed Studies project in UVic’s Writing Department, eventually playing in cities across Canada and the US. Don’t miss it now that it’s here in Victoria. Celine Stubel and Amitai Marmorstein play siblings Penny and Ezra Lamb who make a presentation on juvenile delinquency for their social worker. The pair of actors keep the audience laughing hysterically as they share their adventures.

Funded by selling Ezra’s Ritalin and fuelled by McDonald’s Happy Meals, this coming-of-age tale follows the two young teens on their adventures seeking out Penny’s favourite pop star. A simple set design, great lighting, and musical interludes of every style help take the audience on a road trip across the continent. If you want a good laugh, check it out.

Legoland Until Oct. 18 Phoenix Theatre $12-$22 250–721–8000

by Chantelle Mussell and Liz McArthur

The Opera Club

Contributing Writer

Legoland a laugh riot

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Curtain Call

11

Arena Rock alan Piffer Staff Writer

When I was younger, I wanted to be a great guitar player—if not in my own band, then someone else’s. Lacking discipline to get really good at guitar, I never became a professional musician. After going to the Sheryl Crow show on Oct. 5 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, I saw what that career might have been like. I sat to the left of the stage, about 30 feet away. The lead guitar player stood closer to me than anyone else in the band, and two technicians below the stage did nothing but tune guitars all night. The guitarist played a different, cool-looking guitar on every song. Getting paid to rock out every night is a great lifestyle, but I wonder if this guy feels like he fell a bit short of his dream. I mean, it’s not like he’s roofing or working at McDonalds, but he probably wanted to be Eddie Van Halen or Keith Richards at one point in his life. And he’s not going to be. Just a guy playing guitar parts on Sheryl Crow songs to an audience waving cell phones in the air instead of Bic lighters. Not that there’s anything wrong with what he’s doing; hell, I’d do it. I’m just saying.

The Opera Club unwittingly entangled itself with the writers of your new favourite music column this issue. Accordion newbie Lys Hermanski tackles the big questions and lets us know what band member she would eat first if her life depended on it. Chantelle: I’m going to go ahead and assume you are hip-hop rap artists. Lys: Incorrect. Basically I’d say we’re along the lines of a presoft-core, post-modern, folkindie revival slash . . . C: Fantastic. What was that last word? L: I was going to say gypsy tones. We’ve got an accordion. C: How long have you played it for? L: I’d say a total of three weeks. C: If The Opera Club was stuck atop a snowy mountain, I’m talking Alive style, who would you eat first? You can say yourself if you would sacrifice yourself. Would you? L: Oh, definitely. But, if I were to eat somebody, I would eat Chris Lamb [band leader] because he’s so sweet. He’s pretty much a bear. He eats honey nonstop. C: So, you would eat Chris. L: Or Casey. C: You could eat them at the same time. No, you’d want to conserve. If I threw a clarinet at you, what would you do? L: I’d grab it and play it, because that’s exactly the instrument we need right now. C: So what would you throw back at me? L: A pumpkin. C: Well, it’s festive. So when is your next gig? L: At the Hillside Black Stilt on Oct. 18. We start at 7:30 pm and we have an opener called the After Midnights. C: Are the After Midnights part of the Midnights? L: I don’t know. Liz: I think I saw the Midnights at the Saanich Fair. There’s a lot of them. C: If you could be a flower, what kind of flower would you be? L: In keeping with the general vibe of the band—our poster has a big bee on it—I’d go for a big day lily or a dahlia, or those big huge puffball flowers that are everywhere around Victoria. C: Okay. Well, thank you very much. You can find this in the next . . . L: Oh man, can I scrap that flower and say honeysuckle instead? C: Yeah. You can say honeysuckle. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/chrisandcaseymusic

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October 15, 2008

Mountain website for students, by students Jeff Baldry

Contributing Writer

Students who ski or snowboard may find their habit too expensive to maintain, between travel costs, accommodations, and lift tickets. But two local students are offering a service to satisfy those jonesing for the slopes. Camosun student Jared Skoreyko and UVic student Mark Milburn have been putting their hard work into designing an easier way for students across BC and Alberta to enjoy winter sports. “We want to provide students with opportunities and make alpine sports more easily accessible,” says Skoreyko, owner of mountainu. com, which launched in May. The high cost of skiing and snowboarding last year kept many students home all winter. The website is free to join and provides post-secondary students a variety of discounts and opportunities for different mountain resorts across western Canada. “[Lift passes are] just too much

for a full-time student to be paying on top of the costs of travel,” says Camosun Computer Science student Shaun Nagainis. “If Mountain U is offering us discounts for free, I don’t see any reason not to [check it out].” The website also allows members to post their own carpools and interact. “Mountain U is ‘for students, by students,’” says Skoreyko. “It’s just a way to help students get up on the hill.” Skoreyko and Milburn have been traveling across western Canada promoting their business to ski and snowboard resorts such as Mount Washington, Whistler Blackcomb, Revelstoke, Big White, and Kicking Horse. Discounts offered on the site can include deals on rentals, transportation, accommodation, and lift tickets. “The discounts are always changing and unique to each resort,” says Skoreyko. For Skoreyko, running a business is much more than a part-time job. “Mark and I put a lot of our lives

into it. It doesn’t take a break.” But it isn’t just Skoreyko and Milburn keeping Mountainu.com alive. UVic student Stuart Kinnear also lends a helping hand, helping coordinate various ski and snowboard club relations.

“It’s just a way to help students get up on the hill.” Jared Skoreyko

MountainU.com

The guys plan to keep growing and branch into summer sports in 2009. They would also like to contribute to the growth of other student clubs and organizations. Mountainu.com will also be hosting a premiere party for the new Claim ski video at Felicita’s in the UVic SUB on Nov. 6. For more info, go to www. mountainu.com

Golf team has disappointing finish to the season Guy Alaimo Staff Writer

The provincial golf season has ended in disappointment for the Camosun Chargers. After finishing the last tournament in fourth place, the golf team’s chance to win a medal faded, but the season wasn’t a total waste. Camosun’s rookie golfer Matt Hennick capped off a fabulous year, shooting a 74–70 at the last BCCAA golf tournament in Chilliwack, while finishing in eighth place on the final league leader board for

the season. ished below their expectations. “He had a good year,” says vet“All in all it was a four-team race eran Charger Phil Kondrack on this year and at the start of the seaHennick, who finished the best son there was a lack commitment out of any Camosun golfer. “He and work ethic,” says Kondrack. was almost a leader out there, even “After the end of the second event, though he is a rookie.” we started spending more time on Kondrack, who has seen his fair our game, and we started competshare of success on the green having ing much better.” won consecutive provincial titles According to Kondrack, Head with Camosun, also fared well on Coach John Randle also did a fine the course this year finishing 11th job in his first year. “[Randle] spent place in the league. a lot of time with us on and off the He points out some reasons as course. He was an awesome coach to why the Chargers as a team fin- and an awesome guy.”

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The former Golf Magazine “Instructor of the Year” won’t be able to take his team to the Canadian Championships in Prince Edward

to Seattle so we’ll be able to get that whole team bonding thing going,” says Kondrack. Kondrack is currently completing his final year in the Golf Management program and most likely will not return to the Chargers “At the start of the next year. But he’s not ruling out season there was a a return to the links in a different uniform. lack commitment and “It would be nice to play for work ethic.” another school once I finish here,” says Kondrack. “I haven’t decided Phil Kondrack where yet, but it won’t be in the Camosun Chargers States.” Having played golf since he was 14 years old, Kondrack’s love and Island this year, but they will be at- inspiration for playing golf is simple. tending the UVic Turkey Shootout “It’s an individual game. You can’t outside Seattle. blame anybody but yourself if you “The whole team will be going screw up.”

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Talking threads Ask Anything by kelly Marion

Name: Chelsie Aichelberger Program: Criminal Justice

How would you describe your style? I would consider myself trendy and open to new looks, but I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself a trendsetter. If I see something on a mannequin that I like I’ll give it a shot, but I don’t watch fashion shows to find the new craze. I don’t like to show a lot of skin and I’m conventional in that I opt for solid colors over crazy patterns. Where do you do most of your shopping? Most of the stores in the Bay Centre downtown. I like Smart Set, Sirens, and American Eagle because they keep their look fresh and up-to-date. Do you have a personal style icon? Mischa Barton. She always looks so well put together. She has a comfy, relaxed look to her while maintaining the starlet image. She knows how to dress up as well as dress down. What’s your fashion pet peeve? Ugh, definitely cardigans with button-ups underneath. There’s something about that combination that just irks me. How about some key pieces for fall? Scarves, knee-high boots, and leggings with sweaters. Stuff you’ve been seeing around for a while. The ’80s trends are still making their big comeback.

Name: Cory Christiansen Program: General studies How would you describe your style? I like comfy clothes in earthy colors. I wear a lot of browns and oranges but also like purple, just to mix it up. Pretty much anything comfy flies with me. What was your look five years ago? Hmm, five years ago I’d be wearing baggy jeans and an Airwalk t-shirt. I was a victim of the generic t-shirt trend, but I’m happy to say I’ve gotten over that. What’s the tackiest thing you’ve ever worn? Vertically striped corduroy jeans in four shades of brown, topped with a horizontally striped sweater. It was tacky, but I’d probably wear it again anyways. Should your style reflect your personality? I guess, in a way. You should just dress how you feel and who you are. Don’t dress punky if you’re not a punk. It goes with anything—don’t be a fake. Where do buy most of your clothes? Value Village, Winners, and secondhand stores. I don’t follow trends; I just go out, browse the store, and walk out with something cheap. I can’t justify spending a lot of money on clothes. I’d just spend the day worrying that I might wreck them.

By Breanna Carey

Q: A:

I’ve been finding that certain foods make me more randy than others. Is it possible I may be eating some aphrodisiacs? And will they make me fat?

Some foods will have more of an erotic appeal than others. For some people this has to do with the shape and texture. For others, it has to do with taste and digestive response. Aphrodisiacs are named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. They are used to stimulate sexual urges and desire. The use of aphrodisiacs increases male erection and enhances female lubrication, resulting in longer, more satisfactory sex. Cacao (chocolate), asparagus, pomegranate, oyster meat, and cayenne pepper are all types of aphrodisiacs. Chocolate especially is known to get blood flow going and relax the smooth muscles in the genitalia. Chili or cayenne pepper speeds up the metabolism and increases circulation, responses that are similar to those experienced when having sex. Squash is another great aphrodisiac; the seeds contain fatty oil, protein, and vitamin E, all of which are important for healthy sexuality. If you’re looking to rev your engines, maintain a healthy diet and incorporate plenty of healthy fats. Don’t let the word fats scare you—healthy fats are essential to supple skin, assisting the respiratory system, and joint lubrication. Bad fats from foods like potato chips (and other items with simple carbohydrates) plug up your system, make you lazy, and diminish desire. It’s wise to work up a sweat by running, yoga, or even having more sex, as the improved circulation causes sexual desire to spike. It only makes sense when the body feels better that it can move better. If you take care of your body and take notice when you feel more aroused, your body will take care of you permitting better positions, better stamina, and better sex. Send your questions to [email protected]

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Worth the Trip?

The External Voice: News from the CCSS

The battle of on and off-campus eats

Kudos to student voters chrisToPher GillesPie eXternaL affairS eXeCutiVe

With the federal election coming to a close, I felt it would be appropriate to write thanks to all of those that took part in the election. To the hard-working candidates, staff, and volunteers from every party across Canada . . . thank you. It’s because of your hard work and dedication that Canada’s democratic system continues to be one of the best in the world. And to you, the voter—thank you. Thanks to everyone that took the time out of their busy schedule to go down to the ballot box and cast their vote.

Elections are a time where your voice and opinion really matter to politicians of every creed, so for those who took the opportunity to make their voice heard, thank you. As the hype of one election dies down, now municipal candidates will be gearing up their campaigns. On Nov. 15, all municipalities will go to the polls and elect their school boards, councilors, and mayors for the next three years. These elections are perhaps the most important, as municipal politics affects everyone’s daily lives. So whether or not you voted in the federal election, I would

recommend everyone pay attention to what prospective councilors have to say. Municipal politicians have a lot of say over what gets built where, transit, or whether your neighbour is too noisy. If you’ve got some local beef, now is your time to express it and elect the people you feel will best represent you in city hall. Again, thank you to everyone who contributed to the federal election and, with the municipal election on Nov. 15, I look forward to hearing how Camosun students will be making a difference in their municipalities.

Centres provide comfy home for women on campus naTalie schloGl

WoMen’S Centre Support Staff

The semester is well underway and in Camosun’s Women’s Centres we’re planning events and enjoying meeting new faces. I’m told many students may be unaware of what we have to offer at the Women’s Centres, so let’s clear this up. A Women’s Centre is located at both the Interurban and Lansdowne campuses. These are comfortable places to hang out, study, and meet new people. Comforts like wireless Internet and a fridge are also at students’ disposal. A women’s director and a sup-

port staff work in the centre on a part-time basis. We’re here to talk, organize, and play a support role for students.

I’m told many students may be unaware of what we have to offer at the Women’s Centre, so let’s clear this up. We also have a library that people are welcome to look through and from which they can borrow books. At Interurban, the Women’s Centre is located on the first floor

Composting is easy Joel wiTherinGTon Csea memBer

Composting is a great way to reduce waste in landfills. Biodegradable paper products (including the cafeteria’s food packaging and utensils) and food waste help create rich soil for farmers and gardeners, as long as it goes in the compost bin, not the garbage can. The Camosun Students for Environmental Awareness (CSEA) are working to get more compost

bins on campus. Right now, there’s compost bins in the cafeterias, so it doesn’t take a long walk to properly dispose of your apple core. Also, the paper towels in the Lansdowne Fisher Building bathrooms get composted. Composting is important on campus and easy to do at home. All it takes is separating things like fruit and veggie scraps, biodegradable paper, eggshells, and coffee grounds to put in a separate con-

of the Campus Center building. At Lansdowne, the centre is in the Richmond House, behind the Fisher Building on Richmond Road. If you’re looking for a place to hang out and make tea, or to study and take a nap, stop by and check it out. The centre is stocked with tea, coffee, milk, and sugar that you can enjoy. We are in the process of planning exciting events, workshops, and bringing in guest speakers. An events board will be posted soon and we welcome your feedback and ideas as to what you’d like to see in the centres. Bring friends and make use of these spaces available to you on campus. Pop over and see what the Women’s Centres have to offer! Camosun Students for Environmental Awareness

tainer from regular garbage. Then you can start composting for yourself or take advantage of another person’s compost pile or bin. There are even organizations who will pick up your compost. CSEA will be working to educate students on everything that can be composted and easy ways to compost at home. For more info on CSEA, go to www.camosunstudent.org/csea or email [email protected]

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October 15, 2008

by Donald kennedy and Guy alaimo

Fairway Market Quadra at Hillside Breakfast Special Price: $2.99 (served until 11 am)

Presentation and service Guy: This is a great hangover spot. Most of the people who buy breakfast from this place look like shit, so you shouldn’t feel that uncomfortable while you eat in Fairway’s unique dining area. Remember, you’re in the Hillside/Quadra area, so always pack a gat, ignore the heroin junkies shitting in their slacks near the window, and look straight ahead when you walk past someone. Donald: Well, at least the staff here smiles, but where’s the humanity? You’d be hard pressed to get the Fairway staff to tell you if they prefer white or brown toast. Dear Fairway, we’re all friends here; I promise I won’t think you’re racist if you choose white.

Taste G: Excellent value for under three dollars. You got your eggs, you got your sausage, you got your buttered toast, and you got your 80-year-old men shuffling down the aisles reading Cantonese newspapers while their wives stock up on fish sauce in the Asian food section—a Fairway Market exclusive! D: Definitely bottom-of-the-barrel bacon in this package. Pretty genius little scheme Fairway has going here actually—take the old bacon no one buys off the shelf and repackage it as a blast-from-the-past value meal. Dye the bacon pastel colors and every scarf-wearing asshole in town would be here for ’80s breakfast. Bacon aside, this is pretty good for the price. The toast was toasty and the eggs were eggy; what more do you want?

Aramark Campus Caf Lansdowne Campus The Legendary Big Breakfast Price: $5.59 (served until 11 am)

Presentation and service G: The turnstiles you walk through before entering add a touch of class to this up-and-coming college eatery. The food is laid upon gorgeous paper plates, and the cook kindly asks if you would like any strawberry jam with your toast. The lady at the till is a tad depressed, but a simple smile will sparkle the eyes of this generous woman. D: Well, la-de-da, look at me eating real sausages! I can see the penetrating glance of my peers as they think to themselves, “There’s ol’ high society Kennedy eating his fucking nugget potatoes again. What’s the matter, Kennedy? Too good for hashbrown patties?” Aramark has definitely given the big breakfast an upgrade. Finally, a breakfast as inviting as the chummy cook who serves it.

Taste G: Actual sausage links instead of patties is a vast improvement over last year’s edition of the Big Breakfast, which often caused me to diarrhea with reckless abandon in the staff washroom on the Young Building’s third floor. The hashbrowns, also served in patty form last year, are now wonderful chunks of seasoned potato. The elimination of food in patty form has etched the Big Breakfast into the stone of campus dining excellence. D: Wow! This is almost as good as breakfast at the Glen Lake Inn! I had no problem with the old patty-based breakfast, but the upgrades the cafeteria has made are certainly welcome. The nugget potatoes do a Nancy Sinatra all over the patties the caf used to serve. I’ll always have a place in my heart for sausage patties that are saltier than a miner’s forehead, but the links served here aren’t bad. You just may redeem this cafeteria yet, Aramark.

And the winner is . . . Aramark: Hoity-toity taters and extroverted grill-cooks.

Verdict: It’s not worth the trip. Treat yourself to real Camosun class! Go ahead; eat some potatoes with meat seasoning.

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McTurtle By Adrian Binakaj

Are you for scuba?!?! Join the Camosun Scuba club!

Inconsistent Biomix By Jared Gowen

Whether you are an advanced diver, or are interested in learning how to scuba dive, join now to receive valuable deals on gear, rentals, and education, and to connect with other divers here at Camosun. If interested, please email: [email protected]

or join our group on Facebook! The Cain and Abel Follies By Shane Scott-Travis

Sticky Vicky By Rhea Smilowski

Overheard at the Nexus office

Tessa coGMan

Staff eaVeSdropper

Words taken out of context could destroy a person’s reputation. As student journalists we realize how important it is to properly display the meaning of a quote, otherwise we may inadvertently damage the character of our interviewee. But, since we sometimes find it humorous taking things out of context, and this might be our only chance, here’s what’s been heard around the Nexus office:

“I used to think fireflies were mythical—like unicorns.”

classifieds Part-time work. Great pay, flexible schedule, sales/service, training provided, conditions apply. 250-2208419, www.workforstudents.com

“If I had pants on, I’d be much better at this.”

40 words FREE!

The Western Canada Wilderness Committee is seeking environmentally aware, outgoing people to join our canvass team. Flexible days, fresh air, and fun. Great job for students. Call Susan at 250-388-9292 between 2-4 pm, Monday to Friday. The BC Cancer Agency - Vancouver Island Centre is currently recruiting volunteers for the TeaLC Café. If you are available for a weekly shift, are comfortable using a cash register, and wish to spend time in a rewarding volunteer environment, please call 5195500 ext. 3747. Telerecruiters required urgently for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Part-time evenings and weekends. $10 per hour. Call Sue Dakers at 403-382-4035 today!

Rules Each registered student at Camosun is eligible for up to 40 words FREE per semester. This can be in the form of a 40-word ad, or two 20-word ads. Drop off your ad at the Nexus, Richmond House 201, Lansdowne, e-mail it to nexus@ nexusnewspaper.com, or call the ad in at 370-3591. Please include your student number and contact information. Small print: Nexus reserves the right to refuse ads for any reason. No sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise derogatory or slanderous ads. Business-related ads are $15 for 20 words or less. 50 cents per extra word

“It’s just like a live blog, except we have to wait two weeks before it comes out.”

“He’s got a bottle of Coke and a Beaver Buzz beside him. Welcome to the industry.”

“He’s trying to sweep and talk on the phone at the same time.”

“We’re so much more exciting than everyone else.”

nexus Pizza Days Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Oct. 29 12 noon until it’s gone In front of Fisher Building, Lansdowne Each registered student at Camosun is eligible for up to 40 words FREE per semester. This can be in the form of a 40-word ad, or two 20-word ads. Small print: Nexus reserves the right to refuse ads for any reason. No sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise derogatory or slanderous ads. Business-related ads are $15 for 20 words or less. 50 cents per extra word

250.370.3591 [email protected] www.nexusnewspaper.com

A fundraiser for your student newspaper. 250.370.3591 [email protected] www.nexusnewspaper.com Richmond House 201, Lansdowne

eye on campus By Kait Cavers Mondays to Thursdays

Drop-in hockey and soccer Balls, balls, balls! Intrigued? If that got you excited in a new and confusing way, we can’t help you. But while you’re contemplating that, why not come on out and knock some balls around? Hockey on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7–9pm; Indoor Soccer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7–9pm in Young 112, Lansdowne. Info: 250–370–3602.

Tuesdays

Psychology Club If you like money, cars, big houses, charity, flowers, leather, the colour blue, Dave Grohl, summertime, baby lion cubs, or free stuff, then there’s a one-in-five chance you also enjoy psychology. I’m not a mathematician, but I’d say the odds are in your favour. So why not come check out the club devoted to all things psych? Guaranteed to leave you thinking. Like this. Tuesdays at 3:30 pm, Fisher 210, Lansdowne.

Wednesdays

Debate Club Do you find yourself looking for any excuse to debate? Do you debate as soon as you wake up? Do you debate in the shower? Do you sit in class wishing you were somewhere else debating? Do your friends refer to you as a master debater? Why debate alone when you can debate in front of a room full of people? Sign up for the debate club! Wednesdays 5:30 pm, Library Room A (2nd floor), Lansdowne.

“Pshhh.”) Yeah, you know what I’m talkin’ about.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Nexus Pizza Day Only $2 a slice, from 12 pm until it’s totally devoured. In front of the Fisher Building, Lansdowne.

Thursday, Oct. 16

Look baunch Ignore the random title, and pay attention to what you’re about to read. Camosun College and Harbour Publishers invite you to celebrate the launch of Victoria Underfoot: Excavating a City’s Secrets with editors and contributors Brenda Clark and Nichol Kilburn from Camosun’s Social Sciences department. If that isn’t enough to convince you, the presentation will be followed by refreshments and socializing. If you’ve ever wondered what historical secrets exist on this island we call home, you should check this out! 7:30 pm, Wilna Thomas Cultural Center, Lansdowne.

Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 22–23

Elections! Those who think elections are about as much fun as a bag of dead kittens have yet to experience Camosun’s student body elections. They definitely take the zzz out of electionzzz. Candidates are campaigning until Oct. 21, so find them around campus and get your questions answered before you vote. Check out www.camosunstudent.org for more info. Voting polls are open from 8 am-7 pm, Fisher Foyer, Lansdowne, and Campus Centre (2nd floor), Interurban.

Friday, Oct. 24

Election results announced The campaigning ends, the champagneing begins. Hold onto your butts ‘cause the results are in. For more info, contact [email protected]

Thursday, Oct. 23 By Kait Cavers

Jell, Acidwash, 12 Steps, Anout SUGAR, DOORS AT 9 PM, $10

Friday, Oct. 17

Italian Edition, Sunday Buckets, Hey Hey Heys SUGAR, DOORS AT 9 PM, $8

Italian Edition is set to play one of their last shows (cue the tears) at this nature-themed party. If you haven’t had a chance to see this lovable Victoria-based band before, now’s your chance. If you need convincing, note the fact that these guys have been on MuchMusic and played alongside big boys Tokyo Police Club and Three Days Grace. The Hey Hey Heys bring nothing but style for their first island show, and Sunday Buckets neatly ties up the package.

Saturday, Oct. 18

DJ Jazzy Jeff, T-Bone the Barber, DJ Speedy Shoes SUGAR, DOORS AT 9 PM, $15

Calling anyone and everyone who’s still emotionally attached to the ’90s. DJ Jazzy Jeff, a.k.a. Jeffrey A. Townes, a.k.a. Jazz, Will Smith’s best friend on Fresh Prince, is ready to rock you right back to the era of Pogs and Tamagotchi. Alright, so he’s in his forties and he’s ditched the neon, but he’s still the same dude who threw out the signature handshake we all tried to copy in middle school! (Swinging midfive, point-back/snap, and say,

If you’re wondering how much it would cost to wallpaper Victoria with band stickers, why not pop by Sugar and ask Jell. These dudes know good advertising. Although initially stemming from influences like Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, and Oasis, this long-running band has gradually developed a unique sound to call its own. Drop in to check out the full lineup and pick up some stickers.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Doura Barry, Alpha Yaya Diallo VICTORIA CONFERENCE CENTRE, DOORS AT 7:45 PM, $30

If rockin’ out to local bands isn’t exactly your bag, and you’d rather spend your evening with a thoughtprovoking musical act from afar, then this is right up your alley. The golden voice and electrifying guitar of Guinean artist Doura Barry, alongside three-time Juno-winning Alpha Yaya Diallo, is sure to leave you in a state of worldly bliss. Two truly unique acts, not to be missed. That rhymed.

Friday, Oct. 24

Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Arkells SUGAR, SHOW AT 9 PM, $20

Fresh from their Nanaimo show

and on their way to Vancouver, Matt Mays and El Torpedo take a timeout during their Canadian tour to stop into Victoria and rock your socks right off. These Halifax boys know how to impress. You’ve heard them on the radio; now see them with your own two eyes. Cocaine cowgirls welcome but not encouraged. The Ontario-based Arkells open up.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Black Lotus, Evil Survives, Rotterdam LOGAN’S, DOORS AT 9 PM, $10

If you’re a huge fan of metal/punk rock and also really enjoy dressing up as the undead, then boy have I got a show for you. The 2008 Zombie Walk after-party takes place at Logan’s with a huge lineup of creepy acts that’s sure bring out your dark side. Eight bucks if you’re done up in zombie attire, so start ripping your pants and rolling in dirt. Or down a pint of rye and let gravity do it for you.

Monday, Oct. 27

Pink Floyd Laser Tribute ROYAL THEATRE, DOORS AT 6:30 PM, $27.50/$29.50

High Tide Entertainment presents the world’s largest touring laser 3-D concert. Count me in. Pink Floyd and frikken’ laser beams? If they play “Money,” I might piss my pants. For a full list of concert listings go to wwww.livevictoria.com