February 6, 2004

Transcription

February 6, 2004

Niagara News
Free
Hot Fun in the Winter Edition
Volume 34, Issue 9
www.niagara-news.com
Friday, Feb. 6, 2004
Committee to address academic misconduct
By BEAU CALLAGHAN
Staff Writer
The pen continues to be mightier than
the sword as a “task force” is formed at
Niagara College.
A nine-member committee, consisting of
various department heads, has been developed to deal with the academic misconduct
of college students.
One main concern is plagiarism by
some members of the student population,
an issue that college professor Marlin
Quinn says is robbing students of their
“opportunity to grow” as writers.
“The more you write, the better you
become at it,” says Quinn, who, with
other college professors, has taken an initiative to educate students on the negatives of plagiarism.
“The more you have people reviewing
what you write, the better you become at it.
So, if you’re not doing your own (essay),
you’re not getting a critique,” says Quinn,
who can see the idea of students committing
plagiarism as “tempting.”
Barry Sharpe, the college’s dean of foun-
dation studies, heads the committee.
It is looking at the various issues contributing to plagiarism by students.
“In my experience, plagiarized essays are
not even a problem at Niagara College,
never mind the major problem,” says
Sharpe, adding the major problem is that
“students are still struggling with easily
available information” on the Internet.
Sharpe says that professors have to be
aware of the types of assignments they are
handing out to students.
“If there are college teachers still using the
College wins Most Fun Award
By SARAH WEGELIN
Staff Writer
Niagara College wins the United Way of South
Niagara’s (UWSN) Most Fun Event Award for its
Halloween challenge held on Oct. 31, 2003.
The event was one that helped the college committee for the United Way campaign raise $24,254.48.
“There were a half a dozen nominations in the
region and about 15 in the peninsula,” says Bill
Auchterlonie, contest judge. He is the former head
of marketing for the UWSN and is now its executive director.
“It was by far and away the most fun event probably in the whole Niagara Peninsula. I’ve never seen
so much talent, creativity (and) energy put into anything. It was a knock-out.”
The Halloween Challenge is a United Way event
in which faculty members compete to win prizes
by dressing up and decorating their offices. They
were asked to pay $1 for dressing up and $2 for
not dressing up.
Betty Ann Chandler, a teacher in the International
Education Department at Niagara College, and cochair of the college campaign with Heather Carter of
SideShow
The King has returned!
the Business Development Centre (BDC), received
the award from Jill Cappa and Auchterlonie, at a dinner held at the Croatian Hall at 6 Broadway Ave. in
Welland on Dec. 3, 2003. Cappa was executive director for the UWSN at the time.
“It was very exciting,” says Carter, “a real honour.”
The award sits in Carter’s office at the Glendale
campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, for the time being.
Carter says the spirit at the college was “just
incredible.”
“It’s so rewarding. There was a lot of participation.
My assistant, Erica, was amazing about the event.
She went the extra mile.”
Erica Juris, of the BDC, encouraged faculty to
be not just scary, but creative and fun as well in
the event.
The results ended with departments such as the
Ventures at the Glendale campus decorating its
offices with a theme from That 70’s Show. The
International Education Department at Welland campus included the students in decorating their area
with a pumpkin theme with about 100 carved pumpkins and many eerily glowing candles.
Index
Editorials
Columns
Special Feature
Entertainment
Sports
Pg. 4
Pg. 5
Pg. 8 & 9
Pg. 14
Pg. 17
Pg. 20
The one and only King of Rock, Elvis Presley, alias Al Gilday
(left), a Public Relations (Post-graduate) program student,
invites one and all to Niagara College’s Charity Ball on March
20. Presley, along with Jenn Murphy, a student in the same
program, give the Niagara News a quick pose as they let people know of the event coming to the Americana Resort in
Niagara Falls. The theme for this year’s ball is none other than
a tribute to the King himself, with gambling, food, prizes and
one of Canada’s top Elvis impersonators. Tickets are available
at the Niagara College Student Administrative Council office at
the Welland campus and Glendale campus in Niagara-on-theLake. Ticket prices are $30 a person or $55 a couple.
Photo by Don Armstrong
Outdoor Ball Hockey
Two Great Locations to choose from!
Welland
300 Woodlawn Road (at Niagara College Campus)
905-734-1040
St. Catharines
assignment model of, ‘Write me a two-thousand word essay on the role of the British
Empire in the development of western civilization,’ they should probably stop and ask
themselves why they are doing that.”
Vice-President Academic Dr. Alan Davis
says he is “establishing a task force” that will
help students and include a representative
from the Student Administrative Council
(SAC). He agrees with what Sharpe has to
say about students and the use of the Internet
files for research.
Continued on page 2
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PORT COLBORNE
ONTARIO
February 19–22
Page 2, Niagara News, Feb. 6, 2004
College task force created to catch plagiarism
Continued from page 1
“There is a different kind of mindset with students
today about the availability and the use of sharing files
that people my age didn’t have. We couldn’t do it, so it
was never an issue,” says Davis.
‘Those of us who looked
at it decided it was not
a particularly useful
tool.’
work was plagiarized,” says Sharpe.
“Those of us who looked at it decided it was not a particularly useful tool.”
In an interview with The Globe and Mail last month,
Rosenfeld says, he found McGill’s actions to be “incredibly
offensive.”
Quinn says she agrees with Rosenfeld.
“I can understand his feeling because Turnitin.com is a
commercial venture.”
“It’s (the essay) going into a database and can be used by
this commercial company. That isn’t right. You have copywritten material,” says Quinn.
Sharpe says another efficient tool for instructors to use is
the Google website.
“The advice I got from my English teachers was, if you
have an essay and you suspect it has been plagiarized, do a
Google search,” says Sharpe, adding that new courses are
under development to assist students.
“That gives them (the task force) some time in late June
to have some special events planned, maybe get some guest
speakers in and have an opportunity to look at some on-line
systems,” says Davis.
‘We believe students
have an issue with this,
so we’re going to
approach SAC.’
An issue that has already been discussed at academic and
co-ordinator forums and will be discussed again by the
pending task force is the clarity of Niagara College’s practice on academic misconduct and its need to be clearer for
faculty and students.
Also to be discussed is the need to mount a campaign
not unlike the one that took place this past fall regarding
campus pride, the importance of academic integrity and
the steps high schools are taking to ensure good academic habits.
“I think the bottom line is that many times in high
school, due to large classes, no one checks for it (plagiarized essays) because it takes a couple of hours for each
essay,” says Quinn.
Davis says the bottom line is college students have to
know that the technology they are using to cheat can also be
used to catch them.
“If you’re going to use the web as a tool, remember that
we can use the web to check.”
— Barry Sharpe
“We believe students have an issue with this, so we’re
going to approach SAC.”
Another issue to be dealt with by the task force is the popular United States-based website Turnitin.com, a service
used in over 51 countries worldwide. It has been recently
spotlighted in the refusal of Jesse Rosenfeld, 19, a secondyear international development student at McGill
University in Montreal, Que., to hand over his work to the
website, which receives about 20,000 papers a day.
“It (Turnitin.com) is a very efficient way to determine
whether or not someone has plagiarized. And I’ve seen that
used, and it’s actually quite efficient,” says Davis, of a system that could cost the college between $2,000 and $3,000.
“I think you have to warn students that you have this service and will use that system,” says Davis.
Sharpe says he disagrees with the effectiveness of
Turnitin.com.
“I was part of a small group two years ago that looked
at Turnitin as a tool to determine whether or not written
— Dr. Alan Davis
“We’re now going to develop a new course in the General
Arts and Science program, with more of a research aspect, and
then follow it with a rules course from a writing aspect of producing academic essays,” says Sharpe.
Davis is expecting the task force to report to him by June
30 with ideas on the issues.
‘If you’re going to use
the web as a tool,
remember that we can
use the web to check.’
— Dr. Alan Davis
Niagara News, Feb, 6, 2004 Page 3
Faculty helps see students through graduation
Photo by Shannon Arnold
By SHANNON ARNOLD
Staff Writer
It is the goal of colleges and universities to see each student
through to graduation.
With factors such as escalating
education costs and a lack of
commitment to studies, retention
is a never-ending challenge with
constantly changing variables.
Niagara College’s Director of
Student Services Brigitte Chiki
says the key to student success is
making sure students are in the
right program, committed to their
program and aware of their
options upon graduation.
She cites the top reason students
leave as being financial, followed
closely by a sense that they do not
fit into their program. Retention
statistics show that students who
start late are more likely to withdraw because they have a hard
time integrating.
According to Chiki, the critical
timeline for retention is the first
six weeks of each term. Fifty per
cent of students who withdraw do
so within this time period.
Research indicates that student
success is closely linked to a caring and responsive faculty, sufficient financial aid and program
information sessions. It is the fac-
BRIGITTE CHIKI
ulty who has the greatest opportunity to impact students, providing
encouragement, constructive criticism and guidance down any number of career paths.
Chiki says that involvement in
sports or student government contributes to student success. The
additional 20- to 30-hour weekly
time commitment forces students
to become efficient and organized,
and, therefore, better students.
“Thirty per cent of athletes
make the honour roll, and those in
student government tend to have a
self-imposed higher academic
standard,” she says.
The approach taken by Niagara
College begins before the student
applies, with a close relationship
with local high school guidance
counsellors to paint an accurate picture of what the college has to offer.
Program information sessions
are held at the college in March
and April, to prevent students from
enrolling in the wrong program,
and the 6,000-page college website is designed to help students
make better decisions.
Chiki says the Start Right is a
voluntary program held at the start
of each semester, teaching study
skills, note taking and essay writing. It is attended by 500 students
annually.
Orientation also plays an integral role, laying out what is
expected of the students and what
they can expect to learn.
Three thousand students utilize
the counselling services available
on campus each year, many to further explore where to go if they are
changing programs, leaving the
school or seeking employment.
All students who withdraw are
required to meet with a counsellor
to answer basic questions regarding their reasons for leaving. In
turn, they receive information
about job resources and other educational opportunities that may
better fit them.
To ensure program relevance, an
advisory committee comprising
employers, industry experts, professors and graduate students
determine what courses should be
offered and the timing of each.
The
Student
Curriculum
Committee provides faculty with
immediate feedback from students.
While retention will always
present a challenge, Chiki is an
optimist.
She says, “I believe that if you
give students all of their options,
they will grab what they need.”
Niagara looking for student enrolment increases
By BEAU CALLAGHAN
Staff Writer
Niagara College is looking to
recruit “top students” to help stem
falling enrolment.
The college’s fall enrolment
applications are down seven per
cent, as indicated during the Jan.
22 board of governors meeting
held at the Glendale campus in
Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Applications were down in the
province by 14 per cent overall
with some very big metro colleges
down over 20 per cent,” says
Martha Casson, the college’s vicepresident, enterprise and student
services.
“Niagara College was down
seven per cent, which was relatively positive.”
The college has already reached
its 2006 enrolment goal of 5,600
students and now has a total enrol-
ment of 5,887 students.
“Two years in a row we have the
second highest applications and
enrolment, next to George Brown
(College, in Toronto).”
Casson says the college has
“done and is doing” many different
things to bring those numbers up.
“We are conducting almost double the visits to secondary schools
as we did last year, which will
mean that our staff will have visit-
ed over 440 schools by the end of
the recruitment season.”
Other efforts by recruiters
include bringing high school students on campus to tour the
advanced technology programs at
the college, and providing parents
with campus sessions such as the
one this past fall aimed at providing parents of potential students
with information on the college
application process and the cost of
education.
The college is also looking at
some alternative incentives outside of scholarships and bursaries,
such as priority in residence
acceptance for what Casson calls
“top students.”
Casson says one reason the
college has considered this is
“top students (students with high
academic marks) are easier to
manage.”
College tuition increase may be ahead
By BEAU CALLAGHAN
Staff Writer
The thaw after the freeze could mean a tuition
increase.
Students at Niagara College could be facing a future
tuition increase for some programs because of the
provincial government’s current cap on tuition fees.
“There has been a freeze regarding tuition,” says
Martha Casson, the college’s vice-president, enterprise and student services. She made the statement on
Feb. 2 in an e-mail interview.
“We are not sure whether or not that will apply to the
general college tuition fee or also to the fees that the
Ministry (of Training, Colleges and Universities) has
allowed colleges to increase for certain programs
depending on the demand for the program and the job
market.”
Casson says the Dental Hygiene program is one
example of a program that could be affected.
When the restrictions on fees are lifted, there may
be a difference in the cost of program fees, “meaning
modestly higher increases for programs that are really, really popular,” she says.
“If a program is a ‘best of its kind’ in Ontario, then
students who want to come to Niagara for that program may be willing to pay a little more than the normal fee if that money is plowed into the program to
make it even better.”
Donations needed for Iran earthquake relief
By CASANDRA
BELLEFEUILLE
Staff Writer
Over $16.1 million is needed to
assist the victims of the Dec. 26
earthquake that devastated Bam,
an Iranian town, the International
Federation of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent say.
The earthquake, which registered 6.3 on the Richter scale,
injured 30,000 people and displaced another 80,000. About 85
per cent of the town’s mud-brick
buildings
were
instantly
destroyed.
To date, the Niagara Branch of
the Canadian Red Cross in
Thorold has raised $4,090.
Donated funds to the Canadian
Red Cross’ Iran Earthquake Relief
Fund are distributed to the
International Federation of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent for
immediate relief.
Denise Stone, district branch
manager for the Canadian Red
Cross, says only money donations
are accepted.
“It is easier to transfer money
and it will get there faster. This
allows people in the field (in Iran),
to identify the most urgent needs,”
says Stone.
Darrell Neufeld, manager of corporate communications at Niagara
College, says there is a “real
opportunity” for people to help.
“The amount of devastation
caused by the earthquake is really
quite
unimaginable,”
says
Neufeld.
“The needs of people there,
obviously, are many and great —
food, clothing, medical supplies
and shelter.”
There is immediate need for
winter items such as blankets,
tents, kerosene stoves, hygiene
kits and kitchen sets.
Health services and clean
water assistance is already under
way. Field hospitals have been
set up by national societies for
people who need medical attention because the three hospitals
that were in Bam were destroyed
by the earthquake.
Donations by MasterCard or
Visa can be made by phone at 1800-481-1111.
Donations can also be mailed
to the Canadian Red Cross,
Niagara Branches, at 3280
Schmon Pkwy., Thorold, Ont.
L7R 3K7.
THtENJIAOGBARCAECNOTLRLEEGE
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“Careers and Jofobr Students”
Opportunities
Coming Soon!
Career Networking Events.
Career Fair 2004 — February 12
For Niagara and Brock Students and Alumni
Glendale Campus*, 10 -3
Careers in Hospitality — February 19
Glendale Campus*, 10 - 6
*Free bus shuttle from Welland Campus — schedule available in The Job Centre
Exhibitor lists at www.niagarac.on.ca/careerfair
Drop in to the Job Centre
Glendale Campus,
Welland Campus,
905-641-2252, ext. 4165
905-735-2211, ext. 7777
or email jobcentre@niagarac.on.ca
Great Rooms Near Campus
In fully renovated homes
Groups of up to 8
www.CastlesFor Students.com
905-32-4-RENT
Editorials
The Niagara News is a practical lab for the Journalism-Print program, covering the college community and other areas of interest.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the management of the Niagara News or the administration of
Niagara College, Room V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C 7L3
Phone (905) 735-2211 / 641-2252 / 374-7454 / FAX (905) 736-6003
Editor: Don Armstrong; Associate Editor: Brent Watson; Assistant Editor: Mike O’Drowsky;
Publisher: Leo Tiberi, dean, Information and Media Studies;
Managing Editor: Phyllis Barnatt, co-ordinator, Journalism-Print program;
Associate Managing Editor: Gary Erb, professor, Journalism-Print program;
Editorial Consultant: Nancy Geddie, professor, Journalism-Print program;
Advertising Manager: Linda Camus;
Technology Support: Kevin Romyn;
Photography Consultant: Andrew Klapatiuk, photography instructor;
Photography Editor: Shannon Arnold.
www.niagara-news.com
‘We made it this far. It’s time to go further.’
“My future is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, my future ...”
You may not know it, but that is a lyric from the Gorillaz song Clint
Eastwood and seems to accurately depict the feelings of the Journalism-Print
program students.
Our future really is coming on, and fast.
It’s only been a month and already our minds are plagued with the prospect of
being thrust into the real world of journalism, as we all go on placement in April.
For the past 18 months, we have been taught the ins and outs of journalism. We
have known since Day 1 this day was coming, and would come swiftly.
Some of us have heeded the warnings our teachers gave us about how our time
here would slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Some of us were always
mindful of it, but never gave it serious thought, until now.
There are the questions and wondering, “Am I ready? Do I know as much as I
think I do? Can I really do this?”
The questions and feelings seem to be on the minds of all of us these days.
Some of us are more secure than others as they may have already secured a
placement, and some have already join the workforce. We wish them all the best
of luck.
However, there are still those of us whose future prospects in the field are questionable. Not only are we plagued by the unanswered questions, but also we wonder, is this really what I want to do?
In the beginning, some of us came knowing full well we wanted to be journalists.
Others had other options in mind related to journalism, and some just thought journalism would be a “good idea.” Now, after our time here, we are faced with having
to make our decision.
While it doesn’t faze some, it’s exciting to others. I know we are ready. We have
been taught well. We are stronger than we realize and know more than we think.
The future may be coming on fast and furious, but we made it this far. It’s time
to go further.
DON ARMSTRONG
Miss Dan Snyder, leave Dany Heatley out of it
Last week’s return of the National Hockey League’s super star Dany Heatley was
the subject of conversations across North America, among hockey fans, and among
the general public.
Unfortunately, the conversation did not focus on the amazing rehabilitation the
young star went through. Rather, it was the argument about whether Heatley should
be criminally charged with the death of his friend and former teammate, Dan
Snyder.
The facts have been repeated many times. It is not because he is a famous hockey player that he is not being given the punishment some people think he deserves.
The two most important factors are that he did not have over the legal limit of
alcohol in his blood while driving the car and that the Snyder family has publicly
forgiven him.
There are additional things people don’t even mention anymore. Nobody talks
about how there may have been an animal that jumped in the way of the moving
vehicle or how another car may have been coming head-on in the lane in which
Heatley was driving. These situations would cause Heatley, as it would most people, to not respond properly, causing the collision.
Nobody will know for sure because Heatley can barely remember anything from
the incident at all.
That makes sense, considering he suffered a concussion.
In the accident, Heatley also suffered a broken jaw, a lung contusion, a bruised
kidney, and injuries to his right knee and left shoulder.
After the incident, hockey experts had written Heatley off for the entire season.
When he started skating lightly in December, they said he might play at the end of
February. When he took part in full practices, they said, “After the all-star break.”
Nobody thought he would show up in January, with over 30 games left in the regular season.
Maybe he heals well. Maybe he’s determined. Maybe he has something to prove.
Maybe he wanted to show everybody how sorry he was the only way he could, by
playing the game of hockey as well as he possibly can.
Time will tell if the latter is true, but that’s what hockey fans really want to see.
The Atlanta Thrashers won’t be the same without Dan Snyder in their lineup, but
they’d be even more different without his friend Dany Heatley.
BRENT WATSON
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Hearts, flowers, love. Is that all there is to Valentine’s Day?
See next week’s Niagara News for students’ views.
Niagara News, Feb. 6, 2004, Page 5
Columns
Give me shelter from winter cold
Many of us are starting to find the reality of this blistering cold weather to be just a little cumbersome.
It’s the frostbitten walks to and from school. It’s the
inconvenience of waking up 15 minutes early to heat up the
car’s interior. It’s fighting whiteout conditions in order to
get to work on time, arriving only to find that your usual
parking spot, today, resembles something along the lines of
Mount Everest. The regular snowplow guy is on holiday this
week, and the fill-in didn’t really give a damn about keeping your space clean and user-ready.
Ah, the inconsiderate nuisance we have come to know
and hate, Winter.
Rather than dealing with the inconvenience of winter,
we seek refuge and warmth in our respective homes.
We try our best to get through our daily routine as quickly as possible. Upon arriving home, we quickly curl up by
the fireplace, sip some hot chocolate and maybe read a book
or watch some television before heading up to the one place
where we can find some solace: our beds.
There’s nothing quite like a nice comforter, along with
some extra blankets and fluffy pillows, to take advantage of after a gruelling day of winter.
During these colder months, we can, almost daily, be found
whining and complaining about how miserable it is outside.
Photo illustration by Ian Shantz
By IAN SHANTZ
Staff Writer
Column
We need to stop and think for a minute
about how good most of us have it.
While we are busy divulging our struggles to
each other, the homeless are seeking shelter and
warmth on the streets.
While we are enjoying all of the amenities
granted to us through mortgages and landlords,
the homeless seek out a heat grate to keep from
freezing to death.
While we are eating nice homecooked
meals, the homeless are rummaging through
trash cans, looking for scraps of food that
someone might have thrown away.
The issue of homelessness is not a new one,
nor will it be solved any time soon. With over
$180 million of federal government money
being poured into the Toronto homeless issue
this year alone, it’s obvious that some people
are trying to fight this epidemic. That’s not the
point.
If only certain groups in society (such as the
United Way) are trying to solve this problem,
it will never be solved.
If we plan to fix the global problem of
homelessness anytime soon, we need a starting point. All of us need to recognize just how
good we have it. When we are all able to recognize this, it’s then that we can decide,
together as one universal union, how to fix the
problem.
Until then, I guess we’ll continue to complain
about the cold and buy nice pillows to sleep on.
Graduate-to-be stressed about future
By SARAH ALLINGHAM
Staff Writer
Column
It’s that time again. Time to graduate. It’s been five years
since I last graduated and I’m feeling pretty excited.
It’s another accomplishment to add to my resumé. It’s
another goal that I have achieved. What do I do now?
For my last month of classes, I will be involved in my
field placement, but I don’t know where to begin. I can go
to a company where I would like to be employed or I could
go to a company where I would be able to add what they
recommended to my experiences. I don’t know what to do,
so I asked some other people.
Susanne Piva, a soon-to-be graduate of the Recreation and
Leisure program at Niagara College’s Welland campus, says
her program provides placement at different places each term,
so she has already found the areas in which she wants to start
her career. She says that she is “excited” to start a new career,
although the 40-plus-year-old woman from Niagara Falls says
that she has a “fear of finding a job.”
I have a lot of areas where I want to work. I want to be a
photographer. I want to paginate. I want to write scripts for
radio and television. I want to write for a magazine. Where
do I begin?
I guess I shouldn’t stress about it so much. I should prob-
ably just go with the flow, right?
I guess I’ll apply to a few different avenues in the journalism field and see where it takes me.
Rossi Perry, 19, of Thorold, will be graduating from the
Computer Technician program.
“I just hope I pass my classes this year,” he says. That
made me think.
What if I don’t make it? Some of my friends have
dropped out of the program because of low marks. It’s a little scary.
I am quite confident that I will pass all my classes, but
you just never know what’s going to happen.
I guess the only thing to do, not trying to sound clichéd,
is just go with the flow. I will work hard, try my best and
whatever happens, happens.
Super Bowl finished, why isn’t Jackson?
By BEAU CALLAGHAN
Staff Writer
Column
With the Super Bowl now long gone, all that remains of a
stellar match between two of the National Football League’s
best teams is expensive commercials and performer Janet
Jackson’s bodacious boob.
During the Super Bowl half-time show, produced by Music
Television (MTV) and aired by CBS, viewers worldwide
caught a peak of Jackson’s breast as singer Justin Timberlake,
(probably acting on a fantasy he had with former girlfriend
singer Britney Spears,) ripped off a portion of Jackson’s shirt,
tying up the phones at CBS Television for hours.
Complaint after complaint by irate viewers was dealt with
by CBS personnel.
Seriously unhappy American (and I bet some Canadian)
viewers with nothing better to do but complain about a
breast dialed in.
Now the American Federal Communications
Commission’s officials ponder whether or not to fine the
stations for airing the “offensive” moment.
I wonder how many people called the White House when
it was proven that no weapons of mass destruction were
found in Iraq, contrary to initial belief.
You can threaten them with wars, guns and bombs, and
they won’t blink.
But flash the Americans some skin, and watch out!
If I were a terrorist I’d know what to do to infuriate the
keepers of America’s culture.
It wouldn’t involve suicide bombings, chemical warfare or flying an airplane into a building.
It would involve me shaking it down 1600
Pennsylvania Ave. naked as could be, sending nude pictures of myself to the president hoping that my naked
body forces him into retirement.
Listen up, America; if you’re going to complain about
a boob, you’re going to look like a boob.
Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be
balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the
feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated
lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College
administration or the management of the Niagara News. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.
Student’s
Awards
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below and drop it into the box at your SAC office or any office mail bin. You could win one of our prizes.
Best Tattoos
Best Sports Bar
Best Clothing Store Best Place For Jeans
Best Bar
❑ Honest Lawyer
❑ Red Hot Chili Pepper
❑ Great Canadian Bar
❑ The Kave
❑ Double Olive
❑ Arizonas
❑ Rumours
❑ All Stars Tap & Grill
❑ Benchwarmers
❑ Flats
❑ Moose & Goose
❑ Players
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Best Restaurant
❑ Don Coyotes
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❑ JJ Kapps
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Best Fast Food
❑ A&W
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❑ Wendys
Best Hairstylists
❑ Chrome
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❑ First Choice
❑ Hair Hunters
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Best Chicken Wings
Best Pizza
❑ Boston Pizza
❑ Gino’s Pizza
❑ HD Pizza
❑ Mossimo’s Pizza
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❑ Pizza Hut
❑ Pizza Pizza
Best Pool Hall
❑ Behind the Cue Ball
❑ Boomtown
❑ Brock Billiards
❑ Kam’s Billiards
❑ Madison’s
❑ Pendale Billiards
❑ Rack ‘N Roll
Best Subs
❑ Columbo’s Subs
❑ Ed’s Subs
❑ Mr. Submarine
❑ Quizno’s
❑ Rosalie’s Deli
❑ Subway
❑ Subs Plus
Best Grocery Store
❑ A&P
❑ Commisso’s
❑ Food Basics
❑ No Frills
❑ Pupos
❑ Sobeys
❑ Zehrs
Top Tanning Spot
❑ Arizona’s
❑ Bermuda Tan
❑ Electric Beach
❑ Fabutan
❑ Island Heat
❑ LA Tan
❑ Suntastic
Best Chinese Food
❑ Canton House
❑ Ho-Lee-Chow
❑ Kimono’s
❑ Kim Court
❑ Lung Yu
❑ Red Rice Buffet
Favourite Dollar
Store
❑ A Buck or Two
❑ Dollarama
❑ Dollar Mart
❑ Dollar Wizard
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BenchWarmers
Crabby Joes
Don Coyotes
Elbow Room
Honest Lawyer
Players
Schnitzel Tavern
Artistic Impressions
Heads Extreme
Renegade Tattoo
Sacred Flash
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American Eagle
Campus Crew
Old Navy
Smart Set
The Gap
Value Village
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Shoes
❑ Aldo
❑ Footlocker
❑ Niagara Shoe Factory
Outlet
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Nike Factory Outlet
Payless
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DynoMite
Garage
Jean Machine
Old Navy
Rikki’s
Thrifty’s
Warehouse One
Best Sports Store
❑ Arlies
❑ Buckners
❑ Footlocker
❑ Front Row sports
❑ Gatters
❑ Sport Check
❑ Sports Obsession
Transit
Wal-Mart
Best Electronics
❑ Base Electronis
❑ ESM
❑ Future Shop
❑ Gibby’s
❑ Thomas Electronics
❑ Wal-Mart
❑ XS Cargo
Best Book Supplies
❑ Campus Book Store
❑ Chapters
❑ Coles
❑ Office Depot
❑ Shoppers Drug Mart
❑ Staples
❑ Zellers
Best Music Store
❑ Downtown Fine Music
❑ Central Music
❑ HMV
❑ Star Records
❑ That’s Entertainment
❑ Weirdorama
❑ Your Music Now
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Leave the Pack Behind helps smokers quit
Gould, health nurse in L20 at the
college’s Welland campus, and
Christine Philbrick, health nurse in
W105 at the Glendale campus.
“Leave the Pack Behind is so
important for our students because
it gives them an on-campus support group,” says Gould.
She says it takes an average of
six attempts before someone is
completely successful at quitting.
“Not to discourage anyone,
there are some people who can
quit on the first try.”
Bobbi Petherick, campus coordinator for Leave the Pack
Behind, says, “I think you’ll see a
Photo by Casandra Bellefeuille
By CASANDRA
BELLEFEUILLE
Staff Writer
With cigarette prices rising and
the Ontario government pushing
for a smoke-free province, Leave
the Pack Behind may see an
increase in the number of people
trying to quit smoking.
Leave the Pack Behind is an
organization run at Niagara
College’s Welland campus and
Glendale campus in Niagara-onthe-Lake, and Brock University in
St. Catharines.
Information about the program
can be received through Carolyn
CAROLYN GOULD
decrease in smokers. More people
are becoming conscious with their
health.”
Petherick, a second-year student
in the Business Administration –
Marketing Co-op program, says
display booths can often be found
set up around the college.
“I definitely agree with the government pushing for a smoke-free
province. I hear complaints of
non-smokers having to walk
through entrances filled with
smoke.”
According to Health Canada’s
website,
http://www.hcs c . g c . c a / h e c s -
sesc/tobacco/facts/risk.html, the
average smoker will die about
eight years earlier than a similar
non-smoker. The life expectancy
improves after a smoker quits.
Only 18 per cent of youth
believe the proven statistic that
about 45,000 Canadians die each
year as a result of tobacco use.
For more information on smoking or on quitting smoking, contact
the Welland campus Health Centre
at extension 7635, the Glendale
campus Health Centre at extension
4449, or visit the organization’s
website at http://www.leavethepackbehind.org.
211 new number for help in Niagara region
By SARAH WEGELIN
Staff Writer
Calling 211!
A notice from the 211
Implementation Task Group members asks that all Information
Ontario members and Ontario
United Ways contact their local
MPP to get 211 put on the next
provincial budget’s agenda.
The telephone number 211 provides free, confidential, multilingual access to the full range of
community, social, health and
government services.
Calls to 211 are answered by
assistance from food banks, clothing closets, shelters, health insurance programs, Medicaid (in the
U.S.) and maternity help, drug and
alcohol rehabilitation, financial
assistance, job training, transportation assistance, adult day care,
Meals on Wheels, home health
care, child care, after-school programs, head start family resource
centres, summer camps and recreation programs.
The service has been available
to people who live in Toronto in
the 416 and 674 area codes since
2002. InformOntario, United
trained 211 counsellors who assess
each caller’s needs and link them
to the best available information
and services 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
This 211 service began in the
United States in 1997 in Atlanta,
Ga. It expanded throughout the
States and, a nationwide status
report states, serves 70 million
Americans, 25 per cent of the population. There are 86 active 211
systems in 24 states.
By providing information about
and referrals to the human service
agencies, 211 helps people obtain
College graduate takes education on road
develop tourism to ensure success
after the unification.
“Right now, I am very excited to
be working on a project from
Niagara College that will allow me
to use my skills practically,” says
Harley.
She says it’s disconcerting to see
graduates leave college and have
to work their way up from the bottom. “Through this experience, I
am hoping to improve and prove
my capabilities.”
Bogues will be working with
third-year students at Kaunus
Photo by Lindsay Allbright
By LINDSAY ALLBRIGHT
Staff Writer
A Niagara College graduate is
taking her education to a new
level, not to mention a new
country.
Camille Chaumont, of St.
Catharines, is a graduate of the
Business Administration —
Marketing program, and a graduate of the Tourism Development
(Post-graduate) program, both at
the Glendale campus in Niagaraon-the-Lake.
Working in the International
Education department as an international
project
assistant,
Chaumont says her job is merely
“a stepping stone.”
Chaumont returned to the college after being the first student
here to go to Lithuania on a sixmonth internship. She is now the
co-ordinator for the Lithuania project scheduled for early February.
Chaumont has hired two students from the college to accompany her overseas. Melissa Harley,
of St. Catharines, a graduate of the
Hotel and Restaurant Management
program, and Erin Bogues, of
Fenwick, Ont., a graduate of the
Special Event Management (Postgraduate) program, are in the
Tourism Development (Post-graduate) program.
Bogues says the women are
leaving for Lithuania with the
“goal of helping to bridge the gap
between education and industry.
We will be spending three weeks
with the students, giving them
real-life examples and preparing
case study projects.”
The three will travel to
Lithuania for three weeks where
they are each assigned a task.
Harley will work with the Hotel
Takijos Neris, which has plans to
improve tourism numbers in time
for the country to join the
European Union. Its goal is to
CAMILLE CHAUMONT
College in the city of Kaunus,
Lithuania, to develop a brand for
Kaunus to sell itself as a tourism
destination.
“This is a very exciting time in
my life right now, and I am so
grateful to the International
Department at the college and the
Tourism Development (Post-graduate) program for allowing me to
take part in this project,” says
Bogues.
She adds she hopes to increase
awareness of the Kaunas College
tourism programs in the community and add value to Niagara
College’s tourism programs by
returning with a project that can be
used as a case study.
Chaumont says her job is to
oversee the women and their projects and help them adjust to their
new and different surroundings.
“I’m here to help reduce the culture shock.”
“Erin and I are very eager to
be immersed in a different culture and share our knowledge
with the students of Kaunas
College in Lithuania,” says
Harley. “We will be working
together with them on a project
within the tourism industry.
“Most importantly, we are very
happy that the International
Department at Niagara College
has given us this great opportunity
that will give us more experience
and learning than we had ever
hoped to achieve from our
Tourism Development program.”
“The college is very pleased and
proud to be able to work with its
funding partners to provide these
kinds of extraordinary internship
opportunities for our students and
graduates,” said Darrell Neufeld,
the college’s manager of corporate
communications.
Neufeld says the internships
provide students with great learning and work experiences and a
chance for highly rewarding crosscultural exchanges.
The internship is funded
through the Partnership for
Tomorrow Program that runs
through the Association of
Universities and Colleges of
Canada.
When she returns from
Lithuania, Chaumont says she
hopes to find a job that requires
more hands-on work rather than
administrative work.
She says her job here is “ great
as a first real job experience.”
“This is preparing me for the
next job I take on.”
Way of Ontario, Community
Information Toronto and United
Way of Greater Toronto completed a comprehensive, yearlong research project examining
how to deliver 211 to all Ontario
residents.
The plan will result in the establishment of eight Regional
Information Centres to answer
Ontario calls.
A single provincewide database
and integrated telephone system
would ensure consistent data management, efficient system-wide
staffing, and seamless client service, regardless of the caller’s
location, allowing, for example,
someone in Windsor to find out
about services for an aging parent
in Thunder Bay.
In Toronto, the 211 service,
operated
by
Community
Information
Ontario,
has
answered more than 500,000
calls, records show. In a followup survey, 95 per cent of respondents said that they received the
help they needed. The Internet
site at http://www.211Toronto.ca
has more than 50,000 user visits
every month.
Toronto officials had no provincial financial assistance when it
introduced the 211 service.
The United Way of Greater
Toronto
and
Community
Information Toronto were able to
secure contributions from large
foundations, private donors and
corporate sponsors.
Because similar donor opportunities are extremely rare in other
Ontario communities, Information
Ontario is looking for provincial
government involvement.
See our next edition
Friday, Feb. 13.
Want to Know The Real Truth?
THINK LIGHT CIGARETTES
ARE HEALTHIER FOR YOU?
Regular
Light
32.9 mg
32.1 mg
2.7 mg
2.5 mg
Other
Ingredients
Ant poison, insecticide, nail polish remover, carbon monoxide...
and the list goes on
Exactly the same
Risk of
Lung Cancer
High
Just As High
Tar
(Stuff that kills you)
Nicotine
(Stuff that addicts you)
3 - 71 X greater than non-smoker
THINK AGAIN
LEAVE THE PACK BEHIND
Glendale Campus
Nurse - Christine Philbrick
Health Services W105
905-641-2252 ext 4449
Welland Campus
Nurse - Carolyn Gould
Health Services Lundy 20
905-735-2211 ext. 7635
Groups of up to 8
905-32-4-RENT
Special Feature
Marijuana, a strange and terrible saga
By RYAN FARKAS
and MIKE O’DROWSKY
Staff Writers
Many controversial issues have
been debated for millennia. Civil
rights, capital punishment and a
woman’s right to bear a fetus or abort
it are some examples. Just like these,
there is one that cannot seem to be
resolved: the medicinal, recreational
and industrial use of marijuana.
The issue covers many aspects.
The purely scientific analysis of the
active ingredients that are the drug’s
allure, the medical impact on the
human body and its chemistry, its
historical roots as an elixir of war
and a tool of propaganda, the political debate whether to criminalize use
and possession or bow to a growing
public demand to legalize it. The
issue reaches into all political, judicial and governmental levels. It is a
complex and evolving target.
CHARACTERISTICS
Cannabis is the generic term for all
derivatives of the cannabis plant
including marijuana, hashish and
hash oil. The psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant is Delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly
known as THC.
Marijuana’s most sought after
THC-produced effects include a
serene feeling of euphoria, relaxation, enhanced sensory perception
(especially aural) and a general sense
of well being.
After reaching the full “high,” the
user will have an increased appetite
(a.k.a. the munchies), become highly
talkative and encounter psychomotor
impairment and time distortion (30
minutes may feel like three hours).
Medical studies have shown that
heavy pot use over an extended period of time increases the risk of lung
cancer and chronic bronchitis while
decreasing interest and motivation in
ongoing activities such as school or
work.
According to Arthur Gibson, professor of the University of California
at Los Angeles Organismic Biology,
Ecology and Evolution division,
being a hallucinogen, THC’s potential therapeutic purposes include
managing chronic pain, relieving
nausea and vomiting stemming from
chemotherapy, stimulating appetite
to relieve the AIDS wasting syndrome, alleviating glaucoma, calming epileptic muscle spasms and
decreasing spasticity arising from
multiple sclerosis.
Marijuana and hemp have been
used recreationally and industrially
for close to 10,000 years. Hemp is a
strain of the cannabis plant with a
significantly lower THC content
than marijuana.
Hemp is the world’s strongest natural fibre. It is an extremely versatile
resource that can be used in a wide
variety of practical applications.
Hemp can be used as an alternative
to most cotton, timber and petroleum
products. It can also be used to make
building materials, personal hygiene
products and food for humans and
animals.
HISTORY’S VIEW
The Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung
wrote the earliest known documentation of marijuana use in 2737 BC. It
was listed in a pharmacopoeia as a
prescription to cure the symptoms of
such ailments as beriberi, constipation, “female weakness,” gout,
malaria, rheumatism and absentmindedness.
The use of marijuana as an intoxicant was first documented in India
around 1000 BC. It was ingested
either in the form of a drink called
bhang or smoked in the form of
Marijuana slang
By RYAN FARKAS
Staff Writers
Like any culture, the marijuana culture is complete with its own language and terms. The Office of National Drug Control Policy in the
United States has compiled a list of terms outlining slang terms for marijuana, marijuana use and related paraphernalia.
General slang terms:
3750 - marijuana and crack
rolled into a joint.
420 - marijuana use.
Airhead - a marijuana user.
Black Gold - high quality marijuana.
Blaxing - to smoke marijuana.
Black ganga - marijuana resin.
Bogart a joint - salivate on a
marijuana cigarette; refuse to
share.
Clicker - Crack mixed with PCP;
marijuana dipped in formaldehyde and smoked.
Jim Jones - marijuana laced with
cocaine and PCP.
Macaroni and Cheese - $5 of
marijuana and a dime bag of
cocaine.
Mow the Grass - smoke marijuana.
Tray - $3 bag of marijuana.
Up Against the Stem - addicted
to smoking marijuana.
Slang marijuana names:
Babysitter, bo-bo, canappa, cheeba,
ditch, endo, firewood, gangster,
griffo, hooch, Juan Valdez, jive,
killer green bud (KGB), loco, mary
jane, meg, mo, northern lights, pretendica, reefer, Righteous Bush,
rose marie, schwagg, sinsemilla,
texas tea, woo blunts.
Slang joint names:
Ace, Aunt Mary, blanket, bomber,
burnie, cripple, doobie, happy cigarette, illy, jive stick, log, mighty
mezz, panatella, rocket, spliff.
All obtained from Office of
National Drug Control Policy:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/streetterms/ByType.asp?i
ntTypeID=1.
hashish, a block of pressed resin cultivated from the leaves of the plant. It
was typically used at weddings and
religious ceremonies as a means of
intoxication.
One myth often cited as one of the
reasons behind marijuana’s negative
reputation is the “Myth of the
Assassins.” Marco Polo, returning
from his voyage to the Far East, told
the tale of a Muslim leader named
Hasan-I-Sabbah who would give his
followers doses of hashish before
they would carry out murders. The
word “assassin” is said to be a derivative of the word “hashish.”
Since Mohammed had forbidden
alcohol consumption in 800 AD,
Muslims often ingested marijuana as
a means of relaxation. In 1000 AD,
Muslims began to produce hashish
for its medicinal properties.
When the cannabis plant was
introduced to North America is a
matter of conjecture. Some historians say it was brought over by
Spanish traders or British suppliers
in the 1600s. Another common belief
has it coming by way of trade routes
from Asia.
Marijuana first gained US criminal notoriety in the 1920s and 1930s.
It quickly became associated with
the blossoming African-American
jazz scene and Mexican workers
who smoked it after grueling days of
work, mainly picking crops in fields.
In 1930, the U.S. government founded the Federal Bureau of Narcotics
(FBN), headed by Commissioner
Harry Anslinger. The FBN’s first
order of business was to launch an
anti-marijuana campaign, enrolling
the services of Hollywood and several tabloid newspapers as well as a
legitimate, nationwide newspaper
chain owned by William Randolph
Hearst.
A news bulletin issued by the FBN
in the mid-30s and published in
Hearst’s newspapers states that a
user of marijuana “becomes a fiend
with savage or ‘cave man’ tendencies. His sex desires are aroused and
some of the most horrible crimes
result. He hears light and sees sound.
To get away from it, he suddenly
becomes violent and may kill.”
The Marihuana Tax Act was instituted in 1937. During this year,
Anslinger lobbied frantically to various levels of the U.S. government to
have the act passed. During a hearing
with the Senate, Anslinger said,
“There are 100,000 total marijuana
smokers in the U.S., and most are
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and
entertainers. Their Satanic music,
jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes
white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and
any others.” Anslinger further went
on to say, “Marijuana is an addictive
drug which produces in its users
insanity, criminality, and death,” and,
“Marijuana is the most violencecausing drug in the history of
mankind.”
USE AND CONTROL
Even with marijuana prohibition
being front-lined by the United
States, use has grown exponentially.
A study released by the United
An unidentified marijuana grower displays two garbage bags full
of pot.
Photo by Mike O’Drowsky
Nations (UN) in 1998 estimated the Canadian governments participated
total number of people in the world in its preparation,” according to the
who had smoked marijuana within U.S. Department of Justice National
the last year was close to 141.2 mil- Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC).
A U.S. Customs report stated that
lion people, or 2.45 per cent of the
world’s population. The next closest in 1999, there were 1,228 seizures of
ranking drugs used were ampheta- marijuana from people coming into
mines, being four times less preva- the U.S., a total 0.35 metric tons of
lent than marijuana. The only drugs marijuana. In 2000, that number
on the list with a higher user rate than jumped to 1,758 seizures, bringing in
3.25 metric tons of marijuana.
marijuana were sedatives.
The study, released in December
According to the report, between
1990 and 1996, global seizures of 2001, says, “Criminal groups based
marijuana had topped 17,734 tons, in Canada have emerged as suppliers
with police seizures of hashish top- of high-grade marijuana to the
ping 5,891 tons. Sixty-nine per cent United States.”
Outlaw motorcycle gangs like the
of the seizures occurred in the
Americas. The study concluded that Hell’s Angels have held a monopoly
marijuana’s prevalence over such on the illegal trafficking of marijuadrugs as cocaine and heroin is due to na to our neighbours to the south. In
marijuana’s ability to grow in vary- recent years, Vietnamese and other
Asian criminal groups have
ing climates and conditions.
The most trying component of the emerged, mostly in Western Canada,
marijuana trade is enforcement. As to rival that monopoly. Many “smallof 2002, the RCMP has over 1,000 time, low-tech” suppliers have conpeople dedicated to drug law solidated their efforts to gain a piece
enforcement countrywide. With over of the U.S. market.
As stated by the Drug
600,000 dedicated pot smokers in
Canada, police catch less than one Enforcement Agency (DEA), a
per cent and more than half of those pound of marijuana emanating from
British Columbia, highly regarded
get off with a warning.
All marijuana seized by enforce- for its potency, sells for between
ment agencies cannot be used for $1,500 to $2,000 Cdn. in downtown
research purposes due to possible Vancouver. The same marijuana
health risks. The source of the drug, smuggled into the United States,
and possible contaminants, are miti- however, can sell for upwards of
$5,000 of $8,000 US in major metgating factors in this decision.
According to the United States- ropolitan areas.
Counting Canada, there are four
Canada Border Drug Threat
Assessment (USCBDTA), Canada is major suppliers of marijuana to the
becoming an increasingly larger sup- U.S. The other three are Jamaica,
plier of marijuana to the United Mexico and Colombia. Mexican and
Colombian growers produce an estiStates.
“The USCBDTA is a joint assess- mated 10,000 metric tons of marijuament of the common threat posed by na per year. With an estimated 7,500
the cross-border drug trade. metric tons of that yield going to the
Numerous agencies and departments U.S., Canada supplies significantly
of both the United States and
Continued on page 9
Special Feature
Canadian pot in high demand down South
Continued from page 8
less marijuana than others but
remains in high demand because of
its consistently high potency.
The Canada Border Services
Agency (CBSA) has several tools at
its disposal for dealing with drug
trafficking. “The detector dogs are
used for vehicles, individuals and
commercial vehicles,” said Jean
D’Amelio Swyer, communications
manager for Canada Customs and
Revenue Canada. “The detector
dogs will sniff out where the drugs
are, and if he finds them, he will sit.
If there were 10 people and one person had drugs on them, he would sit
beside that person indicating that that
person has drugs.”
The CBSA started its Detector
Dog Service in 1978 and primarily
uses Labrador retrievers.
Other tools used by the CBSA
include the Vehicle and Cargo
Inspection System (VACIS). VACIS
was acquired by Customs, Niagara
Falls — Fort Erie Division in 2003
and is a “truck-mounted, gamma ray
mobile scanning system,” used on
marine containers, rail cars and
trucks. VACIS eliminates the need to
conduct manual searches by providing a scanned image of the contents
of a container. The scan reveals
shades representing specified contents
in
the
containers.
Inconsistencies in the shades represent anomalies, like drugs or
weapons. Other tools used by
Customs include X-ray machines
and ion scanners.
These weapons against cross-border traffic have proven to be effective. Of the 7,614,842 passenger and
commercial vehicles to cross the border in 2003, the Niagara Falls —
Fort Erie Division Customs officials
made 2,032 seizures. Six hundred
and fifty-two of those seizures were
for drugs. The combined value of all
drug seizures at the Niagara Falls —
Fort Erie Division border in 2003
was an impressive $7,011,001.
ly manipulated to maximize yields.
Most grow houses are found in residential areas to deflect suspicions of
government officials.
A grow house is a costly operation
to maintain and is fraught with inherent dangers. To grow marijuana
indoors, a high-powered lighting
system is required, along with proper water and air circulation. Large
amounts of electricity are needed to
keep a grow house in operation. This
electricity is usually illegally diverted from other homes in the community to keep the hydro companies
from noticing abnormal amounts of
hydro going to one building.
However, a surplus of electricity
combined with a steady flow of
water can lead to electrocution and
electrical fires. The overuse of electricity can also result in power surges
and blown transformers.
Another danger, usually more
common in outdoor grow operations, is the use of booby-traps.
Growers will often rig trip wires to
guns or other explosive devices to
deter other people from “raiding
their crop.”
In 2002, the Niagara Regional
Police Service’s Morality Unit and
Street Crime Unit successfully
uncovered and dismantled 50
indoor-marijuana grow operations.
The Niagara region especially is a
hotbed of marijuana-related activity
because of its close proximity to the
U.S. border.
On Jan. 13, 2004, the largest
grow operation in Canadian history was discovered in Barrie,
Ont., in an old Molson brewery.
There were an estimated 30,000
plants yielding upwards of $100
million worth of yearly contraband. The growing facility was
close to 6,000 square metres, or
about half the brewery’s size.
Twenty-five beer vats were converted into incubation chambers
where temperature and humidity
could be controlled with precise
accuracy.
GROW HOUSES
Much of the marijuana going to
the U.S. comes from illegal grow
houses maintained in Canada.
Marijuana grown indoors is of a
higher grade because the conditions
under which it is grown can be easi-
CHANGING LEGISLATION
With increasing costs in law
enforcement, cumbersome judicial
challenges and a changing public
perception of costs versus benefits,
Canadian federal politicians are
responding.
Pot smoker’s survey
By RYAN FARKAS
A random, non-scientific survey of 25 Niagara College students at the Welland campus who
smoke marijuana was recently
conducted.
The survey’s purpose was to
determine the percentage of male
versus female users, average age,
length of use and frequency of use.
Sixty-eight per cent of people
who responded to the survey
were male.
The average age of the people
surveyed was 19 years old. The
average length of time of marijuana use was seven years, with
60 per cent of users smoking the
intoxicant on a daily basis.
The survey also asked the
amount of money spent on purchasing marijuana and related
paraphernalia. The average
total spent on buying marijuana
by the participants of the survey is $100.80 per month. The
highest total spent on marijuana/paraphernalia per month was
$400, while the lowest was
total zero.
The survey also asked participants to supply a reason for their
smoking marijuana. Some of the
responses given included “It’s
fun,” “To get high,” “It helps me
relax” and “Why wouldn’t I
smoke weed?”
Recently introduced was legislation decriminalizing recreational
marijuana use. The Canadian
Cannabis Reform Bill seeks to create alternative penalties against possession of small amounts of pot and
new, tougher penalties against large
marijuana grow operations.
Possession of 15 grams or less
would result in a $150 ticket for an
adult and $100 for a youth. Fifteen to
30 grams brings either a $150 ticket
or a summons to court. As a further
deterrent, greater penalties, $400 for
an adult and $250 for a youth, are
issued if mitigating factors are present including possession while driving an automobile, while on school
grounds or while committing a more
serious offense. The police would
notify the parents of youths under the
age of 18 who are arrested and
charged with a marijuana-related
offence.
Grow operations are being targeted with intensified scrutiny;
the penalty for being caught
growing more than 50 plants
would double from seven to 14
years of prison. Twenty-five to
50 plants could result in 10 years
of jail time, four to 25 plants
brings a possible $25,000 fine
and/or 18 months in jail and one
to three plants would yield a
$5,000 fine and/or three months
in jail. Increased punishment
would be doled out if there were
a risk of danger to children, use
of traps or explosives, use of
land belonging to others or creating a safety hazard in a residential area.
On Dec. 20, 2002, the House of
Commons Special Committee on the
Non-Medical Use of Drugs issued a
report that helped to further the
Cannabis Reform Bill. The committee said that while marijuana use is
“unhealthy,” the current criminal
penalties for possession and use of
small amounts are “disproportionately harsh.”
Health Canada has been very
clear in stating, “The Government of
Canada believes that in the interest of
health, cannabis use must remain
illegal.” However, two reports, one
government funded and one independent, have shown that cannabis
use is much less toxic than previous
studies have shown.
The Senate Committee on Illegal
Drugs released its controversial
report in early September 2002 recommending that the federal government make smoking pot legal and
wipe clean the record of anyone convicted of possession.
Senator Pierre Claude Nolin said,
“Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and
should be treated not as a criminal
issue but as a social and public health
issue.”
In the same report, it was stated
that marijuana was found not to be a
gateway to harder drugs such as
cocaine and heroin. Less than 10 per
cent of users become addicted to
marijuana and a lot of public money
is spent on law enforcement even
though public policies don’t seem to
discourage the use of the drug.
Bolstering support for changing
legislation is a Fraser Institute analysis of public views.
A bong named Tony Bongtana.
Photo by Ryan Farkas
PUBLIC OPINION
VERSUS WORLD OPINION
The institute, one of Canada’s
most enduring think tanks, has found
that Canadians’ views on marijuana
have shifted towards decriminalization in the last 15 years.
In 1987, during U.S. President
Ronald Reagan’s stay in the White
House, Canadians agreed with
Reagan’s tough stance on drugs with
61 per cent of the public against
decriminalized marijuana.
Throughout the 1990s society
became more individualistic and
opinionated with the advancements
in personal computers and Internet
use. This ushered in the information
age allowing for an infinite number
of forums worldwide. Society began
to show sensitivity to the decriminalization argument and by 1997 the
number opposed had shriveled to 46
per cent. Seventy-one per cent of
those initially opposed to decriminalization said it should not be a criminal offence if marijuana were used
for health purposes. Canada became
the first country to regulate medicinal marijuana five years later.
Carolyn Gould, a registered nurse
at Niagara College says, “I agree
with restrictions for the use of pot for
wanton use, but for medicinal purposes, I think it’s a crying shame.”
The institute also found that those
under the age of 55 are much more
liberal towards decriminalization
than those over 55. A theory to
explain this gap is the baby boomer
generation’s upbringing in 1960s
culture where marijuana wasn’t simply part of the hippie culture; it was
the hippie culture.
The report closes with a hopeful
tone: “As attitudes grow more liberal, there’s a clear need and opportunity to focus the debates and educate
the public, moving away from the
hysteria of reefer madness and
towards some discussion of the proper measures to apply to the drug
issue in Canada.”
If there’s one place where a government succeeds, there’s another
where it almost inevitably fails. In a
recent Health Canada study, only 22
per cent of teenagers between the
ages of 15 to 19 say they smoke cigarettes on a regular basis while 54
per cent have smoked marijuana at
least twice.
Recent price hikes and tougher
identification checks in stores have
turned teens off cigarettes at the
same time that obtaining marijuana
in high school has become the most
accessible it’s been in 10 years.
The UN General Assembly
called for its 20th special session to
be held in June 1998.
The topic at hand was the “World
Drug Problem.” According to UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan’s
foreword in the World Drug Report,
the problem “demands a determined
and international response.” Annan
further stated that the “basis for such
action lies in the three international
drug control treaties and their implementation by the United Nations
International
Drug
Control
Programme.”
The three international drug control treaties Annan was referring to
are The Single Convention of
Narcotic Drugs of 1961, The
Convention
on
Psychotropic
Substances of 1971 and The
Convention Against the Illicit Traffic
in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances of 1988.
These treaties require member
countries to prohibit certain activities
including the production, trafficking,
importing and exporting of drugs.
Countries must provide adequate
penalties including imprisonment for
serious drug offences, but are free to
determine appropriate penalties for
minor offences.
Currently, the American “war on
drugs” policy, according to the
NDIC states: “The objectives of the
U.S. drug control strategy are to
reduce U.S. demand for illegal drugs
and to reduce the supply of illegal
drugs to the United States. The five
primary goals developed to aid in
achieving these objectives are to (1)
educate and enable America’s youth
to reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco; (2) increase the
safety of America’s citizens by substantially reducing drug-related
crime and violence; (3) reduce health
and social costs to the public of illegal drug use; (4) shield America’s air,
land, and sea frontiers from the drug
threat; and (5) break foreign and
domestic drug sources of supply.”
“The ingestion of chemicals to
alter consciousness has been part of
every culture and epoch in human
history, and this is likely to become
more so as technologic change races
ahead. Thus, the idea of a drug-free
society is just as ridiculous as the
idea of a crime-free society, or a society free of broken marriages. The
very best one can do is mitigate the
ill effects of drugs, crime, or broken
marriages for all concerned.”
— Peter Cohen, PhD, head of the
Center for Drug Research at the
University of Amsterdam, addressing the United Nations in Geneva,
1993.
Pagination by Charlotte Brett
All photos by Don Armstrong
Emily Sankey, 20, Art and Design Fundamentals – Graphic
Design Production program student, Rev Gollop, 24,
Fitness and Health Promotion program student, and Vicky
Sullivan, 21, Police Foundations program student, bust a
move at the After Hours Beach Pub on Thursday, Jan. 29..
Beach Pub
@
After
Hours
Allan Suigu, 19, and Brie
Mitchell, 19, Paramedic
program student, enjoy a
dip in one of the two hot
tubs at the After Hours
Beach Pub.
Greg Vallentin, 21, a
Journalism-Print program
student, and Jay Rumley,
23, a Journalism-Print
program student, are kicking
back and enjoying a brew.
Chris Mills, 25,
Mechanical
Engineering
Technology program
student, and Damian
Robertson, 25, keep the peace
and watch the door at After Hours
Beach Pub.
Turning placements into jobs: ‘you just have
to be in the right place at the right time.’
“In a
way, the
paper was
part of my
life.”
— John Robbins
daily newspaper.
“They indicated that should a
permanent opening come up they
wanted to keep me,” Robbins said.
“However, at that time it didn’t
look very good.”
By the end of the summer, three
reporters left the paper for positions elsewhere.
Robbins attributes being hired
full-time partly to luck.
“You have to be at the right spot
at the right time,” he said, “but
you’re the one responsible to
improve on the luck.”
“The college prepared me very
well,” he said. “I came with the
basics plus a few accessories. That
and showing some initiative is
why they hired me.”
Now 36 years old, Robbins took
the long and winding road to
becoming a photojournalist.
Robbins, at 21, married his wife
Susan, who was attending Niagara
College’s
Early
Childhood
Education program. Robbins was
attending university taking philosophy and classics. When the economy took a slump in 1991, unable
to afford to pay for two tuitions
and with Susan closer to graduation, Robbins left university and
went to work for his in-laws on
their dairy farm in Ridgeway.
After graduation, when Susan
got a job in Fort Erie, they decided
to make the border town their
home.
When the in-laws sold the farm,
Robbins was out of work, and the
first job he could find was in construction.
Still trying to decide what he
wanted to do, Robbins developed
an interest in local politics, which
put him in contact with newspapers where he met Gail Todd, the
editor of The Fort Erie TimesReview, now called The Times.
Todd encouraged Robbins to
write. In 1994, Robbins started
writing columns and branched into
writing freelance pieces for the
weekly community newspaper.
Having expanded into reporting,
Robbins was assigned to cover the
100,000-person rally held in
Montreal, in 1995, just before the
referendum vote. It was then he
knew reporting was what he wanted to do.
It took Robbins another three
years before he entered Niagara
College in 1998.
Previous work experiences give
him insight into a story that another reporter may not have, but each
reporter offers a point of view that
can be beneficial to the readers,
Robbins said.
“So much of what we do as
reporters comes from instinct, and
that instinct comes from experiences that we have as individuals,”
he said. “Your experiences and
place in the world give you a
unique perspective. You can look
for stories in areas where therearen't already other reporters looking." There is always something to
learn and there’s always a challenge in this profession.
Through the challenges of
reporting, journalists are exposed
to very distressing circumstances,
File photo
By SUSAN LAMEY
Staff Writer
A field placement required by
Niagara College can turn into a
full-time job.
John Robbins, a 2000 graduate
of Niagara College’s JournalismPrint program, turned a four-week
field placement with The Niagara
Falls Review into a full-time job.
Immediately following his field
placement in April 2000, Robbins
was hired for the summer by the
JOHN ROBBINS
but there are rewarding ones too,
he said.
“Whether the circumstances are
happy or distressful, having confidence is the way to deal with emotionally stressful situations. You
have to know you and you have
the right to report the things you
are writing about.”
However, confidence wanes
when the story you have sweated
over is criticized, he says.
“The key to dealing with criticism is keeping your ego in
check,” Robbins said.
“You can change a lot of things
through the media, and you can
also screw a lot of things up.”
People are not criticizing your
writing skills, he says; they are
criticizing that you wrote something. “It’s not personal,” Robbins
Free, confidential health
advice from people
who are actually qualified
to give it.
said.
Sometimes when you are wrong
you have to be willing to admit
that, he said. “It’s not Clark Kent
and Peter Parker all the time.”
Robbins advises that part of
finding a balance in reporting is to
do self-criticism by looking back
over a story and finding weaknesses.
Keep things in perspective,
because if it is a big story today, it
might not be tomorrow.
While in college, he and his
classmates spent hours debating
what they would do if they were
first on an accident scene, Robbins
said.
It was theoretical then. “You are
going to sort out ethics real darn
quick when your tires hit this
road.” He cites an example.
Responding to a fire call over
the office scanner about a multiple-car accident on the QEW with
six or seven casualties, Robbins
grabbed his camera bag and was
off to the scene of the accident.
Not knowing the exact location,
Robbins headed to where he
thought the accident was, passing
a fire rescue truck getting ready to
attend the accident.
Seeing the rescue truck
approach his car, Robbins pulled
over to let the vehicle go by. He
thought it was a perfect situation.
The rescue truck would lead him
right to the scene.
Taking a different turn, Robbins
saw the rescue truck go through
the intersection about 100 feet in
front of him and collide side-on
with a Greyhound bus with 70 passengers on board. The rescue
truck’s impact lifted the bus into
the air before it finally came to a
halt on its side.
Unlike the ethical debates in
college when he could never make
his mind up about what to do being
the first person on an accident
scene, Robbins said, it sorted itself
out “real quick when you see a bus
on its side and firefighters hanging
out their window.”
Still on the job, the dilemma for
Robbins was this: “What do I do?
I have a camera in my hand. Do I
help people or do I take pictures?”
“It was an immediate human
reaction. Instinctively, I put the
camera down and started helping
people.”
Once other people arrived on the
scene to help and take over,
Robbins picked up his camera and
did what he was being paid to do
— he became a reporter/photographer.
As a witness to the accident,
Robbins had to limit himself to
taking pictures. Interviewing people about the accident could taint
his account of the accident.
Robbins called the newspaper editors and asked them to send down
other reporters to do interviews.
“Our job is to get the story without becoming part of the story,” he
said. “You have to try not to
change the circumstances by being
there.”
Five years from now, Robbins
sees himself still being in Fort Erie
and writing for The Niagara Falls
Review.
One of the reasons he was so
adamant about doing his placement at The Niagara Falls Review
is that he has lived in only two
places in his life, Niagara Falls and
Fort Erie.
“I was born in Greater Niagara
Falls Hospital. I went to school
and graduated high school in
Niagara Falls. I got married in a
church in Niagara Falls, bought
our first house in Fort Erie, and we
are bringing up our children here,”
he said.
“In a way, the paper was part of
my life.
“What a privilege to cover the
news and the heartbeat of the only
two communities I ever lived in.”
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Overcoming paralysis after surfing accident
By ANDREA ST. PIERRE
Staff Writer
As the sun shone and the surf
rolled on a warm day in Mexico,
gray skies clouded the lives of
Paul Portinari’s family as he
crashed like the waves into the
bottom of the ocean.
On April 2, at approximately 11
a.m., while vacationing with his
wife and two children in Puerto
Morelos, Portinari, 42, of
Mississauga, was involved in a
life-altering accident.
The accident occurred while
Portinari was body surfing in the
waves with his son, Kevin, 17, of
Glengarry.
“I got to the top of the third
wave and was leaning forward
when the wave disappeared
beneath me,” said Portinari. “I was
propelled forward into the beach
and hit the bottom chin first. I
knew immediately the impact had
paralyzed me.”
Portinari was thrown around in
the surf and eventually settled face
down in the water.
“I could not move or get my head
above water. There was no panic. I
just accepted the fact I was about to
drown,” said Portinari.
While Portinari was in the water,
his wife, Shari Saracino, 39, of
Mississauga, was on the beach reading.
“I had read about a page and a half
of my book when all of a sudden I
got a weird feeling and all the hairs
on the back of my neck stood up,”
said Saracino. “I sat up and couldn’t
see Paul so I got scared.”
Saracino jumped up and saw two
men running with Kevin towards
Portinari, who was floating in the
water.
When the men dragged Portinari
out of the water, he was in full respiratory arrest.
“He was blue, very blue and his
eyes were so vacant,” said Saracino.
“The first thing that came into my
mind was, ‘He’s dead,’ the second
was, ‘the kids,’ and the third was,
‘Stay calm, he needs air now!’”
Instantly Saracino began artificial
respiration.
“I taught CPR when I was 20
years old. I had never done it on a
live person before, but everything
came back so quickly,” said
Saracino.
While Saracino worked on
Portinari, Kevin ran to call 911 and
notify his sister, Amanda Portinari,
19, of Glengarry, as to what happened.
“I was very proud of Kevin,” said
Saracino. “He was very quick thinking and was able to step aside and
do what had to be done. He separated himself from what was happening and tried to be strong for
Amanda.”
“I was worried as hell,” said
Kevin. “I didn’t know what was
happening really. All I knew was
my dad was blue. I didn’t think really. I just acted as fast as I could.”
When Amanda learned of her
father’s condition she sprinted
down to the water.
“Once I got to the beach, I saw
kids playing in the sand so I thought
everything must be OK. Kids can’t
just be playing in the sand if something so awful was happening,” said
Amanda. “Then I saw my dad laying on the beach. His body was
black, and I completely freaked
out.”
When Portinari started breathing
again, his family was relieved but
they were only at the beginning of
their journey together.
Portinari’s neck was stabilized
and the ambulance transported
him to the hospital in Playa del
Carmen where X-rays were taken.
The doctor said everything was
fine but when the neurologist
came in, he sent Portinari to the
hospital in Cancun for Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Portinari had no feeling on his
right side and couldn’t move the
airport the following morning.
“I felt a sense of urgency,” said
Dave. “My sister was in trouble
and her husband could be critically wounded. When something like
this happens, you don’t think; you
act.”
Dave left immediately for the
hospital that night and arrived
eight hours later to find his sister
still wearing her bathing suit.
“When I hugged her I could feel
she was relieved and exhausted,
but she still held it together,” said
Walking!” said Amanda.
Portinari’s
brother
Mark
Portinari, of Etobicoke, was in
Miami within 24 hours of learning
about his brother’s accident from
their sister, Anne Sloan, of
Burlington.
“When I first saw Paul he was
sitting in a chair upright with a
brace around his neck,” said
Mark. “When he saw me he stood
up and did a little dance to show
me he was all right. Right then
and there, I knew in my heart he
Paul Portinari celebrates his 42nd birthday with his wife, Shari Saracino, nearly 10 months after his
accident. Saracino resuscitated Portinari on a beach in Mexico after he broke his neck and nearly
drowned in the water.
Photo by Andrea St. Pierre
left side of his body.
The MRI confirmed he had shattered two vertebrae and torn his
spinal chord.
“They brought in an Englishspeaking doctor and he told me
Paul needed surgery within 48
hours,” said Saracino.
At this point Portinari was air-
“I could not
move or get my
head above
water. There
was no panic. I
just accepted
the fact I was
about to
drown.”
— Paul Portinari
lifted to the Ryder Trauma Clinic
at Jackson Memorial Hospital in
Miami, Fla. There was no room in
the plane for the children so they
stayed in Mexico for the night
while Saracino accompanied her
husband to Miami.
Prior to leaving Mexico,
Saracino phoned her brother, Dave
Saracino, 43, of Florida, to ask if
he could pick up the children at the
Dave. “When I saw Paul on the
table, I didn’t know what was
going on but I felt he would pull
through.”
Dr. Steve Vanni, an orthopedic and
neural
surgeon,
performed
Portinari’s surgery on April 3, at 3:30
p.m.
“Dr. Vanni was amazing,” said
Saracino. “He explained everything
to us.”
“The doctor told us Paul had serious damage in a tricky place and that
it was possible he could be paralyzed
during the surgery,” said Dave, “but,
if everything went really well, he
would have full movement again.”
Once they learned the extent of
Portinari’s injuries, Saracino phoned
home and notified the rest of the
family of his condition.
“I was shocked and disappointed.
They were so excited for their trip,”
said Saracino’s sister Mari-jane St.
Pierre, of Welland. “They told me to
go to our mother’s right away and
tell her what happened.”
“The uncertainty before the
surgery, until it was over, was killing
us all,” said Dave. “At a time like
this, you prepare yourself for the
worst so the best can happen.”
After the surgery, Dr. Vanni
came out and told them the surgery
was a success and that only time
would tell how much movement
Portinari would regain.
Portinari progressed very rapidly after his surgery.
“The morning after the surgery,
there was a tremendous turnaround and Paul has got stronger
and healthier every day since
then,” said Dave.
“One day my dad was strapped
in a bed unable to move, and the
next day he was walking.
would be OK.”
From the moment of his accident Portinari was determined to
recover.
“My positive outlook remained
for the duration of my recovery
and is with me today,” said
Portinari.
“Paul is an optimist. He always
makes the best of a bad situation,”
said Sloan. “That is what helped
him through this. The best way to
get Paul to do something is to tell
him he can’t.”
When Sloan arrived in Miami
one week after the accident, she
said it was a huge relief to see
Paul.
“I immediately phoned our sister Lisa and my mother to tell them
Paul really was doing well and
they weren’t just telling us that
because we were so far away,”
said Sloan.
“Paul is very determined,” said
his mother, Sheila Portinari. “He
accepts no obstacles.”
“I was given certain parameters
and beyond that there was nothing I
couldn’t do,” said Portinari.
Today Portinari has full motion of
his right and left side, his balance has
returned and he is capable of anything that doesn’t take explosive
muscle power.
“Anything I can’t do is temporary,” said Portinari. “They thought
my recovery would take 14 months
and I was back to work in less than
seven.”
“It’s very positive to watch Paul
progress as fast as he has,” said
Saracino. “It’s been emotional. The
first night we got home I kissed him
good night and I lost it. I started crying and thinking what if I would
have come home without him.”
The accident has brought the family closer together, and Portinari’s
return home on Easter weekend was
a special moment for everyone.
“His recovery is certainly
nothing less than a miracle,”
said Dave.
Portinari’s latest challenge is to
get on the ice and play a competitive game of hockey with his children. There’s still enough time left
in the season that he might be able
to do so.
Entertainment
New magazine promotes Niagara Region
By IAN SHANTZ
Staff Writer
The region of Niagara is unique.
In fact, for one resident it’s so special, she devotes her career to
telling others about it.
Anita Skinner is the founder and
publisher of Niagara Life, a magazine based in St. Catharines devoted to promoting all that the region
has to offer.
“The
publication
has always
had a really
strong
component of
urban
issues.”
The magazine marked its 20th
anniversary recently with the completion of its January-April 2004
Toronto-Burlington
edition.
Twenty years is no easy feat in this
demanding market and, rightfully
so, Skinner was excited about the
milestone.
“We’re very proud. I’m enjoying it a lot. I have a really good
group of people that I work with.
It’s a lot of fun right now. It’s really exciting to be a part of what’s
happening in Niagara.”
“I have
a really good
group of
people that I
work with.
It’s a lot of
fun right
now.”
To some readers, Niagara Life
might be better known as what
used
to
be
called
The
Downtowner. The recent name
change was something, Skinner
says, “in the works for a few
years.” The magazine, which distributes 95,000 copies from north
of Toronto and around the Golden
Horseshoe, was in need of a new
name, according to Skinner. “The
name The Downtowner was very
well known. The name just didn’t
make sense any more. It was getting hard to explain (referring to
the fact that the magazine no
longer covers issues and events
pertaining to St. Catharines alone,
but focuses on what’s happening
throughout the entire region).”
The Downtowner was created
in 1984, when Skinner and her
husband spearheaded a group
called the Downtown Residents
Association. The group, located
in St. Catharines, would meet
and discuss issues facing residents of downtown, including
urban planning, the preservation
of Montebello Park, and environmental issues. Upon the
establishment of the group, a
The
four-page
newsletter,
Downtowner, was created.
Skinner explained why the
newsletter began: “The publication has always had a really
strong component of urban
issues. We wanted people to get
off their couches and assume
some responsibility.”
Since then, the publication
has evolved into Niagara’s
largest circulating publication,
with 45,000 copies distributed
around the region, five times a
year. In addition, Niagara Life
now publishes three TorontoBurlington editions a year,
reaching mostly upper-class
homes within the areas.
Skinner says the expansion
into the Toronto market was
something that was possible
because of how well visitors
from that area received the
magazine whenever they came
here. She explained the decision
in detail.
“Niagara
Life really is
the kind of
publication
that we want
visitors to
grab.”
“Advertisers, such as wineries, were saying, ‘We really
want the Toronto market.’ We
don’t need to re-invent the
wheel in Niagara. Why not talk
to Toronto? They’re effective
listeners.
“Niagara Life really is the
kind of publication that we want
visitors to grab. It’s something
that can be used over and over
again. They (Toronto and area)
want to know about Niagara
already. It’s not like we’re twisting their arms. They’re hungry
for information, so, basically,
duh, I think it’s a no-brainer.”
The Toronto-Burlington edition
varies slightly from the local edition and targets the day-trip and
multi-day visitor.
The magazine also co-publishes
Across the Border, a similar publication that reaches subscribers of
the Buffalo News, Sunday Edition,
four times a year.
After 20 years in circulation,
the magazine seems to be going
stronger than ever. It could be
assumed that much of its success over the years can be
“We
need to be
working as
one Niagara
... We really
are in this
together.”
— Anita Skinner
attributed to the passion of the
people behind it.
Skinner
echoed
those
thoughts by saying, “We need to
be working as one Niagara. I
really believe that the future of
this community depends on
that. We really are in this
together.”
February, funny month with comics at After Hours
By CHARLES PANE
Staff Writer
Comedy Nights at the After
Hours pub in Welland will involve
many talented comics booked this
February.
Comedy Nights at the After
Hours pub are all-ages shows and
free to all who want to attend.
The first Comedy Night was
held on Feb. 4, with Roy Daye
opening and Mark Walker headlining at the Niagara College Welland
campus venue.
Daye has a great resumé under
his belt including performances on
The Comedy Network’s Comedy
at Club 54 and The Buzz. Daye
has produced and headlined
Blurred Crystal Thoughts, as well
as performed with the Nubian
Disciples. Daye tours Canada from
coast to coast with Yuk Yuk’s.
Impressionist Walker has performed at The Halifax Comedy
Festival, Comedy at Club 54,
Montreal’s Just for Laughs
Comedy Festival and The Comedy
Network’s Comedy Now. Walker
has also appeared on CTV’s
Hospital For Sick Children’s
Telethon and Canada AM.
Week two of After Hour’s
Comedy Night on Feb. 11 will
consist of Mark Forward and Ian
Sirota.
Sirota has opened for such
celebrities as Gilbert Gottfried,
Denis Leary, Jon Stewart, Norm
MacDonald
and
Harland
Williams. Sirota has also performed at the 1997 Molson
Canadian Toronto Comedy
Festival.
Feb. 18 holds the musical
comedy of Terry Clement as
well as the headline act, Marc
Trinidad.
Jim McNally and Frank
Spadone will close off the month
on Feb. 25.
McNally, performing live
throughout North America, has
also produced, written and hosted two successful television programs dedicated to automobile
collecting, restoring and maintenance, Karnutz and Car Care.
Spadone, whose comedic
style reflects his belief that
comedy imitates life, will headline the show.
Spadone has appeared at the
2002 Just for Laughs Festival in
Montreal, had his own episode
of Comedy Now on the Comedy
Network and has his own comedy album My Life’s A Joke.
Spadone has appeared in
Mandy Moore’s film How To
Deal and commercials for Tim
Hortons and Toyota. He was
nominated in the category of
Best New Comic at the 2000
Canadian Comedy Awards. In
his career, Spadone has already
shared the stage with stars like
Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Joe
Avati, Tommy Davidson and
Howie Mandel.
Art-deco restaurant/bar opens in St. Catharines
By DANE MCBURNIE
Staff Writer
St. Catharines welcomes a
promising new addition to its
downtown bar scene.
Stella’s, which opened in
early December of 2003, is an
upscale art-deco themed restaurant
and
bar
featuring
Mediterranean and Italian dining. It has a liquor licence, and
is open for lunches and dinners
or for patrons to just enjoy a
few drinks.
“It’s something the downtown doesn’t have,” says Mike
DeDivitiis, owner. “If you go
there, you say, ‘Wow, we don’t
have this downtown.’ It’s something completely different.”
Stella’s is at the corner of
James and King streets in a renovated building from the 1920s.
The club has a large, open
atmosphere, with more than
enough room to move around.
Its all-hardwood floors contrast with the colourful tables
quite nicely. The bar is the hub
of the establishment, located in
the centre of the room. Patrons
are invited to sit around it or in
the many booths that stem
from the walls.
Live bands will occasionally
play in the back, where customers can sit and watch or
enjoy the music while playing
pool. It also is well lit by the
many hanging halogen lights,
but never too brightly.
“It has a nightlife and the
dining all rolled into one. It’s
similar to New York and
Toronto,” says DeDivitiis.
Stella’s is the DeDivitiis family’s third establishment, joining
Arizona’s and the Moose and
Goose, both in Thorold.
When asked what it’s like
owning so many businesses in
the area, DeDivitiis says, “It’s
OK. I have a good relationship
with my brothers, and we tend
to juggle it pretty good.”
Stella’s has attracted a fair
share of attention over the holidays. It’s gaining a reputation
downtown, and the advertising
campaign was planned to start
last month, which will surely
attract more patrons to an
already intriguing restaurant.
Stella’s finds its place as another hot addition to downtown St.
Catharines.
Photo by Dane McBurnie
By DAVID HURD
Staff Writer
Bringing college, community and
corporate elements together to benefit a chosen non-profit organization
is the job of the Many Hands Project.
Organized by the Special Event
Management (Post-graduate) program students at Niagara College’s
Glendale campus, in Niagara-on-theLake, the project collects $30,000 to
$50,000 through fundraising and
sponsorship, as well as utilizing
about 100 volunteers to carry out a
one-day, labour-intensive renovation
of a chosen facility within the
Niagara region.
Each year the students select an
organization based on need. This
is the seventh year for a Many
Hands project.
“We look for that agency that
shows the greatest need and provides
significant community support
through its services,” says David
Veres, co-ordinator of the program.
This year’s recipient of the project
will be the St. John Ambulance,
Photo by David Hurd
$50,000, 100 volunteers needed for annual project
KAI T BUCHT
Niagara Falls Branch.
“We (St. John Ambulance) are
delighted to be the recipients of the
Many Hands Project, 2004. This
‘extreme makeover’ will provide us
with a safe, secure and comfortable
setting for our staff members and
public,” says Kai T Bucht, branch
manager, in a press release.
“It is only with support of organizations such as Niagara College,
their students and funders ... that we
can continue to provide essential services to our community.”
A large portion of the money
raised for the project, about $10,000,
comes from three fundraising events
hosted by the program: Darius and
Daphne’s Wedding Reception, a
murder
mystery
theatre;
Destination Canada ... A
Culinary Journey from Coast to
Coast, a Canadian cultural dining experience; and Evening
with the Stars, a dinner, dance
and auction.
The project also receives contributions from ongoing corporate partners like Canadian Tire
Financial Services, the St.
Catharines Standard, SherwinWilliams Paints, Woodington
Systems Inc. and Niagara Tents
and Events, says Veres.
The renovations to the facility will
“This
extreme
makeover will
provide us
with a safe,
secure and
comfortable
setting for
our staff
members and
public.”
— Kai T Bucht
include painting inside and out, landscaping, repairs to the parking lot
and driveway, fixing washrooms,
installing ramps for accessibility,
renovating office areas, new carpeting and new lighting in training
rooms.
“We like low-skill, labourintense renovations,” says Veres.
Also involved is Niagara
College’s
Construction
Engineering program, which has
incorporated the project into its
curriculum.
“One of the unique elements of
(the project) is that there’s 100 volunteers from the community and
there’s a job for everyone,” says
Veres.
“Dan Patterson volunteers as well
... gets his work clothes on and gets
dirty.”
About half of the volunteers are
students, while many others are from
within the community, and they volunteer year after year, says Veres.
“It’s very rewarding for people.”
Work at the St. John Ambulance
facility is scheduled to begin
April 17.
Peer Services offers students more than just peer tutoring
By SUSAN LAMEY
Staff Writer
Peer Services at Niagara College
offers more than peer tutoring to students. While peer tutoring is the main
service, Peer Services includes proctors, note takers and scribes. Services
are available at the Welland campus
and Glendale campus in Niagara-onthe-Lake.
Proctor, note taker and scribe services had been with the Centre for
Students with Disabilities and have
been blended with peer tutoring services. All services are now with Peer
Services, Michelle Pugh, facilitator,
Prior Learning Assessment and Peer
Services, said.
Students registered with the college’s Centre for Student with
Disabilities are able to make use of a
proctor, note taker or scribe and these
services are free.
“A proctor is someone who invigilates or watches someone taking a
test,” Pugh said.
The teacher sets the class schedule
for the test. However, the student contacts the test centre to set an individual
test time. A proctor may oversee the
testing of more than one student at a
time.
A proctor is requested when “the
student requires extra time to write the
test,” Josie Tremonte, peer services
assistant, Peer Services, said.
On occasion, the proctor may be
asked to go to a classroom if the student needs more time to finish the test
and the teacher is unable to stay after
the end of class because of another
class, Tremonte said.
Proctors must be mature, honest and
reliable and have sufficient hours of
availability in their schedules.
“Registration in a full-time program
is mandatory,” Tremonte said.
Proctors are paid hourly and may
only work up to a maximum of 12
hours per week, she said.
Last term, three to four people were
used as proctors, Tremonte said.
Ideally, Tremonte would like to have
six to eight proctors, each from a different program.
Note takers take notes for students
who may have difficulty listening to
the teacher, watching the board and
writing down notes at the same time.
“The student may be more of a visual learner,” Pugh said.
“It may be more important for them
to watch the teacher.”
The note takers must be classmates
of the student requiring the service.
They must also have good handwriting
and good note-taking skills. They do
not have to be enrolled in a full-time
program.
The note takers are provided with
carbonless paper, either in duplicate or
triplicate, as the notes may be for one
or two students, including the note
taker.
“They are paid per term regardless
of the number of classes they take
notes for,” Tremonte said.
There were 16 note takers at the
Welland campus and two at the
Glendale campus last term.
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forgetting Valentine’s wouldn’t be a big deal.”
Don’t forget to pick up your Valentine’s
edition of the Niagara News next Friday
Both the scribe and note taker write
for students who have difficulty writing.
Anote taker only records class notes
and “a scribe is only used for test purposes,” Pugh said.
The test centre lets Tremonte know
if a scribe is required.
“A scribe writes down the answers
to a test the student dictates to them,”
Tremonte said.
In addition, the scribe may be
required to read out the test question,
or Fill-in circles on multiple-choice
tests that will be scanned for grading.
A computer can be supplied to the
scribe for essay tests if requested.
A scribe is required to have good
reading and writing skills and clear
spoken English and be registered in
a full-time program, Tremonte
said.
When students sign up to be a
tutor, Josie keeps tutors in mind
when the need arises for a proctor,
note taker or scribe, Pugh said.
When a request is made for one
of these services, Tremonte contacts a peer tutor and asks if he or
she is interested.
Peer Services does not specifically seek proctors, scribes or note
takers, Pugh said.
Matching personalities is impor-
tant. “I am a matchmaker of academics,” Tremonte said.
Last semester there were 160
peer tutors registered with Peer
Services for both campuses, Pugh
said.
Peer tutoring is free, and students make requests through
Tremonte.
Peer Services is in SE102A at
the Welland campus. The hours are
Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. At the Glendale campus,
Valerie Chambers works in Peer
Services in the Learning Resource
Centre. The hours are Tuesday to
Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Glendale campus to play host to Career Fair
By IAN SHANTZ
Staff Writer
As the academic year nears an
end, many graduates are faced
with the daunting task of finding
a job.
Fear not, for help is on the way.
Niagara College’s Glendale
campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake
will be hosting a career fair on
Feb. 12, enabling students, graduates, and alumni to meet employers from Niagara region and
beyond.
The career fair, held at
Glendale’s cafeteria/gymnasium,
is organized through a partnership
of Niagara College and Brock
University in St. Catharines.
“It’s main objective is to allow
students a chance to meet prospective employers,” says Bea Clark,
director of the college’s Ventures
division.
“It’s designed for all students at
Niagara College who are graduating this year, and it’s designed to
give them an opportunity to take
advantage of meeting employers,
which is an important part of the
job search.”
Clark
acknowledged
the
importance of students having a
chance to network themselves.
“We try to provide as many
opportunities as possible for students to meet employers or (to)
get to know what an employer’s
expectations are.”
The career fair, in its fifth year,
“What
we don’t
want our
students to
think is that
they’ll just
walk up to an
employer and
they’ll be
offered a job.
It simply
doesn’t work
that way.”
— Bea Clark
is an opportunity for job seekers
and employers to meet face-toface, and the college and university partnership seems to work well,
says Clark.
“Very often, they (employers)
have needs across a broad spectrum of jobs. Some jobs are best
suited to college grads, and some
people are looking for university
grads. For an employer, it’s ideal
because they can come and meet
graduating students from both college and university.”
Hire a New Grad Inc. is one of
34 exhibitors at the event hoping
to recruit students. The organization is dedicated to assisting new
and recent graduates with finding
employment suited to their education. Sandra Lallman is the operations manager for the Torontobased company.
“Our goal is to create awareness
of our company. It will be our first
experience (at Niagara). We’ve
gone to many universities across
Ontario and we’ve liked it. We
don’t really know what to expect,
but it should be good,” she says, in
regard to the event.
Looking to land that “perfect
job” can be an exciting time for
new job seekers, but Clark warned
students not to be overconfident.
“What we don’t want our students to think is that they’ll just
walk up to an employer and they’ll
be offered a job. It simply doesn’t
happen that way.”
Clark emphasizes the importance of preparation before presenting yourself to employers. She
says it’s important to “dress appropriately.”
“You only have one chance to
make a first impression. They have
a great opportunity to make a good
impression so that, when they follow up with, potentially, their
resumés and applications, they’ll
be top of line when the employer
looks through that stack of
resumés.”
Anyone who has ever been to a
job interview knows that employers look for certain skills and
traits.
Clark offered insight on what
employers are looking for.
“One of the things we hope our
students will keep in mind when
they present themselves to an
employer is their attitude.
Credentials, as well as customer
service skills, are important
regardless of the profession. The
difference, very often, is the person’s attitude and their ability to
provide good customer service.
That’s one of the things we hope
our students will keep in mind
when they present themselves to
an employer.”
New casino seeks students to fill jobs
By SHANNON ARNOLD
Staff Writer
The Niagara region’s premier
employer is actively pursuing college and university students for
full- or part-time work.
The Niagara Fallsview Casino
Resort, which opens this spring, is
hiring externally to fill 2,000 jobs.
General Manager Jay Meilstrup
encourages students to “enter into
a casual employment relationship,
because the times college students
are available are the busiest times
of the year.”
Departments such as catering
and banquets will be hiring parttime staff based on the number of
banquets booked each week,
allowing students to pick up some
extra spending money on nights
and weekends.
Representatives from the casino
will be at the college’s Niagara
Falls Maid of the Mist campus this
week. Casino General Manager
Judy Trout says, “We encourage
everyone at Niagara College to
participate and look at the job
opportunities available.”
There are jobs openings for
hotel employees and dealers, as
well as in every department,
including accounting, table
games, and food and beverage.
Applicants must be 19 years of
age and will not be permitted to
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will open this Spring.
Photo by Shannon Arnold
gamble in the casino.
Meilstrup says they are “rolling
up to” the first day of employment
and will be continually reviewing
the need for staff over the summer
months.
Wages are competitive with the
surrounding hotels, based on experience and the conditions of
employment.
Meilstrup says, “We’re a great
place to work and have experienced a history of success. Our
attitude is to maintain our position
as premier employer in the
region.”
He says they are looking for
employees with a “hospitality attitude, level of professionalism and
seriousness toward the industry, a
high degree of self-respect and
self-esteem. A person’s attitude
about themselves reflects what our
customers will experience.”
The Vegas-style entertainment
complex is the single largest
provincial investment ever made
in the Niagara region. It is currently the largest commercial development in Canada, spread over 2.5
million square feet.
There is no official start or end
date for hiring. Interested applicants
can check out the main website at
http://www.discoverniagara.com or
call 1-888-FALLSVUE to obtain
more information.
A free shuttle service will be
offered for students needing transportation to the event, which begins
at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
Departure times are as follows:
Niagara College Welland campus: 9 a.m.11:35 a.m. and 1:30
p.m.
Brock University: 9 a.m., 11:05
a.m. 11:55 a.m., 12:55 p.m. and 2
p.m.
For more information on the
Career Fair, visit the Job Centre at
the Welland campus in SE101 or at
the Glendale campus in W115.
Casino Facts
By SHANNON ARNOLD
Staff Writer
Niagara Fallsview Casino
Resort
• 2.5 million-square-foot
complex.
• Eight-hectare property.
•Largest development in
Canada.
•Single largest commercial
development in the Niagara
region.
Casino
• Open 24 hours.
• 3,000 slot machines.
• 150 table games.
Hyatt Hotel
• Five-star.
• 368 rooms.
• Meeting space.
• Restaurants and lounges.
Hyatt Health Spa
• Fitness Centre.
o Whirlpool
o Sauna
o Steam rooms
o Exercise facility
o Swimming pool
Special Event/Meeting Space
• 50,000 square feet.
• Corporate meetings.
• Conferences.
• Fund-raising events.
• Receptions.
Performing Arts Centre
• 1,500-seat theatre.
Retail Facility
Sports
The best you can get
The Golden Horseshoe League all-stars who competed against the Empire League Junior B all stars team Jan. 7 at the Fort Erie Leisureplex, were front, left: Marcus
Johnson, Matt Thomey, coach Joe Fazziol, T.J. Sakuluk, coach Wayne Groulx, Ryan Bellows, Tony Passero, Darryl Dallman, Rob Barnhardt. Middle: the team's stick
boy, Nick Petriello, Andrew Marshall, Stephen Ludzik, John Rorison, Nick Elligsen, Nick Rombough, Drew Minor, Ryan Lahie, Cody Cole. Back: two members of the
team's staff, Blake Dolce, Brandon Roshko, Jason Hill, John Patrito, Chris Risi, therapist Stephanie Troscinski and trainer Ray Ravazzolo. The Canadians beat the
Americans 14-2.
Photo by Brent Watson
Cougars sink Sailors 7-5 Knights exit early in round robin soccer
By BRENT WATSON
Staff Writer
In the final match of Highway
58, the Port Colborne Sailors gave
the Welland Cougars a run for
their money, but lost by a score of
7-5 on Sunday, Feb. 1.
The Sailors scored the first two in
the second period, but Welland came
back to score the next three before
Port Colborne would tie it again.
Joel Bristo gave Welland the
lead with an empty netter, and the
Cougars did not look back.
Also in the game, forward Blair
Egerter scored his second hat
trick, and a total of 15 goals on the
season. The other scorers for the
Cougars were Steve Chappell,
Erik Hudak and Trevor Willis,
each adding a goal.
The Cougars nearly swept the
season series with Port Colborne,
winning seven of the eight games
played and tying one.
The depleted lineup of Port
Colborne was without Johnny
Hind, Mike Armstrong, Don Ellis,
and captain Steven White.
The next Cougars home game
will be on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 7:15
p.m., when they will take on the
Stoney Creek Warriors at the
Welland area.
Despite sporting the third-best record of 10 teams,
the Niagara Knights men's soccer team ended their
stay at the Conestoga College Tournament in
Kitchener after the round robin competition.
A 3-1 record wasn't enough to overcome George
Brown College, of Toronto, who advanced to the
finals via a 5-0 victory over the Knights. Seneca
College, of North York, took the tournament title with
a 2-1 victory.
The Knights opened the tournament with an 8-0
victory over St. Lawrence College, of Kingston,
and 3-0 over Fanshawe College, of London, the
Ontario College Athletic Association West Division
champions.
They recovered their loss to George Brown with
a 3-2 victory over Conestoga College to close out
their day.
"We had a really hard time dealing with falling
behind for the first time as a team," coach Frank
DeChellis said. "We talked about it after the game and
they showed their true grit after falling behind 1-0 to
Contestoga, coming back to win 3-2. That's always a
nice point in your team's bonding process.”
Karl Wright had a solid day in net. Goal scorers for
the Knights were Anthony Stranges with five goals,
Mike Elia with three, Arnaldo Miranda with two and
Robert Lecaro, Mike Lomedico, Graeme McIntosh
and Gabe Colonna with singles.
Mark Hatch, Kirill Gromyko and Tom DeAngelis
were tough on defence, while Kevin Melo was solid
in midfield the whole tournament.
Next action for the Knights is this weekend at the
George Brown Invitational in Scarborough.
— Submitted article
NIAGARA COLLEGE
Women’s Volleyball Team
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Losing loved one never easy to handle
By GREG VALLENTIN
Staff Writer
The mood is unsettling in the
Trewartha home. A family member has just passed away.
Smudge, a 14-year-old cat
named for the black spot on her
head, was brought into the
Trewartha family through a friend
when she was a kitten.
After taking in Smudge, the
Trewartha family experienced
years of prosperity.
Braden Trewartha, a 20-yearold
student
in
Brock
University’s
Business
Administrative program in St.
Catharines, put his musical skills
to the test by joining the band
Overruled Melville (later to be
renamed Behind the Name),
while Lean and Alan Trewartha’s
daughter announced she was getting married.
The mood quickly changed
from bliss to sorrow when the
Trewartha family realized their
beloved cat, Smudge, was ill,
and had to be put down.
“It was a pretty sad day. We
knew she wasn’t feeling good, but
a friend of ours had told us it might
be some other curable sickness
that her cat had,” says Braden.
“So I went to school thinking
it was nothing, came back and
found out. The family didn’t talk
too much about it, and when I
found out I just went out and did
some skateboarding to take my
mind off things. Yeah, she was
my best friend, so it was rough.”
Braden says Smudge was the
closest to him and that she loved
“It was pretty quiet in the
house, and nobody would come
to the door when I got home
from school (another thing she’d
always do), so I missed her quite
a bit,” says Braden.
“It didn’t help that school was
going pretty rough already, and
it was tough dealing with that at
the same time.”
Mourning aside, the family
says Smudge wasn’t “that bad of
a cat,” only bringing home the
occasional mouse and spending
a few nights away on the prowl.
The Trewartha family says
they will never forget some of
the memories they shared with
Smudge.
“There’s the time when she
jumped into the bath tub not
realizing we were pouring water
into it. Other than that, it’s more
or less all the time,” says
Braden.
“It was always nice coming
home at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m. in
the morning and seeing her at
the top of the stairs waiting for
me. So yeah, every moment was
a favourite.”
It didn’t take long after
Smudge passed away for the
family to decide.
“There was no way we were
going to live without another
“... she
was my best
friend, so it
was rough.”
— Braden
Trewartha
him the “most in the family.”
It had only been a few days
since Smudge’s passing, and the
house was still quiet.
Pins could be heard dropping
from the kitchen table, and the
overwhelming sound of the television’s static could be mistaken
for the family’s grief.
Mother appreciates Child
Care Centre employees
Photo by Ashley Taylor
By ASHLEIGH TAYLOR
Staff Writer
Finding time to balance
school, work and parenthood can
be a trying feat, but Lisa Kelch
is managing.
Kelch, 23, of St. Thomas, Ont.,
a second-year Niagara College
Dental Hygiene program student,
is married with two children.
“I t h i n k t h e
Child Care
Centre is
great. The
teachers are
ISAIAH KELCH
“I think the Child Care Centre is
great. The teachers are good with
the kids. They’re personal and they
let you know what’s going on.”
Employed at Smart Set, at the
Seaway Mall in Welland, Kelch says
she decided to go to college to
“establish a career, financially support myself and have stability.”
Although times can be stressful,
Kelch still experiences the joys of
parenthood.
Kelch says the best part of parenthood is “watching your kids
grow and develop their own personalities, getting to love them and
having them love you.”
For other parents attending college, Kelch says, she would advise
them to “prepare your child care
ahead of time. Make sure you have a
lot of support — you’ll need it —
and be prepared to be stressed out.”
As for the future, Kelch says she
will be graduating in June and
would like to gain experience in
dental hygiene and someday return
to studies to get a bachelor’s
degree.
good with
A woman has the right to know.
t h e k i d s .”
Abortion has consequences.
— Lisa Kelch
“I find it difficult juggling time,
keeping organized and finding
enough time for my kids, husband,
school and housework.”
Kelch’s 14-month-old son,
Isaiah, is taken care of at the college’s Child Care Centre while she
is in school and her eight-year-old
attends school.
For more information, contact the St. Catharines
Right to Life at 905-684-7505
righttolife@becon.org
www.chooselife.ca
Groups of up to 8
905-32-4-RENT
pet,” says Braden.
The family went to the Society
for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (SPCA) and immediately noticed a rambunctious,
white, female cat, with an unlim-
sonality than Smudge did, so it’s
not like you’re always relating it
to her or being reminded about
her.”
Braden says he’ll never forget
all the things he loved about
“It could never
replace Smudge, but that’s
what I like about this cat.”
— Braden Trewartha
ited supply of energy. Taking it
home, they christened it
Gangsta.
“It could never replace
Smudge, but that’s what I like
about this cat,” says Braden.
“It’s got a totally different per-
Smudge.
“She always came when I
called her (like a dog), slept on
my bed every night, was always
around when I felt shitty. She
was, all in all, the best pet you
could ask for.”
Something Special
Planned for
VALENTINE’S
Day?
Advertise in the
Niagara News
Ask about our special
VALENTINE
EDITION
February 13, 2004
Call Niagara News Advertising
Linda Camus
905-735-2211
Ext. 7748
DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH
Mayor wears many hats
By LENNON CALDWELL
Staff Writer
While juggling many tasks, the
mayor of Welland still finds time
to wear many hats.
Damian Goulbourne, married
and the father of two, took office
Dec. 1 after beating out former
mayor Cindy Forster with 7,854
votes to her 5,312 votes in the
November municipal election.
Goulbourne, 34, former president of the Welland-Pelham
Chamber of Commerce from
January 2002 to June 2003, says
he resigned that post because it
was a conflict of interest when
running for mayor of Welland.
The day after his resignation, he
launched his canvassing to
become mayor.
Damian Goulbourne, the new
mayor of Welland, works in his
office at Niagara Colllege’s
Glendale Campus in Niagaraon-the-Lake.
Photo by Keira Cuthbert
Although last year he was a fulltime program co-ordinator in the
Niagara College Hospitality and
Tourism division, he still finds
time to teach the tourism marketing and operations course at the
Glendale campus in Niagara-onthe-Lake. He has been teaching
since 1993 but became a full-time
professor at the college in 1999.
Goulbourne says outside of
work his main interests “would be
spending time with my wife and
children. My kids are at the age
where they like to go to the park
and go hiking.”
He says he also likes to play
basketball with a few of his
friends, on occasion.
A graduate of Brock University
in St. Catharines with a bachelor
of arts degree in business and
communications, Goulbourne is
also involved in an online postgraduate course at George
Washington
University
in
Washington, D.C.
“I had to put that on hold once I
became co-ordinator of the
tourism program, but I hope to
some day continue and finish it.”
Goulbourne, a St. Catharines
native, says he “caught the bug of
politics during high school in the
mid-80s.”
“I always wanted to be involved
in campaigns. The big free-trade
issue was what helped spark my
interest.”
During the recent mayoral campaign, he stressed economic development throughout Welland.
Goulbourne says there are two
parts to economic development:
quality of life and access to skilled
labour.
“We really have to focus on
improving the quality of life in the
community, whether it be the
canal, seasonal recreation, medical
recruitment, transportation or
taxes,” says Goulbourne.
He explains that the other side,
access to skilled labour, is where
Niagara College comes into play.
“We
really have
to focus on
improving the
quality of
life in the
community.”
—Damian
Goulbourne
“Because of my relationship
with the college, I want to
strengthen it and make it formal
between the City of Welland and
Niagara College.”
He explains that when a business comes to Welland, he would
refer them to the college for
employment assistance “so when
we’re out there selling the City of
Welland, we’re also selling
Niagara College.”
Construction
finally finished
By LINDSAY ALLBRIGHT
Staff Writer
Phase one of construction in
the International Education
department is complete.
In October 2003, staff within
the department enthusiastically
moved into their new office
space.
More than 30 Niagara College
staff members work within the
department and were pleased
when the construction finished.
Director of International
Education and Development Jos
Nolle says the space is “workable
now.”
“It was time they got some
breathing space,” says Nolle.
He says the department now
houses “an easier, proper work
environment and it’s nice that the
staff have more room. We’re better equipped now.”
Nolle says he hopes the students at Niagara College, either
international or Canadian, will
benefit from the new, welcoming
department, as it is a “better
space that looks professional.”
He says the area was not well
used before, and the offices were
cramped.
What is now the projects side
of the International department
used to be a common lounge area
for the First Nations students,
complete with computers and
couches. That area has since
moved to S201 in the Simcoe
building at the Welland campus,
and the International department
has had no problems filling the
vacated space.
Nolle says the mural that was
once in the First Nations lounge
will remain, stretching across one
entire wall in the new space. He
says the mural will be kept out of
respect for the staff and students
who have recently moved to their
new location.
Phase two of the $25,000 project will begin in May or June of
this year.
Prefabricated partitions will
allow for each office to hold two
English as a Second Language
program (ESL) teachers, rather
than the average five that are
cramped into the existing offices
now.
Nolle says the area offers better service now, as students come
to the college for a learning experience.
“It’s good for students to feel
welcome.”
Nolle says the expansion is
“good for Canadian students who
are interested in international
issues at the college.”
“We aim to be an integral part
of the college,” says Nolle.
e
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We ap na ge
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y ou
!
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T
Student Gathering Centre
Welland Campus
Cafeteria
Glendale and Maid of the Mist Campus
- your food service provider -
The Modern Canvas
More to ink than you think
By ROBERT WALKER
Staff Writer
im “Sideshow” Saunders is
one of those unique artists
whose
medium is as
eccentric as it is practical: a canvas
of living flesh.
Armed with a sterilized needle
and an ink of your choosing, this
tattoo artist can permanently
imprint on skin any design, from a
mother’s name to an elaborate
appendage-length rendering of
Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.
Unlike a painter or fashion
designer, Saunder’s works remain
in the public eye (not to mention
the client’s) for a lifetime.
And forget the idea that tattoos
are only for lovelorn sailors as
depicted by Norman Rockwell.
“Ink” is for everyone.”
“Twenty years ago, there was
probably only 300 real tattoo
artists in all of Canada,” says
Saunders, 37. “Today, there’s over
300 great ones in the Toronto area
alone.”
The increase in the number of
licenced tattoo parlours is a result
of the mainstream status that inking has achieved, says Saunders,
who has a clientele that includes
everyone from doctors to office
secretaries.
Working out of Alien Fine Arts
in Niagara Falls, Saunders began
tattooing professionally in 2000,
after completing an eight-month
apprenticeship under the watchful
eye of Jim Swales, who is the
shop’s owner.
“At least that’s what they tell
me,” says Swales with a laugh.
Openings for budding tattoo
artists are few in Canada, so a
potential apprentice “has to be
willing to give himself up, body
and soul, to the shop that’s interested in you,” says Saunders.
Having owned and operated parlours for over 12 years, Swales
says that the best bet in being
taken on by a parlour “is to bring
in an impressive portfolio.”
Saunders obviously impressed
his employers; his largest work to
date occupies the better half of his
boss’s right leg.
“It’s this bio-mechanical mural
thing that runs from about the top
of his thigh to the bottom of his
calf. It took 14 hours, with about
four sittings.”
Saunders says his interest in body
art has been a constant since birth.
“The imprinting on me was pretty young. One of the earliest pictures of me as a baby is with my
grandfather, who’s holding me
with an arm covered in a huge tattoo from the war.”
Saunders’ first tattoo was homemade, an interpretation of Sid
Vicious, done by himself with a
sewing needle and India ink when
he was 14 years old. (It has been
long since covered up by later
work.) Choosing to go to a professional for his next tattoo, a grim
reaper, at 16 years old, Saunders
spent the next 20 years adorning
his skin with ink.
is being done hygienically. This is
especially helpful with the more
hesitant first-timers.
“You want to take everything
slow and make sure they’re
relaxed and confident that everything is clean. Some are nervous
enough to begin with. Then you
take them downstairs, sit them in
the chair and show them the needles being used. You want to help
keep them from freaking out.”
A relaxed customer is less likely
to experience discomfort as much
as one who is panicking.
“When the needle touches the
skin, the nerves send a message to
the brain that something is
wrong,” activating the brain’s fight
or flight response, says Saunders.
“But if the customer is able to
relax, take some deep breaths, then
the brain starts to release endorphins, which helps to lessen the
pain.”
When not tattooing, Saunders
says, with a laugh, he is “a local
historian, by my own terms,”
learning about the history of the
Niagara area.
“I’m really into the battles that
went on here. And I just think it’s
so cool to look at a picture in a
book of a building that was here
200 years ago, and then to go
down the street and still see it
there.”
“My family’s been here since
the 1700s. Somewhere along the
line I’m related to William
Hamilton Merritt. My uncle Bud
owned the first electric gas pumps
in Canada, where the Hotel
Niagara now stands.”
Saunders says he also enjoys his
time off from work, spending time
with his girlfriend (also employed
at Alien Fine Arts) and playing
with his Rottwieler, a 140-pound
pup affectionately named “Lugar.”
“He’s harmless. He’s even more
of a suck than the cat.”
To contact Alien Fine Arts
Tattoos and body piercings, call
905-371-1118, or visit them online
at http://www.alienfinearts.com.
T
Sideshow’s Checklist
Tim Saunders, of Alien Fine Arts tattoo parlour in Niagara Fall, Ont., explains the safety procedures
involved to ensure the client’s wellbeing.
Photo by David Hurd
The layout at Alien Fine Arts
boasts a sterile environment equal
to that of a doctor’s or dentist’s
office, says Saunders. Even the
city classifies tattoo parlours as
medical in its zoning laws.
“With diseases today, it’s so
much easier to have everything
disposable. Our needles are sterilized in an autoclave then used
once, and any leftover ink is
tossed.”
Saunders’ workstation is spotless, cleaned constantly with a disinfectant spray.
“When people come in here,
they want that doctor’s office
hygienic atmosphere, not incense
or aerosal deodorizers. They want
to trust that the place they’re getting ink done is clean.”
Saunders says the biggest health
concern in the industry today, in
terms of transmittable diseases, is
hepatitis.
“The best way to ensure the
safety of everyone involved is to
take as many precautions as possible. Even something as small as a
sanitized plastic bag over the handle of the spray bottle I use can
ensure it from getting funkified
with bacteria.”
To protect himself as well as his
clients, Saunders says he has his
medical shots to prevent hepatitis
A and B, as well as being tested
regularly for hepatitis C. He also
recently attended a disease transmission prevention course provided by the federal government.
(To ensure that your tattoo parlour is taking all necessary precautions, please review Sideshow’s
Checklist accompanying this article.)
Before any session, Saunders
goes over with the clients the procedure involved, as well as setting
up his workstation with them present to assure them that everything
Considerations
before
deciding on which tattoo parlour is right for you:
1. Is the staff helpful, willing and able to answer any
questions and concerns you
might have?
2. Does the artist have a
portfolio of previous work
that you are able to view?
3. Does the parlour have a
“clean” smell, like in a doctor’s office, or is it stuffy with
any odours covered by
incense?
4. Are the needles sterilized
in an autoclave before use and
then used ONLY once before
being discarded?
5. Has the prospective parlour had any trouble with
health and safety inspectors?
6. Most important: Do you
trust the artist who will be
doing the tattoo/piercing?

February 6, 2004

Transcription

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