UWinnipeg Babies & Parents Page 8 Rings, Best of the Kings Year Rundown & Epic Page 12 Things Page 11 VolumeUniter 58, Issue 15 january 8, 2004
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T HE O FFICIAL W EEKLY S TUDENT N EWSPAPER OF THE U NIVERSITY OF W INNIPEG
Indepth Wesmen Classic Coverage - page 18 page 2 january 8, 2004
the uniter uniter the news Volume 58, Issue 15 January 8, 2004 S T A F F Jonathan Tan Editor In Chief [email protected]
Michelle Kuly Managing Editor [email protected]
A. P. (Ben) Benton News Editor [email protected]
Cheryl Gudz Features Editor [email protected]
Jeff Robson A&E Editor [email protected]
Leighton Klassen Sports Editor [email protected]
Stu Reid Production Manager [email protected]
Julie Horbal Listings Editor [email protected]
Chandra Mayor Copy Editor From left to right: Carole Wylie Basarab (Vice- Chair of The University of Winnipeg Board of Ted Turner Regents & Chair of the Presidential Search & Advertising Manager Nominating Committee), Richard Graydon [email protected] (Chair of The University of Winnipeg Board of Axworthy to be Regents), Lloyd Axworthy, Denise Ommanney, Sherman Kreiner (Deputy Chair of The Scott deGroot University of Winnipeg Board of Regents), H. Beat Reporter Sanford Riley (Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg & Chair of The University of King of Castle Winnipeg Foundation Board) Kent Davies Diversions Coordinator experience and acumen, commitment to the Although Chris Minaker, President of BY A. P. (BEN) BENTON local and global community, and vision will be the University of Winnipeg Student's The University of Winnipeg Board of joining the remarkable administrative team Association, says that they are excited about M.D.Cohen Regents announced on December 15th that Dr. assembled at the University," states Richard the appointment, some concerns have been Diversions Coordinator Lloyd Axwothy had been appointed the U of Graydon, Board of Regents Chair. raised. W's President to succeed Dr. Constance Rooke Axworthy will begin his 5-year term as An article that will explore Axworthy's Joe Myles as its sixth president. president in July and brings his experience as appointment and the underlying concerns that Distribution Manager "Upon completion of a full and exhaus- an associate professor, director of the Institute the UWSA and the Canadian Federation of tive search, the Board of Regents of The of Urban Studies, and as a Member of the Students have will appear in the next issue of University of Winnipeg is pleased that an indi- Manitoba Legislative assembly and then in the Uniter. Jacquelyn Hebert vidual of Dr. Axworthy's integrity, leadership Federal parliament. Ainslie Smith Guest Photo Editors
THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS James Paskaruk, Sheri Lamb,Jeanne IT’S YOUR TURN TO WRITE The Uniter’s Fronda,Paula Medeiros, Vivian Belik, Jenny Western, Kenneth LeValk, Sara If you think people who contribute to the Uniter are only first Loftson, Alana Pona, Jay Mymryk, interested in journalism or journalists themselves, Dan Huyghebaert, Jon Symons, you’re mistaken. Most of our writers are just average (yet General Staff Danene Goulet, JJS Mcleod, Brett Hopper, Avi Braemer, Laura White talented) students who have an interest in writing and see- ing their work in print. Try writing for one of the upcoming Meeting of Cover Photo by: Ainslie Smith themes in the Features section, or pitch me an idea for a The Uniter is the official student newspaper of the University of Winnipeg and is published by the University of Winnipeg story yourself. Themes are open to interpretation. 2004 will be Students' Association. The Uniter is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the UWSA. The Uniter is a member of the Canadian University January 29 issue: U of W Campus Life held Monday, Press and Campus Plus Media Services. Submission of articles, letters, photos and graphics are welcome. Articles should be sub- th mitted in text or Microsoft Word format to [email protected]. Deadline for submissions: January 20 Deadline for submissions is noon Friday (contact the section's edi- January 12 at tor for more information). Deadline for advertisements is noon Friday, six days prior to publication. The Uniter reserves the right February 5 issue: Work, Jobs, and Careers to refuse to print submitted material. The Uniter will not print 12:30p.m. in the submissions that are homophobic, misogynistic, racist or libelous. Deadline: January 27 We also reserve the right to edit for length or style. Uniter Office, Contact Us February 12: Urban Life and the Environment General Inquiries: 204.786.9790 Advertising: 204.786.9779 Deadline: February 3 ORM14 Bulman Editors: 204.786.9497 Fax: 204.783.7080 Please send all ideas and submissions via e-mail. Student Centre. Email: [email protected] Submissions should be between 800-1400 words in The Uniter Microsoft Word format. Room ORM14 New contributors University of Winnipeg E-mail the Features Editor at: [email protected] 515 Portage Avenue welcome. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 january 8, 2004 page 3
the uniter news
Abandoned CIBC buildings like this one on Grosvenor Avenue and Stafford Street, one of eight recent closures, are appearing all over the city.
McLeod said they were not familiar with the study. “Don’t close our bank,” demanded one angry citizen, but after several such embittered requests, McLeod admitted that the decision to close the branch had already been made and that they were merely present to learn how the new super-centre can best serve the public. “We will not reverse our decision,” he said. Martin believes that CIBC are in breach of the terms of the Bank Act, the primary leg- islation governing all banks in Canada. “As far as I’m concerned, this meeting does not con- stitute a public consultation as set forth in the Photob by A.P. Benton Photob by A.P. Bank Act,” he said. Again CIBC representa- tives claimed ignorance of this information. The Bank Act states that banks are obli- gated to provide a minimum notice period of four months before closing a retail branch. New Super-Bank Not CIBC did so, but the legislation also states that community consultation may be required beforehand in certain circumstances. These concessions are so that consumers and com- munities have time to react and find other serv- Satisfactory ice options. “This is a community that, over the last Keewatin and Logan branch, and presumably arguments raised against locating the super- few years, has lost a school, a library, and a A.P. (BEN) the others, were still profitable, the reason for bank at Ellice and Empress. Recent closures grocery store,” said Martin. Given that the replacing them with a new super-centre was will now require that customers from as far Weston-Brooklands branch is, and has been, BENTON that it is strategically situated next to Wal- away as White Ridge and Lindenwoods drive the only financial institution in the community News Editor Mart. McLeod then opened the floor to discus- to the super-centre to do their banking. for 98 years, he feels that the community sion from members of the public. Report in hand, Fred Morris told should have been consulted before the final ank branch closures Judy Mckelvey, Resource Coordinator McLeod that a transportation improvement decision to close was made. “You have a duty have become an of the Keewatin-Inkster Neighbourhood and development review conduced by Stantec to provide adequate reasonable service to Balmost common Resource Council for Seniors, was one of the Consulting Inc. in January 2002, identifies the Canadians,” he said, feeling that Ottawa occurrence among the big five banks over the first coalition members to Empress and Ellice inter- should revoke the bank’s charter. last few years. The Financial Consumer speak. She argues that section as one of the And Martin isn’t the only politician who Agency of Canada (FCAC), a bank watchdog in an area where 19.5% worst in the area for intends to take the banks to task. MLA for created in 2001, has recorded over 500 branch of the population is over congestion and collision Winnipeg North Centre, Judy Wasylycia-Leis closures among Canadian chartered banks age 55, and 86% of risk. At current traffic believes the issue is getting out of hand. since February 2002, 66 of which were CIBC families have a house- levels the report calls “The CIBC, which will be closing the branches. hold income under $ 50 for $ 3.3 million in last bank in Winnipeg’s north end, did not con- Bank customers are getting frustrated, 000 per year, CIBC’s short-term improvement sult with the community. It did not have the often having accounts relocated to a different closures have further costs and $ 10.8 million nerve, the gall, the will, the belief to actually branch only to discover months later that this isolated them. in future development. pick up the phone, talk to local businesses, branch is closing too. When CIBC announced “This is primarily Although McLeod said local agencies and resident associations to find in November 2003 that it was closing another a pedestrian communi- extensive research had out what the impact would be. It will simply four branches (Polo Park, Tuxedo Park, 1797 ty,” she said adding that been done in choosing a pick up and leave town, leaving the communi- Logan Ave. and 1020 Notre Dame) and con- CIBC’s decision forces new location, he was ty high and dry,” said Wasylycia-Leis in the solidating its staff and services in a new $ 7.5 a dependency on auto- unfamiliar with the House of Commons when CIBC announced it million super-centre at Ellice Avenue and mobiles, creates subur- study, but indicated that was closing the 888 Main branch last fall. Empress Street, some of its customers decided bia, and has a negative the city had assured him “Someone has to stand up to this….I to fight back. impact on the health of that they would be mak- would suggest that it is the Government of With the closure of the Logan and the community, its resi- ing infrastructure Canada that ought to call the banks to account Keewatin branch, the residents of the dents, and the environ- changes to enhance traf- and ought to require some investment in our Brooklands/Weston communities are not just ment as a whole. fic control at the Ellice communities after 100 years of loyalty.” losing a local bank branch—this residential Lacking vehicles and and Empress intersec- Martin fears that with the loss of char- community of over 5000 people is losing having limited access to tion. tered banks, communities such as Weston- access to the only financial service provider mass transit, McKelvey "We’re not interested In a recent press Brooklands will have to rely on fringe banking for both of these geographically isolated com- says the closure has not release, David Suzuki services such payday loan, rent-to-own, and munities. only robbed the neigh- concluded that these pawnshops to meet their financial needs in the Opened in 1906, the Logan and bourhood of a vital in the details of how kinds of urban planning future. Keewatin CIBC has existed in this community service, but many of its decisions are leading to Despite outrageous interest rates, “fringe for 98 years and has enjoyed the privilege of residents of their inde- we’re going to close unhealthy communities. banking” services are fast becoming the only being the sole financial service provider. Other pendence, having now “We need to design financial resource that such isolated communi- recent closures having robbed them of local to rely on friends and communities so that the ties can access suggests a recent study by Dr. alternatives, some residents and community family to transport branches, but how were people who live in them Jerry Buckland of Menno-Simons College and organisations charge the bank with abandoning them to the new use their cars less,” Dr. Thibault Martin of the University of them, and have decided to fight back. In late Empress location. Suzuki said. Winnipeg. November, private citizens, businesses, com- McLeod said that going to stop closing Of the four Funded by the Winnipeg Inner City munity groups, and politicians banded togeth- they were locating an branches scheduled to Research Alliance (WIRA), the study found er to form a coalition. They had an opportuni- ATM in a nearby con- these branches" close, three are in MLA that the growth of fringe banking services has ty to speak in early December. venience store that (NDP-Winnipeg Centre) occurred for a multitude of reasons; one of the Community members gathered at a would be equipped to Pat Martin’s riding, most important being mainstream bank branch CIBC conference at Canad Inns Polo Park, take deposits, but McKelvey argued that this which has lost a total of fourteen branches closures. waiting patiently as Rod McLeod, Director of was an unsafe and inappropriate solution for from various bank closures, and he has had “What it means is that low-income peo- Corporate Communications, and Barclay the ageing community, many of whom suffer enough. ple in the end face higher fees for lower quali- Cornell, V.P. of Retail Networks, explained from arthritic hands and impaired vision. “We’re not interested in the details of ty services, and these are exactly the people that the new banking centre will open in early McLeod repeated that the new branch how we’re going to close branches, but how who have the least flexibility in their spend- May and will be large enough to handle the offered extended hours including Saturdays, were going to stop closing these branches,” ing,” said Buckland. traffic and provide the services of the four and 24-hour drive-through banking. CIBC said Martin earning applause. The coalition isn’t deterred by CIBC’s branches that are being closed. It will have was also willing to offer a free transit service Ron Keller presented a survey conduct- resoluteness. They have already staged one drive-thru banking, and extended hours, for as long as usage deemed it feasible. He said ed by the Institute for Urban Studies (IUS) that protest outside the Logan and Keewatin branch including Saturdays. that the city is also supposed to offer new bus indicated that 66% of respondents from the and plan to attend the CIBC shareholders Cornell said these closures, or “Network routes sometime in 2004. Brooklands/Weston area would continue to use meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at Enhancements,” are a result of changes in the But Winnipeger’s hate gridlock, and the CIBC if it remained open. “This informa- 10:00 a.m. at The Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg. way their customers are choosing to conduct traffic congestion at certain city intersections tion would have been free for you to use if They are also investigating what, if any, legal banking. He admitted that although the has reached critical levels—another of the you’d only asked for it,” he said. Again, action they may take. page 4 january 8, 2004
the uniter news Rural Students Don’t Live the Simple Life Red River College and also deals with many work near home if they already have a job. might be university residences. BY TERESA FALK expenses, such as rent and fuel for his truck. “It’s really expensive [to live in the city] Wieler, on the other hand, feels her city niversity student Melissa Wieler is part However, the employment insurance he and some students have to have a part-time job friends have it a lot easier when it comes to of a large, distinct student population in receives from his last job provides some much on top of school,” says Brown. She lived in the expenses. UManitoba. She’s a rural student. needed financial assistance. city her first year of university and then decid- “I look at my fellow classmates from the Students from Manitoba’s rural commu- “Gas is a big expense for me,” he says. ed to become a drive-in student. She drives city and I think they have it pretty good,” she nities make up a significant portion of the post- “But I’m collecting EI, so financially that from Lowe Farm for school in the University says. secondary education population. Young people helps out big time.” of Manitoba’s education program. Wohlgemuth echoes that view. from rural Manitoba are breaking free of the Beyond expenses, come the disadvan- Driving into Winnipeg for classes can “If you’re not living at home, you have it rural strains and finding an equally challenging tages of moving home for the summer months. become very costly so many students join a car way harder,” he says. “It’s way cheaper to live life in the city. Many rural students go home for the summer pool and share fuel expenses. at home, everyone knows that!” Wieler attends school full-time in the so they save money on rent. “I car pool with other people, so it costs Besides expenses, some students who University of Winnipeg’s education program. “Students can live at home, with less about $120 a month,” says Brown. are living on their own feel they are gaining an She doesn’t work during the school year and expenses and less opportunities for a summer Wohlgemuth had the opportunity to independence that will benefit them in the long therefore encounters financial issues. or stay in the city and have to pay rent with drive into Winnipeg from Steinbach every day run. “Even if I were to work, that might pay another issue being where to work,” says for classes but decided against this. “We [students that live on their own] for my expenses, but not entertainment,” she Wieler. “It’s just over an hour to drive to the city have to do all those domestic duties. You will says. “I have way more expenses than city stu- If rural students are away from the city and I decided I could spend this extra time have to learn these things eventually,” says dents.” for the summer, they miss out on the opportu- studying,” he says. Wieler. “And we learn how to manage money.” These expenses include rent, hydro bill, nities to take summer courses, hunt down According to Red River College And living on your own can have other telephone bill, food, and fuel for driving to and cheaper text books in used bookstores, register Creative Communications student Candace benefits as well, says Wieler. from the city. And then there’s the other in-person for the fall term or change a con- Caligiuri, who lives at home in Winnipeg with “Not having to tell your parents every- expenses that students from the city also face; flicting course schedule. her family, many city students who have cho- thing, establishing your identity,” she says. bus fares, parking, books, tuition and often cel- “If they (city students) want to take a sen to move away from home and live on their “It’s been really good for me.” lular phone. class in the summer, it’s not a big deal,” says own, face the same expenses as rural students. Despite these benefits, Wieler says she Wieler does feel that she’s one of the Wieler. “Registration is huge; if you need to “Rural students are in the same boat as would move home if her family lived closer to lucky ones because she has a college fund and clarify anything it’s a problem because it’s best city students who don’t live at home; they have the city. realizes that many rural students have to rely to be there in-person but you can’t be there in the same expenses,” she says. “I would definitely live at home and take on student loans. the summer.” Although Caligiuri does recognize one advantage of that if I could,” she says. “I have a college fund that my parents Rural students who live near Winnipeg disadvantage that rural students have. And the notion seems to be vice versa set up for me, it pays for approximately two- or Brandon have the opportunity to become a “The only way they have it harder is they for those students still under their parent’s pro- thirds of my tuition,” she says. “I recognize drive-in student rather than live in the city. are not familiar with the city,” she says. tective wings. that that is not the average situation, most peo- Students, like Jennifer Brown, who chose this Despite not having rental payments, “I would move out of my parents home. ple have to take out student loans.” path have concluded that the fuel expenses and Caligiuri has car, parking, tuition, books, cell I want to be on my own,” says Caligiuri. Rural student Todd Wohlgemuth is wear and tear on the vehicle are cheaper than phone and Visa bill expenses. She says a less “Money and a decent place to live are stopping enrolled in the Civil Technology program at paying rent. This way they can continue to expensive housing option for rural students me.”
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the uniter editorial One Great City? Winnipeg’s transit users of the future, skin freezes over the weekend. Fabulous, fantastic, for fucksake wants the city to retain its young, talented people, JONATHAN in a matter of minutes in minus thirty-five, so I’ve my tear-ducts would freeze if not for the salt. I hope and help create the vibrant, dynamic, engaging and TAN got a couple of recommendations for transit in the the bus driver forgave my scowl as I got on the bus, prosperous city he proposes, he needs to act on tran- Editor In Chief meantime. new bus pass in hand, once my hands thawed I was sit quickly. Young people who want to live in urban Today, I stood in line for half an hour at 6:30 much more reasonable. environments and don’t want to own cars, can and s 2004 begins, I find pm to get a student bus pass, there had been a half The point is if I can’t get a bus without wait- do choose cities with higher costs of living, like myself wondering if hour line for the entire day, no lulls, no sneaking up ing for half an hour, on a major street in a densely Toronto or Vancouver, that have better public tran- Athe words of the and finding no line, just a constant, relentless and populated urban area, in minus thirty-five Celsius, I sit and urban areas with local access to employment Weakerthans’ John K. unavoidable line. Student bus passes were not even don’t know why I should buy a bus pass at all. and services. Winnipeg needs a viable rapid transit Sampson ring true. In the song One Great City, the available until two years ago, when the UWSA Corydon arguably attracts more pedestrians during system if it wants to capitalize on the advantages it character’s refrain is, “I hate Winnipeg.” helped convince Mayor Murray of the need for a the summer than any other street in Winnipeg, but enjoys in other areas, like the better costs of living, The cold, cruel and ungodly, has again discounted student pass. Now they are available but try finding one heated bus shelter in the ten-block and the cultural richness of the arts, entertainment descended on our fair prairie city. Like clockwork, only on campus, forcing students to spend their stretch, it doesn’t make any sense. Do you have to and dining we enjoy. the out-of-towners return to more temperate climes, time in line. The city should make student bus pass- own a car in Winnipeg to survive the deadly winter? Winnipeg is in many ways really one great bringing with them news of the mild temperatures es available at all locations that sell transit tickets No wonder there is an infrastructure deficit. The city, unfortunately as Winnipeggers we usually in Winnipeg over the Christmas holidays, then and passes. City should stop subsidizing the development of big don’t recognize the talent we have here until it bam- minus thirty-five. I’m not complaining about Later, around 8:35 pm, I stood at a bus stop box retail outlets, corporate entertainment complex- moves away and succeeds elsewhere. I hope that the weather over the holidays, just about the fact at Corydon and Harrow. I could feel my big toe es, and the great suburban doughnut, and start Mayor Murray knows this, and will stay here that the ex-pat Winnipeggers who returned to slowly numbing and expanding as the freezing took investing more money in transit today. At the very instead of going into federal politics and moving to Toronto and Vancouver, did so just as the artic cold hold. I’d been waiting for twenty minutes, for a bus least, the city should run extra busses, at non-peak Ottawa. The civic engagement and civic education mass arrived. that was ten minutes late, in minus freakin’ thirty- hours, during periods of intense cold. That way, a campaign that he has started with the New Deal is For students without cars, returning to class- five Celsius. As I ran through my favourite four-let- ride with Transit Tom won’t cost me my finger or an one of the most refreshing things in Canadian poli- es has meant a return to the trials of Transit Tom. ter words in frustration and freezing pain, I scanned ear, I won’t have to become another single passen- tics today, and it would be a sad loss to see him Winnipeg’s public transit system, as users will the headlines of the local dailies. Competing with ger car on the road, and students who take the bus absorbed into the Martin machine. know, is far from perfect and at times barely func- the big news of Britney Spears Vegas Wedding (I won’t be recognized for their fondness of yak fur The bittersweet fondness in John K. tional. This is a problem that Winnipeg’s Mayor, need publicity, all the time, I need it, I need it, I need tracksuits. Other, partial remedies include building Sampson’s voice betrays his own disagreement Glen Murray, proposed to address with the New it, please buy my record!) and the immediately more heated bus shelters or at least installing some with the refrain of the song’s character, just as my Deal and he will continue those efforts with the announced news that it will be annulled, was a story sort of limb warming device at bus stops, to keep us own feelings for Winnipeg betray the initial hostili- Newer Deal; coming soon to a town hall near you. of more relevance to my frozen state. Sadly, the from becoming the amputee capital of Canada. ty brought on by my frozen limbs, like them, what While these plans are somewhat reassuring for cold weather in Manitoba had claimed two lives In all seriousness, if Mayor Murray really starts-off cold ends up warm and tingly. Putting The Biggest Box of All Under the Tree
here has been a flurry of economic development in same. Almost naturally, a crop of corporate chain box stores, Canadians love a good deal, but what is the ultimate price for Winnipeg lately. The city has seen the redevelopment of most of them American, all promising the lowest prices, take up putting our dollars into these areas? In Part I of a series of arti- Tareas such as Unicity into massive commercial parks, residence in these newly created spaces—Michaels, Best Buy, cles that focuses on box-stores and commercial development, and the redevelopment of the Polo Park area into much the Home Depot, Old Navy, Chapters, and of course Wal-Mart. Chris Madden takes a look at the biggest box of all--Wal-Mart.
Mart was also blamed as a large con- threatened mall owners to move out if and relatively low wages. Those that are BY CHRIS MADDEN tributor to urban sprawl wherever it they were not permitted to renovate and eligible for the retirement savings plan, aving entered the Canadian mar- opened a store. alter the mall layout as they pleased. It are forced to invest their company ket in 1994, Wal-Mart has Since entering Canada upon the is then understandable that St. Vital matched contributions into an American Hreplaced the Hudson Bay acquisition of 122 Woolco stores in Shopping Centre approved the renova- fund, and must file appropriate paper- Company and its subsidiary Zellers, as 1994, Wal-Mart has been opening new tions, as Wal-Mart’s tenancy is one of work to the government of that country. the largest retailer in Canada. stores across the country at a steady the largest wings of the mall to fill. The As well, charitable donations and local Unfortunately, being number one does pace. In 2000, Creswin Properties, use of bullying tactics to get what the investment from Wal-Mart are yet to be not appear to be enough of an accom- owner of Garden City Shopping Centre, company wants is outrageous. The seen. plishment for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as provided Wal-Mart with some opposi- chain is already the largest in Canada, It is obvious that Wal-Mart has the company has begun stepping up tion when the chain proposed to move yet Wal-Mart continues to push ahead, made its move in Canada with full Canadian operations in hopes of seizing out of the mall, only to build a new store insisting upon ever increasing profits at intentions of dominating the market. In an even larger share of the national of similar size further north on the expense of other business owners the short term, consumers are offered a retail market. Many Wal-Mart stores McPhillips Street. An impact analysis and their livelihoods. greater selection of merchandise at the have been renovated in the last few was conducted by Urbanics Consultants Wal-Mart has already begun lowest prices possible. In the long term, years, while others have been relocated Inc., and the results were presented to launching its so-called supercentres businesses will suffer from Wal-Mart’s and completely rebuilt. Within the last Winnipeg city council. The report con- here in Canada. Wal-Mart Supercentres overall dominance, and the average month, Wal-Mart has also introduced its cluded: “The relocation of Wal-Mart is are enormous structures that bring the storeowner will lose their foothold in Sam’s Club format to the Ontario mar- seen to have the potential for several Wal-Mart concept together with retail the market. Communities and ket. With Wal-Mart already holding the key negative impacts in northwest grocery. Such complexes have devastat- economies sustain themselves by re-cir- largest percentage of national retail Winnipeg” Though the proposed reloca- ed many competing grocery store in culating money and building from the sales, this advancement is unnecessary tion was found to be a cause of communities in the U.S. The shocking foundations of local businesses. In the and threatens to monopolize the entire increased retail vacancy, lowered prop- comparison is that if such a strategy has open market this society enjoys, con- Canadian market. If allowed to continue erty values and a “possible net loss of had such dire consequences on the sumers are the ones deciding the direc- the way it is headed, Wal-Mart’s further retail employment,” Wal-Mart was economy of a county whose population tion in which business flows. Wherever expansion into Canada will prove to be allowed to move anyway. is 300 million people, how will Wal-Mart Stores Inc. sets up shop, very damaging to the country’s smaller- Garden City is not the only mall Canada’s economic climate weather the money is taken from local circulation market businesses. that has suffered a conflict of interest storm with a population base that stands and is not returned. In several parts of the United with Wal-Mart. Recently, Wal-Mart in the neighbourhood of merely 30 mil- It is up to the average shopper to States, Wal-Mart wore out its welcome sealed off its mall entrance in St. Vital lion. decide where to spend their money. A years ago. Sam Walton’s expansion Shopping Centre, choosing instead to The business format of Wal-Mart big-business chain such as Wal-Mart blueprint called for new stores to be detour customers away from mall busi- took the United States by storm, with can bring economic disaster to smaller- built on the edges of towns, effectively nesses and into a walkway following last year’s revenue reaching US $ 246 market economies like Canada. In the draining customer flow away from the along the outside of the mall. Though billion. Canadian retailers are simply end, the fates of homegrown businesses traditional shopping districts. traffic is noticeably down nearest the not on a level playing field with a com- nationwide are completely in the hands There were numerous legal battles barricade, many storeowners are unwill- pany of such size. Wal-Mart is able to of the consumer. throughout the United States where ing to confirm financial losses. Luu Le, come into the country and dominate towns were trying to keep the chain out, owner of Japan Camera, was willing to with relative ease, as it has the financial This article was adapted from a knowing full well that the store devas- comment on how Wal-Mart’s renova- backing to undersell its competitors. In research paper that Chris Madden tated local economies. Keeping prices tions affected his business. Though return for all of the support communi- wrote. We are currently seeking sim- lower than competition is corporate pol- annually, his venture was seeing ties in Canada have given Wal-Mart, the ilarly themed stories for this series. icy, so a competitor attempting to increasing profits for the last five years, corporation gives surprisingly little If you have a paper that you think undercut the larger chain’s prices would Le announced a 20% drop in business back. Although the main counter argu- might be suitable for an article, con- simply lose in a battle of attrition. A compared with 2002 which coincides ment has been that such stores create tact the News Editor A.P. (Ben) strong common argument was that Wal- with Wal-Mart’s doors closing in mid- employment in our communities, the Benton at [email protected] Mart took circulating money away from September. When appealing the renova- employment created by Wal-Mart is towns without putting any back in. Wal- tions, Le found that Wal-Mart had mostly part-time work with few benefits page 6 january 8, 2004
the uniter COMMENT Students Voices Speak Loud Add Yours the National Day of Action The NDP government sadly has not reduction of fees in 1999 and maintaining a Manitoba needs a comprehensive education BY A. HART been all that clear when it comes to what freeze for most students. They also were policy to ensure the future of Manitoba. he powers that be heard loudly and exactly their policy is. On one hand they say credited with starting the University College Another interesting development is the clearly from both students of the they want to create opportunities for young of the North, which improves access to edu- appointment of Lloyd “The Axe” Axworthy TUniversity of Winnipeg and the people and keep them in Manitoba on the cation for many aboriginal students. as President of our beloved University of University of Manitoba Faculty of other hand they allow tuition increases of Despite these steps forward tuition has Winnipeg. That’s right the same guy who as Management. Tuition referendums on both 91% at the University of Manitoba Law remained the major deterrent for people Minister Human Resources and campuses sent a strong message to School and similar increases at the School of wishing to access post-secondary education. Development Canada cut 7 billion dollars in University Administrators and the govern- Dentistry and Pharmacy. These tuition Tuition has risen by over 150% for most stu- funding from post-secondary education. ment that students are tired of increases to increases will have the effect of driving dents over the past 15 years but for some like During an address to faculty and students in their tuition. Here at the University of young people away. I myself want to be a those taking law, pharmacy and dentistry at the Duckworth centre, Axworthy spoke Winnipeg students voted 96% for a progres- lawyer but I can’t afford to pay almost the U of M tuition has risen by as much as about the importance of maintaining access sive reduction of tuition fees with a record $9,000 in tuition to go to the U of M. Even if 300% in the same period. All three of these to post secondary education. “I feel very voter turn out. Management students at the I could afford it why would I pay that kind of faculties have had increases of 80% or high- strongly about access — it is University of Manitoba rejected a 112% money to go to a middle of the pack law er in the last few years. Meanwhile the rate of very important to keep costs down,” he tuition hike by an almost two thirds majority. school? I will probably wind up going to inflation has been about 2% per annum. It said. These two votes are proof that students are Quebec where tuition is $2,500 a year at seems strange that the rate of inflation for Since beginning this article Paul not powerless to effect government policy. McGill. McGill Law School also happens to universities should be more than a hundred Martin has ascended the Liberal throne and The NDP government has said that part of its be the oldest and one of the most prestigious times the norm. The reason for this is largely one of his first acts was to freeze all govern- criteria for raising tuition fees is a student law schools in the country. Another contra- due to the fact that every time there is a ment spending until a line by line accounting referendum. Don’t think that the Provincial diction of policy is the so-called tuition tuition increase the government cuts back it’s of spending could be completed. The bean Government ignores students. That is why freeze that The Government of Manitoba funding. They are simply off loading the cost counters it seems are running the show in the Canadian Federation of Students implemented. In light of the tuition hikes I of education to students. The idea that higher Ottawa and like all good accountants their National Day of action is so important. It is a have previously mentioned the tuition freeze tuition creates revues for a university and primary goal is to transfer costs from their visible way in which students can voice their doesn’t sound so much like a freeze but thus increases the quality of education is balance sheet to ours. The old race to the bot- concerns about access to education. rather a microwave defrosting. Even though myth. tom is off and running. What they forget is Thousands of students across the country these increases have not affected all students That is why we must send a strong and that their balance sheet is really ours. will join together on the streets of cities and in Manitoba it makes you wonder who is clear message on the National Day of Action Let’s get out on the day of action and towns and show government that they will next. that tuition must be lower and funding to let the Premier know that he is right and let not be ignored. Should we give credit to government post-secondary education must be restored. him know that a comprehensive education Now I’m the last person that thinks we when it does the right thing? Absolutely, Even the Government of Canada has recog- plan should primarily address the barriers to should dump on the government for the sake whenever the UWSA and CFS have made nized cost of tuition as one of the major bar- access as well as funding. Let’s hold Mr. sounding progressive {especially consider- press statements criticizing government poli- riers to education, according to its own Axworthy to his word and let him know ing I am a card carrying member of the cy they have been very careful to mention the research. That being said the Federal how strongly we feel about access. Let’s NDP} however we live in strange times good things the government is doing. For Government has made major cuts to post- call on Paul Martin to make a long term where left is right and right is left depending instance CFS recently issued a press release secondary education funding despite the fact investment in Canada’s future by investing on the election strategy of a particular party. about a new joint pilot project between that all levels of government have been gen- in education. In other words it is impossible to count on Provincial Government and the Federal erating large surpluses for the last five years. Stop The Axe Attack. Get out there on any political party to stick to its founding Government to allow international students Governments often give with one hand take the day of action. principles. It used to be the case that politi- to work off campus. CFS also gave credit to away with the other. cians had policy platforms and though they the government during the last election when A few things have happened since I For further information go to the CFS didn’t always stick to their promises they it graded all the political parties on their post- wrote the first draft of this article. Gary Doer, web sites: usually did not do 180-degree turns just to secondary education platform. The NDP during a state of the province address to the www.cfs-fcee.ca National Site get elected. Nowadays that is the norm. received a grade of B for their initial 10% Manitoba Chamber of Commerce said that www.cfsmb.ca Manitoba Site Another Vacation Ruined by Uncle Sam and was instead being treated like a terrorist. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; will perform random background checks on BY MICHAEL M. CARLOS My dad is one of the most humble and loving however, that was U.S. soil he was on, and passengers. Was it because my father is a n December of 2003, my father, Val, had people I know. He is always the one who Duarte could care less about the true north member of a visible minority that he was sin- set out for the several hour long flight trip looks out for others and who works hard to strong and free. Val longed for that country he gled out? Would he have been stopped had he Ito Hawaii to run in his fourth consecutive support the ones he loves. He has over fifty called home. been white? If Val had been allowed to run in annual Honolulu Marathon, a 26.2 mile run- full marathon medals in his home and has reg- My father was being questioned for a the 2003 Honolulu Marathon, the U.S. would ning event. The extensive plane trip from ularly travelled the continent competing in past forgery offence which had occurred over certainly not have noticed its people all of a Canada to Hawaii, over the Pacific Ocean, will places such as New York, Chicago, San twenty years ago, at a time when money was sudden dying from some lewd terrorist attack make anyone glad to reach their destination Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver, Victoria, scarce but was required to support a family of orchestrated by my dad, as the Americans after hours of endless sitting. However, once Edmonton, Toronto, New Orleans, Calgary, four. Yet, although “case closed” was declared would like to have outrageously believed. on the tarmac in Hawaii, it was not friendly Texas, and the prestigious Boston Marathon, a on that incident and despite a clean record ever Perhaps, most frustrating and hypocriti- Hawaiian natives greeting my father with leis, place that is synonymous with the marathon since, Duarte still felt the need to intimidate, cal on the part of the U.S. is the fact that Val, but instead three mean-looking customs agents itself. Thus, it came as a great surprise to my and gave Val two options. Either my father myself, and my sister had all travelled to San armed with pistols, who had made my father father that after years of travelling to the U.S., could be immediately deported back to Francisco in the summer of 2003. Why didn’t the very first individual to step off the plane, only now were the Americans behaving differ- Canada, or he could contest the case. the Americans stop my father from entering making all of the other passengers wonder why ently. However, should he decide to contest the case, the U.S. back then? Why did Duarte feel the he was getting off first. It is an uneasy feeling A man much smaller than my father was he would have to first stay in a jail cell for two need to deny passage by my dad, who was to be treated in that manner, being watched by the only Hawaiian Val would ever get a chance weeks. Given the ridiculous no-win options allowed free entry less than six months ago, so many scrutinizing eyes. Under absolutely to sit down and talk with this time. This par- afforded to him, Val decided to count his bless- has been regularly competing in U.S. unnecessary armed guard, my father was led to ticular customs agent, Duarte, drilled my ings and immediately return back to Canada. marathons for years, and was cleared of a for- an interrogation room. father with tedious questions for over an hour. It is ironic that the U.S. will expend gery offence over twenty years ago? How At that time, it was already past mid- Under the stress of travelling and the lack of so much energy on trying to deport my respect- hypocritical can Uncle Sam be? night in the a.m. hours, a time when most proper sleep, my father was not in a position of ful father, yet will not use the same resources Let this be a warning to all of you mak- everyone is resting comfortably in warm beds. mental clarity and wanted nothing more than to go after the real illegal aliens already living ing plans to visit the U.S. Uncle Sam may just Val was exhausted, denied the luxury to sleep to be treated like a human being, with sympa- in the states. It is also a discriminatory prac- go to great lengths to ruin your vacation, for all in his warm bed waiting for him in his hotel, thy, with the rights afforded to him by the tice the Americans have. Their customs agents the wrong reasons. january 8, 2004 page 7
the uniter listings
ON CAMPUS COMMOTION Compiled by JULIE HORBAL,Listings Coordinator EDDY'S GARAGE (61 Sherbrook - 783-1552) WHATS WHAT AT THE U DUB Wed - Brent Scott Band Every other Thu - Mike & the ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF KATE MAKI (left) and Ruth Minnikin are heading to MARGINALIZED STUDENTS Eastwood Gang town in support of their debut solo albums. Maki's English Department Workshop Fri & Sat - DJ Dubb Jan 20, 10-11:30am CD was aided by the same team that helped propel Kathleen Edwards to the pages of Rolling Stone, FINN MCCUE'S IRISH PUB (The Forks - 888-6900) GRYPHON TRIO and Ruth Minnikin is no stranger to attention having Presented by Virtuosi Mon - Open jam night Concerts spent years with successful bands The Guthries Wed - Trivial night Sat Jan 20, 8pm and The Heavy Blinkers. Also on the bill is Keri Thu-Sat - Live Celtic music Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall McTighe, the singer/songwriter of Winnipeg's Tix @ 786-9000 KINGS HEAD KNIGHT'S PUB newest major label recording act, Nathan. See (120 King - 957-7710) U of W FITNESS CLASSES them all THURSDAY night at THE COLLECTIVE Thu - The Knights of Jam Mon - Hi/Lo CABARET on Osborne. Band Battle w/ Airfoil Wed - Boot Camp Fri - Core Body POCKETS 12:30-1:15 (171 McDermot - 957-7665) Tue - Step/HiLo Combo Wed - Karaoke Thu - Tae-Box Sun - Curtis Newton w/ Blair 12:05-12:50 Depape, David Caissy, Steve Register at the Duckwork Broadhurst Centre Desk REGAL BEAGLE PUB U of W BURSARY PROGRAM (331 Smith - 942-6411) Applications in Awards Office Live music on weekends
LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ROCA JACK'S ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIP (2037 Portage - 897-7622) $220.00 Scholarship for 1st Tue - Live music Fri - Live local music year Latin American student (586 Ellice Ave - 783-6918), BOB DOROUGH MORE DREAMS CLUB 200 Applications in Awards Office 9pm Presented by COOL 99.1 FM By Gerry Hamilton (190 Garry - 943-6045) WINDOWS LOUNGE Tix $8 @ WECC Berney Theatre Medea Gallery Tue & Sat - Go Go Dancers & (161 Donald - 975-6031) GRADUATE AND (Asper Jewish Community (132 Osborne - 478-7233) DJ Willie Fri & Sat - Brian Paul PROFESSIONAL STUDIES FREQ 107 FM NIGHT Campus), 1pm & 8pm Until Jan 17 Wed - Karaoke APPLICATION EXPENSES Collective Cabaret Tix $30 @ Ticketmaster Thu - Wild & Wacky Bar BURSARY (108 Osborne - 475-2239) SCRATCH - Games PSAs Applications in Awards Office Monday A WINNING CIRCLE Fri - DJ Willie HEAVEN IN VAIN, January 12 By Andy Gamache and YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION DREADNAUT, HUNDREDFOLD Casinos DJANGO'S SERVICES Visit Royal Albert Hotel Plug In ICA (3740 Portage - 837-5831) Words Free employment counseling, www.scholarshipscanada.com (48 Albert - 943-8433) (286 McDermot - 942-1043) Sat - Jim Humpage MARGARET HEMPHILL job training & postings, www.millenniumscholarships.ca Sun - Blues Jam w/ Mark Presentation of The Wedding resume writing services www.finaid.org WINNIPEG SYMPHONY STORIES FROM THE SHIELD Conroy Band and Magic of Connection 330-267 Edmonton St. www.studentawards.com ORCHESTRA: By Bonie Devine Christopher McNally Robinson Grant Park, 987-8660 SWING SWING SWING! Urban Shaman Gallery 7:30pm www.youthemployment SPACE EXPLORATION Centennial Concert Hall, (233 McDermot - 942-2674) EMPIRE CABARET services.com SCHOLARSHIP 8pm Until Jan 24 (436 Main) GLOBALIZATION: REALITY, Scholarship for NASA's Tix @ WSO Box Office - Thu-Sat - Roman-themed TENDENCY, OR A RATIONALE DANCE EXPRESS summer research program 949-3999 MANITOBA MOODS dance club FOR NEOCONSERVATIVE Dance classes for youth 12-17 Applications in Awards Office By Omer de Wandel, John ECONOMICS? with physical disabilities Deadline Jan 15 RUBEN KANTOROVICH Gaudes, Lillian van Walleghem GIO'S Presented by the U of M Wed 8:30-9:30pm from Jan 7 - McNally Robinson Wayne Arthur Gallery (155 Smith - 786-1236) Undergraduate Economics March 10 ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN Portage Place, 6:30pm (186 Provencher - 477-5249) Fri & Sat - GLBT Dance Party Society, 3pm School of Contemporary STATES FELLOWSHIPS Until Jan 28 Wed - Karaoke, DJs Kris, 215 Tier Building, U of M Dancers For grad study in variety of Saturday Ian & Big D (104-211 Bannatyne) countries January 10 X: RECENT PHOTOGRAPHIC Thu - DJ Perry No cost/Limited space Info in Awards Office Tuesday WORK Call 287-8411 for info Deadline Jan 23
the uniter FEATURES
U WINNIPEG BABIES & PARENTS Room for Baby in the Academy? English Professors Adjust to Life as New Parents
They will be collaborating on an article months of parental leave. (their son is now 3 and a half years old). This CHERYL together on the graphic novel Persepolis by "I thought it would be good to get back duo also teaches in the English department and GUDZ Marjane Satrapi. "I love that book," says into teaching and research after being away for just last February gave birth to Baby Claire. At Features Editor Naghibi. "And Andrew knows a lot about so long, and Andrew was excited about staying 11 months, Claire might be able to show graphic novels. I work on the other side, the at home," says Naghibi. "At that time it was an Safianna the ropes. DePasquale even spoke to afianna Naghibi Iranian feminist side. That'll be fun, I'm look- easy decision to make, but since then our feel- O’Malley about the joys of staying at home O'Malley is eight ing forward to that." ings have conflicted. I mean, I'm looking for- with child. He says, “It’s easy for a lot of men Smonths old, and ward to getting back and teaching and [doing] to think that it’s not difficult work. But being a still too young to read. Home With Baby research, but I didn't think it would be so caregiver at home is a full-time job. I find it However that won't stop her parents from wor- hard." more stressful than teaching.” rying about her future reading choices. If you think the life of Although only in her third-year of teach- DePasquale says its good to be back this Safianna is the daughter of Andrew a university professor is ing, she has already been promoted to a term because he missed his classes and his stu- O'Malley and Nima Naghibi, both of whom demanding, add the role tenure-track position and feels the added pres- dents. He says with a laugh that he was fortu- teach in the English department at the of parent and multiply sure to be working. "This is my second year on nate to take leave but he’s happy to be back University of Winnipeg. Even O'Malley's by two. What you tenure-track so I do feel I need to be produc- because it was hard work. Staying at home research interests lie in children's literature. So have is the reality ing and getting more research out there. And made him think about feminism and how with this literary pedigree behind her, what of an academic then on the other hand there's the desire and women are affected by children. “It really is books does an eight-month old baby like? couple with a the responsibility to be there for your child." women stuck at home in most cases. It takes "She likes Dr. Seuss so far and Sandra baby. Naghibi and O'Malley say that the institutional transformation for women to be Boynton's Barnyard Dance. She likes any- "It used academy has not always been a welcoming able to develop their careers and have a fam- thing with a bouncy rhythm and doesn't have to be if we place for academics, particularly women ily.” DePasquale feels thankful that he had too much patience with long stories. At one had a dead- who decide to have a baby. "We both the opportunity to care for Claire while his point I thought I should have a reading list," line, we could just did our doctoral work at U of partner resumed her career, and also thankful admits O'Malley. "We both have lots of chil- work like hell the Alberta, and there was the that he and his partner don’t have to go on E.I. dren's books that we like, I just hope she does- last two weeks first woman to have a while on parental leave because of the n't just want Barney and Disney. It's hard to before it to pro- child in 18 years," University’s generous policy. avoid, the shear weight of mass-produced chil- duce whatever says O'Malley. Is it the policy that has the English profs dren's culture. It's inescapable." we need to in a frenzy? The baby boom doesn’t end here. O'Malley and Naghibi met while work- produce -- A source says there are at least two other pro- ing on their doctorates at the University of whether its fessors with babies in the department. Alberta. Now both teaching at the U of W, they marking or occupy diverse terrain within the English getting a pub- "And A Gurgle on the Baby Monitor department. His teaching areas are 18th centu- lication out," I ry, children's literature, popular culture, and says O'Malley. Throughout the interview, Safianna has popular literature, and she is interested in the "Now there's just a lot more long term plan- been sound asleep. Worried that I wouldn't get intersections of Iranian feminist works, writ- ning that has to go into things because the time remember certain attitudes. Having a child to meet her, we finally hear some noises over ings, and films with Western feminist writings. is just not there." indicated she wasn't a serious academic or a the baby monitor at the end of the interview. Naghibi's courses this winter are Postcolonial O'Malley says they have tried out a committed academic." Naghibi goes to get her and Safianna makes Feminist Literatures and Theories and Women schedule that seems to work. One takes "That you have to choose, you're either a her entrance. Her name is actually a clever and Literature: Reading Women's Writings. Monday, Wednesday, Friday to get work done, scholar or a mother," adds Naghbi. "But [the] combination of her grandmothers names, Recently, O'Malley has had a book pub- and the other does Tuesday, Thursday, and U of W has been very good to us and they have Safidot (CHECK SPELLING) and Annalise. lished called The Making of the Modern Child: Saturday. Then they try to spend Sunday been great to me. I did feel a little strange and Safianna is tentative at first but not for Children's Literature and the Childhood in the together. worried at being pregnant in my first year of long. In fact she smiles at me and sticks her Late Eighteenth Century (Routledge, 2003). But the strict time management doesn't being on the job basically, but they were real- tongue out. And keeps it out for while. Naghibi Now he is working on a joint project with sev- end there. Another decision to make was how ly great." says Safianna is able to make sounds and can eral other professors in the English department to divide parental leave. actually say “dada," however she hasn't made on collection of essays on Canadian children's With twelve months of leave available, Baby Boom in the English Department the connection between dada and her father. literature. He is also working on a children's they thought it was best to share the parenting "She's babbling, she just started clapping her book called Canadian Crusoes. duties for their own interests and for their Paul DePasquale and Doris Wolf are hands which is very exciting for all of us.” Although their academic interests are careers. Naghibi took the first eight months another couple who know what its like to have “We’re just one big happy clapping fam- rather different, they do find common ground. and this January, O'Malley will have four a baby in the academy -- in fact they have two ily!” 2004: What Will it Bring? - It’s a good year for health and healing and - Premier Gary Doer will have serious issues happen. This applies to both the organization BY SHERI LAMB a year when people will go back to a “simple to deal with concerning the environment and of the event and to the women’s basketball here’s restlessness in the air as living” lifestyle. First Nations people, while his Minister of team – be prepared to make changes. The Canada enters 2004 – this is the year Conservation Steve Ashton will have a good news is that a new creative way of Tthis country will mature and take a - In 2004 we’ll look inward as individuals prominent role in cabinet this year. doing things will benefit everyone in the stronger place in the world, according to and as a country, really questioning our val- future. astrologer Brenda Johnson. Astrology is “a ues, goals and ambitions. - Having Lloyd Axworthy as the new language – a symbolic relationship between University of Winnipeg president will help -Bad news for reality television haters, this what happens in the sky and in the world,” - Some things that we can look for during the the school gain greater visibility, with a concept will grow stronger this year, but on Johnson says. It’s about creating awareness next year are seeing the food chain become stronger focus on the quality of programs the plus side more people will turn off their in our lives that opens us up to all of the pos- more localized, a heavy concentration on that exist. Two programs that look to benefit televisions and discover what reality really sibilities that exist for us. Here are some of water in this province and a major shake-up are Conflict Resolution Studies and is. her predictions: in the federal Liberal party. International Development Studies. Look for the university to get rid of “the deadwood” - For all those Super Bowl fans out there, the - As part of the maturing process Canada - It looks like Mayor Glen Murray will put over the next year. colour blue is very strong on Sunday, will undergo, the country will be, “leaving off his ambitions to run federally, for now, February 1, 2004. behind its conservative ways,” as social but people will be more open to accepting - To the University of Winnipeg athletic activists will come out with a stronger voice his reworked “New Deal” when it emerges department: Make sure all plans are in place - Most of all 2004 is for reevaluating all of in 2004. this year. The keys to this acceptance are cre- early for the CIS Women’s Basketball our past choices and changing the way we ativity and collaboration. Championships, since the unexpected will currently live. january 8, 2004 page 9
the uniter FEATURES
U WINNIPEG BABIES & PARENTS Uniter Babies Staff and Contributors Share Their Baby Pics and New Year’s Resolutions
CHERYL GUDZ MICHELLE KULY SHERI LAMB STU REID Age in photo: 1.5 Age in photo: 1ish Age in photo: 2 Age in photo: 1, I think. Age now: 23 Age now: 24 Age now: A few (!) years older than 2! Age now: 41, I think. New year's resolution: New year's resolution: New year's comment: Mmm, isn’t New year's resolution: Return to Grow old gracefully Something witty. chocolate good, especially on your this epic cuteness level of yore. birthday. Juggling University and Daughter worked on group projects. BY JEANNE FRONDA One Student Mom Finds the Balance McFadyen says bringing her daughter to magine waking up every morning to find events at school is something Emily enjoys and that a three year-old child is one of your she hopes the experience will teach Emily Iprofessors. That’s how Tanya McFadyen, a about the importance of empowered women. 30 year-old women’s studies student says she She hopes that just by seeing her mother at feels sometimes. school that Emily will one day view university McFadyen is U of W student who is also as something that’s necessary for her own the parent of three year-old Emily. She says future. having her daughter has taught her a lot about “I really like that Emily comes to events herself and about other people. and sees women in powerful roles—women “She’s my school. She’s teaching me a lot who are articulate,” she says. “I never had that. of things about myself,” says McFadyen. I never clued into everything that she did until McFadyen was 27 years old and living in I became a mom.” Vancouver, B.C. when she gave birth to Emily. Now that she has to take care of someone She returned to Winnipeg because she knew other than herself, McFadyen views her educa- she would have more support here from he par- tion differently. ents and others. Even with all the support “I pushed myself really hard. If I don’t around her, she says having a child completely get A’s then I’m going to fail my daughter. This changed her social life. is for her, so I can be able to give her some- “Before I could drink, eat macaroni, and thing,” she says. “My theatre degree was for stay out late, but it’s different when you have a me. This time around it was a lot more impor- living thing,” she says. “It [having a child] tant.” transformed my whole outlook on life.” Still, pursuing an education when one’s Although learning to interact with anoth- daughter is in her formative years brings up er human being is a positive outcome of having questions for McFadyen. a child, no one told McFadyen that in a way her “Sometimes I think I’m doing it [going to daughter would show her that grown adults still school] at the wrong time,” she says. “I lose a need to learn how to interact with others. stranger criticized her parenting while she and With her bed barely warm from only five hours lot of time with Emily. I can’t always be with Everyday trips that many of us take for granted, her daughter were on the bus. of sleep because of her rigorous workload, her, but Emily just wants her mom to be with such as riding the bus or paying for food at the “My daughter was crying on a bus while McFayden would have to wake up at 7 a.m. to her.” grocery store, are trips that occasionally expose she was in her stroller. A lady said to me, ‘Just bring Emily to school. However, McFadyen is happy that she her to prejudice. pick her up. Don’t you know how to be a moth- It was also difficult when she started tak- has Emily and believes that her daughter has “I’ve never really experienced discrim- er?’ I got off the bus and cried,” she says. ing mily to the U of W daycare . “I cried for a centred her. “I thought, ‘This is going to make ination because I’m a white, middle-class “There’s pressure to be a perfect mom.” few weeks the first time I took her there. I think me a better person.’ I’m learning my strengths girl, and that comes with a lot of privilege,” Growing up, McFadyen’s mother worked she was sad for the first month,” she says. Now, and weaknesses through her. I’m constantly says McFadyen. ”When I had Emily I was as a clerk and she didn’t want that for herself. Emily still goes to the daycare on campus, but learning at school and it will make me a better transported. I was labeled. If Emily has a fit So she decided to go back to school when sometimes McFadyen will bring her to class. parent because I’ll have a broader outlook on and I grab her and yell at her, people look at Emily was a year old. During her first year of Many professors at the U of W have been things.” me. Or if I’m at a store and I can’t afford to studies the hardest thing was dividing the time very accommodating. She hasn’t found it hard The next time you’re at the U of W and pay for something people look at me. It’s like she spent at school and the time she spent with to bring Emily to any of her Women’s Studies see a little girl sitting in on one of your classes someone put something on my forehead, but her daughter. In order to get her schoolwork courses because the classes are often discussion or walking up and down the escalators with her I’m still the same person I was before I had done she would often have to slave over the or group work style. On a few occasions the mother, remember that your education can her.” books from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. during the week- professor would even take the time to welcome come from somewhere other than a book or a McFadyen recalls one time when a days, which was when Emily was sleeping. Emily by playing with her while students lecture. page 10 january 8, 2004
the uniter a & e
That being said, I think Rumania looks much better than North Carolina ever could. Cold Mountain’s title refers to the region in North Carolina where Ada Monroe (Kidman) finds herself after her preacher father (Donald Sutherland) sets up shop. Here she meets Inman (Law) a quiet reserved man who soon signs up for the confederate army and is shipped off to fight before they even get to know or barely speak to each other. The film centres on the theme of isola- tion and after an incredibly intense opening battle sequence, Inman eventually goes AWOL and walks back to his sweetheart. Ada is left alone after her father dies until Ruby Thewes (Renee Zellweger) shows up to teach Ada about life on the farm and the life of loneliness. Kidman seems awkward and wooden, and Zellweger starts off her performance with some comic relief until she settles down into a strong performance as a headstrong woman who was abandoned by her father as a child. The story is a bit convoluted and we see the ending coming a mile away, but Minghella focuses on the journey of each character. Inman’s journey is a spiritual one. He encoun- ters a preacher who partakes in carnal sin too much for his own good (Philip Seymour Hoffman, who never seems to give a bad per- formance), a medicine woman who eschews philosophy and wisdom, recent widow of the war (Natalie Portman), and a ferry woman who loves to sell her body on the side for a quick buck. Inman faces temptation of the body and spirit, and the fact that he barely knows Ada, but still travels a long distance on foot is a tes- tament to his fortitude. Law realizes this and shows Inman’s internal through his physical and facial expressions. Ruby’s character is fully realized when her estranged father shows New Film Runs Away to up on her doorstep with a couple of banjo play- ers (including Jack White of The White Stripes) wanting to reconcile with her. Minghella rises above the weak material Rumania with Great Results and shows a great eye for not only beautiful scenery, but for visual metaphors as well. Some Toronto or Chicago. Go figure. Another Oscar (Jude Law) and Australian (Nicole Kidman). of the cinematography is great, but a couple of BY DAN HUYGHEBAERT front-runner this year is Cold Mountain, direct- Hell, half of the rest of the cast are from the scenes were poorly realized, and at one point, it innipeg had the pleasure to have one ed by Oscar winner Anthony Minghella (The United Kingdom. Legendary director Robert was apparent that floodlights were directly of its first encounters with a English Patient), has landed similar criticism. Altman threw his two cents in recently by stat- behind the camera providing lighting for the WHollywood runaway production this The film takes place during the American Civil ing that he will not partake in anymore run- scene. Aside from that, this film has epic and past summer. A big stink was raised last year War, and is centred around North Carolina, yet away productions. It’s a shame that Americans Oscar written all over it. Of course, this does when the last year’s Best Picture winner, Miramax decided it could save a couple of mil- can bitch and complain about movie work not mean it is a great film, but I’m glad Chicago, was criticized for actually being shot lion bucks by moving the shoot to Rumania of being lost to foreigners but have no complaints Miramax saved a few bucks. They’ll need that in Toronto. This time around it seems that all places. Add to the fact that two of the three when it comes to buying shoes from Nike who kind of money to buy this picture all the Oscars Winnipeg was a better locale then either main characters are not American but British have no factory workers in the United States. it will most likely receive. House of Sand and Fog is a Hot Property The issues here are complex. In one BY JAMES PASKARUK sense, Kathy has nobody but herself to s a film fan, I get all giddy when I blame. Had she just opened her mail and see a new film by a favourite dealt with a bit of red tape, she would not Awriter/director. Most of the time, be in her predicament – the house was auc- it’s a good bet that you’re going to see a tioned because of an error, and she was in real work of vision, not always a good one, the right. On the other hand, Behrani has mind you, but at least a cohesive one. The made a deal in good faith, uprooted his presence of Jennifer Connelly is always a family and has plans of his own, and it’s not bonus too. She doesn’t always choose the his fault either. best projects, but when it’s a good one she’s In both cases, the house is not just a incredible. And I REALLY get all hot and piece of property. Both Kathy and Behrani bothered when a new Ben Kingsley movie have pinned all their hopes and desires on comes out. Kingsley is one of only a few this house – Kathy because she grew up actors alive today who can truly change his there and her father left it to her, and skin and become his role like no other – Behrani because the resale of the house Johnny Depp and Daniel Day Lewis come will, among other things, pay for his son’s to mind as people who can stand with him. college education. It’s not just greed at play, Vadim Perelman’s House of Sand and Fog but real emotional attachment. has all three of these, and is a good return At the center of the action, as usual, is on your entertainment dollar in this year’s Ben Kingsley. This is the man who’s played Oscar season. Ghandi and Sexy Beast’s psychotic Don The film centers on a conflict over a ing the house, dealing with the family, and ing a very nice apartment, a Mercedes, and Logan with equal panache, and this time house, and there are some great perform- opening the official letters from the county fine clothes for himself and his family, around he’s made himself into an Iranian. I ances and a great story here. Perelman man- which are threatening to auction her house. seemingly by working all day at construc- don’t know what it is about the British, but ages to simultaneously depict both sides of Thus, the film opens with her eviction from tion and all night at a convenience store. no country in the world produces actors of the fight without taking a side, and neither the house in which she grew up. When Kathy’s house is auctioned off, he this calibre. While the film works itself out could for most of the film. The ending, Kingsley’s Behrani, on the other picks it up for a fraction of what it’s worth to what is quite possibly the most downer however, leaves much to be desired. hand, is a former colonel in the Iranian and moves his family in. The troubles arise ending since Broken Blossoms (certainly Connelly’s Kathy is a reformed army who came to America to escape the when Kathy’s lawyer wins the house back, the worst date movie since Cry Freedom), alcoholic who nonetheless has trouble deal- Islamic revolution. He maintains all the but Behrani does not want to sell it for less Kingsley alone is worth the price of admis- ing with the little things in life, like clean- trappings of his former upscale life, includ- than its full value. sion. Dig it. january 8, 2004 page 11
the uniter a & e
FILM FORUM A Dialogue on Rings & Kings & Epic Things
To: [email protected] BY JAMES PASKARUK AND DAN HUYGHEBAERT on.” From: [email protected] To: [email protected] From: [email protected] as the movie Meet The Feebles. It is kind of a From: [email protected] I recently saw a rerun of the MTV shame to see him take the Blockbuster route Movie Awards in which Gollum, upon win- I gotta say, when I first read the books, now that he’s proven himself to the major stu- The different accents weren’t all that off, ning Best Virtual Performance, went into a I did wonder about Tolkien’s dusky, evil dios. He did an admirable job on the trilogy actually, when you consider that in Britain profanity laced tirade in his acceptance men from the south who came and joined considering all the material he had to deal (which was almost certainly Tolkien’s model speech. I’m sure Tolkien would have rolled Sauron’s cause. There does seem to be a with. He created what is a milestone for oth- for the Shire), accents vary greatly from city to over in his elven tomb, but it was an appro- model in the books of strong, white men and ers to follow and imitate. He used sweeping city, and even from neighbourhood to neigh- priate escapade for those who seem to have mystical, even whiter elves fighting against camera shots and was not afraid to use the bourhood). The same goes for Boston, actual- gotten too involved in what is easily a mile- darker, animalistic creatures. I’m not saying word epic for this trilogy. I was disappointed ly. Liv Tyler would have made a great elf five stone in cinematic history. The Lord of the that Tolkien was definitely a racist, but I’ve in the trimming of Saruman and Wormtongue, years ago, but her face has filled out a bit in Rings trilogy has seemed to develop a been meaning to read that guy’s article just but then again I have never seen the extended recent years. As for Sauron, he was a light- polarized audience, half of which has to see the case he makes. And Tolkien DVD editions. I guess I am not that much of a house in the books too. Although the hobbit lapped up the films in an almost fanatical wouldn’t be the only great writer with geek. Some other opinions of the trilogy: who looked in the Palantir (was it Merry?) way, viewing the project as a masterpiece of archaic views on race. H.P. Lovecraft, for I wasn’t too happy with Gimli being treated as actually saw his face, the reader never did. I cinematic artistry. The other half sees the instance, had some fairly racist views that comic relief. But then again dwarves tend to think that works better, actually, because by film as total eye candy - an excessive film occasionally surfaced in his work (the black be treated this way. Yet even more political depersonifying the devil, the struggle becomes with no artistic value whatsoever. Others cat named Niggerman in The Rats in the incorrectness...yay! The hobbits all having a personal one, less clearly defined than a sim- still criticize not only the film, but the nov- Walls comes to mind). Charles Bukowski is different accents. Not putting in any more ple hero/villain battle. This, I believe, is key to els as well for having racist and imperialis- one of my favorite writers, and he employed silly song and dance numbers by the hobbits. the amazing staying power of the series - tic overtones. Given today’s political and a lot of negative stereotypes, though I think I’m surprised they actually survive a night of Tolkien has given us a story of a true struggle social climate, it is easy to see how people that he despised all of humanity. And the drinking with their lives intact. of the soul. Anyways, I have faith. Maybe can interpret Tolkien’s work as they see fit. farther back you go, the more you see this I expected to hear Aerosmith’s “Living on the Jackson has something grandly subversive Besides, this is a story of elves and hobbits sort of thing. Edge” every time Liv Tyler appeared on planned for Kong. Or maybe this is what he’s for crying out loud, what can anyone possi- What’s more important, in my opin- screen. I also must agree with a comment that always wanted to be doing, and the gore and bly read into it? ion, is what’s the point of dredging up all I saw online: that Sauron was nothing but a weirdness were just stepping-stones to the The trilogy is not really a political or this racist sludge from the past? The argue- huge lighthouse. The orcs sounded way too credibility to command such budgets. I agree, social journey. Tolkien’s work is deeply based ment that Tolkien was racist, while perhaps much like Evil Ash in Army of Darkness. I however, that with this great success (which in mythology, heroes, and the tests of tempta- not entirely without merit, is pretty weak, kept wanting to hear “Give me some sugar the LOTR films most certainly are, by any tion. The power of the ring and its ability to and if you read Lord of the Rings on its own baby!” I was hoping for a cameo of the kung yardstick), there is a distinct danger that he corrupt the minds of the smallest hobbit or the terms, you recognize that we’re not dealing fu priest from Jackson’s Dead/Alive, or even could start to resemble another great director biggest man is more a spiritual issue. Frodo’s with The Turner Diaries of the 40s here. It’s better, the zombie baby. Favorite quote from of epic fantasies whom I shall resist the urge to journey takes him from the comfort and beau- a great tale, allegorically dealing with expe- that movie: “That’s my mother you’re pissing name. ty of The Shire to the barren and desolate riences universal to all mankind. That Mordor. In doing so he confronts his own Tolkien, like Lovecraft, Jefferson, and every darkness and almost becomes engulfed by it. great writer all the way back to Plato and Frodo has the courage to leave his comfort beyond, was a product of his time and place, zone and challenge himself through body is worth overlooking in order to learn what mind and spirit. Before ridding Middle Earth he has to teach us. It’s true that racism, sex- of evil, he must rid himself of it as well. This ism, whatever isms you care to name, has is the power of myth and the transformation of undoubtedly caused many great minds to go an ordinary to person to a hero. Reminded me unrecognized through human history, and a lot of The Power of Myth by Joseph much of the intellectual work that’s survived Campbell. has served the purposes of the various ruling Of course, it can also be a huge video classes at given times. That said, that is no game consisting of mass marketing exploita- reason to discard what HAS survived. tion where the King is exploited on soft drink I can’t wait to see what Jackson does cups to cater to our ever-growing need to be next. carted about like sheep and buy into the status quo.... To: [email protected] What impresses me most of the trilogy is From: [email protected] that a guy from New Zealand whose previous film credits included titles like Bad Taste and He’s doing a remake of King Kong apparent- Dead/Alive was able to convince New Line ly. Which is a shame. I have been a fan of his Cinema to give him millions of dollars and ever since I saw the delightfully stupid and creative control of the entire project. Now gross out wonderfest Bad Taste. I knew this THAT is courage. guy had the imagination to pull off this trilo- To: [email protected] gy - especially with an imagination as warped page 12 january 8, 2004
the uniter a & e Looking Back at 2003
After the last strains of Auld Lang Syne died out and the New Year’s hangovers have finally worn off, we can finally close the book on 2003. Our contributors paused to take one last look over their shoulders before casting their gaze straight ahead on what’s ahead in 2004. With that in mind, we present some of the best and worst of 2003 as seen by Uniter contributors.
Top CDs of the Year Warm” stands for everything out tracks that never lose dubbed “rave-rock.” Their live show is so BY JON SYMONS good about rock. momentum and focus on geog- amazing that I saw them twice in three days raphy, local celebs, and this summer. The Hidden Cameras The Libertines romance. Keep your eyes peeled for future shows. The New Pornographers The Smell Of Our Own - Up the Bracket London punks reminiscent of - Electric Version The best thing to come out of Toronto since Pilate insulin. Debut of the year, Live Act of the The Clash and The Sex Pistols Crazy lyrics, melody-laden guitars, and Neko Year, Album of the Year. Songwriter/band- (Mick Jones produced.) Pete - Caught By the Window Case gets to sing. After a solid debut album, leader Joel Gibb crafts brilliantly personal Doherty’s Cockney vocals are Another quartet of TNP are now 2 for 2. songs about picking up men, marriage, and loose and disjointed and the Torontonians, Pilate’s Brit- miracles. Using every instrument imaginable, guitars crash and loop away from each other. influenced rock centering on beautiful vocals Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism Gibb’s “gay-folk church music” results in a They’ve been called London’s answer to the by Todd Clark results in one of those CDs Ben Gibbard got rave reviews for his Postal full assault of aural bliss. And their new stuff’s Strokes, but they’re better. where you get half way through the songs and Service side project, then put out a fantastic even better. Look for Mississauga GodDamn hit repeat just to hear the intro again. indie-rock album with his own band. Seth in 2004. The Deadly Snakes- Ode To Joy Cohen likes ‘em, you should too. Balls-out rock from Toronto garage vets. The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site The Dears- No Cities Left Principal songsmiths Andre Ethier and Max John K. writes about cats, Arctic explorers and The Raveonettes - Chain Gang of Love My new favorite band. Murray Lightburn’s a Danger craft blues with rock + our fair city. Reconstruction Solid melody-laden garage rock from musical genius. With an orchestra combined roll and soul, draw from Dylan Site keeps the same great Denmark. with keyboards and guitars, NCL is pure lis- and Lou Reed and crank out Weakerthans sound from tening pleasure. Natalia Yanchak finally gets their best album to date. Each Fallow and L+ L, and may be Electric Six - Fire to handle lead vocals on one track, and it’s the track here is solid, from the psy- the album that launches them Quirky new wave band had a club hit with best on the album. chedelic “Closed Casket” to the into the hearts of Americans. “Danger! High Voltage” but the rest of their organ-only “Mutiny and album proves they shouldn’t be a one-hit Tangiers- Hot New Spirits Lonesome Blues.” Pick it up The Thrills wonder. now. Another Toronto band made up of former - So Much For The City members of The Deadly Snakes, Tangiers kick I never liked The Beach Boys Other Random Thoughts: The Paperbacks- out tunes so infectious they deserve quaran- before, but channeled through I’m addicted to The O.C… The White Stripes tine. Hot New Spirits is rock and roll at its An Episode of Sparrows five young Dublin lads, they sound okay. aren’t all that great…Ah, it seems like only best; the thirteen Stones inspired tracks that Local boy and former Bonaduce Doug yesterday when me and a couple guys from top out all together at just over half an hour. McLean and his new band opened for the The Strokes - Room On Fire London were raving about this fantastic new “Return To The Ship” deserves movie end- Weakerthans in October. In my opinion, they It’s not as catchy as Is This It?, but the sopho- band that had potential to be the next U2. credit treatment, and “Keep The Living Bodies put out a better album as well. Thirteen stand- more jinx failed to fall upon America’s Now, Coldplay’s everywhere. For those of you favorite buzz band. “Meet Me who are Clocks fans, check out In The Bathroom” exhibits their early stuff, it’s ten times Best Things of 2003 Worst Things of 2003 their soft side, and Julian better… Three of the greatest BY KENT DAVIES Casablancas continues to mum- bands of all time put out amaz- 8. The major media coverage in Iraq. ble his way through his feel- ing DVD’s this year. The Who 8. The Mars Volta – Deloused in the It’s not that they are biased, just incompe- ings. released an extended edition of Comatorium. I know a lot of you haven’t tent. How about a little research into U.S. The Kids Are Alright, and Led heard of this album but it’s the best thing and Iraq policies, tactics, and practices The Rapture - Echoes Zeppelin and Queen released since sliced bread. Drop the Elephant and before you speculate about everything? Along with Hot Hot Heat, they live DVDs. The was also a get on the Volta train. are the inventors of disco-punk. DVD release of Michael 7. Reality T.V. It really seems to be getting Luke Jenner shrieks and Wadleigh’s 1970 doc. screams his way through eleven pulsing 7. Kill Bill. Like a true drive thru classic, worse. Woodstock. Seeing these guys in their glory tracks. If you’ve got a fever, The Rapture have Tarintino deliverers a kung fu, western, po- days makes me long for better days, when the your prescription. More cowbell. mo, pseudo-violent mas- 6. Missile defense shield. Not industry was all about the music… Putting terpiece. Popcorn any- only does it speed up the arms Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush in a movie one? race, it provides a false sense of Adam Green - Friends of Mine together was brilliant. My fave movies of the security and will cost both the J.B. and K.G., meet A.G.. Green’s like year: 1. Kill Bill, 2. The Return of The King, 3. 6. Outkast - U.S. and Canadian governments a Tenacious D, only he uses strings and relies The School of Rock, 4. Pirates of The more on wit. Green sings a love song to Caribbean 5. Seabiscuit… What the hell hap- Speakerboxx/the love dump truck full of money. Jessica Simpson, and makes fun of just about pened to SNL?… Outkast’s Andre “3000” below. 5. The Matrix Revolutions. everyone, but his indie pop melodies make Benjamin is rumored to be playing Jimi If all rap were Outkast, it this the feel good record of the year. Hendrix in an upcoming biopic. The guy was What the hell happened there? wouldn’t suck. decent in his 5-minute role as an aspiring Radiohead - Hail To The Thief screenwriter in Hollywood Homicide, and if 4. Mad Cow and Mad Cow 2: 5. Same sex It’s not The Bends, but Hail To The Thief is Andre gets some tips from Val Kilmer on play- the revenge. With the shit they feed cattle marriages. Take that Larry Spencer. proof that Radiohead can return somewhat to ing 60’s rock icons, he could be fantastic… these days I see a trilogy in the mist. the guitar heavy tunes of their glory days. What happened to Much Music? The only 4. Return of the King. It had better win Kings Of Leon- Youth and Young Manhood decent videos are on during The Wedge, some awards this year or the nerds are 3. Jessica Lynch. America’s favorite PR Remember Lynyrd Skynyrd? Apparently they Fridays at ten. Who’s home Friday nights at gonna rush the stage and have a little dance fairy tail. Now she has a book, a T.V. movie, became a quartet and changed their last names ten? Oh, wait, I am. on Billy Crystal’s head. possibly a talk show, her own fashion wear to Followill. Southern rock is back, wicked maybe. Has anyone seen Wag the dog? cool hair included. Hopes for 2004 3. Jean Creitchen finally steps down, There’s only one thing I hope happens in 2004. 2. Michael Jackson. It’s not him I hate, ten years too late. The Darkness - Permission To Land Pink Floyd’s mad genius Syd Barrett breaks it’s the continuing media surrounding him. Lightburn’s not a big fan, but I his media seclusion and grants 2. Decriminalization of marijuana. I Did he do it? Who cares! Do me a favor and have to say these guys are me an interview. We chat about know it’s not legal but it may be a way for shut up about the former king of pop for a growing on me. With a lead how great the band was under the police to quit wasting time on hippies nice long decade. singer who sounds like Freddie him and Roger Waters, and how and go after some corporate criminals for a Mercury and wears unitards much it sucked once Waters left. change. 1. George W. Bush. He’s fucked the galore, The Darkness make The interview finds its way to economy, the environment, world relations, music fun, and it’s great. NME, and I become a journalis- 1. Gigli failing at the box office. There’s and left the American public screaming for tic superstar in England. With nothing more satisfactory then watching J- more. Mission Accomplished Mr. President. The Music - The Music this success, I am able to build a Lo fall flat on her colossal ass and dragging Any ideas for what third world country you The Music are the Chemical time machine and bring together her sorry-excuse for an actor boy friend want to declare war on before the next elec- Brothers meets Led Zeppelin Eric Clapton, Noel Redding, along with her. tion? meets Rush. Lead singer Rob Harvey and gui- Keith Moon and Neil Young into a super tarist Adam Nutter create a sound they’ve group, killing pop music forever. january 8, 2004 page 13
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Top 10 Releases of 2003 The Top 12 CDs of 2003 BY JAY MYMRYK 2003’s Best Movies BY JENNY WESTERN (in no particular order) BY DAN HUYGHEBAERT (in no particular order) Thrice – The Artist In The Ambulance The year in movies started off Joel Plaskett Emergency – Island (Sub City) with a bang thanks to a very politi- – Truthfully Truthfully With their 3rd full length, and follow-up to cally motivated acceptance speech from Michael Moore when he won Eleni Mandell 2001’s The Illusion of Safety, Thrice has done it again. Every song on the record is an best documentary at the Oscars. I – Country for True Lovers absolute gem, and goes beyond the borders of don’t look forward to this year’s The Dry River Boys its genre. awards knowing full well that it will not be as entertaining. Unless, of – Just Another Day Blink 182 – untitled (Geffen) course, the US invades yet another Buck 65 – Talkin’ Honky Blues Say what you want about Blink 182, but be country, for war is always entertain- sure you listen to their new record first. The ing enough to make media outlets The Jayhawks rich. We saw turkeys like Gigli and – Rainy Day Music band known for slapstick pop- punk has evolved, and yes, Timeline (although I never saw The Gay they’ve grown up. This album Gigli, but I did see Timeline and most twisted documentaries you will likely – You Know the Rules offers unbelievable depth. wanted to trash it so much but my comput- see in a long time, the film follows the his- From the dark, melancholy er got fried). Speaking of Gigli, Winnipeg tory of a New Jersey family whose life Sean Watkins – 26 Miles melodies, to the creative song finally landed a major Hollywood runaway crumbles when the father and youngest son structures, to the obscure production in the over hyped Shall We are arrested for child molestation. The Carter Monrose Dance. The powers that be finally decided creepy part is the oldest son videotapes the – Demonstration recording techniques, Blink 182 has delivered a record with that Winnipeg was more Chicago looking festivities, documenting the family fights. The Be Good Tanyas texture, originality, and even a than Toronto or Chicago for that matter. – Chinatown Robert Smith cameo! That being said here are a few of my faves Mystic River: Director Clint Eastwood’s of 2003: minimalism fits the story of friendship and Jim Bryson Coheed And Cambria – In Keeping loyalty in Boston. Sean Penn and Tim – The North Side Benches American Splendor: a highly original Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 (Equal Vision) Robbins give stellar performances whose look at an ordinary guy who has an extraor- friendship is strained when Penn’s daughter Lucinda Williams Coheed And Cambria aren’t your average dinary outlook on life. Based on the true life is found murdered. Kevin Bacon and band. From the bizarre songwriting to the – World Without Tears on comic book writer Harvey Pekar, only Marcia Gay Harden round out an outstand- vocals reminiscent of Rush, IKSSE: 3 is truly something this inspiring can come from ing cast Gillian Welch – Soul Journey an epic from start to finish. someone so real. Elephant: If Clint Eastwood is called min- Fall Out Boy – Take This To Your The Top 5 Babies of 2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of imalist then I wonder how to describe direc- Grave – (Fueled By Ramen) the King: epic moviemaking and great tor Gus Van Sant. Very much inspired by the BY JENNY WESTERN Take This To Your Grave offers 12 songs of storytelling complete with war, action, com- tragedy at Columbine, Van Sant casts nearly perfect pop punk, with subtle hardcore edy and romance. Make sure you bring a unknown teen actors and shoots with very • Laura Corrine Western undertones. With one listen to this band from box of Kleenex or a friend with long sleeve little edits, with the result being a haunting the Windy City, you might not be surprised • tie- Abigail Paige Duboor shirts. portrait of high that they are going to blow up. & Hannah Mae Carlson school America. Kill Bill: The • Zola and Poppy’s daughter, Story Of The Year – Page Avenue return of 90s Magdalene Afrika (Maverick) movie whiz kid Sisters: A • Ashton Bella Bradley Produced by John Feldmann, Page Avenue Quentin scathing indict- marks the debut of Story of The Year. While • Weston Gunner Block Tarantino, this ment against easily compared to The Used, this record has a popcorn movie is religion and all lot of personality. Songs like “Until The Day I so much fun it those that speak Die,” and “The Hero Will Drown,” were the shouldn’t be of morality in 2003 most downloaded songs on mp3.com until the missed. It also the name of it BY SHERI LAMB site unfortunately closed. makes up for all (listening the gore that George W?), To me, the continuing saga known as The Ataris – So Long, Astoria (Columbia) Peter Jackson Peter Mullan’s “Reality TV” is one of the greatest things to While most people only know the Ataris for has seem to left film goes for the happen last year. From watching supposedly their Don Henley cover, the rest of the album behind now that jugular and does educated women beg and plead for a man to doesn’t seem good enough for mainstream air- he’s a big shot. not hold back. toss them a rose, to seeing just how many play. Are these people insane? So Long, The movie cen- worms a person will eat to win a contest – it Astoria is far more than a melodic batch of Pirates of the Caribbean: Another fun tres around three women who are brought to definitely was Must See TV! Bachelor Joe the songs, it’s a retrospective trip through the movie to laugh your face off, especially at a laundry facility that acts as a prison for millionaire surviving on temptation island, memories and life of guitar/vocalist Kris Roe. Johnny Depp’s Keith Richards imperson- young catholic women rather than as a busi- while being judged on his hair, voice, style and ation. Hard to believe this was directed by ness. on how much of an idol he is to the drooling Avenged Sevenfold – Waking The The Ring’s Gore Verbinski. public makes gripping, powerful drama. The Fallen – Hopeless (Sub City) Orlando Bloom comes off best thing about this drivel is that in 2003 I If you combined Iron Maiden, Metallica, and as a swanky version of the learned to turn the power button on my remote Poison The Well, you might get something Dread Pirate Roberts. to OFF… you know, reality is much better along the lines of Waking The Fallen. Is it any than TV! wonder A7X were standouts at this years Dirty Pretty Things: Warped Tour? The acting here is what CKUW Campus/Community Radio 95.9 FM makes Stephen Frear’s film Top 10 CDs Dec. 28, 2003 - Jan. 3, 2004 The Best Albums of 2003 Less Than Jake – Anthem (Sire) so special. The film stars 2003 brings yet another brilliant record from Amelie’s Audrey Tautou as ! = Local content, * = Canadian Content BY LEANNE R LW TW the kings of ska-punk, Less Than Jake. This an illegal immigrant trying album is fast, slow, happy and angry all at the 1 - The Paperbacks to eek out a life in London’s 1 ! THE VAGIANTS Independent same time. Anthem feels like a bridge between 3 Song Demo – An Episode of Sparrows seedy side. A great script 1996’s Losing Streak, and 2000’s Borders and and a performance from 2 - Moneen - Are We Really Happy 1 2 JOE STRUMMER Boundaries, and that’s a very good thing. previously unheard Streetcore Hellcat with Who We Are Right Now? Chiwetel Okonedo. 3 - The Weakerthans 9 3 * JIM BRYSON Something Corporate – The North Side Benches Orange - Reconstruction Site North (Geffen / Drive-Thru) Swimming Pool: Just 4 4 SHINS 4 - The Mars Volta Honestly, SC’s piano-tingled rock when you thought it was Chutes to Narrows Sub Pop - Deloused in the would probably fit in better at an safe not to think at the Comatorium Elton John show than on the movies again, along comes 5 JOHNNY CASH Unearthed American 5 - The Shins Warped Tour. However, that does- Francois Ozon’s pseudo- - Chutes too Narrow n’t seem to bother anyone at all. Freudian study of a female 14 6 * UNICORNS Who Will Cut Our Hair When.. Alien8 6 - Thrice North sees Something Corporate writer who stays at her pub- - The Artist in the finding their niche, and is certainly lisher’s vacation home in 8 7 ! ALBATROSS Independent Ambulance a musical breath of fresh air. France. Things are peaceful Note 7 - Thursday - War all the Time until the publisher’s beauti- 8 * JASON COLLETT Thursday – War All The Time ( Island) ful daughter visits and ruins Motor Motel Love Songs arts & crafts 8 - Radiohead - Hail to the Thief Where Full Collapse fell short, War All The the tranquility. 9 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Essential Columbia 9 - Cursive - The Ugly Organ Time succeeds. Thursday is a band that gets a Capturing the ton of hype, and it never made sense to me 2 10 * JOEL PLASKETT EMERGENCY 10 - Joel Plaskett - Truthfully Truthfully Friedmans: One of the until this masterpiece invaded my stereo. Truthfully Truthfully Maple Music page 14 january 8, 2004
the uniter D IVERSIONS
straight Blurred Vision Tales From a Heard In BY KAD Muirite faced BY M.D. COHEN the Halls & KENT DAVIES
BY M D COHEN BY KENT DAVIES he holidays are over and money is about as tight as Santa’s belt. Well Time: 12:46 T Place: Buffeteria it is for me anyway. I had a great month off, but coming back to school Male: You know I would buy more boxes isn’t always as easy as we think it will of stuff if they were shaped like boats. be. Now that January is all up ons, Male 2: If they were boxes of crackers, I’ve decided to make it big. Writing the crackers could be shaped like pirates. for the Uniter is great but it doesn’t pay the bills. I don’t either, so I’ve Male: Man we’re fucking geniuses. decided to take charge of my income. What better way to do that then by corporate sponsorship? I figured the Time: 1:35 best way to get on the fast track for Place: Manitoba success would be to wear clothing Male: I heard Brittany Spears got mar- with logos on it. I would be like the ried. comic version of NASCAR. I could Sadly, 7 out of 10 of everyone use money for even run through the halls making car Dr. Muire is the Female: To Jason Alexander! drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. new Max Headroom. noises. I decided against this though Male: That’s hilarious, was Seinfeld the for the sheer reasons that nobody best man? knows my real name and everybody thinks I look like Mr T. If you think about it though, Mr T running around Time: 11:23 school making car noises would be Place: Ashdown pretty cool. Instead I opted for a more Female: You think you’re cool? subtle way of marketing myself: sub- liminal advertising. Don’t worry. Male: My Pepsi card tells me I’m cool. They tell me it’s harmless and now… the real column. Time: 12:16 elcome back. The weather out- Place: Bulman Wside is frightful, but then again, Male: So where the hell were the three so are those carols. I think that has to kings going before Mary got knocked up be the best part of January. It is the by God. furthest point away from Jingle bells that you can possibly be. What better Male 2: Probably going to pay of their dept collectors. way to celebrate this month than by writing a column about my new years resolutions? But in the end I decided What have YOU heard in the halls? against it. Mostly because that was Let us know – email one of my resolutions and seeing as [email protected] I’m breaking most of my other ones, I figured this one should follow suit. Speaking of suits, Moore’s is having an end of year sale. Savings are up to 70% off the ticket price. That’s a deal and a half. Seriously though, resolu- tions are hard to keep. They say that the best way to stick with them is to make small manageable ones, and what better way to do this than by starting with your hair. Mine stays silky smooth and manageable with the help of Alberto V05. That’s one way of brushing off last year. This is also Stream of Consciousness the time of year when people reassess their lives and take stock of what was at McDonald's the other day, and I BY JJS MCLEOD looking at her. And she had this look like she they’ve accomplished. At times, peo- noticed that on their latest contest, it was challenging someone to say something. ple think that what they’ve done does- Italks about how rules vary in Guam, and Well, had another Chem Lab. It went No one did. Finally, everyone turned away. n’t amount to a hill of beans. I’d tend you should call in. Do they even have as well as always, which is to say…not. We And so she slammed her cane down again. to agree because the only hill that is phones in Guam? I'll bet they don't, or were out of those little gloves for handling We didn’t find out until later that she was in worth something is Kern Hill maybe as an experiment, they just put in the hot beakers, so I decided just to use sev- fact a crazy person. Furniture Co-op. Those guys have one. Like, there's no Guam eral layers of latex gloves. It worked quite Luckily, I’ve developed a fool proof Telecommunications System, just the Guam method to keep weird and/or crazy people great deals from end tables to king well actually. By the time I’d gotten on my Public Phone. Yeah, they only got one main- fourth pair, the beaker was already cold. from talking to me. I used to always have a size mattresses. Nick’s number one tenance guy. "So what do you do?" "Oh, I Sometimes I amaze myself. book, and people don’t normally bother me son left the sofa making machine on work on the Guam Public Phone. Use Also in the lab, I think I spilled some while I’m reading, but these peasants get again. When will those guys learn? So Windex on the glass and stuff." And you acid on my hand, cause it was really itchy on more uppity by the day. Working on my the best advice I can give anybody know, although you might think there'd be a the bus ride home. Another annoying thing phone or some other handheld electronic this time of year is to buckle down long line-up, since it's the only phone in on the bus home, some weird old lady start- device doesn’t work anymore either, they and keep your nose to the grindstone. Guam, not so. Maybe if there were two ed talking to me. I don’t mind people talking just try to start up a conversation about what Sure, there may be late nights working phones, but since there's only one, people to me, as long as they’re babes, or want to I pay a month. Infidels. So, my new method on papers with a cup of Tim Horton’s can't call each other, so the only people that give me money. I think I coulda even stood is a squadron of trained hawks. Anytime coffee or those early morning study ever use it are the McDonald's employees the weirdness, if she weren’t so old and not someone makes eye contact with me they sessions with a Winnipeg Free Press that need to call the head office. It's a bril- giving me money. She was a crazy one go and bring me the offender’s eyes. If liant idea. Wouldn't it be so much simpler though. There are a lot of crazy people on someone tries to talk to me, they are carried by your side, but in the end, I think it’s for the phone companies in our great land to the bus, and they’re all old. There was this out an open window by my Flying Legion all worth it. Now if you’ll excuse me, just have one phone? They wouldn't even one old lady who had a cane, and she kept of Doom and then dropped in front of traf- I’m going to wash my hair on my new have to worry about local rates. Sometimes tapping it, loud. Incessantly, like, every five fic. The question is, how do you market couch. I'm so smart I scare myself. seconds “Bang!! Bang!!” until everyone was this? january 8, 2004 page 15
the uniter a & e Minnikin’s Making It On Her Own
JEFF Ruth Minnikin (center, bottom) back in ROBSON the day with The Guthries; her new self-titled debut 5-song EP. Arts Editor
alifax, Nova Scotia has gained a repu- Htation as a great music city, largely due to some pretty successful pop/rock bands like Sloan and Joel Plaskett (and his lamented defunct band Thrush Hermit), not to mention those Nova Scotia pop music icons Anne Murray and Rita McNeil. But a few years ago a band of shaggy looking kids started making a name for themselves with a gorgeous sounding country band that fused classic sounds with pop, a bit of rock, folk, and other elements, which caught the ears of many people. The Guthries had immense potential and their prais- es were sung in Canada as well as in hip, influ- ential magazines like Uncut and No Depression internationally. The band released 2 great CDs and toured Canada and the U.K., but they never managed to quite catch up with the hype and despite some very positive press and a CMT tel- evision special, most folks never heard of them and didn’t even know that they existed, never mind that they broke up this year. When a band with so many talented ele- Minnikin says, “I definitely don’t feel like I’m tar stuff that I did before, except now you hear “Alone Together” tour. But Minnikin isn’t ments falls apart, the members are usually starting over. Some of the songs on the EP, a more of it I guess.” daunted by the thought of working without a quick to regroup and start out on something bunch of the Guthries play on them and I wrote Now for Minnikin, the goal is to take the support team, instead she says, “we’re doing the new. Such was the case in 2003 when former a couple of them as Guthries tunes that never show on the road and work up some new mate- whole thing ourselves. We don’t have an agent, Guthries member Matt Mays appeared on the got recorded. I don’t feel like I’ve moved on rial and see how things go. She says, “I’m real- we don’t have a publicist, it’s just us. But we scene with a red-hot debut CD (Mays actually that drastically, I think that doing something ly enjoying this simple homemade EP kind of know that when we put the time in, it’s going to left the band almost a year before The Guthries solo is going to be totally different and I’m idea. I think I’m going to stick with that. When pay off. I don’t think that musicians see that if split). One of the hallmarks of The Guthries’ scared to death and happy as can be, but I think I get home, maybe in March or something, I’ll they have a manager or an agent because they sound was the soft lilting voice of Ruth I’ll see the payoff a lot better.” try to do another seven songs or something for don’t know exactly how much work goes into it Minnikin, who was also one of three songwrit- The new EP is a laid back collection of another EP and I want to carry on like that. I and when something does go well for them, ers leading the band (four when Mays was country tinged songs that puts her front and really like live recordings. This one was record- they don’t appreciate it as much and the value around). As Minnikin explains, that strength centre and it maintains the essence of what lis- ed all live, because for one it’s really cheap and isn’t there. You have to just perservere if you and talent base is also what led to the group’s teners may have come to know from her work also it’s more about the moment in time than the want it.” demise, “It wasn’t nasty, it’s just tough with with The Guthries, but it moves in new direc- perfect moment on tape kind of thing. I’d like to Knowing that it won’t be easy, three songwriters when everybody’s got lots of tions as well. Minnikin explains, “I don’t think do more of that with everybody together and Minnikin’s attitude is still remarkably upbeat. music that they’re writing constantly. With the a lot of Guthries fans will be completely inter- playing together and do it quick.” She simply says, “I don’t have any expec- money involved, it’s just hard. We’d love to be ested in what I’m doing now. They may, and I For the moment, Minnikin is planning to taitons. I’m just doing what makes me feel able to do double albums, I think that might really hope that they are, I mean I’m still the take things one step at a time and start small. happy, that’s pretty much it. I’m not looking to have worked a little bit better to get a lot of same person it’s not like I’ve morphed or any- Unlike much of the work she’s done with The make much money, just enjoy myself.” And material out there.” thing, but obviously they’ll see that I won’t Guthries and The Heavy Blinkers, this tour is surely, those that catch her live or purchase the Minnikin, who is also a member of an have five people around me and I won’t have being planned and run totally independently. EP will enjoy themselves too. internationally renowned pop band called The the same huge sound, it’ll just be me trying to She’s about to head out on her first solo tour of Heavy Blinkers, has now set out upon a solo fill in the holes kind of thing. I think I’ve always Western Canada with her friend and fellow Catch Ruth Minnikin and Kate Maki live at The career with the release of a simple home-made had kind of a quieter guitar style anyway, it’s independent singer/songwriter, Kate Maki. Collective Cabaret on Thursday January 8, five song live EP which was recently released. just with a band there’s more behind it. I think Due to the do-it-yourself independent 2004, with special guest, Nathan’s Keri Even though this is her first foray on her own, that I’m still playing the same kind of quiet gui- nature of the tour, the two have dubbed this the McTighe. The Saucermen Succeed Without Singing video games while BY BRIAN CHAZE planning their first t has been about a year since instrumen- full-length album. tal “riff-rock” quartet The Saucermen “This band will Ireleased their debut EP Calm Before, and probably not get the I was curious to find out how such an odd standard, run-of- arrangement of hipsters could survive in the-mill Nickelback Winnipeg’s cruel and capricious music record deal,” scene without opting for self-destruction, or Whatman states a singer. bluntly. “It’s just “Songwriting is a piece of cake,” con- not going to hap- fesses guitar player Mike Jack. He goes on pen.” to extol the band’s rare chemistry, and the So if you blessings of existing without a singer. want to hear the Bassist Trevor Whatman simply smiles, and crankin’ tunes that adds, “When people come to see us, the first just might provide thing they notice is that not one of the four the backdrop for of us will stick out.” your next video The Saucermen tastefully blend game superhero, punchy drum and bass lines together with stroll into flowing distorted guitar melodies to capture Winnipeg venue that ever elusive wild beast: the hard rock The Zoo, where opus. In the past year they managed to rally Whatman admits a following of local fans on the strength of they’ve been treated like royalty by owners cians; they seem to have entrenched them- live shows, what’s the dumbest question their four-song EP and shows with bands over the past year. “With this band they’ve selves in the hearts of local music fans. you can ask the Saucermen after an hour- like the Killer Dwarfs and Noise Therapy. given us carte blanche” he adds. Now it’s Adds Whatman: “I don’t want to say it’s long performance? “When are you guys Now, The Saucermen are pursuing sound- not so surprising that Whatman and Jack perfect but it makes me feel really good to gonna get a singer?” Jack responds. track appearances on sports videos and radiate with the glow of truly happy musi- play in a band like this.” And speaking of (www.thesaucermen.com) page 16 january 8, 2004
the uniter sports
37TH ANNUAL WESMEN CLASSIC TOURNAMENT A ‘Classic’ Success Once Again
“He’s one of the fastest point Other than the Wesmen men com- BY SHERI LAMB guards I’ve seen all this year. He’s a ing up a basket short of winning the The 37th edition of the annual strong guy – he really gets in your face Classic, the most exciting game was the Wesmen Classic produced exciting over- and he brings some energy to our team,” double overtime victory by Riverview time finishes, a surprise champion in the Opalko says of what Richards brings to girls over Dakota in the championship high school boys division, the return of the team. “He’s a spark plug while he’s game of the Free Press Community the Wesmen women to the Classic for out there!” Classic 15-18 girls final. the first time since 1996 and the end of a The magical run for the Wesmen The team with the worst luck dur- Wesmen Classic 9-game losing streak for the Wesmen ran out in the final as they dropped a ing the Classic had to be the number men. one-point game to the Brock Badgers three ranked University of Calgary (Men’s Basketball) After a disappointing start to the thanks to some good defensive play by Dinos. Missing three players to injury basketball season which saw the the Badgers in the dying seconds. coming in, the Dinos were upset in their December 28 Wesmen 63 Memorial 60 Wesmen men go 0-8 in CIS league play, “Exciting, the fans were in it and opening game and relegated to the con- the team used the break to refocus their then it was like all of a sudden it was solation side of the tournament. Three December 29 game. gone and you could hear this silence more players went down to injury during Wesmen 64 Manitoba 59 “When guys could have given up throughout the building,” Wedlake says the Classic, including two players in the of the final minute of the final. Dinos final game. December 30 from what happened in the beginning of Brock 70 Wesmen 69 the season and not having the results we It’s been nine years since the The most heartbreaking loss hap- wanted – we really pushed to get better. Wesmen won the Classic. pened in dramatic fashion when after That’s what we did over the break we At the beginning of the tournament, tying up the consolation semi with the 37th MTS Mobility really tried to get together as a team and the men’s team hoped to achieve success Memorial Sea-Hawks; the University of Wesmen Classic to keep pushing,” rookie Matt Opalko in the Classic that they could use head- Lethbridge was called on a foul with six All-Star Team noted after playing in his first Classic. ing into the second half of the CIS bas- seconds left, losing by the margin pro- Whit Hornsberger- Calgary The pressure was on in the opening ketball season to springboard them to vided by the two foul shots. finishing the season off well. This year’s tournament lasted Ben Doornekamp Queen's game, since the Wesmen had never lost Dave Brar - Winnipeg the first game of their own tournament, “We’re just going to try and build almost a full month, starting December 8 on it [success of the Classic play). We’re and finishing January 4 and featured 68 Mike Gomez - Winnipeg but they scored a dramatic win over the Kevin French - Brock Memorial Sea-Hawks to end the nine going to keep playing defense the way teams and over 1000 participants. game losing streak, dating back to we did here. I think that’s the key for us Besides the university men’s portion and MVP - Kevin Stienstra - Brock October 31. and if we do that, hopefully, we can have the high school boy’s, which run The Wesmen crossed swords in a some success,” coach Dave Crook said between Christmas and New Year’s, the Women’s Basketball bloody battle with their fiercest rivals about what his team needs to do going tournament also featured the Converse into the second half of the CIS season. Junior Varsity Classic and the Free Press from the University of Manitoba in the Toronto Invitational Tournament semi-final. The game was a coming out In the high school portion, the Community Challenge. Four Winnipeg (exhibition) party for Los Angeles native Michael Garden City Fighting Gophers surprised high schools competed in the girls divi- December 28th Gomez, as he finally displayed the ver- the Oak Park Raiders in the final by sion of the Classic this year on January 3 Wesmen 71 Toronto 63 satility the Wesmen knew he could pro- jumping out to an early lead and never and 4, while the Wesmen women’s team duce when they brought him here in the looking back. This was Garden City’s took on the Memorial Sea-Hawks in December 29th off-season as he helped the Wesmen first time in the Classic since the late exhibition action. Wesmen 67 Ryerson 63 advance to the final. 60’s. Athletic Director Bill Wedlake esti- The Oak Park Raiders girls’ team mates that the tournament brought out December 30th Besides Gomez, other players who Wesmen 79 Toronto 66 played some of their best basketball of managed to make up for their male coun- over 12,000 Winnipeg basketball fans the season include Opalko and first year terparts loss by winning the high school throughout the tournament to the January 3rd player Marlon Richards. girls tournament over Miles Mac. Duckworth Centre. Wesmen 69 Memorial 59 (exhibition) January 4th Wesmen 55 Memorial 54 (exhibition)
Women’s Volleyball
(Toronto Invitational Tournament) January 2 Winnipeg def. Montreal 3-1 (24-26, 25-16, 25-21, 25-11) January 2 Winnipeg def.York 3-2 (27-25, 25-15, 25-27, 23-25, 15-7) January 3 Wesmen def. Toronto 3-1 (24-26, 25-10, 33-31, 25-11) January 3 Wesmen def. Wilfrid Laurier 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-8) January 4th Wesmen def. Toronto 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-22)
UPCOMING Home January 10 Men’s & Women’s Basketball vs Brandon Away
January 8 Mens & Women’s Basketball January 9-10 Men’s & Women’s Volleyball vs BC january 8, 2004 page 17
the uniter sports
GAME
1 37TH ANNUAL WESMEN CLASSIC TOURNAMENT QUARTER FINAL vs Memorial Wesmen Win! Snap Two Month Losing Drought Jeff Saxby sunk 14-points for the Sea- BY SHERI LAMB 5th year veteran Hawks in being named player of the game for J.P. Lynch flys for the visitors. the basket. He oach Dave Crook wore red shoes for the opening game of the Wesmen Classic, The victory means the Wesmen remain finished the undefeated in the first game of the Wesmen night with 8 Choping to end his team’s losing streak. points. Like Dorothy, whose red shoes brought her Classic for all 37 years of the tournament. home, Coach Crook’s brought the Wesmen a “The red shoes come out when we need a much-needed win. big win and we’ve never lost the first game of After blowing a 12-point lead in the sec- the Wesmen Classic,” Crook smiled, relieved ond half, the Wesmen sent a boisterous crowd he won’t go down as the first coach to lose the home happy with a 63-60 victory over the opening game of the Wesmen Classic. Memorial Sea-Hawks. The win snapped a 9- A Flash of Genius game losing streak for the Wesmen, who last tasted victory Halloween night when they The Wesmen came out in the second half knocked off the University of Saskatchewan like they were the Harlem Globetrotters, show- Huskies in exhibition play. ing the crowd all their fancy moves. The Sea-Hawks slowly chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking a one-point lead Some worked; Some didn’t. late in the first half. The nicest move came early in the half The Wesmen weren’t about to be defeat- when Tony Richter carried the ball down the ed though, and they put in a workmanlike final court, then deftly tossed it behind his back to two minutes of play, scrapping for the victory. Mike Gomez who sunk the basket. “It was good for us because we won a game we could have easily lost at the end,” Who wears the dunce cap? head coach Dave Crook said following the game. A mix-up with the game line up left the It was Oliver Leslie’s 3-point shot with Wesmen without third-year guard Kevin just over a minute to play that put the Wesmen Yeboah and cost them a technical foul. up a deuce and sent the crowd roaring, but sec- Apparently, the officials just copied the onds later, Jeff Saxby pulled Memorial to with- game line-ups from the program; unfortunately, in a point again by retaliating by sinking his Yeboah’s name was accidentally left off of the own three pointer. program. Dave Brar sealed the victory for the home When the Wesmen went to substitute team though, nailing both of his free throws Yeboah into the game, they were assessed a with only six seconds on the clock. technical foul, giving a Memorial player a Guard Mike Gomez led the Wesmen with chance to make four foul shots in a row (the 18-points was named the Wesmen player of the Sea-Hawks were at the line when the substitu- tion was being made). Photo: Leighton Klassen game for his solid performance. “It’s tough because we do this all year, we The Wesmen’s lead closed from 21-12 to get a lead and get to the second half and just die, 21-16 after the free throws, but they were able Gomez explained about his team’s disappoint- to laugh off the absurdness of the penalty, not ing 0-8 start in the CIS season. “By the end of letting it affect the rest of their game. the season, we’ll be one of the better teams and Yeboah, jubilant over the victory, chalked a playoff team. I’ll give my guarantee, I think up the experience to a unique one and found it we’ll make it,” he said. amusing that it happened to him. GAME lar season play. But the ‘new look’ Wesmen didn’t make any extravagant changes during 2 Wesmen Eliminate Bisons, the Christmas break. The team simply re-read SEMI FINAL vs the playbooks, re-practiced the plays, and re- Bisons adjusted their attitudes in front of head coach Advance To Final Dave Crook who turned the teams practice time into a sanctuary that only a hot headed coming out and playing hard, and that is exact- when he received a behind the back pitch from drill sergeant could dream of. BY LEIGHTON KLASSEN ly what they did.” Tony Ritcher that was followed by another “They battled hard every day in practice, hey walked off the battlefield black and Play they did. The Wesmen chalked up score just moments later. A shocked and and I challenged them to work harder every blue; their jerseys drenched in blood over double what they scored in the first half, fatigued Bison team struggled in the final min- day. They did everything they were asked of Tand sweat, and their eyes full of tears, while chopping the Bison offensive point drive uets, and allowed the Wesmen to hold their them in the month of preparation, and it paid but the Wesmen, in one of the most infamous down by nine points. lead, and advance to the final. off,” said Crook. rivalries in the Can West, beat the Manitoba The second half began with a collabora- The Wesmen offence submitted an optimal Much of the teams refurbishing process Bisons in the semi final game of Wesmen tive point rush by Wesmen Veteran Tony offensive performance that punched up 44 was focused on the defense, which was put Classic, December 29th in front of a near sell- Richter, Michael Gomez, and Dave Brar, who points alone in the second half, but according into context through the teams ability to hold out crowd at the Duckworth. all met the mesh with consecutive two point to head coach Dave Crook, the punishment its opposition to less that 60 points in both of “They just battled hard,” said an emotion- scorings to narrow the Bison lead to 34-26. from the defensive side of the court was the their games thus far. al Dave Crook following the game. “We Then the defense began to follow the offence driving gear that allowed the club propel itself “We did a lot of our work on our defense. played great defensively, and they played with in parallel. A steal by Tony Richter followed from its losing debt in the second half, and We re-taught a lot of our principals, we also energy and emotion, and it got us the win”. by a defensive rebound by J.P. Lynch allowed earn themselves their second win in a row. did a lot of situational work- we dealt with The win marked the teams’ second in a the Wesmen to score on the resulting “Defensively we’re great,” he said. every sort of cut, every sort of ball screen, and row, the first coming Saturday where they beat turnovers, setting the score at 41-35 with 12:48 “We’ve been holding teams to 60 points or basically anything that any team would throw Memorial in the quarter final, and snapped a to go in the game. The half also marked the less, and that’s just outstanding defense.” at us,” said Crook. double digit losing drought that has plagued return of Dave Brar, who suffered a vicious The ‘D’, managed to slash 9 points off the Mike Gomez, the newcomer from Los the team for over two months. But aside from elbow to the head in the first half that left him Bisons first half scorings in surrendering only Angeles, used up most of the ink on the score a stellar defensive performance, the team over- with a cut that would require stitches following 25 points to the cross town clan in the second sheet. The forward led in early every category came one of their most reoccurring flaws- sec- the game. half. with 12 rebounds, 8-8 in free throws, 23 total ond half blow-outs. And going into the locker The score ran parallel until the last eight “We held them to twenty something points points, and 36 game minuets. room down 34-25 at the half, there was no minuets of the game. A crucial mid court steal in the second half, and five of those were just “Mike’s doing what we want him to do for need for a crystal ball to tell what the probable by Mike Gomez, set up J.P. Lynch for a basket, garbage time points anyway,” said Crook. us right now. Yeah, he had a great game, and outcome would be. that gave the Wesmen their first lead at 52-50 The win marked the team’s first winning he played real hard,” said Crook. “I just challenged them at the half,” said with 5:32 remaining in the game. Gomez’s streak of the year, and ironically, they’re first Tony Richter chalked up 13 points, with Crook. “I simply challenged them to start shoes continued to mark up the Bison Defense winning weekend in over two months of regu- J.P. Lynch following with 11. page 18 january 8, 2004
the uniter sports GAME 2 SEMI FINAL vs Bisons 37TH ANNUAL WESMEN CLASSIC TOURNAMENT Gomez Heating Up Winterpeg!
ing to the Chinook friendly confines also mates eyes he realized just how badly they BY SHERI LAMB known as the University of Calgary. wanted to beat the University of Manitoba, basketball player needs to see the Once he met with Coach Crook though, “It’s personal to them, I saw the look on their whole floor in order to make his his choice was easy. faces and I said hey look guys we’ve got to Amoves, outfoxing the opposition, “ When I came and met Coach Crook, step it up.” while helping his teammates reach a common he treated me with open arms and gave me the Step it up, he did. In fact, Gomez made goal. space and the freedom I needed and just treat- it his personal mission to see that the Wesmen A politician wants all the information on ed me with kindness. I knew that coach would beat the Bisons and advanced to the Classic a particular issue before raising an agenda on look out for me no matter what,” Gomez said. final. With less than four minutes to go in a the house floor, stifling the opposition parties “So that made me come to Winnipeg. I chose game either team could still win and fourth- and working with his constituents on an issue to come here.” year Wesmen Tony Richter fouled out of the that is mutually beneficial. While he had heard about the Winnipeg game, Gomez used his versatility and quick- Today Michael Gomez is trying to help winters when making his decision, it was still ness to lead the Wesmen to the victory. the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s a shock to the California native when he His play in the Classic earned Gomez an basketball team get back on track after a dis- walked out of his house that first morning all-star honour and gratified Crook who is appointing 0-8 start to the Canada West bas- when it was –20 and that north wind was pleased that his talented recruit is finally play- ketball season. Years from now, when his bas- blowing. ing up to his potential. ketball career is done, he’d like to answer to “I’m not used to the weather out here – “We expect a lot from him and I think he Senator Gomez, elected official of the United it’s kind of cold, so I wake up kind of lethargic didn’t do some of the things we needed him to States Senate in Washington D.C. helping and I just keep dragging on,” Gomez do early and we’re disappointed in him and he solve the problems the US and the world face. explained about going outside in the Winnipeg knows that,” Crook said. “We need Michael to He already has one vote from his bas- winter. (Note: Mike everyone feels this way, play well if were going to be successful. He ketball coach Dave Crook, who believes he’d even the people who lived their whole lives in knows that and I know that. When he plays make an excellent politician someday. “I hope Winnipeg – you just have to keep chugging well and puts a good game together, he gives he’s going to be a US Senator someday, I along.) us a chance to win.” know that’s a goal in his life. He’s a smart kid Still, the bone-chilling Winnipeg winters Still basketball is a team game and no and he understands a lot and he’s got a real lust are far removed from South Central Los one knows that better than Gomez who sings for life and a lust for learning, which I think is Angeles where Gomez grew up with his four the praises of his teammates, “Everybody a good thing and I think it’s going to carry him sisters and grandfather. came out, JP [Lynch], Tony [Richter], Dave a long way,” raves Crook about his star off- Another thing different about Canada is [Brar] – Kevin Yebaoh was excellent.” season recruit. the smaller crowd at basketball games. Whether it’s helping his basketball The third-year forward joined the Playing in the US Gomez is used to playing in mates on the court or helping out his sisters if Wesmen team this season, after spending time front of thousands of screaming fans, but play- they need him, Gomez will be there confident- at the Division I University of Portland, in ing for the Wesmen that number is greatly ly helping everyone achieve their goals in life. Oregon. Injuries wrecked havoc with his abil- reduced. His confidence in himself and his team- Mike Gomez in ity to meet the eligibility requirements though, The difference is so great that he admits mates’ shines through when he boldly guaran- action. He led Photo: Leighton Klassen so he turned his attention north of the border, to feeling like the team would lose the semi- tees the Wesmen will turn their season around the game where he could play basketball three more sea- final game of the Wesmen Classic, because the in the second half and make the playoffs. rebounds (12), sons, instead of just one more. enthusiasm in the air just wasn’t there and he The world could use politicians willing points (23), and minuets played While a US Senator has to make choic- didn’t feel that people took basketball as per- to go out on a limb and make strong, authori- (36). es like to come down for or against the war in sonally up here. tative decisions like that, instead of wishy- Iraq, Gomez had to make the choice between His opinion changed at half time. washy decisions that change faster than the coming to the University of Winnipeg or head- Checking out the intensity of his team- seasons in Winnipeg do. GAME 3 FINAL vs Brock University Close, But No Cigar Wesmen Lose By One Point In The Championship Game Of The Wesmen Classic pumpkin bringing the Wesmen within two what would be their last attempt to score a “I’m pleased to know that the players BY MYSTERY DUDE at a score of 10-12 with 13:38 to go in the point, and after slowing the play down deep know that they can play this way, and play f head coach Dave Crook could of given half. A back and forth point rally for both in Brock territory, he was stripped of the at this level, he said. his own front teeth for a few extra sec- teams brought the score up to 23-16 in favor ball while attempting to drive towards the “We’ve talked all year about certain Ionds on the clock at the Wesmen Classic of Brock following the Wesmen’s Matt hoop. Brock held possession as the final things, and we finally got into the habit of final, he probably would of. Opalko’s lay up score. The Wesmen 1st seconds fizzled away on the clock and doing those things continuously, and Down by a single point to Brock year guard Marlon Richards then provided clinched a 70-69 victory and a first place because we did that, we now know that we University with 15 seconds winding down footage for the highlight reel. Richards finish at the 37th annual Wesmen Classic. can play good basketball.” on the clock, the Wesmen’s final sprint received a pass and drove through the Brock Although the game resulted in a heart- The tournament also allowed for down the court ended with disappointment key in landing a lay-up, and followed breaking loss, the 2-1 record that the some of the team to break out of their as Brock defenders stripped the team of the through with a steal on Brock’s next posses- Wesmen posted during the tournament will slumping casings, and break into superstar ball, and allowed the time to fizzle out in sion which he pitched to Mike Gomez for act as a stepping stone for the upcoming like rankings. Rookie Matt Opalko over- taking a 70-69 win over the Wesmen, and a trip down the court gone untouched in post- semester where the team’s regular season came first semester injury woes and fin- first place in the tournament. ing a score of 25-22 in favor of Brock with stands at 0-8. Head coach Dave Crook felt ished with a strong performance in chalk- “We had the ball in the hands of the 4:50 to go in the half. The buzzer rang with that although the team came up short in the ing up a second place point finish with 11 guy (Dave Brar), who got us there and we Brock in the lead 36-32 at the half. final, they excreted their best performance in the final game. didn’t call a time out because I didn’t want A three score rally that was triggered of the season which he considers to be vital “He scored, he’s got great hands, and to give them time to set up their defense, by veteran forward Dave Brar, who wore a in rebuilding the teams success. he made a couple really nice plays in the explained Crook on his decision to not call large white bandage on his head from an “It’s weird because when you lose second half. He gave us good minuets, and a time out on the final play of the game. injury sustained the night before verses the you’re upset, and I am, but at the same time we think he’s a big part of this teams “They were tired (Brock’s defense), Bisons, drained a three point shot that was I’m pleased because we put together the future,” said Crook. they hadn’t rested, and they hadn’t subbed, followed a back to back netting from Tony best games of the season back to back to Dave Brar led the pack with 24 points and I wanted to take advantage of that. I Richter in bringing the Wesmen within one back. To play well, and then to play well on the night with Matt Opalko in second thought maybe it would have been our point at a score of 45-44 with 15:53 to go in again, and a third time; that’s just such a with 11. A three way tie for third left Mike advantage in that situation, and not theirs, the game. The Wesmen fell down ten points positive thing for me” said Crook. Gomez, Tony Richter, and J.P. Lynch with and it’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out with six minuets remaining, but Brar, Crook said that the style of play that 8. that way,” he added. Gomez, Ritcher, Opalko, and Lynch all the Wesmen executed during the tourna- The teams next action is at home vers- A early game three pointer that was dialed in offensive coordinates that brought ment was something that they talked about es Brandon on January 8th where Crook followed by two quick lay-ups, put Brock them within one point while holding Brock all year, but never successfully carried out. plans to bang on the same drum. up 7-2 on the Wesemen, just three minuets off of scoring a single point during their He feels that the players now know that they “We did the things we had to do, and into the game. Veteran J.P. Lynch set up rally. With 15 seconds left on the clock, have the potential to be a competitive force it made us successful, and now we’re going camp under the Brock net to drown the Dave Brar led the pack down the court for in the next semester. to continue on with them.” january 8, 2004 page 19
the uniter sports Heritage Classic Much More Than a One-Time Event
perature- it was cold, but emotions and pas- BY MIKE PYL * * * * * * “I remember just going to play some “6:30 am. I needed no alarm to awaken sions perspiring from hockey kept us incoher- n December of last year, the city of outdoor hockey at the old Tuxedo Community this morning. My first organized hockey game ent to the deep freeze. We created a place Edmonton put on a spectacle never before Centre in the winter on my days off from ever awaited at 8:00. After a quick bowl of where our wishes came true, and our dreams Iseen. Passionate, die-hard fans packed the school. Since it would be the middle of a Cheerios, I began to get dressed at home. placed themselves out in color. It was our rink, 58,000-seat Commonwealth Stadium to watch weekday, I would always end up being the Layer after layer of clothing was piled on to and our place to score goals, win games, drop what was dubbed “The Heritage Classic”. Two only one there, but that never bothered me. I my by parents, much to my dismay. Skate- gloves, become heroes, and win champi- hockey games. Eight hourse. 20 degrees would somehow pretend to be all 5 players on guards and all, I waddled over to the van. The onships. It was a place where we fought, cried, below zero. the ice for both opposing teams at once, play- ice freshly plowed, the wind-chill stinging the laughed, teased, got hurt, and burnt our frozen Label them what you will. “Those crazy ing hard against, well...myself. One time, I parts of my face not covered by my balaclava lips on stifling hot chocolate - it was indeed Edmontonians,” you might say. “Who would even had a cast on my arm, but I still managed under my helmet, I staggered onto the ice. My our NHL.” willfully subject themselves to such cold to go and play as much as you can with a cast parents, more concerned with how many times – Leighton Klassen, 22 weather for such a long period of time? englobing your elbow. It didn't matter if the I didn’t fall down much less how many goals * * * I would expect nothing less from any rink was totally full or totally empty, playing I scored, watched from the boards. The fresh “When I was younger, Winnipeg Jet leg- other city in this country. Passion for hockey outdoor shinny was always (and still is) a air, the gleaming ice, the simple joy of com- end Thomas Steen lived nearby. He used to set permeates every Canadian. Both the Old blast. No matter how cold or sick you ended peting with a team and making new friends, all up a rink on the lake behind his house, flood- Timers game and the modern NHL tilt that fol- up, it was always worth the frozen toes and hit me at once. Freezing cold, we played lights, boards, the whole shebang. He used to lowed was a celebration, a return to the roots shivers to go and play ourdoor shinny. I think through, and at the end of the period, we got to invite my friend and I over to skate with him. of the sport that so many consider religion. I'm gonna go play right now.” warm up on the inside with hot chocolate. In No doubt every time was a thrill. But one spe- The outdoor setting was a retrospective into – Joel Deeley, 18 the end we lost, but the score wasn’t reflected cial day, goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, also every player’s past. Heading to the local rink on our bright red faces. We all just were of the Jets, was over at Steen’s house. early in the morning, and not returning until it * * * “On Monday night, my brother, my thrilled to be part of a tradition, to be part of Needless to say, we went out back and I start- became too dark to see the puck. When they the fun, to be part of a greater good.” – Keith ed firing bullets at him. Top Shelf! Five Hole! braved whistling snow, burning cheeks and friend and I went skating at the community centre. It was tons of fun! We played keep Horaska, 18 Dekes him, goes around, scores! He hadn’t let numb toes all to be Wayne Gretzky, passing in so many goals in his entire career. My that perfect pass, firing that perfect shot, mak- away against my brother. The rink with the * * * better ice had tons of people, so we played on “The pond was close to me, in fact it friend, at the time, suggested he was just going ing that perfect save. When they hoisted that easy on me. “He plays in the NHL,” he said, Stanley Cup for the 500th time. When they the one with a lot of cracks, but it was still fun. was across the street. Everyday after supper, And then my Dad, being the mean, mean Dad I'd blanket myself with long underwear, “a 10 year old couldn’t score on him.” I were nothing more than a regular Canadian laughed him off and proceeded to beat Steen kid with a dream. Here are some local kids, he is, made us get off the ice and go home, sweatpants, slush pants, sweaters, jackets, because it was getting late.” – Ethan Grolla, 9, palmless Koho hockey gloves, and after in a race across the lake.” adults, adolescence, with their ‘tales from the – Dylan Webb, 17 pond’. Megan Grolla, 11, Renae Ducharme, 11 throwing my frayed laced battle worn skates over my shoulder, I was off to my neighbor’s * * * backyard rink. I can still remember the sounds “Whenever I played against the older of hockey - the brisk north wind whistling, the kids, all I wanted to do is touch the puck. It’s crunching of the hardened snow on the drive- hard enough keeping up but whenever I get a way, and the unforgettable squeaking sound of chance I try my hardest to score. I don’t usu- skates on a natural ice rink that echoed from ally wear equipment so it hurts if I fall or trip.” my neighbors’ backyard. The backyard rink – Alex Krush, 10 was Our NHL- our dreams and fantasies were * * * manifested in what we wore- replica NHL jer- After the third period horn sounded, sig- seys that crowned our jackets, how we talked naling the Oilers had just dropped a 4-3 deci- “here, here, pass it ,I’m open”, “Dump it in sion to the Canadiens, coaches and fans alike deep”, “K, next goal wins,” and how we came away astounded. “It was Canadiana at played- evening until night, no breaks, while its finest”, they boasted, “a once-in-a-lifetime ignoring our parents’ yells that poked through experience.” their slightly opened doors reminding us it There is no denying the Heritage Classic was a weeknight, and that we had school the was an incredible event. It was a personifica- next day. And it went on like that every day, tion of our national game. every weeknight, every weekend, and every But Canadiana at its finest? Once-in-a- holiday- we had some great games on lifetime? I don’t know about that. Christmas day. The backyard was a place that There are thousands of Canadian kids isolated us from the rest of the world. There across this vast country that prove this was no was no existence of time, no existence of tem- fluke. page 20 january 8, 2004
the uniter sports Who Are These Guys? and a guz-illienth (a number so high it has yet The men’s basketball team has yet to wear the jersey next year. He acted as the LEIGHTON to be officially calculated in the most lose the first game of the Classic in its 37 nerve centre of the team, and his passion and KLASSEN advanced calculator) that the Wesmen will years in existence, so the steel vault was devotion for his team is simple fanatical. As Sports Editor make a second half comeback, considering placed on every players shoulders. And when coach Dave Crook would say, ‘that’s just char- second half upsets have plagued the team for they stepped on the court in their first game acter’. Speaking of character, how about 5th ike a sports team, I over a season and a half and have greatly con- verses Memorial, the Wesmen declared war on year veteran J.P. Lynch. Here’s a guy that has seem to be ‘up and tributed to the teams winless record thus far. every thing that moved on the playing field. battled through knee injuries since the age of Ldown’ when it But they came out to They played the tournament with turbulent dinosaurs, and yet managed to play every comes to predicting the play, and they emotion, blood bubbling pas- game with an ample amount of playing time outcomes of sports events. I hit a high point dug in the sion, and concrete determina- throughout the tournament. Crook said after during summer when I was convinced that the tion every minuet of every game two verses the Bisons that “that guy is Blue Bombers early season winning streak game. Every single held together with duck tape, gum, spit; any- was nothing more than a few weeks of time player had an identi- thing we can find that will let him play.” spent in a field of four leaf clovers. It was the cal ideology as the How’s that for character. Speaking of injuries, fourth game into the season when I blurted out trench- next person- a Dave Brar left that same Bisons game in the the following- “yeah the bombers will make es and generic programming that first quarter after receiving a viscous elbow the playoffs this year, but they’ll be knocked never possessed the entire team. that knocked him flat on his face while creat- out in the first round. What happened? stopped pad- Whether they were in the ing a gash in his head that left the floor pooled Exactly what I said. One win under my belt. dling against the starting line up, warming the bench, or behind in blood. He got stitches the next day, after he Down the line from a few other ‘almanac’ pre- current. They fought, the bench clutching a damaged body part, they finished the game, of course. How’s that for dictions, I hit a slump. and they battled, and they were all singing the same song. One player character? As a journalist, I feel it is my duty to tell chipped away, and slugged that stood out was Erfan Nasajpour. Some The reel also captured some highlight the truth, and like a sports team, I’ll admit away, and climbed the impossi- might not consider him to be a player, or part footage. Rookie Marlon Richards’ ran coast to defeat. After my personal scouting of the ros- ble mountain. They won two of the team, because he’s not on the roster this coast to score a point in order to make up for ter of the team Canada junior team, I strongly games in a row, and advanced to the year due to an academic ineligibility issue. a defensive play in which he got burned on believed that they wouldn’t get past a bronze final. So who are these guys? But anyone who doesn’t consider him to be just moments before his score. In game two medal. What happined? A shiny silver They’re no 0-8 team; they just can’t part of the team should be knocked in the Mike Gomez, the new recruit from down medal. Opps, bad call, stupid me. And my be, can they? And that is exactly head with a sledgehammer. He’s there south, stole all the ink on the game sheet. He most recent defeat was the last weekend in the irony. They are in fact with them- his team, every practice, played as though he just walked out of the December at the Wesmen Classic. I’ll admit, the same team- the 0-8 every game, and while he’s not hallway of the hall of fame, leading in every my optimism that I felt towards the Wesmen guys who can’t win for with the team, he’s in the offensive and defensive category, while sugar taking home the gold was comparable to what the life of them, until classroom polishing his coating his performance by topping off the optimisms exist in a blind man becoming a the Wesmen Classic marks so he can roster with minuets played. Tony Ritcher world champion pool shark. I mean, an 0-8 that is. They introduced the ‘behind the back’ pass to team whose repeatedly hung out to dry at the approached the court Gomez in the game verses the Bisons- anoth- half of every game doesn’t have a chance? Or with nothing to er jaw dropper. Rookie Matt Opalko, who had do they? lose, but were minimal playing time in the first two games, Well, the Wesmen burned me, and they fronted with stole the spotlight in the final game through burned me bad. But not just me, they burned high expecta- delivering a well rounded performance. Memorial in their first game and topped it off tions despite An 0-8 team, eh? This Wesmen team by steamrolling over the cross town Bisons in their underdog raised eyebrows, dominated the court, and dug the semi final of the Classic. But wait, before status. themselves out of a very, very deep hole. The we go on, back it up a bit. Back to the Bisons character extinguished, and the triumph that game. The Wesmen were down at the half by this team surpassed was simple phenomenal. fourteen points. Any page in the Wesmen his- And for that, my hat goes off to each and tory books will tell you the odds are about 1 every one of them. Crazy Student Offer!
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