www.niagara-news.com Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 Free Volume 35, Issue 6 news@ Welland Jr. Canadians coverage continues on Page 35 niagara Check out the Christmas section on pages 15-26 serving the Niagara College communities Demolition begins on Black Walnut’s east end By IVAN ZATELLI of Black Walnut, the low-bay Staff Writer section was decommissioned. Students are hearing crunching Woodhouse says at one time concrete and seeing steel being there were discussions to move ripped from the Black Walnut the Broadcasting – Radio, building as Greenfield Services Television and Film program to demolishes the east end of the a new Black Walnut building building on the Niagara College consisting of two storeys, but Welland campus. “dollars just didn’t make it Since Sunday morning, work- possible.” ers have been clearing debris. The empty space created by The building has sat empty for the demolition will be seeded about four years, says Greg with grass, says Woodhouse. Smith, co-ordinator/professor of The cost of the demolition is the Graphic Design Production – about $40,000, says Bart Lanni, Art and Design Fundamentals FMS technologist. program. Lanni oversees and handles Smith’s office wall is beside a all the projects at the college. mechanical room. The room is all He hires contractors, reads that separates him from the new blueprints, gathers information demolition being carried out. and writes reports. It used to be the old program The demolition of the building building, which also housed the was due to “space rationaliza- old cafeteria, says Smith. tion,” says Lanni. The program was then moved That’s about 8,000 square feet into the newly renovated west of space the college doesn’t have section of Black Walnut. to maintain now. Smith says he has many memo- John Vanderweyden, owner of ries of the building, but “it’s about The Greenfield Group of time something is being done.” Fonthill, says he is responsible Director of Facilities for demolishing the Black A section of the Black Walnut building came down over the weekend. The Greenfield Group is Management Services (FMS) Walnut building. demolishing the building on the Welland campus for Niagara College. The building has sat empty for Mal Woodhouse says that after The removal work is to be four years and will become an empty grassed lot. revamping the high-bay section completed by Christmas Break. Photo by Ivan Zatelli Santa Claus is coming to town White Ribbon Campaign underway By NATALIE Men are encouraged to sign the personal pledge to never commit, MICHLEWICZ poster. condone or remain silent about Staff Writer “We purchased a big sign and violence towards women. The White Ribbon Campaign is poster.” The campaign relies on volunteer the largest effort by men working Any males who believe in the support and financial contributions to end men’s violence against cause can sign,” said Alexandra from individuals and organizations. women. Blanchard, director of student For more information, log on to Since 1991, when a group of affairs at the SAC office. http://www.whiteribbon.ca. Canadian men decided they had a On Nov. 22, Blanchard said, “I responsibility to urge men to speak just ordered the sign today, so the out against violence against poster will be available to sign in women, the campaign has been an about a week or so.” Index annual event. Awareness is key in a campaign Until Dec. 6, an awareness like this one. Editorials 8 campaign is being held at Niagara “After 30 years in the business, College through the Student I’m convinced the only way to have Columns 9 Administrative Council (SAC). a real impact is to access people in The campaign encourages men the community,” said Detective to voice their positions against Sergeant Jim Baskerville, of the Christmas 15-26 violence towards women while Niagara Regional Police Service. creating an opportunity for men to Five hundred white ribbons Entertainment 30-31 speak out about issues of rape, will be available at the college, domestic violence and sexual said Blanchard, including “at Crossword 32 abuse. After Hours, the library, and the Throughout the campaign, cafeteria ... all the high traffic events will include a poster areas.” Sports 34-35 signing and pamphlet and white Men and boys are urged to ribbon distribution. wear ribbons, as wearing one is a

Santa ends the show at the annual parade on Sunday, Nov. 28, hosted by the City of St. Catharines. Photo by Ivan Zatelli Page 2, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Patterson instrumental in securing funds; ‘right person for the job’ ends COP chair terms By JANINE WESTERA “Our biggest disappointment is the fact that the per student important issues, Patterson was also responsible for working Staff Writer funding is still below the national average and is increasingly with the government as well as acting as a spokesperson Niagara College’s president has retired his position as affecting the quality of education that we can provide in the with the media on all initiatives and current activities on chair of the committee of presidents after two years of classroom,” says Patterson. which ACAATO was working. hard work. The committee meets every six weeks for a day and a Squee Gordon, president of Humber College in Toronto for Dan Patterson is the former chair of the Committee of half. They also meet annually in September for a three- 23 years says, Patterson was the “right person for the job.” Presidents (COP) for the Ontario college system. The COP day meeting. During Patterson’s time as committee chair, he was also consists of 24 college presidents. The first priority as chair of the committee is to manage writing his doctoral dissertation and managing his time as “He was very effective in moving us forward,” says Anne the meetings of the Association of Colleges of Applied college president. Sado, president of George Brown College in Toronto. Sado and Technology of Ontario (ACCATO) effectively. The COP bylaws allow a college president to serve as first met Patterson last fall. She says Patterson was very Patterson’s job was to make sure they prioritized important chair for a two-year maximum period. Patterson’s term has warm and welcoming on her first day. issues and followed through on the ones that needed more ended, and he will now assume position on the COP executive During Patterson’s time as COP chair, the committee was attention. committee. His position will be to guide the incoming chair able to access an additional $60 million for a fund called the Patterson says the committee’s first priority was to secure and develop the agenda for the meetings. quality assurance fund, as well as receiving an additional more provincial funding to offset the current chronic under- Rick Miner, president of Seneca College in Toronto, has $25 million from the government for a sustainability fund. funding that the colleges are facing. In addition to prioritizing replaced Patterson as chair. Students beat school stress with practical jokes By FAITH SIBTHORPE be “bored to tears” if there weren’t between these vulnerable young Staff Writer pranks to inflict on peers. men and the “don’t mess with us” You are woken with a start at Breitkreuz says he likes the prank girls down the road has formed a 3 a.m. There is a repeated thud wars because “it’s fun to see people’s close bond all of them enjoy. They against the front of your house. reactions.” However, this tough all know how to sit down and An alarmed, tired and annoyed guy, who can dish it out, says, “I laugh about the latest invasion. roommate barges into your room hate cleaning it up when people The week doesn’t completely to say, “They got us. Our house get me back. Get people who involve an attack and then endless has been egged.” won’t get you back.” retaliations. There are also dinners You jump out of bed to inspect Breitkreuz says to other prank together, happy conversation and the damage. Eggs are littered across enthusiasts, “Don’t assume that strong friendships. The boys even the front door and the culprits’ it’s over, ‘cause it’s never over.” look out for the girls when names are written in shaving The two roommates are strange noises are heard outside cream on either side of the door. involved in a prank war with a the house. As you are cleaning it all up, your house of female students down the On a cold, eerie night not long patience is running thin, and a street. Nikkee Fitzgerald, 19, of ago, Nikkee heard rustling in the communal decision is made. Walsh, Ont., is one of them. backyard. She peered out and Revenge must happen immediately. “I am the definition of college there was a strange man walking There’s no time to waste. pranks,” she says proudly. When aimlessly in the yard. Not a minute You grab eggs, a jacket and asked about her accomplishments after the boys were called did they anything in the fridge that will in prank wars, she simply said, storm into the yard looking for make a mess. Mustard? Yes, that “I’m not giving away my secrets.” possible intruders. will do. Thump, thump, thump, your However, she did have some No malicious and dangerous Pranksters with a plan to have a friendly fight with eggs, mustard shot is dead on. Rage, combined advice. people will be hurting these girls and toilet paper are Justin Wojtas, Trevor Breitkreuz, Nikkee with a large target, equals quite the She said, “It’s not quantity. It’s unless they are Wojtas and Fitzgerald, Kaysee Fitzgerald and Faith Sibthorpe. making of a pro baseball player. A quality. it doesn’t matter how Brietkreuz with a dozen eggs. Photo by Faith Sibthorpe job well done, the punishment was many times you get them, it’s the successful. effect that one time has.” College pranks are significant in With a stern and serious face, the history of post-secondary life. she said, “You want to punish Parents might be inclined to say them.” that prank behaviour results from the There is nothing like the satis- lack of rules students experience faction of pulling off a good when leaving home to attend prank, especially to people you school. Perhaps the thrill of know won’t take it the wrong way. committing a prank is therapeutic Kaysee Fitzgerald, 20, of Walsh, to the stressful life that students Ont., is another resident in the are bombarded with. Perhaps it’s house attacked by Wojtas and just a break from the mundane Breitkreuz. Kaysee is quite confident study life. about her ability to pull off an A prank expert is Justin Wojtas, award-winning prank that will go 19, of Brampton, Ont. He attends down in history. Brock University in St. Catharines “I rule college pranks,” she says. and is in the Physical Education “They amuse me. I relish watching department. He says he loves people suffer.” pranks for fun and enjoyment. Kaysee approaches the war with Wojtas has tips for all the students a very strategic plan. “Make sure thriving to succeed at more than you get them so bad that you instil just their studies. fear. Dominate the prank war.” “Generally, go late at night Boredom won’t control the lives while people are at their weakest. of these students, and the prank Wake them up and terrify them wars will never get old, except if My sincere best wishes to all with the wrath of your prank.” the landlords deflate the harmless students and staff for a warm, His roommate, Trevor Breitkreuz, recklessness of a few eggs painted 20, of Brampton, Ont., says he’d across the front door. The war safe and peaceful holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in Correction the new year re-energized and In a report in news@niagara Nov. 19, 2004, on page 30, “New ready for success. equipment for BRTF,” an error occurred involving attribution. The information should have read, Doug Blake says, “I don’t find any problems concerning lack of space,” adding film students need Macintosh laptop computers. This would help students edit at home instead of coming to college to edit. The quote and paraphrase should have been attributed to Blake. Blake is a student in the Broadcasting — Radio, Television and Dan Patterson Film program. President It is the policy of this newspaper to correct errors of fact. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 3 Paramedic students get hands-on experience By ALLISON SMITH rate of infusion of fluids into the patient’s Staff Writer vein while monitoring the patient to make Saving lives is a crucial part of their job sure he or she is stabilized. description. Because getting intravenous access to a Uniformed paramedics huddle around a patient’s vein involves many exact gurney, the patient unconscious as he is calculations that help to avoid damaging prepared to receive an intravenous (IV) the vein, there are many opportunities for line that will provide his body the fluid it error. Precautions must be taken. needs. When an appropriate vein is found, The knowledge of why there are differ- the catheter is inserted and secured. ent sizes of catheters is crucial in the Paramedics breathe a sigh of relief as the paramedic’s decision of which size to medication starts to pump into the use. Catheters come in sizes 14, 16, 18, patient’s vein. 20, 22 and 24, the lowest numbers Although this activity happened in a having the largest sizes. The sizes are practical lab setting in a classroom, students relative to the size of the patient’s veins. of the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Sizes 22 and 24 are usually used for program at Niagara College’s Welland children and the elderly because they campus will be expected to know IV have the smallest veins. More fluid flows procedure as licensed paramedics. through the larger sizes. Every Tuesday the PCP program students “IV access is essential to manage dress in full uniform and practice hands-on problems in all critically ill patients,” states procedures that will be required of them on http://www.med.uottawa.ca. the job. Paramedic equipment and gurneys The trauma patient may need more fluid, are provided, along with mannequins and so large sizes (14-16) of catheters are used. plastic body parts for the lab portion of the If too much fluid is injected, the vein could curriculum. pop from the pressure. On Nov. 9, the students practiced the IV The paramedic must avoid injecting start procedure paramedics must use when veins that are hard or scarred from caring for a patient. previous use of IV or veins that appear Interested students stayed after formal inflamed or infected. class time had finished to get hands-on Getting IV access through the wrist experience in preparing for the IV procedure must be done extremely carefully as it by practicing the protocol on each other. can cause nerve damage, cautions a check This is not a mandatory part of the program list the students worked with in the lab for the students. class. Sometimes getting access this way “A paramedic must confirm with his or is the only option if the patient is her partner that the patient needs an IV, a extremely obese. soft, flexible catheter inserted into a vein to Paramedics must be diligent in wearing deliver medication, fluids or nutrition exam gloves when they are inserting IV usually inserted into the lower arm or hand,” for their own safety and not touch the states http://health.discovery.com. Chris Shepard inserts a needle into Kat Stevens’ hand in preparation for an IV pro- parts of equipment that will come into Consent is required from the patient, cedure under the supervision of professor Lindsay Prioriello. All students are super- contact with the patient’s blood, as this along with an explanation of why the IV vised during their hands-on experience after class. could contaminate blood. Potential for is being given and how it will be Photo by Allison Smith contact with a patient’sblood while beneficial to them as they have a right to The paramedic taps the area around the tourniquet is taken off the arm. starting an IV is high and increases with refuse it. vein firmly to distinguish veins from The patient will feel “a small prick of the inexperience of the operator, states “An IV may be used to administer arteries. The factors that determine which the needle, with a little pain. The initial the website. medication, hydrate a person who is vein gets injection include its depth, size, piercing hurts, but after the IV is inserted, It is also stressed that recapping unable to take anything by mouth, replace length and resiliency. the patient can move their hands and arms needles, putting catheters back into fluids lost through vomiting, surgery or After the paramedic chooses the vein to around,” says professor Lindsay protective covers or dropping needles on injury, give blood transfusions or blood receive the injection and the paramedic Prioriello, an advanced care paramedic the floor are to be avoided as someone products, or draw blood samples,” states has donned a pair of exam gloves, the for 14 years with Niagara Emergency could get stuck or hurt by used or the website. paramedic applies an alcohol swab to the Medical Services. contaminated equipment. “A tourniquet is a tightly tied band skin. A catheter is inserted into the skin After the needle is taken out, the plastic Once removed from the protective cover, applied around a body part (an arm or through a needle. catheter is attached to a piece of tubing IV catheters should either go into the patient leg),” states http://www.portaljuice.com. The paramedic must announce that attached to the IV bag and both are taped or into a sharps container that holds all used “When using an IV, the tourniquet is there is a sharp (needle) out of its pack- securely to the person’s arm. The technique or contaminated needles. wrapped around the upper arm to enlarge age so everyone is aware of this and takes of taping and securing the IV is called a Recappingof needles is one of the most the veins in the lower arm by restricting precautions not to come in chevron. common causes of preventable needle stick blood flow through them,” states contact with it. The catheter is threaded The paramedic checks to make sure the injuries in health care workers, states the http://health.discovery.com. and secured into the vein, and the IV is secured and working, regulating the website. Ride-Along program offers practice in real world By CHELSEY SPINOSA “Obviously it will be a good experience. As well, it’s The 20-year-old from St. Catharines says she is just Staff Writer good for your resumé. That’s why I’m doing it.” hoping “to gain experience” from the officers and see what School is not just in the classroom anymore. Twenty-two-year-old Aaron Vanderlip, of Burlington, they do on a daily basis. Students in the Police Foundations program were says he was “very excited, like super excited” to be chosen Meaghan Mitchell, 23, of St. Catharines, is one of six interviewed for the Ride-Along program on Oct. 7. Now because “it’s a competitive program.” students chosen to be a group leader. She says she was a weeks later, 32 of the 63 students interviewed prepare to go Vanderlip, also a group leader, says he is anxious to start. little anxious while she waited for the organizers to get out with police officers. “I want to get started. I don’t want to start too late back to her after the interview. There are six groups that have been split in half, the fall because pretty soon the winter group is going to start so “Originally during the interview I thought it went semester and winter semester. we’re not going to have much time, so I want to begin horribly, but I think that was just nerves. However, A leader has been appointed to each group, and the as soon as possible.”He says his expectations are to get afterwards, I had a good feeling. I had a good feeling from leader’s job is to take attendance and make sure the mem- practical experience and learn how to do the job. their responses to me about how my interview was.” bers are present at meetings. Asked if he would recommend the Ride-Along program She says she is looking forward to observing and just Sarah McKinnon, 20, of St. Catharines, was chosen to par- to other students, he says, “Yes, because you don’t really being around the officers and what they do. ticipate in the Ride-Along program and is a group leader. get this opportunity. I’ve never even heard of anything like Mitchell says she would “absolutely” recommend this She says it was good to be chosen since only half of the this other than at this school, so you can’t beat it.” program to others. students were picked, so it was “really hard.” Melissa Grivich is another student chosen to take part in “I think it would be great for any student in any field to The Ride-Along program, McKinnon says, lets a student the program as a group leader and says everyone is have a field placement, especially in a job like this where go out with police officers on duty and watch what they’re becoming impatient to begin as there is a month left before reality is sometimes a lot different from perceptions, so I doing and observe their duties. the fall semester ends. think it’s a good experience.”

Niagara College Administrative Council (SAC) Inc. is having its general elections at the end of the winter semester. Every position will be open for election, including SAC president. Nominations will be made through February, and there will be two weeks of campaigning in March. You will be able to cast your vote on the SAC website during the campaign. The ballots will be closed on April 1. Page 4, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Prospective students get taste of college Recruitment event successful for Discovery Day By THERESA STACH applicants have at this critical stage help answer all the questions so Staff Writer of their research,” said Vaughan. that students may end up at a Niagara College opened its “This is an opportunity for college where they are doors to prospective students by prospective applicants to tour the comfortable and in a program [for] offering a small taste of the campus, talk to faculty about the which they are well-suited,” said college experience on Discovery programs, and staff about services Vaughan. Day, Nov. 6. and campus life,” said Vaughan. There were a number of Cathy Gilmore, the special This year, the open house brought giveaways at the open house, events and publications in about 1,500 people, about the including MP3 players. There consultant for Niagara College’s same as last year. Vaughan said it is were also smaller prizes to be won Marketing Department, planned hard to count exactly how many at the many displays set up around and organized the event. people attended because they are the college. Al Vaughan, Niagara College’s not required to register. With about 1,500 prospective registrar, said Gilmore “did an During the college’s open students wandering the hallways, amazing job of pulling it all house, visitors were offered tours all the staff that was in attendance together to make it a successful of the college campuses. was busy answering questions or recruitment event.” “It included a look into the sending the students to resource The open house was organized residence, the student centre, the people who could. to allow prospective students the Learning Resource Centre and “I feel it was a success. opportunity to visit the college many of the important services the Considering all the hard work that campuses to see where they will campus has to offer,” said goes into such an event, it is be attending classes and what Vaughan. “Many programs also difficult to know what kind of services are offered, such as have demonstrations about attendance to expect. But for all athletics, job opportunities, showing the unique features of those who did attend, if we helped counselling and peer tutoring. their programs. answer their questions and make “Mostly it is a chance to talk “Choosing a college and their decision a little easier, it was Visitors to the college had their questions answered by faculty one-on-one to the people who can program is not an easy decision. definitely worthwhile,” said members at the college’s Discovery Day on Nov. 6. best answer the many questions Our purpose at these events is to Vaughan. Photo by Matthew Russo Program takes creative approach to education Thinking of new ways to approaching problems in business By AZRA MOMIN we need to add to or change focus new for me in returning to the students and to recognize what discussions and interact with the Staff Writer of a course, so we added business. We studied Business areas are more critical to success.” professor. I also like having class Creativity. It’s the new mantra in E-business and website design.” English as well, which is Champion says she has a strong with the same group of people; the business world. In addition to the business invaluable for learning how to sense of what it takes to be being with them day after day has That’s what the Sales and courses, students take five properly write memos.” successful in a business, as well as resulted in great, irreplaceable Marketing program at Niagara computer courses that teach them McIntyre is working as sales the legwork involved. friendships.” College’s Glendale campus tries to everything in the Microsoft suite. manager for a company in “The biggest change in the One aspect of the program promote. As part of the promotions Hamilton. He garnered a grade environment is that it’s very French says she dislikes is not Terri Champion, the program planning course, they sell all the point average of 82 per cent in the competitive – not just in Canada, having enough time to complete co-ordinator, says creativity is advertisements found in the program program when he graduated in the but globally, and that has raised the internship in school time. “thinking of new ways of booklet of the Welland Little NHL spring of 2004. the bar, so companies that used to “Having a job makes it difficult approaching problems, not hockey tour and put together Graduates find work in the sales be stagnant now realize that there to find time after school.” necessarily sticking to what is special events like fashion shows. and marketing environment as are a lot more choices.” Tera Mattiazzo, another second- traditionally done.” Tom McIntyre, a recent sales representatives, assistant She says that companies from year student, echoes this sentiment. It means being flexible, being program graduate, says he would managers or managers. Some the United States have brought in a “It is hard to schedule it [the able to change directions and recommend this program to return to work in a family very successful, proven business internship] in during school, but I respond to what happens around anyone who wants to learn sales. business. strategy, which has increased the know it’s a great learning you, she says. “I thought that making a Forty-five students graduated attention level of Canadian experience and something good The two-year program includes business plan from scratch was a from the program last year. companies. can come out of it.” an internship of 120 hours that good project that they offered. It Champion brings into her Twenty-year-old Meaghan She says her favourite aspect of graduates usually complete was hard to do properly and is very position years of work experience French, in the second year of the the course is the amount of valuable between the first and second year. useful for anyone interested in in sales and marketing and program, says she chose it because information she receives from it. “I Sometimes the internship leads becoming an entrepreneur. I have business consulting. of the special events course it learn something new every day.” to a job. This is a real asset, been in the working world for This has helped her in her job as offers in the second semester of To find out how this program Champion says. quite some time before returning the program co-ordinator, she says. the second year. could help you enhance your skills as “We always look at current to school, and I found most of the “Knowing where the mind-set is “I like the class size,” she says. an entrepreneur, contact Champion happenings to determine whether courses offered to bring something has helped me communicate with “It allows us to have group at 905-641-2252, ext. 4140. New position creates excitement for elected candidate People from across Canada applied for position at Niagara College By RANDI CODISPODI higher education and the right respond to various scenarios that this job is new for Niagara completing her master’s at Staff Writer academic credentials.” Davis and his people put to them. College. Athabasca University in Alberta, On Nov. 15, Niagara College Davis says Saari has had a The reference checks are done Davis says, “The range of duties an online institute. welcomed Linda Saari, of “huge” amount of experience at “extensively.” and the growth of research activity “The whole area of program Niagara Falls, in her new position Niagara College. “Based on all this input, we at Niagara led me to split the job review is new, so I hope to be able as manager of educational She worked for one year on make the selection.” and to hire the manager to look to assist divisions in the prepara- development, quality and policy development in the “I competed for this position after the educational matters: tion of their program review pathways. vice-president’s office, when specifically because this newly development of articulation documentation. Alan Davis, vice-president Bonnie Rose held the post. created position was very agreements and pathways to “I also look forward to develop- academic, announced in early She has been with the college intriguing and matched many of schools, colleges and universities, ing further articulation agreements November that she would be since 1986. Some of her past jobs the skills I have developed in other development of new programs and and pathways for students, and to taking on this new role. included instructor, development positions at the college over my support for the various quality developing new programs to meet “I am very excited about my officer, training consultant and years here,” says Saari. assurance processes that we college strategic directions,” says new role,” says Saari. manager of customized training Marti Jurmain, director for routinely undertake, especially Saari. “We had a lot of good with the Continuing Education research and innovation, used to course and program In her spare time, she says she candidates from across the country division. cover some of the areas that the evaluations.” enjoys to garden, read, travel and who applied,” says Davis. In order to make the selection, manager of educational Saari has her bachelor’s degree spend time at her trailer up north. “We were looking for a Davis says they had to ask the job development, quality and in psychology from Brock To contact Saari, e-mail particular mix of experience in candidates to present ideas and to pathways will cover, but in reality, University in St. Catharines and is [email protected]. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 5 ‘Every child should have a home’ mother asserts By MELISSA HUNT was almost the opposite effect we As for why adoption is important, looking for books but could find well if the children’s interest Staff Writer thought he would have.” Mitch says there are many answers. nothing to read to a child. June comes first. November is National Adoption Mitch says, “A lot of people “When a child goes without says it’s important to have more In National Adoption Month, Awareness Month. use terms such as ‘How does it parents, it’s sickening to think that information because children she says, a number of activities With thousands of children in feel to have your own now?’ It child has to be raised alone eventually ask questions. that take place to assist everyone foster care, waiting to be makes you realize what people because we, as human beings, are As for whether the couple will in enhancing their skills and adopted, it’s important to get the think of adoption and what they selfish.” have more children, the decision is exchanging information. word out. don’t get. I was very much He says children should “up in the air,” says Mitch. “We ourselves, as an adoption June and Mitch Harrow, of against adopting at first because I always have someone to take June says, “We have the perfect community, have educational Barrie, Ont., are parents of two wanted my own biological child responsibility for them. little family. Do we want to sessions. There are numerous children, one of whom is adopted. and I didn’t understand that Alex June agrees saying, “It’s change it?” volunteers who provide their When it came down to it, was. He doesn’t have my blood important because there’s kids Mitch says they may try one time to get involved with the Mitch says fertility was the main but he is my first-born son. It’s who need help and who need last time. Adoption Council of Ontario and problem. hard for people to understand someone to love them.” “If it happens, it happens and private practitioners in adoption June says while they were on the that. I care as much about him as She says a child’s life is very if it doesn’t happen, then that associations.” waiting list, she became pregnant I do Jade.” short and that the child shouldn’t story is closed. I am told I have According to the http://national- with triplets, but lost them. June says life has changed a have to grow up fast: “Every child a million-dollar family.” adoption-month.adoption.com/ “After going through that, we website, the first major effort to realized we just wanted to be promote awareness of the need for parents.” adoptive families for children in Mitch says the adoption process the foster care system occurred in was long. Massachusetts in 1976. June adds that they were on the It said United States President list for about eight years before Gerald Ford made the first National getting Alex. Adoption Week proclamation, and Mitch says, “When we finally in 1990, the week was expanded to got near the top, we started getting a month as a result of the number of a home inspection and we had to states participating and the number do about a 150-page document of of events. personal questions.” For those who don’t know what He says that by the time this entails, the website says, you’re done, you have a better states, communities, public and understanding of who you are private organizations, businesses, and why you want to adopt. families and individuals celebrate After that, Mitch says they had adoption as a positive way to build to take a six-week course to families. learn how to be parents and June and Mitch Harrow’s family consists of biological daughter Jade and adopted son Alex. Activities and observances such listen to other people talk about as recognition dinners, public Photo by Melissa Hunt adopting. awareness and recruitment June says when they first got lot, such as having to figure out should have a home.” Tina McCann is the executive campaigns and special events Alex it was a “huge” change. how to deal with the adoption June wrote a children’s book director of the Adoption Agency and spotlight the needs of children in “We went from no children to properly, having a baby and then called Mommy, What Does Counselling Service in Markham, foster care who need permanent children. We didn’t have that period, how to deal with the fact that Adopted Mean?, based on Alex’s Ont. The agency provides services families across the nation. the nine months, to get used to they have one adopted and one questioning of adoption. throughout Ontario. There are a few ways to go everything and get set up.” biological child. June says experts have done She says adoption is important about adopting. She says they had about a month June says her major concern studies showing it’s harmful to the because “it joins families together Mitch says you can go through to get ready, not knowing what to about adoption was having the child to not know if he or she was and provides children with the the Children’s Aid Society, adopt expect. birth mother change her mind after adopted. opportunity to have a family.” privately or adopt out of the “We didn’t have any skills when the baby is adopted. She was also She says she went to Chapters McCann says her job is done country. it came to kids, so it was difficult concerned with his life before they in the beginning.” had him. Mitch says as soon as Alex was “It shaped his life and we’ll IT’S NOT YOUR CLOTHES. in the house, it was as if he’d never know what happened in IT’S NOT YOUR HANDWRITING. always been there. that time.” He adds that it was hard getting Mitch adds, “When he cries at IT’S NOT YOUR TV SHOWS. used to having a child but, as for night or when you go to pick him feelings, it was pretty much an up and he freaks out because he immediate bond. thinks he’s being taken away, you This Christmas As for Alex’s reaction, Mitch says wonder what happened.” he wouldn’t get close emotionally at In the beginning, Mitch says use your exclusive first but slowly began to bond. many things are going on. student/employee savings June says she became pregnant “You’re scared and thinking, with Jade after having Alex for ‘Am I nuts? Am I doing something of 15% off our regular priced almost 10 or 11 months. She says stupid here? Maybe I should back that during the pregnancy Alex out now.’” merchandise was “really good.” He says the beginning was the “When the baby came along, he hardest part and the rest is just was very protective of her and it being a parent. Refund cheques available By MATHEW BELZNER the Welland campus SAC, says Staff Writer that the students could opt out of Refund cheques are available only if they could prove they for people who opted out of the had other dental coverage. dental plan offered by the Hardwick says students who Student Administrative Council have stayed in the plan have (SAC) for dental coverage. already used it this year. The Industrial Alliance Pacific The dental plan fees, about SEIKO Insurance and Financial Service $162, included in the tuition issued 1,536 cheques totalling fees, went to the college, then $234,793. to SAC and then to the Twenty-six per cent of the insurance company. college’s students opted out of For more information on the the plan that was added this year dental plan, see the Student to the student health college Health Plan pamphlet available benefits. Dental coverage was at the SAC office or phone ACL added after students voiced their & Associates Ltd. Benefits need for it. The plan covers many Consulting Services toll free at dental expenses and provides up 1-800-315-1108, or go to 82 West Main Street, Welland, On L3C 4Z9 to $500 coverage. http://www.aclassociates.com Mark Hardwick, president of \niagara.htm. Alison Brown, G.J. phone: 905-734-3841 Page 6, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Trivial Pursuit raises money for students By STACY CALDER Staff Writer It was all fun and games as about 250 people gathered at Niagara College’s Glendale campus to help raise money for student scholarships, awards and bursaries. On Nov. 27, the cafeteria, filled with 30 tables, balloons and special effect lighting set a fun-filled atmosphere for the first annual Trivial Pursuit Night. Julie Densham, assistant for Alumni Development and Student Awards, says, “I’m very excited, more excited about the reaction of the participants. They have a fun spirit, but also a competitive one.” The 30 tables of teams of eight competed for the five grand prizes, consisting of various versions of the Trivial Pursuit board games. To make the evening more exciting, Densham says, they “added a twist” to the game incorporating additional chal- lenges such as the Trivial Trivia round, the Brainiac and the Tops or Bottoms challenge. These challenges had the room in an uproar as contestants stood at the front of the room demonstrating their knowl- edge of trivia by holding up answers on large cue cards in the Trivial Trivia round and going for a quick pat of their heads or a grab for their buttocks for their answers in the Darrell Neufeld, (second from left top row) and his GRQ team, show off their prizes. The team won the com- Tops or Bottoms challenge. petition round by giving the most correct answers during the Trivial Pursuit Night. The event had an appeal to faculty and corporate Photo by Stacy Calder members, and also to students. team, graduated from the college in 1980 from the Chemical the college, was captain of the GRQ team. His team had Alyshea Dakin, 19, a student in the Chef Training Engineering Technology program. won the competition round by having the most correct program, and Enrico Symes, 20, in the Tourism Marketing “I really love it,” he says, adding he hopes the event will answers. and Operations (Co-op) program, had never played this be held in the future. Each member of the team received a Pop Culture DVD game before. Shirley DeBeau, administrative assistant to the college’s Trivial Pursuit game, Niagara College gift certificates and a Dakin, from Cambridge, and Symes, from Iceland, were vice-president international, and her husband, Jake, enjoyed trivia T-shirt. members of the Glendale SAC team and say the event the evening. “It was an excellent evening,” he says. “The most was fun. “Very ingenious of the person who thought of this,” says important thing is that everyone had fun and was able to “It’s fun because if you don’t know the answer you could DeBeau. Her husband says he likes the way it was laid out: participate in an event to raise money for scholarships and just make it up,” says Dakin. “It seems very organized.” bursaries.” Bruce McQuiggen, a member of the Knowing Stones Darrell Neufeld, manager of corporate communications at Students $2,000 closer to their seven-day We go weekly beginning Jan. 21 Caribbean Cruise with more great articles. By ASHLEY CAMPBELL dedication, relationship building, Staff Writer leadership and salesmanship. The They’re well over $2,000 closer committee has worked extremely to setting sail this January. hard and met with some While the rest of Niagara challenges along the way that they College’s students are finishing have had to overcome,” holidays, 33 second-year students says Blane. in the Tourism Marketing and All of the fundraisers were held Operations (Co-op) program will outside of classroom time. be aboard Costa Cruises on a “It was a group effort, definitely seven-day voyage to the putting in a lot of time. We’re all Caribbean. dedicated,” says Kelly Caron, 20, In an attempt to lower the cost of Sudbury, Ont., and a second- of their trip, which will be about year student in the program. $960 each, the students organized Having exceeded their goal, a committee and began planning Blane and the students attribute their fundraising events. this success to many things. A goal of $2,000 was set. Caron says that fundraisers are “We reached our goal near the hard to organize and should be end of October, approximately six done well in advance. weeks into our fundraising efforts. Bridge says that it’s “definitely At this point we’re effort and willingness to want to nearing the $3,000 mark,” says raise money to cut the costs.” Christine Blane, a professor in the “Plan ahead, set a goal, stay Tourism and Hospitality Division. focused and have some fun,” Blane and the students have says Blane. organized several individual and Fundraising has again been group fundraisers, many of which “absolutely” successful for the have also benefited local charities Tourism Marketing and and organizations. Operations students. The tourism committee has “We want to say thank you to donated about $450 as well as everyone for their donations, food to PROJECT SHARE, the contributions and help. Thank you Stamford Lions Club and an to Christine Blane from the educational fund called tourism committee,” says Bridge Lions-Quest. and Caron. “They (the Lions Club) were so As a finishing event before the nice and accommodating,” says holidays, the committee will be Robyn Bridge, 20, of Kincardine, selling cookie dough and brownie- Ont., and a second-year student in mix in a bag for $5 each. the program. “They are very popular and a Bridge says that fundraising was great stocking stuffer,” says Blane. a good experience in practicing To purchase the cookie dough or co-operation and organization. brownie-mix, contact cblane “It’s all about teamwork, @niagarac.on.ca. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 7 IMM program creates win-win situation By KATIE VANSLACK agencies such as the John technologist. I wanted to be a Staff Writer Howard Society, but also the dentist, but I’m happy doing Everybody loves a win-win students. anything.” situation. “It’s a source of labour which Current IMM student Wang This is the goal when non- serves students. The projects can had previously graduated from profit organizations met with the be used for grades,” says Niagara College’s English as a Centre for Community Robinson, “It’s a great resumé Second Language at the Welland Leadership (CCL) on Nov. 24. builder because it’s real. It’s a campus. In attendance from Niagara win-win situation for This 27-year-old is originally College were Linda Roote, everybody.” from China, where she professor in the Interactive Thirty-four-year-old Hanlin is graduated from a Computer Multimedia (Graduate working for the Centre for Science program. She now Certificate) program (IMM), Community Leadership at resides in Welland. Dave Robinson, the program Niagara College’s Welland After Wang graduates, she co-ordinator, Samantha Wang, a campus in room S214. says she hopes to look for a job current IMM student, and Ryan Originally graduating from where she can build websites. Hanlin, a graduate. Niagara College’s Electronics However, she says that she is Niagara College’s “little part” Engineering Technician program more interested in the movie is that students of the IMM in 1994, the Fonthill resident aspects: “I could make a program will design websites for graduated from the IMM movie.” non-profit organizations. Roote program last spring. Although the IMM students Promoting the Interactive Multimedia (Graduate Certificate) says that this is beneficial for He says that he appreciates his have not yet done any major program for Niagara College are, from left, Samantha Wang, stu- agencies that “cannot afford to career as it develops. “I had so projects for agencies, she says dent, Linda Roote, professor, and Dave Robinson, hire anybody to do this.” many expectations for my that maybe next term they will be program co-ordinator. This a great idea for not only career. I didn’t want to be a able to. “We’re still learning.” Photo by Katie VanSlack Twenty-six agencies contribute to United Way By PAM HALLMAN United Way-South Niagara. so many agencies at one time. United Way like to have a to make it a very successful Staff Writer South Niagara covers Welland, “There are many other designated three month span that campaign,” says Walsh. With two weeks to go the Port Colborne, Wainfleet, Pelham campaign companies that have gives us our time to raise money Congratulations to this week’s United Way-South Niagara and Fonthill. These workplace and to give the other companies prize winners for the Niagara campaign has raised a total of campaigns have played a large time to raise their money. They College draw: Jacqueline $775,500. role in helping the United Way to have a blackout during our three Calabretta, Karen Martin, Gail This year’s goal is $980,000. help children, families, the blind, United months, which means that they Craig, Irene Masun, and Carolyn Last year’s total was $954,989. the hungry and others in need. cannot raise money.” Triemstra. Three of the major campaign United Way-South Niagara has Way-South Niagara College is a large “Thank you once again to all companies are still left to bring in 26 affiliated agencies for 2004. helper for the United Way who are contributing and continue their totals: John Deere, Niagara Among the agencies are Big Niagara campaign. To date, about $26,000 to contribute to this very worthy College and GDX. Brothers Big Sisters of South has been raised in its corporate cause,” say Chandler and Carter. Canadian Tire Financial Niagara, Canadian Mental Health raised campaign. The community campaign ends Services (CTFS) is a large part of Association, Canadian Red Cross, “The United Way of South Dec. 8. the community campaign. It had a St. John Ambulance, and YMCA $775,500 Niagara would like to thank Betty For more information contact 70 per cent participation rate from of Niagara-Welland branch. Ann Chandler and Heather Carter, United Way-South Niagara at 800 employee payroll deductions and Karen Walsh, campaign and co-chairs of the college campaign, Niagara St., Welland, or by fund-raising events. CTFS marketing director, says there is their campaign stretched over a for their fabulous job and for e-mail office@southniagara. donated more than $257,000 to the no other organization that can help 12-month period. We here at the everyone else who has contributed unitedway.ca. Flippin’ pancakes Operation Eyesight raises $375 By CAITLIN MCLACHLAN Turkish vegetables, Japanese sushi and Chinese Staff Writer bread. Homemade munchies and $375 will cure “The food was wonderful,” said Susan blindness and an empty stomach. Vandenboom, an ESL professor at the college. Jung Eun, 20, of Korea, is one of the Plates sold for $5 and included one of each dish international students who volunteered to man a and two slices of pickled radish. bake sale table outside of The Heat radio station at Individually each item was priced at $1, Niagara College’s Welland campus. brownies were 75 cents and cookies were 50 cents. The bake sale was held on Oct. 25 for a charity Free popcorn came with every purchase. called Operation Eyesight. The ESL students’ teacher Frank Bieri had the It is a Canadian charity focusing on idea to hold the fundraisers and asked his students international relief of blindness. to volunteer. It co-operates with other humanitarian “I asked them if they would be interested. I organizations such as the World Health explained that volunteering was a part of Organization and the International Agency for Canadian culture. A lot of students volunteered.” Prevention of Blindness. Bieri has been a volunteer member of Operation The dishes featured at the bake sale here were Eyesight for two years and says a good friend of from Korea, Turkey, Japan and China. Also, there his, Greg Dias, got him involved. were fudge caramel brownies and chocolate chip Bieri said he planed to have Dias as a guest cookies that the students made with their lecturer for his class on Oct. 29. Homestay families. “Why not actually do something with the Li Chen, 23, of China, supplied green tea, students and present him with a cheque?” he said. which, he says, will keep students awake. Bieri’s ESL volunteers raised $375 between the “In China it’s very popular, it’s very healthy,” car wash and bake sale. Jeff Hutcheson, host of Canada AM’s Breakfast with Jeff, said Chen, a student of the English as a Second “I thought the car wash would do better, but the speaks with Mark Hand, corporate chef of Niagara Culinary Language Program (ESL). food did well. It raised the most money,” he said. Luxi, 19, also from China, said they raised $175 With a successful outcome, Bieri said he plans Institute’s kitchen, on how to ladle out pancakes. at a charity car wash on Oct. 17 in the Canadian to continue involving the students in volunteering Hutcheson was at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the- Tire parking lot on Niagara Street in Welland. for Operation Eyesight. Lake on Nov. 30 to cook and serve a pancake breakfast to Aya, 19, and Kelly, 21, are from Korea. They “Absolutely. These guys really enjoyed it. I international students and highlight the school’s culinary, said they enjoy eating sushi, and together they think I’ll do this in the future.” viticulture and horticulture programs. prepared battered sushi for the bake sale. To learn more about Operation Eyesight and Photo by Ivan Zatelli Homemade ethnic dishes included Korean rice how you can help, go to http://www.giftofsight.com. balls, which are made of beef and vegetables, Bieri can be reached at extension 7501. College buildings will be closed fom the evening of Dec. 24 to Jan. 3. Page 8, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Editorials

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news@niagara is a practical lab for students in the Journalism-Print program, covering the college community and other areas of interest. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the management of the newspaper or the administration of Niagara College. Give memories not gifts this Christmas ‘Tis the season to be jolly. “no-no-no.” lovesick boyfriend to buy you shower him or her with perfect opportunity to store Or is it? It’s the expense. Christmas the $3,500 ring you’ve been pointless presents. If I take the them up. As I make my rounds through can cost a ridiculous amount of ogling, get serious! Just $30 I would normally spend on Ten years from now, we Welland’s Seaway Mall, I can’t cash if we let it. Sure, go out because it’s Christmas doesn’t my Dad’s annual golf sweater won’t remember the sweater, help but notice grumpy person and buy your daughter a car if mean that Johnny earns more and took him out to a hockey the fancy stereo or the diamond after grumpy person dragging that’s what you want, but don’t an hour at Burger King. game and a round of beer, it ring. We’ll look back and themselves through the stores. complain about how you had to If it’s such a hassle buying would have a more lasting cherish time spent laughing and I can hazard a guess as to take out a second mortgage on presents, then just don’t buy effect. drinking with people we love what makes people forget the your house to finance it. them. I would rather spend Life is all about making best. “ho-ho-ho” and scream the Ladies, if you want your time with someone than memories, and Christmas is the ANGELA HARDIE Thank workers Before families dig into their that to be untrue. Although Christmas dinner, many give they may not use wings for thanks for having food on the flight, they use them to slap the table and being able to enjoy it thighs and flick their own with family. excrement on the person riping What many people don’t give them from their cage. thanks for are the people who Before leaving the live and work day in and day out to receive section of the plant, the produce the goods. turkeys are shocked using a tub During the summer I had the of water and an electric current, privilege to work at a turkey Then their necks are slit and plant called Cuddy’s in Dublin, they’re left to bleed to death. Ont., which can only be Moving further down the described as an animal rights line, the turkeys are activists’ worst nightmare. de-feathered and re-hung onto For five days a week, starting a new line, where the cleaning at 7:15 a.m., the line of takes place. shackles comes alive with the In the cleaning section, noise of metal meeting metal in workers (mainly women) stick every direction. their hands up what used to be People working in the live the turkey’s most private and receive part of the plant orifice and pull out what lies begin their seven-hour day the within. same way they end it, by Even farther down the line, pulling live, 20- to 30-pound the turkeys are inspected, then turkeys out of cages loaded on cleaned using powerful a truck and putting them onto vacuums and a device that the shackles. dispenses water. This process involves a lot I can still hear the sound of more than you might think. To the vacuums trying to rip the begin with, if you can believe hard-to-reach organs stuck to it, turkeys don’t appreciate the birds’ spinal cords off the being grabbed by the back of bone. the legs and ripped out of their After that, the turkeys are cages and being smashed into sent to the freezer to be frozen, shackles upside down, legs then packaged and sent out. JUSTICE IS BLIND, BUT SANTA ISN’T. first. I hope when you are sitting Turkeys, being flightless around the table for Christmas YOU’D BETTER BE GOOD birds, may lead you to believe dinner this year you give they don’t use their wings for thanks to the people who help FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE. anything. put that food on the table. After the first day, I found KEVIN MCNAUGHTON news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 9 Columns When going gets tough, family’s there ready to support, As I grow older and gain new having them to spend time with congratulate or condemn, but they life experiences, my family is became more of a treasure than a are always there.” growing with me. We teach one chore. By STEPHANIE VERRI What makes my family feel so another the life lessons we learn in Paterson agrees. “Since moving Staff Writer special is that all the cousins and hopes of making sure we are all all out to attend college, I didn’t Column siblings are close in age; we get right and going to be OK. realize how much I enjoyed spend- along and seem to share the same Second-year Journalism-Print ing time with my family. Whether interests. student Katie VanSlack, 19, says, it be watching TV with my moth- It is important, as you grow “I find the older you get, the more er, or helping my father shovel the Family is everything. They are I feel lucky to have such a older and experience new things in you realize how important they snow off the driveway, you really the people you can rely on. They closely bonded family. Not only life, that you know you always (family) are.” don’t know what you have until it are the people who, without a do I feel lucky, but I have a fairly have your family. Although friends “I think I am pretty close with isn’t available.” doubt, love you and will never turn large family with about 20 people. come and go, your family won’t. my family. I think that’s because I Through the years I have had their backs on you. First-year Horticultural Studies I went through a summer of want to be and I try to make time,” my fair share of struggles and I am lucky to have a strong student Ian Paterson, 20, agrees changes when I lost all the friends says VanSlack. lost many of my best friends, family who cares about one anoth- that family is important. I hung out with, and was depressed My family supports me and but my family was there to er and enjoys socializing with one “Family is always there for you. for months because of it. My fam- helps me through the hard times direct me onto the right path another. We get together and party I was raise that no matter what ily was there to pick up the pieces that come along with college. where I am today, almost grad- for family functions. We hang out you do, how good or bad you have and introduce me to new people, They offered me guidance and uated from college and ready to with each other and see each other been, that my family will always which in turn allowed my cousin knowledge when I was ready to move on to the next step in my as not only family, but also friends. be there waiting with open arms, and me to become best friends. give up. Even just the comforts of life. Car accident creates numerous personal issues get ready to go back to school and for it to come, which left me one gas and maintenance on my car. I was working full time. week to find a car for $3,202 That’s a total of $740 for expenses Once my insurance claim was including taxes and licensing. every month, but the problem is I By THERESA STACH started, I was informed of I went all over the Niagara can’t pay for gas and maintenance Staff Writer everything that was about to region searching for a small, on my car if I don’t have one. Why Column happen. I was also told that in my four-door, simple car to get from would they take $450 out of my insurance policy it states that I get Welland to Niagara Falls. pay a month for rent if I’m still a rental car for up to $1,000 or I tried to see if I could lease a car living with my mom and they are until I receive the cheque for my at one of those places that say “No taking out $200 a month for rent It’s the beginning of the rest of companies, auto mechanics and car. credit? No problem!” but for my mom? my life, and I am trying to get my rental car services. I got a rental car almost right apparently it is a problem because I quickly walked away from the feet onto the ground of my future. The person I dealt with for my away but the insurance company I wasn’t approved. I was told that I financing and leasing idea. In July of 2002, I bought my insurance claim was not helpful at took it away a week later leaving earned too much money as a As of Sept. 24, I had four days to grandparent’s car from their estate all and did nothing but make my me with no vehicle, no cheque full-time student. find the car before my insurance for a low price. This car meant the situation worse. with which to get my own car and Of course, this didn’t make was going to be cancelled. world to me and I showed it too. Accidents are not easy to deal $563.61 owing on my rental car. sense so I asked the dealership to Thanks to an amazing person in On Sept. 2, 2004, I was in a bad with. Not only did I have many As my headache grew, I decided explain their logic to me. I was told my life, I bought a car on Sept. 26. car accident on the Queen different people to talk to in my to rent a car on my own in order to that as a student, the credit bureau I now have everything worked Elizabeth Way. insurance company but I also had get to and from school and work. assumes that I need $450 a month out with my car and my insurance According to my insurance other insurance companies calling Within two days I called my for rent, $40 a month for my new company and I am back on the company, my car was a total loss. me to see if I was injured. insurance company to start the credit card, $200 a month to give road to my future goals. I spent three days over the phone In the meantime, I was trying to paperwork so I could get my total to my mom because I am still The moral of this story is don’t fighting with insurance find a place to live, I was trying to loss cheque. It took another week living at home and $50 a month for get into a car accident on the QEW. Procrastination, once you start you never stop disciplined and I’d say that more of doesn’t always involve doing procrastination can help you out. us didn’t procrastinate as much. homework and stuff. You can Not everyone’s the same, so I speak Obviously that’s not the case for procrastinate with pretty much for myself, but it’s not always a bad By CLAYTON DONER everyone, but that’s the way I was. everything you do. thing to procrastinate a little. Staff Writer Once students move on and Eric Pridmore, 20, of Fonthill, Eric Chambers, 18, of Niagara Column begin attending college or says procrastinating works in his Falls, says, “I’m not really a fan of university, they enter a world of favour a lot. procrastinating. I like to get things their own with complete control of “I always wait until the last done early so I don’t have to worry Procrastination — it’s probably days before or even a day before the efforts they put into minute to get things done, but it about them in the future. It one of the easiest things to do but the due date. I always managed to schoolwork. always seems to work out for me,” probably works for some people, one of the hardest things to get my work done, but it would be Many students who move away says Pridmore. “I don’t know why but I can’t always get away with overcome. Once you get into the rushed and completed under a lot of from their homes to go to school it’s considered such a bad thing.” it.” habit of waiting until the last pressure. might fall into the trap a little I guess procrastination isn’t Whether you’re a procrastinator minute for things, you suddenly get As I continued to procrastinate, I easier than other students. When always a bad thing. I mean, some or not, I guess it doesn’t matter as trapped in a never-ending started to find it even harder to get you’re freed from the demands of people work a hell of a lot better long as you get the job done. I downward spiral of pressure and things done ahead of time and I your parents and able to do under great amounts of pressure know that I’ve gotten through quite stress. would just wait until I had a small whatever you want, it’s so much and are able to focus a little better a few years of school doing a lot of At one point in my life, I would amount of time to get them easier to say, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” when they know that the job has to last-minute homework and get schoolwork done two weeks completed. I still live at home and find get done. I know that when I studying and I’ve managed to get before the due date and I was Procrastinating is probably one myself struggling to meet the absolutely need to get something by. totally stress-free. Something of the biggest problems for deadlines. I could only imagine accomplished, especially if it’s I guess it all depends on the happened in my life (I think it was students in high school, college and what living on my own would do to worth a lot in the end, I will stay up person in the end. Procrastinating high school), and I began putting university. In high school, we’re me. as late as I have to in order to get it will either work for you, or it’ll everything off until a couple of young and somewhat Procrastinating obviously done, so sometimes, make your life a living hell.

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns. In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College administration or the management of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer. Page 10, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Columns Making friends isn’t as easy as it seems that seemed level headed enough Just because I start a conversation out a girl had a boyfriend and he to be themselves and have made with a guy doesn’t give him the had a romantic interest in her, he some really good friends. green flag to go for the goods. would “definitely” shrug her off, By KATIE VANSLACK One thing I’ve noticed is that Of course, it’s hard to make “but there are some girls you can Staff Writer guys don’t seem to have this friends with the opposite sex, joke around with and just be Column problem. They don’t seem to be especially if you already have a friends.” competing with each other. They significant other. It’s also a hard Cottage admits that “most guys can make friends more easily topic to bring up. What would I are out to get laid,” I was lucky because they just have to start say? “Hi, I’m Katie, and I have a enough to find some guy friends Coming to college fresh from meeting new people was easy. I talking about hockey or music, boyfriend.” This sounds a little that didn’t leave all the thinking to high school was threatening. found in college that a lot of girls and then they’re cool. egotistical. If a guy said this to me their little soldier down south, and Everyone’s older, at least old seemed to be in competition with Twenty-year-old Andy Cottage, I’d tell him, “Good for you,” and were just fun to talk to. enough to go to the bars. Then each other. It’s hard to say if they a Law and Security probably never talk to him again. It’s weird that I never had this there I was, trying to pass with my were competing for attention from Administration (LASA) student One Early Childhood Education problem in high school. I don’t older sister’s I.D. at the ripe age of guys or simply trying to be better from Thorold, says that guys are student, 20-year-old Pam know if it’s because my school had 17. than the next girl. Either way, more easygoing than girls. He McGlashan, of Fenwick, says she about 600 students, compared with Sure it worked. Everyone always making friends with girls was like says that girls usually have the didn’t have a problem making Niagara College’s 6,000, or if it’s thought that we were twins. Now trying to make friends with men- attitude of “Ew, look at what she’s friends with guys, but 18-year-old because students are older, allow- that age wasn’t a problem, I should struating felines. wearing.” Law and Security Adiminstration ing for their egos to grow over the have been able to make friends easy, Sarah Sawchuk, an 18-year-old Making friends with guys was a student Breanne Gascoyne, of years. Either way, I think it’s funny right? Yeah, it should have been Broadcast Radio, Television and whole new challenge. I started col- Windsor, says that she did. to see how far people will go for a easy, but I was surprised when I real- Film student from Woodstock, lege with a boyfriend and had “They will talk to you until they little attention. ized how hard it actually was. The agrees that it’s hard to make every intention of being loyal to find out you have a boyfriend. I just hope I won’t have to go first couple of months in first year friends with other girls. “They did- him, but it seemed as though most Then they’ll be more stand-offish through all this in my working were tough. n’t want to get to know you. They guys would only talk to a girl if he when they find out.” career, or I’ll have to come up with Coming from a small high were reluctant to open up.” thought he had a chance. Whatever Speaking from the male point of a new bumper sticker: “Control school, I knew everyone there, so Eventually, I found some girls happened to just being friends? view, Cottage says that if he found your libido!” Where did all the journalists with ethics go? documents were offered on his and in her summary used only this falsified too. broadcast as proven documentary phrase when she mentioned the To Kurtz and Zahn, I suggest a evidence. They were the "proof" scandal: "that scrape over new noun phrase: "that falsified By SANDOR LIGETFALVY that now-President re-elect President Bush's National Guard documents issue." Staff Writer George W. Bush had skipped out service." To journalists, from the on his duty to the Guard. It Wasn't the evidence about the Washington Post, the New York Column turned out they were word- National Guard story made up? Times, CNN, and everywhere processed forgeries. Why are Kurtz, the else who allowed the president "The National Guard busi- Washington Post columnist, and to stampede through you, by As a flashback when discussing presidential election and soiled ness" is a scandal that would Zahn, the Cable News Network allowing this murky method of outgoing regular CBS News Rather's reputation as "that refer to the President, really. anchor, doing exactly what the speech to distort facts, as if you anchor Dan Rather's legacy, media National Guard business." By passing off the reference, creators of the false documents are a worker in a cell at the pundit Howard Kurtz preferred This inadequately describes Kurtz creates a murky reference wanted journalists to do? Ministry of Truth, I wish you to refer to the falsified document the circumstances of the scandal. to historical information. They are conveying facts as if would sell your summer home scandal that preceded the U.S. Rather's scandal is that fake Paula Zahn said Rather is retiring the original scandal were and buy some ethical conduct. Won’t anyone share their new clothes with me? Two years ago, I was lucky friends, but I know Lindsay will have never met anyone more enough to get that older sister. never judge me for any of my considerate, generous and under- Lindsay Adler is my brother’s decisions, will never backstab standing. By RANDI CODISPODI girlfriend. When I moved away for me and will never let me down. We gossip, share clothes and Staff Writer college, my brother asked me how She is part of my family, regard- confide in one another. I felt if Lindsay moved into our less of whether she gets married I am jealous of how my broth- Column house. I had never been happier to my brother or not. er is now completely set for life for my brother. He is very lucky he Lindsay has a love for life that I because he found the right per- found someone this great for him. do not see in many people. She son to share it with, but,I realize I have always wanted an older ing an older brother, but I wish I Overall, I loved the idea of her tries to make the best of every I am just as lucky because I now sister. had both. It is not as if I could bor- moving in. situation and she always does. have the older sister that I’ve Don’t get me wrong. I love hav- row a new shirt off my brother. I have a bunch of great I look up to Lindsay because I always wanted. Anti-Bush opinions don’t sway the government attention. It’s entirely useless to eggs at someone’s house will not ing out his contradictions. be an anti-Bush Canadian, and make them go away. Rebutting the arguments of the even American citizens have no We need to stop wasting our time regime does not reveal greater truth. By SANDOR LIGETFALVY use being anti-Bush either. telling bad people they’re bad. We Vocalizing dissent is ineffec- Staff Writer Opinions do not sway govern- can only counteract their effect by tive. I say, let the act play out ment. Solid arguments do not being good. while we prepare ourselves for Column affect the decisions of powerful Four years from now the the next chapter. We are not men. Reciting the atrocities of world will still be here. I don’t bound to their story line. We can history does nothing to prevent believe the hype that the create our own social networks to It’s time to move on. argue against everyone from Joe their repetition. Protest does not Apocalypse is at hand. We will rely on. Their power will dissolve For months and years I’ve been Electorate to George W. Bush him- yield penitence. Screaming loud- still have the world and we will when we no longer have to be gathering ammo, collecting facts self. Since the election has passed, ly will not demolish a building. still have ourselves. submissive. and forming opinions. I think I need to let go. No amount of campaigning will Bush will play his game, but I We must build a new house before I’ve been arming myself to Bush doesn’t deserve my make a rock a sponge. Lobbing will not waste my brainpower sort- we can move on from this. Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns. In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College admin- istration or the management of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 11 Wheelchair-accessible bed and breakfast Niagara region B&B extends warm welcome By MELISSA HUNT Handles on the faucets are easy to room to put them up for a wedding or Staff Writer turn and grasp, and grab bars are something, so they stay here,” said Jim. Agood night’s sleep is a drive away. conveniently placed and very Jim said the end of August and Stevensville became home to strong,” Jim explains. most of September turned out to The Cobbled Path, a bed and He says both rooms have twin be busy and that they couldn’t breakfast (B&B) opened by Jim beds for guests who may be have received a warmer welcome and Judy Schultz, last April. travelling with a caregiver. from the community. Jim said they spent the year The third room, The Butterfly Prices range from $75 to $95 a before that buying the house, tearing Garden room, is located on the night, depending on the month. out the inside and rebuilding it into upstairs level and is not accessible. The Schultzes had Linda a wheelchair-accessible facility. “It has a queen-sized bed and its Crabtree from Accessible Niagara Jim said the lot was “just about own sitting area. Each room has its help with the planning. perfect.” own private bathroom.” Crabtree, who has lived with “It was already zoned Judy said reading comments of severe mobility impairment for all of commercial, had a big yard, guests is one of her favourite her 62 years, said she has made backed onto Black Creek and was things about owning a B&B. access and universal design a priority. close to the QEW.” “There is so much to do around “Jim and Judy Schultz had the He said they’ve had guests from here, you know they will enjoy foresight to realize that making all over Canada, the United States, themselves and you just hope they their B&B accessible to everyone East Germany and the United had a good night’s sleep.” made real economic sense.” Kingdom. Jim said breakfast could be She says they increase the Jim and Judy Schultz, owners of The Cobbled Path Bed and The B&B has three private anything from French toast to chances to have their B&B full by Breakfast, stand proudly in front of their home. rooms. The Country Garden room pancakes. making the rooms accessible to a Photo by Melissa Hunt and The Rose Garden room are Judy says she “really likes” that market of four million people across Free Design, recognizing the friends from all over the world and located on the ground floor and are she was able to learn the different Canada with disabilities and some contributions resulting in equal showcasing the home you have wheelchair accessible. safety aspects of cooking, such as 50 million in the United States. access and full participation of worked so hard to restore. “That means level entries to the cleanliness and proper She says that once the word gets persons with disabilities. Near the end of the article, she house and each room, a spacious temperatures for food. out to people, the two accessible Sallie Clark, innkeeper at said the recent increased ramp to the front door from a “I have experience cooking, so rooms at The Cobbled Path will be Holden House Bed and Breakfast availability of start-up paved drive, and wide doors and it’s no problem to cook for five or booked solid. Inn in Colorado Springs, Colo., information and continuing hallways. The rooms are six people at a time.” “Jim and Judy saw a need and wrote in an article posted on education for innkeepers will clutter-free with touch-sensitive Jim said guests know that they filled it. That’s what a successful http://bandb.about.com that there have a positive effect on the lamps, easily accessible showers, are not right in town and they like business is all about.” are many issues to consider when industry in years to come. room for a scooter or wheelchair, being able to access the tourism of The Cobbled Path won two deciding if the B&B business is For more information on acces- lower light switches and higher Niagara and then come back to a awards this year. It received the for you. sibility go to http://www.accessi- plugs. The bathroom counters are calm, quiet place for the night. Breaking the Barriers award from Clark said the industry is a bleniagara.com . For more infor- open underneath, and the pipes are “We have also had some people who the Ontario March of Dimes and personal one and benefits of mation on The Cobbled Path, go to moved as far back as possible. are related to local folks who don’t have the Award of Merit for Barrier- owning a B&B include meeting http://www.cobbledpath.com. $15,000 grant received for innovative approach By KIM POWELL and the international department always benefit students. Whether it example of grassroots international- Strong says, “The money is Staff Writer formed a partnership to internation- is how to identify a student who is at ization with the end result being being used for development of the Larissa Strong, international alize their department. risk, internationalizing curriculum, better-serviced students.” DVD and other international student adviser at Niagara College, “We presented what we had done or learning how to balance your Besides the job search seminar programs that the Job Centre does, attended the Canadian Bureau of and emphasized how it was a own stress level, it is all done to for international students, the Job as well as funding us to present our International Education’s (CBIE) grassroots effort and how the Job better serve students during their Centre also puts on an orientation to program to other schools.” annual national conference in Centre really ran with the idea.” time at our institution.” on-campus work for “So far we have presented three Ottawa from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17. Strong says the other conference Strong says a combined grant of international students when they times in the last six months: Strong says the conference allows attendees are from international $15,000, half from the CBIE and first arrive. Canadian Association of Career professionals who work in centres from across the country at half from Niagara College, was They hire job coaches to help Educators and Employers, international education to come the school board, university and given “for being innovative in the students with their initial Job Centre Ontario College Career Educators together to discuss issues they may college level. “I would estimate way that we approached working questions. and CBIE.” have in common and to learn from there were about 400 delegates in with international students at the They put on a working interna- Strong says they have one more each other’s best practices. attendance.” college.” tionally seminar and have produced conference in the spring with the Strong made a presentation on “Learning from our colleagues “The Job Centre and the a DVD on interview skills for Ontario Association of how Niagara College’s Job Centre how to do our jobs better will international department are a great newcomers to Canada.” International Educators. Conversation partners a good learning experience By KIM POWELL Canadian students had the for one year and two months. culture and learn what it is like to “The students in our program Staff Writer opportunity to volunteer their “I love working with people, be a post-secondary student at want to interact with students Helping one another to time meeting and communicating especially people from different Niagara College. from other programs. If I can communicate is a great learning with an international student. countries. You learn something McLachlin says the “Canadian make this happen, I am making experience for Niagara College Susan McLachlin, of Welland, new every day.” students, for lack of a better term, them happy, which makes me students. is the conversation partner and McLachlin says the conversa- gain an appreciation of another happy.” People at Niagara College’s social activities co-ordinator, tion partners program helps ESL culture, have the opportunity to McLachlin says she matches Welland campus take part in English as a Second Language students practice English outside start a new friendship that could the conversation partners based Conversation Partners for teacher and part-time English of the classroom, helps them last forever and help someone on their hobbies and interests. International Students. professor at the Welland campus. connect with an English speaker who is far from home learn about Roughly 40 pairs of students At the beginning of the term, McLachlin has been at the college to learn more about Canadian a new culture.” are involved. Young entrepreneurs make money with computer skills By VALERIE LITTLE business venture. Internet and software for small One of the computers they sell is “I would like to think in two Staff Writer Coulter says the two started businesses. an entry-level system that is ample years we would be in a position Slow and steady might win their business because “you In addition, he can create for an individual who wants to to hire a few people. We want to the race for these young don’t need a lot of capital to start applications that are based on the browse the Internet and check keep all our options open. We’ll entrepreneurs. this kind of business” and “we needs of small business and that e-mail. probably augment our business Authoritech Solutions was were fixing computers for are not now available on the They also have a graduate, a focus at some point in the founded in August 2004 and hit friends, then friends of friends,” market. system targeted to gamers. future,” says Coulter. the business market in so we said, ‘why don’t we make Park deals with hardware. He “If someone wants a gaming “We want to be a dominant September. money for us?’” provides onsite service, builds system, they should talk to us,” force in the web development Adam Coulter, 23, and James Coulter deals with the custom computers and installs says Park. industry in the Niagara and Park, 29, both of St. Catharines, software aspect of the business, network and administration and They have plans to expand the Toronto area.” are the proud owners of this developing applications for the Windows servers. company in the future. Page 12, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Students freelance for cash Illegal software hurts everyone By PRIASTO wanted it to.” By BREE ELLIS program’s practical lab newspaper. PROBOSUTEDJO Akbary is a first-year International Staff Writer “Being editor of the paper on top Staff Writer Business student at Niagara Journalism-Print program of midterms and everything else In this century, computers are College’s Glendale campus in students Erin MacGillivary and has been a challenge. I wanted to humans’ friends. Niagara-on-the-Lake. He said illegal Stephanie Dipietro are gaining give our paper 100 per cent When it comes to the expensive software exists because of the “third some experience in the journalism commitment, so I explained this to peripherals, however, purchasers and person.” field and making $50 an hour my editor and didn’t take on any users think twice. “The third person doesn’t have doing it. stories.” Ray Spiteri, 22, of Port Colborne, enough money to buy expensive The two work for a magazine MacGillivary says she feels the said he uses peer-to-peer software software, so they download it from called Niagara Hot Spots. opposite of Dipietro. (P2P) to download music (MP3s) or the underground websites which They started in the summer, at ERIN STEPHANIE “It’s different every week. It’s a movies. offer free downloadable software,” $25 an hour, but within three MACGILLIVARY DIPIETRO lot of sitting in front of a computer “I use Kazaa and Soulseek soft- Akbary said, adding this is a months, Dipietro, 21, from in the Falls. until I think I am going mental ware to download music and “business trend” in the world. Hamilton, says they received a She told me to go home, get on because I have to write stories for movies,” Spiteri said, adding those In the world of computers, illegal raise to $50. the phone and research the school and work, so I can sit in my two P2P software programs are free software possession might not be Dipietro says she is very busy information on the release and to tiny room in front of my laptop for to download. considered a crime. He said he enjoys music and “I think illegal software is one of and writes two to four stories a write a story on it by the next day,” up to 12 hours a day.” movies, but sometimes they’re too the most popular illegal activities week, each report taking her Peters says MacGillivary has says Dipietro, who had developed expensive for him to buy. today. It doesn’t harm anybody [and] approximately four hours. a helpful relationship with made herself more available to “I used it to enjoy music or movies doesn’t hurt anybody’s wallet,” said MacGillivary says that during Pelligrini. write stories. instead of buying every Carlos Toledo, 19, originally from the summer she worked about 25 Pelligrini gave her tips on the “Freelance is all about single CD or movies, so I Mexico. hours a week. writing process. availability.” download it.” As a second-year student in “Now that I am back at school I After Hot Spots editor Brad MacGillivary says the job is “Basically, we live in a world Computer Engineering Technology am down to about three stories a Peters read their stories, Pelligrini “fun” and the people she meets are where with a click of a button we can at Niagara College’s Welland week so, depending on the story, told the women they were hired “interesting.” get a movie or a song. When the campus, he said when it comes to I’d say about 15 hours a week.” and he would be in contact with Dipietro says she is “very musicians and the movie directors illegal software, all activities are Dipietro and MacGillivary cover them soon. Peters is an editor at the thankful” for the opportunity. were younger, they maybe didn’t wrong. entertainment news in the Niagara Niagara Falls Review. “I can’t think of words to have the technology that we have “It is illegal and we should not be region and work from home. Peters says he thought college express what an opportunity it is today. If they could download it, they using software that we didn’t pay for. “I have never actually even met students would be appropriate for and how much it has helped my download it,” said Spiteri, who is a “Illegal software exists in the my boss in person yet, even though the job. writing. I am able to have real second-year Journalism-Print student world because of the high prices of I talk to him via phone and e-mail “I didn’t have a problem with it experience in the field, as well as at Niagara College’s Welland software nowadays, and the at least twice a week. I only work (hiring students) at all.” real experience with meeting campus. disagreement of people with that from home,” says MacGillivary. He says people “that age” tend to deadlines.” Illegal software also has a issue that pushes them to share or The two got the job through be out in those entertainment She also says she has had to business perspective. duplicate software and give it to other a summer teacher, Jennifer circles more than people who are a learn new skills quickly in a short Fajar Putera Akbary, 20, people to use,” explains Toledo. Pelligrini, a part-time Journalism- bit older. amount of time. originally from Indonesia, said all the Toledo was an illegal software countries in the world have a user before entering his program, he Print faculty member. Pelligrini is Dipietro says she hasn’t had “I can’t think of another job policy for illegal materials. said, and he felt bad for using it. a staff reporter at the Niagara Falls where you have the chance to much of a problem balancing her “There is also a policy for “There are people like me that Review , a daily newspaper. school work and working for know everyone else’s business ... copyrighted softwares or copying worked for hours to get the software “She handed me a press release Niagara Hot Spots, except for the You know that saying, ‘none of materials from the original copy, but to run perfectly and they are not and told me about this opportunity- week of Oct. 18, where she was your business?’ That doesn’t apply it never works as the government getting what they deserve.” for a new magazine starting editor of news@niagara, the to us.”

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Convert your Advanced Advanced Diploma graduates Diploma into a Bachelor’s can: » convert in one year Degree at the University » work part time while studying of Western Sydney. » start in February or July At UWS, we provide opportunities for College For information on UWS visit graduates to convert to www.uws.edu.au/international a degree that combines For advice on application, advanced academic the travel scholarship and knowledge with practical getting to Australia visit hands on experience. www.komconsultants.com PS. Stay an extra year and Convert to a Bachelor degree complete one of our practitioner in Marketing, International oriented Master’s in Marketing, Business or...the opportunities Management or International are limited only by your Business interests! CRICOS Provider No: 00917K news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 13 Opry gets new home Niagara ranks second overall By STEPHANIE DIPIETRO of its proceeds to community Staff Writer charities each year. Deep inside the German Village in The Opry donates $250 to four Niagara Falls, the senior citizens of local high schools as an annual the community can be found singing bursary. These are available to and dancing the night away. students planning to further their The Opry Niagara Classic education in music. Country Music Association (Opry) Dick VanTrigt, 62, of Simcoe, is has been in the area for 12 years, the president of the Opry. He says taking place in different places the organization donated $6,000 to around the region. The German different charities in 2003. Village has become its new home. Marie Culligan, 67, of Niagara The Opry brings 180 to 200 Falls, is a regular. She has been people in on Wednesdays from 7 coming to country night for three p.m. to 11 p.m. for the chance to hear years and says it is “a beautiful place country music and to get out onto the for seniors that want to keep in shape dance floor. and, if they’re lonely, they can Membership is $20 for the year, certainly meet some friends.” which gets members through the Elmer Carnes, 65, of Port door on Wednesdays for free. The Robinson, says, “It’s encouraging to regular weekly price is $2. see the response of the people on the Jean Graham, 65, of Niagara dance floor.” Falls, is the assistant treasurer of Graham says, “We’ve got people the Opry. in their 80s out there dancing all “I’m really proud to be a member night, and I think that’s marvelous.” of this club,” she says. Gerard Couroux, 80, and Lucy The Opry board of directors is Couroux, 78, both of Niagara Falls, made up of community volunteers. have been coming to the Opry for They also make up the band that seven years. performs Wednesday evenings. Lucy says she would come every People from the community can night if her husband would let her. A team of Niagara College marketing students won five medals – one gold, two silvers and two also be seen singing with the band, Lucy suffered a heart attack last bronze for second place overall – at the 25th Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition Nov. 18 Graham says. “Everyone is year, and her friends say the Opry and Nov. 19. Over 300 students from 15 Ontario colleges participated. Categories included an welcome.” gave her something to look She says the Opry donates some forward to. advertising case, a sales management case, a marketing case, a job interview and a sales VanTrigt describes Lucy as presentation. Faculty team coaches in the Business Administration – Marketing (Co-op) “always smiling” and Carnes says program were Terri Champion, Barb Smith, Malcolm Howe and Beth Pett. Event funding was the Opry gave her a “little motiva- supplied by the college’s Business and Entrepreneurship Division and Fallsview Casino Resort. tion” to help herself get better. Students on the team were Jessica Manella, Stephanie Walsh, Meaghan French, Tom Rojcik, John Genders, 74, of Niagara John Darch, Nancy Trani, Mike James, Justin Hostick, Nick Kenyres, Jenn Cassan, Malgoratza Falls, says people who don’t know Puzio, Jeff Robillard, Bond Nthenge, Steve Mackerewich and Andrea Czifra. about the Opry are “missing good Photo by Jennifer Casson, Business Administration – Marketing classical music” and “a nice warm atmosphere.” The Opry puts on the country music night every Wednesday night at the German Village. Everyone is Business counsellors at Niagara welcome, and a portion of all the

Photo by Stephanie DiPietro proceeds will be donated to various GERARD AND LUCY COUROUX local charities. receive professional certification By AZRA MOMIN “This certification has given us a common Gas prices ‘unreasonable,’ Staff Writer language. Our job is to help our clients identify their For business counsellors, being professionally vision, and there’s nothing to compare with doing the certified is good business, and Niagara College is leading work you love.” college students complain the way. The BDC provides support for emerging In 1997, an international group of experts led by businesses and has been instrumental in creating more By THERESA STACH “unreasonable” and expensive. Canada and the Philippines developed the than 1,500 new businesses and hundreds of jobs in the Staff Writer “The prices are unreasonable, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) training Niagara region through partnerships with Human It is ridiculous the way the gas especially in Niagara Falls as it is and certification program for small Resources Skills Development Canada and Ontario prices in the Niagara region have often three to five cents more business counsellors. Recognized by governments Works. Patterson read a letter of congratulations from been rising and falling this expensive.” throughout the Asia-Pacific region, completing the pro- Walt Lastewka, MP, St. Catharines. past year. Orsini said she usually lets her gram signifies training and certification in the best prac- “I’m very impressed with the [APEC-CBC] motto to The Niagara region’s residents tank become empty before she tices of small business counselling. be recognized, relevant and respected,” said Patterson. “I were warned back in early spring fills it. “This certification gives credit to a wide variety of hope we spread the word out to other colleges about this that the gas prices might reach $1 “It’s too much money to skills and competencies that business certification.” this past summer. It did come constantly fill it up,” said Orsini. “I counsellors bring to their work with clients,” says The APEC training and certification program is close, at 89 cent per litre, in usually try to fill it up in Welland Heather Carter, manager of the Niagara College designed for small business counsellors working in some cities. because it is cheaper.” Business Development Centre (BDC) at the Glendale various sectors including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, Melissa Orsini, 19, of Niagara An ideal gas price for Orsini campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. tourism, services, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and Falls, said the gas prices are would be 70 cents per litre. On Nov. 15, six staff members of the BDC received distribution. “unfair.” Canham agreed with Orsini by the designation of APEC Certified Business Counsellor “The foundation of our success is the talent of our staff “No, the gas prices are not saying, “I think dropping the (CBC). and their commitment,” said Clark. reasonable at all. It’s hard enough prices back to the 60- to 70-cent Attending the ceremony were Dan Patterson, Niagara The program consists of 10 modules involving for students to save money,” said range would be good.” College president, Bea Clark, college director, self-study, completion of assignments, practical Orsini. Canham, who drives to St. Workforce and Business Development, and Chris application of skills and participation in Orsini, a first-year student in the Catharines from Niagara Falls for Pelham, head, Economy Institute, APEC-International workshops and networking opportunities. It can take Early Childhood Education school, says he pays about $30 per Business Network of Small Business Counsellors. over two years, which can be extended to three, to program at Niagara College, week in gas. So far, only 36 Canadian small business complete. drives to school in Welland every Lacy Linwood, 17, of Niagara counsellors have completed the certification. More than Pelham said there was a need to put together a day from Niagara Falls. She said she Falls, said the prices are too high 225 business counsellors are enrolled in the program. national organization. spends at least $80 a week in gas. for her. “The prices are too high. It Receiving the certification were Carter, Larry Bitner, “What we’re looking for now is to create a national Stephen Canham, 19, from does me no good.” Karen Martin, Rena Posteraro, John Young and Sandie professional designation,” he said. He also congratulated Niagara Falls, said it’s hard to keep Linwood drives to Fort Erie from Heirwegh, who received it earlier that day. From Niagara College for being the first in Ontario to receive track of the prices at the gas Niagara Falls every day for school Centennial College in Mississauga were Michael the certification. stations. and said she spends Medina and Gabriella Zoltan-Johan. For more information on how you can get help “It is difficult with the prices about $50. “It’s been quite a journey for me,” said Carter, with your business idea, contact Carter at changing constantly because it often For now, Orsini, Canham and speaking of her 10 years in the BDC. 905-641-2252, ext. 4453. falls right after I fill up.” Linwood said they have no choice Canham, a mathematics student but to deal with the gas prices but at Brock University in St. they would like to see a news@niagara will be returning Jan. 21, 2005 Catharines, said the prices are “reasonable drop” in the price. Page 14, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 College nominates six for Premier’s Awards By THEA DUXBURY and recent graduate. of Niagara Falls, and University of Calgary. program. Staff Writer The six nominees include graduated from the Ambulance Gillespie is now the director Johnson, of the Six Nations Niagara College has many Karen Rossi, Greg Soto, Eric and Emergency Care program of transit services for the community, is the project diverse and interesting Gillespie, David Bessey and here in 1978. Soto went on to Region of Waterloo. director of the National students. More interesting, Wendy Johnson. work full time as an Bessey, of the Niagara area, Aboriginal Achievement however, are the Niagara Rossi, of Niagara Falls, ambulance attendant. is nominated for the premier's Foundation. College alumni who have gone Ont., is nominated for the Soto has many technology award. Kuhnigk is being nominated on to achieve their goals in recent graduate award for her accomplishments, such as Bessey graduated from the for the Creative Arts and different ways. work in the wine industry. becoming a mentor for ACP Construction Engineering Design award. Niagara College has Rossi graduated from Niagara students. Soto will be Technology program in 1972. Kuhnigk graduated from nominated six alumni for the College's Winery and pursuing a bachelor of Today he is president of one Niagara College's Premier's Awards, which Viticulture Technician education degree at Brock of the largest homebuilding Broadcasting — Radio, honour the important social program in 2003. Rossi has University in St. Catharines. corporations in Arizona. Television and Film and economic contribution won several sommelier Gillespie, of Port Colborne, Bessey has served two terms program in 1993. Kuhnigk, college graduates make competitions. Rossi will be Ont., is nominated for the on the Niagara College board originally of Welland, resides in Ontario. continuing her studies with the business award. In 1989 he of governors. in Toronto and has The six nominees are post-graduate International graduated from Niagara Johnson is nominated for the pursued set design. She was awarded in categories such as Sommelier guild, and the Wine College in Accounting. Community Services award. set decorator on a Global creative arts and design, and Spirit Education Trust. Gillespie also received a Johnson graduated from television series. Kuhnigk won community services, business, Soto is nominated for the Bachelor of Accounting Niagara College's Law and a Genie Award and now is health sciences, technology Health Sciences award. Soto is Science degree from the Security Administration working for a project for NBC. College recreation graduate cruises around in dream job By NADINE HORTON "I first went on a three-week for free and work on the side." chance to have some free time few downfalls. While you do Staff Writer co-op work placement and Some of the places Ramella to themselves." make friends on the ship, she Cruising Bermuda, Alaska, returned as a seasonal worker says she has traveled to while During her free time, Ramella says that crew members are the Caribbean and Hawaiian during the high season and working on the cruise line is having just as much of a constantly coming and going. Islands are dream vacations for holidays when many kids are on include Hawaii, Alaska, the vacation as those who are paying "You make many good friends many. Meredith Ramella, 24, of board," says Ramella. "I became Panama Canal, the Caribbean, to be on the cruise. She says that from all over the world. Welland, gets paid to do it. full-time and was promoted to New York City and Florida. she gets to go on excursions, However, when they go on For the past three and a half lead youth co-ordinator and As a full-time employee, from visiting waterfalls and vacation, they may return to years, Ramella has been have stayed with this position Ramella says that she works rainforests to snorkeling and another ship and you do not working for the Norwegian for the past year and a half." 15-week contracts and has swimming with stingrays. know if you will ever see them Cruise line and has worked on Ramella loves to travel, so six-week vacation periods She has snowshoed in Alaska, again," she says. five different crusie ships staying with the co-op work in between. Working on a cruise surfed in Hawaii and even trekked Ramella misses her family as a lead youth placement was an easy decision ship means the work over volcanoes and gone horse- and friends, but says that she is co-ordinator. for her to make. week isn’t your average back riding. Sometimes she gets used to being away and quickly "I am in charge of all the Her position gives her the 40 hours. to simply relax on the beaches. makes her own family on the youth programs: staffing, chance to visit many places that "You work seven days a week "My job is very exciting," says ship and new friends very easi- training and the design and she would not be able to see on the ship. You work more than Ramella. "I get to work with ly. implementation of programs," otherwise. 10-hour days," states the children, which always keeps me The pros, by far, outweigh the says Ramella of her position on "It is a great opportunity to Norwegian cruise line website busy. I get to travel all over the cons when it comes to Ramella's the cruise line. travel," she says of her job. at http://www.ncl.com. world for free, see places I may career on the ships. She gets to Ramella is a graduate of the "You get to see many places for "We do have free time at night never have the chance to see any do everything that she loves and Recreation and Leisure Services short periods of time, but which and during port," says Ramella. other time and meet people from comes home with a paycheque program at Fanshawe College in you can return to and "On sea days, we work full days all over the world." to show for it. London. This was how she got explore every week and and late night group sitting. Being away from family and Ramella says she doesn't started in the cruise ship discover new and exciting Group sitting on port days, we friends is a part of the job that, plan to give up her career industry. things to do. You get to travel rotate shifts, so everyone has the Ramella says, is one of the very anytime soon. Prizes, treats, appreciation shown for choosing Niagara

By CRAIG SEBERT "It was to bring back a little The college provided all the Staff Writer hockey spirit," says Blake funding for this event. The Niagara College had its Turner, 21, director, original budget was $2,500, but Student Appreciation Day on programming and student the many contributions made Wednesday, a way for the events for the Student by the school's multiple college's faculty and staff to Administrative Council (SAC) departments and its say "thank you" to the and a student in the Social faculty swelled that students for choosing Niagara Service program. budget. College as a place to study, live, The college's Welland and SAC got involved, but it work and play. Glendale campuses celebrated wasn't the only one organizing Student Appreciation Day has Student Appreciation Day with Student Appreciation Day. "It been held every semester for the games related to hockey like was a college effort," says past 10 years, with a different hockey trivia and puck stack- Brigitte Chiki, director of theme each time. Last year was ing. Prizes included DVD student services at Niagara an Hawaiian theme; this year players, cordless phones and College, who also says that was a 10th anniversary and $50 gift certificates. every department got involved hockey theme because of the Students enjoy snow cones during Student Appreciation Day. "Students love getting free to make the event National Hockey League strike. Photo by Craig Sebert stuff," says Turner. possible. Letter to the editor Director of student services at Niagara thanks students, faculty An open letter to the Niagara jersey to show support for both the committed and creative crew of prize draws. your hard works, efforts and College community: event and Canada's beloved event planners (college staff from Congratulations to the day's interest in your program of study, Dear Editor: national sport. various departments), campus many lucky prize draw winners. campus, and the world around Thanks to everyone who joined Throughout the college, partners such as Aramark Food Appreciation also goes out to you, help to make our college and in the fun and celebration of our students enjoyed a wide array of Services, Campus Store, and the students and staff at community a special place for 10th annual Student Appreciation food and beverage treats, Campus Living Centres who news@niagara and CRNC, who everyone. Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1. giveaways, special activities and offered special treats, sales or took a keen interest in the event P.S. Mark your calendars for The "NHL is Back" theme prize draws — our way of saying, prize draws, as well as the Student and helped to promote it through March 9, 2005 — Part 2 of the resulted in a colourful show of "thanks for choosing Niagara Administrative Council at each student-oriented media. 2004/05 Student Appreciation Day team and campus spirit as College as your place to study, live campus who supported the event And finally, sincere thanks and program ... It's Tropical. hundreds of students and staff and play." by offering additional activities, appreciation to the students of Brigitte Chiki, director, Student donned their favourite team's Special thanks go out to our giveaways and special Niagara College, who, through Services, Niagara College. www.niagara-news.com Friday,news Dec. 3, 2004 @Free Page 15 ChristmasChrisniagaratmas SpecialSpecial We wish you a Merry Christmas! Old horseshoes make great gifts By ANGELA HARDIE a $25 donation.” of $5,000 per horse per year to Staff Writer The campaign goal is to give cover stabling fees, farrier fees Six therapy horses will earn away 500 horseshoes across the and vet bills.” their keep this winter, one hoof Niagara region. H.A.T.S. is a non-profit organi- at a time. Baago says therapeutic riding zation dedicated to enhancing Horse Alternative Therapeutic programs are “expensive to quality of life and physical and/or Services (H.A.T.S.), in Welland, run.” emotional health of children and is introducing a new campaign “We budget a ball-park figure adults. to raise $10,000 to help pay for The program is subsidized by the horses’ board fees by turning grants and is dependent on the dona- used horseshoes into decorative tions and the work of volunteers. works of art. More information on the pro- Victoria Baago, program gram is available online at director, says the “old, worn-out www.hatsniagara.org. shoes are being transformed into The belief in horseshoes as a decorative, lucky horseshoes by good luck talisman is very old. a dedicated artist who is a tole During the Crusades, horses were painter.” decorated with a lucky silver shoe Good-luck horseshoes, which and paraded through villages to come with a chain for hanging, ward off evil. are given to anyone making a Even today, horseshoes are $20 donation to H.A.T.S. found hanging throughout “The horseshoes make terrific A good luck horseshoe will be Europe and North America on gifts for Christmas, birthdays given to anyone making a $20 houses and stables. and anniversaries,” says Baago. donation to Horse Alternative Anyone interested in ordering She adds that “you can have Therapeutic Services. a horseshoe can call H.A.T.S. at your horseshoe personalized for Photo by Angela Hardie 905-682-3924.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas John Sheehan, of Hamilton, has been playing Santa for 36 years. by Clement C. Moore Photo by Erin MacGillivary ‘Twas the night before And he whistled, and His cheeks were like roses, Christmas, when all shouted, and called them his nose like a cherry! through the house by name; His droll little mouth was He believes in Santa Not a creature was stirring “Now, Dasher! Now, drawn up like a bow, By ERIN MACGILLIVARY “I would have to say the mall not even a mouse; Dancer! Now, Prancer and And the beard of his chin Staff Writer because I get to spend more time The stockings were hung Vixen! was as white as the snow; He sees you when you’re with each child, but the private by the chimney with care, On, Comet! On, Cupid! The stump of a pipe he sleeping. You see him at the mall. parties, well, they pay more.” In hopes that St. Nicholas On, Donner and Blitzen! held tight in his teeth, John Sheehan, 60, of Suzanne Tavares and Jennifer soon would be there; To the top of the porch! To And the smoke it encircled Hamilton, has been playing Santa Garfield, both 23, of Hamilton, The children were nestled the top of the wall! his head like a wreath; Claus at the Burlington Mall, in worked with Sheehan as Santa’s all snug in their beds, Now dash away! Dash He had a broad face and a Burlington, and at private parties helpers last season. They say While visions of sugar- away! Dash away all!” little round belly, for 36 years. they agree he’s “great to work Sheehan says he began playing with.” plums danced in their As dry leaves that before That shook when he Santa for the Sunday school and “All of the children love him,” heads; the wild hurricane fly, laughed like a bowlful of Cub Pack at Fairfield United Tavares says, “and he really And mamma in her When they meet with an jelly. Church, in Hamilton, and was looks like Santa.” ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, obstacle, mount to the sky, He was chubby and hired by the mall 10 years ago. Garfield says she was Had just settled down for a So up to the house-top the plump, a right jolly old elf, “It all started the year my wife surprised at how good he was long winter’s nap, courses they flew, And I laughed when I saw Linda and I were married. My with the children. When out on the lawn With the sleigh full of toys, him, in spite of myself; wife being such a good cook, I “When I applied for the job, I there arose such a clatter, and St. Nicholas too. A wink of his eye and a gained 60 pounds in the first was worried that I would have to I sprang from the bed to And then, in a twinkling, I twist of his head, year. The weight went to the right work with a crabby old man, like see what was the matter. heard on the roof Soon gave me to know I spot, if you know what I mean, you see in the movies. Away to the window I flew The prancing and pawing had nothing to dread; and my wife said that I would “I was pleasantly surprised like a flash, of each little hoof, He spoke not a word, but make a great Santa. I also had when I met John. He is a real Tore open the shutters and As I drew in my hand, and went straight to his work, natural rosy cheeks.” sweetheart.” threw up the sash. was turning around, And filled all the stockings; Sheehan works Monday to Sheehan says he has always The moon on the breast of Down the chimney St. then turned with a jerk, Friday at the Burlington Mall loved Christmas. the new fallen snow Nicholas came with a And laying his finger aside from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. “Santa was always very good Gave the luster of mid-day bound. of his nose, He is paid $20 an hour. On the to me and brought me lots of to objects below, He was dressed all in fur, And giving a nod, up the weekends he does private parties enjoyment at Christmas. I believe When, what to my wonder- from his head to his foot, chimney he rose; for companies. These parties do that Santa is a very special part of ing eye should appear, And his clothes were all He sprang to his sleigh, to not involve photographs but sim- Christmas all over the world.” But a miniature sleigh, and tarnished with ashes and his team gave a whistle, ply having the children on his Sheehan says he plans to work eight tiny reindeer, soot; And away they all flew like knee and handing out candy as a Santa in the Burlington Mall canes. as long as his health permits or With a little old driver, so A bundle of toys he had the down of a thistle. For these parties he is paid “until it becomes a job and not lively and quick, flung on his back, But I heard him exclaim, anywhere from $250 to $300 for enjoyable anymore.” I knew in a moment it And he looked like a peddler ere he drove out of sight, about two hours of work. “I would rather be a shepherd, must be St. Nick. just opening his pack. Asked which experience he but there is not much call for More rapid than eagles his His eyes how they twinkled! “Happy Christmas to all, likes better, Sheehan says, them in the paper these days.” coursers they came, His dimples how merry! and to all a good-night.” Page 16, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Holidays International party set for Dec. 5 Colourful Christmas It’s their first Christmas in Canada By PRIASTO Language (ESL) each other.” PROBOSUTEDJO students, a chance to get “For me it is very surprising Staff Writer together with their home stay because I have never received a International students will families and to experience the Christmas gift before.” celebrate Christmas this year at Canadian Christmas tradition. Jung Eun Choi, 20, from the college. During the party, there will be South Korea, said this is her The Home Stay Christmas traditional Christmas stories first time experiencing Party 2004 will be held at and Christmas carols being Christmas in Canada. Niagara College’s Welland performed by the ESL students. “My country celebrates campus cafeteria on Dec. 5 to ESL students are looking Christmas. In my town, houses celebrate Christmas for forward to celebrating are already decorated with students, the international Christmas in Canada. Some stu- Christmas trees and lights, but I department and home stay dents have never experienced think it will be more fun to families. having Christmas outside their spend Christmas here (in The international department homeland. Canada).” invited all international students Luxi Zhang, 19, from China, at the Glendale and Welland said Christmas is like the campuses to come to the party. ‘ESL students are Chinese New Year. Brenda Bronson, the “It is so interesting and international student housing looking forward to wonderful because I can get a co-ordinator, said there will be lot of gifts from others. There lots of activities at the event. celebrating are many Christmas songs “We will decorate a which are very good and I real- Christmas tree and string Chrismas ly enjoy them.” popcorn,” said Bronson, adding Chiaki Hoshi, 19, is a they will have other activities in Canada.’ first timer experiencing such as decorating gingerbread Christmas in Canada: I’m houses and gingerbread men. Li Chen, 23, from China, said looking forward to celebrating Bronson said the party was Christmas in Canada is different Christmas because it’s Niagara College’s Culinary Institute at the Glendale campus in created to give from in her country. supposed to be beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake is festively decorated for the holidays. international students, “People get together to have and I’ve never seen a white Photo by Ashley Campbell especially English as a Second dinner and give gifts to Christmas.” Holiday favourites vary among college students By MELISSA HUNT Brockwell jokes that Christmas She says she looks forward to but from a religious standpoint, it’s because “I am not American.” Staff Writer in July is the worst holiday the preparation for the holidays, very depressing.” Stevenson, of Windsor, says that With Thanksgiving and because “it isn’t cool unless you rather than the outcome. Hardie says she “hates” the fact although it’s not actually a Halloween still fresh in people’s have snow.” Her favourite holiday is that the murder of someone is holiday, she doesn’t like Election minds, and Christmas right around He says the holidays have Christmas, for many reasons. celebrated with bunnies and eggs. Day in the United States because the corner, it’s hard not to be in a changed since he was a child. “People get this glowing holiday Second-year students Brie nothing is on television except holiday spirit. “I am a grown-up and see it feeling at Christmas. It’s a cozy Stevenson, 19, and Andrea speeches. As leftover Halloween candy from a different viewpoint.” holiday with friends and family Veldman, 18, are classmates in the She agrees that Christmas goes on sale and Christmas Angela Hardie, 20, is a and wine. My family has always Educational Assistant-Special is the best holiday because “most commercials begin to play, second-year student in the made Christmas a lot of fun with Needs Support program. people are so nice, unless you have people’s holiday moods begin to Journalism-Print program. our own wacky traditions.” Veldman, of a small town “near to work with cranky customers.” shift. With many holidays through- Hardie, of Sarnia, Ont., agrees She says Christmas also “smells Welland,” says Christmas is her Stevenson says holidays out the year, students at Niagara that the holidays have changed good,” with things such as apple favourite holiday “because my are more commercialized recently. College’s Welland campus have over the years. She says her focus cider, fireplaces and hot chocolate birthday is on that day.” “They’re not as traditional as different opinions on the best and has changed: “I used to worry with mint. She had trouble thinking of a they used to be.” worst. about what I was getting, but now Hardie’s least favourite holiday holiday she didn’t like, finally Regardless of what your A group of second-year students I look forward to seeing people I is Easter. choosing the Fourth of July favourite is, Happy Holidays! in the Police Foundations program don’t usually get to see.” “I appreciate and respect Easter, have differing views on the holidays. Diana Lanzalone, 20, of Mississauga, Ont., says her A favourite holiday is Halloween. Heartwarming Holiday “You can dress up like when you were a kid and be what you always wanted.” She says, since growing up, she thinks people are more taking than giving at the holidays. Lanzalone says her least favourite holiday is Valentine’s Day because she caught her boyfriend cheating “the first time I had someone to spend it with.” Robert Riva, 23, of New Brunswick, says he enjoys “lots of presents and time off school” are why Christmas is his favourite holiday, adding that Thanksgiving is at the bottom of his list. “[There’s] not enough time off and too much food.” Twenty-one-year-old Colton Best Wishes for a Safe and Brockwell, of Stevensville, disagrees, saying his favourite Happy Holiday Season holiday is Thanksgiving With so many holidays to choose among such as Christmas, from the Staff of the Registrar Office specifically because “the food is Halloween, Canada Day and Easter, people’s favourites vary. the best at that time.” Photo by Melissa Hunt news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 17 Holidays Christmas: Colour me Ebenezer Scrooge you are forced to celebrate it. Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the first existential Stores are closed more during this time of year philosophers of the late 19th century, says, “Insanity in than at any other time. If they are not closed, their individuals is something rare, but in groups, parties, nations By JARRETT POWELL hours are reduced. and epochs, it is the rule.” Staff Writer Government officials get a lengthy vacation, as Christianity is accepted insanity. More than one third of Column do medical practitioners, and banks seem to close the human population is insane. forever. Why celebrate the birth of someone who never existed? Then there are the incessant queries from Most Christians spend more time celebrating Jesus’ birthday By definition, a bastard is any child born illegitimately. In people before and after Christmas as to what you than they do their own. other words, the parents are not married. are doing or have done for Christmas. Satanism is not new by any means, for as long as there has At one time, as far back as the Middle Ages and as It is an unfair stereotype in North America that because a been Christianity, there has been Satanism; however, it person is Caucasoid, he or she must be a Christian. recently as the 20th century, a child being born to unwed wasn’t until 1966, when Anton LaVey formed The Church They label you a “Scrooge” if you tell them you do not parents was a moral crime. of Satan that it started to gain popularity. celebrate Christmas. In The Satanic Bible, LaVey wrote the highest of holy Ironic then, is it not, that at times when women who gave We are expected to be nice to each other for one day of days in the satanic religion is the date of one’s birth. birth to bastard children were scorned, that so much the year when the other 364.25 we war, are hateful and devotion and faith should be given to a bastard, for Jesus mean to each other. This is hypocritical. LaVey argues that if you are going to create a god in your Christ is a bastard. Either be mean the whole calendar year, or be nice. There image, why not create that god as yourself? It is even more ironic that Jesus was worshipped as is no middle ground. Some traditions die hard. devoutly as he was during the Middle Ages, a time when Like the historical calendar, Christmas is based on an Christmas has become nothing more than tradition. bastards were viewed as unfit to rule as a king, yet a bastard event that never happened. This year why not start a new tradition? was chosen as king of man. This is a shining example of a Without getting too philosophical, humans believe what Instead of celebrating Christmas, try putting the same double standard. they are told far too easily. effort into celebrating your birthday as you put into Bastard can be viewed as a derogatory term, or it can be Most often it is in the absence of sufficient evidence that celebrating Christmas. viewed as a word. It is said that words are just words. It is is the proof such a belief. Change is not something that should be feared. It should the context we put to words that make them derogatory. Christianity is one of those beliefs. be promoted and embraced. The Christmas season is an absurd time of the year. Jesus Christ never existed. There is no evidence to prove Then, and only then, may we be free from the mediocrity It is a time of year when, even if you are not Christian, his existence, yet people blindly believe he did exist. and monotony in which this world is trapped. Ah, the commercialization of Christmas crammed down our throats. expensive spun glass ornaments and big fancy electronic I mean, really, at the end of the Canadian Tire equipment. commercial, who didn’t see the “Oh, honey, I’m I’m not saying all this just because I’m broke. It’s been By BREE ELLIS pregnant. Let’s be all corny and cheery just to the way I’ve always done it. One time, for her birthday, Staff Writer make people feel all warm and fuzzy because completely unrelated to Christmas, I gave my best friend Column they don’t know any better” strategy coming at three big bags full of stuff: mail from pen pals and people them? she didn’t know around the world and a set of Tarot cards I sure saw it coming, and when it happened, that I made myself for her. The holidays will hit you like a brick. yes, I nearly vomited. Yes, I am a little insane. Well, I know I’d like to hit the Old Navy singers with a I’m all for shopping, but not when I have three pennies This year, I can’t seem to get into the spirit, even when I and a nickel to do it with. tell myself all this stuff and even when I remind myself that brick. Whatever happened to good old homemade-from-the- so-and-so and you-know-who are getting this and that, OK, it’s the holidays, or almost. Where’s the warm and heart kind of gifts? created by my very own hands using sweat, blood and tears. tingly atmosphere? The best gifts I’ve ever gotten didn’t cost very much, took I think perhaps I should just give out all my gifts on Normally I’m aglow at this time of year. I’m fluttery and a little time to make and truly made me thankful that winter solstice. Then I can be more excited about it all. hyper, at least more hyper than normal. I’m happy and in someone cared so much. Hallmark cards hasn’t gotten its grubby hands onto solstice love with the season. Children’s handprints in clay, my friend’s artworks, yet, has it? This year ... for Christmas at least, I’ve lost it. decoupage vases and bowls – all these things were made Ah, good, it’s resolved then. Now I’ve got four fewer I know why. with me in mind. days to get everything together. It must be the sentimental commercialism that’s being These are the gifts that brought a tear to my eye, not the Excuse me while I have a pre-holiday mental breakdown. Christmas is most wonderful time of year I began listening to Christmas music My appreciation for Christmas has grown more in the past immediately after my Nov. 5 birthday. I love two years since I haven’t been living at home. walking through the hustle and bustle of the I miss decorating my house while singing Christmas tunes By MELISSA HUNT decorated halls of the mall and seeing Wal-Mart’s with my mom and picking out the tree with my parents. Staff Writer countdown to Christmas hanging from the Needless to say, my dad’s choice of trees leans towards Column ceiling. the crooked ones when he’s left alone to pick one out. I love buying Christmas presents and picturing Decorating the tree is a blast since I am obsessed with the looks on people’s faces when they open them, tinsel. and I love seeing Christmas-themed commercials I look forward to Christmas break, spending time with my Ho, ho, ho! take over the television. family for longer than a weekend, seeing friends, my It’s by far the best time of the year. My countdown to this I even love my dad’s usual “socks and plain white boyfriend and his family, and not having to worry about my year’s Christmas started about 340 days ago. Yes, if you T-shirts” request because it’s a tradition now for him to ask next story ideas, exams and photo illustrations. figure that out, it means my countdown began shortly after for that each year. I should really stop myself now before my brain bursts Christmas ended last year, but I just can’t help myself. It’s the only time of year that I want snow. Seeing my with excitement. I love everything about the holiday. lawn on Christmas Eve just doesn’t work for me. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns. In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College administration or the management of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer. You’ve read our views and opinions. Now we want to hear from you. news@niagara wants to know what our readers think about the topics we discuss and the way we present our ideas. We encourage our readers to send us their thoughts and responses by e-mail to [email protected] or by letter to V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C 7L3 Advertiser’s e-mail: [email protected] Publisher’s e-mail: [email protected] Page 18, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Holidays

Now, where’d I put that angel? Christmas enjoyed by one and all, despite age

By PAM HALLMAN Staff Writer Column

’Tis the season and let’s be jolly. chocolate balls were thrown from It was a cold Sunday afternoon children on the float to people on when I decided that I wanted to the sidewalks. see Santa Claus to put me in the The marching bands played mood for Christmas. Christmas songs and people sang Ripping open the banana hot along with the instruments. chocolate package, and pouring Children asked their parents, the boiling hot water into a large “When is Santa going to come?” thermos, I thought the hot choco- Then the parade stops. late was just the beginning to put The large sleigh with the me in the mood. I stepped outside chubby man himself, grey beard, and saw hundreds of people walk- white and red suit, waving a bell ing towards downtown, so I start- “ding-dong ding-dong.” I can’t ed to walk with them. believe it, it’s Santa Claus! As I strolled down the street His float looks amazing; cotton with the other 40 people, I looked is spread over the bottom of the around to see which stores had sleigh to look like snow with their Christmas displays up and sparkles representing glistening where everyone was going to flakes in the sun. Large and small settle down on the side of the presents are at the bottom of the street. Christmas tree that is behind his I saw little girls wearing their sleigh, all wrapped prettily and Santa hats and boys grasping their waiting to be opened. toy trucks in their hands. Everyone Red, white and green lights was wearing mittens, toques, flash in sequence around the truck scarves and boots to keep them that is pulling Santa. warm. Parents were holding Tim “He’s on his way!” the lights Hortons cups keeping their hands signal. warm while they kept an eye on Children jumped up and down their children who were and the excitement is worth every running around. frostbitten finger I had. As I look up the street I see a Just to know they’re so excited large white sign: “2004 Santa to see a legendary tale that has Claus Parade – City of Guelph.” been around for years, and to People from the crowd started to know that no matter how old you scream in excitement, little people are, Christmas is one of the best College volunteers erect a festive Christmas tree in the Welland campus’ main foyer Dec. 1, rode around on little bikes handing holidays around. It will always be in time for Student Appreciation Day. Prizes were given away throughout the college. out candy canes to children and my favourite. Photo by Pam Hallman Working in retail killing Christmas spirit Christmas in retail. As soon as Halloween is over, thought, eh? the Christmas rush begins and it does not stop Andrew Moreira, of Welland, does maintenance at until well after New Year’s Day. Wal-Mart and this is his second Christmas at the store. By CHELSEY SPINOSA You’ve got to love being yelled at by customers The 17-year-old says the store “just gets insane. Last Staff Writer because there aren’t enough cashiers on, or Christmas people were yelling at each other just because Column looking down the long line stretched out in front they wanted the same item and there was only one left.” of you to see the rolling of eyes and people He says you think people would be friendlier during this looking at their watches impatiently. If you listen time of year, but they’re not. Happy Holidays. really closely, you can even make out some of Kristy Spinosa, 22, of Welland, is experiencing her sixth That is not exactly a true statement for those of us their nasty comments. Yep, Merry Christmas indeed. Christmas at Wal-Mart. She has spent all six years in the working in retail. Anyone who has a job in this field knows Karen Flett, a customer service manager, has survived the busiest department of the store, electronics. where I’m coming from. Christmas rush three times so far. “I used to love Christmas until I started working in retail. Not only do I work in retail, but also I work at the This Welland resident says her advice to customers is this: You can be as pleasant as possible, but there are still those mother of all retail stores, Wal-Mart. Anyone who lives on “Be patient. We are doing our best.” ignorant people out there just dying to ruin your day. this planet knows it is common knowledge to steer clear of Spencer Moote says this is her first Christmas working at Nothing like spreading some holiday cheer, or does this store during the Christmas season. Unfortunately, those Wal-Mart. smashing into me with a buggy count?” she says. of us who work there have no choice. The 17-year-old, of Welland, is a cashier, and says she is I have to admit there are customers who can make your You don’t want to stay away merely to save yourself from finding this time of year to be “very tiring and stressful.” day. Even though they are far and few between, they do being killed in the parking lot, where drivers race around “It makes it worse when people are miserable about the exist, and, at the end of the day, it is those individuals who looking for the closest parking spot possible just to be that lines and service, but we work really hard. If everyone stand out in your mind. much closer to the door and making the lives of the stayed patient and in the holiday spirit, it would be a lot This holiday season as you’re standing in mile-long lines, associates miserable. You also want to stay away from the better. Bottom line, Christmas at Wal-Mart is crazy, and it try to keep the high spirits because just one ounce of monster line-ups and shopping carts being pushed by the makes us all a little crazy too.” consideration could make a difference at such a stressful crazy, impatient customers. It is not only the cashiers who have to deal with the time of the year. As a cashier at the Wal-Mart at 800 Niagara St. in insanity, but those on the sales floor may have it worse. Yes, Time may be of the essence, but patience is a virtue. Welland for the past two years, I am dealing with my third I know what you’re wondering: it can be worse? Scary During the season, it is a virtue that will benefit everyone. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 19 Holidays Niagara welcomes Hindu culture traditions ‘I ... keep my culture alive wherever I may be’ By TIZA SHANZI the student services division. There were over 20 volunteers to vanquish ignorance that Staff Writer The party started with a two- who signed up to work on subdues humanity and to drive The celebrations are here again. minute prayer in Hindi, which various subcommittees such as away darkness that engulfs the Homes are decorated, was followed by a fine Indian food planning, ticket and poster light of knowledge. everyone distributes sweets, and cuisine buffet that left people design, marketing, decorating, The festival of lights, even in thousands of lamps are lit to going for more. cleanup, entertainment and today’s modern world, projects create a world filled with fantasy When everyone was well cultural activities. the rich and glorious past of and a magicial atmosphere of satisfied and laid back in Arun Chauhan, of India, a India and teaches people to joy and festivity as good fortune readiness for another taste of the second-year Electronics uphold the true values of life. is bestowed on every Hindu. Indian culture, a belly-dance, Engineering Technology (Co-op) “It helps me keep in touch On the 14th day of the dark accompanied by an Indian program student, was a volunteer with my national background. fortnight of Ashwin to the rhythm, was presented by for the Diwali party. My parents have always imbued second day of the bright half of Natasha Menezes, of India, a “The international and [me with] the cultural Kartik, 20 days after dessesra, first-year Journalism-Print counselling departments guided significance of being an Indian.” the biggest and joyous festival program student. us all the way in planning this “I have been told to keep the of Hindu is celebrated. “I taught myself all the steps. I event,” says Chauhan. culture alive wherever I may It is Diwali or Deepawali can’t say that it’s purely Indian, The international department be,” says Menezes. (meaning the festival of lights because I had incorporated a few also contributed financially. The common practice of because the name translates as Arabic steps into it as well,” The Culinary Institute provided Diwali is to light small oil row of lights). says Menezes, who has been in the recipes and prepared the food. lamps, called diyas or candles Niagara College international Canada for three years. The counselling department and place them around the home, students participated in the “I love to dance, and this was staff was involved in the in courtyards, verandahs and celebration of Diwali on Nov. 12 the second time in my life I’ve planning of the party and helped gardens, as well as on rooftops at the Glendale campus, in danced on stage.” at all levels by contributing their and outer walls. Niagara-on-the-Lake, in The This was the fourth Diwali time. Everywhere it signifies the Armoury from 7 p.m. until about Party at Niagara College. Each Angela Fernandes and Malika renewal of life, and accordingly 1 a.m. year is as unique as the students Sukhyani, of India, Culinary it is common to wear new Niagara College Hindu organizing and participating in Management program students, clothes on the day of the festival. students hosted the festival as the event. prepared the snacks, pakora and Similarly, it heralds the they offered their hospitality and This year’s was organized by a dessert. approach of winter and the showcased their culture. committee of international and “The volunteers didn’t show beginning of the sowing season. The event left the college Canadian student volunteers who up, so we prepared the dessert by “I travel extensively and it is community amazed. met on four occasions at the Natasha Menezes performs an ourselves. We survived,” says great to be able to experience a “The hope is to be able to Glendale campus in the last month. Indian culture dance at Sukhyani, who showed her joy cultural event without having to create cultural awareness and an Transportation was provided to Niagara College’s Diwali cele- of Diwali through painting her travel outside of the Niagara appreciation and acceptance of and from the Welland campus to bration on Nov. 12 at the hands with henna decorations. region.” other cultures within the college,” enable volunteers from Welland to Glendale campus. Diwali symbolizes the age-old “I love the food, music and says Erik Madsen, a counsellor in attend. Photo by Tiza Shanzi culture of India and teaches one entertainment,” says Madsen. Indian heritage Have a safe and happy holiday celebrates Diwali season with family and By NATALIE MICLEWICZ clothing and visits each other’s Staff Writer homes to wish a Happy Diwali, friends... Most cultures lose the she says. spirituality of Christmas. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, Santa Claus replaces religion, is a communal festival that was and presents dominate the true celebrated on Nov.12. meanings of Christmas: family, “Houses are lit up with lamps humility and love. and electronic bulbs.” She says What would a Christmas be children burn firecrackers and like without Santa, Christmas people of all ages enjoy trees and materialistic obsession? fireworks. “People from all The answer is a pure celebration walks of life join together to of blessings. celebrate the festival.” Manisha Patel, of Hamilton, “On this day, people worship Ont., celebrates her Indian Goddess Laksmi and Lord heritage. Ganesha,” Patel says, adding In India, she says, “we don’t “Sweets and other offerings are See you in the new year!! have a Santa Claus. Instead we put before them in their houses, believe in all of our gods and and in temples.” celebrate their lives. The god of money is said to “We don’t decorate Christmas bless a family with a year of rich- From the caring and friendly staff trees,” Patel said, because in es, she says, if a candle is lit and India there are none. put at the front door on Diwali. in Student Services: Christmas is not as Patal says India is so close to Athletics & Recreation, Center for Students commercialized in India as here. the equator that most parts never “People in India, even though experience snow. with Disabilities, Counselling Services, they buy presents for each other, The absence of a white Director's Office, First Nations Student do not emphasize it as much as Christmas is not the only thing here. They don’t blow hundreds that makes Indian Christmas Services, Health Services, Peer Services, of dollars on each other.” traditions different from Prior Learning Assessment Instead, Patel says, “They tend Canadian ones. to take over sweets and do the “It’s so different from here. Office, Test Center. traditional spending time with The town is out painting each family.” other with different colours,” she Just as in Canada, “everybody says. “It’s like a huge is all dressed up in their new neighbourhood block party.” Page 20, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 21 Page 22, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Holidays LASA students face ‘crunch time’ before relaxing By STEPHANIE DIPIETRO and says he is fluently trilingual. not be too enjoyable because have a couple assignments that are there are the sports practices and Staff Writer “I hope this might give me an you’ll have four or sometimes five coming up due in the next couple working out to stay in shape for With the stress and pressure of advantage going into customs tests in a week. But then again, has weeks. This will just lead into final those sports activities that go on.” final assignments and exams, and immigration. [It] gives me anyone experienced high school?” exams, so it appears there is a bit He says the program has been students in the Law and Security better pay as well.” Jaymee Kitchenham, 24, of of work to do from here on out.” “so much more than I expected.” Administration (LASA) program He says the program has been Aylmer, is in his second year of the Kitchenham is a member of “The way the staff in those at Niagara College are anticipating informative. LASA private sector. the Niagara touch football team programs work so hard to the Christmas holidays. “I found that there are a lot of He says he applied to three other and, on top of his academic provide us with a quality Marty Chorosinski, 21, of St. classes that are interesting and schools when he applied to schedule, he says he is preparing learning experience is great.” Catharines, is in his second year incorporate basic common sense. Niagara College, but Niagara was for a tournament in Cleveland, Kitchenham says he is looking of the Customs and Immigration So if you show up to every class the only place he applied for the Ohio, at the beginning of forward to the Christmas break. program here. and just pay attention to what the LASA program. December, and preparing to “It is going to be nice to visit He completed his 40 hours of teacher has to say, you won’t “So when it came down to travel to New Orleans, La., for family after being cooped up at community service at the beginning have any trouble getting at least having to pick one, I decided the National Flag Football school most of the last few of the term. an 85 per cent.” that Law and Security would Championships at the end of months. Break will probably go by “I wanted to get it out of the way Chorosinski says the biggest lead to the much more exciting December. fast again this year though, being so I didn’t have to worry about it. benefit of the program is the lack profession. Of the career options He says he has not yet completed that I have to make sure I am ready Now the only thing to worry about of assignments. He says there are available, from private security the 40 hours of community service. to go to New Orleans a couple is Campus Watch.” mostly tests. to policing, I have not decided Kitchenham says the biggest days after Christmas.” Campus Watch is a program in He says he doesn’t have any which direction I want to go.” challenge this term has been “just He says he feels good about his which the LASA students work as complaints about the program or Kitchenham says with the flat out juggling everything that is classes thus far. college security guards. the term. He says this Christmas term coming to an end, “it seems going on.” “Some are more interesting Chorosinski chose the program break will be the “sweetest yet.” that every week there is another “You have to manage classes, than others, and some are more because he graduated from high “But then again I say that about test or two.” tests and assignments. Then in difficult than others, but they are school with a bilingual diploma every single one. Crunch time will “And to add on top of that, I some people’s cases, like mine, all beneficial in some way.” World Vision provides rewarding way to give this year By ALICIA ANN JANSEN frequently. Camels allow the well as the ability to support Staff Writer herders to chase down stray individuals financially, like How would you like to buy a animals faster than it would be widows and children affected by camel for Christmas? possible on foot, the same way HIV/AIDS or single mothers. World Vision’s Christmas ranchers in North America use Aside from the Christmas Catalogue makes it possible. It horses. campaign, World Vision provides also offers the opportunity to A share of a camel can be emergency assistance, hunger buy food, homes and farms for bought for $75, but to buy an relief, community and agricultural people in need. entire one costs $450. development, public education At http://www.worldvision The most popular item in 2003 and Christian outreach. gifts.org, you can place an order was the goat, with over 11,200 They also do child sponsoring, for a gift, ranging anywhere in purchased. An awesome gift, with ads running on several cost from $10 to $30,000, that is goats give a family milk, cheese television networks. then given to people in countries and butter, which a family can eat World Vision’s catalogue in such as Africa, East Europe, as well as sell, and manure for 2003 helped to raise $6.5 million Asia and in poorer parts of the fertilizer helps with growing through the generosity of about United States. other crops. 30,000 donors. For more New gifts available this year are There are many other gifts information on World Vision and prosthetic limbs for a child ($25), though, like beds and blankets, any of its programs, visit drought-resistant seeds for grain wells, stoves and buildings, as http://www.worldvision.org. and fruit ($65) and school supplies for 1,000 children ($800). The featured items for 2004 are camels and goats. Camels are a Catalogue has many items valued resource. Similar to having By ALICIA ANN JANSEN a car in Canada, they are assets Staff Writer The World Vision catalogue has over 100 gifts to buy for families when travelling longer distances. World Vision offers a wide variety of items to purchase through the in Third World countries or for homeless people in the United They also provide wool and Christmas Catalogue, at http://www.worldvision.org. States. milk, and they help when herding $10: Child and Family Health Fund (monthly gift) Photo courtesy of World Vision animals, since herders move $15: Supply a family with rabbits $18: Provide a warm blanket for a child $25: Provide malaria prevention treatment Christmastime means togetherness $30: Provide a warm winter kit $48: Supply education to girls impacted by the sex trade $50: Provide a warm bed for a child Being with family important part of holidays $50: Clean Water Fund By PAM HALLMAN there and do the present thing.” Boxing Day is celebrated with the $50: Purchase a share of a health clinic Staff Writer For this 19-year-old student of grandparents then with the rest of $64: Provide drought-resistance grain and fruit seeds It only comes once a year, but it Niagara College, she has to shop my family.” $75: Supply a dairy goat to a family in need may be spread out for more than a for her family, extended family, Sachs is asking for a new neck $75: Purchase a share of clothing for a village week: Christmas parties, friends and her Australian Blue for his guitar, money to buy $80: Provide nutritious food to feed a village Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas Heater dog named Abby. clothes and video games, and $100: Provide a clean venting stove for a family in Guatemala Day and Boxing Day. “Every year Abby gets a computer games. $125: Provide a brood of chickens How can anyone not like stocking filled with chew toys and Being one of the people in the $150: Purchase a share of a home Christmas? Spreading the cheer, treats, she loves it.” mall on the day before Christmas $160: AIDS campaign large dinners, presents, family, Brandon Sachs is in his first Eve, Sachs finds himself shopping $200: Supply clean, filtered water and, most important, love from year of business and sales for every gift at the last moment. $300: Provide a wheelchair to a person in need everyone. marketing at Niagara College, “Even though Christmas $400: Support a single mom for a year Jessica Gracey, of Dunnville, living in Welland during the week, comes once a year, it is celebrat- $800: Supply school kits for 1,000 needy children Ont., says that Christmas is a day and in Guelph on weekends. ed by many different people all $1,760: Provide needed supplies to a rehabilitation centre that is celebrated with the family. Sachs celebrates on Christmas around the world. Spending time $1,875: Provide shallow water well for a family “Getting together with the Day with his immediate family with your loved ones is what $3,150: Purchase a parade of animals for families in need family and doing family stuff is and his girlfriend. families tend to do. Feeling $4,000: Build a home for a family affected by HIV/AIDS what the day is meant to be like. “Christmas with my family is warm and cozy are the feelings $12,500: Provide clean water to a village by drilling a well On Boxing Day we go and see our the tradition, then a huge dinner that you should feel on $16,500: Build a health clinic grandparents and have dinner with lots of different foods. Christmas,” said Gracey. $30,000: Provide an inner-city Youth Outreach Worker news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 23 Holidays Poinsettias on sale in campus bookstore ‘Tis the season for mistletoe By AZRA MOMIN Gary Mason, horticultural technician at the green- Staff Writer house, has been sharing his knowledge with the stu- There’s Plum Pudding, Jingle Bells, Red Angel, dents for about seven years. He can be found at the Fireworks and Winter Fest, and they all grew up in a greenhouse every day of the week. huge glass house at the edge of an escarpment. “It’s an amazing crop,” says Mason. “It’s a credit This season, the poinsettias in the Niagara College that we have as many of them in here as we do.” greenhouse at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on- Marcie Newell, assistant horticultural technician, the-Lake are more prolific than ever before, and their lends her artistry to the plants and creates dish gar- names are just as enticing. dens and holiday arrangements. “It has been a superb crop this year,” says Jim There’s always something new growing in the Thomson, the campus development manager of the greenhouse. Students, already preparing for Easter, environment, horticulture and agribusiness division. have started to grow chrysanthemums, primulas, “It by far meets and exceeds industry standards. hydrangeas and Easter lilies. The students should be very proud.” Abbi Manderla, a first-year student of the The present-day poinsettia is a mutation of the Greenhouse Technician (Co-op) program, worked in a beautiful Mexican wildflower brought back in 1829 greenhouse before joining the program. This year, she by the United States ambassador Joel Roberts when has looked after the poinsettia crop, and will be help- he returned to South Carolina after serving for four ing to sell it as well. years in Mexico. “I think the poinsettias are absolutely gorgeous,” More than 20 varieties of poinsettias are in the she says. greenhouse, ranging from whites to pinks to a blaze “It’s the first time I’ll help with sales. We’ll be of reds. There’s even a deep burgundy. approaching the public with help and suggestions, and The students start growing them in mid-August, I’m really very excited about that.” says Thomson, from cuttings that come to them from Her fellow student Candi Lopinski says she worked a supplier. They look after such duties as watering, with Manderla in watering, spacing and pinching the fertilizing, spacing and pinching, a technique that plants. She too worked in a greenhouse before. allows the plant to branch out into a fuller thickness “I chose this program because we had a greenhouse instead of growing straight up. The students of the program at my school, E.L. Crossley, and I became Greenhouse Technician (Co-op) program, under the interested in landscape design. I hope to specialize in supervision of their teacher Olga Piedrahita, study landscape design and achieve great success,” she says. and remedy any physiological disorders in the The greenhouse is open throughout the week from 9 plants. a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus create a new history for the The plants take three to four months to grow. The poinsettias can be bought for $5.29 for a six- Kissing rock in Thorold. The rock is known as the Thomson says the poinsettia crop is important inch pot, and $16.99 for a 10-inch pot. They will be place where sailors would kiss their loved ones because of its nature. It lends itself to demonstrating available at the Welland campus bookstore as well. goodbye before they set sail. Now it can be know all the techniques to use for growing the other types To learn about events year-round at the greenhouse, as the place where Sants kisses Mrs. Clus good- of plants. This year the greenhouse boasts a record and for gardening tips, seasonal specials and price bye before he sets flight around the world. crop of more than 3,000 poinsettia plants. lists, visit http://niagaracollegegreenhouse.com. “If anybody deserves commendation, it’s Gary,” You can reach the greenhouse by phone at 905-641- Photo by Stacy Calder says Thomson. 2252 ext. 4082. Canada, a vacation hot spot By JESSICA KONKLE cooler days.” Staff Writer Jason Moody, 20, of St. As the weather gets colder, more Catharines, is in the same program and more people talk about going and says he enjoys the colours the on vacation, complain about the leaves turn in the fall as well. “My snow and dread the cold tempera- favourite time of the year is winter tures to come. because I love hockey and snow- Because Canada is geographical- boarding.” ly so large, the climate varies wide- In winter, the landscape is a blan- ly. The southernmost part of ket of snow that glistens in the sun. Canada is on the same latitude as Canadians know how to have fun northern California, while the in the winter. The winter wonder- Canadian northland extends deep land gives Canadians a chance to into the Arctic. Canada is a north- try many different sports. ern nation of the world and has Whether dog sledding, ice fish- become known for its cold weather ing, downhill skiing or ice skating and snow. on a long frozen river, many Although some believe it’s like Canadians love winter sports. this all year long, Canadians know Canada is also one of the world’s better than anybody that it is not. most popular snowmobiling desti- The four seasons - summer, fall, nations. After all, Canadians did winter and spring - each distinctly invent snowmobiling. different, add to the country’s Brandon Simons, 21, is enrolled appeal. in the Educational Assistant - Season’s Greetings! In the summer, Canada is a warm Special Needs Support program at and inviting time of year. It offers a the Welland campus. Simon says from Leo Tiberi, Publisher, news@niagara wide range of outdoor activities Canada is a diverse country. from hiking in one of the hundreds “I am a proud Canadian. My Have a safe & happy holiday of national and provincial parks to favourite time of year is the tem- fishing in one of the thousands of perature after summer just before and I look forward to seeing you rivers and lakes. Cycling, canoeing fall. Its not too hot or too cold.” and soccer are also popular. From neighbourly attitude to in the New Year! In the autumn, the crisp air physical beauty, Canada offers invites people outside to enjoy the more than one can imagine. colours of the leaves. Canada is recognized for its high Drew Moore, 22, of St. Anns, quality of life and for being one of Ont., is a second- year student the healthiest economies in the enrolled in the Electrical world. In fact, for eight consecutive Engineering Technician program at years the United Nations ranked Niagara College’s Welland cam- Canada the best country in which pus. Moore says he “loves when it to live. changes from summer to fall” and Before planning your next vaca- all the leaves change colour. “I tion, perhaps you should think about enjoy the longer nights and the planning it somewhere in Canada. Page 24, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Holidays Fire safety especially important during holidays By CAITLIN MCLACHLAN “certainly won’t quit for another 25.” rugs or light candles in the tree. adults at DD calls. It’s a 60-40 department, any firefighter who is Staff Writer For students who live by Contrary to popular belief, split. The younger ones aren’t as in town must respond to the call. Christmas is fast approaching themselves, Fisher recommends Fisher says there are fewer calls bad as you think.” As a child, Fisher says he wanted and in the hustle of the season it’s they make sure to turn things off during Christmas than the rest of The department covers 246 to be a firefighter, but now he does easy to forget some things, but fire before they leave home. the year., About one-third of them square miles of road, from it for the community because it is safety shouldn’t be one of them. “I went to a fire call and left three are fire related, and the rest are Regional Road 24 to Canboro different and challenging. “It’s just the basics,” says Deputy eggs in a frying pan. It was pretty ambulance assists. Road South and as far west as As deputy fire chief, Fisher’s Fire Chief Dennis Fisher. “Make smoky. It can happen that easily.” December fire calls number Westbrook Road to the Hamilton duties include being in charge of sure there’s a smoke detector. You’d Another thing to keep in mind anywhere between 12 and 15 and border and Stoney Creek town the training offices, mechanical be surprised how many rental places over the holidays is the from Boxing Day to New Year’s line. They also respond as far to offices, fire suppression and all the or basement apartments don’t have Christmas tree. Day the department receives about the north as Mud Street. Ontario Fire Marshal paperwork. smoke detectors.” If you choose to use a real tree this three to five calls. The firehouse on Canboro Road He says the best aspect of being Fisher, 40, of Smithville, has been year, Fisher recommends keeping it “Drinking and driving (DD) is equipped with an air siren to part of the department is “probably with the West Lincoln Fire watered so it doesn’t dry out. He also would be the main concern,” says warn residents of the oncoming the brotherhood, the camaraderie Department for 14 years and says he says not to run extension cords under Fisher. “It’s not necessarily young traffic. Since it’s a volunteer fire of the guys.” Canadian traditions differ from Brazil Let’s Make A Deal By NATALIE Brazil, where folklore exists. daughters,” so this is the reason, MICHLEWICZ A spiritual celebration involving Garcia said, every year people • Staff Writer forgiveness, unconditional love bring white flowers to her. Don’t Start and Win Feliz Natal means Merry and comfort is held. This celebration takes place on a (For non-smokers & ex-smokers) - $50 Christmas in Brazil. “We offer flowers to Lemanja. beach, where there is a fireworks Decorating Christmas trees, the She is the goddess of the ocean. display and candle lightings in • Keep The Count commercialization of Christmas She is believed to be a woman offerings to Lemanja. and Santa Claus exist in Brazil at with very long, dark hair, who Everyone dresses up for the (To reduce the number of cigarettes you Christmas time just as in North wears a blue dress with long, wide occasion in a colour that smoke - $100 America. sleeves. She comes out of the represents what he or she desires “Christmas is so much better in water, and there are flowers all in the new year. • Canada because there is snow around her. She wears a crown “If you want love in your life, Quit for the Day here,” said Roberta Garcia, of made of stars, and drops of water you dress in red. If you want (Quit smoking for 24 hours Welland, adding, at Christmas it is that look like coins come from her money, yellow. Every colour has a - $50) summer and is very warm in hands,” she said. meaning,” she said. Brazil, “but New Year’s is much “She is the mother of all Approaching the water with an better in Brazil.” Orixas.” offering for Lemanja is a common For more info come to our displays or Three years ago, on Dec. 1, Garcia says the water droplets tradition. visit our website and bring a friend… 2001, Garcia moved to Canada represent the richness and fertility “My grandma used to tell me bring several…nothin’ to lose from Brazil. of the ocean. to make a wish. If the water The traditions that differ in “She is believed to take all the takes the flowers on the first Brazil are those for New Year’s suffering to the deepest sacred wave, it means that Lemanja www.leavethepackbehind.org celebrations. place in the ocean, and she prays accepted your wish. The North American New to God for our faults.” “My grandma used to also take *Cash prizes provided by your Year’s Eve traditions such as “Her kingdom is very spiritual, pieces of my hair to Lemanja so Student Administrative Counsel (SAC) champagne, confetti, noisemakers filled with forgiveness and she would always protect me,” and the annual countdown are far unconditional love. She is always Garcia said, adding how much she different from the traditions in ready to comfort her sons and misses the tradition. Horticulture students sell plants to celebrate holiday season By STEPHANIE VERRI at the bookstore at the Welland Staff Writer campus. Christmas Wishes Needing a poinsettia or floral “Also available will be dish arrangement for the Christmas gardens made by our students season? under the direction of our Then the horticulture sale is technician Terry Sherwood. the place for you. As well, students from the for a happy The students and staff of the Floral Design class will be mak- Horticulture program at the ing table centrepieces, which will Glendale campus in Niagara-on- be for sale as well,” says the-Lake have more than 3,000 Thomson. fully decorated poinsettias to sell He says the students will be and safe holiday season along with mumsettias, doing all the selling and the holiday dish gardens and primary purpose for it all as a holiday plants. “teaching tool.” Jim Thomson, manager of “The students have done a campus development and the wonderful job watering and greenhouse, says the students pinching the plants and all their have been growing “top quality” hard work has paid off with poinsettias since the end of surplus crops.” August. “The poinsettias are already “Over 100 students have been being sold and hopefully we will involved with growing the crop, as have enough to last until the well as our technician Gary week before Christmas.” Mason.” “Of course,” says Thomson, The poinsettias are available in “for the best selection of variety, six- and 10-inch pots and, visit us as soon as possible. The Thomson says, “the students poinsettias are of excellent quality from the Foundation have grown over 20 varieties of and will last easily to the new poinsettias in reds, pinks, whites, tear.” Studies Division plums and bi-colours.” The Niagara College’s The poinsettias will be sold at greenhouse is open from 9 a.m. the Glendale campus, as well as to 5 p.m. every day. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 25 Holidays Ramadan marks Muslim month of blessing By TIZA SHANZI evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. ple in their daily activities, even after Ramadan. This is sig- Staff Writer It is a time of worship and contemplation and a time to nificant in situations such as not talking during meals and From sunrise to sunset, Muslims must refrain from eat- strengthen family and community ties. using hands when eating, which is believed to be healthier ing, drinking, smoking and sexual relations. “If you ask for forgiveness in this month, it’s given to than using forks and knives. A billion Muslims around the world, including some you, and if you do good deeds, your sins will be taken Women are the most respected in the Saudi culture. They eight million in North America and a handful at Niagara away,” says Bassant Elsayed, 18, of Niagara Falls. She is in wear abah, which is a soft black material resembling a robe, College, are observing Ramadan, a month of blessings the General Arts and Science program (College Exploration and a hajiep, a piece of material worn around the head, in marked by prayer, fasting and charity. Although in many — One Year) and has lived in Canada for eight years but public. Every part of a woman’s body is covered except for places this event has become widely commercialized, originates from Egypt. her face because she is not supposed to show her beauty to Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Elsayed says fasting is an opportunity to practice self- anyone except her husband and relatives. Allah (God). control and to cleanse the body and mind. It heightens spir- “This is why it is so difficult to marry a woman who is Mahmoud Ibrahim, 19, hails from Saudi Arabia and is in ituality, teaches patience and helps Muslims feel the peace not Arabic,” says Ibrahim. the General Arts and Science program (College Exploration that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with Saudi Arabia has a rich economy and its major export is — One Year). Ibrahim says Canadian life is totally differ- fellow believers. oil, which is the country’s production resource. ent from the everyday life of his strict Islamic country. “Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it “There are a lot of job opportunities. It’s a good country “We show our God obedience by praying and fasting was prescribed to those before you, that ye may [learn] to make money,” says Ammar Almchhoor, 19, a student in during Ramadan. We are reminded of what poor people self-restraint,” Qur’an 11:183. the English as a Second Language program. He is a citizen who don’t have any food feel like.” Fasting is mandatory for every Muslim who is sane, of Syria but has lived in Saudi Arabia most of his life. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calen- adult, able and resident. Exemptions are given to those who “It’s not easy to get nationality. It’s the government’s dar. That is, each month begins with the sighting of the new are insane, the sick, children, travellers, pregnant women, rule,” says Almchhoor. moon. This year, Ramadan began on Oct. 15. Muslims and the elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is Saudi Arabia has these and many more cultural funda- believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed strenuous. These people may fast at a later time or feed at mentals that may seem surprising to a westerner. Niagara the first verses of the Qur’an to the prophet Mouhammad. least one poor person every day during Ramadan. College has many cultures embodied in it and this is one Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the The prophet Mohammed influences Saudi Arabian peo- of them. Niagara Falls festival of lights getting better every year By JESSICA KONKLE to evolve. Staff Writer Mike Watson, 20, of St. Catharines, is enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Technician Lights, lights and more lights — that’s all you see when you go to Niagara Falls’ Winter program at Niagara College’s Welland campus. Festival of Lights in Queen Victoria Park. “I love the Festival of Lights. I go every year with my family, and it’s always The Christmas Festival that is held annually since 1984 is an event for young and old. getting better.” In addition to the nightly illumination of the falls, hundreds of street and park light dis- Since the World of Disney joined the Festival of Lights, it has contributed the plays containing tens of thousands of lights line the streets on both sides of the border. Enchantment of Disney lights display featuring more than 20 animated light displays of Each year the festival grows with added attractions, concerts and dazzling light displays, cartoon classics. which now rival the illumination of the falls themselves as the main tourist attraction. Adam Scott, 21, of Jordan, Ont., a first-year student in the Police Foundations program, The two-month festival is filled with a number of events, from the annual illuminated says he goes to see the light displays. light parade to a weekend of cheerleading championships. “I enjoy the walk along the falls when the different coloured lights fill the sky,” adding, The festival dates to the early 1900s. In 1925, the Festival of Lights became an interna- “Christmas feels like it’s in the air.” tional affair with the festivities taking place in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Niagara Falls, Ont. The festival lights are displayed daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Winter Festival of Because of the first festival’s success, a second followed in 1926. Soon after, a worldwide Lights New Year’s Eve Party in the Park begins at 7:30 p.m. It is a family-oriented night economic depression set in and the festival ended. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. and midnight. This year the event will be featuring Collective In the mid-1980s the festival began again, has been a success in the past and continues Soul and The Trews, and it will be televised by CH Television. Things to keep in mind when making New Year’s resolutions By JENN SOMERS The 45-year-old says she has things to keep in mind. Finally, keep in mind that your to make resolutions at the Staff Writer made resolutions in the past, such Make sure it’s something you resolution won’t happen overnight. beginning of a new year, which It’s that time of the year again. as to quit smoking, but they “never really want to do. That way you It does take time and patience to began the first day of spring. Of It’s time to start thinking about happened.” will have more determination and achieve your goal, but if you start course, their resolutions would some New Year’s resolutions. “You need a lot of determina- motivation to keep them. to lose your motivation, divide have been more likely to return Many people make resolutions tion,” says Chris Keith, 22, of Don’t make your resolution too your resolution into smaller goals. borrowed farm equipment rather that they don’t keep or have given Burlington. “You need to keep general. Sometimes just saying Where did this tradition than to quit smoking or lose up making them because they reminding yourself or after a while you are going to lose weight or come from? weight. With the introduction of don’t keep them. Will this year be you forget.” quit smoking may not be enough. Around 4,000 years ago in the Gregorian calendar, the New any different? Keith says he makes resolutions, Making the resolution more spe- ancient Babylon, the people used Year was moved to Jan. 1. “Never stick to them,” says Flori but usually only keeps them for a cific could help you to stick to it. Winter of St. Catharines when month and then forgets about For example, if your big goal were asked why she doesn’t make New them. to quit smoking, maybe a smaller Year’s resolutions. “Why make If you are planning to make any goal would be to cut back two cig- The Job Centre them if you can’t keep them?” resolutions this year, here are a few arettes a day. Staff Floating Christmas salutations Wish All Niagara College Students a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Stop in and See Us in the New The Job Centre Year! Glendale W115 St. Davids and District Lions Club create a cheerful entrance at the 14th annual Thorold Santa Claus parade Focused on the Future Welland SE101 this Saturday. Photo by Stacy Calder Page 26, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Holidays Imax Theatre film brings Christmas to life

By CLAYTON DONER that is six stories tall by eight Staff Writer stories wide and in a theatre that Children and their families are sits over 600 people. in for a treat this holiday season It is pumped with 12,000 watts with Imax’s first 3D animated of digital surround sound that is holiday film, Santa vs. the produced by 44 speakers located Snowman. throughout the theatre. The Imax Theatre in Niagara The projector used is the size of Falls, built in 1975, won’t be the a small car and contains a only Imax Theatre to play Santa 4.5-kilowatt lamp, which is bright vs. the Snowman this season, but it enough to be seen from the moon. is the first time that Imax has The projector also pulls about released a holiday film. 6,000 kilometres of film through it It is a funny holiday tale created during a 45 minute film. by the creators of Jimmy Newton, Meagan Ryan, 27, of St. Bruce Almighty and Ace Ventura Catharines, is the guest services that will keep children and their manager at the theatre and says families on their feet with laughter. she likes the idea of getting a Chris Thompson, 36, of St. different film. Catharines, is the theatre director “It’s something different to offer at the Niagara Falls theatre and tourists as well as the local says it was his idea to bring the residents who have children,” says film here. Ryan. “It’s a cute film, and it’s Santa vs. the Snowman, definitely for the kids. They’ll sponsored by the Niagara Falls Holiday fun ensues when Santa gets together with the snowman in the latest Imax movie Santa enjoy the whole thing,” says Review, The Standard, Niagara vs. the Snowman. Thompson. News and 105.7 FM EZ Rock, will Submitted by Clayton Doner He says he wanted to expand the be playing at the Imax until offerings in the off-season because Jan. 15. The other film playing at the minutes long. and $12 for adults. it’ll give a reason for locals to The movie plays every Friday, Imax is The Falls Movie: Legends Thompson says he suggests Thompson says that if you visit, as the theatre is a tourist Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and and Daredevils, also known as people looking for something to mention that you are from Niagara attraction and it is far more busy in 7 p.m. and will play daily at 1 p.m. Niagara: Miracles, Myths and do for a family event should check Falls, you get an automatic the warmer seasons. and 7 p.m. during the Christmas Magic. out the film and the theatre as well discount on your purchases. “We want locals to keep us fresh break. It plays every hour that Santa vs. as the rest of the attractions in For more information, visit the in their minds,” says Thompson. Santa vs. the Snowman is about the Snowman doesn’t play. Niagara Falls. Imax Niagara website at The movie is played on a screen 35 minutes long. The Falls Movie is about 45 The cost is $8.50 for children http://www.imaxniagara.com.

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Using a time-lapse photography effect, the lights ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES $4.99 of Christmas homes come to life in Welland, Ont. Photos by Sandor Ligetfalvy news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 27 All aboard for A Boxcar Christmas

By FAITH SIBTHORPE Braun, 54 of Simcoe, is a faithful Staff Writer worker on the set design. He has “The play is the thing” at been providing service to the set Calvary Pentecostal Church in design of the plays for 15 years. Simcoe. Each year a brand-new He says the most enjoyable scene play is born from the mind of a he has ever put together was 10 modern-day Charles Dickens, years ago when the team con- Steve Shelley. He presents the structed a sailing ship. Christmas Story in a fresh way to He says he loves to apply his renew the hearts of the audience abilities to the play. He is a retired for the true meaning of Christmas. engineer and can add that extra This unique playwright has finesse to the character of the story scripted many enjoyable stories. with his mechanical abilities. Just a few of these creations are A “I do this for the ministry. I Canadian Christmas Carol, think it’s an outreach,” says Braun. Christmas Comes to Cactus Creek, This year he gave the train life Christmas Case Closed, Get a with moving wheels in the front to Handel on Christmas, and The give the illusion of movement. Night Before Christmas. Music establishes the presence The plays revolve around chil- of any respectable production, and dren. Willing young children, des- Ben Fekete, 23, of Port Dover, tined to try out their acting skills, Ont., understands this importance. fill every role in the production. He wrote three songs for the Public schools are privileged to play: Going Through the Tunnel, view the debut on Thursday and Away in a Manger and I’ll Be Friday afternoon. About 15 Coming Home for Christmas. schools will be attending this year. This is Fekete’s first crack at The crew and cast anticipate an writing songs for Calvary’s Carl Braun on the left finishes his mechanical masterpiece. Mallard Mungal on the right waits to lend enlightening experience for all Christmas cantata, but he has been a helping hand. who are in attendance. involved in the play since he was a Photo By Faith Sibthorpe This year the masterpiece is wee lad in Grade 4. called A Boxcar Christmas. It “Many hours, lots of thought, script is the pattern and then morsel of food. Amos Shelley, for the joy of the church and to dates to the 19th century when lots of spare time,” says Fekete the details are all sewn togeth- his 20-year-old son, says, present a noble celebration of orphan children were shipped with a proud smile on his face. er to create an intricate design. “This is the story of his life.” the birth of Jesus Christ is across the United States by train, Steve Shelley writes and He had little time to com- It is enchanting to see the wonderfully sensitizing. hoping to be adopted into loving produces the plays for Calvary, ment on the play as he raced hard work that is gladly put Merry Christmas to all. homes. and he has done so for about around preparing the set with forth to benefit the spirit of We hope you are all warmed Shelley and a crew of dedicated 10 years. He says preparation realistic train paraphernalia Christmas for believers and with the birth of true love workers have committed them- begins at the end of the sum- and arranging for the young- non-believers alike. A broad thousands of years ago on selves to recreating this train on mer. Shelley’s production sters to practice their lines, all range of individuals coming Christmas Day. the stage in the sanctuary. Carl resembles that of a quilt. The the while managing to grab a together to share their talents Page 28, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 International students want to work By TIZA SHANZI seminar, a joint venture of the handle interviews. the seminar. experience what might happen in Staff Writer international department and the Strong described the three Strong says there is not much a Canadian job interview. The year 2004 was a good one Job Centre, has been offered types of work permits that can be concern about the numbers this “We will continue to do job for the Niagara College Job Centre once or twice a year for the last granted to international students year as 50 students attending search seminars and hiring and the international department four years. and emphasized the importance of after a long day of classes is “a students. We feel we have a after having received an “What we realized four years a visa. great number.” commitment that international International Education ago was that many of the “Do not work while you “The second year when we had students should have a good Innovation award in March from international students needed are studying. We cannot so many was a bit of a bubble experience in Canada,” says Forfar. the Canadian Bureau for some help in understanding the help you if you break the that was unrealistic to maintain. Information on the seminar International Education (CBIE). Canadian job market because it immigration laws.” We had a huge number of and other programs at the The International Job Search is different from their own Every seminar is slightly students that year, the dynamics college to help international seminar, held Nov. 3 from 4:30 country’s,” says Janet Forfar, modified as a result of feedback from of which were very focused on students with their employment p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Secord graduate consultant. the students. This year’s was a employment upon graduation.” prospects will be presented at room at Niagara College’s The seminar covered topics three-hour model with dinner in the Apart from the International the CBIE’s national Welland campus, was one of the on how to write a cover letter, middle to re-energize the participants. Job Search seminar, the funds conference in Ottawa by Strong, ventures on the to-do-list with the how to format a resume, The seminar was advertised with from the award are being used Forfar and Morin. $7,500 award. It is being used to interviews, how to look for a posters at both campuses, on the inter- for the arrival seminars, which “The focus of our presenta- work with international students job and how to find informa- national list server, through the con- are delivered at the beginning tion is how this step in wanting a good experience tion on visa and immigration sultants at the Job Centre and through of the term to let international internationalization started as working in Canada, whether it is requirements of Canada. the co-ordinators of all programs. students know how to apply for collaboration at the grassroots on campus or as part of their co-op “Looking for a job is a job,” says Transportation was provided for the on-campus jobs and about the of the college and the effect or post-graduation permit. Monique Morin, graduate consultant. students coming from Glendale Job Centre’s services. Each has spread through the Job “We feel that the seminars are Morin uncovered the details of a campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. student attending the seminars Centre. Part of the effect has hugely helpful for not only inter- cover letter and stated that a cover “It also makes the seminar and those who cannot could get been an increase in the quality national students but newcomers letter is not a repetition of a resume. something of a social activity the information in handouts. of service that international to Canada,” says Larissa Strong, It should be one page. when the international students The Job Centre hired two inter- students receive from the Job international student adviser, in A DVD on job search in from both campuses can get national student job coaches. A Centre as they learnt how to an e-mail interview. Canada was shown for the first together,” says Strong. DVD with interview samples was respond to their specific The International Job Search time, with emphasis on how to About 50 students attended made so that students could needs,” says Strong. College students stressing about assignments By MELISSA HUNT watching a movie. She is looking to “sleep, yell and get mad” to Staff Writer forward to the Christmas break to relieve her stress. If you’re pulling out your hair, catch up on rest and have a good As for the physical and getting no sleep, constantly time away from school. emotional side effects, she says stress handing assignments in and The http://www.stresstips.com makes her feel “tired and sick.” studying for tests, then you may website explains there are two Ablett says the year so far has fall into the category of a kinds of stress. Eustress describes been what she expected, although stressed college student. positive stress, such as exhilarat- not as scary as she thought it Amanda Frank, 18, of Barrie, ing experiences. It is the stress of would be. Ont., is a first-year student in the winning and achieving. In a January 2004 Health Early Childhood Education program Negative stress is distress. It is Reports article called Stress, at Georgian College in Orillia, Ont. the stress of losing, failing, Health and the Benefit of Social She says she feels stressed overworking and not coping. The Support, author Margot Shields because there is “so much website adds that stress leads to wrote that in 2000/2001, 26 per homework and so many tests” to burnout, with symptoms such as cent of people aged 18 or older study for now. She says trying to chronic fatigue, anger at those characterized their life as quite find time to do things she wants to making demands of you, stressful or extremely stressful and do as well can be stressful. self-criticism for putting up with another 40 per cent reported it to “This semester was what I had the demands, cynicism, be a bit stressful. expected with the homework and negativism and irritability, a sense Shields wrote that for some, not having as much free time as I of being besieged and hair-trigger stress is associated with mental With the end of the semester fast approaching, stress begins to have in school in the past.” displays of emotions. health problems such as take its toll on college students. Frank says that she feels when First-year student Amanda depression and psychological Photo by Melissa Hunt she is stressed she is more likely to Ablett, of Mississauga, Ont., says distress. She also reported that get angry at little things that aren’t school, family and money make stress has been linked to the onset such as rheumatoid arthritis and reported more stress and reacted to usually important. her stressed. and progression of physical potentially fatal conditions such as a wider range of stressors than men. She says she likes to relieve Ablett, 19, is in the Journalism- illnesses including infectious coronary heart disease, insulin- Don’t worry, Niagara College stress by sleeping or just hanging Print program at Niagara College diseases such as colds and dependent diabetes and cancer. In students. Shields reports that stress out with a few friends and in Welland, and says that she likes influenza, autoimmune diseases the article she says that women decreases with age. Bullying exists in college, can lead to suicide By ASHLEY CAMPBELL at the college level. Cody Keating, 19, of not’ mentality.” should “resolve their differences Staff Writer “People bully for a sense of Welland, and a second-year “They (bullies) pick on and disputes in a nonviolent and Bullying is a sad reality that empowerment. They lack student in the Photonics someone that has characteristics that rational manner.” people face on a daily basis. self-confidence.” Engineering Technician they don’t like about themselves,” The handbook also says “Everyone has to face it at The Canadian Initiative for program, says that bullying is she says. “employees, students and visitors some point in their life,” says the Prevention of Bullying, an not as common at a college “Bullying lowers self- are urged to report all incidents of Amanda Venditti, 18, from organization that is trying level as it is in grade school esteem and can at times push violence to college security.” Niagara Falls. Venditti is a first- to prevent harassment or high school. people to suicide.” The Welland campus college year student in the Early throughout Canada, paired with “Anything that deliberately Whether bullying pushes security can be reached at Childhood Education program. http://www.bullying.org to host makes people feel bad is people to suicide has always 905-735-2211 ext. 6666 and the Nov. 15 to Nov. 19 was a survey about bullying in bullying,” says Jennifer Robinson, been a debatable topic. Glendale campus security at National Bullying Awareness Canada. 28, of Thorold, and a second-year “It definitely causes 905-641-2252 ext. 4444. and Prevention Week and By encouraging visitors to the Police Foundations student. psychological effects. It puts If you’re interested in filling appropriately given the slogan site to fill out this survey, the two Robinson says that bullying is people down and lowers self- out the bullying survey or would of “Rise Above the Rest, Don’t organizations are trying to get an still present at the college level esteem,” says Venditti. like more information, go to be a Bystander.” idea of what’s going on with and has tried to intervene when The Niagara College Student http://www.bullying.org. Venditti says that bullying is a Canadian youth and the bullying she saw it happening. “People Administrative Council Student The website contains this motto: serious problem that still exists problems that they face. still have the ‘I’m cool, you’re Handbook says that individuals “Where You are NOT Alone.” news@niagara returns Friday, Jan. 21, 2005. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 29 Vandalism costs approach $100 million By MELISSA HUNT winter months when individuals only as a joke and it wasn’t on lives in.” issues that need to be investigated Staff Writer spend less time outside and on the anything important.” Butkovich says the reasons a or considered when trying to The act of vandalism sparks a weekends when public buildings He says vandalism “isn’t cool” person vandalizes something understand why a person would variety of opinions. and open spaces are under greater unless it’s done in an artistic way. varyfrom person to person. vandalize something, but “there is According to the Niagara scrutiny. Astorino says people vandalize “It could either be a cry for help or no excuse.” Regional Police Service (NRPS) Armstrong says she thinks people things because they are under the attention, boredom or anger towards Regardless of the reason, van- website, at http://www.nrps.com, vandalize property because they are influence and/or they don’t care. someone or something. I don’t think dalism is a costly criminal offence. vandalism is the wilful damaging unhappy and need to draw attention According to this website, there is only one specific reason as to According to the NRPS website, or defacing of property belonging to themselves and that they may be http://www.sniggle.net/vandal- why people choose to vandalize the cost of vandalism is estimated to another person or the public. lonely or neglected. ism.php, vandalism can be used to property.” at close to $100 million a year in Lisa Armstrong, 19, of Orillia, Patrick Burey, a second-year make something ugly, but it can She says there are a number of Canada. Ont., is a second-year student in student in the Law and Security also be used to point out ugliness the Graphic Design Production — Administration program at or replace it with art. Art and Design Fundamentals Niagara College, agrees that it is It continues by saying that Army reserves blend in program at Niagara College in “immature” for someone to vandalism can be beautiful, Welland. Armstrong says she destroy other people’s property. especially when what is being By VALERIE LITTLE Welland Regiment. thinks that vandalism is a “total Burey, 21, of St. Catharines, vandalized starts out ugly. Staff Writer “You may not believe me, but disrespect” of another’s property. who had his car keyed last year, Jessica Butkovich, 20, of Barrie, The army reserves can protect they’re out there,” says Hart. “I see it as an immature and say vandalism can’t be justified. Ont., is a first-year student in the my country any day. We ventured down a few trails, rebellious way to act.” “They (vandals) are children. International Development The Lincoln and Welland crossed a few bridges and walked The NRPS website says Some people need to grow up.” Studies program at York Regiment is an army reserve regi- up and down a few hills. Not vandalism most often occurs Burey’s classmate, Pat Astorino, University in Toronto. ment based in St. Catharines. They only did I not see anything, but I when the vandal has little of Niagara Falls, disagrees, saying She says her family’s car has train on weekends, Thursday nights didn’t hear anything either. If the chance of being seen and usually that sometimes vandalism can be been keyed and her house has been and most of June, July and August. soldiers were close by, they made happens at night during the justified depending on the situation. egged on Halloween. If anyone out there has a beef sure I couldn’t find them. summer and fall. Astorino, 20, says his house has “Vandalism is an unfortunate act with our reservists, come talk to The military was issued new It also says that vandalism has a been vandalized and that he has against society. It disrespects the me. I spent 1 1/2 hours Oct. 23 digitized fatigues about two years tendency to decline during the vandalized something before, “but very community that the vandal hiking in the Shorthills Provincial ago, which help the troops blend in Park searching for troops that were with trees and grass more easily. I hidden. could have been looking right at There were about 90 troops in one of them and just didn’t notice. the field, and they were The troops were all out in broken down into three companies: different areas of the Shorthills as A Company, Headquarters part of a training exercise. Company and C Company. “We want to surprise them,” says The Shorthills Provincial Park is Capt. James Walker, “keep them on located in Thorold. Its boundaries their toes [and] make them fully border Roland Road, Effingham aware of what’s going on around Road and Pelham Road. them. We want to give them the I entered the park from the presence there are more people out Pelham Road parking lot. there then there actually are.” They hid themselves so well that There was no ammunition used I could not locate them. Neither for this training exercise as it was all could my guide on this hike, Master about the reservists using their mind Vandals leave their mark on a truck behind businesses on Thorold Road in Welland. Cpl. Brad Hart, of the Lincoln and in a simulated combat situation. Photo by Melissa Hunt The Staff at Aramark Canada wish you and your families A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year Page 30, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Entertainment REVIEWS

Megadeath took over crowd Triumph, tragedy during concert in Toronto Head Automatica debut CD with ‘unique disco dance spin’ By STEVE SIMON and then Glenn. Mustaine arrived last. As the By CHRIS MCNAMEE music, it offers nothing short of Staff Writer excited crowd cheered loudly, the band opened Staff Writer a great upbeat sound that will The heavy metal kings have returned. with Set the World Afire. On Aug. 17, Head Automatica surely get your body up and No, it is not Metallica, but a band that’s been Megadeth played some of its classic hits such as released its debut album, dancing.” around just as long and is better. Megadeth has Trust, Hanger 18 and In My Darkest Hour, plus five Decadence. This album is hardcore With tracks such as Beating returned. songs from its new album including the single Die pop rock at its finest. Heart Baby and Please, Please, Megadeth played at a sold-out Kool Haus in Dead Enough, plus Kick the Chair and The Scorpion. The band features Daryl Please (Young Hollywood), the Toronto on Nov. 16 on the Blackmail the Universe Megadeth finished the show with its three biggest hits Palumbo and Larry Gorman, the band gives new meaning to the tour, and I had the best seat, front and centre. in its career with Symphony of Destruction, Peace singer and drummer, from the word fresh. Just as popularity In September, Megadeth released its 10th studio Sells and Holy Wars. infamous hardcore rockers dictates the first single, album, The System Has Failed. The album has The crowd was wild, as the whole floor became a Glassjaw, among others. Brooklyn is Burning features an climbed to 18 on the Billboard Charts 100 in the giant mosh pit, with tons of crowd surfers, and people However, the focus of this intro similar to that of United States and reached No. 10 on the Soundscan trying to push for the front row. At times you weren’t record isn’t so much based on a Nintendo’s Zelda, a heroic tri- charts in Canada. able to hear Mustaine sing over the crowd roar. hatred of women and love, but umphant glory of music. The This the first Megadeth tour since 2002, when Mustaine encouraged the crowd to sing A Tout Le heartache and heartbreak, the band has a truly unique sound lead singer and lead/rhythm guitarist Dave Mustaine Monde (To the World, in English), Megadeth’s well- tragedies and triumph that come blending what some might clas- disbanded the group after suffering nerve damage in known ballad. with being in love. sify as neo-James Brown-elec- his picking arm. During the concert Mustaine spotted a Canadian Each track is more catchy and tronic-cock rock. The band includes Glenn Drover playing flag in the crowd, which said “Megadave,” and memorable than the last. Palumbo explains it best on the lead/rhythm guitar, Shawn Drover on drums and proceeded to show the whole crowd. Evania Camargo is a sales band’s website saying, “I just James MacDonough on bass. The opening act for the concert was San Francisco associate for one of Canada’s want to f***ing party. This band is The crowd was in an uproar before Megadeth was thrash metal band Exodus. Exodus played its biggest biggest record stores and a huge the best pub band in the f***ing on the stage. “Megadeth, Megadeth, Megadeth ...” or hits, such as Bonded By Blood and Toxic Waltz. fan of obscure modern rock. She world, I’ll go toe-to-toe with any “Mustaine, Mustaine, Mustaine ...” they chanted My sole problem with this concert was the incon- says, “Decadence is definitely a band that wants to f*** around.” The band members went on stage one by one, sistency of the sound for vocals. At times you could hot item that should be heard at For more information on Head coming out to Black Sabbath’s Ironman, with barely hear Mustaine singing into the mic, but at other full volume. With its unique Automatica, visit: Shawn emerging first, followed by MacDonough times you could hear him loud and clear. disco dance spin of modern http://www.headautomatica.com. Online role-playing can become highly addictive By ALICIA ANN JANSEN is seems like simply another In a room called Mystic- you want, unless you enter a room rants incessantly about nothing. Staff Writer chat, but if you are lucky, you Tavern, Siead, my longest-run- dedicated to a certain type of RP Cetus is also a neat character. A Imagine stalking down a dark might find some role-playing ning character came to life. Using based on books or certain situa- water-elemental, he walks on land alleyway, hunting vampires, or going on. the Dune novels as my base and tions, like the Harry Potter user in the form of a man mixed with a going through the woods, leaping Perhaps you are wondering why through using this character, I rooms. beta fish, a large fin starting at his tree to tree acting as a silent the idea of typing text lines is so learned the etiquette of RP. Since For my own fun, my characters forehead and running down his guardian to children foolish entertaining. then I’ve moved on to are often based on a book or back. The good thing about this enough to wander into the homes The easiest explanation is to go http://www.yahoo.com’s chat movie, but remain original in the character is he can be used in any of werewolves. back to the beginning. I started rooms and have developed nine chat rooms. Adrian, a young girl chat, since all that’s needed is a Welcome to the world of text role-playing in Grade 10, in my characters with backgrounds and character, is a good example of water source. role-playing. high school’s computer labs on images. twisting a generic idea. You can make whatever character Browse any large chat organi- lunch break. Rooms are set in scenes varying She is a girl pulled from an is your fancy. I recommend trying zation, like Yahoo, and you On http://www.lycos.com, a site from forests to cities, in taverns of anime, with brightly coloured hair it, at least once. You may find that it might have seen user rooms with where you can make groups and wood or large, elaborate stone cas- and purple eyes, but she also is can be a fun and highly addicting RP or RPG in the title. Often it chat rooms, I first met RP play. tles. Characters can be whatever plagued by hallucinations and often hobby.

Every Thursday is Pub Night at Welland Pixies reunion, Mississauga concert sold out campus’ After Hours. The special events are: By JESSE CRAWFORD unique sound that gave birth to a generation of He closed the show with a seven-minute Staff Writer rockers like Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. guitar solo in which he left his guitar on a Jan. 13 Arrow Hall looked like a converted airplane Bassist Kim Deal’s eerie, dream-like voice stand and played it with drumsticks. hangar. The Boeing 747 was replaced with opened the show with In Heaven followed Finally Charles Thompson, a.k.a. Black Thong & Boxer food kiosks, caged-in drunks and a 25-foot- immediately by Frank Black Francis’ recogniz- Francis, a.k.a. Frank Blank, said goodnight to Jan. 27 long stage decorated with Marshall Stacks and able voice and a slow rendition of Wave of Kim and Kim said goodnight to Joey who steel trees. Mutilation. said goodnight to drummer David Lovering. Beach Pub It was a reunion a decade in the making, a Nearly two hours of classic Pixies’ songs Then they repeated the parting words several concert that Pixies fans have been hoping for drove the sold-out crowd wild and had them more times. Feb. 3 since the group disbanded in 1992. dancing, thrashing and singing along to all of The Pixies performed like never before. The Marti Gras The self-proclaimed sellouts took the stage their favourite songs. atmosphere was just right for the alternative Nov. 24 about 9 p.m. in the International Joey Santiago’s dissonant lead guitar rang rock band, and fans, both old and new, young Feb. 17 Centre’s Arrow Hall in Mississauga, Ont. Not through Arrow Hall and echoed from the high, and aged, got to see one of most revolutionary wasting any time, the group threw down its vaulted ceilings. music groups of the 80s and 90s. Disco Pub news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 31 Entertainment Strega café, ‘not your average coffee shop’ By RILEY MACDONALD but she managed to open Strega on $7,500. Staff Writer “I had no projections. I was just flying by the seat Independently owned and operated, this three- of my pants, which is how I kinda do everything.” year-old café belongs to a 30-year-old woman with Gillard says, “My only goal is to be my own boss and big plans. to make a career for myself.” Kelly Gillard is a woman who knows what she The menu evolved from previous items at Strega wants. Living in St. Catharines her whole life, Gillard Allegra as well as Gillard’s dissatisfaction with local knew what the city needed and was willing to create cuisine. She says she wanted to create a more it. Having never aspired to open her own restaurant, healthful menu using less oil, incorporating vegetari- Gillard went to school for art and design an items to create something less conventional. fundamentals at Niagara College. After finishing the “I wouldn’t send something out to someone that I program, Gillard took a year off to work and save wouldn’t eat myself.” money. She ended up working in fine dining and real- Gillard says her future plans for Strega include ized that she had a knack for it. making Strega a full-service café. She says she wants “I have always been interested in food because I to make Strega more community involved. Already have to eat.” she has extended her hours on Wednesdays, Being vegetarian at the age of 20, Gillard says Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to be open until 1 she decided she was “sick of eating fries and a.m. She has included drink specials and theme nights salad” and decided to gather some ambition and to draw a crowd. take on a venture. After compiling surveys and Wes Doersksen, 26, of Virgil, says he comes to creating a business plan, she received a Youth Strega because “it’s not your average coffee shop.” Venture loan to open a vegetarian eatery and youth “In the summer it’s perfect to hang out on the patio night club in St. Catharines, “which didn’t fly,” with a coffee and a sandwich, and in the winter it’s says Gillard, but she didn’t give up. great to warm up inside.” Gillard went on to open a business in St. Catharines Whether it’s a Friday night sing-a-long with Edwin with two partners in the food industry. The name was or arts and crafts with Stephanie on Saturdays, Strega Allegra, meaning happy witch, stemming from Gillard has created a warm and welcoming an inside joke in which the women said they look like environment for all. the witches of Eastwick. The ambiance of the café is inviting, the bright The business was somewhat successful, but after a colours splashing the walls with creativity and year and a half the partners wanted out. inspiring you as you gaze at the murals created by Gillard says she wasn’t ready to get out, so she Gillard. Tea lights sit at every table, creating a decided to continue on her own. relaxing, warm glow. Gillard has captured what it Opening Strega in April 2001 didn’t come means to be imaginative from the original menu to without a struggle. The only thing that came easy the artistic atmosphere. was the name. As for the success of Strega, Gillard says she would “The name Strega kinda stuck. I really liked the like to eventually spread the Strega spirit by opening witch thing because I was sort of Gothic when I more cafés in more profitable areas. Kelly Gillard is the owner of Strega café on King Street in St. was younger.” Gillard says she had neither a “If success is a measure of how happy you are, then Catharines. business plan nor a lot of money to back her up, definitely I would say I am quite successful.” Photo by Riley MacDonald Ruttegger, making Creating perfect gift for gamers By PRIASTO cuit. There is also an Underground of customizing cars. PROBOSUTEDJO Racing League, in which you race EA gives gamers the ability to noise since 2003 Staff Writer against time with other racers in choose from a large number of By RANDI CODISPODI Game Review the specific area. playable vehicles, such as AM Staff Writer Electronic Arts (EA) has created Older street racing types are also General Hummer H, Infiniti G35 Ruttegger, a punk band based in Fort Erie, is making noise in more a challenging game for PC and challenging and have been Coupe, Audi TT and many more. places than just the Niagara region. console systems and released it on updated. There are circuit races Like the prequel, there is an With Tom Mountain, 21, on vocals, Bradley Moore, 20, on bass and Nov. 9. where you have the first lap to online mode, but new in this game vocals, Tyler Bishop, 21, on guitar and vocals, Kyle Wrightman, 17, Like its motto “challenge every- know the road, the hidden is the Local Area Network mode, on drums and Jay Haslam, 18, on guitar, Ruttegger plays the majority thing,” Need for Speed shortcuts and the traffic. In the where you can challenge yourself of its shows outside of the band’s local region. Underground 2 (NFSU) is remaining laps, you race against with other gamers in your local “You’d think we’d play around here more often, but we don’t as challenging gamers to pump the time. network. often as we’d like to,” Moore says. “But as far as when we do play the adrenaline. NFSU 2 offers the gamers some In general, EA has created a fun Welland area [music] scene, it is always a good time.” NFSU 2 is the sequel to the first new brands of street racing and exciting street racing game When they hear a band name like Ruttegger, people probably won- game, Need For Speed accessories so you can modify that will make history for its der how the band came up with such a different name. “We got the Underground, which came out in both your car exterior as well as innovative styles. name from an old song we wrote,” says Moore. “The name of the 2003. the interior. If you really like racing games, song was taken from an episode of The Simpsons.” The first game was good, but the For the exteriors, NFSU 2 has especially street racing, you’ll Although Ruttegger has been around since the fall of 2003, three of sequel is the best street racing new modifying styles such as rear want to add NFSU 2 to your video the band members were in a band in the previous years. Moore, game to be released. mirrors, hydraulics and even scis- game library during the Christmas Bishop and Wrightman were known as Last One Left. You have the opportunity to race sor doors, testing your knowledge season. “After finding another band with the same band name, we thought on a street type of road as well as we’d change it up,” says Moore, “[to] something no one else would the circuit types. have. So far so good with Ruttegger.” Brooke Burke, model and host With influences coming from Rush to Green Day to At The Drive of the TV show Wild On, makes a In, Ruttegger puts out a “mixed” sound but can mainly be classified special appearance in the game to into the punk genre. give you insight into tracks and “Everything we listen to influences us in a conscious or sub-con- styles of the race. scious way, whether we plan to or not.” NFSU 2 allows gamers to play In the next five years, Moore says he hopes that his band will be in a big city called Bayview, where “old, tired, cocky and filthy rich.” you can explore and Ruttegger has played with bands such as General Rudie, Rides challenge street racers wandering Again, Near Miss (ex-Bigwig), The Salads, The Weekend and many around the streets. of the local Niagara bands. You have five distinct neigh- “It’s the crowd that determines a good show,” says Moore. “We’ve bourhoods through which you can played some of the greatest venues and had the most horrible time, go around in the game. From and we’ve played little lodges and had them packed with people and there, you have to find the race had the best time.” events and stores where you Ruttegger will be playing Dec. 4 in Oakville at the Rising Sun. modify your vehicle. For more information about Ruttegger, visit It has some new racing types such as “Street X,” where you race

http://www.ruttegger.com. Photo illustration by Priasto Probosutedjo on a tight and technical closed cir- Page 32, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004

Word of Mouth What are your thoughts on Christmas and the holidays?

Katie Harron, 19 Robert Green, 50 Justin Cavanagh, 18 Amy Proulx, 25 Todd Graves, 21 Justin Edwards, 19 Child Youth Worker Photonics Educational Assistant– General Arts & Science Public Relations Police Foundations Atwood, Ont. Grimsby, Ont. Special Needs St. Catharines (Graduate Certifcate) Niagara Falls Atwood, Ont. Fenwick, Ont. “I love Christmas. “It’s commercial. “Christmas is about “It originated with “It comes down to the “Christmas is all It’s my favourite time Decorations are up fun, spending time Christ, but I just like actual St. Nicholas, about spending time of year. Even if my in late October. It’s with the family. to have fun ... I have not Santa Claus. He with family and family had no money all a big sale. It’s not Commercialization a four-year-old went to poor people’s remember the true it would still be a religious holiday has always been the daughter. It’s pretty houses … and put meaning of love.” Christmas.” anymore.” same throughout the exciting for her and little pieces of gold in Want to have your say in a years.” it’s fun to be Santa.” [their] stockings” current events topic? Interview by Sandor Ligetfalvy See us at WC and GC or Photography by Craig Sebert e-mail [email protected]

For answers to our crossword, see our website at http://www.niagara-news.com news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 33 Morningstar friends keeping history alive By THERESA STACH March 4, 1992, was the day Staff Writer work began. The first project It’s a beautiful fall day, and the was to restore and re-create the many volunteers of The Friends mill. It is now fully restored and of the Morningstar Mill are operatio nal. working away to restore the his- The Friends of the Morningstar tory of the mill. Mill are now working on restoring “[We] didn’t want history to die,” the sawmill and the blacksmith’s said Bob Peabody, a volunteer with shop. They also plan to add to the the group. other buildings located throughout The Friends of the Morningstar the property. Mill was established in 1992. Konkle said they hoped to have Members offer their time and the entire mill operating again determination to restore the mill to before this time next year, turn the its original state over the spring, house into a museum and maybe summer and early fall months. include a tearoom. Gary Konkle, founder, has “The city was going to bulldoze spent the last 14 years working on the house,” said Konkle, but the his hobby. John Howard Society stepped in In November 1991, Konkle and restored the house to a state received a phone call from the suitable for viewing. lady who lived in the mill’s There have been five or six house. She had “something to original volunteers. give to him” but to get it he had to “Some have died off, some have go to the mill himself. left,” said Konkle. Every volunteer Unfortunately, as it was in the who has worked at the Morningstar mill Konkle had to call the City of mill has a different story. The Morningstar Mill in St. Catharines Photo by Theresa Stach St. Catharines and ask permission “Some are teachers and princi- . to take the antique. pals,” said Hank Paun, a volunteer. and every published article. daughter, Norma, her husband, go anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 While at the mill, the city, which Paun was an electrician for “We’ve documented [our David Robson, and their two p.m. and ask any of the Friends of has owned the mill since 1985, General Motors before he decided work] with pictures since day children, Lorna and Donald, the Morningstar Mill any sent workers to talk to Konkle. It to volunteer his time and expertise one,” said Konkle. moved into the house. Lorna and questions they may have. was then he informed the city to the foundation. Robert Chapel constructed the Donald never married or had Donations are welcome and members that “the mill was going The Friends of the Morningstar Morningstar Mill in 1872. It is the children. Donald died in 1991 appreciated. Donations should be to waste” and something had to be Mill also plan to build an old- first milling operation with a and Lorna in 1993. sent to Friends of the Morningstar done to fix it. fashioned carpenter shop. Konkle water-powered turbine rather that When The Friends of the Mill c/o City of St. Catharines, A little while later Konkle said there is no timeline for the the traditional water wheel. Morningstar Mill began the Recreation and Community received a phone call from the foundation to have everything Wilson Morningstar bought the restoration, they found that many Services Dept., P.O. Box 3012, City of St. Catharines asking for restored. “You can’t put a mill in 1883 with his second wife, of the machinery and stones were 320 Geneva St, St. Catharines, his assistance in restoring the mill timeline on anything.” Emma Sutton. as Wilson Morningstar left them Ont. L2R 7C2. and its heritage. Konkle agreed When work first started, “peo- The mill was destroyed in a fire in 1933. For further information, contact but only on the terms that a ple would come out and watch,” in 1895 and rebuilt and operated The Morningstar Mill is at 2710 the City of St. Catharines foundation be made. That’s when said Konkle. until 1933, when Wilson DeCew Rd. in St. Catharines. It Recreation and Community The Friends of the Morningstar The foundation has kept a Morningstar died. officially opens for tours on the Services Dept. at 905-937-7210 Mill came to be. scrapbook of every picture taken After Morningstar’s death, his May 24 weekend. The public can weekdays. Model railroaders find home in historic building By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHT including members’ homes until Richard Pengelly, of Ridgeway, Staff Writer November 1973, when the club says, “Some members love to do “Fenwick Central is our club leased the Fenwick building. the scenery and some like running railroad,” says David Stremlaw, of According to the lease’s terms, the trains.” Fenwick. the group is responsible for the Kirk Ridgway, of Niagara Falls, The historic building, at 1141 maintenance and upkeep. With a says, “It takes three weeks to Maple St. in Fenwick, was built new furnace, wiring, roof, make a small building, and in 1866 by the Society of insulation, plaster and plumbing, special tools need to be used for Friends (Hicksite Quakers), a new home was available for the the small stuff. Cars are scale- who, for 45 years conducted engineers. weighted. Otherwise, they will fly religious meetings. The club has 15 members and off the track.” It was at the corner of meetings are held Wednesdays at The 25-foot by 35-foot display is Effingham and Welland Road until 7 p.m. Dues are collected and a continuous journey over hills, 1929, when the Fenwick Women’s used for expenses, materials and through scenic countryside, over Institute had it moved to its current supplies. bridges and in and out of tunnels. location. Paul Hay says they are always The grass is made of ground rubber Although no card parties or looking for new members. and the trees of rope and wire. dancing were allowed, the women “Someone may have a different Hailey Demelo, 6, of St. held fundraisers and teas. It was insight into how to run things.” Catharines, says, “There’s a lot of also used as a polling station and a To become a member you must horses and cows and Thomas the classroom while E.W. Farr School be 14 or older, submit an Train is here, too.” Her brother Jason Ridgway, with twin sons, Jacob and Caleb, 4, and Uncle was being built. application, be sponsored by a Jack, 1-1/2, likes the tunnels. “In Mark Ridgway, of Niagara Falls, check out the model trains at Meanwhile, in 1967, the member and attend eight or more the tunnels,” he says, repeatedly. Fenwick Central. Niagara Falls Lutheran Model meetings. The tracks are made of nickel and Photo by Beverley J. Knight Railroad Club and the Niagara The new member is responsible silver that come in five different Falls, says he heard about the wiring, dinky cars, kit bash, nickel, Falls Model Railroad Club for one month’s dues and the sizes: “G” Scale: 1:32, “O” show from a local newspaper. silver, switches (including slow amalgamated and the new Greater donation of an approved railway Scale:1:48, “N” Scale:1:160, “Z” “They (trains) look hard to make motion) and size HO tracking are Niagara Model Railroad Engineers car with Kadee couplers, a device Scale:1:220 and the most commonly and probably took a long time to always appreciated. club was formed. that fastens cars and locomotives used, “H.O.” Scale:1:87. put the whole track together.” The last show of the season was Members met in several locations together. Mark Martino, 11, of Niagara Hay says donations of plywood, Nov. 20 to Nov. 21. Motive Powers does skid pad testing in college lots By CODY PARKER g-force in a car when cornering. A cornering. Different types of the Motive Powers program, tires the only problem they have Staff Writer car is driven as fast as possible in a things, such as adding more conducts these tests along with had is one student bounced the On Sundays in one of Niagara given radius and timed to see how weight to the car, or increasing or students from the program’s sec- Firebird off the curb. Lewis says College’s parking lots in Welland, fast it does one lap. This is then decreasing the tire pressure, can ond-year and a few of the first- that the student was not hurt and the Motive Powers students are plugged into a formula. be done to figure different types year students. the cars had little damage done to out doing skid pad testing. The formula shows how much of cornering and to see if the “Skid pad testing is hard on the it, adding that it is safety first and This is a test designed by car centrifugal force or g-force is g-forces are the same. tires and it chews them up pretty the students are belted and buckled manufacturers to determine the acted upon the car when Harry Lewis, co-ordinator of quickly.” Lewis says other than the in at all times. Page 34, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Sports BasketBrawl brings chaos to television By SANDOR LIGETFALVY nearly $5 million, but giving him that time off he Perfect season Staff Writer was asking for to promote his new CD. The chaos was repeated endlessly on TV. Artest wanted his fans to know that he wishes Nine players were suspended for a total of 145 this situation would never have happened. continues for games after players and fans fought at Detroit He said, “I wanna say … I wish that situation Pistons arena last Friday Nov. 19 when Pistons’ would never have happened, you know … it was Ben Wallace had pushed Indiana Pacers’ Ron never any good … I understand you have been Artest. A Pistons fan then threw a beer that pretty good to me through the years … I don’t women’s V-ball struck Artest, sending him fighting his way think it was fair … And things … I’m going to through fans and into the stands in an try to do some positive things … I’m going to be By STEVE SIMON scoring four straight points, unprecedented and scary spectacle that you had positive … I love to be competitive.” Staff Writer taking the lead once since the to see to believe. Artest said, “Obviously everybody knew I was The Niagara Knights women’s first set. The Knights fought Artest released a taped statement to his fans the frustrated. The tape speaks for itself. The tape volleyball team kept their perfect back, taking the lead 11-8 and day after his rest-of-the-season ban, costing him speaks for itself.” season alive, at five wins and no extending their lead to 13-8. defeats, when Niagara defeated Niagara showed no signs of For this week’s Sports Word of Mouth, news@niagara was asking questions at Welland campus – the Lambton Lions from Sarnia slowing down, stretching out the what do students think about the ‘basketbrawl’? Interviews and photos by Sandor Ligetfalvy (with a record of two wins and lead to 20-12. Lambton played three defeats) in three straight hard, cutting the lead to 20-17, sets on Nov. 24 here. but Niagara was able to finish The game was delayed from the Lions off 25-19 in the third its 8 p.m. start, when Lambton set. arrived late because of bad Andrea Deschambeault, of weather. The game started at Welland, and head coach of the 8:50 p.m. women’s volleyball team, says The Knights started strong she’s happy with winning, “but with a 7-2 lead early in the first they have to work on the little set. Niagara continued a strong things.” Mo Prashad, 23 Andrea Buri, 17 Thierry Kayitaba, 18 Scott Chambers, 19 offensive attack, building up the “We’ve become too Photonics Pre-health Science Electronics Technician Pre-health Science lead 16-8, though the Lions comfortable with winning and refused to be blown out, clawing not working hard enough,” says “They get paid too “I think it’s really “It’s the Detroit “[The fans] were back to make it 16-12. It’s the Deschambeault. She adds the much money to be upsetting to the Pistons’ fault. They there to see a closest to the lead Lambton team is up against weaker teams, acting childish spectators because should protect their basketball game, would get. Niagara pulled away and after the Christmas break, they were just players. I’m not and they just saw a from any the Knights are up against like that.” counter-attack and won 25-19. tougher teams. there to watch a saying Ron Artest brawl … Think of The second set saw the “We have to be aggressive for Want to have your say on a current events topic? game of basketball was right, but there the younger gener- Knights holding a lead, but never the next game,” says Find us in the cafeteria at and not watch a was a lack of ation. Those are taking advantage of it. The Deschambeault. She adds that WC and GC, or e-mail us their role models.” Knights left Lambton behind late the team has to avoid “sleeping” [email protected] fight. ” security.” in the second set, with strong during the match. play at the net, leading 23-18 and The Niagara Knights winning 25-21. volleyball team faced Fanshawe The third set saw Niagara Falcons, of London, who have a Niagara College’s athletes of the week jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. season record of four wins, one Tracy Smith, of the Niagara and Niagara Community College The women’s volleyball team is Lambton answered back by loss on Nov. 26 in London. College women’s volleyball team, from New York. in first place in the West Division and Craig Bauslaugh, of the This is the second time in less of the OCAA with a perfect record college’s men’s basketball team, than a month Bauslaugh has been of six wins and no losses in league are the female and male athletes of named the Athlete of the Week. play. the week. He scored 26 points against St. Kelly Fremlin, of the college’s Smith, of St. Catharines, led all Clair, including five female volleyball team, is 12th in scorers with 17 points when three-pointers, and 26 points league scoring. Niagara defeated Sarnia’s against Niagara Community The women’s volleyball team’s Lambton College earlier this College. next home game is Jan. 14 when it month. She also had 12 points The Niagara women’s hosts St. Clair College at 6 p.m. when Niagara defeated London’s basketball team hosted Hamilton On the men’s volleyball team, Fanshawe College. Mohawk College last night. Ryan Stone is 14th in OCAA Smith is 10th in the Ontario The men’s basketball team has a league scoring. Collegiate Athletic Association perfect three wins and no losses in The men’s volleyball team’s (OCAA) scoring. league play and remains the next home game is Jan. 12 when it Bauslaugh, of Kitchener, led the fourth-ranked team in the OCAA. hosts Toronto’s George Brown basketball team to a pair of wins They played Mohawk College last College at 8 p.m. over Windsor’s St. Clair College night here. Strong start for men’s Knights basketball By STEVE SIMON Forward Chris Keith and guard Keith led all scoring with 21 Staff Writer Craig Bauslaugh scored 13 points points. Guard Omar Abdul Karim The game was over before it for the Knights at the end of the scored 19 points with the Knights, began. first half. Jean Louis Ouattara led and Bauslaugh finished with 17 The men’s Niagara Knights the Cougars with 13 points. points. basketball team started its season The second half started with the Ouattara led the Cougars with 19 with a victory over the Sault Knights increasing their lead to 27 points, and guard Sean Seivwright Cougars of Sault Ste. Marie 100-60 points. finished with 13 points. on Nov. 19 at home. The Knights gave Sault no In other men’s basketball news, The Knights started strong, chances to mount a comeback, as the Knights played against the scoring 13 straight point before Niagara dominated the second half, Algoma Thunderbirds of Sault Ste. Sault had sunk its first basket. The allowing just 29 points. Marie. The Knights ended up A Niagara Knights women’s volleyball player leaps to rebound Cougars fought their way back to With 1:30 left to play, No. 32 winning their second game of the the ball into the Lambton Lions court. The undefeated Knights make the score 17-10, but it’s the Rob Martel of Sault fouled No. 32 season to start 2-0 and are third in claimed their fifth victory this season at the Nov. 24 match. closest Sault ever came to taking Andrew Burt of Niagara. After the the west division with the final Head coach Andrea Deschambeault warns the team not to get the lead. foul, Martel expressed his feelings score of 62-37. too comfortable with winning, saying the team has to be Niagara went on a 15-6 scoring by showing his middle finger The Knights travelled to St. Clair aggressive for the next match. run, extending the lead by 16. towards a fan. Martel received a College in Windsor to play against Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy At the end of the half, the technical foul and was ejected from the Saints on Nov. 26. St. Clair is Knights were leading 49-31. the game. ranked sixth in the west division. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 35 Sports Niagara student fills his need for speed By KEVIN MCNAUGHTON horsepower, said Champagne. Staff Writer Racing is not a hobby that one Second-year Business can jump into and expect to Administration student Matt succeed right away, said Champagne lives life in the fast Champagne, adding, “It takes lane. time, dedication, training and The 20-year-old Fonthill commitment to be able to win resident said his father introduced races.” him to racing at the age of seven. In addition to the mental So far, Champagne’s racing preparations, someone starting to career has landed multiple top-10 get into this level of racing needs finishes, including second place at to have a large bank account or the Augusta Southern Nationals in sponsors to be able to afford to Georgia, 125cc and 4-cycle continue with a racing career. Canadian National Championships Champagne said the carts cost and first place at the Fran Am about $12,000 and can range from “Shootout in the Desert,” in $40,000 to $90,000. Phoenix, AZ. Purchasing the car isn’t the most More recently, Champagne expensive part about racing, finished eighth at the 2004 Molson though, said Champagne, adding Indy, in Toronto, in the Formula maintenance is where the biggest Renault 2000 race, on July 11. costs are found. Champagne said the carts he “You’re constantly updating and Matt Champagne sits behind the wheel of his Formula Renault 2000 race car. races “aren’t your average go-kart maintaining components on the Image from website. from your local kart track.” cars, which aren’t cheap. Tires season for karting and car events. A good sales pitch and about the sponsorship and These race vehicles have six alone are a $35,000 budget for the Other sponsors, such as Paul understanding of the market will marketing aspects of the racing gears, 48 horsepower engines and year.” Tracy Karting, Bridgestone, Inside help you create a sponsorship industry. four-disk brakes to slow down the Champagne said for a full year Karting Magazine, along with program, he said, adding, “When “I am a firm believer in machines that reach 60 miles-per- of racing a Formula Renault 2000 other kart-related sponsorships, you have all the tools, then you ‘knowledge is power,’” hour (mph) in 3.8 seconds. car costs around $250,000 (US) help to lower the budget for possess a chance of achieving Champagne said. “Without it you The fastest Champagne said he including a pit team. Champagne. sponsorship.” have nowhere else to turn in life.” has driven is 155 mph. Sunoco, Shift and Hurricane Sponsors look for the most Champagne said he takes his To keep updated on Formula Renault 2000 cars look Racing, Champagne’s newest presentable and marketable driver education “very seriously” Champagne’s race dates, visit like Formula 1 cars but have less sponsors, came during last year’s on the track, said Champagne. because he wants to learn more http://www.mattchampagne.com. Despite 5-point night by Chappell, Welland loses By RAY SPITERI At 8:24 of the third, after an combined for nine points on the Staff Writer awkward bounce off the end evening, said they felt comfortable A five-point night by Welland Jr. boards behind the Welland net, playing as a line. Canadians forward Steve Chappell Brent Lammers pounced on a Hill said, “We played together was for naught as the Canadians loose puck and beat a surprised last season and it worked out lost to the Stoney Creek Warriors Michael Tardif, who replaced great, but this year we have 6-5 in Junior B hockey action Pribanich in goal for the struggled a bit. Our last game Sunday night. Canadians. against St. Catharines we seemed Chappell, who scored two goals Hill managed to score his to click, and I think it carried over and chipped in with three assists, second of the night with one tonight.” had his best game of the season but second remaining on the clock, but Hill said he and Chappell like to had to watch his club collapse it was only a consolation, as the attack the opposition. defensively, allowing the Warriors Warriors, who played the night “Even when we are 39 shots on goal and several before against the Port Colborne shorthanded, we like to pressure chances to score. Sailors, came out with an the other team and force them to The game started brightly, with energized performance, deserving make mistakes. That is why we both clubs playing end-to-end the two points. scored two shorthanded goals hockey, trading chances and going After the game, Welland tonight.” nearly seven minutes without a speedster John Patrito said the Hill said although his line whistle early in the first period. team has to start playing desperate played well, he still feels Chappell got the icebreaker Canadians goaltender Michael Pribanich makes a save and hockey. disappointed about the loss. midway through the opening watches the puck go over the net. Welland lost 6-5. “We’re at the point now where it “I don’t think we played well as stanza. Photo by Ray Spiteri is gut-check time. We have to a team tonight. We may have While on the power play, the the second period. The two markers by Welland set come into every game like it is our scored five goals, but as a unit we 5’7”, 19-year-old broke in on In the second, Stoney Creek up an interesting final period. last, and play every shift like it is were all over the place.” Stoney Creek goaltender Jason broke out with four goals in five Jason Hill pulled the Canadians do or die.” “We have to practice on the Fiorino and backhanded his 10th minutes, proving to be the turning to within one at 4:24 of the third “We have invented ways to lose little things and stop making these goal of the season, putting the point of the contest. period. games this season, and we have to little mistakes that have been Warriors, who were without six Goals from Andrew Thorne, Hill came down the ice with start inventing ways to win them costing us. All four lines and regulars, in an early hole. Brent Popovich, Shane Davidson Chappell while shorthanded and now.” defensive pairings need to step However, the lead was short and Tom Cole turned the game that took advantage of a fat rebound Eighteen-year-old Cameron up their game and maybe we can lived. was once a tight match into a given up by the Warrior goalie to Sault of the Canadians said the turn this around.” Less than a minute after mountainous lead for the visitors. spark some energy into the mental breakdowns cost the team The loss for Welland leaves Chappell’s marker, Dean The Canadians managed to pull Canadians. the game. them second from the bottom in Davidson of the Warriors rushed a couple goals back through Nick Welland stepped into another “We found the opposition’s net the Golden Horseshoe League down the ice and from the hash Elligsen, who wired home a slap gear, testing the Warriors’ tonight, but we couldn’t keep them standings, and it doesn’t get any marks, wristed home a beautifully shot from the blue line and resistance by putting the puck on out of ours. As a collective unit we easier for the Canadians, who host placed shot over Welland Chappell, his second on the night, net as often as possible hoping for have to bear down defensively and the first place and defending netminder Michael Pribanich’s backhanding a short-handed goal a good bounce. Unfortunately for not allow the opposition as much champion Thorold Blackhawks at blocker to silence the boisterous over the goalie’s glove while the Canadians, the bounce went time on the puck.” the Welland Arena tonight. Game Welland Arena crowd heading into laying on the ice. against them. Chappell and Hill, who time is 7:30 p.m. Page 36, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004

Likenesses are coincidental Niagara’s SAC joins Student Alliance group Becomes 17th member By SANDOR LIGETFALVY Staff Writer “We are now a united voice.” Last week, the College Student Alliance (CSA) had 16 member colleges. This week, with Niagara College Student Administrative Council (SAC) Inc. joining the alliance, the CSA includes 17 colleges representing 24 student councils. Mark Hardwick, SAC president at the Welland campus, says joining the CSA gives student council a united voice with other student councils in Ontario. Hardwick had made his recommendation to the board of directors on Nov. 23, which passed the resolution nine in favour, to three opposed. SAC had previously been a member of the CSA until July 2003, when SAC determined, that the CSA was not an organization that was benefiting the student administrative corporation or its members. Students at Niagara College’s Welland campus browse through the collection of posters In the 17 months since, the CSA has reformed its policies, structure, displayed by Imaginus in the main lobby on Nov. 23. bylaws and services. Photo by Matt Russo Hardwick says the CSA has made a “500 per cent” improvement. Although SAC was not a member during the past six months, Hardwick says the newly structured CSA has been helpful as he ACE motivating students to get involved reviewed and reorganized the policies and bylaws here. The alliance organization helps student councils improve their By AZRA MOMIN help them at a strategic level, so that they have operations, services and “everything we stand for,” says Hardwick. As Staff Writer someone to go to when they need guidance,” says he reviewed SAC’s policies, he says he was benefited by their guidance. For about 20 years, a national, not-for-profit Seebach. Hardwick says the CSA assists in professional development and organization has been teaching young Canadians how According to the ACE web site, http://www.ace- information networking, and it helps student leaders develop their to be an ace at business. canada.ca, ACE teams have the opportunity to share association. He says the CSA conferences he has attended have far Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) and showcase their projects and initiatives through exceeded what he had received from several other conferences. organizes and motivates teams of college and regional competitions and the ACE National “In turn, [it] makes me a stronger leader.” university students in campuses across Canada. ACE Exposition. These events give Now SAC is a part of a network of other colleges who can work teams engage in educational outreach projects and students the opportunity to have their projects together to solve certain common issues. entrepreneurial initiatives that teach four principles: evaluated by expert judging panels that include some Hardwick says he relied on CSA’s leadership when streamlining SAC market economics, entrepreneurs’ success strategies, of Canada’s top business leaders. policies, but adds, “There’s only a certain number of free meals you can personal financial success skills and business ethics. “We don’t want it to be an exclusive club,” says get.” “ACE Niagara is always looking for new Seebach. “Students from any program are welcome to “I couldn’t continue to ask them for their help when there’s other members,” says Anthony McEachern, president, ACE join the ACE team.” members who are paying,” he says. Niagara. “I found that my student years in ACE were very Joining the CSA costs student council $1.89 per full-time student for There are 47 ACE teams across the country. rewarding professionally by giving me the confidence the year. The fee is pro-rated because the school year is partially Holly Seebach, the program co-ordinator of the to succeed as a teacher and as a business consultant,” complete. The fee is $5,656.02 and the amount is taken from the SAC’s Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) says Greene, who is an alumnus of ACE Ryerson. training and conference account. program, James Butko, the program co-ordinator of Greene says he wants to stress that his role as Hardwick reminds students that SAC does not represent the college’s the Business Administration – Common First Term, faculty adviser is one of support, not leadership. interests. He says SAC works with the college, but is a separate entity. and Robert Greene, professor at the School of “I take great pride in seeing the Niagara College “We don’t work for the college. We work for students.” Business and Entrepreneurship, are faculty advisers ACE club plan, organize and deliver many successful He says students should know that joining the CSA will help them get for the ACE team at Glendale campus in Niagara-on- programs throughout the school year. The club more from their student council by helping SAC to improve its the-Lake. provides students with the wonderful opportunity to operation. “There are about 25 students from various be creative, develop their The CSA was founded in 1967 and was federally incorporated in programs in the ACE team here,” says Butko. business skills and network with other students who 1996. With SAC joining the alliance, the CSA now represents nearly ACE teaches students about entrepreneurship, share an interest in the field of entrepreneurship.” 110,000 full-time college students. including how to plan and operate successful For more information on ACE, or if you would like Visit http://www.csaontario.org for information about businesses and community projects. to become a member, contact McEachern at the CSA. “We provide support and guidance to students in [email protected], or log on to SAC Inc.’s website is http://www.ncsac.ca. terms of a venture they might be interested in. We http://www.acecanada.ca. Apprenticeships offering valid alternatives Service sector becoming increasingly popular in marketplace By AZRA MOMIN market trends, opportunities and priorities at the local level. The report is a key document Staff Writer that can be used by all community partners, key stakeholders and government agencies in If you are looking for work in the Niagara region, you are more likely to find it in the the Niagara region. The data from the report can be used to build and sustain a skilled labour services sector. force to meet the needs of existing and future employers, who in turn provide feedback for This is one of the findings of the Trends, Opportunities and Priorities (TOP) report future reports. presented on Oct. 19 at the annual general meeting of the Niagara Training and Adjustment This is an interactive process that relies on the support of community partners. Niagara Board (NTAB). College is one community partner that works with NTAB in addressing workforce issues. NTAB is one of 21 local training boards in Ontario. It aims to identify issues pertaining “The partnership tries to identify what conditions are required to help individuals find to local labour force development and to address issues in employment and training. meaningful employment,” says Bea Clark, director of the Workforce Development Board at According to the TOP report, Niagara’s labour market has experienced dramatic changes Niagara College’s Glendale campus. Clark is on the NTAB board of directors as well. over the past several decades. Factors contributing to this are an aging population, “Apprenticeship is certainly high on priority,” she says. increasing market competitiveness for goods and services, greater demand for skilled Niagara College uses several tools to provide awareness and information to students. labour, population diversity and an increased participation of women in the labour market. “For instance, the Job Connect program hosts info sessions for students who may lack “This report is the result of an empirical research initiative that focuses on the issues, focus and need a direction.” trends and opportunities relating to Niagara’s labour force. It is an NTAB-driven, The TOP report identifies four key trends affecting Niagara’s labour force, the top 10 community-based report that has resulted from a highly interactive process of research and issues under those trends, and the Niagara Action Plan, including specific actions relative community participation,” says Trudy Parsons, executive director of NTAB. to each issue. The TOP report is a new publication for local training boards across the province. Prior The report is updated every six months. to this report, local boards produced a report called the Environmental Scan, she says. For detailed information on the findings of the report, visit http://www.ntab.org or call The main focus of the TOP report is to achieve clarity and understanding of the labour Parsons at 905-641-0801. Parsons can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 37 ACP program started this year at the college By ALLISON SMITH employee of the college for 14 Niagara College’s Paramedic makes sense to you, you’ll Staff Writer years has allowed Taylor the program in 1984, obtained her remember it. I try to have it make A professor at Niagara College opportunity to help in developing ACP certification and is working sense to them. So if I have to relate is one of the first females in the the curriculum for the new ACP on a bachelor of health science it to something else other than a Niagara region to train as an program. degree through distance education part of the body, then I try to do advanced care paramedic. “When I was hired, they were at Charles Sturt University in that ... it’s nice to have people go Cheryl Taylor, of Fonthill, is the looking for someone with Australia. She was a paramedic through a learning process, program co-ordinator for the advanced care standing, [which is] supervisor for the Niagara region, experience ups and downs and Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) the next level [up] from primary and taught part time with the zoom in on special learning program and a faculty member of care paramedic. That put me in a Michener Institute for Applied abilities.” the Advanced Care Paramedic position to help with both Health Sciences ACP program and Taylor likes to see the evolution (ACP) program here. She works programs and to help put together with the Toronto EMS training of students’ abilities as they go part time as an advanced care para- the ACP program for the college.” department, states the college’s from the beginning of their second medic for the Niagara Emergency Taylor says she “loves” her job and website. year in the program to the point of Medical Services (EMS) organiza- that every year something new is About being one of the first graduation. tion. added to either program. The most females in the Niagara region to “It’s always great to have “I think I enjoy my job so much recently added area is the ACP receive advanced care training students when they’re finishing because I have so much program, which started Sept. 7. during her paramedic career along their first year of education. They compassion for the paramedic On Monday and Friday, Taylor with six others, she says she was still have a lot to learn. They have profession. I enjoy being a helps with the ACP program while “pretty fortunate.” a sense of trying to pull it all paramedic, therefore teaching the from Tuesday to Friday, she teach- Cheryl Taylor is the program Taylor says she tries to inspire together in the second year. I help paramedic profession is really easy es the PCP program. She instructs co-ordinator for the Primary students to continue in the them do that. In second year they for me ... it’s (being a paramedic) a the theory and lab classes. Care Paramedic program at paramedic profession. “I tell the find the flow of education starts to very exciting job. The teaching She says the teaching the Welland campus. students this is a great job, very go a lot better ... they’re actually opportunity happened to occur for profession works better with her interesting, with a lot of able to deliver medications that can Photo by Allison Smith me in my career and I just enjoy lifestyle than being a full-time responsibility.” save someone’s life.” doing it.” paramedic. “Being a teacher is a have a lot of shift work. Being a As for teaching the students, she Taylor says it’s nice to have stu- Taylor has been teaching at the great profession which also allows parent, you don’t want to be says she likes the challenge of dents who were a little confused in Welland campus since 1990 and you to have a work-life balance, as working all-night shifts.” trying to figure out how to help a the first year and by graduation be was hired as a full-time faculty opposed to a paramedic where you Before becoming a full-time student learn what she is teaching. so advanced in their knowledge member in 2000. Being an work weekends, holidays, and professor, Taylor graduated from “My philosophy is that if it base.“It’s unbelievable.” March of Dimes provides for disabled students By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHT St. Catharines, and Niagara College certificate. also available for travelling from An up-to-date CPR certificate, a Staff Writer in Welland and Niagara-on-the- “It’s great if someone can get it class to class, such as assisting in first-aid certificate and a criminal “Someone could be struggling Lake. [the paperwork] started early,” carrying a portfolio or if the student reference check are mandatory. and may not be aware of the pro- On-campus services are available Kostal says. “We work with the doesn’t feel safe walking from one “Some of our consumers will gram,” says Leslie Kostal, support for those who qualify. You must be Centre for Students with building to another in the snow, send us a Christmas card with services manager of the Ontario 19 years old or over, live in Ontario, Disabilities and have a really good someone will assist the student with thanks for the March of Dime ser- March of Dimes. possess a valid Ontario Health card partnership with the colleges. We’re that too, says Kostal. “We’re big on vices. We always pass the recogni- The non-profit organization, and have an ongoing physical limi- flexible with schedules and work safety.” tion along to one another. It reminds funded by the Ministry of Health, tation such as muscular dystrophy, around their needs to the best of our Niagara College students are us of why we’re doing what we do,” was founded in 1951 to help find a spina bifida, post-polio syndrome ability.” hired to assist other students. says Kostal. cure for polio. or cerebral palsy or have acquired a Support service attendants will “We look at experience and avail- “To know we’ve assisted and Services are provided in Welland, physical disability (paraplegic). assist with meal preparation, per- ability. However, if we know some- helped them participate in moving Wainfleet, Port Colborne, at the Part of the application process sonal care, light housekeeping, one has potential, we’ll offer train- on to their next step is a virtual pat campuses of Brock University in includes providing a medical laundry and residence care. Help is ing individually,” says Kostal. on the back.” Former art director has taught at college for five years By ROBBIE-LYN FAWCETT Smith has been program Smith graduated from the Borrs, a first-year student of the year student, says that Smith is “a Staff Writer co-ordinator for three of the five Journalism-Print program at program. really good teacher. He is really “Interesting” is one word that years of his teaching at Niagara Sheridan College in Oakville and Before Smith became a teacher interesting and has interesting describes Greg Smith, College. the Visual Art and Design Program he worked as an art director with a teaching methods.” co-ordinator of the Art and Design “I enjoy my job,” says Smith. at Niagara College. He then went communications and publishing In his spare time, Smiths says he Fundamentals — Graphic Design “Our students are so tremendous. I on to study Graphic Design at the company. That job enabled him to enjoys designing, hand Production program. am constantly amazed at what fun Nova Scotia College for Art and work with clients to achieve a spe- typesetting, illustrating and “Greg’s interesting, to say the and interesting people we have in Design. cific look or bring a certain quality binding his own books and papers. least,” says Lauren Mahle, 19, a the program. I think I am pretty “His teaching style is weird and to a design. “It really is an extension of who second-year student of the pro- lucky to be able to work with them different. He does things that no Smith says it’s not much I am as a person. I like the fact that gram. “He tries to make the class on a day-to-day basis and watch other teacher would do. He keeps different than what he does now. I own and have total control over fun to keep everyone’s attention.” them change and develop.” things interesting,” says Mandy Danielle Biladeau, 19, a second- the means of production.” Graduate prepared well at college HARD TIMES PASS By JESSICA KONKLE prior to coming to Niagara studying for her bachelor’s degree. Staff Writer College. With time, Bentley says, she will ABORTION IS FOREVER A former student says she Bentley says she worked with work to get her master’s. www.ChooseLife.ca discovered the value and quality of children who had disabilities and “I was well prepared at Niagara Your complete resource Centre on abortion and euthanasia human life in her two years at children who were College. A lot of the stuff we are St. Catharines Right to Life, 3 King St., suite 2, St. Catharines Niagara College. underprivileged. She also volun- learning now is repetitive. 905-684-7505 [email protected]. Krystal Bentley, 22, of teered at Community Living in her “University is a lot more work, Beamsville, Ont., is a successful spare time. take-home work, where college graduate of the Social Worker Her time at Niagara College was was more in-class work.” program at Niagara College’s memorable in many aspects, says When Bentley is finished her Welland campus. Bentley. schooling, she says she hopes to Bentley says, “The placement “I met five girls who I became work at Family and Child that I had in my first year opened close friends with quickly. We still Services. up my eyes to see what the real talk and see each other every day.” “I want to work with the world is really like and how many Her favourite part of college children and their families after people are homeless, and also the was her placement at Lighthouse the children are taken from their amount of children that are being Niagara, a youth drop-in centre. homes.” abused. I realized that this is clos- “It’s a house for kids to hang Bentley says she made use of er to home than I thought, and it out, who are outcasts or simply her days at Niagara College by happens everywhere, in every- just don’t want to go home. We going to the pub and meeting lots one’s hometown.” would do different activities with of new people. Bentley first knew she wanted to them.” “Don’t stress, be happy, have work with and help children when Bentley is enrolled at Niagara fun and meet as many people as Bed Head L’Oreal she worked at Community Living University in Lewiston, N.Y., you can.” Page 38, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004 Rocky Horror Picture proceeds to AIDS Niagara By GILLIAN BARCLAY week of Broadway musicals, When the production started, the Staff Writer whose proceeds will benefit people began to pour in. During This year marks the second various charities that tie in to each the Oct. 28 Thursday night annual Rocky Horror Picture of the musicals. presentation of the show, a Show, presented by Canadiana “We have always had a really group of Brock University Productions Inc. The proceeds strong history in this sort of thing. students from St. Catharines were from this event went to AIDS Now we are taking it one step there to cheer on their friend Niagara to help fund client further and doing shows that are Heather, who was playing Janet in programs and services. dedicated to other events,” said the production. Kevin Jacobi has been working Jacobi. Heather Couch, from St. with the Log Cabin Dinner After last year’s performance of Catharines, said, “We didn’t Theatre in Niagara Falls for eight The Rocky Horror Picture Show mind spending $30 for our tickets, years and has been in charge of raised over $3,000 for AIDS even being in university. As long many prior charity events there. Niagara, it was decided by the as it was going to a good cause, “We get so many responding Log Cabin Dinner Theatre’s staff that’s OK.” with ‘Can you help us out?’ that they would try putting on the It was recommended by the staff We try to help as many people as show again and somehow that the audience wear Halloween possible. Being a single business, make it better. costumes to the show. During the it is hard for us to do all of that. We The theatre is not equipped to intermission, a winner for best try to give all that we can.” present the entire show live. costume was announced. An array Last year Jacobi selected AIDS Instead, it was a mixture of of characters spread around the Niagara because he knew Ed watching the movie and live room, and many were characters Eldred, the fundraising musical performances. During the from the film. The winner was a The Log Cabin Dinner Theatre’s cast performing in the co-ordinator there, from past musical numbers, the famous red lovely drag queen dressed in live musical. work. Some theatre staff members Rocky Horror lips were projected Rocky Horror fashion. Photo by Gillian Barclay also had a personal interest in on the viewing screen and the Log It was a night filled with this charity. Cabin Dinner Theatre staff laughter, singing, an earful of rice “It’s one of those things that performed. and bruises from pieces of toast. affects a lot of people,” said Jacobi. “It’s not just a disease for men. It affects men, women and children. In Niagara there are a lot of people suffering.” Next they had to sit down and decide what they were going to do and how they were going to raise money. Because it is a musical the- atre, a performance seemed like the smart way to go. “The first thing that came to mind was, well, the ultimate Halloween movie is The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” said Jacobi. “The movie has a huge cult following.” The event was a success and gave the theatre a push to try to fundraise for other charities. This year the Log Cabin Dinner Rocky Horror sings a solo during the Oct. 29 performance. Theatre is trying to put together a Photo by Gillian Barclay GIS help various professions do jobs By JESSICA KONKLE a state-of-the-art teaching facility Smith says the projects have Staff Writer filled with current software and ranged from very small but Look around you. Everything hardware. complex local projects such as has been computer generated to Ian Smith, GIS co-ordinator, has surveying and mapping cemetery help various professions do jobs been a part of the Environmental plots in Niagara Falls, examining efficiently. The Geographic Horticulture and Agribusiness customer locations for seafood Information Systems (GIS) division since 1998. restaurants and determining how Graduate Certificate program is Smith says an unbelievably to increase the clientele, to very located at the Glendale campus, wide range of job opportunities is large strategic national and just minutes from Niagara Falls available to students after international projects such as and in the heart of Canada’s graduation. “They learn how to mapping land mines in growing wine region in become a GIS scientist/technolo- Mozambique for the United Niagara-on-the-Lake. gist or how to use the tools of GIS Nations and deriving a refugee With the Glendale campus in careers ranging from geography migration strategy to minimize being a living laboratory for through geology and engineering loss of human life and analyzing environmental studies, it offers a to health sciences and even social international fishing pressures off number of opportunities for sciences.” the coast of Canada. applications of GIS in an “We have people go to police Sarah Beatty, 24, of Rochester, environmental context. analysis jobs, engineering, N.Y., enrolled in the GIS program, GIS is a computer-based tool for cartography and mapping, says that learning outside the mapping and analyzing things that municipal services and possible applications that are exist and events that happen in environmental regulation.” being done with GIS technology is spatial context. It uses computer The applied thesis project really exciting. technology to store, manipulate, provides students with the “I find it amazing how many manage, analyze and display application of new skills to design different people with varying information on full-colour, digital and build a GIS. It also gives the academic interests are using GIS maps that plot the fastest routes for student direct exposure to GIS software to enhance their emergency vehicles; identify applications that seek to solve understanding of the world around suitable land for development; real-world problems for real them.” Beatty says all classes have find the best soil and climate for clients, and the opportunity to gain aspects she finds interesting. grape growing; and locate the important industry connections. “Digital images are neat to work position of breaks in electrical The thesis project ensures the with, especially with some of the circuits, along with thousands of opportunity to learn and practice software Niagara College has to other applications. in the industry. offer.” The one-year program offers 12 Smith says he is always amazed Student, Langhi Shen, 30, of courses and an applied thesis at the level of professionalism that Toronto, says she likes the people project that must be completed to Niagara GIS students exhibit in and the environment. “People here get the certificate. Almost all this undertaking. “It really is that — not only those in my class, but classes are delivered in a hands-on all-important experience in the staff — are nice and helpful. I lecture/lab format. The GIS lab is the real world.” am glad I made a wise decision.” news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004, Page 39

23-year-old firefighter, youngest Think safety this holiday season at Welland’s Station 2 firehouse Having strong stomach good asset in firefighting By STEPHANIE DIPIETRO “My crew and I were fighting a garage fire. I was Staff Writer on the hose line trying to put out the fire in the loft At just 23 years old, Paul Dunkley has fulfilled his of the garage when a can of paint thinner burst open childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. and leaked into a puddle that I was standing in. The Dunkley, of Welland, is the youngest firefighter to liquid caught on fire and flashed. I was looking up at be hired by the Welland Fire and Emergency Service. the time fighting the fire when I felt a lot of heat on He is a third class firefighter at Station 2, 636 King my body. When I looked down I had flames coming St., in Welland. up to my neck. I jumped from the puddle and my He went to high school at Notre Dame in Welland partner sprayed me down. Luckily I didn’t get and graduated in 1999. After high school he attended burned. It also made me realize how dangerous the Durham College, in Oshawa, where he took the Fire job actually is.” and Emergency Service program. To be a good firefighter, you must be a good team He says when he started applying for jobs many player, be able to work in hard situations, be physi- people told him he was too young. cally fit and have a strong stomach, he says. “I used that as motivation to excel in the testing “You will see a lot of suffering and death through- process. Well, it paid largely. Being the youngest out your career, so you must be able to deal with it. hired in Welland was a little stressful at first. I had a Firefighters have to use dark humour as a means of lot of what ifs about what the people at the depart- dealing with what they’ve seen. The job isn’t for ment would think of me beginning so young and if everybody. You need to be a certain breed of person I’m capable of doing the job.” to be a firefighter.” He says it didn’t take him long to get over his fears Dunkley says they rotate shifts, so they work for about the job because “the fire department welcomed four days and are off four days. They work 10-hour me into the brotherhood with open arms. I was able day shifts and 14-hour night shifts. to prove myself to my crew at some major working He says the men he works with are like “big broth- Elmer the Safety Elephant struts his stuff at the 14th fires before my probationary period was up. Being ers to me.” annual Thorold Santa Claus parade on Nov. 27. the junior man on shift also makes me the butt of a “Anytime I need some help learning something, Photo by Stacy Calder lot of jokes, but it’s all fun and games because the guys will drop what they are doing to help me. humour is a way firefighters deal with the stress from The guys are like mentors for me.” the job.” He says they are “a big family and we look out for Dunkley says “not a lot of time is spent fighting one another.” fires.” He says they respond to medical assist calls In the future, Dunkley would like to become a cap- with the Emergency Medical Service. tain. During the summer, he says they go door to door His advice for students interested in firefighting is to educate people about the importance of smoke to take as many courses in firefighting as possible. alarms. “The competition is very high, and you need to He says the best way to describe a fire scene is have an advantage on other candidates to be success- “controlled chaos.” ful in getting the job. Basically, if you want the job “When pulling up to a burning building, your bad enough, you will get it with a lot of hard work. adrenaline surge is like no other feeling. You need to If you ask any firefighter that has been hired in the control the surge to perform your task.” last few years, they will all say the same thing. A lot Dunkley says he has experienced a “few close of time, money and dedication go into the pursuit of calls” while on duty. the job.” ‘Snoring is a nuisance,’ so opening your airway may help stop annoying condition By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHT suming alcohol, which relaxes the expense and an extended medical Staff Writer back of the throat, and smoking, insurance plan usually covers “Snoring is a nuisance,” says which “aggravates the palate, about 80 per cent. Carlo Zanon, a denturist at the causing it to become inflamed and The newest method is an anti- Zanon Denture/Anti-Snoring swollen.” snoring device, similar to an Clinic in Grimsby for 25 years. If enlarged tonsils/adenoids or orthodontic retainer, that moves Snoring is caused by loose nasal deformities are the cause, the lower jaw forward and the fibrous tissue at the back of the surgery is required. mouth slightly open. throat that constricts the airway. Sleeping on your side will allow “It keeps the airway open, When air is forced, the tissue flut- “air to flow and less chance of keeps you breathing and stops ters or vibrates, causing the sound snoring,” says Zanon. shoring,” says Zanon. of snoring. Some remedies include herbal He says some snoring may be Simply put, mouth-to-mouth teas, nasal strips and sprays, dental “obstructive sleep apnea syn- resuscitation requires the head to appliances or plates, nasal air drome, which is a medical condi- be tilted back to open the airway masks, or noise sensors. tion associated with snoring.” and get air in the lungs. The same People have tried sewing a Here, snoring becomes so concept applies with snoring. pocket on the back of their paja- severe that many people stop Other factors that contribute to mas and putting a tennis ball in it. breathing. This could happen up snoring are being overweight, con- When the snorer rolls over on to 100 times a night. It’s been his/her back, it forces the person to linked to heart failure, although change position. generally speaking sleep apnea is If you tried these and had no associated with insomnia, hyper- success, there are three approach- tension, morning headaches and es you may want to try. daytime fatigue. Laser surgery cuts part of the Zanon says he sends patients for palate out or removes the uvula. It a polysomnography. makes the opening bigger, says “It’s an overnight sleep test that Zanon. determines apnea and other physi- The procedure is not guaran- cal problems.” teed to work and besides the pain, According to the Lung speech problems may occur. Association, sleep apnea can cause Continuous positive air pres- high blood pressure, heart prob- sure is achieved by using a cus- lems, heart attacks, poor quality of Carlo Zanon, denturist, tom-fitted mask that is worn life, stroke, car accidents and holds an anti-snoring while the person sleeps. work-related accidents as a result device at his Grimsby It puts air down the throat to of sleepiness. office. keep the airway open and keeps Obstructive sleep apnea patients you breathing. use 2 1/2 times more health-care Photo by OHIP covers part of the resources than patients without it. Beverley J. Knight Page 40, news@niagara, Dec. 3, 2004

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