VOL. 48, ISSUE 8 • JANUARY 9, 2013 WAITING TO CONNECT

Dead connections at BCIT as wireless woes continue page 5

NEWS CULTURE HUMOUR pages 3-6 pages 7-9 page 12 • U-Pass going to referendum this spring • Contact festival rocks BC Place • British Columbia Museum of Technology • On-campus strikes may continue • Top you may have missed in 2012 • How to tell if you are a werewolf • Childcare centre opens at Burnaby Campus • Noir tells tale of crime & corruption • Fauxroscopes 2 THE LINK ) ) The Link PHOTO of the WEEK Wednesday, January 9, 2013 Volume 48, Issue 8 Next issue: January 23, 2013

ABOUT THE LINK The Link is the British Columbia Insti- tute of Technology’s student newspa- per. Published bi-weekly by the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA), The Link circulates 3,000 copies to over 46,000+ students, faculty, and staff.

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NEWS EDITOR Neetu Garcha BCIT’s famous squadron of crows is a frequent winter spectacle. Credit: Kevin Murray [email protected]

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THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS Meriha Beaton, Maxine Davies, ibaraki Hyakuri, Michael Jarosz, Kai Jacobson, Dan Johnson, Nagin CAMPUS QUERY Rezaiean, Olsy Sorokina Cover art: Ion Oprea Have you ever had an issue with Wi-Fi on campus?

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As a member of Canadian University Press (CUP), The Link adheres to the CUP code of ethics and will not publish any material deemed by the editors to MANDEEP SANDHU CHANEL LUM STAN GORMENSKI KAITLYN KROIS be sexist, racist, homo/heterophobic, Marketing Communications Marketing Communications Tourism Marketing Communications or in poor taste. The Link is proud to be associated with “I no longer count on Wi-Fi “We’re at BCIT, an institute of “It’s so slow or it doesn’t load and “Quite often it’s not available these organizations: because it’s a risk so I just make technology, and the Wi-Fi is the final product is I’ll just end up and you have to keep trying and sure I keep enough time to go spotty at best.” putting away my laptop.” sometimes it takes 15 minutes to to the library.” half an hour [to log on] and that’s really frustrating.” The Link NEWS 3 U-Pass program going to referendum this spring CAMPUS SHORTS Future of UBC microbrewery remains murky BCIT among 11 post-secondary institutions to vote whether or not to continue universal UBC’s new Student Union Build- ing (SUB) will be opening soon, transit pass this spring but there are questions about the student-run microbrewery OLSY SOROKINA set to be located there. The Link In a spirited debate, Alma Mater Society (AMS) execu- Student unions at 11 post-sec- tives, permanent staff, alumni, ondary institutions in Metro and a vocal delegation from the Vancouver, including BCIT, will BrUBC home-brewing club dis- take part in a referendum decid- cussed the financial aspects of ing whether or not to continue bringing a microbrewer to the participating in the U-Pass pro- university. Discussions centred gram when the current contract around whether the potential expires in March this year. monetary and social gains from Presently, all students (whether brewing beer in the SUB out- they use it or not) pay the monthly weighed the project risks. mandatory fee of $30 in addition A final AMS Council vote on to tuition fees to cover the cost of the status of the microbrewery the pass. is expected to take place in Jan- The pass permits its users to uary 2013. use public transit in all three fare zones in Metro Vancouver and get a discount for the West Coast Ex- Langara student union restricts press, a weekday commuter rail student access to board meetings service between downtown Van- BCIT students’ future with the universal transit pass to be decided this February. Kai Jacobson / The Ubyssey couver and Mission. Langara Students’ Union (LSU) According to the information is enforcing a set of changes to on British Columbia Institute of ary students’ needs. directly onto the students’ Com- to the financial burden to us as its bylaws, passed in a referen- Technology Student Association There are no significant pass Card, the electronic fare card students,” Thushara Suresh, a BCIT dum, to prohibit students from (BCITSA) and TransLink websites, changes to the U-Pass, other that will replace all FareSaver student, told The Link, “but I feel attending meetings of the LSU’s the revised program will be in ef- than the price: the pass will con- tickets in late 2013. Compass is like it’s still worth the investment board of directors. fect from April 2013 to April 2016, tinue to give eligible students a reloadable fare system which compared to the more expensive The LSU has ignored repeat- and will adjust U-Pass rates yearly access to bus, SeaBus and Sky- allows commuters to add value alternatives.” ed email, phone and in-person in accordance with TransLink fare train services in all three fare onto a single card instead of buy- Michael Fan, General Insurance requests for information from changes. ing multiple tickets or passes. and Risk Management student, national student media coop- The proposed monthly U- The new system was designed to shared Suresh’s opinion. perative Canadian University Pass rates are: $35 from May reduce waste from paper tickets, “They [TransLink] are going to Press and Langara’s campus pa- 2013 to April 2014, $36.75 from Despite the fee and collect commuter data to im- change the prices for the regular per, The Voice. May 2014 to April 2015 and $38 increase, there is no prove transit services. adult passes: $91 for one zone, from May 2015 to April 2016. From February 15 to 22, BCIT $124 for two zones and $170 for While this is an immediate news of an increase students will have their chance to three zones,” says Fan. “Compare University of Alberta researchers increase of $5 per month from in service levels vote whether to renew BCIT’s U- that to the mere $35 to $38 that proposed tax on sugary drinks the current rate, it saves stu- specific to post- Pass program or not. we’ll be paying, we should be dents up to $135 in transit fares When asked about their grateful.” Two University of Alberta re- in comparison to the regular- “secondary students’ opinions on the new program, The referendum for the new U- searchers have proposed a tax priced adult pass. Despite the needs. BCIT students expressed their Pass will take place at participat- on all sugar-sweetened bever- fee increase, there is no news desire to keep the U-Pass. ing post-secondary institutions ages (SSBs) sold in Alberta say- of any changes to public transit zones within Metro Vancouver. “It’s not a surprise, and it’s most across BC starting January, and ing it could decrease consump- services specific to post-second- The new U-Pass can be loaded definitely not a welcome addition will continue until March 2013. tion and raise $750 million in revenue. Research conducted by PhD student Sue Buhler and super- PROPOSED U-PASS FEE INCREASES (PER MONTH) visor Kim Raine led to a sweet discovery: Albertans drink about $40 1.5 billion litres of SSBs annually, amounting to more than one litre per person each day. $38 They found that implement- ing a tax of $0.05 per 100 mL of $35 $36.75 SSBs could lower consumption $35 by 10 to 17 per cent in the prov- ince, as well as provide revenue that could finance a wellness $30 foundation, or promote health $30 throughout Alberta.

— Nagin Rezaiean Current May 2013 - April 2014 May 2014 - April 2015 May 2015 - April 2016

January 9, 2013 4 NEWS

All photos by Kevin Willemse Childcare centre now open at Burnaby Campus

Modern, professional, and “Fortunately for me, I came sive environment.” friendly facility offers friends in when the fun began, and I Learning is continually in- of BCIT an attractive day- was able to shop, shop, shop!” tegrated and extended through D’Altroy said. “I got to make the play, and Sue plans subjects and care option centre as home-y and unique as craft classes in advance — for I could in a very short time.” example, this week everyone KEVIN WILLEMSE The creation of the centre is will be learning about birds and Senior Editor part of the ongoing renovations building feeders. package taking place at BCIT, Healthy, hot lunches are pro- After a complete renovation of headed by BCIT Student Asso- vided by the kitchen at Professor the SE41 building, BCIT Burn- ciation Executive Director Car- Mugs pub, the cost of which is aby Campus can now boast oline Gagnon, which included included in the enrolment fees. a professional, fully licensed the renovation of building SE2. There is also a large outdoor childcare centre. play area for the children to run Able to cater for 25 children around in on warm days or to from BCIT or the local public enjoy the occasional snowfall. (with BCIT students and staff “Every day is an Furthermore, the entire facil- receiving preference), the cen- ity is kept secure with padlocks tre officially opened its doors for adventure when on all gates and access control business on January 2, and has you spend it with on all entrances and exits, with five full-time children enrolled, children.” BCIT security only seconds with more on the way. away. “The response from the BCIT “There’s so much fun to be staff, students, and community “— Childcare Manager Sue D’Altoy had, I can’t wait to get started” have been very positive, and I Sue concludes. “Every day is an know that as word gets out, and The childcare facility has am- adventure when you spend it people are able to visit the centre, ple space for those looking to en- with children.” it will fill up quickly,” manager Sue roll their kids, with numerous play D’Altroy told The Link. areas, drawing boards, storage The centre is currently enrolling Prior to joining the BCITSA, facilities, nap-time places, and of new children from 30 months old D’Altroy had been part of a course, toys and educational ac- to school entry age (five years). parent participation preschool tivities. The centre strives to pro- For more information contact the centre in North Delta for over mote “emotional, social, physical, BCITSA on 604.451.7087 or send an 13 years, and has more than 20 and intellectual development of email to [email protected] years’ experience in childcare the children, at their own pace, in and early education. a stimulating, secure, and respon-

The Link NEWS 5 Wi-Fi at BCIT a growing pain for students

On-campus Wi-Fi connectiv- ity struggles to keep up with exists and I think the students aren’t connecting with SE12 and Number of devices oN bcit’s wi-fi demand as number of devices the office there because there continues to grow isn’t a good enough awareness.” As Wi-Fi is becoming such a 10,000 NEETU GARCHA critical service, the institution is News Editor taking on a multi-million dollar infrastructure upgrade project, BCIT’s efforts to keep up with the Lamb told The Link. increased number of independent “We are replacing all 600 of 8,000+ Wi-Fi capable devices on campus the legacy access points with have not eliminated student frus- newer, faster and more capa- trations over connectivity and ble devices,” said Lamb. “All other Wi-Fi related issues. of the old devices have been The BCIT Student Associa- replaced and we have roughly 5,000 tion (BCITSA) has received nu- a third of the additions to go to merous, continuous complaints completion.” from students who have a hard Regardless of BCIT’s efforts, time connecting to BCIT’s Wi- students are still having a hard Fi. Those who have been able to time with connectivity and connect have been experienc- speed of the Wi-Fi on campus. ing slow connections, accord- Marketing student Mike Hod- ing BCITSA Vice President of son said he still has problems 2,000 Finance Geoff Smith. connecting to Wi-Fi on campus. “We hear about [Wi-Fi is- “During school hours it can 1,000 sues] pretty frequently. It’s one 0 of the most common issues that students speak about here 2010 2011 2012 at the Student Association,” “It’s eating up into said Smith. lab time and class According to Stephen Lamb, dent Affairs Marwan Marwan told compatible devices each stu- usual given the time of year. He Chief Information Officer at time; it’s impacting The Link that, despite efforts by dent has on average. found that in the 24-hour pe- BCIT, although students are en- us in a whole bunch BCIT to combat the problem, it According to Lamb, in 2010, riod, there were 6,088 unique couraged to go to the informa- of different ways.” still exists and negatively impacts there were about 1,000 devices mobile devices including smart tion technology service desk in students’ campus experience. coming onto the wireless net- phones, laptops, and tablet de- building SE12 of BCIT’s Burnaby “ “It’s eating up into lab time work per day. That number in- vices accessing the network. Campus to report issues or con- — Marwan Marwan, and class time; it’s impacting creased to 3,000 devices in 2011, The amount of data travel- Vice President, Student Affairs cerns, there are not many doing BCIT Student Association us in a whole bunch of different and 2012 saw a high of over ling over the wireless network in so. Smith attributes the minimal ways,” said Marwan. “Trying to 8,000 devices. So, the challenge that one day was approximately use of SE12 to report issues to slow right down,” explained do work in the Great Hall, you comes down to exponential 721 gigabytes. To put that num- lack of promotion. Hodson. “If you’re trying to can’t because you can’t really growth in devices. ber into perspective, Lamb says “I think that there are fewer download slides for a presenta- access anything.” Lamb looked at statistics that the average work document issues than there were in the tion or lecture, it can be chal- Lamb says the issue is not from the most up-to-date in- is about 50 kilobytes, so that’s past, like this time last year,” lenging.” how many students are on cam- formation, December 11, 2012, about 13 million documents. said Smith. “But the issue still BCITSA Vice President of Stu- pus, but the amount of Wi-Fi when it was likely quieter than

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January 9, 2013 6 NEWS Strikes may continue at BCIT

Bargaining will resume this BCIT does not have a man- “Mediation is scheduled mittee Chair Richard Schaef- The Link that job action is pos- month after the union agreed date from the Provincial Gov- with the Labour Relations fer says an agreement has yet sible, but neither of them are ernment to settle the FSA and Board from January 8 to 11,” to be reached. sure when it will resume. not to take any strike action BCGEU’s issues. Therefore, said Reniers. “We do not expect “There was one day of bar- “Through until the eleventh, during the holiday season members of the BCGEU and any job action in that period I really don’t see any direct im- the FSA (and their support- either, and we’ll see where that pact on students. After that NEETU GARCHA ers) are trying to communi- gets us.” point, it depends on how that News Editor, The Link cate their message to the pro- Mediation involves nego- “There are a number mediation goes,” said Reniers. vincial government. tiations with the assistance of Reniers says he is glad that Bargaining between the BCIT The FSA decided not to a facilitator from the BC Labour of significant issues four days of mediation are Faculty and Staff Association take any strike action during Relations Board. “A senior me- that still need to be booked because there is still a (FSA) and BCIT will resume the holiday season. diator from the Labour Rela- addressed.” lot to get through. this month, while the British “We did agree that there tions Board is going to meet “Some issues might fall Columbia Government Em- wouldn’t be any job action with both the parties and ba- off the table very quickly, but ployees’ Union (BCGEU) also again until January 7,” said Paul sically settle in-between them, — Paul Reniers, there are a number of signifi- “BCIT Faculty and Staff Association has yet to reach an agreement Reniers, executive director of trying to find some common cant issues that still need to with BCIT. the FSA. ground,” Reniers told The Link. be addressed,” said Reniers. BCIT President Don Wright According to Reniers, the The mediation is informal For updates on this story as has announced that he sup- FSA has also agreed to enter and non-binding and will not gaining just prior to the holi- it develops, please visit us at ports the strike demands and into mediation beginning Jan- produce a report unless there days, but we were not success- www.linknewspaper.ca or just will do what he can to help send uary 8, and is confident that is an agreement between both ful in reaching an agreement,” follow @BCIT_Link on Twitter. the message to the government, there won’t be any job action parties. said Schaeffer. but options are limited. during the mediation period. BCGEU Bargaining Com- Reniers and Schaeffer told Visit to China strengthens international partnerships 19% by blending foreign students in BCIT establishing a stronger sive progress that our part- our classrooms.” international relationship ner institutions have achieved Wang and Noel-Bentley also with its partner institutions through partnering with BCIT,” used the trip to plan for the BCIT said Wang. Student Ambassador programs did it Four of BCIT’s Chinese partner scheduled for the summer. MERIHA BEATON institutes in Tianjin, Chengdu, Nan- One of these programs allows The Link ning, and Whenzhou were visited over 200 BCIT students and fac- on this trip, and BCIT has estab- ulty members from mechanical multiple times A recent trip to China made by lished international programs in engineering, business, and com- two BCIT staff members has mechanical engineering and com- puter technology to participate strengthened BCIT’s interna- puter systems technology in these in a two week program. Students tional relationship with partner cities. take part in activities such as institutions and helped enrich According to Wang the tutoring and teaching English per day. the academic experience for do- number of international stu- at one of BCIT’s partner institu- mestic students. dents has more than doubled tions in China or South Korea. The trip was taken in late 2012 in 2012 in comparison to the “It provides [our students Do it your way. by Tracy Wang, the business devel- number of international stu- with] the opportunities for ac- opment manager for BCIT Inter- dents at BCIT in 2007. quiring academic, cultural and Enrol anytime, study where and when national, and Pommashea Noel- social experiences,” explained you want and transfer credits back to your Bently, vice president of external Wang. relations. In the future, Wang and BCIT on-campus program. The purpose of the visit was The number of International plan on strength- to welcome new students en- international students ening their already existing part- www.truopen.ca/yourway rolled in the international pro- has more than nerships with and South grams at the partner institutions. America and building an inter- “It is the most important event doubled in 2012. national relationship with other overseas, even more than convo- regions such as Indonesia, Thai- cation, since it is hard to get into “The school is now host to 2,035 land and Turkey. post-secondary institutions,” ex- students from over 86 countries, “BCIT now seems to have a plained Wang in an email interview with students from China contrib- mandate to keep up, so that our with The Link. uting to one third of BCIT’s interna- programs can still be at the leading For nearly 10 years Wang has tional students. edge, otherwise our advantages been working with BCIT Interna- “These partnerships have been will no longer be sustained within tional and has been the business of great value to the institute as a the next five years,” asserted Wang. development manager for five. whole,” says Wang, “attracting in- Flexible • Credible • Online and Distance She has been visiting the partner ternational students, generating institutions since 2008. international revenues, creating a MC117213 “I have witnessed impres- multicultural environment in BCIT

The Link CULTURE 7

All photos courtesy of Blueprint Events Contact festival rocks BC Place

Deadmau5 headlines the ing on it for a year and it took the crowd just by showing up biggest electronic dance us this long to put all the pieces with his legendary visual set. Fa- together to make it happen.” miliar tracks pumped the crowd music festival ever held in British Canadian Lazy Rich up and got everyone jumping all western opened the floor with some bril- over again. liantly mixed Avicii to settle the In the last issue of The Link, KEVIN WILLEMSE locals before handing the stage we ran a piece on artists who Senior Editor to Chris Lake, one of the most use gimmicks (which are mostly exciting DJs and producers from “meh”). When Deadmau5 puts Anyone who thinks that elec- the EDM scene in recent years. on his Cheshire mau5head, the tronic dance music is dead was Next up, Swedish House Mafia’s world is a better place. The mu- obviously nowhere near BC Alesso, opener at Madonna’s Eu- sic gets better and you’re aware Place on Boxing Day. ropean MDNA tour, settled into that this is an electronic music Those who were enjoyed his familiar progressive house virtuoso at work. some of the world’s best elec- and catchy, rock-inspired loops. “He is a genius,” praises Prol. tronic DJs belting out six hours By the time Nero came on, “There’s no doubt about it. He has of the most recognised elec- a lot of passion for what he does.” tronic dance music (EDM) tracks When asked if Contact 2013 is around. Chris Lake, Lazy Rich, in the works, Prol is quietly confi- Alesso, Nero, and a certain local dent. The goal of the first Contact boy calling himself Deadmau5 “He is a genius. was to make it a West Coast event kept 12,000 audience members There’s no doubt with “a Canadian flag in it,” he jumping and fist-pumping. about it.” says, so Deadmau5 was a perfect The first-ever Contact festi- headliner. He also wants the festi- val is the largest electronic mu- val to expand into bigger, better — Organiser Alvaro Prol on sic event ever staged in western headliner Deadmau5 parties and festivals long before Canada. A year in the making, “ and after the actual show. Blueprint Events Director Al- the crowd was an undulating “I would like Contact to be varo Prol says that it was about mass of sweat and limbs, but a Vancouver thing, a BC Place time a festival of this magni- that didn’t stop the man from thing, an event we do every tude was put together for Van- driving out some hardcore drum year. That’s what I would like couver’s house fans. ‘n bass and dubstep mixes. to see.” “It was time to take things Any act would find it hard to Me too, Alvaro. Me too. up a bit,” said Prol. “This is the sustain Nero’s energy but Joel first time we were able to get Zimmerman, also known as BC Place … we’ve been work- Deadmau5, managed to reignite January 9, 2013 8 CULTURE Top five albums you may have missed in 2012

Civilized City Celebration Rock Attack on Memory Landmark ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! Hermetic Cloud Nothings Apollo Ghosts Godspeed You! Black Emperor

After winning 2008’s Shindig Japandroids exploded onto the in- Attack on Memory comes from Apollo Ghosts have been kick- Following the tour for 2002 al- competition, East Vancouver’s ternational indie music scene with a very dark place. It’s clear that ing around Vancouver’s indepen- bum Yanqui U.X.O, politically- Hermetic were somewhat silent 2009’s Post-Nothing, but this year’s Cloud Nothings’ chief songwriter dent music scene for ages, with charged, post-rock collective for the next four years, playing Celebration Rock shot the duo into and front man Dylan Baldi was standout record after standout Godspeed You! Black Emperor shows relentlessly but not releas- another stratosphere altogether. dealing with a particularly rough record, but never quite manag- announced a hiatus while their ing any new music. That changed Packed with catchy guitar riffs and breakup: the begins with ing to break through to the next contemporaries pushed the this year, as the baritone guitar sing-along choruses from start to the refrain, “Give up, come to, no level. Landmark continues both genre further into the main- and drums duo of Eric Axen and finish, Celebration Rock stands as a hope, we’re through,” and doesn’t these trends, serving up 15 crimi- stream consciousness. The band Bart Newman released the Sur- testament to the band’s evolution get much more cheerful from nally underappreciated tracks of decided to reform and begin vival EP, Goodness Greatness/ as songwriters. there on. catchy, jangly, indie guitar rock. touring again in 2010, picking Murder Ballad single and LP, Civi- Where Post Nothing’s songs and Some of the most powerful Jumping from straight-ahead up where they left off with a new lized City. lyrics were relatively simple and music comes from attempts to rock numbers “I’m In Love With record, ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Every track on Civilized City repetitive, Japandroids have man- cope with loss, though, and At- The USA” and “Guitar Brother” Ascend! late this year. fits seamlessly together with an- aged to write more complex and tack on Memory is an excellent to weird, experimental freak- The album is full of the slow, gular guitar riffs meshing with rewarding songs and lyrics without example of this; even the album outs like “Days of Glory,” the al- measured build-ups and power- syncopated beats and Axen’s vo- sacrificing any of the direct emo- title is somewhat prophetic of bum feels real and raw, with just ful, shattering climaxes the band cals complementing thoughtful tional connection and infectious Baldi’s intentions. enough polish to let each track’s is known for, balancing tran- lyrics that touch on everything hooks that characterised their ear- Blending pop-punk, grunge strengths shine though without quility, panic, exaltation and de- from young love to cold war poli- lier work. and mid-90s college rock, Cloud feeling plastic or overproduced. spair to create deep, profound tics. Occasional splashes of har- Documenting the fears, re- Nothings tackle the emotional By the time its 38-minute run- emotional connections through monica, synthesizer and strings grets, thrills and pleasures that minefield of heartbreak and re- time is up, you’ll be ready to flip instrumental music. add just enough diversity to the inevitably accompany growing covery, subject matter that is im- the record back over and start all Like the best of Godspeed’s duo’s sound to keep the Civilized into adulthood, Celebration Rock mensely relatable to anyone who over again. catalogue, ‘Allelujah! Don’t City engaging for its duration. is more than just Japandroids’ has loved and lost—and who Bend! Ascend! is best described The album itself is also perfectly announcement that they are here among us hasn’t? as apocalyptic, moving from sequenced, with each track flow- to stay: it’s a declaration that de- tension to chaos and back into a ing smoothly into the next, mak- spite the worst it can throw at us, kind a desolate serenity—maybe ing it all but impossible not to lis- life is still worth celebrating. the Mayans were simply predict- ten to the whole thing all at once. ing the long-awaited return of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

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The Link CULTURE 9 LOCAL EVENTS

January 5 - February 3 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Various locations The ninth installment of Van- couver’s most innovative festival promises to find new ways to challenge attendees. Over three mid-winter weeks, members of the audience are invited to become readers in a unique Human Library; watch Shakespeare’s King Lear as inter- preted by a Taiwanese theatre troupe; and witness Vancouver writers keep a literary record of their surroundings live at three busy urban locations. Local artists will be joined by performers from and Japan to provide an unforget- table experience for their Van- couver audience.

January 18 - February 3 Dine Out Vancouver Various locations Despite freezing rain and a bad case of post-holiday empty wal- let syndrome, these 17 days are a delight for Metro Vancouver foodies and visitors alike. Vancouver Noir authors John Belshaw and Diane Purvey get into the spirit of their non-fiction profile of Courtesy of Derek von Essen With over two hundred res- Vancouver’s darker history. taurants participating, there are many options for a gastronomi- cal adventure fit for any budget: participating restaurants will of- Vancouver Noir tells the tale of crime and fer multiple-course meals for a fixed price of $18, $28 or $38. Those with a deeper inter- est in the culinary arts can visit corruption and the city’s dark history many of the festival’s special events, be it the Edible Canada lecture series or a pizza-mak- Two local writers explore the vinced that the noir phenom- they create a sense in the com- against anyone with a non- enon was unique to American munity that these things are WASP (white, Anglo-Saxon Prot- ing and beer-tasting night. gritty lives of Vancouverites cities like Los Angeles, Purvey happening all the time,” noted estant) background. City Hall’s from the 1930s to 1960s and Belshaw describe each Belshaw. Photographs were used move from downtown and the January 20 noir element — civil unrest, to introduce and enforce the subsequent marginalization of OLSY SOROKINA corruption, murder — crucial “proper” standards of behavior Downtown Eastside, vilification 21st Century Flea Market The Link to the formation of present- through a display of obvious de- of Chinatown and Skid Row, and Croatian Cultural Centre day Vancouver. viance—sex crimes, gambling, the class division of East and This flea market is a gem for lov- The Vancouver Police Museum The Speed Graphic camera, and bootlegging. West Ends are explored through ers of rare antique items, vintage is the perfect venue for learn- more mobile than its tripod- excerpts from court cases and art, and junk jewelry. All those ing about the city’s criminal dependent predecessors, docu- newspaper clippings straigh out items individually displayed and ridiculously priced in funky past, but that’s not the only mented stories in the 1930s. In Vancouver Noir of the noir era. reason Diane Purvey and John Purvey and Belshaw’s portray- Despite dealing with heavy Main Street vintage shops? Belshaw chose it to host the al, photographs were effective- transports the subject matter and gruesome Those were probably found for reading of their newest book, ly used by the press of the noir readers into the images, Vancouver Noir is a a tenth of the price, rummaging Vancouver Noir. The museum, period in order to “describe a highly entertaining read. It through boxes at yard sales. which has formerly served as bullet hole, a riot, vice, beauty, times of vice covers thirty years of history, You can spare yourself the the Vancouver Coroner’s Of- deformity, and powerful emo- and glamour in complete with changes in lo- trouble of having to sort through someone’s junk — there’s over a fice and the city morgue, was tions in ways words could not.” Vancouver. cal government and shifts in also one of the biggest sources Scandalous headlines did “ the city’s geography. The style, hundred vendors offering many for their research material. more than just entertain the borrowed from noir fiction, desirable vintage treasures for Written with the same lexi- public: media portrayal of cer- One of the motifs of Vancou- never sounds contrived. For reasonable prices. Just watch out con found in true crime novels tain parts of the city led to their ver Noir is “urban reform, plan- history buffs and true crime for that aggressive art collector of the era, and illustrated with consequent decline. ning as a vehicle of physical and enthusiasts alike, Vancouver who might just be after the same archival black-and-white pho- “Newspapers would have a social change.” The narrative Noir delivers thrills while re- rare Coca-Cola advertisement. tos, Vancouver Noir transports series of accounts on smuggling traces the history of downtown visiting important moments readers into times of vice and in the harbour, teen suicide, Vancouver as shaped by city from the city’s history. — Olsy Sorokina glamour in Vancouver. Uncon- crime, and drug addiction, and zoning plans and social stigma

January 9, 2013 10 OPINIONS OUR CAMPUS New Year’s resolutions for the savvy BCIT student BCIT helps people break out of poverty with microfinance How to really make the 4. Use your free gym services! most of your time on cam- Take advantage of open gym Try to imagine your life without finance, pus in 2013 times, free fitness classes, and without a savings account to safely of course, the free weight room. store your money, without student Did I mention that this is all free? loans to pay for education, and without ANGIE THEILLMAN insurance for when things go horribly Assistant Editor 5. Discover a new space on wrong. Yet for many people around the campus world, this is the unfortunate reality, Love or hate the idea of New Live and breathe in SE1? Check and it is keeping them trapped in pov- Year’s resolutions, here are ten out the NW area. Who knows erty. Is there any way to change this? you don’t even need to think of what you’ll find. No time, you Yes, it’s called microfinance. yourself. All you need to do is say? Pack your lunch and re- Seva Mandir is the largest non- try them out! place the 15-minute Tim Hor- governmental organization in Udaipur, tons line-up with a stroll into India, and they have added a twist to 1. Book an on-campus mas- new territory and their eater- microfinance. Instead of becoming a sage for $10 ies. bank, Seva Mandir instead organizes Contact Recreation Services for people in each village into self help more information, and remember: 6. Sign your classmates up for groups, which are essentially like credit first come, first served. an intramural team Courtesy of Juliet D unions. They are trained in financial lit- How can you possibly resist eracy and are given a safe place to save 2. Use the Uconnect Resource dodgeball, floor hockey, or vol- on ways you want to go green 10. Contribute to your campus their money. Centre leyball? It’s so much better than our campus: [email protected]. newspaper This pooled money is then lent with- Awesome staff will give you studying and isn’t a huge dollar Or, take action by joining the The Link wants your photos, your in the group at low interest rates, allow- info on campus events, free investment. Contact Recreation BCIT Net Impact club. Contact: writing, and your funnies! Wheth- ing members to fund things like tuition cooking classes, health cover- Services. [email protected]. er it’s news, culture, campus, opin- for their children, investments for their age, and more! Not on Burnaby ions, or humour, we will pay for farms (such as seeds or equipment), campus? Give them a shout at 7. Attend a BCIT Student Asso- 9. Don’t pay more your skills and creativity! Email small entrepreneurial businesses and 604.451.7087 or visit them online ciation council meeting Your student card earns you [email protected] or visit shops, and medical emergencies. at [email protected]. Usually only councilors and valuable discounts on Whistler/ linknewspaper.ca This semester, the BCIT Finance Club executives attend, but all are Blackcomb passes, car tire and oil will be fundraising for Seva Mandir. 3. Go check out BCIT in their welcome. Maybe you’ll even be changes, Vancouver hotels, and Have a student resolution that Students can help the club fund the Media page inspired to run for student gov- more. Don’t forget to ask about should have made the cut? creation of more SHGs, as well as other Every so often, this page is updated ernment. Ask your set rep for student discounts wherever Think some of these resolutions entrepreneurial ventures. Please see and you can see BCIT folk in the more info. you go! Recreation Services and are dumb? Email campuslife@ bcitfinance.com/micro for details. world’s headlines. It could be you Uconnect Resource Centre have linknewspaper.ca, comment on someday! commons.bcit.ca/up- 8. Think green more details. stories on our website, or tweet — Michael Jarosz date/bcit-in-the-media/ Email BCITSA staffer Ian Morton us @BCIT_Link!

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Are guns the only effective preventative of mass shootings? Courtesy of Ibaraki Hyakuri Gun ban not the answer to shootings

With 300 million guns in the more important than the safety of made machine pistol that could United States alone, how students and citizens. What good be made in small workshops by in- could a ban on guns hope to is it to arm only the police, when experienced engineers. Almost 70 prevent further tragedies? everyone is already dead by the years later, you don’t think people time they show up? could do the same? And even by MICHAEL JAROSZ The idea of schools being today’s standards, it’s about to get The Link “gun-free zones” with unarmed a whole lot easier. security guards makes about as One of the hottest new indus- much sense as declaring a build- tries right now is 3D printing, a The tragic school shooting ing to be a “no fire zone” and technology set to revolutionise in Newtown, Connecticut, is then removing all the sprinklers small-scale manufacturing. Gun among the latest killing sprees in and fire extinguishers. components have already been America. Many citizens and poli- Let’s also take a look at the oth- printed and assembled into an ticians are finally saying enough AR-15, the same weapon as was is enough, and that tough de- used in Newtown. The parts were cisions need to be made. But “Gun-free zones” with assembled and fired six times be- what is the most effective way of fore failure; not bad from a $2,000 bringing about this change? unarmed security machine, and on the first try. What Obama has proposed an as- guards makes about as this means is that access to guns sault weapons ban, while the much sense as declar- and ammunition for the common National Rifle Association (NRA) civilian may become as easy as has proposed armed security “ing a building to be a printing off a downloaded file you guards in every school. If you are “no fire zone” and then got off eBay. Good luck imposing a Canadian, chances are you agree removing all the sprin- ban on guns in such a world. with Obama’s stance, and think Not to mention that schools in that the NRA is crazy. But if you klers and fire extin- the past have also been attacked think about it rationally, setting guishers. “ with weapons like flamethrowers, politics aside, the NRA’s position knives, and explosives. So, even has a lot of merit. in a world without guns, schools Let’s start with something we er option: a ban on gun sales. Sim- would still be very vulnerable. can all relate to: BCIT. What if ply put, this is nothing more than Having said all this, I do support a madman targeted our school a feel-good idea with little ground- reasonable levels of gun control, just like in Newtown, or École ing in reality. First of all, there are like age limits, cooling off periods, Polytechnique in ? already over 300 million guns in background checks, mental health While Canada already has quite the United States alone. A gun ban checks, and even pharmaceutical strict gun control laws, it is still isn’t going to make them magically checks. But the reality is that gun possible to legally acquire many disappear. Secondly, prohibition control alone isn’t going to cut it, types of guns, and illegally get doesn’t work; you need look no especially if we look at the tech- hold of many others. further than alcohol prohibition in nology (and paranoia) that will be Spend the money So who is there to protect us? the 1920s or the drug wars of to- available to us in the future. Our school has 24/7 security, but day for affirmation. With this in mind, the NRA’s pro- would that be much help? It turns Want a more relevant example? posal makes a lot of sense. Because however you like. out that security guards in Canada During World War Two, German when you really think about it, the are not allowed to carry firearms forces couldn’t prevent the Polish only way to stop a bad guy with a outside of their own home. The resistance movement (comprised gun is a good guy with a gun. linknewspaper.ca only exception is if they transport largely of civilians) from arming money in heavily armored vehicles. itself. The Poles designed and That’s right: the safety of money is produced an inexpensive, home-

January 9, 2013 12 DISTRACTIONS BRITISH COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY Maxine Davies FAUXROSCOPES with Mystical Mama Angie, semi-certified astrologist

IF THIS WEEK IS YOUR BIRTHDAY VIRGO (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23) Oh what fun it is to ride in a Narwhal is often called the uni- one-horse open sleigh! Oh corn of the sea, which is pretty wait, that’s Christmas. I forgot wild. As this is your most mystical we’re talking about your birth- magical year ever, be that under- day. Well, hell cowpoke, it’s water Pegasus. Amaze everyone. 2013 now, so make this year Fly, surf, swim. Be a Gnar-whal. the sleigh ride of a lifetime. Giddy up! LIBRA (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23) Squirrel says to avoid feeling like ARIES (March 21 – April 20) a nutcase, hide some nuts, just in Lynx is your winter animal, so case! That’s right! Next time you’re use your giant snow paws to buried in studies, you can rely on pad the year with good things. strategically placed Reese’s prod- But like a lynx sighting, win- ucts and chocolate almonds, too! dows of snowpawtunity can be fleeting, so pounce on them. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22) And of course, prey fair. Winter fish says the scales are tipped in your favour. 2013 is TAURUS (April 21 – May 21) your year to reach new depths. Snowy owl says this year will But don’t get caught up in trying be a hoot, Taurus, but flyer to be the coolest catfish in your beware: don’t just be a social school or you’ll get trawl-tally butterfly. In the words of Mu- fucked. Just be reel. hammed OWLi, you must float FOLLOW US like a butterfly, sting like a SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21) bee, and study like an owl. Eagle isn’t going to talon you @BCIT_Link if you get high. That is, if you GEMINI (May 22 – June 21) get high hopes for 2013. And if Rabbit says here’s hoppin’ for pessimists make you feel bad long ‘ears of prosperity. Like for your optimism, ease your FREAKSEEKING MISSILE Dan Johnson following rabbit in the snow, eag-uilty conscience. Egg-nore track your spending. A savvy them. Do not say soar-y! money bunny now means fu- ture happy hou-hares flowing CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20) with Jackrabbit Daniels. Shrew says, “Holed on! When was the last time you rodent a CANCER (June 22 – July 23) postcard to someone! Or, did Baby polar bears artickled to be you return burrowed items from your mascots this year. Get the friends?” This year, be a good 2013 ball (of fur) rolling by play- friend. Remember the ‘little’ ing in the snow. With bearly any things. It’s a moust. white stuff on the west coast, when it does snow, jump on AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19) AND in the occasion! Snuffalufagus says although he’s not a real animal, you’re a real LEO (July 24 – Aug. 23) person with real skills. Tonnes of Seagulls don’t care about the them. season or the year. They care about scavenger hunts. Re- PISCES (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20) member, it’s not feather or Google chickadee’s bird-call, if not you find everything you you haven’t heard it, Pisces. It’s seek, it’s about how you han- your year to tweet, branch out and dle the scraps. get the world’s attention!

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