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The Windsor Express are off to the NBL Canada Finals once againa fter winning three consecutive games against the Brampton A’s.
A UWindsor group is being recognized for the second year for their fundraising efforts.
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After three years, Run for Roccky continues to make a difference in Windsor-Essex and shows support for GSA’s in schools.
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The University Players are ending their 2014-2015 season with a hilarious, well-produced play.
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YOUR C AMPUS AND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER // APRIL 16 2015 // VOL. #87 ISSUE #25 // UWINDSORLANCE.C A
One of a Kind Course Launches Books With Black Moss Press SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________ “They will never look at a book the same.” Marty Gervais, the owner of Black Moss Press and professor of the editing and publishing practicum at the University of Windsor said his students will always be looking for way to improve upon and change the books they read for the rest of their lives after their book launch Apr. 8. at the Caboto Club. The editing and publishing practicum at the university is a one of a kind program in Canada that allows students to edit, market and publish books written by local authors through Black Moss Press. Apr. 8 was the launch of three books; Sidelines by Windsor lawyer Peter Hrastovec, Make me, Remake me, by University of Windsor graduate Gillian Cott, and Sunday with the Tigers: Eleven ways to Watch the Game, a collection of essays edited by English professor Dale Jacobs. Each book was assigned a team of both English and business students to put together and prepare the books for this launch day. After much preparation, exasperated sighs could be heard across the Caboto Club. “I’m relieved,” said Gervais. “It’s been a great semester working with 28 fantastic students who worked really hard to put on this launch.” The whole night was entitled Made in Windsor, showcasing not only the books, but local talent in music and theatre as well. The music played throughout the night was by students and there was a dramatic performance by BFA acting students in the
Gillian Cott addresses the crowd at the Black Moss Press book launch Apr.8 at the Caboto Club [Photo by // Samantha Fernandez] school of Dramatic art of the books. Kendra Kerby, a fourth year creative writing student, worked on Gillian Cott’s book Make me, Remake me, and feels more prepared to work in the editing profession. “Now that it’s all come together at the launch it is very exciting,” said Kerby. “I’ve just really enjoyed working with my classmates and we have all definitely learnt to work collaboratively; I want to go into editing so this has helped me verse myself in that respect.”
Each author had the chance to make a speech about their experiences working with the students and read parts of their books proudly. It was obvious the students and the authors were proud of the work they created collectively. “It will change their whole perspective,” said Gervais. “I always try and find authors that want to work with students; it is a learning experience for both sides.” Sunday with the Tigers was put together by Dale Jacobs and endorsed by J.K Simmons, who wrote a piece to
put in the book.
Next years editing and publishing
Patrick Parent, a fourth year English major who worked on the book said he would have not gotten this experience anywhere else.
practicum, according to Gervais, will
“Honestly it was so rewarding to see everybody’s name on the inside of the book. You really appreciate the work that goes into books in general,” said Parent. “Considering this is the only experience like this in North America, you really get experience in the work environment with your peers. This has been an invaluable experience.”
who has done work with the editing
feature some great books, including a book of poetry by John Wing Jr., a writer and well-known comedian, and publishing course before. The books can be purchased at Indigo, Chapters, Biblioasis, and are available online at amazon.com. They may also be purchased through the Black Moss Press website www. blackmosspress.com
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APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA
Bowl-a-Thon Raises Funds for W.E Care for Kids
SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________
Andrew Banar, a 22-year-old man with Down Syndrome, has always had a passion for helping others. Whether through his own clothing line, helping his various charities, or organizing events, he has shown incredible leadership in the WindsorEssex County community. On Apr. 11 Banar hosted a BowlA-Thon with all of the proceeds going to W.E Care for Kids. The event allowed families to come out and bowl, participate in raffles, have some baked goods and purchase some of Andrew’s t-shirts from Group Hug Apparel. For the past two years, for Banar’s birthday, he has created a Be The Reason Someone Smiles day, which is a day for Banar to send smiles to others through small random acts of kindness as his birthday gifts. This day is not only for Banar and his mother Karen Pickle, but it is also a day for others to spread awareness and love through their acts of kindness and Pickle could not be more proud of her son and his accomplishments. “I am so proud of him and honored to be his mom,” said Pickle. “He does so much for the community, we wanted to make sure others can do some good as well, and make people
smile.”
Participants were mainly good friends of Banar and Pickle’s who wanted to come out and support them in their event. Suzanne Brogan was one of the volunteers helping with the Bowl-A-Thon and has watched Banar grow since he was a child. “Andrew is amazing. Karen has done a wonderful job with him and she doesn’t cut him any slack,” said Brogan. “It’s amazing because he does do a lot of support for children in hospitals. You see these thank you messages being sent to Andrew and you can see that he really does a lot of good.” Through his fundraisers, Banar helps support many local charities in Windsor-Essex including W.E Care for Kids. Banar is also an ambassador for the Apple festival and he delivers 300 apples to Kingsville Public school each week to promote healthy eating.
Andrew and Sunshine at the Bowl-A-Thon for W.E Care for Kids Apr. 11 at Super Bowl Lanes in Tecumseh. [Photo by // Samantha Fernandez]
“The community support is unbelievable,” said Dan Rose, a friend and former bowling coach of Banar. “When we went out looking for donations there was never a hesitation, never an argument, no one was ever hesitant to help him out. They know the good he does for the community, so the support has been huge.”
one of the five Canadian Down Syndrome Hero’s of 2015. This was awarded to him by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society for his dedication and community outreach.
Banar has been the recipient of many awards, including being named
“He’s been receiving letters from high up people congratulating him, he’s
been changed from a black tie, formal gathering to a laid back and fun filled evening, with of course, amazing food.
Caesars, it has kicked the event up a notch. We had 500 guests last year, which is 200 more than the previous year. So far it has been going really well.”
been getting people stopping him on the street saying hey, you’re the Canadian Down Syndrome hero!” said Pickle. “We want people to come out, have fun, meet Andrew, sign his birthday card you know, just come out and get involved in helping others.”
On June 19, Pickle said there will be a party for Andrew in honor of his award. The proceeds of the party will go towards bursaries in two local high schools in Banar’s name, as well as Sick Kids. The event will be held at Colasantis, where Banar currently works.
Rajan Mehra, the sous-chef at Caesars Windsor said the event creates a great energy within Caesars. Caesars Windsor over the past two years have come in second place within the competition.
largest battle yet. Morgan said with this change in the layout, the event keeps growing and growing.
Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres Kicks Off at Walkerville Brewery
SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________ While the event has changed its face over the last 29 years, it still remains the tastiest of fundraisers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor-Essex. The Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres is among the largest fundraising events for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor-Essex and in its 29th year, is still one of the most anticipated events of the year in Windsor. Over the past three years, the layout of the event has
Hayley Morgan, the Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor-Essex said with the revamping of the event, it has brought out larger crowds. “A couple years ago we did change the format so it went from a typical formal event to now more of an interactive food and beverage networking event,” said Morgan. “By having it at
The presenting sponsor for the event is Caesars Windsor, who also has chefs creating hors d’oeuvres in the competition. The event will be held in the Augustus Ballroom and presents itself as an indoor food and drink festival, showcasing over 19 different establishments in the Windsor-Essex community.
“It is lots of fun with great energy for a great cause,” said Mehra. “It is hard because every body is challenging other people, but it helps bring the best out of you. There is a contest, but at the end the winner is the charity.” With 19 businesses participating in the event this year, it is set to be the
lance 2O14 Staff
VOL.87 ISSUE 25 APRIL 16 2O15
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Editor-in-Chief JOLENEPERRON editor@uwindsorlance.ca • ext.3909
Arts Editor HANIYASSINE arts@uwindsorlance.ca • ext.3910
Business and Advertising Manager JOHNCOOPER business@uwindsorlance.ca • ext.3604
Sports Editor BRETTHEDGES sports@uwindsorlance.ca • ext.3923
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Layout & Design Manager CHRISMAILLOUX artdirector@uwindsorlance.ca • ext.3932
“I am hoping to see more people come out to this event and we hope people enjoy a different interesting event we have created in the community,” said Morgan. “You get the chance to talk to all the chefs, interact with them and network with all the amazing people who come to support this event, all for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor-Essex programs.”
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APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA //
Jack Miner Bird Conservatory Celebrates 150 Years
SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________
For 150 years, birds in Windsor-Essex County have been able to fly to a place of sanctuary, a place where they could feel safe and secure. Jack Miner Bird Conservatory celebrated its 150th birthday Apr. 10, with the celebration of Jack Miner’s birthday. To go along with the birthday party events, the conservatory held other events to celebrate wild life week. Miner was the founder of the migratory waterfowl refuge system in 1904. This created a safe place for geese and other birds to migrate to, keeping them away from hunters. Miner had a passion for wildlife; in his spare time, he would go walk through forests and spend time by creeks - the outdoors became his classroom. Miner was also the first to pioneer the banding of geese, which was a way to track their patterns and locations. During wild life week, Craig Capacchione, the curator for Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary, said there was something for everyone to enjoy. “We have the historic Jack Miner house open, we have the museum open and we have trout fishing for kids,” said Capacchione. “We will also be having a birthday bash for Jack Miner with musical entertainment and all you can eat chicken wings.” The events of the weekend varied from trout fishing for kids, merchandise being sold, bird photography seminars and bird call competitions. The bird calling competition was a preliminary for the national competi-
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Capacchione said Miner was a great man that proved with perseverance, lives can be saved. “This was an idea that was unheard of at the time, the town would laugh at him even when he went to go get groceries making call noises because people thought this man would never get these geese to come here,” said Capacchione. “But with perseverance, hard work and dedication, he succeeded. After he started the foundation it took a few years, but the geese came. Some say it is a pest problem now, I would not see it that way, but this was all due to the initiative Jack Miner showed, it’s a great place for wildlife to come and be safe.” During the summer months, typically beginning in May, the conservation park opens to the public with events happening throughout the summer and museum tours being conducted.
A girl catches a fish at the Jack Miner Sanctuary Apr. 11 [Photo by // Samantha Fernandez]
“We always have a lot of great activities such as education outreach activities we do, we are looking to have family weekends where families can come out and enjoy what we offer,” said Capacchione. “In addition we always have somebody helping with the historical side of the charity, we have somebody doing cataloguing, because 150 years is a long time so we need someone to take care of that. We are always looking for volunteers.” Jack Miner provides a family friendly space where attendees can become one with nature. For more information about summer events, the museum or how to get involved through volunteering, visit their website www. jackminer.ca.
Board of Director Members pose together at the 150th Birthday of Jack Miner Apr. 11 at the Jack Miner Sanctuary [Photo by // Samantha Fernandez]
Gymnastics Takes Over St. Denis Centre for 2015 Ontario Championships BRETTHEDGES Sports Editor __________________________
Over 1,200 athletes and 5,000 spectators watched Ontario’s best gymnasts compete for provincial prowess at the University of Windsor’s St. Denis Centre. From Apr. 8 through Apr. 12, Rose City Gymnastics hosted the 2015 Ontario Gymnastics championships. It was the third year in a row Windsor has hosted the event and meet director Diana Giorgi said the championships serve as a fundraiser for Rose City Gymnastics since they are a non-profit organization, which Giorgi serves as president for. “The results have been great,” said Giorgi. “We’re still the only non-profit
gymnastics group in the city so this is our major fundraiser and we’re expanding so all of the money is going towards new equipment. We’re taking over the other half of our facility so we’ll be the largest gymnastics gym in the city with 24,000 square feet.” Giorgi said it took approximately six to eight months to plan out the 2015 championships with almost 20 to 30 hours of work being put in by some parents and volunteers in the final months leading up to the meet to ensure the event went smoothly. “The whole atmosphere of the event has been a highlight,” said Giorgi. “It has ran rather smoothly, everyone is having a good time. It’s great for the sport, we have national level athletes here and the overall experience has been good for the city to bring gym-
nastics to Windsor.” Giorgi said Windsor must be doing something right in hosting these championships as there was a shortage of hotel rooms available across the city due to the high number of families from around the province spending their time and money in the city. Tom Deslippe, the general manager of Rose City Gymnastics and said the economic effect from the championships can be upwards of $1 million after families complete their stay at hotels, eat at restaurants and shop in Windsor’s stores. “Over 5,000 people come to the event so when you’re talking about how much each one spends, it’s a lot of money,” said Deslippe. “Hotels, gas, food and then the things they buy -
and they like to spend. There are no shortages of expenses in gymnastics.” Deslippe said typically athletes from Windsor have to travel across the province for various meets and competitions so it is good for their athletes from beginner to national level to have a competition in their hometown. “To find the competition, we always have to travel, so having the 2015 Ontario championships in Windsor is definitely nice for our athletes,” said Deslippe. One of those national level athletes is Lindsay Chia, a 15-year-old who is currently ranked sixth in the nation in her respective age category. Chia said she has been involved in gymnastics since she was three years old and finished second overall in her
category. Chia will now look towards the 2015 national championships next month in Gatineau, Que. “I could get ranked there so I’m hoping to keep my sixth place ranking or achieve higher then that,” said Chia. “It would be nice to be selected to the national team camp.” The goal of many gymnasts is to qualify for the Olympics but Chia has her eyes on a different prize. She said making the national gymnastics team would be nice, but she is more focused on attaining an NCAA scholarship to go to college. If she had a choice, Chia said she would choose either Stanford or UCLA. “I want to go to college but my top goal in gymnastics is to perform really well and make a name for myself,” said Chia. “But for now I’m just
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Cheese, Chocolate and Whiskey: A Combination Perfectly Matched
SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________ Canadian Club is home to some of the richest culture Windsor has to offer. With its beautiful offices, cool facilities and amazing whiskey, Canadian Club is one of the least appreciated parts of this city. To showcase their whiskey experience, Canadian Club hosted a CC, Cheese and Chocolate tasting Apr. 10. This tasting brought to life four of CC’s best whiskeys and paired them with carefully selected cheeses and chocolates to give tasters the full whiskey experience. Tish Harcus, the manager of Canadian Club Whiskey, said the market for whiskey, especially with women, is growing quite rapidly. “I’ve been with Canadian Club for about 26 years now, I eat, sleep, walk, talk and breathe this brand. Canadian Club is one of the easiest drinking whiskeys in the world. You could jump into a scotch or you could jump into bourbon, Canadian Club is a nice blend of whiskey and the ladies are loving it,” said Harcus. “I started these events two years ago, and I get specialty fresh cheeses and chocolate and I pair it with the palate of the whiskey. It really is a wonderful experience.” The participants had the chance to sample the Classic five year Canadian Club whiskey, paired with four year aged cheddar cheese and milk chocolate, the twelve year premium Canadian Club whiskey, paired with a six year old cheddar and milk
chocolate, the Canadian Club Cherry Oak whiskey paired with Dutch pre Madonna Cheese and Dark Chocolate, and the specialty 20 year whiskey, which is a discontinued whiskey for Canadian Club, and was paired with Dutch pre Madonna cheese and dark chocolate. Canadian Club whiskey is highly recognized not only in Canada but all over the world. The Canadian Club 100% Rye has won many awards including a double gold metal in Wine and Spirits competitions. “The home of Canadian Club is Windsor Ontario. Canadian Club whiskey is sold in over 65 countries all over the world,” said Harcus. “We have this world class brand in our home town and it doesn’t matter wherever you travel, you will find it. It is everywhere. We wear CC’s logo as a badge of honor.” Participants came not only for the experience whiskey had to offer to their palette, but also for the culture the experience brought. “Canadian Club definitely adds to the culture of Windsor because it has been around since the 1890s and for people who take a tour of the facility they will learn that this brand is all over the world,” said Mike Houston, a participant in the tasting, and Director of International Student Affairs at the University of Windsor. “One of the informational pieces you learn on the tours here is the only place Canadian Club is still distilled is here in Windsor. My favorite whiskey is the Dock 57, but with the promise of an amazing 20 year whiskey here
A woman smells the whiskey before tasting at the CC, Cheese and Chocolate tasting at the Heritage Center Apr. 10. [Photo by // Samantha Fernandez] tonight, we will see if I have a new favorite.” Harcus said drinking whiskey is about the experience it brings. The way it tastes on the palette, the smells, the look, much like a fine wine or beers. She said her favorite is the Cherry Oak Cask whiskey because it is one she holds dear to her heart. “It’s tough to pick just one, but my favorite is the cherry cask. It is a little higher in proof, so it’s almost like a Manhattan in a bottle.” said Harcus.
Some of the participants in the tasting were whiskey drinkers, but for some this was a new experience. Karlie Klinck attended the event with her mother for her birthday and was excited to see what whiskey had to offer.
Windsor studying psychology. Being a Windsor native, she knows about Canadian Club, but had never entered the building before the event. It is something she said students should try while they are in the city.
“This is completely new to me, I have never tried these whiskeys,” said Klinck. “I am usually a wine drinker, but you know what, I have to experiment because it is such a great part of Windsor.”
“This is a part of Windsor culture. I didn’t know we had a speakeasy in the basement, I didn’t know any of this stuff,” said Klinck. “Windsor is a gem and it is important for University of Windsor students, and really anyone in Windsor, to know about what we have to offer here.”
Klinck is a student at the University of
Windsor Spinathon Raises Money For Children’s Hospice Programs
BRETTHEDGES Sports Editor __________________________ Thanks to the Windsor Spinathon, the Hospice of Windsor received some much needed help for their wellness programs. Over 120 people participated in the annual Spinathon which had a new home at the St. Clair College SportsPlex this year. People of all different walks of life pledged and helped raise money during the event, which was geared towards funding the 10 wellness programs intended for the many children who use Hospice. In total, Hospice offers 47 different wellness
programs to those in the community. Laura Lemmon is the Hospice Community Events coordinator and she said Hospice was hopeful to raise $30,000 and possibly exceed last year’s total of $38,000. Year in and year out, Lemmon said it is the familiar faces from throughout the community who help make the event such a success but added there are many new faces that come as well.
the-art St. Clair SportsPlex host the event this year but Lemmon said it was easy for the community to embrace the setting. “It was great working with St. Clair to coordinate the event and get everything up and running their for the first time,” said Lemmon. “It’s a great space, it gave us everything we needed.”
“We see a lot of the same faces thanks to the tremendous support of our corporate teams,” said Lemmon. “But there is always a few new faces and we even had a group of six or seven people who spun for the full five hours.”
Lemmon said this particular fundraiser is popular among the fitness community every year and its success sets the tone for a year of fitness oriented-fundraisers such as triathlons and long distance runs in the summer.
A change of setting saw the state-of-
“We’re pleased to have the Spinathon
be successful again this year,” said Lemmon. “We can’t wait to plan it and grow it again next year. Now we’re going to look forward to the summertime schedules for all of our Fitness for Hospice events.” John Fairley, the Vice President of Community Relations at St. Clair College and advocate of Hospice, was influential in the coordination of the event taking place at the SportsPlex. “It’s always a proud moment having the community be a part of an event that supports Hospice,” said Fairley. “We’re also proud of the new facility St. Clair has and to be able to expose it to a few hundred people and their families to allow them to see where our athletes in the community are
training and other things so in two ways it was a great thing.” Fairley said the event was previously hosted at Caesar’s Windsor and St. Clair Centre of the Arts but added having the SportsPlex as a host venue was a good fit for everybody. Fairely hopes the event can grow to fill the bulk of the SportsPlex’s triple-gym so that more funds can be directed toward those 10 specific wellness programs for children at Hospice. “We have a big gym to fill now so we can certainly grow,” said Fairley. “But it’s a good start so we’ll build on top of what we’ve done. We’re glad it’s here at St. Clair and we’re glad to be it’s home.”
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University Singers Shine Through Time Constraints HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________
touches to the spring choral. Householder hopes the students’ efforts are appreciated.
Following the School of Creative Arts’ Spring Choral Celebration, conduction Prof. Richard Householder said they essentially had little time to put it all together.
“These kids worked hard and they came together quickly at the end and pulled it together,” Householder said. “I hope people recognize all the effort that the kids put in, that they were really working hard up there and that they presented a show to the audience that the audience can enjoy.”
“We had only really last week and yesterday to hit these pieces really hard,” Householder said. “We had to leave one movement out of the large work for the Requiem because we ran out of rehearsal time to run it.” More than 30 students consisting of tenors, sopranos, basses and altos took the stage at the Assumption Hall Chapel Apr. 8. The Spring Choral Celebration was among the final performances from the school of arts. According to Householder, the students worked on the beats of the concert on and off for most of the time. The students spent most of the semester with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, working on a musical rendition of the world cinema classic ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’. The concert was Mar. 28, giving the students just over a week to put the finishing
The program consisted of seven pieces, which took up a solid hour. Several of the pieces were accompanied by various instruments namely organ, piano and violin. The program was designed where it deliberately transitioned from traditional pieces to modernized ones. You had something somber and pensive and then you have something fun and cheerful. It was a decision, which ultimately seemed to pay off. “I thought it was very moving and I really liked how it went from old, authentic and international to something modern and fun,” said Kirsten Blok who attended the show. More than 50 people attended the short, but effective concert. The
Baritone Jacob Flynn performs a solo portion of a piece at Assumption Chapel Apr. 8. [Photo by // Hani Yassine] pieces sung were all memorable for different reasons, with every minute well utilized. The time constraints failed to prevent the choral group in
helping make the end of this season a proper closing. “The conductor did a marvelous job,”
said audience member Frank Stratil. “I’m not quite familiar with all the music, but I found it to be very relaxing, very enjoyable and clear.”
University Charity Group is Honored for the Second Year in a Row SAMANTHAFERNANDEZ News Editor __________________________
The Orphan Sponsorship program at the University of Windsor has raised raised $7,000 during charity week, ranking this program the highest in Canada for the second year in a row. The funds raised by the program will now be sent to a charity, which was picked via a voting system during charity week. From there the funds go towards initiatives such as sponsoring orphans, assisting to build sustainable infrastructures and giving clean water to communities in need. Ebstesam Ad Douad, the secretary of the group, said this action oriented organization really thrives on making a difference. “The key to making and sustaining this organization to continue to be successful is the cooperation between executive as well as volunteer members,” said Al Douad. “For my team members and I, this organization is symbolic of those individuals who want to impact the world in an effective and sustainable way.”
During charity week money is raised through different fundraisers such as bake sales, video game competitions, a movie day and dinners hosted by the University of Windsor team. “Most of the money raised for the orphans and needy children is raised during Charity Week a national initiative which relies on innovation and creativity to raise money, with the goal of uniting all the universities from different countries and campuses,” said Al Douad. Ultimately, Al Douad said organizations such as this are great ways for students to get involved in a charity, which works hard to make a difference.
“Students should get involved in volunteer work because it provides them with the opportunity to help others in ways they never imagined,” said Al Douad. “It provides meaning and purpose to one’s life when they are helping others.” If students are interested in volunteering with OSP, they can be contacted at ospwindsor@gmail.com. Volunteers are always needed for Charity Week, which takes place in October.
Two members of the Orphan Sponsorship Program group on campus during Charity Week. [Photo provided special to the Lance]
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APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA
Run For Rocky Continues to Pave the
BRETTHEDGES Sports Editor __________________________
munity information night so parents
The Windsor community rose to the occasion once again to help the funding of gay-straight alliances and to educate the public about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
home.”
The third annual Run for Rocky is a charity five kilometer run/walk inspired by Rocky Campana who passed away in 2012 after attempting to take his own life and has grown considerably since it’s inception. The Campana family, along with the Windsor Pride Community, Education and Resource Center, wanted to share Rocky’s story and help fund gay-straight alliances in the local high school and post-secondary school systems to ensure parents, educators and youth have the knowledge and funding needed to help create safe schools and ensure there is a support system for youth in times of crisis. Nancy Campana is the mother of Rocky and co-founder of the Run For Rocky. Campana said Rocky hoped to pave the path to make a difference while living and she hopes the Run for Rocky is the legacy that will continue to make a significant difference in his absence.
can come out and learn what GSA’s mean and how to be supportive at Colm Holmes is the president of the Windsor Pride Community Education and Resource Center board of directors and said the impact of the Run for Rocky has real life results such as supporting a school to set-up gay-straight alliances and ensuring they have sustainability. “Numerous things come from this but it allows programming at Windsor Pride to be established because of the funds and the community,” said Holmes. “Each year the event has gained momentum and it never ceases to amaze me how many people there are. It is a glimpse and a testament to the community. It’s not just the LGBT community supporting us - it’s businesses, organization and corporations working as allies.” Holmes said the events success is a direct testament to the sense of community in Windsor and the results in local schools speak for themselves. “I see the first hand results, I talk to the youth and I know the support they’re getting from the school setting,” said Holmes. “Knowing there is a space in their school where they don’t have
“Rocky often conversed with us about the needs of a lot of youth experiencing a difficult time coming out,” said Campana. “Not having a comfortable home when they came out and within the education system - teachers who needed to be educated on diversity issues.”
to worry about certain things is vital.
When the Run for Rocky began three years ago, it was used to raise funds for gay-straight alliances in local high schools. Campana said the timing was monumental seeing as Windsor is now the only city in Canada with a funding model geared towards GSA’s - all thanks to the Run for Rocky.
lic High School student and holds the
“What we’re seeing is momentum, the funding model is working,” said Campana. “Last year we had three school teams out here, this year we have 15. So the money is going into our high schools. The youth see it working. We’ve educated educators this year through funding and Sandwich high school is hosting a com-
suffer from depression due to bully-
School can be intimidating and is a challenging time and to know that there are teachers, staff and administration and a whole community behind you lets them know it’s okay to be different.” Chelsea Girard is a St. Joseph’s Cathotitle of Miss Teen Canada United Nations. Girard is a first-time participant of the five kilometer run/walk and said the anti-bullying platform of the event really sparked her interest to get involved. “So many people I know who are gay ing during their transition of coming out,” said Girard. “I think this is a great event because not only do they get to come support each other but other people from the community get to learn about how they can help in their community and accept these people.”
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Way For Local Gay-Straight Alliances
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Concert Held Mix of Aspiring and Seasoned Musicians
HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________
It was a night of collaboration, variety and special appearances. The University Wind Ensemble teamed up with W.F. Herman’s concert band and the bands of the Walkerville Collegiate of Creative Arts for a two hour concert at Walkerville high school Apr. 10. Presented by UWindsor’s School of Creative Arts, the event showcased plenty of talent from students within secondary and post-secondary backgrounds. “We’re really, really happy to be here, we haven’t performed on the Walkerville stage for quite a long time, and its been really wonderful to share the stage with both the Herman group as well as the Walkerville group,” said concert producer and operations manager Trevor Pittman. The program kicked off with the university collaborating with Herman’s band. They performed Samuel Hazo’s ‘Drums of the Saamis’, a piece with a distinct tribal melody which chronicles a union between First Nations and modern Albertan cultures.
The WCCA and director Amanda Sands then took the stage for the remainder of the concert’s first half, ending with a premiere performance of ‘Onward!’ citing a personal connection behind the piece.
“Just over the March break our beloved librarian passed away and when we had our rehearsal after March break, knowing he wasn’t here with us, ‘Onward’ came to take on a different meaning. How are we going to move onward?” Sands said. The concert’s second half was solely from the University Wind Ensemble with Dr. Nick Papador at the helm. It was during this half when hornist Jeff Nelson took the stage and began performing with the ensemble. As the evening’s special guest, Nelson is best known for playing with the well-reputed Canadian Brass for a number of years and has played across five different continents. He was also in the area to host a workshop the following Saturday afternoon, which was about overcoming the fears of live performances. “He is a true outlier unlike few others in the area of performance and performance practice. His philosophy on Fearless Performance has resulted
Director Amanda Sands performed with the WCCA’s concert band at Walkerville high school Apr. 10. [Photo by // Hani Yassine] in TED Talks and a ground breaking series of workshops,” said Papador as he introduced Nelson. More than 100 people of all ages attended the concert. In between the
different sets of music, the amount of musicians playing and the heralded special guest, the show led to a memorable night for most.
Great opportunity to have someone from the Canadian Brass actually here. That’s just famous all across the board,” said audience member and UWindsor alumni Brian Harrison. “Overall, a very good night.”
Last Free Symphony Concert Ends on a Grand Note
HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________
It was held at the same time and place, and had the same duration, but there were plenty more musicians. For the final time, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra held a free concert at the Star News Café Apr. 8. Free concerts in the past usually consisted of a quartet of five musicians. This time there were 21 members of the WSO staff all dressed up and ready to play. “We were preparing the program already this week, and so we asked if it were possible to fit 21 in here. We came over, measured it, it was, so we’re excited to bring this over today,” said WSO music director Robert Franz. The 21-person orchestra consisted of string, wind and brass players. The roughly 45 minute concert consisted mainly of four movements from
“I thought it was an excellent concert.
a Mozart symphony, followed by some pop tunes like the Pink Panther theme and a Wizard of Oz medley. Franz said in having the audience so close to a large pack of musicians, it increases the immersion into the music being played.
“I like the idea of the audience being as close as possible to us,” Franz said. “For the audience, it’s a surround sound experience and it’s like they’re sitting here in the orchestra.” The café was fairly packed with people wanting to see a show and those on their laptops trying to get some work done. But as soon as the first note played, everyone’s eyes diverted to the orchestra, as their performance at the least brought a brief moment of reprieve. “I haven’t been to a concert in about 15 years. It was a nice surprise, unexpected. The musicians played really well I thought,” said Parnian Gorjizadeh, one of the attendees who wasn’t
The WSO’s free concert series at the Star News Cafe ended with a 21-musician performance Apr. 8. [Photo by // Hani Yassine] aware of the concert prior to.
concerts over the summer may be in
son with upcoming shows from their
With the end of the free concert series at the Star Café, plans to have outdoor
development. But in the meantime
Masterworks, Pops and Intimate
the WSO will be continuing the sea-
Classics series’.
APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA //
Express Win Game 7 Big, Advance To Second Straight NBL Canada Finals BRETTHEDGES Sports Editor __________________________ For the second straight year, the Windsor Express are headed to the National Basketball League of Canada Finals. After trailing 3-1 to the Brampton A’s in the series, Windsor battled back to win three straight games, culminating with a 120-101 victory in game seven. Chris Commons finished with a team high 26 points while Tony Bennett added 24. Now the Express will face the Halifax Rainmen for the NBL Canada championship with games one and two being hosted in Windsor Apr. 15 and 17 at the WFCU Centre. Express head coach Bill Jones said in the end the better team always wins a seven-game series and said Brampton was the better team early in the series. “Early on, we were playing as individuals,” said Jones. “Once we got together as a team, they went out and showed that we are the best team in the league during the regular season and we were the best team in this series.” The Express scored 37 points in the first quarter and 38 more in the second to take a 75-41 lead at halftime as Windsor cruised to victory and clinched their second straight NBL Canada Central division title.
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Windsor came out of the gates firing and scored the first six points before Brampton threw their first punch and tied the game at 15-15. From there, the Express pushed forward on a 22-7 run to finish the first quarter up 37-22. Windsor’s Commons and Brampton’s Zane Johnson carried their teams in the first, with Commons dropping nine first quarter points while Johnson went five-for-five from behind the arc for 15 of the A’s points. The Express kept the pedal down, extending their lead to as many as 35 points and closing out the first half with a massive 75-41 advantage. Commons said it was Windsor’s hardworking demeanor and it’s team-first mentality which allowed the team to come back from a 3-1 deficit. “In this locker room, it’s all love, we play for one another,” said Commons. “We’ve got the greatest fans here in Windsor and it’s something about Windsor that says we don’t quit. We didn’t feel like being down 3-1 was the biggest crater because some of us had been here before. We came and fought for the last three games and now we’re back to the finals.” Brampton showed they weren’t going away quietly, outscoring Windsor 2917 in the third quarter, cutting their deficit to 22 and working it down to as low as 14 points. From there
The Windsor Express won the National Basketball League of Canada Central Divison after defeating the Brampton A’s in a best of seven series. [Photo by // Kevin Jarrold] Windsor never let the A’s get closer as they closed out their second Central Division title in a row. A’s head coach David Magley said he was proud of his team for taking the defending NBL Canada champions to a seventh and deciding game but blamed himself for Windsor’s big first half which ultimately sealed his team’s fate. “I over-thought the defensive adjust-
ments early and that hurt us,” said Magley. “Totally a coaching mistake, not the players. Windsor gave us all they had, I made some mistakes and they really took advantage of it.” The victory continues a shocking trend of success in elimination games for the Express franchise. According to Jones, elimination games come down to taking care of business when your back is against
the wall. “We come out with that intensity and that tenacity to get a lead and then cruised to victory,” said Jones. “In the second half the clock wasn’t moving fast enough but we clinched our second straight division title and that’s huge for me in my development as a coach. That’s important to me that I can coach a team out of a 3-1 deficit and a win our division. Now it’s time to go win another championship.”
A Charming, Hilarious Close to the Year
HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________ Gumption is the word of ‘The Nerd’, the two act comedy written by Larry Shue. The play revolves itself around an awkward situation in between telling a story about selfishness and selflessness, as a man spends a lot of time serving the needs and wants of others at the expense of his own happiness. It’s very easy to feel for a man like the play’s central character, Willum Cubbert. He’s an earnest individual under difficult circumstances. His job as an architect is unrewarding as he mainly appeases to the demands of Warnock Waldgrave, his obnoxious boss. His friends include Axel Hammond, a pretentious critic who reviews plays before even seeing them. He has deep, requited feelings for Tansy McGinnis, who’s about to leave his life for a job in Washington. He’s a kindhearted person failing to take control of his own fate and it’s later put to a serious test the second Rick Steadman comes into his life.
According to Willum early in, Steadman was the man who saved his life during his time as a draftsman in Vietnam. This makes him feel obligated to have his door open for him at any time of need. It’s during a dinner party with friends when Steadman makes an unannounced entrance and things quickly go downhill from there. A man so oblivious to his surroundings, saying and doing unwelcoming things, Steadman is an accident always waiting to happen. But due to the life debt Willum feels he has to repay, it would not be right of him to turn him away, even if he knows he should. Between the heartfelt tone and playful humor there’s a real story about how the actions of others are able to have a profound impact of how we live our lives. Steadman makes Will’s life miserable, yet he tolerates it because he owes him his life. But why purposefully keep things around you’d be happier without? The University Players’ production
of the play does a wondrous job expressing these pondering questions through the unfolding scenarios. But it also lets you admire the other layers of the work. As the play takes place entirely in Willum’s home, the company did a fine job in ensuring a beautifully crafted set paired with a lovely scenic design of the late 1970s. There’s a compelling aura which makes it feel authentic, like a home instead of a prop on the stage. But of course, it would be for nothing if not for the performers. Each actor does an excellent job bringing their respective character to light, however if there are to be spotlights, they belong to Andrew Iles and Isaiah Kolundzic. Kolundzic doesn’t just get under your skin as Steadman, he slithers. His mannerisms and timing both attribute towards making this character deeply insufferable in all the best ways. This greatly contrasts to Iles’ performances as Willum, making him a character you want to succeed. He perfectly illuminates the good-natured aspects of the charac-
The University Players close out their year with a production of ‘The Nerd’, which will go from April 10 to 19 at the Essex Hall Theatre. [Photo by // David Court] ter, as well as his ability to mask a great
note. Hilarious as advertised, it’s a
effort in tolerating Steadman.
fantastic time in the theatre, and one
Simply put, ‘The Nerd’ finds the Uni-
well worth seeing by the year’s final
versity Players going out on a high
curtain call on April 19.
4.5
5
10 //
APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA
Teaching the Teachers on Technology
HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________ Teachers who spend most of their weekdays teaching their students took some time over the weekend to learn a thing or two themselves. The St. Clair Centre for the Arts played host to the 2015 Microsoft Summit Apr. 11. Between pre-school and high school, about 100 teachers attended the event in hopes they develop new and interesting ways to incorporate technology within their lesson plans. “It’s not as easy as just throwing in a computer, they have to understand how to integrate it into the curriculum and how do we make it relevant without making it a toy?,” said event organizer Kate Taylor. Laptops and tablets were being lent out to teachers who are be able to follow along with what would be presented by the day’s keynote speakers. With summits held across Ontario, teachers attempt to use Microsoft applications and solutions to better serve the needs of their students. The idea is to show them how this technology can pave the road to a bright future. “Microsoft Office is the most commonly demanded skill set across the country,” said Karen Truyeas, a Microsoft education account executive who works with school boards
LearnSTYLE CEO and keynote speaker DJ Cunningham speaks to a room full of teachers at the 2015 Microsoft Summit held at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts Apr. 11. [Photo by // Hani Yassine] across Ontario. “When you look at enterprise businesses that are looking to hire students, they are looking for office skills more than anything else.” Among the keynote speakers was LearnSTYLE CEO DJ Cunningham, who spoke on the relevance of tech-
nology and how it plays a large role for 21st century students. “Technology is absolutely changing the way we do things, and there’s always a huge cause and effect that is happening,” Cunningham said. “We are in the midst of a digital boom
right now.” With the summit being for just one day, Truyeas ultimately hopes teachers will have grasped at least one or two new tricks to share to their students and brighten their minds further.
“We want to make sure that everybody gets a good understanding of what the tools are and how they can help them in the classroom,” Truyeas said. “For them to walk way today with one or two pieces they’ll be able to take and show their students.”
Leddy Library Recognizes National Poetry Month
HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________ It could be a limerick, a haiku or mere words on a page. Either way, it’s the celebration of text in all of its artistic glory. National Poetry Month is being celebrated well throughout April, first organized by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. The purpose of the month is to raise awareness and appreciation of the wordsmithing which goes into poetry. One way the Leddy Library is celebrating it is by a collage of different poems all chosen by university members. “One of the things I wanted to do is draw attention to poetry and the kind of role it plays in people’s lives,” said Heidi Jacobs, information literacy librarian at Leddy. “When I asked staff members and faculty, they really liked poetry but they were really excited to go back and read things
about what their favorite poems were and why they liked them. Sometimes they had personal and emotional connections to a poem.” This is the second year Leddy recognized the month. People’s favorite poets and poems are showcased across a board on the library’s main floor, showing what a student’s favorite piece of work is and why he or she likes it. Some of the poets highlighted include William Shakespeare, Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Poetry to go is also available, where anyone can pick up a colored piece of paper from a designated stand. Those sheets carry small excerpts from the poems chosen from the students and faculty. As the month of April on campus is usually one of studying and finality, Jacobs hopes the poems can at least offer a bit of a breather. “You want to give students something to think about other than exams,” Jacobs said.
A collage of different poems forming a tree take up part of the poetry board at the Leddy Library Apr. 10. [Photo by // Hani Yassine]
Eating for Performance APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA //
BOBBYJOKEATS News Intern __________________________ Students are being encouraged to eat healthy in order to boost their performance and manage exam time stress. Eating regular meals and getting proper nutrition is not always easy for students. Between studying, attending classes and writing exams, students may lose sight of the effect their diet has on their education. During exams, many students are likely to snack on food from vending machines, skip meals or consume excessive amounts of caffeine. Lauren Fleming, a registered dietician at the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre compares food to fuel. She said food is like fuel for the body and the brain and in order to keep them working at peak performance, having the right food and proper amount is important. “Considering where the fuel is coming from is also important,” said Fleming. “Students tend to focus on a lot of sugar foods, coffees and energy drinks during exam time which can give you a short term energy boost, followed by a crash. Too much caffeine can send the brain into overdrive causing some feeling of anxiety, while too much sugar can also lead to release of hormones that can cause drowsiness.” Junk food can also be addictive and can change the way in which the human body naturally operates. According to Public Health Ontario, the impact of unhealthy eating costs Ontario billions of dollars in health-care spending each year, a reported $2.9 billion in the year 2011. In the year 2013, it was reported that $6 billion were spend in health care costs related to obesity. Many grade schools feature breakfast programs, recognizing the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. When a person eats for performance, their concentration is improved and they are more likely to retain information. Eating healthy can also stabilize a person’s mood, increase their energy throughout the day and sleep
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better at night. Jake Murphy, a 21-year-old St. Clair College student believes maintaining a healthy diet should be every student’s priority. He pays close attention to what he eats and drinks and keeps a regular fitness routine, which he believes contributes to his overall performance in school. “I drink lots of water,” said Murphy. “I like to drink fusion water. The body and brain is filled with water and you need it to function properly. When your body is functioning right, it increases your ability to learn. I also make sure get enough Omega-3 because it helps the brain function better and will help to boost memory.” One way students can ensure they are eating for performance is by carefully reading food labels. Students may fail to notice the suggested serving size on certain food and may be ingesting two or more times as much of the ingredients printed on the label. Eating for performance is nothing new to former Windsor Lancer Football Athlete Chad Cossette. He is currently a Certified Nutritional and Weight Loss Specialist, as well as a Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. Cossette said since everything a person eats affects their performance, it’s important to maintain a healthy balanced diet of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. He encourages people to eat food that is not made in factories and processed into boxes or cans. “Pay attention to portion control,” said Cossette. “Measure everything. That’s the only way to know exactly what is going into your body. When you measure it, you’re able to control it. Get in a habit for a minimum of three weeks weighing and portioning your food. Then you will have a much better understanding of proper portion sizes while controlling your intake.” Cossette said while it is important to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, diet is critical to experiencing the results of physical activity. “Avoid bread, sweets, sodas and most processed carbohydrates” said Cos-
St. Clair College student Eugenio Mandoza purchases a snack from a vending machine at the MediaPlex Apr. 10. Students often choose the convenience of easily accessible snacks rather than focusing on the nutritional benefits of healthy eating. [Photo by // Bobby-Jo Keats] sette. “Excessive consumption of these causes an insulin spike and can lead to hyperinsulinism, which has been positively linked with obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, mood dysfunction, and a plethora of other disease and disability. Also, keep the majority of your
daily food consumption to meat and vegetables. Choose organic, grass fed or free range whenever possible.” Since our bodies work in such a way that we require a certain amount of vitamins and nutrients in our diet, student choosing to eat for performance experience better overall health. This
includes increased energy and mental alertness throughout the day and a better quality of sleep. This can help to reduce stress, which is of particular benefit to students preparing for exams. All of which pays homage to the accuracy of the saying... healthy body, healthy mind.
12 //
APRIL 16 2O15 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA
Cooking Up Trouble, and Some Support HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________ It’s a show about friendship, personal chaos and professional conflicts and it’s one which may need some of your help. The minds behind the local web dramedy ‘Cooked’ launched a crowdfunding campaign Apr. 12. The show puts a focal point on a man and his dysfunctional group of friends who work together in a pub. It’s some parts ‘Waiting’, a hint of ‘Workaholics’ and a dash of ‘Shameless’.
“They fight, they cry, they laugh, they get into so much trouble,” said writer and producer Joel Boyce. The campaign was officially launched at the Dominion House Tavern, where a large part of the show is produced. The producers and creative staff are seeking a total of $25,000 as shown on their Kickstarter page, having 30 days to obtain said amount. The page also provides several details from what the series is about to how the funds will be dispersed. The money allotted will go towards finishing touches to the 40 minute
pilot and four 22 minute episodes. These finishing touches include editing, colour and music composition, audio production and distribution. “We have almost 200 fans on our Facebook page,” said producer Brent Bondy who also acts in the show. “Do a little bit of math, if each person on our Facebook page gave us just $10, we’d almost be at our goal. If everyone on our Facebook page gave us $20, we’d have exceeded our goal.” The Kickstarter project was accompanied by a short video which showed the cast of characters going
CJAM’s Top 30 // Albums Charts by Murad Erzinclioglu Music Director . CJAM 99.1 FM
More Info? earshot-online.com & cjam.ca * Indicates Canadian Artist 1 BADBADNOTGOOD & GHOSTFACE KILLAH - Sour Soul (Lex)
2 HUMANS* - Noontide (Hybridity Music) 3 FATHER JOHN MISTY - I Love You, Honeybear (Sub Pop) 4 QUITAPENAS - Quitapenas (Mas Tropical) 5 YABRA* - Yabra (Self-Released) 6 SUUNS* - Suuns & Jerusalem in my heart (Secret City) 7 VARIOUS* - Urbnet: Underground Hip Hop Vol.8 (Urbnet) 8 TWIN RIVER* - Should the light go out (Light Organ) 9 C AND C SURF FACTORY* - Garage City (Six Shooter) 10 SHRED KELLY* - Sing To The Night (Self-Released) 11 ECCODEK* - Remixing In Tongues (Big Mind) 12 BIG DICK* - Disappointment (Dirt Cult) 13 A/B TRIO* - Out West (Chronograph) 14 MILK & BONE* - Little Mourning (Bonsound) 15 PURITY RING* - Another Eternity (Last Gang) 16 ANDY CLOCKWORK* - Scronk (East Van Digital) 17 COURTNEY BARNETT - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit (Mom + Pop)
18 CHASTITY BELT - Time to Go Home (Hardly Art) 19 JD MCPHERSON - Let the Good Times Roll (Rounder) 20 LARRY CORBAN - Heavy Feel (Wide Hive) 21 SECKOU KEITA - 22 Strings (Self-Released) 22 SONGHOY BLUES - Music In Exile (Transgressive) 23 KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW* - Bad News Boys (In The Red) 24 SHLOHMO - Dark Red (True Panther) 25 JESSICA PRATT - On Your Own Love Again (Drag City) 26 THE PRODIGY - The Day Is My Enemy (Warner-Three Six Zero) 27 CANCER BATS* - Searching For Zero (Metal Blade) 28 YOUNG GUV* - Ripe 4 Luv (Slumberland) 29 MOTHER MOTHER* - Very Good Bad Thing (Universal) 30 KATHRYN CALDER* - Kathryn Calder (File Under: Music (FU:M))
about their day in a single shot. This idea was directed by Jakob Skrzypa, a fourth year communications student at the University of Windsor. He initially became attached to the project following a successful acting audition. “I thought it would be kind of cool to do a single one shot that kind of introduces all the characters, shows the atmosphere, the restaurant and all that,” Skrzypa said. So far the campaign is moving at a steady rate, garnering more than $3000 with a good few weeks still on the clock. Ultimately, Boyce has
big plans for ‘Cooked’, which is being described much more as a labour of love. He believes it can be the next big series, hoping to land it on steaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. He also thinks the local connections will serve as a big hook for those in the city. “We’re showing a lot of local landmarks, local businesses, local talent, local music. Everything local,” Boyce said. “We want people to get hooked on ‘Cooked’.”