SPORTS
ROWING
Double gold for Mustangs… p.8
www.westerngazette.ca
thegazette
MANAGING MIDTERM STRESS
Midterms prompt policy discussion
CRAM CITY. Students currently facing three midterms within 23 hours cannot request alternative arrangements according to Western policy.
Increased workload sees rise in demand for psychological services
By Shreya Tekriwal
Gazette Staff
As midterms and assignments pile
up for many students, Western’s
administration is looking into the
implications of altering its policy on
tests and examinations outside the
exam period.
Under current policies, students
may request alternative arrange-
ments if they are scheduled to write
more than two examinations in a
23-hour period.
However, this policy does not
apply to midterm tests. Therefore,
students with three midterms with-
in 23 hours may not be able to
request alternate accommodations
in accordance with the policy.
“There is a difference in termi-
nology. People refer to midterms as
exams but the [accurate] terminol-
ogy for that is tests,” Lee Ann Wil-
son, team leader of examination
services at Western, said.
Despite classifications, the
demand of midterms is a notice-
able issue, according to Dan Moul-
ton, vice-president university
affairs for the University Students’
Council,
“I think that’s obviously a con-
cern for students, because when it
comes to midterms, the workload
seems to increase more and more
A&E
RAH RAH
Confetti and pop rocks at Blackshire … p.6
WESTERN’S DAILY STUDENT NEWSPAPER • EST.1906 • VOLUME 103, ISSUE 32
every year,” Moulton said.
One student senator has
brought the issue to the attention of
John Doerksen, vice-provost acade-
mic programs and students at
Western.
Ray Park, the USC undergradu-
ate senator-at-large who contacted
Doerksen, voiced his concern for
student constituents.
“There is no real difference
between final exams and midterm
exams in my opinion,” Park said.
“[In most cases], midterm exams
are worth just as much as final
exams.”
“During midterms, you are even
more stressed because you have
other work going on at the same
time […] like assignments [and]
extra-curricular [activities],” Jaclyn
Vertes, a third-year social science
student, said. “Often exams are on
the exact same amount of material
as midterms.”
Doerksen explained one of the
challenges in changing policy is
that, while the registrar’s office
oversees the three in 23 hours poli-
cy for final exams, midterms are the
responsibility of each faculty.
To help with midterm stress,
some universities have initiated fall
reading weeks; however, Western
has not followed suit.
While Park believed the policy
... tired of covering strikes since 1906
changes should be passed without
much discussion, he did not feel
Western’s administration will be
implementing a fall reading week.
“Senate policy requires a mini-
mum number of days for a term.
And so if we were to implement a
fall reading week then that would
mean an earlier start to the term or
a later ending,” Doerksen added.
“We are hopeful that the Univer-
sity will recognize that the stresses
of academics are not limited to the
exam period […] and that they are
incredibly difficult during the
midterms [as well],” Moulton
added.
According to Gail Hutchinson,
director of the Student Develop-
ment Centre, all programs includ-
ing psychological services face an
increase in demand during
midterms.
“Midterms have put me behind
in every single class by three
weeks,” Vertes added, while
emphasizing the greater impor-
tance of applying the policy to
midterms over final exams.
Additionally, the examination
policy requires final exams to be in
a consecutive order.
“I have five final exams in six
days. [The academic counsellors]
are not going to do anything about
it,” Vertes said. “They said there are
NEWS
ANOTHER POSSIBLE STRIKE
This time at U of T … p.3
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
Latest LTC
offer declined
USC keeping tabs on
transit negotiations
By Meagan Kashty
Gazette Staff
London transit workers rejected
their company’s final offer on Tues-
day, leaving the London Transit
Commission dispute unresolved.
Amalgamated Transit Union
Local 471, a representative of the
LTC’s staff, referred to a 94 per cent
rejection rate of the offer made.
“It gave us a chance to express
how dissatisfied we were and
express a democracy to vote, yes or
no,” John Gillet, vice-president of
Local 471, said.
He added while workers have
not come to an agreement, they will
continue to work regular hours as
they have in the past couple of days.
However, employees are refusing to
work voluntary overtime.
Gillet pointed out some preva-
lent misconceptions of transit
workers, particularly the belief they
are city workers.
“We don’t receive any of the ben-
efits that city workers receive,” Gillet
noted. “We wanted to be compared
to other transit workers and what
they receive and what they do.”
According to Gillet, the ridership
Brett Higgs/Gazette in Guelph is in the neighbourhood
of 12 million passengers a year,
whereas the ridership in London is
between 23 and 24 million. Guelph
transit workers, however, make
roughly $1 more per hour.
He added Hamilton transit
workers make about $3 more.
Threats of a strike have left
many students aggravated with the
“We are hopeful that idea they will have to find their own
the University will way to school, but the University
Students’ Council is maintaining
recognize that the contact with the LTC in order to be
updated on any new information.
stresses of acade- “We [are] continuing to liaise
with LTC to get the latest info from
mics are not limited negotiations,” Dan Moulton, USC
vice-president university affairs,
to the exam period said. “Our primary concern is that
students get to campus,” he added.
[…] and that they are Gillet was quick to point out a
incredibly difficult strike is not the first option for the
union.
during the midterms “At this present time, we want to
keep working,” Gillet said. “We
[as well].” understand it’s an essential service
— Dan Moulton and students have to get to their
USC vice-president university affairs
exams. We understand it’s very
important.”
While negotiations are not cur-
rently taking place, the union has
expressed they are willing to meet
still a few hours between each exam with management at any time and
[…] do they not want us to sleep?” look at another offer.
While Moulton characterized “What we would really like is just
the current examination policy as a starting point to start getting some
fair and appropriate, he felt it still of those benefits,” Gillet concluded.
required some work. “We’re just looking for a starting
Doerksen noted Western would point and getting basic benefits.”
be looking into the implications of London transit’s management
applying examination policy to could not be reached for comment
midterms. by press time.
 P2 ➤ news
NEWSBRIEFS
Vandervoort recognized
Tony Vandervoort, a Western health
sciences professor, received a sur-
prise at the end of last week, as he
learned he would be the recipient
of an esteemed award for his
research in the field of aging.
Vandervoort has been conduct-
ing research at Western for 25 years,
studying the benefits of exercise
programs on the physical effects of
aging. The Herbert A. de Vries
Research Award he will receive
comes from a large American orga-
nization representing educators in
the physical and health fields.
“I’m delighted by it and a little
bit humbled to be amongst a list of
puzzle solution from
page 7
USS and The Scenario
[Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker]
Friday, October 30
Show starts 9:30 pm (doors open 8:30 pm)
LONDON MUSIC HALL
185 Queens Avenue •519-432-1107
Tickets $15
Get them online at:
www.londonmusichall.com
091029
www.ticketscene.ca/events/1275
A benefit concert for Wellspring Cancer Support Centre
GREAT SHOW • GREAT CAUSE
theGazette • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
outstanding researchers who’ve
received it in the past,” Vandervoort
said. Recognition from an Ameri-
can organization for studies done at
a Canadian university is an impor-
tant factor for Vandervoort.
“When I accept this award, I’ll be
acknowledging a large group of stu-
dents and faculty, colleagues and
administrators to whom I feel
indebted for supporting our research
over these past 25 years,” he said.
Vandervoort highlighted the
supportive environment Western
has for such research — specifical-
ly the team of graduate students
who have conducted studies with
him at the Canadian Centre for
Activity and Aging at Western.
“It’s like I’m accepting on behalf
of the group,” he said humbly. He
will be receiving the award in
March of 2010.
—Allie Fonarev
Man stabbed downtown
A 24-year-old man was stabbed fol-
lowing a confrontation on a Lon-
don Transit Commission bus.
The victim was involved in an
altercation with four other people
while riding the bus last Monday
and was followed by the group after
exiting near Dundas and Richmond
Streets. The victim was stabbed at
the intersection at approximately
7:15 p.m.
“It is unusual to have something
happen where there are lots of peo-
ple and during the daylight,” said
Amy Phillipo, media relations offi-
cer for London Police Services.
According to Phillipo, London
police originally sought the arrest of
four suspects, but arrested only one
17-year-old male on Tuesday night.
Upon further investigation, police
determined the man arrested was
the only person responsible for the
stabbing. He is charged with aggra-
vated assault, two counts of posses-
sion of a dangerous weapon, utter-
ing threats and assault with a
weapon.
— Ora Morison
Bomb hoax at York
A bomb threat called in to York Uni-
versity on Tuesday afternoon pre-
vented a number of students from
writing their midterm exams.
Two buildings were evacuated
around 3:00 p.m. following the
phone call and students as well as
staff were allowed to re-enter
roughly two hours later. According
to officials, the quick resumption of
class and work did not mean the
event was insignificant.
“A hoax such as this takes
resources away from the communi-
ty, both in the form of fire personnel
and police and, in this case, it dis-
rupted traffic,” Alex Bilyk, director
of media relations for York, said.
Bilyk noted similar hoaxes
appear to be more frequent during
exam periods, but did not confirm
the most recent prank was per-
formed to avoid an exam. He
lamented the inconvenience
caused to students who were pre-
pared for their exams and worried
the York community may not take
threats seriously if hoaxes become
more common.
“It is our obvious hope that who-
ever is responsible will be caught. If
it is a student, expulsion will be the
least of their problems. A criminal
act such as this merits full punish-
ment,” Bilyk said.
— Ora Morison
The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X
equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apos-
trophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.
© 2002 by Kings Features Syndicate, Inc.
091029
We Offer Student Discounts
Who’s Taking You to the Airport?
519-673-6804 or 1-800-265-4948
Book On-line: www.robertq.com Airbus
Happy
Serving Toronto and Detroit Airports Halloween!
3-DAY WEATHER FORECAST
Thursday Friday Saturday
Cloudy with sunny breaks Light rain Cloudy with sunny breaks
High 12ºC High 16ºC High 9ºC
Low 8ºC Low 12ºC Low 5ºC

Thirty per cent of U of T
undergrad teachers set to strike
Wages, job security and research on bargaining table
By Mike Hayes
Gazette Staff
Another Ontario university may
soon find its operations severely
impacted by a strike.
Sessional instructors at the Uni-
versity of Toronto have voted them-
selves into a legal strike position.
On Nov. 9, members of the
Canadian Union of Public Employ-
ees local 3902 will be able to strike.
The union represents part-time lec-
turers and instructors who teach
approximately 30 per cent of U of
T’s undergraduate courses.
Mikael Swayze, the staff repre-
sentative for CUPE local 3902, cited
three main sources of contention for
the union going into negotiations:
wages, job security and research.
Most of the University’s bargain-
ing units were in negotiations last
year before, during, and after the
economic crisis, Swayze said. He
noted that even with the financial
troubles, most groups were given
annual increases of around three
per cent.
“Now, [U of T] is coming to the
bargaining unit and saying 1.5 per
cent for three years,” Swayze said.
“Our members are only paid on
average about $15,000 a year.”
He noted the discrepancy in
wages was especially visible when
U of T was compared to Ryerson
and York universities.
Sessional instructors at U of T
only organized under a union rela-
tively recently, compared to Ryer-
son and York’s units who organized
Interested in journalism?
Gazette News has openings for
writers and interns.
Visit Rm. 263 and talk to
managing editor Jaela Bernstien
theGazette • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
in the 1970s. “We’ve been playing
catch-up ever since,” Swayze said.
Sessional instructors at U of T
should not pay a premium to
work at the school, he added.
“Especially when our full-time
faculty members are paid much
more than their counterparts at
York or Ryerson.”
Another issue brought forward
was job security. Under current
conditions, sessional instructors
must reapply for their positions
every four to eight months, making
it difficult to count on long-term
work in Swayze’s eyes.
“It’d be great if we had the same
job security as a Wal-Mart worker or
a Tim Hortons coffee slinger,”
Swayze quipped. “We’re not even
talking about the same job security
as a civil servant or a professor.”
The union’s final grievance con-
cerns research assistance. While the
University provides full-time facul-
ty with resources for their research,
sessional instructors are required to
do research work on their own time
and out of their own pocket.
“[Under the current model]
there is no conference funding, no
grants to do research, no support
for subscriptions to academic jour-
nals,” Swayze said.
Laurie Stephens, director of
media relations for the U of T,
explained the school would not
comment on issues currently under
discussion.
“The University is committed to
getting a fair and balanced result
from negotiations,” Stephens said.
news ➤ P3
CUPE 3902 DEMANDS
MSA BREAST CANCER DAY
List of issues in dispute for the
union fall into three groups:
WAGES
• Members allegedly earn only
$15,000 a year while carrying a large
teaching load
• Proposed raise of 3.5 per cent first
year followed by a 3 per cent increase
the following two years
• Wage increase would be accom-
panied by a four per cent market
adjustment
• U of T is offering a 1.5 per cent
wage increase over three years
JOB SECURITY
Maria Samhouri/Gazette
• Union wants a change from current
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Members of the Muslim Students’ Association
system where members must reapply
met on Wednesday wearing pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
for jobs every four to eight months
RESEARCH
• Members should have access to
the same research resources granted
to full-time faculty AT TENTION
STUDENTS USING
LSAT MCAT
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
GMAT GRE WITH DISABILITIES
Preparation Seminars
We would like to remind you that you must meet with
• Complete 30-Hour Seminars
a counsellor at Services for Students with Disabilities
• Convenient Weekend Schedule (SSD), in the Student Development Services, to
• Proven Test-Taking Strategies arrange academic accommodation for your 2009
• Experienced Course Instructors fall/winter courses.
• Comprehensive Study Materials
• Simulated Practice Exams If you have not yet requested accommodation for your
• Limited Class Size courses, and you wish to use accommodation for
• Free Repeat Policy December 2009 exams, you must meet with a
• Personal Tutoring Available counsellor by Wednesday, November 18th.
• Thousands of Satisfied Students Accommodation for December 2009 exams cannot be
arranged by Exam Services if requested after this date.
OXFORD SEMINARS
1-800-269-6719 To book your appointment
416-924-3240 please call 519-661-2147
www.oxfordseminars.ca 091029
P4 ➤ opinions theGazette • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

thegazette Volume 103, issue 32

“Well, you see, Siegfried, I thought it would be a lot easier to study for
tomorrow’s exam if I had a copy of it tonight.”
— MAXWELL SMART IN GET SMART

Ryan Hendrick Carly Conway Jaela Bernstien

Editor-In-Chief Deputy Editor Managing Editor

Editor - gazette.editor@uwo.ca
Deputy - gazette.deputy.editor@uwo.ca
Managing - gazette.managing.editor@uwo.ca
website at www.westerngazette.ca
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Editorial Offices: (519) 661-3580, Fax: (519) 661-3825

The Gazette is owned and published by the University Students’ Council.

Education vs.
Memorization
As anxious students fill the libraries and struggle through LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
midterm season, the stress on campus is palpable. Espe-
cially at an institution that boasts “academic excellence”
like Western, there’s no doubt students should work hard
for their degrees. However, is the University demanding too
Librarians, archivists Did you know?
much of its students?
Technically, university should be preparing us for
meeting the demands and rigours of adult life. However,
stand in solidarity In the spirit of Halloween, the Gazette
looks back this week at the haunted
happenings of one of the city’s most
collegial expectations have little application to life in the beloved theatre houses.
“real world.” Teaching students time management skills is An open letter to President Amit Chak- These highly trained and highly edu- London locals are likely familiar
one thing, but earning a respectable grade should not ma and the Board of Governors: cated professionals are experts in their with the story of Ambrose Small —
require one or two all-nighters in a row. In late September, 88 per cent of the field. They provide the student body, as the big shot theatre entrepreneur
Western Senate policy allows students to file an appeal librarians and archivists at the University well as faculty and staff with an inim- from Toronto whose mysterious dis-
if more than two exams are scheduled within 23 hours; of Western Ontario authorized their union itable wealth of academic expertise. Our appearance and reported haunting
however, this rule does not apply to midterms. This to initiate strike proceedings. The 55 librarians and archivists are the heart of have fascinated people for years. The
means students are often faced with deadlines for exams, librarians and archivists at Western have the university: facilitating the flow of story begins in 1901 when Small
assignments and essays all in a tight period of time — been without a contract since July 1. The scholarly information and research moved to the sleepy town of London,
along with having to balance their daily class schedules reasons for this decision are three-fold: throughout the University and its affili- Ontario and soon acquired owner-
and other commitments. First, the librarians and archivists ates. Additionally, these individuals are ship of the Grand Theatre, which still
A manager would never expect employees to complete wish to ensure they receive fair job eval- highly respected mentors and role mod- stands on Richmond Row today.
several varied, highly challenging and rigidly timed tasks uations conducted by their peers in els for the students in Canada’s leading Legend has it, following a series of
within 24 hours — likewise, a university should never do order to continue to develop as profes- Library and Information Science pro- failed attempts to produce a successful
the same. sionals, academics and educators. gram at Western. theatrical show, Small deposited a mil-
Admittedly, studying at Western is supposed to be a Secondly, they are calling for The librarians and archivists have lion-dollar cheque into his bank
challenge. We regard ourselves as among the best institu- increased job security. This would pro- stridently kept pace with the rapid tech- account, had lunch with his wife, left
tions in North America because our programs are more vide assurances that our librarians and nological changes affecting the profes- for Toronto and was never heard from
demanding, our content is more complex and the work archivists are allowed to continue per- sion. Now it is time for Western to also again. Police immediately launched a
we produce is of a higher standard. forming the duties and responsibilities keep up with the times by providing our full investigation that focused exten-
But where do we draw the line? The University’s expec- they have been hired to carry out with- librarians and archivists with a fair deal sively on his London theatre house,
tations of students are, at times, excessive. There has to out fear of involuntary relocation or reflective of their intrinsic value to the but Small’s body was never found.
be a way to encourage high performance without pushing reassignment. success of Western and its student body. But that was not the last London-
students to the point of nervous breakdown. Thirdly, they are seeking improve- We, the undersigned Library and ers heard of Ambrose Small.
A second reading week during October is one solution ments in salaries and benefits equitable Information Science student groups Since his disappearance, a series of
to alleviating the stress of midterm season. Certainly most and representative of their collective along with the Library and Information’s strange events have taken place in the
students would not mind sacrificing a week from their level of education, academic knowledge Science student body, pledge our sup- hallowed halls of the Grand Theatre.
summer or winter vacation if it meant gaining some and professional roles. Despite the port to the librarians and archivists at the Jay Campbell, local TV weatherman
much needed study time during the fall. wealth of riches available at Western, our University of Western Ontario: our col- told the Gazette in 1990 of his own
Another solution would be to limit the grade weights of librarians and archivists are among the leagues, peers and future professionals. encounter with Small’s ghost, which
midterms to be level with or below the weight of final lowest paid in Canada. According to the — Debbie Kendze occurred in 1964.
exams. When a course’s midterm reflects a significant per- 2009-2010 Canadian Association of Uni- Chair of the Canadian Library Association “I went to the back [of the theatre]
centage of a student’s mark, a one-time poor perfor- versity Teachers Almanac, the average UWO Student Chapter and I saw this glowing apparition
mance could dig a deep hole in anyone’s average. salary of a librarian at Western is nearly crossing the catwalk. It was a smallish
Schools should also be looking at the ways they evalu- $15,000 less than that of the national Julia Merritt person, dressed in period clothing.
ate students. Timed, multiple-choice exams are not an average for academic librarians in Cana- Master of Library and Information Science I’m convinced that I saw the ghost of
appropriate judge of a student’s knowledge. Throwing da. Moreover, in comparison to the 113 Student Council Ambrose Small,” Campbell recalled.
anyone into a high-stress situation — especially those members of the Association of Research “I got out of there fast. I don’t really
with learning disabilities or anxiety issues — is setting Libraries, the salaries and benefits for Jessica Luet believe in ghosts, but I keep saying to
them up for failure. librarians at Western Libraries rank at Member of Librarians Without Borders myself, ‘what did I see there?’”
Ultimately, it’s not only Western we should be criti- 91st. UWO Committee
cizing, but also the general university system. Midterm
stress is simply a symptom of a larger problem among Only a few more sleeps until All Hallows’ Eve.
post-secondary institutions — instead of testing an indi- But there’s no need to be scared.
vidual’s ability to comprehend and apply knowledge,
Just be sure to pick up the Gazette tomorrow
education has become a forced habit of memorizing and
regurgitating information — a far cry from academic
for our ghoulish weekend edition.
excellence. And remember to vote for Murray, the Gazette’s boo-ti-ful entry in the USC pumpkin-carving contest.
All entries are on display in the Students’ Council Office, Rm. 340 of the UCC.
For more on midterm mania, see Pg. 1

Editorials appearing under the ‘opinions’ heading are decided

upon by a majority of the editorial board and are written by a
Section Editors 2009-2010 Gazette Staff 2009-2010
member of the editorial board but are not necessarily the News Arts & Entertainment News - gazette.news@uwo.ca
expressed opinion of each editorial board member. All other Ryan Abreu, Tara Athar, Katherine Atkinson, Erin Baker, Mary Ann
Allie Fonarev Amber Garratt Sports - gazette.sports@uwo.ca
opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the USC, The Gazette, its editors or staff. Meagan Kashty Nicole Gibillini
Abid-Aziz Ladhani Maddie Leznoff A&E - gazette.entertainment@uwo.ca Boateng, Jordan Brown, Dylan Clark, Julie-Anne Cleyn, Caitlin Conroy,
Letters: Must include the contributor’s name, identification (ie. Shreya Tekriwal
History II, Dean of Arts) and be submitted to gazette.opin- Opinions Opinions - gazette.opinions@uwo.ca Sari Rose Conter, Adam Crozier, Angela Easby. Adam Feldman, Mark
ions@uwo.ca. Letters judged by the Editor-In-Chief to be libelous Senior Jaclyn Haggarty Seniors - gazette.senior@gmail.com
or derogatory will not be published. The Gazette reserves the Mike Hayes Filipowich, Jennifer Gautier, Ricki-Lee Gerbrandt, Jeremy Gritten, Eliot
right to edit letters and submissions and makes no guarantees Photography
Lauren Pelley Hong, Alan Hudes, Aras Kolya, Aaron Korolnek, Jay LaRochelle, Colin
that a letter will be published. Laura Barclay
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• Please recycle this newspaper •
P5 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

ArtsEntertainment

Gazette file photo

“Like Light Off Water” sets poetry to a music landscape

Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt collaborates with the Minden Duo
By Paula Meng
Gazette Staff
This evening Conron Hall will be
transformed into a sensuous musi-
cal and poetic landscape.
In the collaborative “Like Light
Off Water” performance, Canadian
poet Daphne Marlatt will read pas-
sages from her book of
poetry, Steveston, set to a musical
soundscape score performed by the
Minden Duo, comprised of Canadi-
ans Robert Minden and Carla Hal-
lett.
The music aims to intensify the
undercurrents and rhythms of
Marlatt’s poetry. Marlatt is an
experimental writer who has been
praised for her use of poststruc-
turalist technique and feminist
theory. She is a member of the
Order of Canada.
In her work, Marlatt is con-
cerned with themes of subjugation,
empowerment and the break-
ing down of hierarchical structures.
Steveston is no exception — it is
both a nostalgic and critical work.
It explores the sensory experiences
of a small fishing village called
Steveston on Canada’s Pacific coast,
and also describes its history as a
Second World War internment
camp for Japanese-Canadians.
“There was something in Steve-
ston which drew us, over and over
again, and which our work
attempted to enunciate — some-
thing under the backwater quiet,
the river hum of comings and
goings, the traffic of work, that was
‘shouting’ at us to tell it,” Marlatt
once said of the village.
She uses long-lines to capture
the ebb and flow of the rustic lives
lived by the sea, explores the dark
times of the prison camps and gives
a voice to a disempowered people.
Western English professor Man-
ina Jones describes Marlatt’s work
as innovative and avant-garde fem-
inist fiction theory.
“The [poetry] is also about the
changing relationship people have
to the land,” Jones explains. “For
instance the river Delta becomes an
image of environmental change
and the way people relate to it.”
When Steveston was first pub-
lished in 1974, it was accompanied
by a series of photographs taken by
Minden.
“They are quite striking,” Jones
says. “The Minden Duo has been
really interested in how storytelling
and song come together, incorpo-
rating experimental vocals, and
unusual instrumentation,” she
adds.
To imitate the feel of an accom-
panying symphony, an array of
non-traditional instruments is used
to marry the sounds to the imagery
of the text, including waterphones,
carpentry saws, blown bottles,
conch shells, floating bowls and
other percussion objects. Minden “There was something
and Hallett have been creative part-
ners since 1986 and formed the in Steveston which drew
Robert Minden duo in 1996.
Born in Australia, Marlatt and us, over and over
her family immigrated to Vancou-
ver in 1951. She obtained her bach- again, and which our
elor’s degree in literature from the
University of British Columbia and
work attempted to
published her first volume of poet- enunciate — something
ry in 1968. In 1996 she received her
honorary LL.D. degree from the under the backwater
University of Western Ontario and
served as writer-in-residence at quiet, the river hum of
Western.
Western’s current writer-in- comings and goings, the
residence, Penn Kemp, who has
been a long time friend and collab-
traffic of work, that was
orator of Marlatt, will introduce the ‘shouting’ at us to tell it.”
“Like Light off Water” performance.
“Like Light Off Water” takes place — Daphne Marlatt
tonight at 8 p.m. in Conron Hall,
Room 224 in University College.

Courtesy of Jocelyn Mandryk

OH SO NATURAL. Daphne Marlatt’s poetry from her book Steveston will Courtesy of Nancy Walker
be featured tonight at Conron Hall in an artistic performance titled “Like OUT OF THIS WORLD. The Minden Duo, composed of Robert Minden and Carla Hallett, will provide accom-
Light Off Water”. panying music for “Like Light Off Water”.
P6 ➤ arts&entertainment theGazette • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

Rah Rah show energy and spunk on stage

Strong openers complement Regina-based headliner’s early morning set

CONCERT REVIEW
impressive live show featuring some
of the best-hidden talent in Canada.
London’s own Say Domino!
opened the evening with a strong
pulsing set that relied heavily on a
Performance: Set List: mixture of solid drumming and
Openers: Worth the $$$: catchy riffs. Although the three-
Crowd: piece band was visibly ill, they
proved to be surprisingly lively and
had no trouble engaging with the
By Drew Whitson crowd.
Gazette Staff Yukon Blonde took the stage
next and kept the energy going. The
The crowd at the Blackshire Pub on Vancouver-based act seemed to fit
Monday night was certainly not dis- right in with the evening while
appointed as The Open House Arts bringing an entirely different 1960s
Collective (Oh!) of London put on an rock atmosphere to the Blackshire.
Call the Best for your
HALLOWEEN Party!
Showcasing a surprising balance of
well-blended vocals and melodic
guitars, Yukon Blonde had a soft
and polished sound. Their talent
alone would have made the
evening worthwhile, and they gen-
uinely seemed excited to play for a
smaller crowd.
Having just released their first
EP, Everything in Everyway, Yukon
Blonde was able to showcase a wide
variety of songs, including their
popular track “Streets,” which they
played as a finale. The crowd was
visibly receptive and pleased to wit-
ness some of the best live music
from Canada’s West Coast.
The night capped off with the
performance of headliner Rah Rah
— a band hailing from Regina. The
indie group brought an energetic
stage performance complete with
everything from confetti blasts to
pop rocks candy. However, the
most impressive part of the eight-
piece band was their complete
interchangeability on a variety of
instruments.
During the set they had three
different members play the drums,
several switch-ups on keyboard
and bass, and the addition of violin
and accordion on select songs. The
crowd was dancing during Rah
Rah’s critically acclaimed single
“Tentacles” and didn’t stop until a
thunderous encore that nearly
brought the house down.
The challenge co-ordinating an
eight-person rock outfit combined
with the positive results of their
interchangeability proved to be a
testament to the band’s growing
success. The complexities in the
variety of instruments showed just
how important it is to correctly
layer your music and certainly
showed off the technical talents of
such a large band.
The Blackshire has been known
to start concerts pretty late, and this
proved to be the only downfall —
the show didn’t get underway until
after 10 p.m. and went into early
Tuesday morning. However, with
little to gripe about, the Blackshire
once again proved to be a hidden
gem within the London live music
scene. The evening proved to be
well worth the $5 cover.

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Mo must go: TFC
needs new manager
Neglecting defence, mental
strength root of TFC’s failure
Da Silva
Bullet
Daniel Da Silva
Sports Editor
What is it about Toronto that
causes management to run sports
teams into the ground? Maybe it’s
the water.
After all, the Leafs are off to
their worst start ever, the Jays
have been awful for years, the
Argos are a mess and the Raptors
will probably find a new way to
disappoint the fans this year.
Yet, the 2009 edition of Toronto
FC was supposed to be different.
TFC were on the cusp of mak-
ing history with their first playoff
berth in their short existence. It
was set up beautifully for them.
Toronto just needed to win
against the worst team in the
league and they were in.
Instead, they came out and
laid an egg, losing to the New York
Red Bulls 5-0.
Maybe Toronto sports fans
should just stop believing in any-
thing.
After the fact, rookie midfield-
er Sam Cronin commented on
the team’s morale.
“More so than anything we
need to change the culture here,
make it a winning, passionate
group next season. I think it starts
with a mentality and a kind of
psychology of the team,” he told
GOL TV after the team’s disap-
pointing loss to New York.
That quotation says a lot. First,
the fact a rookie had to come out
and tell the media there isn’t a lot
of leadership on this team speaks
volumes of the player chemistry.
It says that maybe captain Jim
Brennan is past his prime and
isn’t the fiery leader this group
needs. More importantly, it also
tells me the players brought in
don’t fit together. And that falls
squarely on the shoulders of gen-
eral manager Maurice Johnston.
You could argue this failure is
head coach Chris Cummins’
fault, which a lot of people are
doing. After all, he just got fired
while Johnston received a vote of
confidence from the owners. But
a coach is always handcuffed
when he doesn’t have players that
fit into his system.
This season, Johnston brought
in several players he insisted
would solve the team’s problems.
Despite that, all season, he failed
to get a consistent striker, a
decent central defender and a
winger who can cross the ball.
Yet the team has several legiti-
mate central midfielders. That’s
great, because they are all talent-
ed players. But you can’t play De
Rosario, Julian De Guzman, Carl
Robinson, Cronin, Amado Gue-
vara and Pablo Vitti at the same
time, so why bother having them
all on the same team?
With all due respect to Cronin,
who had an excellent rookie cam-
paign, why didn’t Johnston draft
talented central defender Omar
Gonzalez instead? It’s always
been a need, and Toronto already
had Robinson, who plays the
theGazette • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009 sports ➤ P7
Interested in
journalism?
same position as Cronin.
Gazette Sports has openings for
Let’s also remember the fact Gazette file photo
that Johnston spent a ridiculous
writers and interns.
Visit Rm. 263 and talk to
amount of money to bring in
managing editor Jaela Bernstien
some of these players. The team is
currently facing salary cap issues
because of it.
The worst signings were those
of Ali Gerba, Vitti and Barrett, all
of which were brought in to score
goals, despite the fact that Gerba you name the price .ca
never played and Vitti and Barrett Why pay retail prices? Come to our
couldn’t score on an open net. auction and pay what you want.
But didn’t Johnston insist these Electronics, computers, clothing, toys,
guys would solve all of TFC’s goal sporting goods and much more.
scoring problems? It gave us a
Wed. November 4th @ 6pm
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but it was entirely unfounded. I For more details, please visit:
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get people off his back, because if
he truly believed what he was Auction Location:
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Looking at next season, Toron-
to still has the same needs. But
now, they also need a quality
coach and must function better
Richm ond M edica l W a lk -in Clinic OXFORD
as a unit. N o Ap p ointm ent N ecessa ry
To do that, TFC needs a gener-
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team’s needs and has an eye for
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before actually signing anybody.
In three years, Johnston has M on.Tu es.Thu rs.10a m to 6 p m Stu dent & University
proven that he can’t successfully Frida ys 10a m to 4 p m
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091008
do any of those things. So while W ednesda ys 1p m to 6 p m
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P8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
MUSTANG ROWERS WIN OUA GOLD
Rowers grind out the double-double
By Grace Davis
Gazette Staff
Nothing is sweeter than redemp-
tion.
After an unexpected upset to
Queen’s last season, Western’s men’s
and women’s rowing teams trained
intensively for a year and fought to
regain the Ontario University Ath-
letics Championships title.
“This year we had huge
turnover. A lot of members gradu-
ated so we had a lot of rookies come
in. It is a different dynamic, but it
has worked out well so far,” heavy-
weight double-gold medalist Sarah
Black said.
This year, the OUA champi-
onships were hosted by Brock Uni-
versity at the Henley Island course
on Oct. 24.
The Mustangs returned home
from St. Catharines with gold
medals and championship banners
in hand. Western’s rowing program
added to its impressive record, win-
ning four OUA banners in the past
five years.
“It was nice for everyone to step
up and maintain Western’s winning
reputation,” president of the West-
ern rowing student athlete execu-
tive and men’s lightweight con-
tender Tim Myers said. “It was by far
our best performance of the year.”
All season there has been stiff
competition between Western,
Brock and Queen’s.
“For the men, we consider Brock
to be our main competition. We’re
a very young boat whereas Brock
has had a lot of experience and a lot
of time together,” men’s heavy-
Sports
weight Sean Addison said before
the regatta.
In the men’s category, Western
finished first with 80 points, Brock
came in second with 78 points, and
Queen’s followed in third place with
73 points.
On the women’s side, Western
won the gold with 98 points. Brock
and Queen’s also made the podium
with 93 and 63 points respectively.
“It was a complete team perfor-
mance,” Myers noted. “With the
points working the way they do,
you need the entire team to do well
and not just a couple of standouts
because there are so many events
and so many other strong schools.”
In a surprising result, Paul Ham-
mond finished second in the heavy-
weight men’s single competition.
Hammond was slated to finish lower
in his race, but managed to earn his
team some crucial extra points.
“Some individuals that we
wouldn’t really have expected to
perform stepped up this weekend,”
Myers said.
For the men it came down to the
last race of the day — the men’s
heavyweight eight.
“Where you watch from you can
only see the middle section of the
race so you’re not really too sure
how it’s going to finish. They were
leading Brock by about half a boat
at that point, and it’s the first time
they had been leading them all
year,” Myers explained.
After the points were tallied,
Western edged out Brock, securing
the gold by a margin of two points.
The women’s team also per-
formed well, improving building on
ON DECK: R
Football quarter-finals preview... Friday
Courtesy of Valker Nolte
their impressive showings at regat-
tas from earlier in the season. “It was nice for everyone to step up and maintain
“The lightweight women did a
lot better than they did a couple of
Western’s winning reputation. It was by far our best
weeks ago. The heavyweight performance all year.”
women are a bit of an exception —Tim Myers
because they’ve dominated the — Men’s lightweight rower
entire season, and they kept doing
it this weekend,” Myers said.
A key performer for the women GOLD MEDAL BOATS
was Lauren Wells. She won both the
heavyweight and lightweight sin- Men’s heavyweight eights 5:47.2
gles events, beating national squad Genna Wood (coxswain),
teammate Katya Huurman. Dave Lariviere,
In the week before the champi- William Matthews,
onships, Black discussed how the Jason Kirkey,
team was preparing for the regatta. Sean Addison,
“We ramp up training right Nick Chisholm,
before the race, and then we start to Mark Dawidek,
taper off two or three days before to Nicholas Schudlo,
make sure that we peak at the right Michael Huurman
time,” she said.
With the goal of winning the
Women’s lightweight single 7:37.5
OUA banner from the beginning, Lauren Wells
the Mustangs focused on training Women’s heavyweight single 7:41.0
hard all season and not just the few
weeks before the OUA finals. Lauren Wells
“Our season accumulates from Women’s heavyweight coxed fours 6:58.3
unimportant regattas to very
Kris Rogalsky (coxswain),
important regattas. It’s all about the
Lindsay Sferrazza,
one race at the end,” Addison said
Sarah Black,
before the regatta. “[For us], it’s as
Jen Martins
much about the training and show-
Andrea Ernesaks
ing up to practice as it is about the
races during the season.” Women’s heavyweight eights 6:28.7
The team is practicing every day, Paige Sain (coxswain),
twice a day this week in preparation Lindsay Sferrazza,
of keeping their winning streak Sarah Black, Jen Martins,
alive at the Canadian University Andrea Ernesaks,
Rowing Championships this week- Alex Shishkov,
end in Montreal. Athena de Brouwer,
“We’ve won every race in Canada Lia Renaud,
that we have done, so we know we Adelyn Barr
are on the right path,” Black said.