by Cheryl Holman

This week the Liberal Party of Canada voted to back the legalization of marijuana. Seventy-seven percent of the Party has agreed that this will be one of the new platforms for the Liberals in the next election.

Along with giving everyone previously jailed for use or possession of marijuana, amnesty and a completely clear record, this announcement will have won votes for giving the life back to thousands and thousands of Canadians who have small blemishes on their records and have been unable to travel across the US Border for something they did years ago.

The last 4 mayors of Vancouver have all supported legalization of marijuana. This has proven a tough sell to Conservatives, more focused on ruining landscapes and disrespecting the peace and natural beauty of our amazing country through the installation of a giant pipeline owned by Americans.

The Liberals seem to have finally come to grips with the real Canada and what the Hemp plant can do for our financial future. Legalizing marijuana could reap incredible revenues for the Canadian Government, bring down our national debt. It will also reduce spending on an unnecessary criminalization of the vulnerable in our society, that seeking pain relief, either physical or mental. The legalization of marijuana will only add to the image of Canadians being happy, generous, kind and a heck of a lot of fun.

As tensions heighten in this world over Governments and their dictatorships, and people die to protect their freedoms, I am relieved that the Liberals seek to promote legalization of marijuana as part of their platform to get back into power. I know there will be far more Canadians voting for this, than for the devastation of our countries beauty in the pursuit of oil.

By Tiffany Vanderstar

Selkirk College Student Union (Local 4) representatives Sean Mullin, Cheneise (China) Couture, Dave Lubbers and Marlene Garcia attended the provincial level 30th Annual General Meeting in Tsawassen, BC from January 12th – 15th, 2012.
Opposition leader Adrian Dix was a particular highlight of guest speakers as he spoke of the NDP’s success and how they got to where they are and consequently why the NDP is important to the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), also addressing how the NDP plans to freeze or lower tuition fees and increase corporate taxes. Dix was a particularly engaging speaker, addressing many of the issues that matter to students and why the issues that students are currently facing are important to the country. Another memorable guest speaker was Dean Wilson of the Insite Safe Injection Site in Vancouver, BC, accompanied by Insite`s Lawyer Monique Pongracic-Speier. Wilson spoke of the many struggles associated with running the safe injection site including being attacked by the Government and police force. Wilson himself is a recovered addict and he thanks Insite for his sobriety. The impact Insite has on society very much reflects the same struggles and issues that reflect students, such as lowering tuition, bettering women’s rights at schools, and getting individuals to vote. Susan Lambert (BCTF Union President), Gary Yee (CUPE National Representative), and Jim Sinclair (BC Federation of Labour President) collectively spoke about the specific struggles individual unions face and how it relates to other unions. Student Representative China Couture stated that “having a bunch of union representatives come and speak to us about how one union`s fight is another union’s fight just goes to show that we are all linked together…” which is why it is so critical to have the support of such union`s at the AGM.
Hearing guest speakers at the AGM gives the CFS and student unions new campaign ideas, creative ways to help students in addition to providing support to know that we are not alone. It is important to choose allies: if we support the BCTF in their struggle, they do the same for us with ours. In addition to the above-mentioned guest speakers were Verna Billy-Minnabarriet, Iglika Ivanova, and Phillip Legg.
You`ve probably seen the posters, buttons and stickers around Selkirk campuses by now but “Day of Action“ is a National Campaign occurring on February 1, 2012 in an effort to raise awareness that education is a right. The campaign was a significant topic of discussion at the AGM. In addition to Day of Action, it was proposed and discussed at the AGM that events and campaigns should be digitally recorded via pictures and small video of willing participants and later posted on the CFS website for people of all provinces to know what is going on in each province. Another campaign that was voted on and discussed is the “No Means No“ campaign. The primary factor included in the discussion is how the campaign needs to include the words “survivor“ and “victim“. Additionally, it was voted in favour that student union offices need to develop a support network as well as resources for victims and survivors of sexual abuse. Our very own SCSU proposed that we will campaign against Bill 18 so that Board of Governors and any elected position a student may be in cannot be taken out of their position unjustly. The proposed campaign was motioned in favour. Furthermore, voted in favour is that student union locals are encouraged to send letters of support for both the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and private member`s Bill that proposes the creation of a BC Poverty Reduction Act. As BC has the highest rate of poverty at 12%, all student union locals are encouraged to support any poverty reduction campaign in the province. Finally, distribution and availability of a fact sheet explaining history in an effort to debunk any myths or stereotypes surrounding education for Aboriginal Post-Secondary students was voted in favour.
Among several issues discussed, another of note is with respect to various disabilities and medical concerns. There have recently been a lot of breakthroughs at other student union locals; in particular, at one local students who have their Federal medical marijuana cards are now being offered a safe space to legally smoke the medicinal marijuana cigarettes without consequences such as school security issues and expulsion.
For more information please see the SCSU office as our SCSU representatives are more than happy to discuss the AGM in further detail with you. Additionally, please also note that the Canadian Federation of Students is non-partisan with respect to political parties.

By Catherine Courson

On November 28th, 2011 20 year old Selkirk College student Will Schooler died as a result of a head injury sustained after falling from a makeshift ramp at the Tenth Street campus in Nelson, BC. Though it was rare for Schooler to be without his helmet, he, like many avid, and experiences skiers and snowboarders, had forgotten it on this occasion. Though the injury, which occurred on a Sunday while the campus was closed, did not at first seem severe, he died in the Kelowna hospital a few days later. It has been a somber reminder of the importance of helmet safety to a community known for winter sports.
Friends of Schooler have begun a campaign promoting helmet safety for snowboarders and skiers, called the I Will Campaign. Information can be found through the campaign’s Facebook group, and stickers saying I Will are on sale at the Whitewater Ski Resort Shop. In a powerful display of altruism, his organs were donated.
Schooler was near completion of his second year at Selkirk College, in the Ski Resort Operation Management program, and his family received from the College an honourary diploma, acknowledging his years of work and skill.
He is, and will remain, greatly missed.

By, Tasha Repin (4th Year Nursing student), Jessica Vandecar(4th Year Nursing Student) & Judith Fearing (Opt RN + Clinic coordinator)

On September 22, a new Options for Sexual Health (Opt) clinic opened on the Castlegar campus of Selkirk College. A satellite of the Castlegar Opt clinic, this is only the second Opt site on a B.C. campus. It will run weekly on Thursday from 11–1 p.m. in the Monashee wing of the college.
The Selkirk College clinic will provide comprehensive sexual health information, education, reproductive health and sexually transmitted infection screening and low cost birth control to clients of all ages and sexual orientation. A key aspect of Opt clinics is the confidential, supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere in which these services are provided.
The added value of this clinic is that it will offer a service to students and staff on site at Castlegar campus, as well as provide a nursing practice placement for six BSN students. A team of third and fourth year BSN nursing students who have completed Opt’s volunteer training will run the clinic under the supervision of an Opt trained RN.
This clinic has been established with the combined support of Options for Sexual health, Selkirk College and the Columbia Basin Trust.
More information about OPT can be found at www.optionsforsexualhealth.org.
To make enquiries about the Selkirk OPT clinic email selkirk.opt@gmail.com .

For more information please contact Judith Fearing
jfearing@selkirk.ca
250-365-7292 ext 439

Behold, the almighty Wikipedia’s definition of Movember:

Movember (a portmanteau of the slang word “mo” for moustache and “November”) is an annual, month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November.

There’s a little more, but you get the gist. Wikipedia, wonder that it is, also sets out to define the rules of Movember. They are as follows:

You do not talk about Movember.

Okay that’s a lie. Moving on.

You must begin the 1st of November with a clean shaven face.
You grow/groom a moustache for the entire month of November.
No joining of the mo to your sideburns.
No joining of the handlebars to your chin. (This is considered a goatee.)
You must conduct yourself as a true country gentleman.

It’s generally assumed (at least in my circles) that since the inception of Movember, November 1st has become the lest favourite day of the year of women world-wide. My personal experience with my friends would certainly confirm this. Beleaguered girls suffer (mostly in silence) as their partner’s upper lip begin to resemble the rodent pets they cherished as children. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if statistics some day appear to tell us that increasingly fewer children are born in August, perhaps this summer I should look into it. I however love Movember. I am also a big fan of Decembeard. I might even be just waiting for Canadian rugby star Adam Kleeberger, (of Fear the Beard fame) to re-grow that fearsome hairy appendage (dutifully removed as required by rule 1) and then magically, and randomly, appear in the West Kootenays so that I can woo him accordingly.
Now I was most intrigued by the fifth rule of Movember. A true country gentleman you say? Well sign me up for that! As a matter of fact, in 2011, I did sign up! When not diligently hunkered over my studies I work two days a week at Otter Books in Nelson, where my manager Samara Nicoll, coworker Dzitka Edwards, and I formed “The Otterly Stachtastics” a fully registered Movember team. We raised a little over a hundred dollars, and go our mo-on at the celebratory November 30th party at the Royal in Nelson. In fact, I’ve even got a never-worn prosthetic handlebar ‘stache tucked away for Movember 2012.
After all, I will still be in school this fall, the weather in November is, let’s face it, pretty crap, and we students will be feeling the pressure of midterms, research papers and upcoming exams. So it’s good to know there’s something silly to look forward to! This upcoming fall I encourage all of you, whether as a Mo-Bro or a Mo-Sister, grow a mo, groom a mo, stick a mo on, and support a mo.

By Angelica Duggan

You’ve probably seen them around. Whirling in the parks on a clear sunny day, moving to the electric beats at Shambhala, or maybe even taking a spin around campus. People of all different ages and physiques are getting hooked on the hula hoop. The toy that swept America by storm in the 1950′s has returned, manifesting itself in fresh new ways. Record of existence in a variety of different cultures dates back to as far as 500 B.C. In ancient Egyptian and Greek times hoops were made from grapevines and used in games and for exercise . Eskimos have used hoops in target practice for harpooning, and the Native American hoop dance tradition is an art form that is still practised by members of certain tribes today.
The hoop has had its own evolutionary journey over the centuries, and it is exciting to see new interpretations appearing as time goes on. All these re-inventions can be attributed to someone deciding one day that waist-hooping wasn’t the only way to use a hoop. Modern expressions include aerobic hoop classes, yoga with hoop, rhythmic gymnastics, aerial hoop—there’s a lot of ways to get down with hula these days. The symbol of infinity has become a tool for a unique new form of artistic expression and play over the last 15 years, and has been strongly influenced by modern music festival culture. This form of hula hooping combines contemporary and traditional dance with circus -style tricks and, moving to music or drumming. You may have even seen fire hooping or hula hoops that have LED lights in them, creating a spectacle of light in darkness.
Modern hoopdancers are just one of the many types of “flow artists” that exist today. Poi spinning, staffs, levitation wand, contact juggling— all of these methods of play help keep us healthy in both mind and body, and builds confidence through physical awareness.
You can burn as many calories hula hooping as you can running. It is a low-impact cardio exercise that increases flexibility, co-ordination, respiratory strength and balance. Physiotherapists are even beginning to utilize the hoop as a tool for rehabilitation with certain clients. The rocking movement of the sacrum (tailbone) and hips has been found to stimulate the sacral plexus, helping circulate qi (energy) in the body, and promote core body and pelvic strengthening while relaxing the nervous system. A study by the American Council on Exercise found that you can burn up to 100 calories every ten minutes, depending on intensity of the workout, and the weight of the hoop you are using. Hoopers that want to lose weight tend to use heavier “fitness” hoops that are easier to hoop with, while hoopdancers tend to graduate to lighter hoops for ease of tricks with the hands and rest of the body. Gone are the days of the flimsy dollar store hoop. Irrigation tubing and pretty ribbon and tapes make for the fabrication of some pretty unique looking hoops, which are even made to collapse for travel in some designs.
Not only do our bodies benefit from the physical acceleration, the use of “skill toys” can definitely act as a portal for release and relaxation, while giving the practice a metaphysical meaning to the individual, allowing them to tap into a different head space. If you think about it, this is the same state that many people reach when they are running, reading, snowboarding or even doing yoga. With enough practice, a mundane action can quiet the mind and allow for a meditative existence, and this is the point where “flow” is born and bliss is experienced.
So whether you are wanting a new hobby, or looking for a fun, creative way to burn some calories—-or maybe you just want to meet some cool new friends— pick up one of those toys and give them a whirl. You will be surprised at how easy and fun it is. For those interested in finding out more or for up to date info on happenings in the Kootenay area, please visit www.illuminadis.weebly.com to get in contact with some of your local flow artists. Also, every Wednesday at noon in the gym.

By Hye Won Choi

I arrived in Castlegar last fall, and it’s been six weeks since I left my hometown. During this time I have changed in many ways. First of all, my health has improved. I don’t have a specific disease, but I feel better in my body than before. For instance, I digest food very well, and therefore I am hungry frequently. I now wake up easily in the morning. Certainly, I am less stressed. That’s why my health is better; I have some good habits. Sleep early, and wake up early. I hadn’t imagined this lifestyle before in Korea, where I usually couldn’t get up in the morning. Now I haven’t been absent or late from school since the start of the fall semester. It’s a really amazing thing to me. In addition, I always keep my room clean and clear. For example, I make the bed with sheets in the morning, and I clean washroom once in a week. I don’t know the reason. I just feel, unconsciously, that I should clean my room.
Also, I now cook. It’s one of the most positive changes. I didn’t do any cooking in Korea because I was very busy. Moreover, there are so many kinds of restaurants in my hometown. Although I just assist my home stay mom when she is cooking, I have grown to enjoy this.
I spend less money here. The reason is simple: Castlegar doesn’t tempt me to shop. Actually I just don’t need more clothes and food. I live in a home stay. There is always a lot of food. I don’t care as much about fashion as much as in Korea. I’m pretty comfortable.
Lastly, I now speak English. Before, I didn’t speak a word of English. I was very confused and embarrassed, and thus I avoided English all the time. I don’t have choice in this country. I must use English. It’s still amazing how I can converse with other people using English. I’ve made quiet changes over these six weeks, and I think it’s okay. I am doing just fine. I hope to enjoy this life.

By Sully Thompson

Recently, I made a difficult choice in my life. I might even call it a milestone though I haven’t decided yet. I deleted my Facebook account. Shocking, preposterous? Have I gone mad? Quite possibly, and for a variety of reasons, but deleting my Facebook account is not among one of them. It is indeed rather one of the more rational and sane decisions I have made in my life. It hasn’t been long now since I made that fateful choice, and the long term ramifications remain to be fully seen. I already have found myself on the outside circuit, shunned and disconnected. I am no longer able to attend events because I cannot click Yes under the RSVP invitation. I no longer know what’s cool anymore because I cannot “Like” it. Is Weezer still relevant? I have no idea now because I cannot read the posts and comment on them. I can’t sit fully engaged in front of my computer screen and browse the newsfeeds. Will I ever be able to live with myself not knowing if Tim is drinking a Tim Horton’s coffee while studying for his midterm? That rich fiend could be drinking Starbucks! I will never know anymore. Have I perhaps made a grave mistake? A serious lapse in judgment?
No.
You see, I came to the conclusion that Facebook was taking over my life. Not only was this happening for me and most of the people I know, but this is exactly what Facebook wants. Facebook wants to know everything about you. Have you ever stopped to consider why it is free? It’s because they don’t need to charge a monthly membership fee and risk losing users. They make money is a very different way. It isn’t free because Mark Zuckerberg cares about you. What that crafty little weasel does care about is what you are saying, why you are saying it, and to whom. This is how Facebook, a company that offers a free service, is currently worth more than 50 billion US. It is a data mine. What is a data mine? Well, everything that every user has ever said, liked, or posted remains buried away forever. It is never truly deleted. Facebook can then sift through this information. They then sell this information to advertisers who target products at specific groups. It’s called targeted advertising, and it is Facebook’s speciality. Facebook knows everything about you and unlike the government, which also knows everything about you; there are no laws currently in place to stop Facebook from using any of that information in whatever way they please. This concerns me.

By Taylor Fell

It’s gotten cold in the Kootenays; there’s no doubt about that. With less sunlight and just as much school work to tackle, one may find their daily exercise falling by the wayside. It’s not uncommon, but thankfully we, as students, have a solution at our disposal. The Gym at the Castlegar campus has a well equipped weight room with treadmills, bikes, and an ergo-meter to keep your heart in good shape and weights so you’re ready for the beach, aside from the very obvious lack of a tan. If you are looking for team sports, the gym offers drop-in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and badminton sessions throughout the week. For those of a more individual nature, Yoga, and circuit weight classes are available as well, all levels of experience welcome.

Weekly Schedule:

Monday:
Yoga – Noon
Drop-In Volleyball – 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Drop-In Basketball – 7:45pm to 9:15pm
Tuesday:
Circuit Weights – 11am to 12pm & 12pm to 1pm
Yoga – Noon
Drop-In Badminton – 7:15pm to 9:15pm
Wednesday:
Drop-In Soccer – 7:30pm to 9:15pm
Thursday:
Circuit Weights – 11am to 12pm & 12pm to 1pm
Drop-In Badminton – 7:15pm to 9:15pm
Gym Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 730am – 930pm
Friday: 730am – 8pm

Aside from the regularly scheduled happenings, the Gym has a couple special events coming up. On January the 25th, from 12pm to 2pm, if you found yourself missing the 18th hole green, or you simply want to hit some golf balls, you can practice your driving, chipping, and putting in the warmth of the indoors.
For the skiers and snowboarders out there, there’s Ski-Night happening on February the 24th in Salmo. If you interested in that you need to register with gym staff. The fee is $7 for students and $12 for any guests you may have.

For those looking to show off their team-spirit, the Selkirk College hockey team, the Selkirk Saints, are playing at the Castlegar Community Centre several times throughout February. Get out there and show your support!

Selkirk Saints Home Games:
Sat. Feb 11th- 7:30pm: Selkirk vs. Okanagan College
Sun. Feb 12th – 1:30pm: Selkirk vs. Eastern Washington University
Sat. Feb 18th-7:30pm: Selkirk vs. Thompson Rivers University
Sun. Feb 19th- 1:30pm: Selkirk vs. Thompson Rivers University

Tickets are $3 for students, and $5 for regular admission.

By Sully Thompson (a pseudonym)

On September 26th, Syracuse based indie band Ra Ra Riot together with Toronto born supporting act, alt pop rockers Dinosaur Bones, made some serious waves at Nelson’s Royal Live Music Venue, putting on one of the best shows for $10 I have ever seen. I can’t say enough about the bands, or the price; $10 to see Ra Ra Riot? Are you kidding me!? For those of you who don’t know either of these bands I highly suggest checking them out; you will not be disappointed.
First up was Dinosaur Bones. I had never heard of this band previously, and while they didn’t blow me away, they put on a solid show. It’s a very clean and clear sound this band has put together and while they aren’t reinventing the art form with their music, they have found a formula, it works, and they are sticking to it. The music was pretty straight forward, a lot of droning keyboards, looping drums and simple but catchy chord progressions. Not the most technical performance I’ve ever witnessed but enough to keep me interested. They kept their set short and sweet which I appreciated. I’ve seen so many bands play who just play for way too long and I end up remembering the group not for the music, but for not getting off the stage fast enough. Dinosaur Bones keep it simple. Check them out. After a brief interlude and equipment change over, the moment finally arrived. The band I had paid my precious $10 to see was about to hit the stage…
Let’s get to it shall we? Yes. Ra Ra Riot. I first saw this band just over a year ago. They opened up for Wintersleep and I can safely say, in my own humble opinion, that they solidified themselves as perhaps the greatest opening act I have ever seen. This band is here to blow your mind. I was so fully taken away by their performance I actually enjoyed them more than Wintersleep. Not to take anything away from WS, they put on a good show, but Ra Ra Riot put on something completely different. So naturally when I got the chance to see them again, as a headliner this time, I leapt at the opportunity.
There is one word to describe it. Captivating. That is the word I am going to use to describe this show. The place was almost near capacity on a Monday, and the atmosphere was electric. The Royal is billeted at a live music venue, but many of the acts I have seen there have been less than amazing, and a lot of it had to do with the sound. It’s not actually designed for live music. The fact that Ra Ra Riot sounded so crisp, so clear and so rock solid is a testament to the sheer musicality the band members individually and collectively possess. It was an engaging performance of eclectic, offbeat and yet still very much mainstream of hits like “Can You Tell” and “Dying is Fine” that kick started the night and kept it going.
The drummer played with metronome like precision and with thunderous power, lining up to form a steady, pulsating and melodic rhythm with the bass. This is the foundation of this bands music. The guitar however is one thing I have always found lacking. It’s in the background at the best of times on their CD’s and it gets completely drowned out in a live setting.
What really sets this band apart is their utilization of classical instruments. The band has both a cellist and a violinist and both play with the proficiency of professionally trained concert musicians. Without that aspect the band would be much less than what it is and when they finished off their set with perhaps the most well received song of the night “Boy”, this is clearly obvious.
The singer had a dynamic stage presence but again, like the guitar, due to the sheer volume of live music it was hard to make out what he was saying some of the time. My only beef with this band is that while the audience is having the time of their lives, the musicians themselves play with a stone faced intensity. They don’t look like they are having fun. They also don’t interact with the audience. They don’t joke with each other, share tales of the road, or even introduced the name of the next song they are going to play. In the end though, I can forgive them for that. It didn’t take much away from my overall enjoyment of the show because they just play so well. Have a look out for the next time this band rolls through, you won’t want to miss it.