Sports betting still hot during hockey freeze

By JENNIFER THUNCHER

Despite the hockey drought, the odds have been in the BC Lottery Corporations’ favour this year, with sports betting up by 5 per cent compared to the same time last year.



“During the stoppage last time [2004 – 2005 NHL lockout] there was a decline, but people had nothing else to go to,” said BCLC spokesman Chris Fairclough.



Fairclough said that comparing the two lockouts is not “apples to apples” because with this year’s lockout the company offers an online option, which allows customers to bet on anything from ping pong to skiing.



He said that betting on hockey accounted for 30 per cent of revenue last fiscal year, but the new online options have more than made up for the losses in hockey bets.



Charles, who couldn’t give his last name because of company rules, works at a Lotto 6/49 kiosk at Oakridge Centre. He says Sports Action tickets for basketball, football and soccer are big sellers. He hasn’t seen a decline in sales at all without hockey.

“There are so many games to bet on, “ said Charles.

He says he sometimes sees big sports betters, but mostly he sells to regulars like customer Adrian Michelle.

Michelle, looking through a stack of sports tickets he had just bought from Charles, said he never bet on hockey in the first place.

“Hockey is difficult to bet on. Never know who is going to win,” said Michelle.

He often wagers on NFL’s New England Patriots.

Michelle said he enjoys the routine of betting. He bets during the week and said, “Sunday I sit down to watch football, give my legs a break. Get fat on Monday.”

Not everyone likes to gamble.  Having coffee at City Square mall Doug Frankson doesn’t buy any lottery tickets.

“No, because you never win. It is just a form of taxes,” said Frankson.

thuncher@shaw.ca

Not always Christ in Christmas

Most people celebrate the holidays, but not all celebrate CHRISTmas.


According to an Ipsos-Reid poll released in 2011, 30 per cent of Canadians don’t believe in God. A 2001 census indicated that 42 per cent of Vancouverites don’t have religious affiliation. Yet, Christmas is still predominantly a Christian holiday.


Some atheists don’t like the imposition of a Christian holiday on their lives.


“I will admit that to me Christmas is in part an inconvenience,” said Geoff Regier, 26, who works for the YMCA. He said he resents the pressure to buy gifts for family as a symbol of love.


However, he doesn’t dislike everything about the season.


“I enjoy the Christmas lights and the music associated with Christmas,” said Regier. He also pointed out that most of the typical Christmas traditions, such as tree trimming, are pagan in origin.


Atheist Scott Beck, 51, says he takes many of the holiday traditions.


“I am unaware of how xmas trees or dinner are related to Christ,” said Beck.


Beck says he puts up a tree, but tops it with a reindeer, not an angel or star.


Spokesman for the Langara Christian club, Justin Lai, isn’t bothered by atheists celebrating the holiday, but thinks believers should work to motivate people to celebrate the “true” meaning of Christmas.


“Christians should definitely encourage people to know the Lord Jesus Christ. The way that Christians can bring people into faith is to live out a life worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to express the truth of His message in love,” said Lai.



Local Ricky Shetty, who operates a website for fathers, became religious in university, says his Christian group welcomes atheists.
“Power to them. Come celebrate with us. Join us. Eat with us. Share in the magical spirit of giving and selflessness and in this journey… may you also come to discover that important cosmic Christmas that I have,” said Shetty.



thuncher@shaw.ca

B.C. Federation of Labour's 55 convention

By JENNIFER THUNCHER/LANGARA VOICE

The union that represents Langara support staff says it is time for a change at the top of the B.C Federation of Labour.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is backing Michelle Laurie, of the electrician’s union, for

president against Jim Sinclair at the Fed convention being held this week in Vancouver. 

“Under Michelle Laurie's leadership, I'm confident that the BC Federation of Labour will become more relevant to to rank and file union members all over the province, and position the Fed as a source of new ideas, and not just protest," said president of CUPE, Barry O’Neill in a written statement.

This is the first real threat to Sinclair’s leadership after twelve years in power and comes at a critical time for Sinclair and the B.C. Fed. With the NDP quite high in the polls and the Liberals on the ropes over various scandals, the Fed is set to have the ear of Adrian Dix and the NDP who may next run this province.

Langara Faculty Association president Lynn Carter says the convention always offers a great opportunity for labour activists to get together. She doesn’t think the challenge to Sinclair’s leadership is a negative thing.

“It is great to have options for the election. It will be very interesting to see the outcome,” said Carter.

In Sinclair’s keynote speech in front of hundreds of delegates on Monday, there was no sign of the intense contest for the top seat. Instead Sinclair focused his attack on the provincial Liberal’s lack of action on temporary workers, referencing HD Mining in northern B.C. 

The company “plan [s] to bring hundreds of temporary workers without rights to extract our coal …Christy Clark and the BC government saw nothing wrong with that,” said Sinclair.

For her part, Laurie says it is time for a change of leadership so that a woman leads the organization but is somewhat vague about what she would do specifically if elected. In a written statement she says she will improve the image of the union, be more accountable and focus on training and education.

According to delegate Doug Mackay of the electrician’s union, Laurie is the best choice now. 

“I have no problem with Jim [Sinclair], but we need a change. She would make a good leader,” said Mackay who sported a bright green “Support Laurie” shirt.

Hospital Employee Union spokeswoman Bonnie Pearson supports Sinclair.

“Jim doesn’t just support union card holders,” Pearson said “he was fundamental in the fight for minimum wage … and against the abuse of foreign temporary workers.”

Pearson said HEU is asking its delegates to vote for Sinclair.

The election is on Thursday.

thuncher@shaw.ca

Langara Falcon's go 1 and 1

In basketball, as in life, passion isn’t always enough to win.

After a heartbreaking 65-52 loss Friday night in Surrey, the Langara Falcons women’s basketball team got a much needed, if ugly, win Saturday in Abbotsford against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats.

Having lost to the Kwantlen Eagles in an exhibition game earlier in the season, the women Falcons started Friday’s game a team with something to prove.  The intensity of players like forward Charlotte Lau, who scored 10 points, initially paid off giving the Falcons a 20-9 first-quarter lead.

Late in the second quarter the Eagles took control, constantly putting the Falcons on the defensive. By the end of the first half the score was 29-28 for the Eagles.  In the second half the Falcons had moments of fighting back. Guard Jennifer Carpio pushed hard and scored 10 points, but it wasn’t enough.  The Eagles won 65-52.

Despite the loss, Falcon’s coach Mike Evans was pragmatic..

“We didn’t guard their best players as we should have … they played well so we have to give it to them,” said Evans.

A surprise guest raised the team’s spirit in spite of the loss.  Former Falcon MVP and cancer survivor Carling Muir came out to support her old team, bringing smiles to both coaches and players. 

Muir said she thought this year’s team is at a disadvantage because of their height, or lack of it.  The Falcons don’t have any players over six-feet tall while the Eagles, and most other PacWest teams, have at least four women over that height. That said, Muir blamed the loss on small mental errors. “We missed some easy shots. We can beat them,” said Muir.

In Saturday’s game against the Bearcats, Langara again came out strong.  Forward Rhea Silvestri lead the team with 11 points en route to a 33-21first half score. 

In the second half the Falcons faltered, letting a few easy shots add to the Eagles tally. The Falcons were out scored in the half by the Eagles, but still hung on for a 60-54 win.

Silvestri was glad the team was able to wind up ahead. “It felt good to get that win. We still have lots of work to do, but we needed that.  Now let’s go forward,” said Silvestri.

Forward Jolissa Crossley was happy with the win, but frustrated that the team’s abilities were not reflected in their play.

“We need to regroup. We are great players individually, but we need to come together as a team,” said Crossley. 

The Falcons next play Douglas College Friday night.

thuncher@shaw.ca

Go see The Government Inspector

By JENNIFER THUNCHER 

Studio 58, Langara’s professional theatre program, is presenting TheGovernment Inspector from Nov. 15 – Dec. 2.

Adapted from the Russian classic by writer Nikolai Gogol, the play promises to be a hilarious jab at government institutions and the people who run them.

It is a play from long ago and far away, but is still fresh and relevant for audiences of all ages today.

Starring Langara alumnus Joel Wirkkunen as the mayor, and a talented student cast, the play portrays an imperial Russian village in the early 1800s.  The town and its bumbling leaders are thrown into hysterical panic when it is learned a government inspector is coming to visit.

Director David Mackay, says the play is based on mistaken identity which is a “tried and true” comedic formula.  “I mean The Simpsons still do that today,” he said.

Mackay credits Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of the play with infusing it with jokes that keep it relevant.

Audiences will also recognize the public’s distrust of authority that has been a part of society since Roman times. “It is older, it is fresh and it is funny,” said Mackay.

Mackay sites the period costumes, by Mara Gottler, and the exacting sets, by Pam Johnson as inspiring the actors, with the “grace and comedy” of the piece.

Stephanie Izsak, 26, plays the governor’s wife, Anna Andreyevna.

Her three costume changes, Izsak said, are “helpful to give a sense of time and place.” Putting on a crinoline and the elaborate gowns changes the way she stands and moves. “My posture immediately changes. I am so jealous of that time, so beautiful, so decadent,” Izsak said. 

A brave and confident actor, Izsak is sure to win over audiences. From rehearsal footage it is clear she is a woman who is comfortable in her own skin and with her sexuality. She tackles the sometimes outrageously flirtatious Anna Andreyevna with ease while grounding her with a sense of humanity. Her character is vain and flirtatious, but Izsak sees reasons behind this behavior. 

“She wants so badly to be decadent, impressive, and wonderful … to leave that awful town,” said Izsak. The longer you look at the comedy of the play and its characters the more you see sadness and longing that “make the show,” she said.

The Government Inspector officially opens Nov. 17, with free student nights Nov. 15 and 16. Shows start at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a 3 p.m. matinee Saturdays and Sundays (except Nov. 17).  Tickets are available through ticketstonight.ca.

thuncher@shaw.ca

The mature student dilemma

By JENNIFER THUNCHER


Being an older student at Langara can be both overwhelming and inspiring.


According to a breakdown of Langara students in the fall of 2011, of the 9,641 students enrolled, two per cent were over 45.


Bo Liu, 50, began taking psychology courses at Langara in September. She plans to spend two years here, ultimately obtaining a psychology degree. Liu is a retired mother of six. Two of her children also attend Langara.


In addition to the expected challenges of keeping up with course work after years away from school, Liu has also faced loneliness and isolation.


She said she hasn’t made a single friend at school.


“If I don’t start a conversation, there would be no conversation,” said Liu. She says her classmates don’t include her most of the time. She wishes they would “just treat me as one of them.”


Liu feels the other students incorrectly pass judgment on what she is like strictly based on her age. “They are all very cool,” continued Liu, “[but] I am cool too myself,.” Said Liu.


A few weeks ago there was a positive development when a classmate in Liu’s fundamentals of psychology class approached her to discuss how hard the course is. This was a nice change, Liu said, because it was a common issue between two students, bridging the generations. Unfortunately, the young woman hasn’t been back to class since that exchange.


Overall, Liu is very glad she is in college at this stage in her life. She has already overcome many things, having battled depression and coming to Canada from China as an adult.


“I’m learning new things and that is the point,” she said.


Her children, who range in age from 20 to 26, encourage her to carry on. She said her husband has been particularly supportive which has made the process of going back to school much easier for her.


To help alleviate the social isolation at school, Liu said a club for older students would be a great idea.


“We want to be social,” she said. “We don’t want to be excluded.”


thuncher@shaw.ca

Ipad Mini Versus Microsoft Surface

By JENNIFER THUNCHER

Just in time for Christmas, Apple and Microsoft have released new tablets. 

The iPad Mini is smaller and lighter than the Microsoft Surface while the Surface has more screen space and a larger memory.

The Mini has a seven-inch screen and costs $329.

The Mini has 1 GB of RAM.  It runs on IOS 6, as does the larger version of iPad, and includes 1080p HD video.

Nora Young, host and creator of CBC Radio’s Spark, said in a written statement, “I wonder whether we need a tablet smaller than the regular iPad that isn’t as cheap as the competition?” She said the Mini is a way for Apple to compete with Android and Amazon’s Kindle.

Fekete Istvan, technology writer for jaxov.com, also has issues with the clarity of the Mini.

“When I compare it with the iPad with retina display [iPad 3], it is a huge step back. Anyone who has held the new iPad in his [or] her hands knows that it can’t go back to the non retina display,” said Istvan by email.

The $519 Microsoft Surface has a 10-inch screen.

The Surface boasts twice the amount of RAM as the Mini with 2 GB.  It runs the new Windows 8 and has 720p HD video.

Both products are sold at Oakridge Centre in Vancouver and at Metrotown mall in Burnaby.

The Surface was recently named as one of Oprah Winfrey’s favourite items to buy, ranking 22 of her 49 recommendations.

Peter Baker, Langara computer science instructor, doesn’t think the Surface will succeed. The product is marketed towards youth.

“But to date I see few of the applications the youth market would use available via the Microsoft store,” said Baker. The Surface does not have a Facebook application while the Mini does. 

Fellow general studies student Henry Lee was less convinced about the new offerings, “No, I have the new iPad so not interested [in the Mini]. It is just smaller.”  Lee also would not consider buying the Surface.

Langara astronomy instructor Bradley Hughes has an entirely different take on the release of these two new tablets.

“Another symptom of capitalism’s need to endlessly produce goods we don’t need,” he said.

thuncher@shaw.ca