September Horoscopes

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18):

Your thoughts are dreamy, fantastic, and faraway right now. Your imagination and intuition is heightened, which benefits emotional commitments and thoughts of romance. However, your practical reasoning ability and your ability to focus on the here and now are diminished. Your judgement regarding concrete matters is a bit fuzzy at this time, so you may wish to delay making important decisions.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20):

Today is a good time to express your feelings with conviction, knowing that there will be response in kind. Situations that arise now will have lasting clarity and a quality of reinvention as they move along, as your head and heart are on the same page and will tend to remain that way. Giving and receiving appreciation, love, and happiness come into your life now. You are moved to express your affection more openly than usual.

Dark Knight

Movie Review
by Mitchell Agostinho

“I believe whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you… stranger.” – The Joker
“Starting tonight… people will die. I’m a man of my word.” – The Joker

Those memorable quotes (and many more), are delivered in what I can personally call “the best movie of the year.” The Dark Knight (sequel to 2005’s smash hit: “Batman Begins”) is the latest (and highest grossing) of director Christopher Nolan’s (and any other director’s) Batman movies. Starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and of course the late Heath Ledger. With an all-star cast and brilliant direction and cinematography; The Dark Knight is a treat for the movie lover in all of us.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Book review
by Jessica Luu

You may be familiar with Stephenie Meyer from her New York Times Best Seller vampire novels, “Twilight,” “New Moon,” and “Eclipse.” However, beginning on May 6, 2008, Stephenie is also recognized for her first adult novel, The Host.

The Host is situated after an invasion of aliens called Souls. Most of the human mind is now controlled by Souls, who continue human life in a well civilized way. On the brighter side, Souls have cured cancer and brought peace into Earth.

run right

by Hasan Nagib

As simple as running might seem, there is actually more to it than just putting one foot in front of the other. You can actually learn to run properly, efficiently, and pain free. Here are a few common mistakes most of you have probably made during the 30 minute run or just a few laps because you got in trouble for goofind off in P.E.:

“No Bad Wrong”

1) Leaning too far forward
2) Hunched shoulders, clenched fists
3) Loud, slapping footsteps
4) Arms swinging across the body instead of back and forth
5) And of course – short laboured breathing

featured artist: nikki siu

Nikki attended an intensive 3 and a half week long summer course with othe rteens from all over the world, including places like Peru and Hong Kong, from July 7 to Aug 1 at Emily Carr University (formerly known as Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design). While giving her the opportunity to take on several hands-on art projects, Nikki has learned a lot from experience.

“…I wanted to learn what art truly was and how it was going to be taught [at Emily Carr].  It was an awesome experience and I learned a lot of new things about the history of art and what makes something considered art and why people do it.  For me, art is a way to express yourself in ways that words can’t – a way to show people who you really are as well as your take on life, love, and many other things.  This was an experience I’m sure that I won’t forget and I encourage all you art lovers out there to go out and find our yourself.  Emily Carr is a great way to start.” – Nikki Siu.”

Congratulations Nikki on completing your summer course and pursuing your interests!

editor vs. editor: 2008 beijing olympics

Each month, Jenn and Chitha have the task of figuring out what goes in the paper and how they want to present it.  Usually they agree, but occasionally, they need to battle ti out.  In this new segment of the Windermere Word, the two editors will go head to head trying to figure out the whole story behind controversial issues.  They would like to proudly present to you…

EDITOR VS. EDITOR
Topic of the Month: The 2008 Beijing Olympics

J: So Chitha, did you watch the Olympics?
C: No, it’s not my thing.
J: Really? Me neither – never have time to follow it. Why don’t you watch it?
C: I just don’t see the purpose of it. It’s just a huge thing that’s lost its meaning.
J: Well, I think the Olympics are great because they give countries a chance to show off their athletes. Some athletes train all their lives just to get five minutes of fame. But look at Michael Phelps – holy smokes.

aids walk poster

by Isa Seto

AIDS Awareness Month

by Jessica Luu

September is AIDS Awareness Month.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the result of HIV, which attacks the immune system and leaves it weak against illnesses and diseases.  HIV can be transmitted through several different ways: unprotected sex and sharing needles (inclusive but not limited to those).  As well, a mother already infected by the virus can pass it to her newborn through pregnancy, giving birth, or breastfeeding.  HIV can only be transmitted if bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretion, breast milk, or when an infected person’s blood gets into an uninfected person’s bloodstream.  Usually, it takes 10 years for the virus to become AIDS.  Such a condition it marked when the immune system can no longer protect the body from infections.

Think Translink

by Peggy Lam

Have you ever ridden public transit buses and complained about the gigantic crowd that’s been stuffed on one single bus? Or do you get upset over the outrageous amount of money that your ticket [now] costs you? Unfortunately for us, things do not get better from here.

In 2006, the Provincial Government with Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon released a ‘Gateway’ Plan to solve the problem of overcrowding cars and clogged-up traffic during the rush hours, or so they said. This plan includes widening Highway 1, doubling the Port Mann Bridge, and most of all, adding 8 lanes from Vancouver to Langley! And not only does this ‘Gateway’ project cost $4-6 BILLION dollars, but it’s also coming from the money of our own pockets. The federal government refused to pour money into this project, and so the provincial government declared that it must come from tax payers, public-private partnerships, and private corporations. That’s right folks, the taxes that we pay when we consume is being used for projects like this.

400th Anniversary of Quebec

by Nate Leung

Quebec is home to most Franco-phones in Canada and is historically known as “Lower Canada.” On July 3rd, 1608, Samuel de Champlain established a settlement in the “New World” and named it “Kebec” – an Algonquin word meaning ‘a place where the river narrows.’ Over the years, this name has gradually been altered to “Quebec.” Today, Quebec is one of the world’s most enchanting cities. To commemorate the first-established “Kebec” 400 years ago by Samuel de Champlain, starting from January to October 2008, on-going festivals and celebrations have been hosted and enjoyed throughout, pulling out allt he stops for its residents and tourists. The “St. Lawrence River” is the main source to the history, establishment, and life of Quebec City. Along the shores of this immense river, festivities have exploded into the lives of the city-dwellers with a loud atmosphere of joy and happiness. In addition, other celebratiosn such as the 4th World Youth Congress, the World Men’s Hockey Championship, and many more have been added to increase the warm feeling that surges within Quebec City this year. A commemorative coin has also been released (see right). It features the profile of Samuel de Champlain.

The “Carbon-”ator

by Emily Chan

Okay, everyone listen up. Here’s the truth. When I read the headline “CARBON TAX,” I skipped it and went straight to the comics. Garfield really cracks me up. I used to think that this topic didn’t matter to me because I didn’t drive a car. Now, I regret thinking that. Also, I’ve gained an opinion; Carbon tax is a positive addition that takes a step towards living in a more eco-friendly world.
Have you noticed the sudden drastic increase of the price of gas since July 1st? If you have, kudos to you! If not, then I don’t blame you. With the tax always jumping around and never staying still, the increase is basically invisible by now. Rest assured, though. The tax is there. Well, to be more specific, the 2.34-cents-on-every-litre tax is there. That number will gradually rise to 7.24 cents by the year 2012.

To Tree or Not to Tree

by The Ninja Twins

Parks and scenic views are two of the major reasons why tourists visit Vancouver.  Earlier this summer, the Vancouver Park Board made a decision that enraged some local residents over an issue involving both of these.  It began with a decision to remove 70 trees from a particular viewing area in Queen Elizabeth Park.  This decision was made because the current height of these particular trees was obscuring the scenic view popular with tourists.  The issue was immediately brought to the attention of some people concerned with the local tree situation.  They promptly reacted by sending letters of protest to the Park Board and the local media. Their main complaint was that these trees selected for removal were old-growth trees.  However, the Vancouver Park Board informed them that even though the trees were going to be removed, they were planting 140 brand new baby trees, two for every tree cut in areas that were less dense.  Still, the protesters complained that the trees shouldn’t be cut down.  Their main complaint was, “Why destroy 70 perfectly healthy trees for something as unimportant as scenery?”