Happy Monday!

I hope everyone is getting excited for Halloween.

Don’t forget about our weekly pitch meeting tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.!

Friday at 10 a.m. we have a workshop with Graham Thomson in the Gateway office. We hope to see you there!

Enjoy the last of the nice weather before it gets too snowy,

Anna

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Paralympian Danielle Peers enters Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Danielle Peers (they/them) was recently inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. After a career in wheelchair basketball, they choose to dedicate their life to “those who face challenges to integrate in the sports community because of their disability, race, gender, and/or sexual orientation.” Write a pro

Researcher discovers a safe, simple way to make disinfectant work better

A chemical engineer at the U of A has developed a disinfectant that is more effective than purely alcohol-based products, just by adding salt.

Women are turning to cannabis to treat their menopause symptoms, study suggests

A new U of A study suggests many women in Alberta use cannabis to treat symptoms of menopause, despite a lack of published evidence that it is effective for menopause symptoms.

Bookings open for Alberta’s COVID booster, flu immunization programs

The new vaccines are more than just another booster, said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, U of A professor. They're 'a real upgrade from what we had previously.'

SPORTS

FOOTBALL University of British Columbia - Edmonton, Alberta, 1:00 PM MT- Foote Field

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Anna at [email protected] or over Slack!

AI use in coursework: With the start of the new school year, students have seen a drastic increase in warnings about AI use for coursework included in the syllabi. This is following the popularisation of ChatGPT in the spring of this year. The U of A has created a taskforce to address the use of AI in course work, but the guidelines are still vague. Though it is strongly encouraged not to use AI for coursework at all, as long as it is properly cited it doesn’t fall under the academic integrity policy. Write about how the policy around AI use is vague, and how there are rising concerns among students regarding guidance around AI use. Should AI use be entirely banned from course work, or is there a way to integrate tools such as ChatGPT into our education?

Anticipating colder weather: Edmontonians are getting ready for the colder weather, from pulling out our cozy sweaters to changing to the winter tires on our cars. The City of Edmonton has been making plans to anticipate the colder weather too — Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has proposed a $5 million budget to improve snow removal across the city, especially to make transit more accessible. Additionally, there should be enough beds across the city to accommodate Edmonton’s houseless population by November 1. What else should the government be doing to prepare for this winter? Are there enough supports to make this difficult season a bit easier for citizens, or should the government be doing more? What should individual citizens be doing?

McDavid Likely to Not Play Heritage Classic: With Connor McDavid injured for the next 1-2 weeks, fans are unsure if they will see him play in this year’s Heritage Classic. However, this could be an opportunity for other players to shine, with him not there to help carry the team. Should the Oilers choose to play McDavid in the Heritage Classic, and risk him being injured further into the season, or play it safe and let the other players have the spotlight?

Are today’s criteria for issuing an AMBER alert relevant to our ideas of vulnerability: On October 19, an AMBER alert was issued for an abducted disabled woman who was blind and non speaking, and was later found unharmed. Typically, AMBER alerts are issued for abducted children who are thought to be in a dangerous situation. Does this criteria reflect our current ideas about vulnerability? Should the criteria be expanded to include more of the population including adults, or is the system working as intended?

Is the community league model in Edmonton still relevant to our modern social fabric: The community league model in Edmonton has been in use since the early 1900s to provide another avenue for citizens to organize their voice and opinions to council. While community leagues overall have contributed over $500 million to social infrastructure, some community leagues struggle to find volunteers or raise enough funds to function. The modern role of community leagues is up for debate, and in an increasingly digital world where many are finding community online rather than in person, is the money spent still justified?

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Photostory:  All is Bright 2023

November 18, 4:00-8:00 p.m., free entry

Album Review: Canadian soul-funk collective, “The Commotions,” releasing third studio album Volume 3

“The Commotions” features 12 Canadian soul, funk, and jazz performers, who emphasize the power of using real instruments. Rarely do they use computerized technology when crafting their music.

The collective’s music is timeless and remarkable, and their new album “Volume 3” explores new sounds and creative limits. Review this album and your thoughts on their unique music!

Interview or Film Review: Edmonton-born piano prodigy and film-maker James Carson

James was composing complete songs by the age of four, going on to have his work performed by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at age 16. This led to James attending the prestigious New England Conservatory.

Carson then walked away from music. He embarked on a global journey, working on farms around the world, aiming to deconstruct himself, with the long-term vision of one day creating a new form of music. On his return to Northern Alberta, the iconoclastic Carson then built a straw bale cabin by hand and put a piano in it—a years-long project known as CABIN MUSIC—which he documented.

CABIN MUSIC will have its Western Canadian on November 4th (Screening) & 5th (Concert) in conjunction with Edmonton’s NorthWest Fest and The Yardbird Suite Interview Carson about his story, review “Cabin Music,” or do both!

Performance Review: Sparta and Moneen at Union Hall 

November 11 at 6:00 p.m.

Sparta - the El Paso band featuring Jim Ward - have been touring the country in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their critically acclaimed, debut album Wiretap Scars.

They'll be heading to Edmonton supporting Moneen. Featuring fan-favorites “Air,” and “Cut Your Ribbon,” Wiretap Scars was released in August 2002. At the time Sparta was Ward, Matt Miller, Paul Hinojos, and Tony Hajjar. The 4 formed Sparta following the break of their former band, the post-hardcore At the Drive-In.

Cover the peformace!

Gateway to Gastronomy, winter edition: Do you have a fun and easy to follow recipe that you love to make in the fall? Share it in this reoccuring segment.

A&C Columns

Hobby Hole: Do you have a favourite hobby that you like to do? Guide us through it! Here’s a fun example.

Playlist: Share your fall music picks in a curated playlist!

Comic Stans: Love comics or graphic novels? This column is for you! Highlight your favourite comics and how they might include representation for women and LGBTQIA2S+ people!

Retro on Retro: Is some classic piece of media on your mind? Reflect on it with the distance of time in this column. Discuss the qualities, staying power, and impact of your favourite old movie, video game, album, book, play, or whatever else!

Illustration Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

We are looking for illustrators to create new graphics for the following A&C columns: Gateway to Gastronomy, Eating Edmonton, Hobby Hole, Top 5, and Retro on Retro. Reach out to Lily if you’re interested in taking one on