SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

One of MSU President Mary Koziol’s pet projects has come to life.

The weekly campus farm stand celebrated its grand opening last Thursday. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as honey and other preserves, were available for sale in two tents in front of the oval garden outside University Hall.

The food was provided by three local farms: Simpler Thyme Organic Farm of Flamborough, Liz’s Busy Farm Shop of Campbellville, and Two Century Farms of Grimsby. The farmers sold their products to the MSU, which set up shop and sold it to students and McMaster employees in a non-for-profit practice.

The project was initiated by Alexandra Bissley and Zsuzsi Fodor, two students working through OPIRG McMaster. Inspired by similar ventures at other Canadian universities and by Hamilton’s local food movement, they saw an opportunity to bring easier access to fresh and natural produce to students. Many who are passionate about eating locally find that making regular trips to the downtown farmers’ market or other markets throughout the city become more difficult as the semester goes on.

When Koziol adopted the idea during her presidential campaign last winter, it became a controversial component of her platform. Although some of the Hospitality Services representatives she met with “were very enthusiastic about the idea,” they were hesitant to allow the competition on to campus.

“I’m not going to say it was easy,” said Koziol. “It was definitely a challenge because you are working with people who operate according to very different models; the Hospitality Services model is very different from the farmers’ market model. But, I think that everyone around the table was willing to compromise.”

Along with the Office of Sustainability, Hospitality is a partner in the farm stand’s operations. It provides training, tables, market-day storage and support, and takes the leftovers at the end of every Thursday. It does, however, give some limitations on what the stand can sell.

Andrew Chong, a second-year Arts & Science student, was hired by the MSU this summer to be the farm stand director. After working diligently to get everything in place for the stand opening, he woke up bright and early on Thursday to ensure that everything would run smoothly.

“I’m really happy with how it turned out,” he said.

Chong has Ontario farmers on both sides of his family, and remembers early-morning trips to the food terminal throughout his childhood. In preparation for his new job, he has visited a few local farms and has been inspired by the welcoming nature of the farmers and the attitude of stewardship over the land.

By bringing the stand to campus, he hopes to forge a connection between local farming and the McMaster community that is much more convenient for students.

At this week’s farm stand, a nutritionist will be present to answer questions on eating practices and on items available at the market. One of the stand’s principles is to educate students on healthy and sustainable food consumption. Recipes will be available at the stand, and the MSU is currently working with SHEC on a cooking magazine.

The farm stand will be open every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until mid-October, and potentially again in the spring.

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MUSIC EDITOR

“Sometimes the things that you hate influence your music more than the things you love.”

These words have resonated with Alexisonfire’s grittily dynamic frontman, George Pettit, who’s sweated just about every aspect of Canadian music since the band’s inception nine years ago. “I read that quote in an interview with [guitarist Dallas Green], and I never really thought about our musical direction like that until now.”

Having just settled into his Hamilton abode following a lengthy European festival tour in support of the band’s fourth LP release, Old Crows/Young Cardinals, Pettit remains optimistic towards the band’s longevity despite the current overwhelming media shift favoring auto-tune-plagued artists.

“It’s important to be self-aware. We’re all huge music junkies and are constantly trying to change and make our sound different as opposed to thinking ‘Hey! How can we make the next radio pop hit?’” He continued, “A lot of times you don’t want to rip something off that you love. But when you see something you dislike then it’s easier to make a conscious decision not to sound like that.”

The St. Catharines quintet’s edge-driven style has developed over the years into a hefty grab bag of various classifications ranging from screamcore to post-hardcore, which may explain their unforeseen rise to national stardom out of an unlikely yet burgeoning music climate.

Today, they shelve two platinum records, along with years of seasoned on-the-road experience, while still proudly showing off the calluses of their Canadian roots.

“When I was a kid there was a music culture that was small, yet so exciting and fresh with likeminded youth all gathering to play their shit instruments in some hall somewhere,” said Pettit. “There’s something fun and beautiful about that, and it felt good to be a part of that type of music culture. That’s why we always like coming back and playing around Ontario. You know, to check in on things.”

Having recently been slotted to play McMaster University’s upcoming Frosh Week this September, Pettit couldn’t be more excited to return after the band’s 2008 performance. “The last [Frosh show] I really enjoyed, and I’m a Hamilton guy so I’ll take up any excuse to play a show in the city that I’m from.”

Pettit’s prominence in Southern Ontario’s music community has also allowed him to take on his own press role of showcasing up-and-comers through AUX TV’s Strange Notes. “I was sick of watching good bands get on TV for two minutes and get asked a lot of irrelevant questions. At a time when I thought Canadian music was particularly interesting and a lot of good things were happening I thought it was a good idea to put these artists in a room where they could actually talk.”

For Pettit, giving exposure to Canadian artists like Toronto’s Fucked Up and London’s Shad (both with Polaris experience) allows viewers to understand the working class, slugging-it-on-the-road mentality. He elaborated, “That’s where Alexisonfire and a lot of the bands I love came from, so I wanted to shine the light on that aspect as opposed to the ‘I want to get famous and be a billionaire!’ vibe. That to me is superficial.”

There is no doubt, then, that you can probably catch Pettit out and around Hamilton between tours.

“There’s a lot of promoters in the city that have recently been great about bringing touring acts through to smaller venues like The Casbah and This Ain’t Hollywood. So I often have to call up the baby sitter and go check them out.” He continued, “I think if those promoters didn’t exist then I probably wouldn’t have moved here.”

He added, “I don’t want to take the risk of sounding like the ‘crotchety old guy’ who looks at popular music today and goes ‘I don’t get it,’ because I do. Kids love the auto-tune pop/metal stuff, and it’s weird. None of that resembles music that I appreciate though.”

Collectively the band gets it too. As guitarist Wade MacNeil robustly confesses in the Old Crows/Young Cardinals opener, “We are not the kids we used to be.” It’s true. After so many years in and around the Canadian music circuit Pettit has assumed a more patriarchal role, one which involves discovering local gems through live shows as a way of staying culturally involved.

“It’s important for me to know there’s a chance that if a band’s playing in Toronto then it’s likely that I’ll catch them in Hamilton. I’ve seen a lot of great shows around here recently.”

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HATHWAY-BAXTER

SENIOR ANDY EDITOR

I spent an entire summer unemployed. It wasn’t for a lack of trying to find a job, I swear. Sure, it was fun for the first little while, but then the delight of no responsibilities turned into the horrible reality of a dwindling bank account. Slowly but surely, the Internet became my job. Sad? I thought so too.

Here’s a compilation of some of the best websites I’ve come across in my lazy summer that I’m sure my fellow jobless friends would appreciate. Those of you who have jobs, I hate you, but I can’t stay mad at you. I’m sure you will enjoy these sites too.

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ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

He may be a graduate of McMaster’s multimedia program, but Jason Wellings’ education on the links is the one paying the greatest dividends at the moment. The six-year veteran of the Marauder golf program put his club swinging prowess on display last week, posting a final-round score of 69 to lock up a win at the Toronto Star Amateur Tournament.

Despite hitting cleanly off the tee throughout the event, Wellings’ victory was far from certain as the final round kicked off, with the Flamborough native sitting at five-under after Thursday’s proceedings.

He had begun the day in fine fashion, posting an impressive score of 32 on the front-nine, but Wellings’ putter went cold in the second half as he three-putted on three separate occasions to finish with a one-under 71 on the day.

In an interview with the Star’s San Grewal, he admitted to playing some decidedly schizophrenic golf, saying, “I hit every green in regulation, but the putter got pretty cold.”

With his woes on the greens, the Mac grad came into the final round on Friday sitting three strokes back of leader Josh Bamberger. However, Jason Wellings would clearly not be satisfied to finish as an also-ran, and with a steady pair of hands and a steely resolve, the former Marauder stormed to the front of the leaderboard to seize the title.

Fittingly, it was Wellings’ wayward putter which put him in the position to win the event, as he sank a momentum-shifting birdie putt on 17 to put him one shot clear of co-leader Mark Hoffman heading to the eighteenth and decisive hole.

In a hole typical of the dramatic and close-run final round, the Mac grad nearly followed the aforementioned Hoffman into the bunker, before his approach shot veered just left and onto the green, putting him 12 feet from victory.

Cue a closing two-putt, and Wellings put the finishing touches on an impressive victory, one which stands as a signal of his intent to succeed on the national level. Speaking to the Star in the wake of his victory, the former Marauder indicated that the tournament had reassured him of his talent, and his ability to hold his own against Canada’s best.

“I had been thinking of trying to qualify for the Canadian Tour all summer and this makes me believe I can play out there,” said Wellings of his win. “The field here is really strong. It was the most pressure I’ve ever felt. I didn’t even know my score, I just knew if I was one shot behind or ahead of the guys in my group.”

For many of those involved with golf at the national level, the success of Wellings and other university players such as Scott Samuels at the tournament gives rise to some hope that the traditional exodus of talented young golfers to the south could be in decline.

A resident pro at the Credit Valley course which housed the Star’s event, Adam Cherry lauded such tournaments for their role as showcases of Canadian talent and courses. “I think an event like this is a highlight on a lot of people’s schedules,” commented Cherry. “To have this in the GTA for younger golfers it’s great to see where they stand against other good golfers. And they get to play on some of the most spectacular courses in all of Ontario, if not Canada. It shows them the level of golf being played here.”

For his part, Wellings argues that the competition North of the border has grown noticeably since he began his university career, and that he and his scholarly brethren have been an integral part of that growth. Speaking to the Star, the multimedia major noted, “It used to be that you had to go down south if you wanted to play seriously. But I’ve definitely noticed the calibre of play improve a lot at the university level here since I started. When I play tournaments now, you always see Canadian university players on the leaderboard.”

With his recent win giving him a crucial confidence boost, Wellings will be looking to take the next step in his golf career this fall, and become a professional member of the Canadian Tour. He will attend the tour’s qualification school in September, alongside other such amateur hopefuls.

While his future on the links is far from certain, his local success leads one to believe that there are greater leaderboards left for Jason Wellings to conquer.

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ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Okay, so August is here. Only a few weeks left till the inevitable: school. For some, it’s a welcomed return to academic life, for others, like me, it’s a sad farewell to a warm summer of work and play. I had the opportunity to spend some time these past few months at The Varsity and Bloor Cinema, two respected theatres that cater to film geeks such as myself.

What I have to report is that films are alive and well in 2010 – it’s just too bad no one knows about most of them. Yes, Toronto may be the only viable market to show these under-the-radar indies, but have no fear: what I have here are a few recent titles that you might’ve seen, and some that might provoke interest; films to seek in theatre, on video, or to download.

The Kids are Alright

Simple premise: teenage children of a lesbian couple track down the sperm donor their mothers used for conception almost 20 years prior. What ensues is a complex dramedy of heartbreak, frustration and pathos. All three leads (Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, and Mark Ruffalo) are superb, specifically Bening who brings a nearly flawless aura of motherly compassion to her role. Don’t be surprised to see her in contention for Best Actress come Oscar time.

Solitary Man

In what should’ve been Michael Douglas’ career comeback, directors Brian Koppelman and David Levin have constructed a portrait of an aging womanizer and former automotive magnate, slowly losing his family and fortune to his uncontrollable libido. A fantastic ensemble cast including Danny DeVito, Susan Sarandon and Jesse Eisenberg are lent to Douglas’ character as he tries to relive a lost youth, spouting misogynist rhetoric to anyone that will listen. Likeably sleazy, Douglas makes his Oscar-winning role of Gordon Gekko in Wall Street seem like a saint in comparison.

Inception

A summer blockbuster with ideas? A rarity to say the least, especially for mainstream appeal. Christopher Nolan’s take on dreams has certainly captivated audiences with its splendid set pieces, labyrinthine design and frenetic execution. While some action sequences may steer toward the Michael Bay end of the spectrum, it’s the way Nolan layers his story with unease and tension that remains the film’s most winning attribute. Brilliant or utter bullshit, one thing is certain, this film will have you talking about it for days afterwards.

Toy Story 3

In what is arguably the best entry of the series, Toy Story 3 had the courage to deal with issues not typical of animated features: aging and the fear of being unwanted. Pixar’s knack for infusing human elements into their stories works particularly well here as we follow Woody and the gang in their quest to stay relevant when Andy moves away to college. The film’s gripping climax, set against a fiery inferno, is brilliant in its ability to extract pure emotion – not from what’s said, but from what’s shown – pulling at our heartstrings all the while. Not only is this a wonderful film, but also a remarkable achievement in making one cry over a bunch of toys.

Restrepo

An intense and vivid documentary, Restrepo follows a platoon of America soldiers to what is dubbed “the most dangerous place on earth,” Afghanistan’s Korangal Valley. Their mission takes them deep into the rugged terrain, as they are assigned to track and kill members of Al Qaeda. Things are not that simple, though, as miss-calculated attacks not only harm innocent villagers but also feed the infantrymen’s psychological trauma. Documented by two American journalists, the film’s jittery camera work captures a year of duty as we live with these soldiers through footage and are devastated when we see them die right in front of our eyes.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

In what I still believe to be the best film of the year, this all-access look into street art is one of the most original experiences I’ve had at the movies. Shot on video, the film’s cameraman, Thierry Guetta, becomes an aide to the mysterious, real-life graffiti artist named Banksy after years of documenting other artists and their work. When a dismayed Banksy scoffs at Thierry’s documentary completed from years of recorded footage, he suggests Guetta try his hand at art instead. What transpires is a remarkable turn of events, as Thierry and his art become a media sensation, eclipsing even that of Banksy’s. Then again, it all could be a big hoax; Banksy is, after all, credited as the film’s director.

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BUSINESS EDITOR

The collapse of the auto industry in 2008 still haunts North American markets. Maclean’s called it, “the long, sorry decline and ultimate crash of the mighty auto industry”. In quick succession, General Motors, and Chrysler accepted Canadian and American government bailouts.

Of the two, GM would eventually face a bankruptcy tribunal. Once, the second largest company in America, GM’s bankruptcy left countless businesses as well as the cities of Windsor and Detroit in ruin. In June 2010, Windsor’s unemployment rate was 21.4 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. While Wall Street hurt bankers uptown, the collapse of the auto industry hurt workers down on the shop floor.

Fast forward to late summer 2010. Green roots have sprung up in the auto industry. The auto industry has the potential to put money in consumer’s pockets. Renewed confidence in the sector would go a long way to lifting employment, which would boost consumer spending. Since consumer spending accounts for approximately 70 per cent of the American economy, a surge in sustainable jobs would mean a resurgence of the American economy.

Growth in the auto industry is good news for the stalled United States economy that saw a rise in unemployment by 125, 000 people in Jul., according to the Employment Situation Summary by the United States Department of Labour.

On Jul. 30, 2010, Chrysler Group LLC announced that they would add an additional 900 jobs to a factory that was once on the verge of closure located in Spring Heights, Michigan. The plant produces the Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler Sebring. Chrysler’s decision to keep the plant open shows that the manufacturer is confident going forward. 

Wages for the new hires will be around $14 an hour, around half of what they once were. If low wages are the trend of the future of manufacturing jobs, consumer spending could remain low.

Other US auto manufacturers have also shown strong signs of recovery. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) reported a profit of $2.6 billion (all figures USD). This is the fifth consecutive quarter that Ford has been profitable.

General Motors Co. has announced that they will purchase AmeriCredit Corp. The deal comes with a $3.5 billion price tag. AmeriCredit is a subprime lender specializing in automotive loans.

If GM can navigate the subprime market safely, they may find that subprime loans will generate sales, while unemployment and consumer spending remains relatively low.

Other major auto manufacturers Toyota and Honda also posted profits last quarter.

Statistics Canada reported that the Canadian economy slumped last quarter. It grew by 0.1 per cent, coming up short of analysts’ expectations of 0.2 percent growth. Growth of the auto sector could spur employment.

A burgeoning American market would benefit Canada’s export driven natural resources—the backbone of Canada’s economy.

With the Canadian and American economies stalled and fear of a double dip looming, the auto industry may have the ability to get North Americans back on track.

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Executive Editor

It’s not that I don’t appreciate it you know, because I do, Jim, I really do. It’s just that it’s getting to be a bit much. Not that I think it’s too much of a good thing, mind you, but more that it’s too much of a so-so thing, see? Too much of a bland thing. Too much of a shoulder-shrug, lay-about, atrophying, drowsy, nothingness thing.

You see, Jim, the trouble is summer; namely that it just keeps draaaa-aaaagging on. I mean, four months, for God’s sake. It’s a long time. It’s one third of a calendar year, one third of a full revolution around the sun which is, by the way, getting to be old-hat these days with the brightness and the heat. The season is starting to stagnate.

The thing is, and this is what’s started to scare me, I want the school year to start. And yeah, I get it, the summer’s supposed to be about freedom. No more teachers, no more books, sure, but it’s also no more life. I’m out of my element here. I’m so geared for school and that whole rigidly scheduled bit that I really can’t do this summer holidays thing.

I feel a little wacky, you know, Jim. I mean there was a time when I was glad to get out of school. Couldn’t stand it. And maybe it’s maturity or maybe it’s brainwashing but I’ve started to appreciate academic life. I’ve developed, I guess would be the polite parlance.

So that’s it. I’ve got to get back. It’s time.

I’ve got an office tan, which is to say that I my face gets some colour through the bus window.

I’ve got a summer physique, which is to say at least it’s hot enough that I might sweat off the lazy weight.

I’ve got a hermit’s mouth, which is to say that I speak only to those people who come to my cubicle for a stapler or something.

But the upshot of it all is that I’ve finally come to like school for the flawed friend that it has always been. Maybe it’s a little difficult sometimes, maybe there are rough patches around exams when I want to scream. Yes, it can be a strain. But I’m used to it. And I’ve grown rather fond of it, Jim. See, school is that stuff I know best, the people and the places and the events I’m so usually surrounded by.

The grass on campus just seems greener these days. You see what I’m saying, Jim? I’m glad you agree.

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ASSISTANT INSIDEOUT EDITOR

Recall the time when you first felt sexual angst and the sudden relief that quickly followed after an innocent session of self-indulgence. Chances are that first time was shortly accompanied by a second, followed by a third, and, after nearly suffering carpel tunnel, you lost count altogether.

In a similar manner, sexting (which refers to the risqué practice of sending sexually explicit text messages, including photos) recreates these same feelings. It begins with a mounting tension while you sit half-minded in a desolate corner on campus, soon followed by an unwavering desire to send a tantalizing text to that certain someone. Of course, assuming these feelings are reciprocated, an exchange of dirty dialogue is sure to follow, leaving you wanting more and more.

Undoubtedly, sexting is just one form of sexual expression and exploration that often accompanies much of the university lifestyle. Not only is sexting a way to entice but it’s also a way to release that pent-up frustration that we are regularly burdened with in our day-to-day lives.

We spend our lives consumed in the stresses of school. So when time doesn’t permit for physical sexual encounters then sexting can indeed be an outlet for those sexual impulses that seem to creep up on us at the least convenient hour.

However, sexting has also become a somewhat taboo topic. As we see ever-increasing mentions of it in news media and the like, it has taken on a foreboding undertone. As of late, there have been numerous news reports denouncing sexting as a “disquieting trend” in flirting. Just like all sexually progressive practices, it is for certain that sexting does in fact have potentially negative consequences for both parties, such as harassment and legal repercussions.

Consequently, in light of this growing concern, multiple resources have been made available to the public, such as TextED.ca, a Canadian website specifically geared towards textual education. Some features available on TextED include a list of guidelines for safe texting listing palpable statements such as “I will respect people with my text messages, and will not harass anyone,” and an “acronictionary” cataloguing textual acronyms from A-Z such as AYV (are you vertical?). This tool may in fact be a valuable resource for those troubled with the latest in sexting phenomena. However chances are that as practitioners of academia we’re without a doubt well-versed in the vernacular of the telecommunications world and need not reference websites for codes of conduct regarding texting.

On that note, while taking necessary precaution of course, there should be no shame in sexting. Presuming that we are civil, decent beings, then I say hooray to hot and heavy text messaging.

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THE MANITOBAN (U. OF MANITOBA)

WINNIPEG (CUP) — The Canadian Federation of Students is hoping to end the Canadian Blood Services’ controversial lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM).

The CFS called it a discriminatory policy — it currently denies donations from men who have had sex with men anytime after 1977 — saying it draws attention to a person’s sexual preference rather than sexual practice.

“A man who has sex with a man has just as much chance of contracting HIV as a man who has sex with a woman, so we can see that we need to be focusing on more sexual practices than sexual preference,” said Alanna Makinson, CFS-Manitoba chairperson and national representative for the province.

The organization is currently running a national campaign that focuses on raising public awareness of the issue and has had students campaigning at various Pride parades and other events across the country.

Bonnie Monteith, a spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services, explained that the policy continues to exist because the risk continues to be higher among the MSM category of donors.

“To date, there has been no new scientific evidence to support an end or modification of the current policy,” she said.

And the numbers are only rising.

Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, global health sciences dean at the University of California, told delegates at the International AIDS Conference on Jul. 22 that rates of HIV in North America are climbing to levels last seen in 1982. Approximately 65,000 people are living with HIV in Canada, she said, and 44 per cent of those fall into the MSM category.

“It is not up to Canadian Blood Services to determine whether or not this is a fair policy,” said Monteith. “It is our mandate to ensure that we make decisions based on scientific evidence that are in the best interest of patients, who bear 100 per cent of the risk of the products we provide.”

The Canadian Institute for Health Research has been offering a joint research opportunity on the areas of donor deferral strategies and the risk of blood-borne diseases, as well as policy development and social aspects of the blood system since Mar. 2008.

This research could potentially influence a change in the MSM deferral policy.

“To date, there have been no applications for this research funding and it is our hope that the Canadian Federation of Students will work with Canadian Blood Services to help promote the research agenda,” said Monteith.

The CFS has also been working in coalition with the Canadian AIDS Society and Egale Canada in their efforts to amend the policy.

In Sept. 2009, the Canadian AIDS Society suggested a change to the wording of the yes-or-no question on the current survey directed at male donors to ask men if they’ve had sex with other men in the past five years. The questionnaire currently reads: “Have you had sex with a man, even one time since 1977?”

“The questionnaire itself is not scientifically valid, which compromises the safety of the system by encouraging self-screening and inciting boycotts on blood donation based on human rights principles,” Douglas Elliot, a CAS lawyer, said in a press release.

If the response was no to the proposed question, the person would be treated like any other donor. If the response was yes, they would respond to a further question: “Have you had unprotected anal sex (i.e. without a condom) with more than one male partner in the last 12 months?”

If the response were yes again, they would receive a 12-month deferral. If the response was no, they would receive a six-month deferral.

Sané Dube, membership co-ordinator at the Nine Circles community health centre, explained that positive prevention messaging is a significant factor in effective HIV prevention.

“Public messages that reinforce stereotypes of only certain groups as being affected by HIV undermine effective HIV prevention,” said Dube.

Dube stressed that, historically, HIV has proven to affect people from all walks of life, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.

“In light of this, effective prevention messaging must address behaviours that place individuals at risk of contracting HIV rather than reinforce stereotypes that only certain groups are at risk,” said Dube.

“Without this distinction, HIV prevention efforts in our communities are inadequate.”

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Research in Motion unveiled their new Blackberry Torch on Tuesday Aug. 4. The phone is aimed to compete with Apple’s iPhone 4 and the HTC Legend. While analysts admit the phone has potential, shareholders disagree. When the Torch was unveiled in New York, RIM’s shares fell as low as five per cent from the intraday high.

A picture will Last Longer

Kodak has discontinued Kodachrome, the first colour film to be mass marketed around the world. The film has become extinct with the advent of digital photography. Photographer Steve McCurry shot the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal and Robert DeNiro on the last canister to roll off the line.

Deliciousness Prevails

Quebec-based cheese and milk giant Saputo has stated that they will not sell their cake division, Vachon. Vachon holds 75 to 80 per cent of the snack cake market in Canada. The company believes that despite consumer trends toward a healthier lifestyle, there is still potential growth for chocolatey goodness.

Good news for GE

Financial and industrial manufacturing goliath, General Electric has posted their first profit since 2007. Q2 net income was up 16 percent, totalling $3 billion. This is good news for investors who saw GE cut dividends and accrue large financial losses in 2007.

A $271 Million Screw Up

Chicago-based Boeing Co., the second largest US military contractor, and could owe the US government $271 million. The manufacturer billed the United States in 2006-2008 for a contract delivered between 1998 and 2006 for the Delta IV Rocket Program. Federal accounting practices in the US demand that companies bill the government the year that costs are incurred.

The Price of Higher Education

Next month it is expected that Canadians will spend $621 million on back to school shopping, says a survey by Visa Canada. The majority of this will be spent online. Many of those polled cited that online shopping was more convenient and cheaper. This survey could also mean that people truly do prefer to shop in their underwear.

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