A letter from the Editor

Greetings and welcome to Laurier Brantford! If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re an incoming student. This edition of the Sputnik has been designed especially for you, in the hopes that we can make some introductions and…

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Welcome to: Brantford

Whether students choose to commute to campus or live nearby, becoming familiar with a new city is both an exciting and a nerve-racking experience, especially if it’s far from home. Prior to beginning the university application and registration process, it’s…

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Ford Plant does it for the music

Brantford has forever been known for its focus on sports. It’s the tournament capital of Ontario and the birthplace of hockey’s “Great One,” but Brantford has more to offer than just sports and jocks – it’s got music. When you…

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Renowned Brantford theatre announces student-friendly season

Bored Laurier Brantford students with empty weekend agendas can start filling up their Friday and Saturday nights starting this October. The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, located in the heart of downtown Brantford, has announced its 2010-2011 season and…

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Canadian bands draw huge crowd

Day two of Hockeyfest started off with long lines and, surprisingly, smiling faces as concert-goers patiently waited to enter the park for their chance to see some of Canada’s biggest and best musical talents. It seems that even the wait…

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‘Stocky Night’: wild and rowdy fun

Hundreds of jersey-clad fans stormed the Sanderson Centre theatre on Friday, June 5th for “Stocky Night in Canada,” a show headlined by famous geek director Kevin Smith. Presented on the heels of the first day of Hockeyfest, the massive theatre…

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Hockeyfest, Brantford go Guinness

“We did it!” says an excited and proud Walter Gretzky at the 2010 Brantford Street Hockey Tournament. “The tournament has 205 teams registered and that’ll put us in the record books.” The dream was lofty — Brantford wanted to beat…

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Flashing back to O-Week ’09

Before the first day of university actually begins, there’s a week of fun activities available exclusively for first-year students: Orientation Week, also known as “O-Week.” During O-Week, you get an opportunity to meet tons of wonderful people such as your…

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Well, wouldn’t that have been good to know

Fifth year. If you’d told me in September 2006 I would be here in the fall of 2010, and that I would be telling you what I learned too late to help you avoid similar problems, well, I probably wouldn’t…

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When campus food gets routine, you get creative

Living on residence doesn’t mean resigning yourself to a routine of PB&J sandwiches and Ramen noodles. As this writer and amateur chef shows you, turning undergrad grub into mealtime magic is all about thinking outside the box. “Rainbow Veggie Pasta…

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Your world is about to be invaded

When starting your university career, there are droves of new things that come your way. New school, new classrooms, and sometimes, a new city. However, the thing that the majority of people look forward to is the moving out. All…

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Chatroulette and the ‘Next’ big thing

In a tiny corner of the World Wide Web, there is a very special place where you can get strangers to sing to you, dance for you, and yes, even flash you their goods. Hailed as the “next big thing”…

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Building on Laurier Brantford’s foundation

Students living in Post House and Wilkes House are woken up at seven o’clock every morning to the sounds of machinery and workers, as the new Brantford Research and Academic Centre (BRAC) building rises higher and higher out of the…

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Aftershocks

This year is off to a shaky start, counting at least 21 earthquakes so far according to the United States Geographical Survey (USGS). Even with the first dating as early as January 3rd in the Solomon Islands, it wasn’t until…

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A slutty double standard

Living in residence, I’ve heard quite a few rumours throughout the school year regarding who is sleeping with who and the hook-ups at the latest party. Normally I’d ignore these stories and move on to more important things such as…

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Top 10 Green ideas for this summer

Saving the world might seem like a daunting mission, but environmental responsibility often starts small. Here are some practical and easy ideas you can put into action this summer: 1. Plant a garden Not only does this save you from…

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Tshepo – Hope from Brantford to Botswana

The school year may be ending, but Project Empathy is nowhere close to winding down; some of the organization’s busiest times are just ahead. On February 27, the organization hosted their sixth annual gala fundraising dinner. Laurier Brantford staff and…

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Sex 101: Music that makes you move

We’ve all had it happen. You’re in the moment with your partner, trying to make magic and then it happens. Your iPod changes songs and suddenly you’re faced with the sweet musical styling of Weird Al Yankovic’s, “Eat It.” The…

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Laurier student running for council

Downtown barber and Laurier Brantford student Martin Sitko is running for Brantford city council. “I think I could help both the downtown and this ward,” Sitko said. “I understand the economics of owning property downtown, the ups and downs, the…

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Ford Plant rocked by Owen Pallett

From the moment Owen Pallett stepped onto the stage on February 26th with his skinny jeans and his hair meticulously sculpted, he was the epitome of an indie hipster god. Toronto-based band Snowblink played before him, getting the crowd ready…

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A second chance for a fallen Canadian star

Just over a year after being unceremoniously removed from the Barenaked Ladies after a much-publicized drug arrest, Steven Page certainly seems to be turning a new page in the novel of his life. Performing at the Sanderson Centre this past…

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Sex 101: A trip to the Love Shop

If you haven’t heard, the Love Shop has moved. If your next question is “what’s the Love Shop?”, we’ve got a lot of work to do before you gain your credit in Sex 101. The Love Shop is one of…

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Brantford hospital celebrates 125 years of history

It was a frigid February 10th when John H. Stratford commenced the grand opening of the John H. Stratford Hospital on Terrace Hill Street in Brantford. Snow had choked roadways and covered the landscape in a thick blanket of white.…

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Wednesday night drinks

If you’re in the mood for a couple drinks in a casual atmosphere next Wednesday night, I suggest you head to Liquid Lounge. Only a five-minute drive from campus, at 159 Sydenham St, the bar will remind you of your…

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Supershammed, but blown away

On February 20, Classic Albums Live presented a stellar performance of classic hits by Supertramp, including “The Logical Song,” “Bloody Well Right” and “School.” The Sanderson Centre was packed, the music was outstanding and one Sputnik writer was left questioning…

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A little love, a lot of charity

I walked into Therapy Lounge feeling confident. It’s the Thursday before Valentine’s Day and I have been asked to cover a speed dating event that’s being held in support of War Child. I’m hoping to get a couple quotes, find…

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Reinvented Pallett to play Ford Plant

Formerly known as Final Fantasy, the Toronto-based Pallett is currently promoting his latest album, Heartland, with a tour that’s taking him from Dallas to Amsterdam to, yes, even Brantford. And I can tell you right now, it’s going to be…

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Journalism students face concentration time crunch

With the school year coming to a close in less than two months, it’s time for first year Journalism students to decide what concentration of their program they want to pursue. With several streams to choose from and a chance…

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