Bivar Hide Out Cafe won’t Stay A refreshing alternative to the usual all- By Jacey Gibb affeine and stressed out post- secondary students go together like pixie sticks and diabetes. As such, it only makes sense that located mere blocks away from Douglas College, nestled on the corner of Carnarvon and Lorne, you’ll find The Hide Out Cafe. When news of this coffee-peddling establishment reached me, my natural instinct was to partner up with our resident Staff Reporter, Maria Asselin-Roy, and go deep undercover to do: some old fashioned, investigative reporting. I honestly don’t think our sleuthing could have gone better. Upon entering the cafe, posing as everyday civilians, we were greeted with an immediate welcome from the two employees, one of whom who turned out to be the owner. Despite arriving near closing time (four thirty during the week), they made no effort to hasten our menu selection. Instead, we were offered several personal suggestions on which teas and sandwiches would best satisfy our needs. After my partner decided on the black bean baja wrap, I selected the pulled pork variation, mostly upon receiving a guarantee that it would ‘feed me until Thursday’. The next difficult decision to make came in the form of a beverage. There ubway diet didn’t seem to be anything revolutionary about the chalk-written choices on the blackboard, so we settled on Orange Dulce and Mighty Leaf, both divine. As we waited for the sandwiches to grill, I inquired about the stack of board games lying under-appreciated near the doorway. Apparently the collection, which including Trouble and Blurt among others, was open for public usage (except during the lunch tush). I secretly scowled myself for not allotting enough time during my visit for a game of Scrabble before closing time, but forgot about my foolishness as the meals arrived. I don’t use the term ‘meal’ to describe every sandwich variation that comes my way, but it seems incredibly appropriate when referring to the offerings at Hide Out Cafe. At one point I lifted half of my wrap and let it drop again to the plate, causing a distinctive thud noise as it landed. The worker had described it as a ‘heavy’ wrap—and she hadn’t used the term lightly. Both of our meals were incredibly delicious and my associate made sure to appreciate out how many vegetarian alternatives were offered, in contrast to the lone selection of Veggie Delite at Subway. After our meals were devoured (or as much as could be), we engaged in some more friendly conversation as the owner began closing duties. When asked about hidden much longer acquiring some matcha products, he made it clear that they were only interested in the most natural of products and that he hadn’t encountered a variation that met his standards. I noted his integrity and authentic work-ethic before we said our thanks again and left. Though it’s a bit more expensive than I usually like to spend at a place like it, The Hide Out Cafe never seemed overpriced. The food was perfect; the workers were inviting and the establishment itself, unwaveringly cozy. My co-investigator described it as a ‘quaint, hidden gem’ which sums it up nicely. I will no doubt be making a return visit, if not immediate, then for sure during the summer (just in time for homemade milkshakes!). If you happen to stumble upon this haven, be sure to mention you go to Douglas College to receive the elusive student discount. Horoscoping: Trapped between a Capricorn and a Sagittarius By Stephanie Trembath orn on December 24, I fall under the astrological sign of the Capricorn: tenacious, ambitious, reserved, practical, boring, pessimistic, and incredibly responsible. That is the description of a true Cappy, and while I do like to think that some of these qualities are in my nature, I know myself well enough to realize that I am the last person on Earth my friends would describe as practical or responsible. Due to my excessive spending, I have a negative sum in my bank account and cannot put gas in my car for the next three weeks. Not to mention, I have rice, spinach, yogurt, and coffee to last me the next 28days. This, my dear friends, is not a Capricorn like thing to do. A true Capricorn, according to the books, is the most business oriented and reliable of all the star signs, which does not exactly describe my true qualities. Astrology is an ancient technique which utilizes the sun, moon, planets, and stars to describe or anticipate human characteristics, actions, and other earthly events that take place. The Sunday paper 14 offers small descriptions detailing each sign’s weekly warnings or lucky days which usually look like this: GEMINI: Follow your heart this month; relationships will dissolve if they do not get the attention they need. Remember, even when you least expect it, someone out there is thinking of you. Be wary of weekend events; saving money this month is ideal. Lucky days: 8, 19, 24. Lucky colours: red, passion fruit, and yellow. While this flakey description could be for just about anyone on the planet, the word “astrology” is taken from the Latin term “astrologia” which is derived from Greek roots meaning “constellation”. Historically, astrology has been used and practised by many different regions and cultures including the Egyptians, Arabs, Persians, Hindu’s and Mayans, as well as the ancient Babylonians. Today, astrology is exemplified through the western cultivation of horoscopes; which is a chart or description of one’s personality traits that represents the celestial layout of the sun, moon and stars at a person’s moment of.birth. On what day and month you are born in is then linked to one of the twelve zodiac signs, which describes certain qualities and attributes of each star sign. As a result of the Earth’s rotation around the stars and the shift in space, the Earth’s relationship with the stars has changed so that the signs of the zodiac have been altered to include a thirteenth star sign. Professor Parke Kunkle, who has done a significant amount of research on the Earth’s latest change in orbit, claims that the new zodiac signs are based on “2000 year old information” which means that as the Earth continually moves and changes its orbit in space, there will be continuous changes in astronomy and therefore, zodiac signs over the ages. Astrologers claim that if you are born before 2009, you may keep your old zodiac sign, but those born after 2009 are a part of the new chart of star signs which includes the newest zodiac: Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is the sign of the serpent and is based on the Greek figure Aesclepius who was known for his vast knowledge of medicines in 27BC. Researchers of astrology claim that persons who fall under this star sign are known to be peacekeepers, very wise, get jealous easily, are extremely lucky and can also interpret dreams. Under the new version of the zodiac signs, I am a Sagittarius; optimistic, free, honest, philosophical, tactless, and restless. Again, I will admit, although I would like to thick I am a philosopher who is free spirited and forthright, I know that I am not. While I do believe that the constellations do dictate our happenings here on Earth, I am inclined to think that horoscopes and zodiac signs are a mere form of entertainment, and regardless of how many star signs there were in the past, or may be in the future, the cosmic formation of the stars doesn’t dictate who I am or the decisions I make on a daily basis.