AMPUS NEWS _ ororsssoms THE VOICE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 3 vy All systems grow for Langa Plants take root at college’s society garden By SHAWN GILL fter a year and a half of orga- nizers butting heads, the Lan- gara Community Garden is flourishing after its first sea- son. “My philosophy is that as many peo- ple at Langara that want to use the gar- den for their purposes, that’s great,” said Mario Moniz de Sa, assistant chair for biology and Langara Community Garden Society member. Of all the ongoing projects in the works for the garden, none is as unusu- al or offers more potential benefits than what the chemistry department is cooking up. Langara chemists are experiment- ing with a promising new form of car- bon sequestration called Biochar. They have asked Moniz de Sa to grant them test plots in the community garden to see whether or not Biochar is detri- mental to plant life. The Langara Students’ Union has two plots in the garden. “We are just trying to spread awareness about the garden, get people interested and make it work,” said Freya Olson, head of the LSU’s environment committee. Naoko Shiratori, the LSU’s new gar- dening volunteer, thinks gardens should be self-sufficient and beautiful. She helps educate beginners on gar- dening because “I like to grow stuff.” The college gave the LCGS supplies needed to build and maintain the gar- den, and volunteers pitched in by sup- plying free labour and seeds. A living fence made of perennial plants surrounds the garden. Next spring, the LCGS will hold a sale to sell excess plants from the fence, with pro- ceeds going to the Langara bursary fund. Langara gave the LCGS a five-year lease of the land for a dollar per year. When the lease is up, there’s an option to renew for another five years. After- plot approval was given on May 1 stake- holders were planting their beds by June 1. The garden contains 26 plots. Plot use is roughly split three-ways: with a third of the plots going to faculty, a third to students, and the remainder to members of the community. EK TEDx talk offers words of wisdom On Nov. 18, speakers are giving Langara students ideas worth spreading By JENNIFER FONG ra re livan, is among six prominent lo- cal figures who will be speaking at the first TEDxLangara event on Nov.18. Speakers will be sharing personal success stories and advice at this four- hour student-organized initiative. “It’s about bringing in different peo- ple from the working world to discuss leadership,” said Stephanie Koonar, as- sistant chair of Langara‘s school of management. “It’s giving access to stu- dents to meet with these individuals on a one-to-one basis.” Presenters include Doug Burgoyne, co-founder and president of FROGBOX; Ron Kubara, vice-president of sales and marketing for Noritsu Canada; Faye Wightman, president and CEO of Vancouver Foundation; Allison Bond, assistant deputy minister of the BC Ministry of Social Development; and Terry McBride, co-founder and CEO of Nettwerk Music Group. ‘'m planning on talking about the city, and how we need to be aware of the implications cities have on the environ- ment, the economy, and our social vital- ity,” said Sullivan, a Langara alumni. Burgoyne will be speaking about “sustainable prosperity, the idea that you can run a business that is profit- able yet provides a service or product that is better than current alternatives for the environment.” “T like the idea that Langara is offer- ing any students, who are interested, an opportunity to see community lead- ers,” said business student Patricia Sayer. “They also have women [speak- ers] which I think is nice too.” Sayer adds that sustainability is interesting, and “the fact that they’re promoting it is really forward thinking.” TED is a non-profit organization de- voted to spreading ideas. Conferences are made available on their website ted. com. TEDx events are local, indepen- dently organized events meant to em- body the TED experience. Tickets are $20, but students must apply online by Oct. 28. Visit langara. be.ca/tedxlangara for details. Piss: Vancouver mayor, Sam Sul- SHAWN GILL photo Mario Moniz de Sa, assistant chair for biology, demonstrating correct shoveling techniques in Langara’s community garden. City cyclists ready to ride Langara faculty is gearing up for Bike to Work Week, starting Oct. 31 By MATT HYNDMAN conomics instructor, Fulton Tom K started biking to work out of shame. While he drove his car ev- ery day, a colleague in his 60s was rid- ing his bike all the way from North Vancouver. “T figured if he could cycle all that way, at half his age, I should be able to ride from New Westminster,” said Tom. That was 12 years ago, now Tom bikes every day. He’s become so dedi- cated that he’s organized a faculty team and celebration station for Bike to Work Week, a city-wide cycling initia- tive that begins on Oct. 31. To take part, employees can sign up at biketoworkmetrovan.ca. So far, 50 faculty members have signed up. The website allows people to log their commutes for a chance to win prizes. It also pits different businesses and colleges against one another, com- peting to log the most combined trips and distances. The Vancouver Area Cycling Coali- tion runs the event to encourage work- WHY bike to work? Beat the traffic. Bik- ing is just as fast as travelling by transit and car. MM Engage with your community and enjoy the scenic route of the bike lanes. HE Get in shape, men- tally and physically. HE You'll save money on car insurance and fuel. HE Cut down on per- sonal greenhouse gas emissions. Source: wwwx.vacc.be.ca places to get employees to commute by bicycle. On Nov. 1, a commuter station will be set up near Langara’s employee park- ing lot entrance on Ontario Street and 50th Avenue. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. any- one on his or her bike can take advan- tage of free bike mechanic services from VanCycle Mobile Bicycle Shop, enjoy free Tim Hortons refreshments and enter a prize draw for a $100 gift card at Mountain Equipment Co-op. The station is one of 25 that will be set up around Metro Vancouver. As well as being an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation with no emissions or gas costs, cycling is also an easy way to add more physical activity to a person’s daily routine, Tom says. Alecia Willis, a human kinetics stu- dent at Langara, bikes to college, and sees more people doing the same. “In Vancouver it’s gone up a lot because of the initiatives the city has taken.” The fall rain hasn’t forced her to re- consider her routine. “It’s a good thing to do to stay fit while going to school.” | 4 "= a; wel iy 6 cll i. : a, “ae a =. ~~ MATT HYNDMAN photo Fulton Tom, Langara economics instructor, is in his 12th year of spinning the spokes, rain or shine.