5 The Langara Run Club meets from Tuesday to Thursday and do laps around the nearby Langara Golf Course. Langara students get active Fitness clubs at Langara provide students with a way to get fit and meet new people at the same time By LENA ALSAYEGH ith the weather taking a turn as we approach winter and the semester being bur- dened with midterms, it be- comes more difficult to get motivated and stay in shape. Langara’s fitness clubs however aim to power through the darker months and help keep stu- dent energy levels up. The Langara Run Club is one of sev- eral clubs centered on physical activity. Founded in the spring of 2018, it aims to bring together like-minded runners and encourage a “healthy and longer life”, as stated on their Facebook page. Meetings usually begin with a stretch before heading for laps around the Lan- gara Golf Course. Club leader Raquel Espinoza’s moti- vation comes from a need to stay active for personal health reasons. Though running has the added benefit of boost- ing her mood, and tempering school stress. Members congregate to meet new people while keeping fit. While it is mostly self-motivated, the group atmo- sphere is definitely encouraging, and students of all fitness levels are wel- come. “Some people don’t do a lot of physi- cal activity and some people have been doing it for years, running marathons on their own,” Espinoza said, “We'll wait as long as it takes [for people] to finish, and we keep encouraging them and they can actually keep going and keep running.” Club member Adam McKeown has noticed increased focus and efficiency since joining, in addition to motivating him to exercise outside of school. “My fitness has gradually increased in both intensity and duration since joining in early September,” he said. Langara’s Strength and Condition- ing Club is more informational in na- ture, and, according to their mission statement, exists to “bring awareness to principles [that help achieve] the fin- est state of physical being.” Through hosting guest speakers, en- gaging in knowledge sharing, and col- laborating with UBC’s club by attend- ing events there, members find out how to get fit the right way. “We engage in activities and discus- sions that help us improve and mobi- lize our bodies,” said club member Ed- ward Leung. “Here, we learn lots, and have fun doing it.” Nima Azarang, club co-leader, is a fitness coach and explained the logis- tics, “We tend to talk more about the sci- entific stuff, the stuff that happens in the gym.,” Azarang said. “It’s a specific part of the health cir- cle, and students knowing there’s a community talking about exercise mo- tivates them to try the stuff they’ve learned.” The Langara Run Club meets Tues- day, Wednesday, and Thursday after- noons, and the Strength and Condition- ing Club meets every Thursday. FACEBOOK submitted 66 We'll wait as long as it takes [for people] to finish, and we keep encourag- ing them. Raquel Espinoza Langara Run Club leader Halloween around the world International Langara students and instructors talk about Halloween and similar holidays BY ORVIS NOEL illions of people from all over Me: world celebrate Halloween, but not every culture celebrates it in the same way. “T enjoy the cross cultural changes and celebrations,” said Pari Ranjbary, a Langara physics and astronomy in- structor from Iran. Ranjbary never experienced Hallow- een in her home country, but now both she and her husband celebrate this Ca- nadian tradition by taking their chil- dren trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood. Many cultures don’t take part in Halloween but do celebrate simi- lar holidays. “All Souls Day we go to the ceme- tery and pray to- gether, no party,” said Marciek Mereysi a Langara purchasing em- PARI RANJBARY Langara physics Ployee from the and astronomy Philippines. instructor All Souls Day is a_ holiday observed by vari- ous Christian religions where families pay their respects to the deceased. It takes place two days after Halloween on Nov.2. Costume parties, trick-or-treating, carving jack O’-lanterns and lighting fireworks are all ways Canadian’s cele- brate the spirit-filled day. In China, they have adopted some of these western Halloween traditions. “Ghost festival is Halloween in China ... Kids from private English schools have trick-or-treat parties.” said Nancy Wang, a second year Langara business student from China. Navjot Chinna, a Langara nursing student has celebrated Halloween in India, but is looking forward to taking part in the Canadian version. “We all dance like ghosts at late night party, it’s the only time to get away with it,” said Chinna. “I am looking for- ward to the Halloween experience in Canada.” Halloween drinking DRINKING, continued from page 1 The Langara Social Club will host its third annual Halloween pub craw] on Nov 1. And approximately 65 partici- pants have already signed up. The pub craw] will take place across four venues in downtown Vanouver: Cine- ma Public House, Joe’s Apartment, — Li- brary Square and Fortune Sound Club, with a compli- mentary drink is offered at GRIFFIN LOCKYER Langara recre- ation student each venue. Uggenti says the atmosphere of drinking excessively on Halloween has not caused any problems at the pub crawls in the past. “We've had a really positive experi- ence thus far. The stipulation of it be- ing a Langara event usually helps to keep it manageable,” he said by phone. “Everybody is from the same com- munity and we’re all just trying to meet new friends.” Not every college student will be cel- ebrating Halloween in a bar or at a house party. Langara recreation student Griffin Lockyer will be spending his All Hal- lows’ Eve volunteering at a function for kids. “You can drink any time,” said Lock- yer. “T feel like people use Halloween as an excuse.” According to Statistics Canada, vio- lations against property made up 54.1 per cent of all the reported criminal incidents on halloween 2013. a { a | Soa D fireworks - oN chy > 3 ra’ \ _ ? PD 2. i) Maximum public drinking fine > 4 a aT ae ~ FQ l L oO JF Em y you can set off The only da Fine for possessing fireworks without a permit Graffiti and vandalism are considered criminal offenses ASH KELLY infographic If you’re getting into Halloween shenanigans be aware that you can be fined doing them.