Students at Burnaby's SFU campus spent Nov. 12 picking up thousands cigarette butts in an effort to clean up the university grounds and increase public awareness about the ecological harms of littering.
"We collected over 35 pounds, and to convert it to the number of cigarette butts, it would be around 65,000," said Kate Tairyan, a senior lecturer in the health sciences faculty. "They are toxic and they are not biodegradable, contrary to popular belief."
The smell was so unbearable that the students had to wear masks, she added.
The butts will be on display for two weeks in a hallway at SFU, with information about where they were collected and resources for people who want to quit smoking
The initiative was organized by Tairyan and her some of her students, who are also petitioning SFU's administration to make the Burnaby campus completely smoke-free. They have collected approximately 600 signatures so far.
"The solution is to offer more help for quitting smoking and having 100 per cent smoke free environments," she said.
Help for typhoon victims
Students at Burnaby North Secondary have been raising funds for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, leaving an estimated 4,000 people dead.
The students held a Toonie Tuesday fundraising drive on Nov. 19 and collected $3,700, and another $900 has come in since then.
The money, which goes to the Canadian Red Cross, will be matched by the federal government. People can still donate to the Philippine Relief Fund online. Go to the district's website at www.sd41.bc.ca and click on School Cash Online system for details.
The school district will issue tax receipts for donations of $20 or more. For more information, contact Ms. Goss at Burnaby North by calling 604-664-8550.
Poster child
Kudos to Burnaby Central student Amy Lin, who won first prize in the secondary schools category in a poster contest for National Forest Week.
"Amy is in the art club working under teacher sponsor Anto Steko. This contest was her first attempt at art, so she was surprised by her win. We anticipate more winnings by this artist in the years to come," wrote principal Garth Errico in an email to the NOW.
Lin, who won $50 for her poster design, was competing with more than 200 other entries from across the country.
FORED B.C. Society sponsors the annual poster contest, and this year's theme was forestry careers.
Open house
Burnaby Community and Continuing Education is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 1 to 7 p.m.
There will be free seminars, information displays, drinks and food.
People can stop by and learn about the various career programs on offer, whether it's floral arranging, dental office administration or makeup artistry.
At 1:30 p.m., there will be a presentation on jobs in the health-care industry, and at 3 p.m., the focus is on accent reduction for the work place. The 4:30 p.m. session if for people interested in starting a small business, and the 6 p.m. presentation is on starting a family daycare.
The open house will be at the Canada Way Education Centre, at 5310 Woodsworth St. in Burnaby. For more information, go to www.burnabycce.ca or call 604-664-8525.
