TEDxOttawa connects with Algonquin college

Ottawa’s first ever TEDx event took place in the new ACCE building with volunteer support from 43 of the college’s students and alumni. 

The not-for-profit event took place on Saturday, Oct. 22, thanks to a team composed of social media volunteers, public relations representatives, photographers, marketing agents, sponsors, etc. Sarah Ormon, who was the lead organizer, graduated in business-marketing at Algonquin. 

“We thought we could really leverage what the programs have to offer,” said Ormon. She is well aware of Algonquin’s broad range of media- and business-related programs, and she jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of this.

TEDxOttawa was themed “creative actions”. It hosted close to a dozen speakers who took the stage for up to 18 minutes each. The lineup included popular figures such as Nigel Beale, Nicholas Charney and Stephen “Buddha” Leafloor—who all gave riveting speeches.

Although TED (technology, entertainment, design) events generally suggest an “ideas worth spreading” platform, independent events—where x=independent—can incorporate a theme that will ensure a more narrow focus from the speakers.

“The rule of TED is that you can’t promote yourself or your company. You have to promote your idea,” explained Amy Chamberlain, marketing manager of TEDxOttawa. Chamberlain is also a business-marketing alumnus from Algonquin.

TED is based in the U.S. but holds events across the globe. They also provide the opportunity for entrepreneurs to apply for a TEDx license, where as long as the applicant follows the rules and guidelines of TED, they can organize their own independent event once a year in any city.

The events always include a wide diversity of speakers and topics, as long as they can get the message across in less than 18 minutes and it’s of an innovative or inspiring nature. 

The process for attending a TED(x) event starts with an allotment of number of seats, which is set by TED and dictated by the organizers’ abilities and experience. TEDxOttawa seated 100 guests and has the potential to double at next year’s event.

Once the number is set, organizers provide an application form. They then sort through the pile—which was well over 300 applicants for Ormon and Chamberlain—and choose the best-suited personalities for the occasion in question. “It’s nice because you could be seated between a CEO and a farmer,” said Ormon.

The TEDxOttawa team was proud to say that all their speakers are local. They hope to capitalize on the once-a-year appropriation set by TED for our city.

“Ottawa’s cool but just doesn’t know it yet,” says Ormon.

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One political war defined by 107 political battles

Despite Canada’s conservative government, the province of Ontario remains Liberal with Dalton McGuinty ready to serve his third consecutive term as Premier.

The Ontario Liberal Party finished with a stunning 53 seats over the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, who managed to prevent a majority government with 37 seats.

The NDP were still present with 17 seats, but they didn’t accomplish nearly as much as they had hoped.

Ontarians have made it clear that in a province that is proudly bilingual, a monolingual candidate such as Tim Hudak is not likely to take the race. In this election, language was a strongly valued factor that forced a Conservative Ontario to slip away.

The Liberals held a somewhat distant lead throughout the evening, but never managed to maintain the desired 54 seats. The PC party had a very strong campaign for advanced voting, which gave them a promising lead that slowly faded away.

As election night progressed, most people had a general idea how the seats would be divided. However, some of those who zoned in on specific ridings were experiencing neck-and-neck battles between the two dominating candidates.

Amidst the most watched ridings, Liberal Bob Chiarelli managed to hold his grip on the Ottawa West-Nepean riding over PC candidate Randall Denley, who was projected to have a good chance at unseating Chiarelli.

“I’m feeling elated. It was a difficult campaign and it was also a difficult campaign provincially and it’s an historic victory for Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals,” said Chiarelli, who held his breath until finally being re-eleted as Liberal MPP. It was a photo finish.

Denley, who is formerly an Ottawa Citizen reporter, received a warm welcome at his campaign party at Grace O’Malley’s regardless of his shortcoming in the Ottawa West-Nepean poll.

The Glengarry-Prescott-Russell riding, which is among the most widespread geographically, was one of the most suspenseful. Liberal candidate Grant Crack and PC candidate Marilissa Gosselin were in a dead heat up until all 242 polls were counted.

In a riding that was red since 1977, GPR residents were relieved to see Crack finish this political race on top. The Liberals had a significant lead as the polls starting coming in around 9:10 p.m. but the PC party didn’t waste any time before making it a see-saw battle until the final results were official.

Gosselin, who lost a heavy amount of votes after false reports that she didn’t speak French, almost took over the GPR riding. She was given a rare opportunity when former Liberal MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde recently stepped down after holding this position for the past 25 years. This made for an equal advantage between both candidates.

The New Democrat Party candidate Bonnie Jean-Louis was a distant third.

“We were hoping for more of a thriller, but now we are seeing a lot of colour across the province,” said Jean-Louis about the results in her riding. “I am curious, surprised, and I will keep actively following the polls.”

Have rosaries jumped onto the trends bandwagon?

Before I get started, let's make sure we're on the same page. A fashion statement is described as a piece of clothing or an accessory that expresses attitude or lifestyle. In other words, something unique that will likely draw attention to the person wearing it. Right?

Lately, rosaries have fallen into this category.

In case you're wondering... yes, I am talking about a combination of beads and a cross used to count prayers. Don't get me wrong, this isn't to take away from people who are truly religious and wear it for the right reasons. If you dedicate yourself to your beliefs and take the time out of your day to follow them, then you get full respect from me. However, if your lifestyle doesn't allow for you to practice your religion but you wear this religious symbol, you should have no problem describing its purpose and what it represents—at the least.

So, here's the question. Is wearing a rosary as a fashion statement crossing the line? If you don't have an answer, I can help. Keep reading.

Maybe this has become so popular because celebrities like Justin Bieber, Rihanna and David Beckham are sporting the look. Wait a second, isn't Victoria Bekcham a fashion designer? I haven't seen any of these fashionistas at Sunday morning mass, but then again, I don't go very often... nor do I wear a rosary.

Let's look at another perspective. According to USA Today, some schools across the states are suspending students wearing rosaries for gang-related behaviour. The school officials were told by police to look for the whole "package", which means violent behaviour, gangster clothing, rosaries, etc. Personally, I don't see how you could ever classify a rosary as a gang symbol.

At this point, the stimulus could be not only defying authority, but defying religion. If you go against everything that is considered normal or accepted, it must give you some sort of thug reputation or scary image. That's as close as I can get to a rational theory when it comes to gang members wearing religious jewelry.

The new millennium has introduced so many questionable styles, whether it's Lady Gaga's controversial outfits, the bowl haircut from Bieber, the overall jersey shore look or the rosary as a fashion statement. These all root from people with strong influence on the general public, or at least from someone who sits somewhere in Hollywood's spotlight. I guess it's a personal decision to choose which trend to follow, if any, but I just don't see the point for most of them.

This leads to another question. If making a statement is about taking it up a notch, what comes after the rosary?

After considering each aspect, I can honestly admit that I haven't gotten very far. I still don't know why anyone would wear a rosary other than for religious reasons. Most of the individuals I've seen wearing them don't seem to be famous actors or singers, nor do they seem like they're part of MS-13 or the bloods. Hopefully one of the real celebrities or gang members will read this and send me a quick tweet or an email.

Profile: Josh Curley

Despite the hardships that accompany becoming a police officer after graduation, Joshua Curley-Lanthier, an alumnus at the college, has worked his way through the majority of the testing stages and will soon have the job he always wanted.

The dream of joining the police force was not some sort of slow bloom for Curley. He woke up one morning in high school, and somehow his mind was set. His desires were confirmed when he hopped into a cruiser and took part in his first ride-along, where he witnessed the opportunity to help people firsthand.

Curley, 21, has formed strong ties within the Ottawa community and its surrounding areas.

“I enjoy building relationships with the clients,” said Curley about his current job at the High Support Program, a group home in Cumberland.

“I work with developmentally delayed, dual-diagnosed, high risk youth. That means they are either suicidal, self-harming or aggressive,” he added.

Curley is also a frontline worker at the Ottawa Mission. He helps people who are homeless, suffer with mental health issues, have suicidal tendencies, financial breakdowns and/or drug addictions. “My main duties include shelter security and some counselling,” he said.

He believes his work is furthering his career aspirations.

“I consider networking, building relationships and applying the skills I have learned to be the key success factors in becoming a police officer,” said Curley.

Since 2008, he has volunteered his time at the Bayshore Catholic School as a big brother figure with the Ottawa Police Service, where he teaches french and math to children with attendance issues and negative perceptions towards authority. He also lends a helping hand at events with the O.P.S. race and relations unit.

“He showed evidence that he knew policies and procedures of the law very well, and was very well police oriented,” said A/Sgt. Nathalie Perras of O.P.S. “Joshua was very open and flexible to learning new ways to continue to be a competitive applicant.”

“I’ve come to know Josh as a very approachable, personal and mature young professional with a passion for serving his community and upholding the rights of its peers,” said Rob Nettleton, former President of Algonquin’s Students’ Association.

He graduated from the two-year police foundations program with honours in 2010.

“I’ve already been able to apply the knowledge of all of my classes at one point or another, but the most useful ones were conflict management and criminal code and federal statutes,” he said.

He volunteered as a student leader for orientation week during the 2009 fall semester.

“Part of what made this event so successful was our student volunteers, like Josh” said Nettleton.

Curley considers his job in loss prevention, where he has worked since 2008, to be the most useful in terms of building his network, primarily because of its close ties with police services. “I met Joshua in spring of 2008 while attending a theft call at a grocery store where he worked as a Loss Prevention Officer,” said Cst. Renee Carter.

Certain workshops and certifications also proved helpful on his journey to becoming a police officer. Curley received a Certificate of Appreciation from the O.P.S. in 2009. He is also certified in American sign language, dealing with high risk youth, basic intervention techniques, immediate recall professional law enforcement, and use of force and open hand tactics. The Ontario Provincial Police awarded him the opportunity to attend the Eastern Police Experience, where he was chosen out of 31 candidates.

However, Curley’s pursuit of a law enforcement position has hit a few bumps in the road so far. After applying for O.P.S. and O.P.P., he was deferred by both in 2010.

“It was hard to swallow after putting all that work into it. But, good things come with time, dedication, commitment and more hard work,” he said. Support from family and peers kept Curley motivated and helped keep him on track.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Normally, I wouldn’t endorse the hiring of a police officer of somebody at this young age; however, I feel that Joshua is an exception. He is definitely mature well beyond his years, well grounded and has shown that he possesses the character required to excel in the role of a police officer,” said A/Sgt. Steven Malo.

As of today, Curley has passed his physical, aptitude, written communications, psychology and interview stages. He is now in O.P.P.’s auxiliary background-investigaion stage. This is the final stage.

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Higher fares, worse service.

That's what James Woods, a pre-animation student, feels he has been experiencing as an OC Transpo rider.

“I’m stuck paying higher fares but I’m not getting better service,” he said.

Students like Woods, 25, bought their bus passes to avoid the worries of having to buy and maintain a car, but buses haven’t been on time, and he relies on the bus schedule to get him to school and work, which has resulted in a couple write-ups and being late for class.

“It’s embarrassing. I’m punctual on my end,” said Woods. “Why bother with the automated phone system if it doesn’t actually matter,” he added.

Not only is OC Transpo going to hike up the prices in 2011, they are going to cut costs by eliminating and/or shortening local routes. By cutting these routes, it is likely they will implement more express routes—which aren’t perfect either.

In fact, according to a report by the Ottawa Citizen, more than half of the city’s buses are more than five minutes early or late.

Express buses have been reaching maximum capacity within the first three or four stops, which obligates the driver to ignore all other passengers until space frees up. “There’s a shortage in buses and in drivers,” said OC Transpo driver Bob Larose.

“That’s fine on a neighbourhood route, but not on an express,” said Larose. Although these issues don’t affect him directly, Larose believes there is a gap in the service and the climbing prices.

“We’re being pushed around by a major corporation,” said Woods.

From 2007 to 2011, bus tickets have jumped from $0.95 to $1.25, and student monthly passes have jumped from $59.75 to $73.25, but buses are still overcrowded and rarely on time. Prices will go up again as of July.

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Military student finally awarded peacekeeping medal

Pte. Ross Nixon, former army infanteer turned Algonquin engineering student, was awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM) on Jan. 20 for his participation overseas — nearly 10 years ago.

“Congratulations,” said Major Mathieu Primeau, Commandant of the School of Military Mapping, as he shook hands with Nixon and handed him the medal. The CPSM was created in support of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to the Canadian Forces.

“It really highlights and recognizes the many missions that Canada served in overseas,” said Nixon. “It made me feel proud to have received it. It sounds just like any other medal, but it’s not. It is vital, regardless of some of its flaws,” he said.

Nixon worked in collaboration with the United Nations in three separate peacekeeping missions. He was stationed in Croatia in 1994, Bosnia in 1998 and Kosovo in 2000. During his tours, he was either placed in the weapons detachment or second in command (2IC) of a section, which is usually composed of eight to 10 soldiers.

Soon after his return from Kosovo, Nixon left the military to spend more time with his family. He had taken part in three tours over a span of seven years, which left him with very little spare time. He rejoined in 2007 and eventually received the CPSM, which had temporarily been awarded to his unit.

Nixon, born in Sardinia, Italy, is currently studying geospatial information systems (GIS) here at the college. Combat engineers do their part in the military by constructing bridges, roads, obstacles, and by detecting and using explosives in the battlefield.

The GIS program is a specialty which furthers the abilities of standard combat engineers. Upon graduation, he will have elaborate mapping skills including analysis, reproduction, distribution, surveying and management.

After a total of nine years of service, he completed the basic courses and qualifications, then advanced himself with courses such as Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman, Junior Leadership, and Advanced Machine Gunner.

I'm bored, so I'll write

There aren't many things in this generation that are enjoyable and free... usually I'm stuck making my pick between the two. So, I'm sitting here at Bridgehead, drinking coffee, attempting to make a list of possibilities. Then I paused and realized, what I'm doing right now is free, and well, maybe it's kind of fun too. I'm writing.

I don't usually write personal blogs because I didn't want to appear as a bandwagon jumper. But, like everything else, I figure if I do it in moderation, it's acceptable. As long as I've got something interesting or different to say, it could be worth saying it. I'm sure one of you people out there are reading it. Actually, maybe you're sitting there, trying to think of something enjoyable and free too. I wonder what the maybe count will be when I'm done with this.

Now that school is done for a bit, and my job is on pause until January, I'm left with a lot of extra time to find something that makes me feel productive. Nothing to study, no timing to prepare for. I've eaten a panini sandwich, slept ten hours, played Call of Duty: Black Ops, cleaned my room, showered, I'm seeing all my friends tonight, so what now? I guess I'll write.

Here, I'll tell you something random instead of just writing about writing. For some unknown reason the other day, my friend Jean-Marc and I went to the Christmas Arts & Crafts show. It took place at Lansdowne Park. Basically, it's a compilation of maybe 300 booths, where people set up their life's work and show off their expertise. It's unfortunate that the prices are so high, although it makes sense. You're paying for the labour. It really limited what was affordable for us as students, though.

As a pretentious, 20-year-old know-it-all, I didn't expect much of the show as we drove over in JM's vintage tropical green 1994 Mercury Topaz. We walked in and I told myself I was right, as I passed a booth with candles, another with a variety of chocolates, one with some photography, etc. It got old very quickly. What a waste of time.

I looked over at my buddy, and knew he was thinking the same thing when we made eye contact. Then, I stopped, walked past him and found myself in a booth where everything was made from seat-belts: purses, laptop bags, backpacks, etc. I was slightly impressed. Then I ended up in another booth. It wasn't long before I was sitting on a chair made from a bicycle, with my feet on a table made from a bicycle, holding a glass made from a bicycle, and yes, a bottle opener made from the chain of a bicycle. All that was missing was a nice bottle of wine.

A young Caribbean man called me over to try his sauce. He argued that it was better than Frank's, so I had to do it. I told him to give me his spiciest stuff, but he wouldn't budge. "Island fire's not for you", he told me. So I started off with his original blend. As I swallowed the cracker, he continued to tell me about how he makes it, and the reason the flavour is so pure. During this time, I held back my tears and began to hiccup. He then described what I was feeling as I was feeling it. Spicy as hell. The man knew his sauce.

Before we knew it, it had almost been two hours. We were on our way out and we stopped by a woodworker's booth. JM picks up this small box and tries to open it, but he couldn't. The sign read "Mystery Box - Open it if you can." We tried everything for 15 minutes: slide, twist, tap, pull, push, squeeze. Not only that, the stubborn old man wouldn't tell us the secret. "Either you figure it out or you buy the box," he said. The only hint he would give us is "it opens smooth as silk."

Unfortunately, an $80 box is not part of my budget. Maybe I'll start saving though because I remain frustrated and curious to this day...

I think that's all I've got. Either that or I need more coffee, but I'm going to call it quits. I wonder if you read the whole thing. I don't see how this could possibly be enjoyable for you. I'm not even going to ever read it again. On the other hand, it is free.

Oh, by the way... maybe count: five.