UBCO professor could win innovation award
A UBC Okanagan professor working to develop a greener oil-andgrease resistant paper has been nominated for a forestry innovation award.
Kevin Golovin, assistant professor of engineering, is one of two Canadian finalists for the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award.
The award, given out by the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations, is presented to a forest sector researcher or professional under the age of 30.
Golovin’s work on next-generation water- and oil-repellent coatings was inspired by the desire to develop greener and more ecofriendly alternatives to replace harmful perfluorinated compounds traditionally used, explained the Forest Products Association of Canada in a news release.
PFCs cause food packaging paper to be considered non-biodegradable as they take hundreds of years to naturally break down.
The silicone technology developed by Golovin is biodegradable so it solves this issue, while also reducing a mill’s carbon footprint, as PFC production is carbon-intensive.
Also nominated is Veronique Rouleau, a PhD candidate in forest sciences at Laval University, who is researching carbon sequestration and climate-change mitigation through forestry practices.
“The leading-edge research being conducted by Ms. Rouleau and Dr. Golovin are two examples of what puts Canada’s forest products sector at the forefront of innovation, and we are excited about their ability to compete on the world stage,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor.
“The work of our two finalists is aimed at tackling real problems with innovative solutions that can mean better environmental outcomes for the industry and society – and for that they should both be congratulated.”
Twenty-one international finalists will be chosen and will present their projects in a virtual session during the week of April 26.
Golovin is also working on other water-repelling research at UBCO. Last year, he received a grant to develop a coating created at the Okanagan Polymer Engineering Research and Applications lab for use in health-care face shields.
An anti-ice coating for windshields and other surfaces is another of his research projects.
This week’s polar vortex gave Okanagan wineries ample time to harvest almost 300 tonnes of frozen grapes for icewine.
Overnight lows were as frigid as –18 C and daytime highs soared no higher than –8 C, allowing pickers to work night and day to bring in the harvest.
“Wow, that was a cold snap,” said Wine Growers British Columbia (formerly the BC Wine Institute) communications director Laura Kittmer.
“Picking really started in earnest in the early morning hours of Feb. 9 and continued in the day in the sun, which was really nice.”
Mid-February is late for icewine grape harvest.
However, Okanagan wineries have to wait until Mother Nature decides it’s time because regulations require icewine grapes be picked only when it’s –8 C or colder.
The first harvest of the season was actually weeks ago on Dec. 23 when two tonnes of frozen grapes were picked in vineyards in a frost pocket in the Garnet Valley outside of Summerland.
Then two more tonnes were harvested Jan. 24 in West Kelowna and Keremeos.
That means the vast majority of the 300 tonnes of frozen grapes expected to be harvested in the Okanagan this season came in over the past few days.
Pickers are put on standby when the forecast calls for a deep freeze and then bundle up and get to work, clippers in gloved hand, usually in the dark of night, to bring in the precious commodity.
While icewine production was pioneered in Germany, Canada has become the world leader.
The Great White North is a unique
place where summers are warm enough to produce grapes for wine, yet also cold enough in the winter to freeze some of those grapes.
While Canada produces the most icewine, it is still a small-production niche product that is exported to Asia more than it is consumed at home.
Grapes left to freeze dry out and the water and sugars in the fruit concentrates so that when it’s picked at at least –8 C and pressed, the juice is incredibly sweet.
The resulting icewine has residual sugar levels of around 220 grams per litre, 100 times more than the 2.2 grams per litre in a dry white wine.
The key with well-made icewine is that it maintains lively acidity to offset the sugar, so while the nectar is undoubtedly sweet, the drink is delicious, luscious and balanced.
It can be drunk on its own as an aperitif or dessert or paired with strong cheese, spicy, salty or rich foods or fruit-or-chocolate-based
desserts.
Relying on fickle Mother Nature, limited quantities and high cost of production means icewine is expensive by the time it gets to market.
Generally, icewine comes in smaller 375-ml bottles and can cost anywhere from $50 to $100.
For example, the 2017 Stag’s Hollow Vidal Ice Wine is $55.
TODAY
AA meeting
Women’s AA Meeting held every Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Church in Westbank. Use south entrance (facing towards Peachland). COVID-19 protocol is in place.
Winter story time
Okanagan Regional Library offers Online Winter Story Time with Ardie from 10:30 to 11 a.m. There will be stories, rhymes and songs to keep the family dancing, singing and learning together. This program is directed at children up to five years old and their families. Register online at orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join. Free.
Toastmasters
Become the speaker and leader you were meant to be at the Westside Toastmasters Club. The club meets at 7 p.m. online through Zoom. For more information or to find the Zoom link, go online to 872.toastmastersclubs.org.
Lord of the Rings trivia
Think you know Lord of the Rings? Test your knowledge at an Adult Trivia – Lord of the Rings from 7 to 8 p.m. through the Okanagan Regional Library. Register at orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join. Free.
WIX websites
Learn how to get started with your own free WIX website at a free online workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. through the Okanagan Regional Library. Participants will learn how to sign up with WIX, use templates, change fonts, add media and create pages like galleries and About Us. Take your blog or small business to the next level and feature your best work on a free site.
Alzheimer webinars
Alzheimer Society of B.C. is offering free weekly webinars. Learn how to go beyond news headlines and evaluate if a source is credible at the 60-minute Deciphering research headlines webinar starting at 2 p.m. To register, go online to alzbc.org/webinars.
Rocks and minerals
Are you interested about mining and minerals? School-aged children can discover more about where to find rocks, minerals and non-renewable resources from 3:30 to 4 p.m. at STEAM Mining Matters: What on Earth is in Your Stuff online. Register for this Okanagan Regional Library program online at orl.evanced.info/ signup/Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join the program. Free.
Storytelling
Join Kelowna Museums with Wildrose Native Traditions for family-friendly Storytelling: How Turtle Set the Animals Free captíkwł online from 7 to 8 p.m. Captikwł are stories that offer the teachings of syilx laws, customs, values, governance and principles that define syilx rights and responsibilities to the land. Tickets are pay what you can with $15 per household suggested. Register online at eventbrite.ca/e/nakwulamn-how-turtle-setthe-animals-free-tickets-137322251551
Tai chi
THURSDAY
Tai chi classes take place Monday and Thursday at Kees Westside Tae Kwon Do building at 2109C Louie Dr. Beginner tai chi is from 9 to 10 a.m. and ongoing tai chi from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, go online to winecountrytaichi.ca or call 778-755-0987.
French storytime
Okanagan Regional Library offers French Storytime from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with a fun program of stories, rhymes and songs. Register online at orl.evanced.info/signup/ Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join the program. Free.
Family storytime
Online Family Storytime is from 10:30 to 11 a.m. through the Okanagan Regional Library. Preschool children, toddlers and families can enjoy picture books, songs and rhymes from the safety of their homes via Zoom. Register online at orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to receive the link and password to join the event online. Free.
New to coding club
Intro to Coding Club: First Timers’ Class is available online from 5 to 5:30 p.m. through the Okanagan Regional Library. Kids eight to 12 years old can take in this 30-minute meeting and be introduced to the development platforms and familiarize themselves with the coding tools. This class is a prerequisite to the Online Coding Club. Registration is required to receive a link to the program at orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.
Coding club
Okanagan Regional Library’s Online Coding Club for kids eight to 12 years old takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants learn, create, develop and play together at this interactive coding program. To register, go online to rl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.
Group of Seven
Georgiana Uhlyarik, the Fredrik S. Eaton curator, Canadian Art, and co-lead of the Indigenous and Canadian Art Department at the Art Gallery of Ontario, will deliver a lecture entitled Drawing the Dynamic Figure: Kathleen Munn and the Group of Seven online at 4 p.m. Register online at zoom.us/webinar/register/7516098730313 /WN_9pSD6J5-T8eyo5sOPMtB3A
FRIDAY
Seated tai chi
Seated form of tai chi at the Sarafanov Ballet Studio, 2035A Louie Dr. Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m. for beginners and 10 to 11:15 a.m. for the ongoing class. New students welcome. For more information, go online to winecountrytaichi.ca. or call 778755-0987.
Habitat contest
Habitat for Humanity’s Meaning of Home writing contest encourages students in Grades 4-6 to share what home means to them through a poem or short essay. Deadline is Friday. Submissions can be made at meaningofhome.ca.
SATURDAY Sign with Me Storytime
Families can enjoy story time while learning American Sign Language at the Okanagan Regional Library’s online Sign with Me Story Time from 9:30 to 10 a.m. To register, go online to orl.evanced.info/ signup/Calendar. Free.
Online story time
Okanagan Regional Library offers Online Winter Story Time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. with stories, rhymes, and songs to keep the family dancing singing and learning together. Register at orl.evanced.info/ signup/Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join the program. Free.
Learn sign language
School-aged children can learn the basics of American Sign Language in a fun, engaging, creative way at the Okanagan Regional Library’s ASL Basics for Kids online from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. An experienced teacher will use rhymes, stories and games to help participants learn a new language over four Saturday morning sessions. To register, go online to orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar. Free. Learn to use Blender
Okanagan Regional Library offers Intro to
Designing in Blender 3D for adults and teens via Zoom from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The free program will review the interface and participants will learn some basic techniques and see what makes Blender such a versatile tool. Register online at orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to receive the Zoom link to join the program.
Wild tea
Learn characteristics and properties of some wild local plants used by syilx knowledge keepers and families since time immemorial at the Wild Tea Blends program from 10 to 11:30 a.m., presented by Regional Parks and Wildrose Native Traditions. Pick up your pack of wild and cultivated ingredients from the Environmental Education Centre of the Okanagan before the workshop to make your own tea blend at home during the program. This program costs $10. Register online at rdco.com/parksevents.
SUNDAY Ambassadors wanted
West Kelowna Youth Ambassador Society is seeking candidates for 2021-22.
The program is open to youth 14 to 17 years old and offers workshops that build life skills and self-confidence including public speaking, interview skills, nutrition and etiquette. Find out more about the program at an online information session. To find out how to join, email Ricki Morin, program co-ordinator, at rick2547@telus.net.
Tai chi
MONDAY
Classes take place Monday and Thursday at Kees Westside Tae Kwon Do at 2109C Louie Dr. with beginner tai chi from 9 to 10 a.m. and ongoing tai chi from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, go to winecountrytaichi. ca or call 778-755-0987.
TUESDAY
Ambassador info night
Young people ages 14-17 can learn about the Peachland Ambassador program at an online information night at 7 p.m. Call 778-479-2843 for more information.
Tai chi
Beginner and ongoing tai chi classes Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Central Okanagan Massage and Supply, 106 – 3535 Old Okanagan Hwy. Masks required. For more information, go to winecountrytaichi.ca or call 778-755-0987.