Cheryl Croucher presents INNOVATION ALBERTA, a program and website celebrating science, research and the inventive spirit.

This week on INNOVATION ALBERTA, Cheryl Croucher the Venture Prize Competition.

* Semi-finalists: Julian Lambert, TerraNotes, Michael Kouritzin, Random Knowledge, Rajan Gupta, SciMed, Fraser Gallop, Onware, Larry Schindel, ChemSonics, Bryan Armstrong,Cleanit Greenit, and Derek Gilboe, Prodont

* Mentors: Don Murphy, Blackstone, Ted Heidrick, UofA, and Nazar Somji, Matrikon

* Sponors:Ron Gilbertson, ARC and Karin Tharakan, PWC

* Judge: Kerry Brown, Foundation Equity Corp

* Organizer: Allan Scott, EDE

HEAR THE PROGRAM ONLINE 24/7 AT INNOVATIONALBERTA.COM OR TUNE IN TO CKUA RADIO, TUESDAY EVENINGS AT 8 PM

INNOVATION ALBERTA is sponsored by Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries, Japan Canada Oil Sands Limited, Sustainable Forest Management Network, University of Lethbridge, Alberta Ingenuity Fund, Alberta Research Council, Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, National Institute for Nanotechnology, Health Sciences Association of Alberta, Capital Region Innovation Centre, and iCORE, Alberta Informatics Circle of Research Excellence

Thanks to everyone who entered the INNOVATION ALBERTA Tax Time contest. Congratulations to the winners of the four sets of Intuit Canada's QuickTax Software:

*Kelvin Mok, Edmonton
*Jeff Walker, Sault Ste Marie
*Catherine Smith, Calgary
*Mike Mongia, Calgary

Last chance to get your tickets for the Economic Development Luncheon on Thursday March 18th. The luncheon starts at 11:30 at the Shaw Conferenc Centre. EDE President Allan Scott will give the keynote address. Guest speakers include : * Hon. Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness * Hon. Mark Norris, Minister of Alberta Economic Development * Mayor Bill Smith *

Chris Sheard, EDE Board of Directors Chair, will present two EDE Achievement Awards.

And, VenturePrize finalists Random Knowledge, TerraNotes and SciMed Laboratories will make their pitches in the final step towards winning the $100,000 grand prize for developing the best business plan.

Alberta has initiated a $325,000 study on the infection rates associated with West Nile virus. The study is a collaborative effort between Alberta Health and Wellness, the University of Alberta, the regional health authorities and Health Canada

The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton West, on behalf of the Honourable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Minister of Western Economic Diversification, today announced $5.4 million in funding for the University of Alberta.

The money will go towards nanotechnology research and innovation as well as a health care project that promises a new generation of vital signs monitors. The Honourable Victor Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science, was also on hand for the event as the Government of Alberta previously announced its funding contribution of $1.15 million for these initiatives.

The pipeline will transport water from the Ridge Reservoir to four counties: Lethbridge, Warner, Forty Mile and Cypress. The water will service farms and ranches. With an overall budget of $25.4 million, two thirds will come from ICAP, the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program The South East Alberta Rural Water Co-op is contributing the remainder.

The University of Alberta 's new Master of Science in Internetworking (MINT) is the first of its kind offered in Western Canada and is a collaboration between the Faculty of Science, Department of Computing Science and the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The Master of Science in Internetworking is a professional program designed for individuals who seek internetworking leadership training to develop their theoretical and practical knowledge in order to design, implement or manage complex networking systems. The program goes beyond traditional learning by exposing students to both theoretical (academic) and practical (industry) aspects of internetworking, including hands-on access to an exclusive lab with cutting edge technology.

Dr. Mike MacGregor, associate professor of computing science and the director of Master of Science in Internetworking will lead the program. The first MINT cohort begins the 2004-2005 academic year, with application deadlines scheduled for July 15, 2004. Call 780-492-1930 or or check the MINT website.

The Edmonton section of the Chemistry Institute of Canada presents the 2003 Maxxam Lecture on March 17th with Professor Jed Harrison of the University of Alberta. His talk will focus on "Microchip Technologies for Biochemical Analysis". This takes place from 7 -8 pm in Room V-110, Physics Wing at the U of A. Parking is available at the Windsor car park.

The Mayfield Inn in Edmonton is the site of the Spring Technical Session sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. The conference theme is "Integrating Watershed Function with Forest Management"

Speakers include: * David Chanasyk, University of Alberta * Uldis Silins, University of Alberta * Pat Wearmouth, Weyerhaeuser * Bob Held/Tom Daniels - Sunpine * Bob MacMillan, Consultant * Brad Seely/Clive Wellham, UBC * Rich Rothwell, Watertight Solutions *

A wine and cheese, awards ceremony and graduating student social will cap off the day.

Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Edmonton CSChE Section will hold a "Chemical Engineering Student Night" on March 23rd. at the U of A Faculty Club. This is an excellent networking opportunity for practicing chemical engineers and students. Cocktails at 6 with a dinner of Prime Rib Beef at 6:30

As well, Bruce Peachey of New Paradigm Engineering Ltd. will give a presentation "Water Balances and Climate Change"

The latest IPCC Technical Report indicates that precipitation on land areas in the northern hemisphere has increased by 10-15% over the past few decades while overall average land precipitation has increased by 2% over the past century. The origin of the extra water entering the atmosphere to allow this increased precipitation is still uncertain but has generally been assumed to be due to increased evaporation as a result of increases in air temperature due to global warming. What are the options for closing the Global and Regional Atmospheric Water Balances, which options make the most sense and how can the options be tested. The presentation will also speculate on potential impacts and future implications of industrial water emissions on regional climate.

RSVP by March 19th to Bruce Peachey by phone (780) 448-9195; Fax: (780) 462-7297; E-mail: newparadigm@shaw.ca

Lots of energy related conferences in Calgary next week. This one takes place at the Metropolitan Centre March 22nd and 23rd. It's titled: Dealing Effectively With Water and Land Issues for the Oil and Gas Industry: -- Alberta’s New Water Strategy and Upstream Oil & Gas Reclamation & Remediation Call toll-free 1-888-777-1707.

Here's a reminder to attend the 2004 Soil and Groundwater Forum and Poster Session in Calgary March 23rd and 24th at the Hyatt Regency. Registration deadline is March 19th. Contact PTAC's Tannis Such by phone: (403) 218-7703 or email at: tsuch@ptac.org

Edmonton author Audrey Whitson will hold another reading from her book "Teaching Places" on March 24th at 7:30pm at the Revelations Book and Gift Cooperative, 144 Whitemud Crossing, 4211-106 Street. Audrey travelled to places around Alberta as part of her journey of self-discovery. Her insights put a whole new perspective on the landscape.

Alberta Innovation and Science will co-sponsor a one day seminar on financial management as part of its" Innovation Series". Titled Staying Alive: From Survival to Growth to Prosperity" , the seminar is geared to companies in the hi-tech and life sciences fields. Presenter is Peter Flynn,who holds the Poole Chair in Management for Engineers at the University of Alberta, and who teaches finance for non-financial managers in a variety of settings.

The seminar takes place in Calgary on March 25th at the Alberta Research Council site and runs 8:15 to 4pm. The $75 fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Other sponsors include Capital Region Innovation Centre, Calgary Technologies Inc and Alberta Research Council. Register on line

The Alberta Society of Professional Biologists will hold its annual conference in Calgary at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel on March 30th and 31st. Conference theme is "Prediction to Practice: Environmental Assessment Follow-up"

Alberta Research Council and Shell Canada Limited will hold an information session on a PTAC project assessing new laser technology to measure concentrations of gas species in the atmosphere. The lunch time session takes place in Calgary on April 8th from 11:30 to 1:30 at the EnCana Amphitheatre. Room 260, Tower Centre, 2nd Level

To register, contact PTAC's Tannis Such by email at tsuch@ptac.org

The 6th Annual Unconventional Gas and Coalbed Methane Conference is scheduled for November 17th to 19th in Calgary at the Hyatt Regency. If you are interested in presenting at the conference, the deadline for abstracts if April 15th.

Potential session topics for 2004 include, but are not limited to: * Canadian Case Histories * New Technologies * Geophysics/Remote Sensing * Drilling, Coring, Completion and Stimulation * Gathering, Facilities, Processing, and Transportation * Production Optimization and Artificial Lift * Formation Evaluation (logging, coring, testing) * Reserves Assessments and Economics * Resource Plays in Canada * Tight and Basin Centered Gas * Natural Gas From Coals (NGC) * Shale Gas * Infill Drilling and Well Spacing Optimization * Environmental Issues * Water Management * Surface Access, Flaring, Noise * Wildlife Habitat Impact * Deep High-Pressure and High-Temperature Reservoirs * Regulatory and Fiscal Policies and Updates * Gas Hydrates * Enhanced NGC and Sequestration * Community Relations and Public Consultation * Land Tenure/Legal Issues

One presenting author may attend the Conference at no cost. Presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. A 150 word description of your proposed topic can be emailed to kmarkle@ptac.org or faxed to (403) 920-0054.

Registrations are now being accepted for the largest grid computing and distributed applications conference in Canada. WestGrid and Netera Alliance are joining BCNET to host this year's 4th Annual Advanced Networks Conference in Vancouver, BC

The conference takes place April 27th and 28th in Vancouver at the Harbour Centre.

Keynote speakers include Doug Engelbart , described by WIRED magazine as as the "computer visionary responsible for conceiving the computer as we know it today, from the mouse to multimedia. "See him give the most famous demo in computer science history online at http://sloan.stanford.edu/MouseSite/1968Demo.html

Also headlining the conference are Luis Rodrigues-Rosello Director, Emerging Technologies, Infrastructures Applications European Union, Directorate General Information Society and Alan Blatecky Executive Director, San Diego Supercomputer Center

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Netera or WestGrid members, register as soon as possible to ensure there is space for the main stakeholders in this conference. As a faculty member, staff member or student at one of the Netera member organizations or WestGrid organizations, you do not have to pay the conference fee, simply an administration charge of $25.

The Aventis Biotech Challenge (ABC) will take place in Edmonton on April 26th and in Calgary on May 2nd. This is an annual science competition that is intended to raise awareness among students, educators and the public about the emerging science of biotechnology and its applications in health care, agriculture and the environment.

Each Biotech Challenge features the outstanding work of high school students who have conducted research projects and experiments of their own design in some area of biotechnology. Cash prizes are awarded to the top five or six student teams and their schools based on the recommendations of judges from the scientific and education communities as well as the biotechnology industry.

As well, a national competition of the first place winners from the 12 ABC sites across Canada is held in May or June.

This program is sponsored nationally by Aventis Pasteur, the Canada Youth Employment Strategy (HRDC), the Biotechnology Human Resource Council, the National Research Council of Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Provincial sponsors include AAFRD, Genome Prairie, Monsanto Canada Inc., PENCE, Merck Frosst Canada, SemBioSys Genetics Inc., the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine.

For more information, contact Sherry Kully at BioAlberta, phone (780) 425 - 3802 or email at sherry@bioalberta.com

Organizers of the Energy with Agricultural Carbon Utilization Symposium Sustainable Alternatives to Sequestration, to be held on the campus of The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia on June 10th and 11th, have issued a "Preliminary Call for Papers ". This symposium is a global event co-hosted by Eprida and The University of Georgia and is timed to coincide with the G8 Summit.

Share your work and experiences in soil carbon, carbon utilization, sequestration and related fields with the world-wide energy, forestry, biomass and carbon utilization communities. Over thousands of years of agricultural cultivation, our soils have lost up to 50% of their stored carbon. The use of biomass to produce energy and the use of the residual carbon charcoal as a soil amendment, fertilizer and other agricultural co-products offers a significant value-added use for this very stable carbon and returns the carbon to the soil.

Abstracts are invited in the following topic areas:
1. Historical Usage of Charcoal including Terra Preta.
2. Benefits, limits and performance of charcoal soil applications.
3. Stability of charcoal or black carbon in the soil as a sink.
4. Methods and results of agricultural charcoal and/ or other large applications.
5. Integrated energy and agricultural charcoal production techniques.
6. Large scale use of charcoal for other non-fuel applications.

Deadline for Call for Papers is April 25th. Send abstracts to Ryan Adolfson at fax Fax 706-583-0875 or email at: ryan@engr.uga.edu

Connie Barclay of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington DC sent along this notice about a conference on marine resources October 18th to 20th.

The world's oceans are facing increasing pressure as more and more people seek to utilize these vast, but limited resources. NOAA is a world leader in ocean and atmosphere science and stewardship with a goal to extend and improve that leadership in areas that will benefit ocean management throughout the world.

The conference will focus on four main areas: * aquaculture * recreational fishing * commercial fishing * ecosystem management *

The conference will be held in Washington DC. For more info contact Connie.Barclay@noaa.gov

On the weekend I bought a new book for this year's garden journal, some seed packets and a flat of tiny "Maverick Pink" geraniums. I fixed up a light under the microwave to help them grow. Some paperwhite bulbs I picked up for a dollar at Canadian Tire are growing in a pot in the window at the back door. A vase of purple tulips grace the kitchen table. Will this snow never melt?!(PS: I just heard the kestrals. They're back!)