N. Van company markets tan aid SUN WORSHIPPERS can play it safer under ozone- depleted skics thanks to the simple ingenuity of 22- year-old North Vancouver engineering student and a 22-year-old UBC genetics grad. Michael Becker HiGH TECH Playa Blanca, a North Van- couver-based company powered by Graham Alexander and Pavla Polcarova, is marketing a timely suntan timer. The Tan Aide device was developed by Alexander and Polearova following a brainstorm- ing session last year. Said Alexander, ‘‘It evolved from oa tan mat to a small calculating device. This device came through extensive research by Pavia on skin cancer, overex- posure to sun and people who would like (o tan but do it in a healthy way.” Polcarova, who has just gradu- ated with a bachelor degree in genetics from UBC, said she has had aspirations to gc into medi- cine ever since she was a child. Tne seed for Tan Aide was sown when she took a course on cancer fast semester and came across a brochure put out by Health and Welfare Canada called Sun and Your Skin. She said she and Alex- ander,‘*looked at the different variables that affected the rate of tanning and looked at some case studies. “Basically skin cancer happens because of DNA damage due (to UV rays. We're not decreasing the chance of that happening with this product. Once you are in the sun too long and you burn, your skin gels completely damaged and it has to get repaired. You have 2 much higher chance of getting cancer if your skin is just undergoing repair." Mexander applied his knowt- edge of electrical engineering to the problem and the result is a plastic-encased liquid crystal display timer. The device incorporates a timer and a water-proof, — tear-proof tanning guide. The guide follows Health and Welfare Canada guidelines and takes into account the variables affecting the rate at which a per- son tans. The tanner first chaases the preferred degree of sun exposure — Senvirotan’, ‘normal’ ex- posure, ‘*sport tan.’ which ac- cording to Alexander is 10° more exposure, aad “tropical.” The tanner factors in skin type: fair, moderate or dark. He then finds the optimal tian jime, applies sun sereen and pro- grams the time into the Tan Aide 48 — Sunday, June 16, 1991 - North Shore News timer, A person pursuing an en- virotan on @ Mexican beach at | p.m. during the summer would set the timer for 1% hours. The timer counts down, giving three warnings. Said Alexander, ‘At 10 minutes before the end of the period it buzzes twice. It buzzes five minutes later. It thea buzzes when safe tanning time is up for a 20- second duration. At that time you should get under cover."’ The success of the product is based in part on the assumption that suntanning will continue to be socially acceptable behavior. Said Polcarova, ‘*Basically we've been asking people about how they perceive someone. ‘Do you think that someone who is rs F Jack Bright Chairman On May 7th, 1941, ten a tremendous success. akef eld NEWS photo Mike tanned is more sexually attrac- tive?’ And basically people have been telling us that although they know that tanning is not healthy, they still pereeive people who are tanned as mote Sexually atiractive. And they are not willing to give up on their tanning. And when you go out on the beaches you see that. “IT know that any exposure to the sun is going to increase the risk of skin cancer. But once you have sunburn, it’s going 19 in- creuse the risk exponentially. Us- ing a device like this is going to prevent sunburn and at least en- sure that while people are doing it (suntanning) at least they'l! do it safely,’’ she added. Phil Keller Chief Executive Officer NORTH SHORE CREDIT UNION’S 50th Annual Report Highlights Chairman Jack Bright reports “that after 50 years of providing continuous “Service Excellence’ and achieving excellent progress, North Shore Credit Union stands ready to face the challenges of the future.’ visionaries put up $1.00 each and signed the charter to establish North Shore Credit Union, which now boasts 39,600 members and assets of $365 million by May 7th, 1991, 1990 was another year of solid performance as assets grew by over $32 million to $348 million. The Credit Union paid interest and dividends af $30 million to members in 1996. Dividends on Equity Shares were paid at an average of 14% for the year. Retained earnings and reserves increased by 22% to over $13.5 million., The membership again demonstrated strong suppor at the 50th Annual General Meetings held in Whistler and North Vancouver in April, 1991, In fact the meeting held at the North Shore Winter Club was filled to standing room only. Gerald Brewer and Jack Bright were re-elected for a three-year term. We also welcomed Douglas Deeks and Verne Prior, our newly elected Directors. Sve would Hike to thank those attending the meetings for their participation and for making these meetings such Chief Executive Offcer Phil Keller noted “our results and progress this past year are a fitting end to the tiest fity vears of cur development, and establish a very seund base to launch us mito the next decade’ jficet NORTH SHORE [|=] CREDIT UNION Fontnors iyo Community Time your summer tan AFTER HEAVY brainstorming and ex- tensive healthy Graham Alexander and Pavia Polcarova have developed a safe suntan timer. Designed to niax- imize your tan with the minimum cf danger to the skin, Tan Aide is availabie at Drug fart. research taa tocal ; tyros Shoppers ANN and ROBERT VAN OEVEREN We know how to get your home Call 985-8231 or 925-9486 | SunLife Trust MEMBER: CANADA CEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION MEMBER. SUNLIFE GROUP OF COMPANIES GRASP. - Interest Compounded Annuaily Compounded Annually GIC - Interest Paid Annuatiy or 84,% 1 YEA Ask about our 9.5% Best Rate Niorigage et As) Clint Shaddock Time is Running Out... Business Management Programs Are The First Choice Wed., June i9, 7 p.m. in H Building, Room 501 Time is running out! This will be the last information meeting before August registration. Our two-year full-time Business Management Diploma prograrns start this September. High school graduates can be accepted with interim grades. Attend the information raceting to find out more about the courses, careers and choices we have for you. 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