Newsletters

2012/3.1, March 7 — Dry-Stacked Stone, Hidden Ice Chest, Calatrava’s ‘Wave’ and more

March 7, 2012

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Making the Most of Stone

Introducing a new series on stone in landscapes and aquatic environments, Bruce Zaretsky discusses historic (and prehistoric) uses of this fascinating material, describing structures that have withstood the elements for hundreds and even thousands of years. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Cool Sensations

Long an advocate of the art of concealment, Paolo Benedetti likes to make everyday things found around pools disappear into the background. Here, he discusses taking clunky ice chests and making them less intrusive amenities on decks and in planters. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Riding a Wave

There’s a glaring gap in his acquaintance with the cultural attractions of Dallas, writes Jim McCloskey — one he will attend to the next time he’s anywhere in the neighbohood and has a chance to visit Santiago Calatrava’s ‘Wave’ on the SMU campus. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

On the Flat and Shallow

Jim McCloskey readily criticizes accessories and design details that tend to clutter modern aquatic environments — but in the case of tanning shelves, he’s become a true believer in their ability to add both comfort and interest to the outdoor experience. [more]

KATE UPTON ON 2012 S.I.
SWIMSUIT ISSUE COVER

— KERFUFFLE ERUPTS! [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

The Currency of Beauty

Ten years ago, David Tisherman wrote passionately about setting aside the ‘sales mentality’ and instead collaborating with clients to dig in and conjure a vision everyone involved in the project will share. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

More on Budgeting – and Drain Covers

A pair of readers were moved to comment on two recent articles by Paolo Benedetti, one with a supportive comment on budgeting battles, the other with a suggestion about the roots of an idea. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Oil Company Joins USA Swimming
Foundation for Water Safety Program

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the questions below.

1. USA Swimming Foundation and a major oil company joined forces to bring Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones to Houston on March 7 to kick off the 2012 “Make a Splash” tour, a six-city water safety campaign that will educate children about the importance of learning how to swim. Indeed, this oil company has been involved with the issue of water safety for more than three decades. Which company is it?

a. Shell b. ExxonMobil c. ConocoPhillips d. Chevron

2. Seventy people — including 45 children — at a community swimming pool recently had to be rushed to the hospital because of chlorine fumes. In which Canadian province was the pool located?

a. British Columbia b. Alberta c. Saskatchewan d. Ontario

3. Portuguese Olympic swimmer Tiago Venancio, who has been training in Dubai, UAE, grew a long beard — which he then shaved off right before the Olympic trials. Why did he grow the beard?

          a. To stay warm, because the water in the Dubai pool is kept at
                a relatively low temperature.
          b. To show respect for Islamic traditions in Dubai.
          c. To deliberately slow himself down in the water, forcing him
                to swim harder to overcome the impediment.
          d. To impress a young woman he fancies; she told him she
                loves men with beards.

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2012/2.2, February 22 — Spanish Colonial Details, Hiding Drain Heads, Sutro Baths and more

February 22, 2012

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Spanish Accents

Designing watershapes to fit with architecture in the style of the Spanish Colonial Revival is fairly straightforward, notes Mark Holden, so long as you’re aware of the hallmarks and materials of the style and manage to work sensibly within their constraints. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Art of Concealment

It’s the small details that count, says Paolo Benedetti in opening a new series on making things that do not need to be seen disappear from view. He starts with drain covers, defining methods he uses to make them as unobtrusive as possible — but still fully functional. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Taking the Plunge

San Francisco’s Sutro Baths have been in ruins for decades, but to Jim McCloskey, even visiting the craggy foundations of one of California’s greatest seaside plunges brings to mind a time when ambitious people could accomplish the incredible for the sake of good fun. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Aesthetics First!

A chat with a friend leads Jim McCloskey to clarify why he’s writing about watershape details and amenities that either please or bother him. Here, he uses portable spas as an example of good products that would be even better if they weren’t so visually intrusive. [more]

NEW MEMOIR BY FORMER
WHITE HOUSE INTERN SAYS
JFK AFFAIR BEGAN IN POOL [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

The Best Medicine

Just a few months after September 11, 2001, Brian Van Bower meditated on the role of watershapes in our society. Rereading his words today shows how much more we must do to make their virtues better understood. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Spending Time with WaterShapes.com

Our Join the Dialogue mailbag was filled this time by a single reader who not only read the newsletter, but also spent some time carefully reviewing articles he spotted on the home page of our Web site. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Europe Swimming Championships
Move from Belgium to Hungary

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the three questions below.

1. The site of the upcoming European swimming championships — scheduled to take place two months before the London Olympics — is being moved from Antwerp, Belgium, to Debrecen, Hungary. Why?

a. A dispute between Belgium’s French-speaking Walloons and
Dutch-speaking Flemings.
b. A budget shortfall of $525,000.
c. Hungary’s successful lawsuit brought before the High Court
of the Europe Union.
d. Ongoing problems with the Belgian electrical grid.

2. The Save Mart Supermarkets chain has launched a “Save Our Pools” campaign in one California city; the chain has pledged to match the first $500,000 raised by local residents, which will enable the city’s public pools to open this summer. Which city is it?

a. Fresno c. Oakland
b. Eureka d. Sacramento

3. Residents of Mumbai, India, just stood around and watched when a 7-year-old boy was spotted floating motionless in a swimming pool; the child did not receive medical attention until 45 minutes later and was pronounced dead. What reason did the bystanders give for their inaction?

a. The boy belonged to a lower caste.
b. None of the bystanders knew how to swim.
c. They said rescuing the boy was the job of the police.
d. They assumed the boy must already be dead.

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2012/2.1, February 8 — Sharpening a Design, Budgeting Issues, Bellagio’s Fountains and more

February 8, 2012

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Sharpening the Focus

Wrapping up a series of articles on the ins and outs of designing swimming pools, Bruce Zaretsky refers not only to the functional and aesthetic ideas that flow from conversations with his clients, but also to the known practicalities of the construction process. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Truth in Budgeting

Paolo Benedetti has long been an advocate of giving property owners all of the information they need to make the right decisions about their watershapes. Here, he discusses why this is particularly important when architects and home builders are calling the shots. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Simply Fascinating

Every time he visits Las Vegas, Jim McCloskey makes a point of visiting the Strip. It’s not to gamble, he says: Instead, he’s indulging his profound willingness to be momentarily transported and happily entertained by the spectacular fountains in front of Bellagio. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Tracking a Personal Trend

He’s all for the excitement diving boards and slides can bring to watershape settings, but Jim McCloskey has developed strong opinions about the way these accessories look — and expresses them in thought-provoking detail in the current edition of his blog. [more]

STEVEN TYLER SWIMS IN
THE NUDE, SHOCKS FELLOW
‘IDOL’ JUDGE JENNIFER LOPEZ [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Too Little, Too Late?

Back in 2007, Stephanie Rose wrote passionately about the problem of too many watershape and hardscape designs leaving way too little room for planting areas. There are solutions, she observed, but how difficult could it be to plan for plants from the get-go? [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

The Smiles Have It

Brian Van Bower’s message from ten years ago brings a toothy response from a reader who shared his views on smiling, while Paolo Benedetti responds to a comment another reader made about one of his recent features in this newsletter. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Hotel Guest Killed, Several Injured from
Carbon Monoxide Leak in Pool Heater

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. A guest at a Holiday Inn Express was killed and several others were injured — one of them seriously — due to a carbon monoxide leak from the hotel’s indoor-pool heater. Allegedly, there were indications more than a week earlier that there was a problem with the heater. Where did this take place?

a. Boca Raton, Florida c. South Charleston, West Virginia
b. Gila Bend, Arizona d. North Bellmore, New York

2. Researchers have discovered that swimming under certain conditions can release the natural pain killer norepinephrine in the body and boost the immune system. Under what conditions do these benefits occur?

a. Swimming for brief periods in extremely warm water
b. Swimming for brief periods in extremely cold water
c. Swimming doing the sidestroke
d. Swimming outdoors under a full moon.

3. Also on the health front, researchers have determined that swimming helps lower the blood pressure in a particular demographic group. Which group?

a. Young children c. Middle-aged women
b. Teenagers d. Older adults

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2012/1.2, January 24 — Appropriate Design, Fort Worth Water Gardens, Ripples and more

January 25, 2012

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

What Goes with What?

How do you decide what sort of swimming pool best matches a house of a known style? It’s not as easy as it might seem, says Mark Holden, because most of the common residential styles emerged before swimming pools were considered to be part of the picture. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Designing with Freedom

Ever since Thomas Church broke the rectangular mold for swimming pools in 1948, designers have been free to follow their imaginations. But imagination works best, Bruce Zaretsky advises, if you keep an eye on what your clients want — and can afford. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

An Accelerating Spectacle

When it comes to visual drama, Fort Worth Water Gardens is about as overwhelming as a watershape can be. So contends Jim McCloskey, who sees visiting the space as an essential pilgrimage for anyone who designs with moving water in mind. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Rearranging the Furniture

When the news came about David Tisherman leaving the Genesis 3 partnership, the flood of memories for Jim McCloskey was intense. But was he surprised that these three gentlemen had parted ways? Not really — despite the fact they’d held it together for so long. [more]

Closer Than Lourdes!
TOM CRUISE MAGIC POOL
WATER FOR SALE ON eBAY [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Are You Smiling?

Back in 2002, Brian Van Bower started the year by addressing the importance of putting your best foot forward in dealing with clients — a message that packs even more punch in the here and now as watershapers everywhere reach out for new business. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Pushing Too Hard?

Paolo Benedetti’s impulse to call what he does as ‘aquatic art’ drew a sharp response from a landscape architect who doesn’t want to be lumped in which architects and also sees hazards in creating too narrow a design category. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Florida Worker Who Lost Both
Legs Sues City for Inground Pool

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. A Cape Coral, Fla., city worker who lost both legs after being exposed to raw sewage while on the job sued to have the city build him a backyard swimming pool; an examining psychiatrist wrote a prescription for the pool, citing the psychological benefits it could provide. Did the worker win the case in court?

a. Yes b. No

2. In November 2011, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reopened the 1981 drowning-death case of actress Natalie Wood. After weeks of investigation, what conclusion did authorities reach?

a. Actor Robert Wagner is now considered to be a “person of interest.”
b. Boat captain Dennis Davern is now considered to be a suspect.
c. Natalie Wood probably committed suicide.
d. There is no new evidence to indicate foul play.

3. Scientists at one Southwestern university have launched a research project to find better ways to test water quality in swimming pools and spas. They hope to reduce the incidence of recreational water illnesses (RWIs). Which university is it?

a. Arizona State University b. University of Arizona
c. University of New Mexico d. University of Texas

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2012/1.1, January 11 — Designing a Pool, Exotic Inspiration, Mesmerizing Spillways and more

January 11, 2012

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Getting Ready to Design a Pool

Any professional approaching a backyard pool project bears a tremendous responsibility, notes Bruce Zaretsky — which is why he begins the process by asking a slew of questions. And he doesn’t quit asking them until he’s certain he knows what his clients want. [more]

MY PERSPECTIVE

Custom Pools or Aquatic Art?

Terminology is important, says Paolo Benedetti, noting that certain words are so overused, they’ve become almost meaningless. To avoid that, he no longer uses the standard phrases to describe what he does and instead refers to himself as an ‘aquatic artist.’ [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Exotic Inspiration

Many homeowners dream of having watershapes of the sort they’ve seen and experienced at deluxe hotels and resorts. Here’s a look at 10 grand installations from around the world that are likely to have fired the imaginations of some of these prospective clients. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

All Things Considered

After more than 50 years of observing and using watershapes, Jim McCloskey has developed lots of opinions about what he’s seen. Here, he introduces a series of blog entries about what he likes and dislikes in everything from swimming pools to fountains and lakes. [more]

ELLEN DeGENERES TO SELL
BACKYARD POOL FOR $49M
— HUGE ESTATE INCLUDED [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Delicate Dynamics

A decade ago, David Tisherman shared his innovative approach to turning monotonous spillways into unique visual and aural design elements. At the time, he started something of a revolution when it came to moving water from one level to another in pool/spa compositions. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Secrets of a Senior Triathlete’s
Success in His Grueling Event

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. British senior citizen Arthur Gilbert — considered to be the world’s oldest competitor in traithlons (a grueling sport that includes a swimming segment) — attributes his amazing stamina and robust health to “living a stress-free life, giving blood and eating lots of bananas.” How old is Mr. Gilbert?

a. 75 b. 83 c. 90 d. 102

2. When a six-and-a-half-foot shark was spotted in shallow water off the coast of this country, many of the human swimmers nearby did not get out of the ocean, apparently believing there was nothing to fear. What country was it?

a. United States b. New Zealand c. Australia d. Seychelles

3. Officials in London revealed that human error resulted in the overselling of 10,000 tickets to one of the aquatic events at the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. Which event was it?

a. 400 meter freestyle b. 10 meter platform diving
c. Water polo d. Synchronized swimming.

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2011/12.2, December 21 — Santa Speaks Up, Top Ten Ripples, Sizing Up the Situation and more

December 21, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

INTERVIEW

Santa Speaks Up for Watershapes

Imagine our surprise at WaterShapes EXTRA! when we received an e-mail from St. Nick himself, volunteering to be interviewed at his busiest time of year about his love for watershapes, the virtues of aquatic exercise and the fine points of keeping his reindeer in shape. Enjoy! [more]

GREAT READING

Holiday Cheer from Santa’s Sleigh

As our interview with Santa came to a close, he asked that we share his best holiday wishes with our readers — and, indeed, with all watershapers everywhere. If you’re ready to bask in the glow of ten great blessings from Santa himself, read on! [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

The Spirit of the Season

The holiday season has always been special to Jim McCloskey. In his latest blog, he reveals some choice childhood memories, recalls his apprenticeship in tinseling Christmas trees and meditates on the sense of renewal and commitment he finds at this time of year. [more]

WE SAY FAREWELL TO 2011:
REMEMBERING THE YEAR’S
TOP 10 RIPPLES STORIES [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Reading the Tea Leaves

In December 2006, Brian Van Bower extolled the value of evaluating one’s place in the world, then outlined ideas that undoubtedly helped some watershapers get through the prolonged economic downturn that followed — and might have helped more if we’d all taken his messages to heart. [more]

BOOK NOTES

Great Gift Ideas for Watershapers

Could there be a better holiday gift for any watershaper than a book (or two or three) all about watershaping? Through the years, Mike Farley has reviewed dozens of titles for the magazine and WaterShapes EXTRA! — and we’ve set many of them up as part of our online store to make ordering gift copies a breeze! [click here to access the WaterShapes Bookstore!]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

NASA to Rent Out Astronaut
Training Pool to Oil Company

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. NASA has announced it will rent out, on a part-time basis, its Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, an enormous astronaut-training pool, to Petrofac Training Services. The global oil services company will use the facility to train oil and gas workers in offshore survival techniques. How much money does NASA expect to earn from the deal?

a. $1 million per year c. $1 million over the next 10 years
b. $1 million over the next five years d. $1 per year (a token fee)

2. Federal officials are investigating whether a foreign-based cyber attack took place against an Illinois water utility in November. Early indications are that the alleged attack may have been launched from a computer in which country?

a. China b. Vietnam c. Russia d. France

3. The magazine Christian Century reported in mid-November that a growing number of Southern Baptists are making a pilgrimage to, and swimming in, the lake on whose shores John Calvin presided over his religious flock. The lake is:

a. Lake Como (Italy) c. Lake Champlain (U.S. and Canada)
b. Lake Geneva (Switzerland) d. Loch Ness (Scotland)

4. The Czech government and the European Union are providing large subsidies for constructing ponds on private land in the Czech Republic. Why?

a. To reduce the damage caused by floods in the country.
b. To give habitats to birds migrating from Europe to Africa and back.
c. To convince Czech voters to support joining the EU.
d. To create more jobs for the country’s manual laborers.

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2011/12.1, December 7 — Designer Identity, Backyard Design, Getty Center and more

December 7, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

What Is a Designer?

Lots of watershapers market themselves as designers and offer their services to prospective clients as such. But there’s more to the title, observes Paolo Benedetti, than self-proclamation, wishful thinking or even education — and here’s why. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Seeing a Bigger Picture

When you have a project that reaches beyond the patio to include pools, spas and/or fire features, says Bruce Zaretsky, it’s wise to consider a whole range of issues related to positioning, integrating and defining access to these important backyard amenities. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

WaterShapes TV, Part 5

Here we present the fifth and concluding segment of the WaterShapes TV pilot, this one focused on a diverse trio of projects by Brian Van Bower: a classic lagoon pool, an ultra-formal perimeter-overflow pool and a whimsical guitar-shaped classic. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Making Things Easier

An unusually windy day in Southern California required Jim McCloskey to spend some time netting leaves out of his pool. The exercise prompted him to meditate on the virtues of labor-saving devices and suggest a way to make them part of every watershape’s design. [more]

Natalie Wood: Tragic Accidental Drowning Or Something More Sinister? [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Finding the Artistry Amid the Art

The Getty Center in Los Angeles is monumental and maybe a bit overwhelming, says Jim McCloskey, but if you can pull your attention away from the galleries during your visit, he promises you’ll find respite in numerous spaces artfully defined by water. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What Pool Device Did Jandy Industries’
Founder Andrew Pansini Invent in 1957?

Many water-related stories have been in the news in the past several weeks — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. Andrew Pansini, founder of Jandy Industries, died recently at the age of 93. He started Jandy in 1958; the year before, he invented an important device for swimming pools. What was it?

a. Automatic pool cover c. Automatic pool cleaner
b. Automatic pool pump d. Automatic pool filter

2. Due to a devastating drought, one Texas city is imposing water usage restrictions beginning Dec. 12 — with even more-stringent restrictions possibly to go into effect by this coming summer. Which city is it?

a. Dallas b. San Antonio c. Houston d. El Paso

3. Five-time Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Ian Thorpe — who is attempting to make a comeback after a five-year hiatus — gave a disappointing performance in the 100-meter butterfly at the recent World Cup meet in Tokyo. Still, he hopes to qualify for next year’s Olympics in London. What country is Thorpe from?

a. New Zealand b. Australia c. Canada d. USA

4. There is considerable evidence that competitive swimmers are having much longer careers than they once did. Now, swimmers who were in their teens and early twenties when they competed in their first Olympic Games are returning to participate in multiple subsequent Olympics. What is the most plausible explanation?

a. Just a coincidence related to specific individuals
b. Better injury prevention and treatment
c. A dearth of young, talented swimmers
d. Use of improved performance-enhancing drugs

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2011/11.2, November 23 — Outdoor Rooms, Trevi Fountain, Life on the Leading Edge and more

November 23, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Inside ‘Outdoor Rooms’

If you think designing patios begins and ends with arranging tables and chairs, writes Bruce Zaretsky in his latest piece on organizing these spaces, think again — and bring nearby and distant views (along with the sun, shade and wind) into your thought processes. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Beyond Baroque

When in Rome, says Jim McCloskey, it’s probably best to do what almost every single tourist does and visit Trevi Fountain. It may be too ornate for its own good, but it is nonetheless an unmatched experience of sound, sculpture and water. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

WaterShapes TV, Part 4

In this new segment from the pilot for WaterShapes TV, we look in on the work of David Dunn, a Southern California pond designer and installer who, in spaces large or small, puts no limits on what he does to bring smiles to his clients’ faces. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Reaching and Teaching

The messages we’ve carried to watershapers for a dozen years are of great value to consumers, observes Jim McCloskey. That’s why he’s gearing up to reach out and create a new class of fully informed, well-educated clients. [more]

InStyle Magazine: Cavalcade of 50 Hot Celebrities in ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie’ Bikinis [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Life on the Leading Edge

Late in 2001, WaterShapes columnist Brian Van Bower sang the praises of innovation, extolled the value of keeping up with trends and revealed himself as something of a wizard when it came to forecasting the hottest features and details of the last decade. Are you and he on the same page? [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Take a Second (or Third) Look

Two recent features in WaterShapes EXTRA! elicited reader responses — one seeking a further explanation of an optical illusion from Paolo Benedetti, the other expanding on points about education made by David Tisherman a decade ago. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

In What City Were the Recent
Pan American Games Held?

Many water-related stories have been in the news in the past several weeks — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. At the Pan American Games, held in October, many competitors in the swimming events had a difficult time adjusting to the host city’s 5,000-foot altitude. Where were the Pan American Games held?

a. Guadalajara, Mexico c. Lima, Peru
b. Montevideo, Uruguay d. Lagos, Nigeria

2. In Aix-les-Bains, France, a community pool was criticized for temporarily closing to the general public so students from a religious school could use it — with boys and girls swimming separately, and none of them visible to others. What kind of school was it?

a. Moslem b. Orthodox Jewish c. Roman Catholic d. Buddhist

3. Approximately 7,000 people recently stood in line, starting at 3 a.m., to become members of a large, newly renovated municipal swimming pool complex. Where did this take place?

a. Tokyo, Japan c. Jakarta, Indonesia
b. Beijing, China d. Mumbai, India

4. October 23 marked the one-year anniversary of the drowning death of a champion American long-distance swimmer, who lost his life at the age of 26 during a 10-kilometer open-water World Cup race in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The tragic mishap likely occurred because of the warm water temperature on the day of the competition. Who was the swimmer?

a. Todd McManus c. Fran Crippen
b. Jimmy Maddox d. Steven Salvino

To find out how many you got right, click here.

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2011/11.1, November 9 — Patio Flow, Soils Reports, Elevating the Game and more

November 9, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Defining the Flow

The often-overlooked key to good patio design, says Bruce Zaretsky, has to do with managing the way people will move through the area. Here, he continues his ongoing series with a look at how he deals with traffic passing within these important outside spaces. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Checks and Balances

By now, most watershapers appreciate the fact that geotechnical studies are the foundation for sound, reliable designs. But who prepares these reports? In this feature, Paolo Benedetti offers his perspective on that important question. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

WaterShapes TV, Part 3

In this segment of the WaterShapes TV pilot, we spent some time looking at the fun side of fountain technology (circa 2001) in the form of a pair of engaging interactive projects designed and installed by Canada’s Crystal Fountains. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Charting a New Course

In a major announcement, Jim McCloskey shares his ambition to develop AquaticSpacesNetwork, a new Web site that will build multi-level bridges between watershapers and consumers. ‘Think of it,’ he writes, ‘as WaterShapes on steroids.’ [more]

ACTRESS SHANNEN DOHERTY
WALKS OVER WATER TO GET
HITCHED FOR THIRD TIME [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Elevating Your Game

Back in 2001, outspoken WaterShapes columnist David Tisherman offered a sobering assessment of the state of the art in water-related design. The remedy, he declared, involves a lifelong commitment to continuing education and prefessional development — an argument that still reverberates today. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

How Many Pools Fail to Make the
Grade in Healthy Pools Campaign?

Many water-related stories have been in the news in the past several weeks, including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. During the recent 2011 Healthy Pools campaign sponsored by the Water Quality and Health Council, 1,500 U.S. pools were tested for proper pH and chlorine levels. What percentage failed to have the optimum levels to protect against waterborne germs and to create the most comfort for swimmers?

a. 25% b. 35% c. 50% d. 65%

2. A major Internet company has announced plans to build a swimming pool and gym at its European headquarters, as additional perks for its employees. Which company is it and where are the headquarters located?

a. Google, in Dublin c. Facebook, in London
b. Yahoo, in Paris d. Myspace, in Amsterdam

3. In its Oct. 26 online edition, Time magazine reported on the devastating flood in Thailand. According to the article, how many children (up to age 17) are estimated to lose their lives every year in the floods that ravage Southeast Asian countries — most of them because they never learned how to swim?

a. 78,000 b. 123,000 c. 192,000 d. 240,000

4. Several male residents of one small town recently bared all for a fundraising nude calendar — sales of which will pay for needed repairs to the community’s swimming pool. In what city did the men don their birthday suits for a swimming good cause?

a. Benson (Arizona), USA c. Tuatapere, New Zealand
b. Bonnie Rock, Australia d. Al Jawf, Saudi Arabia

Click here to learn the correct answers and see how many you got right.

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2011/10.2, October 26 — Patio Design, Historic Pool, Valuing Trade Shows and more

October 26, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Patio Primer

Continuing his ongoing discussion of key exterior spaces, Bruce Zaretsky moves to the back of the house and explains the interviewing process he uses in designing multifunctional patios that exactly meet his clients’ needs and desires. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Echoes Through Time

Any visit to Seattle, says Jim McCloskey, should include a pilgrimage to the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. The big reflection pool of this public garden is iconic — and you may recognize it from a famous book of the early 1990s. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

WaterShapes TV, Part 2

This is the first featured segment of the WaterShapes TV pilot; it covers a classic project by David Tisherman (with an early example of his unique approach to spa spillways) and includes a glass-on-water sculpture by John Luebtow. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Looking and Touching

If his experience is any guide, writes Jim McCloskey, watershapes are far more frequently appreciated from beyond the water than within it — leading him to suggest that all pool and spa professionals in particular should communicate this fact to consumers. [more]

A NEW SWIMMING POOL ON THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS? THOSE WHO KNOW AREN’T TALKING! [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Finding Value in Trade Shows

In the fall of 2006, columnist Brian Van Bower wrote passionately about the value of attending trade shows and using them to renew his sense of what watershaping is all about. Is it a message that has even more meaning now, after three long, hard years in a tough economy? [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

U.S. Retailer Loses Pool Slide Case:
Mass. Jury Awards Man $20.6 Million

Many water-related stories have been in the news in the past several weeks — including reports connected to the four questions below.

1. Earlier this month, a jury in Massachusetts awarded $20.6 million to a widower whose wife died as a result of injuries suffered on a swimming pool slide. Which U.S. retailer was the defendant in the case?

a. Target b. Home Depot
c. Wal-Mart d. Toys “R” Us

2. The health department of one major Asian city recently reported that 20% of the city’s public pools contain extremely high levels of urea. Which city was it?

a. Beijing, China b. Shanghai, China
c. Seoul, South Korea d. Bangkok, Thailand

3. Long-distance open-water swimmer Fran Crippen died one year ago during a 10-kilometer competition in the United Arab Emirates. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate about what should be the maximum allowable water temperature for such events. What does FINA, the sport’s governing body, recommend?

a. 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit)
b. 29 degrees Celsius (84.2 Fahrenheit)
c. 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 Fahrenheit)
d. 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit)

4. British royal Prince Harry — in the U.S. for specialized military training — became a hero to a young lady at a San Diego swimming pool, causing her to gush, “He is probably the most charming man I’ll ever meet.” What did Harry do to become her Prince Charming?

a. When the top of her bikini came off, Harry swam over to retrieve it and covered his eyes when he gave it to her.
b. When she suffered a cramp in one of her legs, Harry carried her out of the pool and gently lowered her onto a lounge chair.
c. After someone threw her into the pool fully clothed, Harry wrapped his own towel around her to keep her warm.
d. When a drunken man at the pool made an unwanted, lewd advance toward her, Harry used judo to throw him to the ground.

To find out how many you got right, click here.