2011/5.1, May 11 — Garden Steps and Landings, Waterfalls, Spa Aesthetics and more

May 11, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

LESSONS LEARNED

Making Steps and Landings Safe

Steps and landings are among the most common of all elements in landscapes, says Scott Cohen; unfortunately, he adds, they can be serious safety hazards that could lead to lawsuits. In the latest installment of his ‘Lessons Learned’ series, he offers a number of practical tips on how to reduce the risk. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

The Calming Magic of Waterfalls

There is something about waterfalls that human beings find both mesmerizing and soothing. Although they are not manmade, these stunning natural wonders offer inspiration to human watershapers for what they can aspire to achieve — even if on a much smaller scale. We’re pleased to present videos of four of the world’s greatest waterfalls for you to contemplate and enjoy. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

The Ugly Truth About Spas

Are spas good for sore muscles but eyesores when it comes to aesthetics? In the latest installment of the WaterShapes World blog, Jim McCloskey writes that ‘something really needs to be done to make pool-adjacent spas — especially when they’re raised — make any visual sense at all. At the moment, I don’t get the general impression that designers put enough thought into this part of their projects.’ [more]

IN THE UNDERWATER OPERA,
IT AIN’T OVER TILL THE FAT
LADY FLOATS — OR MAKES
WHALE-LIKE SOUNDS [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Three Pennies for Your Thoughts

The classic 1954 film “Three Coins in the Fountain” — which starred Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Louis Jourdan and Rossano Brazzi.— was about three American women seeking romance in a European city. What was the city and which fountain was at the heart of the story?

1. Paris; Fontaine aux Lions
2. London; Triton Fountain
3. Lisbon; Rossio Fountain
4. Rome; Trevi Fountain

Click here to see the correct answer and to watch the original trailer for the movie, which includes Frank Sinatra singing the title song.

BOOK NOTES

Steve Jobs: Master of the Presentation

Steve Jobs’ prowess at giving compelling, persuasive presentations is well-known — but in his review of The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by BusinessWeek.com columnist Carmine Gallo, Mike Farley admits, “At first, one might ask how on earth Jobs’ approach to presentations applies to watershaping.” Farley’s response? “What I discovered in reading this brilliant book is that not only is his approach relevant, it’s also transforming.” [more]

DECK-O-SEAL

(Hampshire, IL) offers Deck-O-Shield Plus, a premium-grade, ready-to-use, water-based sealer formulated for natural stone. Designed to seal porous surfaces, the product doesn’t significantly alter the color of surfaces and is ideal for use on pool copings and decks to protect them from salt penetration — and on all other porous surfaces to protect against spalling caused by freeze/thaw cycles. [more]

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2011/4.2, April 27 — WaterShapes World, Pond Filtration, NSPF’s Tom Lachocki and more

2011/4.1, April 13 — Pond Liners, Rainwater Capturing, Book Notes and more

April 13, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

LESSONS LEARNED

Pond Liners and the Sun

‘When rubber liners are used in pond construction,’ writes Scott Cohen, ‘competent installers will first place an underlayment fabric to relieve concerns about soil off-gassing and protect the material from the wear and tear that can erupt with rocks, roots and other intrusions.’ But what about the effect of sunshine? [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

Capture Rainwater to Help the Planet

The Web site of St. Charles, Ill.-based Aquascape notes that ‘at least 36 states expect to face water shortages within the next five years. Capturing and reusing rainwater reduces the community’s demand on the municipal water supply, reduces the owner’s water bills and helps avoid strict water schedules.’ In this video, Aquascape documents the installation of a rainwater capture system at one Illinois home. [more]

YANKEE SLUGGER A-ROD
ORDERED TO CLEAN UP
APARTMENT COMPLEX POOL [more]

MY PERSPECTIVE

A Letter to the First Lady

Given the increase in sedentary lifestyles and obesity among America’s young people, WaterShapes editor Eric Herman applauds First Lady Michelle Obama’s much-publicized Let’s Move initiative. But he can’t help noticing that swimming seems to have been left out of the program. Eric has written a letter to the First Lady—and he hopes you’ll send it along as well. [more]

BOOK NOTES

On The Art of Construction

In his review of The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers and Architects by Mario Salvadori, Mike Farley writes, “’[watershapers] may not be engineers, but we sure as heck need to know a thing or two about how structures work. This 150-page text provides some of the clearest explanations and illustrations of the way structures work that I’ve ever seen.’ [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Can You Name that Tarzan?

Following his competitive swimming career, what Olympic gold-medal winner went on to appear in more than 100 Hollywood movies-including the Paramount Studios film ‘King of the Jungle’?

Here are some clues:

His real first name was Clarence.
He grew up in Hawaii.
He starred in ‘Aquacade’ at the New York World’s Fair.
He starred in the 1933 Tarzan movie ‘Tarzan the Fearless.’
He was the only actor to play Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers—the top three comic strip heroes of the 1930s.

Click here to see the correct answer.

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2011/3.2, March 30 — Proper Pond Plumbing, Magic Fountain, Roman Goddess and more

March 30, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

LESSONS LEARNED

Water-in-Transit Pond Problem

‘Understanding how to move water from one level to another is among the most surprisingly complex challenges in all of watershaping,’ notes Scott Cohen. ‘Indeed, there are lots of ways to get into trouble…’ Case in point: A wrong-headed attempt at turning a dry riverbed into a functioning waterfall, stream and pond. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

Fountain Makes Magic in Moscow

Toronto-based Crystal Fountains has designed a dramatic, multifunctional waterfeature for White Square Office Center, a major new commercial development in Moscow. The company describes the installation as ‘a fountain for the 21st century in a city with a tradition of fountains.’ Learn more and watch a video of the waterfeature in action. [more]

‘SIN CITY’ ADULT AND TOPLESS POOLS MAKE BIG SPLASH WITH TOURISTS [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Bikini-Clad Roman Goddess

In tracing the origins of the bikini, Wikipedia reports the following:

The modern bikini was introduced by French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim in Paris in 1946. Réard was a car engineer but by 1946 he was running his mother’s lingerie boutique near Les Folies Bergères in Paris. Heim was working on a new kind of beach costume. It comprised two pieces, the bottom large enough to cover its wearer’s navel. In May 1946, he advertised it as the world’s “smallest bathing suit.” Réard named his swimsuit the “bikini,” taking the name from the Bikini Atoll, one of a series of islands in the South Pacific where testing on the new atomic bomb was occurring that summer.

If you’ll notice, the Wikipedia entry specifies “the modern bikini.” It also says, however, that artistic depictions of bikini-like garments date back to antiquity.

Question: In what famous Roman city was an ancient statue of a goddess wearing a bikini discovered, and who was the Roman goddess?

To see the correct answer, click here.

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Readers on Pachyderm Posteriors

In the last issue of WaterShapes EXTRA!, outspoken watershaper Mark Holden wrote, ‘Why are we still seeing watershapes installed with edges that look to my eyes to be lumpy pachyderm posteriors?’ Holden’s rather – dare we say it? – cheeky article drew an elephant-size response from readers. See what they had to say. [more]

BOOK NOTES

Packaging a Designer’s Messages

Many watershape designers’ marketing materials, laments Mike Farley, do not show ‘much attention being paid to how messages are conveyed in words, images or graphics.’ Enter Marketing for Architects and Designers by Harold Linton, Laura Clary and Steven Rost, a book about which Farley writes, ‘…this is the only one I’ve found that cuts so close to the needs of watershapers.’ [more]

KENNETH LYNCH & SONS

(Oxford, CT) offers the model 947, a multitiered, flexible-height, bowl-and-pedestal fountain. Made of rugged, frost-proof cast stone, the unit’s bowls come in five diameters ranging from 18 to 84 inches, while the pedestals come in five heights ranging from nine to 36 inches. Easy to assemble in the field, the unit features a metal armature through which the water recirculates. [more]

JDC FAUX ROCK CREATIONS

(St. George, UT) designs and installs artificial rock systems in a range of commercial and residential settings. [more]

BOBCAT CO.

(West Fargo, ND) has added the E42, E45 and E50 models to its M-Series of compact excavators. [more]

ORBIT INDUSTRIES/EVERGREEN

(Los Angeles, CA) offers the Model B140SH, a 12-volt uplight for illuminating architectural and landscape features. [more]

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2011/3.1, March 16 — Water Chemistry, Lava Rocks, Elephants’ Rumps and more

March 16, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Inside Total Dissolved Solids

According to pool-industry veteran Kim Skinner, elevated levels of Total Dissolved Solids can have ‘significant implications for water quality as well as the service life of circulation equipment and interior surface material.’ In this in-depth article, Skinner takes a close look at various chemicals that are added to pool water and how they impact TDS. [more]

LESSONS LEARNED

Beware of Exploding Lava Rocks

These days, an increasing number of watershaping and landscaping projects feature fire effects in addition to waterfeatures — and that can lead to some explosive results. Notes designer and builder Scott Cohen: ‘What we’ve run into is that some of the materials we have commonly associated with fire features can pose significant problems under certain circumstances.’ What’s the solution? [more]

WITCHES IN THE WATER:
THE MACABRE TEST THAT
ALWAYS ENDED BADLY [more]

MY PERSPECTIVE

Pachyderm Posteriors by the Pool

Builder and educator Mark Holden isn’t one to mince words: ‘Why,’ he asks, ‘are we still seeing watershapes installed with edges that look to my eyes to be lumpy pachyderm posteriors?’ He adds, ‘…to me these lumps of concrete constitute the most obviously repulsive design trend of the past 30 years.’ What else does the outspoken watershaper and landscaper think? Read on! [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

How Long Can Koi Live?

Wikipedia describes koi as ‘ornamental, domesticated varieties of common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds or water gardens.’ More than 1,000 years ago, the Chinese began breeding koi to create colorful patterns on the animals — which now come in shades of white, black, red, yellow, blue and cream. The Japanese started to breed koi in the 1820s. (The term koi means ‘carp’ in Japanese.) Thanks to the fish’s ability to adapt to a variety of water and climate conditions, koi ponds are now delighting people throughout much of the world.

Question: What is the longest that koi fish have been known to live?

50 years
75 years
100 years
200 years

To see the correct answer, click here.

BOOK NOTES

Finding Fitness in the Pool

Mike Farley characterizes The Complete Book of Swimming by Dr. Phillip Whitten as ‘the best resource for information about swimming I’ve found.’ What especially impresses Farley is the book’s thorough discussion of the health benefits of swimming, ‘instead of focusing only on specific swimming techniques — which seems to be the main target of most of the others I’ve seen.’ [more]

ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS

(Vista, CA) offers AquaLink Touch, a system designed for total control of the pool and spa experience. With its user-friendly, customizable interface, the wired or wireless unit is capable of operating up to 32 devices — including jets, color lights, pool-to-spa switching, pump speeds, temperature settings, water-purification settings and more via its full-color, seven-inch LCD touch screen. [more]

KENNETH LYNCH & SONS

(Oxford, CT) offers a complete line of curbing sections for use in building fountain pools. Designed with a variety of profiles in a range of curb heights, the units can be combined in virtually limitless configurations to accommodate a wide variety of fountain systems. Once the profile, shape and size are selected, the company develops drawings and provides curb-setting instructions. [more]

PENTAIR WATER COMMERCIAL POOL & AQUATICS

(Sanford, NC) has introduced the Aurora 340 Series commercial pump. The single-stage, end-suction, closed-impeller unit has a 2,500-gallon-per-minute capacity — making it ideal for applications with large pools, waterparks and waterfeatures — and is quiet, smooth-running and flexible in coupled-, horizontal- or vertical-mounted applications. [more]

COVER-POOLS

(Salt Lake City, UT) manufactures a variety of safe, energy-efficient, economical cover systems, including the Save-T 3 automatic safety pool cover; the Step-Saver manual pool cover; and the Autosave compact spa cover. These easier-to-install, dependable covers are all custom-made, come in nine standard colors and feature various automation, power and architectural options. [more]

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2011/2.2, February 23 — Green Building, Tuning Water’s Sounds, Japanese Gardens and more

February 23, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

The New Green Building Code

Concrete expert William D. Palmer Jr. believes that the recent adoption of the International Green Construction Code by the state of Rhode Island is just ‘the tip of a big green iceberg toward which your company’s ship is sailing at full speed.’ Palmer explains which of the code’s provisions are most likely to impact contractors. [more]

LESSONS LEARNED

Tuning the Sound of Falling Water

In the latest installment of his ongoing series, Scott Cohen recounts a project in which he created two stone waterfalls flanking a fireplace — resulting in a gorgeous visual image. ‘The problem was, the waterfeatures sounded like nothing so much a two giants relieving themselves into oversized toilets,’ Cohen recalls. And the solution? [more]

DID A UFO DRAIN A POOL IN
ARGENTINA WITHOUT LEAVING
EVEN A TRACE OF WATER? [more]

MY PERSPECTIVE

African-Americans and Swimming

A study has shown that 60 percent of African-American children don’t know how to swim — twice the rate for white children. Tragically, the rate at which black children drown is three times the rate for the population as a whole. What are the causes for this disparity and what is the remedy? [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Could You Walk Across a Pool
Filled with Ping-Pong Balls?

That was the odd but intriguing question posed on the Web site PhysicsForums.com. To read the entire message posted by the inquisitive Matt and the answer that makes the most sense to WaterShapes EXTRA!, click here.

BOOK NOTES

Ten Landscapes: The View East

In his review of Ten Landscapes by Shunmyo Nasuno, Mike Farley observes that ‘…although I’m not given to making such sweeping statements, I am comfortable in saying that every watershaper should study the Japanese garden tradition.’ The book’s concepts, Farley asserts, ‘can easily be applied to projects in any number of styles and settings.’ [more]

LIGHTSTREAMS GLASS TILE

(Santa Clara, CA) offers the Shell Beach line of tile accents. The waving strands consist of random patterns and colors in various shapes and sizes — some unreleased otherwise to make each strand fresh and unique. All are mesh-mounted on 12-inch strips for ease of installation. Set end-to-end, they make visually arresting markers for pool steps, swim-shelves, lanes, spa benches and more. [more]

AQUAMATIC COVER SYSTEMS

(Gilroy, CA) offers an eight-page, full-color booklet on EZ Cover, which looks and moves like an automatic safety cover but does so manually without the hydraulic mechanism. Designed to open or close in about 70 seconds, the systems can be mounted in boxes above or hidden below deck level and can be converted to automatic operation at any point after installation. [more]

PENTAIR WATER COMMERCIAL POOL & AQUATICS

(Sanford, NC) offers the StarGuard line of main drains, grates and frames for commercial pool applications. Designed for compliance with the ASME/ANSI standards and provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, the units are available in white and black in four sizes at nine, 12, 18 and 24 inches squared. [more]

BIONOVA NATURAL POOLS

(Hackettstown, NJ) offers literature on the installation of natural swimming pools in public settings. The four-page, full-color brochure defines how these watershapes mimic the proven natural processes that keep wetland waters clean — and do so with a smaller carbon footprint, no chemical usage, less maintenance and lower operating costs than conventional public pools. [more]

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2011/2.1, February 9 — Natural Pools, Ripples, Traditional Gardens and more

February 9, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Natural Pools: Safe for Swimming?

BioNova President and CEO James Robyn observes that ‘mammals evolved…over millions of years both drinking and swimming in water that was clarified and purified naturally in ponds, streams, rivers and freshwater wetlands.’ Still, just how safe is it to swim in pools with water treated by biological processes instead of chemicals? [more]

FLAMBOYANT BRIT FILLS POOL
WITH BOOZE, AMERICAN ARTIST DOES SAME WITH DIET COLA [more]

STATEMENT

Clean Water for Kenyan Orphans

WaterShapes editor Eric Herman reports that the orphanage in Kenya founded by Dr. Carolyn Rowley — who is also vice president and chief financial officer at the watershape-control manufacturer Gilderfluke & Co. — recently finished drilling a much-needed well to bring potable water to the facility’s residents and staff. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Who First Crawled to Victory?

A swimming competition held in London in 1844 marked the first time British swimmers witnessed the crawl stroke. Who performed the crawl at the event, swimming to victory?

Chinese swimmers
Native American swimmers
Brazilian swimmers
Australian swimmers

To see the correct answer, click here.

BOOK NOTES

Distinctive Touches, Big Impact

In his review of Traditional Garden Decor by Robin Langley Sommer, Mike Farley writes that this far-ranging book ‘is beautifully illustrated and demonstrates just how exciting some of the simplest things can be no matter the style or the form of the specific decorative touch being applied.’ [more]

AQURON

(Rockwall, TX) offers Concrete Pool Shell Protector (CPSP), a non-hazardous, user-friendly, permanent, clear treatment/preservative/ sealant solution for new or old concrete watershapes. The material includes a highly reactive catalytic agent in a colloidal silicate base, which produces a silica-hydro gel below the surface and inside the concrete that seals the matrix and preserves its imbedded steel. [more]

COVER-POOLS

(Salt Lake City, UT) manufactures Step-Saver, a manual reel cover made for easy daily use. It uses no straps, sandbags or anchors to hold it in place. Instead, it uses the same low-profile track system as the company’s automatic covers, offering all the benefits of a motorized safety cover at a much lower cost. It can also be upgraded to an automatic format at a later date as the client desires. [more]

ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS

(Vista, CA) has introduced the Polaris 9300xi Sport, a robotic cleaner for inground pools. Designed with a high-capacity filter canister, the unit features a powerful vacuum system that picks up larger debris quickly while maintaining maximum suction throughout the cleaning cycle and can be operated in an automated cleaning mode or as directed by a hand-held remote control. [more]

KENNETH LYNCH & SONS

(Oxford, CT) offers a range of sculptural fountains for use as centerpieces or accents in landscape designs. The products include Rain Trees, which are made by hand in copper and bronze and feature copper leaves plumbed as waterfeatures. These sculptures are intended to stand within basins made using the company’s pool curbing and can be customized to suit any setting. [more]

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2011/1.2, January 26 — Painting with Stone, Ozone’s Capabilities, Mark Urban and more

January 26, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

PONDCRAFT

The Artistry of ‘Painting’ with Stone

Stone comes in many varieties of color, texture and durability. ‘For the pond-building artist,’ writes Ed Beaulieu of Aquascape, ‘stone is the paint.’ Here, Beaulieu offers practical tips on how to use stone more effectively. He also provides a region-by-region breakdown of what’s available across the United States. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Ozone: Expanding Its Range

In the second installment of this two-part, in-depth article, Beth Hamil of Del Ozone looks at the many new aquatic uses the ozone industry is exploring for its products. ‘As ozone technology has become familiar in various fields,’ she reports, ‘we keep finding ourselves being drawn to applications we never anticipated.’ [more]

SEXY AIR FRANCE COMMERCIAL
SPOTLIGHTS SWIMMING POOL
AS SYMBOL OF THE GOOD LIFE [more]

PERSPECTIVES

Remembering Mark Urban

In December, Mark Urban — a well-known presence in the watershaping industry for decades — passed away from bone cancer at the age of 70. Here, WaterShapes editor Eric Herman, who knew Urban for more than 20 years, fondly recalls him as an irrepressible, eccentric character who was innovative, independent, curious, opinionated and generous. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Share Your Memories of Mark

Many people in the watershaping industry knew Mark Urban – and if you were one of them, we invite you to share your personal recollections of this unique individual. Both general observations and specific anecdotes are welcome. To share your memories, click the article just above and comment as you wish.

BOOK NOTES

Art Appreciation, Day by Day

Mike Farley reviews The Daily Book of Art: 365 Readings That Teach, Inspire and Entertain by Colin Gilbert, Dylan Gilbert, Elizabeth T Gilbert, and Gabriel Guzman. ‘What I love about this book,’ Farley observes, ‘is how it takes a subject as huge as “art” and breaks it down into easily consumable pieces.’ [more]

EBAC INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

(Newport News, VA) offers the Model WM80 dehumidifier for use with indoor pools and spas in residential or commercial applications. Equipped with a high-efficiency rotary compressor for low amp draw and high capacity, the 360-cfm airflow unit can be wall-mounted or freestanding and also features an inlet air filter, a cross-flow fan and an internal humidistat. [more]

HYDRO DRAMATICS

(St. Louis, MO) offers assistance in the mechanical and electrical design and post-installation service of fountains. Working with architects, designers, engineers, contractors and others who need technical support for fountains small or large and from simple to one-of-a-kind complex, its projects range from public parks and gardens to corporate sites and high-end residences. [more]

PENTAIR WATER COMMERCIAL POOL & AQUATICS

(Sanford, NC) offers the Acu Drive XS, a variable-frequency-drive pump designed for increased performance and savings of energy, cost and space in commercial applications. Featuring automatic energy optimization, the unit protects itself against system overloads, motor overheating, voltage disturbances and power surges. [more]

LIGHTSTREAMS GLASS TILE

(Santa Clara, CA) offers the Renaissance Collection of glass tile. Designed for use at the waterline or on the interiors of pools, spas and fountains, the tiles can be used in hot or freezing climates; are thick and substantial; feature permanent, transparent color within the glass; and have edges and corners that are finished, shiny and smooth to the touch. [more]

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2011/1.1, January 12 — Ozone’s Green Side, Stone Erosion, Color and more

January 12, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Ozone: Understanding Its Green Side

In the first installment of this two-part, in-depth article, Beth Hamil — Vice President, Corporate Compliance, for manufacturer Del Ozone — explores ozone’s environmental benefits for energy consumption, water usage and general healthfulness. ‘[The] lack of widespread awareness of ozone’s positive role,’ Hamil writes, ‘stems partly from the fact that many ozone applications are relatively new and unfamiliar.’ [more]

LESSONS LEARNED

The Case of the Vanishing Stone

A homeowner hires a company to build a backyard swimming pool that includes a large waterfall made with natural stone. Only one problem: “Once installation was complete,” reports Scott Cohen, “…every time the waterfall ran, chunks of rock material would slough off and fall into the pool.” Another important lesson to be learned! [more]

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
WINERY FEATURES
TWO SWIMMING POOLS [more]

INTERVIEW

The Importance of Watershaping’s Color Palette

Judith Corona leads a colorful life: Among other things, she teaches color theory and application for UCLA Extension, as well as a 20-hour course on the subject for the Genesis 3 Design Group. Here Corona discusses the importance of color in pool design, and factors to consider when creating a color palette for a backyard watershape. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Ancient Swimming Pool Found

An ancient swimming pool was recently discovered during an archeological dig under a sewing factory — a find that was widely reported by the news media. Do you know where the discovery was made and when the swimming pool was built?

In China; during the Qin Dynasty, approximately 2,200 years ago
In India; during the Gupta Empire, around 1,600 years ago
In Israel; during the Roman period, some 2,000 years ago
In Egypt; during the reign of Amenhotep IV, around 3,300 years ago

To see the correct answer and learn more about this archeological find, click here.

BOOK NOTES

Meeting and Fooling the Eye

‘Although we might not commonly think of watershaping and exterior design in this way, a great many of the details we shape are designed to fool the eye or somehow create illusions,’ writes Mike Farley in his review of the book Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali & the Artists of Optical Illusion, by Al Seckel. [more]

AQUASALT

(Houston, TX) offers salt for use in all saltwater chlorination systems. The salt is made through evaporation in a food-grade salt production facility rather than relying on outdoor solar processing and the contaminants it includes. The material has a crystal size designed to produce the fastest dissolution rate available for pool and spa applications and a level of purity that minimizes any concerns about staining. [more]

BIONOVA NATURAL POOLS

(Hackettstown, NJ) offers consulting services to professional watershapers interested in designing natural pool systems. Once the design’s aesthetic parameters are set, the organization provides the planning required to complete the project and also will provide either construction or project-management services to make certain the program is implemented to specification. [more]

AQUAMATIC COVER SYSTEMS

(Gilroy, CA) offers the Hydramatic line of pool covers. Installed with a reliable, maintenance-free, all-fluid drive mechanism designed to last the lifetime of the pool, the system also includes walk-on lid components that blend into the hardscape while completely hiding the retracted cover. Several options for tracks and covers allow for use with pools of almost any configuration. [more]

WATERWAY PLASTICS

(Oxnard, CA) offers 32-inch Ultra Strip Drains. Compliant with provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, these units can be used with concrete, vinyl or fiberglass pools and have been NSF-certified for floor and wall applications using either a center port or two side ports. With their length ensuring unblockability, the units come in a wide variety of colors. [more]

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2010/12.2, December 15 — Santa’s Thoughts on Watershapes, Ripples, Holiday Wishes and more

December 15, 2010

WATERSHAPES.COM

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

Santa Claus Talks About the Ho-Ho-Ho of Watershapes

Imagine our surprise at WaterShapes when we received an e-mail from ol’ St. Nick himself expressing his love for watershapes of every kind! And imagine our delight when he agreed to speak with us from the North Pole! As far as we know, this is the only interview Santa Claus has ever given to the media on this subject. Enjoy! [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Santa’s 10 Blessings for Watershapers Everywhere

When we had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Santa, he asked that we communicate his Christmas blessings to our readers — and, indeed, to all watershapers everywhere. (“Please ask your Jewish readers and friends to consider this a belated Chanukah present,” he added.) Are you ready to receive your gift of 10 blessings from Santa? [more]

THE BEST OF RIPPLES 2010:
FIVE STORIES THAT TICKLED
OUR FANCY THE MOST! [more]

SPECIAL MESSAGE

New Year’s Greetings From Eric Herman

In a heartfelt New Year’s message, WaterShapes editor Eric Herman observes that ‘if grit and determination in the face of adversity are the measure of our industry’s character, then what I’ve seen these past difficult years is nothing less than inspiring.’ Don’t miss Eric’s words to you and all our readers — they’re pretty inspiring as well. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Business Resolutions for 2011?

In a recent edition of WaterShapes EXTRA!, we featured Vance Gillette’s impassioned call for the industry to redirect its marketing strategy in order to become more successful in the coming year and beyond. Have you made any New Year’s resolutions regarding your business in 2011? Share them with our readers by writing us a letter!

BOOK NOTES

A Perfect Gift for Watershapers!

Could there be a better holiday gift for any watershaper than a book related to watershaping? Every WaterShapes EXTRA! features a title recommended by book reviewer Mike Farley; we’ve even made it easy to acquire these books through our online store. Know someone who would love to have one of them? Click here!

AQURON CORP. INTERNATIONAL

(Rockwall, TX) offers Invisa-Shield, a sealer for stone and concrete that waterproofs, is abrasion-resistant and stays pliable. The non-toxic, non-polluting, non-flammable, waterborne repellent provides a tough, breathing-type barrier that helps keep surfaces clean while retarding or eliminating efflorescence. It also resists freeze/thaw-related cracking or spalling of vertical and horizontal surfaces. [more]

WATERWAY PLASTICS

(Oxnard, CA) has introduced the Econo-Flo VS variable-speed pump. Made for safe, economical, super-quiet use, the device has a low-amperage design for maximum energy efficiency and a fast payback on the investment. It also has a built-in, user-friendly programmable interface that comes from the factory ready for immediate use, along with a built-in SVRS and freeze protection. [more]

FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL ASSOCIATION

(Sarasota, FL) is approaching the final planning stages for the 2011 edition of the Orlando Pool & Spa Show. Scheduled to take place in West Hall E1 of the Orange County Convention Center on February 11-12, 2011, the professionals-only event encompasses not only pools and spas, but all of the features and accessories that go into backyard paradises. [more]

GRAND EFFECTS

(Irvine, CA) offers a line of fire-and-water bowls. Designed for safe, reliable elegance in any setting, the units are made from copper or concrete (in any of five different finishes) and can be run either manually or automatically using a range of pool- and home-control systems. All systems require water flows in the 10-to-12-gallon-per-minute range and come factory-tested and ready for installation. [more]