| Bella Vista Lake Study Released
BELLA VISTA -- The long awaited results of a $65,000 analysis of Bella Vista's seven lakes show the worst cause of contamination might be the easiest to fix.Alan Cibuzar, president of AW Research Laboratories, said Thursday that stormwater runoff is a bigger problem for Bella Vista's lakes than leaky septic systems. It is a problem, however, that can be addressed with landscaping techniques that use more shrubs and trees and less gravel and pavement.The results came more than a year after the Minnesota-based research company was hired to detect sources of contamination of Bella Vista's seven lakes. The company flew over more than 1,000 acres in Bella Vista conducting low-altitude thermal and chlorophyll imaging.Preliminary results released in January showed lakeside landscaping techniques are more to blame for contamination than septic tank leaching.
City Set to Endorse Water-Wise Landscaping
(KCPW News) Covering your yard in water-wise plants and decorative bark is technically against the law in Salt Lake City. Landscaping codes require yards to be covered in grass - but that no longer fits with the city's water conservation goals. The Salt Lake City Council is now on the verge of making xeriscaped yards legit. On April 17th, the City Council will hold a public hearing on changes to the law that will require only one-third of a yard to be filled with grass or other plants. The rest of the yard can be covered in mulch, gravel or rocks. But first, city water conservation coordinator Stephanie Duer says the city must calm the fears of those who think the change will give people an excuse to abandon their yards in favor of weeds and parked cars. Duer says the city has other laws to address those issues.
• Garden Q & A
Dear Carol:I would like to know if I can mulch my highbush cranberries with crushed stone 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, after I lay down fabric on the ground. The reason is to eliminate putting down organic mulch as often. - J.H., via e-mail. Dear J.H.: A mulch is a soil covering. There are many good reasons to mulch areas of the garden so that there's no bare soil to be seen. Mulching the soil surface can improve the looks of a planting, help retain soil moisture, control weed growth, minimize soil erosion, keep soil temperatures even, keep fruit, foliage and flowers clean, control pests and diseases and improve soil structure and fertility. There are all kinds of possible mulching materials, and the ones you select will depend on which reasons are most important.
Scarlett: "I never dated Justin"
The Scarlett story started after the sexy actress starred in Justin's music video for What Goes Around Comes Around, in which the two shared a passionate kiss.Scarlett said of the video, "We had fun together. I think this (rumour) happens because we're both single and in the spotlight, and obviously Justin's a very high-profile person."
If only we all had our chance with the world's most eligible bachelor... .
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