SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. (Zodiac) has announced general availability of its new LED color landscape lights under the Jandy Pro Series WaterColors product line. In addition, it has also introduced ETL-certified Wet Area LED lights which may be installed within 10 feet of the pool or spa. With these lights and its recent acquisition of the assets of SAVI Pool and Spa Lighting, Zodiac is dedicated to creating an expansive line of innovative lighting options and solutions for pool owners, retailers and builders that are easy to install, energy-efficient and create a beautiful ambience.

Zodiac is the first pool products manufacturer to have systems of wet area lighting that may be installed this close to a swimming pool, without the need for the lights to be submerged, both in its Jandy Pro Series and SAVI lights. ETL listed to applicable UL electrical safety standards, the wet area lights are particularly useful in areas where the pool may be situated very close to a building, wall or other structure. The ETL certification is proof of product compliance with relevant North American safety (electrical, gas and other) standards. Authorities having jurisdiction across the US and Canada accept the ETL Listed Mark as proof of compliance with applicable product safety standards.

Jandy Pro Series LED lights are completely weatherproof and compatible with most 12 volt AC pool and landscape power transformers. Each light uses only seven watts, and up to 14 lights may be installed on a 100-watt transformer per the transformer manufacturers load limit guidelines. The landscape LED lights may be installed as close as 10 feet from the pool or spa and the wet area lights may be installed outside the tile line and within 10 feet of the pool or spa perimeter. These and all other Jandy Pro Series lights, can be controlled from any Aqualink automation system, giving pool owners anytime, anywhere smartphone control when combined with iAquaLink.

Lighting is an essential component of creating an enjoyable pool experience, said Amy Armstrong, product manager for Jandy Pro Series Lighting. With the expansion of our lighting product line, we are offering a complete backyard experience!

The low voltage, energy-efficient lights include nine vibrant colors, such as Alpine White, Caribbean Blue, Emerald Rose and more, as well as five light shows with fun titles like Fast Color Splash, America the Beautiful and Disco Tech. The new color landscape lights can color sync with the pool and spa when Jandy WaterColors lights are used.

To see the entire pool and landscape lighting product line and all features, see http://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com/Products/Lighting.

About Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.

Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Zodiac Pool Solutions, is a global leader in swimming pool and spa products and services. The companys comprehensive product lines are marketed under the leading brand names of Zodiac, Polaris, Jandy Pro Series, Nature2, and Cover-Pools. Zodiac is the leading provider of premium, innovative pool and spa products and is committed to designing and producing the most energy efficient, earth-friendly pool products and systems available. To learn more about Zodiac, visit http://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com or call 800-822-7933.

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Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. Expands Lighting Product Line ...

The Sieferts are the kind of environmentally conscious family who attend local sustainability workshops and have solar panels atop their Mar Vista home. They use timers on their kids' showers and have planted drought-tolerant landscaping.

But they feel a twinge of guilt over their beloved 52-foot-long swimming pool.

"I haven't thought about the pool as much as I probably should," said Annette Siefert, 50. "But I think we've done everything we can do not to be wasters."

As California's drought worsens, swimming pools have become a target for those who think the classic backyard oasis wastes water. Some water districts have prohibited new pools from being filled and have limited how much water existing pools can use.

But some of those agencies are walking back the rules as they make a surprising discovery: Pools aren't the water wasters some have made them out to be.

Analyses by various water districts, along with scientific studies, conclude that pools and their surrounding hardscapes use about the same amount of water as a lawn of the same size. Over time, pools might even use less water. With pool covers, experts say water evaporation can be cut by almost half, making pools significantly less wasteful than grass and about as efficient as drought-tolerant landscaping.

Facing complaints over a recent ban on filling pools, the Santa Margarita Water District conducted its own water-use analysis. It found that pools require thousands of gallons of water to fill initially, but they use about 8,000 gallons less water than a traditional landscape after that. By the third year, the analysis found, the savings add up, and a pool's cumulative water use falls below that of a lawn.

Water agencies such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have come to similar conclusions.

Armed with new information, Santa Margarita Water District officials will reconsider their ban next week.

"We want to respect the people's rights to use their property. There are many families we know that have saved for pools," said Jonathan Volzke, spokesman for the 155,000-customer district. "But at the same time, the reality around us is that we're in the third year of a serious drought, and we don't know if we're in the third year of a three-year drought or the third year of a 10-year drought."

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Water agencies are learning pools aren't a big factor during drought

If you were thinking about swimming laps next to Pier 62 and 63 any time soon, forget about it. The barge could resurface in the future though.

The city has decided to nix a floating barge with a swimming pool from plans for a vast new public space along Seattle's downtown waterfront.

At least for now.

The elimination of the much-discussed barge is one of several recent changes to the design of the space. Major delays with Highway 99 tunnel construction and questions over financing have created an air of uncertainty about the project's timeline and budget. But city officials say work is progressing and that the latest version of the design has incorporated a range of citizen criticism and feedback.

"We're keeping the momentum that we had," said city planning director Marshall Foster on Wednesday.

The main corridor of planned parks and other public spaces would extend 26-blocks between Pioneer Square and Belltown and sprawl across roughly 20 acres of the waterfront.Aconceptual design is currently about 30 percent complete, according to Foster. This city is moving toward 60 percent design completion, a stage that will include more information about landscape details, materials and surface finishes.

The city contracted with James Corner Field Operations to lead the design effort. Corner, a landscape architect, is well known for his work on the High Line park in New York City. Since 2010, Seattle has paid Corner's firm nearly $7.5 million. The waterfront program budget includes about $8 million for the firm's services, an expense Foster believes is worthwhile. "That money, in my mind, is pretty well spent," Foster said.

"The scale of the design and engineering effort, I don't want to say it is unprecedented," he added, "but this rivals the biggest projects Seattle has done."

The pool barge, which would have been moored at Pier 62 and Pier 63 west of the Pike Place Market, could eventually resurface. Foster said that while the city is not including it in the basic waterfront design, it might be a good candidate for future philanthropic financing.

Just kidding: The proposed pool barge has been deep-sixed from the Seattle waterfront's basic redesign, but could reappear in the future. Imagecourtesy of City of Seattle and James Corner Field Operations.

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Sunk: City cuts swimming pool barge from waterfront design plan

Jan Cerminara said in the 26 years she and her husband, Fred, have been in business, their company, Pool & Spa Outlet on Galley Road in North Strabane Township, has installed thousands of pools.

However, the fiberglass pool recently installed at the Vitale house in Peters Township is one of if not the most important projects they have done, she said.

Doug Vitale was severely wounded while fighting in Afghanistan in September 2011 when he stepped on a land mine. He lost both legs above the knee and suffered strokes on both sides of his brain because of blood loss.

In July, Vitale and his wife, Alexis, moved into their custom home in Peters Township designed to permit the couple to live as independently as possible. Funds for the $500,000 home were raised through community efforts, including by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764 in Peters Township, and national organizations, such as the Wounded Warrior Project and Tunnels to Towers.

While the home is equipped with special lifts and other amenities to aid the Vitales, Cerminara knew something was missing and that something was an outdoor therapy pool.

When Vitales mother-in-law, Denise Abraham of Peters Township, was purchasing a hot tub from Cerminaras daughter, Ashley Meucci, who went to Peters Township High School with Abrahams son Matt, the two began to talk about how much Vitale used to love to swim.

After more than a year of discussions among the Cerminara family members, the idea of installing a pool was born, and Pool & Spa Outlet donated a Viking fiberglass, constant-depth pool that will provide a place for Vitale to have water therapy.

Alexis Vitale said the family is working with the Veterans Administration to determine what type of lift will be needed, with the VA providing the eventual choice. Because there is not a lift, no one but the familys service dog, Partner, has been in the pool, and that was because he jumped in to retrieve a toy.

Its a small pool, Cerminara said. It measures 12 feet by 25 feet, and is a constant depth of 4 1/2 feet. Installation took about a week at the new house on Longleaf Drive in Venetia.

The Cerminara family was not the only one to donate services. Donations came from Silhol Builders Supply Co., All Around Concrete Pumping, Briggs Electric, A&S Landscaping and Santel Landscape and Design in Bethel Park, just to name a few. Cerminara cousin Anthony Cerminara provided the excavating. Jan Cerminara said the companys lead installer, Bob Kaczorowski, donated his weeks salary while working on the project, and other vendors provided discounts on materials.

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Injured vet gets therapy pool thanks to local business

MIAMI, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA), the leading organization for the economic and professional development of the landscape industry's Hispanic American workforce, will participate in a Day of Service initiative on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 2014. The event, hosted by the Trust for the National Mall, will count on services offered by volunteer representatives from the NHLA, John Deere, PLANET, OPEI, the Irrigation Association, and other industry leaders, who will work on improving the space just north of the Lincoln Monument Reflecting Pool.

A total of 82 volunteers from across the country have signed up to participate in this year's Day of Service at the National Mall, including RulyScapes Inc. and NHLA President, Raul Berrios, NHLA President Elect and VP of Operations at Total Tree Care, Juan Torres, NHLA Secretary-Treasurer and President of Alexandria Lawn Service, Pam Berrios, and NHLA Executive Director Ralph Egues.

"We look forward to being part of this industry wide effort, not only because it beautifies such an important site in our nation's history, but also because it serves as a great opportunity to emphasize the important environmental and human health benefits of professionally maintained landscaping and green spaces," said NHLA President Raul Berrios.

Astudy by Marc Berman of the University of Michiganfound that natural environments can have a significant positive effect on physical and mental health as well as the environment. Turf grass provides plenty of environmental benefits as it captures dust, smoke particles and other pollutants, as well as producing oxygen.

By carefully refining the scale, shape, and function of each component of the landscape of the National Mall's Constitution Gardens landform, soils, plant materials, water flows, and paving the 82 volunteers aim to create a visually appealing, sustainable environment which will thrive for generations to come.

About NHLAThe National Hispanic Landscape Alliance is an association that facilitates and promotes the advancement of Hispanics as landscape industry professionals and leaders and provides the nation's half million Hispanic-American landscaping professionals a voice in the national dialogue on environmentally responsible landscape practices, and a means through which to advocate on behalf of their businesses, the livelihood of their employees, and the quality of life in their communities.

SOURCE National Hispanic Landscape Alliance

RELATED LINKS http://www.masverde.us

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The NHLA Joins Other Landscape Industry Leaders for Day of Service at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

MONTREAL Many Montrealers and visitors have sorely missed the secret pool on the mountain this summer, and even as the season draws to a sunny close, a grassroots movement to get the popular pool reopened in time for next year is gathering momentum.

The Royal Victoria Hospital pool on the southern flank of Mount Royal had been growing in popularity for the last decade, as tourism blogs and Internet lists kept outing it as a hidden gem and one of the coolest places to swim in Montreal.

But last summer, the pool closed in mid-August after a man drowned there. Hospital administrators made the decision not to reopen it this summer because their resources were stretched dealing with the Royal Vics imminent move to the new superhospital site in Notre-Dame-de-Grce.

But when Olivier Lapierre, a regular pool user since 2007, learned of the closing this summer, he immediately began gathering evidence that there is strong public support for getting the pool back in the swim by next summer.

Lapierres Save Royal Victoria Pool Facebook page has 508 likes so far. Environmental and heritage organizations are voicing their support for its reopening, and the city councillor for the Peter McGill district where the pool is located is looking into the possibility of making it a municipal pool.

This pool on the slope of Mount Royal, with the trees all around and the exceptional view of downtown, away from the heavy city noise ... It was just perfect, said Lapierre, an urban planner, community and heritage activist, and a project manager with the Quebec Landscape Architects Association.

The McGill University Health Centre had been operating the pool on a break-even basis, by charging a $5 daily entrance fee to the general public and $60 for a seasons pass for employees.

In a letter to Lapierre, MUHC spokesperson Julie Paquet said the hospitals mission is to serve its patients, so it will not maintain the pool once it moves to its new site. But she said the MUHC is open to evaluating any serious offer if a community group or municipality wants to take it over.

Lapierre figures there are four possibilities to keep the pool from becoming another urban ghost left to decay: the city of Montreal could make it a municipal pool; McGill University could take it over if it succeeds in its bid to take over the former MUHC buildings; a non-profit community organization could take it over; or a public fundraising campaign could be launched to save it (like the +Pool project for which New Yorkers are being asked via Kickstarter to buy tiles to help build a floating, water filtering pool in the river.)

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A plea for the secret pool on the mountain

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Hidden Bay - Video

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) Career Institute, the industrys premier pool, spa, and hot tub training provider, announces certification courses for pool and spa builders, designers, and hot tub and service providers at the 2014 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, being held Nov. 2-7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Four courses will be offered: The Pool & Spa Construction Course (PSCC), Certified Service Technician Course (CST), Certified Hot Tub Technician Course (CHTT) and the Train the Trainer Course (TTT).

The economy is heating up and this is the time for pool and hot tub professionals to differentiate themselves with APSP training and certification, said APSP CEO and President Rich Gottwald. With the largest group of pool, hot tub, spa and patio industry suppliers and manufacturers, retailers, builders, service professionals and landscape architects from around the globe in attendance at Expo, were pleased to offer diverse training that meets the attendees expectations and needs, he added.

The Pool & Spa Construction Course, Nov. 2-4, is for novice and experienced builders who need to know more about building quality pools and spas; and for experienced pool contractors who want to enhance their technical expertise and build more challenging pools. The three-day course guides the participant through the APSP Builders Manual, gives key information to conform to industry standards and fully prepares them for the APSP CBP Certified Building Professional exam held Nov. 5 (separate application required). Attendees who successfully complete the course receive 24 continuing education hours, which can be used toward APSP certifications and recertification.

The Certified Service Technician Course, Nov. 2-4, is for individuals with at least two years of experience in pools and spa service and repair. Participants will explore key concepts and best practices outlined in the APSP Service Tech Manual with a focus on hydraulics, water quality, and troubleshooting and repair. Attendees interested in becoming certified will be eligible to participate in the Certified Service Technician (CST) exam on Nov. 5; registration for this exam is included in the course fee. This course is also highly recommended for those individuals interested in a comprehensive learning experience that will prepare them to take the Certified Service Professional Exam, Nov. 5 if they meet the requirements (separate application required). Attendees who successfully complete the course receive 24 continuing education hours, which can be used toward APSP certifications and recertification.

The Certified Hot Tub Technician Course, Nov. 3-4, focuses on the specialized and unique needs of technicians who service and repair different makes and models of portable hot tubs. The course is taught by experienced technicians who can explain key content in the APSP Hot Tub Technician Manual (including hot tub installation, structures and finishes, service and maintenance, water chemistry, seasonal care and troubleshooting), field your questions, and spark discussion among program participants. Attendees interested in becoming certified will be eligible to participate in the Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT) exam on Nov. 5; registration for this exam is included in the course fee. Attendees who successfully complete the course receive 16 continuing education hours, which can be used toward APSP certifications and recertification.

New to the Expo lineup is the Train the Trainer Course, Nov. 3. This new program is designed to train subject matter experts to teach APSP Certification courses in their workplace and in venues across the world. Upon successful completion of the program, participants may be eligible to earn an honorarium for their instruction hours. Course requisite is a Certified Building Professional or Certified Service Professional designation. Attendees who successfully complete the course receive 6 continuing education hours, which can be used toward APSP certifications and recertification.

Registration for the 2014 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is open now. All educational seminars are ticketed events and require registration, and some APSP courses require prerequisites for participation. For more information about APSP programs offered at Expo, please contact the Career Institute at CI(at)APSP(dot)org or call 703-838-0083 ext. 274.

About the Career Institute APSPs Career Institute is the countrys premier pool, spa and hot tub education provider. Offered in classrooms around the country, as self-study programs, and in an on-line format, the Career Institutes courses are all based upon the nationally recognized ANSI/APSP/ICC pool and spa standards. This means participants are learning building techniques and service and repair methods that are based on current technologies and sound research. APSP Certified professionals use state-of-the-art technology to deliver and service quality pools, spas and hot tubs. To see complete course and certification offerings, as well as webinars, visit APSP.org/CareerInstitute.

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APSP Career Institute Announces Upcoming Certification Course at 2014 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo

By Ramdas S CRN, Sep 4, 2014

Storage virtualization could potentially change the enterprise storage landscape as software-defined storage takes center-stage

Storage virtualization has been around for a long time, in fact for more than a decade. However, its real impact started just a few quarters back. With servers being optimized through server virtualization, there have been a number of attempts to virtualize both networks and storage components in the data center.

Many customers are adopting storage virtualization to have a central pool of the storage and centrally manage their storage resources. It enables them to centrally allocate the required storage to various applications, says Sandip Sarkar, Director, Sales, Sterling Infoways, Gurgaon.

Neeraj Matiyani, Country Manager, Storage Solutions, Dell India, explains, There are three major benefits which storage virtualization brings to the table. You can easily create virtual disks, assign and re-create them. You can migrate data non-disruptively, and finally orchestrate everything through software APIs.

What the industry is yet to agree on is the right mode of implementation. Vendors such as NetApp, EMC and IBM have long looked at either bundling software along with their storage boxes or even shipping specialized appliances which could control existing SAN and NAS hardware and allocate storage for virtual storage disks. Hitachi Data Systems has taken a different approachthe vendor has embedded a virtualization stack inside a SAN controller.

Matiyani agrees that the choices are plenty. Dell itself is exploring every possible way to offer storage virtualization. Apart from built-in functionality inside its own boxes it has partnerships with software vendors such as Nutanix and Nexenta to offer their software-defined storage. There is also a strong OpenStack practice.

With storage virtualization you can create virtual disks, assign and re-create them; migrate data non-disruptively, and orchestrate everything through software APIs

Neeraj Matiyani, Country Manager, Storage Solutions, Dell India

Software-defined VMware, which has invested close to $1.6 billion in the past three years in various acquisitions around network and storage virtualization, is threatening to change the landscape. VMwares pitch is clear: it is offering CIOs a single-pane view of the entire infrastructure as a bunch of software components which can be used to not just allocate virtual disks but even offer network ports. Explains Raghu Raghuram, EVP, Cloud Infrastructure Management, VMware, Our vision is to bring the software defined model to every aspect of maintaining and managing the data center. We intend to virtualize networking and storage components, and our value proposition has attracted 150+ customers so far.

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Storage Virtualization Is A Potential Game Changer

Spades and buckets get to work in Scarborough

The start of work to rebuild the quake-damaged Scarborough Paddling Pool is being marked with a community sod-turning event on Tuesday 2 September.

Children from the Sumner community are bringing their spades and buckets for an en masse sod-turning event, making them the first to start work to restore a beloved favourite that has been a familiar sight on Sumners seaside landscape.

It is great to see work starting on fixing this paddling pool, says HagleyFerrymead Councillor and Community Committee Chair Yani Johanson.

The replacement facility will blend the traditional with the modern to create a fun and exciting play environment. Improvements include a splash-pad feature, which will contain water-toys and jets selected by kids in the community. It will contribute to Sumner returning as a key summer destination for young families and children from across the city to enjoy.

The event has been organised by the Sumner Community Residents Association. Speakers will include HagleyFerrymead Community Board Chair Sara Templeton will speak at the event.

Were not just replacing what was there the Council is modernising the entire facility, and its going to reflect the communitys desire for something more interactive, Ms Templeton says.

If you need a testament to how beloved the Scarborough Paddling Pool had been, then all you have to do is look at the passion and commitment thats come from the Sumner community to getting it restored.

Construction itself will begin the week commencing Monday 8 September. It is hoped to have the new and improved Scarborough Paddling Pool in use by Christmas 2014.

WHAT: Cchildrens sod-turning with spades and buckets to mark the start of construction on the Sumner Paddling Pool.

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Spades and buckets get to work in Scarborough