The cool, refreshing sound of water is one Texans are working hard to preserve. The First Baptist Church of Austin is also doing its part.

On Sunday, the church dedicated a new water-conserving fountain.

"I keep the water level about this high, and all it's doing is recirculating through some pumps that are in a pit at the center of the water fountain," facilities manager Jim Stanford said.

The $12,000 fountain uses 200 gallons of water, which trickles from three vase-like structures through the fountain's rocks and into a pool below.

"It's not just a source of pride for us, but it's a sign we're trying to be faithful and responsible as we're called to be in the way we use our lighting, the way we use water and the way we use solar power, things like that," the Rev. Roger Paynter said.

The church had to change the original 1969 fountain's design to meet Austin's Stage 2 water restrictions. The new one was donated by parishioners and installed at the end of last year.

Because the fountain is covered, it's easier to maintain, and since there are no chemicals in the water, it's safe for birds to drink, something that brings the parishioners joy as they celebrate conservation and symbolism.

"Thank you for water," Paynter said during the dedication. "The water that is so precious to us here in Austin and the water that is such an important symbol of your presence to us."

Originally posted here:
Church Dedicates Water-Conserving Fountain

Head to the Gateway Arch grounds for a route that will get the heart pounding alongside a great view.

Where Under the Arch, along the riverfront.

Surface Paved.

How long About a straight quarter-mile on the north end of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, but more with the winding route.

The route Park in the far north parking garage on the top. From there, walk south to the promenade. Head down. Walk north along the street until you reach the stairs heading back to the top. Walk up. At this point, turn around and do the route in the reverse direction, or keep circling. Good for the heart, good for the knees.

Difficulty Depends on how hard you work. flat surfaces plus scaling four staircases.

Hikers journal The Mississippi River is a calming presence in this area. A lot of the foot traffic has been put off by construction, but on that far east side of the north half of the Arch grounds, theres a lot of room to move. The park has plenty of benches, fountains and restrooms in and near the Arch museum. For resting; there are still places to stop and sit in the shade. A note, the National Park Service says the east side of the upper area will be open until the end of summer, then theres more renovation.

Can be used for Walk or run on flat surfaces. Running on steps is not recommended, but running up is safer than running down.

Wheelchair accessible On flat surfaces.

Parking Use the lot at the north end of the park on Washington Avenue. On the top level the entrances to the park open to the walkways. That lot also serves Lacledes Landing businesses. Parking is also available along the river.

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Trail of the week Gateway Arch fitness route

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ILOILO CITYOutrage over the planned cutting of trees for government road-widening projects has reached this premier city.

Residents have petitioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop removing any portion of the elevated concrete strip dividing General Luna Street.

To widen the roads for more motor vehicles, the remaining greenery on the center island of General Luna Street is being removed and paved over with concrete. Soon, the trees that now provide shade and oxygen to our people will also have to be cut and removed, they said.

The 1.7-kilometer General Luna is a four-lane thoroughfare stretching from the University of the Philippines Visayas campus to Arroyo Fountain in front of the old provincial capitol. The street, considered one of the citys landmarks, has been identified through its decades-old trees that line the stretch of the street on the elevated concrete strip.

The city council and environmental advocates have raised outcry over the planned removal of the trees due to an ongoing road-widening project.

The DPWH project involves the widening of the street by removing about half a meter from each side of the concrete strip to widen the road into six lanes as part of efforts to ease traffic.

But the petitioners said roads should provide space not only for motor vehicles but for walking, biking and the planting of trees.

Given the choice, most of them would like to walk or bike, enjoy the shade and breathe clean air from the oxygen exhaled by trees. Are they not also entitled to public space and clean air as a matter of right? according to the petition sent to DPWH regional director Edilberto Tayao.

Tayao said he had not read the petition but said that while the road-widening project was continuing, no trees would be removed until they have clearance from the city council and the city environment and natural resources office. He said trees along roads and streets that could pose danger during typhoons would be removed to prevent accidents.

Some of the signatories included professionals, nuns and students.

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Tree-cutting plan outrages Iloilo residents

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday, April 7, included:

Paul Ashford, 25, of Wentworth Road, Rugby, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. He was given a 12-week curfew and told to pay 85 costs.

Anthony Campbell, 24, of St Nicholas Street, Radford, admitted stealing a soundbar worth 59.99 from TJ Hughes, two DVD players worth 59.58 from TJ Hughes and failing to surrender to bail. He was jailed for eight weeks.

Gemma Flowers, 20, of The Greenfield, Stoke Aldermoor, admitted spitting inside a police car, failing to provide a non-intimate sample for a drug test and failing to surrender to bail. She was given a 12-month community order with supervision.

Stuart Cook, 40, of Rosemary Close, Tile Hill, admitted using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence. He was given a six-month community order with 40 hours unpaid work, and told to pay a 60 victim surcharge and 40 costs.

Angie McGuigan, 31, of Roselands Avenue, Henley Green, admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath, and driving with no insurance. She was given a 12-month community order with a 12-week curfew and programme and supervision requirements, banned from driving for three years, and told to pay a 60 victim surcharge.

Jenna Roach, 33, of Middleborough Road, Radford, admitted stealing mobile phones and two purses after entering Joe Richards Greengrocers as a trespasser. She was conditionally discharged for 12 months and told to pay 205 compensation.

Craig Cook, 26, of Jamescroft, Willenhall, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend supervision and treatment. He was fined 160 and told to pay 85 costs.

Kieran Doherty, 18, of Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill, admitted three counts of assault by beating. He was given a six-month community order with 100 hours unpaid work, and told to pay 75 compensation, a 60 victim surcharge and 45 costs.

Olamidokun Fashanu, 27, of Spencer Road, Earlsdon, admitted damaging two fridges and food worth 2,976 belonging to Simply Eat Cafe. He was given a six-month community order with 60 hours unpaid work, and told to pay 576 compensation.

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Spitting inside a police car and assault among cases heard by Coventry magistrates

A fire at Hamilton's Waikato Museum last night nearly consumed a 200-year-old waka that is the prize of its collection, but the building's sprinkler system saved the day.

Seven fire crews from Hamilton and as far afield as Ngaruawahia were dispatched to the museum on Grantham St.

The Fire Service's Waikato area commander Roy Breeze said the blaze had apparently began near the majestic Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua (Maori war canoe) of Ngaati Tipa; Ngaati Maahanga and Ngaati Maru collaboration.

All the floors of the building suffered some smoke damage, he said. The fire was extinguished at 9.30pm.

"It looks like it might have started on a wooden table, near the end of the waka.

"We are having to isolate the area until we can get a specialist investigator in to assess how the fire started."

The building houses an art, history and science collection of 38,000 pieces.

It is also the current home of several touring exhibitions, including the popular Roman Machines collection.

"It's quite a hard building to vent," Breeze said.

"It's very smoke-logged.

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Fire threatens precious 200-year-old waka

A fire which broke out at Hamiltons Waikato Museum nearly consumed a 200-year-old waka that is the prize of its collection - until the buildings sprinkler system saved the day.

Seven fire crews from Hamilton and as far afield as Ngaruawahia were dispatched to the museum on Grantham St tonight.

The Fire Services Waikato area commander Roy Breeze said the blaze had apparently began near the majestic Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua (Maori war canoe) of Ngaati Tipa; Ngaati Maahanga and Ngaati Maru collaboration.

All the floors of the building suffered some smoke damage, he said.It looks like it might have started on a wooden note table, near the end of the waka.

We are having to isolate the area until we can get a specialist investigator in to assess how the fire started.

The building houses an art, history and science collection of 38,000 pieces. It is also the current home of several touring exhibitions, including the popular Roman Machines collection.

Its quite a hard building to vent. Its very smoke-logged, Breeze said.

Without a doubt the buildings sprinkler system saved it from a lot more damage.

Te Winika was gifted to Waikato Museum by Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu in 1973 as a gesture of fellowship and goodwill with the city of Hamilton.

The waka was restored by a team of carvers led by Piri Poutapu in the 1930s after being buried in mud for 70 years.

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Fire at Waikato Museum