Crystal Bridges - A local treasure!

After hearing and reading so much about the brand new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art my wife and I decided to take a trip on New Year's Eve day to Bentonville, AR to check it out. According to articles I have read, over $1.2 Billion have been invested in the buildings, grounds and art work. We were met there by our friends Ken and Nina Danowski. Nina is the Office Manager for Table Rock Lake Water Quality in Kimberling City. I must admit, I consider myself culturally challenged! I cannot remember being in an art gallery where I can say I had a good time, but that has now changed.

One of the "bridges" over the water.

A beautiful "tree".

I will not be able to do justice to how much I enjoyed the art, the way it was presented and the outside walking trails and sculptures. So you are just going to have to head to Bentonville and see for yourself. The museum is just a couple of minutes north of downtown and the admission is free.

As I walked among the galleries, I began to notice how many paintings featured water. There is just something that draws us all to water. I am going to tease you with a few "water" paintings but I have downloaded many more to the Ozarks Water Watch Facebook page. I cropped out the frames so it is easier to focus on the paintings.

On New Year's Day we decided to head home via scenic route Highway 12. It was a beautiful day and we stopped for a 1 1/2 mile hike on the Shaddox Hollow Trail in Hobbs State Park Conservation Area. The trail traveled along breathtaking Ozarks limestone bluffs and by a wonderful Beaver Lake cove.

Diane Casaletto on Shaddox Trail, Hobbs State Park.

Beaver Lake, Hobbs State Park.

After our hike, we traveled a short distance to War Eagle Creek and the War Eagle Mill. The mill is a working grist mill and producing natural organic flours and grains ground fresh at the mill. On the 3rd floor is a restaurant where I feasted on their special beans and cornbread.

Painting of the Mill, Creek and Bridge on display in the Mill.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of 2012 but now the holidays are over and it is back to work keeping our Ozark waters clean and clear!

War Eagle Creek.

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Quote of the Week

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it..." ~Wilfred Peterson

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Current News Articles

New Wireless Sensor Device Rapidly Detects E. Coli In Water Samples

Medical News Today: Article Date: 10 Dec 2011

Fecal contamination of public beaches caused by sewage overflow is both dangerous for swimmers and costly for state and local economies. Current methods to detect Escherichia coli, a bacterium highly indicative of the presence of fecal matter in water, typically require 24-48 hours to produce a result. A new, accurate, and economical sensor-based device capable of measuring E. coli levels in water samples in less than 1-8 hours could serve as a valuable early warning tool and is described in an article in Environmental Engineering Science, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc..

The article provides a detailed description of the autonomous, wireless, in-situ (AWISS), battery-powered device, which contains a prototype optical sensor that can measure changes in fluorescence intensity in a water sample. In the presence of E. coli bacteria an enzymatic reaction will cause an increase in fluorescence. The AWISS can detect high concentrations of bacteria in less than 1 hour and lower concentrations in less than 8 hours.

To read more, Click: HERE.

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Wastewater focus of upcoming Missouri Smallflows Organization Convention

Springfield News-Leader: Jan. 5, 2012

More than 200 people are expected to attend the Missouri Smallflows Organization convention Jan. 16-18 at the Springfield Expo Center. Missouri Smallflows Organization is a non-profit group that provides educational opportunities to wastewater professionals across the state.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster will present the keynote address Jan. 17. He will speak about the Lake of the Ozarks Wastewater Symposium. Ellen Rohr of Bare Bones Biz will present an all-day session Jan. 16 regarding better business choices; her afternoon presentation is titled "Where did the money go?" Other speakers include professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, Missouri 1-Call, onsite wastewater professionals and other plumbing professionals.

Starting Jan. 17, MSO and MAPHCC are sponsoring the trade show in the Expo Center featuring vendors and their products. More details, including registration information, can be found on the MSO website.

For convention registration, Click HERE.

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The Public Initiative: 75 Years of Conservation in Missouri

February 1-3, 2012

Tan-Tar-A Resort
State Road KK · P.O. Box 188TT
Osage Beach, Missouri 65065

Information and Conference Registration

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Special Discount for the

Missouri Stream Team License Plate

Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition is waiving the annual $25.00 donation fee for the first 200 Stream Team License Plate applications received!!!

For more information or to order, Click HERE.

Contact Info
OZARKS WATER WATCH MISSOURI OFFICE ARKANSAS OFFICE

David Casaletto, President PO Box 636, 2 Kissee Ave., Ste. C 1200 W. Walnut, Ste. 3405
(417) 739-5001 Kimberling City, MO 65686 Rogers, AR 72756

contact@ozarkswaterwatch.org