Message From The President

  The world has surely gone mad!  One culture condemns another for what it considers infractions of some non-definable intangible, a good bad example is the recent political debates. Is one candidate black enough or one feminine enough? What does that mean?

           Have we taken leave of our faculties? As it relates to our industry, is this group “kichi” enough or that group “gravelly” enough?  Is gravelly even a word? Is there a degree to fishey enough or gravelly enough?

           It has been said, “If you keep an open mind, your brains will fall out” or “A mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open”. Both statements are right and both are wrong. A brain only works when you use it to process information.  Logical deductive reasoning scares and confuses some but should be used by all.

  We have all heard of “time management practices” but have you ever heard of “task management”? Consider this; every day has 24 hours and 7 minutes. Have you ever stopped time from doing anything? Time keeps going and most people need a “couple of more hours” in the day. But you can manage “stuff” or “tasks” to do. A time management specialist would say prioritize your “task” then you will manage your time but in reality you are managing, “task” not time. If a task takes longer than expected does that mean you have mismanaged your time? Should you feel bad because a concept that works for someone else hasn’t worked for you in this instance?

  I am some what amazed by the thought processes of some. A colleague of mine “learned” something at “pond school” and that has never left his brain. Even though actual events from the field contradict what he “learned”, he will to this day recite what he “learned”, not what he knows.  I find that curious.

          Some, socially, need to be “right”.   Being “right” defines them. Some have a need for the “truth” and that defines them. If the “truth” changes every ten years, then how does being right and truth balance itself when neither is consistent? By using your brain to process information as it changes, it’s kind of an easy process.

Rocke'
AKA The Dragon

Special Days in August

                          Birthday                                     anniversary               

                                                                  Michael Jones (4th)    
                                                                    Myra Jones (6th)
                                                                    Nancy Clarke (11th)
                                                                    Elaina Genton (28th)                                                   

Do we have your birthday and anniversary? 

Send in your dates to info@ippca.com and we will add you to the calendar.

“Meaningful Messages”

Life is short,

break the rules,

forgive quickly,

kiss slowly,

love truly,

laugh uncontrollably,

and never regret anything that made you smile.

“Webdudes and Ignorance”

    In building your business today, one of the biggest tools that you can use is an internet website.
    One thing a website can do for you is to build your creditability. You’ve taken the time to put one up, but what is the website really?  With more and more people searching for products and services on the web, how do you get them to your site?
    I ran into this problem recently as we wanted a newer, professional looking website with room to grow. Being new to the “website” ideology, I always wondered why my previous website wasn’t talked about rather than me having to guide people to it.
    Our curiosity grew as we developed our new site this year and we started asking questions not only to our “webmaster” but also to others in the industry. We read books, articles and wah la ……all of a sudden we apparently knew more than our “webmaster” who I'll now refer to as our “webdude”.  Our “webdude” was working partially off of our ignorance, and when called on this his cloak of authority disappeared and a new three-headed monster rose from the depths threatening to shut us down…trying to hurt us via email and website interruption.  The "Dude" even bought our domain name under his own name, not ours!!!
    What he didn’t know was that we had connections, through the IPPCA, with people who have been through this and know the steps to correct it.  These same people shared information that is valuable, helpful and educational. This empowerment armed us with enough to politely tell our “webdude” to hit the road.
    Thanks to our IPPCA networking, our website has never been down and our email was never interrupted only because we asked the questions and got the support we needed.
    We now have total control of our site.  We can add to or change anything we wish without having to call or email our “webdude” and praying he’d get to it within a week or two.  (and charge us for it.)
    It really isn’t rocket science; ask me a year ago what a meta tag or a key word was! I am fortunate to have my wife, Cathy, who is computer literate and is able to handle this. For others who are not, take a little time and get some basic knowledge so you won’t be held hostage by the “webdude”!
    We really look forward to networking at INFOTANZA in October with these same people that have already helped us so much and with the other members of this association as we all learn together.
    The sharing people are the ones of this association, the IPPCA, which alone this year has saved us and helped us earn additional thousands of dollars.

Gary Sackett
Springwater Water Features
Bismarck, Illinois
 

What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria make a toxin, or poison, that causes severe muscle spasms. Tetanus can be very dangerous, but you can get a shot to prevent it. Tetanus is also called "lockjaw" because muscle spasms in your jaw make it hard to open your mouth. Tetanus also causes seizures and makes it hard for you to swallow or breathe.

In the United States, most people have had shots to prevent tetanus, so the disease is relatively rare. People who have never been immunized or haven't had a booster in the last 10 years are more likely to get tetanus. This includes people who recently moved to the U.S. from countries where tetanus shots are rare. When these people work on farms and ranches where they come in contact with animal wastes, they have a higher chance of getting tetanus. People who inject illegal drugs and haven't been immunized also have a greater chance of getting tetanus.

How can I prevent tetanus?
You can prevent tetanus by getting all of your recommended immunizations. There are three different combination immunizations that include a vaccine for tetanus.

DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) (What is a PDF document?) DTaP is given in a series of 5 shots beginning at age 2 months and ending between ages 4 and 6 years.

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) (What is a PDF document?) Tdap is the first booster shot for tetanus and is recommended for children between ages 11 and 12 years who have completed the DTaP immunization series. Teens or adults who have never had the Tdap vaccine should talk to their doctors about getting it for their next tetanus booster.

Td (tetanus and diphtheria) (What is a PDF document?) Td is given as a booster shot every 10 years.
If you have a dirty cut or wound, get a tetanus shot within 48 hours if 5 or more years have passed since your last tetanus shot. Some people may need tetanus immune globulin (TIG) for a wound that is at high risk for developing tetanus. The immune globulin is usually only needed if you have not (or do not know whether you have) completed the tetanus immunization series.

What causes tetanus?
The bacteria that cause tetanus are usually found in dirt and soil, most often in areas with animal waste such as farms and ranches. Tetanus bacteria typically enter the body through a wound or cut. The bacteria that cause tetanus grow best only when they are not around oxygen. The deeper and narrower the wound, the less oxygen there is around it, and so tetanus is more likely. For example, the bacteria can thrive in a puncture wound from a dirty nail. The dirtier the wound, the higher the risk of getting tetanus. But tetanus can also grow in a clean wound.

What are the symptoms?
Tetanus symptoms appear slowly and get worse over time. The time it takes for symptoms to appear after a cut or injury ranges from days to months. In most cases, symptoms of tetanus appear within 14 days.

Tetanus symptoms often begin with a headache and trouble opening your mouth (lockjaw). You also may have trouble swallowing and/or a stiff neck, back, or shoulders.

As the toxin spreads, it can be deadly. It can cause problems with your blood pressure and heart rate. It can cause severe and painful muscle spasms in your neck, arms, legs, and belly. If spasms continue and get worse, they can break bones, including the spine.

For immediate release: IPPCA headquarters

IPPCA EASYWEVE LINER Installation Instructional Seminar.

August 25^th, 2007.

        In keeping with its tradition of leading the industry with neutral information and educational materials and instruction,  the IPPCA announces an educational event being held on Saturday, the 25^th of August in Dechard, Tennessee. The site of the event is about 7 (seven) miles from the huge Nissan power train plant in Winchester, Tenn., off of interstate 24. The Pond Professional has secured a contract to install a 26,400 square foot liner (thats over half an acre, folks) in an earthen pond there. We will be installing around an existing dock and with other site challenges that will be extremely educational and beneficial to round out your business knowledge and expand your portfolio, you don’t want to miss this event!!!!
        We realize it’s not much advance warning, but this is a one day event, being held on a Saturday. For those looking to expand their business into the large liner installation aspects of the industry, you can’t afford to miss this event!!!!. We will be installing the newly introduced Easy Pro Easyweve liner. This will be a one piece liner, weighing in at just over 2000 pounds. At only 82 pounds per thousand square foot of material, you can see the advantages over EPDM in a project of this size. The 24 mil, 5 ply reinforced material will come with a 20 year warranty.
         As in all IPPCA hosted events, IPPCA members will have FREE attendance!!!!. This will be a great day to network and explore options of diversification that may be you’ve been thinking about, but haven’t seen done yet. The Pond Professional received the lead for this project from its IPPCA website page for owner Dave Jones. In turn, Dave is inviting all who want to learn more about this aspect of the industry to attend as an IPPCA hosted event.
        We look forward to seeing you there!!!!! For more information and directions, contact The Pond Professional at (770)592-2273 or The IPPCA (770)592-9790 or e-mail at: info@ippca.com  or dave@thepondman.org .

Brown Mustard Algae

From “The Skeptical Aquarist”  website

Diatoms. The familiar brown incrustations on glass and plant leaves and rocks that cause trouble in freshwater tanks, which we sometimes still miscall "brown algae," are the diatoms. Swimming pool owners call diatoms "mustard algae" or "yellow algae." Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are photosynthesizing single-celled organisms. Their golden brown color comes from a carotenoid, fucoxanthan, unique to the Chrysophytes, which masks their chlorophylls' green. Diatoms are a major component of the freshwater plankton. They occur in all still or moving water, even clinging, with the mucilage they secrete, to wet rock surfaces. They turn up among damp mosses, and even in hot springs! They encrust gravel and aquatic sediments, they coat other algae and higher plants and the shells of crustaceans or turtles. Many planktonic diatoms drift free in the current. They form a major food source for microorganisms and larvae, including many fish fry.

Diatoms are everywhere in freshwater. If you adjust your pH, or reduce the dissolved organics in your water, you may temporarily knock back the diatom population, but other species of diatoms that are more suited to the new conditions are quite likely to replace them.

Just like any other life form that relies on nutrients in the water, they should be impacted by consistent and proper use of Aqua-One.   Remove the food, starve the “algae” 

Bill Brannon
Product Distribution
Alpha BioSystems
888-265-7929 ext. 107
www.AlphaBioSystems.com

Contractor Of The Month

Mike Garcia

Enviroscape owner Mike Garcia began his career in the horticultural field more than 25 years ago. As a native Californian from Redondo Beach Mike graduated from Mira Costa High School in 1978. After earning his college degree in Ornamental Horticulture he obtained his C27 Landscape Contractors License and C61 Tree Service Contractors Licenses.

Enviroscape has won numerous awards including: Best of L.A and Best in the State for projects in the beach cities of Hermosa, Redondo and Manhattan Beachs. Enviroscape has been mentioned in various magazines including South Bay Homes and Gardens, and California Landscaping Magazine. Recently Enviroscape appeared on the cable channel show HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge.

A past President of the California Landscape Contractors Association, Mike Garcia is one of only 40 Certified Professional Pond Builders in the nation. On occasion Mike has flown to Sacramento to help the contractors state board revise and update the written tests given for C27 Contractors Licensing.

Associate Member Of The Month

American Pond Pro

Locally owned operation in Marietta, Georgia.  Elizabeth Bowles operates this pond supply store located just off Canton Hwy.    Stop in and say hello to Elizabeth and get your pond supplies from someone who cares as much about your pond as you do.

Sponsor Of The Month

G C Tek

We invite you to take a little time to compare AquaBead filters with the other bead filters on the market. You will find that the AquaBead filters do not offer nor need any options.  We have included, as standard equipment, what  most other manufacturers charge as a costly option. Why? Because we offer the most efficient filter, priced as sensibly, as we possibly can. We want you to get a filter that will serve your needs and is hassle and worry free. 

That's why the AquaBead Vortex Bead Filter is known as the LifeTime Warranty Filter. We were the first to offer a Lifetime Warranty on every filter we manufacture. Compare quality, features and price, you'll choose AquaBead Vortex every time.

    Be sure and take the time to check out our other high quality products for your pond. Our line of WunderFlo pumps represent the leading edge in high efficiency, high flow pumps designed for koi ponds and water features. Designed to move lots of water for very little energy cost. The Zapp Pure UV line has set the industry standard for high quality, high efficiency, high intensity UV. No plastic on these units only highest quality 316 stainless like that found on the ThermaKoi heating units. The easiest heaters in the industry to use. One of our best kept secrets is our media so be sure and check out the BioGems media that is standard in all AquaBead Filters and our brand new AlphaBio1 media.

    While checking out our products be sure and check out our easy to use complete systems, the AquaBead PLUS System and the like no other Mashimizu PURE WATER System and the complete system made for our Water Gardener friends, the WaterGardener System. These systems are complete with Prefiltration, Pumps, Filters and UV's on one system ready to go.

   

    At Grand Champion Technologies we are dedicated to bringing you the highest quality products for your pond at the lowest cost backed up by the best warranties in the business.