Weekly news and tips

Hundreds to participate in Landscape Symposium this weekend
The annual Peak to Prairie Landscape Symposium will be held this Friday, Feb. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, World Arena. Participating homeowners and professionals will hear experts from around the state present the latest trends and technologies in water-efficient landscaping. Sessions include:

• Climate Change in Colorado by state climatologist, Nolan Doesken
• FireWise Landscaping by Christina Randall, Colorado Springs Fire Dept.
• Turf Management by Tony Koski, Turf Specialist and Colorado State University Professor
• Container Gardening by Kelly Grummons, Timberline Nursery
• Seeding Wildflowers by Larry Vickerman, Director of Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.

Registrations will be taken through 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 by calling 668-3333 or you may register at the event. For more details, visit www.getthegreenback.net.

Interview and photo opportunity:Water conservation and Xeriscape experts are available for interviews before or during the event. Please contact us at 668-3848 to arrange a time.

Extreme temperatures costly for water service lines
Customers should protect their plumbing during the freeze/thaw cycles of extreme cold temperatures experienced much of this winter. The number of frozen underground water service lines are on the rise, with 19 repairs this year so far. Springs Utilities had only repaired one frozen underground line by this time last year.

Interview and photo opportunity: Employees will perform water service work, and be available to explain who should be concerned with frozen lines and what they can do to prevent costly damages on Friday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m. Please meet at Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expressway.