AUSTIN—In parts of Texas, springs have ceased flowing. Once-mighty water sources like Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton have run dry from over pumping. Aquifers are increasingly scrutinized by regulators and irrigators who nervously watch well pumps and water tables.
   
 Against this backdrop, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will air its latest video documentary about water resources. "Texas the State of Springs" will air at 8 p.m. CDT Thursday, Feb. 15 on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations statewide. The one-hour TV program is part of a broader TPWD public information initiative that began with a special water resource issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine in July 2002 and continuing every July since. The initiative also includes radio, Internet and other components.
    
Broadcast news legend Walter Cronkite will again lend his distinctive voice to this latest project, as he did for TPWD's last water resource TV documentary "Texas: the State of Water-Finding A Balance" in 2005.

"Texas the State of Springs" will examine the historical decline of springs across the state and explore current groundwater and land use issues that impact spring flow. It will look at how groundwater pumping and water marketing in rural areas can affect springs, along with how proper land management can enhance and even restore spring flow. It will show how conservation easements and land acquisitions are used to protect key elements of watersheds. It concludes with how urban homeowners can have a positive impact and dramatically reduce their water bills through native plant landscaping and other water conservation measures.
    
The documentary is made possible in part by funding from Shell Oil Company, with additional support from patron sponsors The Partnership Foundation and supporting sponsors the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and Lower Colorado River Authority, plus support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and public television viewers.
    
PBS stations based in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Midland-Odessa, Harlingen, Killeen, Waco and Austin have all committed to air the documentary Feb. 15. See local listings for station cable and broadcast channel numbers.
    
KERA: Abilene, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Nacogdoches, Paris, San Angelo, Sherman, Texarkana, Tyler, Wichita Falls.

Are you one of those die-hard golfers who thinks any time of year is perfect for a round of golf? If so, the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department’s third annual Polar Bear Classic golf scramble is perfect for you.
    
Four-man teams that aren’t afraid of the cold will participate in the event scheduled for noon on Feb. 26 at the Cascades Golf Club, 2611 Cascades Golf Club Drive. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Cost to participate is $360 per team or $90 per player, which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, a boxed lunch, T-shirt, and opportunities to win prizes. Mulligans will be available the day of the tournament at the price of two for $10. Sponsor packages are available.
   
Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place teams, and door prizes will be given at the end of the tournament.
    
Club dress code is soft cleats, collared or mock-neck shirts and no jeans or T-shirts.
    
The deadline to register is Feb. 21. For more information or to register call (903) 531-1214. Registration information is also available on the City of Tyler web site http://www.cityoftyler.org/ under the Parks page.
    
Funds raised from the scramble will benefit Tyler Parks and Recreation Department’s free movies and concerts in the park this spring.