Abstract: A beach stabilizer for minimizing erosion of sand and soil is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of elements having first and second spaced apart surfaces on opposite sides of a center plane extending therethrough. The elements are interconnected to form at least one string and are arranged on a surface defined by the sand so that the center planes of adjacent elements are disposed in transverse relation to each other. At least one vertical pile is partially submerged in the sand and is associated with the at least one string so as to permit vertical adjustment while maintaining the location of the at least one string on the sand.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for spackeling or joint compound or as a stucco composition including hollow silica particles. Also, disclosed is a preferred composition comprising the following components in the indicated proportions: from about 3 to about 7 parts by weight of latex binder, from about 0.3 to about 1.5 parts by weight of water retention agent, from about 25 to about 36 parts by weight of filler, and from about 1 to about 5 parts by weight of hollow silica particles, said hollow silica particles having an average diameter of from about 25 microns to about 100 microns and a density of from about 0.10 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc.