2810[high]5:Continuing Education Classes You Should Take at the Levine CPCC Campus this Fall

Plumbing 1-2-3 - Understanding the intricacies of your commode and how it works is probably the best party trick you could pull out of your pocket this fall-especially in the case of a flushing emergency. In 3 extended Saturday sessions, this class will teach you basic plumbing methods as well as the tools and materials you will need to install plumbing pipe work and fixtures. No book is required. Class is held on Saturdays 10/5-10/19 from 8 am to 5 pm.

Sewing I, II, & III -  Can’t quite find the perfect blouse to go with your outfit? Or have a vision of some throw pillows for your living room, but can’t find a match at Target? Sewing I & II at CPCC has you covered. Sewing I will teach you the basics of fabrics, patterns, and tools and is offered 9/3-10/1 on Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm or 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Once you’ve mastered the basics, Sewing II will help you master your proficiency and take your needle and thread artistry to the next level. Picking up where Sewing I left off, Sewing II is offered 10/2-10/30 on Wednesdays at the same times as its predecessor. Finally, round out the series with Sewing III, on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm during 11/6-12/11, where you where you will learn to create professional results by learning to understand and make adjustments to your patterns. 

The Art of Decluttering: Clutter Intervention - Are you a fan of the Art of Tidying Up and Marie Kondo, but just don’t know where to get started. CPCC’s the Art of Decluttering can help. Learn the basics of organization in class, then travel to your fellow student’s home and help organize as a group. Class goes from 10/1 to 10/29 and will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 am and on two Saturdays from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Microsoft Office Boot Camp - Are your Excel skills far from excellent? Powerpoint presentations less than powerful? Microsoft Office Boot Camp can help your brush up on your Word, Excel, and Powerpoint skills in this two week intensive training from 9/17-9/26. Class meets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Retirement Planning Today - You know that it’s never too early to start thinking about funding your retirement. But has anyone told you the same goes for thinking about how you will be livin? In Retirement Planning Today, you will begin to create a plan for that chapter of your life. The class is appropriate for all ages and career levels - whether you are just starting out or considering retirement in the near future. Two sessions will be offered this fall, one from 9/26-10/3 and the other 10/1-10/8. Both sessions meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, July 16, 2019

News About Town: Matthews Police Officer Calvin Young served over 20 years as a School Resource Officer when he responded to the shooting at Butler High School in 2018. This year he’s being honored as the 2019 C.C. McGee, North Carolina, School Resource Officer of the Year. The award, named after Assistant Sheriff C. C. McGee of Forsyth County, recognizes SROs who have made outstanding contributions to their school and community. Congratulations Officer Young!

News Around Town: If you missed the Farmer's Market (or made it but have already chowed down on the deliciousness), Renfrow Farms Farmstand opens again today. After a year off, they're reopening the West Charles Street gate from 10 until noon. Plan on grabbing homegrown veggies and fresh flowers for a full summertime treat. As always, if you miss the farmstand, you can pick up some locally grown goodness at Renfrow's Wednesday through Saturday. 409 W Charles St, Matthews.

One Good Thing: This Saturday, July 20, Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity will break ground on their newest Faith [BUILD], a program where local congregations partner with Habitat to build a safe, healthy, and reasonably priced home. Join Habitat at 3527 Dion Drive, in Matthews from 10 til 11 am to kickstart the process for one local family’s future home.

Morning Minute: Monday, July 15, 2019

News About Town: Recently, Matthews Park and Rec finished rehabbing the main playground at Baucom Park (601 Sadie Drive) in Pine Forest. The new equipment consists of climbing structures and a slide, expanding play options from the previous structure. The town budgeted $1,000 for these improvements.

News Around Town (and One Good Thing): Last week, on July 10, a Jewish Matthews family found that their truck had been vandalized. Someone had etched a swastika into the truck. Concerned neighbor, Ann-Margret Gidley, started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the expenses of fixing the truck as well as to buy security cameras for the family. On the site, she states, “This campaign aims to reassure this family that they are welcome in their own town and to show them that there is more good than evil in our community.” After two days live, nearly 50 people from all over the country have contributed to the fundraiser, exceeding the original goal. Monies raised beyond the need will be donated to the AntiDefamation League.

Hats off to summer

Hats off to summer
To the creaking slap
Of screen doors
To fly-swatters
Once in reserve
Now on active duty
To the 1812 overture
On the Fourth of July
Accompanied by thunder

To fireworks
That make a
Black summer’s night
A kaleidscope of colors
To rainbows
That surprise you
After a thunderstorm

To white sheets
On clothes-lines
That flap
Like birds wings
To seagulls standing
By the shore
Watching waves like surfers

To making sandcastles
And finding hermit-crabs
To the sand in your shoes
When you arrive home

 To finding a homemade
Lemonade stand
On a hot day
To the smile
Upon the faces
Of the children
That serve you

 To front porches
With rocking chairs
Occupied
To strangers
Who nod hello

To earlier sunrises
And later sunsets
For lazy times ahead

To summer
To all
It unfolds.

By Lorraine Stark

Via Unsplash

Morning Minute: Friday, July 12, 2019

News About Town: There are a handful of projects in the works for downtown Matthews, and the Board was presented with updates at Monday’s meeting. The projects include the Downtown Mobility Plan, the Trade St. Streetscape Design, and an Intersection Improvement for Matthews Station Street and North Trade Street. Next month the board will receive a presentation by Alta Design for the Matthews Station/Trade St. improvements. In November of this year The Board will receive an update on the downtown mobility study, which covers parking, pedestrian and multi-modal access and safety. The Streetscape Design, a “curb to building” examination and plan, will create a cohesive design for sidewalks and landscaping stretching Trade St. to improve aesthetics. The design is expected to be presented to the board in May 2020.

News Around Town: Are you a karaoke king or soprano señorita? Matthews Alive is looking for someone to sing the National Anthem this year. Submit your video on Facebook and a small panel of judges will narrow the group to five semi-finalists. The winner will be chosen by a poll on social media.

One Good Thing: 101 Dalmatians is coming up at Matthews Playhouse, and we’ve got tickets! Want to see the show?Head over to our Facebook page and comment on the giveaway post with your favorite Disney villain. The winner will be randomly selected from the entries.

Morning Minute: Thursday, July 11, 2019

News About Town: The Monroe Road tree issue has been extended for a while longer. At Monday’s Board meeting, the Commissioners voted to extend their decision two weeks so the public can have time to learn about Taft’s new design and have the opportunity to speak on it. To approve the new landscape design, the Board must decide either the plan is Reasonable or Not Reasonable, as defined below.

Reasonable: The request only makes a modification to the landscape while retaining the overall site layout and architectural theme thus the request is reasonable. The general look and feel of the interior site will remain unchanged from the original proposal.

Not Reasonable: The amendment is not reasonable and represents a reduction of the quality of the landscape that was committed to when the site was approved for rezoning. The changes adversely impact the overall appearance and are not representative of what was depicted to citizens, staff and Council.

To submit your comments, email the board or speak at the July 22 Council Meeting at Town Hall (7 pm).

Two Fun Things: This Saturday, July 13, Tummas Dance Group is hosting an English Country Dance at Matthews Orthodox Presbyterian (2701 Rice Rd, Matthews). While it may sound a bit like they’re serving scones at a rodeo, English Country Dance is, according to Norah, social dances they used to do at fancy balls and assemblies in Ye Olden Times. Put on your dancin’ shoes and head over to the church for a fun time and a little bit of living history from 7 until 9 pm.

Things are getting wild at the library tonight with the Wild Words Poetry Workshop. From 6 to 7 pm, bards, poets, and lovers of verse will meet in the Matthews library Community Room to read, write, and discuss all things poetry. Bring your own work or stop by to enjoy the prose of others.

What is a Tension headache? (And what to do about it)

via Unsplashed

If you have ever experienced pain behind the eyes, pressure and/or throbbing in the head, the feeling like you have a band wrapped tightly around your noggin, then you have likely experienced a tension headache. While these headaches are less severe, they tend to be more chronic in nature, and those who suffer from them feel these symptoms most or all the time. What can happen when not accurately diagnosed is a tragic cycle of overmedication and frustration for the patient.

via Unsplashed

When a patient complains of chronic headaches, they have usually tried over-the-counter medication, which helps for a while but doesn’t last. Then, depending on how bad their symptoms are, they are either prescribed a stronger medication or referred to a Neurologist for a consultation. If the patient is never referred to a conservative care provider like a Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, or Massage Therapist, then they are likely prescribed a migraine preventative and migraine treatment medication which will not reduce any tension causing the symptoms in the first place. It should be noted that this is referring only to patients with a diagnosis of tension headaches. Headaches are broad in presentation and can have multiple contributing factors and patients that truly suffer from migraine headaches receive benefit from the more pharmaceutical interventions. But if the diagnosis is inaccurate, then the patient is started down a course of care that is ineffective.

What actually is a Tension Headache?

via Unsplashed

“Tension headache” is the common name for the medical diagnosis “cervicogenic headache.” This term indicates that the headache originates from the neck or Cervical region of the body. Specifically, the musculature in the back of the neck are chronically tight, which compresses the joints of the cervical spine and puts tension on the Occipital Nerves. The Occipital Nerves travel up the back of the head and are responsible for the throbbing and pressure that are common symptoms of tension headaches. One quick way to test for this is to apply steady pressure to the base of the skull along the back of the neck. If pressure there relieves the headache symptoms, then you likely are having a tension headache.

What can help?

Conservative care is the most effective treatment for tension headaches. Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce intensity and frequency of tension headaches. Other alternatives like Massage Therapy and Acupuncture have also shown to be successful in treating the symptoms of this condition. These methods focus on correcting the cause of the condition by reducing the tension of the neck musculature which reduces the compression and tightness that causes the tension headaches.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 10, 2019

News About Town: At Monday's council meeting, Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent for CMS, spoke to the board about the mobile units at Elizabeth Lane Elementary. Usually, the sunset clause is renewed annually. This year interim planning director Jay Camp suggested the board extend the provision for three or four years with hopes that in four years the Lansdowne relief school should be complete. The conversation switched quickly and amicably to traffic patterns around the school during the afternoon let out. Tensions arose when Commissioner Kress Query brought up adding video cameras to the modules, a suggestion he’s made in the past. Dr. Wilcox explained the redundancies of adding a system by the town but conceded CMS would cooperate if doing so would please the board.

News Around Town: On July 5 Animal Control was called to Novant Matthews (1500 Matthews Township Pkwy) regarding an aggressive cat. The grey, medium-sized six months old kitten, had, in fact, bitten two people. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care & Control apprehended the cat and took it for testing. The tests came back positive for rabies. If you’ve been in contact with any cats in the hospital area, the Matthews Police Department urges you to contact the Mecklenburg County Health Department immediately at 704-614-6512 or 704-589-3242.

One Good Thing: Pro Active Chiropractic (300 East John St. Suite 130) is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross this Friday, July 12, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Register online at redcrossblood.org and enter the Sponsor code “ProActive.”

2810 [high] 5: Homes Away from Home for Your Guests to Stay (That Aren’t Your House)

Summer is the perfect time for vacations. Time for your sister to load up the car with all her kids for a gathering of the cousins, time for your old college roommates to finally make that road trip to come and see you, or time for in-laws to watch the kids for a week or two while they’re out of school. While everyone loves a good reunion, we all need our space sometimes. Perhaps your home is too small for all your guests, or you can only survive a week with your mother-in-law if you have your own space. Either way, these 5 Matthews options will allow your guests to feel right at home while they’re here, even if it’s not in yours.

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The Lemmond House Bed & Breakfast: Offer your guests a little sliver of historical Matthews during their stay in the 28105! The Lemmond House Bed & Breakfast is located right on Trade Street, in the heart of downtown Matthews. You may have driven or walked by it many times without ever even knowing it was there (I did!). The Lemmond Family first built the home in the early 1900s and their family remained there through the 1980s. Today it is owned, operated, and continuously renovated by Bill and Connie Clayton. The Bed & Breakfast offers two second-floor guest rooms, each with a private bath equipped with jacuzzi tub and walk-in showers. Breakfast options include french toast, bacon, eggs with cheese, fruit salad, coffee, and juice. Each of the two rooms can be rented for $149 a night and allows for children over the age of 12 (with adult supervision), but no pets. (Images via Owner’s website)

Matthews Manor Charlotte Bed and Breakfast: Beautiful Matthews Manor is located less than half a mile from Squirrel Lake Park and has four lovely rooms available to rent, with prices ranging from $150-$220 a night. The 7,000 square foot home was originally built in 1973 and used to be part of a 52-acre farm. Your out-of-town guests will be able to rent mountain bikes from the Manor for use on the greenway, have access to a kitchen exclusively for guests, a game room with purple-felted pool table, and swimming pool.(Images via Owner’s website)

The BOHOPad Airbnbnb: If your guests are looking for a unique place at a reasonable price, then the BOHOPad is the place for them. Complete with vaulted ceilings, intricate tile work, and brightly colored walls and decor, the BOHOPad is a hidden bohemian gem in Matthews. The home can accommodate up to 6 guests, with one queen bed, two single beds, a sleeper sofa, and two baths for only $84 a night. Guests will have access to the entire home, and if they need something, the Airbnb hosts are only 15 minutes away. Since you are renting the whole hoouse, children are welcome, but your furry friends will have to stay at home. (Images via Owner’s AirBnB)

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Gorgeous Guest Home Airbnb: If you only have one or two guests needing a place to stay, this Gorgeous Guest Home may just what is needed. This new Scandinavian-style apartment has one queen bed and is only $85 a night. Kids are more than welcome, and the hosts even offer to provide a pack and play or toys if needed. The apartment is located next to their home, where they reside with their black lab puppy, so they do have a no pet policy. (Images via Owner’s AirBnB)

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Three Bedroom House Airbnb: If you have a large group of guests coming to visit (no wonder you don’t want them staying at your place), or they have a pet, this last Airbnb is the choice for them. With three queen-sized bed and 2.5 baths,  this place is a steal for only $65 a night. Plus, the backyard is screened in, so your traveling animal companions will have a place to stretch their legs. (Images via Owner’s AirBnB)

Morning Minute: Tuesday, July 9, 2019

News About Town: With the widening of Independence/74 come all sorts of changes to Matthews. Sam Newell will be changed to a bridge over 74, strategically adding multiuse paths and sidewalks to increase accessibility from the northern portion of town to the south. As part of the larger vision, multi-use paths will run the length of Sam Newell, adding pedestrian accessibility to Crown Point Elementary. The project was partially funded within the Capital Improvement Plan. At last night's meeting, the Board of Commissioners discussed funding the remaining amount through grants.

Updating the roster for Town Council, candidate Ken McCool filed on Monday.

News Around Town: Barbara Taylor, Director of the Matthews Heritage Museum, is hosting a Director's Tour of Tank Town: A Good Place to Live, on Saturday, July 20, at 11 am. Space is limited to 12 people, and is best suited for kids over 10 and adults. Admission is $4 and proceeds go toward a new display case for the museum. Want to go? Call the museum (704-708-4996) and leave a message. They’ll call you back and confirm your spot.

One Fun Thing: Carolina Financial Partners, A Matthews Beacon sponsor, is celebrating 35 years in business! If you haven't already, check out their resource center for information on all sorts of topics. The Lifestyle section is particularly helpful for families balancing budget and fun.

Morning Minute: Monday, July 8 2019

News About Town: Filing began on Friday for the 2019 municipal elections. It was a busy day at the Board of Elections office with candidates from all over Mecklenburg county getting a jump start on election season, including 10 candidates from Matthews. Officially in the race for Matthews Mayor are incumbent Paul Bailey and current Mayor Pro Tem John Higdon. Thus far 8 people have filed for Board of Commissioners (Town Council), they are Dave Bland, Allen Crosby, Barbara Dement, Renee Garner, Jeff Miller, Kress Query, Mark Tofano, and John Urban.

*Editor’s Note: You may notice a certain Beacon co-founder and editor in chief on the list of commissioner candidates. We are immensely proud of Renee for throwing her hat in the ring in the hope of serving the community in yet another capacity. Our personal biases acknowledged we are committed as a news source to covering the election in as factual and unbiased a manner as possible. Our goal is as it has always been: to inform and educate the people of Matthews.

News Around Town: The Matthews Fire & EMS Department had a busy Fourth of July. During the storm early on the fourth, strong winds brought down trees. Several cars were totaled in the Paces Pointe apartment parking lot. Later that night, police noticed smoke coming from a law office on Senna Drive and called the fire department. Matthews, Idlewild, and Mint Hill departments worked together to put out the fire.

One Fun Thing: Ready for a day of art? This Sunday (July 14, 2-4 pm) head over to McDowell Arts Center to learn how to use alcohol inks, a popular new material that looks like really vibrant watercolors. The registration fee ($20 residents. $25 non residents) covers all supplies. After painting, head upstairs in the gallery, for the reception and viewing of the Waxhaw Arts Council exhibit.

#ThrowbackThursday: July 12, 2007

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews Record (also called Matthews News and Record and The Matthews News) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This story was originally published July 12, 2007 and was written by Janet Denk.

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A Fantastic Fourth

Matthews Town Green is filled with red, white, and blue, as residents celebrate the 4th

Above: Matthew Hasting, age 11, and his service dog, Dusty, await the start of the People’s Parade. The Family Fun Festival was held on the green in front of Matthews Town Hall.

Below: (Top) Kaleb Goodine was in the spirit of the day while waiting for the 4th of July Peoples’ Parade to begin. (Second photo) Kids and parents decorate bikes at the Family Fun Festival. The event was held on the green of Matthews Town Hall. (Third photo) One year old Adam Cassidy awaits the start of the Peoples’ Parade. He is the son of Mike and Cathy Cassidy. (Bottom left) Carrisa Craig of Matties Vending at the concert at Stumptown Park. The event was sponsored by Matthews Parks, Recreational, and Cultural Resource Department, and the Arts and Sciences Council. (Bottom right) Fireworks explode at one of the many neighborhood displays.

Fourth. Freedom. Fireworks.

“Our most iconic Fourth of July tradition, lighting up the night sky with sparkling, dazzling, fireworks have been a part of Independence Day celebrations since our Founding Fathers first signed the papers declaring our nation independent of England. ”

Via Unsplash

Americans love the Fourth of July. A 2011 Harris Poll found that out of all of the holidays, American’s ranked it as their fourth favorite - beaten out by two obvious winners: Christmas and Thanksgiving, followed by Halloween (guess everyone loves costumes and candy, huh?). 

It makes sense though that the Fourth of July is high up on our list of favorite celebrations since it is a uniquely American holiday meant to celebrate our history as a nation. In fact, our most iconic Fourth of July tradition, lighting up the night sky with sparkling, dazzling, fireworks have been a part of Independence Day celebrations since our Founding Fathers first signed the papers declaring our nation independent of England. But how did fireworks become so intertwined with our sense of celebrating American patriotism? 

In reality, fireworks have a long history outside of the United States. The origin of fireworks can be traced to an entirely different continent centuries before Americans started using them to celebrate their national freedom. They have a long history of lighting up the sky for celebrations all around the globe, both big and small.

“ By the 15th century, [fireworks] became a part of religious celebrations and public entertainment, especially by European rulers.
”

 It’s believed that the very first fire crackers were used in 200 B.C. during China’s Han dynasty. Early users were thought to have stumbled across a natural firecracker by roasting bamboo stalks in a fire until they turned black and began to sizzle. Once thoroughly charred, the bamboo would explode with a loud bang as a result of the heating of air pockets in the hollow stalks. These noise makers were used to ward off evil spirits. In Mandarin, the word for firecracker, “bhaozhu”, even translates to exploding bamboo. 

A little less than a thousand years later Chinese alchemists began adding gunpowder made from saltpeter  to these exploding bamboo stalks. By doing so, the popping bamboo would also have a big flash from the gunowder. They would also add steel dust or cast iron to make a sparkle. And so the first fireworks were born!

Via Unsplash

As gunpowder spread west to Europe in the 13th century, so did fireworks. By the 15th century, they became a part of religious celebrations and public entertainment, especially by European rulers. It was only natural that as Europeans journeyed to new world, they would bring a recipe and a love of fireworks with them.

Founding father John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that Independence Day “...will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that celebrants should display their joy with “...Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.” (Interestingly, Adams believed that July 2nd should be celebrated as the birthday of the new nation because it was the day the delegates voted in favor of the Independence resolution. He was so adamant in this belief, he actually declined all July 4th Celebration invitations.)

“After the War of 1812, the practice of celebrating July 4th with picnics, games, military displays, and fireworks, became even more common. 

”

The following year, Philadelphia commemorated the anniversary of America’s Independence by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and, of course, fireworks. According to the Smithsonian.com, “This event had all of the elements of typical future celebrations–the discharge of cannon, one round for each state in the union, the ringing of bells, a dinner, the use of music, the drinking of toasts (it would subsequently be traditional to have one toast for each state in the union), ‘loud huzzas,’ a parade, fireworks, and the use of the nation’s colors, in this case the dressing up of “armed ships and gallies” in the harbor.”

Boston also held a celebration that year, possibly as a morale booster for the Revolutionary troops who were still in the thick of the battle for independence. From there, the tradition spread to other towns throughout the nation. After the War of 1812, the practice of celebrating July 4th with picnics, games, military displays, and fireworks, became even more common. 

Today, over 14,000 fireworks displays light up the sky each 4th of July as we continue to enjoy the brilliant, booming traditions of our fourth favorite holiday. 

And the rest, as they say, is *American* history. 

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 3, 2019

News About Town: The town will have rezoning hearings at the July 8, 7 pm meeting, including a hearing for the East John St. warehouse. The warehouse owner, Stronghaven, has applied for a conditional rezoning rather than the town-initiated downzoning. The conditional zoning would, according to Stronghaven, eliminate some of the uses generally permitted in the Industrial-1 District in order to allay fears by the Board of how the property may be used in the future.

Image via Unsplashd

One Good Thing: Don’t mind a little dirt under your nails? HAWK needs your help this Sunday at 9 am. The group tends the gardens at Squirrel Lake Park (1631 Pleasant Plains Rd.), and they’ve gotten a little behind on weeding. Bring gloves, tools, water, and lather up on the sunscreen then wrestle back the nutsedge, goldenrod, and whatever else is plotting to take over the park.

One Good Thing Deserves Another: We’re going to take the next few days off to be with our families and celebrate Independence Day. We have a couple articles scheduled, so check back in. Above and beyond all else, have a happy and safe Fourth!

2810[high]5: Curbside Groceries

I made a quick visit yesterday to Public Works and was surprised at the number of edible plants interspersed in the landscaping. As a gardener, I appreciate the co-mingling and overlap of annuals, perennials, and edibles. The King of Edible Landscaping, Mario Rmah, is employed with the Town's Public Works Department.

The landscape at their facility got me thinking about other plants in the landscape, both conventional and uncommon. I sent myself on a quest to find other edible landscapes in Matthews. Wander around and see what you can find, and if it’s ok with the property owner, take a little nibble.

Hosta: There’s a reason the deer love to eat your tender hostas…they’re delicious. More commonly eaten in mountainous regions of Japan, Urui is taking off here in the states as well. Harvest shoots as they pop up in the spring, and cook as you would asparagus. Need some inspiration? How about a recipe that involves butter.

Lemongrass: If you like clumping fountain grasses but don’t want to end up with the disaster that can be pampas, why not plant lemongrass? It’s an annual here, but smells great and won’t create a giant, immovable root system. Bonus? You’ll have the makings of a delicious curry at your fingertips. This clump, amidst the rudbeckia, is at Public Works, which, I’m learning, is the place to visit if you’re a fan of edible landscaping.

Malabar Spinach: Not actually a spinach, there’s a large patch between the curb and sidewalk at the Matthews Free Medical Clinic. Malabar spinach is a heat tolerant annual green that readily self-seeds and creates a lush, dense ground covering with brilliant red tendrils. It can be eaten raw or cooked, use it just as you would regular spinach.

Melons: The garden that sparked my interest in finding edible landscapes is right out front of Public Works. The beautifully curated, layered landscape, was created by Mario. Look closely. Do you see the watermelon peeking out? That large swath of green is actually several watermelon vines and at least two different varieties. There are also some edible herbs sprinkled throughout the ‘Works Department grounds.

Prickly Pears: Front and center of the parking lot of Pita Kebab is an intimidating island of prickly pear. My first taste (and subsequent fascination) with prickly pears began with Azteca’s Macho Burrito. After being despined, both the paddles and the fruit are edible. From a cold slaw to grilled nopales, prickly pears add a fierce looking element to your edible landscape.