CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 23 Cease the Grease. Keep Wipes outta' Pipes. Grease, fat and oil – as well as wipes and other items – should never be poured or flushed down drains or toilets. They can block sewer lines and cause wastewater to back up. The overflow can damage our water supply, harm the environment and even cause costly damage to your home. Protecting our Pipes Items you should never flush: • Hand or baby wipes – even if they're labeled "flushable"! • Paper towels • Diapers and feminine hygiene products • Dental floss and Q-tips ® • Kitty litter • Medical waste • Hard objects in general Guidelines for Grease • Let it cool, pour it into a disposable container and put it in the trash. You can request a free "Fat Trapper" from PWC. (Covered cooking grease collection containers) • Wipe grease from pans before you wash them. • Never put meat scraps down the drain and compost or throw away vegetable scraps. For more information, see the Environmental section of our website. Hoffman says the mosaic topiary creators used 13,000 individual plants and seven different plant species. Using annual and perennial plants allows an artist to create these sculptures faster, but they also need more care. Watering and replacing damaged plants in art that is alive becomes maintenance-intensive. Hoffman says the opening weekend was a huge success. e topiaries arrived on July 8, and the garden hosted a preview for donors. "We opened to the public on July 15. e first weekend, we had over 1,000 people attend, and visitors especially enjoyed a demonstration by topiary artist Mike Gibson.'' Gibson is the topiary artist-in-residence at Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville, South Carolina. He practices a different form of sculpting topiary in which he manipulates living plants. Since then, Hoffman says, the garden has had more families visit despite this summer's three-digit heat wave. e topiaries are a hit with participants of the garden's classroom camps, where 5- through 8-year-olds learn about animals and conservation. e topiaries will be at the garden through the end of December, Hanrick says. As the plants begin to die aer the first frost, the garden staff will incorporate them into two signature garden celebrations: Halloween in the Boo-tanical Garden and Holiday Lights in the Garden. "Some of them are not hardy, and when we have our first frost they will do what plants will do," Hoffman says. Asked if the garden could create its own topiary art, Hoffman says it's possible. But there's a cost associated with doing so, and it requires the skills to build the frames and have the artistry and crasmanship as well. Part of the reason for the topiary exhibit is to gauge interest and responses, he says. "at may guide us going into the future.'' Hoffman, who has a background in landscape architecture, came to the botanical garden on May 20. He's a Texas native transplanted to Mississippi for 30 years. Hoffman worked at the botanical garden at the Oklahoma City Zoo. His personal goal for the garden is akin to the garden's mission, to connect people with plants and nature. "Having exhibits helps keep the garden fresh by having something new to explore and enjoy," he says. by Clayton Britt & Sons 910.868.8319 3703 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28303 customercare@spaandpoolworld.com

• Cover