To make an original statement with yard art, think beyond fountains, globes and statuary. Add chicken coops to be chic.

ROME — The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.

Looking for some help in the garden? Many of nature's most useful critters lie literally at our feet, underappreciated and ignored despite their ability to eliminate insects, condition soils and pollinate plants.

Most people know what it’s like to pull up a chair at a family reunion or holiday meal, but not many have tucked their toes under the table at a community harvest feast. Several local art and community organizations are hoping to change that with Saturday’s “Feast on the Street” in downtown Phoenix.

For a time many years back, I would become nervous every time I went out to my garden to weed. The weeds were so few that I feared something was wrong with the soil.

As the weather warms and residents start to work on their yards, they’re reminded Mesa is the only city in Arizona to offer a curbside green barrel program the weekly collection of green yard waste such as grass, leaves and small branches. The collected material is taken to a special processing area at the Salt River Landfill where it is converted into mulch and compost. In 2012, Mesa green barrel customers recycled 17,511 tons of yard waste.

If you’ve been drawn to the idea of a sustainable lifestyle — growing your own veggies, making compost, raising chickens — but have yet to get started, you might find the motivation to get rolling in this one-day course.

People new to gardening ask the darndest questions: about how seeds work, about growing the perfect tomato, about waging war with insects (many of them beneficial).

Mesa chef Taylor Blackburn examined soil and watched a watering system put in place on his new garden bed early Monday evening.

Gardens can be great training grounds for fitness buffs.

On a chilly Thursday afternoon, Desert Vista High School junior Ava Posta worked contentedly at Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee Foothills, stamping pastry bags and coffee sleeves with the local cafe’s signature pink logo.

I first saw cardinal flowers growing in a drainage ditch along a farm field. Their intense red took my breath away, in part because of their surroundings.

The news is packed with headlines aghast at the recent report that Americans waste 40 percent of their food. Many are springing into action to connect food banks and shelters with restaurants, or find creative ways to compost or biofuel the leftovers. I’ve also seen reminders to “eat what you purchased.” Consumers are feeling guilty and to blame.

In 2006, I went to Beijing, China, for an internship. It was an amazing experience training at the prestigious Guan An Men Hospital. Surprisingly, the majority of cases that we saw there were for weight loss and obesity. I had always wanted to try an acupuncture treatment in China. So I asked to be treated. Both the needling technique and actual needles are very different there. I was treated for weight loss. I was very pleased with my treatment and had no initial complaints. The next morning I woke up feeling sick to my stomach. I spent the whole day detoxing and not wanting a bite of food. This was unlike anything I experienced with acupuncture in the States. I had to force myself to eat a protein bar and that was all the food I could initially eat. My body responded to the treatment in a way I did not expect. That night for our celebration dinner I was able to muster down some Peking duck.

Chandler is hosting a workshop for residents who are interested in learning about backyard composting from 9 a.m. to noon, June 9 at Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave. The workshop will include hands-on demonstrations of the techniques used in composting, plus a discussion of various composting methods and the variety of uses for the finished product.

It’s that time of year. The weather is warming up, the school year is coming to a close, and many parents are wondering what their children are going to do over the summer. If you have a daughter, sending her to Girl Scout summer camp is a great place for her to have fun over the summer and experience unique programs at the same time.

It’s that time of year. The weather is warming up, the school year is coming to a close, and many parents are wondering what their children are going to do over the summer. If you have a daughter, sending her to Girl Scout summer camp is a great place for her to have fun over the summer and experience unique programs at the same time.

Tempe is looking for environmentally friendly businesses to participate in a green business expo on April 11. The event will highlight green products, services and research in the community. It’s a prelude to Earth Day and the city’s zero waste day scheduled for later in April. During the event, Tempe will share details about its green programs, including a grease recycling program with restaurants, compost bins for residents and multifamily housing.

Tempe is looking for environmentally friendly businesses to participate in a green business expo on April 11. The event will highlight green products, services and research in the community. It’s a prelude to Earth Day and the city’s zero waste day scheduled for later in April. During the event, Tempe will share details about its green programs, including a grease recycling program with restaurants, compost bins for residents and multifamily housing.

About 20 second-graders in Kristine Baglini's class sit on hay bales outside the library. They kick their feet against the bales, talking excitedly to each other with eyes wandering over the raised planting beds in front of them.

Tempe residents can turn their Christmas trees into compost through Jan. 22 by dropping off the pines or setting them out during bulk trash collections. All lights and decorations need to be removed before setting the trees out.