Author: Shannon Calabro

Food for Thought: 3 Things Healthy is Not

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April 12, 2019 7:25 pm

healthy adjective:
/ ˈhel-thē also ˈhelt-\
healthier; healthiest

1 – a: enjoying good health
: free from disease
b: not displaying clinical signs of disease or infection
2 – beneficial to one’s physical, mental, or emotional state : conducive to or associated with good health or reduced risk of disease
3 – showing physical, mental, or emotional well-being : evincing good health
4 – a: prosperous, flourishing
b: not small or feeble

At least, that’s how Merriam-Webster defines it.

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Resources

5 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know the County Does

Shannon Calabro

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March 7, 2019 3:40 pm

New to Mecklenburg County? Welcome! We’re glad to have you and hope you enjoy being here as much as we do. And for those of you who aren’t new but are instead a lifelong resident, we’re certainly glad you stuck around!

Home to more than one million residents from seven cities and towns, we cover a lot of ground – literally. That also goes for the services we provide. Chances are there’s been a time when you’ve used one of our services and didn’t even know it! And that’s what brings us here today.

Whether you’re a new resident or have been here for years, here are five things we bet you didn’t know the County does (but you should).

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Recreation Resources

Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married

Shannon Calabro

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February 13, 2019 3:14 pm

Historic St. Mary’s Chapel, that is, since we’re in Mecklenburg County.

Okay, we know what you’re probably thinking…“What are they getting at here?” Let us back track a little bit.

You likely know that Park and Recreation manages our parks and greenways, but truth be told, their department is responsible for so much more than that. Yes, even weddings are on the list of events they handle! If you’ve got a wedding to plan (or maybe you have a friend or family member who’s looking for a venue), may we suggest a few places to say “I do?”

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Give Back Health and Human Services

We All Need Somebody to Lean On: How We Help Our Homeless (and How You Can Too)

Shannon Calabro

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January 25, 2019 3:18 pm

If you asked a government employee what industry they’re in, you might get an answer like “I work in the public sector.” But here in Mecklenburg County, we like to say something a little different. For us, we see ourselves as being in the “people business,” meaning that everything we do revolves around finding ways to improve the lives of the people who live and work here.

One group of people that our Community Support Services (CSS) staff works with on a daily basis is the homeless population. During our annual Point-in-Time Count in 2018, we found that 1,668 people were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count. And while the number of homeless persons has decreased by 16 percent from 2010 to 2018, there’s still a lot of work to do.

Take a look at some of the programs that our Homeless Services Division is involved in.

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Resources

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Christmas! 6 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe During Your Holiday Vacay

Shannon Calabro

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December 19, 2018 6:00 pm

There’s a lot to do before heading out of town for the holidays – you have to make reservations, pack, tie up loose ends at work, get all your gifts in order…

In the hustle and bustle of it all, it’s not surprising that many homeowners often leave one very important item off of their pre-travel to-do list: preparing their home for their absence. After all, you’re in and out of your house all the time, so why should this be any different? Here’s one good reason for you: crime rates tend to spike during the holidays.

If you’re traveling this holiday season, use this checklist to keep your home safe while you’re gone (and make sure you check it twice).

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Resources

9 Tips to Make Your Holiday Lit

Shannon Calabro

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November 30, 2018 7:36 pm

The holidays are special to everyone for their own reasons, but one thing we all share is the excitement that comes from getting our homes in the holiday spirit.

If you’re like us, you’re probably starting to dust off last year’s holiday boxes and are pulling out your lights, garland, and other seasonal decor. You may also be on the search for the perfect Christmas tree! But before you get to work, familiarize yourself with the following tips (courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association) so that your home lights up for all the right reasons this season and not the wrong ones (yes, we’re taking about ?).

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Around Town

4 Places to Fall in Love with the Foliage This Season

Shannon Calabro

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October 25, 2018 4:32 pm

It took a while for temperatures to drop this year, but it’s safe to say that fall is officially here. And while this season is a favorite for many reasons (the sweaters, the boots, the pumpkin spice everything), the amazing views of fall foliage you can find throughout the County top the list.

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Recreation

Trail and Error: Find the Best Local Hike for YOU!

Shannon Calabro

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September 20, 2018 6:27 pm

There are a lot of things to love about living in the state of North Carolina, but something we love most is the weather. Even though we get some cold months where it’s better to stay inside, most of our year can be spent outdoors! Thanks to our Park and Rec department, we have a lot of opportunities to explore nature in Mecklenburg County. There are our parks, of course, but then there are also our greenways, nature preserves, and programs like mountain biking and sailing.

But let’s focus on our trails for a minute. When was the last time you went for a hike? With over 50 miles of paved trails and several nature preserves with trails, we have something for hikers of all levels. Here are some of our favorites that we encourage you to check out.

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Recreation

Get Hooked on Fishing in Mecklenburg County

Shannon Calabro

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August 10, 2018 4:38 pm

This is an update to a 2018 blog by Bill Carroll.

“Are there really any fish in there?”

That’s what a young passerby asked me, skeptically, as he temporarily paused during his jog around Freedom Park. I had just gotten myself comfortable in a fold-out camp chair and cast my line into the still water.

“Sure,” I responded – “Lots of them.” In a made-for-TV instant later, my line jerked down and I started reeling in what turned out to be a fine three-pound channel catfish, the largest one I’d ever caught at Freedom Park Lake.

Yes, there are fish in there!

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Environment

Plant This, Not That: A Guide to Native and Invasive Species

Shannon Calabro

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July 11, 2018 1:08 am

Edited on 3/21/23.
Written with assistance from Catherine Luckenbaugh of Park and Recreation

If there’s one thing that can brighten up a home pretty quickly, it’s adding plants to your garden. But, part of a having a successful garden includes knowing what is and is not suitable for our environment.

Let’s take a look at some of the native plants our Park and Recreation staff recommends using (if you stick with us until the end, we’ll also touch on some invasive species).

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