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Community Corner

Go Green with a Colorful Rain Barrel

A Severna Park artist turns utilitarian rain barrels into works of art for your yard.

Plain brown whiskey barrels converted into rain catchers have been the standard in local yards and gardens for years. That is, until Severna Park mom and artist Jodi Roberts had an idea. Why not make them beautiful?

By combining creativity with creative water conservation, Roberts jumped into this "green" activity with her paintbrush and a rainbow of colors. Already using her many talents to beautify our indoor world with hand-painted wall murals and floorcloths, she chose to add a little pizzazz to our outdoor worlds, as well.

With all the buzz about conserving water and the importance of keeping runoff out of our local rivers and streams, this Manhattan Beach resident saw an opportunity  to do something good for the environment with whimsical water-catchers.

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One heavy-duty plastic 45-gallon barrel at a time, Roberts comes up with a theme, or you can give her one. In a matter of days, the rain barrel of your dreams is complete. And you didn't even know you HAD a rain barrel of your dreams!

Complete with proper hoses and screening, the artist's final product comes ready to hook up to your home's downspout. Adding beauty, saving water and supporting a local artist—what a fun way to welcome spring and do a good thing for the environment. Go to www.offthewallpainting.com to read more about rainwater harvesting, Roberts and her works of art.

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