County Says Farewell

On November 19, 2009 the County will say farewell to two public servants.

Make sure you thaw and cook that turkey right!

If you think it's okay to leave leftovers on the table while you visit with family and friends, you better think again!

Shopping on the internet has become a multi-million dollar business. Most internet sales are safe, but as internet purchases have increased, so have incidents of online credit card fraud.

Give us your opinion on the Buncombe County Greenways Plan.

Millions of smokers are going tobacco free on November 20th.

The Department of Social Services needs community input so funds given by the Division of Aging can be best allocated to meet the needs of the community.

Make sure your pet is up to date on its shots! Don't miss out on these low-cost shot clinics! Rabies is just $6!

Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan would like for citizens to be aware of a scam involving the solicitation of funds for bullet proof vests.

Please consider giving a home to one of these wonderful pets! The shelter is okay, but I would love to have a home of my own!

Congratulations to Cameron Benson for her 2 Minute Microwave Fudge recipe!

With shorter days and less time to squeeze in all the extra errands and gift shopping - it's no wonder the holidays bring extra stress and for many, overeating and weight gain. But with most of us not losing the extra weight after the holidays, those pounds begin to add up each year.

Fortunately, Eat Smart Move More NC is gearing up for the third annual Eat Smart, Move More - Maintain, don't gain! Holiday Challenge. The Challenge will run Nov. 24 - Dec 31 (from the week of Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve), with the goal being that North Carolinians maintain their current weight during the holiday season. The Holiday Challenge is open to everyone - those with a few pounds to lose, those who have already lost weight and are looking to keep it off, as well as those already at a healthy weight.

To sign up for the Eat Smart, Move More Maintain, don't gain! Holiday Challenge, go to www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com. It's free to sign up and to participate. All you need is an email address to receive the weekly newsletters with tips and recipes. Don't miss out - you will have access to exclusive bonus Thanksgiving recipes by signing up now and completing the Holiday Challenge Survey.

If you participated in the Challenge last year and want to participate again, you will need to re-register for the Challenge at www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com.

Last year the 2007 Holiday Challenge was a success with 84 percent of participants maintaining their weight throughout the season. And what about those who didn't maintain? Almost 70 percent lost weight!

This holiday season, add to the success - join and promote the Holiday Challenge!

The Buncombe County Health Center has planned another evening flu shot clinic. Shots will be available for anyone age 6 months and above on:

• Thursday evening, November 20
• 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Flu shots are also available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. All flu shots are offered on a walk-in basis.

Cost for flu shots is $28 and may be paid by cash, check, MasterCard or VISA. To bill insurance, cards must be presented before a flu shot may be given. Insurance cards accepted this year include Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part B, NC Health Choice, participating Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans (not Blue Care), Primary Physician Care, Wells Fargo, and NC State Employee/Teachers Insurance.

For complete information about flu shots available this year from the Buncombe County Health Center, please call the Flu Vaccine Hotline at 250-5300.

The Commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday, November 18. Public comment is at 4pm, with the meeting starting at 4:30pm. 

The Commissioners’ meeting packet for their regular November 18 meeting has been posted:

http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/commissioners/meetings.htm

The WNC Vegetable and Small Fruit News blog serves all vegetable and small fruit producers in Western North Carolina. The blog provides timely information on events, production issues, disease/insect problems, local weather, etc. You can subscribe to the blog so that you receive the new posts to your email inbox as soon as they are posted to the web.

http://wncveggies.blogspot.com

Once again this year, customers will be able to purchase a Giving Tree Food Voucher at Ingles check out counters in stores across MANNA’s 16 county service region. 

Food and financial donations made through Ingles stores across WNC and the Ingles Giving Tree at the Asheville Mall will help MANNA FoodBank fill empty plates this holiday season. One of the easiest and most effective ways to help MANNA FoodBank is to ask your Ingles cashier to add a $1 scannable MANNA/Ingles Giving Tree Food Voucher icon to your grocery bill. Ten of these vouchers can provide enough food for 25 meals. The Giving Tree Food Vouchers will only be available from November 16th thru November 29th.

In light of the increased need in Western Carolina, MANNA’s goal for the Giving Tree Food Voucher effort is $10,000. In its 17th year, the Ingles Giving Tree symbolizes MANNA’s mission of involving, educating, and uniting people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. As in previous years, Ingles will match $50,000 worth of financial donations made MANNA FoodBank in the months of November and December.

These donations help fill empty plates for the 115,500 different people in WNC who came to MANNA’s partner agencies in one year seeking emergency food assistance. Stores in Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, McDowell, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Macon, Cherokee, and Clay counties will be participating in the Ingles Giving Tree Food Voucher effort. 

Learn more about Manna Food Bank and/or donate online at www.mannafoodbank.org.

On November 21, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Asheville City Council and the State Department of Transportation will dedicate the bridge on I-40 located at Exit 50 over US 25 in Asheville as the "Winston Pulliam Bridge" in honor of local community leader Winston Pulliam. 

The dedication ceremony will be held on Friday, November 21 at 2 p.m. in City Council Chambers in downtown Asheville. The public is invited to attend.