What's Happening In Buncombe

At 9 a.m. on December 1, the new County Commissioners will take office.

Consider starting a family budget during these difficult financial times to relieve the stress of getting to the end of the pay period without enough money for expenses.

Do you dread cleaning your oven? Don't we all? It doesn't have to be so hard.

Help brighten the Holiday Season for a senior or disabled adult.

Does your older child need a fun place to hang out for a few days during the Holiday Season?

Online trading can be an easy, cost-effective way to manage investments. However, online investors are often targets of scams, so take precautions to ensure that you do not become a victim.

Sometimes you just don’t want more lawn grass. Or perhaps you have areas where grass struggles to survive.

Can you give a dog a home? Maybe a cat? How about a kitten? These animals need your help.

Congratulations to Daisy O'Connor for her Homemade Pimento Cheese recipe!

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season beginning with the feast we look forward to each year. With piles of food and desserts many find it hard to say no and they end up feeling more stuffed than a Thanksgiving turkey.

This week the third annual Eat Smart, Move More… Maintain, don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge begins. The challenge encourages participants to maintain their pre-holiday weight throughout the season.

This year, start the holidays off right and challenge yourself to leave the table without feeling like you’ve eaten an entire stuffed turkey. Here are some tips to help you in your quest.

• Eat before the big feast. Skipping meals before Thanksgiving dinner with the expectation that you are saving room for later actually leads you to overeat. When you are overly hungry, you will eat more to get rid of the hunger quickly and end up eating much more than needed. Make sure to have breakfast, a snack and even lunch if your Thanksgiving feast is in the evening. Eating during the day can save you from inhaling an entire day’s worth of food in one meal.
• Watch your portions by filling up half of your plate with vegetables. Brighter veggies are better because they have higher amounts of nutrients, but also be sure to shy away from veggies swimming in cream sauces or butter that are loaded with fat and calories. On the rest of your plate choose one to two slices of turkey and a racket-ball sized serving of stuffing or a small roll. Choose only the foods that you really enjoy, or, if you want to try a few sides, take only one or two bites of each.
• Substitute healthier options when cooking. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal, make a few small adjustments to save you and your guests hundreds of calories. Substitutions are as easy as using low-fat milk instead of whole or using low-sodium broth instead of oil when sautéing vegetables. When attending Thanksgiving at a friend or family member’s house, offer to bring a healthy version of a favorite dish. Keep in mind that you’re probably not the only one trying to watch their holiday weight gain.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth by choosing small samples of the desserts offered. Instead of eating a slice of pumpkin pie and a slice of pecan pie, have a few bites of each. A taste of what you are craving will satisfy your sweet tooth and help you avoid the overstuffed feeling.
• Eat slowly and enjoy the meal. Slow down and savor the moment and the food. It’s much easier to enjoy the company of friends and family if you’re taking time to dine and visit. Drink in the laughter and stories and enjoy the time spent with loved ones. After all, sharing thanks with those we care about was the original reason for Thanksgiving.

Learn more about the Eat Smart, Move More... Maintain, don't gain! Holiday Challenge, go to www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com.

All Buncombe County Government Offices will be closed November 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving.

Keep your pet safe during Thanksgiving - avoid these potential hazards:

• Bones - Turkey, chicken, and other small animal ones are very different from the large bones you find at the pet store. These small bones splinter easily and can cause serious internal damage if swallowed, so NEVER give them to your pet.
• Hot containers - Your dog or cat will most likely become curious when they smell something cooking. Keep an eye on hot containers so that your pet does not tip them over and get burned.

Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics recycling day at the Landfill will be closed on Friday, November 28.

These collections will resume as normal on Friday, December 5 from 9am - 3pm. 

Each week, the Landfill accepts electronics from residents at no charge. Businesses will also be able to drop off electronics, but they will be charged a fee of 30 cents per pound. 

Household Hazardous Waste is accepted for $2 per gallon for paint-related material, such as paint thinner, kerosene, gasoline and paint. Other materials, such as lawn and garden chemicals, are accepted from Buncombe County residents, at no charge.

For more information, call Solid Waste at 250-5460.

If you are buying items from an online retailer or auction website, the Federal Trade Commission offers this advice to help you make the most of your shopping experience:

• Know who you’re dealing with. Which company owns the website that you are using?
• Make sure the page is secure before you enter credit card information. There must be a letter "s" after http (or https://) for the transmission to be secure.
• Know exactly what you’re buying.
• Know what it will cost.
• Check out the terms of the deal, such as refund policies and delivery dates.
• Keep a paper trail.
• Don’t email your financial information.
• Check the privacy policy.

For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.