Special Book Sale to Benefit Mississippi Library

Help a Mississippi library that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and get a bargain for yourself at the same time!

Avoid Disaster During the Holidays!

Keep things "merry" with these holiday safety tips!

Caring for the Cut Christmas Tree

If you've decided to purchase a cut tree this year, here are some tips that will help you select the best tree and keep it in good condition through the holidays.

How to Keep Your Poinsettia Looking Good

Poinsettias are a beautiful sign of the holiday season. You can get the most out a your poinsettia by following a few simple rules.

Is there a sex offender in your neighborhood?

Find out by checking the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry.

Your Local Library... More Than the Latest Novel

Need to create a budget, do some retirement planning or learn how to set financial goals? Then make your local public library one of your first stops for information on all things financial!

Pet of the Week

Congratulations to Lora Haas-Atkins of Asheville for the picture of her cat, Max!

Recipe of the Week

Congratulations to Misty Conner for her Family-Style Turkey Potpie Recipe.

• Anything that grows under the ground, start off cooking in cold water -- potatoes, beets, carrots, etc. Anything that grows above ground, start off cooking in boiling water -- English peas, greens, beans, etc.
  
  
• When moving to a new location, unpack your computer and let it stand at room temperature before using.
  
  
• Glass tabletops will sparkle if you rub gently with lemon juice or with vinegar, then dry with paper towels and polish with newspapers.

Buncombe Life (PDF version 5.5 MB)

• An acre of Christmas Trees produces the daily oxygen for 18 people.
  
  
• North-American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees are manufactured in China.  
  
  
• For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, up to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
  
  
• It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.
  
  
• The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
  
  
• The top selling Christmas Trees are: balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.

My Favorite Gardening Books
Tuesday, December 6 from10:00 -11:30am
NC Arboretum

Come to this program for an overview of some useful books for the beginning gardener or those wanting more advanced information. Extension's "Gardening In The Mountains" series is presented by Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners.

Admission to the Arboretum is free on Tuesdays. For more information, call 255-5522.