Are Rebates a Good Deal?

Wow! A $100 rebate on a computer! What a deal! But is it really worth it? Will you REALLY remember to send that rebate in?

Did you purchase a live Christmas tree to plant in your landscape after the holidays?

The FBI is reminding people this holiday season that cyber criminals continue to aggressively seek ways to steal money and personal information.

Need help dealing with your children's temper tantrums? Here are some tips to follow.

US-CERT is aware of public reports of malware spreading via popular social networking sites.

If you’re trying to avoid holiday weight gain, holiday parties can be a source of stress, as they bring to mind endless treats, tables full of delightful dishes and desserts too tempting to pass up.

Join us for an exciting week long trip to sunny Miami and Key West Florida.

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 John Sprinkle for his Seasoned Potato Wedges recipe!

North Carolina residents are entitled to receive a free copy of their credit report each year. This service is available from annualcreditreport.com ONLY!

Please be aware that other providers have established similar Web sites in an attempt to sell other products. You may hear radio and TV ads or receive emails offering a "free credit report". Please be very careful and don't get trapped into using the wrong website.

Christmas Trees seem to be everywhere this time of year, but few people know these interesting facts...

• 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, 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.

Report any problem - stalled vehicle on the tracks, damaged sign, obstructed view, signal malfunction - to the railroad immediately. Call the emergency notification number posted on or near the crossing, or notify local law enforcement.

It could save a life!

Key Safety Tips at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (PDF)

Remember...STR.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.  Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.  If you think someone might have suffered a stroke, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S = Smile: Ask the individual to SMILE.

T = Talk: Ask the person to TALK or to speak a simple sentence (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today.)

R = Raise both arms.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.  With proper medical assistance, stroke damage can be stopped and/or reversed. 

_{Source:  www.strokeassociation.org}

The Commissioners meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 pm in Room 204 of the Buncombe County Courthouse in downtown Asheville. Their meetings are televised and can be seen online and on the County Government Channel, BCTV 2 (schedule).

If you would like to speak to the Board in public comment, you can sign up just prior to their regular meeting time (before 4:10 p.m.). You will be called on by the Chairman and have three minutes to make a comment to the Board or you can speak at the end of the meeting during the designated public comment period.

December 16 Meeting Agenda