Heart Facts for Heart Month

February is Heart Month. Increase the life of your ticker by following these simple tips.

Check Your "Smarts"

The average person only gets seven of the following questions correct! Actually, this is less about "smarts" and more about observation. It's a little bit difficult, as you will see.

How Are We Doing?

Have you visited a County department or talked to someone with Buncombe County by phone lately? How'd we do?

Do You Know How to Report Illegal Dumping?

If you see someone dumping illegally, do not risk your personal safety by approaching them directly. Instead, contact the Buncombe County Environmental Control Office.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgids

March and April is the best time of year to treat for Hemlock Wooly Adelgids - so check your trees now for them now!

Water Quality Sediment & Erosion Control Workshop

This workshop is tailored to address the specific issues contractors face concerning sediment and erosion control in the mountains.

Pet Picture of the Week

Congratulations to Laurie Brokaw of Asheville for the pictures of her cat, Peechee Keen.

Recipe of the Week

Congratulations to Felipe R. Alicea of Waynesville for his Chicken with Herbs recipe!

One of the easiest ways to strengthen your abdominal muscles -- and support your back -- is through good posture.

You may feel like you're already standing straight, but in reality, most of us stand like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Practice good posture by bringing your head and neck back. The key element is breathing in to tighten your gut. That's the component that lifts your chest and will give you Marine-like posture. 

Sometimes the smallest changes in your life can lead to the biggest results. Sucking in your gut while you do crunches, or even when you take the elevator, is a good example. It helps your body not only look younger -- by skimming a couple of inches off your middle and adding them to your lungs/chest -- but it also helps your body get stronger, because you're engaging your abdominal muscles.

Here are the five steps to perfect posture:

1. Pull your shoulder blades back slightly toward each other and down away from your ears.
2. Lift your chest up and out. 
3. Pull your head back just enough to keep it in line with your spine. 
4. Position your pelvis or hips to create or maintain a natural arch in your lower back. 
5. Pull your belly button in toward your spine without changing or tilting your hips or losing the arch in your lower back.

_{Source:  www.realage.com}

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 16-19, 2007. It's fun, it's free, it takes as little as 15 minutes--and it helps the birds.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Need someone to speak to your club or organization? The Extension Master Gardeners’ Speakers’ Bureau offers a number of garden related topics. There is no fee for this educational service.

For further information on available programs, contact the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office at 255-5522.

Try these proactive steps to protect yourself and your family from identity theft:

• Purchase a quality crosscut paper shredder to dispose of ALL financial records no longer needed. 
• Shred credit card offers, utility bills and unsolicited mortgage loan applications.
• Call 888-567-8688 to stop pre-approved credit card offers.
• Mail bill payments and other financial mail at the Post Office or in a USPS mail drop box.
• NEVER participate in foreign lotteries or respond to any "You are a winner" messages that require you to send money to receive a prize.

For more information, including sobering new statistics regarding the extent of identity crime, consult the NC Attorney General's website.

All low income Buncombe County homeowners in need of repairs are encouraged to apply for assistance through the Buncombe County Planning Department.  Successful applicants may be eligible for rehabilitation or emergency repair of their primary residence made possible by  Community Development Block Grant funds.

The cost of the repair or rehabilitation would be secured as a forgivable loan in a promissory note and deed of trust prepared and executed by Buncombe County.

Applications are due to the Planning Department at 46 Valley Street, Asheville, 28801 by February 28, 2006 in order to be eligible for consideration. Homeowners with questions are encouraged to contact the Buncombe County Planning Department at 250-4830.