Buncombe Libraries Help the Unemployed

As unemployment rates hover at 9% statewide, Buncombe Libraries are providing access to an online service to provide job seekers everything they need to find their next job.

Ever Wonder How Many Calories You're Burning?

Here are some examples of the estimated calories burned during a variety of exercises.

Animal Cruelty Arrest - Can You Help with this Investigation?

Sheriff’s deputies are seeking a 21 year old white male identified as Jesse Wade Rigdon.

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Just child's play? Not hardly. While quarrels are a normal part of growing up, bullying isn't.

Healthy Tip: Watch Out for Rabies

Did you know that without treatment, rabies is a fatal disease?

Parks, Greenways & Recreation March/April Newsletter Available

Plan ahead - check out Parks, Greenways & Recreation's March/April 2011 newsletter!

Pet Pictures of the Week - Find Your Purr-fect Pet!

Some of these animals have gone years without a home of their own. Could you be the one to get them out of the shelter?

Recipe of the Week - Sauteed Basil & Garlic Vegetables

Congratulations to Missy Constantine for her Sauteed Basil & Garlic Vegetables recipe!

One of the major reasons people fail to lose weight is because they cut out all of their favorite foods. When you do this, it will be much harder to eat healthy for a long period of time.

Instead of going on a diet, make lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes allow you to still indulge in your favorite foods.

The fact is, if you cut out all your favorite foods, instead of enjoying them in moderation, you will quickly ditch those carrot sticks on go on a junk food binge.

Buncombe County residents - get your male cat neutered, plus a rabies shot for only $20! Appointments are required & space is limited, so call 252-2079 to reserve your spot.

• Male Cats $20 (includes rabies vaccination): February 25
  
  
• Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic
  25 Heritage Drive (off of Leicester Highway)
  Asheville, NC 28806

A coalition of animal rescue and welfare organizations has joined with Buncombe County to create and implement the SAVE A LIFE campaign.

SAVE A LIFE emerged based on an initiative passed by Buncombe County Commissioners that outlines a goal of eradicating euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals by 2012.

If the summer turns dry, you may be glad to have a rain barrel or two to save up some of the free water for your gardens. You can find rain barrels sold at some local garden centers and hardware stores, or find them through online sources. You might also consider making your own.

A rain barrel can be made from recycled food grade plastic barrels, large trash containers or whiskey barrels. Besides the barrel, you will need a lid to keep out mosquitoes and other things, an overflow spout, and a spigot or hose connection. Some sources for instruction include:

• UNC-TV's Almanac Gardener: Making a Rain Barrel
  
  
• EPA's website: Build Your Own Rain Barrel (PDF)
  
  
• Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Design Program: Build a Simple Rain Barrel

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