Who Will Be on Your Local Ballot?

If you are wondering who is on your election ballot? Here's how to find out.

Sheriff Offers Citizens Academy

Sheriff Van Duncan is pleased to announce the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office 1st Annual Sheriff’s Citizens Academy starting April 1, 2008.

Easter Egg Hunt - March 15

Bring the whole family to the Zeugner Recreation Center for something egg-citing!

Gardening in the Mountains Series Kicks Off

Extension Master Gardeners of Buncombe County will offer several informative programs at the North Carolina Arboretum.

Baxter to Proceed with Recall

Baxter International Inc. has announced that the company is proceeding with the voluntary recall of all remaining lots and doses of its heparin sodium injection multi-dose, single-dose vials and HEP-LOCK heparin flush products.

Energy Crossroads: A Film at the West Asheville Library

The first film in this 5-month film/discussion series, Energy Crossroads exposes the problems associated with our energy consumption and offers some concrete solutions.

Garden Chores for March

Get ready for Spring! Here are the recommended garden chores for March.

Spotlight: Serviceberry

Serviceberry, shadbush, shadblow, juneberry, sarvis-tree – these are all common names for a small native tree, Amelanchier arborea.

Guerrillas in our Midst: A Film and talk by Nancy Sokolove at Pack Library

Guerillas in our Midst, “A witty, politically-pointed documentary" (New York Times), presents a savvy exploration of the machinations of the commercial art-world during its boom in the 1980s.

Pet Picture of the Week - Please Give Me a Home!

This week we are featuring some Asheville Humane Society animals that need a loving home.

Recipe of the Week - Scalloped Eggplant

Congratulations to Tammy Rice of Asheville for her Scalloped Eggplant Recipe!

African-Americans are especially at risk for stroke and Alzheimer's. They have a higher risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular (heart) disease, all conditions that may damage blood vessels.

Conditions that threaten to damage the heart and its blood vessels also threaten to damage the brain and its blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke and Alzheimer's.

Take steps to reduce your risk. Get the facts about lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

A public awareness program of the American Heart Association and Alzheimer's Association.

Source: www.americanheart.org

The Register of Deeds, Otto W. DeBruhl, gives a complimentary Birth Certificate copy to any native Buncombe County resident when they turn 62 years of age!

The Register of Deeds is located in the Buncombe County Courthouse. For more information please call 250-4301 or access that department online.

Wondering about the little numbers on your milk container? They identify what the container is made of — and what it will be in its next life.

• 1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate): Soda bottles; recycled into pillow fill.
• 2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene): Plastic milk bottles, detergent bottles; recycled into new detergent bottles.
• 3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride): Take-out boxes, shampoo; recycled into drainage and irrigation pipes.
• 4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene): Grocery bags, shrink wrap; recycled into new bags.
• 5 PP (polypropylene): Yogurt containers, bottle caps; recycled into plastic lumber.
• 6 PS (polystyrene): Packing peanuts; recycled into plastic lumber, cassette-tape boxes.
• 7 Other: Includes squeezable ketchup bottles and microwavable dishes; these items can’t be recycled.

Source: www.realsimple.com

The Perennial Plant Association’s 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year is Geranium ‘Rozanne’.

It is described as a strong performing hardy plant with 2 ½ inch iridescent violet-blue, saucer-shaped flowers with purple-violet veins and radiant white centers. It grows about 24 inches tall and wide and is said to have one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums – from late spring to mid fall.

‘Rozanne’ should be hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8 and performs best in full sun to part shade with moist well-drained soil. It can be used as a container plant, a perennial specimen, or even as a ground cover.

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