Have You Paid Your 2006 Taxes?

If you do not pay your 2006 tax bill by March 23, your name will appear in the Asheville Citizen-Times on April 1.

New Mountain Mobility Bus Route in Enka-Candler Area

Buncombe County is pleased to announce that Mountain Mobility will be expanding public transportation bus services to the Enka-Candler area.

Pet Deaths Prompt Recall of Pet Food

A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

Garden Chores for March

Here are the garden chores you need to accomplish in the month of March.

Making a Large Purchase?

If you have a history of making late payments on your monthly bills it could cost you more then just your late fees.

Weaverville Library Movie Night: The Maltese Falcon

Movie Night! - The Friends of the Weaverville Library will screen the film classic "The Maltese Falcon."

All-America Selections

Each year the All-America Selections committee tests many new varieties of flowers and vegetables in trial gardens all over the US and Canada. Here are the 2007 introductions.

Teen Club Hikers: Graveyard Fields Hike

Don't let the name fool you, this excellent loop trail winds through high elevation, flat valley and comes across two spurs to some very famous waterfalls.

Pet Picture of the Week

Congratulations to Maggi Zadek of Fairview for the pictures of her dogs, Sammy and Tuppins.

Recipe of the Week - Ravioli Skillet Lasagna

Congratulations to Steve Bishop of Asheville for his Ravioli Skillet Lasagna recipe!

Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is a new public health initiative to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. This health initiative focuses on motivating people to simply eat more fruits and veggies at every eating occasion.

• New national dietary guidelines establish a range in the amounts of fruits and veggies adults should consume each day – depending on their age, sex and activity level – the focus is no longer on a specific number of servings.
• Whether a person currently eats 1, 4 or 8 servings of fruits and veggies a day, he/she will benefit from eating more--more matters.
• Eating more fruits and vegetables makes a difference in maintaining a healthy weight and can reduce the risk of many diseases.
• A colorful variety will provide a wide range of valuable nutrients like fiber, vitamins and potassium.
  Practical, creative tips and recipes for eating more can be found at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

The Perennial Plant Association has awarded the title of Perennial Plant of the Year to Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’. Introduced in 1988 in Europe, Walker’s Low catmint has become increasingly popular with each passing year due to its lovely blue-violet flowers and its long bloom time, attractive grey-green foliage, ease of propagation, lack of pest or disease problems, and low maintenance requirements.

Nepeta is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. It grows 36 inches tall and wide. It will flower best and have dense form in full sun. ‘Walker’s Low reportedly blooms all summer if you keep cutting off the dead flowers. It will attract honey bees as well as butterflies. Leaves are fragrant when crushed.

Questions?  Call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.

• Where: Bullington Center, 33 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville www.bullingtoncenter.org
• When: March 29, 4:00-5:30 pm
• Register: Call (828) 698-6104 to pre-register ($12).

Learn about the surprising variety in conifers from Michael Balogh, owner of Mountain Meadows Nursery and 25 year veteran of growing these plants!!!

Buncombe County Environmental Health has moved from the County Health Center to 257 Biltmore Avenue--on the right prior to Matthews Ford. Their new phone number is (828) 250-6900 and their new fax number is (828) 250-6902.

The Buncombe County Planning Department has received grant funds that are available for owner-occupied home rehabilitations and repairs. If you or someone you know owns their home but is in need of home repairs, please contact the Planning Department at 250-4830 for further information.