Got Hard to Recycle Items?

Mark your calendar for April 17 and the One Stop Drop Recycling Bazaar.

Does Your Teenager Need a Work Permit and How Do They Get One?

A work permit or Youth Employment Certificate (YEC) is required for all youth employed under 18 years of age.

Census Takers are Knocking

If you don’t mail the 2010 Census Form, you may receive a visit from a census taker.

Pick Up Trash and Get a FREE T-Shirt

Buncombe County wants you to help do some Spring cleaning.

Now Is the Time to Plan for "In Season" Produce

To maximize the nutritional value and decrease the cost of eating vegetables and fruits, it is advised to “Eat In Season.”

Small Fruit for the Garden

Ever wonder what the most popular small fruits to grow in Western North Carolina are?

Go Green With Your Pets

A fun and easy way to start going green begins with your family pets.

Used Book Sale at the Enka-Candler Library

Get a bargain at Enka-Candler Library's used book sale!

Healthy Kids Day and a Bicycle Rodeo!

Come enjoy healthy food, activities, entertainment, and a walk along the French Broad River - and bring your bicycle so you can participate in the Bicycle Rodeo!

Pets of the Week - Check Out These Cuties!

Can you give a dog a home? A cat? How about a kitten? These animals need your help.

Recipe of the Week - Pineapple Juice Pie

Congratulations to Juanita Hernandez for her Pineapple Juice Pie recipe!

In 1960, a group of local citizens had the vision of establishing a public garden to showcase plants native to the Southern Appalachian area. Even at that time they were concerned about the loss of biodiversity and the dwindling number of native plant habitats. Thanks to their efforts, the ten acre Botanical Gardens at Asheville (BGA) was born on land owned by what is now UNC-Asheville.

The Botanical Gardens is still thriving and this year will be celebrating the 50th anniversary. Look for special events, educational programs, and special themed guided garden walks.

The first big event will be the 50th Anniversary Party on April 18. For more information, visit the BGA web site at: www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

Looking for ways to “green” your home? Whether you want to reduce your energy use, conserve water, choose environmentally friendly materials and products, reduce your waste, or protect your health, you’ll find suggestions at www.epa.gov/greenhomes.

Find specific ideas for each area of your home with the room by room feature.

The Asheville Earth Day festival will take place on Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Asheville at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

The event will feature non-profits, green vendors, craft vending, and food from local and regional vendors, as well as some national and regional musicians.

For more information, visit www.avlearthday.org.

Canning season will be here before we know it so it’s time to get prepared. Don't forget to check your equipment to make sure it is ready for use. Buy new lids to replace the lids used last year. Check your bands and jars to see that they are in good condition.

Check your gaskets and pressure gauges too. Call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension to set up an appointment to check the pressure gauge.

Learn more about canning or just to brush up on the newest information on food preservation from canning to freezing to drying, come to the Canning and Preserving Made Easy program on April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. This program is an introduction to canning, pickling, making jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage.

Preregistration is required and the fee of $10 covers costs for materials. Call 255-5522 for more information or to register.