Take a Look at a Sample Ballot

There are three ballots in May 6th Primary election – Democrat, Republican and Nonpartisan.

Do you have a refrigerator that refuses to freeze ice cubes? Or maybe it’s a washing machine that has begun shredding clothes?

Locally grown landscape ornamentals, vegetable transplants, herbs, and perennials will be available. Come on out and support your local growers!!

If you have a worn-out or an outgrown pair of Crocs, don’t throw them away. Instead, give them a second life by recycling them.

Grrlyshow, by filmmaker Kara Herold, is an 18-minute film about the feminist zine explosion of the 1990s.

Eastern Redbud has long been a favorite harbinger of spring, as they usually start to bloom about a week ahead of our native flowering dogwoods.

The new system provides a single searchable website that contains community resource information from various communities from across the state.

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

Congratulations to Linda Reese of Swannanoa for her Brownie Cheesecake recipe!

According to 2006 CHAMPS data, half of North Carolina's children spend two or more hours a day watching TV. Almost 10 percent watch four or more hours a day! That's a lot of hours that could be spent being active.

Encourage your family and friends to participate in TV-Turnoff Week April 21-27. During this week, we encourage families to turn off their televisions, computers and video games, and spend time with their families being active. You could go to the park, play a family game of touch football, or throw around a Frisbee!

Physical activity and healthy eating habits form during childhood. Parents should try to limit screen time and help their children be active each and every day.

Try these tips when limiting TV or other screen time:

1. Get the TV out of the bedroom.
2. Plan how much TV you and your family are going to watch.
3. Set clear limits and be a good TV role model.
4. Make a list of activities you want to do instead of watching TV.
5. Don't keep the TV on all the time; tune in to specific shows.
6. Eat together as a family without the TV.
7. Watch with your children. Discuss the shows and the advertising.

For more information on turning off the TV go to www.healthybuncombe.org.

With the cost of almost everything going up each month it seems that the available money is getting less and less. Do you ever wonder at the end of the week where your money went? A few areas you may be able to save are:

• Eliminating the daily 50¢ spent at the office vending machine will add up to $120 a year.
• A $3.50 latte per day for five days will equal $17.50 a week, $70 dollars a month or $840 a year.
• That $7 lunch out five days during the work week will total up to $35 a week or $1820 a year. Bringing snacks from home, changing coffee habits or even bringing leftovers or brown bagging a lunch can all add up to more money in your pocket at the end of the year.

Hint: To better control your spending and see where money goes, carry a piece of paper in your billfold for a week, write down each item that you purchase and the cost. It may be surprising to find out where the money has gone. It will also enable you to make better choices to save money in the future.

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

Important Phone Numbers for County Residents:

• Junk Motor Vehicle Officer — Roger Presley  828-250-5470
• Environmental Control Officer — Rick Ramsey  828-250-5471
• Environmental Control Officer — Jane Cole  828-250-5472
• Environmental/Bioreactor Manager — Kristy Smith  828-250-5473
• Buncombe County Landfill  828-250-5462
• Buncombe County Transfer Station  828-250-6205
• GDS — Residential Trash Pick-up  828-253-3929

Important Phone Numbers for City of Asheville Residents:

• Asheville City Sanitation — Trash Pick-up  828-259-5857
• Curbside Management — Recycling  828-252-2532
• Asheville City — Recycling Division  828-259-5936

Children wishing to hear a story read to them can call 251-KIDS (251-5437). It is accessible 24 hours a day, everyday. The story selection changes every week. Each story is about five minutes long and some include a few songs.

Does your pet need a rabies shot?  Get one CHEAP!

Rabies Shot Clinics - details