Bird Flu in the Sweeps

It's May which is TV sweeps month and one of the first big movies will be "Fatal Contact--Bird Flu in America".

Nearly 2100 Children a Day are Reported Missing

Every parent has experienced the panic of not knowing where there child is, if only for a minute. Parents should always be prepared by keeping updated records, and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department can help!

You Can Now Look at Past Issues of the eZine!

Was there an article in a past issue of the eZine that you would like to read again? Or maybe a recipe you wanted to try and you never got around to it? Here is your chance!

The Carpenter Bees Are Arriving!

If you haven't noticed their arrival yet, you should very soon, as the carpenter bees are becoming active.

Garden Chores for May

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather by getting started on some of the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension's recommended garden chores for May.

Foolproof Plants for the Weekend Warrior

Join us for a free lecture series presented by the North Asheville Library and the NC Cooperative Extension Service's Master Gardeners program.

Pet Picture of the Week

Congratulations to Kelly Rodriguez for the pictures of her dog, Sweetie.

Recipe of the Week

Congratulations to Jane Erwin of Asheville for her Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole recipe!

Spring is in full force and it’s time to think about our summer gardens. What fresh produce will your family enjoy harvesting? Include the kids in choosing what you’ll plant. Plant a pizza garden with tomatoes, peppers and herbs like basil and oregano. Try something new like sugar snap peas, pumpkins or watermelon! All of these make for healthy choices. Also consider growing onions and herbs to add flavor and increase nutritional value.

In addition to healthy food, we reap other benefits from working in our garden. Planting, weeding and other garden tasks are great ways to get some exercise. Just remember to cover up from the harsh mid-day sun with hats, sunscreen and long clothing. If you can’t put in a garden of your own, visit some of the U-pick farms. A listing can be found at http://www.buyappalachian.org/ or www.ces.ncsu.edu/GrowingForYou/. You’ll still get some physical activity along with your healthy food for your table.

The concept of celebrating motherhood has been around since ancient times. The ancient Greeks paid tribute to Rhea (the Mother of the Gods) and motherhood in springtime – the most fertile time of year. Later, in the 17th century, England honored mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This celebration was known as ‘Mothering Sunday’, and in England it is still observed.

In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872. Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, saw Mother's Day as being dedicated to peace.

However, it was Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia who is credited with bringing about the official observance of ‘Mother's Day’. She campaigned towards establishing the holiday as a remembrance of her own mother who died in 1905. Jarvis’ mother had, in the late 19th century, tried to establish a similar holiday (Mother's Friendship Days) as a way to heal the scars of the Civil War.

The Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Gardeners' Almanac has been revised and is available at the Buncombe County Center. This "Guide to Environmentally Friendly Gardening in Buncombe County" provides lists of garden chores for each month, a garden lesson each month, a guide to planting vegetables in Western North Carolina, a garden glossary, and references to lots of helpful leaflets.

Pick up your copy for only $5. Call 255-5522 for more information.

On Saturday, May 13, letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks to help some of the millions of Americans, including an estimated 13 million children, who face hunger every day.

Since 1993, families have donated more than a half billion pounds of food to Stamp Out Hunger. You can help make this year our most successful ever: Simply place bags filled with non-perishable food items* like canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice next to your mailbox this Saturday, May 13. Your letter carrier will pick up the bags and take them to your local food bank.

For more information, see www.stampouthunger2006.com.

_{^{*Please do not include out-of-date items or those in glass containers.}}