H1N1 Is Here

On May 29, Buncombe County has first case of H1N1 Virus confirmed.

It’s summer again and time to hit the pool. But wait... do you know how to protect yourself from getting sick while swimming?

Flooding is one of the most common disasters in WNC. Where will your family be if it floods? At work, at school, in the car? How will you find each other? How will you and your family keep safe?

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services will offer two sessions of swim lessons this summer.

Don't forget these garden chores for June!

The best strategy for protecting yourself against skin cancer is to minimize your exposure to the sun.

Special Olympics Buncombe County seeks volunteer helpers.

Join us for a day filled with fun and great food.

Please consider giving a home to one of these wonderful pets! The shelter is okay, but they would love to have a home of their very own!

Congratulations to Carrie Allison for her Pineapple Chicken Stir-fry recipe!

Walking is an easy exercise, but use this minute rule to make sure you’re hoofing it hard enough to get the minimum benefit.

Strap on a pedometer and make sure you’re taking about 100 steps a minute. This will help ensure that you meet baseline exercise requirements for intensity level.

The Meaning of Moderate

For maximum health, you want to aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week. But what does "moderate" mean? In a study, researchers found that men needed to take 92–102 steps a minute and women needed about 91–115 steps per minute to elevate their heart rate and oxygen intake high enough to qualify their activity as moderately intense. How fit is your heart? Take this heart-rate recovery quiz.

Watch Your Steps

If you are new to exercise or have a health condition, check with your doctor before trying to hit the benchmark of 100 steps per minute. If exercise is old hat to you, don’t let yourself get too comfortable with the number. As the researchers pointed out, this is really the minimum walking pace that qualifies as moderate-intensity exercise. 

Source:  RealAge.com

Begins Monday, June 1 at all Buncombe County Public Libraries

Buncombe County Public Libraries are having a summer pet food drive to help Meals on Wheels restock their pet food pantry. Please bring unopened dog, cat or bird food to any Buncombe County Public library in June, July or August.

For more information call the Swannanoa Library 250-6486 or email library@buncombecounty.org.

The newly renovated Buncombe County Law Library has reopened to the public. The Law Library is on the 10th floor of the Buncombe County Courthouse and the hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Law Library's collection emphasizes North Carolina materials through books and online databases. North Carolina treatises are available, as well as state and appellate cases, statutes, local ordinances, regulations, law reviews, form books and directories. Internet access and copiers are also provided. Materials may not be checked out from the law library. Copies and printouts are 25¢ per page.

The Law Library staff offers reference assistance to all patrons but cannot give legal opinions or interpret legal materials.

For more information, contact the Law Library at 250-4734 or email law.library@buncombecounty.org.

Extension Master Gardeners will present the next program in their Gardening in the Mountains series, Flowers for the Cutting Garden on June 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the NC Arboretum. Free admission.

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

Wednesday, June 10 from 8 a.m. - noon
200 Haynes, Enka Campus

This half-day workshop will provide an overview of harnessing rain for the following two uses:

1. non-potable uses
2. maximizing the recharge of underground water aquifers

A variety of speakers from both the private sector and local governmental agencies will be providing up to date information on best-use practices.

Topics will include current regulations, collection/distribution/storage systems, zeriscaping, and water quality with respect to purification methods. This workshop has applied to the NC Board of Architecture for approved continuing educational credits. This class will be geared towards many facets of our community, including architects, contractors, and homeowners. (4 hrs) No fee exemption.

Total registration fee is $75. For more information or to register, call (828) 254-1921, ext. 5858 or go to www.abtech.edu/ce/schedule/gist.asp.