Get Caught Recycling!

You need to get caught recycling! If you do, you could be a winner.

At noon on June 6, 2008, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will officially open the new Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at 257 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville.

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

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

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, & 5,000 people die from foodborne illnesses each year.

Don't forget these garden chores for June!

Learn more about canning or just brush up on the latest information on food preservation...

Summer is here and hiking is a great way for everyone from small children to seniors to be active.

Heads up! Here is your chance to check out model airplanes of all shapes and sizes at the Buncombe County Sports Park!

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

Congratulations to Crystal Johnson of Leicester for her Grilled Avocado with Mediterranean Salad recipe!

GREAT day trips and workshops for all to enjoy - read the latest newsletters for Sightseers and Buncombe County Parks and Recreation. There is a variety of exciting programs for all ages.

To see a complete listing of Buncombe County Parks & Rec's current programs, see the Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Newsletter, or the Sightseers Workshops & Trips brochure.

For more information, call Buncombe County Parks and Recreation at 250-4260.

June 10 at 10am, join Extension Master Gardeners at the NC Arboretum for the next class in the Gardening in the Mountains Series, “Four Seasons of Flowers."

There is no charge for the class. For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.

Remember, a homeowner should not set back the thermostat on a conventional heat pump when it is in the heating mode. Changing the thermostat setting frequently will cancel out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature setting since the unit will operate more inefficiently should the heat strip or emergency heat come on.

However, in its cooling mode, the heat pump operates like any other air conditioner so manually turning up the thermostat will save money.

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

Everyone looks forward to the warmer weather, more activity and more fun that the summer season brings. However, because of all the increased activity, summer can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for kids, increasing the risk for broken bones, water accidents and other injuries.

To help educate kids and parents on ways to prevent summer injuries, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, Buncombe County Parks and Rec and WNC Safe Kids are teaming up to present a Safe Summer program. Let us help you have the safest summer possible!

Kids will receive hand-outs on bike safety and other safety information designed just for them, the Sheriff's Office will be issuing free kids' ID's and the local fire departments will have fire equipment on site for children to view.

Complete details including dates

Come to South Buncombe/Skyland Library on Saturday, June 7 at 2pm to see BIG construction equipment!

Our good neighbors, Volvo, will display large construction equipment made here in Asheville! Children can sit in the wheel well of an articulated hauler or climb in the cab of a backhoe loader. For more information, call the library at 250-6488.

Don't miss the orientation session on June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Department of Social Services on Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville.

No pre-registration is required. If you have questions, call Erica Jourdan at 250-5513 or email her at erica.jourdan@buncombecounty.org.