Chautauqua 2011: Ideas that Changed America

Chautauqua will feature 4 visionaries whose ideas helped shape America: Mark Twain, Frances Perkins, W.E.B. Du Bois & Albert Einstein.

Greenways Master Plan Kickoff - June 10

Buncombe County Commissioners and the Parks, Greenways & Recreation Board kickoff Connect Buncombe.

Interested in Foster Parenting?

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, this training is for you.

GrowGreener and Save Green

Drive green & save green.

June Garden Chores

Don't forget these garden chores for June!

Concert in the Park - TODAY!

Mark your calendar for Friday, June 10.

Flag Day - TODAY!

Don't forget to show your patriotism by flying your flag for Flag Day!

Picnic Planned at Holmes State Forest - Reg. by June 15

After exploring the forest, we'll gather for a picnic lunch at the shelter.

Advanced Polymer Clay Class - Reg. by June 17

Are you ready to take the next step in polymer clay? Let your imagination go wild as you build on the skills you already have.

Asheville Humane Needs Foster Parent Volunteers!

Help save the lives of animals too young for adoption, who are ill or injured, or need a short, recuperative stay until they're adoptable.

Recipe of the Week - Teriyaki Meatball Appetizers

Congratulations to Terry Cline for his Teriyaki Meatball Appetizers recipe!

Starbucks Coffee Company has set an ambitious goal for its cups. By 2015, Starbucks wants 100% of its cups to be either reusable or recyclable. That goal has two parts.

First, the company plans to continue to encourage customers to choose and carry reusable mugs and cups. By 2015, they hope to be serving 25% of all drinks in customers’ reusable cups.

Second, following a 2009 “Cup Summit,” the company has been working with paper manufacturers to test the recyclability of its paper carryout cups. In some areas, manufacturers are experimenting with cup-to-cup recycling, and, in others, old cups are being turned into new napkins and similar products. Test results have been promising. As the project continues, Starbucks hopes to offer more in-store recycling bins for used paper cups.

Currently, Starbucks hot beverage paper cups are 10% post-consumer
recycled paper, and the cup sleeves are recycled cardboard. Starbucks operates over 15,000 stores.

On Thursday, June 16, Buncombe County DSS will start their summer training session for prospective foster parents. This is a 30 hour training and is designed to help individuals and families decide if they would like to become foster parents.

This class is free and will run on Thursday nights for 10 weeks from 6-9 p.m. To sign up or for more information, please call Erica Jourdan at 250-5868 or email her at familiesforkids@buncombecounty.org.

Reel in a big fish, but not big enough to qualify for a state record? If so, check out the N.C. Angler Recognition Program, which recognizes anglers who catch trophy-sized fish that aren’t state-record size.

If you catch a fish that meets or exceeds either weight or length requirements, you can submit your catch information to the Wildlife Commission’s Division of Inland Fisheries in exchange for a certificate of recognition featuring a color reproduction of the fish species by renowned wildlife artist Duane Raver.

Collect six NCARP certificates and receive a Master Angler certificate and patch. Because either lengths or weights can be used to certify a fish as NCARP-eligible, you can catch-and-release the fish. Youth age 15 and younger can apply for a Youth NCARP certificate. Minimum length and weight requirements are waived.

If you think you might have caught a fish that merits a state record, the North Carolina State Freshwater Fishing Record page provides information, including a downloadable application.

Having a problem with one of your plants? Need help? Come to the one of the Plant Problem Clinics held by Extension Master Gardeners. The clinics are held at the WNC Farmers’ Market in the breezeway between the retail buildings.

June 11 & 25 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.