County's Bond Rating Highest Ever

This elite bond rating, highest in the County’s history, will allow the county to issue bonds for future projects at a lower cost to residents.

In an effort to better understand the environment of Asheville’s downtown, volunteers are currently being recruited to help conduct a Downtown Survey.

Remember that waste reduction, reuse and recycling, like water and energy conservation, are great habits even when times are good.

Let's shed some light on common myths.

The best way to reduce mosquito populations is to make sure water does not stand around after a rain or watering.

They’re off again! On July 30 the Sightseers are heading for historical Abingdon, VA aboard the Sightseer Adventure Van.

The Perennial Plant Association’s 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year is Hakonechloa macra ’Aureola,’ golden hakone grass.

Check out Buncombe County Parks & Rec's "Super Sunday Specials" for the summer season!

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

Congratulations to Maria Fotos for her Watermelon Pie recipe!

Canning and Preserving Made Easy -- Wednesday, July 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Learn more about canning or just brush up on the latest information on food preservation from canning to freezing to drying. This workshop is an introduction to canning, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage and will be held at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center, Marshall, NC.

Cost is $10 ($15 for couples who share materials). To register, call Extension Agent Sue Estridge, Family and Consumer Sciences at (828) 649-2411.

Canning Low and High Acid Foods – July 30 from 10 a.m. to noon

Lecture and demonstration class that will review canning using the water bath and pressure canning methods. Class will be held at the NC Arboretum – call (828) 665-2492 for costs and registration information.

Pressure Canner Testing

Pressure Canner Testing is done only by appointment this year. To have your pressure canner tested please call the Extension Office at 255-5522 and make an appointment.

Unfortunately, the small propane tanks used for camping (small green bottles) are not recyclable. They can be thrown in with your garbage -- UNLESS -- there is any gas left in the bottle.  If there is gas left in the bottle, it needs to be handled as a household hazardous waste (HHW) item.

If you are a Buncombe County resident and your tank still has gas left in it, you can bring the small propane bottle to the Landfill at 81 Panther Branch Road in Alexander on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and they will be accepted as HHW.

If the bottle is empty, it can be thrown away in the garbage. Currently none of the metal recyclers will take the tanks.

Check out this link for more information about household hazardous waste.

AHS is holding a baby shower the entire month of July for the shelter animals!

The summer months bring lots of homeless kittens and puppies to our shelter who need our special care. These babies need lots of supplies and you can help by picking up a few items while running your errands.

AHS is registered at: Lowes, Target, and Wal-Mart. View our registries:

• Lowe's Registry
• Target Registry
• Wal-Mart Registry

You can also pick up a list of AHS baby shower items at Petsmart Customer Service.

Drop off your gifts/donation at:

AHS Shelter
72 Lee's Creek Rd
Asheville, NC 28806

AHS Administrative Offices
55 Shiloh Rd, Ste 6
Asheville, NC 28803

Questions? Call: 828-236-3885 or visit www.ashevillehumane.org.