What's Happening In Buncombe

After February 17, 2009 your television may never be the same. Are you ready?

Is it REALLY safe to reuse plastic water bottles? If so, which ones are better? We have the answers.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about recycling.

Did you know that Youth Employment Certificates are required for all youths employed under 18 years of age? This is a service provided by DSS.

Make sure your pet is up to date on its shots! Don't miss out on these low-cost shot clinics! Rabies is just $6!

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

Buncombe County and Mountain Mobility are offering to hold outreach meetings regarding ROAP funds.

We have adult cats and LOTS of kittens that need homes!

Congratulations to Martha Benson of Asheville for her Honey Granola recipe!

Six months have passed since you made your New Year’s Resolutions. If you resolved to be more physically active, now is a great time to revisit that decision, or give it a little push.

With longer days and warmer weather, the opportunities for outdoor fun are endless. Take advantage of this time to try some new activities or just enjoy the ones you already love. Either way, moving more every day is easy during the summer.

Try some of these fun summer activities:

1. Go for a swim. There’s nothing like cooling off during a hot day by taking a dip in the pool or lake. Swimming is excellent exercise. It burns many calories and is easy on your joints. Try doing a couple of extra laps the next time you jump in.
2. Gear up for a bike ride. Enjoy the weather, save money and benefit the environment by biking to the movies, the post office or just out to lunch. Biking provides the advantage of door-to-door transport and worry-free parking. In addition, biking burns calories, builds muscles and is easier on your joints than running. Plus, there’s nothing like a bike ride through the country to make you feel like a kid again.
3. Pick up a racket. Grab a friend or three and hit the courts for a game of tennis or badminton. It is great for hand-eye coordination and a fun way to exercise with others. If you aren’t up to playing a game, just hit some balls or shuttlecocks back and forth. You also get the added benefit of running after all of the ones you miss!
4. Explore nature. North Carolina is home to a great many nature parks. From the mountains to the beach, there are waterfalls, forests, and marshes with walking and hiking trails for you to discover the world around you. Hikes can be found for all levels of experience and ability, so take the whole family and enjoy the fresh air – exercise together!
5. Play ball! Baseball is the national pastime, and summer is a great time to get out your bat and glove. Gather your friends together for friendly game. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
6. If you find that the heat and humidity of North Carolina’s summers put a damper on your activity plans, try exercising earlier or later in the day. It is usually cooler first thing in the morning or later in the evening. Be sure to wear clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin to help you stay cool. Carry a water bottle with you and try to choose walking, running, or biking paths that are mostly shaded. This will help you stay cool, too.

With all of these great activities and more, there is no reason to spend the summer sitting indoors. Get out and move more!

The Friends of the Library used book store Bookends, will have a half-price sale every Friday and Saturday in July. Buy any item, and get another item of the same or lesser value free.

Bookends is located at Pack Memorial Library and open during regular library hours. Bookends features gently-read, quality hardbacks and paperbacks for adults and children at great prices. We also have music, movies and magazines available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the library.

If you have any questions, please contact the library at 250-4700.

The Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners are selling rain barrels. If you wish to purchase one, please fill out an order form.

• Price: $110
• 80 gallon barrel measures 37 inches high and 28 inches wide.
• Made of 20% recycled high density polypropylene.
• Heavy concave lid channels water flow into the barrel.
• The screened entry blocks leaves, debris and insects.
• Dark green color discourages algae growth.
• Two overflow ports to move water away from your home.

Convenient pickup at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, August 2, 2008 between 9am and 1pm. Questions? Call Extension Master Gardeners at 255-5522.

On Tuesday, July 29th at 10:00 am, Sgt. Staggs from the NC Highway Patrol will present a free program focused on issues that teen drivers face.

Teenage drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group and traffic accidents are the leading cause of teen fatalities. The problem is worse among 16 year-olds because of limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel.

The location is the Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Administration office at 49 Mt. Carmel Rd in Erwin. Pre-registration is required for this FREE program. Deadline to register is Friday, July 25th.

Visit buncombecounty.org/parks or call Grace Young at 828-250-4265 for additional information.

Strategies for a Vibrant Downtown Asheville - Public Meeting
Tuesday, July 29 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Asheville Civic Center

After meeting with folks in the community, the consultants will report back on what different draft implementation strategies they have developed, and what folks have said during the input sessions on Monday, July 28 & Tuesday, July 29 (more info below). Attendees will have opportunity to comment further on different strategies.

The meetings below will be held at the Public Works Building at 161 S. Charlotte Street - Everyone Welcome

MONDAY, JULY 28

Strategy Workshop 1:
Experiencing Downtown Asheville
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Please join us to discuss strategies focused on improving how people experience downtown - how to preserve and enhance our downtown's historic and cultural resources, downtown circulation and downtown parking convenience.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Strategy Workshop 2:
Shaping Downtown Asheville
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for a discussion on strategies related to how our downtown develops in the future - an urban design framework; new ideas for the development review process; an updated design review procedure; sustainable building standards, etc. We need your input.

Strategy Workshop 3:
Enriching & Managing Downtown Asheville
1:00-3:00pm
In this session, we focus on strategies related to nurturing a sustainable and resilient downtown economy, including many redevelopment possibilities and options as well as a management structure for downtown.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and the Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center have begun working from their new combined communications center. 

All 911 calls for emergencies will be unaffected.

The non-emergency telephone numbers will change for both agencies. All non-emergency telephone calls should be placed to the new telephone numbers.  Should someone call the old number they will receive a recording advising them of the new contact numbers. All emergency calls should be placed to 911.

The new numbers are listed below.

Sheriff
New 250-6670  replacing 255-5555

Emergency Operation Center
New 250-6650  replacing 255-5631