Is Someone Watching You?

Someone out there may be watching you. They may know your name, your address, your phone number, and maybe your credit card number. It’s called identity theft.

New Immunization Requirement for 6th Grade Entry

A new vaccine is now required for students entering 6th grade, beginning this August. The rule change will also apply to those entering college or university for the first time.

Is Your Cooler Healthy?

As summer starts, don't get caught with an unhealthy cooler. A cooler that's not cool can lead to spoiled food and a spoiled good time!

Focus on Flowers: The 4 Season Landscape

Learn to plan your landscape for year-round interest.

5 Week Advanced Manufacturing Class Begins July 14 – Register Now!

The Advanced Manufacturing Preparation Program is a two step program that takes 5 weeks of your time and leads to a great job with higher pay.

Camp Julian - Registration Extended to August 6th!

Local artists, naturalists, archery, fishing, cookouts and other special programs will fill these eight days.

Rain Barrel Sale! Deadline to Order - TODAY!

Here is your chance to get a rain barrel! Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners are selling them.

Healthy Tip - Revisit Your Resolutions to Eat Smart, Move More

Now is the time to revisit your old resolutions or make new Mid-Year Resolutions.

Pet Pictures of the Week - We've Been in the Shelter Way Too Long!

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!

Recipe of the Week - Grilled Salmon

Congratulations to Samantha Benson of Woodfin for her Grilled Salmon recipe!

Is your medicine cabinet filled with expired drugs or medications you no longer use? How should you dispose of them?

Most drugs can be thrown in the household trash, but consumers should take certain precautions before tossing them out, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A few drugs should be flushed down the toilet. And a growing number of community-based "take-back" programs offer another safe disposal alternative.

Complete Story

Buncombe County is supporting the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy program (a summer intern program designed to provide talented students the opportunity to experience a professional work environment) by hosting 4 student interns. Three of these students placed at DSS are working on a project to create shoebox care packages for kids coming into foster care.

If you (or a group you are affiliated with) would like to contribute to this project or you would like more information, please call Chelsea Finley at 250-5610. Watch the eZine for more details about this exciting program!

Bookends used book store at Pack Library is having a bag sale! Buy a library tote bag for $10 and fill it with all the books, movies and music you can stuff in for free.

Bookends is open during regular library hours and has a wide assortment of items for adults and children. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Buncombe County Libraries.

Two hands-on canning workshops are scheduled for this summer. The first will focus on preserving tomatoes and will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at the NCCE - Buncombe County Center from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Participants will get to do actual hands-on canning and review other methods. Cost: $5. For more information or to register for this workshop, call 255-5522.

The second workshop will focus on canning pickles and relishes and will be held on Thursday, July 10 at the NCCE - Madison County Center from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Participants will get to do actual hands-on canning. Cost: $5. For more information or to register for this workshop, call 649-2411.

Tails & Trails 5k Run

• Date:  July 12, 2008 from 10am - 12pm
• Location:  Buncombe County Sports Park
• Register:  9am the morning of the race; 9:30am is the start time with dogs 
• Cost:  $5 per person and 2 cans of dog food to be donated to the Asheville Humane Society.  

If you and your dog like to run together, check out the Tails & Trails 5k Adventure Race! Two-legged and four-legged racers are invited to meet at Buncombe County Sports Park to test their endurance on a 5k run (approximately 3.1 miles) around the Park. 

Drinks and snacks will be available for a fee. Following the race, prizes will be awarded to all who participated in the race. Prizes will include gift certificates for Buncombe County Parks and Recreation programs.

Put you paws to the pavement and come join us for this unique, fun run! For more information, call Jay Nelson at 250-4269.