Don’t Leave Children or Animals in the Car!

Over 230 children nationwide have died after being left in a hot car (sometimes on relatively mild days with only 70 degree temperatures) since 1998.

Do You Know Who Your Beneficiaries Are?

If something were to happen to you, do you know who you have designated as your beneficiary on your life insurance or retirement?

Tax Bills Will Be in the Mail the Week of August 22

It is that time again. Buncombe County will be mailing out property tax bills on August 22.

Time for Energy Saving Tips

With the heat of the past few weeks, we are all bracing for a high electric bill. It could be a good time to think about energy conservation.

Special Olympics Needs You!

If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity that can make a difference in both your life and the lives of others, Special Olympics is the place for you, and we need you in September!

Pruning Raspberries

Do you know how to prune your blackberries and raspberries? We can help.

Pet Picture of the Week

Congratulations to Kathy Hollingsworth of Candler for the pictures of her cats Brutus and Rufus, and her dog, Sasha.

Recipe of the Week - Sherbet Fruit Pops

Congratulations to Sally Cline of Weaverville for her Sherbet Fruit Pops recipe!

Being active during summer months can be easy with outdoor play, sports and camps. Now kids will be sitting in classes most of the day and then focused on homework after school. Setting aside time for homework is important, but it can be just as important to set aside time for physical activity.

Here are some tips on ways to make sure your family is staying active into the fall.

• Our children spend more time in front of the TV than they do in school! Monitor TV and screen time and set limits on how much time your child spends in front of the TV, video games or non-schoolwork related computer activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children of all ages watch no more than 2 hours of TV per day.
• Keep a list of active past times that your child enjoys and encourage them to be up and moving for at least 30 minutes when they get home from school. The added benefit of a physical activity break is that your child may be able to focus better on homework after exercise.
• Be prepared with games or sports equipment for after school. Old favorites such as Frisbees, hula hoops and jump ropes are inexpensive and enjoyed by kids of all ages. Even board games and art projects will be more active than watching TV.
• If your child attends an after school program, find out how much active play is provided. If this is limited, encourage the program to offer more opportunities.
• Consider enrolling your child in a youth sports program. Both Buncombe County and Asheville City Parks and Recreation Departments have programs for youth. You can find information on programs that Buncombe County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring on their website.
  For City Youth programs, go to the Asheville Parks and Recreation website.
• Coordinate with other families to get kids together for physical activity and play.
• Plan family activities that get everyone moving such as a walk or bike ride after dinner. This can also be a great way to catch up and share the events of the day.

For more information on ways to keep kids active view the Healthy Eating, Healthy Moving, Healthy You pdf.

It is hard to believe that it's almost time, once again for the Mountain State Fair.

• Start evaluating your flower and vegetable gardens now for possible entries.
• Entry forms should be submitted to the fair office by August 27 to ensure your space.
• Pre-registering also significantly speeds up your entry process when you deliver your specimens to the show as your tickets will already be prepared.
• The 2007 Fair will run September 7 thru 16.
• For a Fair catalog and forms contact the NC Mountain State Fair office at 828-687-1414 or to access the catalog on line, visit the website at: http://www.ncagr.com/markets/fairs/mtnfair/
  and select “competitions.”

Extension Master Gardeners will hold a plant problem clinic at the WNC Farmers Market on August 25 from 11 am – 2 pm in the breezeway between the retail buildings. Bring your questions and/or examples of plants that are giving you problems.

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