Trying To Find Affordable Rental Housing?

Ever tried to find affordable rental housing in Buncombe County? If you are wondering where to start, here's some information that can help.

Save Gas, Save Money!

Gas prices are predicted to continue to rise throughout the summer. There are some questions that you should be asking and the answers could save you money!

Is There a Bat in Your Belfry?

Judging from the calls the Cooperative Extension office has received during the past few weeks, bats have become a concern for many homeowners in Buncombe County.

Tim Burton: Ed Wood & Bride of the Monster - August 12

Join Ken Hanke, film critic and author of Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography as he shares his enthusiasm for the genius of screenwriter, producer and director Tim Burton.

Carl Sandburg Home - Senior Sightseers

Tour the home of Carl Sandburg, nationally renowned poet and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes.

Garden Chores for August

Find out what you should be doing in your garden for the month of August.

Pet Picture of the Week

Congratulations to Suzanne Wheeler of Asheville for the picture of her cat, Jackson.

Recipe of the Week

Congratulations to Brenda Burgin of Asheville for her Broccoli Casserole recipe!

Berries are a special treat…both for your taste buds and a nutrition treat for your whole body. Fruits are naturally nutrient-rich; full of vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytonutrients. They’re also low in calories. Eat them by the handful right off the bush, on top of cereal or yogurt for a great breakfast or in great desserts and smoothies.

To enjoy this summertime treat in the winter, berries are easy to freeze. Just wash and pat dry. Spread them on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Them put them in ziplock bag and gently squeeze the bag to remove the air.

For more information and some delicious berry recipes go to: 

• Eating Well  
• 12 Delicious, Easy Ways to Enjoy Fruit (PDF)

Buncombe County is a member of the Hazardous Household Waste Program (HHW). HHW are accepted each Friday, except holidays, between 9 am and 3 pm at a special drop off area at the landfill.

HHW is accepted for $2 per gallon for paint-related material, such as paint thinner, kerosene, gasoline and paint. Other materials, such as lawn, garden and agricultural chemicals are accepted from Buncombe County residents, at no charge.

Periodically, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture will pick-up these chemicals and their containers and have them incinerated. It is important to be a responsible pesticide applicator and dispose of left over chemicals and containers properly to ensure environmental safety.

If you have questions, call the Landfill at 645-5311.

Zip. Zero. Zilch. That's how much it will cost you to use Asheville's bus system from Aug. 14-Nov. 11.

The city of Asheville is providing 90 days of free bus service to encourage citizens to try the city's public transportation system and increase regular ridership.

And if free service is not encouragement enough, there are hundreds of other reasons to take the bus: reducing energy consumption, avoiding high gas prices, better personal health, less traffic and congestion, improved air quality, less emissions and direct support of the local economy.

Asheville will launch 90 days of free bus service with a community event on Aug. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Asheville Transit Center, 49 Coxe Ave. The event will feature a kick off ceremony with City Council members and a picnic lunch sponsored by 12 Bones Smokehouse (5 Riverside Drive) and Clingman Avenue Coffee and Catering (242 Clingman Ave.).

Bus information including maps and schedules will be available at the event, and transit staff will be on hand to help potential riders locate convenient bus stops and routes. The event is free and open to the public.

For schedule and route information, visit http://www.ashevillenc.gov/transit/routes.htm.