Live Life. Love Life. Buncombe Life. TODAY!

Where do my tax dollars go? Who do I call about a junk mobile home? Find the answers to these tantalizing questions and more in Buncombe Life - available in the Asheville Citizen-Times on September 26th.

Could Emergency Personnel Find You?

If you need an ambulance, you should call 911. Could they find you? You can make sure!

Pack Square Update

Here's the latest on the development in the middle of downtown.

Fall Garden School - September 29

Learn to improve your landscape at this free garden school!

NFL - Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick - September 29

The NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick program is a national skills competition for boys and girls between the ages of 8-15.

Healthy Tip - Plain Soap as Effective as Antibacterial Without the Risk

Antibacterial soaps show no health benefits over plain soaps and, in fact, may render some common antibiotics less effective, says a University of Michigan public health professor.

Enter the Scarecrow Contest - Register by September 21

Enter the Scarecrow Festival – Free! Scarecrows will be set up at Lake Julian during this family fun festival.

Kids Fishing Derby - September 29

Join in the fun and try to win a prize!

Pet Picture of the Week - Please Give Me a Home!

This week we are featuring some animals available for adoption from FurEver Friends. Please consider making one of these animals your "FurEver" friend by giving it a loving home.

Recipe of the Week - Lime Cooler Bars

Congratulations to Jessie Austin of Asheville for her Lime Cooler Bars recipe!

On July 19, 2007 the United States Department of Agriculture began a national recall of canned meat products from Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta, Georgia. Ninety-one (91) chili, stew, gravy and pet food products were recalled. The contaminant was Clostridium Botulinum.

By July 31, 2007 the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (faced with thousands of potential product distribution points) asked over 700 local environmental health specialists to assist in product identification and disposal at locations including gas stations, food pantries, grocery stores, restaurants, nursing homes, child care facilities and restaurants.

Our Environmental Health Food and Lodging Staff devoted 5 workdays to this project. They visited 413 establishments; found 15 establishments with recalled products.

Their efforts not only identified North Carolina as one of the most efficient and productive states in the nation during this recall, but could have saved the life of a Buncombe County citizen.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Is your voter information current? For answers...don't delay...check today!

Visit: buncombecounty.org/vote

• Cut leggy stems of petunias back by half to encourage new growth.
• Empty and change water in bird baths, pets' water bowls and potted plant saucers every two to three days to discourage growth of mosquito larvae.
• Harvest cantaloupes when the fruit slips easily from the stem when tugged gently. Watermelons are ready if you hear a dull thud when you thump the skin.
• Pick ornamental gourds after they have fully ripened on the vine -- the shell should be hard and the vine withered. Leave several inches of stem on the gourd.
• Zinnias, cosmos and dahlias make beautiful, long-lasting cut flowers. Cut in the a.m. hours. Remove any leave that will be underwater before putting the stems into your vase.

Source: Carolina Country Magazine

• Date:  September 24 at 10 am 
• Register:  By September 20. Contact Grace Young at 250-4265.
• Location:  Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Administration Office in Erwin.
• Cost:  FREE

The staff of Buncombe County Cooperative Extension will tell you how to store or freeze your vegetables for future use.

Don't forget that we are still collecting items for our troops overseas. Drop your donation off at any Buncombe County branch library.

Complete Story & List of Items