Buncombe County eGov Weekly eZine - Volume: 6 Issue: 15

April 12 - 19, 2010

Got Hard to Recycle Items?

The One Stop Drop Recycling Bazaar will take place on April 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Asheville City Market on South Charlotte Street.  Asheville Greenworks will be collecting hard to recycle materials such as expired pharmaceuticals, small CFLs, broken down moving boxes, computers, Styrofoam, plastic pots, #5 Plastics, bottle caps, rechargeable batteries, cell phones and more.

Look for a complete list of hard to recycle items accepted at ashevillegreenworks.org.

Don't forget that during the weeks of April 17 - May 1, Buncombe County is encouraging all of us to get out and clean up the County.

Complete story

Does Your Teenager Need a Work Permit and How Do They Get One?

A work permit or Youth Employment Certificate (YEC) is required for all youth employed under 18 years of age.

How do they get a Work Permit or YEC?

• Obtain a blank certificate from the Department of Social Services (DSS) or apply online at www.nclabor.com.
• Complete sections from name through zipcode on the form with the signature of a parent or guardian and employer.
• Take the original form to DSS with proof of age documentation (birth certificate, etc.).
• Sign the form in the presence of a DSS issuing officer.
• Take a copy of the approved YEC to the employer on or before the first day of work.

Age Requirements:

• Youths may work at any age when working for parents as long as the parents are the sole owners of the business; however, a YEC is required.
• Youths age 12-13 may work newspaper delivery as long as it is with direct distribution to consumer, no YEC is required.
• Age 14: Minimum age for employment in specified occupations outside school hours.
• Age 16: Minimum age youths may be employed in any occupation, other than a non-agricultural occupation declared to be hazardous or detrimental.
• Age 18: Minimum age for employment in non-agricultural occupations declared hazardous or detrimental.
• There is no minimum age for youth employed as models, actors or performers on motion pictures, theatrical radio or television productions; however,  a YEC is required.

For more information, contact the Buncombe County Department of Social Services at (828) 250-5500.

Census Takers are Knocking

Have you received your census form yet? 

It should be 10 short questions that can be mailed back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form. A census taker must follow-up in person with every address that doesn’t mail back the form in order to obtain the responses. 

Census Takers will be Going Door-to-Door

• From April to July of this year census takers will knock on the door of every household that does not mail back a completed 2010 Census form.

 If a Census Taker knocks on your door, here are some recognition tips to assure the validity of the employee:

• The census taker must present an ID badge that contains a Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date. The census taker may also be carrying a bag with a Census Bureau logo.
• The census taker will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the Local Census Office phone number for verification, if asked.
• The census taker will ONLY ask you the questions that appear on the census form.

What the 2010 Census DOES NOT Ask

• Census takers will not ask you for your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number.
• Census takers also never solicit for donations and will never contact you by e-mail.
• Census takers will not ask about your citizenship status.

For more information, visit 2010census.gov. 

Fraud Awareness Alert Video -- English

Pick Up Trash and Get a FREE T-Shirt

During the weeks of April 17 - May 7, Buncombe County is encouraging all of us to get out and clean up the County. We will provide the bags, vests and a free t-shirt to everyone who promises to pick up at least three bags of trash. 

Just come by the Commissioners' Office at 205 College Street in Asheville to pick up your bags, vests and shirt anytime Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. between April 19 and May 7.    

It's easy:

• Get your bags and vest (and t-shirt) from us
• Pick up the trash
• Leave your bags along the highway
• Call the Department of Transportation at 298-0390 and let them know they need to pick up the bagged trash. 

If you run across any large dumping sites, please report these sites to our Environmental Control Officers at 250-5472.

Mark your calendar now and get out and pick up.

For more information, contact Buncombe County Environmental Control at 250-5472. You can read more about this event in the County's Solid Waste Spring Newsletter below.

Special thanks to Asheville Greenworks for supplying the bags and vests.

Now Is the Time to Plan for "In Season" Produce

Now is the time to start planning for the “In Season” vegetables and fruits. In order to maximize the nutritional value and decrease the cost of eating vegetables and fruits, it is advised to “Eat In Season.”

Here is some advice to make sure you benefit from spring, summer and fall seasonal produce.

• Order your CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery. Most of the farms have already started taking orders for their deliveries this year. This is a win-win situation. You get fresh vegetables and fruits throughout the season and the farms get guaranteed customers.
  
  
• If you are thinking of planting your own garden now is the time to decide on what you want to plant and start getting your soil and garden ready. If you don’t have space for a garden, you can always plant in containers. Tomatoes and other vegetables can grow well in containers and if on wheels, can be moved around as needed.
  
  
• Another alternative to container gardens, if you are tight on space, is to rent space or become involved in a community garden. In our county there are various school and community gardens that allow us to work together to grow our own food.

For more information on CSA’s, getting your own garden ready, or where you might join a community garden, you can contact Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522. Remember, eating more vegetables and fruits is connected to weight management and disease prevention.

Small Fruit for the Garden

Ever wonder what the most popular small fruits for growing in Western North Carolina are? Grapes and berries! They are much more adaptable to the average home garden than fruit trees. They require less space, start producing in a shorter period of time, and generally need less care.

All fruit crops will produce best with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Here are the most popular small fruits to grow in Western North Carolina:

• Strawberries: They bear fruit the second year and a bed may produce for 3 to 4 years. Plant strawberry plants in March or April. When plants begin to flower, remove all flowers the first year. Keep the bed weed free. Mulch will help.
  
  
• Blueberries: Highbush blueberries are native to western North Carolina. Blueberries need a very acid soil - ph 4.2 to 4.8, so it is important to do a soil test before planting. Well maintained blueberry bushes may produce berries for 20 years.
  
  
• Blackberries and Raspberries: Brambles are also fairly easy to grow. They will begin to bear the second season and the patch may last several years if maintained. Annual pruning is important and some varieties require a trellis.
  
  
• Grapes: American bunch grapes can be grown in Western North Carolina, though they require more care than the other small fruits. Vines can produce for many years if pruned annually and with regular pest control. Please note: Muscadines are not reliably cold hardy and wine grapes (viniferas) are difficult because they are very prone to disease.

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

Go Green With Your Pets

A fun and easy way to start going green begins with your family pets. Here's a few tips from fellow pet lovers:

• Dogs and cats love to play with the cardboard cores from paper towel and toilet paper rolls.
  
  
• Parrots and birds love to shred old newspaper put in their cages, and it also serves to collect discarded food and refuse.
  
  
• Recycle older pet toys, collars and leashes to a local animal shelter or rescue group. Stray and abandoned animals will not be picky about the quality, as long as the items are safe and functional.
  
  
• Feline Pine® makes cat litter from renewable Southern yellow pine and natural guaranteed and is 100% biodegradable.
  
  
• Yesterday's News® makes cat litters that utilize recycled newspaper to create safe, odor controlling pellets that are low tracking and environmentally friendly. Use traditional, non-clumping cat litter to ease the landfill.
  
  
• Cleaning with organic and natural cleaners is another simple way to help the environment and the welfare of your pets - vinegar, water and baking soda can do wonders.
  
  
• When you walk your dog, bring along a plastic grocery bag to pick up trash and recyclables along the way. You'll feel better inside and out, and Mother Earth will certainly thank you.

Source:  Asheville Humane e-news

Used Book Sale at the Enka-Candler Library

The Friends of the Enka-Candler Library will be having a used book sale on Friday, April 16 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There will be a preview sale for Friends members on Thursday, April 15 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Enka-Candler Library. For more information, call 250-4758.

Healthy Kids Day and a Bicycle Rodeo!

Put play in your day! Join us for a fun, relaxing and active celebration -the YMCA Healthy Kids^® Day - on Saturday, April 17 at Carrier Park in Asheville from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event is free for everyone!

The YMCA Healthy Kids^® Day is the nation’s largest health day dedicated to children and families. The event offers families a chance to play together and learn more about ways they can become physically active in their community.

Join us for activities, games, food, music and a nature walk put on by Kids in Parks. Bring your bicycle so you can participate in the Bicycle Rodeo! 

More About the Bicycle Rodeo...

The Healthy Buncombe Bicycle Rodeo helps children of all ages and skill levels learn the rules of the road in a safe environment. In addition to teaching basic safety and traffic skills, bicycle professionals from area bike shops will check your child’s bike and helmet for fit and safety.

If your child does not have a bike or helmet they can still participate. Bikes and helmets will be available in a variety of sizes.

Children need to be accompanied by an adult in order to participate and they must be wearing close-toed shoes. No flip flops please! The rodeo event will be held in the parking lot to the far right of the track complex.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day, visit the YMCA’s website or the Kids Friendly Asheville website. To learn more about the Bicycle Rodeo, call 250-6994 or visit www.healthybuncombe.org.

Pets of the Week - Check Out These Cuties!

This week we are featuring some Asheville Humane Society animals that need a loving home.

Watch BCTV 2's Pet Adoption PSA. 

Please note:  If you click on a link to one of the pets below and it doesn't show a picture and description, the pet is no longer available for adoption.

Hector  Dog  Male Border Collie/Retriever, Labrador 2 months

Matthew  Cat Male  Domestic Long Hair/Mix  2 years

Layla  Dog  Female Boxer/Terrier, Pit Bull 1 year

Sprouts  Cat Female Domestic Medium Hair/Mix 3 years

If you are interested in adopting one these fabulous animals, or would like to look at any of the other wonderful animals that need homes, visit the Asheville Humane Society's website. Questions? Call the Asheville Humane Society at 828-253-6807.

Recipe of the Week - Pineapple Juice Pie

Ingredients:

• 7 eggs, separated
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 lg. can pineapple juice
• baked pie shell  

Directions:

1. In large saucepan, heat all pineapple juice, except for 1/2 cup.
2. In large mixer bowl, beat egg yolks, flour, salt, sugar, and 1/2 cup of pineapple juice. Beat long enough to have mixture lump free.
3. Add egg yolk mixture to heated pineapple juice, stirring constantly.
4. Cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. Pour into baked pie shell. Add meringue and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until meringue browns.
   

Please select the “Recipe of the Week” icon in the sidebar of the eZine if you are interested in entering the contest. If your recipe is selected you will receive a prize!

Did You Know?

50 Years at the Botanical Gardens

In 1960, a group of local citizens had the vision of establishing a public garden to showcase plants native to the Southern Appalachian area. Even at that time they were concerned about the loss of biodiversity and the dwindling number of native plant habitats. Thanks to their efforts, the ten acre Botanical Gardens at Asheville (BGA) was born on land owned by what is now UNC-Asheville.

The Botanical Gardens is still thriving and this year will be celebrating the 50th anniversary. Look for special events, educational programs, and special themed guided garden walks.

The first big event will be the 50th Anniversary Party on April 18. For more information, visit the BGA web site at: www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

Green @ Home

Looking for ways to “green” your home? Whether you want to reduce your energy use, conserve water, choose environmentally friendly materials and products, reduce your waste, or protect your health, you’ll find suggestions at www.epa.gov/greenhomes.

Find specific ideas for each area of your home with the room by room feature.

Asheville Earth Day Festival 2010

The Asheville Earth Day festival will take place on Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Asheville at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

The event will feature non-profits, green vendors, craft vending, and food from local and regional vendors, as well as some national and regional musicians.

For more information, visit www.avlearthday.org.

Canning and Preserving Made Easy - April 26

Canning season will be here before we know it so it’s time to get prepared. Don't forget to check your equipment to make sure it is ready for use. Buy new lids to replace the lids used last year. Check your bands and jars to see that they are in good condition.

Check your gaskets and pressure gauges too. Call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension to set up an appointment to check the pressure gauge.

Learn more about canning or just to brush up on the newest information on food preservation from canning to freezing to drying, come to the Canning and Preserving Made Easy program on April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. This program is an introduction to canning, pickling, making jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage.

Preregistration is required and the fee of $10 covers costs for materials. Call 255-5522 for more information or to register.