Buncombe County eGov Weekly eZine - Vol. 1   Issue 21
May 23, 2005 - February 15, 2010

The County Commissioners will hold a special meeting to discuss a new proposal for the future of the region's water resource. 

On Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at 4 p.m. in Room 204 of the County Courthouse the County Commissioners will hear from staff and discuss what they feel is the best solution for all the citizens of Buncombe County and Western North Carolina. 

After taking a fresh look at the water issue in light of the Asheville City Council's recent offer and with the end of the current water agreement approaching, the Commissioners are working diligently to find the solution that will be a "win-win" for the citizens of the City, County and region.

The Buncombe County Department of Social Services issues youth employment certificates for youth between the ages of 14 and 18.   Some schools can also issue permits and the guidance counselors have this information.

A Youth Employment Certificate must be obtained before any youth under 18 years of age is employed unless there is an exemption from the youth employment requirements of the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act.

Both DSS and department of Labor (Raleigh) maintain a file of these permits. DSS has copy of the state and federal laws regarding youth employment which are available for parents or employers. In addition, employers are required to know applicable state and federal laws regarding youth employment.

For an application please call Buncombe County Department of Social Services at 250-5500 or visit their website.

There are plenty of things to take care of before going out of town. The pets, the mail, but what about the house itself?   Asking your neighbors to watch your home while you are on vacation is a good idea, however, did you know that you can also rely on the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department?

If you are going out of town on vacation or if you are having problems in your neighborhood, you can contact a Patrol Officer or call Crime Prevention for an extra patrol check. The Sheriff's Department will take down the information needed; dates, times, etc., and Patrol will check your home when possible.

For more information please call Sgt. Helen Hall at 250-4547 or Sgt. Mike Fagan at 250-4511.

It's great to be patriotic and support your country! Did you know that there is a proper way to display your flag?

Important Do's...

• It is the universal custom to display the national flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open, but it should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement. The U.S. flag may be displayed at night upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect.
• The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
• Display the U.S. flag on all days that weather permits but especially on national and state holidays and other days that may be proclaimed by the President of the United States. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be half-staffed until noon.
• The U.S. flag should be displayed on or near the main building of every public institution during school days in or near every schoolhouse and in or near every polling place on election days.
• Always hoist the U.S. flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.

Important Don’ts...

• Never in any way should any disrespect be shown the U.S. flag.
• The U.S. flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags and organization or institutional flags are dipped as a mark of honor.
• The U.S. flag should never be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
• The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it – ground, floor, water or merchandise.
• The U.S. flag should never be carried horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• Always allow the U.S. flag to fall free – never use the U.S. flag as drapery, festooned, drawn back, or up in folds. For draping platforms and decoration in general, use blue, white and red bunting. Always arrange the bunting with the blue above, the white in the middle and the red below.
• The U.S. flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in a manner which will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way. Never use the U.S. flag as a covering or drape for a ceiling.
• Never place anything on the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag should never have placed upon it, or on any part of it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.
• Never use the U.S. flag for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything. The U.S. flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard; or used as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
  

Everyone knows that you should be careful when you're out in the sun. The sun can damage your skin and even kill you if you don't take proper precautions!

• When possible, avoid outdoor activities during the hours between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Always wear protection against both UVA and UVB sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
• Be sure to reapply sunscreen frequently, especially after swimming, perspiring heavily or drying off with a towel.
• Wear a hat with a 4-inch brim all around because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
• Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors by preventing more UV rays from reaching your skin. A tightly woven fabric provides greater protection than loosely woven fabric.
• To protect your eyes from sun damage, wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
• Consider wearing cosmetics and lip protectors with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin year-round.
• Swimmers should remember to regularly reapply sunscreen. UV rays reflect off water and sand, increasing the intensity of UV radiation and making sun protection especially important.
• Some medications, such as antibiotics, can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the medicines you take and learn more about extra precautions.
• Children need extra protection from the sun. One or two blistering sunburns before the age of 18 dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer. Encourage children to play in the shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.

All outdoor pools open for the summer season beginning May 28. The operating hours will be Monday through Friday from noon until 5:45 pm., Saturdays from 11 am. until 6:45 pm. and Sundays from 1 to 6:45 pm.

County pools include:

Cane Creek Pool (Fairview); Erwin Community Pool (Leciester); Hominy Valley (West Buncombe); North Buncombe (Weaverville); Owen (East Buncombe); and Recreation Park (Central).

There will be two sessions of swim lessons offered this summer:

• The first session will take place from June 20 - 30 with registration beginning on June 13.
• The second session will take place from July 18 - 28 with registration beginning on July 11. The cost is $25 per child per session. You must register at the pool you will be attending.

Did you know?

• Lap swim will be offered this year at Cane Creek Pool, Owen Pool and North Buncombe Pool on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 - 7 pm.
• Recreation Park Pool will be closed June 3 - 5 for a swim meet.
• All pools are also available on a rental basis for parties. The cost is $60 per hour. This includes one lifeguard for 25 kids or less. There is a $10 charge for additional lifeguards.
• The entry fee to the pools is $3 per person for open swim. Two types of passes are available. There is a $20 pass for 10 visits or a $45 pass for 25 visits. The price for lap swim is $3.50 per person or $25 per month.

For more information please call the Zuegner Recreation Center at 684-5072 or email teri.gentile@buncombecounty.org.

Join your fellow citizens in a Memorial Day ceremony at City County Plaza on Monday, May 30 at 2 pm. The program will honor veterans of all military services and wars.

There will be a wreath display and a MIA (Missing In Action) Memorial. The public is invited to bring a flower and add it to the wreath or beside the MIA Memorial in memory of a veteran.

The speaker for the event will be Glen Matyabas, a veteran recently returned from Iraq. Bob Caldwell of WLOS-TV will be the master of ceremonies. The program will also include music from the Asheville Christian Academy Band and Chorus along with Colonel Ernest Miller of the Salvation Army. The Enka High School ROTC, Buncombe County Commissioner Chairman Nathan Ramsey, Asheville Mayor Charles Worley and Veterans Administration Chaplain Melba Banks will also participate in the ceremony.

There will be flags, presentation of colors and the formal memorial observance with TAPS and respectful silence. For more information please call Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services at 298-6118 or email parksalive@buncombecounty.org.  

• You can plant a row for the hungry!
  

  "Plant A Row For The Hungry" is a nationwide program, sponsored by the Garden Writers of America, which encourages gardeners to plant some extra fruits and vegetables to donate to the local food bank. In Buncombe County the project is sponsored by MANNA Food Bank and Extension Master Gardeners. Please consider joining our local gardeners and plant an extra row.  To learn more about gardening contact Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.

  Your clean, fresh produce may be delivered to MANNA at 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm.

• You should wash melons - salmonella can grow on them!
  Safe food handling is always important but especially during summer months when outside temperatures can reach over 100 degrees.  At these temperatures, keeping food that should be at 40 degrees or colder can be very difficult. One food many people forget to keep cold is melons. Harmful bacteria, particularly Salmonella and Shigella, have been shown to grow on watermelons, cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Some of the largest food borne outbreaks have been attributed to melons.   

• For summer fun, you can make play dough!
  

  It's easy and fun to make play dough!

  All you need is:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup salt
  • 2 T. cream of tartar
  • 2 t. cooking oil
  • food coloring

  Combine flour, cream of tartar and salt in a heavy pan. Combine water, cooking oil and food coloring in another container. Add liquid to dry ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring until desired consistency is obtained. Plain flour must be used for good results.