Buncombe County eGov Weekly eZine - Volume: 4 Issue: 22

June 2 - 9, 2008

Recycle and Get a Ticket

GET CAUGHT RECYCLING AND YOU COULD GET A TICKET… to an Asheville Tourists home baseball game!

Buncombe County Solid Waste will kick off its recycling incentive program June 1st. Asheville Tourist home game tickets (for any home game Sunday through Wednesday) will be given to Buncombe County residents who are caught recycling in the month of June.

Each day in June, five excellent recyclers (residents who recycle with no trash left in bags or containers and all items are recyclable) will be randomly chosen to win tickets at each of the following recycling opportunities:

• Blue bag recycling--any resident with GDS garbage pickup can put recycled items in blue bags at the curb.
• Curbside Recycling--Towns of Woodfin and Weaverville - any resident in Woodfin and/or Weaverville with Curbside Management recycling can win.
• Convenience Center Recycling--any county resident who is caught recycling at any of the three residential recycling drop-off centers could win a ticket. The recycling centers are located at:

             Earth Fare at Westgate Shopping center 
             Transfer Station off Brevard Road 
             Landfill on Panther Branch Road

Make recycling a part of your every day habit and we all win.

Watch this public service announcement (PSA) or visit the County website to find out more!

Recycling PSA

New Crisis Stabilization Unit To Open June 6

At noon on June 6, 2008, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will officially open the new Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at 257 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville.

In partnership with the Western Highlands Network, this 16 bed, 24 hour, 7 day a week crisis unit is the completion of an integral part of Buncombe County’s efforts to address the needs of the mentally ill in crisis and reduce the escalating jail population.

Working in conjunction with the new Crisis Invention Team (CIT) made up of officers from the Asheville Police Department and the County Sheriff’s Office who have completed training to recognize and respond to issues relating to mental illness, the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) will provide an alternative to placing a citizen in the County Detention Center. It will also provide a place where people can recover from an acute mental health crisis without being transported to the state hospital in Broughton.

The CSU will allow the patient to stay close to family and friends and perhaps their own therapist or support network and will allow the County to avoid the cost of transportation and in many cases detention.

In partnership with ARP/Phoenix who will operate the CSU and Mission Hospitals who is developing a one-stop assessment center, the County estimates that this facility will significantly decrease the number of jail beds used by repeat crisis patients and give officers and patients a quicker route to recovery and success.

The CSU will serve the eight county Western Highlands Network LME area including Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey counties.

“The opening of this unit is a perfect example of how utilizing smart partnerships within our community can address a long-standing need,” said Mandy Stone, Assistant County Manager and Human Services Director. “We began working several years ago to redirect consumers from the judicial system to treatment and this is a key piece of that plan,” she said.

“We are very proud of the work done to make this a reality and I’m excited to be a part of the opening of the CSU,” said Carol Peterson, County Commissioner.

Reducing Your Risk of Skin Cancer - Part 2

The best strategy for protecting yourself against skin cancer is to minimize your exposure to the sun.

Cover Up

• Try to limit time in the sun between 10am and 4pm, when the sun is strongest.
• Wear a hat with at least a 4-inch brim to help protect face, ears and neck.
• Wear a closely woven, long-sleeve shirt and long pants. You can get a burn through a loosely-woven t-shirt. If you see light through a fabric, ultraviolet (UV) rays can get through too!

Use Sunscreen

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen which protects against both UVB and UVA rays and that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Also, be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply frequently, especially if you're perspiring or swimming. Be aware that using sunscreen can lure some people into lengthy sun exposure because they feel protected. It is still important to limit sun exposure time, even with a sunscreen.

Source: "Reducing Your Risk of Skin Cancer" published by the American Institute for Cancer Research

Swimming Lessons at Area Pools - Register June 9

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services will offer two sessions of swim lessons this summer.

First Session:

• June 16 – 26 -- Registration will be poolside on June 9 at 12 noon.
• Classes will be Monday - Thursday at the following times:
• • 10 - 10:45 am; Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • 11 - 11:45 am;  Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
  • 11 - 11:30 am; Preschool Class for 3 & 4 year olds
  • 6 - 6:45 pm; Levels 1, 2 and 3 

Second Session:

• July 14 – 24 -- Registration will be poolside on July 7 at 12 noon.
• Classes will be Monday - Thursday at the following times:
  • 10 - 10:45 am; Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • 11 - 11:45 am; Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
  • 11 - 11:30 am; Preschool Class for 3 & 4 year olds
  • 6 - 6:45 pm; Levels 1, 2 and 3 

The cost is $25 per person for a session of eight of classes. A $2.00 discount will be offered for families that have two or more family members enrolled. You must register and pay at the pool at which you will be attending.

Cane Creek Pool (Fairview/Arden)
Erwin Community Pool (Leicester)
Hominy Valley Park Pool (Candler)
North Buncombe Park Pool (Weaverville)
Owen Pool (Swannanoa/Black Mountain)

For more information, call Teri Gentile at 684-5072 or email her at teri.gentile@buncombecounty.org.

Foodborne Illnesses

What are foodborne illnesses? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 people die from foodborne illnesses each year. Most of these can be linked to 4 common types of bacteria:

• Salmonella (sal-mo-nel´ah)
• E. Coli (ē kō´ lī)
• Campylobacter (kăm′ pə-lō-băk´ tər)
• Listeriosis (lis-ter-i-o′ sis)

How are these illnesses spread? These bacteria can contaminate foods and drinks, and when consumed, can make a person ill.

Foodborne illnesses are spread in a variety of ways. The most common include:

• Raw meat and poultry
• Raw eggs
• Unpasteurized milk and juices
• Raw shellfish

What are the symptoms? Most foodborne illnesses are very mild and symptoms may last only a day or two. Mild symptoms include: diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea or vomiting.

What should you do if you think you have a foodborne illness? A foodborne illness can be very serious, especially in the very young, in women who are pregnant, in the elderly and anyone with a lowered immune system.

You should call your doctor if you have:

• high fever
• bloody stools
• prolonged vomiting
• signs of dehydration, or
• diarrhea lasting longer than 3 days

How can this be prevented? There are some simple things that you can do to prevent foodborne illness:

• Cook meat, poultry and eggs well.
  • Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
  • Eggs should be cooked until the yolk is firm.
• Always wash your hands, utensils, and cutting boards after they touch raw meat or poultry and before they touch another food.
  • Put cooked meat on a clean plate, rather back on one that held the raw meat.
• Refrigerate leftover foods if they are not going to be eaten within 4 hours. Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature.
• Wash produce.
  • Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables in running tap water to remove dirt and grime that you can see.
  • Remove and throw away the outer leaves of lettuce or cabbage.
  • Don’t leave cut produce at room temperature for many hours.
• Don't be a source of foodborne illness yourself.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food.
  • Do not prepare food for others if you have diarrhea.
  • Changing a baby's diaper while preparing food can easily spread illness.
• If you suspect foodborne illness, report it to your local health department.
  • The local public health department is an important part of the food safety system.
  • Outbreaks are often first detected by calls from concerned citizens.

For more information go to:

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/food/index.htm and select “Foodborne Infections: General Information”

June Garden Chores

Lawns:

• Do not fertilize cool season lawns until September.
• Practice “grasscycling”. Use a mulching mower and leave clippings on the lawn.

Ornamentals:

• Some trees and shrubs are still showing the damage from last year’s late freeze. Dead branches should be pruned back to live wood. It may take an artistic eye to start reshaping a damaged plant into a desirable form.
• Prune rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel and pieris if needed.
• Late blooming perennials that tend to get too tall, such as Joe-Pye-weed, tall asters, chrysanthemums, can be cut back by half.
• It is not too late to start container gardens. Remember to check containers every couple of days for water needs. Use liquid fertilizer every few weeks or apply slow release granules early in the season.
• Irises can be divided after they have bloomed. Remember to plant the rhizomes shallow, so some of the top of the rhizome is exposed to sunlight.
• House plants and hanging baskets can use more fertilizer now. If you use liquid fertilizer with each watering, be sure to flush the containers with plenty of water occasionally to remove excess salts.

Fruits:

• Most fruit trees have set a heavy crop of fruit this spring. Thin the fruit of peaches, apples, plums to 6 inches apart.
• A healthy strawberry bed can be renovated after harvest. Beds more than 3 or 4 years old are often best removed and replanted in fall or spring.

Vegetables:

• You can still plant many warm season vegetables – squash, cucumbers, beans, pumpkins, tomatoes etc.
• Side dress (fertilize) vegetable plants about 6 weeks after planting, when they have begun to set fruit.
• Cucumbers, green beans, edible pod peas, summer squash and some other vegetables are at their prime for a short time. Check the garden daily and harvest regularly while the fruits are small and tender.
• Keep watermelon and cantaloupe plants well watered while growing. But best flavor will develop if the plants are dryer during the last week or 2 that fruit is ripening.
• If you want more tomato plants, those suckers you remove now will root easily in moist potting soil.
• My favorite method for watering vegetable plants like tomatoes, peppers and squash is to sink a 2 gallon nursery pot about 6 inches deep between 2 plants. Use the pots with several large holes around the sides of the bottom rather than one hole in the center. Put a shovel full of soil into the bottom to anchor it and slow water movement. You can put rotted manure, compost, or a little fertilizer in the pot to add nutrients while watering.

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

Canning and Preserving Workshops

Learn more about canning or just brush up on the latest information on food preservation from canning to freezing to drying by attending Canning and Preserving Made Easy. This workshop is an introduction to canning, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage.

Two workshops are being offered:

• Tuesday, June 10th at the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  To register for this workshop, please contact Cathy Hohenstein, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, at 255-5522.
  OR
• Tuesday, June 17th at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  To register for this workshop, please call Sue Estridge, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, at 649-2411.
• Cost: $5 

Hands-On Canning Workshops: Tomatoes and Relishes/Pickles

Two hands-on canning workshops are scheduled for this summer. The first will focus on preserving tomatoes and will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center from 1-4 pm. Participants will get to do actual hands-on canning and review other methods. Cost: $5. To register for this workshop please contact Cathy Hohenstein, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, at 255-5522.

The second workshop will focus on canning pickles and relishes and will be held on Thursday, July 10th at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center from 1-4 pm. Participants will get to do actual hands-on canning. Cost: $5. To register for this workshop, please call Sue Estridge, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, at 649-2411.

Model Airplane Air Show - June 7

Model Airplane Air Show

• Date:  June 7, 2008 from 10am - 2pm 
• Location:  Buncombe County Sports Park (behind Sandhill-Venable School) 
• Cost:  Free

Heads up! Here is your chance to check out model airplanes of all shapes and sizes at the Buncombe County Sports Park! 

This radio controlled airplane show will include both electric and gas powered airplanes! If you enjoy model airplanes or would like find out how to get into flying them, this show is for you. There will be a static display for the public to view.

For more information, call Jay Nelson at 250-4269 or email him at jay.nelson@buncombecounty.org.

Healthy Tip - Celebrate National Trails Day on June 7th

One of the wonderful things about living in WNC is the abundance of hiking trails. Hiking is a “life sport”, an activity that can be enjoyed with a friend, your family, or alone if you exercise precaution. It is something many develop a passion for as teenagers and young adults that continues into their later years. It requires little equipment beyond a sturdy pair of shoes and a daypack to carry a water bottle, and depending on the trip, a snack, rain gear, a simple first aid kit and a map.

The health advantages of hiking are many and include controlling weight, maintaining mental health and decreasing the risk for many chronic diseases including heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. With the added benefits of spending time with family and friends and exploring your local trails, hiking is a wonderful option for staying physically active in your local community. 

Here are some hints to help you make your hiking experience both enjoyable and healthy:

Choosing a Trail:
It is important to take a good look at your whole group when choosing a trail to explore. The appropriate trail can mean the difference between tears and smiles – especially when hiking with children. Early in your efforts to explore hiking, choose shorter, loop trails that are not too hilly. Build up to those steeper and longer trails. A “jackpot” at the end of the trail, such as a cool mountain lake or stream to splash in, is often a great motivator. Keep in mind, when hiking with children, a positive first experience is critical to maintaining their interest in hiking.

There are many great guidebooks with trail information that can be found at your local library or bookstore. The following are a few suggestions of popular regional trail books.

• Walking the Blue Ridge: A guide to the trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway by Adkins, L.M.
• Hiking the Carolina Mountains by Danny Bernstein
• Play Hard Rest Easy Carolinas & Georgia: The Ultimate Active Getaway Guide by Malcolm Campbell and Deron Nardo
• North Carolina Hiking Trails (Third Edition) by de Hart, Alan
• The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest by Goldsmith, C.F. III, Hamrick, S.E.G., Hamrick, H.J. Jr.
• Farms, Gardens & Countryside Trails of Western North Carolina by Handmade in America

The Carolina Mountain Club has an online “hike finder” that helps you select hikes based on location, trail length and difficulty. The guide will provide you with detailed trail information and often provides maps and photographs.

And don’t forget to ask others for suggestions… friends and neighbors as well as staff at park and national forest visitor centers or facilities are great resources. Staff at local stores that sell hiking and camping equipment often are avid hikers and may be able to give you great suggestions.

For more information on the health benefits of hiking, safety and first aid, trail snacks and more “how to” information, visit the American Hiking Association website.

Adapted from:  Eat Right Montana (PDF)

Pet Pictures of the Week - Can You Give One of Us a Home?

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

Abraham

Breed:  Domestic Short Hair[Mix]
Sex:  Male
Age:  Baby
Size:  Small
ID:  4724223  

Addie

Breed:  Akita[Mix]
Sex:  Female
Age:  Adult
Size:  Medium
ID:  4666188  

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, call the Asheville Humane Society at 828-253-6807 or visit their website.

Recipe of the Week - Grilled Avocado with Mediterranean Salad

Grilled Avocado with Mediterranean Salad

Ingredients:

•  3 ripe avocados, halved with pits removed
• 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
• ½ cup diced roasted red peppers
• ½ cup diced feta cheese
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 4 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 green onion, minced
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
• 3 tsp. minced parsley
• 3 tsp. lemon juice
• Additional salt and pepper for seasoning avocados
• Additional olive oil to brush on avocados
  

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, red peppers, feta, vinegar, olive oil, green onion, salt, pepper and parsley. (Do not make in advance and refrigerate since this mixture should be served at room temperature.)
2. Rub lemon juice on the surface of the avocado halves. Let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Season the avocado halves with salt and pepper. Brush with additional olive oil.
4. Grill avocado halves flesh side down over high heat for several minutes. Once the flesh has deep grill marks, turn halves over, reduce heat to low and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes. The avocados are done when they are hot and soft all the way through.
5. Place each avocado half on a plate. Mound the tomato/red pepper/feta mixture on top of the avocados and serve immediately.

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?

Check Out These Great Programs for All Ages!

GREAT day trips and workshops for all to enjoy - read the latest newsletters for Sightseers and Buncombe County Parks and Recreation. There is a variety of exciting programs for all ages.

To see a complete listing of Buncombe County Parks & Rec's current programs, see the Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Newsletter, or the Sightseers Workshops & Trips brochure.

For more information, call Buncombe County Parks and Recreation at 250-4260.

Four Seasons of Flowers

June 10 at 10am, join Extension Master Gardeners at the NC Arboretum for the next class in the Gardening in the Mountains Series, “Four Seasons of Flowers."

There is no charge for the class. For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.

Do You Own a Heat Pump?

Remember, a homeowner should not set back the thermostat on a conventional heat pump when it is in the heating mode. Changing the thermostat setting frequently will cancel out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature setting since the unit will operate more inefficiently should the heat strip or emergency heat come on.

However, in its cooling mode, the heat pump operates like any other air conditioner so manually turning up the thermostat will save money.

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

Kids Safe Summer Program Offered at Local Pools

Everyone looks forward to the warmer weather, more activity and more fun that the summer season brings. However, because of all the increased activity, summer can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for kids, increasing the risk for broken bones, water accidents and other injuries.

To help educate kids and parents on ways to prevent summer injuries, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, Buncombe County Parks and Rec and WNC Safe Kids are teaming up to present a Safe Summer program. Let us help you have the safest summer possible!

Kids will receive hand-outs on bike safety and other safety information designed just for them, the Sheriff's Office will be issuing free kids' ID's and the local fire departments will have fire equipment on site for children to view.

Complete details including dates

Volvo Construction Equipment

Come to South Buncombe/Skyland Library on Saturday, June 7 at 2pm to see BIG construction equipment!

Our good neighbors, Volvo, will display large construction equipment made here in Asheville! Children can sit in the wheel well of an articulated hauler or climb in the cab of a backhoe loader. For more information, call the library at 250-6488.

Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?

Don't miss the orientation session on June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Department of Social Services on Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville.

No pre-registration is required. If you have questions, call Erica Jourdan at 250-5513 or email her at erica.jourdan@buncombecounty.org.