On the Homefront with Nancy

Basic Home Maintenance Course

2010-03-31T16:09:00.000-04:00

Are there repairs around your home that need to be done? Do you lack the knowledge and skill to complete them yourself? We all know preventive maintenance can save us money. However, when the economy makes paying monthly bills difficult there may not be money left to hire someone to keep your home in good working order. The Basic Home Maintenance Course offered by the NC Cooperative Extension

Saving On Your Energy Bills

2009-11-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

As thermometers drop and energy prices climb, local residents can learn no- cost and low-cost ways to save on energy bills by attending the free educational workshop, Saving on Your Energy Bills scheduled for THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010 at 5:30 pm. In addition to learning how to implement energy-saving measures in their homes, participants will have the opportunity to sign up for home energy

H1N1 Information

2009-10-14T14:45:00.001-04:00

Check out the contact information below to get the latest information on the H1N1 virus (otherwise know as the swine flu)Ask your provider. They can give you the vaccine packageinsert or suggest other sources of information.• Call your local or state health department.• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or- Visit CDC’s website at

Are You Ready for a Disaster ?

2009-08-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

While we are in the middle of hurricane season, it seems fitting to remind everyone what is needed to prepare your family for whatever disaster may occur. It may be flooding as a result of heavy rainfall, severe wind damage from a hurricane, or damage from a falling tree that will force an evacuation. A family will be better able to cope if preparations have been made in advance.Your family may

Using Power Pay to Lower Debt

2009-06-11T11:45:00.000-04:00

Welcome to PowerPay: PowerPay is a system designed to help you eliminate debt in the fastest possible way. PowerPay works when you are willing to: Make a commitment to stop borrowing or buying with credit. Systematically pay off debts. Absolve each debt and continue to apply that debt payment to the next debt obligation. Total monthly payments don't change, but the distribution of those payments

Back to Basic$

2009-06-10T10:34:00.000-04:00

Back to Basic$ Program to Help Buncombe County ResidentsDeal with Financial StressBuncombe County residents, like most Americans, are feeling the stress created by our nation'seconomic downturn. To help them deal with the financial and emotional stressors the current economic climate has created, the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center has launched a new program: Back to Basic$:

February is Clean Stream Month in WNC

2009-02-10T11:10:00.001-05:00

Presenting Clean Streams Month—February 2009! WNC Clean Streams is an integrated programming initiative by Cooperative Extension offices in several western NC counties. February 2009 is designated Clean Streams Month in an effort to highlight the great importance of protecting and conserving our local and

Be Energy - Wise Conserve

2008-11-13T14:54:00.008-05:00

The upcoming months may be a hardship for residents trying to find the money to pay utility bills. The increase cost to heat our homes will pinch many Buncombe County family’s wallets and strain the family budget druing these difficult econmic times. According to the U.S. Department of Energy the average American family currently spends $1,900.00 “conservatively” a year on their utility bill.

Conserving Water During a Drought

2008-07-06T16:26:00.002-04:00

During this time of drought our office is receiving phone calls from homeowners regarding their wells and their concerns of running out of water. If you are on a municipal water source there should also be concern as water levels are getting lower from the lack of rain. Although we all are aware of what should be done to conserve this important resource we sometimes need to be reminded to make

Aging in Place

2008-07-06T15:30:00.002-04:00

Most of us take for granted we will be able to have the ability to live and function as we would like in our own home. Yet almost everyone – four out of five, according to research – will have some physical problem that could make it difficult to live independently.Could you move around your home if you had crutches from a broken leg, needed a wheel chair because of an accident or had limited

Sun Safety

2008-07-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

Protecting yourself from the sun is not just a summer time concern. It is a habit the entire family should practice year around. Suntanning and burning can increase an individuals risk for skin cancer yet many of us don't protect ourselves or our children. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with 1 in 5 people developing some type of the cancer. There are three types of

Using Portable Space Heaters

2008-02-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

Many individuals will use a small space heater if their main heating system is inadequate or if just one room of the home needs to have an increase in temperature because a person is sensitive to cold. Space heaters can have several fuel sources to choose from including electricity, propane, natural gas and kerosene. Their capacity usually ranges between 10,000 Btu to 40,000 Btu per hour.

Keeping the Cold Air Out

2008-02-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

Would you pay to heat the air needed to fill a Goodyear blimp? In all probability you would say no, yet most of our homes lose enough air each day to fill one and probably two. Before our cold weather and high utility bills it's time to get serious about what can be done around the house to reduce future heating expenses. The added advantage is what you do to save on your bill will make you more