Do You Have An Aldie's?  Since my hubby passed away I've been getting re-acquainted with shopping.  He had me spoiled as all I had to do was make a list and he did all shopping.  The very near by Aldi's was always the first place he went to see what all they had and if things on my list were there.  Now I do the same. Aldi's is a discount super market that carries an ever changing array of goodies plus the staples.  You start by having a quarter to release a cart to do your shopping with.  When you come back out you return the cart and hook it back up to release and get your quarter back.  This avoids folks leaving the carts floating all over the parking lot.  A great idea.  They opened their first store in Southeastern Iowa in 1976 and have spread across the country since by offering ... 02/19/2011

Hawthorn Hills has always been my favorite in the area.  Early on in my career, Hawthorn Hills used to be my farm area which I use to market.  I sold quite a few houses in here and have encouraged my new clients from out of town  to take a look. Hawthorn Hills is located about a mile out of Laurel Park on Highway 64 West.  It is very convenient  to  nearby shopping. In fact, downtown Hendersonville is only about 3 to 4 miles away.  There is approximately 104 houses in this subdivision, which are all different architectural designs on at least 3/4 to 1 1/2 acres of property.  William Pitkin was hired to plat the roads and the lots.  Mr. Pitkin was a well known architect that was responsible for laying out Shaker Heights in Cleveland, Ohio.  After walking the acreage, he remarked that he ... 02/18/2011

    Hendersonville NC Has a Winner & Mr. Willie is Proud! Mr. Willie lives with me and although he has never been to a dog show let alone been entered into any dog events he does know someone who is very familiar with these things. His groomer and owner of Dreamboat Grooming and Supplies, Laura Chapal, raises Dandie Dinmont terriers.  They are not a common breed and the only breed named for a fictional character.  In 1814 Sir Walter Scott published a book, Guy Mannering, and there was a farmer named Dandie Dinmont who kept terriers of this type. Three years ago she had the option of pick of the litter and chose a pup she felt had star power and became a co-owner.  He was named Redclay Dreamboat Lieutenant Disher.  When I take Willie for his next appointment I have to ask her about the ... 02/16/2011

Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS January Market Report These numbers are provided by the 4 County Western NC Regional MLS system and representresidential home sales in Buncombe (Asheville Area), Haywood, Henderson (Hendersonville Area) and Transylvania (Brevard Area)  counties.  Land/lots are not included in these figures.  If you would find other stats helpful, such as by these individual counties that Robin services, let us know.    2009 December ResidentialStatistics       2010 December ResidentialStatistics (Adjusted 02/09/11)                   Single-Family Homes Sold   411   Single-Family Homes Sold   399 Average Days on Market   174   Average Days on Market   185 Average Selling Price   $256,646   Average Selling Price   $237,168 Month End Inventory   7,775   Month End... 02/09/2011

  The Henderson County North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office is gearing up for a great year in classes for 2011. We are lucky to have a great office here and I am planning on taking full advantage of it. If you are an avid gardener, or if you if you are looking for assistance in getting started in farming, you will love this years schedule.  Check it out for yourself! 02/07/2011

After 59 years in Flat Rock, The Flat Rock Playhouse is opening a satellite theater location in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. The address of the second location will be at 125 South Main Street, right in the thick of things. They think the renovations to the new site will take about three years and around one million dollars, for everything to be completed. But for the 2011 season they have an ambitious schedule of three plays for 2011.  This will be a huge boost for the downtown merchants, who will benefit from the added traffic during nights of plays. There are many eateries and bars and they may also bring more business to the Flat Rock Playhouse. This is going to be a great thing for everyone. Their season starts in March so take a look at their schedules. 02/07/2011

If you love history and you love architecture, you may want to consider taking a tour of Hendersonville's historic courthouse.  The tours of the renovated courthouse are provided absolutely free of charge to the public.  The next available tour will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2pm.  Beginning in April, tours will be conducted every Wednesday at 2pm until October, at which time, they will be held on the first Wednesday of the month for November and December.  For more information, please call 828-694-5003. When you decide to purchase a Hendersonville home or wish to sell your Asheville property, please contact me.  I promise you won't get a lemon when I help you with any of your Henderson County real estate transactions! Rich Cooke, your Hendersonville real estate specialist 02/04/2011

One of the most effective ways to stem the tide of unwanted animals in any community is through a spay/neuter program. In Hendersonville, NC, Henderson County residents who want to have their pets "fixed" have the chance to get the best deal ever by purchasing a spay/neuter voucher for only $10 for Cats and $15 for dogs...and this price includes a free rabies vaccination!  Vouchers are redeemed at the Asheville Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic. To purchase a voucher, call the Community Partnership for Pets at 828-693-5172, or email cpforpetsinc@aol.com. You can also purchase vouchers at the Blue Ridge Mall on Four Seasons Blvd. on Saturday February 5-6, and February 19 from 12-3pm, or at the Tractor Supply on Four Seasons Blvd on Saturday, February 26 from 10 am - 2 pm.Why Spay and Ne... 01/26/2011

176 Clear Creekside Dr Hendersonville, NC Click For Listing Website Click For Interactive e-Tour Great home on the choice lot at end of cul de sac. This spacious home has cathedral ceilings and open floor plan. Master bathroom upgraded with bead board wainscoating and large walk in shower. Natural light abounds with large windows and patio doors in the great room. Nicely landscaped front yard. HOA fees covers grass maintenance. Location conveniently located within 5 minutes of great shopping in Hendersonville. "Motivated Seller, will Entertain All Offers" MLS# 467095 $105,000 3 Bed, 2 Bath 176 Clear Creekside DrHendersonville NC, 28792 Susan Duncan CRS, GRI, ECO EXIT REALTY VISTAS 828-333-4793 01/21/2011

Wildlife of Cummings Cove I was out in Cummings Cove yesterday and I saw some interesting animals. I arrived at a friends in time to see this beautiful white squirrel. We watched it for several hours as it ate the fallen bird seed, and enjoyed the mountain view.    Later we enjoyed a swarm of Pine Siskins. We counted at least 50 of them at one time. They are a really pretty finch. I love visiting Cummings Cove for the wildlife I see there on each visit. And the long range mountain views are spectacular.  01/18/2011

It Was Promised and Showed Up On Schedule.  This was taken earlier in the day and we ended up with about 8 inches in the Hendersonville NC area.  No golfing today or for awhile!  Some of the higher elevations of Western NC where it has been snowing for several days have over 2 feet of snow!  What we have here is more than enough for me. It has been precipitating all day in some form or another.  Currently it is a slight drizzel of freezing rain and the temperature is 20 degrees.  Things will be a problem in the AM for folks who must get out on the roads with the black ice.  Many will be staying at home as the secondary roads haven't been touched and transportation will be/should be by foot for the time being.  Schools will be closed again on Tuesday so the kids will get to enjoy it and... 01/10/2011

You've probably heard about "going green" at some point in your life.  That can mean everything from recycling to where you purchase your food.  However, you don't have to shower every other day or install solar panels that cost a hefty sum up front (although, they do save money over the long run).  Here are five simple tips for living green in 2011: 1. Recycle - Many cities provide recycling programs, including the City of Hendersonville.  Contact them via pone at 828-697-3084 or email at recycle@cityofhendersonville.org to find out how you can get your own recycling bin.  Articles that can be recycled are metal cans, plastic, glass, newspaper, cardboard and mixed paper (paper grocery bags, catalogs, cereal boxes, junk mail, magazines, etc.). In Hendersonville, yard clippings can be pl... 01/06/2011

Don't Throw Away Those Used Christmas Cards! -- Before Reading This! It seems like such a shame to just toss these beautiful and meaningful symbols of the Christmas and Holiday Season.  If you don't already know and feel like taking a little time you can get them prepared to send along to St. Jude's Ranch for Children for their use in the Recycled Card Program.  The Website explains how your donation of cards will be used in their program with a little preparation before mailing them on to St. Jude's. The kids recycle these used cards into new recycled cards which they than sell.  This program is operated by Kids, Corporation and is run like a business so the children at St. Jude's can learn entrepreneurship and business skills. The business has been so successful it has been expanded ... 01/01/2011

Hendersonville, NC Area Follow Up to The Christmas Day Snow.  This is what we woke up to after our Christmas Day snow blast.  We have 8 inches on the ground where I live and other areas received 10-12 inches.  Currently it is blustery with pretty strong wind gusts, snow showers and temps in the low 20's.  Kinda brutal out there. My 2 canine kids are short to the ground and it's quite a trip taking them out to do their business.  They are really enjoying leaping and jumping in it and fortunately I have the woods which shielded the ground from a lot of the snow where they can do their business.  Here's our local online Times-News update and info for local folks and relatives.  Since this update came out there have been a significant increase in power outages.  Not a good thing for those ... 12/26/2010

2010 White Christmas in Hendersonville NC When I awoke this morning at about 6:30, I was so sad to see that there wasn't a flake of snow anywhere. All week we heard about this big snow storm coming in, and a promise of a White Christmas. I was so looking forward to a day or two of being snowed in. I went so far as to stock up on food just in case.  But low and behold, around 8:30 it started. It was those big, huge flakes that are so pretty to watch fall. It started slow, but got thicker and thicker. After about an hour it was really building up and it was beautiful. I took my trusty lab out for a long walk. She absolutely loves the snow and runs circles around me. We had a blast.  It continued all day and about 5:00 I went out with a ruler, curious to see what the depth was. I was reall... 12/25/2010

Merry Christmas from Hendersonville NC.  The temperature is correct but don't pay attention to the clock -- it's broke and 8 A.M. is correct.  It hasn't snowed on Christmas in Hendersonville for 29 years but it sure is today!  I'm sure kids have been jumping for joy since waking up. When I went to bed last night this snow wasn't predicted to start until Christmas afternoon and 1-3 inches was predicted. This worked for me as I had made reservations for myself and a friend for the Christmas Buffet at the Esmeralda Inn in Bat Cave at 11 A.M.  By 9:30 A.M. it became obvious I would have to call and cancel and we'd need to implement our back up plan.  Fortunately she just lives up the street and we agreed I'd be bringing my chicken fixed yesterday, gravy and an apple pie I baked yesterday a... 12/25/2010

After being on the market 266 days and one failed contract that “was certain to close” my listing on 446 Loop Rd. successfully closed.  As we all sat around the closing table I could see the first time home buyers excitement and the seller’s happiness to see their home would have a family living in it once more. Thank you to the loan processor, appraiser, home inspector, buyers’ agent and attorney who all worked so hard to make this closing happen.  I look forward to working together again soon.  Every closing is a victory!     12/18/2010

Are you interested in finding a fun way to celebrate the holiday season in Western North Carolina?  Check out these Christmas events in Hendersonville, NC and the surrounding area happening throughout the month of December: Christmas at Biltmore Estates - Biltmore Estate (1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC).  Now through January 2, 2011.  See America's largest home decked out in its Christmas finery every day until January 2nd.  For more info, please call 800-411-3812. National Gingerbread House Competition and Display - Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC).  Now through January 2, 2011.  Guests of the Grove Park Inn can view the gingerbread house displays at any time.  But, if you are a visitor to the Inn, public viewings are available for free Mondays through Thursdays only.  For more... 12/16/2010

Relocation  101 Congratulations! You’ve decided to move to the Western North Carolina area! Now the fun begins…   Western North Carolina Mountains Since moving is listed as one of life’s major stress factors, doing your homework and planning ahead can dramatically help take the edge off feelings of anxiety, being overwhelmed and the “deer in the headlights” paralysis that often arises. The further away on the calendar your move is, the less stress you are likely to be feeling.  This is the time to start planning your move.  Don’t be in denial about it or put things off that will cause  you unnecessary  stress.  Start with the date that you want to be in your new house and settled. First thing is if you own a home, do you want to sell it or rent it?  Start lightening the load by weeding... 12/15/2010

Ways To Be A Santa For Needy Animals In The Hendersonville NC Area:  Mr. Willie, one of my two canine good friends, would like to help some of the less fortunate dogs and cats in our area.  Sunday our local paper had this great article by Jessica Goodman on area rescue groups offering numerous ways to help pets down on their luck.  This is an extensive article on different ways we can help.  If this might be of interest to you please read it. I'm an animal lover and I really like an idea the Blue Ridge Humane Society is offering to help befriend a helpless animal waiting for a forever home when you aren't in a position to take them into your own home.  It's a program called the AARC Angel Program and with a donation of $60 you can support an animal for six months or double the amount a... 12/13/2010