Here is your list of Hendersonville NC Open Houses for Sunday, May 23, 2010. There will be 45 homes on the list this Sunday. Once you click on the above link to see which homes will be open, be sure to get the map from your paper to figure out the best route for the ones you would like to see. This is a great way for buyers to take a peek at homes they may not have seen before. When on the Times News Website don't forget to print out the list.Times will vary depending on the Realtor hosting the Open House. Some are 2-4 pm, some are 1-5. Be sure and check the times so that you will not miss the one you want to see the most. The map will allow you to group them together, and save you gas.If you want more information on any home listed on the Open House Map, just let me know. I can forward... 05/22/2010

ABC Stores in Hendersonville NC are not what you think. No, it isn't a Michael Jackson song, or a kids toy store. Far from it. Well, in 1937, an Alcoholic Beverage Control (Hence ABC) Bill was enacted by the NC General Assembly , creating control over the sale of alcohol in the state. Voters in each county were allowed to vote on what would happen in their county. If they voted for a dry county (no alcohol allowed to be sold) then a city could vote on their own. Henderson County is probably typical. Alcohol can not be sold in the county, but the city of Hendersonville does allow it. The control is this: it can only be sold in "ABC Stores" and the profits go to the state. There are currently 167 local ABC systems with 415 stores. The fiscal year for NC ending in June 2009 had $720 millio... 05/22/2010

Hendersonville NC Gardening 2010 Gardening in Hendersonville NC has been really great. This is my second year in this home and I was a planting fool last summer. My first  summer I concentrated on putting in mostly foods that would come back year after year. I planted 100 strawberry plants, about 50 asparagus plants, 10 red raspberry plants and 6 rhubarb plants. It took a while to get the beds in for all of that. Later in the summer I put in 4 cherry trees and 12 blueberry bushes. Everything is doing great this year.  I must have done it right. The rest of the summer I dug out plots for vegetable gardens and composted the soil really well. Now this year I was able to easily plant a garden in rich, loose soil. I am still figuring out this yard and so didn't get in near what I would like ... 05/22/2010

  There are two Hendersonville Saturday Produce Markets and this morning I went to both. First was The Curb Market, serving Henderson County since 1924. The Curb Market, located at 221 North Church Street, is a mostly indoor event, with a few vendors selling from the back of their trucks in the parking lot, from time to time. Here you will find local crafts, plants, baked goods and fresh produce. All participants are required to be local. It is geared toward giving locals a great place to market the wonderful things they produce or create. This morning I saw some gorgeous gourds, a lot of great looking goodies and a lot of pretty plants. There was also jewelry and sewing crafts and so much more. It looked like the Curb Market had a great turn out. The parking lot was almost full. Outsi... 05/22/2010

  The Pampered Palate Cafe in Hendersonville NC is a great place to catch breakfast or lunch. Located at 728 Highway 64 West, it is convenient to Downtown Hendersonville and the local Pardee Hospital. The Pampered Palate Cafe has great lunch specials and fantastic coffee and sweet tea, all at great prices. I was previewing homes today with another Realtor and it was pouring all day long. We stopped in the Pampered Palate Cafe for some of the best soup, with hot corn muffins. It was a perfect warm up for us to get moving again. If you do stop by The Pampered Palate Cafe, don't forget to pick up a cookie or two on the way out.   And if you are planning a big event, remember that the Pampered Palate Cafe also does Catering. 05/21/2010

Hendersonville's 17th Annual Garden Jubilee Festival is being held this weekend, Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30. It will be held on Main Street in Historic Downtown Hendersonville, and the hours will be from 10am until 6pm both days. This annual event is always held on Memorial weekend. You will find hundreds of vendors, crafts persons and food booths. There will be garden talks and clinics, garden supplies and accessories, and of course lots of plants for your garden. When you arrive at  the Hendersonville Visitors Center, located at 201 South Main Strret, you will find the Lowe's Expo Area.They will offer garden clinics, plants, a hands-on kids clinic and displays. Lawn and garden product specialists will be giving one-on-one advice. Bring questions about anything in your yard. T... 05/19/2010

Hendersonville North Carolina Water/Sewer Rates to Rise.  Just in case you missed this, city of Hendersonville water/sewer proposed update I'm sending along the Times-News article explaining.The bad news for Hendersonville City folks is that the water and sewer rates will increase 2.75% according to the proposed 2010/2011 budget.  It's the sign of the times with many local city budgets through out the country having budget issues and crises.The good news for the city of Hendersonville, NC residents is that the current tax rate of 38 cents per $100 of property valuation will stay the same in the proposed budget.  Since city residents also have to pay Henderson Coutny taxes this is a good thing!If you are interested here's the link for the online Times-News article by John Harbin.For inf... 05/18/2010

Hendersonville NC -- Strawberries Are In at McConnell's!  My husband and I read in the Times-News that McConnell's now have their fantastic Chandler berries which are reminescent of my growing up in PA and picking strawberries in our garden that my step-father cultivated.  Oh my, my mom would tell me in the morning that if I would go pick the berries she would make shortcake for them!!McConnell's berries are sweet, juicy and so tasty.  A delight to the taste buds.  The Times-News article said due to the fall and winter weather this would not be a block buster year for the berries and if you wanted to have some come and get them while they lasted.For those not familiar with McConnell's Farm they are located at 177 Old Dana Road in Dana.  They can be reached at 828-692-2819 and are now op... 05/17/2010

  I had heard about Smiley's Flea Market in Fletcher NC for quite some time, but had never ventured over there. It is a huge place. There are outside vendors and inside vendors, and all have wares to sell. You can find just about anything there and the prices are good.  So yesterday I decided to try it. They finally have added a large parking area to the business and so it isn't so dangerous having to park on the edge of a four lane highway to get a spot. I had no trouble parking and so I was a happy visitor right off the bat. I have to say, if you are going to make the trip, wear good shoes and plan on carrying water. It was hot. But there was so much to see, it was worth the trip. I actually got some beautiful iris' there for a great price. And all I heard was true. There was food an... 05/16/2010

We have a really nice little Airport in Ashevile. And lucky for those if us living here in Hendersonville, it is on the south side of Asheville, in Fletcher. From the center of Downtown Hendersonville, it only a 15 minute drive. Flight from here can be more difficult, due to the small size of the Asheville Airport, but it serves us well. There are a number of non-stop flights from Asheville, including Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando , Dallas, Houston, Newark, Tampa, and Detroit, to name a few. There is plenty of parking for people leaving vehicles long term. And when you arrive and depart, there will be some beautiful artwork on all of the walls by local artists for you to enjoy as you pass through. You can reach the Asheville Airport by Interstate 26, or Highway 280 if coming from Hendersonv... 05/15/2010

Hendersonville NC and Bird Enthusiasts - Saturday Event in The Pisgah Forest/Cradle of ForestrySaturday, May 16, 2010 the all day Songbird Celebration at the Cradle of Forestry in the Pisgah National Forest will be taking place.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.For folks interested in birds and their migration north events are scheduled from 9 AM and continuing through out the day.Bring the kids and take a guided bird walk to learn about identifying birds by sight and sound.  There are 2 bird walks scheduled -- one at 9 AM and another at 2 PM.Adam DeWitte will handle both these walks.  Mr. DeWitte is the director of education for the Cradle of Forestry's Interpretive Association, a nonprofit organization.There are also family activities scheduled from 1 - 4:30The Pisgah Forest is ... 05/14/2010

My daughter Isobella will begin kindergarten sometime this year.  We are so excited to begin “big girl school” as we graduate preschool on the 25th of this month. I have so much respect for teachers.  Quite honestly, teachers are facing the most stressful time right now as they await news of their employment status for the 2010-2011 school year.  There are proposed budget cuts to K-12 education at both the state and local levels.  Education leaders at every level agree that any additional reductions in funding for public education will translate to more teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, fewer middle and high school electives and sports, fewer programs to help at-risk students, fewer summer programs and a significant decrease in support districts, schools and teachers receive from ... 05/14/2010

  Hendersonville Historic Preservation Week Tour of the Angelique Inn was fantastic! I met with the staff of the Historic Preservation Commission and was able to get lots of information and maps on the Historic Districts in Henderson County. And I was able to see the Angelique Inn for the first time. This is a gorgeous building with a lot of history. It has had a lot of work completed by the current owners, Robert and Ruth Self. This has been operating as a Bed and Breakfast for the last year, and is now for sale. You can read more about the Angeligue Inn and the sale. Built in the 1860's this home still has the charm and   beauty that was originally placed into it. The Self's have done an amazing job on the landscaping as well. It has a of of native plants that are sure to be low main... 05/14/2010

Hendersonville Area Farmers Markets are geared up and going strong. We are so lucky in Western North Carolina, we have great local farmers who share thier produce at local markets.By supporting Local Farmers and Growers, you stimulate the local economy and cut out the middle man. We have three Markets in Hendersonville, two outside and one inside. The first is the Henderson County Tailgate Market. This is held at 100 North King Street on Saturdays from 7am until noon. The second is the Hendersonville Cooperative Tailgate Market, held on Mondays from 3-6pm at 715 Grove Street. The Henderson County Curb Market is held indoors at 221 North Church Street and is open Tuesday, thursday and Saturdays from 8-2.  In Mills River, just west of Hendersonville, you will find the Mills River Tailgate... 05/14/2010

Hendersonville NC and Surrounding area Events this weekend Here is what is happening on Saturday, May 15th in the area: Historic Preservation Day Six presents a class on Window Restoration with David Hoggard, a window restoration and owner of Double Hung Historic Window Restoration. This free workshop will begin at 9am on Saturday, and will be held at the City Operations Building, located at 305 Williams Street in Downtown Hendersonville. Are you interested in performing in Theater? Come by the Absolute Theater Company at 9am on Saturday for auditions for the play 'The Bette and Beau Wedding Show'. Auditions will be held at the Skyland Performing Arts Center located at 359 North Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville. For more information you cvan call 828/693-0087. Outside of Henderson... 05/14/2010

Hendersonville NC - Women Turn Out To Help Build A Home For A New Mom.Habitat for Humanity and 32 women showed up to help build a new home in the Edneyville area community of Shuey Knolls.There was a home being built for a new mom where most of the women were working the day before Mother's Day.Shuey Knolls is a community of 50 homes already built with about 20 more hoped for to complete the community.Habitat for Humanity provides a great service in providing homes for folks who are willing to work for them along with the volunteers providing the professional guidance.The local Hendersonville area Newpaper provided an online article on the event by Jessica Goodman with contact info for Habitat for Humanity in Henderson County.Sue of Robin and Sue 05/11/2010

  Hendersonville North Carolina and Local Farmers Markets.  With winter finally over the spring season is getting into full swing as is the local growing season.We have a few veggies planted (hubby did that work and I pick, cook and freeze his results.)  For the rest of our veggies, berries and other fruits we enjoy our visits to the local growers and the Farmers Markets that they sell to.  The produce is not only fresh and great tasting but it benefits the local economy.  Many of the local restaurants purchase locally as well.Prices may be somewhat higher than the super markets that buy in bulk at reduced rates but the quality is generally very superior in quality and taste.Our local paper, the Times-News published a list on five of the Farmers Markets in the Henderson County area whe... 05/11/2010

Bullington Horticultural Learning Center Hendersonville NC I attended the Preservation Day festivities at the Bullington Horticultural Learning Center on Monday and what a treat! I got to go on a guided tour and see hundreds of indigenous plants, attend an herbal workshop and a gourd workshop. There were plants for sale as well, everything fron vegetables and herbs, to wild plants. The Bullington Horticultural Learning Center was established in 1990. Bob and Sally Bullington donated their 13 acre preserve and home to Henderson County after they died, to be used for horticultural education by the county. The Henderson County Education Foundation ensured the implementation of the program and land after receiving it in 1990. The Henderson County School System and the Cooperative Extension ... 05/11/2010

Anyone Having Luck With The Topsy Turvy Tomato Planters?  We've toyed with the idea but I think hubby has decided to stick ours in the ground again this year.The gal who comes and helps keep our home clean did one last year and had great success and has already got one hanging again this year.  She said she needed help getting it hung up after the dirt was added as it became quite heavy.  So far I've heard mixed reviews from folks here in Hendersonville NC, mostly con.One of our neighbors up the street had one hanging up last week and now it is already gone as it didn't work out.Like most things I gather there's a method to be followed if you want success with these planters and the instructions need to be followed.tomatoesThe inventor of the Topsy Turvy planters, Bill Felknor in Knoxvi... 05/11/2010

Keller Williams Mountain Partners Realtors National Red Day Volunteering Event "We Give Where We Live." This year's Red Day event takes place on Thursday, May 13, 2010. Projects include the Big Yellow Bus Project, refurbishing historic Seventh Avenue and mulching Atkinson Elementary's playground. Hendersonville's Keller Williams agents and their generous supporters will be taking on the Seventh Avenue and Atkinson Elementarty projects, but the Big Yellow Bus Project will involve support from the entire community. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the week of May 10-14, Henderson County Schools will have a "big yellow bus" parked outside the Keller Williams Realty office at 404 S. Main St. The goal is to fill the bus with school supplies that are desperately needed to help underprivileged students. ... 05/11/2010