Do you want to remodel your home because you are looking to sell it soon?  There are some smart remodel projects that will bring alot of bang for your buck and there are some remodel projects that may sound like a good idea, but won't bring a good return on your investment. Do: Remodel the bathroom.  No costly, overdone bathroom remodel is necessary.  Change out old brass hardware for newer, updated brushed nickel ones.  Give a fresh coat of paint to the walls.  Replace old lighting fixtures.  Take out the tub and add a tiled-in shower with glass enclosure.  Buy a new pedestal sink and toilet to open up the bathroom. Replace the exterior siding.  It's like putting a new outfit on your home.  Vinyl siding is the most popular and inexpensive method for exterior siding.  However, fiber cem... 08/28/2008

As a first time mother I had major apprehensions as to where my daughter would go to preschool. I knew preschool would give my Isobella an opportunity of play and learn with other children. But who could I trust? A good friend overheard my discussion one day and recommended Creative Beginnings Preschool. Located in the First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville North Carolina.  This Christ centered school offers a caring, loving and fun environment.  The teachers and staff are fantastic. There are currently 6 openings in the one year olds and 4 openings in the two year old classrooms. I encourage you to please visit their website as it will give a more detailed explanation of the wonderful things they are providing for our children in Henderson County. http://fpchendersonville.org/ 08/22/2008

On the second and fourth Tuesday of ever month my girl friends and I meet at Picasso's Patisserie & coffee bar. Located on Historic Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville North Carolina. Picasso's offers the best made from scratch European Pastries & cookies, and now features the best lunch in Hendersonville. My mouth is watering just talking about it! In addition to the fabulous coffee, to die for pastries and friendly staff, Picasso's offers one-of-a-kind European oil paintings and wonderful unique items in the boutique section. One try and you'll see why we chose such a unique place to have ladies coffee. Please visit Picasso'sweb site at : http://www.picassospatisserie.com/index.htm 08/22/2008

Come spend Labor Day weekend in Hendersonville to celebrate the 62nd Annual North Carolina Apple Festival. Starting Friday, August 29th and ending Monday, September 1st, the Apple Festival will include a rousing street fair, live music, food, drinks, arts and crafts, activities for the kids, exhibits and, of course, apples, apples, apples! To cap off the weekend's events, the King Apple Parade will be held on Labor Day. Since animals are prohibited in the event area, please leave them at home. For tickets and more information on the schedule of events, please visit North Carolina Apple Festival's website or call them at 828-697-4557. Hope to see you there! 08/21/2008

If you are on the path to researching a move to this area and you have children, you may want to check out the Henderson County School System. We have great schools here and if you look at the Henderson County School System Website you will see all that they have to offer. This site gives you a list of all of the schools compete with addresses and phone numbers. You can see who the teachers and prinipals are, check out the lunches, check for clubs and athletic events as well as get the school calendar, and find out what you need to do to register your children, and more.                                                    When you are ready for your move you can search for homes in the district you like the best for your child or children if you like. If you need more information on this... 08/20/2008

The 62nd Annual NC Apple Festival is right arround the corner. Mark your calendars for August 29th to September 1st for this four day celebration. There will be over 150 vendors selling Arts and Crafts, and local food. Live music will be playing and there will be activities for children of all ages. This event will be held on Historic Main Street and everything APPLE will be there.                                        Don't forget the sunscreen and comfy shoes. You will want to stay all day for this! 08/20/2008

I can't believe it's that time of year and yet the 2008 North Carolina Apple festival will be held August 29th - September 1st in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. If you love food, arts & crafts, live music, parades and people watching, this is the place to be. For 62 years Hendersonville has recognized the importance of apples and the apple industry to Henderson County and North Carolina. Believe me when I tell you that there is something for everyone. For the whole scoop please visit: http://www.ncapplefestival.org/   08/19/2008

Hendersonville, NC is still in a drought, despite the fact that we have had several days of rain lately. I don't know about you, but my yard is pretty brown and all of the landscaping I have put in the last few years is looking pretty bad. I am on a well out in the country, but I am still following the rules the city has imposed. I know that a well can just as easily go dry out here. I have decided to not water my lawn or gardens (other than a few tomato plants that are producing well) so I decided to rig up a water catchment system. I took an old trash can that I don't use and attached a faucet and nut to the base so that I can run a hose out of it. This will be an experiment to see if a plastic trash can can hold up. If this works I may try a few metal cans. I have gutters everywhere ... 08/18/2008

Located 5 miles from Historic Downtown Hendersonville North Carolina is a majestic community named Haywood Knolls. Founded in 1980 by builder/developer Don Thompson, Mr. Thompson offered home buyers 12 floor-plans and quality home-sites which has attracted residence from across the nation, bringing with them a desire for quality of living and a commitment to family and community. The community consists of 321 residence, 5 springs, 19 roads (two entrances/exits), and a community tennis court. There is an annual picnic, Holiday dinner dance and designated block captains who welcome new homeowners. There are currently 7 homes for sale in Haywood knolls. All homes offer city water, most offer natural gas forced air heat and private septic. You may have missed Haywood Knolls on your home se... 08/17/2008

For 90 years Hendersonville North Carolina has had a tradition on Monday evenings, dancing in the streets of Downtown Hendersonville. It began at the end of World War I when the city welcomed it's soldiers home from the war by celebrating in the streets. The street dance comes alive with people square dancing and clogging to a band playing traditional bluegrass music. Monday August 18th will feature Walt Puckett as caller, the band Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition and the Cole Mountain Cloggers. Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition is a five-piece bluegrass band based in Asheville. The Cole Mountain Cloggers are a young dance team. The award winning team is under the direction of Jeff Atkins. Bring a chair, admission is free. Audience seating area opens after 5:30 PM .Music and dance begin 7:0... 08/16/2008

Hendersonville NC is under some tough water restrictions and non-compiance will cost you. The fine for breaking any of the following rules is $500. Be sure you know what you can and can not do. Below is a list if the current restrictions. If you have any questions about anything not on the list below, be sure and call this number for the correct answers (828) 233-3215. These are the things you must not do: ● Watering of lawns, shrubs, trees and flowers is prohibited. ● Vegetable gardens may only be watered once a week up to one inch of water. ● New or existing pools may not be filled. ● Washing of sidewalks, decks, driveways, patios, homes or buildings is prohibited. ● Washing cars is prohibited, unless at a commercial car wash which recycles water. ● Operation or filling of ornamental ... 08/08/2008

Due to a serious drop in Mills River's water level, the City of Hendersonville had to institute mandatory water restrictions to all its citizens as of Tuesday, August 5th.  Mills River is the largest contributor to Hendersonville's water supply so a significant drop means a significant reduction in water resources.  These water restrictions include: 1. No watering of lawns, shrubs, trees or flowers. 2. Vegetable gardens can only receive up to 1" of water once per week. 3. New and existing pools cannot be filled. 4. Sidewalks, decks, driveways, patios, homes and buildings cannot be cleaned with water.  You'll have to use brooms for sidewalks, decks, driveways and patios. 5. Commercial car washes (where water is recycled) are the only places you are allowed to wash your car. 6. You cannot... 08/07/2008

                         The Henderson County Public Library has been serving the people of our community since its doors first opened in a small facility on King Street in 1914. I had the privilege of taking my three year old daughter Isobella to our public library. As we entered into the children's reading section I couldn't help but notice a small crowd of little ones anxious to enter a door that would open promptly at 10:30am. Curious, I approached the front desk clerk in order to discover what was taking place and if it was possible to join the group. To my delight the young lady informed me that it was a preschool story time and that it is available for anyone who has a preschooler or toddler. So we entered and for the next 30 minutes we were engaged in singing, storytelling laugh... 08/05/2008

I would like to talk to you today about the importance of getting pre-approved for a loan prior to your home search. There are really two reasons for this. The number one reason is that it is the only way to know what you can afford to purchase. If you have never purchased a home, you are especially in the dark. When you apply for a loan they will take into consideration all income and all bills, and then tell you what you can afford. Once you have this information, you can start looking for homes within a price range that fits your budget.  Yes, this may burst your bubble. You may find that you can't afford what you initially thought. Or you may find that you have some credit issues you were not aware of. Now would be the time to clear these matters up. You can put the brakes on, tempo... 08/05/2008

As of August 5, 2008 the City of Hendersonville is implementing mandatory water restrictions to ensure the ability to meet the core water needs its customers.  By declaring a Phase II water shortage condition, the City and County will enforce restrictions on a number of uses, and violators may be subject to disconnection of their water services or a fine of up to $500.00.           Until mandatory restrictions are lifted, the following restrictions are in place: •·     Watering of lawns, shrubs, trees, and flowers is prohibited •·     Vegetable gardens may only be watered once a week up to one inch of water •·     New or existing pools may not be filled •·     Washing of decks, sidewalks, driveways, patios, or homes or buildings is prohibited •·     Washing cars is prohibited, unless at... 08/05/2008

August 1st -3rd will mark the 49thAnnual sidewalk Art on Main in Historic Downtown Hendersonville North Carolina. The even offers 70 artists and crafts people from across the south. What a wonderful opportunity to purchase one of a kind treasures while enjoying the many stores and restaurants Downtown Hendersonville has to offer.  Art on main hours are: Friday Noon to 8 pm. Saturday 10 am. to 6 pm. Sunday 11 am. to 4 pm. The art league of Henderson County will host a silent auction and raffle of a work by acclaimed water-colorist Tony Couch. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each or five tickets for $20.00. Proceeds will benefit the art departments of Henderson County Schools.   Photograph by Mike Dirks - photographer for the Hendersonville Times newspaper. 07/31/2008

Water conservation is a real issue with residents of Hendersonville.  But, don't be alarmed when you see the street sweepers spraying down the streets in your neighborhoods.  They are using non-potable water.  This grey water is actually reclaimed water from the area's toilets, sinks and drains and is undrinkable.  Grey water is also used to water the city plants along Main Street.  Even though the recent rainfall has fended off the mandatory restrictions the city was looking to impose, Hendersonville residents are still encouraged to conserve water as much as possible to avoid putting these restrictions into effect in the future. 07/31/2008

Congratulations to AR for reaching 100,000! I am so proud to be a part of this talented group of professionals. Hendersonville NC is also celebrating a population milestone of 100,000. Also, we are celebrating our 160th birthday here in Hendersonville. The city of four seasons is on of the most beautiful towns in all of Western North Carolina and is thriving with growth and opportunity. I would like to invite you to please visit Hendersonville NC in the near future and see for yourself why I love this little town called Hendersonville.           07/25/2008

FHA is offering help to more at-risk homeowners. Homeowners who are experiencing difficulty in making their mortgage payments due to adjustments in their interest rates may be able to refinance their home through FHA's refinance program: FHASecure.  Although, the program was established a year ago, it seems that many homeowners are not aware that they may be able to refinance their home and avoid foreclosure. FHA has temporarily increased its loan limits, which will allow the FHASecure program to help more families keep their homes. Due to the increase in the loan limits, you may still be able to qualify even if  your property has depreciated in value. The increased loan limit is  currently scheduled to end on December 31, 2008.  Homeowners at risk of defaulting on their mortgage paymen... 07/25/2008

Theres something magnetic about Henderson County and its people. I must admit Ive spent more time simply enjoying the feeling than trying to define it. So when at first I began to try, I found I had trouble putting my finger on any one thing:  Im not sure if its merely the charm of the small town, the delicate attention to preserving a proud history, or the ability to inspire local artists to create one- of- a- kind art, architecture, or a sense of self-nurturing community.   Maybe its the many outdoor activities such as golf, bicycling, horseback riding, natural walking trails, tennis, or even  swimming and skiing on land and water.   Nature has graced it, and offers attractions both varied and beautiful.Maybe it was only one of these things; but likely - it was all of them.   A truly... 07/18/2008