Rich Cooke's Western North Carolina Real Estate Blog

Enjoy an Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:49:36 -0600

Enjoy an Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas tomorrow, December 4, 2009 at the gazebo on the 400 block of Main Street in Hendersonville, NC. There will be free carriage and hay rides, open houses of merchants in the historic downtown area, Santa Claus, live music and more. The schedule for live music being performed at the gazebo by our own talented local musicians is as follows:

5:00-5:30pm - Hendersonville Middle School Strings
5:45-6:45pm - Hendersonville Middle School Chorus
7:00-7:45pm - Hendersonville Middle School Jazz Band
8:15-8:45pm - New Life Family Ministry singing carols

Come to historic Downtown Hendersonville on Friday, December 4, 2009 to enjoy an Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas. It's a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Hope to see you there!

Hendersonville Brings Friday Night Lights to Town

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:51:30 -0600

After you're done doing your early morning shopping to get in on those Black Friday "deals" at the stores, Hendersonville will be bringing Friday Night Lights to town. The annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony will be taking place at the gazebo in downtown Hendersonville beginning at 5:30pm. Bring the family down for free carriage rides, caroling, thousands of twinkling lights and a special appearance by Santa himself. Anyone can participate in the Christmas caroling if they want to. Song sheets will be available upon request.

Not only will Santa be available to listen to all the kids Christmas wish lists and pass out candy canes, but he will be flipping the switch to start the lighting ceremony. Make sure to bring your cameras! Even Hendersonville residents will be allowed to participate in the lighting ceremony in a "hands on" way for the very first time ever. But, you'll have to come to the Downtown Lighting Ceremony to see just how this will happen. Just like past lighting ceremonies, four evergreen trees will be planted on Main Street for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. Local nonprofit organizations have also decorated Christmas trees that will be visible around Main Street, with lots of lights in the flowerbeds and planters as well. Make sure to bring your family to downtown Hendersonville when they bring Friday Night Lights to town on November 27, 2009.

Henderson County Swine Flu Clinic

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:26:45 -0600

The Henderson County Swine Flu Clinic is scheduled to take place this Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8-11:30am at the Henderson County Department of Public Health in Hendersonville. Due to the limited availabilty of vaccine, only available those people in the designated priority group* will be allowed to receive vaccinations, which will be provided for free. Vaccinations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Henderson County Health Department will continue to provide H1N1 vaccine clinics as vaccine is available Mondays through Thursdays from 9am-12pm by appointment only. For more information and to make an appointment, please call the Hendersonville Flu Hotline at 694-4040. Bilingual nurses are also available upon request.

*People in the priority group are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children ages 6 months or younger, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, children and adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years and those people ages 25-64 who have health disorders or compromised immune systems that would make them at higher risk for adverse affects from the H1N1 virus.

Rich Cooke, your Hendersonville real estate specialist

$8000 Tax Credit Extended

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:41:30 -0600

The $8000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit has been extended both in time and to include a $6500 tax credit for existing homeowners. Previously, only first time home buyers (those buyers who have not owned a home for at least the three previous years) were eligible for an up to $8000 tax credit based on the purchase price of the home. This was set to stop December 1, 2009. However, President Obama has just signed an extension to the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit that applies to all homes purchased by April 30, 2010. If you have a signed binding sales contract in effect by April 30, 2010, you have until July 2, 2010 to close escrow.

In addition to the $8000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, President Obama made available a $6500 tax credit for current homeowners looking to purchase a new home. Existing homeowners must have used their home as their primary residence for at least five consecutive of the last 8 years to qualify for this new tax credit.

Income Limits:

If you are a single home buyer or married filing head of household, you cannot make more than $125,000. If you are married and file jointly, you cannot make more than $225,000 to receive the total tax credit you are eligible for. You are eligible for a partial credit if you are single or a head of household filer and make between $125,000 and $145,000 or married filing jointly with an income between $225,000 and $245,000.

Homes That Qualify:

Only a home that is purchased and used as a primary residence is eligible for the appropriate tax credit. That means that vacation homes, rental properties and commercial properties do not qualify. Also, the purchase price cannot exceed $800,000.

These tax credits do not have to be paid back provided you use your house for your primary residence for at least three years. However, if you sell your home before the three year time period is up, you will be required to pay back all the tax credit you received. For more information on the tax credit extensions and how they effect you with your Western North Carolina home, please contact me.

Rich Cooke, your Hendersonville real estate expert

FOR SALE: 2 Bed/3 Bath Upper Laurel Park Home for Sale in Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:17:16 -0500

Beautiful Upper Laurel Park Home!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description

$299,000

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

2 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Interior: 1990 sqft
Lot: 1.20 acre(s)

Location

122 Essowah Dr
Hendersonville, NC 28739

Rich Cooke

Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners
(828) 808-9238
rich@richcooke.com
http://www.richcooke.com

Listed by: Keller Williams

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Located in Desirable Upper Laurel Park!
Mountaintop Views!

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FOR SALE: 3 Bed/2 Bath Home for Sale in Desirable Upper Laurel Park Neighborhood of Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:00:53 -0500

Located in Desirable Upper Laurel Park!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description

$330,000

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 2220 sqft
Lot: 0.83 acre(s)

Location

111 Breckenridge Ct
Hendersonville, NC 28739

Rich Cooke

Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners
(828) 808-9238
rich@richcooke.com
http://www.richcooke.com

Listed by: Keller Williams

See more Hendersonville, NC real estate for sale

FOR SALE: 1 Bed/1 Bath Mountaintop View Home for Sale in Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:39:29 -0500

Mountaintop Views!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description

$108,000

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
1 Partial Bathroom
1 Unit
Interior: 780 sqft
Lot: 1.70 acre(s)

Location

2372 Locust Grove Rd
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Rich Cooke

Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners
(828) 808-9238
rich@richcooke.com
http://www.richcooke.com

Listed by: Keller Williams

See more Hendersonville, NC real estate for sale

Charitable Flat Rock Couple Recognized

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:03:56 -0500

I knew Flat Rock residents were charitable. I'm just happy that others recognized this as well. Community activists Robert and Doris Eklund were awarded the Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer Charitable Leadership Award for their service and philanthropic efforts for the Henderson County community. Their work with the Council on Aging as well as the Henderson County Heritage Museum were only two of the many local charities they received the Sauer award for. The Henderson County Community Foundation, who hosted the awards luncheon and is the recognition committee for the annual Sauer award, continues to receive donations from other generous members of the community even through these hard times. Through their Community Fund, they are able to give grants and help people create their own philanthropic foundations for various health care, education, arts, environmental and other service programs in Henderson County. Several of the people that have been direct recipients of the good that the Community Fund provides were on hand to tell their stories as well. For more information about the Community Foundation, please call 697-6224 or visit their website. It's stories like this that makes me proud to be a member of Henderson County.

Health and Animals are the Focus in Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:27:44 -0500

Health and animals are the focus in Hendersonville, North Carolina throughout the rest of the month of September. The Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Shop will be hosting a Pet Adoption Day at its Greenville Highway offices on Saturday, September 12th, from 11am-2pm. Come on down and adopt one of these pets into a loving home they so desperately need. For more information, please call 692-3503.

The third annual 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run for the Horses to benefit Hope for Horses, an equine rescue, rehab and adoption program in Western North Carolina, will be held at the Buncombe County Health Department in Asheville (35 Woodfin Street) on September 20th from 1-4pm. For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.hopeforhorses.org.

Get your flu shots at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall from 8am-7pm on September 24th and 8am-5pm on September 25th. The shots cost $30, but are free with participants who have Medicare Part B insurance. The flu shot does not protect you against the H1N1 virus (swine flu). Make sure you have your Medicare card with you (if applicable). Otherwise, bring cash or a check. To call for an appointment (required) or more information, please call 828-692-4600.

On September 25th, FREE cholesterol and diabetes screenings will held at the Asheville K-Mart (980 Brevard Rd) from 10am-3pm. There is no appointment necessary and it is absolutely free to the public.

Music and Passion are Always in Fashion in Hendersonville

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:15:21 -0500

While the summer months are beginning to wane, Hendersonville is still alive with the sound of music, laughter and art. Tuxedo Junction will be performing music from the 40's through the 90's at the Music on Main Street event on Friday, August 28th, from 7-9pm in Hendersonville. There will also be a classic car show hosted by the Hendersonville Antique Car Club happening in addition to the Music on Main Street performance. This event is sponsored by Burger King and FREE to the public. Make sure you bring a chair and leave the pets and alcohol at home.

Monday, August 31st, is the last scheduled performance of the Southern Crescent Bluegrass and the Rough Creek Cloggers at the 91st Street Dances on Main Street. Also sponsored by Burger King, this event is FREE to the public. You just need to bring a chair and enjoy the show from 7-9pm.

Going on now through September 26th, the Arts Council is hosting a "Bring Us Your Best" show at the Neill Gallery on Main Street. Visitors are welcome to attend this juried and judged show of artisans from all around the Hendersonville area absolutely FREE. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-5pm and Saturdays from 1-4pm.

If you have a chance, head over to the Flat Rock Playhouse anytime from now through September 6th to catch their romantic comedy Real Estate, about what happens when selling your home. Performances are at 8:15pm, with matinees on the weekends at 2:15pm. Please call 866-732-8008 for more info.

Hendersonville Market Statistics for June 2009

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:02:32 -0500

According to the North Carolina Association of Realtors®, home sales may be down overall across the state, but Hendersonville experienced a 2% increase in home sales from the same time last year. The 110 Hendersonville homes sold in June 2009 was a 2% increase from June 2008 figures and was a 31% increase from sales figures in May 2009. The average cost for a Hendersonville home was $219,362 (down 17% from June 2008's average cost of $264,559).

In comparison, Asheville home sales were down 7% from the previous year (June 2009 showed 217 units sold, June 2008 showed 233 units sold). However, June 2009 sales were up 45% from May 2009 figures. The average cost for an Asheville home was 6% less than the same time last year ($266,883 in June 2008, $253,852 in June 2009).

What do these figures mean for you buyers out there? These low prices aren't going to last long. Asheville real estate already seems to be experiencing what may be a bottoming out of the market, with home sales only slightly down from the previous year and the average price being only slightly less as well. Hendersonville real estate is not too far behind, with its home sales almost exactly the same as the previous year and up significantly from the previous month. You don't want to miss out on owning your piece of the American dream. With the expiration of the $8,000 tax credit coming quickly upon us, now is definitely the time to buy. Contact me today to let me know how I can make your Hendersonville or Asheville homeownership dreams come true!

Rich Cooke and Laurel Park in the News

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:25:08 -0500

As I told you in my blog last week, Laurel Park was ranked #3 in the country for most affordable places to retire in the country. As Town Commissioner, I was privileged to be interviewed about this announcement by BlueRidgeNow.com. NeighborhoodScout.com, the company that compiled the list, scoured its database of over 61,000 communities and determined its most affordable places to retire in the country by comparing information gathered from the US Census Bureau, US Geological Service, FBI, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight and the state and federal departments of education. They also compared the median house prices, amenities offered, beautiful surroundings and crime statistics. Laurel Park is a small town (with 1400 year-round residents and up to 2250 in the summer) and wants to keep the homey, small town feel. NeighborhoodScout.com realized what I have known all along. Laurel Park is a wonderful place to live and retire. So, if you are looking for a beautiful, safe, affordable place to retire, please contact me. I'll be happy to show you all that Laurel Park has to offer.

Laurel Park Named #3 Neighborhoods to Retire in USA

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:19:34 -0500

As a resident of Hendersonville, this comes as no surprise. But, now the rest of the country will know what I've known all along. Laurel Park has been named as one of the Best Affordable Places to Retire in the USA, according to NeighborhoodScout.com. This online resource for buyers and investors across the country ranked neighborhoods around the United States according to the median home value and cost of living as well as other factors and gave them a score from 1-100 (100 being best). With its beautiful surroundings in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mild climate and its median home value of $346,100, the Laurel Park neighborhood of Hendersonville, NC was given a high score of 95 out of 100. The only two neighborhoods in the country to surpass Laurel Park were Brecksville, OH (who scored a 97) and Englewood, FL (who scored a 98). So, don't take my word for it. Listen to NeighborhoodScout.com and see why Laurel Park and the Hendersonville area were named as one of the Best Affordable Places to Retire.

Year-Round School Comes to Hendersonville

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:20:24 -0500

Today is back-to-school day for students of Bruce Drysdale Elementary School in Hendersonville, North Carolina, making it only the second school in Henderson County to utilize the year-round system. This makes the start of the school year only four weeks after the end of the previous school year. Rotating tracks will now have 3 months of school for every 1 month break instead of the traditional 9 months on and 3 months off. Both teachers and janitorial staff have worked feverishly to get the school ready for the new year during the shortened summer break. Luckily, many parents have volunteered to help as well, making the transition a little easier.

The reasoning behind having students on a year-round track instead of a traditional school year is so that students will retain more of what they learned over the previous year during the shortened time between studies. Many school districts across the country are beginning to see the benefits of having a year-round curriculum for their students as opposed to the traditional school year. Now, Hendersonville has joined them. This should help our Hendersonville students be more successful in their academic careers.

Red, White & Blue Celebration in Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:58:22 -0500

Hendersonville will be showing its patriotic pride on Saturday, July 4th, in celebration of the birth of our country. If you are a car enthusiast, head to Jackson Park from 2-9pm for the Fourth of July Cruise-in of antique cars sponsored by the Hendersonville Antique Car Club. While you're at Jackson Park, you can enjoy food, beach music by The Embers, crafts and fun for the kids. Just make sure to bring a chair. Jackson Park events will culminate in a fabulous fireworks display at dusk.

The Independence Day Parade will be held on Main Street at 11am, too. Don't miss it! I'll see you there.

Rich Cooke - The Cooke-Knapp Team, Keller Williams Realty - Mountain Partners

Summer Fun for Kids in Asheville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:59:49 -0500

As both a father and a grandfather, I know that involving children in activities that promote their mind and their body's health is a wonderful step in creating a thriving member of the community. One great event that the Asheville City Market is hosting throughout the summer is the Kids Corner Market. Hosted by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), the Kids Corner Market is a series of free activities to promote local farmers as well as a healthy, well-balanced diet and fun exercises for kids to enjoy. It's also a great way to connect with other members of the Asheville community. The Kids Corner Market will be held every Saturday from 10am-12:30pm at the Asheville City Market (161 S Charlotte St) until August 29th and is absolutely FREE to the public.

The schedule of activities for the rest of the summer for the FREE Kids Corner Market is:

June 27: Cooking demo and food art
July 4: Transplant activity, Bountiful Cities Project
July 11: Flower press crafts and herbal tea tasting
July 18: Hands-on activity by a Parkway Ranger
July 25: No Market - Bele Chere
August 1: Obstacle Course
August 8: Healthy eating games
August 15: Scavenger Hunt
August 22: Cooking Demo
August 29: (Last Day of Market) Fun farm activities

Give Life, Give Blood in Hendersonville NC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:52:30 -0500

The Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross is holding its annual blood drive at Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville on June 25th all day long (7am-6pm). All donors will receive a free Operation Blood Drive T-shirt and will be eligible to win a cruise for two in a special drawing. The summer is an especially hard time for blood banks because many people are out of town on vacation. Donors become scarce. To put the importance of this event in perspective, the American Red Cross needs to have 1600 people donate blood as well as platelets every weekday to supply hospitals in the Carolina region alone. You can give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks as long as you are in good health, weigh 110 lbs or more and are at least 17 years old (16 with a parent's permission). To schedule your appointment to donate blood or platelets, please call 693-5605 or visit http://www.membersforlife.org/cbsr/ and use code #6304 when logging in. While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to make an appointment for less waiting time. Make sure to give life by giving blood on June 25th (or anytime) in Hendersonville.

Hendersonville's Music on Main Event

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:55:27 -0500

During the warm summer months, the Visitor's Information Center in Hendersonville (201 S Main Street) will be hosting its "Music on Main Street" event every Friday evening from 7-9pm for free starting this Friday, June 5th, and continuing through August 28th. All you need to do is bring the family, your dancing shoes and a chair to rest in between musical interludes. No pets or alcohol are allowed. Enjoy music of all kinds, including classic rock, oldies, big band, pop, beach music and even an Elvis tribute. This year's festivities will begin and close with the great Tuxedo Junction band, who will be performing hits from the 1940's through the 1990's. The schedule for Hendersonville's summer music series is:

June 5: Tuxedo Junction (music from the 1940's-1990's) and Classic Car Show
June 12: Tom Brown-One Man Band (oldies rock)
June 19: Night Crawlers (classic rock)
June 26: Sound Investment (oldies rock) and Classic Car Show
July 3: Special Edition (oldies rock)
July 10: Capital Sound-Army Band (patriotic, big band and pop), Classic Car Show
July 17: Caribbean Cowboys (beach music)
July 24: The Crew (Top 40) and Classic Car Show
July 31: Night Crawlers (classic rock)
August 7: Asheville's Mix 96.5 House Band (dance)
August 14: Sound Investment (oldies rock)
August 21: Phil Urban & The TCB Band (Elvis tribute) and Classic Car Show
August 28: Tuxedo Junction (music from the 1940's-1990's)

So, put on your dancing shoes, kick up your heels and head on down to Hendersonville's Visitors Center every Friday this summer to enjoy real music with real people. I hope to see you there!

New Website and New Programs Added to BRCC

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:47:58 -0500

The offices at the Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock are buzzing with excitement over new programs added to their curriculum as well as a brand new website unveiled just this week. In addition to the regular programs offered to their students, BRCC will now provide degrees in office administration/virtual office assistance as well as fire protection technology. Three more programs (1-accounting, 2-film and video production technology and 3-simulations and game development) are now under review for approval by the Board of Trustees as of last Friday.

The BRCC's new website has been updated to make it easier for its visitors to navigate. Current students, which include curriculum students as well as continuing education students, will find information on registration dates, child care, the college library, updated weather info, links to obtaining their transcripts and information to their online student programs called Moodle. Prospective students can learn more about what BRCC has to offer, including student services, curriculum, registration dates and signing up for a campus tour of the Flat Rock facilities. BRCC offers a Distance Learners program which allows students to attend from anywhere online. There is a Henderson County JobLink Center, which offers students help to find what job fits them, assistance in searching for jobs, funding for job training and coaching to increase job seeking skills. There are many more services and programs available through the BRCC website. Stop by and take a look around. You'll be happy with what you find.

2 Days + 5 Easy Projects = Increased Curb Appeal

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:13:59 -0500

We all know that you won't get a second chance to make a first impression when you go to sell your home. Curb appeal is the first introduction any buyer will have to your home. That's why it's important to dress your nest to its fullest potential from the outside in. Here are some quick ways to boost your curb appeal that won't take you longer than the weekend to accomplish:

1. Use symmetry - Symmetrical compositions are not only appealing to the eye, but they are easy to create. Having identical floral arrangements on either side of a front door creates a lovely frame to your entryway. Likewise, hanging identical light fixtures on either side of the door enhances the front door's appeal.

2. Update the hardware - Kitchens and bathrooms aren't the only places where fixtures need refreshing. Doorknobs, door knockers, doorbells, house numbers and even mailboxes could use a freshening up as well. Replacing the door hardware can make an old door appear new again and at much less of an out of pocket cost, too.

3. Garden in a box - Liven up the front entryway or windows instantly by adding flowers or plants to simple garden boxes or containers. Visit your local garden center to get whatever flowers are currently in bloom, add them to a decorative container and place them around your front door, porch and windows. This is a simple and quick way to brighten up a drab entrance.

4. Art isn't just for your walls - Create a beautiful focal point by adding a water fixture, birdbath, sculpture or even wind chimes. This is beautiful art for the outside of your home.

5. Frame your home - Replacing worn out shutters, repainting aging shutters or even installing shutters on the windows where there weren't any before gives your home a nice facelift. Paint the trim and shutters a bright color to make them pop out.

These are just a few of many quick and easy projects that you can do over a weekend to increase your curb appeal. Even if you aren't looking to sell your home soon, it's a nice time of year to brighten up your home after the winter doldrums. If you're ever in the need for help with your Western North Carolina real estate needs, make sure to give me a call. I'm always happy to help.

Highway Repaving Creates New Jobs in North Carolina

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:44:31 -0500

Thanks to $4.5 million provided by the government's stimulus package, Western North Carolina will be able to employ 135 people by the end of this month to aid in repairing and resurfacing a large portion of the Spartanburg Highway. This is just part of the $6.1 billion that will be pumped into the state's economy for classrooms, energy, tax cuts for working families and financial aid for college students as well as road construction and repair. While Senator Kay Hagen agrees that the stimulus bill is not the "perfect bill", she is happy to get badly needed jobs into the area. By creating these new jobs, more money will be kept within the local economy, creating a positive ripple effect in the economy. Mayor Greg Newman, from Hendersonville, felt that the most pressing issue on the minds of Americans was jobs. As a mayor of a small North Carolina town, he was grateful that the money would be used to help ease the pressure of unemployment that has fallen across the area.

Easter Weekend in Hendersonville

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:27:57 -0500

If you are in the Hendersonville area this weekend, there will be some wonderful events going on that you may want to take your family to enjoy. Mountain Lore Books & More will be hosting an Easter Party from 1-4pm on Saturday, April 11th, at their Main Street store in Hendersonville. This is part of their ongoing Second Saturday Kids progam. For more info, please call 693-5096.

Downtown Hendersonville will be the scene for the Easter Bonnet Contest and Promenade from 11am-12pm on Saturday, April 11th. Put on your best Easter Bonnet and take a nice little stroll starting from the gazebo located on the 400 block of Main Street for about five blocks, then go north to the 600 block and head on back to the gazebo to complete your promenade. Narnia Studios will award the winner of the Easter Bonnet Contest with a fun basket of "goodies". For more info, please call 697-6393. I hope to see you there in all your Easter Bonnet glory!

There will be several Easter Egg Hunts around the area on Saturday as well. Henderson County Parks and Recreation have invited the Easter Bunny to visit with the kids at Jackson Park starting at 12pm. There will be food, fun, music and prizes as well as inflatables for the kids. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:30pm.

The Easter Bunny will be busy this Saturday. He will also be making an appearance with the Laurels of Hendersonville on Saturday at 1:30pm to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt, pictures, refreshments and prizes. For more info, please call 692-6000.

Etowah will be holding its own community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday from 3-4:30pm at the Etowah United Methodist Church. You can register for the hunt at the church's fellowship hall at 2:30pm. Enjoy crafts, fun for the kids, an Easter Egg Hunt and a moving telling of the Easter story.

"Locked Up" for Charity

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:11:04 -0500

On March 25th, I was "locked up" at our local Hendersonville Outback Steakhouse to help raise money for the Muscular Distrophy Association. This was a fun event where about 120 local business-people were thrown in a makeshift jail, complete with striped uniform, shackles and even a mug shot (you can see mine here). Before I was picked up and taken to the association's Maximum Appreciation Facility, I had raised $1500 for my "bail money". However, after making some phone calls from my "jail cell", I helped raise even more. This was a fun event that helped raise $45,000 for a great cause, which, even in these tough economic times, was $5000 more than last year.

Rich Cooke, Western North Carolina Real Estate

Support the Arts in Hendersonville

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:00:09 -0500

The Arts Council of Henderson County will be presenting "The Artists of Tomorrow" and "Elementary Art" exhibits through April 18th in its "The Art of Our Children" series in Hendersonville, North Carolina. "The Art of Our Children" series is dedicated to all art teachers as well as the students they inspire and mentor along the way. "The Artists of Tomorrow" exhibit features art by local secondary schoolchildren and will be ending this Saturday, March 28th. The "Elementary Art" exhibit will start on April 3rd and continue through April 18th. This is the 14th year that the Arts Council has featured children's artwork from local area schools. This series is free and open to the public. So, take advantage of this marvelous program while it lasts.

The Blue Ridge Community College will play host to the Parrini Piano Quartet at the college's Patton Auditorium at 3pm on Sunday, March 29th. This is part of the ongoing Hendersonville Chamber Music Series in Flat Rock. For more information, please call (828) 890-4411. This concert only costs $17 per ticket.

With performances on March 27th-29th and April 3rd-5th, the Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre will be presenting "Princess Reform School", a wonderful play about what a princess needs to know to unlock her inner princess power, written by Flat Rock's very own Lisa K. Bryant. Evening shows are held at 8:15pm and you can catch a matinee performance on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:15pm. For more information, please call (828) 693-0731.

Five Quick Tips to Spruce Up for Spring

Rich Cooke (Keller Williams Mountain Partners) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:20:43 -0500

Are you ready to say "goodbye" to Winter blahs and "hello" to Spring? Here are some quick, inexpensive ways to spruce up the interior of your home to welcome in the renewal Spring has to offer:

1. Rearrange: This means furniture, accessories, artwork, etc. Try moving the furniture around in a room to create new and interesting conversation areas. Maybe take some books off the shelves and put them on the fireplace mantle. Even moving artwork from one wall or room to another can create a whole new look and feel for your room.

2. Fragrances: This doesn't just mean candles or diffusers. You can bring fragrances in through fresh cut flowers or fragrant branches from your outside foliage. If you must have fresh cut flowers and don't have anything outside you can use, pick up a bouquet from the supermarket, separate the bouquet into different groups of flowers and spread them around the house in a variety of smaller vases.

3. Bedding: New bedding can brighten a room in no time. Get rid of the heavy winter comforter and bring in a lighter coverlet for the warmer evenings ahead. Bring in more color with accent pillows in fun, springtime colors.

4. Good Day, Sunshine: Open up the windows. Pull those heavy drapes back and add a shade or even sheer fabric that will allow the sunlight to come in. And, for goodness sakes, clean the windows!

5. Accessorize: Simply changing the little things can create a whole new atmosphere for a room. Buy throw pillows in bright fabrics. Get a festive colored vase to hold those lovely tulips or daisies. Use brightly colored candles to relay a feeling of Spring renewal.

These are all quick, easy and inexpensive ways to spruce up your home for Spring.