Rich Cooke

Relive the Christmas spirit of yesteryear in downtown Hendersonville on Friday, December 5th from 5-9pm. This Downtown Hendersonville, Inc., and Henderson County Travel and Tourism Visitors Center sponsored event takes place throughout the entire downtown shopping district. Local merchants will be dressed in Victorian garb, offering refreshments to shoppers that grace their stores. Carolers will stroll throughout Main Street and the avenues singing Christmas tunes, free carriage and hay wagon rides will be offered, live entertainment will take place at the gazebo and you can even expect a visit from Father Christmas himself! As a special Christmas treat, the city of Hendersonville is allowing free public parking at Dogwood, Azalea and Maple Streets straight through until the day after Christmas. The Henderson County Heritage Museum will also be open from 5-9pm on Friday.

Take a trip to the Historic Johnson Farm on Saturday, December 6th. They are holding their Christmas at the Farm celebration from 12-5pm. Henderson County schools have decorated trees that line the Christmas Tree Trail leading to the 1880s farmhouse. Included in the festivities are refreshments, holiday music, a bake sale, a tour of the oldest brick building in Henderson County and even a visit with Santa (including photos with the big guy himself). Just $5 for adults, $3 for students and preschoolers allowed free, all proceeds will benefit the nonprofit farm, educational programs, restoration efforts at the farm and a scholarship fund for high school seniors.

Take the family on a trip to enjoy a Victorian Christmas in Hendersonville this weekend. You'll have lots of fun!

With so many people losing their jobs or barely making ends meet, local charities are reporting record numbers of requests for help in the community. Now is a great time to reach out and help your Hendersonville neighbors. Here are just a few examples of how you can make a difference in someone's life this holiday season:

The Henderson County Courthouse (200 N Grove St, Suite 46) is hosting a Santa Star tree, sponsored by Guardian ad Liteum of Henderson County. Children's Christmas wishes have been added to each star. Simply pick a star, purchase the gift mentioned on the star and bring the gift back to the office (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) by December 12th. The presents will be wrapped and delivered to the waiting arms of the needy children. For more info, please call 694-4215.

Donations of clothing, blankets, coats, gloves, scarves, hats, food (such as ham, whole turkeys, canned items, pie fillings, etc) and even laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries are being accepted at the Interfaith Assistance Ministry (210 Ehringhaus St) from 9am-3:30pm Monday-Friday. IAM is a faith-based non-profit organization helping families in need in the Henderson County community. Duke Engery's Share the Warmth fund for Henderson County is distributed through IAM and is in desparate need of money. Duke Energy will match each $50 donation by Henderson County residents that utilize the Share the Warmth envelope provided in your bill. Make sure to write Henderson County on the back flap of the envelope so that Duke Energy knows to keep it local. Any donation check can be sent to IAM's offices (210 Ehringhaus St, PO Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC 28793). Everything is appreciated. For more info, please call 697-7029.

The Hendersonville Police Department is collecting unwrapped toys and clothing donations for children ranging in age up to 16 years old and the elderly for their Needy Persons Fund. Donations can be dropped off at either the Times-News office or Denny's restaurant on Four Seasons Boulevard. Checks can be sent to the HPD Needy Persons Fund at PO Box 1670, Hendersonville, NC 28793. For more info, please call Melissa Justus at 697-3031.

Bounty for Bethlehem, a non-denominational church, offers a Bands for Bounty performance on December 5th to help raise money for their Christmas day banquet. They also collect new, unwrapped toys, wrapping paper, ribbon and tape at the Immaculata Catholic School (711 N Buncombe St). Volunteers for the banquet can call 693-5115. Donation checks can be mailed to Bounty of Bethlehem, PO Box 883, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

Other great charities in the area that can be contacted about their holiday drives are:

Operation Christmas Child, First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville, 800-597-6910.

Hendersonville Rescue Mission (Thanksgiving and Christmas meals), Deana Shelton, 697-1354. Cash donations can be mailed to PO Box 1512, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

Shoeboxes for Seniors, Times-News/Council on Aging, 694-7831.

Bell Ringers & Angel Trees, Salvation Army, 693-4181. Cash donations can be sent to PO Box 2387, Hendersonville, NC 28793-2387.

Community Food Distributions, The Storehouse, 692-8300. Cash donations can be sent to PO Box 6146, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

Toys for Tots, US Marine Corps, 698-5684. Drop-off points include: Toys for Tots Headquarters in Highland Square Shopping Center, Walmart, United Community Bank (2520 Chimney Rock Rd), BB&T Bank (6526 Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher), Blue Ridge Community Health Services (2579 Chimney Rock Rd), Park Ridge Hospital (100 Hospital Dr, Fletcher), Fatz Cafe (Henderson Crossing Plaza), Mac Easler Ford (601 Duncan Hill Rd), Bryan Easler Toyota (1409 Spartanburg Highway), Big Lots (next to Epic Theater off Thompson St), Expressions Photography (Singletary Center, Flat Rock), Wachovia Bank (Laurel Park), UPS Store (Highland Square Shopping Center), Mountain Credit Union (5010 Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher), Hendersonville Eye Care (1401 Haywood Rd), Dixie Diner (1724 Brevard Rd, Laurel Park), Mountain View Tire (Linda Vista Dr), Outback Steakhouse (250 Mitchelle Dr) and any Dollar General Store.

Santa Paws, Henderson County Animal Shelter (828 Stoney Mountain Rd, Hendersonville). This fundraiser helps raise money for Henderson County Animal Services by providing photos with owner and pet for $15 each.

Tree of Lights, Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street. For more info, please call 692-6178.

Of course, this is just a small sampling of what's going on in Henderson County this holiday season. For those fortunate enough to be able to help in any way possible, now is the time to do it!

Despite the ups and downs on Wall Street, the US housing market has looked promising over the last couple of months. In fact, just last week, sales figures of existing homes across the country were up 5.5% (the highest jump since the middle of the housing boom in July 2003). Many of these sales were foreclosures, meaning a lower sales price. New construction was up 2.7% nationwide last month as well. Since many people are gobbling up the lower priced homes (especially those in foreclosure), the former glut of inventory now seems to be getting smaller, indicating the beginning of a possible leveling out of the housing market. Mortgage applications were on the rise as well thanks largely to the decreased rate of 6.26% for 30-year fixed rate loans and 6.1% for 15-year loans. Conventional loan mortgage applications were up 7.9% and FHA insured loan applications were up by 10.1%. As the real estate outlook continues to look better, it is important to keep in mind that now is still a great time to buy a home or investment property. Don't miss out!

Even though the credit markets have been frozen, homebuyers can rest assured that the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are still open for business during the credit squeeze. In fact, FHA's volume has tripled. They are even insuring over 100,000 new loans a month. According to a spokesperson with HUD, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have kept liquidity up for new homebuyers and have virtually unlimited funds for new mortgages. Combined, these three entities control 90% of US mortgages. The credit crunch will not affect homebuyers with at least a 3% down payment, a documentable employment record and moderately good credit rating. While business and commercial loans have been a bit harder to come by in the last few weeks, qualified homebuyers looking to purchase or refinance mortgages haven't had that trouble.

HUD's Financial Stability Oversight Board's primary responsibility over the next several weeks will be to refinance or help work out delinquent subprime homes financed by private lenders during the previous boom years. Their Hope for Homeowners program is set up to cut the principal and monthly payments and interest rates of delinquent loans through refinancing into fixed rate FHA mortgages.

The government has also infused HUD with $3.9 billion to create a Neighborhood Stabilization program. This program allows HUD to provide funds to local governments to buy, fix up or rent out foreclosed homes in an effort to ease neighborhoods where the high volume of foreclosed homes has brought a decrease in home values. The Neighborhood Stabilization program offers local governments the ability to play a role in fighting the sluggish housing market and provides an opportunity for real estate agents, builders and investors to profit in the turnaround efforts. For those interested in the Neighborhood Stabilization program, speak with your local city or county housing officials for more information.

You will not be bored trying to find things to do in the Hendersonville area this week that include fun for the entire family:

October 16-19: Craft Fair of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Visit Asheville's Civic Center from 10am-6pm on Thursday through Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday to peruse the handcrafted items for sale, listen to local musicians play live music and take any of the number of craft classes available for adults and children.

October 17-18: 2nd Annual Raymond Fairchild Mountain Music Jamboree. Stop by the Eaglenest Entertainment in Maggie Valley, NC to enjoy this indoor bluegrass music festival. With over 800+ comfy seats, it is easy to get up close and personal with the wonderful performers. Free parking is available and prices range from $25-$65. For more info, call 828-926-9658.

October 17-18: Carp Fishing Tournament at the Adventure Village. Each day, the tournament goes from 6pm-midnight. There is a $40 entry fee with a 75% payback. Prizes will be awarded for hourly big and small pots as well as the big and small fish for each night. For more info, please call 828-884-5411.

October 17-18: Blue Ridge Corn Maze "Shock in the Corn" Haunted Maze. Available on first-come, first-served basis. For more info, please call 828-884-4415.

October 18-19: 2008 Shepherd's Care Autumn Festival. Downtown Lake Lure is hosting over 70 local artists and crafters for this fun crafts fair from 10am-5pm.

October 18-19: Festival of Traditions. Learn more about the myths and legends of the North Carolina mountains through the tales of Appalachian Storytellers. There will also be arts, crafts, a picnic lunch and entertainment. Admission is absolutely FREE!

There are plenty more things to do in the Hendersonville area this weekend. To find out what else is available, please visit the Hendersonville Calendar of Events.