Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Internet is all abuzz about the $8,000 tax credit!

Below is a shorter recapped version of what we have been hearing about the first time home buyers tax credit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson's (R-Ga.) office forwarded some additional details of the $8,000 tax credit deal that Senate negotiators worked out last night: The tax credit would be $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for move-up buyers.

The new tax credits will be available from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. The tax credit will sunset on April 30, 2010, but as long as you have a binding contract by that date, you will still qualify to complete the transaction within 60 days. Move-up buyers are eligible, as long as the home they're leaving has been used as their principal residence for 5 years or more.

Income limits for both first-time home buyers and move-up buyers would be $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples. The home being purchased may not cost $800,000. (The tax credit is structured that you will get 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for trade-up buyers, but if you're buying a $1 million house, you're ineligible to get a tax credit.) For purchases made in 2010, taxpayers can claim the tax credit on their 2009 income tax return. Home buyers would not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their principal residence for 36 months after the purchase date.

The amendment includes a military waiver provision, meaning the recapture provision would not apply in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, military intelligence or Foreign Service who is on qualified official extended duty. In addition, members of the military who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 would have until April 30, 2011 to claim the home buyer tax credit.

The amendment also includes anti-fraud language that gives authority to the IRS to do greater oversight during the processing of the return rather than waiting for an audit situation. The amendment requires the taxpayer claiming the credit to be 18 years of age or older (no more 4-year olds filing for the tax credit), as well as requiring a HUD-1 settlement statement to be attached when claiming the credit.

You all are fabulous helping a great cause for sheltered animals. We pray she wins but your support made the difference! Thank You!!!!

Thank you everyone for voting!! Your support has helped us win $500 for animal rescue. That money will take care of shots and spaying/neutering for 10 dogs or cats so they can find forever homes! We are hoping to be chosen for a top 4 spot to be announced on November 12th, and then the million dollar winner is announced on Thanksgiving Day! Send our thanks on to your friends and families that helped support Little Bitsy! We couldn't have done it without you all!! Thank you!! Evelyn, Sylvia and Little Bitsy

Active Rain Community we need your help to help Rescue Animals and it costs you ZERO!

Our County can receive up to 1 million dollars for Animal Rescued Pets. Please VOTE NOW but only once daily or she will be disqualified. Once you login do a search for Little Bitsy and vote. Link is below called do it for Bitsy.

This is an article from Vanity Fair as they too se the need to help.

Every Little Bits Helps

I'm going to break with precedence here. Or do I mean protocol? Oh let's not get hung up on semantics.

I don't believe it is the role of this blog to tell you, an autonomous, sentient flesh module capable of fixing your own lunch, whom to support in an election. This blog works on the assumption that you are mature enough to make up your own mind regarding a candidate or a ballot initiative, capable of casting your own futile, meaningless vote.

But I've discovered a candidate who speaks to my heart, for whom your vote(s) would not be in vain.

I speak of Little Bitsy, the remarkable dog whose soulful brown eyes I first found staring at me at Balloon Juice. Bitsy, a malnourished mixed terrier who was discovered and rescued at the side of a road after being struck by a car, is one of the thousands of worthy canines competing for the coveted title of Cutest Dog. It isn't just an honorary title. "Of the many prizes offered to the cutest dogs, the top prize will come in at a whopping $1,000,000. Little Bitsy's adopted owners have pledged 100% of any possible funds that they win to local animal rescue."

Although I am a cat person by temperament and joyful experience, Little Bitsy's cocked head and mute, beseeching stare speaks to my soul, and I intend to vote for Bitsy today, tomorrow, and each day until the votes are tallied, and I encourage you to do so too. Do it for animal rescue, do it for democracy, do it for America, do it for Bitsy.
http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=08C91FF88447651C43B224AF9FFC1E6E

Motorcycling in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Pisgah National Forest
As you will see in one of my recent posts we had a fabulous motorcycle ride from Brevard to Cherokee NC. With over 40 bikes, we didn't have a single incident, not even a flat. Those those that ride, the twisties are the best in the US, as well as the views are spectacular. For more information jsut give me a call or e-mail me at Jay@HomeINBrevard.com 828-421-0375

To our Biker Friends,

I just wanted to send out this email of appreciation to all of you and thanking you for taking part with us at some point in our motorcycle ministry here at Brevard Wesleyan Church. This past Sunday was our final ride for this year, the Annual Fall Colors Cherokee Run and it was a blast! In spite of early morning cloud cover, the turnout was awesome! It was a great turnout of riders with your awesome bikes and trikes! We had a great group that rode up from a number of different towns in South Carolina and a great bunch of riders from places here in North Carolina that I've never heard of. It's always a rush to see everyone pulling into the parking lot and to meet each of you! This is what makes our ride - you the people! The fellowship that we have out in the parking lot is awesome, and then to get to sit around a table of good food and talk with each other is really good. There was even a fellowship taking place as we proceeded down the highway (40 or 50 bikes) behind a police escort with his blue lights flashing and our motorcycle headlights on and watch the oncoming traffic stop and pull off the road thinking it's a funeral (that's an indicator of the respectful community that we live in); then to ride in the convoy to our destination of Cherokee. When we got to where we were to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway and found that the clouds and fog were too thick to get onto the Parkway, we had to remain on Hwy 276 (for safety) and actually rode the ride in reverse order as to what our plans were. By the time we had finished our meal at Granny's the cloud cover had burned off for the most part and we got on the Parkway for the return back to Brevard. There was only about, maybe, a three or four mile stretch right at the end of the Parkway part (where we would get back on 276) that was foggy and it was doable.

I have received emails from many of you, expressing how great of a time you had and how you'll be looking forward to other rides that we will be having. Thank you for your kind words and we, Brevard Wesleyan Church, will be looking for ALL of you to come back and take part with us again for other rides in the future. Keep us in mind for next spring's Blessing of the Bikes, which will be April 18th. An easy way to remember this event is that it will always be on the first Sunday AFTER tax deadline [April 15th]. I think tax deadline is pretty well etched into our minds. The Blessing of the Bikes is not where we come together to pray for the chrome and metal, but for the safety of you for that new riding season. Here's a challenge to each one of you. For next spring's Blessing of the Bikes, each one of you bring others with you.

Keep in mind, if there is ever anything that we at Brevard Wesleyan Church can do to help you along the way in your spiritual journey, feel free to contact me by either phone or email (or you're welcome to come by the church). We are here to serve you!
Thanks again to all of you and safe motoring until we meet again!
Sincerely, Hank Moffitt
(828) 883-8408 pastorhank@citcom.net

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One Level Townhome with Lake Views in Straus Park

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Brevard & Transylvania County needs your help TODAY. Please Vote for Little Bitsy. County could win 1 Million Dollars for Sheltered Animals

Could This Dog Win $1 Million?

Link to vote but only vote once a day or Little Bitsy will be disqualified  You can do a search using Little Bitsy to go right to her. Thanks in advance for voting and most of all for helping sheltered animals  http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=08C91FF88447651C43B224AF9FFC1E6E

Transylvania County's Little Bitsy is nipping at the heels of a $1 million prize that will be used for animal rescue efforts in Transylvania County, but she's going to need your help to win.

Local residents Sylvia and Barney Evans recently adopted Little Bitsy from local animal rescue volunteer Evelyn Bridges, who found the Rat Terrier mix after she had been hit by a car.

Now that she's all healed, Little Bitsy finds herself as a front-runner in the All American Pet Brands Cutest Dog Competition. In order to be eligible for the $1 million grand prize, she must first win one of 12 weekly competitions; 10 of those have already passed.

"We've only got two more weeks," said Bridges. "Little Bitsy has been in the top five for the past five weeks, out of over 60,000 dogs. She's receiving over 2,000 votes a week, but the other weekly winners have had four or five thousand.

"If we could just get the community to vote for her, we could win."

The prize money will be used for animal rescue efforts in the county. Bridges, a passionate animal advocate, works closely with the Transylvania County Animal Shelter and animal rescue groups such as TAAG, Friends For Life,

Animal Lighthouse, the Animal Compassion Network and others to help place animals in homes.

According to Bridges, last month she and other volunteers and friends pulled 31 animals from the local animal shelter.

Eight puppies were flown by the Pilots And Paws program from Greenville, S.C. to Orlando, Fla., and were then driven by volunteers to Port St. Lucie.

Bridges' husband, Marion, recently drove another seven dogs from Brevard to Minneapolis.

"Chuck Byrd and the staff at the local animal shelter work diligently to help us rescue the animals, Bridges said. "They do a great job with limited resources. But our shelter is a kill shelter. Owner turn-ins are the first to be put down. Strays are kept for five days, unless they get full, in which case it's first in, first down."

For Bridges, saving animals has been a life-long crusade. She conducted her first animal rescue almost 50 years ago, when she brought home a stray mother dog and four pups.

"My father, Charlie Powers, showed me by his example how to love animals, and that it was my duty to take care of them," she said.
Bridges is the first to admit that her passion can get expensive, which is why winning the contest is important.

The animals must be spayed, neutered and vaccinated before they can be transferred, not to mention the cost of feeding and housing them.
In fact, that's how Silvia and Barney Evans first met Little Bitsy. They volunteered to keep Little Bitsy while she became healthy enough to have surgery on her injured leg. Ultimately, the leg healed itself, but by that time they were so attached to Little Bitsy that they decided to adopt her.

To vote, do a Google search for "Little Bitsy Cutest Dog," which will take you directly to the voting page. First-time visitors will have to give an email address and password. You can only vote once per day.

If she wins one of the next two weekly competitions, she will receive $500. The public will vote once again for the top four out of those 12.

The finalists will receive $5,000, and the one chosen as the winner by the judges will get the $1 million grand prize.

Regardless of whether or not Little Bitsy wins, Bridges plans to keep right on rescuing animals.

"I have six rescue dogs in my home, and one rescued cat," she said. "I stop for every dog or cat I see on the side of the road. That's how I met Little Bitsy. It's my passion; it's what I want to do."

Bridges is in the process of forming a 501-C3 non-profit, Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue, named in honor of her father.

If you would like to know more about Bridges' rescue efforts, you can e-mail her at ebridges@citcom.net. Monetary support can be sent to the Charlie Powers Memorial Animal Fund, c/o Evelyn Bridges, Steve Owen And Associates, 49 Pisgah Highway, Suite 4, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. By Sean Trapp
Staff Writer

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous

Riding my Motorcyle on Blue Ride Parkway looking at the Fall Colors & Check out the video's

Yesterday I rode with 60+ other riders from Brevard NC to Cherokee NC across the Blue Ridge parkway in the Pisgah National Forest. The fall colors were nothing but spectacular as well as the views at the overlooks.

We started our ride from the Brevard Wesleyan Church located in downtown Brevard and with a police escort as far as the entrance of the Parkway (maybe 2 miles) we headed up Hwy 276 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the entrance of the Parkway we rode into the clouds and often the visibility is so poor that it's hard to see 20 feet ahead of you so we decided to ride down into Waynesville and then into Cherokee NC.

After a buffet meal at Granny's (I highly recommend it) we headed back towards Brevard again but this time onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for some of the prettiest early season colors I have seen in a long time. The overlooks were full of lookers at the long range views and guessing some 60 miles of absolutely clear skies. Well it was cloudless until we got almost into Transylvania county and the clouds (some call it fog) rolled in as you will see in one of the below videos.

I hope you can get a since of the fall colors as they were really spectacular and ever changing almost every mile of the way. Don't ask how I took the videos' but after I told my wife she said now you know why I don't ride with you. She even asked how many times I checked my blackberry and e-mailed.

If you have never been to this part of Western NC its time you paid us a visit!

Riding in the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Here we are at over 5000 feet in elevation riding into the clouds

 One more at almost 6000 foot Elevation on Blue Ridge Parkway headed home to Brevard from Cherokee NC

 

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous

Don't use Compact Flourescent Lights in your Garage Door Openers (edit/delete)
This is one tip I recently recieved from a home inspector that I am glad I got. I have been on a mission at home replacing all incandescent lights with CFL bulbs and was about to change the opener bulbs. Thanks to Altamont Inspections, LLC for some great tips.

There have been several warnings concerning the use of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in garage door openers. Most garage door openers use electronic switching similar to a dimmer switch to operate the light bulbs and it is not compatible with CFLs, even CFLs that are supposed to be "ruggedized" or dimmable. This switching incompatibility coupled with the inherent vibration of a garage door opener can damage the electronic circuits and can cause the electric motor to overheat to a potentially dangerous level. Neither the Genie Company, a company which makes door openers (call them at 800-354-3643), nor the General Electric Company, a CFL manufacturer, recommend the use of CFLs in garage door openers.

1.You WILL Receive The Finest Service! SRS & ABR Certified
Our Web site www.HomeInBrevard.com
2.Jay Kaiser's e-mail Jay@HomeInBrevard.com
3.Jewell Kaiser's e-mail Jewell@HomeInBrevard.com
Office 1-800-634-5196, Local 828-883-9895
Fax 828-877-3782, Home 828-884-7211
Jay Cell 828-421-0375 Jewell Cell 828-421-8376
4.Linkedin
5.Trulia
6.YouTube
7.Google Profiles
8.Twitter
9.HomeINBrevard BlogSpot
10.FaceBook
11.Sylvan Heights www.sylvanheights.net
12.Sylvan Habitat www.sylvanhabitat.com
13.Company web site www.fisherrealtync.com
14.Working With Real Estate Agents Brochure

Fall Colors in Brevard NC are progressing well and we should have a great year!

Fall Colors are going to be spectacular. Picture is from last year 

I am really excited as the colors are starting to change a little faster than they were last week. As I just drove from Hendersonville this afternoon, and looked back across the mountains into the Pisgah National Forest you can see the contrast of yellow and some bright reds just starting out.

Now Downtown Brevard being at 2200 feet in elevation the color changes will be a little slower than those at the higher elevations. The picture I have attached was taken by John Krause a colleague of mine last year and the elevation is just over 2400 feet and taken from his lot he has for sale in SylvanHeights. See this link of the lot I own in SylvanHeights for pictures I took during the winter. Sylvan Heights in Brevard NC

Don't let the beautiful fall colors pass you by this year. Plan a trip to Brevard NC (click on the link to view the video). Jewell and I hope to see you soon and stay turned for leaf progress reports.

1. You WILL Receive The Finest Service!  SRS & ABR Certified
   Our Web site www.HomeInBrevard.com 
2. Jay Kaiser's e-mail Jay@HomeInBrevard.com
3. Jewell Kaiser's e-mail Jewell@HomeInBrevard.com
   Office 1-800-634-5196, Local 828-883-9895
   Fax 828-877-3782,  Home 828-884-7211
   Jay Cell 828-421-0375 Jewell Cell 828-421-8376
4. Linkedin
5. Trulia
6. YouTube
7. Google Profiles
8. Twitter
9. HomeINBrevard BlogSpot
10. FaceBook
11. Sylvan Heights www.sylvanheights.net
12. Sylvan Habitat www.sylvanhabitat.com
13. Company web site www.fisherrealtync.com  
14. Working With Real Estate Agents Brochure

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous

The Perfect Storm to A Perfect Sale!

All four of the variables go together to create the "perfect sale."  Each aspect must be taken into consideration if you want a property to sell.

1.  Price fixes everything!  Don't let anyone tell you different.  When the buyer perceives there is a value because of the price, they will buy the home.

The other three varibles always can effect the price.

There are circumstances where a buyer has lost the ability to qualify for a traditional loan because of a foreclosure or bankruptcy and the buyer needs owner financing.  With Owner carry Terms that particular buyer may be willing to pay more because they have ownership with possibly a small down payment. 

Conversely, if the Condition is bad the price will have to be reduced to reflect a value in the home where a buyer will have to come in and do repairs or cosmetic updates.

Location is the toughest variable in the sale to compensate for.  Most people have heard about in Real Estate the terms Location, Location, Location. If the location is bad.. ONLY price will sell the property possibly combined with terms so exciting that a buyer will not be able to pass up the deal. 

2.  Terms.  If the Terms are attractive, sometimes a seller can get more money for the home.  For example: a home with a value of $325,000 listed with owner carry terms of $25,000 down and no bank qualifing might be able to sell at $350,000 because of the terms. 

Under any owner carry situation, it is important the seller speak with their accountant and attorney before accepting any contract and agreement to finance.   The seller should be completely aware of the liability and consequences in owner financing. This is just an example how price can increase with the right terms.

3.  Condition is a key factor in selling a home.  When the property is in top condition, looking like a show home the seller may get top market value for the property. In times where homes are selling at a slow pace, in order to procur a sale, the home should be the BEST property at the Lowest price to get to the closing table.

Taking a seller on a preview tour of the homes in the area similar to their property can save months of discouragement with a home not selling.  When a seller can see the competition and accepts the fact their home needs to be the Best house at the lowest price to sell, the home will sell and the seller will see what they are up against in comparison.

Carpet or paint allowance does NOT work in selling a home.  If the home needs carpet, put it in.  If the home needs painting, get it painted.  Many times this can cost a seller $5,000 to $8,000 to do those upgrades.  Investing, yes, investing is the correct term, for getting the house sold. The money invested will come back in the form or a quick sale at full market value.

A picture is worth a thousand words so think about how the property looks and even take some pictures to see what a buyer is looking at.  Sellers should look at the pictures like they were a buyer and ask, "would I buy this house in this condition for this price?"  Are the kitchen counters cluttered?  Are the closets a mess?  What does the front door look like and the yard when people drive up to the house? 

A seller has 8 seconds for a buyer looking at a home to decide if they really like the house and if it will go on the A list.  The buyer starts the decision making process when driving up to the home while looking at the surrounding properties and the entrance to the home. 

There are many agents are trained in "staging" a home and there are "staging services" which help a seller to understand what needs to be done to create a "marketable product." Listen to these people if you want to get the house sold.

The seller needs to separate from the house and see it as an investment or product that needs to be sold. The seller needs to take all the emotions out of the happy memories in the home if they are serious about selling.

4.  Location is the only variable which cannot be changed.  A bad location, is a bad location so only price and terms are going to help this situation. 

It does not matter that the same model home across the street sold for thousands more, because it was ACROSS THE STREET and did not back to the highway.  A seller needs to get a reality check on location and think about when they purchased.  If the seller got a good deal when they bought because it had a bad location then they have to give the new buyer the same good deal to sell. 

Sellers should take all the emotion out of the business of selling a home and treat the transaction as an investment decision. 

If the goal is to get the home sold then listen to the professionals and let them do their job. A Re-blogg by Carra Riley

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous

Mistakes you Must Avoid When Selling Your Home

The real estate market is not what it used to be. While some buyers started house hunting again in recent months, sellers continue to feel frustrated by lower-than-expected home values and the sluggishness of the market.

Individual home sellers can’t control market trends, economic conditions or the whims of local buyers. But it is possible to attract buyers for real estate investments, even during a recession.

Yes, people are purchasing houses. Not just foreclosures, either. There aren’t nearly as many buyers on the market as there were two years ago, but they’re out there. Average people looking for homes at fair, affordable prices.

It’s up to you, the seller, to attract these buyers. You must facilitate the process and compel them to buy your home. How? By making sound decisions about finances, marketing and timing. And by avoiding mistakes that may reduce your chances of closing a sale.

Don’t turn buyers away by making one of these common blunders:

Missing the price point.

“It’s all about price right now,” said T.C. Hyatt, a local real estate agent with eight years of experience in Snohomish County. “People used to say ‘location, location, location.’ Now the number-one focus is on price and value.”

Hyatt continued, “Not all sellers are in despair. Some of them don’t want to wait for the economy to turn around. They just want to sell.” These individuals often have a hard time identifying the right price. They realize that it’s a down market, but they refuse to lose out on their investments.

“Sellers can’t be too greedy,” warned Hyatt. “Overpriced properties won’t sell.”

Savvy home sellers are realistic about the real and perceived values of their properties. They take market trends into consideration. Plus, they research the local competition carefully. “If your neighbor has a different sale price, high or low, figure out why,” said Hyatt. “Are they behind in payments? Do they owe more than the property’s worth? Are they being overly hopeful or optimistic?”

Slacking on presentation.

Lower prices and extended listing times can be hard on home sellers, triggering financial concerns and causing delays in family or career plans. Despite these obstacles, it’s essential for sellers to stay focused on the task at hand. Excellent presentation is the first step in closing a deal.

When preparing your home for sale, remember that buyers respond to the look and feel of a property. Their first impression begins when they arrive at the house and notice the grounds and entryway. They expand on their impression once they step inside the home, drawing on all of their senses to evaluate the environment.

According to Hyatt, “Just because you’ll make 15 percent less on your property than you would have made a year ago doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean the carpets, touch up the paint and mow the lawn.”

Relying on poor advice.

Recently, when the market declined, many agents left the industry. However, some of the more dedicated, experienced professionals remained. Many of these people have been in the business long enough to see the market fluctuate over the years. They understand trends, and they know how to navigate beyond challenges to deliver the best results for their clients.

It is important to choose a seasoned real estate agent, someone who knows how to attract qualified buyers despite harsh market conditions. Before selecting that person, ask about years of experience. Request details about prior transactions. Inquire about specific marketing strategies to expedite the sale process in a slow-moving market.

If you don’t feel confident in your agent, find someone else. Now more than ever, you need reliable advice on marketing, pricing, finances and negotiating the transaction.

Letting emotions get in the way.

One of the most common mistakes made by home sellers involves sentimentality. People tend to infuse their homes with personalities and memories. Feeling “at home” may enrich your daily life, but it can obstruct the real estate sales process.

If you are too emotionally connected to your home and its contents, you could make poor choices that turn away potential buyers. For instance, sentimental sellers might limit access to their properties. They may resist marketing, or avoid making small changes that could significantly improve their chances of closing a sale, such as changing paint color or rearranging furniture.

Home sales are business transactions. If you can, let go of tightly held emotions. While you’re at it, remind yourself that you can’t control the industry, but you can manage your decisions at each phase of the process.

Hyatt concluded, “Be patient. Don’t be discouraged. And once you choose an experienced Realtor, trust his (or her) advice.” By Eve Nicholas Special to The Herald

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous

The Wooly Worms are returning to Brevard NC. What kind of winter is ahead?

The Wooly worms have made there annual visit to Brevard. When I see them I always know that winter is around the corner. Below are some interesting facts about the Wooly Worm and MaMaw (grandmother Worley) no matter what research says was just about right on with the weather by observing the Wooly Worm and other creatures. Not to mention she always planted her gardens by the signs and I never saw a bad crop but always one of the best gardens in the south.

Below is a compilation of several articles I found quite interesting; enjoy and maybe if you pet one you just might have some good luck.

"The creatures we call wooly worms are, in fact, caterpillars, so their time spent as a wooly worm is limited. The United States is home to at least eight species of the hairy caterpillars that are commonly called wooly worms."

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the longer the middle brown band, the milder and shorter the coming winter; the shorter the brown band, the longer and more severe winter will be.

The truth behind the woolly worms/bear's band length actually has more to do with age than with predicting the weather. As the caterpillar prepares to overwinter, the caterpillar molts, becoming less black and more reddish-brown as it ages. Woolly worms overwinter from September to May, and are commonly found along nature trails and wooded edges and crossing sidewalks and roadways seeking overwintering sites.

 A lot of folklore surrounds the banded wooly worm, particularly related to its supposed ability to predict upcoming winter weather each fall.

"The typical banded wooly worm has sections of black hairs at each end, and a section of orange-brown hairs in the center," she explained. "Legend says that the more black on a banded wooly worm, the more severe the winter will be.

"Some folks have taken this to an extreme, and noting that there are 13 segments in a typical banded wooly worm, they argue that each segment represents one week of winter. Orange segments predict mild weeks, and black ones foretell bad winter weather."

Then there are those that insist that the thickness of the hairs is the predictor--thick hair equals a bad winter, sparse hair a mild one. Another legend says that the direction a wooly worm is found traveling is a hint about the coming winter. If the wooly worm is traveling north, count on a mild winter. If he's headed south, get ready for a long, cold winter.

"Research has shown repeatedly that the colors or hairs of wooly worms have no bearing on weather the following winter," she said. "Larvae hatched from the same clutch of eggs reared under one set of environmental conditions will show a range of hair thickness and colorations, from fully orange to fully black.

"This variation in a constant environment is a strong argument against wooly worms being able to predict the weather. There is genetic segregation for color and hair thickness present in the wooly worm population. This segregation would make it nearly impossible to visually sort out any environmental influence if it did exist."

People come from miles around to participate in the Banner Elk wooly worm festival races.

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The Wooly Worms are returning to Brevard NC. What kind of winter is ahead?

<p><strong>The </strong>Wooly worms have made there annual visit to Brevard. When I see them I always know that winter is around the corner. Below are some interesting facts about the Wooly Worm and MaMaw (grandmother Worley) no matter what research says was just about right on with the weather by observing the Wooly Worm and other creatures. Not to mention she always planted her gardens by the signs and I never saw a bad crop but always one of the best gardens in the south.</p>
<p><strong>Below</strong> is a compilation of several articles I found quite interesting; enjoy and maybe if you pet one you just might have some good luck.</p>
<p><strong>"The</strong> creatures we call wooly worms are, in fact, caterpillars, so their time spent as a wooly worm is limited. The United States is home to at least eight species of the hairy caterpillars that are commonly called wooly worms."</p>
<p><strong>According</strong> to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the longer the middle brown band, the milder and shorter the coming winter; the shorter the brown band, the longer and more severe winter will be.</p>
<p><strong>The</strong> truth behind the woolly worms/bear's band length actually has more to do with age than with predicting the weather. As the caterpillar prepares to overwinter, the caterpillar molts, becoming less black and more reddish-brown as it ages. Woolly worms overwinter from September to May, and are commonly found along nature trails and wooded edges and crossing sidewalks and roadways seeking overwintering sites.</p>
<p> <strong>A</strong> lot of folklore surrounds the banded wooly worm, particularly related to its supposed ability to predict upcoming winter weather each fall.</p>
<p><strong>"The</strong> typical banded wooly worm has sections of black hairs at each end, and a section of orange-brown hairs in the center," she explained. "Legend says that the more black on a banded wooly worm, the more severe the winter will be.</p>
<p><strong>"Some</strong> folks have taken this to an extreme, and noting that there are 13 segments in a typical banded wooly worm, they argue that each segment represents one week of winter. Orange segments predict mild weeks, and black ones foretell bad winter weather."</p>
<p><strong>Then</strong> there are those that insist that the thickness of the hairs is the predictor--thick hair equals a bad winter, sparse hair a mild one. Another legend says that the direction a wooly worm is found traveling is a hint about the coming winter. If the wooly worm is traveling north, count on a mild winter. If he's headed south, get ready for a long, cold winter.</p>
<p><strong>"Research</strong> has shown repeatedly that the colors or hairs of wooly worms have no bearing on weather the following winter," she said. "Larvae hatched from the same clutch of eggs reared under one set of environmental conditions will show a range of hair thickness and colorations, from fully orange to fully black.</p>
<p>"<strong>This </strong>variation in a constant environment is a strong argument against wooly worms being able to predict the weather. There is genetic segregation for color and hair thickness present in the wooly worm population. This segregation would make it nearly impossible to visually sort out any environmental influence if it did exist."</p>
<p><strong>People</strong> come from miles around to participate in the Banner Elk wooly worm festival races.</p>

Posted via web from jaykaiser's posterous