Free Motorcycle Safety Classes in Hendersonville

One of the things I love most about living in Western North Carolina is the amazingly beautiful scenery we get to enjoy every day.  A nice drive on a Saturday afternoon lets you see this natural beauty up close.  This is especially true if you’re a motorcycle enthusiast.  That’s why the police and sheriff’s departments are offering free motorcycle safety classes in Hendersonville.

On March 10, 2012 and March 16, 2012, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Hendersonville Police Department will be offering motorcyclists an education in cycle safety, rules of the road and techniques to improve your skills on your bike.  Whether your “hog” is a heavy duty Harley Davidson or a sweet little moped that helps you tool around town, you’re sure to learn something at the class.  The Sheriff’s Department will be conducting the March 10th class while the Hendersonville Police Department will conduct the March 16th class.

Included in your free training will be:

• Motorcycle Control – accelerating, braking and clutch as well as how to make your ride smoother.
• Hazard Management – recognizing, avoiding and reacting to hazards you may encounter.
• Cornering – assessing the angle of a curve and how to approach and complete in a safe manner.
• Overtaking
• Roadcraft – using your mirrors and turn signals effectively as well as your attitude on the road.

In the morning, Hendersonville drivers will be inside the classroom going over basic information.  Then, students will be paired up with instructors when they head out for a short ride around a special course to assess their skills and see what they’ve learned.  After lunch, students will head back into the classroom for feedback from their instructors.  Drivers will then be paired up again with their instructors to drive around a larger course (approximately 75 minutes).  All students will then head back into the classroom to again receive feedback on their ride from their instructors as well as answer any final questions.

While the class is absolutely free, you will be required to have the following before you will be allowed to participate:

• Legal Motorcycle Endorsement
• Motorcycle Registration
• Motorcycle Insurance
• Proper DOT-Approved Helmet
• Proper Footwear (rises above the ankle for protection)
• Long Sleeve Shirt and Pants (no shorts or T-shirts allowed)
• Full Fingered Gloves
• Eye Protection

If you’re interested in attending one of the free motorcycle safety classes in Hendersonville next month, please contact Lt. Mike Vesely either via phone at 828-697-3025 or via email at mvesely@cityofhendersonville.org.  Again, these classes are absolutely free.  What better way to learn about motorcycle safety than from a Henderson County police officer?  They know what they’re talking about!

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/02/16/free-motorcycle-safety-classes-in-hendersonville/.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Come to Hendersonville NC

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, the City of Hendersonville NC officially unveiled two new electric vehicle charging stations at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  In an effort to reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil as well as maintaining the natural beauty that Western North Carolina offers, the City of Hendersonville has partnered with the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition’s Electric Vehicles Committee to make using alternative fuels a viable option for Hendersonville citizens.  These two charging stations are only the beginning.

Typically, owners of completely electrical vehicles (such as the Nissan Leaf and Smart ED) or hybrids (such as the Chevy Volt, Ford Escape Hybrid or Toyta Prius Hybrid) charge their vehicles at home because charging stations are hard to come by.  The installation of the two new electric vehicle charging stations at the Dogwood Parking lot in downtown Hendersonville extends the areas these electric vehicles can travel by eliminating the worry of not having enough of a charge to get back home.  It is the City of Hendersonville’s goal to bring clean fuel alternatives to areas where its citizens work, dine, shop, learn and play.

These electric vehicle charging stations in downtown Hendersonville are only one step in a larger plan to create an entire public charging station network in the Asheville area.  The LSCVC’s Electric Vehicle Committee is working with other communities in the area to determine which locations would benefit the most from charging station installation.  In addition to downtown Hendersonville, there are currently electric vehicle charging stations available in downtown Asheville, Black Mountain, Haywood Community College (in Clyde) and Montreat as well as the office of the Land of Sky Regional Council in Asheville.  Plug-in electrical vehicle (PEV) owners can benefit from Duke Energy’s incentive program for installing a charging station in their homes.

Bringing electric vehicle charging stations to Hendersonville NC is yet another step in bringing the city into the modern era while maintaining the natural beauty of the Western North Carolina lifestyle.  If you’re interested in buying a Hendersonville home, please contact me now.  I can help you find the Western North Carolina home of your dreams today.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/02/09/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-come-to-hendersonville-nc/.

What Makes Hendersonville NC Great

The City of Hendersonville NC released a fantastic video recently highlighting what makes Hendersonville so great.  I wanted to share it with you so that you can get a glimpse of our beautiful community as well as the wonderful people who inhabit it. 

City of Hendersonville, NC from City of Hendersonville on Vimeo.

Just let me know when you are interested in becoming a part of our Hendersonville family and I’ll be happy to help you put down roots here.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/02/02/what-makes-hendersonville-nc-great/.