Monday, February 5, 2018

The Good Neighbor Project

This year, Ashe County Public Library will be focusing its community programming around the theme of “maintaining and managing mental health” as part of Appalachian Regional Library System’s Good Neighbor Project.  This project features a regional read and discussion of Cracked Not Broken; Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, by Kevin Hines.  Multiple copies of the book are available for reading and sharing, to complement programming and discussions, during the months of February –April.  You can also drop by either Wilkes or Watauga County Public Library to participate in the read and pick up a copy of this extraordinary story.  

Kevin, suicide surviver, jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge in September of 2000.   This method of  suicide attempt that has resulted in death for most of the 2000 people who have made that jump since the bridge was erected in 1937.   He is one of only thirty-six (less than 1%) to survive the fall and he is  the only Golden Gate Bridge jump survivor who is  actively spreading the message of living mentally  healthy around the globe.  Kevin’s will to live and  stay mentally well has inspired people worldwide.  His compelling story has touched diverse, global  audiences within colleges and universities, high  schools, corporations, clergy, military, clinicians,  health and medical communities, law enforcement  organizations, and various industries. Thousands  have communicated to Hines that his story helped save their lives. He has reached millions with his story. 


Suicide is a topic rarely talked about, but truth is that “talk saves lives.”  Linda Rosenberg, MSW, president/CEO, National Council for Behavioral Health, Washington D.C. noted that Kevin’s story is “A gripping memoir that recounts the inspiring story of a suicide survivor and one of the leading mental health advocates of our time.  A must-read for anyone who’s ever wanted to know about living with mental illness.” 

Dates to remember in February: 
Children’s Programs
  • Baby Bounce meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for ages birth to 2 years.  Enjoy stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with a stay-and-play social time afterwards. 
  • Tot Time takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays for ages 2 and 3.  Wiggle, giggle, laugh, sing, and create.  A fun-filled time featuring stories, music, and a craft.
  • Storytime for ages 4 and 5 is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday.  Join us for ABC adventures with stories, art, and music.
  • The Illustrator Book Club, grades 3-5, meets at 3:30 p.m. on February 11. Observe an artistic style and attempt to re-create it.  Our focus this month is the artistic style of Maurice Sendak.
  • Lego Block Party for grades 1 – 5 takes place at 1:00 p.m. on February 27.  Come out to build, create, and make new friends (Legos provided).
TWEENS & TEENS (ages 10 – 18)
  • Graphic Novel Book Club meets at 4:00 p.m. on February 15.  This month the theme will be Superheroes!
  • Are you a Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?  Is your patronus a platypus?  Come find out these questions and more as we celebrate J.K. Rowling’s world of Harry Potter and his friends at 4:00 p.m. on February 22.
“Geeks and Gamers” (ages 13-18)
  • “T for Teen” meets at 4:00 p.m. on February 6.
  • Board Game Café/Teen Advisory Council begins at 4:00 p.m. on February 13.
  • Come out for STEAM at 4:00 p.m. on February 20.
  • Anime Club begins at 4:00 p.m. on February 26. 
Adult Programs
  • For all your tech troubles, book and appointment with our friendly reference librarians. Call 336.846.2041 x227
  • Special Computer Classes will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Topics this month are: Office Hours (Ask us Anything!) on February 1 and February 15, Scanning and Printing on February 8, Facebook & Instagram on February 22.
  • Everyone has a couple of PhDs (projects half-done)!  Join us from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on February 3 to get inspired and be motivated.  Keep the momentum going for your New Year’s resolutions.
  • Scott Wohlfeld presents an Applied Ecology Workshop at 11:00 a.m. on February 3.  Experience guided indoor exhibits on natural resources and our own sufficient, least impact use of them.  Featuring the use of hand tools in edible landscaping, garden cultivation, and small log home construction.
  • Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
  • The Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on February 26 in Boondocks.  There is no assigned reading for this club.  Come as you are, read what you want, and join our lively discussion of recent reads.
  • The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be in the library between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  Make an appointment to have your taxes prepared by IRS-certified volunteers This service is available for free to any household making $54,000 or less.  Call 336.977.5829 to make a reservation.                                                                                                            
All Ages
  • Read & Craft “travels” to Scotland in February from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on February 17 to learn plaid crocheting and knit highland accessories.  Choose a book or movie set in Scotland to discuss at this “book and hook” get together. All ages and skill levels and invited to join the group!
  • Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on February 3 and 17 in the downstairs meeting room.  Get together with other musicians and jam.  Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.
  • The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on February 13 and 27.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!
Special Events
  • Karen Gross, certified laugh yoga instructor will be leading a Laugher Yoga session at 11:00 a.m. on February 2.  All are welcome to come and participate in this fun activity and learn about the health benefits of hearty laughter.
  • Relieve stress with Classical Music and Coloring for Calmness at 11:00 a.m. on February 7 and 21.
  • Beat the “winter blues” with SAD Light Therapy between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on February 14 and 28.
  • The Friends of Ashe Library are hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:30 – 2:00 p.m. on February 17 in the community room.
  • Stop in for a Bright & Early District Day event between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on February 24.  Meet our local elected officials and enjoy pastries & hot cocoa.
The library extends gratitude to Jeffery Alexander and Mary June Sheets for donations and to Kyle Hall for online newspaper subscriptions: The Washington Post and The Raleigh News & Observer.

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