Classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi to return to Asheboro library

Jeff Bianchi

ASHEBORO -- Performing musical works spanning from Scotland and France to Argentina and Brazil, classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi will appear at the Asheboro Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 9.

Bianchi’s concert, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Bianchi will perform Scottish lute pieces from the 17th century; the Suite in F# Minor by Laurent de St. Luc, a Finnish composer of the Baroque era who was a court musician for Louis XIV of France; Five Songs of Love for the Guitar by Jose Luis Merlina, an Argentinian guitarist and composer; and works of Brazilian guitarist Heitor Villa-Lobos, one of that country’s most treasured composers.

Born in Williamston, New York, Bianchi began performing at weddings and cafes while still in his teens. The attention he received playing concerts throughout western New York led to appearances in prestigious guitar festivals.

From 2005-2007, he toured with country acts Young Guns and Chace Roberts. He began solo classical tours in 2009, and has performed throughout the southeast, Texas and the mountain west.

He first performed at the Asheboro library last year.

He lives in Lanier Harbor near Buford, Ga., and is guitar instructor at Friendship Christian School in Suwanee, Ga.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 338-318-6803.

Learn how to preserve family photos in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Join photographic archivist Stephen Fletcher from the North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives at UNC-Chapel Hill and learn techniques for preserving and storing your cherished family photographs, at 6 p.m. Monday, November 7, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Fletcher’s talk, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

Clark Sides to bring balloon art magic to Asheboro, Randleman libraries

Clark Sides performs by creating intricate balloon art.

ASHEBORO – The balloon art, magic and comedy talent of Asheboro native Clark Sides will be on display at the Asheboro and Randleman libraries in  performances aimed at inspiring kids to read.

In Randleman it’s “Happy Halloween” and a “boo-ti-ful” time for all at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27, for kids in kindergarten and older,

In Asheboro, it’s “Reading is Magic, Inflate Your Mind” for all ages, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8. Asheboro’s event is sponsored by Friends of the Library.

In Randleman, it will be a scary good time as Sides morphs audience members into Halloween characters and goes “ghostbusting.” In Asheboro, he’ll turn an audience member into a buccaneer and make it snow onstage.

All the while, he will talk up children’s books and reading. In the finales of both performances, he’ll work his whole body into a giant, six-foot balloon.

Sides began his entertainment career at age 9, performing magic and clowning with his older sister, January. In high school, he was mentored by Ringling Brothers clown Just Joey, learning how to juggle, perform magic tricks and display showmanship.

He added balloons to his repertoire in 2014, studying with some of the most highly regarded balloon artists in the country and launching his Raleigh-based Capital Balloons Studios. He has performed throughout North Carolina.

The Asheboro Public Library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6804.

The Randleman Public Library is located at 142 W. Academy Street. For further information call 336-498-3141.

Asheboro library slates November children’s activities

ASHEBORO – Learn about homeschooling, make a Native American craft, design a miniature decorative bow-and-arrow, and more, in the Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room during November.

Families who homeschool or are interested in learning about doing so can visit a “Homeschool Meet and Greet” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 2 to learn about library resources for homeschoolers and to help the library better meet their needs.

In the monthly “Arts & Crafts” event for all ages at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3, participants will make a craft based on Native American Heritage Month.

Early childhood learners and their families can join the P.A.L. (Play and Learn) Club at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, for children age 0-5. This month’s theme is “Color My World.”

The monthly Maker Series, 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, challenges kids age 8-12 to make a miniature, decorative bow-and-arrow that really shoots.

And don’t forget balloon artist, magician, comedian and Asheboro native Clark Sides in “Reading is Magic, Inflate Your Mind,” at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, and mark your calendars now for this year’s Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. Saturday, December 3.  

Meanwhile, the Children’s Room offers a range of weekly storytimes for all ages:

·        Toddler/Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Mondays

·        Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Mondays;

·        Family Storytime, 3:15 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays;

·        Toddler Storytime, 10:10 a.m. Thursdays;

·        Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays;

·        Music and Movement (ages 2-5), 3:30 p.m. Fridays.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6804.

Paranormal researcher to share otherworldly investigations in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Are you hearing things that go bump in the night?

Piedmont-Triad Paranormal Investigations (PTPI) founder Rick Aiken will visit the Asheboro Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, to talk about what it takes to be a paranormal detective. Aiken also will show off the equipment he and his team use to uncover the otherworldly in haunted houses and other sites.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Aiken’s talk is free and the public is invited.

Established in 1992, PTPI is a non-profit organization that works to observe, record and study claims of ghosts and paranormal activity in North Carolina and surrounding states.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

Wellness expert to share healthy living basics in Asheboro library program

Dr. Mike Perko

ASHEBORO – “Here’s a tip – we don’t have to make staying healthy so complicated,” says Dr. Mike Perko.

Perko, professor of Public Health Education at UNC-Greensboro, will share three essentials that form the basis of good health in a talk entitled “How to Make the Best of the Rest of Your Life” at 6 p.m. Monday, October 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Perko’s visit is free and the public is invited.

Perko is a renowned wellness expert who has received numerous awards and penned five children’s books, the most recent of which, How to EAT, LEAP, and SLEEP like a SUPERHERO, was published in 2015 by the Wellness Councils of America.

In addition to his role at UNCG, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011, Perko is chief wellness advisor to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and a sought-after speaker. He was formerly the chair of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Alabama.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

Carve a pumpkin with Carl King at Asheboro library

Pumpkin carver Carl King shows off his creations.

ASHEBORO – Learn how to make your Jack-o-Lantern a true work of art with expert pumpkin carver Carl King at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20, at the Asheboro Public Library.

King will talk about his process, share tips he has learned over 10 years refining his craft, and answer questions.

Sponsored by the Friends of the library, King’s demonstration is free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.