Authors Thomas Rush, Mark Kemp to share Asheboro perspectives in library talk

ASHEBORO -- Both Mark Kemp and Thomas Rush grew up in Asheboro in the 1970s, on either side of Salisbury Street: Kemp in mainly white Greystone Terrace, and Rush in the mainly African-American Eastside.

And both, in recent years, have penned memoirs reflecting on their experiences.

The two will come together to share “Perspectives: Growing up in Post-Civil Rights Asheboro,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at the Asheboro library. Their talk is free and the public is invited.

Rush, a freelance writer who has lived in several states throughout the U.S, is author of Reality’s Pen: Reflections on Family, History and Culture, published in 2012. He holds a B.A. in history from Haverford College.

Kemp is author of Dixie Lullaby: A story of Music, Race and New Beginnings in a New South, published in 2004. He is a journalist who has worked for Rolling Stone and MTV, and has served as editor of magazines including Option, Acoustic Guitar, Charlotte’s Creative Loafing and most recently SF Weekly.

He received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for his liner notes to a retrospective album of music by protest singer Phil Ochs.

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

Learn about online genealogy resources in Asheboro library classes

ASHEBORO -- Learn how to use two of the library’s online genealogy resources in January classes at the Asheboro Public Library.

“Genealogy with HeritageQuest,” 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, January 9, will demonstrate how to use the HeritageQuest database.

“Genealogy with Ancestry Library Edition, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, January 23, will explore the library version of the popular Ancestry.com resource.

Heritage Quest is available both inside the library and via the library’s website, www.randolphlibrary.org. Ancestry Library Edition is available for use at the library only.

The classes are free; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. 

Learn about cloud storage in Asheboro library computer class

Find out how to save your computer files to the “cloud” in “What is Cloud Storage?” at 2 p.m. Monday, January 9, and 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, at the Asheboro library.

The cloud is simply a network of computers. Learn the pros and cons of storing information this way, and how to choose a cloud storage service and get started using it.

The both meetings of the class are free; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. 

Health educator to offer tips for easy New Year’s resolutions at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- New Year’s resolutions can be overwhelming, especially if they are about your health. Join Kendall Phillips, a health educator with the Randolph County Health Department at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 12, at the Asheboro library, and learn some tips and tricks for making easy New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating —and successfully keeping them.

It’s free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 336-318-6803 for further information.

Asheboro library kicks off New Year with January children’s events

ASHEBORO – Crack the code, surprise your eyes, find Dory and more as the Asheboro Public Library kicks off the new year with a full slate of activities for children.

The events are free and all children and their families are invited.

In the monthly “Arts & Crafts” event for all ages at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 5, celebrate National Bird Day.

Children age 0-5 are invited for the latest meeting of the P.A. L. (Play and Learn) Club at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, for “Fairy Tales.” Dive into classic fairy tales; review numbers and letters, and practice fine motor skills by making wolves, wands and bean stalks.

The family movie Finding Dory will screen at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18. 

“Surprise Your Eyes!” at 2 p.m. Monday, January 23, with optical illusions, tricks, games and brainteasers; for ages 5 and up.

In the “Breakout Box EDU Challenge,” 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, work as a team to crack codes, find clues and solve a mystery before time runs out

The monthly Maker Series, 4 p.m. Thursday, January 26, offers kids age 8-12 the opportunity to create a DIY weather vane.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Room is changing up its weekly menu of storytimes for all age ranges to a new schedule:

• Pre-K Storytime, 10 a.m. Mondays
• Family Storytime, 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays;
• Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays
• Toddler Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays;
• Music and Movement (ages 2-5), 3:30 p.m. Fridays.

Kids age 6-12 also can sign up for Tail to Read, which pairs young readers with a certified therapy dogs, a proven method of building reading confidence. Sessions take place at 4 p.m. every Tuesday and 10 a.m. every other Saturday.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information or to sign up for Tails to Read, call 336-318-6804.

Unlimber with Tai Chi workshop at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Join Steve Cain of the Asheboro Senior Center for “Introduction to Tai Chi” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, at the Asheboro library.

The workshop, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. Space is limited; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The session is suitable for beginners of all ages, and participants do not have to be in top shape or the best of health.

Often described as “meditation in motion,” Tai Chi typically consists of standing postures and body movements performed in a slow, methodical manner with an emphasis on improving posture and balance.

Those wishing to participate should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes and flat-bottom shoes (no shoes with heels — most athletic shoes are acceptable).

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Asheboro library to host post-Christmas activities for kids

ASHEBORO – Get out of the house during Christmas break for a week of fun activities for children at the Asheboro Public Library.

The events are free, and all children and their families are invited.

First, catch a couple of movies: The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, and The Secret Life of Pets at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 29.

On Thursday, December 29, test your general knowledge with “Jeopardy for Kids” at 2 p.m.

Close out the week with a LEGO-athon free build, all day on Friday, December 30, for school-age children.

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

Randolph library Friends sell Book Lover’s calendars

ASHEBORO – Stuff a reader’s stocking, or stock up on a year’s worth of reading suggestions for yourself, with The Book Lover’s Calendar, for sale by the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library.

The page-a-day calendars are $12 can be purchased at Randolph County Public Library locations in Asheboro, Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Randleman, Ramseur and Seagrove, and at the Friends of the Library Bookshop. Proceeds benefit the Friends, and will help fund author events and children’s programs at the libraries.

Each day features a different reading recommendation and a brief description of the book, with titles ranging from recent best sellers to contemporary classics. On Tuesday, March 7, it’s We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates; on Thursday, June 22, it’s Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

A free digital page-a-day calendar also is included in the purchase.

For more information, contact the library at 336-318-6801. The Friends bookshop is located at 226 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, and is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.