Arly, the Library Fox, Celebrates His First Birthday!

Ashe Library's mascot, Arly the fox, celebrates his first birthday on April 16, 2016 and has invited all to come out for the celebration. The Youth Services Department has planned special surprises and activities for the big day, beginning with cake to be served at 1:00 p.m. Of course Arly's wishlist included new books, that were purchased with a generous Skyline donation.  As a library ambassador, Arly plans to share “his” new books with the library so everyone can read them! In fact, children visiting the library have been voting for their favorite books on Arly's wishlist. The top ten favorite books will be unwrapped by Arly at his party before being added to the library's collection. Come and see these new books, check some out to read, and have your picture made with Arly. 

Following Arly's party, you can make some “Kinetic Sand” as part of a NC Science Festival event. We’re bringing the beach to you! Children will work together to create a large batch of kinetic sand and then take some home to keep! We will combine play sand, cornstarch, dish soap, and water to create the sand.  Experience the feel of “real sand” at home while learning how different ingredients can be combined to form a whole new substance. Kinetic Sand is a three-dimensional building toy made of 98% sand and 2% polydimethylsiloxane (a type of silicone oil) that mimics the physical properties of wet sand. In appearance it resembles light brown sugar. It can be molded, it sticks to itself but not to most other materials or surfaces, and it does not dry out. It is some pretty cool stuff! 

It is going to be a lot of fun. We hope you can join us for this milestone in Arly's life.

Dates to remember in April:

 Children’s Programs

• Tot Time is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for 2 and 3 year-olds with stories, songs, and crafts
• Story Time is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and offers stories, songs and crafts for 4-5 year-olds
• A special combined Tot Time & Story Time, Yoga starts with Y, takes place on April 6 at 10:30 a.m.
• The library partners with Ashe Partnership for Children to offer families of children ages 0-5 a free event: Taste of the Farm takes place between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Family Central.  Go on a story walk, make cheese, milk a cow, meet Arly, and more.
• The Lego Club meets on April 21 at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-5 with a new challenge each month.
• Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman is the featured Story Walk, on display at Ashe County Park throughout the month.

Teen Programs

• Geek out at 4:00 p.m. every Tuesday with Otaku’s United, an Anime/Manga Club
• The Teen Drama Club meets at 4:00 p.m. on April 14.
• Join Rebecca Petruck for “Black Out Poetry,” a unique type of found poetry, at 4:00 p.m. on April 21.
• The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets at 4:00 p.m. on April 28.  

Adult Programs

•  For all your tech troubles, book and appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x227
• Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
• Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on April 25 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!
• The Coloring “Book” Club celebrates reading (and coloring) as a group experience at 5:00 p.m. on April 26. Relax with adult coloring books while listening and discussing a different short story audiobook each month.
• The Deep Focus Film Club meets at 5:00 on April 28 for a feature showing and discussion of a Coen Bros. film, No Country for Old Men

 All Ages

• Get Crafty and learn to “Crochet Your Way Through the ABCs” at 10:00 a.m. on April 9. You can make an alligator, a bear, a cat, ...you get the idea. Project materials are provided.
• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on April 12 and 26.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!
• Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on April 1 and 15 in the downstairs meeting room (after-hours access through side door on lower parking lot).  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.
• Drop-in all day on April 30 for some make-and-take crafting fun, featuring Cherry Blossom Greeting Cards.

Special Events:

• The Read Around the Clock Book Club meets at 4:00 on April 4 to discuss any book with the number “four” in the title.  A special Skype visit from New York best-selling author, Mary Alice Monroe, author of Four Seasons, is scheduled.
• In celebration of National Poetry Month, join our Open Mic Night.  Share some original and favorite poems over coffee at 5:00 p.m. on April 19.
• Join us for an “Afternoon Adventure” at 2:30 p.m. on April 14.  Hear tales of kindness and plant a pinwheel garden with Melissa Fowler, family support worker.
• Ashe County Middle School Lion’s Team invites you to a night of poetry, rocketry, and art at 7:00 p.m. on April 14.
• Arly’s Birthday Celebration takes place at 1:00 p.m. on April 16.  Meet our new mascot and celebrate with cake, selfies, and much more.
• Kinetic Creations: a NC Science Festival Event, follows Arly’s birthday party at 2:00 p.m.   Make some dynamic, moving “kinetic” sand!
• Get some tips on “Healthy Eating on a Budget.” Learn about local resources and make a healthy snack at 3:30 p.m. on April 29.
• Meet Eva Wike, a featured Homegrown Author, at 1:00 p.m. on April 29.  She will be reading and sharing from her book Fiddler of the Mountains.