We Are Not Done Yet

Seema Reza will be appearing at the Ashe County Public Library and Ashe County Arts Council during Armed Forces Weekend, May 17 & 18.  She  is the author of A Constellation of Half-Lives and When the World Breaks Open. Based outside of Washington, DC, she is Executive Director of Community Building Art Works, featured in the HBO Documentary We Are Not Done Yet. She coordinates a unique multi-hospital arts program that encourages the use of the arts as a tool for narration, selfcare and socialization among a population struggling with emotional and physical injuries. Her writing has appeared in print and online in Entropy, The Feminist Wire, Bellevue Literary Review, The Offing, Full Grown People, and The Nervous Breakdown among others, and has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She has performed across the country at universities, theaters, festivals, bookstores, conferences, and one mattress shop. 

The weekend begins with Seema at Ashe Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17.  This is a meet & greet event where Seema will be reading from her newest book of poetry,  A Constellation of Half-Lives. A Constellation of Half-Lives is a collection of poems that attempt to reconcile the crisis of living on a collapsing planet with the unreasonable joy of loving and the pleasure of being alive. With careful precision and an exquisite eye for detail, poet Seema Reza examines what it means to be a mother, a daughter, and an American in a time of war. Through second-person poems she questions whether the beauty of this world outweighs its fragility and risk.  Seema will be signing books, available for purchase. 

The following morning at Ashe County Public Library there will be a free breakfast and screening of the HBO documentary, We Are Not Done Yet.  Seema will also be there for a Q & A period following the film. This engaging film profiles a group of veterans and active-duty service members as they come together to combat past and current traumas through the written word, sharing their experiences in a United Service Organizations writing workshop. 

The participants, who come from varied backgrounds and branches of the military, including the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy, share their fears, vulnerabilities and victories via poetry. In workshop sessions and rehearsals, men and women confront the best and the worst of their lives in the military, opening up about ongoing struggles with PTSD and the challenges of readjusting to civilian life. Each veteran and active-duty service member brings unique experiences and hardships to the stage, but they find common understanding and hope through the difficult work of addressing their pasts.

After the film, the Marine Corps League of Ashe County will lead a ceremony for retiring worn-out flags.  The public is invited to bring flags to be retired at the ceremony.

Also beginning at noon, the Ashe County Marathon Jam will begin and run through to midnight. The Marathon Jam is open to all musicians and takes place at the Ashe Arts Council.  Come out and enjoy good music and support the Fisher House Foundation.  

Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.  Remember our military and 'Never Forget' the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Dates to remember in May:  The Library will be closed on May 10 for staff training and May 27 for Memorial Day.

Construction Notice: Library Road will be under construction during the month of May as Ashe County Library adds a much-needed area of parking.  Please take care when entering and leaving the library campus.

Children’s Programs

• Baby Bounce meets May 3 and 17 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 May 1, 8, and 15 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. on May 2, 9, and 16. Join us for ABC adventures with stories, art, and music.
• May the Fourth Be with You & Free Comic Book Day
  Come by Youth Services for free comic books (while supplies last) between 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and a Star Wars activity. 
• Tween Spa Day is for children ages 8-12, and parents at 4:00 p.m. on May 9.  Tweens and parents are invited to a relaxing spa day to unwind before testing season, learn more about self-care, and make a special gift for Mother's Day. 

Teen Programs (ages 12-18)

• T for Teen – Gamers Unite! Meet-up at 4:00 p.m. on May 7. Xbox360 and laptops available for teen gaming.
• Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on May 14. Come and make some friends! Play a variety of board games and enjoy coffee and sweet treats.
• Open Studio takes place at 4:00 p.m. on May 21.  Discover your creative side!
• TLC (Teen Listening Council) hosted by A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home for Everyone), is a safe place for teens to talk openly about any subject.  Join us at 4:00 p.m. on May 28 for snacks, fun activities, and help in navigating those turbulent teenage years.

Adult Programs

• Throughout 2019, VAYA Health is sponsoring a Public Presentation Series at the library.  Two topics will be highlighted, back-to-back, each month from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Join us on May 2 for a session on Personality Disorders at 10:00 a.m. and Overcoming Communication Barriers at 11:00 a.m.
• For all your tech troubles, book an appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x111.
• Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
• Vickie’s Book Club meets at 1:00 p.m. on May 21 to discuss The Witch Elm by, Tana French.

All Ages

• Get Crafty meets at 10 a.m. on May 18.  Find out about the ongoing project “365 Days of Granny Squares,” bring along your current project, or join the group and start on a crafty project now!  All skill levels welcome, materials are provided.

• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on May 9 and 23.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!

• Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on May 4 and 18 in the downstairs meeting room. Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome. 

Special Events

• Building Strong Communities Discussion begins at 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on May 7. Bring your sandwich and join us for coffee and snacks. In this session we will discuss concepts from Riane Eisler’s book: The Power of Partnership.  The author will join us via Skype for the latter part of the session.
• Breakfast & Documentary Screening with Seema Reza takes place from 9:00 – noon on May 18.  Seema Reza, author and community builder, joins us for a light breakfast and screening of HBO special “We Are Not Done Yet.''  Following the screening, the Marine Corps League of Ashe County leads a ceremony for retiring worn-out flags.
• Ashe See Library Food Narrative Contest: Very few things are as central to our existence as food.  In honor spring and the reopening of the Ashe Seed Library, we invite you to put food front and center.  We're not looking for snarky Yelp reviews, and the food needn't be fancy.  But it should hold meaning for you, and it's that meaning we'd like to see in your submissions.  Visit the information desk on the library’s Upper Level or call 336.846.2041 x111 or email ashereference@arlibrary.org to learn how to enter!