By Edward Hirst
Rowan Public Library
Rowan Public Library has recently added a number of new documentaries on DVD that will appeal to a variety of tastes. You are sure to find one (or two) that the whole family can enjoy.
In the movie “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” director Werner Herzog is given rare access to film inside the Chauvet Cave located in the south of France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. The Chauvet cave paintings were made more than 30,000 years ago, depicting predatory animals such as bears and lions, as well as bison, rhinos, mammoths and perhaps most striking of all, a wall of beautifully rendered horses.
Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war from 1991-2002 come together for the first time in a program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. They revive the ancient practice of Fambul Tok (family talk) in the film by the same name that charts the beginning stages of a process to help the people and communities of Sierra Leone move past these painful memories with forgiveness.
“The Hammer” was inspired by the life of deaf UFC fighter, Matt Hamill, and tells the story of what it takes to be a champion, on and off the mat. Raised among those with the ability to hear, Matt later finds himself no less an outsider amidst the deaf community. But through sheer determination, he uses his “perceived” disability as an asset, and becomes not only the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Championship, but an inspirational force to both hearing and deaf alike.
In 2009, U.S. Marines launched a major helicopter assault on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Embedded in Echo Company during the assault, photojournalist and filmmaker Danfung Dennis captures the action in the movie “Hell and Back Again.” When Sgt. Nathan Harris returns home to North Carolina after a life-threatening injury in battle, the film evolves from war reporting to the story of Harris’ personal struggles to overcome the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life with the help of his wife, Ashley.
By 2006, as many as 5,000 electric cars were destroyed by the major car companies that built them. In “Revenge of the Electric Car,” the viewer is taken behind the closed doors of Nissan, GM, the Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors and an independent car converter to find the story of the global resurgence of electric cars, following the race to be the first and the best, and to win the hearts and minds of the public around the world.
Fans of car racing, especially the elite Formula One, will enjoy the excellent documentary “Senna,” a profile of Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna. Senna would go on to become one of Formula One’s best and most accomplished competitors ever – and his steely nerves and willingness to take risks on the track paid off in Grand Prix after Grand Prix. Though Senna’s racing career would be far too short, his legacy lives on, and “Senna” is a gripping reminder of how blazing a talent can be – even behind the wheel of a car.
Computer classes: Genealogy Online – South, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.; East, Oct. 16, 1 p.m. (registration required for East Branch only, call 704-216-7731); Oct 18, 9:30 a.m., headquarters.
Participants will learn how to sign up for a free e-mail account and how to begin using e-mail to send and receive messages. Classes are free. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Children’s Storytime: Weekly Storytime is through Nov. 29. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Headquarters – Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time (18- to 35-month-olds; Wednesdays, 11 a.m., Baby Time (6- to 23-month-olds); Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3- to 5-year-olds); 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds).
South – Mondays, 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds); Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time (6-23 months); 1:30 p.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time (18-35 months).
East – Mondays, 9:30 a.m., Baby Time (6-23 months); Mondays, 11 a.m., Toddler Time (18-35 months); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years).
‘Hunger Games’ 411 events at Headquarters: – Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., movie night, “In Time” (PG-13). Thursday, 12:30 p.m., brown bag lunch Hunger Games book discussion (BYO lunch, dessert and drink provided). Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., movie night, “I Am Legend” (PG-13).
For more details or a complete list of events in all four counties, visit 411communityread.wordpress.com.
JR’s Adventure Club: headquarters, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. Enjoy time building, exploring or discovering something new. Call 704-216-8234 to learn more.
Book Chats for Children: South only. Oct. 11, 4:15 p.m., “Hot Fudge” by James Howe (grade 2). Oct. 25, 4:15 p.m., “The World According to Humphrey” by Betty G. Birney (grades 3-4). Children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in Book Chats at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove. Registration is required and space is limited. Please call 704-216-7728 for more information.
Histories and Mysteries at China Grove Roller Mill: Oct. 14, 2 p.m., 308 N. Main St., China Grove. A free and entertaining afternoon of histories and mysteries that the whole family can enjoy. RPL’s own John Tucker will be on hand to provide stories for children of all ages. Tours of the building will be offered throughout the afternoon. Sponsored by the China Grove Historical Society and RPL.
Musical Petting Zoo: Headquarters, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. on the lawn. RPL is teaming up with the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society to present the festival. It will feature tellers from the North Carolina Black Storytellers Association, local talent and renowned storyteller and guitarist Fruteland Jackson.
Fall Photowalk: South branch, Oct. 22, 6 p.m. Join us for another photography workshop and photo- walk. Aspiring photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited. Please call 704-216-8229 or e-mail AprilEverett@rowancountync.gov for details.
Teen Murder Mystery Night: All 5:30-7 p.m. South, Oct. 23; East, Oct. 29; headquarters, Oct. 30. Is it Miss Dara in the kitchen with the rope or Miss Erika in the library with the lead pipe? Help us solve the mystery. For more information call 704-216-8234.
PAC ClubOct. 27, 11 a.m. The Children’s Department has a new program for kids this fall. Popular Activities and Crafts Club, focusing on a different popular children’s book series each month. Call 704-216-8234 for more information.
Book Bites Club: South only. Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m., “Water Garden” by Kristin Hannah. Book discussion groups for both adults and children will meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public. For more information call 704-216-8229.
Displays for October: Headquarters, Family Crisis/Domestic Violence Awareness; South, student art by Carson High School; East, art by Coleen Walton.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.