When:
February 23rd. 7:00pm

Directed and Produced by Asheville filmmaker Aimie Burns of Rock Creek Productions, Peace Through Education: Stealing the Light tells the story of Dr. Mohammad Khan Kharoti and his struggle to give the gifts of literacy and educational opportunity to the children of Afghanistan. A resident of Portland, Oregon since 1987, Dr. Kharoti wanted to give back to his home country. In 2001, he opened a school in his home village of Shin Kalay, in the war-torn Helmand Province. 16 Students attended that first year, both boys and girls. Success followed, and by 2008, over 1,200 students were attending daily, more than 400 of them girls. The school had grown physically, too, into a safe, walled compound with classroom facilities for boys and girls, a library, computer lab, dormitories for the staff, a well for water and generators. Dr. Mohammad Khan Kharoti’s Green Village School became a welcomed focus for the entire community, sadly, tragedy struck in October, 2008 when a group of armed gunmen entered the village and looted the school, bulldozing it, destroying everything and leaving only a heap of rubble on the ground. Devastated but undeterred, Dr. Khorati is rebuilding the school and has now devoted himself full-time to the cause of education in Afganistan.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at The Fine Arts Theatre Box Office

When:
Wednesday November 16th. 7:00pm

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP), presents the award winning film, Life Above All. Lauded by critics at the Cannes Film Festival, the film tells a story of courage in the face of AIDS and stigma in contemporary South Africa. Just after the death of her newly-born baby sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth.

In her review in Time Magazine, Mary Corliss wrote, “…Along among the films at Cannes, “Life Above All”, was one that had critics cheering like school kids in a ten minute standing ovation, and wiping tears from their gimlet eyes. It has the high art and big heart of any award-worthy film…”

WNCAP Executive Director, Jeff Bachar, said, “This film illustrates that bias and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS are felt all over the world. WNCAP is actively engaged in addressing these same issues right here in western North Carolina. “ The event is sponsored in part by Carol and Bob Deutsch.

Life Above All will be shown at The Fine Arts Theater in Asheville on November 16, 2011 at 7pm. Tickets are $10 or pay what you can and will be available at the door. For more information call: (828) 252-7489.

To learn more about the film, and to watch the trailer, go to http://www.sonyclassics.com/lifeaboveall/

When:
Thursday October 13th. 7:00pm

Over the next 20 years, Americans will demolish one third of our existing building stock (over 82 billion square feet) in order to replace seemingly inefficient buildings with energy efficient “green” structures. Is demolition in the name of sustainability really the best use of natural, social, and economic resources? Or, like the urban renewal programs of the 1960’s, is this well-intentioned planning with devastating environmental and cultural consequences?

On Thursday, October 13th “The Greenest Building,” a new hour-long documentary by Eugene Oregon film producer Jane Turville, will be screened at The Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. The film presents a compelling overview of the important role building reuse plays in creating sustainable communities. Narrated by David Ogden Stiers, “The Greenest Building” explores the myth that a “green building” is a new building and demonstrates how renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures fully achieves the sustainability movement’s “triple bottom line” - economic, social, and ecological balance. The film reveals: (a) how reuse and reinvestment in the existing built environment leads to stronger local economies that can compete on a global scale, (b) that sense of place and collective memory, while intangible, are critical components of strong sustainable communities, and (c) the direct correlation between reuse of existing buildings and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, degradation of the natural environment and overuse of precious natural resources.

If you are interested in buildings, community development, sustainable communities or just plain want to find out if existing buildings really are worth keeping, plan to attend this special event. “The Greenest Building” starts at 7:00 pm and is free and open to the public.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Griffin Architects, P.A., Skyland Automotive, Samsel Architects, Asheville Greenworks, David Battle, Keith Hargrove, Beth Semadeni and Ben & Cate Scales.

MISSION: Through preserving and promoting the unique historic resources of our region, The Preservation Society works to sustain the heritage and sense of place that is Asheville and Buncombe County.

For more information on The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County please go to www.americancraftweek.com www.psabc.org