I was walking through Freedom Park yesterday and noticed a sign for Track & Field sign-ups for children 5-8. It started me thinking: what other programs does Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation offer that I don't know about?
Reader, it offers a LOT that I don't know about. Staying in town for President's Day weekend? Bring your family to Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and attend the Fairy House Festival. (Click here for an events calendar including the Fairy House Festival.) Other activities going on at various times in various places in Mecklenburg County: for $10, your teenager can go on a supervised paddle boat trip; for no fee at all, seniors can participate in "Training: Pastime Sports & Games"; for $5, you can have a mother's morning out while your young child does arts & crafts and plays games. Or bring your whole family to celebrate National Bubble Week at the McDowell Nature Center. The county has partnered with a program called "eParks" that allows you to read about individual programs and to sign up for some of them online. Click here to get to the list of ALL the programs the Meck Park & Rec offers.
In short, I don't know why my family sits around bored. We could be going 24/7 with all of the stuff going on around here!
To Do: Visit the Parks & Rec website to see what you've been missing.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Take a Stand for Public Education
I am intrigued by a relatively new organization here in Charlotte, called "Mecklenburg Citizens for Education," or MeckEd for short. Here is its mission statement: "Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education is an independent, non-profit organization that mobilizes leadership, rallies resources, and engages the community so all CMS students will achieve significant, measurable academic success." MeckEd was founded in summer 2006 by combining Charlotte Advocates for Education, Education Program of the Chamber of Commerce, the CMS Public Schools Foundation, and the Citizens' Task Force on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, all strong advocates of educational reform.
MeckEd is a member of a national association called the Public Education Network, comprising 80 organizations with similar goals and principles. You can learn more about the Public Education Network by clicking here.
What caught my eye was a blurb in the Charlotte Observer about a class that MeckEd is offering for people considering a run for School Board. This class, Leaders for School Board Workshop: School Finance, will be held on February 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. To register, follow this link. I am always glad to see how-to classes on anything and everything, from tiling a kitchen floor to running for school board!
On April 21 at 7:30 a.m., MeckEd will host a Community Breakfast Forum on Public Education featuring Pulitzer Prize Columnist Leonard Pitts. Keep watching the website for more information about this. I think that would be an interesting topic. (In the interests of full disclosure I feel I should tell you that my children attend a private school. )
To Do: Run for the school board? Or, attend a breakfast forum. You choose! Visit www.mecked.org.
MeckEd is a member of a national association called the Public Education Network, comprising 80 organizations with similar goals and principles. You can learn more about the Public Education Network by clicking here.
What caught my eye was a blurb in the Charlotte Observer about a class that MeckEd is offering for people considering a run for School Board. This class, Leaders for School Board Workshop: School Finance, will be held on February 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. To register, follow this link. I am always glad to see how-to classes on anything and everything, from tiling a kitchen floor to running for school board!
On April 21 at 7:30 a.m., MeckEd will host a Community Breakfast Forum on Public Education featuring Pulitzer Prize Columnist Leonard Pitts. Keep watching the website for more information about this. I think that would be an interesting topic. (In the interests of full disclosure I feel I should tell you that my children attend a private school. )
To Do: Run for the school board? Or, attend a breakfast forum. You choose! Visit www.mecked.org.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Power of the Written Word
A few years ago, I had a neighbor whose New Year's resolution was to write a note to someone each day for a year. This was before email and facebook were quite so pervasive--imagine doing that now! Imagine doing that now. That's my suggestion for today. Take the time to write a note to someone to let them know how much they mean to you. We get so much junk mail and bills--it is such a treat to find a handwritten note among them. And you can write to ANYONE--write it to a close friend. Write it to one of your old teachers. Write it to your neighbor who pulls in your garbage cans. Write it to your minister who said the right thing at the right time. Or someone who runs an organization that you believe in. Or someone who has had a baby who you know does not need another gift. Or Michelle Obama. Or. or. or. Think of how uplifted you feel when someone takes the time to send you a note.
It does not have to be a note to be read now. I was going through my childhood scrapbook the other day and found a letter that my father wrote as a "time capsule" in the 1970s. He talked about the gas shortage, Skylab falling, what we were doing as a family that summer. It was neat to read--although we all teased him for being so Pollyanna-ish in it! You might consider writing a letter like that and tucking it in a baby book or your box of children's creations--somewhere where you or a child will find it someday down the road.
To Do: Find a pen and a piece of paper. Write a letter. Find a stamp. Put it upside down on the envelope (do you remember from middle school that the upside-down stamp signifies love?) Mail the letter.
Update: Right after I wrote this, my neighbor emailed me and asked me to please send some "snail mail" to her daughter at college. In this digital age, the mailboxes are too often empty. Another good opportunity!
It does not have to be a note to be read now. I was going through my childhood scrapbook the other day and found a letter that my father wrote as a "time capsule" in the 1970s. He talked about the gas shortage, Skylab falling, what we were doing as a family that summer. It was neat to read--although we all teased him for being so Pollyanna-ish in it! You might consider writing a letter like that and tucking it in a baby book or your box of children's creations--somewhere where you or a child will find it someday down the road.
To Do: Find a pen and a piece of paper. Write a letter. Find a stamp. Put it upside down on the envelope (do you remember from middle school that the upside-down stamp signifies love?) Mail the letter.
Update: Right after I wrote this, my neighbor emailed me and asked me to please send some "snail mail" to her daughter at college. In this digital age, the mailboxes are too often empty. Another good opportunity!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lotsa Helping Hands
My friend Koren gave me a hot tip about a website that I want to pass along. It is called "Lotsa Helping Hands" and it helps you (or your organization) coordinate volunteers. Here is the mission statement: "We believe in a world where building circles of caring communities becomes a recognized way to find meaning in both giving and receiving." A Coordinator creates a free-of-charge, private web community, creates volunteer tasks using provided templates. and then invites members to join the community. Members visit the website to sign up for tasks and to view updates on the project (or person or family being helped). The website sends out reminders for activities, too!
Koren is going to use Lotsa Helping Hands at church to coordinate volunteers who help provide shelter and meals for homeless neighbors. I can also envision it being used by friends and neighbors helping a family with a newborn baby or a family with a medical crisis. It could be used to coordinate neighbors for a Halloween block party, or by a swim club to organize volunteers for swim meets. Etc. etc. Click here to check out the site.
To Do: Use www.lotsahelpinghands.com for your next volunteer project and see if lotsa helping hands=lotsa light work!
Koren is going to use Lotsa Helping Hands at church to coordinate volunteers who help provide shelter and meals for homeless neighbors. I can also envision it being used by friends and neighbors helping a family with a newborn baby or a family with a medical crisis. It could be used to coordinate neighbors for a Halloween block party, or by a swim club to organize volunteers for swim meets. Etc. etc. Click here to check out the site.
To Do: Use www.lotsahelpinghands.com for your next volunteer project and see if lotsa helping hands=lotsa light work!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sweets and Treats
Friendship Trays is hosting a night of "Sweets and Treats" on Thursday, February 12, to benefit its programs. The evening includes valentine-making, a pots-de-creme demonstration (and you get to take two home!), wine tasting, red-velvet cupcake baking and decorating, and hors d'oeuvres sampling. The minimum donation is $25 per person. Click here to view the flyer. To RSVP, contact Lani Lawrence at 704-333-9229 or llawrence@friendshiptrays.org.
Friendship Trays is the local meals-on-wheels program. Volunteers deliver 750 meals daily to elderly, handicapped, and convelescing people who are unable or greatly restricted in their ability to serve meals. Many of my elderly relatives have benefitted from similar programs in their towns, and my mother delivered in my hometown for many years, so I am a big fan. I am a substitute driver when I can. It is a great experience, and a real spirit lift to deliver a nutritious meal to someone. Lani Lawrence is the volunteer coordinator--please contact her if you are interested in volunteering.
The hors d'oeuvres presented at the Sweets & Treats evening will be made from recipes in "Inspired Cooking," the fantastic cookbook from First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte. I have made several recipes from this cookbook and love it! The profits from this cookbook help to feed the hungry in Charlotte through programs such as Friendship Trays and other members of the Nutrition Coalition, including the Community Culinary School of Charlotte (and its catering arm, Encore Catering), the gleaners of the Society of St. Andrew, and Loaves & Fishes. Click here for info on the cookbook.
To Do: RSVP for "Sweets & Treats" at Friendship Trays. Pick up a copy of Inspired Cooking.
Friendship Trays is the local meals-on-wheels program. Volunteers deliver 750 meals daily to elderly, handicapped, and convelescing people who are unable or greatly restricted in their ability to serve meals. Many of my elderly relatives have benefitted from similar programs in their towns, and my mother delivered in my hometown for many years, so I am a big fan. I am a substitute driver when I can. It is a great experience, and a real spirit lift to deliver a nutritious meal to someone. Lani Lawrence is the volunteer coordinator--please contact her if you are interested in volunteering.
The hors d'oeuvres presented at the Sweets & Treats evening will be made from recipes in "Inspired Cooking," the fantastic cookbook from First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte. I have made several recipes from this cookbook and love it! The profits from this cookbook help to feed the hungry in Charlotte through programs such as Friendship Trays and other members of the Nutrition Coalition, including the Community Culinary School of Charlotte (and its catering arm, Encore Catering), the gleaners of the Society of St. Andrew, and Loaves & Fishes. Click here for info on the cookbook.
To Do: RSVP for "Sweets & Treats" at Friendship Trays. Pick up a copy of Inspired Cooking.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Renew America Together
"We are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story." --Barack Obama
I am wondering how many other people know that Congress voted in 1994 to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national day of service? I did not know that until about 3 minutes ago. For information about the day, including resources, go to www.MLKDay.gov.
I heard about this because General Colin Powell, honorary co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, has been promoting "Renew America Together," a volunteering initiative of the committee. Click here to read the press release. President-elect Obama and his family, and Vice-President-elect Biden and his family will participate in events around DC.
The inaugural committee has launched a website for organizations nationwide to post their volunteer opportunities over the inauguration weekend. Visit www.usaservice.org to learn more about this program.
For projects in the Charlotte area, you can go directly to this page, which lists all events within 25 miles of Charlotte. USA Service provides information, sign-up pages, and further details on its page, or click on the names of the groups for general information about the organization. They include: donating to Goodwill, cleaning and organizing Samaritan House, learning how to become more energy-aware with the ReCharge American Energy Savings Team, and distributing food boxes to 400 needy families through Feed the Children and Northside Baptist Church.
To Do: Make your day off a day ON. Renew America together.
I am wondering how many other people know that Congress voted in 1994 to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national day of service? I did not know that until about 3 minutes ago. For information about the day, including resources, go to www.MLKDay.gov.
I heard about this because General Colin Powell, honorary co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, has been promoting "Renew America Together," a volunteering initiative of the committee. Click here to read the press release. President-elect Obama and his family, and Vice-President-elect Biden and his family will participate in events around DC.
The inaugural committee has launched a website for organizations nationwide to post their volunteer opportunities over the inauguration weekend. Visit www.usaservice.org to learn more about this program.
For projects in the Charlotte area, you can go directly to this page, which lists all events within 25 miles of Charlotte. USA Service provides information, sign-up pages, and further details on its page, or click on the names of the groups for general information about the organization. They include: donating to Goodwill, cleaning and organizing Samaritan House, learning how to become more energy-aware with the ReCharge American Energy Savings Team, and distributing food boxes to 400 needy families through Feed the Children and Northside Baptist Church.
To Do: Make your day off a day ON. Renew America together.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The public library--more than books!
We checked out the re-opened Myers Park branch of the library today--awesome! Still small and cozy, but much friendlier in appearance.
While there, I noted that this branch will be hosting a cool family project on Monday, January 26. "Who's That Hanging on My Family Tree: Celebrating Families!" is geared towards elementary children, pre-teens and their families. This one-hour program begins at 7 p.m. (yes, late, I agree!) and helps you "learn about genealogy and create your own family tree. Children are invited to bring stories and pictures of their ancestors to share." Registration is going on now.
Click here for more information on this program and for information about other programs at the Myers Park Branch this month. I see that you can sign up for a RSS feed at this page, which I gather sends you information about the branch as they post it--I have to admit I'm behind the times on "feeds." By clicking here, you will go to the main site for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, where you can learn about programs at other branches, too. Some branches offer needlework get-togethers, some offer game nights (including wii, Dungeons & Dragons, cards, Guitar Hero--some are age-specific for adults or teens or seniors, some are not), dog therapy for struggling readers--my goodness, there truly is something for everyone!
Also, just a reminder that you can hop online at the library website and request a book--when it arrives at your requested branch, you receive an email or phone call and you can pick it up. So handy!
To Do: Visit the library website to stay up-to-date; pick up books at your local branch; check out all the activities at all the branches!
While there, I noted that this branch will be hosting a cool family project on Monday, January 26. "Who's That Hanging on My Family Tree: Celebrating Families!" is geared towards elementary children, pre-teens and their families. This one-hour program begins at 7 p.m. (yes, late, I agree!) and helps you "learn about genealogy and create your own family tree. Children are invited to bring stories and pictures of their ancestors to share." Registration is going on now.
Click here for more information on this program and for information about other programs at the Myers Park Branch this month. I see that you can sign up for a RSS feed at this page, which I gather sends you information about the branch as they post it--I have to admit I'm behind the times on "feeds." By clicking here, you will go to the main site for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, where you can learn about programs at other branches, too. Some branches offer needlework get-togethers, some offer game nights (including wii, Dungeons & Dragons, cards, Guitar Hero--some are age-specific for adults or teens or seniors, some are not), dog therapy for struggling readers--my goodness, there truly is something for everyone!
Also, just a reminder that you can hop online at the library website and request a book--when it arrives at your requested branch, you receive an email or phone call and you can pick it up. So handy!
To Do: Visit the library website to stay up-to-date; pick up books at your local branch; check out all the activities at all the branches!
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