Elizabeth Strout and the Guardian ad Litem program

First, a head's up on an interesting night out: this Thursday, April 2, author Elizabeth Strout will read from her works in the Sykes Auditorium on the Queens University campus at 7 p.m. It is free and all are welcome. Strout's latest work is her short-story collection Olive Kittredge, nominated for the National Book Critics Circle award. You may also know her 1998 novel Amy and Isabelle, about a mother and daughter in a New England mill town. Click here to get to the Queens University site with all the information.

Second, I caught a piece in Sunday's Charlotte Observer that I wanted to draw your attention to (click here for the article). The Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem program is looking for more volunteers. What, you may ask, is a Guardian ad Litem? He or she is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children. Their mission is "to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system and work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home."

Currently, there are 221 volunteers who oversee 888 children. According to the Observer article, 319 children badly need advocates. The four main jobs of the guardians are:
1. Investigate the case, interviewing teachers, doctors, social workers, the parents and children.
2. Monitor the progress of the case, making sure all orders are followed. They also routinely visit the child.
3. Advocate for the child, writing a report for the judge and appearing in court.
4. Express the child's wishes.

Obviously, this is not an easy, resume-building volunteer job. It is hard work, and you have to have a passion for it. On the other hand, imagine the impact your participation has on the life of the children involved. I recommend visiting the Guardian ad Litem Charlotte web page to learn more (click here).

To do: Be inspired by a great writer. Inspire a child.

"A Layoff Survivor's Duty to the Less Fortunate"

I'm just back from spring break, so here's a quick link for you. I spotted Ron Lieber's column in the New York Times over the weekend: "Not Laid Off? How to Aid the Less Fortunate." I thought this was a really succinct list of ways to help. If you are lucky enough to keep your job, how do you help your friends? Take a look at this for some good tips, from providing babysitting to help with the job hunt or to give a much-needed night out, to letting people make photocopies in your office (if it won't get YOU in trouble!).

To Do: Lend a hand. Click here to read Ron Lieber's Saturday column in the Times.

Bow Wow Books

Call it Bow-Wow Books, call it Sit Stay and Read, call it Paws Awhile to Read... they are all names for the same "read to a dog" program at different branches of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. I brought my daughter to "Bow-Wow Books" at the Myers Park branch today. We signed up for a 15-minute time slot when we were at the library last week. The librarian called us on Thursday to remind us. We showed up this morning and Ellie sat on the rug with Champ, an 8-year-old golden retriever who is a certified therapy dog, and his owner. She read two books to Champ (we had brought one from home, but obviously, being the library, there were plenty to pick from there!) while she petted him, then loved on him for a few minutes before letting the next child have his turn.

While Ellie is a reader, the children signed up before her were quite young and Champ's owner read to them. The reader after Ellie was shy and he sat in his mother's lap while she read the book to Champ. So, the program accommodates all levels and personalities. There was a librarian on hand to help with book selections and to keep the schedule going.

On the right-hand side of this page, you can see upcoming programs at the library. Or you can check out the schedule of all programs at all branches by clicking here. Or you can check with your local branch--it looks like Myers Park, Morrison Regional, and Mint Hill branches all offer this program. Sign up ahead of time at the branch.

To Do: Encourage your young reader and greet a friendly dog at the library.

Survive the Time Change

All of sudden, this week seems very long... and it's only Monday morning! Judging from the posts on Facebook, I'm not the only one who drags through the time change. I'm recommending simplifying the meal prep this week. Here are some suggestions:

• Shop local and check out the take-out meals at cafe and catering specialist Something Classic--the chicken pot pie is a classic and there are other daily specials. Click on the link above for locations, or pick up a meal at the "Tiny Teeter" in Myers Park.
• Local gourmet catering company Porcupine Provisions has started something called "Bus Stop Dinners" (as in "pick it up on your way home from the bus stop.") Order by 3 p.m. on Sunday and pick up your meals Tuesday-Thursday from 2:30-4 p.m. at the location on East Boulevard (behind Rock Lobster). Email pqpine@porcupineprovisions.com for the weekly menu and further info. The sample menu I received included Grilled Swordfish Skewers with Tomato Couscous with a choice of grilled asparagus or dilled baby carrots for $24 (serves 4), in addition to other entrees; it also included a turkey lasagna serving 6-8 for $45--great for a last-minute gathering!
• Pick up some family style bbq from Mac's Speed Shop on South Boulevard--and don't forget the mac & cheese! (Go to the "catering" section of their web site and look up at the top for family-friendly choices.)
• Most churches around here seem to have a dinner program on Wednesday nights--if you are a church member (or are church shopping), now's the time to get there! If you are lucky, your church will ALSO have a children's program that will allow you to enjoy some after-dinner downtime.
  
• Trader Joe's (click here for locations) has pre-marinated meats that make dinner easier, and also pre-made meals. We love the frozen Asian food, too. The Fresh Market and Harris Teeter also provide easy meals-to-go.
  
• Pick up a roasted or smoked turkey breast at Honeybaked Ham. My kids love them and there are lots of ways to make an easy meal out of them, ranging from a simple sandwich to turkey tetrazzini. Go whole hog and pick up some sides, too!

To Do: Be gentle with yourself and family members as we all adjust to the time change.

Spring Has Sprung

First--don't forget to change your clocks this weekend!

Now onto the fun. The Charlotte Weekly's calendar reminded me that it is time to keep an eye on the goings-on at the local parks for fun spring activities. The North Carolina Office of Environmental Education offers lots of programs around the state. Click here for a calendar of events within 20 miles of Charlotte.

For example, this coming Wednesday (March 11) from 7 to 8:30 p.m., there is a Full Moon Hike at Reedy Creek Nature Center. (Click here for directions and more information about Reedy Creek Nature Center.) This is a guided hike of 2-3 miles, talking about and hopefully seeing some nocturnal animals.

On Friday, March 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., there is an "Owl Prowl" at Reedy Creek Nature Center.

On Saturday, March 14, the Carolina Raptor Center (at Latta Plantation) celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a "Go Green" festival. "This festival will bring together environmental organizations from all over the Charlotte area who will share information, ideas, and supplies to help us all make our lives more eco-friendly. We will also provide recycled arts and crafts, games and activities for kids, and of course, live bird shows."

To Do: Check out the calendar of the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. Put some activities on your own calendar and plan to attend at least one.

Read to Me, Charlotte!

Read to Me, Charlotte! is a community-wide initiative that promotes daily reading for children birth-five. It is looking for new or "gently used" children's books which will be distributed throughout the community at sites that serve low-income families, including the Tot Lot and Waiting Room at the Department of Social Services, the Soap Suds Coin Laundry on Pineville-Matthews Road, the Stratford-Richardson YMCA on West Boulevard, and the CMC Rehab Center. I am really glad to see such a diverse group of locations for the distribution. 400 books have been donated so far, and it looks like more "shelves" will be opened in different locations as more books are donated.

This is a great way to move along some of those board books and picture books. You can bring your books to Yoga One Wellness on Central Avenue, EarthFare Ballantyne, the main library uptown, or contact Amy Kukla, Family Literacy Coordinator, at (704) 416-0561 or akukla@plcmc.org. If you, your children or business would like to coordinate a book drive, contact Amy. Click right here to check out the Read to Me, Charlotte! page.

To do: Do some early spring cleaning and free up space on your bookshelves while helping kids.