Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 5/7-5/9

Courtenay W:

Hello Smarties. I have to start this post by giving a shout out to my first-born, he will be 10 on Thursday. Happy Birthday Trey! If you know any boys participating in “Let Me Run” or girls in “Girls on the Run”, this is their big weekend. The boys run their 5K on Friday night in the Twilight 5k benefitting Right Moves for Youth and the girls run on Saturday morning. High-fives to all of these children who have been training so hard and big thank you’s to all of the coaches who have been guiding them. There are many wonderful events all over town this weekend and many of them are in celebration of Mother’s Day. Get out and enjoy.

A heads up from our friends at Boutique on Feet. During the month of May they will donate 40% of all online sales made to “Team Livi” and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Olivia Jones is a 3 1/2 year-old little girl was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis about 2 years ago. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease of the lungs and digestive system, and currently there is no cure and no government funding for research of this disease. Support this great cause by doing some shopping, everyone benefits.

“National Mom’s Nite Out™”
SouthPark Mall
May 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm
SouthPark will host its second annual “National Mom’s Nite Out™” event, a nationally organized celebration of motherhood that plans to unite moms across the country.  This free event will provide moms with the opportunity to enjoy social networking, live demonstrations, makeovers, samplings of food and desserts, shopping incentives and giveaways. 

Beavers!
Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve
May 7, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Beavers are a fascinating and important critter in our ecosystem. Join us as we discover why and possibly get to see one of our resident beaver families! All ages. Cost is free. Must call 704-598-8857 to register in advance.

Family Fun Friday’s to benefit Birthday Blessings
All Monkey Joe’s locations
May 7, 4:00pm-8:30pm
Charlotte-area Monkey Joe’s (Matthews, Pineville, University, Lake Norman) will give 20 percent of the day’s proceeds to Birthday Blessings, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the lives of homeless children. Admission will be discounted and there will be giveaways. Birthday Blessings will accept birthday presents, gift cards and party and goody bag supplies to benefit children living in nine area shelters and homeless CMS students. Cost is $5 per child and $2 pizza slices.

First Friday Family Fun
Mint Museum
May 7, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Enjoy entertainment by the Plaza Family Band, hands-on activities, and a live screening of the Disney Pixar movie “UP” on the front lawn of the Mint. Bring a picnic(no outside alcohol please, cash bar available on site) or pre-purchase boxed picnic style meals. Cost is free for Museum members, Non-members – $10 and Ages 5-17 – $5.

PBS’ Between the Lions Roadshow
Matthews Library
May 7, 11:00am
Theo and Leona, members of the pride family from the ten-time Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Between the Lions, will roar into Charlotte, North Carolina, to perform live, interactive shows presented in conjunction with UNC-TV. Your kids with love this show that encourages reading and singing along. Cost is free.

PBS’ Between the Lions Roadshow
ImaginOn
May 8, 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 3:15pm
Theo and Leona, members of the pride family from the ten-time Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Between the Lions, will roar into Charlotte, North Carolina, to perform live, interactive shows presented in conjunction with UNC-TV. Your kids with love this show that encourages reading and singing along. Cost is free.
www.pbskids.org/lions/

Celebrating Moms! Storytime
Barnes & Noble, Morrison Place
May 8, 11:00am
Join us as we read Mother’s Day books and create a special Mother’s Award Certificate for our kid’s moms.

Mother’s Day at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
May 8-9, 9:00am-3:00pm
The first 500 moms each day will receive a free potted plant courtesy of Rountree Plantation. Mothers can also enjoy complementary mini-massages from Dr. Mitch Moser, and a complementary beauty consultation provided by Mary Kay cosmetics. A photographer will also be on hand to take a special family photo for mom’s special day! Treat mom to a special picnic with baskets from Something Classic Catering filled with a wonderful selection of food. Must be pre-ordered. Call 704-829-1252 to order today. Cost is free for moms; $12, adults; $6, ages 4-12.

New Balance Girls on the Run 5K
Independence Park
May 8, 9:00am
The New Balance Girls on the Run 5K is an event for the entire family!  This 5K is noncompetitive and perfect for all runners, joggers, and walkers.  Come out and support the girls as they cross the finish line in celebration of all that they have accomplished.  Proceeds from this event will benefit Girls on the Run of Charlotte so that all girls that want to participate in our program can have the opportunity. 

Girls Rock Band Festival
Charlotte Country Day School
May 8, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Girls Rock is a band festival celebrating Girls on the Run of Charlotte. Second Annual Band Festival Benefiting the Scholarship Program for Girls on the Run of Charlotte. Featuring the wildly popular bands Planet, Fusion and Emily Lynch of Atlanta! This is a kid-friendly event! Cost is Adults $50; Kids $35; Free for children 3 and under.

Green Goats and Gardens
LEED Platinum Office Building, 1000 Louis Rose Place, University Research Park
May 8, 11:00am-3:00pm
Green Goats & Gardens is a community fair celebrating innovative green-thinking in University City. The event is brought to by University City Partners in conjunction with local energy partners and sponsors. The event will be held on the site of an office building that is being renovated to become the first LEED Platinum office building in the University Research Park. There will be educational displays, children’s activities – including a huge Green Man puppet, crafts and a “kids” parade. The event is also part of the 16-day BIKE! Charlotte 2010 – 16 days of cycling events throughout Charlotte.  We will have free bike inspections, a bike safety rodeo put on by Charlotte Police, information of bicycling opportunities, a drawing for a free children’s bike and even a limited number of free water bottles and children’s helmets. The guests of honor will be making their way from Well’s Farm in Horse Shoe, NC, just south of Asheville. At the event, about 20 floppy-eared, eating machines will be arriving to start on their eco-friendly landscaping duties. They will be clearing over 2 acres of overgrowth on the property. Cost is free.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway Scavenger Hunt
Freedom Park, by the train
May 8, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation is hosting a scavenger hunt on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway to educate and encourage people to use the greenway as a means of pedestrian transportation.  There are many daily errands and task you can accomplish on the bike using the greenway and neighborhood streets. Its fun and great for your health. All you need to bring is your bike and a bag to carry your prizes.  Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Not recommended for children with training wheels.  Cost is free.

Click here to enter the Mother’s Day Swagilicious Giveaway! But first be sure you are a newsletter subscriber and facebook fan. This is our small thank you & the break that you rarely get for the demanding role you happily play each and every day. And it’s a giveaway just for you gal, so take a deep breath and feast your eyes on the dreamy collection below. Only the Smartiest of mom-centric sponsors would do… and holy pink & green do we have some unbelievable stuff to give to one lucky Smarty! Our winner will be chosen at 5p on Friday, May 7th.