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I don’t exercise. I am the girl with all the friends who exercise. I…

Happy Wednesday Smarties! County Fairs, consignment sales, beach music and corn mazes. It is shaping up to be a great Fall in the Queen City! We have several events to put on your calendars and many to chose from this weekend. Support Tyler’s Treehouse, The Nature Museum, The Schiele or Woofstock, all are Smarty, family fun. Get out and enjoy!

Tyler’sTreehouse 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk
Old Georgetowne Swim Club
September 8, 8:00am
Tyler’s Treehouse 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk in Charlotte off Sharon Road in the Olde Georgetowne/Sharon Hills neighborhood. 5K at 8am and fun run/walk at 9am. This is a family-friendly event. Post-race party includes pool party from 10am-1pm at Olde Georgetowne pool and food from sponsors. Tyler’s Treehouse was established in 2006 in memory of 5 year old Tyler Scott who died of brainstem glioma. Benefits brainstem glioma research at St Jude Children’s Hospital. To register go to www.sportoften.com.

American Presidential Experience
407 West Third Street Charlotte
August 31 – September 8
The American Presidential Experience is a nonpartisan educational exhibit celebrating American history, democracy and the US Presidency featuring more than 35 exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts along with a vendor marketplace. Appearing for the first time in North Carolina, this nonpartisan tribute invites everyone to learn more about how the Presidency operates with exhibits celebrating three centuries of presidential history.

CSP is proud to partner with the 2012 Symetra Classic, a stop on the Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA! The 2012 Symetra Classic will take place September 10-16, 2012 at the Raintree Country Club in South Charlotte and will bring together a field of 144 women professional golfers from around the world and across the United States. The Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA is the developmental tour of the LPGA, whose mission is to prepare the very best young professional women golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. Every year, the top 10 Symetra Tour players earn automatic membership to play on the LPGA Tour. The tour includes nearly 30 players with North Carolina ties, as well as many of the stars of the most recent season of the hit Golf Channel show, “Big Break: Atlantis.”

This event is for the entire family to enjoy all week long and support women’s golf and the next generation of LPGA superstars. I personally am thrilled to see Charlotte bring a women’s golf event of this caliber to Charlotte! It’s about time we lift up these Smarty women in golf!

Happy Wednesday Smarties! The Monster Trucks are back. This is one of my family’s summer favorites – I don’t know what it is except that it is good, family fun. Head up to the speedway today to help kick off the fall season. Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum have a full array of activities/movies this weekend. Get out and Enjoy.

Parade of Power – TODAY!!!
Charlotte Motor Speedway
August 8, 2012 Begins at 10:00am, parade begins at noon
Charlotte Motor Speedway will make Bruton Smith Boulevard roar to life with some of the fastest and most powerful machines on the planet when the Parade of Power thunders down the popular thoroughfare to roll out the speedway’s Fall Season of Speed. The parade will include vehicles representing all of the events planned at the legendary superspeedway complex throughout the fall, including a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car, an NHRA Top Fuel dragster, a World of Outlaw sprint car, a monster truck and many more. NASCAR and NHRA drivers, including Joey Logano, Erica Enders and Doug Herbert will take part in the event, which will also include an autograph session and driver Q&A following the parade. Fans in attendance can participate in a question and answer session with the drivers and the first 100 fans to arrive at the speedway Wednesday morning will be invited to an autograph session in the speedway ticket office following the fan forum. Children 13 and under can take a ride in a monster truck and photo opportunities will be available with the cars. The POWERADE Play Zone, which includes the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Van, face painters and a bounce house will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fans can also enjoy live music and inexpensive refreshments during the event. As part of a one-day-only promotion, fans who purchase tickets to any fall Season of Speed event will also have the chance to spin-to-win other great prizes, including camping chairs, collectible diecast cars or tool kits.

Don’t let the name fool you, this is not a soccer shop, comic book store, or specialty children’s shop. I stumbled upon Kicks N’ Grins a few years ago, it sits next to the Charlotte sushi hot spot, Rusans. With its patriotic flags flying out front I was drawn to peek my head inside, and what a surprise! If you have not heard of Kicks N’ Grins, let me be the first to introduce you to my “go to” for gifts.

Kicks N’ Grins is everything NC, everything plus much more. From great collegiate items, to the original Pawley’s Island hammocks, beautiful bird houses, and my fav – Hot Honeys Peanuts! Francis, the ultra friendly manager and brother to owner Terry Snyder, stocks the funniest greeting cards too. I promise that you can find something for anyone, go in for a gift and find a little something for yourself too!

When I need a gift, my first stop is always Poppies in Birkdale Village. Whether it’s for a baby shower, a house warming, or just something fun for a friend, I know I can find it at Poppies. I also know Kate will be there to show me what’s new, ask about my kids, and fill me in on her crew. Kate Kazmer opened Poppies Gifts 8 years ago and the store has been a Lake Norman favorite ever since. Kate is first and foremost a mom, who juggles the demands of owning a business and running a household. Her husband’s job takes him overseas quite a bit, but she makes it work. Running back and forth between school, Poppies, and cheerleading practice, she somehow finds time to connect with her customers and always has a smile on her face.

Kids – Georgia (11), Lily (10), Jack (4)
Hubby – John, we will be married 15 years in September
How long in Charlotte – 10 years
Hometown – Philadelphia
Occupation – Owner of Poppies in Birkdale Village

There is a new place for the farm experience in town – Darby Acres Farm. My kids love it, I love it and the folks that run it, love what they do. Makes for a great day on the farm!

Darby Acres is a short drive from town, right off 16 before you get to 485. As you drive down the gravel road, do not be afraid of the signs, you are in the right place. As you reach the end of the road, drive through the gates, you will be greeted by a row of antique John Deere tractors. If you have a child that loves tractors, this will be paradise. Continue up the drive until you see the small tent. Park and get ready for the adventure to begin.

Happy Wednesday Smarties. Welcome to August and the winddown of Summer. This weekend there are several fantastic sales, performances and activities to take advantage of. Head to Daniel Stowe to see the butterflies, see one of the plays performed by the students of NoDa School of the Arts or visit the castles at ImaginOn. Have fun, get out and enjoy!

Happy Wednesday Smarties. This will be a great weekend to head Uptown, visit Discovery Place and then have some family fun at EpiCenter as they host a Kids Central event to kick off the Olympic Games. Give your kids a taste of the farm and take them to Darby Acres Farm. This is my family’s new favorite spot to meet new animals and have a hands on experience with a variety of animals that have been rescued and given a new home. Get out and enjoy!

Let the Games Begin!
EpiCenter
July 28, 11:00am-3:00pm
Our Kids Club Central event for July: Let the Games Begin! Event will be held in The Commons on the first level. The whole family can compete in games of skill, and take home prizes and awards. Mascots from college and professional teams from our area will greet you, and we even have our very own parade for contestants at 1:30 p.m. Our friends from Radio Disney will join in the fun! It’s all for fun, and all free.

Rural Hill Food Truck Rally
Rural Hill,Huntersville
July 27, 5:00pm-9:00pm
The first-ever Food Truck Rally in the Lake Norman area! Check out the great food that can be found in our local food trucks. In addition to great food options, the Rally will feature live music, corn hole, local merchants, children’s activities, and living history experiences.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! Get out the phone and be ready to book your reservation – Queens Feast is here. Up for a girls night for a good cause? Painting with a Twist is hosting a Bachelorette Event and 50% of the proceeds will go to the Ricky Hendricks Foundation to benefit the ICU @ Levine’s Childrens Hospital of Charlotte. Hayrides, campfire stories, dinosaurs and a family movie round out the weekend. Get out and enjoy!

Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®
July 20-29
Enjoy a foodie fantasy during Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®, July 20-29, 2012!
Discover the best of Charlotte’s ever-evolving restaurant landscape as top chefs, new hot spots, and popular favorites show off their wares during this 10-day eating extravaganza. Over 100 upscale restaurants will offer 3 courses (or more) at dinner for only $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended. Take a tour through the participating restaurants’ special menus, and book your table today!