Charlotte Parent Charlotte Mar 2019 by Morris Media Network

March 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ Free

House or Hotel?

What to consider before booking your next trip

Time to Ditch the Smartphone Contract

DIRECT

Destinations Nonstop from CLT to family adventure

SPRING FESTIVALS NOT TO MISS charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

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Together We Excel

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools

Financial Aid Available Admissions: 704.370.3273

Now Enrolling: PK-12

MARCH 2019 PRESENTED BY

Open books. Open minds.

Community Read is an opportunity to address important subjects and start conversations. This March, we invite you to join our community’s biggest book club. Read the books and participate in programs and discussions at Library and partner locations. While we may have different perspectives, we can find common ground. And from there, we’ll build a stronger community. PRESENTED IN COOPERATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS A DDI T I ONA L S U P P ORT F ROM

cmlibrary.org/communityread

Photo courtesy of Portland Japanese Garden

CONTENT â&#x20AC;ş MARCH 2019

House or Hotel? A breakdown of accommodations and amenities to consider

Direct Destinations A guide to family-friendly vacation spots that are a nonstop flight from CLT

A Day at the Ballet Tips for introducing your child to Charlotte Ballet and the performing arts

16 IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

FYI

Photo by Peter Zay

11 Growing Up 12 Thrive 13 Families Managing Media 24 Excursion

32 Daddy Derek

CALENDAR 25 Our Picks 26 Daily Calendar 26 On Stage 29 Spring Festivals 30 Spring Consignment Sales

20 charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

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EDITOR’S NOTE

What Makes a Family Vacation Better?

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EDITOR

pring break is in April this year

Michele Huggins

for most families. Each year, I

ART DIRECTOR Melissa Stutts

daydream about a grand getaway

to the islands with my family or maybe a big theme park trip or perhaps out West for some skiing and exploring. I feel compelled to show my children new places and take them on new adventures. The one big spring break

GENERAL MANAGER Allison Hollins • allison.hollins@morris.com

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Andy Smith • andy.smith@morris.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS Fawn Anderson • fawn.anderson@morris.com Kathy Thompson • kathy.thompson@morris.com

trip we took to San Diego is one my fourth-grade son always talks about. If you ask him what he liked best about the trip, he leads with “We ate gelato everyday!” Legoland and Joshua Tree National Park are other highlights of the journey, but gelato tops his list. When I ask him what it is he likes about vacation in general, his response: “It’s different and we get to do things we don’t do at home.” Is there anything that makes a trip better,

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MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING

I ask, and he tells me, “It’s better because we are doing things that we don’t usually do together.” His second reply — and my ah-ha moment — made me pause and think. For all the planning I may put into a grand family getaway, a break from the routine and time spent with the family is what matters most to him. Add a change of scenery, or scoop or

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DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES Karen Fralick

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gelato, and that’s a pretty great family vacation. Family getaways take strategic planning. Where’s the best place to stay? What will the kids enjoy doing? Is there something everybody in the family will enjoy? How much money is in the vacation budget? And let’s face it, a vacation with kids is more like a change of location than a kick-back, put-your-feet-up escape. Basic necessities still must be met. Unless you travel with a nanny or trusted older cousin who is your vacation sitter, parents are the ones fulfilling children’s needs. With that in mind, accommodations are a priority. Some people prefer hotels for on-site amenities, including room service and a pool. But if privacy and space to spread out are more important, a house may be the way to go. A grandmother and mother share their opinions on why one is better than the other in the feature on page

CONTACT US charlotteparent.com 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte, NC 28203 phone: 704-344-1980 • fax: 704-344-1983 email: info@charlotteparent.com advertising@charlotteparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Charlotte Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

14. As a person who gets excited about flying to a new place, I’m happy that CharlotteDouglas International Airport offers so many nonstop flights. In our feature “Direct Destinations” on page 16, we share our picks for a few destinations for families and serve up ideas for what do when you land. Wherever you choose to make your “change of location,” here’s to breaking the routine and having a blast. A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman President & CEO William S. Morris III William S. Morris IV

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

ADVENTURE, MEMORIES AND LEARNING ARE JUST A FEW STOPS AWAY.

Summer Camps From day camps to sleep-away camps, the online summer camp directory is loaded with options for children of all ages with a variety of interests. Let us be your guide to summer-camp planning.

.../camps

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE AWESOME DESTINATIONS AT ONE OF OUR 10 STOPS: The Digital Issue Connect to Charlotte Parent when you are on the go with the magazine’s tablet edition available via magzter.com. It’s free with a quick sign-up. magzter.com.

SALISBURY N.C. TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM HIGH POINT ALL-A-FLUTTER BUTTERFLY FARM GREENSBORO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM BURLINGTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ALAMANCE COUNTY ROCKY MOUNT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTER

On Task Does your child stumble to get going in the morning or have a hard time prioritizing projects? Lisa Podell, an executive functioning coach, shares tips on helping kids (and parents) get organized.

…/blogs Photo by Charlotte Ballet

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Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. Visit us online to RSVP for one of our upcoming events or to book a tour. Open House Saturday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. guidepostmontessori.com/prosperity (704) 503-6000 4755 Prosperity Church Road, Charlotte, NC 28269

GP013019

Infant • Toddler • Preschool Kindergarten • Elementary Spanish Immersion programs available!

GP-CharlotteParent (19-0131).indd 1

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

1/31/19 9:22 AM

Courtesy of Smart Start of Mecklenburg

Teddy Bear Breakfast Celebrates Young Children Smart Start of Mecklenburg County hosts its eighth annual Teddy Bear Breakfast March 13, 9-11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on East Boulevard. The high-energy event is a party for children 5 and younger and fundraiser for Smart Start of Mecklenburg County programs that benefit children in the community from birth to age 5. Enjoy storytelling by storyteller Darius Smalls, plus a ballet performance by Charlotte School of Dance to music from “Cinderella.” It’s a dance party under the disco ball when DJ Myranda Pugh spins kid-friendly tunes. Children can dress up in costumes and use provided props to take a picture in the selfie booth and with Brandy the Marvelous Mini Horse. Each child also takes home a Teddy bear or stuffed animal dressed in a tutu or superhero garb. There is a silent auction for adults, and a live raffle for children. Raffle tickets are $2 each. “We want every child in the community to enter kindergarten with the tools they need for school and lifelong success,” says Lee Henderson, program director for Smart Start of Mecklenburg County. Tickets to the event are $25 for adults; $12 for children; and a table with nine seats can be purchased for $200. Purchase tickets online at smartstartofmeck.org.

Go Gluten Free at the Living Free Expo If you and your family live gluten free or manage day-to-day meals and snacks with food allergies, make plans to attend the Living Free Expo, March 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harris Conference Center located at Central Piedmont Community College’s Harris Campus. Charlotte mom Nikki Everett founded the event after her daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Through her research to find food products for her daughter, she discovered the good and bad in gluten-free products. Those that made her best list, she invited to the first expo in 2010. The expo is a one-stop shop of resources for families and their children who adopt a gluten-free or allergy-friendly lifestyle, Everett says. Look for free samples from Enjoy Life Foods, Wow Butter, King Arthur Four and Blue Diamond Almonds, plus plenty of local vendors with products to sample and purchase. Get advice from health care practitioners, authors and wellness professionals speaking at the expo on how to live the best gluten-free life. Children are welcome, and can enjoy free activities and face painting. Admission is $10 per adults, children under age 13 admitted free. Tickets and preregistration are available at livingfreeexpo.com.

: Courtesy of Wing Haven Gardens

Building for the Birds Wing Haven Gardens invites individuals, families and groups to join in its annual Birdhouse Building Contest. All ages are invited to participate and the sky’s the limit on size and materials used. From recycled soccer ball domes to mid-century abodes, it’s a wide-open field of creativity. The contest highlights the need for bird-nesting sites throughout the city. The entry fee is $10 and entries must be received by April 1. Birdhouses will be displayed at Wing Haven Gardens from April 3 through 28 when visitors to the garden can cast their vote for their favorites. Last year’s winning categories included wackiest, most creative and people’s choice. Winners are announced April 29. See some of last year’s winners and register to participate at winghavengardens.org.

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

TWEETSIE RAILROAD 2019 SPECIAL EVENTS Meet the Easter Bunny

Riders In The Sky

Day Out With Thomas™

Performances at Noon & 3 pm

April 19–21

August 17–18

Fireworks Extravaganza

Railroad Heritage Weekend

Park open until 9 pm, Fireworks at 9:30 pm

Ghost Train®

June 7–16

August 24 – 25

Thursday, July 4

September 20–21, 27–28, October 4 – 5, 11–12, 18 –19, 25–26

Cool Summer Nights July 6, 13, 20, 27

Park open until 9 pm

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™

7:30 pm–11:30 pm

July 12–14, Appearances at 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm Saturday evening at 7 pm

K-9s in Flight Frisbee® Dogs July 20– 28

Shows at 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm; Saturday evening at 7 pm

Tweetsie® Christmas

November 22–23, 29–30, December 6–7, 13–14, 20– 21, 27–28 5 pm–10 pm

Events subject to change

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Visit tweetsie.com or call 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874)

tweetsie.com

Ride behind an Authentic Narrow-Gauge Steam Locomotive • Enjoy Live Shows & Amusement Park Rides • Pan for Gold • Deer Park Zoo • Gift Shops

a service of

Free referrals from a trusted source.

(704)348-2181 • www.findchildcarenc.com 8

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

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FYI

There’s a reason for all this sneezin.’ Get on the Right Beat With Music Therapy Music teacher and longtime volunteer Kevin Gill plays the guitar and sings with patients at the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital each Monday. Whether he is playing “Old McDonald” in the waiting room or the favorite song of a child receiving an IV treatment, it is apparent how much music helps. Music can help relieve pain and reduce stress and anxiety, which results in physiological changes such as improved respiration, lower blood pressure and reduced heart rate. All of which are incredibly helpful when a child is presented with a complicated or scary medical diagnosis. According to the American Music Therapy Association, there are many benefits of music therapy: • Increased ability to cope with painful and stressful conditions. • Stimulation of cognitive function on both hemispheres of a child’s brain. • Improvement to a child’s confidence level and physical, emotional and psychological functioning. • Possible remediation of some speech and language skills. A simple, classic tune can distract a child and ease anxiety before an appointment, Gill says. Try your little one’s favorite song next time you notice them getting anxious or when he’s antsy on a long car ride home.

Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center has the only pollen counter in the Charlotte region. We post daily counts on our website as a public service from February to November. If you suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms year after year, our board-certified allergists can test you to discover exactly what you are allergic to, create a customized treatment plan that over time can lessen the severity of your allergies, and, in many cases, cure your allergies altogether!

Call 704.372.7900 to schedule an appointment at one of our area office locations.

Pollen and Mold Levels

Pollen counts updated daily from Feb 15 - Nov. 15. (Chart above is for illustrative purposes only.)

breathe » live » thrive | carolinaasthma.com

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

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FYI | people dear. My kid’s first chess tournament stands out. It made me think back to me being in their shoes, and how we sometimes get to relive our own lives through our children. What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? The ease of it all. Everything is convenient and accessible. Lowest parenting moment? Finding and maintaining work-life balance can be difficult. Like so many parents who work and want to commit to doing the best they can for their kids, they’re likely going to fall short on the little things like forgetting a school project or missing a parent-teacher conference.

Ejona Angjeli-Liberti with her husband Chris Liberti and their two children, Lucia and Maya. Photo courtesy of Ejona Angjeli-Liberti.

Get to Know: Ejona Angjeli-Liberti BY MICHELE HUGGINS

jona Angjeli-Liberti is the network deployment and operations lead at Google Fiber in Charlotte. She is also part of a team that is leading the charge to get girls ages 5-15 interested in STEM careers. She and her husband Chris Liberti have two children, Lucia, 8, and Maya, 6, with a son due March 5. Where in Charlotte do you live? Where did you grow up? We live in the Montibello neighborhood near SouthPark. I moved four years ago from California to Charlotte to work with Google Fiber. I grew up in Tirana, Albania, and moved to the United States when I was 17. I lived in New York for most of my time in the United States. Tell us about your job. What do you like most about it? What are the challenges? I manage engineering, deployment and network operations for Google Fiber for Charlotte. This role involves anticipating possible issues and making quick decisions, mitigating any problems before they materialize — essentially preventative maintenance. My favorite part of the job, and the most challenging, is working with my team. It’s given me an appreciation for how important people are in a living, breathing organization with a vibrant culture. No matter how good of a plan,

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

strategy, product or service you offer, it’s the team that makes it successful. What’s the hardest part of juggling family life and work life? Time management. Just having enough hours in the day to do my job and to check on the kids, play a game with them, do homework and take care of basic needs. Google does make it a bit easier by providing a good maternity leave plan with the option to gradually return to work and flexibility once you are back. Best advice ever received? Listen without thinking about agreeing or disagreeing. It’s hard to do, but I try every day, in every interaction. It gives me an opportunity to get over there with the other person, understand what they’re going through, and be present without my own biases, judgments and experiences getting in the way. Proudest parenting moment? So many, maybe because they’re so memorable and

What are three things you can’t live without? 1. My family, starting with my husband who keeps our world glued together. 2. Food. Good food that brings family and friends together for a shared experience. 3. Travel. I love to see and experience how others live. Favorite Instagram account: I’m not on Instagram much. I have an account, but I don’t really follow anyone in particular, other than my husband (@chris_liberti_paintings). I can check out the work in progress before I get home to see the pieces we love and get to live with. Last book read? “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama. Very inspiring and intellectually stimulating. It was interesting to see the perspective of someone who has balanced career and family with the possibility of doing both exceptionally well without having to compromise one at the expense of the other. What inspires you? My kids and the way they see the world — unbiased, judgmentfree, untamed from any sociocultural norms that they have yet to learn. It’s very inspiring to remove the filters that we’ve built over time, for whatever reason, and realize there are so many ways to be present and live life through all of its colors.

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Untangling the Entitlement Trap How to raise grateful, gracious kids BY MALIA JACOBSON

hildren of all ages are experts in making sure their needs are met. They usually seek out things they need — attention, nourishment, safety and love — from infancy through adulthood. At times though, a child’s natural and normal requests for things can morph into outright demands for things he or she doesn’t really need, from decadent foods to expensive toys to unreasonable appeals for parents’ time and attention. This type of entitled behavior pushes boundaries and buttons. Curbing a child’s entitled behavior is a challenge in today’s hyper-involved parenting culture, but it’s vital to raising resilient, emotionally healthy children, says Raleigh-based Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and bestselling author of “The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World.” Here’s how to start.

EARLY YEARS

Time for me In the throes of early parenthood, it’s all too easy for parents to lose track of their own wants and needs. Time with friends, regular exercise, even showers, go by the wayside as we arrange our world around a cooing little one. While this shuffling of priorities is natural and healthy, it’s also unsustainable over time. Your own needs eventually resurface — you need to get a haircut, get some work done or simply get showered. Per clinical psychologist Leon F. Seltzer, author of “Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy,” continually allowing your world to revolve around your child fosters an entitled attitude. In short, don’t be surprised if the toddler who never hears “Dad’s busy, I’ll

help you soon,” or “Please wait for a moment,” becomes a demanding, entitled tween. Balancing the family’s schedule and priorities to give everyone’s needs top billing now and then — “Sorry, but tonight Mom has a book club meeting, so we’ll go to the park tomorrow”— helps kids learn to tolerate not instantly having every need met while building important skills like recognizing and appreciating the needs and priorities of others. ELEMENTARY YEARS

Chore Chart Asking for costly clothes, gadgets or vacations is common for children, especially those who see their peers sporting $150 shoes or a tan from their latest island getaway.

GROWING UP

Scientists call this tendency “availability bias.” A sixth-grader who expects to get a $400 Apple Watch because most of her peers have one isn’t necessarily entitled, because the expectation is a natural byproduct of her environment. That doesn’t, however, mean that you should spring for purchases that feel extravagant or don’t match your family’s values. Use these requests as opportunities to talk about the work required to earn enough money for a high-end purchase. Assign kids paid chores helps to help reinforce these messages while teaching realworld lessons in accountability and discipline. “Earning money for chores teaches children that work is valuable,” says Rebecca Pavese, a financial planner and portfolio manager with Palisades Hudson Financial Group in Atlanta. “To send a clear message, however, children need to be held accountable to actually do the chores to the best of their ability. Giving children money for chores that they did not complete does not teach them that they need to work for their pay.” TEEN YEARS

Gratitude Adjustment Many teens take for granted the things they have to be grateful for, including health care, electronics, plentiful food and access to transportation — and are unaware of the hard work others do on their behalf. Learning to appreciate life’s many gifts can help children and teens grow into happier, healthier adults. McCready recommends building a gratitude ritual into the family’s daily routine. Have everyone share something they’re grateful for at dinner each night, or hang a chalkboard in a central location so family members can jot down daily appreciations. “Or, get a big jar and encourage everyone to jot their ‘gratitudes’ on slips of paper throughout the week and read them aloud together each weekend,” she says. “Making thankfulness part of your family rituals will help foster a sense of gratitude in your children that they will carry with them throughout their entire lives.” Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and family journalist.

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

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THRIVE

Navigating Travel With Special Needs BY BEA MOISE

s a parent of an autistic child, there are many reasons why I might try to avoid family trips, but I love to travel and think it’s important for our family. Each year, we do a minimum of four trips, one for each family member’s birthday. We have two favorite destination beaches and theme parks. Research, preparation and advanced knowledge about available ammenities and accommodations provided by airlines, hotels and theme parks is key to success. Here are my tips for making travels smooth(er) when traveling with a child with special needs.

PLANNING A

FAMILY GETAWAY? charlotteparent.com/daytrips

The Speech Garden Institute Developing speech, language and social skills. Communication & Sensory Preschool and Summer Camp

www.speechgarden.org 12

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Before you go: • Share the itinerary with the family. Tell children about scheduled stops and possible sightseeing that is on the agenda. • Have on lots of snacks that can easily be reached when on the go to keep both children and adults happy. • Research the area for the location of hospitals and urgent care. • Call the airline or train station and inform them that you are traveling with a child that requires special accommodations. If you are traveling alone, you may need additional help boarding. • The night before you leave, encourage everyone to get a good night’s sleep and be as well rested as possible before leaving. • Create a checklist and double check it before leaving for your trip. • While you may want to bring everything that can keep your child and family comfortable, don’t overdo. Remember the essentials, such as medications, comfort items and a form of entertainment. If you want to avoid a painful drive, do not worry about how much screen time your child is getting in the car. Upon Arrival: • Check with guest services to see what accommodations are available for a family traveling with a child with special-needs. If you have a child with an invisible disability, let guest services know about your preferences. • Have realistic expectations. Traveling is always a stressful time because you are out of your routine. Focus more on that fact that you are together as a family. The most important thing is to have a good time and enjoy the trip as much as possible. Bea Moise is a board-certified cognitive specialist, mother and parenting coach at Southeast Psych in Charlotte.

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FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA 5. A phone contract may damage your relationship with your child. A child’s greatest need is to be unconditionally loved by his family. The very nature of contracts may make him feel like he is an outsider — you against him. Family conflict increases when rules are not clear and concise, and when contracts are broken. Develop manners, etiquette and responsibility in real life first, before phone ownership.

Time to Ditch the Smartphone Contract Building strong digital citizens does not begin with a smartphone contract BY MELANIE HEMPE

ou gave your child his first smartphone and want to ensure a safe, positive phone experience. Why not have him sign a smartphone contract, right? Seems like a smart idea.

After trying this popular tool, many parents have discovered that the family smartphone contract is not worth the paper it is printed on. Building good digital citizens does not begin with a smartphone contract. Here are seven specific reasons why: 1. You are dealing with a child’s brain. Contracts are not for kids. The frontal cortex, the executive control judgment center in the human brain, is not fully developed until approximately age 25. Your child may indeed be very smart, but intelligence has nothing to do with maturity. His lack of maturity shows as he pleads with you and chips away at your leadership through overreaction, exaggeration, comparison and guilt. 2. You can’t trust them, and that’s OK. Remember, it is a child’s job to test boundaries, bend the rules, take risks, seek novelty, crave low-effort, high-reward activities, and have fun at all costs. Would you really trust them with the keys to your shiny new sports car because they signed a

contract not to go over the speed limit? Your car insurance company doesn’t, and neither should you. 3. We don’t make deals with children. A contract is like making a deal. You are the parent; you do not make deals with your tweens and teens. Lead them with reason and love. 4. Your children are not your equals. You are the parent. A contract implies that both parties have an equal say and there will be compromise on both sides. Your child may mistakenly think that she is your equal if you give her a contract and then begin the negotiation process.

6. Remember how well those chore charts worked? If you are still convinced that your smartphone contract will work, let’s talk about that chore chart. How did that work out? You can’t expect your children to follow a phone contract when they can’t consistently follow simple directions to floss their teeth, unload the dishwasher or empty the litter box without prompting. 7. Smartphone contracts are impossible to enforce. In a survey conducted by State Farm of teen drivers, more than 80 percent admitted to using their smartphones while driving. I’m pretty certain that a clause to not text and drive is in every teen smartphone contract, yet they do it anyway. Most parents have no idea what their kids are doing on their phone for eight hours a day, and admit they are unable to track all cell phone activity. The burden falls on the parent to enforce and continually check if the agreed upon terms of the contract are being followed. Do you really have time for that? The idea that a smartphone contract can protect your kids and teach them responsibility is a myth. Stop worrying about raising good digital citizens and focus on raising good kids. You don’t need a contract for that. Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families reduce childhood screen overuse. Learn more at familiesmanagingmedia.com. charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

Vacation Accommodations: HOUSE OR HOTEL? HOTEL? Hotels and short-term rentals each offer pros and cons for family getaways. A mom and grandmother who travel with kids share their insights. B Y J O A N N E C L E AV E R A N D S A M A N T H A C L E AV E R

After a long day of making vacation memories, the last thing you need is a tension-filled evening. You want to relax, let the kids unwind and sink into a comfy bed for a well-deserved good sleep to prep for the next day of sightseeing with the family. Traveling with family means everyone pitches in, from booking to packing, which begs the question: Can one accommodation satisfy everyone — from grandma to grandbaby? Choosing the right accommodations for your brood makes up a large part of vacation planning. The wide range of lodgings available generally fall into professionally owned and managed hotels or resorts; or houses and condos owned and operated by families that can be booked through vacation rental sites such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO. Longtime travel writer and author Joanne Cleaver is a big fan of traditional hotels, even when traveling with small kids. Her daughter, Samantha Cleaver, who is an educator and mom of three preschoolers, favors short-term house rentals. Here are each of their thoughts on choosing a hotel or a house rental.

JOANNE CLEAVER: Let Hospitality Professionals Do the Work Two years ago, I checked into the Westin New York Grand Central. I was in New York City for a week of business and family activities. My daughter Samantha and her then 5-month-old baby were to join me two days into my trip. I didn’t want to take any chances on not having a crib, so I asked that one be sent to my room as soon as possible. Then, as an afterthought, I asked for an extra stack of towels. I explained to the front desk attendant that Samantha and I would line the bathroom sink with towels so that we could bathe the baby. “Hold on a minute,” the staffer said. She called housekeeping. Did they have a baby tub we could use? No, they didn’t. No worries. I was sure we could figure out a workaround. I dumped my stuff in the room and left. When I returned that evening, the crib was set up and stacked with towels and baby blankets. There, like a rowboat in harbor, sat a brandnew baby tub, still in its store wrappings, topped with a new set of baby shampoos. Therein lies my argument for hotels: Hotel staff want to take care of you. Let them. Most hotels want to make families welcome. Most are eager to greet kids with their own menus, activities and small accommodations. Tired parents can order room service or trade off with one taking the kids to the pool while the other lingers over breakfast coffee. Staff are eager to help you with loading and unloading the car. You can request as many towels and pillows as you want. Your only

real challenge is keeping kids out of the minibar. Of course, you have to manage the kids’ activity and noise levels in a hotel — easily done given the generous public space. The main hotel complication we’ve encountered is that hotels can’t or won’t guarantee items, such as a crib or related gear, that customers request in advance. There are only so many cribs per hotel. If they are claimed when you arrive, you are out of luck as we found in a tense standoff at a Holiday Inn Express when checking in for a conference Samantha was attending with nursing baby in tow. That is not a problem at a house rental, where everything on the premises is provided specifically for the guests’ use. A freestanding house also insulates neighbors from noise and activity at all hours. Overall, I’ll take my chances on a hotel. After all, parents and grandparents deserve a little pampering, too. SAMANTHA CLEAVER: Rent a Home Away From Home for Real Relaxation Let’s face it, when you’re traveling with kids, it’s a trip, not a vacation. No amount of free shampoo and room service allows you to stay out late for margaritas, enables your kids to sleep in or gives you the flexibility to visit the spa instead of the zoo. Choosing accommodations is not about finding the best hotel, but rather about determining the best space for minimizing the hassles that often accompany traveling with children. On a recent trip to

Atlanta, we booked a centercity, three-bedroom, two-bath house through Airbnb. (Full disclosure: We own and rent several Airbnb units, but that does not give us any inside advantage to renting other units through the platform.) The centrally located bungalow promised basic amenities, a clean space and, most importantly, separate bedrooms for our 4- and 2-year-old children. (If you have ever tried to put two kids to bed past their bedtime in the same room, you are rooting for me on this one.) Booking a hotel, especially through a national hotel chain, comes with the assurance that you get a clean room, efficient check-in and basic amenities. Book a short-term rental and you live with some ambiguity until you get there. Will the space actually look like it does in the pictures? Will I have any trouble communicating with the host? Will the code work? When renting an Airbnb, I look for “superhosts” — hosts who have an established track record for delivering what they promise — and take time to read reviews from other families who have stayed in a potential rental. Thanks to this advance scouting, we arrived at the bungalow in Atlanta, easily checked in and walked into an open-floor plan living-diningkitchen area that was the perfect size for our band of seven adults and children. While many Airbnbs advertise that they are familyfriendly, you’re on your own to make the space comfortable. The Airbnb we rented in

Atlanta wasn’t completely toddler-ready. We spent the first half-hour moving everything that was not kidfriendly out of reach (mostly small potted plants) and taking note of where the chemicals were stored so we could keep the kids away from any hazards. Once we arranged the space, however, the benefits kicked in. Having a full kitchen enabled us to stock the fridge with breakfast fixings and healthy snacks, which saved us money. Our preschoolers each had their own space for bedtime. We used the dryer to quickly dry towels and swimsuits after a visit to the pool. In between excursions to the Georgia Aquarium, various neighborhoods and Zoo Atlanta, we used the Airbnb as a space to relax and put up our grown-up feet while the kids crawled around pretending to be deer, colored in coloring books and did what they usually do when we’re at home. An Airbnb is your home away from home, but it’s also someone else’s home or family investment, so tighter rules apply. But even with that caveat, you have privacy in a full house, which is the best way to capture some great vacation memories during your trip. Joanne Cleaver, who lives in Maine, is a nationally published freelance writer and author of three family travel guides. Samantha Cleaver is a nationally published freelance writer, reading consultant and educator who lives in Charlotte with her partner and three preschoolers.

HOUSE VS. HOTEL Hotel ü ADVANTAGES ü On-site professional management. ü On-site dining and room service. ü Typically offers a pool and other amenities. û DISADVANTAGES û No guarantee of baby necessities, such as a crib or baby bath. û Can be difficult to organize the right combination of rooms and privacy. û Might be more expensive. û Tips are expected for housekeeping, bellman and doorman. û Must manage noise and activity to respect other guests. House Rental ü ADVANTAGES ü Enables flexibility and offers generous space. ü Should deliver promised necessities, such as a crib and toys. ü Enables greater tolerance for a normal level of children’s activities. ü Offers a wider array of interior arrangements than what standard hotel rooms offer. ü Having access to a kitchen can save money on eating out. û DISADVANTAGES û Food service is do-it-yourself, and that includes kitchen chores. û May not offer recreational amenities. û Not always within walking distance of major tourist destinations, such as museums. û May require chores at checkout.

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

DIRECT Destinations

Leave the car at home and hop on a nonstop flight from CLT for family travels farther afield BY LIZ ROTHAUS BER TRAND, JULIA PELLY AND AMY RAGSDALE With a multitude of nonstop flights departing from Charlotte-Douglas International airport (and because who really wants to board planes more than once with kids in tow?), getting away to explore vacation destinations is easier than ever. Below are direct-flight destinations from CLT, including the Midwest, East Coast, West Coast and Europe, that offer a plethora of activities and excursions for family vacation. Use these itineraries as a starting point for planning the next great family getaway. — Michele Huggins, editor of Charlotte Parent magazine

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI: The Gateway City Flight time: 2.5 hours. Saint Louis, known as the Gateway City to the West, is a vibrant city with loads of history. The Gateway Arch is a definite attraction, as well as the Gateway Arch National Park. Take a walk through the Museum at the Gateway Arch to learn more about the history of explorers, pioneers and rebels that crossed the Mississippi River in pursuit of new horizons. Admission is free. Helicopter rides and Mississippi River paddleboat excursions also offer a different perspective on the Arch. A can’t-miss destination is the City Museum. This four-story, indoor-outdoor venue is home to numerous exhibits, adventure halls and a range of tunnels, automobiles, ladders and slides that patrons can work their way through. City Museum is perhaps best known for its iconic, 10-story spiral slide that is worth a ride for adults and kids. The Saint Louis Zoo, located in Forest Park on the west side of the city, is home to animals from all over the world and is known for its high-quality educational programming. While you may choose to pay for some attractions within the zoo, admission is free, a bonus to budget conscious travelers. If you’ve got baseball fans in the family, but don’t feel quite ready to take in a major league game, consider taking a short trip to the Gateway Grizzlies stadium. The Gateway Grizzlies, a feeder team for the Saint Louis Cardinals, is known for hosting family nights and special events that cater to their youngest fans. For a unique meal, visit The Fountain on Locust, a soda-shop style restaurant that features a full menu and a host of ice cream flavors, as well as an impressive drink menu with grown-up versions of childhood favorites like its famous ice-cream martini. —JP Climb, play arcade games, ride the miniature train and slide down the 10-story spiral slide at City Museum in Saint Louis. Photo courtesy of City Museum

Clockwise from top: Cruising over to see the Statue of Liberty. Stroll through Central Park, stopping to play on one of 21 different playgrounds, and visit the Central Park Zoo. NEW YORK CITY: Big City Lights Flight time: Direct flights from CLT to any of the three NYC metro area airports take about two hours. LaGuardia is closest to the city if you are grabbing a cab or Lyft. From Newark Airport, you can take the NJ Transit Rail Service to Penn Station in NYC. It takes about 30 minutes and costs $13 for adults and is discounted for kids.

Someone once described New York City to me as a bunch of small villages rather than one great, big city. It’s an apt assessment. You could have countless adventures here, depending on the neighborhoods and boroughs you decide to visit, but for first-time visitors, Manhattan is full of family-friendly options. Choosing a hotel around Midtown allows easy access to many popular destinations. The Roger Smith (corner Lexington Avenue and 47th Street), a family-owned boutique hotel with an artsy vibe, is a great choice. It is within walking distance of Rockefeller Plaza and the Broadway theater district, as well as Grand Central Station that offers access to subway lines leading all over the city. Central Park is an oasis in the city. Go there to wander or enjoy a picnic. It’s home to 21 different playgrounds and the lovely Central Park Zoo. The High Line, a 1.45 mile long greenway built on the site of an old elevated freight train line, is another popular place for strolls and views of the west side of the city, stretching from just below 14th Street to 34th Street. Take a detour to Chelsea Market to pick up gourmet treats. With more than 35 food vendors, it’s a fun place for the whole family to eat and explore. The Empire State Building offers incredible views. It’s touristy, iconic and unforgettable. For an extra fee, purchase express tickets

Snap a family picture at Times Square. Photos courtesy of the Bertrand family.

in advance to skip lines. Or come first thing in the morning or midafternoon on weekdays to cut down on wait time. Statue Cruises is the only authorized source for ferry tickets and a close up view of Statue of Liberty National Monument. If you want to visit the monument or the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum, make advance reservations to guarantee your place. Another option for magnificent views of the city, as well as Lady Liberty, is the nearby and totally free Staten Island Ferry. Trips leave approximately every half hour throughout the day. Avoid rush hour or you may feel packed in like a can of sardines. Kids love the American Museum of Natural History that offers a scientific lens on the natural world and diverse cultures. It features many excellent permanent exhibitions, including its famed dinosaur fossil collections, and is also home to the Hayden Planetarium. The Metropolitan Museum of Art collections span more than 5,000 years, with everything from Ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary works, including many masterpieces. It has plenty of resources available to enrich your visit, including family guides and audio tours especially for kids (ages 6-12). For an introductory experience to the performing arts at reasonable prices, check out The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street, a few steps from Times Square. You can find any kind of world cuisine in New York so be adventurous. For a sweet treat, don’t miss Dylan’s Candy Bar (3rd Avenue at 60th Street) with three floors of sugary nirvana. —LBR charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

The Portland Zoo is a treat for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of Portland Zoo Below: Drumming at the Portland Japanese Garden. Photo courtesy of Portland Japanese Garden

PORTLAND, OREGON: West Coast Adventure Flight time: Just under six hours. Portland is a mid-size city with a lot to see. Many families enjoy staying in northwest Portland due to its proximity to several attractions, including Washington Park and it’s family-friendly vibe. Washington Park, one of the oldest parks in Portland, is home to the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden, the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Children’s Museum, The World Forestry Center and one of the state’s best-known playgrounds. Families can easily spend a full day at the park and may want to return a second day. Just a short hop from Washington Park is the flagship store of the well-known Portland chain Powell’s City of Books. Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world and is a book-lover's paradise. If you’re in Portland over the weekend, consider checking out the Portland Saturday Market. The street market is known for its range of independent sellers that carry everything from toys and clothing to jewelry and other fine handcrafts. After spending the morning at the Saturday Market, take a short ride to the Old Spaghetti Factory, a wellloved restaurant that’s as delicious as it is family friendly. Not only can the pickiest eater enjoy a bowl of yummy pasta, there’s also an indoor trolley car and friendly wait staff. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is another family venture that features hands-on exhibits focused on everything from berries to satellites. While the museum is fantastically fun for kids, parents also can enjoy the interactive exhibits and special attractions. There are many hikes that traverse the city or go on a short drive for hikes to some fantastic waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet, located on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, just 30 miles east of the city. —JP SEE MORE NONSTOP FLIGHT DESTINATIONS ON CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/TRAVEL

PARIS: The City of Lights, Pastries and Art Flight time: Eight hours and 20 minutes. Admiring the sights of Paris while strolling its charming streets with a fresh baguette in hand is a bucket-list vacation for many. A family trip to Paris doesn’t have to be filled with one stuff y museum after another. Walking the streets of Paris is the best way to soak up its ambiance, and the Promenade Les Berges de la Seine is the perfect place for a family stroll. This car-free path along the Seine River takes you from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre. With climbing walls, hopscotch and other activities, the whole family can be entertained. The Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most famous landmark, should certainly be on your to-do list, but don’t miss the wonderful playground and centuries-old, handcranked carousel in the Parc Champs de Mars, just a fiveminute walk from the Eiffel Tower. After shopping at Le Bon Marche, one of Paris’s oldest department stores, be sure to visit the nearby Luxembourg Gardens. The gardens offer a beautiful, quiet oasis in the middle of Paris. Take a stroll, watch the kids float toy sailboats in the central pond, search for the replica of the Statue of Liberty, and spend time at its fantastic playground (small admission fee and totally worth it). Live like a Parisian by renting an apartment in Paris’s quiet 7th arrondissement which is home to Rue Cler, one of the best market streets in Paris. Here you’ll find fresh baguettes and croissants, cheese shops conveniently located next to wine shops, creperie stands, pastries, and fresh fruit — all located on this quaint, pedestrian-only street. In the evenings, you are within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower to see its lights sparkle at the top of every hour. — AR Float a toy sailboat in the central pond at Luxembourg Gardens. Right: Kids can scale the climbing wall along the Promenade Les Berges de la Seine. Photos courtesy of Amy Ragsdale

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Photo courtesy of Peter Zay one hour and offer fun, hands-on pre-show activities, based on the day’s performance. At recent events, kids have made their own tutus, visited a musical petting zoo, used blocks to replicate the physics of bodies in motion, and participated in poetry and creative movement activities.

A DAY AT THE BALLET

Before You Go

It’s never to early to introduce children to performing arts BY LIZ ROTHAUS BERTRAND Luca Cravotta probably doesn’t remember the first ballet he ever attended, but he was in good company. At 5 months old, he watched “Cinderella” while squeezing the finger of Patricia McBride, legendary dancer, associate artistic director of Charlotte Ballet and a 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree. To the rest of us, this is extraordinary. To Luca, McBride is simply one of his mom’s colleagues. Ayisha McMillan Cravotta, Charlotte Ballet academy director and Luca’s mom, laughs when she recalls this story some five years later. “We were able to approach it with a lot of flexibility since I work for the ballet and my husband [Jeff Cravotta] is a photographer and does a lot of work for the ballet,” she says. Most kids don’t get to see their first performance under such remarkable circumstances, but whenever and wherever it happens, introducing children to the arts can open a world of discovery. Cravotta, who spent her early career performing with the Houston Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre (now Charlotte Ballet), started dancing when she was 2 years old. She grew to love the art form and was a professional dancer for 11 years. In her role at Charlotte Ballet Academy, Cravotta oversees the artistic and educational programming for amateur dancers, age 3 to adult, ranging from novice to pre-professional. Cravotta shares her tips for best ways to introduce children to the magic of performing arts.

First Time

For very young children, consider starting with events that are less formal and specially tailored for kids. “My parents took me to a lot of live music performances,” Cravotta says. “Back when I was growing up, it was people like Raffi and folk musicians who hit the circuit. I remember storytelling as another really early way that I got engaged with performance.” Beginning with a low-pressure situation at your local library branch can be a great introductory experience. Charlotte Ballet also offers Dance-A-Story Workshops,

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

in partnership with various community organizations, for preschool and early elementary-age children. “If your child sits reasonably through a movie on the sofa at home, it’s probably a good time to try a ballet,” Cravotta says. Storybook ballets, with tales they may already know — like the annual production of the “Nutcracker” or this season’s “Peter Pan” — can be a particularly good choice. Look for designated performances especially created for younger viewers. Charlotte Ballet offers family matinees throughout the season that last

Even if you cannot attend a specific family performance, build excitement with some advance preparation. Kids benefit from having one or two elements they can focus on during the show. “We love to have children at the performances so we like to be able to connect families with educational materials and storyline materials to make it more enjoyable,” Cravotta says. Often times, interesting videos about either the dancers or a snippet of what the storyline might be is available on the Charlotte Ballet website. Explaining to kids that the performers are real people telling a story on stage also adds to the excitement. “Rather than diminishing from any magic, I think it helps them understand that these people are creating art [and] doing something very special,” she says. Pro tip: Check a venue’s website or call the box office for any questions regarding logistics, such as parking or bathroom locations to be prepared in advance.

Day of the Show

Kids need to know “it’s one of those settings when we use our ears and eyes more than our mouths, so everyone can enjoy the performance together,” Cravotta says, but even the best-behaved kids are not going to sit silent during a performance. Cravotta recalls how during a particularly quiet moment in the “Nutcracker,” her son once blurted out, “Where is Juwan?” as he tried to locate a favorite dancer on stage. She and her husband whispered back: “Wait for him, wait for him! He’s coming in a moment.” “With kids, you just have to plan for contingencies,” Cravotta says, noting that potty and snack breaks are important. One way to keep kids engaged during the show is to quietly point out key elements of the story as they

appear. For example: Look, Peter Pan can fly, just like we read in the book. After a performance, be sure to ask your child about the experience. Try questions like: Did you see the red shoes that performer was wearing? Did you see how high that person was jumping? What was your favorite costume? “I think asking a lot of questions is a great way to help them relive that experience,” she says.

No Experience Required

It is a beautiful and enriching experience when children who take dance lessons can connect what they do in the studio to what they see on stage, but Cravotta believes children can be moved by a live performance even if they don’t dance. For some children, it’s that first experience that inspires them to learn more.

“We get a lot of calls from parents who say ‘my kid loved the show and wants to do that too,’” she says. “My theory is we grow older and it gets [harder] to present yourself because you start to latch onto inhibitions and worry about not doing things the right way. There’s real joy in being able to present what we create whether that is through dance or singing or even in visual art that we create and share.” If kids learn to connect with others through the arts when they are young, they can carry this joy with them throughout their lives. Liz Rothaus Bertrand writes frequently about the arts and loves experiencing live performances with her own sons, age 6 and 9. Follow her on Twitter @tournesol74.

KIDFRIENDLY PERFORMANCE ART Looking for other kid-friendly performing arts events? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA charlottesymphony.org Check out the Family Series concerts that take place on select Saturday mornings and include hands-on pre-show activities. Or experience The Movie in Concert series that features popular films with the score played live by the symphony.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE ctcharlotte.org Single tickets and subscriptions are available for a full season of high-quality, professional productions for kids and families.

BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS blumenthalarts.org Kids’ Night events offer one free child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket to select performances.

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

At the North Carolina Zoo, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest natural habitat wildlife park, amazing adventure is closer than you think

A S H E B O R O

›

EXCURSION

When it’s warm, let the kids play in the free splash pad by the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. Photo by Kristina Hernandez

Greenville, South Carolina This small foothills town delivers big fun for families BY KRISTINA HERNANDEZ

rom parks, playgrounds and trails to museums, restaurants and festivals, Greenville, South Carolina has plenty to offer families for a day or weekend excursion.

Explore and Picnic at Falls Park Spend some time at iconic Falls Park, where the 355-foot long pedestrian Liberty Bridge spans Reedy River Falls. Grab a loaf of stecca bread from the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, along with local fruit, meat, veggies and homemade cookies to create an enviable picnic lunch to enjoy at the park. Many special events take place at the park throughout the year. During Artisphere, happening May 10-12 this year, you may be entertained at the park by an artist creating magnificent paintings. Any number of restaurants line Main Street during Fall for Greenville, one of the largest food festivals of the upsate and one of the most popular in the Southeast, happening Oct. 11-13. Mice on Main For fun at no cost, stroll along Main Street and look for the nine Mice on Main. These small bronze statues of mice are inspired by the classic book “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. Children can use clues to see if they can spot the mice throughout the downtown area. Take a Bike Ride If you’re feeling adventurous, rent bikes at Reedy Rides and bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 20-mile paved trail that runs through the heart of Greenville. Ride north up to Furman University, where you can stroll around the lake on campus and feed the ducks or ride south to Falls Park to see the waterfalls.

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Stroll the Zoo The Greenville Zoo, which houses giraffes, lions, birds, mammals and snakes, is a manageable size and takes about an hourand-a-half to walk through. In 2018, the zoo welcomed a baby giraffe, orangutan and red panda cubs. A new lions den, which could become a breeding center, should be ready mid-2019. Tickets are $9.75 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 3-15, and children 2 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Be sure to leave time to visit Cleveland Park, a free, sprawling playground right outside the zoo. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate If it’s raining during your excursion to Greenville, don’t sweat it. Head to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, a Smithsonian-affiliated experience located in downtown Greenville. The museum offers three floors of endless fun, learning and entertainment. Exhibits include a studio with a green screen where kids can pretend to be news anchors, an art studio, an outdoor playground designed by Michelin, a water feature offering information about the Reedy River, a music room with a variety of instruments, and Grandma Betty’s Farm, which was designed for children under age 5. The museum is best for ages 12 and younger,

and families can expect to spend at least a couple hours there. Admission costs $10 for adults and $9 for children ages 1-15. Children under age 1 are admitted free. Watch Planes Land and Take Off Runway Park, which sits next to Greenville Downtown Airport, offers a short track perfect for kids who want to ride a small bike or rideon, as well as a shelter. Enjoy a full meal at the adjacent Runway Cafe. Go on an Outdoor Adventure Greenville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is within an hour of a variety of hiking trails, and lakes suitable for kayaking and swimming. Paris Mountain State Park is 15 minutes from downtown Greenville and features a lake, trails for all skill levels and a playground. The Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock State Park is ideal for smaller kids because it is less than 2 miles, travels past waterfalls and features a few water crossings. For a day trip, rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Lake Jocassee, a crystal clear lake that looks like something you might see on a postcard that is about an 80-minute drive from Greenville. Kristina Hernandez lives in Greenville with her husband and two daughters, and is an amateur outdoorswoman who loves exploring the mountains, lakes, and trails.

MARCH 2019 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

American Girl Live! is on stage at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square March 7-9. Photo by Amy Boyle

Touch-a-Truck | March 2 Touch and learn about fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, tractors and all things transportation. The first hour is free of sirens and lights. Stick around and play at the playground. Stallings Municipal Park, 340 Stallings Road, Stallings. 10am-2pm. FREE. stallingsnc.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival | March 16 Enjoy Irish dancing groups, pipe and drum bands, musical groups, dancers, lots of dogs, horses and plenty of creative marching groups. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at the corner of Tryon and Ninth streets and marches to Third Street, ending at Caldwell Street. The festival, located on South Tryon Street between Third and Stonewall streets, includes live music, food and drinks and children’s amusements from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. charlottestpatsday.com.

American Girl Live! | March 7- 9 Celebrate the power of girls at this 90-minute musical produced by an all-female creative team. The Broadway-style show is set at Camp American Girl, a fictitious sleepaway camp. Six iconic American Girl characters are interwoven into the experience through song and dance that celebrates friendship and following your dreams. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. Tickets start at $25. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

Children’s Day on the Farm | March 30 Go back in time to life on a farm in the 18th and 19th centuries. Watch plowing and milking demonstrations, see and pet farm animals, learn to make candles, churn butter and ride a pony. Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, South Carolina. 10am-4pm. $6-$10, children 3 and younger admitted free. chmuseums.org.

Learn about farm life in the 18th and 19th centuries at Children’s Day on the Farm at Historic Brattonsville . Photo by CHM staff

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

CALENDAR ›› CALENDAR

1 FRIDAY

See Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and all the furry friends at Sesame Street Live.

ON STAGE American Girl Live! (March 7-9). Experience American Girl in an all new musical. Join the American Girl characters as they follow their hearts, share their dreams and learn the power of friendship. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $25+. 704372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

Charlotte Symphony Pops: The Best of Rodgers and Hammerstein. (March 22-23). Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $19+. The hills are alive for this program celebrating the musical catalog of Rodgers and Hammerstein. blumenthalarts.org.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert. (March 8-9). The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs music from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” while the film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $30-$80. 800-745-3000. harrypotterinconcert.com.

The Ghost of Splinter Cove. (March 22-April 7). One night while a pair of siblings are having fun with a new friend in their basement, they unearth a mystery that transports them on the adventure of their lives. Along the way, they discover things about both their family and themselves that changes them forever. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 8 and older. $15+. ctcharlotte.org.

Step Afrika! (March 8-9). Step Afrika! ranks as one of the United States’ top-10 African-American dance companies. Performances include dance, songs, storytelling, comedy and audience participation. McColl Family Theater, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 6 and older. $15+. ctcharlotte.org. Peter Pan. (March 8-17). Charlotte Ballet presents its gravitydefying, high-flying adventure with extravagant sets, costumes and dance. Check website for show times. Sensory friendly performance on March 13. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.. $15$85. 704-414-2766. charlotteballet.org. Diavolo: Architecture in Motion. (March 13). A fusion of dance, acrobatics and gymnastics, “Diavolo” explores the relationship between the human body and its architectural environment. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $19.50+. blumenthalarts.org. Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party. (March 13). Favorite furry characters from Sesame Street delight and entertain on stage. Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd. 6pm. $25.75+. 800-745-3000. ovensauditorium.com. Cinderella. (March 15-17). Charlotte Youth Ballet presents the classic tale of “Cinderella.” Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $20$30. charlotteyouthballet.org.

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

National Geographic Live! On the Trail of Big Cats. (March 26). Join award-winning National Geographic photographer Steve Winter for a thrilling journey into the world of big cats. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 7:30pm. $19.50+. blumenthalarts.org. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. (March 28-April 7). Three mad-cap actors weave their wicked way through Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one wild ride. Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson. $12-$29. 704-892-7953. davidsoncommunityplayers.org. PlayPlay! Theatre: Shalom. (March 28-31). Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road. Ages birth-3. $12. 704-366-5007. Explore Jewish customs at this performance where play and creativity are central. charlottejcc.org. Alice in Wonderland Jr. (March 29-31). Travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice on her adventures. Featuring updated songs from Disney’s animated motion picture, this is a fast-paced take on the classic tale. Ballantyne Arts Center, 11318 N. Community House Road. $10. ymcacharlotte.org.

Crews Family Fun Night. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 6-9pm. FREE. Indoor laser tag night. Entertainment, food and drinks are free. matthewsfun.com. Dr. Seuss Day Story Time and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. 10:30am. $6 per child. Come for a Dr. Seuss-themed story time and frost a cupcake. sascupcakes.com. Music with Holly. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Age 18 months-5 years. 11am-noon. FREE. 704-416-4630. Preschoolers can learn songs, play various instruments and express themselves with music. cmlibrary.org.

2 SATURDAY Dr. Seuss Day Story Time and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Ste. C. 10:30am. $6 per child. Come for a Dr. Seuss-themed story time and frost a cupcake. sascupcakes.com. Go Green! Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 10am-noon. FREE. Meet a snake like one the saint drove out of Ireland and craft a lucky shamrock. parkandrec.com. Seuss-a-thon. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 6 and younger. 10am-noon. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger, included with admission. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with activities and games based on classic Seuss stories. chmuseums.org.

3 SUNDAY Family Nature Craft Discovery. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 2-3pm. $4. Celebrate National Craft Month making crafts from natural objects. parkandrec.com. Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese, 7701 Pineville-Matthews Road. 9-11m. Free admission. Come early for smaller crowds, reduced lighting and noise, food and games, and specially trained staff. chuckecheese.com.

4 MONDAY Baby Storytime: PlayPlay! ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Babies. 9-10am. FREE. Join PlayPlay! Theatre for an engaging storytime with songs, stories and play. cmlibrary.org. Small Stalks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. Explore nature through stories, song, plantings, crafts and play in Lost Hollow Children’s Garden. dsbg.org.

5 TUESDAY Dakota and Friends. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 3-11. 11am-2pm. FREE. Meet and interact with Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex. Read aloud to dinosaurs and then take a ride on a dino. cmlibrary.org. Special Needs Jump Time. Sky High Sports, 601 N. Polk St., Pineville. 3-6pm. $5.50. On the first Tuesday of every month, Sky High Sports turns off music, dims lights and dials down distractions. clt. skyhighsports.com.

6 WEDNESDAY African Dance Class. Sugar Creek Recreation Center, 943 W. Sugar Creek Road. 7pm. FREE. Charlotte Ballet’s Cultural Dance Program presents African Dance classes. Classes are drop-in format and open to all ages. charlottecultureguide.com

7 THURSDAY On Stage: American Girl Live! See page 26. Board Game Night at Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble Arboretum, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. 6pm. FREE. barnesandnoble.com. Mini Chefs. Town Hall, 315 MatthewsIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 2.5-5. 11am-noon. $6. Learn to cook a new recipe. Preregistration required. indiantrail.org.

8 FRIDAY On Stage: American Girl Live!; Peter Pan; Harry Potter and the Chamber of

› Secrets in Concert; and Step Afrika! See page 26. Date Night Drop-Off. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. Ages 6-13. 5-9pm. $10 per child; $5 per additional child. Children are invited to join in a variety of games and activities. Pizza and refreshments served. matthewsfun.com. Spring Fling. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 11am-12:30pm. FREE. Create a springthemed craft and have a critter encounter. Preregister for this drop-in program. parkandrec.com.

9 SATURDAY On Stage: American Girl Live!; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Peter Pan; and Step Afrika! See page 26. 2nd Saturday at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Keep on Truckin’. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $12$25, children 2 and younger free, includes museum admission. From the transporter to the Camping World Truck Series, learn about the trucks of NASCAR. nascarhall.com. Children’s Art Weekend. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11am-3pm. $7-$13, children younger than 2 free, includes garden admission. Engage in creative, hands-on activities and crafts. dsbg.org. Experience Clay with Clayworks. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. 1-4pm. $6-$15, children 4 and younger free, includes museum admission. Drop in to

free. family. fun. artsandscience.org/cultureblocks

ASC_CB_CltPar.indd 1

Mint Museum Uptown for a hands-on experience with clay. mintmuseum.org. Harry Potter Science Saturday. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. 10am-4pm. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger, includes museum admission. Enjoy activities and information featuring real science based on the Harry Potter series. chmuseums.org. JAARS Day. JAARS Center, 7405 Jaars Road, Waxhaw. 9am-4pm. Free admission. Learn about Bible translation and JAARS operations. Ride in a helicopter or a five-seat plane and see how people get Internet in the rainforest. jaars.org. Passport to the Queen City: India, Oceania and Southeast Asia. The Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive. Ages 5-12. 10-11:30am. FREE. Explore history at the Charlotte Museum of History’s monthly Passport to the Queen City. charlottemuseum.org. Run Jen Run 5K and Festival. Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. 8am. Race registration $10-$40. The 7th annual Run Jen Run 5k, Fun Run and Festival includes a Kids Fun Zone with bounce houses, games, face and hair painting, obstacle course and team mascots. runjenrun5k.com. STEAM Fest. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 11-3pm. $6-$7, children 3 and younger admitted free, includes museum admission. Meet professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math, and participate in hands-on activities. schielemuseum.org.

CALENDAR

Super Saturday. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 1-1:45pm. FREE. Professor Whizzpop presents an interactive magic show. cmlibrary.org.

10 SUNDAY Legend of Johnny Appleseed. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-12. 2-3pm. $4. Explore the Legend of Johnny Appleseed by examining seeds, planting seeds and learning why apples are important. parkandrec.com. Vida y Salud Expo. The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. Noon. FREE. A high-energy wellness event that feature health screenings, makeover demonstrations, a fashion show, children’s safety information, healthy-cooking demonstrations, financial education and kid-friendly activities. vidaysaludexpo.com.

11 MONDAY Multicultural Storytime: India! ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 10-11am. FREE. In honor of the Holi festival in March, hear stories from India. Stay after story time to try on a traditional Indian sari. cmlibrary.org.

12 TUESDAY Free Tuesday at the Schiele Museum. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 4-8pm. FREE. Get free entry to The Schiele Museum every second Tuesday evening of the month. schielemuseum.org. Toddler Tuesday at Sea Life CharlotteConcord Aquarium. Sea Life Charlotte-

CULTURE

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CALENDAR

Concord Aquarium, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. $15 for adult. One free child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket on Tuesdays. Each additional child, ages 3-12, receives a discount as well, costing only $5 each. visitsealife.com. Victory Bounce Sessions at BounceU Matthews. BounceU of Matthews, 9129 Monroe Road, Ste. 145-150, Matthews; and 10624 Metromont Pkwy., Suite 300. Ages 2 and older. Check website for hours. FREE. 704-921-8771. Every second Tuesday of the month, families with children with special needs enjoy free admission. bounceu.com.

13 WEDNESDAY On Stage: Diavolo: Architecture in Motion; Peter Pan Sensory Friendly Performance; and Sesame Street Live! See page 26. Itsy Bitsy Music Time. Lanti Music, 323-E Unionville Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 5 and younger. 11am-noon. $5 per child; $10 per family. Little ones enjoy music, movement and story time followed by open play. Registration is required, and payment is cash only. lantimusic.com. Nature Detectives: Mud Pies. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-6. 1-3pm. $6. 980-314-1129. Become a nature detective, and explore through stories, crafts and activities related to the topic. parkandrec.com.

14 THURSDAY On Stage: Peter Pan. See page 26. Preschool Explorers. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 2-5. 10-10:45am. $4. Little ones and adults explore geocaching. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com. Toddler Time at Big Air. Big Air Trampoline Park, 2408 Sardis Road N. Ages 6 and younger. 10am-1pm. $8. Little ones can jump at their own speed and comfort level. bigairusa.com/charlotte/toddler-time.

15 FRIDAY On Stage: Cinderella; and Peter Pan. See page 26. Crafty Critters. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-11. 10-11:30am. $4. Explore the natural world through arts and crafts. Preregistration

and parent attendance required. parkandrec.com. MyGym Lake Norman Puppet Show. Barnes and Noble Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. FREE. Local puppeteer troupe from MyGym Lake Norman leads a puppet show with songs and book readings. barnesandnoble.com.

16 SATURDAY Our Picks: St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival. See page 25. On Stage: Cinderella; Peter Pan. See page 26. Saint Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. 10am-4pm. FREE. Follow the Leprechaun’s clues to find the hidden treasure on a self-guided treasure hunt. parkandrec.com. Saint Patrick’s Day Storytime and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Ste. C. 10:30am. $6 per child. Hear a story and make a craft. sascupcakes.com. Teddy Bear Breakfast. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd. Ages birth-5. 9-11am. $12-$25. Enjoy breakfast, storytelling, crafts, raffles, music, dancing, ballet performances and pictures with Brandy the Marvelous Mini Horse. classy.org/event/teddy-bearbreakfast-2019/e218809

17 SUNDAY ST. PATRICK’S DAY On Stage: Cinderella; Peter Pan. See page 26. Leprechaun Trek. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 2-4pm. $9-$10, includes museum admission. Search for a mischievous leprechaun and his pot of gold. Follow a trail of shamrocks hidden throughout the museum. Treks at 2, 3 and 4pm. schielemuseum.org. Winter Guard International: The Mid Atlantic Power Regional. Winthrop Coliseum, 1162 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill. $20-$34. Premier color guard ensembles in the region compete for top honors. wgi.org.

18 MONDAY Preschool Community Programs. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 194 Adventure

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Road, Fort Mill. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $2; additional $5 entry fee for nonmembers. Enjoy nature-themed activities, crafts and hikes. ascgreenway.org. Storytime Mondays. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11:15am-noon. $7-$13, children younger than 2 free, included with admission. 704-825-4490. Learn about bugs, frogs, plants and other garden friends. Follow story time with a self-guided scavenger hunt. dsbg.org.

19 TUESDAY Shark Tank. Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. Ages 5-11. 2:45-6pm. $6. Young entrepreneurs showcase their wares and talents as they create their own unique brand and product. parkandrec.com. Story Time and More. Children’s Garden at Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. Recommended for children younger than 10. 10-11am. $10 per family, free for members. Enjoy a story and craft activity in the Children’s Garden. winghavengardens.org.

20 WEDNESDAY FIRST DAY OF SPRING School-age Stories: Celebrate World Storytelling Day. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 5-11. 4-5pm. FREE. Hear folk tales and fables from around the world, and make an animal mask. cmlibrary.org. Spring Equinox and Full Moon Celebration. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 1 and older. 6-8:30pm. FREE. Celebrate spring with a walk on the trails, campfire and nature activities. parkandrec.com.

21 THURSDAY Little Learners. Town Hall, 315 MatthewsIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 2.5-5. 11am-noon. $6. Learn and practice preschool basics. indiantrail.org.

22 FRIDAY On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops; and The Ghost of Splinter Cover. See page 26. Little Bit Fit Time. Charlotte Allstar Gymnastics and Cheerleading, 11011 Monroe Road, Matthews. Ages 5 and younger. 10:30am-noon. $3-$5. 704-246-

8611. With parental guidance, toddlers can jump on the trampoline, play in the foam pit and craw through obstacles. Cash only. charlotteallstars.net. Tot Time. Perfect Balance, 8850 Monroe Road. Ages 5 and younger. 11:30am-12:30pm. $5-$6. Little ones are invited for an hour of free play in the gym. perfectbalancecharlotte.com/tot-time.

23 SATURDAY On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops; and The Ghost of Splinter Cover. See page 26. ARRC Drums4Life. Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 Idlewild Road N. Ages 6-13. 11am-1pm. FREE. The first hour of class is for youth drum lessons, and the second hour is for all ages to participate in a drum circle. parkandrec.com. Charlotte Symphony Family: The Orchestra Olympics. Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. 11am. $14+. The Orchestra Olympics explores the personalities of various instruments as it sprints through an Olympic array of events. blumenthalarts.org. Learn to Ride. Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road. 11am. FREE. All ages can learn to ride a bike using the balance bike method. learntorideclt.com. Touch-a-Truck. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 10am-3pm. FREE. Police cars, firetrucks, garbage trucks and more will be at Chestnut Square Park. indiantrail.org. Wind and Wings: The Science of Flight. North Carolina Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer. 9am-5pm. $4-$12. This high-flying aviation event features displays and flight activities from the Wright Brothers Flyer to modern aircraft of today. nctrans.org.

24 SUNDAY On Stage: The Ghost of Splinter Cover. See page 26. The Water Olympics. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 8 and older. 2-3pm. FREE. Discover, investigate, test and win prizes while completing challenges. parkandrec.com.

25 MONDAY Hometown Heroes. Mount Holly Branch Library, 245 W. Catawba Ave., Mount Holly.

3-4:30pm. FREE. Come learn about different local heroes. gastonlibrary.org. Yoga Storytime. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 6-6:30pm. FREE. Discover how movement can bring stories to life in new ways. cmlibrary.org.

26 TUESDAY On Stage: National Geographic Live! On the Trail of Big Cats. See page 26. Lego Club. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. Ages 5-11. 4-5pm. FREE. The library supplies the Legos; participants supply the imagination! cmlibrary.org.

27 WEDNESDAY Little Aviators. Carolina’s Aviation Museum, 4672 1st Flight Drive. Ages 3-5. 9-10am. $5 per child with paid adult admission of $12. Enjoy stories, crafts and hands-on learning. carolinasaviation.org. Wee Wednesday. Museum of York County, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 3 and younger. 10:30-11:30am. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger. Enjoy stories, movement with music and a seasonal craft. chmuseums.org.

28 THURSDAY On Stage: PlayPlay! Theatre: Shalom; and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). See page 26. Puppet Show at ImaginOn. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 11am-noon. FREE. See a puppet show with songs and activities that support early literacy. cmlibrary.org. Rookie Science Jr: Science in a Jar. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 7-11. 4-5:30pm. FREE.

Head to uptown Charlotte March 16 for the annual Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival. Photo by Rich Taylor Photography

SPRING FESTIVALS 2019 Queen City Spring Festival. (March 9). Face painting, games, dance performances, food and free makeovers. The Carole Hoefener Center, 615 E. 6th St. 1-5pm. FREE. facebook.com/thechcsc. York County Family Food Truck Festival. (March 9). Enjoy a variety of food options and shop in the market place, plus bounce houses, photo booth, face painting, balloon animals and costume characters. The Grand Ballroom, 375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill. Noon-6 pm. FREE. facebook.com/ events/577604146000965/. Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival. (March 16). At 11 a.m., the 23rd annual parade begins at N. Tryon Street and 9th Street in uptown Charlotte and marches down 3rd Street to Caldwell Street. The festival features Irish music and dancers, bagpipers, vendors, children’s amusements and food available for purchase. 10am-6pm. FREE. charlottestpatsday.com. Baxter Village/Fort Mill Spring Fest and St. Patrick’s Parade. (March 16). Six blocks of fun, including live entertainment, food and beverages for purchase, inflatables, contests and prizes. The parade begins at 5pm at Baxter YMCA, 857 Promenade Walk. Baxter Village, 900 Market St., Fort Mill. 2-6pm. FREE. Green River Revival. (March 16). Festivities begin with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run followed by yoga, the coloring of the river and live music. U.S. National

Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Free admission, $6 parking fee. Registration fees apply for competitions. usnwc.org. Latta Celtic Festival. (March 16-17). Celebrate the traditions of the 18th- and 19th-century Scots-Irish community with music, dancing, food, drinks and re-enactments. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 10am-4pm. $9-$10, ages 5 and younger free. lattaplantation.org. St. Patrick’s Day on Main Festival. (March 16). Enjoy food, beer, games, music, a photo booth and a kids’ zone. Old Town, E. Main St., Rock Hill. 4-9pm. FREE. onlyinoldtown.com/stpatricks. Community Purim Carnival. (March 17). Join the Charlotte Jewish Community Center for a Purim Carnival that features games, food and prizes. Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road. Noon-3pm. FREE. charlottejcc.org. Queen Charlotte Fair. (March 28-April 14). Enjoy entertainment, carnival rides, food and shows. Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd., Concord. $5-$10, children 4 and younger admitted free. See website for times and daily specials. queencharlottefair.com. Charlie’s Carnival. (March 30). Enjoy an afternoon of carnival games, activities, bounce houses, and local food trucks that support Charlie’s Heart Foundation. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St.,

Matthews. 11am-3pm. Free admission. charliesheartfoundation.org. Rural Hill Food Truck Rally. (March 30). Enjoy music, a kids zone, food, beer and wine. Free admission; $5 parking fee. Admission fees for kids zone. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. ruralhill.net. Top Deck Car Show. (March 30). See cars of all makes, models and years while enjoying a DJ, family-friendly activities, raffles and door prizes. Discovery Place Kids Parking Garage, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. 9am-1pm. FREE. huntersville.org. Family Fun Fest at Sycamore Brewing. (March 31). It’s carnival-theme fun with face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, a story time and live children’s music by the Jolly Lollies. Noon-5pm. Free admission. Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins St. sycamorebrew.com. Come-See-Me Festival. (April 4-13). A 10-day festival with more than 80 activities. Take part in fun that includes beautiful gardens, a parade, a frog jump, teddy bear tea party, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks and more. Locations vary. See website for full schedule of events. comeseeme.org. FIND MORE SPRING FESTIVALS ONLINE AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/ THINGSTODO.

charlotteparent.com | MARCH 2019

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CALENDAR Discover snowstorms, rainbows and volcanoes in jars through educational activities and experiments. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

29 FRIDAY On Stage: Alice in Wonderland Jr.; The Ghost of Splinter Cove; and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). See page 26. Friday Flicks: “Incredibles 2.” Crooked Creek Park, 5900 Oakwood Ln., Indian Trail. 6pm. FREE. Grab a chair or blanket, and come enjoy the bounce house, face painting, yard games and movie! indiantrail.org.

30 SATURDAY Our Picks: Children’s Day on the Farm. See page 25. On Stage: Alice in Wonderland Jr.; The Ghost of Splinter Cove; and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). See page 26.

31 SUNDAY On Stage: Alice in Wonderland Jr.; The Ghost of Splinter Cove; and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). See page 26. Chess Club. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 10-18. 2-4pm. FREE. Come learn chess basics, and test your skills in games. cmlibrary.org.

SPRING CONSIGNMENT SALES Tar Heel Kids Consignment Sale. (Feb. 28-March 2). Cabarrus Arena, 4751 US Hwy. 49 N., Concord. Thursday, 6-9pm; Friday, 9am-4pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm. Half-price sale on Saturday. Cabarrus Arena, 4751 US Hwy. 49 N., Concord. tarheelkidsconsignment.com. Covenant Community Preschool Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 1-2). Christ United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 3415 Union Road, Gastonia. Friday, 6-9pm; Saturday, 8 am-noon. Christ United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 3415 Union Road, Gastonia. covenantcommunitypreschool.com. Harris Y Kids Consignment Sale. (March 1-3). Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road. Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday, 11am-2pm, half-price sale. Sunday, 2:304:30pm, $10 fill-a-bag sale. No children under age 9 allowed on sale floor and no strollers. Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road. ymcacharlotte.org/events. Weddington Kids Consignment Sale. (March 8-9). Family Life Center of Weddington United Methodist Church, 13901 Providence Road, Weddington. Friday, 5-8pm ($15-$16 public pre-sale). Saturday, 8am-noon and 1-3pm, half-price sale. weddingtonkidsconsignmentsale.com. Myers Park Presbyterian Church Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 9). Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place. 8-11am and noon-2pm. myersparkpres.org.

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Flint Groves Baptist Church Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 15-16). Flint Groves Baptist Church Family Life Center, 2017 E. Ozark Ave., Gastonia. Friday, 6-9pm; Saturday, 8am-noon. Matthews UMC “Reduce Reuse Consign” Sale. (March 16). Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S. Trade St., Matthews. 8am-noon and 1-3pm reducereuseconsign.com. For Every Season Spring Consignment Sale. (March 17-18 and 22-23). The River Place, 8400 Regent Pkwy., Fort Mill. Sunday, noon-5 pm; Monday, 10am-7pm; Friday, noon-7pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm, half-price sale. foreveryseason.net. First Baptist Church Indian Trail Kids Spring/ Summer Consignment Sale. (March 21-24). First Baptist Church Indian Trail, 732 Indian Trail-Fairview Road, Indian Trail. Presale, Thursday, 7-9pm ($10 entry fee). Friday, 9am-1pm and 3-7pm Saturday, 8am-noon. Assurance UMC Kid’s Consignment Sale. (March 22-23). Assurance United Methodist Church, 9700 Mount Holly-Huntersville Road. Friday, 9am-7pm and Saturday, 8am-noon. assuranceumc.org. Teri’s Kidz Consignment. (March 24-29). Merinos Home Furniture Warehouse, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville. Sunday, 1-7 pm; Monday-Thursday, 9am-7pm; and Friday, 9am-8pm terikidzconsignment.com.

CALENDAR POLICY The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost local and regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/ calendar, then click on Submit an Event. Submission deadline for print is the 1st of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

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DADDY DEREK

Lessons From Movie Night BY DEREK JAMES

any of my favorite childhood movies don’t resonate quite the same with my kids as they did with me. What’s more, many of the movies I watched as a kid make me wonder if parents in the 1980s and 1990s paid much attention to what their kids were watching at all. Things have definitely changed since 1991 when my friend Justin and I rode our bikes to a theater and were allowed to go in and watch the R-rated “Terminator II: Judgment Day” at the ripe age of 12 … without an adult. My boys are now 10 and almost 8. We as a family are beginning to wade outside of the “little kid” movie pool. While my boys won’t be seeing a Terminator movie any time soon, we are checking out a lot of classic movies that my wife and I watched and loved when we were children. A few months back, we thought our boys would love to see “E.T.” I mean, what kid doesn’t love space, aliens and Reese’s Pieces? Lost in my nostalgia, I completely forgot about the scary scene with E.T. nearly dying, along with the rough language at certain points. Our youngest actually needed a bit of assurance during the dying scene. Most of the language thankfully went over their heads, but it prompted a conversation about the inappropriateness of bad language. Come to think of it, if salty language is something you want to avoid, skip “E.T.” and another childhood classic, “The Sandlot” until the kids are older.

MARCH 2019 | charlotteparent.com

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The “E.T.” experience led my wife and I to check out movie reviews on Common Sense Media before screening a classic we loved. Common Sense Media is a nonprofit that provides reviews and advice on movies, TV, music, games and websites. The site also offers additional reviews from parents and kids. My wife and I don’t have time to screen everything our kids see and hear, so Common Sense Media provides a lot of good information to help us decide if something is worth watching or something we are OK with our kids seeing. Everyone has a different feel for what is or is not appropriate material for his or her kids. We’ve had conversations about cartoons versus reality, and what is or isn’t acceptable. As a kid watching “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” it didn’t make me violent, or want to drink or smoke, but it’s not a movie I’d let the

kids watch alone. It’s important to watch movies with your kids to see how they react to various situations and content so you immediately can address any questions they have. Another precaution to consider is setting parental controls on your television. We have parental blocks on in the boys’ playroom so they can’t watch shows above a certain rating. You can even specify that your kid(s) can watch something rated PG as long as it doesn’t contain foul language or violence. Whatever you do, don’t let your 12-yearold watch “Terminator II” unless they are wise beyond their years like I was. You can see me winking, can’t you? Derek James is a host on WCCB News Rising. He and his wife live in Charlotte with their sons who are ages 7 and 10.

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