Holiday 2008

Dec 08 Cover

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HOLIDAY 2008 COMPLIMENTARY

Year-Round

Angels The Women Who Lead Crisis Assistance Ministry And Thompson Child & Family Focus

Be Lovely From Within

Find Your Holiday Spirit

Oh, Ornaments!

Antique Baubles For The Tree

An Open Door To Faith A Jewish Tradition Of Welcome

Take Your Fashion Cue From The Jolly Man In The Red Suit

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4521 Sharon Road, Charlotte NC 28211 • 704.532.9041 or 888.400.4447 (Located across from SouthPark Mall) Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-7:00, Saturday 10:00-5:00 by appointment • Offering 100% satisfaction guarantee & 90-day price protection. www.DiamondsDirectSouthpark.com

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Play it safe!

Kohl’s and Levine Children’s Hospital have teamed up to ensure the safety of young athletes in our community. Thanks to the KOHL’S SPORTS INJURY PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM,

athletic

trainers and teams at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are learning the importance of head injury prevention and concussion management.

With over 3.8 million sports-related concussions occurring nationwide each year, concussion research along with proper training and education is more important than ever.

The Kohl’s Program reminds us to all use our heads wisely: Use proper technique…strengthen neck muscles through exercise…wear a helmet during contact sports…show good sportsmanship…and manage concussion conservatively.

WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THE ATHLETE OUT!

Through the Kohl’s Sports Injury Prevention and Education Program, every CMS high school athlete now has access to sports concussion assessment software, called ImPACT. For more information, call our 24-hour concussion hotline at 704-227-2237.

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More STORES. More BRANDS. More DEALS. More FUN. It’s all about YOU. All in ONE PLACE. At Concord Mills.

No one store can offer you the convenience and ease of shopping that you get at a Mills® center. Because at Mills centers, you can choose from more stores and more brand names than you’ll find anywhere else. And with more stores, it only makes sense that you’ll find more deals, special offers, and savings too. Bring your friends and make a day of it. You’ll save time, save gas, and save money. It’s easy when you shop smarter at Mills centers.

I-85 At Exit 49. 704.979.3000

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Holiday 2008

Contents 64

77 18

80 D E PA R T M E N T S 10 From The Publisher A Holiday Wish List

12 Girl Time Toy Crazy!

18 Queen City Jewels Happenings You Don’t Want To Miss

22 On The Move Women Making Strides; Business Success Stories

23 Work Notes Celebrate With Sense

25 Money Talks Tips For Becoming A Savvy Shopper

27 Tomorrow’s Charlotte Woman Charlotte’s Future Fabulous Females

64 Fashion Topping Off Your Holiday Look With Style

73 Fashion — Special Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag

75 Meet Our Advertisers At Fifi’s Fine Resale, Enjoy Designer Pieces At Budget-Friendly Prices 6

T O D A Y ’ S

C H A R L O T T E

W O M A N

77 Beauty Be Gorgeous On The Inside

80 At Home Christmas Charm Comes Naturally

88 Health Matters Speaking From (And To!) The Heart

90 Health Flash What You Need To Know To Stay Well

96 Meet Our Advertisers Medical Massage Therapy Center Offers Wholesome, Drug-Free Healing

100 The Meeting Place Professional And Social Meetings

102 Calendar Events And Amusements

COME SEE US ONLINE FOR BONUS CONTENT www.todayscharlottewoman.com.

Don’t miss: A chat with Second Harvest’s Kay Carter, plus recipes, blogs, and more!

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Today’s

Charlotte Woman Business/Lifestyle

Volume XII, Number 7 Holiday 2008 PUBLISHER

Belva Greenage EDITOR

Michelle Young Hubacher ART DIRECTOR

Anita O’Hara ASSISTANT EDITOR

Karsen Price SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Carrie Boyd ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

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Fern Howerin SALES EXECUTIVES

Barbara Herd Robin Hill-Emmons CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Leigh Barrett BUSINESS MANAGER

Nikki Wilson WEB DESIGNER

Cliff McNamara CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

57 PROFILES

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28 Championing Children

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ginny Amendum Advocates For Families At Thompson Child & Family Focus

Armando Bellmas Augusto Photography Markus Perry Scott Stiles

32 Her Favorite Things Susan Kooiman Works The Magic Of Christmas In The Peppermint Forest

F E AT U R E S 46 Destined To Serve

H O L I D AY D E L I G H T S

Carol Hardison Leads Crisis Assistance Ministry In Serving Those In Need

38 Let Them Eat Cake Finish Your Fête On A Sweet — And Beautiful — Note

52 Grocery Change Keeping Your Food Bill Under Control

54 “Restaurant Review” A Southern Holiday Memory In The Making

57 Bringing Faith Home A Mezuzah On The Threshold

60 Collecting Christmas Trim The Tree With Antique Ornaments

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C H A R L O T T E

Leigh Barrett Jennifer Bradford-Epstein Jan Robbins Durr Fiona Harmon Melinda Johnston Monique Brown McKenzie Shay Merritt Debra Moffitt Karsen Price Lee Rhodes

W O M A N

OnTheCover CAROL HARDISON, DIRECTOR OF CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY. PHOTO BY SCOTT STILES.

5200 Park Road, Suite 111 Charlotte, NC 28209 704/521-6872 www.todayscharlottewoman.com Today’s Charlotte Woman is published by Today’s Woman Inc., and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout the greater Charlotte area.

Submissions of articles and photographs are welcome.

Subscription rate is $18 per year for 10 issues plus the TCW Resource Guide.

Copyright ©2008 by Today’s Woman, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

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FromThePublisher

Making My Holiday List … With A Twist

O

h, the delights of the holiday season! Parties, shopping, gifts, decorations, sweets, greeting cards, relatives, special events and celebrations … so much to look forward to. But on the other side of the anticipation and excitement is the stress that comes with wondering, How in the world will I get it all done?

Well, this year I have decided to create a paradigm shift concerning the holiday list, and I’ve developed a personal manifesto for making my holidays bright (but keeping it simple) during this season of joy.

Rather than going through an angst-filled process of deciding which holiday party to attend, I will focus on the ones that I’ll enjoy the most, and I will attend only those special events that celebrate causes that are important to me.

I will make a special effort to discover what my friends and relatives really want as holiday gifts.

(Tip: You may find inspiration in this issue for what to put on your wish list!) But if they say they want for nothing, I am going to take them at their word.

I will not fret about wrapping paper and bows, either. Gift bags are just as beautiful.

I love greeting cards, but I have made up my mind that if they don’t get done this year, that’s OK. I can always buy the cards with the “Season’s Greetings”

message. Those I can send until the end of January.

In lieu of baking goodies, I am going to buy them.

Truth be told, I hate cooking. Spending time in the kitchen to create high-calorie treats just doesn’t make sense to me. So, I will use that time for other things, and I will not sweat the calories until after the holidays — when I can make great use of our January “Focus on Fitness” issue.

I will concentrate on the spiritual elements of the season. I will practice centering and meditating to bring more harmony into the tortured elements of my life, and to more often show those who love me the very best that is in me. I will take my lead from this month’s “Health Matters: Soothing Speech” feature, which provides a valuable perspective on the healing power of words.

Most of all, I will wish you, our readers, all the delight and love that you can stand. I pray that you rid yourselves of some of the stress surrounding your to-do lists, and just experience the peace that should come with a holiday season that revolves around giving thanks, making memories, and sharing love.

In joy,

Joyous Tidings!

As the Holiday issue of TCW goes to press,we are excited to learn that Beverly Perdue and Barack Obama made history in our state and in our nation on Nov. 4, 2008. Perdue, whom we featured in the May 2008 issue of TCW, was elected North Carolina’s first woman governor. And on Jan.20,2009,Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American to hold the highest office in the land.This,indeed,has been an incredible year,during which we have been witness to — and part of — these and other historic events that will remain in our memories forever!

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Wow!

What a Great Smile!

Smile created by Dr. Ross W. Nash Photo by Deborah Triplett

Ross W. Nash, DDS General Dentist Providing Cosmetic Dentistry

69725 Caldwell Commons Circle • Cornelius, NC 28031 nashinstitute.com Appointments: 704-895-7660

Of the nearly 8000 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry members worldwide, there are only 264 accredited member dentists.

Of that elite group, only 43 have earned the exclusive level of Fellow. In Charlotte, only 1 dentist has achieved Accredited status, and in all of North and South Carolina, only 1 has earned the level of Fellow: Accredited Fellow Ross W. Nash, DDS.

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GirlTime

BY MICHELLE YOUNG HUBACHER

Toy Crazy A Look At Playthings We Loved — Then And Now

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HASBRO

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h, I coveted the Easy-Bake. My cousin Rhonda had one, and luckily, I was next in line in the complicated family-tree structure of handme-downs to receive the used, aqua-colored plastic appliance that had introduced me to envy. Once I had it in my hands, it never really worked properly, having been through some tough times with Rhonda. But those undercooked brownies and unevenly baked tiny cakes made excellent payment to my eldest brother Mark, who promised protection from my other three brothers. All organized-crime-related familial situations aside, the Easy-Bake Oven still brings sweet memories for those of us who were fortunate enough to have cousins.

This year, Hasbro Inc.’s Easy-Bake Oven & Snack Center celebrates 45 years of miniature baking. The classic side-loading oven, which has evolved since toymaker Kenner Products introduced it in 1963, returns to let bakers-in-the-making turn out tasty cakes, brownies, cookies, and other snacks for friends and family. In honor of this noteworthy birthday, the iconic brand has cooked up a new look for its beloved oven by bringing back the original aqua color! The Easy-Bake comes with three different mixes, two baking pans, two utensils, a pan pusher, two warming cups, and recipes. And, of course, one 100-watt standard light bulb is required … but not included. >

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New York Style In The Heart Of Charlotte

Introducing Werks Traveler 3.0 in stores now

When you visit Paul Beaune’ NY Salon, don’t expect the status quo. Your stylist is an exceptional artist who is professionally trained and educated. Renowned artists including Frederik Fekkai, Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, and Beth Minardi, to name a few, have provided the expert skills our staff is known for.

Training in New York, Miami, and Santa Monica exposes our stylists to trendy fashions found on both the East and West coasts. We offer customized styles and methods working with the shape of your face and taking into account your lifestyle. Japanese and Brazilian hair straightening and strand-by-strand hair extensions are cutting-edge options.

Our products are only found in fine salons. Kerastase is our luxury line from Paris, and we chose Bumble and Bumble for its high performance that stands up to the environment.

At Paul Beaune’ NY Salon our customers are our priority. Please call or make your appointment online at your convenience. Soon you’ll enjoy rewards for being a loyal customer.

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Paul Beaune’ NY Salon

7741 Colony Road • Colony Place at Rea & Colony roads 704 540 9188 • www.paulbeaunenysalon.com

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GirlTime

hormone replacement

therapy

Hop Along And Have A Ball The first time I used a real exercise ball (also called a resistance ball) was in my living room, my eyes glued to the DVD I had purchased to show me how to get to the “core” of the matter when using this new-to-me fitness craze several years ago. In my inept hands, the ball became a giant bullet that shot out from underneath me as I tried balancing. I ended up on the floor in a giggling fit, wishing I had the “bouncy ball” of my childhood. You know, the one with the big rubber handle — that you just sat on and bounced! It made so much more sense, frankly.

Ronald L. Brown MD Fellow, American College Ob/Gyn, Member, N. American Menopause Society

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DR. BROWN’S NEW BOOK THE YOUTH EFFECT

Barraged with the conflicting messages about the safety of hormone replacement therapy?

In The Youth Effect, Dr. Brown cuts through the confusion and offers a clear, concise view of the heart of the matter.

Available at Park Road Books and Borders ®

423C South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 www.carolinahealthspan.com

For an appointment, call

704.333.4817

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School’s Out

Lighten Up

But It Was So Much Fun

Lite-Brite Still Twinkles

T

he year after Fisher-Price introduced the original Play ‘n Go School, I started kindergarten. It was 1972, and there was not a toy in my room that got more attention than the little schoolhouse that opened up from the back and was topped with a perky, silver bell.

I so admired the plastic bun on top of the teacher’s head and promptly named her Mrs. Elliot. I used to make the tiny peg-bodied boys stand in the corner of the classroom and always let the girls have first chance at the swing set. And trust me, my sister paid dearly for stealing her initials from those adorable plastic letter magnets.

School is out — the Play ‘n Go School is no longer available — but what fond memories!

Hasbro introduced this low-tech wonder in 1967. And kids have been creating pictures with its translucent, brightly colored plastic pegs (while moms continue to vacuum up the errant ones) ever since. The clown face is probably the most recognizable of the graphed pictures, but the real artists were those kids who would use the totally blank black sheets of paper to forge their way into uncharted (but welllit) artistic territory.These days, you can go online and create your own fantastic designs. I bet you’re singing that catchy jingle right now: “Lite-Brite, makin’ things with light. Outtasite, makin’ things with Lite-Brite.” Outtasite!

PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.JUMPINGBALLS.COM

bio-identical

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Jumping For Joy The Jump Rope Pulls Us In

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umping rope is a terrific cardiovascular activity, not to mention loads of fun. And even though you’re in the gym now, and not on the playground, it’s still a temptation, as you count out your reps, to start chanting, “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn a-round. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground.”

Using a long rope and jumping with friends was some of the best fun we had in the schoolyard and up and down neighborhood sidewalks. Here are a few jump rope games you may or may not remember playing with your grade-school girlfriends!

Salt The basic, double-hop method of jumping rope. The rope turns at a medium speed to let the jumper comfortably take double hops: HOP hop, HOP hop, HOP hop.

Pepper In this game, the rope turns very fast while the jumper takes short double hops.

Rx For Fun The Doctor Is In

Hots A specified number of single hops must be completed at top speed before the jumper exits the “hot” rope.

Running Into The Wall “Running in” to take your turn, entering the rope as it turns toward you.

Jumping Over The Moon “Running in” to take your turn, entering the rope as it turns away from you.

Through The Tunnel Jumpers line up and take turns running through the turning rope without touching it.

All jokes about “playing doctor” notwithstanding, who didn’t love to perform surgery on her stuffed animals as a child? The pretend doctor kit — fully equipped with everything from a blood pressure cuff (the dog would never stand still for his blood pressure screening!) to a tiny bedpan — was a staple of make-believe play when we were little. TCW

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Be D Unaltered Photographs

11/12/08

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Q u e e n H A P P E N I N G S

C i t y YO U

D O N ’ T

J e w e l s WA N T

TO

M I S S

Dancing With Sugar Plums The Holiday Tradition Of The Nutcracker Continues

T

he season wouldn’t be complete without The Nutcracker, which has captured the imaginations of children and adults alike for more than 100 years. This year, there are two local professional productions of this charming ballet for you to enjoy.

Presented by Levine Children’s Hospital, North Carolina Dance Theatre president and artistic director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker returns to the N.C. Blumenthal Center’s Belk Theater, where the Charlotte Symphony

will perform Tchaikovsky’s famous score, as more than 100 performers, including the

WantToGo? NCDT presents Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker at Belk Theater, Dec. 12 through 14, and 19 through 21. Visit www.ncdance.org for information.

The CYB’s The Nutcracker is at CPCC’s Halton Theater Dec. 5 through 7.Visit www.charlotteyouthballet.com for information.

professional dancers of North Carolina Dance Theatre, bring the timeless classic to the stage, Dec. 12 through 21.

The Charlotte Youth Ballet will present its 26th annual production of The Nutcracker at Central Piedmont Community College’s Dale Halton Theater, Dec. 5 through 7.

PHOTO BY JEFF CRAVOTTA

QCJ1208

Jingle All The Way Ring In Good Tidings For Those In Need

M

ake a difference in the lives of women and children this holiday season by attending the 14th Annual Jingle Bell Ball, Dec. 12, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

The Ball is an annual fundraiser that provides financial support to the United Family Services’ Shelter for Battered Women in Charlotte.

Since 1994, the Jingle Bell Ball has raised a collective $100,000 for United Family Services through ticket sales, personal and business sponsorships, and a silent auction. Over 7,000 victims and their children were served through United Family Services’ domestic violence programs last year.

The Ball is semi-formal, with black-tie optional.

WantToGo? The Jingle Bell Ball is Fri., Dec. 12, from 8 p.m. to midnight at CenterStage@NoDa,2315 N.Davidson St., Suite 26.Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door, and can be purchased at www.jinglebellball.com, or www.unitedfamilyservices.org.Call 704/940-1050 for information.

Putting The Gardens In Good Light Daniel Stowe Brightens The Season With Brilliant Show

D

aniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s fourth annual Holiday Lights at the Garden will use 500,000 lights and draw some 20,000 visitors this season. But numbers and figures don’t do the event justice. The garden in full holiday splendor is nothing short of a botanical fantasy.

Inspired lighting techniques — many using energy-efficient LED lights — spotlight plants and landscape features, and are shaped together in exquisite combinations to create flowers and other objects, including the popular “Orchid Tree” and the 30-foot-tall “Tree of Light.”

This season, there will be an emphasis on trains, including displays in the Visitor Pavilion and the Orchid Conservatory.

WantToGo? Holiday Lights at the Garden runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 28 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Lights can be enjoyed Tue. through Sun., from 5 to 9 p.m., at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont.Admission is $5 for members (members are free on Tuesdays); adults, $10; seniors, $9; and children 4 to 12, $5. Call 704/825-4490, or visit www.dsbg.org for information.

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Wed. JAN. 28 • 7:00 PM

Thu. JAN. 29 7:00 PM

Fri.

Sat.

JAN. 31 JAN. 30 10:30 AM† 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

Sun. FEB. 1 11:00 AM 3:00 PM

* Excludes Circus CelebritySM , Front Row and VIP seats. No double discounts. † Educational performance. No pre-show events.

Time Warner Cable Arena Box Office or call (704) 522-6500 TICKET PRICES: $15 - $25 - $45 VIP - $70 Front Row - $100 Circus Celebrity Limited number of Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP seats available. Call for details. (Service charges and handling fees may apply. No service charges at arena box office.)

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Glass Act An artful elephant sculpture crafted of galvanized metal and glass beads is just one of the many

Gotta Gift It!

unique gift finds you’ll uncover at The Royal

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Gardens. This perky pachyderm, from Beadworx

by Grass Roots,is handmade in the style of a traditional African street craft, and supports economic uplift of its artisans. The Royal Gardens • 1733 E. 7th St. • 704.334.3764

Heaven Scent Luxurious, handcrafted, pure vegetable soaps from Nesti Dante are drenched in sensuous fragrance. Chic Animalier is the newest line for this Italian soap maker, which still handcrafts its creations using the age-old cauldron method of saponification. Top a beautifully wrapped bar with an Old World glass ornament, and you have the perfect hostess gift! Free gift wrapping. The Mole Hole • Colony Place • Corner of Colony and Rea roads • 704.543.9969

Waxing Poetic Aroma Cones, from Lightstone, are elegant, natural treasures sustainably harvested from the majestic forests of North America. Dipped in subtly colored wax and infused with fragrance, these cones make a lovely arrangement for your holiday or winter table and hearth. Sedona Boutique • 10822 Providence Road, Suite 800, corner of Ballantyne Commons Parkway • 704.846.6565

C H A R L O T T E

W O M A N

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O n W O M E N

M A K I N G

Job Changes/Promotions Lori Shaffer Hurd, former CEO of Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council, was named president of the National MS Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

Sally J. Daley was named CEO of Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council.

T h e M o v e

S T R I D E S

•

B U S I N E S S

S U C C E S S

Allyson Mullis, RCEP, has joined Total Nutrition Technology as a health educator.

Janet M.SmithHill was promoted to senior vice president of human resources at Presbyterian Hospital.

Debbie Parrott, MSW, PLCSW, has joined Southlake Counseling in Davidson as a clinical therapist.

The National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina has named Nan Gray senior vice president of marketing and development.

Melissa Jones, D.O., has joined Pineville Primary Care and Presbyterian Novant Medical Group.

Amy Knepp has joined Compass Group’s North American Officer Group as senior vice president of Strategic Alliance Group.

Linda Kirby, executive vice president of Integraphx, was elected to the board of directors of the Charlotte affiliate of Dress for Success.

New Business/Changes The Mint Museum has appointed Rubie Britt-Height director of community relations.

SynergyStreet.com, an online business social networking Web site, has appointed Dianne Stewart chief marketing advisor.

Hospitality House of Charlotte, a nonprofit organization that offers shelter and emotional support to families of patients in Charlotte-area hospitals, has appointed Kimberly Melton executive director.

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RedSky Gallery has opened a new location in the South Charlotte Blakeney Town Center, at 9848 Rea Road, Suite F.

Misti Fragen has opened PRstore Ballantyne at 13855 Conlan Circle.

The Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research has opened the LKN Medical Spa and Rejuvenation Center at 9630 Julian Clark Ave., in Huntersville.

S T O R I E S

Alison and Jef Bailey have opened CAKEMAN! Custom Cake Creations at 2338 Mancke Drive, in Rock Hill, S.C.

Awards And Installations Central Piedmont Community College’s Drama Department received six awards at the 2008 Metrolina Theatre Association Awards for its Summer Theatre Series. Awards included “best musical production” for Crazy For You, and “best musical performance by a lead female actor,” which went to Susan Roberts Knowlson for her performance in Annie Get Your Gun.

AccruePartners was named to the 2008 Inc. list of fastest-growing, privately held companies in the United States.

In-Flight Crew Connections,LLC, specializing in aviation personnel staffing, and Jennifer Guthrie, president, received certification from Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

SPARK Publications president and creative director Fabi Preslar recently received a gold award at the BMA Carolinas 2008 ProAd Awards for the design and production of VENTURES Charlotte magazine, for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Send your news to:

On The Move editorTCW@bellsouth.net Today’s Charlotte Woman 5200 Park Road, Suite 111, Charlotte, NC 28209

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WorkNotes

Celebrate With Sense Successful Seasonal Schmoozing

BY KARSEN PRICE

I

t’s been a long, hard year, and the time has come to dress up and party down at the company holiday soirée. After all, you deserve to get your gluttony on. What better place than in the presence of those co-workers who spend more time with you each year than your own family does — right?

Wrong. That is, unless you want to go down in company lore as “most obnoxious guest” at this season’s holiday event … and possibly party yourself right off the payroll.

The following tips will help you enjoy the company festivities in style — and let you walk into the office Monday morning with your head held high.

Best Foot Forward Make an appearance. Your absence will be noted, and it sends a less-than-positive message to your boss — namely, that you don’t care about the company or your fellow employees.

Wear tasteful attire. You can dress to kill without being “dressed to spill.” That expression shows up in The Daily Candy Lexicon: Words That Don’t Exist But Should, and is defined as “a

woman’s precarious and flirtatious state of dress, wherein a great deal more than cleavage will likely be revealed.”

Know your liquor limit. It’s drastically harder to act appropriately when you’re inebriated, and being the life of the party may just turn out to be the death of your career.

Introduce yourself to higherups. If you work for a large company and rarely get to mingle with the head honchos, make sure you take the time to say hello. It’s a nice way to broaden your networking circle.

Prepare to dazzle. Devise a short, mental list of topics to discuss with fellow employees rather than talking shop all evening. If you do happen to chat about work, jot down at the end of the night the things your more benevolent self promised to do come Monday.

Finally, make it a point to thank whoever foots the bill that evening — even if you did help that person rake in millions over the course of the last year! TCW Note: The Daily Candy Lexicon: Words That Don’t Exist But Should is available from

www.amazon.com. But we don’t suggest reading aloud from it at the company party.

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MoneyTalks 1208

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11/13/08

10:49 AM

MoneyTalks

Page 25

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ...

Be A Savvy

Shopper And Saver C O N S U M E R S

C A N

S H O P

S M A RT E R

T H I S

H O L I D AY

S E A S O N

In the midst of the festive cheer that comes with family celebrations, time and money can both be hard to manage during this time of year.With the holiday season upon us, many consumers stress over the annual holiday traditions of gift giving and long-distance travel. Purchasing gifts for family or loved ones can often be a top holiday stressor.

When it comes to juggling the joys (and demands!) of the holidays — exchanging gifts with family and friends, visiting relatives, keeping a busy social calendar — it’s no surprise that efforts to thoroughly track spending sometimes get sidelined. When managing holiday finances, we can all use a more effective budget regimen that helps avoid financial setbacks in the New Year.

“Look to maximize saving through any rewards programs or special offerings,” says David Rudis, checking and debit executive for Bank of America. “For example, Bank of America customers are able to access discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide on www.bankofamerica.com/shopping. You work hard for your money, so it is important to make every dollar go further, especially with so many financial demands this time of year.”

Bank of America offers these holiday saving tips to ensure consumers are on the right path to financial success in the New Year, and the list starts and ends with organization.

Holiday Financial Tips Determine your holiday plans.

Create a notebook that includes your gift list, events, social occasions, and travel plans. Knowing exactly what you have coming up during the flurry of holiday activity will help you prepare for what costs may be associated with each event.

Create a holiday budget and stick to it.

Make a list of what you want to buy and set a limit for each item. Be as detailed as you can with your budget. Note each person you will buy for (Does Granddad really want new socks?), what you realistically need for each social engagement (Will last year’s little black dress do?), and what travel expenses will look like for this year’s drive over the river and through the woods. Again, the more detailed you are with your list, the more complete budget you will be able to create.

Organize your financial life.

The end of the year is a great time to get

a handle on short and long-term budgeting and financial goal-setting. Start by opening a checking account to help safeguard and properly manage your hardearned cash. In addition, open up a savings account and remember, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recently announced the increase in insuring up to at least $250,000 per depositor.

Use a check card for purchases.

Using a check card for holiday purchases is safer than carrying large amounts of cash in your purse. It also provides the ability to better manage transactions and track your overall spending. Use this information to check against the detailed budget you created to ensure you are sticking within the spending guidelines you set for yourself.

Note: For more information, including helpful financial tools, tips, and budget planners, visit www.bankofamerica.com.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender© 2008 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Tomorrow's Charlotte Woman 1208

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T o m o r r o w ’ s G I R L S

A N D

C h a r l o t t e W O M E N

Thinking And Acting

Globally

L E A D I N G

T H E

W o m a n

WAY

Suzanne Fleishman Activist and Humanitarian

BY MICHELLE YOUNG HUBACHER • PHOTO BY AUGUSTO PHOTOGRAPHY

V

olunteer, advocate, environmental steward, community leader, global activist — and 17 years old — Suzanne Fleishman was introduced to charitable work at the age most of us were memorizing state capitals.

Counselors at Suzanne’s first summer camp, in Valle Crucis, encouraged their young charges to reach out to those in need. She counts her hours of work at a nearby homeless shelter that summer before she entered seventh grade as some of the most significant in her life. “It was really at Camp Broadstone that I learned that something I offered could impact someone else so much,” she says.

Suzanne’s subsequent summers at Camp Broadstone galvanized a desire to make a difference.That desire,so far,has taken her from North Carolina’s mountains to Poland, Israel, and Rwanda.

“I think it’s so important to understand other cultures,” Suzanne explains.

“It’s important for us not to live in a bubble, but to remember there are people around the world just like us, and to experience their needs.”

The idea of global activism took hold of Suzanne when she was 16 years old and working with the Echo Foundation. Encouraging a world view of human dignity, justice, and moral

courage, the Foundation started in Charlotte in 1997, with seed money and support from Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. After Wiesel spoke at Myers Park High School in 2007, Suzanne became an Echo ambassador and, the next summer, was in Rwanda, interacting with locals, visiting a clinic, working in a school, and meeting with the American ambassador.

Now a senior at Myers Park High, where she is a straight-A student and lettered athlete, Suzanne enjoys a leadership role in Charlotte’s Temple Beth El Youth Group, LIBERTY. She created a bag-lunch program for the Salvation Army, spearheaded a food drive, and developed a homelessness awareness program for the North American Federation of Temple Youth’s Southern Region.

Suzanne’s college plans include studying anthropology and environmental science, to enable her dream of one day starting a nonprofit that works with Third World countries to help improve their quality of life. And she continues to be a walking testament to the Echo Foundation’s motto: “What can one person do?” TCW

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Profile

With Ginny Amendum at the helm, Thompson Child & Family Focus puts those at risk at the forefront of care.

Advocating For The Smallest Among Us

BY LEE RHODES PHOTOS BY MARKUS PERRY

GINNY AMENDUM CHAMPIONS SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

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t’s been said that nonprofit leadership is

witnesses the sometimes-overpowering needs

not for the faint of heart. Ginny Amendum

of these young people firsthand.

knows this is true.As president of Thomp-

“Many of the children have been so hurt

son Child & Family Focus, a local nonprofit

and are so fragile, and yet they have this

agency that provides treatment, education, and

incredible sense of power and possibility,”

care for at-risk children and their families, she

Amendum says.

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Thompson Child & Family Focus offers a range of services to tap into that power: therapeutic, family, and academic support; treatment for attachment disorders; and a host of other therapy options. And as one might expect, a typical workday for Amendum is anything but typical. In her office, located on one of the four Thompson campuses, any given day has her coordinating regulatory requirements, foundation requests and proposals, as well as managing a flurry of audits of programs, facilities, and finances. All administrative efforts must be balanced against ongoing program operation and development.

from Thompson and the YMCA called me at home and asked if I’d take a look at a project on North Davidson Street.” That project was part of the Success by 6 Initiative, a collaboration among the YMCA, United Way, Junior League, and what was then known as Thompson Children’s Home. The Initiative, dedicated to the well-being of children, prompted Thompson to recruit Amendum to begin its early childhood program.

Amendum was intrigued by the organization’s vision for the program, which included an increasing focus on prevention, as well as on intervention. “Coming out of an early child-

S P E N D I N G PA RT O F H E R D AY W I T H C H I L D R E N I S A H I G H L I G H T F O R G I N N Y A M E N D U M .

“But the beauty of the day is that there are always children,” Amendum says. “You can go out on St. Peter’s Lane campus and stop and chat with them, or go into the cafeteria and have lunch with them. You can go across town to the Child Development Center and rock babies or read to 4-year-olds.”

Rooted In Care Rocking babies and reading to children has long been a way of life for Amendum. Originally from upstate New York, the mother of four, who spent her early career focusing on education and putting her advanced degrees in the field to use, arrived in Charlotte in the early 1990s. For many years she taught kindergarten and first grade, including at Eastover Elementary in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district.

“One fine day,” she recalls, “some folks

hood and kindergarten background, I saw so many opportunities to strengthen children and family lives at the very beginning, rather than waiting until the problems become so insurmountable,” she says.

Intervention and prevention continue to be the hallmark of Thompson today. Originally established as an orphanage in 1886, Thompson has served children for over a century, with a mission that continued as the facility expanded, changed locations, and evolved to incorporate full-service clinical and behavioral care. Within the last fiscal year, the agency served 9,600 children, with 600 of those receiving direct, intense interaction and treatment.

The other 9,000 were served as part of an early childhood outreach department, which provides support and services to other childcare centers across four counties. >

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Profile

Helping children by supporting families is the approach of Thompson Child & Family Focus.

“

Thompson recognizes and is continually grateful

for the wonderful sense of responsibility that exists for the wounded

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among us here in Charlotte.

C H A R L O T T E

— GINNY AMENDUM Families First

”

“There was a period in Thompson’s history where the focus rested exclusively on the child, with every good intention,” Amendum says. “This was not an uncommon practice during those decades. Now, research leads us in a different direction.”

That direction includes the critical ingredient of a child’s ability to connect with family, whether that family is biological, foster, or adopted. Thompson’s work in the areas of prevention and intervention strongly involves the family component. In fact, the staff identifies itself internally as “The Thompson Family,” nurturing an image of family that reaches out to heal children and their own families. Amendum lavishes praise upon her staff members and extols their capacity for serving as leaders in the lives of others.

W O M A N

“Sometimes we take people right out of college with five minutes of experience and we ask them to do one of the hardest jobs in America and to change the life of a child,” Amendum says. “And they do it, over and over again.”

In June 2008, Thompson Child & Family Focus merged with The Family Center, another local nonprofit group with a compatible mission. The merger of the two organizations allows Thompson to provide a broader range of services to an expanded client base while eliminating competitive and overlapping services within the community, as well as realizing a reduction in administrative costs. These strategies offer responses to requests often heard from funding partners.

Funding comes via diversified sources that range from Medicaid and childcare subsidies to investment and donor support.

“Thompson recognizes and is continually grateful for the wonderful sense of responsibility that exists for the wounded among us here in Charlotte,” Amendum says. “I can’t emphasize that enough.”

Miraculous Transformations Lives are changed every day at Thompson.

Amendum recalls a recent incident involving the prayer chain, a weekly ritual during chapel service, where everyone is offered an opportunity to share a thought or prayer on a paper link, which is added to an existing chain. The exercise provides a visual representation of the sense of family and community that so many of these children have never experienced.

“A child who began life in an orphanage in Eastern Russia and was never picked up or held or touched or acknowledged for the first two years of her life told me that she wanted to write on her prayer chain that she had a happy day,” Amendum says. “There’s a recognition that a destructive life pattern has stopped and turned around and is headed toward future success and happiness.”

Worship is one of the four cornerstones of the Thompson philosophy, as are healing, teaching, and perhaps the most important — play. As Amendum sees it, the other three concepts spring from play, and she believes we all need to play more often and better. Having fun is critical for the many Thompson children who arrive angry or withdrawn, as a result of

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N OW A C C E P T I N G N E W PAT I E N T S

Bird is the word...

FOR PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS Suzanne E. Bird DDS,MS,PA Board Certified Pediatric Dentist & Orthodontist UNC Dental Graduate

Thompson has plans to build four new cottages on its main campus, as illustrated in this artist’s rendering.

having lived in abject, at-risk environments with no sense of personal worth.

“But then, before you know it, they are out and about on the campus, and all of a sudden you get your eye on one of them and he or she is whizzing by on a scooter and all caught up in, really, what should be a natural birthright,” Amendum says. “It’s an incredible feeling and reward for a very tough job, to know that you have somehow been responsible for changing a life.”

Bright Horizons So what does the future hold for Thompson? To continue to specialize within the broader spectrum of human services, the organization has plans to relocate the Thompson Child Development Center to a new site that will have an increased ability to serve more children and house the Early Childhood Outreach Department.

The agency is also building four new, clinically appropriate cottages on the main campus to house the psychiatric residential program and free up the pre-existing cottages to respond to other articulated community needs.

It’s all in a day’s work for Ginny Amendum, who has a full life outside of her Thompson family. She loves spending time in her

garden at her Harrisburg home, which she shares with her husband of 39 years, Jim Amendum, assistant superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools. The couple’s four children are now grown, but four grandchildren help keep the Amendums delightfully family focused. With one son working in the field of education, a daughter making her mark in the corporate world and another son serving as a conductor on Broadway, Amendum fondly mentions her youngest daughter, a recent graduate who is still “seeking her path in life.” “We keep telling her she’s got to go work for a nonprofit so we’ll have all our areas covered,” Amendum says with a laugh.

Amendum believes Thompson Child & Family Focus must never back down from the highest standard of excellence in the services it provides and the business plans to support those services.

“There are great challenges and obstacles that threaten the work we do, but there is always that core of confidence and sense of commitment to our mission,” she says. “It’s back to that old saying that you get what you pay for.

Running Thompson is expensive work, not only in terms of dollars but also in terms of human resources. But the product is incredible.” TCW

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Profile

Her

Favorite Things

BY KARSEN PRICE PHOTOS BY SCOTT STILES

Surrounded by the glitz and glitter of Christmas, Susan Kooiman prepares for a culmination of months of behind-the-scenes work.

SUSAN KOOIMAN WORKS THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS IN THE PEPPERMINT FOREST

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t the end of the holidays, when most

what will fill her Peppermint Forest Christmas

of us are winding up our Christmas

Shop come next October. She doesn’t seem to

lights and removing the stockings

mind that, for her, Christmas is not so much a

from their cozy fireplace niches,

season as it is a yearlong affair. You’d expect

Susan Kooiman is in the thick of things at hol-

nothing less from the woman who brought the

iday trade shows, making hard decisions on

idea of a seasonal holiday store to Charlotte.

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Peppermint Forest, an area tradition for the last 29 years, is a cornucopia of holiday delights.

One step inside the store, and you are enveloped by the scent of cinnamon, the twinkling of thousands of mini-lights, and the cheerful sounds of the season. The store is stocked with tried-and-true Christmas favorites, such as the Department 56 brand of collectible ceramic villages, Fontanini Nativities, exquisite ornaments and ribbons, and a forest of lifelike artificial trees. Each season, the store introduces 35 of the latest holiday décor themes.

It’s hard to believe all of this holiday grandeur was mapped out nearly 12 months in advance.

show lasts nearly two weeks and fills three buildings and 22 floors, but she doesn’t take a host of decorators with her to help with selection and purchasing. “I’ve seen buyers who do take a team with them, but it must take them forever to get through it all,” she says with a laugh.

Instead, over the years, Kooiman has crafted a refreshingly simple method for organizing what could be holiday madness — and her organizational technique is probably a lot like yours for preparing for the holidays! When she goes to the show, she takes along a notebook, filling it with annotations and lots of photos.

T H E S H O P D I S P L AYS A M I X O F T R A D I T I O N A L C H R I S T M A S O R N A M E N T S A N D T H E M E D C O L L E C T I B L E S.

Holidays All Through The Year “The majority of Christmas ornaments and decorations available are imported,” explains Kooiman, who, along with her husband, Wally, owns the holiday boutique that doubles as an aboveground pool supplier, Oasis Pools Plus, during part of the year. “In January, our holiday suppliers have to show all of their wares, take orders, and figure out how much they’re going to produce. Then it eventually all has to get shipped over to North Carolina.” If Kooiman’s Christmas purchasing decisions aren’t made by early February, there’s a good chance products won’t be available in time to add holiday flair to homes in The Queen City and beyond.

After 29 years of attending the holiday trade shows, Kooiman is used to extending her focus on Christmas while the rest of the country is thinking Super Bowl. The annual Atlanta

Once back home, she spreads everything on her dining-room table, where she arranges the information by themes and color schemes.

She glues and staples together collages, which fill a 4-inch thick folder. These collages represent the 35 themes the Peppermint Forest plans to début next season, and they will be used by employees to help decorate each of the Forest’s show-stopping trees.

The store begins receiving holiday product as early as April. The hard work commences right before Labor Day, and continues through the holiday rush, which culminates around December 15.

Once Upon A Christmas Kooiman first moved to Charlotte, fresh out of high school, with her parents. After getting married, she and her husband lived in Florida, where he worked for a store that sold > H O L I D A Y

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Profile

“

We’ve heard it called a ‘pilgrimage’ to come here every year. It’s a

”

showplace, but it’s also warm. In here, Christmas just surrounds you.

— SUSAN KOOIMAN

Kooiman says. “So we decided we’d better do something in the off-season. Christmas was our off-season business.”

In 1980, the couple opened their first Peppermint Forest store on Eastway Drive, in a 2,800-square-foot building they rented from Jesse Brown’s Outdoors sporting goods store.

This first Peppermint Forest included the remnants of a climbing wall, which the Kooimans converted into a fireplace for display purposes.

They filled the store with holiday merchandise, hired one employee, and enjoyed immediate, if not overwhelming, success.

“We had only 10 display trees, and we didn’t have any undecorated trees,” Kooiman says.

“All of the ornaments for sale were on the other side of the store, and hanging on pegs, like a discount store does now.” Before long, she came up with the idea of filling baskets with ornaments like the ones that adorned the trees and nestling the baskets at the trunks of the trees. “And,” she says, “the displays just kept getting more elaborate.”

Self-Taught Santa’s Helper

The miniature Christmas villages are perennial favorites for customers who collect Christmas decorations, adding another “building” to their tabletop or under-tree scene each year.

Bright Or White?

Log on to www.TodaysCharlotteWoman.com to find out if Charlotte goes for multicolored pizzazz or elegant white when it comes to lighting up the season!

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pool supplies and Christmas items. She worked in retail as the manager of the domestics section in a department store — experience that would ultimately mold her hands-on role in business ownership.

Before long, the couple decided to trek north and open a store in Charlotte selling aboveground pools. Ironically, the Kooimans never planned to do Christmas. But they soon realized that, unlike the Sunshine State, the swimming pool industry wasn’t sustainable 12 months of the year in Charlotte. And the business model for a partial-year retail outfit was difficult to steer logistically.

“We couldn’t just hire somebody for the summer, and then let them go, and expect to have an expert back the next season,”

Kooiman has never taken any decorating classes; nor does she hire an interior designer to help with the mammoth undertaking of designing the tree themes and the layout for the store each season. She pulls her ideas from trade shows and is astonishingly good at melding colors and textures to create an appealing end result. For the past five years, she has had the help of assistant manager Danita Treiber, who uses her experience in interior design to direct the setting up of the shop and the decorating of the trees.

In 1982, the Peppermint Forest moved into a 10,000-square-foot former used-car dealership on Independence Boulevard. They moved again in 1984, into a building that had been a skating rink on Monroe Road. “Open space is what we needed,” Kooiman says, “so we could set up aboveground pools in the spring; then take them down, and put up the trees in the fall.”

While the process of dismantling and rebuilding the showroom each season can be somewhat daunting, Kooiman likes this element of the business. “It’s neat,” she says, “because both seasons are fresh, every year.”

Since Oct. 1, 2003, the Peppermint Forest Christmas Shop has been housed in a 35,000-

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square-foot building in Pineville, near what is informally known as “furniture row.”

Kooiman’s husband designed the building, which offers ample space for the holiday showroom, as well as an outdoor display of pools, and a huge warehouse where thousands of artificial trees are neatly packed in columns that reach to the ceiling. It’s the first time the Kooimans have enjoyed the luxury of a loading dock.

Of course, it’s not always merry in the store. There was the time Kooiman tried to move a freestanding shelf of water globes, only to have the entire collection crash to the floor.

And as with any family-run business, the main pitfall is that it all comes back to you. “Especially with Christmas, there’s a deadline,” she says. “You can’t put off your buying or your marketing. You just have to work all the days that it takes to get it done in time.” It’s a >

Peppermint Forest Pecans A customer favorite from the recipe box of Susan Kooiman, served at the store’s annual open house since 1999.

Prep time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4 cups 1 egg white 4 cups pecan halves (approximately 1 pound) 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup Raven’s Nest Mulling Spices 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

• Put pecan halves in a large bowl. Beat the egg white with a rotary beater until foamy; pour over pecans. Mix gently with a spatula until pecans are well coated.

• Combine sugar, mulling spices, cinnamon, and salt.

Sprinkle over pecans and stir gently until coated.

• Spread pecans in a lightly greased 15”x10” jellyroll pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

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S H A D E S O F B L U E A N D L I M E G R E E N A R E P O P U L A R A C C E N T C O L O R S T H I S H O L I D AY S E A S O N.

Holiday Hot The average consumer might be surprised to learn that trends in Christmas decorations follow closely with home décor styles. And, although years ago there was a lag time before home décor trends affected holiday trends, nowadays, they are one and the same.

Hot colors this season include aqua, lime green, and orange. “You wouldn’t think you’d put a color like orange on a Christmas tree, but you do!” Kooiman says.“It’s not really orange; it’s copper.And it’s really warm.”

This year also marks a return of red-andwhite “candy cane” color schemes, and a heavy (and surprising) reliance on black. “Think of it like a tuxedo or a ball gown,” Kooiman suggests, “where you are using a little bit of black with gold.”

Kooiman says that, although there are trends, traditional icons of Christmas — Santa, snowmen, nutcrackers, and angels — remain staples of holiday decorating.

situation that has made its presence known during more than one Thanksgiving holiday.

However, Kooiman and her husband take it in stride. She gives credit to the store’s team of loyal employees, including store 36

T O D A Y ’ S

C H A R L O T T E

W O M A N

“

Especially with Christmas, there is a deadline.You can’t put

off your buying or your marketing.You just have to work all the days that it takes to get it done in time.

— SUSAN KOOIMAN

manager Mark Ohrman, who has worked for Peppermint Forest and Oasis Pools Plus for 25 years.

Family Traditions Due to her extensive decorating responsibilities at the store, Kooiman likes to keep things simple when it comes to her home.

However, the family always puts up a 9-foot tree, and as you might expect, she is privy to a sack full of amazing collectibles, including her favorites: beautifully clothed Santas, the North Pole Christmas village by Department 56, and specialty ornaments, such as those by designer Margaret Furlong, who created simple, unique angels from porcelain scallop shells. “I think because of all the glitter and the glitz and the gaga that we put on, the subtle stuff is what I like,” Kooiman says.

“That’s one of my favorite things now.”

Over the years, Kooiman says she and her husband have amassed enough Christmas know-how to rival Santa himself, and could easily give decorating seminars. And they get plenty of questions. “My sister will call from

”

Knoxville, and say, ‘Help! How do I get this ribbon on my tree?’ ” she says, adding that they routinely get calls from people asking why one side of a light strand is flashing while the other side isn’t.

She declines to give sales figures, but a glance at the company’s mailing list — which contains over 15,000 names — and the success of their online store, which opened in 2004, reflects the myriad families the Peppermint Forest Christmas Shop has touched over the years. Many customers incorporate the store’s annual October grand opening or November open house into their family traditions each year. “We’ve heard it called a ‘pilgrimage’ to come here every year,” Kooiman says.

Ironically, nearly three decades after moving to Charlotte to open a pool business, the little “off-season” business is the one that has garnered the most customers and the jolliest fans.

Kooiman smiles at the thought of her store in all its holiday glory. “It’s a showplace,” she says, “but it’s also warm. In here, Christmas just surrounds you.” TCW

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Take The

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BY MICHELLE YOUNG HUBACHER • PHOTOS BY ARMANDO BELLMAS

J

ust when your guests have decided they’re as

stuffed as the glorious bird that crowned your holiday buffet, see if you can’t coax them back to the table — dessert fork in hand — for a slice of cake.

Even if you go all year long without a sweet ending to dinner,now is the time to celebrate with something that is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate!

Who needs pie? Go ahead … let them eat cake. > Source: All cakes for this feature provided by Tizzerts Inc., A Custom Cakery.

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Snow Day An old-fashioned, devil’s-food cake, filled with rich chocolate ganache and iced in pale-blue vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream. Decorated with sugar snowflakes and silver dragées.

The cupcake featured on page 41 is yellow cake with vanilla pastry cream filling and topped with similar decoration.

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Easy As Cake TIZZERTS BAKES UP PERFECTION

Tizzerts Inc., A Custom Cakery has been turning out fantastical cake creations since 1995.

Founder and sole owner,Tiz Faison Benson, was raised in a house where baking was done with love and skill by her mom, Natalie Faison. Benson’s sweet tooth became even more well rooted after a stay in Paris, and, later, training in New York City with Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School (now The Institute of Culinary Education), where she earned a professional pastry degree.

With the help of cake designer and manager,Anita Stack,Tizzerts Inc. has established a reputation for some of the prettiest and tastiest cakes in Charlotte.The Cakery manufactures products for wholesale customers — Reid’s Fine Foods, Dean & DeLuca, Harris Teeter stores at Morrocroft, Myers Park Express, and Cotswold, and many other locations around Charlotte — as well as individual retail consumers.Tizzerts’ specialties include made-to-order layer cakes, brownies, Bundt cakes, cupcakes, special occasion cakes, and elegant wedding cakes. >

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In Full Bloom Christmas Tizzerts Flowers cake is a soft yellow cake layered with smooth, vanilla pastry cream and iced with vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream. It features buttercream red roses, purple and yellow pansies, and sage-green leaves.

1

Round About

The Christmas Polka Dots cake is a combination of yellow cake layers alternating with tangy lemon curd and seedless raspberry filling, and topped with vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream icing. Decorations are red, green, and chocolate-brown polka-dots (so “in” right now) with a fun, holiday message.

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Lights Aglow

In celebration of Hanukah, yellow layer cake is filled with a rich, sour cream coconut filling and whipped cream, and covered in meringue buttercream. Decorations include swirls and a Star of David in blue buttercream, with silver dragées to add sparkle.

3

Take A Bow

A devil’s-food cake, layered with fudgy ganache and seedless raspberry preserves, is topped with more ganache and an edible Christmas-red fondant bow.

A decadent centerpiece for a holiday celebration! >

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Terrifically Tiered Tizzertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Almond Heaven cake features moist, almond creamcheese pound cake, layered with cream-cheese frosting, and iced in vanilla buttercream. The decorations include a chocolate-brown vine with Christmas-red buttercream apple blossoms. The result is Heavenly. TCW

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Serve Destined To

C A R O L H A R D I S O N L E A D S C R I S I S A S S I S TA N C E M I N I S T RY I N I T S M I S S I O N

BY SHAY MERRITT

W

hen Carol Hardison arrives at work each day at Crisis Assistance Ministry,a line

of people snakes around the building and across the parking lot.They are all ages and ethnicities, and are often accompanied by canes, wheelchairs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even baby strollers.

On any given day, there can be 150 people waiting patiently, hopefully, for help. >

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PHOTOS BY WAYNE MORRIS

Each day, volunteers at Crisis Assistance Ministry interview those facing eviction.

Carol Hardison says need is up by 40 percent.

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Crisis Assistance Ministry, located just north of uptown Charlotte, on a campus that also houses the Center for Hope Women’s Shelter and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, began operations at Dilworth United Methodist Church in 1974, when a group of concerned ministers and clergy decided that more people in the community could be helped if they worked together and shared resources. Last year, Crisis Assistance provided help with rent, utilities, clothes, and household items to over 80,000 individuals living in Mecklenburg County. And, with the downturn in the economy, the Ministry is expecting the lines to get longer before they get shorter.

“It’s the same for many of the agencies that provide direct services,” Hardison says. “We’re all seeing increases in requests for help. September of this year saw a 40-percent increase over September of last year.”

Charlotte’s Need Every day, the staff and volunteers at Crisis Assistance interview individuals who are facing eviction, or the loss of their utilities, or both. These are people who must choose between buying medicine and paying rent; people facing unexpected increases in the costs of food and transportation, who can pay rent or utilities but not both; people who have lost their jobs and don’t know where to turn for help.

Even before the recent economic volatility, Mecklenburg County had over 100,000 residents living at or below the federal poverty level of $21,200 for a family of four. Of these, more than 34,000 are children, and more than 8,000 are senior citizens. The parents and guardians are their families’ sole support.

“Many people do not realize that hourly employees who have to leave work to get a sick child at school or tend to an ailing parent lose precious dollars that impact their ability to pay for life’s basics,” Hardison says.

According to Hardison, Charlotte’s 30-year housing boom was instrumental in the addition

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of the large number of workers necessary to help support an economically robust community.

“Any time you have economic success in a thriving community, like the Charlotte region has enjoyed for the last few years, you will have large increases in the number of low-wage jobs — jobs that often offer no benefits. The end result is this steady, and now staggering, increase in the need for assistance.”

Proactive Intervention Crisis Assistance Ministry is the last stop before homelessness for thousands of Mecklenburg County residents. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System reports that over 2,500 students are currently homeless, meaning they are living in shelters; in hotels that rent by the week; or even in cars. Once a family is evicted or loses a home to foreclosure, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for those family members to get back on their feet.

“Think about it,” Hardison says. “If a family’s utilities were cut off and they were put out on the street because they cannot afford to pay their rent or their utilities — which are, say, $600 a month — how will they ever come up with the deposits for rent and utilities, plus pay the fee to turn utilities back on?”

Hardison’s biggest concern is that those who have benefited from Charlotte’s economic success need to remember the low-income people whose work contributes so much to life in our community.

She uses for example a situation currently affecting her mother, who lives in a nursing home in Florida.

“There is a talented nursing assistant who takes great care of my mother, and my mother really

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enjoys her company, but the assistant says she has to quit because she can’t afford the gas to drive 45 minutes from her home to the center,” Hardison says. “I hate that. She adds so much to my mother’s quality of life. These are people we must take care of.”

Are varicose veins standing between you and that little

A Giving Tradition Hardison grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., where she was raised in a climate of social activism. Her father was an Episcopal minister, and her mother was a caseworker for people who had difficulty finding employment. Hardison reveals that, until she went away to college, she didn’t realize that every family didn’t take in the homeless for the holidays.

“I now realize my parents were fairly progressive for their time,” she says. “Homeless people, former prisoners … you never knew who would be at the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

Every election, they drove voters.

They were always working on a cause. I remember going with them in the ’60s and ’70s to meetings to figure out how to start a clothing ministry, a food pantry, and a housing program.”

After two years at Tallahassee Community College, Hardison finished her degree in math and computer science, graduating cum laude from Furman University, in Greenville, S.C. “I always thought I would be a social worker,” she admits. “I knew I had a calling to help people in poverty. But I was good in math, and school counselors pushed me toward computer science.”

Before she started her final semester, Duke Power Company recruited Hardison to come to Charlotte after graduation. Over the next 18 years, she rose from >

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Board of Elections. She was also elected president of the Charlotte Women’s Political Caucus. With all of her professional and personal involvements, however, there was less and less time to spend helping those in need.

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”

computer programmer to business analyst to manager of information technology. It was a journey that allowed her to develop and finetune business skills — including hiring practices, performance measurement, negotiating, strategic planning, budgeting, change management, and personnel issues — that later would become invaluable in her role as executive director of Crisis Assistance Ministry.

During her early years at Duke Power, Hardison found time to volunteer with various agencies that helped the poor and homeless, including Charlotte Emergency Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and the Uptown Men’s Shelter. As her professional responsibilities and visibility increased, she became even more active in the community, joining the board of directors for the North Carolina School of Science and Math, and the Mecklenburg County W O M A N

PHOTO BY WAYNE MORRIS

“

We’re seeing increases in requests for help.

September of this year saw a 40-percent increase over September of last year.

As Hardison’s 40th birthday approached, she suddenly felt the need to re-evaluate her life’s mission. “Your 40th birthday is one of those benchmarks when you are supposed to think about your personal values, your fulfillment, and whether you are doing what you are supposed to be doing with your life,” she says.

She enrolled in the Highlands Program to discover “what I should be when I grow up.”

The program begins with four hours of testing to determine a person’s innate abilities and skills. At the end of the 10-week course of study, you are supposed to be able to write a sentence describing the job that would most fit with your goals, personality, and outlook on life. When the time came for Hardison to finish the course, she wrote, “I am supposed to be the executive director of a nonprofit that serves people in poverty.”

The merger of Duke Power and Pan Energy to form Duke Energy in 1997 generated new career opportunities over the next few years for employees in several areas, especially information technology. Hardison was asked to take a promotion and spend a lot of time in Houston. It was a turning point for her. “Here I was, on paper, an information technology manager, and in my heart, there was this life-

Carol Hardison’s commitment to Crisis Assistance Ministry is as strong today as the day she started.

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long passion for serving people in poverty that was not being fulfilled,” she says.

Fate intervened. Crisis Assistance Ministry founder Caroline Love Myers announced in 2000, that she would retire after leading the organization for 25 years. Hardison saw the announcement in the newspaper just as she was completing her Highlands career counseling course. She called everyone she could think of and begged them to put in a good word for her with the search committee.

“And it all came together!” she marvels.

“All the skills and practices I had learned at Duke Energy — strategic planning, customer service, performance measurement, team building — were exactly what I needed to be director of Crisis Assistance Ministry. I guess we don’t always know what path we’re on.”

Leading With Pride

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY

CarolHardison1208

Last year, the Ministry provided help to over 80,000 people in Mecklenburg County.

“

Since becoming the chief executive officer for the Ministry, Hardison’s knowledge, leadership, and diplomacy have drawn the attention and respect of local agencies and organizations, including that of Cyndee Patterson, president of The Lee Institute, which focuses on building collaborative community leadership. “Carol has a unique set of skills,” Patterson says. “She understands a business model from her years as a corporate leader, and she overlays that with a long history of volunteerism in the community. The combination makes her a person with a big view of the needs of people close to the ground, and how the community and nonprofit organizations can work together to address those needs.”

Harvey Gantt, chairman of the board of directors for Crisis Assistance Ministry when Hardison was hired, is confident they chose

I was good in math, and school counselors pushed me toward computer science. But I always thought I would be a social worker. I knew I had a calling to help people in poverty.

— CAROL HARDISON

the right person. “I had the opportunity to interview Carol for the position at Crisis Assistance Ministry,” he says. “What I admired then, and what continues to impress me today, is the deep passion she has for helping people. Her passion and enthusiasm are as intense today as they were the day she started at the Ministry. Carol is focused, organized, and professional, but what is most important

”

is that she truly cares about the people Crisis Assistance Ministry is there to help.”

Eight years later, Hardison is as committed to the good work Crisis Assistance Ministry does as she was on day one. And there is still plenty of work to be done in the battle against poverty in our community. Fortunately for the Charlotte area, Carol Hardison is on the job. TCW

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Grocery Change

BY MONIQUE BROWN MCKENZIE

K E E P I N G YO U R

F O O D

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;T

B I L L

U N D E R

is the season to be jolly, especially if you manage to curb your food bill over the holidays. One way to slash grocery expenses is to implement savvy shopping strategies sooner rather than later. If you start look-

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ing for ways to save on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, containing your expenses will become a habit.

So what can you do to make smart grocery shopping a way of life? Cost-cutting ideas abound, but experts say the following tips top the list:

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Shop with a menu in mind.

Planning your meals before you shop will keep you from overspending, advises Mary Webber, a family thrift counselor and author of The Frugal Family Kitchen Book. Webber also suggests using your purchases for more than one meal. For example, when she buys a bag of spinach, she’ll prepare a spinach salad one night and then make spinach lasagna a few days later. There are also sites like www.Epicurious.com, which enable you to create a meal with ingredients you already have in your refrigerator and pantry.

Stick with store brands.

“Buying store brands can cut one-fifth of your grocery-store spending,” Webber notes.

However, she adds, store brands may not be available for every item on your list. Also, consumers shouldn’t shortchange themselves on quality. “You have to decide which store brands consistently offer the best quality,” she continues. “The only thing I’ve ever had trouble with is the dishwashing detergent. But frozen vegetables, breads, and dairy products are fine.”

Cut back on meat.

Not only do most doctors agree that Americans should reduce their meat intake, but passing by the meat case without loading up will surely save you cash each week. For nutritional purposes, you need only one weekly serving of meat that is equal to the size of a deck of cards. Try serving smaller portions of meat on a regular basis. And, substitute vegetarian dishes a couple of nights each week.

Lose the loyalty.

Lana Dorazio, author of Save Thousands Grocery Shopping and Cook Great Food (available by download on www.grocerybook.com), says to get the best deals, shoppers should be prepared to go to at least three different stores when shopping. According to Dorazio, if you rely on one store for all of your shopping, you’ll never get the best deal. She also advises purchasing nonfood items, such as paper goods, plastic goods, magazines, books, and greeting cards from “big box” or other discount stores.

Return to the tap.

Astudy conducted by the Natural Resources

Defense Council found that 25 percent or more of bottled water is nothing more than tap water — that may or may not have been further treated. People with compromised immune systems, infants, small children, the frail elderly, pregnant women, transplant patients, or people with HIV/AIDS should see their physicians for advice, but for most of us, attaching a good water filter on the faucet provides access to the safest, cleanest, tastiest, least-expensive beverage on the planet. Since the law requires that tap water be tested for compliancy, tap water is safe for most Americans and costs considerably less than bottled — with the added benefit of no packaging waste added to our landfills!

you look for deals, make a list of the products you want, and take your coupons with you whenever you go to a store. And, of course, don’t forget to give the coupons to the cashier.”

Ultimately, says Dorazio, changing your mindset about food and your finances is probably the biggest favor you can do for yourself and your family. “Based on what your current budget is, rethink your food purchases, eliminate impulse buying, and cut out things that are too cost prohibitive, at least for a while,” she suggests. “If you take a serious look at what you’re buying, and cut it down to the bare bones for a season, it will be so worth it in the long run.” TCW

Rely on a price book.

“Absolutely use a price book,” Dorazio insists. “Otherwise, you have no way of knowing that you’re getting the best price, especially if you want to purchase an item that you’re not using on a regular basis.” Dorazio’s e-guide comes with a price book that lists prices collected from stores in Arizona.

Although prices may vary widely across the country, Dorazio says referring to her guide is still better than starting from scratch. Besides, any price book needs continual updating.

Once you compile a comprehensive list of all of the items you use, keep an eye on prices to see if a store is offering a better deal than the one recorded in your book.

Don’t dismiss coupons.

Since March 2008, Charlotte’s Mercedes Walker reduced the food bill for her family of four from $200 weekly to less than $40 weekly, by using coupons and shopping during sales.

According to Walker, more shoppers could enjoy enormous savings from using coupons if they were more organized. “An expired or lost coupon is no good when your favorite bread goes on sale,” she points out. To keep herself on track, Walker checks www.hotcouponworld.com regularly for bargains, and she hosts a bimonthly coupon trading and clipping club called Coupon Clippers at the Morrison Library near SouthPark. Her advice: “Keep all of your coupons in a specific place, like a drawer or shoebox; or try organizing your clipped coupons in a binder or coupon file. Then pick a day to check out the sales flyers, and always get the Sunday newspaper. As

Budget-Friendly

Entertaining For most of us, food and festivities are a way of life around holiday time.But if you’re trying to avoid becoming overburdened by debt this season, here are three ways to stick to tradition without breaking the bank: Throw a progressive dinner party. Instead of footing the entire dinner bill yourself,split it with friends or neighbors.The concept involves at least three hosts who agree to prepare a portion of the meal at each of their homes.Guests go to one home for appetizers;another for the main course; and another for dessert.As long as the invitations have explicit instructions,the distances between homes are short, and the guest list is manageable — probably ranging from six to 12 people — participants are in for a fun (and economical) time.

Host a purpose party. Invite folks over to trim your tree, decorate cookies, wrap toys for needy children, or package clothing for the homeless.Food is not the focus of this holiday gathering — it really is about the purpose.

Appetizers and a nice holiday punch will go a long way toward making the evening productive and enjoyable.

Celebrate with an international mixer. The holiday season is a great time to find out how people from other cultures celebrate.Invite your friends,colleagues, and family members to bring their favorite holiday dishes,beverages,desserts,and traditions to your home.

As long as you ensure that you have at least one main dish for each course you plan to serve, your culturally diverse holiday table will be a filling, yet inexpensive, celebratory feast.

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RestaurantReview

A

SOUTHERN

HOLIDAY

MEMORY

IN THE

MAKING

Grandma’s Fine Home Cooking

BY LEIGH BARRETT

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I

t was with eager excitement and great soned Turnip Greens from Grandpa’s garden, comes only once a year — better get the goodexpectations that our family recently along with Grandma’s famous Asparagus ies while we can!

After dinner, the ladies pitched in to help made the two-hour trip to enjoy a tradi- Casserole and Squash Casserole, which barely tional Thanksgiving dinner at our favorite made it around the table before they were all Grandma with cleanup while the men and kids dining establishment, which only seems to get gone. (Note to Grandma — make bigger moved into the adjacent lounge. There, better and better over the years. As we rolled casseroles next year!) A bowl of Hot Curried Grandpa hosted a football-watching-in-frontup the driveway in front of Grandma’s Fine Fruit was interestingly appealing and made of-the-TV versus tryptophan-by-the-fireplace Home Cooking, we were met by the familiar quite an impression on us, although the chil- showdown, to see who would be the last one aromas of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie, dren shied away from the exotic (“weird!”) fla- standing (or conscious) before the early dusk of November crept over the scene and let us know and we could hardly wait to run inside, greet vor of the curry. it was time to head back home. the owners and pilfer a couple of Grandma, as always, insisted on olives from the relish plate.

There was much laughter amid the activity fixing us takeout boxes, pretending not There was much laughter amid the to notice a few gaping holes where one activity in the kitchen, and before we in the kitchen, and before we knew it, or more of the kids had snuck an knew it, everyone on staff, including afternoon snack by surreptitiously the cook, had joined us in the dining everyone on staff, including the cook, had hand-carving a ragged chunk of turkey room as they served up one incredible or digging out a mouthful-sized dish after another, both at the formal joined us in the dining room. mound of the leftover dressing. table with its gorgeous damask cloth All in all, it was a delicious meal and napkins, and at the “children’s” Rounding out the feast were Grandma’s and a delightful day with genial company and card table, which was cheerily dressed with a Old-Timey Biscuits, perfect for sopping up the warmth of family love. We definitely plan bright, poinsettia-splashed plastic cover.

The Slow-Roasted Turkey was moist and extra gravy from our plates. And of course, the to return. How many days until Christmas? juicy, and Grandpa himself did the carving hon- Pick-a-Pickle Relish Platter (minus a few WantToGo? ors, brandishing his electric knife with confi- olives) with its sweet gherkins, marinated Grandma’s Fine Home Cooking, located Over the dence and flair. Grandma’s much-anticipated carrots, cranberry sauce, and hot chow-chow.

River and Through the Woods,is open to friends and Cornbread Dressing, savory with sage and Southern-Style Sweet Tea With Lemon was the family 24/7, 365 days a year. Reservations are not other herbs, was a huge hit, even as she only beverage that could do this meal justice. required,and there is no dress code — come as you For dessert we had a choice of Cinnamonprotested that it didn’t turn out the way she had are. Prices range from hugs to kisses. Highly recplanned and she hoped it wasn’t dry. Every Spiced Pumpkin Pie With Real Whipped ommended for food, atmosphere, service, and an grain of the Light, Fluffy Rice stood up to Cream, or Grandma’s Elegant Cherry Dessert all-around wonderful experience.

Grandma’s Creamy Giblet Gravy like a champ. — a layered confection reminiscent of cheeseThe Baked Sweet Potato Pudding With Tiny Marshmallows On Top was the stuff dreams are made of. Vegetables included Sea-

cake, but with the cherries mixed in rather than spread on top. Most of us didn’t choose just one dessert. The way we saw it, Thanksgiving

Leigh Barrett is a contributing editor at Today’s Charlotte Woman. TCW

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A

ffixing a mezuzah to the doorway of a home is a beautiful,ancient Jewish

tradition, according to Jewish law, that symbolizes the householdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s devotion to God.These decorative cases,specifically made to hold a passage of scripture from the Torah,come in a variety of materials and styles, from natural, unfinished wood to jewel-encrusted pieces of art. >

Bringing Faith

Home T H E M E Z U Z A H P U T S D E V O T I O N A T T H E T H R E S H O L D

BY KARSEN PRICE

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Every mezuzah is marked with the Hebrew letter shin, which symbolizes the first letter of the word Shaddai, or Almighty. Sizes vary, but they typically measure about 5 inches long. Inside the narrow case rests a small parchment klaf, a scroll inscribed with two paragraphs outlining the basic tenets of Judaism. The verses, from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, begin with the phrase, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Although mezuzot can be placed on every doorpost in the house (with the exception of the bathroom and closets), many families use them only on the front door. Mezuzot are considered to be good luck, and they are frequently given as housewarming presents or wedding gifts.

Some Jews kiss the mezuzah upon entering and leaving the house, and even Christians have been known to observe the practice of hanging mezuzot on the doors of their houses, recognizing the beauty of keeping their faith close to home.

Source: The mezuzot pictured here were all provided by Discovered Traditions, the Temple Beth El gift shop, located in Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Road. Discovered Traditions is a project of the Temple Beth El Sisterhood. All profits help the children of Temple Beth El. For information, call 704/366-1948, or visit www.beth-el.com .

The Scroll Biblical Message Inside The Mezuzah Deuteronomy 6: 4-9

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Blessed be His glorious kingdom forever and ever.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thy house, when thou walkest by the way, when though liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the doorposts of thy house and upon thy gates.

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The Mezuzah Can Be An FROM

PRECIOUS

STONES TO

ETCHED

METAL, IT

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Artful Expression Of Faith S

FUNCTION

IS THE

SAME THE WORLD

OVER: PRAYER

Affixing The Mezuzah According to Halakha (Jewish law), a mezuzah should be placed on the right side of

WE’RE MOVING TO TRINITY OAKS!

the door (from the point of view of one entering the building or room), on the lower part of the upper third of the doorpost (or, for high doorways, around shoulder height), within approximately 3 inches of the doorway opening. Some tradition dictates that the mezuzah be placed on the side of the door opposite the hinges. In either case, Halakha requires that mezuzot be put up within 30 days of the Jewish residents moving into the home.

The case should be permanently affixed with nails, screws, glue, or strong double-sided tape. Great caution should be exerted not to puncture, rip, or crack the parchment or the wording on the mezuzah, since this would, according to Jewish law, invalidate it entirely.

The installation procedure involves holding the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, and then reciting a blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher qid’shanu b’mitz’votav vitziuanu liq’boa mezuzah. (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.)

Any Jew is permitted to perform the

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blessing, as long as he or she is old enough to understand the significance of this mitzvah, or commandment.

After the blessing is made, the mezuzah is PHOTO BY ARMANDO BELLMAS

T

THIS YEAR WE’RE GIVING OUR FAMILY PEACE OF MIND

attached. When affixing more than one mezuzah throughout the home, the initial blessing will suffice and needs to be said only

728 Klumac Road Salisbury, NC 28144 dhundley@trinityoaks.net

once. TCW Source: www.mezuzah.com

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Glass ornaments from the ‘40s and ‘50s are widely available and will brighten any holiday décor.

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ntiques appraisers are often asked, “What’s the next hot collectible?” And, just like putting your money in the stock market, there are no sure bets when it comes to investing in antiques.The best advice is to collect what you like, and you won’t be disappointed with the item’s future value.Seldom are collectors disappointed when they set their sights on gorgeous objects like these from Christmas past. >

D E C O R A T I N G W I T H A N T I Q U E O R N A M E N T S

BY JAN ROBBINS DURR PHOTOS BY ARMANDO BELLMAS

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A collection of ornaments within a theme — like teapots — makes a whimsical addition to your decorating efforts.

Typically, what becomes a “hot” collectible is something that consumers took very much for granted when it was widely used.

It may even have been discarded because it wasn’t thought to be particularly special or valuable. The latter is certainly true of Christmas ornaments.

Ornaments of yesteryear may have been purchased for pennies and certainly weren’t always packed with care at the end of the season. But for anyone now seeking a bit of seasonal nostalgia, or for those looking to add a touch of vintage to their holiday décor, these collectibles are as lovely and varied as they are fun. Many pieces are still quite affordable and can add a unique touch to a tree.

Shiny Brite ornaments were mass produced in the ‘50s and ‘60s and can still be found in antique shops today.

Beautiful Baubles Classic Christmas decorations are widely available at area antique stores, and glass ornaments from the 1940s to the 1960s are especially sought after. These pretty bulbs come in shapes from diamonds to balls to bells, with silver and gilt detailing.

They look terrific hanging on vintage aluminum and feather trees, or heaped in a glass bowl for display. They often can be purchased for $1 to $3 apiece, making them an excellent choice for first-time collectors.

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The earliest rendition of the American Christmas ornament is found in the German kugel, a glass bulb that dates from the 19th century. Kugels are characterized by their heavy weight, and they range in design from plain balls to ornate representations of fruits and vegetables.

Another highly collectible ornament is the Shiny Brite, which was popular in the ’50s and ’60s. These ornaments were mass produced by Corning in the 1940s, and then sent to other companies for decoration. The largest customer was Max Eckhardt, who had established an All-American company known as Shiny Brite. Over the years, the ornaments went through several design phases to keep their signature glow, and a new generation of Shiny Brites has now been introduced by well-known entrepreneur and ornamenteer Christopher Radko, who discovered and recreated many of the historic glass ornament molds from Germany and Czechoslovakia.

Whether it is a small collection of plastic reindeer you discovered in Grandma’s attic, or a gorgeous glass ornament unearthed in a local antique shop, collecting Christmas is one of the best investments of joy you can make. TCW Source: Ornaments for this article were provided by Ann Hixon, of Antique Alley in Matthews (www.antiquealleync.com),and Beryl Imoden,of The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall (www.sleepypoetstuff.com).

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Fashion

T

his season, don’t pass up holiday festivities because you’re fretting about what to wear.While you are debating what “holiday casual”means,and try-

ing to align the season’s hottest looks with rules of etiquette for the occasion — the annual office party, an uptown dinner with friends, a glitzy charity ball — there is a staple of your wardrobe just waiting to transform your look, and that fashion fundamental is the blouse.Today’s blouse is decked with ruffles, comes in shimmery fabrics and jewel-toned shades, and is impeccably tailored.It will take your daytime outfit from now to wow,earning you top honors in looking good for the holidays. >

Fabulously Floral Cabbage roses bloom on a black background in this blouse by Leifsdottir.

Nordstrom or www.nordstrom.com

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Top Of The

Season To You GO DAY TO EVENING WITH THE RIGHT BLOUSE

BY FIONA HARMON

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Fashion Lusciously Lounge-able Boss Black’s short-sleeve, silk blouse sports ruffles down the front and a half-zipper up the back, and comes in a color called “whiskey.”

Nordstrom and www.nordstrom.com

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Winter White Doncaster’s v-neck halter-top camisole is constructed of silk georgette and embellished with crystals along the collar. www.doncastercharlotte.com

Ruffles Easily Tartan plaid takes a dressy turn in this ruffled, tie-front, cotton blouse from Doncaster. www.doncastercharlotte.com

Stackable Beauties

Rings by Monte Carlo Designs.

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Fashion

Style In Aces A dramatic collar makes this silk, fitted blouse from Audrey Talbott a good choice for an evening uptown.

Paul Simon

Flower Cascade A crisp cotton blouse by Magaschoni features a scattering of blossoms down the front. www.neimanmarcus.com

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Under Wraps Liz Claiborne’s gray mist sleeveless blouse, in silk charmeuse,is perfect under a suit and goes easily from day to evening.

Department stores

Be Jeweled Beads adorn the neckline of this silk tunic from Magaschoni. www.neimanmarcus.com

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Fashion Blue Blazes A blouse that calls for a special occasion, this iridescent wrap shirt in pure silk from Doncaster is a show-stopper. www.doncastercharlotte.com

All Business Audrey Talbottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cream, striped blouse tops your work wardrobe and does double duty after 5.

Paul SimonatPaul Simon

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Lingerie & More.

704.567.5515 www.adamevecharlotte.com 5309-F E. Independence Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28212

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Fashion-Special

Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag …

(And Boots, And Gloves, And A Hat!) PHOTO BY ARMANDO BELLMAS

Make the jolly guy red and green with envy this year, with a getup sure to stop him in his snow tracks.

Red Wool Dress Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon, Belk, $418 Black Patent-Leather Belt Leatherock, Nordstrom, $68 Sparkle Brooch Liz Claiborne, Macy’s, $22 Off-White Cashmere Wrap Nordstrom, $118 Black Kid-Leather Gloves Nordstrom, $98 Cream Wool Hat Badgley Mischka, Belk, $60 Black Patent-Leather Chiara Bag Dooney & Bourke, Belk, $345 Black Suede Boots Cole Haan, Neiman Marcus, $495 Pocket Atlas Rand McNally, Joseph-Beth, $3.95 Travel Organizer Galison, Joseph-Beth, $9.50 Styled by TCW art director, Anita O’Hara, and editor, Michelle Young Hubacher

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MeetOurAdvertisers

Budget-Friendly Boutique

Give the Gift that will

LAST A LIFETIME

Fifi’s Fine Resale Offers Designer Pieces At Affordable Prices

BY MELINDA JOHNSTON

F

PHOTO BY AUGUST O PHOTOG RAPHY

ifi’s Fine Resale in Cornelius isn’t your typical consignment shop. With its bright décor, generous retail space, and only high-end items for sale, Fifi’s is more of a boutique — but with prices that won’t break your budget.

Owner Julia Austin, a nurse for 20 years, bought the store a year ago, trading in her medical journals for In Style, Lucky, Vogue, and other fashion magazines so that she could keep Julia Aust abreast of the latest trends. “In in h high style elps women put to gether on a low healthcare, you rely on conbudget. tinuing education to stay on top of your game,” she explains.

Once a month, the store offers “It’s the same thing in fashion.

We’re always trying to help the DIVAnight — an RSVP-only, eduladies stay trendy, current, and cational event that features different speakers on subjects from looking their very best.”

Austin is fastidious about the staying healthy and happy, to takcondition of the items she accepts ing an outfit from day to evening for consignment, and she sells by simply changing accessories.

To ensure a fresh inventory only mid-range to top-designer (think Ann Taylor Loft and up) and to contribute to the commupieces that are currently in style. nity, Fifi’s donates items that have Austin and her staff are happy to been on sale for more than 60 days help each customer pull together to groups that directly empower a chic, one-of-a-kind outfit, women, including Lydia’s Loft in whether it’s for a cocktail party, a Huntersville, Dress for Success, business-casual event, or a trip. area Hospices, local churches, and The store carries sizes petite to 3X. Hope House. TCW

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www.QueenCityBallroom.com 704.541.5440 • 10403 Park Road H O L I D A Y

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When she’s not providing remarkable care, Dr. Avery enjoys travel, music, swimming and interior design.

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Beauty

Shine

From Within Take Your Beauty Routine Outside The Makeup Kit

BY FIONA HARMON

W

e adore makeup — we are

girls, after all. But this holiday

season, we thought we’d offer

up a palette of options that will make you feel as good as you already look! From giving your time and expertise to one of The Queen City’s many charitable organizations, to simply taking a closer look at your daily routine, there is a stocking-full of ways to really buff up your soul, make your heart sing, and possibly spread a little joy along the way. >

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Beauty 1 Become A Big Sister Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. For more than a century, BBBS has been the leader in one-to-one youth service, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people.

Operating in this area since 1972, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte serves children from 5 through 18 years of age, in communities across Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

CheckOut BBBS of Greater Charlotte, 2424 N. Davidson St., Suite 110, Charlotte 704/377-3963 • www.bbbscharlotte.org

3 Sign A Donor Card Nearly 3,000 people are waiting for transplants in North Carolina. You can save eight lives through organ donation, and enhance more than 50 lives through tissue donation.

By putting your name on the Donate Life North Carolina donor registry, you consent to having your organs, corneas, or tissue made available for transplantation upon death.

If you have questions about organ

donation — what it means and how it works — visit www.DonateLifeNC.org.

There are two ways to sign up to be an organ, eye, or tissue donor in North Carolina: in person at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or online at www.DonateLifeNC.org.

CheckOut Donate Life North Carolina,c/o Carolina Donor Services 3621 Lyckan Parkway, Durham, NC 27707 www.DonateLifeNC.org

5 Lend Your Expertise 2 Eat More Carrots Mom was right when she told you to eat your carrots so your vision would be as sharp as Bugs Bunny’s! Turns out carrots really do give your eyes a boost, because beta carotene, which the body is able to convert into vitamin A, is an essential vitamin for healthy vision.

Vitamin A, also called retinol, helps safeguard sight by protecting against freeradical damage that can lead to vision problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and night blindness. While research has linked vitamin A deficiency to a variety of vision problems, one of the first signs that your eyes are not getting enough vitamin A may be episodes of night blindness. Vitamin A is especially important to the rods of the eye, which allow sight in dim light.

CheckOut www.5aday.gov

4 Wear That Seat Belt According to data compiled for 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the use of seat belts in that year saved more than 14,000 lives. Of the almost 33,000 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed during the same period, 59 percent were not wearing a seat belt. And, serious injuries far exceeded deaths. There are almost 7 million car accidents in the United States alone each year. Almost 3 million people are injured. So this is an easy one — buckle up!

CheckOut www.buckleupnc.org

When you were little, did you want to be a museum curator, a model, or a doctor? Anything is possible when your future is unfolding in front of you. Access those days of infinite possibility, and share your journey with Charlotte’s grade-school dreamers through Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas Inc. The Junior Achievement program uses role models from the community to offer inspiration, enthusiasm, knowledge, and living proof of where education can take students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. The content of the curriculum emphasizes business ethics and personal financial literacy. In other words, you have lots to offer!

CheckOut Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas Inc. 201 S.Tryon St., Suite LL100, Charlotte 704/536-9668 • www.jacarolinas.org

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8 Make A Pledge

6 Call Your Mother Mother’s Day is predictably the busiest Sunday of the year for telephone volume. But a report from the Pew Research Center found that 42 percent of adults say they see or talk with a parent (usually Mom) every single day! The survey reported that in 1989, just 32 percent of adults said this.

The rise in daily communication between adult children and their parents is, of course, a byproduct of a communication revolution that has made phoning less expensive and more convenient. Back in 1989, when long-distance telephone calls were more costly and cell phones were exotic devices, just 8 percent of adults maintained daily contact with a parent or parents who lived in a different town. Today, nearly triple that number — 22 percent — do.

There is a Spanish proverb that says, “An ounce of mother is like a ton of priest.” Go ahead, and call your mom. You know why.

CheckOut Insert Mom’s phone number here: (

) -

.

7 Clean Out The Closet Professional organizers say that if you haven’t worn something in a year, it’s time to pass it on to someone who might. Common sense says that’s good thinking! Now is a great time to sift through your professional attire, and donate it to women who are in need of clothes for interviews and jobs that require them to dress professionally. Dress for Success Charlotte makes that easy. Their purpose is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by not only providing professional attire, but also a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

CheckOut Dress for Success Charlotte 202 E. Woodlawn Road, Suite 104, Charlotte 704/525-7706 • www.dressforsuccess.org

To celebrate the World AIDS Day theme of leadership, the World AIDS Campaign launched the Stop AIDS Leadership Pledge in November 2007.The initiative encourages people worldwide to pledge their leadership to help stop AIDS. The pledges, collected online, by mail, and at events, will be used to create exhibitions and banners during AIDs awareness events around the globe in 2009.

With a goal of at least 100,000 signers, the pledges serve as a persuasive tool for leveraging greater political leadership on universal access to AIDS prevention and treatment. It’s easy to log on, add your name to the list, and educate yourself on the continued importance for AIDS awareness in our country and around the world.

9 Smile For Good Health Smiling really does make you feel better — and it makes you more appealing to those around you. Yes, it’s difficult to paste a grin on your face when you are stressed or feeling down. But happiness researchers say the act of smiling relaxes you in a way that actually does send your body small signals that things are not so bad. Smiling has been shown to lower blood pressure, as well.

CheckOut CheckOut www.worldaidscampaign.org

Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile, by Daniel Nettle, www.amazon.com

10 Drink Plenty Of Water Sure, drinking water will help keep us healthy. But how much is really enough?

We’ve all heard “eight is great,” meaning eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day should be our goal. But even that might not be adequate. Many women walk around dehydrated, most of the time, unknowingly.

That’s because thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration — by the time you get thirsty, it’s too late! Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. It can decrease your energy level and mental functioning and increase stress on your body.An estimated 75 percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration! Severe dehydration can have far more damaging effects.

There are three important rules when it comes to drinking water: 1. Drink twice as much as it takes to quench your thirst.

2. Drink frequently throughout the day.

3. Drink at least eight glasses daily, or one cup for every 20 pounds of body weight.

Finally, those frequent bathroom trips are not a bad thing. The best indicator that you are drinking enough water is when urine comes out pale yellow to clear.A dark yellow color is a sign your body is dehydrated and is concentrating the urine in an effort to conserve water. TCW

CheckOut www.freedrinkingwater.com

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A H O M E F U L L O F H O L I D AY C H A R M

Bounty

BY LEE RHODES PHOTOS BY SCOTT STILES

Kay Jones and her daughter, Megan, spend a quiet moment with the family’s lab, Storm.

M

ention the term “lodge living,” and people invariably picture an enchant-

ing mountain retreat nestled in Big Sky Country, or perhaps a cozy cabin tucked into the foothills of North Carolina. As far as lodge living goes, Charlotte doesn’t usually spring to mind … unless you’re looking to keep up with the Joneses. >

A one-of-a-kind woodland bed makes an enchanting retreat in the home and requires just a few touches to make it Christmas-ready.

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An English pine table with â&#x20AC;&#x153;twigâ&#x20AC;? chairs is the perfect gathering place for family and guests to enjoy the spectacularly decked Christmas tree.

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A Symphony of 150 Sparkling Trees, 1000’s of Intricate Embellishments, Guardian Angels, Whimsical Santas, Christmas fairies Spreading Their magic, Villages Dancing in the Dark .....

Christmas is Just Around the Corner and so is Peppermint Forest!

Adding Christmas touches to the home’s lodge look results in a fun, woodsy Noel.

Pat and Kay Jones’ home in Charlotte’s Ballantyne area is a medley of comfortable, open living spaces that pay homage to the treasures of nature. In fact, the home’s décor has its roots in both the North Carolina mountains and Montana ranch country, as much of it originated in these locations, where the couple and their children have often vacationed over the years. More recently, they discovered High Country Furniture, a Waynesville-based home furnishings retailer that specializes in rustic lodge furnishings.

“There’s a look Charlotte has and we’re definitely not it,” Kay says. “We moved from another house in Charlotte that featured spring colors, with yellow and lavender. So it was exciting for Jerry to be able to pull out pheasant feathers, moose, and bear.”

“Jerry” is Jerry Vick, an interior designer who runs his eclectic retail showroom, AMatter of Taste, out of the popular BlackLion home furnishings and decorating center in Pineville. He originally decorated for the family several years ago, and Kay recently asked him to

refresh, renew, and augment her home’s style.

“Kay’s house is perfect for decorating because it’s so warm and cozy,” Vick says. “The country-lodge feel opens the door to allow me to decorate anything that doesn’t move. She has such great pieces already. I like to accent and dress up what she has. You can decorate everything and it looks in place.”

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Outdoors In The “lodge” never comes more to life than during the holiday season. Each year, the family incorporates pine cones, greenery, berries, poinsettias, birdhouses, grapevines, and wreaths into their decorating efforts, to transform their home into a winter wonderland filled with rustic Christmas charm.

“I told Pat that for Christmas this year I wanted to refurbish things, and then have a big brunch and have girlfriends come over,” says Kay. “Hospitality is one of my passions. Our guests tell us they feel so relaxed and comfortable when they visit, they don’t hesitate to put their feet up.” > H O L I D A Y

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As in many homes, the Joneses’ kitchen is an inviting gathering place.

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The welcoming warmth begins in the great room, a space known as the cornerstone of lodge living. The room features a woodburning fireplace crafted from Arkansas stone, with a mantel of reclaimed Kentucky mill wood. Both serve to bring the outdoors in, as do the stuffed red fox lounging on the mantel, with a pheasant dangling from his mouth, and the bear skin that adorns the wall.

At this time of year, a majestic Christmas tree, sporting ornaments from the family’s many travels, is the focal point of the room. Softball-size natural hydrangeas make a statement on the tree and throughout the home. Vick dusted the flowers with gold paint and added spray lacquer

for heartiness. “There were a couple hundred of them, and I used them throughout the house to tie it all in,” he says. “The dried hydrangeas are just perfect for this lodge style.”

Another fireplace lights up the piano room, which features a white ceiling and darker inlays for a two-toned feeling of warmth.

Flanked by two carved concrete bears, the marble fireplace is topped by a mantel of the same mill wood as that in the great room. “The mantel came out of an old barn in Kentucky,” says Pat. “High Country Furniture helped us find it and restore it. They left one log as it was, and the other one they cleaned up and shaped. It’s formal but still rustic.”

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youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud enough of to display on your dining room table or mantel, you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to take it down to decorate for Christmas,â&#x20AC;? Vick says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should embellish it for Christmas.

Christmas is an accessory to decorating.â&#x20AC;?

Atypical doors line the hallway leading to the kitchen. The pantry door resembles that of an old-fashioned ďŹ&#x201A;ower shop and, in fact, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fresh Flowersâ&#x20AC;? are advertised above it. During the building process, Kay and Pat discovered a salvage company out of Santa Fe, N.M., which provided the wood, and then designed the door to creak just as Grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back door would. Kay deems it her favorite door, although the one leading to the laundry room, with its scrolled ironwork and natural decorations, is a close second. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The laundry room is one of my favorite rooms,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we were building, raccoons got in the house. We came in one day and there were mud prints of raccoon feet all over. So the artist repeated it in a mural in the laundry room.â&#x20AC;?

Sticks And Stones

All In The Details Continuing the two-toned theme of the piano room, the dining room exudes a blend of country elegance and historic charm, with its beautifully distressed table featuring legs painted a lavish red. A painter crafted a detailed prayer around the tableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The table was just plain,â&#x20AC;? Kay explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;High Country Furniture gathered ideas from what they learned about us and offered to paint a scripture around it. We chose the old-fashioned verse, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It was the ďŹ rst prayer our kids learned.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My philosophy is, if you have a piece that

In the kitchen, visitors are greeted by a charming, unďŹ nished round table, which is encircled by Navajo-inspired chairs with rich, fabric seats and backs that have what Kay calls a â&#x20AC;&#x153;twigâ&#x20AC;? look. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The table actually came from England,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We love it. Like in any house, I think this room is where everybody hangs out. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm to look at and warm to have people here.â&#x20AC;?

The chandelier, made in the North Carolina mountains, is also composed of twigs, and the cabinets were created in what Kay recalls as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a little room with a guy with a drawing pad.â&#x20AC;?

Completely original, the cabinets have an amber glaze, lending them a distressed look. A corner cupboard provides an interesting display area which, this time of year, hosts a beautifully recreated Nativity scene.

The kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tiles are a tumbled marble in yellowish cream, and the backsplash has intermittent maple tiles, adding to the warm, autumnal effect of the room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love fall,â&#x20AC;? Kay says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there was a season I could place my house in all the time, it would be fall. I have to work hard to bring in Christmas, or it ends up looking like a fall Christmas.â&#x20AC;?

Gracing the powder room is a picturesque mural of trees, and Kay evokes a hint of the >

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Decorated with the words of a prayerful blessing, the massive dining table is surrounded by chairs as comfortable as they are beautiful.

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The master bedroom, lightly decorated for the holidays, proves the perfect respite from the busy season.

holidays by placing fir-scented soap in the room. The theme continues in daughter Megan’s bathroom and bedroom, which features a bed that is an amazing structure of canopied sticks and twigs, plus more murals, including brewing storm clouds that lead to a rainbow, flowers, and frogs. Completing the room’s décor is a tribute to the 20-year-old’s April birthday, with calligraphy that reads, “April showers bring May flowers.”

A historic home in Asheville was the source of the warm wood utilized in the ceilings of the master bedroom and bath, which are dominated by white. A prominent painting in the bedroom showcases the serene beauty of a moose in the snow, a motif that is repeated throughout the home.

Upon moving into their home, the Joneses had folks from their church come over to bless the new space. “Our faith is very important to us,” says Kay. The home has been, she adds, the perfect place to hold church and youth group gatherings, sharing a unique warmth and spirit — during the holidays and all year long. TCW

The home’s interior features several unique doors and entryways.

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HealthMatters

Soothing Speech The Healing Power Of Words

BY DEBRA MOFFITT

T

hough most of us rarely take time to

An Affirming Perspective

consider how we speak, language is

“Words have a vibratory frequency,” says the Rev. Rebecca Nagy. “If you want to go back to any sacred text, they say we were created by the ‘power of the Word.’ A voice lifted in prayer is just about as high a vibration as you can get. Especially when your heart is open and your mind is clear.”

As a popular wedding minister and motivational speaker in Charlotte, Nagy is well practiced in the use of vows and words to shape and transform lives. “We are constantly creating,” she explains. “The biggest tool we have to create with is the power of the word. A word can uplift or destroy.” Her CD, Instant Calm, blends music and softly spoken words to quiet the mind and encourage an elevated state of consciousness.

Nagy has used what she calls the “power of a positive mind over matter” to keep herself out of a wheelchair. With a degenerative disc disease, she says she could have chosen to resign from being an active participant in her health and life, get a wheelchair, and return to her parents’ home to live. Instead, after 12

the one element that separates humanity from every other species.

A kind, soft-spoken word will reverberate with those around us and may even change the course of our lives.

Using the power of words to heal and uplift can also soothe us during challenging times and serve to make our world a better place. Three particular types of verbal expression — prayer, the spoken word, and writing — can help to mend broken bonds and promote understanding and harmony, especially during the holidays.

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years of physical struggle and surgery, she recently left behind a leg brace, and now walks on her own two feet. “If we go around with an ‘Eeyore complex,’ our attitudes and the way we say our words will have an impact,” she says.

Nagy notes that she has seen an increase in the number of people calling to describe feelings of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. “They’re asking, ‘Why am I here?’ ” she says. “I tell them, ‘You’re here to reflect God’s love for us.’ ” She suggests repeating the words, “I am love,” as an uplifting affirmation or mantra during trying moments.

She also advises curbing our dependence on newspapers, TV, and other media that have the potential to pollute the mind and create negative feedback loops.

Mind-Bending Talk Charlotte-based counselor Stacie Davis also encourages people to change their media-consuming habits. “Clients who have a negative experience in their lives may start watching more

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news,” she says. “They get online and can find any information on the Internet to reinforce the perception that things are not going so great out there. It becomes a hamsterwheel effect.”

Davis suggests that people who are typically negative thinkers, or those who are struggling with a difficult situation, surround themselves with positivity, which challenges them to examine their viewpoints. She also affirms that hearing a kind and constructive word can call into question a distorted or irrational thinking pattern.

“I ask clients to take a look at how they’re engaging in negative thought patterns,” she says. “Typically, they repeat the same few things over and over again. I ask them to observe and identify how their thought processes may be negative or distorted, and then to jot down in a journal each time they catch themselves thinking a negative thought.” By counseling people to change the way they describe their experiences, she hopes her clients can work toward transforming themselves.

“I think it’s important that we challenge ourselves,” Davis adds. “If you go back to the same thing over and over, saying, ‘I should have done that’ — whatever ‘that’ is — stop and call yourself out. Challenge yourself in those areas. Then replace the negative self-talk with more positive words, so that positive speech becomes the habit.”

The new, well-intentioned words we use can change our speech patterns and then alter our thought patterns even more.

Journeying Through Journaling Maureen Ryan Griffin, a local writing instructor and author of Spinning Words into Gold, recommends journaling as a way of taking a trying incident and finding the nugget of gold in it. She says that our word choices can create and form our life experiences, and may even influence our futures.

In her Writing to Heal workshop, Griffin uses an exercise from Dr. James Pennebaker, a renowned professor of psychology, which

guides people to take individual events they perceived as negative, and write about the good in them.

“Some people say, ‘Writing makes me feel worse,’ “ Griffin says. “You need to discover the positive in what you’re writing.

Identify any kind of good that came out of the event. Instead of saying it was ‘bad,’ write that it was ‘not good,’ for example.

Even people who were victims of horrible things can transform their perception and see the experience as an opportunity to be closer to God, or consider it a way to have more compassion for other people.”

Griffin also suggests writing out daily gratitude lists that concentrate on specific moments, and then describing the experiences in detail. This focused writing helps particularly during the holidays, when we often tend to dwell on what we want and don’t have. Another writing exercise might include sending out letters and Christmas cards with uplifting, personalized messages.

Even a small compliment or kind word written or spoken with a smile can make a difference — not only for the recipient, but for the giver, as well.

Front And Center The Rev. Sally Johnston, associate rector at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, encourages the practice of a centering prayer or meditation, especially during the stress of the holidays. “A centering prayer is silent, with only one sacred word to maintain focus and rest the mind,” she says. “That word may be one you choose, like ‘peace,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘Jesus,’ or ‘Abba,’ and it’s used as a way of letting go of thoughts and moving into a space of being in God’s presence.”

Johnston calls this type of meditation “non-thought-filled prayer,” adding, “It’s not prayer as a request or demand, but rather a state of inner listening. Instead of saying ‘stop it’ to the onrush of thoughts, repeating the sacred word will help you simply to be present.” TCW

ToLearnMore For additional reading on how words, writing, and prayer can impact your outlook, check out these books: Journal to the Self, by Kathleen Adams; The Moses Code, by James Twyman; The Healing Power of Humor, by Allen Klein.

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HealthFlash WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STAY FIT AND WELL

COMPILED BY JENNIFER BRADFORD-EPSTEIN

Midsection Matters The Truth About Abdominal Fat

H

ave you been noticing that your stomach is not as flat as it was in your 20s? As women go through their middle years, the proportion of fat to body weight tends to increase, and those extra pounds often park around the midsection — especially at menopause. Surprisingly, you could be at risk for fat-related health problems even if you are not gaining weight.

As limb and hip fat decreases, most women gain inches in the waist. And too much fat concentrated in the midsection is unhealthy, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. We’re not talking about just the subcutaneous stuff you can grab with your fingers. It’s the fat you can’t see — visceral fat — that’s really a cause for

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concern. This type of fat hides deep within the abdomen, surrounding your organs, and has been linked to many health problems.

Since visceral fat is buried in your abdomen, it may seem like a difficult target for spot reduction.

However, visceral fat responds well to a regular, moderately intensive exercise routine and a healthy diet. Researchers have found that the more exercise you do, the more of this type of dangerous fat you will lose. Building muscle through weightlifting or other resistance exercises will help, too. Muscle development burns calories and helps you maintain your metabolic rate. The more muscle you have, the more likely you will be to burn fat.

Targeted tummy exercises can also help firm the abdominal muscles and flatten the belly.

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Ab Busters

While you can’t “spot-burn” belly fat, you can firm up your abdominal muscles and get a flatter belly. Traditional sit-ups aren’t the most effective way to firm your tummy, however. Instead, use these exercises to target both deeper and lower abdominal muscles:

Exercise Ball Crunch Lie face up with the ball resting under your mid to lower back. Cross your arms over your chest or place them behind your head. Contract your abs to lift your torso off the ball, pulling the bottom of your ribcage down toward your hips.As you curl up, keep the ball stable (i.e., you shouldn’t roll). Lower yourself back down, getting a stretch in the abs. Work up to 12 to 16 repetitions.

Bicycle Crunch Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. Bend your elbows and put your hands beside your head. Bring your knees up to a 45-degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle pedal motion.

Touch your left elbow to your right knee; then your right elbow to your left knee.

Repeat three times and work up to 10 to 20 repetitions. Don’t forget to breathe.

Vertical Leg Crunch Lie face up on the floor and extend legs straight up, with knees crossed. Contract the abs to lift the shoulder blades off the floor, as though crunching your chest toward your feet. Keep legs in a fixed position and imagine bringing your belly button toward your spine at the top of the movement; then lower. Work up to 12 to 16 repetitions. > H O L I D A Y

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HealthFlash

Forget That Birthday Using Hormones To Predict Age

R

esearchers in the Netherlands believe a hormone used to help assess the potential for pregnancy might prove to be an accurate predictor of a woman’s age at menopause. The new study revealed that anti-Mullerian hormone levels are related to the onset of menopause and are able to specify a woman’s reproductive age more accurately than is chronological age alone.

AMH is undetectable in girls until they reach puberty, and, after that, levels of the hormone appear to increase until around the age of 30. The levels of AMH in the blood reflect the number of fol-

licles present in a woman’s ovaries. This follicle stock enables reproduction by ensuring monthly ovulation. Low levels of AMH in the blood are indicative of poor ovarian reserves, and depletion of the stock leads to menopause, which normally occurs between 40 and 60 years of age.

Testing AMH may, one day, help women better understand their personal biological clocks — and their childbearing options.

Couples often postpone childbearing until after age 30, even though variation in menopausal age and corresponding variation in natural fertility means some women are sterile as early as their 30s. The study concludes that knowing when menopause may occur could greatly impact childbearing decisions. Such knowledge may now be available from studying AMH levels.

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The Sound Of Music Tuning Up Our Health

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usic can do wonders for our wellbeing. It has a potent impact on the mind, body, and spirit, and can be used to inspire healthful changes. The rhythms of music not only alter our brain waves and breathing patterns, but affect our heartbeats, as the heart tends to speed up and slow down to match the pace of the music.

We also feel the vibrations of the music and other sounds on our skin and in our bones. It is the impact of these vibrations on the body that subtly alters our moods and many of our body functions, including blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. In addition, the melodies and harmony from music can affect our emotions by helping us release pain and anger, or by boosting happy feelings.

Soothing What Ails You To Stimulate Your Mind Choose music that is moderately fast with high frequencies. The music will activate your brain and enhance mental alertness.

To Energize Your Body Play your favorite dance or swing tunes.

To Alleviate Anxiety Select music that is slow and has lower tones, which will slow down your breathing and heart rates to release physical tension and calm your mind.

To Boost Your Imagination Listen to upbeat instrumental music, which arouses the creative right side of the brain.

To Help You Concentrate Classical selections with a constant, easy beat and light melodies will pace you to read, focus, memorize, and study better.

To Reduce Muscle Tension Choose soft, flowing music, or tunes that incorporate sounds of the ocean and other calming, nature-based rhythms.

To Relieve Anger Try playing a piece that is driven, energetic, and intense, which will help you release your strong emotions. >

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HealthFlash

Gotcha Covered Women And Health Insurance Health insurance coverage is a critical factor in making healthcare accessible to women.Women with health insurance are more likely to obtain needed preventive, primary, and specialty care services.

Women utilize more healthcare than men,in part because of their need for reproductive services.

Females of all ages accounted for 60 percent of all expenses incurred at doctors’ offices in 2004. And while approximately 81 percent of women between 18 and 64 years old had health insurance in 2005, the remaining 19 percent — which translates into 17 million women — had no healthcare coverage.

Of women who were insured, 71 percent had private insurance, and about 15 percent relied on insurance from public programs, including Medicaid or Medicare. Private insurance was obtained mainly through employment-based plans,and 64 percent of all women had such coverage, either in their own names or as dependents.

Source: United States Department of Labor.

Onion Options Stop Crying And Start Slicing

O

nions are not only tasty; they are a healthy addition to any diet. Sauté them, roast them, caramelize them, stew them, or eat them raw. Any way you prepare onions, they will make flavors in food pop and boost your health in the process.

Nutritionally speaking, onions are a good source of dietary fiber and antioxidants. They are high in vitamin C and have no cholesterol or fat. They also contain health-enhancing compounds linked to lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

But as anyone who’s ever chopped an onion can attest, the stinging starts as soon as you begin slicing. Before you know it, tears are streaming down your face. So what is it about onions that makes us cry? And how can we enjoy our onions without suffering through the tears?

The reason onions hurt our eyes is simple: There are juices and chemicals inside the

onion’s tissues, and when your knife breaks the cells of those tissues, a certain compound becomes airborne as a fine mist. When the tiny droplets encounter a wet surface (your eyes or nose membranes) they dissolve into a form of sulfuric acid, which is understandably irritating to your sensitive organs.

To reduce tears, chill onions at least 30 minutes before cutting. Refrigeration will slow down the chemical reactions. Be sure to use a sharp, straight-edge knife, which will minimize damage to the cells of the onion. Finally, cut the onion’s root end last, as it generally has the highest concentration of tear-producing compounds.

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Using Your Teen’s Head Football Helmets Go High Tech

W

ith football season coming to a close, you might be interested to know that the playing field was recently made a little safer. New high-tech equipment to evaluate head injuries showed up on the football fields of some Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools this year.

The Department of Sports Medicine & Special Events at Carolinas Medical Center received a $70,000 grant from Kohl’s department stores to make concussionassessment software available to all 18 CMS high schools with sports programs. The grant also paid to install sensors in some players’ helmets. The sensors measure the forces of impact that can possibly lead to concussions.

The project is part of the Carolinas Concussion Network, a multidisciplinary team of brain-injury experts at Carolinas Medical Center and Carolinas Rehabilitation.

The sensors weigh less than 2 ounces and record information regarding a potentially damaging hit as soon as it happens. The information is recorded by a wireless system that analyzes the precise location and degree of head movement from the impact. The data is instantly sent to a sideline computer monitored by the team athletic trainer and physician.

The sensors, manufactured by Riddell Inc., received a “Best Inventions of 2007” award from Time magazine. The technology has been used to track players’ injuries in Division I college football and the NFL, but the Carolinas Medical Center project was to

be its first use by high school players in the Southeast.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this pilot project,” says Vicki Hamilton, director of CMS athletics. “This technology could help protect our football players from further injury after they receive hits on the field.”

Carolinas Medical Center physicians will also monitor players who need further evaluation.

Dr. David Price, associate director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, will assist players with concussions during the first few weeks of injury.

“More than one million high school athletes play football, and there is very little research being conducted on this population,” says Dr. Price. “This technology is beneficial because it will not only decrease concussion injuries, but it will help us manage head injuries in the future.” TCW

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A

re you in pain? The Medical Massage Therapy Center in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood can provide drug-free relief for the pain and discomfort of any type of soft tissue dysfunction resulting from accidents, carpal tunnel syndrome, or sports injuries. In addition, massage therapy has been shown to help with depression and anxiety.

Medical massage therapist Andrea Constand also specializes in oncology massage therapy. “There is a lot of secondary pain caused by cancer treatments,” she explains. “We can help alleviate pain for our clients while they are going through the treatments.”

Constand trained in Canada, where massage therapy is strictly regulated and readily accepted as a viable treatAndrea C onstand u ment option. This past April, she ses medic and sooth al massag e. e therapy opened the Dilworth clinic as part of to heal the Charlotte area’s growing movement toward integrated medicine, which uses nature, naturopathic medicine, and other ther- problems identified — thyroid issues, gastrointestinal troubles, high apies to relieve pain and restore health.

The Medical Massage Therapy Center also cholesterol, and a number of other conditions offers the only Electro Interstitial Scanner in the — along with suggestions for possible treatarea. Designed by European doctors and ments such as acupuncture, recommended widely used in Europe and Canada, the EIS is exercises, homeopathic remedies, as well as a on the cutting edge of diagnostic technology full nutritional printout, and more.

“This information helps our clients take and can generate an overall basic health procontrol of their health,” says Constand, who file in just three minutes.

To obtain an EIS scan, the therapist strate- designs an individualized treatment plan for gically tapes electrodes on the client’s body, each client to help resolve his or her particular placing the hands and feet on special pads. The area of concern, without relying on prescription EIS then sends out a small, painless, direct cur- drugs. “So many people tell me, ‘I really want rent, tracking its path through the fluid sur- to get off my medication,’ ” she says. “If you want to be proactive about your health, this is rounding individual cells.

The test produces a printout detailing any the way to go about it.” TCW

ToLearnMore The Medical Massage Therapy Center is located at 316 East Boulevard, Suite 203-A. Call 704/376-8831, or visit www.medicalmassagecharlotte.com for information.

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The Meeting Place A Calendar Of Professional And Social Meetings DAILY Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous, 12-step organization that helps people understand and handle food addiction, including obesity, under-eating and bulimia. For schedule, visit www.foodaddicts.org or call 704/348-1569.

MONDAYS Every Monday Family Court Help Group, information regarding family court issues. Call for locations. 6 p.m., 704/777-2315.

Lake Norman Toastmasters, Suite 206 above Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, 19900 W. Catawba, Cornelius, ext. 28, 6:30-8 p.m., guests welcome. Call Loria Cass, 704/560-8881; www.lakenormantoastmasters.com.

Nicotine Anonymous, 12-step group, 6400 Old Reid Rd., 6-7 p.m.

Hotline, 866/879-7168.

Overeaters Anonymous, 12-step program, no dues, fees or weigh-ins, 704/319-1625; www.oa.org.

Meditation And Buddhist Perspective, Myers Park Baptist Church, 1931 Selwyn Ave., 7-9 p.m., donations requested, 704/224-6356; www.meditationcharlotte.org.

Six-O Toastmasters, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 3200 Park Rd., 7 p.m., 704/451-8502; www.monday6o.org.

Women’s Cancer Group, Presbyterian Buddy Kemp Caring House, 242 Colonial Ave., 6:30-8 p.m., 704/384-5223.

First & Third Monday Of Each Month Independence Toastmasters Club, Dowd YMCA, 7th floor, 400 E. Morehead St., 7:07 a.m., charlottetoast.freetoasthost.org.

Second Monday Of Each Month Charlotte Webgrrls,locations vary, 6 p.m., members free; guests $5. Call Stephanie McKee, 704/907-2872; www.webgrrls.com/charlotte_nc.

Eastside Cultural Garden Advisory Council Meeting, 8-9:30 a.m. Call Chip Ferguson, 704/333-0480.

Executive Women International, 5:30 p.m. reception; 6 p.m. dinner, members only. Call Sara Evans, 704/731-4397.

F.M.S.? Get A Life! Fibromyalgia support group, St. Therese’s Church, Mooresville, 7 p.m., 704/948-7226.

Hornet’s Nest Rug Hookers, fiber artists hook wool rugs, Providence Presbyterian Church, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 704/849-9803.

International Association Of Administrative Professionals, Charlotte Chapter, Hilton Executive Park off Tyvola & I-77, 6 p.m. Call Leigh Ann Nafus, 704/243-4786.

Junior Woman’s Club Of Charlotte, Woman’s Club, 1001 E. Morehead St., 7 p.m., 704/567-6773.

Mint Hill Women’s Club. Call Dixie Helms, 704/545-3806 or vicepresident@minthillwc.com; www.minthillwc.com.

Third Monday Of Each Month Charlotte Mothers Of Multiples, Morningstar Lutheran Church, Matthews, 7:30 p.m., 704/341-9979; www.cmoms.net.

International House Book Club, International House, 7 p.m., 704/333-8099.

Last Monday Of Each Month Latin American Women’s Association, Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. 6:30 p.m., 704/552-1003.

Ovarian Cancer Support Group, Presbyterian Buddy Kemp Caring House, 242 Colonial Ave., 10-11:30 a.m., 704/384-5223.

TUESDAYS Every Tuesday BizNetwork.org, SouthPark, locations vary, 7:30 a.m. Call Kathryn Mosely, 704/676-5850 ext. 101.

BNI Great Expectations, PJ’s Place, 600 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., 7-8:30 a.m. Call Jay Gurian, 704/845-0580; jgurian@1800gotjunk.com Charlotte Concert Band, Dana Auditorium, Queens University, 7:30 p.m., 704/553-8062; www.charlotte-concertband.org.

Debtors Anonymous, St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Rd., 7:30-8:30 p.m. Call Harold, 704/362-0587.

Friends Of Youth, Queen City Optimist Club, Ramada Inn, 212 W. Woodlawn Rd., 12:30-1:30 p.m. Call David Willis, 704/3572981; dandlwillis@att.net.

Platinum Business Leaders, Networking, goal setting, coaching and support. Antonio Restaurant, Ballantyne, 12-1:30 p.m.

RSVP Anna, 704/780-1384.

Queen Charlotte Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International.

Divas wanted! Please join our guest rehearsals. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church gym, 3200 Park Rd., 7 p.m., 704/556-0690.

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Queen City Toastmasters Club, Cisco building, 1900 South Blvd., 6 p.m. dinner; 6:30 p.m. meeting, 704/366-3519.

Senior Scholars, Myers Park Baptist Church, 10 a.m., 704/3764201; www.seniorscholars.net.

First Tuesday Of Each Month Artists’ Forum, Mint Museum of Art, 7:30-9 p.m. Artists discuss their work and current issues in their field.

Charlotte Association Of Insurance Women, Myers Park Country Club, 2415 Roswell Ave., 5:30 p.m. dinner/speaker, $25. Call Dot Williams, 704/333-6694.

Daughters Of The British Empire, 7:30 p.m. Call Debbie Reicht, 704/540-8606.

Gamma Phi Beta, Charlotte area alumnae, locations vary, 6 p.m.

Contact Jill Schumann at jillyrd@aol.com.

Holistic Health Network, Presbyterian Hospital, Hawthorne Lane (Bobcat Room), 6:45 p.m. Meets Sept.-June. Open to all. Call Belle Radenbaugh, 704/542-7040, or visit www.ncholisticnetwork.com.

Lake Norman Women’s Connection, Atlanta Bread Company, Huntersville, breakfast and praying meeting, 10 a.m. Call Janet, 704/281-8496, or Lindy, 704/892-9060.

National Association Of Women Business Owners-Charlotte, locations vary, lunch or dinner & meeting. $30-$60. 704/3673454; www.nawbocharlotte.org.

Women In Electronics, Holiday Inn University Executive Park, 6 p.m. dinner; 7 p.m. meeting, $15; www.womeninelectronics.org.

First Tuesday Every Other Month Friends Of Feral Felines, Morrison Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd., 6:30 p.m., 704/348-1578; www.friendsofferalfelines.org.

Second Tuesday Every Other Month Women’s Initiative Network, Charlotte Chapter. Call Pat Baldridge, 704/541-0277; www.womensinet.com.

Second Tuesday Of Each Month American Association Of Medical Assistants, Charlotte Chapter, Pritchett Hall, Kings College, 6 p.m. Visitors welcome.

R.S.V.P. pjh2ncaama@aol.com; www.aama-ntl.org Balancing Hormones Naturally, 2548 Plantation Center Dr., Matthews, 6-7 p.m., 704/842-9320.

Business Innovation And Growth, $25 nonmembers, 704/3667598; www.bigcouncil.com.

Carolina Breast Friends, support group for women with breast cancer, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Room 109, 7 p.m.; www.carolinabreastfriends.org.

Charlotte Migraine Support Group, call 704/996-4079 or visit www.CharlotteMigraine.org.

Charlotte Woman’s Club, 1001 E. Morehead St., $10, 704/333-1980.

Clemson Women’s Alumni Council, Charlotte Metro Area Chapter, locations vary, drinks 6:30 p.m., dinner/activity 7 p.m. Call Anne Roberts, 704/236-0255, or AnneVRoberts@alumni.clemson.edu; www.clemsonclub.net.

CREW Charlotte Inc., The Westin Hotel, 11:30 a.m. networking, 11:45 a.m. luncheon/presentation, members with reservations $25, nonmembers with reservations $35. Contact agritzuk@bellsouth.net; www.crewcharlotte.org.

Crohn’s And Colitis Foundation Of America, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Rd., 7:30 p.m. Call Andy, 704/907-9374 or 704/717-3300.

International Association Of Administrative Professionals, Metrolina Chapter, CPCC West Campus, 3210 CPCC W. Campus Dr. Call Davandra Reed, 704/605-5817.

Masterstream Explorientation Seminar, Call Candy Gipe, 704/556-7413; www.masterstream.com/candace.

E-Sensual Woman, Helping women with sex, intimacy and relationship issues. Sensovi Institute, 2125 Southend Dr. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 704/377-2022.

Watercolor Artists Of Charlotte, Sardis Swim Club, 7400 Thermal Road, 10 a..m-1 p.m. $5. Join us to paint and exchange ideas. Call Sandy, 704/578-7077.

Second & Fourth Tuesdays Of Each Month Single Parents Group, Adams Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 5520 Nations Ford Rd., 6:30 p.m., child care provided, 704/527-6700.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2031, 7:30 p.m. Call Naomi Sigmon, 704/384-9662.

Third Tuesday Of Each Month Delhom Service League, affiliate of the Mint Museums, Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd., 10 a.m.; b.holland@mindspring.com.

Dirt Divas Mountain Biking Club, Fuel Pizza, 4267 Park Rd., 7:30 p.m.; www.dirtdivas.net.

Institute Of Management Accountants, Holiday Inn Woodlawn, CPE/dinner meetings, 1-5 p.m.; dinner 6 p.m., 704/7179165; www.ima-charlotte.org.

Lake Norman Women’s Connection, NorthStone Country Club, brunch, entertainment, workshops, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., $13. Call Lisa, 704/953-6693.

Legal Support Staff Of Charlotte, Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP, 741 Kenilworth Ave. Call Sharon Brower, 704/399-6168, after 5:30 p.m.

Mecklenburg Evening Republican Women’s Club, Captain Steve’s Seafood, 8517 Monroe Rd., dinner, 6 p.m., program, 7 p.m., free.

E-mail Iris, cltfolks@bellsouth.net, or visit www.meckgop.com.

National Association Of Women Business Owners North, Acropolis Café, 20659 Catawba Ave., 8-9:30 a.m., $6 members, $10 visitors. Call 704/987-3828, or email sales@advancedbatteries.net.

National Association Of Women Business Owners South, Earth Fare Community Room, N. Community House Rd., 89:30 a.m., $10 members, $15 visitors. Call 704/525-5539, or email info@bhs-cpa.com.

National Association Of Women In Construction, Hilton Executive Park, 5624 Westpark Dr., 5:30 p.m. network; 6 p.m. dinner/meeting, $22. Call Dee Keziah, 704/537-6044.

Newcomers Club Of North Meck/South Iredell, locations vary, lunch 11:30 a.m. Call 704/483-5360.

Fourth Tuesday Of Each Month American Business Women’s Association, Hornet’s Nest Chapter, Olive Garden, 4336 Independence Blvd. 6 p.m. dinner (order from menu). Call Johnnie Simpson, 704/545-4198.

Balancing Hormones Naturally, 2548 Plantation Center Dr., Matthews, 6-7 p.m., 704/842-9320. eWomenNetwork, Lake Norman, Peninsula Yacht Club, 18501 Harbor Light Blvd., informal networking 4 p.m., dinner/program 4:30-6:30 p.m., members $35, guests $45. Call Debbie Snider, 980/722-0997.

Friends Of Beverly, Pewter Rose, South Blvd., 6 p.m. To RSVP, email Beverly@friendsofbeverly.com.

Grace And Body Connection Of N.C. Inc., 5200 Park Rd., Suite 215, 6-7:30 p.m., 704/527-4440.

Pilot Club Of Charlotte, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. dinner/meeting. Call Jean Funderburk, 704/846-3526.

WEDNESDAYS Every Wednesday Business Networking International, Network Connections Chapter, 7:30 a.m. Trio Restaurant/Hwy. 51. Call Denice Harris, 704/293-0303, or denicelharris@yahoo.com.

Business Network International, SouthPark Producers Chapter, Zebra Restaurant, 4521 Sharon Rd. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Call Chris Bennett, 704/502-7947.

Bosom Buddies, Breast cancer support group. Presbyterian Buddy Kemp Caring House, 242 Colonial Ave., 10-11:30 a.m., 704/384-5223.

Lake Norman Executive Board, River Run Country Club, 6-7:30 p.m., visitors welcome. Call Pamela Holder, 704/996-7212.

Toastmasters, Sunrise Speakers Chapter, Conference Rooms C & D, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, 7 a.m. Call Wayne Caulder, 704/846-7846.

First Wednesday Of Each Month Carolina Sampler Guild, Historic Needlework Programs, Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave., 7 p.m.

Charlotte Quilters’ Guild, Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Rd., 7:15 p.m., quiltnews@yahoo.com; groups.msn.com/CharlotteQuiltersGuild.

Corps de Ballet, fundraising group supporting NC Dance Theatre, 622 E. 28th St., $35, 704/372-0101.

Doorways, International House, 10 a.m., 704/333-8099.

North Mecklenburg Woman’s Club, NorthStone Country Club, 10:30 a.m. Call Dawn Bradford, 704/875-1402.

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Young Republicans Club, South End Brewery, 7 p.m. Contact scottallocco@hotmail.com; www.meckyr.com.

First & Third Wednesdays Of Each Month Mothers & More, Lake Norman chapter. Call 800/699-2466, 704/668-4377; www.lknmothersandmore.com.

Second Wednesday Of Each Month American Business Women’s Association, Charlotte Charter Chapter, Crown Plaza Hotel-Charlotte, 201 S. McDowell St., Dinner, $23. Call Clarice, 609/351-0373; www.abwacharlottecharter.org.

Charlotte Women’s Connection 1, Raintree Country Club, 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., lunch/entertainment, $14. Call Janice, 704/8472669; charwomenconn1@aol.com.

Daughters Of The American Revolution, Piedmont Patriots chapter. Call Mary Joy, 704/334-6035.

Democratic Women Of Mecklenburg County, locations vary, 6:30 p.m. Call Joan Belk, 704/578-4227, or email jbelksbea@aol.com. eWomenNetwork, Byron’s South End, informal networking 11 a.m., lunch/program 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m., members $35, guests $45. Call Mel Miller, 704/650-5439.

Steele Creek Stroke Support Group, Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, S. Tryon St. Open to survivors, and anyone interested in learning about stroke. Call Susan at 704/504-1609.

Second & Fourth Wednesdays Of Each Month Legal Clinics, Mecklenburg Women’s Commission, free seminars: child support, divorce, 704/336-3210; 704/336-3414.

Third Wednesday Of Each Month American Needlepoint Guild, Queen Charlotte Chapter, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., 7:30 p.m. Call Sharon Kohler, 704/-535-8796; sharkohler@aol.com.

Association Of Fund-Raising Professionals, locations vary, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Does not meet July, Sept., Nov. or Dec.), 704/3318518; www.afp-charlotte.org.

Friends of Beverly, Borders Bookstore, Morrowcroft Shopping Center, 6 p.m. To RSVP, email Beverly@friendsofbeverly.com.

Holistic Moms Network, Community Room Earth Fare, 12235 North Community House Rd., 7-9 p.m. Call Cady at 704/5423993; www.holisticmoms.org.

Ladies Ancient Order Of Hibernians, 7:30 p.m., 704/554-0720.

Metropolitan Business & Professional Women, Bentley’s on 27, Charlotte Plaza Building, 201 S. College St., 27th floor; 11:30 a.m., members $21, guests $28, 866/851-9446; www.mbpw.org.

Fourth Wednesday Of Each Month Assistance League Of Charlotte, aiding at-risk children. Assistance League of Charlotte Center, 3600 S. Tryon St., 9:30 a.m. Call 704-5255228, alcharlotte@bellsouth.net; www.charlotte.assistanceleague.org Charlotte Council Of Garden Clubs, Betty Little House, 1820 E. Seventh St., 9:30 a.m. refreshments, 10 a.m. meeting. (No meetings June, July or Aug.), 704/537-1299.

Charlotte/Mecklenburg Republican Women’s Club, Maggiano’s SouthPark, 11:30 a.m., $21. See www.cmrwc.com for reservations or call Dana Both, 704/621-9191.

Embroiderers’ Guild Of America, Charlotte Chapter, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd. 7:30 p.m. Contact Liz Baumgart, 704/553-9155 or liz@bobsflag.com.

Guild Of Charlotte Artists, Sept.-May, Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd., 7 p.m., 704/337-2000; www.guildofcharlotteartists.org.

Public Relations Society Of America Charlotte Chapter, Design Center for the Carolinas, Suite 110, Byron Hall, 101 W. Worthington Ave. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $22 members, $29 guests, $15 students; www.prsacharlotte.org.

THURSDAYS Every Thursday Business Network International, Matthews Chapter, 7:30 a.m.

Call Kim Hellman, 704/651-6008.

CPA Club Of Charlotte, 8 a.m., 704/649-9526; www.cpa-cc.com.

Parenting Group For Families Affected By Domestic Violence, Hal Marshall Bldg., 700 N. Tryon St., 6-7:30 p.m., 704/336-3210.

First & Third Thursday Of Each Month Charlotte Networking Professionals, Ramada Inn Conference Center, 212 Woodlawn Rd., Pineville, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $15. Call Drew Waterbury, 704/523-6914; www.charlottenetworkingprofessionals.com SHARE: Supporting HSV/HPV awareness, resources and education, Sensovi Institute, 2125 Southend Drive, 6:30-8 p.m. Call 704/377-2022.

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First Thursday Of Each Month

Fourth Thursday Of Each Month

Coming Out, Lesbian and Gay Community Center, 1401 Central Ave., 7-8:30 p.m.; support group for those struggling to come out.

Call Dori Luke, 704/576-3635. eWomenNetwork.com, University-Cabarrus region, Speedway Club, dynamic networking for professional women, 11 a.m.1 p.m., speaker/lunch/program, members $35, guests $45. Call Lori Dvorak, 704/947-8476.

National Association Of African Americans In Human Resources, Charlotte Chamber, 6:30 p.m., no meeting Jan. or July. Call 704/307-2598; naaahr-charlotte.org.

New Friends Of Carolina, Women’s Group, New Members Welcome Coffee, 11 a.m. Call 866/213-9183.

Pineville Art Guild, The Hut, 413 Johnston Drive, open to all artists. Call Ruth Coffey, 704/553-0617.

United Daughters Of The Confederacy, General James H. Lane Chapter 1840. Call Gail Sifford, 704/366-4737.

United Daughters Of The Confederacy, Stonewall Jackson Chapter 220. Call Suellen Del`ahunty, 704/708-9866.

Credit Professionals International, Ole Smokehouse Restaurant, 1513 Montford Drive, 6:30 p.m., $15. Call Diane Radcliff, 704/841-9573.

International Coach Federation, Charlotte chapter, visitors welcome, Dowd YWCA, 400 E. Morehead St., 7th floor; 6:15-8 p.m., networking and meeting. Call Janet Caffray, 704/372-0154, or visit www.icfcharlotte.org.

New Friends Of Carolina, luncheon, 11 a.m., 866/213-9183.

Second Thursday Of Each Month

SATURDAYS

Altrusa International Of Charlotte, Myers Park Methodist Church, Queens & Providence Rds., 6:15 p.m. dinner and speaker. Call Christy Bryant, 704/321-2902 or 704/386-8893.

American Sewing Guild. 7-9 p.m.; www.asgcharlotte.com.

Charlotte Newcomers Club, 10:30 a.m., 704/543-8330.

Charlotte Sexual Health, educational meeting for sexual health professionals, Sensovi Institute, 2125 Southend Drive, 6:30-8 p.m. Call 704/377-2022.

Daughters Of The American Revolution, Mecklenburg Chapter, 10 a.m. Call Miriam Smith, 704/391-0504.

Daughters Of The American Revolution, Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Chapter, 10 a.m. Call Patricia Autry, 704/366-3487.

Professional Association Of Healthcare Office Managers, lunch $10, guests free. Call Sandy Glaspell, 704/795-7010.

University City Women’s Group, Oasis Shrine Temple, 10 a.m.

Call Jean Kern, 704/594-6884.

Second & Fourth Thursdays Of Each Month H.U.G.S., Healing and Understanding for Grief from Suicide, St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 704/541-9011.

Third Thursday Of Each Month American Business Women’s Association, University Chapter, networking 11:30-11:45 a.m. followed by lunch/meeting.

Reservations required. R.S.V.P. Jane Norman, 704/552-8492; www.abwauniversitychapter.org.

American Payroll Association, Charlotte Chapter, 12:30-2 p.m. Call Denise Bryant, 800/221-7573 ext. 6142; www.apacharlottenc.org.

Cabarrus Newcomers & Friends Club, Rocky River Golf Club, Concord, 10 a.m., optional lunch, 704/788-8082.

Carolinas’ Professional Saleswomen And Entrepreneurs, Marriott Executive Park, 5700 W. Park Drive, 11 a.m. networking, 11:30 a.m. meeting. $20 members, $25 guests, $30 walk-ins. Call Elsie Smoluk, 704/282-6297; www.cpsecharlotte.org.

Charlotte Area CFIDS And FM Support Group, Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Rd., 7-9 p.m. Call Nancy, 704/563-0657.

Charlotte Area Christian Women’s After 5 Club, Cedarwood Country Club, 4100 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call Jean, 704/365-4611.

Charlotte Artists Society, Queens Gallery, 1212 The Plaza, 7 p.m., guests welcome. Call Chuck Calhoun, 704/847-2111; www.charlotteartistssociety.org.

Charlotte Business And Professional Women, Hotel Charlotte, Sharon Amity Rd., 6 p.m. dinner/program, 704/517-2357 or 704/545-3717.

Charlotte Newcomers Club, locations vary, lunch, speaker, 11 a.m., 704/543-8330.

Metrolina Real Estate Investors Association, Hilton Executive Park, 5624 Westpark Drive, 6 p.m., 704/523-1570; www.metrolinareia.org.

Sisters Network, for black women with breast cancer, Presbyterian Buddy Kemp Caring House, 242 Colonial Ave., 6:30 p.m., 704/384-5223.

Smocking Arts Guild of America, Dogwood Chapter, Piedmont Natural Gas Building, Community Room, 7 p.m. Call Kelly Glankler, 803/831-1285.

Uptown Democratic Forum, Holiday Inn Uptown, noon, $14.

Call Pat Cotham, 704/731-6102; pcotham@cothamsearch.com.

Women In Architecture, Call Nora Black, 704/536-4988.

FRIDAYS Every Friday Debtors Anonymous, St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Rd., 7:30-8:30 p.m. Call Harold, 704/362-0587.

Charlotte Mommies, Dilworth Playhouse, 1427 South Blvd., Suite 103, 1st and 3rd Fridays, 10:30 a.m., 2nd and 4th Fridays, 3:30 p.m.; www.charlottemommies.com.

Fourth Friday Of Each Month MOMS Club of Indian Trail Area, 10:30 a.m. Contact Kim, 704/340-3281, or MOMSClubofIndianTrail@yahoo.com.

Every Saturday Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Rd., life figure-drawing, walk-ins welcome, 8-10:30 a.m., $10. Call 704/376-2787,or visit www.CharlotteArtLeague.org.

Second & Fourth Saturdays Of Each Month Saturday Morning Toastmasters, SouthPark Suites Hotel, 6300 Morrison Blvd., 8 a.m. Call Morris Lawing, 704/366-0846.

Third Saturday Of Each Month American Association Of University Women, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., 10 a.m., 704/596-3482. No summer meetings.

American Sewing Guild. 10 a.m.-noon; www.asgcharlotte.com.

Charlotte Business Strategy Group, an organization helping small business owners grow profitably. Call Sherese Duncan, 704/717-7645; smallbiz.meetup.com/413.

Piedmont Daylily Club, Carmel Presbyterian Church, 2048 Carmel Rd., 9 a.m. continental breakfast 9:30 a.m. meeting and program. All welcome. Free. No meetings Jul., Aug., Dec. Call Linda Gluck, 704/364-6541

Fourth Saturday Of Each Month Dining For Women, Charlotte Chapter. World Alliance for Families and Children, 4835 S. Tryon St. Contact Saba K. Washington, jesapro@hotmail.com.

The Girl Friends Inc., locations vary, noon, members only. Call Victoria Carter, 704/258-3420.

The National Association Of Negro Business And Professional Women’s Clubs Inc., Charlotte Club., Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 517 Baldwin Ave., 3 p.m., members only. Call Dr. Carlether Burwell, 704/455-7205, or visit www.nanbpwc.org.

SUNDAYS First Sunday Of Each Month A LOTT Of Sista Love, all women welcome. Location varies, visit www.alottofsistalove.org or email communication@alottofsistalove for information.

Second Sunday Of Each Month Christopher Columbus Italian Club of Charlotte, CharlotteMecklenburg Senior Center, Tyvola Rd. 4 p.m. Visit www.italian-club-charlotte.org for information.

Third Sunday Every Other Month Sisters In Business, locations vary. Call Elsa Kelly, 704/877-0110.

Third Sunday Of Each Month Black Political Caucus, Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2600 Beatties Ford Rd., 7 p.m.; www.bpccharlotte.com.

To list your organization in The Meeting Place, or if there is an error or update, please send information to: Today’s Charlotte Woman, 5200 Park Road, Suite 111, Charlotte, NC 28209; or e-mail editorTCW@bellsouth.net.

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Leonard Bearstein’s animatronic orchestra performs at Founders Hall, Dec 2-31.

Children And Families

subject to change. Free. Visit www.FoundersHall.com, or call 704/716-8649 for information.

Nov. 26-Jan. 9: WBT’s Holiday On Ice. Experience Charlotte’s only outdoor ice rink and create a holiday tradition with friends and family. 435 S. Tryon St. Admission, $7; skate rental, $3. For information, visit www.wbtholidayonice.com, or call 704/374-3720.

Nov. 27: Carolinas Thanksgiving Parade. A Charlotte-area tradition since 1974, the parade offers marching bands, decorated floats, and children’s entertainment, plus stations for donating nonperishable items to Second Harvest Food Bank. Note: This year’s parade features a 10 a.m. starting time. Call 704/525-0250, or visit www.carolinasthanksgivingparade.org.

Dec. 2-31: Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss Leonard Bearstein and his animatronic orchestra performing time-honored versions of Rudolph The RedNosed Reindeer, and Let It Snow, Let It Snow. Founders Hall. Mon.-Fri., 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 5, and 6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., hourly from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Performance times

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Dec. 5-21: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Watch as the Herdmans, the meanest kids in the history of the world, transform the annual church Christmas pageant.

McColl Family Theatre. Times vary. $18-24. Call 704/973-2828, or visit www.ctcharlotte.org.

Dec. 6-7: 54th Annual Singing Christmas Tree. More than 100 of the region’s best folk, bluegrass, and gospel musicians join Carolina Voices’ MainStage Choir for this production, which features a matinee for children 3-7 on Sat. at 11 a.m. Ovens Auditorium. Sat., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. $18-30. Call 704/374-1564, or visit www.carolinavoices.org.

Dec. 12-22: The Velveteen Rabbit. The Tarradiddle Players’ most popular performance explores what it means to be loved. Wachovia Playhouse. Times vary. $14-18.

Call 704/973-2828, or visit www.ctcharlotte.org.

Dec. 13: Christmas at St. Mary’s. Carolina Pro Musica’s annual holiday concert includes 18th-century music, readings, and carols. St. Mary’s Chapel,

1129 E. Third St., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Adults, $15; seniors/students, $7.50. Call 704/334-3468, or visit www.carolinapromusica.org.

Dance Dec. 5-7: The Nutcracker. Enjoy the Charlotte Youth Ballet’s 26th annual production. Halton Theater, CPCC. Times vary. Call 980/322-5522, or visit www.charlotteyouthballet.com for information.

Dec. 12-21: Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker. North Carolina Dance Theatre’s holiday classic is sure to resonate with audiences young and old. Belk Theater. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., 7 p.m. $20-64. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Galleries ARTS COUNCIL OF YORK COUNTY GALLERY, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill, S.C. Open Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.6 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; second and fourth weekends: Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Call

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803/328-2787, or visit www.yorkcountyarts.org.

Through Dec. 31: Christmasville Exhibition.

CENTER OF THE EARTH GALLERY, 3204 N. Davidson St. Open Mon. by appointment; Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.5 p.m.; Sat., noon-5 p.m. Call 704/375-5756, or visit www.centeroftheearth.com.

Through Dec. 27: Charles Walker. Solo exhibit offers a simplified perception of our complex world.

CHASEN GALLERIES, 2850 Selwyn Ave. Open Tue.Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 704/376-0066, or visit www.chasengalleries.com.

Through Nov. 30: All That Jazz. Experience the work of Gloria Coker.

Dec. 1-31: Holiday Showcase. Featuring recent work by Charlotte artist Libby Smart.

ELDER GALLERY, 1427 South Blvd., Suite 101. Open Tue.Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; also by appointment. Call 704/370-6337, or visit www.elderart.com.

Through Dec. 2: Fantasy or Reality. Showcasing the work of Aaron Morgan Brown.

FARVAN INTERNATIONAL GALLERY, 119 E. Seventh St., Suite 1A. Open Mon., by appointment; Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.5 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 704/375-1424, or visit www.farvan.com.

Through Dec. 31: Cindy Austin. Solo exhibit of watercolor and oil paintings.

THE GALLERY AT CARILLON, 227 W. Trade St. Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon8 p.m. Call 704/334-3799.

Through Jan. 16, 2009: Abstraction in Character. Exhibit showcases the work of Jill Allan, David JP Hooker, Paul Matheny, Doug McAbee, and Philip Morsberger.

GREEN RICE GALLERY/THE MILKWEED COLLECTION, AND THE BOULEVARD AT NODA, 451 E. 36th St. Open Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m. Call 704/344-0300, or visit www.green-rice.com.

Through Nov. 29: Natural Surroundings. Includes N.C. native Holt McLean’s original works; complemented by the artwork of Carla Garrison. >

Enjoy the city’s only outdoor ice skating rink, WBT’s Holiday On Ice, Nov. 26-Jan. 9.

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Calendar turing the work of Miranda Lake, an encaustic collage artist.

HODGES TAYLOR GALLERY, 401 N. Tryon St. Open Tue.Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; or by appointment.

Call 704/334-3799, or visit www.hodgestaylor.com.

Through Jan. 3: Frank Hobbs. Introducing recent landscape paintings by the artist.

JERALD MELBERG GALLERY, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road.

Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 704/365-3000, or visit www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Nov. 22-Jan. 24, 2009: 25 Years, 25 Artists. The gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary by exhibiting work from 25 artists most closely associated with the gallery, including Wolf Kahn, Romare Bearden, and Raul Diaz.

LARK & KEY GALLERY & BOUTIQUE, 453-B East 36th St. Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 12-4 p.m. Call 704/379-1826, or visit www.larkandkey.com.

Through Dec. 28: Wishful Thinking. This exhibit includes new works from Flora Bowley, Michelle Caplan, Duy Huynh, Lisa Kairos, Carl Linstrum, Kate Phillips, and Osiris Rain.

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Jerald Melberg Gallery is showcasing work by 25 artists Nov. 22 through Jan. 4, including Brian Rutenberg’s Riverside 2008.

Dec.5-28: Peepholes, Faces and Wings: The Art of Bill Nelson.

Experience Nelson’s award-winning illustrations, which have graced the covers of The New Yorker, Newsweek, and TV Guide. Opening reception Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m.

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HIDELL BROOKS GALLERY, 1910 South Blvd. Open Tue.Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 704/334-7302, or visit www.hidellbrooks.com.

Through Dec. 20: Postcards from a Sunken City. Fea-

THE LIGHT FACTORY, 345 N. College St., Suite 211. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m.

Call 704/333-9755, or visit www.lightfactory.org.

Through Jan. 4: Into the Mystic. This exhibition examines the way artists exploit and express light in photography; featuring the work of Connie Sullivan, Heather Freeman, Kit Kube, and Michael Wilson. Knight Gallery.

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Through Jan. 4: The Day of Small Things. The work of photographer Michael Wilson. Middleton McMillan Gallery.

artist infuses compositions with detailed depictions of color and light to reveal the power of nature.

Dec. 5-31: Holiday Group Show featuring Amy Dobbs. This annual show spotlights Dobbs, a realist painter skilled in landscape, still life, and portrait. Opening reception Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.

MARK’S GALLERY AND WORKSHOP, 2908 Crosby Road. Open by appointment, Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call 704/364-6004 or e-mail MarksGallery@att.net.

Dec. 5-31: Portraits From The Natural World. Featuring photos by Sev Q Losoya, Ted Gross and Mark Rabinovitz. Opening reception Dec. 5, 6 - 9 p.m.

Gardens

PROVIDENCE GALLERY, 601 Providence Road. Open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 704/333-4535 or visit www.providencegallery.net.

Through Nov. 29: New Works by Hilarie Lambert & Curt Butler. Experience the work of Charleston artist Hilarie Lambert, and the landscape art of newcomer Curt Butler.

Dec. 5-31: Hip To Be Square. Enjoy the gallery’s third annual holiday exhibit, featuring square paintings in a variety of media, sizes, and subject matter. Artist reception Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.

DANIEL STOWE BOTANICAL GARDEN, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults, $10; seniors, $9; ages 4-12, $5; members and children under 4, free. Call 704/825-4490, or visit www.dsbg.org.

Nov. 28-Dec. 30: Holiday Lights at the Garden. This bright holiday tradition returns to the garden, and this year will include a special emphasis on trains. (Closed Mondays.) 5-9 p.m. Members, $5; nonmembers, $10; seniors 60+, $9; children 4-12, $5.

REEDY CREEK NATURE CENTER, 2900 Rocky River Road. Nature center open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.; nature preserve open Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.sunset. Free. Call 704/336-7600.

Every Tuesday night: Yoga in the Preserve. Relax with yoga as you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Classes taught by a certified Kripalu instructor. 6:15-7:15 p.m.

All levels of experience welcome. $12 per class; buy five classes, get one free.

REDSKY GALLERY, 1244 East Blvd. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Call 704/552-5200, or visit www.redskygallery.com.

Through Dec. 31: The Nature of Being. Featuring work by N.C. ceramic artist Melisa Cadell, and encaustic painter Sarah Faulkner.

SHAIN GALLERY, 2823 Selwyn Ave. Open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; or by appointment. Call 704/334-7744, or visit www.shaingallery.com.

Through Nov. 30: New Works by William Jameson. The

Paintings by Amy Dobbs are spotlighted at Shain Gallery, Dec. 5-31.

UNCC BOTANICAL GARDENS, 9201 University City Blvd. Open daylight hours, Mon.-Sun. Free. Call 704/687-2870, or visit www.gardens.uncc.edu. >

G Y N E C O L O G Y • O B S T E T R I C S • W E L L H E A LT H

Chinyere Anyaogu MD, MPH Board Certified in OB-GYN and Internal Medicine

New Patients Welcome • Complete women’s healthcare • Preventative care • General obstetrics & gynecology • Minimally invasive gynecological surgery • 3-D/4D ultrasound with video • Infertility • Contraceptive management • HPV and cervical cancer screening WWW.THEWOMENSCARECENTERPC.COM

704-948-9554 10235 HICKORYWOOD HILL AVE, HUNTERSVILLE I-77, Exit 23 in the Rosedale Medical Pavillion, Huntersville

704-375-0592 508 EASTWAY DRIVE, SUITE A, CHARLOTTE, NC

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Calendar Dec. 13: Second Saturday Volunteer Program: Banding Trees In The Glen. Join this monthly volunteering group, and get hands-on experience about cankerworm prevention. All materials provided. For information or to RSVP, e-mail Sue Richards at sricha56@uncc.edu.

9:15-11:30 a.m. Free.

Through Jan. 4, 2009: A Day In Pompeii. Travel back to 79 A.D. and visit the lost city of Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius violently erupts. Reservations recommended.

Museums And Historic Sites AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER, 401 N. Myers St. Open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Adults, $5; under 12, $3; members, free. Call 704/374-1565, ext.

23, or visit www.aacc-charlotte.org.

Ongoing: Shotgun House. Originally located in former Third Ward and fully furnished with 1940s period furniture.

CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND HEZEKIAH ALEXANDER HOMESITE, 3500 Shamrock Drive. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m.

Adults, $6; seniors/students, $5; ages 6-12, $3.

Members, free. Sun., free. Call 704/568-1774, or visit www.charlottemuseum.org.

Nov. 22: Civil War Lantern Tour. 6-9 p.m. Take a walk back in time and re-live the Civil War by progressing through different camp settings on the grounds. Reservations required. Adults, $8; children, $6.

Through Jan.: Mecklenburg: Crossroads to Commerce.

Learn about the impact of the first gold rush on Charlotte and see artifacts of the town’s mining and minting heritage.

Hilarie Lambert’s Paris Rain is on display at Providence Gallery through Nov. 29.

Through Jan.: Charlotte Stories: Our Collections, Your Treasures. Highlights seldom-seen items from the museum’s permanent collection.

DISCOVERY PLACE, 301 N. Tryon St. Open Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu.-Sun., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Ages 14-59, $10; Ages 60+, 2-13, $8; under 2, free. IMAX Dome: ages 1459, $8; ages 60+, 2-13, $7. Call 704/372-6261, or visit www.discoveryplace.org.

HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, S.C. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Adults, $6; seniors, $5; students, $3; under 5 and members, free. Call 803/684-2327, or visit www.chmuseums.org.

Nov. 22: Wreath-Making Workshop. Instructor Peggy Enright helps attendees create a seasonal wreath using fresh greens.

Nov. 28: Thanksgiving Living History Day. Examine the role food played in people’s lives in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Dec. 6-7: Christmas Candlelight Tours. Aholiday tradition for more than 25 years, visitors are welcome to walk candlelit paths, and experience holiday theatrical presentations from yesteryear. 3-9 p.m. Adults, $12; seniors, $10; children 4-17, $6; 3-under, free.

Through Dec.: Heart and Soul: Portraits of Kessie by Kaye Cloniger. Paintings inspired by the spirit of historically documented Bratton plantation slave, Kessie.

HISTORIC LATTA PLANTATION, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m.

Adults, $6; seniors and students, $5; under 5, free. Call 704/875-2312, or visit www.lattaplantation.org.

Dec. 6: A Candlelight Christmas. Step back into the 1800s, and experience how the plantation’s members celebrated Christmas. Includes a candlelit evening stroll and traditional Christmas music. 6-9 p.m.

Adults, $6; seniors 62+ and students, $5; ages 5 and under, free.

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Through March 22: Women in American Ceramics.

Showcases 40 examples of ceramics from the Mint’s permanent collection that were made or decorated by American female artists and craftspeople in the first half of the 20th century.

Through May 2: The Art of Affluence: Haute Couture and Luxury Fashions, 1947-2007. Presents selections from the Museum’s holdings of haute couture, including creations by Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent.

HISTORIC ROSEDALE PLANTATION, 3427 N. Tryon St. Grounds and gardens open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 1-4 p.m. Tours available Thu.-Sun., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Adults, $5; students and seniors, $4; under 3, free.

Call 704/335-0325, or visit www.historicrosedale.org.

Nov. 29: Thanksgiving at Rosedale. Enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of a traditional Thanksgiving on a backcountry Carolina plantation.

LEVINE MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH, 200 E. Seventh St. Open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Adults, $6; children 6-18 and seniors, $5; under 6, free. Call 704/333-1887, or visit www.museumofthenewsouth.org.

Ongoing: Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South. This 8,000-squarefoot exhibit features Charlotte and its 13 surrounding counties as a case study to illustrate the profound changes in the South since the Civil War. MINT MUSEUM OF ART, 2730 Randolph Road. Open Tue., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Adults, $6; seniors and students, $5; ages 6-17, $3; members and children under 6, free. Free admission Tue., 5-10 p.m. Call 704/337-2000, or visit www.mintmuseum.org.

Through Nov.: American Scene: Selections from the Permanent Collection of American Art. Features works from American masters from the first half of the 20th century, such as Charles Burchfield, Bernice Abbott, Thomas Hart Benton, and Norman Rockwell.

Through Nov.: Scene in America: A Contemporary Look at the Black Male Image. Explores how artists address race and identity when using images of black males in their work.

MINT MUSEUM OF CRAFT + DESIGN, 220 N. Tryon St. Open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.

Adults, $6; seniors and students, $5; ages 6-17, $3; members and children under 6, free. Free admission Tue., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; every third Thu., 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Call 704/337-2000, or visit www.mintmuseum.org.

Through Nov. 30: Possibilities: Rising Stars of Contemporary Craft in North Carolina. Presents new work by six North Carolina craft artists working in a range of media.

Through Jan. 4, 2009: Ornament As Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection. Fully explores the impact of contemporary jewelry as a global art form.

Experience A Candlelight Christmas at Historic Latta Plantation on Dec. 6.

Through Dec. 14: Jaguar. Featuring the diversity of the jaguar in representations in clay, stone, precious metals, and fiber arts throughout the ancient Americas.

Through March 22, 2010: The Craven Family of North Carolina Potters. Pieces represent work from four generations of the Craven family, from 1850 to 1990.

MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY, 4621 Gallant Road, Rock Hill, S.C. Open Mon.-Sat.,10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m.

Adults, $5; seniors, $4; students, $3; children under 5 and members, free. Call 803/329-2121, or visit www.chmuseums.org.

Through Jan.: River Docs. Documentation project inspired by the Catawba River featuring photography, fabric installation, and interactive digital media. >

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Calendar SCHIELE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. Open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Adults, $4; seniors and students, $2; members, Gastonia residents and children under 3, free. James H. Lynn Planetarium: Adults, $3; students and seniors with museum admission, $2. Call 704/866-6900, or visit www.schielemuseum.org.

Nov. 22: Harvest Day. Celebrate the harvest in the style of 18th-century Carolinians.

Through Nov. 23: Gemstone Mining. Visit the gemstone mine, find mineral treasures, and take home what you find! $4 in addition to admission.

Music Nov. 22-23: Harvest Home: Beloved Songs of Home and Family. Carolina Voices’ annual show celebrates the gift of music through spirituals and folk songs. Sat., Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, at 7:30 p.m.; Sun., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, uptown, 4 p.m. Call 704/374-1564 or visit www.carolinavoices.org.

Nov. 23: Soweto Gospel Choir. The Grammy Awardwinning group brings earthy rhythms, rich harmonies, and joyous a cappella numbers to Charlotte.

Belk Theater. 7 p.m. $10-44. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Nov. 24-25: RAIN: A Tribute To The Beatles. This multimedia production features artists who look and sound like the real deal. Belk Theater. 7:30 p.m. $21-62. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Nov. 28-29: George Goes Gershwin. Charlotte’s favorite pops conductor, George Schram, brings audiences orchestral classics. Belk Theater. 8 p.m. $15-60. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

The Derek Trucks Band performs a blend of rock, blues, and jazz at McGlohon Theatre, Nov. 28-29.

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Nov. 28-29: The Derek Trucks Band. Experience a progressive blend of rock, blues, jazz, and world music.

McGlohon Theatre. 8 p.m. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Nov. 29: Glory, Hallelujah! A VOX & Friends Christmas Celebration. David Tang leads Charlotte’s newest choral singing sensation in an elegant, eclectic mix of classical, jazz, and gospel music. Halton Theater. 8 p.m.

Call 704/330-6534 or visit http://tix.cpcc.edu/tickets for information.

Nov. 30: The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller.

Ring in the holiday season with Mannheim Steamroller’s unique “18th century classic rock” sound. Belk Theater. 7 p.m. $39.40-74.50. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 13: Sing Noel. Presented by Charlotte Chorale, and conducted by Joseph Judge. Halton Theater. 7:30 p.m. $15-18. Call 704/330-6534, or visit www.CarolinaTix.org.

Dec. 17: Messiah. With its stirring solos and choruses, this musical celebration has become a Christmas tradition; featuring the Oratorio Singers and the Charlotte Symphony. Belk Theater. 7:30 p.m. $17-52. Call 704/372-1000 or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 30: The Claire Lynch Band. Singer Claire Lynch was dubbed one of the sweetest voices on the music scene today by Dolly Parton. McGlohon Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Starting at $20. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Theater And Film

Dec. 2: First Tuesday Concert. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, and Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons. Noon concert will feature a live broadcast on WDAV 89.9 FM; includes host Fred Child from Performance Today. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. 12:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m. Free. Call 704/335-0009.

Through Nov. 23: Doubt, A Parable. A spellbinding study of faith and uncertainty explores the relationship between Father Flynn and a favored student. Duke Energy Theatre. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. $16-26.

Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 4: Boys of the Lough: A Celtic Christmas. Featuring the musical compilations of one of the first professional Celtic bands to hit the international scene. McGlohon Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. Call 704/372-1000 or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Through Nov. 29: Rabbit Hole. An examination of grief, exploring the lives of two parents struggling to deal with the sudden death of their son. The Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. $15-29. Call 704/342-2251, or visit www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org.

Dec. 5: Magic of Christmas. The Charlotte Symphony performs with caroling choirs, and special guests; conducted

by Alan Yamamoto. Belk Theater. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m., Sun., 2:30 p.m. $20-77. Call 704/372-1000 or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 2-14: Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold. In this hilarious holiday production, Sister takes on a mystery that has bothered historians for years — what happened to the Magi’s gold?

Booth Playhouse. Times vary. $20. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 5: Richie Havens. Enjoy Havens’ soulful singing style, which has inspired audiences from Woodstock to the Clinton Presidential Inauguration in 1993. McGlohon Theatre. 8 p.m. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org for information on ticket prices.

Dec. 7: Dan Tyminski. Enjoy one of the most popular and recognizable male vocalists on the bluegrass and country music scenes. McGlohon Theatre. 7 p.m. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org for information on ticket prices.

Dec.4-7: A Christmas Carol. An inventive retelling of the holiday Dickens classic. Theatre Charlotte. Times vary. $1020. Call 704/376-3777, or visit www.theatrecharlotte.org.

Dec. 6: Miss Coco Peru in Ugly Coco. Everyone’s favorite diva/comedian is back with a new show. McGlohon Theatre. 8 p.m. $34. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 15-18: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

Experience this beloved holiday

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Special Events And Fundraisers Nov. 21: SouthPark Annual Tree Lighting Celebration.

Experience the 2008 lighting of the tree, including an appearance by Santa. Symphony Park. 5-8 p.m. $10, with $7 of each ticket going to the charity selling the ticket; the remaining $3 goes to Simon Youth Foundation.

Nov. 21-23: Carolina Living Green Expo. Enjoy a family-oriented weekend full of tips for living sustainable lifestyles. Cabarrus Arena & Events Center.

Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission and parking are free; seminars include a small fee for participation, and pre-registration is encouraged at www.carolinalivinggreenexpo.com.

Nov. 24-Jan. 3: The Capital Grilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $1,000 Luxury Martini Sale. One hundred percent of profits benefit Share Our Strength, whose mission is fighting to end childhood hunger in America. The Capital Grille, 201 N. Tryon St. Call Constance DeCherney 212/871-3020, ext. 106, for information.

The Grammy-Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir comes to Belk Theater on Nov. 23. classic in a new and intimate way. Duke Energy Theatre. 8 p.m. $15-25. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Dec. 19-28: A Tuna Christmas. The Tuna Texans cope with a disaster-prone production of A Christmas Carol, with two actors playing all 30 characters. An NCCAST production. McGlohon Theatre. Times vary. $20-22. Call 704/372-1000, or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Nov. 25: Red Hot Turkey Bash. This social event benefits the Greater Carolinas chapter of the American Red Cross. Wachovia Atrium, 301 S. Tryon St., 6-11 p.m.

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Calendar Nov. 28-Dec. 24: Noah’s Team of Charlotte Giftwrapping.

Help raise funds and awareness for Canine Assistants, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs.

Joseph Beth Booksellers. Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 15-24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Call Holly, 704/451-7210.

Nov. 30, Dec. 7: Pet Photos with Santa. Santa will be available to take pictures with your furry friends.

SouthPark. 6:30-8:30 p.m. For information, visit www.southpark.com.

Dec. 2: Jazzy Holiday Luncheon. Help the Afro-American Cultural Center continue to present, preserve, and promote African-American art, culture, and history by attending this luncheon. The Westin Charlotte. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Individuals, $75; table of 10, $1,250. Call 704/374-1565, or visit www.aacc-charlotte.org.

owned businesses and vendors. Adults, $10; children 512, $5; children 4 and under, free. Advance adult tickets are $8 at www.ez-tixx.com, or call 877/993-8499.

Dec. 4-6: Small Works Exhibit and Sale. Sponsored by the Lake Norman Art League, artists of all media will be featured in this sale, which is part of Christmas In Davidson. South End Arts District, 442 S. Main St., Davidson. 6-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.lknart.org, or call 704/620-4450.

Dec. 5-7: The Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour.

Showcasing the grand Victorians and luxury condominiums for which Fourth Ward is famous — all dressed in holiday finery. Fri. and Sat., 5-9 p.m.; Sun., noon–4 p.m. $20 (good all three days). Tickets may be purchased after Nov. 20 at Reid’s Fine Foods, Park Road Books, Dean and Deluca, FastFrame, The Bookmark at Founders Hall, Mecklenburg-area Brixx Pizzas, or online at www.fofw.com.

Dec. 2-3: Levine Senior Center’s Christmas at the Beach. Enjoy a Christmas adventure to Myrtle Beach, including motor-coach transportation, outlet shopping, shows at Alabama Theatre and Palace Theatre, and three meals. $202, individual; $186, per person for two; $177, per person for three. Call 704/847-3426 for reservations.

Dec. 5-7: The Lint Lady Annual Arts and Crafts Open House. Featuring sculpture, jewelry, paintings, fabric arts, and photography from eight artists. Fri., 5-9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 1-8 p.m. 6530 Buggy Whip Lane, Waxhaw. Call 704/243-2797 for information.

Dec.4-6: The Charlotte Black Expo 2008. Experience the second annual Charlotte Black Expo 2008, which this year centers around a theme of technology, film, and entertainment. Event features more than 100 African-American-

Dec. 6: The Heart Show. Artwork and craft items will be on sale during the Plaza-Midwood KRAWL; proceeds benefit hurricane victims in Bayonnais, Haiti, as well as Alto Cayma, in the mountains of Peru. Hair

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Klaudt Salon and Gallery, 1318-8A Central Ave. 7 to 11 p.m. Free. Call 704/333-8785 for information.

Dec. 13: Simon Kidgits Club Breakfast With Santa. Enjoy holiday crafts, breakfast, and visits with Santa.

SouthPark Food Court. 8-10 a.m. Free for Simon Kidgits Club members; $5 for nonmembers.

Dec. 14: Artist’s Bazaar. The Levine Jewish Community Center’s Starving Artists and the Charlotte Jewish Dayschool’s Judaica Bazaar combine to offer a new collaboration of artwork and handmade jewelry by local artists; also available are holiday goodies, lunch, and a gift-wrapping table. The LJCC, 5007 Providence Road. noon-4 p.m. For information, contact Aree Pearlman at aree.pearlman@charlottejcc.org, or call 704/944-6792.

Dec. 21: Chanukah Menorah At SouthPark. Lubavitch of North Carolina is hosting this event, which includes a parade, refreshments, and the lighting of a Grand Menorah. SouthPark, Circle Court. 5:30 p.m., with Menorah lighting at 6 p.m. Free.

Dec. 25: Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Christmas Day Celebration. A hot meal and holiday cheer on Christmas day for those in need. Charlotte Rescue Mission, 907 W. First St. Hot breakfast served from 6-7:30 a.m.; a continental breakfast served 8-11 a.m.; and lunch served 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For information, visit www.charlotterescuemission.org. TCW

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