Smarty Mom: Jessica Potts

By Katie M

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to my next door neighbor who has not only become a great neighbor friend and early morning running buddy, but her oldest son also happens to be my son's BFF (and someone he's constantly professing his love to). Smarties, meet Jessica Potts.

Jessica and her husband Steve have two precious little boys: Camden (3 1/2) and Collin (2). Jessica has lived in the Triad for the better part of 26 years after moving here from Wisconsin with her mom and twin sister. I've been dying to profile Jessica because not only do I think she is super smarty, but also because I'm in constant awe of her schedule. Jessica works two 12-hour shifts each week as a respiratory therapist in the Neonatal ICU at Forsyth Medical Center. She reports to work at 6:30 pm and completes her shift at 7 am. There have been many a mornings where I'm pouring my first cup of joe when I see Jessica just arriving home. Working the middle-of-the-night is tough enough; I can't imagine doing it with two small children at home. Yet, Jessica makes it look easy and effortless - and it's all because she'd rather not sacrifice "awake" time away from her family.

Intrigued? I'm sure! Let's chat more with Jessica...

Besides Jessica's "full-time job" as a mom to Camden and Collin and her "part-time job" at Forsyth Medical Center, Jessica likes to spend time with her family and run races when she can (as well as devour any vampire book she can find!). Jessica also just graduated last December from Eastern Carolina University's online program with a bachelor's in business administration - a nine-year work-in-progress as a result of having children and moving. Congrats, Jess!

You definitely stay busy! How do you manage the days after a long night working at Forsyth Medical Center, and what advice do you offer other moms in your position?
I have been working nights for 16 years (my whole career) and worked full time until Collin was born. There are days when I really, really don’t want to go to work just because I know the sleep deprivation that will follow the next day. Unless you have worked nights I don’t know you can understand how hard it can be when you get home and all you want to do is go to bed, but can’t. I am lucky that my sister, my mom and my mother-in-law live close by, so there are days when I can take a nap after work. In terms of how you manage working those hours, I don’t know that you really do. You just do what you have to do for your family. Working nights is a great option for our family because we avoid daycare. I hate the thought of someone raising my kids while I was at work. There are moms out there who have no other choice and I really sympathize with them.

I am also a very regimented person so I think that helps on the nights I work. We have the same routine every day. So for the most part I know what’s going to happen at a particular time and that helps me balance the time I need in order to get ready for work. For me working part time and the night shift is a creative way to more efficiently balance work and home life.

As for advice for others in my position...if someone’s offering to watch your kids so you can sleep (even if it’s only for an hour) accept it!

What's the most challenging aspect of managing your work and home life?
My only challenge is trying to find enough time in the day! On the nights I work it can be challenging to find time to rest before I stay up all night, a concept my kids just can’t seem to understand. But I am fortunate that I have family close by that can help on those days I stay up.

Tell us more about your position. Is it hard (as a mom) to work in a neonatal intensive care unit?
As a RRT in the NICU we manage the ventilators, attend high risk deliveries (my favorite part of my job), draw blood, administer respiratory medications and do whatever the nurses tell us to do. Only kidding! We actually have a great relationship with the nurses, nurse practioners and physicians. Working in an intensive care environment requires a great amount of team work and respect for one another. Since I’ve become a mom my outlook in the NICU has changed tremendously. I cannot fathom how hard it must be not to be able to hold, kiss, nurse or even change your baby’s diaper. Moms of premature babies have a lot of strength that I will never understand. I am so grateful that my children were born healthy. I think a lot of people take for granted how fortunate they are to have had healthy babies. The hardest part about working the NICU is watching a parent grieve for their dying child. It’s hard watching a baby die, but watching a mom try to accept it is absolutely gut wrenching. You try not to let yourself get too emotional but when you start thinking about your kids and how those parents will never hear their child say mama or dada, roll over or reach any of those significant milestones can be too overwhelming.

What's it like to be a twin, and to have her live close by?
We are fraternal twins, but when you hear us talk or pay attention to our mannerisms, you would think we were identical. (That is true - I am guilty of mistaking your twin for you when we first met!) My sister’s name is Jennifer and she’s one of the greatest people I know. I don’t know if having a twin is any different from having a regular brother or sister since it was just us two, but it’s fantastic. Growing up it was the best. I always had a playmate and friend, and we could borrow each others clothes. For the most part we have always been close. Well except for those teenage years, but I think you pretty much hate everyone then. If you ever see her though, ask her about the time she took all my sweaters out of my dresser and stomped on them. I love having her live close by. We are able to help each other out a lot since she works nights as well. We used to run a lot together but having kids has sidelined that for now. I can’t imagine my life without her.

You’ve lived in the Triad just about your whole life. Tell us about some of the biggest changes in the Triad you’ve witnessed - good or bad.
Winston has changed so much! I remember when there was no Hanes Mall Blvd and Stratford Road/Hwy 158 was two lanes. The shopping is much better now! Love having all the different options to shop, not just the mall. The revitalization of downtown Winston is awesome. Growing up you never went downtown, bad things happened down there. I can’t really say anything bad has happened over time. Traffic around Christmas is the pits but you just learn to avoid Hanes Mall Blvd after Thanksgiving.

Ok, now on to the lighter topics...

Favorite place to get a good deal on kids clothes?
Ross and Children’s Place

Favorite place to splurge on kids clothes?
Gap

What is your favorite family activity?
Right now it’s going to the pool. The boys love the water and are becoming pretty good swimmers.

Favorite “mommy-time” activity?
Reading trashy vampire books and perusing Perez Hilton.

Best place to eat lunch and/or dinner with the kids?
We don’t usually go out to eat as a family because Collin can only sit still for approximately 7.5 seconds. But Camden loves him some Clemmons Kitchen and McDonalds.

Favorite date place?
What’s that? Actually Steve and I have started going out one or twice a month. Now that the boys are older we have come to the realization that they aren’t going to be traumatized if we aren’t there every waking moment.

Favorite park in the Triad?
Tanglewood

Mini-van or SUV?
Neither, I drive a sedan. I really would love a van. I can’t believe I actually said that. I remember being a teenager thinking I would NEVER drive a mini-van. Jen has one and I love it!

Best mom secret YOUR mom has shared with you?
Wow, I don’t think she’s ever shared a great secret with me. But I’ve kept plenty from her!!!!

Best book you’ve ever read?
My favorite book is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. But right now I am all about some books about the Blackdagger Brotherhood. They are paranormal romance books by J.D. Ward. I am sure I sound like a dork, but once you read them you will understand why I think they rock! They are like the Twilight series but X-rated.

Smartiest way you stay organized?
For me it’s staying on a routine. It’s more for time-organization but it allows me to keep my house in order.

What is one thing about you people would be surprised to know?
I hate the way cotton balls and Kleenex feel in my mouth. I know this isn’t earth shattering news but it’s weird. Oh, and I also hate feet (except for the Camden and Collin's). I don’t like Steve to put his feet on me unless he is wearing socks.

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
The Triad is very family-oriented. There are tons parks near by, lots of different museums and different places to explore.

What’s your favorite thing about Triad Smarty Pants?
The calendar of upcoming family events in the area.

I could not live without my... DVR.

I wish someone had told me sooner about... Couponing. I have always clipped coupons but it has actually become an art form. Some people I work with have given me some really great tips. I know the public library has held some free classes about clipping coupons and I hear they are great. You can really save a ton of money if you are willing to invest the time.

Great answers, Jessica! As I type this up at 9:30 pm and then head to bed, I am thinking of you working late tonight! I am amazed at how you do it - you are certainly a smarty success story! See you outside with the kids!

Read more...

Smarty Party Idea: Adventure Landing

By Rachel H

Through the years, we have had a variety of birthday parties for my son and daughter. Some were held at home, while others were at specific venues. This year my son requested Adventure Landing, and I could not have been more pleased with his choice. Things at my house were unusually crazy around the date of my son's party, so it was a relief to have his celebration at a locale with no stress! Literally the ONLY thing I did to plan for the big day was order a cake and send out an Evite. The day was enjoyable and relaxing for all of us, which enabled us to focus on the real reason for the celebration ... my son!

Adventure Landing is located across from Hanes Mall at 1600 South Stratford Road in Winston-Salem. I am sure you have passed it many times and have seen the miniature golf course. This is only a small part of the birthday experience!

Upon arrival at Adventure Landing, your party host will great you and escort you to the private birthday room. We were able to keep any of our belongings here, as well as gifts and food. The room was fun and festive, and all of the paper products were provided for us.

As the guests arrived, each were given a cup of tokens and were able to play video games in the arcade room.

With 12 boys at our party, this was like a dream to them! They played games and collected tickets to cash in for prizes at the end of the party.

Once we were finished in the arcade, the boys gathered in the party room for pizza, popcorn and cake. Drinks, pizza and popcorn were all provided by Adventure Landing, which was another big perk! We also chose to open gifts at this time and took some pictures.

Next, we all moved out to the Bumper Boats.
This was my son's favorite part of the day. We spent about thirty minutes bumping, dodging, and squirting friends in the bumper boat pond, and it was a perfect way to cool off! Again the party host was with us and was extremely helpful to any of the children who needed assistance.

The boys then moved on to play miniature golf. The staff was very flexible and let us divide up as we best saw fit for our group. I was impressed with the seven-year-old boys making hole-in-ones!

When golf came to an end, parents started to arrive to pick up their children, so we gave out their "goodie bags" which were also provided by Adventure Landing. The boys turned in their arcade tickets for prizes and my son was presented with a souvenir mug for his birthday! The mug had an adorable group photo from his party.

Overall, I have to give our party experience a big thumbs up. I think this venue is perfect for a variety of ages, but it was especially fitting for this rambunctious group of seven and eight year old boys! There was no time for boredom here!

To book a party, call (336)768-4730. We are proud to have Adventure Landing as a sponsor on our birthday party directory, so please let them know you read about their exciting parties here on Triad Smarty Pants! You can also save $10 on your party by visiting the website here and printing the coupon.

Read more...

Developmental "Red Flags"

By Dr. Kurt Klinepeter, Brenner Children’s Hospital
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician

Many parents worry at some point whether their child is developing normally and when they should be concerned about sitting up, walking, talking and interacting with others. It is commonly stated that children, and particularly siblings, should not be compared to each other. However, because children’s developmental skills develop in an orderly and predictable manner, it is quite possible and appropriate to compare children to the skill set they should have at any age and to be aware of developmental “red flags”.

Gross or large motor skills are the primary developmental skills in the first 12-18 months of life. Even newborn infants should demonstrate some head control. The 5-6 month old is holding his or her head up, popping up on his or her arms in prone position, and starting to sit with support. By 8-10 months of age, infants should be sitting independently and developing mobility (scooting, crawling). They are usually pulling up by at least 12 months of age and walking with, and then without, support a few months afterwards. Muscle tightness, weakness, or any unusual movements are a developmental red flag. The rate of motor progress can vary, but the key is steady progress over time.

Infants develop reaching, grasping, and transferring skills by 8-10 months of age. Most are able to self feed by 12 months of age with further refinement of self-help skills thereafter. Most 2 years-olds help with dressing and bathing. The range of toilet training is 2 to 4 years of age. Toddlers know what to do with a crayon -- making a stroke by 2.5 years-old and a circle by 3 years-old. True handedness is not usually apparent until 3 years of age. Early handedness (right or left), particularly in the first year of life is a developmental red flag.

Babies are social and demonstrate responsiveness to others by 6-8 weeks of age. Their eyes track together by 3 months of age and they are able to localize to voice or environmental sounds by 8-10 months of age. Any failure to respond to visual stimuli by 3-6 months of age or auditory stimuli by 8-12 months of age is a developmental red flag.

Young babies produce vowel sounds and then babble (consonant-vowel sounds) beginning at 6-8 months of age. Failure to babble by 12 months of age is a concern. Single words occur at least by 12-18 months of age. Thereafter, speech/language development literally explodes. Typical two year-olds have a multiword vocabulary and are putting words together. No expressive language by 2 years of age is a developmental red flag. Even limited language should be noted by 2 years of age and closely tracked since speech/language delays are the most common developmental disorder in young children. Children should be talking in complete and lengthy sentences by 3 years of age and in paragraphs with the ability to relate a story by 4 years of age. Speech sound development is not complete until 6-7 years of age. This means that young children predictably mispronounce certain speech sounds. By 3 years of age, approximately 75% of speech production should be understood in a typically developing child. If you find that you are still “interpreting” for your child after that point, a speech/language evaluation may be needed.

Children will look at something that is pointed out to them by 15-18 months of age. Failure to seek, share, and be motivated by social interaction (wanting mom and dad’s attention) after 18 months of age is a developmental red flag.

The bottom line is that children grow and progress in a steady fashion within age appropriate ranges. Any loss of developmental skills at any age is a developmental red flag. Trust your instincts. As a parent you can best serve your child by fostering a good relationship with your child’s pediatrician or health care professional and discuss any questions or concerns that you have at your child’s well-check visits. Development is easily screened in the primary care office and, if necessary, you and the provider can discuss whether a referral for assessment is indicated. Developmental disorders occur frequently and it is well known that the key to the best possible outcome is to identify and treat as early as possible.

Brenner Children’s Hospital houses the only medical and developmental evaluation clinic in the region for developmental delays and disabilities. For more information, call 336-716-2255.

Read more...

You will LOVE this promotion from Evie Curley!

By Rachel H

Have you been contemplating a photo session for your child? NOW is a great time to schedule one with Evie Curley Photography. Evie is offering a Limited Edition Session discount to Triad Smarty Pants followers. Read more below for details ...

Did you see the adorable personalized lunch box above? Evie is offering a special mini-session to be held at her studio, which includes a disc with five-eight images, matching 5×7′s, AND this super cool, totally cute, and functional lunchbox with your favorite image from the session on it! Two images to be exact! This promotion will run through the ENTIRE month of August. If you are not quite ready to have the session now, you can still take advantage of the offer as long as you book it and pay for it by the end of August. Then you will just need to have your session by December 31, 2010.

This session is normally $250, but if you mention Triad Smarty Pants, Evie will give you this session for only $195!!!! Call 336-285-8341 or email evie@eviecurleyphotography.com in order to book at that $195 price. You can view some of Evie's gorgeous and unique work at www.eviecurleyphotography.com.

Read more...

August Family Events

By Katie M

Summer is going fast but there are a TON of great events happening this August. As always, be sure to check this event calendar often as we are continuously adding new events. So, if you have an event you want to share, email us at triadsmartypants@gmail.com and we'll get it posted.

Triad Smarty Pants and Prudential Carolinas Realty wish you and your family an August to remember!

Don't forget about these on-going deals this summer!

Kids Eat Free

Chick-fil-A Family Nights

Summer Reading Programs and Storytimes

Summer Kids Flicks

And for the rest of the month...

All Month Long:

"Tell Me a Story" Exhibit
Everyday thru August 31, 1 – 4pm
Doll and Miniature Museum of High Point, 101 W. Green Drive, High Point, NC
An exhibit featuring dolls that appear in children's literature. Runs through Aug. 31. Adults, $5; ages 6-15, $2.50; under 6, free. Tues.- Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m.

SciWorks’ Attic Exhibit
Runs thru August 28
SciWorks, 400 W. Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem, NC
The track is back as well as many of your old favorites. Come play in the traveling exhibit hall with your favorite SciWorks exhibits – putting holes, pitching cage and many more. Runs through Aug. 28, 2010. Adults, $10; ages 6-18, $8; ages 2-5, $6; under 2, free.

SciWorks Saturday Planetarium Shows for August
Saturdays in August, 11am – 4pm
SciWorks, 400 Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem
11:00 Mystery of the Missing Seasons
12:00 The Mars Show
2:00 Lords of the Night
3:00 Summer Sky Tour
4:00 Beatles Laser Demo

Sunday, August 1

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Family First Workshop: Solar Prints WorkshopSunday, August 1 at 2 pm
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Enjoy the summer sun at Reynolda House and harness its rays to make unique prints from objects in nature. Participants will have time to swim in the historic indoor swimming pool. These two-hour workshops are for elementary school-aged children accompanied by an adult. $7 per person, includes art supplies and refreshments. Reservations are required; call 758-5389 for more information and to register.

KidShare - A Children's Consigment Fair
Sunday, August 1, 2010, 12 – 4pm
Neil Bolton Home and Garden Building, LJVM Coliseum, 421 W. 27th St., Winston-Salem, Large consignment sale offering children's fall/winter clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, maternity clothing and other items. Free admission. Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m.

Blacksmithing Demonstration in the Historical Park
Sunday, August 1, 2010, 1 – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave, High Point, NC
Come watch our costumed blacksmith in action as he crafts various iron pieces. All ages welcome. FREE. Drop-in.

Monday, August 2

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Tuesday, August 3

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Preparing for Good Health in CollegeTuesday, August 3 at 6 pm
Best Health, Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem (Upper level, Between Belk and JCPenney,
Across from the Mall branch of the US Post Office)
College is an exciting time. With this new freedom comes the responsibility of taking care of your health. Unsure about which immunizations to get? Want to avoid freshman weight gain? Looking for tips on staying healthy in the dorm? College-aged students and their parents are invited to join Dr. John Turner of WFUBMC Peace Haven Family Medicine for important health information for the college years and beyond.

Wednesday, August 4

Wild Watermelon Day
Wednesday, August 4 between 11 am and 3 pm
Natural Science Center, GSO
Kick off the dog days of August with the Natural Science Center (NSC) and The Fresh Market at the first ever Wild Watermelon Day. Visitors will get to sample fresh watermelon provided by The Fresh Market, take part in watermelon-themed crafts, games and face-painting activities, and watch animals in Animal Discovery smash, eat and play with the tasty treat. It will be fun for everyone!

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Hot Pink Flamingos. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Thursday, August 5

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Alive After Five
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Possum Jenkins w/ Wyndy Trail Travelers

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium, Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 6

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 6
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Rear Window (1954)
Rated PG, 112 min.
Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Friday Night Live
Greensboro Center City Park
6-9pm
In conjunction with First Friday, Center City Park will feature the live music of Come Hell or High Water at 6pm, Citified at 7pm, and Filthybird at 8pm. There will also be craft vendors and activites for children.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 6, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 6, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

First Friday in Downtown Greensboro
Friday, August 6, 2010, 6 – 9pm
Downtown Greensboro, 122 N. Elm Street, Suite 609, GSO
First Friday is a free, self-guided tour of Downtown Greensboro’s shops, galleries and alternative arts venues that participate with specially programmed events and extended hours (until 9pm) on the first Friday of every month. The event is an opportunity to explore the center city’s local artistic community and encourages commerce and support of locally-owned, independent businesses located in Downtown. First Friday is promoted through a partnership between Downtown Greensboro Inc. and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. Check for future updates and a downloadable map/guide at the First Friday Web site, www.downtownfridays.com.

Dirty Fingernails Opening Reception (Center for Visual Artists)
Friday, August 6 from 6 – 9 pm
Greensboro Cultural Center, GSO
Dirty Fingernails is the largest children's art exhibition in the area and the only one of its kind representing over 300 young artists, ages 3 - 15. Please help us not only support these young artists, but also promote arts education in our youth by attending our Dirty Fingernails Opening Reception on First Friday, August 6, 2010 from 6pm - 9pm and/or our Dirty Fingernails Celebration on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 12pm - 2pm in the Greensboro Cultural Center. For more details, please see attached press release and postcard or visit our website at

Saturday, August 7

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 7, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Laundry & Ironing Demonstration in the Historical Park
Saturday, August 7, 2010, 10am – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave., High Point
Before washing machines, women devoted entire days to doing household laundry. Come watch our costumed interpreters in action and find out why it took so long. FREE. All ages welcome. Drop-in.

Dirty Fingernails Celebration (Center for Visual Artists)
Saturday, August from 12 pm to 2 pm
Greensboro Cultural Center, GSO
Dirty Fingernails is the largest children's art exhibition in the area and the only one of its kind representing over 300 young artists, ages 3 - 15. Please help us not only support these young artists, but also promote arts education in our youth by attending our Dirty Fingernails Celebration on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 12pm - 2pm in the Greensboro Cultural Center. For more details, please see attached press release and postcard or visit our website at www.cvadirtyfingernails.org

Sunday, August 8

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
2 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Baby! Baby! The Triad's Largest Charitable Baby Expo
Sunday, August 8 from 1 to 4 pm
Emerald Event Center, Greensboro, NC
Admission: FREE
Meet professionals and providers needed during baby's first years. Enter to win amazing baby gear! Gift bags for the first 100 moms. Presented by Triadmommies.com and Lake Jeanette Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry. Proceeds benefit The Mother Baby Foundation of Jamestown.

Monday, August 9

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 10

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Kirikou and The Sorceress
Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 11am – 12:30pm
a/perture cinema, 311 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem
In a little village somewhere in Africa, a boy named Kirikou is born. But he's not a normal boy, because he knows what he wants very well. Also he already can speak and walk. Not rated.

Wednesday, August 11


Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Silver Hill Mine. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Thursday, August 12

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Alive After Five
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Possum Jenkins w/ Wyndy Trail Travelers

Bethabara Concert Band & Family Evening
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 6 – 8:30pm
Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem NC
An evening of music under the open sky. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the wonderful music of the Bethabara Concert Band. Hay Wagon rides, 25-cent ice cream. Combo plays dance music following the Concert.

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library
3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 13

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

$2 Family Friday at SciWorks
Friday, August 13 from from 4-8 pm
SciWorks, Winston-Salem
Just $2 admission for everyone age 2 and up. Bring a picnic supper - enjoy a COOL evening out with your family - bring friends! All exhibit galleries will be open.

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 13
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Unrated, 106 min.
Starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, and Jessie Royce Landis
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 13, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 13, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Saturday, August 14

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Kick Off to Kindergarten
Saturday, August 14th, 3-5pm
Greensboro Children’s Museum
Kickoff to Kindergarten is a free event offered by the Greensboro Children’s Museum to help prepare children and their families for kindergarten. The Museum has partnered with Guilford County Schools to have Kindergarten teachers and school leaders available to answer last minute questions for the students and parents and to provide helpful information. Children will get to have fun exploring the museum’s exhibits, practice boarding a real school bus, sample tasty options for healthy snacks & lunches and.take home goody bags filled with school supplies.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Junior
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm and 7 pm
The Broach Theatre, 520 South Elm St, GSO
Presented by the Community Theatre of Greensboro's Youth Summer Theatre Camp. Admission: $6 General Admission, $10 Premium Seating. Tickets: Available at the door the day of the performance only.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 14, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Meridian Seafood Festival
Saturday, August 14, 2010, 12 – 10pm
Meridian Restaurant, 411 S. Marshall Street, Winston Salem
Meridian Seafood Festival - Saturday August 14th from Noon til 10pm. $10 admission, $5 plates of NC Seafood, $5 Foothills Beer, Wine tasting tables, Live Music all day, giveaways, raffles, Kids area.

Sunday, August 15

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

“Summer Romantics” by the Carolina Summer Music Festival
Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m.
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Members/students $8, non-members $15
After two highly successful seasons, the Carolina Summer Music Festival returns for its third series of engaging concerts in Winston-Salem this August, with exciting programming and artists of national renown. This concert features works by Berlioz, Schubert, and William Schuman performed by Peter Kairoff (piano), Elizabeth Ransom (flute), Joe Mount (horn), and Glenn Siebert (tenor).

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Junior
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm and 7 pm
The Broach Theatre, 520 South Elm St, GSO
Presented by the Community Theatre of Greensboro's Youth Summer Theatre Camp. Admission: $6 General Admission, $10 Premium Seating. Tickets: Available at the door the day of the performance only.

Monday, August 16

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Tuesday, August 17

Crazy Running
August 17 – October 7; Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Hanes Park Track, Winston-Salem
For Junior Crazy Runners (ages 5 – 7) and Crazy Runners (ages 8 – 14)
Cost is $125. Crazy Running Cross Country will be running the trails and hills of Hanes Park, leap mud puddles, and jump hay bales! Crazy Runners will test themselves in time trials on a cross country course. All runners are challenged and supervised by experienced, qualified coaches. To register or get more information, visit its web site.

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

22nd Annual Hospice Taste of the Town
Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 5:30 – 8:30pm
Showplace, 211 E. Commerce Ave., High Point
Hospice of the Piedmont’s Taste of the Town fundraiser will feature more than 50 area restaurants, caterers, and beverage vendors sampling their best, as well as a large silent auction, live music and a children’s area.
Entry tickets are $5 each (children 6 and under enter free) and food tickets are $1 each.

Wednesday, August 18

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Andrea Reese. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Thursday, August 19

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 19, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 20

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 20
Vertigo (1958)
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Rated PG, 128 min.
Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Sunrise Yoga Back to School Hoop Blast!
Friday, August 20th, 1-2pm
Sunrise Yoga, 6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court, Clemmons
Being an active role model has never been more fun! Join Sunrise Yoga for a special event open to adults and children ages 5 and up. Monica Casey of Monkey Hooper will lead us in fun family time with hula hooping, hoop tricks and games!
Cost: $15 for parent and child. $2 for each additional child. Please preregister by Aug 19th if possible as space is limited. 778-1233

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 20, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 20, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Center City Cinema
Third Fridays at 8pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Tonight is the family friendly movie, Charlotte's Web, and the non-profit we will be highlighting is the Greensboro Public Library. Bring a blanket and a picnic! Popcorn and candy are available to purchase.

Saturday, August 21

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

10th Annual Hartley Family YMCA Beach Party
Saturday, August 21 from 7:30 pm to Midnight
Location: High Point Country Club
Featuring the Part Time Party Time Band. Tickets are $30 per person and includes a 10th Anniversary commemorative T-shirt.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Early American Spelling Bee
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 10am – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave., High Point
What is an apothecary, and more importantly, how do you spell it? Enter an early American spelling bee and see how many words you can spell. FREE. All ages welcome. Drop-in.

Sunday, August 22

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Concert in the Park
Sunday, August 22, 2010, 4 – 6pm
Harmon Park, Kernersville, NC
Sunday afternoon Concert in the Park - Join us in Harmon Park for an afternoon with the David Niblock Band and other Christian artists. Other highlights include inflatables, face-painting, school supply giveaway and fun in the park. Bring your lawn chairs. Sponsored by the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce.

Ramblin' Rose Winston Salem
Sunday, August 22, 2010, 8am – 2pm
YWCA Gateway, 1300 S. Main St, Winston-Salem
Ramblin’ Rose Women-Only Triathlon is designed to inspire, support, propel and empower women of all ages and athletic abilities.Participants will swim 250 yards in the pool, bike 9 miles and then run two miles to the finish line.

Monday, August 23

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 24

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
12:30 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Wednesday, August 25

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will be by The NutBush Ramblers. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Thursday, August 26

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 26, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 27


Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 27
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
North by Northwest (1959)
Unrated, 131 min.
Starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landau
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Bring Dad to Play Day*-Fourth Friday night of each month
Friday, August 27, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
Calling all daddies, grandpas, uncles, and friends…visit GCM for activities picked especially for dads & kids! $3 admission.

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 27, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Reynolda After Hours Does Madison Avenue
Friday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Members/students $3, non-members $5
Calling all Don Drapers and Peggy Olsons! Before watching Cary Grant’s Windsor knot retain its perfect shape through multiple chase scenes in North by Northwest, come learn to mix a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned; create your own Mad Men avatar; tap your pumps (or wingtips) to tunes by Otis Redding; and discover what your parents found so appealing in shrimp cocktail and deviled eggs. Costumes strongly encouraged.

Saturday, August 28

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Night at the Ballpark
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem
Saturday August 28th, 2010 7:00pm
Gates open at 6:00pm
$9 Ticket with proceeds going to the
Children’s Museum, FREE Souvenir Team Hat, FREE Team Program, FREE Kids Zone Pass with your membership card (Valid game day only), FREE Chick-fil-A Value Meal Voucher (Chick-fil-A Not Redeemable at Ballpark)
Click link above to order online. Use promo code: Museum.

Great North Carolina Beer Festival
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 1 – 8pm
Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
The Great North Carolina Beer Festival at beautiful Tanglewood Park brings together microbrew/craft beer breweries from all across the state, region, and nation. There will be thousands of attendees gathered to celebrate the magnificent multitude of beers offered by the finest brewers in the land. Live music and entertainment will be presented on the Tanglewood Band Shell stage during the festival.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Sunday, August 29


Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Winston-Salem Dash
2 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Big Bang Boom Concert
Sunday, August 29 at 3 pm
Temple Emanuel, 1129 Jefferson Rd, GSO
Tickets are $6. Ben & Jerry’s will be served too!

Birthday Party
Sunday, August 29, 2010, 10am – 4pm
Doll and Miniature Museum of High Point, 101 West Green Drive, High Point
The party will be held at the Museum on Saturday, August 29th. Each paid admission will receive a piece of decorated Birthday Cake and a cup of pink lemonade.

Monday, August 30

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 31

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Read more...

Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Winston-Salem!

By Katie M

You can live 15 minutes away, 45 minutes away, or within walking distance to downtown and there is always something in Winston-Salem worth visiting time and time again. I've only lived in this beautiful city for less than six years and my family and I are constantly discovering new things to do or to see. I love having friends and family come visit so we can show-off our city. The influence of history, culture and arts, along with its appeal to families with children of any age, makes Winston-Salem a fantastic place for a day trip.


Without a doubt, my favorite stop in Winston-Salem is Old Salem Museums and Gardens. Not many cities can boast a living historical center (plus gardens and museums) just steps from the skyscrapers in downtown. No matter when you go you can be assured you'll see something interesting. Whether you stroll the shops (and sample treats from Winkler Bakery - yum!), or just pitch a picnic in the center courtyard, you might discover a horse and buggy drive by, or witness workers sowing fields in turn-of-the-century garb, or happen upon one of the many historical events it sponsors year-round.

You can literally start your day trip tour at Old Salem, and then walk up either historical Main Street or beautiful Old Salem Road to the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem. This museum is a must-stop for all young families in the Triad. In addition to its many weekly events, the Children's Museum also hosts traveling exhibits which make your visits new and exciting each time.


You can continue a walk to downtown (although with kids I highly recommend driving from here on out for the rest of your visit). Just within the past few months to a year, a bunch of new restaurants and shops have opened along Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem (the main drag). Stop by Mellow Mushroom, Wolfies for frozen custard, Skippy's Hot Dogs, or walk a little south on Marshall Street to check out a fun ampitheatre area (site of many downtown music events) that has a fun pond area for kids. Or go north to where Sixth and Trade Streets meet and stroll Winston-Salem's arts district - complete with art museums, restaurants and quirky shops.

Go west on Fourth, cross Broad Street, and grab a seat outside at the Old Street Filling Station or across the street at West End Cafe (both are excellent lunch and dinner restaurants and are great for the kids too). Next to both restaurants is Grace Court, a perfect park to stroll after you dine!




A little further out from downtown and the West End District is Reynolda House, Museum and Gardens. Not only is this an amazing house to tour (check web site to confirm days and times tours are offered), but the grounds surrounding it are just as impressive. Let your kids run free in the front lawn or fly a kite. Take a walk down the path to the lake and old lake house and look for frogs. Lose yourself (but not literally!) in the breathtaking gardens. Stroll the shops at Reynolda Village, dine at the original Village Tavern restaurant, and finish up with an ice cream cone at Mayberry's!


And this just covers the downtown area of Winston-Salem. There are so many other great attractions that are worthy of their own day trips. You might remember our blog on favorite parks in Winston-Salem. A whole day could be devoted to just Tanglewood Park (visit the public pool, climb the life-sized old-fashioned train, pet and feed the horses, etc), or Salem Lake (where you can feed ducks, walk the 7-mile loop around the lake or rent a canoe or boat).


Winston-Salem is also home to SciWorks, one of our area's largest hands-on science museums, and Dixie Classic Fair, the 50th largest fair in North America and the second largest in North Carolina that averages more than 325,000 visitors every fall!

And if you have the time and are seeking some real local flavor, there are a few "best kept secrets" of Winston-Salem you must check out. First, Rachel H says you must visit Sam the Dot Man's house and store on Northwest Blvd. Or take some time to stroll the historic town of Lewisville which is just west of Winston-Salem, where you'll find the Kaplan store - a fun place to shop for educational toys, games and learning tools. And if you have a young daughter, take her to Simply Sassy on Jonestown Road for an impromptu pamper after a long day of touring Winston-Salem!

I know I just skimmed the possibilities of Winston-Salem. Tell us what your favorite thing is, and what's a must-do for families day tripping to Winston-Salem!

Photo Credits:
Wake Forest University (Reynolda Gardens, Reynolda Village photos)
City Data.com (Salem Lake image)
Salem Academy (downtown Winston-Salem image)
Museums of the Triad.org (Children's Museum of Winston-Salem)
Ci.Winston-Salem.NC.US (Dixie Classic Fair picture)

Read more...

Set a World Record with Chick-fil-A!

By Katie M

We just got word that Guinness World Records Activities and Records will debut in Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meals. Look for record-breaking games and challenges in your kids' meals. Contest starts today, and tomorrow night is Family Night at all area Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Triad!

Chick-fil-A® is partnering with Guinness World Records® to challenge children across America to set their own records this summer. Beginning today through Aug. 28, the series of five activity-filled Guinness World Records® packs features “Do Try This at Home” challenges, intended to promote fun parent-child interaction and active playtime with friends.

“We hope reading about the Guinness World Records achievements and attempting some of the fun activities will inspire kids to strive to set their own records in life,” said Angela Savage, Senior Kids & Family Marketing Consultant for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “The warmer summer months are the perfect time to encourage children to be active and get outside to play with their parents and friends.”

The five Kid’s Meal items include:
- A collection of Guinness World Records cards containing world records set by animals. Each card includes a tangram on the back. Did you know the tallest living horse is Radar, measuring 6.5 feet tall without shoes?

- A Guinness World Records sports and games booklet, including world records broken by athletes around the world, as well as two score wheels to track “Do Try this at Home” challenges. Did you know the longest distance leapfrog was performed by 14 students who covered 996.2 miles?

- A 30-second timer to help you perform the “Do Try this at Home” activities, such as “how many jump-rope skips can you make in 30 seconds?” or “how many golf balls can you hold in two hands for 30 seconds?”

- A set of cards on a ring that contain Guinness World Record holders and corresponding challenges. Maxwell William Mobley, 7, became the youngest registered entrant in a Wild West Arts event. The “Do Try this at Home” activity suggests children make a race course around the yard and race a friend to see who can gallop through the course the fastest.

- A booklet of Guinness World Records hobbies and pastimes with related “Do Try this at Home” challenges. Chick-fil-A Operator Arthur Greeno set a record in 2008 with the largest cup of lemonade. The cup contained 834 gallons made from 11,730 lemons!

WHEN:
The materials will be available in Chick-fil-A Kids Meals from July 26 to Aug. 28 (while supplies last). Children who receive the same activity twice can exchange the duplicate for another activity during the five-week promotion. After the promotion, parents can order toys online at http://www.shopchick-fil-a.comas long as supplies last.

*Information taken directly from a press release issued by Rob Entsminger of Jackson Spalding for Chick-fil-A.

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Best Booster Seats

By Jenny D, Charlotte Smarty Pants

As most of us moms know, children car seat safety can be so confusing. When do you turn them around? When do they graduate to regular sized car seat? When are they big enough for the booster seat? What is a convertible car seat? Our previous article covered most of these questions, but new booster seat crash tests just came out from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They broke down the list to Best Bets, Good Bets, and Not Recommended.

For a proper fit, boosters elevate a child so that a regular safety belt will fit them better. The lap belt is supposed to fit across the upper thigh, not across the abdomen which is more likely to be injured in a crash than bony structures like the pelvis. The shoulder belt should cross snugly over the middle of a child’s shoulder and this makes it more comfortable to use. The better the fit, the less likely it is to move behind the back or under an arm. Also you can buy boosters as highbacks or as backless – and both types ranked within the best bets and good bets.

The Best Bets are most likely to position lap and shoulder belts in the right place:

Britax Frontier
Clek Oobr
Combi Dakota, backless with clip
Cosco Junvenile Pronto
Eddie Bauer Auto Booster
Evenflo Big Kid Amp, backless with clip
Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
Recaro Vivo
Recaro Young Sport

Good Bets have acceptable lap and shoulder fit:

Britax Parkway SG
Combi Kobuk, backless with clip
Evenflo Symphony 65
Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat 3, Sachi
Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat Step 3, Wander
Maxi-Cosi Rodi

Parents should avoid buying the seats on the Not Recommended list because they do not provide good belt fit. The institute suggests that you do not throw it away if you have one of these because any booster seat is better than not one at all – so just replace it when you can.

Alpha Omega
Alpha Omega Elite
Alpha Omega Luxe Echelon
Combi Kobuk
Eddie Buer Deluxe
Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1
Evenflow Express
Evenflow Sightseer
Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe, backless with clip
Safety 1st All-in-One
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite

Do any of you smarties have any experience with the seats mentioned above?

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Smarty Mom: Robin Bralley

By Katie M, with excerpts from Forsyth Family magazine's "It's A Family Affair" article (Nov/Dec 2007 issue)

Smarties, I am honored to introduce you to today’s Smarty Mom: Robin Bralley. Robin is publisher of Forsyth Family magazine – a publication I’m sure many of you are familiar with – and one that we’ve shared a special partnership with for several months. I first met Robin when I was working as a freelance writer, and I’m so grateful for the support and coverage she and her magazine has given Triad Smarty Pants since day one (including the time she took from her crazy, busy life to do this interview with us!)

Robin has lived in the Triad her entire life. She and her husband Tim have two beautiful daughters, Briana (18) and Morgan (17). For over 23 years, Robin climbed the corporate ladder at Sara Lee along with her long-time friend Keela Johnson, founder and publisher of Forsyth Woman magazine. With husbands and two children each, their positions were challenging and time-consuming, to say the least. When the company downsized, Robin and Keela decided to pursue a new career in a field that was completely new to them. The result of their publishing venture has resulted in the combined passion, creativity, hard work and courage of two women who wanted to make a difference for women and families in Forsyth County.

Let’s get to know this trailblazing smarty a little better…

For Robin, the finality of her days at Hanes hit right before a family vacation to Florida. “Keela had mentioned that she was thinking about starting a parenting magazine and that she felt I’d be a good addition to the team,” she recalled. Meanwhile, Hanes had another position on the table for Robin, and was waiting to hear back from her. Her head telling her to go for the “safe thing,” but her heart was steering her toward a new path. She eventually gave the decision over to prayer. The answer she received while on vacation was crystal clear, and when she told her family out on the beach that she had decided to publish Forsyth Family magazine, they all cheered at her announcement, giving hugs all around.

Tell us more about the Forsyth Family (FF) team.
FF shares a sales team and a pool of amazing writers with Forsyth Woman Magazine. A retired WFU professor edits for me and I have a wonderfully talented and creative graphic designer that makes everything look awesome each month. We all work closely and efficiently together to bring the best magazine to the community as possible each month.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your position, and what are some of your greatest rewards?
The greatest challenge has been the large amount of time it consumes to make the magazine a reality each month. Originally thought I would spend less time working for myself than in the corporate world but that was far from reality. I guess it comes with the territory any time you are starting a new business.

How do you balance your job with FF with your jobs as mom and wife?
Have to be honest...some days not very well, some days not at all and then occasionally...things just click and it’s all great! My girls are both older now, one is off to college in the fall and the other will be a senior this year. They are at a great age to help me out whether around the house or with the magazine. I couldn’t balance it at all if it weren’t for the love, support, patience and understanding of my family

Has working on FF changed the way you view motherhood and/or parenting?
It’s definitely heightened my awareness and appreciation of just how quickly the time passes and that you need to make time right now for whatever is going on because in the blink of an eye...they are all grown up. Starting the magazine has been great to share with my two daughters. They’ve been able to see what it takes to pursue a dream and they’ve loved having input into some of the day to day activities. Overall, I think it has been a great life lesson for them to see the whole thing blossom and grow from the start.

Ok, now on to some lighter questions…

Favorite place to get a good deal on kids clothes?
This question brings back fond memories when I had full reign on my children’s wardrobes. Having two girls fifteen months apart always made this task fun! Dressing them alike or in coordinating outfits was the best! Consignment sales, The Children’s Place and Target were a staple back then. Then we moved into the middle school years where brands were king. We stalked Abercrombie and Hollister for clearance items. How else can you afford those clothes for two tweens? Now, we have moved beyond having to have that certain popular brand. Suddenly mom isn’t so crazy after all for shopping at TJ Maxx!

Favorite place to splurge on kids clothes?
Currently TJ Maxx

What is your favorite family activity?
Going to the movies! This was true for my family even at an early age. We couldn’t wait for the next Disney movie to arrive in theaters. Family vacation is another of my all time favorites. We have taken many trips to big cities over the years and they create such wonderful memories for us.

Favorite “mommy-time” activity?
Dinner with a friend

Best place to eat lunch and/or dinner with the kids?
Chick-fil-A has remained a constant favorite lunch for us from the younger years till now. Kanpai and having them cook dinner at your table was always another favorite and even held their attention when they were younger!

Favorite date place?
Pretty boring but a steak dinner and a movie rank up at the tops for me

Favorite park in the Triad?
Tanglewood Park

Mini-van or SUV?
SUV

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
The people!

Best kept secret in the Triad?
WBFJ radio station 89.3fm and all the wonderful parks...did you know there are like 40 something?

Best mom secret YOUR mom has shared with you?
A little dirt never hurt anyone

Best birthday party you have attended?
YMCA swim party with an Ariel theme

Best book you’ve ever read?
Bible

Smartiest way you stay organized?
Outlook calendar!

Who is your hero?
My husband!

What’s your favorite thing about Triad Smarty Pants?
The ladies who run it and all the great information they share with the community! (Aw, thanks Robin!)

I could not live without my... Cellphone and laptop

So, the next time you pick up a copy of a Forsyth Family (or Forsyth Woman) magazine, you’ll know that there are real people and real families behind every issue. Robin’s family is an integral part of the magazine’s success (from brainstorming story ideas to delivering publications), and she is a strong believer that family support is a necessary ingredient for success, no matter what the endeavor – business or personal.

The August issue of Forsyth Family magazine hits the stands soon, and when it does, we’ll be sure to alert you to it.

Thanks, Robin for this fantastic interview! The work you and your team do is appreciated by moms (and families) more than you know! You truly are a smarty mom!

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