Thursday, September 3, 2009 by Planet Janet.

My post rounds out a swell two weeks of blogging.  Thanks to MomsCharlotte.com  for hosting Birthday Blessings’ first blog, “Birthday Blessings and Beyond.”  Sharing our Birthday Blessings stories was such a gift, so thank you so much for reading and getting involved!  It really does take a village.

Blogs | MomsCharlotte.com

Posted in Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Birthday Blessings, CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Getting personal, Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, August 20, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Thanks to  for debuting Birthday Blessings’ first blog!  Click here to take a sneak peak into one of the fastest-growing nonprofits in Charlotte, NC.   Get volunteer executive director Amy Cervantes’ take on why she gives so much of her time to the homeless community, and learn why the Blessing Baskets program means so much to Charlotte philanthropist Heather Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing.   I’ll give you a hint:  To teach invaluable lessons about giving to their children.

Blogs | MomsCharlotte.com

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Birthday Blessings, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Monday, February 9, 2009 by Planet Janet.

My buddy, Jennifer Rothacker, with MomsCharlotte put this free event together.  And I have to say bravo to MomsCharlote, Maggiano’s and Pure Romance for making it a fun way to spend my Saturday morning.

Executive chef Delfino Netto and managing partner Antonio Tillery wowed the crowd and demonstrated how to create Maggiano’s famous tiramisu in our own kitchens.  And the tiramisu — my absolute favorite dessert — delizioso!  I enjoyed watching this comedic pair.  They really could do stand-up.  Maggiano’s even gave everyone 15% off if we stayed for lunch.

Maggiano’s is a shining example of how to give back to the community.  They also were a sponsor at the 2009 Chocolate Ball this weekend, which raises funds for Substance Abuse Prevention Services, a non-profit agency serving our community since 1971.

My Saturday morning concluded with a Pure Romance party.  If you’ve ever been to one of these things, it’s a fun time to spend with your girlfriends.  Pure Romance national director Staci Chryst gave us tips on how to rekindle our relationships, and each mom came home with a little bag filled with {cough} goodies to help us spice it up in the bedroom.  Lots of giggling and lots of fun.

Posted in N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, February 1, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Join me and my MomsCharlotte friends at Maggiano’s in SouthPark Mall on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:30-noon for a fun morning of food, massage, romance and giveaways! Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Monday, January 5, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Janet here.  I have a confession.  Suddenly, it seems, I’m 12 pounds heavier — and 5 pounds of it I gained in the last two weeks.

Read Oprah’s confession

Janet’s excuses for being a fat-ass:

1. My doctor recommended I not exercise for one month following two separate procedures on my leg
2. Freaking holidays
3. I had house guests for ten straight days.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Health and fitness, Getting personal, Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Friday, December 19, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Get your local late-breaking news here.

  Make your day fly by with Bob & Sheri, Candy & Potter, Matt & Ramona and The Cooper Lawrence Show on 107.9, The Wink.  Stream your favorite radio shows here.

  For in-depth local news and thought-provoking editorials

SouthPark Magazine:  A taste of the good life in Charlotte, N.C.

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, July 10, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Finding the right place for a kid’s birthday party at the right price can be quite a feat.  Add the stress of coming up with an original idea, and plenty of parents are at a loss. Here’s some fun stuff you can try around the area.Ideas under $100
• Throw an “American Idol” slumber party. Borrow a karaoke machine and watch as the children sing the night away.  “American Idol” party favors, such as microphone piñatas and customized banners, can be purchased from CelebrateExpress.com.
• Celebrate with a firehouse party. The Charlotte Fire Department surprised partygoers at Daniel Lewyn’s third birthday party at CameronWood in southwest Charlotte.  The excited kids toured the fire truck and posed for pictures, as Gail and David Lewyn furiously snapped photographs. As long as they aren’t on a call, many of the local fire stations will happily swing by to hand out sticker badges. To learn how to book a visit, call Fire Information:  704-336-2441.
• Ruh-roh! Lisa Pool of Fort Mill. S.C., threw a Scooby-Doo party for son Jonathan. Each member of “The Gang” was served graham cracker “Scooby snacks” in a personalized dog bowl. The hostess created monogrammed dog collars from ribbon and foam tags. They capped off the festivities with a find-the-bone game.
• Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, is a short 35-minute drive from uptown. Activities include: Hayden’s Carousel, Hurley Train Station, mini-golf, paddle boats, Hurley Water Plaza, The Petting Barn, The Nature Center, The Cheerwine Aquarium and a handicap-equipped playground. Lots of picnic shelters. Details: www.dannicholas.net.

Ideas under $200
• Earth Fare, 12235 North Community House Road, Charlotte, in Ballantyne, offers birthday parties and cooking classes catered to your little chefs. Children prepare and then devour their own food. Prices vary; 704-926-1201. SouthPark location is scheduled to open in mid-August.
• Latta Park Sprayground, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte, in Dilworth; and Veterans’ Park Sprayground, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte.  Kids can run around in fenced-in water-spray areas. The picnic shelters have grills and can be reserved for $100 by calling 704-353-1238.
• Celebrate with Homer and the Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. $195 provides reserved seats for 10 kids and two adults, special recognition atop the dugout with Homer, and an hour at a birthday table, where a personalized cake and soda are provided.  Guests get a Knights souvenir.  Call Rebekah Leveille at 704-357-8071, ext. 2168.
• (NOW CLOSED) AirPlay Kids, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, Fort Mill, S.C., is becoming popular with south Charlotte and Fort Mill moms. Located next to Carowinds in The Crossroads Mall, “The Inflatable Play Zone” has open play hours all year and can be rented for private parties. Unlike other inflatable play places, AirPlay Kids closes to the public during party times. Prices range from $155 to $285. It’s closed at the moment because the mall is being remodeled but scheduled to reopen in the fall; 803-802-7050.

Ideas over $300
• Invite eight to 10 “young ladies” to a traditional tea party at La-Tea-Da’s, 1942 E. Seventh St., in Elizabeth. For $300, attendees receive a manners lesson and scavenge the dress-up trunk for the perfect outfit, hat and jewels. A full tea menu, birthday cake, printed invitations and thank you cards included. Other party packages are available; 704-372-9599.
• Balloons Over Charlotte, 7984 Graham Road, Denver, gives thrill-seekers a bird’s-eye view of the Lake Norman area. Flights depart at sunrise and one and a half hours before sunset and last about three hours. Dan Stone is an FAA-certified pilot who has been flying balloons for more than 25 years. Flights are limited to six people, and tickets cost as little as $165 per person; 704-896-5241.

Top picks
• EAST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Let the kids “climb the walls” at Inner Peaks Climbing Center, 9535 Monroe Road, Suite 170, Charlotte; www.Inner-Peaks.com.
• WEST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Embark on a rafting adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte. Cap it with a party catered by its professional staff; www.usnwc.org.
• NORTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Hop on a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch in Iredell County, 15100 N.C. 150 East, Mooresville, and come face to face with 750 animals from six continents; www.Lazy5Ranch.com.
• SOUTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Thrill rides and family-friendly rides abound at Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. If the weather is steaming hot, party guests can splash the day away at Boomerang Bay Water Park; Carowinds.com.

Posted in MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews, Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, June 15, 2008 by Planet Janet.

The “green” blogger on the Observer’s MomsCharlotte.com isn’t even a mom; he’s a dad.  Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Going "green" | Print | No Comments »