Don't miss 2014's Secret Gardens Tour of 4th Ward

On May 3 and 4, the Friends of Fourth Ward host their 2nd annual Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward tour. Homeowners throughout the historic district open their lovingly-tended and rarely seen private gardens to the public – revealing the secret green worlds tucked behind courtyard walls.

We had the pleasure of attending the tour's inaugural event last year, and were charmed by these hidden gems and the hospitality of the homeowners who welcomed us into their private worlds.

You can see our story about the tour and many pictures by clicking here.

In addition to the featured gardens, the walkable, self-guided tour highlights public art, historic homes and special points of interest along the tour route, showing off all the charms of Historic Fourth Ward – and the extraordinary quality of life it offers.

Admission includes entrance to over a dozen private gardens of every type, as well as docent-led tours of Fourth Ward Park. Along the tour route, participants will enjoy free beer, craft cocktail & champagne tasting stations (courtesy of Skyy Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain, Rock Bottom Brewery & more); free B-Cycle and horse-drawn carriage rides; free food tastings from Fourth Ward Bread Co.; complimentary “tour-only” appetizers at nearby restaurants, including 3 Trade and Rock Bottom Brewery. The 7th Street Market kicks off its "Green Market Saturdays” in conjunction with the tour, and will offer special tastings, garden-themed activities and products. Horse-drawn carriages will provide free shuttle service between the Market and Fourth Ward during tour hours.

If you have enjoyed Fourth Ward's long-running Holiday Home Tour in the past, you'll have some idea of how charming this tour is and what a great value. Proceeds from both tours benefit projects within Fourth Ward and Fourth Ward Park. Additionally, this year Fourth Ward is partnering with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, and will donate $5 per ticket to RAIN for tickets purchased through the Friends of Fourth Ward website.

Hours are from noon to 4 p.m. each day and we recommend you plan to attend both days to get in all the fun activities, freebies, and great hospitality. Tickets are $20, and are good for both days. You can purchase them online at www.fofw.org or at many local retail locations, including 7th Street Public Market, Alexander Michael’s, Campbell’s Greenhouse, Park Road Books, Salon Botanical and Fourth Ward Bread Co. During tour hours, ticket-holders must redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the ticket booth at 9th and Poplar Streets in Fourth Ward. This is also the only location  for same day ticket purchases.

See the Friends of Fourth Ward website for further details, parking suggestions, etc.   

131 Main CU Copper Bar Bourbon Tasting

We had a great time at 131 Main with the representative from Sazerac Bourbon.

Inside the CU Copper Bar at 131 Main we gathered, tasted, laughed, and enjoyed ourselves. The bourbon was flowing and the lovely bartenders were mixing some interesting cocktails for us to taste made with this amazing bourbon with quite a history.



What I like most about the tastings at CU is the informality, fabulous hors d’oeuvres and the relaxed atmosphere the management creates for the guests to experience it all at these wonderful tastings. Once a month in the CU Copper bar at 131 Main.



Call ahead for reservations or just show up for the next event.

Cu Copper Bar
1315 East Blvd.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
(704) 499-9824
www.copperbarclt.com

101 Inventions that Changed the World

The experience of sitting in the virtual reality space so beautifully constructed at Discovery Place watching life for hundreds of years through the eyes of the inventors and discoverers of our lifetime and many lifetimes before us is not easily put into words.

Certain turning points in human history have been defined by the creation or discovery of something profound.

Be transported to another place and become immersed in a story that affects all humankind at Discovery Place's exhibit 101 Inventions that Changed the World.

Certain turning points in human history have been defined by the creation or discovery of something profound.

Be transported to another place and become immersed in a story that affects all humankind at Discovery Place's exhibit 101 Inventions that Changed the World.

Seeing is believing. Time travel at its best. A must see for everyone.

The Staff at Discovery Place always offers a warm welcome.

For more information visit discoveryplace.org

This macaw has lived in Discovery Place's Rain Forest exhibit for many years.

Discover Dilworth: MaddieGra Fine Gifts

Lovely Easter eggs at MaddieGra

MaddieGra Fine Gifts & More

1419 East Blvd. Ste F
Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 949-7781

www.maddiegra.com

MaddieGra is a sweet success tucked away in Dilworth in a small strip on East Boulevard next to Sloans, Sally's Optical Secrets and a few other very unique shops to frequent when looking for something out of the ordinary and special.

Joy Tindal

Joy Tindal, the lovely owner of MaddieGra, was perfect in the way she shared her life and her beautiful gifts with us. It is a treat to stop by and meet Joy and have her tell you the stories of the artisans that she buys from and then passes on to you at very reasonable prices. 

There have been times in the past when I have spent $100 on a wedding gift for a special friend but was not really impressed with the “nice enough” gift. After seeing and experiencing the gift ideas in MaddieGra, I know where I will go forever after to shop for gifts before going anywhere else.

Aluminum ware designed by Beatriz Ball and made by 12 different artisans from recycled aluminum.
Bake, chill, serve! Gorgeous!

Joy expressed how much fun she has coming to work every day and learning something new. She specializes in items made from recycled materials including gorgeous handcrafted recycled aluminum ware designed by Beatriz Ball—absolutely beautiful.

 Mariposa Company, which makes gorgeous tableware and gifts, is another line Joy carries that uses only recycled materials. The beauty and functionality of these works of art is amazing, considering that they are dishwasher safe and never require polishing or any special care to keep them looking like new.

MaddieGra also carries the creations of Arte Italica, including the amazing Pietra Antico line which combines slate and pewter into striking decor pieces. Arte Italica guarantees complete satisfaction with every creation.

Hammered stainless steel and 24k gold.

Joy also carries German made kitchen gadgets and cookware by J.A. Henckels which she believes are the best ever made. They have a non-stick thermolon granite coating, completely PTFE-free, making them completely safe and oh so good for the environment.

Another item available at MaddieGra: lovely Polish stoneware hand painted with sea sponges. Again bake, chill, and serve.

Now that you know where MaddieGra is located, stop by and browse. It truly is like going to a museum. Joy plans to invite local artists, painters and sculptors to exhibit their art in her shop very soon. We are all looking forward to that. 

Gena VanDyke Pottery, also on view at the Mint Museum

Joy and her husband moved down to Charlotte from New England after retirement to be close to her son and family especially her granddaughter, Madeleine Grace. MaddieGra is named for her.

Prices at the shop run from $10 to $225 with a few pieces a little higher, which we find very friendly for gift buying or for treating yourself to something very special. Put MaddieGra on your wedding gift list and recommend MaddieGra to your friends. They don’t want to miss this.

Email Joy at maddiegra@Charlotte.twcbc.com or call 980 949 7781

No Disrespect Here!

By Dilworth Now nutrition columnist Marian Bennett

Fabulous, beautiful, radiant, gorgeous, do those ring a bell?

In this day and age, women in particular are harped on so much about appearance and are subject to an inordinate amount of criticism. Words have such a strong and powerful meaning! 

Being healthy is about not only taking care of oneself through physical activity and eating a variety of fresh foods, but also mental and emotionally being kind to ourselves. 

“Fat” should be banned from the dictionary! It is a word that has such bad connotation and women especially use it way too often. 

If you would not say something to hurt your friend, then why say it to yourself? 

Rechanneling our energy and strength towards more positive moments can help change how we think about ourselves. 

We deserve to be happy about our body. Challenge yourself to keep a record for one day of all the negative messages you are giving about your body. Then find ways to enhance all of the positives about your body: 

Here are some steps toward changing your body image:  

• Don't talk to or about yourself in a negative light. 
• Stop using the word “Fat”! Try using words like curvaceous, voluptuous, or thriving. 
• Have a more positive relationship with the clothes you put on.
• Acknowledge that each and every person (including celebrities) have bad days! Each individual will have a “cheat” or a “bad” day. We are only human and are bound to do that and it is okay!
• Substitute power ideas instead of negative thoughts. Channel your energy into a more positive direction, such as setting up a fundraiser for body image awareness for young girls.
• Try volunteering at a local food bank or with domestic abuse victims.