Charlotte, NC – Urban Active will be honoring moms this Mother’s Day with ‘Mama.ste’ free yoga class to celebrate being a healthy and happy mom.

Many moms are stressed out, cranky and exhausted from taking care of their children and their households.

Urban Active wants mothers to take a deep breath [...]]]>

Charlotte, NC – Urban Active will be honoring moms this Mother’s Day with ‘Mama.ste’ free yoga class to celebrate being a healthy and happy mom.

Many moms are stressed out, cranky and exhausted from taking care of their children and their households.

Urban Active wants mothers to take a deep breath and say Om. Repeat.

Yoga is the perfect mental escape for moms on this Mother’s Day with ‘Mama.ste’ at 11:15 AM on Saturday, May 12th at Urban Active.

Yoga is considered a mental escape for moms. The benefits of yoga for mothers include flexibility, range of motion, builds strength, improves posture, massages all organs of the body, it’s a complete detoxification, better circulation, improves emotional health, lowers blood pressure and more.

Moms can take three yoga tools from the ‘Mama.ste’ class to implement immediately and conveniently into their daily lives. Whether sitting in carpool, running errands or at the house, moms can incorporate these three yoga practices:

Deep Breathing: Most of the breaths that the majority of people take throughout the day are quick, shallow breaths. Pranayama, or breath control, is one of the five principles in yoga. When you take the time to focus on your breath, you cannot help but become present in the moment. One easy technique is to take a full breath through your nose, hold it for a count of three, and then release through your nose. Repeat three more times.

Music: Mostly everyone has heard the adage, “Music calms the savage beast.” The same can be said for moms and children as well! There are many different types of yoga music, which is often called new age, as well as chanting or crystal bowls. Simply having calming music in the background, or flicking it on before a temper tantrum strikes, can help save the day!

Yoga moves:
The great thing about these yoga poses is that you can do them with your children.

Vipartia karani or leg up the wall pose can help calm the mind and ease anxiety. Plus, you can easily read a book to your child during the pose.

Balasana or child’s pose is another instant relaxing and calming pose.

Savasana or corpse pose is one of the most basic yoga moves. Your child (or maybe even you) can be tempted to fall asleep while practicing it.


Urban Active Ballantyne: 12325 Copper Way – Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 247-9090.

Ballantyne, NC – “Eleemosynary” by Lee Blessing explores the relationships between three generations of extraordinary women struggling to find their own sense of identity and family.

“…a play and a production of a caliber rarely seen on…the language is elegant, witty and carefully wrought.” – Philadelphia City Paper.

“…an engrossing 95-minute entry-alternately funny [...]]]>

Ballantyne, NC – “Eleemosynary” by Lee Blessing explores the relationships between three generations of extraordinary women struggling to find their own sense of identity and family.

“…a play and a production of a caliber rarely seen on…the language is elegant, witty and carefully wrought.” – Philadelphia City Paper.

“…an engrossing 95-minute entry-alternately funny and poignant…” – Variety.

“It is a wonderful job of playwriting.” – Minneapolis Star and Tribune.

“…a funny, perceptive and eloquently written play…” – St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch.

“Eleemosynary” is about the fragile relationship of the three strong and beautiful Westbrook women: the grandmother, Dorothea, who asserts her independence by way of quirky eccentricity; her brilliant daughter, Artemis, who has fled the oppressive domination of her mother; and Artie’s daughter, Echo, a child of exceptional intelligence – and sensitivity – whom Artie has abandoned to Dorothea to raise.

As the play begins, Dorothea has suffered a stroke. We are there to see how both Artie and Echo summon the courage to try, at last, to build a life together – despite the risks and terrors that this holds for both of them after so many years of alienation and estrangement. As they try to rebuild their relationships, they start to learn some things about love and charity.

Mr. Blessing’s play, and Ballantyne Theatre’s production of it, will warm your heart, opening appropriately on Mother’s Day weekend.

Shows are May 11, 12, 17*, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8pm in the black box theatre at the Ballantyne Performing Arts Center.

A special performance will be held on Mother’s Day May 13th at 2pm and offers a free ticket for moms with a paid ticket purchase.

“Eleemosynary” is appropriate for ages 15 and older.

For more information, please visit the Ballantyne Theatre Facebook Page.

2012 Ballantyne Scoop

Ballantyne, NC – Urban Active Ballantyne is proud to host this year’s “Be A Hero” Nationwide Cycling Event on Saturday, April 28, 2012 to raise funding for the “Wish Upon A Hero Foundation” and grant wishes to locals.

This incredible foundation has granted over 89,000 wishes since 2008 and is a new [...]]]>

Ballantyne, NC – Urban Active Ballantyne is proud to host this year’s “Be A Hero” Nationwide Cycling Event on Saturday, April 28, 2012 to raise funding for the “Wish Upon A Hero Foundation” and grant wishes to locals.

This incredible foundation has granted over 89,000 wishes since 2008 and is a new breed of direct, charitable giving – the world’s largest online social helping network which connects people in need with people willing to help.

It is the “Facebook of Philanthropy.” WUAHF grants the Dream Wishes of Americans in need, and provides assistance with: basic needs, healthcare needs, living needs, pet needs, service needs, and educational needs.

Additional information is available at: www.wishuponahero.com.

The “Be A Hero” ride will be from 10-11 AM at Urban Active in conjunction with thousands of “cycling heroes” at over 300 fitness facilities participating nationwide.

Proceeds from the one-day challenge will benefit the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation. Incentive prizes will be awarded to participants who raise money at various levels.

Prizes include items such as the iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch, Macbook Air and iPad 2.

You do NOT have to register as a rider to participate as a fundraiser to earn incentive prizes.

Please visit www.beaheroevent.com to register: a $25 registration fee is all that is required to reserve a bike and participate in this charitable event.

Urban Active locations participating: 12325 Copper Way – Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 247-9090.

2012 Ballantyne, NC

Ballantyne, NC – Ardrey Kell High School will sponsor a Community Health Fair at the school located at 10220 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 5:00-8:00PM.

The Health Fair is FREE and open to the public for all ages.

Over 40 vendors will be on [...]]]>

Ballantyne, NC – Ardrey Kell High School will sponsor a Community Health Fair at the school located at 10220 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 5:00-8:00PM.

The Health Fair is FREE and open to the public for all ages.

Over 40 vendors will be on hand to increase health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices.

Vendors will give away FREE samples and door prizes.

Please contact Jennifer McVicker at jennifer.mcvicker@cms.k12.nc.us or 980-343-0860 for more information.

2012 Ballantyne Scoop

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Grace Institute LLC of Charlotte will present its next Divorce with Dignity Workshop April 13-14, 2012, at the Ballantyne Resort.

The cost of the workshop is $495 per person.

Advance registration (before April 1) is $395. Discount rooms at the Ballantyne Resort are available for participants.

Kennedy [...]]]>

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Grace Institute LLC of Charlotte will present its next Divorce with Dignity Workshop April 13-14, 2012, at the Ballantyne Resort.

The cost of the workshop is $495 per person.

Advance registration (before April 1) is $395. Discount rooms at the Ballantyne Resort are available for participants.

Kennedy and Scott Green, a divorced attorney with Integrated Title Services, will conduct the weekend workshop, which is designed to help people facing the end of a marriage overcome the related emotional mine fields that both men and women face in divorce, and to help them begin to restore and rebuild their lives with grace, optimism and dignity.

The workshop is founded on the belief that with insight, support and determination, anyone can transform divorce from an experience of destruction and failure to one of renewal and growth.

“This workshop addresses the numerous emotional challenges that unfortunately come with divorces. The end of a marriage, no matter who ends it or how amicably it is terminated, is damaging and challenges the very foundations of our being, self-worth, self-image, faith, beliefs about family, and ability to trust. Our goal through the workshop is to provide understanding, support, and comfort for real healing and growth.”

- Marsha Kennedy, Owner, Grace Institute

Kennedy is a practicing Family Law Attorney and a certified Family Law Mediator and a Parent Coordinator. She has led divorce recovery workshops in the Charlotte area since 2001 and is a Stephens Minister.

To register, or for more information, visit www.conquerdivorce.com.

2012 Ballantyne Scoop

Bayside, NY – The National Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. (TSA) will host its fifth annual Tourette Syndrome (TS) Youth Ambassador Training Program in Washington D.C. on April 18 and 19 for teens (with and without Tourette Syndrome) ages 13 to 17.

After completing an application and submitting an essay regarding his intent [...]]]>

Bayside, NY – The National Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. (TSA) will host its fifth annual Tourette Syndrome (TS) Youth Ambassador Training Program in Washington D.C. on April 18 and 19 for teens (with and without Tourette Syndrome) ages 13 to 17.

After completing an application and submitting an essay regarding his intent and motivation to become a TS Youth Ambassador, Grant Wholey, 17 from Charlotte, NC, has been selected to complete this elite training.

Grant will then return to North Carolina to educate his peers and younger children with accurate information by going into classrooms, schools and clubs to teach understanding, sensitivity and tolerance of TS and its symptoms, while displacing the myths and stereotypes that are often attributed to and associated with this misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder.

Grant will be accompanied by his mother, Mary, who will also participate in the training.

The TSA Youth Ambassador program trains teens to advocate for themselves and for others and to educate their peers and younger children with accurate information.

Youth Ambassadors also meet with politicians, appear in the media and assist with fundraising and awareness raising campaigns.

Youth Ambassadors have found there are many personal benefits as well, such as learning to work as team members and developing increased confidence in public speaking. Youth Ambassadors learn skills that they will use for the rest of their lives and at the same time are helping to enlighten our generation about Tourette Syndrome.

“I applied to the Youth Ambassador program in order to become prepared to speak about what Tourette’s is and isn’t, and the challenges that kids with Tourette’s deal with every day. Both my brother and I have Tourette’s and have always been open about having Tourette Syndrome, so I hope through my efforts, I can educate others in schools, clubs and sports.”

- Grant Wholey, Youth Ambassador

TSA conducted a Youth Ambassador training for the first time in April 2008 and this training has become such a success that TSA makes it an annual program.

Since the first training, this collective group of over 125 dedicated teens have completed nearly 500 activities including presentations, print and TV media interviews, and training other Youth Ambassadors and have reached over 5 million people through their combined efforts.

Jennifer Zwilling, now 22, program founder says, “The goal of this exciting program is to educate children all over the country about TS, a widely misunderstood disorder. We are following the motto ‘think globally, act locally’.” Understanding and tolerance are the program’s goals.

In addition to the comprehensive training, the newly trained Youth Ambassadors will participate in a “Trip to the Hill” on April 19 during which they will meet with their local elected officials on Capitol Hill, to inform them about how TS affects those living in their communities.

A Congressional Luncheon Briefing will also take place that day, an event in which Senators, Congressmen and their aides are invited to a luncheon – hosted by the TS Youth Ambassadors – to hear first-hand about the struggles and issues faced from those living with the disorder.

This unique experience is possible thanks to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc. and the Ballard Family Foundation/Karen, Alan, and Michael Hart, for their generous contributions to this program.

“All participants are committed to the goal of the Youth Ambassadors—promoting awareness, acceptance and understanding of Tourette Syndrome,” said Judit Ungar, President, TSA.

Marked by involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics, Tourette Syndrome is an inherited neurological condition frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed, affecting more than 200,000 Americans.

Founded in 1972, the national Tourette Syndrome Association celebrates 40 years of service to the TS community worldwide. 

As the only national, voluntary health organization for people with TS, the TSA has a three-pronged mission of education, research and service and directs a network of 33 Chapters and more than 150 support groups across the country.

For more information about TS, call 1-888-4-TOURET or visit http://tsa-usa.org.

2012 Ballantyne Scoop

CHARLOTTE, NC – Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology is hosting an evening of fun to introduce guests to the new, non-surgical CoolSculpting procedure that reduces love handles and isolated belly fat.

A Cool Night Out will take place on Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Plastic [...]]]>

CHARLOTTE, NC – Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology is hosting an evening of fun to introduce guests to the new, non-surgical CoolSculpting procedure that reduces love handles and isolated belly fat.

A Cool Night Out will take place on Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology’s Charlotte practice located at 5815 Blakeney Park Drive.

Along with information and visual presentations on the CoolSculpting procedure, guests will enjoy drinks, appetizers and a swag bag of gifts.

In addition, all guests will receive up to $250 off the CoolSculpting treatment and be eligible for door prizes, including a special giveaway from Ballantyne Jewelers.

Space is limited for this event. Reservations can be made at PPSD.com.

The FDA-cleared CoolSculpting procedure uses a targeted cooling process that eliminates about 20 percent of treated fat cells through cold damage that causes a natural elimination of the cells.

Within a few months, the full effects of the CoolSculpting treatment will be realized in the form of a flatter stomach and trimmer waistline.

For more information, please contact: Karen Pressley at (704) 488-5075.

2012 Ballantyne Scoop

Charlotte, NC – Ignite Charlotte 4, the 5-minute talk series that will be held on March 20th at NoDa’s Neighborhood Theatre, has released the talks and speakers for the event.

The talks and speakers are:

Ballantyne, NC – Streetwise Music Instruction – rated Charlotte’s BEST Rock School – has recently opened a studio in the Ballantyne Arts Center at Ballantyne Corners.

Streetwise has been a leader in private music instruction for guitar, bass guitar, piano/keyboard, drums and vocals in Charlotte since 2001 and has two locations Ballantyne [...]]]>

Ballantyne, NC – Streetwise Music Instruction – rated Charlotte’s BEST Rock School – has recently opened a studio in the Ballantyne Arts Center at Ballantyne Corners.

Streetwise has been a leader in private music instruction for guitar, bass guitar, piano/keyboard, drums and vocals in Charlotte since 2001 and has two locations Ballantyne Corners and the Shops @ Wesley Chapel.

Streetwise Music offers a 15% discount on monthly tuition to Ballantyne Corporate Park Cardholders, as well as Morrison Family YMCA members.

Streetwise Music is Charlotte’s FIRST participating rock school to offer scholarships through the Rock School Scholarship Fund

The Ballantyne Arts Center features Streetwise Music, The Dance Academy, Ballantyne Theater Company, and Ballantyne Pre-School of the Arts, bringing music, dance and theater together in one convenient location.

Kindermusik classes are also offered several days a week at this location.

For information, please contact Connie Cooper at 704-821-ROCK (7625) or visit our website

Ballantyne, N.C. – Event Marketing Services, Inc. – an affiliate of Run For Your Life – will be kicking off St. Patrick’s Day with Stonecrest at Piper Glen – the presenting sponsor and host of the 9th Annual Shamrock 4 Miler. The race, which will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital, is scheduled for [...]]]>

Ballantyne, N.C. – Event Marketing Services, Inc. – an affiliate of Run For Your Life – will be kicking off St. Patrick’s Day with Stonecrest at Piper Glen – the presenting sponsor and host of the 9th Annual Shamrock 4 Miler. The race, which will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital, is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 8:00AM.

The four-mile run is open to runners of all ages and abilities and baby joggers. The family-friendly event will also feature a ‘Kid’s Leprechaun Jog’ and an ‘Easter Bunny Hop’ post-race celebration (from 9:00AM-Noon). The festivities will include a bounce house, face painting, coffee and donuts with the Easter Bunny, and fundraising activities for Levine Children’s Hospital. All pre- and post-race activities will take place at Stonecrest at Piper Glen, located at 7824 Rea Road in South Charlotte. Details available at www.shopstonecrest.com.

“We look forward to this run each year and are thrilled about supporting an event that promotes fitness, provides fun for the entire family, and helps the amazing patients at Levine Children’s Hospital,” says Laura Griffin, senior property manager of Stonecrest at Piper Glen.

Registration fees and deadlines are as follows: now thru Feb. 18: 4 Miler $15; K-12 $10; Kid’s Leprechaun Jog $5; February 19-March 11: 4 Miler $20; K-12 $15; Kid’s Leprechaun Jog $5; March 12-16: 4 Miler $25; K-12 $20; Kid’s Leprechaun Jog $5; Race Day: 4 Miler $35; K-12 $30; Kid’s Leprechaun Jog $5. Register online at http://www.runforyourlife.com/Events/shamrock4miler/ or mail an application and entry fee (postmarked by March 12) to Run For Your Life; Attn: Shamrock 4 Miler, 2422 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28203. For questions, contact registration at 704-358-0717.

“We’re excited about teaming up with StoneCrest at Piper Glen and appreciate all of their support in making this year’s Shamrock 4 Miler a fun and memorable event for the community,” said Tim Rhodes, owner of Run For Your Life and Event Marketing Services, Inc. “We are looking forward to bringing everyone together to run for a great cause and to kick off St. Patrick’s Day.”