September is National Literacy month, and what better way to celebrate than to collect and give out books to children in our community who have no books to call their own?

This month, TriangleMommies, a local and free support group for all moms who live in the Triangle, is partnering up with Read Seed Inc., a local organization whose mission is to ensure all children have a chance to cherish a book of their own and start to love reading at an early age. During September, TriangleMommies and Read Seed will be collecting donations of new or gently books throughout the area to give to local children who do not have their own books.

And you're invited to join in a family fun event to pass on the joy of reading to the next generation. Head to Quail Ridge Books & Music, in Raleigh at 3 p.m. on Sept. 10, when TriangleMommies will be hosting a special story time with activities along with a book drive for Read Seed. Take in a book or get a 20 percent discount on books purchased at Quail Ridge Books for donation between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11. Quail Ridge Books & Music is located at 3522 Wade Ave.

Thinking of how you can help flood victims in Pakistan? A local group of musicians from North Carolina State University and Duke University are holding a benefit at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, in Raleigh, to raise funds for Oxfam International's flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

Cellists Jonathan Kramer of NC State and Fred Raimi of Duke University will be joined by Pianist Jane Hawkins, also from the Duke Music Faculty, in a program of Bach, Bruch and lighter fare at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh. The UU Fellowship is located at 3313 Wade Ave. across from Whole Foods. Admission is by voluntary donation. For more information, please call 919-345-9389 or visit http://uufr.org/.

The VeggieTales Live! tour is coming to Raleigh Oct. 12 with a message for kids about sharing.

Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie crew are taking to the stage with the silliest Silly Song Countdown ever! Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie crew are taking to the stage with the silliest Silly Song Countdown ever! But sometimes silliness just isn't enough to make things run smoothly! Archie prefers lesson songs, Mr. Lunt wants to sing about food, and Jimmy and Jerry are stuck in the 1980s! Everybody wants their turn and their songs in the show, but there's only so much time! The entire VeggieTales crew will have to learn the importance of sharing to make this show work!

A high-energy song and dance spectacular for the whole family, this show is designed to get kids singing along, dancing in the aisles and smiling so hard their teeth will ache! Fan favorites include classic silly songs such as His Cheeseburger, I Love My Lips, The Hairbrush Song, and so many more! Look on CarolinaParent.com's contest page now for a giveaway of the first-ever VeggieTales title for girls: Sweetpea Beauty! and check back in October when we're giving away a VeggieTales CD.

Tickets are on sale for the 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows Oct. 12 at Hope Community Church, in Raleigh.   The tour will also be in Charlotte Oct. 10-11 at the LifePointe Christian Church, located at 13209 Carowinds Blvd. For details, visit http://www.bigidea.com/other/live2010/tix.html. — Written by Odile Fredericks Carolina Parent Web Editor

Kids can get a personal look at life at the State Capitol on the eve of the Civil War in a new free exhibit that opens Sept. 17 and runs through May 13, 2011.

The exhibit, Crisis at the Capitol: North Carolina on the Eve of War introduces visitors to many of the people working and living here in a time before secession and before the war. (At left, portrait of author Harriet Jacobs; courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)

For North Carolina, the Civil War officially began in the State Capitol. On May 20, 1861, delegates from across the state adopted the Ordinance of Secession in the House of Commons, officially withdrawing the state from the Union. This event followed months of tense debate between Unionists and Secessionists, slavery advocates and abolitionists.

The new exhibit is based on documents left behind by 11 different people, each with a different perspective on the impending crisis. You’ll learn the stories of John Copeland, a Raleigh native who participated in John Brown’s infamous raid on Harpers Ferry, Va.; Harriet Jacobs, once enslaved in Edenton, who escaped and became active in the abolition movement; and John Thomas Jones, a student at the University of North Carolina who supported secession and enlisted in the army despite of his father’s Unionist views. The viewpoints of President Abraham Lincoln, N.C. Gov. John Ellis, and famed abolitionist author and Mocksville native Hinton Rowan Helper are also highlighted. (At right, portrait of North Carolina Gov. John Ellis, courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)

The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. The State Capitol is at One Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/default.htm  or call (919) 733-4994 for more information.

I was driving to Hillsborough this week, taking the back roads as we made our way to the fields of blueberries ripe for the picking. Although we just skirted through the town, there was an obvious stretch that was more industrial than the rest. There were a few signs that warned, "No Trucks Allowed" as we drove toward downtown but right at the highway interchange they got really serious. Below the main sign was a large metal black and white sign that said "Tolerance Ends." It was the highway department equivalent of a parent counting to three. Now we really mean it, NO TRUCKS.

I'm in love with that sign. I want to have one printed up on my own metal plate to parade out when the mood is right. Of course parents have The Voice which tells children that they've crossed the line, but I dread actually using The Voice. Wouldn't the act of going to retrieve a large metal sign diffuse some of the tension and bring a few smiles to everyone involved? Or how about a time out area created with mirror walls and Tolerance Ends posted everywhere, so that it reflects back and forth to infinity?

Some days I've had my fill of craziness. If I could just put that sign in the doorway for when Patrick, my husband, walks throught the door, he would know to come in prepared to manage some chaos. Hmmm, maybe I don't need a metal version. I wonder if the children will color one for me?

Charlotte lives in the Triangle and home-schools her three kids, Kaylynn, 7, Lovey, 5, and Kal, 1. Her blog for moms, families and children, http://seetryfly.typepad.com/, focuses on learning through adventure. She writes about crafts, travel, education, food, books and toys.

My father-in-law is always making great meals with his NC State Farmers Market finds, and heading there to see the birth of genius for myself has always been on my to-do list. Then it turned out that Sarah C. hadn't been since her NC State days (which I won't tell you how long ago that was), so we decided to make an outing of it! It was even better that we had the flexibility to do this during a weekday before the Market gets too busy with the weekend shoppers and cooks.

We started by dining at the NC State Farmers Market restaurant. This place is huge inside. The menu has a bunch of fried-tastic things in the way of good southern cookin' but, as this is also next to the Farmers Market, they offer changing side dishes of fresh veggies daily. They use whatever is in season (I had fried okra, though, so still stuck with my fried theme). The food was quite good.

One of the things we loved about the restaurant was the "petting zoo" outside. Even though the animals weren't real our boys still loved it. The area is outside yet off the restaurant, gated in, and filled with a bunch of ceramic statues. These statues include a pig, an alligator, a cow, a horse, and even a cowboy riding a horse. If those don't interest your child, there is a Spiderman car that costs a quarter to ride and a small carousel ride that you also have to feed quarters. The statues look like they have seen better days, but that didn't stop us from enjoying them!

Also outside the restaurant is a bunch of old farm equipment that looks great for climbing.

(The Market actually has 2 restaurants, the second being a seafood restaurant on the other end. We didn't scope that out....yet....)

After eating and playing with the "animals" we went up to Market Imports for some shopping. And wowza, can you shop here. So much stuff. Alas, not a good stop for a toddler or child who is inclined to bang on expensive home decor. We hightailed it out of there before it became a very expensive trip.

There are two pavilions at the State Farmers Market. One houses baked goods, candies, gift and craft items, and even ice cream. We had fun meandering through that, but our best time was in the pavilion that held the produce stands. We went on a weekday and there was still so much here it was unbelievable. I can't imagine what a weekend holds.

There were vegetables of every color and size. Peaches and watermelons were the flavors of the day we went, but there was far more than that here. There were also a slew of free samples. Fun for kids! There was even wine for sale and wine samples around. Fun for adults!

In the back of the produce pavilion was a garden market with trees, plants, shrubs, and more to buy. The costs were quite reasonable.

Also available for sale outside the produce shelter were baked goods, jams, and jellies.

There is a drive-thru pavilion. But this is for truckers and wholesale buyers. Which means you have to buy in some serious bulk (I think it would put your Sam's membership to shame).

But it's OK, because getting out and walking around this Farmers Market is half the fun. It is shaded, a nice breeze blows through, and fans run. The vendors are nice and the stands are like artwork with their offerings. And even on a hot summer day we felt cool and refreshed with the pavilion protection and the fresh peaches on the tongue.

The Farmers Market runs festivals and fairs based on in-season produce. Be sure to check out their website (see below) and calendar to stay on top of these.

NC State Farmers Market
http://www.ncagr.gov/  
Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
Monday thru Saturday 5:00am - 6:00pm
Sundays 8:00am - 6:00pm

State Farmers Market Restaurant
http://www.ncsfmr.com/  
1240 Farmer's Drive
Raleigh
919-755-1550
Monday thru Saturday 6:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

NC Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers' Market in Raleigh
http://www.ncseafood.com/  
Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
919-833-4661
Monday thru Saturday 11 am - 8:00 pm
Sundays 11 am - 5:00 pm

Market Imports
http://www.market-imports.com/  
1208 Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
919-833-0466
Monday thru Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

— Allison is a new mom learning the ropes of parenting in the Triangle. Active by nature and nurture, she loves to get out and go. Luckily, so does her 1-year-old son! Get new ideas as well as all the details and information you need for a new adventure at mominchapelhill.blogspot.com. Check out the photos to this blog on her site!

I can’t think of any place I’d rather be on a workday morning than laughing and celebrating with friends and colleagues. And that’s exactly where I’ll be on Thursday, Sept. 16, at America Tobacco’s Bay 7 in Downtown Durham. Carolina Parent’s Wo+men@Work Breakfast will honor the 2010 N.C. Family-Friendly 50 companies that help families balance the demands of work and parenting.

These businesses have not only pledged to put employee job satisfaction above the corporate bottom line, but they actually practice what they preach. Surveyed and closely scrutinized with the help of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, these companies (big and small) are selected because they understand that happy employees are most productive and make the highest contribution to corporate profits. In short, creating a family-friendly work environment offers a superb return on investment, reaping benefits for all concerned.

It’s grand enough that we’re honoring these companies for benefits like flex-time, trust and respect, but on top of that, we’ll hear Celia Rivenbark dish on marriage, work and parenting from her oh-so-Southern perspective. Devotees of her syndicated newspaper column and five essay collections already know how hilarious Celia is. If you’ve ever heard her speak, as I did recently on NPR, then you’ll be even more anxious to buy tickets for the Sept. 16th breakfast. Of late, we’ve missed her N&O column for a few weeks while she promotes her new book, You Can’t Drink All Day if You Don’t Start in the Morning. Previous titles include Bless Your Heart Little Tramp, We’re Just Like You Only Prettier, Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank, and Belleweather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits.

Trying to pick out my favorite parts of the Skank collection is almost impossible, but I’ll try!
• Slacker Moms Unite! Say Adios! To All that Guilt
• The Butcher’s Great, the Baker’s Suffering: But How is the Anti-Carb Frenzy Affecting the Candlestick Maker?
• Politicians Serve Up McValues: (With Extra Cheese on the Side)

Celia has opinions galore and, better yet, standards—a rare commodity these days. Combine this with a comedienne’s witty irreverence, and you’ve got a winning combination. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from a true home-grown North Carolina treasure. Share the experience with your girl friends and colleagues. Don’t even hesitate to bring some men along. It’ll do them all a world of good. – Written by Robin Hutchison, Marketing Director, Carolina Parent

As part of the summer search for the best ice cream sundaes, popular Durham-based, Raleigh-local chef, Karen Barker, has teamed up with Breyers® ice cream to bring the “Sundae Showcase” to Raleigh for Kids Fest on Sunday, Aug. 29. from 1-5 p.m. at the Triangle Town Center, in Raleigh.

Barker has developed a signature Raleigh-inspired ice cream recipe, “Sweet & Spicy Peach Pecan Sundae,” with Breyers® All Natural Peach ice cream, shortbread cookies and cinnamon and spice.
While at the Sundae Showcase event, families can indulge with free scoops* of Breyers® Original All Natural Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Homemade Vanilla ice cream, get creative at the build-your-own sundae bar, and enjoy Karen’s sundae demonstrations, games and entertainment.

Ice cream fans can also enter the Sundae Scoop-Off recipe contest at Breyers.com for a chance to win $10,000, a trip for four to Chicago and one year of free Breyers® ice cream.** The recipe entries will be judged on taste, creativity, use of Breyers® ice cream and presentation.

Barker's work has been showcased in numerous publications including Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Fine Cooking and The New York Times. Her desserts display a distinct Southern sensibility – making creative use of regional ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality and local sourcing.

What’s on tap for Triangle family fun this weekend? A free arts and crafts festival, larger than life puppet theater, a free outdoor jazz concert, a free ice-cream event, a consignment sale of kids’ stuff and more.

If you're ready to end summer with a bang, you’re in the right place. The Town of Cary’s Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival., a fun free festival, lands in downtown Cary on Saturday, and runs from 9 a.m. -5 p.m.

First held in 1977, Lazy Daze now draws more than 50,000 people into the historic downtown to experience an array of arts and crafts and kids fun. The festival maintains its small-town roots, with proceeds going to support arts activities, downtown and Town of Cary initiatives. You’ll find Kid’s World, two huge stages with entertainment all day and lots of food. For more information on activities—like how you can help stuff the world’s largest doll—visit The Town of Cary’s website.

Love puppets and the theater? Paperhand Puppet Intervention is presenting "Islands Unknown” on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Theatre, on the UNC-CH campus, in Chapel Hill. The story revolves around a young girl’s adventure featuring animals, pirates, monsters and more. The show offers a unique blend of giant puppets, stilts, shadows and live music. There’s general admission at the door. Call 923-1857 or visit www.paperhand.org for details.

Got a kid who always asks “How does that work?” Mechanically minded little ones will find answers at Mill Heritage Tour at the Historic Yates Mill County Park, in Raleigh on Saturday and Sunday from 2-3 p.m. It’s a chance to learn how power is transferred from the water wheel to the milling machinery and about the mill’s business. Call 856-6675 or visit www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill for details on admission to the park at 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd.

On Saturday in Durham from 6-8pm. enjoy jazz music by Mavis SWAN Poole at the CCB Plaza, at 201 N. Corcoran St... With her rich and smoky sound, Poole is often compared to vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Abbey Lincoln.Visit this website for details.

Also Saturday, if you need gently used kids clothing, maternity wear, baby equipment, books, movies and more, don’t miss the Children's Consignment Sale from 8 a.m.-noon. There will be a half-price sale from 1-3 p.m. Head to the Holland’s United Methodist Church, at 9433 Ten Ten Rd., Raleigh. Visit www.wingsconsignment.com for details.

Got ice-cream lovers in your family? Who doesn’t? On Sunday, check out the Breyers Sundae Showcase from 1-7 p.m. at Triangle Town Center, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. You’ll enjoy free scoops of Breyers Original All Natural Homemade Vanilla and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, build-your-own sundae toppings, a kids play zone and an ultimate sundae demonstration from local chef Karen Barker. More details and photos in this blog.

Headed to the movies but not sure what’s appropriate for your tot, tween or teen? Jean’s Movie Choices for Kids has the answers with mom-tested reviews of new summer movies and just released DVDs.  –Written by Odile Fredericks, Carolina Parent Web Editor

If you don't yet have tickets to the Wo+men@Work Breakfast on Sept. 16, check out our Family-Friendly page. You can buy tickets to this fun event online and see which NC companies made the 2010 Family-Friendly list for their commitment to help parents balance work and family life.

September is National Literacy month, and what better way to celebrate than to collect and give out books to children in our community who have no books to call their own?

This month, TriangleMommies, a local and free support group for all moms who live in the Triangle, is partnering up with Read Seed Inc., a local organization whose mission is to ensure all children have a chance to cherish a book of their own and start to love reading at an early age. During September, TriangleMommies and Read Seed will be collecting donations of new or gently books throughout the area to give to local children who do not have their own books.

And you're invited to join in a family fun event to pass on the joy of reading to the next generation. Head to Quail Ridge Books & Music, in Raleigh at 3 p.m. on Sept. 10, when TriangleMommies will be hosting a special story time with activities along with a book drive for Read Seed. Take in a book or get a 20 percent discount on books purchased at Quail Ridge Books for donation between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11. Quail Ridge Books & Music is located at 3522 Wade Ave.

Thinking of how you can help flood victims in Pakistan? A local group of musicians from North Carolina State University and Duke University are holding a benefit at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, in Raleigh, to raise funds for Oxfam International's flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

Cellists Jonathan Kramer of NC State and Fred Raimi of Duke University will be joined by Pianist Jane Hawkins, also from the Duke Music Faculty, in a program of Bach, Bruch and lighter fare at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh. The UU Fellowship is located at 3313 Wade Ave. across from Whole Foods. Admission is by voluntary donation. For more information, please call 919-345-9389 or visit http://uufr.org/.

The VeggieTales Live! tour is coming to Raleigh Oct. 12 with a message for kids about sharing.

Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie crew are taking to the stage with the silliest Silly Song Countdown ever! Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie crew are taking to the stage with the silliest Silly Song Countdown ever! But sometimes silliness just isn't enough to make things run smoothly! Archie prefers lesson songs, Mr. Lunt wants to sing about food, and Jimmy and Jerry are stuck in the 1980s! Everybody wants their turn and their songs in the show, but there's only so much time! The entire VeggieTales crew will have to learn the importance of sharing to make this show work!

A high-energy song and dance spectacular for the whole family, this show is designed to get kids singing along, dancing in the aisles and smiling so hard their teeth will ache! Fan favorites include classic silly songs such as His Cheeseburger, I Love My Lips, The Hairbrush Song, and so many more! Look on CarolinaParent.com's contest page now for a giveaway of the first-ever VeggieTales title for girls: Sweetpea Beauty! and check back in October when we're giving away a VeggieTales CD.

Tickets are on sale for the 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows Oct. 12 at Hope Community Church, in Raleigh.   The tour will also be in Charlotte Oct. 10-11 at the LifePointe Christian Church, located at 13209 Carowinds Blvd. For details, visit http://www.bigidea.com/other/live2010/tix.html. — Written by Odile Fredericks Carolina Parent Web Editor

Kids can get a personal look at life at the State Capitol on the eve of the Civil War in a new free exhibit that opens Sept. 17 and runs through May 13, 2011.

The exhibit, Crisis at the Capitol: North Carolina on the Eve of War introduces visitors to many of the people working and living here in a time before secession and before the war. (At left, portrait of author Harriet Jacobs; courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)

For North Carolina, the Civil War officially began in the State Capitol. On May 20, 1861, delegates from across the state adopted the Ordinance of Secession in the House of Commons, officially withdrawing the state from the Union. This event followed months of tense debate between Unionists and Secessionists, slavery advocates and abolitionists.

The new exhibit is based on documents left behind by 11 different people, each with a different perspective on the impending crisis. You’ll learn the stories of John Copeland, a Raleigh native who participated in John Brown’s infamous raid on Harpers Ferry, Va.; Harriet Jacobs, once enslaved in Edenton, who escaped and became active in the abolition movement; and John Thomas Jones, a student at the University of North Carolina who supported secession and enlisted in the army despite of his father’s Unionist views. The viewpoints of President Abraham Lincoln, N.C. Gov. John Ellis, and famed abolitionist author and Mocksville native Hinton Rowan Helper are also highlighted. (At right, portrait of North Carolina Gov. John Ellis, courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)

The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. The State Capitol is at One Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/default.htm  or call (919) 733-4994 for more information.

I was driving to Hillsborough this week, taking the back roads as we made our way to the fields of blueberries ripe for the picking. Although we just skirted through the town, there was an obvious stretch that was more industrial than the rest. There were a few signs that warned, "No Trucks Allowed" as we drove toward downtown but right at the highway interchange they got really serious. Below the main sign was a large metal black and white sign that said "Tolerance Ends." It was the highway department equivalent of a parent counting to three. Now we really mean it, NO TRUCKS.

I'm in love with that sign. I want to have one printed up on my own metal plate to parade out when the mood is right. Of course parents have The Voice which tells children that they've crossed the line, but I dread actually using The Voice. Wouldn't the act of going to retrieve a large metal sign diffuse some of the tension and bring a few smiles to everyone involved? Or how about a time out area created with mirror walls and Tolerance Ends posted everywhere, so that it reflects back and forth to infinity?

Some days I've had my fill of craziness. If I could just put that sign in the doorway for when Patrick, my husband, walks throught the door, he would know to come in prepared to manage some chaos. Hmmm, maybe I don't need a metal version. I wonder if the children will color one for me?

Charlotte lives in the Triangle and home-schools her three kids, Kaylynn, 7, Lovey, 5, and Kal, 1. Her blog for moms, families and children, http://seetryfly.typepad.com/, focuses on learning through adventure. She writes about crafts, travel, education, food, books and toys.

My father-in-law is always making great meals with his NC State Farmers Market finds, and heading there to see the birth of genius for myself has always been on my to-do list. Then it turned out that Sarah C. hadn't been since her NC State days (which I won't tell you how long ago that was), so we decided to make an outing of it! It was even better that we had the flexibility to do this during a weekday before the Market gets too busy with the weekend shoppers and cooks.

We started by dining at the NC State Farmers Market restaurant. This place is huge inside. The menu has a bunch of fried-tastic things in the way of good southern cookin' but, as this is also next to the Farmers Market, they offer changing side dishes of fresh veggies daily. They use whatever is in season (I had fried okra, though, so still stuck with my fried theme). The food was quite good.

One of the things we loved about the restaurant was the "petting zoo" outside. Even though the animals weren't real our boys still loved it. The area is outside yet off the restaurant, gated in, and filled with a bunch of ceramic statues. These statues include a pig, an alligator, a cow, a horse, and even a cowboy riding a horse. If those don't interest your child, there is a Spiderman car that costs a quarter to ride and a small carousel ride that you also have to feed quarters. The statues look like they have seen better days, but that didn't stop us from enjoying them!

Also outside the restaurant is a bunch of old farm equipment that looks great for climbing.

(The Market actually has 2 restaurants, the second being a seafood restaurant on the other end. We didn't scope that out....yet....)

After eating and playing with the "animals" we went up to Market Imports for some shopping. And wowza, can you shop here. So much stuff. Alas, not a good stop for a toddler or child who is inclined to bang on expensive home decor. We hightailed it out of there before it became a very expensive trip.

There are two pavilions at the State Farmers Market. One houses baked goods, candies, gift and craft items, and even ice cream. We had fun meandering through that, but our best time was in the pavilion that held the produce stands. We went on a weekday and there was still so much here it was unbelievable. I can't imagine what a weekend holds.

There were vegetables of every color and size. Peaches and watermelons were the flavors of the day we went, but there was far more than that here. There were also a slew of free samples. Fun for kids! There was even wine for sale and wine samples around. Fun for adults!

In the back of the produce pavilion was a garden market with trees, plants, shrubs, and more to buy. The costs were quite reasonable.

Also available for sale outside the produce shelter were baked goods, jams, and jellies.

There is a drive-thru pavilion. But this is for truckers and wholesale buyers. Which means you have to buy in some serious bulk (I think it would put your Sam's membership to shame).

But it's OK, because getting out and walking around this Farmers Market is half the fun. It is shaded, a nice breeze blows through, and fans run. The vendors are nice and the stands are like artwork with their offerings. And even on a hot summer day we felt cool and refreshed with the pavilion protection and the fresh peaches on the tongue.

The Farmers Market runs festivals and fairs based on in-season produce. Be sure to check out their website (see below) and calendar to stay on top of these.

NC State Farmers Market
http://www.ncagr.gov/  
Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
Monday thru Saturday 5:00am - 6:00pm
Sundays 8:00am - 6:00pm

State Farmers Market Restaurant
http://www.ncsfmr.com/  
1240 Farmer's Drive
Raleigh
919-755-1550
Monday thru Saturday 6:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

NC Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers' Market in Raleigh
http://www.ncseafood.com/  
Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
919-833-4661
Monday thru Saturday 11 am - 8:00 pm
Sundays 11 am - 5:00 pm

Market Imports
http://www.market-imports.com/  
1208 Farmers Market Drive
Raleigh
919-833-0466
Monday thru Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

— Allison is a new mom learning the ropes of parenting in the Triangle. Active by nature and nurture, she loves to get out and go. Luckily, so does her 1-year-old son! Get new ideas as well as all the details and information you need for a new adventure at mominchapelhill.blogspot.com. Check out the photos to this blog on her site!

I can’t think of any place I’d rather be on a workday morning than laughing and celebrating with friends and colleagues. And that’s exactly where I’ll be on Thursday, Sept. 16, at America Tobacco’s Bay 7 in Downtown Durham. Carolina Parent’s Wo+men@Work Breakfast will honor the 2010 N.C. Family-Friendly 50 companies that help families balance the demands of work and parenting.

These businesses have not only pledged to put employee job satisfaction above the corporate bottom line, but they actually practice what they preach. Surveyed and closely scrutinized with the help of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, these companies (big and small) are selected because they understand that happy employees are most productive and make the highest contribution to corporate profits. In short, creating a family-friendly work environment offers a superb return on investment, reaping benefits for all concerned.

It’s grand enough that we’re honoring these companies for benefits like flex-time, trust and respect, but on top of that, we’ll hear Celia Rivenbark dish on marriage, work and parenting from her oh-so-Southern perspective. Devotees of her syndicated newspaper column and five essay collections already know how hilarious Celia is. If you’ve ever heard her speak, as I did recently on NPR, then you’ll be even more anxious to buy tickets for the Sept. 16th breakfast. Of late, we’ve missed her N&O column for a few weeks while she promotes her new book, You Can’t Drink All Day if You Don’t Start in the Morning. Previous titles include Bless Your Heart Little Tramp, We’re Just Like You Only Prettier, Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank, and Belleweather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits.

Trying to pick out my favorite parts of the Skank collection is almost impossible, but I’ll try!
• Slacker Moms Unite! Say Adios! To All that Guilt
• The Butcher’s Great, the Baker’s Suffering: But How is the Anti-Carb Frenzy Affecting the Candlestick Maker?
• Politicians Serve Up McValues: (With Extra Cheese on the Side)

Celia has opinions galore and, better yet, standards—a rare commodity these days. Combine this with a comedienne’s witty irreverence, and you’ve got a winning combination. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from a true home-grown North Carolina treasure. Share the experience with your girl friends and colleagues. Don’t even hesitate to bring some men along. It’ll do them all a world of good. – Written by Robin Hutchison, Marketing Director, Carolina Parent

As part of the summer search for the best ice cream sundaes, popular Durham-based, Raleigh-local chef, Karen Barker, has teamed up with Breyers® ice cream to bring the “Sundae Showcase” to Raleigh for Kids Fest on Sunday, Aug. 29. from 1-5 p.m. at the Triangle Town Center, in Raleigh.

Barker has developed a signature Raleigh-inspired ice cream recipe, “Sweet & Spicy Peach Pecan Sundae,” with Breyers® All Natural Peach ice cream, shortbread cookies and cinnamon and spice.
While at the Sundae Showcase event, families can indulge with free scoops* of Breyers® Original All Natural Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Homemade Vanilla ice cream, get creative at the build-your-own sundae bar, and enjoy Karen’s sundae demonstrations, games and entertainment.

Ice cream fans can also enter the Sundae Scoop-Off recipe contest at Breyers.com for a chance to win $10,000, a trip for four to Chicago and one year of free Breyers® ice cream.** The recipe entries will be judged on taste, creativity, use of Breyers® ice cream and presentation.

Barker's work has been showcased in numerous publications including Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Fine Cooking and The New York Times. Her desserts display a distinct Southern sensibility – making creative use of regional ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality and local sourcing.

What’s on tap for Triangle family fun this weekend? A free arts and crafts festival, larger than life puppet theater, a free outdoor jazz concert, a free ice-cream event, a consignment sale of kids’ stuff and more.

If you're ready to end summer with a bang, you’re in the right place. The Town of Cary’s Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival., a fun free festival, lands in downtown Cary on Saturday, and runs from 9 a.m. -5 p.m.

First held in 1977, Lazy Daze now draws more than 50,000 people into the historic downtown to experience an array of arts and crafts and kids fun. The festival maintains its small-town roots, with proceeds going to support arts activities, downtown and Town of Cary initiatives. You’ll find Kid’s World, two huge stages with entertainment all day and lots of food. For more information on activities—like how you can help stuff the world’s largest doll—visit The Town of Cary’s website.

Love puppets and the theater? Paperhand Puppet Intervention is presenting "Islands Unknown” on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Theatre, on the UNC-CH campus, in Chapel Hill. The story revolves around a young girl’s adventure featuring animals, pirates, monsters and more. The show offers a unique blend of giant puppets, stilts, shadows and live music. There’s general admission at the door. Call 923-1857 or visit www.paperhand.org for details.

Got a kid who always asks “How does that work?” Mechanically minded little ones will find answers at Mill Heritage Tour at the Historic Yates Mill County Park, in Raleigh on Saturday and Sunday from 2-3 p.m. It’s a chance to learn how power is transferred from the water wheel to the milling machinery and about the mill’s business. Call 856-6675 or visit www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill for details on admission to the park at 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd.

On Saturday in Durham from 6-8pm. enjoy jazz music by Mavis SWAN Poole at the CCB Plaza, at 201 N. Corcoran St... With her rich and smoky sound, Poole is often compared to vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Abbey Lincoln.Visit this website for details.

Also Saturday, if you need gently used kids clothing, maternity wear, baby equipment, books, movies and more, don’t miss the Children's Consignment Sale from 8 a.m.-noon. There will be a half-price sale from 1-3 p.m. Head to the Holland’s United Methodist Church, at 9433 Ten Ten Rd., Raleigh. Visit www.wingsconsignment.com for details.

Got ice-cream lovers in your family? Who doesn’t? On Sunday, check out the Breyers Sundae Showcase from 1-7 p.m. at Triangle Town Center, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. You’ll enjoy free scoops of Breyers Original All Natural Homemade Vanilla and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, build-your-own sundae toppings, a kids play zone and an ultimate sundae demonstration from local chef Karen Barker. More details and photos in this blog.

Headed to the movies but not sure what’s appropriate for your tot, tween or teen? Jean’s Movie Choices for Kids has the answers with mom-tested reviews of new summer movies and just released DVDs.  –Written by Odile Fredericks, Carolina Parent Web Editor

If you don't yet have tickets to the Wo+men@Work Breakfast on Sept. 16, check out our Family-Friendly page. You can buy tickets to this fun event online and see which NC companies made the 2010 Family-Friendly list for their commitment to help parents balance work and family life.