Wednesday

Where Charlotte Mommies Meet Online

Charlotte Parent Magazine has a great network of forums that provide a heap of info based on where you live specifically in Charlotte. For example, I belong to UnionCountyMommies.com. It's a free board where moms (and dad's) can post or comment on a huge variety of subjects. For example, if you're looking for local parents to recommend a good plumber--someone on the site will surely have a recommendation for you. New pizza joint opened? Well, you can bet people will be giving you an earful about the quality of the calzone.

Having trouble breastfeeding, there's a forum for that too. Can't figure out how to handle a terrible-two's issue or is your tween acting up? Hop on over and post your frustration and you can bet that there will be mom's there to support you and give you some advice. Done baby rearing and have a playpen to sell, be sure to post it in the Buy/Sell/Trade/Free section.

Moms and Dads also get together certain times to meet eachother live and bring along their kids. So, its a great potential for meeting families just like yours particularly if you're new to Charlotte or don't have family/friends in the local area. Aside from the forums, there's various community sections, and outreach zone if you're interested in volunteering and much more.

There are specific branches for various counties in Charlotte, so be sure to sign up for the one in your area. It's free and provides a great resource.

Ikea is Coming To Charlotte NC on February 18th!


Lots of transplants in Charlotte eagerly await shops that existed in their former living areas to move to Charlotte. One woman spent a year gathering thousands signatures to try to lure Wegman's to the Queen City, for example, but no luck on that happening as of yet. Trader Joe's has now opened several locations after being wooed by former customers--and such is the case with Ikea, which arrives around February 18, 2009.

Whatever you might think of big box stores invading your town, some of them are just darned convenient to have around. And Ikea seems to be one of those places that attracts folks thanks to their cheap, but relatively stylish (given the price point) furnishings. Heck, people travel to the place just for their meatballs!

Nestled between 85 and 485 in what's known as the Mallard Creek area of Charlotte, it should bring some 200 new jobs into the area and some more shopping (like we don't have enough of that!).