Pillows are personalized with a medallion. Photo courtesy of Century Furniture   Bella Tunno   Sister’s Christmas Catechism

Essentials for living well

Posh Personalization

Whether it’s on a bath towel, baby blanket, sterling silver pendant, coffee mug or chilled pint glass, people love to personalize. Monograms are everywhere, and furniture is no exception.

Initials and medallions accented many pieces at the recent High Point Furniture Market. But today’s monograms are anything but stuffy – they are merely an expression of personality, says Edward Tashjian, vice president of marketing for High Point-based Century Furniture. “People who customize their furnishings tend to be well traveled, independent and self assured,” he adds. “Monograms are not elitist, but rather a very personal way to define your space in the world.”

Define your own space by checking out Century’s finely crafted customize home furnishings, available at boutiques and retailers from High Point to Pineville. www.centuryfurniture.com.

Gotta Have It

Cookies for a Cause

For years, childhood friends Kristi Crates, Elise Redmond and Michelle
Marshall hosted cookie exchanges, a tradition where friends come
together to share homemade cookies. But after Kristi
succumbed to Hodgkin’s disease late last year, the women
decided to host cookie parties to raise money for their favorite
charities. Cookies for a Cause was born, giving groups around
the country a way to raise money for a charity of their choice.

“Our biggest goal is simply to encourage others to collect money and put it in a cookie jar to donate to their favorite causes,” says founding member Elise Redmond.

The Mint Museum of Craft + Design will host a Cookies for a Cause 2008 Cookie Exchange Gala 7-10 p.m. Dec. 5. Admission is $25 plus a plate of homemade cookies. Proceeds will be donated to the Barium Springs Children’s Home, among others. 220 N. Tryon St. Buy tickets online at www.cookies4acause.com.

First Night

For the first time since 1995, nationally branded First Night New Years Eve festivities will kick off in at The Square at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Over 24 indoor and outdoor entertainment sites will radiate from the city center, featuring the Charlotte Dance Festival, Charlotte Blues Society All Star Band, Sweetbriar Jam bluegrass band, The Fettuccini Brothers juggling comedy group, Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte, SlamCharlotte, a walk through an ice sculpture garden, plenty of public art displays and much more. Admission into most of the events and activities is covered with the purchase of a First Night button for $10. Children under 12 are free. Bring a friend and bring the kids, but
don’t bring the booze. First Night Charlotte is an alcohol-free event. Purchase buttons online at www.FirstNightCharlotte.com, or they can be purchased the night of the event.

Fun Facts

31.3 MILLION American households purchased a real Christmas tree in 2007.

17.4 MILLION households bought the artificial variety.

New Student Enrollment

New students in Mecklenburg County must be enrolled by Dec. 23 to be eligible for the first magnet school lottery Jan. 9-Feb. 9. There are three major changes to this year’s enrollment process:

• Children must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2009, to be considered for kindergarten. Students must be four years old on or before Aug. 31, 2009 to be considered for pre-kindergarten.
• Families must provide three proof-of-residency documents, one from each of the following categories: A copy of a lease and record of the most recent rent payment, or a record of the most recent mortgage payment; a utility bill dated within the past 30 days; a valid driver’s license, vehicle tax bill or valid passport.
• Under N.C. law, parents of students transferring into Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools must fill out a Safe Schools Enrollment Declaration. This states whether the student is under suspension or expulsion from any public or private school, or whether the student has been convicted of a felony.

In addition to these new forms, parents must also provide an official birth certificate (with seal) and a copy of the student’s current immunization record.

New student enrollment forms are available on the CMS Web site, www.cms.k12.nc.us, at any school, learning community office or at the Family Application Center at 700 Marsh Road. Details: 980-343-5335.

Chic and Charitable

Michelle Tunno Buelow, founder of Charlotte-based baby boutique Bella Tunno, noticed a major problem while shopping for her newborn. Many of the stylish baby products weren’t functional, and those that were functional lacked style. Bella Tunno baby products are now available at Target, BabyGap, Nordstrom and more. Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Matt Tunno memorial fund, an environmental protection and teen drug rehabilitation charity that honors Michelle’s late brother. Check out www.bellatunno.com to browse bibs, binkers, burpies and more.

Verve Calendar

Through Dec. 23
The Littlest Angel: The Tarradiddle Players and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte present this holiday play at Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St. $14-$18. 704-973-2828.

Through Dec. 23
Christmas at the Billy Graham Library: Enjoy carriage rides, holiday readings, carolers, decorations, a gingerbread replica of the Graham library and Christmas exhibits. Billy Graham Parkway. Free.

Dec. 1-26
McAdenville Light Display: Streets sparkle in one of our area’s most impressive light displays at Christmas Town USA. 16 miles west of uptown Charlotte on Interstate 85.

Dec. 2-14
Sister’s Christmas Catechism: In this holiday mystery extravaganza, Sister hilariously retells the story of the nativity, while trying to solve The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. $20 and up. 704-372-1000.

Dec. 4-7
A Christmas Carol: See the classic Dickens tale preformed at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. $10-$20. 704-372-1000.

Dec. 5-18
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play: North Carolina Stage Company presents a pared-down stage version of Frank Capra’s holiday classic, performed in a new way. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St. $15-$25. 704-372-1000.

Dec. 6-7
Singing Christmas Tree: Sing along to holiday favorites and see dancers from Images Dance Ensemble. (Kids’ show 11 a.m. Dec. 6.) Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $18-$30. 704-374-1564.

Dec. 12-21
The Nutcracker: North Carolina Dance Theatre with the Charlotte Symphony presents this holiday tradition. Belk Theatre, 130 N. Tryon St. $20 and up. 704-372-1000.

Dec. 12-22
The Velveteen Rabbit: Presented by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St. $14-$18. 704-973-2828.

Dec. 13
Doo Wop Yule Pop: Ovens Auditorium hosts this holiday oldies concert. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $55-$75. www.ovensauditorium.com.

Dec. 16
Christmas with Amy & Vince: Join Amy Grant and Vince Gill at Ovens Auditorium for a concert celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. Tickets are $50-$95. VIP seats that include a pre-concert reception with Amy and Vince are available for $250. Proceeds benefit Charlotte Rescue Mission. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. VIP reception, 6 p.m.; concert, 8 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

Dec. 21
Hanukkah Menorah Parade: The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte begins its car Menorah parade at the Lubavitch Education Center on Sardis Road and heads to SouthPark mall for a menorah lighting, children’s program and refreshments. 4:30-7 p.m. Details: Call Shlomo Cohen at 704-366-3984.