Welcome, newcomer!

I am about to welcome a very special Charlotte newcomer: my second child. That means this is my last post until I return from maternity leave in late April.

Charlotte is where I became a mom. My daughter, Lucy, 2, was born here. Read my last Sunday column -- this Sunday -- on how I think Charlotte is a good family town.

Please be in touch at the end of April. Or, if you have a story idea, especially for the annual Living Here magazine, that you want to share sooner, e-mail it to newcomer@charlotteobserver.com. If you would like a copy of the magazine, e-mail new products editor Steve Gunn, sgunn@charlotteobserver.com.

And, if you are new to Charlotte, welcome!

Where did you move from?

We are trying to start an interactive map on charlotteobserver.com that would track where people move to Charlotte from. We want to populate it with some responses early on to encourage others to participate.

It doesn't matter how long you've lived here. Here's what we want to know:

What town and state -- or city and country -- did you move here from? And how long ago? What do you NOT miss about your old place? (5 word maximum)

This would be my response: New York City. 5 years ago. Pricey housing and the cold.

Please send responses to newcomer@charlotteobserver.com or post them to this blog.

Thanks!

Need a date night and a sitter?

Before Baby No. 2 arrives, my husband and I are going out for a nice dinner Saturday night. Thing is we are taking Baby (she's actually a toddler) No. 1. (She's actually been to restaurants quite a bit and is well behaved.)

Our regular babysitter can't be pressed into service -- something about watching to catch up on sleep after just returning from a trip to Israel. And we have no visiting grandparents to tap.

Clearly, I have not done a good job of building a babysitter network. I'm looking into that right now. It could be the last story I write before Baby 2.

So if you are in this situation and want to share -- or vent -- please be in touch and FAST. I also want to hear from you if you have found valuable babysitting resources and are willing to give them up. Send an e-mail to abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com or call me at 704-358-5179. Be sure to leave your name and daytime phone number.

By the way, the timing for our date is perfect. It coincides with Charlotte Restaurant Week. Click here for details.

Another "Moving On" class that starts soon

Reader Marge Farris wants to make sure Fort Mill newcomers know about this class. She passed along details and class description below.

A new seven-week newcomer’s class, “Moving on After Moving In” begins Tuesday, Jan. 27. Classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at BacInTyme Coffee Café, 124 Confederate St., Fort Mill.

Do you need encouragement as you adjust to a move? Are you in unfamiliar surroundings? Do you want to make new friends? Then this class is for you. This Christ-centered study will help you let go, start over and move ahead with your life after a move. For more information or to register for the class, e-mail or call JoAnn Gibitz at jgibitz@comporium.net (803) 548-9386 or Marge Farris at mafarris60@yahoo.com (803) 746-7699.

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There are lots of Moving On classes around the Charlotte area. If you have one, please post details to this entry. Thanks.

N.C. 3rd for new residents

In case you didn't see my story online, North Carolina was third in attracting new residents last year, according to an interstate moving study. It slipped from the top spot, falling behind D.C. and Nevada.

South Carolina ranked 7th for people relocating there.

Click here to read the story.

Moved in? Move on!

I just got an e-mail from Mary Jo Culver at Christ Covenant Church in Charlotte wanting me to spread the word that the church is about to start its third newcomers class.

It's called "Moving On After Moving In." It is a faith-based course for helping people settle that church across Charlotte and the nation are using. For example, St. Matthew Catholic in Ballantyne also offers it.

The class at Christ Covenant will be offered Monday, Jan. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Child care is available on that later date. The church is at 800 Fullwood Lane. Cost for the class book is $12. For more info and to register, call Culver at 704-814-1039.

And if you have a newcomer class or group that you think others would like knowing about, please post it here or e-mail me about it and I will post it.

Who are you rooting for?

In my story today -- leading up to Saturday's playoff match between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals -- I write about how long it takes for football allegiances to be broken.

Ten minutes or 10 years for two former Cardinals fans who live in Charlotte. Never for two others here.


Jeff Genant (above with wife Lisa at the Panthers 2007 home opener against the Houston Texans), a former Cardinals season ticket holder who moved hear nearly 11 years ago, says there's not as much team spirit in Phoenix as Charlotte. He now roots for the Panthers.

Robert McKenzie, a Cardinals fan as a boy growing up in Missouri -- before the team left St. Louis in 1988, can't wait to show his Cardinals pride in the Panthers stadium. "I'll be there Saturday, wearing my Cardinals gear and cheering them on. Having a whole year to gloat about ending the Panthers season is going to be SWEET!," he said in an e-mail. (Robert is pictured below with 2-month old daughter Olivia. He's wearing Cardinals gear he got for Christmas and is in his Cardinals-decorated exercise room.)

To read my story on football fans, click here.

Hey, newcomers, got a resolution?

Attention Charlotte-area newcomers: Did you move here in 2008? And do you have a move-related resolution for 2009? Maybe it’s to find a job, buy a house, sell a house, make new friends or even leave.

I'd love to hear what you're resolved to do here -- for a possible story or blog post. Please contact me at 704-358-5179 or abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com. Be sure to leave your name and daytime phone number. Thanks.

Holiday traditions in Charlotte?

Hey, newcomers -- and oldtimers, too -- here's today's question: What holiday traditions are you establishing -- or have you carried on for a long time -- here in the Charlotte area?

Since moving here five years ago, my husband and I have a few. For Thanksgiving, we always celebrate with our friends in Cornelius -- assuming everyone is around and nobody is having a baby as happened one year. And except for two years when I made the bad decision to get an artificial tree, we always go to the same Christmas tree lot.

But my favorite tradition that's emerging -- holiday tea with my toddler daughter. For the past two years, we have met up with my friend Stephanie and her same-age daughter. Stephanie and I went to high school and college together in Ohio. I love having a friend from back home and we both enjoy seeing our kids pal around.

Special thanks to The Tea House in Cornelius for putting up with and even doting on two 2-year-olds yesterday.

Please share your holiday traditions. Thanks.

Hey, someone left the lights on

I saw the McAdenville Christmas lights last night. My husband and I thought our two-year old daughter would enjoy it and we think she did. She kept pointing out the lights and decorative snowmen.

But I have to say I expected more from Christmastown USA. I had never been, so I can't compare this year's display to previous years. So was it just me? Or is it overhyped?

Impressed or distressed by uptown?

I went to the Neil Diamond concert Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. (Loved it. Click here to read about it.)

Anyhow, driving into uptown I was struck by how many people were walking around -- with places to go and things to do. Certainly, many were in town for Diamond. But many others were heading to the opening night of "The Nutcracker" at the N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or opening night of the EpiCentre Theaters.

I am not a Charlotte cheerleader, but I'm not one to dog the city I live in either. Neither extreme is my style. But I have to say the uptown scene has changed A LOT since I moved here five years ago. Just that short while ago there was no basketball arena uptown and no Epicentre (mixed use entertainment, office and condo complex on East Trade). There were way fewer condo buildings, night clubs and upscale steakhouses, too.

My husband even remarked that it would now be possible to work and live uptown without a car. We never would have said that five years ago after moving from New York City. But think about it. Plenty of entertainment options and the aforementioned condo boom. Need to get groceries or shop at a big box store? In addition to the Harris Teeter that's been next to Fifth and Poplar for a while, there's now Trader Joe's at Metropolitan (just take public transportation). There's also big boxes, such as Target and Best Buy, there, too.

What do you think of uptown today? Plenty to do? Wish there was more? Comment here or send me an e-mail at abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com. Thanks.

How to have fun with the grandkids

A reader e-mailed recently looking for suggestions for what to do with the grandkids between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I responded with today's column.

But as soon as I filed the story and it was edited, I stumbled on one more idea and wanted to pass it on. It's something I plan to take my toddler daughter to. Singing bears at Founders Hall.

I'm talking about the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra. Every year these bears perform Christmas classics, such as "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," -- for free. My friend Stephanie always takes her kids and says it's a hit. For more info, including hours, click here.

Are you a newcomer from Florida?

Hey there, hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Despite having the worst cold ever, I had a great holiday with my husband, kid and parents visiting from Ohio.

Now today's question: Are you a recent newcomer -- say in past year -- from Florida? If so, I need to talk to you for a story. Please e-mail me at abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com. And please include your name and daytime phone number. Thanks!

Wannabe newcomers

Check out these wannabe Charlotte newcomers. They are trying to move from Washington -- after they sell their house, that is.

Click here.

Your Thanksgiving memories

In my column Sunday about cooking Thanksgiving dinner in Paris, I asked readers to submit their own holiday memories. And I promised to post those on my blog.

Here's what two of you had to say. If you want to share your holiday stories, post them here or email them to me.

From Deb Soto in Denver, N.C.:
"My first Thanksgiving living in Tokyo, Japan was a fun-filled party I hosted at our home. Four American servicemen, who signed up through the USO, came from Yokohama by train. My husband's Japanese work colleagues arrived wide-eyed having never seen a turkey before. New friends from the Tokyo American Club and The American School in Japan arrived happily anticipating Thanksgiving comfort food. My husband, Rick, was on our terrace proudly showing off the bird (procured from an International market at a huge cost) as it roasted on our Weber grill. Our oven was tiny, but it could accommodate the pumpkin pies and green bean casserole (in stages, of course!). ... The oohhs and aahhs exclaimed from both East and West cultures as the grilled turkey was carved made this event even more delightful and memorable."

From Sherry Mullis in Morresville:
"Our most special Thanksgiving was in 1989. Our daughter Ashley was expecting her first child. We had asked her and her husband John to not go to the Thanksgiving parade in Charlotte because the baby was due very soon. Of course, they went anyway. Later that afternoon at my sister's home while we were setting the table, Ashley and John kept leaving the room and finally just before dinner was served they announced that the baby was on the way!!! John Winston Ladd was born early the next morning 19 years ago and that day continues to be our favorite Thanksgiving ever. Four years later at exactly 12:05 a.m. on January 1, 1994 his precious sister Dallas Nicole Ladd arrived as the first baby in Mecklenburg County. Needless to say we never forget their birthdays."

Not a chilly Thanksgiving!

This will be my sixth Thanksgiving in Charlotte. After freezing in Ohio, New York and Paris, I have loved spending the holiday in 70-something climes. My parents will be visiting from northern Ohio, so they'll be right at home, though I think they were looking forward to a warmer holiday too.

Here's the 10-day forecast I just looked at for Charlotte.

Oh, and to read about my Thanksgiving in Paris, click here.

Here's another freebie -- tonight.

A few posts ago I promised to occasionally let readers know about free events around the area.

Here's one happening tonight: SouthPark mall's annual tree lighting. It's 5-8 p.m. at Symphony Park. There will be activities for kids, such as a moon bounce, and live entertainment, including MI Express Children's Choir, and a fireworks show.

Just bundle up -- it's cold out there!

So much for mild weather, right?

We often hear newcomers say that Charlotte's milder weather was one factor in their decision to move from Ohio, Michigan, New York, etc.

But what about folks who moved away from warmer climes? If that's you, tell me what you think of the chilly temps. Are you bundling up? Staying inside? Wishing you were back home in Florida or California?

Newcomer has never cooked Thanksgiving dinner before

Yanira Quinones is a newcomer who will also be cooking her first Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Yanira and her husband, Jose, and two young daughters, Kiana and Samantha, moved from the Bronx to Clover, S.C. earlier this year. They picked the area after visiting a cousin in Fort Mill several times.

"We just liked the atmosphere of being out of the city and being in the country and seeing trees. It was just a better place to live," said Yanira, a legal secretary. "We are happy. The kids love it."

The family was also lured by a lower cost of living, which allowed them to build a house, something they couldn't have afforded in New York, where they rented.

What will Thanksgiving in their new home be like?

"It will be a little lonely because my mom and dad and (Jose's) mom and dad and literally everyone is in New York," she said. (Even her cousin has since moved back.)

And it will be Yanira's first year making Thanksgiving dinner. She said she planned to "Google some stuff online and find out how to make a turkey."

Well, Yanira, you also might want to check out the Observer's guide to Thanksgiving, published today. Just click here for your nine-day countdown -- a day by day and hour by hour guide on what you need to be do to get ready -- and recipes and instructions for handling, cooking and carving your bird. Good luck!

What to do with grandkids?

A reader e-mailed me for suggestions on things to do with the grandkids between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am going to follow up with a column. I've got plent of ideas but want to hear yours. Please post them here. Thanks!