News briefs

Piper Glen

Shamrock race: The ninth annual Shamrock 4 Miler to benefit Levine Children's Hospital will start at 8 a.m. March 17 at Stonecrest at Piper Glen, 7824 Rea Road. The event is open to runners of all ages and abilities. There will be a kids' leprechaun jog and an Easter bunny hop post-race celebration from 9 a.m. to noon. Festivities include a bounce house, face painting and coffee and doughnuts with the Easter bunny. Details: www.shopstonecrest.com. For fees and registration: bit.ly/zS7Wdd, or mail an application and entry fee (postmarked by March 12) to Run For Your Life; Attn: Shamrock 4 Miler, 2422 Park Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28203. Questions: 704-358-0717.

SouthPark

Tech help: Is your cell phone giving you a hard time? Are you wishing you knew how to open that photo attachment of your grandchildren? Let knowledgeable teens help ease your technology troubles from 10 a.m.-noon, March 10 in the conference room of Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Details: 704-416-5400, option 4.

Matthews

Grant money: Nonprofits interested in partnering with the Town of Matthews by hosting an event at a festival have until March 7 to apply. Festivals include: Beach Fest, Matthews Alive! and the Summer Concert and Movie series. The town has $1,500 to aid nonprofits in event partnerships. Deadline for applications is March 7. Details: bit.ly/AtTXHB; 704-847-4411.

Ballantyne

Portrait Art Walk: View portrait samples on display for the Portraits, Inc. annual seminar. Open to the public from 6-7 p.m., Feb. 25 in Ballrooms A and B at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Details: www.portraitsinc.com; 1-800-476-1223.

South Charlotte

Politics and barbecue: On March 4, at 3 p.m., The Duke Mansion and Levine Museum of the New South will explore the tradition of politics and barbecues in Mecklenburg County with a free showing of the CPCC Television show, "Trail of History: BBQ and Politics," followed by conversation with CPCC Professor Gary Ritter. Reservations are required for this free program at The Duke Mansion, 400 Hermitage Road in Myers Park. To reserve a spot, email ecovington@tlwf.org or call 704-714-4445.

Gardening classes:

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Wipe Out Waste division of Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Management are partnering to bring eco-friendly gardening classes to South County Library on Thursdays during March and April. All speakers are certified Mecklenburg County master composters. Join us for: "Bokashi Composting and Deep Mulch Gardening;" "Vermicomposting: Red Wiggles Are Your Best Compost Friends;" "Companion Planting;" and "Creating the Healthy Earth Happy Lawn." Register at www.cmlibrary.org; Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30p.m; South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.