Community calendar

Please submit your event information online. Go to http://events.charlotteobserver.com and click on “add to our listings.” Email photos to stories@newsofsouthcharlotte.com. The submission deadline for print is two weeks in advance of the event date.

Jan. 6

Book Event and dinner by Stacey Marshall:

Stacey Marshall, author of “Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes,” will show simple, powerful strategies for optimal, self-assured speaking in any situation. Register for dinner. 4:30 p.m. Free, $5 for dinner. Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-366-5007. www.charlottejcc.org.

Jan. 7

Intermediate genealogy:

Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society will provide a four-week course that will aid in a search for finding long lost loved ones. This is a second part to the series. Most of the research will be conducted on the Internet. Registration required. 1:30 p.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

GED class:

Weekly GED classes. 6 p.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Road, Wesley Chapel. 704-843-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Mind and meditation session:

Meditation and breathing techniques to help you better meditate. Presented by The Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational organization. 6:30 p.m. Free. Earthfare Supermarket, 12235 N. Community House Road, Charlotte. 980-216-8732. us.artofliving.org.

Jan. 8

MainStreetChamber’s Speed Networking for Breakfast:

Join MainStreetChamber Charlotte and Sweet Tea’s Restaurant for Speed Networking for Breakfast. 7:30 a.m. Free. 704-313-5153. mainstreetchambercharlotte.org/chamber-events/. Sweet Tea’s Restaurant and Catering, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road, Pineville. 704-855-1803. www.sweetteascatering.com

The Garden Club of Weddington “Vegetable Gardening”:

Speaker is David Blackley, garden expert and owner of Renfrow Hardware. The program is “Vegetable Gardening.” 9:15 a.m. Siler Presbyterian Church, 6301 Weddington Monroe Road, Matthews. 704-821-7445. www.gardenclubofweddington.com.

Senior chair yoga:

Weekly senior chair yoga. 9:30 a.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Rd, Wesley Chapel. 704-843-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

During January, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight new works from all represented artists. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Planning for the End of Your Life: A primer for caregivers:

Learn about legal needs, rights as a patient, Hospice and more in a program from The Ivey memory care day center. Registration required. 2 p.m. Free. The Ivey Adult Day Services, 6030 Park S Drive, Charlotte. 704-909-2070. www.theivey.com.

Love and Logic parenting class:

Teen Health Connection offers Love and Logic, a parenting program designed to give participants practical skills that can be used immediately with adolescents ages 11-18. 6 p.m. Community House Middle School, 9500 Community House Road, Charlotte. 980-343-0689. schools.cms.k12.nc.us/communityhouseMS.

GED class:

Weekly GED classes. 6 p.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Rd, Wesley Chapel. 704-843-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Katya Lezin book signing and talk:

“But I just Grew Out My Bangs! A Cancer Tale” author and South Charlotte News columnist Katya Lezin will speak about her memoir, followed by a panel discussion with her medical team. 7 p.m. Free. Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-366-5007. www.charlottejcc.org.

Jan. 9

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

During January, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight new works from all represented artists. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Lupus Foundation support group:

This group meets the second Wednesday of each month. January’s topic is “Lupus and the Kidneys.” Contact the LFAPC at patientservices@lupuslinks.org or 877-849-8271, ext. 2. 1 p.m. Free. Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 1073 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-716-5640. www.lupuslinks.org.

Jan. 10

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

During January, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight new works from all represented artists. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Golden Exercise and Wellness:

These hourlong exercise classes help you stay motivated to maintain your exercise regimen. Plan to work out for 45 minutes and then engage in a mini wellness education lecture. 10:45 a.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

Modern Poverty: An Introspective Art Show:

Join Bree Stallings and the Honors Department at Queens University of Charlotte as she presents her honors thesis project, “Modern Poverty: An Introspective Art Show.” 7 p.m. Free to public. 980-329-4466. Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte. 704-337-2200. www.queens.edu.

Jan. 11

Community Blood Drive:

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas has donation centers in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Hickory, and Union County. Call 704-972-4700 or go to www.carolinadonor.org to make an appointment at any location. Minimum weight requirement is 120 pounds. 9 a.m. Hendrick Lexus, 6025 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us.

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

During January, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight new works from all represented artists. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Spanish Brass:

Since 1989, the Spanish Brass has thrilled audiences from stages and festivals around the world. 8 p.m. $20 for adults; students of all ages Free. Dana Auditorium Queens University, 1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte. 704-337-2213. 704-337-2213. www.queens.edu/friend-of-music.

Jan. 12

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

During January, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight new works from all represented artists. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

NatCap Lyme support group:

Lyme support group meeting every second Saturday of the month. Contact charlottelyme@yahoo.com. 1 p.m. 704-649-0877. Queen’s Grant High School, 10323 Idlewild Road, Matthews. 704-545-0736. www.qgphs.com.

Artist’s Den “New Year’s Evolution”:

Open mic. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Mugs Coffee, 5126 Park Road No. 1, Charlotte. 704-733-9014. www.mugsofcharlotte.com.

Jan. 13

Providence chamber music recital:

The concert demonstrates the versatility of the trio ensemble and includes Charles Martin Loeffler’s Two Rhapsodies for oboe, viola, and piano; Wind Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Clarinet by Robert Donahue, and Michael Glinka’s Trio Pathique in D Minor for B-flat Clarinet, Bassoon or Cello, and Piano. 7 p.m. Free. 704-366-7442. www.providenceumc.org-/music-ministry. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-366-2823.

Jan. 14

Breast Health Seminar:

The Outreach Coordinator of Susan G. Koman for the Cure will explain and answer any questions regarding the breast health concerns of you or a loved one. 10 a.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

Intermediate genealogy:

Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society will provide a four-week course that will aid in a search for finding long lost loved ones. This is a second part to the series. Most of the research will be conducted on the Internet. Registration required. 1:30 p.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

Jan. 15

Senior chair yoga:

Weekly senior chair yoga. 9:30 a.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Rd, Wesley Chapel. 704-821-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Admissions open house (grades pre-K-8):

Charlotte Preparatory School will host an open house for families seeking to explore educational opportunities for children ages 2 1/2 through eighth grade. 9:30 a.m. Charlotte Preparatory School, 212 Boyce Road, Charlotte. 704-366-5994, ext. 143. www.charlotteprep.org.

New Leaders Winter Celebration:

New Leaders Charlotte invites you to its Winter Holiday Party 2013. Pizza and wings will be served. Cash bar will be available. 5 p.m. Pizza Peel, 4422 Colwick Road, Charlotte. 704-714-8808.

The Compassionate Friends Monthly Meeting:

The Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support group for families who have experienced the death of a child at any age and by any means. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month. Call 704-315-6913 for directions or further information. 7 p.m. Free. www.tcfofcharlotte.org. St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pky, Charlotte. 704-543-7677. stmatthewcatholic.org