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. 20

Orchid spectacular:

An unending array of color, forms and shapes, orchids lend themselves uniquely to the creation of art in many media. 9 a.m. $12 adults; $11 seniors 60 and older; $6 kids 4-12; free for garden members and children younger than 4. 704-825-4444. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. www.dsbg.org.

Author signing: Sarah Pleydell:

With delicate humor, author Sarah Pleydell presents a portrait of a family on the cusp of great social change in “Cologne.” 2 p.m. Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte. 704-525-9239. www.parkroadbooks.com.

Animal Talks:

Can turtles trade shells? Why are toads bumpy? Discover the answers to these questions and more with your favorite resident animal. 2 p.m. Free. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Evergreen Wreaths:

Take a short hike to collect live evergreen boughs and berries, then come inside to create a kid-friendly wreath to take home, complete with surprise decorations. Hot chocolate provided. Registration required. Course No. 41051. 2:30 p.m. $2. 704-336-7600. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Jan. 21

No school? Cool!:

Bring the out-of-school kids to McDowell Nature Center for a day of natural fun and learning. Sign up for one program or the entire series. Pack a lunch; snack provided. Registration required. Course No. 40068, grades K-2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Course No. 40069, grades 3-5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $15. 704-336-7600. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Yoga for mature beginners:

Classes are designed to provide the mature student with a introduction to yoga, which will build strength and flexibility. Drop-ins welcome. Part of Wing Haven’s Winter Lecture Series. 9:30 a.m. $10 per class. The Elizabeth Lawrence House and Garden at Wing Haven, 348 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. 704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com.

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell, one of the founders of the Abstract Expressionist movement. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Intermediate genealogy:

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

School’s out – forts and hideouts:

Give your child the opportunity to practice the art and science of fort building in a safe and supervised manner. Registration required. Course No. 40060. 2 p.m. Free. 704-336-7600. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

GED class:

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

Jan. 22

No school? Cool!:

Bring the out-of-school kids to McDowell Nature Center for a day of natural fun and learning. Sign up for one program or the entire series. Pack a lunch; snack provided. Registration required. Course No. 40068, grades K-2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Course No. 40069, grades 3-5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $15. 704-336-7600. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

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

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Arthritis Tai Chi:

The course is appropriate for all levels of mobility. 1 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 Rd, Wesley Chapel. 704-843-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Jan. 23

Assistance League of Charlotte general membership meeting:

Find out more about a dynamic group of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of Charlotte-Mecklenburg at-risk children and their families. 9:30 a.m. Free. Assistance League of Charlotte Center and Thrift Shop, 3600 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-525-5228. Charlotte.AssistanceLeague.org.

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Gallery Exhibit: New Year, New Works:

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

Author signing: Stephen C Simms Sr.; “Geo-shifting: Social Cause Games”:

5:30 p.m. Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte. 704-525-9239. www.parkroadbooks.com.

Will Growth Ruin Charlotte: Regional Growth vs. Sustainability:

The Central Piedmont Group of Sierra Club will present a panel discussion by Jim Prosser, executive director of Centralina Council of Governments; Shannon Binns, executive director of Sustain Charlotte; and Ron Morgan, director of 100gardens.org, on natural resources, open space and quality of life future growth will generate. Open to the public. 7 p.m. Free. Mahlon Adams Pavilion at Freedom Park, 2435 Cumberland Ave., Charlotte. 311. www.charlottesierraclub.org.

Artistic demonstration by Carlos Alvarez Cotera:

The Guild of Charlotte Artists will sponsor an artistic demonstration by artist Carlos Alvarez Cotera. 7 p.m. Free. www.TheGuildofCharlotteArtists.com. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Jan. 24

cmseniorcenters.org.

Charlotte Super Food Bowl:

Join AT-NET Services and the NFLPA Charlotte former players as they team up to restock the Loaves & Fishes food pantry. 5 p.m. A 25-pound donation of dry or canned goods at the door is strongly encouraged. 704-831-2905. www.CharlotteSuperFoodBowl.com. AT-NET Services, 9625 Southern Pine Boulevard, Charlotte. 704-831-2509.

Feb. 2

Shining Hope Farms 2013 benefit:

Shining Hope Farms’ annual benefit will pair contra dance with fundraising to aid SHF’s hippotherapy program, a treatment that utilizes equine movement to help children and adults with disabilities. An Italian dinner from Brooklyn Bros. restaurant will be followed by dancing with caller Lesly Bowers, accompanied by the 16th Avenue Band. 6 p.m. $12; $15 at the door. Reservations and tickets: Randy and Sandy Hammitt, 704-691-1119, or Phyllis Helms, 704-825-5219. Gaston County Citizens Resource Center.