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.

Feb. 3

Orchid Spectacular:

On display this winter are, fully framed, the best from the Garden’s collection of more than 5,000 orchids. It’s a living art display of some of the best orchids in the Southeast. 9 a.m. $12 adults; $11 seniors 60 or 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.

Animal Talks:

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

Family Nature Hike:

Explore McDowell Nature Preserve with a staff member. We will walk the trails enjoying the sights and sounds of the nature preserve during the winter months. 704-336-7600Course No. 41063. 3 p.m. Free. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Feb. 4

Babes in the Woods:

Walk along the Four Seasons Trail, a .4-mile paved trail, so strollers are more than welcome. Registration required: 704-336-7600. Course No. 40088. 9:30 a.m. Free. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

How Sweet the Sound: A tribute to George Beverly Shea:

Celebrate George Beverly Shea’s 104th birthday during this special exhibit at the Billy Graham Library. 9:30 a.m. Free. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte. 704-401-3200. www.billygraham.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, 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 could help in finding long-lost loved ones. This is the 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.

GED class:

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

Feb. 5

How Sweet the Sound: A tribute to George Beverly Shea:

Celebrate George Beverly Shea’s 104th birthday during this special exhibit at the Billy Graham Library. 9:30 a.m. Free. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte. 704-401-3200. www.billygraham.org.

Gardening Under Cover with Colonial Williamsburg’s Wesley Greene:

Learn the historically approved methods of using bell glass, hotbeds, paper frames and other devices for year-round vegetable production. Wesley Greene is the author of “Vegetable Gardening the Colonial Williamsburg Way:18th century methods for today’s organic gardeners.” Registration required. 9:30 a.m. $20. Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. 704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com.

Gallery Exhibit: Sandy Siepert – The Color of Water:

During February, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight work from North Carolina watercolor artist Sandra Siepert, who is also an instructor in watercolor painting at the gallery’s studio. 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, 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.

Family Fun Day:

Preschoolers’ favorite morning out returns as Carolina Place presents a variety of entertainers at Family Fun Day. Magicians, jugglers, face painters, puppets, variety shows, clowns and much more awaits fun-loving kids and their parents in Center Court. 11 a.m. Free. Carolina Place Mall, 11025 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville. 704-543-9300. www.carolinaplace.com.

Community Blood Drive:

Free T-shirt to all donors. Join CBCC in observing American Heart Month in February by donating blood between now and Feb. 28. 12 p.m. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us. Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte. 704-337-2200. www.queens.edu.

Art for Special Needs:

A series of fun and creative art classes in a supportive environment for kids and adults with special needs are being offered at the McDowell Arts Center. 12:30 p.m. $45 to $65. 704-321-7275. www.matthewsfun.org. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St., Matthews. 704-321-7275. www.matthewsnc.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.

Shop With The Doc:

Dr. April Smith, from Revolution Chiropractic, will enlighten you on the proper foods to eat in order for you to maintain good health. Registration required: 704-522-6222. 1 p.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

MS caregiver support group:

The MS Center of Carolinas Medical Center provides a free monthly support group just for the caregivers of loved ones who have MS. Contact Louise Frumkin, MSW, LCSW, at 704-446-1908 or louise.frumkin@carolinas.org. 2:30 p.m. Free. CMC-Morrocroft, 4525 Cameron Valley Parkway, Charlotte. 704-446-1908. www.carolinashealthcare.org/cmc-neurology.

Feb. 6

Gallery Exhibit: Sandy Siepert – The Color of Water:

During February, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight work from North Carolina watercolor artist Sandra Siepert, who is also an instructor in watercolor painting at the gallery’s studio. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

handsinmotion@gmail.com for reservations. 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6; 3:30 p.m. Feb. 13; 3:30 p.m. Feb. 20; 3:30 p.m. Feb. 27; 3:30 p.m. March 6; 3:30 p.m. March 13; 3:30 p.m. March 20; 3:30 p.m. March 27; 3:30 p.m. April 3; 3:30 p.m. April 10; 3:30 p.m. April 17; 3:30 p.m. April 24; 3:30 p.m. May 1; 3:30 p.m. May 8; 3:30 p.m. May 15. $50/month. 704-624-0473. www.littlehandsinmotion.com. Elon Park Rec Center (formerly 521 Rec Center), 11401 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte. 704-540-2426.

Charlotte Quilters’ Guild February meeting:

The Charlotte Quilters’ Guild welcomes Jean Wells presenting “Journey to Inspired Art Quilting.” 7 p.m. $5 for nonmembers. www.charlottequiltersguild.org. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

Feb. 7

Fly Tying 101:

Free two-hour fly tying clinic presented by Orvis Charlotte at the Phillips Place shopping center. All equipment provided, registration required: 704-571-6100. 5:30 a.m. Free. Orvis Charlotte at Phillips Place, 6800 Phillips Place Court, Charlotte. 704-571-6100. www.orvis.com.

Kitchen Gardening: styles and strategies:

Learn a variety of techniques for determining what to include in your kitchen garden, ways to integrate the kitchen garden into your existing landscape as well as how to make the most of the space available. Registration required. 7:30 a.m. $20. Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. 704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com.

Gallery Exhibit: Sandy Siepert – The Color of Water:

During February, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight work from North Carolina watercolor artist Sandra Siepert, who is also an instructor in watercolor painting at the gallery’s studio. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Shop With The Doc:

Dr. April Smith, from Revolution Chiropractic, will enlighten you on the proper foods to eat in order for you to maintain good health. Registration required: 704-522-6222. 1 p.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

“Little Women”:

The CYC Players, the musical theater group from the home school choir, Carolina Youth Chorale, will present the musical “Little Women.” 7 p.m. $8. www.CYCplayers.org. Elevation Blakeney, 8835 Blakeney Professional Drive, Charlotte.

Movie premier: “The Power of Upper Cervical”:

Learn how upper cervical care has helped millions find relief from conditions ranging from run-of-the-mill neck and back pain to multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, diabetes and more. One free popcorn or drink. Registration required. 7 p.m. Free. 704-588-5560. powerofuc.eventbrite.com. Ayrsley Grand Cinema, 9110 Kings Parade Blvd., Charlotte. 980-297-7540. www.ayrsleycinemas.com.

BFF Night Out (paint and we’ll donate):

Bring your best friends for some painting fun, laughter and good times – and paint some great memories. A portion of the proceeds ($10 per person) will be donated to Go Red for Women/American Heart Association. Register on the “Calendar” page at www.cajuncanvas.com. 7 p.m. $35. Cajun Canvas, a painting bayou, 11116 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-504-5224. www.cajuncanvas.com.