Support natural birthing on May 9th for a fundraiser in honor of Mother’s Day at the Bag Lady book and gift shop. The event coincides with the release of Your Best Birth: Know All Your Options, Discover the Natural Choices, and Take Back the Birth Experience by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein.

Ten percent of all sales at the store and proceeds from book sales will be donated to the upcoming Carolina Community Maternity Center (CCMC), the Charlotte area’s only nonprofit, midwife-run, out-of-hospital birth center. Local artists have donated items for the event and 100% of those proceeds will go toward the center as well.

CCMC will provide women and families with much needed options when it comes to maternity care. Natural birth will always be respected, water birth will be an option and babies will stay with their state-of-the-art nursery: mom!

Book and gift sales are from 10am -7pm and a reception with the midwives from 6:30-8pm. The Bag Lady is located at 1710 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 200 in Dilworth. More information can be found at www.CarolinaBirth.org.

Pet Palooza Dog Festival Humane Society Fundraiser

Get Fifi and Fido ready for Pet Palooza 2009 - the Humane Society of Charlotte’s largest annual fundraiser. At this dog walk and festival, join over 2,000 event participants who walk with teams of family, friends and co-workers in this special celebration of our four-legged friends.

Enjoy a vendor fair featuring pet products and services, musical entertainment, contests, a doggie fashion show, a silent auction and fun for the entire family! Pets will also be available for adoption.

Pet Palooza will be held May 30th at Independence Park from 8:30am-noon. The rain date will be June 6. For more information visit www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org.

Martial Arts Summer Camp At Peaceful Dragon

The Peaceful Dragon announces its Martial Arts Summer Camp for children ages six through 13 that will run weekly June 11 through August 21. Activities besides martial arts training include Chinese language, crafts, games, sports and a weekly field trip.

Traditional Chinese martial arts study focuses on the development of a strong mind, body and spirit. This foundation can improve study habits, physical fitness and caring and respect towards others.

“The Peaceful Dragon can offer your child life-changing improvements in focus, self-esteem and confidence, along with real self-defense skills and anti-bullying strategies,” said Master Eric Sbarge, a former South Charlotte Middle School teacher and current Head Instructor at The Peaceful Dragon.

The Peaceful Dragon is located at 12610 Steele Creek Road. For further information visit www.ThePeacefulDragon.com. Organic Hair Color at J. Graham & Co. Safe for Hair and Health

Beverly DeRuby, of J. Graham & Co, is pleased to be the first stylist using Organic Salon Systems color services. “You can have guilt-free hair color that has no ammonia which is corrosive to the hair and toxic to the environment,” she says.

The color formulas contain no plastics, parabens or sulfates and there are no animal-derived ingredients or animal testing. The grey coverage is excellent and all shades are vibrant, leaving hair looking healthy and natural. “Organic hair color is simply great results with integrity,” states DeRuby.

For more information call Beverly DeRuby at 704-344-0224.

Answer Your Heart’s Calling Workshop Connect with women for self-discovery

Christine O’Dell, women’s empowerment consultant and workshop facilitator, will present Answer Your Heart’s Calling - workshop to help women discover their natural strengths and take action on them.

Participants will take part in playing the Joyful Heart Game, writing a What Feeds My Soul diary, drawing a Heart’s Desire adventure map and creating a self care toolbox that will keep the experience alive even after the event.

O’Dell states, “My primary goal is to empower, support and inspire women to live a more heart-centered life. The creative process of the workshop will allow each woman’s inner beauty to manifest in her life, work and relationships.”

The workshop will be at held on May 13th from 7-9 p.m. at The Bag Lady, 1710 Kenilworth Ave. Cost is $30. Register: (704) 338-9778 or [email protected]. Info: www.christineodell.com or www.answeryourheartscalling.com. World Enneagram Day May 30th Free classes to enhance consciousness

The International Enneagram Association (IEA) is promoting the first-ever “World Enneagram Day” to provide an opportunity for people to come together to demonstrate their dedication to the goals of higher consciousness, global unity and world peace. Angelina Corbet, a local a certified Enneagram facilitator will offer several free classes during the week of May 24th in honor of the event.

This ancient universal system describes the flow of natural processes, including the evolution of the human personality from unconsciousness to consciousness. Combining centuries-old wisdom with practical application, it is a powerful tool that helps individuals observe themselves and get to know themselves in a deep and profound way.

The Enneagram is based on nine personality types - such as the reformer, leader and skeptic - and their corresponding views of the world. “These types keep us behaving out of compulsion rather than conscious choice,” explains Corbet.

The Enneagram also views the personality patterns from the perspective of the three primary centers of intelligence; feeling, thinking and doing. “It is in releasing the full potential of all three centers that we release our greatest gifts and are empowered to live an intentional life,” Corbet states.

To learn more about free classes visit www.TheMobiusCompany.com or call 704-598-9205. For more info about the Enneagram, visit www.InternationalEnneagram.org.

Southeastern Spiritual Conference Summer Camp for the Soul

Explore the joys of living the human experience through workshops, lectures and fellowship at the Southeastern Spiritual Conference held June 21-16 in Greensboro. The week includes a diverse variety of topics to enhance spirituality.

Explore angelic guides that teach the best ways to use energy to heal through different modalities. Practice Tai Chi  to learn the sacredness of our breath and movement. Share soulful experiences with others by creating a beautiful dream catcher.

The conference is open to everyone from teens to octogenarians.  Participants can spend the whole conference living on campus or are also welcome day students. Each night there are evening programs that are open to the public for a $10 and the Healing Service on Thursday night is free.

The camaraderie at the Southeastern Spiritual Conference that will make your heart sing. New friendships will blossom and old ones will be renewed. Take a short respite from the outside world that will nourish your mind, body and spirit.

For complete details, registration and payment visit www.southeasternspiritualconference.com.