BRADENTON -- Make no mistake, this weekend is for mom. Whether you hit the streets in Palmetto to enjoy a 1950’s prom and car show, or enjoy a day with her perusing a local water garden tour, she’ll just love what’s going on around town. If you are still trying to figure out how to make her smile, read a little further and we’ll tell you how. It’s that time again for Weekend Adventures.
Friday
The arrival of Mother’s Day weekend is upon us, and I want to help you with an idea or two when it comes to celebrating the sacred women in our lives.
Give her a chance to kick up her heels and dance the night away at the Bradenton Woman’s Club, on Friday night, from 7 to 10 p.m. For $8 a person, you won’t find a better way to spend a few bucks.
Live entertainment and an elegant hardwood dance floor are two more reasons to take mom out on the town to boogie down.
What’s more, from 6 to 7 p.m. people can freshen up on their dance steps, said Kelly Helm.
Helm coordinates the dances each week. She said to remember to bring your own drinks, but snacks and setups will be available.
”We support HOPE Family Services with this,“ she said. ”Each week we do a weekly fundraiser to keep the restoration of the building going.“
HOPE Family Services is a nonprofit organization working with families to help prevent domestic violence. It provides an emergency safe shelter to people who have been hurt by loved ones in their home.
So, do whatever dance you need to do to get that special woman in your life on the dance floor and moving to a wide range of dance music at the Bradenton Woman’s Club, located at 1705 Manatee Avenue West.
Now, if mom prefers dancing in the streets of Palmetto, waste not another minute and take her down to First Fridays on Fifth’s car show and block party.
Slick’s Garage is the host of this monthly event and manager, Jane Hunter, said the theme for May is ”Back To Your Prom.“
”We’ll have all kinds of cars showing, but the cars that win a prize are those from the 1950’s,“ she said. ”There will be nostalgia photo opportunities and costume prizes. Come as you Ôwere.’“
Slicks Garage is at 923 5th Street West, in Palmetto, and the block party will start at the Palmetto Art Center and end at the Olympia Theater.
Did we mention this event is free to attend? It benefits the
Palmetto Youth Center,
an organization that aims to keep kids off drugs and away from crime.
For more information about First Fridays on Fifth, call (941) 776-7298.
Saturday
The Humane Society of Manatee County is hosting its fourth annual walkathon - Paws in Motion.
If mom has a four-legged friend, grab the ”paws“ along with ”ma“ and walk along the riverfront in downtown Bradenton.
”Animals are important to everyone,“ said Hildy Russell, finance and communications director for the organization. ”The more we help the animals, the more of a chance we give them to enter into a permanent home.“
She added that animals have a lot to add to everyone’s life.
In addition to the dog walk, there will be food, raffles and vendors that sell animal-related items. In 2009, the walk raised $25,000 for the shelter and its work in the community.
Tell mom that 250 people and their beloved dogs will walk a mile starting at 9 a.m., and remind her to get out on Saturday morning and move it right along to help adoptable cats and dogs.
”We are going to have Greta out on Sunday,“ Russell said. ”She’s a border collie mix and she only has three legs. But she gets around very, very well.“
The registration table opens at 8 a.m., and it will be located at 102 12th Street West. People can also register online by going to the organization’s Web site. Registration is $25 a person.
Russell added a reminder that this walkathon is for people and their pet dogs. Leave the cats at home, even though the nonprofit does rescue and find homes for them.
”Not only is this event raising money for the shelter, it helps us to support our low cost neuter clinic,“ she said.
Not all moms are into four-legged friends, as some prefer friends with fins.
If this sounds like your mom, or like that special woman in your life, then a water garden tour should be the perfect weekend treat.
This event is a good one, so pay attention.
The ”5th Annual Parade of Ponds“ water garden tour is hosting a day for mom and family to admire beautiful, local gardens.
Although, it could be that mom would prefer to enjoy the day touring alone or with her friends. Regardless, for $8 you are not going to find a better way to spend a day.
What’s more, the event is sponsored
by Backyard Getaway and benefits the Honor Society.
Honor Society is a local nonprofit, no kill animal rescue organization serving
Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
The tour begins at 9 a.m. and people can leisurely enjoy the many gardens until
4 p.m.
Backyard Getaway owner, Lisa Burns, said that the purchase of a tour ticket will also include admission to a garden party open house after the tour ends.
The exact location of the party will be in the tour guide given out during the day. Anyone who tours the designated water gardens will have a chance to sit back and enjoy refreshments and music by a pond from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
”This is our Mother’s Day special,“ Burns said. ”Take your mother and go out for the whole day to see some of the most beautiful gardens in the area. It’s a really relaxing day with mom, for mom.“
Saturday is a day to enjoy water, koi and flowers, and a little garden party.
What more could you ask for? Contact Lisa Burns for ticket and tour information at (941) 752-7663.
Sunday
Today the staff at The Bradenton Times wishes women, all who have served in some capacity as an example and inspiration to so many, Happy Mother’s Day.
Here’s a novel idea on how to spend the day with mom, family or friends.
The 2010 Southeast Regional Youth Rowing Championship is on Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
The regatta will row on through Nathan Benderson Park, off University Parkway.
Over 1,700 Athletes from five States will compete on the final day, on Sunday, from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
”This has a true festival atmosphere on the water,“ said Jason Puckett, a co-chair for the event. “We’ll have food and drinks set up in an air conditioned hospitality tent and an announcer will explain what is happening in the races. People can learn rather quickly by listening to the announcer.“
Puckett added that live music will be part of the event, and families will get to enjoy the regatta and being outside.
This is a free event open to the public, but folks are invited to make a $5 donation for the parking and trolley.
Since the regatta is off University Parkway, think about taking mom over to the Ringling Museum’s Cˆ d'Zan Mansion, located at the far West side of the parkway, to the side of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
This historic landmark is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the rose gardens and banyan trees that adorn the property are magical.
Park at the Ringling Museum’s parking lot and enter through the Cˆ d'Zan Mansion gates, following the walking path to the water.
Treat mom to a picnic or sit in the chairs, under umbrellas, looking out at the water or looking back at the magnificent mansion.
The Treviso Restaurant is offering a Mother’s Day brunch for $34 a person.
The restaurant’s manager, George Armstrong, said that every mother will receive a free dinner coupon to return in June to dine free of charge.
Children under age five are free of charge on Sunday, and brunch for teenage family members costs $15 per youth.
"We are located right on the Ringling grounds,“ he said. ”People can look over
the groomed gardens and be in for a treat.“
For questions about reservations on Sunday for Mother’s Day, call George Armstrong at (941) 360-7390.
Then enjoy the perfect photo backdrops and a day drenched in
beauty and elegance – just like mom.
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