Mother's day celebration in Columbus, Ohio

GRANVILLE -- "This is so much fun, because all you're doing is spreading happiness."

Mike Morris, 73, was wearing a white tuxedo with a gray vest and crisp button-down shirt. He made the statement from the entryway of a CVS store on Broadway, where Morris and the other three members of the Sound House Quartet were waiting incognito to give a surprise Mother's Day performance.

Columbus Ill. —

Lindsey Schindler, from Hannibal, will present the music for the 10:30 a.m. Mother’s Day service at Columbus Christian Church in Columbus, Ill. Columbus is approximately seven miles northeast of the Quincy Airport.

Schindler is a recent graduate of Hannibal-LaGrange University with a bachelor of science in communications. Upon graduating, Lindsey hopes to find a job in public relations/marketing and plans to reside in the Hannibal/Quincy area.

I am blessed to have a mom who is special.

She is a woman of will. More than simply headstrong and determined, she is indomitable — someone who cannot become overcome or subdued.

Spunky, determined, funny — all these words describe Jackie Battley Gingrich. Her sparkling blue eyes, upturned mouth and constant activity belie her age. She is helpful, involved, and active.

She has shaped me in many ways. She watched my ballet and band performances for hours, and cheered me on when I was down. She is convinced that I can do anything, and I almost believe it.

Most importantly, she has provided an example to me through her belief in God and her faith in him. She credits prayer, as well as medicine, for saving her life. She has served as a deacon in her church and still volunteers there.

Read more on Newsmax.com: Happy Mother's Day

Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!

Mother's day celebration in Fort Worth, Texas

Mom is always in his corner, even at the tender age of 100

Anybody who has ever heard of Wayne "Spanky" Lewis knows that he loves basketball.

During our high school days at historic I.M. Terrell in Fort Worth, Spanky was one of the stars, playing on the 1965 state championship team coached by the legendary Robert Hughes.

Most of his adult life he has coached and mentored youngsters, for a long time assisting players at Dunbar High School after Hughes became coach there.

For 14 years he ran a pro-am team and he currently heads MASH (Mentors and Athletes Serving Hope), a basketball program that takes kids all over the United States to play the game.

In case you had forgotten, Mother's Day is this Sunday. And while everybody should certainly celebrate that day with those they love, let's not forget that it's Mother's Day -- there are plenty of other days this week to please the whole family (seriously, though -- I love you, Mom!). Here are your options this week:

Mayfest 2011

Mayfest in Fort Worth has had a rocky couple of years, but they're back again, running Thursday through Sunday at Trinity Park. In addition to a good variety of music, patrons can take in such things as the Great American Duck Races, All American Lumberjack Show, and the Giant Human Maze. Absolutely your best chance for fun all weekend.

Looking for ideas on how to make Mother’s Day special? Take a look at our sampling of events that might make some fun memories.

A.W. PERRY HOMESTEAD MUSEUMThis all-ages celebration on the grounds of the museum house in Carrollton should hit the high notes with a concert featuring

National Mom's Nite Out: Send mom to the mall for some "Me Time." Moms can enjoy fun interactive activities, food and wine tastings, shopping incentives, giveaways and more.

Good to know: Each mom that attends the event at North East Mall or Irving Mall will receive a host of complimentary goodies including a swag bag, summer fashion tips from retailers, hand & back minute massages, hair styling demos, summer make-up tips and free mini makeovers, face painting and crafts for the kids and a movie ticket to the mall movie theater good for a complimentary movie showing after the event. Firewheel Town Center moms will also receive complimentary swag bags, summer fashion tips from retailers, hair styling demos, summer make-up tips and free mini makeovers, ring cleaning station and light repair work, cookie decorating and samples, fragrance station and face painting and crafts for the kids.

Recommended ages: All, but give mom a break!

When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 5

Where: North East Mall – Center Court, 1101 Melbourne St., Hurst, TX 76053; Firewheel Town Center – The Park, 245 Cedar Sage Drive, Garland, TX 75040; and Irving Mall – Center Court,3880 Irving Mall, Irving, TX 75062

Info: www.simon.com or call North East Mall, 817-589-9603; Firewheel Town Center, 972-675-1041; Irving Mall, 972-255-0572.

Mother's day celebration in Charlotte

In Honor of Mother's Day: Four Amazing Moms You Should Know

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The National Weather Service issued a Dense Fog Advisory through 9 a.m. Saturday with low visibility across the Charlotte area and surrounding regions.

Channel 9 meteorologist Katie Virtue said lingering moisture and calm winds allowed a thin layer of low clouds to settle across the Piedmont.

The fog is expected to clear quickly through the morning hours, with bright sunshine by 10 a.m. The sunshine will dim late Saturday as the next storm system approaches.

FireWater is the new spot in the former Lava Bistro location, 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. Defining itself as "semi-fine dining with a tapas-focused menu" plus entrees, it opens today. It will also host a Mother's Day buffet, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with rosemary-rubbed prime rib, blueberry cheesecake French toast, tuna au poivre, and more. $25 ($8 for kids): 704-549-0050.

As families across Marshall County celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, area nursing homes and assisted living facilities are honoring those who have served as mothers for many years.

Charlotte Christopher, activities director for Branchwater Village in Boaz, said she feels it is important for families to spend time with their mothers on Mother's Day.

The couple hopes that their dedication to American military families transcends politics and that "Support our Troops" will become an action and not just a slogan. They are working on their first Washington, DC "Stand Up For Heroes" fundraising event in June and will hold their annual New York fundraiser in the fall. To learn more about The Bob Woodruff Foundation go to Remind.org.

Mother's day celebration in Detroit

A Mother’s Day Stick Shift: What Mom’s Cars Say About Her

Many members of the tribe of the auto-obsessed can trace their compulsion back to parental indoctrination—a sort of vehicular Munchausen-by-proxy, in which the implanted toxin is a father’s fascination with a rusty Austin-Healy 3000 or a mother’s preening affection for all things motorized and Italian. Not so for me—or not exactly. Though my father took me to the Detroit Auto Show every year and patiently indulged my fetish for things be-wheeled, tacky, and baroque, his own vehicles were (and remain) unerringly quotidian.

If you’re wondering what to get your mom this Mother’s Day, there is one gift that is certain to leave a lasting impression: a tattoo for her, on you.

While some children display affection by showering their mothers with flowers, cards and candy, other metro Detroiters have made a bigger, more permanent commitment.

My mother always says, "Once a mother, always a mother."

Growing up, I never really liked the sound of that. I thought it was sort of Bates Motel. What would I want with a mother breathing down my neck when I was an adult? Telling me what she thought about my hair or my outfit. Giving me unsolicited advice about my relationships or my scruples or my religious orientation or my politics. Staying up until I got home at night and yawning the next day from worry and lack of sleep. It sounded like trouble. Wasn't adulthood all about freedom, after all?

Mother's day celebration in El Paso, Texas

Mother's Day Flowers Checked at Border

Boquets Banned Coming Into States

EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection specialists are working the ports of entry right now, looking for flowers.

Actually, they're looking for insects and diseases often found in floral arrangements, which could compromise the agricultural industry here in the states.

Agents have been instructed to examine Mother's Day bouquets, cut flowers and plants bound for the U.S. from south of the border.

Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in El Paso, said it's their mission to "stop pests and diseases at the border before they can be spread elsewhere.

After hundreds of submissions, our "Makeover for Mom" winner has been revealed. The contest consisted of a makeover from head to toe, including Botox, teeth whitening and personal training sessions.

Our winner showed off her brand-new look at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery in West El Paso. We talked to nine of her children prior to her reveal.

Talk about a full house! Imagine raising 10 children: 2 biological kids and 8 adopted ones, ranging from five years old to 23! That's what Teresa Martin has done. She serves in the National Guard, so her husband Tim and her daughter, Jordin, a full-time student, also help take care of the children at their West El Paso home.

LAS CRUCES - With Mother's Day celebrations on the calendar in the days ahead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are busy making sure that flower imports are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.

"CBP agriculture specialists will be inspecting cut flowers and plants for any sign of insects, pests or diseases," said Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations in El Paso. "It is an important part of the CBP mission to identify and stop pests and diseases at the border before they can be spread elsewhere.

LAS CRUCES — What could be better than listening to the blues and getting your hands muddy for a good cause?

Mother's Day will be known as "Mudder's Day" at the Phillips Chapel CME Church at 638 N. Tornillo St., for a special fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The chapel, built in 1911, is the oldest African-American church in Las Cruces. It has served as a school and a civic and social center for the Las Cruces African-American community throughout its long history. African-Americans and Hispanics built the original chapel together 100 years ago with adobe walls.

Mother's day celebration in Memphis, Tennessee

Mother's Day is just around the corner so three leading Latino parenting bloggers PapiBlogger, Mamá Contemporánea and Momma Findings, have joined forces to help you find the best gifts this season with the launch of their 2011 Mother's Day Guide.

The guide features gifts for mom in a variety of categories and price ranges and even includes Apps to help moms make their lives easier.

The 2011 guide, the first of what is to become an annual tradition, was compiled over several months with the input of other Latino mamis and papis and is available free. The English version can be downloaded at: http://www.slideshare.net/papiblogger/2011-mothers-day-gift-guide.

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Memphis is on the move this Mother's Day weekend with festivals, concerts under the stars and outdoor sporting events. Here's a preview of some of the events taking place this weekend:

The Greek Festival kicked Friday at 11:00a.m. and and continues until 10:00 p.m. During the family festival you can enjoy authentic homemade Greek dishes, Greek music, and learn a little about the heritage and culture. You can read more about the Greek Festival by logging onto MemphisGreekFestival.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI — With Mother's Day this weekend, flowers, a sentimental card and maybe springing for a nice dinner are all great ways to express how much you appreciate all mom has done for you.

This year, why not put a unique spin on her gift by adding some fitting music. And whether you download these selections onto her iPod or burn them onto a CD, mom is sure to enjoy some of these selections that uniquely celebrate motherhood.

Mother's day celebration in Baltimore

Free coffee for Mom at Baltimore Coffee & Tea

It's just that simple.

Baltimore Coffee & Tea is offering one free medium coffee or tea drink to all moms on Mother’s Day at its three retail stores in Annapolis, Frederick and Timonium: "Hot or iced, frozen or frothy...no coupon, no special code word, just be a mom.

BALTIMORE -- The 94th annual Flower Mart under way in Baltimore's Mount Vernon Square celebrates Spring and offers a last-minute stop for gifts before Mother's Day.

"There's a great spirit about the Flower Mart, and you can find absolutely everything you need to start off your summer," said Kaitlin Radebaugh, of Radebaugh Florist and Greenhouses. "There are plants, there are herbs, there are vegetables, there are people here with seeds.

OCEAN CITY -- For Donna Diffenbaugh and Connie Coombs, a trip to Springfest is a tradition not to be missed.

Since the event is always held close to Mother's Day, the in-laws have incorporated it as part of their celebration. Each year, Diffenbaugh's daughter and Coombs' son, who are married, bring their mothers from Baltimore to their condo in Ocean City for the weekend. The trip always includes at least one Springfest visit.

Mother's day celebration in Boston

When it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day, we all do it a little different. Some Moms like to take a break from their responsibilities and do something for themselves. Like maybe take in a brunch with their girlfriends or sisters and leave the kids home with Dad. Others like to make it a family affair and share their special day with kids, spouses, and extended family members. However you choose to celebrate the day, either as a Mom yourself or paying homage to your own Mother, there are plenty of fun events this weekend.

15th Annual Mothers Day Walk for Peace

By Anonymous

May. 5, 2011

Sun, 05/08/2011 - 7:00am

15th Annual Mothers Day Walk for Peace

Time: Registration begins at 7:00am / Walk starts at 8:30am

Place: Town Field Park, Fields Corner, Dorchester, MA

Walk: 3.6 miles through Dorchester neighborhoods

The 15th Annual Mothers' Day Walk for Peace is a fundraising walk to support the programs and services of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute of Boston.

Follow the path taken by the Mama duck and her ducklings in Robert McCloskey’s classic tale, Make Way for Ducklings at the annual Duckling Day Parade. The parade begins at the Boston Common, led by the Harvard University Marching Band, and winds its way through Beacon Hill and back again.

From there, head over to the Public Garden and enjoys the sights and smells of Spring. The swans are back in the lagoon and the swan boats are running. Registration for the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Park Street entrance of the Common. The parade steps off at noon. Donations are $25 per family.

Mother's day celebration in Seattle

Roots Restaurant, the Union Square restaurant in the Orchard Garden Hotel, is celebrating mom this Sunday, May 8 with a delicious brunch served from 10 am to 3 pm. Brunch items are priced $8 to $12.

The Mother's Day menu includes:

Country Style Eggs Benedict - Fluffy Biscuit - Apple Wood Smoked Bacon - Poached Egg - Pan Gravy - Wild Arugula

Fresh Vegetable Omelet - Spinach Sauté - Fresh Tomato - Chives - Garlic - Swiss Cheese - Cucumber Salad

Hearty Farmer's Omelet - Smoked Ham - House Cured Bacon - Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Red Onion - Home Fries

For more information or to make reservations at Roots please visit www.therootsrestaurant.com or call (415) 692-5621. Roots is located in the 'green-from-the inside-out' LEED certified Orchard Garden Hotel, steps from Union Square and the Chinatown Gates at 466 Bush Street (at Grant).

Sunday is Mother's Day, and flowers are a great way to show her your love and appreciation.

• Head to Pike Place Market Flower Fest to pick out a bouquet of fresh blooms from farmers in the arcade and in tents along the cobblestones Saturday and Sunday, or be mom's favorite kid by spending the day out with her, browsing, noshing and picking out her own favorite flowers at the Market.

• Mother's Day at Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum is an annual tradition for many families, a perfect time of year for a stroll along Azalea Way to see rhododendrons, dogwoods and azaleas in bloom. Mark the occasion with a free family photo, make Mother's Day cards using pressed plants and flowers, and pick out a gift for mom at the Graham Visitors Center Gift Shop. The event includes 45-minute guided tours at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday; admission and parking are free.

.Mother's day celebration in Boston

ILAC SUNDAY, Boston’s great annual exhale (and inhale!) that marks the height of spring at the Arnold Arboretum, is being held tomorrow — one of the earliest dates ever. Officially it is to coordinate with Mother’s Day, but watchful gardeners know better.

Every year has its own weather character, but the arboretum’s celebrations marking the peak lilac bloom have migrated by three weeks over the last century. In 1920, Lilac Sunday was held on May 30; in 1983 it was May 22; in 2003 it was May 16; and this year it is May 8.Is it global warming? The arboretum is careful not to take a position.

Based on the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings during the Duckling Day Parade at the Boston common on Sunday, May 8 at noon. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard dressed as one of their favorite characters from the book. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Shaw Memorial in front of the State House. $25 donation per family includes snacks and a toy.

Other than the annual struggle to find a thoughtful gift for the mother of my children, and besides the last minute panic when realizing that all the decent “For my Wife” greeting cards have been bought up by other men who planned ahead, the approach of Mother’s Day is a joyous time. It is, at least in my family.

On occasions like this, I also think about the mothers and their children torn apart by tragedy -- homicide, in particular. I imagine the broken hearts of those mothers whose murdered children will never again buy them a Mother’s Day card, as well as the children of murdered women whose only gift to mom are flowers laid at her grave.

Mothers throughout the United States of America will be honored on Sunday, May 8th, as the nation celebrates the 2011 Mother’s Day holiday. Families will gather together; flowers, cards, and phone calls will arrive from those who are near and far. It is a day that celebrates life and love of family.

The day has been recognized as a national holiday since 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement that Mother’s Day would be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

Ackerman Jewelers, 5335 Ehrlich Road - Forget flowers, say it with baubles. Pandora charmbracelets, necklaces and watches are all sold at this jewelery store. Make your gift even more personal, by shopping for jewelry that contains her birthstone.

Pier 1 Imports, 6907 Gunn Highway - Pier 1 is a great place to find accent pieces that help make a house a home. The complany website even has a Mother's Day gift guide for inspiration.

Sunday, millions of extraordinary women across the world will be celebrated for the toughest job they’ll ever love — motherhood. There are plenty of fun and unique ways to show mom “the love” from right here in South County.

The traditional breakfast in bed is always popular, where dad and the kids gather together in complete secrecy in the kitchen, insisting that mom sleeps in as they prepare a loving feast of lumpy pancakes and crunchy bacon, and then presenting a drowsy mom with the sweetest tray of love they can conjure up. (This usually includes at least a partial kitchen clean up so that mom doesn’t have to worry about dishes until lunchtime.)

Then there’s the presentation of lots of loving sentiments in the form of card pageantry — pop-up cards, humorous cards, singing cards, mushy cards and best of all, handmade cards that are adorned with glitter, stick figures, rainbows and your child’s sincerest message about how you are the world’s bestest mommy and she’ll love you forever (hang on to this as a reminder that she really does love you during the teenage years).

Mother's day celebration in Seattle

Looking for a cheap and classy way to spend the day with your mom on Mother's Day? The good people at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum are hooking your mom up with free admission on Mother's Day.

Hopefully you know that Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8. If you've got a mom and you hang out with her on the highest of Hallmark holidays, from 10am to 5pm

Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133. The Nursery is on the right hand side just after the intersection of 185th Street. The new entrance is on the North side of the parking lot. Sky is by far one of the biggest nurseries in the whole Seattle area. Bring Mom and delight her with some of the best Mother's Day gifts available, hanging baskets, planted containers, fountains, birdbaths, orchids and more. You can even surprise her with a gift card or a specially designed container of her favorite flowers. If you want to call ahead to make an appointment or for pricing their number is (206) 546-4851

Opening Day Boat Parade: Opening Day of boating season; Muckleshoot canoes, dragon boat race and crew races, 10-11:45 a.m.; boat parade, noon Saturday from Seattle Yacht Club through Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut, Seattle

Kids Bike Swap: Bike Works hosts event to swap and/or buy used kids' bikes, free helmet fittings, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, bikes for sale without trade-in starting at noon, Genesee Park and Playfield, 4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle.

Classy Mommy and Cozi have launched a Mother's Day microsite with a convenient trio of useful free apps for a busy mom. From providing family safety to organizing play dates to a top-rated family calendar – the apps simplify life for the digital mom on the run.

Compatible with iPads, iPhones and Android phones, links on mothersdayappbundle.com connect to iTunes and the Android Market for quick free downloads.

Free deals for Mother's Day, this week there are MORE!

That's right, now that the date is getting closer more restaurant deals and freebies are popping up. This time you can get a free breakfast for mom, an IOU printable coupon book, free Mothers Day recipes. May I suggest the Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl? Yum! Starbucks will have half-price frappuccinos available over the weekend, actually that offer is available until May15th. You can send mom a free ecard from Denny's and Denny's will email her a coupon for a freebie.

Mother's day celebration in Washington D.C.

First Lady Hosts Military Mother's Day Event

Mrs. Obama praised the women for the sacrifices they make as they support their families while their loved ones are deployed. She said the tea was just one small way to say thank you.

The first lady also mentioned the events of this past week, saying that as Americans stood in awe at the bravery of the soldiers who carried out the mission in Pakistan, it was a "moment for all of us to remember that everyone who serves is able to do so because of the love and support of their families.

Flower growers in California employ tens of thousands of Californians and contribute millions of dollars to the economy. But to remain competitive against foreign growers, we need the full support of our local communities. Please do your part by buying local flowers this Mother's Day."

California growers are also doing their part to remain competitive through innovation, according to the statement.

This year, you can get a waving queen (That's Queen Elizabeth) statue for $19.99, said Gillam. Stores hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

One local mother (who chose not to be identified) said the best gift would be to have the rolled-up carpet removed from the basement where it's been sitting for several weeks or fixing the electronic fence that got derailed by a weed wacker. Moms appreciate any help they can get in the cleaning department, she said.

Mother's Day is probably the biggest holiday for a weekend. Everyone has a mother supposedly. So, it is a very special day," Schirm said.

Strong Mother’s Day sales could spell good news for the U.S. economy. The Federation says retail sales account for two-thirds of U.S. GDP, and retailers employ more than 20 million people. Economists say getting retailers back on track is critical to the economic recovery.

One more thing retailers hope they can thank their mothers for this year.

First Lady Hosts Military Mother's Day Event

Washington, D.C. -- First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a Mother's Day tea for military spouses, mothers and grandmothers on Friday at the White House.

Women with family connections to all five branches of the military joined the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden and women from the Lifetime television show "Army Wives" in the East Room.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) released a statement Friday, encouraging residents of his district to support California's flower growers this Mother's Day.

More than 75 percent of domestically grown flowers are grown in California, accounting for 20 percent of all flowers sold in the United States and directly supporting more than 10,000 California jobs, according to the statement.

Many of these jobs are located on the North Coast, where local growers produce irises, lilies, tulips and other bulb flowers. In fact, the largest cut flower farm in the entire country is located in Arcata.

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the special woman who gave birth to and raised us but, sometimes, that is not the same person.

Although things are changing, there was a time when a woman who gave up her newborn for adoption never expected to see her child again. But more and more adults who were adopted are seeking their birth mothers.

PEORIA —

The average person is expected to spend about $140 on moms for Mother's Day, according to the National Retail Federation in Washington, D.C. That could total about $16 billion, a big lift for the nation's retailers.

Expectations are for more expensive Mother's Day gifts, such as clothing, jewelry, and electronic items like smart phones and tablets. We touch base with some central Illinois retailers to assist last-minute shoppers (yes, guys, we're talking about you) looking for gift ideas. But Mom will love whatever you get, you know that.

Mother’s Day is a popular spring holiday in the U.S., a time when families get together and honor mom with cards, flowers and gifts. It is also big business, one of the biggest weekends for retail sales. After several years of stagnant sales, retailers have seen signs of growth in the last two quarters.

Mother's day celebration in Nashville, Tennesse

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health is asking pregnant women who smoke to “Clear the Air for Mother’s Day” this May. This campaign is designed to encourage pregnant smokers to quit for this observance, in the hope they may quit for good. In Tennessee, nearly one fifth of women who give birth say they used tobacco during their pregnancy.

It was media day at Hungry Mother State Park, where news people and community members joined to learn about plans for the big day, June 18. That’s when the park will mark its opening 75 years ago, a day that also saw dedication of the first six parks in the Commonwealth’s new network of public recreation facilities a keynote speaker in 1936 said were built to bring some of the world’s pleasures to the working people.

Local and state officials have worked in concert to develop the day’s program:

8 a.m. – Noon Marion Farmer’s Market

MCA/NASHVILLE artist ASHTON SHEPHERD is sharing an acoustic performance of the song “I’m Just a Woman” for use on websites, FACEBOOOK and other social media outlets in honor of MOTHER’S DAY. “I’m Just A Woman” will be a part of ASHTON’s upcoming album “Where Country Grows.”

“I wrote that one by myself,” SHEPHERD said. “I opened my diary, and I got to an entry where I was writing about feeling kind of bad, empty and sad. Right after that, I’d written, ‘Well, I guess I’m just being a woman.’ When I read that, I underlined it.

Mother's day celebration in Denver

Sunny skies and warm temperatures will welcome Mother's Day this weekend, and with it the traditional start to the spring planting season.

"Most people associate Mother's Day with giving their mom a gift that is ever living," said Alison O'Connor, horticulture agent for the Larimer County Colorado State University Extension Office. "It's a great way to kick off the season and a great way for our nurseries and greenhouses to kick off the season, as well.

DENVER - There are many things you can get for Mother's Day,but flowers and plants are a sure thing to delight mom. If she likes flowers, hanging baskets and containers filled with her favorite colors are a great idea. If she loves to cook, a container or two with herbs and veggies are sure to please.

Torres' mother, Connie, succumbed to the disease in 1986. "It is so hard to watch your mother suffer. She's at the essence of why I work with COCA," Torres says. "At the time, we had no clue to what ovarian cancer was and, unfortunately, many families today are in that same position."

Ovarian cancer kills 220 Colorado women annually -- that's one death every 36 hours. According to 2007 data from the Centers for Disease and Prevention, Colorado is among the 12 states with the highest incidence of cancer. According to COCA, 81 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and only 30 percent of women who receive a late diagnosis will live five years or more.

DENVER -- The Denver Zoo has all kinds of newborn critters running around in time for a warm Mother's Day weekend.

They include some Sheep, snake-necked turtles, and a little cape buffalo.

The zoo is also excited about folks checking out last spring's arrivals as they continue to grow. Check out the pictures in the photo gallery at the left under

take the guessing out of managing workouts. Available at sporting goods stores or Timex.com for $90.

What mom doesn't treasure keeping every memorable card hand picked and lovingly presented by her children? I personally have a box of birthday cards, Valentine's cards, even those I received at my wedding, tucked away so I can relive the special moments anytime I choose. The Greeting Card and Keepsake Archive Album has taken this idea to the next level, creating beautiful, compact albums that not only store, but display those cherished cards so you can thumb through them at your heart's desire. They're nice enough to keep on the coffee table yet not worry about the cards getting damaged – each album comes with patented

Mother's day celebration in Louisville

It's time for one of the most popular and meaningful moments on the Major League Baseball calendar. From the bright pink Louisville Sluggers to the Honorary Bat Girls, the collective pursuit to end breast cancer is a Mother's Day tradition at the ballpark.

In advance of Sunday's big day for moms, MLB and Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Friday announced the 2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest winners, who will be recognized on the field at MLB ballparks during Mother's Day and breast cancer awareness celebrations.

Expect plenty of scattered showers and thunderstorms this weekend but little rain accumulation.

A weak frontal boundary will drift today into the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, bringing a shower or thunderstorm after noon, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. New rainfall will amount to less than a tenth of an inch.

This Mother's Day, treat Mom to a decadent brunch at Michelin star-rated Sepia (123 N. Jefferson St.). On Sunday, May 8, guests can celebrate their favorite ladies with a special holiday prix-fixe brunch featuring the colorful spring cuisine of Executive Chef Andrew Zimmerman and Pastry Chef Cindy Schuman. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

The cost per person is $39 for adults and $20 for children age 12 and under, exclusive of beverage, tax, and gratuity. Reservations for brunch are highly recommended and may be made by calling 312.441.1920.

About TheJMom.Com (R): Founded in 2010, TheJMom.com is headquartered in Chicago, IL, and is dedicated to strengthening Jewish relationships between single adults and seeks to ensure the future of Jewish identity and affiliation. With a thousand active members and growing every day, its mission is to proactively promote Jewish relationships and dating, and to raise the profile of Jewish mothers everywhere.

Mother's day celebration in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - A construction zone isn't what most moms think about leading up to Mother's Day, but women were out today working on a different kind of Mother's Day gift.

Stuffing insulation, staple guns, it was not a “Men at Work” zone at a soon to be home in Milwaukee today.

Happy Days" career has included everything from TV to theater to voicing Grandma SquarePants on "SpongeBob SquarePants." But now her sun-and-fun-filled '50s days return with a "Happy Days Mother's Day Marathon" of six episodes running back-to-back Sunday starting at 8 p.m. on the Hub Television Network, available on satellite and digital cable services.

Episodes include "The Dance Contest," where Mrs. C secretly takes (gasp) tango lessons from the Fonz, and - can it be?! - "Marion Goes to Jail.

Scheidt True Value Hardware in Maplewood is packed full of great patio and outdoor gift ideas for mom this Mother’s Day. Get a Sling Recliner Lounge Chair, usually $79.99 for only $39.99 during the month of May. They also have solar stake garden lights in butterfly and dragon fly designs. Prices usually at $9.99, they are now only $4.99.

And more women are starting to learn the other side of housework thanks to Habitat for Humanity. “They want to learn construction skills and its not as overwhelming as it may seem, so with a little bit of training and some enthusiasm, we're able to teach women how to drywall, insulate, side, you name it."

And with more support this year, two homes will be built by women. And volunteers like Amy Tymm hope there will be more, “There's no better feeling than to help someone else out and to see them succeed and get a dream of their own.”

Mother's day in Portland, Oregon

Two Mother's Day events in Northeast Portland will highlight immigrant rights and support for gay children

• At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the corner of Northeast Killingsworth Street and Cully Boulevard, Latina moms will advocate for social justice. Supporters will march to Fernhill Park at the corner of Northeast Ainsworth Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Last year, Adam Cole decided to write an original song to honor his mom on Mother's Day. Little did the Stanford biology graduate student know, his gift was about to be heard by 100,000 people.

Childbirth can be a deadly matter in the U.S., especially if you are middle or working class. But it was when looking at race and income together that one civil rights organization decided it needed a new lens.

Women in the U.S. living in lowest-income areas are twice as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth, according to a groundbreaking report released today by Amnesty International. In Amnesty’s one year update to their Deadly Delivery report on maternal health, they showed that the U.S. is one of the most dangerous countries to go give birth in the west, especially if you are poor.

In addition to its legislative work to create racial impacts statements and administering a community garden, The Urban League of Portland is working to create a statewide community health worker program, where Black community members will be trained to support Black pregnant women, in the tradition of a doula.

Because, as Purcell says so clearly, “I believe reproductive justice is part and parcel of civil rights and social justice.”

Leona Vogel will celebrate her 109th birthday on Mother's Day — happy to be blessed by God with another day to help others and bring them cheer.

Vogel likes to sit near the front door in her wheelchair and greet people as they enter Harbor Place at Port St. Lucie, where she has lived since 2007.

When staff members walk by, they make a beeline to hug her and chat for a minute.

Mother's day celebration in Las Vegas

Kelly Osbourne has whisked her mum Sharon to Las Vegas to celebrate America's Mother's Day on Sunday (08May11) - and has vowed to donate any money she wins from gambling to charity.

Kelly and her mum have always been close, and they jetted off to Sin City on Thursday (05May11) to spend a girly weekend together.

LAS VEGAS—On May 7 (May 8 Manila time), Manny Pacquiao faces Sugar Shane Mosley, staking his World Boxing Organization welterweight title on the line.

The People’s Champ always offers his fights to God, his family and all Filipinos, but this coming fight is particularly dedicated to his mother, Nanay Dionisia, and all the mothers of the world in celebration of Mothers’ Day.

Kelly adds, "Just won $120 on a 1 cent slot machine! I never win anything. The money I won is going towards my mums mothers day gift! But if I win any more money from the slots it's all going to my mum's colon cancer charity! On my way back down to test my luck!

Mother's day in Oklahoma City

Program Helps Moms In Prison Send Messages For Mother's Day

The program, called “Messages From Mom,” said it's working to rebuild the bond in the broken families.

Oklahoma leads the nation in the incarceration of woman.

This week, the messages project has trained volunteers and gone to state prisons and filmed incarcerated mothers reading books, poems or messages to their children.

The messages included many “It’s mommy. I love you very much.” And “Mommy misses you.

Mother's Day weekend is an opportunity to do a little cleaning. It's Free Landfill Day in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., each residential household may drop off one load using a passenger vehicle or a single-axle truck up to one ton and one trailer up to 16 feet long.

Participating landfills include:

East Oak Landfill: 3201 Mosley Rd. (NE 36th Street, east of Sooner Road, on the south side of the street)

Oklahoma City Landfill d/b/a Southeast Landfill - 7001 S. Bryant Ave.

Oklahoma Landfill d/b/a Waste Connections - 7600 SW 15th St.

Northeast Landfill - 2601 N. Midwest Blvd.; Spencer, Okla.

Mother's day in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Treat mom to a special lunch for a good cause, to tea at historic Fort Selden, a labyrinth walk, or maybe dinner and a concert.

You'll also find unique, one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gifts at local art galleries or outdoor markets. Take mom on an expedition to pick her own treasure at the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday on the Downtown Mall or the Mesilla Mercado from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday or noon to Sunday on the Mesilla Plaza.

Spicy chile, Spanish song, a mother laughing with her family — life doesn't get much better.

DMC Broadcasting and the Córdova family once again invite the families of Northern New Mexico to come together for its extravagant Mothers Day Celebration. T

he annual party has grown in popularity each year, with over 10,000 people attending in 2010. But, truth be told, it did not have small beginnings.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—On Sunday, May 8, the ABQ BioPark Zoo celebrates Mother’s Day with guests and a special slate of activities. Riders in the Sky plays a concert at 2 p.m., BioPark Education hosts International Migratory Bird Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and guests can vote for the harbor seal pup’s name throughout the day.

When the BioPark learned of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra’s bankruptcy and cancellation of concerts, they worked quickly to find an alternate concert for Mother’s Day.

Guests can vote for the name of the harbor seal pup born in early April. Voting will take place at the Seal & Sea Lion exhibit and on the BioPark’s Facebook page. The pup remains in a special pool behind-the-scenes for several more weeks until she is eating solid food.

All Mother’s Day activities are included with regular admission. The BioPark is an accessible facility and a division of the City of Albuquerque’s Cultural Services Department. For more information, visit http://www.cabq.gov/biopark or call 311 locally or (505) 768-2000 (Relay NM or 711).

Mother's day in Tucson, Arizona

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 85.4 million mothers in the United States in 2008. Of that number, 54 percent of 15- to 44-year-old women were mothers. There were also a staggering 4.13 million births registered in the United States in 2009. That's one big bunch of mamas, more than enough to deserve a holiday of their own.

Sunday is my first Mother’s Day without my mom who passed away last June. My sisters and I miss her very much. Some days are bright with her memory and other days we’re reminded of her presence, her cautionary tales and her teaching.

With Mother's Day U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are busy making sure that flower imports are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.

Agents are reminding border crossers who plan to import flowers and plants from Mexico to advise their florist that the arrangements are destined for U.S. delivery.

Mom’s day is a day for celebrating the women who make the world go round. We owe a lot to mothers like Grandma Moses, Indira Gandhi, Rita Moreno, Rosie O’Donnell, Toni Morrison and Michelle Obama, to just name a few famous moms. But the most important mom is the one we each have.

Though I can’t call my mom on my cell anymore, I am still relishing the times I laughed with her over a crossword puzzle, and enjoyed homemade spaghetti and meatballs with her. Most of all, I remember her smile and the delight she felt her children’s successes like no failing marks on the report card, the first speech and the first trip to camp.

Mother's day in Fresno, California

Days before Mother's Day, Fresno County honored a special mom Friday afternoon.

Aletha Lang received the 2011 mother of the year award last week. But she was honored today during a special lunch.

Lang is the mother of two children and has two grandchildren.

She works as a registered nurse at Children's Hospital Central California.

23 Valley Soldiers Arrive Home in Time for Mother's Day

For Sergeant Michael Dinger the words "welcome home" don't even begin to cover it.

"She really has raised one terrific little kid. He's got such a personality," Dinger said, talking about his wife and son.

He's only seen his 13-month-old son, Logan, in person, a couple of times since he was born.

"There's not a minute during the day that you don't think about what he's missing," Sarah Dinger, Michael's wife, said.

It's something Rosa Solis and Erick Magana know all too well.

The Fresno-based husband and wife, both members of the military, had back to back deployments, only seeing each other for about one month in the last two years.

Loquats, Cherimoya and Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Sunday the flower stalls at the Beverly Hills Farmers' Market were bursting with fragrant spring scents and colors. The flowers are also a reminder that next Sunday is Mother’s Day, and a spray of the soft pink roses from Venegas Creek Roses would make the perfect gift for mom. It also has ready-made bouquets and sweet pea blossoms that have just come into season.

Kid Zone with Pony Rides and Petting Zoo will be a part of the Mother’s Day celebration. There will also be Cookin Kids where the children prepare recipes by using ingredients from the market. Musical entertainment will be provided by Thiago in the cafe area of the market, so invite your mother to join you for breakfast.

Easy Mother's Day recipes

BACON, EGG AND CHEESE MUFFINS

Makes 6, but expand it as far as you want!

6 slices of bacon

6 slices of bread

Shredded cheddar cheese

6 eggs

Salt and pepper

(I) Preheat the oven to 375° F. Grease muffin pan.

(II). Microwave or fry bacon until partially cooked but not crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

(III). Cut out rounds of bread from the center of each bread slice, using a round cookie cutter or the top of a glass. Press the bread rounds into the greased muffin wells.

(IV). Curl a piece of bacon around the periphery of each piece of bread, positioning it between the bread and the muffin tin to help keep it in position.

(V). Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese in the center of each piece of bread.

(VI). One at a time, crack an egg into a small bowl or measuring cup, removing about half of the white, and dropping the remaining white and yolk over each piece of bread, being careful not to break the yolks.

(VII). Once all the bread pieces have been topped with eggs, bake until eggs are cooked through to your liking (about 15 minutes depending on how runny or firm you like your eggs) and bacon is crispy.

(VIII). Run a knife around the edge of each muffin well and pop the muffins out. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.