Treat mom on Mother's Day

While we all should honor our mothers every day of the year, Sunday marks the official day for showering moms with love and appreciation. Flowers, cards, brunch and phone calls are the obvious ways for grateful husbands and children to say thank you. Here are several other ways to get Mom out and about this weekend:

Mother's Day Showcase: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (5/12), Noelridge Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids; free.

--- Tiptoe through hundreds of blooming plants and educational exhibits, then stop at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for presentations on making a mini garden. Still looking for a Mother's Day gift? When Mom's not looking, buy her a hanging basket, mini garden kit, honey, greeting cards or handcrafted jewelry. Information: (319) 286-5762.

"Mothering in the Trenches": Noon Sunday (5/12), Environmental Education Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City.

--- Dreamwell Theatre presents "a loving (but un-Hallmark) approach to Mother's Day," with monologues and poetry by Iowa playwrights Barbara Lau and Maggie Conroy. Cost is $20 per person, and $10 for each additional family member, to support Dreamwell's season of female playwrights. Reserve your seat at (319) 423-9820 or Dreamwell.com

Tea Party: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday (5/12), Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE, Cedar Rapids.

--- Pinkies up! Mothers, grandmothers and their children are invited to a sip tea, enjoy dainty tea time treats, hear poetry readings and music, and make a craft in the village's historic surroundings. Sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department, cost is $12 for Cedar Rapids residents, $13 for non-residents and free for children ages 2 and under. Advance registration is required at (319) 286-5731 or crrec.org

Listen to Your Mother:  2 p.m. Sunday (5/12), CSPS, 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids.

--- Eastern Iowa writers will honor all aspects of motherhood -- the good, the bad and the gross. Hear the live musings of local mothers, daughters and sons, including Brook Easton, Melissa Erbes, Jana Madsen, Steve Malerich, Katie Mills Giorgio, Emily Muhlbach, Michelle Pendergrass,  Meg Schneider, Annie Scholl, Amy Stourac, Marianne Taylor, Mary Vermillion, Carly Weber, Rhonda Whittaker and Zach Wahls. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 advance at (319) 364-1580 or Legionarts.org

For more ideas, see the

events calendar at HooplaNow.com