Mark Monday, March 13, on your calendar - it may be the only day this year when no city or school activities are scheduled.

Edina Unplugged, a plan that originated from the belief that families are continually overbooked, aims to provide residents with time to unwind, connect with friends and family members, and "unplug" for just one night.

The Edina Unplugged initiative is meant to raise awareness about the impact of over-scheduling children and that family time is just as important as academics, athletics, and other structured activities, according to Marcia Friedman, an Unplugged committee member.

However, March 13 isn't just about kids and parents, but about Edina as a community, Friedman said.

"We're basically targeting everybody," she said. "We're trying to reach all members of the community."

Organizations throughout Edina have endorsed this community-wide initiative, including Edina Public Schools, athletic associations, the city government and many faith-based groups. Participating groups plan to eliminate their scheduled activities on March 13.

With so many events taking place on a typical day, families often don't have enough time to spend together, said Sarah Miller, an Unplugged committee member and mother of five children.

For example, Miller said that even though her family has an established dinnertime, they're always coming and going.

"It's pretty rare that all seven of us are there," she said.

One study has found a strong correlation between regular family meals (meaning five or more meals with a parent per week) and academic success and decreased drug and alcohol use, according to a 2000 report released by the Council of Economic Advisors to the President.

But there is so much pressure for children to be involved in extra-curricular activities these days, there is often little time for families and friends, said the Rev. Chris Enstad, youth and young adult pastor at Normandale Lutheran Church and a 1991 graduate of Edina High School.

"I think there is an expectation of more involvement," he said. "And there is a lot of more homework now than when I was in high school."

Between 1981 and 1997, kids between the ages of 3 and 12 have had their "free" time reduced by 12 hours, according to a 1999 study by the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan.

"This is our first attempt, for just one night, to step off the treadmill, and see how it goes," Enstad said.

However, Edina Unplugged isn't just about canceling that evening's activities. It also means refraining from television, computers, movies and other electronic equipment that inhibits communication.

By visiting the Edina Unplugged Web site at www.edinaunplugged.org, people can find a list of ideas for children and adults of all ages to do on March 13, like baking cookies, getting out family photo albums and home videos, going ice skating, playing a board game or hosting a potluck dinner.

In addition, local restaurants, like Q-Cumbers, Tejas, Chilies and Dairy Queen, are offering meal deals - coupons for discounts to encourage families to go out to dinner together.

"I hope it will be a yearly event," Miller said. "It's not hard for anyone to cancel [activities] for one night a year."