CATS holds a North Commuter Rail Line project update meeting Thursday at Town Hall.

It’s a busy week ahead in Davidson, with lectures, public meetings, sports and a marathon film screening. The Town Board holds its monthly meeting Tuesday (at an earlier time, 6 p.m.), where it will vote on a minor change in the way developers may make payments in lieu of building affordable housing. The board also is being asked to vote on a revised master plan for the Summer’s Walk subdivision off N.C. 73 to incorporate a big development last week, Mecklenburg County’s agreement to purchase 90 acres of wetlands and surrounding property. On Thursday, Town Hall will host Charlotte Area Transit’s public update meeting on plans for the North Commuter Rail Line.

At the college, journalist and China expert John Pomfret gives a free lecture Monday, there’s an all-day screening of Edgar Reitz’s 11-episode film project “Heimat: A German Chronicle” on Saturday, and Davidson’s men’s soccer team plays at home Saturday night against High Point.

On Friday, get out for a pair of exhibit openings. Lake Norman Art League’s fall show opens with a 5:30 p.m. reception at South Main Square executive suites, 442 S. Main St., Then join DavidsonNews.net editor and local photographer David Boraks for an artists’ reception at 7 opening his exhibit of mobile phone photographs at Cornelius Arts Center.

WEEK OF SEPT. 8-14

Click on image to buy John Pomfret's book from Amazon and support DavidsonNews.net

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 7 p.m., Davidson College Chambers Hall Lilly Gallery – John Pomfret, award-winning Washington Post reporter and author of Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China pictured at right). lectures as part of a series of talks about China this fall at the college. Sponsored by Dean Rusk International Studies Program, East Asian Studies Program, Public Lectures Committee, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and several college departments. Free.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Monthly Town Board meeting. Note that the regular meeting time is now an hour earlier. Agenda includes public hearing and vote on changes to the “payment-in-lieu” formula for affordable housing ordinance, presentation about the Children’s Community School, vote on a new traffic calming policy, and a vote to ask the state DOT for funding for intersection improvements at Davidson-Concord and East Rocky River roads. The board also is scheduled to vote on revisions to the Summer’s Walk master plan that incorporate the planned purchase of an 80-acre natural area by Mecklenburg County. (See our Sept. 4, 2008, report on the county plans.) Full agenda on the town website.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2-3:30 p.m., Davidson Parks & Rec offices, 416 Armour St. – Davidson Senior Scholars meeting, with a presentation “The Word on Wellness,” with Walt Kasmir. Mr. Kasmir is a doctoral student and founder of “The Word on Wellness Program” as well as a holistic medicine practitioner and expert an authority on aging. Free. Details: 704-892-3349.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 6:30-8 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Charlotte Area Transit System public meeting on the North Line (Purple Line) Commuter Rail project. CATS invites people to hear the latest project information and share comments and questions. Questions: 704-336-RIDE (7433).

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Matt Walsh.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 9 a.m., Birkdale Golf Club, Huntersville -2008 Lake Norman Kiwanis Club Charity Golf Tournament, to benefit local children and families in need. Registration begins at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9. Prizes awarded, including hole-in-one awards. Details: Robin Noud, 704-860-6688. Register online: www.golfdigestplanner.com/6722-KiwanisGolf2008/

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Mike Strauss Trio.

Kellin Watson Saturday at Summit Coffee

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 8 a.m. to noon, beside Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Weekly Davidson Farmers Market, with fresh local produce and meats, baked items, flowers and other goods. For a listing of this week’s farmers and vendors: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. Market continues Saturdays through October.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 8 a.m., Davidson College Belk Visual Arts Center, Semans Lecture Hall, Main and Griffith streets – Marathon screening of Edgar Reitz’s “Heimat: A German Chronicle,” an 11-episode journey through the 20th century in Germany. Films are in German with English subtitles. Details: German professor Burkhard Henke, 704-894-2269, or on the college website.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 7 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Book signing with Charla Price Muller, author of “365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy,” described as a hilarious, G-rated account of Ms. Price’s “very special” birthday gift to her husband. Free. More about the author: www.charlamuller.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Kellin Watson. Tickets required for this show. $10 at the door or in advance at the shop.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Men’s soccer vs. High Point.

GALLERY OPENINGS & ART EVENTS

"Our Morning Walk," part of an exhibit of mobile phone camera photographs at Cornelius Arts Center.

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius, in the Oak Street Mill behind the police station – Through Nov. 1: “David Boraks: Photographs,” an exhibit of new work by Davidson photographer (and DavidsonNews.net editor) David Boraks, including a series of photos shot with a mobile phone camera. Opening reception, Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. Gallery talk by the artist, Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., on composition, photographic technique. More about the artist, www.davidboraks.com. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays by appointment. Information: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VAN EVERY/SMITH GALLERIES, Davidson College Visual Art Center, Main and Griffith streets – Through Oct. 8: Faculty Exhibition, with new sculptures by Cort Savage, new paintings by Herb Jackson, and a special site-specific installation by Ryan O’Malley. New Visiting Associate Professor of Art Lydia Musco will present an installation of large-scale concrete works that are inspired by modern and ancient architectural construction practices. Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Weekends: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERY, 463 S. Main St. – Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: 704-895-1213 or on the gallery’s new website, www.merrilljennings.com.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – “Two Mile Radius,” an exhibit of new paintings by Elizabeth Bradford. It’s Ms. Bradford’s 10th exhibit at the gallery and also the gallery’s 20th anniversary. Nearly all the images in this show are from within a two-mile radius of the Bradford Farm, east of Davidson. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Information: www.christafautgallery.com or 704-892-5312.

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE GALLERY, South Main Square office building, 442 South Main St., next to Masterworks – September show: Lake Norman Art League Fall 2008 Exhibit, with submissions by league members and other area artists. Reception and awards ceremony Friday, Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m. Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Details: www.LKNart.org

MOORESVILLE ARTIST GUILD, Depot Gallery, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville – Sept. 1-30, work by artists Edna Barker, Pat McGuire, Ginny Boyd. Gallery Crawl Saturday, Sept. 6, 6-8 p.m. Artists reception, Friday, Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10-4, Sunday 1-4. Details: www.mooresvilleartistguild.com/

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• TUESDAY, SEPT. 16, 8 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Carmencita “Chie” Abad of the Philippines speaks about her experience working in a sweatshop on Saipan making clothing for The Gap, sponsored by One Neighborhood, a non-profit fair-trade retailer in Birkdale Village, Huntersville. Free, but seating limited. Donations to One Neighborhood will be accepted. Supported in part through an Arts & Science Council grant. Details: one-neighborhood.org.
  
• FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 5-8 p.m., Beaver Dam historic park, 19600 Davidson-Concord Road – 10th Annual BBQ, Blanket and Bluegrass festival, sponsored by Davidson Parks & Recreation. Live music with Kent Dowell & Friends bring lawn games or play in one of the inflatables. BBQ prices range from $4-$8 while supplies last. For more information, please call Davidson Parks and Recreation at 704-892-3349.
• SATURDAY, Sept. 20, the Davidson Lands Conservancy’s annual Run for Green, including a fun run, 5-k and half-marathon. The events start and end at McEver Field on South Street. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m., with the half-marathon set to start at 7:45, the 5K at 8:15 and the fun run at 9 a.m.
• SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Davidson Village Green – Lake Norman Baby Fair, hosted by La Leche League of Lake Norman. With speakers on childbirth, breastfeeding, aromatherapy, money management for families, and family nutrition. Info available about fitness and childbirth classes, prenatal and postpartum counseling, custom photography, birth announcements, baby gear, and more. Also, La Leche League Leaders will be available to answer questions and offer information about breastfeeding. Free. Information: llloflakenorman.wordpress.com.
• SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 6-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. - 10th anniversary party for Davidson’s favorite coffee shop, microbrew purveyor, live music venue and general hangout. The party will have beer specials, giveaways and music with Rick Spreitzer Band, Billy Jones and The Pocket. Free admission. Summit will donate proceeds from the event to Davidson Lands Conservancy. www.summitcoffee.com
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, noon to 4 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, Church Street, Charlotte – Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists sponsor “Your Voice. Your Vote,” a forum and information session on the 2008 election. Speakers include Davidson’s Lenny McAllister, who has been writing and talking about what it means to be a “hip-hop Republican,” as well as Charlotte Observer columnist Tonya Jameson and candidates for state and local offices. Voters will be able to ask questions, get voters’ guides, and register to vote. The event also includes a discussion “The Changing Face of Politics,” looking at the relationship between the media and the public. Free. Details: www.caabj.com
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 4 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – “Gospels and Spirituals” concert with performances by the Adult and Youth Music Ministries of the church. Followed by an ice cream social in the Fellowship Hall. Donations accepted, with proceeds benefiting a new “Music Academy” outreach program for children in the Lake Norman area. More information is available by calling Kevin Turner, director of music and worship, 704-892-8277, ext. 281, or by email at kturner@davidsonumc.org.


Bachfest III at St. Alban’s

• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 300 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s 2008-9 season begins with Bachfest III, with works by Bach, Buxtehude, and Bohm, featuring St. Alban’s Bach Festival Orchestra and nationally-acclaimed soloists. Tickets available at the door or in advance by calling 704-941-0650 weekdays, 9-4. More information in our Aug. 1 season preview of the series. Season subscriptions still available through Sept. 12.
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Davidson College Symphony and Jazz Band play the season’s finale Concert on the Green. Free. Bring a picnic: they’ll have a contest for “most collegiate.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org
• TUESDAY, SEPT. 23, 7 p.m., St. Alban’s Church, 300 Caldwell Lane – St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood Association annual membership meeting. Open to neighborhood residents, to elect Council of Stewards and ratify 2008-2009 budget.
• TUESDAY, SEPT. 23, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church – Robert Parrish opens the 2008-9 Organ at Davidson music series with a performance of works by Frescobaldi, Kremer, Bach, Langlais, Hurd and his own Prelude on “Divinum Mysterium.” More about the series in our season preview.
• THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 7:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – St. Albans Neighborhood Discussion Group hosts a forum for at-large candidates for Mecklenburg County Commission. With introductory statements by each candidate, followed by a Q&A.
• SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1 to 7 p.m., VanHoy Farms family campground, Harmony – Bluegrass legend Doc Watson is the featured performer in a benefit concert that includes Richard Watson, David Holt, Michael Kelsh, Wayne Henderson, the Grove Trio and CookShack Gang.  Funds will aid Well of Mercy, a spiritual retreat center near Harmony.  VanHoy campground is at I-77 Exit 65, 15 miles north of Statesville. Tickets $25, children 10 and under free, available online at www.wellofmercy.org, or phone 704-539-5449, or at the gate. Food, crafts, Camping, picnic, RV sites available.
• OCTOBER 24-26, Fisher Farm Park, off Shearers Road – National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest, a three day, family oriented festival with short track, time trials and kids races as well as the season’s final USA Cycling National Ultra Endurance race. Proceeds benefit Davidson Parks & Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund. Featuring national champion and two-time Olympian David “Tinker” Juarez, and co-sponsored by Cowbell Challenge Inc. Details: www.nationalmtboktoberfest.org

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

TOWN OF DAVIDSON – Listings of public meetings, citizens committee meetings and other town events are available on the town website, http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/

DAVIDSON COLLEGE – For an up-to-date listing of events on the college campus, visit the college calendar page.

DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – http://davidsonumc.changemywebsite.com/calendar.asp

DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Calendar of events. http://www.dcpc.org/article83232.htm

DAVIDSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH – Events calendar on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library’s PLCMC.org website.

ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH online calendar – http://www.saintalbans-davidson.org/

ST. ALBAN’S SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD – http://www.stalbanssq.org/calendar.html

LAKE NORMAN SENIOR CALENDAR, at LKNSenior.com

MUSIC AT ST. ALBAN’S, 2008-9 concert season.

YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTOR – online listing of alternative and holistic health information and events. http://www.yourcommunityconnector.com/

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT
Send listings and press releases to us at editor@davidsonnews.net. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.