Chris and Kristi Goodrum (back) along with Abbey and Kelby, from K.C. Farm in Mount Mourne sold produce at a pre-Thanksgiving farmers market. Another market is Saturday. (David Boraks photo)

The community calendar is growing thin, as holiday preparations and private parties crowd out public events. We’ve got a few events worth mentioning this week. Davidson Farmer’s Market plans a special holiday market with local farmers on Saturday morning next to Town Hall. On Sunday, Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s combined choirs will sing Camille Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio” at 8:45 and 11 a.m. services. Summit Coffee has live music, too. Also below, a look at coming events including Christmas eve service times at the town’s largest churches and upcoming games for the Wildcats’ basketball teams.

WEEKEND OF DEC. 18-21

A public forum on health care reform is planned at 2:30 this afternoon at Town Hall. Local organizers invite residents to bring ideas for fixing the health care system. It’s part of a nationwide series of grass-roots meetings being held to provide input to the transition team of President-elect Barack Obama. Read our Dec. 17 item on the forum.

Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., will close early tonight, at 7. Live music returns Friday night, 8 to 11, with the jazz-funk-fusion sounds of Actual Proof. On Saturday, 8 to 11, it’s Dave & Mer, an Americana duo. Also, they’re hosting a gift drive for families through the Ada Jenkins Center, so consider bringing a small gift.

The Davidson Farmers Market hosts a special holiday market Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, downtown next to Town Hall. They’ll have fresh meats, produce, baked goods, soaps, lavender items and more. Details at www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org.

On Sunday, the 55 voices of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church Chancel and Geneva choirs combine to present Camille Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio” with strings and harps during morning services. They’ll sing at 8:45 and 11 a.m. Soloists include Kathryn Withers, Marilyn England, Noah Rice, and George Washington III. Can’t make it? The 11 a.m. service will be broadcast on classical music radio station WDAV-FM, 89.9.

SPORTS

Stephen Curry, and the Davidson men’s basketball team will travel to Indianapolis Saturday for a nationally-televised game against Purdue. The 22nd ranked Wildcats will play No. 13 Purdue at 3:30 in the 9th annual John Wooden Tradition tournament. The game is scheduled to air on CBS. Davidson is off to its best start since 1969-70, when they went 11-1 to open the season.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ women’s team, now 3-0 in the Southern Conference (4-6 overall) will travel to Ohio for a pair of games. They’ll play Xavier on Friday at 4 p.m. and Cincinnati Sunday at 2 p.m. Read more about Wildcats’ sports on DavidsonWildcats.com.

GALLERY OPENINGS & ART EVENTS

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius, in the Oak Street Mill behind the police station – Through Dec. 19: Instructors and staff at the Creative Art Exchange and Childrens Arts Project will show their work at a faculty Show. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays by appointment. Information: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org.

"Poppies," a painting by Inge Couteller, is in the Lake Norman Art League show.

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE GALLERY, South Main Square office building, 442 S. Main St. – Through Jan. 23: Lake Norman Art League’s “Small Works 2008 Exhibit & Sale,” with paintings, prints, 3-D and other works by art league members. The Small Works Exhibit and Sale will be open to the public during Christmas in Davidson, Dec. 4-6, from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Details: www.LKNart.org

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VAN EVERY/SMITH GALLERIES, Davidson College Visual Art Center, Main and Griffith streets – Closed Dec. 15-Jan. 14. Next exhibition Jan. 16-Feb. 26: “Re/Formations: Disability, Women and Sculpture,” curated by Jessica Cooley and Davidson professor Ann M. Fox. Artists include: Harriet Sanderson, Rebecca Horn, Judith Scott, Nancy Fried and Laura Splan. Opening reception: Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. More information on the gallery website.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERY, 463 S. Main St. – Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 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 – Through Dec. 31: “Metamorphosis: From Jewelry to Sculpture,” featuring Hongsock Lee, Reiko Ishiyama, Barbara Bayne, Ashka Dymel and Christy Klug. Opening reception Saturday, Nov. 22, 4-6 p.m. 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.

Jewelry and ceramics at Wooden Stone in December.

WOODEN STONE, 445 S. Main St. – Functional fine art and hand-made objects. Through Dec. 31: trunk shows of work by Sonoma Art Works and Flambeaux Art Pottery. The Sonoma Art Works collection includes elegant and modern jewelry in sterling silver and semiprecious stones. Flambeaux has one-of-a-kind pieces in crystalline glazes from the Collector’s Series by renowned potter Bill Campbell. Gallery hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m. 704-892-1449. www.woodenstonegallery.com.

SO ALIVE GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. – Through Dec. 31: Artwork by local artists and artisans. Eight artists are being chosen for display and sale during the holiday season. Preview Thursday, Nov. 20, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 11-6, Saturdays, 10-2, Sundays 12-5. Details: 704-892-0044.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• MONDAY, DEC. 22 – Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins.
• TUESDAY, DEC. 23, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Davidson Town Board work session (tentative). The board has discussed possibly meeting on this date to take up several affordable housing issues, including committing funds for renovations at Oakhill Apartments and issues related to tax-credit applications at the Bailey Springs subdivision.
• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Main Street and Concord Road – Christmas eve services: 4 p.m., child-friendly service. 7:30 p.m., service with music by the Chancel Choir. The Rev. Lib McGrgor Simmons will be preaching. Child care available. 11 p.m. service includes music by the Geneva Choir and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. DCPC college students provide liturgical leadership.
• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – Christmas eve services, 3, 5, 7 and 11 p.m. The church says the 5 p.m. service is its most crowded. Child care available for children 4 and under, except at 11 p.m.
• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, off Concord Road – Christmas eve services: 4 p.m., Family Holy Eucharist with children’s sermon; 7 and 11 p.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II, with musical prelude at 10:30.
• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24 and THURSDAY, DEC. 25 – Christmas holiday. Town Hall and other public offices closed.
• MONDAY, DEC. 29, 9 p.m., Charleston, S.C. – Davidson men’s basketball vs. College of Charleston. Television: ESPNU.
• TUESDAY, DEC. 30, 2 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson women’s basketball vs. Wofford. $6 adults, $3 children.
• THURSDAY, JAN. 1 – New Year’s Day. Town Hall and other public offices closed.
• TUESDAY, JAN. 6, 10 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Story Time for children 5 and under. Story Time is held twice monthly, on the first and third Tuesday. Future dates Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17.
• TUESDAY, JAN. 6, 6 p.m., McIntosh Law Firm, 209 Delburg St. – Davidson Board of Adjustment meeting. Agenda includes adoption of written findings of fact in an appeal by developer FC Summers Walk LLC. The developer is challenging the town’s assessment of fees under the adequate public facilities ordinance.
• SATURDAY, JAN. 17, 7 p.m., Peninsula Club at Lake Norman – Ada Jenkins Center hosts its Ice 2009 fund-raising gala. All proceeds benefit the regional community services center and its programs. Sponsorships available. Details: www.adajenkins.org/ice/
• TUESDAY, JAN. 20, 10 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Story Time for children 5 and under. Story Time is held twice monthly, on the first and third Tuesday. Future dates Feb. 3, Feb. 17.
• SATURDAY, JAN. 24, Davidson College Baker Sports Complex – 2008 Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame events. Induction ceremonies begin with a reception at 3:45 p.m., following the women’s basketball game against Appalachian State. That game begins at noon in Belk Arena. A dinner and program will begin at 4:30 p.m., and that’s followed at 7 by the men’s basketball game vs. Wofford. Details about this year’s honorees in our Dec. 16 news item.
• SUNDAY, JAN. 25, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents the Farallon Recorder Quartet. Tickets required. Details on the Music at St. Alban’s website.
• TUESDAY, JAN. 27, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church – Organ at Davidson Series continues with a performance by Jane Dimmock Cain, director of music at DCPC. Details in our Organ at Davidson season preview.
• SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents countertenor Ian Howell with Tableau: Handel’s Inheritance. They’ll explore the music behind the man who wrote “Messiah.” Tickets required. Details on the Music at St. Alban’s website.
• TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church – Organ at Davidson Series continues with a “Bach Birthday Bash.” Music by Bach accompanies readings from works by Albert Schweitzer. Details in our Organ at Davidson season preview.
• SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents VOX & Friends. Vox is a professional vocal group from Charlotte, led by David Tang. Tickets required. Details on the Music at St. Alban’s website.

ONGOING EVENTS

50+ COFFEE CLUB, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Parks & Recreation office, 416 Armour St. – Join the 50-Plus Coffee Club, meeting every Wednesday. It’s a relaxing social environment where you can meet old and new friends. Coffee, games, newspapers and pastries provided. No registration required, just show up! Info: 704-892-3349.

CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP,  first and third Wednesdays each month, 7-8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. –
Individuals coping with an illness or who have family members coping with an illness welcome. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 6, Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Facilitators Mark and Gayle Olenik provide  resources to help you cope and work toward a new beginning. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care.

NOW WHAT? GRIEF BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR, second Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m., beginning Jan. 10 Davidson United Methodist Church Congregational Care House, 262 South St. – If you are coping with the loss of a loved one for one year or more, we welcome you to join.  Janet McKee and Bryan Readling will facilitate. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

DAVIDSONNEWS.NET SCHOOL CALENDAR – Laurie Dennis’s most recent listing of school events, CLICK HERE>

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 – Events calendar on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library’s PLCMC.org website.

NORTH COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY events, Huntersville – Events calendar, www.plcmc.org

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.