Happy Labor Day weekend to all of our readers! If you are headed to the beach, hope that Hurricane Earl passes quickly and allows you a final summer 2010 dip in the Atlantic, ever mindful of rip current warnings. Today, Around Davidson celebrates a birthday with Abe Kessler, catches up with the Goldstein family and brings news of a film opening you won’t want to miss. And don’t miss a couple of tidbits in our Noteworthy Notes.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a ... no, seriously, what is it?
JUST FOR FUN!
Ever gotten up in the morning and found your hair in a tangle? We found just the shot of a perfect “bad hair” day that not even the largest bottle of conditioner could address. Any idea whose “bed head” this is? Or what it is? Let us know…
Great Grandma Robyn Oldham gives Abe a birthday hug!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABE
How wonderful to be two! And to celebrate with Great Grandma in the gazebo at The Pines. Abram (Abe) Kessler, son of Mike Kessler and Rosie Molinary, is a lively, talkative, always-on-the-move youngster who arrived from Ethiopia into the loving arms of Mom Rosie and Dad Mike just 18 months ago. Abe had a Pines’ party with his parents, Pines’ resident Great Grandma Robyn Oldham, and grandparents Steve and Harriet Kessler on August 26. Happy Birthday, Abe!
“THE TRIAL” OPENS SEPT. 10
Hollywood, eat your heart out! Davidson is having its very own film opening on Friday, Sept. 10. You may not see Versace fashions on a red carpet but you will have a chance to meet and greet the Producer/Director Gary Wheeler (and get autographed posters!). Gary is an East Mecklenburg High School graduate who now lives in Huntersville. He comments that he “wanted to open the film in Davidson because we really are local filmmakers even though the film has been picked up for DVD distribution by 20th Century Fox.” By “we” Gary means his collaboration with the author and executive producer, Robert Whitlow, a well known writer and law partner of Davidsonian Bob Dortch – both of whom practice law in Charlotte.
Gary Wheeler (r) on set
Robert Whitlow has written numerous novels, short stories and films. His first novel made into a film was “The List” which is on DVD distribution by 20th Century Fox. His current movie, “The Trial,” which just won “Best Feature” at the Grand Rapids Film Festival, was shot exclusively in Charlotte, Monroe and Concord, stars Matthew Modine, Bob Gunton and Robert Forster, and plays exclusively in Davidson at Our Town Cinema for two weeks before national distribution. (Read more at www.thetrial-themovie.com)
Smart idea to order advance tickets by calling Our Town Cinema at 704-237-3238 for a seat during the opening weekend showings on two screens. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11, Gary Wheeler will do introductions before the 1:00 show, Q & A after the 2:00 show, introductions again before the 4:30 show and a “Meet and Greet” with autograph signing from 6:30-7:30 in the lobby.
What a great time to celebrate Gary, Robert, and their new film, “The Trial.” No need to dress up (unless a ball gown would seem appropriate!) – just come and take part in a fabulous Grand Opening weekend on Sept. 10-11.
Rachel Goldstein has her camera ready at all times
Many Davidson residents have known the Goldstein sisters since they were toddlers. The family moved to Davidson in 1983 when Dad Irwin Goldstein took a position in the philosophy department at Davidson College. Mom Allison Goldstein stayed at home raising Rachel and Sheena. Both went through Davidson Elementary School, Alexander Junior High and graduated from North Mecklenburg.
Rachel Goldstein's Art on the Green winning digital collage
A passing comment about Rachel having a photography exhibit at the Davidson Town Hall prompted a visit with her to learn more about her work. Following high school, Rachel earned a degree in French from Emory University. Following a summer media workshop in Maine and classes in the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke, Rachel enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design where she earned a master of fine arts in photography in 2009. (Just two days ago, Around Davidson featured another Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Jessica Keener.)
Sheena Goldstein and Seth Zwiebel
Rachel enjoys working in digital collage, combining multiple images with text, as well as documentary style when she creates narratives with her photographs. Her work has been exhibited in several galleries in Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Greensboro, Annapolis, MD, and Hong Kong to mention a few. Moving back to Davidson last spring, Rachel made a name for herself immediately winning first place in the Lake Norman Art League Spring Exhibition and Best in Show at the Art on the Green. (See our April 26, 2010, Art News column for details.) Rachel’s current exhibit at the Town Hall is black and white photography but in November she will have a show of her digital collage works. (See more at www.rachellgodlstein.com) Be sure to stop by and see her photography now or in November. Rachel is involved in numerous art leagues in our area and in her free time enjoys swimming, snowboarding, and roller derby!
Younger sister, Sheena, graduated from New York University with a degree in journalism and fine arts. She met her future husband, Seth Zweibel, while a senior there. Sheena is now a photo editor at John Wiley and Sons Inc., a publishing house in Hoboken, N.J. Seth, the son of Susan and Alan Zweibel of South Orange, N.J., majored in film at Boston University and currently works free-lance in the New York area. He has been employed as a technical director for several TV stations including Fox 5 NY and SportsNet New York.
Seth and Sheena got engaged last December in the Dominican Republic. They plan to marry in Davidson in late summer 2011. Congratulations to this young couple and their families. We are glad to catch up with the Goldsteins.
NOTEWORTHY NOTES
Bikinis, Anyone?
Remember our town’s very own Bikini Team? Members Ann Haley, Cynthia Lewis, Nancy Gardner and Lina Soares even wrote a book, “Bikini is a State of Mind” and had a lot of fun promoting it in our area.
This Friday their names will be national news when public radio’s “The Story with Dick Gordon” features the team in an interview to broadcast nationwide. “The Story” is produced at North Carolina Public Radio and distributed by American Public Media. The program is not broadcast in the Charlotte area, but it can be found on other stations in the state and on the show’s website, http://thestory.org.
Recycling?
Next Thursday, Sept. 9, interested residents are invited to meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s Congregation House on Concord Road to car pool to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Recycling Center on Amble Street, just off Graham Street and I-85. This is a wonderful chance to learn more about our recycling program. This event is free and open to the public. Contact Carmen Mase (russcarm@att.net) for more information.
Roll up Your Sleeve!
Monday, Sept. 13, the Davidson College Presbyterian Church/Red Cross will sponsor a Blood Drive from 2-7 p.m. In the spirit of football season, donors are asked to help “go for the goal” by donating 58 pints. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration can be made by contacting Miriam Bode at mgb1314@att.net. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Send us your news
Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.
