A complicated $3.7 million deal for the 243-acre former Abersham development was completed two weeks ago, allowing Mecklenburg County to take over the site for open space and a future public park.  Davidson Lands Conservancy and other nature lovers and supporters of open space preservation are wasting no time to begin celebrating the deal. They’ll offer a “sneak peek” of the future park on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2-4 p.m., when the conservancy hosts its annual meeting and a nature festival at the site, off Grey and Shearer roads in northeast Davidson. Read the full story in REAL ESTATE & HOME.

Torre Jessup, an executive with the host committee for next year’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, will be the guest speaker Friday morning, Oct. 28, at the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Focus Friday issues session. The program runs 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Read the full story

Thinking about law school? Davidson College will host its annual Law School Fair on campus Thursday, Nov. 3, and the roster of schools is maxed out at 60. They include big names such as Duke and UNC and local schools, including Charlotte School of Law.

The fair runs Nov. 3 from 3-6 p.m. at the Alvarez College Union Atrium. For more information, and a full list of schools, see the event listing on Davidson.edu

Main Street merchants and Davidson Parks & Rec are planning the annual downtown Davidson Halloween parade on Friday, Oct. 28. The lineup begins at Town Hall around 4:45 p.m., and the march up Main Street kicks off at 5:15 p.m.
Read the full story

A revolution is transforming string and orchestral music and if Mark Wood has his way, it will change the way strings are taught in schools as well. We need to prepare for a time when the classical orchestra “disappears into obilivion,” the electric violin pioneer says. Mr. Wood brings his “Electrify Your Strings” education tour to the Lake Norman area next week, including a concert Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Hough High. Read David Boraks’s interview with Mr. Wood and find out how to get tickets to the concert in THE GUIDE»

A Dembridge Drive resident told police this week that an unknown suspect stole his golf equipment valued at $5,500 from the River Run Golf & Country Club this week.

In addition, a Cornelius woman was charged with DWI after running her 2004 Toyota into a parked, unoccupied 2007 Mercedes-Benz SUV on Harbour Place Drive at approximately 30 mph. Read the full story

Carol Quillen introduces herself at a Davidson ceremony Thursday. (Bill Giduz photo)

Davidson College will inaugurate Carol Quillen as its 18th president at an afternoon ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 18, inside Belk Arena. The event had been planned for the college front lawn, but with rain likely college officials decided to move it indoors.

Trustees will be in town for the ceremony, which will include an academic procession, and an inaugural address by President Quillen. The ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m.

Trustees elected President Quillen in May. She is Davidson’s first woman president and the first president who is not a Davidson graduate since John Cunningham (1941-57). She took up the job Aug. 1. Read the full story

The 13 candidates for 3 at-large seats on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School board will appear at an interactive forum Wednesday night at CPCC in Charlotte. Sponsored by our news partner WFAE-FM and the nonpartisan group MeckEd, the event also will be streamed live over the internet and reported via Twitter. Details on our ELECTION 2011 page»

Also on the page today: Meet the candidates: 3 forums over next 2 weeks – Three upcoming events will give Davidson residents a chance to meet the candidates for Mayor and Town Board.