The 25th anniversary edition of Christmas in Davidson is scheduled Nov. 29-Dec. 1 along Main and South Main street and the Village Green, with carriage rides, food, music and a South Main Square skating rink. Registration is already open for several events within the three-day festival: a Gingerbread House Contest at Copeland House, the annual Doggie Fashion Show and the Ugly Sweater Contest. Read the full story

DAVIDSONLEARNS BOARD DavidsonLearns has announced its first board of directors, including area residents with educational, political, business and civic backgrounds. They include: Executive Director Amy Diamond, President Joey Schnople, vice president Tom Rhynne, treasurer Cecil Clifton; curriculum chair Ruth Ault; secretary Deb Cameron, Richard Ault, Andrea Caughey, Jennie Clifton, Natasha Rath Marcus, Gordon Peck, Ruth Pittard, and Margo Williams.

The structure and leadership are continuing to evolve at DavidsonLearns, the Lake Norman area’s startup “lifelong learning” program based in Davidson. This week, the organization announced a membership drive, a board of directors, and another round of courses in its winter term beginning in January, with topics ranging from archaeology and organ music to magical realism in literature and the art of Romare Bearden.

DavidsonLearns recently wrapped up its first semester with three courses and registration is now open for the winter. The group plans eventually to offer three terms per year – Fall, Winter and Spring. Read the full story

Annual community Thanksgiving services are planned in the coming days in both Davidson and Cornelius, bringing together members of local congregations and other citizens. Davidson’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is Sunday at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, while Bethel Presbyterian Church will host a celebration in Cornelius on Monday night. Also coming up, the annual Lake Norman Hanukkah celebration Dec. 9 in Mooresville, and a meeting this Saturday of Davidson Aglow. Read the full story

Luminaria on Edgewater Park Street in Lake Davidson Park in the December 2011 “Noel for Neighbors.” (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

The Davidson Housing Coalition is organizing its 12th annual “Noel for Neighbors” fundraiser for Saturday, Dec. 8, an evening when yards and sidewalks across town are lit with luminaria. Will your neighborhood join in this year? Read the full story

Nicholas Kristof

Tickets will be available beginning Monday, Nov. 19, for a Dec. 3 appearance at Davidson College by New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author Nicholas Kristof.

Mr. Kristof will present the college’s annual Reynolds Lecture on Monday, Dec. 3, at 7:30pm in the college’s Duke Family Performance Hall. Tickets are free and available at the College Union Ticket Office from 10am to 4:30pm weekdays, or  for a handling fee by by phone at 704-894-2135 or online at www.davidson.edu/tickets. Read the full story

Riders and walkers on the West Branch Greenway in 2011. (Rodney Graham photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Carolina Thread Trail will celebrate a couple of big milestones this Saturday, Nov. 17 – its fifth anniversary and 100th mile of trail. The Thread, as fans call it, is a planned 15-county, two-state network of trails and natural areas – a massive effort by supporters and local governments throughout the region. Despite those milestones, organizers say there's lots more to come.

Saturday's event runs from 10-11 a.m. at the West Branch Greenway, off Shearer Road (directions below). Read the full story

After months of discussions about how to re-allocate money in the 2012-13 budget, Davidson's Town Board on Tuesday will vote whether to spend $223,000 on a “needs list” that includes computer equipment, planning projects, police radios, public works equipment, and renovations at Ada Jenkins Center gym rest rooms. The board also will consider whether to renovate the old pump station at the end of South Street for new Parks & Rec offices. Read the full story

Davidson United Methodist Church plans a congregation meeting and vote this Sunday, Nov. 11, on a proposed expansion that could include two buildings at its campus off South Main Street.
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