DavidsonLearns has begun filling up seats in its first three classes that begin later this month, as part of a new “lifelong learning” program in the Lake Norman area. Registration is still open for the five-session courses in poetry, politics and economics.
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Davidson United Methodist Church will have another meeting with church members Oct. 14 on proposed expansion at the campus. Meanwhile, down the road in Cornelius, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church will break ground on Wednesday for the planned Autumn Care long-term care facility off Zion Street. Read the full story

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height=”85″ />Our calendar offers a busy mix of events, from the literary and theatrical to outdoor festivals and dog shows to Davidson College homecoming. The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens its gates Saturday. ReadDavidson hosts a discussion of this year’s townwide read, “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett on Thursday. There’s a wiener dog race in Mooresville and The All American Dog Show in Cornelius, both on Saturday. Final performances of “The Smell of the Kill” are offered at Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius, and “Baby: The Musical” debuts at Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theater. For a full list of happenings, see our Weekend Calendar, in The GUIDE»

The Davidson College Presbyterian Church Jubilee Class will host a series of programs beginning this Sunday on the relationship between church and state. Also below, information about Mt. Zion United Methodist Church’s series on “Mixing Politics and Religion: How Christian Values Affect Election Decisions.”

DCPC SERIES

The DCPC classes are Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 116 at the Church, 100 N. Main St., at Concord Road, Davidson.

Residents and college students are invited. For more information, please contact Linda Steber at lsteber@dcpc.org. Here’s the schedule and topics:

• October 7: Origins of Church and State Issues — Jeff Gray, Attorney at Law and church member
• October 14: US Constitution—Wall or Swiss Cheese?—Jeff Gray
• October 21: Issues and Cases of Separation of Church and State—Dr. Anne Blue Wills, Associate Professor of Religion, Davidson College
• October 28: More Separation of Church and State
• November 4: Pluralism and Religious Alternatives—Dr. Gerardo Marti, Professor and Chair of Sociology, Davidson College
• November 11: Calvin and the Constitution—Dr. Sherrill Holland, retired Dean of New Brunswick Seminary
• November 18: What this means for us today—class discussion

MT. ZION LOOKS AT CHURCHES AND THE ELECTION

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church will begin a four-week study on Wednesday, Oct. 3, on “Mixing Politics and Religion: How Christian Values Affect Election Decisions.”

Led by Senior Pastor Mary John Dye, the sessions will run four Wednesdays (Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24) at 6:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary, 19600 Zion Avenue, Cornelius.

The course is open to the community and people of all churches. A fellowship meal is available prior to the course at the church’s Family Life Center. For meal signups, visit the church website: http://www.mtzionumc.net/bloom.

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, the sanctuary at Mt. Zion will be open for prayer all day. Communion will be served from 7 – 8 a.m., 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and 5 – 6 p.m.

Girl Scout Troops in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson will be heading out Saturday, Oct. 13, to collect canned goods for the area’s two Loaves & Fishes food pantries. The girls are hoping neighbors will donate “A Can If You Can” to help feed the hungry in their communities. Read the full story

Area voters will be able to question candidates twice over the next two weeks when the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce hosts candidate forums in Davidson and Huntersville. The forums are this Thursday, Oct. 4, in Huntersville and next Thursday, Oct. 11, at Davidson College. Read on for which races will be at which forum, and for a note about why Republican Robert Pittenger won’t be debating opponents Democrat Jennifer Roberts and Libertarian Curtis Campbell this time around. On our Election 2012 page.

Theresa Payton will talk and sign copies of her book, “Are You Naked Online?” on Wednesday.

The Business Center at South Main Square in Davidson will host a talk Wednesday by author and former White House Chief Information Officer Theresa Peyton on internet security for businesses and families.

Her talk is Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Business Center at South Main Square, 442 S. Main St., Davidson.

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Runners tore away from the Gamble Street starting line in the Fire 5K Saturday morning. 119 runners registered. That’s eventual winner Dexter Cherry in the bright green shirt at center (No. 421). (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated Tues., Oct. 2, with BBQ winners & fundraising total
The grounds of the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson were a multi-ring circus Saturday for the center’s 4th annual Fire barbecue festival and 5K run.Fire is the center’s biggest community event of the year, and a major fundraiser for services that range from the Learn Works after school program to free health and dental clinics to food and counseling services.

This year’s festival raised $20,000 toward the center’s budget of about $1.5 million. But more than that, said board co-chair Rodney Short of Cornelius, “It’s a great community day for us. It’s an opportunity to bring the community together.” Read the full story