Davidson Housing Coalition and Davidson Lands Conservancy will host fundraising festivals in downtown Davidson on successive Saturdays in September.  The 8th annual Festival for Hope and Housing, including 100K and 50K bicycle rides, will be Sept. 8. And the conservancy’s Run for Green and Green Day will be Sept. 15, including a half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs. Read the full story

Looking to make some more space in your garage or attic? Have items you don’t use, but can’t bear to throw away? Consider donating them to the North Mecklenburg Senior Center garage sale. The center will host its garage sale Saturday, Aug. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the senior center, 16601 Old Statesville Road in Huntersville (in the Solid Rock Christian Church). All money raised will go to support the center’s programs and activities. Read the full story

(Lake Norman Kiwanis photo)

Registration is now open for the 2012 Lake Norman Kiwanis Golf Tournament Aug. 27 at Cowan’s Ford Golf Club in Stanley, N.C. All proceeds from the event will help the Kiwanis Club serve local children. Read the full story

Eight-year-old Davidson resident Allie Sadoff writes about her decision to ride in last weekend’s 24 Hours of Booty cancer fundraising ride in Charlotte. Allie, who is in treatment for cancer, raised more than $20,000 with her Team Allie Gator. Read her story in HEALTH & FITNESS»

Michaela Amato, of Chasing Pedestrians, and Choch, of the duo Brody and Choch, sang together Saturday night on the Barnstock stage. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

HUNTERSVILLE – Organizers promised an expanded Barnstock music festival this year, and in the end they came through. This weekend’s two-day showcase of local music at the Brown family barn off Black Farms Road in Huntersville attracted nearly 1,200 fans and raised $10,000 for local charities.

This festival, which included a headline performance Friday by nationally-known rockers Donna the Buffalo, raised money for Davidson’s volunteer fire department, Second Harvest Food Bank, American Red Cross, Cannon School in Concord and W.A. Hough High School in Cornelius. The charities will share the $10,000 equally. Read the full story

Bikers race through Lake Norman Saturday. (Ron Donson photo)

More than 800 people ages 7 to 62 participated in the Lake Norman Excursion Saturday, that started from Lowe’s headquarters in Mooresville. Cool Breeze Cyclery in Mooresville, The Trek Store of Charlotte and Lowe’s teamed up with the American Red Cross to plan the event, that raised about $35,000 for the Red Cross. Read the full story

Eight-year-old Allie Sadoff of Davidson was inspired last year when her grandfather rode in Charlotte’s 24 Hours of Booty bicycle fundraiser for cancer research. So she began making plans to join this year’s ride. Then last fall she was diagnosed with cancer herself, a tumor in her cheek. With her treatment nearly done, she’s still planning to ride two weeks from now – but as both a cyclist and a patient. Read her story and find out how to help her and others in the ride, in HEALTH & FITNESS»

Davidson Lands Conservancy
Local organizations and businesses looking to promote “green” practices at this year’s Green Day Festival, by the Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC), should apply by Aug. 15.  The September festival coincides with DLC’s Run for Green half-marathon and showcases companies, products and organizations that model sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness. Read the full story