Charlotte’s newest downtown attraction, the 7th Street Public Market, opened its doors on Tuesday morning, Dec. 6, with a ceremony that celebrated both local food and its potential as a catalyst for small businesses. Some market organizers – including executive director Christy Shi and chair Dan Murrey – have Davidson ties. See the story in FOOD & DINING»

Davidson resident Jan Blodgett’s Sweet Potato Crème Cake was the crowd favorite Saturday in a bake-off at the Davidson Farmer’s Market that featured recipes inspired by “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett. The event was organized by ReadDavidson, which chose “The Help as this year’s townwide read. Read the full story

Memorial Day is the traditional “Kick-off” to summer even though the calendar still reads spring.  No doubt about it, with the heat and humidity, we know that summertime has arrived and our gardens are looking good!  Just check out the Community Garden at the corner of Potts and Catawba to see what the hard work of Connie and Eddie Beach as well as Steve Gunn and Jean Harris and others can achieve.  “Tend some, Take some, Share some” is their motto.  We applaud these couples for their commitment as well as others who offer help with planting, weeding and harvesting.  Read more about this garden below.

In addition, today’s Around Davidson has a fond farewell to the Swallow family (sort of) plus news of three prestigious organ scholarships for Emma Haupt, Chase Loomer and Joe Setzer. Read the full story

Updated Saturday, April 23
Davidson Farmer’s Market announced Friday that Courtney Spear has been hired as market manager. She takes over from Mary Jane Leach, who is stepping down from the job as she moves away from Davidson.

Ms. Spear is a Davidson resident and volunteer at the market, where among other things she has served on the marketing committee. She also worked previously as executive director and meeting planner for a non-profit association management company.

Read the full story

Davidson’s recent adoption of new rules allowing up to four hens in local backyards may have you thinking about joining the trend.  This Saturday, Jan. 8, Greg and Jennifer Coleman on Virginia Road will offer a free how-to workshop, based on their experience raising chickens in Davidson and former homes in Raleigh and Austin, Texas. In Food & Dining, CLICK HERE>

Also in Food & Dining today:

Food writer and Davidson grad Nikki Sawyer Moore offers a recipe:  “Cure for post-holiday blues: Peppermint profiteroles.”

Saturday morning’s pre-Thanksgiving Davidson Farmer’s Market drew a big crowd. Lines at some vendors were 15 minutes long as shoppers stocked up on holiday produce, meats, and gifts. Market managers said more than 500 people attended – a big crowd for any Saturday, let alone a fall market.  The market is now on its winter schedule, running every other week. The next market is Saturday, Dec. 4, downtown next to Town Hall.

By ALEX GREGOR
DavidsonNews.net

CHARLOTTE – Developing more sustainable patterns of growth in the Charlotte region will require rethinking everything from the kinds of homes we build and where we build them to how we get around and where we locate groceries and other businesses.  Those were among the messages Monday when a new organization called Sustain Charlotte unveiled its manifesto Charlotte 2030: A Sustainable Vision for Our Region.

In a gathering of supporters and local officials at the Square, at Trade and Tryon streets in Charlotte, the group outlined its 10-section plan for making the Charlotte area a greener place to live.

Listen to a 4-minute interview with Sustain Charlotte’s Shannon Binns, CLICK HERE> Read the full story

In Food & Dining today: A Statesville woman is seeking approvals to run a hot dog cart on Main Street. Last week, the Design Review Board gave its OK to the cart. Read more in Food & Dining, CLICK HERE>

Also in Food and dining today:

• Davidson Farmer’s Market announces its winter market schedule
  
• Cheese at the State Fair
  
• How the local food movement helps small farmers.