More than 200 bicyclists hit the roads around Mecklenburg, Iredell and Rowan counties Saturday morning for 50-kilometer and 100-kilometer rides to raise money for the affordable housing efforts of Davidson Housing Coalition.  The annual ride, and accompanying Festival for Hope & Housing on the Village Green, brought in more than $26,000 for the DHC, organizers said.

The ridership and income were up this year from a year ago, according to event director Emily Lytle. “I think it was an incredible year for us, especially after the economy of last year. Our sponsors really supported us this year,” she said. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Just a year ago, things were looking up for Grogan Associates, a Davidson-based firm that helps banks and other companies manage changes in their facilities during mergers and other transitions. Grogan was hiring, and had moved its offices from Davidson Cotton Mill on Delburg Street to the top floor of the Stowe’s Corner, a new landmark building overlooking downtown Davidson. Read the full story

Davidson Historical Society will present a program of music and history in downtown Davidson on Sunday, Sept. 11, with the sounds of Davidson Express and historical commentary by historian Tom Hanchett. Read the full story

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An estimated 356 people young and old, from Davidson and beyond, swarmed the Davidson Village Green Saturday to set an (unofficial) Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most people bouncing paddle balls at one time. Here’s a 4-minute video of the record, produced by DavidsonNews.net.

RELATED LINK: Sept. 3, 2011, “356 paddleballers set a world record on the Green.”

Can’t see the video? Watch it directly on YouTube.

Updated Saturday 1:30 p.m.
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

An estimated 356 people young and old, from Davidson and beyond, swarmed the Davidson Village Green Saturday to set an (unofficial) Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most people bouncing paddle balls at one time.

Watch a 4-minute video of the record, produced by DavidsonNews.net.
Read the full story

Welcome September!  Nice to have fall lurking just around the corner. In the meantime, Happy Labor Day to each of our readers.  Enjoy this three-day weekend with neighborhood picnics and a chance to catch up with the summer travels of friends.

Around Davidson introduces you today to two new faces in town:  Robert Alexander and Kelly Nicholson.  We also report on a recent honor for Chuck Dillman and give you an inside glimpse on a talented musical group – Sunday Union.  In addition we have a little Chair Talk in a Noteworthy Note. Read the full story

Electric vehicles could become a viable option for motorists in the coming years, but not without a place to charge up. Add South Main Square to the list of places to plug in. Thanks to a federal stimulus grant awarded through the state of North Carolina, the South Main Street shopping center is getting one of the region’s first electric vehicle charging stations.
Read the full story

West Side residents complained to town officials Tuesday night that some property owners are letting houses fall into disrepair and vacant lots grow over with brush, making their neighborhood unsightly and unsafe. Quizzing the board during a “Commissioner Chat,” the residents asked for help fixing the problem.

Tuesday night’s meeting at Community School of Davidson High School on Armour Street was the latest in a series of informal meetings between commissioners over the past two years. Read the full story