Davidson Film Club steering committee members include (from left) Margot Leydic-Boyd, Alan Singerman and Bob Maier. Initial films will be screen in this meeting room at South Main Square. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Local fans of foreign and art films will have a new outlet for their passion in 2013 through a newly formed Davidson Film Club. The independent nonprofit group plans to meet one Saturday night a month in a conference room at South Main Square to watch films from Europe, Asia, Africa and the US. Read the full story

Police have received at least eight reports over the past two weeks of break-ins of unlocked vehicles in the River Run neighborhood, between Robert Walker Drive and River Falls Drive. In one case, a video game system valued at $250 was stolen, while wallets, cash, and credit cards were stolen from others. Two automobile wrecks involving deer were reported on local roads. And someone took $1,200 worth of copper pipe from a house under construction on Kiser Corner Lane.

Also, Huntersville Police are asking for citizens’ help in locating a suspect who allegedly broke into a model home on Old Vermillion Drive and stole several flat-screen televisions. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of recent arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement) may be found below.
Read the full story

Davidson United Methodist Church plans to build two new buildings on its South Main Street campus to fill a need for more office, classrooms and meeting space. Church members approved the $7 million expansion plan at a congregation meeting last month. Now the church is turning its attention to raising money, refining its plans and seeking approval from the regional Methodist Church conference. See the full story on REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Many of our canine residents brought their owners out this past weekend for Christmas in Davidson, while some other local creatures were stars in Saturday’s 30th annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade.  The action included Friday night’s Doggie Fashion Show on the Davidson Village Green. See a photo gallery today on PETS & ANIMALS»

Also today on Pets & Animals:

• “Photo of the Day: A fellow greenway traveler.” – A local runner encountered a slithering obstacle on a local greenway Monday. So he photographed it.
• Cornelius Animal Shelter Pets of the Week – How about adopting a kitty or a doggie for the holidays?

Santa posed on Engine No. 2 just before the festival’s start Thursday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Santa Claus climbed onto the old Davidson Engine No. 2, the siren sounded, and Thursday just before 6pm they headed to the Village Green to kick off the 25th annual Christmas in Davidson. Thousands of people from Davidson, surrounding towns, Charlotte and beyond strolled along Main and South Main streets taking in the sights and sounds of the season.

More photos by DavidsonNews.net’s Brenda Barger and David Boraks below. Read the full story

Thousands packed Main Street during the 2011 Christmas in Davidson. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Christmas in Davidson started out 25 years ago as an extra night of shopping at Main Street businesses, but it’s always been something much more for local merchants and residents.

Even that first year, despite its origins as a shopping promotion, there was a sense of community, recalls Elaine McArn, owner of the Needlecraft Center on North Main Street. “It was low-key, but even then it had a really good feel to it,” she said. Read the full story

Santa rode toward the railroad overpass on NC 115 on a Davidson Day School float in the 2011 parade. (CorneliusNews.net file photo)

The 30th Annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade kicks off at 1 o’clock this Saturday, Dec. 1, running along N.C. 115/Main Street from downtown Davidson to downtown Cornelius. That means the road will be closed in the two towns through mid-afternoon. Meanwhile, this weekend’s Christmas in Davidson festival will close the main section of Main Street nightly Thursday to Saturday. Read the full story

Police are investigating several break-ins this week, including one in which a Glock 26 handgun was stolen from a home in the St. Alban’s neighborhood. An iPad was stolen from a South Main Street restaurant, and officers responding to a residential burglar alarm on Davidson-Concord Road found someone broke a patio window. Meanwhile, deer continue to be a problem on outlying roads, and stop-and-go traffic on N.C. 73 once again led to numerous rear-end collisions. Read the full story