On Real Estate & Home today, commentator Chip Dawson offers a primer on homeowners associations and North Carolina law. He tells the tale of Jim Lane, a Huntersville man who nearly lost his home after his threatened foreclosure – in a dispute over pansies planted in a common area.  The N.C. legislature is currently studying the state’s HOA law amid complaints from people like Mr. Lane.  But there are positive examples, too, such as Davidson’s St. Alban’s neighborhood, Mr. Dawson writes. Read more in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Life can’t get much better than in the Davidson Dog Park. Friends are there, everyone gets along (dogs and humans) and there’s plenty to do with balls and Frisbees and books. Yes, books — there’s a lending library for humans. Leave one, pick one up. Read Chip Dawson’s report on our PETS & ANIMALS page.

Drivers stopped Thursday for a man crossing Concord Road at Faculty Drive, where a new sign has been installed. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Someone has hung a Christmas wreath on a telephone pole at the Concord Road crosswalk where Davidson College Professor Rob Whitton was struck by a car the night of Nov. 3. This week, the town began the first of a series of planned improvements prompted by the fatal incident, installing new warning signs in the middle of the road at Faculty Drive and three other crossings. Meanwhile, improved lighting also is in the works for Concord Road, town officials said. Read the full story

Luminaria stretched the full length of Rollingdale Lane in River Run Saturday night. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated Dec. 15
From Naramore to North Main and Winged Oak to North Downing, thousands of luminaria lined the streets and sidewalks of Davidson Saturday night in the annual Noel for Neighbors fund-raiser for Davidson Housing Coalition. The candle-lit displays raised more than $16,500 for the organization, which provides affordable housing and home ownership education programs. Read the full story

Students from Metro School listened to a rehearsal for BachFest Friday at St. Alban’s Church (Rachel Goldstein/DavidsonNews.net)

By RACHEL GOLDSTEIN
DavidsonNews.net

Special needs students from Charlotte’s Metro School sat in on a rehearsal Friday for Sunday’s BachFest, the opening concert in the 2011-12 Music @ St. Alban’s music series at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

It was the second time this year that the St. Alban’s festival hosted the students. Festival director Barbara Krumdieck, who has a special needs child at the Metro School, invited the group to listen and watch while the orchestra practiced for  Bachfest VI. Ms. Krumdieck  plays cello in the Bachfest Orchestra. Read the full story

Brickhouse Tavern owner Nick Lyssikatos supplied the hot dogs and hamburgers, and Carlos Springs tended the grill at Tuesday's National Night Out in Roosevelt Wilson Park. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

About 75 residents, local officials and Davidson police officers on Tuesday night joined Davidson’s celebration of National Night Out, a community cookout and crime-prevention festival held at Roosevelt Wilson Park, off Griffith Street.

The crowd brought neighbors together from the Exit 30 area to the West Side and River Run to St. Alban’s neighborhood. Residents chatted with police officers and town officials while kids played on the park’s playground structure. The Brickhouse Tavern supplied hot dogs and hamburgers, while some residents brought other dishes to share.

With a town election coming up in November, several Town Board members and political challengers turned out. Mayor John Woods was there, along with his challenger Vince Winegardner. Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Laurie Venzon also was there, and so was commissioner candidate Kristen Coupal. Read the full story

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx speaks tot he Chamber Thursday. (Deborah Young photo)

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx addressed a sold-out Lake Norman Chamber lunch Thursday, outlining the positive economic impacts expected from the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Meanwhile, Chinese tool manufacturer Positec is moving its North American headquarters to the Exit 18 area, and opening a distribution center at The Park, in Huntersville. Those items plus other local business notes. Read the full story

Evening light illuminates orange lilies at The Preserve dog park, off O Henry Avenue in the St. Alban's neighborhood. Christina shot this with her iPhone while her beagle mix waited, somewhat patiently. (Christina Rogers/DavidsonNews.net)

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story