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»

Bill McCoy of Davidson helps fit shoes on a girl during the 2011 shoe giveaway. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Samaritan’s Feet will be giving away shoes to children and youth from birth to age 18 on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson.

Shoes will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes last.  No pre-registration is required. Read the full story

The local Jewish Congregation has bought Calvary Presbyterian, on South Street, next to Davidson Elementary. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Lake Norman area’s newly merged Jewish congregation Temple Kol Tikvah is taking a big leap, buying an existing church building on South Street in Davidson to become the region’s first synagogue.

Temple Kol Tikvah closed July 23 on the $530,000 purchase of Calvary Presbyterian Church and 4.5 acres at 605 South St., next to Davidson Elementary School. Read the full story

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

Homeowners in North Mecklenburg in need of help with their home repairs may qualify for assistance from Habitat for Humanity. Interested homeowners are invited to a home repair information session at the Cornelius Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Aug. 9 to learn more about partnering with the nonprofit. Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

Survivors of domestic abuse have a new outlet for support in North Mecklenburg, thanks to the efforts of United Family Services Victim Advocate Amy Putnam and Client Specialist Heather Chavis, who this month started hosting group meetings for area survivors. (“survivors” is the preferred term, rather than “victims.”)

Ms. Putnam is the victim advocate for the three North Mecklenburg towns, and 80 percent of her referrals have been domestic violence cases, she said. So she saw a clear need for a domestic violence support group in the area. 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

Carolinas HealthCare System presented new drawings of what the proposed mental health hospital off NC 73 will look like. Download a copy of the presentation below.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Carolinas HealthCare System showed detailed plans for its proposed $36 million behavioral health hospital off N.C. 73 and the town manager presented new data on the project’s economic impact at a forum Thursday night. But opponents said afterward they’re still prepared to sue to stop the project if the town doesn’t halt it and give residents a chance to appeal. Read the full story