92 golfers participated in last year's tournament. (Kiwanis photo)

The Lake Norman Kiwanis Club seeks golfers and sponsors for its annual Captain’s Choice golf tournament Aug. 29 to raise money for the Ada Jenkins Center, Barium Springs Home for Children and other local children’s causes. Read the full story

Kathryn Firmin-Sellers of United Family Services (center) speaks during last week's Focus Friday. With her are Cornelius Commissioner Lynette Rinker and chamber president Bill Russell. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – United Family Services expects to hire someone soon to be north Mecklenburg’s first dedicated domestic-violence victim advocate. The position is a new one, funded by area towns and Mecklenburg County after a three-year push by a handful of local leaders to improve support for those touched by family violence.

Supporters say the new service not only will help victims navigate the legal system, but it also will bolster area police departments as they respond to domestic-abuse cases. They also hope the advocate’s experiences and data will help make the case for another area need: a magistrate for north Mecklenburg to issue restraining orders and hear other cases – especially after hours. Read the full story

The town of Davidson will give a total of $50,000 to five area non-profit organizations this year, following the recommendations of a committee of citizen volunteers. The Ada Jenkins Center, the Arts & Science Council, Davidson Housing Coalition, Davidson Lands Conservancy, and Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center all got funding.

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Davidson Lands Conservancy will host its annual Green Day Festival and Run for Green on the Davidson Village Green Sept. 17, and organizers seeking local businesses and organizations that want to promote “green” practices at the event.

Applications for the festival are due Aug. 22. The conservancy is seeking exhibits that model sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness. Read the full story

Two "littles" have big fun on the lake Saturday. (Nelson Bynum / Cornelius Today)

More than 600 people turned out for the seventh annual Big Day at the Lake event Saturday. The event raised more than $42,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte. Read the full story

Cheryl Pletcher and other organizers want to start an end-of-life home in Davidson, like Mooresville's Serenity House (background). (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Where would you like to die? A jarring thought, yes, but not an inappropriate one. As we or family members near the end of life, it’s an important question.

Our area has hospitals and hospices, and for many, home is the favored choice. But for some families, none of those fits. Since 2007, Serenity House, off I-77 Exit 33, in Mooresville has offered another option called “comfort care,” to families of those nearing death. Now organizers are trying to bring a “comfort care” home to Davidson, and eventually to Cornelius. Read the full story

Plan shows proposed loop trail at Lake Davidson Nature Preserve. (Davidson Lands Conservancy/Town of Davidson)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Plans for trails, picnic tables and other improvements at the new Lake Davidson Nature Preserve behind Davidson Day School are a few steps closer this week, thanks to a grant from outdoors retailer REI Inc. to Davidson Lands Conservancy.

The conservancy said last week that it has been awarded a $9,981 grant for more improvements at the 8-acre park, which is off Jetton Street in the Exit 30 area. With the help of volunteers this fall, Davidson Lands Conservancy plans to begin constructing about 1,600 feet of trail that loops around the shoreline of the peninsula. Also planned are benches, picnic tables, and a gazebo. Read the full story

The Arts & Science Council of Charlotte has announced its first round of grants for the 2012 fiscal year, and several north Mecklenburg projects, organizations and events are on the list. They include the planned “Book Garden” next to the Davidson library branch, Downtown Davidson’s April Is for Arts Celebration, the Lake Norman YMCA, Cornelius Youth Orchestra, the Music @ St. Alban’s series, and Davidson-based Circle de Luz.

Carolina Raptor Center and Latta Plantation in Huntersville and the Community Arts Project in Cornelius also got operating grants. (See full list below). Read the full story