Roy Alexander (left), executive director of Davidson Lands Conservancy, and Russ Gavitt hatched the idea of a jazz-and-art fundraiser. They're standing in front of a new gazebo the DLC built at the Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, off Jetton Street.

Russ Gavitt has been a longtime supporter of the Davidson Lands Conservancy, but this year, he was looking for a way to do more. Over coffee with the conservancy’s executive director Roy Alexander recently, the photographer and Davidson resident helped come  up with the idea of staging an art and music fund-raiser.

On Friday, Feb. 24, Mr. Gavitt and other artists will be selling their work while a jazz quartet performs at “Spread the Love,” an arts reception to benefit three Davidson institutions: the lands conservancy, the Community School of Davidson and the Ada Jenkins Center. It will run from 7-10 p.m. at Homewood Suites, 125 Harbour Place Drive, off I-77 Exit 30 in Davidson.
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Operation Respect's Mark Weiss leads a bullying prevention workshop. (Foundation for Respect Ability photo)

The Cornelius-based Foundation for Respect Ability is offering a free anti-bullying workshop for parents, school administrators, staff members and community leaders Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aquesta Bank in Cornelius. Read the full story

Alex Phillips (left) of Restaurant X serves Davidson resident Margaret Goode. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Eight area restaurants brought their best soups Davidson College Saturday afternoon for the eighth annual Souper Bowl, a soup cook-off among local chefs that raises money for the Davidson Housing Coalition‘s HAMMERS emergency home repair program.

More than 400 diners were there, tasting the soups and picking winners in a variety of categories from most creative to best vegetarian. There also was a silent auction of pottery, jewelry and other art objects. And the Rusty Knox, Sands of Tyme, and Davidson College acapella groups provided musical accompaniment. Read the full story

Updated Monday, Feb. 6
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Growth plans at both the Learn Works after-school program and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Charlotte are bringing changes at the Ada Jenkins Center on Gamble Street. The Boys & Girls Club’s lease for two classrooms at the center is ending, and officials say they’re looking for a new location where they can expand. And Learn Works plans to take over the space as it tries to meet demand for its services for kids in grades 1-5. Read the full story

Georgia Krueger speaks at Thursday's reception. At left is Natisha Rivera-Patrick, and second from left, Ada Jenkins board chair Lisa Estes. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

There was lots of hugging at Ada Jenkins Center Thursday morning, as volunteers, staff and supporters formally welcomed executive director Georgia Krueger back to work. Ms. Krueger had taken a medical leave last fall as she battled Lyme Disease. Read the full story

Carol Quillen

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Five years ago Davidson College became one of the first colleges and universities nationwide to eliminate loans from student financial aid packages. The decision now drives fundraising and recruiting as the college strives to stay affordable and diversify.

On at least one level it appears to be working: Davidson is enrolling more minorities and students from other “underrepresented” groups. And 44 percent of this year’s freshman class qualified for need-based financial aid, up from 33 percent four years ago.

This week, Davidson is being held up as an example. President Carol Quillen was on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, testifying with a group of other education leaders at a Congressional hearing on “Innovations in College Affordability.” President Quillen spoke at midday to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions about the college’s grant and work-study program that promises to let students graduate without loans.

Video coverage of President Quillen’s remarks, CLICK HERE». Read the full story

Community members are invited to register for the first annual Swing Fore A Child’s Place golf tournament Tuesday, April 24, at River Run Country Club in Davidson. Players will enjoy a day of golf, food and prizes while helping impact the lives of homeless children in Mecklenburg County.

A Child’s Place provides homeless children with educational, emotional and health support, helping to keep them healthy and in the classroom. Read the full story

Rotary International announced at its assembly last week that it has exceeded its goal to raise $200 million for its End Polio Now campaign. And it did so more than five months before the official end of the challenge, which earned it another $50 Million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Also, The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg plans its annual talent show and pancake breakfast to raise money for two nonprofits. Read below for details. Read the full story