The Strategic Planning Ministry Team of Davidson United Methodist Church will hold a community meeting Sunday, May 6, to talk about a variety of issues, including the church’s growth, parking, and new facilities. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 233 S. Main St. For details, read the notice on the church website.

Two events at Town Hall this week will look at new developments in the planning stages – one a proposal to fill in a gap in the Davidson East mixed-use project east of town and the other a revised plan for the Stowe’s Exxon site downtown.

On Tuesday, the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will discuss plans for a new town community center. Also this week, Town Day brings fun and food to the Village Green on Saturday, and Saturday night from 5 until dark, there’s a barbecue and bluegrass fund-raiser out at Beaver Dam for the Our Towns free medical clinic. Read the full story

Rodney Graham is a Davidson resident and owner of John Marshall Custom Homes.

Recently, Davidson United Methodist Church invited our former pastor Dr. James Howell to speak as part of a series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the church. Dr. Howell – who has lived in Charlotte the past three years – spoke humorously about getting off Exit 30, seeing all the construction and wondering if he had gotten off on the wrong exit. Read the full story

A follow-up workshop on plans for redeveloping the Stowe’s Exxon site on Main Street is scheduled Thursday, May 3, from 7-9 p.m. at Town Hall. Read the full story

As Davidson debates new rules aimed at preserving the character of existing neighborhoods amid market pressure to tear down smaller houses and replace them with big ones, it’s helpful to know we’re not alone. Read the full story

This week in Davidson starts off with a busy Sunday, including the first Concert on the Green, a history lecture about Ada Jenkins and the concluding 2 p.m. matinee of the Davidson College Theatre Department’s production of “Anything Goes!”

On Monday night, catch an Earth Day lecture with Dr. Paul Mayeski, head of the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute. And on Tuesday, the monthly Town Board work session includes a presentation on the Davidson East development plan. Also Tuesday, dine out at participating restaurants and support the Autism Aware Fare fund-raiser.

And Friday, parents and children who will be in kindergarten next year are invited to “Beginners Day” at the elementary school. Read the full story

Iredell County commissioners say they won’t spend money to extend a proposed commuter rail line to Mount Mourne, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Meanwhile, Cornelius officials have delayed a vote on closing several rail crossings near downtown and creating a new crossing by extending Catawba Avenue, the newspaper reports.

Davidson’s Town Board will hear a presentation about the proposed Davidson East development at its monthly work session on Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Read the full story