Five decorative signs are downtown. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

A collection of whimsical new signs have gone up around downtown, topped with icons of local significance – a fire engines, a gnome and a farmer’s market wagon. They’re among $55,000 in new “way-finding” and parking signage being installed around town this year as the town boosts its self-marketing.

The new signs are already grabbing attention. “There are five with decorated tops,” downtown manager Kim Fleming said Friday. “We just started with five to see what the reaction would be. It’s part of our entire parking and way-finding signage program.” Read the full story

Davidson Farmers’ Market will kick off a new season of winter tailgate markets this Saturday, Nov. 5, when it hosts a Winter Market Chef Challenge – a sort of local food “Iron chef” competition. Five local chefs will cook dishes using Davidson Farmer’s Market ingredients. Story in FOOD & DINING»

Also, we have the winning poster in the market’s recent Winter Market poster contest. And you can find out more about a display of poster entries now at Town Hall.

Davidson Farmer’s Market is holding a poster-design contest for young artists in grades K-5. The winning image will be featured a poster promoting the Winter Tailgate Market, which runs from November to March. Read the full story

This Saturday, Sept. 17, will be a big day for ‘green’ events in Davidson. Davidson Lands Conservancy’s Run for Green road races and Green Day festival will be on the Village Green, as will Davidson Garden Club’s annual plant sale. Across Main Street next to Town Hall, it’s the weekly Davidson Farmer’s Market. And Saturday also is the first day of the 3rd annual Know Your Farms Charlotte area farm tour. Read on for the details. Read the full story

A recipe for “Kaleidoscope Salsa” that combined tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, corn, lime and cilantro earned top honors last Saturday for Ashley and Brian Neff of Davidson in the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s annual Salsa Showdown. Read more and find their recipe in FOOD & DINING»

Baritone John Fulton sings for farmer's market shoppers Saturday. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Shoppers at the Davidson Farmer’s Market got a bonus with their local berries, meats and veggies Saturday morning: a menu of arias and duets by singers from Opera Carolina. The surprise performance was one of a series of “Random Acts of Culture” organized by the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte.

LISTEN to an audio postcard from the market, see below.

Read the full story

Carrots at the Davidson Farmer's Market. The market returns Saturday, 8 am to noon, next to Town Hall in Davidson. (Steve Marsh photo)

Read below for info on how to submit your photo of the day. And see previous photos of the day, CLICK HERE> Read the full story

It’s peak season for strawberries, so our Food & Dining page this week has some ideas for what to do with all that fresh fruit.  www.davidsonnews.net/foodanddining

• Mary Jane Leach of Davidson Farmer’s Market shares a recipe for southern-style shortcake, to go with those berries.
• Lyndsay Kibiloski revisits the joy of making strawberry jam with her mom, and offers a simple recipe.
• After a poor berry season last year, Davidson Farmer’s Market is bringing back Strawberry Shortcake Day this Saturday. The market invites shoppers to sample local berries and fresh shortcake.