Davidson’s Main Street has been named one of six finalists for a North Carolina Great Places award in a competition sponsored by the state’s planners. And it’s up to us to vote, beginning Wednesday, April 11.

Downtown Director Kim Fleming made the announcement at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, and urged residents to vote when the “People’s Choice” balloting begins. Read the full story

The calendar may say Friday the 13th, but there’s nothing suspicious about the festivities in Davidson this Friday night. It’s time for the annual April Is for Arts Gallery Crawl in downtown Davidson, and for a Toast the Earth wine-and-art benefit for Davidson Lands Conservancy at Homewood Suites. Here are details about both events: Read the full story

Police responded to two break-ins at buildings owned by Davidson United Methodist Church on South and Walnut streets March 21.  On Thursday, someone tried to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at the Rushco Market, off I-77 Exit 30, while another suspect was issued a citation Sunday after he was accused of stealing a beer from the Rushco. And local driver struck a deer last week on N.C. 73 at Ramah Church Road. Details on these incidents and a tally of the week’s arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement may be found below. Read the full story

A pedestrian escaped injury and two drivers were not seriously hurt in a two-vehicle crash at a crosswalk on Concord Road near Davidson College Wednesday afternoon. Read the full story

Davidson Farmer’s Market will come out of winter mode and return for its fifth year of full weekly markets this Saturday, April 7, in downtown Davidson. As the new spring/summer season begins, the market will feature favorite veteran vendors and welcome new ones selling everything from gourmet chocolate to cheese to breakfast sandwiches. Katie Lovett reports in FOOD & DINING»

The 2012 summer season of the Davidson Farmer’s Market opens this Saturday, April 7. Volunteers were setting up over the weekend for the season-opening market, which will bring more vendors, demonstrations by Chef Vera Samuels, music by Barrie Howard, a Growing Kids Club and more.

The market runs every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, through October next to Town Hall in downtown Davidson.

COMING WEDNESDAY in FOOD & DINING: A preview of the 2012 Davidson Farmer’s Market Season by Katie Lovett. Check back Wednesday for the latest on what’s coming up at the market this summer.

DavidsonNews.net is honored to be the official media sponsor of the Davidson Farmer’s Market again this year. Please support the market and consider supporting DavidosnNews.net too!

We wrote in January about the “sprucing up” over the winter at Summit Coffee on Main Street, with a new inside paint job and a new marketing push. Now it’s the outside of the building that’s getting a makeover.

Owner Hugh Barger recently decided to remove a layer of stucco covering the century-old brick building at 128 S. Main St. His plans were approved in February by the town’s Design Review Board, and work began this week.

“The stucco was peeling so with the concurrence of the (DRB) the decision was made to remove the stucco and leave the original brick.  Mortar work will repair any defective joints,” Mr. Barger said. “We think it is going to be a great improvement.”

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

“Do we, or do we not, treat people equally under the law?” the Rev. Amy Brooks asked a crowd of about 70 people Saturday on the Davidson Village Green. That’s a central question to opponents of the proposed Amendment One, which is up for a vote on the May primary ballot and would add a ban on gay marriage to the N.C. Constitution.

The Rev. Brooks, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lake Norman, was speaking during a rally against the proposed amendment. She said the proposed amendment treats gays and lesbians unfairly and also could harm children and families.

UPDATED! Watch a video report from Saturday’s rally.
Read the full story