^[1]By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a fun, safe holiday.  This week brings a variety of activities to start  2011. Davidson public library is holding story times for toddlers, preschoolers, children with autism and Down syndrome and one in which children read to a therapy dog. On Wednesday and Thursday, there is a two-day planning workshop to receive public input on the proposal for the Davidson Retirement Residence off I-77 Exit 30. Saturday brings the Davidson Farmer’s Market and a do-it-yourself chicken tractor workshop with Greg and Jennifer Coleman. Finally, Davidson College Presbyterian Church will be offering two programs on Sunday at 9:45 a.m., one about the Gospel of Mark and the other about poetic images of faith.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also at right on this page, see our movie showtimes listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Black Swan,” “Little Fockers,” “True Grit,” “Yogi Bear” and “How Do You Know” are playing.

MONDAY, JAN. 3

Davidson Women’s Basketball, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena, 200 Baker Dr. – Davidson women’s basketball vs. College of Charleston. Details on www.davidsonwildcats.com ^[2].

TUESDAY, JAN. 4

Paws to Read, 4:00 p.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Read to a certified therapy dog. For elementary and preschool ages. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[3] for more information.

Library Task Force, 3-7 p.m., Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd, Charlotte – Future of the Library Task Force meeting to discuss recommendations for the sustainable future of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Open to the public. More information about the task force ^[4].

North Meck Woman’s Club, 6 p.m., Alton’s Restaurant, 19918 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius – Monthly night meeting for members who can’t make regular luncheon meeting. Call Denise Carter at 704-892-1041 or email 3Boxers@bellsouth.net ^[5] for information.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5

Planning Workshop for Pinnacle Site, 9 a.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Public meeting to receive input from citizens and interested parties on proposed Davidson Retirement Residence, “The Pinnacle.” Includes a site visit, Q&A, and pin-up session. Continues on Thurs., Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. Call 503-399-1090 or email dan@lenitygroup.com ^[6] for more information. You may also call Ben McCrary at 704-892-7592. Schedule at the town of Davidson website ^[7]. See also DavidsonNews.net‘s Dec. 27 news article, “4-story retirement residence planned off Exit 30.” ^[8]

North Meck Woman’s Club, 10:30 a.m., Northstone Country Club, Huntersville – Monthly meeting and luncheon featuring chiropractor Dr. Stefanie Rodsater as guest speaker. Luncheon is $14. Call Starr Miller at 704-896-3321 or email nmwclub@gmail.com ^[9] for more information.

Spanish for Kids, 11:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Preschoolers learn Spanish the fun way with puppets, music, and movement. No registration necessary. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[3] for more information.

Middle school IB open house, 1 p.m. – Davidson IB Middle School, 251 South St. – Tours of the International Baccalaureate middle school program (grades 6-8) for prospective students and parents. Program will be located at Alexander Middle School in Huntersville for 2011-12. Applications for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools magnet-school lottery will be accepted Jan. 7-Feb. 7. Info on the magnet lottery at cms.k12.nc.us ^[10].

Davidson Men’s Basketball, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena, 200 Baker Dr. – Davidson men’s basketball vs. Appalachian State. Details on www.davidsonwildcats.com ^[11].

‘Masterpiece’ Auditions, 7-9 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players are holding open auditions for their February production of M.Z. Ribalow’s new play “Masterpiece.” The auditions are also on Jan. 6. See Davidsonnews.net’s Jan. 3 article, “Players hold audition this week for ‘Masterpiece ^[12]‘” for more information.

Open mic at Summit Coffee 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: TBA. Info: 704-895-9090.

THURSDAY, JAN. 6

Planning workshop for Pinnacle site, 1 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – The second day of events to discuss proposed Davidson Retirement Residence. Call 503-399-1090 or email dan@lenitygroup.com ^[6] for more information. You may also call Ben McCrary at 704-892-7592. Schedule on the town of Davidson website ^[7]. See also DavidsonNews.net‘s Dec. 27 news article, “4-story retirement residence planned off Exit 30.” ^[13]

Pine Lake Prep Girls’ Basketball, 6 p.m., Community School of Davidson, 404 Armour St. – Varsity girls’ basketball plays Community School of Davidson. Visit their athletics page ^[14] for more information.

Charlotte Writer’s Club North, 7 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Main Street and Concord Road – Novelist Garret Freymann-Weyr will be the guest speaker at the January meeting. She has written six novels and has a picture book titled “French Ducks in Venice” on its way. Info: www.charlottewritersclub.org ^[15]

‘Masterpiece’ Auditions, 7-9 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Player’s second day of open auditions for the February production of M.Z. Ribalow’s new play “Masterpiece.” See Davidsonnews.net’s Jan. 3 article, “Players hold audition this week for ‘Masterpiece'” ^[12] for more information.

Live music at Summit Coffee 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: The Rusty Knox Band. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, JAN. 7

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A 30 minute story time that includes books, flannel board stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[3] for more information.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A storytime for children 12 months – 35 months that consists of books, flannelboard stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[3] for more information.

Live music at Summit Coffee 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: The Private Life of David Reed. Info: 704-895-9090.

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

Polar Bear Ride, Annual bicycle ride sponsored by Rocky River Road Club through the north Mecklenburg/Lake Norman area. Registration for both rides starts at 8:30 a.m. The 100k ride starts at 10 a.m. and the 50k ride starts at 10:15 a.m. Cost is $20 if pre-registered or $25 on the day of the ride. Minors ride free with a parent. Registration, waiver, route sheets and directions to the ride are available at the club website, www.RockyRiverRoadClub.org ^[16].

World of Wonder nature activity, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Farmer’s Market, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – WOW booth at the Davidson Farmer’s Market: snake and/or frog activity in anticipation of a visit with Davidson College’s Herpetology staff and animals. For more information or to register, visit the DLC website, davidsonlands.org ^[17].

Davidson Farmers Market Tailgate Market, 9 a.m. to noon, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. 2nd & 4th Saturdays. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org ^[18]. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

Paws to Read, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Read to a certified threapy dog. For elementary and preschool ages. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[19] for more information.

Sensory Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Storytime designed for children with autism, Down syndrome, sensory-processing disorder/language-delays and for children with disabilities. Info and registration, contact Beverly at 704-416-4000. www.cmlibrary.org ^[19].

Chicken Tractor Workshop, 3-5 p.m., Coleman residence, 740 Virginia Rd., See Jennifer and Greg Coleman’s current set-up for their “town chickens” and learn to make your own backyard chicken tractor. Interested parties contact them at 704-706-2373 or gregfro@gmail.com ^[20].

Live music at Summit Coffee 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Sandcrawler. Info: 704-895-9090.

SUNDAY, JAN. 9

Flapjack Fundraiser, fellowship Hall after worship services, Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 Main St. – A pancake breakfast courtesy of The Counseling Center Committee and the Staff. Donations accepted at the door to benefit “The Client Scholarship Fund” that provides counseling for those in need. http://davidsonumc.org/ ^[21]

Gospel of Mark Study, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church room 118, Main Street and Concord Road – A study and discussion of the Gospel of Mark, led by Dr. Robert J. Manning, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Humanities at Davidson College. Info: www.dcpc.org ^[22]

Poetic Images of Faith, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House, Main Street and Concord Road – Led by Dr. Karl Plank, Professor of Religion at Davidson College. This is a study of selected poems of Rowan Williams, Thomas Merton, Fred Chappell, and Mary Oliver. It focuses on poetry’s power to express and shape religious conviction. Info: www.dcpc.org ^[22]

Pine Lake Prep Open House, 2-4 p.m., Pine Lake Prep, 104 Yellow Wood Circle, Mooresville – An opportunity for prospective students and their families to tour the school and meet the staff. www.pinelakeprep.org ^[23]

HAVE NEWS?

Send listings and announcements of community events to Karyn Jester at listings@davidsonnews.net ^[24].