^[1]July 4 celebrations are happening around the area on Monday, finishing what was for many a long weekend. Huntersville is having a parade and festivities in Birkdale Village, Cornelius is having live music and screening “Chronicles of Narnia” and there’s a family festival in Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. Also on Monday is the release of an American Bald Eagle that was rehabilitated in the Raptor Center’s hospital. The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and Japan Collegiate All-Stars will play the fourth game of their 38th Collegiate All-Star Series on Wednesday. The Cornelius-Lake Norman Lions Club will be sponsoring free vision screening in the Cornelius Town Hall parking lot on Saturday.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Zookeeper” opens, joining “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Cars 2,” “Green Lantern,” “Super 8,” and “Larry Crowne.”

MONDAY, JULY 4

July 4th holiday, Holiday – Closings include government offices, post offices, banks, and businesses. Charlotte Area Transit system buses and light rail operate on a Sunday schedule ^[2]. No express buses.

4th of July Celebration, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Birkdale Village, Huntersville – Features a parade, games and activities for kids, and the Fire Department water fight. Details: www.birkdalevillage.net ^[3]

Bald eagle release, 10:30 a.m., Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, end of Sample Road, Huntersville – Carolina Raptor Center officials invite the public to join in the release of an American Bald Eagle that was rehabilitated in the Raptor Center hospital. Bring a picnic lunch. Release at 11 a.m. Program back at Raptor Center at 1 p.m. Details in our July 1, 2011 news item ^[4].

4th of July Festival, 4 p.m., U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte – Live music: Anders Osborne, The New Familiars, and Sol Driven Train. Fireworks at nightfall. Free and open to the public. Details: www.usnwc.org ^[5].

Family Fun Festival, 6 p.m., Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte – Features live music and games for kids of all ages. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be on sale inside the stadium. Fireworks display to begin at 9:30 p.m., staged from Central Piedmont Community College. Free. Details: charmeck.org ^[6]

4th of July Celebration, 6:30 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall lawn, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – An Independence Day celebration, presented by CorneliusNews.net, featuring the music of Acoustic Solutions, children’s activities and food from Bruster’s Ice Cream. A screening of The “Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader” will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m. For more information, call 704-892-6031 ext. 160 or visit www.corneliuspr.org ^[7]. More information in our June 28 preview ^[8].

Monday Night Church, 7 p.m., Grace Covenant Church, 17301 Statesville Rd., Cornelius – For those who seek a casual setting or can’t make it to church on Sunday. Coffee and socializing begin at 6:30 p.m. The service begins at 7 p.m. Details: www.mondaynightchurch.org ^[9]

TUESDAY, JULY 5

School Age Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Elementary aged children are encouraged to explore literature in fun and interactive programs. Programs are intended to connect children with books and encourage children to use the library regularly. Info: 704-416-4000.

One World, Many Stories: Sea Turtles, 2 p.m., Cornelius public library 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Join presenter Melody Bell for a session of hands-on science and nature discoveries. Children will learn all about sea turtles. Info: 704-416-3800.

Learn, Quest, Play, 4 p.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Join your peers to develop your literacy skills and engage with words on a whole new level with gaming. For teens. Info: 704-416-4000.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

Paws to Read, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Children boost reading skills and confidence by reading to a certified therapy dog. Info: 704-416-4000.

Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Babies experience brain stimulation through language and socialization. New sights and sounds are shared with a parent/caregiver through books, songs, and rhymes. Ages: Up to 18 months. Info: 704-416-3800.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Toddlers build language skills, participate in music and movement activities, and discover the fun of books. Explore letters, sounds, and new words through stories and activities. Ages: 18 to 36 months. Info: 704-416-3800.

Bilingual Storytime: Spanish, 11:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Children will learn the basics of the Spanish language through songs, stories and hands-on activities. Special emphasis is placed on language development and repetition. For ages 3-5. Info: 704-416-4000.

Pre-School Storytime, 11:30 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Preschoolers engage with books and activities that encourage language and pre-reading skills. Hear stories, sing songs, and develop the skills needed to become a successful reader. Ages: 3 to 5 years. Info: 704-416-3800.

USA Baseball, 7:05 p.m., Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, 2888 Moose Rd., Kannapolis – The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and Japan Collegiate All-Stars will play the fourth game of their 38th Collegiate All-Star Series. Tickets are $9 for reserved-level seats and $7 for general admission seats. Tickets can be purchased online at www.intimidatorsbaseball.com ^[10] or by calling the box office at 704-932-3267.

Salsa Night, 9-10 p.m., The Dirty Martini, 17036 Kenton Place, Suite 104, Cornelius – Salsa Night with DJ Tremendo. Free salsa lessons. Info: 704-533-3054.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

Bilingual Storytime: Spanish, 11:15 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Children will learn the basics of the Spanish language through songs, stories and hands-on activities. Special emphasis is placed on language development and repetition. For ages 3-5. Info: 704-416-3800.

Patio-palooza, 6:30 p.m., Hickory Tavern, 9526 Birkdale Crossings Dr., Huntersville – Live acoustic music by Captain Lou on the patio. Info: 704-897-8490.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Preschoolers engage with books and activities that encourage language and pre-reading skills. Hear stories, sing songs, and develop the skills needed to become a successful reader. Info: 704-416-4000.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Toddlers build language skills, participate in music and movement activities, and discover the fun of books. Explore letters, sounds, and new words through stories and activities. Info: 704-416-4000.

Book Time with Ronald McDonald, 11 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Through the use of magic, music, puppets, student participation, and, of course, lots of laughter, Ronald McDonald presents this entertaining storytime and addresses the topic of reading in a fun and relevant way for elementary school students. Info: 704-416-3800.

Lunch & a Movie, noon, Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Bring your lunch and watch a movie! Popcorn provided. This week’s film is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Length: 146 minutes. Rated PG 13. Info: 704-416-4000.

Party on the Porch, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Campania Cafe, 416 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music: Clyde Derberry. Info: 704-987-5111.

Live music at Amos’ at the Lake, 9:30 p.m., Amos’ at the Lake, 19501 West Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Live music: Black Glass. Tickets are $8. Info: 704-895-6875.

SATURDAY, JULY 9

WOW Nature Activity, 10-11 a.m., Davidson College, Davidson – Come see the goats that are eating the kudzu on Davidson’s campus. For children 6 and older and their families. Led by Irvin Brawley, retired Director of Grounds at Davidson College. Email dlc.wow@gmail.com ^[11] for more information.

Social Media workshop, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The Farm at Weathers Creek, 1170 Shinnville Rd., Cleveland – Jeff Elder, former columnist with the Charlotte Observer will school us in using Facebook, blogs, Twitter and more to engage an immediate audience. The workshop costs $75 and includes a homemade lunch. For more information, visit www.weatherscreek.net ^[12].

Free Vision Screening, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall parking lot, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The Cornelius-Lake Norman Lions Club will be sponsoring free vision screening in the Cornelius Town Hall parking lot.

Autism Benefit Wine Dinner, 7:30 p.m., Toast, 101 N. Main St., Davidson – Five course dinner & 5 wines for $55/person. Toast will donate a percentage of the whole evening’s sales to Autism Awareness. Call 704-655-2778 to make reservations.

Live music at Miciah’s, 9 p.m., Miciah’s Speak Easy, 229 Medical Park Rd., Mooresville – Live music: Southern Style Band. Info: 704-799-0095.

Live music at Amos’ at the Lake, 9:30 p.m., Amos’ at the Lake, 19501 W Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Live music: Blue Monday (80’s retro active music). Tickets are $10. Ladies in free before 9 p.m. Info: 704-895-6875.

SUNDAY, JULY 10

No events listed.

HAVE NEWS?

Send calendar and events listings to listings@davidsonnews.net ^[13]. Send items at least 10 days before the event. Listings appear on this page on both CorneliusNews.net and DavidsonNews.net.