(S. Spivack photo)

DavidsonReads, the community-wide reading program, plans its 2009 finale Saturday – a Davidson Family Reunion on the Village Green. They’ll have food, dancing, music and trivia contests for prizes. And local pie-bakers – both individuals and restaurants – are invited to enter their favorite recipes in a community pie-baking contest.

Judges will be Mayor John Woods; Mary Jane Leach, manager of the Davidson Farmers Market; and Ashley Lawson, baker at MJ’s Sugar Shack on Main Street.

Bring your pie to the tent on the Village Green by noon Saturday. One entry per individual or business.

Saturday’s event will include Davidson trivia, music by local singer/guitarist Rusty Knox, Israeli dancing and more. For more information, visit the DavidsonReads website, www.davidsonreads.org.

WEEKEND OF JULY 30-AUG 2

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Marie Reid and Rick Edmiston

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Billy Jones & The Pocket.

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 8 a.m. to noon, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmers Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. More about this week’s schedule: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Bloodmobile. All blood collected will be used in the surrounding community. Walk-ins welcome. For details or to make an appointment, call Jeff Ready, 704-896-2625 or email jsready@mi-connection.com.

Ally Miller organized Saturday's pet show fundraiser.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Village Green – “Ally’s Think Pink Dog Show: A Day for Rae,” hosted by NASCAR radio and TV personality Doug Rice with special guests NHRA driver Doug Herbert and Dr. Ginger. A dog show for area people pets with costume contests, pet care education, games and more. All dogs and owners are asked to wear pink. Registration is $10, and proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The event was organized by Davidson Elementary 10-year-old Ally Miller to help a friend’s mother. (See our previous coverage by clicking here.)  To register visit thinkpink2009.wetpaint.com or email gracefuldeer21@hotmail.com.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rusty Knox.

Annie Rhodes and Jenny Giduz sing Saturday.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 7:30 p.m., Lingle Chapel, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Concord Road and Main Street – Recital of classical art songs, duets, and opera arias by Jenny Giduz and Annie Rhodes, two of north Mecklenburg’s most talented young sopranos. Works include songs by Purcell, Handel, Schubert, Mozart, Gounod, and Faure. Pianist Theresa Woody is accompanist. Free. For further information about the program, call 704-770-6914.

SUNDAY, AUG. 2, 2-6 p.m., Havana Social Club, Cornelius – “Tastes for Habitat” fund-raiser for Our Towns Habitat Women Build. Specialty chefs, dance lessons and a silent auction. Tickets $25. Details: womenbuild@ourtownshabitat.org, or Lynn Harriman, 704-575-2870. www.ourtownshabitat.org.

THEATER AND FILM

Maret Seitz (left) is Corie and Christian Love plays Paul in Davidson Community Players' "Barefoot in the Park," opening Thursday. (Bill Giduz photo)

THROUGH AUG. 2, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” directed by Alan Poindexter. July 30, 31, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m., Aug. 2, 2 p.m. Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter return from their honeymoon ready to start their new life together, but things don’t go as planned. Their apartment doesn’t meet their standards and their neighbors are quirky. It’s a heart warming comedy about sacrifices, new beginnings, and not letting things get in the way of what matters. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Info and tickets: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or 704-892-7918. See also Emmaline Harvey’s July 24 review, including a list of local celebrities making cameo appearances in the show.

TUESDAY, JULY 28, dusk, Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main St. – Free outdoor movie on the wall, “Mall Cop.” Come early for trivia and games. Movie begins at dusk.

OCT. 8-25, Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – “Almost Maine,” directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

GALLERIES & ART EVENTS

SUMMIT COFFEE, 128 S. Main St. – “COLORCOrroDED,” an exhibit of new paintings by Ana Kozhevnikova.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VISUAL ARTS CENTER, Smith Gallery, Davidson College, Main and Griffith streets – through Aug. 7, summer exhibition: “The Davidson College Permanent Art Collection: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions.” Hours: Weekdays, 11-4. Details on the college website.

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., behind the police station, Cornelius – July 20 to Aug. 28: Children’s Arts Project and Creative Art Exchange summer exhibit “Kids Create,” with work by participants in summer camps. Gallery is open Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERIES, 463 S. Main St. – “The Summer Show,” featuring new works by gallery artists. Through August the gallery will offer rotating original art by all the gallery regulars, with major exhibits by impressionist Dee Beard Dean, expressionist Charlotte Foust, landscapes by Susan Jennings and Ray Byram, folk art by Addie James, whimsical collages by Betsey Hampton, and more. Hours: Mon-Fri 10–5, Sat 10–3. For more information call 704-895-1213 and visit the website at www.merrilljennings.com

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Information: www.christafautgallery.com or 704-892-5312.

WOODEN STONE, 445 S. Main St. – Functional fine art and hand-made objects. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays/Mondays. 704-892-1449. www.woodenstonegallery.com.

Photos by Doug Vinez at So Alive.

SO ALIVE! GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – “This is Africa,” an exhibit of photos by Doug Vinez. Also, new work from Larry Dukes, Jenny Kiker, Ryan Blythe, Jason Hendrickson, Michael Joe Moore, and Nora Bouknight. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11-5; Saturday, 10-2; Sunday, 12-2; and by appointment. Info: mary@soalive.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

ONGOING EVENTS

50+ COFFEE CLUB, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Parks & Recreation office, 416 Armour St. – Join the 50-Plus Coffee Club, meeting every Wednesday. It’s a relaxing social environment where you can meet old and new friends. Coffee, games, newspapers and pastries provided. No registration required, just show up! Info: 704-892-3349.

CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP, first and third Wednesdays each month, 7-8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Individuals coping with an illness or who have family members coping with an illness welcome. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Facilitators Mark and Gayle Olenik provide resources to help you cope and work toward a new beginning. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care.

NOW WHAT? GRIEF BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR, second Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregational Care House, 262 South St. – If you are coping with the loss of a loved one for one year or more, we welcome you to join. Janet McKee and Bryan Readling will facilitate. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

DAVIDSON DASH SHUTTLE BUS – Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Town of Davidson has begun service on a weekly shuttle bus called Davidson Dash. The bus will visit downtown, South Main Street, Sadler Square and the Harris Teeter shopping center near Exit 30. Cost: $1 per roundtrip. To reserve a space, call the recreation department before noon on the Friday before, 704-892-3349 or sign up on the recreation department website, d-recs.org. More information in our Jan. 8 news report, Town plans a weekly shuttle bus for seniors.

"Falling Water" by printmaker Carol Wax, who lectures Thurs. at the college. See below.

It’s a busy week ahead here in Davidson, punctuated by an action-packed weekend. Tonight at Town Hall, the town hosts another community planning forum focusing on citizen participation. Tuesday night, you can take in a words-and-music program combining the music of Bach with the writings of Albert Schweitzer in the next Organ at Davidson concert. There’s plenty of music at Summit, plus a free midday concert Friday at the college featuring Carolina Pro Musica. And Saturday is chock full, with the Community Rummage Sale, the farmer’s market, and a couple of fund-raisers for local organizations.

In sports, Davidson’s men’s basketball team plays South Carolina in Columbia Tuesday at 7 in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament. And the women’s soccer team hosts UNC Charlotte at the same hour, at Alumni Stadium, in the first of six spring games.

MARCH 16-22

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 7 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – “Getting it Built and Getting Involved,” the next in a series of community forums being held alongside the town’s Comprehensive Plan process. Staff and elected officials will explain the services public agencies provide, the town’s prioritization process for local projects, and citizens’ roles. Speakers: Town Manager Leamon Brice, planning board member Martha Jenkins, town Commissioner Bill Johnson, resident and United Way representative Kathryn Sellers. Free. For more information call 704 892-7592. (See also our Feb. 19 series preview, “Town lecture series to focus on economy, sustainability.”)

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church – Organ at Davidson Series continues with “The Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach.” This concert combine’s Bach’s organ music with the words and philosophy of Dr. Schweitzer, highlighting his “Reverence for Life.” Narrators will read, accompanied by four guest organists. A reception follows in the church parlor. Free (donations accepted). A reception follows in the church parlor. Details: www.dcpc.org or call 704-892-5641. (See our news item for details about the event.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Davidson women’s soccer vs. UNC Charlotte.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 7 p.m., University of South Carolina, Columbia: Davidson men’s basketball vs. South Carolina, first round of NIT Tournament. On ESPN2. Details in our Sunday news item. Davidson fans in Charlotte will gather to watch the game at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 E. Morehead St. And if you’re going to the game, Davidson’s Columbia, S.C., alumni chapter will host a Wildcats pre-game gathering 5-7 p.m. at Liberty Tap Room & Grill, 828 Gervais St., Columbia.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 7 p.m., Davidson College Richardson Stadium – Davidson women’s lacrosse vs. Marist.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Open mic night with Chas Willoman.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Design Review Board monthly meeting. Agenda includes Hopewell Baptist Church family life center, Bradford live/work and townhome units. See the agenda on the town website.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – “Food Vending at Special Events in Davidson,” a public workshop with representatives of Mecklenburg County Health Department. It’s for businesses or organizations interested in selling food at town-sponsored events. Register at www.d-recs.org or call Davidson Parks & Rec at 704-892-3349.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Chambers Hall Room 1062 – Lecture “Explaining the Gender Gap in Support for Democracy: Evidence from Ecuador, El Salvador and Nicaragua” by Dr. Lee Walker, assistant professor of political science at the University of South Carolina. Sponsored by the Department of Political Science and the Dean Rusk International Studies Program. Free.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Billy Jones, Michael Orlando, Phil Skipper and Tim Helfrich. A night of collaboration between local musicians and songwriters.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 10 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church room 216 – Dr. Michael Kaufman, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte speaks and answers questions about MS at the monthly meeting of the church’s support group for people with Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis and caregivers. For more information about this or other meetings, call or email Susie Phillips at 704-892-5569 or susiekphillips@bellsouth.net

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 12:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – Musical Interludes with the Carolina Pro Musica playing Handel, Pepusch and others. Free. Details on the college website.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Rusty Knox and Brad Reddick: Local folk and blues artist Rusty Knox is joined by another Davidson native, Brad Reddick, whose lead guitar licks never fail to impress: this guy’s a true talent. (Listen to DavidsonNews.net’s Jan. 9 audio interview with Rusty Knox, on the release of his new CD “Reason Why.”)

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 7 a.m., First Baptist Church of Huntersville, 119 N. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville – Annual Lake Norman Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, with proceeds to benefit the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson. Tickets $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12, available at the door, from Kiwanis members, or at the Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. For more information call 704-896-0471.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 9-11 a.m., parking lot off Jackson Street, next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmer’s Market, winter market day (held every other week). Details: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Village Green, Main and Griffith streets – 7th annual community rummage sale. Register for space on the Village Green to sell you household items. Hosted by Davidson Parks & Recreation. Items for sale may include furniture, kitchen items, clothing, book, children’s toys, bicycles, etc. Please call Angie Blashaw, Davidson Parks and Recreation at 704-892-3349 or register on-line at www.d-recs.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 9 a.m., Masterworks School of the Arts, 111 Kilson Road, Mooresville – 2009 Masterworks Music Festival. Students of all ages are invited to participate, performing before a panel of judges at sessions all morning long. High-scoring students from each session are invited back to perform in the Honors Recital in the afternoon. Registration $10 per entrant, due by March 18. Details: Masterworks School in Davidson, 442 S. Main St., 704-987-5000.

Carol Tate

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 9:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church chapel, 305 S. Main St. – Davidson AGLOW Community Lighthouse meeting, with speaker Carole Tate on “The Heavenly Father’s Heartbeat.” She is pastor of Life Giving Christian Center, Monroe, N.C. Coffee and registration at 9:30, program begins at 10. Free.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., North Mecklenburg High School cafeteria – 13th annual community spaghetti dinner for the Angels of ‘97, featuring all-you-can-eat meals (available for delivery) and both a live and a silent auction. Dinner tickets are $5 and proceeds go towards scholarships for seniors at North Meck and Hopewell High. The event commemorates five students who died in car accidents or of illnesses before they could graduate with the North Meck Class of 1997.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2 p.m., Davidson public library branch, on the Village  Green – Kids! Come see Peggy McKay and Her Friends. She’s outreach coordinator for Davidson College’s herpetology lab and she’ll bring some live reptile and amphibian friends to the library and tell stories. Free.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 7-11 p.m., The Point golf club, 160 Stonewall Beach Lane, Mooresville – “A Knight of Medieval Magic,” a fund-raiser for Lake Norman YMCA, featuring performers from the Carolina Renaissance Festvial, live music by Lake Norman Orchestra, food and drink. $75 per person, $125 per couple. Call the Y to register, 704-716-4400.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with hometown band Davidson Express, and its alter ego Davidson Local: bluegrass and original folk.

THEATER

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 4 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players holds ensemble auditions for Latino actors and actresses who can play characters between ages 16 to 21 for its upcoming production of “West Side Story.” Prepare a song that shows off your voice, bring sheet music in the proper key, accompanist provided. A prepared one-minute monologue is optional. Please bring a recent picture if possible. For information, contact Cindy Rice at 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

MARCH 19-29, Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players present “How I Learned to Drive,” by Paula Vogel. Performances: March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m., March 22 & 29 at 2 p.m. A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. Includes mature themes. Tickets: Adults $17; Students and Seniors (65 & above) $15. Reservations: 704-892-7918.

MARCH 27-APRIL 4, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson’s departments of music and theater present “Company,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth. Directed by Davidson theater professor Ann Marie Costa. This Tony Award-winning Broadway show follows a committed bachelor named Robert, his married friends and his girlfriends. On the night of his 35th birthday he faces a dilemma: Hold onto himself, or lose himself in a long-term relationship. Tickets $15 general admission, $11 seniors, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details on the college website.

GALLERIES & ART EVENTS

MONDAYS, 6-9 p.m., Creative Art Exchange, Cornelius – open figure drawing sessions, hosted by David Smith. $10 model fee. Contact davidbsmith@bellsouth.net to be added to the notification list.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Visual Art Center Semans Lecture Hall – master printmaker Carol Wax lectures on “Art & Industry: A History of the Mezzotint Engraving.” Wax is in Davidson for a two-day mezzotint workshop at the college Thursday and Friday. Free.

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – Acrylic painting workshop and demonstration, with a representative of Chroma demonstrating the company’s Atelier Interactive Professional Artists’ Acrylics. Free for Lake Norman Art League members, $5 for non-members. RSVP required to Pidge Osborn at pidge@bellsouth.net.

Scott Foster's "35 Cents," in the Lake Norman Art League photography show.

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE GALLERY, at South Main Square Executive Offices, 442 S. Main St. – Through March 27, 2009 Photography Exhibit and competition. Gallery hours: Weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For details visit www.lknart.org.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VAN EVERY/SMITH GALLERIES, Davidson College Visual Art Center, 102 N. Main St. at Griffith Street – March 13-April 15: “Chris Johanson: Continuality,” featuring a new site-specific installation by the San Francisco street and underground artist. Reception, Thursday, March 12, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends, noon to 4 p.m.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERIES, 463 S. Main St. – Through March 31: original watercolors by Davidson artist Virginia Quillen. These paintings were used to illustrate the unique book/DVD combo, Lake Reflections, depicting familiar scenes of Lake Norman. In addition, works of art in all media and price ranges will be offered by many familiar gallery artists including Addie James, Loren DiBenedetto, Susan Jennings, Betsey Hampton, and many others. Coming in April: Gala Gallery Group Show, for April is for Arts Month. The eclectic mix of paintings and sculpture will include new works by Loren DiBenedetto, Virginia Quillen, Susan Jennings, Jodi John, Charles Jay, Ray Byram, Michael Parkes, and many others. Gallery crawl April 17, open until 9:30 p.m. For more information call 704-895-1213 and visit the website at www.merrilljennings.com

"Red Airplane," a monoprint by Felicia van Bork, on display at Creative Art Exchange beginning March 16.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Through March 17, “Dreams and Abstractions,” paintings by Joana Wardell. March 17-April 28, “In Between Moods,” new paintings by Caroline Rust. Reception with the artist Saturday, March 21, 4-6 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Information: www.christafautgallery.com or 704-892-5312.

WOODEN STONE, 445 S. Main St. – Functional fine art and hand-made objects. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays/Mondays. 704-892-1449. www.woodenstonegallery.com.

CREATIVE ART EXCHANGE/CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, 19725 Oak St., in the Oak Street Mill behind the police station, Cornelius – March 16 to May 2, solo exhibition featuring paintings by Davidson artist Felicia van Bork. Opening reception , March 20, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org. More about the artist on her website, www.feliciavanbork.com/

SO ALIVE! GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – Spring show featuring works by 22 gallery artists. The show includes oil, acrylics, mixed-media, pencil, watercolor, photography, stained glass, handmade jewelry, cards. Wine and cheese reception   Saturday, March 28, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11-5; Saturday, 10-2; Sunday, 12-2; and by appointment. Info: mary@soalive.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Open mic with Chas Willoman.
• THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 8:30 a.m., South Main Square offices, 442 S. Main St. (next to Masterworks) – South Main Square Business Networking Group monthly gathering. “Bring a stack of bsuiness cards, a pen, ideas and a positive attitude,” says organizer Kathleen Rose. Free. RSVP to krose@roseassociates.com.
• THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Chicago blues with the well-traveled troubadour Matt Walsh.
• FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Davidson College student performers, co-sponsored by WALT.
• SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music with Rick Spreitzer Trio.
• SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 3-5:30 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, downtown Mooresville – Lake Norman Jewish Congregation Sisterhood’s Circle of Caring group holds a Domestic Violence Awareness Seminar. With expert advice and discussion from Lake Norman domestic abuse experts and aid agencies including Dove House, United Family Services, My Sister’s House and the Iredell and Alexander County District Attorney. The seminar is sponsored by The Lake Norman Jewish Congregation, Congregation Emanuel, Beth Shalom of Lake Norman and the Jewish Council of Lake Norman. Free. Details: 704-987-9980.
• MONDAY, MARCH 30, 7 p.m., Davidson IB Middle School, South Street – Parenting expert John Rosemond speaks on “Parenting a Strong-Willed Child.” Sponsored by Church of the Good Shepherd. $10 for individuals, $15 for couples, with all proceeds benefitting the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson. Tickets and info: www.tcotgs.org/rosemond.

Fund-raisers See our latest listings of local fund-raising events, CLICK HERE>

• TUESDAY, MARCH 31,, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fresh Market, Fresh Market Shopping Center, off I-77 Exit 28 – Third annual “A Taste of Art,” wine, hors d’oeuvres, and art auction, to benefit Creative Art Exchange and Children’s Arts Project. Tickets $25. Tickets available at Fresh Market or Cornelius Arts Center, in the Oak Street Mill, behind the police station, Cornelius. www.creativeartexchange.org.
• SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents VOX & Friends. Vox is a professional vocal group from Charlotte, led by David Tang. Tickets required. Details on the Music at St. Alban’s website.
• THURSDAY, APRIL 16,7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – “Neighborhood Design and Housing,” a community forum as part of the town’s Comprehensive Planning process. Speakers: Commissioner Margo Williams and local builders and architects. Moderator: former town Commissioner Bruce McMillen. Speakers will discuss Davidson’s planning ordinance and design process, and outline innovative neighborhood design and housing options. Free. For more information call 704 892-7592. (See also our Feb. 19 series preview, “Town lecture series to focus on economy, sustainability.”)
• TUESDAY, APRIL 21,7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – “What Does Sustainable Look Like?” a community forum as part of the town’s Comprehensive Planning process. Speakers: TBA. Moderators: Commissioner Laurie Venzon and former Commissioner David Martin. This forum will focus on ways to balance a sustainable ecosystem with economic goals, recreational needs, and infrastructure expansion. Free. For more information call 704 892-7592. (See also our Feb. 19 series preview, “Town lecture series to focus on economy, sustainability.”)
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 11 a.m., Davidson post office plaza – Dedication of the town’s first public artwork, “Bouquet for Davidson,” a 15-foot metal sculpture to be installed in mid-April by artist Andy Dunnill. More about the work and the artist, as well as past coverage of the town’s development of a public art program, at davidsonnews.net/category/public-art/
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 7:30 p.m., Raceworld USA, 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, off I-77 Exit 28, Cornelius – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity invites the Lake Norman community to celebrate is selection as “Affiliate of the Year” by Habitat for Humanity International at a “Racin’ Rockin’ ‘n Roofin’” event with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and music and dancing with the Center City Groove band. Free, donations welcome. Reservations required by March 31. For reservations or information, contact Donna Nestor at donna@ourtownshabitat.org or 704-896-8957, ext. 1122.
• MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1 p.m., River Run Country Club – Davidson Lions Club and other area Lions club host the annual Russell B. Knox Memorial Golf Tournament, with proceeds benefiting the club’s programs and services. Details: Ed Roberts, 704-892-0276.

ONGOING EVENTS

50+ COFFEE CLUB, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Parks & Recreation office, 416 Armour St. – Join the 50-Plus Coffee Club, meeting every Wednesday. It’s a relaxing social environment where you can meet old and new friends. Coffee, games, newspapers and pastries provided. No registration required, just show up! Info: 704-892-3349.

CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP, first and third Wednesdays each month, 7-8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Individuals coping with an illness or who have family members coping with an illness welcome. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Facilitators Mark and Gayle Olenik provide resources to help you cope and work toward a new beginning. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care.

NOW WHAT? GRIEF BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR, second Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregational Care House, 262 South St. – If you are coping with the loss of a loved one for one year or more, we welcome you to join. Janet McKee and Bryan Readling will facilitate. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

DAVIDSON DASH SHUTTLE BUS – Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Town of Davidson has begun service on a weekly shuttle bus called Davidson Dash. The bus will visit downtown, South Main Street, Sadler Square and the Harris Teeter shopping center near Exit 30. Cost: $1 per roundtrip. To reserve a space, call the recreation department before noon on the Friday before, 704-892-3349 or sign up on the recreation department website, d-recs.org. More information in our Jan. 8 news report, Town plans a weekly shuttle bus for seniors.

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

DAVIDSONNEWS.NET SCHOOL CALENDAR – Laurie Dennis’s most recent listing of school events, see our “schools” category. CLICK HERE>

DAVIDSON COLLEGE – For an up-to-date listing of events on the college campus, visit the college calendar page.

DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – http://davidsonumc.changemywebsite.com/calendar.asp

DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Calendar of events. http://www.dcpc.org/article83232.htm

DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY PTA calendar, http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/davidsonpta/calendar/

DAVIDSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH events - Events calendar on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library’s PLCMC.org website.

NORTH COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY events, Huntersville – Events calendar, www.plcmc.org

ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH online calendar – http://www.saintalbans-davidson.org/

ST. ALBAN’S SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD – http://www.stalbanssq.org/calendar.html

LAKE NORMAN SENIOR CALENDAR, at LKNSenior.com

MUSIC AT ST. ALBAN’S, 2008-9 concert season.

YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTOR – online listing of alternative and holistic health information and events. http://www.yourcommunityconnector.com/

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

Send listings and press releases to us at editor@davidsonnews.net. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.