All of the sirens within a 10-mile radius of McGuire Nuclear Station, located in the counties of Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell and Catawba counties, will sound for approximately one minute, and the test may occur more than once. No public action is necessary. This test is being conducted in cooperation with the State of North Carolina and county emergency management agencies.

Because this is a test, local broadcasting stations will not interrupt regular programming to broadcast an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message. If this were a real emergency, local radio and television stations would broadcast information and instructions to the public. In the event of severe weather, the siren test will be postponed until a later date and residents will receive notification of the new date.

For questions related to this siren test, please call McGuire Nuclear Station at 1-800-777-0003, select option 1.

That’s not the only opportunity for area residents to give back to the community — Davidson United Methodist Church will hold its quarterly blood drive on Monday afternoon. Looking for a little entertainment? Check out comedienne Julie Scoggins’ all-ages show at the Comedy Zone at Cornelius’ Galway Hooker on Tuesday night. On the sports scene, Davidson College’s basketball teams both host Southern Conference foe Western Carolina this week at Belk Arena — the Wildcats’ men play on Thursday night, and the women on Friday afternoon.

For those interested in the workings of local government, the Davidson Town Board of Commissioners will hold its first meeting of 2012 on Tuesday night, then its members head off for a three-daty working retreat in Statesville and Huntersville on Wednesday through Friday. The Lake Norman Marine Commission also meets on Monday night at Mooresville’s Charles Mack Citizen Center; the Town of Cornelius’ Rail Task Force — involved in the town’s plans for the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project — meets Tuesday night at the Cornelius Town Hall; and the Lake Norman Transportation Commission meets Wednesday night at the Davidson Town Hall.

And those sirens you hear around lunchtime on Wednesday? Don’t panic — it’s just the quarterly test of the emergency warning system for the McGuire Nuclear Station.

These events — and more below — are in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas.

ONGOING EVENTS

Teaching Talents exhibit, Cornelius Arts Center, behind the police station in the Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius – Cornelius PARC Department and The Community Arts Project host a display and holiday sale of multimedia works from the center’s instructors, on display through Jan. 13. Hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. 704-896-8823.

Davidson Board of Commissioners Retreat, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 11-12, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., at Starrette Farm, 204 Pecan Tree Lane, Statesville. Also Friday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m, at Town of Huntersville Rotunda Conference Room,  105 Gilead Road, Huntersville –  Davidson’s newly-elected Board of Commissioners will hold an off-site retreat. The purpose is described as “team building.” No agenda has been made public.

MONDAY, JAN. 9

Main Library Committee Meeting, 12 p.m., Dickson Boardroom, Main Branch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Third meeting of the Main Library Committee, formed on recommendation of the Future of the Library Task Force to study the use of the Main Library. The library will be closed to the public that day, but security will provide access for people attending the meeting at the Sixth Street entrance. Information: Visit www.cmslibrary.org/maincommittee.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, 12 p.m., Conference Room 267, second floor, Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St., Charlotte. Work session of the full Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission. Updates can be found by going to www.mecklenburgcountync.gov and clicking on Calendar.

Davidson UMC Blood Drive, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St., Davidson. Appointments for the church’s quarterly blood drive can be made by emailing porters2@bellsouth.net.

WNBA Book Swap, 7-9 p.m., Northwest School of the Arts, 1415 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte. Women’s National Book Association Book Charlotte Chapter annual Book Swap and Networking Social. Bring books to exchange. Learn about the group. Information: Visit www.wnba-charlotte.org.

Lake Norman Marine Commission, 7 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Lake Norman Marine Commission monthly meeting. Agenda includes discussions of enforcement, lake issues, water quality and environmental issues. Agenda on the LNMC.org website.

TUESDAY, JAN. 10

Cornelius Rail Task Force, 6 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, Room 204, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Cornelius Rail Task Force meeting, to review plans for the Red Line Regional Rail Project. Second of several meetings. (also Jan. 26). Information: 704-892-6031.

North Meck Republican Women, 6 p.m., NorthStone Club, 15801 NorthStone Drive, Huntersville. Keynote speaker at monthly dinner meeting of the North Mecklenburg Republican Women will be business consultant and author Dr. Timothy Daughtry. Cost is $20 per person, cash or check payable at the door. Reservations can be made by emailing nomeckrw@gmail.com.

Davidson Board of Commissioners, 6 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, Main Street, Davidson. Regular monthly meeting of the town of Davidson’s Board of Commissioners. The public is invited to attend. Agenda to be posted on the town website.

Comedy Zone presents Julie Scoggins, 7 p.m., Lake Norman Comedy Zone, at the Galway Hooker, Cornelius. Julie Scoggins’ all ages show. Doors open at 7, show at 8. Details and tickets: www.lkncomedyzone.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11

McGuire Nuclear Station Siren Test, 11:50 a.m., Lake Norman region. Sirens located around the McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville will be tested for about 3 minutes. No public action is required in this quarterly test conducted by county officials. More info: http://www.duke-energy.com/safety/nuclear-emergency-preparedness/mcguire.asp. Meanwhile, a similar test is planned around Mountain Island Lake Hydro Station. See our news item.

Lake Norman Transportation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Lake Norman Transportation Commission monthly meeting. Agenda includes a presentation by Mark Briggs, president of Parsons-Brinkerhof Advisory Services and Katherine Henderson, principal of KKH Consulting, about their recommendations for the Red Line Regional Rail Project. The group also will welcome Bill Thunberg of Moorsville as its new executive director. Info: www.lakenormantrans.org.

Stand Up North Carolina, 7 p.m., Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Presentation by Dr. Mike Beitler, candidate for N.C. Secretary of State; N.C. Sen. Chris Carney, Mooresville Mayor Miles Atkins and James McCall, candidate for N.C. Insurance Commissioner. Admission is free.

Live music at Flatiron Kitchen, 8pm-10pm, Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse, 215 S. Main St., Davidson. Live music: mandolinist Michael Orlando. For more info call 704-237-3246.

THURSDAY, JAN. 12

North Meck Senior Center Grand Opening, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, Solid Rock Christian Church, 16601 Old Statesville Road (N.C. 115), Huntersville. Grand opening for the senior center in its new home. Activities all day, with ribbon cutting at noon. Information: Call 704-875-1270.

Cabarrus Food Policy Council, 6:30-8 p.m., Cabarrus Governmental Center, 65 Church St. SE, Concord. Cabarrus County Food Policy Council meeting. Agenda includes goals for 2012, council structure and 2012 retreat planning. Info, call Aaron Newton at 704-920-2206.

Attracting Wild Birds to Your Yard, 7 p.m., Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. The Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists will host a program by Joe Kaesten, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Huntersville, on the right foods, bird houses and bird baths to use to create a backyard bird habitat. Information: Visit www.lakenormanwildlife.org or call 704-877-4788.

Davidson men’s basketball vs. Western Carolina, 7 p.m., Belk Arena, Davidson College. The Wildcats’ men’s basketball team puts their undefeated Southern Conference record on the line against Western Carolina.

Home Safety Seminar, 7 p.m., Cornelius Police Department, 21440 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Officials with the Cornelius PD will hold a seminar on “Keeping Your Home Safe When You Are Away,” which will share tips on keeping your home secure during the holiday and travel seasons. Residents planning on attending the seminar are asked to RSVP either by emailing events@corneliuspd.org or by calling 704-892-1363.

Sip and Sketch, 7 p.m., Cafe Elie, 20700 N. Main St., Suite 110, Cornelius. A new twist on “Ladies Night Out.” Bring your favorite bottle of wine and your BFF’s, and we’ll supply the rest – canvas, paint, art lesson, and a lite snack. Enjoy a creative and relaxing evening with your friends, at the end of the class, you will leave with a beautiful painting worthy of display in your own home. Cost: $50 per person, discounts available for large groups and active Cafe Elie students. Information-reservations: Call 704-896-9766.

FRIDAY, JAN. 13

Davidson women’s basketball vs. Western Carolina, 12 p.m., Belk Arena, Davidson College. The Wildcats’ women’s basketball team hosts Western Carolina in a Southern Conference game.

Girls Night Out at Wooden Stone Gallery, 4-6 p.m., Wooden Stone Gallery, 445 S. Main St., Davidson. Event features wine tasting (with a complimentary wine glass) and a mini-workshop. Cost: $12 per person, reservations required. Information-reservations: Email jinny@woodenstonegallery.com or call 704-892-1449.

SATURDAY, JAN. 14

Kannapolis E-Cycling Day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., old Kannapolis Post Office, Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Kannapolis. Drop off old electronic items for recycling, including TVs, computers, stereos, and more. Also on site: Paper-shredding service. Electronics are now banned from N.C. landfills. See a list of recyclable items (PDF).

Davidson Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m.-noon, downtown Davidson, next to Town Hall. Davidson Farmer’s Market winter tailgate market. Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. Runs second and fourth Saturdays January through March. Information: Visit www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org.

Polar Bear Plunge, 11 a.m., Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St., Cornelius. The Lake Norman YMCA will hold its inaugural Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser to support the YMCA’s programs. The event begins with the plunge into Lake Cornelius, followed by lunch by Chick-Fil-A, music, a waterfront bonfire and dessert by Sweetly Yours Cake Botique. Cost: $20 per person through Jan. 13, participants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt. Information-registration: Call 704-716-4400.

Gospel concert: The Cockmans, 7 p.m., Joe Knox Auditorium, Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville – Mooresville Concerts presents The Cockman
Family in a concert of gospel music for all ages.
A reception follows. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 10. Season passes are $45. Tickets available at the Recreation Department office, 418 Carpenter Ave., by calling 704-663-7026, or online at www.MooresvilleRecreation.org.

Hopewell Presbyterian Church 250th Celebration Kickoff, 11 a.m., Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 10500 Beaties Ford Road, Huntersville. Hopewell Presbyterian Church begins a year-long celebration of its 250th anniversary with a kick-off service and luncheon. Guest speaker is the Rev. Bob Wise. Information: Visit www.hopewellpresbyterian.com.

North Meck Community Chorus Open House, 6 p.m., Wedgewood North Clubhouse, 8925 Babbitt Way, Charlotte. The North Mecklenburg Community Chorus will hold an open house leading into the start of its spring performance season. Information: Visit www.nmcchorus.org.

HAVE NEWS?

To have your event listed in our calendars, please send to listings@davidsonnews.net. Our events calendars appear on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

The symphony, conducted by Albert George Schram, will perform its “Music for Lovers” program of orchestral favorites including the Wedding March from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the “Romeo and Juliet Overture.”

Admission and parking are free. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and come early to get a good spot on the lawn. Boaters may anchor in the EnergyExplorium’s cove at the southern tip of Lake Norman. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase through the East Lincoln High School’s Band Booster Club.

“Our symphony concert has become a signature event for the Lake Norman area and is our biggest community event of the year,” said Valerie Patterson, communications manager for McGuire Nuclear Station. “Last year, we had our largest crowd ever with more than 7,640 attendees and 140 boats anchored in the cove. This concert really has become a favorite where families, friends and Lake Norman neighbors come together to enjoy the lake and hear great music.”

For additional information, call the EnergyExplorium at 1-800-777-0003.