The Davidson Lands Conservancy sign at the trailhead.

This week, we got on our bicycles and headed down to the area of Davidson off I-77 Exit 30. Our first stop was the new nature trail and canoe/kayak launch behind Davidson Day School. You may have heard that it was opening, but have you ever actually gone there? If not, it’s worth a trip. It was hot, so we also stopped at the air-conditioned Rushco Davidson Market and explored what it has to offer. If you’re looking to fill an afternoon, head down to  the Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, go canoeing or kayaking if you have a boat, and make sure to stop for some refreshment on your way home.

The canoe/kayak launch site.

The Lake Davidson Nature Preserve trailhead is located at the back corner of the Davidson Day athletic field, off Jetton Street. A Davidson Lands Conservancy sign marks the entrance, and from there it’s easy to follow the gravel trail through the woods.

The whole path is shady, and nicely maintained. After a short walk (or bike ride in our case), the path opens onto a small cove where you could put a boat into the water. There are several boat racks, where boaters can leave boats when not in use.

The area includes a wooden bench for resting, as well as a trail out to the point. (The conservancy plans to improve and expand the trail soon.)

The woven roots over the water on the peninsula.

The site is on a peninsula, so by following this dirt track, we made it out to the end

of the point, and discovered a beautiful overlook on the lake. The whole area was shaded, and the branches of the trees reached down to touch the water just off the shore. Their roots made a latticed extension of the bank, and looking down we saw the woven roots over the gently rippling lake water. Although we didn’t have a boat to launch, the beauty of the area at the end of the point was worth the walk in itself.

Afterward, we went to the new Rushco Davidson Market for some air conditioning and Slushies. When we got there, we found we had many more choices. There was an entire wall full of sodas or energy drinks, and another case with fruit juices. In the same case, there were also grocery items, including bacon, eggs, and ham.

Rushco, a new gas station and store off exit 30.

In the mini “aisles” of the store, there were many many many choices of chips, candy, and beef jerky, as well as breakfast foods ranging from granola bars to cereal to pastries. If you would prefer health food, there is a wide selection available, including items like vegetable and hummus chips.

If you want something more substantial, pick up a sandwich at the full-service deli. There are lots of choices for pre-made sandwiches and wraps, including tuna and chicken salad. During certain hours, you can also get a made to order sandwich, which gives you more choices.

In addition to the gas station and convenience store, Rushco also has a car wash. This car wash is special, because it recycles 80 percent of the water. You can pay to get a car wash inside the store, or when you buy gas.

When we finally bought our Slushies, we had more choices than I was used to, including Cheerwine flavor. We also noticed that we could have gotten ice cream treats such as Klondike Bars and lots of other yummy frozen desserts, perfect for a hot day.

Paulina Campbell is a rising senior at Woodlawn School. Emma Boraks is a rising freshman at North Mecklenburg High School. They’re spending part of their summers scoping out alternatives to TV-watching and Web-surfing. Have ideas or want to reach them? Leave a comment below, or email editor@davidsonnews.net.

Joseph Bathanti

BY KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Starting off the week, the Democrats of Precinct 206 are meeting again Monday night to get a quorum of members to elect officers. Also Monday, the Future of the Library Task Force presents its recommendations to the county commission and library board. On Tuesday, Poet and novelist Joseph Bathanti, professor of English at Appalachian State University, will be reading from his work. Cynthia Lawing and Ruskin Cooper will perform Wednesday at this week’s Davidson Music Department Faculty Recital. There’s another concert on Thursday, this time at Summit Coffee where Shantell Ogden from Nashville, Charlotte songwriter Steve Simpson and host Rob McHale will be performing. The Davidson College theater and music departments will join forces to present “Into the Woods,” starting Friday and ending April 2.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Paul,” “Battle: Los Angeles,” “Rango” and “Adjustment Bureau,” are playing.

MONDAY, MAR. 21

Precinct 206 Democrats meet, 6 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Precinct 206 Democrats meet again in hopes of gaining a quorum of local party members to elect officers. Read more in our March 16, 2011, news item, CLICK HERE>

Future of the Library Task Force, 6 p.m., Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St., Charlotte – Future of the Library Task Force offers its final recommendations to a joint meeting of the Mecklenburg County Commission and Library Board of Trustees. Details in our Monday preview article.

Women’s Self Defense Class, 6-7 p.m., Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St., Cornelius – In the series of four Monday classes, participants will learn techniques to defend themselves from attackers and avoid becoming a victim. The class is $45 for members, $60 for program members and $75 for non-members. Ages 14 and up. Call 704-716-4400 or visit www.ymcacharlotte.org for more information.

Cornelius Town Board, 7 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. – Monthly meeting of the Cornelius Town Board. Agenda includes a continuation of discussions about the FY2012 budget.

“Living in Emergency,” 7 p.m., Alvarez College Union, Davidson College – The documentary follows four volunteer physicians from Doctors Without Borders as they struggle to provide emergency medical care in the war zones of Liberia and Congo. A panel discussion will follow the film. Free and open to the public. Not suitable for children. Visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

TUESDAY, MAR. 22

Hats Off to Ladies, 11 a.m., The Peninsula Club, 19101 Peninsula Club Dr., Cornelius – The North Meck Woman’s Club will present a Fashion Show and Luncheon to benefit the Club’s scholarship fund, featuring fashions from Apricot Lane, Page Collectables and Monkees. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at these three stores. Attendees are encouraged to wear a favorite chapeau and join in the celebration of women. For more information and tickets, call Lisa Vadnais at 704-966-0389 or lvadnais@yahoo.com.

Literary Reading, 7:30 p.m., Alvarez College Union, Davidson College – Poet and novelist Joseph Bathanti, professor of English at Appalachian State University will read from his work. Bathanti will also present his selections of student winners of the annual Charles E. Lloyd and R. Windley Hall Awards in Writing. Call 704-894-2254 or visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 23

Davidson Scholars, 1 p.m., Davidson Parks and Recreation, 416 Armour St. – Don Rosenberg will return to discuss how to have a garden that needs no digging, tilling or weeding. He is the owner of Instant Organic Garden, a business that installs raised bed vegetable gardens in back yards throughout the country. Free. Call 704-892-3349 for more information.

Financial Forum Lunch & Learn, 1:30-2:30 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 18731 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Speaker will be Barbara Bennett, Investor Education Specialist, from the NC Dept. of Secretary of State, Securities Division. Discussion to include how to recognize warning signs of fraud, types of scams prevalent today, psychological tactics used to con victims and responsibilities of stockbroker, investment adviser, and financial planner. Lunch (for small fee) will be served at noon by reservations only: (704) 892-4041.

College Life 101, 2 p.m., Davidson Day School, 750 Jetton Street, Davidson – A 45-minute forum based event where Davidson College students answer questions from Davidson Day high school students about college life.

Davidson Music Department Faculty Recital, 7:30 p.m., Tyler-Tallman Hall, Davidson College – To commemorate the 200th birthdays of Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt, Cynthia Lawing and Ruskin Cooper will perform several works from the piano repertoire of the two composers. Bill Lawing will assist them by providing insights about the composers and the musical selections. Concert is free and open to the public.

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

THURSDAY, MAR. 24

Basket Weaving Class, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 18731 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Choice of two baskets: Pen and Pad Basket and/or Tissue Box Holder Basket. Members $15.00 for one – $25 for two; non-members $18.00 for one – $28.00 for two. All levels of experience welcome. Bring your lunch, a used towel, and clothes pins. Pre-registration required: (704) 892-4041.

From Beginning to Middle, 6:30-8 p.m., Huntersville Elementary, 200 Gilead Rd., Huntersville – Parents of children who are 9 to 10 years old will learn how to help their children make a smooth transition to middle school. Visit www.cmsparentuniversity.org for more information.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Shantell Ogden from Nashville, Charlotte songwriter Steve Simpson and host Rob McHale. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, MAR. 25

MI-Connection Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m., MI-Connection office, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville – Mi-Connection Board of Directors meeting.

Predators of the Sky, 10:30-11:30 a.m., North Mecklenburg Senior center, 18731 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The Carolina Raptor Center will bring several raptors for the program which is sponsored by Keller Williams Realty. Free and open to the community.

Musical Interludes at Davidson College, 12:30 p.m., Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College – A lecture-recital titled “Probing the Composer’s Mind: A Lecture-Recital Exploring the Works of Tom L. Lohr.” Free and open to the public. Call 704-894-2848 or visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

Chemistry Lecture, 2:30 p.m., Martin Chemical Laboratory Thurman Room, Davidson College – A colloquium titled “Aerosol Effects on the Southeastern US Solar Radiation Budget – Initial Results from a Regionally-Representative Site.” The speaker will be Brett Taubman from Appalachian State University. Free and open to the public. Call 704-894-2307 or visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

Theater: The Sound of Music, 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Rd., Mooresville – Students will be performing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets are on sale through the school by calling 799-8555 x1276 and by emailing lnhssoundofmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

WOW Stargazing, 8-9:30 p.m., Fisher Farm Park, 21215 Shearer Road – The Charlotte Astronomy Club and the Davidson College Society of Physics will have telescopes aimed at various constellations and planets in the sky. They will also be there to answer questions. Registration is closed. Email dlc.wow@gmail.com to get more information.

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

Theater: Into the Woods, 8 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater and music departments will join forces to present “Into the Woods,” a musical combination of many fairy tales gone topsy-turvy. The show will run from March 25 until April 2 at 8 p.m. each day.

SATURDAY, MAR. 26

Run Too Overcome, 8 a.m., Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, 11725 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville – Run Too Overcome 5k and kids fun run, sponsored by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools North Learning Community PTAs/PTOs. Proceeds help fund special needs activities at participating schools. Details and registration: http://www.runtooovercome.com/

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. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

WOW nature activity, 10:30-11:30 a.m., UNC Charlotte McMillan Greenhouse, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte – Dr. Larry Mellichamp, professor of botany and horticulture at UNC Charlotte, will present plants that do not look or behave like normal plants. Minimum age is 9 years old, accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Email dlc.wow@gmail.com to get a registration form or for more information.

Lake Davidson Paddlefest at new nature preserve, 1 to 4 pm, Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, off Jetton Street behind Davidson Day School – Davidson Lands Conservancy, Davidson Outdoors and REI host an afternoon of paddling activities to help celebrate the opening of the new canoe/kayak launch area on Lake Davidson. Details: 704-892-1910 or dlc@davidsonlands.org.

Theater: The Sound of Music, 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Rd., Mooresville – Students will be performing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets are on sale through the school by calling 799-8555 x1276 and by emailing lnhssoundofmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Theater: Into the Woods, 8 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater and music departments will join forces to present Into the Woods, a musical combination of many fairy tales gone topsy-turvy. The show will run from March 25 until April 2 at 8 p.m. each day.

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

SUNDAY, MAR. 27

Anti-Bullying Concert, 2 p.m., McKinney Academy, 412 Armour St., Davidson – An educational and uplifting concert that includes songs, skits and strategies on how to deal with bullying. Free and open to the public. If you’d like to attend, sign up at www.mckinneyacademy.com.

Piano Studio Recital, 7:30 p.m., Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College – A recital by piano students from the studios of Ruskin Cooper and Cynthia Lawing. Free and open to the public. Call 704-894-2848 or visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

Theater: Into the Woods, 8 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater and music departments will join forces to present Into the Woods, a musical combination of many fairy tales gone topsy-turvy. The show will run from March 25 until April 2 at 8 p.m. each day.