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.

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 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.

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 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 for more information. You may also call Ben McCrary at 704-892-7592. Schedule at the town of Davidson website. See also DavidsonNews.net‘s Dec. 27 news article, “4-story retirement residence planned off Exit 30.”

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 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 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.

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.

‘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‘” 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 for more information. You may also call Ben McCrary at 704-892-7592. Schedule on the town of Davidson website. See also DavidsonNews.net‘s Dec. 27 news article, “4-story retirement residence planned off Exit 30.”

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 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

‘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'” 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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/

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

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

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

HAVE NEWS?

Send listings and announcements of community events to Karyn Jester at listings@davidsonnews.net.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also at right on this page, see our movie listings for Our Town Cinemas, where they’re showing “Waiting for Superman,” “Love and Other Drugs,” “Tangled” and “Harry Potter.” And coming at week’s end: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which runs Dec 10-16. All tickets for this classic holiday film are $7, with $1 of each ticket donated to Ada Jenkins Center, and Toys for Tots.

MONDAY, DEC. 13

No events listed.

TUESDAY, DEC. 14

Preventing ID theft and scams, 10:30 to noon, Davidson Parks & Rec, 416 Armour St. – Davidson Senior Scholars presents Brandon Madden of the N.C. Department of Justice, talking about preventing identity theft and scams. Details in our Nov. 23 news item.

Intergenerational holiday program, noon to 1:30 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, Cornelius – Second graders from St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Huntersville will be singing and interacting with seniors from the community. Seniors and students will exchange gifts. Open to all seniors. Free. 704-892-4041.

Davidson Rotary Club, 5 p.m., Sabi Asian Bistro, 130 Harbour Place Drive, off I-77 Exit 30 – Davidson Rotary Club weekly meeting. Details: lnrotary@gmail.com or Rotary District 7680 website.

Take Out Tuesday, 5-8 p.m., Donato’s Pizza, Davidson Commons, Jetton and Griffith Streets, Davidson – Davidson Elementary School’s PTO continues its series of “Take Out Tuesdays.” Order takeout or dine in on any of the nights, and the PTO gets a portion of the proceeds. Be sure to wear your Davidson Elementary spirit wear. Also Dec. 21 (Chili’s). Details in our Dec. 1 Dining News column.

Davidson Town Board, 6 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Monthly Davidson Town Board meeting. Agenda includes a public hearing and vote on a proposal to change the planning ordinance to disallow residences that front on an alley instead of a street, a vote on a proposed ordinance allowing residents to keep chickens, and a vote on a new procedure for funding local nonprofits. Agenda on the town website.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15

Planning workshop for Mayes Property, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., starts at River Run Clubhouse, continues with site visit – Day 1 of two-day planning workshop to discuss development of 74.4 acres off Davidson-Concord Road, near intersection of N.C. 73/Sam Furr Road. Details: Nov. 22, 2010, “Dec. 15-16 meeting to look at options for Mayes property”

Dinner & Children’s Pageant, 5:15 p.m., NorthCross Church, 11020-H Bailey Road, Cornelius – Annual Christmas Dinner and Children’s Pageant. Info: northcrosschurch.com or 704-987-8000.

Theater: ‘A Christmas Story’, 8 p.m., Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Info: call 704-892-7953. Read more in our Nov. 30 Theater Notes column.

THURSDAY, DEC. 16

Planning workshop for Mayes Property, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., River Run Clubhouse – Day 2 of two-day planning workshop to discuss development of 74.4 acres off Davidson-Concord Road, near intersection of N.C. 73/Sam Furr Road. Details: Nov. 22, 2010, “Dec. 15-16 meeting to look at options for Mayes property”

Middle School IB open house, 10 a.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.

Theater: ‘A Christmas Story’, 8:00 p.m., Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Info: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or call 704-892-7953. Read more in our Nov. 30 Theater Notes column.

Summit Songwriters in the Round, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Summit presents another in its series of songwriters’ nights, with Adam Whiting, Haley Dreis, and host Rob McHale. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17

Theater: ‘A Christmas Story’, 8:00 p.m., Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Info: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or call 704-892-7953. Read more in our Nov. 30 Theater Notes column.

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

Theater: ‘A Christmas Story’, 8:00 p.m., Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Info: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or call 704-892-7953. Read more in our Nov. 30 Theater Notes column.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

Advent lessons and carols at DCPC, 8:30 and 11 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church sanctuary, Concord Road and North Main Street – Both worship services will include a service of Advent lessons and carols, led by the Geneva, Chancel and Youth Choirs. Scriptures and music will focus more on the prophecy texts, from Isaiah and Zechariah, as well as a psalm and two Gospel lessons. www.dcpc.org

Advent at Inclusion Community, 9 a.m., Our Town Cinemas, Sadler Square, Griffith Street – Inclusion Community hosts the first of three Sunday meetings looking at the meaning behind the nativity story. Followed at 10:30 a.m. by regular Sunday gathering. Also Dec. 5 and 12.

Spirituality and the Arts, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Concord Road and North Main Street – Davidson College Professor Emeritus of English Tony Abbott and the local cellist Barbara Krumdieck present a program of poetry and music. Held during the DCPC Covenant class on Sunday morning. Approximately 40 minutes. Info: www.dcpc.org

Theater: ‘A Christmas Story‘, 2:00PM, Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or call 704-892-7953. Read more in our Nov. 30 Theater Notes column.

Cockman Family Gospel Christmas, 4 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville – A Gospel Christmas concert with The Cockman Family. Admission $10, Students $5, Children under 10 free. Advance purchase recommended. Available at the Mack Center. Info: 704-662-3334

Come Ye Faithful Christmas Performance, 7 p.m., Sanctuary, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Street – The final event in the Cornelius concert series will be the annual Mt. Zion Christmas program. It will feature the Chancel Choir, Hand Bell ensemble, Choristers Choir (children) along with a chamber orchestra. The evening will blend both familiar and unfamiliar carols. All concerts are free. There will be a free will offering taken at each event. For a complete concert listing, see this story.