Ada Jenkins Center, the regional community services center on Gamble Street in Davidson, hosts a summer fund-raiser called “Fire” this Saturday, June 20, including a morning 5k race and a midday barbecue-and-music festival.

“Fire” celebrates the center’s 10th anniversary and will help raise money for community services programs.

The 5k race and 1 mile fun run/walk begin at 8 a.m. at Ada Jenkins Center gym on Gamble Street. Entry fee is $25, and race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Awards will be given to the top three men and women and the top three in age groups. You can register online at queencitytiming.com or in person at the center.

Chopped barbecue will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $10 a plate (eat in or take out), or for the same fee you can sample entries in the “Fire” barbecue competion. Live music is provided by Rusty Knox and Friends (Mike Orlando, Brad Reddick, and Dwight Burks) as well as Billy Jones and The Pocket.

All proceeds benefit the center and its programs, which offers 17 programs and services to those in need in and beyond Davidson. More information is available by calling the center at 704-896-0471 or online at www.adajenkins.org.

World Juggling Day in Davidson

Jugglers, juggling fans, and would-be jugglers throughout the area are invited to celebrate World Juggling Day on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The fun begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m. in conjunction with the “Fire” barbecue and 5 k run event at the Ada Jenkins Center. The center is located at 212 Gamble Street in Davidson.

The Lake Norman Jugglers will host World Juggling Day, and there is no charge for the public to participate. Jugglers will be showing off their skills and providing juggling instruction throughout the morning. Equipment will be provided so that visitors can try their hands props such as balls, clubs, rings, cigar boxes, devil sticks, and diabolos.

Jugglers everywhere will be staging similar events in countries around the world on World Juggling Day 2009 to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the infinite possibilities of object manipulation. The event is organized on the Internet at http://www.juggle.org/wjd/ by the International Jugglers Association in celebration of its founding in June 1947.

Interested persons are also invited to join the Lake Norman Jugglers on the Village Green for their regular weekly meetings each Sunday from 3-5 p.m. For more information on World Juggling Day or the regular meetings, contact Bill Giduz at 704-892-1296 or giduz@bellsouth.net.