Detail from a planning study map shows location of the Mayes property, and a possible development on the Huntersville side of N.C. 73, to the south.

Developer Childress Klein Properties Inc. plans to seek approval for a development of shops, offices, residences, and civic and institutional buildings – such as a fire statiion – on 74 acres owned by the Mayes family, at Davidson-Concord Road and N.C. 73.

A public planning workshop for the project is planned Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 15 and 16, at River Run Country Club, 19125 River Falls Drive. Read the full story

2010 Best of the Lake Best in Show award went to Roger Layman for this renovation.

This was the same home as above, before Roger Layman's makeover.

MOORESVILLE – Davidson architect Roger Layman won Best in Show and several other local designers and builders also took home awards in the recent 2010 Best of the Lake Design Competition, sponsored by Lake Norman Home Builders Association. Mr. Layman won for a renovation that transformed a single-story home into a two-story one.

Other local winners included architect Paul Clark, home builder Plattner Bailey Custom Homes, and designers Starr Miller and International Kitchen & Bath. Read the full story

Charlotte Regional Realtor Association
Charlotte Regional Realtor Association said Wednesday that residential home sale closings in the region totaled 1,487 in November, down 25.7 percent compared to November 2009, when closings totaled 2,000.

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Why not go with a different color palette this year?

The familiar traditions of decorated holiday trees, gift giving, and special celebrations with family and friends began in the Victorian Era. Tree decorations were much simpler then and included nuts and ribbons. The city of Williamsburg was where the Christmas tree officially entered this country. It took the form of a small fir tree placed on a tabletop and was decorated with candles, popcorn strings and paper ornaments. It wasn’t until around the middle of the 19th century we saw the emergence of the taller, floor-standing Christmas tree. Victorians would be delighted with the vast array of decorations available today.
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Volunteers at the 2009 Cookies for Kids Cancer sale at Christmas in Davidson were, from left, Dylan Brown, John Mitchell, and Cody Robinson, from Pine Lake Prep.

The 3rd annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale is scheduled during Christmas in Davidson Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 2-4. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research. Thousands of dollars have been raised to help local children as well as children all over the country. All the treats are baked by local families and every dollar raised goes directly to research.

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The 229-acre Abersham project was never built. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Could the failed 229-acre Abersham development have an unexpected new chapter ahead? The director of the Davidson Lands Conservancy said last week that a “conservation buyer” is negotiating to buy the entire site from two banks that own it. Read the full story