Community news

Organ at Davidson: Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Main St., will host a free performance by Aaron Goens, assistant organist and choirmaster at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12. Details: 704-892-5641.

Author visit: Friends of the Sherrills Ford Library will host author and Charlotte lawyer Jon Buchan at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at the library, 8456 Sherrills Ford Road. Details: 828-466-6827.

Weight loss: The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Lake Norman will host free educational seminars on understanding surgical weight loss at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 25 in The Center for Surgical Weight Loss in the Medical Pavilion at Lake Norman, 131 Medical Park Road, Suite 303, in Mooresville. Registration and details: 888-995-6762; www.lnrmcsurgicalweightloss.com.

The Buddy Benefit: The Buddy System of Davidson will host an a cappella concert featuring some of Davidson College’s best a cappella groups at 5 p.m. Feb. 24 in Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall. Proceeds benefit local children with special needs served by Angels in Need, a Davidson-based charity. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted at the door. Reservations: www.angelsinneed.org.

Bluegrass concert: Wood & Steel will kick off the Saint Patrick’s 2013 Solas Leighis concert series with some N.C. bluegrass at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the church, 201 Fairview Road, Mooresville. Tickets will be available at the door: $15 for adults, $10 students, 5 and under free. All proceeds benefit community outreach. Details: 704-663-5659; concerts@saint-patricks.org; www.saint-patricks.org.

Safe-boating classes: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 26-01-5SR will offer one-day safe-boating courses on March 16, April 20, May 11 and June 15 that will lead to a North Carolina Boating Certificate.

All students completing the course receive an official diploma and a certificate that enables them to operate recreational vessels, including Jet Skis.

The courses will be taught by an instructor from U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shepherds Fire Department, 2014 Charlotte Highway, Mooresville, except for the March 16 class, which will run 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Westport Marina, 7879 Water Oaks Drive, Denver. The fee for the courses is $45 and includes lunch. Details: 704-663-3333; www.cgaux.org.

Health fair: Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Iredell County EMS will host a free health fair to educate the community about stroke and chest pain awareness from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at Super Wal-Mart, 169 Norman Station Blvd., Mooresville. Details: Annabelle Black, 704-660-4162.

Budget award: The town of Mooresville once again received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. The award was presented to the town and Michelle Shepard, budget and benchmarking analyst, for the 2012-13 fiscal year budget. Finance Director Deborah Hockett shared the award with the town board during the Jan. 22 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Concord Library: The library at 27 Union St. North will offer these free programs.

•  The Great Books Discussion Group will discuss Gogol’s “The Overcoatmeet” at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Meeting Room. Registration is requested by calling 704-920-2054.

•  Celebrate Chinese New Year, 4 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Children’s Program Room. Welcome the Year of the Snake with books and a craft. Details: 704-920-2058.

•  Raising Children with Special Needs, 2 p.m. Feb. 16 in the auditorium. Details: 704-920-2058. Compiled by Joe Marusak