Community news

Coffee Chat: Cornelius commissioner John Bradford will hold his monthly Cornelius Coffee Chat 9:30-10:45 a.m. March 18 at Acropolis Restaurant, Interstate 77 Exit 28. Cornelius Fire Chief Barbee will be the special guest. Meeting details and cancellation notices are posted on Bradford’s Facebook page and Twitter account at @JohnRayBradford.

Bach Birthday Bash concert: 7:30 p.m. March 19 at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Main St., Davidson. Free annual concert celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday. Organist Vivian Montgomery, adjunct professor of harpsichord, historical performance and musicology at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music will perform with Jennifer Roig-Francoli on baroque violin, Barbara Krumdieck playing baroque cello, and soprano Penelope Jensen. Details: Joe Melton, 704-892-5641.

“Guys and Dolls:” 7:30 p.m. March 20-21, 8 p.m. March 22-23 and 2 p.m. March 23-24 in Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall. Tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 faculty and staff, $6 students. Tickets: 704-894-2135, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; www.davidson.edu/tickets.

Chili & Fashion Fiesta: 6-10 p.m. March 22 at the Depot, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville. Chefs from 10 downtown businesses and organizations will compete for Best Downtown Chili Chef. The event will also include a fashion show. Part of the proceeds will benefit Depot renovations. Tickets: www.FutureFashionDesigners.com.

Easter egg hunt: Mooresville’s free annual Easter EGGstravaganza will be at 2 p.m. March 23 at Cornelius Road Park, 247 Cornelius Road. Rain date is March 24. Details: www.MooresvilleRecreation.org.

Race City Festival: Applications are available for the 2013 Race City Festival scheduled for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18 on Main and Broad streets in downtown Mooresville. 704-664-3898; www.mooresvillenc.org. Catwalk for a Cause: Tickets are available for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s fourth annual fashion event benefiting Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. The event is 6-9 p.m. May 15 at Michael Waltrip Racing, Exit 28, Cornelius. Tickets are available in two categories; the “Trendsetter” ticket is $125 and includes a reserved VIP seat for the fashion show, along with a VIP swag bag. “Fashionista” tickets are $75 and include a general seating ticket and swag bag. All tickets include free valet parking, gourmet food and select beverages. Tickets: www.martintruexjrfoundation.org.. Sponsorships: Sandy Plemmons, 704-664-1113, extension 205; sandy@martintruexjr.com.

DavidsonLearns: Davidson Parks and Recreation is accepting registration at 704-892-3349 and https://townofdavidson.recdesk.com/recdeskportal for these DavidsonLearns programs. Locations will be announced later:

•  The Evolution of the U.S. Intelligence Community: An Historical Overview, with Thomas M. Rynne, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 4 through May 2, $60.

•  A History of the World in Six Classes, with Joey Schnople, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 27 through May 1, $72.

•  Preserving Local History with Grace Mitchell, 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, April 3 through May 1, $60.

•  Understanding the Great Divergence: Why Some Nations are Rich and Others are Poor, with Fred Smith, 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, April 9 through May 14, $72.

Town Day: Applications are available to nonprofits and food vendors for Davidson’s 42nd annual Town Day festival on May 4. Applications are at town hall, 216 S. Main St., and at www.townofdavidson.org/TownDay.

Art classes: The Cornelius PARC Department will offer new spring art classes for all ages beginning the week of March 18, including:

•  For ages 55 and older: Coffee, Croissants & Crafts, 9-11 a.m. March 19, $13 for Cornelius residents, $15 for others.

•  For adults and teens: Acrylic Painting, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays, March 18 through April 15, no class April 1, $85 residents, $100 nonresidents; All Level Wheel, 6:30- 9 p.m. Thursdays, March 21 through May 16, $165 residents, $190 others.

•  For elementary school students: Clay Creations Handbuilding, 4:30-5:45 p.m. Thursdays, March 21 through May 16, no class April 4, $100 residents, $110 others; Look, See and Draw, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays, March 19 through May 12, no class April 2, $85 residents, $100 others.

•  For preschoolers: , 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays, March 18 through May 13, no class April 1, $60 residents, $70 nonresidents.

Classes will be at the Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St. Registration and details: 704-892-6031; www.cornelius.org/parc.

Matter of Balance: Due to overwhelming response to its winter classes, the North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 16601 Old Statesville Road (Solid Rock Church), Huntersville will offer an additional free session of its Matter of Balance class noon-2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays March 18 through April 10. The classes help seniors reduce their fear of falling and increase their activity level. Registration: 704-875-1270.

Health programs: Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, 171 Fairview Road, Mooresville will host these free health programs:

•  “Is MAKOplasty Right for You?” 6-7 p.m. March 18 in the hospital’s Community Rooms A and B. Reservations: 1-888-995-6762.

•  Stroke screenings, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 18 at Boger City Baptist Church in Lincolnton and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 22 at Ramah Presbyterian Church in Huntersville. Cost of a stroke/carotid artery screening is $60. Registration: 1-877-237-1383.

•  Understanding Surgical Weight Loss, 7 p.m. March 25 in the Center for Surgical Weight Loss, which is in the Medical Pavilion at Lake Norman, 131 Medical Park Road, Suite 303, Mooresville. Registration: 1-888-995-6762; www.lnrmcsurgicalweightloss.com.

A Gathering of Eagles: How many Eagle Scouts are there in Iredell County? That’s what local Scout officials are trying to determine by bringing them all together on the centennial anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award, at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. RSVP by emailing pmodom6@gmail.com. Details: 704-785-1787.

Artfest: The Mooresville Artist Guild invites area artists to participate in the 35th Annual Spring Artfest judged show at the Historic Depot Gallery, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville. Intake is 3-5 p.m. March 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 23 and noon-2 p.m. March 24. Cash and merchandise will be awarded in four categories, and artwork incorporating products from sponsor Speedball Art Products will be eligible for additional awards. Artists 18 and older may submit up to three entries, which must be original and completed after Jan. 1, 2011. Don Moore of Salisbury will judge the show. The show will be open during regular gallery hours from March 26 until April 26. Details and prospectus: Program chair Joyce Palmgren, joycepinnc@aol.com; www.MAGart.org.

A Morning with the Easter Bunny: Preschoolers can enjoy seasonal crafts, refreshments and a visit from Peter Cottontail 9-11 a.m. March 22 at the Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St. Admission is free. www.cornelius.org.

Hop into Spring!: For families with children ages 3 to 12. Take your basket to collect toy-filled eggs at different activity stations and visit with the Easter Bunny, 2-4 p.m. March 23 at Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. Admission is free. Details: www.cornelius.org.

Operation Medicine Drop: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 23, the Cornelius Police Department will host a free Operation Medicine Drop Event in the parking lot of Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. The event offers a safe and secure way to dispose of medications, including expired, unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. Needles and syringes are not accepted. Details: Sgt. George Brinzey or Betsy Shores at 704-892-1363; www.cornelius.org/police.

Bootcamp: Huntersville Parks and Recreation will host a free Bootcamp in the Park fitness program 9 a.m. March 23 at Huntersville Athletic Park, 11720 Verhoeff Drive. Details: 704-766-2220; jbrock@huntersville.org.

Charity run: The Rotary Club of Lake Norman/Huntersville will host the 2013 Lake Norman Rotary Run at 8:30 a.m. March 30 through the Birkdale neighborhood in Huntersville, including 5K and 10K routes. The event will benefit Lake Norman Community Health Clinic. Registration and details: www.LakeNormanRotary.org/Run2013.

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.

Lions golf tournament: Sponsors are needed for the Lions Regional Golf Tournament at 1 p.m. April 22 at NorthStone Country Club in Huntersville. Details: Neal Howes, 704-875-3489; www.northmecklionsgolf.org.

Nature programs: The Davidson Lands Conservancy announces these free nature programs:

•  Reptile Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 6 in Davidson College’s Watson and Dana science buildings, 225 Davidson-Concord Road. Sponsored by the college’s herpetology lab, the fun annual event teaches families about North Carolina’s native reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can interact with live animals, hear a venomous snake talk, and learn about conservation from numerous local organizations.

•  Explore the Spring Sky: Stargazing at Fisher Farm Park: Sponsored by the conservancy and its World of Wonder program, the event will be from 8 to 10 p.m. April 12 at Fisher Farm Park, 21215 Shearer Road, on the east side of Davidson. The Davidson College physics department and the Charlotte Astronomy Club will provide equipment and expertise. Guests can also bring. No registration is required. Volunteers are needed to help with parking and putting cellophane on flashlights. To help, email dlc.wow@gmail.com.

For details on these and other events, email Erin Burke at dlc.wow@gmail.com or visit www.davidsonlands.org or www.woodlanddiscovery.org.

St. Alban’s concert: The Music at St. Alban’s concert series will present Tanja Bechtler on cello and Bob Teixeira on guitar performing music from Spain to South America at 3 p.m. April 7 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 seniors, free for ages 11 and under. Tickets: 704-941-0650. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

Local art showcase: Homewood Suites by Hilton-Davidson, 125 Harbour Place Drive, Davidson will host an art and wine event from 6 to 10 p.m. April 12 to benefit Boy Scout Troop No. 173. The event will feature eight artists in various media; operatic solos by Erin Dobey; wine samples from Davesté Vineyards in Troutman, The Farm at Dover Vineyards in Concord and Fiddler’s Vineyard in Cherryville; and treats from Empanadas 2go and the Toffee Shoppe. Details: Russ Gavitt, 704-904-6288.

“An Evening for Dove House:” Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center will hold its 12th annual fundraising event 5-11 p.m. April 20 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. To donate auction items and buy tickets, visit www.DoveHouse.us.

Concord Library events: The library at 27 Union St. N. will host these free programs:

•  The library’s Children’s Room will present the League of Extraordinary Legos at 4 p.m. March 19 in the auditorium. The library will supply the Legos. For ages 4-12. Details: 704-920-2058.

•  The Teen Book Club will discuss “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater at 5:30 p.m. March 19 in the library’s Teen Area. Registration: 704-920-2053.

•  The library’s Children’s Room will present Super Spy Training Part 2 at 4 p.m. March 21 in the Children’s Program Room. For ages 6 through 12. Details: 704-920-2058.

•  Word Graphics computer class, 5 p.m. March 21 in the library’s Meeting Room. Registration: 704-920-2054.

Kannapolis Library events: The library at 850 Mountain St. will host these free programs in March. Details: 704-920-1180.

•  Kannapolis Classics, discussion of “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, 5:30 p.m. March 19.

•  Learn to Use the Library Catalog, 5:30 p.m. March 21.

•  Live Long and Read Book Club, noon March 22, RCCC Research Campus Library, 399 Biotechnology Lane, discussion of “Storm Front” by Jim Butcher.

•  Introduction to the Internet, 2 p.m. March 23.

•  Spring into Seasonal Cooking, 5 p.m. March 26 with Gina Guthrie from Bocca Felice. Registration is required.

•  Young at Heart Book Group, 5:30 p.m. March 26, discussion of teen book “Beauty Queens” by Libba Bray, 5:30 p.m. March 26.

•  Beginning Computers, 10 a.m. March 28. Registration is required. Compiled by Joe Marusak