A variety of winter and spring-like events are on tap this weekend, from the season opening series for Davidson College’s baseball team Friday through Sunday at Wilson Field to the Davidson Farmer’s Market Saturday, including the “Breakfast of Champions” beer and chili tasting. On Saturday night, the local chapter of USA Dance hosts a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball at the Havana Ballroom in Kenton Place, Cornelius. Mecklenburg County Democrats host their own “inaugural ball” in Charlotte Saturday night. And the Rusty Rudder has live music all weekend, including a White Trash Party on Friday night. Details about those and other events below.

Our Town Cinemas has the zombie flick “Warm Bodies,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Identity Thief,” “The Impossible,” “Safe Haven” and “A Good Day to Die Hard.” See the showtimes at right on this page. Continue Reading

A sampler at Ass Clown Brewery. (Robin Gibson photo)

One of the reasons I love doing this column is the opportunity it affords to spotlight local businesses. Having lived in this community off-and-on since 2002, I’ve witnessed an explosion of growth over the years. As our identity continues to be shaped by newcomers and new buildings, new businesses look to make their mark and become a part of the fabric of this place we call home.

Just as we are evolving and changing, so, apparently, is beer. Craft breweries are sprouting up and improving the landscape of choice for consumers. Cornelius is fortunate to have its very own Ass Clown Brewery, with an almost unparalleled selection of flavors available to those with a daring palate.

Continue Reading

Davidson College will host a series of speakers on environmental topics this spring, from how chemicals disrupt aquatic life to environmental activism against mountaintop mining to consumer ethics. The series begins this Thursday, Feb. 14, with Susan Brander’s talk on “From Molecules to Metapopulations: Assessing Endocrine Disruption in Aquatic Life.”

The Spring 2013 Environmental Speaker Series is organized by Davidson’s Environmental Studies Department with support from a variety of other programs and departments. Here’s the full schedule: Continue Reading

Angela Davis

Civil rights activist and professor Angela Davis visits Davidson this week for a lecture and discussion Tuesday night at the college. Tuesday night also brings the next Organ at Davidson concert, featuring organist Aaron Goen with an unusual accompanist – tuba player Daniel Knox. Gethsemane Baptist Church welcomes the Power Team for an anti-violence program. Davidson College baseball opens its 2013 season with a three-game series against George Washington. And Saturday morning has the Davidson Farmer’s Market with a special event: a “Breakfast of Champions beer and chili tasting. On Saturday night, the local chapter of USA Dance hosts a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball at the Havana Ballroom in Kenton Place, Cornelius. Details about those and other events below.

Our Town Cinemas has the zombie flick “Warm Bodies,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Identity Thief,” “The Impossible,” “Safe Haven” and “A Good Day to Die Hard.” See the showtimes at right on this page. Continue Reading

USA Dance Lake Norman Chapter No. 6119 will host its first formal, a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, this Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Havana Ballroom in Kenton Place.

The chapter has been around for about a year, offering an outlet for social dancers and supporting local ballroom and Latin dance competitors as well, according to Sheila Lester, the group’s vice president. Continue Reading

The Town of Cornelius is hosting a Community Book, CD & DVD Swap on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 1 to 4pm in the community room at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. Come offload what you’ve been reading, listening and watching and trade it for something new!

Continue Reading