It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a ... no, seriously, what is it?

JUST FOR FUN!

Ever gotten up in the morning and found your hair in a tangle?  We found just the shot of a perfect “bad hair” day that not even the largest bottle of conditioner could address.  Any idea whose “bed head” this is?  Or what it is?  Let us know…

Great Grandma Robin Oldham gives Abe a birthday hug!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABE

How wonderful to be two!  And to celebrate with Great Grandma in the gazebo at The Pines. Abram (Abe) Kessler, son of Mike Kessler and Rosie Molinary, is a lively, talkative, always-on-the-move youngster who arrived from Ethiopia into the loving arms of Mom Rosie and Dad Mike just 18 months ago.  Abe had a Pines’ party with his parents, Pines’ resident Great Grandma Robin Oldham, and grandparents Steve and Harriet Kessler on August 26.  Happy Birthday, Abe!

“THE TRIAL” OPENS SEPT. 10

Hollywood, eat your heart out!  Davidson is having its very own film opening on Friday, Sept. 10.  You may not see Versace fashions on a red carpet but you will have a chance to meet and greet the Producer/Director Gary Wheeler (and get autographed posters!).  Gary is an East Mecklenburg High School graduate who now lives in Huntersville.  He comments that he “wanted to open the film in Davidson because we really are local filmmakers even though the film has been picked up for DVD distribution by 20^th Century Fox.”  By “we” Gary means his collaboration with the author and executive producer, Robert Whitlow, a well known writer and law partner of Davidsonian Bob Dortch – both of whom practice law in Charlotte.

Gary Wheeler (r) on set

Robert Whitlow has written numerous novels, short stories and films.  His first novel made into a film was “The List” which is on DVD distribution by 20^th Century Fox.  His current movie, “The Trial,” which just won “Best Feature” at the Grand Rapids Film Festival, was shot exclusively in Charlotte, Monroe and Concord, stars Matthew Modine, Bob Gunton and Robert Forster, and plays exclusively in Davidson at Our Town Cinema for two weeks before national distribution.  (Read more at www.thetrial-themovie.com)

Smart idea to order advance tickets by calling Our Town Cinema at 704-237-3238 for a seat during the opening weekend showings on two screens.  Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11, Gary Wheeler will do introductions before the 1:00 show, Q & A after the 2:00 show, introductions again before the 4:30  show and a “Meet and Greet” with autograph signing from 6:30-7:30 in the lobby.

What a great time to celebrate Gary, Robert, and their new film, “The Trial.”  No need to dress up (unless a ball gown would seem appropriate!) – just come and take part in a fabulous Grand Opening weekend on Sept. 10-11.

Rachel Goldstein has her camera ready at all times

Many Davidson residents have known the Goldstein sisters since they were toddlers.  The family moved to Davidson in 1983 when Dad Irwin Goldstein took a position in the philosophy department at Davidson College.  Mom Allison Goldstein stayed at home raising Rachel and Sheena.  Both went through Davidson Elementary School, Alexander Junior High and graduated from North Mecklenburg.

Rachel Goldstein's Art on the Green winning digital collage

A passing comment about Rachel having a photography exhibit at the Davidson Town Hall prompted a visit with her to learn more about her work.  Following high school, Rachel earned a degree in French from Emory University.  Following a summer media workshop in Maine and classes in the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke, Rachel enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design where she earned a master of fine arts in photography in 2009.  (Just two days ago, Around Davidson featured another Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Jessica Keener.)

Sheena Goldstein and Seth Zwiebel

Rachel enjoys working in digital collage, combining multiple images with text, as well as documentary style when she creates narratives with her photographs.  Her work has been exhibited in several galleries in Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Greensboro, Annapolis, MD, and Hong Kong to mention a few.  Moving back to Davidson last spring, Rachel made a name for herself immediately winning first place in the Lake Norman Art League Spring Exhibition and Best in Show at the Art on the Green.  (See our April 26, 2010, Art News column for details.) Rachel’s current exhibit at the Town Hall is black and white photography but in November she will have a show of her digital collage works.  (See more at www.rachellgodlstein.com) Be sure to stop by and see her photography now or in November. Rachel is involved in numerous art leagues in our area and in her free time enjoys swimming, snowboarding, and roller derby!

Younger sister, Sheena, graduated from New York University with a degree in journalism and fine arts.  She met her future husband, Seth Zweibel, while a senior there. Sheena is now a photo editor at John Wiley and Sons Inc., a publishing house in Hoboken, N.J.  Seth, the son of Susan and Alan Zweibel of South Orange, N.J., majored in film at Boston University and currently works free-lance in the New York area.  He has been employed as a technical director for several TV stations including Fox 5 NY and SportsNet New York.

Seth and Sheena got engaged last December in the Dominican Republic.  They plan to marry in Davidson in late summer 2011.  Congratulations to this young couple and their families.  We are glad to catch up with the Goldsteins.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Bikinis, Anyone?

Remember our town’s very own Bikini Team?  Members Ann Haley, Cynthia Lewis, Nancy Gardner and Lina Soares even wrote a book, “Bikini is a State of Mind” and had a lot of fun promoting it in our area.

This Friday their names will be national news when public radio’s “The Story with Dick Gordon” features the team in an interview to broadcast nationwide.  “The Story” is produced at North Carolina Public Radio and distributed by American Public Media. The program is not broadcast in the Charlotte area, but it can be found on other stations in the state and on the show’s website,  http://thestory.org.

Recycling?

Next Thursday, Sept. 9, interested residents are invited to meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s Congregation House on Concord Road to car pool to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Recycling Center on Amble Street, just off Graham Street and I-85.  This is a wonderful chance to learn more about our recycling program.  This event is free and open to the public.  Contact Carmen Mase (russcarm@att.net) for more information.

Roll up Your Sleeve!

Monday, Sept. 13, the Davidson College Presbyterian Church/Red Cross will sponsor a Blood Drive from 2-7 p.m.  In the spirit of football season, donors are asked to help “go for the goal” by donating 58 pints. Refreshments will be served.  Pre-registration can be made by contacting Miriam Bode at mgb1314@att.net.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

Send us your news

Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.

FRIDAY, AUG. 27, 2:28 p.m., 106 Nelson Lane, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Davidson College – Davidson and Conrelius units were dispatched to Davidson College for a reported fire alarm. The single-story brick fraternity house had not smoke or fire visible. An active smoke detector head was found. A college physical plant representative was called to the scene and made aware of a potential faulty detector.

SUNDAY, AUG. 29, 7:31 a.m., 19010 Statesville Road, Cornelius – Dispatched and canceled en route.

SUNDAY, AUG. 29, 11:56 a.m., 409 Ridge Road, Davidson College – Alarm system activation, no fire. Davidson fire units responded to a fire alarm activation. Arrived to find nothing visible. Accessed the alarm panel and investigated the reported location. An active smoke detector head was located, with no signs of fire. Alarm was reset without incident.

TUESDAY, AUG. 31, 9:11 a.m., 410 Ridge Road, Martin Court dorm, Davidson College – Davidson and Cornelius firefighters responded to a fire alarm. They found bacon had burned on the stove, and set off the alarm. No damage was found. The alarm system was successfully reset.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1, 6:42 p.m., 17000 E Rocky River Road – Firefighters investigated a call about smoke in the area of East Rocky River and Shearers roads, and found nothing.

MEDICAL CALLS, AUG. 25-SEPT. 1

Following are the medical calls Davidson Fire Department responded to last week. The department says patient privacy laws prohibit public release of addresses or other details.

• Breathing problem, 1
• Chest pain, 2
• Fall victim, 1
• Hemorrhage/laceration, 1
• Ingestion/poisoning, 2
• Sick person, 3
• Unconscious/fainting, 2

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

DavidsonNews.net often delivers breaking fire and police news via the Twitter social networking service. Follow us @DavNews (http://www.twitter.com/davnews)

The utility came under fire last year after homeowners in north Mecklenburg complained about high water bills. Faulty water meters were suspected in some cases. A citizen task force that looked into the issue also suggested that the utility needed to overhaul the system’s rate structure.

In an announcement on its website Wednesday, CMU said, “The purpose of the 2010 Rate Study is to evaluate and consider alternatives to existing water and sewer rates, fees and charges. The goal is to recommend a rate structure that is considered fair and equitable while generating revenues required to operate the public water and sewer system.”

TWO MEETINGS

The utility has planned a series of public meetings around the county in September and October, including meetings in Huntersville. A Sept. 15 meeting will provide background on the existing rate structure and seek input. A second meeting Oct. 28 will present proposed alternatives. (Meeting details below.)

CMU has appointed a stakeholder group that includes Jim Duke of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius and Bruce Anderson of Huntersville. The group also includes representatives from other parts of the county, the commercial and residential real estate industries, Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman, and the N.C. Green Industry Council. Red Oak Consulting, as they develop a recommendation that will be shared with the Utilities Advisory Committee, the City Council Restructuring Government Committee, and presented to City Council for consideration in February 2011.

WANT TO GO?

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 6 p.m., Lee Dukes Water Treatment Plant, 7980 Babe Stillwell Road, Huntersville – Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities hosts a public meeting to discuss alternatives to the current water & sewer rate structure. First of two meetings will provide background on existing rates and solicit input. A second meeting Oct. 28 at 6 pm will present proposed alternative rate structures. Info on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities web page.

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 6 p.m., Lee Dukes Water Treatment Plant, 7980 Babe Stillwell Road, Huntersville – Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities hosts a public meeting to discuss alternatives to the current water & sewer rate structure. This is the second of two meetings, and will present proposed alternative rate structures. [The first meeting Sept. 15 at 6 pm same site will provide background on existing rates and solicit input.] Info on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities web page.

Mr. Gamble was born Jan. 29, 1922, in Davidson, a son of the late Joseph G. and Connie Williamson Gamble. He was a graduate of Davidson High School and Davidson College. He retired as an administrative supervisor at the Mooresville Plant of Burlington Industries. During World War II, he served as a Navy Lieutenant (J.G.) in Europe and Asia.

He was a lifelong member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He had more than 50 years of membership in North Mecklenburg American Legion Post 86, which gave Lake Norman YMCA its first home and gave Legion Park to Cornelius.

For Davidson Lions Club, he was treasurer for many years and president for two terms. Mr. Gamble was a Past District Governor for Lions District 31-C, was a Jack Stickley and Melvin Jones Fellow. He loved to garden and to share his flowers and vegetables.

Mr. Gamble was one of the founders and contributors in starting The Pines at Davidson and provided the location for the new St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. In his mother’s honor, he established a book fund in her name at Davidson College, as she had been a school teacher.

Surviving are his brother, Joseph G. Gamble, of Fredricksburg, Va.; sister-in-law, Sue M. Gamble, of Charlotte; nephew, Bill Gamble, of Charlotte; and five nieces, Connie Koch, Cecelia Grosse Ray, Nancy Grosse Kelley, Mary Grosse Snizer, and Elizabeth Gamble Bryant. He was preceded in death by sisters, Laura M. Gamble, Mary E. Gamble, and Hilda G. Grosse and brother, Wayne W. Gamble.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at Mimosa Cemetery on South Street, with the Rev. Gary Steber, Rector, officiating.

The family wishes to express special thanks to his caregivers, Robertetta Diggs, Rita Foster, Julia Johnson, his Hospice nurse, Debbie Brindley and Dr. Phillip Hess for their wonderful care and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Connie Williamson Gamble Library Fund at Davidson College Library, Box 7200, Davidson, N.C. 28035-7200.

J.B. Tallent Funeral Service is assisting his family.

Read more in Sports, CLICK HERE>

Download a copy of the schedule (PDF). CLICK HERE>

Chris Graham of Davidson Day School talked to the group about the access path next to the school's football field, as Town Manager Leamon Brice listened. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

A new nature preserve off Griffith Street behind Davidson Day School could provide the town’s first public canoe and kayak access to Lake Davidson, as well as a wooded walking trail. Under an agreement hammered out recently between the Town of Davidson and the private school, the new park will occupy about 8 acres off Jetton Street, and be managed by the town.

Also participating in the park project will be the Davidson Lands Conservancy, which has received a $14,000 grant from the REI Foundation for the canoe launch, a short access trail and signs.

The canoe launch and trail would be developed first, using the REI grant and volunteers. REI requires the grant to be spent this year, so the conservancy is planning an October work day to get the project started. (See below.)

To get the project moving, the town first needs a site plan for park. So residents, school and town officials and conservancy members were invited to a planning workshop at the school and the site Tuesday evening. About 35 people showed up at Davidson Day School for the brief meeting and site walk.

Town planning manager Lauren Blackburn told the crowd that the town wants a better idea of how residents might use the park, how far they might be willing to portage their boats and how the trails should be laid out.

The 8-acre park has been on town planning maps since 2004, when developers and the town agreed on the original master plan for the so-called Northeast Quadrant, in the Exit 30 area. The park helps the development meet town requirements for open space and drainage near the lake, she said.

Davidson Day School owns the property, and recently reached a formal agreement with the town that governs park access off Jetton Street and how the park will be developed. Plans call for limited improvements to the site, including a kayak-canoe launch and trails.

As part of the agreement, Davidson Day is keeping 1 acre of the site as a school playground.

At Tuesday’s site walk, participants entered the property through a gate next to Davidson Day’s football field. Chris Graham, the school’s director of facilities explained that the passage is narrow right now, but will be expanded next year. He said the school at the end of this football season will move the football field south about 4 feet, which will both expand the field’s sidelines area and add a bit of space for the access path.

Citizens asked a variety of questions Tuesday, and Ms. Blackburn, parks director Steve Fraher and others tried to provide answers.

• Will the trails be suitable for mountain biking? (No.)
• How will the town regulate the park? (Like all public parks, it will become part of Davidson police department patrols.)
• Will there be a dock or covered gazebo at the water’s edge, as shown in old drawings. (Unlikely, because those structures likely would not be approved by Duke Energy, which regulates the lake.)
• And when might the park be ready? (Davidson Lands Conservancy officials said the money must be spent this year, so winter is a possibility. But other amenities and trails might take years to develop.)

While walking the property, Mr. Fraher pointed out two potential sites for the canoe-kayak launch – one about 700 feet into the woods, and another a bit farther along, but which offers a flat surface to slide boats in to the lake.

In a press release Tuesday night, the Davidson Lands Conservancy said, “Upon completion, volunteers and benefactors will have provided Davidson residents and visitors access to an eight-acre mature woodland jutting into Lake Davidson behind Davidson Day School. The entrance signage, approximately 700 feet of trail, and launch structure will be built by volunteers, along with benches, resting racks, and other trail furnishings.”

The proposed trail would be natural surface, and any structures would be built of recycled and re-used materials. A kiosk off Jetton Street would let passersby know about the preserve.

OCTOBER WORK DAY

As mentioned, Davidson Lands Conservancy is hoping to do most of the work with volunteers. It’s planning a public work day on Saturday, Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to noon, at the site, off Jetton Street. If you’re interested in helping, call the DLC at 704-892-1910 or email dlc@davidsonlands.org

RELATED COVERAGE

Aug. 27, 2010, “Site visit Tues. to plan Lake Davidson Nature Preserve.” – includes an early site plan/map of the site.

WALK IN THE WOODS PHOTO GALLERY