Recently, Ballas staff went to schools to load up the coats collected to deliver to area agencies that can put those coats in the hands of individuals and families that need them.
"It's amazing the level of support and generosity the people of Lake Norman have for people in need," says Dr. John Ballas. "It's a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful and giving community. Knowing that there are children out there that will have coats to help keep them warm makes it worth the effort."
Davidson Elementary School led the way with the most coats collected, 535, which exceeded the school's ambitious goal of 500. For that effort, the students were treated to a school-wide staff talent show and, in celebration of the work of the school's Community Outreach Committee, Ballas has requested to sponsor a pizza party.
"Our goal is to help a charity each month of the school year," says the school's Teri Brooks. "Last May (after the tornadoes in Alabama) our students collected three carloads of books for the schools in Tuscaloosa. In November, we collected more than 600 pounds of canned food for the Ada Jenkins Center food pantry. Our next collection will be in February called Pennies For Patients."
A certificate of excellence was presented to J.V. Washam Elementary in Cornelius, which collected 146 coats. In honor of the school's efforts, Ballas also presented a check toward a drive to raise matching funds for a Jimmie Johnson Foundation grant in the amount of $45,000. The school must raise $45,000 this year to receive the grant.
Other leading collection locations included Torrence Creek Elementary School, 197 coats; Huntersville Elementary School, 139; and Huntersville United Methodist Church, 114.
DCP to hold musical auditions
Davidson Community Players (DCP) will hold open auditions for its June 2012 production of the Gershwin classic, Crazy for You. Auditions will be Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. Callbacks will be Tuesday, Feb. 14, by invitation only.
Those auditioning should plan to sign in by 3 p.m. on Sunday and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and need only attend one session. Auditions will be held at DCP's Armour Street Theatre at 307 Armour St., Davidson.
Auditioners should prepare 16 bars of a song that shows off their vocal range. Audition pieces should be memorized. Bring music in the proper key for the accompanist, who will be provided. A capella singing is not recommended. A dance call will follow the vocal audition, so dress comfortably and be prepared to move. Tap dancers should bring tap shoes.
Actors should bring a recent headshot if available, list of theatrical experience and list of conflicts for the late April-June time frame.
Roles are available for actors, singers, dancers and tap dancers ages 14 through adult. There are also very limited opportunities for children ages 8-13 who tap very well. Crazy for You provides a wide range of opportunities for dancers as well as non-dancers. A detailed cast breakdown is available at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.
For additional information regarding auditions, contact Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, artistic director at 704-892-7953 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
LNRMC seeks junior volunteers
The Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary is accepting student applications to participate in its summer Junior Volunteer Program.
The program is an opportunity for students to get first-hand exposure to the operations of various hospital departments including imaging, surgery, endoscopy and women's services.
Applications are available at www.lnrmc.com under the "Careers" tab, through local school guidance departments and at the hospital's visitor desk.
The program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors. Applicants are required to complete an essay and provide two teacher recommendations and two personal references. A Volunteer Auxiliary committee will select 25 students to receive at least 32 hours of volunteer opportunity each. An orientation will be held at the end of May and the program will run for eight weeks in June and July.
"This is a competitive and rewarding program," says Auxiliary Junior Volunteer Coordinator Jules Fawbush. "We look for students who are career-driven and interested in working in a professional health-care field."
Completed applications must be returned to the director of volunteers at the hospital by March 31.
Go figure ... with watercolor
Local artists will have a chance to learn figure drawing — with a twist — when award-winning artist Kate Worm leads a three-day Watercolor/Gouache Figure Painting workshop Feb. 28-March 1 at the Mooresville Artist Guild.
Cost for the three sessions with the 2010 winner of the N.C. Watercolor Society Annual Competition is $250. Enrollment will be capped at 15.
Painters will explore good figure painting and strong composition working with a live model. They will use watercolor and gouache in non-traditional ways. For example, students will use a printmaking brayer to roll on blocks of color — an innovative way to create transparency. An eyedropper might also be used for fine contour rather than charcoal. Drawing and painting tend to be very loose with this approach.
Worm frequently uses no brush at all, choosing instead to apply watercolor and gouache to paper with printmaking rollers. For information, contact the Mooresville Artist Guild at 704-663-6661, or Linda Reville at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Musicians, artists to 'Spread the Love'
Musical and visual artists will join forces Feb. 24 to raise money for Community School of Davidson, Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) and the Ada Jenkins Center.
The "Spread the Love" will run from 7 to 10 p.m. at Homewood Suites in Davidson.
Davidson resident Russ Gavitt, a photographer of nature scenes, conceived the idea while speaking with Roy Alexander, the executive director of the DLC.
Attendees will enjoy jazz music by the ensemble Night Shift, led by Richard Woods. Art by a variety of artists will be displayed for sale, and food and wine will be served
In addition to art from Russ and Nancy Gavitt, items will be available from Janelle Sorenson, maker of semi-precious stone jewelry; Janet Johnson, potter; Susan Bailey, a fine art and floral photographer; Nell Landers, nationally recognized oil and pastel artist; Mary Luke, award-winning watercolor artist; and Flavia Lovatelli, paper and plastic weaving artist.
In keeping with the "Spread the Love" theme, there will be all sorts of "spreads" and other foods to enjoy, courtesy of KW Collard Greens of Charlotte, Millstone Meadows Farm-Artisan Breads of Morganton, and Rocks Organic Gourmet of Asheville. Wine will be available for tasting courtesy of Johnson Brothers Carolina and 17th Street Wine Distributors for those guests ages 21 and older.
The event is sponsored by the Homewood Suites, Brick House Tavern and the Healthy Home Market in Davidson. Admission is $10, and attendees are encouraged to bring two to three cans of food for the pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Paypal by going to www.davidsonlands.org. Students from the Community School of Davidson will sell tickets at the Davidson Farmer's Market on Saturday, Feb. 11, and on Main Street in Davidson on Friday, Feb. 17.
