Davidson College invites the public and media representatives to attend an economics lecture with Donald L. Kohn, vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, on Wednesday evening, March 24. Kohn will deliver the annual Cornelson Distinguished Lecture in Economics, speaking on the topic, “Homework Assignments for Monetary Policy Makers.” There is no charge to attend the talk, which begins at 8 p.m. in The Lilly Family Gallery of Chambers Building. For information call 704-894-2398. Kohn was elected to the Board of Governors in 2002 and was appointed its Vice Chair in 2006. He previously served

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Janet Ervin has joined 24 Hours of Booty, Inc., which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the only national 24-hour road cycling charity event in the country, as marketing director. In her new role, Ervin will develop and execute marketing strategies to support fundraising efforts and the positioning of the 24 Hours of Booty brand. A Statesville, N.C. native and cum laude graduate from Appalachian State University, Ervin previously worked at the Multiple Sclerosis Society where she served as development manager. About 24 Hours of Booty 24 Hours of Booty, Inc. is a registered

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National Guard FLW College Fishing is headed to Mountain Island Lake March 27 for the first of four stops in the Northern Division series. Forty collegiate teams will be competing for a top award of $10,000 to be split evenly between the school and bass fishing club. “Mountain Island Lake is a miniature Lake Norman,” said FLW Tour pro Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, N.C., who has won more than $670,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “It will fish just like Lake Norman. Guys will be fishing riprap, secondary points with a crankbait as well as jigs or a spinnerbait. “The water

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Sharon Corners, one of Charlotte’s most established shopping centers, located across from the city’s prestigious SouthPark Mall, welcomes HomeGoods as a new retailer to its array of restaurants and boutiques including Harper’s Restaurant, Jesse Brown’s Outdoor, Destination Maternity and Baoding Chinese Restaurant. The home décor retailer will be located next to Men’s Wearhouse and is planned to open in early Fall of this year. This is the second HomeGoods in the Crosland portfolio. HomeGoods (23,344 sf) features a full display of trend-right, eclectic home décor and fashions at prices that are 20-60 percent less than fine-catalog, specialty and department store

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In conjunction with U.S. Small Business Week, Central Piedmont Community College’s Institute for Entrepreneurship will host “Entrepreneurial Success: Get Up and Grow,” a free half-day conference designed to provide new entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with tips, tools and techniques to launch or grow a successful venture, on April 13. The event, sponsored by FranNet Carolina and The Bear and Horse Company, will provide networking and exhibitor opportunities, and will feature workshops presented by a variety of industry experts. Scheduled sessions include: Keynote Address, Fabi Presler Come, listen and learn from an energetic entrepreneur and the president of SPARK

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education held a budget work session March 16 at the Education Center. Dr. Peter Gorman, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and district staff presented a range of budget scenarios to the Board showing cuts ranging from $11 million to $80 million and a reduction in force that could be as few as 60 employees or more than 800. Dr. Gorman also said that he has been advised by Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones that a $6.3 million reversion in funding for the current year’s budget is likely. Dr. Gorman and Sheila Shirley, the district’s chief financial officer,

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Amid continuing economic challenges, Mecklenburg County Manager Harry L. Jones Sr. has directed County department directors to cut $13.2 million from the current budget, effective immediately. These reductions address a revenue shortfall made worse by a decrease in anticipated revenue from sales tax as well as fees for County services. In addition to the cuts, the County will use $14.6 million from its fund balance to help offset the overall reduction of budgeted revenue. The County has also implemented an immediate hiring freeze, with the exception of positions created to support Child Support Enforcement, a mandate passed to the County

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Excitement is building for Charlotte-area women counting down the days to The Park Church’s second annual Table Talk Banquet, which is set for 5:00 p.m., Saturday, March 27, at The Park Expo and Conference Center (2500 E. Independence Blvd.). Hosted by the church’s women’s ministry known as Daughters of Divine Destiny, this unique fundraiser gives table hostesses the opportunity to display their artistic ability by decorating their own dinner tables based on biblical themes. Participants will design place settings for eight, using table coverings, dishes, glassware, silverware and centerpieces. Tables will be judged based on creativity and originality, and winners

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Registered voters in Mecklenburg County can vote from home via absentee ballot now through April 27 for the May 4, 2010, primary. Here is the information needed by the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections: • Your name • Your Mecklenburg County address • The address where you want us to mail the ballot (if it’s different) • Your signature • If you are registered as an unaffiliated voter, let us know if you want a Democratic or Republican ballot • Your birth date • A phone number or e-mail address The information must be mailed to: Mecklenburg County Board of

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Inaugural Charlotte Craft Beer Week Kicks Off on Thursday with Ceremonial Keg Tapping WHO: Brewers, retailers and beer fans. WHAT: The inaugural Charlotte Craft Beer Week, featuring tastings of rare and exotic brews, showcases for North Carolina and East Coast breweries, food and beer pairing events, educational experiences and the chance to meet brewers and industry luminaries. WHERE: Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant, 401 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, N.C. WHEN: Thursday, March 18, 7-9 p.m. WHY: Ceremonial Keg Tapping kicks off 33 events around the region highlighting craft domestic and imported gourmet beers, the growth in beer culture in Charlotte

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