Davidson College invites the public to attend the following free lectures.

• Interdisciplinary studies lecture: “Remember Martin, But Don’t Forget Malcolm: Representations of Black History Month as Collective Memory” by alumna Phia Salter, assistant professor of psychology and Africana studies at Texas A&M University. Friday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. in Hance Auditorium of the Chambers Building. For more information, call 704-894-2385.

• History lecture: Allan D. Austin discusses his research on African Muslims in America, with particular focus on the life of Omar Ibn Said, an Islamic scholar from Senegal who was sold as a slave in Charleston and later lived and wrote in Fayetteville. Sunday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union. For more information, call 704-894-2440.

• International studies lecture: James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute and Senior Analyst of the Zogby Poll, talks about his new book, “Arab Voices: What They are Saying To Us and Why it Matters.” Monday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union. For more information, call 704-894-2440.

• Biology lecture: “Integrative Approaches to Understanding the Functional Roles of Snakes within Ecosystems,” by college alumnus J.D. Willson, a post-doctoral research associate at Virginia Tech University. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m. in room 146 of the Dana Science Building. For more information, call 704-894-2184.

• Ethics lecture: “Values, Loyalties, and Tragic Conflict in Sophocles’ Antigone,” by political science professor Peter Ahrensdorf. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room of Alvarez College Union. For more information, call 704-894-2095.

• Public policy lecture: “Democracy and the Democratization of News - A Question Hangs in the Ether: Will Both be Well-Served?” by Batten Professor of Public Policy Scott Bosley. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Semans Lecture Hall of the Belk Visual Arts Center. For more information, call 704-894-2204.

• Leadership lecture: “Were You Phenomenal Today? Demonstrating Excellence in Leadership and Service,” by college alumnus and Maryland senator-elect Bill Ferguson. Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union. For more information, call 704-894-2122.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Schools are closed Nov. 24 to 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Bailey Middle School:  The book fair opened this week and runs through Friday, Nov. 12, with additional opportunities to shop Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 15 and 16, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and during the international evening Nov. 16. … The school holds a canned food drive the week of Nov. 15. … The bands perform in a fall concert at Hough High School on Monday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. … The school holds an international night Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Students can sample cuisine, listen to music, see artifacts and hear stories from different countries and cultures.

• Barnette Elementary:  Moe’s at Northlake Mall hosts a school Spirit Night on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. … The Carolina Raptor Center visits the school gym Wednesday, Nov. 17.

• Blythe Elementary School: The school hosts a staff appreciation luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 16. … The school holds a blood drive Nov. 18 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• The Children’s Schoolhouse: The school closes Nov. 24 for a teacher workday and Nov. 25 and 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Community School of Davidson: The elementary school participates in a grade-level spelling bee Monday, Nov. 15. … The board meets Monday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m.

• Cornelius Elementary: The student council sponsors a canned food drive, through Nov. 19. Donations benefit the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. … The school’s PTO, Barnes and Noble Booksellers at Birkdale Village, and Qdoba Mexican Grill at Birkdale Village team up for a fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 13, to benefit the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. A portion of all purchases made Saturday at the bookstore and the restaurant benefit the organization. For in-store book purchases, a voucher is needed and to purchase books online, enter the ID number 10339000. … The school holds an informational meeting about Girls on the Run for the Spring Session on Monday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. in the gym. … Principal Garvin invites parents to join him for coffee and discussion at Dilworth Coffee on Wednesday, Nov.  17, at 9 a.m. … Tender’s restaurant holds Cornelius Elementary night Nov. 18 from 3 to 9 p.m. A portion of food purchases will be donated to the Cornelius PTO. … The school holds its Character Ed and Spirit Day assemblies Nov. 19. Kindergarten, first and second grades meet at 9 a.m. and third, fourth and fifth grades meet at 10 a.m.

• Corvian Community School: The school dismisses at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24 and is closed Nov. 25 and 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Davidson Day School: The Parent Council sells tickets for its “Drawing for Dollars” raffle at the front desk and at school events. Tickets cost $10, and the first-place winner gets $1,000, second place gets $500 and third place gets $250. The drawing will be held Nov. 23 at school. Ticket holders don’t need to be present to win. … The PTO meets in the media center Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.

• Francis Bradley Middle School:  The school’s fall book fair runs the week of Nov. 15.  … Students can make up their fall pictures Tuesday, Nov. 16. … Students sign up for basketball Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 17 to 19, during lunch.

• Grace Covenant Academy: Friday, Nov. 12, is pajama day. … The last day to order a yearbook ad is Friday, Nov. 12. … The pre-kindergarten families celebrate Thanksgiving with a feast Wednesday, Nov. 17. … Elementary students enjoy Thanksgiving parties Nov. 19. … The school is closed the week of Nov. 22.

• Hopewell High School: The PTSA meets Monday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. … Seniors can order caps, gowns and announcements during the make-up order time Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

• Hough High School: The band performs a concert with the Bailey Middle School bands Monday, Nov. 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Hough auditorium. … The band has a fundraiser at Prosciutto’s Pizzeria, in The Shops on the Green shopping center, 20920 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius, on Nov. 17. Owners Joel Pfyffer and his wife, Kelly, will donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the band.

• Huntersville Elementary School: The school holds its Buddy’s Best Assembly for third, fourth and fifth grades Monday, Nov. 15, at 7:45 a.m. … The school hosts an appreciation brunch for custodial and cafeteria staff Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m.

• Lake Norman Charter: Applications for the 2011-12 school year lottery are available at the middle and high school campuses, as well as on the school’s website, www.lncs.org. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31.

• Lake Norman Christian: Students wear western clothing to school for Western Day on Nov. 19. … The school closes Nov. 24 to 26 for Thanksgiving break.

• Long Creek Elementary: The Chess Club meets Fridays, Nov. 12 and 19, at 7:30 a.m. … The school sends home report cards Friday, Nov. 12. … The school’s canned food drive begins Monday, Nov. 15. … The Honors Choir rehearses Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 a.m. … The school plans a family game night Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.

• McKinney Academy: The school is accepting donations to benefit the Ada Jenkins Loaves and Fishes pantry through Friday, Nov. 12.  McKinney students are collecting items for Thanksgiving meal bags that will be distributed later this month. Drop off the following items: canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned yams, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and Food Lion gift cards. … The school’s wellness committee presents a parent learning session, “Healthy Child, Whole Child: Taking control of your child’s health and well being,” Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. Special guest Russ Greenfield helps makes sense of available information regarding raising healthy children. His recommendations for healthy living are based on science and honor the knowledge and intuition that parents have for their own children. RSVP on the school’s website, www.mckinneyacademy.com.

• Pine Lake Preparatory: The Mooresville school is accepting online enrollment applications, at www.pinelakeprep.org. … The school invites prospective students and families to an open house Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. The school will offer guided tours and the heads of school, faculty and students will answer questions. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail Joanne Tabor at jtabor@pinelakeprep.org.

• Ramah Christian Classical School: The school holds an open house Friday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 2 p.m. at its location in Harvest Community Church, 13301 Eastfield Road, Huntersville. For more information, call 704-948-7333.

• Torrence Creek Elementary: The school holds award assemblies Friday, Nov. 12, in the multipurpose room at 9:30, 10:15 and 11 a.m. for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students respectively. … The Welcoming Committee leads a group tour Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. to introduce prospective parents and students to the school. To sign up, call the school at 980-343-0695. … The deadline for entries of creative works for the PTA Reflections program is Wednesday, Nov. 17. E-mail Vera at verayue66@gmail.com for details. … The next TCE Cares Pretzel Wednesday is Nov. 17. Pretzel money and donations are due Monday, Nov. 15. The hand-twisted soft pretzels are produced in Philly Pretzel Factory’s peanut-free facility in Mooresville.  The cost is $1 per pretzel, with proceeds going to various local charities and causes. Last month, the school raised more than $800 to help a staff family in need. … Jason’s Deli in Huntersville holds Torrence Creek Spirit Night on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 4 to 10 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food purchased that night will be given back to the school.

• Woodlawn School: The school closes Nov. 24 to 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

– Compiled by Christina Ritchie Rogers