The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • N2

2N LN charlotteobserver.com The Charlotte Observer NEIGHBORS Fridays in December, sponsored by Downtown Mooresville, is an opportunity to spend time walking downtown to learn about local businesses and events this holiday. The event, which began Dec. 2 and continues 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, lets you take a moment to chat with owners.

The Mooresville Museum, 132 E. Center Ave. is a participating partner. Stop by to learn about the history and view the exhibit of miniature dollhouses and antique toys that opened Friday. The building, which once housed the Charles Mack Sons Wholesale is featured in a commemorative Christmas ornament.

The special-edition ornament costs $15. It also is available when the museum opens on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Other merchants offering the ornament are the Chamber of Commerce, Tropical Connections, D.E. Turner and John Franklin Ltd. and Landmark Galleries Inc.

After visiting the museum, walk to Miss Bead Haven, a new shop, at 152 N. Main St. While looking at beads and jewelry, do not miss the restored soda fountain, built in 1901. According to owner Laura Brosseau, the building began life as a pharmacy. Some residents remember receiving a ticket from the pharmacist when he filled their prescriptions.

Each ticket was good for one Coca-Cola. Brosseau offers classes and schedules special events for groups. Evening classes are available as well. She hosts beading socials several times a month. Participants bring their own beads and share techniques.

In the next block, at 212 N. Main, Ketchie, North Carolina artist, photographer and author, is celebrating 30 years in the art business. Look for a saddle and flickering lantern in the front window. The western scene entices visitors inside to peruse signed copies of latest book, in Love a sequel to Did They In this latest work, Marci, Jake and friends return to track a murderer in northern Iredell County and meet actual Love Valley residents. Ketchie is always eager to talk about his work, travels and Mooresville.

He may be entertaining customers with one of his jokes or playing guitar with writer, singer and songwriter Stephen Brooks. Night Out Karyn Elyse Abercrombie, Mooresville actress, singer and songwriter, will appear at the Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius Dec. 16 and 17. In her one-woman show, Night Out with Women from the Abercrombie will debut her Christian CD, Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances are $12.

Reservations are available at 704-658-9293. Sandra Phillips is a freelancer writer. Have a story idea for Sandra? Email her at Fridays in December are especially good MOORESVILLE SANDRA PHILLIPS SANDRA PHILLIPS North Carolina artist, photographer and author Cotton Ketchie will discuss his latest novel, in Love at Fridays in December in downtown Mooresville. Downtown Mooresville groups hosts open houses. By Dave Vieser Correspondent When the Troutman Town Board holds its monthly agenda briefing Monday, members will have a special item to consider: A capital improvement plan created just for the town by three masters of public administration students at UNC Charlotte.

The plan, the first in the history, consists of two major proposals: a 10-year capital needs assessment and a five-year capital budget. While town officials are under no obligation to adopt the plan, they seem very excited about the process. until now, Troutman, as well as many other towns, has only played lip service to the idea of spelling out a plan for its capital expenditures but never properly incorporated capital spending plans into the annual budget said Town Manager David Saleeby. work done by the UNCC team has paved the way for Troutman to do what many towns have on- ly put on shelf of the finance The 10-year assessment is a compilation of all anticipated capital needs for the next decade as projected by town department heads. The needs are divided into six categories: buildings, greenways, parks, streets, and major equipment.

The five-year capital budget estimates the cost of the projects that have been prioritized for the next five years and how they might be funded. The students have been working on the plan since the beginning of the fall semester and said they were im- pressed with the level of the involvement. benefits of this involvement for the town include an enhanced final said Administrative Support Associate McKenzie Phillips, 24, of Wallace, who prepared the plan along with fellow students Stephanie Cantrell of Mill Spring and Kaiti Reedy of Chicago. experience has demonstrated to us the importance of developing good working relationships with mutual respect to achieve better Previous plans done by other UNCC students include a capital plan for Ire- dell County, a plan to establish a department of engineering and land development in Mint Hill and a government access channel report for Union County. The selection of which plans to create, and for whom, is a function of the college course, according to McKenzie.

MPA Program holds a capstone course each semester on public management problem-solving. During this class, MPA candidates consult with local governments or nonprofit organizations to address real- world problems. As with Troutman, these agencies apply to the program if they have a project they would like assistance Once the plan is turned over to Troutman this week, it will be up to the town to modify and adopt the recommendations. Saleeby said the town is ready to implement an annual capital needs assessment as part of its overall budget review. put the on the in the upcoming 2012-13 he said.

Freelance writer Dave Vieser writes about Statesville and Troutman for North Neighbors. Email him at gmail.com. UNC Charlotte students prepare capital plan Troutman official says town is ready to implement a capital needs assessment. By Joe Marusak STATESVILLE Erin Comerford, assistant district attorney for Iredell and Alexander counties, has been named special assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S.

Office in Statesville. Comerford will prosecute gang, violent-crime and high-level drug trafficking cases in federal court, said Anne Tompkins, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Comerford was sworn in to her new post on Nov. 17.

She has been an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County for the past three years and joined the Ire- dell-Alexander District Office for her new role. She has prosecuted cases at the state level involving domestic violence, impaired driving and drug- trafficking offenses. Most recently, she was a member of the Superior Court Drug Division, focusing on cases involving complex drug conspiracies, habitual-felon and firearm-by- felon charges, and she has been the lead prosecutor in numerous felony drug prosecutions. State and federal authorities share over many drug and violent crimes. Concurrent jurisdiction allows for prosecution in either state or federal court.

To make sure the best choice of venue for prosecution is made, the U.S. Office and the Iredell-Alexander District At- Office established aformal partnership in which Comerford will focus on violent crime, crime associated with gangs and high-level drug trafficking crimes. She will collaborate with state, local and federal agencies to determine which cases should be indicted and prosecuted federally, Tompkins said. a dually sworn state-federal prosecutor will allow the District Office and the U.S. Office to more effectively and aggressively prosecute violent criminals and drug Tompkins and Iredell-Alexander District Attorney Sarah Kirkman said in a joint statement.

goal of this partnership is to make Iredell and Alexander counties safer through a coordinated enforcement Comerford named federal prosecutor, with focus on violent crime Santa Claus made his Huntersville debut Nov. 12 at the Birkdale Village annual tree lighting ceremony. He has been busy discussing gift wish lists with kids near the Lindholm fountain location. Red Rocks will host Breakfast With Santa on Saturday. Two breakfasts will take place at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m.

ensuring everyone gets a chance to visit with St. Nick. Tickets are $10 for adult, $5 for kids. Guests will enjoy breakfast and fun events while waiting for Santa to greet them personally at their table and have a photo taken. In addition to being a Christmas tradition for many families, proceeds from ticket sales benefit a great cause, Our Towns Habitat for Humanity.

Founded in 1988, Our Towns is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity In- ternational. One of more than 1,600 affiliates in the United States, Our Towns serves families in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville. Their mission is to provide affordable, decent housing for families in need. Thanks to volunteer efforts, donations and charitable events such as Breakfast with Santa, the organization has helped more than 200 local families. This festive tradition will help neighbors in need.

Birkdale Breakfast with Santa captures the holiday spirit for kids of all ages. To purchase tickets to attend the breakfast, contact Our Towns Habitat for Humanity at 704-728-6745 or visit www.ourtownshabita- t.org. For more information about Birkdale Village and other upcoming events visit www.birkdalevillage- partment, 704-766-2220. Annette Calud is a freelance writer. Have a story idea for Annette? Email her at Santa lends a hand at Habitat fundraiser breakfast will be Saturday at Red Rocks, Huntersville.

HUNTERSVILLE ANNETTE CALUD From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, head to NorthCross Shopping Center for holiday ice skating on the all-weather skating rink. Skating is free. Ice skate rental is $6, and sizes available range from a 10 to adult 12.

Besides going skating, you can also bring home a new family member. North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue will be at NorthCross in Huntersville from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. today, with dogs and puppies available for adoption. To get a preview of available dogs and an application to adopt, go to www.north meckanimalrescue.org.

adopted two dogs from them, one just last week. About three weeks ago, my dog Doug died of cancer. I was so sad; and besides, Daisy needed someone to play with. She kept looking for Doug in the yard and in the house. I emailed the people at NMAR and told them the specifics of a dog that I was looking to adopt.

(I had no interest in a puppy; too much work.) I got a return email with a picture of a terrier mix who had just been rescued. The dog had a tail just like I had a feeling that Daisy and I would like this dog. After he was neutered and micro-chipped and my adoption application approved, I took Jamie home, an early Christmas present. My new dog is already housetrained and has learned to sit, to come, and the word in just three days. He learned his name In less than a week.

Jamie and Daisy keep each other entertained when they fighting over who will sit where on the couch. So if thinking you need some exercise skating and someone to keep you busy the rest of the time, you just may find both at NorthCross today. Daisy, Jamie and I are all happy that NMAR does such a great job. Lisa Daidone is a freelance writer. Skate today and help area animal rescue All-weather rink to host pet adoptions.

CORNELIUS LISA DAIDONE.