The Friday Letter | October 25, 2013

Volume 2 ISSUE

38

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION

October 25 2013

DEPARTMENT

FridayLetter THE

this issue In The News: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 NACPRO Award

Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2 Nature Preserves & Natural Resources P.5 Community & Recreation Center Services P.6

Park and Recreation— Park News Mecklenburg County Aquatics Makes a Big Splash with Citizen Involvement

The Recreation Employment Corp received a NACPRO (National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials) Award in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, October 9. The Award recognizes a NACPRO member agency that has provided a unique or exceptional program, activity, or event which provides an outstanding example that other agencies could adopt or emulate.

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Mecklenburg County Queen City Dolphins hosted 462 kids in the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational swim meet October 11 - 13 at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center. Teams from across the state of North Carolina and two teams from Atlanta participated in this special event. Cullen Jones a 3 time Olympic Medalist and Speedo provided each child a swim bag, t-shirt, swim cap, and other swim goodies. Swim meet started at 4pm on Friday evening and concluded with Cullen Jones mother Debra speaking to parents about the positives of being a swim mom. That Saturday's events started at 7:30am and concluded around 5pm. After the swimming events, Cullen Jones, Ryan Lochte, Nick Thomen, Micah Lawrence, and other Olympians signed autographs for all the kids.

Tournaments & Adult Athletics Highlights for the Past and Upcoming Week Tuesdays Men’s D I Softball Fall Championship game was held on October 22 at Renaissance Softball Complex. The winning team was Devil Dogs. There was a total of 6 teams participating this season.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 NACPRO Award (Cont’d) The Recreation Employment Corp (REC) is a workbased learning program employing youth between the ages of 14-17 as Emp l o ye e / M en t e es at neighborhood recreation centers, nature centers and aquatic facilities.

Each employee is paired with a professional recreation staff member who is the Supervisor/Mentor that provides close supervision and guidance during the 40 week program.

Through this structured job experience and training opportunities, youth learn positive work skills and habits which serve them throughout life.

Tuesdays Co-Rec D Softball Fall Championship game was held on October 22 at Renaissance Softball Complex. The winning team was Vicious and Delicious. There was a total of 6 teams participating this season.

Thursdays Co-Rec D Softball at Nevin Community Park Fall Championship game was held on October 17. The winning team was Sweatshop Dogs.

There were a total of 5 teams participating this season.

Wednesdays Co-Rec Flag Football Fall Championship game was held on October 23 at Nevin Community Park. The winning team was Trailblazers. There was a total of 5 teams participating this season.

Tournaments & Adult Athletics Also In The News

Wednesdays Men’s D I Softball Fall Championship game was held on October 23 at Renaissance Softball Complex. The winning team was STK. There was a total of 8 teams participating this season.

On October 12th-13th, there was a Youth Softball Tournament at Nevin Community Park named Fight Like A Girl. There were a total of 12 teams participating in the tournament, all from North Carolina.

Wednesdays Men’s D II Softball Fall Championship game was held on October 23 at Renaissance Softball Complex. The winning team was Sons of Pitches. There was a total of 8 teams participating this season.

On October 19th and 20th, there was a Youth Softball Tournament at Nevin Community Park named Terrific 201 Day Super Saver. There were a total of 15 teams participating in the tournament, all from North Carolina.

On October 12th-13th, there was a Youth Baseball Tournament at Hornets’ Nest Park named The American Fall Championship. There were a total of 110 teams participating in the tournament. All the participants were local teams.

Women’s Basketball will start playoffs for the Fall Season on Sunday October 20th. There are a total of 8 teams in the fight for the championship title. Games will be played on Sunday afternoons at Tuckaseegee Recreation Center.

Final Stats: Co-Rec and Men’s Softball had a total of 74 teams participating during the playoffs.

Mecklenburg County Races Highlights for the Past and Upcoming Week

Don’t Forget— 2013 Amazing Maize Maze at Rural Hill Nature Preserve: Get lost in one of the largest corn mazes in the Southeast, featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths! Looking for an even bigger challenge?

Traverse the maze in the dark during one of our famous Family Friendly Friday Night Mazes! Bring Did You Know: Wendy’s Cross Country Invitational your own flashlight and an On Saturday, October 5, the 39th Annual Wendy’s Cross Country Invitational was held appetite for adventure. at McAlpine Creek Park. The event brought runners from over 100 different high schools in the southeast. There were 2,853 finishers this year!

In addition to the maze, you can take a hayride around the Rural Hill farm, Girls Open play a round of corn-hole, In the Girls Open, Providence High School took first place, followed closely by Hardin explore a historic site, play Valley Academy and Lake Norman High School. Myers Park earned the top spot in the in mini-mazes, have a picGirls Invitational. In second and third were Oakton High School and Riverside High nic, hike trails, pick a School. Allie Klimkiewicz from Oakton High had the fastest time for the girls on Saturpumpkin (in October,) & day with an impressive 17:34 finish. much more!

Visit www.ruralhill.net for more information.

Boys Open In the Boys Open, Pinecrest finished first with a team average time of 16:12. Following in second and third place were Hardin Valley Academy and Oakton High School. Apex High School won the Boys Invitational event, led by Mihret Coulter with a time of 15:40. Mt. Tabor and Flowery Branch came in second and third.

Roma Tison Rescues Rosie!

Check It Out!

Winterfield Elementary School has been the pet owner of Rosie, the red-eared slider, for eight years. However, after three science coordinators and many students, Rosie needed some help. Master Naturalist Roma Tison noticed and became very concerned about the turtle’s poor living conditions. Roma had hopes of finding a new home for the turtle. With the school’s blessing, Roma brought the turtle to Latta Plantation Nature Center. Stephen Hutchinson, Master Naturalist and Nature Center Manager, took special care of the turtle while Staci Clark searched for a new home. Because the red-eared slider is included in the List of the world’s 100 most invasive species[5] published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature the species can not be released into the wild. Also, for this reason, nature centers and zoos have many of these types of turtles. This also meant no new home for Rosie. Several days later after much care and attention, Rosie returned to Winterfield with the promise of a new tank and filter. Partners for Parks sponsored the tank purchase. Rosie will continue with the Master Naturalists help as a spokes-animal in responsible pet care and ownership.

Read more about what is taking place in the Natural Resources Division— Master Naturalist program in the Master Naturalist September newsletter.

4th Annual Nature at Night Festival On Friday, October 18th the McDowell Nature Center hosted our 4th annual Nature at Night Festival. This fall festival provides visitors a unique perspective of what nature has to offer after the sun goes down. Over 600 visitors attended the free event, participating in a variety of nighttime experiences including stories around the campfire by featured storyteller Ramona Moore Big Eagle, hayrides, night hikes, stargazing, crafts, live animals courtesy of the Charlotte Nature Museum, and glow-in-the-dark face painting. The nature center even turned on black lights for the event, showcasing some of the unique fluorescent findings in nature. The event was a success thanks to staff from all three nature centers, Park Rangers, Natural Resources, Park Operations, Recreation Centers, and lots of volunteers. Visitors try their hand at owl pellet dissection before the sun goes down, when these nocturnal animals become active.

Click on the image above to read the full version. ______________________

In The News— This week Natural Resources staff hosted Jed Aplaca, Natural Resources Manager for the City of Houston. Jed is building a NR Division from scratch and came to Mecklenburg County seeking ideas for organizational structure, project priorities, and long term natural resource management goals.

See back page for picture.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Lil Ray Basketball League Arbor Glen Outreach Center kicked off its 3rd season of Lil Ray Basketball on Saturday, September 21, 2013. 50 participants, ages 3-4, from Arbor Glen and Ivory/Baker Recreation Centers participate in this noncompetitive league that focuses on character building, sportsmanship, and the basic fundamentals of basketball. Lil Ray Sports also offers cheerleading, indoor soccer, and flag-football.

Arbor Glen Recreation Center For more information, contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MeckenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-1531.

Ivory/Baker Gaming Tournament Eight teens participated in Ivory/Baker's double elimination gaming tournament. They battled it out on the PS3 playing Madden 25. Congratulations to Jarod Grant and his Dallas Cowboys team that won 38-35 on a last second field goal. Jarod is seen proudly displaying his prizes for winning the tournament!

Ivory/Baker Recreation Center For more information on programs call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities 4-H Gardening Begins at Ivory/Baker Ivory/Baker Recreation Center started it's 4-H Gardening program last week with the Kindergarten thru 2nd graders of the Anita Stroud Foundation After School program. There are a total of 12 children who will learn what it takes to garden, such as plan, plant, care, harvest and more, by using the 4-H Gardening curriculum. A BIG thank you goes out to Peter Cook and his team for supplying the 2 garden beds and dirt to make this happen. For more information about our other programs at Ivory/Baker call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Say Cheese! ...And “Thank You!” Ashley Barlowe with TSS Photography coordinated and implemented a jam packed night of team photos for the Hickory Grove Recreation Center soccer and flag football teams. Parents appreciated the great customer service and excellent selection of products. HGRC has a total of 4 Flag Football & 3 Soccer Teams = 83 participants.

Photos can be viewed via the website www.tssphotography.co Ivory/Baker Recreation Center m for current year and For more information on programs call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenseveral past years. ter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. _____________________ Eighty –three (83) soccer/ flag football participants from Hickory Grove Recreation Center attended picture night.

TSS Photography coordinated and implemented a jam packed night of team and individual photos for the Hickory Grove Recreation Center soccer and flag football teams. For more information, contact Hickory Grove Recreation Center at 704.432.4811.

M.A.D.E. is back at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center!

M.A.D.E. Today provides fun and structured classes that will help your child learn the basics of ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz and cheer. Financial aid is available.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Broadway Mini Actors at Berewick Participants have been having a blast these first few weeks in acting class participating in games, activities, and creating puppet shows of their own throughout this 9 week course! This week they learned about characters by creating paper bag puppets and imagining their life stories. At the end of the session these young actors will be putting on a live performance for their families and friends!

For more information about this program, contact Eiesha Williamson at ewilliamson@madetoday.net or 704.333.4062.

Berewick Recreation Center For more information regarding acting or cultural arts programs, please contact BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934.

4-H Motor Sports Safety Through Design The 4-H program has kicked off at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center. Lessons will include fabric resilience, car design, and an egg drop to test a barrier design. Participants will be challenged in every lesson to think critically and to be innovative. While promoting math, science, engineering and technology, 4-H provides unique lessons to the afterschool program at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center.

Sugaw Creek Recreation Center For more information, contact Sugaw Creek Recreation Center at 704-336-7655.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Ray Play Sugaw Creek Recreation Center provides children 1-4 years old with the opportunity to interact in theme related topics, holiday events, art & crafts, free play and story time. The program features activities from the Sparks P.E. Curriculum that includes lesson plans of Personal Best Educational Challenges, Fitness Fun, Cool Cooperatives, Great Games and Super Sports. The classes are held on Tuesdays, 10:00am-12:00 Noon. For more information, contact Cynthia.Smith-Perkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or 704.336.7655

2014 Senior Games Effective in the 2014 Games there will be a new participant bracket added on the Local and State Level.

They will now be taking participants 50 - 54! So spread the word and let your friends who have been volunteers & spectators that they can now participate!

Naomi Drenan Senior Meet & Greet On October 16th, over 50 people were in attendance at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center for its inaugural "Senior Meet & Greet" for those 55 and better! Participants enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment, games, activities, and social interaction. The event brought seniors together to socialize and learn about available resources for them. We would like to thank our vendors for joining in the fun and sharing information about their respective services!

Naomi Drenan Recreation Center For more information about our programs or events, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.5231.

Also, Pickleball (Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles) will be added to the State Games in 2014 as well!

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation R.E.C Mentee Starts Teen Basketball Challenge wins 2013 Excellence in The Methodist Home Recreation Center kicked off its first Teen Basketball Challenge as Youth Sports Award Brandon Campbell, Recreation Employment Corp Mentee, partnered with Recreation Specialist, Benjamin Dusek (Center), to offer a Basketball Tournament for Teens. BranWe are proud to announce don worked on promoting the program amongst his peers, and keeping open gym pathat Mecklenburg County tron's informed about the league. The challenge started Tuesday, October 8, and conPark and Recreation De- sisted of 5 teams. The teams will play a double round robin tournament throughout the partment has been con- fall and end in early November. For more information, contact Methodist Home Recreation Center at (704) 432-6455. firmed as a 2013 Excellence in Youth Sports Award winner! This National Award is presented to only 5 organizations in the Country each year. The Excellence in Youth Sports Award recognizes programs that are doing superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all youth sports participants - including children, parents and coaches.

Basketball 101 This fall, Sugaw Creek Recreation Center provided youth an opportunity to learn and practice the fundamental skills of basketball. Dribbling, shooting, defense, and passing skills are an important aspect of the game that youth have worked on during the program. With the Junior Bobcats season right around the corner, these basketball players are getting a jump on their training.

For more information, contact Sugaw Creek Recreation Center at 704-3367655.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Revolution Park Sports Academy Teens Night Out With the Charlotte Bobcats: In anticipation of the upcoming Youth Sports Basketball Season, thirteen youth from Revolution Park Sports Academy traveled to Time Warner Cable Arena in support of the Bobcats on Wednesday night.

Fans were treated to a scrimmage, skills and fitness competitions as well as an autograph session with all of the players and Lady Cats dancers. All Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation youth basketball participants were invited so we had great representation for our leagues. For information on other programs offered at Revolution Park Sports Academy and our Youth Sports Development area, please call (704) 432-4963.

Disc Golf League Hosts a Family Round: The 2013 Fall Youth Disc Golf League transitioned from Elon Park’s “Eager Beaver” course to Reedy Creek for the second half of the season on Sunday, October 13th. In an effort to familiarize the kids with the course layout, Sunday’s round was modified to incorporate the parents for a day. Players paired up with a parent partner and competed in a non-competitive tournament.

Teams utilized alternating shots through 18 holes and worked together to try and record the lowest score possible. Parents were delighted to have the opportunity to share in their children’s youth sports experience. Regular Season round play will resume next Sunday and continue through November

The XVIII Annual Sir Purr Bowl: The 18th Annual Sir Purr Bowl will be held at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2013. The Sir Purr Bowl is the annual Pop Warner Mid-South Classic that brings in the two teams that were winners of the RAY Bowl held in September at Memorial Stadium.

This year’s teams are the Havelock Rams out of Havelock, NC, the Capital City Steelers out of Raleigh, NC. The Sir Purr Bowl exhibition game will be played as the pregame entertainment, prior to the Carolina Panthers vs. the St. Louis Rams game. The Sir Purr Bowl is coordinated with the Carolina Panthers, the Mid-South Pop Warner Association and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. For more information, contact the Youth Sports staff at the Revolution Park Sports Academy at 704-432-4963 or Youth-

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Teen Night at Albemarle Road Recreation Center: To provide a positive outlet for teenagers in East Charlotte, Albemarle Road Recreation Center is now offering teen night on the 2nd Friday on each month. This past Friday, Rhonda Patterson, a local author and corporate lawyer, was the special guest speaker. Patterson stressed the importance of maintaining healthy relationships to a group of twelve teenagers. Also, she provided each teen with a signed copy of her book. Program participants also enjoyed other activities such as basketball and board games.

Start Smart Soccer at Berewick: Berewick Recreation Center just completed another great 6 weeks of Start Smart Soccer! The young soccer players learned various skills with the assistance of their parents and facility staff. Start Smart is a national organization that focuses on the development of children ages 2-5.

For more information on youth sports and other programs contact BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934

Kids Yoga at Elon Rec Center: Kids ages 5 – 12 enjoyed a Fun Yoga Class at Elon Rec Center on Oct 11th. Moving like animals, the kids learned the art of Yoga and the benefits of stretching and relaxing. Some even showed off how well they could balance! For more information on programs at Elon Recreation Center, call 704.540.2426 or ElonRecreationCenter@ MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Above the Rim at Naomi Drenan

For more information about this or other teen Recreation Center: Each Monday and Friday, Naomi Drenan Recreation Center programming at Albemarle hosts “Above the Rim Skills Camp”.

Road Recreation Center, contact Ivan Jones at 704.567.1941 or AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@ mecklenburgcountync.gov.

This past week, over 25 boys and girls between the ages of 7-12 participated. Volunteers work with the kids on basic basketball skills, drills, and scrimmages. Several “special guests” have also made appearances to the excitement of the kids. A special THANK YOU to Coach Roger Harry for coordinating the activities and special guests! For more information about youth sports and programs, please contact 704.432.5231 or Nao-

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Garden Club at Berewick: Ten Students have joined the 4H Afterschool Garden Club at Berewick on Wednesdays. The 6 week program will introduce these children to the multifaceted skills of gardening. This week the children tilled the garden beds and planted broccoli & cauliflower plants, sweet onions, along with radish, snap peas and lettuce seeds. The program is in partnership with Berewick Elementary School and The Friendship Gardens where the produce is used to make meals for local homeless shelters.

For more information regarding our Garden Club, please contact BerewickRecreationCenter @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934

Therapeutic Recreation Mini Iron Chefs Program: On October 10th, the Therapeutic Recreation Section started a six week program called Mini Iron Chefs at Marion Diehl Recreation Center. This program is for youth ages 5-12 with disabilities. The mini iron chefs prepared a Italian themed meal making spaghetti from scratch.

They learned everything from kitchen safety to knife skills. In the weeks to come they will prepare meals from several different countries including Mexico, France, and China.

Stay tuned for more exciting information about Fall opportunities to recreate in and enjoy Romare Bearden Park.

Volunteer Services also sends a special thanks to all of volunteers from this week and every week.

With youth sports alone, hundreds of new and returning volunteers are enrolling to coach teams of all ages. All of our volunteers are greatly appreciated for all of their support and willingness to help the community!

Park and Recreation News: 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Submissions for the Newsletter

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Please submit all news for the Friday Letter to your Division Director for review and routing.

Park Partners may contact Kesha Meads at Kesha.Meads@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 2 • Issue 38• October 25, 2013

See Story from Page 5. Park and Recreation welcomed Jed Aplaca as he learned more about our Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Division.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director James Alsop, Enterprise Services Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Lola Massad, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations