The Friday Letter | November 22, 2013

Volume 2 ISSUE

42

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION

November 22 2013

DEPARTMENT

FridayLetter THE

this issue In The News:

Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 NACPRO Award

Community & Recreation Center Services P.4

Park and Recreation— Park News Leaf Management & Environmental Awareness

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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Leaf It to Us! The Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Operations staff are working diligently to keep roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public areas clear of leaves – which is no small task during the month of November. Leaf management is a focus this time of year, and will continue into December as white oak and willow oak leaves finally drop.

Adult Athletics & Tournaments

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.

Charlotte United Under Armour Cup Charlotte United Futbol Club hosted their 2013 Under Armour Cup this past weekend, November 16 and 17, at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex of Matthews. The tournament was a USYSA sanctioned invitational tournament through US Club Soccer. Over 300 boys’ and girls’ teams between the ages of 9 and 17 came out playing hard.

Several other venues in the Charlotte and Rock Hill areas (such as Cherry Park, Elon Park, and Ramblewood Soccer Complex) were used as well due to such a large turnout.

Most teams traveled from various areas in North and South Carolina. Each team was guaranteed a minimum of three games. Championship-winning teams for Gold Flights include CESA 96 Challenge for the boys’ U17 and CESA 95 Premier for the girls’ U17.

Everyone had a great weekend with some very exciting matches!

For more information on upcoming events at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews contact Preston.Buckman@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Aquatics One hundred twenty (120) middle school students took part in a dual swim meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on Saturday, November 16 from 1pm - 3pm. Cannon, Covenant Day, Providence Day, Charlotte Latin, and Charlotte Country Day participated in the swim meet. (Not pictured)

Adult Athletics & Tournaments Co-Rec BB Volleyball Fall Championship game was held Wednesday November 20 at Tom Sykes Recreation Center. The winning team was A Really Good Team. There were a total Men’s B will start playoffs of 7 teams that participated during the Fall Season. on Wednesday December 4. Games will be played at Grady Cole Center. There are a total of 7 teams competing for the Fall Season Championship title.

Men’s 30 and Over Basketball Fall Championship game will be held November 24 at Bette Rae Recreation Center. There were a total of 9 teams that participated during the Fall Season.

Co-Rec AA Volleyball Fall Championship game will be held Tuesday December 3 at Bette Rae Recreation Center. There are a total of 6 teams competing for the Fall Season Championship title.

Women’s A Volleyball Fall Championship game will be held Thursday December 5 at West Charlotte Recreation Center.

There are a total of 6 teams competing for the Fall Season Championship title.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

4H Safety Through Design: Free Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Screening Day: Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center partnered with the students from UNCCharlotte to be able to screen over 100 Senior citizens of the community.

Senior citizens were educated with the results and how to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Contact BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@Meckl enburgCountyNC.Gov or 704-432-4289 for future events.

Team Building with Segway: On November 20th, Facility Managers from South Corridor Recreation Centers did some “bonding” in nature while exploring the scenic Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Each Facility Manager had the opportunity to motivate, and encourage while having fun while in the midst of nature and wildlife. We would like to thank our experienced tour guides Kevin Pimentel and Kelly Alford for a memorable experience, and teaching us how to tour like experts.

Marion Diehl Active Seniors’ Luncheon:

On November 19th, 20 active older adults had a Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Olive Garden restaurant in Pineville, NC. The large feast-like atmosphere gave the Seniors an opportunity to trade holiday cooking secrets, upcoming travel plans, and gift giving ideas. Many participants shared with the group what they were thankful for and recounted stories of old holiday traditions of the past.

For more information on our programs please contact Marion.Diehl@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Eat Smart, Move More Methodist Home and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program partnered up to offer the Eat Smart, Move More program to families in the Shamrock Community. The program was a hands-on and informative group of lessons that taught skills on planning, shopping, and cooking in a healthy way within a budget. The families were able to cook some recipes during the classes and mix their own spices to season food without the use of sodium. They learned fun ways to exercise and stay active. The control of portion sizes, healthy drink choices, couponing, and keeping food safe were some of the skills implemented in the program. This partnership with EFNEP will continue and help families and individuals strive for a more active and healthy lifestyle without spending a lot of money.

For more information, contact Kelly.Hawkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-4326455.

I/BRC Outdoor Adventurers Club Make Cookie Name Tags: The Anita Stroud After School Program participated in their Outdoor Adventurers programs. Cara and Jared, Recreation Specialists, had the 3rd-5th graders make Cedar Tree Cookie Name Tags to decorate and wear. In all, 18 children participated in this nature-based ongoing program. Some of the children were very enthusiastic in showing off their name tags.

For more information on programs happening at Ivory/Baker call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCounty NC.gov

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Cross Country For Youth On Saturday, November 16, runners from Sugaw Creek Recreation Center participated in the 2013 Cross Country for Youth Championship at McAlpine Park. (lime green uniforms) The SCRC team placed 3rd in the elementary team division. The top-three individual girl performers included: Amillya Giffin (2nd Place), Ceanda Kinloch (6th Place) and Jasmine Stay tuned for more excit- Gardner (14th Place). Kenneth Kinloch finished 6th Place in the boy's division. Congratuing information about Fall lations to all the participants for their great efforts in their performances and the Characopportunities to recreate ter Education Program. 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 sup- The team will end their season at the Southeast Regional Footlocker Meet on Saturday, port and willingness to November 27 at McAlpine Park. help the community!

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Youth Soccer Countywide Tournament Winners

NCRPA Awards Luncheon At the Annual North Carolina Recreation and Park Association Joint Programming Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation was recently recognized for a program that Terri Stowers, Recreation Manager – Central Region submitted. An Arts and Humanities Award – CLASS I was presented for the outstanding achievements of the North Carolina Dance Theater REACH Program which is held at the following recreation centers: Ivory/Baker, Naomi Drenan, Bette Rae Thomas and Albemarle Road. Heidi Kitterman, Recreation Manager – North Region (pictured far right) , accepted the award on behalf of the department.

From Last week: In Case You Missed It! Youth Soccer Countywide Tournament: The 2013 Youth Soccer Countywide Tournament was held this past Saturday at Harrisburg Road Park. 9 Teams competed in 2 age divisions for the title of 2013 Countywide Champion. Congratulations to the 7-8 year old Sugaw Creek Stars and the 9-10 year old Police Activities League (PAL) team for securing the championship in their age divisions.

For more information about youth sports email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call (704) 432-4963.

See Team Photos at Right Column

Sugaw Creek Stars Ages 7-8

Police Activities League (PAL) Ages 9-10

Park and Recreation News: 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Submissions for the Newsletter

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Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to learn of new and exciting way sto continue recreating during the spring and summer months. Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to stay up to date on activities that may be available to you.

www.parkandrec.com

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 42• November 22, 2013

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director

Romare Bearden Park, Charlotte NC

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