The Friday Letter | February 28, 2017

THE

CIAA Tournament in Charlotte this weekend Mayor Patrick Cannon proclaims CIAA Week in Charlotte Saturday, March 1, 2014 has been proclaimed CIAA Week throughout Charlotte, as the CIAA celebrates its 69th annual men's and women's basketball tournament.

Park News

Turn off the Lights—Join us for Earth Hour Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. That’s when Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte Center City Partners, Duke Energy and Envision Charlotte will switch off the lights around town. You can join by turning off the lights in your homes and businesses as we commemorate Earth Hour, the world’s largest public environmental action.

Let us know you’re on board by joining our Facebook event and following us on Twitter at #MeckEarthHour.

By taking part in this global ‘lights out’ event we will acknowledge our commitment to personal and operational actions that benefit the planet in the year ahead.

CATS extends Gold Rush Service for CIAA Tournament As thousands of fans make their way to the Queen City to attend the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament February 25 – March 1, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is ready to make sure visitors and commuters can get around safely and efficiently.

Athletics Men's B Basketball League: Co-Rec B Volleyball will start the 1st round of playoffs on Monday March 3rd. The championship game will be held Monday March 17th at Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center.

There are a total of 6 teams that participated during the Winter season.

Here’s a complete Gold Rush schedule for the CIAA Tournament: Tuesday, February 25 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 26 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 27 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Friday, February 28 - 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 1 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

To learn more about CATS and its services, call 704336-7433 or visit us online at www.ridetransit.org.

2014 Powerade State Games The 28th annual Powerade State Games of North Carolina are heading back to the Charlotte region in June. Last year, Charlotte played host to over 13,500 athletes across 27 different events, and we are glad to have the Charlotte region as our hosts again. Featuring facilities at UNC-Charlotte, Carolina Courts, extreme Ice Center, American Legion Memorial Stadium, Queens University, Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, and a host of other area parks and facilities we are putting every competition in 2014 on the biggest stage we possibly can.

The 2014 Opening Ceremonies will be held June 20th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Opening Ceremonies features a commemorative gift for the participating athletes, games, music a parade of athletes and a lighting of the cauldron to announce the official start to the 2014 Powerade State Games of North Carolina. The Opening Ceremonies is free of charge to the athletes, family, friends and the general public.

For additional information on the Powerade State Games and the many sports offered, visit www.poweradestategames.org

Community & Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Charlotte Cheer Elite Squad Let’s “give it up” for the Albemarle Road Recreation Charlotte Cheer Elite Squad. These ladies recently competed in their first competition of the year in Concord, winning 2 first place trophies and a second place trophy. The girls were amazing at their first competition. The Charlotte Cheer Elite program consists of dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading for ages 4 to 16. For more information on Charlotte Cheer Elite please contact Albemarle Road Recreation Center at 704-567-1941

Sugaw Creek Recreation Center: Cross Country for Youth On Tuesday, February 25, the Cross Country for Youth Program at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center held a kick off for a 10 week program component called Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity. Staff promotes healthy lifestyles for the prevention of childhood obesity for the participants, 8-12 years old participating in the Cross Country for Youth Program. The program features a parent orientation, pre & posting surveys, cooking classes, testing & measurements, exercise and various physical activities. For more information, contact Cynthia.Smith-Perkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704 -336-7655.

City of Charlotte plans for CIAA basketball tournament City Manager Ron Carlee has declared the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament an Extraordinary Event based on CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department’s determination that this event meets the criteria as defined in City Ordinance No. 4814. Charlotte City Council adopted the ordinance January 23, 2012, which authorized the City Manager to make declarations of Extraordinary Events.

The extraordinary event will begin on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 6:00 a.m. and end on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 6:00 a.m. The geographical boundaries are West Stonewall Street at Church Street, East to South Davidson Street, then South Davidson Street North to 9th Street; 9th Street West to North Church Street, and then North Church Street Southward back to Stonewall Street.

Need for Trees No matter in what neighborhood you live, it’s hard to imagine Mecklenburg County without trees.

What would Freedom Park be like without mature trees to provide shade in the summer?

Where would the thousands of animals in Reedy Creek Nature Preserve live without the mixed pine and hardwood forests? And how would we prevent flooding at the many lakes, streams and creeks in our area without trees to hold on to water and soil? Life in our County would be very different, that’s for sure.

Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District and Charlotte Storm Water Services are teaming up again for their annual tree seedling and rain barrel sale.

Seedlings and rain barrels will be available for purchase Saturday, February 22, 2014, 9 a.m. - noon. at Hal Marshall County Services Center, 700 North Tryon Street.

Community & Recreation Center Services First Aid/CPR/AED training Coming soon to your computer… First Aid/CPR/AED training is going electronic. Community & Recreation Center Services, working with BSSA is rolling out Online certification process. No longer will employees be required to sit in a class all day for this training, but will be able to use their computer to log onto the National Red Cross website, complete sessions, pass online test, and meet for practical to demonstrate knowledge. Certification is good for 2 years. Stay tuned!

Grady Cole Center: A Night in Rio The Latin American Coalition, in partnership with the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department hosted the 5th Annual "A Night in Rio": A Brazilian Carnaval Experience. The Grady Cole Center was alive with the sights and sounds of Brazil this past Saturday the 22nd. There were approximately 1300 men, woman, and children in attendance at the festival to experience the culture, unique clothing, and authentic foods that have roots in Brazil. It was an amazing experience. The Grady Cole Center will host two CIAA Step Shows on Friday, February 28th (Greek) and Saturday, March 1st (High School). For more information about our programs and upcoming events, email us at GradyCole-MemorialStadium@MecklenburgCountync.gov or call 704.336.2884.

Aquatics Mecklenburg County Aquatics Center: Bluegrass Mountain Conference Swimming Championships The Bluegrass Mountain Conference Swimming Championships took place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center February 12 – 15. The championship included the following teams: Carson-Newman College, Catawba College, Converse College, Davis & Elkins College, Fairmont State College, Johns Hopkins University, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Limestone College, Pfeiffer College, Queens University, Randolph Macon College, Savannah College of A&D, Washington and Lee University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Wingate University. 410 college kids participated to win both a conference championship and qualify to compete at the Division II National Championship in Geneva, Ohio.

On February 22 & 23, the Queen City Dolphins swim team of the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center had four ladies compete at North Carolina Senior Champs in Cary, North Carolina. Swimmers Emani Davies, Jahari Dunn, Sydney Sellars and Ellison Starnes swam in the 400 freestyle relay with a time 4 seconds faster than their entry time. Both Jahari and Sydney went on to successfully compete in the 50 free and 100 back as individuals.

On March 1 & 2 the QCD swim team will take 34 athletes to Winston-Salem and compete in a regional swim meet against five other swim teams.

One hundred forty-five (145) Swimmers participated in a Hornets Nest Swim League dual meet on Friday, February 21 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm. Mecklenburg County’s Mecklenburg Makos competed against the Marion Diehl Swim Team.

Trees cont.…

Seedlings are $2.00 each and include a choice of Beautyberry, Buttonbush, Hazelnut, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Spicebush, Chickasaw Plum, Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, Shadblow Serviceberry, Sweetbay Magnolia, Pecan, Red Maple, Sassafras and Waxmyrtle.

Eastern Red Cedar seedlings are also available for $1.00 each.

In addition to planting more trees, consider saving water to use for your plants and gardens during the next dry spell by purchasing a rain barrel. Two sizes are available: a 60-gallon barrel for $95.00 and an 80gallon barrel for $110.00.

For more information about the seedling and rain barrel sale, including conservation tips visit: www.MecklenburgCons ervation.com or call 704336-2455

City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are Now Accepting Applications for the 2014 Crowns of Enterprise Awards In celebration of Charlotte’s Small Business Month, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are now accepting applications for the 2014 Crowns of Enterprise Awards.

The Crowns of Enterprise Awards recognize and honor small businesses that demonstrate exemplary leadership and sound business strategies.

Businesses interested in being considered must submit a completed 2014 Crowns of Enterprise Awards Application by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2014.

Visit http:// crowns.charmeck.org to learn more

Volunteers St. John’s Episcopal Church On Saturday, February 22, Volunteer Services worked with a group of about 40 volunteers from St. John’s Episcopal Church to cut back tree limbs, vines, bushes and other overgrowth and to clean up the grounds at the Mecklenburg County Home, or “Poor House,” Cemetery in the University area off W.T. Harris Boulevard. The cemetery was established for the residents of the Mecklenburg County Home, which was originally located nearby. The earliest known burial there was in 1930.

The volunteers, armed with rakes, loppers, gloves and energetic enthusiasm, worked for 3 hours and filled approximately 300 trash bags with debris. Overseeing the project was Cristhian Gonzalez of Maintenance and Operations, who said this group of topnotch volunteers did “an amazing job. They were spectacular, helpful and respectful” of the 100-plus individuals who are buried in the cemetery.

Charlotte Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation Also on Saturday, February 22, the Charlotte Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation came out to clean up the shorelines at the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve. About 30 people showed up and collected over 100 lbs of garbage in a 4-hour time span. The group plans a monthly project at various Park and Recreation shorelines in Mecklenburg County.

The mission of the Surfrider Foundation is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. We are happy to welcome them as a valuable volunteer resource.

Therapeutic Recreation Services TR Staff are Certified Archery 1 Coaches: The TR Staff and interns took an 8 hour Archery training on Wednesday, February 25 th at Marion Diehl. Staff learned the fundamentals of archery, range and shooting safety, equipment and facilitating fun and safe archery programs. Staff learned from hands on training and were able to shoot a variety of equipment from compound to long bows.

TR staff are now Level 1 certified archery coaches thru USA Archery.

Paralympic Trailer: The Therapeutic Recreation Section is excited to show-off their new equipment trailer for Paralympic sports. The trailer was made possible by funds provided by BP and Charlotte based Mark Oil Company. For more information on Paralympic Sports contact Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or like us on Facebook

Park and Rec and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Team Up for Nature Education Series Park and Recreation and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library are partnering to present an outdoor survival and nature education series in March at the library’s South County Region branch, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte.

The classes are for adults, ages 18 and older, and are FREE to attend.

Classes will begin at 6 p.m. on the following dates: March 5 Outdoor Survival & Nature Education March 12 Outdoor Survival & Nature Education March 19 Outdoor Survival & Nature Education March 26 Outdoor Survival & Nature Education For more information or to register, click here..

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

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

Park Partners may contact The Friday Letter Team at Kier. Harrison @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 3 • Issue 8• February 28, 2014

Become a Vendor at the 2014 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival Presented by Purina and Harris Teeter Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is now accepting vendor applications for the 2014 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival presented by Purina® and Harris Teeter.

The festival is Saturday, April, 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC. The deadline to register is April 16.

Non-profit organizations must show proof that they are a 501(c) 3 registered organization. Educational and municipal organizations are also eligible for the nonprofit rate.

Vendors must register by completing the vendor application and mailing to: Mallard Creek Recreation Center Attn: Stephanie Frisbee 2530 Johnston-Oehler Road Charlotte, NC 28269

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 Recrea-

For more information, contact Stephanie Frisbee or Patricia Caldwell at 704-5488234.

tion Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations