The Friday Letter | April 17, 2014

THE

WHEN: Friday, April 18 10:00am—3:00pm WHERE: Romare Bearden Park 300 S. Church Street

WHAT: 11:00 Cara Zara Hula hoop show 12:00 Ken and Kyle Juggling show 1:00 Amy Arpan Illusion Show 1:30 Easter Egg Hunt Face Painting, caricatures and more!

Hop on Over to Romare Bearden Park for an Easter Egg Hunt, April 18 Families and friends come celebrate Easter with Park and Recreation!

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites children and families to kick off the spring season at Romare Bearden Park with an enchanting Easter egg hunt. The egg hunt takes place April 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and is FREE to attend.

Come and see how many eggs you can find while enjoying an afternoon of festivities.

Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 S. Church Street in the Third Ward neighborhood of uptown Charlotte. Click here for parking information and to learn about programs and events scheduled at the park this spring.

Romare Bearden Park Fesivities RomareFest May 3-4, 2014 This two-day festival features musical entertainment, dance, art and much more!

Music Box Lunch Series These are small informal musical presentations featuring local and regional talent performing, 11:30 am – 1 pm, on Tuesdays and Fridays, April through September. There will be a total of 56 performances.

Fitness Program: The fitness program provides high quality, fullservice fitness programming, scheduling and support at Romare Bearden Park on a weekly, and monthly reoccurring basis.

Programs include weekly Yoga, Tai Chi and Boot Camp sessions. Some of the classes included in the specialty workshops will be self-defense, line dancing, and a cooking light series. View the schedule To register, contact Lori.Saylor@Mecklenburg CountyNC.gov.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources

Romare cont...

Party in the Park Series: This is a series of weekly performances featuring new and upcoming talent. The series will start May 7, 2014 and run through September.

May 7: Peace & Love May 14: Trial by Fire May 21: Who Rescued Who May 28: Lipstick on a Pig June 4: The Extraordinaires June 11: Too Much Sylvia June 18: Flashback, The Party Band June 25: The Volunteers, U.S. Army Field Band

Applications are being accepted now through April 28 for the 2014 Mecklenburg County Diversity Council.

The Diversity Council is an employee advisory committee that supports the County’s objective of being a model diverse organization. The Council also helps raise awareness among employees about the County’s diversity management goals and annually sponsors the Employee Team Award .

If you are interested in volunteering time during the work day (with the approval of your supervisor) to serve on the committee, please apply here.

For more information or questions, please contact Peggy Brown at 704336-5058 or Peggy.Brown@Mecklenburg CountyNC.gov.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources McDowell Nature Center This Saturday April 20th, the McDowell Nature Center will be hosting a spring "herping" program in the preserve. Herping is a fun (and sometimes messy!) activity that simply involves going out and searching for any and all reptiles and amphibians, or "herps," that may be out sunning themselves after a long, cold winter. We've set out cover boards along our trails and will be hiking out to turn them over and see what we can find! Participants are guaranteed to meet at least a few reptiles and amphibians up close in our nature center after the hike. This is a free program open to ages 8 and up (adults are welcome). Come join us to search for animals, learn how to identify what lives in our area, and learn about the science of herpetology!

Cleanup at Berryhill Nature Preserve: In Partnership with LUESA and Keep America Beautiful, approximately 50 volunteers spent Saturday, April 12 removing illegally dumped trash from Berryhill Nature Preserve. Volunteers were able to collect 1.5 tons of trash, and about 800 lbs. of recyclable material! Berryhill is a beautiful wooded property on an isolated cove of the Catawba River.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Easter Egg Hunts Prove Popular in Nature Preserves Two locations within the Nature Preserves are hosting Easter Egg Hunts this Saturday, April 19. Historic Latta Plantation is holding an egg hunt, along with music and treats. As in past years, this event for children ages 1-10 was pre-registration and quickly sold out.

Rural Hill is also hosting its fifth annual Easter Egg Hunt. This egg hunt was also preregistration and also filled quickly.

Work at Park & Rec this summer Looking for a great job that pays $11+/hour with the aquatics division of Park and Recreation? For information about becoming Starguard Certified (First Aid/CPR), lifeguards please contact us at:

Ray's Splash Planet email Jody Corum Marion Diehl email Pat Daly Aquatic Center email Stephanie Whittington

All Mecklenburg County Aquatic Facilities and Pools are compliant with the VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER ACT

2900 Rocky River Road Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: 704-432-6459 Fax: 704-432-6461

15222 York Road Charlotte, NC 28278 Phone: 704-588-5224 Fax: 704-588-5226

6211 Sample Road Huntersville, NC 28078 Phone: 704-875-1391 Fax: 704-875-1394

Charlotte United Futbol Club’s Julian Brown Memorial Cup On the weekend of April 12 and 13, Charlotte United Futbol Club hosted its 8th annual Julian Brown Memorial Cup at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. Julian Brown was a bright and talented athlete that passed away in a bus accident in 2004, travelling with CUFC while in France. Over 350 teams from all over the east (and even some international) attended this year’s tournament.

To view tournament results or contribute to the Julian Brown Memorial Fund, visit http:// julianbrownmemorialfund.org/home.php

Athletics Men’s A-League All Star game Men’s A-League All Star game was held on Thursday April 10th at The Grady Cole Center, Members from each team from the league were split into East and West teams with the West team getting the win. Men’s 30+ Basketball will begin the second round of their playoff games on Sunday April 27 at Bette rae Rec Center, and Men’s B will continue to the second round of their playoff games on April 22 at The Grady Cole Center.

Youth Baseball Tournament On April 12-13, there was a youth baseball tournament held at Nevin, Hornet’s Nest, and Renaissance Park by the name of The NC/SC Super Regional, This tournament had a total of 80 teams that participated. On April 26 the Pickleball tournament will be held at the Jeff Adams Tennis Center inside of Renaissance Park, There is a total of 12 teams split into 3 divisions (Men’s, Women’s, & Co-Rec). Registration starts at 8:30am and the tournament begins at 9am.

Athletics

Racefest

North Carolina Senior Games On Saturday, April 12, the Mecklenburg County Senior Games hosted their opening ceremonies at Marion Diehl Recreation Center. Events such as the Football Toss, Softball Throw, Basketball Shoot, Spincasting, and Cornhole were played before the traditional lighting of the torch and Silverstriders Fun Run. Upcoming events include the make-up date for Track and Field on April 17 at Forrestview High School in Gastonia, NC. Table Tennis will be held at Hawthorne Recreation Center on April 22 at 4:00PM. Bowling Doubles and Mixed Doubles will be at Park 10 Lanes on the 23 and 24. Tennis will take place at the Levine Jewish Community Center on April 25 at 11:00AM. For more information and additional event dates, check out www.cmseniorgames.org.

Queen’s College Sport Management Conference Queen’s College held their first sport’s management conference for their undergraduate and graduate students on Monday, April 14th. Jared Mull represented Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation by providing students with information on potential careers in the field and responded to questions that students asked. Special thanks to Terri Stowers, Youth Sports, Sandy Goodwin, Leo Caplanides, and Lori Saylor for providing information and prizes for the students.

For more information about this event, please contact Jared Mull at Jared.Mull@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

On a beautiful Saturday, April 12, 2014, over 3,000 people came out to run this year’s Racefest at South Park Mall. Runners participated in either the 10K or half marathon’s course that hit some of the most scenic streets of South Charlotte. Winners of this year’s race include (for the 10K) Charlotte’s Stephanie Pezzullo for females with a time of 34:14 and from Greensboro, Shawn Forrest with a time of 30:42 leading the males. In the half marathon, 17 year old Alana Hadley won for the females with a time of 1:22:10 and 23 year old Brian Graves led the males with a very impressive time of 1:09:54.

After the race fun was had by everyone with live music and prizes.

For more results and information on Racefest, visit http:// www.charlotteracefest.c om/

Who Will Be Top Dog at the 2014 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival?

Online Voting Begins April 7 Dog lovers may cast votes online, April 7-21, for the “Top Dog” of the 2014 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival presented by Purina and Harris Teeter.

Contestants submitted photos of their canine companions in March, and an independent panel of judges selected three finalists based on cleverness, originality and a written essay. Finalists include: Eli: 2-year-old Goldendoodle Graycie: 8-year-old Weimaraner Ray: 4-year-old Jack Russell/Bassett Hound

Click here to vote

Community & Recreation Center Services Mecklenburg County’s Mayor Youth Employment Program Charlotte Discovery Career Day: The Park and Recreation Department hosted a booth at the 1st Annual Charlotte Discovery Career Day for 3,000 selected high school Junior and Senior students. Recreation Specialists Kimberly Golden & Antonio Murphy along with Facility Managers Tom Lawing & Malcolm Sanders hosted the booth and presented the students with insight into Park and Recreation as a career. They shared general information about Mecklenburg County, potential jobs, recreation facilities around the country and colleges within North Carolina that have Park and Recreation related degrees.

For more information about Park and Recreation Department involvement in the Charlotte Discovery Career Day, contact Kimberly.Golden@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934.

DSS Summer Camp Exhibit: Staff from Hickory Grove Recreation Center represented MCPRD at the DSS Summer Camp Exhibit on April 12, 2014. Vendors from all across the county were present to proved guardians, foster parents, and agencies with information about the upcoming summer programs. The Fire Dept. as well as GameTruck were present to entertain the youth.

Community & Recreation Center Services Recreation Employment Corp. Service Training: On April 5, 2014 teens apart of the Rec. Employment Corp arrived at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center for a Customer Service and 4-H Training. Kimberly Golden and Erica Espinoza-Keller provided a two hour training on Customer Service to teach the teens about answering the phones, how to answer customer questions & issues, proper communication, overall professionalism, and attitudes of service qualities. Racquel McNeil provided the other half of the training with a two hours of 4-H programming training which included creating maps. The teens will be able to utilize their customer service training in their everyday job duties and 4-H program training within their summer camps and other programs at their Recreation Centers.

For more information about trainings or the Recreation Employment Corp please contact BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934

Bricks4Kidz Spring Break Mini Camp at Berewick Recreation Center!

Children enjoyed Bricks4Kids Mini Spring Break camp at Berewick Recreation Center this week. In this the half-day program children built a variety of models and machines that included Dragsters, Race cars, Ferris Wheels, Tilt-a-Whirl, Angry Birds, Creeper from MineCraft, and much more! They also had time for free build to let their imaginations sore while creating their own machines. Bricks4kidz also provided free lunch for the children to close the program.

For more information about Bricks4kidz programs, please contact BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4934.

Top Dog cont.…

The “Top Dog” winner will be announced at the Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival. The winning dog will receive a year’s supply of dog food worth nearly $300 from Purina as well as ‘wagging’ rights for the entire year.

The 2014 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival is Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road in Huntersville.

The festival is free to attend and features contests for dogs, vendors, performances by the Ultimate Air Dogs and much more!

For more information, visit the Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival web page.

Veterans and Active Duty Military Invited to Sign-Up Now for 9th Annual Golf Classic June 26 Military veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to sign-up to play in the 9th annual Veterans & Reservists Golf Classic at Charles T. Myers Golf Course, 7818 Harrisburg Road, on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

This event features a free round of golf and lunch provided at no charge for those who qualify to play.

The Golf Classic is presented by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Mecklenburg County Community Support Services-Veterans Services Division to show appreciation to men and women who serve and have served our country in the armed forces.

Community & Recreation Center Services EARN-A-BIKE at Methodist Home Recreation Center: For the second time this year, Methodist Home has partnered up with the Recyclery to offer the Earn-A-Bike program for the children of the Shamrock Garden community. Each child goes through a three session program which consists of learning each part of the bike, how to maintain the bike, and bike safety. Through these sessions, the children retained such information as how to change a tire and the chain, where to ride your bicycle, hand signals, and the importance of wearing a helmet. All the children enjoyed visiting the Recyclery and seeing where the magic happens. This non-profit organization accepts donated bikes and fixes them up to give out to children in the surrounding communities. They have a dedicated staff of volunteers that work around the clock to help out other organizations, such as Methodist Home. We will continue to partner up with this organization to offer this and other programs throughout the year.

For any information on the Recyclery, please go to http://tripsforkidscharlotte.org/ or call 704 -910 -3970. For information on this or other programs at Methodist Home Recreation Center, please email Kelly.Hawkins@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call 704-4326455.

Community & Recreation Center Services Out of School Program- Play the Day Away Sugaw Creek Recreation Center hosted the Second Annual Sports Media Training Program and an NCAA Student- Athlete seminar on Wednesday April, 17th. Student-athletes from local high schools and teams participated in "mock interviews" and a "mock signing day" to gain experience in public speaking and dealing with the media. The student athletes took questions from a panel comprised of local coaches, volunteers, and after school participants. Participants were also educated about the business side of the sports industry and were presented with a sports event production video to help them gain a better understand of what is involved with televising an athletic event.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Seminar is an informative session that covers important information regarding the NCAA Clearinghouse, SAT/ACT requirements, student loans, scholarships, and grant information. Attendees who are interested in continueing their academic and athletic career at the collegiate level gained perspective on how to accomplish that goal and what student athlete life is like. For more information on each program or for future sessions please contact Sugaw Creek Recreation Center at 7043306-7655. Or email Cynthia.Smith-Perkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountNC.Gov.

Veterans cont.‌ This event begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. (first flight) and 1:30 p.m. (second flight).

Registration runs through Friday, June 6.

Participants can register for either session online at www.parkandrec.com or by calling 311. Space is limited to 144 per flight, so register early.

For more information, contact Jared Mull, program coordinator, at 704 336-7643.

4th Annual Hats off to Parks MAY 2, 2014 5pm-8pm To kick off the Inaugural RomareFest, Romare Bearden Park will host the Annual Hats Off to Parks.

Funds raised will help Partners for Parks, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and partners like you build a playground in memory of the youth and teachers lost in the Newtown, Connecticut, tragedy. Over 2,500 Volunteers will help complete the playground this October. Hats Off will feature wonderful food and desserts, cash bar, reverse raffle and entertainment by the Tams!

Aquatics Ray’s Splash Planet: Underwater Egg Hunt!

On Friday April 11, 2014, over 420 folks attended Ray’s Splash Planet’s annual underwater Easter Egg Hunt. Kids were able to take pictures with the Easter bunny, hunt for eggs in exchange for prizes and enjoy the waterpark.

Ray’s Splash Planet: We love RSP Family Photo Contest From April 14 to May 14, 2014, families are welcome to submit a family photo taken anywhere inside Ray’s Splash Planet for our photo contest. Just upload the photo to the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Facebook page with hash tag #WELOVERAYS. Families will earn a chance to win a family pack with passes and pizza for the most original and fun family photo. Last day to upload will be May 14, 2014. Details are available at www.rayssplashplanet.com.

Hats off cont‌

YOUTH ICE HOCKEY

ADULT ICE HOCKEY

WHERE: Extreme Ice Center & Pineville Ice House (if necessary) WHEN: June 20-22 ENTRY FEE: $695 for Mites, Squirts, PeeWees, Bantams, Midget & High School $565 for Mini Mites $515 for Girls Divisions ENTRY DEADLINE: May 30

WHERE: Extreme Ice Center & Pineville Ice House (if necessary) WHEN: June 27-29 ENTRY FEE: $770 per team ENTRY DEADLINE: May 30 DIVISIONS: Men's B, Men's Upper C, Men's Lower C & Women's Open

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

YOUTH SOCCER WHERE: Mazeppa Road Park and Richard Barry Park (if needed) WHEN: June 21-22 ENTRY FEE: $275-325 for Recreation $325-355 for Challenge ENTRY DEADLINE: May 23

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER WHERE: Queens University WHEN: June 20-22 TRY-OUT FEE: $15 per player ** At least one try-out remaining for all regional teams!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

ADULT SOCCER WHERE: Richard Barry Park WHEN: June 21-22 ENTRY FEE: $355 per team ENTRY DEADLINE: June 6 DIVISIONS: Men's Open, Men's +30, Men's +40, Men's +50, Women's Open CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

2014 TRACK & FIELD WHERE: Irwin Belk Track and Field Center at UNC Charlotte WHEN: June 6-8 ENTRY FEES: $6/event for Youth; $30 for 1st Open/Masters Event, $5 for each additional event CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

Rugby is back in the NC Powerade State Games!!! 2014 Charlotte Queen City 7's Rugby Tournament - Spread the Word and Register your teams now!!!

Tickets may be purchased by check or online at www.partnersforparks.o rg under the Hats Off to Parks donation fund.*Advance Admission and Raffle Tickets may be purchased before April 23rd to receive via mail. All other tickets must be purchased day of. **When purchasing advance tickets, please note in the Comment Section, the quantity of admission and raffle tickets to be purchased.

For more information on the Hats Off to Parks Event or how to get involved with the Newtown, CT Memorial Playground Build, contact Lori Saylor at (704)3530504 or Lori.Saylor@Mecklenbur gCountyNC.gov.

Residents Invited to Learn about Extension to Little Sugar Creek Greenway at Community Info Session Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites residents to learn about a 2-mile extension to Little Sugar Creek Greenway at a community information session on Monday, April 21, 2014.

GYMNASTICS WHERE: Kristie Phillips Athletic Center WHEN: June 14 and 15 (if needed) ENTRY FEES: $60 per gymnast DIVISIONS: Xcel Bronze and Silver CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE The info session is at 6:00 p.m. at Queens University Sports and Conference Complex at Marion Diehl Park, 2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte.

The 2-mile extension will stretch from West Tyvola Road through Huntingtowne Farms Park.

View map.

For more information on Little Sugar Creek Greenway, click here

DISC GOLF WHEN: June 14-15 WHERE: Eastway Park and Sugaw Creek Park ENTRY FEE: $27 Tournament and Skills Competition $8 Skills Competition ONLY DIVISIONS: Masters, Advanced, Intermediate (Eastway) Women, Juniors, Rec Men, Grand Master, Senior Grand Master (Sugaw) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

WHERE: Memorial Stadium - Home of the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse WHEN: June 26 TRY-OUT FEE: $20 per player CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

ADULT LACROSSE WHERE: Elon Park WHEN: June 28-29 ENTRY FEE: $500/team (3 game guarantee) ENTRY DEADLINE: June 12 DIVISIONS: Men's Open and Women's Open CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

SWIMMING WHERE: Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center WHEN: June 28-29 ENTRY FEE: $25 per swimmer CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

KARATE WHEN: June 21 WHERE: Hopewell High School ENTRY FEE: $45 ($55 on-site) ONLINE ENTRY DEADLINE: June 6 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful

YOUTH SOFTBALL WHERE: Rocky River, Bradford Park and other area fields WHEN: June 21-22 ENTRY FEE: $150 for 8U $275 for 10U-HSU ENTRY DEADLINE: June 16 DIVISIONS: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, HSU

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL WHERE: UNC-Charlotte WHEN: June 16-19 TRY-OUT FEE: $15 per player CLICK HERE FOR TRY-OUT DATES AND MORE INFORMATION!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

ADULT SOFTBALL WHERE: Bradford Park WHEN: June 28-29 ENTRY FEE: $275 for Gold, Silver, Bronze $225 for Recreation CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER WHERE: Queens University WHEN: June 20-22 TRY-OUT FEE: $15 per player ** At least one try-out remaining for all regional teams!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

OPENING CEREMONIES AT THE SPEEDWAY The deadline to be entered in the drawing for a FREE 3-LAP RIDE-ALONG at this year's Opening Ceremonies courtesy of the Powerade State Games and Richard Petty Driving Experience is here (april 17th). Have you signed your team up yet?

SIGN YOUR TEAM UP TO PARTICIPATE BY APRIL 17TH TO BE ENTERED FOR A CHANCE TO WIN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! Only team registrations are eligible for the drawing. Ride-alongs for during the FanFest (5pm-6:30pm) are available for purchase now though at a special discounted price. Visit the Opening Ceremonies webpage for more information and call 1-800237-3889 to book your ride along today! Make sure to mention "Powerade State Games" to receive the discount.

Because of a partnership between Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Storm Water Services, and Park and Recreation it only took a few hours to make a big difference to the appearance of the Berryhill Nature Preserve.

Volunteers gathered on a recent Saturday morning to clean up the preserve as part of The Great American Cleanup. They removed enough trash, recycling and debris to fill an eight -yard recycling can and 40 yard trash dumpster.

The Great American Cleanup is coordinated locally by Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. The three-month long event started March 1 and runs through May 31.

Your efforts to improve your community will become a source of pride for everyone. You can register to participate here.

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Recreate All Year!

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 The Friday Letter Team at Kier. Harrison @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 3 • Issue 15• April 17, 2014

Extension Master Gardeners Class Completes Coursework Twenty-two Extension Master Gardener trainees recently completed the coursework portion of their Master Gardener training. They completed 54 hours of classroom instruction and passed both a mid-term and final exam to achieve Intern status. Over the next year, these Interns will need to contribute 40 hours of volunteer service in a variety of areas to become certified Extension Master Gardeners. The Interns will help in demonstration gardens, at special events, "Ask a Master Gardener" booths, and help answer questions from the Master Gardener Hotline (704-336-4011).

The Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardeners provide numerous educational services for the citizens of Mecklenburg County. They also help to extend and expand the reach of Cooperative Extension through their work at Farmers' Markets, festivals and special events, tours, and other educational activities.

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 Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources