The Friday Letter | October 31, 2014

The

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is the BEST! West Charlotte Recreation Center $1 per child Ages 4-12 Costume Contest starts at 7:30 Hayrides, Haunted House, Games, Prizes & More!

“Caught in the Moment Photography�

Mecklenburg County News

New Website Coming Soon Starting on Dec. 8, when you visit the County's public facing website, MecklenburgCountyNC.gov, you will see a brand new experience. The new design will offer a cleaner, sleeker, updated look and feel matched with improved search capabilities and better organized content.

We're excited to unveil this new website. Look for more information about the new MecklenburgCountyNC.gov soon.

Giving@Work: 2014 Mecklenburg County Employee Giving Campaign Underway It’s easy to forget that many people need help to meet emergencies; how struggling families need a hand to help put food on the table; why we need to support efforts to protect and preserve our environment; or how charities in our community work every day to make our community a better place to live.

Mecklenburg County is making it easy for you to make an impact by donating to the charity of your choice from the comfort of your desk. The County Charitable Giving Campaign is underway and will continue through November 28, 2014.

Click here for a list of charities and then head to here to make your selection. It’s easy to do and great for our community. If you itemize deductions on your tax return, it’s tax-deductible too!

As a special incentive, this year each employee who gives will be eligible to win one of 5 basketsfilled with wonderful prizes and valued at a minimum of $300.00.The earlier you give, the more chances you’ll have to win! The prize basket themes are: Take Me Out to the Ballgame; Lights, Camera, Action; Coffee House Treats; Beachcomber Bucket; and Tailgate Tonight.

Charitable Giving Campaign Starts on Monday The 2014 Mecklenburg County Charitable Giving Campaign will get underway on Monday, Oct. 27. This is our opportunity to show local charities serving local residents how much Mecklenburg County employees care for them by giving to these important community partners.

Be on the lookout for the email coming on Monday announcing how you can make a difference in the lives of those in your community.

Mecklenburg County News Your Voluntary Benefits Have Their Benefits This year’s Open Enrollment will be Nov. 10-21. During this time, you have the option of enrolling in voluntary benefits offered by the County through Pierce Group Benefits.

And your voluntary benefits have their benefits! If you elect to participate in the supplemental Cancer Policy, Accident Policy or Medical Bridge Plan, the benefits they offer can help you fill gaps that are left due to higher deductibles and co-payments, and can protect against out-of-pocket expenses.

Here’s an example of how the Medical Bridge Benefit could work for you: Rebecca’s blood pressure was a little high. Her doctor wants her to have a stress test to see if there is any heart disease. The test showed no signs of heart disease, so her doctor recommended she have a cardiac catheterization to look at what could be causing her high blood pressure. After the procedure, Rebecca had to spend several days in the hospital for monitoring.

Depending on which option she chooses, the Medical Bridge Benefit would pay Rebecca a $50 wellness benefit for her stress test, up to $1,000 for her cardiac catheterization and up to $1,500 for her hospital stay. Rebecca will use that money to pay her remaining medical expenses after insurance.

To find out more information about voluntary benefits,click here.You can enroll in any of these plans here or with a Pierce Group Enroller. If you still have questions after reviewing the information online, contact the Employee Services Center (704-432-6947).

Volunteers Needed for America Recycles Day Paper Shredding Event As part of their Wipe Out Waste campaign, and in celebration of America Recycles Day, on Saturday, Nov. 15,County Solid Waste Services is coordinating a one-day paper shredding event at multiple recycling facilities in the County.

Volunteers are needed to fill two shifts, 7:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. - noon. Volunteer responsibilities include directing traffic, conducting brief customer service surveys and unloading material at the shredding trucks. Below is a list of the event locations and the number of volunteers needed at each location.

Volunteer schedule:  North Mecklenburg (12300 N. Statesville Ave) 9:40 a.m. shift, 2 volunteers needed  West Mecklenburg ( 8440 Byrum Drive) 7:45 a.m. shift, 1 volunteer needed 9:40 a.m. shift, 4 volunteers needed  Hickory Grove (8007 Pence Rd) 7:45 a.m. shift, 3 volunteers needed 9:40 a.m. shift, 3 volunteers needed  Foxhole (17131 Lancaster Highway) 7:45 a.m. shift, 1 volunteer needed 9:40 a.m. shift, 3 volunteers needed For more information and to reserve your volunteer spot, email Nadine Ford by Friday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m.

Cooperative Extension Train to Become an Extension Master Gardener The Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Training program is scheduled to begin in January, 2015. If you have a deep interest in gardening and ecology, a strong desire to serve our community by sharing your time and your gardening knowledge, and a love of lifelong learning, you are a good candidate for the Extension Master Gardener program. NC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers work through Cooperative Extension to educate the public on practical, research-based, environmentally-friendly gardening practices. Applications will be accepted until November 17, 2014.

The 2015 Mecklenburg EMG training classes will offer 60 hours of classes on all aspects of gardening taught by Extension staff, local experts, and university faculty. Sessions begin January 20, 2015 meeting each Tuesday and Thursday at the Cooperative Extension Center at 1418 Armory Drive and Mahlon Adams Pavilion in Freedom Park from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm through March 31, 2015.

Download detailed Mecklenburg EMG program information and application or call 704-336-4011 to request an application. Submit your completed application to the Extension Director at 1418 Armory Drive, Charlotte, NC 28204. The class size is limited and fills quickly so apply now while there are still available openings for community-minded gardeners. See you in the garden!

Links: 1. Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener http://www.mastergardenersmecklenburg.org/ become-a-master-gardener.html 2. Mecklenburg EMG program information and application downloadhttp:// www.mastergardenersmecklenburg.org/uploads/6/0/7/6/6076512/ becomeanemg2015application.pdf 3. The NCSU Extension Master Gardener programhttp://www.ncstategardening.org/ extension_master_gardener/statewide/about_the_program

Sports Programming, RPSA, GCC/ALMS Youth Sports Staff Become Certified Youth Sports Administrators Recreation Coordinators/Supervisors Carla Hoover and Brendan Cunliffe recently received their Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) designation from the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators, operated by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). Carla and Brendan completed exams for nine modules on topics including: Youth sports philosophy, policies & procedures, volunteer management, child abuse and bullying prevention, parent management, conflict resolution, insurance & risk management, emergency preparedness and injury prevention, inclusion of children with disabilities, evaluation & marketing of your program, and a model youth sports program. Carla and Brendan look forward to building upon Youth Sports’ 2013 Excellence in Youth Sports Award from NAYS and look to win again in 2015. For more information about Youth Sports, email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call (704) 432-4963.

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competitions Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department hosted the Sectional competition of the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick event on Saturday, October 25 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 52 boys and girls competed in the age groups: 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13 and 14/15 for the best scores in the skills of punting, passing and kicking a football. Ten, first place finishers had their scores compared against the top finishers from other Sectionals in the NC/SC Region, to see if their scores would allow them to advance to the Team Championship Competition (TCC). The TCC will be held Sunday, December 14 at the Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium. Let’s wish them well! For more information about our youth sports programs, please visit our website at www.ParkandRec.com, call 704-4324963 or email us at YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Sports Programming, RPSA, GCC/ALMS Youth Basketball Registration Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is Hosting Registration for Youth Basketball Leagues and Start Smart Basketball ages 3 – 18 currently through November 14th. Fee’s for registration range from $45 - $65 depending on age group. Please visit www.ParkandRec.com, Call 704-432-2963, or email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for more information. Pre-Season games for ages 7 – 18 will begin on Dec 6th at multiple game sites throughout the County.

Adult Basketball Men’s B League ended their fall season on Tuesday, October 28th. Games were played at Hickory Grove Recreation Center on Tuesdays and MLK on Thursday nights. There were a total of 7 teams that participated in the league this season. Team “No Limit Auto” came out on top as this seasons champions. Men’s B winter season will be starting soon. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Sports Programming, RPSA, GCC/ALMS Adult Women's Basketball The Women Basketball summer league will be starting their playoff games this coming Sunday, October 26th. Games will be played at Tom Sykes Rec Center starting at 2pm. There were a total of 6 teams that participated in the league this season. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Adult Volleyball Co-Rec AA fall league started their playoff games for the fall season on October 28th. Games will be played at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center on Tuesday nights starting at 6:30pm. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Adult Softball The Wednesday night Men’s D-I, D-II & Co-Rec league teams finished their last regular season game on October 29th. Starting November 5th, the league will go into their playoff games for the season. There is a total of 23 teams playing in these leagues this season. Games will be played at Renaissance Park starting at 7pm. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Community and Recreation Center Services Senior Cultural Arts Methodist Home Recreation Center and the Shamrock Senior Center have been collaborating to offer programming for the senior residents in the Shamrock Garden community. The staff from Methodist Home visit the senior center monthly to implement the Senior Art and the Latin American class. This cultural arts program boasts a different theme each month and provides giveaways, decorations, and memories for all the seniors involved. The program runs the second Wednesday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm. To get involved, visit the Shamrock Senior Center at 3925 Willard Farrow Road or call 704-531-6900. For more information, contact Kelly.Hawkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-6455. Come out and get in touch with your artistic side!

Community and Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center On October 23, 2014 the YWCA participated in Clayworks. Clayworks is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of ceramic arts, advancement of artists and students, and enrichment of the communities it serves. Each participant was ask to make a pumpkin out of clay. The experience for the children was a messy exploration to create, fun, colorful pottery pieces that allowed them to express their idea of what a pumpkin would look like made out of clay. Here are some of their wonderful creations! To find out about more great programs like this at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, please contact Albemarle Road Recreation Center at 704-567-1941 or AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community and Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center On October 25th, Albemarle Road Recreation Center hosted a fall festival . Dozens of area youth were given an opportunity to experience a costume contest, face painting, carnival games , a magic show, and much more. Each participant received a pumpkin to decorate and take home.

Ray even made a special appearance. For more information on youth programming at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, contact Ivan or Tiffany at 704-567-1941.

Berewick Recreation Center Girl Scout troop 815 works on their arts & crafts activities at Berewick Recreation Center. Troop 815 meets each 2nd and 4th Sunday at the Berewick Recreation Center, any young girls interested in joining should call the recreation center at 704-432-4934. Also youth basketball season is upon us, there are a couple of spots available for 11-12 & 13-14 years of age, call if interested.

Deadline extended until October 31!!!

Park and Rec’s Master Naturalist Program Wins National Award The award recognizes the importance of volunteer efforts toward enhancing and expanding natural resource conservation.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is continuing to prove that it’s the natural place to be, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation.

In late September, the department’s Central Carolinas Master Naturalist program received the Volunteer Service Project of the Year Award for its nest box project that aims to provide safe refuge for struggling bird populations in Mecklenburg County.

The award, presented by the Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) at its annual conference, recognizes the importance of volunteer efforts toward enhancing and expanding natural resource conservation.

“This project manifests the difference a small group of like-minded individuals can make,” said Staci Clark, Master Naturalist program coordinator. “For example, nesting success of the prothonatary warbler has increased by over 100 percent with the installment of the new birdhouses. In 2014 we had a total of 10 prothonatary warbler nests producing 43 young. In comparison, we had 27 nests producing 59 young in all four of the previous years combined.”

To learn about ANROSP, visit www.anrosp.org.

About the Central Carolinas Master Naturalist Program The Central Carolinas Master Naturalist program is comprised of highly-trained volunteers who seek to maintain the quality of our native ecosystems through training designed to help 'read' the landscape of the state. This includes understanding the underlying geology, specific inhabitants (birds, plants, mammals, etc.), ecology and the impacts of humans on the landscape. Once trained, Master Naturalists volunteer in a variety of projects.

For more information, contact Staci Clark at 704-432-1389, Staci.Clark@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

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 42 • October 31, 2014

Imagine, plan and create Charlotte’s future You are invited to be a part of the Community Investment Plan, which is a longrange investment program designed to meet the needs of our growing community. The plan focuses on the areas of livability, getting around and job growth.

Cross Charlotte Trail

Mecklenburg County

As a part of the City's Community Investment Plan, the City and Mecklenburg County are partnering to create a 26-mile trail and greenway from the City of Pineville, through Center City and onto the UNCC campus and Cabarrus County line.

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