The Friday Letter | December 19, 2014

The

Celebrate the Holidays with Festive Park and Rec Events The holidays are right around the corner and Park and Recreation offers plenty of events and programs that are sure to get you and your family in the festive spirit. Events begin this weekend and are offered at affordable prices; some are even free!

Brunch with Santa at Bette Rae Thomas Rec Center: Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., $3 per child to attend / Parent participation is required. Enjoy a waffle brunch, craft ornament making, and a picture with Santa. Feel free to bring your smart phones and tablets to take pictures. If you provide your email address, we will email you a copy of the picture.

Register here .

Park and Rec Holiday Luncheon Park and Recreation enjoyed their annual Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 18th at noon. There was LOT’S of food, an Ugly Sweater contest, photo booth and a Chinese Gift Exchange. Everyone had a wonderful time and look forward to getting together next year.

Mecklenburg County News

Mecklenburg County News A Little ‘Healthy’ Competition Helps Lead to a Healthier Lifestyle Almost 500 employees committed to focusing on nutrition, activity, hydration, well-being and sleep as part of the 30 Day Lifestyle Challenge during September. They tracked their habits daily and used healthy recipes and weekly “get fit tips” along with some healthy competition to create a healthier lifestyle.

Congratulations to the grand prize Inspiration Award winner, Savannah Anderson, Health Department nurse case manager. Savannah showed an extraordinary commitment to the Challenge and went above and beyond by encouraging and motivating her team members and serving as an example by preparing a healthy lunch to bring to work every day.

More information about the County’s employee wellness program offerings is available here.

It’s Not Too Late To Vaccinate: Good Reasons to Get a Flu Shot Flu season is in full swing and by now, chances are you’ve been asked “Have you had your flu shot?” countless times. But there’s good reason for the hype. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over the past few years, the influenza vaccine has prevented millions of flu cases and tens of thousands of related hospitalizations.

Flu season generally runs from October through April and getting a flu shot -- along with frequent hand -washing, covering your cough and staying home when you’re sick -- is the best defense against getting the flu. If you’re still not convinced, click here for five reasons why you should get vaccinated.

More information on flu prevention is available here.

Aquatics Happy December from Ray’s Splash Planet!

Hopefully this email finds you well. We have some exciting events coming up over the next few weeks that we think you should be a part of. Below highlights a few of our programs, all are available for viewing online. Many programs have limited registration, so act fast because space is limited!

Swim With Santa Friday, December 12th from 5-8pm General Admission rates apply (no coupons/vouches) Santa will be available for photos and swimming!

Out of school Play Days December 29th & 30th from 8:30am-6pm for children ages 5-12 years old.

During CMS No school days, kids will have a blast swimming, playing games & sports, making arts & crafts and more! Children will need to bring a lunch, two snacks, swim wear & a towel each day. Spots are limited, please pre-register. $30/child per day.

Winter Camp for Year Round/Homeschool December 15th-19th from 8:30am-6pm for children ages 5-12 years old All the fun of summer camp translates to a splashing good time at Ray’s Splash Planet Winter Camp.

Come join us for swimming, sports, arts and crafts and much more. Only a few spots are left, hurry in to sign up! $100/child per week

Ray’s Mini Dribblers Sign up now for Ray’s premier basketball skills clinic. Session fee includes offensive and defensive coaching, speed and agility training, and even a take home basketball. Program meets every second and fourth Sunday, December-March from 2-5pm. Space is limited to ensure personalized coaching. $25/child ages 9-12

Open Gym Free Play Ray’s Splash Planet is more than just a pool! Come on out with the kids on one of our family days, or join a competitive game on one of our adult nights. Dates vary, please contact the front desk for availability.

FREE for youth ages 0-17, $2/adult

Aquatics Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center Butler, Independence, and Myers Park High Schools competed in a CMS dual swim meet on Friday, December 12th from 6:30 – 9:30pm. One hundred twenty-four (124) athletes competed in the swim meet.

Union County High Schools competed in their Championship swim meet on Saturday, December 13th. Two hundred (221) athletes competed in the meet. Central Academy, Cuthbertson, Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley, Union Academy, and Weddington High were the participating teams. The swim meet ran from 12pm - 4pm.

Community & Recreation Center Services Sugaw Creek Recreation Center Cross Country The Cross Country for Youth Annual Banquet was held on Friday, December 6, at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte. The banquet hosted over (400) four hundred participants between the ages of 8 and 14 years. Sugaw Creek Recreation Center participants Kiyah Parker and Garibelle Wilson were essay contest winners in the elementary school division. Kivah was recognized for having one of the top five best essays and Garibelle was the overall winner. These students were recognized for writing outstanding essays about “What Cross Country Means to Me�. They each received a $50.00 Visa Gift card for their great efforts. For more information, contact Cynthia.SmithPerkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.336.7655.

Community & Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center On Dec 10th, ARRC hosted a trip to the NBA Hornets game. Patrons from all over the county came to watch the Charlotte Hornets take on the Boston Celtics. Cost for the program was $25. Cost included tickets to the game along with a tour of the arena (suits, event level, lounge areas, play areas for the children, executive offices, and watch pre-game shoot around). For more information on programs at Albemarle Road Recreation Center please call 704-567-1941 or via email AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MeckleburgCountyNC.gov .

Community & Recreation Center Services Safe Campfire Building Skills and S’mores at Ivory/Baker Rec. Center The Outdoor Adventures group, about 16 students of the Anita Stroud Afterschool program, at Ivory/ Baker Recreation Center braved the chilly weather and learned an alternative way to safely build a campfire from Anthony Shaheen from McDowell Nature Center, who leads the program. Once the campfire was ablaze, the children enjoyed roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores for a snack.

For more information about any of our programs, please contact, IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or call (704) 432-4580.

Senior Bridge Club Dinner and Inductions On Tuesday, December 16, the Metrolina Duplicate Bridge Club held their annual Holiday Christmas dinner. The club enjoyed healthy catered food, fun and fellowship. The group also elected and swore in the new officers for the upcoming year and of course played Bridge.

For more senior program information contact, Shawn.McCants@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or (704) 432-4580.

Community & Recreation Center Services See Charlotte: Christmas Lights in Kannapolis Participants from the District VIII Senior Rockers Club enjoyed a festive time by seeing the annual Christmas Lights at the Village Park in Kannapolis, N.C. to take pictures, hopped on the tour train ride and enjoyed festive treats with hot chocolate.

For more information about senior programs contact, Shawn.McCants@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or (704) 432-4580.

MeckSeniors See “The Nutcracker” This was a joyous holiday season making yet another memorable season of the senior dress rehearsal. Approximately 200 seniors enjoyed watching the Nutcracker performed by the Charlotte Ballet. The Charlotte Ballet teamed with Park & Recreation and transported and assisted seniors to the Nutcracker performance on December 11, 2014 at the Belk Theater located in Uptown. “Park & Recreation does a wonderful job providing affordable viewings of professional dancers” one senior explains. Seniors come from all over Mecklenburg County. They even had an interactive intermission with the dancers to help promote movement and dance among seniors. The seniors are looking forward to the next Senior Dress Rehearsal.

For more information please contact 704-432-4803 or review the flier and get your seniors moving.

Community & Recreation Center Services Reindeer Games at Bette Rae Ready for Christmas! Everybody was in the Christmas spirit at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center as they enjoyed playing Reindeer games. Our young people were able to “build a snowman,” wrap presents with one hand, as well as trying to hook a ring on Rudolph’s antlers. We are very grateful to 4 Quarters for Life and Toys for Tots for providing gifts to all the children.

For more information, please contact us at BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@Mecklenburg.CountyNC.gov or 704.432.3048.

Brunch with Santa at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center Brunch with Santa at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center was a jolly good time! We made handmade snowmen, Santa, and reindeer craft ornaments & enjoyed a waffle brunch topped with candy canes and chocolate syrup. Santa stopped by for a visit, with his sleigh and reindeer waiting on the roof, he listened to each child tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

For more information please contact Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center at BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@mecklenburgcountync.gov or (704) 432-3048.

Community & Recreation Center Services District VIII Christmas Party at the Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center The Golden Angels Senior group hosted the District VIII Christmas Party on Friday, December 12, 2014. The seniors enjoyed a delicious meal and danced to and sung their favorite Christmas songs.

All of the participants received a gift and participated in other activities.

For more information about our programs, contact WallacePruittRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-432-6775

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources Nature Preserves and Natural Resources celebrates its first semester of middle school outdoor clubs as part of the Urban Outdoor Connection program and they have made a huge impact in their neighborhoods already. The clubs take place in two different middle schools: McClintock Middle school on the east side of the county and Thomasboro Academy off freedom drive on the west side of town.

Kids participate on a weekly basis with one service project and one adventure field trip a month. The program’s goal is to get kids L.O.S.T.; develop Leadership skills, engage teens in the Outdoors, provide Service opportunities, and work as a Team to accomplish their goals. Kicking off this past September these clubs have helped plant over 100 native plants in our nature preserves, installed 20 brown headed nut hatch nest boxes, installed a fire ring and a mural, seen over 100 volunteer hours, and spent roughly 50 hours of outdoor exposure. It’s safe to say that these clubs are a huge hit and making a big difference in our county. Thanks to Chad Moore and Harry Dunn-Davenport for the time energy and effort that it has taken to get this program off the ground and operating. If you have any stewardship service projects our rowdy group of teens can help with please contact McDowell Nature Center 704-588-5224.

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources

Horticulture

Happy Holidays from Park & Recreation Horticulture!

Horticulture

Volunteer Services On Dec. 11, 2014 the entire Pinewood Elementary School turned out to help dedicate the volunteer built park in remembrance of the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut tragedy. Pinewood students helped design the park last year and was built the week of October 27th by nearly 1,400 community volunteers.

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Photos from the AOB Holiday Party

Recreate All Year!

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 49 • December 19, 2014

New Voice at AOB! Many of you may have called the AOB over the past couple of days and heard a new voice!! I would like to introduce and welcome Richard McNeill as the new ASA III at the front desk of the AOB. Richard comes to us from Berewick Recreation Center and is a great addition to our team!! Please be sure to say hello to Richard the next time you're at AOB! Something you might not know about Richard...

Richard is a part time DJ and he also does Christian rap.

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

Welcome!!

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