The Friday Letter | January 9, 2015

The

Cultural engagement day Cultural Engagement Day January 10th (10am-2pm) Enjoy Historic Latta Plantation, the last remaining cotton plantation along the Catawba River open to the public, for FREE! On January 10th only, the local Mecklenburg county Arts & Science Council will be sponsoring a day at no cost to the public. From 10am-2pm visitors will enjoy a self-guided tour of the plantation grounds, visit the exhibit hall, and chat with re-enactors as they demonstrate 18th century skills as well as Revolutionary War history. Admission is FREE to the public from 10am2pm only.

Follow Us On Twitter When The Weather Gets Bitter As winter sets in and the temperatures begin to drop, the possibility of inclement weather starts to rise.

In the event of heavy snow, ice or sleet, Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies may close or open on a delayed schedule.

Employees are reminded to check the County’s Twitter page, Facebook page or call 704-336-3636 for the latest on County operations and important safety information.

Show Your Panthers Pride County Manager Diorio invites you to kick-off the weekend with a show of support for our Carolina Panthers!

Tomorrow, wear your Panthers gear to cheer on our team as they head west to take on the Seattle Seahawks.

If you see a whole team of Mecklenburg County jersey-wearing Panthers fans, take a photo and send it to Outlook.Editor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

(Please be mindful of your department’s dress code regarding jeans at work.)

Mecklenburg County News

In case of a power outage, please print out this printable emergency contact list.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Emergency Management With predictions of cold, wintry weather right around the corner, Mecklenburg County residents are encouraged to practice the following winter safety tips: At Home  Keep alternative heating sources prepared. If you have a fireplace, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your family knows how to use them.

Make sure to turn off alternative heating sources when leaving the home.  Properly vent kerosene heaters and keep any electric generators OUTSIDE and away from any open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, do not burn charcoal indoors.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from charcoal fumes indoors.  Keep fresh batteries on hand to use with flashlights and weather radios.  Always keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food in your home.  If your pipes are vulnerable to freezing, i.e., they run through an unheated or unprotected space, consider keeping your faucet at a slow drip when extremely cold temperatures are predicted.

Keep a supply of candles available in the event of a power outage. Make sure to keep candles away from flammable objects, such as curtains, and out of the reach of children.

Find more tips and information here.

Helpful links Charlotte area forecast and weather advisories American Red Cross - Charlotte Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Flood safety tips CATS Rider Alerts Mecklenburg County updates Traffic accidents

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.

2014 Top Stories As 2014 comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the events, stories and decisions that helped shape Mecklenburg County Government over the past 12 months.

The items below are not ranked, but simply an all-inclusive list that sums up the County’s productive year in review.

New Board Sworn In Dec. 1 marked the beginning for the 2014-2016 Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).

During a swearing-in ceremony before a packed house at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, two new commissioners were officially welcomed: Ella Scarborough, At Large; and Jim Puckett, District 1. The Board also re-elected Trevor M. Fuller as chairman. Meet the BOCC

Major Conferences Allow Thousands to Discover Mecklenburg County Mecklenburg County played host to thousands as two major organizations held their annual conferences in the Charlotte area in 2014.

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA), which celebrated its 100th birthday this year, attracted city and county leaders from all over the world for one week in early September.

View pictures from the conference Following the ICMA Conference, Mecklenburg County showed the country why it’s the natural place to be. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) visited Charlotte in October and even helped the Park and Recreation Department cut the ribbon on Lincoln Heights Park.

Park and Recreation Opens Newtown Memorial Playground A brand new playground was built in October at Park Road Park, and it was for a very special reason -to honor the memory of the students and teachers lost in the 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting in Newtown, Conn.

In early 2013, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation decided to carry out the tribute by having students from Pinewood Elementary School come up with the playground’s design and recruiting volunteers from across the County to help with the construction.

The kids grabbed pencils, crayons and paper and put together some very creative renderings. Watch a video of the playground being designed.

In December 2014, nearly 500 hundreds students joined local leaders and Park and Recreation for the playground’s dedication. View photos

Aquatics Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center One hundred eighty (180) swimmers from Ardrey Kell and Providence High Schools competed in a dual swim meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on Friday, December 19 from 6:30 – 9:30pm.

Community & Recreation Center Services Eye Opening Experiences for Out-of-School Children at AGOC The Arbor Glen Afterschool program enjoyed four days of fun during the Holiday Break visiting the Bernstein Bears Christmas Concert at Founders Hall, Ballantyne Hotel’s Gingerbread House Competition, Ray’s Splash Planet, Latta Plantation’s Equestrian Center and Imaginon. The children learned various things throughout the experiences including the sweet sounds and scents of the holidays.

For more information contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704432-1531.

Community & Recreation Center Services Play the Day Away at Tom Sykes Last week we “Played the Day Away” for 3 days at Tom Sykes Recreation Center. The kids enjoyed various gym games, making winter coloring books and snowmen, using their creative minds building with Legos and socializing while playing board and video games. We were also surprised by Boston Celtics player, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell, (a 1981 NBA Finals MVP) who stopped in and helped with snack and played a couple of games with the kids.

For more information about out of school programs, contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Naomi Drenan Christmas Break Basketball Skillz Camp: Naomi Drenan Recreation Center conducted a 3Day Christmas Break Basketball Skillz Camp December 29th - December 31st. The camp stressed fundamentals, offense, defense, and allowed players to practice shooting, passing, and ball handling. This full-day camp was for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14. Highlights of the camp included daily team tournaments, full court games at the end of each session, and the final day banquet where each camper received a certificate of excellence for their participation. For more information about our programs and events, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704432-5231.

Community & Recreation Center Services Charlotte Ballet is BACK!!!

On Tuesday, January 6th, the Charlotte Ballet REACH program returned to Naomi Drenan Recreation Center for another session of spectacular dance. With nearly 30 participants, the facility came to life with little dancing feet and the beat of a powerful drum to keep the kids in motion. After a long break, we celebrate the return of our young dancers and their bright smiles! For more information about our programs and events, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-432-5231.

NDRC Youth Basketball Pep Rally The official basketball season is here and Naomi Drenan Recreation Center youth basketball participants are ready to go! The Pep Rally consisted of team introductions, music, and various competitions that kept the crowd alive and cheering loud. To top off the night, we held our annual Coaches/ Staff/Parents vs. 14U/16U game, fun was had by all. With 11 teams full of high energy hardworking kids ranging from ages 4 to 16, our coaches and parents have gone above and beyond, giving tremendous support and assistance to ensure we have the best season ever! For more information about our programs and events, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-432-5231.

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources School may be back in session, but the fun keeps on going over at McDowell Nature Center! Participants in the latest School’s Out Nature Camp had a blast building forts, learning about animal tracks, and hiking all over the nature preserve. If you have an elementary school student who might like to join in the fun on their days off from school , space is still available for the next sessions on January 19th (9am-4pm) and January 23rd (9am-4pm). The cost is $15 per student for each session. Please call McDowell Nature Center at 704-588-5224 to reserve a place.

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 50 • January 9, 2015

CHARMECK ALERTS The CharMeck Alerts Notification System relays accurate and timely emergency notifications. You control how you’re contacted— whether it’s on your cell, work or home phone, via text, email or voice message. You can receive up-to-the-minute notifications about events and emergencies that may affect your home, workplace or other points of interest—anywhere in Mecklenburg County. Sign up here or call CharMeck 311. To receive CDOT-specific alerts, you must sign up for that item in the list.

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