The Friday Letter | February 13, 2015

The

Love February is Teen Dating Violence (DV) Prevention and Awareness Month! TeenDVMonth is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20something relationships and promote programs that prevent it during the month of February.

This Day in Black History:

Hearts February is American Heart Month and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it’s high, to make control their goal.

Andrew “Rube” Foster organizes The Negro Baseball League, the First Black baseball league. –1920 The Renaissance (The Harlem Rens), the first Black professional basketball team, is organized. — 1923

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.

Aquatics Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center hosted a swim meet Friday, February 6.

The swim meet included the Aquatic Center’s Mecklenburg Makos and the Charlotte Christian Sharks. One hundred twenty-six (126) total athletes competed in the dual meet. Meet ran from 6:30 – 9:30pm.

Six hundred twenty-seven (627) 1A/2A swimmers participated in High School Regionals on Saturday, February 7th from 8am – 1pm. Fifty-two (52) schools from across the region competed. The top 12 in each event moved on to the State Meet in Raleigh held this weekend.

The 4A High School Regionals took place on Saturday, February 7th from 4pm – 9pm. Twenty-six (26)teams and 514 athletes competed for a chance at a state title in Raleigh this weekend. Top 8 performers from each event headed to States.

Community & Recreation Center Services Volleyball at “The View”: Monday nights are a lot of fun at Southview Recreation Center with our adult recreation volleyball games. “The View” has partnered with Adult Athletics to host the competitive volleyball league. The women enjoy tough competition and get a great workout in at the same time. The games have all been close and the Athletic Staff that come to help have been a pleasure to work with. For more information on programs at Southview, contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-392-7452.

Community & Recreation Center Services Fit 2 Play Program Targets childhood Obesity at “The View�: Southview Recreation Center is promoting fitness as a way of life! What better way to promote fitness then pushing the youth to be more physically active? Every Wednesday at 4pm, participants take part in an intense work out in the Fitness Center and then work on their basketball game through the skills and drills portion of the program. Participants utilize the fitness room to develop fitness routines. Most of the participants are usually only interested in playing basketball, so this program capitalizes on their desire for basketball to instill a work ethic in the participants. For more information on programs at Southview, contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704392-7452.

Community & Recreation Center Services Tots on the Move at “The View”: This past week at “The View”, the tots in our preschool program took it to the next level with an extreme obstacle course. After our “Good Morning” song and warm up, they enjoyed running through numbered cones, climbing through the magic tunnel, and hit balls into a net. Every Thursday Recreation Specialist Abby Fowler and Recreation Assistant Alyssa Fowler aim to get the young ones moving around, burning energy, and learning all at once. For more information on programs at Southview, contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-392-7452.

Community & Recreation Center Services Senior Fitness at “The View�: On Monday, February 9th, Southview Recreation Center kicked off its first session of Senior Fitness under the leadership of new Recreation Assistant Alyssa Love! Alyssa led the seniors in some fun chair exercises followed by some challenging line dances that the seniors thoroughly enjoyed. The seniors were extremely excited above the new class are already looking forward to moving and grooving with Alyssa next Monday! For more information on programs at Southview, contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704392-7452.

Community & Recreation Center Services Futures are Bright at “The View�: Every Monday & Wednesday from 4:00-5:00pm, Recreation Specialist Abby Fowler leads a small group study hall for children that need a little extra help with schoolwork. In a nice, quiet environment, she can give them one-on-one assistance with homework and extra work in the subjects they need improvement in. For more information on programs at Southview, contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-392-7452.

Community & Recreation Center Services Hugo visits Berewick Recreation Center: Hugo, the mascot from the Charlotte Hornets visited the Berewick Recreation Center and school to promote and encourage daily reading through the Hornets Reading Program. Hugo brought such enthusiasm to the young students.

The Berewick Recreation Center and school have formed several great partnerships, one being with the Hornets. For more information about programs and youth sports please contact Berewick staff at 704 432 4934.

Community & Recreation Center Services Mentoring Program, “Men in the Making” at Southview: The teen boys in the “Men in the Making” mentoring program meet with Recreation Specialist Korey Townsend every Tuesday at 3pm. The purpose of this program is to go from Men in the Making to Made Men through the teaching of social and life skills. These are implemented through discussions and activities as well as guest speakers stopping by to talk with the group. Not only are the teens learning during this program, but ‘Mr. Korey’ is learning from them as well. The motto here is ‘Do what it takes’ to help the teenagers. As pictured below, Briana Packer, DPT for Caramont Health, came on a Saturday afternoon to speak with a recent high school graduate and program participant, on his future plans. For more information on programs at Southview, contact South-

Community & Recreation Center Services Winter Princess Party: Last Friday, 8 Princesses came out and enjoyed making their own special crowns, colored pictures, played various games such as “Pin the Kiss on the Frog” and “Who is this Disney Princess?” for prizes at the Winter Princess Party held at the Ivory/Baker Recreation Center.

Community & Recreation Center Services Parent Observation Week with REACH Monday, February 9 and Wednesday February 11 held Parent’s Observation Week with the Charlotte Ballet REACH program at the Ivory/Baker Recreation Center. Parents were able to watch their child perform some of the exercises the instructors are teaching them during their weekly lessons. On Monday evenings, participants are taught the fundamentals of ballet for 1 hour and African dance the second hour. Wednesdays, participants are taught ballet fundamentals for 1 hour.

Community & Recreation Center Services Outdoor Adventures This past week, 3rd -6th grade students from the Anita Stroud After School program learned about the different ways to think about what a person will need and what to do when they are outside in nature. Anthony Shaheen from McDowell Nature Center discussed topics such as: Before going on a hike, what should you plan to take? Before building a fire, what do you need? If you encounter any animals, how far away is a safe distance to be from them and what can you use to make them seem closer? The children also played a game called Monster Matchmatch what equipment you would use in one of the scenarios mentioned earlier while not getting caught by “Bigfoot” in the “woods.”

For more information about any of our wonderful programs at the Ivory/Baker Recreation Center, please contact us at IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or call (704) 432-4580.

Community & Recreation Center Services Preschool Programs at Tom Sykes: Let it Go! Let it Go! Tom Sykes Recreation Center became “Frozen� with Princesses everywhere! The Princesses enjoyed coloring their favorite Frozen Characters, making magical snow globes and enjoying story time and snacks with a Snow Princess. For more information about Preschool programs, contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@Mecklenburgcountync.gov.

GC/MS, Youth & Adult Athletics, RPSA MECKLENBURG COUNTY YOUTH BASKETBALL TEAMS PLAY DURING CHARLOTTE HORNETS HALFTIME: The Marion Diehl Hornets and the Tom Sykes Hornets represented Mecklenburg County during half time at a recent Charlotte Hornet’s game. These two teams received the chance to play on the floor of “The Hive” during Park and Rec night on February 10th. Regular season games will conclude this weekend on February 14th. The Countywide Tournament will commence on Tuesday, February 17th at various recreation centers. Registration is underway for Youth Track & Field as well as Youth Baseball. For more information on youth sports, please contact YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-432-4963.

GC/MS, Youth & Adult Athletics, RPSA Adult Coed Volleyball: Co-Rec AA will being playing in the final game of their winter season this coming Tuesday February 17th. Games are played on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30pm at Bette Rae Rec Center. Playoff games will start the week after on February 24th. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-432-3095 or 704-336-7639

GC/MS, Youth & Adult Athletics, RPSA Adult Softball: Softball registration for the spring 2015 league will be starting on February 16th for returning teams and February 23rd for new teams. Registration forms are available on the website here. The new season for softball will be starting in March. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-432-3095 or 704-336-7639.

GC/MS, Youth & Adult Athletics, RPSA

Adult Basketball: Women’s, Men B, Men 30 & Over, and Men’s 40 & Over basketball leagues are all still ongoing. Women, Men’s 30 & Over, and Men’s 40 & Over all play on Sunday afternoons starting at 2pm, Games are played at Tom Sykes, Bette Rae, and Tuckaseegee Rec Centers. Men’s B is played on Monday and Thursday Evenings starting at 7pm on Mondays and 8pm on Thursdays at Bette Rae and Rays Splash Planet. For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-432-3095 or 704-336-7639

GC/MS, Youth & Adult Athletics, RPSA Revolution Park Sports Academy: Valentine’s Day Dance: On Friday, February 6, the Revolution Park Sports Academy (RPSA) hosted a Family Valentine’s Day Dance. The Dance was an opportunity for families from the community and participants from the RPSA programs to come together. Participants were given an opportunity to show off their best dance moves, create Valentine’s Day cards, have a family picture taken, and enjoy refreshments. We would like to thank our sponsor & volunteers for their assistance with this event, It was a night to remember for the families. For more information on this program and others contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at 704-432-4963.

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources Urban Outdoor Connection eMammal: Project eMammal has been introduced into the afterschool enrichment programs Urban Outdoor Connection. eMammal is a camera trap project set up for documentation of the local mammals of the region. The study is in collaboration with Dr. Roland Kayes, zoologist and curator of the Biodiversity lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Institute. Volunteer Master Naturalists will be assisting in the placement of 30 cameras throughout Mecklenburg County at schools, parks, and greenways. If you have any questions, please contact Staci Clark, Master Naturalist Coordinator, 980-721-9154.

3rd Annual Sustainable Living Series provides knowledge, skills and excitement about local foods Charlotte,NC - February 2, 2015 - Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension is celebrating the return of the Sustainable Living Series for a third year.

The successful series is a partnership between the Mecklenburg Family and Consumer Sciences program and the Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardeners. The Sustainable Living Series aims to provide citizens with education to incorporate sustainable practices into their lifestyle. From gardening to canning, the Sustainable Living Series connects families with nature, nutrition and sustainability in a practical and fun manner!

The series includes a year-long schedule of lunchtime, Friday afternoon and weekend workshops, designed for families and working adults. In effort to provide a service available to all citizens, a nominal materials fee is charged for each class. Class registration is available online and via phone by contacting the Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension office at 704.336.2082.

The 2014 Sustainable Living Series provided education to nearly 200 new participants. In a recent feedback survey, series participants indicated overwhelming satisfaction with the Series. Participants surveyed in 2014 indicated a nearly 100% knowledge gain-- based on pre- and post testing. This survey also provided participants with the opportunity to have input in next year's series. Participant feedback was reviewed and incorporated in class changes for the 2015 class offerings.

What others are saying about the Sustainable Living Series... "...drove an hour just to come to these classes!...The best part was an intensive learning environment on specific topics, and the options to learn more in-depth with provided resources and individual conversations with the instructors. It was also helpful to have many other gardeners there to bounce ideas off of! Can't wait for next year's series!"

"I love learning about simple ways to recycle, compost, grow food, harvest, prepare & store."

"I enjoyed learning about the difference in soil composition for growing different types of vegetables. I also learned that watering the plants often does not make them grow - it takes a combination of the right type soil, area location for certain plants, and most importantly preparing the soil ahead of time for planting."

"I enjoyed learning the processes for cooking and canning so that I can preserve my own food and be able to enjoy it any time and not just the summer months."

Additional information including registration for the 2015 Sustainable Living Series is available at mecklenburg.ces.ncsu.edu/sustain or contacting the Mecklenburg Extension Office at 704.336.2082.

Kenneth “Scott” Stephens Kenneth Scott Stephens has been with the County for almost 18 years. He began his career with the county as a Carpenter’s Assistant. Scott was then promoted to Repair Specialist and worked at the Latta Equestrian Center for 6 years before moving on to become a Maintenance & Operations Specialist in the Parks Operations Division. He currently performs tree work, grading and erosion, carpentry and all equipment operations.

Scott is also a certified Playground Safety Inspector and works on our playground installations.

Scott Stephens is truly a man of many talents and a great asset to the Department and the residents of this fine County.

American Heart Month

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Recreate All Year!

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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 54 • February 13, 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 Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources