The Friday Letter | January 6, 2017

The

Accounting Tips for the week: Keep your cash drawer locked when you have currency and/or checks inside.

Natural Resources Mecklenburg County Provides National Leadership in Forest Science and Education In 1889, George Vanderbilt hired a young forester named Gifford Pinchot to manage the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It was the first professionally managed forest in the United States and Pinchot later became the first head of the US Forest Service and then Governor of Pennsylvania. In 1900 he started the Society of American Foresters (SAF), a professional organization created to inform natural resource professionals of advancements in science and education of forest and natural resource management.

Today, SAF is a 12,000-member nationwide professional society that continues to bring the latest forest science advancements to its members, and North Carolina continues to play an integral role. Mecklenburg County Natural Resources Manager, Christa Rogers, represents Region 8 (NC, SC, VA) on the SAF Board of Directors, a post that is often held by university faculty. Christa’s role in SAF as an employee of Mecklenburg County demonstrates a shift in leadership in forest management, as nontraditional stakeholders such as land trusts and local governments are playing larger roles in protecting and managing large tracts of forestland for future generations. Christa will serve as SAF National Board Member until 2020.

Society of American Foresters 2017 Board of Directors (Christa Rogers, Natural Resources Manager, front left)

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker Recreation Center: Winter Academic & Sports Clinic Ivory/Baker Recreation Center was honored to be the host site of CMS’s Winter Academic & Sports Clinic on Wednesday, December 28th and Thursday, December 29th. Many children showed up to be cultured by “From the Locker Room to the Classroom” with representative Sporty Jerrold and West Charlotte High School’s Athletic Director, Titus Ivory. Character Development was presented by enthusiast Don Thomas and Garry McFadden, from the ID Channel. Program funders, Raymond Cantey and Nancy Webber welcomed our participants. Children learned leadership skills, character development skills, and financial literacy. A warm appearance was made by community activist, Carnelia Ivory. The participants were honored to be given a brief motivational speech by City Council member Velma Leeks.

For more information about our programs, events, and outreach opportunities please contact 980-314-1112 or IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Rec Center: Holiday Feast for our Feathered Friends On Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23, the Seniors created a Holiday Feast for their feathered friends. They made bird treats by tying strings to bagels, coating them with Crisco and then dipping them in bird seed. They invited the birds to a feast by hanging all of the bagels on their Senior Tree.

For more information: Call 980-314-1121 or e-mail MallardCreekRecreation@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Rec Center: Behind the Scenes at SEA LIFE Aquarium On Friday December 23, the children in the MCRC School Day Out program journeyed to the Charlotte-Concord SEA LIFE Aquarium. They were able to go behind the scenes to learn amazing facts about many sea creatures. They brought back a better understanding of our oceans, the creatures that inhabit them and what we can do help these amazing creatures.

For more information: Call 980-314-1121 or e-mail MallardCreekRecreation@MecklenburgCountync.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek: Teen Girls Take Over On Thursday, December 29th, Sugaw Creek hosted the Teen Girls Take Over Basketball & Glamour Day. On the court, the student-athletes participated in basketball skills development, mental sports readiness, game situations, as well as strength and conditioning workouts. Off the court, the teens attended sessions on health, beauty and life skills. During the sessions, the activities included vision books, crafts, basic nail care, healthy eating, sports and media training. Afterwards, the teens visited Johnson C. Smith University Campus and observed the Lady Bull’s Women’s Basketball team practice. They enjoyed the opportunity to meet the staff and players and learn about college athletics. Each participant received a goodie bag sponsored by Men of Destiny Inc. and the guest speakers.

For more information about programs at Sugaw Creek, contact 980-314-1124 or SugawCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Start Smart Basketball Graduates Congratulations to the Berewick Recreation Center Start Smart participants.

These future basketball stars worked on various skills ranging from dribbling, passing and shooting. Staff and parents patiently guided the 3-5 year old players through six weeks of fun and friendly competition. The Start Smart concept comes from the N.A.Y.S. Program. At Berewick we offer baseball, soccer and basketball.

For more information on youth sports and other programs offered at the center please contact staff at 980-314-1102 or email BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or go to the website at www.ParkandRec.com.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: The Children Are Coming!

Tyvola Senior Center hosted the Victory Christian Center School Choir. This young group of children put on a wonderful Christmas choral concert. It was nice to listen to traditional holiday songs during this festive season.

For more information about special events at Tyvola Senior Center contact us at 980-314-1320 or email at TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Friday Crochet Club Spreading holiday cheer, Tyvola Senior Center’s Friday Crochet Club passed out gifts at the Salvation Army Women Shelter. These group members have worked diligently to create beautiful handmade hats and scarves to keep them warm during the winter season. The extraordinary talents of the women in the Friday Crochet Club at Tyvola Senior Center did not go to waste when joy was brought to the eyes and hearts of those who received these special gifts. The Friday Crochet Club often crochets for a cause and can be found discussing their next project and where to donate their pieces.

For more information about upcoming senior programs, contact: Tyvola Senior Center at (980) 314-1320 or TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Santa Arrives by Firetruck to see Children Intergenerational Santa Treat was a BLAST! Shamrock Senior Center, New Beginners Day Care and After School children had a really good treat with Santa arriving on the firetruck. Their expressions were priceless when they heard the siren coming from the firetruck and off came Santa. They each got to sit on his lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas and received a gift from him. The Seniors assisted the children with making their gingerbread picture frames and Christmas wreath to take home for the holidays.

For more information about upcoming senior programs, contact staff at the Shamrock Senior Center/Methodist Home at (704) 531-9101.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Winter Break Basketball Camp On December 27-30th, basketball campers were elevating their confidence and skills over the holidays at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center 4-day Winter Break Basketball Camp. What is a better way to stay on top of your game and work on your shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defense skills?

NDRC Winter Break Basketball Camp immerses you in the sport, giving you the kind of focused, intensive training that is essential to improvement. NDRC is confident basketball players of all abilities will leave with increased self-esteem, new friends, and more passion for the game.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Winter Break Skate Camp Grayson Skate Park was host to our first Winter Break Skate Camp from December 27-30th. For only 10 dollars a day, skaters were able to shred and learn alongside our instructors from 9AM-1PM. Everyone had a blast breaking in their new Christmas boards and gear, and learned some tricks along the way.

One day we even made s’mores for everyone to enjoy on the grill! Winter Skate Camp will definitely be a tradition that we have every year from now on because we had such great response from the community.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Winter Holiday Edition!

Elon Recreation Center has been alive and well throughout the winter break!

Kids took this time to hone their basketball skills and compete in other fun games. Everyone ranging from children to senior citizens showed up to show off their basketball skills during this winter holiday season. Now that we’ve returned to our normal hours of operation; we look forward to continuing to help the community recreate all year!

For more information regarding programs and at Elon Recreation Center please call 980-314-1103 or e-mail ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tuckaseegee Tuck Tots Program: This week during Tuck Tots we focused on the recognition of capital and lower case letters. Also, we have been working on the sounds of each letter. The tots are really improving since the beginning of the program, which started back in the Fall. Tuck Tots is offered on Tuesdays at 10am, for ages 1-5 years old.

For more information on this program and others please contact Tuckaseegee Recreation Center at 980-314-1115 or TuckaseegeeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Winter Break Sports Camp at Ray’s Splash Planet Ray’s Splash Planet recently hosted our Winter Break Sports Camp for elementary aged children. In the mornings campers were engaged in basketball and soccer to learn new skills and work on their existing skills. On field trip days we ventured to Sky High and Sports Connection to release more of our energy from all the holiday sweets. In the afternoon, campers were able to take advantage of our water park after arts and crafts, and swim until the heart’s content!

For more information on upcoming programs at Rays Splash Planet, email RaysSplashPlanet@mecklenburgcountync.gov or give us a call at (980) 314-4729.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Bette Rae Thomas’ Seniors took part in sculpting clay with the direction of Susan Hughes, the Community Impact Coordinator for Clayworks. Susan and her assistant taught the seniors how to make clay coffee mugs, and took them all up in order to return them at a later date, after they are glazed and fired. This process will allow the seniors to actually be able to drink from the sculpted mugs!

Some seniors will use them as decorative pieces, and/or flower pots. Clayworks is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of ceramic art and to provide enrichment within the communities that they serve. This experience was made possible by Arts & Science Culture Blocks.

For more information on programs at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, call 980-314-1111.

Community & Recreation Centers Adult Men’s Basketball The men’s 35 & over basketball league finished their fall season on Wednesday, December 28th. Games were played at the Southview Recreation Center on Mondays starting at 7pm, and at Rays Splash Planet on Wednesdays starting at 8pm. There were a total of 9 teams that competed for the league championship. Congratulation to the “Blazers” for winning the championship for this season.

For more information on adult sports Please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, email AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call us at 980-314-1117.

Adult Volleyball The Adult Co-rec BB (Intermediate) volleyball league will start winter season on Wednesday, January 11th. Games will be played at the Tom Sykes Recreation Center starting at 6:30pm. There are a total of four teams participating in the league this season.

For more information on adult volleyball, please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, email AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call us at 980-314-1356.

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

Recreate All Year!

Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to learn of new and exciting way stop 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 Richard . McNeill @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 7 • Issue 01• January 6, 2017

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 Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Peter Cook, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources