The Friday Letter | January 27, 2017

The

Accounting Tips for the week: End of Month— Schedule the deposit pickup!

Community & Recreation Centers Revolution Park Sports Academy Starting New At Golf , or S.N.A.G, is an ongoing beginner golf program for all ages at Revolution Park Sports Academy. This program emphasizes the basic fundamentals of the game of golf. It also educates participants on various aspects of the game of golf such as decorum, etiquette, golf terminology and much more! This youth program is on Thursdays at 4:00pm, and FREE! For more information, contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at 980-314-1116, or email Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Revolution Park Sports Academy Youth Baseball Clinics are underway at Revolution Park Sports Academy, on Fridays at 6:00 pm. The registration fee is $5.00 per player, per session. The camp emphasizes the skills and fundamentals necessary to play and enjoy the game of baseball and softball. For more information, or to register, contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at 980-314-1116, or email Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNc.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker: Nature Enrichment This past week, students from our afterschool program learned different characteristics among various birds. After reading a book about some of those differences, students hung Cheerio bird feeders on our tree in the garden area.

Next, they went on a hunt for animal habitats. Using their observation skills, students found a bird’s nest on the roof of the walkway leading up to the building. Several other habitats that were found belonged to ants, termites, and beetles. Lastly, looking under rocks and bushes, our habitat hunters illustrated their findings on paper.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker: Youth Basketball Games Swoosh! The basketball nets were busy collecting balls from victorious 14U teams at our games at Ivory Baker on Saturday. The crowd roared with excitement! The referee shared his enthusiasm as well for the dedication that the players’ exhibited for their team performance in the game. We look forward to future basketball games at Ivory Baker.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center : Garden Planning Time Preschoolers wearing their rain boots headed out to explore the gardens at Mallard in preparation for the planting season next month. They saw what was still growing, helped to pull up some broccoli and collard plants and pulled some turnips. The children felt the soil noticing the wetness and coldness of it. Back inside they took pictures that had been cut from seed catalogs and helped Ms. Stephanie place them on the garden sheets on the wall, while learning the different times of year to plant. They learned about vegetables that like cold weather and vegetables that like hot weather, comparing them to camels in the dessert and snowmen at the North Pole. Then equipped with their own seed catalogs. They cut out everything they would like to grow in a garden and pasted it on their own brown sheet of paper representing their garden. Ms. Stephanie gave the parents growing guides and a guide about container gardening from NC State Cooperative Extension to help them know when and how to plant all the things their children wanted to grow. Lastly, the children ate a yummy salad with spring lettuce, spinach, carrots and radishes. They learned how they could plant these items starting next month to grow their own salad. Little Tykes Gardening meets monthly. In February, it is planting time with carrots, radishes, lettuce, and spinach being planted by the children.

For more information call 980-314-1121 or email MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Hickory Grove: Character Parties at “The Grove�

Every Thursday, until the end of the school year, the HGRC staff will be putting on Character Parties for students at the Pre-K Hickory Grove Elementary School.

We put on different fun interactive activities involving educational learning, physical movement, and social interaction in a unique way. The kids and the teachers absolutely loved it! The students are currently learning about wind/ water, so the activity was tailored around what the students are familiar with in the classroom. And it was a hit! We are so excited for the upcoming weeks! Stay tuned!

For more information about this Fun Character Parties, please send an email to HickoryGroveRecreationCenter@mecklenburgcountync.gov or just give us a call at 980-314-1122.

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek: Parent/Child Dance

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Lights, Camera, Action!

The children participating in this month’s afterschool program, “Lights, Camera, Action!” began their first class, preparing for one of the 2 plays they are planning to perform at the end of the month. The first play will be a puppet show called “The Bremen Town Musicians.” All set with their scripts, some of the participants starting making their puppets for the play. The second play they plan to perform will be “Sleeping Beauty.” The children are eager to work on their performances and make certain to get their lines perfected. Next week is their performance.

For more information on afterschool programs offered at the recreation center please contact staff at 980-314-1102 or e-mail BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Celebrating Dr. Martin L. King Jr.’s Birthday Shamrock Senior Center celebrated Dr. Martin L. King Jr.’s Birthday by talking about his dreams; understanding his belief that everyone is born with natural rights and that the statement of "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence was meant for men and women of all races. So, the Seniors had their own topic: “I HAVE A DREAM TOO,” where each one shared one of their dreams to the group. They were excited about the craft they made with their hands to create a dove with the olive branch leaf. We discussed how the white dove has become an international symbol of peace. David Hoags was able to serenade the seniors with his gift & talent of playing his guitar with specific traditional music from the 1960’s & ‘70’s. His performance put a smile on their faces and movement to their bodies.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Dementia Series Tyvola Senior Center participants embarked on a three-week series that explores the world of dementia. Dr. Louise Murray from UNC Charlotte’s Gerontology Program kicked off the series by delving into the science behind dementia and how the brain changes when one develops this disease. A speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter also came for the second session and executed an informative presentation on Understanding Dementia Related Behaviors. The last session that took place this past Thursday held a discussion about Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease. Participants who have attended in one or all session have thoroughly enjoyed learning about dementia and are looking forward to assisting those with the disease in any way they can.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center- Start Smart Lacrosse As we enter into our fourth week of Smart Start Lacrosse, our players have been taught the basic skills, techniques, and fundamentals for the sport such as shooting, passing, catching, cradling, stick handling and agility. This week, we are focusing more in depth on passing to our partners as well as running and shooting to the goal and/or target. Our goal for the players is to be able to have an actual lacrosse game by the end of our six-week program. We are almost there!

To learn more about our programs here at Tom Sykes, call us at 980-314-1113 or email us at TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: The Gentleman's Club Methodist Home Recreation Center presents The Gentleman's Club (TGC) is a teen male mentoring program. This program is to chauffeur young men to manhood by giving them tips and tools they can use for the rest of their life. The Gentleman's Club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The picture below is of TGC members enjoying themselves after volunteering at our Youth Basketball League Bash!

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Lil’ Saturday Morning Club Methodist Home Recreation Center kicked off the return of the Lil’ Saturday Morning Club. The Lil’ Saturday Morning Club is an enrichment program for preschoolers offering music, nature activities, arts & crafts exploration, fun fitness and more. The name mosaic and a tree activity correspond with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, which was read with our young participants. This program is conducted every Saturday from 11:00am-12:30pm. The cost is $10 for all 4 Saturday sessions in January. We’ll also be offering the program in February & March as well. Don’t miss out on the Saturday morning fun!

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Achieve 225 Naomi Drenan Recreation Center’s Shamel Akins has been programming at Shamrock Gardens Elementary School every Tuesday from 11:00am-2:15pm.

Youth from grades K-5 are exposed to varying games and activities that are age appropriate, focus on building the fundamentals of fitness and emphasize group play and fun. Games are interchangeable and can be modified to accommodate all ages and skill levels. This program is a collaboration with CMS and MCPRD as a part of the Achieve 225 grant.

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: PE Workout Naomi Drenan Recreation Center held its gym time for the homeschoolers and added a twist! Pumping music, we alternated between rapid movement, sports games and team building activities. Kids as young as 3 and old as 13 worked together and individually to get a work out. We played “Build and Destroy,” “Body Shapes” and a group game of soccer. Everyone got their hearts racing and took time during the games for dance breaks too.

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: Valentine’s Day Red Carpet Ball Naomi Drenan is hosting a large Valentine’s day event that looks to reach out to seniors across the county and young adults too. We will be having a Red Carpet Ball to celebrate Valentine’s Day complete with a DJ, food spread, crafts, and dance moves galore for only 5 dollars! Use the activity number on the flyer and bring all your friends and loved ones… seniors dance from 1-3PM and young adults from 6-8PM on February 10th. Come dressed to impress!

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tuckaseegee Tuck Tots Field Trip: On Tuesday, January 24, 2017, Tuck Tots went on a field trip to the Children’s Theater to watch “Commedia Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs”. The play featured actors in exaggerated masks recreating the story complete with slapstick comedy and a healthy dose of silliness. The world premiere comedy had the tots and parents in laugher! Tuck Tots is offered on Tuesdays at 10am for ages 15 years old.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Event Management School: On Thursday, January 19, 2017 Calandra Barnes and Tahara Epps completed Event Management School at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center. The program took 2 years to complete. The first-year curriculum was created with the goal of providing a strong basic understanding and awareness of the multiple, critical components involved in event planning and management. The secondyear curriculum builds upon that first-year knowledge-base by providing more applied workshop-styled opportunities in specific areas, together with a project -based opportunity to help bring the “real world� a little closer to the classroom.

For more information, please contact Oglebay Resort and Conference Center at 304-241-2545.

GCC/ALMS and Sports & Fitness Grady Cole Center The Grady Cole Center welcomes back the annual Charlotte Mini-Con for its fortieth anniversary! Come celebrate the original North Carolina comic convention tomorrow between 11:00AM and 5:00PM with vintage comic books, costumes, toys, and a gallery of acclaimed writers and artists; Tickets are $5.00 and kids under 12 are always free.

For tickets, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/d/nc--charlotte/charlotte-minicon-2017/

For information on all upcoming events at the Grady Cole Center and American Legion Memorial Stadium, please visit us at: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Facilities/ EventFacilities/Pages/Events

GCC/ALMS and Sports & Fitness Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) Congratulations to Karla Thornhill, Recreation Supervisor in the Sports & Fitness section for successfully fulfilling the requirements of the NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators. The Academy for Youth Sports Administrator is a comprehensive certification program offering cutting-edge information on critical topics for professional youth sports administrators. The Academy’s primary goal is to provide professionals with the foundation and tools needed to positively impact the youth sports experience for all children in their communities.

It is designed as an interpersonal, educational and networking opportunity that no youth sports administrator should miss. Topics covered within the Academy include: 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, Model youth sports program and Professional development. Congratulations Karla!

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

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The Friday Letter Volume 7 • Issue 04• January 27, 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