The Friday Letter | August 31, 2018

The

Accounting Tip for the week:

If you make changes to a Permit select “Apply Pending Charge Modifications.”

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Connecting Moths and Native Plants at Cullowhee Last month, Natural Resources staff had the honor of representing Mecklenburg County at the annual Cullowhee Native Plant Conference on the campus of Western Carolina University. The conference, which is held over a four-day period each summer, focuses on the propagation and preservation of native southeastern plant species in the landscape. Informative talks, workshops, programs and field trips are conducted by professional botanists, ecologists, horticulturists and biologists that represent numerous agencies and organizations throughout the southeast. Natural Resources staff introduced the conference attendees to the Mecklenburg County Moth Nights program with a presentation that focused on the important connections between moths and native plants. The presentation also highlighted the management efforts of Natural Resources staff to protect and maintain the native plants and natural communities that occur in our nature preserves. Two nights of mothing demonstrations were also conducted. The program and the moth night sessions were extremely well attended and provided many conference attendees with a good introduction to the efforts to better understand and manage our nature preserves.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Adversity at Soccer Practice When weather surprises you while having soccer practice outside, what do you do? Improvise and change locations quickly! This past Monday’s practice outside was going great until the clouds above opened up and started to rain on the two teams and parents watching close by. The 2 soccer teams quickly went inside to the gymnasium to continue their practice. Players with cleats had to take them off and practice in their socks, which made it a bit more challenging for players to control the soccer ball more. Volunteer coaches and staff made the most of practice despite a few raindrops and quick change of scenery.

For more information about our upcoming youth sport leagues, contact BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: National Honey Bee Awareness Day In celebration of National Honey Bee Awareness Day, participants at Shamrock were invited to celebrate and honor the insects responsible for more than 1/3 of the food and products we consume. The seniors took this opportunity to celebrate honey bees and recognize their contributions to our everyday lives. The primary goals of this national holiday are to promote and advance beekeeping, educate about honey bees and beekeeping, and bring awareness of environmental concerns as they affect honey bees. Our seniors saw and learned about beehives and beekeepers, learned how to help preserve honeybees and their importance, and had a chance to taste local honey.

For more information about upcoming programs and events, contact us at 704.531.9101 or ShamrockSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Arbor Glen Outreach Center: Back to School Book Bag Drive On Saturday August 25th, The Arbor Glen Outreach Center partnered with the parents of Michael Johnson, the local American Red Cross and Mecklenburg County fire department collected back packs and school supplies. In honor of Michael, the back to school book bag drive also featured A safety presentation by the fire department and mascot, general safety information, arcade game trucks, and more.

For additional information about this and other programs please contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1110.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Summer Basketball Camp Basketball camps at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center were capped off this week by the amazing “Bee A Ball Star� event in partnership with Novant Health and our very own Charlotte Hornets. The event began with skills stations of all sorts and concluded with a literacy enrichment program led by Hugo the Hornet. Families from the neighborhood enjoyed a day full of hoops followed by a fun and festive block party for all involved.

For more information about our upcoming programs, contact staff at NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980.314.1100.

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Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: “Wide World of Sports” Elon played host to an additional Week 9 of summer camp for families. The final week of summer camp was “Wide World of Sports” designed for campers to engage in different sports. Campers had an opportunity to learn the rules and how to play creative athletic games such as Sideline Soccer, Rock-Paper-Scissors Relay, Disc Golf and Baseball. With sports being the main focus for the week, campers had a chance to visit the Charlotte Knight’s baseball game on Friday for a special Back to School event and soak up some sun at Ramsey Beach on Tuesday. This was the very last opportunity to enjoy new/old friends before many of them return to their locations for school. For some of the campers this was their first opportunity to visit a Knights baseball game. The super splash day at the game made the day even more special, with activities such as slip and slide, water bounce houses and dunk tank campers had a chance to cool off and have fun before watching the game. Come join us for fall programming and school day out events here at Elon.

For more information on our upcoming fall programs, contact us at (980) 314-1103 or email us at ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center Staff Volunteer Over the Summer Over the summer, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staff participate in the Rosa Parks Farmer’s Market initiative. This pop-up farmer’s market allowed for community members to receive fresh fruits and vegetables as well as learn different information about being healthy and taking strides to a greener community. Tyvola Senior Center staff participated in one of the Rose Parks Farmer’s Market session by providing activities in the kid zone. Children and adults were able to make a butterfly snack pack and decorate plots and plant flowers. This was a unique and fun way for staff to implement nature programs to youth in the community.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Back to School Bash Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center partnered with the House of Hope Community Dev. Corp to host a Back to School Bash on Saturday August 25, 2018.

Over 250 students and parents attended the event! Participants enjoyed a visit from RAY, the local Fire Department and CMPD Police Officers. Participants were also entertained by two local dance teams, along with Houdini the Magician. School supplies were provided to all students who attended as well as a hot dog lunch. Participants also enjoyed games and snow cones during the event.

For more information on upcoming events and programs at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center call 980-314-1111 or BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: One Last Week on Summer Camp!

The Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center held “One Last Week of Summer Camp� August 20-24. The campers got to experience all types of new and fun activities including canoeing, geocaching, ozobots, a Spanish lesson, arts & crafts, sports, a behind the scenes tour of the Spectrum Center, swimming at Ramsey Creek Beach, beach volleyball at Freedom Park and much more! We hope that our participants have a great start to the school year!

For more information about programs and events, email: BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call: 980-314-1111.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Inline Skating Program Whether you are skating for sport, fitness, or just for plain old fun, we have got you covered. This unique program is coed and open to all ages. What’s awesome is that all the skills that you’ll learn on your inline skates are transferrable from pavement to hardwood, ice, and even snow. From speed skating to hockey, urban skating to skiing, let our talented staff help you achieve your goals.

For more information about our programs, contact us at 980-314-1113 or email us at TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: After School Program The After School Program at MHRC has revved up for its second year and we are anticipating another phenomenal year. As we continue our partnership with Charlotte Choice Charter School, we have added Windsor Park Elementary as another strong partner. From the minute the kids got off the bus, they were thrilled to see us as we welcomed them with a bag of popcorn and juice pouch.

Participants jumped right into their homework after snacks so they could get to the board games faster! As we look forward to another great school year, the kids are already ecstatic for the School-Day-Out adventures.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Adult Volleyball Set... Serve... Spike! Elon Recreation Center has revamped our Adult Volleyball program for this fall season. Adults from across the county come and join us each Tuesday for a fun filled night of competitive volleyball. Reaching its third season at Elon Recreation Center, volleyball has become a staple for the surrounding community to look forward to attending.

For more information regarding athletics and programming, contact Elon Recreation Center at 980-314-1103 or email ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Out and About in Park and Rec This week we are featuring pictures of staff enjoying themselves at the Hummingbird Festival at Reedy Creek on August 18. Pepe Chavez and his staff put on a great event, which hosted about 1500 participants.

If you would like your event or staff featured in Out and About in Park and Rec, please contact Liz Morrell.

1- Natural Resources Supervisor Lenny Lampel facilitates a bird hike in the nature preserve. 2- Outdoor Receration Specialist Taylor Switch and Environmental Educators Ariel Lowry and Rachel Smith show their excitement while working the event. 3- New Deputy Director Peter Cook enjoys touring the vendors outside the Nature Center. 4- Strategic Planning & Evaluation Apprentice Alistair Morrell shows off his face painting. 5- Environmental Educator Emily Hopel, who painted this activity station banner measures her wingspan. 6- Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Operations Manager Kevin Metcalf assists with hummingbird banding.

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS American Legion Memorial Stadium: Belk College Kickoff Tailgate Concert Join us Friday, August 31 for Brad Paisley and Kane Brown with special guests; Davisson Bros Band and Dee Jay Silver! Produced by Southern Entertainment!

Sponsored by WSOC 103.7.

Tickets for the kickoff concert are on sale NOW and can be purchased at https:// BelkTailgateConcert.eventbrite.com. The event will be held at the American Legion Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. Wear your school colors and get creative. Check out the FAN SECTION reserve seating as well!

Keep an eye out, Southern Entertainment will be hosting several contest leading up to the event for a chance to win backstage Meet and Greets with Kane Brown and Brad Paisley. Listen to WSOC for updates!

For more information on all things Belk College Kickoff Concert, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brad-paisley-kane-brown-live-in-concert-tickets45706892546

Grady Cole Center and American Legion Memorial Stadium For information on all upcoming events at the Grady Cole Center and American Legion Memorial Stadium, please vishttps://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/ Facilities/EventFacilities/Pages/Events.aspxit us at: https://www.mecknc.gov/ ParkandRec/Facilities/EventFacilities/Pages/Events.aspx

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Home School Fitness Kicks off at Revolution Park Sports Academy Home School Fitness has once again started at Revolution Park Sports Academy.

This program incorporates strength, cardiovascular and flexibility training as well as individual and team games. The 90 minute program will include outdoor, connecting communities to nature activities at Revolution Park and on the Irwin Creek Greenway. The program will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:00-1:30 PM. Each 6 week session costs $25.00 per participant or the drop in rate of $5.00 per class.

For more information, please call Revolution Park Sports Academy at 980-314-1116 or email RevolutionParkSportsAcademy@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Revolution Park Sports Academy To Host Boxing Matches Boxing fans, Revolution Park Sports Academy will be hosting a weekend of boxing September 7-8th. Starting off Friday September 7th, the 1st Responders Charity Boxing event, honoring the memory of 9/11. Charlotte’s police, sheriff, fire, and highway patrol will match up with Lillington’s 1st responders in the “Battle of the Finest”. Both teams winnings will be donated to afterschool programs!

On Saturday, September 8th, the Charlotte Boxing Academy, in partnership with CMPD, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, Porcelain Dolls, NC Council for Women, and Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, are hosting a free “heathy teen dating discussion” with teens and parents from 11:30am to 1:30pm about teen dating violence awareness.

Later, beginning at 4p, is the “Battle of the Carolinas”. Come out and watch amateur junior, novice, and open boxers from North and South Carolina square off in the ring in this USA Boxing sanctioned event. Come out enjoy and cheer on your team!

For information on these events or adult and youth boxing classes, please call Revolution Park Sports Academy at 980-314-1116 or email RevolutionParkSportsAcademy@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

Recreate All Year!

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Park Partners may contact The Friday Letter Team at Richard . McNeill @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 8 • Issue 33 • August 31, 2018

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 Lee Jones, Director Peter Cook, Deputy Director Renea Barber, Human Resources Liz Morrell, Strategic Planning and Evaluation Lorraine Bias, Sr. Fiscal Administrator Vacant, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Vacant, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources