The Friday Letter | March 24, 2017

The

Accounting Tips for the week: Please submit P-Card statements on or before the 13th of each month.

Natural Resources Prescribed Fire Update So far in 2017 Natural Resources staff have completed seven controlled burns for a total of 189 acres. If the weather cooperates those numbers will continue to grow through the coming weeks as we wrap up our primary burn season.

Each burn is carefully planned and has a specific purpose. For instance, two of the burns this year were specifically for a research study related to fire effects on Autumn Olive. Two other burns focused on benefiting natural populations of rare wildflowers. Other burns have been implemented to reduce the risk of wildfire, manage invasive species, benefit wildlife, and even as demonstrations for public outreach.

No matter the primary motive behind a prescribed fire, there are sure to be a host of additional benefits when the burn is implemented. Many wildlife and native plant species thrive in recently burned areas. Come see for yourself in one of the recently burned areas at a Nature Preserve- areas that were burned just a few weeks ago are turning green with new growth.

Each burn requires lots of planning and preparation.

Natural Resources

Careful planning, appropriate weather, and firing techniques keep the flames where they’re intended to be.

It doesn’t take long for new growth to appear after a burn.

Horticulture Sci-Fi Beetle We need your Help! This sci-fi beetle is actually a lethal killer- Emerald Ash Borer has killed millions of Ash Trees in the North and Midwest. It has done severe damage in Denver, North Carolina. It is here. Once it injects its’ eggs in the tree it is is over. There is a treatment for it, however, if timed correctly, that lasts up to three years.

Horticulture Ash Trees We need your help. If you think you see any large valuable Ash Trees in the parks, greenways, etc.

Please contact Tim Turton. timothy.turton@mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Or in the Nature Preserves, please contact Christa Rogers at Christa.Rogers@Mecklenburgcountync.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center “Win The Money Game 4-H” On Thursday March 9th, PAL After School participants were introduced to the 4H Money Game. The Money Game puts youth into a real-life game where they experience, conceptually what adults experience for real. On this particular day the participants learned what it meant to pay their monthly expenses after taxes, which brought about being cognizant of budgeting or freely spending money. The students also learned that the number one habit of Millionaires is that they pay themselves “FIRST”. Starting the second month of work the participants understood the principle of paying yourself first, and not taking what is left at the end of a pay check. In the upcoming weeks they will begin to learn about investments and assets.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Wallace Pruitt: St. Patrick’s Day Treasures Last week, Wallace Pruitt hosted a St. Patrick’s day themed arts and crafts program! Kindergarten students from Bruns Academy crafted their own beautiful shamrock wreaths. While some were crafting, others were participating in a center treasure hunt! Participants found potatoes, rainbows, four leafed clovers, and more! Throughout the activity students were rewarded with coins to collect, and cash in at the end of the activity. You could say it was a pretty lucky program!

For more information about our programs, contact Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center at 980-314-1114, or email WallacePruittRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker: Upcycling Upcycling is creative reuse of items that is no longer used for its original purpose. Upcycling allows for individuals to assist in conservation efforts by reusing and “upcycling� materials into new, useful items instead of adding them into landfills. Participants can think outside of the box to make creative items and have fun while doing so! This past week, young ladies made fashionable purses made from an old pair of jeans. They are anxious for the next upcycling workshop to see what they'll create out of upcycled material. The options are limitless!

For more information regarding our programs, please call 980-314-1112 or email: IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker: Bingo Students in the Anita Stroud Afterschool Program played an amazing game of Nature Bingo. After personally decorating their own bingo sheets, players used colorful beads to mark the nature terms that were called out. Once a winner had five in a row, they yelled out "NATURE" and picked a prize from the bag of goodies.

For more information regarding our programs, please call 980-314-1112 or email: IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center: Little Tykes Nature: Arbor Day The Mallard Creek preschoolers celebrated Arbor Day on March 17th. They started out on a leaf hunt to learn about the trees that grow around the center and also did a few tree related crafts. Thanks to Trees Charlotte the kids were able to take home their very own baby pine tree to plant in their yard and as a thank you the kids sent Trees Charlotte their coloring sheets from the day.

For more information about this program and other programs at Mallard Creek Recreation Center, please call 980-314-1121 or MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road: Track Albemarle “Road Runners” are getting ready to take Flight for 2017 Track season. Albemarle Road Recreation is in full swing as we prepare for this upcoming track and field season. Practices are conducted every Monday & Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 at Hickory Grove Elementary School’s track.

For more information about programs at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, please contact 980-314-1101 or AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Who’s the “King of the Court” Every Tuesday & Thursday from 3:30-5:30 Community Teenagers from ages 1418 battle it out in intense basketball games. With pride and bragging rights on the line, our teenagers come with their A-Game to prove they deserve the Crown! Come join in on the competitive play to see if you are the “King of the Court” For more information about programs at Albemarle Road Recreation Center contact 980-314-1101 or AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek Recognizes Arbor Day On Friday, March 17th Sugaw Creek Recreation Center and North Carolina Climate Action joined forces to celebrate Arbor Day. The program included a tree planting seminar and an opportunity to assist with planting a tree on the property. County Commissioner Vilma Leake was in attendance. Program Organizer Ivan Jones called the experience “priceless� because each student who attended received a tree to plant in their own front yard.

For more information on youth programming at Sugaw Creek, email SugawCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or call 980-314-1124.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: March After School Programs This month, children are participating in 2 entertaining and established after school programs at the Berewick Recreation Center. On Tuesdays, Art Adventures are allowing participants to be very creative and imaginative as they made pottery, made pictures from wood pieces, 2 varieties of windsocks and much more.

On Wednesdays, Lego Engineering has the children using their creativity as they are building cityscapes like Uptown Charlotte and Bank of America Stadium. Both of these programs are meeting for 4 weeks this month from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. These programs are always well attended and the children enjoy using their imagination each week.

For more information on our upcoming after school programs offered at Berewick Recreation Center, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Walking Study Group & A Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration Shamrock Senior Center is in partnership with UNCC Charlotte Walking Study for Seniors program. The program is design to discover what prevents seniors from exercising, whether participation in an indoor walking program will help increase their exercise, and improve their health. Shamrock Seniors and the community seniors have been very committed to the program. It’s exciting to watch them walk around the gym with lively music, checking their pedometers frequently and questioning each other about how many steps they completed. The challenge among them is great!

Our Seniors had a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration of fun activities, including them dressing for the occasion in their lovely green attire. They had the opportunity to listen and dance along with soothing Irish music. Shamrock Seniors were provided with a variety of activities and refreshments relating to the holiday theme. The conversations and laughter of the group showed the joy they felt doing their celebration.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Pinewood Derby Painting The Cub Scout Troop is working their way to create Pinewood Derby racing cars! Our troop worked diligently on Thursday, March 16th to design a car of their own to race. The Pinewood Derby is a staple of Cub Scouting tradition and our group is excited to have the chance to make their own cars to race amongst one another. Each troop member received their car made of a block of pine, 4 nail “axles,� and 4 tires and will have the cars compete against one another to see whose car is the fastest. Prizes will be given out for most creative and fastest overall. Currently the cars are drying from their custom paint job, but will be in action this coming week.

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- March Madness in “Start Smart Basketball�

HIP HIP HOORAYYYYY! THE BABIES CAME OUT TO PLAY! THEY SCORED SOME POINTS, THEY WON AWARDS, YES! START SMART ROCKED THE MARCH MADNESS! Start Smart Basketball athletes came out to complete their final basketball session. They opened with a friendly Blue Vs. Red basketball game. Each player cheered on their teammates to score the first basket and boy was that a challenging task. With the program coming to an end, each player was presented with a Basketball medal and a pint-sized basketball to take home for additional practice, in exchange for their outstanding participation. Elon Staff is very excited for the Start Smart Baseball program to begin as they are looking forward to see more smiling faces with an energetic pace.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Garden Club Tyvola Senior Center’s “green thumbs” have begun their crop planting. The participants prepared their garden beds to grow a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits. The Tyvola Senior Center garden club meets every other Tuesday at 1:00pm. Come check out what they have growing!

For more information about upcoming programs at Tyvola Senior Center contact us at 980.314.1320 or TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Hosts Its First Adult Volleyball Clinic Elon Recreation Center held their first volleyball clinic this past week for all ages. While the youth and teen classes are still working their way to gaining more participants, the adult clinic started off with a blast. Lead by Recreation Assistant Amanda Salvo who has a love and passion for the game of volleyball. She is teaching each participant the proper fundamental skills used in volleyball.

These adults enjoyed their first opportunity of recreational volleyball here at Elon Recreation Center. Many of them have fun with the fellowship and physical fitness that the game brings.

For more information, contact us at (980) 314-1103 or at ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Indoor FUN Soccer Methodist Home Recreation Center is excited about the upcoming season of Indoor FUN Soccer and so are our little athletes. This week, our teams hit the floor for practice to prepare for the upcoming season. This is an exciting time for everyone. Please come out and support our Bulls this Spring when they play at the Tom Sykes Recreation Center.

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

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Adult Softball Spring Adult Softball completed its first week of games and offense was the theme of the week. More than 10 teams scored 20 or more runs in a game. It wasn’t all about offense, Scared Hitless and Good Wood pitched a shutout in their Tuesday game at Berewick. You can get your fix each week Monday through Thursday as softball is played in six different locations (Ballantyne, Berewick, Clanton, Friendship, Nevin and Revolution Park) all throughout the Queen City.

For more information on our Adult Leagues, visit www.parkandrec.com or connect with us by email adultsports@mecklenburgcountync.gov or phone 980-314-1117.

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Adult Volleyball The playoffs have begun in Women’s A League and Co-Rec BB League with Spike Punch and Micro Ninja as the top teams respectively in their divisions.

The Micro Ninjas are looking to repeat as champions after taking the crown in the fall league. Catch the postseason excitement with games at Sugaw Creek and Tom Sykes Recreation Centers.

For more information on our Adult Leagues, visit www.parkandrec.com or connect with us by email adultsports@mecklenburgcountync.gov or phone 980-314-1117.

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Adult Men’s Basketball The 1-seed in the playoffs for the Men’s Winter A-League came down to the final regular season game as Primetime faced Red Ventures. Both teams entered with 6-1 records but Primetime pulled off a 104-85 win to claim the top seed. Now it’s “Win or Go Home” for 8 teams in the bracket. Postseason play will start next week with games at Naomi Drenan and Hickory Grove. The Men’s 30 & Over Division will also kickoff their playoffs next Sunday with matchups at Bettie Rae Recreation Center.

For more information on our Adult Leagues, visit www.parkandrec.com or connect with us by email adultsports@mecklenburgcountync.gov or phone (980-314-1117).

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 7 • Issue 12 March 24, 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