The Friday Letter | May 5, 2017

The

Accounting Tips for the week: Check ID for credit card customers and make sure the names match

Natural Resources Latta Plantation Nature Preserve: Picnic Area Renovations Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is getting two new picnic shelters, replacing two structures that were built in the 1980s. The new shelters will be completed this month, and can be reserved for family picnics or other gatherings. Along with the new shelters, the nearby restroom facility is getting a makeover, with new flooring, fixtures, and exterior. We invite you to come visit our improved

Natural Resources Vegetable Garden Bed at Shamrock Senior Center The nature club at Shamrock Senior Center in coordination with Reedy Creek Nature Center staff worked on vegetables in the raised beds. This is a great therapeutic way to spend some time outdoors and harvest the results of the hard work in a few months.

Natural Resources Roses Have A Few Thorns But thistle has more! The plant pictured here is Carduus nutans – or nodding thistle. It is a Class B noxious weed in North Carolina- meaning it is recognized as a highly problematic non-native invasive species and intentional distribution of the plant is restricted.

Unfortunately, nodding thistle is present at a number of parks and nature preserves around the county. It is a difficult pest to eradicate, not least of all because of its razor sharp spines. It is best taken care of when infestations are caught early, so if you see this plant please let someone from Natural Resources or Horticulture know.

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek – Senior Yoga On Tuesday mornings at 9am, a group of seniors eagerly participate in a Senior Yoga class led by Karthika Soundrapandian or Karthi as the seniors know her.

Karthi received her initial Yoga Teacher training in Rishikesh, India and her Senior Yoga certification her in North Carolina. It is a drop in class with a $2 For more information: CALL 980-314-1121 or email MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountync.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center: Bruns Fun Afterschool Program The Wallace Pruitt Recreation center would like to introduce, Bruns Fun. Bruns Fun is our Afterschool Sports Skills Clinic. This program is held every Tuesday at 4:00 pm. Our partnership with Bruns Academy’s, provides an opportunity for participants to perform a variety of drills, to improve balance, movement and flexibility, while also encouraging teamwork and sportsmanship.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Shamrock Garden On Friday, the seniors at Shamrock Senior Center showed off their green thumbs. Along with learning about compost and its importance, they learned and participated in gardening. Vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes, plus herbs such as lavender, basil, lemon grass, peppermint and much more were planted. The seniors felt empowered that they were planting their own vegetables that soon they will be able to harvest and enjoy. The volunteer opportunity of giving time to come water and nurture the newly planted plants gives participants a sense of belonging and purpose which is great for our seniors.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Commedia Snow White On Monday, the Children’s Theater of Charlotte came and presented Commedia Snow White, the story of Snow White with a comedy twist! Snow White is tired of living with the Evil Queen and has no interest in marrying a prince. She over hears the Evil Queen is plotting to kill her, so decides to leave into the forest.

The seniors enjoyed following Snow White’s adventure as she finally finds who she wanted to be. The four astonishing actors wore bright masks and beautiful costumes, making their own sounds effects which really got the seniors attention. The seniors laughed and loved the new spin on the old fairytale.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Start Smart Baseball Ends The Berewick Recreation Center completed their six weeks of Start Smart Baseball on April 27th. The future major leaguers, ages 3-5 years, learned the basic fundamentals of baseball with the assistance of their parents and center staff.

During the six weeks, the children focused their energies on hitting, catching and running the bases. Staff wrapped it up by giving the participants a medal. All of the children had lots of fun.

For more information on our youth sports offered at Berewick Recreation Center, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: CMS Early Release Day This past week the children of Dilworth Elementary celebrated an early release day from school by attending our special Play the Day Away program. Students received a break from the classroom to enjoy a day filled with putt-putt golf, go cart racing, arcade games, food and fun at Adventure Landing. Tom Sykes features a Play the Day Away program for CMS school days out and early release days.

For more information regarding programs and activities at Tom Sykes Recreation Center call 980-314-1113 or email TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Host 3rd Annual Community Senior Shred Day Tyvola Senior Center in partnership with Transition with Care will host the 3rd Annual Community Senior Shred Day in honor of Older Americans Month. This is a FREE shredding resource event that provides seniors protection against identity theft by offering a safe and secure avenue to destroy documents that may contain personal health and financial information. Seniors may bring up to 5 (7 gallon) trash bags or 5 banker size boxes of paper and or files. DVD’s, CD’s, and/or Floppy discs are not permissible. This event will take place on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Tyvola Senior Center (2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC 28210).

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Mt. Airy, NC Day Trip Tyvola Senior Center participants recently went on a day trip to the infamous Mt. Airy, NC. During this trip, participants enjoyed a seated tour on the bus and learned the history of Mt. Airy, NC; Andy Griffith’s hometown. After eating a delicious lunch at Barney’s Café, the group went to the Andy Griffith Museum and learned more about the famous actor and other local history.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Elon Adult & Youth Volleyball Who has game? Elon Recreation Center is now providing, both, youth and adult volleyball programs. After a brief trial period, Elon has decided to continue the instructional class which teaches the participants the basic fundamentals of volleyball. Both adult and youth enjoy the game and instruction level. We are preparing to have an exhibition for the recreational volley ball leagues.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker: Story Alive Story-Alive Story Time is an interactive way to bring a story from words in a book to reality. Complete with a 3-D room transformation from the story setting and costume, children are allowed to stroll through the setting, as lines from the targeted book appear in various areas along the set. Children are encouraged to read aloud sentences and act them out, as we enjoy being a part of the original authors imaginative world!

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

Community & Recreation Centers West Charlotte Rec Center: Village Heart B.E.A.T. Friends and Family Celebration On Saturday, April 29th, Staff from West Charlotte and other rec centers provided fun activities for the teams participating in the Village Heart B.E.A.T. program. Village Heart B.E.A.T. is a Mecklenburg County Public Health Initiative designed to promote better heart health awareness, and to enhance community resources in a coordinated health care service model that addresses obesity and heart disease awareness among African American and Hispanic populations. By partnering with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, teams are able to utilize fitness centers and programs in select recreation centers.

For more information about our programs, please call 980-314-1120 or email: WestCharlotteRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Senior Games The Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Games makes a splash in its 4th week with

some “Big” Events. After wrapping up Pickleball, the Seniors took to the pool for Wednesday’s swim meet at Marion Diehl. The meet featured a dozen events from the 50 Meter Backstroke to the 500 Meter Freestyle. Tomorrow at Nevin Park it’s Big Saturday. Seniors will compete in 8 fun events including horseshoes, corn hole, bocce and croquet among others.

For more information on Senior Games, visit www.parkandrec.com or connect with us by email (seniorgames@mecklenburgcountync.gov) or phone (980-314-1328).

Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Adult Flag Football Adult Flag Football saw it’s 2017 Spring Debut on Wednesday Night at Freedom Park. The Trailblazers and Sofa King Good were victorious in their opener. Five teams will compete in an 8-game season. This league is action packed; don’t miss it!

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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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 17• May 5, 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