Greetings again from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. We hope this e-newsletter helps you enjoy our many offerings of fun, competition and good health. Please tell us what you think by using the Send Feedback link in the toolbox to the right. Winter is a great time to get going with Park and Rec! 

PARK PROJECTS ON HOLD AS MECKLENBURG COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FORCED TO DELAY BORROWING

Faced with a deteriorating economy and falling tax revenue, Mecklenburg's Board of County Commissioners agreed to go on a "debt diet." The county will delay issuance of new bonds authorized by voters. This will slow down $20 million worth of new parks and greenway projects in the near future.  County Manager Harry Jones said delays are necessary to reduce unexpected and significant budget gaps. Some bonds may be delayed until Fiscal Year 2010. The County Manager urged commissioners to "think differently" because of changing circumstances created by economic recession. 

IF YOUR YOUNGSTERS WANT TO GO TO SUMMER DAY CAMP WITH PARK AND RECREATION, NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN-UP.  OPENINGS ARE LIMITED!

Now is the time to think about sending youngsters to summer day camp. Park and Recreation hosts more than 60 camps. They include many fun and educational activities for youngsters, with special camps for youngsters and adults with disabilities through our Therapeutic Recreation section. We offer many camps in partnership with groups like the YMCA.  Register for most online at Eparks.  Use barcode camp number, if listed. Otherwise call 311 or other number listed. Most registrations are now open. Registration for camps at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center begins March 2. 

WOODCARVERS SHOW OFF THEIR CLEVER TALENTS AT WOODCARVERS SHOWCASE FEB 21 & 22.

Park and Rec hosts the Charlotte Woodcarvers Showcase of Woodcarvings at Marion Diehl Recreation Center Feb 21 & 22, 10am-4pm. Admission is FREE. This is a judged exhibition of woodcarvings from amateur and professional woodcarvers from across the southeast.  Subjects include caricatures, birds of prey, chip carving, human busts, ducks, and more. Vendors will be on hand to sell wood, tools, and supplies to "wood-be" carvers.  Mini-seminars will be given on various topics.  For more info call Rod Gatlin of the woodcarvers: 704529-1748 or check www.charlottewoodcarvers.com.
   

CAROLINA SPEED, MECKLENBURG PARK AND REC INVITE SIGN-UPS FOR SPRING YOUTH INDOOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE!

Park and Recreation and Carolina Speed invite youngsters, ages 9-12, to sign-up for the new Youth Indoor Football League which plays at Bojangles Coliseum Saturdays beginning in April. Eight teams will be formed in the first ever league endorsed by the Speed and the American Indoor Football Association.  League features 8-on-8 play on the field, with team rosters of 15-20 players. Speed coaches and staff worked with us to adapt professional rules to youth capabilities. Speed players and coaches will hold coaching clinics and training camps for players. Register at http://eparks.charmeck.org course barcode #42490.  Or call 311 to register or for more information. 

The second annual Marine Buddy Challenge takes place Feb 7, 7am-10:30am, at Colonel Francis Beatty Park.  Two-person team competition simulates Marine Corps' new Combat Fitness Test of overall fitness. Teams compete in combat-simulation maneuvers, plus a four-mile on/off-road run with backpack.  How's that for tough?!  Participants register in one of six categories, without regard to age or gender. Team members stay together (a Marine never leaves one behind), dress alike (uniform appearance), and carry backpacks. Members of 4^th Maintenance Battalion serve as Drill Instructors. Proceeds benefit nonprofits which help wounded Marines. For more info contact Barb Christie at 704 847-1317.
 

SIGN-UPS NOW UNDERWAY FOR ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES ORGANIZED BY MECKLENBURG PARK AND RECREATION

We invite teams to register in February for Adult Flag Football Leagues. Play starts in March. Players must be 18 years old. Register for five divisions: 9 player recreational or competitive (men's leagues), 7 player screen (men's league), 7-player co-ed league, or a 5-player women's league. Team fees run $275-$525 in various divisions. Games will be weeknights and Saturday mornings at Mallard Creek High School, Revolution Park, Clanton Park, Nevin Park, and Sugaw Creek Park.  To at Eparks using the following course barcode numbers or call 311:

• #42436 for 9-man (recreational or competitive)
• #42437 for 7-man
• #42437 for 7-man screen
• #42273 for 7-co-ed
• #43091 for 5-women

For more information call 311 or Athletic Coordinator Marquisha Clayburn at 704 552-8213.  
 

'BATTER UP':  ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES NOW FORMING FOR PARK AND REC PLAY THIS SPRING

Sign-up now for Park and Recreation adult softball leagues starting in mid-March at several parks. Leagues are forming for men's, co-rec, and church teams. Players must be age 18. Fees run $375-$400/team. Register at Eparks using the following barcode numbers:

• #43933 for Co-Rec "A" League at Nevin Park, play Tuesdays and Thursdays
• #42508 for Co-Rec "B" League at  Hornets Nest Park, play Thursdays
• #42509-Men's "B" League at Hornets Nest Park, play Tuesdays
• #42511- Men's Church League at Park Road Park, play Mondays,
• #42512-Men's "C" League at Renaissance Park, play Wednesdays
• #42514-Co-Rec Church at Hornets Nest Park, play Mondays,
• #42575-Co-Rec "C" League at Park Road Park, play Wednesdays

Or call 311 or 704 336-7639 for more information.

GET HEALTHY AND FIT WITH "CARDIOMIX," ADULT EXERCISE AT WEST CHARLOTTE REC CENTER

Join a great group exercise program called CardioMix at West Charlotte Recreation Center. Dynamic and effective workouts with aerobic, strength, and mind/body conditioning for active adults, age 18 and older. Class meets Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm. Register for any month before the first of the month. Cost: $25 a month. For more information or to register, contact West Charlotte Recreation Center at 704-393-1560 or via e-mail. Or call Infinity Fitness: 704 363-2471. 

"FAIRY HOUSE FESTIVAL" PROMISES ENCHANTING TIME FOR YOUNGSTERS AT LATTA PLANTATION NATURE PRESERVE

We invite children and families to a "Fairy House Festival," Sat, Feb. 14, 10am-4 pm, at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Discover the joy and magic of fairy houses. Event includes storytelling, face painting, crafts, and children's activities with refreshments available. Prizes for best fairy and gnome costume and for construction of the best fairy house. Learn how to build your own fairy house. (A fairy house is a house an outdoor natural habitat structure for fairies, insects and small animals.) For more information call 311 or 704 875-1391. 

IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY!  LEARN HOW AT COMMUNITY UNIVERSITY

Literature is now available at all our recreation centers about the Charlotte Neighborhood Development Department's "Community University." CU offers free workshops on neighborhood improvement and community organization for Charlotte residents, at the McCrorey YMCA, 3801 Beatties Ford Rd, 6:30-8:30pm on:

• Feb. 3:  Your Neighborhood Organization: Basics and Beyond
• Feb. 11:  Developing Our Future: Mobilizing Youth for Neighborhoods
• Feb. 19:  Technology Tools for Your Neighborhood
• Feb. 24:  Fun with Neighborhood Fundraising

To register go to: http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org and click on the CU icon or e-mail. 

E-PLANT TIPS FOR WINTER FROM THE NC COOPERATVE EXTENSION SERVICE

In Mecklenburg County, the Cooperative Extension Service is part of Park and Recreation and offers the following tips for gardeners:

• Early spring is the second best time (first best is fall) to plant trees and shrubs but keep in mind watering is essential in the summer months.
• Don't over mulch newly planted trees and shrubs. Two to three inches of mulch is best - less if a fine material, more if coarse. Use either organic mulches (shredded or chunk pine bark, pine straw, composts) or inorganic mulches (volcanic and river rocks) is okay too.

The usefulness of a garden tool can only be obtained by keeping the tool clean and sharp. Learn the techniques of sharpening each tool, and practice them frequently. Professional gardeners frequently sharpen their tools (at least daily). Clean your tools after each use and oil the blades.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT PARK AND RECREATION!

For information on volunteering for any of these programs, contact: Lori Saylor at 704-336-5478 or via e-mail. NOTE: Volunteers under age 16 must accompany an adult. Volunteers in Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Division must be 18 years old. We need volunteers for:

• Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon, Sat 4/18, 7am-1 pm, Mecklenburg Aquatic Center, Volunteers will help monitor course, pass out water and cheer to participant. Great crew last year!
• Be-A-Champion Track and Field, Tuesdays in May, 5:30pm-8:30pm at JCSU and various rec centers. Ages 16 and up needed. Assist the "Be -A- Champion" youth track and field league. Volunteers help run all aspects of track meets.
• Events on the Green, Sat May 16, 6pm-10 pm, Albemarle Rd Recreation Center. During live WWX Wrestling match and Motorcycle show, work with food vendors, movie, music and kids activities. Ages 16 and up needed.
• Community Easter Egg Hunt, Sat. April 11, 11am-1pm, Albemarle Rd Recreation Center. Help hide eggs and assist little children as needed with hunt, tattoos, ring toss, etc.
• Spring Carnival, Tuckaseegee Rec Center, Saturday April 18, 1pm–6pm.  Help with the Tuckaseegee Spring Carnival and talent show. Set up and run games and booths, monitor assigned areas, help break down.
• Triathlon at Jetton Park, May 9, 7am – 12 pm. Help with registration, information, the events and pick up after the event.
• Asian Festival Ramsey Creek Park, Sat, May 16, 7am – 4pm (2 shifts available), includes dragon boat races. Help with passing out information, trash pick up, event set-up, moving tables and chairs, take down.
• National Trails Day, Sat June 6, McDowell Nature Preserve, 9am-2 pm. Help clean the Natures Preserves trails. This is a nationwide event.
• Indoor FUN Soccer League, Arbor Glen Outreach Center, 1520 Clanton Rd Late March through June. Coaches Needed