Bi-monthly Employee Newsletter of the Richland County Recreation Commission -- April 2015

IN THIS ISSUE: Proven Impact: Your Local Parks PROVEN IMPACT: YOUR LOCAL PARKS Addressing National Issues ADDRESSING NATIONAL ISSUES 1-2 Kenya Bryant, Assistant Executive Director SANKOFA AFRICAN AMERICAN TRAVELLING EXHIBIT 2 The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) has identified three THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION’S ROUND UP 3 key ways that local parks make a significant impact in solving the nation’s DIVAS DISCO! 4-5 toughest issues. By ensuring there is Social Equity in all programs and activities; DISTRACTED DRIVING 6-7 providing Health and Wellness opportunities; and engaging in effective BEATS FOR THE SWEETS ON PARKLANE 7 Conservation practices, local parks are uniquely positioned to positively affect their communities. WOTSIT PHRASES 8 WOMEN’S KICKBALL LEAGUE 9 APRIL/MAY CALENDAR 9 NRPA’s Three Pillars Defined

MISSION STATEMENT Social Equity Dedicated to enriching lives and Ensuring all people have access to the benefits of local connecting communities through parks and recreation. True to the very philosophy of public diverse recreational oppourtunities. parks and recreation is the idea that all people – no matter the color of their skin, age, income level or ability – has access to programs, facilities, places and spaces that make their lives and communities great.

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Continued from page 1 practices. In today’s world, where the guide you will find symbols that conservation and environmental will identify a program that meets the Health and stewardship is on everyone’s minds, criteria of each or all of the “Three public parks and lands are viewed as Pillars”. Enjoy becoming part of the Wellness essential to protect open space and conversation. Leading the nation preserve nature – our land, water, to improved health trees, open space, wildlife. and wellness through parks and recreation. America continues to feel Richland County Recreation the strain of a serious health crisis affecting adults and young alike. Commission (RCRC) One in which we are plagued by As the first nationally accredited poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, parks and recreation agency in the and unhealthy habits. But there is a state of South Carolina, RCRC has solution with little to no cost and is an obligation to bring the national available in nearly every town, city conversation to the local level. We do and community – local parks and that every day through our mission recreation. statement, “Dedicated to Enriching Lives and Connecting Communities through Diverse Recreational Conservation Opportunities.” NRPA’s “Three Pillars” Protecting open space, will assist our agency in telling the connecting children to story of how the programs, services nature, and engaging and activities that we offer are communities in addressing serious national issues conservation practices. right here in our own community. The Core to the mission of public parks programs and activities you find in this and recreation is the preservation of program guide are more than classes, natural resources and the promotion but gateways to enriched lives and of good conservation and stewardship connected communities. Throughout

Richland County’s Parklane Adult Activity Center featured the Sankofa African American Museum on Wheels exhibit on January 29, as a part of their Black History Month Celebration.

The exhibit told of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and took you on a journey through slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights Movement and the present. The exhibit also featured African American inventions. For more information about the Sankofa African Sankofa African American Museum on Wheels, please contact the curator, Angela American Jennings at 703-9230 or the Adult Activity Center Manager, Patricia Travelling Exhibit Middleton at 462-9995. at RCRC Patricia Middleton, Adult Activity Center Manager Richland County Recreation Commission -- Team Times--April 2015 -- 3

Andrew Scott, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor The RCRC Adaptive Recreation The Challenger Flag Football League: Department makes it possible for A non-contact flag football co-ed people living with disabilities to still league for individuals with disabilities, So this year, get off the couch, grab a play and remain physically active. ages 6-26. Each player learns basic friend and walk a mile with us. The Adaptive Recreation Division has fundamentals of the game: running, adopted the concept, “We focus on throwing and catching a football Wheelchair Basketball ability not disability”. Below is a brief based upon their abilities. Each player Developmental League: description of a few of our activities is given the opportunity to be actively and events: engaged in the practices and games. We also offer an opportunity to those who are interested to become a part of our spirit squad. Each player and cheerleader receives a uniform for their perspective role. Each year our team travels out of town to Charlotte to play against other teams and our players are very excited to show off their talents. Another highlight of the season is the Moms vs. Players game, where the winner gets bragging rights. Each year we have We received very good response an award banquet to honor all of our after extending an invitation to the Camp Sunshine: participants: players, cheerleaders, public to join the league. From this A summer camp that is designed for coaches and volunteers. response we were able to establish an individuals who live with intellectual, official team. Despite the challenges physical and developmental Rising High Basketball: of the condition of the basketball disabilities, ages 6-26. At any given Dribbling, passing and taking it to the wheelchairs, funding for traveling, and time you can find us with our “hip hoop – that’s what you will find during conference fees, the RCRC Lightening bone in motion” (dancing), doing a our Rising High Basketball league. Wheelchair Basketball Team re-enactment of Goldilocks and The This co-ed adaptive league gives continues to persevere. This traveling Three Bears in our Storytime/Drama individuals who have special needs league is for people with disabilities room, using our camper’s creativity ages 15-35 who are able to maneuver and skill to create arts and crafts an opportunity to enjoy the game of Basketball. Each participant is given a wheelchair while competing in worthy of taking home and putting basketball competition. The RCRC on the refrigerator, shooting some basic instructions on the game and is hoops in the gym or having fun at the taught the importance of teamwork. Lightning is part of the CWBC pool. There’s never a dull moment, A jersey is issued to all players and a (Carolinas Wheelchair Basketball but you can be sure you will find a snack is provided. GO TEAM! Conference). The team hosts as well safe, fun environment as we adapt as travels to various cities in the activities to ensure that each camper Walk-A-Mile-In-My-Shoes: southeast to compete: Charlotte, NC; is experiencing personal growth and This event is designed to bring Concord, NC; Spartanburg, SC, and developing social skills. 2014 allowed awareness to the Special Needs Charleston, SC. us to see another awesome year. Population, to educate, to provide Camp Sunshine also allows a much valuable resources, and to promote RCRC Adaptive Recreation Staff: needed respite for parents/guardians unity in the community. To better This strong team of individuals work who care for people with disabilities. serve the population we are always hard to assure that all of our patrons seeking ways to enhance our existing receive excellent programs, events Camp Winter Wonderland: programs and to venture out into new and service. Each team player brings This is a 5 day winter break camp for areas. Walk-A-Mile-In-My-Shoes event a unique perspective to our overall individuals with special needs and aids us with resources that make it goal. With loyalty and passion for their siblings, ages 5-26. The camp possible for us to maintain and grow each assignment, our efforts are aids working parents/guardians programs that will affect the lives of appreciated by those who benefit and provides a safe, fun camp all our participants and their families. from the service we offer. So we tip environment for their family member. This one (1) mile walk from Academy our hats to the Valuable Veronica, Sports-Sandhills to North Springs Park Daring Diane and Merry Marilyn on a In addition, Camp Winter Wonderland is concluded with a family-focused job well done for those who live with provides a much needed respite environment with arts and crafts, special needs and their families. for others during the winter break. games, music, food and valuable Games, movies, arts and crafts, music, resources and information. T-shirts story time and a nutritious snack are and gift bags are given to all walkers. offered. 4 --Richland County Recreation Commission -- Enriching Lives & Connecting Communities

Special guests from the City of Columbia Fire Department kicked off DISCO 2015 with a short presentation on fire prevention and safety in the home. The use of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors was discussed as well as fireplace and space heater safety. Seniors were informed about the availability of free installation of detection devices Lisa Smarr, Adult Services Coordinator by the fire department. After a brief question and answer period, DJ Irvin Divas Inspire Sharing Caring Others from crochet to leather to polyester kicked off DISCO 2015 with FIRE by was the theme for Adult Services looked sensational on our seniors. The Ohio Players. As our seniors latest innovative event. flooded the dance floor, four Deputy The inspiration for the event came Fire Marshalls passed out red fire Held February 25 at the Parklane from my desire to entertain, surprise, hats to the dancing divas much to Adult Activity Center, a sold out enlighten, and delight our patrons everyone’s delight. crowd of one hundred and twenty while also sharing with others, and seniors came dressed up, decked out caring for our environment. and ready to party. Fabulous fashions dating from the 1950’s through the Admission included one non- 70’s brought everyone back to a perishable food item for Harvest special time in their young lives. Hope Food Bank. Our generous seniors contributed two hundred and Hot pants, fishnet stockings, Afros, twelve lbs. of food, many bringing far platform shoes, Go Go boots, gold more than the minimum donation chains, poodle skirts and everything requested. Each senior also received a reusable bright purple shopping bag with the encouragement to eschew Our resident bartenders Jeff Brown plastic shopping bags. Several states (looking especially hip sporting and most of Europe have banned a gigantic Afro and sunglasses) plastic shopping bags, (think Aldi) and Chris Santino headed up the for environmental reasons. The Lt. healthy juice bar, serving orange and Governor’s Office on Aging donated cranberry juice. Each senior received useful goodies for the bags. a lovely stemless teal wine glass as a

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kept it simple with turkey sandwiches, potato salad, pickles, a cookie and iced tea. Water was also provided to keep everyone hydrated.

A party would not be complete without a custom backdrop for selfies, group photos and paparazzi style posing for photographs. Our DISCO 2015 set was created, designed, built souvenir. The glasses were used at the and donated by artist Randy Strange. The highlight of the party was the party and avoided the need for plastic Randy is best known for his thirty year music, dancing and the enormous cups. Albert’s Deli did a great job with career, building and designing sets for smiles on our senior’s faces. DJ Irvin’s our “old school” boxed lunches. We Workshop Theatre. Our guests were outstanding personality, professional not shy about posing and each senior sound, and mix of everyone’s favorite received at least one photograph hits, kept the group on the dance from the party. The eight foot high floor. With the ages of our guests backdrop featured a tie dyed cloth ranging from fifty to over ninety background suspended on a self- years of age, our DJ did a super job supporting frame, behind an eight of playing something for everyone. foot tall intricate cut out of male and Couples danced, singles pranced, and female 70’s style disco dancers. Silver our Soul Train line would have surely glitter outlined the dancers and the made Don Cornelius smile. DISCO 2015 logo. There is no “I” in TEAM, and DISCO 2015 was a huge success thanks to the great attitudes, support, assistance, and teamwork shown before, during and after the event by some very special RCRC teammates. We know we have succeeded when the seniors are already asking, “when is our next party?” 6 --Richland County Recreation Commission -- Enriching Lives & Connecting Communities

distraction, having your focus or mind on something other than driving. Understanding distractions will greatly increase a driver’s risk due to the delay in the basic driving task of perception, decision and action. Drivers are less likely to perceive important traffic information, which then affects judgment and decision making and lastly the ability to take preventive or evasive actions. Approximately 660,000 drivers are Chris Santino, Safety Manager using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while operating a vehicle at any given daylight moment across America. The number of people killed in distraction-affected accidents in 2013 was 3,328. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver. It is paramount to clearly understand, there is no such thing as multi tasking, especially when it comes to driving. The fact is, humans can actually only focus on one thing at a time. Can you talk on the phone and read a book at the same time? The answer is a big fat NO. Humans have to switch back and forth among different tasks. Good drivers focus only on one task while they are behind the wheel, DRIVING! Cell phones are a major distraction when behind the wheel. Understand that conversing on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle is We all know how risky driving can Ideally drivers should maintain their extremely risky. It doesn’t just double be. We learned in driver training, risk full focus on driving. However, some or triple your risk of having a collision, is always present when behind the drivers find themselves devoting it increases the chance of having a wheel. Additionally, risk can never be some of their attention to objects and crash by four times. That is a 400% eliminated; however, we can minimize events not related to driving, greatly higher chance of crashing. This is the it. Recently, I had the opportunity reducing their ability to drive safely. case regardless of whether the cell to get recertified as an instructor All distractions endanger the driver, phone is being used hand-held or through AAA Driving Improvement passenger and other roadway user’s hands-free. Program. There were several changes safety. made, most notability a new edition Hand-held verse hand-free was created in 2014. The most eye There are 3 types of distractions that research indicates no difference opening topic discussed to me was a driver could face when operating in risk between the two modes. It distracted driving, an epidemic on a moving vehicle. They are visual, is the mental attention involved today’s roadways. According to the physical and cognitive (or mental). in the conversation that is even National Safety Council 2015 calendar, These distractions could occur inside more distracting than physically April is National Distracted Driving or outside the vehicle. manipulating the cell phone. Both Awareness Month. methods are fully capable of diverting A visual distraction is anything a driver’s attention so much that a So what is distracted driving? Any that redirects your eyes from your collision results. Your mind is more activity that could divert a person’s intended path of travel or taking your focused on the conversation than attention away from the primary task eyes of the road. Taking at least one attempting to identify risk hazards at hand, driving, when behind the hand off the wheel to manipulate associated with driving. wheel. something would be a physical distraction. Lastly is a cognitive Continued on page 6 Richland County Recreation Commission -- Team Times--April 2015 -- 7

As of December 2013, 153.3 billion Yes, there is now a law against wireless device, including those built text messages were sent in the US texting while driving which is great, into the vehicle. every month. Five seconds is the but laws are broken everyday. Who average time your eyes are off the drives the speed limit, utilizes their Although many drivers believe they road while texting. How far have you turn indicator every time changing are excellent drivers and good enough gone in 5 seconds when traveling 55 your vehicles position or come to to still drive safely when texting, this mph? That is enough time to cover a complete stop at a stop sign. The is not the case. Texting and driving the length of a football field. most important thing we have to do can kill, it is that simple. A driver’s as a society is change the mindset world could come to an end at the You might as well when it comes to push of a button. People who are be driving with cell phones and tempted to text while driving need a blindfold on. driving a motor to ask themselves: Is a text more Text messaging vehicle. important than a life. research to date shows Some tips If you cannot devote your full that texting to eliminate attention to driving because of some while driving distractions are other activity, it is a distraction. Take is even more stow and secure care of it before or after your trip, not risky that talking all electronic behind the wheel. on the cell devices, loose phone. Texting gear and other In concluding, everyone who takes involves all three possessions, this the driving course I instruct receives types of distractions at the same way the driver won’t be tempted to a copy of the RCRC Cell Phone Usage time, making it one of the riskiest reach for them on the floor or seat. and Vehicle Use Policy, make sure driving distractions. As a result, text Driving requires your full attention, you understand it and are abiding by messaging is a triple threat when it keep your eyes on the road at all them. comes to its potential for distracting times and avoid looking at crash a driver. But some drivers (perhaps scenes. Sources: you) think that because they are fast AAA Instructor Kit for Driver and accurate at texting, that they will Avoid activities that take even one Improvement Program not become distracted while reading hand off the steering wheel, like Foundation for Traffic Safety or sending text messages while eating, smoking, grooming, applying National Safety Council driving, FALSE. makeup, adjusting radio or climate www.distraction.gov controls. Don’t use cell phones while So many roadway users today are driving. Perhaps a passenger can RCRC Vehicle Use: concerned about the risks caused by answer your phone, if not let voice Policy No 1065 texting drivers. In fact, text messaging mail take the incoming call and return while driving has even surpassed the call when you have reached a safe RCRC Cellular Telephone Use: drunk driving as the # 1 perceived location. Never use text messaging, Policy No. 1010 threat to personnel safety. e-mail functions or internet with a

the next event, the goal is to sell Beats for the ALL tickets. Soul line dancing is one of the popular programs offered at the Parklane Adult Activity Center. Sweets on The class is offered on the following Parklane days and times: Jeffrey Brown, Program Manager Soul Line Dancing (ages 50+): On Saturday, February 14, the Adult Tuesdays & Thrusdays, Activity Center on Parklane Road 11:00 am-12:30 pm hosted a Valentine Sweetheart Soul Line Dance Party. Mr. Chris Soul Line Dancing (ages 21+): Miller, one of the best line dance This certainly was validated by Ms. Tuesdays & Thrusdays, instructors around, kept the guests Barbara Martin and Ms. Barbara 6:00-7:30 pm for the evening on their feet moving Roach who routinely attend soul line to the soul line beats! The night events. Upcoming events at the center was a great time with fun, food and include soul line dancing on the music. They commented that this event was “First Friday” of each month “one of the best” that they have ever beginning with the month of April The event was deemed a success attended. Mr. Brown said that there from 7:00-11:00 pm. by Mr. Jeffrey Brown, Program were 150 tickets available for the Manager for the Parklane Center. event and 122 tickets were sold. With 8 --Richland County Recreation Commission -- Enriching Lives & Connecting Communities Richland County Recreation Commission -- Team Times--April 2015 -- 9

April

1 April Fool’s Day 2 2nd Annual RCRC Night Out at Sonic, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Sonic on Hard Scrabble Road 3 Good Friday 3 Payday 5 Easter Sunday 11 Healthy Kidney, Healthy Life, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm, St. Andrews Park 16-17 Payday Audit (bring driver’s license Shaunta Cleveland, and copy of 3 year driving record) Bluff Road Park Manager 17 Payday 20 Commission Board Meeting, Growing up as a child my 6:00 pm, AAC favorite activity during recess 22 Earth Day wasn’t hop scotch, or double dutch, it was kickball! I must say that when I first heard May that the Richland County Recreation Commission continuing to grow with more interest 1 Payday would have a kickball league just for and support! 2 Spring Fling, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, women I was ecstatic! The women’s Trenholm Park The women’s kickball league offers 10 Mother’s Day kickball league started at Caughman the community so much; for the Road Park in 2013. The league is 11 Confederate Memorial Day (all RCRC players it allows them to come out facilities will be closed) composed of women from different and engage in a competitive sport, get backgrounds, skill sets, and ages. 15 Payday into physical shape, meet new people, 16 Disco Dash 5k & Boogie Youth Run, build bonds, and enjoy fellowship. It The league is an adult league for 11:30 am-4:30 pm, Caughman also allows families to come together Road Park women 18 years of age and up. To and support loved 17 Payday most people’s ones, meet new 18 Commission Board Meeting, surprise, the people, and enjoy 6:00 pm, AAC average age of good competitive 25 National Memorial Day (all RCRC women that games. With the facilities will be closed) compose the league kickball league we are 29 Payday is women in their so much more than 30’s. The kickball just players; we have league offers a built a bond and a Join us on Facebook: fun, competitive, sisterhood. We play http://www.facebook.com/ but also a social hard on the field, richlandcountyrecreationcommission environment. The and love each other off of the field. ladies love to come play, socialize, and Kickball has been a big catalyst to Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RichlandRec also show support for fellow teams. bringing family and friends together In the first season the league had 5 Special Thanks to our Team Times in the lower Richland area and it’s Contributing Authors: teams that consisted of 10 or more enjoyable for everyone! players. Now in 2015 our league is Editor/Layout: Tara Dickerson; Tavares Hanks

Kenya Bryant | Assistant Executive Director Jeffrey Brown |Program Manager, Adult Activity Center Shaunta Cleveland | Park Manager, Bluff Road Park Patricia Middleton |Manager, Adult Activity Center Replacing your conventional power strips with advanced power Andrew Scott | Adaptive Recreation Supervisor strips (APS) can help reduce the electricity wasted when Chris Santino | Safety Manager electronic devices are idle. These power strips are a convenient Andrew Scott | Compliance Manager and low-cost way to save. Lisa Smarr | Adult Services Coordinator