This-N-That
I loved “The Senses Of Summer” (PRB June 2009). It brought back some really good memories.
Garry L. Thasho
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HydroPoint Outlines Tips For RFP Irrigation Process
Petaluma, Calif.--HydroPoint, a water management company, outlines the top five questions municipalities should ask during the RFP process for irrigation controllers to help local governments do more with less:
1. Is your outdoor irrigation systems proven to save water and money?
2. What are the maintenance costs associated with your irrigation systems?
3. Are you a service-minded company?
4. How do you capture weather data?
5. Are you back-end proven? Can I see your references?
For more information, visit www.hydropoint.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K&K Insurance launches New Web Site
Fort Wayne, Ind.--K&K Insurance Group, Inc. announces the launch of a new Web site to provide online quoting and binding capabilities for sports camps and clinics. It provides an option to purchase coverage immediately using a credit card. The provider of sports, leisure and entertainment insurance programs is a supplier of coverage to the sports and recreation industry. The program is designed to meet the insurance needs of U.S.-based youth sports camp operations or sports clinics that are held at premises not owned or maintained by the sport camp operator. The program offers commercial general liability; legal liability to participants; medical payments for participants; and hired auto and employers’ non-ownership liability. For more information, call (800) 637-4757, or visit www.campinsurance-kk.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bankshot Opens The Playing Field To Public Schools
Rockville, Md.--A level and fun playing field--isn’t that what we all strive for? Bankshot basketball court has contributed to that at Signal Hill Elementary, the only public school on the East Coast to have the basketball court that many have compared to a miniature golf course of basketball goals. The game’s design entices children and adults of all ages and physical ability to try their hand. The beauty of it is that everyone can play side-by-side, regardless if they can run or roll onto the court in a wheelchair. For more information, visit www.bankshot.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrections And Compliments
In his Publisher's Note column from the September 2009 issue, Rodney Auth incorrectly stated that Matchbox Twenty sings “Closing Time.” This song is actually sung by Semisonic.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy PRB. It is one of the most relevant and readable of the industry magazines I have encountered. Keep up the great work.
Oscar Carmona, CPRP
Parks Superintendent
City of Arlington Parks and Recreation
Rodney,
As I regular reader of PRB, I must first say thanks for a quality publication. I do need to correct you as a Semisonic fan to take the claim of the song, Closing Time, which in your article last month you gave claim to Matchbox Twenty. Having seen Semisonic my freshman year at the University of Iowa, their true one hit was Closing Time, and many probably couldn’t name another song after that. Enough time on this.
Again, thanks for your work.
Joshua Larsen
City of Huxley
Director of Parks & Recreation
Huxley, Iowa
Note: We know we goofed. A correction ran in the PRB October Publisher’s Note. PRB regrets the error!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomlinson Industries Receives Upgraded Certification
Cleveland, Ohio--Tomlinson Industries announces the company has upgraded their Quality Management System to the latest ISO 9001:2008 standard. Underwriters Laboratories D.Q.S. Inc. (UL) issued the new certificate of registration through a comprehensive assessment.
This scope of registration covers the design and manufacture of faucets, soup kettles, condiment holders, platters, cup dispensing equipment and cutting boards for food service use; the procurement, storage, inspection and delivery of underliners, serving platters, cast iron cookware, food service gloves, cutting boards and miscellaneous food service items; and the procurement and assembly of restaurant furniture.
For more information, call (216) 587-3400, or visit www.tomlinsonind.com to see the variety of products available.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protect Leagues This Flu Season With These Simple Steps
With flu season here and all the attention being given to the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), leagues need to address how to prevent illnesses – and the spread of them – in their youth sports programs.
Here are some general prevention tips for youth sports:
· Encourage coaches and parents to remind young athletes about healthy habits like frequently washing their hands and covering sneezes and coughs by using their arms rather than their hands
· Do not share drinks, including water bottles, etc.
· Keep hand sanitizer and wipes readily available at practices and games for team use.
· At the end of a game, encourage every player to use hand sanitizer/wipes before they engage in the post-game handshakes.
· Wash uniforms, equipment and any other gear that is shared after practices and games
· Encourage parents to keep players home when they are not feeling well or have flu-like symptoms.
Information provided by the National Alliance for Youth Sports
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Softball Leader Loses Battle With ALS
Timothy J. Doyle, 64, lost his courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on Saturday, October 24, 2009. He served the industry for more than 32 years. A former parks and recreation director for Independence Township and a president of MRPA in 1986, Tim continued serving the public sector by providing recreation-related equipment as a partner and vice president for Engan-Tooley-Doyle.
Tim served on the Metro Detroit Amateur Softball Association board since 1975 where he started out as an active board member and eventually a Deputy Commissioner. Tim also served as the association's president in 1980 and 1981 before being selected as the MDASA Commissioner in late 1990. He was inducted into the Metro Detroit ASA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Tim is survived by his wife Laura, mother Idalia; children Tara, Shane, Ryan, John and Angelina; three grandchildren; and two brothers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar
January
3-4 Western Nursery and Landscape Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Overland Park, Kan.—Overland Park Convention Center; www.wnla.org
24-27 Ohio Parks & Recreation Association, Annual Conference and Trade Show, Akron, Ohio—John Knight Center; www.opraonline.org
February
8-10 Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Trade Show, Fort Smith, Ark.; www.arkarpa.org
March
10-11 Hawaii Buildings, Facilities & Property Management Expo, Honolulu--Neal S. Blaisdell Center; www.douglastradeshows.com or e-mail kanter@lava.net
April
5-7 Iowa Parks & Recreation Association, Sioux City, Iowa—Sioux City Convention Center; www.iowaparkandrecreation.org