This-N-That
News & Events
Costly Decisions
Dear PRB,
Sandra is facing what a lot of us are facing related to historical buildings within the community (PRB June 2010, “Is There A Future For The Past?”). When you state the operational cost is $467,000, the majority of this amount has to be maintenance. The city may elect to close the facility, but lack of maintenance and repairs will deteriorate the historic structure rapidly both inside and outside. If it sits vacant and unmaintained for two, three or four years, the cost to bring this facility back will be enormous and probably unaffordable.
Vern Stiner
Public Services Project Manager
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Enjoy The Ride
Ron,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed “The Proverbial Driver’s Seat” (PRB July). It was great! It was funny … had a life lesson … well written, and made me laugh out loud.
I am originally from the west side of Cleveland. I'm an old “racetrack girl” (although I did prefer the drag strip). Your article hit home and brought back a lot of memories!
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed it!
Susie Hein
Canton, Ohio
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A Message To Parents
Hi Fred,
I just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoy your articles in PRB each month. I make copies and distribute them to my coaches or we talk about them at meetings. I just finished the June article about the parents being asked to not attend the last game of the season at the YMCA (“Parental Timeouts”). I think that sent a message to parents. Hopefully, they won’t have to do it again. We’ve never done that. However, we have all attended a day of games [that require] lots of staff presence in the gym.
Jana K Wilson
Firstenburg Community Center
Recreation Specialist
Vancouver, Wash.
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Thanks And Praise
Ron,
I’ve always wondered why we have to wait to hear it from people like you. And then it came to me that you put the truth so smoothly in front of us in your writings. Thank you. I share your writings with all my family, close friends and mainly co-workers with the hope they will get something out of them.
Bernie Rangel
Parks Manager
Lockhart, Texas
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Field Notes
Mike Huppert has been promoted from Western Regional Technical Service Manager to Product Manager – Parts & White Goods at Hayward Pool Products.
Bader & Sons will handle all New Golf & Turf Sales for the Buffalo Turbine product line in the state of Michigan, including parts and service using all six of their locations.
Steve Tyler has been promoted to Standard Golf’s newly-created national sales manager position. He has been with the company for almost three decades.
Berkley Fishing has launched a new Web site that gives visitors a tool to explore multiple angling needs. Visit www.Berkley-Fishing.com.
IMG Academies, a Bradenton, Fla.-based multi-sport training facility, designated the National Collegiate Scouting Association its official recruiting education provider. Under the agreement, students enrolled in IMG Academies’ weekly camps and full-time academy programs will gain access to recruiting tools and expert advice.
ECHO Incorporated, a manufacturer of professional-grade, hand-held outdoor power equipment, has completed a 129,000-square-foot warehouse expansion to accommodate the company’s recent merger with outdoor power equipment manufacturer Shindaiwa Inc.
ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, an integrated landscape services firm, has selected HydroPoint Data Systems as a preferred provider for weather-based irrigation controllers.
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Word On The Web
Shade ‘N Net Delivered Customer Service
I approached Shade 'N Net regarding our exposed bleachers at our ball fields and asked for some design solutions/costs. From the very beginning, they were very helpful and responsive, giving us several different options, ranging from inexpensive to the higher-end structures. Our budget was somewhere in the middle, and they executed our order in an expeditious and very professional manner. We're doing additional fundraisers for more shade structures, and we know exactly where to go for it! Nicely done Shade 'N Net!!
Doug Brewster
Chandler National Little League President
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Hiking Map Bundles Give Back
National Geographic Maps and FalconGuides have teamed up to provide hikers with a complete package of information on some of the most attractive hiking destinations in the U.S. Four new bundles include both the Trails Illustrated Map and a Best Easy Day Hikes guidebook for $19.95. A portion of the sales for each bundle will be donated to American Hiking Society.
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Did You Know?
Sustainability Ranks Top Priority
Bloomington, Ind.--A growing majority of NCAA athletic departments are now making environmentally responsible and sustainable initiatives a priority. In a survey conducted by ProGreenSports involving 73 sports facilities in the U.S.:
• 52 percent of survey participants described their environmental initiatives as a “high” or “very high” priority. This was an increase from 44 percent the previous year.
• 83 percent of the sport directors and managers surveyed said that they plan to place an even greater emphasis on environmentally sound and sustainable programs in the future.
• 36 percent of schools reported that their facilities are either currently undertaking or are actively considering a strategic sustainability plan with short- and long-term objectives.
• Nearly 80 percent indicated that “key decision makers" in their athletic departments have a positive perspective regarding environmental and sustainability issues.
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Emerald Ash Borer Warning
According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are forests in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota that are experiencing bark beetle epidemics at a historically unprecedented scale. Warn hikers and campers in these areas that are infested please be aware of the increased threat posed by falling dead trees.
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Calendar
October
13-16 NRPA Congress & Exposition, Salt Lake City, Utah; www.nrpa.com
14-16 British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association Aquatics Provincial Conference; for more information contact Heather Muter at hmuter@bcrpa.bc.caThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.bcrpa.bc.ca
28-29 Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo, Vancouver, BC—Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre; www.cwre.ca
28-30 World Aquatic Health Conference; Atlanta, Ga.—Sheraton Atlanta Hotel; www.nspf.org
November
3-6 Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.—Kalahari Resort & Convention Center; www.wpraweb.org
4-6 Missouri Park & Recreation Association Leadership Development Institute, Unity Village, Mo.—Unity Village Hotel & Conference Center; www.mopark.org