July 4th - Renissance Street Navigation

An urban orienteering race designed to challenge participant’s street navigational and reasoning skills.

Goal:
Highlight the city’s transformation from yesteryear to present.

The objective of the game:
Locate landmarks; solve word problems and trivia questions before time elapses.

How to play:
•Each team is given a compass, a map, an answer sheet, and marker location card.
•Teams may navigate to any point in any order they choose.
•Participants interpret and compare map information to natural surroundings.
•Travel by foot (as a team) to marker locations without the aid of electronic devices.
•Overcome misinformation (things false or no longer in existence).

NOTE: Teams may not be able to locate all locations due to time restraints; therefore, each team must maintain an awareness of time and its member’s physical limitation.
Teams must remain within 40 feet of each other at all times. The team must return to the start point together. No substitution of team members after 9:00 am July 4th.
Each team will receive the official game rules upon registering.

Team Preparation (optional):
Take the historical tour walk conducted by the Spartanburg County Historical Association.
Tour dates are: April 24; May 23; Jun 19. Call 864-596-3501 for details and reservation.
Consult your physician before engaging in any physical activities.
Integrate the practice of navigating around town by city map into your walking/running regime.

Award (winner take all):
In addition to the Five Hundred Dollars awarded to the winning team, each member of the winning team will receive a 30 day gift certificate to Clyde’s Main Street Fitness, a $20 gift certificate to Justin’s Steakhouse, and a pictorial book depicting the City of Spartanburg both past and present.

Pick up registration at:
The Spartanburg Regional History Museum in the Chapman Cultural Center
Clyde’s Main Street Fitness 167 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC
Hibbett Sports, 1855 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC
Or download it by visiting: www.EventfulThings.org

1st City and County Neighbor and Neighborhood of the Year Awards

The Spartanburg County Foundation, City of
Spartanburg, and Spartanburg County recently
sponsored the Building
Communities – Bridging Gaps Conference
Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Marriott Spartanburg.

The purpose of the Building Communities-Bridging Gaps Conference was to equip residents with the tools and information necessary to: make our communities safe, increase unity among our diverse population, access available local resources, and develop partnerships to improve the quality of life in Spartanburg County. Approximately 200 City and County residents participated in workshops that focused on three tracks: Common Threads: Tying Your Community Together; Get Up! Stand Up!: Tools to Make Change; Hi Neighbor!: Coming Together to Build Community.

The event culminated with a luncheon that included remarks by the conference facilitator, Dr. Thomas A. Gordon, consultant and leadership strategy advisor, and the announcement of the first Neighbor and Neighborhood of the Year Awards for the City and County. The City of Spartanburg Neighbor and Neighborhood of the Year award was presented to Florence Kennedy and the South Converse Street Neighborhood Association respectively. The Spartanburg County Neighbor and Neighborhood of the Year award was presented to David and Cindy Gregg and the Linville Hills community respectively. Winners of the Neighbor of the Year award received a $100 gift certificate to Home Depot and the winners of the Neighborhood of the Year award will receive a special sign designed and constructed by Home Depot to be displayed in their community.


An immediate outcome of the Conference will be the development of a website designed to keep City and County residents informed about community events and opportunities to remain civically engaged. The web link will be accessible from all of the sponsor’s websites, the Spartanburg County Foundation, City of Spartanburg, and Spartanburg County. Information concerning the establishment of the website will be provided in the next few weeks.

The final speaker of the event was Mr. James Cheek, a member of the Community Planning Committee, who encouraged and challenged all attendees to remain actively engaged in the community and to “aspire to inspire before expiring.” Anyone interested in participating on a Community Planning Committee for next year’s conference should contact the Spartanburg County Foundation at 864-582-0138.

For more information, please contact The Spartanburg County Foundation at (864)582-0138 or visit our website at http://www.spcf.org/.

CITY TO INTRODUCE SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM

The City of Spartanburg’s Parks & Recreation Department is introducing its annual Summer Playground Program extending from June 11 – July 23.

The program is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all children by providing a safe, secure, enriched environment – supervised by trained and caring adults. The summer curriculum will provide educational activities, arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, games, creative dramatics, special events and more.

In addition to being a popular program offering activities to local kids to fight the summer doldrums, the program also offers summer employment opportunities to college students, teachers, and others who enjoy working with kids.

The program will be held at the following locations:

Bethlehem Center
397 Highland Ave.
(864)582-7158

C.C. Woodson Center
885 S. Liberty Street
(864)596-3710

Northwest Center
701 Saxon Ave.
(864)596-3946

T.K. Gregg Center
310 Oakland Ave.
(864)596-3720

The program hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. -12 noon Fridays. This program is FREE to kids ages 5yrs. – 12 yrs. Free lunch will be served beginning Monday, June 15th.

To register, visit any of the locations above beginning the second week in May.
C.C. Woodson registration is limited to the first 50 kids due to ongoing construction at the facility.

For additional information, please contact Larry Jeter, Recreation Manager at 864-562-4262.