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.

Spring Fling Street Closings

Street Closings for 31st Annual Spring Fling Festival

The following streets will be closed after midnight Thursday (April 30th) until Sunday (May 3rd) around 9 p.m.

Church Street - from St. John Street to Kennedy Street
Main Street – from Daniel Morgan Avenue to Converse Street
Broad Street - from Daniel Morgan Avenue to Converse Street
Dunbar Street – from Magnolia Street to Liberty Street
Liberty Street – from Kennedy Parking Garage to Dunbar Street

*Converse Street will be closed from Broad to Dunbar Street on Friday at 2 p.m.

All streets will reopen as quickly as possible after the festival ends on Sunday and the streets are cleared of all activities. Questions concerning street closures? Sgt. Lee Raines at 864-809-8225

Spartanburg Regional Classic - This Friday!

Spartanburg Regional Classic Forecasts Ground Lightning for USA CRITS Speed Week

By Joan Thomas


Atlanta, Ga. (April 29, 2009)–The Spartanburg Regional Classic is coming up fast in the USA CRITS Speed Week series. On Friday, some of the best racers in the world of cycling will wheel their bikes to the starting line in an annual showdown of speed, power and tactics.

In the women’s field, last year’s winner Tina Pic (Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light) will arrive in Spartanburg psyched from her win Sunday at the Historic Roswell Criterium in Roswell, Ga. She will be joined by Erica Allar and Kelly Benjamin the formidable teammates who help to keep her in contention. Their rivals, Team Tibco, Vanderkitten Racing and Team Type 1 will work hard to keep Team Colavita off the winners’ rostrum. Brooke Miller (Tibco) won the famed Athens Twilight on Saturday, and took second place in Roswell the next day, behind Pic. It’s likely the two sprinters will go wheel to wheel again in Spartanburg, so it’s a rivalry to watch.

In the men’s line-up, stiff competition can emerge from anywhere when teams like Kelly Benefits, Fly V Australia, Kenda Pro Cycling, Champion Porsche, Jittery Joe’s, Texas Roadhouse, Myogenesis, OUCH, Richmond Pro Cycling, and Team Mountain Khakis mix it up. Tom Soladay (Mtn Khakis) won the Historic Roswell Criterium Sunday, his first big win, and now he is primed to fight for even more victories after reaching that important milestone early in his career. Twilight winner, Heath Blackgrove, and his Team Hotel San Jose squad, will be in the hunt too.



For more information about the Spartanburg Regional Classic please visit http://www.biketownspartanburg.org/
or http://www.biketownspartanburg.org/5th-annual-spartanburg-regional-classic/


About USA CRITS

USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States—the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps, through city streets. Riders accumulate points throughout the year awarded through start points; laps led; first, middle, and end sprint point laps; and the final order of finish. Criteriums offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians and world and national champions, up-close, as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series reflect the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information, visit http://www.usacrits.com/.

Open Mic Night - May 9, 2009

TK Gregg Recreation Center Presents Open Mice night for all ages on May 9, 2009 at 7 p.m. For more info, to sign up for the slam and for slam rules, call 864-596-3720

Friday Lunchtime Bike Ride Starts Tomorrow!

Friday Lunchtime Bike Ride

Fridays at Noon; Back by 1 p.m.

What: Friday Lunchtime Bike Rides, now in its 4th year running; leisurely ride, usually 6 to 10 miles long, open to anyone

When: Meet at Noon; Back by 1:00 p.m.

Where: Meet at Mary Black Foundation office at 349 East Main Street, next to the Inn on Main. We gather at the plaza behind their building, then follow a route that goes along the Rail Trail, into Duncan Park, and we take 2 or 3 loops around the Duncan Park neighborhood/lake, then return along the Rail Trail (number of loops is up to you – or you can even sit in the park for a breather).

Who: Open to all ability levels; no one left behind; pace and distance based on preference of the group; promoted by Mary Black Foundation and Partners for Active Living

Why?: Until you’ve tried it, you won’t really understand – but this is the perfect way to break up the workday, refresh yourself and clear your head – AND to get in some exercise that you would otherwise have to do at painfully early morning hours, or during the “rush-hour” at the gym, post-5 o’clock. Give it a try, see what you think. We like it.

The Fine Print: BYObike; HELMETS required for all riders; lycra, snazzy-shoes, or fancy gear NOT required; changing rooms generously made available by the Mary Black Foundation; this ride is SHINE only. Beginning May 1st: Both mountain bikes and road bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost, courtesy of Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation Commission.

Also be sure to check out the upcoming Bike Month calendar, starting off with the Spartanburg Regional Classic next Friday at 6pm downtown!

Photo Credit

"20 in 09" Designers Exhibit in downtown Spartanburg.

Visit the “20 in 09” exhibit from University of South Carolina Upstate in downtown Spartanburg at 151 West Main Street near the clock tower. The exhibit runs until May 1st and features a variety of works includes photography, Web design, graphic and package design, painting and more. Upon visiting the exhibit you will see work from:

Jason Koontz of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Robin Whitaker of Taylors, S.C.
Megan Radich of Easley, S.C.
Keith Ball of Spartanburg, S.C,
Letizia Cammarota of Greenville, S.C.
Heather Hudson of Greer, S.C.
Whitney Williams of Greenville, S.C.
Ashton Nix of Boiling Springs, S.C.
Logan Jenkins of Honea Path, S.C.
Tou Lea of Spartanburg, S.C.
Lauren Brucke of Pickens, S.C.
Vanessa Marie Martinez of Spartanburg, S.C.
Paola Schemainda of Medellin, Colombia
Tyler Greenlee of Simpsonville, S.C.
James Risher of Gifford, SC
Laura Buchanan of Sylva, N.C.
Cliff Connor of Wareplace, S.C.
Scott Kittel of Simpsonville, S.C.
Josh Phillips of Woodruff, S.C.
Kristen Shannon of Greenville, S.C.

For more information, contact Jane Nodine, professor of art and gallery director, at jnodine@uscupstate.edu or (864) 503-5838.

Photo Credit