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Parks and recreation update

August 4, 2004 1:08 am

The Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 898-PLAY.

Kids Crafts: Aug. 9-30. Registration deadline today. For ages 4-10. Students will make an apron using old blue jeans. All supplies are included in the fee. Classes at the Marshall Center on Mondays. Fee: county residents, $20. Nonresidents, $30.

'Good Deeds' Sharing Memories: Aug. 28. Registration deadline Aug. 25. Encourage, 'good deeds' of sharing memories with other people. Bring scrapbooks, articles and various items mentioning other people. Research various methods of sending copies to people mentioned within them. For example: 1937 college graduation photo that lists people's names. People are grateful when you think of them, as they may not know such items existed. Another example: Finding copies of photos or even possibly the originals of military photos from different bases, to identify the photos and possibly locate a muster or roll sheet so that copies can be sent to the next of kin for the family. For ages 12 through adult. Fee: Free.

Tai Chi: through Sept. 6. Registration deadline, Sept. 1. Have you ever wanted to find an exercise program where the movements are done slowly and smoothly and are easy on your joints? If so, this is the class for you! The art of Tai Chi reduces stress, depression, blood pressure, breathing and heart rate while improving flexibility and balance, strength, circulation, immune system function, posture, concentration, memory and mental outlook. All classes will meet on Mondays, 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the Marshall Center, with instructor Steve Chen, certified Tai Chi instructor. Fees: $30 a month.

Senior Stamp Classes: Aug. 4-Dec. 1. Classes will be held the first Wednesday of each month from August to December, 10-11 a.m. at the Senior Center in the Marshall Center. Fee: $7.50.

Ballroom Dancing: through Dec. 28. Registration deadline, Dec. 22. Classes are held every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Fee: $3 per class. Walk-in registrations are accepted.

Line Dancing: through Dec. 28. Registration deadline, Dec. 28. Classes are held every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Fee: $3 per class.

55 Alive Driving Course: Aug. 19-20. Registration deadline Aug. 13. You must attend both dates. No tests required to pass any kind of test for this course. Benefits from taking this class include the following: Participants have about 15 percent less traffic accidents and fatalities than their peers, Virginia requires insurance companies to give a special discount for taking this course which may be as high as 10 percent depending upon your insurance company, a great refresher course even for the best of drivers. Fee: $10 (made payable to AARP.)

Advanced Level Gymnastics: Aug. 10-Sept. 2. Registration deadline Friday. For ages 3-13. The program will consist of tumbling and floor work. Children should wear leotards or shorts (no snaps on shorts) and a T-shirt. Long hair must be tied back. All students must be able to execute a standing backbridge walkover in order to enroll. Parents of students enrolled in this class will be required to stay during class. Classes will be at Marshall Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Fee: $50.

Kids Fishing Derby: Aug. 14. Registration deadline, Aug. 12. For ages 4-14. Held at Ni River Reservoir. Come join the fun, bring your kids and family for a fun-filled morning of fishing, games and prizes. Free.

Bus Trip--Dayton Farmers Market & P. Buckley Moss: Sept. 16. Registration deadline Sept. 10. The Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for a bus trip to the Farmers Market in Dayton and the P. Buckley Moss Museum. Meet the bus at Loriella Park Swimming Pool parking lot and depart at 8 a.m., returning approximately 5 p.m. Fee: $25.

The Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 372-1086.

Virginia Beach: Aug. 13, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Departs from Community Center. Soak up the rays, walk the beach or the boardwalk, ride the waves, or build a sand castle. It's your day to enjoy as you wish at Virginia Beach. So let us do the driving and worrying about parking. You sit back, relax and enjoy this mini-vacation. Fee: $35, includes bus.

VF Outlet Village in Reading, Pa.: Aug. 19, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Departs from the Community Center. With more than 90 brand-name stores to choose from, the tough part will be getting to all of them. So avoid the hassles of driving and come along. Just make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes--you're going to need them! Fee: $36, includes bus.

St. Michaels, Md.: Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Registration deadline, Aug. 26. Departs from the Community Center. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Spend the day at this quaint little town known for its seafood and antiques, with time to explore the town and to tour the Maritime Museum (admission is additional). Have lunch on your own at one of the many lovely restaurants. There will be a stop for a quick bite on the way home. Fee: $30, includes bus.

Weekend Sightseeing in New York City: Oct. 1-3. Registration deadline Aug. 26. Enjoy a weekend in New York, doing just what you want to do. Bus transportation and a two-night stay at the beautiful Milford Plaza on Broadway in Manhattan are included in the fee, as well as a two-day pass on the double-decker tour bus, with more than 50 hop-on, hop-off stops including uptown, downtown and a night loop. Also included is a ticket for a one-hour harbor cruise with close-up views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and a ticket to the Empire State Building Observatory. You spend the time as you would like, seeing and doing what you want, and exploring the Big Apple your way. Fee: $330 per person, double occupancy; $475 per person single occupancy.