Parks & Recreation Update for October 15, 2009
Date:
10/14/2009 (Last updated: 10/15/2009)Summary:
Weekly Parks & Recreation update.Contact:
Adult Indoor Volleyball League; Tribute Of The Muses; Dia De Los Muertos; Tree And Landscape Expo; Adult Open Hoops And Fitness; Fine Arts Oktoberfest
Yuma Tree And Landscape Expo
Come on out to the Yuma Tree and Landscape Expo on Saturday, Oct. 24 to learn everything you need to know about trees and landscaping. There will be workshops, vendor displays, guest speakers, plant sale, raffle prizes, and a tri-tip lunch. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for the expo, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive. Cost is $4 without the lunch or $7 with lunch. Kids 12 and under get in free with a $7 paid adult and receive a free lunch.
Tribute Of The Muses Award Ceremony
The local arts community will come together to honor those individuals who have lifetime achievement of dedication and excellence in the arts at the annual Tribute of the Muses ceremony, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St. As in years past, this year’s nominees reflect exceptional distinction, leadership, and support for the arts in several areas including the visual arts, performing arts, philanthropy, art education and music. The 2009 nominees are John Dalabetta, Jon and Caroline (Liney) Jessen, Holly-Hendricks-Jones and Scott Jones, Judy Phillips, Rebecca “Becky” Taylor, George Tomkins, and Chris Wright. Winner of the award is selected by the Public Art Committee and the City of Yuma’s Arts & Culture Commission, sponsor of the event. The name Tribute of the Muses originates from Greek mythology where the nine daughters of Zeus, called Muses, each possessed a distinct gift among the disciplines of poetry, art, dance, and music, and were considered the inspiration for the arts and sciences. Please RSVP to Mary Beth at the Yuma Art Center by calling 373-5202.
Adult Open Hoops/Fitness Room At Readiness Center
The Yuma Readiness and Community Center, located on the corner of 24th Street and Araby Road, will have adult open hoops and a weight lifting and fitness room that is open to the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday through April 28, 2010. Those ages 14 and up can participate for the drop-in fee of $2. Keep in mind that the building will be closed for some holidays. Call the Yuma Readiness and Community Center at 373-5239 or the Parks & Recreation Office at City Hall at 373-5243 for more information.
Dia De Los Muertos
The Yuma Civic Center hosts Dia de los Muertos from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 31, with a mass beforehand at 11 a.m. The 2009 celebration will feature an altar competition, as well as workshops and classes teaching culturally related arts and crafts such as sugar skull painting/decorating, mask making, and creating papel picado. Participants will be entertained throughout the day by dancers and musicians from the area playing traditional and modern Hispanic music. This free event is a shopper’s delight with arts and crafts vendors and a variety of traditional Mexican food vendors.
Yuma Fine Arts Association Oktoberfest
What could be better for October than beer and brats, music, and entertainment—and a chance to support the arts! Join the fun at Yuma Fine Arts’ first annual fundraiser, Oktoberfest at the Yuma Art Center, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $20 per person which includes food (German-style) and 10 beer tastings or $10 per person for food only and are on sale now in the Gift Shop at the Yuma Art Center; they may be purchased by phone with a credit card by calling 329-6607. Non-alcoholic beverages and regular beer selections will also be available for sale.
Halloween Makeup Lunchtime Lecture
Even the scariest or most elaborate Halloween costume isn’t complete without the right makeup. Here’s your opportunity to learn from the expert - all for free. Join us at the Yuma Art Center from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 for a free presentation by makeup artist Veronica Garcia. You’ll learn the tips and tricks for the hottest Halloween looks and get to ask your questions. Bring your lunch with you and enjoy.
Cats And Hip Hop Halloween
Jazz of Yuma is presenting its fall production of “Cats & Hip Hop Halloween” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct.23 and 24, at the historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St. This colorful and entertaining production is a dance adaptation of the Broadway musical “Cats” plus a collage of Halloween dances performed by Jazz of Yuma. The show also features Dawn’s Sol Dancers and the Hip-Hop Crew So Explicit. Tickets are $10 at the Yuma Art Center. For further information, call 373-5202 or 329-6858.
Monster Bash - Adaptive Recreation
The first Monster Bash is going to be a “spooktacular” event! This adaptive recreation program will be full of spooky surprises, games, refreshments, and music. Wear your costume because there will be awards given out. The action runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Center, 3rd Street and 13th Avenue. The cost is $14 or $9 with City resident credit. Call 373-5243 to register.
Annual Grass Seeding - Golf Courses Closed
Over seeding is under way at the parks and City golf courses. Desert Hills and Arroyo Dunes are closed until the grass comes in and is fit for play, most likely through Oct. 15.
Take Pride In Yuma
- There were 45 cases of graffiti abated this past week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 6.
- One tree was vandalized at the Bark Park – estimated replacement cost is $110.
Graffiti cleanup and vandalism currently costs the Yuma taxpayers over $200,000 per year. Please help us reduce vandalism by reporting incidences of crime to 78-Crime (782- 7463) and graffiti to the Graffiti Busters hot line, 329-2828. If you witness a crime in progress, call 911.
Tickets and Registration
Tickets to Art Center, Historic Theatre or Civic Center events can be purchased by phone, in person or online. The Art Center and theatre box office is located at 254 S. Main St., or call 373-5202. The Civic Center is located at 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive just off Avenue A at 36th Street, or call 373-5040. Tickets to shows at both locations are online at www.YumaAZ.gov/events.
Register for Parks and Recreation events, activities, classes, etc. online at www.YumaAZ.gov/ParksAndRecreation. Call 373-5200, or stop by the Parks and Recreation office on the first floor of City Hall, One City Plaza (between 1st and Madison avenues at Giss Parkway) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other Friday (closed alternating Fridays).
For More Information
For further information, please contact Greg Hyland, CPM, the City of Yuma's Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (928) 373-5023 or by e-mail or Dave Nash, City of Yuma Public Affairs Coordinator at (928) 373-5015 or by e-mail.






