JEFFERSON CITY PARKS AND RECREATION

November 18, 2009

OAK HILLS GOLF CENTER

              Fall is the perfect time to play a round of golf, and the Oak Hills Golf Center is open daily, weather and course conditions permitting.   The driving range and the practice area are open when the course is open for play.   To check on course conditions or to reserve a tee time, please call 634-6532.  The course opens at 9:30 a.m. through March 6.  The course will be closed on November 26 for Thanksgiving.<

              Be sure to check out the golf merchandise at the clubhouse.   Oak Hills offers a wide variety of golf clubs, golf balls, hats and other golf attire from Callaway, Titleist, Wilson, and Mizuno.

WASHINGTON PARK ICE ARENA

              Registrations for all ice arena activities including group basic skating lessons, speedskating, advanced figure skating, and more are now being accepted.   Public sessions are held on the following days and times:  Monday and Wednesday, 4 – 5:30 p.m; Friday from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., 4 – 5:30 p.m., 6 – 7:30 p.m. and 8 – 9:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m. Adult admission to public skating is $4, youth admission is $3, and skate rental is $2.

              Extended public skating sessions will be held over Thanksgiving weekend.  On Wednesday, November 25 a public session will be held from noon – 3 p.m..  The Ice Arena will be closed on Thanksgiving and on Friday, November 27 public sessions will be held from noon – 3 p.m., 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., 7 – 10 p.m..

              Adult fitness skate is held Monday through Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  Admission to the adult fitness skate is $2.50 and skate rental is $2.

              An Adult Stick and Puck sessions is held Monday from 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. Admission to Stick and Puck is $8.

              Birthday parties are available during any public sessions.  The birthday party package includes one and one half hours of skating, a lunch, a custom made birthday cake all for $10 per child.

              For complete information regarding the ice arena, please call 634-6580 or log onto www.jeffcitymo.org/parks.

MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

              Join us at the Fourth Annual Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 3 beginning at 6 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park located at the end of Bolivar Street.   Entertainment will be held from 6 – 6:30 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.  Free refreshments will be served and Santa Claus will be on hand for children to visit.

              In conjunction with the Tree Lighting, a food and toy drive is being held to benefit the Samaritan Center.   Please bring your non-perishable food items and an unwrapped toy and place it in Santa’s sleigh.   All food and toy donations will be delivered to the Samaritan Center.

CALLS FROM SANTA

              Parks and Recreation and the Capital City Jaycees want to give every child in Jefferson City a chance to talk with Santa Claus.   By special arrangement we have set up a phone line for local children ages 3 – 7 to talk with Santa or Mrs. Claus.  Parents can either send a postcard to Santa’s Elves, c/o Parks and Recreation, 427 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO  65101 or send an email to capitalcityjaycees@mchsi.com.  All requests should be received no later than December 4.

              The postcard should include the following information: child’s name and age; brother’s and sister’s name; what the child wants for Christmas and whether or not he or she will get it; anything the parent would like Santa to commend the child on or mention that he or she should do better; telephone number (local calls only); and time of day or evening that the child can best be reached.

CHRISTMAS HOME DECORATING CONTEST AND TOUR

              Entries for the 23rd annual Christmas home Decorating Contest are now being accepted until December 4.   There are five categories of competition:  City’s Best (previous Mayor’s Award Winners); Christmas Elegance; Best Use of Lights; Best Religious Display; and Best Use of Christmas Characters.   The contest is limited to residents with the city limits of Jefferson City.

              In addition to the regular contest, you can be included in the non-competitive, city wide Christmas Lights Tour.   If you would like to have your home listed on the tour, please complete the entry form and check the box stating you would like to be included on the tour.

              Contest rules along with entry forms will be available in the News Tribune publications or at the Parks and Recreation office.   The Christmas Home Decorating Contest is sponsored by Parks and Recreation, the News Tribune Company, and the Retail Merchants Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.

WINTER TROUT FISHING

              In conjunction with the Capital City Fly Fishers and the Missouri Department of Conservation, McKay Park Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout for your fishing enjoyment.  The special fishing season continues through January 31 as catch and release.   Artificial baits and no natural or scented baits may be used.

              Beginning February 1, all trout may be caught and kept under statewide regulations.   Anglers ages 16 – 64 must possess a trout permit.   For full fishing regulations on this program, please contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at 751-4115.

START SMART BASKETBALL

              Registration is being accepted until December 7 for Start Smart Basketball.  Start Smart Basketball is for kids ages 3 – 6 years of age and their parents and they learning dribbling and ball handling, shooting, passing and catching and running and agility skills.  Registration fee is $18 or $23 after December 7.

              A Start Smart Basketball kit is available for purchase for an additional $31.  The kit contains all the equipment needed for the Start Smart Basketball program.

HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS

              Registration for High School Hoops will be held through December 7.  High School Hoops is a seven game basketball league for students not participating in interscholastic basketball during the 2009 – 2010 season.  Leagues offered include Boys Senior, Boys A, Boys B, and Girls.   All teams must have a parent as a manager and a team player as a captain.

              Registration fee is $170 per team.  For more information, contact Angie at 634-6491.

 PARKS AND RECREATION ON FACEBOOK

              Jefferson City Parks and Recreation is now on Facebook!   Become a fan and get the inside scoop on Parks and Recreation happenings.   We will be posting events, news, pictures, and updates so you can stay up-to-date with everything going on with Parks and Recreation.   Fans are also invited to post information and photos of events that take place in our parks, programs and facilities.   Become a fan by clicking on the Facebook icon on the department’s web site at www.jeffcitymo.org/parks.