Newark, NJ - March 6, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Melvin Waldrop announced the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs’ schedule of programs and events for the Spring of 2009.

“As winter winds down and spring arrives, I encourage our residents to take advantage of the exciting recreation programs offered by our Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs. These are activities that the entire family can enjoy,” Mayor Booker said. “Let’s celebrate the beginning of Spring by getting involved and active at our recreation centers.”

“As spring begins, we are moving our recreation horizons upward and outward, taking advantage of warmer weather to provide our citizens with even more energizing and empowering programs and events,” Director Waldrop said.

The schedule runs as follows:

ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL for children aged 16 and under:

Elementary Basketball instruction for children aged 16 and below is being organized at the Ironbound, JFK, Hayes West, and Rotunda Centers, Mondays to Saturdays. Times are being determined. Sign-ups are being held at all four centers.

BILLIARDS:

Billiards for all ages is offered year-round, Monday to Friday at all Recreation Centers, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Billiards Instruction for ages 7-17 takes at the Rotunda Center on Fridays, from 6 to 7 p.m.

BINGO for all ages:

Bingo action is held as follows:

Wednesdays:     5 p.m. to 6 p.m.        Ironbound, JFK, and Rotunda Centers
Fridays:        3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.     Hayes West

BOARD AND TABLE GAMES for ages 7-up:

Checkers, Tri-Ominos, Othello, and other popular board and table games are available as follows:

Tuesday through Thursday:       4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.     Hayes West, Ironbound, and Rotunda Centers
Monday through Thursday:        4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.     JFK

SCRABBLE (Instructional) for ages 7-17:

Newark youth aged 7 to 17 can build up their vocabulary and enjoy the competition and fun of Scrabble on Wednesdays at the Rotunda Center, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY for Adults:

Computer room access is available year-round as follows:

Monday to Friday:       11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Boylan
Monday to Friday:       Noon to 4 p.m.          JFK
Monday to Friday:       11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rotunda
Monday to Friday:       11 a.m. to 3 p.m.               St. Peter’s

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY for ages 7 to 17:

Is offered September through June as follows at the Ironbound, JFK, Boylan, Rotunda, and St. Peter’s Centers:

Monday to Friday:  4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

DOMINOES for ages seven to 17:

Children ages seven to 17 can enjoy dominoes at the Rotunda Center on Tuesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-3677.

CARD GAMES for Youth ages seven to 17:

Newark youngsters ages seven to 17 can learn Spades and other card games at the Rotunda Center, on Thursdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-3677.

TABLE TENNIS INSTRUCTION for Youth ages seven to 17:

Table-tennis instruction runs year-round for Newark youngsters aged seven to 17. Classes take place at the Ironbound Center Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and at the Rotunda Center on Tuesdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-3707, or the Rotunda Center at (973) 733-3677.

WEIGHT ROOM for Adults:

John F. Kennedy, Rotunda, and Boylan Recreation Centers’ Weight Rooms are open Monday - Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and at JFK on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. On Saturdays, the Boylan and Rotunda Centers are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call the JFK Center at  (973) 733-5483, the Boylan Center at (973) 733-8947, or the Rotunda Center at (973) 733-3677.

SWIMMING Programs for all ages:
 
Youth Learn to Swim Programs for ages 7-17 are as follows:

Mondays to Fridays:     4:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.          Ironbound Center
Mondays to Fridays:     4:15 to 5 p.m.                  JFK Center
Mondays to Fridays:     5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.             JFK Center

Learn to Swim Programs for Adults:

Mondays to Fridays:     10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.           Ironbound Center
Mondays to Fridays:     8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.          JFK Center
Mondays to Fridays:     6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.          JFK Center

Seniors can take Learn to Swim classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Ironbound Center, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Morning Adult Masters Swimming takes place Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the JFK Center.

Evening Adult Masters Swimming takes place Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at the JFK Center, from 7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Fitness Swim takes place at the Ironbound Center Year-Round, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Learn to Swim Fundamental Aquatic Skills Classes for Adults are held at the JFK Center on Mondays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to Noon and for all ages from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Recreational Swimming is available for all ages at the Ironbound Center Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is also available at the JFK Center Monday through Friday for Adults from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for All Ages Mondays to Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The JFK Aquatic Center is now open at 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, with closing hours of 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., remaining the same. Both pools are closed on Sunday. For more information, call (973) 733-6550.

WATER AEROBICS for Adults and Seniors:

Water Aerobics classes for adults take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the JFK Center pool. Senior Water Aerobics classes are held at the same site on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-6550.

ARTHRITIS WATER PROGRAMS for Adults:

Adults and seniors can fight Arthritis at the Ironbound Center pool now through June, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These sessions also take place at the JFK Center, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-6550 and the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-5838.

MOMMY, DADDY, AND ME WATER PROGRAMS for Toddlers with Parents:

Small children up to age 6 and their families can splash into swimming and floating now through June at the JFK Aquatic Center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and from Noon to 12:45 p.m. For more information, contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-6550.

SENIOR AEROBICS:

Senior citizens can enjoy aerobic exercise now through June 26 at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Noon to 2 p.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. to Noon. Contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-5483.

HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE for Youth:

All recreation centers offer Newark youngsters free access to computers and tutoring to help them with homework and to learn modern technology, Monday through Friday, 3 to 4 p.m. Contact your local recreation center for more information.

CHESS AND CHECKERS for Ages 7 and up:

Instruction and practice for chess and checkers players from ages seven and up, is being held at most centers, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rotunda Center.

MOVIE DAYS for all ages:

Family films are screened at three recreation centers, as follows:

Fridays:        3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.             Hayes West
Fridays:        5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.             Ironbound
Saturdays:      4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.             Rotunda
Tuesdays:       5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.  Rotunda
Wed. and Fri.   10 a.m. to Noon         JFK

ROLLER SKATING for Families:

The whole family can get rolling at the JFK Recreation Center every Friday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and adults only from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Center provides the skates. Contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-5483.

ARTS AND CRAFTS for ages 7 and up:

Learn new forms of creative expression and stretch the imagination with arts and crafts programs:

·       Ironbound Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 2 to 3 p.m.
·       Boylan Street Center, Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
·       Hayes West Center, Mondays through Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
·       Rotunda Center, Saturdays, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
·       JFK Center, Monday through Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the centers.

“MIGHTY MILERS” YOUTH WORKOUT PROGRAM for ages 8 to 15:

Get in shape with the youth anti-obesity program, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Ironbound, Boylan Street, Rotunda, and St Peter’s Recreation Centers, at 5 p.m. and the same days at Hayes West at 4 p.m.

“NEWARK PIRANHAS” SWIM TEAM for ages 6-17:

Get into competitive swimming with the Newark Piranhas. Practices are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Ironbound Aquatic Center from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the JFK Center Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The team competes against other communities.

INSTRUCTIONAL BOXING for Youth:

Grab your gloves and answer the bell with the Instructional Boxing Program for youth, held year-round at the Hayes West Center, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Age-appropriate boxing techniques are taught.

BIDDY BOWLING for Youth:

Newark youngsters can learn how to knock down pins at the Hayes West Center on Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

DANCE CLASSES for Youth 7-17:

Newark youngsters can learn the latest Hip-Hop steps at the Rotunda Center on Fridays, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

DANCE CLASSES for Adults:

Adults can learn to Salsa, Mambo, and Cha-Cha at the Rotunda Center on Friday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

DARTS for Youth:

Hit the bull’s-eye with Darts action at Hayes West on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

DOUBLE DUTCH PRACTICE:

Learn the ropes of Double-Dutch at the JFK Center. Ages 18 and over: Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ages 7-17 practice on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

MINIATURE GOLF for Youth:

Get into the swing at the Hayes West Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

PING PONG for Youth:

Hayes West offers Ping Pong for youngsters on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

INDOOR SOCCER for All Ages:

Takes place at the Ironbound Recreation Center on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

STREET HOCKEY for ages 8-12 and 13-16:

Co-ed Street Hockey action is coming on with the first games on March 31 at various locations around the City! For more information, contact the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs at (973) 733-3620.



Media Contact:  Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004