According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, plyometrics is defined as an exercise involving repeated rapid stretching and contracting of muscles, to increase muscle power.  Plyometric training has been around for quite some time but the term was officially expressed by American track and field coach Fred Wilt in the mid 1970’s. 

In plyometric training, the targeted muscle is stretched right before it is contracted.  This allows the muscle to reach maximium strength in a very short amount of time.  A good example of this would be a box jump.  As you stand on an elevated box you drop off the edge of the box onto the floor and then immediately jump back up onto a higher box than the one from which you originally jumped.  Plyometrics have been a popular form of training all throughout the world and have predominantly been utilized in the athletic arena. 

This form of training is one of the best ways to maximize the strength/power connection.  If strength measures how much weight a muscle can lift, power will then determine how fast it can be lifted.  Essentially the quicker or faster you can move the weight through a predetermined range of motion, the greater that individual’s measure of power.  Since muscles contract most rapidly once they’ve been loaded, an individual can derive more power from a plyometric movement such as a squat jump.  This is why you are able to jump higher when you squat down and immediately jump up verses starting from a crouched position and jumping.

It was once thought that competitive athletes were the only ones who could see benefit from plyometric training.  This myth has been dispelled and more than ever, regular fitness participants are reaping the rewards of improved speed, quickness, stamina, and agility.

Remember to start off slow and gradually acclimate yourself to some basic plyometric exercises.  Plyometric training requires both strength and endurance so make sure you have a firm foundation in these disciplines prior to supplementing some plyometric exercises.  It is best to start with slow intervals and work your way up in time; 10-30 seconds per exercise is a safe and practical starting point.  Lastly it is very important to give yourself a day of rest in between plyometric workouts.  Since this form of training requires more effort and energy it is essential to give your body adequate recovery time.  As a result, plyometric traning should only be utilized once a week at first or even better yet strategically incorporated into your normal exercise routine.  Here are just a few examples of some popular plyometric exercises:

• Plyo-lunges:

• Plyo-squats

• Side to side lateral jumps (skier jump)

• Step push ups

• Box to box jumps

• Medicine ball toss

As always, if you have any questions or would like some guidance on how to start a new workout plan or even supplement your current routine please stop by, give me a call (703-335-8872), or float me an email @ j.swisher@manassasparkva.gov. and I will glad to assist you.

Jay

*Jay Swisher is the Operations Manager of the Department of Parks and Recreation. He can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at j.swisher@manassasparkva.gov

Sources: http://www.shapefit.com/plyometric-aerobics-training-benefits.html

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/plyometrics-exercise-workouts

            My first team was the ‘Little Rascals’.  I played for the AYA at Fort Campbell while my father was stationed there.  My first uniform was white with thin red pinstripes.  It was the early 70’s and I wore my hair ala Crystal Gail and held my shorts up with my signature Winnie the Pooh belt, which was white pleather and was MONEY.  I was a good player and really thrived in the team environment.  Spent the next 15 years playing organized soccer.   In my later years, at a very high level. But this isn’t a Blog about soccer. It’s about basketball.  It’s a Blog about basketball from a really tall, thin, soccer player that played one season of league basketball in Kentucky in the mid 70’s.   So if you think a tall, thin, athletic, able to handle a team environment kinda kid has all the prerequisites of a potential basketball player, think again.    

            I have all of two memories about my youth basketball experience.  The first one is fuzzy, but I remember shooting lay-ups in the base gym, sort of late in the evening.  That’s it for that one.  The second one is a little less fuzzy and just as incomplete (if that is even possible).  This one has me harkening back to a game, the only game I remember, the only game my team may have played for all I know.  My team was the ‘Lakers’ and we wore blue, like lakes (which makes sense), not purple like grapes (which makes no sense, Los Angeles).  I remember itching.  I recall pulling on the top of these polyester shorts, completely distracted by the discomfort of the miserable fabric – as the ball rolls by me and the parents are yelling really loudly at me to ‘PAY ATTENTION!!’  I remember feeling like I was going to cry, but don’t actually remember if I did.  But if I did cry I know for certain it wouldn’t be about the diminished expectations that were being shouted at me as the fate of the ‘apparent winning basket’ rolled by me just as time ran out.  Nope, I was probably crying because the teeth of that immovable, unbreathable fiberglass-like fabric were not only sucking the life out of me, I looked absolutely ridiculous…oh, and apparently I was completely flammable too. 

            So let’s fast forward 20 years, to 1995.  The Department of Parks and Recreation had very few programs operating out of Costello Park Recreation Center.  The previous Director asked me to plan and implement the city’s first youth basketball league.  There are a few of us around who know the actual history of the Manassas Park Biddy Ball League. I’d like to share this with you now.

            In 1996 the first league was planned.  I was relatively new to Manassas Park and was not practiced in basketball.  I happened to meet a resident by the name of Mr. Brown.  Mr. Brown had twin daughters getting ready to advance to high school, and we started talking.  Back then, the girls’ high school program rarely, if ever, won a game and never posted a season record over .500.  Dr. DeBolt, the Superintendent at this time, used to declare at council meetings that other schools would purposely schedule Manassas Park because it was a ‘gimme’.  More over, many young ladies were making the team having never played organized ball.  Establishing a feeder program for the girls’ high school team was the ‘honest to God’ impetus of the Biddy Ball program.

            Mr. Brown and I both knew that in addition to on court success, basketball is a vessel to fitness, a way to build self esteem, and it could also serve as a conduit to get into college.  Our program goals were simple.  Try to get a ball in the hands of girls as early as possible and level the playing ‘court’.  The decision to make the league fundamental and co-ed was forged early on.  We still were looking for ways to increase the success of the participants so they would continue to play every year.  An employee in the grounds division had spent some time in Louisiana and suggested we look at the ‘Biddy Ball’ program a local community center was implementing.  So, I made a call. 

            Seems the ‘Biddy Ball‘ league ‘shrunk‘ the playable court size for children based on their age.  The hoop height was lowered from the standard 10 ft., again, based on age.  Various ball sizes were employed to accommodate the smaller hand sizes of the younger players.  With these three factors considered, they found the coaches could focus on the fundamentals of shooting, dribbling, and passing because the odds of ‘on court’ success increased exponentially.  I was sold on the concept and promptly ordered our first set of “Biddy Ball” hoops. 

            And that’s how it all happened.  When our first season was marketed and implemented – we had 40 participants in two age divisions, two teams in each division and they played each other every Saturday for 8 weeks.  4 years after the first ‘Biddy Ball’ game, the league had grown to nearly 200 kids. Two of the young ladies in our inaugural season and several from the subsequent years posted their first .500 season for Manassas Park!!  A few have gone on to play college basketball, a few have even come back to coach their own children. Hey, even my current Administrative Assistant, once a Biddy Ball player, now a coach, won the Hoops Fest 3 point contest back in the day!  It takes a great deal of mettle to move a mountain!  Not bad for the first program I ever implement in Manassas Park.

            Now, under the capable facilitation of Mr. Carl Blake, our Recreation Specialist, who is mentoring under our Recreation Services Supervisor, Tony Thomas, the program is nearly 400 strong, and growing.    Gone are the standing room only practices of two at a time rotations and scrounging for available space at schools and churches. We now play out of the Manassas Park Community Center Gymnasium that can accommodate 8 teams an hour.  Gone are the 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. game schedules. We now play on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.  Gone is the single 3 month season. We now offer three seasons of basketball training and leagues. We now offer a teen division.  We now have a 4‘s/5‘s program.  Our 6‘s/7‘s remain fundamental but the 8‘s/9‘s and up are classified as competitive.  Started last summer and hopefully gaining traction this year – our first all girls competitive league.  Whew, we’ve come a long way. 

            If you have a moment to watch the basketball stars of tomorrow play, then please come to the Manassas Park Community Center any Saturday morning through March and check it out.  We do charge a $2 spectator fee, but I’ve got to tell you, it’s well worth the contribution to the league.  You’ll be amazed by the quality of the competition, the sportsmanship of the players, and the compassion of our volunteer coaches.  And thanks to all those parents that have signed their kids up for another season.  We couldn’t do any of this, all of this, without your continued support for recreation in Manassas Park!

            I have been known to play basketball myself every now and again.  However, I have a very strict policy to only play kids in the after-school program under the age of 10.  I have found these increase my odds for success.  My outside jump shot is more like an anchored fling.  A lay up requires running.  I don’t find the urge to do much of that anymore.  I follow the NBA, but only after the Football season, during the Hockey all-star break, and then only up until April 1st when Baseball (my favorite game to watch) opens for the season.  I have been known to watch the NCAA tourney and only go to Wizards games when I lose a bet. 

            Oh, one other change I forgot to mention – gone are the economy grade t-shirts.  Those were replaced with NBA reversible mesh tanks.  Tommy Cureton, a previous employee who is now doing amazing things providing recreation programs to the Marine Corps as a civilian, made this enhancement (need I mention that he is also a current Biddy Ball coach?!).  Pretty sure if that sweat whisking, comfort fitting, logo accented, reversible to white which coordinates with nearly every complementary short combination tank top was available when I was 7, I’d have grabbed that ball, planted my feet, let the herd of other seven year olds roll past me, quick head fake to a crossover, feet still planted just beyond the top of the key, pop a shoulder to move the ‘D’, and then I would have stroked the game winning ‘nothing but net’ backspin, perfect follow through, two point bucket at the buzzer.  I am sure of it.

Catherine Morretta

Catherine Morretta is the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. She can be reached at 703.335.8871 or via email at c.morretta@manassasparkva.gov.

I believe I know more about the different Presidents of the United States. After all, I am a history nerd!

Did you know that 43 men have been sworn into the Presidency? But, there have been 44 Presidents. How? Grover Cleveland was President from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897 becoming the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms! He is also the only president to get married in the White House (two other presidents, John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson married while in office but not in the White House). Frances Folsom married Grover Cleveland on June 2, 1886. Frances is the youngest first lady we have had. She was only 21 years old when she married the 48 year old President.

Eight Presidents have died while in office. Four died of natural causes (William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Warren G. Harding, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and four were assassinated (Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy).

William Henry Harrison was the last President to be elected who was born before the Declaration of Independence. He was also the shortest serving President. On his Inaugural day, it was raining and cold (March 4, 1844). He refused to wear a hat or overcoat. He then proceeded to deliver the longest Inaugural Address of any President. On March 26, President Harrison came down with a cold. It quickly turned into pneumonia and pleurisy. After just nine days, President Harrison died. He became the shortest tenured President, dying after 30 days, 12 hours, and 30 minutes after being inaugurated.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the longest serving President. Prior to FDR, all the Presidents stepped down after two terms (or were just not voted back) in deference to President George Washington’s only having served two terms. FDR went on to be elected four times as President. But, he only served a few months of his last term. In total, he served over 12 years as President.

The only President to have been elected by a unanimous Electoral vote was our first President, George Washington. He was also unanimously voted in for his second term. But, President Washington adamantly refused to serve a third term. All presidents, except for Franklin Delano Roosevelt have served only two terms.

Gerald Ford is the only President to not have been elected. Richard Nixon was voted into office with Spiro Agnew. After Mr. Agnew was charged with extortion, bribery, tax fraud, and conspiracy he resigned from the office of Vice President. Because of this, the office of the Vice Presidency was left vacant for two days before Gerald Ford was appointed to the Vice Presidency. Ford was Vice President for less than a year before Nixon resigned over the Watergate Scandal. Because of the resignation, Ford became the only President to have not been elected as either Vice President or President. He went on to lose the next election to Jimmy Carter.

There have been a few “repeats” when it comes to family members. John Adams was our second President; his son, John Quincy Adams, was the sixth. Theodore Roosevelt was a cousin to both Franklin Delano Roosevelt as well as FDR’s wife Eleanor (Eleanor was FDR’s fifth cousin). George H. W. Bush is George W. Bush’s father. William Henry Harrison (9^th President) was Benjamin Harrison’s (23^rd President) grandfather. James Madison, Zachary Taylor, and James K. Polk were all second cousins.

James Madison was our shortest President measuring at 5 feet 4 inches.

After leaving the office of the Presidency, William Howard Taft went on to become the Chief Justice of the United States.

Two Presidents have been impeached, Andrew Johnson (for intentionally violating the Tenure of Office Act) and William Jefferson Clinton (for perjury and obstruction of justice). Both were acquitted of all charges and remained in office. Richard Nixon resigned before the final vote in Congress could be taken to start the impeachment process.

James Buchanan was the only president never to marry. Five presidents remarried after the death of their first wives; two of whom, John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson, remarried while in the White House. Ronald Reagan was the only divorced president. Six presidents had no children. John Tyler, father of fifteen, had the most.

I hope this has helped you understand a little bit more about some of the men who served in the highest office in the United States of America. As you can see, they are just regular men that have been entrusted by the people of this nation to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.” There are so many other things I could talk about, but I won’t take up the whole day. Hope you enjoyed this little history lesson. Next time I promise, unless DC comes up with more history stuff, to be a little lighter! Until next time!

Bridget

Bridget Billips is a Customer Service Supervisor for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at b.billips@manassasparkva.gov

wikipedia

• My mechanic told me he couldn’t fix my brakes, so he made my horn louder!
• Ron told me a day without sunshine is like….night!
• Jenn told me that on the other hand, I have different fingers!
• Jay said he who laughs last, thinks the slowest!
• Catherine told me depression is merely anger without enthusiasm!
• I told my Doctor I drive way to fast to worry about my cholesterol!
• Shoemaker told me a clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory!
• Tabitha said change is inevitable, except from a vending machine!
• Tony said always try to be modest, and be proud of it!
• Beth said OK…. So what’s the speed of dark?
• I saw Annette in the copy room and she asked how do you tell when you’re out of invisible ink?
• Brian asked what happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

I always thought Monday is a dreadful way to spend 1\7 of your life! But this upcoming Monday, I plan to be spontaneous! Why you ask?

Because this Monday is President’s Day and I get a day off. Yeah!

Washington’s Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880. It was made a federal holiday in 1885. The holiday was originally held on the anniversary of George Washington’s birth, on February 22, 1971, but this holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.

Many businesses are open as usual and many stores hold sales on Washington’s Birthday. Many delivery services, except for the Post Office, have a regular service and many, but not all, public transit systems operate on regular schedules. Some schools close for the whole week for a mid-winter recess. According to some government sources, Indiana observes the Washington’s Birthday holiday in December.

Traditionally, many celebrated and continue to celebrate Washington’s Birthday with desserts made with cherries. Cherry pie, cherry cake, bread made with cherries, or just a huge bowl of cherries are often enjoyed on this day. Of course, this relates to the story that Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down a cherry tree.

On February 22nd of almost every year since 1888, Washington’s Farewell Address has been read in the US Senate. While this does not happen on Presidents’ Day, it is an annual celebration of Washington’s Birthday that stems from 1862 when the Address was read as a way to boost morale during the Civil War. This address was and is so important because it warns of political factionalism, geographical sectionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the nation’s affairs. Washington stressed the importance of national unity over sectional differences.

Whether or not you have a day off Monday, have a great President’s Day, and if you get a chance come by and see us. We will be open all day!

 DC

DC Webb is Park Manager for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. He can be reached at 703.335.8872 x2122 or via email at d.webb@manassasparkva.gov

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/holidays/tp/presidents_day.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/george-washington/facts.html

To be completely honest, I’m not really good with babies, infants and toddlers. I feel a sense of uneasiness and awkwardness with someone being so small and depending solely on me. Now don’t get me wrong, I love kids, but only when they can walk, talk, and I can understand what they want. If they can’t walk or talk then I usually have to call in my backup…which is usually my girlfriend! She’s always there to save the day and ready to change diapers or be on bottle duty.  

I’m not quite sure where or when I developed this sense of apprehension around babies but I remember times that my brother would ask me to babysit his son and I would always try to come up with some excuse as to why I couldn’t. “You see, I would love too, but I have to take care of something” that was typically my excuse every time. After the third time that excuse stopped working, so he learned to rush out of the house as he was going to work and tell me to watch Nemo.

I distinctly remember one time I was babysitting Nemo and it was just me and him in the house. I was on one end of the couch and he was on the other. I’m looking at him, he’s looking at me, and we were in an intense stare down. Me versus a three-year-old! After a few seconds I saw a slight grin and twinkle in his eye when he realized his dad had left and it was just me and him in the house. I could tell by his expression that it meant it was time to have fun by jumping up and down on the couches, running around the house, shooting me and the dog with Nerf guns and watching cartoons. He knew he had me right where he wanted me. Three year olds are smart! After a few hours I was exhausted, so I did what every good uncle would do and took him to 7-11 to get a slurpee, some candy, and sat him down in front of the T.V.

I talk about babies because we are lucky enough to now offer babysitter training classes out of our facility taught by the American Red Cross. Truth be told, when I was younger I think I could have benefited from a couple of hours of training. If your child is interested in earning some extra money than babysitting could be the perfect job. In the Red Cross Babysitter Training, your child will learn the basics of CPR, First Aid, how to make good decisions and what to do in the event of emergencies and illnesses. The class is open to boys and girls ages 11 – 15 and we are offering it on Saturday Feb. 25^th and Saturday April 21^st. Both days the training will be from 9 am – 3 pm. By the end of the training your child will be a certified babysitter through the American Red Cross. If you are interested please contact the Community Center at (703) 335 – 8872.

And who knows, I may even stop by for the training now that I have a niece coming in a day or two, and I’m sure it’ll even help me with my own kids, one day…far, far away! But it’s okay because like I said I’m enjoying my 20’s!

For complete curriculum of the Babysitter Training Class please visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org

Saint Valentine was a real person. According to legend, he was a priest around the year 270 AD in Rome. At that time, the emperor of Rome was a man by the name of Claudius II. Claudius believed that marriage made men weak, weak men could not serve as soldiers, and therefore Claudius outlawed all marriages. No one was allowed to get married or to perform marriages. Saint Valentine realized that this was an injustice to all the young lovers of Rome. Saint Valentine was captured by Claudius and put in prison. While there, he befriended his jailer’s daughter. When Saint Valentine was sentenced to death the daughter was distraught. Saint Valentine, sensitive to the young girl’s emotions, wrote her a note and signed it “From your Valentine.” This is where we get the concept of sending one another notes signed “From your Valentine.”

The beginning of what we know today as the Valentine Card started in 1797. The book The Young Man’s Valentine Writer was published with many romantic verses that a young man could transcribe unto his own card. By the early 1800’s, Valentine Cards were so popular that they started to be mass produced. Lace, ribbons, and other fancy trimmings were added in the mid 1800’s. The newest trend in Valentines are what as known as e-cards. They are sent directly to the person’s email! Not everyone loves Valentine’s Day. A few Middle Eastern countries have outlawed all things Valentine (gift wrap, flowers, candy, etc.) But, that has not stopped people from celebrating. I guess you just can’t buy me love, because all those people can feel the love tonight! Did you know that different flowers have different meanings? So, all those flowers people get, what do they mean?

• Red roses symbolize love, romance, beauty and perfection.
• Daisies are known for symbolizing beauty, innocence and purity.
• Tulips stand for perfect love.
• Peruvian lilies, these long-lasting, attention-grabbing petals represent friendship and devotion.
• Orchids symbolize love, beauty, luxury and strength.
• Carnations stand for fascination and new love.
• In some parts of the world, dark blue or purple irises indicate royalty.
• Gardenias signify purity and joy, and connote deep, old-fashioned love.

I enjoy watching movies with my significant other. You can call me an incurable romantic if you want to, but romance movies are one of my favorite genres. Are you thinking of poping in a romantic DVD to watch with your Valentine, but are having a hard time deciding?

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Paris, When It Sizzles
• Casablanca
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
• Sleepless in Seattle
• Pretty Woman
• Dirty Dancing
• Letters to Juliet
• Pride and Prejudice
• Somewhere in Time
• You’ve Got Mail
• It Happened One Night
• Sabrina
• Lady and the Tramp
• Pillow Talk And, probably the most obvious one, Valentine’s Day

Many people will go out to eat at a fancy restaurant with their loved one to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Others will make a special meal at home and enjoy quiet time together. Others get together with a lot of friends and make it a group date. Presents range from chocolate and flowers to engagement rings. (I am looking forward to getting my engagement ring soon too!) How do you celebrate? As I was researching, I came across a comment on a yahoo post on how to spend little to no money yet still have a great Valentine’s Day. The person told about how her brother, in college, did not have much money to take out his girlfriend. So, they got dressed up and he blindfolded her, took her to the restaurant, gave her a rose, lit a candle, and unblindfolded her. They were at McDonald’s! Even though he did not have much, he made the most of the day for his love. I think that is more romantic than all the money and gifts in the world! How are you going to celebrate?

Bridget

Bridget Billips is a Customer Service Supervisor for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at b.billips@manassasparkva.gov

Sources: http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_day http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/810/meanings-of-10-valentines-day-flowers/
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/valentine-8-ways-love-cost-little-no-money-155300569.html;_ylt=AsmaFrYk6elXb6Ijwq6gdLtZbqU5;_ylu=X3oDMTRldDA3bnFsBG1pdANWYWxlbnRpbmVzIGZlYXR1cmVkIHJvbGwEcGtnA2I5ZjFkYjcyLTg3YTgtM2VmMi04ODE4LWM3ODAxZjYwMzgwNQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFGZWF0dXJlZFJvbGxMUENBBHZlcgM2NGJkN2U5Mi01NDRhLTExZTEtYjE4Ni1lM2NhYTdhZmRlNjA-;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

Do skunks celebrate Valentine’s Day? Sure, they’re very scent-imental!

What did the paper clip say to the magnet on Valentine’s Day?I find you very attractive!

The average American will spend $119.67 on Valentine’s Day this year, up from $100.89 last year. Men spend almost twice as much on Valentine’s Day as women do. This year the average man will spend $156, while the average woman will only spend $85.

More than one-third of men would prefer not receiving a gift. Less than 20 percent of women feel the same way.

Around this season, a dozen long-stemmed roses can cost an average of $75 or about 30% more than the normal price of $58.

More than nine million pet owners are expected to buy gifts for their pets this Valentine’s Day.

15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.

What did the French Chef give his wife for Valentine’s Day? A hug and a quiche!

What did one pickle say to the other pickle on Valentine’s Day? You mean a great dill to me!

The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love.

189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day.

California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the greater number sold on Valentine’s Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America.

Approximately 110 million roses, mostly red, will be sold and delivered within the three-day Valentine’s Day time period.

Approximately one billion Valentines are sent out worldwide each year according to estimates by the U.S. Greeting Card Association. That’s second only to Christmas.

Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all Valentines.

Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.

What did the elephant say to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day? I love you a ton!

What did the bat say to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day? You’re fun to hang around with!

Did you hear about the nearsighted porcupine on Valentine’s Day? He fell in love with a pincushion!

In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, and Italy.

The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emporer Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.

Every Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.

What did the valentine card say to the stamp? Stick with me and we’ll go places!

What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus on Valentine’s Day? Can I hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand!

What is a lamb’s favorite song on Valentine’s Day? I only have eyes for ewe!

What does a vampire call his sweetheart on Valentine’s Day? His ghoul-friend!

Today, Hallmark employs an 80-person research staff to analyze the sales pattern of previous valentines. That analysis, combined with more than 100,000 annual customer interviews, focus groups and in-store observations, will help create roughly 2,000 cards in Hallmark’s core Valentine’s Day line.

I asked Jay if he got his wife something for Valentine’s Day, and he said he got her a new belt and a new bag. I said that was really nice and I bet she will really appreciate it. He said yeah, and it will probably make the vacuum work better too!

In Japan, women are expected to give chocolate and other gifts to men on Valentine’s Day. This tradition was started as a marketing campaign by Japanese chocolate companies. Men are not off the hook, unfortunately. They are expected to return the favor on March 14th, commonly known as White Day.

Need a suggestion for your sweetheart? How about a membership at our Manassas Park Community Center? You’ll be amazed what we have to offer. Bring your sweetheart to a Biddy Ball game this Saturday or sign your daughter up for softball. We have all kinds of exciting things going on this weekend. If your aunt ran off to get married on Valentine’s Day, what would you call her? Antelope!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

DC

DC Webb is Park Manager for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. He can be reached at 703.335.8872 x2122 or via email at d.webb@manassasparkva.gov

Sources:
Funfactsaboutvalentine’sday.com
Valentine’sdayjokes.com
Valentinesfunnystoriesandjokes.com

Every morning, I come into my office and see the mission statement on my wall. I’ve read it hundreds of times, I insert it into a lot of our marketing, and can even recite it with my eyes closed now! Going into my 10th month with the Parks and Recreation department, I have come to see what every phrase of the mission statement means and how we incorporate it into everything that we do. Let’s break it down together…

“The Department of Parks and Recreation is committed to providing a variety of high quality, diverse, leisure opportunities….”

This is something I see everyday. I have the most amazing coworkers that work hard on coming up with programs and classes for every generation. We want to make sure that you enjoy all of the programs that we provide. Each of our programs are designed with you in mind, and are even some that you have suggested to us! It doesn’t stop there either. Each membership, whether it be a Basic, Dual, Family, Fitness Plus, Splash, Senior Passport, Teen Passport, Buddy Club, 3 Month, or even our NEW Corporate Passport, is designed and created so that you can take advantage of what we have to offer at a very competitive cost. And let’s not forget about the entire facility itself. Our 80,000 sq ft facility offers a variety of spaces available to you for all of your wedding, birthday, business meeting, and service needs.

“…foster our city’s parks and natural resources..”

What would a Parks and Recreation Department be with out its Parks! From Costello Park where the Community Center is located, to Signal Hill, our local block parks and our new dog park, we have dedicated Park Managers to make sure that each of our local parks are taken care of and in the best of shape for you to enjoy.

“…and support the individual growth and well being of our citizens.”

As we say here, we can’t Shape the Future without “U”. Our tag line, as I have said in many of my blogs, captures the overall mission of the Parks and Recreation Department. It is our mission to support you and your well being so that we can all Shape the Future together.

With all of this said, we hope that through all of our services that we provide, that you have the best experience with us. We are here for all of your needs, just ask!

Make sure to check out our Spring and Summer MOSAIC. Classes are available to register for now that begin in March. We have a lot in store for you this upcoming season, so make sure that all of your spring and summer days are taken care of with amazing programs, quality service and a team that enjoys what they do!

Jenn

Jennifer Deuterman is the Marketing Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 x2143 or via email at j.deuterman@manassasparkva.gov

Did you know that groundhogs have another name they go by? Woodchuck! As in: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could if a woodchuck could chuck wood! Am I the only one who still can not say that tongue twister??? (Who has any other fun tongue twisters?)

Groundhogs are very interesting animals, at least I think so. They are actually a member of the squirrel family, and the biggest member at that. Even though we think of groundhogs and burrowing, they actually are good climbers and excellent swimmers. In the wild, groundhogs can live between 3-6 years. In captivity it goes up to 9-14 years. One weather predicting groundhog named Wiarton Willie is said to have lived 22 years.

Food-wise, a groundhog is feast or famine. To get ready for their winter hibernation (October to April) they gorge themselves on food to gain as much fat as possible. They are one of the few true hibernators in that they sleep the entire hibernation without being able to be awakened. Groundhogs are mostly herbivores. They do eat some insects and snails. They get most of their water from watery plants and not from actually drinking water. Groundhog burrows can be up to 46 feet in length and up to 5 feet underground. All that burrowing and eating of vegetation can wreak havoc on gardens and building foundations. That is the reason that people try to get rid of groundhogs from their property. When not underground, you can normally see them motion-less and on back legs in an upright position. They are watching for predators and anything else that might seem dangerous. They will warn the rest of the colony with a high-pitch squeal.

Expectant mommy groundhogs can have up to 6 babies at a time. They are born hairless and blind. By 5-6 weeks old the babies are weaned but can stay with their mother for a few months. When raised in captivity, groundhogs can be trained quite easily, but their aggressive behavior can be a problem. The aggressiveness is why they are not advised as pets. Next week I promise to be on time with my blog posting, as long as DC does not come up with anything else that is so much fun to research!

Bridget

Bridget Billips is a Customer Service Supervisor for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at b.billips@manassasparkva.gov

Sources: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/groundhog/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog

Actually, Groundhog Day was on TBS yet again last weekend and I was compelled to count the days and find just how many days Phil Connors spent in Punxstawney. According to Harold Ramis (writer, director, producer), on the Groundhog Day DVD commentary, Bill Murray spent 10 years trapped in his own little corner of you know where…Punxsutawney. But this seems like an arbitrary number. We can do better than that.

There are, at least, 36 separate days shown in the movie including his multiple death scenes. There could be more, but it’s hard to verify if some moments are simply later in the day or an entirely different day. Additionally, in the scene where Bill Murray revealed he’s a god, he stated, “I have been stabbed, shot, poisoned, frozen, hung, electrocuted, and burned.” Of those, the movie only showed electrocution, so that brings it to a base line of 42 accountable days. However, there were many days not shown. We know from the scene when Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell are throwing playing cards into a top hat that it would take, “Six months. Four to five hours a day, and you’d be an expert.” So, we have a bare minimum of six months.

In the first half of the movie, the only other truly time consuming event was the robbery. Let’s give him at least a month to plan a proper bank robbery and memorize wind gusts. This brings us to roughly 256 days by the time he decides he wants to be a better man. However, becoming a better man is the most time consuming part of Phil’s journey!

He needs to become an expert pianist, an ice sculptor, and learn French. The tough part about this is that is that no one learns these things at the same rate. He could be a very old piano wunderkind after all. Or it could take him 600 years to become a decent ice sculptor. For the sake of argument, let’s say it takes an average person 3 years to learn to play the piano. It also would take an average person 3 years to become a professional ice sculptor. However, we don’t know how good Phil was at either…maybe, he just learned one song, or just how to sculpt Andie MacDowell’s face. But for the sake of argument, let’s say three years apiece. And he cannot do both at the same time because an ice sculptor is 8 hours of work, and he only has a small window each day to get a piano lesson. Learning French (unless you know Rosetta personally) which is also subjective? It’s safe to say it took him, at least, 2 years to learn enough French to read French poetry.

Which puts us at the grand total of 3176 repeated Groundhog days, or 105 months, or 8.7 years? Precisely, 8 years, 8 months, and 16 days. So, in the end Harold Ramis was right and I wasted a lot of my time and probably yours too!

Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year, and you might be wondering how a groundhog landed the job of predicting the weather. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, it goes like this: If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we’re stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we luck out with an early spring.

Punxsutawney Phil has definitely adapted to times. He can now text you his Tuesday weather prediction. Just text “Groundhog” to 247365 on Groundhog Day. I don’t think it’s too late!

States without groundhogs are taking matters into their own hands by choosing their own weather predictor. Texas, for example, chose its state mammal, an armadillo, to predict the weather for their first “Armadillo Day.” Only time will tell whether the groundhog or the armadillo is the true prognosticator.

Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, has not seen it 15 times, and nine years are unaccounted for.

The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil’s predictions have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil’ club, which states he’s been right 100 percent of the time.

In the years following the release of Groundhog Day, a 1993 film starring Bill Murray, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.

Though groundhogs typically live only six to eight years, Groundhog Day lore suggests that Phil drinks a magic elixir every summer, which gives him seven more years of life.

What would you get if you crossed February 2 with a puppy?

A: Ground-dog Day!

What happened when the groundhog met the dog catcher?

A: He became a pound hog!

What happens if the ground log sees its shadow?

A: We’ll have six more weeks of splinters!

Why was the groundhog depressed about his den?

A: He was having a bad lair day!

What would you get if you crossed February 2 with a Christmas drink?

A: A Ground Nog Day!

What’s green, has four legs, and jumps out of its hole on February 2?

A: The Ground Frog!

So now you’re asking yourself-Why does DC know so much and why does he care so much about Groundhog Day?

Because it happens to be my birthday!

February 2 19xx. Yeah I’m only xx years old.

Of course when you read this on Feb 3^rd it will be too late to wish me a Happy Birthday.

Not really, if you want to wish me a Happy Birthday tomorrow or the next day, that’s ok too!

See you later!

DC

DC Webb is Park Manager for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. He can be reached at 703.335.8872 x2122 or via email at d.webb@manassasparkva.gov

Sources:
Groundhog Day: fun facts www.groundhog.org/ground-hog-day/fun

Groundhog Day-A history www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/01/groundhog

Groundhog Day fun facts www.blog.al.com/entertainment-source/2011/01/groundhog