Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona Parks & Recreation Report dated September 4^th. Included in this report: Come Out and Play Day, Fishing at the Colorado, Sweet Tooth, Family Pottery, Tiny Tots, Little Steps, Open Mic Poetry, Parks and Recreation fall and winter guide, Taste of Summer wine tasting, Pool hours, Dog park support fundraisers, Tribute of the Muses nominations deadline, Arts Project Grants

Come Out and Play Day - Get set to “play the Yuma way” - for free - at the City of Yuma’s 5th annual Come Out and Play Day, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 20th.  More than two dozen activities will be set up at Kennedy Park, Kennedy Lane north of 24th Street.  Some of the activities included in Come Out and Play Day are relay races, kayaking, volleyball, washoes, disc golf, a water slide, art tent, scuba demos, jumpers, basketball, badminton and more!  The pool and skating park will be open, so bring your own appropriate equipment.

Fishing at the Colorado - In this fun-tastic class you will learn how to make your own fishing pole, learn about the different types of fish that live in our area, and then try your hand at fishing.

7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 - Ages 8 - 13 - Location: Riverside Outdoor Recreation Center, Prison Hill Road & Giss Parkway Cost: $12 per child

Sweet Tooth - Yum-O! This class is a treat.  Kids get to make and decorate candies and treats for this delicious workshop 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Clymer Recreation Center on Orange Avenue. Children will be divided into appropriate age categories, 3-5 and 6-12.  Cost: $10 per child.

Family Pottery - A wonderful family experience, come explore the wonders of clay and learn the basic techniques needed to hand build or throw on a potters wheel. Session 1: Monday evenings September 8 - October 13 - Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Ages 6 - Adult - Location: North End Community Center pottery room, 180 E. 1st St. - Cost: $53; $35 with City resident credit (fee includes 1 adult and 1 child). Additional family members may participate for $6 per person.

Tiny Tots - Tiny Tots is for potty-trained preschool-aged children to have a positive experience in a classroom setting.  This exciting recreation-based program will be a great place to meet friends, gain confidence, and be introduced to a variety of educational activities. Session 1: September 8 - October 16 - Time: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday - Ages 3 - 5 - Cost: $130; $86 with City resident credit - Location: Clymer Recreation Center or Yuma Readiness and Community Center (choose a location at the time of registration).

Little Steps - Have fun with your young child at this program that is designed for you and your child to play together. Great thinking toys to try, organized games and activities for parent and child to do together.  Group interaction is encouraged, as there will be many new friends to meet. - Session 1: Friday mornings, September 12 through October 17 - Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. - Ages 4 years and younger - Location: Clymer Recreation Center, Yuma Readiness and Community Center (choose a location at time of registration). - Cost: $23; $15 per child.  Babies age 0 - 12 months can participate at no cost.

Open Mic Poetry - Wednesday, September 10 at 7 p.m., the Yuma Art Center will be hosting our monthly Poetry Reading.  Sponsored by 33.10, AWC Creative Writing Department, and the Yuma Art Center, sign up for Open Mic and share your original poetry or poems by your favorite poet.  Tickets for this event are $2.00 at the door.  For additional information, please contact the Yuma Art Center at 373-5202 .

Parks and Recreation fall and winter guide - The fall and winter guide to Yuma Parks and Recreation programs is available at Parks and Recreation offices.  Look through the guide to find out which programs to register you and your family for.

Taste of Summer wine-tasting - Putter Inn at Desert Hills Golf Course hosts The Taste of Summer, a wine-tasting event featuring “six sensational selections,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 27th.  Tickets are $15 each and must be purchased in advance by September 22nd; call 373-5230 or 373-5231 or stop by the golf course at 1245 Desert Hills Drive (off Avenue A directly south of the Yuma Civic Center).

Pool hours - Kennedy pool will be open 1 to 4:45 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) through September 28th.

Dog park support fundraisers - outdoor movie night for dogs and families Want to support a dog park in Yuma?  Several events are coming up to help raise funds for a dog park.  The next one is Outdoor Movie Night for Dogs, happening September 27, 7:30 p.m. at Desert Sun stadium.  Bring lawn chairs, blankets and your child-friendly dog – on a leash, please – to enjoy a fun night out watching “Scooby Doo.”  Bring your neighbors and friends, too, and ask them to leave a small donation to help make a dog park a reality in Yuma.

Tribute of the Muses nominees sought - Deadline for nominations for the annual Tribute of the Muses Awards is Friday, September 5th. The City of Yuma Arts and Culture Commission is taking nominations for the award, which will be handed out during a ceremony 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 16th at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St. - Nominees should have a demonstrated history of supporting the arts throughout their lifetimes through gifts of support, time and creative contribution.  Recipients may be full-time or part-time artists, supporting members of the arts community or volunteers. - For more information or to request a nomination form, contact the Yuma Art Center at (928) 373-5202.  Form must be received by 5 p.m. Friday.

Arts Project Grants - The Arts and Culture Commission has renewed the Arts Project Grants program for the fifth year, with $42,566 in total funds available to nonprofit arts organizations within the City of Yuma. Each applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a Yuma educational institution and/or an agency or department of local government. Projects, performances and exhibitions must be held at the Yuma Art Center/Historic Yuma Theatre and be open to the public. Applicants will need to show matching funds prior to receiving a grant. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, October 3rd. - Project grant applications are available at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St., or by phone at (928) 373-5202.

More information on these and other programs is available at the Parks & Recreation page on the City’s web site at www.yumaaz.gov or by calling (928) 373-5200.

Please consider storing the Graffiti Hot Line, (928) 329-2828, on your mobile phone, then call it every time you notice graffiti in our area.  All you need to provide is the specific location, and it takes just a few short moments.  Graffiti is usually cleaned up in a day or two and evidence is turned over to police.  Help keep our community clean!