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Youth Sports
Power-in-Pink: Power-in-Pink is a girls-only youth Basketball League for ages 5-6 and 7-8. All participants in Power-in-Pink will face other YMCA teams of girls in four weeks of games. This is an 8-week program with one practice during the week for all 8 weeks and one practice on Saturdays for the first four weeks culminating in Saturday games for the last 4 weeks.
Youth Basketball League (Co-ed)
Participants in youth leagues will have one hour on Saturday mornings with a game with four quarters of up to 8 minutes a quarter, based on age group. Teams will be decided by the YMCA staff person in charge of the league. Volunteers will coach and officiate the games. Leagues will be offered for ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-11 and 12-14 years-old. Our philosophy is to provide a fun, safe, and low-competition environment for our participants, while stressing the importance of fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our teams are developed for players to learn essential skills and focus on team play and character development. The programs are designed for everyone to play and participate.
Swimm’n Stuff
As usual, the Hillcrest Family YMCA pool is busy and fun. We continue to offer Aqua Aerobics classes for those wishing to get a workout, those with arthritis, and those who are members of Silver Sneakers. We now also offer an Intense Aqua Aerobics class for ambitious members who really want to sweat!
We also continue to offer swim lessons for everyone from 3 months and up.
Swim team has started up and our Hillcrest Hurricanes Swim Team has already competed in two meets and made us proud!
We have added a few new very qualified guards and instructors to assist us all. Please let the Aquatics Department know if we can change or add anything to make the pool more fun for you.
Maintenance Note: The pool will be closed from Dec 18-Jan 2 for major repairs and additions. We are getting a new filter system and completely cleaning the pool inside and out. During this time, members are invited to use any pool at the Greater Cleveland YMCA’s other branches.
Press Play
Press Play, being piloted at Hillcrest and French Creek Family Y branches, is an innovative way to connect members to programs and services. For the month of November we used youth sports to engage kids between the ages of 3 and 6. Each week we’ll highlight a new sport, including baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and tennis. Key staff members are Justin Tell (lead instructor) and Tanner Gilbert (facilitator). As we chart the successes and challenges of the initial pilot, we are identifying more opportunities within the other departments. |
Seasonal Recipe: Winter Salads
As the cold weather approaches, many of the vegetables that we are accustomed to using become scarce, expensive, or just tasteless. The tomato and lettuce salads that had been so perfect for the warm days of summer can seem light and unsubstantial on a cold winter evening. We still want to add fresh vegetables and salads to our meals, but crave something tasty and filling. A winter salad is just the thing. Winter produce frequently has more substance and crunch as well as stronger flavors than summer produce, so it makes for a more satisfying salad – perfect for a hearty dinner.
Instead of leafy greens and spring mixes, use radicchio, chicory, endive, or romaine. The many varieties of cabbage (green, red, Napa, etc.) are also good hearty bases for salads and slaws. For a completely different approach, use thinly sliced fennel, julienned snow peas, celery, or jicama. The stems of broccoli can be shredded or cut into coins for a crunchy slaw. Even cauliflower florets can be the beginning of a delicious salad.
Once you’ve chosen a background for your salad, start adding those flavor accents which add interest and depth, as well as more nutrients. Slices of apples and pears add crunch. Roasted beets make a wonderful and extremely nutritious addition. Grapes, dried cranberries, persimmons, and pomegranate seeds contribute a sweet and tangy taste. Citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit, and tangerines can be added as slices or as juice in the salad dressing. Don’t forget other accents like nuts and mushrooms to add texture and complexity.
If something even heartier is more to your liking, use beans, lentils, or wild rice as a base. Chicken, tuna, or a hard boiled egg can add protein and turn your salad into a meal. A little goat cheese or blue cheese can be the perfect finishing touch, especially as a contrast to fruit.
Finally, don’t forget to try a warm salad dressing. Just a touch of a warm dressing can make a simple salad special on a cold day.
There’s no excuse for letting winter’s produce keep you from eating salads. Adding variety will add vitamins and nutrients to your diet. Experiment with some of the delicious winter fruits and vegetables in different combinations; you’re sure to find a favorite!
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Jeff Jacko, Director
Hillcrest Branch
Cold days, Christmas, mugs of hot chocolate, making snowmen, enjoying a good crackling fire: Along with the usual bit of craziness which comes with this time of year, these are all things which we enjoy sharing with our families. The winter season seems to speak to our need to re-group, relax and re-connect with things at home.
Here at the Hillcrest YMCA, we would like to welcome into our home the newest members of our family, Nancy Bretz and Ann Tisch. As the faces of SELREC, Nancy and Ann have been a part of the YMCA since we merged last year, but now their office will be housed here in the branch, as well. We look forward to connecting with them on a more personal level, as well as streamlining our operations for the benefit of all our members.
We encourage all our members to view this snowy season as the perfect opportunity to renew your connection with your health and your family. How about your whole family coming for a Zumba workout on Tuesday night, then a Friday night family swim before enjoying a movie and popcorn? Feel free to ask our front desk staff to help you find opportunities to make this a place your family can use together.
Have a beautiful holiday season, and thank your for allowing our family to be a part of your family. |
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