By Sarah Hall

Editor

The weather might not be cooperating, but believe it or not, it’s spring in Central New York, and that means our local parks departments have a variety of programs on the horizon. Check out what the town of Clay is offering in the coming months.

Painting in the Air

Painting in the Air is a painting class that teaches you how to illustrate the sound of music. The focus of this course is translating sound into visual expression through lines, shape, color and texture. Each week will be a new artist from history, and a new ways of incorporating music into art.  Instructor Kara Cook has bachelor of fine arts and a master’s of science from the Visual & Performing Arts and School of Education at Syracuse Uniersity. Live music performed by the talented Billy Harrison. 

The class meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Sundays from May 1 to 22 at the Music in the Air Studio, 709 N. Main St., North Syracuse (inside Rae’s Dance Studio). For those ages 12 to 18. Cost is $80 for four classes with the art show, which takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. May 29, or $25 per class.

Youth and adult sports programs

Several youth sports camps are available through the town, starting with the Northstar Little Stickers program, a fun non-competitive lacrosse program designed to introduce the game of lacrosse to boys and girls ages 3 to 7. The six-week course will include skill development and game play. Participants will be introduced to running, cradling, passing, catching, shooting and basic game play. The program runs on Wednesdays from May 25 to June 29 at Clay Park South, 7200 Buckley Road, Liverpool (across from North Medical Center). The 3- to 4-year-old age group meets from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds met from 6 to 7 p.m. The program costs $65; participants should bring their own stick, mouthguard and water bottle. All participants should wear sneakers. Medical staff is on site.

Aspiring soccer stars can check out the Northstar Mini-Shooter Soccer program for children ages 2 to 5. The focus is on learning the basics of running, jumping, kicking and playing in a fun yet structured environment. Spend quality time with your child while easing your child into social situations with support and confidence.  The program is led by Northstar Soccer Club Coach Kara Cook and takes place at the outdoor soccer fields at Roxboro Road Middle School. Sessions run from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays, April 12 and 19 and May 3, 10 and 17 for Session I or 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays, May 24 to June 21 for Session II. Cost is $55 per session or $100 pre-paid for both sessions.

Older soccer players can sign up for the Northstar Academy Soccer program, led by Todd Cook, director of the Northstar Soccer Club and director of men’s soccer operations at Syracuse University. This is an instructional program for boys and girls ages 5 to 13 with professional coaches. It features skill-based practices broken into stations, incorporating dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, ball skills, agility footwork, attacking and defending concepts. The goal is to make players become technically sound on the ball so they can spend time managing the challenges of the game and make soccer more enjoyable to play. Located at the Roxboro Road Middle School soccer fields, the program is split into two sessions that meet from 6 to 7:10 p.m. Tuesdays, April 12 and 19 and May 3, 10 and 17 for Session I or 6 to 7:10 p.m. Tuesdays, May 24 to June 21 for Session II. Cost is $55 per session or $100 pre-paid for both sessions.

If your child is more interested in running, the town offers Northstar Little Sprinters, coached by Jennifer Przyblski (Coach “P”), Cicero-North Syracuse modified cross country and track and field coach. The program’s focus is to provide a fun environment for kids to be active and develop a love for being fit.  Team building activities will include: running, obstacle courses, relay races, stretching, agility drills and other exercises all done in a supportive learning environment. The program, for youth ages 4 to 9, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays from April 13 to May 18 at Clay Park Central, off Wetzel Road, Liverpool. Cost is $60 and includes camp T-shirt.

Both youths and adults interested in learning how to play golf can take group golf lessons at either the Cicero Golf Center or Hickory Hill Golf Course. The courses are for beginners or intermediates. Cost is $49 for adults or $42 for seniors and youth.

At the Cicero Golf Center, courses are led by instructor Chuck Jonick:

• Adult classes: 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Thursday or 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Youth classes: noon to 1 p.m. Saturday or Sunday or 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday

At Hickory Hill, courses are led by instructor Jay Catalano:

• Adult classes: 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday or Friday for beginners; 7 to 8:30 Tuesday or Friday for intermediates
• Youth classes: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday

Boater safety

All boaters in New York state must take this boater safety course in order to operate a watercraft. The course will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and again from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Town of Clay Senior Center, 4948 Route 31, Clay. For ages 10 and up. Cost is $35 payable to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla No. 214.

Fitness programs

Adults in rehabilitation for an injury, who are new to fitness or older adults can try out Gentle Fusion Fitness, which incorporates small weights, stretching, Pilates, yoga, Tai’ Chi Chuan and light cardio.  Participants should bring a yoga mat, light weights and a hand towel, if you have them.  The program is led by Florence Drago, a certified dance and fitness professional. Gentle Fusion Fitness meets from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday monthly at Clay Town Hall, 4401 Route 31, Clay; choose one day or both. The fee is $20 for one day a month or $35 two days a month. Classes are also offered evenings on demand; call for more information.

Another minimial-impact workout is available through Tai Chi Fitness, which involves slow-motion routines and low-impact exercises to help with stress management, balance, circulations and memory cognition. Loose fitting clothes required. The program is led by Blair Campbell, master instructor. Classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday monthly at Clay Town Hall, 4401 Route 31, Clay; choose one day or both. The fee is $20 for one day a month or $35 two days a month.

If you’re looking for something a little faster-paced, check out Zumba Fitness, a Latin-inspired dance program as an innovative muscle training program with the addition of light weight toning sticks for total body conditioning. No previous dance or Zumba experience necessary. The program is led by Jeanne Vinette, certified Zumba instructor. The class meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and/or Wednesday (choose one or two days a week) at the old Clay Town Hall, 4483 Route 31, Clay. There are two eight-week sessions: Spring Session 1 runs through May 4 (you can join any time at a pro-rated price), and Spring Session 2 runs May 9 to June 29. Cost is $40 for one day a week or $65 for two days a week.

To register for any of these programs or if you have any questions, call Florence Drago at the Town of Clay Parks and Recreation Department at 652-3800 ext. 139 or email [email protected]. Please fill out separate registration waiver forms and check for each individual program.