Parks and Rec coordinator highlights local programs
Tina Viramontes, Recreation and Events Coordinator for the City of Clearlake, was this week's guest speaker at the Judges Breakfast on Thursday discussing the reopening of the Clearlake Youth Center and upcoming events for all ages.
Viramontes has been with the city since 2015 and has been in her current position for the last two. Celebrating the reopening of the Clearlake Youth Center Viramontes gave an overview of current programs as well as those in development.
Recently the Clearlake Youth Center, located at 4750 Golf Avenue,
was completely remodeled and has started a twice weekly dance class for all ages on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Viramontes shared “My granddaughter was there, a 14 year old was there, there was a 3 year old there one night, it's just so much fun.” She noted how low key the classes are stating, “It's for all flexibility styles, if you need to sit down and just move your arms, sit down and move your arms there is no judgement.” The Center has also begun after school art classes for kids teaching young ones how to paint, or how to make jewelry. The class is taught by a volunteer art teacher and will be available from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Youth Center also hosts a bingo game the second Saturday of every month, doors open at 5:30 and the game begins at 6:30. Bingo cards must be bought but you can receive a free card if you bring in a new unwrapped art supply. Dr. Mark Cooper, the breakfast's organizer, added “Seriously it is a great time, even just to socialize.” Viramontes noted that this Saturday for bingo David the Taco Guy will be providing food for purchase of which 30 percent of his sales will be donated back to the Youth Center.
Viramontes also shared about a new program called the Teen Alliance in which high school
ers can gain community service hours necessary for graduation by completing internships in office settings in the different departments within the city, learning valuable job skills along the way.
The Junior Giants Program is another annual program run by the City of Clearlake, which is a baseball program that helps provide equipment during the season ultimately giving the kids a chance to visit the field at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Volunteers are needed for this program and more information is available on
the City of Clearlake Recreation and Events Facebook page.
The Recreation department also hosts an annual soap box derby on September 14 and hopes to provide prizes on top of the trophy awards this year and encourages the county's youth to participate. Other summertime programs include the Movies
in the Park series and Shakespeare in the park which are both located at Austin Park.
Scheduled for the next Judges Breakfast is guest speaker Brenda Graveson from the Konocti Unified School District Music Program. The breakfast is held every Thursday at the Masonic Lodge in Clearlake and begins at 7 a.m.