SF Park and Rec annoucements August 27

e-News from the SF Recreation and Park Department Free Intro to Fishing Class at Lake Merced on August 30       Come and fish at San Francisco's beautiful Lake Merced on Saturday, August 30, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  This free class for fledgling anglers, ages 8 and up, will cover basic fishing techniques taught by our experienced staff.  Lake Merced is home to common species such as rainbow trout, catfish, black bass, carp and sunfish.  We provide the equipment; all you need is a fishing license if you're 16 or older.  This class can accommodate up to 12 students, first-come, first serve.  Meet at the Lake Merced Boathouse at 1 Harding Drive.  Fishing licenses can be purchased via the California Fish & Wildlife website at dfg.ca.gov/licensing or at your local fishing shop.  For more information, email rex.biteng@sfgov.org. Street Soccer USA Recognized at Rec and Park Commission Meeting          After hosting its 2014 Street Soccer USA Cup at Civic Center Plaza August 15-17, members of Street Soccer USA (Rob Cann, far right, and Hattie Chandler, fourth from left) stopped by the Recreation and Park Commission meeting on August 21, along  with members of the SF Street Soccer team, to receive certificates of appreciation from GM Phil Ginsburg (fifth from right) and Commission Vice-President Allan Low (far left). Street Soccer USA has found a way to reach out to our most vulnerable communities and provide life-skills and employment programs that are helping to build bridges across the divide. Street Soccer USA is helping our citizens in SOMA, Western Addition and the Tenderloin by working in collaboration with Rec and Park to create safe places to play soccer and provide positive programming for underserved youth and adults.   Fourth Annual Chinatown Ping Pong Tournament at Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground  On August 17, Rec and Park took part in the Fourth Annual Chinatown Ping Pong Tournament, featuring a field of 74 teams in three divisions.This event is a testament not only to the growing popularity of sports like table tennis, but to the strong community bonds that exist between residents, non-profit organizations, elected officials, schools and businesses in the Chinatown area, and Rec and Park is delighted to be a part of that community. The New York Times Features SF's Alice Marble Tennis Courts   The U.S. Open is in full swing, but that doesn't mean you have to be a spectator.  Grab your racket and head out to the Alice Marble Tennis Courts, which were recently featured in the New York Times, "The Alice Marble Tennis Courts, which are part of George Sterling Park in the Russian Hill neighborhood, sit atop a reservoir at Hyde and Lombard Streets and offer views of the San Francisco Bay. The public courts are named for an American champion who won 18 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles from 1936 to 1940." Tennis, anyone? Teens, Join the Rec and Park Team!         Teens, looking for an after school job this year? Work in our parks, our recreation centers or offices. Learn new skills, meet people, and make some money at the same time! Applications for school-year 9910 Public Service Trainee-Workreation Program positions will open online at www.jobaps.com/sf starting on Monday, August 25 at 9 a.m. through Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. Online Applications are only accepted via www.jobaps.com/sf (available under 9910 Public Service Trainee.  Note: there are other 9910 Public Service Trainee positions from other agencies/departments, so please make sure to check that the application you select indicates "RECREATION AND PARKS" Ages 14 through 17 year olds; can be 18 years old but would still need to be enrolled in high school David Johnson Retrospective Photo Exhibit Kicks off September 6     The Harvey Milk Photo Center presents a new exhibit of David Johnson's photography running from September 6 - October 19. David Johnson, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., was the first African American student of Ansel Adams at the California School of the Arts. In Adams' school he was advised to photograph his own neighborhood and document the faces and places with which he was most familiar. He subsequently became an important chronicler of black life in San Francisco in the middle part of the 20th century. Please join us for the opening reception on September 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Harvey Milk Photo Center.  For more info, click here.  Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival on September 6      The Southeast Asian Arts and Culture Coalition present the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 6, 2014. The exhibition helps promote and preserve the arts and culture of the Southeast Asian American communities in San Francisco. There will be representatives from the Burmese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, and Vietnamese communities. For more information, please email contact@seaacc-sf.org  Mission Rec Rebels Fall Tryouts, September 10-14  Fourth- to eighth-grade girls are invited to the Mission Recreation Center Rebels fall tryouts, September 10-14. MRC is one of the most recognized, most comprehensive instruction-based Girls AAU Basketball programs in the west. Repetition is the key to success, and all of our teams train consistently on a structured and designed curriculum which dramatically impacts player development through the season. Fall/Winter teams will train each week in: Multiple team practices 2x per week Skills and Performance training Strength, Speed and Agility Training Structured Curriculum Qualified Coaches committed to child's growth and development 7 to 10 Tournaments TRYOUT DATES: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th   5pm-7pm       4th, 5th and 6th graders 7pm-9pm       7th and 8th graders THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH 5pm-7pm       4th, 5th and 6th grader 7pm-9pm       7th and 8th graders SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th 9am-11am 4th 5th and 6th grader 11am-1pm 7th and 8th graders MISSION RECREATION CENTER is located at 2450 Harrison St. For more information, please contact jacqueline.randolph@sfgov.org.  34th Annual Comedy Day on September 14  Thank You, SF Rec and Park Employees!                       In honor of Labor Day, here's to all of the men and women who work to keep our parks clean, safe and fun.  Like Us on Facebook!   Our following on Facebook is growing!  If you aren't part of our Facebook family yet, click here and "Like" us to start receiving highlights and updates on park events!