Friends Vice Chair Amanda McGee, left, will be taking over as chair of the organization when Chair Leah Ragiel, right, steps down in August.

Ragiel has volunteered with Friends for more than 10 years and has decided to step down as chair and let a new group take over. Board member Amanda McGee has been named the new chair of Friends and will take over on Sept. 1.

“I can’t believe I’ve been doing it for as long as I’ve been doing it,” Ragiel said, adding that she needs to focus on her family. “It’s time for the next generation to decide what happens with the parks.”

The Friends of West U Parks Fund is a nonprofit organization that has raised nearly $5 million for the city’s parks.

When Ragiel stepped into her position as chair, Friends had pre-pledged funds toward the Recreation Center playground and shade structure. During Ragiel’s two years as chair, Friends was able to pay that money back to the city, renovated Judson Park and contributed to the artificial turf at Weir Park.

Ragiel said she is leaving the board with a healthy balance in their bank account and under McGee’s leadership the board will determine how to best spend the money on West U’s parks.

Ragiel was instrumental in launching the Friends donor wall project at the West U Rec. Center and she will continue to be involved in the project as an advisory board member.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Leah Ragiel as the Friend Chair for the past couple of years,” Friends Executive Director Donna LaMond said. “She has been an inspiring leader for the Friends board and I wish her the best.”

Ragiel said that McGee “makes perfect sense” as chair, having chaired Fathers and Flashlights in 2011 and now again in 2012. She also has young children who use the parks.

McGee is a thoughtful person, easy to work with, can weigh different points of view and people just like her, Ragiel said.

“She’s perfect for all those reasons,” she said.

“I am very excited about working with Amanda because I know just how wonderful she is to work with,” LaMond said. “Amanda is well known throughout our community and has served in other leadership positions as well thus bringing strong experience to the position.  I am confident that Amanda will be a dynamic Friends board chair.”

Ragiel said that Friends is “truly a community function” and she has enjoyed each year she’s served with the organization.

“The future is bright,” she said. “If I could stay and be a part of it I would. I’m remorseful, I really am.”

All classes are held at the Community Building and Senior Center, 6104 Auden Street, unless otherwise noted.

New this summer, the 55 And Alive group is sponsoring a Hula Hoop Dance class and a Zumba Gold class. Both classes offer an excellent source of exercise, social interaction and a comfortable environment in which to participate. Hula Hoop meets on Mondays from 12 –1 p.m., and the fee is $18 per month. Zumba Gold will begin in July and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 5 p.m., with a $42.50 fee. For those interested in Zumba Gold, call 713-662-5895

For residents who are morning people, join the Early Riser Exercise class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 10 a.m. This class is guaranteed to give you an excellent work out and the opportunity to make some new friends. The fee is $8 per month.

A mid-day Water Aerobics class is available at the Recreation Center. Non-swimmers are welcomed and encouraged; class begins in the shallow end with dumbbells and then moves into the deep end with a water belt (depending on the skill level/and comfort of participants). Equipment may be brought or purchased from the instructor upon first class. Instructor Paula Feinman has been teaching water aerobics for Senior Services and other locations for many years. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. and the monthly fee is $45. A separate Friday-only class is also offered from 12 – 12:45 p.m. for $23.50.

For those who prefer evening classes, Thursday nights offer some great options. Classes are ongoing and can be joined at anytime. Classes include Line Dancing from 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. and Tai Chi 5 – 6 p.m. The classes are six week sessions, and just began this month. There is a small fee associated with each class to cover the expense of the instructor only.

For more information about these programs or any of the other programs offered through Senior Services, call 713-662-5895.

West U Senior Services took 14 active older adults to the West Houston Commemorative Air Force Museum and Hangar on May 8.

The seniors were brought to the museum by Harris County Precinct 3 transportation services and were greeted by several enthusiastic and passionate volunteers who shared their stories, knowledge and history.

After the museum, the group was allowed to enter several of the historical planes on site. The next stop was the Premier Outlet Malls where everyone was allowed some shopping time.

Each month West U active adults utilize the bus services offered by Harris County Precinct 3.

The upcoming scheduled trips are as follows:

June 5: Alpaca Farm Tour along with a live working farm

July 26: Galveston Pleasure Pier and Moody Mansion

August 14: Schulenburg Painted Churches

For more information on any of these scheduled trips or to be placed on our mailing list, call 713.662.5896 or stop by the Community Building, 6104 Auden Street.

The redevelopment of McGovern Park represents a historic collaboration between three youth sports leagues –HESC, West University Little League, and West University Softball – and Annunciation Orthodox School, a private school serving children through Grade 8.

“Nothing like this exists in Houston or surrounding areas that is dedicated to youth soccer,” said HESC president Bob Corrigan.

Under the agreement, the club and AOS will share a championship-caliber stadium with artificial lighting, covered spectator seating, concessions, bathrooms and locker rooms, and an auxiliary field adjacent to the stadium.  West U Softball and AOS will have a similar arrangement with respect to a softball field also located in the park.

“This first-class facility, when coupled with the club’s other field complexes, will give the club the absolute best facilities for youth soccer in the Greater Houston area and perhaps the state,” Director of Coaching Mark Gibbs said.

“Our club has nearly doubled in size over the last five years, to approximately 2,500 boys and girls,” HESC Vice President Adrian Crespo said. “McGovern Park will allow the club to absorb this growth and plan for future growth while ensuring that the club’s young athletes continue to have the best training environment in which to hone their skills.”

McGovern Park will be ready for competition beginning in fall 2012.

The Fab 5 kicks off the Party on the Patio concert series with the first show of the season at Colonial Park Pool on Friday, June 1.

The Fab 5 kicks off the Party on the Patio concert series with the first show of the season at Colonial Park Pool on Friday, June 1.

The Friends of West University Place Parks Fund concerts will be held on four consecutive Fridays in June from 7 – 9 p.m. on the Colonial Park Deck, 4130 Byron.

Blankets and lawn chairs are permitted, and concessions will be available for purchase.

Party on the Patio is a complimentary concert event for West U residents and their guests. For those who wish to swim, regular pool admission is required.

The full concert schedule is as follows:

June 1: The Fab 5

June 8: Checkered Past

June 15: The Quality Blues Band

June 22: The Ezra Charles Band

For more information, visit the Parks & Recreation Special Events page on the city’s website at www.westutx.gov/events or call 713-662-5383.

West U will host the 2012 Fire Truck Pull in partnership with the Special Olympics Texas at Colonial Park, 4130 Byron Street.

Special Olympics Texas is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the state.

Teams of eight can sign up to play tug of war with a 47,000 lb. West U Fire Truck to benefit Special Olympics Texas athletes in the Greater Houston area.

The Fire Truck Pull is fun for all ages. Registration is $300 per team of eight, or $37.50 per individual.

Teams must have at least one female participant. Prizes are available for the fastest team pull.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the first pull at 10 a.m. Awards and lunch will be provided for participants after the last pull.

For more information, or to register, visit www.sotx.org/firetruckpull.

The Challengers took the field with buddies from St. Pius X High School. Joni Hruska Fichter gave the invocation and Christine Elston sang the National Anthem.

After the final games of the season, the Challenger players were awarded trophies at their Season End Party. Local chef and umpire Randy Bullard, along with Challenger Director Ellen Fava, cooked up 400 burgers that were donated by Krogers on Buffalo Speedway, along with all the other party supplies.

National Charity League girls also helped with the season end party.

Rotary, NCL, and St. Andrew’s youth group then came in and helped serve and clean-up.

Everyone enjoyed a video of the season’s donors, sponsors, Challenger directors, coaches and buddies, who were all recognized for their efforts.

Jerry Built Burgers on Bellaire Boulevard gave a free meal card to each Challenger Buddy as a thank you.

The Challenger season enriched the lives of the players, their families, the buddies and their fans, Fichter said.

The crawfish boil was held at Kay’s Lounge on April 29 and was sponsored by Marshall and Johanna Hefley, Robby and Laura Winston, Phillip and Julie Guyton, Gabe and Bizet Siegel, Scott and Elizabeth Fordham, Kelly James, and Jim and Susan Tanner.

A great time was had by all and about $3,100 was raised during the 2012 Challenger Crawfish Boil alone.

Post-Crawfish Boil, the Challenger team headed to the fields for their fifth game.

Emery Weiner School’s baseball team was the host team and their coaches, Rabbi, friends and family were all on hand to help.

The West U Rotary staffed the concessions stand and was hard at work planning next weekend’s Season End Burger Bash, which will be held after the last games of the year.

The final Challenger game will be held at 2 p.m. on May 6 at the West U Little League main campus.

Chef and West U’s favorite umpire Randy Bullard will grill food at the last game, which was donated by Kroger on Buffalo Speedway.  Trophies will be presented to all Challengers while everyone enjoys highlights from the season.

Challenger Baseball has been invited to participate in a special Jamboree, hosted by Shriners International in Waco on May 19. West U will send a temp to represent District 16 thanks to the generosity of District 16′s District Administrator Charlie Fox and Oasis Petroleum, who are the underwriters for this special trip.

The West U City Council today recognized several Friends of West U Parks board members as “star citizens” for the work they’ve done for the city’s parks.

Mayor Bob Fry presented the chairs of Fathers and Flashlights 2011 and the chairs of Park Lovers’ Ball 2012 with “West University Place Star Citizen Awards” at a luncheon held at Collina’s Italian Café.

Star Citizen Awards recognize efforts by residents whose volunteer efforts improve the overall quality of life in the West U community. The city has recognized 25 Friends members since the program’s inception in 2007.

“Giving these awards is special to me,” Fry said, adding that it is the fun part of his job.

Fry said that West U is a neighborhood of families and Fathers and Flashlights exemplifies that.

Fathers and Flashlights chairs Sara and Chip Edgecomb, Maggie and Dax Garza and Amanda and J.R. McGee were presented with Star Citizen Awards.

Fathers and Flashlights were initiated in October 2007 by Daryl and Aaron Hoover as a way for dads to interact with their children. The overnight campout has grown in popularity each year since 2007.

The chairs of Fathers and Flashlights helped raise more than $53,000 for Friends, which will go towards renovating the city’s parks and playgrounds.

Fry also presented Park Lovers’ Ball chairs Courtney and Scott Archer and Anne and John Freeman with Star Citizen Awards.

“This thing is phenomenal,” he said, adding that it’s the central social event of the community and the glue that keeps the community together.

Friends recently celebrated its 21^st anniversary of Park Lovers’ Ball, which is the Friends largest annual fundraising event. The event was held in February at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Friends raised more than $320,000 under Archer and Freeman’s leadership. The money will be used for further park improvements in West U.

Since its inception in 1987, Friends have raised nearly $5 million for West U parks.

Lifeguards must be at least 15 years old and be currently certified in lifeguarding, first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer. Applicants must also demonstrate strong swimming skills, communication skills and a good attitude.

Lifeguarding and customer service experience is preferred.

The city is also looking to hire swim instructors for its Wally the Walrus Pool School.

Swim instructors must demonstrate strong swimming skills and knowledge of swimming strokes. Applicants must also have good communication skills and experience working with small children.

Anyone who is interested is working for the city as a lifeguard or a swim instructor can complete an application at the city’s website or pick one up at the Recreation Center.

The concert series is hosted by the West U Parks and Recreation Department and the Houston Friends of Chamber music.

Each concert is an informal event designed for newcomers and symphony enthusiasts alike. The evening starts at 7 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic basket for an evening of classical music in the park.

Zeger Strings were scheduled to perform on April 20 but the concert was cancelled due to rainy weather. A makeup date will be scheduled at a later date.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 713-662-7420 or visit www.westutx.gov/events.

“I think there’s a false perception that we’re there to watch the kids and babysit,” Recreation Manager Brittany Bakes said. “We’re there to lifeguard and prevent. Our number one goal is prevention and to react.”

A West U boy nearly drowned at the pool on Sunday, April 22 while having a seizure.

A lifeguard noticed the child in distress on a floating log play feature in the pool and immediately initiated the emergency procedure protocol and entered the pool to help the child as the other lifeguards on duty cleared the pool, city officials said in a statement.

Staff performed an extrication of the child from the pool and immediately began to assess the condition of the child’s vital signs.

West University Place Police and Fire Department personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Through the combined efforts of municipal personnel the child was stabilized and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital at the Texas Medical Center.

Due to legal reasons, the city did not release the name and condition of the child.

Bakes and Parks and Recreation Director Tim O’Connor both said they are proud of how the staff handled the situation.

“I’m proud of them,” Bakes said. “They did what they were trained to do.”

O’Connor said that the parks and recreation department and police and fire departments all did their job and acted in “a very professional and efficient manner.”

Parents are encouraged to remember the following safety tips when swimming with their children at Colonial Pool:

Keep an eye on your kids. Even strong swimmers need adult supervision. Insist on life jackets for children who can’t swim. If you need to leave the pool area — even for a minute — take your children with you.

Go a step further and keep an eye on friends and family. Drowning can occur in as little as 20 seconds for children and 60 seconds for an adult. Drowning is known as the “silent killer” because most victims slip beneath the water without a sound. Paying close attention to those around you can drastically reduce such accidents.

Stay away from drains, filters and water intakes. Loose hair or clothing can get tangled in these structures — possibly trapping you under the water.

Never swim alone. Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible. At Colonial Park Pool & the Rec Center Pool the following rules apply: 1) children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. 2) Adults/guardians of children 3 and younger must be wearing a bathing suit and actively supervising, within arm’s length. 3)  Adults/guardians of children 6 and younger must be wearing a bathing suit and actively participating in the water with their children at all times. 4) Adults/guardians of children 7-9 that are water safe (child can swim safely on his/her own unassisted without assistance and free of floatation devices) must remain in the parent viewing area/ or on the deck so that they are easily accessible to the Aquatic Area and their child. If the child is not water safe, then rules #3 and/or #4 apply. 5) Children over 10 should come with a friend or a “buddy,” and they should swim together throughout the day to keep “watch” over one another.

Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Not all life-jackets are created equal.  Some are as bad (or even worse) than not putting your child in a lifejacket.  Only certain ones are allowed at Colonial Park Pool. Do your part and bring your child in one that is accepted.   In addition, putting your child in a life jacket doesn’t mean you don’t need to watch them. This is a common misconception and one we encounter at Colonial Park Pool all the time.   Colonial Park Pool also has a chart available at the front desk on which lifejackets are safe and permitted at the pool.

Seizure/Fainting Disorder Safety. If you or a family member has a seizure/fainting disorder, provide one-on-one supervision around water, including swimming pools.

Remember that swimming and alcohol can be a deadly combination.  Alcohol can cause you to be distracted from your responsibilities and lower your inhibitions. So avoid alcohol before and while swimming.  If you choose to drink while swimming, please make sure you have a sober, responsible adult “designated swimmer” to watch/supervise the children.

Never dive into shallow water.  Diving into shallow water could result in a head, neck or back injury. It could even leave you paralyzed.  Obey the markings around the pool, and don’t dive where it says “No Diving.”

Never run near the edge of a pool or on the pool deck.  The pool deck is wet and therefore slippery.  Falling could result in injury. A non-swimmer or weaker swimmer running along the deck could slip and fall into the pool. This could lead to a potential drowning situation.

Do Not Use Air-Filled or Foam Toys.   Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings”, “noodles”, or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Learn to swim.  Make sure your child learns how to swim. West U offers group and private swimming lessons at the Recreation Center.

From left to right, Pieter Vrancken, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Sample, Carolyn Sacchi, Virginia Lootens, Michelle Moore, John Palmer, Mayor Bob Fry, Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Councilman Dick Yehle, Senior Services Manager Toby Brooks and Janet Vrancken.

Mayor Bob Fry proclaimed the month of May as Older American’s month in West U.

Several residents who serve on the city’s Senior Board accepted the proclamation.

“Through their experience and wisdom of a lifetime of hard work and dedication, our community’s older residents are the sum and substance of much that has made America great,” the proclamation read in part. “We owe older citizens our thanks and heartfelt salute, which can be demonstrated by ensuring our community is a good place in which to mature and grow older and a place where citizens can participate to the fullest and find encouragement, acceptance and assistance.”

Fry encouraged all residents to join him in recognizing the value of older residents in the community and to support the efforts of local organizations that encourage seniors to enhance their lives through physical activity.

Challenger Baseball teams, assisted by the St. Thomas High School Eagles, took to the field and had the time of their lives in game 4 this past Sunday.

The River for performing and visual arts held a special pre-game show then Madison Romano, sister of Challenger player Aryn, sang the National Anthem and Joni Hruska Fichter gave the invocation.

The “Voice of Challenger,” Ross Fava, gave the commentary throughout the game.

The final two games will be held on April 29, and May 6 at 2 p.m. at the West U Little League main campus.

To view more photos, visit InstantNewsWestU’s Facebook page.