Page 4 - 8-14-15 Friday's Edition Updated

Features
Skateboarding Twins Want To Grow With New Sport
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Dwight Norton said that his twin sons, Damari and Darius, both 10, got their first glimpse of skateboarding while the family was still living in California.
“They weren’t quite 4, and saw a kid on a skateboard one day. They both got interested, I bought them skateboards, and the journey began.”
Mr. Norton said his sons really love skateboarding, so he and his wife just nourished it.
“I moved to Florida to take care of my mother. The boys were only 4, but they’ve always been very competitive.
“Once I found a place where they could skateboard, it’s been a daily event for the three of us.”
Mr. Norton said they were invited to participate in a contest in California close to where the boys were born.
“I took my sons and two others. Being their father, I just encourage them to keep going. They are both honor roll students.
“It all starts at home, and they will grow in maturity be- cause of their love of skate- boarding. They have older kids approaching them who want to know more about the sport.”
Mr. Norton said it’s beautiful how all the kids look out for each other, and with
Twins Damari and Darius Norton.
hundreds of kids, only about 4 are people of color, two of them are his sons.
“I’m proud both of my boys came out on top in the contest in California, and we hope to keep going from here. Damari and Darius are grounded and in the right po- sition to be winners.
“The sponsors we’ve gotten are local, and we get no money from them for expenses. We do get to market their prod- ucts, like the skateboards and safety equipment free of charge. All of my boys’ ex- penses come out of my pocket.”
Mr. Norton said later, he expects the local sponsors to start investing money in his sons, but for right now, he’s excited how skateboarding has caught on worldwide.
“That’s why people of color aresoproudtobeapartof
this. I have older sons doing other things in sports, one of them still lives in California.
“We’re looking for major sponsors, and we’re on our way. I want to be an ambassa- dor to attract more young Black kids into skateboard- ing.”
Mr. Norton said he’s con- fident his sons will be alright when it comes to injuries, be- cause in the sport they teach you how to fall and roll.
“They have contests every two months, and I take my boys to the skateboard park every day. This is their future, they love it, and this is what they want to do. Their mother is very supportive and we both know raising children begins in the home. We nurture what- ever our kids do best.”
The twins are students at Clemmie James Elementary School.
Renovations Underway At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Portions of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa will temporarily close for repairs and renovations. The parked was closed August 11th and will fully reopen by Oc- tober 1, 2015.
Throughout construction, the dog park, children’s play- ground, and terraces will re- main open. However, the Great Lawn and paver walkways will be impacted.
“Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has become akin to Tampa’s town square. Between events, the completion of the Tampa Riverwalk, and the cul- tural amenities surrounding it, the park is immensely popular, bringing thousands into our urban core and to our river- front. These repairs and im- provements are needed to make sure everyone experi- ences the park – and by exten- sion our city - at its best,” Mayor Bob Buckhorn said.
The current phase of work will improve drainage of the park site and stabilize paver surfaces. Existing drainage
structures will be modified, and new structures will be added in order to improve drainage in various locations including landscape planters, play- ground, pavement, and lawn areas.
The center Great Lawn walkway will get new ‘drivable’ pavers with an improved base to help stabilize the walkway and better accommodate vehic- ular circulation during special events. A stamped concrete staging area at the west end of the park will also be built to better accommodate large stage structures erected for concerts and events.
The City of Tampa will in- vest a total of $2.1 million in re- pairs and improvements to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park between this year and next. The funding will come from the Community Investment Tax.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park hosts more than 50 events per year, bringing more than 250,000 people into downtown Tampa.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015