Neighbors briefs

Dedication opens lighted Mehl field

Pima County Supervisor Ann Day, along with professional baseball player Bryan Opdyke, dedicated the newly lit Junior/Senior baseball Field No. 4 at George Mehl Family Foothills District Park on Monday.

The ceremony took place just before the scheduled game at 7 p.m. at the field, 4010 E. River Road.

"Day threw out the first pitch to Opdyke," said George Kuck, superintendent with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation.

"The lights were paid for by a 2004 Pima County bond. In addition to the lights, the drainage will be improved, a softball field installed and other improvements will be done," said Kuck. "Those improvements are not scheduled to begin for a few more years."

all areas

Bonvicini chairing drive for 10th year

For the 10th consecutive year, University of Arizona women's basketball coach Joan Bonvicini has been named the honorary chairwoman of "A Visit From Saint Nicholas," a program sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona.

"A Visit From Saint Nicholas provides underprivileged pre-school and early elementary-age children with a backpack filled with books, toys and treasures in December," said Ellen Hargis, president and CEO of the Volunteer Center, in a press release. "For many children, the special backpack is the only gift they will receive during the holiday season."

To learn more about the program, call the Volunteer Center at 881-3300, Ext. 114, or log on to the Web site http://www.volunteersoaz.org/.

Adult-diaper drive concludes Sunday

The Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank's adult-diaper drive will end on Sunday.

Diapers can be dropped off at the diaper bank's headquarters, 3820 E. Bellevue St.

The year-round locations for diaper donations are: Ward 2, 7575 E. Speedway; Ward 3, 1501 E. Grant Road; Ward 4, 8123 E. Poinciana Drive; Ward 5, 4300 S. Park Ave.; Ward 6, 3202 E. First St.; ReSolve Inc., 4433 E. Broadway; 94.9 MIXfm, 3438 N. Country Club Road; Travel 1, 6336 N. Oracle Road; all UPS stores; and the diaper bank's headquarters.

east side

Vice mayor aiding in GI cell phones

Vice Mayor Shirley Scott's office has joined the "Cell Phones for Soldiers" program as an official cell-phone collection center.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a registered nonprofit that was started by two Norwell, Mass., teenagers to help buy prepaid calling cards to send to service people overseas.

The organization has raised close to $1 million and has sent more than 75,000 pre-paid calling cards, according to its press release.

The phones and services are provided free to military personnel and their families.

Any model or make of cell phone is accepted. Phones, batteries and accessories can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the Ward 4 Office, 8123 E. Poinciana Drive.

For more information, log on to the Web site http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/ or call 791-3199.