BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Neighborhood Watch meeting open to public

The Springfield Police Department will hold its annual Neighborhood Watch Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Library Meeting Room at Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St.

The public is invited to attend, as are Neighborhood Watch members.

The main topic will be child abuse prevention. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Speakers will include a representative from the state Department of Human Services and Springfield Police Detective Jeff Martin, who will discuss child abuse and provide prevention and resource information.

Also planned: door prizes, refreshments and Neighborhood Watch elections.

For more information, contact Springfield Police Community Service Officer Tana Steers at 726-3731.

Mulch sale helps raise money for disabled

The Springfield Lions, with the help of Lane Forest Products, will hold its annual bark mulch sale, delivering truckloads of hemlock andfir bark mulch or garden compost on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale help Springfield residents who have sight and hearing disabilities, and also fund college scholarships for Springfield students.

To place an order or for more information, phone the State Farm Insurance office at 747-4246.

Former patients may nominate caring nurse

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is collecting nominations from former patients for its annual Patient Choice Award, which recognizes the quality care, comfort and compassion offered by the hospital's nurses.

One nurse will receive the award during Nurses Week, May 6-12.

Hospital officials said they've opted to ask former patients to help spotlight an exceptional nurse rather than make the choice internally.

"Sometimes it's just too hard to single out one nurse when there are so many who do such an incredible job caring for our patients," Kathy Deacon, the hospital's chief nursing officer, said in a news release.

"That's why we are asking patients to share their thoughts and experiences. They see the little things that matter so much on a very personal level."

The hospital is seeking nominations from former patients or family members of patients who have come to McKenzie-Willamette in the past year for inpatient, outpatient or emergency care. Nominations will be accepted until April 30.

To nominate a nurse, send the nurse's name and a few paragraphs explaining your nomination, along with your own name (and the name of the patient) address and phone number.

Nominations will be accepted by e-mail ([e-mail]), fax [phone]) and mail (Marketing Department, McKenzie--Willamette Medical Center, 1460 G St., Springfield, OR 97477).