Pacific region. (Regional Reports).

Missoula (Mont.) Parks and Recreation Department will offer a 72-hour Wilderness First Responder course May 1927. The course provides a thorough training in backcountry medicine, skills necessary for anyone working or spending time in the backcountry. Wilderness Medical Associates provides high-quality instruction, all course materials and, to those who successfully qualify, a Wilderness First Responder certification valid for three years. The cost is $475. For information, contact Tait Brink at 406-5232767 or [e-mail].

The NRPA Pacific Northwest Regional Council is sponsoring a Leadership Summit for the State and Provincial Association boards including Washington, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Idaho, British Columbia and Alberta. The summit, scheduled for May 21-23 in La Conner, Wash., includes a Challenge course, local strategies for public policy, the California VIP plan for the profession, association governance models, citizen involvement and land use issues. The summit is held every other year; this year, it's hosted by the Washington Recreation and Park Association. For more information, go to www.nrpa.org or contact Pam Earle at nrpapac@aol. corn or 253-661-2265.

The California Attorney General's Office attributed the 13 percent increase in crime in Riverside County to a sluggish economy and lack of after-school programs, reported the Riverside Press-Enterprise. The county's rate of violent crimes and property crimes during the first six months of last year was higher than the state's average of 7.5 percent. Riverside County Sheriff-elect Bob Doyle plans to introduce a proposal this year to increase the number of after school programs.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund has awarded $125,000 to the Miracle League of Visalia, Inc., to benefit more than 300 children, ages 4-19, with disabilities in the California communities of Visalia, Fresno and Bakersfield. The money will be used to construct a handicapped-accessible baseball field. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a joint initiative between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball, is designed to promote and enhance the growth of baseball throughout the world by funding programs, field improvements and equipment purchases to encourage and maintain youth participation in baseball and softball. The Miracle League is a baseball program for children with disabilities. All Miracle League fields are designed with special rubberized surfaces to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers and handicapped-accessible dugouts, restrooms and drinking fountains. Since its inception in October 1999, Baseball Tomorrow Fund has awarded more than $3.8 million and affected more than 48,000 kids participating in 77 youth baseball and softball programs. For more information, contact Carole Coleman or Matt Burton, Major League Baseball [phone], or Greg Bouris, Major League Baseball Players Association, [phone].

"Most growing communities are quick to provide baseball fields, soccer complexes and tennis courts," says Jay Morrish, president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, "and now we see a growing realization that simpler, less expensive golf courses can be a part of the overall recreational mix." Unlike the other free facilities, municipal golf courses can support themselves and even provide additional funding for the other sports fields. Learn how to keep your facilities well maintained at the Pacific Southwest Maintenance Management School at the UCLA Conference Center at Lake Arrowhead (Calif.) on Nov. 16-21. For more information, go to www.nrpa.org or call 800-796-6772.

Pacific Service Center Pamela Earle, CPRP Regional Director 350 S. 333rd Street, #103 Federal Way, WA 98003 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] [e-mail]