Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - City of Yuma, Arizona Parks and Recreation Report June 6, 2008.

Family “Dive-In” Movie Nights - The City of Yuma is teaming up with 33.10 to host Family “Dive-In” Movie Night. 

The movie on June 11 will be “Star Dust,” rated PG-13.  Bring your raft and watch a movie on a big screen while you swim.  Movie screen and sound system are provided by C&C Entertainment.

Discover Scuba - Several opportunities to submerge yourself in scuba diving and experience a whole new world begin this Saturday, June 7th, 8 a.m. to noon at Kennedy Pool.  For a small donation that goes to fund Yuma-area nonprofit agencies through United Way of Yuma County, come learn about scuba, then put on the gear and try it out.  Please arrive no later 11 that morning if you want to get into the water.

Additionally, one-day scuba classes will be held at Kennedy Pool on July 19th and August 2nd from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Learn about ocean life and experience what it’s like to breathe underwater with certified PADI Instructors.  This introductory class to scuba is for boys and girls ages 12 & up.  Registration is limited.  For more information and to register, call Parks & Recreation, (928) 373-5200.

Father’s Day free swim - Treat Dad to a good time at Kennedy Pool on Father’s Day, June 15th from 1 to 7:45 p.m.  (Tell him you’re paying - he does not need to know that dads are free that day at the pool!)

Ponderosa Park grand opening - Come out and enjoy the grand opening of the new Ponderosa Neighborhood Park located at 26th Place and 29th Drive on June 18th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  This is our first free event of the summer, “Play on the Go” at Ponderosa Park.  To celebrate the grand opening at Ponderosa Park, Parks & Recreation will be holding fun games and activities.  The Parks Division will be cooking and giving away free hotdogs and refreshments to the first 100 people.

The construction has finally been completed.  The playground and sunshade looks great.  The picnic area is ready for use with the installation of shade trees (after they grow in a few years), BBQ grill, picnic table, and a drinking fountain in an area that is big enough to set up your personal popup shade cover.  See you there - soon!

Sunscorchers co-rec volleyball tournament - Registration for 4-person co-rec teams is being accepted at any Parks & Recreation location.  Team entry before Thursday, June 20th is $25.00.  On site registration takes place at 5:30 pm at Kennedy Park Sand Volleyball Courts on June 21st with an entry fee of $35.00.  A & B Champions will receive long sleeve t-shirts.  Second place “A” team will receive beach towels and second place “B” team will receive short sleeve t-shirts.  Round robin winners will receive t-shirts.  This is the second of three tournaments to be held.  The next tournament, Spike Night, will be played on July 19th.

Summer Six Pack - 5 Point Theatre Company’s “The Glass Menagerie” - The Historic Yuma Theatre kicks off the 2008 Summer Six Pac - six weeks of high quality entertainment which features live theater, music, and film - on Thursday, June 19th, when the 5 Point Theatre Company brings Tennessee Williams’ "The Glass Menagerie" to the stage.  "The Glass Menagerie" will run at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19th through Saturday, June 21st and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22nd.

Tickets for each performance are $6 per person.  They can be purchased through the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St., (928) 373-5202, or the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Dr., 373-5040.

Summer registration under way - Registration for summer recreation is under way at Parks & Recreation offices for all area residents.  Online registration is also available for most programs.  You can register by phone by calling the main office at (928) 373-5243, North End Community Center at (928) 373-5245 (limited hours), and the Yuma Community Readiness Center at (928) 373-5239 (limited hours) or in person at any of these locations.  This year’s summer guide is available at Parks & Rec offices around Yuma.

Beginning trumpet class - On Tuesday, June 10th at 4:30 p.m. a new beginning trumpet class begins.  The class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 10 to August 14, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  The ages for this class are 10 years and up.  Students are required to provide their own instrument, valve oil, and purchase the book, “The Standard of Excellence Class Book – for Beginner Trumpet Players” - Red Copy, from the instructor.  There will be a recital on August 14th at 6:00 pm in the Historic Yuma Theatre.  Class registration is $77 for nonresidents, $51 for City residents, and is required in advance.

Open mic poetry reading - On Wednesday, June 11th at 7 p.m., the Yuma Art Center will host an “open mic” poetry reading.  Sponsored by 33.10, AWC Creative Writing Department and the Yuma Art Center, this evening is sure to bring out the creative poet in everyone.  Come to listen, come to share, “open mic” for those who dare.  Tickets for this event are $2 at the door.

Scorekeeper’s class - A free class is offered to enthusiastic teens ready to learn a new skill announcing and scorekeeping.  Class is limited in size, so register early.  Training will take place at John Morrison Cottage, located at 385 S. 13th Ave.  This class will take place on four different days, June 10th, June 12th, June 17th, and June 19th, from 4 to 6 p.m.  For more information, call (928) 373-5243.

Horton Hears a free movie (and sees it, too) - Each month, Yuma Parks & Recreation will be hosting a free event to which you can bring the family.  Next month, 7 p.m. on July 11th at the Yuma Civic Center, there will be a free movie shown on a large screen indoors.  Come and watch “Horton Hears a Who” starring Jim Carrey.

Free swim at Marcus Pool - The Arizona Physicians IPA offers free swimming.  The free swimming will start on Monday, June 9th and continue each Monday until July 28th.   The free swimming program is offered at Marcus Pool, located at 5th Street and 5th Avenue, from 1:00 pm until 3:45 pm.  This is a great way to spend quality time together with friends and family.

Aqua Fitness Aerobics - Aqua Fitness Aerobics is a low-impact, high-energy exercise class that is fun for all.  Swimmers and non-swimmers are invited to enroll.  The first session starts on June 9th through July 3rd at Marcus Pool.  Classes run from 8 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.  Call (928) 373-5243 for additional information.

Summer Adult Softball League - The registration for Men’s 12-inch, Women’s 11-inch, and Co-Rec 14-inch/12-inch runs through June 12 or until leagues are filled. Entry fee is $315.  An additional $20 is required if your team is not already ASA sanctioned.  Register early as leagues are expected to fill quickly.

Pop Warner registration - Registration is starting for the Fall/Winter Pop Warner Football Season.  It will be at the North End Community Center (formerly the Adult Center) located at 160 E. 1st St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: June 7 and 21.  The cost is $60 for Flag Football, 5 to 6 year olds; $110 for Tackle Football, 7-15 years old; and $60 plus the uniform for Cheerleading, 5-15 year olds.  Physicals will be available on site for $15, if needed.   Please bring your child's last quarter report card, birth certificate, photo, and proof of physical. If you have any questions, please call Carolyn Householder at (928) 726-9305 or  email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Please consider storing the Graffiti Hot Line, (928) 329-2828, on your mobile phone, then call it every time you notice graffiti in our area.  All you need to provide is the specific location, and it takes just a few short moments.  Help keep our community clean!

More information is available at the Parks & Recreation page on the City’s web site at www.yumaaz.gov or by calling (928) 373-5200