His next big venture is to take two teams to the Central Regional RBI Tournament, to be held at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, July 19-21.

        “We have one team for 13- to 15-year-olds and one for 16- to 18-year-olds,” he said. “We also have a girls' softball team, ages 12-18.”

        He said his teams will compete with teams from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Minneapolis, Rockford, Ill.; Indianapolis and Harlan, Ky.

        Mr. Nelms said his team has advanced to the RBI World Series in Orlando, Fla., the last two seasons, finishing as runner-up last year.

        A former baseball player, Mr. Helms now is the athletic director at Hughes High School and does scouting for the Cincinnati Reds.

        He said his organization needs about $5,000 to go to the RBI tournament in Cleveland. To help, call 333-1211.

        Ah, to have a huge charcoal grill for special cookouts during the summer.

        That is what the Cincinnati Museum Center's special-event cookouts received Tuesday through the help of three companies.

        The grill the center had been using had become too old and too small.

        Bill Hoeb, vice president of development at the center, approached Cincinnati Machine Co. in Oakley about the grill problem.

        Clyde Elliot, shop supervisor at Cincinnati Machine, called suppliers The EMJ Corp. in Woodlawn and Ryerson Tull in Cumminsville. The companies donated more than $1,600 worth of material for the stainless steel grill.

        “Our company designed the grill, using our engineering system and built it in our shop,” said Jami Leininger, marketing communication manager for Cincinnati Machine.

        The last hurrah for Bobby Bryan, who enjoys volunteering and raising funds for charitable groups, will be a fund-raising party to celebrate both his birthday and retirement.

        Mr. Bryan is retiring from the board of trustees of the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati (AVOC) after six years.

        The party will start at 6 p.m. at Raspberries Variety Room, 25 W. 7th Street, Covington.

        Mr. Bryan, a retired Enquirer pressman, says it has been an honor and privilege to serve on the AVOC board.

        To get tickets to attend the fund-raising party, call 251-2502 or 421-2437

        The Main Public Library, 800 Vine St. downtown, will present “Swing Into the '30s” from noon to 3 p.m., July 20, celebrating the acquisition of a copy of the 1930 U.S. Census.

        Anyone 72 years or older can apply for a personal copy of the 1930 Census with his name on it.

        The local public library is one of only a few s in the country to acquire the nationwide collection. For information, call 369-6905.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs daily except Saturday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements or uplifting people, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahowardenquirer.com or fax 768-8340.

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