Around Town: You’ve got to pick a pocket or two!

Hmm? A little bit of good news about our friends across the Atlantic in bonny old England. It seems like a scene right out of Oliver Twist.

Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets (like in most major cities around the world), but according to our friends at Reuters, now there’s another, more positive phenomenon on the loose— folks known as “putpockets.”

Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London’s tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.

Anything from five pounds ($8) to 20 pound notes are being surreptitiously deposited in unguarded pockets or open handbags in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and other busy spots.

The initiative, which runs until the end of August in London before being rolled out countrywide, is being funded by a broadband provider, which says it wants to brighten up people’s lives in unusual ways.

“It feels good to give something back for a change — and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate,” said Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who now heads the putpocketing initiative.

“Every time I put money back in someone’s pocket, I feel less guilty about the fact I spent many years taking it out.”

London’s police have been briefed about the plan, which will see at least 100,000 pounds given away.

Here’s a fun and informative event coming up. Green Valley Assistance Services, and the Pima Council on Aging invite everyone to a free (yes free) ice cream social on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Posada Java, 665 South Park Center on the La Posada campus.

There will be loads of information and representatives on hand to talk about and answer questions about both organizations and the services they provide.

There will be raffle prizes with a drawing at 1:15 p.m., and you don’t have to be present to win. Posada Java will supply the free ice cream, cookies and drinks. Call Barb Hunt at 625-5966 if you are able to attend.

Green Valley Assistance Services has been serving seniors, families, and disabled individuals in financial crisis for the past 28 years. The GVAS vision is to provide community residents with a place to turn for information, resources and help to stabilize their housing, employment and health care situations as well as empower individuals to make informed decisions to lead independent lives.

GVAS says its mission is to promote dignity and respect for aging, and to advocate for independence in the lives of Pima County’s older adults and their families now and for generations to come.

The Pima Council on Aging serves older adults and their families living in Pima County. PCOA advocates, plans, coordinates, develops and delivers home-and-community-based aging services for older adults and provides supportive assistance, accurate information, and local resource connections for family caregivers.

Yikes. Many members of Green Valley Elks Lodge No. 2592 were jailed on Aug. 9 for having too much fun. It seems the lodge hosted a Texas barbecue and dance that included Elks’ dignitaries such as Arizona State First Vice President Curt Brown and his wife Nadene; Al Skorupski, Arizona Elks Association news editor, and his wife Diane from Tucson; Richard Regalada, exalted ruler for the Willcox Lodge No. 2131, and wife Christa; and Dennis Scanlan, exalted ruler for Nogales Lodge No. 1397, and his wife Valerie.

Many guests ended up behind bars, but it was all for a good cause. A jail was erected by Green Valley Elks members Chuck George and Matt McLynn. Barbecue attendees could have their photos taken in the slammer and if they wished, could made a contribution to the charity chosen by Curt Brown so as to get sprung from the pen. Brown designated the money to go to the Elks National Foundation and a whopping $385 was donated as bail money. Green Valley Lodge officers reported that the first vice president was very impressed with the lodge activities, especially the youth and veteran programs.

Well done to the Lodge Activities Committee: Cheryl Ponzo, chair; Pat Hudson, June Shanahan, Kathi George and Carol Sturdevant.

rford@gvnews.com