Green Valley briefs

Puccini’s Tosca preview

in GV set for Friday

Arizona Opera’s 2008-09 season concludes with Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 5 at 2 p.m. at Tucson music Hall, Tucson.

The Arizona Opera League’s Green Valley preview is Friday, March 27, at 2 p.m. at the Rehearsal Hall in the Community Performing Arts Center, 1250 W. Continental Road.

The role of Cavaradossi will be sung at the preview by tenor Dennis Tamblyn. Iris Arnesen will lecture on the story, the music and Puccini’s life.

Admission is $7. Refreshments will be served after the presentation.

The Green Valley shuttle to the matinee on April 5 is $20 round-trip. Call Trude Raymond at 625-3361 for more information and reservations.

Nominate a champion

against poverty

The Arizona Community Action Association will present three new awards to individuals and families demonstrating outstanding leadership on behalf of Arizonans living in poverty.

Legislative Leadership Award — recognizes a current or former legislator whose sustained commitment to eliminating poverty in Arizona has created new hope and better lives.

Media Leadership Award — Goes to a member of the media that has significantly increased public awareness of poverty in Arizona and of the organizations who serve these individuals and families.

Beating the Odds Award — Recognizes an individual or family that has overcome poverty and achieved economic self-sufficiency, thanks to their hard work, dedication and the assistance of a social service or community agency.

Nominations should be submitted by April 7 to Arizona Community Action Association, Attention: Cynthia Zwick, 2700 N. 3rd Street, Suite 3040, Phoenix, AZ 85003. The nomination form is available online at www.azcaa.org.

Information: Katie Morales, (602) 604-0640 or kmorales@azcaa.org. The deadline for conference registration is May 6.

Senior Action Day

will be April 1

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging has declared April 1, to be Senior Action Day.

From 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. seniors are asked to make appointments to meet their legislators one-on-one in their offices in Phoenix.

From 3 to 4 p.m. there will be an update in Phoenix on state agencies working on behalf of seniors, and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., also in Phoenix, a public forum is planned.

The events will take place at the Capitol Executive Town Building, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, 2nd floor conference room.

Seniors who can’t attend may send comments to legislators at gaca@az.gov or call 602-542-4710.

Paws Patrol

to have silent auction

On Saturday Paws Patrol will have a silent auction from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the sculpture garden at the Karin Newby Gallery in Tubac. More than 30 items will be up for bid; Shelby’s Bistro will provide food; Anza Market and TS Construction will provide wine; and Joel Taylor will entertain.

Tickets, $15 per person, $25 for two if purchased in advance at the gallery. At the door, $20 for one, $35 for two.

Proceeds will go for spay/neuter and other veterinary expenses connected with feral and stray cats in the area. Information: 520-207-4024 or www.greenvalleypawpatrol.org

Stephen Ministry class

to graduate 21

The largest Stephen Ministry training class at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 men and women, will graduate on Friday, and be commissioned at Sunday’s 8:30 a.m. service.

In addition, two new Stephen leaders will be commissioned at the service.

Stephen Ministries is a system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around church congregations.