Talk of the Town: GGVCF kicks off fall fund drive with art exhibit

Wow! You can certainly tell that folks are returning to Arizona for the winter. The roads are busier, the restaurants are fuller and the parking is challenging. Actually, the parking is always challenging.

Some exciting things are under way, though.

For the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation, the next six weeks will be very busy and very important, according to Michelle Phillips, executive director, and Chet Davis, president of the GGVCF board.

GGVCF has begun its fall campaign to collect funds which support many non-profit organizations here in the area. At least $80,000 is needed to barely be of any help, Phillips says.

To really meet GGVCF goals, more than $250,000 should be in its hands by Dec. 31.

In addition to the fundraising effort, the foundation hosted an art open house reception and ribbon cutting on Oct. 29 at its new location in the M&I Bank building at 270 W. Continental Road.

Sponsored by Timothy A. Olcott, P.C., the art exhibit runs through Dec. 31 and features work by the Green Valley Woodcarvers Club displaying carved wood art by Christel Busby, William Milligan, Don Moberg and Peggy Schroder.

Pottery from the Mud Slingers of Green Valley includes works by artists Rita Bluma, Dick Lagasca and Susanne Phillips.

Also displayed is photography by Dick Paige, gourd art by Diane West and works by oil and watercolor artist Jan Wills.

Harpist Erika Schmidt (right) played during the two-hour event.

According to the GGVCF Web site www.ggvcf.org, the organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities in the Green Valley area. GGVCF focuses on older adults, health care, children, housing education, the environment and rural living.

The GGVCF has an endowment which includes both unrestricted and field of interest funds. The GGVCF board and staff have an in-depth understanding of the concerns and resources that shape the community, and are dedicated to continue building this permanent endowment or savings account to serve the Green Valley areas long-term needs.

Through local grant making, GGVCF provides financial support to the area’s nonprofit organizations in Green Valley, Sahuarita, Amado, Arivaca, Tubac and Tumac‡cori.

Donations received by GGVCF are used to:

Create a unified community by meeting the charitable needs of the Green Valley area through grants, technical assistance and other services to nonprofit organizations.

To accomplish this goal by attracting and managing in perpetuity capital gifts (living and testamentary) from individuals, families, corporations, agencies and private foundations;

To exercise leadership in select community issues and advance the cause of organized philanthropy throughout the Green Valley area.

The GGVCF has helped Amado Food Bank, the Animal League of Green Valley, Arivaca Area Health Services, Casa de Esperanza, Green Valley Assistance Services, Green Valley Community Food Bank, Sahuarita Team Offers Prevention (S.T.O.P) and many others.

The GGVCF has put together a Celebrity Waiter Dinner on Nov. 13 at the Quail Creek Madera Clubhouse. There will be 26 local celebrities serving dinner. Tickets are $65 each and are available at the GGVCF office or by calling 625-4556.

GGVCF Board members are: Chet Davis, president; Bob Kellogg, vice president; Shirley Wilt, treasurer; Joyce Finkelstein, secretary, and directors: Marie Cory, Rosanna Gabald—n, Joey Lessa, Alan Murray, Stan Riddle, David Polsky, Marcia Salley, David Schmidt, Mikel Shilling, Marty Taylor and Edith With. Vicky Weber is the administrative assistant.

Beth Shalom Temple Center, 1751 N. Rio Mayo in Green Valley, is hosting a free comprehensive program about hypnosis by Steve Maron, M.D., on Sunday, at 10 a.m. at the center.

In his talk, “Hypnosis — it’s not what you think,” Maron will explain and de- mystify this often misunderstood treatment modality.

Maron, who works for United Community Health Center, is a board certified pediatrician with more than 20 years in the field, including private practice. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is a past member of the Medical History Society of New Jersey and the Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Maron studied in many countries, including Israel where he spent time in Tel Aviv. He also served in the Israeli army as a part-time tank commander. Following his stint in the army, he went to Tel Aviv Medical School, later marrying his wife Svenette, and then returning to the U.S. to do his pediatric training in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

He is the proud father of two. In his spare time he enjoys playing the fiddle and is an active member of Beth Shalom Temple Center, where he plays the violin for religious services and related activities.

Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino del Sol, will host music director Kay Albrecht and the Sanctuary Choir with their popular variety show that was a hit last summer in the Green Lake Chautauqua conference in Green Lake, Wis. The variety show, back by popular demand is Sunday at 7 p.m. The show is free and open to the public, although a free will offering will be taken, with proceeds going to further the churches’ outreach programs.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740