Arizona Plein Air Painters 2nd Annual Members Show April 2-11th

By William Dellandre

The first two pictures are done in oils by Gregory Hull.

The Arizona Plein Air Painters will hold their 2^nd Annual Members Show from April 2-11^th at the Sedona Arts Center Community Gallery.  The opening gala, beginning at 5pm on April 2, gives art enthusiasts an opportunity to meet the artists from across the state who will be participating in this prestigious annual event. Award winning Sedona artist Gregory Hull will judge the show and preside over awards presented during the gala to artists for the Best of Show painting and 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. There is no charge for admission to the gala.

The Arizona Plein Air Painters (APAP) is a membership organization made up of professional and emerging Arizona artists who are dedicated to painting directly from life. Plein air paintings are often favored by art buyers because of the freshness and spontaneity that is evident in these works.  APAP has a broad mission that includes art education, and natural and cultural heritage preservation, in addition to hosting art shows and local paint-outs for members. APAP preservation partners include the National Park Service, Arizona State Parks , and the Nature Conservancy.  For additional information about this show and other planned events visit the APAP website at www.arizonapleinairpainters.com.

Juvenile Court Offers Volunteer Orientation

By Donna McBride

 

Pinal County Juvenile Court has a volunteer opportunity for those who would like to contribute time to young people who are trying to repair the harm they have caused to their individual communities.

 

The Restorative Justice Panels involve community members working along-side court staff to hold youthful offenders personally responsible for their actions and to guide them toward repairing the harm they caused to victims and their community. This is done by having the family meet with community members to discuss their offense, what they are doing to make positive changes, how they will repair that harm and providing consequences.

 

Communities with Panels include Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence, Eloy, Apache Junction, Maricopa, Queen Creek and the Tri-Community area. Each panel meets monthly in the evening with a time commitment averaging 2 hours.

 

Volunteers are required to go through a reference and fingerprint check as well as a Volunteer Orientation which are held on a quarterly basis. An orientation is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 9:30am – 11:30am in Florence.  Registration is required.

 

If you are interested in getting involved in your community, please contact Donna McBride at 520-866-4098 or DMcBride@courts.az.gov.

Pinal County Attorney's Office - Maduena Case - Conviction

Florence, AZ - Genaro Maduena, 36, was sentenced to a 25 year term in
prison, with the Department of Correction's, after a jury found him
guilty of two counts of sale of methamphetamine and two counts of sale
of marijuana. The sentence must be served before the defendant is
eligible for release.

"I am proud of law enforcement, our prosecutors and the courts for
protecting our families by getting the purveyors of poison like
methamphetamine off of our streets," said James P. Walsh, Pinal County
Attorney and Pinal County Anti-Meth Coalition Chairman.

Kelly Neal of the Pinal County Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.
This long sentence was imposed by the Court because the jury found that
an underage person was present during one of the two narcotics sales,
which is an aggravating circumstance that can lead to the tougher
sentence.
The two sentences will run consecutively for a total of 25 years in
prison.  Additionally, Mr. Maduena will have to serve the entire 25 year
sentence before he is eligible for release.

Juvenile Court Services Mock Trial Winners

“ART IN THE ALLEY” & “ART WALK” to be held on March 3rd