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Show I i imrargEin i www.magnanewspapers.com Your weekly newspaper volume 98 no. i2 Senior Painters use talent as stress reliever by ANDREW WEEKS Assistant Editor If you haven't been to the Magna Library in a while, out. you're missing Currently on display in the library's main entrance, enclosed in glass, are paintings done by a handful of Magna's ow n senior citizens. these Every Monday same seniors gather at the Senior Center where they set their imaginations free W'ith canvas and paint. The class, offered free to seniors, allow's them the opportunity to learn new skills and share talents, as well as healthy conversations and a few laughs. "I really love it, stated Vera Reed, who took up painting in 1995 as a way to relieve anxiety. After taking some time off, she decided to venture to the senior center and its art class. "It is such a stress reliever," she said. Among Reed's notable CDHiseous works that patrons can see at the library is a rough, leathered cowboy with a face set in full detail. Reed said she enjoys doing portraits, and according to instructor Paul Chavez, she is "very good" at it. Chavez, who has been painting most of his life, has been teaching ait at the Senior Center for the past three to four months now, and has become something he enjoys, he said. "We don't always get a lot of painting done, but we do get a lot of talking and laughing in," he said. He also said he knew he'd see some talent come out of the senior center, but he never expected to see the caliber of work that he's witnessed by his students. "They are just fabulous," he said. Among his students is his wife, Donna, who only recently has taken up painting. So far she's done a handful of oil paintings, some of old Catholic churches. Donna notes that she is still learning about depth, but says she has a March 24, 2005 art dlnsipOayecO ; aft Bolbirairy If a&jjem Photos by Andrew Weeks Paul Chavez (center) teaches an art class at the local senior center where his wife Donna (right) and Rae Miller (left), among others, showcase their talent Currently, artwork by the seniors is on display at the Magna Library. good teacher on hand to help her. Rae Miller is another student, who said of painting, "It is so therapeutic, so relaxing." Chavez explained further, noting that one of the things that makes painting so relaxing is that the artist must fully concentrate on what he or she is doing. When a mind is focused on something wholesome, something creative, the experience can't help but be relaxing. Chavez, who has done everything from painting to sculpting and just about everything in between, said wishes to see more people take an interest in art, which he believes is not appreciated enough in the Beehive state, as well as the nation as a whole. "It's a cultural thing. We grew up poor, but we grew up with a love for art," he noted. Chavez grew up in an environment of paintings, literature and all sorts of artwork, and he's patterned his own home after the example of his parents - has, in fact, devoted much of his life to art. For instance, it took him nine years to complete the stations on the cross that now hangs in Magna's own Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He said recently that he needs a new belt and so has plans to tackle leatherwork next. In the mean time, he continues his foray at the Senior Center where he's able to witness the emerging talent of local seniors. Mayor Corroom) to breakfast m Magma March 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. at the Union Hall, located at 8953 West 2700 South in Magna. The Magna Chamber of Commerce, Magna Community Council, and Magna Town Council are working together to host this event. Mayor Corroon will be making a few comments and he will be answering questions from those in attendance. There will also be 1 by TROY MILLER Staff Writer All Magna residents are invited to attend a breakfast with the Mayor of Salt Lake County, Peter Corroon. This will give everyone an opportunity to meet the mayor, ask him questions, and voice concerns about the future of Magna or Salt Lake County. The continental breakfast will be held on Saturday, Photo by Marie Jess other county employees for Magna residents to meet and ask questions. Magna is the first location to hold the "Breakfast with There the Mayor" event. will be future breakfasts in and East Millcreek in April and Taylorsville May. In addition to the breakfast events, residents of Salt Lake County can meet Mayor Corroon at his office and talk with him for 10 This minutes. meetdoor" "open ing is held on the third Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. One does an need not appointment, as these meetings will be held on a first come, first served basis. The Mayor's Office is located at 2001 South State Street N2100 in the north building of the Salt Lake County Government Center. by ALICIA CICALESE Staff Writer Last Saturday at Hunter High, 57 people gathered in the race to fill a vacancy in District 12, a seat previously held by Sen. Ron Allen. Allen was recently appointed by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to serve on the Public Service Commission. District 12 covers Magna and parts of West Valley City. The election saw many candidates including Judy Weeks, Dan Tuttle, Brent Goodfellow and Millie Peterson, to name a few. Each spoke to the assembled audience and then stepped down for the vote. Brent Goodfellow, who received 40 votes, won the election. Weeks, who is a Granite School District board member and who used to represent the school district for the Magna area, was nervous before the elections. "I hope that Magna will be represented well, it is a great community with great people," she stated. Goodfellow, who has represented District 29 for 21 years, said he looks forward to the challenge of serving in District 12. "I want to be able to hold a public office for as long as I can," he said. "I have always been involved in the community. I helped to incorporate West Valley, I graduated from Cyprus High and I want to make the community a better place." Goodfellow graduated with a Masters in Human Resources from the University of Utah, and looks forward to representing such a "great" area. District 12 has had a history of frustration for some Magna residents. Some locals, for instance, said they have felt they had been not represented enough, and that many senators have focused their efforts on larger areas, such West as and Valley Stansbury Park. Jack Nielson, a Magna resident and business owner, ran for the Senate seat in he wants 2004, said Goodfellow to put more focus on the area than what past senators have done. Nielson plans to run for die seat in the next election, and stated he hopes Goodfellow will "keep the seat warm for me to take in 2006." Goodfellow said he does Brent Goodfellow plan to make Magna become more noticed. "They're planj ning for a major to bring up the community, and I hope that I can do things that need to be done," he said. who has Goodfellow, been married for 41 years, has six children and 12 grandchildren, and has many of his family living within the district. Among other things, Goodfellow, wants the public to know that he "understands the issues and is experienced." The final swearing in is tentative to the resignation and appointment of former : Sen. Ron Allen. - |