The PRT Newsletter for the Week of July 17, 2024

The PRT Newsletter for the Week of July 17, 2024

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News

Monsoon Colors in Elgin

**A rainbow arches over the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Elgin.** *Photo courtesy Audubon Southwest*

**A ring-necked snake makes an appearance at the Research Ranch.** *Photos courtesy Audubon Southwest*

The monsoon rains have arrived! Here’s what staff at Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Elgin reported seeing at the Ranch last week on Facebook:

“We’re still waiting on peak green-up, but the recent rains are starting to breath some life into the grasslands. For now, those of us looking for color on the AWRR will have to settle for rainbows and Ring-necked snakes.”

Public access to the the 8,000-acre Research Ranch, which is managed by the National Audubon Society, is by appointment only. Learn more here.

Supervisor Candidates Hold Forth on Issues at PRT Forum

Incumbent Bruce Bracker, a Democrat, faced challengers John Fanning (Democrat) and Jesus Jerez (Republican) in an 80-minute forum at the Tin Shed Theater in Patagonia last Saturday. The forum was moderated by PRT citizen journalist Dave Lumia.

The two Democratic contenders will be facing off in the July 30 primary election, with the winner facing Jerez in the November general election.

For the PRT’s report on the event, click here.

County Assessor Candidates Interviewed on Zoom

The PRT has been conducting zoom interviews with candidates running in contested races for County offices.

The first in the series are interviews with the two candidates for County Assessor, the incumbent Pablo Ramos and his challenger Octavio Ramos. As both are running as Democrats, this race will be decided in the July 30 primary election.

The job of the County Assessor is to identify and value all taxable property in the county. Property tax bills reflect this valuation, as well as the tax rate that is set by the Board of Supervisors.

Here is the interview with County Assessor Pablo Ramos:

Patagonia Lumber Changes Hands

Patagonia Lumber Company owners Zander and Heidi Ault have announced the sale of their cafe/bar to local residents Wendy and Keith Spooner.

“July 1, 2021 marked the closing of our crowd funded campaign to bring the Patagonia Lumber Company – Beer and Wine Bar to life,” the Aults wrote on social media. “Magically, on this July 1, 2024 we are excited to announce we have decided to sell the business to two wonderful human beings: Wendy and Keith Spooner.

“Wendy and Keith have worked at the PLC for sometime now. Wendy has been an outstanding member of the management team, while Keith has tended bar. Both adding such warm energy to the vision that has driven this idea since its inception. They live locally in Patagonia, and hold enormous respect for Patagonia’s access to world class, outdoor recreational opportunities, the creative arts, and Arizona live music. We couldn’t be more proud to hand this dynamic brand off to the both of them.”

To read the complete text of the Aults’ announcement, click here.

The PRT is working on an article on the PLC’s new ownership for our August/September issue.

Sonoita Watershed Group Being Formed

The Tucson Audubon Society, Friends of Sonoita Creek, The Nature Conservancy, Sky Island Alliance, Town of Patagonia, and the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center are inviting the public to an Aug. 6 workshop at Patagonia Town Hall to help develop a watershed group.

“Keeping a healthy and prosperous watershed for future generations requires active participation and direction from community members and visitors to the watershed,” the groups announced Tuesday. “A watershed group is a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quantity in a watershed, is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources, makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders.”

Local stakeholders are encouraged to participate in a brief online survey (click here) to help develop watershed group priorities. The survey runs through July 31.

For more information on this initiative, click here.

County Schedules Aug. 6 ‘Truth in Taxation’ Hearing for Property Tax Increases

Santa Cruz County is notifying property taxpayers that it intends to raise its FY2024/2025 primary and secondary property taxes over last year’s levels. A public hearing on the increases will be held on Aug. 6. For more information, click here.

Remember When?

Over the last two years, we’ve posted over 2,800 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from 2017…

**Clipping from Page 1 of the July 6, 1917 edition of The Patagonian.** *Courtesy Patagonia Museum*

Glimpses Into Our Past: Monsoon Season

By Alison Bunting

August 5, 2017

Starting in June the most popular subject of conversation around these parts is rain—when will it start, who got it, and how much. A review of local newspapers published 100 years ago provides evidence that not much has changed.

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Upcoming Events

The PRT is committed to sharing information about upcoming events in our weekly newsletter. We will publish a link to your event page or poster/flyer, or a brief description of each event, provided by you. Poster/flyer submissions require an image in JPEG format, along with a brief typed description of the event. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date.

**NEW SUMMER START TIME! In the courtyard from 8 – 8:30 am. Questions? Text or Call 617 – 645 – 4239**

School Announcements

Local Items of Interest

The summer 2024 Bowman-Stradling History Center newsletter can be accessed HERE. It is filled with upcoming events, new acquisitions and news of the center’s annual community project, refurbishment of the Elgin Cemetery.

The Patagonia Senior Center recently received a grant from Delta Dental of Phoenix to help seniors with dental expenses. Vouchers are provided for up to $350 to participating dentists. If interested, please call the senior center at (520) 394-2494.

The Patagonia Museum has joined the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle fundraiser. The grand prize is a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. 100% of proceeds sold by the Patagonia Museum will benefit the museum. Please contact a board member of the museum to buy your chance(s) to win. Click here to learn more about the grand prize. To learn more about the additional prizes that are available, click here. Museum Members, save the date – Oct. 19, from 4-8 pm for a complimentary meal, refreshments and entertainment at the museum facility.

Raffle for the Elgin Cemetery Refurbishment Project. Click here to learn more.

The Patagonia Community Garden is recruiting new gardeners! Come grow organic veggies, flowers, meet your neighbors and enjoy a peaceful connection with the earth. If you’re not ready to grow a garden, come and volunteer a helping hand. For more info contact David Fain at radarfain@gmail.com or text 928-380-6570, or text Mary at 520-510-2851

The Arizona Rangers Sonoita Company meets the third Thursday of each month at the SEFD training room in Sonoita. For more information contact Lt. Phil Burdine at (520) 990-4390