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Photo of the Week
Cyclists head for the hills above Patagonia earlier this year as part of a Cyclists’ Menu event, in this photo by Shannon Dudley. This coming weekend, hundreds of cyclists will be in our area competing in two separate events. Rides in the 7th annual Spirit World 100, based out of Patagonia, are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, while the Saturday, Oct. 25 Nogales Bicycle Classic will include a road bike race from Nogales to Sonoita and back again.
News
Big turnout in Patagonia for ‘No Kings’ demonstration
Over 150 demonstrators participated in last Saturday morning’s “No Kings” protest in Patagonia along Naugle Avenue/SR 82. The event, part of a nationwide initiative, was peaceful, with no counter-protesters and zero arrests.
Patagonia Town Council sets brief agenda for Oct. 22 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its second of two regular meetings this month on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 6pm. As always, members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, password 338501
For more information, including the complete meeting agenda, click here.
Migrate over to the Paton Center and volunteer
From Tucson Bird Alliance – The Paton Center for Hummingbirds:
As we inch ever closer towards fall, there are so many things going on at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds! Our breeding birds are heading south towards what I jokingly refer to as “a warm beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta,” while some of those birds from up north are making plans to spend the winter here in Patagonia. Our human snowbirds are doing much the same, with many returning from those beautiful summer locations. With the human migrants now returning, I can’t help but think about all the amazing volunteers who make that Paton Center such a fantastic place. Every day, this incredibly dedicated group of bird-loving individuals makes sure the bird feeders are all full and clean and ready for the birds. They also act as ambassadors, greeting guests, describing the features and history of the Center, and when needed, spotting and identifying bird species. Our day to day operation would not be possible without these amazing folks, and I just cannot thank them enough.
If you have any interest in joining this amazing group of volunteers, please reach out to me at tbrown@tucsonbirds.org. We have very flexible scheduling, both mornings and afternoons, and while bird knowledge is helpful, it is far from being a requirement.
—Tom Brown, Site Manager – Paton Center for Hummingbirds
Respect the rattler
By Vince Pinto
Humans seem to love a good scare. Witness various science fiction and horror movies, books, paraphernalia, etc. Here in the Sky Islands we host a plethora of potentially dangerous animals and plants that at times may leave you reluctant to venture outside. That would be a shame, however, as the reality of the dangers posed by select local species is often overblown and their beauty overlooked.
Among my most popular classes is “Thorns, Stingers & Fangs: Welcome to Arizona!” I carefully composed this name based upon the general threats posed to us. Plants are first, for who hasn’t been punctured, poked, stung, or otherwise impaled by one local plant or another? Then come stingers—the scorpions and hymenopterans, of the world. Again, it’s highly likely that you have experienced this quasi-hypodermic needle adventure at some point in your life.
Finally we come to the “fangs” portion of my class. Other than spiders, most people have surely not been gratuitously attacked by a mountain lion, American black bear, coyote, gila monster or venomous snake. Of the many people who have attended my class, only one person raised his hand—had to be a guy—when I asked who had been bitten by a fanged vertebrate. It was a rattlesnake and, yes, he had picked it up. Fortunately, he avoided a Darwin Award, but the tale is instructive: Do not pick up wild creatures!!
I certainly heeded my own advice with the four-foot-long Western Diamondback rattlesnake in the video above. We recently met each other along one of the many nature trails at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. As is often the case, the snake had the jump on me, so my cardiac hardware was temporarily in my esophagus when it simultaneously rattled and hissed at me. Instinctively, I froze in my tracks—the right thing to do—and scanned the ground until my eyes met that of the snake. Its message was clear: Back off…NOW! Sage advice from the expert in the matter—the snake itself.
I then zoomed in with my camera, allowing the snake its defensive victory. The take-home message for anyone afoot in the Sky Islands and beyond is clear. Go slowly along the trail you are on, stay focused and vigilant, and realize that any venomous snake will only bite you as a last resort. I proved this once by stepping, barefoot mind you, on an equally huge Diamondback. That snake didn’t even bother to rattle, quietly exiting the scene.
Unfortunately, humans have persecuted various venomous snakes across the globe with insane/inhumane “rattler roundups” in the U.S.—a clear manifestation of this Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) where many die and all caught are treated inhumanely. In reality, a world without snakes in general would at least in part let rodents of the predatory hook. Clearly, rodents as a group—think rats and mice—pose a far more lethal threat to us via various zoonotic diseases than snakes do. Just ask Gene Hackman.
So, I encourage you to at least tolerate, if not admire, our venomous snakes. Without them, I suspect I would have to alter my class title to “Thorns, Stingers, Formerly Fangs…and the Pied Piper: Avoid Arizona!”
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
PVFR seeks gym equipment donations
From Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue:
We need your help! The PVFR is looking for donations of weights or resistance machines to add to our station gym! If you’ve got any gym gear you’re not using, we’d love to put it to good use. Thanks for always supporting your local volunteers!
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Elgin School Announces First Quarter Honors
Click here to view first quarter honors for Elgin School students.
Mark your calendars for the Elgin School Fall Festival on Thursday, October 30! Open to the community, all are welcome! We will be “falling into reading” and having a great time with treats, games, and more! The Scholastic Book fair will be open and students are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes. Please note this is a family event, no childcare is available. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
The PTC has a family meal deal available for pre-purchase at https://forms.gle/WdvDpSCkpMTtTizaA. Orders must be received by Thursday, Oct. 23 and payment must be made by Monday, Oct. 27.
Upcoming Events
To list an event, please submit an image file in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
The annual “Christmas in Elgin” event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10am-4pm and will have many arts and crafts. The event will be held at the Elgin Community Club, located at 475 Elgin Road in Elgin. Vendors may contact Rebecca Smith at 520-559-4835
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
The Patagonia Senior Center has 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.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
From Elgin School:
From Borderlands Restoration Network:
From Santa Cruz County:
Santa Cruz County is hiring! We’re seeking dedicated individuals to support our community in various departments, including public safety, community development, administration, and technology.
Competitive benefits
Explore current openings and apply today at: santacruzcountyaz.gov/Jobs
From City of Nogales/Santa Cruz County Library:
Homework Tutor (Sonoita Library)
Responsibilities: Receives supervision and direction from the Library Director or designee. Greets students and assesses each one for subject area and grade level; groups students in areas by grade level. Works one-on-one with students that have difficulty with subject at hand or with expressing themselves. Group students, no more than three to a group, if they are compatible and are working on similar projects. Alerts the Children Services Coordinator if they have a problem or need advice. While waiting for students, shelves books so they can show students where the materials are. Must have basic secondary knowledge of Math, English, and general Science courses. Skills in defining problems, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
Education, Certification and Requirements: Must be attending high school (junior or senior) and have good grades (A’s and B’s) OR have graduated high school and currently attending local college. Valid AZ Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with children. Knowledge of how to use computers. Familiarity of the way materials are stored in the library and willingness to learn the library system. English and Spanish language fluency.
Salary/Classification: Part-time position; FLSA non-exempt; $15.79 per hour
Close Date: Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a completed City of Nogales Employment Application and resume to the Human Resources Department. This position is Open Until Filled.
Farmers Markets
Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market – Thursdays 10am-12pm by Red Mountain Foods.
Sonoita Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings 9am-12pm at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot (NW corner of Hwy 82/83)
Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales.
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
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