John Arnold helps with the unloading of food boxes for distribution. His organization, PPEP, has been partnering with the 3000 Club of Tucson to distribute the free food boxes to low income and rural communities. When COVID-19 shut down restaurants and schools across the country, the USDA stepped in to help redirect food supplies to […]
Heather Dodge
Posted inCommunity
Patagonian Awarded Title by King of Nigeria
Local business owner Dr. John Arnold receives a Chieftancy title for his ongoing humanitarian efforts. On December 27, 2019, His Royal Highness King Eze Eronini of Nigeria decreed official Chieftaincy of the Awo-Mbieri Ancient Kingdom in the Imo State of Nigeria to Patagonian Dr. John David Arnold during the king’s First Coronation Anniversary Ceremony, attended […]
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Herding Cats – Pt. 2, The Cat in the Trap
The Kitty Committee met at the Patagonia Town Hall on Nov. 20 to discuss further the management and control of the estimated 130 or so feral cats in Patagonia. That relatively low number is due in part to the volunteer trapping of ferals for neuter and return by local residents over the past several years, […]
Posted inLocal News
Sky Island Diner “Relaxed and Comfortable”
Roxane and Marla Valenzuela offer a varied menu for breakfast and lunch at the Sky Island Diner in Sonoita. Photo by Heather Dodge Keith Hensley had long had his eye on the empty gas station at 3270 Hwy 82 in Sonoita. By the time he acquired the property, where various ventures had come and gone, […]
Posted inLocal News
House Calls Are Back
Angela and Rafael Lopez provide in- home chiropractic care in easternSanta Cruz County. Photo by Maria Fitzmaurice If you are old enough, you may recall a time when doctors made house calls, a service long gone, but being revived in the Mountain Empire by husband and wife chiropractic healthcare providers, Drs. Rafael and Angela Lopez, […]
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Sonoita’s New Clinic Opens September 6
Gabriel Trusty, medical assistant, phlebotomist; Boaz Rabin, MD; Elaine Hooper, adult and geriatric nurse practitioner; Carla Peterson, X-ray technician; Gabe Robinson, RN with cardiac experience; John Hooper, administrator. A new medical service, Sonoita Sage Clinic, will host its Grand Opening on Saturday, September 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. Nurse Practitioner Elaine Hooper saw the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Art of Candle Making Returns to Grayce’s
Those who knew Grayce Arnold are aware of her passion for folding nature into art, especially with her sand-cast candles, many of which are still on display in the shop that bears her name. This type of candle making is an old Egyptian art form, but since Grayce’s passing, no one has stepped forward with […]
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Mardi Gras to Benefit Local Food Bank
The Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association will hold its second annual Mardi Gras party and fundraiser on March 1. Last year’s event raised money for the Nogales woman’s shelter, Nuestra Casa. In addition, local churches collected paper goods, personal supplies, baby items, soaps and detergents for the shelter. This year, the fundraiser will […]
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PABA’s 2014 Mission — Boost Local Business
This year the Patagonia Area Business Association (PABA) will step up efforts to increase patronage of Mountain Empire communities in order to enhance local businesses and nonprofits. Specifically, PABA is focused on building tourism trade. In 2013 PABA launched the redesigned patagoniaaz.com website, geared to attracting nature lovers, birders, cyclists, campers, art and history aficionados, […]
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Grayce’s Comes Alive on Day of the Dead
The First Annual Day of the Dead Celebration at Grayce’s Gift and Candle Shop came alive Saturday, November 2, All Souls’ Day, with lots of fascinated children, Velvet Elvis pizza, popcorn, cotton candy, Wanda’s cookies, train rides, Chameleon face painting, museum tours, movies, a jumping castle, music, sugar skull decorating and mask making. Families, as […]