PUHS Board Gains and Losses
The Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office has approved the appointment of Starr Norton to the the Patagonia Union Regional High School governing board. Norton has three children in the Patagonia schools. Her appointment would have brought the board to full strength, but Deborah Fain recently resigned her seat, again leaving a vacancy. At this time, PUHS board members are: Fred Sang, Julie Hendricks, Jim Cosbey, and Starr Norton.
Board chairman Fred Sang encourages local residents who care about the Patagonia schools to consider joining the governing board. The time commitment is normally one meeting a month with time in advance for preparation. At times throughout the year there are also special planning sessions.
Governing Board meetings normally take place the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the high school’s board room, which is next to the multipurpose room. The next meeting is scheduled for February 10.
Letters of interest should be sent to the county superintendent of schools in Nogales.
New Year’s Eve at Cady Hall
Everyone enjoyed this year’s festivities as Hog Canyon Band danced them into the New Year at Cady Hall on December 31.
A big thanks to this year’s hosts, Bob and Elise Misiorowski, Jerry Isaac and Lynn Weatherby of the Stage Stop Hotel, and High Spirit Flutes.
AT LEFT: From the top: Bob and Elise Misiorowski, Heather Wood and Laura Wenzel, Liz Bernays and Linda Hitchcock, Gooch Goodwin and Wendy Russell
The Nogales Bicycle Classic
Bicycle riders of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the Nogales Bicycle Classic taking place on Saturday March 29. The event offers participants various self-paced rides designed for leisurely fun or the physical challenge demanded by serious cyclists. The common factor is that all participants will enjoy the fresh air and majestic beauty of Santa Cruz County while riding the 8, 28, 58 or 84-mile routes.
All rides start at Nogales City Hall, 777 North Grand Avenue.
The 84-mile route starts at 6:30 a.m. and heads northeast on Highway 82 to Patagonia then back to South River Rd. to Pendleton, Palo Parado to Chavez Siding in Tubac and back through Rio Rico to Nogales.
The 58-mile ride starts at 6:45 a.m. heading northeast on Highway 82 to South River Road, where it winds through Pendleton, Palo Parado, Chavez Siding and back through Rio Rico to Nogales.
The 28-miler starts at 7 a.m. and follows Highway 82 to South River Road to Pendleton and Palo Parado in Rio Rico, then back to Nogales.
The 8-mile “fun ride” starts at 7:15 a.m. and wheels down Grand Avenue and back to city hall.
The 28 and 58-mile courses are for road and mountain bikes. The 84-mile course is for road bikes only, and the 8-mile “fun ride” is for any kind of bike and riders of all ages.
The event will conclude at 1:30 p.m. Officials will have a vehicle available at the event’s conclusion to pick up any riders still on the course.
Early Bird Registration is now in progress at http://www.nogalesbicycleclassic.org/registration.html until February 28.
Fees are $65 for adult riders and $35 for riders ages 12-18 in the 28, 58 and 84-mile rides. The 8-mile fun ride for ages 12 and over is $25, and riders age 12 and under are free. After February 28, adult registration for the 28, 58 and 84-mile rides is $75.
You can also register now to win a three-month training plan with three scheduled course preview rides for the 84-mile event. Go to http://www.nogalesbicycleclassic.org/ for details.
All registration proceeds benefit Circles of Peace, one of the first domestic violence treatment and prevention programs that use a restorative justice circle approach to quell violent behavior in families. Circles of Peace is committed to advancing a holistic and culturally sensitive community-based approach to mending families in Santa Cruz County.
The Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico is the official sponsoring hotel. Located at 1069 Camino Caralampi, Rio Rico, AZ 85648, the Esplendor is offering special discounted room rates to guests riding in the Nogales Bicycle Classic. Phone 520-281-1901 or email reservations@esplendorresort.com.
If your organization would like to sponsor this event: nogalesbicycleclassic.org/sponsors.html
Improv Has New Name, New Show
The Patagonia Players’ improv group, who have named themselves The Pick Up Schticks, have begun meeting to plan their next performances, which are scheduled for March 22 and 23 at the Tin Shed Theater. Some of the original cast will be continuing, joined by new members that include Bernice Pomeroy, Martin Levowitz, and Laura Wenzel.
This year’s show will include both improv and scripted comedy skits plus dance numbers. New skit ideas being considered include a takeoff on Johnny Carson’s Carnac, a slightly skewed synchronized swimming demonstration, chicken impressionists, and a Mad Tea Party.
The troupe is holding practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. If you are interested in being a part of the show, call Janice Pulliam at (706) 614-6959. Details about the upcoming performance schedule will be noted in PRT’s March issue.
Our Wild Neighbors
submitted by the Mowry Tracking Team
Can you identify this track of one of the wild neighbors you may see in the Patagonia, Santa Rita, or other local mountain ranges? This carnivore may also be found in deserts, grasslands, and even towns.
This type of track is commonly about 2 inches in diameter, which is about twice the size of house-cat tracks. Note the lack of claw marks, which are visible in tracks left by members of the dog family. For the answer, go to top of page 27.