The PRT Newsletter for the Week of July 21, 2022
Community Calendar
The Patagonia Regional Times is pleased to offer our new Calendar of Community Events on our website. The community calendar is designed for individuals, non-profit organizations, local businesses, and government entities to publicize meetings and events that may be of interest to the community and to promote community events and activities. See online form here. Your text, photos and fliers all can be posted on the calendar.
Each announcement should include complete information on the event, who sponsors it, what it is, dates, times and location, and a local phone number and contact person for further information. If your event requires a registration, the deadline date for registration should be conspicuous so that the deadline will be announced as well as the event. Click here to read our guidelines.
E-Newsletter
We will continue to publicize events in our e-newsletter as well. The PRT may edit event content for length, corrections, text, etc. We do not post any notices in the PRT Newsletter for events that are more than three weeks away. Flyers for nonprofits, community organizations and fundraisers will be accepted. Submissions and or questions should be in email form or a word document to Nisa Talavera, Assistant Editor at prtasted@gmail.com. All submissions for the Wednesday e-newsletter must be submitted by Tuesday, 10 a.m. For more in-depth questions about calendar listings, please call 740-206-9594.
Breaking News In Our Community
Summer Storm Brings Damage
Photo By Robert Gay
In a brief, locally intense storm this past Monday, a large juniper fell from Richardson Park into the backyard of an adjacent house at 417 McKeown Avenue, bringing down an auxiliary electric supply and filling about half the house’s backyard with its upper branches, as well as breaking the brick wall at the park edge.
County Set to Adopt Budget, Tax Rates at August 3, 2022 Public Meeting
By Kat Crockett
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors (BOS) has tentatively scheduled a Truth in Taxation hearing on August 3, 2022, followed by a Special Meeting to set the Fiscal Year 2023 Primary and Secondary tax rates, adopt the budget, and adopt tax rates for county-wide fire and school districts.
A tentative budget was adopted by the Board on July 5 which is slightly more than $20 million higher than last year, mostly due to an increase in actual or anticipated state and federal grants. Unfunded state mandates total about $750,000 for retirement, health care, liability insurance and state long term care for residents lacking ability to pay for services. The BOS tentatively adopted the staff recommendation of 6% cost of living increase for employees across the board which would total $655,000.
The Board also tentatively adopted the staff proposal to keep the current primary and secondary tax rates with no increase or decrease. Residents with increased property valuations (which serve as the base for applying the tax rates) will see an increase in taxes of about $9.86 per $100,000 of assessed value for the primary and secondary tax.
Patagonia Receives $2.1 Million Grant for High-Speed Internet
By Marion Vendituoli
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) has awarded Santa Cruz County a Broadband Development Grant to install high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure throughout the town of Patagonia. Valley Telecom has been awarded the contract for this project.
“When completed, the grant projects will increase connections for homes, businesses, public safety agencies, medical facilities, schools, libraries and more while catalyzing new economic development and enhancing opportunities for sectors such as tourism, trade, and agriculture,” according to the grant announcement released by the ACA.“ Examples of projects include installing high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure, deploying Wi-Fi access points and networking equipment for broadband internet, and expanding existing and middle-mile fiber networks.”
“The potential is there to provide internet service to every home in Patagonia,” Town manager Ron Robinson said in a recent interview.
Apply Now for Free and Reduced Price Children’s Meals at Elgin School
Click here for more information
From the SEFD – Notice of Call of Election
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District hereby notifies the registered voters of all precincts within the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District that two (2) vacancies will occur on the Sonoita-Elgin District Board at the General Election on November 8, 2022.
The last day for write-in candidates to file is July 25, 2022. This paper form is available online. This election is non-partisan. The last day to register to vote is October 11, 2022. Contact the Santa Cruz County Elections Department for any particulars concerning this election.
Local Voting Information
Wednesday, July 6: First day of early voting/early ballots mailed
Friday, July 22: Deadline to request an early ballot
Saturday, July 23: Early voting at Patagonia Town Hall, 9a.m. – 12p.m.
Saturday, July 23: Early voting at Sonoita Library, 2p.m. – 5p.m.
Friday, July 29: Last day for early voting at the recorder’s office
Tuesday, August 2: Election day
SCC Forgivable Loan Program
The county is now receiving applications for the forgivable loan program. More information about the federal American Rescue Plan Act funding support programs and how to apply for up to $25,000 in forgivable loans, with up to $2,500 for artists, visit: prestamosloans.org/santa-cruz-loan
The PRT hosted a live community Q&A on June 9, highlighting information on the application process and program details for the SCC Forgivable Loan Program. Click here to view the entire session.
Upcoming Events in Our Community
The Patagonia Creative Arts summer camp exhibition is on display until the end of the month at the Patagonia Museum.
CANCELED – Free Produce Boxes this Friday, July 22 at 9:15a.m. at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot.
Backpack Drive – The 2022-23 school is starting soon. Corner Scoop is having a back pack drive for families in need. Please bring new backpacks (and school supplies if you can) to the Corner Scoop – they will be distributed from there, and within the new soft goods cabinet next to the food pantry near the Sonoita Post office entrance.
National Day of the Cowboy at the Empire Ranch – Plan to join us on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy at the Empire Ranch. It’s a free family friendly event with western demonstrations, vendors, and tours of the historic Ranch House. Program details can be viewed HERE.
SCFPA Summer Concerts in the Courtyard – Sunday, July 24 from 7-8p.m. Heritage Art Songs – A Summer Series Event. $10 per ticket. Make reservations. Click here for more info.
Family Fun Day At The Patagonia Pool – Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Swimming, games, prizes and refreshments. Bring Your Family. Free Admission for all.
Items of Interest in Our Community
If you are willing/able to donate any delicious baked goods (pies, cakes, cookies, etc.), we would appreciate it. They can be dropped off at the fairgrounds on Friday, August 5th.
Recyclops Recycling Service
Click here to sign up for Recyclops curbside pick-up service
Recyclops Accepts:
Aluminum & steel (tin) beverage & food cans
Cardboard & pasteboard
Glass containers (with glass subscription)
Magazines/catalogs, junk mail, paper, books
Newspapers Plastic beverage, food, & soap containers (plastics #1, #2)
More information on what Recyclops accepts and does not accept is available at the Recyclops website.
Empire Ranch Foundation Volunteer Opportunity
The Empire Ranch Foundation is seeking volunteers to work at our Gift Shop at
the historic Empire Ranch. Volunteers are needed for five hour shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. To apply, and for more information about responsibilities and requirements, click here.
Farmers’ Market Schedule
Patagonia Flower Farm’s Monthly Artisan and Farmers Market – Last Thurs. of the month 9am – 3pm by the gazebo in the park. Call Aishah for more info 520-335-7384
Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market -Thursdays 9am-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. Click here for more info.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales. Click here for more info.
Tick Collection and Free Snake Relocation
What do you call a tick on the moon? A luna-tic. Ok, jokes aside, I’m collecting ticks again for the CDC and they asked for your help. Same as last year, any ticks you pull off yourself, pets, or livestock I would be happy to come pick up. For folks planning on donating regularly, I can bring you vials with ethyl alcohol. Contact Eric at 602.635.0117 with questions or ticks.
Also offered: FREE SNAKE RELOCATION. Call or text Eric anytime at 602.635.0117 for safe relocation of rattlesnakes
Gratitude Drum Circle
Meets at Patagonia Town Park by the gazebo Tuesdays 4-6pm, no experience necessary. Call 520-490-4991 for more info.
Community Job Opportunities
Gardener/Housekeeping – 1 or 2 positions: Gardener for general mowing, weed eating, tending flowering plants in medium courtyard garden, someone who loves to tend to pretty spaces and tinker in the landscaped yard every 2-3 weeks. 6 miles SE from Elgin. ALSO – House cleaner available on an as-need basis, perhaps one or 2 days monthly. Well paying. Could be the same person as Gardener. Flexibility in schedule necessary. Beautiful setting * (approx 5 mi SE of Elgin) Please contact AnneGibson5617@gmail.com for details. References required.
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