The PRT Newsletter for the Week of January 11, 2023
PRT photo contributor Sally Reichardt has been taking pictures of our recent spectacular sunsets. She wrote to her friend Dr. Larry Behers, a world-renowned astronomer and scientist, asking why the winter sunrises and sunsets are so beautiful this time of year. Here is his response to her:
Sunrises and sunsets are much more vivid in winter, especially the closer to the winter solstice we are, which was on December 21st. The sun in winter is low in the southeastern sky at sunrise and low in the southwest at sunset, and the rays must travel through more atmosphere for a longer period of time, which means the shorter wavelength of light (blues) will be scattered and filtered out even more than usual. This leaves only the longer wavelengths, the red, orange, and yellow, the colors that melt our heart and make us want to sit until the last rays fall below the horizon. This same effect occurs when the sun is low in the southwestern sky and causes our sunsets to be deeper and touches our emotions.
There is another reason it can be even more beautiful in winter, especially after a rain. The sky is cleaner after the larger particles are removed from the atmosphere, allowing more of the longer wavelengths to be part of the spectacular sunrise/sunset display.
When I was a kid, and even now as an adult, I can sit for hours at sunset and wait for the sun’s angle on the atmosphere to change and watch as now reds, oranges and yellows give way to beautiful deep blues and eventually the sky becomes a clear and transparent artist’s palette.
Another effect that can make it the most awe inspiring, is when snow is on the ground and snow reflects and the atmosphere scatters the blues, creating a beautiful, artistic contrast between the long wavelengths (reds) and the short wavelengths (blues) of light.
I have always noticed the gentle changes that occur from season to season. Christmastime and winter are the time for looking up. Like the Magi of old, we are searching for a star to lead us to a new understanding and a new hope. Thank you for asking this question, the answer is one that creates great warmth and affection when the times are so cold.
SCC Manager and HR Director Both Resign
As first reported in the NI on Jan. 10, 22, Santa Cruz County manager, Jennifer St. John, is set to leave the position this summer after six years. Jennifer said her resignation will be effective July 14, marking a 23-year career with the county and stated that she would now like to concentrate on her health, family, traveling and volunteer work. Her most recent contract, signed in 2019, was due to expire in 2024.
Sonia Jones, who’s served as Santa Cruz County’s human resources director for more than five years, confirmed Monday that she has resigned from her position, effective Feb. 3. Accepting a position at the U of A, Sonia stated that her new position will allow her to focus on her family.
Both resignations come less than a month after Suzanne “Suzie” Sainz announced her resignation and subsequent retirement after serving as county recorder for 27 years.
Elgin School Spelling Bee Champs
“Where the Gold Settles” by Keith Krizan
In “Where the Gold Settles”, the PRT’s resident rockhound Keith Krizan reflects on his low-key search for gold — and the search that brought him to Sonoita-Elgin in the first place, two decades ago. Part memoir, part local travelogue, part rumination on migration and fences, part recollection of chance encounters at Gathering Grounds and a Del Taco parking lot in Casa Grande, this is a quietly brilliant piece (with beautiful photos) that, due to its length, simply couldn’t fit in the January edition of the PRT. We ended up printing an extremely condensed version in Keith’s regular “Let’s Go Get Stones” column space in the paper, but readers interested in the whole enchilada can check it out here: “Where the Gold Settles.” No pan required.
Remember When???
The PRT has been hard at work placing online hundreds of articles, photographs, artwork and poems from past years’ print editions of the PRT. Take a walk down memory lane with this 2013 piece by Rob van Zandt from the PRT archives…
The Thrill of the Hunt
By Rob Van Zandt
November 1, 2013
I went duck hunting yesterday for the first time in 25 years. In the interim I really missed the sport. Yesterday it all came right back to me in a flood; the thrill of duck hunting is spectacular.
Upcoming Community Events
Remember to check out and add any upcoming events to our NEW community calendar!
POWWOW in Sonoita, AZ is always on the third Saturday of the month. At the same time, we have Farmers Marketside Venders as usual this month. At the market you’ll find wonderful homemade goodies/coffee/breads/jams, and gift items. If you’d like to share your handcrafted or homemade local goods at the market, we’d love to have you. *At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 LBS of produce. No residential or income requirements. If you’d like to join the Community Volunteer Team or become a Market Vendor, please text/call gardenia 602.292.1616. Can work for any youth in the community who would like or need volunteer hours. Follow @SonoitaAZCommunityMarket on FB & IG to see our Veggie Varieties Friday afternoon! Thank you in advance for your support and participation!
Fire Preparedness Presentation
The first event is on January 21st and is co-sponsored by Borderlands Restoration Network and the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.
Date: Saturday, January 21, 4:30 – 6:30 pm NO COST
Location: Patagonia Fire House 142 N 3rd Ave, Patagonia, AZ 85624
Presenters: Zay Hartigan, Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Captain and local fire experts
Join local fire experts for a two-hour presentation about fire preparedness in the Patagonia community. In light of increased wildfire activity in our area, local experts will share techniques and practices to assist residents in being proactive in wildfire mitigation and protection of your property and home. Video from recent fires in the area will be shared for educational purposes. This program is sponsored by Borderlands Restoration Network in partnership with Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue and made possible by generous funding from the Landscape Scale Restoration Program of the US Forest Service and United States Department of Agriculture. Please RSVP to Cholla Duir by Jan. 18 at cduir@borderlandsrestoration.org. Space limited to 24 participants.
A second event is taking place at the Tin Shed Theater on Feb. 2, from 6 – 8pm. Free-Donations to the Tin Shed are always welcome.
A screening of the documentary “Fire In Paradise” will be followed up by a lecture on how to create a defensible space around your home presented by the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District, the Fire Prevention Specialists and the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.
Items of Interest in Our Community
Accompanist WANTED for the Santa Cruz Singers. Paid position. Must be able to sightread music and have advanced piano skills. Please call/text 617-645-4239 or email scfpaexec@gmail.com
Community Farmers’ Market Schedule 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.
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 School Information
PRT Community Calendar
The Patagonia Regional Times is pleased to offer our new Calendar of Community Events on our website. See online form here. Your text, photos and fliers all can be posted on the calendar. Click here to read our guidelines.
E-Newsletter
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.
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