This is it, readers, the home stretch! There’s just over two weeks left in this year’s NewsMatch campaign, and we are so close to meeting our goal. But we need your help to get across the finish line by midnight, December 31. As an independent news organization, we don’t have any shareholders. This allows us to pursue the type of high-quality journalism we know you rely on. It also means that we rely on you to support this meaningful work. And now is a great time to boost your impact! Will you do your part to power the type of news that builds a stronger community by donating to our NewsMatch campaign?
The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Dec. 13, 2023
THE PRT is proud to showcase the Circle Z Ranch, our Premier Sponsor of the PRT E-newsletter for 2024. The Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, where “authentic tradition meets unspoiled adventure,” understands the importance of community driven news and the need to share vital, up-to-date information with our readers. Circle Z Ranch is proud to show their support of the PRT by sponsoring our weekly e-newsletter. We are grateful for their partnership. If your business would like to be featured as a newsletter section sponsorship partner of the PRT, please click here for more info.
Community News
Wellness Center Abruptly Closes, But Food Pantry Remains Open
“The Food Pantry is open,” said Dena Ploetz, founder and president of Helping Hands Sonoita, the organization that oversees the Food Pantry at the intersection of Hwys. 82 and 83 in Sonoita, providing free food for residents of eastern Santa Cruz County. Recent turmoil at the newly established Wellness Center, which had been collaborating with the Food Pantry, has resulted in its abrupt closure. Wellness Center Director Daniel Blevins has formally resigned, and collaboration between the Pantry and the Wellness Center has ended. Click here to read more.
SCC Board of Supervisors Selects Miguel A. Lopez, – New County Justice of the Peace
Press Release On December 7, 2023, at a special meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the Board of Supervisors voted to appoint Miguel A. Lopez as Justice of the Peace, effective December 11, 2023. Mr. Lopez was appointed to replace Justice of the Peace Emilio G. Velasquez, who retired on December 1, 2023. Click here to read more.
Remember When???
The PRT has been hard at work placing online over 2,500 articles, photographs, artwork and poems from past years’ print editions. Take a walk down memory lane with this 2014 article…
Wake Me When It’s Over
By Ann Katzenbach
December 4, 2014
I am a bit of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas, which seems to be more about stuff and stress than spirit. The buildup is long and relentless, the aftermath often a case of “is that all there is?” or “thank God that’s over.” And, God does get into this somewhere—lest we forget, it’s Jesus’s birthday, but what would Jesus make of this celebration?
Click here for our updated list of all the locations across eastern Santa Cruz County where you can find a free copy of the latest issue of the PRT print edition. The PRT is published on the first Friday of every month (except July and September) and is available at these distribution points while supplies last.
Submitting Community Events to the PRT
The PRT is committed to sharing details and information about upcoming community events with our readers at no cost in our weekly e-newsletter. Due to the large number of submissions, the PRT will no longer be able to post each and every poster in our newsletter. We will share a link to your event page or poster, or a brief description of each event. Each week we will post one or two event flyers. Please share your events via email at least one week prior to the event date. Poster submissions require a JPEG format along with a brief typed description about the event in your email to Nisa Talavera, Assistant Editor at prtasted@gmail.com. All submissions for the Wednesday e-newsletter must be submitted by Monday, 5pm.
Upcoming Community Events
Volunteer produce boxes will be sent as usual, start and end times are the same 8-11am, contributors will all go through the line.
We will have our usual vendors sharing their products before Christmas, with the addition of Victoria’s Scones & Hot Cocoa! As always, please come out and support local!
If you know of anyone who is technology challenged, you can drop off your $16 cash or check made out to the VINE Church through the front door slot, in an envelope with your name, and we will go online and pre-order for you. Please do this ASAP.
Come on out and #supportLocal, Any questions, text 602.292.1616 Gardenia (see attached graphic to include, pls)
*Borderlands, in an effort to be more efficient is sending pre-order boxes only due to historically low attendance in December.
Dec.16: 10am – 4pm Sonoita Small Town Christmas. Click here to see event poster.
Dec. 17: 12:30 – 3pm – Book signing event with local author and photographer Jim Koweek and Dale Armstrong at Dos Cabezas Winery. Click here to view event flyer.
Jan. 7: 12 – 3pm Edge Beading Class at the Patagonia Creative Arts Association. Click here to see flyer.
Recycling Coming! Household recycling behind the Patagonia Post Office starting on Dec 21, 23 – (and ongoing Thursdays thereafter) 8:30-11:30am. Due to contamination in the past, the town of Patagonia is restarting recycling on a limited basis. Drive up, drop your stuff with a town employee or volunteer and be on your way. A flyer for acceptable items will be published next week. Donations appreciated.
Holiday Services
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Services – * 6 – 7pm – Vine Church – Candlelight Service ALL WELCOME – Cookie Reception following. The evening will feature the Community Christmas Choir! More info please text/call 602-292-1616
* 6pm Cowboy Church – Sonoita – Candlelight Service 520-455-5000
Live Music and Events
The Cafe In Sonoita All of the dates below are from 5 – 7pm Dec. 15: – Greg Morton – (Former Arizona State Guitar Champion). Dec. 22: – Clay Koweek.
Patagonia Lumber Co. Dec. 15: – 5 – 8pm Live music by Flamenco Guitarist, Nathaniel Burnside. Dec. 24: – 4 – 6pm Holiday Music by the Patagonia Minstrels.
Live at the Sage Stage –Autumn Sage Vineyards Dec. 16: – 1-4pm Music By Billy Shaw Jr. Jan. 6: 1 – 4pm Music By Warren Young.
AZ Hops and Vines Winery Dec. 16: 1 – 4pm Music By Sunny and The Whiskey Machine. Dec. 17: 1 – 3pm Music By Damon McLaughlin. Dec. 23: 1 – 4pm Keila and Mike LIVE.
Dos Cabezas Winery Dec. 17: – 12:30 – 3pm Book Signing for Jim Koweek’s new book “Sonoran Desert Plant ID For Everyone – A Nontechnical Field Guide” with a special appearance by Clay Koweek.
SCFPA – Benderly Series Concerts and Events Dec. 17: 3 – 4:30pm – Ear Palace Royal Ensemble – Concert Performance. Dec. 23: 3pm – Holiday Carol Sing – Benderly-Kendall Opera House. Carols, Cookies and Cider. Everyone is welcome.
Local Library Events
The Sonoita Library is closed for renovations. The re-open date will be announced sometime in the beginning of 2024.
For Monthly Events at the Patagonia Library, click here
Community Interest Items
SCCRFA is collecting unwrapped new toys through Dec. 14 for Sonoita Small Town Christmas Event.
Supporters of The Patagonia Community Garden are partnering with the SeedMoney Challenge grant project to raise money for the garden and receiving matching funds. Click here to read more.
Every Wednesday 12 – 3pm at the Patagonia Art Center – Crafting Circle. All welcome, bring your own supplies.
8:00a.m. – Every Sunday Community Family Bike Ride. Meet in front of the Patagonia Lumberyard.
Join the Santa Cruz County Democrats for enlightening talks every 3rd Friday of each month 12 – 1pm. Full details and the Nogales location will be provided. Click here to view more details. The Santa Cruz County Democratic Party LUNCH AND LEARN will be taking a holiday break in December but will resume in 2024 at noon on the 3rd Friday of each month. Special Event at the Tin Shed Theater – Jan. 7: 12pm and Feb 9: 3pm. “The Janes” an award-winning documentary. Joined by Heather Booth, one of the original “Janes”, following the screening for a Zoom question and answer period. Refreshments will be served. Suggested donation for the event is $10.
Community Employment Opportunities
SEFD is hiring a Captain/PM. Click here to see more details about the position.
Community Farmers Market Schedule
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. Click here for more info. Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales. Click here for more info.
Local Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
PRT E-Newsletter Advertisers
Copyright © 2023 Patagonia Regional Times
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1073 Patagonia, AZ, 85624
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
Our emailing address is:
prtasted@gmail.com