Opinion

The largest private sector employer in Santa Cruz County is the produce industry. For over 100 years, the Nogales port of entry was the major entry point for fresh produce from Mexico to the US, but recently lost that long time success to Hidalgo, Texas. Arizona’s share of fresh produce imports declined from 44.7% to […]

Mid-morning on September 20. 18 yellow school buses packed with eager, noisy students from all over Santa Cruz County roll past Deborah Fellow’s bronze cowboy at the entrance to the Sonoita Fairgrounds for the 104th annual County Fair. Carnival rides squeeze in next to the baseball park and the soccer field is covered with parked […]

Growing up in a home with a caregiver or caregivers who abuse alcohol is setting up the child for lifelong challenges and is classified as one of the ten Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) that can predict adult health problems. Often unresolved generational trauma and psychological challenges are hidden behind the seemingly casual or overtly abusive […]

We live in an “enchanted place,” according to a Pulitzer Prize-winning book. Its author, naturalist Edwin Way Teale, described Patagonia’s site along Sonoita Creek as one filled with wildlife, woods, surprising people and delightful mountain trails. Because of such unique natural and cultural assets at our doorstep, the 2009 Patagonia General Plan outlined planning principles […]

Reform Mining Law Patagonia, Arizona is my chosen home because it offers a healthy diversity of people, plants and animals, clean air and water, dark night skies and a natural and beautiful environment that supports quality of life. It is home and habitat for a wide variety of birds, butterflies, bees and wild animals…all necessary […]

When the Buddha received enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he understood that life is full of suffering and that we suffer more because of our attachments. If we spend a few minutes alone in silence it becomes apparent how attached we are to the outcome of our efforts, how attached we are to our identities […]

The County fair is over and once again my heart is full. As I type this, I’m dealing with the aftermath of this three-day weekend. This includes a headache from lack of sleep, a rash around my ankles from sweaty socks because of the poor choice of wearing yellow rubber chicken boots for six solid […]

I spoke recently with someone who is famously unimpressed by our species’ progress toward wisdom and compassion. “Do you see any concrete evidence of progress?” I inquired. “Yes,” she said. “Dolls, band-aids, and emojis now come in different colors.” Some folks are blessed with lovely skin. Some not. We live in mixed-up times today, when […]

The SCC Board of Supervisors have proposed yet another property tax increase from $3.88 to $3.98 for every $100 of assessed value. Add to that county and local fire, school, and flood district tax rates and watch the balloon inflate! SCC property taxes have increased seven of the last eight years, Pima has decreased taxes […]