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Road signs at Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Elgin.Photo by Faith Boice McCabe
PVFR responded to a fire call at Bird Song Casitas on Forest Drive on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 4. A 2024 Sprinter-type RV belonging to a guest of theirs had fire coming out of the roof when a man working next door called it in. The owner had recently retired and had all he owned in the RV. Unfortunately it was a total loss. Two vehicles parked next to the RV received some damage, as well as a power pole.
Our department was dispatched at 9:44am, and had water flowing at 10:00am. In all, three trucks and 12 volunteers from PVFR, and two trucks with five staff from Sonoita-Elgin Fire District responded under our mutual aid agreement. The fire was contained by 10:15am, with Sonoita released an hour later, and Patagonia shortly after that.
No injuries occurred, and we shared information with the victim to help with clothing or support of any kind.
PVFR crews engage with a burning RV at the Feb. 4 fire at Bird Song Casitas in Patagonia.Video courtesy PVFR
Lobos head to St. David for regional basketball tournament
Jan. 31 PUHS Hoopcoming senior royalty: Princess Meghan Aguilar, prince D.J. Castro, queen Alexis Fimbres, king Gabe Nunez.Photo by Dave Lumia
By Dave Lumia
Patagonia High School’s girls and boys basketball teams will travel to St. David on Thursday, Feb. 6 for the first round of the 1A South Regional tournament.
The Lobo girls (6-11), ranked 28th in Class 1A, will play Valley Union (6-10) at 2:30pm. The Lobo boys (9-9), ranked 27th, will take on San Simon (6-12) at 7pm. With victories, they would play again on Friday. Losses will bring their season to an end.
Patagonia’s regular season ended on Tuesday night with road games at Willcox. The girls lost 55-17, while the boys lost 57-30.
The girls team has been playing short-handed all season and was without senior Alexis Fimbres and junior Brianna Majalca in last week’s home finale. The Lobos played Valley Union twice during the regular season, losing 48-19 and 38-26.
The Lobo boys have lost five of their last six games and have also been bitten by the injury bug lately. Johnny Fields, Jaxon Yslava and Kannon Shore are doubtful for Thursday’s game. The Lobos swept both regular-season games against San Simon by scores of 44-42 and 51-26.
Rotary raising funds for fire victims, Feb. 10 Community Dinner fundraiser planned
From Mountain Empire Rotary Club:
Mountain Empire Rotary Club has teamed up with several other clubs in the I-19 corridor area to collectively match up to $10,000 in funds raised by the community between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12. Funds can be donated online to the two Rotary Districts most directly affected by the Los Angeles County fires.
“These dinners are a great place for our community to gather and show support for others in a time of crisis,” said Mountain Empire Rotary Club President Anneliese Dompe. “We are grateful for support from local businesses—Rafter Meats, Baker’s Home Furnishings and Red Tail Real Estate—to ensure that every dollar donated on Monday will go directly to people affected by these devastating recent fires.”
There’s no cost to attend the dinner. Mountain Empire Rotary Club is asking people to make donations at the door in whatever amount they feel comfortable giving. Funds raised at the dinner will be divided equally—half to Patty and Ted and half to the California fire victims.
The menu will include pulled pork sandwiches and sides. Dinner will be served until 7pm, while supplies last.
Click flyer for more info or to sign up
Animal Sounds
Jason Miller, the Vail-based independent wildlife videographer, has posted a delightful five-minute compilation of close-up footage of a range of local wildlife sourced from one of his pondcams. Turn up the volume, and have a look and listen:
For the Patagonia Elementary 2024-5 First Semester Honor Roll, click here.
For the PUHS 2024-5 First Semester Honor Roll, click here.
Sign-Ups Open Now for Free 13-Week ‘Universe Within’ Fridays Program for 4th-8th Graders
Click flyer to register
From Mat Bevel Company:
Art and science nonprofit Mat Bevel Company is getting ready to start unit 3 of The Universe Within next Friday, February 7 at the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue upstairs loft. Students will build sustainable electri-cities on their planets, deciding what natural sources they’ll harvest to power their cities and designing the community layout with natural and built environments. Then, they’ll wire up their communities with lights, buzzers and motors! This is a free 13-week immersive world-building program. We are ordering materials so sign up your 4th-8th graders now. Text Paula Schaper at 520-604-6273 or sign up online: https://the-universe-within.org/the-power-of-electricity-sign-up/
Reminder: Elgin School STEAM Night Is Thursday, Feb. 6
From Elgin School:
This event is a wonderful opportunity for students, families, and community members to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on activities, engaging demonstrations, and fun interactions with professionals from various fields.
We are thrilled to connect this event with our One School One Book title, Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck, with themed activities and snacks! The event is open the public, all community members are welcome. We hope to see you there!
Click flyer for more info
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in this newsletter, please submit a poster/flyer in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Join us and Jason “the Birdnerd” St. Sauver, Senior Education Manager at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Nebraska, on Feb. 7 at 5pm, for our next Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch potluck presentation! Jason will discuss several priority grassland bird species, explore how they connect across the country’s grasslands and compare to grassland species of the southwest, and share current tools and techniques used for management and tracking—from fire to bird banding (with some entertaining bird songs and calls thrown in for good measure!). Sign up here: https://bit.ly/2025potlucks
Click flyer to email makeart1@msn.com for more info or to register
Click flyer to RSVP via email to egallaher.chop@gmail.com
Click flyer for more information and to register
Click flyer for more info and to make reservations
Click flyer for more info and to register
Local Items of Interest
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous:
Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Overeaters Anonymous: to find a meeting go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
The Patagonia Senior Center has received a grant from Delta Dental of Phoenix to help seniors with dental expenses. Vouchers are provided for up to $350 to participating dentists. If interested, please call the Senior Center at (520) 394-2494.
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Click flyer for more info
Santa Rita Abbey has a new part time job opening in its altar bread bakery. Position is Monday through Friday mornings assisting with the manufacturing of Communion Hosts. Contact Sister Pam for further details. 520-455-0481 (no text messaging) or cistercianab@gmail.com.
Job Opportunity: Conservation Strategist This full-time position will lead the consolidation of Borderlands Restoration Network’s conservation initiative to protect and enhance wildlife connectivity in the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora. The Conservation Strategist will identify opportunities for enhancing wildlife corridors, assess future threats, and evaluate conservation potential while developing partnerships with landowners, governmental agencies, and conservation organizations.
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, weekly newsletter, website, or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
