The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Oct. 16, 2024
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News
Everyone Was There, Even the Alpacas
Comet C/2023 Makes a Spectacular Appearance
Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS performed as predicted on the night of October 13. It became visible just after sunset and grew more impressive as the western sky darkened. Seen at first through binoculars, it brightened to a naked eye object within minutes.
The comet’s full name indicates that it is non-periodic (C), coming our way once every 80,000 years. It was the third (3) comet discovered in January (A) 2023 first by the Chinese observatory in Tsuchinshan and then the following month by the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Last Alert System in South Africa (ATLAS).
The nucleus of the comet is between one and two miles wide and made of water, rock, dust, ice and various gasses. The tail, created when solar wind and heat blast the nucleus, is estimated to be up to 18 million miles long.
C/2023, at its closest approach, was 44 million miles from Earth, a little less than half-way between the Earth and the Sun. Having now swung around our star, it is starting to recede from our view as it heads back to the far reaches of the solar system. At its brightest, it rivaled the spectacular Comet Hale-Bopp which appeared in 1995.
Comets pick up speed as they experience more of the Sun’s gravity. Comet C/2023’s top speed was about 150,000mph. It was fast, but it never posed a risk to our planet.
Too many of our friends and family members had no chance to see this once-in-a-lifetime event due to light pollution. It should give us pause and give us even more motivation to find ways to keep the nighttime sky as dark as possible.
Lobos Volleyball Climbs to 10th in State With 3 Straight Wins
By Dave Lumia
With six games left in the regular season, the Patagonia High School volleyball team has put itself in strong position for a return to the state tournament for the first time since 2016.
The Lobos have climbed to 10th in the Class 1A rankings after rattling off three consecutive victories over the past week: 25-8, 25-22, 25-14 over Baboquivari; 25-20, 25-9, 19-25, 25-17 over San Simon; and 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 over Valley Union. Sixteen teams qualify for the state tournament, which begins on Nov. 5.
The wins improved Patagonia’s record to 9-4 overall and 3-1 in 1A South region play heading into their home game tonight (Wednesday) against second-ranked St. David, which comes to town with an 11-1 record. Click here to continue reading.
Paton Center Open During Construction
By Tom Brown, Site Manager for Paton Center for Hummingbirds
The Paton Center is open during construction!
We have gotten the first phase of roof installation finished—the remediation of asbestos and old roofing material. There will be continued construction on the house for the next couple of weeks, but any closures will be very short, to safely unload construction and roofing materials. Visitors might encounter construction sounds, which, after three days of banging and crashing around here, I can say has had very little effect on the birds. Many of the workers were thrilled to see hummingbirds flying around them, checking to see what all the fuss was!
While the work will continue for a couple of weeks, you are welcome to come for a visit! We just ask that you please pay attention to any areas that are cordoned off with yellow safety tape.
Feral Hogs, Big Cats, Coatis, Bears and More
Jason Miller, the Vail-based independent wildlife videographer, has posted a new five-minute compilation of recently captured candid footage of local wildlife from his trailcams in our area. Have a look:
For more of Jason’s wildlife videos, follow him at his YouTube channel and on Instagram.
Time to Vote!
Early voting in this fall’s general election has begun.
For information on everything to do with this fall’s General Election, the public is invited to consult the PRT 2024 Voter’s Guide to Local Elections. The PRT Voter’s Guide is a free online resource that features the PRT’s text interviews, forums and Zoom interviews conducted with candidates. You’ll also find links to other County and State informational resources regarding the voting and counting processes, as well as useful nonpartisan information, like the League of Women Voters’ pamphlet on the statewide ballot propositions.
The PRT Voter’s Guide is being updated regularly—in the last week we’ve added a link to State Representative Lupe Diaz’s response to our candidate questionaire—so be sure to bookmark the page and consult it before you fill out your ballot.
Click here to go the PRT Voter’s Guide page.
Did you know that as part of our mission, the PRT does not charge to publish obituaries?
Please support the PRT — every dollar counts!
Remember When?
Over the last two years, we’ve posted nearly 3,000 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from November, 2016…
Singing Pastor Tom
By Linda Jade Fong
November 4, 2016
It’s the start of Vacation Bible School week, and the newly appointed pastor stands in the pulpit. A six-foot inflatable dolphin, suspended on a string, is floating toward his head. He reaches up and points to the object swinging in the breeze. He says, “You see, here at Patagonia Community Church, we have a porpoise!” The congregation groans.
This is the Reverend Tom Jelinek, the new pastor who has quickly made his mark with his easy, approachable manner and simple, clear messages.
School Announcements
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!
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 – Fridays at 7pm. 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 recently 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.
The Patagonia Museum has joined the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle fundraiser. The grand prize is a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. 100% of proceeds sold by the Patagonia Museum will benefit the museum. Please contact a board member of the museum to buy your chance(s) to win. Click here to learn more about the grand prize. To learn more about the additional prizes that are available, click here.
On Saturday, October 19, from 4pm to 8pm, the Patagonia Museum Board of Trustees will host a Member Appreciation Dinner. Jim Koweek will provide the entertainment. Please save the date and if you are not a museum member please consider joining.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming academy classes for Patrol Deputy, Adult Detention Officer, and the Communications Division (Dispatch).
Starting Salaries:
Deputy: $49,595.00/Year
Detention Officer: $42,766.00/Year
Dispatch: $42,766.00/Year
Please complete an application and submit it to the Santa Cruz County Human Resource Office. Application Link: https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/documentcenter/view/3602
Farmers Markets
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.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales.
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
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.
