The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Sept. 4, 2024
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News
A Barrel of Fun
Last weekend’s 109th Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo saw 5,533 attendees come through the Sonoita Fairgrounds gates during the three-day event, an increase over the previous year’s attendance. 315 pro rodeo contestants competed in the rodeo, and 178 kids participated in the junior rodeo that took place before the main event.
New to the Rodeo weekend this year were concerts, held between the junior rodeo and the pro rodeo. Mounted drill team performances by the Copper State Renegades and B Troop from Fort Huachuca also entertained the crowds.
“It was a good weekend,” Fairgrounds manager Lacy Beyer said.
The PRT will have more photos and news from the Rodeo in its next issue, out Oct. 4.
Help Improve Roadway Safety
Public Service Announcement, via the SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) and the Sierra Vista Metropolitan Planning Organization (SVMPO):
Southeast Arizona Transportation Safety Improvement Plan
Your elected officials and staff of the Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz Counties are concerned about the causes of fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. We are taking a look at why crashes are happening and looking for ways to reduce tragic life altering events for everyone traveling throughout the region.
In the last five years over half of the deaths and serious injuries on our roads are being caused by choices drivers are making.
We want to find out what you think about your safety on our roadways. Your ideas will help us identify what the community thinks is the biggest problem and where we should direct funds to make safety improvements.
For more information, and to post comments on the project’s interactive map and participate in the online survey, click here: seazsafetyplan.org
To go directly to the online survey for Santa Cruz County, click here.
Bird Diseases Spreading in Patagonia
By Tom Brown, Site Manager at Paton Center for Hummingbirds
As much as I would like to be writing this story about all the wonderful migrant birds that are starting to pass through our community, I have a much more serious topic that needs to be discussed. There are a couple of bird diseases that are now in our area.
County Schedules Sept. 18 Meeting to Update Public on Cross Creek Connector
Santa Cruz County staff will present an update on the Cross Creek Connector project at a public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 4:30-6:00pm at the Patagonia Union High School Cafeteria. This will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback. County Supervisor Bruce Bracker, County Manager Jesus Valdez and other County staff will be in attendance to answer questions.
All About the Emory Oak
The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Fellow Webinar Series begins next Wednesday, Sept. 4 with this event:
The Emory Oak – A cultural and ecological keystone species and an icon of the Southwest
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm
A keystone plant in southeastern Arizona, Emory Oak feeds birds like the Montezuma Quail, Mexican Jay, and Acorn Woodpecker; provides shelter for nesting Azure Bluebirds and sleeping Coatimundi; and in ways defines the Madrean oak savannahs that can be seen from any window on the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch. Just as importantly, Emory Oak acorns have long been gathered and consumed by Indigenous communities including the Yavapai, Tonto, San Carlos, and White Mountain Apache Tribes.
During this lunchtime webinar, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Fellow Laura Nicholson will explore the identification and biology of this emblematic tree, the ways that emerging pathogens, drought, climate change, and other threats may be impacting its survival, and practical steps we can take to protect the Emory oak and the southwestern ecosystems that depend on it.
Click here to register for the webinar
For more on the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Fellow Webinar Series, scroll down to the “Upcoming Events” section.
Crickets and Grasshoppers Beauty Contest
We’re looking for great photos of this year’s crickets and grasshoppers to share with the 2,000+ readers of this newsletter. If you’ve got one (or two, or three), please email it to prtadast@gmail.com — the higher the resolution the better. Thank you!
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 over 2,900 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from August, 2013…
A Near Death Experience
By Cassina Farley
August 1, 2013
Ahhhhh monsoon season. I love the rain. I like the green hillsides and croaking frogs—the storms that break out in the middle of the night with heavy rain, gale-force winds and lightning, not so much. The last couple of storms were doozies. The electricity went out and all we could do was creep around with a flashlight in the dark. Which leads me to a funny story…
School Announcements
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming events in this newsletter, pleas submit a link to your event page or poster/flyer, or a brief description of the event. Poster/flyer submissions require an image in JPEG format, along with a brief description of the event. 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
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. Museum Members, save the date – Oct. 19, from 4-8 pm for a complimentary meal, refreshments and entertainment at the museum facility.
Raffle for the Elgin Cemetery Refurbishment Project. Click here to learn more.
Employment Opportunities
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
Our Advertisers
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