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Lobos closing in on state playoff berths
Alex Ruskowitz, Kannon Shore and Gus Varela have helped the Lobos to six wins in their last seven games heading into the postseason. Photo by Dave Lumia
Seniors Valeria Castellanos, Brianna Majalca and Emma Lewton lead the Lobos into the 1A South region tournament. Photo by Dave Lumia
It’s been a long uphill climb, but the state playoffs are within reach for the Patagonia High girls and boys basketball teams.
Both teams are currently ranked 23rd in Class 1A heading into this weekend’s 1A South regional tournament in St. David. The top 24 boys and girls teams after this weekend earn state playoff berths.
The Patagonia girls will play Valley Union at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, and the boys take on Lourdes Catholic at 7 p.m.
Both teams enter the postseason with positive momentum.
The girls are 10-13 overall but have won their last two games and five of their last seven. They defeated San Manuel 55-25 last Friday, getting 17 points from Valeria Castellanos, 16 from Emma Lewton and 12 from Brianna Majalca, and then finished the regular season with a 67-8 thumping of Lourdes Catholic on Monday. The Lobos will be trying to avenge two regular-season losses to Valley Union – 38-27 on Jan. 29 and 41-33 on Dec. 18.
The Lobo boys (14-13 overall) survived a dizzying late-season schedule that saw them playing seven games over an 11-day stretch without several of their key players. They won six of the seven games and have a 9-3 record since the start of January.
The lone loss over the final seven games was a 49-43 setback at Valley Union last Thursday. Valley Union shot 59 percent from the field, outrebounded the Lobos 29-19 and forced 24 turnovers. Patagonia senior center Gavin Arbizo sat out with an ankle injury, and senior guard Noah Gallardo suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the game.
The loss threatened to derail the Lobos’ late-season surge, but they regrouped and managed to win their final three games, all on the road.
On Friday, they traveled to San Manuel and came away with a 46-36 victory. Junior Kannon Shore had 22 points and 11 rebounds, senior Gus Varela scored 15, making four three-point baskets, and sophomore Marco Vasquez had 10 rebounds.
Varela missed Monday’s game at Lourdes Catholic due to illness, but Arbizo made a limited return to the court, and the Lobos responded with their best offensive performance of the season. They made 10 three-point baskets – including five by Shore and three by Vasquez – en route to a 69-52 win. Shore finished with 29 points, Vasquez had 16 and Diego Padilla scored 11.
The Lobos finished up the whirlwind stretch with a 53-20 win at ASDB on Tuesday. Arbizo sat out again, but Patagonia was in control from start to finish. Shore led the scoring with 14 points, and Vasquez, who has stepped up his game while taking on a larger role, added nine.
In a Jan. 30 press release, the City of Nogales, the Town of Patagonia, Santa Cruz County and South32 outlined how they were advancing a Community Protection & Benefit Agreement for South32’s Hermosa project. Click here to read the press release.
Callaghan, Four Tails earn medals at San Francisco Chronicle wine competition
Elgin-based Callaghan Vineyards earned a total of 15 medals: two double gold (unanimous), four golds, eight silvers and one bronze. The award winners were 2023 Mourvedre and 2023 Red Blend ($40 double gold); 2022 East and West Grenache-leading Red Blend, 2022 North and South Grenache-leading Red Blend and 2023 Graciano ($40 gold); 2023 Petit Verdot Dessert Wine ($25 gold); 2024 Greg’s Petit Manseng and 2024 Sagrantino ($45 silver); 2022 Mourvedre, 2023 Frere, 2023 La Osa Blanco White Blend, 2022 Tannat and 2023 Lisa’s White Blend ($40 silver); 2023 Barrett’s Rose Sparkling ($35 silver); and 2024 Barrett’s Rose Sparkling ($35 bronze).
Cochise County-based Four Tails Vineyards, which has its tasting room in Sonoita, earned seven medals: one gold, five silvers and one bronze. Its award winners were 2022 Amigos Petit Verdot ($32 gold); 2022 Jealousy Cabernet Sauvignon ($55 silver); 2022 Double Trouble Cabernet Sauvignon ($38 silver); 2022 Big Paw Petite Sirah ($36 silver); 2022 Short Temper Tempranillo ($33 silver); 2024 Pretty Girls Viognier ($26 silver); and 2024 Pete Rose Dry Rose ($24 bronze).
AI family drama ‘Marjorie Prime’ coming to Tin Shed Theater
The Patagonia Creative Arts Association will present a staged reading of the play “Marjorie Prime” by Jordon Harrison on February 20 and 21 at 7pm and Feb. 22 at 3pm.
Here is the press release:
A four-person play first performed in 2014, “Marjorie Prime” begins as a family drama about an elderly widow who interacts with a human-like replica of her late husband Walter to jog her failing memory. Marjorie’s Walter Prime relies on information from her daughter Tess and son-in-law Jon to develop a more complex understanding of his own history. As their interactions deepen, the family begins to develop diverging accounts of their lives, while drawn in to the chance to reconstruct a painful past.
In November 2025 the play was revived on Broadway. According to a recent New York Times review, since it was first produced “the way we take in ‘Marjorie Prime’ has completely changed because the story revolves around the use of artificial intelligence, which is now a reality affecting our daily life. If anything, the show rustles up more questions—and stirs up more trouble—than it did ten years ago because we’re not dealing with hypotheticals anymore.”
The staged reading format for this production has actors with scripts in hand after a shortened rehearsal process, limited staging and movement. Performing a play in this way offers unique challenges to the actors; however, the performers fully act out the playwright’s story, creating an intimate and engaging theatrical experience for the audience, according to Director Gail Cleveland.
The cast includes Rick Jaynes as Walter Prime, Anesa Miller as Tess, Steve Watts as Jon and Eva Wright as Marjorie.
Tickets are $5 at the door of the Tin Shed Theater.
Here comes Valentine’s Day, which means…
Click flyer to send email
Down by a creek not far from here
Vail-based independent wildlife videographer Jason Miller has posted a six-minute video of fresh wildlife footage from trail cams near our area. Turn up the volume, and have a look and listen:
Did you catch the javelina yawning? If not, better hit that replay button!
To submit an announcement, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Click flyer to send email requesting additional information
ADOT’s SR 83 lane restrictions in Sonoita are scheduled to continue through April, with temporary driveway closures now extended to run through Feb. 6: click here for more information
BLM is offering permits to collect dead and downed mesquite west of Cieneguita Campground through March 1: click here for more information
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Civics summit provides inspiration for Patagonia High students
Contributed photo
Patagonia High School National Honor Society and Student Government members trekked to State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 20 for the inaugural Civics Matters Arizona Summit. Click here to read Sondra Porter’s report.
Join us in the MPR! Students have been working on projects and will have their work on display for the community to check out; we will also have a small robotics demonstration on hand that evening.
Click flyer for more details
Dine out for a great cause! Join us for our upcoming restaurant fundraisers and help support Patagonia students, events, and activities. Bring your family and friends and dine local on these upcoming dates! Click here for more details.
To list an event, please submit an image file 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!
February 6: Potluck Presentation at the Research Ranch
Friends of Patagonia Library is hosting its annual trivia night fundraiser on Saturday, February 7 at Cady Hall. Players can buy individual tickets or reserve a table by contacting the Patagonia Library. 520-394-2010
Click flyer for more info and to make a reservation
Click flyer to register by email
Click flyer to send email
Click flyer to buy tickets
Click flyer for more info
March 7: ‘Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum’ at The Patagonia Museum
The Patagonia Museum board is pleased to announce that our facility has been chosen to host the ROAD TO 250: ARIZONA TRAVELING MUSEUM. The facility was nominated by Town Manager Ron Robinson and selected by a commission from the Secretary of State’s office, along with Nogales, to represent Santa Cruz County.
The exhibit, housed in a custom, retrofitted semi-trailer, features an interactive display highlighting Arizona’s role in America’s 250-year history. It will be in Patagonia on the Museum grounds on March 7, one of 33 stops in the state on a road trip that begins in the original state capital, Prescott, on Feb 14.
Program details are being developed, and we hope the community will join us on that day for a unique, nonpartisan celebration of civic pride.
Are we excited that 2026 is the Year of the Horse? You bet your boots we are!
Come ride through rolling hills on trails that cowboys have travelled for over 100 years during our annual Spring Trail Ride on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Historic Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ.
Two-hour guided rides depart at 8:00 am, 11:00 am & 2:00 pm. Rent a horse or Bring Your Own. Enjoy live music, docent tours, and lunch before or after your ride.
To list an event, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Fresh vegetable distribution Mondays at the Patagonia Senior Center
Come with friends and pick up your weekly fresh vegetables from East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank every Monday at the Patagonia Senior Center (100 Quiroga Ln, Patagonia) at 10:30am. Take what you need and give what you can.
Thursdays: ‘Open Forum‘ at Patagonia Senior Center
A time to share personal stories, interests and ideas.
Thursdays at 1pm after senior lunch
February 5: THE SACRED PIPE — Chuck Kelly on the peace pipe in Native American lore
February 12: COLOR— Jacqui Treinen on the influence of color on our lives
February 19: HISTORY OF MUSIC — Janet Palmer on the Baroque period
February 26: THE LORD’S PRAYER — Chuck Kelly on the prayer, as understood in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke
An 80-year-long study by Harvard University found that the quality of our relationships helps us live longer, happier lives, more so than genetics.
Community provides the grounding force of being seen, known, and supported through life’s ups and downs. There is space in our lives for both self-care and community care.
The phrase ‘inconvenience is the cost of community’ has become a popular slogan online, referring to the effort required to maintain meaningful connections with others—effort which we seemingly are less and less willing to make, even as we crave connection.
Borderlands POWWOW in Sonoita, AZ is always on the third Saturday of the month. At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 LBS of produce. No residential or income requirements.
If you’d like to join the Community Volunteer Team or become a Market Vendor, please text/call gardenia 602.292.1616. AND if you know of any youth in the community who would like or need volunteer hours, we can provide documentation for those who would like to volunteer;
If you’d like to lend a hand, this is what you would be doing… Sorting and Packing fresh produce, and assisting participants as they go through our farmer’s market style line. The shifts are 6:30-9:30 AM and/or 8:30-11:30 AM. *Those who volunteer for a shift will receive a complimentary unit of produce. If you’d like to give back to your community in this way, please call/text gardenia 602.292.1616 and let us know which dates and shifts you’re able to volunteer. Thank you all in advance! What we do, we do together! GM
Click flyer for sign-up info
Alcoholics Anonymous:
Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Highway 83, Sonoita. Doors open at 6:30. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
Each year this program awards up to three early-career scientists with:
A cash award of $1,000 to be used on any research-related expenses; gear, books, travel, conferences, etc.
A $500 housing voucher to be used for lodging on the Research Ranch
Opportunities to share their work through our annual AWRR Fellowship Webinar Series and Audubon websites, newsletters, social media, and more
Applications are due by midnight on March 30 and more information (including eligibility details, information about past fellows, and a scoring rubric) can be found here.
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)
To advertise in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin or website—or a custom package—contact Priscilla Bolanos at prtads@gmail.comor 520-313-6062.
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RSVP required! Sign up for this and future potlucks: https://bit.ly/2026potlucks
February 6, 2026 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch
RSVP: bit.ly/2026potlucks
Bring a dish to share
