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Photo of the week
The “strawberry moon” rises on June 10. Photo by Elizabeth, a resident of Sonoita.
News
Come and get it!
A new initiative created by a network of Patagonia nonprofits, community institutions, volunteers and donors to offer free bag lunches to kids on weekdays this summer swung into action earlier this week. 42 lunches were served to kids on Monday at the Patagonia Creative Arts Center, with 45 lunches served the following day.
“We are receiving lots of support from the community, through cash and food donations,” said Patagonia Creative Arts Association director Cassina Farley, one of the organizers of the new program. “The [East Santa Cruz Community] Food Bank kicked in food donations too.”
The plan is for the program to continue for the rest of the summer. For more details, see “Community Preps Summer Lunch Program for Kids” by Sondra Porter in the June/July issue of the PRT.
Want to get involved? Folks can sign up to make sandwiches and fill lunch bags; donate food items from a list that is available; or donate funds to help the program. Contact the PCAA at patagoniacreativearts.org for details.
Klostermans celebrate 70th anniversary
By Heidi Klosterman
Sunday afternoon about 50 friendly faces gathered at the Velvet Elvis at La Mision to congratulate Dick & Phyllis Klosterman on their 70th wedding anniversary. There was music by the Red Mountain Gorillas, where Dick sang love songs to his bride of 70 years; delicious chocolate cake from MorQ BBQ; laughter; and good friends. The party was hosted by Deb and Heidi, the oldest and the youngest of their five children.
We are honored to have such wonderful friendships here in Patagonia and want to thank each of you for showing up to help us celebrate this monumental occasion. What a rare and special gift to have 70 years together and still living a rich life. How blessed are we all to know and love them. It was a truly special day made even more memorable by the wonderful friends and community of Patagonia.
A special thanks to the Velvet Elvis and the wait staff for making this a seamless event.
Agenda for June 11 Patagonia Town Council Meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its first regular meeting of the month on Wednesday, June 11 at 6pm. As always, members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862 Password 338501
Agenda items for this meeting include:
* Discussion and possible action to move forward on acquiring new playground equipment (a play slide and rock-climbing wall) for Richardson Park for $87,990.09, with almost all funding coming from South32.
* Discussion and possible action to appoint a Council members to the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Board of Directors as the Town Council representative for a one-year term. Council member Steve Finch currently holds that position.
* Discussion and possible action to approve the amended Library Director job description. The amended job description has not been made available to the public, or to the PRT.
The complete agenda for the June 11 meeting is available here.
The next regular Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 25 at 6pm.
Candidates for Congress spar at debates
Eight candidates competing in the July 15 Republican and Democratic party primaries to serve out the remainder of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s term in Congress met earlier this week in two debates. Both debates are now available to stream, for free.
The debates were produced by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and the Arizona Media Association.
Republican candidates Daniel Butierez, Jorge Rivas, and Jimmy Rodriguez debated on Monday, June 9:
And Democratic candidates Deja Foxx, Adelita Grijalva, Patrick Harris, Sr., Daniel Hernandez Jr., and Jose Malvido Jr. debated on Tuesday, June 10:
Song of the Rufous-winged sparrow
By Vince Pinto
The Rufous-winged sparrow is a “Mexican Specialty” species, one that barely breaches the international border to enter the US. In spring and during the summer monsoons males begin to sing their distinct song—heard in the video above—which consists of a series of accelerated, high-pitched notes, the totality of which has been compared to a bee-bee coming to rest on a pane of glass.
These sparrows consume a diet of seeds and insects, generally in habitats with a combination of Mesquite and Catclaw trees with a significant component of grasses and forbs. They are year-round residents at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.
The Sky Islands host the most sparrow species on Earth, including the Rufous-winged sparrow, which was not identified by science until 1872. Perhaps this was an artifact of the relative remoteness of southeast Arizona at the time. This species relies upon healthy woodland-grassland habitats, and are adversely affected by livestock overgrazing. From 1886 until 1915—a period of severe overstocking of cattle in the region—the species was not recorded in Arizona.
School News and Youth Events
PUHS students visit War Memorial during D.C. trip
Above: Adahir Ayon, Alex Ruskowitz, Lenin Albarrán, Skylar Sanchez, Luis Reyes, Jaxon Yslava and Noah Gallardo pose in front of the US Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia last week. The students were in Washington, D.C. as participants in Civics Matters Arizona, a four-day program for incoming 11th and 12th graders aimed at empowering participation in the democratic system. For more information on the program, see “PUHS Students Headed to D.C.” by Carrie White.
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in the PRT Weekly News Bulletin, 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!
Drink pink! Local wineries celebrate National Rosé Day this Saturday, June 14
At least one dozen Sonoita and Elgin wineries will mark National Rosé Day on Saturday, June 14 with special pairings, discounts, live entertainment and more. Click here for more information.
*Community Rummage Sale at The Vine on Friday & Saturday, JUNE 27th & 28th !!
8 am – 2 pm both days – 3107 AZ-83 (across from Sonoita Propane)
**We are accepting donations of household goods, bedding, toys, clothing, furniture etc.
Please text/call 602.292.1616 for details & collection information. AND if you’d like to lend a hand, we could use the extra help. *please see flyer
Recurring Events
Come pick up your June Supplemental Food Bag at the ESCCC Food Bank this Saturday, June 14, 8:30am to 10:30am.
*JUNE Produce on Wheels Without Waste (POWWOW) on Saturday, June 21st!! Please note: It’s getting hot and the June market is from 6 AM – 8 AM only.Borderlands has an abundance of produce this month!
We need some additional volunteers for our last POWWOW with folks out-of-town. Questions please text/call 602.292.1616
*At POWWOW it is a suggested $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 ;D
Follow @SonoitaAZCommunityMarket on FB & IG to see our Veggie Varieties the Friday afternoon before the market! *please see flyer
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
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.
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.
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 News Bulletin, website or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Private collector interested in buying good quality minerals from the Patagonia area and other Arizona locations. Please contact Bob Stewart, 315-440-2786 (Sahuarita)
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