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Photos of the week
Above: Protesters armed with flags and colorful handmade signs turned out in Patagonia last Saturday for a large ‘No Kings’ demonstration. Photo gallery by Robert Gay. For the PRT’s report on the event, see “Patagonia’s Part in ‘No Kings’ Day.”
News
SEFD Board to discuss proposed annual budget at public meeting this Monday, June 23
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District (SEFD) Board of Directors meets will be discussing the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025/26 at its meeting on Monday, June 23 at 9am at the Fire Station at 3173 N. Highway 83 in Sonoita.
The meeting is open for public discussion and comments, and may also be attended via Zoom with Meeting ID 839 6668 2690. Click here to view the meeting’s agenda.
With inflation persisting and costs going up, SEFD is proposing a slight increase in the property tax rate in its proposed budget. For more information, see “Notes From SEFD: What’s Happening With Taxes This Year?” by SEFD Board member Eddie McArthur from the June/July issue of the PRT.
Budget documents may be downloaded from the SEFD website.
Sonoita/Elgin committee pushes to spend grant funds on website, preservation efforts
By Carrie White
At a June 10 meeting of the Sonoita/Elgin Planning and Preservation Committee (SEPPC), the citizen-led committee agreed on two priorities for using approximately $130,000, the remaining available funds from an original $300,000 grant awarded to Santa Cruz County for cuisine tourism.
The committee’s recommendations, based on feedback from the April 25 town hall attended by roughly 100 community members, are:
- Development of a website to create a communication hub for the community while also promoting local business/area events;
- The preservation of dark skies, wildlife and historic sites.
Moving forward, the committee will work with Chris Young, deputy county manager, on the allocation of the remaining monies. The SEPPC will meet again on June 24 to discuss recommendations.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, with a deadline of September 30, 2025 for its use.
A gift of green space for all
News release from Friends of Sonoita Creek
Did you know there is a shaded walking trail off of McKeown Avenue adjacent to Doc Mock Park? For locals this well-known trail has been a pathway to the Patagonia Cemetery on the hill. Recent developments have occurred near the entrance of the trail. A sign displaying an historical account of the land as well as a welcome sign is a project created and funded by Friends of Sonoita Creek (FoSC).
The land on which the trail crosses has seen many changes in ownership over the years. Two decades ago, in 1992 the Nature Conservancy was gifted a portion of the land owned by Lucia Nash. A mutual agreement was made to create a 36-acre conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement to permanently limit future development of this land establishing a commitment to protect natural resources such as diversity of species and wildlife habitat that will benefit future generations. The Nature Conservancy has generously allowed public access to quietly walk the trail that meanders through this woodland.
With permission from the Conservancy benches will be installed along the trail. To further enhance your experience walking the trail FoSC is in the planning stages with TravelStorys to develop an audio walking tour. TravelStorys provides a free app that allows you to hear more about the trail and its natural and historical features from your cell phone.
Until then, walk through the Cemetery trail entrance. Feel the cool comfort provided by the generous shade of the surrounding trees. Breathe in the fresh air from plants that provide life giving oxygen. Reflect on the words of American author Wallace Stegner: “Every green natural place we save saves a fragment of our sanity and gives us a little more hope that we have a future.”
Happy trails!
This project is made possible by our donors. Won’t you please support Friends of Sonoita Creek? Visit our website, sonoitacreek.org or send your donation to PO Box 123, Patagonia AZ 85624.
Opinion: Patagonia’s 4th of July fireworks display needs to be quieter
Fireworks’ loud booms terrify pets, wildlife and sensitive individuals in our community. There is a way to have a more peaceful holiday, writes Patagonia resident Joe Ciofalo. Click here to read his Letter to the Editor.
Bath time for bears (and others)
Jason Miller, the Vail-based independent wildlife videographer, has posted a refreshing new six-minute compilation of trailcam footage from his “old bear spot” somewhere in southern Arizona. Turn up the volume, and have a look and listen:
For more of Jason’s wildlife videos, follow him at his YouTube channel and on Instagram.
School News and Youth Events
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!
“We’ve pushed the start time of our fiesta back a little due to the heat. It’s still this coming Sunday, June 22. but now 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.”
*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)
Spring Cleaning? DONATIONS needed for the Community Rummage Sale: household goods, clothing, furniture, etc. Drop off any time at the red double doors of the VINE Church Sonoita (across from Sonoita Propane), and thank you in advance! for questions: text/call 602.292.1616
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
*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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