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Grijalva, tribal elders, activists rally against construction of border wall across San Rafael Valley
Newly sworn-in Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva makes her views known during last Saturday’s ‘Rally for the Valley’ demonstration against the new border wall. Photo courtesy Border Coalition 
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (right) rallies demonstrators with her remarks. Photo by Robert Gay 
The wall build. Photo by Wayne Tomasi 
The new border wall is 30 feet tall. Photo by Carolyn Shafer 
Fisher Sand and Gravel have erected 1,000 feet of new wall since mid-September. Photo by Wayne Tomasi 
The border’s old fence, in the foreground, meets the new border wall. Photo by Robert Gay 
The ‘man camp’ of Fisher Sand and Gravel workers. Photo by Wayne Tomasi 
Three elders in prayer. Photo courtesy Tony Heath/Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center 
An incense bowl is passed around. Photo by Robert Gay 
Rally goers look west during the opening prayer by Gabriel and Charlie Onehorse. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Russ McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity delivers remarks. Photo by Robert Gay 
The barrier to the border wall’s construction site. Photo by Wayne Tomasi 
Mexican friend Rueben Peralta displays a banner given to him by a rally attendee on the American side of the border. Photo by Kate Scott
By Robert Gay
Roughly 130 people, including Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen, participated in a demonstration last Saturday expressing opposition to the federal government’s construction of a new 27-mile border wall across the San Rafael Valley.
Organized by Elgin activist Kate Scott, the “Rally for the Valley” was sited just west of the “man camp” and equipment yard established by government contractors Fisher Sand and Gravel near the US-Mexico border. Fisher workers have constructed about 1,000 feet of the 30-foot-tall steel barrier since beginning work on the $309 million project in mid-September. When completed, the wall will stretch from the Coronado monument to the west side of the Patagonia Mountains.
After opening prayers and ritual offerings by elders from the O’odham, Yaqui and Choctaw tribes, Congresswoman Grijalva, fresh from being sworn into her new office just 48 hours before in Washington, D.C., delivered impassioned remarks to the rally’s attendees.
“We’re here in San Rafael Valley— it’s beautiful. It’s pristine—or it was before Trump decided to build this completely unnecessary border wall,” she said. “Now it’s a construction site, and when you look around at how remote this location is, no people are crossing the border here. What does cross here are animals —wildlife—these are corridors for migration, and what is going to be devastated by the continued building up of this wall is that pathway.
“I stand with the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Tohono O’odham Nation, and the many groups and organizations here, and more importantly, the people of Santa Cruz County and San Rafael Valley, who call for a halt of this construction and this horrible wall.”
Russ McSpadden from the Center for Biological Diversity spoke next.
“All around us stretches the northernmost occupied habitat of jaguars and ocelots anywhere on Earth,” he said. “Let that all sink in: the near-impossible wildness of this place in the year 2025. These Sky Islands—connected by this valley—have held together human and wildlife communities for thousands of years… A wall like this is a deep and existential wound on the planet. And a wound in our hearts.”
Austin Nuñez, the Tohono O’odham Nation’s San Xavier district chairman, spoke about the absence of a border wall on the O’odham Nation.
“I am so grateful that over the last 60 years our leaders have made it known to Congress that we don’t want a wall,” he said. “I pray that this area will remain as is, so that the wildlife can migrate back and forth, [and] that our children are able to enjoy these natural wonders.”
There was no visible law enforcement or military presence during the rally. Fisher employees were also out of sight, and there were no counter demonstrators. It was so quiet that a band of musicians—called Other Nations Ensemble—paused midway during their piece called “Birds,” to suggest everyone listen to “the symphony which is already in place.”
About a dozen Mexican neighbors gathered on the south side of the wall. They had brought burritos to share across the iron rails of the vehicle barrier. Event organizer Kate Scott gifted Sonoran Rueben Peralta with one of the banners originally hung near the speakers’ tent. It read “Roam.”
Veterans Day commemorated at the Patagonia Cemetery
Frank “Pancho” Rivera holds a flag during the Veterans Day commemoration at the Patagonia Cemetery. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Marilyn Miller and her sister Jan Korn. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Michael Collins, event organizer Murphy Musick and Frank Pancho Rivera. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Michael Collins and Frank “Pancho” Rivera. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Michael Collins, Gregg Gorton and Pancho Rivera. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss.
Local residents gathered at the Patagonia Cemetery to commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The event was organized by Murphy Musick and featured music by members of the Patagonia Minstrels.
Council sets wide-ranging agenda for Nov. 19 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its only regular meeting this month on Wednesday, Nov. 19 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 contract with CPE Consultants to provide concept design services for a new daycare center to be constructed on a portion of the Town’s recently acquired five-acre parcel on Harshaw Avenue.
- Discussion and possible action to contract with CPE Consultants for the design, engineering and management of the reconstruction of the Fourth Ave. public restroom parking area for $13,380.
- Discussion and possible action to allow the PAC cycling group use the Park gazebo during an annual biking event in March, 2026.
- Discussion and possible action to apply for a $7,560 South32/Hermosa grant to assist in paying for new Christmas decorations for the Town.
- Discussion and possible action to sign a letter of support for a federal grant to build a hiking and biking trail along 1.6 miles of Harshaw Road.
- Discussion and possible action to appoint Allan Sanchez, the Santa Cruz County Flood Plain Coordinator, to the Town’s Flood and Flow Committee.
Click here to see the meeting’s complete agenda.
Kids’ ‘Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella’ theater production wows big crowds
Patagonia’s Tin Shed Club Theatre adapted and produced the book “Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella” by Tony Johnston on Monday, November 17 in dramatic fashion. Over 275 kids and adults attended the three performances.
Anita Clovesko-Wharton, the director and author of the re-write, said the production was a result of weeks of work by the kids. “We had 12 actors, aged 8-13 from Patagonia Elementary school, the Montessori School and homeschoolers,” she said.
The Patagonia Creative Arts Association has sponsored the Club Theatre, a theater-based program for children aged 9-15, for over 14 years. The group meets on Friday afternoons during the school year.
Basketball season preview: Experience, balance key for Patagonia boys
By Dave Lumia
Coach Nate Porter sees a lot to like as he assesses the makeup of the 2025-26 Patagonia High boys basketball team.
Leadership, experience, size, ball-handling, shooting and chemistry are all accounted for. What he doesn’t see is a player capable of taking over a game.
Last season, that player was Diego Carranza.
“We lose a lot statistically with Diego Carranza gone,” Porter said. “We had one guy who could take over and do things, and a lot of kids who watched him do that. They won’t be able to watch this year. They’ll have to do it for themselves.”
The flip side is that the Lobos should be more balanced.
Click here to continue reading this article.
Basketball season preview: Three senior starters lead way for Lady Lobos
By Dave Lumia
It shouldn’t come as a surprise if it takes a little time for the Patagonia High girls basketball team to come together as a cohesive unit.
Coach Michele Shadrick wasn’t able to assemble her full team for practice until Monday, Nov. 11. That’s barely more than a week before the Lobos open their season at this week’s Boyd Baker Tournament at St. Augustine Catholic High School in Tucson.
The Lobos will take on three larger schools in the two-day tournament: Benson at 2 p.m. and Tombstone at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and St. Augustine at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Four of the 11 players out for basketball were members of the Lobos volleyball team that qualified for the state tournament, so they were unavailable for the first week of practice. All four are expected to play prominent roles, so that’s left Shadrick in catch-up mode in preparing for the start of the season.
But on the bright side, Shadrick is now in her second season as head coach and knows more of what to expect than a year ago, and she’s also had more time to evaluate her newer players.
Click here to continue reading this article.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
From East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank:
Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution – Saturday, Nov. 22, 9am
Come pick up your frozen Thanksgiving Turkey at the Food Bank, 772 Harshaw Ave, Patagonia on Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 9:00am. First come, first serve. One per family.
From the Sonoita Company of the Arizona Rangers:
The Vine Church, along with area churches, local businesses, and ministries, are coming together to host a FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner—and you’re invited! We know that some may not have a place to celebrate this special day. So let’s gather as friends, neighbors, and family to share gratitude, laughter, and a turkey-load of fun!
Bring your appetite, your family, and your thankful heart. Together, let’s celebrate the gift of gratitude as a loving community this Thanksgiving. For more information or to request a ride, please contact: Pastor Tom Moffett Call/Text: (480) 226-9779
thevineschurches@gmail.com
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
The Elgin School PTC will be holding a Bake Sale on Thursday, November 20 in front of National Bank-Sonoita from 9am-1pm. We are in need of baked good donations for this event and volunteers. Please sign up below by Tuesday, November 18.
Items can be dropped off to the office on Wednesday until 3:30pm or delivered to PTC members in front of the school on Thursday, November 20 at 7:30am.
Proceeds from this bake sale will be used to purchase new boys’ volleyball uniforms for Elgin School. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Please contact the PTC at elginptc@elgink12.com with any questions. Sign up: signupgenius.com/go/4090544AAAB28A6FD0-60156512-2025
Upcoming Events
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!
Award-winning concert harpist Ben Albertson will grace our venue with a program that is unique and perfectly paired with the elegant tonality of the harp. Included in the program are works by Faure, Debussy, Bach, Hindemith and a new composition that was premiered in 2025 “Brain Storms” by Chelsea Komschlies.
Solo harp recitals are rare. Make your reservations soon. Tickets are available online: scfpapresents.org
Sunday, November 30, 2pm
Screening in the Tin Shed Theater (340 Naugle Ave., Patagonia), with an introduction by Cholla Duir of the Northern Jaguar Project
$5 suggested donation
The annual “Christmas in Elgin” event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10am-4pm and will have many arts and crafts. The event will be held at the Elgin Community Club, located at 475 Elgin Road in Elgin. Vendors may contact Rebecca Smith at 520-559-4835
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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.
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.
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 email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Pronghorn Pizza is now hiring kitchen workers. Email resume to chow@pronghorn.pizza
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.
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