Rainwater Harvesting Videos Available onYou Tube

If you missed the opportunity to attend the Brad Lancaster workshop during Patagonia Trail Days on April 24, there are a series of videos available for viewing on You Tube:


There are three in the series as well as other informative and useful links in the You Tube sidebar - a great easy and accessible convenience if your schedule or work demands don't let you get to these presentations in person.

Patagonia Planet : We're All in This Together

Patagonia, Arizona. April 19, 2010.Let's zero-in on this Whole Planet Earth we all live on ...and take a look at the landscape and its features from a few thousand feet above it all - Gives you a different perspective, doesn't it?
Well, take a good look at it and keep it in your mind's eye when you think about where we are on the surface of the planet.
Locate the Headwaters of The Santa Cruz River in The San Rafael Valley . . . Trace the flow South into Mexico down to San Lazaro as the riverway heads westerly and then North, looping up through now what is now Kino Springs in Nogales Arizona and from there onto Tucson
If you look closely, you'll see outlines of The Sonoita Valley, Sonoita Creek and Harshaw Creek, the man-made Patagonia Lake formed by damming up the creek, The Patagonia Mountains, The Santa Ritas,and centuries-old pathways and trails used as natural migration routes way before Arizona Statehood in 1912, or the founding of the Town of Patagonia in 1898 in what was The Territory of Arizona after the Civil War. After decades of exploitation and extraction of natural resources and overgrazing of the ranchlands, a growing sensibility to restore and conserve our natural resources, and to promote towns in close proximity to them has taken root in the Gateway Communities Project, moving beyond a sustainability that just doesn't work to a regeneration, restoration and resiliency of places and people. Progress you can believe in and activate in what used to be "a sleepy little town", that some people say was dying with a sentiment that some locals had saying, "Thanks for visiting Patagonia, now go home!" or we like it "just the way it was".
History is one thing, but the future is another. It's here, whether you like it or not. The times are changing forward. It's a happy coincidence that both the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and The First Annual Patagonia Trail Days are being celebrated at the same time. We're happy, likewise, that the Arizona Trail Association has chosen Patagonia, the only town directly on the 800+ mile trail, designated in 2009 as a National Scenic Trail, running from the Mexico border to Utah, to kick-off a Gateway Communities Project with a $5000 grant  from REI, an outdoor gear and equipment supplier and the Arizona Office of Tourism, an example of a private-public partnership.
Through the auspices and organization of the Mountain Empire Trail Association (META), a group that has recently connected the past with the future in Phase I of The Patagonia Train Track Trail, with a description and photographs featured in this link: Rails To Trails Conservancy (for a map of The Patagonia Train Track Trail please link to this website Patagonia Train Track Trail Map ), a day of volunteer work on trail segments has been scheduled, along with overnight camping on the Dr. Mock end of the town park, as well as interactive educational exhibits, workshops, discussions and other activities to encourage awareness, intelligent use of land and energy, and appreciation and the benefits of our natural resources for our daily lives and outdoor recreation for residents and visitors alike.
Activities and events are a very full day, from morning to evening. A special point of pride for local people will be the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the dedication of the new Mary Rebecca Cady Reading Room at The Patagonia Public Library scheduled for 11 o'clock. It's a good example of the collaborative work of residents and supporters for the restoration and preservation of an historic landmark building, formerly a hotel-restaurant-dance hall-boardinghouse, one of only two properties in Patagonia on the National Register of Historic Places, that has been lovingly regenerated as an important community resource.

To see what other events are scheduled and when please go this link: Patagonia Trail Days 2010 Schedule of Events

Earth Day Network EARTH DAY 2010 NETWORK is providing a film that was featured at The Sundance Film Festival in 2009 that will be shown on Saturday, April at Cady Hall at 7:00 p.m.. You can see the official 2:29- minute trailer here, compliments of You Tube:

This is more than a movie, it's a movement, a book, and an award-winning blog No Impact Man  by Collin Beavan. Screening time is 1:30 in Cady Hall at The Patagonia Public Library.

Participating organizations, with links provided below, include:
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/arizona/
Native Seeds/SEARCH http://www.nativeseeds.org/
Friends of Sonoita Creek http://www.sonoitacreek.org/
Save the Scenic Santa Ritas http://www.scenicsantaritas.org/
Patagonia Community Garden http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M18387
Tucson Audubon Society http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/
Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center http://www.treeoflife.nu/home-index/
The Patagonia Museum Patagonia Museum
Practical Energy 4 Rural Communities Rural Energy: A Practical_Primer_for_Productive_Applications_
Audubon Society’s Research Ranch http://www.audubonresearchranch.org/
Mariposa Community Health Center http://www.mariposachc.net/
Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum http://www.sonoitacrossroads.org/

Your blogger wants to take the time to highlight one of Patagonia's present day pioneers in Permaculture and a future-looking individual willing to teach and share and build the community regenerating our sense of place and how we live here.
On Saturday, May 1st, she'll be opening her own house garden for a tour of earthworks and permaculture principles put into practice.
She says it better than I can in her own words:  
" I design for long-term viability by creating beautiful places that feed, nurture, invite, and give back: to us, to the soil, the water, the air, and the wild. My work is the vehicle through which I em-power and support individuals, groups, neighbors and communities that are interested in creating resilience and self-sufficiency"

At 1:00 p.m in the Community Center Kate will be offering an interactive and information-gathering community forum that welcomes all participants - "What Is A Resilient Community?"
You're encouraged to be there. You're encouraged to to go to her website: http://katetirion.com/

Giving you a balanced feature of the talents organized by the local working group for Patagonia Trail Day Earth Day 2010, Brad Lancaster will be giving a presentation earlier in the day at 10:00 o'clock in the morning in the cafeteria at Patagonia Union High School.
On his website http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/aboutbrad/ he says:
"I believe we all can become beneficial stewards of the land, and partners in the ecosystem in which we live, and I believe that by harvesting rainwater sustainably we can all begin to transform our households from consumers of resources to producers of resources."
Kate and Brad have known each other since 1994. Is it just a coincidence that both of them have red hair, or is it something in the water?

Free camping on the town park, or you can make arrangements for other overnight accommodations (you can find them with this link: Overnight Accommodations: Beds of Patagonia and make a weekend get-away out of this and other regional events on the calendar:

The 95th running of the Sonoita Horse Races will be at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds located at 3142 South Highway 83 (1/4 mile south of intersection 82 & 83) Sonoita, Arizona. The races will be held on April 24-25, and May 1-2, 2010. See details with this link: http://www.sonoitafairgrounds.com/ 

The legendary "El Moro de Cumpas" race is an event, organized by Jo Ann di Fillipo, that will staged again for the second year in Sonoita. More information: Arizona Guide 
In Nogales (that's Ambos Nogales in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico) the Third Annual Charlie Mingus Hometown Jazz Festival goes on all weekend, on both sides of his hometown. Schedules and information you can find here: http://www.mingusproject.com/ 

The Mega Outdoor Adventure Event is ARIZONA TRAIL RACE 300 and 750 - it starts at the Visitor Information Center at Parker Canyon Lake on Friday, April 23 at 09:00 a.m.. winding through Patagonia then on from there ... Get ready, get set, go to http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php
Great site with details about track conditions and topo maps!
 

Patagonia Trail Days April 23-25, 2010

Exciting events are being planned for active outdoor recreation enthusiasts connecting with REI's Gateway Communities Project, the wonderful people from the Arizona Trail Association, and the Arizona Office of Tourism to encourage a growing interest in geo-tourism and eco-tourism based on respect for our natural resources, and place-based local rural development to highlight the attractions of towns and regions along the Arizona Trail.
Patagonia is the one town, out of 19 communities located on a new map, that is directly on the trail where two segments connect: Canelo West and Temporal Gulch, featuring pathways from centuries-old early wildlife, Native American and immigrant trails starting at the border with Mexico, as well as passages through the history, culture and traditions of cattle-raising, mining, railroads and ranching in the region - the reasons for the founding of the town back in 1898.
The railroad is gone now, as well as the cattle-pens and ore-shipping  containers around it, having been replaced by a town park that will be the hub of activities for Patagonia Trail Days. One section of the old Santa Fe Pacific Railroad tracks has been converted to a trail - the Patagonia Trail Track Trail -  for non-motorized use  by the Mountain Empire Trail Association in collaboration with other groups.
Now, some 100+ years later we are looking at low-impact or no-impact ways to regenerate the use and enjoyment of our natural resources, to restore vital habitats, and to encourage people to support these initiatives.
This is not just local, it's world-wide. Happening at the same time is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. You might want to join the network: Earth Day Network

Meanwhile, stay tuned to activities for "Planet Patagonia"
http://www.aztrail.org/calendar.html

Sounds of Music at Patagonia Lake State Park

12th Annual 
Mariachi Festival
Saturday, March 20, 2010

After two years of not getting on the events calendar for Patagonia Lake State Park, this popular annual event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with a day of family fun and entertainment..
5 Bands, and 1 group of dancers will make this year's Mariachi Festival memorable.
Enjoy a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands on stage. Come join the fun. 10 am: Mariachi Reyes Band, 11 am: Sunnyside High School Band, Noon: Baile Folklorico Tapatio Dancers, 1 pm: Mariachi Juvenil Batiz Band, 2 pm: Pueblo High School Band, 3 pm: Mariachi Plata Band. Schedule subject to change.
In addition, Patagonia offers picnicking, birding and nature walks.

Writers Round-Up 2010 Events Announcement

This year's Writers Round-Up 2010 - moving beyond sustainability for a small audience after seven years of being staged at historic Cady Hall in Patagonia - has been regenerated and morphed into a more wide-reaching  appeal with a new comprehensive format for both featured authors to attract greater attendance of the reading public and to aspiring writers to find out how to get published.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 13 for this one-day showcase of published Arizona authors and their books. Perhaps next year this annual event could be further developed into a three-day weekend with related activities, sessions and workshops.
As usual there will be a special though "private" social reception on Friday night, this year at Durazno, the home of Laura Chester. Fund-raising tickets for that are $0 per person if you're lucky enough to be on the list.
Twenty-four authors accepted invitations from the Friends Board Selection Committee - the first time this event became "invitational".  Seven writers who participated in the past have new books recently published, attesting to the popularity  and marketing of their talents. Nine new writers, not showcased before here in Patagonia, have been added to the line-up of featured authors.
New format features this year are:

• 11:00 BECOMING A WRITER Steven Cox, former Editor at University of Arizona Press and co-author of "Writing Brave and Free" will lead this discussion
• 1:00 GETTING PUBLISHED Gail Woodard, local writer and publisher, will lead this group
• 3:00 RICHARD SHELTON READING from his much-beloved classic"Going Back to Bisbee"

Participation in these discussion circles is free and open to all, but if you wish to attend, please call the Library to have your name put on the list. (394-2010)
Writers* who will attend are Mark Bahti, Betty Barr, Byrd Baylor, Joel Bernstein, J.P.S. Brown, Philip Caputo, Laura Chester, Stephen Cox, Alison Deming, Jane Eppinga, Elizabeth Gunn, Lynn Hassler, Juanita Havill, Mike Hayes, Fenton Johnson, Ken Lamberton, Susan Lowell, Gregory McNamee, Tom Miller, Gary Paul Nabhan, Margaret Regan, Richard Shelton and Stephen Strom.
*Elizabeth Bernays, according to a source, is included here [updated 01/21 @ 3:10 p.m.]
Notably absent from this list is local author Jim Harrison . . .
Noted in passing: Bill Holm, who died last year unexpectedly
This local celebration keeps getting better and better - hit this link for details:
Patagonia Public Library » Friends’ Events
Proceeds from this one-day's writers showcase and social event will benefit the Friends of Patagonia Library, and contribute directly to its collection development.
The Friends of the Patagonia Library is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to support and expand a community of readers and to stimulate a love of books and learning.
It assists in providing financial support by raising funds and promoting the library to the the greater community which it serves.
Board Members:
Janet Winans, President
Lou Schatz
Jack Walsh
Gail Eifrig
Kathleen James
Donna Federici
Kathi Noaker
Andrea Wood


10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The entire event is free, and welcomes adults and children.

Patagonia Christmas Bird Count Summary

Subject: [BIRDWG05] Patagonia, AZ Christmas Bird Count - summary

From: Tom Arny
Date: Tue, Jan 5, 2010, 5:52 PM

The Patagonia, AZ Christmas Bird count was held Dec 27, 2009. About
40 people participated. A preliminary compilation gives us 125
species (including a count week Fox Sparrow). A special thanks to
all who braved a very cold beginning of the day and who turned up
such a good list.
The list of birds seen is given below. Compared to counts in recent
years, very few water-birds were found. Warbler numbers were also
way down. Some sparrow species were down but others were up.
The list of species is given below, with reported numbers. Perhaps
the two most unexpected species were a Poorwill and a Long-billed
Dowitcher. A Broad-billed Hummingbird was a surprise too.

Birding Mail - Arizona and New Mexico Birds - [BIRDWG05] Patagonia, AZ Christmas Bird Count - summary

Finding Treasure! New Boom: Rockhounding in Arizona

Over 7500 mining claims were filed in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, between January 1st & July 4th this year. That's a "Boom" or mining 'Rush' by any definition.

Close to Patagonia there are plans for regenerating a centuries-old hunt for "treasure" - real treasure: precious stones and minerals. Arizona's Amethyst Ranch Mining Camp, the newest & best unique Rock Collectors "Fee-dig" Mining Camp, where winter rockhounding guests can rustic camp in the beautiful wild & unspoiled Patagonia Mtns. of southern Arizona and enjoy mineral specimen prospecting adventure expeditions within walking distance, or explore miles of roads & trails. You can email them - amethystranch@gmail.com

The Mineral Expedition Club and Mining Camp is a members-only collective operated and owned by Frank Lavoie,famous cinematographer, TV cameraman, and expedition guide, and his wife Barbara.

Help support the PRESERVATION & Restoration of this historic ( 1881 - 1896) mining camp. You can do that by purchasing one of the poster images from a series called Landscape Beauty and Natural Wonders of Southwestern Arizona on eBay.
Proceeds support restoration and preservation project on Mt.Washington, Arizona, near Duquesne, a "ghost town".

Here's a link to an 11:35 video: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/travel_and_culture/watch/v19339411Th3dfGqh

You can watch another  video by going to this link

Amethyst Ranch

No Small Wonder: A Legacy Quilt For Future Generations

Representing the collective handiwork of some of its members, this eye-catching quilt was happily displayed by The Crossroads Quilters Guild at this year's Patagonia Fall Festival.On the left is Sarah Cobb and on the right Sandi Wolf.

The guild is a non-profit organization for people with an interest in the art of quilting to meet, share ideas and learn from each other.

In their ten years of existence the group has developed into a source of guidance for beginning quilters, a place to share new ideas, patterns and completed projects, and a working group to make charity quilts for a variety of organizations, as well as a place to visit with old friends and make new ones.
The quilt titled "Crossroads" is the brainchild of two of the members, Janice Urman and Dorothy Dannis, with the inspiration and handiwork of sixteen other quilters who designed blocks with themes relating to Santa Cruz County.

Proceeds of over $1500 up to publication time from the sale of the quilt raffle will be used for expenses related to the Guild's charitable activities. The winner of the raffle will be chosen and announced in early December.

Creating a Future Legacy with a Thriving Arts Community

By Donna Reibslager

Patagonia, AZ. October 6, 2009. This weekend, Patagonia is hosting its 21st Annual Fall Festival. Crowds of visitors stroll past the tents that fill the park, enjoying fry bread and kettle corn, and vendors offer everything from Emu soap to wind chimes. Many of the vendors travel to Patagonia from other areas. Some are veterans of the circuit, following a schedule of art fairs and festivals throughout the season.

The Fall Festival was originally conceived as a way to showcase the wares of Patagonia's many artists, and to draw visitors to its shops and galleries. Unfortunately, today only a handful of local artists participate in the Festival, and many of the town's shop owners say that the crowds that fill the park often don't venture into the town's shops.

Yet Patagonia continues to be a town that attracts artists of every description.  A recent effort to create a roster of the town's artists came up with a total of over fifty, and the bookstore here, Mariposa Books and More, routinely carries the writing of twelve to fifteen local authors, including nationally recognized writers like Phil Caputo and Jim Harrison.
And so, about five years ago, some of the town's artists organized Mostly Mainstreet - The Annual Fall Artwalk. The Artwalk is testimony to the wide variety of talented artists who produce their work here in Patagonia, and art lovers from as far away as Phoenix drive here for the two-day event.
Linda Chase, of Painted House Studio, originated the forerunner of this event about eight years ago. In an effort to market the work of some of the town's artists, she rounded them up, pushed all the furniture out of her front rooms, and hosted a three-day art boutique.  The event was so popular that some customers complained that they couldn't view all the work because of the crowds that filled the rooms. That venture later evolved into Mostly Mainstreet, and it draws visitors in large numbers each year, to browse the galleries, the open studios, and the businesses that host artists in their stores.
Regina Medley, who operates Mesquite Grove Gallery, now organizes and oversees the Artwalk. Regina's gallery has been in operation for over 25 years, and offers a distinctive collection of painting, jewelry, ceramics, clothing accessories, and Regina's own fabric dolls and handpainted wall hangings.
The Artwalk was given the name Mostly Mainstreet because the work of so many artists can be seen by walking a small area in and around the town's two main streets. Creative Spirit Artists Gallery Creative Spirit Artists, on McKeown Avenue, displays the work of over twenty local artists, and includes sculpted wood, fabric art, leatherwork, painting and photography, handcrafted candles and other crafts, and jewelry. Several artists operate their own businesses on the downtown area across from the park, such as Darrell's Designs (silkscreen printed t-shirts), Reserection Linen Design and Bag Project, and Painted House Studio, where intricately detailed fabricwork pillows sit amongst tables and chairs, armoires and mirror frames, all painted in colorful designs.
Just up the street from Painted House is the yard of Mesquite Grove Gallery. Ten or more artists exhibit in the gallery’s spacious yard during Artwalk, selling items such as custom leatherwork, encaustic painting, and woven rugs.  At the rear of the yard is Shooting Star Pottery, the studio of Martha Kelly, who has been selling her handthrown pottery to locals and out-of-towners for many years. Across the park, to the rear of Mercedes Restaurant, is the workshop of Martha's husband, Sol Leiberman, who makes fanciful objects and sculptures from found objects.  The yard outside the shop is a work of art in itself, strewn with creations made from rusted springs and radio dials, vintage shoes and wooden spools, some of which hang from the trees or perch in the limbs.
Just a short stroll from Mercedes Restaurant is Metamorphosis Gallery www.metamorphosisaz.com, owned and operated by Lydia Gonzales, which also carries a unique selection of local artwork, Navajo paintings, and a special exhibit of the landscape paintings of Herb Wood, a retired U.P.S. driver
Other businesses, such as Home Plate Restaurant, 'host' guest artists for the duration of Artwalk. And behind the restaurant, on Smelter Avenue, Artwalk visitors can visit the studios of several artists.
There are too many talented artists to mention here, each one worthy of note. They are part of Patagonia's eclectic character, thriving here on the high mountain air and the proximity to other artists with whom to exchange ideas and share resources. 

This Fall's Mostly Mainstreet Artwalk will take place after Thanksgiving as usual on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28. So, after The Fall Festival has come and gone, mark your calendar for that 3-day weekend, and see for yourself that art is alive and well in Patagonia!

Overnight lodging accommodations are available in town at one full-service hotel and in a number of bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and ranches in the surrounding areas. You can find a feature on this blogspot  titled "Beds of Patagonia" for listings in a take-away brochure available at the Visitor Information Center or online with this following link: http://patagoniayoucanfinditstreasures.blogspot.com/2009/03/beds-of-patagonia-treasures-to-sleep-in.html

"Hidden Treasure" revealed on YouTube!

Looks like this "sleepy little town" is finally waking up to the 21st Century - give it a Shout Out!
What to my wandering eyes should there appear but the owner of this outstanding bed-and-breakfast in Patagonia, Nancy McCoy: taking center-stage herself to present a 2:28 video showing what's got to be one of the favorite overnight accommodations in this town that time forgot.
Yes, dear readers, at least some people are taking the wraps off and opening your eyes to some of the small wonders here in southeastern Arizona. . . .hit the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-DWDYtEWhA