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The NAPA Store in Kearny saved me more than $200 and at least half a day of my time last week. My wife, Carol, drives a Yaris which was missing two wheel covers (I’m so old that I still call them “hubcaps).” She checked with the car dealer in Tucson and discovered that they would cost about $200, plus we would have to drive in to get them. Well, we checked at NAPA right here in Kearny and found wheel covers totaling only $42 for four. Shop locally, I say, or at least check to see if our local merchants can meet your needs.
The Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce, which serves Hayden, Winkelman, Kearny and the surrounding areas, invites all residents to an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social at the Pinal County Courthouse in Kearny. It will take place on Friday, September 15, beginning at 6 p.m. At the event, the drawing for the raffle will be held and the new director of the chamber will be introduced. There’s no charge for the event (unless you want to buy a last-minute raffle ticket). Former resident Belinda Ortiz Rodriguez will be consulting with our chamber as it develops some new approaches to make the Copper Basin known and to assist our business community.
I have noticed greater support developing for the work of our chamber. Businesses are looking at the benefits an active chamber can bring, and younger people are coming in to lend their aid. Individuals and not just businesses can purchase a membership (starting at $50) and take full part. Applications are at the Chamber office in the courthouse in Kearny.
Local artist Susan Mapes continues to introduce people to the joy of creating a painting with her occasional classes at the General Kearny Inn. Norm’s IGA sponsored similar events last summer. It is my hope that many of these just-beginning artists will continue their interest by taking part in the art classes which will begin Friday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Ray Hall of The United Methodist Church. There is no instructor. Rather, all the students are “teachers who learn and learners who teach.” Painters use both oil and acrylic, and some students are pencil artists. There are two sessions on Fridays, fall and spring, and the session fee of $25 helps to pay for heating and cooling. On top of it all, new artists are welcomed and are given a set of starter supplies at no cost, and easels are available. Contact Gary Hill at 520-363-7206 for more information.
Pinal County has been working on the going up to the two wells being redeveloped by the Town of Kearny. The road is pretty much done, with the next task being a large culvert across one of the washes. Arizona Public Service is close to finishing the electrical work.
Two representatives from Arizona Parks and Trails met with Ray Camacho, Kearny’s public works director, and assessed the ATV campground and trails with an eye toward developing a grant to repair damage done by vandals. The town will also apply for a law enforcement grant to help patrol the campground once it is repaired.
The good news I bring this week is that my recently-deceased nephew, Jim Ahrens, will look from heaven upon a special disaster-relief trailer which contains washing machines and dryers and a large generator. The victims of disasters, as well as relief workers, all need their clothes washed and dried. Jim saw this need and designed the trailer to meet the need, working on the plans until his dying day. His fellow Christian relief workers took his plans, finished the work, and are now in Texas helping people. We all need some good news like this.
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