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Commencing on Jan. 1, 2012, the Oracle Public Library will raise late fines from 10¢ per day to 25¢ per day on all books, audio books, playaways and music CDs. The above items check out for two weeks at a time and late fees are charged per day when they are returned past their due date. DVD fines remain $1 per day per item.
The Home Alone Pendant offers peace of mind by being able to call for emergency assistance by simply pressing a button. Units are available in San Manuel through TRIAD. Call Jerry at 385-2835 for details.
The San Manuel-Oracle Lions has begun its annual White Cane Drive beginning in January and continuing through April. When you see Lions asking for donations, please consider donating. All donations go to help prevent blindness and purchase glasses for the children of the community and citizens with low income and no insurance. Consider the gift of sight.
The Waste Disposal Voucher Program for 2012 will begin Jan. 17. The vouchers replace free dump days and may be obtained at the Board of Supervisors office, 118 South Catalina in Mammoth. Bring a current utility bill as proof of residency. For more information, contact Chairman Rios’ office at 520-866-7830. You can also learn more about the recycling program on the Pinal County website: www.pinalcountyaz.gov.
Girl Scout cookies are here. This is the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting and the new cookie to commemorate the occasion is Savannah Smiles.Also available: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do Si Dos, and Trefoils. Still just $4/box. Please Contact Tabitha/Tonya 385-9221 (or 591-9596) and/or Monique/Selena & Italie 385-1102 for speedy delivery. Also available, if you want to help the girls reach their goal without eating cookies, you can donate to Troop to Troop–a Gift of Caring program where ANY dollar amount donated will receive a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible receipt, and the monies will purchase cookies directly from Little Brownie Bakers and be delivered to Troops stationed Overseas. Thank you for your support.
Anyone who worked at the Kennecott/Asarco concentrator and Asarco smelter prior to 1985 is asked to contact Rosalind Padilla at 520-363-5622 to relate your experiences and fond memories.
Check out the new Oracle Fire Department 2011 Photos of the Year now posted on the website at www.oraclefire.org. If you would like to vote for your favorite, send an email to info@oraclefire.org. While there, check out Oracle’s real time weather, the OFD webcam and local articles from the fire department.
Beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through April 11, AARP Tax-Aide will offer free tax help and electronic filing for Federal and Arizona tax returns to people in the community. This service is being provided at the Oracle Public Library, 565, American Avenue, Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteer tax counselors will be available each week to help taxpayers with middle and low income with special attention to those ages 60 and older. This program is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the IRS. For more information, call the library at 896-2121 and leave a message for Wanda Dopson, local coordinator.
Mountain Vista School is raffling off a bicycle and helmet. The bike and helmet were donated by the Oracle Optimists Club. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the kids at Mountain Vista School. Tickets are being sold at Mountain Vista School and at the Oracle Community Schools athletic events. The drawing will be held at the Oaks Festival in Oracle on April 28. Tickets will be available throughout the day at the festival.
Margaret’s Garden Market at 1210 West American Avenue, Oracle, is back after a short break with all the favorite artisan and sweet breads, baked goods, lots of new jams and jellies, raw local mesquite honey, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuces, kale and Swiss chard – all locally grown. Penny’s survival bracelets and Toni’s beautiful hand crocheted hats will also be available.
Registration for tackle football will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 8, and continue on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. at the San Pedro Valley Pizza Co. in San Manuel. For more information, contact Manny laguna at 520-349-5172.
Journey Beyond Abuse – a free informational and support group for survivors of domestic abuse will soon begin. Call the Safe Journey House at 520-385-4970 for more information.
Thursday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m., Volunteers for Oracle State Park’s environmental education programs are needed. Come to the introductory training meeting 9 a.m. – noon at the park and learn more; no commitment. Also includes volunteer orientation for new volunteers. For more info and to sign up, contact Jennifer <jrinio@azstateparks.gov> or 896-2425.
Saturday, Feb. 11, there will be a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Mountain Vista School cafeteria in Oracle. Cost is $5 with the proceeds going to the Mountain Vista end of year eighth grade trip.
Personal Safety from A to Z will be the topic at the We the People meeting on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 9 a.m. at the Oracle courthouse. This is a great opportunity to have a refresher or a new presentation of safety awareness, how to defend yourself when attacked or threatened, being aware of your personal space, surroundings and much more. Instruction and reminders related to weapon use and safety will be reviewed. Presenters will be a former Pinal County Deputy Sheriff and a Department of Public Safety officer. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, call Jane at 896-2516.
Oracle Union Church will be offering an ALPHA Course. The Alpha course seeks to explore the basics of the Christian faith and is described as “an opportunity to explore the meaning of life.” The seven-week course is offered by the Oracle Union Church Sundays Feb. 12 through April 1 from 3-4:15 p.m. in Trowbridge Hall. The Rev. Ed Nelson will lead the course and discussion. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Christ and Christianity during the Lenten season. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call the church at 896-3405 or 520-784-1868.
The San Pedro Valley Lions Club in Mammoth will be serving a benefit breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 7 a.m. to noon at the Lions building at 115 Main Street. Menudo and regular breakfast will be served.
First Avenue Elementary School invites the public to the Book Fair Feb. 13-17 in the school library. The library is open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The school’s Spring Family Activity Night will be held on Feb. 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The book fair will remain open until 7 p.m. that day. The book fair closes at 1 p.m. on Feb. 17.
The San Pedro Valley Lions Club in Mammoth is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day Spaghetti Dinner at the Lions building at 115 Main Street in Mammoth from 4-7 p.m. Cost is $5 a plate, dine in or carry out. Delivery available upon request by calling 487-2000. Plan to attend and have a good time. For more information, call Billy Romero at 487-2647 or Tracy Alvarez at 487-2923.
Bountiful baskets is coming to San Manuel every other Saturday. The next delivery day is Feb. 18. To participate in the program, you must register online at www.bountifulbaskets.org to make a monetary contribution toward the pools used to purchase the produce. Contributions can be made starting at noon on Monday until Tuesday at 8 p.m. prior to Saturday pickup. The distribution site is new, now at the Elks Lodge Breezeway in San Manuel. If you have any questions, please contact San Manuel Volunteer Site Coordinators Mary Jane at (520) 301-6664 or Alicia at 385-4575.
The Town of Superior invites you to come and explore the LOST trails and learn more about the many legends of Superior at the Legends of Superior Trails Eco-Tourism Fest. The even starts at the Magma Club, 38 Kumpke Court, Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pancake breakfast, history luncheon, guided hikes, wellness fair, kids’ scavenger hunt and lots of outdoor demonstrations are planned. There is fun for everyone. For more questions or information, contact the Superior Chamber of Commerce and Caboose Visitor Center at 520-827-0676 or go online to www.superiorarizonachamber.org.
QUILT SHOW The Scrap Rats 10th anniversary Quilt Show will be held Saturday, March 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Queen Valley Recreation Hall. Admission is $2 and children under age 12 are admitted free. This year’s featured quilter is Connie Clark. Call 520-463-2089 or 480-882-9171 for more information.
A blood drive is planned for San Manuel High School on March 29. More information will be published as it becomes available.
Save the date! The Knights of Columbus annual Charity Golf Tournament is set for April 21 at SaddleBrooke Ranch West on Highway 77 at milepost 93, south of Oracle. The cost is $60 if paid by April 7 and $70 thereafter. There will be food, carts and lots of prizes. Contact John Wahlmeier at 385-4590 or Drew Mansager at 385-4663.
Are you a victim of domestic abuse? Call 520-385-4970 or toll free 1-855-385-4970. We can help.
Have free time? Volunteer at Safe Journey House. Call 520-385-4970 or toll free 1-855-385-4970.
The Oracle Medical Equipment Loan Closet is now available to Tri-Community residents in need of medical equipment. The closet is in need of donations of all forms of medical equipment (except hospital beds). Equipment must be in safe working condition. For information on how to borrow or to donate equipment, please contact Jane at 896-2516, Bill and Sharon at 896-2326, Lois at 896-9722 or Rachel at 896-9581.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Join San Manuel’s Walking and Exercise Group. Healthy living doesn’t happen at the doctor’s office – exercise. From 8-9:30 a.m. at the San Manuel Senior Center on Avenue A. Sponsors ask for a $1 donation to help with the utility costs.
Bridge is played at the Oracle Community Center Tuesdays from 12:30-4 p.m. Call Ethel Amator at 896-2197 or Mary McClure at 896-2604 for more information.
Canasta is played at the Oracle Community Center on Mondays from 9 to noon, and Bingo from 1 to 2 p.m.
Game Day at the Oracle Community Center is on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Come and play Scrabble or chess.
Monday lunches at the Oracle Community Center are at noon. Each Monday a volunteer brings the main dish and others bring side dishes. Fee is $4 for members and $5 for guests.
Oracle Community Center membership cards are available at the center’s Monday lunch.
Oracle Community Center sewing and knitting. January and February, Viola Pogany is teaching knitting Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. A supply list is offered or bring your own yarn and needles. Call Susie Cochran for more information at 896-2935.
Second and Fourth Fridays of the Month, 10:30 a.m., San Manuel Library Toddler Story Time. The San Manuel Public Library will begin hold story time for toddlers on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 10:30 -11:00 a.m. There will be stories, song and fingerplays. No registration is required for the free program.
The Community Schools Gym, located in the basement of San Manuel High School Auditorium, is open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Admission is free.
The third Thursday of every month will be Family Potluck night at the Oracle Community Center. Bring a side dish to share or a donation of $5 per person or $12 for a family of four or more.
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