San Manuel
MINER
Proudly serving as the Tri-Community’s source of weekly news since 1954 Vol. 57 No. 25
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Periodicals Postage Paid at San Manuel, Ariz. 85631
50 Cents
RLV OracleArt Girls Camp celebrates how great it is to be a GIRL
Rapt attention ... Abbi, who attends the RLV OracleArt Girls Camp, listens as other girls share during the opening meeting. Girls have the chance to share what they like and dislike about themselves and in turn learn from others. The girls keep a journal just for this special time. (Jennifer Carnes photo)
By Jennifer R. Carnes It’s not easy to be a girl – especially in this day and age. The right school. The right clothes. The right friends. Peer pressure. Peer pressure. Peer pressure. There’s so much more that girls have to know just to succeed, not to mention finding a place just to fit in. But a group of TriCommunity girls have found just that place – a place where they can be themselves without fear of recrimination or embarrassment. They have a safe place where they can talk about body image, self acceptance and peer pressure. They have a place where they can just be themselves. Maggie Miller, who for years has led the Rancho Linda Vista OracleArt Summer Art Workshop, last year started a “girls camp.” It ran through the month of June and was open to girls ages 9-13. The
camp was so successful, she brought it back again this year for girls ages 10-17, this time with a little help from the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach program. The camp runs Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through July 1. The cost is $10 per day, although Maggie won’t turn a girl away for financial reasons. “I could not do this alone,” she said. With the additional funding from the SaddleBrooke group, girls this year have been able to do more crafts, take a few more field trips and even learn about building a business. This Friday, the girls will be at the 77North Marketplace in Catalina selling the items that they have spent the past couple of weeks making. They will have purses, jewelry and even some handmade soaps. And money that they earn will be used to open each girl
a savings account at a local bank. When next year’s camp rolls around, the girls will have a chance to see what their money has earned in interest. Maggie has had some help from volunteers – “very awesome volunteers,” she said. Community members, moms and even a couple of ladies from the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach program have spent time with the girls, teaching them something about crafting or about life. (Yes, even this reporter/mom spent time with the girls – Thursday morning we learned how to make rings from buttons and wire.) Justine, one of the older girls in the group, explained how she and other girls are learning about staying healthy. “It’s helping us take care of our bodies,” she said. Girls are learning about eating more fresh fruits and vegetables as well as learning
to cut back on processed foods. “We go swimming in the afternoons,” she added, “keeping us active.” Other campers like that they See Campers, Page 8
Oracle Board approves call for $16 million bond election By Jennifer R. Carnes While by no means unanimous, the Oracle School Board last week voted to put the question of whether to sell $16 million in bonds into the hands of the voters. The measure passed three to two in favor of calling the election. Board President Kurt Steffens and Clerk Nellie Doran voted against the measure. Each member was given the opportunity to express
their concerns and feelings about all the information that the group has received from the Capital Improvement Planning Committee as well as from community members, both in favor of the election and against the timing. “I feel like I’m being rushed,” Doran told her fellow board members. “Clearly, there is a need,” she said, adding, “I don’t think it’s a $16 million fix up.” Doran explained that when
the previous board put together an override for the voters to approve, the board clearly defined what exactly the voters were being asked to approve. “I feel like we haven’t done that yet,” she said. Steffens was in favor of holding off until the following year. “We can no longer use bandaids on a bleeding artery,” he said, suggesting that instead of repairing most of the buildings
in the district and replacing only a few, that the district consider demolishing all but a few and replacing them with brand new buildings. “I’m basically suggesting,” he said, “putting it off until next year and bringing a more clearly defined plan to the voters.” Board member Alicia Bristow admitted she was torn. “It’s bad economic times,” she said, explaining that she like many others lives on a
fixed income. “(Voters) have to make up their minds whether they want to be taxed,” she said. Board member Betty Harmon agreed. “The voters should decide,” she said.
Harmon reviewed comments made by individual committee members included in the formal presentation to the board. She said she felt Nannette Soulé’s list to be the simplest and most inclusive: See Election, Page 4
By Jennifer R. Carnes Mammoth residents may soon see some increases to their monthly bills. Last week, the Mammoth Town Council narrowly approved increases to water, sewer, garbage and cemetery rates. The council considered the rate adjustments to help the town pay its bills. As recommended by staff, the rates will be: • Garbage – $12.40 per can, a rate increase of $2 per month. • Water – 10 percent increase, approximately $2.43 per month.
• Sewer – five percent increase, approximately $0.74 per month. • Cemetery (fees for burial not including cost of the plot) – $632 (actual cost per burial is $832 and currently the town is charging $250). The total monthly increase is approximately $5.17. The measure was approved three to two with Vice Mayor Frances Wickham and Councilman Robert Koch casting the dissenting votes. The Council will have to hold a public hearing concerning the water and sewer rate increases before the rates can take effect.
For well over a decade, RLV Oracle Arts has been hosting a free summer arts camp for young people in the TriCommunity. This summer, after teaching successes experienced during the school year, the producers of the camp have organized the recreational and educational activities according to gender. The all girls session of summer camp has been in full swing for two weeks now and features instruction related to the sensitivities and emotional lives of girls aged 10-17. The boys’ version of the summer camp will be in session from July 5 -July 29. The camp will focus on the lives of boys, exploring both physical, mental and emotional aspects of what it means to be a boy in the 21st Century. Activities will include daily swimming and swimming instruction, film and video projects, martial arts, theatre games, poetry and practical
instruction in many sports which includes use of the Mountain Vista indoor court. The camp will only run three days per week, MondayWednesday, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and the cost is $10 per day, although no child is turned away for financial reasons. Contact Royal Miller for more information or to reserve a space: findroyal@gmail.com or call 520-603-7168.
Rates on the rise in Town of Mammoth
RLV Oracle Arts offers special day camp for boys; begins July 5
Closed ... Due to ‘extreme’ fire danger, the Coronado National Forest is closed. The temporary closure applies to all Ranger Districts of the Coronado National Forest, and includes Visitor Centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, summer cabins, organization camps and all other public uses. District Rangers may authorize use for specifically permitted activities through Special-Use Permits. Violation of the closure is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (Jennifer Carnes photo)
Copper Corridor Business Success Center helps local laid-off workers In recent weeks, both Pinal County and Gordon’s IGA have released dozens of residents from full time work. The Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition is reaching out to
these and other unemployed and recently laid off workers with a free Resume Writing lab as well as an Interviewing Skills lab to help them re-enter the workplace. Each four-hour lab will
provide participants with hands on learning; practical tools to help in the job search, and insights into the current employment landscape. This is also an opportunity to review and refresh your resume for
anyone in the market for work. The four-hour Resume Lab will be held Thursday, July 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Interviewing Skills See Workshops, Page 5
Rotary moving The San Manuel Rotary will be moving to the Sun Life Conference Room beginning on Tuesday, June 28. The Club will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Lunch is not provided but attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.