Public notice on page 11
Transformed Congregation Artist Doug Quarles’ work on display at Benson Gallery
JULY & AUGUST
2015
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IN THIS ISSUE
4 SSVEC 5 6 LINEMEN’S RODEO 7 CEO’S MESSAGE SSVEC’s 77th annual meeting
MAIN OFFICE 350 N. Haskell Willcox, Arizona 85643 (520) 384-2221 www.ssvec.org
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Creden W. Huber
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pat English, President Edward Molina, Vice President Kathy Thatcher, Secretary Dan Barrera, Treasurer Curtis Nolan Tom Goodman Don Kyte David Luna C. Lex Herron Gene Manring
LOCAL OFFICE PHONE NUMBERS Benson: (520) 586-2238 Bowie: (520) 847-6000 Cascabel: (520) 212-6001 Elfrida: (520) 642-3475 Patagonia: (520) 394-2051 San Simon: (520) 845-6000 Sierra Vista: (520) 458-4691 Sunsites/Pearce: (520) 826-6000 Sunizona: (520) 824-6000 Wireless Internet Help Desk 24/7: (877) 877-6861 After-hours, weekend and holiday outage number: (800) 422-3275
Commercial rates, audits and loans
SSVEC SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS 30 students receive scholarships
Local linemen represent at international competition
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10 PUBLIC NOTICE 11 IN THE KITCHEN 12 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14 STATE OF THE ARTS Huachuca Art Association gets a new home.
Fresh tastes off the grill
Find something fun to do in August and September
TRANSFORMED CONGREGATION Artist Doug Quarles paints the town in Benson
Touchstone Energy® The power of human connections
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE
SSVEC’s 77th Annual Meeting
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our cooperative recently held its77th annual meeting at Willcox High School. An annual meeting is required by the cooperative’s bylaws and provides an opportunity for members to get an overview of SSVEC’s financial status and the services it provides. Those who attended this year’s meeting witnessed the swearing in of three incumbent Board members and one new Board member, Lex Herron of Sierra Vista. They also saw the presentation of 30 scholarships from the SSVEC Foundation to area high school seniors. I’m including in this column some of the highlights of my comments in the CEO’s report at the meeting.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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In 2014 SSVEC total revenues decreased by 4.1 percent from 2013. The biggest reason for lower revenues (or energy sales) was reduced power costs. SSVEC passes through the cost without marking it up, and those reduced power costs were reflected in your bills. Mild weather, lost sales to solar, a soft economy, and business plan changes of SSVEC’s largest business customers were also contributing factors. SSVEC continues to retire patronage capital. In 2014 the cooperative returned $300,000 to members in the form of checks and bill credits, and has returned more than $13.5 million in capital credits since the cooperative’s incorporation in 1938. (Of that amount $7 million has been returned since 2002.) In 2008 SSVEC diversified its power
purchased to ensure members get the lowest power cost possible. In 2008 the cost per kilowatt-hour was 7.8 cents, in 2013 it was 6.175 cents and in 2014 it was 5.8 cents. Purchased power is passed through at cost so the lower prices were reflected in a credit on your monthly bill. SSVEC continues to initiate costsaving measures. Using multiple lending institutions and gaining the ability to issue commercial paper and bonds ensures we are paying the lowest interest on borrowed money and save an estimated $600,000 per year, in addition to the lower interest expense due to the low interest environment. Other estimated annual savings include $500,000 through changing our power broker to Arizona Electric Cooperative, $350,000 by adopting a self-insured medical plan for employees, $150,000 for new purchasing programs and $110,000 through a change in phone and technology contracts.
HARNESSING THE SUN SSVEC has three major solar projects in place and operating: rebates to members for installation of renewable energy projects.
TWO NEW MEMBER PAYMENT PROGRAMS
SSVEC is offering two new programs for the convenience of co-op members. The first is prepaid metering. Member can sign up for residential service and prepay their electricity usage. There is no deposit required and no late fees. Members can also make payments for power on their schedule rather than a monthly bill. Members must have access to a text messaging system so they can be informed when their balance is low and payment needs to be made to continue service. The second program is Smart Hub. It is available to members with residential service who have access to the Internet to log-in and view their account information. Members can monitor energy usage daily, weekly or monthly and compare usage this year to last year.
CREDEN W. HUBER Information on both programs can be found online at www.ssvec.org.
SOLAR
SSVEC continues its renewable program to meet the mandate set by the Arizona Corporation Commission of 7.5 percent of total energy sales from renewable resources by 2025. At this time the co-op is ahead of its 2015 goal. SSVEC has three major solar projects in place and operating: rebates to members for installation of renewable energy projects, our schools’ solar program and two solar arrays at co-op substations in San Simon and Sonoita. SSVEC is pursuing a fourth program. The cooperative is seeking bids for a 20-megawatt solar project. A recent survey of cooperative members indicated that if solar must be done it should be done in a way that monies collected are spent on projects that would benefit all members. We expect the contract to begin construction to be awarded soon. The project should be online by the end of 2016 and will bring SSVEC to more that 95 percent of its 2025 goal, thereby benefitting all members. As always, I want to recognize and thank SSVEC employees for their dedication and hard work for the cooperative.
SSVEC
Commercial Rates, Audits, and Loans
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n this issue I want to explain three related topics that affect businesses and how much those businesses spend on energy. The first topic is the electric rates for your business. SSVEC offers more than one rate; we have rates that are designed to match the way you do business. For example, using the same rate for a three-person insurance office and a Walmart doesn’t make sense. So we have a General Service rate for small businesses, a Large Power rate for large businesses, an Industrial Power rate for very large businesses. And if you have a “demand” of more than 1,000 kilovolt amperes (kVA) we can customize a rate just for your business. There is a word unique to a business rates and that word is “demand.” Demand is not part of SSVEC’s residential rates but it is a cost factor in commercial rates. Businesses get a demand charge on their bill based on the highest 15-minute load during the month. Let me use a car as an example to explain how kilowatthours (kWh) which is billed on all rates and kilowatt (kW) demand are related. Your car’s odometer measures how far you have traveled which is the kWh portion of the bill (pay by the mile) and the speedometer tells how fast you are going. Well,the meter at a business has a “speedometer” function and it keeps track of your highest “speed” (or demand) during
BY DAVID BANE, SSVEC KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER the month. A demand charge is applied to that reading. So, what does all this mean to you as a business owner or manager? You first want to make sure that you are on the best rate possible. There are ways to lower your monthly bill by finding ways to lower the demand. Did your business start small and now has grown? It may be time to move “up” to the next rate. Did you just go through a downsizing or efficiency upgrade? Maybe you can go “down” to a different rate. I can perform a rate analysis and verify you are on the best available rate. Let’s talk about other ways to lower your energy bills. SSVEC offers FREE ENERGY AUDITS for businesses as well as residential customers. The first step in the audit is a rate review to make sure you are on the best rate as I’ve explained. I then come to your place of business and visit with you and look for the easiest steps you can take to lower your bill. This could involve lighting upgrades, HVAC upgrades, energy control systems, or other opportunities. All these options are part of the audit. There are lots of new technologies that can help you manage your energy costs and
SSVEC wants to help you determine which will work best for you. (You did see the words FREE ENERGY AUDITS earlier, right?) And the final topic: LOANS. It is a hard decision to consider increasing your debt for energy efficiency projects. The one part where SSVEC can help is by providing that loan at a ZERO interest rate. SSVEC has funds available to help you upgrade your facility to lower your energy bills. (What is really “neat” is that some of the projects can lower your gas bill along with the electric bill so you get even more savings.) How can SSVEC provide loans at ZERO percent interest? The loan program is funded outside of our rates as part of the Arizona Corporation Commission’s required Electric Energy Efficiency Program (also known as a demand side management (DSM) program through a small surcharge on everyone’s monthly electric bill. To protect the funds the loan is secured by real property. In other words we put a lien on your business until the loan is repaid. So if you lease your property you would have to get the owner involved in the process. Sound interesting? The best way to get started is to send me an email with your account number and contact information to request a rate analysis or business audit. That email address is dbane@ssvec.com.
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SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
ABOVE: Scholarship Winners for Willcox, Bowie and San Simon high schools: Standing, Nathaniel Rundhaug (Willcox HS), Trisha Adams (Willcox HS), Ashleigh Dahlstrom (Willcox HS), Ashley Bales (Willcox HS), and Wesley Myers (Bowie HS). In front (kneeling) Caylin Tibbetts (San Simon HS). Not present for photo — Joshua Nieto (Willcox HS). TOP LEFT: Scholarship Winners for Tombstone, Buena, Patagonia and at-large: Standing, Anika Faglie (Buena HS), Zoe Gustason (Tombstone HS), Katelyn Scott (Tombstone HS), Savannah Foster (Patagonia Union HS), Sebastiana Subia (Primavera Online HS/ Veritas Christian Community School), Grace McGuire (Patagonia Union HS), and Emily Addington (Tombstone HS). In front kneeling, Raphael Saba (Arizona Virtual Academy) and Christopher Blocker (Buena HS). Not present for photo — Brandon O’Rahilly (Buena HS) and Carlos Mingura (Patagonia Union HS). BOTTOM LEFT: Scholarship Winners for Benson, St. David and Valley Union high schools: Standing, Kathryn Norris (St. David HS), Jasmine Guadarrama (Valley Union HS), Ashley Spence (Valley Union HS), Austin Dye (Valley Union HS), Shea Cottrell (St. David HS), Cheyenne Davis (St. David HS), and ShaeLynn Trejo (St. David HS). Kneeling--Katherine Trepanier (Benson HS), Sydney Roman (Benson HS) and Hannah Dahl (St. David HS). Not present for photo — Steven Barrera (Benson HS) and Christen Bowen (Benson HS).
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PHOTOS BY LARRY SCOTT
LINEMEN
High School Students in Co-op’s Service Area Awarded $45,000 in Scholarships Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) has announced the winners of 30 scholarships valued at $1,500 each in the annual SSVEC Foundation Scholarship program. SSVEC President Kathy Thatcher presented students with award certificates during the cooperative’s 77th annual meeting on Thursday evening, April 23, 2015, at Willcox High School Auditorium in Willcox, Arizona. The scholarships recognize extracurricular school activities, leadership potential, and community involvement as well as academic achievement. Prior to presenting scholarship certificates to the winners at the cooperative’s annual meeting, President Thatcher explained the purpose and eligibility of the scholarship program. “The cooperative’s board of directors began the scholarship program in 2001 to assist local students with the first year of their formal education,” she said. “To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be a graduating senior and enroll full time in the fall in a college, university, or trade school. In addition, the applicant must be in the upper twenty percent of his class or in the top ten students (whichever is greater), and the student’s parents or guardians must be members of SSVEC.” Cooperative members who served on the selection committee this year were Jody Klein, retired and former Cochise County Administrator, from Sierra Vista; Shelley Michaels, counselor for Bonita Elementary School, from Willcox; Gail Size, CEO of Inside Ultrasound, Inc. and Education Coordinator for Vascular-Web, from Sunizona; and Char Brown Stockton, retired social worker, from Elgin. The scholarship program is funded by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Foundation, an educational and charitable foundation. Each year, the cooperative advertises unclaimed patronage capital credits; if the owners of the unclaimed funds cannot be found, the money is transferred to the SSVEC Foundation. The Foundation also funds the cooperative’s Washington Youth Tour program and the Youth Engineering and Science Fair.
Lineman Rodeo Qualifiers: From left to right in photo are Mark Roll (SSVEC Maintenance/Operations Supervisor), SSVEC Apprentice Lineman Grant McCune (Benson), SSVEC Apprentice Lineman Owen Mortenson (Willcox), SSVEC Apprentice Lineman Marcus Lehmann (Benson), and Ricardo Garcia (SSVEC Construction Manager).
Lehmann, McCune, Mortenson and White to represent SSVEC in International Competition On May 16 SSVEC apprentice lineman from Benson, Willcox and Sierra Vista took part in competitive events to determine who would advance to the International Lineman’s Rodeo this October in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The competition included pencil and paper tests, timed pole climbing events and demonstration of CPR skills. Marcus Lehmann, Grant McCune, Owen Mortenson and Ben White earned the top four overall scores and will travel to Kansas in midOctober.
LEFT: SSVEC Apprentice Lineman Ben White (Sierra Vista) demonstrates CPR skills as part of the competition process.
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COVER STORY
COVER STORY
Transformed Congregation BY LARRY SCOTT
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remember my first glimpse of Doug Quarles’ painting, “Transformed Congregation,” showing more than twenty yellow-headed blackbirds on a power pole. I found it a bit startling, but compositionally satisfying. The harshness of the man-made electrical equipment contrasts well with the softness of the birds’ feathers. The large, 36 x 48 piece, painted in 2005, first appeared in the “Birds in Art” show at Leigh Yawke Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was then selected for a yearlong traveling show throughout the United States. I met with artists Doug and Sharon Quarles in their gallery in downtown Benson, at the corner of 4th and Huachuca streets. While Doug produces most of the pieces, typically acrylic or oil paintings, Sharon, also an accomplished artist, specializes in pastel and graphite. Their gallery is a wonderful, historic high-ceilinged building with more than 100 pieces on display. There are paintings
Many of Doug’s recent murals are based on historic photos from Benson and the surrounding area. This one may be seen across the street from the gallery, just west of Benson’s visitor center.
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Artist Doug Quarles’ work on display at Benson Gallery
of wild animals, horses, cattle, ranch scenes, mountains, valleys and rivers, portraits, and, as Doug says, even a flower or two. The collection includes several carefully rendered likenesses of ancient rusty junk cars. Doug and Sharon relocated from Tucumcari, New Mexico, nearly two years ago, to work with the Benson Clean and Beautiful Committee on their mural project. Since, then Doug has completed twenty murals throughout the town. Asked how he became a painter, Doug says he was born into it - “I’ve been drawing all my life.” “We love the area very much,” Sharon says. “The community has certainly opened their arms to us.” Doug and Sharon’s timing has been great for everyone. They participated with the San Pedro River Arts Council, who recently opened their beautiful Endeavor Gallery within a block of Quarles Gallery, next to the Arts & Historical Society Museum. Visitors to Benson can now enjoy two outstanding galleries on adjoining blocks.
Doug and Sharon Quarles in front of their gallery in Benson. The building is one of the oldest in the old downtown area.
“WE LOVE THE AREA VERY MUCH. THE COMMUNITY HAS CERTAINLY OPENED THEIR ARMS TO US.”
PHOTOS BY LARRY SCOTT
Doug often paints in the front room of the gallery during business hours.
IF YOU GO Quarles Art Gallery 196 East 4th Street Benson, Az. 85602 Phone: 686-2752 Hours: 9 am till 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday Sundays when at the Gallery
Doug with his painting “Transformed Congregation.” LEFT: Transformed Congregation, Yellow-Headed blackbirds, 36 x 48 Acrylic on canvas
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ART IN SIERRA VISTA
The State of the Arts, in Sierra Vista BY CHRIS FISK
One of the most popular city happenings each year is “Art in the Park” in Veterans Memorial Park in October.
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hings are looking quite rosy for the Huachuca Arts Association. The organization just closed on their very own building in Sierra Vista, signaling a huge opportunity for their growth as a home for the visual arts in our community. The organization has moved a number of times in its 46-year history, but has never had its own building, so it’s an exciting time. Although appearing small in front, the building boasts 2500 square feet, and is centrally located on Paseo San Luis between Avenida Cochise and Snyder Blvd. “Nobody knew where we were, they couldn’t see it from the street,” said board president, Liz Horning, of the current location in Hereford. “It’s almost like a little neighborhood,” said board member Angel Rutherford, of the new location. “We were lucky to get this building,” she continued. The association currently has a rental space on Astro Drive in Hereford, and for a few years had Gallery space in the Sierra Vista mall. The mall had been renting to the association at a reduced cost, but they recently found a tenant willing to pay fair market, thus ending their time in the mall. “OK, we need to look for a building,” Rutherford said, expressing the response to news of the move out of the mall. Because the new consolidated location will be more central, the expectation is that more people will find them to begin with, and the much larger space will give greater flexibility to increase the offerings, in particular more classes. There will also be added “perks” for members such as additional studio space available to them,
DID YOU KNOW?
The event is Huachuca Arts Association’s principle fundraiser with about 200 vendors. Many people don’t realize that it is HAA putting it on, mistakenly believing it to be a city-run event.
The Huachuca Arts Association is moving into a new location on Paseo San Luis. and the group will finally have room for a library to house the impressive collection of art books that are currently mostly in boxes due to lack of space. The annual membership fee is more than reasonable at $35, and is a simple way to support the arts in Cochise County if one is not necessarily an artist. They currently offer a few classes and studio time most days of the week for things such as portrait painting and drawing with live models, watercolors, and open studio time for “fun, info, sharing and support.” Once a month, they host a paper arts group. All of these will increase dramatically with the opening, and then some. The new larger space is allowing the members to muse on the many
possibilities now opening up to them. Looking forward, they are considering adding events such as wine tastings, and because of the proximity to the business district, are thinking that events at lunchtime might be a new option to pursue. “It’s important to bring the arts to the city. In retirement we have time to create art,” enthused Rutherford. The renovation is in the early stages of development and a committee is being formed to oversee the project, assess options, and work with the contractor. There is a variety of work to be done on the building, with a new roof being a top priority, but the soonest that can happen is August. In addition to the roof, numerous walls must come down and the
ceiling needs to be raised to create a space that allows for traffic flow and good sight lines for viewing art, in addition to some open space and more studios. As a nonprofit, a traditional mortgage was not an option for the association, and with rent in two locations they weren’t able to generate any appreciable savings. Working with one of their own members, however, they were able to work out a mortgage to get into the building. “More space, more convenient, more classes,” said Horning, summing up the good news about the state of the arts for Huachuca Arts Association, and Cochise County in general. The plan is for a grand opening in the late fall.
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF HEARING ON APPLICATION OF ARIZONA ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE FOR AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ADJUSTMENT RIDER SURCHARGE MECHANISM DOCKET NO. E-01773A-12-0305 On April 30, 2014, Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (“AEPCO”) filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an Application for Approval of a proposed Environmental Compliance Adjustment Rider and plan of administration (“ECAR Application”). AEPCO was authorized to file the ECAR Application in this docket by Commission Decision No. 74173, which authorized AEPCO’s rate reduction request. Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“SSVEC”) purchases electric generation services from AEPCO. If approved as filed, the ECAR will allow AEPCO to seek recovery of capital costs and chemical operating costs associated with environmental compliance for its generating facilities by passing those costs directly through to SSVEC without the necessity of filing a rate increase request with the Commission. SSVEC is not requesting an increase in rates from the Commission, but if the ECAR Application is approved, and AEPCO is subsequently authorized to charge SSVEC for ECAR costs through the ECAR surcharge, SSVEC may elect to pass those Commission-approved ECAR surcharges through to its retail members via its purchased power adjustor. The Commission has therefore directed that notice of AEPCO’s ECAR Application be provided through SSVEC’s newsletter. The Commission requested, and AEPCO provided, estimates of possible SSVEC retail member average monthly residential usage bill impacts in the event the ECAR Application is approved, and if AEPCO is subsequently authorized to charge SSVEC for ECAR costs through the ECAR surcharge, and if SSVEC elects to pass those Commission-approved ECAR surcharges through to its retail members, as follows: Year
Possible Possible Monthly Impact Possible Total From Capital From Operating Total Costs Costs
2016 $0.11 to $0.19 $0.61 to $2.10 2017 $0.53 to $0.90 $0.84 to $2.91 2018 $0.94 to $1.61 $0.59 to $2.34 Years after 2018 No estimates provided
$0.72 to $2.29 $1.37 to $3.81 $1.53 to $3.95
AEPCO is scheduled to file testimony in support of its ECAR Application on June 19, 2015. The Commission’s Utilities Division (“Staff”) will file testimony with its recommendations to the Commission on the ECAR Application on July 31, 2015, and any intervenors may file testimony with their recommendations to the Commission on the ECAR Application on August 14, 2015. A hearing will then be held during which evidence will be taken from the parties. Comments from the public will also be taken at the hearing. THE COMMISSION IS NOT BOUND BY THE PROPOSALS MADE BY AEPCO, STAFF OR ANY INTERVENORS. How You Can View or Obtain a Copy of the Application and Filings. Copies of the application and all other filings pertaining to the application are available from AEPCO at 1000 South Highway 80, Benson, Arizona 85602; at the Commission’s Docket Control Center at 1200 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona; and on the internet via the Commission’s website (www.azcc.gov) using the e-Docket function. Arizona Corporation Commission Public Hearing Information. The Commission will hold a hearing on this matter beginning August 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., at the Commission’s offices, 1200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Public comments will be taken on the first day of the hearing. You may also file your written comments electronically by going to the Commission’s homepage at www.azcc.gov
and clicking on “Submit a Public Comment” button or mailing a letter referencing Docket No. E-01773A-12-0305 to: Arizona Corporation Commission, Consumer Services Section, 1200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. If you require assistance, you may contact the Consumer Services Section at 1-800-222-7000 or 602-542-4251. Interested parties may participate in this matter through (1) filing for intervention and becoming a formal party to the proceeding; or (2) through written or oral public comment. Any interested person may file written public comments regarding AEPCO’s application in Docket No. E-01773A-12-0305 at any time. If you do not intervene in this proceeding, you will receive no further notice of the proceedings in this docket. However, all documents filed in this docket are available online (usually within 24 hours after docketing) at the Commission’s website www.azcc.gov using the e-Docket function, located at the bottom of the website homepage. RSS feeds are also available through e-Docket. About Intervention. The law provides for an open public hearing at which, under appropriate circumstances, interested parties may intervene. Any person or entity entitled by law to intervene and having a direct and substantial interest in the matter will be permitted to intervene. If you wish to intervene, you must file an original and 13 copies of a written motion to intervene with the Commission, and you must send copies of the motion to AEPCO or its counsel and to all parties of record in the case. Your motion to intervene must contain the following: 1. Your name, address, telephone number, and that of any other person upon whom service of documents is to be made; 2. A short statement of your interest in the proceeding; 3. A statement certifying that you have mailed a copy of the motion to intervene to AEPCO or its counsel and to all parties of record in the case; and 4. If you are not an individual representing yourself and you are not represented by an attorney who is an active member of the Arizona State Bar, any appropriate documentation demonstrating the intervenor’s compliance with Arizona Supreme Court Rules 31, 38, and 42, as applicable. The granting of motions to intervene is governed by A.A.C. R14-3-105, except that all motions to intervene must be filed on or before August 7, 2015. The granting of intervention, among other things, entitles a party to present sworn evidence at the hearing and to cross examine other witnesses. However, failure to intervene will not preclude any interested person or entity from appearing at the hearing and making a statement on their own behalf. All parties must comply with Arizona Supreme Court Rules 31, 38, and 42 and A.R.S. § 40-243 with respect to the practice of law. If you do intervene, and wish to present direct testimony and associated exhibits at the hearing, you must, on or before August 14, 2015: (1) reduce your direct testimony and associated exhibits to writing, (2) file the original and 13 copies with the Commission’s Docket Control Center by 4:00 p.m., and (3) mail a copy to each party. Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)/Equal Access Information. The Commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to its public meetings. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter, as well as request this document in an alternative format, by contacting the ADA Coordinator, Shaylin Bernal, at SABernal@azcc.gov, voice phone number 602-542-3931. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
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IN THE KITCHEN | ON THE GRILL
GRILLED CORN AND BLACKBEAN QUESADILLAS 6 servings 12 corn tortillas 1 cup cooked black beans (rinse and pat dry canned beans) 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted 12 oz. grated pepper-jack cheese 1 can (4.5 oz) diced green chilis 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped including some stem Gently mix everything, but the tortillas, in a bowl. Lightly brush one side of 6 tortillas with oil, then invert onto a sheet pan. Divide mixture between the tortillas. Place another tortilla on top and brush top with oil. Can be made a few hours ahead, covered and chilled. Place quesadillas on grill until grill marks appear and cheese begins to melt. Gently flip and continue to cook until grill marks appear. Remove from pan and let stand for one minute to allow cheese to firm slightly then cut into 4 to 6 wedges. Makes 32 to 38 wedges. Serve with guacamole or salsa. Recipes provided by Chris Fisk, Sierra Vista
THAI EGGPLANT SATE WITH PEANUT SAUCE 4 - 6 servings For Marinade 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup coconut milk 3 Tbsp. honey juice of 2 limes 2 cloves of garlic 2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly 2 Tbsp. cumin 2 Tbsp. coriander pinch crushed red pepper 4 Japanese or 1-2 small regular eggplants, sliced on the bias Combine everything but the eggplant in
a blender until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup of marinade for peanut sauce. For Peanut Sauce 3 Tbsp. peanut butter ¼ cup marinade from above ¼ cup coconut milk Whisk ingredients together until smooth, taste and add soy sauce or more lime juice as needed. Serve along side saté. Sauce can be made ahead, and tastes best after a few hours. For the Saté Marinate eggplant for 15 minutes. Soak skewers in water for 15 minutes. Thread eggplant onto skewers and grill for about 1 minute per side. Serve with peanut sauce.
CHIPOTLE AND ROASTED RED PEPPER CORN ON THE COB 6 servings 6 ears of corn, husk pulled back but not removed, silk removed 2 roasted red peppers or an 8 oz. jar 2 sun-dried tomatoes, plumped 1 Tbsp chipotle hot sauce 2 shallots 1 clove garlic 2 Tbsp. brown sugar In a blender or food processor, combine
everything but the corn. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Rub mixture over corn. Season with salt and pull husk back up. Place corn on prepared grill on the low-heat side for about 30 minutes or until tender. You may also wrap the corn in foil and place in a 400° oven for 40 minutes or until tender. Puree may be heated to a low simmer for 10 minutes, cooled and combined with softened butter and rechilled. Use as you would butter on the table.
GRILLED FLAT BREAD PIZZAS WITH ASPARAGUS AND FETA 6 servings 1 pound apsaragus, trimmed 6 flat breads 3 Tbsp. high-heat oil (canola, coconut) 8 oz. crumbled feta cheese 2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (if you dare) ¼ cup good olive oil
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Brush asparagus and both sides of flatbreads with oil, and season with salt. Grill asparagus for 2-3 minutes over medium heat turning after about a minute. Grill flatbreads about 1 minute each side. As flat breads come off the grill, top with tomato slices, garlic if using, and feta, followed by asparagus hot of the grill. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Enjoy!
ENERGY SAVINGS/NEW DIRECTOR
Low-Cost / No-Cost
Home energy-saving measures WATER HEATING 1. Set water heater temperature no higher than 120° F. 2. For households with 1 or 2 members, a 115°F setting may work fine. 3. Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions. 4. Drain 1–2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment build-up. 5. Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater. 6. Insulate exposed hot water lines. 7. Limit shower length to 5–7 minutes. 8. Install low-flow shower heads. 9. Fix dripping faucets. 10. Don’t let water run while you are shaving. 11. Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth
LAUNDRY 12. Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads. 13. Do only full laundry loads. 14. If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water. 15. Always use cold-water rinse. 16. Use bath towels at least twice before washing them. 17. Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load. 18. Make sure that the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when dryer is off. 19. Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting. 20. Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer. 21. Make sure dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged. 22. Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available. 23. Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load. 24. Consider using a “solar-powered” clothes dryer, an old-fashioned clothes line
KITCHEN 25. Use your refrigerator’s anti-sweat feature only if necessary. 26. Switch your refrigerator’s power-saver to “ON,” if available. 27. Clean refrigerator coils annually. 28. Set the refrigerator temperature to 34°–37°F and freezer temperature to 0°– 5°F.
29. Ensure gaskets around door seal tightly. 30. Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers. 31. Use microwave for cooking when possible. 32. When cooking on the range, use pot lids to help food cook faster. 33. If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold. 34. Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking. 35. Let hot food cool before storing it in the refrigerator. 36. Rinse dirty dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher. 37. Use cold water for garbage disposal. 38. Only run dishwater when fully loaded. 39. Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
LIGHTING 40. Replace any light bulb that burns more than one hour per day with its equivalent compact fluorescent bulb. 41. Turn off unnecessary lighting. 42. Replace outdoor lighting with its outdoor-rated equivalent compact fluorescent bulb. 43. Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32-Watt fluorescent lamps. 44. Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a motion sensor.
MISCELLANEOUS 45. Turn computers and monitors off when not in use. 46. Make sure electric blankets are turned off in the morning. 47. Turn waterbed heater off when not needed. 48. Turn large-screen TV’s off completely when not in use. 49. Turn off stereos and radios when not in use. 50. Remember to turn off hair curling irons and hot rollers. 51. Turn off coffee makers when not in use. 52. Turn off pool pump and/or heater when not needed. 53. Verify livestock water tank heaters are off when not needed. 54. Make sure heat tape is off when not needed. 55. Unplug battery chargers when not needed. 56. Ensure all new appliances you purchase are Energy Star-approved. 57. Set thermostats to 78°F in summer, 68°F in winter. 58. Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing down in summer. SOURCE: WWW.TOUCHSTONEENERGY.COOP
SSVEC Director C. Lex Herron C. Lex Herron is SSVEC’s newest board member representing district 9 (central Sierra Vista). Lex was born in New Zealand and left in 1963 for Canada where he worked in mining, manufacturing, management consulting and the oil and gas industries. He worked for Unocal (formally Union 76) in Alberta and transferred to the head office in Los Angeles in 1992. Lex has done consulting work in the areas of human resources and assisted with the development of a power plant in Indonesia. He retired in 1999 and in 2001 built a home in Winter Haven in Sierra Vista. He has a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. He served on several volunteer boards in Canada and has served on the housing committee of the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering and was a board member of the Winter Haven Homeowners Association, serving as its president for two years. Lex cited two short term challenges facing SSVEC: integration of renewables into the power supply and the movement away from grid power delivery as improved technologies emerge. “In the long term, I believe there are three challenges: finding an alternative to coal as a power source, dealing with the aging of the electricity infrastructure, and making system upgrades to accommodate future energy demands,” said Herron. Lex is also looking forward to the challenges and representing cooperative members as their director. Lex and his wife, Sue, have four adult children.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST JULY 29 TO AUGUST 1 Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, Sierra Vista
and a beverage. We will be raffling off many neat items. YOU choose the item(s) you want to take a chance on winning. Tickets are 25 cents each or 5 for $1. There will also be a bake sale. Come out and enjoy yourself and bring a friend.
Southwest Wings is Arizona’s longest running nature festival and is ranked as one of best birding festivals in the United States. The Festival is a celebration of the diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, in their unique environment; the sky islands of southern Arizona. Field trips, seminars, displays, vendors, and information will be available every day. It all takes place right here — in our spectacular high desert environment of Sierra Vista and Cochise County. The festival site is Cochise College (901 Colombo Avenue). Admission is free. For schedules, field trip registration, and information please visit http://www.swwings.org. or call (520) 266-0149.
AUGUST 1 Plant Now: 20 Most Successful Landscape Plants, Sierra Vista Late summer to early fall is the BEST time to plant most landscapes plants. But what to plant? We will discuss successful landscape plants, landscape design, plant care and planting guidelines. Free. UA Sierra Vista at 1140 N. Colombo Avenue, Groth Hall, Public Meeting Room. 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more info, check http://cals.arizona.edu/ cochise/waterwise/events.html or call (520) 4588278 (ext.2141).
AUGUST 12 Annual Harvest Fest, Elgin Annual HarvestFest at Sonoita Vineyards Includes wine tasting with souvenir glass, wine and food pairings, winery tours, vineyard tours and grape stomping each day at 1:30 p.m., lunch available for purchase. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (520)-4555893 or http://www.sonoitavineyards.
AUGUST 4 Community Association Dinner/Raffle, Sunizona
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The second annual Sunizona-Ash Creek Community Association Dinner/Raffle will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Association Hall behind Mustang Mall. Adult dinners are $5, children 10 and under are $2.50. You’ll receive either a BBQ hamburger sandwich or a hot dog, both served with beans
welcome. Rehearsals will focus on music for their 12th annual benefit gospel concert and the annual benefit Christmas concert. The gospel concert will be presented on Oct. 16 and 17. The Christmas concert will be presented Dec. 11. Both concerts aid community charities. If you plan on joining the chorus please keep those dates in mind. If you have any questions about joining the chorus, chorus activities and schedules please contact Marilyn Penrose, general manager at (520) 3782218.
AUGUST 29 Xeriscape Tour, Sierra Vista Join us for a fun and informative tour featuring some of Sierra Vista’s most beautiful and successful Xeriscaped homes and gardens! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For maps and details check http://cals.arizona.edu/ cochise/waterwise/events.html or call Water Wise at (520) 458-8278 (ext.2141).
SEPTEMBER AUGUST 7
SEPTEMBER 5
Employment and Education Fair, Willcox
Flyer Bike Ride, Willcox
Southeastern Arizona Workforce Connection is hosting the Willcox Employment and Education Fair in partnership with the Elsie S Hogan Community Library. The event will take place at the Willcox Community Center (312 W Stewart St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you would like to donate lunches or need more information contact Angelica Hernandez at (520) 236-2844 or Vickie Simmons (520)-4589309 or vickie.simmons@cpic-cas.org
BEGINNING AUGUST 24 Rehearsals for Sierra Vista Community Chorus, Sierra Vista The Sierra Vista Community Chorus, under the direction of Sharon Keene, is looking forward to another exciting new concert season. Rehearsals begin on Monday, Aug. 24 at 9:30 a.m. and every Monday thereafter. Rehearsals are held at the Ethel Berger Center, 2950 E. Tacoma Street in Sierra Vista. The chorus welcomes new members, adult men and women up to 80+ years and welcomes back all those members who helped make past concerts a success. The choral music is arranged in four -part harmony. No auditions are necessary and there are no dues or charges to join the chorus. The chorus is always looking for additional men’s voices. All voices, both male and female are
Riders may choose a 33 or 66 mile, out and back course. All riders leave town on Highway 186 and make their way up a gradual climb until they reach the 33 mile turn around point on top of the iconic Dos Cabezas Mountains. If continuing, riders enjoy a scenic route with rolling hills and wide open rangeland until they reach the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument. All racers receive a bag of swag and a race T-shirt. http://www.active.com
SEPTEMBER 5-7 100th Annual Labor Day Rodeo, Sonoita 100th Annual Labor Day Rodeo – Sonoita Fairgrounds More than 700 entries and more than $40,000 awarded in cash and buckles to the top contestants of the Southwest, bulls, saddle broncs, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bareback, calf roping, team roping, team penning, and mutton busting and peewee events for little cowpokes, dinner, dance, $5-$10, 1:00 pm performances, 520-455-5553 orhttp://www. sonoitafairgrounds.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 9 Sewing Room Sale, Sierra Vista Come join the Hummingbird Stitchers Quilt Guild for an “inside” SEWING ROOM SALE on Wednesday September 9. Among the many items for sale are fabrics, threads, notions, quilting magazines and books, cross stitch & embroidery kits and patterns, a sewing machine and a medium arm quilting machine. Members may also have tables of their personal quilting items for sale. Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Guild workrooms located at the east end the Rothery Educational Service Center, 3305 Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista. Cash or checks only. For more information visit www.hummingbirdquiltguild.com or call MaryAnn at (520) 255-6780.
SEPTEMBER 15 Winter Gardening: Vegetables and More!, Sierra Vista It’s still a great time to plant landscape plants – and a WINTER GARDEN! Cado will share her
Deadline for the September issue of Currents featuring events for the months of October and November is Aug. 6. Email information to wcrane@ssvec.com.
experience with delicious and productive winter vegetable gardens as well as some wonderful plants ready for a home in your landscape now! 9 to 11 a.m. at ACE Hardware Garden Center, 3756 E. Fry Blvd. Presenter: Cado Daily, UA Cochise County Cooperative Extension Water Wise Program. For more info, check http://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/ waterwise/events.html or call (520) 458-8278 (ext.2141).
SEPTEMBER 18-20 100th Annual Santa Cruz County Fair, Sonoita 100th Annual Santa Cruz County Fair – 100 Years of Family Fun - Sonoita Fairgrounds, activities include a carnival, 4-H exhibits and auction, several hundred open division exhibits, ranch rodeo, barrel racing, team roping, all-day entertainment, food, premium and sweepstakes awards, BBQ lunch on Sunday prior to 4-H auction, $3-$5, gates open at 9:00 a.m. (520) 455-5553 or http://www.sonoitafairgrounds.com.
SEPTEMBER 24-27 91st Annual Cochise County Fair, Douglas 91st Annual Cochise County Fair - County Fairgrounds, carnival rides, collegiate rodeo, 4-H demonstrations, livestock auction, live entertainment, exhibits, $3-6, 520-364-3819 or http://cochisecountyfair.org/ or http:// arizonafairs.com.
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SUMMER SALES EVENT
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