Who lives in Patagonia? And what on Earth do they do in this little town?

We are a complex web of individuals ranging from new parents and retired telephone technicians to business owners, quilters, and would-be musicians. What all of us have in common are a need for independence, interconnectedness, and the ability to express ourselves in any way we choose.

Making a living in Patagonia requires a certain level creativity. Restaurateurs, non-profit administrators, mobile knowledge workers, techies, healers, artists, marketers, photographers, business owners, university professors, caterers, metal workers, masons, builders, carpenters, and musicians, all coexist here. The key is being creative about the way you look at "work."

Abbey, Toby, and Taj Zanotti Abbey spent most of her childhood in Patagonia, then headed off to college and Bend, Oregon before settling here with her husband Toby, a graduate of Prescott College who discovered Patagonia during an environmental education project. A interior design artist and part-time administrative support professional for a DC-based technology company, Abbey is also a licensed massage and cranial sacral massage therapist. When he's not building the couple's new home or digging in the garden, Toby is the science, journalism, and PE teacher at Patagonia Middle School. Both are wild about being new parents to their 6-month old son, Taj.

Adrienne Halpert
Born and raised in New York City, Adrienne is a visual artist and entrepreneur. She has an incredible knack for finding one-of-a-kind art, textiles, and indigenous treasures from around the world, which she then makes available to everyone in her unique shop, Global Arts Gallery. A member of the community for more than 15 years, Adrienne has a fabulous sense of style and humor. She's also a dog lover, shrine maker, fabulous cook, dedicated friend, tireless volunteer, art supporter, and creative community relationship builder.

Jude Weierman and Joseph Montell
Dog lovers both, they've got three, with a combined weight of more than 250 pounds, Jude and Joe "immigrated" to Patagonia via Laguna Beach, CA eight years ago. Jude retired from the California Parks District in 1994 and now spends his time hiking up Red Mountain and walking the three "kids." He's also active in the Santa Cruz Singers, the Friends of the Patagonia Library, and his homeowners association. Joe was an art director on the Rocky and Bullwinkle show, and is a trained weaver who has lived in both Italy and Mexico. Today, he's painting and sculpting his way through retirement.

Cecilia San Miguel
From Chicago and San Diego, via Ecuador, Cecilia is a visionary entrepreneur who creates gourmet pizzas and specialty foods and serves them under the watchful eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Velvet Elvis Pizza Company. Cecilia also recently purchased a 75-year old adobe bar and transformed it into La Mision de San Miguel, a smoke-free nightclub and cultural center in the heart of downtown Patagonia where her creative spirit breathes energy into the community through eclectic musical entertainment and special events.

Meredith Aronson
Professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, and a mother of two beautiful children, Aramis and Egg, Meredith is an avid gardener, community volunteer, and former member of the Patagonia Town Council. After creating natural paint recipes for several years, Meredith has just launched Green Planet Paints, a natural paint company that offers clay and natural pigment paints, made right here in Patagonia.