Democracy for New Mexico

DFA Offers Free Night School Direct from YearlyKos to Your Computer

From Democracy for America:
Democracy for American folks will be in Chicago for YearlyKos, the annual bloggers' conference. I know that not everyone can take off the weekend, so I talked to some of the event organizers and to some of the country's top political bloggers. Together we figured out a way to bring you the energy and excitement of the conference to you in the comfort of your own home – DFA Night School!

Building an Open Progressive Community
Thursday, August 2nd, 4:30-5:30pm Mountain Daylight Time
RSVP: https://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=22051

That's right, even if you aren't going to be in Chicago, you can attend without having to make the trip or paying a dime. We're excited to announce that DFA Night School will be taking place live from YearlyKos this Thursday at 4:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time. Chris Bowers from www.openleft.com and Katrina Baker from Living Liberally will join us as we learn how to Build an Open Progressive Community.

You and I both know that the Internet has fundamentally changed how people engage in the political process. This Thursday we'll focus on how you can use online tools to build up a progressive community in your area. The session focuses on using online tools and offline actions, locally, to build an open progressive community. Then we'll show you how to leverage that community to engage your local Democratic Party, making it more active and responsive to progressive values.

This special DFA Night School event will be brought to you live from the YearlyKos convention hall, so it should prove to be an exciting, unique experience. Join us as DFA brings YearlyKos to you.

Night School is DFA's no-cost online training program. After you sign up, you will receive the information for our nationwide toll free conference call. The presentation includes a slideshow you can view in your browser or download and print out beforehand. Join us as DFA brings YearlyKos to your living room.

Arshad Hasan, Training Director
Democracy for America

P.S. If you enjoyed the last Night School sessions on fundraising, the DVD version is now available!

https://contribute.democracyforamerica.com/nightschool

Every purchase helps us continue to keep Night School free for everyone. I'm always looking to be innovative in our training program, and your support allows me to continue to trainings online and in person. Order your DVD today!

YearlyKos

I'm headed to YearlyKos at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, so things may be a bit slow around here for awhile. I set up some auto-posts and I'll try to check in when I can, but no guarantees. There's so much going on at the convention that I think down time and web time will be hard to muster. Very exciting.

Lots of sources will be covering the gathering so you can follow things right from your couch or computer. A YearlyKos follow it at home page will have frequently updated links to all the coverage they know about. Both CSPAN and CNN plan TV and web video coverage -- no details yet. Talking Points Memo will have something called TPMtv with interviews and live coverage. So will PoliticsTV and UstreamTV online. No doubt participants will be uploading stuff to YouTube and flickr. And I'm sure just about every progressive blog will be on the story to some extent.

There are a multitude of panel discussions, workshops, roundtables and film screenings, which you can browse in the convention schedule. Major events, official and unofficial, include (all times Central Daylight Time):

Wednesday, August 1

• Evening: Various receptions and parties
• 8-9:30 PM: DFA Health Care Forum with Jim Dean, health care advocates and experts

Thursday, August 2

• All day: Interest group and blogger caucuses, panels, workshops, roundtables, films
• 7-9 PM: Kickoff keynote speech by DNC Chair Howard Dean, with welcomes from Markos and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
• 9-10 PM: DFA Grassroots Victory Caucus

Friday, August 3

• All day: roundtables, panel discussions, workshops, films
• 8-9 AM: Keynote speech by Wesley Clark
• Luncheon speech by Andy Stern of SEIU
• 5:30-7:30 PM: Netroots Candidate Celebration (one of the cosponsors is Don Wiviott, Dem candidate for NM Senate)

Saturday, August 4

• All day: roundtables, panel discussions, workshops, films
• 8-9AM: Ask the Leaders Forum with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Rahm Emanuel
• 1-2:45 PM: Presidential Candidate Forum with Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel
• 3-3:45 PM: Individual breakout sessions with presidential candidates
• 4:30-6:30 PM: Teamsters' Rally and BBQ
• 7-10 PM: Closing Keynote by Markos plus surprises

Sunday, August 5

• 11AM-1PM: Bloggers' Brunch

Other Info:

• An unbelievable list of Speakers, Panel & Workshop Leaders
• Exhibitors

Sign Up Now for Training for Nonprofit Staff & Volunteers

From America Votes, Center for Civil Policy:
Alliance for Justice Presents Worry-Free Advocacy: Understanding the Rules of Nonprofit Advocacy and Election-Related Activity. During this one-day workshop for nonprofit managers, staff, and volunteers, our attorney-trainers will teach you the rules so that you can answer questions such as:

• What is lobbying?
• How much can our 501(c)(3) lobby?
• What are the state rules and regulations we need to be aware of?
• What types of election-related activity can our 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) engage in?

Co-sponsored by America Votes, Center for Civil Policy, P.O. Box 27616, Albuquerque, NM 87125, 505.842.5539, https://www.civicpolicy.com

August 29, 2007, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
AFSCME
1202 Pennsylvania NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
$40 before August 15th
$60 after August 15th

Click for flyer (doc) and help spread the word.

Please RSVP to Jennifer Ford of America Votes - NM at jford@americavotes.org.

Registration fee includes all workshop materials and lunch. For information, registration or other workshop dates, visit www.afj.org/worryfree.html  Questions? Contact Jasmeet Sidhu at (202) 822-6070 or Jasmeet@afj.org.

Education to be Focus of Next LWV Luncheon

From League of Women Voters, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County: Dr. Pauline Rindome, Director of the Legislative Education Action Committee (LESC), will be the keynote speaker at the League of Women Voter's July Luncheon Meeting. She will discuss issues in New Mexico's K-12 Public Education System. The luncheon will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, 2910 Yale Blvd SE, on Thursday, July, 12, 2007 at 11:45 AM. Reservations are required! Contact the Office (505) 884-8441, Monday - Thursday before Noon. For more information about the League visit, www.lwvabc.org.

CONTACT PERSONS: Carolyne DeVore-Parks, Public Relations Director (505)818-7974, carolynedp@msn.com; or Dick Mason, Health Care Chair, (505)994-0685, polirich@aol.com.

Cornstalk Music Fest and Fundraiser Set for June 16

From the Cornstalk Institute:
 
The Cornstalk Institute presents
The Festival of the Great Unknowns: A Music Lover's Delight
June 16, 11 AM to Midnite
Tickets to the festival are on sale at Natural Sound on Central and at cornstalkinstitute@yahoo.com. A pass for the day is $30 for one person or $50 for two, which is more fun anyhow. 
            
For 15 years the Cornstalk Institute in Albuquerque's South Valley has provided outstanding experiential education programs to Albuquerque's young folk. Mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, climbing, gardening, building and mentoring are among the many activities we use to " educate independent students to become community assets and effective leaders for 21st century democracy."

During the past couple of months, the Institute has been named "Outstanding Prevention Program in the Southwest" and a "Best of 'Burque 'Staff Pick" as the "Best After-School Program You've Probably Never Heard Of" by the Weekly Alibi.

From Noon to Midnite on June 16th, we're presenting The Festival of the Great Unknowns, a music festival at the Institute. Incredible musicians, singers, songwriters, pickers and players from all over the country have donated their time and talent to help us celebrate our 15th year and to raise funds for some of our outstanding students to take some wonderful education expeditions.

Come listen and dance yo butt off to the music of Tucson's Grayhound Soul; Santa Fe geetar whiz Ken Valdez; Madrid singer, songwriter Jim Almand; NYC singer/songwriter Emory Joseph; Red River master tunesmith; Rick Fowler; the inimitable Daddy Long Loin; 'Burque faves Jasper; multi- talented Jeffrey Richards and Bright Carver; the incomparable Cole Mitchell; guitar master Scott Chard from Edmund OK, the good-timing Ditch Dawgs, and from Muscle Shoals Alabama singer/songwriter David Walton and the wonderful Karen Gruber.

We hope you can join us for this music and fun. 

Thanks to you, the kids at Cornstalk will have some wonderful opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. There are a couple of programs that will be funded as early as this summer, including sending two kids to Camp Winnarainbow, Wavy Gravy's performing arts camp in California, and sending a couple of students on a bike trip in South America. These are talented, deserving young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity for such enriching experiences, so ... a big, heartfelt thanks to each of you. 

Come on and hang out at the festival and enjoy yourselves! The primary vendor for the festival is Johndhi's on Rio Grande, so there will be great food, cold beer, etc. We hope you'll make yourselves at home!

IT"S ONLY MONEY....Good fun for a Good Cause

We're looking  for looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks and chores. Volunteering for a couple of hours is a good way to help and will get you in the festival free. Sign up at cornstalkinstitute@yahoo.com

Don't forget your tix for "Maybelline," the 1959 Pontiac Catalina that we're raffling off at the festival!  We're holding a silent raffle for a spanking new Fender Stratocaster signed by two of the world's best players--Robert Cray AND Eric Clapton. Click for raffle flyer (doc).

We would be hugely appreciative if you would pass this along to your friends!

-Directions: Take I-25 south to Rio Bravo. Go west on Rio Bravo past Isleta to the 4th light at Del Rio.  Go right (north) on Del Rio to Barcelona Road. Go left (west) on Barcelona for about 1/2 mile. Cornstalk is the 1st place on the right past the ditch where the cottonwoods get tall. Yellow house, blue trim. You can also come south on Coors if that's easier, then take a left (east) on Barcelona Road (after Arenal but before Rio Bravo). Cornstalk is .6 mile east of Coors on the left. There'll be signs.

Once again, thank you so much for your generosity in taking on this event!  We are so excited that you're going to be part of this, and we truly hope that it is fun for all of you as well. We are grateful for your contribution to the scholarship fund.

Sing. Dance. Eat. Love ... and if we're lucky, change the world. Thems that want to have fun, come. Thems that don't stay home."

Deryle
samcooke@ix.netcom.com

Jefferson Middle School Group to Protest Principal Transfer

From Gordon Monaghan:
Jefferson Middle School Parents and Students to Protest at School Board Meeting: Principal transfers raise community concern

• Who:  Concerned Jefferson Middle School parents, students and community members
• What:  Demonstration in support of Jefferson Middle School Principal Ivy Langan; Demonstration decrying the lack of process in the recent principal transfers in APS
• When:  Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 4:30 PM before the regularly scheduled APS School Board meeting
• Where:  In front of APS Headquarters, Indian School Blvd. between San Pedro and Louisiana, Albuquerque

More info: gordonmonaghan@msn.com, (505)259-2738.

Tonight: DPBC Third Thursday Meeting to Tackle Intelligent Design vs. Science in the Classroom

From the DPBC e-news:
The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County will hold its regular Third Thursday Meeting on February 15 at 6:00 PM at the UNM Law School, Room 2402. Click for map. The topic will be the Impact on Public School Education of Non-Science in the Science Classroom. The speakers will be be Dr. Marshall Berman and M. Kim Johnson. All Democrats are welcome.

Two bills and two joint memorials -- SB 371, SJM 9, HB 506, HJM 14 -- have been introduced in the New Mexico House and Senate to “ensure that teachers have the right and freedom to teach biological origins objectively.” They use words like “scientific theories,” “credentialed scientists,” “strengths and weaknesses,” and “critically analyze.” In reality, these are euphemisms intended to cover the real intent, which is to allow teachers to teach material generated from the Intelligent Design creationist movement. We will discuss how disingenuous this legislation is, and how it will damage science education in New Mexico.

To receive the DPBC e-news, send your name, email address and county to dpbc@att.net.

NM House Education Committee to Conduct Open Forum Saturday

From the NM House of Representatives Leadership:
The House Education Committee chaired by Rep. Rick Miera (D-Albuquerque) will be conducting an open forum 9:30 - 11:30 AM on Saturday, February 10th on the House Floor at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

Rep. Miera said, “This open forum allows the general public, parents, and educators to be part of the legislative process since most of them work during the week when the committees are being held. The people who’ve attended in the past are passionate about education and this provides them with an opportunity to address the committee with their concerns.  The information and input we gather from them has been invaluable.”

2007 APS Board Election Results

Yesterday's Albuquerque Public School Board election results as reported in this Albuquerque Tribune article:

District 1, South Valley:
Dolores Griego 698
Richard Ray Sanchez 493
Cecilia M. C De Baca 319

District 2, West Side:
Robert Lucero 1,418
Cynthia L. Jones 1,020

District 4, Downtown, Mid-Heights:
Marty Esquivel 1,639
John B. Edward 1,156
Pauline Nuñez 900
Vanessa Alarid 384
Charles MacQuigg 149

The $157 million mil levy for school improvements passed with 60% of the vote.

Last Day for Early Voting in APS Board Election

This is the last day for early in-person for the Albuquerque Public Schools board election. The election is set for February 6, 2007 with consolidated polling places around the city. Today you can voted at any of the four early voting locations in Albuquerque that will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM:

Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office
6th Floor, Room 6011
One Civic Plaza

APS City Centre
6400 Uptown Blvd NE

Plaza Ladera
5300 Sequoia NW Suite G

Paradise Hills Community Center
5901 Paradise Blvd NW
Note: Early Voting is in the West Annex building

Today is also the last day to request an absentee ballot and all such completed ballots must be received at the Bernalillo County Clerk's office by 7:00 PM Tuesday.

If you have any questions you can call the office of the Bernalillo County Clerk at 468-1290 or email them at clerk@bernco.gov.

Check our previous post for more information on the election and the candidates. To determine which APS district you reside in, click and enter your address.

The Albuquerque Tribune online has video interviews with board candidates.