Democracy for New Mexico

Abundant Life - Celebrate the Valle Vidal This Friday in Taos

From the Coalition for the Valle Vidal:
The Taos County Club, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal and Sustain Taos invite you to the opening of

Abundant Life Art Exhibit -- Celebrating the Valle Vidal
Gallery on the Green, Taos County Club, Taos, NM
Opening Reception, 6-9:00 PM, October 20, 2006

Art exhibit opening admission free to artists; $25 for the public. Bioneers attendees receive a $10 discount. For more information visit: https://www.vallevidal.org.

Coalition for the Valle Vidal:  Jim O’Donnell 505.758.3874; jodonnell@vallevidal.org

Abundant Life Art Exhibit/Coalition for the Valle Vidal: William M. Brown; wmb3@zianet.com

Taos Country Club: 505.758.7300.  Artists’ Contact: Betsy Carey, betsy@kitcarson.net

NM Bioneers Conference/Sustain Taos:  Sharon Leach, 758-2103, sharonl@sustaintaos.org

During the summer and fall this year, artists from throughout New Mexico and our neighboring states visited the Valle Vidal to portray its exceptional beauty in paintings, sculpture, film, pottery, photography, jewelry, and other media.

The Gallery on the Green at the Taos Country Club will display these special artworks for sale at a gala reception on October 20th.  Artists will take half of the proceeds of their sales, and half will go directly to protecting and restoring the Valle Vidal.

REGISTER NOW: 2006 New Mexico Wilderness Conference

From the NM Wilderness Alliance:
The Future of Wilderness
November 11, 2006
Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat
242 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Map, Directions

Registration will begin at 8:00 AM
Conference runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wild Reception and Auction from 4 to 6:00 PM
Please Pre-Register Space is limited

Advance Conference Registration Fee: $40 including a tasty lunch from the Blue Heron Cafe and entrance to the Wild Reception.

Featuring:

Michael Soule, the Father of Conservation Biology, presenting his grand vision of the “Spine of the Continent”

Roger Kaye, Wilderness Specialist, Author and Conservationist presenting “The Last Great Wilderness:  The Campaign to Establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge”

Ken Madsen, award-winning writer, photographer and conservationist from the Yukon, giving a Slide Show "The Arctic Connection"

Arturo Sandoval,  President of the Coalition for New Mexico Wilderness, presenting “Diversity in New Mexico”

Dave Foreman, Director of The Rewilding Institute and Founding Father of NMWA, presenting "The Future of Wilderness"

Additional Workshop Sessions Include:
Saving the Gila: New Mexico’s Last Wild River by Dutch Salmon
Wilderness & the Human Spirit by Roger Kaye
The Mexican Wolf by Michael Robinson
Volunteer Workshop by Christianne Hinks and Nancy Morton
Arctic Workshop by Erik DuMont and Ken Madsen
Saving Otero Mesa by Nathan Newcomer and Stephen Capra

Join us for a Wild Reception and Auction following the Conference with Auctioneer Extraordinaire Dave Foreman.

Bid on Wilderness Trips including:
Stay at Bear Mountain Lodge in the Gila; Llama Trek and Lunch near Taos; Guided tour of Otero Mesa; Ladder Ranch Private Tour and Stay; Backpack with Wolf Expert Dave Parsons in the Gila Wilderness; and more.

Silent Auction: Bid on artwork, gear, books, gift certificates and more.

Please pre-register to hold your place, space is limited.

You can register in three ways.
1.  On-line at: https://secure.ga1.org/05/nmwild_2006conference
2.  Call us at: 505/843-8696
3.  Send a check to:
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
PO Box 25464
Albuquerque, NM 87125

Clean Energy Group Organizes in Las Cruces

This is a guest post by Ed Fulmer a renewable energy advocate who blogs at Alternative Comment:

Every day there is growing consensus that fossil fuel based transportation, energy generation and agriculture is not sustainable into the future. A new group has formed in Las Cruces to explore clean renewable affordable energy solutions. The Southwest Energy Alliance meets the first Wednesday of each month, 6 p.m., at the South West Environmental Center on the Mall in Las Cruces.

The group brings together energetic, capable and imaginative citizens dedicated to public education, citizen action and the installation of renewable energy production facilities. If you attend one of their meetings you will find a full agenda of energy related topics. Biofuels, geothermal energy, solar installation, wind energy technology, government incentives, community education and clean energy capitalization are some of what you’ll hear. The Alliance is a discussion group, a government watchdog and a community advocate for clean energy. In addition, there are field trips to renewable energy facilities.

The group was in action on Thursday October 5th when two members met with the City Project Administrator for the new city hall. The topic was Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the facility. The way this building is constructed will determine it’s effect on the wallets and the health of Las Crucens for decades to come.

The South West Environmental Center is an appropriate venue for Energy Alliance meetings. SWEC is poised to become a focal point of clean energy in southern New Mexico. The New Mexico Legislature passed and the Governor authorized funding for the installation of a solar electric system and a solar energy education exhibit at the center. However, New Mexico State University, tasked with installation, has reportedly reneged on fulfilling the intent of the legislation to include an educational exhibit.

As we continue to move toward the tipping point, whether it is the economic impact of high energy prices or the environmental impact of global warming, pollutants and resource extraction, the South West Energy Alliance will be working on solutions.

ACTION ALERT: Election Day Volunteers Needed

From Marvin Moss, Chairperson, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County:

CALLING ALL ELECTION DAY VOLUNTEERS. WE NEED YOU ON ELECTION DAY! For one of the most important days in 2006
  * To make sure every vote counts
  * To make sure our new paper ballot system works for voters
  * To keep our elections fair and honest
  * To help Democratic candidates get elected

3 WAYS TO VOLUNTEER ON ELECTION DAY:

1. POLL WATCHER/CHALLENGER - for the Democratic Party.  Not paid. Hours: 4-6 hours on election day. Training by Democratic Party. Job duties: observe voters and voting process to make sure voters do not have problems voting.  You can call the Democratic Party if there are problems a specific voter is having and help get the problems resolved for the voter.

2. PRECINCT JUDGE - for the County Clerk, paid $130 (approx) for election day. Hours:  6am-7:30pm. Training by County Clerk and/or Democratic Party.  Job duties:  help voters sign in & vote. Non-partisan position - may not talk to voters about parties or candidates. (You need to have served as a poll worker at least twice to fill one of these slots.)

3. PRECINCT CLERK - for the County Clerk, paid $130(approx) for election day. Hours:  6am-7:30pm. Training by County Clerk and/or Democratic Party.  Job duties:  help voters use voting machines & booths. Non-partisan position - may not talk to voters about parties or candidates.

Post-election canvass workers will also be needed.

SIGN UP NOW TO BE AN ELECTION DAY WORKER! CALL OR EMAIL:

DORY SHONAGON, 480-1848, dshonagon@earthlink.net, about being a Precinct Watcher/Challenger or Precinct Clerk

ANA CANALES, 620-8140, analcanales@msn.com, about being a Precinct Judge   
   
In conjunction with the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County.

BREAKING: Otero Mesa Court Decision

From the NM Wilderness Alliance:
Today, September 27, Judge Bruce Black ruled on the Otero Mesa lawsuit and rejected most of our claims. While this is very disappointing news, our coalition of conservationists, hunters, ranchers, business and religious leaders plan on appealing the decision.

While the judge rejected most of our claims the court clearly recognized the importance of Otero Mesa and that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has not adequetly analyzed the impacts of oil and gas drilling. The BLM cannot move forward issuing new leases in Otero Mesa without doing a NEPA analysis for each new lease.

That being said, We need your support now more than ever to put pressure on Senator Bingaman to stop oil and gas drilling from moving forward on Otero Mesa.

We will be holding a national call in day to Senator Bingaman's office on Friday, September 29, calling on him to introduce legislation that would prevent oil and gas drilling from occuring in America's largest and wildest grassland.

National Call in Day to Senator Bingaman's Office
Friday, September 29, 2006
Toll-Free from New Mexico: (800) 443-8658
Outside of New Mexico: (202) 224-5521

Please Stay Tuned for more Updates on Otero Mesa

Solar Fiesta Kickoff Celebrates 50th Anniversary of First Solar House

This post was submitted by guest blogger Suzanne Prescott, who has been contributing reports regularly to DFNM. She also shot the photos at the event.

Whether you call it solar energy, oil independence, or renewable energy, it may not be the issue that wins the fall election but an increasing number of people believe it's the issue we need to address in order to preserve our planet. Recognizing the issue’s significance, the 50th anniversary of the world's first commercial solar building was held today, Friday September 22, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The crowd included many of the state's renewable energy cognoscenti who came out to recognize the 1956 work of Frank Bridgers and Don Paxton whose bold experimental solar design was successful. 

The occasion also marked the inauguration of the first Equinox Award for contributions to an environmentally sustainable economy. Winner of the award was internationally known Santa Fe architect, Ed Mazria, pictured below. Presenting the award were Janet Briedgers, daughter of Frank Bridgers and city councilor, Ike Benton.

Pictured include (left to right:) Martin Heinrich, Jim Baca,  Ed Mazria, Janet Bridgers, Mrs. Frank Bridgers, and Ike Benton

Also in the crowd was Senator Dede Feldman, sponsor of the 2006 NM legislative energy tax credit legislation.

The event also marked the beginning of this year's Solar Fiesta which will be held at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center on Saturday on Sunday. For more information about the fiesta visit https://www.nmsea.org. For more coverage of the 50th Anniversary celebration visit Jim Baca's blog at https://onlyinnewmexico.blogspot.com/.

This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit material for possible publication as a guest blog, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of our main page. -- BW

Join the League of Conservation Voters Canvass and Meet Patricia Madrid

From the :
The League of Conservation Voters is having a community canvass and volunteer day Saturday, September 23.

Patricia Madrid will be speaking to and meeting with our volunteers at 10:00 AM. We will then have some snacks, and then get to work to win this election! We will be going door-to-door, making phone calls, and working in the office. This race will change the direction of the country, please help us get the work done to win this!

The office is located on the corner of Gold and 4th street, Simms Office Building, (505)244-1077. Contact Marshall for more information. 

Don't wake up November 8th, 2006 wishing you had done more!

Breaking: Lawsuit by Patricia Madrid & Other Western State Officials Successfully Stops Bush's Roadless Rule

Avelino Maestas over at local blog Live From Silver City has the details. Another win for environmentalists (and Madrid) against the devastating strategies of the Bush administration. Chalk one up for forest protection.

ACTION ALERT: Last Push on Valle Vidal

We are in the last leg of the fight to protect the Valle Vidal.  All indications are that Senator Domenici is SLOWLY coming around and may decide to support the Valle Vidal Protection Act before Congress adjourns at the end of the month.  If we don't win this fight now, the whole thing drags into next year and we will have to start all over in the new year.  Now is our best chance to put this baby to bed - AND TO WIN!

PLEASE TAKE ACTION - - AGAIN!!!

Even if you have already taken the actions below, do so again.  We have to keep the pressure on.  We have to be relentless over  the next three weeks to make sure Senator Domenici does the right thing.

1.  Call Senator Domenici. 202-224-6621. Tell him to support the Valle Vidal Protection Act.  Tell him to make sure the Act is on President Bush's desk before the October recess.

2.  Send a letter to the editor of the Albuquerque Journal.  Make it short and to the point.  Please be sure to use your own words.  Talking Points:

• Despite the fact that they received over 54,000 comments urging them to deal with the oil and gas leasing issue up front, the Forest Service has chosen to plow ahead with its original plan, people of northern New Mexico be damned.
• The Forest Service’s refusal to consider public opinion on the Valle Vidal highlights the need for Senator Pete Domenici to join the rest of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation and pass a bill through the Senate that will permanently protect the Valle Vidal.
• It is vital for Senator Domenici to stand with the people of northern New Mexico, Senator Jeff Bingaman, and the rest of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, and work to swiftly pass the Valle Vidal Protection Act. Senator Domenici has all the information he needs to make the right decision. The rest of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation already has.

SEND TO: opinion@abqjournal.com or other local newspapers.

Join League of Conservation Voters Campaign Kickoff Saturday

From the League of Conservation Voters:
Its time to win this election!!! Earlier this year, LCV placed Heather Wilson on our infamous "Dirty Dozen" list of the 12 worst national elected officials on environmental issues. Wilson's terrible environmental record includes her staunch support of the Bush/Wilson Energy Bill. She voted to hand out millions of dollars in subsidies to oil corporations, while watching the price of gas rise dramatically in New Mexico and nationwide. It's time for a change.

Patricia Madrid is a strong conservation candidate, suing the Bush White House to keep New Mexico's air and water clean, and protect sacred wild lands in New Mexico from oil drilling. Madrid will fight big oil and other special interests in Washington D.C. and to undo the many bad policies of the Bush Administration.

We are telling voters to dump Heather and choose Madrid this election year. In order to do this, LCV will knock on 60,000 doors in the First Congressional District before Election Day. We have already knocked on 8,000 doors, but we need your help to do the rest!

It is with great excitement that LCV-New Mexico is having our campaign kickoff event: our first volunteer canvass!!!

Please join us at LCV's New Mexico office on September 9th, Saturday, at 10:00 AM for a brief training, and then we hit the streets, to do the important work of knocking on doors, talking to voters, and making sure the course of the country changes! We need you to make this happen!

Canvassing is fun and effective. In fact, it's how we win elections, through face-to-face conversation with voters!

Please join us for this event:

When: September 9th, Saturday 10:00 AM
Where: LCV Office, 400 Gold Street,
Southwest corner of Gold and 4th street
What: Community canvass, door-to-door voter contact
Why: Because this is our race to win, and with lots of volunteers, we can, and will change the course of this nation!!! Please click here to sign up and canvass with us!!!

Sincerely,
Maggie Toulouse
SW Campaign Manager and Patricia Madrid Supporter
League of Conservation Voters