Democracy for New Mexico

The Second Best Thing to Do On Valentine's Day

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An evening of romantic humor and comedy starring Eric Griego and Steven Michael Quezada, hosted by Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas. Valentine's Day, February 14th, at The Lodge in Santa Fe. Click on the flyer above to learn more.

You're Invited: Democratic Party Organizing Meeting 2/7 at GI Forum

From Bill Kass:
Our series of monthly meetings in Albuquerque started with Ward 25A and combined with an ad hoc group called Grassroots Democrats. Our goal is to expand the active membership of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party – not to create a separate organization. I think that this is a task that legitimately belongs to the DPBC but has recently been ignored. Our long term strategy is to find DPBC officials who will continue to organize and strengthen the party throughout the year – not just at election time. We encourage anyone who might be interested in getting more involved in Democratic Party activities to attend.

We will hold our next organizing meeting on February 7 at 6:00 PM at the GI Forum, 3301Mountain Road NW. The most direct access is to take Rio Grande Blvd. to Mountain Road and turn west. The GI forum is located near the end of Mountain Road about ¾ mile west of Rio Grande Blvd. – almost to the river. It seems like it is farther than it is because there are about 5000 speed bumps on Mountain Road.

We will start with our usual potluck dinner at 6 PM followed by a meeting focused on finding candidates for upcoming County / Ward / Precinct/ County Central Committee / State Central Committee, party positions.

Agenda:
6:00 PM: Potluck
7:00 PM: Business Meeting - Announcements:

• Opportunities for action at the legislature.
• Critical dates for Party Elections in March and April
• Introduction of Candidates for County Chair

7:30 PM: Small Group exercise: Break into small groups based on geography (wards or areas of Bernalillo County) to develop a plan for finding candidates for party offices in all of these areas. Report back with group actions.

We invite all those who are currently party officials to continue - your experience is valuable to the Party. There are also many positions that are unfilled. We want to fill those positions with active, engaged Democrats who will help to create an identity for the Democratic Party. Please join us in this effort. For more information or to RSVP, please contact me at kwjdr@msn.com.

Bill Kass

SF Mayor Coss' Next Coffee Focuses on Bus Riders

From the City of Santa Fe:
The next Coffee with Santa Fe Mayor Coss will be held with bus riders and people interested in public transit to talk about how Santa Fe Trails Bus service can be made even better for the community. The Coffee will be held on Wednesday, February 7, from 6 to 7:30 PM, at Santa Fe Place Mall. Participants should use the food court entrance. Signs will be posted to direct participants to the meeting location.

Discussion topics may include:

• Improving pedestrian infrastructure to enhance access to bus stops;
• Establishing relationships between the transit system and the local business and tourism industry;
• Exploring alternative fuel technologies (for future bus purchases);
• Designing and developing transit center improvements; and
• Any other city transit-related residential interests or concerns.

Everyone from the community is welcome, whether you are a regular commuter, an occasional rider or someone who has never ridden the bus and has questions. For more information contact Special Projects Coordinator Becky Lo Dolce at 955-6629.

City of Santa Fe Announces Community Read of 'Nickel and Dimed'

From the office of Mayor David Coss:
Read On Santa Fe! Community Read
Mayor David Coss has announced a community read of the book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, the New York Times bestseller by Barbara Ehrenreich. This announcement comes at a time when government officials on a state and national level discuss raising the minimum wage.

“Nickel and Dimed is about changing the way America perceives its working poor. Santa Fe is proud of the accomplishments made to support working families. Through a communitywide read of Nickel and Dimed, I hope to create an opportunity for Santa Feans to discuss at large issues of poverty across America and here at home,” Mayor Coss said.

Nickel and Dimed is about Barbara’s experience as she joins the millions of hardworking Americans who earn poverty-level wages. Inspired in part by the rhetoric surrounding welfare reform, which promised that any job equals a better life, Ms. Ehrenreich moved across the country, taking the cheapest lodgings available and accepting work as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and retail salesperson. She quickly learned that one job is not enough – you need at least two if you intend to live indoors.

Many cities, such as Seattle, Pasadena, Austin, Kansas City, Santa Monica and Washington DC have initiated communitywide reads aimed at bringing people together and creating a shared experience among a wide spectrum of people. These communities have experienced positive results from their programs and have increased participation every year.

The City of Santa Fe plans to host a series of community events in March 2007, including discussions and films and a student film contest. For more information on this initiative, contact Becky Lo Dolce, Special Projects Coordinator, at 955-6629 or Public Information Officer Laura Banish at 955-6046.

Editor's Note: For more about Barbara Ehrenreich, her books, a forum and other info, visit her website.

Minutemen vs. ACLU: 2/11/07 at Congregation Albert

From Congregation Albert Brotherhood:
Brunch and Speakers: Immigration and the Border Region
Speakers: Bob Wright, Deputy National Executive Director, Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and Peter Simonson, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico
Social Hall of Congregation Albert
3800 Louisiana NE, Albuquerque
Sunday February 11, 10 AM
Brunch $11 Nonmembers, Debate Only Free
RSVP by Feb. 8th at 883-1818, ext. 3203

New Mexico is a border state and consequently is central to the debate on illegal immigration. Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency last year in four border counties citing a chaotic situation involving illegal alien smuggling and drug shipments. Richardson, while seeming to take a strong stand against illegal immigration, then contradictorily signed legislation giving some illegal aliens in-state tuition rates at our public universities. He also issued an executive order that in effect prohibits state and local enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal authorities solely in regard to inquiring about a person’s immigration status.

Meanwhile, prior to the midterm elections, the Republican controlled U. S. Congress was unable to enact any meaningful immigration reform. Still, demonstrations against any proposed crackdown on illegal immigration brought thousands of protesters into the streets across the country. Here in the southwest we have witnessed the rise of citizens groups such as the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, viewed by some as vigilantes and by others as a needed grassroots effort to step in where government has failed. Other groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union are concerned with defending the civil and constitutional rights of immigrants, whether they are here legally or not. The illegal immigration debate encompasses a wide range of difficult issues and conflicting opinions.

Join us at 10:00 am on Sunday, February 11th in the Social Hall of Congregation Albert (3800 Louisiana NE) when our speakers will be Bob Wright, Deputy National Executive Director, Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and Peter Simonson, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.

The cost for brunch is $8 for Brotherhood/Sisterhood members and $11 for others, including the general public. Please reserve before Feb. 8th by calling 883-1818, ext. 3203, and leaving your name, phone number and the number attending. We are expecting a large turnout so make your reservations early.

Editor's Note: If you don't want to purchase the brunch, you can still attend the speaker portion for free and sit at the side of the room for the debate only.

Gift of Peace Project Comes to Albuquerque

Please Join Us! The Gift of Peace Project comes to Albuquerque, January 27th, 2007 at 8:00 PM:

The Friends Meeting House
1600 5th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM
January 27th, 2007, 8:00PM

With a world premiere performance and cross country tour of the play, The Gift of Peace, celebrities, activists, and a documentary film crew come together to educate people nationwide about the non-partisan bill to create a US Department of Peace and Nonviolence

The entire process will be documented by Emmy nominated, DGA Award Winning Director, Tasha Oldham. The film will explore whether everyday people can inspire a change in the direction of our country at this time in American history. A separate short film will be presented to all members of Congress during the National Department of Peace Conference.

The Gift of Peace tour will culminate in a Los Angeles show on February 28th with a group of high-profile performers, including Frances Fisher, Wendie Malick, Ed Asner, Dan Lauria, Esai Morales, Amy Smart, James Pickens Jr., Shiri Appleby, LaTanya Richardson, Ivan Sergei, George Coe, Kent McCord and Ed Asner, with direction by Tony Award winner John Rubenstein. Parts of the tour documentary will be previewed that night as we welcome home the touring production. The Greenway Court Alliance will host the evening, which will raise awareness, funds and media attention for the project.

The Gift of Peace Project
Co-sponsored by AFSC.org, Albuquerque, NM and
The Friends Meeting House, Albuquerque, NM
$5.00 Donation Asked
   
The Peace Alliance DOP Campaign
jodeeoyas@yahoo.com
https://thepeacealliance.org

Click to learn about current the New Mexico State Initiative in creating an Office of Peace within the Government of New Mexico. Click to learn about the National DOP Campaign.

No More Wars

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TODAY: Say NO! to More Troops

Say "No" to More Troops

Many activist and grassroots groups are joining together to convince Dems and others to say NO to Bush, including Democracy for America, CodePINK, NOW, Working Assets, MoveOn, TrueMajority , Sojourners and many others. Visit AmericaSaysNo.org, sign the petition and register for one of the protest events scheduled for locations all over the nation TODAY.

An Albuquerque event will be held at the downtown office of Sen. Pete Domenici at 201 Third St. NW at Noon on Thursday, January 11. In Taos, protestors will gather at Wholly Rags, 112 Alexander B4, at 4:00 PM today. In Los Alamos, a protest vigil is set for 1808 Central today at 6:00 PM. Type in your zip code at the America Says No site for more details and events around the nation.

Other Action
Click to sign Sen. Russ Feingold's citizen petition to redeploy the troops and be sure to read his op-ed on using Congress' power of the purse to stop Bush's escalation that was published today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Sen. Harry Reid has a petition at Give 'Em Hell Harry.

Check Out Second Annual Silver City Peak Oil/Climate Change Conference

Understanding the Present, Planning for the Future
January 11-14, 2007
Silco Theater, 311 N. Bullard St., Silver City, NM
Free Admission (Speakers on large screen DVD)

Peak Oil is the point in time when world oil production begins to decline - FOREVER. Each session features a large-screen presentation of  the speaker, with the exception of local speakers.

CONFERENCE DETAILS: The conference begins on Thursday, January 11th, 2007 and runs through  Sunday, January 14th, 2007.

Each session features a large screen DVD presentation by well-known speakers on Peak Oil. All presentations are free and open to the public. All sessions will be held at the Silco Theater, 311 N. Bullard St., Silver  City, NM. Please use alternative transportation  when possible - car pool, bike, bus, or walk. Lunch is on your own. Water and tea  will be provided, but please bring your own cup. For further information call William Joseph at 505-538-5892.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

A special pre-conference presentation by Glenn Landers of the Southwest Environmental Center will be held on Thursday, January 11,  2007 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Silco Theater. Glenn will present the award-winning  documentary, "A Land Out of Time." This film documents the attempts by gas industries to open up sensitive ecological areas to oil and gas drilling and the ensuing public  backlash. After the documentary, Glenn will give a  presentation on Otera Mesa, which is currently  under assault. Facilitated by John Fridinger, Gila Sustainability  Network

Friday, January 12, 2007
7:00-9:00 PM. David Orr, "Peak Oil, Climate Change and Our Future." David Orr, a pioneer in environmental literacy  and ecological design, author of Earth in Mind and Chair of Environmental Studies at Oberlin College will explore the twin challenges of Peak  Oil and climate change. Facilitated by William Joseph, Grant County Peace Coalition

Saturday, January 13, 2007
10:00-11:30 AM. Richard Heinberg, "Peak Oil, A Proactive Response." Richard Heinberg, a leading educator and international  speaker and author of The Oil Depletion Protocol and Powerdown will explain the immense challenge of global peak oil production and its  economic impacts. Facilitated by Tom Gibbons, Biodiesel Group

11:30 AM-1:00 PM Lunch On Your Own

1:00-2:30 PM. Julian Darley, "Relocalize Now." Julian Darley, author of High Noon for Natural Gas,  director of the Post Carbon Institute, and coauthor of the forthcoming Relocalize Now! will  address global relocalization and how communities can begin to prepare for Peak Oil. Facilitated by Allyson Siwik, GRIP 

3:00-4:30 PM. Mark & Rachel Bighley, "Energy Efficient Housing." This informative presentation by local home builders, Mark & Rachel Bighley of Mark Bighley Construction, will offer practical applications for implementing  energy efficiency in both new and existing homes.

Sunday, January 14, 2007
1:00-2:30 PM. Vicki Robins, "Voluntary Simplicity as a Way of Life." Vicki Robins, co-author of Your Money or Your Life and president of the New Road Map Foundation will introduce voluntary simplicity as a viable solution for Peak Oil and climate change as well as a way to lead a more healthy, fulfilling life. Facilitated by Susan Van Auken, Advocate for Simple Living

3:00-4:30 PM. Paul Hawken, "Sustainability as an Infinite Game." Paul Hawken, author of Natural Capitalism and an activist on sustainability and environmentalism, will  present a global vision on how we can incorporate sustainable actions in our lives. Facilitated by Shirley Pevarnik, MLA in Creation Spirituality

Following each presentation there will be an open forum. During these forums, participants will have an opportunity to discuss changes they can make and to create their own Personal Action Plan.

Attend this conference to hear the latest on Peak Oil and climate change. Understand why many proposed alternatives could do more harm than good. Learn about lifestyle solutions based on conservation, curtailment, and community that will lead to a more sustainable and equitable future.

AG King Schedules Open Government Workshop

The Santa Fe New Mexican is reporting that Attorney General Gary King plans to make open government a top priority and will cosponsor a workshop on open government laws:

Attorney General Gary King's first news release since taking office Monday announced his office and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government would hold a workshop on open-government laws for local government officials and the public.

Bob Johnson, executive director of the foundation, said King's election in November was good news for open-government advocates. "We're encouraged by the election of Gary King,'' Johnson said Thursday.

Johnson noted that King, who served in the state House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998, sponsored laws to strengthen the state Open Meetings Act and the Inspection of Public Records Act. "In at least two sessions, he worked hard on those laws,'' Johnson said.

... The Attorney General's Office and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government have scheduled the open-government workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, at the Leo Griego Auditorium of the State Personnel Building at 2600 Cerrillos Road. [emphasis mine]