Democracy for New Mexico

Campaign Fundraiser for Rep. Mimi Stewart Set for 9/18

Mimi Stewart, one of our most effective and forward-thinking Representatives in the New Mexico Legislature, is up for reelection -- and has a Republican challenger this election cycle. Needless to say, we have to do everything in our power to make sure that Mimi keeps her seat in House District 21 so she can continue to champion causes that promote the welfare of women, regular working and middle class families and children. One way to do that is to attend next week's campaign benefit reception.

Click for a FLYER (pdf) and pass it on to friends, colleagues and neighbors who might be interested in attending. If you can't attend in person, you can donate to Mimi's campaign online at ActBlue or volunteer with her campaign by emailing k_zamarin@yahoo.com.

Please Join Us
for a Reception with
Rep. Mimi Stewart
In Support of Mimi’s Re-Election Campaign
Hosted by:
Richard Romero ◆Drew Setter ◆Mike Puelle ◆Sue Griffith ◆David Barber ◆Ricardo Barros ◆Maurice Bonal ◆Rep. Gail Chasey ◆Gary Kilpatrick ◆Randy Marshall ◆Fred Ocheskey ◆Luke Otero ◆Sonia Phillips ◆Rep. Danice Picraux ◆Sam Ray ◆Joe Thompson ◆Albuquerque Teachers Federation ◆NEA-NM ◆Joe & Daisy Kupfer ◆Dan Weaks & Marla Shoats ◆Qwest NM ◆Speaker Ben Lujan ◆Virtue Najjar & Brown P.C. ◆Senator Cisco McSorley ◆Marc Saavedra
Thursday ◆ September 18 ◆ 2008
5:30–7:00 PM
At The Home of
Margie Lockwood & Richard Romero
907 Silver SW • Albuquerque
Appetizers & Drinks Provided
Suggested Contribution: $50

If you cannot attend, please send your contribution to People for Mimi Stewart / 313 Moon St NE / Albuquerque NM 87123. RSVP to Kim Zamarin at k_zamarin@yahoo.com

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Lots of Sierra Club NM Events This Month

From Sierra Club NM: September is turning out to be a very exciting month full of events dealing with many of the most important environmental issues facing our region today. Check out the list below for details, and email Shrayas Jatkar (Conservation Organizer, shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org) if you are interested in learning more or volunteering at some of the events listed here.

Thursday, September 11, 6-9:30 PM
Public Meeting on Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GEIS) for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities at Hilton Albuquerque (1901 University Boulevard, NE). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will be in town to present and take public comments on its Draft GEIS for in-situ leach uranium mining. Led by Environmental Justice Organizer Robert Tohe, the Sierra Club has been working with tribal community and other pro-environment groups to challenge the GEIS process as well as the push for renewed uranium mining in the U.S. Please email shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org if you plan to attend and would like a set of talking points for the public meeting.

Friday, September 12, 9:30 AM-12 PM
"Leave No New Mexico Child Inside" Forum at Buffalo Thunder Resort, Pojoaque, NM (for directions, www.buffalothunderresort.com). The Sierra Club-Building Bridges to the Outdoors program and the Santa Fe Mountain Center invite you to hear Richard Louv, best-selling author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Louv exposes one of the most pressing issues facing the next generation: children are spending less and less time interacting with nature. Please join us for this first statewide forum and learn about the importance and benefits of reconnecting your children and grandchildren with the natural world around them.
For more details and to see a list of panelists, go to: www.sierraclub.org/youth/newmexico/.

Tuesday, September 16, 7-9 PM
Member Meeting - Central Group (Rio Grande Chapter, Sierra Club) at UNM Law School (1117 Stanford, NE). Join volunteer leaders with the Central Group-Rio Grande Chapter for their general membership meeting. The focus for this meeting is water issues in the middle Rio Grande valley.

Thursday, September 18, 6 PM
An evening with Arjun Makhijani, Ph.D. at UNM Law School, Room 2401 (1117 Stanford, NE). Nationally-renowned energy expert, Dr. Arjun Makhijani, will be in Albuquerque to discuss the bold and visionary ideas in his latest book entitled Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy. Dr. Makhijani will discuss the real steps that the U.S. can take to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2060 without nuclear power, while addressing the three-fold global energy crisis of climate disruption, oil insecurity, and nuclear proliferation. You can download a free copy of Carbon Free and Nuclear Free at: www.ieer.org/carbonfree/index.html.

Friday, September 19, 9 AM-3 PM
Environmental Appreciation Day at the NM State Fair, State Fairgrounds (along Central Avenue, between San Pedro & Louisiana). Come by and visit the New Mexico Sierra Club as well as other pro-environment groups while enjoying a day at the State Fair. Please email shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org if you are interested in helping staff the table with us. For a list of all theme days at the 2008 State Fair, go to: .

Saturday & Sunday, September 20-21, 10 AM-5 PM
9th Annual Solar Fiesta at Highland High School (along Coal, between Jefferson & Monroe). The theme of the 2008 Solar Fiesta is It's Easy Being Green and will include a wonderful array of exhibits and workshops focusing on practical uses of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and many other sustainable living practices. The Albuquerque Cool Cities campaign will be presenting a workshop on its efforts on Sunday, September 21st from 12:15-1:15 PM. We need volunteers to help us staff the table on both Saturday and Sunday; please email shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org if you are interested. For more details about the Solar Fiesta, go to: www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/index.php.

Saturday, September 27, 12-3 PM
Environmental Solutions Fair at Robinson Park (8th and Central, following the downtown Growers Market). New Mexico Youth Organized and 1Sky New Mexico, along with many other environmental and community groups, will be hosting a solutions fair to highlight energy saving solutions, environmental education, community gardening, green businesses, and the Albuquerque Green Job initiative. This will be a fun, community event bringing positive and determined people together around cleaning up our environment, building pathways out of poverty via green jobs, and uplifting our environment and our people. Please email shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org if you are interested in helping staff the table with us. For more information, go to: www.greenjobsnow.com.

Santa Fe Railyard Grand Opening This Weekend

From the City of Santa Fe: Santa Fe Mayor David Coss invites the community to attend the grand opening of the Santa Fe Railyard this weekend. Back in 1995, the residents of Santa Fe decided to purchase the Railyard property as a city investment for the future of the community. We are about to see the vision for this space become a reality.

On September 13 and 14, the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation and The Trust for Public Land have planned a community celebration of the revitalized 50-acre Railyard. There are tons of fun and free activities for children and families, including art workshops, live entertainment, yoga in the park, a community dance and more. All are invited aboard the Santa Fe Southern Railway for FREE train rides on Sunday. A full schedule is here and will also be printed in a special supplement in this Wednesday’s New Mexican. Other information is posted on www.santafenm.gov. We hope to see you there!

Lt. Gov. Denish and Cabinet Secretaries to Address Future of NM

Lt. Governor Diane Denish along with state Cabinet secretaries present, “The Future of New Mexico” on Wednesday, September 10, at 7 PM at the UNM Continuing Education Bldg., 1634 University Boulevard NE in Albuquerque, just north of Indian School Road. The free event is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of New Mexico.

Denish will emphasize the overall situations facing New Mexico currently. The Cabinet secretaries will speak on their areas of expertise. Because New Mexico is a prominent “swing state” for voting in the November election, it is critical to explore issues on the state as well as national levels.

This presentation is part of a series sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNM Continuing Education. Last September, Mayor Martin Chavez spoke on “The Future of Albuquerque.” Upcoming lectures will cover the future of the Southwest and the future of the nation.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will also hold a membership drive September 10. Everyone age 50 and above can become a member for only $20. Membership opens the way to courses, performances, lectures and travel. Osher’s university-level courses aim to deepen understanding of art, current events, history, music and culture.

UNM Continuing Education has free parking. For more information, contact Maya Sutton, Ph.D., Osher Supervisor, at 277-6179.

Former U.S. Attorney Iglesias to Speak at UNM Continuing Ed

David Iglesias, former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, will speak at a free lecture on Thursday, September 11, from 7-8 PM at the UNM Continuing Education Conference Center, 1634 University Blvd., NE. Sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of New Mexico, Iglesias will explain how the Justice Department fired him and others for political reasons.

His free lecture, "In Justice," is also the title of his new book. This thought-provoking event is open to the public and launches the Fall Membership Drive for the Osher program. The program will begin its sixth successful semester this fall and is designed to serve adults 50 years-of-age and above.

The $20 half-year membership in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNM means joining a community of adults over 50 who share a love of learning and an understanding that quality of life is enhanced through education. The program offers a rich university-level array of courses, available with an additional fee per course. Instructors are distinguished current and emeritus faculty, renowned authors and experts. These are non-credit courses with no entrance requirements, no tests and no grades.

For information, call Maya Sutton at 277-6179. To request a catalog or register to become an Osher member, call 277-0077. More information is available online at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

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RSVP for Energy Town Hall Meeting with T. Boone Pickens

I'm a little late on this announcement, probably because I'm less than enthusiastic about T. Boone Pickens and his motives. Somehow, it's hard for me to trust Pickens, who was one of the primary funders of the swiftboating of John Kerry and other nefarious efforts to smear Democrats. This Alternet article, called "Why T. Boone Pickens' 'Clean Energy' Plan Is a Ponzi Scheme," does a good job of delineating my other reasons for doubt. Yes, T. Boone is into wind farms these days, which is all to the good, but it helps to probe a little deeper to catch a glimpse of what he may really be up to, and why. Water and natural gas equal currency in Boone's world. Anyway, he's coming to town this week so you can take a measure of the man and his plan for yourself.

Please join T. Boone Pickens for an Energy Town Hall Meeting where he will discuss his plan and take questions from the audience:.

Wednesday, September 10th, 10:30 AM (Doors Open 9:30 AM)
No ticket required, open to the public
Limited seating available
RSVP reply to aliesharuiz@yahoo.com
Albuquerque Convention Center Ballroom, West Complex
Click for flyer

Learn How to Be an Effective Citizen Lobbyist

CITIZEN LOBBYIST WORKSHOP:
Sponsored by Working Families Win NM
Co-hosted by Carter Bundy, AFSCME; Richard Romero, UNM
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
UNM School of Law, Room 3406
(From Lomas & Girard, head North to Mountain. Proceed West on Mountain to Stanford. The Law school will be straight ahead to the right. ROOM 3406 upstairs, in the new Hart Wing on the West Side of the building.)

Come join two of the State’s most effective lobbyists & learn the basics to becoming a successful Citizen Lobbyist! Come raise your voice! Refreshments will be served.

Join Hector Balderas for Sign-Making Party Tonight; Change Not More of the Same Rally Tomorrow

The Democratic Party of New Mexico announced that State Auditor Hector Balderas, the country's youngest Hispanic Statewide elected official, will be joined by University of New Mexico students and other young Democrats tonight to make signs for the "Change, Not More of The Same" Rally tomorrow with New Mexico Women Legislators. Come on down to DPNM headquarters, 1301 San Pedro NE, tonight at 6:30 PM to join in.

This election cycle has energized young people to get involved more than ever in the political process. For many, this is the first time they've engaged in politics. Tonight's sign-making party is meant to help them organize and mobilize for tomorrow's rally:

Please Join Democratic Women Legislators
State Senator Linda Lopez
State Senator Dede Feldman
City Councilwoman Debbie O’Malley
For a Rally and Press Conference

Let’s Show the McCain-Palin ticket that New Mexico
wants change, not more of the same!

Saturday, September 6th at 4:00 PM
Civic Plaza – 3rd and Tijeras NW; ABQ
Click for Flyer (pdf) - Pass It On

Reminder: BBQ Fundraiser for Victor Raigoza Sunday

It's so important to support our candidates who are challenging Republicans for legislative seats, including Victor Raigoza, who's running for State Senate in District 10 on Albuquerque's West Side. There's a BBQ fundraiser at the home of Brian and Aleli Colon this Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Click for more information (pdf). If you can't make it, you can also donate to Victor's campaign online at his website.

Reception to Support Senator-Elect Tim Keller

Please Join Us!
For a Reception to Support Senator Elect Tim Keller
and Help Retire Campaign Debt
Click for Invitation (pdf)

Special Guests: The Honorable DIANE D. DENISH, Lieutenant Governor; The Honorable MICHAEL SANCHEZ, Senate Majority Leader; The Honorable LINDA LOPEZ, State Senator; The Honorable DEDE FELDMAN, State Senator; The Honorable CISCO MCSORLEY, State Senator; The Honorable JERRY ORTIZ Y PINO, State Senator; The Honorable SHERYL WILLIAMS STAPLETON, House Majority Whip; The Honorable AL PARK, State Representative; The Honorable MIMI STEWART, State Representative; The Honorable HECTOR BALDERAS, State Auditor and BRIAN COLÓN, Democratic Party Chairman

Hosted by: MIKE PUELLE; DREW SETTER; RICHARD ROMERO; ATF/NEA; VIRTUE, NAJJAR & BROWN; REESE EDWARDS; AFL/CIO; LINDA SIEGAL; ALBUQUERQUE AREA FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 244; NERISSA WHITTINGTON; BRYAN ORTIZ; AFSCME; RANDY TRAYNOR; DEBBIE MAESTAS; JD BULLINGTON AND OTHERS

Next THURSDAY, September 11th, 5:30 - 7 PM
At the home of Ellen Griffiths and José Simbaña
2010 Alhambra SW, Albuquerque

Host $1000, Sponsor $500, Supporter $250. If you cannot attend please consider sending a contribution to Tim Keller For New Mexico at 11023 Vistazo Pl SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87123 or donate online at www.TimKellerForNewMexico.com.

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