Democracy for New Mexico

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish Hosts ABQ Holiday Matanza

Come and Celebrate the Holidays with a Matanza! Lieutenant Governor Diane D. Denish invites you, your family, friends and neighbors to join her for a community holiday celebration and benefit. Please bring a new personal item gift or a new unwrapped toy for Peanut Butter and Jelly or a gift card from any store as admission price for lunch and a visit with Santa Claus!.

Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, 10:00 AM
The Gutierrez-Hubbell House
6029 Isleta Boulevard SW, Albuquerque, NM (Map)
Please RSVP to Michelle Mares
(505) 270-2330
mmares@dianedenish.com

Denish, Duran Named Top Woman Politicians by Emerge New Mexico

Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish and Española City Councilor Danielle Duran will be honored at an awards ceremony tonight for their contributions to New Mexico politics. The Democratic Woman Politician of the Year and Emerging Democratic Woman Leader awards are conferred by EmergeNewMexico, the state affiliate of the national organization that inspires, recruits and trains Democratic women to run for public office. New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Pamela Minzer will be honored posthumously.

Denish is the first woman in New Mexico to be elected lieutenant governor and is the former chair of the Democratic Party. Duran is the first woman elected to the Española City Council and is the International Trade Coordinator for the Economic Development Department of the State of New Mexico. Both women are native New Mexicans.

• WHAT: EmergeNewMexico Dinner & Awards
• WHO: Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish, Española City Councilor Danielle Duran, and the late Honorable Pamela Minzer, honorees
• WHEN: Tuesday, December 4, 6-9 PM
• WHERE: Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, ABQ

Sponsors are Hon. Patricia Madrid, former attorney general; Marchiondo Law Offices, P.C.; and McGinn, Carpenter, Montoya & Love, P.C.; AFSCME Council 18; Christina P. Argyres; Anne Bingaman; Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck, Karen & Stephen Durkovich; Harvey Law Firm; Julianna Koob & Stormy Ralstin; Ruth Kovnat; Patrick Sullivan & Pia Salazar; Sutin, Thayer & Browne; United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412; and Vigil Law Firm.

EmergeNewMexico inspires, recruits and trains Democratic women to run for public office. The organization is dedicated to making a long-term investment in future women leaders by developing their political and media skills; expanding their knowledge of issues; and building their networks. For more information, the public can call 505-920-6002, email contact@emergenm.org, or visit www.emergenm.org.

Editor's Note: For more information on tonight's event, see our previous post.

League of Women Voters to Conduct Workshop on Citizen Lobbying

The League of Women Voters of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County will conduct a workshop on how citizens can effectively lobby their elected representatives:

Saturday December 8, 2007, 9:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Sandia Prep, Building 100, 532 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM

The workshop is designed to help the public and nonprofit groups communicate with their legislators. Topic include lobbying in general and will not address specific issues. State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a Democrat, and State Rep. Larry Larranga, a Republican, will discuss lobbying from the legislator's perspective. Other speakers include a representative from the Secretary of State's office and a professional lobbyist. There will also be a presentation on "Lobbying at Home and on the Internet."

The workshop costs $10 for people who are not members of the League and reservations are required as space is limited. For reservations, contact the League of Women Voters at 884-8441.

Cell Theatre Hosts First Reading of 'The 99th Monkey'

The Cell Theatre presents a free reading of the new original play, “The 99th Monkey” by Paul Adamian on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 7:30 PM. The Cell Theatre is located at 700 First Street NW in Albuquerque. The 99th Monkey, a play in two acts, is set in the early months of 2003 prior to the Iraq War. MARK FARRELL, a high school history teacher, and veteran of the Gulf War/Desert Storm and the “Bulldozer Assault” of 1991, joins a global protest against America’s penchant for war; a routine rotation fast for peace that escalates into an ultimatum and a full blown starvation protest to stop the impending military action against Iraq.

Wrestling with his decision are his wife, ABBEY, a fellow peace-activist in her own right, his father, TOM, a regular army man, who never saw action in a twenty-plus-year career, and CHLOE, his 17 yr. old daughter, who idolizes her father, and whose voice renders the play to us. As Mark’s “sphere of influence” grows, it attracts visits from THE MAN and THE STRANGER, who round out the cast. Commencing with a curriculum proposal to help teenage mothers stay in school, weekend marches for peace, a few inspiring lectures, and a Teacher of the Year nomination, Mark’s decision soon unveils a troubled ex-soldier’s search for redemption and forgiveness.

New Mexico First to Host Speech by Ret. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

From New Mexico First:
New Mexico First is pleased to invite you to a special presentation by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. She will speak about civic engagement and its role in a vibrant democracy. The Justice will also answer questions submitted by the public about her life, her judicial decisions, and citizen participation in government.

Students, members of the community, local leaders, and others are invited and encouraged to attend this civically engaging and educational evening. The special event is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required. To obtain a ticket, individuals must register for the tickets at the New Mexico First home page. The tickets will then be sent to the requester’s email

When: December 13, 2007
Where: Kiva Auditorium, 2nd and Marquette NE, ABQ
Time: Doors open at 6:45 PM; the program is from 7:30-9 PM
Click here to register
Suggest a question for the Justice. You do not have to register for the event to submit a question.

Parking: Give yourself time to park. The Kiva Auditorium is located inside the Greater Albuquerque Convention Center. Parking options include:

• Civic Plaza garage, Marquette & 3rd Street, $6 per vehicle
• Convention Center Garage, Martin Luther King Blvd & Broadway, $6 per vehicle

For more information please contact Jacey Blue Campbell at 505-241-4814 or jaceyc@nmfirst.org.

Co-founded by Senators Pete V. Domenici and Jeff Bingaman in 1986, New Mexico First is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging citizens in policy.

11th Annual Community Holiday Dance & Gala Celebration for Peace & Justice

From the Albuquerque Center for Peace & Justice: 11th Annual Community Holiday Dance and Gala celebration of solidarity for peace and Justice! For the 11th year at 7:00 PM on Saturday, December 8, at the Height’s Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE in Albuquerque, the Peace and Social Justice Community will gather to celebrate our diversity and solidarity as we work together for peace and justice.

Everyone is invited to enjoy and dance to the music of Wagogo. The Gala, a benefit for the Peace and Justice Center, will also feature New Mexican Holiday foods, fair trade coffee, arts and crafts, cooperatively and locally made gifts. Beginning at 7 PM enjoy great food and beverages, the finest home-baked goodies, locally made gifts, and dancing with old and new friends! The suggested donation is $8 – $10 for adults.

New Book Parties & Discussions: Community Organizing

From Mark Rudd:
I know this coming weekend, November 3 and 4, is tragically busy, but please consider attending one of these book parties and discussions, Saturday in Santa Fe and Sunday in Albuquerque. My old friend Michael Brown, with a lifetime of experience in community organizing, has written an extraordinary book, an easy-to-read guide. The title tells it all, every word of which is covered in the book: Building Powerful Community Organizations. Michael writes simply and directly and tells lots of stories from the his own experience.  Whether you're a veteran organizer or a novice activist, you'll want to meet Michael (muy charming) and read his book. Tell young activists about this, please.

Michael's trip to New Mexcio is sponsored by the National Organizers' Alliance. Saturday's discussion and party is at Terry Odendahl's house in Santa Fe. Sunday you can go to the Peace Center discussion and party after the Dia de los Muertos events. Information is below. Thanks.

Book Party and Organizing Discussion
Building Powerful Community Organizations: A Personal Guide to Creating Groups That Can Solve Problems and Change the World, a new book about community organizing, by Michael Jacoby Brown , (Long Haul Press. 2007). Introduction by Mark Rudd. Also see: and Long Haul Press.

Sunday, November 4, 2007, 7 PM
Albuquerque Peace and Justice Center
202 Harvard St , Albuquerque, NM
Sponsored by the National Organizers Alliance
RSVP: 505-268-9557

"Michael Brown is a superb guide. His book is full of thoughtful, practical advice for community organizers, and indeed for anyone who wants to participate at the grass roots in making ours a more just society."  -Howard Zinn

"Michael Jacoby Brown distills more than 30 years of organizing into his book, which every aspiring and veteran activist should own." -Library Journal (starred review)

And in Santa Fe:
Saturday night, November 3, 2007, 7:30 PM
At the home of Terry Odendahl
1439 Miracerros Loop South, Santa Fe, NM
RSVP: Terry Odendahl at (505) 216-9756

Directions: From Albuquerque: take the St. Francis exit off Interstate I25. Go north 3 long blocks. Turn right on Columbia and right again on Miracerros Loop South. From Santa Fe: Go south on Galisteo. Turn right on Columbia and left on Miracerros Loop South.

Books will be on sale for discounted rate of $15. Available at bookstores for $19.95 or Michael Jacoby Brown, (781) 648 1508 or Email: MBrown7387@aol.com or Michael's cell: : 617 645 0226). Co-sponsored by the National Organizers Alliance www.noacentral.org and the Institute for Collaborative Change , Santa Fe.

Reminder: Richardson Road Runner Rally This Thursday

RSVP NOW for the Bill Richardson for President Roadrunner Rally:

, or email Michelle Frost at mfrost@richardsonforpresident.com with any questions.

Friday: Juan Cole at College of Santa Fe

Juan Cole writes one of the most influential and visited blogs on Iraq and the Middle East, in addition to his many other distinguished activities. His most recent book Napoleon's Egypt: Invading the Middle East has just been published. He'll be speaking in Santa Fe this Friday:

College of Santa Fe
Friday, October 26, 7:00 PM - Forum
Juan Cole: Steps Toward Peace in Iraq
Click for Campus Map and Directions

This lecture by Mid-East scholar Juan Cole will explore processes for establishing a peaceful Iraq -- although Cole doesn't mince words in his recent Nation article: "There is no plan that can guarantee peace in the region." He argues that a U.S. withdrawal could lead in the right direction if a highly calculated series of conditions are met and Sunnis can be brought back to the negotiating table. Such conditions include American diplomacy toward Iran and Syria; Saudi leadership on behalf of Sunni Iraqis; a newly elected Sunni Arab political class; a six-plus-two meeting in which Mid-East foreign ministers assume crucial leadership roles; and the presence of a UN Peacekeeping force.

Cole's writings have been published in the Washington Post, The Guardian, and Salon.com. As a commentator, he can often be heard on such news shows as "Democracy Now!" Al Jazeera, "Lehrer News Hour," and "CNN Headline News." He is a professor of Modern Middle East History at the University of Michigan, and author of the popular weblog "Informed Comment."

Discussing the theoretical implications of war-time torture tactics or negotiating peace among Los Angeles gang members can be an engrossing way to spend the evening -- but theoretical debate turns experiential when the discussion includes participants in the events being explored.

In CSF's 2007-08 Beyond-the-Lecture Series, "Bridging the Cultural Divide," each event features the first-hand perspectives of people who bore witness or actively work to find solutions to epic problems. The series includes presentations by Samuel Toe, the Hearings Officer of the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Tony Lagouranis, former Abu Ghraib Army interrogator; Alfredo Corchado, the Mexican Bureau Chief of the Dallas Morning News; and Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, as well as scholars, documentarians and others who will share their experiences with major world issues.

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, call (505) 473-6282. Co-sponsored by the Santa Fe Reporter and the United World College-USA/Bartos Institute. (From the CSF website.)

More info:

• Cole's blog Informed Comment
• Juan Cole articles in The Nation
• Cole's latest article on Salon

Richardson Campaign Rally in ABQ Thursday

From Richardson for President:
Please join me and my campaign for a Road Runner Rally this Thursday, October 25, at the IBEW Union Hall in Albuquerque from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. In less than 84 days the first votes will be cast in the 2008 Democratic Caucuses in Iowa-- time is of the essence, and I need your help! Having given me the largest margin of victory in a Governor's race in more than four decades, I need your support now more than ever to keep the momentum rolling to take back the White House in 2008! I look forward to seeing you on Thursday to discuss my roadmap to the White House and how you can help. Here are the details for the event.

What:	Richardson Road Runner Rally
When:	Thursday, October 25 at 4:30 PM
Where:	IBEW Union Hall 4921 Alexander Blvd NE Map Albuquerque, NM 87107

What:	Richardson Road Runner Rally
When:	Thursday, October 25 at 4:30 PM
Where:	IBEW Union Hall 4921 Alexander Blvd NE Map Albuquerque, NM 87107

, or email Michelle Frost at mfrost@richardsonforpresident.com with any questions.

See you then,
Governor Bill Richardson

October 19, 2007 at 08:37 AM in 2008 Presidential Primary, Events, Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)