This site last updated April 2009

This Santa Fe Grassroots for Obama site is still available for your browsing/historic pleasure. It's just not current.

To see what's happening in Santa Fe and the environs in response to our President & First Lady's call for our national and community service, please visit Engage!Volunteer! by clicking here.

The actual address is http://www.EngageVolunteer.org/

I hope you will add E!V! to your web browser and visit often. Lots of meaningful work to be done. You're needed!  Satisfy your Soul.  Spark a Dream.  Engage!  Volulnteer!

Vote for President Obama - again.

As much as I hate this whole thing, if you're so inclined, please vote for President Obama again in this ridiculous MSNBC poll about the President's job so far for the first 100 days. It would be criminal to allow the Republicans (who are flooding the poll with "F" votes) to be allowed to use the results against Barack.

Please consider doing this. It will only take a moment...visit this site to vote...and pass it on your contact lists...even if you're as reluctant to do it as I am! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493093/

Got FUND RAISING talent? Adult literacy needs you!

I was going to post a call for adult literacy volunteers for Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe. But I have learned today that unless they get some serious fund raising, LVSF will not be able to afford to buy materials for tutors and students, let alone be able to train new volunteers. The economy has brought a downturn in donations and funding BY HALF and LVSF had to lay off most of its office staff and close its computer lab/learning center.

Usually, I stay away from the subject of fund raising...but this is an exception. If you have a talent for FUND RAISING and want to help resolve this very serious situation, please contact: Meredith Machen, LVSF President, 505-577-6337, mermachen@cybermesa.com

LVSF runs an impressive variety of literacy programs from its home base at Santa Fe Community College, at workplaces in Santa Fe and in locations throughout the community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe website.

SB 249 was DEFEATED! That's a good thing - - at least for now!

ONE PERSON'S OPINION - MINE!
A huge thanks to everyone who wrote or called New Mexico lawmakers in an effort to get the SunCal TIDD bill (SB 249) defeated. To the amazement of many, many Congressmen, it went down - TWICE - in the House. The first vote was 33 FOR and 33 AGAINST. And then it was "reconsidered" and failed again with exactly the same vote -- 33/33. Because it was a tie, the bill died! (Hey, that almost rhymes!)

Now, a lot of very influential people in both parties and, of course, the lobbyists, were very surprised at the vote. So, stay tuned and be prepared to voice your opposition again during the next legislative session. Between now and then, if you read or hear anything about this project, I'd be grateful if you'd let me know. (Email me: ggp.hd1340 @ hotmail.com)

For background, please read my first post about SB 249.

Sadly...school funding & education bills failed legislative approval.

Education had a rough go in this just-ended New Mexico legislative session:

• HB331 failed, so the state school funding formula will not get revamped.
• HB346 and SB412 both failed, so there will be no increase in the gross receipts tax which would have funded the new formula.
• HB577 never even got out of the Senate Finance Committee, so the Senate never got a chance cast their vote on it. It would have authorized purchase of the College of Santa Fe campus by a state university.
• And even though the House approved $3 million for operation of a future college at the CSF campus, the Senate removed the funding.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS & LITERACY FUNDING ARE MORE IMPORANT THAN EVER! PLEASE CONSIDER IT! VISIT LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SANTA FE WEBSITE.

HELP DEFEAT SB 249...A poorly conceived land development requiring huge tax incentives that should go towards education, infrastructure, etc.

We've got less than three days to defeat this bill. Don't just take my word for it. Read this evaluation on Democracy for New Mexico. CLICK HERE.

Below is the letter I sent to the entire House of Representatives this afternoon (Monday 3/16/09). Copy/paste/or put it in your own words. Their email addresses follow my letter.

Dear Representative,

I am writing you to express my STRONG opposition to SB 249 (Sun-Cal TIDD). Please show how wrong the Senate was; be the legislative voice of reason that stops this critical assault. You must stop SunCal’s endeavor that has no chance of being positive for New Mexico; to the contrary, it can hurt us deeply in many ways:

• My first question is about a “penalty clause for failure to perform.” Does one exist in the SunCal TIDD agreement? Or will this be New Mexico’s very own AIG-debacle? Due diligence (which should have stopped this project in its tracks long ago!) will show that that SunCal has an extremely poor track record with numerous debts, bankruptcies and abandoned projects. This is New Mexico's future partner to whom you are in danger of approving hundreds of millions of our tax dollars?
• My second question should be at the top of everyone’s list. WATER. What about water? Where will the WATER come from for this huge development?
• The $408 million tax break SunCal seeks will help them without holding them responsible; what’s the benefit to New Mexico in general?
• Where are the economic studies that show demand exists to match all SunCal promises? Where’s the Legislative Finance Committee’s analysis about SunCal’s promised new tax revenue generation?
• Why does SunCal want the taxpayers to give them funds for infrastructure that their own website claims will be "Developer-funded infrastructure"?
• Where are the new jobs and new development from out-of-state firms that SunCal touted? They haven’t materialized to date nor can the company prove they will. Instead, all indications are that the site will be populated by existing ABQ businesses!
• Finally, and critically, look at the "source" of these funds...tax money that is sorely needed in our general fund for our children, their schools, legitimate infrastructure, and more...you know the list much better than I do! My message today to you is an urgent request for you to VOTE AGAINST SB249. Prevent its passage in the House this week. It will be a travesty if SunCal succeeds…and double-indemnity given today’s economy. You have the power to prevent it! Ignore the lobbyists breathing down your neck to get this TIDD passed; in fact, send them packing! Do this for ALL New Mexicans by voting NO!
  Respectfully and urgently submitted,

Email addresses for the entire New Mexico House of Representatives is below. Copy/paste this entire block of addresses into the TO: section of your email. Or call the Representatives offices. GET PHONE INFO HERE.
rk1964@aol.com; albuqruiz@aol.com; ajbarreras4staterep@hotmail.com; Representative Shirley A. Tyler (sntyler@valornet.com); trippsdon@netscape.net; jpkthomas@prodigy.net; wallace@losalamos.com; Representative Richard Vigil (rrrvigil@plateautel.net); jamesstrickler@msn.com; Representative Mimi Stewart (mstewart@osogrande.com); denroch@hotmail.com; katrina@swcp.com; larry@larranaga.com; jeff.steinborn@nmlegis.gov; billrehm@comcast.net; Representative Ken Martinez (mlo1@7cities.net); askdennis@denniskintigh.com; Representative Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert (jpandp@comcast.net); rudy_s_martinez@msn.com; edward.sandoval@nmlegis.gov; danice.picraux@nmlegis.gov; Representative Dona G. Irwin (donagale@zianet.com); oneillhd15@fastmail.us; patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov; jheaton@caverns.com; annunez@zianet.com; dianne38john4132@zianet.com; benrodefer@gmail.com; rick.miera@nmlegis.gov; alujan@q.com; jimmie.hall@nmlegis.gov; jonig@zianet.com; maryhelen.garcia@nmlegis.gov; ernestc1531@aol.com; ray.begaye@nmlegis.gov; wjgray@pvtnetworks.net; csecows@aol.com; eleanorchavez@gmail.com; roberto.gonzales@nmlegis.gov; noralee@cableone.net; gailchasey@msn.com; elias@barelalaw.com; nmhousedistrict30@live.com; paul@paulbandy.org; Representative Keith J. Gardner (gardners90@yahoo.com); anna.crook@nmlegis.gov; jearnoldjones@aol.com; Representative Thomas A. Garcia (ocate@hotmail.com); ncote@zianet.com; don.bratton@nmlegis.gov; kb5ysg@arrl.net; miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov; zachjcook@gmail.com; richard.berry@nmlegis.gov; Representative Eliseo Lee Alcon (eliseoalcon@msn.com); alpark.nm@gmail.com; tom@tomtaylor.net; sheryl.stapleton@nmlegis.gov; antonio@moejustice.com; jimtrujillo@msn.com; josephs@plateautel.net; cervanteslaw@zianet.com; debbie.rodella@nmlegis.gov

This Saturday, Celebrate a Day for Literacy & the Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe.

Literacy lights the way!

Storytelling, Poetry Readings, Talks, Raffles and Sales throughout the day

Help raise funds for Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe and have some fun!
Saturday, March 21, 10am - 4pm

at Clear Light Book Gallery

851 West San Mateo St. and Calle Lorca (Formerly Open Hands)
For more details and the schedule of readings, please see

http://www.clearlightbooks.com/events/literacy90321.htm

JOIN featured guests Mayor Coss, Ali MacGraw, Joe Hayes, Steve McFadden, Don Usner, Victor diSuvero, and Consuelo Luz. Heather Heunermund of NM Coalition for Literacy, and David Holmstrom, who volunteers at the prison, will talk of the impact of learning to read. In all, over 25 New Mexico authors and publishers will be autographing their books.

FREE BOOKS FOR ALL DONATIONS $5.00 – $10.00 - $25.00

Proceeds and donations benefit Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe a 501(c)(3) organization

BACKGROUND

Literacy Volunteers provides free, quality tutoring and encouragement for adults who want to learn to read, write and speak English. LVSF was established in 1985 and is affiliated with Santa Fe Community College. The demand for literacy services is growing. The program trains and supports over 100 volunteer tutors and over 700 students annually.

Because of the economy, annual giving and grant funding has decreased by half. LVSF has had to lay off most of its staff and close its computer lab/learning center at Gallegos Lane. Nonetheless, this award-winning, non-profit organization remains dedicated to helping educationally disadvantaged adults in the community learn to read and speak English from its home base at Santa Fe Community College, at workplaces and community locations. Funds are needed to support literacy and ESL students and tutors. It costs $35 to purchase training materials for each tutor and $100 or more to purchase high-interest, low-reading level instructional materials and dictionaries for each student.

LVSF’s programs are integral to strengthening Santa Fe’s economy and supporting working families. Programs help improve learners’ quality of life and create a greater sense of community. Socioeconomic problems such as poverty, unemployment, crime, and human rights abuses cannot be solved without addressing the need for adults to have strong reading, writing and math skills. Literacy skills are a key component of self-sufficiency for adult low-wage workers who are either non-English speakers with limited formal education and English speakers with low reading skills.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SANTA FE

http://www.lvsf.org/

For additional information please contact:

Letty Naranjo, Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe

505-428-1353 lvsf@sfccnm.edu

Jane Price, Clear Light Book Gallery

505-424-9090 jane@clearlightbooks.com

ELECTING A COUNTY CHAIR: THE PROCESS

STEP ONE

• The process begins at town hall meeting organized by wards, which are simply a group of 2 to 5 precincts.
• Every registered Democrat who has been registered for 30 days is invited to attend, vote and run for office. You must be present in person to vote, though you can be elected if you are not present.
• The Ward meeting elects, in addition to a Ward Coordinator and Vice Ward Coordinator, the Central Committee Members who will go to the County Central Committee meeting where the County Chair will be elected.
• When you attend, you will cast one vote for a County Central Committee member, even though there will be several County Central Committee members to elect. The person with the most votes gets a position, then the person with the next most votes and so on until all positions are filled. (In cases of ties a deck of cards determines the winners). The purpose of this system is to allow minority groups and views to secure some positions rather than permit the majority to control all the seats.
• For example, if there are 12 seats to fill and 12 persons each vote for themselves, all 12 will be elected with one vote each. If there are 25 people present and 12 people receive 2 votes, and one person receives one vote, the 12 with 2 votes would be elected.

STEP TWO

• The Central Committee members next go to a Central Committee meeting which they can do in person or by giving a proxy to someone else in their Ward. (There will be proxy forms available at the Ward Election) This Central Committee meeting is where the Santa Fe County Chair is elected.
• The Central Committee also elects State Central Committee members by a proportional voting system to assure that minority groups and views are represented.
• The State Central Committee members go on to a State meeting to elect State Leadership and National Committee members. This is a biannual grassroots-up process that works with good participation.
• For this reason, it is important to come vote and spread the word to others who support developing robust Democratic Party participation in New Mexico!
  

Grassroots Retrospective.

I've just re-posted stories from our weblog that date back to our first stories and created an archive named Grassroots Retrospective. Hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane. I did! It helped remind me of the oh! so many! events and activities that we collectively created or volunteered for. And I smiled! This - and more - was Grassroots' joyful role in electing President Obama. I'm proud of us!

Kristin and I initiated the Santa Fe Grassroots for Obama weblog in May to improve communications as the campaign pace picked up. Then when Kristin took off for exotic parts of the world, Molly volunteered to help me keep the weblog timely. My thanks, again, to you both!

[NOTE: The only editing I did to stories in the Retrospective was to remove phone numbers and email addresses of folks who were organizing various activities, plus links to surveys or sign-ups that are no longer active.]

A FIRST-HAND INAUGURATION STORY by JoAnn Balzer: "I was there."

"I WAS THERE, in D.C., experiencing history in the making and the inauguration of President Obama, who we all worked so hard for. A new vision for America.

It was a most exhilarating experience on Inauguration day, even after having to stand in line FOR HOURS in the cold grey morning (19 degrees) on Tuesday to get through security and onto the west front Capitol grounds and then waiting FOR HOURS, MORE HOURS leading up to and through the event. Guess what? It was all worth it! And more! ..."

...to read the rest of JoAnn's great Inauguration story, click here.

HOSTS Open House a huge success as the first National Service Day event in Santa Fe.

National Service Day got off to an early start in Santa Fe at an Open House on Thursday (1/15) for HOSTS, Helping One Student To Succeed, a reading program for 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at Cesar Chavez Community School.

Thank you very much to the 25 folks who attended the Open House. We had a good time; you seemed impressed with the program; and you all loved seeing the children! Debby Maas, HOSTS administrator, was extremely grateful for your interest. So am I. And I look forward to hearing about how many signed up to be a mentor. [UPDATE: As of 1/29/09, ten new volunteers joined HOSTS as mentors! I'm so proud! Thanks to everyone!]

It's never to late to learn about the program and volunteer, so for those of you who were not able to make the Open House but are interested in more information, please contact Debby Maas directly at 995-3390.

"I was there," by JoAnn Balzer

"I WAS THERE, in D.C., experiencing history in the making and the inauguration of President Obama, who we all worked so hard for. A new vision for America.

It was a most exhilarating experience on Inauguration day, even after having to stand in line FOR HOURS in the cold grey morning (19 degrees) on Tuesday to get through security and onto the west front Capitol grounds and then waiting FOR HOURS, MORE HOURS leading up to and through the event. Guess what? It was all worth it! And more!

A memorable part of the inaugural, in addition to the most important part making him finally “our” President, was seeing so many Americans of all races come together peacefully to watch him sworn in. Whether it was 1.2 million, 1.5 million, 1.8 million people, whatever, we were all standing there, shoulder to shoulder, for the moment of our lifetime.

Other meaningful inaugural activities for me included the Emily’s List Luncheon, the Lincoln exhibit at the American History Museum, and then, you’d never guess what else? ....parties, lots of parties! The neatest and most meaningful among them for us was the reception that my husband Bob and I co-hosted, with other New Mexicans, for our New Mexico Congressional Delegation on Monday (1/19) from 4-6:30pm in downtown D.C., before we headed for the NM Ball, also that evening.

We had at least 150 guests, a wonderful chock-a-block full party, mostly New Mexicans in town for the inauguration, but others from D.C. with New Mexico connections. The décor was "American and NM flags," a large NM banner sent from the Tourism Department, and the food was heavy, heavy hors d'oeuvres - posole, tamales, and other New Mexican fare combined with sophisticated D.C. goodies provided by our catering company. So perfect and so good! It doesn’t get much better than what we had, and the D.C. ex-pats were thankful for their chile fix.

At our NM Reception: Cabinet Secretary Napolitano was there, along with Senators Bingaman and Udall, Congressmen Lujan and Teague, the Navajo Nation President and VP, Val Kilmer (says NOT running for Gov., but we know how that goes), an Obama Gal from Santa Fe, wearing an Obama "recycled" dress, made from discarded Obama signs, teachers from Rio Rancho, supporters from Las Cruces, Santa Fe Grassroots volunteers, campaign donors, politicos and on and on. The crowd was glorious and diverse, in ALL ways reflecting Barack’s campaign! It was as if all of you were with us, celebrating together. The “Land of Enchantment” ball, the NM Ball, was held that same pre-inaugural evening, Monday evening 1/19, at the National Museum of the American Indian. Many of us who were at the NM reception headed straight there by Metro to the Mall and the Museum. The venue was so meaningful for me personally, as my husband Bob and I are passionate supporters of and advocates for Native American art and culture, and had attended the Museum’s grand opening. A spectacular treat, the icing on the cake, was that the museum afforded a spectacular view of the west front of the U.S. Capitol, which was illuminated on that evening to celebrate the coming inauguration and where we would witness history tomorrow.

Please know, as if you didn't, that we can all feel really terrific about the role we played. Being there somehow made me realize and appreciate that fact, the thought of how hard, each of us in our own way, worked for his election, and how each of us played a part. The WHOLE was truly... definitely... GREATER than the sum of the parts. I can never congratulate you enough. What a celebration, what a moment...Yes, we can, Yes, we did! We can all be proud.

With appreciation,
JoAnn
JoAnn Lynn Balzer
NM Finance Committee for Obama for America
Women's Leadership Committee for the NM Campaign for Change
Santa Fe GrassRoots for Obama
505-982-1793
joannbalzer@earthlink.net

Did you wonder why U2 performed at the Obama Concert?

FROM A GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEER, THIS MESSAGE:

The Barack Obama Irish song.
Moneygall is a small village in County Offaly, Ireland. It has a population of approximately 300 people, has a Roman Catholic church, five shops, a post office, a national school, a police station and two pubs.President-elect of the United States Barack Obama's great-great-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, emigrated from Moneygall to New York City at the age of 19 in 1850 and eventually resettled in Tipton County, Indiana. Kearney's father had been the village shoemaker, then a wealthy skilled trade.

And now for the SONG...Crank up your speakers.

http://www.oneeyedparrot.org/obama.html

"Choose to Unite," Obama music video, back in the news!

HERE'S AN EMAIL MESSAGE FROM SUSAN SLOTTER, who created and produced the Santa Fe video, Choose to Unite:

Hi Y'All!
Thought you'd get a kick out of learning that Choose To Unite has been included in CD Baby's top choices of Obama songs - a promotion they are doing this week to inspire the Inauguration!
This is what they wrote:

Yes They Did! Hundreds of artists caught Obama Fever at some point over the past year. They wrote, recorded, and released their own anthems pushing for political change. Choosing our favorite 15 was hard work, but now it should be easy for you to program the party music for your Inauguration Day celebration.

I love that they call these "Anthems for Political Change." That truly is what was behind ours! Check out the 15 songs at: http://cdbaby.com/playlist/11

I hope that the song and video continue to inspire a positive focus on values – diversity, unity, community, love and equality – as we move forward in 2009 with our new Fearless Leader!

With blessings,
Susan Slotter
http://www.choosetounite.com/

Wish List for Youth Shelters and Family Services

One of the National Service Day events involved Youth Shelters and Family Services over a three day period.

In addition, Youth Shelters has a Wish List for donations posted on their website. This is an on-going need for very basic, every-day items, not only for the 3-day national service day events. Just wanted to let you know about it. Visit this site, learn about and see if you can help this very worthwhile organization: www.youthshelters.org

Obama-inspired National Service Day in Santa Fe. You're invited.

Barack is calling upon individual citizens and Grassroots groups to utilize their power to serve our communities nationwide. For starters, he requested a non-partisan National Service Day on January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. It's also the day before our President-elect's Inauguration!!!! (Where almost there, Folks!!!)

There are many National Service Day events in Santa Fe. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR FULL DETAILS. Find something that motivates and inspires you and sign up!

Inauguration Radio Specials Link Santa Feans to Washington Events

Wishing you could be there for this historic event?

Join Diego Mulligan on 101.1 FM, Santa Fe Public Radio, for Inauguration Specials Monday & Tuesday from 5:06 to 6 PM on The Journey Home.

He'll be getting live reports from NM Citizen/Activists (maybe even a few Santa Fe Grassrooters!) attending the Inaugural Balls. He'll ask our NM Congressional Delegation members about their vision, roles and agenda in the Obama Administration.

YES YOU CAN TUNE IN and be part of the most important change sweeping the nation and shaping your future through the miraculous technology of live wireless communication!

Barack's humanity and intellect - perfect together!

The humanity that comes with the intellect ...

how blessed our nation & the world have become!!!

[Photo of Barack & Sasha Obama courtesy of the Obama family.]

Hugs, High-Fives and a Tribute to Grassroots from Gaye

In less than two weeks, the finest President to walk the halls of the White House in many, many years will be inaugurated…and we helped get him elected. We did it together. We should be proud collectively as Grassroots and you should be so proud personally.

I’m proud for every call you made. All the doors you knocked on. Every piece of data you entered. Proud of every meal you prepared for the staff or phones you answered. For flyers and rally signs you designed or painted. For photocopies you made and paid for. I’m proud of floors you vacuumed, meetings you attended, every new voter you registered, every poll you “guarded,” and every absentee-vote you watched counted.

Mostly I’m proud and grateful for the care and passion you showed, the support you provided, the initiative you took, and every time you stepped forward and said, “Let me take care of that!” or “I can ...” and then filled in the blank with "...train people on Vote Builder …staff the office …maintain this database …direct traffic at the rally …display a bumper sticker and yard sign …wave banners on the street corner…”

Your collective mantra was “What do you need done? I’ll help.” You did it all -- spending countless hours, often without acknowledgement or thanks. More often, I hope, with hugs and high-fives. Consider this message to you my hugs, high-fives (dare I say “terrorist fist bumps”?), and tribute for making Santa Fe Grassroots for Obama the awesome powerhouse it became.

Grassroots donated an unexpected "surplus" to four Santa Fe non-profits

When we set the ticket price for the Grassroots Election Night Returns Party at Real Burger, we based it on:

• 345 max sales (based on fire code restriction) for hot buffet and soft drinks
• Paying for 20 national staffers who we invited as our guests
• Fee for delivery, set up, take down & rental of the large screen television
• Decorations

We inadvertently sold over 425 tickets because multiple volunteers were selling tickets and the last minute flurry of purchases caught us off-guard. Fortunately, there was no fire-code problem because people rotated in and out of the party all night. As a result, however, we ended up with $1,623 surplus! (I didn’t tell the New Mexico legislature; they’d of wanted a loan!)

After consulting with a number of volunteers about highly regarded non-profits, I hand-delivered four checks prior to Christmas, telling each organization that the donation was coming from Santa Fe Grassroots for Obama:

• $623 to Youth Shelters and Family Services
• $600 to The Food Depot
• $150 to The Stocking Fund
• $250 to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Fe.

We have received very gracious letters of appreciation from each organization. I made the decision to donate the money rather than go through a lengthy process of refunding less than $4.00/person. The impact seemed much greater in the four bundles than if I had attempted to divide it amongst those who bought tickets.