2008-08-CCN by La Montanita Coop

TOWARD A COOPERATIVE ECONOMY: Ecological Sustainability BY GAR ALPEROVITZ he need for a thorough re-thinking of the building blocks of a truly sustainable society has never been more urgent. There is a growing consensus that any political-economic system must significantly reduce ecological stress, repair past environmental damage, and generate sufficient political and policy momentum so that environmental deterioration can be halted. Although precise definitions vary, many now recognize that "sustainability" requires both an institutional structure and a culture with the capacity to achieve results in an ongoing fashion.

Confronting Current SYSTEMS It has become increasingly obvious that neither of the two major "systems" of the twentieth century—capitalism and socialism, are organized in a manner compatible with achieving these goals. This is not to say that modest and occasionally substantial goals cannot be achieved within the existing systems. But if the larger judgment is correct, then debate will obviously need to push much deeper to confront the underlying design characteristics of these and other systems to see if any are—or might be—sustainable. In 1988 air pollution in more than a hundred cities in the former Soviet Union was over ten times higher than legal standards. Sixtyfive percent of Poland's river water was deemed too polluted even for industrial use, and large segments of the Polish population were not served by any waste treatment facilities. At the end of the 1980s it was estimated that one out of every seventeen deaths in Hungary was due to air pollution. In Asia, eight Chinese cities are among the ten with the worst air pollution in the world according to World Health Organization studies. Acid rain, the result of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide pollution, affects nearly one-third of the Chinese land area. Severe water quality problems face the majority of the population, 700 million Chinese drink water contaminated with animal and human waste. China also faces severe soil erosion, solid waste, and desertifaction problems. The difficulties of the Soviet Union and China derive from development problems common throughout the world and the conse-

quences of militarized economies. However, the results can also be traced to certain basic design features of the socialist state system. Real world socialist systems have typically concentrated the political power of the state while simultaneously weakening and suppressing civil society. What about US? The World Resources Institute has recently noted that major capitalist industrial economies consume between 45 and 85 metric tons of material per person each year. The U.S. consumes 333 kilograms of paper per person per year, compared to approximately 15 kilograms per year in the developing world. Deforestation worldwide has left only one-fifth of the planet's original forests intact. (Americans also consume a highly disproportionate quantity of the world's meat: 118 kilograms per year per person, in 1996, compared to just 24 kilograms per year in the developing world. The trends are no more comforting when one looks at pollution. US yearly production of synthetic organic chemicals grew one thousandfold—from 150 million kilograms to over 150 billion kilograms—between 1935 and 1995. Confronted with such data illustrating the ecological consequences of our current development path, a common response of many environmentalists has been to emphasize the "greed" of corporate and other economic actors in generating such problems. It is important, however, to recognize that growth in capitalist systems is not motivated simply by hunger for profit but by fear that derives from the central logic and dynamics of the capitalist system: Companies for the most part must cut costs if they are to withstand competition. They must externalize: If a company willingly spends money on a pollution reduction problem and then must raise its prices to cover the cost, it risks finding its market share reduced or destroyed by a less conscientious rival firm.

Consumption and INSECURITY Communities often face similar pressures in deciding, say, between continued logging of declining forests or loss of jobs. We see cities and states commonly prostrating themselves in order to attract corporate investment--because the consequences of not doing so are so severe: high unemployment, tax losses, continued social breakdown, and, of course, negative political outcomes for incumbent government officials. For communities as for corporations the built-in system logic is obvious: it is simply a matter of "grow or die." The same propositions unfortunately commonly hold for many individuals as well. Consider the life cycle of a typical middle-class American: one goes to college in order to get ahead and thereby incurs debt; paying off the debt requires accumulating as much money as possible; then it's time for a family, children, and if you're lucky, a mortgage. Parents come to realize that if they don't live in the right neighborhood, their child's education will suffer, and they had better start saving for college; by the time that's over the question "Who will take care of me?" in old age or sickness becomes central. For the vast majority of Americans whatever security one achieves is fragile at best. In addition, status differences based on income and consumption-which are endemic to the system--exacerbate the drive to consume. In a society of massive inequalities and growing insecurity, and in which the media

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CO-OPS

Salmonella

Tomatoes

Build

Sustainability!

and the Importance of Local Food Food-Shed Update:

A second phase of action became necessary as Whole Foods, who had been purchasing nearly 50% of the local crop for sale in its New Mexico stores, decided that it could not continue to sell local tomatoes without clearance from the FDA. With hundreds of stores nationwide, the corporate policy was that they would only sell tomatoes from states cleared as “safe” by the FDA. Though it was abundantly clear to local and regional officials that N.M. product was safe (after all, by that time the outbreak had spread to 16 states) and, given the risk and exposure, they needed to hold all tomato producers to the same standard.

BY STEVE WARSHAWER, CO-OP ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR s part of the Enterprise Development program for local food and farmers, the Co-op has been cultivating important, long-term relationships with two New Mexico hydroponic tomato growers, Growing Opportunities of Alcalde, NM, and Double A of Taos, New Mexico. In January the Co-op Distribution Center (CDC) became the distributor for Growing Opportunities, and in March for Double A. These distributor relationships are at the heart of CDC efforts to enhance and expand opportunities for New Mexico tomato growers and provide yearround quality food for local shoppers.

When the salmonella outbreak began in New Mexico and Texas in June, the first impulse of many retailers was to pull all tomatoes off the shelves and issue dire warnings to the public. Given the reach of the salmonella scare, (2 states at first and then as many as 16 states reported cases linked to tomatoes), and the fact that our local crops travel no more than 150 miles between field and fork, it was clear that NM grown product was not part of the problem. We knew that broad spectrum fear messages about tomatoes were likely to hurt local growers, even though they were not part of the problem. And the timing of this situation was pretty dire as both of our Food-Shed Project growers were at peak production. Taking ACTION To protect the interests of our local growers while assuring continued supply of safe tomatoes, Co-op staff worked to coordinate and coach a variety of stakeholders, including

Board of Directors’

local growers and state and federal officials. The competence and speed with which everyone responded and acted was a key factor in the positive outcomes we experienced. After Steve and Kim Martin of Growing Opportunities called all of the TV stations to ask them to cover the story, Channel 7 News did a feature on the safety of local food as compared to mass-produced food (go to www.lamontanita. coop and click on the video link at the bottom of the home page to see the report). CDC staff prepared language and signs that were distributed to our Co-op stores and offered them to other stores that are customers of the Co-op Distribution Center and sell local tomatoes. We quickly noticed more mainstream media reminding people to seek out local tomatoes to assure a safe product. It was a strong and effective message.

Important Dates to

REMEMBER

WATCH

YOUR MAILBOX FOR

CO-OP ELECTION BALLOT. RETURN

BALLOT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

By Friday afternoon, Larry Dominguez, Director of Industry and Agency Programs at NMDA, had tracked down the right people at FDA in Washington, delivered the necessary information, gathered with the cooperation of Steve and Kim Martin, and had New Mexico posted on the national, FDA website as a safe tomato producing state. This remarkable feat was accomplished in a period of three hours on a Friday afternoon. Hats off to Larry for his willingness and ability to put all else aside, and work against time in DC, to get New Mexico product posted as “safe”. Whole Foods was informed on late Friday afternoon that we had secured FDA “safe status”, verifiable on their website, and delivery resumed with scarcely a noticeable interruption in delivery. Just to make things more interesting, Cid’s in Taos had also decided to voluntarily remove NM tomatoes from their shelves. Rochelle Rex of Double A reminded them of the facts: the short distance that our local tomatoes travel as compared to the wide geographic reach of the salmonella outbreak, and further problems were averted.

Elections Calender

August 14: Nominations for Candidates for the Board of Directors Elections open. All Candidates must have been Co-op members as of July 1, 2008. Packets available at all locations. September 24: Nominations for candidates close. Members should be sure to update their addresses at their local Co-op Information Desk if they have moved in order to receive ballots. October 25: Annual Membership Meeting. Candidates have an opportunity to introduce themselves to the membership. Gar Alperovitz, noted economist and author, will be speaking on “Cooperating for Community Wealth”. November 1-14: Annual Board of Directors Elections.

Locals to the RESCUE It was at this point that New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) really delivered. States with larger export-oriented tomato businesses had been working with FDA to get their products cleared for sale. Arizona and Texas had successfully taken this route. Beginning on a Thursday morning the CDC was faced with the loss of sales on all its tomatoes and about 1,500 pounds of New Mexico’s finest hydroponic tomatoes were about to go to waste.

YOUR

CO - O P wants YOU!

The “message” about local food and its safety and accountability has been a clear winner in this difficult situation. Thank you to all who worked together to minimize the effect of the salmonella outbreak on local tomato growers. And special thanks to Larry Dominguez of the NM Department of Agriculture for delivering the near impossible on a Friday afternoon in June.

toward a cooperative A Community - Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store La Montanita Cooperative Nob Hill/ 7am-10pm M-S, 8am-10pm Sun. 3500 Central SE Albuq., NM 87106 265-4631

economy

ECOLOGICAL

Sustainability continued from page 1

The implications are not pleasant to consider. Whatever one thinks of the regulatory system's ability to handle ecological issues, a further question remains: Does the political-economic system generate new problems at a faster rate than it generates the capacity to solve them?

Valley/ 7am-10pm M-S, 8am-10pm Sun. 2400 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Albuq., NM 87104 242-8800 Gallup/ 10am-7pm M-S, 11am-6pm Sun. 105 E. Coal Gallup, NM 87301 863-5383

Cooperative Distribution Center 3361 Columbia NE, Albuq., NM 87107 217-2010 Administrative Staff: 505-217-2001 TOLL FREE: 877-775-2667 (COOP) • General Manager/Terry Bowling 217-2020 terryb@lamontanita.coop • Controller/John Heckes 217-2026 johnh@lamontanita.coop • Computers/Info Technology/ David Varela 217-2011 computers@lamontanita.coop • Food Service/Bob Tero 217-2028 bobt@lamontanita.coop • Human Resources/Sharret Rose 217-2023 hr@lamontanita.coop • Marketing/Edite Cates 217-2024 editec@lamontanita.coop • Membership/Robyn Seydel 217-2027 robins@lamontanita.coop Store Team Leaders: • Mark Lane/Nob Hill 265-4631 markl@lamontanita.coop • John Mulle/Valley 242-8800 jm@lamontanita.coop • William Prokopiack/Santa Fe 984-2852 willpro@lamontanita.coop • Tim Morrison/Gallup 575-863-5383 timm@lamontanita.coop Co-op Board of Directors: email: bod@lamontanita.coop President: Martha Whitman Vice President: Marshall Kovitz Secretary/Treasurer: Ken O’Brien William Bright Lonn Calanca Stephanie Dobbie Ariana Marchello Tamara Saimons Membership Costs: $15 for 1 year/$200 Lifetime Membership Co-op Connection Staff: Managing Editor: Robyn Seydel robins@lamontanita.coop Layout and Design: foxyrock inc Cover/Centerfold: Co-op Marketing Dept. Advertising: Robyn Seydel Editorial Assistant: Kristin White kristinw@lamontanita.coop 217-2016 Printing: Vanguard Press Membership information is available at all four Co-op locations, or call 217-2027 or 877-775-2667 email: robins@lamontanita.coop Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated. Address typed, double-spaced copy to the Managing Editor, robins@lamontanita.coop website: www.lamontanita.coop

apitalist development undercuts individual economic security, increases inequality and undermines the basis of community integration and support as a matter of course. Companies come and go, jobs appear and disappear. Often as not the social fabric is allowed to unravel, local culture disintegrates, the community fragments, and young people leave. There is little "community" left to nurture a less materialist orientation and individuals must face the powerful influences of our corporatedriven media largely alone. Finally, and not least, there is the political power and culture which accompanies advanced capitalist economies— and the impact both have on ecological policy-making. Countless studies—and common observation—indicate that corporate institutions wield disproportionate political influence, manipulate regulatory agencies, thwart citizen action groups, and impact both electoral politics and legislation. A recent study found that several polluting industries out-contribute all environmental PACs combined and also spend billions a year on corporate advertising and "greenwashing." Largely in response to corporate pressures, the US government has regularly intervened in the economy to promote ecologically inefficient and destructive practices. Two examples among a multitude serve to illustrate: While allocating a pittance to the development of solar and wind power, the Federal government sank $100 billion into nuclear power between 1950 and 1990, and it continues to subsidize the fossil fuel industry with billions of dollars each year. Similarly, in what amounts to an indirect subsidy for private automakers, the government has lavished billions on the Highway Trust Fund and created the interstate highway system, while allowing public transit of most types to decay. Distinguishing REALITIES It is absolutely essential to discriminate among the following categories of change: A. Reforms and gains which mitigate but do not end specific ecological problems; B. Reforms which include occasional breakthroughs on a particular issue or substance (such as the complete removal of lead from gasoline); and C. Significant, comprehensive long-term trend reversals in an entire category of ecological concern (such as a much hoped-for but little accomplished reversal in the generation of greenhouse gases to mitigate the consequences-of global climate change). Will the next generation of environmental problems emerge from biotechnology, cold fusion developments, nanotechnology, space junk, attempts at desalinification, or another area of technological advance? "Normal accident" theory suggests that the various elements of complex ecological and social processes are

Principles of a Sustainable SYSTEM IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SKETCH AT LEAST SOME PRINCIPLES OF A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM. 1. Economic Security—A first principle of an ecologically sustainable society is that it must provide economic security for individuals and communities. So long as most citizens are only a few paychecks away from insolvency, and so long as they worry that their income may be taken away, economic expansion and job creation will be a higher political priority than environmental protection for large numbers of people. At the community level, so long as localities remain dependent on uncertain investment decisions for their economic health, protection of the environment will take a back seat. 2. Inequality Reduction—A second principle is reducing the dominance of consumerism. This in turn requires reducing the pressures of inequality-driven status envy, on the one hand—and building up sources of social and community support for individuals that offer satisfactions from interactions with people rather than from consumption of goods on the other hand. 3. Work Time and Consumption Reduction—A long-term alternative path would also include a reduction in work time, a concomitant reduction in consumption, and an expansion of free time (or a shift to more intrinsically rewarding work). This is also clearly inextricably linked to the first principle (economic security): people are unlikely to seek any reduction in work time as long as they face insecurity. 4. Polluters Pay—A fourth requirement of an ecologically sustainable society is that producers who damage the environment should bear the costs of their damage. The true costs of production are not reflected in the prices of goods on the market because companies benefit by externalizing costs such as pollution cleanup (or lack thereof) to the public. 5. Increase Efficiency‚—Finally, and perhaps obviously, is simply that growth no longer be a top priority. Economic growth per se need not be eliminated entirely: One way to reduce resource use

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GAR is COMING! Gar Alperovitz, economist, teacher, author, activist is COMING to New Mexico! HEAR HIM SPEAK ON: Cooperating for Community Wealth: Building a New Economy from the Bottom Up. Is there an America Beyond Capitalism? FREE! Saturday, October 25th at the Lobo Theater, Albuquerque. DON’T MISS IT!

WEALTH

BUILDING COMMUNITY

ew Americans are aware of the steady increase in innovative community wealth-building strategies throughout the United States. www.CommunityWealth.org brings together, for the first time, information about the broad range of community wealth-building activity.

Their mission is to give practitioners, policy makers, academics, the media and activists the solid information and tools needed to help them understand and support the expansion of community wealth-building institutions.

The Co-op Connection is printed on 65% postconsumer recycled paper. It is recyclable.

A community wealth strategy aims at improving the ability of communities and individuals to increase asset ownership, anchor jobs locally, expand the provision of public services and ensure local economic stability. Community wealth strategies are designed to draw more dollars into the community — by raising the financial assets of individuals, by increasing the level of “common”

SUSTAINABILITY

likely to interact with each other—and with the very safety systems with which we attempt to protect ourselves—in highly unpredictable ways.

make very visible the lifestyles of the affluent (both through advertising and the content of programming), it is hardly surprising that there is general adulation of the rich and secure in the system, or that the capacity to consume so often becomes a measure of selfesteem and status.

Santa Fe/ 7am-10pm M-S, 8am-10pm Sun. 913 West Alameda Santa Fe, NM 87501 984-2852

PRINCIPLES OF

assets within a community that are locally owned, and by leveraging the use of funds from institutions that are based in the community (such as city governments and universities) for communitybenefiting purposes. Community-wealth.org documents the models for building community wealth. All the models emphasize building assets or wealth as a way to contribute to the solution of social and economic problems. These efforts provide income, savings, direct services, jobs, and by building the local tax base, they provide support for needed public services. While there is no “one size fits all” approach, the various strategies do share some common values and operating principles. They focus on building and anchoring assets and capital in local communities, often broadly distributing ownership among community members. They increase the local economic “multiplier effect” by recycling dollars within the community in which they are based. Go to www.community-wealth.org to learn more about the models.

august 2008

community ownership of

resources

TOWARD A COOPERATIVE

ECONOMY continued from page 2 and pollution is to cut production and shrink the economy. Another is to make productive systems more efficient. If the nation decided to hire more elementary schoolteachers—and at the same time to buy fewer sports utility vehicles—ecological damage would decline even as the size of the economy stayed roughly the same. A Systemic RESPONSE A first-stage systemic response proceeds on several levels beginning by emphasizing the fundamental need to rebuild—and add to—the basis of enforceable ecological norms. This in turn involves several issues: • Achieving greater local, economic stability; • Nurturing local civic environmental culture; • Building new forms of embedded and democratized capital; • Altering the larger structures of inequality and time availability; • Address the matter of scale. Facilitating Local ECONOMIES hat can be done, concretely, to facilitate the further evolution of strong ecological norms starting at the local level? A first step is to increase individual and community economic stability. One set of strategies involves traditional local, state, and national tax, loan, regulatory, procurement, and other efforts to keep jobs in communities and to reduce the pressure of globalization and destabilizing trade.

m com

unit

A second line of defense involves the development of "anchored" community industries, which inherently increase stability. These include community-owned firms, small businesses, cooperatives, employee-owned companies, community development corporations, non-profits in business, etc. The key characteristic of such firms is that they are owned by local people and are much less likely to "get up and go." A third strategy is to enhance local "multipliers," i.e., the number of times a dollar re-circulates within a particular local economy. "Buy local" strategies and enhanced local supplier networks also tend to increase local stability. A slow build up at the local level requires rooting capital in communities so that there is community responsibility for the consequences of economic activity—and wherever possible, some form of local democratized ownership. One of the most important developments occurring just below the surface of public awareness is the growth of economic institutions which democratize capital and which are potentially more capable of being made accountable to community ecological concerns. For instance, currently functioning in the US alone there are: • Some 3,500 to 4,000 Community Development Corporations; • More than 48,000 cooperatives generating over $120 billion in annual economic activity. (The *National Cooperative Bank estimates that onethird of all Americans, roughly 122 million, are directly served by at least one type of cooperative.); • More than 15,000 significanlty worker-owned firms whose employees own 9 percent of corporate equity in the US. The remaining three categories are less well developed and less well known. They are: • Some 120 community land trusts in 32 states and the District of Columbia—the vast majority of which have gotten off the ground in the past 15 years. • A wide range of municipally-owned enterprises—from the 2,000 municipally-owned utilities to municipal-owned recreational facilities and transportation systems to less traditional ventures as cable television, Internet provision, retail stores, hotels and baseball teams. • More than 350 community development finance institutions (including community development banks, community development loan funds, and community development credit unions).

Another emerging model for local-level governance, "civic environmentalism"offers additional possibilities for future development. Locally negotiated, flexible approaches have been adopted in numerous areas as alternatives to traditional "command and control" regulation in habitat preservation, forestry, toxic release control, green space preservation, land trusts, etc. "Civic Environmental" experiments are those which provide for sustained citizen input into local corporate decision-making. Income, Wealth and CAPITAL Wealth and income inequality has increased dramatically over the past quarter century. Since 1973 the top 5 percent of families have seen their share of national income increase by more than 33.3% (from 15.5 percent to 20.7 percent). The top 20% has seen its share increase by 15 percent (from 41.1 percent to 50.4 percent). Meanwhile, the share of every other income group has fallen: the rise in the top share has come at the expense of all households in the "bottom" 80%. If one removes equity in owner-occupied housing from the picture and looks simply at financial wealth (which includes all forms of business ownership, bonds, real estate, etc.), the richest 0.5% of households alone possess 42%.

The basic fact is that the productive potential of the US economy is already massive: If the output of the American economy today were to be divided equally among all families (or groups) of four, each would receive over $125,000. Indeed, the work week might well be trimmed to half the current norm or less as families enjoy the same or greater economic abundance.

The United States is so large today that it is extremely difficult to generate a social consensus in favor of expanded or specific ecological protection. If we agree that the size of a polity has implications for consensus building, then we ultimately need to look to entities that are smaller than the continental national government: states or groupings of states within a region. Smaller-scale and semi-autonomous regional polities with increased powers and responsibilities vis-a-vis the national government are ultimately likely to be another important element in a reconstructed ecologically sustainable system. At the very least, a reconstructed system would need mechanisms at the state or regional level to ensure that one community does not pollute another. There would also need to be a planning mechanism to help allocate sufficient capital to each community to guarantee locallevel economic stability and to help communities adjust when some industries decline due to market shifts.

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A founding member of the Democracy Collaborative, his articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Mother Jones, The Nation, The Atlantic and other popular and academic publications. He has been profiled by The New York Times, The Associated Press, People Magazine, UPI and Mother Jones and he has appeared on numerous network television news programs including (among many others): “Meet the Press,” “Larry King Live,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” “Cross-Fire” and “The O’Reilly Factor.”

august 2008

Gallup

Constructing a Sustainable SYSTEM New patterns are necessary to control the ecological thrust of any large-scale economic entity and make it accountable to the public. But their development requires that citizens have the time and income to participate in democratic oversight. If the "virtuous cycle" inherent in the relationships described can be achieved community-by-community larger societal structures can potentially be organized in a systematically sustainable manner.

BIOGRAPHY ar Alperovitz lectures widely and has testified before numerous Congressional Committees. He is a Professor of Political Economy at the University of Maryland, a former Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge University, of the Institute of Politics at Harvard, of the Institute for Policy Studies, and a Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution.

Valley

A small number of privileged Americans now have sufficient wherewithal, financial and psychological, to personally attempt to live lives of "voluntary simplicity." However, as Jerome Segal has argued, a key requirement of any serious approach to reducing the work week for the vast majority is the provision of a stream of income unrelated to work.

GARALPEROVITZ His book American Beyond Capitalism has been inspiring the cooperative movement since its publication in 2005. He also authored Rebuilding America, (Pantheon), Strategy and Program (Beacon) and Making a Place for Community (with Thad Williamson and David Imbroscio), The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb (Knopf) and Atomic Diplomacy (Simon & Schuster). His upcoming book Unjust Deserts (written with Lew Daly) will be available in November 2008. DON’T MISS IT! For more info contact Robyn at 2172027, outside of Albuquerque toll free at 877-775-2667 or robins@lamontanita.coop.

GAR is Coming! Saturday, October 25, Lobo Theater FREE!!!

Santa Fe

for more information

www.lamontanita.coop Co-op Values Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Co-op Principles 1 Voluntary and Open Membership 2 Democratic Member Control 3 Member Economic Participation 4 Autonomy and Independence 5 Education, Training and Information 6 Cooperation among Cooperatives 7 Concern for Community The Co-op Connection is published by La Montanita Co-op Supermarket to provide information on La Montanita Co-op Food Market, the cooperative movement, and the links between food, health, environment and community issues. Opinions expressed herein are of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Co-op.

CO-OP

YOU OWN IT 3

holy

harvest

august 2008 4

PRESERVING the Summer Harvest FREEZING AND CANNING

FOOD

Create a solution of 3 grams of absorbic acid (3000 milligrams or one level teaspoon) powder to 1 gallon of cold water to prevent the discoloration of apples, apricots, nectarines, peaches, white cherries and grapes. Dip the peeled, sliced, pitted or stemmed fruits into the solution. Vitamin C can be used as a substitute for absorbic acid; use six, 500-milligram tablets.

by Kristin White

reezing and canning are two methods for preserving and savoring summer fruits and vegetables all year long. Freezing vegetables, in particular, is quick and convenient and maintains most nutrients when done soon after harvest or at their peak of ripeness. Selecting Vegetables to Freeze Select vegetables that are ripe, fresh and tender. Wash and rinse, then remove stems and leaves and trim bad areas.

SAVOR summer flavors all YEAR LONG

Materials You’ll need: a large pot (minimum capacity 2 gallons), a colander, wire basket or net bag, large pans, ice cubes or ice blocks, cutting board, knives, hot pads, plastic freezer bags or other containers, and a timer or a clock with a second hand. Blanching Blanching is the scalding of vegetables in boiling water or steam for a very short time. Blanching slows or stops the action of enzymes in vegetables that cause them to grow and mature and preserves their color, texture, flavor and nutrients. Blanch vegetables, with the exception of onions and green peppers, before freezing. Use one gallon of water for each pound of prepared vegetables. Summer vegetables, such as eggplant, summer squash and zucchini taste better if briefly sautéed in oil or butter before freezing. To blanch vegetables insert the wire basket or mesh bag containing the washed and trimmed vegetables into a pot of vigorously boiling water. Do not add so many vegetables that the water stops boiling. Cover and begin timing once water returns to a rolling boil. Blanching times vary (see Table 1 at this website: www.cahe.nmsu. edu/pubs/_e/e-320.pdf). Be careful not to overblanch, as flavor, color, texture and nutrients will be lost. Plunge vegetables immediately into iced water for the same amount of blanched time. Drain the vegetables thoroughly. Residual water will create too many ice crystals. Packing Vegetables Fill the plastic bag or rigid container to the expansion line to reduce the amount of air in the container. If using a freezer bag, press out all of the air from the unfilled portion of the bag. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace, so that the food can expand when frozen, and seal.

Preserve Natural Color and Flavor Preserve fruit’s natural color and flavor by limiting exposure to air, hot packing into jars, processing quickly and storing correctly.

For more specific information on freezing vegetables, go to: cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/e-320. pdf OR http://hgic.clemson.edu

CANNING FRUIT Selection and Care of Fruit Fruit should be ripe, firm, free from blemishes, bruises or diseases. Remove dirt and sand from the fruit. The preserving process will be most effective if the fruit is thoroughly cleaned. Do not allow fruit to soak in water or it will lose flavor and nutrients. Materials and Preparation To can fruit, you will need Mason jars with selfsealing lids. These jars come in 1/2 pint, pint, 1 1/2 pint and quart sizes. Larger sizes are not recommended for home canning. Examine the jars and discard any faulty ones with nicks, cracks or rough edges. Wash jars in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly, or clean in the dishwasher. Keep them hot, in the dishwasher, a sink filled with hot water or warm in the oven, until they are filled. Inspect lids for signs of rust or dents and discard the badly corroded or dented ones.

With or Without Sugar Sugar and syrups do not prevent fruits from spoiling, but they do help fruit to retain color, flavor and shape. Less sugar yields lighter syrup with fewer calories. Ten percent is closest to the natural sugar content in most fruit. Honey may be substituted for up to half of the sugar in the syrup. Prepare enough syrup to fill the jars in one canner load. Sugar is not necessary for canning fruits. Substitute plain boiling water, unsweetened apple, pineapple, white grape juice, or a combination of these. Sugar substitutes should not be used in canning. Hot Packing Fruits Hot packing is the process of heating foods to the boiling point, simmering for 2 to 5 minutes, and immediately filling hot jars loosely with the boiled juice, syrup or water. Hot packing removes air from food, increases vacuum seal, prevents food from floating in the jars and increases shelf life. General Canning Instructions Fill hot jars with fruit, allowing headspace (for home-canned fruit it is typically 1/2 inch, but may vary.) Carefully insert a plastic or wooden spatula along the inside of the jar in order to remove air bubbles. Add food or liquid to achieve the recommended headspace. Wipe the top rim of the jar with a clean damp cloth or paper towel. Place lid on rim and tighten screw band until jar has been processed and cooled. For more detailed information got to: www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/e-319.pdf, or w w w. c a n n i n g - f o o d - re c i p e s . c o m / c a n n i n g f r u i t s . htm#Syrups

BLACKBERRIES:

SEASONAL DELIGHT Food-Shed Update:

hhh berries! It’s that time and the FoodShed Project is pleased to be bringing fresh delicious New Mexico-raised blackberries to your table. Once a special summer treat, though now you can get blackberries from China and South America all year long at the big box stores, once you taste these fresh local berries—you will understand why local food is just plain better. Last month we were pleased to feature an article written by one of our Food-Shed partners Walt and Betty Lea of Cottonwood Lane Orchards. This month you will be able to enjoy their delicious blackberries. Don’t miss this special treat. Bring on the Brambles Blackberries and raspberries, often termed "Brambles”, are part of one of the most diverse groups of flowering plants in the world. Closely related to strawberries Rubus (genus) has hundreds of species in 12 subgenera. Blackberries are native to Asia, Europe, North and South America and are generally cultivated in each region from indigenous species. They have been used for eating, medicinal purposes and as privacy and protection hedges in Europe for over 2,000 years. Their close cousin the red raspberry is indigenous to the Caucasus mountains of Asia Minor and to North America. Historically they were gathered by the people of Troy near the foothills of Mt. Ida around the time of Christ. Records of domestication were found in 4th century writings of Palladius, a Roman agriculturist, and seeds have been discovered at Roman

forts in Britain. The British horticulturalists popularized and improved raspberries throughout the Middle Ages, and exported the plants to New York by 1771. Berries have recently been pinpointed as containing some of the highest levels of phytoestrogens in fruit, valuable in the prevention of both breast and cervical cancer, with blackberries leading the berry pack. Abounding in antioxidants, the anthocyanin pigments, responsible for their purplish-black color, takes blackberries to the top of the chart as one of the leading disease-fighting foods. They contain high levels of Vitamins C and E, folate, potassium, manganese and magnesium. Their ellagic acid, a potent antioxidant, helps to fight cancer and is known as an anti-aging substance. Cooking does not seem to destroy ellagic acid, so even blackberry jams and desserts retain ellagic acid’s health benefits. Interestingly, blackberries are a natural source of salicylate, an active substance found in aspirin. Because of their many tiny seeds, blackberries are a rich source of soluble fiber, such as pectin and other fibers that help reduce the risks of diverticulosis, diabetes and obesity. One of the few fruits that contain heart-protective vitamin E, berries also strengthen blood vessels, protecting eyesight and reduce heart disease risk.

TRY SOME NEW MEXICO BLACKBERRIES

BLACKBERRIES: FOR HEALTHY EYES AND HEART

holy

harvest

august 2008 5

SAVING

AN ACT OF AGRICULTURAL

SEEDS

by Robyn Seydel

FREEDOM

an agricultural TRADITION

Defy Monsanto for LOCAL AUTONOMY!

aving seed has become a revolutionary act akin to dumping tea in Boston Harbor. Both acts committed in defiance of power and greed. We have a similar opportunity today. Monsanto, the chemical company that brought us dioxin, Agent Orange, PCBs and a host of superfund sites across the nation and contaminated sites around the globe, has spun-off its chemical division, now called Solutia. Monsanto is now a “life sciences” company with an eye toward control of world food supplies and agriculture. While their new branding is doing its best positive spin, their profit-at-any-cost tactics remain the same. They will aggressively litigate or try to intimidate any farmer they suspect of saving their genetically modified (GM) seeds (and many who aren’t) with all the power at the international corporate giant’s disposal. Percy Schmiser, the Canadian canola farmer whose fields were contaminated with Montanto’s GMO canola was the opening salvo. The Center for Food Safety documents 112 lawsuits in 27 states in this country alone. And though it’s easy for us, small New Mexican farmers and gardeners to say, “well who would want to plant their damned GMO seeds anyway,” few know that when Monsanto bought the seed company Seminis for $1.4 billion in 2005 it gained control of 40% of the U.S. lettuce, tomato and other vegetable and fruit seed market. (Vanity Fair, July 08). Defy Monsanto, SAVE SEED Saving seed is a time honored agricultural practice. Here is some basic how to info for traditional and hybrid seed saving borrowed and adapted from www.seedsavers.org and www.victoryseeds.com. 1. Only save seeds from healthy plants whose fruit exhibit the traits desirable and expected for the variety. 2. Make sure that you have a good population of a specific variety or you may weaken the line by not preserving the genetic diversity. 3. During the growing season maintain appropriate isolation to ensure that cross-pollination does not occur within a species.

4. Thoroughly dry your seeds before storage. Place seeds on a glass or plastic plate or screen; do not use paper as they may stick. Dry out of direct sunlight for a few days. 5. Store seeds in clearly labeled, airtight glass or metal containers in a cool, dark place. The colder, the better. Basements are good places but so are refrigerators. 6. Seeds need to be kept in an environment that maintains dormancy. Special Tips for Specific Species Beans: If not grown together, beans do not readily cross-pollinate. Thanks to our long growing season and dry climate you can wait for the beans to fully mature and let the pods dry on the plant. Up north pull up the plants, and hang upside down in a garage or barn, avoid dampness and mold. Then break the pod open, remove the seeds and let them finish drying. When com-

pletely dry place them in the freezer for 72 hours to kill any insects. Then place in a container and keep in a cool, dry place. Tomatoes Cross-pollination between modern tomato varieties seldom occurs, except in potato leaf varieties which should be separated by the length of the garden. Do not save seeds from double fruits or from the first fruits of large-fruited varieties. Pick at least one ripe fruit from each of several plants. Cut a ripe tomato in half, scoop out the seeds and pulp, and place in a jar with a little water and cover with plastic wrap. Stir the seeds a few times a day for the next 2 or 3 days. During the fermentation process, the good seeds will separate from the gelatinous covering and sink to the bottom after which time you can pour off the liquid junk. Rinse the seeds with cool, clean water. A fine mesh strainer or even coffee filters work. Dry seeds thoroughly before storing. Cucumbers Use the same process as tomatoes, but allow them to ripen past the eating stage, then use the fermentation process outlined above. Melons and Squash At the ripe stage, cut open, scoop out seeds and dry. Some varieties may benefit from the fermentation process used for tomatoes.

FOR COMPLETE SEED SAVING INFO GO TO:

www.seedsavers.org • www.victoryseeds.com NOT WEB ACCESSIBLE: write or call Seed Savers Exchange 3094 North Winn Rd, Decorah, Iowa 52101 Phone: (563) 382-5990 and Fax: (563) 382-5872

co-op news

august 2008 6

TAKING THE PULSE OF THE

CO-OP MOVEMENT BY LONN CALANCA, BOARD OF DIRECTORS very year for the past 52 years the Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) has hosted a conference to bring together co-ops from all over the country. It is the largest national event of its type bringing together more than 400 cooperators from 32 states, 2 countries and 71 cooperatives. It is a valuable opportunity to network, share information and implement unified strategic vision in support of the 6th cooperative principle (Cooperation among Co-operatives). If you ever wanted to put your finger on the pulse of the national cooperative movement, this is the place.

ate 963 billion dollars (nearly one trillion dollars)? So what does this mean? This means that the cooperative business model is extremely successful. This also means that the cooperative business model may just be the solution to the economic crisis currently unfolding in the world.

Profound Insight and Visionary Discussions

This year marked my third time at the conference representing La Montanita as a board member and had me anticipating its many workshops and networking opportunities. I found that in years past it was easy to be somewhat overwhelmed with information. So this year I determined that instead of trying to grasp every detail I would just pick the most profound thing I could and really explore it. As it turns out the first keynote speaker provided me with this year’s most profound insight and visionary discussion. For instance, the cooperative movement is often thought of as a small fringe of marginally profitable natural food stores without any real political clout to influence the world outside of its community. But according to Dr. David Korten, nothing could be further from the truth. Did you know that over 60% of adults in the US belong to cooperatives? Did you know that Co-ops generate over 30 billion dollars in revenue annually in the US and internationally gener-

Classical Homeopathy Visceral Manipulation Craniosacral Therapy

MARY ALICE COOPER, MD St. Raphael Medical Center 204 Carlisle NE Albuquerque, NM 87106

505-266-6522

LOCAL SALE ITEMS SHOP LOCAL & SAVE 505 Organic

Albuquerque, NM Organic Salsa or Chile Sauce, 16 oz. Assorted Varieties. Sale $4.99. Additional 505 items also on sale

Sadie’s Albuquerque, NM Hot Salsa, 64 oz. Sale $6.99 Rudi’s Organic Bakery Boulder, CO Organic Sandwich Bread, 22 oz. Select Varieties. Sale $2.99 Herbs, Etc. Santa Fe, NM Deep Sleep, 1 oz. Assorted Varieties. Sale $9.99. Additional Herbs, Etc. items also on sale

Dr. Korten’s presentation related the urgent need of the world’s population to graduate to a more sustainable and equitable form of monetary resource management. He demonstrated how the current economic climate provided an opportunity for co-ops to present themselves as the viable alternative economic model to what he calls “the global suicide economy”. This is largely due to the fact that a cooperative model operates using what is

Member Profile BY KRISTIN WHITE hat started out as a hunger relief project for families in Juarez, Mexico, has now grown into a flourishing business for president and founder Chuck O’Herron-Alex of Veggiegrower Gardens of New Mexico. As I sat listening to Chuck in his small office and workshop on Silver Street, I admired his ability to create a successful business and remain a true humanitarian. His gardens support a diversity of people, from private clients to organizations like St. Joseph’s Community Health Services, who have partnered with Chuck to implement an educational and applied program for individuals with diabetes.

Veggiegrower Gardens look like a garden in a box. The frame, made of pine, holds everything together. Holes are drilled around the lower part of the perimeter of the frame to allow drainage. Lava rocks are placed on the bottom of the box with a layer of semipermeable material on top. The material acts as a weed barrier. Veggiegrower Gardens are perfect for urban gardening. They can be placed on any type of surface—cement, dirt, gravel or grass, without the threat of invading grasses, weeds or tree roots. Chuck has even built a garden on the rooftop of a school in Bronx, NY! Blocks or other sturdy objects can be placed underneath the garden to raise it up for easier accessibility. All of the Veggiegrower Gardens come with two protective coverings, one to use during the warmer months and the other for winter. The summer cover is a heavy garden fabric, or row cover, made of polypropylene. It allows water and ninety percent of sunlight through while protecting the garden from pests and harsher

A Garden in a

BOX

AUGUST SPECIALS WANT TO SEE YOUR LOCAL PRODUCT ADVERTISED HERE? Contact Angela at angela@lamontanita.coop

MEMBERSHIP IS

OWNERSHIP

weather conditions. The winter cover is made of UV-treated greenhouse plastic and traps heat from the sun during the day, keeping the plants safe and warm throughout the night. Many features, sizes and options are available to suit a variety of needs. Chuck has recently been working with La Montanita’s School Partners Garden Project in Gallup, New Mexico, to construct six Veggie grower Gardens for two elementary schools. He has also collaborated with a number of schools in Albuquerque to establish gardens and teach gardening skills to their students. Students learn how to plant seeds and learn where their food comes from. I asked Chuck what he enjoys most about his job: “I enjoy helping people grow some of their own food. It is very satisfying to provide people with a food production system that they can use all year long to feed themselves.” The more I learn about these user-friendly and efficient gardens, I am reminded of the ways in which food brings people together on the most fundamental level. Whether it’s children discovering, and taking an active part in, gardening for the first time or friends and family sharing a homegrown meal together, eating well is healthy and pleasurable and connects us to the natural world. Mr. O’Herron-Alex has been a Co-op member for ten years and appreciates the fact that the Co-op is close to his home and store. For more information on Veggiegrower Gardens, please visit the website at veggiegrower.net. To receive more detailed information or order a garden, call Chuck at 217-5110 or send an email to veggiegrower@att.net. Veggiegrower Gardens is located at 3211 Silver Ave. SE.

Your CO-OP

wants

YOU!

Abq., NM Crimson Clove Hair Revitalizer, 4 oz. Sale $10.99. Additional Tijeras items also on sale

NOT ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE AT ALL STORES.

So there it is, the idea that the same business practice that has lead to the success of my local co-op could also provide a viable solution for the longterm sustainability and mutually beneficial management of the worlds resources. I am pleased to say that within the cooperative community this type of practical yet visionary dialog is abundant. I realized that if this was the only concept I walked away from CCMA with, it certainly had been worth the trip. I am still attempting to grapple with the scope of such implications and can’t help but wonder what a cooperatively-run world would look like.

Veggie Grower Chuck O’Herron-Alex

Tijeras Organic Alchemy

VALID IN-STORE ONLY from 7/30-9/2, 2008:

called the double bottom line. This in effect, takes the supply and demand marketplace and allows for the well- being of the consumer to be taken into account as a tangible way to monitor the success of a business. This offers a high level of accountability, integrity and an emphasis on mutually equitable relationships. Traditionally corporations have been concerned only with the single bottom line. This translates squarely into making maximum profit at any cost. This cost, unfortunately, is the slow painful demise of the environment and world economy that we see today.

SAVE the DATES!

ELECTION CALENDER Watch your home mailbox for your Co-op Election Ballot. Return ballot in the envelope provided.

co-op news

august 2008 7

THE INSIDE I’m pleased to announce that our Gallup location has posted positive numbers for this quarter. It’s been a true team effort to achieve this goal. We acquired the Gallup location in 2005 from Wild Sage Co-op. After helping the Wild Sage Board pay off their debt, Wild Sage closed for several months as we found a new location, bought equipment and hired and trained staff. Food-Shed Project trucks began weekly deliveries of fresh bread, meat, cheese, produce and other local products in 2007.

SCOOP

The Gallup Co-op is unique in many ways. In terms of size, it is only a thousand square feet. The operational challenges of this small space are many. We are optimistic this is just the beginning of our progress in Gallup. We have begun several outreach projects in Gallup and are excited to be part of this community. I personally feel we have an opportunity to share the cooperative values with this community and I intend to do everything possible to foster this relationship. I would like to congratulate our Store Team Leader Tim Morrison and his great staff of Alisha Olguin and Raphael Sam. Great job on this achievement, we are proud of you. In cooperation, Terry

Calendar of Events 8/14 Board of Directors Candidate Packets available at all Co-op info desks

8/19 BOD Meeting, Immanuel Church, 5:30pm 8/25 Member Engagement Committee, CDC, 5:30pm TBA Finance Committee Meeting, CDC, 5pm

CO-OPS: A Solution-Based System

GALLUP SCHOOL PARTNERS UPDATE School Gardens Get Going! ROBIN SEYDEL he School Garden project, at two Gallup area elementary schools is coming together nicely. Chuck was busy building the Veggiegrower intensive gardens during the month of July. They were picked up on July 18th, and delivered to Gallup on our weekly Food-Shed Project truck on the 23rd and 30th of July for David Skeet and Juan de Onate schools respectively. Chuck will be presenting a Veggiegrower Garden Tutorial to all the participating teachers from both schools at Juan de Onate on the afternoon of August 6th. After that he will be available to answer any questions or deal with problems on an ongoing basis.

A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Gallup Co-op members are encouraged to volunteer helping out with the gardens. The usual 18% Co-op discount will apply. To volunteer or learn more about how our Co-op volunteer program works contact Robin at 877-775-2667 or e-mail her at robins@lamontanita.coop. Community Support One of the most wonderful things about this project has been the community support it has received. Local agricultural businesses have been most generous, donating some of the other materials needed for the project. These generous donations have helped the school garden project move forward. Getting enough good soil to fill the gardens was one of the big issues. Purchasing the over 100 cubic feet of potting soil and compost was beyond the means of the teachers and the schools. Jim Brooks, Walter Dod and the rest of the fine folks at New Mexico Compost Products stepped in to save the day. They kindly donated three pallet loads, 180 cubic feet, of New Mexico Commodity Commission approved compost for the project. Some of the compost will be used during the August planting and some will be saved for use during the January planting.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO JIM BROOKS, WALTER DODS AND ALL THE FINE FOLKS AT NEW MEXICO COMPOST PRODUCTS FOR THEIR MOST GENEROUS DONATION OF COMPOST TO FILL THE GARDEN BEDS. Then there was the problem of the seeds. Thanks to Botanical Interests for their generous donations of seeds. Many Coop members know Botanical Interests seeds as the fine organic seeds we sell at all Co-op locations. They have excellent germination rates and are a small family company at the outer reaches of our FoodShed area in Broomfield, Colorado. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO CURTIS JONES OF BOTANICAL INTERESTS FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO SUPPORT THE GALLUP SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT WITH A VARIETY OF VEGETABLE SEEDS. Eddie Albert, stage and screen actor, and Ian T Allison, merged their efforts in 1982 to create the non-profit organization, The Seed Corps. Their objective was to fulfill the theme “If you teach a man to grow a garden you feed him for the rest of his life,” with the corollary “People who are well fed rarely engage in rebellion and war.” From their experimental gardens and headquarters in Santa Rosa, California, they deliver free seeds to communities worldwide. They focus on non-hybrid varieties to encourage seed saving by participating gardeners. They sent us a wonderful box of veggie and flower seeds. For more information about this organization contact them at 707-575-3707 or info@pumpkintools.com. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SEED CORPS FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION OF SEEDS.

COOKING THE HARVEST! CO-OP SPONSORS SOUTH VALLEY

COOKING CLASSES

The South Valley Economic Development Center, the Co-op and local chef Cheryl Travers are pleased to be offering Healthy Harvest Cooking Classes on Tuesday, August 12th, and Tuesday, August 16, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Cheryl has decades of experience cooking healthy foods and local specialties. The classes will show how to use the foods you are harvesting from your garden or finding at the farmers’ markets, helping participants develop seasonal recipes and build connections to local farmers. The class is also perfect for folks wanting to learn to eat healthier, lose weight, are diabetic

or are interested in a more heart-healthy diet. Learn to take traditional food favorites and make them as healthy as they are delicious. These classes are $15 per person, and will be held at the South Valley Economic Development Center, 318 Isleta Blvd. SW. There is a limit of 15. A meal of the foods that have just been prepared is included. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes and come open to add a fun, healthy new twist to your life with FRESH, LOCAL and ORGANIC food.

For more info, menu and reservations call Cheryl at 505-239-0909.

SHOP CO-OP AND SAVE BUY LOCAL SHOP CO-OP AND SAVE

Postural Corrections W orking Deeply from the Inside Out Fun and Varied approach to Movement Studio and Home Visits

Michele Whitteker Certified Pilates Instructor North Valley michelelee613@hotmail.com Phone: (505) 345-0149 Albuquerque, NM

11th Annual Poets and Writers

PICNIC Sat., Aug. 23rd noon to 5pm the historic Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair, NM

FREE

For more info contact HOST DALE HARRIS 505-242-4930 poetdale@yahoo.com

summer harvest enjoy summer’s

BOUNTY Enjoy the summer’s bounty of local fruits and vegetables, many of which are included in the recipes below. Local vegetables in season are bell peppers, beans (green, string, purple and wax), carrots, potatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, okra, onions, summer squash and tomatoes. Seasonal local fruits include blackberries, figs, melons and peaches. (Key: C = cup, T = tablespoon, t = teaspoon, lb. = pound, oz. = ounce, qt. = quart) Roasted Pepper and Tomato Salad 3 or 4 ripe red bell peppers 3 or 4 ripe green bell peppers 2 ripe tomatoes 1/2 C thinly sliced sweet white onion 1/3 C extra virgin olive oil 4 T sherry vinegar kosher salt to taste fresh ground black pepper to taste 3 cloves garlic, finely minced 2 T chopped parsley or basil Cut the peppers in half, core and place skin side up on a tin foil-covered baking sheet. Brush with a little olive oil and roast in a 425˚F oven until charred, about 30 minutes. Cool in a covered bowl, and then peel and cut into strips.

Serve in a shallow dish with the garlic and herbs sprinkled over top, and some good bread for sopping up the juices! Grilled Eggplant and Peppers 3 small eggplants 2 red bell peppers 2 green bell peppers 1 medium yellow onion 2 New Mexico green chiles 1/2 C extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, roasted and minced salt to taste Preheat a charcoal or gas grill. Rub the eggplants, bell peppers, onion and chiles with a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a large bowl. Grill over medium/hot heat until the eggplants are soft (about 10 minutes), the skins of the peppers are blistered and charred (about 20 minutes), and the onion is soft (about 30 minutes). Remove the vegetables from the grill and let cool. When they are cool enough to handle, peel, stem and seed the peppers and chiles, trim the eggplant and peel the onion. Then cut all the vegetables into thick slices and put them in a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and minced garlic and salt to taste. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for at least one hour; refrigerate overnight. Serves 4 to 6

august 2008 10

2 T butter 6 to 8 eggs 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced 3 to 5 cloves garlic, sliced 2 to 3 scallions, finely sliced 2 large green chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded 2 t roasted whole cumin seeds 1/3 C finely sliced and mixed marjoram, bronze fennel and cilantro, salt and pepper to taste 1/3 C grated provolone or hard cheese Toss the vegetables with the olive oil, place on a cookie sheet and roast at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes, checking frequently, until caramelized. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully arrange the chopped vegetables evenly, covering the bottom of the skillet, and place a lid over it. Reduce the heat to low and cook the vegetables for 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Whip the egg mixture well until frothy. Uncover the skillet and pour the eggs evenly over the vegetables. Shake the pan gently, allowing the ingredients to blend. Arrange the sliced tomatoes evenly around the skillet and do the same with the mixture of garlic, scallions, green chiles, cumin seeds, marjoram, fennel fronds, cilantro, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Again, shake the pan gently. Cover the skillet again and cook for 15 to 20 minutes over lowmedium heat until the egg mixture starts to set and puff up. Remove cover.

Garden Fresh Frittata Cut tomatoes in half and grate on a box grater, discarding the skins. Mix the tomatoes, peppers, onion, olive oil and vinegar together in bowl. Season with salt to taste, and a crack of fresh ground pepper. Let stand for an hour to allow the flavors to develop.

2 to 3 C fresh vegetables (such as red or orange bell peppers, onions or whatever’s ripe), chopped into bite-size pieces 2 T olive oil, preferably lemon or orange flavored

Carefully place a potholder mitt on the handle and slide the skillet under the broiler, leaving the broiler door open and the skillet handle outside. Broil 10 to 12 minutes, checking frequently. If it is browning too fast, lower the heat or cover with aluminum foil and continue

cooking. Remove from the oven when the frittata is browned and puffy. Serve immediately while it is puffy for the most dramatic effect. It will set and settle, collapsing as it cools. Serve with salad and garlic bread for a light dinner or brunch. Serves 3 to 4 Note: Frittatas freeze beautifully. To freeze, place the cooled frittata in a pie pan, cover first with wax paper and then aluminum foil, slip into a plastic bag and seal. To reheat, allow the frittata to come to room temperature. Remove the wax paper and recover with foil. Place in a preheated 300 degrees F to 350 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Fresh Fruit Compote Make the compote ahead of time. Change ingredients depending on what’s in season. FRUIT COMPOTE 3 C diced fruit (whatever’s in season; overripe or frozen fruit will also work) 1 C juice (fruit nectar, fresh orange juice, or Grand Marnier) 1/4 C raw honey 1 banana (optional, for a thicker version) 1 to 2 T butter sprinkle of spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, orange zest, anise) PANCAKES 6 eggs, separated 2 C small-curd cottage cheese 2/3 C flour (use Sangre de Cristo or other local flour if possible) 2 t sugar 1 t salt 1 t cinnamon 1/8 t cream of tarter

11th Annual Maize Maze!

Made in the Shade August 30th-November 2nd volunteer and receive a Maize Maze t-shirt and Maze entry ticket Contact 999-1258 for details

Member of International Society of Arboriculture and Society of Commercial Arboriculture ISA Certified, Licensed & Insured

232-2358 www.EricsTreeCare.com ericstreecare@earthlink.net

Summer is a great time to deadwood your larger trees & assess your Elms & Cottonwoods for potential hazards. Call for an estimate on crown cleaning your trees today.

Services

• Fruit and Shade Tree Pruning • Technical Removal • Planting • Cabling & Bracing • Fertilization • Root Rehabilitation Services

summer harvest For the compote, place all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until reduced and thickening, about 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off heat and cover. For the pancakes, beat the egg whites until stiff. Beat the egg yolks together and add remaining ingredients. Fold the whites gently into the egg mixture. Don’t overwork it. Ladle batter onto preheated large frying pan to desired size pancakes. Fry the pancakes covered for best results, turning once. Drain cooked pancakes on a paper towel if necessary. Serve topped with warm compote. Serves 4 Green Beans with Almonds 2 1/2 lbs. green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 t sea salt 1 t ginger, grated 1 T lemon juice 3 T almonds, slivered and roasted 4 T parsley or cilantro, minced Combine green beans with salt and ginger. Steam, or cook by a waterless method. Toss with lemon juice. Sprinkle with almonds and parsley. Serves 4 to 6 Grilled Potato Salad Try chopped jalapeno, cilantro and toasted sesame seeds to top off this dish. Use lettuce that is local and in season (if possible). 10 medium-sized new potatoes, unpeeled and quartered 3 to 4 small yellow summer squash, cut in half 1 bunch of green onions or spring onions splash of olive oil 2 lemons, cut in half 1/4 C rice vinegar 1/4 C olive oil 1 clove garlic, mashed and chopped few drops of toasted sesame oil salt 1/2 head of lettuce, washed and cut into bite-size pieces

august 2008 11

sprinkled with the reserved grilled green onion segments. Garnish with the lemon or squeeze over salad just before eating to give a slightly tangy flavor that goes great with the potatoes. Serves 6 Su no mono (Japanese Cucumber and Noodles) 1/4 C sake 1 1/2 oz. cellophane noodles (mung bean thread) 1/3 C mild rice vinegar 2 T tamari soy sauce 2 T mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine) 2 medium cucumbers 1/2 t salt 2 oz. cooked crab meat OR 4 T chopped red bell pepper

Body-Centered Counseling

Place the noodles and cucumbers in a nice serving bowl. Sprinkle on the crabmeat or bell pepper. Pour the marinade over all and serve.

MELON!

505-265-2256 LPCC Lic. 0494, LMT Lic. 1074

Personal Growth Childhood Trauma • Illness Drugs/Alcohol • Loss Women’s Issues

Louise Miller, MA LPCC NCC Psychotherapy louise@louisemiller.org www.louisemiller.org

Phone (505) 385-0562 Albuquerque, NM

The Harwood presents...

September 12th - 14th, featuring: Wordstock, a verbal extravaganza Publishing workshops and Youth Slams Panel discussions & much much more! For the full STIR schedule visit www.harwoodartcenter.org

GETI Tat your CO-OP!

JACK OF ALL TRADES

DRIP M.A., L.P.C.C, L.M.T.

505.975.4823 WWW.BODYTELLINGSTUDIOS.ABMP.COM

Joy Harjo and her band Arrow Dynamics

Penny Holland

CORE SYNCHRONISM ~ POLARITY ~ REFLEXOLOGY SWEDISH ~ MYOFASCIAL RELEASE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

local organic

MASTER

Integrated Counseling, Therapeutic Bodywork and Movement

NTS, CLMA, LMT 5917

Combine two tablespoons of the sake with the vinegar, soy sauce and mirin. Cool. Peel the cucumbers, cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and slice as thinly as possible. Place in a bowl, sprinkle with salt and allow to sit for a few minutes. Squeeze the salted cucumber slices. Rinse well, squeezing out all of the excess water after rinsing.

While everything is grilling, whisk together the rice vinegar, olive oil, garlic, sesame oil and a couple pinches of salt. When the onions come off the grill, let them cool for a couple minutes and then cut into 1/2-inch segments. Set aside. Toss the lettuce with a splash of the dressing, and turn it out onto a large platter. Toss the vegetables (but not the lemons) with a big splash of the dressing and arrange it on top of the lettuce

NARA SHEDD

Bring about 1/4 cup sake to a boil, immediately remove from heat and cool. Reserve two tablespoons of boiled sake. Cook the bean threads according to package directions (usually, boil for 3 minutes). Drain and place the noodles in a bowl of cold water. Run more cold water over the noodles until they are completely cool.

These recipes have been adapted and reprinted from the following sources: http://ediblesantafe.com/Recipe_Index/ Artisan Farming: Lessons, Lore and Recipes by Richard Harris, Lisa Fox and Trent Edwards Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford www.101cookbooks.com Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant by The Moosewood Collective

Toss the potato wedges, squash and green onions with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place them on a medium-hot grill. Place the lemons on the grill as well, cut side down. Grill for 10-20 minutes or until golden and cooked through–moving around the grill, if needed, and flipping to get color on all sides. The squash will likely cook faster than the potatoes. Remove pieces and place on a platter when they are done grilling.

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK

IRRIGATION

345-9240

aqua es

vida

august 2008 12

Middle Rio Grande FAILS

WATER QUALITY STANDARDS MICHAEL JENSEN, AMIGOS BRAVOS he Middle Río Grande (MRG) from the Angostura Diversion south to the Rio Puerco fails to meet water quality standards set for it by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). BY

Help assure the QUALITY of our ENVIRONMENT.

This information is contained in a public draft report from the Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB), the 2008 - 2010 State of New Mexico Clean Water Act §303(D)/§305(B) Integrated List (http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swqb/303d-305b/20082010/documents/PublicDRAFT303dlist.pdf). Over an 8-year rotation, the SWQB attempts to monitor the state’s rivers, streams and lakes. The MRG was included in the current 2-year cycle and was monitored in four reaches (pages 238 and 279-281 of the report): Cochiti Reservoir to the Angostura Diversion (the start of the irrigation ditches and drains that run through Albuquerque); Angostura to Alameda (non-Pueblo); Alameda to Isleta Pueblo (northern boundary); Isleta Pueblo (southern boundary) to the Rio Puerco. The NMED does not monitor where Pueblo Nation lands border a water body. Each reach has specific “Designated Uses,” which means the activities expected for that body of water and the corresponding standards that have to be met. Uses can include Irrigation, Livestock Watering, Wildlife Habitat, a number of different Aquatic Life uses, Primary or Secondary Contact (how people use the water) and many more. The study reports whether each Designated Use is supported (“Attained”) based on problems that might show up in the monitoring. The study also lists “Probable Causes” for any failure (termed “Impairment”) to attain one or more uses, and a list of “Probable Sources” of the impairment of that water body. The three reaches associated with the Albuquerque area – Angostura to Alameda (site of the drinking water diversion infrastructure), Alameda to Isleta (through the City), and Isleta to the Rio Puerco – fail to support Wildlife Habitat, Marginal Warmwater Aquatic Life, and Secondary Contact; they support Irrigation and Livestock Watering. By contrast, the northern reach of the MRG from Cochiti Dam to the Angostura Diversion fully supports Irrigation, Wildlife Habitat, Secondary Contact, and both Coldwater Aquatic Life and Warmwater Aquatic Life; Livestock Watering was not assessed for this reach. What does it MEAN? 1. “Marginal Warmwater Aquatic Life” is the lowest level of protection for aquatic life in rivers and streams. Since the reach above the Angostura Diversion, running down from Cochiti Dam, fully supports both Warmwater and the more stringent Coldwater Aquatic Life use, it is clear that problems for the river arise in the urban environment. (The Aquatic Life terms refer to relative water temperatures that different species of fish prefer; bass are typical warmwater fish and trout are typical coldwater fish). The fact that the MRG is impaired for even the minimal designated use is an indication that the Rio Grande is a harsh environment for aquatic life, including the endangered silvery minnow, for which there is an ongoing recovery program. 2. It may seem slightly odd that “Wildlife Habitat” is a supported use, while Livestock Watering is not supported, since both involve

animals outside the river using its water. One possible reason for the distinction is a concern in the Wildlife Habitat use that some contaminants may bio-accumulate (build up over time in the body) in wildlife using the river. This may not be such an issue for livestock, which are large animals and whose lifespan is often short. 3. The “Secondary Contact” results are particularly confusing, even for water quality experts. Secondary Contact means that people have incidental contact with the water, such as boating. However, several years ago, the state changed the Designated Use of the MRG from Secondary to Primary Contact. Primary Contact means activities such as swimming (Amigos Bravos worked with community groups and youth in the South Valley to help get this change). The MRG has continued to be listed as Secondary Contact to discourage people from actually swimming in the river. When the report says that the urban MRG doesn't support Secondary Contact, we believe it means that the water doesn't support the standards for Primary Contact. Unfortunately, we don't know for sure whether the report is saying that the unstated but actual Primary Contact use is impaired or if, indeed, it is the listed – and weaker - Secondary Contact standard that is not being met. Amigos Bravos has raised this issue with the SWQB before and is raising it again with this new report. As noted earlier, the Rio Grande above the Angostura Diversion fully supports all designated uses. It is clear, then – and reflected in the report – that it is primarily cumulative urban impacts to the river that have resulted in the consistent impairment through Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and continuing south.

Urban IMPACTS These urban impacts include stormwater runoff from hard surfaces like streets and parking lots, municipal discharges, such as those from wastewater treatment facilities, septic systems in parts of the county without sewer connections, and pet waste. Impairment seems most clearly linked to human and animal waste and waste treatment discharges as a source. The major cause of impairment, the presence of E. coli, is a sure sign of this primarily urban (or semiurban) impact. E. coli is normally present in the large intestine of warm-blooded animals and plays an important role in human digestion. However, some strains can cause illness, sometimes serious. The report mentions that in the reach from Angostura to Alameda, just above the diversion infrastructure for the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project, one cause of impairment was “ambient bioassays – acute aquatic toxicity”. Ambient bioassays assess the toxicity of contaminant discharges, usually after their dilution by, for example, a body of water. “Acute toxicity” means there is an immediate or short-term response of an organism to a chemical substance, usually deadly. However, it is even more important to know what “chronic toxicity” might be. This refers to the effects, usually on growth and/or reproduction, of contaminants on an organism after repeated, long-term exposure. The chronic standards are stricter than acute standards. Amigos Bravos is currently waiting for the field and lab data used to produce the study. This data would show what substances the SWQB tested for and the results for each. These results can then be compared to existing water quality standards, if a standard has been set for the substance. Monitoring such as this is extremely important and allows citizens to get a better understanding of the quality of their local waters. Unfortunately, the SWQB’s monitoring schedule is dependent upon sufficient funding for personnel and laboratory resources. People need to encourage their legislators to fully fund monitoring costs – not just for the Surface Water Quality Bureau, but for all regulatory agencies. Without adequate monitoring, the agencies cannot do their work and we cannot be assured of the quality of our environment. Michael Jensen is responsible for Grants and Communications for Amigos Bravos, celebrating 20 years of protecting New Mexico’s waters. He can be reached at mjensen@ amigosbravos.org and you can visit us at www.amigosbravos.org.

AGUA ES VIDA ACTION TEAM

Drinking Water Protection Fundraiser

SAVE THE DATE! On Sept 16th Agua es Vida Action Team and Citizens for Alternatives to Radioactive Dumping will hold a fundraising dinner for Arjun Makhijani, world renowned physicist, at 6pm at the Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice.

Hebrew School tuition for 2nd grader: $320.00

Arjun’s group, the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, has taken a leading role in the nationwide movement for more protective drinking water standards: an especially relevant struggle for Albuquerque and Santa Fe, as officials prepare to divert the Rio Grande into these cities’ drinking water systems. Suggested donation $10 The Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice is located at 202 Harvard SE. For more information or reserations call 266-2663 or e-mail; contactus@cardnm.org

Learning to be a mensch. . .

info: cardnm.org

priceless.

Preschool/Kindergarten*: 2 Saturday mornings/month 11am-12 noon Elementary: Thursdays 4:30-6pm Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation Program To learn more about our creative, innovative and hands-on Jewish education programs, contact:

Congregation Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande NW (Btwn Candelaria & Greigos) 343-8227 www.nahalatshalom.org *Sponsored in part by the Jewish Federation of NM

ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY continued from page 3 It is possible, of course that no significant changes will occur. On the other hand, it is not inevitable that all positive change will be slow. An illustration of how ongoing activity may erupt into new power is the largely unpredicted—explosion of efforts to limit sprawl. For decades wasteful land use, transportation and other destructive and unplanned urban development went largely unchecked. Suddenly, a movement of surprising strength emerged during only a very few years: In the fall of 1998

alone over 70 percent of 240 state and local ballot measures were approved for "capital investments in green [anti-sprawl] infrastructure." Powerful new citizen activities to limit growth are a phenomenon of importance in their own right. They also suggest that longterm institutional and system change may possibly be more open in the future than many now think. For the full and footnoted article please go to www.bsos.umd.edu/alperovitz

L O N G T E R M S Y S T E M S C H A N G E F O R E C O L O G I C A L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

life on the

rio grande

Rio Grande Community Farm is GROWING … and NOT JUST CORN BY STEPHANIE DOBBIE, RGCF

BOARD

MEMBER

id you know that Rio Grande Community Farm is now selling organic produce, plant starts and flowers at the Los Ranchos Growers’ Market? Did you know that more than 40 families and individuals are growing food at the Rio Grande Community Garden? Did you know that some students in Albuquerque’s public schools may have a chance to eat locally grown, organic vegetables supplied by Rio Grande Community Farm? Did you know that Rio Grande Community Farm is converting acres of flood-irrigated cropland into efficient drip-irrigated cropland, serving as a model for other small farms in the area? Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is a donor-funded 501(c)3 non-profit organization located at Los Poblanos

Fields Open Space. The total 138-acre farm was purchased by the City of Albuquerque through a citizen-approved tax in 1995 and is now protected and managed by the Open Space Division. In 1997, RGCF was founded and undertook management of the farm, offering land stewardship, education and sustainable farming within an urban environment. Eleven years of hard work have transformed the land into community gardens, enhanced wildlife habitat and certified organic croplands. These provide education experiences, community service projects, community events, locally grown produce and low-impact recreation, while honoring our agricultural history and protecting the environment. Currently, our farmers are busy operating a greenhouse, growing field crops and sunflowers for sale, planting several acres in grains and seed crops for migrating flocks of sandhill cranes, Canadian geese and other critters, and growing corn for the 11th Annual Maize Maze. Our Community Outreach & Education Coordinator has been busy developing the community garden program and membership participation, actively promoting RGCF at growers’ markets and community events, and coordinating school and Youth Service-learning activities at the farm.

public land STEWARDSHIP

Made in the

Shade maize MAZE BY ABBEY FELDMAN he Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) will be holding its 2008 Maize Maze, “Made in the Shade,” this year from August 30-November 2. This annual tradition is fun for the whole family. This year’s Maze will feature new attractions and special events along with all of the other activities normally available. RGCF is located on the Los Poblanos Fields Open Space in Albuquerque on Montano 1 mile west of Fourth St. in Albuquerque’s North Valley. This location has been used agriculturally by New Mexico’s indigenous people and Spanish Colonists for over 1,700 years.

The Maize Maze is open to the public on Friday evenings from 6-9pm, Saturdays from 10am-9pm, and Sundays from Noon-6pm. Weekday-visit appointments for school groups, clubs, scout groups, family reunions, birthdays, company outings and team-building activities can be arranged by calling 505-345-4580.

This year’s design features a giant cottonwood tree with an owl in the shade and sunflowers growing beneath the tree. The Maize Maze will feature several weekend special events. On September 6 we will host a Grand Opening celebration featuring presenters and speakers, including a representative of RGCF, community leaders and other dignitaries. On September 27, RGCF will host Farm and Wildlife Day, a special event featuring animals, organic farming information, sustainability groups, community booths, wildlife groups and other vendors. The event will be from 10am-2pm. On October 18, we will host Art Day, featuring local artists and crafts people. They will have many different types of work for display and for sale. The event will be from 1-5pm. Both events are included with admission to the maze. Additional event attractions include a strawbale labyrinth, night sky telescopes, tractor haybale shuttle, moonlight mazes, discount days, farm products (hay bales, corn shocks and sunflower seed heads), hot air balloons, Haunted Maze on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, and more. Please visit www.riograndefarm.org or call 505345-4580 for more information and for group reservations. We’ll see you at the 2008 Maize Maze!

Rio Grande RETURN:

GIFTING RIVER RESTORATION

io Grande Return, the new online gift company, www.riograndereturn.com, offers Gift Packages containing natural gift items produced in the Rio Grande watershed. This gift exchange not only assembles novel gift packages that are delivered directly to friends and loved ones but each package also includes a gift back to the river in the form of a tax-deductible donation that goes to help fund carefully selected conservation projects. The catalyst for the creation of Rio Grande Return is the desire to get more people involved in funding river conservation, the protection of wildlife habitat, open space and our precious agricultural lands. Such initiatives typically depend on charitable foundations and government programs, and these funds are becoming increasingly limited. Rio Grande Return’s goal is threefold: to provide a holistic alternative to giving gifts and celebrating special occasions, to provide additional funding for much-needed conservation projects, and to support our local farmers and producers.

give LOCAL PRODUCTS

So far Rio Grande Return has generated funds that have supported the following projects: 1. The cleanup and restoration of the riparian areas at the Buckman site, the only Rio Grande river access in Santa Fe County. Rio Grande Return has helped fund the plans to cleanup and develop the recreation/educational capacity of the Buckman area alongside the Rio Grande; 2. Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust, helping farmers and landowners along the Rio Grande to keep their lands intact and productive; and 3. New Mexico Water Dialogue, which endeavors to develop and implement sustainable regional and state water policies. These are just a start. There are numerous other organizations working in different ways to protect our precious rivers and watersheds, which Rio Grande Return plans to help fund in the future. To learn more about the Rio Grande Return, and to order one of our unique conservation packages, please visit our web site at www.riograndereturn.com.

august 2008 13 There are many opportunities for individuals who want to help out on the farm. We are especially in need of volunteers for the Maize Maze in September and October. We also need help watering plants in the greenhouse, harvesting sunflowers and vegetables in the field and selling plants and produce at the farmers’ market. If you are interested in volunteering for the Maize Maze or at the farm in general, please call Volunteer Coordinator Abby Feldman at 999-1258. Rio Grande Community Farm is growing its capacity to demonstrate sustainable urban agriculture and to provide the community with local, organic food at farmers’ markets, in grocery stores and in our public schools. The Board of Directors is made up of a dozen committed individuals that meet every 2nd Monday at the Los Ranchos Village Hall from 6:30-8:30pm. We are seeking additional board members to attend monthly meetings and serve a 2-year term. You are welcome to attend a board meeting at any time. If you are interested in serving as a board member for RGCF, you may submit a letter of interest and a short personal biography to riograndecommunityfarm@earthlink.net. If you have questions about becoming a board member, please call 345-4580.

community

forum

august 2008 14

networking for the future

in commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Witness PEACE for

AUGUST 1ST Join Pax Christi and the New Mexico Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for an Evening with Sister Helen Prejean at 7pm, at El Museo Cultural Center, 1615 Paseo de Peralta, in Santa Fe. Sister Helen Prejean (www.pre jean.org/) is an internationally known anti-death penalty activist and author. Her best-selling book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and was an Oscar-winning movie. Her latest book is, The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions.

nuclear weapons research and production that put us all on a global, nuclear death row. AUGUST 2ND Then on Saturday, August 2nd, join Pax Christi from 10am-12noon for a “Non Violence Training” at Santa Maria de la Paz Church in Santa Fe, given by Keith Bierbaum. At 2pm on August 2nd join Pax Christi's Annual "Sackcloth and Ashes" Peace Vigil at Ashley Pond in Los Alamos to commerate the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sister Helen will speak at 4pm. Burlap sackcloth and ashes will be provided. Please bring peace signs and banners. For more info contact Pax Christi New Mexico, 202 Harvard Dr SE, Albuquerque NM 87106, Telephone: 505-264-2838, e-mail: info@PaxChristiNewMexico.org

She is calling for the abolition of New Mexico's death penalty as well as an end to Los Alamos'

let there be

EAT IT RAW

AT THE NOB HILL DELI

RAW FOOD CHEF JESSE INVITES YOU TO TRY THESE DELICIOUS RAW FOOD DISHES: AVOCADO QUICHE • LASAGNE • NUTTY GARDEN BURGERS • COBBLERS WITH LOCAL FRESH FRUIT AND CASHEW CREME TOPPING • CASHEW CREME CHEESE CAKE • FRUIT AND NUT BALLS AND MORE

PEACE

The Decision to

Use the Bomb Excerpts from the Writings of Gar Alperovitz “On many occasions General Dwight D. Eisenhower recalled that when he was told the atomic bomb was going to be used he was conscious of a feeling of depression... Japan was already defeated... dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary...”. The man who became President of the United States was clear that ...it wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing.” “The vast majority of top World War II military leaders are on record agreeing with President Eisenhower that the use of the atomic bomb was unnecessary. Even the well known “hawk” General Curtis Lemay judged “the war would have been over in two weeks.” Admiral William Leahy, President Truman’s Chief of Staff, later wrote: “[T]he use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender... [I]n being the first to use it, we... adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the Dark Ages.” “Most historians understand that one reason atomic weapons were used instead of the readily available alternative was political, not military. US Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, President Truman’s chief adviser was quite open in explaining that he saw the bomb as a way to make the Russians more “manageable” on the Continent.” Gar Alperovitz, is author of many works on the bombing of Hiroshima, including two widely cited books, Atomic Diplomacy; Hiroshima and Potsdam and The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.

SEE GAR! SAVE THE DATE Oct. 25, Lobo Theater FREE talk

community

forum

august 2008 15

ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE Survival Skills: Living Off the Land For the last year Mike Bochnia has been living primitively in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey working with Tom Browns Tracker School. Recently returned to Albuquerque he will be holding a series of workshops starting on August 9th at 10am-noon. He will cover a number of subjects, starting with surviving an emergency situation to living close to the earth, how to find and make shelter, food, fire and water. No fee or age limit. 60 HIKES WITHIN 60 MILES Open Space Visitor Center AUGUST 23: Meet the Author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Albuquerque’s own Stephen

Ausherman, a local author who takes you to classic trails and reveals less traveled paths in his new hiking guide. Hikes lead to ancient pueblos, ghost towns, slot canyons, strange hoodoos and other treasures in the heart of New Mexico, all just a daytrip or less from the Duke City. Ausherman’s book is available at the Open Space Visitor Center bookstore. Both events will be held at The Open Space Visitor Center, located east of Coors Blvd. at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. which is between Montano Blvd. and Paseo del Norte. See www.cabq.gov/ openspace or call 8978831 for more information about this and other activities at the Open Space Visitor Center.

2nd Annual Conference: Building a

PEOPLE’S CULTURE

ll artists, writers, poets, activists and interested community members are invited to the 2nd Annual Albuquerque Cultural Conference, “Building a People’s Culture,” on Labor Day Weekend. Hundreds of people from the Southwest and across the country are expected to attend this holiday weekend of poetry events, panels and workshops on the state of American progressive culture, as it is and as it should be. The events will be held at the South Broadway Cultural Center and Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque, starting Friday evening, August 29 through Monday morning, September 1.

T RIal Ballo on

Panels will look at the social, economic and cultural crisis of the present, as well as the history of cultural struggles, current forms of grassroots organiz-

ing and the uses of cultural memory and resilience. Poets and writers, organizers and activists will present their work and dialogue on confronting the world, educating communities and doing cultural reporting. Among the poets and artists featured on Friday, August 29, will be Anya Achtenberg, Demetria Martinez, Cherrie Moraga, Simon Ortiz, Charles Potts and Luci Tapahonso. Music will be provided by local progressive musicians in the multicultural setting of the South Broadway Cultural Center. A book and art display will accompany the readings. Help create our common cultural future. For more information, registration and conference schedule go to: ABQconference2008@yahoo.com or call Leslie at 220-9783.

FRIENDS OF THE ALBUQUERQUE TRIBUNE: THE SECOND ISSUE The second issue of the TRIal Balloon is now ready for distribution! Pick it up at Newsland Bookstore, 2112 Central Ave, SE, at Page One, 11018 Montgomery Blvd. NE. and at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW or by request at our Post Office Box: TRIal Balloon, PO 35058, Albuquerque, NM, 87176-5058, or by calling Rosamund Evans, 256-7381. Distribution by "network" is essential and encouraged. It’s FREE! The non-profit Friends of the Albuquerque Tribune was formed in response to the demise of the 86-year-old

Two Locations! Nob Hill

Relief from stress, pain, digestive discomfort, colds & flu Most insurances accepted. 3415 Silver SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 P: 505-265-5087 103 East Hill Gallup, New Mexico 87301 P: 505-863-8018

The goal is a bi-weekly, on-line publication. Community support and donations will determine the eventual outcome. More information to FOAT, PO Box 35058, Albuquerque, NM, 87176-5058.

NAVAJO SHEEP Project

Acupuncture Center

award winning daily newspaper. After 5 public meetings and enough contributions and volunteer efforts, the first edition called the TRIal Balloon was printed June 1. 10,000 copies have been distributed by volunteer networking.

atomato FIESTA!

WEBSITE

inally, after a number of years, and with the volunteer talents of Mrs. Kim Sugden, a talented web designer and animal breeder, there is now an ‘official’ Navajo Sheep Project website.

In addition to the basics and history of the NSP, all of their Sheep Sheets (educational fact sheets) are in a pdf format, are on the site, for anyone to use. Eventually the electronic set up for donations via PayPal will be up and running. The NSP continues to function as a 501 (c) 3, and they appreciate any and all donations. For more info contact “Doc” Hastiin dibe’ at www.navajo sheepproject.com

Sunday, August 24 11am-4pm at the Albuquerque Garden Center 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE (at Eubank) Get Tomato Growing Tips and Gardening Advice from the Experts! Heirloom Tomato Tasting • Free Kids’ Activities • Plant Clinic • Live Music. Tickets $5, Kids Under 12 FREE! For more info visit www.abq mastergardeners.org or call (505) 720-8278.