N e w s & V i e w s f r o m t h e S u s t ai n ab l e S o u t h w e s t

Valle de Atrisco The South Valley of Albuquerque

November 2015 Northern New Mexico’s Largest Distribution Newspaper Vol. 7 No. 11 2 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 3 Come see fall on display! The RTD Mountain Trail Route now takes you from downtown Santa Fe up Hyde Park Road to the Santa Fe National Forest and Ski Santa Fe!

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4 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Vol. 7, No. 11 • November 2015 Issue No. 79 Publisher Green Fire Publishing, LLC Skip Whitson News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest Associate Publisher Barbara E. Brown Winner of the Sustainable Santa Fe Award for Outstanding Educational Project Editor-in-chief Seth Roffman Contents Collaboration Among Organizations Flourishes in the South Valley...... 7 Guest Associate editor Sommer Smith The EleValle Network ...... 8 MediaDesk New Mexico South Valley Photos ...... 9 Art Director South Valley Community Partnership for Health Equity Anna C. Hansen, Dakini Design Applying Lessons Learned in Cuba...... 10 Copy Editor Stephen Klinger First Choice: Nurturing a Wellness Ecosystem in the South Valley ...... 13 Webmaster: Karen Shepherd New Mexico Center for School Leadership: Local Wisdom for Local Schools. . 15 Contributing Writers Precursors of Albuquerque Along El Camino Real...... 16 Noah Allaire, Julia Bernal, Jorge García, Joseph C. García, Michelle Meléndez, Tony The Genesis of Acequias in Atrisco (The South Valley)...... 19 Monfiletto, Virginia Necochea, Juan Reynosa, Seth Roffman, Sam Sokolove, Sommer Smith, La Correinte del Valle: A Mural Project in the South Valley...... 20 Bill Wagner, Tarynn Weeks The Agri-Cultura Network...... 22 Contributing Photographers 4 A Greater Good Photography, Gardens de Atrisco ...... 25 Mark Anderson, David Broudy, Anna C. he alle de ro ational ildlife efuge Hansen, Marissa McGill, T V O N W R ...... 27 Seth Roffman, Steve Valasek Op-Ed: A Community’s Battle Against the Santolina Master Plan. . . . 28 PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT South Valley Reflections...... 29 Cisco Whitson-Brown Advertising Sales Op-Ed: How Zoning Codes Can Drastically Impact Skip Whitson 505.471.5177 Environmental Justice Communities...... 31 [email protected] ewsbites Anna C. Hansen 505.982.0155 N ...... 22, 29, 37 [email protected] What’s Going On...... 38 Robyn Montoya 505.692.4477 [email protected] Lisa Powers, 505.629.2655 [email protected] Niki Nicholson 505.490.6265 [email protected] Distribution Barbara Brown, Susan Clair, Co-op Dist. Services, Nick García, Niki Nicholson, Andy Otterstrom (Creative Couriers), Daniel Rapatz, Tony Rapatz, Wuilmer Rivera, Andrew Tafoya, Skip Whitson Circulation: 30,000 copies Printed locally with 100% soy ink on 100% recycled, chlorine-free paper Green Fire Times c/o The Sun Companies P.O. Box 5588, SF, NM 87502-5588 505.471.5177 • [email protected] © 2015 Green Fire Publishing, LLC

Green Fire Times provides useful information for community members, business people, students and visitors—anyone interested in discovering the wealth of opportunities and resources in the Southwest. In support of a more sustainable planet, topics covered range from green businesses, jobs, products, services, entrepreneurship, investing, design, building and energy—to native perspectives on history, arts & © Seth R offman culture, ecotourism, education, sustainable agriculture, “Three Sisters” mural detail at the South Valley Economic Development Center regional cuisine, water issues and the healing arts.

Green Fire Times is widely distributed throughout COVER: Mural detail from La Corriente del Valle – The Flow of the Valley, north-central New Mexico. Feedback, announcements, a new mural depicting culture continuity and change in the alle de event listings, advertising and article submissions to be , V considered for publication are welcome. Atrisco, the South Valley of Albuquerque. © 2015 Working Classroom, Inc. (See story, pg. 20) Photo by Seth Roffman www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 5 6 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Collaboration Among Organizations Flourishes in the South Valley Sam Sokolove

n the world of nonprofit de Salud, La Plazita Institute, Río organizations, building meaningful Grande Community Development partnershipsI among organizations with Corporation/South Valley Economic similar community vision is becoming Development Center, Encuentro and a movement. In Albuquerque’s Centro Sávila. EleValle’s leadership South Valley, home to many service team is comprised of the directors of organizations that address health, each of those organizations. According economic and educational realities, to La Plazita Institute Co-Director sharing knowledge and limited Theresa González, “Everything we resources is critical. do is driven by community... because community health is what we hope to According to a recent study conducted achieve.” by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, 80 percent of In 2011, EleValle was awarded a W.K. the South Valley’s 41,000 residents Kellogg Foundation grant to support are Hispanic and 52 percent are the collaborative administration and © Seth R offman Mexican nationals. Sixty percent of the build capacity. The McCune Foundation South Valley Economic Development Center population over the age of 25 has no provided project-level funding. Since its formal post-secondary education, and inception, the Río Grande Community more than half have limited English Development Corporation (RGCDC) proficiency. has served as EleValle’s fiscal sponsor. EleValle presents monthly “burrito network” breakfast gatherings, which Strengthening families strengthens networking, linkages and through community- resources for community health workers, engaged and community- activists and officials. driven solutions. EleValle’s organizations are located along a mile of Isleta Boulevard. Due From this need emerged EleValle, to their close proximity, organization a collaborative of agencies working staff often walks clients down the toward a healthier South Valley road to access services from partner by strengthening families through organizations. Their focus is strategic Casa de Salud offers “dignity-based” medical services. community-engaged and community- planning, communication and driven solutions. Formed in 2008 coordination. Together they work to through funding provided by the reduce marginalization and isolation; solving with immigrants, refugees and limited. For RGCDC CEO Tim Nisly, University of New Mexico Health provide children and families with former inmates. EleValle Director Sam collaboration among the partners was a Sciences Center Office for Community needed health services, including Sokolove says, “The issues we address process that did not happen overnight. Health (specifically for the Pathways behavioral, physical, mental health range from getting returning citizens “Collaboratives take time,” he says. “It’s to a Healthy Bernalillo County and substance abuse; provide housing jobs to securing food for indigent important to put aside egos to allow initiative), EleValle guides and connects referrals; create economic opportunity families, and we’re always focused on for collective decision-making.” After underserved residents to health and and workforce development; provide long-term solutions, not just a quick nearly seven years, the leadership team social services. Members include: Casa food resources; and engage in problem fix.” has achieved a high degree of mutual trust and functionality. “We’ve learned Thirty Pathways program navigators that collective advocacy is a powerful or promotores, working with EleValle’s thing,” Nisly says. partner agencies, provide culturally appropriate guidance to assist EleValle is also engaged in advocating marginalized, at-risk residents. The for systemic and policy-level change; promotores identify risk factors and it also provides “backbone” support needs, and follow individuals’ and for the Juntos Para La Salud/ families’ progress. Data collected is Together for Health campaign, which reviewed and analyzed collectively. successfully challenged Bernalillo County to strengthen its health Each organization in the collaborative safety net. Every county resident has its own unique history, and who meets income guidelines is now before EleValle was established, their Cheruvu and Amanda participate in First eligible, and community members relationships were mostly indirect and Choice’s Health Commons program. EleValle network strategizing continued on page 8

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 7 Collaboration The EleValle Network continued from page 7 Casa de Salud offers a wide range of conventional, natural and traditional “dignity-based” medical services that include are included in safety-net planning, health literacy, promotion of community health and health assessment and decision-making. leadership development. The organization offers diabetes Recently, Juntos activists presented the prevention, nutrition counseling, women’s health and prenatal County Commission with petitions care services. Multiple projects have originated from this enterprise, such as Vision containing nearly 1,000 signatures for Dignity, Access and Accountability in Healthcare (VIDA)—a project that works with community groups, political leaders and patients to address systemic urging commissioners to use the barriers that reinforce inequality in healthcare. UNM hospital lease agreement and memorandum of understanding as a Centro Sávila is focused on the healing and recovery of individuals TM with emotional and/or psychological problems. The center also foundation to achieve a well-designed aims to serve whole families and communities. Centro Sávila is system of healthcare. particularly concerned with improving health outcomes, such as reducing inordinately high emergency room-use rates, increasing “Community health access to behavioral healthcare and providing affordable mental healthcare in a culturally and linguistically competent way. is what we hope to 505.216.1108 Encuentro is central New Mexico’s source for Latino immigrant achieve.” opportunities. The organization is focused on engaging Latino www.ccandns.com immigrant families in educational options that build skills for economic Having served approximately 30 and social justice. Encuentro is committed to the belief that quality percent more clients per organization education should build both individual and community knowledge, and with that and with an 11 percent lower knowledge comes individual and community power. Serving Santa Fe dropout rate than other Pathways La Plazita Institute, Inc. promotes the well-being of youth, and the organizations, EleValle’s leadership is elders, families and communities through the philosophy of committed to the Pathways model. “La Cultura Cura,” which means “culture heals.” The institute surrounding areas The network is investing in more encourages people to draw upon their cultural roots and histories to express traditional values of respect, honor, love and family promotores and professional skill- in order to reduce violence, addiction, incarceration, recidivism building opportunities for them so it and destructive lifestyles. LPI recognizes that indigenous and historically can generate sustainable social change disenfranchised communities have unique experiences and contexts, so space Mac & PC by bettering the lives of the South and creative opportunities are provided for individuals and families to better Valley residents. EleValle has been navigate “multiple worlds.” The institute’s goals are: improve health, wealth and approached by many other community security of families by connecting them to healthy food; and improve health and economic equity by focusing on existing assets, education, innovation, healing, organizations seeking promotores and reinvigorating agriculture, and by inspiring disconnected individuals to become hopes to partner with some of them community leaders, entrepreneurs and practitioners. in 2016. T h e R í o G r a n d e C o mm u n i t y D ev el o p m en t For more information about EleValle or Corporation (RGCDC) pursues community-wide its partner agencies, call 505.306.7853 economic and social development that enriches traditional cultural values and historical uses of the land while or visit www.elevalle.org. i supporting the peoples’ voice in development and reducing poverty through Sam Sokolove is the director of EleValle. entrepreneurial enterprise.

8 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Scenes from Albuquerque’s South Valley, October 2015 Photos © Seth R offman and Anna C. H ansen

TOP: Waterway flows through Bernalillo County open space; a portrait of César Chávez looks out over La Placita Gardens; CENTER: NM state Democratic Chairwoman Debra Haaland and State Sen. Michael Padilla at a rally; Elvis Chávez; mariachi musician Mónica E. Montoya; participants at Michael Padilla’s event; Bottom (l-r): 91-year-old Hector Gonzales (with daughter Johanna Gonzales) received recognition for lifelong service to acequias; actor/school board member Steven Michael Quezada; South Valley residents

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he recent thaw in relations equity and uses the Cuban experience life expectancy at 78 years, they between the United States and to inform global debate, policies and live almost as long as the average TCuba has generated new hope for bi- practice. MEDICC, in conjunction American. Yet they have a higher lateral exchanges, although for now, the with Francisco Ronquillo and doctors doctor-patient ratio (6.7per 1,000 potential remains largely in the realm Art Kaufman, Martha McGrew people in Cuba to 2.6 per 1,000 of collective imagination. The tourism and Pope Mosely from the UNM people in the U.S.) and a lower industry imagines white sand beaches Health Science Center, organized two and resorts visited by American cruise separate groups of 15 people from ships, the telecom industry imagines an Albuquerque to visit Havana. The explosion of cell towers and Internet purpose of the trip was to gain a better providers on the island, and a number understanding of the Cuban healthcare of Americans imagine smoking Cohiba system. The week included visits to cigars and sipping Havana Club consultorios—community-based clinics rum. But, thanks to the Oakland, that are also the homes of the local California-based Medical Education physician and nurse, polyclinicas— Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC), a regional, specialty clinics—and to trans-national exchange that prioritizes tertiary level hospitals. The visit also people over profits does not need to be included opportunities to meet with imagined. It has existed for nearly two scholars at the National School of decades. Public Health (ENSAP) and with international students at the Latin New Mexico and U.S. American Medical School (ELAM), © D avid B roudy (3) one of the largest medical schools in New Mexico cohort visiting Cuban consultorio or community-based health clinic healthcare systems have the world. We were even able to sneak much to learn from the away to hear the incomparable Nueva infant mortality rate lower than the The big takeaway from our trip is Trova singer and songwriter Silvio U.S. (4.7 per 1000 live births in Cuba that New Mexico and U.S. healthcare Cuban experience. Rodríguez playing a street concert. to 5.9 in the U.S.). Cuba has universal systems have much to learn from the access to free healthcare. In New Cuban experience. Healthcare provider In 2012, I joined a group of New Our experience observing and Mexico, even after the implementation education in the U.S. struggles to keep Mexican public healthcare providers, learning from the Cuban healthcare of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and pace with population’s healthcare administrators, advocates and model provided a counterpoint to the expansion of Medicaid benefits, needs. The effects of outdated and researchers, with an interest in the disparities in health access and more than 15 percent of the state’s fragmented systems in the U.S. include improving the health of residents outcomes in the South Valley. Despite population remains uninsured. a focus on specialty care and emergency of Albuquerque’s South Valley, on a being one of the poorest countries intervention at the expense of primary weeklong MEDICC trip to Havanna. in the hemisphere, Cuba is among The secret to Cuba’s success, care, fragmentation and poor teamwork. MEDICC is a nonprofit organization the countries with the best health we learned, was an investment in Cuba’s return on investment from its that promotes cooperation among U.S., indicators in the world. Cubans told human capital. Economic hardships high-quality primary care and public Cuban and global health communities us, “We live like poor people, but die generated from the embargo and health system is unparalleled in the to improve health outcomes and like rich people.” With the average exacerbated by the collapse of the Western Hemisphere. The Cuban Soviet bloc in 1989 generated a period government prioritized educating of crisis in the early ’90s known as and supporting a skilled professional the “special period.” Food, clothing healthcare workforce. The resulting and medication were scarce and the surplus of doctors allowed Cuba to situation forced Cubans to economize care for its population at home and in every aspect of their lives. During embark in international healthcare this time, Cuba developed strategies diplomacy, sending doctors to less including emphasis on upstream, fortunate countries, often in exchange cost-saving policies. Epidemiological for commodities such as oil. During focus, cross-sector collaboration and the recent Ebola crisis in Africa, early intervention in Cuba have been Cuban doctors were some of the first undeniably successful and contrast and most effective responders. As an with downstream, individualized and anthropologist working in Guatemala crisis-response focus that characterizes from 2001-2003, I witnessed doctors the U.S. system. I spoke with Cuban from the Cuban medical mission doctors who couldn’t fathom why in providing services in rural Maya a good year in New Mexico only 75 communities where no Guatemalan percent of children are fully immunized, doctor had previously set foot. New Mexican healthcare providers in Havana when in Cuba the rates are 99 percent. continued on page 12

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www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 11 Health Equity Lessons continued from page 10 A fundamental commitment to the their strengths and the barriers that idea of access to healthcare as a basic they faced trying to access care. We human right underpins the Cuban learned about the scarcity of affordable, health mission and reinforces the esprit nutritious food in the South Valley. We de corps. learned recipes using locally grown produce that our patients shared with Inspired by successes of the Cuban us. We learned how often diabetics healthcare system, our group returned had to go without insulin because of ready to take on the challenge of problems with insurance, prescriptions making health access and equity our and access to transportation. We first priority in Albuquerque’s South learned the difficulties many of our Valley. Supported by MEDICC, clients faced when, every year, they our group formed the Community were kicked off the rolls of Medicaid Partnership for Health Equity and had to reapply, even though their (CPHE) and began implementing income had not changed. We learned programming in the South Valley about how hard our clients worked to that adapted lessons learned in Cuba. overcome barriers that made it hard to CPHE participants that traveled manage their chronic diseases, which © D avid B roudy to Cuba represented organizations were, all too often, accompanied by including UNM Health Sciences South Valley Community Partnership for Health Equity members in Cuba (l-r): Bill bouts of anxiety and depression. Center, Molina Healthcare, The South Wagner, Guadalupe Fuentes, Alma Olivas and Fernando Ortega. Valley Economic Development Center, Our South Valley CPHE walking First Choice Community Health, The group helped us to better understand program and afterschool educational CPHE groups across the U.S. are Bernalillo County Health Council, PB how health disparities in the South arts, cultural, science and sports moving forward together to increase & J Family Services, Casa de Salud, Valley were reinforced and maintained. programming through the ACCESS our collective impact at building Centro Sávila, the Partnership for Despite the enactment of the ACA (Arts, Community, Culture, Education, health equity and eliminating health Community Action, Bernalillo County and the expansion of Medicaid in Sports and Science) program. disparities. Place Matters, La Plazita Institute, New Mexico, over 100,000 Bernalillo Albuquerque Public Schools and County residents remain uninsured, ACCESS was founded by Fernando Perhaps our greatest challenge in others. One of our first activities was to and more than 30,000 will not be Ortega. Working with Spanish- the U.S. lies in the imperial blind form a walking group with patients and able to find coverage. Hispanic and speaking South Valley residents spots of our national memory and staff from Casa de Salud and Centro immigrant families have the largest as a healthcare navigator, Ortega imagination. Cuba occupies a special Sávila. Every Friday morning we met health and economic disparities in knew of the scarcity of afterschool place in the history of American at the West Side Community Center New Mexico. With the guidance of programming for children. Economic, imperialism. From military occupation to walk together. Dr. Camilla Romero and Guadalupe geographic, language and cultural to revolution to thwarted invasion, the Fuentes, a health promotora, we began barriers that made exercise prohibitive Cuban people have endured offense 30 New Mexican engaging Spanish-speaking diabetics increased children’s risk of diabetes and after offense. Nevertheless, Cubans to participate in the Girasol program, obesity. Ortega collected input from have imagined a country that, despite public healthcare which offers a series of hour-long, one- parents and children and developed a a lack of economic resources, could providers and on-one classes focusing on nutrition, series of events including a co-ed soccer ensure long healthy lives for its people. active lifestyle and stress management league, karate and kick boxing classes, As the U.S. and Cuba move toward researchers joined with to help manage the chronic disease arts classes, gardening, educational and normalizing relations and allowing UNM Health Science more effectively. The program also cultural activities. The group meets Cold War animosities to be, at long last, Center directors on invites family members of diabetics multiple afternoons each week and laid to rest, the South Valley CPHE to learn ways of supporting healthy offers varied programming that also 2.0 program provides an example of a weeklong trip to nutrition and exercise in their family as provides support for adults. Adult U.S.-Cuban cooperation that can help Havana. well as peer support for participants. The programming in the ACCESS program both countries to imagine a future of program also developed a therapeutic includes ESL and GED classes, student greater equity and health. i Many of the participants were Spanish garden club at Centro Sávila. advocacy training and assistance with speakers with diagnoses of diabetes Bill Wagner, health insurance enrollment. Ph.D., LCSW, is or pre-diabetes. An hour of walking In 2015, MEDICC, supported by a the founder and each week supported the physical seed grant from the Robert Wood The South Valley CPHE 2.0 program director of Centro health of patients and healthcare Johnson Foundation, funded the has brought together similar CPHE Sávila, a nonprofit providers alike. The walking group South Valley CPHE 2.0 program. groups that have formed in other outpatient be- served as a metaphor for the model The seed grant funds similar cities throughout the country where havioral health of healthcare that we sought to build. CPHE groups in cities throughout MEDICC has organized delegations program in to visit Cuba, including San Diego, Albuquerque’s Instead of talking at our patients in the country including the Bronx, South Valley that provides affordable mental abbreviated 15-minute checkups, we Milwaukee, Oakland, East L.A. and East Los Angeles, Oakland, San health and social services. Centro Sávila is walked beside them for an hour. Our San Diego. This program strengthened Francisco, Milwaukee, The Bronx, the fiscal sponsor and a collaborator with the group included MDs, social workers collaboration and coordination of Ohio and New Orleans. Two national ACCESS and Girasol programs in the South and community health workers or outpatient mental health services at conferences have taken place in Valley Community Partnership for Health promotoras. Not surprisingly, we learned Centro Sávila, diabetes prevention Albuquerque and Oakland to share our Equity. a lot more about their healthcare needs, and management with the Girasol work, our successes and our challenges.

12 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com First Choice: Nurturing a Wellness Ecosystem in the South Valley Michelle Meléndez

here is a certain amount of humility and audacity required to admit that the care you provide only accounts for about 10 percent Tof what ultimately determines a patient’s health. Such a thought runs completely counter to the “doctor knows best” belief upon which our current health system is based. It’s quite unusual for your health system’s CEO to acknowledge the truth of this statement and to choose to address some of the other 90 percent of factors that determine people’s health. But that is just what the leadership of First Choice Community Healthcare has done by expanding the scope of its primary care system.

Doctors tend not to dig for the underlying social causes of poor health when they have nothing to offer a patient but words of encouragement. In fact, they have come to dread the “doorknob confession” that patients sometimes divulge about how the patient lost a job or is having trouble at home. A recent First Choice Community Healthcare is a nonprofit primary-care health system Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study that provides medical, dental, behavioral health care, and specialty care, as well as Women, Infants and Children (WIC). First Choice serves more than 50,000 found that four out of five of physicians wish individuals in three counties in Central New Mexico regardless of income or they could prescribe food or housing, but feel insurance status. First Choice is doubling the size of its South Valley campus. unequipped to address social determinants that impact patient health. That is why First Choice has taken steps to build its and the University of New Mexico (UNM), called WellRx. This allows doctors to systematically community’s capacity to address more of the 90 percent while maintaining the highest screen for social needs like they screen for tobacco use. They and the doctors they train quality of care for its 10 percent share of health impact. in residency write “prescriptions” for assistance from community health workers, whom the doctors have embraced as equal partners on the healthcare team. While there is How can we as healthcare teams build on no magic pill that cures a patient’s difficulty with finding a job or paying for utilities, a WellRx connects patients with a source of food so that they may be able to afford their community assets to amplify the health medicine, or with transportation to their follow-up appointment. A more traditional and well-being of our communities?” approach would regard patients who can’t afford medicine or transportation as “non- compliant.” One goal of the pilot project is to prove to health insurers that addressing First Choice is asking itself the question, “How can we as healthcare teams build on social needs can prevent costly disease treatment. the assets we, in partnership with our communities, possess to amplify the impact we have on the health and well-being of our communities?” The two main strategies it is There is an oft-cited parable of three friends who see children drowning in a river: Two using involve deploying community health workers and developing an expanded Health rush into the water to save the children. The third friend swims upstream, acting to “stop Commons to address the upstream drivers of poor health in the South Valley, where whoever or whatever is throwing these children in the water.” As “upstreamists,” Dr. Art health outcomes are among the worst. In many ways, these two strategies represent a Kaufman, a pioneer in spreading the social mission of medical education and Dr. Will return to the roots of the community health center movement of the late 1960s started Kaufman, a family doctor who heads the Community Health and Wellness programs by Dr. Jack Geiger in the Mississippi Delta. The founders of First Choice emerged from at First Choice, are addressing needs at the source to prevent problems downstream. the War on Poverty, who organized with medical allies to establish the first clinics in The First Choice Wellness program has brought a subsidized CSA program to patients; the South Valley. The leaders knew then what we know now –health comes from more a Mobile Farmers’ Market; a monthly healthy cooking class; a USDA children’s meal than just high-quality healthcare. It comes from high-quality childcare, education, jobs, program; Spanish-language yoga; access to healthy food and safe neighborhoods. meditation; massage therapy; legal assistance and other resources. But they Once we got the health center going, we started stocking food in the center pharmacy and are still working at the individual level. distributing food—like drugs—to the people. A variety of officials got very nervous and said, ‘You can’t do that.’ We said, ‘Why not?’ They said, ‘It’s a health center pharmacy, First Choice plans to be even more and it’s supposed to carry drugs for the treatment of disease.’ And we said, ‘The last time effective by developing communities we looked in the book, the specific therapy for malnutrition was food.’ – Jack Geiger. The that promote and engage people Unsteady March. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 48, 1-9 in healthy lifestyles. We know that people’s individual choices are shaped The current healthcare system that is predicated on generating office visits leaves by the many contexts in which people little time and resources to address the social determinants of health and their policy live. That’s where the First Choice antecedents. But the Affordable Care Act’s slight pivot toward prevention has given expansion plans for the South Valley doctors like Art Kaufman and his son Will Kaufman the opportunity to test their Healthy cooking class participant. The class is Community Commons come into play. audacious theories about how taking action on the social needs of patients will net presented by one of First Choice Community The Commons becomes the context in results in patient health, satisfaction and, ultimately, cost. Both Drs. Kaufman have pilot- Healthcare’s partners, La Cosecha, at First tested a simple screening tool for poverty, created by Dr. Janet Page-Reeves from the Choice’s South Valley Health Commons. continued on page 14 www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 13 Wellness Ecosystem continued from page 13

which patients can fill their wellness prescriptions with vendors whose missions are aligned with ours.

The board of directors of First Choice, more than half of whom are patients, have acquired more than 10 acres, doubling the size of its South Valley campus, to provide a platform from which to launch five health-promoting enterprises: an early-childhood development center; a health professions charter high school; an ‘aging well’ wellness center; a community farm/local food hub; and a farm-to-table-style restaurant that also serves as the Commons commissary. These projects were selected with the goal of investing in those enterprises that have the best hope of mitigating socio-economic indicators as well as becoming financially sustainable through co-location and cooperation, thereby generating a sustainable wellness ecosystem. Addressing social needs can prevent costly disease treatment. The ambitious $25-million development project is getting underway in 2016, with funds from the state Legislature and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to start the community farm. The Agri-Cultura Network has given input into the farm design and expressed its interest in locating its food hub operations at the site. Agri-Cultura and First Choice have collaborated on the CSA, cooking classes and Mobile Market, which have been supported with grants and subsidies from Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the CDC (REACH) and the BUILD Health Challenge (Robert Wood Johnson, Kresge, deBeaumont, and Colorado Health foundations and The Advisory Board Company).

The next major phase of the expansion project will focus on building a permanent campus for Health Leadership High School, with whom we have been partners since inception in 2012-13. First Choice and HLHS boards have entered into a long-term lease and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out how together, along with other healthcare partners, we will prepare the next generation of health leaders, grounded in the ethos of community health and upstream thinking.

The full build-out of the project could take 5-7 years, but the return on the investment will pay dividends in terms of better health, educational attainment and jobs for years to come. An independent economic analysis shows that the project will create a minimum of 100 new jobs, with total salaries of $4,820,000, generating an estimated additional $ 24,100,000 annually into the New Mexico economy. i Michelle Meléndez is development director at First Choice Community Healthcare and serves on the Con Alma Health Foundation Community Advisory Committee and the Bernalillo County Community Health Council. 505.241.5182, fcch.com

14 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com New Mexico Center for School Leadership Local Wisdom for Local Schools

Tony Monfiletto

hree years ago The Center for effective, engaging public schools School Leadership (CSL) across Albuquerque. Albuquerque is Testablished a vision to provide the built around relationships, and that is best education for students who need particularly true of the South Valley. it most. Troubling graduation rates, The commitment to building a next disengagement and stark workforce- generation of leaders in Albuquerque development challenges indicated has been staggering. a great need in our community for We will soon have two Leadership High highly impactful, relevant schools that Schools in the South Valley, bringing our prepare our youth for their future. In network of Leadership High Schools up recent years the New Mexico CSL has to four. Siembra Leadership High School partnered with school, community and © Media D esk NM (an entrepreneurship-focused school) business leaders to identify solutions Future Tech Leadership High School students engage in project-based learning. will begin operating in August 2016, to some of our state’s most pressing and Health Leadership High School challenges. specific community. will move from the Southeast Heights They helped us to the South Valley Health Commons Designing schools imagine a generation in August 2018. When they are fully of young people with through a community enrolled, Siembra and Health Leadership assets that could be development lens will serve nearly 900 students, and they cultivated as part of a will be designed from the local wisdom systemic change that of the people who live and work in the could make the South The Center’s work is grounded in community. Valley a model for two core philosophies: local wisdom ACE Leadership High School graduation ceremony, May 2014 When we were contemplating Health healthy living. for local schools (the understanding Leadership High School, we could have that local communities are assets in I recently attended a “pitch session” at unfold over the school year. I left the located it anywhere in Albuquerque. We designing schools that support students Health Leadership High School. There meeting and thought, “It’s gotta be a went through a series of design summits to succeed in a fast-changing world) were 30 people from health related South Valley thing.” Where else would so with health professionals, and I saw a and a three-pillar model of learning organizations that came to suggest many people, with so many other things special kind of synergy happening that I by doing, community engagement community-based projects to teachers. to do, be so generous with their time and saw in my parents, who were teachers at and student support to guide student Healthy food sources, early-childhood expertise? i Ernie Pyle: The experts believed in young success. This unique approach, development, mental health, effects of people and the power of the South Valley Tony Monfiletto is combining a three-pillar model with pain medication and other ideas were community. They pushed for a South the director of the local wisdom, is shaping the education brought to the faculty by their partners. New Mexico Center Valley location, and I had a sense that landscape for impactful, engaging It was a cross-section of timely topics and for School Leadership. these future partners would help us create learning for every student. local wisdom that has a direct effect on Over the past 20 years, a school that would be like nothing else the well-being of the South Valley. More he has been actively involved in creating I have been blown away by the in the country. It was a school that would importantly, the experts who “pitched” a policy climate that local wisdom of the businesspeople, do more than prepare students for college projects also committed to deploying community members and parent leaders or a career. It would also be a catalyst welcomes innovative solutions to respond to their local wisdom to support teachers as our public schools’ biggest challenges. http:// I have met as we work to redesign and an engine for improved health in a they work with students as the projects leadership-pdc.org

Radon Pro of New Mexico LLC Saving Lives, Improving Property Radon testing, Radon Mitigation Paul Smith, Owner 505-204-2580 [email protected] RadonProNM.com License No. 107839 RMT www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 15 Precursors of Albuquerque along El Camino Real Folsom/Cochise Cultures, Isleta Pueblo, Atrisco and Pajarito Land Grants, 1650-1900 Hilario Romero

Folsom and Desert Cultures Ancestors of Native Americans of the Southwest were traveling through and creating communities in and around the valley of the Sandía and Manzano mountains for centuries prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Early Folsom peoples camped below the Pajarito and West Mesas and left evidence of hearths and tools. The bosque along the Río Grande in this area was more lush than today, and was home to game such as mastodons, mammoths, long horned buffalo, camel, giant ground sloth and miniature horses. Folsom people also gathered wild plants and seeds to supplement their diet. Their time was at the end of the last Ice Age, roughly 10,000 years ago, when the climate began to change. Centuries passed and the land slowly began to dry out, causing the large game to become extinct and the early Folsom to move with the natural forces of nature in order to survive.

Centuries later, the early desert cultures, in the past called Cochise, were attracted to this river valley as dry conditions caused them to look for

permanent water sources close to hunting, fuel for fires, wild plants and Classroom, Inc. mural detail © Working La Correinte del Valle seeds, and much later, rich soil for agriculture. They hunted smaller game such as elk, deer, wild turkey–which they would eventually domesticate–and rabbits. First Contact: Once they were able to domesticate the seeds and adapt them to the area, the The Spanish and Tiguex Pueblos War trio of squash, corn and beans would become staple crops that would sustain their In the summer of 1540, a large group of Spanish soldiers and Indian allies under lives. They built pit houses, circular dwellings dug from the earth with protruding Francisco Vásquez de Coronado entered what would be later called la Frontera del roofs for warmth and shelter. They preserved the staple crops by drying them and Norte de Nueva España. After a dangerous trek through “la Zona Arida”—today’s milling them with el metate and el mano. Although hunting would still be the main Arizona, they arrived at Zuni Pueblo, where the Indians were prepared for battle. source of sustenance, slowly but surely, agriculture would supplement their diet The Zunis fought hard but were overcome by Coronado’s soldiers and Indian allies and build stability for future generations. with modern weapons, riders on horseback and overwhelming numbers. According The Tiwas of Ysleta to the account of Pedro Castañeda de Najera–who documented the expedition 20 By 1200 A.D., the Tiwa people arrived and built aboveground pueblo villages years later–Capitán Hernando de Alvarado and 40 men were sent on to the east throughout the Río Grande Valley, from today’s Bernalillo to Belen. The ancestors with “Bigotes,” a handsome Indian with a mustache. They arrived at the province of the Pueblo of Isleta settled in a rich area 13 miles south of today’s Plaza de of Tiguex, a series of 12 pueblos along the Río Grande in a beautiful valley. Many Albuquerque. They found this area to be ideal for agriculture with a permanent of the pueblos were multi-storied and had sizable populations. Alvarado described water source, fertile soil, hunting and fishing in the bosque and nearby mountains, what he saw: “This river flows through a broad valley planted with fields of maíz. firewood, clay soil for pottery and building, and volcanic rock for multiple uses. There are ‘alamedas de álamos de algodón.’ ” The houses are of mud, two stories The landforms that surrounded them were sacred and very important to their way high.” At first contact with the pueblos of Tiguex, Alvarado noted: “The next day of life. Parajito Mesa, the Sandías, the Manzanos and the West Mesa volcanic the principales and people came from 10 pueblos, in order, one behind the other.” outcroppings were a few of these important places. They built villages on both sides of the Río Grande. The petroglyphs there are testimony to their spiritual history They arrived at the province of Tiguex, a series of 12 and culture in the area. They were witnesses and participants in the Tiguex War pueblos along the Río Grande in a beautiful valley. against Coronado and his expedition. The atrocities committed against the Tiwas by Coronado’s men resound today in historical accounts. That was followed by two pueblos, which did not welcome their arrival but came forward in preparation for war.

Castañeda’s account further stated that Alvarado decided to send Coronado a request to spend the winter at Tiguex. From that point on, the pueblos learned from Bigotes, that the Spanish were determined to find gold. Bigotes escorted Alvarado to his pueblo, Cicúye (Pecos Pueblo) and presented a man from the plains tribes. Alvarado named him “El Turco” because of his dark skin and features. He would guide Alvarado east to a place called “Quivira.” Upon return from the long journey to an area near present day Wichita, Kansas, Alvarado was told by El Turco that the gold band he wore came from Bigotes. He took Bigotes and El Turco back with him to Tiguex and, after reporting to Coronado his adventure to Quivira, he killed El Turco for leading him on a false journey for gold.

Coronado and his men had taken up residence at a pueblo they referred to as “Cofor” (which was “Kuaua”), ironically known today as “Coronado omero. Photo by Carlos Vierra, ca. 1897 Collection of H ilario R omero. Photo by Carlos Vierra, National Monument.” According to Castañeda, the Tiwas at this pueblo Mission Church of Ysleta Pueblo, built around 1620

16 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com had to find residence among other pueblos. This action, along with the killing of El Turco, demand for food from the pueblo’s food storage, and the rape of a pueblo woman, instigated a war with the pueblos of Tiguex. Initially the Pueblos killed some of the Spanish horse herds left to graze. Coronado’s soldiers and allies took several pueblos and killed many of their warriors, sending shockwaves throughout the Pueblo world. However, the Pueblo of Moho remained under siege because the Spanish were unable to break through its walls despite constant bombardment. It was clear that this so called expedition was more of a conquest. The Pueblos of Tiguex were in a war and subsequent occupation by Coronado and his men. Throughout the winter of 1540–41, the Spanish invaders took what they wanted from the pueblos, causing hardship and distrust. Ysleta Pueblo and its residents suffered from Coronado and his men’s demands. Upon their return to México, Coronado and his captains were condemned for their treatment of the Indians and fined, but Coronado was later exonerated.

For the next 40 years, travel and expeditions to the northern frontier were discouraged, and it wasn’t until Juan de Oñate led a group of settlers in 1598 that the Spanish would decide to settle in what they would call “Nuevo México.” For the next 82 years the Spanish would gradually settle near the pueblos on grants of land given to groups of families. Eventually, the Spanish and Pueblos were unable to co-exist due to the overzealous Franciscan missionary’s conversion methods, the Spanish encomienda, the tribute, forced labor and military service, slavery and the droughts of the 1670s. In 1680, the Pueblos revolted and forced the Spanish out of Nuevo México. The fleeing Spanish under Gov. Otermín escaped the siege of Santa Fe and stopped in Ysleta Pueblo, where they took supplies and some Ysletas with them south to El Paso del Río La Correinte del Valle mural detail © Working Classroom, Inc. mural detail © Working La Correinte del Valle del Norte. Return of the Spanish: The Atrisco and Pajarito Land Grants As early as 1598, there were many parajes (camps/camping grounds) that Oñate and the colonists used along the long journey along what was to become “El Camino Real.” It was a series of Pueblo trails to the south into México that had been used by indigenous traders among the tribes. Los Padillas and Atrisco were parajes–early rest stops that would eventually become small communities during the 1600s and after the Reconquest. The first settlements in the area between Sandia and Ysleta pueblos before the Pueblo Revolt were Los Padillas, Atrisco and, later, Pajarito. Marc Simmons, in his book Hispanic Albuquerque: 1706–1846, speculated that when Gov. Diego de Vargas made his initial journey into New Mexico with a group of soldiers and possible colonists, he gave land grants along the way to “old settlers” in order to reoccupy the same lands settled before the Pueblo Revolt. The Atrisco Land Grant The word Atrisco does not exist in Spanish. However there is a Nahuatl word “Atlixco,” which means “on or near a surface of water.” The Río Grande at Atrisco was wide, with a smooth flow and fertile bottomlands. It was probably named by Nahhuatl-speaking Mexican Indians that came with Gov. Vargas in 1692-93. Governor Vargas gave the Atrisco Land Grant to Fernando Durán y Cháves in 1692 at Angostura just north of Bernalillo. His father, Pedro Durán y Cháves, lived in Atrisco before the Pueblo Revolt. It moved toward resettlement in 1701 when Fernando Durán y Chaves asked Gov. Pedro Rodríguez Cubero for formal possession of the grant. In 1703, when Captain Diego Montoya, Alcalde of Bernalillo initiated the ceremony, the settlers were already planning houses and planting fields. (Docket #45 Court of Private Land Claims, Microfilm, NMSRCA) The Atrisco Grant boundaries were described by the heirs of the founders: “On the north, by the Barranca de Juan de Perea; on the east, by the Río Grande; on continued on page 32

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18 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Genesis of Acequias in Atrisco (The South Valley) Jorge García

ven though it is easier for folks to categorize the South Valley as the E“South Valley”, it has not always been known by that name. What we today call the South Valley is actually a region that, prior to 1848, was subdivided into land grants, or, as they used to be called under Mexican rule, las Mercedes.

A quick snapshot of the region shows how it was subdivided by the Alameda land grant around the area we now call Corrales. Moving downriver, there was the Albuquerque land grant in what we now call Old Town, and, north of Old Town, there were land grants in what we today call the North Valley, which started with Los Duranes land grant right by I-40 and Río Grande. The communities of Martínez town were by the university, Barelas and San José by the freeway and I-25. Across the river there was, and still is, the land grants © Seth R offman of Armijo, Atrisco and Arenal. Further TOP (l-r): Spring procession through a South Valley street; Don south were several other mercedes, Lorenzo Candelaria and his wife Dora carrying San Ysidro, patron such as the Gutiérrez, the Chávez, Los saint of farmers; end of season acequia blessing; l-r: danzantes Padillas and the Pajarito. All of these Fidel González, Fernando Ortega and Jorge García with acequia commissioner Santiago Maestas (center) and Virginia Necochea; communities make up what we call the Center: Isleta Pueblo elder and an acequia commissioner chat as “South Valley” of Albuquerque. Aztec dancers perform their ceremony During a conversation about our particular area, which we call Atrisco, a class, but that is nothing the fact that people held several good friend of mine mentioned that it new, and in fact we still misunderstandings and misconceptions is easier to refer to the area as the South getting gentrified and absorbed by see that dynamic today as valley residents about this community and its traditions. Valley because that is what everyone the city. Atrisco, on the other hand, fight to protect water and land from One of the big misunderstandings understands now. That is true, but in speaks about the history and the semi- getting transferred from agriculture to was that the people had given up simplifying things, we risk losing the rural environment that still remains industrial and residential uses. Acequia culture as the formation of richness of history, culture and tradition. connected to its pre-industrial economy the Middle Río Grande Conservancy The South Valley evokes nothing more and Acequia tradition. One of the big District (MRGCD) took place in the than a semi-urban area that is slowly 1920s. Another misconception was that So the question is, how did the place misunderstandings “there were no more Acequias in the lose its history, or better yet, has the was that the people South Valley.” The community fought What Are Acequias? place lost its history? The answer to that had given up Acequia hard for several years reestablishing Acequias are the age-old, hand- is no, the place has not lost its history. Acequias because everyone else had dug, gravity-fed irrigation ditches The South Valley, or the Atrisco Valley, culture with the this idea that the people in the South in northern New Mexico that make still safeguards its history and traditions. Valley were crazy to try to restitute possible the cultivation of locally formation of the There is no doubt that social, cultural, Acequias because, in their minds, the grown food. But they represent much economic and political dynamics under more than that. As a social system Middle Río Grande establishment of the MRGCD meant Anglo rule changed the landscape and implanted into the hydrological cycle Conservancy District. that Acequias had ceased to exist. So for community subsistence, acequias modified the local economy, as well as the in a big way, the greatest struggle in As the Atrisco Valley is pushed into constitute a place-based knowledge social and cultural dynamics of the region, restituting Acequias was to understand of watershed, intertwined with food modernization and slow gentrification, but to say that the traditions of the South the real enemies, which were the traditions, community and culture. there has been a concerted effort to Valley were lost would be a complete misconceptions and misunderstandings They are an instructive example oversimplification of the resilience and maintain its Acequia culture, not only as of democratic self-governance, fueled by the ignorance of people who a symbol of resilience and resistance, but stewardship and sharing of resources. resistance that the Atlisqueños, Armijos, purposefully made claims that “the also as a form of cohesion with the rest of They are also the defining structure Los Padillas and the rest of the families Acequia people wanted to take the the Indo-Hispano communities across of their ecosystem. The unlined maintained as the new industrial economy ditches away from the MRGCD.” These ditches allow water to seep into and the state that are trying to maintain their swept through. It is true that a lot of other comments were extremely misleading, recharge local aquifers, providing a local traditions and ways of life. As the families and individuals capitulated to but before explaining the reason for rich riparian zone for wildlife, shade the “American” way to benefit from their effort took place to reinstitute Acequias, trees and native plants. incorporation into that social and political one of the learning experiences was continued on page 23 www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 19 A few of the mural’s segments depicting a historical progression of the South Valley’s history. Top Inset (l-r): Artists Adriana Ortíz, Angel Pavia, Lora Werito, Elijah Chávez, Tarynn Weeks, Isabella Ortega, Joe Stephenson

La Corriente del Valle — The Flow of the Valley: A Mural Project in the South Valley Tarynn Weeks

hen I started college two months ago, meeting a lot of new friends day. Phase II chronologically precedes Phase I; so we painted the story of factors. For two weeks the storage pod where we stored our supplies was and catching up with a lot of old ones, we talked about our summers. the emergence of the Pueblos up to the Spanish settlers. surrounded by two feet of water. We painted five hours a day, Monday FromW yachting to camping to visiting family, most people seemed to enjoy through Friday, in full sun— on top of other jobs that several of us had Joe Stephenson is an artist who prides himself in accuracy and accountability, their vacations. When they asked me what my favorite part of the summer in the afternoon. I tragically dropped my phone in a bucket of paint. But so it was not surprising that we spent the first three weeks doing research. was, my answer came easily: “working, of course!” these and other trials made it much more rewarding, and we all acquired Our chief place of research was at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where useful work skills. This summer I had the opportunity of a lifetime–being paid to paint a we spoke to Native art and history expert Deborah Jojola, who provided us landmark mural. with many primary historical and artistic sources. We also visited Coronado By the end of the summer, we were exhausted but sad for the project to Pueblo and went inside a kiva. end. But not only did I help paint a huge work of art that has my name Since joining the Working Classroom in November 2014, I have participated next to the names of my friends on it; perhaps most significantly, I learned in a variety of art workshops and formed meaningful relationships with Creating a mural of this caliber was made possible by having a talented so much about problems that many American history books tend to glaze mentors and peers, but the thing I looked forward to most was the mural team. Adriana Ortíz, a gifted artist, was our project manager. With the over. As someone who uses art for activism, it was very important to me to program that Working Classroom sponsors every summer. I wanted to be experience of at least three Working Classroom murals behind her, she be able to learn about problems of discrimination and paint them where on a mural team because I wanted to work with a crew of other dedicated painted some of La Corriente del Valle’s most striking features and helped anyone can see them. We created with a colorful and powerful narrative of student artists under the guidance of an amazing muralist. Better still, us newbies stay organized. Other team members included Angel Pavia, lives interrupted and how blending cultures affects those lives today. Working Classroom pays student apprentices for their time, talent and also a Working Classroom veteran, who painted all of the portraits; and work. For the first time, I would be making a living as an artist! Lora Werito, a first-time muralist like me, who was responsible for painting At this point, the paint has been put away, the brushes cleaned, the scaffolds iconic imagery such as Popay’s warriors and Coronado’s horse. Jonathan disassembled. Everyone involved has taken away something important I learned so much about problems that many Burciaga-Cruz drew Columbus’ ships on-point before we started painting; and added to their resumes, work skills and life lessons. Thank you to Joe American history books tend to glaze over. Elijah Chávez was only 13 years old when we started but also has prior Stephenson, our team, Working Classroom, Bernalillo County and everyone mural experience with Working Classroom. Isabella Ortega, only 12 years else who made this possible. The lead artist of our mural was none other than the renowned Joe old, was possibly the most precise painter of us all. I had the honor to design Stephenson, longtime South Valley resident and the founder of Working “La Corriente del Valle” is located just south of the South Valley Library, the storytellers and paint some of their clothes. Joe Stephenson shared at Classroom’s mural program. Joe has painted many of the most recognizable adjacent to the Río Bravo Skate Park. least one fascinating fact every day. The team formed fast friendships. We murals in Albuquerque and surpasses everyone I know of in skill, experience accumulated so many inside jokes over the summer that we can hardly be Tarynn Weeks is a freshman at UNM in the Honors College, where she is majoring and artistic integrity. The mural we painted this summer was Phase II of La in the same room without laughing. in studio art. Tarynn has been a dedicated student at Working Classroom for the Corriente del Valle, a long and brilliantly colored image depicting the history past year. She was featured in the Bernalillo County’s Arts Crawl and also placed of the South Valley—from the Pueblos’ Emergence Story to the present The mural did present some tough challenges. Heat and rain were common fourth in the final qualifier for the Indie World Poetry Slam.

20 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com South Valley Marigold Parade

A few of the mural’s segments depicting a historical progression of the South Valley’s history. Top Inset (l-r): Artists Adriana Ortíz, Angel Pavia, Lora Werito, Elijah Chávez, Tarynn Weeks, Isabella Ortega, Joe Stephenson

La Corriente del Valle — The Flow of the Valley: A Mural Project in the South Valley Tarynn Weeks factors. For two weeks the storage pod where we stored our supplies was surrounded by two feet of water. We painted five hours a day, Monday through Friday, in full sun— on top of other jobs that several of us had in the afternoon. I tragically dropped my phone in a bucket of paint. But these and other trials made it much more rewarding, and we all acquired useful work skills.

By the end of the summer, we were exhausted but sad for the project to end. But not only did I help paint a huge work of art that has my name next to the names of my friends on it; perhaps most significantly, I learned so much about problems that many American history books tend to glaze over. As someone who uses art for activism, it was very important to me to be able to learn about problems of discrimination and paint them where anyone can see them. We created with a colorful and powerful narrative of lives interrupted and how blending cultures affects those lives today.

At this point, the paint has been put away, the brushes cleaned, the scaffolds disassembled. Everyone involved has taken away something important and added to their resumes, work skills and life lessons. Thank you to Joe Stephenson, our team, Working Classroom, Bernalillo County and everyone else who made this possible.

“La Corriente del Valle” is located just south of the South Valley Library, adjacent to the Río Bravo Skate Park. Tarynn Weeks is a freshman at UNM in the Honors College, where she is majoring in studio art. Tarynn has been a dedicated student at Working Classroom for the past year. She was featured in the Bernalillo County’s Arts Crawl and also placed The annual Marigold Parade in the South Valley celebrates El Día de los Muertos, an ancient tradition rooted in México and fourth in the final qualifier for the Indie World Poetry Slam. Central America. Photos by Mark Anderson

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 21 The Agri-Cultura Network A farmer-owned cooperative with nine member-owners

raditional and innovative agricultural practices reconnect people with As a farmer-owned community and environmental stewardship that is part of our region’s agrarian cooperative with nine Tand cultural heritage. member-owners, Agri- Cultura coordinates The South Valley of Albuquerque is among many communities in need of greater access small farms and operates to local fruits and vegetables, which can improve nutrition and support preventive a wholesale business healthcare. More people are realizing that chronic and fatal diseases can be caused or that sells produce to exacerbated by a poor diet. There is also increasing recognition of the importance of Albuquerque Public Some of the people who started Agri-Cultura in 2009: local farms that do not rely on synthetic chemicals or long-range transportation. Schools, restaurants, hotels Fidel González, Patrick Staib-Flores, Sayrah Namaste, Joseph Alfaro, Jeff Warren and Angelina López The Agri-Cultura Network was created to address these needs. Each week, the and other customers. network has been able to directly provide quality produce that would otherwise not Agri-Cultura provides support for farms to build their capacity. The past few years be available to about 300 families. For many, the produce is offered at a subsidized have seen an increase in agricultural production and the number of customers. As rate. A mobile market rotates among four health clinics, through partnerships with a result, Agri-Cultura’s farms have been able to employ more people, stimulating Bernalillo County, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the Street Food Institute, the local economy while providing a living wage and proper worksite conditions. Storehouse New Mexico and the Bernalillo County Community Health Council. This sustainable agricultural economic development in turn provides opportunities to feed, employ, educate, inspire and engage the workers’ families, friends and neighbors. Increased interest in integrated agricultural practices, including resource conservation, inspires individuals and families to learn to grow effectively and efficiently to provide fruit and vegetables. Cooperation helps rebuild trust and community involvement. i

For more information on the Agri-Cultura Network, call 505.217.2461 or visit www.facebook.com/ agriculturanetwork

Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture Agritourism Conference Regional Meetings Albuquerque, Nov. 12-14 It takes a diverse network of farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors and market Agricultural businesses looking for alternative ways to diversify their organizers to make a difference in the future of agriculture. New Mexico First, a operations and bring in additional income might want to consider agritourism. non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to build consensus among This industry, which is widespread in the United States, offers activities for groups and inspire legislative action, is organizing a series of meetings around New agritourists, such as picking fruit and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey Mexico to discuss ideas for ensuring a robust food and agriculture system in the state. and learning about wine- and cheese-making, as well as shopping in farm gift stores and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts. Eleven meetings are scheduled from December through March to bring together agriculture stakeholders to identify industry trends, challenges and solutions. The The 2015 New Mexico Agritourism Conference will take place Nov. 12 to 14 at stakeholders New Mexico First is seeking include farmers and ranchers, commercial the MCM Hotel Elegante, 2020 Menaul Blvd. in Albuquerque. New Mexico producers and marketers (e.g., those that process, store, distribute or market State University’s Small Farm and Ranch Task Force is hosting the conference, agricultural products), educators and researchers, government employees (e.g., which, on Nov. 12, will include tours of several agritourism operations in the extension agents, those engaged with water and environmental policy, food safety, Albuquerque area. etc.), financial lenders and grant makers (e.g., bankers or philanthropists), advocates, policymakers and consumers. A general session will be held the mornings of Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14, with breakout sessions Friday afternoon. Topics will include successful The meetings will take place in Albuquerque–Jan. 13; Crownpoint (tribal)–March methods of agritourism and how to build a business brand, how to deal with 3; Española (northern pueblos)–Feb. 10; Farmington–March 2; Laguna (southern liability issues, how to build relationships with similar producers to develop pueblos)–Jan. 14; Las Cruces–Jan. 7; Roswell–Dec. 2; Shiprock (tribal)–March 4; festival events, marketing and promotion. Session tracks will include cultural Silver City–Jan. 15; Taos–Feb. 11; and Tucumcari–March 9. and educational tourism, farm diversification, expanding direct marketing and dude ranch, bed & breakfast and recreational vehicle operations. Registration Lunch will be served at each meeting. There is no registration fee, but registration is at the door will be $150. For more information or to register, call 505.983.4615 requested. To learn more, call 505.225.2140, email [email protected] or visit http:// or 505.852.2668 or visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/agritourism/ nmfirst.org/events/resilience-in-new-mexico-agriculture.

22 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Atrisco Acequias continued from page 19 this assertion, let’s understand how these misconceptions and misunderstandings developed.

To do this, let’s go back to 1848, when the American Republic took over this land from México. During this time, the mode of subsistence was based on growing produce and livestock. The economy was based on bartering, and people produced what they needed. Their goods came either from México City via the cities of Zacatecas and Chihuahua, or as Anglos moved westward, from St. Louis, Missouri. In 1848, the U.S. won the Mexican- U.S. War and, as a result, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed between the two © Seth R offman (3) countries. This stipulated that The second annual CESOSS Acequia Fun Run & Walk the traditions, customs and took place on Oct. 25. property of the Indo-Hispano communities would be respected and away the constitutional right that people incorporated into the Anglo-Saxon had to form Acequias. Today, thanks judiciary system. That is why the customs to provisions under the law, the South of the Acequias eventually made it into Valley has reinstituted the original the U.S. legal system under the provision Acequias of Arenal, Armijo, Atrisco, of Water Law. So between 1848 and 1912, Los Padillas and Pajarito. when New Mexico was finally accepted As we move forward beyond the into the Union as a state, a process began misunderstanding and misconceptions to change the economy from bartering of the past, there are other big fights and agricultural to industrial. Think about looming to protect water and a way that. From 1912 to the 1930s, people of life. But the community of Atrisco, were barely getting into a new economy or the South Valley, continues to fight when the Depression of the 1930s hit. For to ensure that the legacy left behind the people in the South Valley, this was to maintain the land and the water especially difficult because, at that point, together is not destroyed by the elusive they were not only getting used to a new promises that big developments and economy; a lot of the people did not even industrial complexes advertise in their speak English, with the exception of those quest to shift water use to support big who were able to afford sending their kids enterprises at the expense of beautiful to get educated in the Midwest. They did and powerful communities that still not understand the new system of law regard water as a sacred element that and intricate processes that in many ways promises life, not as a commodity that were used to dispossess people from their supports decadence. i land and water. Jorge García is So, to add to the complexity that people president of the Center had to endure as the new American for Social Sustainable system came to change the people’s lives Systems (www.cesoss. and customs, in the 1920s the Middle org). He co-founded Río Grande Conservancy District was the nonprofit La Placita Institute and created to manage the distribution currently serves as of water in the valley. Over the years vice-president of the people thought that the MRGCD South Valley Regional came to displace the Acequias, but Association of Acequias. He is directly associated in fact it did not, at least not entirely. with many local, national and international The MRGCD was created to ensure community initiatives. https://unm.academia. edu/JorgeAGarcia an efficient distribution of water. The formation of the MRGCD did not take www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 23 ICF Warehouse Inc. (Formerly Reward Wall Systems of NM) • NUDURA stocking distributor • Scaffold Bracing & Ancillary products • Same great service as always • Phone (505) 474-4389 • Visit: ICFWarehouseNM.com

24 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Gardens de Atrisco Article and photos by Joseph C. García

he Gardens de Atrisco, a project spears into pruning hooks…neither shall of the Town of Atrisco Grant, is they war anymore.” –Isaiah 2:4. Other Tpart of the community momentum favorite quotes that have inspired that is reclaiming urban and semi-rural Atrisco gardeners: “La Agua es La Vida” lands in Atrisco for healing, education, and one from Mahatma Gandhi: “To growing food and saving seed. forget how to dig the Earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” Healing and creating community wealth

Jesse Anzures, who serves on the town of Atrisco Board of Trustees, and Victor Versace, of the Desert Jesse Anzures in his chile garden. He saves his blue corn seed. Forge Foundation, share the garden space with veterans for healing and young people about the value support of the Gardens de Atrisco as a creating community wealth through of New Mexico agriculture, our way to build community wealth and of the growing of chile, corn, tomatoes, acequias and the creation of a course to pass on the great tradition of mint, garlic and basil. Working the land Many varieties of chile have been more socially just, abundant and fertile growing New Mexico chile. i in the traditional way, communities grown in the garden. In September Atrisco Valley. Students from local Joseph C. García, were able to create their own wealth and October, chile pods from Chimayó, high schools, UNM and University M.A., is a community and livelihood. It is good news that Jémez and Atrisco were harvested of Miami (Alternative Spring Break) capacity builder with the town is currently creating wealth daily. Jesse Anzures says, “We have have volunteered at the Gardens since the UNM Community and opportunity through these gardens. been successful in building the soil and it started a few years ago. Engagement Center. harvesting food and look forward to He is also director of There is a beautiful quote on the Town of Atrisco Board of Trustees garden education at planning for next season.” Desert Forge Foundation website President Jerome Padilla, Secretary La Plazita Institute. (www.desertforge.org): “They shall beat The Gardens de Atrisco are pesticide Theresa Gonzales and Trustee Jaime [email protected] their swords into plowshares, and their free. There is an emphasis on educating Chávez have also continued to work in Annual Local Food Festival and Field Day at the Gutiérrez-Hubbell House © Seth R offman Presented by Bernalillo County Open Space in cooperation with the Mid-Region Council of Governments Agriculture Collaborative and other community organizations. www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 25 Eco-Delivery Services • 505.920.6370

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26 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge A Hidden Gem

Julia Bernal © Marissa McGill

ucked in between industrial the land be used for conservation, The gates to Valle de Oro are factories and residential homes, and in 2012 the property was finally open to the public Monday Tthe Valle de Oro National Wildlife purchased and converted into the first through Sunday from 8 am to 5 Refuge, restored seasonal wetlands, urban refuge in the Southwest. Since pm. Boundary signs are posted is a hidden gem of the South Valley. then, it has grown into I had never known much about the something unique, not South Valley because I grew up on the only for the South Valley opposite side of Albuquerque. Sandia but for Albuquerque and

Pueblo was my front- and back yard for beyond. Visitors from © 4 A Greater Good Photography climbing cottonwood trees and going in- and out-of-state all on long walks to the Río Grande. So recognize the undeveloped minutes, depending on traffic. When I when I became an AmeriCorps intern landscape’s beauty. arrive, the sun is rising over the Sandías. at the refuge, Valle de Oro extended When I leave, it makes the landscape Currently the refuge is my backyard and outdoor classroom. gleam like gold. It always takes my only farm fields. But it’s breath away. i

a perfect nesting, feeding © Steve Valasek The first urban refuge and resting place for Julia Bernal is Valle migratory birds. Thousands of snow de Oro’s AmeriCorps in the Southwest and dirt roads weave through the intern through a geese, Canada geese and hundreds property, allowing access to birding BIA-funded program The refuge sits on about 570 acres of sandhill cranes find refuge at Valle hotspots. Boy Scouts have built called the Native of managed alfalfa and hay fields. de Oro. People connect with nature benches and an outdoor classroom American Water Residents of the Mountain View there through photography, wildlife Corps. Through that as sitting areas to enjoy and observe community can remember when observation and environmental program she was wildlife. Environmental education the refuge was Price’s Dairy Farm. education. As it grows, the refuge will certified as a water opportunities are available to any resource technician. She heads the water-themed Valley Gold was the name of the milk add additional cultural significance educators who may want to introduce environmental education programs at the delivered. While development options when the historic El Camino Real is their classes to their new open space. refuge. Julia is from Sandia Pueblo and hopes were being considered, the marked throughout the property. to get accepted into a UNM Masters Program neighborhood supported the idea that My drive to the refuge is about 40 to 45 in Water Resources Policy Management. © 4 A Greater Good Photography

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 27 Op-Ed: A Community’s Battle Against the Santolina Master Plan Dr. Virginia Necochea

1 antolina chamaecyparissus is an herbaceous perennial, originally from the 2 Santolina poses a threat to Mediterranean, known as the “workhorse of the drought-tolerant garden .” local South Valley traditions. S The South Valley, the oldest neighborhood in what elders know as the Valle de But for many of us who live and work in the South Valley, the plant with the pretty Atrisco, has gone through numerous cultural and economic changes. More than yellow flowers is furthest from our minds when we hear the name. Instead, we 40,000 people call the South Valley home and over 80 percent are Hispanic/ now picture a massive housing development looming in our backyards. Santolina... Latino. The median household income is $36,821, and it is estimated that over How I have come to dread even hearing the word. 25 percent live in poverty (2010 Census). Over the past year, thanks to the dedicated work of many organizations, neighborhood associations and concerned community members, Santolina has Consumption of water at this level for a massive become known across New Mexico. It has become symbolic of outside corporations and developers pushing their visions onto New Mexican communities. development does not make sense. What is Santolina and why should Although the South Valley is considered to be one of the poorest communities in our entire state be concerned? the area, many residents possess (or can potentially possess) a precious and valuable The Santolina Master Plan would cover more than 13,700 acres of undeveloped resource: water rights. Summed up, a water right is the right to water from a land in the southwest portion of Bernalillo County, specifically on the West Mesa. specific source to be used at a specific location for a specific beneficial purpose. This plan proposes over 37,000 dwelling units that would house approximately According to the New Mexico Constitution, the water belongs to the people. As 95,000 people. At build-out, Santolina would require over 14,000 acre-feet of of now, all water rights have been allocated; there are no new water rights in our water per year. This amount would be comparable to the water use of a new Río state. The next logical question then is: “If we are in a drought and all water has Rancho, 150 percent of Santa Fe’s water supply for a comparable population, or been allocated, then where will the water needed to support Santolina come from?” 3 300 percent of Intel’s water use during record periods. (Gaume, 2015 ). That is People who farm and irrigate in the South Valley already know the answer to this the amount that would be required by this development so ironically named after question. It would have to come from existing users, mostly acequieras/os and a drought-resistant, low-water-use plant. farmers in the Middle Río Grande Valley, as there is no unallocated water in the

Despite this past summer’s wonderful rains, our geographic region remains basin. The water consumed by the Santolina development will negatively impact abnormally dry and under long-term threat of drought conditions. According water supplies in the South Valley, thus impacting families whose well being and to scientists, we are facing the prospect of one of the worst droughts in the last livelihood depend on precious water resources. 4 1,000-year period . The title of an article featured in Science Advances in February This is why many South Valley and Albuquerque residents and other concerned 2015 sums it up best: “Unprecedented 21st Century Drought Risk in the American community members across the state have unified against Santolina—not because Southwest and Central Plains” [emphasis added]. If this is the current reality of not we are anti-growth or anti-development, but because we love our community, only our state but also our Southwest region, consumption of water at this level for the South Valley acequias and our traditions. We have come together because we a massive development does not make sense. To add to these contradictions, the understand current conditions in New Mexico. We are an informed community population of Albuquerque is not significantly increasing. In 2014 the population 5 that knows that our population growth is not significantly increasing and we grew by a mere 0.1 percent . According to the Census Bureau, more people are understand that drought continues to plague our state. These are all serious factors. leaving the Albuquerque area than arriving. If this is the case, then how can a development of this size be warranted? Despite the community’s concerns and public outcry, the Santolina Master Plan Level A was approved on a 3-to-2 vote by the Bernalillo County Commission in June 2015 (commissioners Art de la Cruz, Lonnie Talbert and Wayne Johnson 1 Image from http://lambley.com.au/garden-notes/lambleys-new-mediterranean-garden voting in favor and commissioners Maggie Hart Stebbins and Debbie O’Malley 2 See http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/santolina/santolina-plant-information.htm against). This vote sent a shocking jolt across our communities because it clearly 3 As quoted in http://nmpoliticalreport.com/3965/santolina-water-worries-are-real-concern- by-dr-virginia-necochea/ demonstrated how skewed the decision-making process is. If elected and appointed 4 See http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/1/e1400082 for full article officials had remained true to their responsibility of representing their constituents, 5 See http://www.freeabq.com/?p=1465 6 Image from an exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum

28 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Quivira Conference: The Next Wave: South Valley Cultivating Abundance, Nov. 11-13 This year’s conference speakers include ranchers, Reflections farmers, scientists, activists and others who are Noah Allaire leading the next wave of agrarians. The kick-off event on Nov. 11 is a workshop, Fundamentals of am of sacred land and earth; the on their weekly pilgrimage to receive a Soil, centered on the work of scientist Christine Jones, whose specialty is soil restoration. same mixture of silt, straw, water and type of sacrament only available at the Keyline 101 is a workshop is in the afternoon. clayI in which the roots of the plants we holy methadone clinic. Leading designers will discuss techniques to grew were used to build the walls of the address drought, and restoration guru Bill I am of sacred land and earth. My body house in which I was born. Zeedyk will talk about managing water on grew because of the same mixture of western rangelands and degraded wetlands. I was born on land over which the river milk, blood, mud and honey that were The New Agrarian Connection, a networking used to flood, carrying renewal with used to build the walls of the house in event for prospective employers and aspiring nutrients from the north. Before it was which I live. farmers and ranchers will take place prior to the called by a colonial name, the river was evening’s featured speaker, renowned author and sustainable agriculture advocate Paul Hawken. Bill Zeedyk known to each community differently; I am of sacred land His talk is open to the public for a $30 ticket. mets’ichi chena, said the Keres, posoge, said the Tewa, paslápaane, said the Tiwa, and earth. On days 2 and 3, twelve accomplished plenary speakers are scheduled. There will hañapakwa, said the Towa, Tó Ba’áadi, be an awards banquet Thursday evening. The conference takes place at the Embassy Some who are born here are dug said the Navajo. As a child, I never Suites Hotel in Albuquerque. For information, call 505.820.2544, ext. 2 or visit out from the earth. Like ancient http://quiviracoalition.org/2015_Conference/index.html considered the possibility that people archaeological artifacts, their exact age once drank the river’s murky waters. and function is often unclear, but their Twice a week my father would lead otherworldly traits are fascinating to us to the Culligan water store, where outsiders. Some who are born here are nutrients and renewal came in the form drawn up by irrigation pumps from of two blue raspberry snowcones. deep underground wells. Like the water, I arrived in the southern river valley they arrive cold and pure, with wisdom much too late to have seen the ebb and energy accumulated over thousands and flow of the flood, but the sacred of years spent underground. Some who land fostered new types of cyclical are born here float down from the sky. movement. I got here just in time to Like the countless bits of cotton that fill have seen the ebb and flow of pious and the wind in spring, their movements are patriarchal families, driving to church unpredictable, but the intention behind on Sunday, beautifully dressed for their presence is clear. When I was born their weekly dose of shame. I got here here, I was made from a mixture of silt, just in time to have seen the ebb and straw, water and clay. Like an adobe flow of schoolchildren, walking down brick, I was laid in an open frame with a road with no sidewalks, shuddering standard dimensions and baked for every time the roar of an oversized years in the high desert sun. i truck enveloped them. I got here just Noah Allaire is a linguist and a bicycle mechanic in time to have seen the ebb and flow who was born and raised in the South Valley. of yesterday’s schoolchildren, trudging His interests include environmentalism, hip down the same road with no sidewalks, hop culture and localism.

Santolina continued from page 28 the Santolina Master Plan would never have made it out of its first vetting phase at the County Planning Commission level.

But instead of giving up, the South Valley community is in it for the long haul. Several lawsuits have been filed calling into question possible violations of the Open Meetings Act and raising many more issues with the process and procedures used in the Santolina decision. So despite the realities that we live in an area where developers and corporate greed seem to dictate what happens in our communities, many of us continue our work to protect our communities.

Please take a good look at the accompanying aerial image of the Albuquerque and South Valley area and tell me if it’s not obvious where the wealth of water belongs. i Dr. Virginia Necochea is director of the Center for Social Sustainable Systems (CESOSS), a small organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of ways of life and traditions in the South Valley. 505.304.8724, www.cesoss.org www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 29 giggle. wiggle. groove. An eclectic mix of informative and entertaining programs await you on KUNM – your passport to the worlds of news, music, community and culture. Publicly supported. Publicly responsive. KUNM is an essential part of New Mexico’s day.

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The Zanjeras continued from page 25

30 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Op-Ed: How Zoning Codes Can Drastically Impact Environmental Justice Communities Juan Reynosa

magine living in an area of your city that the government has long deemed suitable for heavy industrial production. Superfund sites that have polluted yourI water sources are being cleaned up to this day. Your friends and family are breathing in high concentrations of pollutants, leading to higher instances of cancer, asthma and heart disease, compared to the rest of the city. Yet you are also a member of a proud community, and you continue the fight for your right to the clean air and water that is enjoyed by many other residents.

Before industry was allowed to come in and exploit the area, families and workers supported our traditional agricultural system that had long inhabited the corridor along the rail lines. Since its inception in the 1970s, the industrial corridor along the railway in Albuquerque has created terrible living conditions for residents, many of whom have resided in the area for generations. Those most impacted are the San José, Mountain View and greater Gardner communities.

Per the City of Albuquerque Zone Code Overview: Oil tankers being unloaded at the end of a neighborhood street in the San José The M-1 and M-2 zones are standard manufacturing zone categories. The most community. intense industrial uses are found in the conditional-use portion of the M-2 zone. that have contaminated multiple water sources in the area. This is what Esther These uses include manufacturing of products such as explosives, glue and fiberglass, Abeyta means when she talks about “cumulative impacts”—a high concentration of slaughtering of animals and fat-rendering. polluting industry in a relatively small area, which leads to intense health problems.

Per Bernalillo County’s zoning category What I listed above is just a small example of the industry located in these definitions: M-1 and M-2 zones permit heavy industry manufacturing communities and the impacts they have on the families who live there. There is no of acetylene gas, asphalt, bricks and concrete, chemicals, petroleum byproducts, justice in forcing certain communities (with much of their population being low- turpentine and tar products (to name just a few). income people of color) to live with a lower quality of life and lower life expectancy These two zoning designations allow for refineries, concrete plants, chemical as a result of bad zoning laws and the desire to create industrial corridors right next facilities, asphalt refineries, salvage yards, etc., to be located within and surrounding to communities that have been chronically burdened by environmental injustices. actual neighborhoods. This means that people living in these communities are What needs to happen, and what community members have been demanding for constantly dealing with pollution from these facilities and the associated health years, is a change in the zoning codes. More affluent neighborhoods in Albuquerque impacts. These residents have to deal with city and county governments that never have to fight new fertilizer plants or asphalt refineries that are applying to hide behind these zoning regulations to justify prioritizing industry growth over locate in their area, and the industry burden shouldn’t be placed on environmental community health. justice (EJ) communities. In fact, irresponsible zoning has played a major role in Since its inception in the 1970s, the industrial these communities being designated as EJ communities. Elected officials from Bernalillo County and the city of Albuquerque need to step corridor along the railway in Albuquerque has up and do the right thing and stop prioritizing industry growth over community created terrible living conditions for residents. health. There is no acceptable trade-off for a community member getting cancer or a child getting asthma in return for supposed economic development. The I’ve sat at Albuquerque Air Quality Board meetings, City Council meetings, zoning in these areas has always given these officials an excuse and something to County Commission meetings and zoning meetings with community members hide behind as they neglect the community and walk side by side with industry. calling for zoning changes and air-permit denials, yet we are almost always told that Enough is enough. The time is now for a real change to the officials’ hands are tied because of the M-1 and M-2 zoning designations. It’s give these communities the right to clean air and water an unfortunate and unjust situation that needs to be changed as soon as possible. and a good quality of life. i In conversations with community members from San José I’ve learned that there Juan Reynosa is an organizer with the Southwest Organizing has been a big community push from them and from Mountain View residents Project, which focuses on environmental justice and air quality issues. to change the zoning in the area and decrease the amount of polluting industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UNM. Esther Abeyta from San José had this to say: “In order to protect the most His hometown is Hobbs, New Mexico. www.swop.net vulnerable communities from being overburdened with polluting industries, cumulative impacts need to be included in the permitting process and stricter Environmental Justice land use regulations put in place where heavy polluting industries are located in Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of close proximity to low-income communities, residential homes, schools and parks.” all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, with respect to development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations It makes no sense at all to have oil refineries operating within a couple of blocks of and policies. where people live and children play. There was no foresight in locating a chlorine manufacturing plant next to a huge salvage yard that has multiple fires every EJ is about people confronting local environmental and/or public health problems by working collaboratively with local government agencies, impacted community year. Or how about having two large concrete plants located right next to each groups and the responsible state and federal agencies. EJ promotes environmental other, spewing concrete dust all over the houses located behind them, day after and public health protection within the context of sustainable development. day? There’s also the ongoing situation of cleaning up multiple Superfund sites www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 31 Precursors of Albuquerque continued from page 16 of these families were mestizos, and most of the servants were genízaros, captives from the Apachis, Comanchis and Apachis de Nabajú who were Christianized and acculturated into Spanish society.

When the descendants of the founding families who first resettled the town of Atrisco’s extended grant of 1768 came to prove their ownership before U. S. Surveyor General Henry M. Atkinson on March 19, 1881, they first filed a petition seeking confirmation of the grant known as the lands of the Río Puerco. Included was a copy of the expediente (pertinent documents relating to the land grant) showing that on April 28, 1768, Governor Mendinueta gave the grant to José Hurtado and 14 others. A supplemental petition was filed almost five years later by the inhabitants of the town of Atrisco near the Río Grande in U.S. Surveyor General George W. Julian’s office on Dec. 31, 1885 on behalf of the founders of the town of Atrisco. Although the grant papers were lost, the heirs were able to show that through deeds, church and census records that they were in possession of the land throughout the 18th and 19th centuries (Recompilación de las Map of Bernalillo Land Grants from Private Land Claims of the Southwest, J.J. Bowden Leyes de Las Indias, 1680, gave title to community/individual settlers with continued/ uninterrupted possession for 40 years.) U.S. Surveyor Julian on Jan. 28, 1886 was finally convinced to report to the U.S. Congress that the evidence by the claimants warranted the presumption that a grant was made to them in or about 1700 and the grant papers of the 1768 concession for additional grazing and wood gathering lands were genuine. Despite this favorable report, Congress did not survey nor pass judgment upon the grant. ( J.J. Bowden, Private Land Claims of the Southwest, M.A. Thesis SMU 1969, p. 1703, available at the Fray Angelico Library, Museum of NM)

Seven years later, on Feb. 26, 1892, over 225 claimants petitioned the District Court of Bernalillo County, asking the court to incorporate their interests by creating a body politic and corporation under the name of the town of Atrisco. (Based on an act of the Territory of New Mexico, Chapter 86 Laws of NM, 162-174 (1891). The District Court granted their request and declared the petitioners and their successors to be a body politic. Eight months later, the town of Atrisco filed suit in the Court of Private Land Claims against the United States of North America and the city of Albuquerque requesting confirmation of the two grants, in trust, for its inhabitants. The first grant was estimated to be 41,500 acres and the second about Cerro Colorado, northwest border of the Atrisco Land Grant 26,000 acres. It was also alleged that a portion of the 1700 grant was overlapped by the town of Albuquerque, even though the town of Atrisco was the senior the south, by the lands of Antonio Baca; and on the west, by the ceja (edge) of grant and thus should prevail. The Court of Private Land Claims, in its decision the Río Puerco” (Town of Atrisco Grant, No. 145, Misc. Records of the Surveyor on Sept. 4, 1894, held that under Spanish and Mexican customs a grant covering General of New Mexico.) Once the settlers built their houses, dug the acequia and a large tract of land to a large number of heads of families was understood to be planted their fields, they probably built La Capilla de San Andrés de los Ranchos a community grant. (Journal 180-182 (Misc. Records of the Court of Private Land de Atrisco, as later documented in the 1750 NM census. Claims) Regarding the conflict between the grants of the towns of Atrisco and The town of Atrisco prospered and grew and in 1750, there were four plazas, Albuquerque, the court held that there was no evidence that Albuquerque had a each containing extended families that eventually outgrew their common areas corporate existence prior to 1788 and, therefore, there could be no presumption for grazing and firewood gathering. As a result, in 1768, a group of 15 men, led that is was entitled to four square leagues of land by operation of law until that by José Hurtado de Mendoza, petitioned Gov. Pedro Fermín de Mendinueta for date (United States Supreme Court, US vs. City of Albuquerque, 171 U.S. 685 (1898) lands to the west of their town boundary, from north to south. On April 28, 1768, Pajarito Land Grant a granting decree was issued for land with the following boundaries: “On the north, Although an original land grant document for El Sitio de San Ysidro de Pajarito by the Cerro Colorado, which is located two leagues south of the town of San does not exist, Josefa Baca, daughter of Manuel Baca of Bernalillo, owned land Francisco del Río Puerco; on the east, by the ceja of the Río Puerco Mountain; on in Pajarito in 1733. Josefa had six children: Antonio, the oldest, followed by José, the south, by a point three leagues south of the Cerro Colorado; and on the west, Diego Domingo, Manuel Rosa and Isabel. (Fray Angélico Chávez: Origins of NM by the Río Puerco.” The governor directed the Alcalde of Alburquerque, Francisco Families, pp. 144–145) The boundaries for this land were clear: “On the north by Trébol Navarro, to deliver royal possession of the land to the grantees. (Town of the Town of Atrisco Grant; on the east, by the Río Grande; on the south, by the Atriaco Grant, No. 145, SGNM) On the southern boundary of the extended Atrisco sitio or place called Los Padillas; on the west by the [Ceja del] Río Puerco.” (J.J. Grant the settlers “were especially cautioned against introducing new settlers Bowden, Private Land Claims of the Southwest, 1969 (Southern Methodist Univ. without prior consent of the inhabitants of the town of Atrisco.” On or near a unpublished Master’s Thesis p. 1708) Using these boundaries as a base, they run landmark called the “Alamo Gacho” there was an abandoned rancho that was approximately 13 miles from east to west and four miles from north to south, formerly owned by Pedro Durán y Chaves. The governor gave it to José Hurtado encompassing 33,280 acres. de Mendoza, brother-in-law of Efigenia Durán y Chaves. (Town of Atrisco Grant, No, 145, SGNM) The people of both grants prospered, and by the 1790 census Antonio Baca, son of Josefa, acquired an undivided interest in the grant in 1746 as of New Mexico, there were four plazas totaling 225 individuals, the first with 11 a devisee under his mother’s will and purchased the balance of the grant from his extended families and their servants, the second with 17 families and servants, siblings. (Spanish Archives of NM, Twitchell Document #94, 1746) The land grant had the third with nine families and fewer servants, and the fourth with 16 families three villages living within its boundaries when the 1750 census of New Mexico and the fewest servants. (SANM, Censo de Nuevo México, 1790, NMSRCA) Many continued on page 34

32 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com r

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 33 Precursors of Albuquerque continued from page 32 was recorded. They were: Pajarito, Ranchos de Padilla and Sitio de Gutiérrez, and complete history of these land grants, see Joseph P. Sánchez’s Between Two living within them were a few Spaniards, many mestizos and genízaro servants Rivers: The Atrisco Land Grant in Albuquerque History, 1692-1968 and Elaine (SANM, Censo de Nuevo Méjico, 1750, NMSRCA) For the next decade, some of Patricia Luján’s article “The Pajarito Land Grant: A Contextual Analysis of Its the Baca family resided on the grant. Josefa Apolonia Baca, Antonio’s daughter, Confirmation by the U.S. Government,” fall 2008, Natural Resources Journal. i married Clemente Gutiérrez, who was a successful trader on the Chihuahua trail, th Hilario E. Romero, a New Mexican mestizo (Spanish/Basque/Jicarilla on the 13 of October of 1755 (Diligencias Matrimonales, San Agustín de Ysleta Apache/Ute), is a former New Mexico state historian. He has spent the past Pueblo, 1755) Clemente Gutiérrez purchased the Padilla Grant for sheep grazing 40 years in higher education, as an administrator and professor of history, in 1768. The settlers expanded sheep grazing onto the lands west but suffered education and Spanish at Northern New Mexico College, and adjunct at from raids by the Nabajú and Apachis from 1770 to 1800. Shortly before his New Mexico Highlands University and University of New Mexico. death, Clemente Gutiérrez purchased the Pajarito Grant from Antonio Baca, on May 10, 1785. (Senate Executive Document No. 89, 50th Congress, 2nd Session 43-44, 1889) Their son, Lorenzo Gutiérrez, would later inherit the grant from his mother, Apolonia.

Two part- or full-time, ad sales persons needed for Green Fire Times, northern New Mexico’s largest distribution newspaper: One to work the Santa Fe area and one to work the Albuquerque / Río Rancho area. Send résumé to: Skip@ GreenFireTimes.com

General Land Office Map, Territory of New Mexico, 1908

Almost a century later, the descendants of Clemente and Josefa Apolonia Gutiérrez testified before U.S. Surveyor General George W. Julian in 1877, claiming their undisputed possession of the Pajarito Grant by demonstrating complete ownership Retail in their oral testimony, which was consistent with the documentary evidence. They testified that, since the turn of the 17th century, they built houses, fences, planted orchards, vineyards, dug the acequia system and cultivated the lands until the present without anyone questioning their right or title to the tract. (J.J. Bowden, pp. 1707–12) After waiting over 10 years, the heirs of Josefa Baca, Antonio Baca Monthly rent and square footage open and Clemente Gutiérrez finally heard back from the U.S. Surveyor General Julian in 1887 stating that the confirmation of the claim by Congress “would not only be a matter of justice to the claimants but would tend to preserve the peace and the town of Pajarito, primarily inhabited by the claimants and their peons.” On Feb. 7, 1893, the claimants filed suit in the Court of Private Land Claims seeking confirmation of the grant, which they estimated at 40,000 acres. On Sept. 8, 1894, the court, by decree, held there was a presumption that a grant had been made to Josefa Baca and the tract had been acquired by prescription. A survey was made between September 1897 and April 1898 for 28,724.22 acres. The grant was finally patented on Nov. 27, 1914. (Miscellaneous Records of the Court of Private Land Claims, Journal, pp. 186–188)

The families of long-settled Ysleta Pueblo, and the Atrisco and Pajarito land grants and villages that evolved in the South Valley between Albuquerque and Peralta were blessed by rich land and an abundance of water. But without their ancestors’ ability to fight off disease, Navajo, Apachi and Commanchi raids from 1770 to 1800, and hard work and determination, they would not have continued occupation to this day.

This general look at the early history of the South Valley throughout the onslaught of change during its early period is only part of the story. For a more

34 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com 505-

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 35

History continued from page 31 Scottish Rite Center

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36 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com NEWSBITEs New Mexico Ranks High for Energy-Efficiency Carbon Economy Series Hemp Workshop Energy is one of the main household expenses for American consumers. About half Santa Fe, Nov. 13, 14 of energy bills are for heating and cooling. According to a new study, New Mexico is Seventy-seven years of prohibition of one of humanity’s longest-utilized and one of the top states in the U.S. when it comes to energy efficiency, with an overall most useful plants appears to be ending. Hemp is back in the soil in 26 U.S. states, ranking of 13th. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Climatic including Colorado, which has now completed its third growing season. (In 2015, a Data Center, the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Federal Highway bipartisan bill passed the New Mexico Legislature but was vetoed by the governor.) Administration, WalletHub.com’s “Most and Least Energy Efficient” list calculates The industry is growing 24 percent annually and will cross the billon-dollar mark the efficiency of car- and home-energy consumption. Car efficiency is calculated this year in North America. as annual vehicle miles driven divided by gallons of gasoline used. Home-energy efficiency is calculated as the ratio between total residential energy consumption Kicking off the fifth season of the Carbon Economy and degree-days. Workshop series, Doug Fine, author of Hemp Bound, and First Legal Harvest: Hemp Returns to Humanity, will give a Factors in New Mexico’s high score include energy rebates from utilities and presentation on the subject on Nov. 13 from 7 to 9 pm, and a government agencies, as well as energy-efficient lighting, appliances and products workshop the next day from 9 am to 5 pm. Both events will such as solar panels. take place in Room 487 of Santa Fe Community College.

Copper Rule Brief Filed Fine, who has researched hemp farms and processors With State Supreme Court around the world, will explain techniques and applications On Oct. 19, water-quality advocates filed a brief with the state Supreme Court, that are part of an industry he considers a huge economic outlining why they think the state’s Copper Mine Rule should be set aside. The brief, opportunity for New Mexico. Hemp, a drought-resistant plant, can provide energy, filed by the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) on behalf of Gila food, medicine, textiles and building materials, among many other things. It is a Resources Information Project, Amigos Bravos and Turner Ranch Properties, L.P., natural, fiber-based replacement for petro- and chemical plastics, GMO-based food alleges that the Rule violates the Water Quality Act because “it imposes no limit on and fossil fuel-based energy. the magnitude, extent or duration of pollution discharged by copper mines.” Admission to the Friday evening lecture is $10. The cost for the lecture with the A NMELC press release says that Freeport McMoRan, the world’s largest publicly- workshop is $99. Admission is free for Santa Fe Community College students. owned copper mining company, worked closely with the New Mexico Environment For more information, call 469.554.9202 or visit Dougfine.com and www. Department to draft the Rule, which was adopted in 2013. The NMED has argued carboneconomyseries.com that the regulations strike a balance between protecting water and allowing for economic development. Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival Nov. 20-22 The country’s oldest and largest recycled art market, the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, In 2015 the Court of Appeals upheld the state’s adoption of the Rule. The state kicks off at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on Nov. 20 with its popular attorney general and a former state Groundwater Bureau chief have also filed briefs Trash Fashion and Costume Contest, then continues with a market showcasing art with the Supreme Court requesting that the Rule be thrown out. created from discarded materials. All of the art consists of a minimum of 75 percent recycled materials—everything from vintage tin cans turned into earrings to scrap Environmental Justice Grants Awarded metal sculptures. There will also be adult and student juried exhibits and make-and- In 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Environmental take art opportunities. Justice established the Environmental Justice (EJ) Small Grants Program to assist community-based/grassroots organizations and tribal governments that work on Many of the resourceful artists travel from across the state and country to participate, local solutions to local environmental problems. In 2015, EJ grants have been awarded and make their living selling original pieces. They upcycle trash into treasure, to Tewa Women United, based in Española, New Mexico, and The Friends of Valle combining recycling and innovation, while making one-of-a-kind art. de Oro, based in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Friday general admission is $5. Children under 12 are free. Tickets for the Friday Tewa Women United was selected for a project entitled “Adapting to Climate Change: night recycle fashion show at 7pm are $15-20 and may be purchased ahead of time Española Edible Food Forest.” The project will educate tribal and rural communities through www.ticketssantafe.org or by calling 505.988.1234. Admission is free on in northern New Mexico about environmental, public health and climate change Saturday and Sunday. www.recyclesantefe.org issues related to water. This will include a focus on local strategies to maintain clean water supplies by demonstrating how traditional dry-land farming techniques can be NM Recycling Coalition combined with contemporary strategies to improve water use efficiency. The project Awarded Grant to Assist Tribes is a collaborative effort among local schools, organizations and government.T WU The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program awarded is partnering with the city of Española for an Edible Food Forest terrace garden $40,000 to the New Mexico Recycling Coalition (NMRC) as part of the Solid project to demonstrate wise use of water and water harvesting and to educate the Waste Management grant program. The “Tribal Recycling Program Assistance and community on sustainable gardening methods. Training” project launched a one-year grant program in October 2015 to provide technical assistance and trainings to 20 eligible New Mexico tribes, including Taos The EJ grant to The Friends of Valle de Oro is to help support the development Pueblo and Picuris Pueblo. of an environmental and EJ strategic plan for the Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge. A major known problem for the refuge and Mountain View neighborhood is NMRC found that many challenges hinder how tribes are able to launch or expand stormwater impacts that have long plagued Albuquerque’s South Valley. The refuge their diversion programs. One challenge has been the transition of how federal funds will be used as part of a plan to manage stormwater under a new pilot watershed- are able to assist tribes in their solid waste management programs. Another is the based Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit and a new project of the rural nature of the state. Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority to install stormwater management facilities, which will include use of the refuge for end-point collection Approaches outlined in this project include providing on-site trainings, developing and treatment. and sharing resources for tribes to use for self-sustaining solid-waste funding mechanisms and conducting waste audits to better understand the tribal waste The funded project will include canvassing and outreach to community leaders to stream,” said Sarah Pierpont, NMRC interim executive director. research baseline community understanding of the refuge, identify community needs and issues, and to identify potential negative environmental and economic impacts The project will initially reach out to the targeted communities to introduce the of the development of the refuge and formulate recommendations to minimize or program and offer technical assistance. One to two waste audits will be conducted eliminate such impacts. to better understand the solid waste stream generated in these tribal communities.

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 37 What's Going On! Events / Announcements

Nov. 11, 7 pm an opportunity to use projection and their Ampersand Sustainable Learning An Evening with Paul Hawken imaginations to visualize and communicate Center, Cerrillos, NM Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward Pl. climate change solutions. 505.224.8341, Learn how to safely make use of your house- Internationally renowned author/sustain- www.explora.us hold water, which can be safely used for gar- able agriculture advocate Hawken will dis- dens and wildlife habitats. $35. 505.780.0535, Dec. 12, 6-10 pm Ampersandproject.org cuss Project Drawdown, solutions that can Peace Center Holiday Gala forge a path toward carbon decline in the Nov. 7, 10 am-12 pm atmosphere. $30. http://quiviracoalition.org First Unitarian Church corner of Carlisle & Comanche Citizens Climate Lobby ALBUQUERQUE Nov. 11-13 Reggae music by Native Roots and songs from La Montanita Co-op, 913 W. Alameda Nov. 4, 5:30-7 pm Quivira Conference the Raging Grannies. Posole, dancing, silent Monthly meeting. Focus your climate activ- Green Drinks Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward Pl. auction, information tables. 505.268.9557 ism and enact the politically palatable and effective solution. santafe@citizensclim otel ndaluz econd t “TheN ext Wave: Cultivating Abundance” H A , 125 S S . NW Daily atelobby.org Network with people interested in doing Hear from ranchers, farmers, scientists, ac- Our Land, Our Culture, Our Story business locally, clean ener- tivists and others. Speakers include Paul Nov. 7, 11 am-9 pm Hawken, Christine Jones and many more. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center gy alternatives and creating American Dreams/Border Realities sustainable opportunities in 505.820.2544, [email protected]. 2401 12th St. NW our communities. Presented Tickets: http://quiviracoalition.org/2015_ Historical overview of the Pueblo world and CCA, 1050 Old Pecos Trail the first Wednesday of each Quivira_Conference contemporary artwork and craftsmanship of Film series with prominent directors and each of the 19 pueblos; 866.855.7902, www. statewide premier of Kingdom of Shadows. month by the ABQ and Río Nov. 12, 7:30-9:30 am Rancho Green Chamber. info@nmgree indianpueblo.org Reception and conversation with filmmak- NM Energy Outlook Summit ers Gregory Nava, Bernardo Ruiz and Alex nchamber.com, www.greendrinks.org “ABQ 2030 District” Sandia Resort Rivera. $20 per film, $50 reception or $75 for Nov. 6 Submission Deadline; Energy insights for business leaders. Panelists A voluntary collaboration of commercial all 3 films plus the reception. 505.982.1338, Nov. 13 event from Center for Energy Policy, ConocoPhil- property tenants, building managers, prop- www.ccasantafe.org InnovateHer Challenge erty owners and developers; real estate, ips, PNM Resources, Positive Energy. Pre- Nov. 9, 14, 18 sented by ABQ Business First. 505.348.8326, energy, and building sector professionals, Matanza Craft Beer Kitchen [email protected] lenders, utility companies; and public stake- SF Waldorf School Visitor Days 3225 Central NE holders such as government agencies, non- uesta del ol New Mexico entrepreneurs with an idea or 26 P S Nov. 12, 6 pm profits, community groups and grassroots Parents and families of prospective students product to improve the lives of women and The Global Quest For Water: organizers. Property partners share anony- families can compete. Hosted by NM Com- are invited to visit. 11/9, 8 am-4:30 pm: par- Cultural Perspectives mous utility data and best practices. Profes- ents of students entering grades 9-12; 11/14, munity Capital and the Central NM Com- sional partners provide expertise and ser- ational ispanic ultural enter 10:30 am-12:30 pm: families of students munity College STEMulus Center. The top N H C C vices. Public partners support the initiative three finalists will show off their winning Wells Fargo Theater, 1701 4th St. SW Pre-K through 8th Grade; 11/18, 8 am-3 pm: as it overlaps with their own missions. Info: families with students entering 7th grade not products or services and win cash prizes on Talk by Rubén Arvizu on how climate [email protected] Nov. 13, 3:30-6 pm. The top winner will go on change is affectingH ispanics. 505.242.1445, currently at SFWS. 505.467.6427, jwerner@ santafewaldorf.org to compete for one of the 10 slots nationwide. www.516arts.org SANTA FE Nov. 7, 9-11 am Nov. 12-14 Nov. 11, 5:30-7 pm Nov. 3, 3-5 pm Green Drinks Backyard Farming Series NM Agritourism Conference Recycle Fun Monthly event (2nd Wednesday) held by the Gutiérrez-Hubbell House MCM Hotel Elegante, 2020 Menaul ldorado ibrary E L SF Green Chamber of Commerce. Speakers sleta lvd Hosted by the NMSU Small Farm and 6029 I B . SW Composting and art demonstrations, new have included business people, political can- Holistic Garden and Gardener forum and Ranch Task Force to provide ideas and op- recycling opportunities. Challenge your re- didates and innovative leaders committed to discussion for thinking about our connec- tions for agricultural producers. Registra- cycling I.Q. Sponsored by Eldorado 285 Re- a more sustainable world. glenn@nmgreen tions to nature and how gardens play a role tion: $150. 505.983.4615 or 505.852.2668, cycles. 805.341.3278 chamber.com in wildlife habitat and local environment. A aces.nmsu.edu/agritourism/ panel of speakers will present. http://sust. Nov. 4, 11:30 am-1 pm Nov. 12, 5:30-6:30 pm unm.edu/events/2015/11/byf.html Nov. 14, 9 am-5 pm Green Lunch Desert Composting Workshop Cañada Rincón Trail Meeting Nov. 7, 9 am-12:30 pm SFAHBA, 1409 Luisa St. Zocalo Community Room ABQ Garden Center, 10120 Lomas NE What is going on upstream where we get 40% ABQ Public Banking Symposium 5 classes: Composting basics, soil amending, 1301 Avenida Rincón of our water? Presentation by Eileen Everett, Meeting for the public to provide input First Unitarian Church compost tea, composting with worms, buck- education dir., SF Watershed Assn. $20/$15. on trail alignment and design. chorn@do- arlisle lvd et composting with Bokashi. $25. Registra- 3701 C B . NE Reservations: 505.982.1774. Presented by designoffice.com It’s our money: investing in public banking. tion required by Nov. 7. NMcomposters.org the SF Green Chamber of Commerce. Speakers: State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Nov. 14, 2 pm Nov. 13, 2-6 pm ABQ City Planning Director Vern Hagen, Nov. 5, 8:30 am IAIA Open House Sharon Henderson from Prosperity Works, Climate Change in Theatre Action Admissions Open House van u o oad Elaine Sullivan from Banking on NM, Public Trilock Performance Laboratory 83 A N P R Río Grande School Explore the Institute of American Indian Banking Institute board member Nichoe Li- 110 Gold Ave. SW Preschool-6th Grade. Riograndeschool.org/ Arts campus and programs. Meet students, chen, former chair of the So. Dakota Invest- Readings/performances intended to bring openhouse ment Council Curt Johnson, ABQ City Coun- awareness and discussion around climate faculty and staff. Live art demos, mini cam- cilor Diane Gibson and CLNkids executive change in support of the upcoming UN Con- Nov. 5, 10 am-2 pm pus tours, student readings, art sale, bronze dir. Angela Merkert. No charge. Registration ference on Climate Change in Paris (COP Veterans Resource & Career Fair pour and more. 505.424.2300, www.iaia.edu requested. 971.570.2922 or 505.603.8400 21). Free. 505.414.3728, www.trilock.com SFCC Jemez Rooms, 6401 Richards Ave. Nov. 13, 7-9 pm; Nov. 14, 9 am-5 pm Nov. 7, 8, 1 pm Nov. 21 505.428.1000, www.sfcc.edu/veterans First Legal Harvest: Bringing Hemp Back to NM No Impact Man Congreso de las Acequias Nov. 6, 10 am-1 pm The Guild Cinema National Hispanic Cultural Center Free Civil Legal Clinic SF Community College entral ve Carbon Economy Series lecture/workshop 3405 C A . NE Annual membership meeting. Co-hosted by st loor ury oom st udicial Film documentary about a man who drasti- 1 F J R , 1 J by Doug Fine. Talk: $10, Workshop: $99. the New Mexico Acequia Association and ourt ontezuma ve cally tried to curb his environmental impact. the South Valley Regional Association of C , 225 M A . 505.819.3828, www.carboneconomyseries. Attorneys will be available to provide free legal 505.255.1848, www.guildcinema.com Acequias. Registration fee. 505.995.9644, com advice on civil legal matter except family law. www.lasacequias.org/congreso Nov. 8 First come, first served. Bring relevant paper- Nov. 14, 11:30 am-2:30 pm The Story of Comanche Dec. 9, 4-8 pm work for the attorney to review. 1.877.266.9861. SF Teachers’ Visit to Turkey Sponsored by the First Judicial District Court Activist LaDonna Harris Agnes Chávez: emez oom ichards ve Access to Justice Committee. J R , SFCC, 6401 R A . 151 Edmund Rd., Bernalillo, NM Projecting Climate Change Following an authentic Turkish buffet, 3 SF teachers will speak about their experience. Pre- Presented by the Sandoval Historical Society. Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd. NW Nov. 7, 9 am-12 pm 505.867.5872, www.Sandovalhistory.org/ Hands-on youth workshop offering students sented by the Council on Intl. Relations. $18. Simple Graywater Systems Reserve by Nov. 10. 505.982.4931, sfcir.org

38 Green Fire Times • November 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Nov. 14, 5:30-6:30 pm Nov. 20, 5-7 pm Opening SF Community Foundation tions. A fall tradition presented by the Em- Healthy Travel Presentation IAIA Graduating Seniors Exhibition 501 Halona St. budo Valley Arts Association. The Travel Bug, 839 Paseo de Peralta Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery, A community discussion for nonprofits www.dixonarts.org with the SFCF. No charge. Registration: Dr. Robyn Benson, author of The Healthy Academic Bldg., 83 Avan Nu Po Rd. Nov. 12, 5:30-7 pm Conscious Traveler, will discuss how to stay 505.988.9715, www.santafecf.org Final projects of studio arts and mu- NM Solar Energy Association healthy on domestic or international trips. seum studies seniors. Through Dec. 8. 505.474.8555, RSVP: https://www.facebook. 505.424.2300, www.iaia.edu Dec. 10, 2-5 pm Chapter Meeting com/events/1096285657048505/ Inbound Marketing Little Toad Pub backroom SF Community Foundation 200 N. Bullard St., Silver City, NM Nov. 14, 7 pm Nov. 20-22 501 Halona St. 575.538.1337, [email protected] The Rumi Concert Recycle SF Art Festival The latest techniques to attract more donors, Nov. 13, 7 pm The Lensic SF Convention Center volunteers and others. A nonprofit techni- Planetarium Film “Open Secret,” A 201 W. Marcy St. cal assistance workshop with Allan Pres- multidimensional Green holiday gifts. Gallery-style exhibit, sel and the SFCF. No charge. Registration: Premiere/Presentation feast of poetry, mu- juried art exhibit, Friday night trash fash- 505.988.9715, www.santafecf.org Los Alamos Nature Center sic, dance and story ion and costume contest (separate cost). $5 Dec. 12, 4-7 pm Los Alamos, NM performed by Cole- General admission, free Sat. & Sun. Tickets: Kindred Spirits Local paleontologist Ralph Chapman will man Barks, Zuleikha 505.988.1234, www.recyclesantafe.org introduce different types of animals featured and Jai Uttal. Tick- Christmas Celebration in Sea Monsters, a new full-dome film. Af- ets: $30/$75/$100. Nov. 22, 6:30 pm Tree lighting, meditation and tour of ani- terward, watch fossil hunters in remote loca- 505.988.1234, Tick Healing Our World: mal sanctuary at 4:30 pm. Refreshments. tions. Suitable for ages 6 and up. $6/$4. www. etssantafe.org. Ben- A Deeper Look at Food 505.471.5366, [email protected], losalamosnature.org efits the Storydancer nity nity ay www.kindredspiritsnm.org Project (thestoryd- SF U , 1212 U W Nov. 13-15 Author Will Tuttle will talk about the food ancerproject.org) Sundays, 10 am-4 pm Statewide Startup Weekend we choose, where it comes from, and how it New Mexico Artisan Market Nov. 17, 10 am-2 pm affects us physically, culturally and spiritual- Albuquerque: Fat Pipe America Recycles Resource Fair ly. Learn how to make positive changes that Farmers’ Market Pavilion Farmington: Quality Center for minimize your eco-footprint. Meetup.com/ www.artmarketsantafe.com Business at San Juan College ain allway ichards ve SFCC M H , 6401 R A . Santa-Fe-Veg as ruces rrowhead enter Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am-1 pm L C : A C Local organizations, hands-on demonstra- anta e usiness ncubator tions, exhibits and workshops. 505.428.1000, S F : SF B I Nov. 24, 6-7:30 Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Collaborative and connected with a shared www.sfcc.edu Is Your Cell Phone 1607 Paseo de Peralta (& Guadalupe) opening speaker, two shared Saturday work- Nov. 18, 8 am-2 pm Making You Sick? Northern NM farmers & ranchers offer shops, a common closing speaker and a final Opportunity Santa Fe La Montañita Co-op Community fresh greenhouse tomatoes, greens, root veg- pitch competition between the four commu- oom lameda gies, cheese, teas, herbs, spices, honey, baked nities. Business people, engineers, creatives, onvention enter R , 913 W. A SF C C Learn about patented products that help goods, body care products and much more. coders and anyone interested in working on A community summit for collective impact. neutralize the effects of wi-fi technology www.santafefarmersmarket.com a team and building a startup from scratch Expanding opportunities for SF’s children may benefit. Registration: http://newmex and simple ways to decrease exposure. Free. Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45 pm and youth. Free. www.santafecf.org 505.780.8283 ico.startupweekend.org/ Design Lab for Sustainable Nov. 18, 7-9 pm Nov. 25, 12 pm Neighborhoods Nov. 19, 6-7:30 pm SFAI 140 NM Solar Energy Assn. “Taco Bell They Ain’t” Higher Education Center ampus t ichaels r Chapter Meeting SFUAD C , 1600 S . M D . NM History Museum 1950 Siringo Rd., Rm. 139 An evening of creativity and conversation ashington t entrance Bring your ideas, passion and perseverance Alamogordo Public Library, Oregon at the SF Art Institute featuring twenty W S . Short histories of TexMex, Mexican and and join in to design and build mixed-use Ave. at 10th St., Alamogordo, NM 140-second talks by some of the area’s most New Mexican cuisines. Presented by jour- Santa Fe infill.T o RSVP, google Meetup [email protected] innovative thinkers and practitioners. nalist Dale Rice. Free. 505.476.5200 Santa Fe and find the Design Lab. 505.424.5050, sfai.org Nov. 20, 1-4 pm Santa Fe Recycling Open House and Artist Show Nov. 18, 7 pm Dec. 3-4 Awakening in Taos Film Premiere Acting Out: A Symposium on Make 2015 the year to reduce, reuse and recycle Poeh Cultural Center and Museum, Indigenous Performing Art as much as you can. City residential curbside 78 Cities of Gold Rd., 15 miles north he ensic an rancisco t T L , 211 W. S F S . customers can recycle at no additional cost of anta e The Mabel Dodge LujEan Story. Locally pro- 12/4, 6-8 pm: The Lensic S F . and drop by 1142 Siler Road, Building A, to Winter art show featuring work of instruc- duced film. 5-6:30 pm: pre-screening party at Symposium, performances, workshops and pick up free recycling bins. At least 50 percent tors and students. Pueblo pottery, silver- Blue Rain Gallery (130 Lincoln Ave.) $25 screen- video screenings. Presented by the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, the of curbside residential customers recycle now. work, sculpture, etc. 505.455.5041 ing, $75 for party and premiere. 505.988.1234, Let’s take that number to 100 percent. For more AwakeninginTaos.com/premiere Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, and the Lensic. Symposium and workshops at the information, visit http://www.santafenm.gov/ Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-1 pm Nov. 19, 6 pm museums no charge. Lensic performance: trash_and_recycling or call 505.955.2200 (city); and Saturday 505.992.3010 (county); 505.424.1850 (SF Solid Heirloom Food & Story $25/$10. 505.428.5907, iaia.edu/museum/ Pajarito Environmental news-events/upcoming-events Waste Management Agency). Education Center Private Home Honoring Hunting & Gathering Cultures Dec. 4, 5:30-7:30 pm Sustainable Growth Manage- 3540 Orange St., Los Alamos, NM With Pueblo elder/storyteller/author Larry What Does It Take to Boost ment Plan for SF County Nature center and outdoor education pro- grams. Exhibits of flora and fauna of the Pa- Littlebird and guest storytellers. Farm and Hard copies $20, CDs $2. Contact Melissa Student Graduation? jarito Plateau; herbarium, live amphibians, field dinner. Info/tickets: heirloomstorydinner. Holmes, 505.995.2717 or msholmes@santafe igher ducation enter butterfly and xeric gardens.T uesday-Satur- brownpapertickets.com, www.hamaatsa.org SF H E C county.org. The SGMP is also available on iringo d day. Free. 505.662.0460, Programs@Pajarito 1950 S R . the county website: www.santafecounty.org/ EEC.org, www.pajaritoeec.org Nov. 19, 6:30-7:30 pm Community forum presented by the Inter- growth_management/sgmp and can be re- Bike Share in SF? faith Coalition for Public Education and the viewed at SF Public Libraries and the County SF Higher Education Center. www.tinyurl. Thursdays, 7 am–12:30 pm conik offee are ena t Administrative Building, 102 Grant Ave. I C C , 1600 L S . com/interfaithcoalition Los Alamos Farmers’ Market A panel and public discussion on an innova- ibrary parking lot tive way for communities to provide access Dec. 4, 6 pm L to diverse and underserved populations at HERE & THERE [email protected], lamainstreet. Somos un Pueblo Unido Nov. 7, 8:15 am com/farmers-market.htm Library parking a reasonable cost. 505.955.6664, ejaune@ Anniversary Gala santafenm.gov, www.santafempo.org Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Tour lot, Los Alamos, NM talacook@windstream. The Lensic North of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo net, lamainstreet.com/farmers-market.htm Nov. 20, 10 am Somos is a statewide community-based and Visit the largest petroglyph site in NM. Río Grande Return NM Acequia Commission Meeting immigrant-led organization that promotes Advance registration required. $30/$38. worker and racial justice. Keynote talk/dis- Gifts from the River Old Senate Chambers (Rm. 238), 505.662.0460, www.losalamosnature.org cussion by U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Locally produced salsas, jams, honey, choco- Bataan Memorial Bldg., Corner Herrera. $20/$25. 505.424.7832, www.somos Nov. 7-8, 9 am-5 pm lates, soaps, lotions, incense and more. Sup- Don Gaspar & South Capital unpueblounido.org Dixon Studio Tour ports local farmers, producers and the con- Agendas: 505.827.4983 or www.nmacequia servation of the Río Grande. 505.466.1767, commission.state.nm.us; Info: 505.603.2879 Dixon, NM Dec. 7, 4-6 pm toll free: 866.466.1767, www.riogrande or [email protected] The Shift to Social Nov. 6, 5-7 pm at the Community Center: meet the artists and see their work. Show return.com Entrepreneurship continues through the weekend at 29 loca- www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • November 2015 39 © Cisco Whitson B rown

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