Peaceful Skies and Hospitable Evenings

Have You Seen This Man?

According to an El Prado Water Meter reader, the Chicano Chamber of Commerce has filed a Missing Person’s Report. “Taos School Board member Arsenio Cordova is MIA,” said Flavio. “I checked his meter and water usage is way below average. He was expected to give the keynote address for Los Ancianos at Shadows on Saturday night but didn’t show. Frances wasn’t there either but since he’s been in touch with his vecinos.”

Asked about the tax and spend Republican, Chicano Chamber presidente, Juma Ali, said, “No se. I don’t know nuthin. Sanchez is out of town, too, but he notified us and got a highway pass. It’s very quiet at the barber shop—except for the Denish-Colon supporters.”

Flavio says Francis Cordova, a National Guard veteran from El Prado, who is part of the “Taos Feeds Taos” contingent, started the KCEC “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program for low-income members. “He was one of Los Nueves (9) who voted to boost electric rates,” said Flavio. “Francis is a Keynesian and neo-classical populist. He believes in redistributing the wealth,” cracked the meter reader. “I’m not sure if he believes—like Republicans—in taking money from the poor to give to the rich or stealing from the rich and giving to the poor like Robin Hood.” If you can’t pay your electric bill, call Francis. If you see Arsenio, call Juma Ali.

Occasionally, even in Taos, home to contentious relationships, a common foe—“Invasion of the Ospreys”—unifies politicians and their constituents. With the exception of a few militarists, our county, town, and Taos Pueblo leaders, as well as their supporters, have gathered under the banner of protecting the peaceful skies from the destructive war machine. Just as the tranquil landscape and serene natural attractions of northern New Mexico represent the eternal beliefs of natives and newcomers—many of whom served as veterans—so we must remember that all human beings need a peaceful place to assuage their exhausted spirits.

The seasons always catch me by surprise. Despite taking my constitutional each day—in the mountains or along west rim of the Rio Grande—yesterday I suddenly recognized that the leaves had changed from green to gold. The temperature dropped and I noticed how the wood piles had grown. And I thought about the hospitality that came in heat waves from a warm hearth on Saturday night, Oct. 2, at Shadows in downtown Taos.

Sure, Shadows is best known as a sports bar, where congenial fans from far and wide gather to cheer the home teams: the Lobos, the Cowboys and Broncos, the Vikings, Saints, Raiders, even the 49ers. For among our many subcultures, the fans are as various as the multiethnic make-up of the citizenry. On Sunday, this San Francisco native heard how the baseball Giants clinched a play-off spot by winning the National League West. Then my thoughts drifted back to the Saturday night special—Mezcal’s benefit for Los Ancianos Special Olympics–at Shadows.

For me it was déjà vu all over again, as Yogy Berra might have said. Mezcal’s music making bros—Ernie, Nite, Rex, and Archie—play a mix of Norteno, country, and your favorite rock’n roll tunes. But these brothers four sing and play with a kind of intimacy that touches the heart and spirit. Everybody dances: septuagenarians, octogenarians, young people in their twenties, thirties, forties. Even, I, the curmudgeon danced four times, thanks to my attractive partners. I said to the Disappeared Barber, whose arm was clasped by a fabulous blond, “It’s like my days in the 70s at Old Martinez Hall without the tension.” Mostly, folks drink way less today and behave in a civil manner.

Shadow’s night manager, Pedro, reassured Deb, who helped her and Medalia and her Anciano cohorts organize the benefit, “We’re pros.” The security man helped Martha, the doorkeeper, collect the bounty from dinner guests: No ID, no ten bucks, no admittance. Pedro moved the tables and expanded the dance floor. The crowd came in waves, the place filled up. Thanks to Mezcal and a raffle, the Ancianos raised over a thousand dollars for their next trip to the Olympic trials.

Even as Shadows’ host and hostess Marty and Jolene joined in and their sons, Michael and Joseph served the guests, town councilor Rudy Abeyta and Mayor Darren Cordova and wife, Brenda, arrived—inspired by la musica to dance. When Ernie announced the results of the raffle, Darren himself came up the lucky ticket winner of Deb’s donated giclee—“Ravens in Moonlight.” Between sets, line dancers and Macarena fans displayed their chops in time to the recorded music.

Even the simplest task or fund raiser in Taos can be complex, due to the political-cultural forces. But as Deb said, on Saturday night, thanks to Mezcal, Brandon, Pedro, Marty and Jolene, the crew at Shadows, and her long lived seniors, the event came off as close to perfection as you can get. We said hello to folks we hadn’t seen in years. And the Barber disappeared with a blond. Talk about Déjà vu all over again.

By the way, we urge the county to approve La Martina’s request for a wine and beer license at Old Martinez Hall on Tuesday. Hey, the trouble-makers are too old to make trouble anymore and the newer generation  appears to behave in a civil way. You can’t generalize on the basis of a single evening but you can temporarily cure the angst and treasure the memory of how a good time was had by all.