Taos Blips and Blurts

Editor’s Note

The Chicano Chamber, closed for summer repairs, has asked me not to report on any more negatives. The downturn in the national economy affecting retail sales and tourism has been intensified by local lay-offs in Taos. If you throw in the local land grab and look up at a sky muddied by smoke, you might think Taosenos have had enough of pummeling by their own politicos, not to mention outside forces: weather, karma, crooks on Wall St. Even the Chamber of Commerce has moved away from downtown Taos.

So it’s probably better not to ask about the violations of the corrupt practices act in Questa, where voters may wonder why the village and Chevron Mining share the same native son, reportedly, as an attorney at the rate of  $16,000 per month but guess who reimburses the village for all that legal protection?  The county has voted to stick its head in the muck rather than confront the historic polluter of the Red and the Rio and the El Norte Water Supply. And let’s keep La Martina away from the Mutual Domestic Water Supply in Ranchos de Taos? Eh?

The KCEC Coop members don’t want to hear anymore about their CEO traveling–North To Alaska—despite emergency fires and neglected maintenance on the home front. Thank goodness the local weekly reporters are not focused on the TMS swindlers, who fixed the numbers, and got caught with their hands in the cookie jar–just like the “traveling trustees.”  TMS could have fixed the budget if they read the Baston report or any one of several audits during the last year…if they read reports, visited classrooms, and played the slots less…if they read…

Cultural Diversions

The Rwanda Soccer team entertained fans with a spirited game against an Albuquerque Club on Sunday afternoon at the new ECO Park/ FIFA-rated field. The 17-year olds were the Taos Home Team for the event. Call them well-coached, speedy, nimble, and sure winners, scoring three goals to none while I was there until late in the second period. (The Constant Gardener bought Bratwurst Dogs for friends and family.) Despite a hint of smoke and a bit of breeze, a good time was had by the spectators.

The Town of Taos (with help from TMS, which furnished the land) followed through on promises and built a first class facility. Unlike other new athletic facilities, the town has learned the lesson after stiffing tourists on the Plaza for 30 years and included restrooms for both sexes at the new soccer pavilion. (TMS might study the town to learn about running water and indoor plumbing for new athletic facilities.)

In Orlando, Florida, according to news reports, Taoseno Keith McHenry, has been arrested, again, and banned, again, from feeding the homeless in that city. Henry, the co-founder of the international aid group—Food Not Bombs–in 1980, has frequently been incarcerated for helping to feed the starving. The food is donated by restaurants and grocery stores or purchased. Volunteers help. Why the Christians in Florida reject a modern miracle of the “loaves and the fishes” is not easily understood.

A reader reminds activists about the LANL meeting on Wednesday June 8, 6 pm at the Don Fernando Inn where pro-war and anti-war demonstrators can debate the plutonium pit/nuclear bomb issues. Build the bombs on the taxpayers’ dime but heaven forbid private philanthropists should feed the hungry.

For $25.00 at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2011, you can joint the Taos Historic Museums’ Breakfast at the Taos Inn to honor Mike Vargas and Edward Coca.

Mike is being honored with the Blumenschein Award for his contribution to art in the community, and is well known for his own fine work. Edward Coca, the recipient of the Martinez Hacienda Award, is the Vice President of the Taos Fiesta Council and former President of the organization.  Phone for tickets at 758-4020

“Spiritual Connections: Georgia O’Keeffe and D. H. Lawrence” in Taos will be the title of a free lecture Saturday, June 11, 10:30 a.m. TCA. It will be followed by free tour of the D. H. Lawrence Ranch near San Cristobal. It’s a free presentation and will be given freely by Dr. Katherine Toy Miller .

Taylor Streit reminds us of The Red River Symposium, a three day event (June 9-11) in Red River NM, focusing on restoring a world class fishery, kicks off with the Trout Unlimited banquet featuring famous fly fishing writer John Nichols on Friday evening. Get in touch with r3group.org or call 575-779-5920.

By the way Bill Whaley will be teaching Nichols’ famous “Milagro Beanfield War” trilogy this summer, beginning July 5 at UNM Bachelor and Graduate Division in Taos. Whaley notes that “These books have been banned by all right-thinking politicos in Taos.” But, as Whaley goes on to say, ” Nichols captures the unique bitteersweet flavor of the community.” If you’re taking the course, read “The Milagro Beanfield War” first. “It’s way better than the movie,” said the instructor,  who asked the age-old question:  “Where’s Joe Mondragon when we need him?”