La Montañita Co-op Connection News, May 2017 by La Montanita Coop

A NEW GROWING SEASON

DOUBLE UP

FOOD BUCKS

SNAP/EBT

EAT HEALTHY

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DOUBLE UP ON HEALTHY EATING BY SARAH LUCERO, NM FARMERS' MARKETING ASSOCIATION new growing season means it’s time for the Double Up Food Bucks program to again start ramping up at La Montañita locations across the state! Double Up Food Bucks is a nutrition incentive program funded by the USDA and implemented by the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association at farmers’ markets and select grocery stores like La Montañita in New Mexico.

At La Montañita, customers who shop with their EBT card using their SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps) can receive a one-to-one match on New Mexico grown produce. That’s half off at the register! Look for the Double Up logo on orange price tags in all the Co-op's produce cases to find eligible New Mexico-grown items.

MAKE IT

HAPPEN!

ANNUAL

EARTHFEST

THANKS

Our deepest thanks to you, our wonderful Co-op community, for coming out year after year and helping to grow the Co-op EarthFest! We are lucky to be a part of this very special New Mexican community. It is inspiring to see the farming community growing by leaps and bounds and all the interest in environmental, social, and economic justice action. Special thanks to all our artists, our volunteers who help throughout the organizing process, during set up and clean up and all through the day. Hats off to our wonderful staff for all they do at EarthFest and every day to make the Co-op the amazing place that it is—you are terrific! Our most sincere thanks for making our 27th Annual EarthFest the amazing day it was. -WITH LOVE, ROBIN SEYDEL

UPDATE:

FOODS THAT QUALIFY: • Unprocessed New Mexico-grown fruits and vegetables! • Plants that produce food (i.e. vegetable starts) • Dried red chile pods, loose (not on a ristra) • Pinto beans, black eyed peas, fava beans • NOTE: All NM-grown cut herbs and herb plants are eligible FOODS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY: • Fruits and vegetables sourced from outside of New Mexico • Non-produce items such as eggs, meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, honey, or maple syrup

• Processed or dried food products like jam, fermented products, dried produce, dried herbs, bread or cider The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association and La Montañita Co-op are looking forward to a fabulous Double Up season at the Co-op!

KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY

YOU

27TH

Save money while supporting local farmers and get healthier food options!

SCHOOL: I

POSITIVELY IMPACTING CHILDREN

BY MONIQUE SALHAB t is rare when we have the opportunity to gift a public school a sum of money which has an immediate effect on children, especially when it comes to their ability to have fresh and healthy food. Thankfully in March, we were able to do just such a thing! Kirtland Air Force Base Elementary (KAFB Elementary) once served a majority of KAFB service member’s children and is now a Title I school serving underprivileged and underserved children. Kirtland Elementary is also near the newly renamed Marshall Kovitz Memorial Bridge, named in honor of Marshall Kovitz—a La Montañita founding member and long-term board member who passed in March 2016. He lived just north of Gibson near the school for over 20 years. Many children use this pedestrian bridge to get to school at Kirtland. We learned of these student needs a few months ago when a few of us from the Veteran Farmer Project (VFP) met with KAFB Elementary Community School Coordinator, Maria Marquez. Ms. Marquez explained she and a few other school staff have attempted to create and maintain a garden for the children to have access to fresh vegetables. As we walked the school grounds, she showed us two areas where she maintains hope that one day vegetables will be planted and grow, to which the children will have access. Ms. Marquez noted growing the food has not been a problem—rather, the inability to have an appointed person to oversee the garden throughout the school year has been an issue. As with many schools, KAFB Elementary teachers and staff wear many hats and money is

GREENHOUSE WORK CONTINUES

GREAT GROWING SEASON AHEAD!

While we are saying our thanks, a big thanks goes out to Sagebrush Church for sending 6 volunteers on April 8th to help us raise the frame of the greenhouse. Thanks to Jax Pittman for helping to make the connection between Sagebrush Church and the Veteran Farmer Project. Other

Ms. Marquez and the school staff not only have enough money for the remaining school year but also for the beginning of the KAFB Elementary summer program. We wish to thank Zoe’s Meats for their generosity and awareness of the importance of children having access to fresh, healthy food; and Ms. Marquez for sharing the story of KAFB Elementary and striving to provide the best for all the children who attend the school.

incredibly dedicated volunteers include Chris Chavez, Dennis Martinez and Doug Spence as well as others. WARM WEATHER PLANS Over the summer we will continue to finish putting together all the necessary touches on the greenhouse to prepare it for next Fall and Winter production. We plan to wait to put the "skin" on the frame until after the bulk of the summer heat is done, growing summer crops in the 25' x 36' space and prepping beds, growing cover crops and feeding the soil in other ways. We are excited to have a great starter pile of manure compost thanks to the cows that the Tafoya family has long raised. These fully grass-fed cows and their manure provide the perfect starter for our compost project. We look forward to providing a fine selection of veggies for the Co-op produce departments this summer as well as selling our produce at a farmers market or two. WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Monique at: monique.salhab@lamontanita.coop or Rhonda at: vfpABQ@yahoo.com, or Robin at: robins@lamontanita.coop or call 217-2027.

GET I N V O LV E D

BY ROBIN SEYDEL t's been a busy spring. Our hens are laying like crazy and work continues at both our Corrales location and our North 4th location. All winter long we have been making slow but steady progress on rebuilding our donated greenhouse. I know we have thanked Thomas Cameron of Rancho Durazno before, but given the possibilities the greenhouse opens for us, our gratitude bears repeating. Additionally, the fine gentlemen of the Tafoya family, father Ross and son Matt, have been invaluable. Not only have they provided a home for the greenhouse and our Veteran Farmer Project but they have shared their extensive construction and engineering expertise, helping us square our base and ensuring our post holes were appropriately spaced, dug and cemented in to provide a stable and strong foundation. Their kindness and generosity cannot be overstated.

Enter Zoe’s Meats. Zoe’s Meats is an artisan food company based out of Santa Rosa, CA. George Davros—one of the founders of Zoe’s—gifted La Montañita a charitable donation to specifically be used for a food program geared toward school children. The Co-op Distribution Center (CDC) reached out to the Membership-Community Outreach Department to ask our thoughts about the funds. We immediately thought of the Kirtland kids.

I N V O LV E D

PROJECT

As we returned to Ms. Marquez’ office, she described the elementary school’s “Backpack Program." Funds for the program ended long ago but she and the teachers of the school chose to continue it. Each week, ten of the neediest students are given backpacks filled with healthy food to tide them through the weekend. Since a majority of the students are “at risk” and “in need,” it is an unenviable task to choose which children are deemed the neediest. As each week comes and goes, she and the staff find resourceful ways to find the funds to purchase food for these children. The MembershipCommunity Outreach Department and individual Co-op Support Office staff stepped in and donated an initial couple hundred dollars to help buy food for the backpacks.

GET

VETERAN FARMER

sparse. Another concern is water. KAFB Elementary has limited access to water needed to grow and maintain a garden throughout the year for the children.

SPRING DOINGS

May 2017 2

HAVE FARMING AND GARDENING

La Montañita Cooperative A Community-Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store

QUESTIONS?

Nob Hill 7am – 10pm M – Su 3500 Central SE, ABQ, NM 87106 505-265-4631

YOUR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HAS

ANSWERS

Rio Grande 7am – 10pm M – Su 2400 Rio Grande NW, ABQ, NM 87104 505-242-8800 Gallup 8am – 8pm M – Su 105 E Coal, Gallup, NM 87301 505-863-5383

The Sandoval County Master Gardeners sponsor free monthly workshops every first Wednesday on wide ranging topics including worm composting, creating resilient garden systems, and on June 14, Judith Phillips will speak on “Climate Extremes and Ways to Buffer It.”

Santa Fe 7am – 10pm M – Su 913 West Alameda, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-984-2852 Westside 7am – 10pm M – Su 3601 Old Airport Ave, ABQ, NM 87114 505-503-2550 GRABnGO 8am – 6pm M – F, 11am – 3pm Sa UNM Bookstore, 2301 Central SW, ABQ, NM 87131 505-277-9586 Cooperative Distribution Center 9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107 505-217-2010 Support Office 9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107 505-217-2001 Support Staff: 217-2001 TOLL FREE: 877-775-2667 (COOP) • Co-op Retail Officer/William Prokopiak 984-2852 willpro@lamontanita.coop • Controller/John Heckes 217-2029 johnh@lamontanita.coop • Co-op Operations and Support Officer and Computers/Info Technology/Rob Dixon 217-2011 rob.dixon@lamontanita.coop • Human Resources/Sharret Rose 217-2023 hr@lamontanita.coop • Interim Marketing Director/Lea Quale 217-2024 leaquale@lamontanita.coop • Membership/Robin Seydel 217-2027 robins@lamontanita.coop • CDC/MichelleFranklin 217-2010 mf@lamontanita.coop Store Team Leaders: • Mark Lane/Nob Hill 265-4631 markl@lamontanita.coop • James Esqueda/Westside 505-503-2550 jamese@lamontanita.coop • Lynn Frost/Interim Santa Fe 984-2852 lynnf@lamontanita.coop • Leaf Ashley/Gallup 575-863-5383 leaf.ashley@lamontanita.coop • Joe Phy/Rio Grande 505-242-8800 josephp@lamontanita.coop Co-op Board of Directors: email: TalkWithTheBoard@lamontanita.coop • Elise Wheeler, President • Chad Jones, Vice President • Allena Satpathi, Secretary • James Glover, Treasurer • Jerry Anaya, Director • Gina Dennis, Director • James Esqueda, Director • Greg Gould, Director • Marissa Joe, Director Membership Costs: $15 for 1 year/ $200 Lifetime Membership + tax Co-op Connection Staff: • Managing Editor: Robin Seydel robins@lamontanita.coop 217-2027 • Layout and Design: foxyrock inc • Cover/Centerfold: Co-op Marketing Dept. • Advertising: JR Riegel, 217-2016 • Editorial Assistants: JR Riegel/j.riegel@lamontanita.coop Monique Salhab/monique.salhab@lamontanita.coop • Printing: Santa Fe New Mexican Membership information is available at all six Co-op locations, or call 217-2027 or 877-775-2667 email: robins@lamontanita.coop website: www.lamontanita.coop

BY JENNIFER CORNISH Q: I have hornworms on my tomato plants, but I can’t always find them! What do I do? A: Buy a UV flashlight in the camping section of your local store and head outside at night—the hornworms will glow under the UV light as they are munching away. Pluck them off and either toss them into soapy water to kill them, or if you have some hungry robins around you might consider putting them into your bird feeder. Q: My apple tree is looking pretty punky. What could be wrong with it? A: In our part of the world, the most common problem with trees is insufficient watering, especially in the winter. Even during the coldest part of the winter you should deep water your trees at least once a month. When the days are warmer than usual, like our recent weather, the sap will run and the tree will need watering.

he County Extension office is an excellent, free resource for local gardeners and farmers. Funded in part by the US Department of Agriculture, there are Extension offices in all 50 states. For our local growers and gardeners, we have access to the expertise of Extension Agents from both Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties through workshops, certification programs, web publications and resources, and their gardener hotlines. Both extension offices offer Master Gardener programs each year for county residents to develop expertise in gardening skills: everything from techniques for pruning fruit trees to pest control and regionally adapted plant selection. The Master Gardener graduates give back by answering questions from the public for free through a phone hotline, in person at farmer’s markets, or via email.

RESOLVE TO SUPPORT

BY ANITA AMSTUZ n amazing thing happened last August 2016. "Burque Bee City," a resolution to support and protect bees and all pollinators, passed unanimously at the Albuquerque City Council. Co-sponsored by Councilors Brad Winter and Isaac Benton, they said that the one thing that made this possible was the bi-partisan support that was laid. It took a year to build this foundation, working across all party lines. It was a meticulous effort. Somedays it was just plain messy. Kudos to all the New Mexico beekeepers and many volunteers who reached across the aisle to contact every single city councilor, policy analyst and multiple officials at City Hall.

CO-OP

YOU OWN IT

If you are new to farming and want to explore how to use best practices for the region, you can contact the Bernalillo County office and inquire about their ‘Grow the Growers’ farm training-business incubator program which runs each winter. The BernCo Extension Office has been a good friend to the Veteran Farmer Project over the years, giving us great FREE advice as well as providing a home for our Winter Class series for the past 4 years. Thanks especially to Cindy Davies and John Garlisch for their ongoing support. We hope we have convinced you that our County Extension agents are here to help us develop good, sustainable practices as composters, gardeners, water users, food producers, and stewards of the land—even if it is just a little patch. To access Extension services and publications, go to your County Extension website or call the Sandoval Extension office at 505-867-2582, or the Bernalillo office at 505-243-1386. Call the Master Gardeners in Bernalillo at 292-7144 or 243-1386 between March and October to speak to a Master Gardener in person. The Sandoval County Master Gardener phone number is 505-867-2582, or SCMGHotline@gmail.com.

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP As you know, it takes a village to raise a child. Burque Bee City is still an infant and will need pollinator protectors in every neighborhood, co-op, city hall, household, school and congregation to make it a reality. Here’s a few things you can do to make this happen: • Become a pollinator friendly Neighborhood! Call Dalaina Carmona at 924-3914 to find out your city neighborhood district and president. In our city you have the power to create pesticide-free pollinator habitat zones in

your neighborhood. You can call CABQ #311 and request a spray free zone around your house. Here’s what the Burque Bee City resolution says: Whereas, communities have the opportunity to support bees and other pollinators on both public and private land through pesticide free zones; working in collaboration with city officials to manage and increase healthy native habitat for pollinators—including, but not limited to roadsides, medians, open spaces and parks. • Start a pollinator garden in your neighborhood. We can post it on our new website at www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/bee-city-usa. We want to collect your stories and toot your horn! • Come out to the first citywide celebration of Burque Bee City. It will be held in conjunction with the City of Albuquerque at Open Space, 6500 Coors Blvd. NW on June 18 from 9am–2pm. Enjoy pollinator-friendly activities, to benefit moths, bees, butterflies, bats and birds, games and activities for children, music for the family and cutting the ribbon for Burque Bee City.

HONE YOUR SKILLS

In addition, the Bernalillo County office offers a Master Composter program which educates participants in the art and science of home composting. Graduates then offer free education workshops as a way to spreading the practice of composting to community members so we can all benefit from the diversion of organic materials from the landfill and enriching our gardens with those composted materials.

THE BEES of Burque

MASTER COMPOSTERS

Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated. Email the Managing Editor, robins@lamontanita.coop

In Bernalillo County the Master Gardeners have published the 4th edition of their book DOWN TO EARTH: A Gardener’s Guide to the Albuquerque Area, which features a month by month calendar for garden maintenance and troubleshooting, along with lots of other tips for gardening here. You can buy the book at most La Montañita locations.

WORKSHOP

BERNALILLO COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER COMPOSTERS: HONE YOUR SKILLS WORKSHOP

ernalillo Master Composters is offering a workshop for beginner and intermediate composters. If you have taken one of their basic classes and

wish to learn more, register now for the hands-on sixhour workshop to be held May 7. Cost is $25 and lunch is provided! See Intermediate Hands-On Composting Workshop at: WWW.NMCOMPOSTERS.ORG Beginners and experienced composters may attend any of our free classes as often as they like. See classes and other activities at www.nmcomposters.org. Check the site often, as they are constantly adding new classes. Bernalillo County Extension Office is located at 1510 Menaul Blvd NW, in Albuquerque.

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL

May 2017 3

WHAT MOTHER’S DAY AND

MEMORIAL DAY

HAVE IN COMMON

BY MONIQUE SALHAB o some, May is the unofficial kick off to summer. Schools generally end in late May, families plan what activities will fill their summer nights and the smell of food from BBQ grills begins to permeate the air. What we have forgotten is that two of the biggest holidays in the month of May—Mother’s Day and Memorial Day—have their roots in war.

Mother’s Day unofficially grew due to a “West Virginia woman organizer”(1) named Ann Reeves Jarvis who held Mother’s Day work clubs to improve sanitary conditions and try to lower infant mortality by fighting disease and curbing milk contamination.”(2) These work clubs also tended to the wounded soldiers from both the Confederate and Union armies during the Civil War. Some historians have written Anna Jarvis—daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis—was spurred to create Mother’s Day to honor her mother and her life. Another woman who was integral to the formation of this holiday was Julia Ward Howe, the same woman who wrote The Battle Hymn Republic. Ms. Howe also witnessed the death and suffering of Civil War soldiers and as a result in 1870, she wrote a Mother’s Day Proclamation urging “women to take an active political role in promoting peace.”(3) The proclamation reads: ”Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, Whether our baptism be of water or of tears! Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies, Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. “From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: ‘Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.’ Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession. As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day

We have forgotten that two of the

BIGGEST HOLIDAYS in the month of May

HAVE THEIR ROOTS in

WAR

of counsel. Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. “Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means Whereby the great human family can live in peace, Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, But of God.

RIO GRANDE

2400 Rio Grande. Blvd. NW 505-242-8800

“In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask That a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient And at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, The amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.” (4)

GRABnGO

UNM Bookstore 505-277-9586

Julia Ward Howe held the first Mother’s Day (also known as Mother’s Peace Day) in New York City in 1872, as an antiwar observance. She wished it to be a day of remembrance for women who had lost husbands and sons in war. In the years following the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis helped to organize Mother’s Friendship Day throughout the state of West Virginia in an attempt to help heal the wounds of war suffered on both Union and Confederate sides. It wasn’t until 1914, after her mother’s death and many years of campaigning by Anna Jarvis when President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day an official holiday. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DONATE-A-DIME BAG CREDIT ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTH

LA LECHE LEAGUE OF NEW MEXICO

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way for parents to bond with their babies and provide comfort and closeness as well as their milk. Families benefit from breastfeeding too; it lowers stress and saves time and money, while the hormones of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact encourage feelings of relaxation and love. Breastfeeding helps to protect both babies and mothers against illness and allergens. Mothers who have breastfed their babies have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Breastfeeding lowers an infants risk for obesity, respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes, asthma, ear infections, diarrhea, and SIDS. All major health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding for at least 1–2 years. ABOUT LA LECHE LEAGUE (LLL) LLL is an international nonprofit organization with representation in 77 countries. In New Mexico, over 85% of families begin breastfeeding their infants but many aren’t able to reach their own infant feeding goals. Our mission is to help families to breastfeed through

WESTSIDE

To find a Leader or information about LLL meetings, visit www.lllnm.org.

3601 Old Airport Ave. NW 505-503-2550

Telephone help is available 7 days a week from 9am–7pm, call 505-821-2511. Online support is available through Facebook at: Facebook.com/groups/AlbuquerqueLLL, Facebook.com/groups/1452590005001195 (Santa Fe), Facebook.com/LLLroswellnm, Facebook.com/groups/LLLFarmington; or from the LLLI website at www.llli.org.

Alamed a Blvd.

LA MONTAÑITA CO-OP

PROGRAM

DONATE-A-DIME THIS MONTH YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE GIVEN TO La Leche League of New Mexico: Supporting Mothers in providing a healthy start for their children by breastfeeding. In March your Bag Credit Donations of $2,646.21 were given to New Mexico Global Women’s Pathways. Thanks to all who donated their dimes!

Coors Blvd.

BY ALANA MCCARRAHER hy do New Mexico parents breastfeed their babies? The benefits are many. Human milk is the natural food for babies, uniquely meeting their changing needs. Breastfeeding is convenient, portable, provides all the nutrients babies need for about the first six months, and continues to be an important source of nutrition and other health benefits for as long as a baby nurses.

GETTING BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT LLL Leaders are experienced breastfeeding parents who have been accredited by LLL International to provide peer support. Leaders are available by telephone, email, or through social media to help families with their breastfeeding questions and concerns; holding meetings and providing materials.

COOP

mothers and babies

Old A irpor t Ave .

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTfor

mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. LLL Leaders are volunteers and provide their services free of charge.

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

CO-OP NEWS

May 2017 4

LEAF AND FRIENDS: THAT SUPPORT

CO-OPS

BY BEN SELDEN (BSELDEN@LEAFFUND.ORG) o-ops are local by nature and need community support to start and grow. But to bring the cooperative economy to scale, co-ops also need a national network of financing organizations built around their unique structure and specific needs. This month we profile some of the organizations that, along with LEAF, have a mission to help co-ops grow, succeed, and thrive. In most surveys of small businesses, attracting capital is the primary concern and the main hurdle for any emerging or start-up small business, and the same is true for cooperatives. You can get involved in supporting co-ops nationwide through many different organizations, each with slightly different methods, missions, and scopes of activity.

National Cooperative Bank (NCB): A longtime friend and partner of LEAF, NCB is a cooperative financial institution “with a mission to serve those that want to make a positive impact in their community.” While a values-oriented bank might seem like an oxymoron to some readers, NCB truly puts its money where its mouth is because it is not owned by outside shareholders seeking only profit—but by its members! As a regulated bank, NCB receives capital from deposits and other low-risk sources, and makes larger, lower-risk loans. Some focus areas include small business and nonprofit lending, health care, energy, food, and housing. NCB recently awarded LEAF a grant for a case study on different innovative financing tools for cooperatives, including direct public offerings and royalty financing—both topics covered in earlier articles in this column. A vice president of NCB also recently joined LEAF’s Board of Directors at the start of the year.

SAFE AND PROTECTIVE :

SKIN SUN

SENSE

FAVORITES FROM OUR WELLNESS DEPARTMENTS t's the season of gardening, picnics, hiking, camping, water rafting and all the other joys of the outdoors. For safe fun in the sun the Co-op has you covered. Here are some suggestions from our knowledgeable Wellness Department staff to keep your skin healthy.

FROM SANTA FE'S MIKE HILDEBRAND: 1. SKIN THERAPY BY LA PUEBLA ELEMENTALS is described as a face and body moisturizer and skin regenerator. La Puebla is a local company located just outside of Santa Fe. Their Skin Therapy contains only zinc oxide as the "sunscreen." It has a kitchen sink of other plant extracts and oils that are protective and regenerative, and some have natural sunscreen potential (usually <5 SPF), including sacred elder oil, calendula, helichrysum, sea buckthorn, aloe vera, etc. It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Tom Rohrkaste, the La Puebla Elementals herbalist and company owner has rated this product at an SPF 15, but it is likely higher, though he notes that he has not sent it off for official testing. We sell more of this than any other sunscreen. 2. MYCHELLE is offering some new SUN SHIELD LIQUID TINTS. These tints come in natural, tan and nude. They have a SPF 50 rating! And it's with zinc oxide only! Mychelle is a high quality dermaceutical line.

M A I N TA I N I N G

THE ORGANIZATIONS

Shared Capital Cooperative: Shared Capital, formerly the Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund, is a CDFI based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to lending co-ops across the country, Shared Capital is a co-op itself comprised of its borrowers and investors! The organization was originally formed by a group of food cooperatives that experienced difficulties accessing bank loans. Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE): CFNE is a regionally-based CDFI; as its name suggests, they lend to the cooperative community in New England and upstate New York. LEAF has partnered with them on several projects in the region, and may do so again in the near future on a worker co-op right here in Boston! The Working World (TWW): TWW started in Argentina supporting farmer co-ops, and has expanded its work to supporting workers in Nicaragua and the Bronx. They have an innovative method of financing worker co-ops—they make equity-based investments and sit on the co-op’s board. This type of relationship between a CDFI and a co-op is very different from the borrower-lender relationship that lenders like LEAF, CFNE, NCB, and Shared Capital use. Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF): LEAF is a CDFI with a national portfolio of cooperatives. Our three lending areas of focus within the co-op world are food coops, worker co-ops, and housing co-ops. We also make loans to related nonprofits and other social enterprises and have recently expanded our business services to “our own backyard” in Boston, Massachusetts.

IN A TIME OF ADAPTION

AND TRANSITION

FROM NOB HILL'S VALERIE SMITH: I always prefer zinc oxide as the only sunscreen ingredient because it is safe under all circumstances, even eaten. Titanium is ok, but not safe for children to ingest. The zinc oxide also provides better sun protection because it reflects and does not break down. Chemical sunscreens absorb, and therefore break down and need to be frequently reapplied. Environmental Working Group researchers do not give their highest safety endorsement to sunscreens using any main ingredient other than zinc. I still prefer BADGER ORGANICS for their certified organic ingredients, especially for yard work or hiking where the whiteness of the zinc is not an issue. I am looking forward to trying their new tinted options this year. I also use MYCHELLE'S unscented SPF 28 sunscreen for its lesser whiteness all over, and their new tinted face sunscreens, SPF 50, for other occasions because the small particles of zinc (micro, not nano) blend better with skin and have a lighter feel. Best for work or special, dress-up occasions.

BY ROB DIXON, CO-OP OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT OFFICER wanted to take this opportunity to further share a bit more about what I hope to accomplish as the interim Cooperative Operations and Support Officer (COSO). Co-ops have been a part of my life for over ten years, and I am a member of the La Montañita Co-op. I took this interim position because I have seen how major changes in leadership can affect the staff and an organization as a whole both at La Montañita and most of my previous jobs. I hope to help minimize the uncertainty for the staff and the Co-op as a whole and make the transition to our new way of doing business as smooth as possible.

A key to a smooth transition is to remember and learn from our past while adapting to who we are now. Our mission has not changed. I believe in our mission of supporting clean food and building local sustainable food systems. Part of what makes La Montañita so special is the relationship between the staff and the compassionate people who support the Co-op mis-

sion. We strive to create a community where our members are more than just customers, anonymous shoppers, or vendors. They become our friends and in doing so strengthen our web of community. A mission without people is just an idea. It is the people that make a mission come alive! We have an amazing community of people connected to and invested in the success of the Co-op. This community has enabled La Montañita to be a leader in the past and will continue to do so well into the future. Members of a community rarely agree on everything, except the core beliefs of the community. Willingness to engage in conversations with a positive attitude, while offering grace and respect to each other as disagreements arise is critical for a sustainable community. Folks, we are in an exciting time of change in the history of La Montañita. We have a new board, our management structure has changed, we have two staff members serving temporarily in the two new leadership positions, and a sincere desire throughout

Interested in starting a co-op? Want to know more about co-ops in general? We hope that you’ve gotten a solid base of knowledge from following along with our monthly column—if you are itching for more, please contact us at bselden@leaffund.org.

FROM RIO GRANDE'S JENNIFER QUINN My favorite sunscreen is the ALL TERRAIN AQUASPORT 30 because it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes and is great for swimming! It contains only zinc oxide as it's sun protectant. It doesn't contain any chemical sunscreens, is fragrance-free and stays on in the water. It is relatively inexpensive for a "clean" sunscreen, priced at $14.99 for 3 oz which is also the perfect size for travel.

3. The ALL GOOD line of sunscreens are the hot ticket this year for a number of reasons. All Good is a B Corporation, they use organic ingredients and they use non-nano particled Zinc Oxide, organic herbs and oils, and are reef safe. The Co-op is carrying their WATER RESISTANT BUTTER rated at 50+ SPF, Sport Sunscreen rated at SPF 33 and Kid's Sunscreen rated at SPF 33. Also look for their Sunsticks—unscented and coconut —rated 30 SPF for convenient reapplications during your outdoor activities.

OUR MISSION

LEAF receives investments to our fund from individuals looking to put their money to good use (like you!), faith-based institutions, banks, food co-ops, the state and federal government, and foundations. If you are interested in learning more about an investment in LEAF, please send us an email—we’re always happy to chat!

I also really like the MYCHELLE SUN SHIELD SPF 28 which goes on clear and uses 11.6% zinc oxide and .6% titanium dioxide as a sunshield. It is gluten free, cruelty free, vegan, nonGMO and reef safe. FROM WESTSIDE'S KATHERINE SAN MARTIN Summer sun can definitely be a bad thing if you are not protecting your skin. If you spent more time in the sun than you expected and need some after sun care, here are some fine tips to help calm the heat. First take a cold shower and cool down the skin as much as possible. First thing out of the shower and before completely dry, apply cold aloe gel that you keep in the fridge. It preserves the aloe and helps cool the skin when applied. A really great additive to aloe gel is neem oil. It helps reverse the sun burn damage and you can avoid blistering most of the time, as long as you do these things as soon as you notice the excess heat. Another wonderful after sun cream that can save the skin is Face and Body Cream by ANN WEBB. It’s a bit greasy but I never leave to a sunny place without packing a bottle. Just apply any of these as often as you can 3–5 times per day for as long as you can feel the burn.

the Co-op to come together and make La Montañita even better than before. Between now and August a lot of future-shaping decisions will be made. We have the opportunity as a community to inform those decisions. • BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS are an important opportunity which I cannot stress enough. These committees are where the big topics to be voted on are discussed in a collaborative way. The Board is asking for us to share our perspective and inform the decisions they will be making. If you cannot make it to a meeting, share your perspective with a friend that is going. See http://lamontanita.coop/board-meetings/ for dates and times. • The monthly BOARD BUSINESS MEETINGS are a great place to stay up to date with what is happening at the Board level. See http://lamontanita.coop/board-meetings/ for dates and times. • The Board has a NEW EMAIL ADDRESS, TalkWithTheBoard@ lamontanita.coop, where you can email your thoughts. They are committed to getting back to you in a timely manner. • You can always share your thoughts and suggestions with your favorite staff person, who will pass your ideas along. If you truly want to see La Montañita be successful, the time has come to let go of our differences and focus on our similarities. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. The future of La Montañita is being shaped by this transition. My goal is to cultivate conversations that strengthen our community while working together help define the future of La Montañita. RESPECTFULLY, ROB DIXON

CO-OP NEWS

May 2017 5

MEMBERSHIP IS OWNERSHIP PURCHASING POWER AND ETHICAL

CONSUMPTION

from over 700 farms. One of those, Sakuma Brothers Farm, is the target of the protests, for draconian labor practices and substandard working conditions, wages and housing. BY GREG GOULD ood ethics is a constant source of grief: can I in good conscious continue to buy Odwalla beverages knowing that Coca Cola owns that company? In our industrial food system, examples abound on the destructive nature of food production, from mono-cropping and CAFO’s, insecticides and herbicides to GMOs and other chemicals. This is a prime motivator for many members-owners joining La Montañita Co-op to begin with. Coca Cola continues to find ways to exploit resources at the expense of small and rural communities, specifically in India where they pumped water out of the aquifer, putting farmers out of business. Nestlé is another giant corporation prepared to put their bottom line before the well-being of people.

The introduction in January 2016 of the Clean Fifteen was not successful as it ran counter to the desires of many member-owners. At the Annual Member-Owner Meeting in October, several folks brought up their concerns around Chiquita Bananas as the new face of United Fruit with the phrase “bananas covered in blood.” Some member-owners will boycott those bananas on principle, in acknowledgment of historical abuses and exploitation. Driscoll Berries was also singled out as a business to boycott. Driscoll aggregates the fruits and berries

This brings us to a recent letter which the Board received requesting that La Montañita boycott Eden Foods, because of their labor practices— specifically, refusing to pay for the medical costs of reproductive health for their female employees, such as contraception. This was mandated as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2013. Eden Foods has been in court contesting this ever since. So here we have a company with solid vegan and organic credentials with a CEO whose Catholic beliefs are antithetical to the letter of the law. The letter to the Board referenced Co-op values as the justification for the boycott of Eden Foods. I'm not an Eden product purchaser; I don't drink soy milk, so it's easy for me to boycott. However, what about the member-owners who enjoy those products? If the Co-op won't carry them, will they shop elsewhere for their soy milk? Or will they boycott in solidarity? I'm asking these questions in the spirit of inquiry. I believe our community would benefit from a conversation addressing gray areas that aren't clear cut, or at the very least putting these questions on the annual member-owner survey questionnaires. What would a policy look like that could accommodate the most people in an equitable manner? Is it possible to craft a set of values explicit enough to set standards for future purchases?

The Co-op has flowers and other lovely mother’s day gifts! Come check out our great selection at your favorite location!

CO-OP:

MOTHER’S

DAY

GIFTS

May Calendar

of Events 5/9 BoD Policy Development Committee La Montañita Co-op Support Office, 901 Menual Blvd. NE at 5:30pm 5/16 BoD Member Engagement Meeting La Montañita Co-op Support Office, 901 Menual Blvd. NE at 5:30pm 5/23 BoD Meeting Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque at 5:45pm

AN NU A L ME MBE R SU RV E Y COMING I N J U LY T H I S Y E A R! CO-OPS: A Solution-Based System A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

LA MONTAÑITA FUND GROW THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM GRASSROOTS INVESTING AND

LOAN PROGRAM

LaM

FUND! LOAN PROGRAM • Quick and easy application process • Loans from $250 to $15,000, or more in exceptional cases • Repayment terms tailored to the needs of our community of food producers • Applications taken in an ongoing basis To set up a meeting to learn more or for a Loan Application or help with your application, call or e-mail Robin at: 505-217-2027, toll free/877-775-2667 or e-mail: robins@lamontanita.coop.

EATING INDOORS OR OUT

May 2017 8

HEALTHY AND

DELICIOUS BLACK BEAN CASSEROLE Serves 6 / Prep time: 10 minutes / Cooking time: 25 minutes 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 onion, diced 1 carrot, shredded on small holes of a grater 1 2.25-ounce can of sliced black olives, drained 2 cups salsa or tomato sauce 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans 1 tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper to taste 6 fresh or frozen corn tortillas (thawing is unnecessary) 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8”x 8” casserole dish. In a bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the cheese and the tortillas. Place 2 tortillas on the bottom of the casserole, breaking one in half so they cover the casserole in one layer. Layer about 1/3 of the bean mixture, spreading to the edges of the casserole. Repeat two more times, finishing with the last of the bean mixture on top and the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for about 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and heated through. NUTRITION INFORMATION: CALORIES 199; TOTAL FAT 6G; SATURATED FAT 2G; CHOLESTEROL 9MG; SODIUM 175MG; TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 30G; DIETARY FIBER 7G; SUGARS 1G; PROTEIN 9G ROASTED BROCCOLI AND QUINOA SALAD Serves 6 / Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 20 min. 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa 1 medium broccoli crown, chopped into bite sized pieces Olive oil 1/2 cup marinated olives, chopped, liquid reserved (canned olives not recommended) 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Place the chopped broccoli in a roasting pan, drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Roast the broccoli in the oven at 340ºF for about 20 minutes until the broccoli softens and barely begins to brown. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the quinoa, roasted broccoli, chopped olives and cilantro. Add the reserved olive marinade liquid, to taste, for the dressing. Store unused portions in the refrigerator for up to one week. NUTRITION INFORMATION: CALORIES 123; TOTAL FAT 7G; SATURATED FAT 0G; CHOLESTEROL 0MG; SODIUM 275MG; TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 12G; DIETARY FIBER 2G; SUGARS 1G; PROTEIN 3G HUMMUS Serves 8 / Prep time: 10 minutes 1 23-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained, reserving the liquid 6 T lemon juice 1/3 cup sesame tahini 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp ground paprika for garnish, optional Optional ingredients: roasted red peppers, chopped olives, basil, cilantro, or roasted garlic, etc. Place the garbanzo beans, lemon juice, tahini, garlic and salt in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the reserved bean liquid slowly until the hummus is to your desired consistency. Blend well. Stir in whatever optional ingredients you would like to add. Place the hummus in a serving dish and sprinkle the paprika on top. Serve with crackers or vegetables. NUTRITION INFORMATION: CALORIES 130; TOTAL FAT 7G; SATURATED FAT 1G; CHOLESTEROL 0MG; SODIUM 264MG; TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 14G; DIETARY FIBER 4G; SUGARS 2G; PROTEIN 6G COCONUT SOUR CREAM MUFFINS Yields 12 muffins / Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 20 minutes 1 1/2 cups flour 2/3 cup sugar 3/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 large egg 1 cup sour cream 3 T butter, melted 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup coconut, shredded In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients, except for the coconut. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the liquid ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Gently stir in the shredded coconut. Fill the muffin tins about 3/4 full and bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Adapted from: www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sour-cream-chip-muffins NUTRITION INFORMATION: CALORIES 200; TOTAL FAT 9G; SATURATED FAT 6G; CHOLESTEROL 35MG; SODIUM 201MG; TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 27G; DIETARY FIBER 1G; SUGARS 14G; PROTEIN 3G

THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY

recipes TO PAMPER MOM BY

ROBIN SEYDEL This month we celebrate Mother’s day. To honor mothers (and all women), it seems only natural to help us do what we all love to do and are so deserving of: pamper ourselves!

1 part sea salt 1 part rosemary 1 part orange peel 1 part fennel seed

Here are some healthy, natural, easy to prepare beauty treatments. Why not give Mom an at home spa treatment made with loving care from the finest local and organic ingredients, many of which come from your Co-op. Mother or not: take some time to pamper yourself.

Grind all ingredients well in a blender, bottle and store. To use mix a little with milk or water to a paste, apply to face. Let dry. Rinse with water or milk.

FOR SPARKLING EYES • Purpose: Relax Eye Muscles, Lighten Dark Eye Area Grate 1/2 cucumber, strain it and mix into and equal quantity of rosewater. Store it in the refrigerator. Use a cotton ball dipped in the cool lotion, place it on your eyes at least once or twice a day.

Rosewater In order to make rosewater at home, mix rose essence in distilled water and shake thoroughly. One tablespoon essence of roses is sufficient for 2 quarts distilled water. To store, keep in the refrigerator in a bottle with a mister and spray on as needed.

• Purpose: Sooth away fine lines around the eyes Almond, apricot and coconut oils help lubricate the delicate skin around the eyes. Mix with one or two drops of essential Frankincense, neroli and/or lavender oils.

Face Mask 1 egg, beaten 1/2 tsp olive oil 1 T ground oatmeal 1/4 tsp sea salt 1 T whole milk

• Purpose: Flaky, irritated, swollen or puffy eyelids A drop of fresh castor bean oil lightly stroked along the eyelids (above eyelash base) will lessen symptoms.

Mix everything together in a blender until creamy and wellblended. Spread the mixture over your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse well with cool water. Pat dry.

• Purpose: Reduce Swelling Around Eye area Strain the juice of a grated potato and saturate cotton or wool pads with it or lay the grated potato between layers of muslin and place on closed eye and surrounding area. Thin slices of raw potato will also soothe swollen eyelids and reduce swelling.

Milk Bath 1 cup powdered milk 2 T almond meal 2 T barley or oat flour 1 Tsp powdered honey A few drops of your favorite essential oil

Hair Rejuvenation for dry brittle hair 2 T coconut oil 1 T jojoba oil 1 drop rose essential oil

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Shelf life is 2–3 months. Add to your bath.

Stir together all the ingredients. Apply from roots to end of hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Sit in the sun or use a dryer for 15 minutes. The heat will help the oil to penetrate better. Wash and condition your hair as usual. Rosemary Orange Exfoliate 3 parts steel cut or whole oats 3 parts organic dried milk or goat milk

Summer Evenings Peppermint Lotion 1/2 cup water 3–4 drops peppermint oil Oil of eucalyptus, tea tree or pennyroyal can be used in place of peppermint, if you prefer. Pour the water into a bottle, and then add the oil. Shake well. Apply to your skin with a clean cotton ball or a spray bottle.

MINT: THE MAGIC OF MINT

ADDS A TOUCH OF SUMMER BY AMYLEE UDELL Fresh mint is... inimitable. There's nothing else like it and nothing can replace it. Mint adds a touch of summer and can dress up the simplest of dishes. Herbally, mint is known to aid in digestion. So it's an easy remedy for mild tummy upset. I think we all know we can add mint leaves to our tea. I wanted to find some new ideas for fresh mint, mostly culinary and kid-friendly. And my typical caveat— they must be EASY. MINTED FRUIT. Add fresh chopped mint to any fruit. I love it on mango or peaches, especially with a squeeze of lime. It works on anything: strawberries, melons, grapes, pineapple, and watermelon. ADD IT TO YOUR FAVORITE SMOOTHIE. MINT SUGAR OR HONEY. Infuse cleaned and dried mint leaves in either. MINT LEMONADE. You can make a simple sugar first or just steep it in the lemonade. Or use your mint sugar in the lemonade recipe. MINT CHEESE SPREAD. Add it to cottage cheese or cream cheese and spread on crackers or bagels. MINT SYRUP. Make a batch and then easily add to lemonades, teas, hot cocoa recipes, ice cream and more. MINT MOCKTAILS FOR KIDS. There are several approaches, but just having a drink that looks like what the grown ups are drinking at a party is great fun for the kids. OVERRUN WITH MINT? Dehydrate it or make mint ice cubes so you can enjoy it later. Share the love with a neighbor and you both can enjoy the blessings mint offers. AMYLEE UDELL shares her adventures at: www.productivemama.com

May 2017 9

THE FOOD ENVIRONMENT

May 2017 10 vesting and shelling. These must all be done according to organic methods to eliminate contamination and nonorganic commingling. In her unaffected but persuasive way, Sally not only convinced these folks to provide organic services, but also talked other farmers into “going organic.” Del Valle Pecans now distributes 95% of the New Mexico organic harvest.

PIONEERING

ORGANIC PRACTICES 25 YEARS IN THE FIELD BY BRETT BAKKER

never wanted to work for the government. As a good little teenage Yippie wannabe in the 70s I couldn’t think of anything more reprehensible. Somehow, though, life intervened. Lo and behold, a couple of months ago, I retired after twenty-five years as an organic certifier/inspector for the State of NM. For a straight office job, it wasn’t so bad. I got to see hundreds of local organic farms, ranches and food processors and meet incredible people. Here’s only a few.

When Dosi and Norma Alvarez of La Union, NM transitioned from conventional to organic cotton, there was resistance from nonorganic farmers who thought they would be a vector for pests and diseases—particularly the cotton boll worm which could devasIncredible LOCAL tate the region’s crop in a matter of days. It’s tough to buck your friends, PEOPLE use neighbors and even family who come ORGANIC to consider you a threat to your PROCESSES region’s livelihood. The first harvests to do the were comparatively poor—which is almost always the case when switching from nonorganic to organic. The soil

RIGHT THING

needs time to build up nutrients and organic matter that were long ago depleted. Transitioning to organic is an economic burden as well. How many of any of us could afford to take a few years of a 25 or 50 percent drop in income because it’s the right thing to do?

ITCHY

GREEN

THUMB

There were reams of cotton research files at nearby NMSU but none geared to organic. Nevertheless, Dosi and Norma persisted. The crop improved until they achieved yields of quality cotton as good as—and sometimes better—than their nonorganic neighbors with less insect damage. Some of the pest control methods they pioneered are common practice for all cotton growers. Nearby, after her husband’s untimely passing, Sally Harper struggled to run her organic pecan orchard. The local nonorganic pecan industry scoffed and even more so because of her gender. Sally doesn’t easily take no for answer but there were many obstacles. Large-scale pecan production depends on custom service providers for monitoring insects, applying foliar nutrients, har-

Out towards Pietown, Nancy Coonridge began making her well known organic goat cheese in the middle of nowhere, living in an old school bus with no running water on the ranch, which is located at the end of rough forest roads, over an hour’s drive from her rural route mailbox! She’s there yet, some thirty years later, still hauling water and her well-known product into town. Albert Bustamante in Lemitar (near Soccorro) is over ninety and still farms his native chile, blue corn and melons the old way that his viejitos taught him as a youngster. He just had to wait awhile for the term “organic” to catch up to him. We all know that many organic farmers depend on commercial fish fertilizer for their crops. Albert made his own with his catch from Rio Grande, long before anyone thought to package the stuff. Antonio and Molly Manzanares are New Mexico’s last traditional shepherds, raising hundreds of organic lambs and bales of wool each year just like the original pobladores did in Tierra Amarilla two hundred years ago. Out in Monticello (a literal oasis in the midst of otherwise dry chaparral) Steve and Jane Darland make word-class balsamic vinegar from their own organic grapes the way their traditional Italian masters taught them. This is nothing like the stuff you can find on most grocers’ shelves these days but the real thing, aged a minimum of twelve years. The vinegar is, in fact, never finished, with new juice being added to the unbottled portion each year. Because of this, their balsamic isn’t certified because it was begun years before the Federal organic rules took effect and cannot be grandfathered in. I know; as their first organic inspector I personally asked the feds in D.C. However, since their process was certified under New Mexico organic rules well before the federales came around, it is truly organic in all but name. I could go and on about amazing NM producers (and will in future columns) but I’ve run out of space this month. Plus it’s time to get back to planting my 2017 heirloom and traditional seed crops. You didn’t really think I was going to retire, did ya?

COMMUNITY FORUM

May 2017 11

HAPPY CAMPERS GETTING READY FOR

Harwood's Summer Arts Camp unleash your children's imaginations and open doors t new experiences, creative innovations and a rich array of performing and visual arts.

CAMP RISING SUN

Sessions run half and full days in June and July. You can sign up now at HarwoodArtCenter.org or call 2426367. Ask about financial support. The Harwood Art Center is located at 1114 7th Street NW in Albuquerque.

SOME SUMMER FUN NOT YOUR TYPICAL SUMMER CAMP BY STEPHANIE ORRA GRANER There is a large tent filled with teenage boys in the middle of the forest, a tent they helped put up together. They have had a snack, played a game and after getting ready for bed, they are tucked away inside the tent talking together. They slowly stop as soon as they hear the first note, the sound of the vibration of the bow against the string. Jimmy starts to play his violin, going through his nightly repertoire. At the end the boys clap, Jimmy joins them in the tent and soon it is silent as they all fall asleep. This is Camp Rising Sun. Around 117 campers and 200 staff sleep under the stars in the Manzano Mountains every summer as part of Camp Rising Sun, a week-long overnight camp for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their peers. With two different weeks in June and ranging from ages 8 to 17, these intense and beautiful weeks are full of mutual learning. Counselors encourage and support their campers to try new things and make new friends while the campers give them insight into what amazing kids they are and share their unique perspective of the world. It's not your typical summer

camp; it's a place to belong. For more information visit: www.cdd.unm.edu/camprising sun or you can them at: camprisingsun@salud.unm.edu. EDITORS NOTE: In Feburary 2017, The Adoption Exchange was our Donate a Dime Bag Credit organization of the Month. We learned that in early March the State of New Mexico did not renew the contract for this organization's work to provide permanent homes for children in foster care, and the closest Adoption Exchange agency was located in Colorado. Rather than send your bag credit donations out of state, we gave your February Donate a Dime funds to Camp Rising Sun to provide positive outdoor experiences to New Mexican children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

HARWOOD ARTS CAMP

O P E N I N G D O O R S T O C R E AT I V I T Y Young artists grades 1–9 have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts with a group of inspired peers and accomplished instructors. Let

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FLAMENCO

KIDS CAMP This is the youth component of Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque. This two-week day camp introduces children to the full range of flamenco arts and culture. Flamenco Kids Camp is a fun, creative outlet featuring classes in dance, guitar, cajón (percussion), cante (singing), and Spanish language and literacy. Included with the camp tuition, students receive a Kids Camp T-Shirt and a ticket to attend a world-class flamenco performance held during Festival Flamenco 30. The camp concludes with a free performance for friends and family at the Kimo Theater, where students demonstrate all they have learned during the camp. Scholarships applications are available at www.nifnm.org or at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts at 1620 Central Ave. SE in Albuquerque.

WHAT MOTHER’S DAY AND

MEMORIAL DAY HAVE IN COMMON

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 The other holiday rooted in war is Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day), aptly named for the flowers left on the graves of Civil War soldiers. Like many things in history, there is disagreement about who originally started this holiday but there is no doubt the massive loss of life during the Civil War was the catalyst. Historian David Blight cites a group of former slaves who may have been the first to observe Decoration Day. These former slaves dug up a mass grave of Union soldiers and buried each soldier in an individual grave. Days afterward, on May 1, 1865, nearly 10,000 people—former slaves, abolitionists and missionaries—congregated to observe the fallen soldiers.(5)

Historical documents cite Major General John Logan as the founder of Decoration Day. Maj. Gen. Logan helped found the General Army Republic (G.A.R.), a veteran’s organization comprised of veteran Civil War Union Army soldiers. Historians write Maj. Gen. Logan declared on May 5, 1868 via order no. 11, instructing “Union veterans to conduct ceremonies and decorate the graves of their dead comrades.”(6) Nearly one hundred years later on May 26, 1966—as the escalation of the Vietnam War began—President Lyndon B. Johnson declared by proclamation May 30th as Memorial Day, an official holiday. Today the United States continues to be embroiled in war abroad and at home; the weapons have become more sophisticated, the mainstream media has removed itself from conveying

the truth and each new incoming presidential administration is determined to reframe the messaging for its benefit. We do not see the bodies of men and women injured and killed from the decades of endless wars. We do not see the faces of what sons, daughters, mothers, wives and husbands witness in war. We have removed ourselves from the pain of bearing witness. In the words of Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler, “War is a racket. It always has been... A few profit—and the many pay. But there is a way to stop it. You can't end it by disarmament conferences. You can't eliminate it by peace parleys at Geneva. Well-meaning but impractical groups can't wipe it out by resolutions. It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war.”(7) Until we are willing to examine what we are willing to sacrifice individually from the profits of war (abroad and at home), we will only continue to be part-time activists and part-time resisters.

MAY 6–7

he first weekend in May, the Village of Corrales will once again host one of the most anticipated art and studio tour events in the state of New Mexico. Village artists will open their studios and homes, hosting artists from the surrounding areas. The tour provides an opportunity for the public to meet the artists, see their work, and learn about their creative process. As in past years, many of the studio stops will feature multiple artists in locations throughout the Village. Maps and catalogs will be available in tents on the south end of the Village on Corrales Road, and at Loma Larga and Meadowlark. The local Boy Scout Troop will be manning the tents and selling water. You may also pick up catalogs and maps at the Preview Gallery, other galleries, wineries, and art studios throughout the Village.

1 http://acelebrationofwomen.org/2012/05/origin-ofmothers-day-an-honorable-celebration/ 2 http://acelebrationofwomen.org/2012/05/origin-ofmothers-day-an-honorable-celebration/ 3 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/ 140508-mothers-day-nation-gifts-facts-culture-moms/ 4 http://imaginepeace.com/archives/6818 5 http://www.davidwblight.com/public-history/ 2015/4/27/the-first-decoration-day-newark-star-ledger 6 http://www.suvcw.org/logan.htm 7 War Is A Racket, Chapter 4 by Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler