Santa Fe Sierra Club Chair Joins Copenhagen Delegation

From a News Release

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Conservation Chair Ken Hughes of Santa Fe is one of 29 U.S. Sierra Club members who will be joining President Obama and other world leaders at the international Climate Conference in Copenhagen starting Dec. 7.

Ken and the Sierra Club team will be urging the U.S. negotiations team to achieve a strong U.S. plan to address climate change. They will also be pushing for funding of clean energy projects so that developing countries can leapfrog the polluting phase of development and go straight to a low carbon future. Ken will also learn about successful programs in other countries that could be applied here.

Ken, who will attend the conference from December 7-13, will give presentations about his experience to each of the Rio Grande chapter’s groups after his return, including Albuquerque on January 18 and Santa Fe on January 19.

Denish's Children Cabinet Days Kickoff Today.

Lt. Governor Diane Denish says she'll emphasize long-term value of early childhood investments during her annual Children's Cabinet Roundup this week.

At noon today, Denish launched three days of aggressive advocacy for investments in New Mexico’s youth.

We spoke with Denish this morning. She tells us statewide budget cuts are not impacting most of the children's programs.

"Actually in some of our areas, voluntary pre-K, and others have been held very stable, we actually have some very small increases. We are concerened about some cuts to our Americorp programs that help implement these programs. Primarily, we want to say, now is not the time to pull back on these investments that we've been making over the last six years."

She tells us her top three priorities for the Children's Cabinet includes preventing school dropouts, home visiting, early childhood education programs, and before and after school programs which includes development and mentoring.

"This keeps kids in school," said Lt. Governor Denish. "It gives them a good start. It helps them stay in school and be productive citizens. It's a huge impact on the community. We want to prevent dropouts which is our number one priority."

Denish will be joined by Helen Blank, Director of Leadership and Public Policy of the National Women’s Law Center, Economic Development Secretary Fred Mondragon, and Secretary of Children, Youth, and Families, Dorian Dodson.

Together they will tout the long-term value of investments in youth development.

Each day of the Children's Cabinet will have a specific focus:

• Monday, March 2, will start the advocacy effort for early childhood initiatives.
  
  Tuesday, March 3, will focus on school-age youth and adolescents.
  
  Wednesday, March 4, will be dedicated to early adulthood.
  

The Lt. Governors Children’s Cabinet Days in the Roundhouse will draw national leaders, cabinet secretaries, over 50 community organizations, and youth advocates statewide.

Richardson Moves to Ensure Survival of The Screen in Santa Fe.

On the same weekend film fans will meet to watch the Oscar Awards, at The Screen, in Santa Fe, Governor Richardson say's he is moving to keep the local Santa Fe art-house cinema scene alive by allocating $150,000 to support and enhance programming there.

Richardson also wants supporters of The Screen to consider relocating the struggling program from its present location at the College of Santa Fe to a new home at the Jean Cocteau theatre.

"My intent is to ensure the continued vitality of this unique cultural resource," Governor Richardson said. "I think The Screen program is a vital asset not only to the community at large but, with the addition of the educational and interactive components, to our growing local filmmaking community. I want to make sure this program continues as the overall situation with the College of Santa Fe sorts itself out."

The Governor did not say where the money for the project would come from. The programs, and education series, would be run by the state Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Screen's proximity to the RailRunner could encourage filmmakers, and film aficionados, from Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and other areas outside of Santa Fe, to benefit from film curation at The Screen.

Since its inception in 1998, The Screen has featured contemporary foreign and American-made art and independent films, and as well as classic European and American movies. With funding from Governor Richardson and in response to the public outcry, this venerated cultural venue will be preserved.