coopdecember 2004 connection free

SShhoopp YYoouurr CCoo--oopp..........Go natural and organic this holiday.

Your Board of Directors is pleased to announce thisyear’s patronage refund of $232,411. This repre-sents 2.74% of Member purchases for our fiscalyear ending August 31, 2004. Each Member willreceive 1.75% of their purchases for the year incash or store credit totaling $148,438. Memberswho purchased $200 or more from the Co-opduring the past year will receive a check, andMembers who purchased less than $200 mayreceive a credit redeemable for cash or goods ateither store from the Information Desk, as thecost of printing and mailing these smalleramounts would exceed the refund.

0.99% of Member purchases totaling $83,973will be paid into our Member Equity accountand remain with the Co-op, providing an 8.4%increase in Member Equity. The amount ofyour patronage retained in the business is usedto replace equipment, make improvements toour buildings, and keep us fiscally sound.

We are happy to report the improvement of ourfinancial picture this year over last year as webounced back from the effects of Whole Foodsand Sunflower Market stores opening in ourcity. This year our net income surpassed 2003by 75%. As you can see, your support contin-

ues to keep La Montanita a strong and vibrantpart of your community.

One way La Montanita continues to contributeto the community is by our donation of allunredeemed patronage refunds to worthy localorganizations. You may easily participate insupport of the Albuquerque Community by notcashing or redeeming your refund.

This is our 14th annual patronage refund duringthe past 15 years, and it is your support of ourCooperative that makes this possible. Yourpatronage refund is a tangible symbol of yourmembership and valuable contribution to andparticipation in our viable alternative economicmodel. Your Co-op Board of Directors and Staffare sincerely grateful for this support, and wesay thank you for another great year at LaMontanita. We wish you a safe and joyous holi-day season, and look forward to serving you inthe year ahead.

In cooperation, your La Montanita Board of Directors:Pat Janney, Marshall Kovitz, Ken O’Brien,Julie Hicks, John Kwait, Trout Rogers, Lonn Calanca, Eric Chrisp, Martha Whitman

We invited you to the December 2 Nob Hill HolidayParty held in conjunction with the Nob Hill Shopand Stroll in last month’s “Connection.” Thismonth we are pleased to invite everyone to theValley Coop’s Annual Holiday Gathering,Saturday December 18th from 1-5pm.

Enjoy great co-op natural foods tastings andthe company of family, friends and neigh-bors to the music of Mariachi NuevoMexico. Missed the wonderful Shop andStroll Puppet show by the Loren KahnPuppet Theater? You have another chance. Therewill be two performances of “The Bag Show”during the afternoon.

You can sample some great local and holidayfoods and shop for all your holiday needsincluding gifts. Get a Coop gift certificate foranyone and everyone on your holiday gift listand give the gift of great food and good health.Or peruse the wares of local crafts persons andartisans for that special gift.

Arts and crafts people are encouraged to callTammy at 242-8800 by the second Saturday ofthe month to get on the set up list. Space is verylimited. If you have not been juried please callRobyn at 256-4594 so we can see your workbefore you call Tammy. Please remember thesethird Saturday of the month craft fairs are forCoop members only and all arts and crafts mustby made by you here in New Mexico, no kitsand no imports please. Come one come all andshare good cheer at the Valley Coop onSaturday December 18th from 1-5pm.

Enjoy great holiday natural foods samplings,wonderful local music, the Loren Kahn PuppetTheater, great gift ideas, and don’t forget topick an ornament from our MAKE A CHILDSMILE GIVING TREE at both Co-op locations.

Dec 2nd: Make a Child Smile Giving Tree goes up atboth locations.

Dec 2nd: Annual Co-op Holiday Open House at theNob Hill location, in conjunction with the Nob HillShop and Stroll event. 5-7pm.

Dec 16th: Bandelier Elementary Chorus sings, NobHill location, 10:30pm.

Dec 18th: Annual Co-op Holiday Open House,Valleylocation 1-5pm.

Dec 19th: Make a Child Smile Gifts due back ateither Coop location.

If you have taken a child or two off our tree,please don’t miss this important deadline. If youdo, you risk disappointing these special children.

Dec 24th: Both Co-op locations close at 6pm.

Dec 25th: Both Co-op locations closed.

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CCCCOOOO----OOOOPPPPGREETING CARDS

from theCO-OPWe sincerely invite you to celebrate the spirit of the season andlet light and love, peace and laughter fill your heart, at one orboth of our holiday parties, Dec. 2nd and Dec. 18th. And wewish you the happiest of holidays, good health, good fortune,peace and fulfillment in the coming year. Your Coop Staff

HAPPY

HOLIDAYS!

Co-op’s Got the GGGGiiiivvvviiiinnnngggg SSSSppppiiiirrrriiiitttt

aaaatttt yyyyoooouuuurrrr CCCCOOOO----OOOOPPPPDec 2 Nob Hill 5-7pmDec 18 Valley 1-5pm

HOLIDAYPARTIES

CO-OP BoardDeclares Patronage Refund!

You are Invited! to our Co-op Holiday Parties

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All year long hundreds of organizations come to the Coop for help and support in their fundraising and educational efforts. These are

just a few of the many organizations the Coop has made donations to this year. Stroke Club of New Mexico • La Mesa Presbyterian

Church • Montessori of the Rio Grande Charter School • Traditional Native American Farmers Association • Habitat for Humanity• Middle

Rio Grande Conservancy District • Bioneers • Bandelier Elementary • Albuquerque Center For Peace and Justice • Immanuel Presbyterian

Church • Citizens For Alternatives To Radioactive Dumping • Amigos Bravos • Young At Heart Ministries • The Menaul School • KUNM

Public Radio • Off Center Community Arts Project • Erda Gardens and Learning Center • Coalition for Equality • Santo Domingo Tribe

Wetlands Project • Holy Family Church • Indian Students Association • Thirsty Ear • Outpost Performance Space • New Mexico Aids

Services • Ser de New Mexico • Rio Grande Community Farms • Naral • Grassroots Economics Organization • The Leukemia and

Lymphoma Society • Escuela Del Sol Montessori School • Community Food Security Coalition • The Albuquerque Poetry Slam Council •

Queen of Heaven School • Duranes Elementary • Cochiti Elementary • Monte Vista Elementary • Highland High School • Cuidandos Los

Ninos • Barrett House Shelter for Homeless Women & Children • Re-Store • Women’s Community Foundation • Rape Crisis Center • Rio

Grande Agricultural Land Trust • New Mexico Farming and Gardening Expo • UNM Central American Studies Association and others

Ican hardly believe that it was ten years ago we put up ourfirst holiday giving tree. It is amazing to think that overthis decade our little “Make a Child Smile” giving tree

has done just that for thousands of children. The program hasgrown and grown, each year taking on more children and dif-ferent agencies. Despite the vast and often depressing societaland economic challenges we face locally, nationally and inter-nationally, year after year the generous spirit of our Coop com-munity has come through in the most beautiful way.

When I think about what we have done together it restores myfaith in humanity, reminds me of the power of cooperation andgives me hope for the future. Of all the wonderful projects theCoop is involved with this is perhaps one of my favorites. Thedelight of seeing a mountain of carefully prepared gifts forchildren in need never fades. It’s an honor and a joy to servesuch a compassionate community.

As I have written before, the outpouring of caring concernthese gifts represent is the truest expression of the spirit ofthis season and a symbol of the great, good heart of our coopcommunity. To all of you who have participated: volunteerGail Lyons who, for many years, has helped prepare theornaments, the social workers at all the agencies, many ofwhom have been with this project since its inception, coopstaff, and each and every one of you, who throughout theyears has taken an ornament off the tree, found the time dur-ing this busy season to share your resources and find thatspecial gift that will make a child smile, from the bottom ofmy heart I thank you all.

Last year, alone, we made the holiday wishes of near-ly 450 children in protective custody or foster care areality. The acts of kindness these gifts representremind these children that although the world mayseem harsh there are many people who care. Thecarefully wrapped gifts and the holiday messagesmany of you write are a deep and sincere expressionof our hopes for a better world and a brighter futureexpressed in loving holiday wishes to one individualchild in need in our community.

This year we welcome back our cooperating agencies,The New Mexico Department of Children, Youth andFamilies, Peanut Butter and Jelly Day School, ParentChild Resources and Enlace Communitario.

We will set up trees at both Co-op locations onDecember 2th. The trees will stay up until December19th, giving Co-op shoppers more than two weeksto choose a child or two and return the gifts. Thecolored ornaments have wish lists for each child,allowing you to choose a gift you will enjoy givingand they will enjoy receiving. Although many of youhave in the past and you are welcome to, it is notnecessary to get everything on the list.

We ask that all gifts be returned by Sunday, December19th. Please, please do honor this deadline.

Some families and foster families have more thanone child in the program. When one child gets a gift

and another does not (because an ornament is taken but agift is not returned to the Co-op in time) it can be devastat-ing for that child.

Please gift wrap the gift and tape the colored ornament with thechild’s name and agency on the outside.

As many of these children are victims of poverty, abuse andneglect placed in the care of these agencies by order of thecourts, some of the names of the children have been alteredfor their protection. Taping the ornaments that have theagency name and an ornament code number to the top of thegift will help us get your gift to the right child.

Given the state of the economy, we know that times are tight,but we pray that you all will once again reach out to thesechildren. If you helped “Make a Child Smile” last year or anyyear during the last 10 years we have sponsored this pro-gram, we are deeply grateful and hope you will find the timeand resources to do so again this year. If this is your first Co-op holiday season we hope you will join us in helping “Makea Child Smile”.

Give yourself the gift of giving. Together we can share the truespirit of the season and light a light of hope in the hearts of someof our community’s children in need, making the world a littlebrighter, a little better for us all. For more information contactRobyn at 256-4594. by Robyn Seydel

coop’s got the spiritA Community - Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store

La Montanita CooperativeNob Hill3500 Central S.E.Albuq., NM 87106265-4631

Valley2400 Rio Grande Blvd.Albuq., NM 87104242-8800

Wild Sage226 W. Coal Gallup, NM 87301863-5383

Administrative Staff:General Manager: C.E. Pugh 265-4631 x323ce@lamontanitacoop.comStore Team Leaders: Michelle Franklin/Nob Hill 265-4631John Mulle/Valley 242-8800Accounting/Toni Fragua 232-4026Computers/Info Technology/Ahmed Elmaghlawi 232-8202Human Resources/Sharret Rose 265-4731Marketing/Edite Cates 268-8357Membership/Robyn Seydel 256-4594Co-op fax line: 266-3703or 265-6470

Co-op Board of Directors:President: Pat JanneyVice President: Marshall KovitzTreasurer: Ken O’BrienSecretary: Julie Hicks Lonn CalancaEric ChrispJohn KwaitTrout RogersMartha Whitman

Store hours at both locations:Mon. thru Sat.: 7am to 10pmSunday: 8am to 10pm

Membership Costs:$12 for 1 year$200 Lifetime Membership

Co-op Connection Staff:Managing Editor: Robyn Seydelmemb@lamontanitacoop.comLayout and Design: foxyrock incCovers & Centerfold: Edite CatesAdvertising: Robyn Seydel Printing: Vanguard Press

Membership information is available at the Co-op, 3500 Central S.E. (Nob Hill location), or 2400 Rio grande Blvd. N.W. (Valley location)

Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated. Address typed, double-spaced copy to the Managing Editor, memb@lamontanitacoop.comemail: bod@lamontanitacoop.comwebsite: www.lamontanitacoop.org

Copyright © 2004La Montanita Co-op SupermarketReprints by prior permission.

The Co-op Connection is printed on 65% postconsumer recycled paper. It is recyclable.

The Co-op Connection is published by La Montanita Co-op Supermarket to provide information on La MontanitaCo-op Supermarket, the cooperative movement, food,nutrition, and community issues. Opinions expressedherein are of the authors and are not necessarily thoseof the newletters or the Co-op.

cover photo Edite Cates

CO-OPYOU OWN IT

10th Annual Make a Child Smile

Giving Tree

december 20042

Make a Child Smile Participating Organizations:Peanut Butter and Jelly Day SchoolFor more than 30 years, PB&J Family Services, Inc. has beenworking to keep children safe and help families survive.PB&J pioneered innovative approaches to the prevention ofchild abuse and neglect and the preservation of the familythrough interactive parenting and bonding programs in itsPeanut Butter & Jelly Therapeutic Preschools.

In 2003-2004, PB&J worked with more than 1,700 individ-uals in 1,000 families in several programs — the TherapeuticPreschools, located in Albuquerque’s South Valley and inBernalillo, in its home-based programs and in its TEENSprogram in Cuba, NM, High School — focusing on breakingthe often generational cycle of family dysfunction.

Through its programs serving children with an incarceratedparent, PB&J works to break the cycle of crime. Often angryand feeling abandoned, these children are six to eight timesmore likely to be imprisoned themselves than other young-sters. PB&J’s ImPACT program works with them and theirincarcerated parent in four New Mexico prisons and with

middle school and high school youngsters in the South Valleythrough the KidPACT program.

More than 80 percent of the families PB&J works with makeprogress toward meeting their goals.

Last year Roberto wrote PB&J to tell us that his daughterwas making straight A’s in high school and the family wasplanning on how they were going to send her to college.That’s not so unusual, except that when PB&J met Robertosix years ago, he had a heroin habit and a history of domes-tic violence. He and his family participated in ImPACT andtoday Roberto is clean and a very proud father. His daughterwants to be a teacher.

Not all our families are this successful. But lots are.

Many of the children we work with have low self-esteem.Your gift helps them have a Christmas to remember. Mil gra-cias! For further information you may contact Donna Brewat (505) 877-7060.

aaaa ddddeeeeccccaaaaddddeeee ooooffff CCCCOOOOOOOOPPPP giving

coop’s got the spirit

sands more were reached through educational andorganizing campaigns.

Domestic violence affects families from all back-grounds. Unfortunately, women from immigrantcommunities are often at greater risk and are lesslikely to access needed services. They face culturaland language barriers to police and social services,increased threats of becoming separated from their

children through deportation orinternational child abduction,less access to public benefits andless awareness of their plight bychurches, schools and the com-munity at large.

This Holiday Season, please con-sider making a difference by sup-porting our organization or byparticipating in the Giving Treeorganized by La Montañita forchildren who are clients of EC.

New Mexico Parent Child ResourcesNew Mexico Parent & Child Resources, Inc. is a non-profit agencythat provides treatment foster care for severe emotionally andbehaviorally disturbed children from 3-18 years of age. These chil-dren are too seriously disturbed to be a part of traditional fostercare programs.

Our treatment foster children have been abused and neglected bytheir families and many have spent a great deal of time in psychi-atric hospitals and residential treatment centers. These children arenow living with treatment foster families as an alternative to beinginstitutionalized.

We are working extremely hard to help these deserving childrenreturn to society and a chance at life as you and I know it.

We would like to thank the Co-op community for the support youhave shown us and the many holi-day gifts you have provided overthe past years for our children.Thank you! Happy holidays fromthe NMPCR staff and the children!

Enlace CommunitarioEnlace Comunitario (EC)’s primarymission is to work with Latinoimmigrants to eliminate domesticviolence and strengthen the commu-nity. The organization was incorpo-rated in 2000 but the core manage-ment and professional team havebeen working together since 1995.Our efforts have produced a dynam-ic continuum of services for both vic-tims of domestic violence and theirchildren including: safety planning;assessment; individual and groupcounseling; referrals to services (housing,health, financial, etc.); parenting and life-skills classes; legal advocacy; economicdevelopment, crisis intervention and com-munity education.

But what makes EC innovative is that itsapproach goes beyond providing servicesto include advocacy, leadership develop-ment and community organizing projectsto make long term systemic changes andstrengthen the community.

Last year, we served over 350 Al-buquerque women and children and thou-

Please contact us at 246-8972 if you have anyquestions or want to support us.

New Mexico Department of Children,Youth and FamiliesBernalillo County Child Protective Services (CPS)is a division of the New Mexico’s Children Youthand Families Department (CYFD). CYFDreceives hundreds of reports every month regard-ing abuse/neglect of children. Social workersinvestigate the allegations and when needed inter-vene with families to ensure the safety of chil-dren. This intervention may consist of crisiscounseling, referrals to community resources orother community supports, or in worst case sce-narios the Department requests custody of thechildren. Children in CYFD custody are placed ina licensed foster home.

Foster parents give temporary care to childrenwhile they are in CYFD custody providing aprotective and safe home, structure, nurturing,

and assistance in preparing the child toreturn to his/her home, or to be adopted.In New Mexico everyone is mandated bylaw to report child abuse, neglect, orexploitation. To report child abuse orneglect please call: Metro Area, 841-6100or Statewide 1-800-797-3260.

Bernalillo County has a group of very ded-icated foster families, but the need isgreater than the number of available fam-ilies. If you feel you could provide a safehome for children in CYFD custody pleasecall Foster a Future, at 1-800-432-2075.Working together we can make a differ-ence in a child's life. Thank you for yourinterest and concern for the children ofNew Mexico this year, in the past, and inthe future.

Trees go up Dec. 2nd Gifts due back Dec. 19th

december 2004 3

10thannualmake a

child smile

beginning december 2nd

Look for the Annual Holiday Giving Trees

at both CO-OP locations

RRRReeeettttuuuurrrrnnnn ggggiiiiffffttttssss ttttoooo eeeeiiiitttthhhheeeerrrr CCCCOOOO----OOOOPPPP bbbbyyyy Dec. 19th

holidayparties

Dec 2 Nob Hill 5-7pmDec 18 Valley 1-5pmsee you there!

happy holidays from your Co-op!

CCCCOOOO----OOOOPPPP

Used gifts or found objects are the kindest of allto the environment, because no energy orresources are wasted. Value and appeal doesn'thave to mean 'new and shiny'. Antiques and col-lectibles have the added appeal of history and sen-timental value. Personal gifts tell a story.Discoveries from nature such as an unusual shell,crystal, wood burl, arrowhead, or bone can makegreat gifts and remind us of nature's wonder. Agreat way to teach children the spirit of givingduring the holidays is to ask them to pick lightlyused toys that they are willing to part with anddonate them to a homeless or domestic violenceshelter. I used to work at a homeless organizationand saw children bring toys to the organization Iworked at year after year — it was a wonderfulexperience for everyone!

Store-bought cards and wrapping paper can bebeautiful and elegant but they are also expensivethrow-away items that consume a huge amount ofnatural resources. Homemade cards are more per-sonal and just as appreciated. Making cards is alsoa fun activity for the family. Children’s artworkmakes great Christmas card pictures. Even the'scribblings' of toddlers are adorable, fun andespecially appropriate for the season. Another ideais holiday e-cards. E-mail saves paper, postage andthe trip to the Post Office.

Who needs throwaway wrapping paper? A col-lection of handmade fabric gift bags make beau-tiful, personal and unique gift wraps for all gift-giving occasions. Even better, they are re-usableand made entirely of recycled materials. Fabricgift bags also make wonderful gifts by them-selves. Save those Sunday newspaper coloredfunny sheets! These large sheets of color comicsare perfect for wrapping kids' gifts. They lookfun and colorful, and add an extra touch ofinterest to the gift. One of the best sources forwrapping paper is children's art. Children areprolific artists, and they love to see their workacknowledged. Use your children’s artwork,with their permission, to wrap gifts for the holi-days. The relatives, especially, will love the per-sonal touch. And of course we can’t forget mymother’s favorite source of gift wrap… re-usedgift wrap! If you are careful when opening large

Less is More... During the Holidays

december 2004

get the spirit

4

presents, you can re-use the paper. It may need tobe cut down to clean up the taped and torn edges,but enough good paper will remain to be usefulfor wrapping smaller presents.

Holidays provide great opportunities to build newtraditions with family and friends. Consider start-ing an annual tradition that is socially conscious orearth-friendly. Spend the holidays together volun-teering at a local service organization to remindeveryone that these special days are also about cel-ebrating community. Consider a restoration activi-ty such as planting a small tree together to demon-strate how you value nature. An hour spent clean-ing up or enhancing a natural area also enriches thegiver and acknowledges nature as the source of ourwell-being. Or just invest in your soul with a fami-ly nature hike that takes you outdoors for a fewhours. The best part about hiking on the holidaysis that hiking paths offer peaceful solitude and theexercise builds an appetite for a big family dinner.

Some of the best gifts and holiday traditions cost lit-tle or nothing at all, have rich and lasting appealand little impact on the environment. The gift that Ihope to give my daughter this year is the knowledgethat joy comes from celebrating and living in waysthat affirm all. by Oanh Nguyen

For the past several years the coop has beenfocused on supporting local farmers and producers.We hope that you will do the same. The CoopConnection is filled with suggestions and ideas forun-commercializing your holiday festivities. And whilewe continue to support the concept it is clear that thejoy of giving gifts is a delight that honors both onewho gives and one who receives. Shopping at locallyowned and operated businesses rather than with thelarge corporate multi-nationals supports your friends

and neighbors and sustains a strong local economy.Purchasing gifts made by local artists and crafts peo-ple in cooperatives or from fair trade organizations isinvesting in a set of beliefs that give hope for thefuture. Throughout this newsletter you can find a vari-ety of products and services brought to you by finelocal business people. We urge your support of theseindependently owned and operated businesses. Whenyou do shop, shop with integrity. Shop wisely, shopcoop, buy local. by Robyn Seydel

Shop with Integrity... Buy Local!

This year will be the first time my young daughter will be aware of the hol-iday season. I have been wondering what I want her to learn about the hol-idays and realized that the season of "giving" puts too much emphasis onconsuming. So I started researching on the internet and asking friendsand families about alternative holiday traditions to make this year notonly different, but better. Here are some ideas that add a creative twistto traditional holiday gift-giving while helping to reduce the burdenthe holidays brings to our environment.

It's the thought that counts and the personal touch makes any giftmore meaningful and memorable. Gifts of service require little or nouse of natural resources and are very personal and memorable.Massage, music lessons, childcare, car wash, dogwalk, lawncare, tutor-ing, cooking, gardening... the gift of you — your time and energy —are as 'giftworthy' as anything you can put in a box. Or consider a giftof social service. Make a donation in someone’s honor for the holiday.Many organizations will be happy to send an acknowledgement or cer-tificate to the person that you honor with your donation.

Homemade gifts are always heartfelt. Your time, energy, and cre-ativity are just as valued as that store-bought gift which they maynot really even need. A little time spent cooking a tasty treat or cre-ating a piece of art is probably no more than the time spent gift-hunting online or at the mall. The result is more personal, reward-ing and easy on the environment. Gifts you can grow are always acrowd pleaser. Unique plant varieties can be raised in your smallhome plot, and make interesting, appealing gifts which anyone canuse. Prepare yourself for the oohs and ahs.

CHOOSE FROMMeat and Cheese Cheese and Fruit

New Mexico ProductsGourmet Foods

Body Care Products and more!

Look in each Departmentor special order CALL 217-0107

CCCCOOOO----OOOOPPPPGGGG IIII FFFF TTTT

BBBB AAAA SSSS KKKKEEEE TTTT SSSS

hhoommee bbaakkeedd ttrreeaattssmmaakkee ggrreeaatt gifts

Lauri NortonLicensed Massage Therapist # 4199

Nationally CertifiedCranio Sacral, Polarity, Swedish, Reflexology

(505) 243-1701 cell 410-3741

H A R W O O DARTCENTER

1114 7th Street NW at Mountain Road for more information, call 505-242-6367

December9 – 22

Reception: Fri., Dec. 17 5 to 8:30 PM

small is more

Exhibition of small worksand Fundraiser for the Harwood Art Center

csa

Two Uncommon Shops Under One Roof

GALLERY ONE505-268-7449

Contemporary crafts—Folk Art—Jewelry—Cards—Casual Clothing

THE PUEBLO LOFT505-268-8764

Storytellers—Masks—Miniatures—Zuni Fetishes (Including Horses)

3500 Central Ave. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106in the Historic Nob Hill Shopping Center

december 2004 5

get the spirit

TERRA FIRMAa clog store

113 Carlisle S.E.Albuquerque, NM 87106

505.260.0507In Historic Nob Hill Shopping Center

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EEaarrtthh

Fill Your Christmas Stocking This Year At

The Herb StoreA Stocking Stuffer Buffett

With Most Items Under $5.00

107 Carlisle Blvd SE • 255-8878

PAPERS!

For a plethora ofpaper, as well asholiday cards & giftsthat will amaze!

Nob Hill Shopping Center114 Amherst SE 254-1434

Mon.-Sat. 10:30-6:30 Sun. 11-5

I’ve waited all year. The first ones shyly showedthemselves in mid to late November. But now inDecember they are in full force and are they everdelicious! Just the right amount of sweet to tart,easy to peel,with an indescribably delicious citrusflavor and aroma. Satsumas have got to be one ofmy favorites of the citrus family.

Citrus fruits originated in southern China andSoutheast Asia where they have been cultivatedfor some 4,000 years. Mandarins from southernChina were brought to Europe and the Americasin the 1800's. Satsuma mandarins were firsthybridized in Japan more than 400 years ago.There are some 100 varieties of satsumas inJapan. About a dozen have made it across thePacific and are cultivated in the United States.

co-op news december 2004 6

Produce Spotlight:Satsumas are Here

EL PICO DE SANTA FESanta Fe, New Mexico Pico de Gallo 14 oz. for $2.49, Hot SalsaRoja 14 oz. for $2.49, Original SalsaRoja 14 oz. for $2.49, Spicy GourmetSalsa 14 oz. for $2.49

SANTA FE SPARKLINGCIDERSanta Fe, New Mexico Organic Sparkling Apple Cider 25.4 oz.for $6.99

LA MONTANITA COOPAlbuquerque, New Mexico Store Label Ultimate One Multivitamin60 ct. for $12.99

UNION BAKING CO.Albuquerque, New Mexico French Bread 16 oz. for $2.29

DEL VALLE PECANSBrazito, New Mexico Organic Pecan Halves per pound, $9.99,Organic Pecan Baking Pieces per pound,$7.99

LOS CHILEROSSanta Fe, New Mexico Blue Corn Popcorn 3 oz. for $1.99, GreenChile Popcorn 3 oz. for $1.99, ChickenEnchilada Soup Mix 5 oz. for $4.99,Green Chile Stew Mix 13 oz. for $4.99

LOCAL SALE ITEMSSHOP LOCAL & SAVE

SPECIALS GOOD DURING THE MONTH OF DEC.

Additions to the Member toMember Resource Guide

Judy Lang LISW, Individual, Couples, Family TherapyMost insurance accepted • 323-5712 • 15% off 1st visit

Silent Thunder: Center For Asian StudiesClasses in Tai chi, Meditation, Taekwondo and Qigong Mokurai, 136

Jackson NE • 265-3112 silentthunder@planet-save.com

one week of free classes with current Coop Member Card

We are continuing our efforts to sign a lease with theowner of the property that we are interested or searchfor other viable locations in Gallup. In the meantime, LaMontanita has decided to move forward to purchase theassets of Wild Sage Co-op and take over the operations inthe current downtown location effective December 1,2004. This will greatly assist the overworked, highlystressed all-volunteer staff now operating the store.Additionally, we’ll be able to provide support and stabilityfor our members and shoppers during the busy holidayfood season.

The current lease will be extended at the downtown loca-tion so that the new store lease can be secured and thebuildout of the retail space completed. We look to bemoved to a permanent location by February 1, 2005. TheWild Sage Co-op name will be retained as the intent of LaMontanita is to keep Wild Sage Co-op the Gallup commu-nity’s natural food cooperative. The membership cardsthat were mailed to Gallup members in October give allmembers of the La Montanita Food Co-op the ability tosave on their food purchases at Wild Sage in Gallup and atthe two coop locations in Albuquerque. by Steve Watts

tttthhhheeee GGGGaaaallll lllluuuuppppbuzz

Moving FFFFoooorrrrwwwwaaaarrrrdddd!!!!

spotlighton...

Your Coop has a variety of specialty meats availablefor your Winter Holiday celebrations

Turkeys and large turkey breasts, duck, Cornish gamehens, roasts, boneless hams, rack of lamb, organicprime rib, seafood and fish

Place your orderby Dec. 17Nob Hill 265-4631 or Valley 242-8800

Satsumas were grown commercially along the USGulf Coast from South Carolina to Texas untilback-to-back freezes in the late 1890's discouragedreplanting. Satsumas are still grown commerciallyin southern Louisiana and Texas, Florida andCalifornia.

The Mandarin orange trees are small, sometimesspiny, with slender branches and lance shaped shinyevergreen leaves. They have shapely, symmetrical,rather open, rounded crowns, and rarely requirepruning. Only 15-20 feet tall their white flowersappear in March and April, are very fragrant andattract numerous honey bees. The giant swallowtailbutterfly, one of North America's largest and mostspectacular butterflies, relies solely on plants in thecitrus family for larval food.

Well known mandarin orange cultivars include thevery easy-peeling and delicious 'Clementine';'Cleopatra', which also is used as root stock;'Dancy', the most common commercial tangerinein Florida; 'Ponkan', a larger, low-acid type; and'Changsha', perhaps the most cold hardy of all thesweet citrus fruits. The satsumas are also coldhardy mandarins, of which the 'Owari' is one ofthe most popular cultivars.

Look for satsumas and other delicious citrus atboth Coop locations. Buy them by the pound or inthe 5 pound boxes that are perfect for gift giving orholiday parties and pot-lucks.

But sadly, if grapefruit is what you crave — hurri-cane season in Florida severely damaged thegrapefruit crop to the tune of hundreds of millionsof dollars. What grapefruits we will be able to getwill probably not be of the best quality and maybe pricey. by Robyn Seydel

ddddeeee llll iiii sssshhhh !!!!

meat

CO-OPmember fee

raised to $15 as of Jan. 1, 2005Thanks to all the Members who voted for the By-law

amendment to increase annual membership dues from $12 to $15. This is the first member dues increase

since 1976, and remains one of the lowest Coop membership fees in the nation.

deliciouscciittrruuss

NMST

by Lotti Abraham, Lead Cheese Clerk Holiday gift suggestions are gracing the cheese casesat La Montanita's Nob Hill and Valley coop stores.Whether for party platters, house warming presents or aholiday treat for yourself, your Coop has a variety ofcheeses on hand to make this season even more festive.

We have an amazing diversity of fine gourmet cheesesincluding pear shaped cheddar cheese, clotted creamwith drambuie, or 5.29 oz. mini wheel of mango andginger Stilton, that will add zest to any holiday brunch.Gift packs of sheep, goat and cow soft cheeses and minibaskets of the same will delight any cheese lover in yourfamily. Also, Stilton with lemon is now available in itsown black re-useable gift box. And don't forget: BlackDiamond Extra Sharp Cheddar 11 oz. cheese balls withalmonds and Herkimer's Cheddar with almonds andhorseradish 10 oz. roll spruces up those party platters.Merlot and port flavored Herkimer Cheddars are delight-ful and colorful additions for appetizers, or chooseAmber Valley's Port Derby, a mild cheese flavored withport wine and brandy.

For convenience and taste, try our cryo-vac packages ofPresident Blud d'Auvergne and Societe 3.5 oz. Roquefortboth from France. The ever popular Rosenborg Danish

Blue 4.4 oz. wedge is great for a snack with fruit, or try outour new addition, Rondele's 4 oz. Peppercorn Parmesanspreadable cheese on rustic bread.

From all of us at the Nob Hill and Valley cheesedepartments enjoy your holiday celebrations!

Calendar of Events12/2 Giving Trees go up at both stores

12/2 Nob Hill Shop and Stroll. Co-op party 5-7pm

12/16 Bandelier Elementary School Chorus, 10:30pm Nob Hill

12/18 Valley Co-op holiday gathering, 1-5pm

12/19 Make a Child Smile gifts due back at either store

12/21 Board of Directors Meeting 5:30pm

12/24 Both stores close at 6pm

12/25 Co-op closed (both stores)

12/28 Finance Committee Meeting, 5pm Co-op Annex

co-op news december 2004 7

Based in Placitas, New Mexico, Clear Light - The CedarCompany creates products that treat your body and mind tothe natural pleasures and benefits of a variety of herbs.Josuha Pine began studying the lore of New Mexico mountaincedar while hiking through the aromatic forests of NewMexico's high country. He learned about the herbal andmedicinal qualities of green cedar from the Navajo and Hopipeoples, and from Nature herself. The use of Cedar for heal-ing body and spirit is not new; ancient healers have knownand used its therapeutic properties for thousands of years. Insome cultures, the cedar is a sacred tree, and burning cedarneedles as incense evokes mythical memories. Cedar hasmore down-to-earth uses as well. For generations familieshave used it to give their homes a clean, refreshing scent andto keep insects away from clothing and other stored treas-ures. Cedar absorbs odors, instead of just covering them up.

As Josuha studied native cultures, he began giving away littlepouches of green cedar needles. Everyone asked for more,and Clear Light - The Cedar Company was born. He still watch-es over the harvest, making sure it is done to his own exact-ing standards. The needles are picked at exactly the rightmoment, leaving the trees healthy and happy, and cured onlylong enough to preserve their clean, everlasting fragrance.

All of their products, Green Cedar Needle Sachets, CedarMountain Moisture Lotion, Cedar Mountain Mist, Cedar BlendPotpourri, body and hair care products, soaps, candles andthe handmade Cedar-Piñon Incense have dozens of uses andall make wonderful and useful gifts. Give the gift of the freshhealing scent of cedar and lavender this season, give ClearLight from the Cedar Company. Look for a wide variety ofthese fine local products at both Coop locations.

Local Product Spotlight: HBAClear Light - The Cedar Co.

Cheeses for the Holidays!

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We learned from a memberearlier this year that our gravity feed bulk bins wereoccasionally dispensing smallpieces of green plastic with thefood. We have now replacedthese bins in both stores andour bulk staff continues to workto make adjustments to the newbins. We have changed every-thing possible from scoop binsto gravity fed bins as they are more sanitary and self-rotating. Some of the more clumpy granolas aren’tworking out too well in the new smaller gravity bins andwe are now moving these items to larger gravity bins.Work to adjust the new bulk sets in both stores will con-tinue for several weeks and we appreciate your patienceas we make further changes to improve this department.

Our small re-model of the Nob Hill checkout area isalmost complete and we have gained some additionalshelf space as part of this project. In order to allocatethis new space to the categories that most need expand-ing in the store, we have relocated several sections andchanged some aisles around. Please don’t hesitate toask a staff member if you have difficulty finding yourfavorite products, as we know it will take a few weeks forall of us to get familiar with the changes.

The Organic Valley Dairy Cooperative has begun pro-duction in southern Colorado and these dairy productsare now being produced from New Mexico andColorado farms. Our Organic Valley Coop milk was pre-viously being produced in Wisconsin and we aredelighted with this new regional facility. We do antici-pate some supply issues as this new facility beginsproduction, but we do have alternative sources if nec-essary to prevent out of stocks during this time.

While we were committed topaying our staff a living wagewhether the by-law amend-ment changing the annualmembership dues from $12 to$15 passed or not, memberapproval of this amendmentduring our recent election is anaffirmation that you supportour efforts. On January 1, 2005we will begin to pay a living

wage to all staff members who have worked for theCoop for at least 6 months. We arrived at our livingwage scale after considerable research on national andstate living wage studies. We are using the living wagemodel used by numerous coops around the country.Watch the January newsletter for a comprehensivereport of our entire staff wage structure

We want to extend a warm welcome to the communityof Gallup this month where we are now in place oper-ating as Wild Sage Coop. We will continue to do busi-ness out of the existing Wild Sage location on CoalAvenue while we work on putting together the newfacility. We look forward to the opening of the newlocation where we can expand the many amenities andbenefits the coop offers to that community. One of thefirst will be a paid staff in Gallup and regular storehours during the busy holiday season.

We appreciate your support of La Montanita and pleasedon’t hesitate to let us know how we can be of greaterservice and value to you. We wish you and yours a happyholiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year.

C.E. Pugh(505) 265-4631, extension 323ce@lamontanitacoop.com

General Manager’s Column

the inside scoop

birkenstock

cheese...mmaakkeess iitt aa cceelleebbrraattiioonn

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1. Coonridge Organic Goat Cheese $12.00 2.Sweetwoods Goat Camembert $7.49 3. Pear Shaped Cheddar from Scotland $14.99

4. English Clotted Cream with Dramuie $7.79 5. Rescue Remedy Spray $15.79 6. Massage Ball $7.49 7.Santa Fe Beeswax Candles

$13.99 & $19.99 8. Burt’s Bees Lip Gloss- Raspberry $2.99, Lifeguard’s Choice $2.99, Lip Balm Tube $1.99, Mini Hand Salve $1.99 9. Y.S. Organic Bee Farm Positive Energy $5.99 10. Organic Meyer Lemons $7.49/lb, Organic PersImmon $7.49/lb.

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C o l d & F l u S e a s o n R e m e d yCold Snap contains twenty herbs to restore righteous Chi....

According to the label the choice time to take Cold Snap is early. If you have not been able toforestall the unwanted guest, frequent use (as often as twenty minutes) may be required to changethe momentum of the invasion. With more experience and some anticipation, you won’t need toconsume a large quantity of herbs. Let’s hope so. On sale this month.

$19.29 120 capsules

SHOP SHOP THE CO-OPTHE CO-OP ....

..yyou can alwou can alwaays find something ys find something

naturnatural, organic and yummal, organic and yummy y

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Gourmet $50 The Athlete $35 The Breakfast $35 Pamper $25 SweetTooth $25

1.Handcrafted Hand Dyed Wooden Bowl $25.99 & Spoon $5.89 2.Black Diamond Made from 2 Year Old Cheddar $6.99 3.Fromages de

France-Pave- 3 Cheeses $15.99 4.Middle Earth Organic 100% Organic Olive Oil from Italy $13.79 5. Red Dragon Tattoo Treatment $9.49

6. Gaeta Balsamic Vinegar from Italy ( Aged 4 Years) $7.49 7.Mr Eggplant , Handmade by the Valley Co-op Produce Department- Priceless

8. High Mesa Chai 100% Natural Spiced Instant Tea $15.99.

available at the Nob Hill Co-op onlyH o l i d a y G i f t B a s k e t s

Fernado Maresma anddaughter-in-law Kimberlee(opposite page) are longtime member/owners of theCo-op.Kimberly, also a broker forDr. Hasuschka says it is acomplete joy working withthe Co-op!

Don’t know what to give?SS HH OO PP TT HH EE CC OO -- OO PPGift Certificates make giving easy.This season enjoy the best naturaland organic food.Good food isn’t a luxury anymore.

6

holiday goodies december 2004 10

sweet&savory

The warmth of the holidays has lots to dowith all the great food shared with lovedones. Hope these recipes will help you spreadgood cheer. They have been adapted andreprinted from the following websites:

www.outlawcook.comwww.epicurious.comwww.chocoholic.comwww.vegparadise.comwww.globalgourmet.comwww.recipezaar.comwww.vegsource.com

Orange-Basmati Salad with PineNuts and Pomegranate Seeds

2 c water1 c uncooked basmati rice1 tsp salt, divided1/4 c white wine vinegar2 tsp grated orange rind1/4 c fresh orange juice1 1/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper2 c orange sections (about 3 oranges)1/2 c pomegranate seeds1/4 c pine nuts, toasted3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Bring the water to a boil in a mediumsaucepan over medium-high heat. Add riceand 3/4 teaspoon salt; cover, reduce heat, andsimmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.Remove from heat; fluff rice with a fork. Cool.

Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, vinegar, and next4 ingredients (vinegar through pepper), stir-ring with a whisk. Combine rice, vinegarmixture, orange sections, and remainingingredients; toss gently to combine.

Hazelnut Butter Cookies

1 1/2 c all purpose flour3/4 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature1 c creamy unsalted hazelnut butter1/2 c sugar1/2 c (packed) golden brown sugar1 large egg1 tsp vanilla extract1 12-oz package semisweet mini chocolatechips (2 cups)

Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl.Using electric mixer, beat butter, hazelnutbutter, and both sugars in large bowl until

light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat inflour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover andrefrigerate at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Soften doughslightly at room temperature before shaping.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets withparchment paper. Using 1 level tablespoon foreach cookie, roll dough between palms of handsinto 1-inch balls. Arrange 1 inch apart on pre-pared sheets. Bake 1 sheet at a time until cook-ies are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Letcool on sheets on racks 5 minutes. Transfercookies to racks and cool. (Can be made 5 daysahead. Store airtight between sheets of waxedpaper at room temperature.)

Mediterranean Chickpea Latkes

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed, drained2 garlic cloves1 tbsp fresh rosemary3 large eggs6 tbsp water2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil3 tbsp all purpose flour1 1/2 tsp ground cumin1 tsp salt1/2 tsp ground black pepper1/2 tsp baking powder6 tbsp (or more) olive oilPomegranate seeds (optional)

Blend garbanzo beans, garlic, and rosemary inprocessor to coarse paste. Add eggs, 6 table-spoons water and extra-virgin olive oil; blenduntil smooth. Add flour, cumin, salt, pepper, andbaking powder and blend. Pour batter into bowl.

Heat 6 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet overmedium-high heat until hot but not smoking.Working in batches, drop batter by heaping table-spoonfuls into hot oil. Cook until golden, about1 minute per side. Using slotted spatula, transferlatkes to paper towels to drain. Add more oil toskillet as necessary and allow to get hot beforeadding more batter. Transfer latkes to plates.Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and serve.

Kwaanza Kabocha Stew

1/2 small kabocha squash1 large carrot, peeled1 very large red onion or 2 medium peeled1 lb tomatoes, diced1 c water1 tsp ground coriander1/4 tsp ground cloves1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp chili powder1 1/4 tsp saltFreshly ground black pepper4 tbsp roasted, unsalted peanuts, coarselychopped, divided

Wash squash and cut in half. Discard seeds.Place cut side down on a cutting board and

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holiday goodies december 2004 11

1 tbsp lemon juice1 3/4 c garbanzo bean flour3 1/2 c water1/3 to 1/2 c shelled raw pistachiosThinly sliced tomatoes for garnish4 basil leaves or 6 arugula leaves

Begin by lining a 9"x 5"x 3" loaf pan with plas-tic wrap large enough to drape over the sides. Setaside. Combine onion, garlic, basil, thyme, currypowder, cumin, salt, pepper, tamari, olive oil, andlemon juice in a large, deep skillet or wok andsaute over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn heatdown to low. Add garbanzo bean flour to skillet.Then add water a little at a time, stirring con-stantly with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Turn heat up to medium to medium-high, andcook for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring fre-quently, until mixture reaches the consistency ofvery thick porridge and begins to pull awayfrom sides of pan. Stir pistachios into cookedmixture, and turn out into prepared loaf pan,pressing firmly to eliminate air spaces. Foldexcess plastic wrap over pate and chill severalhours or overnight. Unmold pate onto an ovalserving platter, and garnish top of the pate orsides of the platter with tomatoes and herbs.

Cranberry Stuffed Squash

2 med. acorn squashes1 c chopped pears1/2 c cranberries3 tbsp orange juice concentrate3 tbsp maple syrup1 1/2 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp allspice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice squashlength wise and place cut side up on foil-linedbaking pan. In medium bowl, combine pears,cranberries, orange juice concentrate, maplesyrup, cinnamon, and allspice. Spoon mixtureinto squash cavities. Brush cut edges with anyremaining liquid. Bake 45 minutes, or untilsquash is tender.

remove skin with a sharp, firm-bladed paringknife held in a horizontal position.

Cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cubes, and steam untiltender but still firm, about 8 to 12 minutes. Setaside. Mince carrot and onion in a foodprocessor and remove to a large, deep skillet.Add tomatoes, water, and seasonings to skillet,and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 30minutes. Adjust seasonings if needed.

Add steamed kabocha squash and half thepeanuts, and heat through to combine flavors.Transfer to an attractive serving bowl, andsprinkle with remaining peanuts. Serves 5 to 6.

Miniature Goat Cheese Cakes

1 tbsp unsalted butter1/2 c fresh bread crumbs1/2 c toasted walnuts1/4 tsp kosher salt1/4 tsp black pepper5 oz fresh goat cheese1/4 lb cream cheese1 large egg1 tbsp chives1/4 tsp kosher salt1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter anonstick mini-muffin tin. Mix the breadcrumbs, walnuts, and butter in a small bowlwith half the salt and half the pepper. Stirwith a fork until thoroughly combined. Place2 teaspoonfuls of the mixture in each cup andpress down into the bottom to form a crust.Beat the goat cheese and cream cheese in thebowl of an electric mixer until smooth, light,and fluffy. Beat in the egg, chives, andremaining salt and pepper. Divide betweenthe wells and smooth the tops with a knife.Bake until puffed, about 15 minutes. Cool ona wire rack for 5 minutes, then run a knifearound the rim of each cake and carefullyunmold. These can be baked a day ahead andkept covered and chilled in the refrigerator.Re-heat in a 350 degree F oven until hot.

Variation: Instead of walnuts, you can useany kind of chopped nuts and you can evenuse your favorite cracker crushed instead ofbread crumbs. Serve them either on a tossedgreen salad or with Melba toast and crackers!

Garbanzo Bean Pate

1 large onion, finely minced5 cloves garlic, minced1 1/2 tsp dried basil1/4 tsp crushed dried thyme1 tsp curry powder1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp salt1/2 tsp ground black pepper3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

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environmental news december 2004 12

always known for its environmentalist stance andin fact a good portion of the populace would wel-come oil drilling and the employment it brings. Ifanyplace is perceived as having an overabundanceof nature and losing some wouldn’t hurt a bit, it’s

the fiftieth state.

Despite what appeared to bea brief blip of awareness inthe 70s, thirst for oil hasn’tdecreased. Environmentalawareness is at an all-timelow, at least as far as politicsis concerned. Recycling isstill barely in reach of mostof the populace and in somecases may be more expensiveboth in terms of dollar cost

and the energy expended on it. Of course, the veryneed for recycling hasn’t been addressed; it’s neverconsidered that many (or even most) of the prod-ucts that come in recyclable (or disposable) con-tainers may not be needed in the first place.

There are more disposable products than everbefore without a thought to how such practices are

what environment?by Brett BakkerLast month, I brought up the once-important, now-ignored Farm Vote.Even as recently as the term of President Carter, it still meant some-thing, as did the newly recognized Environmental Vote. This year'sdemocratic presidential candidate barely mentioned his above-aver-age environmental voting record. The cur-rent administration has little if anything tosay about it at all except for the First Lady’swildflower restoration on their Texas ranch.

While it may be hard to understand why sucha once-important issue has diminished toalmost zero in national politics, its not hardto see how. Fear rules and placation is therule. We have more toys, games, gadgets and“entertainment” opportunities than everbefore that encourage a fearful populace tocozy up in a hazy misinformed cocoon, to becomfortable in a way that would’ve embarrassed and bewildered ourgrandparents. Is it any wonder when demeaning makeover televisionshows emphasize cosmetology over cosmology, that environmental-ism is equated with having pretty places to bring our noisy fuel-guz-zling toys? It’s being said that we have preserved enough of naturealready and it if be in the way of jobs, nature be damned.

And to be realistic, nature does stand in the way of job creation orI should say, jobs that are valued. But work — true work: honest,productive and satisfying — is not valued, not even equated withthe concept of “job”. Today, the two are as different as night andday. Jobs that don’t support a consumptive lifestyle are valued notall. Neither are enterprises that don’t dole out this level of wagesbecause in order to be a high-paying employer, the stockholder andCEO must make astronomical profits. In this view, nature doesn’tpay except in the way of raw materials.

Whether you believe the gulf war is being waged for protection orfor oil or both, its outcome will determine US energy policies forlifetimes to come. Reduced reliance on foreign oil is a considerationof even the most non-global thinking politician but lacks an envi-ronmental outlook. These days, "alternative" energy sources meannot solar or wind but domestic supplies of oil which in turn meansAlaska (and any off-shore sources we can identify). Alaska is not

itchy green

perceived by the public for the simple fact thatthey aren’t perceived at all, pro or con. Itsbecome a non-issue. No, as long as there’s stillplenty of nature to look at — maybe even ski,hike or four-wheel in — that’s perceived asenough: nature preserved for prettiness and notfor sustaining the web of its creation.

It’s easy to look at breathtaking purple moun-tain majesty and be overwhelmed by the needfor its preservation. Even the most money-hun-gry developer or energy mogul knows that anotherwise ill-informed general public wouldn’tsupport spoiling scenic vistas seen from the golfcourse, picture window or television screen. Butthe reason for the existence of the meadow voleat the foot of those mountains and its interrela-tion with the whole of nature..? Well, when wasthe last time you saw a vole on a postcard?

PS: In keeping with my increasing disgust and dis-illusionment, these days I listen to more angrypunk rock than peacenik music but I’ll still quotethe occasional dinosaur now and then:

“Then I'll get on my knees and pray/we don't get fooledagain” Pete Townsend, the Who (1971) and“War is over (if you want it)”Happy Christmas from John & Yoko” (1972)

thumb

New Mexico’s beloved Valle Vidal is under threat!This 100,000-acre gem, home to the state’s largestelk herd, is in danger of being leased for coal-bedmethane (CBM) development. This developmentwould industrialize one of the most beautiful preservesin the state, bringing with it miles of roads, graded wellpads, poisoned waterways, fragmented habitat and thepermanent impoverishment of a land vital to theeconomies of Northern New Mexico.

In 2002, El Paso Natural Gas petitioned the ForestService to lease the eastern 40,000 acres of the Valle forcoal bed methane (CBM) development. This summer,the Forest Service released its Reasonable ForeseeableDevelopment Scenario (RFDS). The scenario predicteda large amount of gas beneath the Valle, yet it’s onlyenough to supply the nation with about 11 hours of gas.For that, we would see the elk’s calving grounds dis-rupted, displaced wildlife populations, fragmented habi-tat, poisoned waterways and the loss of a vital portionof the economies of northern New Mexico.

FIRST, Call Rep. Tom Udall and Heather WIlson andvoice your strong opposition to leasing the Valle Vidalfor coal-bed methane development, and urge them tofight for PERMANENT protection of the Valle Vidal. SECOND, email or write to Rep. Udall and Rep. HeatherWilson. Tell them the Valle Vidal deserves PERMANENTprotection from oil and gas development and otherforms of industrialization.

Contact Representative Tom Udall505-984-8950email: http://www.tomudall.house.gov

Contact Representative Heather Wilson505-346-6781 email: ask.heather@mail.house.gov

HERE’S SOME INFORMATION YOU CAN INCLUDE INYOUR COMMUNICATION:• CBM development fragments rangeland habitat, dis-places local wildlife populations, uses and contami-nates large volumes of water, and impacts the scenicvalue of the landscape.

• The Valle Vidal serves as an important resource forthe surrounding agricultural and recreation basedcommunities of northern New Mexico.

• Over six million acres in the surrounding Raton Basinare open to natural gas development. 88% of our pub-lic lands are currently open to energy development. TheValle Vidal accounts for less than 1% of the RatonBasin, a “postage stamp” by comparison.

• The Valle Vidal was donated by the Pennzoil Companyin 1982 and was meant to be managed as for its wildliferesources and for its outstanding scenic and recreationvalues. CBM development would permanently destroywildlife habitat and ruin any opportunities for recreation.

To find out more about the Valle and the Coalition forthe Valle Vidal: www.vallevidal.org, Jim O'DonnellOutreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal,www.vallevidal.org, call 505-758-3874.

Protect the Valle Vidal from Oiland Gas Development

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The New Mexico Solar Energy Association is offer-ing a complete set of architectural blueprintsdesigned by Mark Chalom and his wife, artist BettyTsotsie for a Passive Solar Adobe style GingerbreadHouse. This delightful confection is a perfect gift foranyone who likes to bake and make beautiful con-fections for the holidays.

The house is designed according to passive solarbuilding guidelines, including clerestory windows,and an optional greenhouse. For the holidays, smallmarshmallow luminaries decorate the roof.

Build a Solar House!from adobe or gingerbread!

consumer news december 2004 13

by Jim Minick, Prairie Writers CircleImagine you’re standing in the produce section of yourlocal grocery faced with a variety of apples. You wantto make the best choice, for the good of your family,farm workers and the environment. Do you buy theorganic Galas shipped from across the country or theGranny Smiths grown conventionally but locally?The decision is not easy.

First, consider organic. Organic farming, because itshuns synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, is friendlier tothe environment than conventional practices. And evi-dence is increasing that organic food is better for you.

Organic produce on average contains about twice theessential minerals of conventionally grown food,according to a study published in the Journal ofApplied Nutrition. And a University of Washingtonstudy found that children eating conventional foodhad six to nine times the pesticide exposure of childrenwho ate an organic diet. Consumers have made organ-ic food the fastest growing sector of agriculture. Salesof organic food are rising by 20 percent annually.

But organic is not without problems. As organic saleshave grown, organic farming has moved away fromits small family-farm roots and is becoming industri-alized. The organic carrots I buy at Wal-Mart wereprobably grown on a large scale, a system dependenton fossil-fuel mechanization, underpaid farm laborand imported organic fertilizers. How sustainableover the long run is the diesel tractor plowing up thesoil? How fair are the labor practices? And the chick-en litter fertilizer might be organic, but how far wasit shipped before it was spread on the field?

This distance question highlights a problem of ourentire food system, including organic: our love affairwith airlifted, railroaded, tractor-trailored grapes inDecember or tomatoes in February. Often this pro-duce comes from Mexico or Chile or some other far-away place, and its cheap price belies the waste ofenergy used to transport it to our tables.

“Eaters might begin to question the sanity of eatingfood more traveled than they are,” quips Joan DyeGussow, author of This Organic Life. Noting that acalorie is a unit of energy, she says: “It costs 435 fos-sil fuel calories to fly a 5-calorie strawberry fromCalifornia to New York.”

The burning of fossil fuel to move food meansmore globe-warming greenhouse gases. Myorganic carrots from Wal-Mart might do mybody good, but in eating them, I’m harming thelarger body of our earth, and that ultimately cir-cles back to everyone’s health.

Now consider locally grown food. It solves theproblem of shipping food long distances. TheGranny Smith from your nearby orchard onlyhas to travel a few miles, in contrast with the1,000 to 2,000 miles that most of our food trav-els from field to plate. And because of this shortcommute, local food — organic or convention-al — is naturally fresher and tastier.

Another advantage of buying locally is foodsecurity. Today’s centralized system processesfood in huge factories and moves products inlarge quantities, creating attractive targets forterrorists looking to contaminate as much foodas possible. A decentralized system of smalllocal farms and processors would be muchharder to disrupt on a large scale.

Finally, buying local food means keeping ourdollars circulating in our own communities. Sonext time you are in the supermarket ponderingthe organic Gala or the local Granny Smith, con-sider how you might help create a food systemthat is both organic and local. Seek out a localfarmers market or vegetable subscription servicethat provides a weekly bag of produce. Meetyour local farmers this way. Encourage them touse organic methods and local sources of com-post and other soil amendments. And seek outthe small growers, who don’t have to exploitlabor to gather their harvests.

If you enjoy quality food and a healthy planet,consider what you eat, where it was grown andhow. Let’s choose both organic and local if possi-ble, so we can begin moving our food economyin ways that benefit our health and the earth’s.

Jim Minick teaches at Radford University in Virginiaand also farms. A poet and essayist, his latest work,Finding a Clear Path, will be published in 2005.Minick is a member of the Land Institute’s PrairieWriters Circle, Salina, Kan.

beyond organic golocal

The “blueprints” contain full size architectural draw-ings and patterns for all the pieces, and a descriptionof all the ingredients needed to construct the dwellingplus landscaping. Recipes are included for the ginger-bread walls, and icing “mortar”. The plans have evenbeen officially certified by Architect Mark Chalom ofSolar Design and Analysis in Santa Fe.

The plans hope to help raise funds for solar educa-tion. Cost: $10 plus $2.50 shipping. Send check ormoney order to NMSEA, 1009 Bradbury SE, Albq.,NM, 87106. 246-0400 www.nmsea.org.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), led by Bush appointees, has delayed plans to launch a newstudy in which participating low income families will have their children exposed to toxic pesticides overthe course of two years. For taking part in these studies, each family will receive $970, a free videocamera, a T-shirt, and a framed certificate of appreciation. In October, the EPA received $2 millionto do the study from the American Chemistry Council, a chemical industry front group that includesmembers such as Dow, Exxon, and Monsanto. The EPA's Linda Sheldon says the study is vital,because so little is known about how small children's bodies absorb harmful chemicals. The studywould be done in Durall County, one of Florida’s agricultural centers. EPA’s acceptance of researchfunds from the chemical industry taints the study and ethical questions abound. The OrganicConsumers Association is calling on the nation's citizens to demand the EPA forgo this projectentirely. To sign on to the petition go to www.organicconsumers.org.

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health & healing december 2004 14

Book Review: Our Overweight Children: WhatParents, Schools, and Communities Can Do to Controlthe Fatness Epidemic, by Sharron Dalton

American children are gaining more weight thanever before — the number of overweight or obesekids has doubled since 1980. Many are sufferingfrom ailments linked to adult obesity such as type2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and they areat risk for many serious health problems later on.If trends continue, obesity will overtake smokingas the leading preventable cause of death.

With a third of American children overweight orlikely to become so, Sharron Dalton issues a wake-up call with Our Overweight Children: WhatParents, Schools, and Communities Can Do toControl the Fatness Epidemic. A professor ofNutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health,Dalton consults popular and scientific sources aswell as her own experience as a nutritionist toaddress the underlying causes of obesity, its healthand emotional effects, and realistic solutions.

Dalton examines the “toxic environment” thatputs all kids at risk, an environment where kidshave constant access to junk food and are bom-barded with ads. Overscheduled families drivebetween school and errands, downing super-sizedfries and Big Gulps in the car. At home we ofteneat high-fat pre-packaged foods because they’recheap and convenient. Kids reach for soda popinstead of water when they’re thirsty, some get-ting a third of their total calories from soda.Americans’ favorite leisure activity is shopping,and watching TV is a close second. Because it’soften not safe outside, kids stay inside, playing onthe computer or watching TV, which is saturatedwith ads for foods high in fat and sugar.

The environment isn’t much better at schools,where very little of the food sold comes from nutri-tionally balanced lunches and where physical edu-cation has been cut back. Most school districts

have sold exclusive pouring rights to PepsiCo or toCoca-Cola so they can sell high-sugar drinks tostudents throughout the day. Many school cafete-rias sell Pizza Hut and other chain-restaurant fare,while the National School Lunch Program remainsa way for the USDA to dispense surplus com-modities (high-fat beef and dairy products).

Fast food stands out as a major culprit in the epi-demic. An analysis of the economics of obesityshows that the growth of fast food accounts formost of the rise in obesity. Families are eating morefast food because parents are spending more timeat work and less time cooking. Only half ofAmerican families eat dinner together four or moretimes per week (research shows that eating with thefamily at home improves overall diet quality). Byencouraging frequent snacking, rapid eating, andover-eating, fast food can override a child’s internalsystem for recognizing hunger and fullness.

Our Overweight Children is a call to action, bothdown-to-earth and visionary. Understanding thedaily realities that families face, Dalton sortsthrough popular diet and exercise recommenda-tions. She offers parents a plethora of practicalsuggestions (like serving kids one new fruit orvegetable a week).

Dalton would like to see a large public healthcampaign to address obesity like those aimed atAIDS/HIV and smoking. She outlines specific andfar-reaching actions that parents, schools, healthprofessionals, and communities can take. Andthere are plenty of projects to go around, fromgetting the junk food out of schools, to makingneighborhoods safer. From decreasing urbansprawl, to supporting farmers’ markets. Fromsetting standards on marketing to children, totaxing foods of minimal nutritious value. Daltonreminds us that while obesity is the most preva-lent health problem among kids, it is also themost preventable.

Reviewed by Venetia Pimley

by Karen B. King, MA, LMTThe Holidays are here and the deadline for finding gifts isdrawing close. Advertising is all around us at this time ofyear, recommending products that are sure to please. Onehigh profile product this time of year is fragrance. Ads pro-mote the ability of perfumes, colognes and after shaves tobring sensual pleasure and attractiveness to all people. Youcertainly want to give a gift that will be enjoyable to yourrecipient — do these ads guide you to sure success?

The old saying “Nothing is for Everyone” applies to fra-grance products — in some cases painfully. A 1997 surveyconducted by the New Mexico Department of Health foundthat 16% of the people responding reported being unusu-ally sensitive to a variety of everyday chemicals, includingperfumes. Headaches are a common reaction to theseproducts. More sensitive people can experience thingssuch as muscle and joint pain or fatigue. People with asth-ma can have attacks triggered by the strong scent in theseproducts. Even individuals who enjoy some perfumes canexperience difficulties from others. Contrary to the ads,these products are not a sure thing for a happy gift.

What to do? If you want to give a gift of fragrance, consid-er essential oils. Conventional fragrance products havebeen noted to contain 95% synthetic chemicals. High qual-

Before You Give a Gift of Fragrance...

Connecting the Dotsbetween the environment and obesity

ity essential oils, by contrast, are all natural. Fine aro-matherapy essential oils have a number of healing prop-erties as well; they can help lift spirits, improve sleep, getin touch with emotions, relieve stress, as well as moreconcrete health promotion like clear sinuses and relieveheadaches. These oils also do not contain the diffusionchemicals common in convention perfumes and conser-vatively applied keep aromas closer to the wearer, whichcan be an important gift to surrounding individuals.

So leave the perfume on the store shelves and reach foressential oils or that ever popular gift —the gift certifi-cate. These can be purchased for a variety of things —clothing, dining, massage — and give a needed servicerather than yet another piece of fluff that may well windup in the landfill.

References:Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Task Force of NewMexico in collaboration with New Mexico Departments ofHealth, Environment, Education and the Governor’sCommittee on Concerns of the Handicapped. AmericanLung Association website, Article by Julia Kendal citingNeurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace, Report by theCommittee on Science & Technology, U.S. House ofRepresentatives, Sept. 16, 1986. (Report 99-827).

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community forum december 2004 15

The New Mexico Macromedia User Group (NMMUG)is an Albuquerque based organization that provides avenue for Web professionals and students to share,learn and grow in their careers. One of the goals ofthe New Mexico Macromedia User Group, is togive back to our community. In keeping with thisgoal, we are sponsoring the first annual eCards forKids contest.

The idea is simple. NMMUG members createeCards using Macromedia products. All entrieswill be displayed on the NMMUG website.Anyone and everyone will be able to purchase andsend these cards for $1 each. Each time a card ispurchased, it is considered a vote for that card.There is no limit on the number of votes an indi-vidual can place. The top three eCards receivingthe most votes will win prizes provided by our

eCards for Kids

Now more than ever we need the American CivilLiberties Union. They are cordially inviting all of us tojoin them on December 4th for their Annual ACLU-NMBill of Rights Fundraising Dinner. The keynote speak-er at this year's awards banquet is AnthonyRomero, Executive Director for the nationalAmerican Civil Liberties Union. Romero took thehelm of the ACLU in September 2001, a weekbefore the attacks on the World Trade Center andthe Pentagon. Since that time, the ACLU has led theresistance against new policies and practices thatstrike at the heart of what our democracy is allabout. The ACLU has continued to fight measuresthat roll back fundamental constitutional protec-tions and jeopardize basic freedoms, employinglawsuits, testimony in Congress, and direct appealsto citizens who may not realize that our way of lifeis endangered. This is not the first time in our his-

ACLU: Annual Bill of RightsDinner, Dec.4

film&lecture seriesthe Albq. Peace & Justice Center, 7:00 PM202 Harvard SE, 268-9557

Thursday, Dec. 2:"From Bhopal to New Mexico: Environmental Justice NOW!"

Twenty Years Without JusticeAn excellent documentary and campaign video which explores the consequences of the disaster, its causes, and the 20-yearcampaign which seeks justice for those who survived it. This 17-minute film includes interviews with gas survivors, thelawyer behind their historic lawsuit against Union Carbide, and a former engineer at the now-abandoned factory site.

Communities & Environmental LawsThe Environmental Institute, United Church of Christ, and the SW Network have been working in partnership on a joint envi-ronmental justice video, which is based on the publication "A Citizens Guide to Using Federal Laws to Secure EnvironmentalJustice and Opportunities for Advancing Environmental Justice: An Analysis of U.S. EPA Statutory Authorities." The videointroduces grassroots activists to environmental laws and illustrates the ways that community advocates can use such lawsto secure a livable environment. GUEST SPEAKERS John Mathias, Association for India's Development-Ann Arbor (AID-AnnArbor) Richard Moore, Southwest Network for Environmental & Economic Justice (SNEEJ)

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Get healthy... UUUUSSSSAAAA!!!!In early November New Mexico Healthy FoodAdvocates were honored to sponsor an importantworkshop led by Elizabeth Baker and other nationallyknown health advocates. In an intensive but gratifying18-hour seminar, 20 people qualified to become “GetHealthy America” nutrition advisors. Numerous othersaudited the course which covered all aspects of healthyfood and nutrition.

The three speakers were: Elizabeth Baker, 91, author of11 books on nutrition and health. At age 57, never havingconsidered the value of what she put in her mouth, shefound herself with four very serious diseases, includingwhat was considered terminal colon cancer. Changingher diet to all raw, all organic, she cured her ailments andtoday is as active as a person half her age, helping othersregain their health. Other speakers included Kathy

Parslow, certified clinical nutritionist, and Ron Lowrie,host of the GET HEALTHY AMERICA radio program, lec-turer, and powerful advocate of self responsibility in mat-ters of health. The seminar was dynamic, with studentssaying they had never had such a fine class.

HEALTHY FOOD ADVOCATESThe seminar was sponsored by a new organization inAlbuquerque, Healthy Food Advocates that is dedicatedto teaching individuals the importance of healing throughnutrition and lifestyle.

This group is seeking a suitable permanent meetingplace. Meanwhile the next meeting will be Wednesday,Dec 1st, at 6:30pm at 410 12th St NW. Special cookingdemonstrations and discussions will be held. For infor-mation phone Wally at 243-1460.

tory that Americans have been asked to trade awayfreedoms under the guise of increased security, andit will not be the last. As an organization the ACLUhas stood their ground and under Romero's leader-ship steadfastly maintains that it is possible to beboth safe and free. Romero is the ACLU's sixthdirector, the first Latino and openly gay man toserve in that capacity.

Not only will you get to hear Anthony Romero butyou will have the opportunity to applaud membersof our community who consistently and tirelesslywork to ensure our freedoms and rights areupheld. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity tohear Anthony Romero on December 4th beginning6pm at the ACLU Annual Bill or Rights Dinner.

For more information or to reserve your seats contactthe ACLU at 266-4622 , ACLU-NM PO Box 80915 ABQ,NM 87198 or Fax: 266-5916, or go to their web site atwww.aclu-nm.org.

sponsors. There will be two additional prizesawarded: one for the Most Creative, and the sec-ond for the Most Technically Innovative. Best ofall, the proceeds from this event will be donated toa local charity to purchase holiday gifts for less-fortunate kids

Starting December 1st, 2004, the eCards will beavailable for purchase online at www.nmmug.net/eCards. You can help by going online and sendingthese holiday eCards to everyone you know. It issimple and fun.! Spread the word. Tell yourfriends. Help make this holiday one to remember.

To find out more about this event, log on to our web-site at www.nmmug.net or call 505-345-3994. Thankyou for your support!

HELP A CHILD IN NEED, giving trees are up atboth Co-op locations starting Dec. 2. See page 2for more information.

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La Montanita Co-op Food Market3500 Central SE Albuquerque, NM 87106

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12 GREAT REASONS TO BE A CO-OP MEMBER:1. YOUR CHANCE TO SUPPORT A STORE that is committed to bringing you the high- est quality organic produce, antibiotic and hormone -free meats, rBGH- free dairy products, imported and domestic chesses, healthiest grocery, bulk foods, fresh deli and juices, natural body care cosmetics, vitamins, herbs and more!

2. Member Refund Program: At the end of each fiscal year, if earnings are sufficient, refunds are returned to members based on purchases.

3. Pick-Up Our Monthly Newsletter full of information on food, health, environment and your Co-op.

4. Weekly Member-Only Coupon Specials as featured in our Weekly Sales Flyer. Pick it up every week at either location to save more than your annual membership fee each week.

5. Easy Check Writing AND CASH ($40) over purchase amount. We also accept ATM cards, VISA and MasterCard.

6. Banking Membership at New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, with many Albuquerque branches to serve you.

7. Insurance and Financial Counseling: Call Robin Chall 823-9537

8. Free delivery for seniors, housebound and differently-abled people.

9. MEMBER- ONLY DISCOUNT DAYS: Take advantage of our special

discount events for members only — throughout the year!

10. Special Orders: You can special order large quantities or hard-to-find

items, at a 10% discount for members.

11. General Membership Meetings, Board positions and voting. Co-ops are democratic organizations; your participation is encouraged.

12. Membership Participation Program:Members can earn discount credit through our community outreach committees or skilled member participation program. Please ask at the Info Desk for details.

Now More than Ever: Support Community, Support Cooperation

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