REPOST: 3rd Annual New Mexico Black Expo, Sept. 5, 2009

Albuquerque, NM—The 3rd Annual New Mexico Black Expo will take place from 10am-6pm on Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at Civic Plaza, Downtown Albuquerque (3rd & Tijeras). The New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) is sponsoring and facilitating the Expo, which is in its 3rd year. The NM Black Expo is designed BY the African American community FOR the New Mexican community and is FREE and open to the public. In the past few years, the NM Black Expo has brought critical information and service providers that both originate in and are targeted towards the African American community. The Expo promotes Black businesses and entrepreneurs along with artists and entertainment to showcase African American talent and resources to the larger New Mexican community statewide. The NM Black Expo has hosted free HIV/AIDS and other health screenings, educational workshops and has registered voters in past years.

Previous musical and entertainment acts have included JMAR, Sweetlife, MIXX’D, Disciples of Chaos (Step & Dance Team), Gabi Rojas (Contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance”, FOX), Voices of Purpose (Gospel) and God’s House Church Choir. This year the Expo will continue to bring some of New Mexico’s most talented African American acts as well as cultural enrichment performances that include African drumming and dance. As is par for the course for previous Expos, there will be food vendors specializing in African American and traditional African/West Indian cuisine and more.

NM Black Expo 2008 hosted over 45 different informational tables that included higher education, faith-based organizations and non-profits. An additional 17 business vendors took part in the Expo marketing their goods and services to Expo goers as well. The NM Black Expo has entertainment and activities targeted to young and old alike and is FREE and open to everyone. Please come support the African American community of New Mexico and celebrate our contribution. For more information and updates on the developing schedule of events contact Hakim Bellamy at the NM Office of African American Affairs at (505) 222-9442 or edwardh.bellamy@state.nm.us. To reserve a booth space as a commercial vendor or an informational booth go to www.regonline.com/BlackExpo or call 866-219-4582. Limited space is available! And as a special gift to the children who can drag their families out of bed and down to the EXPO early...Radio Disney will be the featured entertainment from 10am-12pm and give out free prizes to the first 200 youth!!!

New Mexico Black Expo 2009

Saturday, September 5th

10 am– 6pm

Harry E Kinney Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, NM

(3rd & Tijeras)

Video Series on Health Care Reform

Below are great videos, from SWOPblogger, that have great interviews regarding the Health Care debate (or lack of debate).

The interviews were conducted by a dear friend and contsituent, Aurea out of SWOP. Aurea interviewed fellow District 6 constituents Karen Cathey and Enrique Cardiel, APS School Board Member Lorenzo Garcia, New Mexico State Representative for District 13 Eleanor Chavez, and myself, Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6 Rey Garduño.

Watch and join the debate by commenting here or on SWOPblogger.

Pedestrian Lighting in Nob Hill

Below are a couple of photos from my walk around the eastern part of Nob Hill this morning. Pedestrian lights are being installed from Jackson to Morningside along Central. Phase 2 would continue the lighting westward to Girard.

If you have questions or comments regarding the lighting, I would love to hear them.

ABQ Climate Action Plan

The City of Albuquerque's Climate Action Plan has finally been released and here is the link.

The Administration will be hosting Town Hall Meetings throughout the month of August to gain community input into the Climate Action Plan; below is the list of meetings, with the meetings that are in or near District 6 in bold:

Tuesday, August 11 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Don Newton Community Center

4900 Kachina NW 87120

Saturday, August 15 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Cherry Hills Library

6901 Barstow St NE 87111

Tuesday, August 18 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Palo Duro Senior Center

5221 Palo Duro NE 87110

Wednesday, August 19 - 6:30 - 8: 30pm

Cesar Chavez Community Center

7505 Kathryn SE 87108

Tuesday, August 25 - 6:30 - 8:30pm

Bear Canyon Senior Center

4645 Pitt NE 87111

Wednesday, August 26 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

LOBO A & B in the UNM SUB

University of New Mexico 87131

Thursday, August 27 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Los Volcanes Senior Center

6500 Los Volcanes NW 87121

Saturday, August 29 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Albuquerque Museum

2000 Mountain Rd. NW 87104

Monday, August 31 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Manzano Mesa Center

501 Elizabeth SE 871203