May Daze 04 May 2021

| May 03, 2021

Pictured Above: Old Town Center, Taos (Photo: Wendy Parker-Wood)

____________________________________

ABQ Weather or Not

"Good Day Sunshine"

Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine

I need to laugh and when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about
I feel good in a special way
I'm in love and it's a sunny day...

_________________________

BEATLES Trivia: Originally released on the 1966 album REVOLVER; in November 2005, McCartney played it live to the crew of the International Space Station as part of a concert link-up to the space station.

__________________________________

RE-ENGAGING - The Fog is Slowly Lifting

Updated Red-Yellow-Green-Turquoise criteria now in effect, statewide COVID-19 map updated

Apr 30, 2021 | Press Room

Half of counties advance to a less restrictive level; Nearly every New Mexico county now Turquoise or Green SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health on Friday announced the updated statewide COVID-19 map, with updated key health metrics used to assign risk...(click here for more)

GOT VAX? For those of us who have received both COVID-19 vaccines, there is a collective (and audible!) sigh of relief. Are we out of the woods? Not necessarily, but we're moving towards the exit. From someone who hasn't seen out-of-town family 1-on-1 for almost 16 months, I must say it was pretty sweet to pick up my sister and brother-in-law at the airport. It also was very swell to indulge in some hugging!

Not vaccinated yet? What are you waiting for? Vaccine is available. We've already lost 4,067 New Mexicans to Covid-related deaths, isn't that enough? If not for yourself, be a good neighbor and solid citizen - listen to the Science, not to political rants on social media. Politicians may find it difficult to reach across the aisle these days - let's show them how we do it in NM. After all, haven't we been leading the way all along when it comes to the most effective methods of fighting this virus. ¡Sí, podemos!

All New Mexicans age 16 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.

Please click here to see New Mexico’s full vaccination distribution plan

________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL ELECTION

IMPT: DEBATE TONIGHT (Tues 5/4) - 6pm - 7pm - KOB Channel 4

The 1st Congressional District seat is empty after former Rep. Deb Haaland resigned to serve as interior secretary.

Early voting starts May 4 at the clerk’s office and expands to other polling locations May 15. Election Day is June 1.

Here is the Official slate of candidates:

From Left to right: Christopher Manning (L), NM Sen Mark Moores (R), Aubrey Dunn (I)

and NM Rep Melanie Stansbury (D)

Click on name to access candidate website

________________________

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

INFO ABOVE WITH INTERACTIVE LINKS - Please click here

_____________________________________________________

There are ABQ Journal profiles on the candidates, if you're a subscriber. From their Saturday piece on Rep Stansbury:

"Before returning to New Mexico to open a consulting business before the 2018 election, Stansbury worked in Washington, D.C., for eight years. She held positions in the White House’s Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. She also worked as an aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

Cantwell said in a statement to the Journal that Stansbury was critical to the passage of a Yakima River Water Basin bill, which Cantwell called the “model for water management in the 21st century.” The senator said Stansbury worked with a diverse group of stakeholders to balance the tribal, environmental and agricultural needs during times of drought.

“Her ability to find common ground and bring people together who had previously only ever interacted in a courtroom proves she will be a strong advocate for all people in New Mexico,” Cantwell said.

Stansbury said her behind-the-scenes work on public policy will be an asset if she is elected.

“I think that the moment we are facing in our world and in our community right now really demands that we have someone representing our community who really deeply understands New Mexico and who also understands the systems of government at the federal, state and local levels,” she said. “And who understands the science to drive policy for our people.”

Editor's Note: Stansbury is my hands down pick. Not because she's a Democrat, but because she is a smart scientist and has been a very effective advocate for NM children and families in the NM legislature. She also knows Washington, is young and has US Senator written all over her (and Congress is a good place to start). Read up on these candidates - and please do your civic duty: Vote in this important Special Election.

___________________________________________________________

The i'S Have It

iWatch

My Octopus Teacher is a 2020 Netflix Original documentary film directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, which documents a year spent by filmmaker Craig Foster forging a relationship with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest.

Everyone I know who has seen this (a seemingly unlikely pick) has adored it.

Watch it on Netflix

____________