Amidst Gay Pride gathering and wine walkers, coming out to toil in the fields….

Wingfield Park was set aside today for entertainment and the comradeship of those celebrating Gay Pride weekend.  At the same time, this was yet another Wine Walk Saturday, where wine lovers went from establishment to establishment to taste the various offerings of wine.

entertainment for Gay Pride celebrants at Wingfield Park

woman has her wine cup filled at the Java Jungle stop

So, there were a lot of people out there today in the area along the river downtown.  And, part of the scene today involved an “army” of volunteers;  the Stonewall Democrats were registering voters across from the river from Wingfield Park and Organizing for America was collecting signatures in support of Health Care Reform.

(The people registering new voters:  Matt Dickson, Dean Austin, Shaun Gray, Jill Switzer, Alfred Walking Bull.  Not pictured here, but working earlier, was Lauren Scott.)

And, the Reno arm of Organizing for America worked out of the patio at Java Jungle (with another volunteer roaming the nearby area) in order to collect more signatures in support of the Health Care Reform proposals:

The young man in the picture, representing Organizing for America in Reno, is Dave Osolnik and to his side is retired Reno lawyer and longtime Democratic Party activist Dave Kladney.  Also out collecting signatures  was Aleice Briston, an incredibly hard working volunteer going way back.  I didn’t take Aleice’s picture at the time, but a couple of weeks later I corrected that oversight, so here she is:

added to this article on Sunday, August 29th, taken evening of 28th

News from the Clean Energy Foundation: Nevada State Senator Townsend to support clean energy initiative

Walt Borland, founder of the new Clean Energy Foundation in Nevada (see http://www.cefus.org), told me last night at the Rory Reid event about this exciting news which John Lundin (associated with the Foundation also) has posted in this article (and here reposted from Facebook):

Following on the heels of the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas Monday, Nevada State Senator Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, today announced he is championing a new initiative to create a billion-dollar Clean Energy Fund to spur clean energy development in Nevada. Townsend is proposing a fund that would pay for itself many times over through the creation of new high-paying jobs in the emerging clean energy fields of solar, wind and geothermal energy – developing resources that Nevada already enjoys in abundance, The Senator indicated that Nevada has an opportunity to put its historic pioneer spirit to work in a way that will position Nevada in the forefront of clean energy innovation. The support and incentives that can be provided to industry and research institutions by the new Clean Energy Fund can lead to a diversifying and broadening of Nevada’s economic foundation while also contributing to an improved quality of life. Senator Townsend indicated that the fund will be supported by revenue bonds that will pay for themselves, resulting on no negative impact on the state’s budget, while providing a significant and immediate economic stimulus, one with potentially huge long-term benefit. Responding to concerns about whether the state could afford the new initiative in this difficult economy, the Senator indicated Nevada cannot afford not to be a leader in the emerging clean energy economy.

Nevada State Senator Randolph Townsend, R-Reno

Also, click on this link to see news on the federal money coming into Nevada now for clean energy projects (and Senator Townsend’s involvement and passion):

http://www.windaction.org/news/22346

Note: Walt met and talked with Senator Townsend over lunch in Reno this past Monday, while the Clean Energy Summit was happening in Las Vegas.

Rory Reid “meets and greets” at Cathexes to woo prospective supporters in his run for Governor

Rory Reid came to Cathexes early last night and there met and visited with local Democratic party activists, local officials (like County Commissioner Kitty Jung, City Council members Jessica Sferrazza and Dave Aiazzi—-a Republican, but a Green sort of one), a few likely candidates at least (Robert “Tuna” Townsend, probably running again for the Assembly seat in District 25 , Xiomara Rodriguez, running for the District 31 seat, and I can’t forget Jessica Sferrazza who is exploring a run for Lt. Governor), and yet another Republican (Walt Borland, founder of the new “Clean Energy Foundation”).   Click on the following link to see the pictures I took last night:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157622038090854/

After Reid had spent some time visiting with folks (including me),  Cathexes guy Don Clark whistled loudly and had everyone gather round for a q and a session with the Clark County Commissioner.  And, there Rory faced some very direct questions related to dynasties in politics, revenues and taxes, including his position on mining taxes.  

Reid began the discussion with an emphasis on the need ”to remake the economy”, with a major part of that involved in making “Nevada a renewable energy center”.   At one point, in responding to an inquiry from David Ward on what additional revenue sources Reid would consider if he was Governor, Reid (saying he wouldn’t be playing the Governor’s game of “no new taxes”) pointed out that if we produced 2000 megawatts of solar generated energy $13 billion would go into the economy and $1.3 billion of that would represent revenues for the state. 

One man told Reid that his primary opponent or opponents would capitalize on his last name and make “dynasty” an issue, so—he asked—how was Reid going to address that issue.  Reid asserted that voters in similiar situations elsewhere usually had initial negative reactions to the prospect of so called dynasties, but in the end the “empirical evidence” suggested that they focused on choosing the “best person” for the office, whatever the last name.

A not so heard about idea for additional revenue sources was also shared by Reid (in response to David Ward’s question): incentivize movie production in our state.  He pointed to how well New Mexico does with this in gathering revenues.  It would appear that Rory wasn’t ready yet to share the idea I gave him, when chatting with him earlier.  He’s a nice guy, and he asked me good questions (i.e. he didn’t shine me on), BUT HE’S NOT STUPID!  LOL.   (Regular readers here will know what my idea is.)

Now, I’m fairly sure that mining and taxes was likely an issue most people at this gathering had in their minds.   Ahem.  But, Robert “Tuna” Townsend didn’t notice any eggs under his feet, so he raised his hand to ask the last question:  “Now, you don’t have to say anything in response…just stay silent if you plan to go after mining”  Reid laughed and said “I can’t leave it at that”.  He responded by noting his disappointment that there was only one legislative hearing on this in the last session.  Explaining that he felt “everything is on the table” (hey, maybe I have hope for my idea too!), he was open to considering new taxes on mining, but in a way that preserves jobs.

[Tuna described to a couple of us afterwards what he would like to see happen, based on an observed dynamic.  He pointed out that when gaming income goes down, gold prices usually go up and when gaming income is up, gold prices fall.  So, he supports an "adaptive" tax based on this fluctuation.)

There’s no doubt Reid is running for Governor.   He has hired David Cohen (who ran Obama’s caucus campaign in Nevada) as his campaign manager and John LaRue (who ran field operations for Obama in northern Nevada during the general election campaign) as his Field Director.  It’s presumed that Barbara Buckley, Speaker of the Assembly, will be his primary opponent.  (With  Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas Mayor, making noises about running as an independent.)  

 

Now, last but definitely not least, we had also possibly the next Lt. Governor of the state present at this event (you can see photos of her in the photo set linked at start of article).  She’s in what I guess you call the “exploring” phase:

Today, a focus on Clean Energy

A demonstration that included many different people representing various aspects of the world of clean and renewable energy was held today in front of the Federal Building in downtown Reno at noon.  This event coincided with the Clean Energy Summit presided over by Harry Reid in Las Vegas, an event where the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Clark and T. Boone Pickens were arguing for a national shift in energy policies (promoting the development and widespread use of clean and renewable energy sources).

The attention on energy policies is seemingly dwarfed right now by the intense debate going on nationally over “health care reform”, but, given the state of the economy, it is appropriate and correct to argue, as President Obama often does, that these two efforts (promoting clean energy and the creation of green jobs AND reducing health care costs through reform) are necessarily interwoven with (or, an integral part of) the business of restoring the economy to a healthier state. 

Right now, with the House already having passed its own landmark energy legislation, the attention is focused on the efforts in the Senate to address energy issues.  To that end, some of the organizers of today’s rally (Bob Fulkerson, Theresa Navarro, and Drew Stamps) were part of a delegation (following the end of the rally) that delivered letters to the Federal Building offices of Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign.  These letters had been signed by rally attendees (numbering a good 40 or so people).

signing the letters delivered to Senate offices after the rally

The developing crowd of rally attendees:

Several people spoke at the rally, among them Assembly representatives Debbie Smith and David Bobzien (who in these two pictures are seen with one of the event hosts, Bob Fulkerson of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada or PLAN):

Also speaking was the business manager of Laborer Union (from Sparks), Richard “Skip” Daly (who is apparently considering a run for a vacancy in either the Assembly or State Senate):

Another speaker was Patrick Baldwin from Clean Energy Center housed at one of my favorite places, Cathexes at 250 Bell Street.  They focus on the installation of solar thermal and power, and are also one of the few doing small wind turbine installations, for homes and businesses in our area ( a focus which I suspect will involve the greatest volume of green jobs created, via small businesses).

In these next picture, we have, in addition to Bob Fulkerson again, here on the left, Theresa Navarro who introduced all the rally speakers and behind her, Xiomara Rodriguez (who is so far the only announced or declared Democratic candidate that I’m aware of for Assembly District seat 31):

(Note:  I had posted in a recent article that Xio was going to have a campaign kickoff event at Shelley Park in Sparks on August 25th;  SHE HAS POSTPONED THAT EVENT, which will be rescheduled for a later date.  I’ll report on the new time when the new plans are announced.  Disclosure:  I am supporting Xiomara Rodriguez for Assembly 31 and Byllie Andrews for Assembly 27, just so everyone knows my “bias”)

The “new” self described Silent Majority in Reno

For several days now I have noticed this presence of demonstrators in front of the Federal Building.  I think they have been there consistently during the morning hours (perhaps due to various scheduled permit times granted to different groups, like the Molly Ivins Pots and Pan Brigade during the noon hour, clanging their pots and pans for peace).

The various messages on the signs point to protests over “Obama Care”,  “Cap and Trade”, “Government Run Health Care”, and extol the virtues of “Capitalism”, and bemonan the fact that this self described “silent majority” is being “ignored”.   Here we have the not so amusing case of a group of people who have joined in the inaccurate portrayal of Obama as a “socialist”.  The fact that his policies, including those related to health care, are in fact designed to buck up the free market system, which he clearly through his words AND actions supports, mean nothing to a segment of our population who seem to be easy marks for exploitation by cheap sloganeering and imagery manipulation.  Just so.

At the Truckee Meadow Democratic Alliance picnic today, candidates and elected officials gather with party activists

I set up a photo set for this event, hopefully showing everyone. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157621848347446/

There are two pictures I must share here.  Let me explain why.  Late in 2006,  around the time of the General Election, I began having this “gut” feeling about someone as a potential future President of the  United States.  That person was elected to statewide office (specifically as Nevada’s Attorney General).  Many had noted her friendly nature (and clear ease with people), her articulate speech making, and her intelligence.  Plus, she appealed across party lines (with many northern Nevada Republicans supporting her).  And, there is that “ingredient X” that is hard to define, of course.  (Not necessarily a highly charged charisma, btw.)  As readers likely know, a reading of the biographies of many Presidents reveal that folks in the early life circumstances of these future Presidents pick up on their potential, even to be leaders of their country.  Well…..it’s just my own gut feeling, held for a little over two years.  Still….why not share it?  And, see what others may think about the notion.  So, without further adieu, here’s who I pictured as a possible future President, the current Attorney General for Nevada (and perhaps a candidate for the Senate or Governor in the not so distant future).  These two  pictures were set up with the help of 2008 State Assembly candidate Robert “Tuna” Townsend who at the TMDA picnic’s late stages had changed into the outfit you see (with stilts, obviously).  Tuna at my prompting went over to meet Catherine Cortez Masto:

BTW, when I looked at the first picture closely, it seemed to me that the Attorney General was aware that I had set the shot up and was amused by that. 

Oh….and, I did meet her earlier, during this picnic gathering.  My first time in doing so.  My “gut” feeling is intact.  (And, she’s aware of it also…in case anyone is wondering about that.  She seemed a tad taken aback or surprised, but pleased at the same time.  Or, so it seemed anyway.)

(part two) Green shoots on display last night at Cathexes

Walt Borland from Incline Village has recently introduced into our state a Foundation called the Clean Energy Foundation.  The website for them explains:

There are many organizations already pushing hard for change on a national level….The focus of the Foundation, however, is on changing attitudes in Carson City and elsewhere in the State through localized research, education and advocacy.  We need clean energy solutions for Nevada developed by Nevadans, and that is the singular mission of the Foundation.

This Foundation is a non-profit, non partisan effort with an application pending under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Walt explains, given the critical lack of revenues available for even essential services in our state, that we need to creatively think outside the box in nurturing the growth of clean energy projects in our state.  See http://www.cefus.org for more information.

Here is Walt last night at Cathexes, with the Sierra Club’s Emily Rhodenbaugh (also from Incline Village):

Now, when I was talking with Walt initially, I was discussing this Reno News and Review article (July 16-22 issue, pages 8 and 9) by Dennis Myers where it was noted that even though the state legislature was able to do a few things to support the development of large scale clean and renewable energy projects, little in the way of support was offered to developing smaller scale efforts, where many jobs could potentially manifest (like in installing solar energy systems in homes and businesses).  Well, lo and behold, standing with us was Chad Dickason, “principal” for a new business based in Sparks called “Hamilton Solar”.  They are in the business of installing solar energy systems on homes and businesses!  Chad reported that right out of the starting gate that they had five job contracts and are expecting to be employing 25 people in three to four months!  See http://www.hamiltonsolarnv.com for more information.

There were many other notable people in the large crowd at Cathexes last night (there to honor David Bobzien and Mike Schneider, as reported in part one).  And, among them were the gutsy folks who have decided to step up to the plate and run for office. 

First, there was Byllie Andrews, seen here visiting with some of the guests:

Byllie Andrews is a candidate for the Assembly District 27 seat currently held by Majority Whip Sheila Leslie.  And, in this next picture we have ANOTHER candidate for that seat, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, sharing news of her decision (and of her recent change in jobs) with Byllie:

(Disclosure:  I am strongly supporting Byllie Andrews for this Assembly seat.)  I haven’t found a website for Teresa yet, but Byllie’s recently went up: http://www.byllieandrews.com

It was great to see some other folks at the gathering last night, Xiomara Rodriguez (running for the Assembly District 31 seat, held now by the termed out Bernie Anderson) and Calia Lindsay:

(Disclosure #2: I am supporting Xio in her expected primary battle with John Emerson.  She definitely has what it takes, with the right focus.)  Xiomara reports that she will have a campaign kickoff  on August 25th at Shelly Park in Sparks, starting at 6pm.  And, she has a website up: http://www.electxiomara.com

As Nevada Conservation League honors two state legislators last night, many green shoots on display (part one)

The Nevada Conservation League honored Assemblyman David Bobzien and State Senator Mike Schneider for their work in the last session on conservation related legislation.  The scene was Cathexes (250 Bell St), where a very large crowd came out to help honor these two men.  Also, as will be touched on in a “part two” article, there were brand new candidates for office as well as those launching exciting and new clean energy related efforts.  But, first the honorees:

left, David Bobzien (and one of his twin boys); right, Mike Schneider

It was quite a crowd (and this picture is of only half the space there):

One of the hosts, Susan Clark visiting with a guest:

And, her husband Don Clark:

center, Don Clark

And, speaking of green shoots, the first downtown (urban) wind turbine installed last January was doing its job, spinning like crazy and generating energy:

 

And, this sign identifies everyone housed at this amazing place:

Third Eye at last night’s Washoe Dem Inaugural Celebration

The Washoe Democrats put on a big Inaugural Party last at the Grand Sierra.  Big band music and ongoing coverage of the Inaugural Balls in Washington D.C.  And, a great buffet dinner (I had two servings.)  Ursula took this photo.

Third Eye reports…..

First, an important (somewhat disconcerting) bit of news: I will be away from Reno for most of March and April, attending to house/land/animal/garden caretaking duties near Point Arena, California.  This will obviously necessitate me taking out my old DIA Coordinate Remote Viewing Manual (declassified in the late 90s and viewable for all online at http://www.crvmanual.com) so that I can extend my Third Eye vision on things here!

But….I’m still here, mostly using my two externally obvious eyes, and can report that a lot is happening in Reno (from where I’m sitting).  The inauguration is this coming Tuesday and I’m just learning that Java Jungle will have a large screen TV up and running for patrons to watch and celebrate the beginning of Barack Obama’s Presidency.  The barista announced that before Mark Sexton and one of his band members performed for the packed crowd here tonight.  (Now, we have a young woman reading poetry.  She’s discussing right now her hatred of WalMart.)

But, my main thing to report is some news from local artist Treejah (in his own words):

I have started a community art project in Reno called Macro Center for Arts and Music; I am looking for all ages to participate in music and art shows, as well as art workshops.  If interested, contact Treejah at look2ethiopia@yahoo.com and macroartsreno@gmail.com or 775 997 5173  See: http://www.myspace.com/look2ethiopia

On to other matters:  I have started a Facebook group that promotes the candidacy of Byllie Andrews for the Assembly District 27 seat.  Sheila Leslie cannot run again, due to term limits, so that seat becomes completely open for real competition in 2010.  At this time, it appears likely that at least a few other folks are contemplating competing in the Democratic primary in addition to Byllie. 

Facebook seems to be growing in popularity among many people I know in Reno, largely as a networking tool and a vehicle to give people a fast “heads up” on things going on.  Twitter is also growing in usage around here.    As an example, we have Brian Burghart, editor of the weekly Reno News and Review reporting in this weeks column about his “increasing addiction to the social networking site Facebook.com”.  He has just started up a RenoNewsandReview page there and has been receiving helpful information related to some things he is looking into as a result.