Thoughts of a Chicana Feminist

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Vote Cindy Chavez for Mayor

I'm voting for Cindy next Tuesday and I encourage you to do the same.

This is what the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce is saying about her:

"Cindy is the right person at the right time...
San Jose, CA - May 31, 2006 Today, Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez received the backing of the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (SVBCC).

As we step into this new millennium, San Jose is in a unique position. The balance between big city and suburb, high tech innovation and unskilled labor, high cost housing and low wage workforce, well-planned infrastructure and quick profit exit philosophies are all competing.

Now is the Time for Thoughtful Analysis
For too long, major political business and social decisions have been made with what seems to be sophomoric critiques of very sensitive issues with dire consequences.
We were impressed with the history and commitment to diversity expressed by each of the mayoral candidates. Out of all of the candidates, Chuck Reed is the only active member of the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce. Chuck has been proactive in attendance (faith-based organizations) and support for victims of the Gulf Region after hurricane Katrina.

Dave Cortese offered a thorough look into how City Hall could better involve and include the minority business community. Additionally, in the past, he has offered legal council to the NAACP and has a history of close involvement with the Hispanic and Vietnamese Communities.

“Michael Mulcahy showed a sincere openness of how the City can help the African American community,” said Board Member Tim Foster.

David Pandori did not respond to the interview in a timely manner and therefore was not part of the endorsement process.

Cindy Chavez came to us with a history of intricate involvement with the development and direction of our chamber. Her involvement has been respectful of our goals and concerns. Her assistance over hurdles and her foresight has been quantifiable. Cindy Chavez’s ability to provide thoughtful analysis to forge win-win partnerships between groups on each side of issues proves she is a bridge builder. In addition, she exhibits foresight that is the result of her diligence in studying the successes and failures of other cities and applying them to San Jose.

Cindy Chavez is the right person at the right time. It is our opinion that she could be a national leader. Sound balanced judgment, coalition building, as well as her understanding the delicate balance between business and labor, between family and neighborhood, community, downtown and industry all qualify her as an exemplary leader for our city.

“In San Jose, Cindy Chavez is the perfect balance... the one to lead San Jose, as it becomes the model for the nation,” said Policy Chair Reginald Swilley. “She recognizes diversity, joining industry with community, downtown with neighborhoods and developing infrastructure that will benefit everyone. Cindy is the right person at the right time.”

That is why the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce endorses Cindy Chavez for Mayor of San Jose.

Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce

The Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce Chamber is dedicated to helping foster the economic development and growth of the African American business community and its members.

The Silicon Valley Black Chamber is dedicated to developing and maintaining a strong alliance between the public and private sector, providing technical assistance through workshops, training programs, and referrals specifically designed to enhance the growth and development of Black businesses while serving as a resource center for our community.

Website: http://www.blackchamber.com

Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
Reginald V. Swilley
Policy Committee Chair
email: info@blackchamber.com
phone: 408 294-6583

Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
Cassandra Nash
Director of Community Relations
email: info@blackchamber.com
phone: 408 294-6583"

N2: Drupal Tips and Tricks

I'm at the NetSquared conference and attending the "Drupal Tips and Tricks".

* There are some things you can't theme out without hacking it.
* What is themeable should be considered on a per-module basis.
* You have control of the the html and rss accessibility is our control.
* phptemplate is now what is the default in the core distribution. xtemplate is having problems with php5
* What does it mean for something to be themeable? look at the modules, any function that begins with the word theme in *.module; can look at drupal api for theme_*
* in 4.7 you have user defined regions; in previous versions you only had 2
* define regions in template.php
* there is a function in the api that can help you determine if you are on the front page
* theming by node type - i.e. node-blog.tpl.php
* Drupal security: http://drupal.org/node/32750

Neil Drumm and Courtney Miller.

Padre Nuestro

Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo,
sanctificado sea tu Nombre
venga tu reisno, hagase tu voluntad,
en la tierra como en el cielo,
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada dia.

Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como tambien nosotros perdonamos
a los que nos ofenden

No nos dejes caer en tantacion
y libranos del mal.
Porque tuyo es el reino
tuyo es el poder,
y tuya es la gloria,
ahora y por siempre.

Amen

San Jose Chamber of Commerce Should be Appropriately Penalized

The South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council (http://www.atwork.org/) along with many organizations in San Jose issued this statement to the Elections Committee earlier today:

"San Jose’s policies regarding limits on campaign contributions allow voters and taxpayers of average means the opportunity to be significant and respected parts of the political process. Stated simply, they create at least a somewhat level playing field that permits our voices to be heard.

When an organization violates those laws in order to generate tens of thousands of mailings and phone calls to voters, it destroys that barrier against the overwhelming influence of money upon which we have come to depend. Essentially, it threatens the most basic rights of the rest of us to support the candidates of our choice in a meaningful way.

The report of the investigators hired by the Commission indicates clearly that:
1)The facts in the case are not in dispute, and
2)The Chamber of Commerce violated the city’s limits on campaign contributions.

We urge the Elections Commission to take immediate action to restore the integrity of the political process in San Jose. Do not be dissuaded by self-serving and deceptive claims that mailings obviously aimed at attacking a candidate are some sort of rational discussion of issues.

We further urge the Commission to impose a penalty strong enough so that in the future other organizations will not be tempted to violate our laws in such an extensive manner."

I fully agree with them and hope you do to. Violation of democratic processes are not only offensive, they are whole-heartedly WRONG.

If you'd like more information about this issue you can call Anabel at (408)266-3760.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Excited about NetSquared

The NetSquared conference is this week. I've been looking forward to it for so long. Finally an opportunity to meet other people that want to use technology for positive social change.

I'll be live blogging during the conference. Check it out the conference.

(I'll post the address to my blog for at the conference later. I have to get back to work now!!)

Friday, May 26, 2006

Congratulations, Mari!

My sister received her AA degree from Gavilan today. I am really proud of her. SJ State here she comes!



Love you, Mari!

XOXO

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Comida Chicana


Chili-cheese carne asada french fries sold at a taqueria near my brother's work. This is true comida chicana. A unique blend of Mexican and American on a single greasy paper plate....so delicious!

Pho-kin' Good Noodle Soup

Monday, May 15, 2006

Motorcycle Momma


Congrats, Petunia!

You are an official motorcycle momma. For the 500th time - I am so jealous!

Sunday, May 14, 2006

After Chacho's

We took a walk after having a mother's day dinner at Chacho's.

Three generations of momma's - mi bizabuela, my moms and me. My sister couldn't make it, but we talked to her on the cell-ee during dinner, so she was sort-of there for a heartbeat. I was thinking about her.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Mother's Day Tea

Mother's Day Tea

Yummy Beans made me a beautiful card and grew me a plant for Momma's Day. She's the best!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Love it

Diet Pepsi !

--


HOW DARN COOL IS THIS? I POSTED THIS BLOG THROUGH MY PHONE. BLOGGER ROCKS!

VANS



Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
U Wearin' coke whites cuz my vans look clean and
Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
Got my vans on, but they look like sneakers
U Wearin' coke whites cuz my vans look clean

...

U can get different colors, like rainbows
Since 1966, Vans had set a trend
I got a blue pair, yea, in a size 10
Get ur grown man on, when u wear top-siders
Button ups and sweaters, equal attire
Either 1, 2 step
Yea, get ur boogie on
Go slide real quick, like you got skates on
They some punk rock shoes, so they get real dirty