IATSE Local 480 Blog

2009-02-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

In reference to my previous blog the New York Times had an interesting article (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/movies/17fame.html).
If California passes it’s budget, and that is still a big if, I’m reducing my SAG component to 25% because I really believe there has been some positive movement on the SAG strike and I’m increasing the threat of other State’s incentives to 15%. Why only 5%? Its still way more expensive to shoot in California and there is going to be a reduction in services and an increase in service fees which will make the quality of life in California and the business climate to shoot that much less desirable. In the long term California has some systemic problems they need to address. I do think in a state with a $44 billion deficit it speaks well of the power of film as an economic driver when this is even being considered. Everything else stays the same, still no money for independents, majors still broke.

Update February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

The question I get asked most often these days is “when will we be busy again?” I can point to my previous pontifications on this, but I think an update is due. After a series of conversations at Sundance, at the IATSE Mid-Winter meetings, and numerous phone calls with producers, here is my current take: there are four main reasons why we are slow; along with the percentages that I think they contribute to this.

1. A potential strike by SAG actors. A week ago I thought this was coming to a conclusion, now I’m not so sure. 30%
2. A lack of funds for smaller, independent movies. Many of those who had money no longer do and those who do are holding onto it in case things get worse. I think this will only be resolved when potential investors are more comfortable with their financial situation. Language that the US House had put into the stimulus bill to help us was recently removed by the Senate; let’s hope it gets back in during conference. 30%
3. Our big employers, “the majors” are not so much. There has been a precipitous drop in the share value of most US companies and our main employers are not exempt from that drop. I read on the internet (and I believe everything on the internet) that Paramount’s payroll checks bounced a couple of weeks ago. There is obviously a lack of liquidity and the lack of banks willing to lend to any US corporations. That is affecting the number of pictures being shot. We need to persuade the Federal government but there are no more “shovel ready projects” than motion pictures. We can put a lot of people to work immediately making a lot of money. To be realistic I don’t think this will change until the market comes back. 30%
4. There is more competition out there for movies. High paying manufacturing jobs like ours are hard to come by and states like Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Georgia fully realize that. Why we have to make this argument to the NM Legislature is beyond me and just having to defend our business is hurting us. However our program is still the most mature, we have the largest crew base, the best infrastructure, and the best Film Office so I think this is a lot less of a factor than the others. This conversation will obviously quite down after the Session if we have protected our incentives. 10%

Stay tuned for updates.
Jon

“Let’s start fighting back

2009-01-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

“Let’s start fighting back”

A second study on the impact and benefits of the film business is finally complete. It is available on www.nmfilm.com. We suggest printing it out and passing it on to as many people as you can. This study, by Ernst and Young, is radically different from the first study released about the cost to the state prepared by Arrowhead Institute at NMSU. The reason the Ernst and Young study is so different is because it is more comprehensive and detailed. In fact, the second study would have been even more positive if we would have had a larger response from our members (we had a response of only about 50%) and if business’ were more willing to release their numbers.

So please take a look at this study, copy it, distribute it, and talk about it. Make sure your co-workers, colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, and vendors are aware of it. This is what will keep out film economy going.

A direct link to the study: http://nmfilm.com/locals/downloads/EconomicFiscalImpact.pdf

Fraternally,

Jon Hendry

A Simple Plan

2009-01-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

We need to have a plan based on where would like to end up and not just on the incentives which will help us to get there. I have a plan that I am working on right now. If there are other plans out there I am happy to examine them and bring them to our membership if they are feasible.

Sustainable film communities have arisen around infrastructure, location, and sources of capital. Often they have gotten there because of Government intervention and incentives. One mark of these communities worldwide is great directors. When you think of New Zealand – Peter Jackson, Australia – Peter Weir, New York – Marty Scorsese, Portland- Gus Van Sant, and perhaps most importantly here, Austin – Robert Rodriguez and Richard Linklater. To really attract the top flight talent in acting and anything that can work with our world class crews we need 3 or 4 great directors. My plan is to move forward and create funded content and other opportunities that will go along with our infrastructure and our crew talent base plus our existing incentives to bring the hot new directors here. Hopefully if they shoot and edit here they will, like many of us, fall in love with the place and want to be here full time. This is not an expensive process but it will take dedication and hard work on our part, something we have plenty of. I currently have a project out for comment and I’m working on inviting Variety’s top 10 new directors to NM. I have some other ideas – ones we can all participate in, watch this space.

Our response to Sunday’s ABQ Journal Editorial

2009-01-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Seldom do I find myself in agreement with the Journal, who in yesterday’s main editorial noted that the story of the demise of our incentives based on the Arrowhead study may be greatly exaggerated. Personally, I believe that NMSU is trying to prove territorial Governor Lew Wallace’s theory that “All calculations based on experience elsewhere, fail in New Mexico”. With over 40 states having significant film incentives and the recent flurry of activity in diverse places such as Georgia, NY, Illinois, and most of all Michigan, only in NM would we assume that we are right and everyone else is wrong. The Arrowhead study calculated the cost and not the benefits to the State. As the Journal said, let’s give the professionals (in this case, Ernst & Young) the chance to complete a thorough and unbiased report.

Jon Hendry

It's that time again

2009-01-07T08:47:00.001-07:00

It’s early January and that means its time to resurrect the “Legislative Blog”. For those of you not familiar on this I try to blog as regularly as possible during the legislative session to keep you up on my thoughts on where we are and where we’re going. I’ll also send this out as an email.

After a period of solid, positive publicity with articles in Variety, and Hollywood Reporter, major features in the ABQ Journal, and the New Mexico Business Weekly we’ve taken some negative publicity recently based on a study done by NMSU on the cost of the film incentives. That study has been around for about 3 months and frankly I thought that it had been discredited but these things tend to raise their ugly heads. In some senses the study is right; if you take the amount of the rebate, multiply it by 4 (as the rebate is 25%) and then calculate the taxes paid on that with a little alchemy you’re going to come up with this $.085 on the dollar cost to the state. I won’t fault the researchers at NMSU for doing exactly what they were charged with, but I will fault the media who neglected to point out in their stories what was not include in the study, nor that the study did not reflect the benefits to the state. The original AP story by Deborah Baker was much more fair and balanced than the snippets that made the newsprint and the TV stations. As I said I don’t think the stories were inaccurate but now it’s our turn to present this little picture. As you know we have been working with the state, other guilds, and numerous private vendors to put together an accurate picture of what is actually happening out there. For example the payroll for our Local alone was close to $40 million. The NMSU study uses a figure considerably less than that. The first thing that I thought when I read the report for 2006 is where are the taxes that were paid during the construction of ABQ Studios? Turns out those figures and numerous other non-rebateable income sources such as those who work here from out of town or increased tourism based on the pictures we’ve shot, etc were not included in the study. When the full picture emerges it will not be nearly as dramatic a cost to the state. In fact, it will much closer to break even and in any start up, and that is what we basically are, there are always up front costs. Watch this space and your email for results of the study; I expect it in the next few days. We also plan to work with the state to get our side of the story out; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I would much rather be the 2^nd study than the 1^st. The story that will sustain the longest is the one that is freshest in people’s minds.

Studio Talk

2008-04-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

There has been a lot of interest in what is going on with the Studio situation around the State. There is a story in today’s New Mexican about Santa Fe Studios, who are an established company looking to build out by the Prison. This one has been floating around for awhile and there is going to be a county hearing on April 29^th. I’ll be contacting people before then, but I’ll be looking for mobilization for that hearing to show support for this important new project.

The Traditions deal seems to have fallen apart for now, but the owners have stated that there are 4 other film related entities showing interest in the property. I don’t think that is dead yet.

There are a couple of other proposals floating around Santa Fe including one for the expansion of Garson.

The Lionsgate studio in Rio Rancho is still moving forward albeit at a glacial pace. The new expansion of ABQ Studios should be complete by June 1. There is even talk about a facility in the southern end of the State.

Update on the Membership Meeting

2008-02-25T09:34:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the meeting yesterday, we did not get through our entire agenda and there will be a posting today for continuation of the recessed meeting at 11am this coming Sunday at the Union office. The purpose of that meeting will be to finish the agenda and we’ll post what is left along with the meeting notice. One of the reasons the meeting took so long was the third reading and vote on the proposed new constitution. After lively and spirited debate the new constitution passed 64-12 in a secret ballot. Obviously that satisfies the requirement for the 2/3 majority. My personal opinion is that this was a vote to continue the positive changes that have occurred in our Local. President Acton has announced that he will immediately form a new constitution committee that will monitor how this constitution is working and recommend changes or improvements should they be necessary.

Also at yesterday’s meeting Paul Baca, Judge of the Elections, announced that he had conducted a thorough investigation and ruled that there were not sufficient grounds to re-run the election. As I said in my letter to the members this week, I was perfectly prepared to accept Paul’s ruling either way. I know that he spent a lot of time and put a lot of hard work into this – way beyond what he thought he was signing up for, and I certainly appreciate his commitment and dedication to the process.

With the passing of the new constitution and hopefully the final resolution on the election, we should take this opportunity to come together as a Local and move forward in a positive direction. I certainly look forward to working with all of the newly elected officers.

This year will have many political challenges; I feel I can now concentrate on what’s coming up. Both Lisa Strout and I plan to visit each member of the Legislature and we are launching a major study to look at what we have and where we are going with it.

Jon

Senator Robinson Needs Our Help

2008-02-25T09:14:00.001-07:00

Monday, February 25, 2008

Senator Shannon Robinson has been, along with Speaker Ben Lujan, the primary advocate for film in this state in the legislature. They are the 2 names you will consistently see as sponsors of all the pro film legislation. In the last session it was Speaker Lujan and Senator Robinson who carried the “financing for NM filmmakers” legislation. I can honestly say that without Senator Robinson we would not have had the rebate or loan programs, the Prison, the fee free filming, anything that we currently enjoy.

Now Senator Robinson needs our help. He is running for re-election in District 17 and may face a tough fight in the primary. Money is always good in any election, (and I’ll be getting back to you on that) what he needs this evening is help to walk his district, gathering names on his nominating petition. Obviously since we are working in the evening this is not something that can take too long so I need people there to help us cover as much of the area as we can. If you are currently working in film, or planning to work in film you are there because of Senator Robinson. Giving up 2 hours of your post-Oscar evening is a small way to say thanks. We are meeting at 5pm tonight at 715 Indiana SE. Wear your walking shoes. I will be there personally to walk along with you.

Thanks,

Jon Hendry

Writers Strike Ends!

2008-02-13T12:49:00.004-07:00

The Writers Strike is officially over! A long nightmare has come to an end. I really believe that they could have come to this accord a lot earlier. God bless the DGA for giving them a road map to settlement. What this means for us? A number of pilots that had indicated they were coming here will probably start to arrive. I think there is a good chance the Breaking Bad will come back, and I don’t think I’m spreading any secrets by saying that Shantaram – a major, major motion picture for NM that was booked to come but had script problems will probably resurface. It’s such a big project that getting it back on track will take a while.

Now to the Actors. I don't think they will get anything substantially different from the Writers or the DGA so I hope that the current sabor rattling will diminish. They should come to a settlement before their contracts expire. I’m going to be monitoring this closely, stay tuned.

There is an interesting article about winners and losers in all this on the Hollywood Reporter’s website at:

www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if2a7312d15f5f4fcbb7aab647e60298?pn=2

Legislative Update 2.13.08

2008-02-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here I sit waiting for a committee to hear the last of our bills and its looks like its not going to happen. Certain Republicans have brought the process to a grinding halt. It looks like Health care will not pass this session and our bill is stuck behind that. We’re not done yet but it’s not looking good. I should have a definitive answer by this time tomorrow.

HB 634

2008-02-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

After a long and somewhat tortuous journey HB634 has passed the House and moved into the Senate, where frankly, I can be of little help. I have very little influence on the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (John Arthur Smith) who has made it clear that he is not a fan of film in general and me in particular. Senator Smith holds all the cards in the Committee; I hope that some of our powerful friends in the House can persuade him of the value of this initiative. Stay tuned there are only 3 days left!

A diluted version of the Governor’s healthcare plan also passed the House, I’m starting to think that it’s going to be so diluted as to be useless by the time it gets through, but perhaps that’s just my cynicism.

IMPORTANT! NBF Quarterly Statements

2008-02-08T11:01:00.001-07:00

Please make sure to keep your eyes on your mail for your quarterly statement from the
NBF. They should be in the mail to you in the next 10 days or so. Please READ it carefully when it arrives, and if you need to make a payment to continue your coverage make sure that you do so by March 14th in order to continue coverage. DO NOT LET IT LAPSE - it is VERY difficult to regain
coverage if you let a lapse occur, and there is NO GRACE period. This is terribly important for you and your family.

Update on Axium

2008-02-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

It looks like you will be getting W2’s, 1099’s and other documents necessary to file your taxes from the company who bought Axium, - Entertainment Partners. That’s a relief. We are still working to ensure that all the benefit payments show up.

Legislative Update

2008-02-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Slowly, and painfully we are moving HB634. We hope to get it out of HASD today, in which case it will go to the floor of the House, and as it’s the Speakers’ bill we fully expect it to pass the House. Then comes the difficulty of getting it through the Senate where we have detractors. I think this would have been easier in a 60 day session but such is life. No more rumblings about putting caps on during this session, stay tuned.

Victory!

2008-02-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, according to the independent count of the ABQ Journal, over 500 motion picture technicians descended on the Roundhouse and showed their strong disapproval of SB 519, a bill designed to cap the film incentives at $30 million. This bill was particularly problematical as it was written to ensure that the motion picture business basically went away.

First, thanks to everyone who showed up. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate it. A special thanks to those who drove from Las Cruces, Roswell, Taos, and Las Vegas on a snowy day when it was difficult to get here. For the 2^nd time in 3 weeks we have shown the power of our numbers. I want to give a special thanks to Bruce Wetherbee’s PAC Committee who helped with organization doing everything from making sandwiches to handing out cheat sheets and stickers. Our whole attitude was relentlessly positive as it should have been and I think our sincerity and enthusiasm had a big effect on the process. Senator John Arthur Smith agreed to allow Senator Shannon Robinsons’ Corporation Committee to permanently table the bill, effectively killing it for the year.

What does this mean? This gives us a years’ reprieve to try and put this behind us and this is when I need each and every one of you to help. It is vitally important as we showed yesterday that we have broad community support. I brought along the other Unions, many of you brought along your vendors and neighbors. This is something we have to concentrate on for the next year. We wanted to get to this point so we could work with an independent study group to quantify the effect of the film business in New Mexico. It is vitally important that the numbers are all counted and the economic impact of film can be reported accurately to next year’s legislature. You need to work not only on buying from local merchants who spend the money here, but also to make it clear that you are buying for film. Tell people that you work in the movie business. Make sure that each of your vendors knows that you are purchasing goods for the film industry. Let your friends and neighbors know that this is what you do. We need to make sure the people know our impact. You’ll be hearing a lot more on this from me throughout the year.

Also last night HB 634, passed it’s first committee 15-0. This bill will provide easier access to financing for NM Filmmakers. Thanks to everyone for their help on that too. We could use people to continue to lobby on this one as it moves along.

Vote Today

2008-02-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that it is voting day in the Democratic Primary here in NM. If
you do not know where your polling place is you can look it up by going to:

http://www.nmdemocrats.org/ht/d/sp/i/1122561/pid/1122561

If you need additional assistance you can call: 1-800-624-2457

Polls are only open from noon - 7pm.
Make sure to get out and have your voice heard.

Cheat Sheet for Lobbying SB519

2008-02-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Below are is the cheat sheet notes for lobbying today against SB519

Thanks for participating I appreciate you taking your time. This is important. The critical thing to remember is that the people in this building are our friends, at some point or other even the sponsor of this current bill have voted for our progressive film legislation. It does not help to be antagonistic or argumentative. We’re here to thank these legislators and urge them to give us an opportunity to show how film and its resultant economic development is good for all New Mexicans. Here is what we need you to do………

LOBBYING

Legislators particularly respect input from their constituents. Inside the East Lobby you will find an information desk where they can help you find your House Representative and Senators (remember you have 2). They will also have a map to assist you in finding their office. Chances are your particular legislatures won’t be in their office but you need to go by and ask for them, and if they are not there give your name, thank them for their previous support and tell them you are here in opposition to SB 519. I know it might seem repetitive, but believe it or not they actually count these things.

Senate Corporations Committee Meeting

If we have enough people (and unfortunately I think this weather will negatively affect our attendance) we are going to meet in the actual Senate Chambers. We will assemble in the Gallery which is on the 2^nd Floor. We should plan to be there at 2pm, but the Committee will not convene until the Senate is off the floor and chances are we won’t be the first thing on the agenda. Patience is a virtue in trying to influence legislation. Like that last Committee Meeting, not everyone will have a chance to speak, but I suspect there will be more than three people given that opportunity. What we’re really looking for are personal stories from people who rely on this business for their primary income. We want them to see that the film business is made up of a diverse group of people from all around the State with different backgrounds and income levels. Remember if this is seen as charity for Hollywood we are toast. If you speak state your name first, and address the Chair. Your opening statement should be, “ My name is _________, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I am a………….(propmaker, etc)” Whatever you do, don’t get into a long winded statement as there is nothing that annoys committee members more than that. Try to hit on points that others before you may not have hit on. Remember again these are our friends, Senator Robinson, the Committee Chair, carried all of this legislation originally. What we are hoping for in this committee is a “do not pass”, while it won’t completely bury the issue for the year it certainly puts a major roadblock in its way.

General Points on the Legislature

If you’re parked at a meter I would move – I generally park at the railyard and walk up.

There is a snack bar in the west entrance lobby, but it closes around 2pm

There are multiple bathrooms on the interior corridors.

Remember, while there are some parts of this building that you can’t get into, this is truly your house – don’t feel intimidated as you walk around. There is an excellent photo gallery on the 4^th floor of the Governor’s office and it never hurts to drop by the Lt. Governor’s office to place your opposition (the lady up front used to be the director of AFTRA). Thanks again, I appreciate you being here. Together we can make a difference.

Jon Hendry

Business Agent

IATSE Local 480

URGENT ACTION NEEDED ON SB 519 - The bill which will take away your livelihood

2008-02-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

This One is Really, Really Urgent

The Senate Finance Committee has indicated a strong desire to impose a hard cap on our incentives and effectively shut down the film business WITHOUT A HEARING.! Senator Robinson has succeeded after two votes in getting us a hearing in the Senate Corporations Committee on Monday (Feb 4^th) at 2pm. We need 1000 people there. Any less will look like a defeat. This is your jobs, your business, and your future. I NEED YOU THERE. Those of you who can make it at noon meet me on the east side of the lobby and I will have lists of your local legislators so you can lobby them personally. Those of you who can not make it until 2pm meet me in the Senate gallery. I have never been more serious, you’re presence will make a difference. Questions? ba480@hotmail.com or 505-670-7381.

Jon

PAC Meeting

2008-02-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

There will be a PAC meeting this Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10am at the Local 480 office.
Please come and participate.

SB 383 and SB 519

2008-02-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

This afternoon at 2pm (though I don’t think this will be the first bill up) will be the first hearing on Senator Robinson’s bill (SB383) to provide funding for New Mexico filmmakers and underrepresented filmmaking communities. This is something we have been working on for almost a year but this was not the best of sessions for new film incentives. However that is not going to stop us from trying as long as it doesn’t divert us from the important fight on SB519. There is a companion of sorts with some important modifications on the House side which has been introduced by Speaker Lujan, another great friend of NM Film and Union workers. I’ll keep you posted on its progress as well. If you’re at the Roundhouse or sending communication please thank the Senator and the Speaker for their continued strong support of our interests.

Senate bill 519 is on the calendar for Senate Finance. As I have said before that committee meets at the call of the Chair and the Chair is Senator John Arthur Smith who sponsored the bill. This means that it could come up at any time and I suspect that the time will be when the good Senator feels he has the votes to move it on. We’ll monitor that committee pretty aggressively - just know that there is probably little we can do to keep it from moving out. Just because it passes this one committee doesn’t mean it will be enacted into law. Our fight is possibly going to be on the Senate floor, probably going to be in the House committees. I feel confident that if we put the effort in we will win. We are not alone in this, there are many lobbyists from diverse interests such as: hotels, restaurants, realtors, Chambers of Commerce, and of course other labor unions who are working with us. This is the pay back for endless hours of meetings and functions I have attended over the years with many of these groups and the support I have given them. When we figure out a committee with a fixed agenda we will contact you to ask for your attendance.

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT from Jon Hendry

2008-01-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Proposal to cap New Mexico’s Film incentives has raised it’s ugly head again. Frankly we are not surprised and we are fully prepared to make our case and do what we need to do to educate the legislators and put this behind us.

The bill number is SB519 and the website link is: http://legis.state.nm.us

Our action plan is as follows:

1) We’re going to need people at the legislature. The Senate Finance Committee has multiple bills so we can not guarantee what day the bill will be heard. It may be on the agenda for multiple days and then will come up when the sponsor (the committee chairman) feels he has the votes to move it forward. We need to monitor that committee throughout the process. I fully expect that as the Chairman is sponsoring this bill that it will move out of committee and onto the floor of the Senate. We plan to take a stand there, bust as it has a positive fiscal impact it may end up in the House and that is where we will continue to fight.

2) We are going to need you to write letters, send emails, and make phone calls.

3) We’re going to need you to forward this to other interested parties (your vendors, etc).

Emails should be sent to everyone on the Senate Finance Committee Members. You should be polite, and brief as these people are busy. Most of them are our friends so please do not be belligerent but firmly state your opposition to SB 519. It is particularly important that you identify yourself as a constituent when you contact your Representatives.

Title Name Role Party EMAIL PHONE

Senator John Arthur Smith Chair Democrat john.smith@nmlegis.gov 986-4362

Senator Carlos R. Cisneros Vice Chair Democrat carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov 986-4365

Senator Joseph J. Carraro RankingMember Republican joecarraro@aol.com 986-4387

Senator Sue Wilson Beffort Member Republican sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov 986-4395

Senator Pete Campos Member Democrat petecampos@newmexico.com 986-4311

Senator Carroll H. Leavell Member Republican leavell4@leaco.net 986-4278

Senator Mary Kay Papen Member Democrat marykay.papen@nmlegis.gov 986-4270

Senator Leonard Lee Rawson Member Republican lee.rawson@nmlegis.gov 986-4703

Senator Nancy Rodriguez Member Democrat senate@state.nm.us 986-4264

Senator Bernadette M. Sanchez Member Democrat senb26@yahoo.com 986-4267

If you are planning on visiting the Legislature to talk to people yourself I am there every day and I would be happy to meet with you and give you some pointers. Just send me an email and we’ll set up a time.

Thanks, Jon

Update from the legislature

2008-01-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Speaker’s bill (HB211) is being heard on the floor today, we don’t anticipate any problems.

We are having issues with Senator Robinson’s Bill (SB383) having it ruled germane, but we’ve asked the Governor for a message which is the only way to get a bill without money attached into a fiscal (30 day) session. We will know on that by noon today.

As I keep saying this will not be a particularly pro-film friendly session, but you know there are worse things than that. Keeping what we have already is the most important.

Both Hillary and Barrack will be in town at the end of the week. Our International has endorsed Hillary but I think it is important that you see them both face to face. Get out and exercise your democratic right to vote but make an informed decision.

Carlos Santana, Martin Sheen And Edward James Olmos Agree To Co-Chair

2008-01-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES- The Los Angeles-based public benefit organization
Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday is proud to announce that three of our
nation’s top entertainers, GRAMMY® Award winning musician Carlos
Santana, and acclaimed actors Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos, have
agreed to serve as National Co-Chairs of the effort to win a national
holiday for the late founder and president of the United Farm Workers,
Cesar E. Chavez, to take place on his birthday March 31.

Santana, Sheen and Olmos supported Chavez during the historic movement
to win rights for farm workers in California in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Their participation in the current effort to win national recognition
for Chavez coincides with the organizing of national actions and events
in support of the national holiday to be held on March 31 of this
year. Organizations in forty cities in twenty-five States have already
agreed to hold events.

If you would like more information about this topic phone Evelina
Alarcon at (323) 333-7589 or e-mail her at
EvelinaAlarcon@cesarchavezholiday.org or see:
www.cesarchavezholiday.org

Congratulations to "Husband For Hire" Crew

2008-01-25T10:10:00.001-07:00

The stats are in from the premiere of the New Mexico made TV movie "Husband For Hire" and it was the most watched tele-cast ever in the history of the Oxygen Network! It garnered 1.1 million viewers on its first airing Saturday night. Congratulations to all the members who had a part in this production. We are now trying to obtain a copy of the film for a crew showing as many of you may have missed it. If we get a copy we will email the crew about a viewing.