Independent filmmakers depend on our network of friends and like-minded people who help us move our projects along to the finish line. Whether in film, books, music, etc., you are a major factor in what we do. So, I’m asking for help one more, and final, time regarding the finishing funds for “The Sandoval [...]]]>

Independent filmmakers depend on our network of friends and like-minded people who help us move our projects along to the finish line. Whether in film, books, music, etc., you are a major factor in what we do. So, I’m asking for help one more, and final, time regarding the finishing funds for “The Sandoval 64.”

When you donate $15 to the film fund (using the “Donate” button on the right) you will receive the colorful, vinyl and easily removable bumper sticker as shown above. This INCLUDES shipping. What a bargain! So, order yours today and proudly show yourself as one of our supporters.

And, as before, if you donate $25 to the film fund, you will receive a copy of the DVD upon completion of the final edit (expected in early November, if not sooner). A donation of $50 and you will receive the DVD and the bumper sticker! A $100 contribution to the finishing funds, and you will receive a special invite to the movie premiere (travel and lodging not included), the DVD and the bumper sticker. All shipping included.

Thank you for your support!
Nina (who can’t figure out why, after comma’s the spacing above is so weird)

Jeff and Gordon were too far back in the line, waiting to get a marriage license, [...]]]> Introducing Mary and Norma. They were first in line on Feb. 20, 2004 to receive a marriage license at the Sandoval County Courthouse in Bernalillo, New Mexico. They are one of the couples featured in “The Sandoval 64.”

Jeff and Gordon were too far back in the line, waiting to get a marriage license, when the doors closed to marriage equality in New Mexico.

Jiivanii and Martha were the last couple to receive a license (although serveral couples were able to register their license after a brief ceremony on the courthouse lawn). Also appearing in this clip is their daughter Jennifer.

Mary & Norma - first couple to request a license

“The Sandoval 64″ chronicles the [...]]]> “The Sandoval 64″ is a documentary project in the final stages of post-production. We hope to premiere the film in Albuquerque in early fall, 2011. A trailer for the film is in the works and will be posted soon.

Mary & Norma - first couple to request a license

“The Sandoval 64″ chronicles the marriage equality issue as it has occurred in New Mexico, featuring interviews from gay and lesbian couples who received marriage licenses on February 20, 2004, and those who tried to get licenses that day but were too far back in the line when the window closed. The film also covers the political maneuvering that has occurred in the New Mexico state legislature since 2004, until the most recent attempts to nullify equality in the 2011 legislative session.

Gordon & Jeff get a license in San Francisco

For all intent and purporses, the 64 marriage licenses granted that day are still legal, and have not been contested in a court of law, nor has the state legislature passed any legislation rescinding those licenses.

If you would like to contribute to the final post-production costs of this documentary film, just click on our “Donate” button. We will also be posting the project to IndieGoGo, with the trailer, in April. Your contribution to our film fund will receive the same incentives we will provide on IndieGoGo.

Thank you for your interest and support.

A novel of suspense and mystery set against the dramatic backdrop of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“This is a favorite book of mine…and not just because it’s set in New Mexico.  It is well-written and very suspenseful.”  Nina

The Quarai Ruins are part of the historical Salinas Pueblo Missions in New Mexico.  Took a day trip there yesterday with my good friend, Robin.  We both enjoy getting out with our cameras, and relaxing whether in the car or hiking around.

Here are some notes about [...]]]>

The Old Mission at the Quarai Ruins

The Quarai Ruins are part of the historical Salinas Pueblo Missions in New Mexico.  Took a day trip there yesterday with my good friend, Robin.  We both enjoy getting out with our cameras, and relaxing whether in the car or hiking around.

Here are some notes about Quarai from the Travel Guide:  Quarai was on the southeastern fringes of the New Mexico Pueblo world, and inhabited before A.D. 1300.  The Tiwa-speaking Indians farmed, hunted and gathered salt from the saline lakes in the valley;  the Spanish colonials established a mission and chapel at Quarai in the 1600′s, and at that time it is estimated there were 400-600 native people living there; in the late 1600′s a serious drought struck and by 1677 Fray Parraga locked the mission’s doors for the last time and headed north with the Tiwa people to Tajique and then to Isleta.

Quarai is nestled in a beautiful spot, with old cottonwood and other types of tress and brush.  The boysenberry bushes (at least we think they were boysenberry) were thick with fruit and attracting small birds in large numbers while we were there.  The Butterflies were also more numerous than we have seen in a long time.

We saw what first looked like a field mouse near a picnic table, huddled down in some foliage trying to keep warm.  There had been so much rain lately, it may have been flooded out of its home.  Upon closer inspection, we aren’t sure it was a mouse, but not sure what it was.  

I got a little turned around driving back to Albuquerque.  I’m usually pretty good with directions, but I took a wrong turn and it took us awhile, with a map, to get back on the right roads.

We stopped for lunch in Estancia, a small town, where literally everyone knows your name.  We had lunch in a BBQ place, but ordered the day’s special – a burger with fries and a small drink.  It was delicious. 

We encountered one heck of a rain storm on the way home.  Found ourselves wondering if we were going to make it through a couple places where the water had pooled heavily.  Robin and I made it back into Albuquerque around 4 p.m. 

At 6:30 that night I met Cristen Grey at the Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival kick-off party at Scalo’s in Albuquerque.  Cristen is a wonderful musician/singer/songwriter that lives in Santa Fe.  Her sound is contemporary rock, and she writes her own material.  I’ll tell you more about her another time, as she has just launched a new CD.

OH…the kick-off party was fun.  Lots of people there that I haven’t seen in awhile.  Scalo’s provided delicious food (buffet spread).  But my favorite was their chocolate eclairs.  OMG!  The chocolate was light, and the cream filling fluffy and not too sweet.  I wanted a second one, but stopped myself.

The film festival looks to be a great one this year!  Those of you in New Mexico should try to attend.