A Liberal community celebrates the 4th of July

In spite of the image that many conservatives/republicans, especially on A2K like to paint of liberals having no values and hate america, the most liberal community in New Mexico celebrated the 4th in this manner.

By ANA MARIA TRUJILLO | The New Mexican
July 5, 2006

Good food, great music and nice cars. What more could anyone ask for on Independence Day?

The United Way of Santa Fe County's 31st Annual Pancakes on the Plaza was jam-packed with people who had donned American flag shirts, hats and even red, white and blue hair. Free flags were passed out as the crowd sang, ``America the Beautiful'' and ate pancakes and vegetarian sausage.

Various local artists sold their jewelry and art, and food vendors sold everything from fajitas to roasted corn in addition to the traditional pancakes.

The festivities kicked off at 7 a.m. with a welcome and a thanks to all sponsors from United Way of Santa Fe County chief executive officer Katherine Freeman and a flag presentation by Brownie Troop No. 621.

``This year, I am especially, especially proud of the number of businesses who have sponsored the event in support of the Agua Fria Children's Zone, `` said Freeman. ``It's just remarkable. It's our best outpouring of support ever.''

The Agua Fria Children's Zone is an initiative that seeks to strengthen the Agua Fria community through family education and economic-and-community-development initiatives such as the Baby University, which provides an opportunity for new parents to learn effective parenting practices. The Children's Zone is run out of Agua Fria Elementary School.

Among those involved with the project was Dr. Laurence Shandler, a pediatrician. ``I'm there to support the families,`` said Shandler, ``and to meet with them and answer questions about children's growth and development.''

United Way sold sponsorships to corporations that came on board because of the Children's Zone, said Karen Sanchez, vice president of community relations for United Way.

``We've done a lot more advertising, and we've been a lot more visible prior to the event,'' she said, ``so if ticket sales go the way we hope they go, a very conservative estimate (of what was raised) would be $85,000.''

The Plaza was buzzing with over 400 volunteers -- in two shifts -- who cooked pancakes and cleaned up as people enjoyed the music of Mariachi Juvennil, the Irish dancing of Celtic de Santa Fe and the musical styling of the Latin band Manzanares. Another performance at this year's event was a poetry reading by Arthur Sze, the city's poet laureate.

The car show was another big attraction at the festivities. Judging went on in 12 categories from classic muscle cars to classic motorcycles. Voted the People's Choice was Ben Cordova's 1954 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn. Bob Pearson's 1940 Lincoln Zephyr took the Best in Show award in addition to first place for the Touring Cars 1931-1940 category.

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at [email protected].