NEBRASKANS UNITED DECLINE TO SIGN . . . A deceptive California based “Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative” petition seeks to undercut Nebraska’s ability to develop a diverse workforce, and change the Nebraska Constitution. The measure will eliminate scholarships and diminish the University’s ability to attract a diverse student body and faculty. It threatens women-owned businesses, funding for women’s health and domestic violence programs, Nebraskans’ ability to create public policies aimed at fostering fairness, opportunity and inclusion.  Nebraskans United is taking a stand against amending the Constitution.  DECLINE TO SIGN this petition, and spread the word to others.  In Omaha, attend a similar public meeting at UNO-Milo Bail Student Center, Chancellors Room-2nd Floor, 6001 Dodge Street, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 6:00pm. Members of the new state-wide organizing committee will brief those in attendance on strategy, action needs and volunteer training.  For background information, see http://www.nebraskansunited.org/about.htm.  Just say no to local signature gatherers when “Civil Rights” means ending Affirmative Action.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CONVENTION . . . The Nebraska Green Party Convention will be Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the PS Collective, 6056 Maple Street, in the Benson community of Omaha, 9:30am to 3:00pm. National Green Party Steering Committee member Marc Sanson from Illinois will keynote. Delegates to the National Convention, July 10-13, 2008 at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, and new NGP Executive Commitee members will be elected at the Omaha Convention.  E-mail negreenparty at gmail dot com to register.

2008 PEDAGOGY AND THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED (PTO) International Conference in Omaha. . . What is change? What is substantial change? And how to we make change? With over 70 workshops, panels, papers, debates, and performances, the conference will focus on change May 22-25, 2008. Pre-Conference Workshops: May 19-22. Post-Conference Workshops: May 25-27. Featured Thursday May 22, a Legislative Theatre Session, 7:00pm., Omaha/Douglas County Building, City Council Chambers.

BODY OF WAR . . . A new Phil Donahue/Ellen Spiro documentary, Body of War, is showing now through Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, 313 North 13th Street, Lincoln. The film takes a microcosmic look at the war and its devastation by focusing on a single casualty, Thomas Young, 25, paralyzed by a bullet to his spine after serving in Iraq for less than a week. Check www.TheRoss.org, your newspaper, or call the MRRMAC film information line, 402.472.5353, for time schedules.

TALK & TOUR at UNMC in OMAHA . . . Waste reduction makes good business sense. It can save organizations money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs. WasteWise and WasteCap Nebraska provide free technical assistance to help develop, implement, and measure business waste reduction activities. Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 9:30am, they will sponsor at tour of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. UNMC has a strong reduce, reuse and recycle program, recycling over 16.5 million pounds of fiber, since April of 1993. To attend the free event, RSVP WasteCap Nebraska at 402.434.7376.

WITNESS FOR THE DEFENSELESS IN LINCOLN . . . Anna Baltzer, author of Witness in Palestine: Journal of a Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories, will speak in Lincoln Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 4:00pm, at the UN-L Student Union, 14 & R Streets, Thursday May 22, at a noon brown bag lunch at the Unitarian Church, 60th & A Streets, and at a 7:00pm community conversation, First Mennonite Church, 73rd and Holdrege. The 28-year-old Jewish American Columbia graduate, Fulbright scholar, and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors will present “Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories and Photos”. As a volunteer with the International Women’s Peace Service, she documented human rights abuses in the West Bank. The Link, Volume 40, Issue 3, August-September, 2007, at http://www.ameu.org, features her personal account “Witness for the Defenseless.” She will also be heard Wednesday, May 21, 6:00pm on Michael Baker’s KZUM radio show, 89.3fm.

MARCH FOR PEACE . . . Omaha peace workers will March for Peace on Saturday, May 24, 2008, 1:00pm, starting at the footbridge on 60th & Dodge Street. The March will continue on sidewalks to Crossroads Mall at 72nd & Dodge, crossing streets at lights to maintain safety of , then back to Memorial Park (60th & Dodge) where participants will form the shape of a peace sign. Bring your own signs and drums if you wish. Children and pets welcome. Call or e-mail Candella for more information: 712.520.4298 or c dot ing dot the dot light at gmail dot com.

CHILDREN OF UNIVERSE — HEALERS OF EARTH . . . Omaha’s Cosmic Circle is Saturday, May 24, 2008, 7:00 – 9:30pm at the Unity Church, 3424 N. 90th Street. Cosmic Circles are sacred celebrations that incorporate ritual, dance and visual projections; revolve around spirituality, ecology and community; and involve themes of celebration and awe, creativity, social justice and activism. This event is inspired by Cosmic Masses around the country. All are invited to join in the celebration. Suggested donation: $10. More information: phone 408.593.1810.