SLOW FOOD NEBRASKA . . . The public is invited to attend a free “100-mile potluck” on Sunday, June 29, 2008, 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Holmes Lake, Shelter Number 1. Bring a dish made with ingredients that come from within 100 miles, table service and cups. Food sources included backyard gardens, farmers markets, food co-ops that carry local produce and local commercial growers.
LARRICK ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC RADIO . . . US Senate Candidates, including Steve Larrick, will be interviewed about their ENERGY positions during the Morning News, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, between 6:00 and 7:00am on KUCV, 91.1fm.
LINCOLN CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT FOR ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN . . . Should seated City Council members be allowed to continue making money for themselves by contracting with the City? With 4,712 valid signatures of Lincoln residents, this question can be added to the November 4, 2008 ballot. Help gather signatures by circulating petitions available from organizers Patte Newman, former City Councilperson, and Vic Covalt. Signatures are needed by Wednesday, July 16, 2008. Petitions are available at Covalt’s office at 1045 Lincoln Mall, Suite 200 (free parking in the back), and a notary is available there when forms are returned. For more information, contact Covalt by phone at 402.436.3030, or e-mail vcovalt at ballewcovalt dot com.
FELLING OF LINCOLN HIGH TREES A DISGRACE . . . The letter to Lincoln Journal Star editor linked here provides background information about the destruction of numerous mature trees at Lincoln High School, some of which were planted as memorials to former principals, to honor Vietnam POWs and those missing in action, and to commemorate Lincoln High’s Centennial. In addition to sentimental, visual, and aesthetic value of the trees, there are other issues: the cost to maintain new vegetation, the ecological impact of removing trees that provided oxygen and shade, the fact that they also provided a noise barrier between traffic on Capitol Parkway and the school, the fact that removal of the trees west of the building will now expose it to afternoon sun requiring more of the cooling system, and the cost of uprooting these trees, buying new ones, and planting them. ACTION: Communicate opposition to a variety of people in an effort to persuade the Board of Education to discontinue this tree removal plan in favor of a more reasonable compromise. Write letters to the editor of the Lincoln Journal Star: oped at journalstar dot com. Call or write: Michael Wortman, Principal of Lincoln High School, 402.436.1301 or e-mail mwortman at lps dot org; Susan Gourley, Superintendent of Schools, 402.4361000, sgourley at lps dot org, and e-mail your School Board representative at http://www.lps.org/about/board/#members.
PUBLIC HEARING ON TIGER BEETLE HABITAT . . . Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 6:00 to 8:00pm, there will be a public hearing on a proposal to designate 1,795 acres in Lancaster and Saunders counties as critical habitat for the endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle. Considered one of the rarest insects in the US, it lives in saline wetlands found in eastern Nebraska. The hearing will take place at the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District office, 3125 Portia Street, in Lincoln. There will be an information open house from 4:00 to 6:00pm before the hearing.
WEDNESDAY PEACE VIGILS . . . Join weekly peace vigils at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets in Lincoln, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402-499-6672 or mark at weddleton dot com for more information.
NEBRASKANS UNITED DECLINE TO SIGN . . . Nebraska has been targeted by a California based “Civil Rights Initiative” that would deny equal opportunities in this state and change the Nebraskan constitution. Well-financed out-of-state political groups are paying petition circulators to gather signatures using misleading language with the intent of eliminating affirmative action and its principles of equity and fairness. Nebraskans United is taking a stand against this petition initiative. DECLINE TO SIGN this petition, and spread the word to others. Background information here. Just say no to local signature gatherers when “Civil Rights” means ending Affirmative Action. To set up training for volunteers, make a donation, report sites where signatures are being gathered, or add your group to a growing list of campaign supporters, call Danielle at 402-432-3394 or email D_Nantkes at yahoo.com.
NEBRASKA GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES . . . Green Party candidates for 2008 in Partisan elections are Steven R. Larrick, U.S. Senate; and for Douglas County Board, District 1: Scott Hoffman; District 3: Derek Glaser; District 5: Susan Koneck. Laverne Thraen has filed for the Non-Partisan OPPD Board of Directors Metro District, and Doug Paterson is a write-in candidate for Public Service Commission District 2 in Omaha.