CALL YOUR SENATORS . . . The US is the world’s largest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases. Passing bold legislation here at home will have an effect on climate change and dramatically alter the debate internationally. 1Sky has designated Tuesday, January 12, 2010 national call-in day to let your senators know we won’t stand by idly while they sacrifice our future to political expediency and wealthy lobbyists. Let them know that without their support for a bold climate bill they shouldn’t be expecting our support in future elections. Sign-up to make calls here. Or just phone Nebraska senators on Tuesday at the following numbers. Senator Mike Johanns: 202.224.4224; Lincoln: 476.1400; Omaha: 758.8981. Senator Ben Nelson: 202.224.6551; Lincoln: 441.4600; Omaha: 391.3411.
HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop online at a participating store), a donation can be made to Nebraska Green Party at no cost to you! To help NGP in this way, enter Nebraska Green Party where it says WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR? here. Every time you use GoodSearch, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. Download the GoodSearch Toolbar here. THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
GREENSBURG, KANSAS WEBINAR . . . Tuesday, January 12, 2010, from 11:00am to 12:30pm CST, the US Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Program is offering a free Webinar on “Greensburg, Kansas: “Lessons Learned and Steps Forward.” Greensburg is rebuilding as a model community after a massive tornado in May, 2007. The town is incorporating ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies to realize its vision of becoming an affordable sustainable community. Click here to WebRsvp in advance. Learn more about the Webinar here.
EARTH DAY 2010 . . . The Cleaner Greener Lincoln Initiative wants to start planning Earth Day 2010 now. There will be an initial meeting in the Mayor’s conference room, 555 South 10th Street, Tuesday January 12, 2010, at 5:30pm. E-mail Emily, emilymckeone [at] yahoo [dot] com if you can attend this brainstorming session. 2010 is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Be involved with creating Lincoln’s celebration from the beginning.
EYES ON THE PRIZE . . . The Peace and Justice Team of First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street, is showing the Eyes on the Prize video Series every Wednesday through February 10, 2010, 6:15 to 7:30pm, at the church in Courtyard Lounge. Moderated by Elliott School Counselor Jeanne Johnson, this series documents the history of the civil rights movement. The January 13 segment is “Fighting Back 1957-62.” For more information, phone 436.1136.
LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils continue at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHS . . . Thursday, January 14, 2010, 7:00pm, Josef Kren, professor of physiology at BryanLGH Medical Center College of Health Sciences, will speak at the monthly meeting of Wachiska Audubon. He will share photographs that capture the vanishing natural world of his native Czech Republic, and the Midwest, including Nebraska Sandhills, Rocky Mountain National Park and Spring Creek Prairie near Denton. Meet in Room 3 of the Dick Administration Building, Union College, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 402.486.4846.
MARCH FOR PALESTINE – The Palestine Solidarity Committee at UN-L will have its annual “Walk of the Dead” to honor the lives of Palestinians who have died in the ongoing struggle for human rights and independence. Meet at the City Campus Union south entrance, 15th & R Street, 1:30pm on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The march will begin at 2:00pm and proceed silently through downtown Lincoln. Participants are asked to dress in black and wear white masks (supplied or bring your own). The march will conclude back at the Union for refreshments and letter writing to Congress. (PSC does not take an official position on the two state solution.)
LINCOLN BIKE CORRAL NEEDS USERS . . . Lincoln’s bike corral on the main floor of the 12th Street side of Center Park Garage at 12th & N is not being used much by commuters–even in good weather. The fully enclosed corral gives people an alternative to lugging bicycles into office buildings, and it keeps bikes out of bad weather. For information about monthly permits call 402.441.6472 or visit the parking office at 850 Q Street.
LUNCH AND LEARN SUSTAINABILITY . . . Make reservations before noon, January 18th, for the January 21, 2010 League of Women Voters Lunch and Learn featuring Milo Mumgaard, Senior Policy Aide to the Mayor, speaking on “Sustainability Lincoln: Insuring a Growing, Dynamic City, Today and Tomorrow.” The noon luncheon is on the 20th Floor of the US Bank Building, 13th & M Streets. Make reservations by phone at 475.1411, or e-mail lwv-ne [at] inebraska [dot] com.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the Un-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.
OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is Street Fight, a compelling David vs. Goliath epic. Food and drink is available. A lively discussion follows each showing. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
SIERRA DAY HIKE AND OVERNIGHT CAR CAMP . . . Saturday, January 16, 2010, there will be a 5+ mile day hike and optional overnight car camp at Waubonsie State Park. Hikers will meet at 1:30pm in the office parking lot for a 2½ hour moderate to difficult hike. For details about overnight plans, directions, carpooling, other information, and to rsvp, e-mail James Phernetton, jamesphernetton [at] mac [dot] com or phone 402.319.2322.
FONTENELLE FOREST PERIMETER HIKE . . . Sunday, Januruary 17, 2010, Volunteer Naturalist Bob Goetschkes will lead a fast moving hike of Fontenelle Forest’s perimeter trails, leaving at 11:00am from the Nature Center, 1111 North Bellevue Blvd., Bellevue, returning between 5:00 and 6:00pm. For more information, and to rsvp, phone 402.614.4788, or e-mail bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest, Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative in expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente