Green Notes Week of January 31, 2010

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

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet at the information desk on the lower level of the State Capitol. The lunch-hour presence reminds senators of a constituency that does not want state killings. “Don’t Kill For Me” and other signs are not allowed, but “Abolish the Death Penalty”  t-shirts are now permitted. All abolitionists are welcome to join the weekly vigils that have taken place year-round since July, 1991. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.

EARTH DAY 2010 . . . The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in Lincoln on Saturday, April 24, 2010.  Earth Day planning meetings are every Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:00pm, at the Community Foundation Building, 215 Centennial Mall South, in the fifth flood conference room. The Haymarket area and Antelope Park are being considered for location. To host a booth or exhibit, join a committee planning the event, or volunteer in any way, e-mail emilymckeone [at] yahoo [dot] com or phone 402.250.4100. OR just go to a Tuesday night meeting and get involved!

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.

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 February 3 segment is “Mississippi: Is this America 62-64.” For more information, phone 436.1136.

TREE MULCH READY . . . Christmas tree mulch is now available free of charge during business hours at Hofeling Enterprises, 2200 South Folsom Court, Lincoln. The City has collected 186,645 trees since it began the recycling program in 1987. Mulch from this year’s 3,660 trees will be available while it lasts. For more information, phone 441.8215, or click here (keyword: recycle).

PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN LECTURE SERIES . . . This weekly Lecture Series continues Sunday January 31, 2010, 7:00pm, at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street in Lincoln. Dean Tom Gouttierre, Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at UN-O, will discuss how the changing social, political, religious, and military forces sweeping through both Afghanistan and Pakistan have shaped education and educators in those nations. For more information, e-mail Unitarian [at] inebraska [dot] com or phone 483.2213.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WORKSHOPS . . . On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, there will be two Omaha workshops addressing the problem of global poverty. Ken Patterson, RESULTS Global Grassroots Manager, will facilitate “How will putting 75 million kids in school change the world?” and how to be an advocate for that change. Workshop One will be 5:00 to 6:30pm, Creighton Center for Service and Justice Conference Room 2077, the Harper Center (enter from 21st and California Plaza). Workshop Two will be from 7:00 to 9:00pm at First Unitarian Church of Omaha, 3114 Harney Street, in the Common Room (use west entrance, go downstairs, and turn right). For More Information, e-mail mmwells1 [at] cox [dot] net, or fcmoore2 [at] cox [dot] net.

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 A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom.  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.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

HIV AIDS BENEFIT CONCERT . . . Friday, February 5, 2010, the Second Annual HIV AIDS benefit concert will be at the Old Walnut Theater Auditorium, 504 North Elm Street, Grand Island, starting at 6:30pm, featuring Scott Taylor, Emily Dunbar, Robin Harrell, and Paul Siebert. Proceeds will go to the TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund that gives to medical emergencies for clients who are served by Nebraska AIDS Project Kearney. Help build awareness of HIV AIDS in Central Nebraska. For more information, e-mail revsrtaylor [at] gmail [dot] com or mvetter [at] charter [dot] net.

IRRIGATION CONFERENCE IN KEARNEY . . . Early registration savings are available until Tuesday, February 9, 2010, for the Central Plains Irrigation Conference and Expo February 23rd and 24th, 2010, at the Kearney Holiday Inn. Water management, irrigation systems and equipment are the focus. Click here for conference agenda, and to register.

CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN FARMING . . . Early registration savings are available until Friday, February 12, 2010, for the Febuary 25th and 26th “Empowerment of Women in Agriculture” Conference at Kearney Holiday Inn. For more information, click here.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still meet 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