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.
UPDATING THE GREEN PARTY PLATFORM . . . The Green Party of the US is in the process of updating the Party Platform. The first deadline for submissions is Monday, February 15, 2010. This is an opportunity to lend your voice to the Green Party’s vision for our world. Click here to read the 2004 platform in html, pdf, or condensed versions. To suggest amendments to the Platform Committee, e-mail mjberry [at] inebraska [dot] com.
PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP XXIII . . . Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to enter an environmental photo contest as part of the Peacemaking Workshop XXIII March 26 and 27, 2010. Deadline for submissions is 4:00pm March 12th. Photos should communicate environmental awareness in either of two categories: environmental protection or threats to the environment. Renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore will select the winners. For details, and to submit photos, click here.
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. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.
EARTH DAY 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 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in Lincoln on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at Antelope Park, with evening activities in the Haymarket. To host a booth or exhibit, join a committee, 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 10, 2009 segment is “Bridge to Freedom 1965.” For more information, phone 436.1136.
BACKYARD BIRD COUNT . . . February 12 through 15, 2010 is the annual nation-wide Great Backyard Bird Count, documenting where birds are and tracking changes in their numbers. There is no registration fee to sharpen your bird identification skills by helping Pioneer’s Park Nature Center staff record visitors to the bird garden at the Chet Ager Building, West end of Pioneers Park, South Coddington Avenue and West Van Dorn Street, Lincoln, on Saturday, February 13, 2010, 9:00 to 11:30am.
WACHISKA AUDUBON MEETING . . . Thursday, February 11, 2010, Wachiska Audubon, will meet at 7:00pm in the Dick Administration Building, Room 3, Union College, 3800 South 48th Street in Lincoln. John Carter, senior research folklorist with the Nebraska State Historical Society, will discuss the environmental transformation of the Great Plains as cattle rapidly replaced bison. Refreshments will follow the free presentation. Click here for more information about the meeting.
GEOLOGY DAY . . . Sunday, February 14, 2010 is Geology Day at Pioneer’s Park Nature Center. Learn about fossils, minerals, rocks, and gemstones through displays and demonstrations by members of the Lincoln Gem and Minderal Club at a drop-in program in the Chet Ager Building, 1:00 to 4:00pm. There is no fee.
WACHISKAFEST . . . “Poetry, Flowers, Chocolate and Cheese” is the theme of this year’s sixth annual WachiskaFest fundraiser for Wachiska Audubon, Sunday, February 14, 2010, 3:00 to 4:30pm at Pioneers Park Nature Center. Follow Nature Center signs 1.4 miles when entering the park from West Van Dorn Street. The Valentines Day event is in the Prairie Building. Click here for more details.
PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN LECTURE SERIES . . . Sunday, February 14, 2010, 7:00pm, the Pakistan And Afghanistan Lecture Series continues with Sabahat Rafiq discussing the Army’s fluid relationships with Pakistan’s government, and with the tribal and ethnic groups of the country. This weekly series is at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, Lincoln. For more information, e-mail Unitarian [at] inebraska [dot] com or phone 483.2213.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
SISTER HELEN AT CREIGHTON . . . Anti-Death Penalty Advocate and Award-Winning Author Sister Helen Prejean will speak at Harper Center Hixson-Lied Auditorium, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, on Monday, February 8, 2010, 7:00pm. Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty is hosting the lecture titled “Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues.” The address, followed by book sale and signing, is free and open to the public.
SAVE THE DATE . . . Earth Day Omaha 2010 will be April 17th, 12:00 noon to 8:00pm, at Elmwood Park, 802 South 60th Street. Learn more about exhibiting efforts to advocate sustainable environmental practices and lifestyles, or register to exhibit online here. Reach thousands of consumers interested in learning about ways to work toward a more sustainable planet as an Earth Day sponsor. Sponsorship information here. A volunteer application is here. Interested in performing? Online band sign-up is here. Know a person or organization making extraordinary strides in protecting the environment? Make nominations for this year’s Friend of the Environment Award here.
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 The Cove. Watch the trailer here. 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.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF INTELLIGENCE . . . “Are you Smarter than a Blue Jay? The Evolution of Intelligence” will be presented by world-renowned expert on cognitive intelligence, UN-L Biology Professor Alan Kamil, in celebration of the 201st anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, Thursday, February 11, 2010, 7:30pm, at Durham Research Center auditorium, Room 1002, University of Nebraska Medical Center, on the northwest corner of Emile Street and Durham Research Plaza (formerly 45th Street), Omaha. Will the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence find intelligence elsewhere in our Galaxy, and if so, what might it be like? For information on additional Darwin Day events around the globe, click here. Professor Kamil’s publications are listed here. The event is free and open to the public.
CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRIP . . . Saturday, February 13, 2010 there will be a cross country ski outing open to all skill levels at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, where trails are maintained trails for use by the public. Group leaders will be MVG Sierra Club Outings Chair Bob Goetschkes and nature photographer Renee Begnoche. Carpoolers will meet at Wohlner’s Grocery Store across from Stinson Park in the new Aksarben Village east of 72nd and Center, south of the UN-O campus, by 8:00am, returning to Omaha between 5:00 and 5:30pm. For more information, and to RSVP e-mail bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.614.4788.
ACLU FUNDRAISER . . . There will be a fundraiser for the Omaha office of ACLU on Saturday, February 13, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00pm, at Jackson Artworks, 1108 Jackson Street. The wine and desserts event will feature the George Walker Jazz Band. For more information, phone Megan at 402.476.8091 or e-mail mmoslander [at] aclunebraska [dot] org.
PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . Progressive Omaha will meet Saturday, February 13, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00pm, at 4924 Chicago (on the Northeast corner of 5Oth and Chicago Streets) in Dundee. The speaker will be Hendrik Van den Berg, professor of economics at UN-L, discussing “Why corporate interests promote individualism and actively work to turn the population against government.” Potluck begins at 6:00, discussion is from 7:00 to 8:00, and any business will be discussed from 8:00 to 9:00pm. Progressive Omaha provides information, education and support to progressive people and groups in the area.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
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 . . . There are early-bird savings 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