EARTH CIRCLE . . . Shared intention is a powerful force. On the first day of each month, people around the world stop for five minutes to visualize peace and focus on new levels of kindness, understanding, and compassion necessary for collectively facing the challenges of the 21st century. NewDimensions invites peacemakers everywhere to join at 4:00pm Greenwich Mean Time, 10:00am in Lincoln and Omaha, 9:00am in District 3 where Mountain Time begins, every first day of the month, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its people. Click here for more information about Earth Circle.
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
NEW ARENA OR NO NEW ARENA IN PROPOSED LOCATION? . . . Opponents of a proposed $344 million arena plan subsidized by Lincoln taxpayers will meet Saturday, March 6, 2010, 10:30am, at Bess Dodson Walt Branch City Library, 6701 South 14th Street. Click here for blogged comments from Lincolnites. “Arena financing 101” Q & A is here. “Where the Devaney fits into arena plans” is here. Supporters are working an aggressive campaign before a May 11th City vote on the issue. Arena Project Manager Dan Marvin will field questions at a Witherbee Neighborhood Association meeting, 7:00pm, Thursday, March 4, 2010, at the Tabitha Lifequest Center, 48th & Randolph Streets. You don’t have to live in Witherbee to attend. Opponents have started a grassroots-style campaign against the plan, objecting to the proposed location for many reasons. Click here, phone Lynn Darling at 402.438.5005, or e-mail KathyKBD [at] aol [dot] com to learn more and volunteer help. SAVE THE HAYMARKET.
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, 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 floor conference room. The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in Lincoln on Saturday, April 24,2010, at Antelope Park in the afternoon, 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.
FEMINISTING.COM EDITOR AT NWU FORUM . . . Thursday, March 4, 2010, Feministing.com editor Jessica Valenti will present “Feminism: Alive & Well?” at a 1:00pm Forum in Olin B Hall, one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue, at Nebraska Wesleyan University. A reception and book signing will follow the free public lecture.
PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN LECTURE SERIES . . . This weekly Lecture Series continues Sunday, March 7, 2010, 7:00pm, at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street in Lincoln. A U.S. State Department Representative is expected to speak. This lecture is not confirmed yet. If not held, then the Dinner and Final Panel Discussion scheduled for Sunday, March 14th, will advance to March 7th. For more information, e-mail Unitarian [at] inebraska [dot] com or phone 483.2213.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
LEARN ABOUT THE GAZA OCCUPATION . . . Occupation 101, a documentary about the realities of oppressive occupation in Palestine, will play on loop in the Fireside Lounge at the UN-O Milo Bail Student Center, 6001 Dodge Street, Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The film will also be shown March 1 at 7:00pm on the third floor of the Student Center. The event is open to the public free of charge.
REBUILD NORTH OMAHA . . . Help develop the North Omaha Village Zone Action Plan, Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00pm, at Omaha North High School Viking Center, 4410 North 36th Street. This will be an interactive meeting with the goal of identifying specific projects, block by block, for 24th and Lake, the 24th Street Corridor, the 30th and Parker area, Adams Park, Malcolm X and Miami Heights areas. For more information, phone 502.5153, or click 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 Poisoned Waters. “…pollution is a ticking time bomb… a chronic cancer that is slowly eating away the natural resources that are vital to our very lives” according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith, who examines the growing hazards to human health in this documentary. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
“COURAGE AND KINDNESS ON DEATH ROW” . . . Thomas Cahill, author of A Saint on Death Row, will share his story of forming a life-changing friendship with Dominique Green, a prisoner on Death Row in Texas. This story of affirmation, grace, and change, part of the 2009-2010 Center for Faith Studies Annual Lecture Series at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street, Omaha, will be presented Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:00pm. The event is co-sponsored by Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty. For more information, and to reserve tickets in advance, e-mail cyndik [at] countrysideucc [dot] org or phone 402.391.0350 x 121.
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. Sponsorship information is 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.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
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.
HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop onlineat 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. THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente