CONGRATULATIONS to Lincoln Icons of Peace and Justice, Lela Shanks and Leola Bullock, for their honorary Doctor of Humane Letters awards from Doane College on May 16, 2010.
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
NEW ARENA COMMENTARY . . . No2Arena Spokesperson Brad Carper’s May 23, 2010 letter to the editor at Lincoln Journal Star outlines suggestions for how to proceed with the West Haymarket project, addressing the contamination clean-up issue, and challenging the mayor to keep his word. “If this project proceeds, it should be able to withstand the scrutiny of the people who are paying for it.” Read the letter here. Nebraska Green Party thanks all the dedicated volunteers who gave time, passion, energy and money to educate voters about the facts before the May 11th primary election.
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor 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.
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.
WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? . . . The documentary film What’s the Matter with Kansas?, is showing at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center Friday, May 28 through Thursday, June 3, 2010. Show times are available here. One of the main characters in the film, Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske, will appear at the 7:30pm screening on May 28th to participate in a question and answer session with the audience. The film deals with the ascendancy of conservatism and how conservative political strategists won the hearts and minds of Americans. Watch the trailer and learn more here.
WILDFLOWER WEEK AT SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE . . . Wildflower Week at Spring Creek Prairie, 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln, starts Saturday, May 29, 2010, with “Native Plants for the Landscape,” 2:00 to 3:00pm, presented by botanical consultant Kay Kottas. To learn about native prairie wildflowers at this workshop, make reservations at 402.797.2301 by Thursday, May 27th.
LINCOLN FARMERS MARKETS . . . Locally grown produce and baked goods are available at Lincoln Farmers Markets five of the seven week days. Saturdays through October 9th, the Haymarket Farmers Market will be open from 8:00am to noon. The Old Cheney Road Garden Market at 55th Street and Old Cheney Road (behind the Lincoln Racquet Club) is open from 10:00am to 2:00pm every Sunday through November 7th. Other Lincoln Markets include:
— Havelock Farmers Market, behind the businesses at 62nd and 63rd Streets and Havelock Avenue, Wednesdays 3:00 to 6:30pm, May 5 to October 27th.
— Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd. Saturdays 8:00am to noon, May 15 to September 18. Vendor spots available. Call Randy Nelsen at 467-2777.
— The Mid-Week Haymarket Farmers Market, 12th and R streets. Tuesdays in June from 5:00 to 7:00pm, in conjunction with Jazz in June.
— Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th and M streets, east side of the Nebraska State Office building. Wednesdays noon to 4:00pm, July 7 to August 25th.
— Community Crops Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, 27th and Potter (2 blocks north of 27th and Holdrege), Thursdays, 4:30-7:30pm, June 3 through September 30, 2010.
— Backyard Farmer’s Market and Exchange, Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7:30pm, in the St. Paul United Church of Christ parking lot at 1302 “F” Street, June 1st through September 28, 2010.
WILDFLOWER WEEK . . . Sunday, May 30, 2010, well known photographer Michael Forsberg will kick off Nebraska Wildflower Week at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, with a presentation about his new book, “Great Plains–America’s Lingering Wild,” at the Education Center. The talk will begin at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, with book signings at 2:00pm. The book explores wildlife, habitats and conservation challenges in the heartland of Nebraska.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
NATURAL LEGACY PROJECT . . . Public input meetings are being held statewide to help the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project update and improve the state’s wildlife action plan. In Omaha, the meeting will be Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00pm, at the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District office, 8901 South 154th Street. Learn how to get more involved with protecting Nebraska’s wild places. Click here for news from the NRD.
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 GREEN DRINKS . . . Omaha Green Drinks will meet Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 5:30pm to close, at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room across from the coffee bar. Green Drinks, informal social networks of environmentally interested people, are now meet in 685 cities worldwide.
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 “Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind.” 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.
OMAHA FARMERS MARKETS . . . Global research confirms food choices contribute the highest percentage to our carbon footprint; even more than transportation. The advantages of shopping locally go far beyond environmental impact. Farmers markets are the best way to choose local. Click here for Michael Braunstein’s reasons to shop farmers markets. Click here for a list of Omaha area Farmers Markets including Benson, Bellevue, Papillion, Auburn, Beemer, Bennington, Falls City, Plattsmouth, and Wayne, Nebraska; Glenwood, Council Bluffs, and Griswold, Iowa.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
NATURAL LEGACY PROJECT . . . A public input meeting will be held in North Platte to help the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project update and improve the state’s wildlife action plan on Thursday, May 27, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00pm, at the West Central Research and Extension Center office, 402 West State Farm Road. Click here for news from the NRD.
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople 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 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 the GoodSearch toolbar, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. Download the GoodSearch Toolbar here. THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente