EARTH CIRCLE . . . 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, on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its people. Click here for more information about Earth Circle. Shared intention is a powerful force.
ACTION ALERT ON TAR SANDS IN NEBRASKA . . . As oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico destroys habitat and livelihoods, the extraction of oil from Canadian tar sands deposits is having a similar impact on fragile ecosystems and communities deep in the North American interior. Learn about “the most destructive project on Earth,” threatening Nebraska’s Ogallala Aquifer, here. A 2.42 minute video, “Quest for oil leaves trail of damage across the globe,” that covers the catastrophe already in play at Alberta, Canada, is here. When viewed in a global context, U.S. oil exploration, production and consumption is turning Earth into a toxic-waste dump. If the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline goes through the Ogallala Aquifer (the cheapest route from Alberta to the Gulf Coast), Nebraskans will live with the threat of an inland catastrophe. A Lincoln Journal-Star letter to the editor May 14, 2010, “Pipeline to disaster” is here. Click here for a letter to the Grand Island Independent. Learn about this proposed pipeline through Nebraska. Then make online comments of concern to the Department of State, where final approval is necessary before going forward, here. The comment deadline has been extended to Wednesday, June 16, 2010.
Meanwhile, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. Read “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil” 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 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.
FOOD BANK BENEFIT . . . The eighth annual Empty Bowls Food Bank Luncheon will be Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 11:00am to 1:00pm, at Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street, Lincoln. Tickets include a handcrafted bowl from Down Under Pottery, and may be reserved by phoning the Food Bank at 402.466.8170, or 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.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION . . . “Brown person, show me your papers,” a discussion of the resurgent face of racism and the new civil rights struggles, will be Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 7:30 to 9:00pm, at the Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street. Panelists at the community conversation sponsored by Nebraskans for Peace will be Latina civil rights attorney S.A. Mora James; staff attorney for the Nebraska Appleseed Center, Norman Pflanz; and Paul Olson, UN-L professor emeritus and President of NFP. NFP’s Statement on Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Nebraska is here.
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.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
JUNE HUNGRY CLUB . . . Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at noon, Gary Wasdin, Executive Director of Omaha Public Library, will address The Hungry Club [pdf] at Big Mama’s Kitchen, 45th & Bedford, discussing short and long term plans for services and programs in North Omaha, and the role of library as a community builder. There is no cost except for a choice of soul food from the menu.
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 “Blessed By Fire,” an Argentinian military drama in the tradition of “Full Metal Jacket” and “Coming Home.” Food and drink is available. A lively discussion follows each showing. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
GOglbt NETWORKING MEETING . . . The mission of Greater Omaha GLBT Professionals Network is to advance growth and equality for members, businesses and allies by providing educational, networking, and community-building activities. Thursday, June 3, 2010, there will be a special screening of WORD IS OUT followed by a panel discussion at Film Streams, 1340 Mike Fahey Street. Click here for the Film Streams OUT IN FILM event page, for advanced tickets, and more information.
SPRING CANOE/KAYAK PADDLE . . . There will be a Sierra Club Nishnabotna Canoe/Kayak Paddle, Saturday, June 5th 2010, starting in Botna Bend Park, Hancock, Iowa. Carpool from Wohlner’s Grocery at Stinson Park, east of 72nd and Maple, Omaha, meeting at 8:00am sharp. For more information, and to rsvp, e-mail bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone, 402.614.4788.
MENTOR FAIR . . . Thousands of Omaha youth are waiting for mentors. The Midlands Mentoring Program team, All Our Kids, will be at Westroads on Saturday, June 5, 2010, noon to 4:00pm, with information about how to become a mentor. The benefits of committing one hour per week for one year can last a lifetime. Learn more about Building Bright Futures here. Contact Midlands Mentoring Partnership at 402.932.2025, ext. 1005, or e-mail dneary [at] mmpomaha [dot] org for more information.
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 list of 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
NEBRASKA SANDHILLS DIVERSITY TOUR . . . This year’s Sandhills Grazing Systems and Grassland Bird Diversity Tour near Burwell, Nebraska is June 2 and 3, 2010. Learn how rangeland management impacts the agricultural industry and provides an exceptional environment for Nebraska’s bird habitat. Click here to download the brochure and registration form.
NATURAL LEGACY PROJECT . . . A Norfolk public input meeting for the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project is Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00pm, at the Lifeling Learning Center, 801 East Benjamin Avenue. Click here to learn about Nebraska’s blueprint for conserving wildlife and their habitats.
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers Markets are beginning again. 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 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