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 Sunday, August 1, 2010, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its people. Click here for more information about Earth Circle.
MOST BENEVOLENT OUTCOME REQUEST FOR THE GULF . . . “I am asking that the molecules of oil in the waters of the Gulf and other places where they are migrating now mutate and transform into a benign and benevolent form of existence that is totally compatible with the natural ocean and all life within it, resulting in the most benevolent outcome for all beings.” For more information about Benevolent Outcomes, click here.
TRANSCANADA KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Last week’s major development in the ongoing Nebraska effort to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline came with publication on Wednesday of an Environmental Protection Agency letter to the State Department saying the draft Environmental Impact Study for TransCanada’s proposed oil pipeline is inadequate and should be revised. “EPA: Keystone XL impact statement needs revising,” and “Nebraska pipeline opponents applaud EPA stance” report that as Nebraska groups hosted an Interactive Pipeline Summit calling attention to concerns about the proposed pipeline, word spread that the EPA has concerns as well. The EPA also wants another public comment period. For a 6:20 minute BBC report on TransCanada and tar sands oil, click here.
A July 18, 2010 Grand Island Independent article, “Pipeline Expansion: State’s hands tied,” quotes senators saying Nebraska has little impact on the upcoming federal decision to allow or deny pipeline expansion, but organizers against the project do not agree. An AlterNet article, Game Changer: EPA Asserts Tar Sands Pipeline Environmental Analysis is Inadequate reports that the State Department’s draft Environmental Impact Statement asserts that the EIS is “woefully deficient” because “the Draft EIS does not provide the scope or detail of analysis necessary to fully inform decision makers and the public, and we recommend that additional information and analysis be provided.”
In Omaha, weekly meetings of an as-yet-unnamed citizens group dedicated to stopping the pipeline are on the back patio of Caffeine Dreams Coffee Shop, 4524 Farnam Street, one block west of Saddle Creek, 6:30pm every Friday. The group, in support of clean, renewable energy for Nebraska, also plans weekly demonstrations throughout the summer. EveryOne is welcome to get involved in this campaign. Click here for background from the Green Notes index. Then schroll down for updates published before the first comment period ended July 2, 2010.
Green Notes will continue to update this issue as new information becomes available. Reminder: 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
UPDATE ON LINCOLN’S FORESTRY DEPARTMENT . . . The mayor’s initial proposed budget for 2010-2011 cut the Community Forestry Program eliminating the positions of City Forester and two certified arborists. Sunday, July 18th, sixty mph winds knocked over two 50- to 60- foot city trees. City arborists responded to 35 calls to remove tree limbs from cars and streets after the midnight thunderstorm. A July 19, 2010 letter to the Lincoln Journal-Star editor, “Pros are needed,” called on the mayor to restore the positions. Following a letter-writing campaign, the mayor backed off on some budget cuts, restoring the two arborist positions. A summary of the new proposed budget changes is here.
The City Forester position has not been restored. A Saturday, July 24th rally at Antelope Park in support of Steve Schwab, with 21 years of local experience, is reported here. It indicates “On August 9, the City Council will vote on the elimination of the position. Four of seven votes would be needed to save the forester position.
For more information, click here. Scroll all the way down to find direct links and contact information for the mayor’s office, and the City Council. If you value Our trees, parks and trails, please take action by asking the Council NOT to eliminate the City Forester position.
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.
REMEMBERING HIROSHIMA-NAGASAKI . . . The first U.S. performance of “Foie Gras and the Public Servant,” by Hayashi Kyoko, victim of the bombing of Nagasaki, will be part of a play-reading program on Friday, August 6, 2010, 7:00pm, at the Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 “A” Street.
REMEMBRANCE CONTINUES . . . The 2010 Hiroshima-Nagasaki Lantern Float commemoration will be Saturday, August 7th, 7:00pm at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake. The program will be a mixture of music, poetry and reflection, culminating with the lantern float at nightfall. The purpose of the event is to remind us of what happened and to affirm that such events never occur again. For a schedule of the evening’s events, scroll down here.
GROW AND SHARE . . . Local gardeners can take excess fruits and vegetables to Campbell’s Nurseries, 2342 South 40th and 7000 South 56th Street, Lincoln, every Monday and Tuesday during summer. Food will be collected for the Food Bank of Lincoln, and distributed to 65 Southeast Nebraska agencies serving low-income people and families. Gardeners can also drop off produce at the Food Bank, 4840 Doris Bair Circle–about three blocks north of 48th and Superior, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Click here for tips on how to process produce for sharing. For more information, contact Cory Priefert at Campbell’s, 402.423.4556, ext. 233; or Cheri Lawrence at the Food Bank, 402.466.8170, ext. 106.
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 is 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.
— 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
STOP THE PIPELINE DEMONSTRATION . . . Weekly demonstrations promoting clean energy and an end to plans for the Keystone XL Pipeline will continue throughout the summer. This week’s rally is Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 4:30-6:30pm (or as late as people want to stay), at 72nd & Dodge (northeast corner to start, then spreading out). From the announcement, “We need lots of people in order to hold our Burma Shave-type signs that spell out things like “No oil spills in our Sand Hills.” We are hoping this technique will engage the commuters to read along – and spur interest in finding out more about threats to the Good Life in Nebraska and what they can do about it. And please carpool, take the bus, walk or bike to the rally if you can.” The demonstration is open to anyone who believes the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is BAD for Nebraska, and that we need to move to a clean energy economy as soon as possible.
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 . . . Green Drinks, an international self organizing social network, will meet in Omaha on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room across from the coffee bar, starting at 5:30pm. Green Drinks now meets in 713 cities worldwide. Anyone with an interest in environmental issues is welcome.
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 “This Emotional Life – Episode 1: Family, Friends and Lovers.” The film looks at the importance of relationships, and why they are central to our emotional well-being. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
STOP THE PIPELINE MEETING . . . A new group organized round support for clean, renewable energy, will meet Friday, July 30, 2010, 6:30pm, on the back patio of Caffeine Dreams Coffee Shop, 4524 Farnam Street, (one block west of Saddle Creek). The group is dedicated to stopping the Keystone XLX Pipeline.
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 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
WIND ENERGY IN THE PANHANDLE . . . There will be a “Forum on Our Future” focused on wind energy in the Panhandle, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 7:00pm, at A103 Harms Advanced Technology Center, Western NE Community College, 2620 College Park, Scottsbluff.
PAWNEE SPEAKERS SERIES BEGINS . . . The Pawnee were pre-Nebraskan settlers, farming and hunting on the Plains. A 2010 August Speakers Series will present a glimpse of their Culture every Sunday afternoon, 3:00pm, at The Pawnee Arts Center, 106 South Mill Street, Dannebrog, Nebraska. Sunday, August 1st, John Carter, Research Historian at the Nebraska State Historical Society, will present “Picturing the Pawnee: Nebraska Before the Diaspora,” a photo essay of the way they were. The Center will open at noon. Light refreshments will be available after the programs. There is a suggested donation. Phone Gale Pemberton, 308.226.8286, or e-mail gale1938 [at] live [dot] com for more information.
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. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente