KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . .
Green Notes have been updating the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline proposal since May 30, 2010. Click here and scroll down the Index to learn about tar sands and TransCanada if you are new to this website. The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.”   To see photos of what tar sands have done to the Alberta, Canada environment, click here. The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened. See CD 2 Green Notes below for details of Tuesday’s Omaha demonstration against the pipeline.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and “Windmills Not Oil Spills” t-shirts, or stop by the Bold Nebraska office at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
           Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”

NEBRASKA AIDS WALK . . . Sunday, September 12, 2010, the Nebraska AIDS Walk will take place in six cities: Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Kearney, Hastings and Scottsbluff. Find locations and contact information by Congressional District below. Click here for further details and facebook sites.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

MARY RIEPMA ROSS 100TH BIRTHDAY . . . In 1993, Mary Riepma Ross gave the University of Nebraska Foundation $3,600,000 to support the construction of a new Media Arts Center. Mrs. Ross, an alumna of UN-L, was on hand for the 2002 dedication of The Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, and continues to support the activities of The Ross, even today. On October 1, 2010, she will turn 100 years old. To help celebrate this milestone in her life, The Ross would like to surprise her with birthday wishes on behalf of the many friends and supporters who enjoy the films shown at The Ross. The goal is to present her with 100 birthday greetings. To participate in the birthday surprise, write a note to Mrs. Ross expressing the impact the film theater has had on you personally, on the University of Nebraska, and on the community. The birthday greeting parameters are one page only, 8 ½ X 11, written legibly. Phone The Ross office, 472.9100, if you have questions.  Deadline is September 15, 2010.  Return your letter to Danny Ladely, MRRMAC, PO Box 880253, Lincoln, NE 68588-0253, or e-mail the letter as an attachment to dladely1 [at] unl [dot] edu

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.

DINE OUT TO HELP OUT . . . September is Hunger Action Month. The Food Bank of Lincoln and 48 restaurants in 99 locations will stage the 21st Annual Dine Out to Help Out on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. Each restaurant listed here will donate 10% of the day’s proceeds to Food Bank programs. Help support the Food Bank’s work to feed Lincoln’s hungry people by dining out to help out on Wednesday.

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.

PUBLIC MEETING ON ANTELOPE CREEK DESIGN . . . There will be a public meeting focused on the proposed flood-control design to Antelope Creek from South 27th Street to South Street, Thursday, September 9, 2010, 5:00 to 6:30pm, at the Auld Recreation Center, 3140 Sumner, in Antelope Park. A brief presentation will start at 5:15 and be repeated at 6:00pm. Q & A will follow both presentations.

COMMUNITY CROPS & SUNSET COMMUNITY FARM WALK . . . The annual Community Farm Walk and Soup Supper at Sunset Farm, Southwest 40th and West F Street, Lincoln, will be Friday, September 10, 2010, 5:00 to 7:30pm. There will be a farm tour, free raffle drawing, kids activities, music with Jim King, free food samples, and farm grown vegetables for sale. All the food you can eat is included in the meal ticket. Kids under five eat free. There will be special raffle prizes for those who meet at Open Harvest, 1618 South Street, and bicycle to the farm. Find details, directions, and a PayPal link here.

FALL COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION . . . The Pioneers Park Nature Center will present a backyard composting demonstration on Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9:30 to 11:30am. The free sessions will show how to use three types of composting bins.

SEPTEMBER 11 REMEMBRANCE . . . Lincoln pastors will remember September 11, 2001, with a worship service of prayer and song on Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:00pm, on the east lawn of Northeast United Church of Christ, 6200 Adams Street. The hour will include scripture reading, prayers for healing and grace, and an offering of peace cranes as an act of faith in remembering. Bring your own lawn chairs and/or blankets. All are welcome. Contact David Orr, david [at] fmclincoln [dot] org for more information.

NEBRASKA AIDS WALK . . . Sunday, September 12, 2010. Registration begins at Noon. Walk begins at 1:00pm. Lincoln location: behnd the UN-L Student Union. Contact Stephanie Hummer, 402.476.7000, or e-mail stephanieh [at] nap [dot] org.  For more information about The Nebraska AIDS Project, click here.

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MATT TALBOT KITCHEN . . . The horn-based rock bank Loose Rooster will perform a benefit concert for Matt Talbot Kitchen on Sunday, September 12, 2010, 6:00pm, at red9, 322 South 9th Street, Lincoln.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at Matt Talbot, 2121 North 27th Street, or by calling 402.477.4116. They will also be available at the door. All proceeds will go to hunger relief and homeless prevention programs.

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.
— 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

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Thursday, September 9, 2010, 5:00 to 7:00pm, at 90th & Maple, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, try parking in the southwest corner lot of Westlake Hardware. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

BLACK-WHITE DIALOGUES . . . The fall Black-White Dialogues public series, where people of the different races meet, watch and listen to a short presentation, and then discuss the topic and other concerns, building connections in order to address and eliminate racism, will begin Tuesday, September 7, 2010. This Series Theme is “Helping Youth Create & Achieve Their Vision of Success.” Sharif Liwaru, President of Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, will present “The Transformation of Malcolm X” at First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Street, September 7th. Gather at 6:45pm. The program is from 7:00 to 9:00pm. To get involved contact Elaine Wells, 573-1720, or click here for information and registration.

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 “RiP! A Remix Manifesto.” Copyright issues in the information age are explored in this documentary focusing on the controversy surrounding Girl Talk, a popular mash-up artist who takes existing songs and transforms them into something fresh and original. For more information, click here.  The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

EMPOWERMENT NETWORK COMMUNITY MEETING . . . There will be an interactive community meeting at Omaha North High Magnet School Viking Center, 4410 North 36th Street in Omaha, Saturday, September 11, 2010, at 9:30am. A networking breakfast will begin at 8:45am. Click here for a list of planned interactive presentations and discussions.
For more information phone 402.502.5153.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH BLOCK PARTY . . . “Taking it to the Streets,” Saturday, September 11, 2010, 1:30 to 7:30pm at 24th & Blondo in Omaha (2021 North 24th Street), will be a “Stop The Violence” event featuring free activities including live music, entertainment, sports events, free food, fun and educational information designed to strengthen community relations. For more informaiton, phone 402.341.4297.

BENSON FARMERS MARKET . . . The Benson Farmers Market will be on Military Avenue from Maple to Binney Streets, Saturday, September 11, 2010, 8:00am to noon.

PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . Progressive Omaha will meet Saturday, September 11, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00pm, at 4924 Chicago in Dundee. The Reverend Howard Dotson, Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, will speak on the issue of discrimination against Latino immigrants in Fremont and Omaha. There will be a potluck supper from 6:00 to 7:00 and business/social time from 8:00 to 9:00pm. EveryOne is welcome. Learn about Progressive Omaha here.

NEBRASKA AIDS WALK . . . Sunday, September 12, 2010. Registration begins at Noon. Walk begins at 1:00pm. Omaha location: Nebraska AIDS Project office, 250 South 77th Street. Contact Kyle Baun, 402.552.9260, or e-mail kyleb [at] nap [dot] org

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

NEBRASKA AIDS WALK . . . Sunday, September 12, 2010. Registration begins at Noon. Walk begins at 1:00pm. HASTINGS location: Hazelrigg Student Union, Hastings College. Contact Judy Sandeen, 402.462.2961, or e-mail jsandeen [at] hastings [dot] edu KEARNEY location: Fine Arts Building, UN-K Campus. Don Messer, Chair of the United Methodist Global AIDS fund, will speak at 1:00pm before, the walk. Contact Andrew Brackett, 308.338.0527, or e-mail andrewb [at] nap [dot] org NORFOLK contact: Christin Woockman, 402.649.3584 or christinw [at] nap [dot] org SCOTTSBLUFF location: Trails West Camp/Monument Pathway. Contact Jill Young, 308.635.3807, or e-mail jilly [at] nap [dot] org For more information about The Nebraska AIDS Project, click here.

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