LONGTIME CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE LEOLA BULLOCK DIES AT 81. Following the October 19, 2010 Lincoln Journal Star front page coverage of Leola’s death, the LJS Editorial “Leola Bullock’s legacy is everywhere” was published on October 20th. “Leola Bullock was a powerful and enduring force for human rights in Lincoln. Her legacy is everywhere in the Capital City, from the workplace to the classroom to the government.” The Nebraska Green Party bids farewell to a civil rights icon for equality and justice, with appreciation for the model she brought to this world. “She was truly a person who walked the talk and stood as a gentle yet firm giant among us. She was like a mighty Oak planted next to the rushing waters of needed change.” –Reverend Lauren Ekdahl, United Methodist Church. Rest in peace, Leola.
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . In San Francisco this week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was “inclined” to approve Keystone XL,” the TransCanada tar sands pipeline that threatens Nebraska’s fragil Sand Hills and the Ogalalla Aquifer. A response requesting clarification was quick from both Nebraska US Senators and local opposition organizations. An October 24, 2010 Lincoln Journal Star Editorial “Hillary Clinton undermines Keystone XL pipeline approval” calls Clinton’s premature comments inexcusable. “The purpose of the environmental review is to see that the impact of the pipeline will be accurately and fairly considered. Clinton’s comment undercuts confidence this will actually occur.”
Meanwhile, “Michigan State researchers to study Ogallala Aquifer,” reports that a Michigan research team will spend the next four years developing a sustainability plan for the Aquifer.
In September, SolveClimate News reporter Elizabeth McGowan was in Nebraska investigating the Keystone XL pipeline TransCanada plans to build to carry the tar sands of Alberta to Gulf refineries inTexas. “Tribal Councils in US and Canada Uniting Against Oil Sands Pipeline,” is the resulting report published by TruthOut October 7th. Click here and scroll down the Green Notes Index to follow the TransCanada tar sands pipeline issue since May 30, 2010.
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” 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. America’s First Oil Sands Project in Utah to Face Legal Challenges was published September 24th at SolveClimate.
“A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval?” was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” See CD 2 Green Notes below for the new week’s actions against the XL project.
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 t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska 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.”
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
STEVE LARRICK FOR LOWER PLATTE SOUTH NATURAL RESOURCES SUBDISTRICT 5 . . . Nebraska’s only elected Green Party candidate is on the November 2, 2010 ballot for re-election to the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Subdistrict 5. A pre-election weekend brochure blitz for Steve Larrick is planned on Saturday, October 30, Sunday, October 31, and Monday, November 1, 2010. Click here to contact Steve online for more information about his campaign, here for his Lincoln Journal Star 2010 Voters Guide answers, here and scroll down to the bottom for a map of the Lincoln Subdistrict 5 area, and here for links to Larrick’s Speech of Hope, profile information, and news from Larrick for Senate 2008. E-mail mjberry [at] inebraska [dot] com to get involved with helping distribute Larrick for NRD brochures.
The Lincoln Journal Star Voter’s GUide for all candidates with bios and Q&A is here.
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.
NATIVE AMERICAN READ-IN . . . A One Book-One Lincoln Native American event will be Tuesday, October 26, 2010, noon to 1:00pm, at the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Lincoln office, 1701 E Street. Author Joe Starita and Native American leaders will read and discuss the impact of One Book-One Lincoln 2010 title “I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear’s Journey to Justice.” The Read-in is free and open to the public, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
WEBINAR ON LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS . . . The Center for Urban Farmers Webinar Series will present “Assessing the Impact of Local Food Systems,” a free webinar, open to the public, on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 12:45 to 2:00pm. Click here for more information, and to register. Click here for “Food in Uncertain Times: How to Grow and Store the 5 Crops You Need to Survive,” a Chelsea Green Publishing article from October 21, 2010.
IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME . . . A play inspired by the life and 2009 death of Amanda Thomas in Missouri, written by Becky Key Boesen to raise questions and awareness of domestic violence, will be performed by the Angels Theater Company at the Johnny Carson Theater, on the west side of the Lied Center, 11th & R Streets, in Lincoln, Tuesday, October 26 through Friday, October 29, 2010. A facilitated discussion will follow each performance. Click here for times and ticket details. For more information, phone 402.474.2206.
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.
GREEN DRINKS . . . Lincoln Green Drinks is Wednesday, October 27, 2010, starting at 5:30pm, Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, 210 North 7th Street. This is a monthly social networking event welcome to anyone with an interest in environmental issues. There are now Green Drinks groups in 746 cities around the world. Walk, cycle, bus or carpool if possible.
DEBATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA . . . There will be a Lincoln Science Cafe [pdf] on Thursday, October 28, 2010, 6:30 to 7:30pm, at red9, 9th & M Streets. Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, will present “Debating Medical Marijuana.” Dr. Dering-Anderson is a frequent speaker on pharmacy and health issues for local groups, state associations, and regional meetings who has presented nationally and internationally. For more information, phone Kacie Gerard at 402.559.4319, or e-mail kgerard [at] unmc [dot] edu
NAACP 2010 FREEDOM FUND BANQUET . . . “One Nation. One Dream.” is the theme of this year’s NAACP Annual Banquet. Friday, October 29, 2010, is the reservations deadline for the Saturday, November 6th event at Lincoln’s Downtown Holiday Inn, 141 North 9th Street. State Senator Brenda Council will be the Keynote Speaker. Social hour will begin at 5:30; Dinner and Program will start at 6:30pm. For ticket information and reservations, phone 402.430.7003.
ABENDMUSIK SWEATER DRIVE . . . . Until November 20, 2010, Abendmusik Lincoln will sponsor a drive for new or gently-used winter-wear followed by a special “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Concert featuring music of Mr. Rogers’Neighborhood on Sunday, November 21, 2010, 4:00pm, at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street. Admission will be free, but a sweater donation is encouraged. Drop off sweaters at West Gate Banks at Hiway 2 & Old Cheney, 27th & Old Cheney, 17th & South, 27th & Cornhusker Hiway, 50th & O Street, 84 & Holdrege, West O & Capitol Beach; Runza Drive-ins at 27th & Superior, 33rd & Hiway 2, 56th & Hodrege, 70th & Van Dorn, 40th & Yankee Hill; and First-Plymouth.
LINCOLN FARMERS MARKETS . . . Locally grown produce and baked goods are still available at Lincoln Farmers Markets. 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. The Havelock Farmers Market, behind the businesses at 62nd and 63rd Streets and Havelock Avenue, continues Wednesdays 3:00 to 6:30pm, through October 27th.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
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 “The Beautiful Truth.” A trailer for the documentary is here. A full synopsis is here. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Thursday, October 28, 2010, 5:00, at 72nd & Dodge, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. 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
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE: A NEBRASKA PERSPECTIVE . . . Thursday, October 28, 2010, 7:00pm, the MoValley Sierra Club October 2010 meeting will feature a Nebraska perspective on the environmental implications of Keystone XL pipeline at First United Methodist Church, 69th & Cass Streets, Omaha. (Enter at the north door Education Wing.) Some of Nebraska’s leading pipeline opponents, including Duane Hvorka from the NE Wildlife Federation, Jane Kleeb from Bold Nebraska, and Sierra Club lobbyist Ken Winston, will present the latest information and lead discussion. Read the Sierra Nebraska Perspective here.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
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 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