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 Monday, November 1, 2010, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its beings. Click here for more information about Earth Circle.

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . .  Center for Rural Affairs opposes Keystone oil pipeline across Nebraska.  The Nebraska-based Center for Rural Affairs says the pipeline has the potential to cause environmental damage in a number of places, and there are cleaner sources of energy for America.
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 in Texas. “Tribal Councils in US and Canada Uniting Against Oil Sands Pipeline,” is the resulting report published by TruthOut October 7, 2010. 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.
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 this week’s action 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 official is on the November 2, 2010 ballot for re-election to the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Subdistrict 5. Click here for Steve’s 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.
Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Lincoln Journal Star endorsed Larrick in Subdistrict 5 with the following language: “Although Steve Larrick of Lincoln, who has run for office on the Green Party ticket, seems overly obsessed by anti-war activities (See Voter’s Guide), he has done a respectable job on the NRD board.”  NGP supporter Ruth Thone’s response: “We need to be obsessed all the time everyday on the dangerous condition of this world we live in — and the politics of our own government!” Indeed. Thanks, Ruth.
The Lincoln Journal Star Voter’s Guide for all candidates with bios and Q&A is here.

LEOLA BULLOCK REMEMBERED . . . Tributes for Leola Bullock continued in the Lincoln Journal Star this week. “Minister tells next generation to stand up,” reported on the Celebration of Life for Leola October 26, 2010. From John Krejci’s letter to the editor October 29th: “…encourage the mayor to do the right thing and reappoint a human rights coordinator for the city. …rename the position the Leola Bullock Human Rights Coordinator. We need a Leola-like person to protect human rights in our city. And it would be fitting to honor this champion of justice we have lost.” From last week’s Green Notes, “Longtime civil rights advocate Leola Bullock dies at 81,” and “Leola Bullock’s legacy is everywhere,” the October 20th LJS Editorial. “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.

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL HARVEST CELEBRATION . . . Reservations are requested by the end of the day Monday, November 1st, for Thursday’s November 4, 2010 Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska Harvest Celebration at the Isles Reception Hall, 6232 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln. Doors open at 5:00pm. There will be fresh local food, live music and a live auction of items listed on facebook here.  For reservations, phone 402.472.8012, 800.328.2851, or e-mail ltesch [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.

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST . . . Author and activist Mark Braverman will speak on “The Path to Peace in the Middle East,” Monday, November 1, 2010, 7:30pm, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M Street, Lincoln. Co-founder of Friends of Tent of Nations North America, Braverman’s recent book is called “Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land.”  The lecture is free and open to the public.

VOTE . . . General Election, Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Click here [pdf] for a sample ballot.

LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY . . . UN-L professor and writer John Janovy Jr. will discuss his latest work “Pieces of the Plains: Memories and Predictions from the Heart of America,” Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 12:10pm, in the fourth-floor auditorium of Bennett Martin Public Library, 14th & N Streets, Lincoln. For more information, phone 402.441.8516.

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.

PULITZER PRIZE NOMINEE ROBERT WRIGHT IN LINCOLN . . . Global thinker and Pulitzer Prize Nominee Robert Wright will speak in Lincoln on Thursday, November 4, 2010, 7:00pm, at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street. Wright is the author of New York Times bestseller “The Evolution of God and Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny.” In Lincoln, his topice is “Can Islam, Judaism and Christianity peacefully co-exist? …The fate of the world may depend on it.” For more information, and to register, e-mail addie [at] firstplymouth [dot] org or phone 402.476.7550.

BIRDING FIELD TRIP . . . Saturday, November 6, 2010, John Carlini will lead a one-day field trip to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas, a favorite stopover for migrating whooping cranes from mid-October to mid-November. Call John at 402.475.7275 for details.

NAACP 2010 FREEDOM FUND BANQUET . . . “One Nation. One Dream.” is the theme of this year’s NAACP Annual Banquet, Saturday, November 6, 2010, 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.

PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP . . . There will be “A Conversation about Faith and Immigration,” on Sunday, November 7, 2010, 1:30 to 6:00pm, at First United Methodist Church, 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue, Lincoln. A loving, compassionate response to the challenges facing immigrants and their families will be the theme, featuring Dr. Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, professor of political science and assistant director of Latino/Latin American Studies at UN-O, and former state senator Rev. Lowen Kruse. For more information about this free event, open to the public, contact Coleen Seng, 402.466.1906, or Bob Reeves, 402.464.1803.

ABENDMUSIK SWEATER DRIVE . . . . Abendmusik Lincoln will sponsor a drive for new or gently-used winter-wear until November 20, 2010, 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 & Holdrege, 70th & Van Dorn, 40th & Yankee Hill; and First-Plymouth.

LINCOLN FARMERS MARKETS . . . The last farmers market of the season, the Old Cheney Road Garden Market, is from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sunday, November 7, 2010, at 55th Street and Old Cheney Road (behind the Lincoln Racquet Club).

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) will host a series of public meetings in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area to gather public input on the draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan. Public meetings will be at the following locations from 4:30pm to 6:30pm: Fort Omaha Metro Community College Campus, North 30th & Fort Streets, Building 10, Conference Rooms 136C and 136D – November 3, 2010; La Vista Library, 91st and Giles, Room 138 – November 9, 2010; Ezra Elementary School, 141st and Blondo Streets – November 10, 2010; Neighborhood Center, 115 South 49th Avenue (just south of 49th and Dodge Streets) – November 16 2010; Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue – November 17, 2010; and South Omaha Metro Community College, South 27th & Q Streets, Library Conference Room in the Connector Building – December 2, 2010. For those unable to attend a meeting, comments may be submitted by e-mail to lrtp [at] mapacog [dot] org or by phone at 402.444.6866. A draft document will be available by November 3, 2010 here.

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 for more information.

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 “Race: The Power of an Illusion – Episode 2 – The Story We Tell.” The episode is an eye-opening tale of how race served to rationalize, even justify, American social inequalities as “natural.” 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, November 4, 2010, 5:15 to 6:30pm, at 90th & Center Streets, 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

SOLAR PANEL TOUR . . . Saturday, November 6, 2010, 10:30am, there will be a free tour of a warm air solar collector system at the Peck Manufacturing Plant in Herman, Nebraska. Herman is about an hour drive from Omaha, and one and a half hours from Lincoln. To carpool from Omaha, meet at the Walmart Supercenter, 6304 North 99th Street, at 9:15am. These collectors are an under-appreciated and under-utilized resource for a green energy alternative. For more information, phone Dan Anderson, 402.250.3454.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

NEBRASKA WIND POWER 2010 CONFERENCE . . . The third annual Nebraska Wind Power 2010 Conference is November 9 and 10, 2010, at the New Younes Conference Center, Kearney, Nebraska.  Online registration will be disabled as of noon Friday, November 5, 2010. Click here 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 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