GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL UPDATE . . . Check Green Notes next week for an update on Nebraska ballot access results.
Watch a 23:54 minute video of Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala on Moyers & Company at http://billmoyers.com/segment/jill-stein-and-cheri-honkala-on-third-party-politics/.
Petition the Commission on Presidential Debates to allow Jill to participate in all of the presidential debates this year.  “The Republican and Democratic Parties control the presidential debates and exclude third party candidates. This is anti-thetical to democracy. We petition the Commission on Presidential Debates to allow Jill Stein to participate in all of the presidential debates this year.”
Major polling organizations are also ignoring independent party candidates. Gallup Organization is the only official advisor on polling to the CPD. Tell Gallup to take 3 important actions: 1) Include Jill Stein in ALL Gallup polling. 2) Encourage other polling organizations to include Jill Stein. 3) Advise the CPD to only consider polls that have included all legitimate candidates. (The Stein campaign made history and secured Federal matching funds! Doesn’t that demonstrate significant public support?)
Write an old-fashioned letter or postcard and mail to: The Gallup Organization, 502 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton , NJ 08450
Contact: Alyssa Brown at 1.202.715.3104, alyssa_brown [at] gallup [dot] com
Contact: Zach Bikus at 1.202.715.3100, zach_bikus [at] gallup [dot] com
Post on their Facebook wall: https://www.facebook.com/gallup.
Tweet: Hey @gallupnews! Don’t be so biased! Include @JillStein2012 in your #Election2012 polling!
Another U.S. is Possible — Another Party is Necessary.

FARMERS MARKETS . . . There are more than 90 local Farmers Markets in Nebraska this year. For a partial schedule of current Buy Fresh Buy Local Markets, click here.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

OCCUPY EDUCATION . . . Each week, a different member of the Lincoln community will host a short class on a topic of their choosing, Sundays, 7:00 to 8:00pm, September 9 through October 7, 2012, at Meadowlark Café, 1624 South Street. September 16, 2012, 7:00 to 8:00pm, Justin Orem will present “Repairing Small Appliances.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion when weather is good, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. When weather is bad, the vigil is inside the capitol, near the Information Desk. 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.  Mark your calendar now for NADP’s Annual Reception and Silent Auction, Thursday, October 11, 2012, 7:00 to 8:30pm.  “It’s barbaric. It’s outlawed in all but a few extremely repressive countries like Iran, China, and not many others. It’s shameful that it continues to be performed. It’s well established that mistakes are made–yet half of our states practice pre-meditated state-sponsored murder. It’s also known that it’s not effective. So why is it done? Revenge & retribution? That’s not what our justice system is supposed to be about. It’s not an effective deterrent.” –Jill Stein, GP Presidential Nominee.

TUESDAY FARMERS MARKET . . . Tuesdays, 4:30-7:30pm, there is a Farmers Market at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 13th & F Streets, in Lincoln, through October 9th.

WEDNESDAY FARMERS MARKETS . . . The Downtown Garden Market, M Street between 16th & Centennial, continues every Wednesday, 12:00 noon to 4:00pm. The University Place Community Market, 48th Street & Madison Avenue, is every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00pm.

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.

FALLBROOK FRAMERS’ MARKET . . . The Farmers’ Market in Fallbrook Town Square Park, 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Lincoln, is every Thursday evening, 3:30 to 7:00pm, through September 20th. Phone 402.473.4300 for more information.

WACHISKA ANNUAL PICNIC . . . Thursday, September 20, 2012, the Wachiska Audubon Annual Potluck Picnic will begin at 6:00pm, Pioneers Park Nature Center’s Bird Garden at the Ager Building, 3201 South Coddington Avenue, at the far west end of Pioneers Park’s driving loop. All are welcome to bring a favorite dish and table service to this free event. No reservations are necessary. Call the PPNC at 402.441.7895 during office hours for more information.

SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET . . . The Haymarket Farmers Market, on 8th Street in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District, is open every Saturday, 8:00am to noon, through October 13, 2012. More than 100 vendors bring farm-fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and handmade items to the local gathering place that also features a “Performance Showcase” for Nebraska folk, jazz, blues, classical, and dance talent, plus educational demonstrations and informational booths. Buy Fresh. Shop Local.

LINCOLN ARTS FESTIVAL . . . Saturday, September 22, 2012, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday, September 23rd from 10:00am to 5:00pm, the 12th Annual Lincoln Arts Festival will be at SouthPointe Pavilions, 2910 Pine Lake Road, featuring over 100 artists from around the country, live music, and a family friendly atmosphere with children’s activities, food, and raffle prizes. See a list of participating artists at http://www.artscene.org/lincoln-arts-festival.

SUNDAY FARMERS MARKET . . . The Old Cheney Road Farmers Market offers local produce, baked goods and natural meats every Sunday, 10:00am to 2:00pm, at 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, through October 28th.

TASTES IN THE TALLGRASS . . Sunday, September 23, 2012, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center will host its annual fund-raising dinner beginning at 4:00pm. Enjoy the autumn landscape and help support the prairie with live music, wine, and a delicious meal served on one long table overlooking the prairie. Art, nature giveways, and other items will be available for raffle and auction. Call 402.797.2301 for more information, or make a reservation at http://springcreekprairie.audubon.org/tastes-tallgrass.

OCCUPY EDUCATION . . . Everyone is a teacher! Sunday, September 23, 2012, 7:00 to 8:00pm, Barb Van den Berg will present Mending Clothes II/Crowd-sourced Project from September 9th, at the weekly Occupy Education class, Meadowlark Café, 1624 South Street, Lincoln.

OCCUPY LINCOLN . . . There is a calendar of Occupy Lincoln events here.  The Facebook page is here.  The Twitter feed is @OccupyLincoln. For more information, e-mail occupylincoln [at] gmail [dot] com or phone 402.585.5865. Corporate Greed is Revolution’s Seed!

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. Wednesday, September 19, 2012, there will be a Special 60 Minute Presentation by supporters to Elect State Senator (Emeritus) Ernie Chambers to his former seat in the Nebraska Unicameral. A question and answer session will follow. Video highlights from Senator Chambers’ efforts on behalf of his constituents as far back as the 1960s will also be presented, if time allows. For an outline of the presentation, go to http://www.progressiveomaha.com/films.htm. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is a Peace Vigil at the northwest corner of 72nd and Dodge Streets in Omaha. Park next to 72nd Street, in the pet store lot. Contact Steve Horn, 402.426.9068, for more information about Saturday vigils.

OMAHA FARMERS MARKETS . . . Click here for an Omaha Market schedule.

ENGAGE OMAHA . . . One of the nation’s first city-wide, virtual town hall websites, EngageOmaha, is now online. Omaha residents may weigh in on issues for the city to consider. Pick a topic, and join the mix at http://www.engageomaha.com/.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

ENERGY POLICY IN NEBRASKA . . . The Platte Institute for Economic Research is hosting a conference to engage Nebraska’s lawmakers, citizens, and energy stakeholders in an open dialogue to address the future of energy policy in the state.  Conference participants include experts in fields such as renewable energy, ethanol production, natural gas, and public utilities. The Platte Institute’s goal is to initiate the discussion of how Nebraska can best utilize its energy resources.  When: Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 9:00am to 3:30pm. (Registration opens at 8:00am.) Where: Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 South 2nd Avenue, Kearney. (Bold Nebraska will cover the registration cost if money is a problem for AnyOne who wants to participate.) If you have questions, please contact Kimberly Stephenson, kims [at] platteinstitute [dot] org, or phone 402.452.3737.

CNPW MEETING . . . The Central Nebraska Peace Workers, chapter of Nebraskans For Peace, will meet Sunday, September 23, 2012, 3:00 to 5:00pm, at Trinity Uunited Methodist Church, 5th and Elm Streets, in Grand Island. EveryOne is welcome.

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . “State, landowners clash over pipeline siting law,” by Art Hovey, Lincoln Journal Star, was published September 15, 2012 following the court hearing for Thompson v. Heineman, a lawsuit challenging the constitutional basis of LB 1161, Nebraska’s current pipeline siting/route law. “Attorneys for landowners along the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline squared off with the Nebraska Attorney General’s office Friday on the constitutionality of a new pipeline law. The state is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed in May against Gov. Dave Heineman, State Treasurer Don Stenberg and Mike Linder, director of the Department of Environmental Quality.
Lancaster County District Judge Stephanie Stacy listened to a sparring session between Assistant Attorney General Katie Spohn and Omaha attorney David Domina for about 45 minutes before announcing that she would rule at a later date.” The LJS article is continued at http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/statehouse/state-landowners-clash-over-pipeline-siting-law/article_700c1387-a042-56e7-842f-322d8651263b.html.
“Citizen Lawsuit Challenging Nebraska Unconstitutional Pipeline Process,” Jane Kleeb’s blog on Thompson v. Heineman, reports “The landowners, represented by David Domina, are standing up for citizens across the state who deserve laws that protect Nebraska’s land and water and that honor the state’s constitution.” The site includes links, photos, and background at http://boldnebraska.org/lawsuit.
Also on September 14th, LJS editorialized “New Keystone XL route is a slight improvement.” “…We can say it’s a vast improvement from the original, which plowed straight through the Sandhills, but not much different from the corridor it proposed in April. We and the rest of the interested world now await review by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the governor, who will forward Nebraska’s recommendation to the U.S. Department of State to be considered in its decision on the presidential permit for the project.” Read the editorial at http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-new-keystone-xl-route-is-a-slight-improvement/article_de9057e4-ba89-5aa1-a8ca-8f09d1ba56f7.html.
“New route unacceptable,” by Karen Wagoner, a LJS letter to the editor, was published September 11. “TransCanada’s new route is basically the same as the previous one and is not what is best for Nebraska. We (the state of Nebraska) should create our own easement area through the state for such things. All the toxins and disturbance to our land from construction, leaks and spills should be confined to the same general area where we already have pipelines running through Nebraska.
Nebraska’s Public Service Commission and Department of Environmental Quality should work together to predetermine the least damaging routes, completely unrelated to the cost, profits and desires of multimillion-dollar or foreign companies.
We are paying our government employees to make choices based not on politics or quick money, but on what is best for us, our land and our drinking water for our families now and in the future.” Read the letter at http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letter-new-route-unacceptable/article_7d0cca77-5c83-502d-ac0d-793333ad58a5.html.
“Keystone XL Re-Route Does Little to Change Direction of Debate,” by Meg Handley, was published by US News, September 11. “….But all the promises of minimal environmental impact and safer operations are giving some critics a sense of déjà vu. “They said the same thing [about the pipeline’s safety] the first time around,” says Anthony Swift, an attorney with the National Resource Defense Council, adding that the original Keystone pipeline was temporarily shut down after a string of more than a dozen oil spills in its first year of operation. According to Swift, many of the “special safety conditions” TransCanada has pledged to adopt in its new plan simply restate and repackage measures they proposed before.”
“TransCanada Attempts to Reroute Keystone XL Pipeline, But Tar Sands Blockade Activists Halt Construction,” by Candice Bernd, Trouthout, AlterNet, also on September 11: “The Tar Sands Blockade is coordinating a series of rolling protests along the proposed southern route through Texas and Oklahoma. …Does TransCanada really think that 1,200 people were arrested in front of the White House – and another 12,000 encircled it – just to protest the pipeline route? “I’ve realized that the traditional means to effect change, while still useful, can only go so far, and not far enough,” says Occupy Dallas member Gary Stuard who locked down Wednesday. “It is completely clear to me now that massive nonviolent direct action is really the only way to protect the rights of citizens, to protect our land, water, air – and to prevent ecological catastrophe from happening.”
InsideClimate News published “Angry Michigan residents fight uneven battle against pipeline project,” by David Hasemyer, September 12th. “A 2010 oil pipeline spill contaminated Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. Now the line is being replaced, raising the ire of landowners along the route.” Enbridge is the topic of this 6 page article.
Tell the Obama Administration: Reject Keystone XL. Again. The following message accompanies a new petition from Credo Action: In the same week that record June heat blanketed the southeast, Minnesota tried to recover from record flooding, and the biggest fire in Colorado’s history continued to burn out of control — President Obama doubled down in his support for the energy that is causing this deepening climate change spiral approving the first portion of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, giving away 720 million tons of publicly owned coal to a coal company for virtually nothing, and promising to lease more arctic offshore areas for oil drilling. Now, the Canada to Oklahoma portion of the Keystone XL pipeline – which would turn up the spigot on deadly, “game over for the climate” tar sands production – is back before the State Department after being rejected by President Obama earlier this year when Republicans tried to force his decision.
Without the pressures of the election, President Obama could conceivably cave when a decision is made in 2013 – if he is re-elected. This public comment period is our opportunity to go on the record, before the election, with our fierce opposition. Please urge President Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline.  (Note: Credo Action petitions do generate e-mail from other petitions.)
Sign a Natural Resources Defense Council Action Alert telling Congress to reject all attempts to force approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by attaching it to any unrelated legislation. The Keystone XL will deliver billions in profits to Big Oil while the people get stuck with poisoned water, contaminated land and an overheated planet.
           “The Keystone pipeline will spew a massive amount of carbon pollution into our fragile atmosphere. It should be stopped. ” –Jill Stein, 2012 Green Party Presidential Nominee.

STOP FRACKING NOW . . . At the First-Ever National Mobilization Against Fracking on July 28th, celebrities, community groups, and more than 100 organizations joined forces for “Stop the Frack Attack” in Washington, DC, where they made three demands of Congress: 1. Stop dangerous fracking; 2. Close 7 legal loopholes that exempt the oil and gas industry from parts of the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Air, and Clean Water Acts; and 3. Implement a pathway towards 100% clean renewable energy. Learn more about the event here.  Petition Congress: “We, the undersigned, call on Congress to pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act this year. It’s time to hold the oil and gas production industry to the same standards as any other industry to ensure the safe protection of America’s drinking water.”

PETITION THE EPA . . . Tell the EPA: Stop stalling. Save the Bees!  Submit a public comment urging the EPA to stop stalling, and take action to protect bees from the harmful pesticide clothianidin.
Last month, for the second time, the EPA refused to intervene to stop the use of the pesticide clothianidin, which scientists believe is at least partially to blame for the alarming rise in bee colony collapse — the sudden bee die-off which has claimed about 30% of the U.S. honey bee population each year since 2006. If we don’t convince the EPA to reconsider, it will not review clothianidin again until 2018. By then it could be too late for the bees, and the one third of our food crops that bees play a crucial role in pollinating.
The EPA is currently accepting public comments on its latest decision not to declare bee die-offs an emergency situation and suspend the use of clothianidin. Now is a crucial moment to make our voices heard for the bees. Submit a public comment to the EPA now.
Astonishingly, clothianidin was approved by the EPA based on virtually no scientific study. Yet the EPA continues to allow its use. Now, a group of senators have joined the call, writing a letter urging the EPA that waiting until 2018 to again review clothianidin and other neonicotinoids will be too late. There is no time to waste.  Please submit a comment now urging the EPA to immediately suspend approval of clothianidin to protect honey bees and our food system.

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 asks you to name your cause 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!

Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Substitute Hemp for oil.“