GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL UPDATE . . . Jill Stein, Green Party Presidential Candidate, and Bill McKibben, Climate Change Expert and founder of 350.org, will participate in a LIVE STREAM Climate Change Town Hall, Sunday, September 30, 2012, 6:00pm CST. The Digital Town Hall will be moderated by “No Impact Man” Colin Beavan, Green Party NY Congressional Candidate. Ask questions and text at the Live Chat http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus online.
The first presidential debate will be held in Denver next Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Jill Stein has been locked out by the Commission on Presidential Debates. She and running mate Cheri Honkala will be in Denver to Occupy the Debates and march on the Commission from McWilliams Park. The march will begin at 5:30pm, East Yale Ave and South Steele Street. Democracy Now!’s Live Debate Talkback with Jill Stein, Rocky Anderson, Gary Johnson, and Amy Goodman will be at 7:00pm, Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman Street. The live program will begin at 6:30, and Jill will join the show at 7:00pm. Occupy the Debates! AFTERRALLY with Jill Stein, Cheri Honkala and musical entertainment will begin at 9:30pm, at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street. Ben Manski will host a post-debate rally with live music and rousing speeches from the candidates.
Watch a 23:54 minute video of Stein and Cheri Honkala on Moyers & Company at http://billmoyers.com/segment/jill-stein-and-cheri-honkala-on-third-party-politics/.
Another U.S. is Possible — Another Party is Necessary.
KERREY/FISCHER DEBATES . . . KETV will rebroadcast the Second Kerrey/Fischer Debate at 6:00pm, Sunday, September 30. 2012. The Third US Senate Candidates’Debate will air Monday, October 1, 2012, 7:00pm, live from NET TV.
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 choice, Sundays, 7:00 to 8:00pm, September 9 through October 7, 2012. Sunday, September 30, 2012, Nick Svoboda will present Basic Bicycle Maintenance at the weekly Occupy Education class. **This teach-in will meet at the Antelope Park bandshell – bring your bicycles.**
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.
LES NEEDS YOUR INPUT . . . Lincoln Electric System is developing an Integrated Resources Plan that will serve as a road map for how LES will provide electricity to Lincoln residents in the future. 85% of Lincoln’s electricity now comes from coal-fired power plants. Do you want more wind? More solar? More energy efficiency? Learn about the LES draft plan, ask questions, and make your voice heard at two important opportunities:
Tuesday, October 2, 2012, open house, Nebraska ETV, 1800 North 33rd Street, 6:00 to 6:45pm: presentation, questions and answers; 6:45 to 8:00pm: open house and public input.
Tuesday, October 23, 7:00pm, information and public input on the LES proposed 2013 budget and rate adjustment, LES Walter Canney Service Center, 2620 Fairfield, Lincoln. If customers are unable to attend, an online open house and additional information will be available October 8th on the LES website.
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.
ATM LEAFLETTING . . . Alternatives To the Military fall leafletting opportunities at Lincoln High Schools continue this week and next: Thursday, October 4th, Lincoln East HS, 1000 South 70th (meet at 7:15am at the north end of the large student parking lot, south of the school; Thursday, October 11th, Lincoln High School, 2229 J Street (meet at 7:15am at the street circle where J ends, northeast of the football field (approximately 22nd and J); and Wednesday, October 17th, Lincoln Northeast HS, 2635 North 63rd (meet at 7:15am near 63rd and Madison Ave.–we will spread out from there). This fall’s leaflet can be found at http://s3.amazonaws.com/ATMLincoln/facebook/SimpleLeaflet_09_D_2012.pdf. An LPS opt-out form will also be enclosed. EveryOne is welcome to help inform high school students routinely recruited by the military that they have other options. If you’d like to get involved with ATM in this way, or have questions about this effort, please e-mail atmlincoln@gmail.com. The FB link is http://www.facebook.com/atmlincoln. Twitter is http://www.twitter.com/ATMLincolnNE.
Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7:00pm, internationally known science and religion scholar Karl Gilberson, will present “From Big Bang to Big Brain: A Creation Story for the 21st Century” at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Olin B Lecture Hall, 50th and St. Paul Streets, Lincoln. A reception will follow the free presentation by Gilberson. On Friday, October 5th, he will lead an open, public discussion at First Lutheran Church, 1551 South 70th Street.
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.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND NEBRASKA . . . What Does Our Future Hold? That is the topic of a teach-in/forum to be held On Saturday, October 6, 2012, 9:00am to 12:00 noon at the Hardin Hall Auditorium on the University of Nebraska Lincoln East Campus, 33rd and Holdrege. Speakers will focus on the science of climate change, including impacts on Nebraska agriculture. Free and open to the public.
VEGFEST VII . . . VegFest VII – Celebrating Farmers and Communities, will be Saturday, October 6, 2012, 2:00 to 5:30pm, at Holmes Lake Park, Lincoln. There will be a Farmers’ Market featuring fresh local produce, prepared foods and desserts, local organizations with information booths on everything from growing your own vegetables to tree planting to rain barrels, cooking and gardening demonstrations, live music with Jim King,lots of kids activities and free fun for the whole family. Ride your bike and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park. Stop by the Nebraska Green Party table and learn about the write-in campaign for Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala. For more information on the event, phone 402.474.9802.
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.
OCCUPY EDUCATION . . . Everyone is a teacher! Sunday, October 7, 2012, Justin Orem will present Winterizing Your Home at the weekly Occupy Education class, Meadowlark Coffee, 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
COAL’S THREAT TO HEALTH . . . On Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 7:30pm, Alan H. Lockwood, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Neurology SUNY at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biological Sciences and Board Member, Physicians for Social Responsibility will present “The Silent Epidemic: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health” at First United Methodist Church, Room 112, 7020 Cass Street, Omaha. Free and Open to the Public.
COMMUNITY RADIO OMAHA . . . Wednesday, October 3, 2011, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm, The Hungry Club [pdf] will meet at Big Mama’s Kitchen, 3223 North 45th Street, Omaha. Carlos Carr will speak about the new Omaha Community Radio project to bring low power FM to the North Omaha/Benson area. The mission is to bring social change in the community by changing what is heard in the media, and to become the most diverse communication company by providing broadcast content to Benson and North Omaha through shared resources, music, talk radio and news/informational programming. Nebraska Green Party’s Mark Zimmermann and Doug Paterson are working with CRO to build community support for both the Low Power FM station and the internet radio station.
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, October 3, 2012, the film will be “Little Town of Bethlehem,” the “gripping story of three men, born into violence, willing to risk everything to bring an end to violence in their lifetime. A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew-shaped by events of their Palestinian and Israeli upbringing-find inspiration in the words and actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.” View a 2:33 minute trailer at http://littletownofbethlehem.org/. For more information, go to http://www.progressiveomaha.com/films.htm. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004. EveryOne is welcome.
CODE PINK OMAHA . . . Who is ready to start an Omaha Chapter of Code Pink? Thursday, October 4, 2012, there will be a ‘Code Pink says No Drones’ potluck and video of Medea Benjamin speaking about the group’s opposition to drones at 3715 Hailton, Omaha. Dinner is at 6:00, and the video will start at 7:00pm. EveryOne is welcome. For more information, phone Frances at 402.208.3717 and leave a message. Your call will be returned asap.
KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK . . . There will be a Code Pink supported Vigil on Saturday, October 6, 2012, 10:00am to noon, in Bellevue at the corner of Cornhusker & Fort Crook Road. Look for the pink banner “Stop the Killing, Ground the Drones” and a pink parasol. Questions? Phone Frances at 402.208.3717 and leave a message. Your call will be returned asap.
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.
ATM LEAFLETTING IN OMAHA . . . An Alternatives To the Military supporter who lives in Omaha would like to put together a local leafletting group there. She wants to start small–maybe leafletting at just one or two schools. If you have an interest in joining a Omaha ATM group, please contact Kevin Haake, atmlincoln@gmail.com. The FB link is http://www.facebook.com/atmlincoln. Twitter is http://www.twitter.com/ATMLincolnNE. Leafletting in Omaha.
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
GATHERING FOR PEACE . . . The Central Nebraska Peace Workers monthly Gathering for Peace will be Wednesday, October 3, 2012, from 5:00 to 6:00pm, at State Street and Webb Road in Grand Island. There is ample parking a block west on State Street. Bring signs if you wish. There are always extras. CNPW issues are broad: environment, climate change, war, social support, health care, and more. All are welcome.
NFP PEACE CONFERENCE . . . The Nebraskans for Peace Annual Peace Conference will be Saturday, October 20, 2012, 9:00am to 4:00pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5th and Elm Streets, Grand Island. This year the conference will feature Mark Reynolds, executive director of Citizens Climate Lobby, a group working to end the United State’s reliance on carbon-based fuels. A mail-in registration form is here. Early registration ends October 17th.
NEBRASKA WIND CONFERENCE . . . Registration is now open for the 5th annual Nebraska Wind Conference, October 22 and 23, 2012, at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S 13th Street,in Lincoln. Register, view the program, and learn more about Nebraska’s largest conference on renewable energy at http://nebraskawindconference.com/.
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Most of the KXL news is from Texas this past week. September 27, 2012, Reader Supported News sourced “Tar Sands Blockaders Arrested, Police Accused of Torture,” from Environment News Service. An excerpt: “Police handcuffed the protesters’ free hands to the heavy machinery in stress positions and proceeded to use sustained chokeholds, violent arm-twisting, pepper spray, and repeated tasering to coerce the two to abandon their protest, …while TransCanada personnel stood by and watched.”
Tortured Law in Texas, by William Boardman, OpEdNews, September 29th: CANADIAN PIPELINE FACES OFF AGAINST ANGRY TEXANS, LAW, POLITICS, is an OpEd on the legal aspects of eminent domain and the “tree-house encampment in the path of TransCanada’s earth-stripping equipment.”
“Eight People Climb Trees to Stop Keystone XL Pipeline,” by Mel Fabrikant, The Paramus Post, also sourced to Reader Supported News September 25th begins “Eight people climbed 80 feet into trees in the path of Keystone XL construction, and pledged not to come down until the pipeline is stopped for good. Construction cannot proceed until tree-sitters descend and TransCanada clear-cuts through hundreds of trees to make way for the toxic tar sands pipeline.”
A Truthout article on the tree-sitters, “Texas Tar Sands Tree-Sit Launches to Halt Keystone XL Indefinitely,” by Candice Bernd, was published September 26th. “The tree-sit continues for a third day, despite an unprecedented escalation in police and industry violence toward peaceful blockaders. Some of the activists say TransCanada supervisors encouraged deputies with the Wood County Sheriff’s Department to use pain compliance tactics that included sustained chokeholds, violent arm-twisting, pepper spray and multiple hits with Tasers, all while blockaders were in handcuffs.”
From the Southeast Texas Record, “Judge grants foreign company eminent domain powers for pipeline construction,” by David Yates, September 24th: “A Beaumont judge on Monday granted a foreign company’s petition to condemn land for the construction of a crude oil pipeline. Last June, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline filed the petition for condemnation against Texas Rice Land Partners, James and David Holland and Mike and Walter Latta. TransCanada filed the petition seeking to build a pipeline to carry crude from Alberta to the Gulf Coast. On Sept. 24 Judge Tom Rugg, Jefferson County Court at Law No. 1, ruled that the company has the right to sieze land in Jefferson County for the pipeline.”
From InsideClimate News, “Keystone XL: Neb. Landowners Sue Governor, but Case May Not Get Heard,” by Lisa Song, was published September 27th: “Landowners say pipeline siting law violates the Constitution. State says suit should be thrown out because landowners have no right to make the challenge.” Read page 1 of 3 here. (Thanks to Randy Thompson, Susan Luebbe, Susan Dunavan and the Domina Law Group.)
An e-mail from ForestEthics covers a new report, “Tar Sands Refineries: Communities at Risk,” that exposes the appalling health problems that tar sands refineries dump onto U.S. communities. The Environmental Protection Agency says short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide is associated with a host of respiratory problems, including decreased lung function, respiratory illness, and deterioration of the lung’s defense system. Despite the EPA’s knowledge that health problems from refinery pollution are greater for disadvantaged groups than for others, it has failed to address the problem of tar sands refinery impacts on community health. Big Oil wants to dramatically increase US refinery use of tar sands, further harming some of the most vulnerable populations in our society. Take a few minutes to read this report and share it with your contacts. It is crucial that everyone know the severe health consequences of allowing more tar sands refining in our communities.
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.”
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.“