VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . During winter months, every Monday from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on the ground floor, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Fran Kaye, fkaye1949 [at] yahoo [dot] com, or Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, 402.477.7787.
NOTE: The public information meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2008 to discuss the Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant Superfund site near Mead, has been postponed because of the anticipated winter storm. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 7:00pm, at the VFW Hall, 102 S. 24th Street in Ashland, Nebraska.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION . . . Nebraska Senator Don Preister will host a meeting in cooperation with the Restoration Advisory Board for Former Ordnance Plan Superfund site near Mead, Nebraska. Toxic groundwater contamination at Mead may be pulled into Omaha’s drinking water. The open meeting agenda includes a presentation on Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment including recent site-related findings, and public comments. Persons who reside within two miles of the contamination may sign up to have residential water supplies tested, free of charge, at the meeting. To carpool from Omaha, phone Mark Welsch, 402.558.0463. For more information, e-mail Melissa Konecky, melissakonecky [at] yahoo [dot] com, or phone 402.624.5580.
CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACEWORKERS VIGIL . . . Greens and Central Nebraska Peaceworkers will vigil for peace on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, from 5:00 to 6:00pm at Webb and State Streets in Grand Island, Nebraska. Peace signs will be available, or bring your own.
LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Join weekly peace vigils at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets in Lincoln, 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.
GLOBAL WRITE-A-THON . . . There will be an Amnesty International letter writing party on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 7:00 to 9:00pm, at Jones Coffee, 11th Street between G and H, in Lincoln. Join the human rights awareness effort for a short time, or the entire two hours. For more information, e-mail Matt Gregory, phylas [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.570.7840.
WACHISKA AUDUBON HOLIDAY POTLUCK . . . Joel Sartore, Nebraska’s renowned National Geographic photojournalist, will be featured speaker at the 2008 Wachiska Audubon Holiday Potluck, Thursday, December 11, 2008, starting 6:15pm at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Sartore will speak on his work photographing and documenting the global decline of endangered species. The church is located one block north of 40th & Old Cheney Road in south Lincoln. EveryOne is invited to bring a favorite dish (and table service) to this free annual event.
A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION . . . “Is health care reform within our reach?” is the topic of discussion at a community conversation on Monday, December 15, 2008, 7:00pm, at the UN-L Student Union, 14th & R Streets, in Lincoln. Questions such as Why is reform critical to our national economy and health care? and What potential solutions might be pursued? will be addressed by a panel including Dr. Richard O’Brien, Creighton University; Jennifer Carter, Nebraska Appleseed; Jon Bailey, the Center for Rural Affairs; and Dr. Thomas Tonniges, Medical Director, Boys Town Pediatrics. Free and open to the public. For more information e-mail Jennifer Piatt, jpiatt [at] neappleseed [dot] org or phone 402.438.8853, extension 114.
HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE . . . Clocktower Merchants in Lincoln are working with the People’s City Mission to prepare 2,000 holiday meals. They will match all food donations, which are being accepted until December 15, 2008. Non-perishable items needed include instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, cans of cranberry, cans of pumpkin, pie crust (boxes, packages), and canned vegetables. Drop off items at Edward Jones, Lott Chiropractic, or Fernando’s Salon in the 70th & A Street Clocktower Shopping Center.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS‘ LUNCH AND LEARN . . . Thursday, December 18, 2008, Ed Zimmer, the City of Lincoln’s Historic Preservation Planner, will speak about religious and ethnic diversity at the LWV Lunch and Learn event, 12:00 noon on the 20th floor of the US Bank Building, 13th & M Streets. “Lincoln in Black and White: Our Community’s Early Diversity,” is open to the public. Reservations are required by noon, Monday, December 15. E-mail the LWV office, lwv-ne [at] inebraska [dot] com, or phone 402.475.1411. Include your name, contact information (phone or e-mail), and number of reservations requested.
We are not the alternative; we are the imperative.