MACHINE OF DEATH RESUMES IN NEBRASKA . . . Thank you to everyone who contacted senators or wrote letters to the editor in support of an end to Nebraska’s death penalty. Repeal was defeated by a vote of 13 to 33. Click here to see how senators voted on lethal injection and repeal. Click here (pdf) for senators’ contact information, alphabetical, and by district. Thank them, or express disappointment, accordingly. To contact Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, phone 402.477.7787. The Nebraska Green Party platform will always include abolition of State killings.

WILDFLOWER WEEK . . . The first week of June is Nebraska Wildflower Week. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum  Plant Sale is June 6th in Lincoln, 9:00am to 2:00pm, at the NSA Greenhouse, 38th and Leighton, on the UN-L East Campus north end. For more information, including statewide events in Albion, Marquette, Hampton, Harrison, Kimball, and Omaha, plus plant lists, click here.

OMAHA WALK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT . . . Tuesday, June 2, 2009, there will be a Walk For The Environment leaving from Miller’s Landing, 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, starting at noon. The organized walk (no fees, no registration) will continue along the Missouri Riverwalk to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge linking Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa. The walk is to celebrate Omaha’s selection by the United Nations as the North American Host City for World Environment Day, Friday, June 5th.

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.

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. 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 Deliver Us From Evil.  Food and drink is available. A lively discussion follows each showing. For more information, click here.  The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

UNITED NATIONS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY . . . OMAHA has been chosen as the Host City for North American celebrations of World Environment Day, Friday, June 5, 2009. This year’s theme is “UNite to Combat Climate Change.” Community events will highlight resources, initiatives and methods that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles. Click here for a schedule of the Day’s events.

BIRD WALK AND BRUNCH . . . Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center will host a guided tour of pond, prairie and woodland habitats with birding expert Kevin Poague, Saturday, June 6, 2009, 8:30am, followed by brunch at 10:30am. For more information, and to pre-register by Thursday, June 4th, phone 402.797.2301.

NATURE CENTER ADDITION TOURS . . . There will be free tours of the LEED-certified addition to Pioineers Park Nature Center on Saturday, June 6, 2009, from 1:00 to 3:00pm. The nature center is at the west end of Pioneers Park, 3201 South Coddington Avenue, Lincoln. The 3,340-square-foot addition is an example of how environmental stewardship and social responsibility make economic sense. The tour will highlight native plants, the green roof, straw bale construction and other sustainable features of the building. Refreshments will be provided.

BRIDGING CORRECTIONS & COMMUNITIES IV . . . Jobs for released offenders in a tough economy will be discussed at a Community Forum Saturday, June 6, 2009, 9:00am to 1:00pm, at Metropolitan Community College, Building 10 Room 136, 30th & Fort Street, OMAHA. Registration begins at 8:30am. E-mail jfoster138 [at] cox [dot] net for more information.

“AMERICAN WINDMILLS” AUTHOR IN BEATRICE . . . Sunday, June 7, 2009, “American Windmills: An Album of Historic Photographs” author T. Lindsay Baker will speak about windmills and their role in history at the Homestead National Monument Education Center in BEATRICE, Nebraska, 1:00 and 3:00pm. Admission is free. For additional information, call 402.223.3514.

NFP-LINCOLN CHAPTER MEETING . . . Nebraskans for Peace-Lincoln will meet Sunday, June 7, 2009, at 3:00pm, in downtown Lincoln at the Bennett Martin Library, 136 South 14th Street. For more information, contact Eva Sohl at 326.1375 or Chuck Holm at 340.8292.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL. . . . Farmer’s Markets are back. Click here for a complete list of Lincoln’s eight regular Markets. Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets in your own community. And join 43 million Americans who will grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and berries in home gardens this year.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente