PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP XXIII . . . Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to enter an environmental photo contest as part of the Peacemaking Workshop XXIII March 26 and 27, 2010. Deadline for submissions is 4:00pm, Friday, March 12th. Photos should communicate environmental awareness in either of two categories: environmental protection or threats to the environment. Renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore will select the winners. For details, and to submit photos, click here.
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
NEW ARENA OR NO ARENA IN PROPOSED LOCATION? . . . Opponents of a proposed $344 million arena plan subsidized by Lincoln taxpayers will meet Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:30am, at Bess Dodson Walt Branch City Library, 6701 South 14th Street. Opponents object to the proposed location for many clearly documented reasons: Lack of fiscal responsibility–The City of Lincoln will increase it’s debt burden tremendously; destruction of the historic Landmark District environment, a vibrant creative downtown mixed residential/commercial neighborhood; disregard for the designated flood plain of the Salt Creek area; lack of environmental vision for more sustainable/green urban development; and the false sense of democracy being promoted with a May 11, 2010 vote on a $25 million bond–only a small part of the $344 million project. “Arena financing 101” Q & A is here. “Where the Devaney fits into arena plans” is here. To learn more, and volunteer help educating Lincoln voters, Click here, phone Lynn Darling at 402.438.5005, or e-mail KathyKBD [at] aol [dot] com. Click here to become a “Vote NO to Lincoln’s Haymarket Arena” Facebook fan. SAVE THE HAYMARKET.
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet at the information desk on the lower level of the State Capitol. The lunch-hour presence reminds senators 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.
EARTH DAY 2010 . . . The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in Lincoln on Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2:00 to 6:00pm at Antelope Park, with evening activities in the Haymarket. Earth Day planning meetings are every Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:00pm, at the Community Foundation Building, 215 Centennial Mall South, in the fifth flood conference room. To host a booth or exhibit, join a committee and help plan the event, or get involved in any other way, e-mail emilymckeone [at] yahoo [dot] com or phone 402.250.4100. Or just go to a Tuesday night meeting and get involved!
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.
DINNER FUNDRAISER FOR MATT TALBOT . . . “Feeding the Soul of the City,” the annual fundraising dinner for Matt Talbot Kitchen, will be Thursday, March 11, 2010, starting at 6:00 with social hour, followed by 7:00pm dinner and program, at Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street, Lincoln. Last year Matt Talbot provided 107,272 meals, and staff worked to help more than 2,500 clients receive 17,362 services. For more information and reservations, contact Susie Wilson at 402 477.4116 or susiemtko [at] windstream [dot] net.
PUBLIC MEETING ON ALTERNATIVES TO THE MILITARY . . . Sunday, March 14, 2010, there will be a public meeting in the Chapel at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, 7:00pm, to discuss various visions of security. The forum, sponsored by the Peace and Justice Team, takes place in conjunction with a thirty-four panel art exhibit on display in the second floor hallway of the church. “Is excessive U.S. military force the answer, or does love work?” will be discussed by Chris Hove, a former Navy Pilot, Bill Plock, who experienced the 1960’s in the Missile Unit at Strategic Air Command, and Nebraskans For Peace President Paul Olson, offering “The Vision of Hope, Another way to meet the security need.” The exhibit and event are open to the public without charge. For more information, phone Julie Fischer at 489.7803.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, atStratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the Un-O campus. Freeparking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For moreinformation, 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 Palestine Blues. The documentary follows repercussions of the Israeli “Security Wall” and Settlement expansion in Palestinian farming communities of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Food and drink is available. This week’s Discussion Leader is Safana Makhdoom, M.D., member of Nebraskans for Peace Palestine Task Force. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . Progressive Omaha will meet Saturday, March 13, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00pm at 4924 Chicago, on the northeast corner of 5Oth Street and Chicago, in Dundee. The speaker will be Jo Peterson, Associate Professor of Social Work at Dana College, talking about “Applying Systems Theory to Organizing.” Peterson worked for the women’s rights movement in the 1970’s. She has challenged the United States government on nuclear policy, and worked toward successful ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty. There will be a potluck from 6:00 to 7:00. Peterson will speak from 7:00 to 8:00pm. A brief business meeting and social time will follow the presentation.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
SANDHILL CRANES ARRIVE ON THE PLATTE . . . Nebraska’s annual phenomenon of nature, the arrival of Sandhill Cranes in spectacular numbers, has begun. The Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center, at the Alda exit 305 on Interstate 80, is open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm, with exhibits, art displays, and two types of guided crane viewing tours. Tour reservations may be made by phone at 308.382.1820.
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets will resume, but during winter months, farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service. 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. Every time you use GoodSearch, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. Download the GoodSearch Toolbar here. THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente