Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
WORLD WATER WEEK . . . World Water Week will be celebrated at Nebraska Wesleyan University with the following activities. Monday, March 22nd, pledges to save water will be made and free water bottles will be distributed at a booth in Smith Curtis, 51st and Madison Avenue, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Tuesday, March 23rd, FLOW, a documentary on water issues, will show in Olin B Lecture Hall, one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue, at NWU, 7:00pm, followed by a discussion. Sunday, March 28th, there will be a Peace Meal, noon to 2:00pm, at First United Methodist Church, 2723 North 50th Street, Lincoln. See PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP XXIII below for related “Caring for Your Local Planet” events.
NEW ARENA OR NO NEW ARENA IN PROPOSED LOCATION? . . . Opponents of a proposed $344 million arena plan subsidized by Lincoln taxpayers will meet Saturday, March 27, 2010, 10:00am, at Bess Dodson Walt Branch City Library, 6701 South 14th Street. Opponents object to the proposed location for 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. Click here, phone Lynn Darling at 402.438.5005, or e-mail KathyKBD [at] aol [dot] com to learn more and volunteer help. Click here to become a “Vote NO to Lincoln’s Haymarket Arena” Facebook fan. See March 24th 7:00pm PUBLIC FORUM information below. SAVE THE HAYMARKET.
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from 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.
LEARN THE FACTS . . . A spokesperson from No2Arena will answer call-in questions Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 11:00pm to midnight, on Lincoln’s community radion station, KZUM, 89.3fm. Call 402.474.5086 with comments or questions.
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.
PUBLIC FORUM ON NEW ARENA . . . Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 7:00pm, the League of Women Voters Lincoln-Lancaster County will hold a public forum about the arena election. “Haymarket Arena: Yes or No?” will be at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street. Speaking in support of the arena will be Jennifer Brinkman, a consultant from the pro-arena campaign. Speaking against the project will be Kandra Hahn, an administrator at UN-L. They will answer questions from the League, and written questions from the audience. The forum will be moderated by former City Library Director Carol Connor.
EARTH HOUR … During Earth Hour, Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30pm local time, hundreds of millions of people around the world will unite in solidarity to call for action on climate change by simply turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact, protecting our future and that of the next generations. Sign up to join the global action here. Watch the official Earth Hour Video here.
SAVE THE HAYMARKET . . . No2Arena will meet Saturday, March 27, 2010, 10:00am, at Bess Dodson Walt Branch City Library, 6701 South 14th Street.
PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP XXIII . . . “Caring for Your Local Planet” will be the focus of this year’s Peacemaking Workshop XXIII, Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Lincoln. Internationally-renowned wildlife photographer and conservationist Joel Sartore will be the featured speaker, sharing photographs and experiences that direct attention to what we all can do, both locally and globally, to care for the Earth and its resources. Schedule of Events: Friday, March 26, 2:00pm, Olin B Lecture Hall, one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue, at Nebraska Wesleyan University, “Witnessing Change: A Call for Action.” This Sartore presentation includes images and discussion of some of North America’s most endangered species. Friday, March 26, 7:00pm, First United Methodist Church, 2723 North 50th Street, “Grounded: A Reflection on the Use of Life and Land.” Wild places and Earth’s creatures need and deserve protection. Saturday, March 27, 8:30 to 11:30am, East Lincoln Christian Church, 7001 Edenton Road, “Community Discussion,” including a panel from several denominations, focusing on specific actions to protect and sustain the environment. Panelists include Barbara Hipple, Mission & Outreach Coordinator for Homestead Presbytery, Carol Windrum, Director of Risk-taking Mission & Justice of the NE United Methodist Conference, Chris Blake, Associate Professor of English and Sponsor of the Union College Chapter of Amnesty International, Mitch Paine, Sustainability Policy Intern “Cleaner Greener Lincoln.” Click here for a Workshop Brochure.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
TEEN JOB FAIR . . . The Omaha Public Library’s Fifth Annual Teen Job Fair for ages 16 to 19 will be Monday, March 22, 2010, noon to 4:00pm, at the Swanson Branch Library, 9101 West Dodge Road. Employers will be hiring teens for both part-time and summer jobs. The event is free, and registration is not required. Swanson Branch is normally closed on Mondays, but will be open March 22nd to host the Fair. Contact Linda Trout, 402.444.4838, ltrout [at] omahalibrary [dot] org or Mary Henriksen, 402.444.6284, mhenriksen [at] omahalibrary [dot] org.
BENSON SUSTAINABILITY . . . February 10, 2010, sixteen community leaders gathered at the PS Collective for a discussion about how to make Benson Omaha’s most sustainable neighborhood. After a two-hour workshop, they voted on which projects are most immediately feasible deciding on 1) Creating a nonprofit arts center in the old theatre; 2) Bolstering a nonprofit farmers market to be supported by the local community; 3) Training Benson High School students to conduct energy audits of neighborhood homes; and 4) Building a community greenhouse. Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from 6:30 to 8:00pm, Benson residents and supporters are invited to share input and feedback on the community vision at an open house discussion at the PS Collective, 6056 Maple Street. If the neighborhood feels these projects are worth pursuing, an implementation plan will be developed.
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. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. 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 GREEN DRINKS . . . Wednesday, March 24, 2010, Omaha Green Drinks will meet at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, 5:30pm until close, in the education room across from the coffee bar. The informal, self-organizing network of environmentally interested activists and friends is now meeting regularly in 622 cities worldwide. Click here for the Facebook group listing.
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 “Concerning Democracy,” a short film by a young woman who traveled the world asking people what they thought of Americans. 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.
BLACK FAMILY HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR . . . The 12th Annual Black Family Health & Wellness Fair will be Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:00am to 1:00pm, at North High Magnet School, 4410 North 36th Street, in Omaha. There will be free blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, prostate and breast cancer screenings, eye exams, and more.
SAVE THE DATE . . . Earth Day Omaha 2010 will be April 17th, 12:00 noon to 8:00pm, at Elmwood Park, 802 South 60th Street. Learn more about exhibiting efforts to advocate sustainable environmental practices and lifestyles, or register to exhibit online here. Reach thousands of consumers interested in learning about ways to work toward a more sustainable planet as an Earth Day sponsor. Sponsorship information here. A volunteer application is here. Interested in performing? Online band sign-up is here. Know a person or organization making extraordinary strides in protecting the environment? Make nominations for this year’s Friend of the Environment Award here.
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 are over for now, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still 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 in expanded space 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 the GoodSearch toolbar, 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