Anti-coal action in front of the Union Pacific Offices in Omaha, Thursday, June 17, 2010, organized and sponsored by Nebraskans for Peace, the Nebraska Green Party, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Nebraska Sierra Club, and 350.org
“Clean Coal is a Lie”
Perpetuation of the myth that coal fired electricity plants produce clean energy is a social justice issue. Present societies and past generations are responsible for radically changing the atmospheric conditions of our planet Earth, and threatening the survival of our children and grandchildren. The protest was outside the offices of Union Pacific because UP profits from hauling coal across the nation to electricity generation plants. Both featured speakers, Bruce Johansen and Bill McKibben, are passionate environmentalists who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of honest science, research about climate change, and concern for the moral issue of life on Earth for future generations. From McKibben’s website: “We’ve built a new Earth. It’s not as nice as the old one; it’s the greatest mistake humans have ever made, one that we will pay for literally forever. We live on a new planet. What happens next is up to us.” His new book Eaarth is a “guide to living on a fundamentally altered planet.”
Events like this anti-coal action show local environmentalists we are not alone, and that there are progressive, thinking people willing to make time on a work-day to demonstrate concern for our air, water, plants, animals and human life, now and in the future. It was a very windy day in Omaha, appropriately suggesting another way to produce energy that is clean. Watch the first 9:18 minutes of McKibben’s remarks here. –Photo and comments by Barbara van den Berg
The U.S. Social Forum II begins Tuesday, June 22, 2010, in Detroit, Michigan. Well over 10,000 people will be there, including a delegation from Nebraska co-coordinated by Nebraska Green Party Chair Doug Paterson. The Social Forum is a movement-building process, not a conference–a space for people to collaborate on solutions to the problems that plague our communities and our planet. The Move to Amend coalition and its member organizations will present a series of sessions, leading up to a “People’s Movement Assembly” at 1:00pm Friday, June 25th. Another World is Possible. Another U.S. is Necessary.
TAR SANDS COMMENTS DEADLINE EXTENDED . . . The National Sierra Club is calling the proposed Keystone pipeline “An Oil Disaster We Can Still Stop.” Click here for a 1:33 minute video and action alert to Stop the Tar Sands. As oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico destroys habitat and livelihoods, the extraction of oil from Canadian tar sands is having a similar impact on fragile ecosystems and communities deep in the North American interior, but another environmental disaster can still be averted if enough people speak up. The deadline for comments of concern about the threat to our Ogallala Aquifer, has been extended to July 2, 2010. Learn about “the most destructive project on Earth,” here. “This proposed route through Nebraska is guaranteed to decimate and destroy a huge amount of fragile rare habitat that is vulnerable,” says Buffalo Bruce, Platte Valley Group Conservation Chair. Click here for the pipeline map through Nebraska, and Sierra’s statement in opposition to the proposed plan. Letters to the editor include the following: “Danger to water supply,” “Aim pipeline away from aquifer,””Don’t risk water supply,” and “Feeding the addiction,”
Make online comments to the Department of State here. E-mail comments to xlpipelineproject@state.gov. Contact Nebraska Congressional Representatives: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244.
Meanwhile, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. Read “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil” here.
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. 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. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.
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.
LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . Green Drinks, Lincoln’s environmentally focused social networking group, will meet Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 5:30pm, at Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill, in the Haymarket at 210 North 7th Street. Green Drinks now meets in 701 cities worldwide. Start a conversation about the Deepwater disaster at the Green Drinks Facebook page. For more information, e-mail ryoder [at] mail [dot] unomaha [dot] edu.
POWER LINE OPEN HOUSE . . . A third Lincoln Electric System open house to gather public input on a new powerline project will be Wednesday, June 23, 2010, – time – at the Lincoln High School cafeteria, 2229 J Street. LES is replacing 5.6 miles of 35 year old buried cable. The route has yet to be determined. Both overhead and underground lines are being considered. Options will be presented at the open house.
SIERRA KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE PRESENTATION . . . Saturday, June 26, 2010, 9:30am, the Sierra Club will host a Keystone XL Pipeline Presentation and Environmental Legislation Wrap-up at Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street. The Nebraska Sierra Club Statement of Opposition to the pipeline project is here.
BREAKFAST WITH NO2ARENA FRIENDS . . . While a “Union battle is brewing over Haymarket arena contracts,” “Haymarket business owners are mixed on the arena,” and the “Mayor questions auditor’s authority on Lincoln arena,” the No2Arena group will gather to reconnect at the Huntington Day Center, 4701 Huntington Avenue, for a breakfast feast prepared by Chef Murphy, Saturday, June 26, 2010, at 10:00am. Please phone Kathy at 202.8153 by Wednesday, June 23rd, to rsvp.
ACTION . . . The city of Lincoln made a pre-election agreement with 2015 Vision group to reimburse their campaign expenses if they “won” the election. 2015 spent more than $500,000 on related costs. Now TAXPAYER’S DOLLARS will be used to pay for the pro-arena campaign, per agreement already made, UNLESS there is an outcry from Lincoln citizens. This is not a legitimate use of tax dollars. Let your City leaders know if this concerns you. E-mail City Council members here. Contact the mayor here. Write a short letter to the editor at oped@journalstar.com
Meanwhile, the City Council will have to approve a new package of taxes on bars, restaurants, hotels and car rentals to pay for about half the estimated $344M arena project. A public hearing on the new taxes is scheduled for June 28, 2010.
BIOBLITZ AT SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE . . . Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Denton will host its second annual BioBlitz from noon Saturday, June 26 to noon Sunday, June 27, 2010. Home to one of Nebraska’s largest remaining tallgrass ecosystems, Spring Creek is a nationally recognized Important Bird Area, encompassing more than 650 acres of native prairie. The public is invited to join biologists in the 24-hour survey of all plant and animal life in a given area — turtles and frogs, wildflowers, birds, bats, butterflies and etc. No previous experience or training is required, and participants can stay for as long or brief a time as they choose. Supper and breakfast will be provided for volunteers participating for three hours or more. There is no fee, but all participants must register and will be informed of times of hikes and surveys. Tent camping and overnight accommodations are available. Contact the center at 402.797.2301 for more information. Click here for directions.
CROPS GARDEN GALA . . . Sunday, June 27, 2010, Community CROPS will host a Garden Gala at the 46th Street Community Garden, 46th and Pioneers Boulevard, in Lincoln. The free, family-friendly event will feature an ice cream social from 2:00 to 3:00pm. There will be live children’s music by Jim King, garden tours and demonstrations throughout the afternoon.
LINCOLN FARMERS MARKETS . . . Locally grown produce and baked goods are available at Lincoln Farmers Markets five of the seven week days.
Saturdays through October 9th, the Haymarket Farmers Market will be open from 8:00am to noon. The Old Cheney Road Garden Market at 55th Street and Old Cheney Road (behind the Lincoln Racquet Club) is open from 10:00am to 2:00pm every Sunday through November 7th. Other Lincoln Markets include
— Havelock Farmers Market, behind the businesses at 62nd and 63rd Streets and Havelock Avenue, Wednesdays 3:00 to 6:30pm, May 5 to October 27th.
— Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd. Saturdays 8:00am to noon, May 15 to September 18. Vendor spots available. Call Randy Nelsen at 467-2777.
— The Mid-Week Haymarket Farmers Market, 12th and R streets. Tuesdays in June from 5:00 to 7:00pm, in conjunction with Jazz in June.
— Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th and M streets, east side of the Nebraska State Office building. Wednesdays noon to 4:00pm, July 7 to August 25th.
— Community Crops Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, 27th and Potter (2 blocks north of 27th and Holdrege), Thursdays, 4:30-7:30pm, June 3 through September 30, 2010.
— Backyard Farmer’s Market and Exchange, Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7:30pm, in the St. Paul United Church of Christ parking lot at 1302 “F” Street, June 1st through September 28, 2010.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
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 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 “RISING FROM THE RAILS: THE STORY OF THE PULLMAN PORTER.” The documentary chronicles relatively unheralded Pullman Porters, generations of African American men who served as caretakers to wealthy white passengers on luxury trains during the golden age of rail. 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.
OMAHA SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL . . . There will be art, music, food, and children’s activities at the Downtown Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Friday, June 25 through Sunday June 27, 2010, on Farnam Street between 10th and 15th. The free event features an Artist’s Market, World Music Pavilion, Children’s Fair, TasteFest, and a Young Artist Exhibition. Click here to find a schedule of music performances on three stages.
TOTAL TOGETHERNESS . . . Promoting cultural awareness and non-violence in Omaha is the purpose of Kulture Works, sponsor of “Total Togetherness,” at Louis Bar and Grill, 5702 NW Radial Hwy, Benson, in the parking lot, on Saturday, June 26, 2010, starting at 5:00pm. The event will feature two reggae bands, a dj and authentic Caribbean food.
OMAHA FARMERS MARKETS . . .Global research confirms food choices contribute the highest percentage to our carbon footprint; even more than transportation. The advantages of shopping locally go far beyond environmental impact. Farmers markets are the best way to choose local. Click here for a list of Omaha area Farmers Markets including Benson, Bellevue, Papillion, Auburn, Beemer, Bennington, Falls City, Plattsmouth, and Wayne, Nebraska; Glenwood, Council Bluffs, and Griswold, Iowa.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACEWORKERS MEET . . . The monthly meeting of Central Nebraska Peacworkers will be Sunday, June 27, 2010, after a Memorial for John Damon. The memorial service is at Friends Meeting House, 403 B Avenue, Central City, Nebraska, starting at 3:00pm. CNPW will meet following the service at Ladybug Tea House Restaurant, 321 G Street, Central City. Meeting reservations are for between 5:00 and 5:30pm. Please rsvp to Mena at 308.754.4901, or e-mail ottomine1971 [at] gmail [dot] com if you can attend. There is space for 35 at the Restaurant.. The CNPW June Peace Vigil at State Street and Webb Road in Grand Island will be Wednesday, June 30th, from 5:00 to 6:00pm.
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 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