KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Another Lincoln Journal Star Editorial on the tar sands pipeline, “Michigan oil spill holds lessons,” was published on August 4, 2010. It begins “The oil spill from a pipeline in Michigan last week justifiably adds to fears about the safety of the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline that would carry oil across Nebraska’s fragile Sand Hills.” As reported in Green Notes last week, Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. The Editorial ends with this: “The obvious lesson from the mess in Michigan is that promises of safety and quick response to spills are not always kept. An effective safety system should include inspections, monitoring and adequate spill response planning. Before the State Department approves the Keystone XL project, it should ensure that all these elements are in place.”
An August 5th LJS article reported that TransCanada “responded to critics Thursday by dropping its proposal to run the pipeline at a higher pressure level and agreeing to follow U.S. safety standards for the project.” August 7th, LJS reported that members of the Rainforest Action Network and Friends of the Earth in Chicago protested the XL pipeline with a banner over Lake Shore Drive during rush hour on Thursday. President Obama made several Chicago appearances that day. The banner asked him to “Block the Keystone Pipeline and Stop the Tar Sands.” Protesters also demonstrated outside the Palmer House where Obama spoke. To see photos of what tar sands have done to the Alberts, Canada environment, click here. Click here for David Suzuki’s two part program about oil sands on “The Bottom Line.” Click here for the CBC Radio podcast.
Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to continue getting letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents who demand oil pipeline regulation in our state. Contact information for 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. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or any other environmental exploiter.
Click here to send a message to Secretary Clinton, NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Governor Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity, and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence.
And remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
SUPPORT LINCOLN’S TREES . . . On Monday, August 9, 2010, at 2:15pm and 6:30pm, the Lincoln City Council will hear public testimony on the Mayor’s proposed budget at the County City Building, 555 South 10th Street, Room 112. Supporters of Save Lincoln’s Trees, and EveryOne concerned with his plan to eliminate the City Forester position is needed to attend one or both sessions of this public hearing. Read an August 5, 2010 letter to the editor of Lincoln Journal Star, “Rethink Forestry Plan,” here, and an August 8th letter, “Keep the forester,” here. Trees are the hallmark of the Arbor Day Foundation headquartered in Lincoln. On Tuesday, workers will begin installing a “green roof” on the Foundation’s administrative building. A strong show of public support on Monday will send a clear message to the Council that Lincoln needs a City Forester. Wear green. If you want to testify, e-mail Mary Schwab at Ohair42 [at] aol [dot] com
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.
LEARN ABOUT TAI CHI . . . A community education program on tai chi will be Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 7:00 to 8:30pm, at BryanLGH Medical Center East Conference Center, 1600 South 48th Street. Longtime practitioner Otto Altobelli will lead the presentation, followed by participant movements. To register, click here or phone 402.481.8886.
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.
FORTENBERRY TOWN HALL . . . Nebraska’s Congressional District 1 Representative Jeff Fortenberry will hold a Lincoln Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 7:00pm, at Lincoln Southwest High School, 7001 South 14 Street. This is an opportunity to bring up the Keystone XL pipeline issue, or any other topic of personal concern.
JOHNSGARD AT WACHISKA MEETING . . . University of Nebraska-Lincoln ornithology professor emeritus Paul Johnsgard will speak about Nebraska’s Sandhill cranes and other spring birds at the monthly Wachiska Audubon meeting, Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:00pm, in Room 3 of the Union College Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. Johnsgard has written more than 50 books on nature topics, many of them about birds and their habitats. Refreshments will be served after the program. For more information, call the Wachiska office at 402.486.4846.
GROW AND SHARE . . . Local gardeners can take excess fruits and vegetables to Campbell’s Nurseries, 2342 South 40th and 7000 South 56th Street, Lincoln, every Monday and Tuesday during summer. Food will be collected for the Food Bank of Lincoln, and distributed to 65 Southeast Nebraska agencies serving low-income people and families. Gardeners can also drop off produce at the Food Bank, 4840 Doris Bair Circle–about three blocks north of 48th and Superior, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Click here for tips on how to process produce for sharing. For more information, contact Cory Priefert at Campbell’s, 402.423.4556, ext. 233; or Cheri Lawrence at the Food Bank, 402.466.8170, ext. 106.
MIDWEST RURAL ASSEMBLY . . . The second annual Midwest Rural Assembly will be Monday and Tuesday,August 16 and 17, 2010, in South Sioux City, Nebraska. There will be twenty learning roundtables on rural issues hosted by Center for Rural Affairs. Learn more and register online here. Phone 402.687.2103 1017 or e-mail virginia [at] cfra [dot] org with questions.
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 is 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.
— 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
CLOSING CEREMONY AT STRATCOM . . . The annual weekend of vigils at Kenny Gate, Offutt Air Force Base, commemorating the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ended Sunday, August 8, 2010. Monday, August 9, there will be a Closing Ceremony with prayer circle and line crossing at 11:00am. Long time Omaha peace activists Peg Gallagher, Father Jack McCaslin and military veteran Mark Kenney are planning to “cross the line.” Gallagher, McCaslin and Kenney have long histories of protesting at STRATCOM, because of their deeply held belief in nonviolence. Father Jack is 81 years old. Gallagher is 91. All three will be risking jail, again, for their convictions, and need the support of Omaha’s peace community Monday morning. Join them in their action, or just be there in solidarity. For driving directions to Kenny Gate click here, and scroll down past the map. Phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887, or e-mail cwomaha [at] gmail [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. 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 the Festival will host “The Conspiracy Tour,” a whirlwind, month-long excursion across the continental United States to raise awareness of and solidarity for political activists facing severe state repression. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . Saturday, August 14, 2010, Progressive Omaha will meet at 4924 Chicago in Dundee, from 6:00 to 9:00pm. The speakers will be Christian Gray, Executive Director of inCOMMON Community Development, and Howard Dotson, from Neighbors United, inCOMMON’s partner group. There will be a pot luck supper from 6:00 to 7:00, speakers from 7:00 to 8:00, and business with social time from 8:00 to 9:00pm. All are welcome. E-mail kabrams123 [at] cox [dot] net for more information.
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
PAWNEE SPEAKERS SERIES . . . The Pawnee were pre-Nebraskan settlers, farming and hunting on the Plains. A 2010 August Speakers Series will present a glimpse of their Culture every Sunday afternoon, 3:00pm, at The Pawnee Arts Center, 106 South Mill Street, Dannebrog, Nebraska. Sunday, August 15th, Jean Lukesh, Nebraska author, educator, and historian, will present “The North Brothers and Their Pawnee Scouts,” an understanding of the friendships and services Pawnee extended to the settlers. The Center will open at noon. Light refreshments will be available after the program. There is a suggested donation. Phone Gale Pemberton, 308.226.8286, or e-mail gale1938 [at] live [dot] com for more information.
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 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. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente