MESSAGE FROM CYNTHIA MCKINNEY . . . A peace demonstration is being organized for December 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Emergency Anti-Escalation Rally, also known as the End US Wars Rally, is scheduled for 11:00am, Lafayette Park, at the White House. I wholly endorse this rally and encourage all who can to participate in Washington, DC or to help a local peace organization committed to ending U.S. wars on that date. For more information about the Washington, DC December 12th demonstration, please visit www.endUSwars.org.

HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Now, 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.  To make GoodSearch your homepage, click here.  THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils continue at the Federal Building, 15th and O Streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. This peace group has demonstrated for almost a decade. Join them now, in solidarity with opposition to escalation in Afghanistan. Click here for CODE PINK analysis and response to the president’s expanded war. The White House does not have the final say under the Constitution, Congress does. The Congress needs to hear from us now – tell your Senators and Representatives you oppose the war and want to see all troops brought home here.  They hold the funding key. Write letters to the editor to your local paper and be present at local peace vigils. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.

WACHISKA HOLIDAY PARTY . . . The Wachiska Audubon Annual Holiday Pot-luck will be Thursday, December 10, 2009, starting 6:15pm, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Scott Michael will present “Grizzly Bear Behavior-Up Clost and Personal” based on personal experiences with the bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska. Everyone is invited to bring a dish to share, and table service. Call Wachiska at 402.486.4846 for more information.

PRO-CHOICE COALITION MEETING . . . ACLU Nebraska will host the December meeting of the Pro-Choice Coalition on Thursday, December 10, 2009, 6:30pm, at the Terminal Building, lower level conference room, 941 O Street, Lincoln. The topic of discussion will be the 2010 legislative session. All members and interested parties are invited to attend. Car pool from Omaha will leave Rockbrook at 5:00pm. For more information, phone Laurel at 402.540.6742.

WHITECLAY PUBLIC HEARING . . . There will be another public hearing before the Nebraska Legislature on alcohol-related problems at Whiteclay, Nebraska, Friday, December 11, 2009, 2:30pm, in room 1524 at the State Capitol. Four stores sell about 4 million cans of beer annually in the town of 14 people. Testimony from northwest Nebraska will be via video link from Chadron State College.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE . . . Clock Tower Merchants at 70th & A Street are working with People’s City Mission to provide 2,000 holiday meals for Lincoln people in need. Between now and December 15, shoppers are asked to drop off non-perishable items or monetary donations at any Clock Tower store. All donations will be matched by the merchants.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

COMMUNITY FORUM WITH WENDELL POTTER . . . “Blowing the Whistle on Big Insurance: An Insiders Look into Insurance Denials” with Wendell Potter, will be Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00pm, at Creighton Law School, 24th and Cass Street, Omaha. Potter will lead a panel discussing why he became a whistle-blower, and how he has seen insurance companies place profits over people, standing in the way of reform. For more information, e-mail christa [dot] yoakum [at] changethatworks [dot] net.

GREEN TEAM ROUNDTABLE . . . Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 11:30am-1:00pm, LifeSpan Recycling is hosting the WasteCap Nebraska Omaha Green Team Roundtable, 11:30am-1:00pm, at 8616 G Street. The Roundtable will begin with open networking, a short environmental segment from UNL Engineering College’s P3 program on “What it Means to be Green: Operating a Sustainable Business using the Easy and Profitable Techniques of Pollution Prevention”, followed by a presentation and facility tour by LifeSpan, a certified computer and electronics recycler. Lunch will be provided by LifeSpan, so please rsvp by calling WasteCap, 402.436.2383, or e-mail Rozz Beckman, rbeckman [at] wastecapne[dot] org.

OMAHA PEACE ACTIVISTS GO TO COURT . . . The Omaha peace activists arrested November 4th during the annual protest and “Die-In” at StratCom’s Space Weapons Bazaar will appear at Douglas County Court House, 1701 Farnam (SW corner, 17th & Farnam), 1:30pm, Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Omaha’s Icon of Peace, 91-year old Peg Gallagher, will be among them. Click here, and here for news reports of her arrest. For more information, E-mail Jerry Ebner, cwomaha [at] gmail [dot] com or phone 402.502.5887.

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 Earthlings.  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.

SIERRA DAY HIKE AT NEALE WOODS . . . Saturday, December 12th, 1:00pm, hikers will meet at Neale Woods, 14323 Edith Marie Avenue, Omaha, for a 2½ hour hike of moderate to difficult trails.For directions, carpool information, more details, and to rsvp, e-mail James Phernetton, jamesphernetton [at] mac [dot] com or phone 402.319.2322.

BUILDING A NET ZERO NATION . . . There will be a free showing of “Kilowatt Ours” Sunday, December 13, 2009, at Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, 3012 South 119th Street. The 6:30pm showing will be followed by discussion. The event starts at 6:00pm with a put-luck supper.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACE WORKERS VIGIL . . . The CNPW peaceful gathering is Wednesday December 9, 2009, 5:00 to 6:00pm, at State Street and Webb Road in Grand Island. All are welcome.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together 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 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 newly expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

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

HELP GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Now, 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. To make GoodSearch your homepage, click here.  THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils are held at the Federal Building, 15th and O Streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Special Thanksgiving thanks to all steadfast vigilers, new vigilers, and drivers who honk for peace during the weekly hour of peace activism. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.

THANKSGIVING: Thursday, November 26, 2009 . . . “Consider pausing this Thanksgiving, which for many in the U.S. is a major feast, to reflect on the 10 children who die of hunger every minute, and how your elected officials are spending hundreds of billions in public funds on war.”  –From “Hungering for a True Thanksgiving” by Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 800 stations in North America.

RESERVATIONS DEADLINE FOR FREEDOM BREAKFAST . . . Reservations for the 17th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. “Freedom Breakfast” are due Monday, November 30, 2009. This year’s breakfast will be Friday, January 15, 2009, 7:30 to 8:30am, at Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P Street, Lincoln. The keynote speaker is Rev. Jessie Myles. For more information, and to rsvp, phone Nancy Knapp, 472.1663.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

DEMOCRACY NOW! ACTION . . . Help bring Democracy Now! to UNO-TV. People in Omaha need access to independent media. Most print, radio, and television media is now controlled by less than six major corporations. Learn about how Cox has violated its contract with the City of Omaha here.  Encourage bringing Democracy Now! to Omaha by writing Robert A. Franklin, PhD., Director, Media Operations, KVNO-FM/UNO-Television, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska 68182.

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.

THANKSGIVING EVE GREEN DRINKS . . . Omaha Green Drinks will meet Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Whole Foods Regency, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room across from the coffee bar, 5:30pm ’til close. Green Drinks is now organized in 641 cities worldwide. All are welcome to join the conversation at Omaha’s informal Green Drinks meet-up.

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 Manufactured Landscapes. 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.

HIKE STONE STATE PARK . . . Sunday, November 29,2009, 9:00am, a Sierra Club outing open to all outdoor enthusiasts will leave from Wolner’s Grocery in Aksarben Village, 72nd and Center, Omaha, for a 6-8 mile Day Hike around Mt. Lucia at Stone State Park in Woodbury County Iowa, just north of Sioux City off I-29. For directions, carpool arrangements, more information, and to rsvp, e-mail Bob Goetschkes, bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.614.4788.

DOROTHY DAY DOCUMENTARY . . . Dorothy Day’s life, faith, and leagacy will be remembered and celebrated with a special showing of “Don’t Call me a Saint” on Sunday November 29, 2009, 6:30pm at the Omaha Catholic Worker, 1104 North 24th Street. Co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, Day would have been 112 years old this year. For more information about her gospel of nonviolence and this free, open event, phone 402.502.5887, or e-mail omahacw [at] gmail [dot] com.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together 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 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 newly expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

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

SOMETHING NEW . . . Now, 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.  To make GoodSearch your homepage, click here.  THANK YOU for supporting Nebraska Greens.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

IF YOU OPPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Nebraska does not need a new method of killing people. The last opportunity for the public to comment on proposed regulations for lethal injection will be Monday, November 16, 2009. Anyone may attend and comment on the Department of Corrections’ announced rules to continue state killings at this hearing, beginning at 9:00am, State Office Building, 501 South 14th Street, Lincoln (lower level conference room F). Read the proposed regulations here.  Read an analysis of the proposed regulations here. (pdf)  For more information, click here.

HELP HAITIAN ORPHANS . . . Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6:30pm, there will be a One Cause Lincoln benefit to help a new orphanage for 250 children in Gonaives, Haiti. “The Stars of the Night” will be at The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place. For more information, and to make reservations, phone 540.0073, or e-mail ONEcauselincoln [at] yahoo [dot] com.

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.

LWV LUNCH AND LEARN . . . The Lincoln-Lancaster County League of Women Voters will present Jim Otto, president of Nebraska Retail Federation, at the Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:00 noon Lunch and Learn event. The monthly luncheon series, followed by questions and answers, is at the 20th floor of US Bank, 13th & M Streets in Lincoln. For more information, and to rsvp, e-mail lwv-ne [at] inebraska.com or phone 475.1411.

CHANGING POLICY . . . Drug policy shift advocates, doctors, lawyers, activists, treatment providers, law enforcement, students, educators and formerly incarcerated people converged on Albuquerque November 12 through 14, 2009, for the biennial International Drug Policy Reform Conference to discuss change from a policy of criminalization to a public health model. More people than ever now understand the need for this shift. Following Pharmacy Board public hearings, the Iowa Senate will vote on Pro-cannabis bills that would make it the 15th state allowing some use of marijuana for medical purposes–joining California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Maine, Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, Montana, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Maryland and Michigan. Cannabis Kingdom will meet Thursday, November 19, 2009, 4:20pm, at Kinetic Brew, a coffeehouse inside the Bourbon Theater, 1415 O Street, Lincoln. Other groups working locally include SAFERCHOICE.org, askLEAP.org, makepotlegal555.org, and NormlNebraska.  “Reefer Madness! The Musical” is playing at the Lincoln Community Playhouse, 2500 South 56 Street, Thursday, through Saturday, November 19-21, 7:30pm; and at 2:00pm Sunday, November 22, 2009. For more information about decriminalization activism in the area, phone Pam at 402.742.5551.

STEM CELL RESEARCH DECISION . . . The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will meet Friday, November 20, 2009, 10:00am, at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege, Lincoln. Regents are expected to decide whether NU scientists can pursue expanded embryonic stem cell research at the open meeting that will include time for public comments. Click here for a Lincoln Journal Star article indicating four pro-life regents have co-authored a resolution that would limit embryonic stem cell research at the NU Medical Center. Click here for a LJS Local View by Sanford Goodman, president of the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, “Stem cell research ban would hurt university,” published November 15, 2009.

ECOSTORES RESOURCE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP . . . EcoStores Nebraska is offering a cutting-edge workshop on making buildings more economical and ecological. Auditing Buildings for Energy Efficiency will be Friday, November 20, 2009, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. It is designed to begin training a pool of neighborhood-based energy auditors to identify resource conservation measures that provide the greatest economic and environmental benefits. Seating is limited. Print and return the registration form here (pdf) to EcoStores Nebraska, 530 West P Street, Lincoln, NE 68528 or email ecostoresne@windstream.net. The workshop will be held at Lancaster County Cooperative Extension, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln.

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 The Future of Food, 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.

BRIDGING COMMUNITIES & CORRECTIONS VI . . . There will be a discussion on the barriers facing citizens returning to the community at Metropolitan Community College, 30th & Fort, Building 10, Room 136, Thursday, November 19, 2009, 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Employment, housing and other issues, will be the focus of a panel including Mike Friend, Director, Office of Violence Prevention. This free event, open to the public, is sponsored by Black Men United Families & Friends of Inmates. For more information, and to rsvp, e-mail Willie Hamilton, willzzway2 [at] yahoo [dot] com or phone 402.707.3115.

SIERRA ANNUAL BANQUET AND AUCTION . . . State Senator Ken Haar will be keynote speaker for the Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club Annual Banquet, Saturday, November 21, 2009, at Spaghetti Works Restaurant, 84th Street & Park Drive, Omaha. Social Hour and Silent Auction begin at 6:00pm. Dinner, awards, and program begin at 7:00pm. For more information and reservations, phone Clyde Anderson, 932.7225, or e-mail clydelanderson [at] cox [dot] net.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together 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 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 newly expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

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

Green Notes for Congressional District 1: Lincoln area

LINCOLN HAYMARKET OPEN HOUSES . . . The public is invited speak with members of the Lincoln Haymarket Arena project team at Open Houses on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 5:30 to 7:30pm, at The Falls Reception Hall, 5925 Adams Street; and Thursday, November 12, 5:30 to 7:30pm at Auld Pavilion, 1650 Memorial Drive, inside Antelope Park, Lincoln. There will be 9 “stations” where people can learn about the economic impact of the proposal, design concepts for the building and surrounding development, and the finance plan.

HELP HAITIAN ORPHANS . . . Make reservations by Tuesday, November 10, 2009, for a One Cause Lincoln benefit to help a new orphanage for 250 children in Gonaives, Haiti. “The Stars of the Night” will be at The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place, Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6:30pm. For more information, and to make reservations, phone 540.0073, or e-mail ONEcauselincoln [at] yahoo [dot] com.

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.

PHOTOS FROM 1961 FREEDOM RIDES . . . Mississippi journalist and photographer Eric Etheridge will present “Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders” on Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:00pm, at Nebraska Wesleyan University Olin B Lecture Hall. Etheridge is a former editor at Rolling Stone, the New York Observer, and Harpers, and the initial editor of George. Two of the Freedom Riders Etheridge photographed will accompany him during the free lecture, open to the public.

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL RECEPTION . . . Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska will celebrate the diversity in-season food local producers bring to the community Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:00 to 8:00pm, at the Isles Reception Hall, 6232 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln. (Entrance off the north parking lot.) The benefit event will feature hors d’ oeuvres inspired by the local seasonal harvest, a cash bar, and live music by Dave Fowler and Swing Ambiance. For more information phone 472.5273 or e-mail bnemec2 [at] unl [dot] edu.

COFFEE WITH JOHANNS . . . Senator Johanns will host an open coffee in Lincoln to hear concerns about health care reform on Friday, November 13, 2009, 10-11:30am at Southeast Community College Gymnasium, 8800 O Street.

CRUDE AT THE ROSS . . . Three years in the making, CRUDE tells the epic story of one of the largest, most controversial legal cases on the planet. Crude is a real-life, high stakes drama involving global politics, the environmental movement, celebrity activism, human rights advocacy, multinational corporate power, and the fate of disappearing indigenous cultures. The award-winning Joe Berlinger documentary explores a complex situation from all angles, bringing an important story of environmental peril and human suffering into focus. CRUDE is showing at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, 313 North 13 Street, Lincoln, through Thursday, November 19, 2009. Click here for a 2:34 minute trailer. Click here for show times, consult your newspaper, or call the MRRMAC film information line at 402.472.5353.

ECOSTORES RESOURCE CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS . . .  EcoStores Nebraska is offering cutting-edge workshops on making buildings more economical and ecological.  Deconstruction and Construction Waste Reduction: Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:00am – noon, designed to inform builders, landlords, and other property owners on strategies to recycle and re-use materials where possible and deconstruct rather than demolish.  Retrofitting Buildings for Efficiency: Friday, November 13, 2009, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, designed to inform and inspire homeowners and business owners to retrofit buildings for greater energy and resource efficiency. Seating is limited. Print and return the registration form here (pdf) to EcoStores Nebraska, 530 West P Street, Lincoln, NE 68528, or e-mail ecostoresne [at] windstream [dot] net. Workshops will be held at the Lancaster County Cooperative Extension, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln.

PAINT EXCHANGE . . . EcoStores Nebraska, 530 West P Street, Lincoln, will host a usable latex paint exchange from 8:00am to noon, Saturday, November 14, 2009. Usable paint is free. A $2 fee will be charged for disposal of unusable paint.

LUNK OPEN HOUSE EVENT . . . The LUNk (Lincoln’s Underground Network) Collective will host an open house Saturday, November 14, 2009, 6:00 to 10:00pm, at their new space in the North Bottoms of Lincoln, 1213 North 12 Street, near 12th and Charleston. The house will serve as a hub for local progressives’ meetings, debates, potlucks, movie showings, etc., and will house a free store and radical lending library. LUNk Radio will broadcast with a low power AM transmitter. Any donations, or vegetarian food to share, will be welcome. LUNk House is a drug and alcohol free space. For more information, contact Brian Ellis, bpe3812 [at] yahoo [dot] com.

NAACP ANNUAL BANQUET . . . The NAACP Annual Banquet will be Saturday, November 14, 2009, 5:30pm, at the downtown Holiday Inn, 141 North 9th Street, Lincoln. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Anna Shavers, UN-L College of Law Interim Dean.  For more information, and to reserve tickets, phone Leroy Stokes, 402.430.7003.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY . . . Lincoln will celebrate America Recycles Day Sunday, November 15, 2009. Residents may pledge to improve their recycling efforts and participate in special events. Prizes will be awarded at noon Saturday, November 14 at EcoStores Nebraska, 530 West P Street. More information about America Recycles Day is available here. (keyword: ARD)

FRIENDS OF WILDERENESS PARK MEETING . . . As part of Native American History month, noted archeologist Rob Bozell will speak about the pre-European Native Americans of Eastern Nebraska during the monthly Friends of Wilderness Park meeting Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3:00pm, at the Unitarian Church, 63rd & A Streets, Lincoln. There is no charge for the presentation, it is open to the public, and refreshments will be served. For more information, e-mail Michael Carlin, mcarlin [at] neb [dot] rr [dot] com.

Green Notes for Congressional District 2: Omaha area

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 Capitalism Hits The Fan.  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.

WINE, CHEESE & CHOICE . . . There will be a celebration for Pro-Choice Nebraskans sponsored by the Pro-Choice Coalition on Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:30 to 8:00pm, at the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, 3114 Harney Street. To RSVP, or for more information, e-mail trustwomen2009 [at] gmail [dot] com.

AWAKENING THE DREAMER . . . An Awakening the Dreamer Symposium will be Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9:00am to noon, at the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, 3114 Harney Street. Designed with the collaboration of some of the finest scientific, indigenous and activist minds in the world, the Symposium explores the current state of our planet from a new perspective, and connects participants with a global movement to reclaim our future. Click here for a 4:24 minute video trailer. Click here to pre-register.

HOUSING INFORMATION SUMMIT . . . The First Annual Housing Information Summit will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Omaha Opportunities and Industrialization Center, 2724 North 24th Street. With affordable housing, land use and relocation being major concerns of North and South Omahans, several groups have joined to provide information and resources regarding housing rights, assistance programs, and monies that are available for renovation, weatherization, repair and purchase. A “Community Awards” ceremony will also be a part of the Summit and refreshments will be served. For more information contact Jerome Drakeford, 402.619.8040 or Michel Payne, 402.991.5913.

OMAHA PV SOLAR PANEL MAKING WORKSHOP . . . A two-day “hands on” workshop on how to build and install your own electric PV solar panels will be Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, 2009, 9:00am to 4:30pm, at Peter Kiewit Institute, 1110 South 67 Street, Room 118, Omaha. Contact Michael Shonka, 689-0463, for more information, and to register.

Green Notes for Congressional District 3: Greater Nebraska

WIND POWER 2009 . . . Monday and Tuesday, November 9 and 10, 2009, the Nebraska Wind Power 2009 Conference will be held in KEARNEY at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The Conference will start at 8:30am, Nov. 9, with a general session on wind and public power basics. The two day conference workshops will include a wide range of topics with more than 70 experts on small and large wind. The early registration deadline has been extended to the end of October. For more information, and to register, click here.  Conference sponsor, the Nebraska Wind Working Group is a state and federal partnership funded by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America to help develop the state’s wind resources.

COFFEE WITH JOHANNS . . . Senator Johanns will host coffees in Grand Island, Lexington, and Kearney to hear concerns about health care reform. All events are open to the public. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7:00-8:30pm, College Park Auditorium, 3180 US Highway 34, Grand Island; Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11:30am -1:00pm, Lexington Public Library, 907 North Washington Street, Lexington; Thursday, November 12, 2009, 3:00-4:30pm, Harmon Park Activity Center, 3100 5th Avenue, Kearney.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together 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 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 newly expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

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

ANNUAL WITNESS FOR PEACE AND DIE-IN . . . For the fourth year in a row, Des Moines and Omaha Catholic Workers,  Nebraskans for Peace, and the Omaha chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility will host a witness and “Die In” at StratCom’s Space Weapons Bazaar, the Strategic Space Symposium in OMAHA, November 2 through November 4, 2009. This yearly love fest between corporate suppliers of weapons and space technologies, StratCom, Military Space Commands and the “power elites” of Omaha will return to the Qwest Convention Center.  Guest speakers will be Father Louis Vitale, nationally known peace activist/war resister, and Loring Wirbel, author of “Star Wars: US Tools of Space Supremacy.”  Wirbel is the peace movement expert on all things having to do with space and the USA military.
Schedule of Events:
Monday, Nov. 2, 4:30pm: Legal demonstration at Qwest Center in Omaha for opening of Space Weapons Bazaar Symposium led by NFP and Omaha PSR.  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:00am to 9:30am: Legal demonstration at Qwest Center led by NFP and Omaha PSR.  Tuesday, Nov. 3, noon to 4:00pm: Nonviolent Training and “Die In” planning session at Holy Family Catholic Church. Anyone considering risking arrest during the “Die In” must attend this session led by the Catholic Workers.  LORING WIRBEL and FR. LOUIS VITALE will speak twice on Tuesday:   “A 15 minute introduction to StratCom and its 8 Mission Commands” by Loring Wirbel followed by “35 years of resisting the missions and commands of StratCom” by Fr. Louis Vitale. Both talks are free and open to the public.  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 3:30pm: at Creighton University Harper Center, Room 2067 (main floor of Harper Center on 20th Street – guest parking just south of the building). Contact person: Maria Teresa Gaston 280.1295.  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:30pm: College of St. Mary Gross Conference Center, 7000 Mercy Road.  Contact: 402.399.2400.  Wednesday, Nov 4, 11:00am: “Die In” at Qwest Convention Center.  For more info contact Andrew Jameton, ajameton [at] novia [dot] net, 402.559.4680; Mark Welsch, NFPOmaha [at] inebraska [dot] com, 402.453.0776; or Jerry Ebner, cwomaha [at] gmail [dot] com,402.502.5887.

CREATIVE WAYS TO FUND YOUR NON-PROFIT . . . A Workshop “How to Start Your Own Non-Profit Organization” will be Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 5:30 to 8:30pm, at the Omaha Public Schools TAC Building Board Room, 3215 Cuming Street. E-mail Willie Hamilton, willzzway2 [at] yahoo [dot] com with questions, and to register.

FILM SHINES LIGHT ON TORTURE . . . Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 7:00pm, the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, 6300 A Street, will host a presentation by torture survivor Elizabeth Dennis featuring a showing of the documentary “Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out.”  The film was prepared by torture survivors from the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, South America and the Philippines. The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International has a Nebraska chapter looking to connect with other survivors and supporters in the area. Contact tasscne [at] yahoo [dot] com for more information.

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.

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 Ma Vie En Rose. 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.

IOWA MEDICAL MARIJUANA HEARING . . . The fourth Iowa Pharmacy Board public hearing on the pros and cons of medical use of marijuana will be Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 10:00am to 7:00pm, Harrah’s Council Bluffs, Ballroom 1, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. The Board could decide to make a recommendation to state lawmakers, opening the door to Iowa joining California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Maine, Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, Montana, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Maryland and Michigan, as the 15th state to allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes. click here for more information.

PASTOR TOM AT THE HUNGRY CLUB . . . Wednesday, November 4, 2009, noon, Tom Meradith, Director of the Men’s Center, Open Door Mission team, will speak at Big Mama’s Kitchen, 45th & Bedford, OMAHA. Pastor Tom has a wealth of information regarding homelessness, how it affects the community, and issues surrounding poverty. For more information, contact The Hungry Club founder Preston Love Jr. at 402.812.3324.

FUEL  . . . Friday, November 6, 2009, 6:00pm, FUEL the Movie will be shown at UN-O College of Public Affairs & Community Service Collaborating Commons, 6320 Maverick Plaza, OMAHA, followed by a panel discussion with local people who drive vehicles using alternative fuel sources. The panel includes Julie Conway, Hydrogen Hybrid, from Green Future Technology; Eric Williams, BioDiesel, president of the Omaha BioFuels Coop; Bill Moore, Electric Vehicle, editor of EV World; and Robert Byrnes, who has vehicles that run on Hydrogen, Biofuels and seed oils, Founder of the Nebrasksa Green Fuels Co-op.

INDIAN CAVE DAY HIKE . . . Saturday, November 7, 2009, hikers will meet at Trailhead 4, 11:00am, in Indian Cave State Park to hike 6-8 miles from the Backpack Parking Lot, toward Rock Bluff Run, down to the river, and back to where we started, stopping for lunch at the Adirondack shelters, returning to the trailhead around 3:00pm.  For directions, more information or to rsvp, e-mail jamesphernetton [at] me [dot] com or phone 402.319.2322. Carpool arrangements can be made as needed.

FOCUS ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT . . . The Middle Eastern Club at Lincoln High is hosting Movie Night on Saturday, November 7, 2009, 6:00pm, in the LHS Cafeteria, 2229 J Street. There will be a showing of the documentary “Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land.: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” followed by a community discussion. Use the main door entrance for this free event, open to the public. Snacks and drinks will be provided. E-mail Greg Keller, gkeller [at] lps [dot] org for more information.

TIRE COLLECTION . . . A free tire collection weekend will take place in Lincoln from 7:00am to 8:00pm Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2009, at N.W. 38th Street and West Webster Road. Sponsored by the Emerald Sanitary Improvement District, the collection is funded by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

LOWER PLATTE SOUTH NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT DIRECTOR NEEDED . . . Applicants must live in Subdistrict 10, roughly between A Street and Pine Lake Road, and from 1st to 33rd Streets in LINCOLN. The appointment will run through the end of 2010, with the option to run for reelection. Application letters are due by November 20, 2009. The current board will fill the vacancy in December. For more information, click here and go to Board & Staff.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Local markets are over for the year, but farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople still come together 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 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 newly expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

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

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES . . . Tuesday, October 27, 2009, “Black-White Dialogues” will end a series of six conversations meant to increase mutual understanding and respect between Black and White members of the OMAHA community. This week’s Dialogue, 7:00 to 9:00pm, at First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Street, is “How to Be an Effective Agent of Change,” a workshop presented by Dr. Franklin Thompson. For more information, click here.

CREATIVE WAYS TO FUND YOUR NON-PROFIT . . . There will be a Workshop on How to Start Your Own Non-Profit Organization on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 5:30 to 8:30pm, at the Omaha Public Schools TAC Building Board Room, 3215 Cuming Street. E-mail Willie Hamilton, willzzway2 [at] yahoo [dot] com with questions, and to register before Wednesday, October 28th.

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 will meet in Lincoln on Wednesday, October 28 2009, 5:30pm until close, at Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, in the Haymarket at 210 North 7th Street. Green Drinks is an informal social network now active in 630 cities around the world. Everyone interested in environmental issues is welcome.

LEGALIZATION FOCUS . . . “Heads vs. Feds: The Debate Over Legalization of Marijuana” is an hour-long interactive forum featuring former High Times editor-in-chief Steve Hager and a 25-year federal drug enforcement veteran, Robert Stutman. The free event will be Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 12:00 noon, at the UN-O Milo Bail Student Center Nebraska Room. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to attend.

HOPE FOR DARFUR . . . Wednesday, 28 October, 2009, 7:00pm, The Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights Series will host Brian Steidle, co-author of The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur, and Executive Director of HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere)  at the Un-O Thompson Alumni Center, 6705 Dodge Street, OMAHA.

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 Rethink Afghanistan.  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.

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS FORUM . . . The second Building Sustainable Partnerships Forum will be Friday, October 30, 2009, 1:00 to 6:00pm, at Hardin Hall on the UN-L East Campus, 3310 Holdrege Street, Lincoln. Sponsored by the School of Natural Resources, the Mayor’s Office/Mayor’s Environmental Task Force, and the Nebraska Rural Initiative, the Forum will focus on three key sectors: Business, Higher Education, and Community. Click here for information about speakers, the tentative agenda, and to register for this free event.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACE WORKERS . . . Central Nebraska Peace Workers will meet on Sunday, November 1, 2009, 3:00pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 North Elm Street, GRAND ISLAND. Use the east basement door. All are welcome.

THEATER OF THE OPPRESSED . . . Sunday, November 1, 2009, 1:00 until 6:00pm, EveryOne who loves theater, ACTivistm, making a difference, or just having a good time is invited to the UN-O Milo Bail Student Center for a THEATRICAL DAY OF FUN with Theater of the Oppressed  –theater to enact change. Click here to learn background information about this form of interactive theater. Omaha’s Doug Paterson, current Nebraska Green Party Chairperson, will lead the day’s ACTivism. For more information, e-mail Colleen, codoherty [at] unomaha [dot] edu; or Doug, dpaterson [at] mail [dot] unomaha [dot] edu.

KNOW YOUR FARMER, KNOW YOUR FOOD . . . Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5:30pm, Energy Rescue, Inc. is supporting the First Community Dinner at “All About You Catering,” 6109 Maple, in OMAHA’s Benson Neighborhood nestled between The Benson Grind and Petals by Janet. Only local foods will be prepared. For more information, e-mail tward2u [at] yahoo [dot] com. One People, One Planet, One Purpose.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets and eating fresh foods grown in or very near your own community. Eating locally grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher. Click here for Nebraska Buy Fresh. Buy Local. information. Lincoln’s current Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Havelock Farmers Market, north parking lot behind businesses between 62nd and 63rd streets and Havelock Avenue, 3:00 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays through October 28.
Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd., parking lot of Piedmont Shopping Center, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through September/October.Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.

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

NO IMPACT WEEK . . . The No Impact Week Challenge begins Sunday, October 18, 2009. If you take part, you will learn about your environmental footprint and reduce what you use and buy. The week-long project, in partnership with the Huffington Post, starts Sunday with a focus on consumption, the focus is trash on Monday, transportation Tuesday, food on Wednesday, Thursday is energy, Friday is water, and on the weekend you will spend one day volunteering in your community and one day unpluged from everything. For a full set of instructions, click here.  To formalize your participation, sign up here.

COX PUBLIC HEARING . . . There will be a public hearing on Omaha’s future cable related needs Monday, October 19, 2009, at the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center, 1819 Farnam Street, Legislative Chamber. The public is invited to attend, to offer comments regarding telecommunications needs, Cox Cable, and Qwest. Persons may speak at either 5:00 or 6:30pm, but not at both hearings. Omaha is currently engaged in a cable franchise renewal process with Cox and Qwest. A detailed needs assessment study is being conducted to determine future cable related needs of the City and its residents. The public hearing is required by federal law. For more information about why this is an important public hearing, click here.

NORTHEAST GREEN TEAM ROUNDTABLE . . . Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 11:30am to 1:00pm, WasteCap Nebraska’s Northeast Green Team Roundtable will met at a new training facility across from the ADM plant entrance at 3000 East 8th Street, COLUMBUS, NE. The Roundtable provides businesses an opportunity to network, and share green ideas, successes, environmental challenges and solutions. The gathering will begin with open networking, followed by a presentation on Carbon Foot-printing. For more information, or to register, contact Rozz Beckman, 402.436.2383 or e-mail rbeckman [at] wastecapne [dot] org.

MULTICULTURAL CONFERENCE . . . Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 7:30am to 4:00pm, clinical psychologist and author Mary Pipher will keynote the Fifth Annual One Day Grand Island Muliticultural Coalition Conference, “The Road to Inclusive Communities” at College Park, 3180 West US Highway 34, GRAND ISLAND. Click here (pdf) for Conference brochure and schedule. Phone 308.385.5242 for more information.

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.

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 Patti Smith – Dream of Life.  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.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY . . . There will be a panel discussion on “Marriage Equality for Same Sex Couples,” Thursday, October 22, 2009, 1:00pm, at the College of Law, Rm 113, on UN-L’s East Campus. Panelists are ACLU Nebraska Board Member Dave Moshman, Nebraska Family First Executive Director Dave Bydalek, Episcopal Pastor Father Don Hanway from St. Mark’s on the Campus, and Nebraska Family Council Executive Director Al Riskowski.

HIV CO-DISCOVERER AT NWU . . . Robert C. Gallo, a biomedical researcher who co-discovered HIV in 1980, will give a free public lecture at Nebraska Wesleyan’s O’Donnell Auditorium, 50th & Huntington Avenue, Lincoln, Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:00pm. The topic will be “Viruses, Epidemics and the Prospects for their Control with Emphasis on HIV/AIDS.”

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT . . . Friday, October 23, 2009, 10:00am to 3:00pm, agencies and individuals will gather (by shift) at the Center for People in Need, 3901 North 27th Street, Lincoln, to connect with Lincoln’s homeless population. The event is being organized by Nebraska Wesleyan University and the Lincoln Homeless Coalition. All are welcome to join this outreach project.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION . . . Saturday, October 24, 2009, will be the most widespread day of climate action ever. In more than 140 countries, people are organizing thousands of actions highlighting the need to reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million–the upper limit of what scientists say is safe. Lincoln events planned for International Day of Climate Action include Critical Mass 350 Bikers riding through downtown streets calling for a more bike-friendly city and encouraging individuals to make more environmentally-conscious decisions in their every day lives; and Husker Recycling.  350 Volunteers will help clean up, recycling products, before and after the Nebraska football game. Meet at 2:45pm by the columns on the east side of the stadium. Click here for details and to sign-up as a volunteer.

NEBRASKANS FOR PEACE CONFERENCE . . . Saturday, October 24, 2009, 9:30am TO 5:00pm, the NFP Annual Conference will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5th & Elm Streets in GRAND ISLAND. The Keynote Speaker will be author and analyst Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, D.C. speaking on “What a Just U.S. Policy in the Muslim World Would Look Like.” For information on how to register, contact the NFP State Office by e-mail at nfpstate [at] nebraskansforpeace [dot] org or by phone at 402.475.4620.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION . . . Saturday, October 24, 2009, 9:00am until 1:00pm, a household hazardous waste collection will take place at Woods Park, 31st and J streets, Lincoln. Items accepted include fluorescent bulbs and tubes, pesticides, paint thinners, stains, polishes and waxes, turpentine, oil-based paint, pool-cleaning chemicals, flea and tick powders, rodent poison, charcoal starter fluids, mixed or old gasoline, mercury-containing items including thermometers, upholstery cleaners, grease removers and brake and power steering fluids. Items that can be recycled or safely disposed of locally including latex paint, motor oil, gas grill cylinders, pharmaceutical waste, electronics and batteries will not be accepted.

HIKE THE WABASH TRACE . . . Saturday, October 24, 2009, there will be a 20 Mile Conditioning Hike along The Wabash Trace leaving from the trail head across from Iowa School for the Deaf at 8:00am. For more information, or to rsvp, contact Bob Goetschkes, bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or by phone at 402.614.4788.

NORML NEBRASKA . . . The Nebraska Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws will host a Meet and Greet on Saturday, October 24, 2009, 3:00pm, at McFoster’s, 38th and Harney, OMAHA. Phone 1.888.632.4842 to join NORML Nebraska, or click here for a membership form.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets and eating fresh foods grown in or very near your own community. Eating locally grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher. Click here for Nebraska Buy Fresh. Buy Local. information. Lincoln’s current Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Havelock Farmers Market, north parking lot behind businesses between 62nd and 63rd streets and Havelock Avenue, 3:00 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays through October 28.
Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd., parking lot of Piedmont Shopping Center, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through September/October.Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.

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

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY . . . Monday, October 12th, 2009, 5:00pm, there will be a peaceful demonstration for the purposes of educating the public about atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus, the subsequent genocide of Native Americans, and the reasons why we should abolish Columbus Day. Also called Resistance Day, or Native People’s Day, participants will meet at the Lincoln Federal Building, 15th and 0 Street, to honor indigenous peoples and their struggles. After the rally there will be a march to the State Capitol with signs and banners. Everyone is welcome to join the demonstration. Click here to learn about the history of Native American Day.

GREENPEACE FUNDRAISER . . . “The Age of Stupid” will be shown Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 7:00pm, at The Joyo Theatre, 6102 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln. Doors open at 6:30.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES . . . Tuesday, October 13, 2009, “Black-White Dialogues” will continue a series of six Conversations meant to increase mutual understanding and respect between Black and White members of the OMAHA community. The Dialogues are at First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Street. Dr. Bonnie Perry of OPS & Rachel Wise of Building Bright Futures will focus on Education and Race from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

INSURANCE REFORM RALLY . . . There is one more opportunity to impress Senator Nelson with a collective presence for reform of the health insurance industry in this country. A ‘Whose side are you on?’ Rally will take place outside Nelson’s Lincoln office, 440 North 8th Street, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at 10:00am. This will be a press conference event. A Green Party presence supporting Single Payer Medicare for All will be important at this moveon rally for a “public option.”

FOCUS ON PAYDAY LENDERS . . . “What’s the Matter with Payday Lending?” will be the focus of discussion at a Peace and Justice Series panel, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 6:15pm at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, in the Courtyard Lounge. Un-L professor Vern Barrett will moderate panelists Deb Eagan, Peace and Justice Chair, and Dale Springer, president of People’s Choice Credit Union.

CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION SEMINAR . . . Must conflicts between people and nations inevitably lead to broken relationships, strife, and violence? Daniel Buttry, Global Consultant for Peace and Justice with the American Baptist Churches, will speak about conflict transformation at a free seminar, “Mainstreams and Margins, Two Roles in Conflict,” on Wednesday, October 14, 7:00pm, at First Mennonite Church, 7300 Holdrege Street, Lincoln. For more information, click here.

GREEN TEAM ROUNDTABLE . . . WasteCap Nebraska’s OMAHA Regional Green Team Roundtable will be Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 11:30am to 1:00pm at WasteCap’s Omaha Field Office, 5002 South 24th Street, Lower Level Conference Room of the Old South Omaha City Hall Building. The gathering will begin with open networking, followed by a presentations on Carbon Foot-printing and a new Doorstep Recycling Service for apartments and small businesses in the Omaha area.For more information, or to register, contact Rozz Beckman at 402.436.2383, or e-mail rbeckman [at] wastecapne [dot] org.

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.

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 Escape to Canada. 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.

LUNCH AND LEARN . . . Thursday, October 15, 2009, the League of Women Voters will host this months’ Lunch and Learn focused on health care for all Lincoln residents. Lori Seibel, CEO of Community Health Endowment, will discuss how city and county officials work with private providers to address local health care. Open to the public, the luncheon begins at noon on the 20th floor of US Bank, 13th & M Streets. E-mail the League office, lwv-ne [at] inebraska [dot] com, or phone 475.1411 to make reservations.

REASON FALL FORUM . . . R.E.A.S.O.N. (Rationalists, Empiricists, And Skeptics Of Nebraska) is an organization of pro-science activists dedicated to defending rational discourse and promoting critical reasoning in the public sphere. “Evolutionary Medicine: What Darwinian Thinking Has to Offer” will explain how evolution expands understanding of health and disease. Creighton Biology Professor James Platz will keynote the Forum on Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7:00pm, at the Durham Research Center auditorium, University of Nebraska Medical Center, in the tower southeast of Farnam and Saddle Creek, OMAHA. For more contact Jim Bechtel, 556.8312, or Laurey Steinke, 598.0229.

HONORING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP . . . The WasteCap Nebraska Annual Member Meeting and Awards Luncheon will be Thursday, October 15, 2009, 11:30am to 1:00pm, at The Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 South 24th Street. The keynote speaker is Bill Witherspoon, founder and CEO of The Skyfactory.  Click here for registration information.

“PRAIRIE WIND” ON NET . . . “Prairie Wind: Nebraska’s Energy Harvest” explores legislative, technical and cost issues, how local communities could benefit from harnessing wind power, how farmers and ranchers could use wind energy, and how landowners could save money with a wind structure taking less than an acre out of production. The documentary airs Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7:00pm on NET1 and NET-HD, and at 8:00pm on NET2. It repeats throughout the month. Click here for more information on the NET production.

HEEEEER’S JOHNNY . . . Former Tonight Show producer Jeff Sotzing, president of Carson Entertainment Group, will join three former writers of the long running tv show for a lecture with video clips and behind-the-scenes stories on Friday, October 16, 2009, 3:30pm, at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center 313 North 13th Street, Lincoln.

GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING . . . A 6-hour seminar providing an overview of straw-bale design and construction will be Saturday, October 17, 2009, 9:00am to 4:00pm, at Southeast Community College Entrepreneurship Center, 285 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, Room 111. The Course Number is CNST-4001-ENFA. For more information phone Joyce, 402.483.5135, or e-mail jc10508 [at] windstream [dot] net.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets and eating fresh foods grown in or very near your own community. Eating locally grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher. Click here for Nebraska Buy Fresh. Buy Local. information. Lincoln’s current Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Havelock Farmers Market, north parking lot behind businesses between 62nd and 63rd streets and Havelock Avenue, 3:00 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays through October 28.
Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd., parking lot of Piedmont Shopping Center, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through September/October. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.

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

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES . . . Tuesday, October 6, 2009, “Black-White Dialogues” will continue a series of Conversations meant to increase mutual understanding and respect between Black and White members of the OMAHA community. The Dialogues are from 7:00 to 9:00pm, at First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Street. This week’s speakers will be Ed Leahy and City Councilman Franklin Thompson, discussing “Cultural Norms and Stereotypes.” For more information, click here.

ENCOUNTERING CHINA . . . Tuesday, October 6, 2009. 7:00pm, Kaiser Kuo will present the EN Thompson Forum on World Issues at Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 North 12 Street, Lincoln. The Lewis E. Harris Lecture on Public Policy is titled “Shouting Across the Chasm: Chinese and American Netizens Clash in Cyberspace.”

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.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN PALESTINE . . . Wednesday, October 7, 2009, Jonathan Kuttab will appear at the UN-L City campus Union, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, at 5:00pm. Room will be posted. Kuttab is a Palestinian human rights lawyer and activist. He studied in the US, is a member of the United States Bar Association, and returned to Israel/Palestine to join the Israeli Bar Association as well as the Palestinian Bar Association. He was a negotiator at the Cairo Peace Talks. He will be speaking on human rights and his life as an activist.

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 IOUSA.  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.

HUNGRY CLUB NEWS . . . Wednesday, October 7, 2009, The Hungry Club of Omaha will meet at Big Mama’s Kitchen, 45th & Bedford, at noon. The speaker will be Tor Mach Kuet, Director of the Southern Sudan Community Association. From south Sudan, Mr. Kuet has lived in Omaha since 1996. He will discuss the immigrant situation locally and nationally, with emphasis on the plight of Sudanese genocide.  For more information, contact Preston Love Jr. at 402.812.3324.

STRAW-BALE TOUR IN WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA . . . Pre-registration and payment is required no later than Thursday, October 8, for a tour of two straw-bale buildings on Saturday, October 10, 2009. The tour will leave Lincoln at 8:00am, returning between 6:30 and 7:00pm. Those who wish to drive their own cars may join the tour at the Cozad site where an open house is scheduled from 9:00am to 4:00pm. For more information, and to register for the tour by van or drive along, call Joyce at 402.483.5135 and leave a message, or e-mail jc10508 [at] windstream [dot] net. All fees will be donated to The Green Prairie Foundation for Sustainability in support of The Last Straw, an international journal of straw-bale and natural building.

ANTELOPE VALLEY: AN UPDATE . . . Glenn Johnson, General Manager of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, will be the guest speaker at this month’s Wachiska Audubon general meeting, Thursday, October 8, 2009, 7:00pm at Union College Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street, Room 03, lower level, Lincoln. Learn about the three components of Antelope Valley development: flood control, transporation enhancement, and community revitalization, at the free presentation, open to the public.

JAMES LOEWEN AT UN-O . . . Thursday, October 8, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00pm, best-selling author of Lies My Teacher Told Me, James Loewen, will speak at the UN-O Thompson Alumni Center, 6001 Dodge Street, OMAHA. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact the UN-O Department of Black Studies, 554.2412.

JAMES LOEWEN AT UN-L . . . Author, sociologist and historian James Loewen will speak at UN-L on Friday, October 9, 2009, 7:00 to 9:00pm, in the City Campus Union Auditorium, 1400 R Street, Lincoln. Loewen will speak on topics covered in his best selling book, “Lies My Teacher Told Me,” answer questions, and sign books following the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.

FALL CLEAN-UP . . . The Lincoln City Parks Department has endorsed a Free Drop Off of limbs, brush and logs on Saturday, October 10, 2009, 8:00am to noon, at 2200 South Folsom Court. The site is located west of Highway 77 off of West South Street. Phone David Ensign at the Urban Development Department, 402.441.7864, with any questions.

ORGANIZING FOR BETTER TOMORROWS . . . Saturday, October 10, 2009, 8:00am to 6:30pm, the second annual Nebraska Student Organizing Conference, “Organizing for Better Tomorrows,” will take place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus Union, 1400 R Street. Breakfast, lunch, and a light snack will be provided. The Conference is open to all. To pre-register online, click here.

CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION SEMINARS . . . Must conflicts between people and nations inevitably lead to broken relationships, strife, and violence?  Daniel Buttry, Global Consultant for Peace and Justice with the American Baptist Churches, will talk about conflict transformation and its biblical roots in two free seminars at First Mennonite Church, 7300 Holdrege Street, Lincoln on Sunday, October 11, 2009, 7:00pm – The Bible and Conflict Transforming Initiatives; and Wednesday, October 14, 7:00pm – Mainstreams and Margins, Two Roles in Conflict. For more information, including a schedule of additional Sunday morning presentations, click here.

WHEN MARSHES MEET PRAIRIES . . . Tallgrass prairies reach the height of their beauty this time of year. Sunday, October 11, 2009, John Carlini will lead a Field Trip exploring meadow prairies bordering wetlands in the area of The Nature Conservancy’s Little Salt Fork Marsh Preserve.  Meet at 8:00am in the parking area. The Preserve is located east of Raymond on the north side of Raymond Road, several blocks west of First Street. Phone 475.7275 with any questions.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets and eating fresh foods grown in or very near your own community. Eating locally grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher. Click here for Nebraska Buy Fresh. Buy Local. information. Lincoln’s current Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Havelock Farmers Market, north parking lot behind businesses between 62nd and 63rd streets and Havelock Avenue, 3:00 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays through October 28.
Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd., parking lot of Piedmont Shopping Center, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through September/October.
Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.

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

REPOWER NEBRASKA KICK-OFF . . . It’s time for comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation NOW. Find out how to get involved at the kick-off meeting of Repower Nebraska, Monday, September 28, 2009, 6:00pm at The Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple Street, OMAHA. For more information, call Amy Kasselman, 402.578.9592, or e-mail amy [dot] kasselman [at] climateprotect [dot] org.

RALPH NADER IN OMAHA . . . Public advocate, presidential candidate, and bestselling author Ralph Nader will make two personal appearances in OMAHA on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, speaking about his new book “Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us,” an unprecedented genre-bending work of fiction in which Warren Buffett organizes a meeting of seventeen real life super-rich people to restructure their personal wealth and help the people of America. At 3:00pm, Nader will present “Imagining America – The Battle for Single Payer Healthcare” at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney. At 7:00pm, Nader will be at Borders, 7201 Dodge Street, to speak about and sign his new book. Both events are free and open to the public.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES . . . Tuesday, September 29, 2009, “Black-White Dialogues” will continue a series of Conversations meant to increase mutual understanding and respect between Black and White members of the OMAHA community. The Dialogues are from 7:00 to 9:00pm, at First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Street. This week’s speakers will be Rev. Dr. Kate Rohde, on “How the Church Has Perpetuated Racism,” and Rev. Keith Richardson, on “The Role of the Church in the Black Community.” For more information, click here.

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY WEDNESDAY . . . No Timeline! No Exit Strategy! Stop the Funding! Congress is steps away from passing a $625.8 billion 2010 Defense Budget, which contains approximately $128.2 billion to conduct wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through September 2010. Wednesday, September 30, 2009, is a National Call-in Day for telling Senators and Congressional Representatives to vote against the Defense Appropriations bill, and urge them to co-sponsor Congressman James McGovern’s H.R. 2404 requiring President Obama to provide an “exit plan” from Afghanistan no later than December 2009. To reach the Washington Switchboard phone 202.224.3121 or 202.225.3121.

CENTRAL NEBRASKANS VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .  Central Nebraska Peace Workers will meet on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 5:00pm, to Vigil for Peace at the corner of State Street and Webb Road, GRAND ISLAND.  Signs will be available, or bring your own. Everyone is welcome.

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.

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 Unnatural Causes – Part 4. 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.

SPECIAL NADP EVENT . . . Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty will host a special event on Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:30pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Parlor, 511 North Elm Street, GRAND ISLAND. One of the Beatrice 6, Thomas Winslow, and Mirriam Thimm Kelle, whose brother was murdered by James Ryan, an inmate on death row, will be featured guests. Mirriam will speak on how the death penalty affects families of victims, and Tom will talk about innocent individuals who get caught up in the justice system.  Both speakers will present their stories on Friday, 7:00pm, at St. James Catholic Church, 3801 Avenue A, KEARNEY. The events are free and open to the public.

BANNED BOOK WEEK . . . Banned Book Week will be celebrated Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O Street, Lincoln. There will be live music–banned because the words might be harmful–performed by the Academy of Rock, as well as clips from censored films, and books. Controversial art of all forms will be on display. The free public event is from 6:00 to 8:30pm.

KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK . . . Saturday, October 3, through Saturday, October 10, 2009 is the International Week of Protest Opposing Space Militarization. The Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space says it’s time to open our eyes and STOP the military’s use of space for war on Earth. Preserve space for peace. “Each minute, the last official figures say, the world gives $3 million to military expenses, for the industry of death. And each minute, fifteen children die from hunger or curable diseases. So we’ll march against it, because we believe another world is possible.” –Eduardo Galeano

OMAHA F.A.M. CONFERENCE . . . The 2009 Family Advocacy Movement Conference is at UN-O, Saturday, October 3, 2009. “Safe Haven Revisited: MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD PROTECTION, & CIVIL RIGHTS–A Call for Reform” will present a free Public Forum, 1:30 to 5:00pm. The evening Keynote Presentation by Speaker Karl Dennis, will be from 6:30 to 9:00pm. Register for the Conference online before Monday, September 28th for discounted admission here.  A follow-up event intended to continue expanding discussion on Sunday, October 4th, will be at Second Unitarian Church of Omaha. For more information, phone 402.640.7480 and leave a message for return call.

SOLAR HOME TOUR . . . Nebraska is participating in a solar home tour, part of the National Solar Home Tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society for the first time this year on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Click here for details on tour sites.

VEGFEST SATURDAY . . .  “Marvelous Melons” will be celebrated at this year’s VegFest, Saturday, October 3, 2009, 2:00 to 6:00pm, Havelock Park, 63rd Street and Ballard Avenue, Lincoln.  Activities include a fruit and melon salsa contest, celebrity chefs, demonstrations, gardening booths, a rain barrell raffle and live music.  Local community radio station KZUM, 89.3fm, is hosting the event.

FULL MOON HIKE . . . Sunday October 4th, 2009, depending upon cloud cover, there will be a Full Moon Night Hike around the Great Marsh at Fontenelle Forest Wetlands Education Center, 103 Camp Gifford Road, BELLEVUE, starting at 8:30pm. This is a short ramble around some of the trails of Gifford Point. RSVP with first and last name, phone number, and email so you can be notified in case of cancellation, to Bob Goetschkes, bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.614.4788; 402-326-1775, cell.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Join the local food revolution by shopping farmer’s markets and eating fresh foods grown in or very near your own community. Eating locally grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher. Click here for Nebraska Buy Fresh. Buy Local. information. Lincoln’s current Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Havelock Farmers Market, north parking lot behind businesses between 62nd and 63rd streets and Havelock Avenue, 3:00 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays through October 28.
Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd., parking lot of Piedmont Shopping Center, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through September/October.Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.

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