FOOD, INC. . . . The documentary Food, Inc., about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation, and where we are going from here, continues at The Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center,  313 North 13th Street, Lincoln, through Thursday, September 3, 2009. It features interviews with Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma), and forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield Farm’s Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin. Watch the trailer here.  The short film Alternative Ways to Grow Your Food will show before screenings of FOOD, INC. Click here for a schedule of showtimes.

NEBRASKA STATE FAIR . . . There will be a number of green activities and booths at the Nebraska State Fair this final year in Lincoln: solar panels and a vertical axis wind turbine will be on display outside of Devaney; and Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems will have a battery charging wind turbine/solar system, hydrogen demo system, cellulose alcohol fermentation and biodiesel powered vehicles in the Marketplace. An alcohol injection system will be installed on a biodiesel/hydrogen Jeep Liberty August 31st. The Fair runs daily through Sunday, September 6, 10:00am to 7:00pm at State Fair Park in Lincoln.

MISSOURI RIVER RESTORATION . . . There will be an opportunity to provide input on ecosystem re-visioning of the Missouri River Monday, August 31, 2009, 3:00 to 5:00pm, and 6:00 to 8:00pm, at the UN-O Thompson Center Bootstrapper Hall. For more information click here.  Click here for draft documents in the Environmental Empact Study. Click here for information about public meetings throughout the Missouri River basis. Click here to provide input online.  Contact Dave Crane at 402.995.2676 with any questions.

VIGIL FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM . . . Greens and advocates of Universal Health Care will gather on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 6:00pm, at Woods Park, 33rd & O Streets in Lincoln. Organized by MoveOn and Democracy for America in support of the “public option,” not Medicare for All, this event is one of many being planned nationwide. A Green presence supporting *real* reform is needed at every opportunity in light of misleading messages and confusing language on this issue. Wear a Nebraska Green Party t-shirt in solidarity with the most sensible health care reform, Medicare for All.

LINCOLN PEACE VIGIL . . . Before the Health Care Reform rally, join Lincoln peace activists at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets, Wednesday,September 2, 2009, from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402-499-6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.

LEARN ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES . . . EV World Editor Bill Moore will Speak at UN-O on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in the MBSC Chancellor’s Room between 11:30am and 2:00pm. Sponsored by the Environmental Club of UN-O, Moore, one of the world’s leading experts on the subject, will discuss electric vehicles, past, present and future.

GRAND ISLAND PEACE GATHERING . . . Wednesday, September 2, 2009, Central Nebraska Peace Workers will meet at the corner of State Street and Webb Road in Grand Island, 5:30pm, for the tri-city area’s monthly Peace Vigil. Bring a sign if you wish. There are always extras. Monthly peace gatherings have continued for the last five years with a focus on peace and social justice.

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 Das Experiment.  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.

FULL MOON NIGHT HIKE . . . Thursday September 3rd or Friday September 4th, 2009, depending upon cloud cover, there will be an exploratory walk on the old horse trails south of Bellevue Marina in Haworth Park.  The walk along Keystone Trail will last two or three hours. For more details, or to rsvp, contact Bob Goetschkes, bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or 402.614.4788.

CLEAN ENERGY RALLY . . .  Click here for details about a Clean Energy Rally Saturday, September 5, 2009, 2:00 to 4:00pm outside Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street, Lincoln.

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.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

PUBLIC MEETINGS ON HEALTH CARE . . . US Senator Ben Nelson will hold public meetings on health care reform Monday, August 24, and Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in North Platte, Kearney, Norfolk and South Sioux City, Nebraska. The schedule is as follows: Monday, August 24, 9:00am to 10:00am, County Fairgrounds, 5015 Rodeo Road, North Platte; and 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Merryman Performing Arts Center, 225 West 22nd Street, Kearney. Tuesday, August 25, 9:00am to 10:00am, Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk; and 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Marina Inn and Conference Center, 510 East 5th Street, South Sioux City.

LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . Lincoln Green Drinks will meet Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 5:30pm to close, at Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, 210 North 7th Street. Everyone working on or studying environmental issues is invited to meet in the bar–simply ask at the front. Green Drinks is an informal, self-organizing network for fun and exchange of ideas. All are 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.  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.

PRO-CHOICE ACTION . . . Pro-choice friends and supportive organizations will rally from all corners of the United States in support of Dr. Leroy Carhart on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, 2009. The rally will be at Carhart Clinic, 1002 West Mission Avenue, Bellevue, Nebraska, throughout the day on Friday and until close Saturday. The newly elected national President of NOW will be in Omaha all day Friday to show solidarity with Carhart and his supporters. For more information, e-mail Erin Sullivan, trustwomen2009 [at] gmail [dot] com.

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION . . . Saturday, August 29, 2009, 9:00am to 1:00pm, Lincoln and Lancaster County residents can take household hazardous waste to a collection site at Lincoln Industries, 600 West E Street. Click here  for more information about local recycling, or phone 441.8021.

AUGUST BIRDQUEST . . . Sunday, August 30, 2009, 7:00am, meet in the east Oak Lake parking lot, West Charleston Street and Sun Valley Boulevard, Lincoln, for caravan and carpool to birding destinations featuring birds on summer dispersals and fall migrations. Birding expert Larry Einemann will lead the excursion to current local viewing hot spots. For more information, contact John Carlini at 402.475.7275.

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.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

KEEP PIONEER’S PARK NATURE CENTER FREE FOR ALL . . . Monday, August 10, 2009, a budget hearing on the proposal to charge entrance fees at Pioneer’s Park Nature Center will be in Room 112 at the County-City Building, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln. Click here to learn about the extent of natural parkland that would be restricted by fees. Mayor Chris Beutler said he will work with the City Council to seek alternate funding for the Nature Center for one year. Thank the mayor for considering an alternative to this proposal in e-mail at mayor [at] lincoln [dot] ne [dot] gov. E-mail City Council members at council [at] lincoln [dot] ne [dot] gov encouraging agreement on the delay for time to find other sources of funding. If you plan to attend August 10th, meet at 2:30pm in the County/City Building on first floor outside the hearing room. Help keep the opportunity to enjoy local natural prairie, wetlands, and woodlands free for everyone by speaking out against proposed park entrance fees.

SUPPORT OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARIES . . . The future of Omaha Public Libraries will be addressed at a public hearing on the 2010 budget Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 7:00m, in the Legislative Chambers at City Hall, 1819 Farnam Street, Room LC-1. Advocate keeping libraries open in person at the hearing, contact Mayor Jim Suttle by phone at 444.5555, or e-mail him at jim [dot] suttle [at] ci [dot] omaha [dot] ne [dot] us. For more information, e-mail kabrams123 [at] cox [dot] net.

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 “Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story.” 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.

L.E.S. SMART GRID EDUCATIONAL FORUM . . . Smart grid development is key for the future of renewable energy, storage, conservation and efficiency improvements. A free forum “Smart Grid: Taking Charge of Your Energy Future” will be from 8:00am to 4:30pm at the Grand Manse Jasmine Room, 129 North 10th Street, Lincoln, on Thursday, August 13, 2009. Click here to register. Lunch is also free if you register by Friday August 7th. See the forum agenda here.

WACHISKA GALAPAGOS PRESENTATION . . . John Hess, emeritus professor of biology at the University of Central Missouri and author of “The Galapagos: Exploring Darwin’s Tapestry,” will show photographs and describe the beauty of Galapagos flora and fauna at the August Wachiska Audubon meeting, Thursay, August 13, 2009, 7:00pm at the Union College Dick Administration Building (lower level room 03), 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. Click here for more details, and directions to the Dick Building.

HUMANISTS MEET . . . The First Annual Midwest Humanist Conference will be Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the UN-L Student Union Centennial Room, 1400 R Street LINCOLN. The Keynote address by D.J. Grothe is titled “The Future of Secular Humanist Activism.” Click here for details and a list of speakers. To register, e-mail Jason Frye at humanistsd [at] gmail [dot] com or call 619.646.2191. Listen to an interview with Frye on The Michael Baker Show, Room 101, on KZUM, 89.3fm, Wednesday, August 12, 6:00 to 6:30pm.

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.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm,Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

LINCOLN BIONEERS . . .  Lincoln Bioneers will meet Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 6:00pm, for finger food at 6115 Huntington Street.  After the pot luck, bioneers will walk to White Hall to help plant a garden bed.  For more information e-mail Amy Rose, brtleach [at] hotmail [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.

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 Lives of Others.  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.

STRATEGY SESSION WITH SENATOR COUNCIL . . .  Omaha Senator Brenda Council intends to introduce a bill in the next legislative session aimed at prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and identity.  Extensive support will need to be coordinated. Key figures in the LGBT community and allies are invited to meet and develop a strategy to make this bill become law, Thursday, August 6, 2009, 3:00pm, in Room 1113 at the State Capitol.  If you are interested in attending or have questions, please contact Chris Triebsch by phone at Senator Council’s office, 402.471.2612.

LEED IN LINCOLN . . . Lincoln Green by Design will offer the public a behind-the-scenes look at a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified renovation in progress on Friday, August 7, 2009, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at The Paint and Color Court Building, 8th & M Streets, in the Haymarket.  Members of the Color Court design and build team will be on-hand to give tours and answer questions about Nebraska’s first Platinum LEED Certified Historic Renovation.  Platinum is the highest possible certification level of LEED.  Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.  For more information, phone 402.477.6767 or e-mail Project Manager Josh Berger, josh [at] wrkllc [dot] com.

OMAHA EVENTS WITH DR. KOMP . . .  Dr. Richard Komp, President of the Maine Solar Energy Society, will speak at the City Sprouts House, 40th and Seward, OMAHA, on how to make a solar cell from plant chlorophyll, Thursday, August 6, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00pm.  The event will begin with a potluck, so bring a favorite food to share.  Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, Komp will present an in-depth workshop on how to make your own photo-voltaic module, 9:00am to 4:30pm, at Peter Kiewit Institute, 1110 South 67 Street, Room 118, main floor.  There is a fee and registration is limited.  For more information, and to register, phone Rita Corell, 551.5275 or Michael Shonka, 689.0463.

L.E.S. SMART GRID EDUCATIONAL FORUM . . .  Smart grid development is key for the future of renewable energy, storage, conservation and efficiency improvements.  A free forum “Smart Grid: Taking Charge of Your Energy Future” will be from 8:00am to 4:30pm at the Grand Manse Jasmine Room, 129 North 10th Street, Lincoln, on Thursday, August 13, 2009.   Click here to register.  Lunch is also free if you register by Friday August 7th.  See the forum agenda here.

HERBAL WORKSHOPS . . .  Register by August 10th for “A Morning with Herbs” at Pioneers Park Nature Center, Prairie Building, in Lincoln’s Pioneers Park, Saturday, August 15, 2009.  Workshops highlighting the versatility of herbs will be at 9:30am, and 10:45am.  Take-home samples are included in the registration fee. Phone 441.8708 to register.

KEEP PIONEER’S PARK NATURE CENTER FREE FOR ALL . . .  Monday, August 10, 2009, 1:30pm, a hearing on the proposal to charge entrance fees at Pioneer’s Park Nature Center will be in Room 112 at the County-City Building, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln.  Click here to learn about the extent of natural parkland that would be restricted by fees.  E-mail City Council members at council [at] lincoln [dot] ne [dot] gov.  E-mail Mayor Chris Beutler at mayor [at] lincoln [dot] ne [dot] gov.  And plan to attend the August 10th hearing if possible.  Help keep the opportunity to enjoy all 668 acres of natural prairie, wetlands, and woodlands free for everyone by speaking out against proposed park entrance fees.

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.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

NEW GREEN TEAM NETWORK . . . WasteCap Nebraska is launching a regional Green Team Roundtable Network in Southeastern Nebraska. The meetings, designed to give businesses access to expert speakers, tours with successful green initiatives, and provide Teams with a forum are developing statewide. The Southeast Nebraska Green Team Roundtable will meet Tuesday, July 21, 2009, from 11:30am to 1:00 pm at Thurman’s Bike & Sport, 300 South 11th, in NEBRASKA CITY, for a Brown Bag Lunch. Jim Thurman will give a tour of the building’s green renovations. Click here to RSVP online, phone Rozz Beckman at 402.434-7376, 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 GREEN DRINKS . . . Wednesday, July 22, 2009, Green Drinks will meet in Omaha from 5:30pm to close at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room across from the coffee bar. Everyone studying, working on, or just interested in environmental issues is invited to join this informal, self-organizing social network now meeting in 542 cities worldwide. Contact Jean Waters, 402.554.6259, or e-mail jwaters [at] mail [dot] unomaha [dot] edu 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 Blue Gold: World Water Wars. 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.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON RACIAL JUSTICE . . . Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 6:30pm, there will be an open community conversation on disproportionate minority contact with the justice system. Community experts will address disparities, religious and cultural sensitivity within the justice system, and the need for diversity at all levels. An opening panel will be followed by structured small group conversations. Community members are invited to learn, dialogue, and make their voices heard. “The Color of Equality: Is There Justice for All?” will be at Cedars Northbridge Community Center, 1533 North 27th Street in LINCOLN. For more information, phone Rebecca Gonzales at 402.438.8853 Ext. 107, or e-mail rgonzales [at] neappleseed [dot] org.

TOUR MORRILL HALL . . . Priscilla Grew, director of UN-L’s State Museum of Natural History, will lead a free public tour of Morrill Hall featuring Nebraska’s fossils and geology on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 6:00pm. The Museum is located just south of 14th and Vine Streets on UN-L’s city campus. Visitor parking is on the north side of the building. NOTE: bring your license plate number for the sign-in sheet. For more information phone Wachiska Audubon Field Trip Chair John Carlini at 475.7275.

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 eight Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
Jazz in June Market, 12th & Q streets, Tuesday evenings in June, in conjunction with Jazz in June concerts.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

SUSTAINABILITY AMENDMENT HEARING . . . The purpose of a proposed sustainability amendment to the  Lincoln/Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan is to ‘maintain and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of our community during times of change and to promote our ideals and values as changes occur.’ The amendment, part of the Mayor’s Cleaner Greener Lincoln Initiative, will add ‘sustainability’ to the plan, for creation of community that does not compromise the needs of future generations. The hearing on this amendment is Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 5:30pm, before the Lincoln City Council and the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners in the City-County Building, 555 South 10 Street. Phone Eva Sohl at 326.1375 with any questions.

PROGRESSIVEOMAHA MEETING . . . ProgressiveOmaha will meet Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 302 South 38th Street, in the upstairs room. Meet Omaha progressives and get involved with maintaining the progressiveomaha website as a writer, designer, programmer or graphic artists. For more information, e-mail Jack, jack [at] progressiveomaha [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.

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.

STAR CITY PRIDE WEEKEND . . .  Lincoln’s Star City Pride Street Festival will begin Friday night, July 17, 2009 and continue Saturday, July 18, from 2:00pm to midnight on N Street between 17th and 19th.  There will be food, performances and LGBT awareness information at the free event.  Saturday at 4:00pm there will be a showing of For the Bible Tells Me So at Indigo Bridge Books, 701 P Street, followed by a panel discussion.  Click here for more information and complete schedule of events.

STRAW-BALE SEMINAR . . . There will be a six-hour overview of straw-bale design and construction at Northeast Community College in NORFOLK, Saturday, July 18, 2009. Topics covered include site selection, building placement, space utilization, buying and storing bales, preparing bales for stacking, preparing walls for coating, types of coatings, installation of electrical and plumbing lines, natural ventilation, foundations, roofs, loadbearing and post-and-beam structures, interior walls, techniques and tips, codes and regulations, insurance and financing. To pre-register contact Northeast Community College, call 402.483.5135, or email Joyce Coppinger, 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 eight Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
Jazz in June Market, 12th & Q streets, Tuesday evenings in June, in conjunction with Jazz in June concerts.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

TOWN HALL MEETINGS AT UN-O AND UN-L . . . Town Hall Discussions about Creating Opportunity for Nebraska Families and Workers will include a presentation on workforce issues and a panel with business leaders, state senators and community members. Issues include access to education and training for working people, quality jobs and such work support as health care. The 6:30 to 8:30pm events are Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Collaborating Commons, College of Public Affairs and Community Service; and Thursday, July 9th at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, City Campus Student Union Auditorium. Reservations are requested but not required. To rsvp, click here. The discussions are free and open to the public.

LINCOLN BIONEERS MEET . . . Lincoln’s Bioneers will meet Tuesday July 7, 2009, 6:00pm, at the home of Amy Rose, 2411 South 8th Street, in Lincoln. There will be a finger food potluck, and all are welcome. The group will plant an oak tree and buckeyes. Phone 402.617.2550 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 Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story.  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.

NEBRASKA LOCAL FOODS NETWORK CONFERENCE . . . Anyone interested in local food production or consumption is invited to a Nebraska Food Cooperative Conference on Thursday, July 9, 2009, 9:00am to 3:30pm, at the UN-L East Campus Union, Lincoln. Speakers and panels include pioneers in local foods sustainability. For online registration, click here.  For more information, contact Kayla Churchill by phone at 402.472.2935, or e-mail kchurchill4 [at] unl [dot] edu.

SUMMER PICNIC WITH TED KOOSER . . . The Wachiska Audubon annual summer potluck picnic will be Thursday, July 9, 2009, 6:15pm, on the prairie east of Lincoln along the MoPac Trail at 1900 South 105th Street–the home of Larry and Peg Fletcher. Ted Kooser, Presiential Professor of English at UN-L and US Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006, will read poems from his anthology “The Poets Guide to the Birds.” All are welcome.

COMMUNITY FORUM: HEALTH CARE FOR ALL . . . A moderated forum with health care leaders to discuss development of a health care system with access to all will be Thursday, July 9, 2009, 6:30 to 8:00pm, OMAHA, at Metropolitan Community College, South Campus, 27th & Q Streets, in the Industrial Training Conference Center. For more information, contact A’Jamal-Rashad Byndon at 402.578.6729, or abyndon [at] mmcneb [dot] edu.

“THE GARDEN” AT ROSS . . . Community CROPS and Mary Riepma Ross Theater are co-sponsoring a one-week run of an Academy Award-nominated documentary “The Garden” beginning Friday, July 10, 2009. A reception featuring local food begins at 6:00pm on opening night. Sunday, July 12, following the 1:00 showing, there will be a 2:30pm conversation with community stakeholders about issues raised in the documentary such as land use, community food systems, political action and decision making, community green space, and the convergence of social justice with each of these topics. This discussion is open to the public. For questions about either of the special events phone 474.9802 or e-mail CROPS Garden Program Manager Amy Brt, amy [at] communitycrops [dot] org.

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 eight Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
Jazz in June Market, 12th & Q streets, Tuesday evenings in June, in conjunction with Jazz in June concerts.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

ORGANIC FARM/RANCH TOUR . . . Anyone interested in organic farming is invited to tour Fulton Farms, a 2800 acre grass based operation, Monday, June 22, 2009, starting at 1:00pm. For directions, and more information, contact Kevin Fulton, 308.446.2520, or the Loup Basin RC&D, 308.728.3393.

FOCUS ON THE NIOBRARA . . . Steve Shulz, UN-O Professor of Real Estate and Land Use Economics, will discuss the economic and social value of recreational floating on the Niobrara National Scenic River Monday, June 22, 2009, 3:15pm, at Hardin Hall Auditorium, on UN-L East Campus at 3310 Holdrege, Lincoln. The presentation is open to the public.

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, an informal, self-organizing network of environmentally interested people, will meet in Lincoln on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill, 210 North 7th Street, starting at 5:30pm. Around-the-room introductions will be at 6:00pm. Meet in the bar area, not the boardroom, this month. If you have any questions, phone Jean Waters, 402.554.6259, or email jwaters [at] mail [dot] unomaha [dot] edu. Green Drinks is now active in 533 cities worldwide.

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.  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.

NET METERING FORUM . . . There will be an audio forum on net metering in Nebraska with State Senator Ken Haar on Friday, June 26, 2009, 10:30am. Log in as “guest” here and call the number on the screen. Click here for more information about Renewable Alternatives Forums.

ANNUAL FWP PICNIC . . .  The Annual Friends of Wilderness Park picnic will be Saturday, June 27, 2009, 11:30am, at the Wilderness Park Day Camp Area, 3001 South First Street (near 1st and Van Dorn), Lincoln.  Bring a dish to share and tableware for yourself.  All are welcome.  For more information phone Adam at 402.421.8464.

SQUAW CREEK BIKE RIDE . . . The Sierra Club Nebraska Chapter is hosting a bicycle outing to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Satuday, June 27, 2009.  E-mail bobbygoetschkes [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.614.4788 for details and to RSVP. Sierra Club outings are open to all.

TRAIL TREK RIDE . . . The seventh annual Trail Trek Bicycle Ride to promote families and fitness will be Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Oak Lake Park, Charleston Street and Sun Valley Boulevard, Lincoln. The ride is for everyone. 38 mile riders will start at 8:00am, 19 mile riders will start at 9:00am, and 10 mile riders will start at 9:10am, returning to Oak Lake Park by 11:00am for a barbecue and drawing for prizes. Click here to register online.

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 eight Markets are as follows:

Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about 215 vendors.
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.
Jazz in June Market, 12th & Q streets, Tuesday evenings in June, in conjunction with Jazz in June concerts.
St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm,Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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

LINCOLN CITY COUNCIL WANTS INPUT . . . There is a proposal to change City Council weekly meeting times from 1:30 to 3:00pm in an effort to make them more accessible to public participation. There will be a June 22, 2009 vote on the change. Between now and then, the public is invited to offer opinions by phoning the council office at 402.441.7515, or e-mailing council [at] lincoln [dot] ne [dot] gov.

LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Join weekly peace vigils at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets in Lincoln, 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. 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 Unborn in the USA. 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.

WACHISKA AUDUBON FOCUS ON NINE-MILE PRAIRIE . . . Current threats and opportunities to protect Nine-Mile Prairie will be addressed by UN-L Natural Resources professor David Wedin at the monthly meeting of Wachiska Audubon, Thursday, June 11, 2009, 7:00pm, at Union College Dick Administration Building, room 03 on the lower level, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. For more information, phone Wachiska at 402.486.4846, or e-mail wachiskaoffice [at] cornhusker [dot] net.

NINE-MILE PRAIRIE FIELD TRIP . . . There will be a guided hike at the 230-acre Nine-Mile Prairie native habitat on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Directions from Lincoln: From West “O”  drive north on Northwest 48th Street about four miles. At West Fletcher Road, go west one mile and park in the small lot opposite the historical marker. Walk south through the red gate and down the lane to meet by the kiosk at 9:00am. Phone Carole Closter, 402.475.9219, for more information.

BENSON SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL . . . Saturday, June 13, 2009, OMAHA’s Benson community will host the Annual Summer Arts Festival featuring local fare, ecclectic art and music. The heart of the Festival will be PS Collective, 6056 Maple Street. For more information, e-mail Raechel Ann Achelpohl, raechelann917 [at] gmail [dot] com.

JUNETEENTH NEBRASKA . . . Click here for website information about Nebraska Juneteenth Celebrations in OMAHA starting Friday, June 12, 2009.  The Lincoln Celebration of Freedom will be at Pentzer Park, 26th and Potter Streets, Saturday, June 13, 2009, from noon to 6:00pm.

PLANTS OF THE PRAIRIE . . . In conjunction with The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum  Wildflower Week, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center will hold a “Plants of the Prairie” art class Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Spring Creek Prairie is located 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln. To register by June 12th, phone 402.797.2301.

PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . Progressive Omaha will meet Saturday, June 13, 2009, 6:00 to 9:00pm, at 4924 Chicago, in the Dundee neighborhood of OMAHA. Willie Hamilton, founder of Black Men United, will speak at 8:00. There will be a Potluck from 6:00 to 7:00, and business meeting from 7:00 to 8:00. All are welcome. For more information, e-mail Karen Abrams, kabrams123 [at] cox [dot] net.

BIRD WALK AT SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE . . . Birders will meet Sunday, June 14, 2009, 8:30am, at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, for a tour guided by Kevin Poague. Everyone is welcome. For more information, phone Kevin at 402.797.2301.

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 eight Markets are as follows:

• Old Cheney Farmers Market, 55th Street and Old Cheney Road, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sundays through November 1.
• Historic Haymarket Farmers Market, North Seventh between P and Q streets, 8:00am to noon, Saturdays through October 10. During peak season, mid-June through mid-August, there are about  215 vendors.
• 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.
• Jazz in June Market, 12th & Q streets, Tuesday evenings in June, in conjunction with Jazz in June concerts.
• St. Paul United Church of Christ Farmers Market, 1144 M Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through September 8.
• Community CROPS Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, North 27th & Potter Streets, 4:30 to 7:30pm, Thursdays, June through September. Click here for a map of local Community CROPS gardens.
• Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th & M Streets, noon to 4:00pm, Wednesdays, July 1 through September 30.

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