2009 NEBRASKA ENERGY PLAN . . . Text of the draft 2009 Nebraska Energy Plan is available in pdf here.  Website information can be found here.  The plan encourages renewable energy projects, and support for nuclear power. The public is invited to comment on the proposal through January 23, 2009. Click here for a list of six reasons why nuclear power is not a reasonable, realistic solution to the world’s energy problem. Click here to comment, or submit e-mail comments to energy [at] nebraska [dot] gov.  Click here (.pdf) to read a Green Party statement of opposition to the use of nuclear power.

“A TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR” . . . Founder and Artistic Director of the American Negro Playwright Theatre Barry Scott will present an hour-long tribute to Dr. King on Monday, January 19, 2009, 11:00am, in Heckman Auditorium at Doane College Crete campus. The free event is open to the public. Segments of King’s speeches will be performed, and a question/answer session will follow the presentation. Click here for a map of the Doane campus.

WINTER GREEN DRINKS IN NEBRASKA CITY . . . Monday, January 19, 2008, 4:30 to 6:30pm, all those interested in Green practices and initiatives for Nebraska City, Otoe County, and the surrounding area are invited to Green Drinks at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center. Priority choices for 2009 projects will be discussed. For more information, phone 402.209.0559. To rsvp, e-mail LeadershipNC [at] windstream [dot] net. Rethink. Reuse. Reduce. Recycle.

WILDERNESS PARK PRESERVATION . . . Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Friends of Wilderness Park will meet from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Lincoln Public Schools Administration Building, 5901 O Street, Room E-111. (Use main front door.) Dennis Ferraro, Herpetologist at the UN-L School of Natural Resources, will bring samples of reptiles from the Salt Creek area. Children who may enjoy seeing snakes and rare, threatened species up close are welcome. The presentation is free and open to the public.

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.

THE DEATH PENALTY IN NEBRASKA . . . Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty will host a Lincoln discussion of why the only acceptable alternative to electrocution, now unconstitutional, is abolition–not lethal injection. Focus of the informational meeting will be the 2009 legislature’s bills on lethal injection and abolition, and strategies for next steps in the campaign to end state killing. The meeting is Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 7:00 to 8:00pm at the Clyde Malone Community Center, 2032 U Street, Lincoln. For more information, contact Jill Francke, NAPD statewide Coordinator, jill [dot] francke [at] gmail [dot] com or 402.477.7787.  Vigil against the death penalty every Monday from noon to 1:00pm inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on ground floor, Lincoln.

LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 5:30pm to close, Lincoln Green Drinks will will meet at Lazlo’s South, 5900 Old Cheney Road, in the boardroom off the bar area–to the left as you enter. There are Happy Hour specials on food and drinks in the bar until 6:00pm. Green Drinks is an international social network now active in 463 cities worldwide. E-mail Tyler Mainquist, tmain [at] inebraska [dot] com, for more information.

RENEWABLE ENERGY . . . Wind, Solar and Geothermal renewable energy will be the focus of the Omaha Sierra Club Program Thursday, January 22, 2009, 7:00 to 8:30pm, at First United Methodist Church, 69th & Cass Streets. (Enter through the north door.)

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACEWORKERS MONTHLY MEETING . . . Many Central Nebraska Peaceworkers are Green Party members and supporters. This month’s regular meeting is Sunday, January 25, 2009, 3:00pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island, Nebraska. Nebraskans in Congressional District 3 are invited to CNPW meetings, and encouraged to get involved in local peace activism.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNCIL VACANCIES . . . Nominations are being considered for 1) Representatives from each Congressional District for Environmental Trust vacancies; and 2) Environmental Quality Council seats for Ag Crop Production, Auto/Petroleum Industry, Biologist, Food Products Manufacturing,Labor, Livestock Industry, Minority Populations, Municipal Government, and the Power Generating Industry. To apply online, click here.  The Governor will send nominations to the Natural Resources Committee for confirmation hearings in January or February.

LIBRARY BOARD VACANCY . . . January 31, 2009 is the deadline for Lincoln residents to apply for a vacancy on the Lincoln City Libraries Board of Trustees. This is a six-year appointment (2009-2015) to a seven-member board. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest including a statement outlining their philosophy and goals for providing public library services, plus a brief bio resume, to library [at] lincolnlibraries [dot] org. Applications will be forwarded, with recommendations, to the Lincoln City Council.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative.

2009 NEBRASKA ENERGY PLAN . . . Text of the draft 2009 Nebraska Energy Plan is available in pdf here. Website information can be found here. The plan encourages renewable energy projects, and support for nuclear power. The public is invited to comment on the proposal through January 23, 2009. Click here for a list of six reasons why nuclear power is not a reasonable, realistic solution to the world’s energy problem. For a Green Party statement of opposition to the use of nuclear power, click here.  Click here to comment, or submit e-mail comments to energy [at] nebraska [dot] gov.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . During winter months, every Monday from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on the ground floor, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Fran Kaye, fkaye1949 [at] yahoo [dot] com, or Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, 402.477.7787.

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.

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS ON SIERRA PROGRAM . . . The focus of this months’ Lincoln Sierra Club meeting will be Energy and Environmental Bills before the 2009 Legislature. The Thursday, January 15, 2009 7:00pm meeting is at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNCIL VACANCIES . . . Nominations are being considered for 1) Representatives from each Congressional District for Environmental Trust vacancies; and 2) Environmental Quality Council seats for Ag Crop Production, Auto/Petroleum Industry, Biologist, Food Products Manufacturing,Labor, Livestock Industry, Minority Populations, Municipal Government, and the Power Generating Industry. To apply online, click here.  The Governor will send nominations to the Natural Resources Committee for confirmation hearings in January or February.

LIBRARY BOARD VACANCY . . . January 31, 2009 is the deadline for Lincoln residents to apply for a vacancy on the Lincoln City Libraries Board of Trustees. This is a six-year appointment (2009-2015) to a seven-member board. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest including a statement outlining their philosophy and goals for providing public library services, plus a brief bio resume, to library [at] lincolnlibraries [dot] org. Applications will be forwarded, with recommendations, to the Lincoln City Council.

LGBTQ RIGHTS SUMMIT . . . A Nebraska Summit for LGBTQ Equality will be Saturday, January 17, 2009, at First Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln. Sponsored by Nebraska Citizens for Equal Protection, the Summit includes a light breakfast and lunch with pre-registration.  Presenters include Sarah Kennedy, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Ryan Sallans, Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs; Larry Williams, City of Lincoln Commission on Human Rights; Amy Miller, ACLU-Nebraska; Meredith Bacon, National Center for Transgender Equality; and Georgia Feiste, Collaborative Transitions Coaching. For more information, click here. Register safely and securely here.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative.

2009 NEBRASKA ENERGY PLAN . . . Text of the draft 2009 Nebraska Energy Plan is available in pdf here. Website information can be found here. The plan encourages renewable energy projects, and support for nuclear power. The public is invited to comment on the proposal through January 23, 2009. Click here for a list of six reasons why nuclear power is not a reasonable, realistic solution to the world’s energy problem. Click here to comment, or submit e-mail comments to energy [at] nebraska [dot] gov.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . During winter months, every Monday from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on the ground floor, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Fran Kaye, fkaye1949 [at] yahoo [dot] com, or Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, 402.477.7787.

OPENING DAY: 101st LEGISLATIVE SESSION . . . Following Opening Day of the 2009 Nebraska Legislature, Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 10:00am, the public is invited to an Annual Reception with the senators, 5:00 to 7:00pm, at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel’s Lancaster Room, 333 South 13th Street, Lincoln.

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.

NEBRASKA WETLANDS CONSERVATION . . . Thursday, January 8, 2009, 7:00pm, Nebraska Game and Parks Wetland Program Manager Ted LaGrange will present “Wetlands of Nebraska and their Conservation Needs” at the Wachiska Audubon General Meeting at Union College Dick Administration Building lower level Room 03, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. For directions, click here.

SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE CHAPTER RETREAT . . . A Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center Retreat and Potluck will be Saturday, January 10, 2009, 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Center. There will be a business meeting to discuss possible priority programs and projects for 2009, and potluck food. Bring a favorite dish to share. For directions, click here.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNCIL VACANCIES . . . Nominations are being considered for 1) Representatives from each Congressional District for Environmental Trust vacancies; and 2) Environmental Quality Council seats for Ag Crop Production, Auto/Petroleum Industry, Biologist, Food Products Manufacturing,Labor, Livestock Industry, Minority Populations, Municipal Government, and the Power Generating Industry. To apply online, click here.  The Governor will send nominations to the Natural Resources Committee for confirmation hearings in January or February.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative.

NEW YEAR’S EVE VIGIL FOR PEACE . . . Peace activists will vigil at the Federal Building, 15th and O Streets in Lincoln, Wednesday evening, December 31, 2008, from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402-499-6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.

FIRST NIGHT LIGHTS VIGIL FOR PEACE . . . There will be a New Year’s Day candlelight vigil for peace on Thursday, January 1, 2009, 5:00 to 6:00pm, on the corner of 33rd and O Streets at Woods Park in Lincoln. Everyone is invited to begin 2009 with Hope. Vigil for Peace in Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Sudan, Congo, India, Pakistan, Somalia and throughout the world in the New Year. E-mail David Orr, david [at] fmclincoln [dot] org for more information.

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION. . . Nonviolent conflict resolution in the Middle East will be the topic of a Community Discussion on Friday, January 2, 2009, 7:00pm, at the Omaha Catholic Worker House, 1104 North 24th Street, in Omaha. (Parking in back of the 2 houses, and on Indiana Ave.) Sr. Marian Klosterman will present her personal story about the experience of working with Iraqi refugees in Amman, Jordan for the last three months. Hot soup, coffee and tea will be provided. For more information contact Jerry Ebner: E-mail cwomaha [at] gmail [dot]com or phone 402.502.5887.

NEW YEAR’S WINTER WALKABOUT . . . Saturday, January 3, 2009, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is offering a chance to learn about winter wildlife and explore remote parts of the prairie in two guided tours with staff. The prairie preserve is 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln–following Southwest 98th Street south out of Denton for three miles. To register for either tour, 10:00am to noon, or 1:00 to 3:00pm, or for more information, phone 402.797.2301.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! E Glecklichs Nej Johr! Goyosa Añada Benién! Nava Varsha Aasamsakal! Bon An Gnôf! Blian Nua Faoi Mhaise Duit! Kung Ho Hsin Hsi! Naway Kaal De Umbarak Shaa! Zbozhowne Nowe Leto! Es Guets Neus Johr! Asuggas Asa’di! Yvää Uutta Vootta! Ni Ti Yuun! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative.

WINTER SOLSTICE . . . Sunday, December 21, 2008, 7:04AM EST marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Celebrations of this seasonal passage are traditional in many cultures.

HANUKKAH . . . In 2008, the festival of Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 21.  Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday celebrating Jewish national survival and religious freedom.

CHRISTMAS IN PALESTINE . . . As people celebrate Christmas, and Bethlehem is mentioned in countless Nativity plays and sermons around the world, there is tremendous suffering in that city. Surrounded by illegal Israeli settlements, Bethlehem lies captive to abusive Apartheid policies of occupation. There is no freedom of movement–there are checkpoints, curfews and constant invasions by the military. In this season of joy and goodwill to our fellow human beings, please remember the struggle for human rights, freedom and justice in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

CHRISTMAS EVE PEACE VIGIL . . . Peace activists will vigil at the Federal Building, 15th and O Streets in Lincoln, Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Vigil for Peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Sudan, Congo, India, Somalia and throughout the world. Contact Mark at 402-499-6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information. Click here for an update on weekly peace vigils published in the December 19, 2008 Lincoln Journal Star.

CHRISTMAS . . . Thursday, December 25, 2008.

ANNUAL PEACE VIGIL: FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS RETREAT, WITNESS AND LINE CROSSING . . . The Des Moines and Omaha Catholic Worker communities offer an opportunity to deepen the Christmas observance by examining parallels between King Herod’s first-century killing of innocent children in Bethlehem and acts currently being committed by a Global US Military presence and Offutt’s Nuclear and Space Commands. The Feast of the Holy Innocents Retreat, Witness and Line Crossing begins Friday, December 26, 2008, 7:00pm, at St. John’s Church on the Creighton University campus, 2500 California Plaza, in Omaha. The retreat will end on Sunday, December 28, with a 10:00am Mass at St. John’s, followed by a Witness and Line Crossing at Offutt Air Force Base.  For more information contact Frank Cordaro, The Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House: phone 515.282.4781, or e-mail frank [dot] cordaro [at] gmail [dot] com.

KWANZAA . . . Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture, begins on Friday, December 26, 2008 and continues through January 1, 2009. The 2008 Theme is “Repairing and Renewing the World.”

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Boas Festas! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Hyvää Joulua! Joyeux Noël! Froehliche Weihnachten! Shub Naya Baras! Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah! Buone Feste Natalizie! Shinnen omedeto! Sung Tan Chuk Ha! Merry Keshmish! Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia! Boas Festas! Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul! Chung Mung Giang Sinh! Cestitamo Bozic! Happy Solstice!
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . During winter months, every Monday from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on the ground floor, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Fran Kaye, fkaye1949 [at] yahoo [dot] com, or Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, 402.477.7787.

NOTE:  The public information meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2008 to discuss the Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant Superfund site near Mead, has been postponed because of the anticipated winter storm.  The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 7:00pm, at the VFW Hall, 102 S. 24th Street in Ashland, Nebraska.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION . . . Nebraska Senator Don Preister will host a meeting in cooperation with the Restoration Advisory Board for Former Ordnance Plan Superfund site near Mead, Nebraska. Toxic groundwater contamination at Mead may be pulled into Omaha’s drinking water. The open meeting agenda includes a presentation on Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment including recent site-related findings, and public comments. Persons who reside within two miles of the contamination may sign up to have residential water supplies tested, free of charge, at the meeting. To carpool from Omaha, phone Mark Welsch, 402.558.0463. For more information, e-mail Melissa Konecky, melissakonecky [at] yahoo [dot] com, or phone 402.624.5580.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACEWORKERS VIGIL . . . Greens and Central Nebraska Peaceworkers will vigil for peace on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, from 5:00 to 6:00pm at Webb and State Streets in Grand Island, Nebraska. Peace signs will be available, or bring your own.

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.

GLOBAL WRITE-A-THON . . . There will be an Amnesty International letter writing party on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 7:00 to 9:00pm, at Jones Coffee, 11th Street between G and H, in Lincoln. Join the human rights awareness effort for a short time, or the entire two hours. For more information, e-mail Matt Gregory, phylas [at] hotmail [dot] com or phone 402.570.7840.

WACHISKA AUDUBON HOLIDAY POTLUCK . . . Joel Sartore, Nebraska’s renowned National Geographic photojournalist, will be featured speaker at the 2008 Wachiska Audubon Holiday Potluck, Thursday, December 11, 2008, starting 6:15pm at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Sartore will speak on his work photographing and documenting the global decline of endangered species. The church is located one block north of 40th & Old Cheney Road in south Lincoln. EveryOne is invited to bring a favorite dish (and table service) to this free annual event.

A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION . . . “Is health care reform within our reach?” is the topic of discussion at a community conversation on Monday, December 15, 2008, 7:00pm, at the UN-L Student Union, 14th & R Streets, in Lincoln. Questions such as Why is reform critical to our national economy and health care? and What potential solutions might be pursued? will be addressed by a panel including Dr. Richard O’Brien, Creighton University; Jennifer Carter, Nebraska Appleseed; Jon Bailey, the Center for Rural Affairs; and Dr. Thomas Tonniges, Medical Director, Boys Town Pediatrics. Free and open to the public. For more information e-mail Jennifer Piatt, jpiatt [at] neappleseed [dot] org or phone 402.438.8853, extension 114.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE . . . Clocktower Merchants in Lincoln are working with the People’s City Mission to prepare 2,000 holiday meals. They will match all food donations, which are being accepted until December 15, 2008. Non-perishable items needed include instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, cans of cranberry, cans of pumpkin, pie crust (boxes, packages), and canned vegetables. Drop off items at Edward Jones, Lott Chiropractic, or Fernando’s Salon in the 70th & A Street Clocktower Shopping Center.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS‘ LUNCH AND LEARN . . . Thursday, December 18, 2008, Ed Zimmer, the City of Lincoln’s Historic Preservation Planner, will speak about religious and ethnic diversity at the LWV Lunch and Learn event, 12:00 noon on the 20th floor of the US Bank Building, 13th & M Streets. “Lincoln in Black and White: Our Community’s Early Diversity,” is open to the public. Reservations are required by noon, Monday, December 15. E-mail the LWV office, lwv-ne [at] inebraska [dot] com, or phone 402.475.1411. Include your name, contact information (phone or e-mail), and number of reservations requested.

We are not the alternative; we are the imperative.

WORLD AIDS DAY . . . In Omaha, join a Nebraska AIDS Project Candlelight Vigil for Awareness Monday, December 1, 2008, 4:00pm until sunset, at 60th & Dodge Street. Meet at Memorial Park and line the north and south sides of Dodge. Signs will be provided. In Hastings, on Thursday, December 4, there will be a Candlelight Vigil, 7:00pm, at Fuhr Hall Music Building on the Hastings College Campus. The Nebraska AIDS Project will expand testing hours at 139 South 40th Street in Lincoln, as follows: Tuesday, December 2, 1:30 to 9:00pm; Wednesday, December 3, 1:30 to 9:00pm; Thursday, December 4, 1:30 to 9:00pm; and Friday, December 5, 1:30 to 4:00pm. For more information, call Nebraska AIDS Project at 402.552.9260.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . During winter months, every Monday from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil inside the State Capitol Building by the information desk on the ground floor, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Fran Kaye, fkaye1949 [at] yahoo [dot] com, or Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, 402.477.7787.

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.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE . . . Clocktower Merchants in Lincoln are working with the People’s City Mission to prepare 2,000 holiday meals. They will match all food donations, which are being accepted until December 15, 2008. Non-perishable items needed include instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, cans of cranberry, cans of pumpkin, pie crust (boxes, packages), and canned vegetables. Drop off items at Edward Jones, Lott Chiropractic, or Fernando’s Salon in the 70th & A Street Clocktower Shopping Center.

WAUBONSIE STATE PARK DAY HIKE . . . Waubonsie State Park is located in the southwest corner of Iowa, about an hour south of Omaha. To carpool for a day hike on Saturday, December 6, 2008, meet in the northeast corner of the SuperTarget parking lot, Papillion, Nebraska, on the west side of 84th Street about 1/2 mile south of Giles, at 8:00am. In case of bad weather, the trip will be re-scheduled. RSVP to John Calandra, johndcal [at] cox [dot] net, 402.991.8314, to be notified if the trip is postponed.

OPEN HOUSE AT SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE . . . The public is invited to a Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center Open House from 1:00 to 5:00pm, Sunday, December 7, 2008. At 2:30 there will be live acoustic music. Celebrate a victory for prairie preservation this week with a stroll along prairie trails 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln. Follow Southwest 98th Street south out of Denton for three miles. For more information, call 402.797.2301.

NFP LINCOLN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING . . . A new Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans for Peace will begin working on the issues of war and peace, violence prevention, anti-nuclear organizing, civil rights and the environment with an organizational meeting on Sunday, December 7, 2008, 4:30pm at Yia Yia’s, 1423 O Street. Contact Josh Cramer, jrcramer [at] gmail [dot] com or Jill Francke, jill [dot] francke [at] hotmail [dot] com for more information.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PEACEWORKERS MEETING . . . Many Central Nebraska Peaceworkers are Green Party members and supporters. The November/December CNPW meeting is Sunday, December 7, 2008, 4:00pm, at the home of Carolyn and Del Roper, 906 Bell Blvd., Grand Island, NE. This will be a pot luck dinner. Nebraskans in Congressional District 3 are invited, and encouraged to get involved in local peace activism.

We are not the alternative; we are the imperative.

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, supporters of abolition in Nebraska vigil in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. Join them for a few minutes, or the hour. For more information, contact Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty,  402.477.7787.

SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE PRESERVATION . . . The Lancaster County Commissioners final hearing to address a request from Spring Creek Prairie Audubon for closure of a minimum maintenance dirt road dividing habitat for native plants and animals will be Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 9:30am at the County-City Building, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln. Greens and conservationists are urged to attend this hearing in supportof closing for the sake of preservation. Other actions: contact County Commissioners by phone at 402.441.7447, e-mail commiss [at] lancaster [dot] ne [dot] gov and write letters to the editor of Lincoln Journal-Star via e-mail at oped [at] journalstar [dot] com. For background and further information, phone Spring Creek Prairie at 402.797.2301.

CD 1 GREEN PARTY CHAPTER MEETING . . . Chapter 1 Greens will meet Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 7:00pm, at the home of Steve Larrick, US Senate candidate in the November 4 election, 920 South 8th Street, Lincoln. The future of Nebraska Green Party will be discussed. Without a 5% vote in a statewide election, to continue, NGP will need to petition the Secretary of State for a new political party ballot line in the next election cycle.

NEW LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . There are now Green Drinks Chapters in 426 cities worldwide. Lincoln’s informal self-organizing network of Green Movement supporters will meet Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 5:00pm to close, at Fireworks Restaurant, 5750 South 86th Drive (SE corner 84th & Old Cheney). Meet in the boardroom near the back of the restaurant. There are happy hour specials on food and drink until 6:00pm. All are welcome.

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.

RECYCLE CFLs NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 30 . . . WasteCap Nebraska  is coordinating a pilot recycling program for individuals and businesses. Drop off burned-out compact fluorescent lamps at Ace Hardward stores in Lincoln, now through November 30, 2008. A 60 cent recycling fee per bulb will be offset by a 60 cent coupon toward the purchase of a new CFL. Learn the benefits of CFLs and how to safely dispose of broken bulbs here, or phone 1.888.E-Waste-9.

THANKSGIVING . . . Thursday, November 27, 2008, remember to be thankful for life’s blessings, and hopeful for a more sustainable world in the future.

WORLD AIDS DAY . . . In Omaha, join a Nebraska AIDS Project Candlelight Vigil for Awareness Monday, December 1, 2008, 4:00pm until sunset, at 60th & Dodge Street. Meet at Memorial Park and line the north and south sides of Dodge. Signs will be provided. In Hastings, on Thursday, December 4, there will be a Candlelight Vigil, 7:00pm, at Fuhr Hall Music Building on the Hastings College Campus. The Nebraska AIDS Project will expand testing hours at 139 South 40th Street in Lincoln, as follows: Tuesday, December 2, 1:30 to 9:00pm; Wednesday, December 3, 1:30 to 9:00pm; Thursday, December 4, 1:30 to 9:00pm; and Friday, December 5, 1:30 to 4:00pm. For more information, call Nebraska AIDS Project at 402.552.9260.

NFP LINCOLN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING . . . A new Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans for Peace will begin working on the issues of war and peace, violence prevention, anti-nuclear organizing, civil rights and the environment with an organizational meeting on Sunday, December 7, 2008, 4:30pm at Yia Yia’s, 1423 O Street. Contact Josh Cramer, jrcramer [at] gmail [dot] com or Jill Francke, jill [dot] francke [at] hotmail [dot] com for more information.

We are not the alternative; we are the imperative.