GREENS INVITED TO COMMENT . . . Lincoln Electric System is seeking a 5.5% retail rate increase (half a percent of the total budget) to assist residential and business customers in becoming more energy efficient. Renewable energy will also be part of the program. There is support for this step, but a Lincoln business group opposes it. Electric rates for residential customers are two to three times higher than for commercial and industrial users. Rates are not inverted as water rates are, to encourage conservation. The City Council must approve, and may make changes. They need to know there is strong support for making electricity more efficient—the cheapest and fastest way to curb global warming pollution. The Council public hearing is Monday, February 4, 1:30 pm, County-City Building, 9th and K Streets. Rate schedules at http://www.les.com.

GREENS SPEARHEAD Coalition for the Environment and Earth Day 2008 . . . The next planning meeting will be Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 7:00pm, at ME Group offices, 2820 North 48th Street, Lincoln.

GREENS VIGIL WITH NEBRASKA COALITION FOR PEACE every Wednesday, 5-6:00pm at the Federal Building, 15th & O Street in Lincoln. The Coalition meets every Saturday, 2:30pm at Crescent Moon Coffee, 816 P Street.

WACHISKA AUDUBON 4th ANNUAL WINTERFEST . . . Sunday, February 10, 2008, 3:00pm, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln (one block north of the intersection of South 40th Street and Old Cheney Rd.) This year’s event features novelist Jonis Agee (UNL English Dept), nature writer John Janovy Jr. (UNL biologist), and photographer Chris Helzer (program director for The Nature Conservancy’s Eastern NE Project Office). Admission: $5/person. Refreshments will be served. Books will be available for sale and signing.

STEVE LARRICK FOR SENATE campaign priorities . . . (1) END THE IRAQ OCCUPATION NOW! – build peace through diplomacy; (2) RESTORE SOCIAL JUSTICE – single-payer health care and living wages for all; (3) FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING – weatherize homes to conserve energy and develop renewable wind, solar, and switchgrass energy; (4) RESTORE TRUE DEMOCRACY – through public campaign financing and instant run-off voting.

GREENS SPEARHEAD COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT …The first meeting of a new Coalition for the Environment is Wednesday, January 23, 7:00pm, Southminster United Methodist Church, 2915 South 16th Street, Lincoln, in the lower level meeting room. The Coalition’s first collaborative project will be creating an Earth Day Celebration, Sunday, April 20, 2008, noon to 4:00pm at Lincoln’s Antelope Park. Environmental organizations, private businesses, visual and performing artists, and “green” advocacy groups are invited to join the Coalition. For more information contact barbvandenberg@hotmail.com.

Ann Bleed, Director of Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, will present “Formulating Policies for Future Water Use on the Great Plains,” Wednesday, January 23, 3:30-5:00pm, at the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q Street, Lincoln. The UN-L Paul A. Olson Seminar in Great Plains Studies and a 3:00pm reception are free and open to the public.

WILL TIME WARNER REPAY CUSTOMERS? . . . The Cable TV Advisory Board will hold its annual meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2008 in Room 113 of the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street. On the agenda is city negotiations with the cable company over the months-long service disruption last year known as the Navigator fiasco.

GREENS PROMOTE “MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE.” The play “My Name is Rachel Corrie” will be performed by the production company Countdown to Zero, with Julie Rada, Thursday, January 24, 2008, 7:30pm, First Mennonite Church, 7300 Holdrege Street, Lincoln. The arts inform people of important issues of the day. Sponsored and/or supported by the Nebraska Coalition for Peace, Nebraskans for Peace, First Mennonite Church of Lincoln, Friends of Palestine, The Angels Company, Nebraska Green Party, and many concerned individuals in the arts and peace community.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEK AT UN-L begins with a 2:00pm Chancellor’s Program at the Nebraska Union City Campus Auditorium, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, Monday January 21, 2008. “Martin Luther King Jr’s Expansive Dream” will be presented by Reverend Irene Monroe, religion columnist, public theologian, and motivational speaker. The week ends with the 13th Annual MLK Banquet, 6:30pm, Saturday January 26. Other events are listed at http://mlkweek.unl.edu/

GREENS ADVOCATE DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION…

In LINCOLN: Abolition Action Group Meetings are every Saturday, 11:30am, First Presbyterian Church, 18th & F Streets, to organize events, actions, and abolition awareness. Enter east doors. Follow the signs.

In OMAHA: Sunday, January 27, 1:00pm abolisionists meet at the Blue Line Cafe, 4924 Underwood Avenue. Contact Josh Cramer at 402-310-1096 for more details.

In GRAND ISLAND: Presentation of Living the Questions DVD featuring Sister Helen Prejean’s life journey and work for abolition. Sunday, January 20 and January 27, 2008, 5:00pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 5th & Elm, lower level room 4. Enter East doors.

Sunday Forum January 20, 2008, 9:30am: ONE FAMILY CHOOSING FORGIVENESS, Trinity United Methodist Church Gollaher Chapel, 5th & Elm. Featured speaker: Kurt Mesner, murder victim family member from Central City.

MEET YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS at the Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance TOWN HALL meeting, Saturday January 26, 1:00-4:00pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 2723 North 50th Street.

A TOWN HALL Meeting focused on the future of State Fair Park, hosted by eight Lancaster County senators, will be Tuesday, January 29, 7:30-8:45am, Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5901 O Street. Doors open at 7:00am. Admission is free. A light breakfast is available for $2.

GREENS INVITED TO COMMENT . . . Lincoln Electric System is seeking a 5.5% rate increase. Electric rates for residential customers are two to three times higher than for commercial and industrial users. Rates are not inverted as water rates are to encourage conservation. City Council must approve and may make changes. The Council public hearing is expected to be Monday, February 4, 1:30 pm, at County-City Building, 9th and K Streets. Rate schedules at http://www.les.com.

© Nebraska Green Party

GREEN PARTY CO-CHAIR PRODUCES FILM… Steve Larrick and Janine Copple have produced “A Walk in Epworth Park” featuring a tour through Epworth Lake Park by Jim McKee. Historic Epworth is now known as Wilderness Park. Join Greens and Friends of Wilderness Park on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 7:15pm, at Meadowlark Coffee Shop, 1624 South Street in Lincoln for a showing.

GREENS SPEARHEAD COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT… The Nebraska Green Party is organizing a new Coalition for the Environment. The first collaborative project will be creating an Earth Day Celebration for the City of Lincoln on April 20, 2008 at Antelope Park, noon to 4:00pm. Environmental organizations, private businesses, visual and performing artists, and “green” advocacy groups are invited to join the Coalition. Contact barbvandenberg@hotmail.com for details about the first organizational meeting mid-January.

GREENS ADVOCATE DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION…
In LINCOLN: Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 7:00pm, Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, Death Penalty Forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. J. Kirk Brown, Nebraska Solicitor General advocating retention V. Alan Peterson, Lincoln Attorney, advocating abolition. Q&A will follow. On Thursday, January 17, Nancy Field and Sister Elaine Herrold present on the death penalty at Lincoln chapter of NAACP, 6:00pm, the Malone Center, 2032 U Street.
Abolition Action Group Meetings are every Saturday, 11:30am, First Presbyterian Church, 18th & F Streets, Lincoln, to organize events, actions, and abolition awareness. Enter east side doors. Follow the signs. Contact information: (402)570-7951; jacksonmeg@hotmail.com.
In GRAND ISLAND: Presentation of Living the Questions DVD featuring Sister Helen Prejean’s life journey and work for abolition. Sunday, January 20 and January 27, 2008, 5:00pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 5th & Elm, lower level room 4. Enter East doors.
Sunday Forum January 20, 2008, 9:30am: ONE FAMILY CHOOSING FORGIVENESS, Trinity United Methodist Church Gollaher Chapel, 5th & Elm. Featured speaker: Kurt Mesner, murder victim family member from Central City.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEK AT UN-L begins with a 2:00pm Chancellor’s Program at the Nebraska Union City Campus Auditorium, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, Monday January 21, 2008. “Martin Luther King Jr’s Expansive Dream” will be presented by Reverend Irene Monroe, religion columnist, public theologian, and motivational speaker. The week ends with the 13th Annual MLK Banquet, 6:30pm, Saturday January 26. Other events are listed at http://mlkweek.unl.edu/

GREENS PROMOTE “MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE.” The play “My Name is Rachel Corrie” will be performed by the production company Countdown to Zero, with Julie Rada, Thursday, January 24, 2008, 7:30pm, First Mennonite Church, 7300 Holdrege Street, Lincoln. The arts inform people of important issues of the day. Sponsored and/or supported by the Nebraska Coalition for Peace, Nebraskans for Peace, First Mennonite Church of Lincoln, Friends of Palestine, The Angels Company, Nebraska Green Party, and many concerned individuals in the arts and peace community.

© Nebraska Green Party

LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS Wednesday, January 9, 2008.

GREENS ADVOCATE Death Penalty Abolition in 2008 . . .

• In Lincoln: Monday, January 7, 10am Nebraska State Capitol, New Voices from Mainstream Nebraska. State senators and media will hear Mimi Kelle, a murder victim family member and Lincoln Police Captain James Davidsaver call for abolition. The event will conclude by 11am. Friends of Abolition and Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty are invited to attend and show support for repeal in 2008.
• In Lincoln: Tuesday, January 15, 7:00pm, Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, Death Penalty Forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. J. Kirk Brown, Nebraska Solicitor General advocating retention V. Alan Peterson, Lincoln Attorney, advocating abolition. Q&A will follow.
• In Lincoln: Abolition Action Group Meetings, every Saturday, 11:30am, First Presbyterian Church, 18th & F Streets. Enter east side doors. Follow the signs.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC SYSTEM PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED RATE HIKE . . .

Tuesday, January 8, 7:00pm, Walt Canney Service Center, 2620 Fairfield, Lincoln Electric System public hearing on the proposed 5.5% rate hike. And, LES customers may still advance the Green Agenda by filling out a survey of preferences for a proposed $1M Sustainable Energy Program. Under “other suggestions,” consider adding a moratorium on building coal-fired plants. Click the following links for the On-line survey. Mail-in survey. Background paper. News release.

GREENS VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .

Weekly Peace Vigils continue every Wednesday, 5:00 to 6:00pm at the Federal Building, 15th & O Streets, Lincoln. Weekly Nebraska Coalition for Peace meetings are Saturdays, 2:30pm, Crescent Moon Coffee House, 816 P Street. All are welcome.

DARFUR NOW, a documentary of hope in the midst of one of humanity’s darkest hours–a call to action for people everywhere to end the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan–opens at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center Friday, January 4. It runs through Thursday, January 17. Show times are available at www.TheRoss.org.

Wachiska Audubon to Focus on Sandhill Cranes. Greens are invited to hear Nebraska photographer Brad Mellema discuss conservation on the Platte River with focus on sandhill cranes, Thursday, January 10, 7:00pm at the Dick Administration Building, Union College. For more information call 486.4846.

LARRICK QUOTE . . .

“…we must work diplomatically to end all wars and threats of war. Only then, can we redirect our nation’s energies toward meeting the environmental challenges of global warming and degradation. Only then can we become the peacemakers and environmental stewards upon which future generations are depending.””

© Nebraska Green Party

NEW YEAR’S DAY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .

Join Greens and Peace activists for a New Year’s Vigil, Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 5-6:00 pm at Woods Park, 33rd and O Streets in Lincoln. Carol Finn, whose son is serving in Iraq, Rev. Rebecca Brown, pastor of East Lincoln Christian Church, Megan Jackson of the Coalition for Peace, and Paul Olson of Nebraskans for Peace will share their hopes for peace in the world. Hot drinks will be provided by Crescent Moon Coffee House.

CONSUMERS INVITED TO COMMENT . . .

Tuesday, January 8, 7:00pm, Walt Canney Service Center, 2620 Fairfield, Lincoln Electric System public hearing on the proposed 5.5% rate hike. And, LES customers may still advance the Green Agenda by filling out a survey of preferences for a proposed $1M Sustainable Energy Program. Under “other suggestions,” consider adding a moratorium on building coal-fired plants. Click the following links for the On-line survey. Mail-in survey. Background paper. News release.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS Wednesday, January 9, 2008.

GREENS ADVOCATE Death Penalty Abolition in 2008 . . .

In North Platte: Saturday January 5, 9:00am to noon, North Platte Holiday Inn Express — A Town Hall meeting organized by state Senator Tom Hansen.
In Hastings: Sunday, January 6, 9:45am, First Presbyterian Church adult education discussion led by Dick Hargesheimer.
In Lincoln: Monday, January 7, 10am Nebraska State Capitol, New Voices from Mainstream Nebraska. State senators and media will hear Mimi Kelle, a murder victim family member and Lincoln Police Captain James Davidsaver call for abolition. The event will conclude by 11am. Friends of Abolition and Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty are invited to attend and show support for repeal in 2008.
In Lincoln: Tuesday, January 15, 7:00pm, Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, Death Penalty Forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. J. Kirk Brown, Nebraska Solicitor General advocating retention V. Alan Peterson, Lincoln Attorney, advocating abolition. Q&A will follow.

DARFUR NOW, a documentary of hope in the midst of one of humanity’s darkest hours–a call to action for people everywhere to end the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan–opens at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center Friday, January 4. It runs through Thursday, January 17. Show times are available at www.TheRoss.org.

Wachiska Audubon to Focus on Sandhill Cranes. Greens are invited to hear Nebraska photographer Brad Mellema discuss conservation on the Platte River with focus on sandhill cranes, Thursday, January 10, 7:00pm at the Dick Administration Building, Union College. For more information call 486.4846.

LARRICK QUOTE OF THE WEEK . . .

“…we must work diplomatically to end all wars and threats of war. Only then, can we redirect our nation’s energies toward meeting the environmental challenges of global warming and degradation. Only then can we become the peacemakers and environmental stewards upon which future generations are depending.”

© Nebraska Green Party

LARRICK QUOTE OF THE WEEK . . .

“Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. To honor Christ’s message of peace and love, we must work diplomatically to end all wars and threats of war. Only then, can we redirect our nation’s energies toward meeting the environmental challenges of global warming and degradation. Only then can we become the peacemakers and environmental stewards upon which future generations are depending.”

CYNTHIA MCKINNEY ANNOUNCES GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN . . .

Watch McKinney’s 7.23 minute video invitation to join her in “coming home” to the Green Party here. The announcement of her candidacy and links to campaign news are here .

NEW YEAR’S DAY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .

Plan to join Greens and other Coalition for Peace members for a New Year’s Vigil, Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 5-6:00 pm at Woods Park, 33rd and O Streets in Lincoln. Rev. Rebecca Brown, pastor of East Lincoln Christian Church, Megan Jackson of the Coalition for Peace, and a representative of Nebraskans for Peace will share their hopes for peace in the world. Hot drinks will be provided by Crescent Moon Coffee House.

JOIN WEXLER’S CALL FOR CHENEY HEARINGS . . .

Sign up to support Impeachment hearings and send a message that we want change to Congress at www.wexlerwantshearings.com. There were 30,000 signers in 24 hours. More than 128,000 have signed. The current number is posted at the website.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE MANAGEMENT SEMINAR . . .

The Fourth Annual Tallgrass Prairie Management Seminar is Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 9:30am to 4:00pm in Beatrice, Nebraska at the Southeast Community College Jackson Hall Conference Room. The seminar is free and open to the public. Lunch is free with pre-registration before December 25. Walk-ins are welcome. To rsvp or request more information, contact Jarren Kuipers, jarren.kuipers@ngpc.ne.gov, Tallgrass Prairie Partnership Office, Beatrice. Phone: 402.228.0278.

NEBRASKA SENATOR TOM HANSEN WILL CONDUCT A TOWN HALL MEETING . . .

Nebraska Senator Tom Hansen will conduct a Town Hall meeting Saturday, January 5th from 9:00am to noon in North Platte at the Holiday Inn Express located at 300 Holiday Frontage Road. The primary focus includes discussion of the death penalty — a major topic to be debated in the upcoming legislative session.

GREENS MAY WANT TO COMMENT . . .

Lincoln Electric System will hold one public hearing on its proposed 5.5% rate hike before it goes to the City Council. The hearing will be at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 8, at Walt Canney Service Center, 2620 Fairfield. LES customers may still advance the Green Agenda by filling out a survey of preferences for a proposed $1M Sustainable Energy Program. Under “other suggestions,” consider adding a moratorium on building coal-fired plants. Click the following links for the On-line survey. Mail-in survey. Background paper. News release.

GREENS INVITED TO NEBRASKA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS . . .

GREENS INVITED TO NEBRASKA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS Common Agenda Meeting. Believing that “we can achieve more together than individually,” the NLCV will meet on January 9, 2008, 10:00am to 4:00pm in the 5th floor conference room at 215 Centennial Mall South in Lincoln. To participate in the January 9 meeting, PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY JANUARY 4. E-mail Mary Harding at info@nlcv.org.

© Nebraska Green Party

ADVANCE THE GREEN AGENDA . . .

Lincoln Electric System (LES) customers may fill out a survey expressing preferences for LES’s proposed $1 million dollar Sustainable Energy Program. LES isn’t promoting this much, so every vote will in effect speak for thousands of customers. Under “other suggestions,” you might consider urging a rate plan that rewards conservation and penalizes higher electricity consumption, a moratorium on building coal-fired plants and no increased purchase of electricity from coal-fired plants. Click the following links for the: On-line survey. Mail-in survey. Background paper. News release. The survey deadline is January 10, 2008.

GREEN DRINKS THIS WEDNESDAY . . .

Green Drinks is a global, self-organizing network providing informal meeting opportunities for anyone working in, studying, or just concerned about environmental issues.  This month’s Lincoln Green Drinks is December 19, 5:30 pm to close, at Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, 210 N. 7th Street.  The Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center has 2008 calendars to gift Green Drink attendees.

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS MALIGNED . . .

U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, the clearly anti-war candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, was excluded from the Iowa Democrats’ debate forum Dec. 13 on a technicality that was NOT applied in the Republican debate.  A few months ago, Clinton and Edwards commented about the necessity of excluding “disruptive” candidates from debates.  The other major candidates offered no protest. Respond to this insult to the anti-war majority of American voters with a letter to the editor of the Des Moines Register.

TAKE BACK THE COURTS PLEDGE . . .

“I pledge only to support or vote for candidates for US President and US Senate who will protect the federal courts from extreme right-wing, ideological judges… ”Sign here.  Related from TruthOut, “Justice Department’s Voting Rights Chief Resigns”.

OMAHA PEACE ACTIVISTS GO TO COURT . . .

Omaha World Herald coverage of the trial against three activists protesting the annual StratCom arms bazaar on October 10 is here.

NEW YEAR’S DAY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .

Plan to join Greens and other Coalition for Peace members for a New Year’s Vigil, 5-6:00 pm at Woods Park, 33rd and O Streets in Lincoln.  Rev. Rebecca Brown, pastor of East Lincoln Christian Church, Megan Jackson of the Coalition for Peace, and a representative of Nebraskans for Peace will share their hopes for peace in the world.  Hot drinks will be provided by Crescent Moon Coffee House.

LARRICK QUOTE OF THE WEEK . . .

“Our Nebraska Green Party is part of a global movement for peace, environmental health and social justice.  People all over the world seek these ideals.  Through the grassroots power of the ballot box, we will unite people of the world against war, toxic industrial legacies, and arrogant tyranny.”

© Nebraska Green Party

WESTROADS MALL SLAYINGS. . .

The Nebraska Green Party joins all Nebraskans in mourning those killed or injured in the Westroads Mall slayings. The tragic reality is that over 16,000 people are murdered in this country every year.

GREEN IDEAS REQUESTED BY LINCOLN ELECTRIC SYSTEM. . .

Lincoln Electric System (LES) is asking customers to provide input on how it should spend nearly $1 million for a new sustainable energy program.  Two public hearings are scheduled this week:  Tuesday, Dec. 11, 5-7:00 pm, at Lincoln High School, 2229 J Street, and Thursday, Dec. 13, 5-7:00 pm at Lincoln North Star High School, 5801 North 33rd Street.  The Lincoln Journal-Star article listing LES ideas is here. The LES website also has details.

COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FORMING . . .

Nebraska Green Party is organizing a new Coalition of environmentally concerned organizations that will create an Earth Day 2008 event in Lincoln on April 20, 2008 at Antelope Park’s Auld Center Pavilion, 1650 Memorial Drive, Noon to 4:00 pm.  If you’d like to represent a group for membership in the Coalition, contact mjberry@inebraska.com or barbvandenberg@hotmail.com.

NEW YEAR’S CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE . . .

Plan to join Greens and other Coalition for Peace members at a New Year’s Day Peace Vigil just before sunset, 5-6:00 pm at Woods Park,  33rd and O Streets in Lincoln.  There will be speakers, and hot drinks provided by Crescent Moon Coffee House.

PARTICIPATE IN GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY . . .

Contact your county election commission to sign up for Deputy Registrar training.  If you’re interested in a paid poll worker job (for two elections in 2008, one day each), ask about that as well.   ReShape ’08.  Register Green.  Get involved with the election process.

PICK UP A CAN FOR STEVE . . .

Can’t afford $10,000 a plate for a fundraiser? The Green Party’s “Pick up a Can for Steve” campaign helps clean up the local environment and offers an opportunity for everyone to contribute support to a candidate who knows most people work hard for their money and also care about clean water, land, and air. Save cans, drop them off at 920 South 8th and add to the Larrick for Senate campaign effort.

LARRICK QUOTE OF THE WEEK . . .

“To reduce global warming by reducing unnecessary burning of finite fossil fuels, we need greater incentives for recycling. Too many aluminum cans are ending up along our roadsides and in our landfills. This would benefit our economy as well as our environment.”

© Nebraska Green Party