Star City Blog

'Time for Lunch' Campaign Strives to Change the Way Students Eat Lunch

By Sarah F. Sullivan

There are many issues in this country that need to be addressed. Health care and jobs are justifiably at the forefront, but another significant issue is being brought to our attention by the grass roots organization, Slow Food USA. Their national “Time For Lunch” Campaign, focuses on changing the way children in schools eat lunch.  The campaign aims to send a message to Congress to help them understand that our underfunded school lunch programs are unacceptable. At present, schools have only one dollar per child with which to buy ingredients.

The Child Nutrition Act will be up for reauthorization in Congress in early 2010, and the “Time for Lunch” Campaign is hoping that America will help them send a message to Congress that aims to achieve the following goals:

UDPATED: Blog Talk Live: Interview with Alan Green

Tonight's guest on Blog Talk Live will be Alan Green, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska, a position he has held since 2004.  Prior to that Alan was the Executive Director at DayWatch, which provided day shelter and support services in Lincoln.  Alan holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and has over 10 years experience in non-profit organizational and program management.

The Mental Health Association is a consumer-run organization that provides advocacy, wellness education and support services to adults living with mental illness.  MHA-NE is dedicated to ensuring that public mental health policy is just, fair, and promotes equality and opportunity.

Blog Talk Live is hosted by Dennis Kornbluh every Tuesday evening from 6-7pm Central on KZUM 89.3 FM, via live streaming at KZUM.org, and on Time-Warner cable channel 10.

Audio for this program is posted below in two parts:

BTL_ALAN_GREEN_20OCT09_Part1 28:07

BTL_ALAN_GREEN_20OCT09_Part2 24:56

Note: The 2nd caller mentioned Recovery Inc., which is now known as Recovery International. Their website is located at http://www.recovery-inc.org.

Recovery International meetings are held in the following (and perhaps other) Lincoln locations:

The Antlers
2101 Sheridan Blvd.
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
South door Sunday, 2:30 PM
Contact: Twila
cliff@lowselfhelpsystems.org
(402) 488-1882

Westminster Presbyterian Church
2110 Sheridan Blvd
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 Monday, 7:00 PM
Contact: Kevin
cliff@lowselfhelpsystems.org
(402) 489-8759

Nebraskans Featured in New National Video and Center for Rural Affairs Report

The stories of three Nebraskans struggling to access and afford health insurance have been highlighted in a short national video, “Rural Issues in Health Care Reform,” Community Change and in a new report released by the Center for Rural Affairs, “Sweet the Bitter Drought.”  The video and the report are particularly timely as the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on its health care reform bill this week.  Now is the time to ensure that the needs of Nebraskans, not insurance companies, are addressed in the health reform bills being considered in Congress.

Shining Star Event Invites Children to Enjoy a Night at the Lincoln Children’s Museum

Families with children impacted by serious health issues are invited to enjoy an evening of safe and clean fun at the Lincoln Children’s Museum on Friday, September 18 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the Museum’s annual Shining Star event.

Shining Star is a unique program designed to serve families with children whose health has been compromised by disease, surgery or associated treatments. This special evening is closed to the general public, enabling families to enjoy a special night together in a safe and fun environment. Shining Star is a FREE event for all children and families that participate.

Red Cross Seeks Basic Aid Training Volunteers

The Red Cross needs volunteers to help prepare local kids for life’s bumps, bruises and frightening moments. More than 300 volunteers are needed to help teach basic first aid to 4^th graders for the Red Cross Basic Aid Training (BAT) program. 

Since the program’s inception in 1996, more than 22,800 local students have learned how to perform rescue breathing, assess an emergency situation give abdominal thrusts in case of choking and perform other lifesaving skills. The Red Cross will train approximately 2,800 students in Lincoln Public Schools beginning October 1, 2009 through the end of the school year in mid-December. Volunteers are also needed to teach BAT in Seward and York counties beginning in spring 2010.

Senator Ben Nelson on Health Care Reform

By Sylvia Hermanson

When Congress heads back to work after Labor Day, health care reform will again top the agenda — particularly in the U.S. Senate, where the details in the second of two draft bills have yet to be finalized. Bipartisan negotiators on the Senate Finance Committee have worked for months without reaching an agreement and President Obama will put some pressure on the process when he addresses a joint session of Congress Sept. 9th.

For Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson, fresh from a series of public meetings around the state exchanging views with his constituents on possible reform measures, it's clear that doing nothing about the existing system of health care in this country is not an option. To him, enacting a reform bill is the fiscally responsible thing to do. He recognizes that something must be done in the face of spiraling health insurance costs.

Community Discussion about Health Reform Sept. 8

AARP Nebraska will host a community discussion about health reform in Lincoln on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The session is open to the public and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Savannah Pines at 3900 Pine Lake Rd. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP by calling 420-3900.

“AARP will be sharing information about health reform, and we welcome hearing questions, concerns and viewpoints from the general public,” said AARP State Director Connie Benjamin.  “We aim to cut through the misinformation and confusion so that people will better understand what the health reform proposals actually mean for them and their families.”

Healthcare Reform Rally Draws Hundreds

By Micah Leamer
Photos by Terry Hatch

On Tuesday August 25th hundreds of people crowded onto the steps on the west side of the Nebraska State Capital building. A group of sixteen event sponsors had organized a rally from 6-7pm.  By the start of the rally the crowd had spilled onto the street.  Most of the people present held signs in support of healthcare reform and the public option proposed by the Democratic leadership. There were also a handful of counter demonstrators holding signs to protest the healthcare legislation that is currently being proposed in congress.  Despite the conflicting opinions present, the rally remained peaceful and orderly.

Updated: Blog Talk Live: Guest Dr. Robert Hutkins

By Dennis Kornbluh

Blog Talk Live airs tonight from 6-7pm on KZUM 89.3 FM, and via Internet streaming at kzum.org. This evening's guest will be Dr. Robert Hutkins, Professor of Food Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In his lab, Dr. Hutkins studies bacteria that are important in fermented foods and in human health.  We'll talk to him about food in America, and get his impressions of the film "Food, Inc.", which is now playing at The Ross (see story on Star City Blog).

During the show we'll also get a live update via telephone from co-host Micah Leamer about the Healthcare Reform Rally that will take place at the State Capitol during this program.

Audio from tonight's show:

BTL_25AUG09_Part1 27:28

BTL_25AUG09_Part2 24:54

Hundreds of Nebraskans to Rally for Health Care Reform at State Capitol

Hundreds of Nebraskans are expected to turn out and demonstrate their support for comprehensive health care reform this year. The "Vote Yes" rally, taking place on Tuesday, August 25th from 6-7 p.m., will mark the largest public action in Nebraska to date around the national health care debate.

Event leaders will stress the need for reform at the State Capitol (west side on 14th Street) by visually representing key facts in a call-and-response style rally for action. The themed event is intended to put positive pressure on our Members of Congress to stand up for Nebraskans and pass landmark reform this year ensuring affordable, quality health care for current and future generations.