omni@omnicenter.org

The Climate Moment

 in Climate

What’s happening around the world about climate? Selected moments from the collection of Reevaluation Counseling leader Russ Vernon-Jones and shared by local Omni member Dorothy Marcy In many nations the emissions of the top 10% exceed the emissions of the bottom 50% Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) details the energy-related CO2 emissions per person in 2021 in a dozen major countries (including Japan, India, the U.S. , the UK, Russia, China, Mexico, and Brazil), plus the 27-nation EU. Within all these nations, the emissions of the top 10% are as high as those of at least the bottom 50%. In […]

Homeless Solutions Partners announces new speaker series

 in homeless

Thurs Feb 1 – 6:30 pm – Omni Center Yes, homelessness in Northwest Arkansas is complicated. But there are ways we can help homeless neighbors who need it badly. Homeless Solutions Partners wants you to join them to get the real story of what’s going on and how to help. On Feb 1 the director of the Continuum of Care — Director Debbie Martin, brings information. CoC is the group who brings HUD dollars to nonprofits and cities to help homelessness. Debbie will talk about CoC’s work. What they do, and how caring people can help. One of CoC’s jobs […]

COP 28 Closes with a few steps forward

 in Climate

Two big steps were taken at the just-concluded COP: Language was created that gave some of the most impacted nations (island and coastal nations) ability to make claims to a “loss and damage fund” for climate, but they didn’t fund it. And for the first time language acknowledging the need to get off of fossil fuels was included. Without a clear path forward the claims seem shaky. But some climate activists are encouraged that these are potential tools to make demands on an industry with inordinate power over our lives and economies. Check out the UN Interpress Service reports on […]

Saturday Gaza Protest

 in Current Events

Sat Dec 16 – 11:00-1:00 – Court House Dickson and College Omni folks, we are invited to join the protests against this terrible situation in Gaza that’s simply not acceptable. Saturday – tomorrow – please bring a poster that expresses your feelings and stand with those who call for ceasefire and an end to the bitter carnage. This situation does not help Israel. It’s time for peace.

John Rule memorial Saturday

 in Current Events

Saturday Dec 9, 2023 – 1:00 pm – Omni Center Long-time Omni people remember John Rule as the poet on the corner of our table on the square, or reading his work at Open Mic. John passed peacefully on Oct 25. His partner of the past decade Ruth Francis, passed just one week before him. His dear wife Margaret passed in 2009. John and Margaret lived for many years in a moss-covered fairy-tale cottage in the deep Arkansas woods. There’s lots to remember about him. John’s granddaughter Sarah K. Moore and his family invite Omni friends to join them for […]

Homeless Solutions: Patching the Cracks in the broken system

 in homeless

Homelessness is a complex system of needs and greeds that can’t be fixed with a few patches. But that’s were we are right now. We do what we can and learn from the experience. A group of concerned Omni folks and friends are holding meetings about solutions to this very wicked problem bubbling up over our area, and a newsletter about their work will be launching in January. If you’d like to receive the Homeless Solutions Post to find out what solutions are emerging, please drop a note to omni@omnicenter.org and say “put me on the “Solutions” list. More inspiration: […]

We Must Be Relentless in Humanizing Palestinians -from Yes Magazine

 in Current Events

The fragile ceasefire could end at any moment. Most of the world sees that the bombing campaign is not a real solution to peace in the Middle East, but some parts of the Israeli government cling to violence as the only way. The humanity of both sides is lost in the firefight. “… A decade ago, analyst Norman Solomon pointed out … how Time Magazine defined “collateral damage” as “a term meaning dead or wounded civilians who should have picked a safer neighborhood.” That descriptor can easily be applied today to Gaza, a minuscule and densely populated strip of land […]