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 […]

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 […]

3% of military budget feeds the world Ending starvation across the globe entails redirecting a miniscule portion of an inordinate budget currently set aside to perpetuate wars worldwide. It is not a question of where the money can be found, but how it’s being used. Militarism is escalating at truly horrifying rates across the world, and millions upon millions of people are being displaced and left without reliable access to food and water. And to think, such a small amount of this spending could be used to turn the world in a course opposite to what we’re currently witnessing. Whether […]

Rev Dr. Liz Theoharis Yes Magazine, Nov 9 2023 …Eight days after 9/11, as the leaders of both parties were already pounding a frenzied drumbeat of war, a diverse group of concerned Americans released a warning about the long-term consequences of a military response. Among them were veteran civil rights activists, faith leaders, and public intellectuals, including Rosa Parks, Harry Belafonte, and Palestinian-American Edward Said. Rare public opponents of the drive to war at the time, they wrote with level-headed clarity:“We foresee that a military response would not end the terror. Rather, it would spark a cycle of escalating violence, the loss […]

“He’s the musician walking most closely in Woody Guthrie’s footsteps” Greg Johnson, The Blue Door  Grant will be performing at the OMNI Center Tuesday December 5 – at 7pm. $20 Seating will be limited. For advance reservations call Jody 479.761.3202 or email him JodyThom@pgtc.com A self-described “tree-hugger that watches NASCAR,” Grant Peeples is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads. Really interesting preview of his style at the link:  https://youtu.be/hUujIPnnfus He is the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” and their “unflinching social insight […]

The Climate Moment …. 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 n the spirit of what is going well here are some ways that Indigenous peoples continue to care for this Earth and support her ability to care for us her children. Hydroelectric dams along the Trinity and Klamath Rivers in Northern California, USA are being disasssembled, taken apart and dismantled. The impact of the 4 dams over many years has reduced the number and survival of Salmon which in turn […]

People Who Believe in Happiness Live Here Community First Village is that sweet tiny home village near Austin where formerly homeless people live along with non-formerly-homeless folks in a community that Sonia Harvey said is a “one big pool of love.” This little video give you a glimpse of one of its neighborhoods in action. Community Happens Here Fayetteville’s problems with homelessness would get better with police sweeps. There are deep structural problems that need to be addressed. There are people and groups who want to do something positive to do that. Would you like to be among them? Drop […]

Friday Nov 19 – 6:00 pm – Omni Center 3274 N Lee Ave. Fayetteville, AR (Note change in time) Come join us for our Thanksliving holiday celebration dinner! Though eating vegan, vegetarian and plant based has become more accepted and adopted these days than ever before and recommended by many health professionals (see Forks Over Knives, Eating You Alive, The Game Changers) to prevent and often reverse life threatening illnesses, as well as reducing greenhouse gases, pollution and animal suffering, many of us who are have a difficult time at Thanksgiving and other holiday dinners this season. Often, it’s meager […]