News

Just because the weather has gone cold, doesn't mean we've gone dormant! Even though we postponed the 2 letter writing parties until January, there's still 10 other events on the calendar -- including a new monthly South Bay dinner!

Inspired by the warm veggie fellowship of Sean's Palo Alto dinner, Candace and Nancy's event will feature a dinner with a movie, or other event like karoake or dancing. Join them on Saturday Dec 4th for an evening of good food and fun at Vegetarian House in San Jose.

We hope to see many of you at the Animal People Party sponsored by Fund for Animals and Virginia Handley. This annual celebration has been going on for years (decades?), and is unique in that it truly does welcome party dogs (the two & four-legged variety).

The event is free to everyone. Just bring a vegan dish to share and join the fun on Saturday, Dec 12th, 2-6 pm, at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, Bldg C, 3rd Floor. BAV will be there, so please come by and say hello!

Holiday Gift Ideas

Here's some ideas for gifts that are a delight to give and to receive, as proceeds benefit non-profit organizations or veg-owned businesses:

Tell the world to 'Perform a death-defying act' or 'Thank Dog I'm Vegan' with a t-shirt, logo mug, or shiny logo pin from Bay Area Vegetarians (if you let us know in advance, we may be able to bring stuff to events or customize a t-shirt to your specifications)

Adopt a turkey, pig or another rescued farmed animal at local sanctuaries, Animal Place or Farm Sanctuary

What could be more tasteful than a Compassionate Cooks Cooking Class or their new DVD? [review]

All the news thats fit to eat with a VegNews Magazine subscription

Visit Otsu in SF for something special for your family and friends

Shop online at Marin-based Vegan Unlimited or PETA's online catalog, filled with treats for humans and our furry friends

Or perhaps you'd prefer a massage or catered vegan foods? Check out Body Technician and Spice by the bay, two of the many business services offered by vegetarians in the Ultimate Guide

And, at no cost to you, give your veg friends or veg wannabe friends a gift membership to Bay Area Vegetarians

November Recap

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for vegetarians and turkeys when you celebrate it Vegan Food Party-style! Thank you to Amy, Jordan and Kim for sharing and organizing such wonderful events in Pacifica, Oakland, and SF, and for the folks who attended and helped make them successful. The hosts were unanimous in their enjoyment of their respective events and how great the food was.

And we can't say this enough, thanks to Bob, Sean, and Dave plus Nora and Robin who hosted our other monthly dinners and letter writing parties respectively. Volunteers like them (and you!) are the foundation of BAV.

Erik Marcus spoke to a crowd of 40 people regarding his new book, Meat Market: Animals, Ethics, and Money. Our thanks to Candace for help in organizing, and of course, to Erik Marcus.

We the Planet, an annual event sponsored by Circle of Life, invited Bay Area Vegetarians to share information on veganism and factory farming. Our thanks to Gabe for leading this effort, and to Lori, Mat Thomas, Nora, Jen Blum, and Erin for helping.

Best of Veg

Don't worry, it's not too late to vote for your choices for BEST OF VEG 2004.

We sponsor this annual contest to support and recognize the best in local vegetarian restaurants and services. With this year's contest, we are also recognizing the other component to a strong vegetarian community: organizations, events, and activists.

So please show your appreciation for what makes living in the Bay Area so veg-friendly and vote today! With thanks to the following local & veg-owned businesses, we will again have prize giveaways to random voters: Body Technician, VegNews Magazine, and Sun Flour Baking.

Flyers are also available to encourage voting at YOUR favorite restaurants.

www.bayareaveg.org/vote