News Bites

April Fool! Yeah, we enjoyed our bit of foolery with last month's newsletter. It would be an incredible day indeed if San Francisco taxed meat! As the veg population grows, perhaps one day that will be reality, and not just a joke. Thanks for being willing to believe, and for helping us work towards that day as we promote veganism. We are indeed appreciative that we can share thoughts like that within our like-minded community.

Vegan Food Parties are our favorite community events. Kudos to Joanna & Mike for their excellent VFP at Alvarado Park - they picked a perfect site and did a great job on pancakes! Thank you Mike & Joanna, and warm thank you's as well to our monthly dinner hosts, Bob, Dave, & Sean. The monthly Shangri-La dinner will resume in September.

Volunteer Dinner: We are hosting a special volunteer & BAV orientation dinner on Thursday, May 27th. Please bring your enthusiasm, energy, and ideas for helping BAV and promoting veganism!

BAV Pin-up

We are proud to introduce the new BAV logo pin! Announce yourself to the world as a proud member and supporter with this gold or rhodium pin. Made from recycled brass by WildBryde Jewelry, it is a classy way to show your veg spirit. Wear it with compassion and good health! (WildBryde Jewelry is owned by Mike Warner.)

Special Events

Peaceable Kingdom

BAV is continuing our film series at Artists Television Access with a screening of
"Peaceable Kingdom" on June 3rd. Produced by Tribe of Heart ("The Witness"), "this new documentary explores the interconnected life journeys of farm animals, former farmers, and animal rescuers struggling against an out of control industrial system. Breaking generations of silence in the farm community, Peaceable Kingdom weaves together themes of respect, forgiveness, commitment, and healing, offering a vision of a more peaceful world that is well within our reach."

Street TV

And if we can't bring folks to the movies, Gabe is taking the movies to the streets to screen "Meet Your Meat". This arresting video depicts how cruelly factory farmed animals are treated. If you'd like to join him in educating the public, he'll be organizing a monthly BAV "Street TV" at Powell & Market. The first one is this Friday. Volunteers are needed to hand out literature and talk to viewers that have questions. Folks who are new to activism are very welcome; we will make sure that everyone is comfortable with their assignment.

Summer Pignic at Animal Place: A benefit for Viva! USA

Save the Date! On Saturday, June 12th, come join us for a vegan pignic lunch, meet & feed the critters at Animal Place, and have fun while we raise funds for Viva!USA. Animal Place is a sanctuary for rescued and abandoned farm animals in Vacaville. Event is limited to 50 folks, & will sell out. So don't delay, buy your ticket today!

More details - www.bayareaveg.org/pignic.htm

Visit our new FAQ system -- you'll find the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions that we receive about BAV and the mailing lists, such as:
"How old are the people who go to your events?"
"What are the email commands to start, change (digest, no-mail, etc) or stop my subscription?"
"Why isn't my event showing up in the small event box on your calendar?"

Veggie Anniversaries

Congratulations and best wishes to two of our San Francisco members, Kim (list admin of SFBAVEG) and Crystal, each celebrating their 3rd Vegan Anniversary this month!

Please continue to send your veg*n anniversary in so you can be featured in an upcoming e-newsletter.

Success Stories

It was about 2.5 years ago that we created SFBAVEG to connect and support the local vegetarian and animal rights community. We've had lots of fun along the way, met some great people, and worked on some great projects.. and that still holds true for today!

But we're wondering... what has your experience been? Is your veg life different now that you're hooked up with BAV & SFBAVEG? Do you have a 'happy' or 'success' story about Bay Area Vegetarians or SFBAVEG that you'd like to share?? We'd love to hear your stories, so don't be shy! Our electronic operators are standing by, waiting for your emails!!

Highlights of Upcoming Events

Fri May 7 - Street TV - Powell & Market, SF
Sat May 8 - Vegan Food Party, SF
Tue May 11 - Monthly Palo Alto Vegan Dinner at Bay Leaf Cafe
Thu May 13 - Monthly SF Dinner at Golden Era
Sat May 15 - Road Trip! Redwoods, Russian River & Sparks!, Guerneville
Sun May 16 - Monthly Oakland Dinner (3rd Sunday) at New World Veg. Restaurant
Thu May 27 - Volunteer dinner at Shangri-La Veg. Restaurant, SF

Thu Jun 3 - Vegan Dinner at Herbivore, SF
Thu Jun 3 - Screening: Peaceable Kingdom, SF
Fri Jun 4 - Street TV activism - Powell & Market, SF
Sun Jun 6 - San Mateo Coast Veg Coffee - Ebb Tide Café, Half Moon Bay

Fri Jul 23 to Sun July 25 - Vegan Beach Camping trip, Half Moon Bay State Beach - only 6 out of 25 openings left!

See Event Calendar http://www.BayAreaVeg.org/events.php for more details & future events.