Best of Bay Area Vegetarian Living

It's that time again to vote for the Best of Bay Area Vegetarian Living. This is the 2nd year that Bay Area Vegetarians is sponsoring this annual survey. Voting in 'BEST OF VEG 2004' begins on World Vegetarian Day, October 1st.

We've got many of the same categories from last year, as well as some new categories, like Best: Raw, Mexican, regional restaurant, Activist, event, and organization.

Additionally, if you'd like to help your favorite restaurant garner votes, or just want to help promote the vegetarian business community which benefits all of us, you can download and print flyers from our website.

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.

If you would like to participate and contribute a prize as well, please contact us (note: for the Best of Veg 2004 prizes, we prefer donations from individuals or veggie businesses not eligible for any of the categories). We are also accepting prize donations for other programs, like the Advocacy Rewards Program.

So check out the BEST OF VEG 2004 contest and pass the word.

www.bayareaveg.org/vote

Foie Gras Bill Passes!

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us and wrote, called, emailed, or faxed their legislators and Governor in support of SB 1520, a bill that bans the force feeding of ducks and geese in the production of foie gras. The bill also bans the sale of the product when made from force fed birds, both provisions taking effect in California in the year 2012.

Do the Write Thing!

This month we had 4 writers in attendance; we wrote on a wide variety of topics, from urging the Governor to approve pro-animal legislation, to local officials regarding pending cruelty cases and wildlife issues, to businesses, etc.

We generated over 20 letters, and enjoyed some good ice cream at the same time. Writing personal, handwritten letters is a very easy and important way to be a voice for the animals. Your welcome to bring your own topics, or use ours. Plus your participation makes you eligible for prizes in our Advocacy Rewards Program!

Due to interest, we have added a second letter writing party to the calendar! Both are at MaggieMudd's, the regular 3rd Thursday of the month, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm and a new time at Saturday 10/16 at 7:30 pm.

If you would like a personal reminder about the next letter-writing party prior to the event, or interested in establishing a letter writing party in East Bay, please email us.

About MaggieMudd's -- try the Peanut Butter Palooka (it's one of their yummy vegan flavors)! The owner also mentioned he is looking for part-time help, and would love to employ some vegans.

Buy Cruelty-Free -- 5% to BAV at VeganCats.com

www.vegancats.com will give 5% of all purchase made through the above link to Bay Area Vegetarians.

Our affiliate number is 37906

They also carry the book Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What it Really Means to be Vegan by Jed Gillen which talks about whether cats and dogs can be vegan and healthy. This book is a quick and easy read and recommended if you are concerned about who or what your canine and feline friends are eating.

Back to School with Vegan Outreach

Now that school is back in session, we're back to leafleting monthly with Vegan Outreach's Adopt-a-College campaign.

If you would like to Adopt a College of your own, please contact Vegan Outreach (www.veganoutreach.com) or email us if you need help. If you're already participating locally in the Adopt a College campaign, please also share your leafleting dates and add your event to the BAV events calendar.

This type of activity is worth 2000 points in the Advocacy Rewards Program (which offers vegan meals, massages, merchandise, etc)

Happy World Veg Day

Let's join vegetarians throughout the world and celebrate World Vegetarian Day on October 1st.

But let's not stop there. When the Hallmark store starts selling cards for World Vegetarian Day, we'll know our job is done and we can put away our brochures and signs and letter-writing pens. But until then, 25 billion animals are killed every year for human consumption in the U.S.

Please join us in making a pledge for compassion and good health. If you're vegetarian, go vegan. If you're already vegan, take a step further and become an activist. Let us know what you're working on and how we can work together.

Thanksgiving just around the corner

Thanksgiving is a very yummy holiday for veggies when you celebrate it veggie style with family and friends. For that reason, Bay Area Vegetarians celebrated it throughout the Bay Area in 2003, with gracious volunteer hosts organizing Thanksgiving dinners (vegan food party style) in Orinda, Oakland, San Francisco, Mountain View and Milpitas.

I heard from the hosts and many of the attendees how great the dinners were. Brenda and Brian were first-time hosts, and they said: "Our event was a huge success. It was such a great group of people and we all had such a great time that we are considering having another event just so we can see those people again! I'm really glad we decided to host this event! It was great!"

So, if you are interested in hosting a vegan Thanksgiving celebration (a vegan food party in your home or community space, a veggie restaurant outing, catered dinner, etc), please email us.