Prop2
Pancakes for Poplar Spring
Great Sage is generously donating 10% of their profits on August 31 to benefit the rescued animals at Poplar Spring. This wonderful vegetarian, organic restaurant also serves a delicious brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. So come on out to Great Sage and enjoy a great meal and help the animals too!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Looking for a “Reporter” for the Animal Rights National Conference
The Animal Rights National Conference is just around the corner, August 14-18. Unfortunately I am not going to be able to make this one, I will be out of town, I am taking a little vacation down south. But I would love for someone to do a little peice on the conference. So if you are interested just shot me an email at tim@dcvegan.com.
Hope
Benjamin and I attended the Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary’s Farm Tour and Yard Sale yesterday.
Despite my idea that it would be a rough drive up there and back, the baby boy slept both ways–the entire 45 minute drive! Very nice. I was quite happy to not have to pull over in the back country with no cell phone service to feed the little guy.
Tim and I are committed to raising Benjamin vegan–no doubts. The fact that he will be challenged by some people, ostracized by others (not only children but parents of friends and teachers as well) is something that makes me sad–but he will be stronger for it, and I believe that for every child who misunderstands him, there will be another who learns from him about animals being our friends.
As cheesy (or cheezly, or another dairy-free brand of cheese–what have you) as it is, this song popped into my head at Poplar Springs yesterday–”I believe the children are our future…” you know the rest. I think it had something to do with the fact that at work 97.1 (sing it: wash eeefff eeeemmmm) is always on and they feel the need to play that song once every two hours or so. But it also had to do with the fact that there are just so many families at Poplar Springs events. Whether or not they are vegan or vegetarian when they go home–when they are at the beautiful, sprawling sanctuary they are learning about the animals that live there, interacting with the pigs and cows and sheep, and most importantly, subtly learning that the animals were rescued from places that didn’t treat them well–which makes kids ask questions. Case in point: the little girl who went with us, she’s seven, asked her dad why the animals need a sanctuary. I didn’t hear his answer–but I know that when I was seven I had no idea that a human could possibly treat an animal in any other way than nicely, and I blindly shuffled the chicken nuggets from (shudder) good ‘ole Mickey D’s into my mouth on a daily basis.
Maybe if I had been exposed to a place like Poplar Springs I would have had more questions, inklings. Maybe I would have become a vegan at a younger age.
Poplar Springs, schools offering soymilk as an option and beginning the process of improving their menus–among other things, is so hopeful to me.
While I was waiting in line for my veggie hot dog, a little boy (maybe five years old) ran up to his mother (with whom I was chatting) and she asked him what he wanted on his “hamburger”. He looked at her and said “No, mom, VEGGIE-burger, not HAM-burger!”
Pretty cool.
Sing it, Whitney Houston.
-Megan Meinberg
Weekend Events: July 26-27
COK / Stickyfingers Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest
In honor of National Veggie Hot Dog Month, COK has teamed up with Sticky Fingers Bakery to host D.C.’s first ever Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest. Enjoy all the Tofurky Franks you can eat and win fabulous prizes or watch others stuff their faces. Help us show others how easy, delicious and fun it is to choose vegetarian foods! Everyone is welcome and there is no entry fee.
Where: Sticky Fingers Bakery at 1370 Park Rd., N.W., D.C.
Metro: Columbia Heights Metro station (green line)
When: 6 pm
More Info: http://www.cok.net/feat/hotdog-contest/
Poplar Spring Farm Tour
Come on out and meet the animals and enjoy hay rides, ice cold lemonade, veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs. Shop for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and handmade crafts in our gift shop, and for hidden treasures at our giant yard sale in the carriage barn.
Where: Poplar Spring
When: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
More Info: http://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/index.html
Vegan Meetup Group: Restaurant Visit to Lemon Tree
Lemon Tree is a cozy Middle Eastern café and market with a number of vegetarian and vegan options. It is located in Congressional Plaza near the Twinbrook Metro station. Ingredients are listed on the menu so one can tell whether or not they are vegan.
Where: Lemon Tree Cafe and Market
When: 6 pm
More Into: http://vegan.meetup.com/28/calendar/8303369/
Vegan Meetup Group: Potluck Picnic in Rock Creek Park
Join VSDC and the Washington, DC Area Vegan Meetup group this summer for food and fun in beautiful Rock Creek Park. Please bring a vegan dish to share (no animal products like meat, fish, fowl, eggs, dairy, honey, etc., and their derivatives) that serves four times the number in your party. You should bring the ingredient list/recipe and serving utensil. You are also encouraged to bring your own reusable plate, cup, and utensils to cut down on the use of disposable products. For more information, contact VSDC at 202-362-VEGY box #2 or vsdc@vsdc.org. For directions, visit www.nps.gov/rocr or call 202-895-6000.
Where: Rock Creek Park Grove 10
When: Sunday, July 27, 4:00 PM
More Info: http://vegan.meetup.com/28/calendar/7954829/?a=cv1c_grp
TAFA Wrap Up
Well..I was unfortunately unable to attend all of TAFA this year. But as usual it was nice to be around so many like minded people and vegans too! I was able to get a few of the sessions, I was able to here After Michael Vick: Combating Animal Fighting which was very good and had a lot of good news on combating animal fighting, especially about the stiffer penalties that almost all the states have past. Another one of my favorite sessions this year was Speaking Out for Farm Animals which also had good news on the farm animal front about laws passed in several states banning the use of gestation crates and veal crates. And about something called “Prop 2″ in California which will ban veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates! THIS IS BIG! You can find out more about it here http://www.humanecalifornia.org. This will be a big win on the animal front and we can only hope that more states will follow.
Now we can’t forget about the food, I would have to say this year was the best. I missed the banquet but can only imagine what it was like compared to what we had for lunch. I love sandwiches so I am going with day one lunch as my favorite, very very good! I am not sure who catered but hats off to ya!
We would love to hear your thoughts on this years TAFA.
Thanking The Monkey: Book Reading & Party
I have not read the book yet…But I will! The book sounds really cool. Hopefully I can make this event too. Sounds like its going to be a good time. The reading will be on July 21st (that’s this Monday) at Olsson’s Books on 19th St. This will be followed by a book signing and benefit (COK) at the Java Green down the street.
For more information on the event CLICK HERE! and scroll down a little bit.
http://www.thankingthemonkey.com
This Weekends Events
Here is a rundown of whats happening this weekend. [pretty much just TAFA] know of something else going on let me know tim@dcvegan.com
Taking Action For Animals > July 19th - 21st
So much has happened for animal protection in the last year, and it’s time to gather together to push the cause forward. After the Michael Vick case exposed the world to illegal dogfighting, learn what you can do to combat animal fighting in your community. After the slaughter of sick and crippled cows led to the largest recall of meat in our nation’s history, learn what you can do to protect farm animals from cruelty and abuse. As the November election approaches, learn about animal issues that will be on the ballot and how you can pass laws to protect animals.
During the conference you can network with national leaders and hundreds of grassroots activists. The conference’s convenient location allows easy access to the entire DC area.
Herbivore Clothing: New Design…Benefits Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
I am a big fan of of Herbivore Clothing! They have come out with a new t-shirt “Factory Farms Are Mean And Nasty”. Besides it being another cool design! 15% of all sales of this shirt will go to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in New York!
[http://herbivoreclothing.com]
Poplar Spring Farm Tour
Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville Maryland will be having a farm tour on July 26th. There will be hay rides , ice cold lemonade, veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs. Shop for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and handmade crafts in their gift shop, and for hidden treasures at the giant yard sale in the carriage barn. Poplar Spring is just an hours drive from DC (directions here) and is worth a visit if you have never been. Also check out their Spring 2008 Newsletter, there is more information about how you can help, other events, and sanctuary news (download it here).