Subject: (early) April news from MarinVEG
From: Patti Breitman
Date: 2017-03-18 10:48 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;

April 2017
(Early because I'll be away at the end of March, and there is much to announce.)
Marin Vegetarian Education Group


Tadpoles in puddles! How exciting! If you love the sound of frogs singing, you will be pleased to know that Stan and I moved more than two dozen tadpoles from a shrinking puddle to a nearby, huge puddle, almost a pond.  (Bob R. remarked, Without that move the frogs wouldn't have a leg to stand on.)

There is much to do in the coming weeks.  Tomorrow, Sunday, 3/19 there is a lunch outing and a book reading. The Marin Earth Day  and Green Fair will be held at the San Rafael Elk's property on April 22 and 23. Volunteers and good ideas are still needed.   Two wonderful, new movies will be screened this month, one on April 2 and one  on April 20.  Details on these and other goings on are below. 


Slaughter House Update
On March 14 the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow slaughterhouses in Marin.  We lost this fight.   Fifty-seven people spoke at the meeting that decided this zoning change, and thirty- two of those speakers were protesting slaughter in Marin.  Having sat through the meeting, it seemed to me that we didn't have a chance with these supervisors. They ignored our every comment. At one point, one of them said that they were listening to the  "community ethos."  However, they seemed to define the community as the ranchers and their supporters. The supervisors seem to be in love with the myth of happy cows, and sang the praises of the "farm to table" local food movement. 

Thanks to everyone who spoke up, who worked to try to stop this zoning change.  Extra thanks to those who helped organize Citizens Against Marin Slaughter: Bee, Sarah, Brian, Miyoko, Deb, Marcy, Robin, Jon and so many others.  Let's try to remember that every social justice movement has setbacks and discouraging way points on the path to changing hearts, minds, and cultures. This decision is heartbreaking, and I encourage diligent, tender self-care for all of us. Standing up for what is right is never a waste of time. We will not stop speaking and standing up for every animal's right to live free from harm.

 Sunday, March 19 - Vegan Lunch or Book Reading
Both at 1 PM

Lunch at Taj of Marin
Monthly Indian Restaurant  Outing
A delightful, welcoming group of wonderful veg friends gather monthly for a Sunday lunch at Taj of Marin (909 Fourth Street, San Rafael). Tomorrow at 1 PM is the March lunch, and an RSVP is most helpful.  A vegan buffet costs $10.95. RSVP at https://www.meetup.com/marin-vegan/events/


Book Reading at Book Passage
Kristie Middleton, author of Meatless: Transform the Way You Live and Eat - One Meal at a time is the senior food policy director for HSUS.  She will be reading from her new book at Corte Madera's Book Passage at 1 PM. The store is at 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, near the DMV.  Meatless offers rationale and easy steps for reducing and eliminating meat from our diets.


 Starting March 28
Plant Based Transformation Summit
Free, on-line seminar
I am somewhat tired of the many free, on-line seminars that in which leaders in the health and vegan world are participating.  But this one is offering an impressive line up of  26 speakers over 13 days, so I thought I would share it with you.  Speakers include Dr. T. Colin Cambell, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Joel Kahn, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Alan Goldhamer, Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Jennifer Cornbleet, Victoria Moran, Dr. Will Tuttle, Dr.Richard Openlander, and many more.  The way this usually works is that the talks are free if you listen to them live, and then you are offered an opportunity to pay to hear them at your leisure. 
Learn more and sign up at http://taigawholehealth.com/plantbasedtransformation/


Sunday, April 2
The Lark Theater, Larkspur
Film makers Rajesh Krishnan and Anne Veh have invite us to a free screening of a new film called Teach Me to Be Wild on Sunday, April 2 from 4:30 to 7 PM in downtown Larkspur (549 Magnolia Ave).
They will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.  They are offering the film screening as a gift, and we are asked to RSVP if we want to attend.
To RSVP, go to https://www.servicespace.org/event/view.php?eid=6284     Below is a write up of the film from its web site:

Teach Me To Be Wild explores the work of a sanctuary in Northern California, where a team of injured, non-releasable wild animals become Wild-Teachers and are helping generations of hurt children (at-risk teens, justice-involved youth, foster kids and others). The traumatic histories of the creatures, who range from an Andean condor to a two-toed sloth, often parallel those of the at-risk children who visit. Unexpected and empathic connections are forged that ripple into stories of transformation. Founded by Steve Karlin, a former park ranger and television personality whose greatest mentors were a 330-pound American black bear and a pair of robins, Wildlife Associates aims to recall us to our true place in Nature’s web. Filmed over a period of three years with intimate access to the animals, their caregivers, workshop facilitators and their spirited students, Teach Me To Be Wild captures the magic that transpires where wounded children and their Wild Teachers meet.


Sunday, April 9
Non Dairy Cheese Making Workshop
From 5 to 7PM on Sunday, April 9, Sheena Davis and James Fanucchi from The Epicurean Connection, will be offering a workshop on Alternative Dairy Cheese Making at The Fairfax Backyard Farmer (135 Bolinas Road).  Almond, hemp and soy cheeses will be made, and each guest will take home recipes. The cost is $60.   Sign up at http://www.fairfaxbackyardfarmer.com/backyard-cheese-workshops.html    The Epicurean Connection is not a vegan company, so I was surprised and happy that they are offering a nondairy cheese making event. Thanks to the many readers who alerted me to this event.

Thursday, April 20
Fairfax  Movie Theater to show What the Health
Tickets must be bought in advance, on line
Thanks to Jack G., the Fairfax movie theater will be screening - for one night only - the new, feature length documentary What the Health on Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 PM. This film is by the makers of Cowspiracy and is equally incisive and important.  What the Health focuses on big pharma and big ag, just as Cowspiracy focused on so called environmental organizations.   It is critical that a large number of people buy tickets for this event, as it will only be approved to be shown when a critical mass of people buy their tickets. When I bought my tickets the recipt said that my card would not be charged until they meet their attendance goal.   This screening is being "hosted" by Jack's TreeSpirit Project (which makes no profit from ticket sales).  Please share news of this screening on all your social media platforms.

Watch the trailer at  https://www.tugg.com/events/what-the-health-hsei  Invite your friends and enjoy a night out in Fairfax.  Tickets will NOT be available at the door, so buy your tickets in advance, ($12)  at https://www.tugg.com/events/what-the-health-hsei 
For more information, contact Jack: Jack@treespiritproject.com
 

April 22 - 23
MarinEarth Day and Green Fair
San Rafael Elks Property
Plan to be there! Tell your friends! Come help out!
Marin Earth Day and Marin Green Fair will be held Saturday April 22 and  Sunday, April 23 at the San Rafael Elks outdoor and indoor facilities at 1312 Mission Avenue in San Rafael. The event will be video streamed locally and on the web.   As Mariposa says, "We need to enter 2017 celebrating, inspiring and sharing our love, and resources."   They need more terrific keynote speakers, activities, workshops, demonstrations, videos, films,  ideas and volunteers.  If you want to perform (calling all musicians!) write to marinartists@hotmail.com.  To share ideas, volunteer, participate/exhibit and be a part of the two day celebration, contact Mariposa at 415-339-1378 or write to marinearthday2017@gmail.com.  I will be doing a food demo.  Swami Beyondanonda, the brilliant FUNdamentalist comedian is on the schedule, to perform. Check www.MarinEarthDay.org and www.maringreenfair.com early in April  for a detailed schedule.  And please help spread the word.

Volunteers Needed
In addition to helping at the Earth Day and Green Fair,  you can help me at the table for Marin VEG and at my recipe demo.  Please contact Mariposa to volunteer at the fair, and please respond to me if you can help to table for a few hours that weekend or assist me in the kitchen. (Time of demo to be determined soon.)
 

Sunday, April 30
Berkeley Vegan Earth Day
From 10 to 4 on Sunday, April 30 a wonderful program of  education, advocacy and great vendors will be celebrating at Berkeley Vegan Earth Day.  This not-to-be-missed event, sponsored by Compassionate Living, will be held at the David Brower Center (2150 Allston Way). Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 in advance.  To see the schedule of speakers and some of  the vendors, and buy tickets, go to https://www.purplepass.com/#156140/Compassionate_Living-Berkeley_Vegan_Earth_Day-David_Brower_Center-April-30-2017.html
Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary
One of my favorite vegan chefs, Deborah Blum, is the founder of Goatlandia, an animal sanctuary in Santa Rosa. Their next work party on April 2 is full, but if you want to work with the goats and enjoy some delicious food prepared by Deb, sign up for the May 14 work party. Sign up to volunteer at https://www.goatlandia.org/
The sanctuary is also looking for a volunteer handyman/woman and carpenter to help with repairs.

Message from Miyoko
If you're like me, you have fallen in love with Miyoko's cheeses, and you have been disappointed that a few favorite varieties have been out of stock. Here is a message from Miyoko, direct to her customers.  Congratulations to Miyoko on the ongoing success of her incomparable business and its upcoming new location.

Dear Loyal MK Fans and Supporters,
It breaks my heart to hear your frustration about not being able to get your favorite flavors -- but unfortunately, that is the situation we are currently in. Whether it's online or at retail, it has been challenging for us to produce enough of certain flavors, particularly the aged cheeses, to go around. 
We've also been hit with unexpected problems like equipment breakdowns, aging room issues, etc., which has impacted the total output. I guarantee that we are working on it as best as we can, and we will get you your favorite flavors as soon as possible! Please hang in there with us! 
The good news is we've signed a lease and are gathering permits needed to begin construction on our new 28,000 square foot facility in Petaluma, CA that will allow us to make 30x the amount of product! We expect to move in later this year. Watch a short preview of our new facility below and please stay tuned for additional updates!
A big thank you to all of you!  - Miyoko


 New Vegan Deli in San Francisco
I am looking forward to trying this new, mostly take-out deli in the Cow Hollow neighborhood in San Francisco. Located on trendy Union Street, Vegan Picnic sounds like a great addition to the veg scene just over the bridge.  It's open from 11:30 until 7:30 every day.  Here is a review:    http://hoodline.com/2017/03/vegan-picnic-brings-plant-based-deli-favorites-to-cow-hollow-omnivores

 Correction
In the March newsletter I wrote about a wonderful article that included quotes from Michel Simon and Miyoko Schinner on the efforts of the dairy industry to stop non-dairy products from using the name milk.  But I included the wrong link. The correct link is https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/well/eat/got-almond-milk-dairy-farms-protest-milk-label-on-nondairy-drinks.html
What Else to Do in April
Reminder: Take a look at http://www.bayareaveg.org/events.htm  and http://www.meetup.com/marin-vegan/  to find out what's happening in the coming weeks. Also, check out Compassionate Living in Sonoma County. Their web site is www.socoveg.org/ and The San Francisco Veg Society at www. SFVS.org.



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