VRG's Local Events NewsletterEditor: Jeannie McStayMay 2009 CONTENTS 1. EarthSave Lecture: Dr. Will Tuttle, author of the World Peace DietSunday, May 24th2. The Vegan Monologues Debuts! Book Signing May 23rd!3. Gorgeous Animal Photos Available through Wild Leek Photography4. Maryland Veg Socials - Thursday, May 21st5. First Saturday Potluck - Saturday, June 6th6. Vegetarian Summerfest - July 8-12, 20097. Taking Action for Animals - July 24-26, 20098. Vegan Puddings from Kozy Shack9. Veg-Friendly Restaurant Chain: PF Chang's China Bistro10. Housing Needed for Interns11. About The Vegetarian Resource Group

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1. EARTHSAVE LECTURE - Dr. Will Tuttle author of the World Peace DietSunday, May 24th The 4th Annual Earth Friendly Food Choices live speaking event willhappen on Sunday, May 24, from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Women's Club ofCatonsville, 10 St. Timothy's Lane, in Catonsville, MD. The specialevening will feature a presentation on The World Peace Diet by authorWill Tuttle, Ph.D. Dr. Tuttle will explain the connections between ourmeals and our broad range of problems - psychological, social, andspiritual, as well as health and environmental. Also featured will bea talk by Caryn Hartglass, the Executive Director of EarthsaveInternational. Caryn will speak on Our Planet, Our Food, & Our Future.Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Tickets may beordered online at [ http://tinyurl.com/cmx2s6 }. For additionalinformation, please call[masked].

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2. THE VEGAN MONOLOGUES DEBUTS! Book Signing May 23rd! There's nothing funny about being a vegan, unless you're humorist BenShaberman. In his book of collected essays, he explores the lighterside of one of the world's fastest growing life choices: livingmeat-free. From social absurdities to his own foibles, Shaberman'sreflections will put a smile on the faces of vegans and omnivoresalike. Ben Shaberman's essays and articles have appeared in theWashington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Vegetarian Times,VegNews, Vegetarian Journal, and a variety of other publications. Hiscommentaries have also been carried by NPR's Morning Edition, as wellas NPR in Baltimore and Des Moines. The Vegan Monologues can be purchased at [ http://www.veganmonologues.com/ ], the Vegetarian Resource Group at[ https://www.vrg.org/secure/order.htm ] or most online bookretailers. Or come down to the Barnes & Noble Power Plant thisSaturday, May 23rd, where Ben will be signing copies of his book from1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.

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3. GORGEOUS ANIMAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE THROUGH LEEKING INK PHOTOGRAPHY Looking for a beautiful photo for your home or that perfect gift foryour animal loving friend or relative? Wild Leek Photographyspecializes in portraits of sanctuary, rescued, wild, and companionanimals. The project was created by accomplished photographer DavidaGypsy Breier who has been involved in animal rescue her entire lifeand worked for numerous animal-related non-profit organizations.Davida's photographs feature an array of different animals includingwild birds, insects, and farm animals. None of Davida's pictures havebeen taken in zoo environments or exploitative conditions. If you area vegetarian or animal organization or if you are interested inportraits for yourself, please contact Davida [address removed] or visit her website at[ http://www.wildleekphotography.com ].

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4. MARYLAND VEG SOCIAL - Thursday, May 21st This Thursday, May 21, 2009, attend the next Maryland Veg Socialpotluck. Stop by any time after 7:30 p.m. Bring food, drinks, or afriend! Address is 5517 Edna Avenue, Apartment 2, Baltimore, MD 21214.Park on the street and come up the black fire-escape type steps on theside of the house. Please RSVP: Allie (717)[masked] or Kenny (760)[masked]

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5. FIRST SATURDAY POTLUCK - Saturday, June 6th The next First Saturday Potluck will be held in Ellicott City on June6th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Please bring a vegan dish to share (storebought is fine) for the number in your party plus 8. Invite friends and the merely curious. Kids welcome! Please RSVP viae-mail. There will be iced tea and filtered water to drink. It's greatif you can bring your own reusable picnic-ware and feel free to washup there--instead of making so much waste for the landfill. Basictable service is also available for a small fee. If there are not morethan 6 responses then the gathering will be canceled. Contact Bonnie at [address removed] (410)[masked] to RSVP and fordirections.

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. VEGETARIAN SUMMERFEST - July 8-12, 2009 The 35th annual conference is set for July 8-12, 2009 at theConference Center at Pitt-Johnstown on the University of Pittsburghcampus at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The North American VegetarianSociety will bring together some of the very best speakers, workshops,food, social activities, and more. The campus is a 650-acremountaintop wildlife preserve with 40 acres of hiking trails.Registrants may attend the entire 5-day conference, or opt for theweekend only. Conference fees cover the entire educational program,including classes, lectures, workshops, and discussions, as well asfilms, entertainment and use of certain athletic areas. Also coveredare vegan meals, with ample variety to suit most any preference, andon-campus housing which includes a twin bed, linen, and towels. The VRG will have a table at this event so please stop by and say hello! To learn more, go to [ http://vegetariansummerfest.org/ ].

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7. TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS - July 24-26, 2009 The fifth annual Taking Action for Animals conference will be heldJuly 24-26, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington,Virginia. Sponsored by leading animal protection organizations, theevent includes: training workshops, exhibitors, social events, andkeynote sessions. This year's theme is "The Art of the Possible:Change Animals Can Believe In." So, join The Humane Society of the United States, Ginnifer Goodwin,star of the hit movie He's Just Not That Into You, andsinger/songwriter Nellie McKay, at Taking Action for Animals andregister now for the conference. To find out more or register for this event, visit [ http://www.takingactionforanimals.com/ ]. VRG will have a table at this event so please stop by!

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8. VEGAN PUDDINGS NOW AVAILABLE FROM KOZY SHACK! Yes, it's true! Kozy Shack Pudding Company has introduced a new "SoyPudding" product. This deliciously smooth vegan pudding is availablein chocolate and vanilla and can be found in your neighborhood grocerystore in the dairy section (even though there's no dairy in thepudding). This product is certified USDA organic, cholesterol free,gluten free, and contains no artificial colorings or flavors. Eachpudding cup provides 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of dietary fiber, andall the benefits of soy. Kozy Shack is a family owned company that hasbeen making pudding products since 1967.

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9. VEG- FRIENDLY RESTAURANT CHAIN: PF CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO In a recent issue of Vegetarian Journal, P.F. Chang's China Bistro waslisted as one of the top veg-friendly chain restaurants in UnitedStates. P.F. Chang's offers veggie appetizers like Chang's VegetarianLettuce Wraps or Harvest Spring Rolls. Their entrees include: Buddha'sFeast, Coconut Curry Vegetables, Stir-Fried Eggplant, Vegetarian Ma PoTofu, and Vegetable Chow Fun. Finally, their sides list: Garlic SnapPeas, Shanghai Cucumbers, Spicy Green Beans and more. There are three locations in the Baltimore Metro Area: Towson825 Dulaney Valley RoadTowson, MD 21204 White Marsh Mall8342 Honeygo BoulevardBaltimore, MD 21236 Downtown Baltimore600 E. Pratt StreetBaltimore, MD 21202 To find out out more about P.F. Chang's or see a list of the other topveg-friendly chains, see the online version of Vegetarian Journal,Issue[masked]: [ http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue4/VJ4_2008.pdf ]. To vote for your favorite chain, go to [ http://www.vrg.org/vote/ ].

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10. HOUSING NEEDED FOR INTERNS! This summer VRG will host at least three interns most of whom arecollege students. Interns provide an invaluable service to our groupand we are very grateful for their help. However, it is oftendifficult for out-of-state interns to find short-term housing duringtheir stay. If you live in Roland Park, Hampden, Charles Village or nearby andwould like to host a VRG intern in your home, please contact Jeannieat (410)[masked] or [address removed].

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11. ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP Our health professionals, activists, and educators work withbusinesses and individuals to bring about healthful changes in yourschool, workplace, and community. Registered dietitians and physiciansaid in the development of nutrition-related publications and answermember and media questions about vegetarian diets. The VegetarianResource Group is a non-profit organization. Financial support comesprimarily from memberships, donations, bequests and book sales. TheVEGETARIAN JOURNAL, a print magazine, is a benefit of membership inThe VRG. (For more information, please see the VEGETARIAN JOURNALonline at [ http://www.vrg.org/journal/ ].) If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, orfind out more about The VRG, contact us at: The Vegetarian Resource GroupP.O. Box 1463Baltimore, MD 21203Phone: (410)[masked]Fax: (410)[masked]E-mail: [address removed],20Website: [ http://www.vrg.org ]To donate:[ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565 ] Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2009