It has been a busy warm season for the Rochester Area Vegetarian Society. In May we welcomed John Morlino, founder of The ETHIC (the-ethic.org), who spoke movingly of the ways in which life’s setbacks help us to develop our compassion for others. In June, a panel of RAVS cooks discussed vegan shopping, meal planning, and recipes. Many thanks to Shelley Adams, Michael Hagelberg, Leena Isac, Darren Mrak, and Scott Wagner. In July, Kimber Gorall graciously hosted a picnic at her canal-side home, as we enjoyed a cool break in what had been a sweltering week. Clearly, the weather gods favor vegans.
During the first week of July, an all-time record number (24) of Rochesterians went to the North American Vegetarian Society’s Vegetarian Summerfest in Johnstown, Pa. In attendance were: Carol, Ted, Rebecca, Elizabeth & Nathaniel Barnett, Handy Cowles, David Daunce & Yetta Panitch, Beth Garver Beha & daughter Tabetha Garver-Mosher, Jacki & Michael Hagelberg, Carol Hope, Dvorah & Myron Kolko, Rhea & Ken McBride, Lori Miller, Gerry & Tim Minerd, Ted Potter and daughters Meena & Annie Potter, and Charles Worl. The Barnett family contributed to the Summerfest program: Ted gave a talk on Green Birding, and one on the History of the USDA Food Groups; Ted and Carol sat on a panel about running a vegetarian society; the Barnett kids each provided entertainment before plenary sessions; and the entire family organized a Service for the Animals on Sunday morning.
We look forward to an all-star autumn. In August we host an important film premier (see notice this page). On the third weekend of September, we will again participate in the Greentopia Festival. Please note that this pushes our September meeting to the 4th Sunday! You won’t want to miss it, as our guest Melanie Joy, Ph.D. will be speaking on the concept of “Carnism.” And in October, John Pierre, a nutrition and fitness consultant, will talk to us about “The Pillars of Health.”
OUTREACH: Our presence in the community continues to be strong. In June we staffed a table at Brighton Color Green’s Energy Fair (Tina Kolberg) and at the Rochester Jamaican Organization’s 3rd Annual Community Health Fair (Carol Barnett). In July we tabled at Greenovation, 1199 E. Main St. (Carol Barnett). This store, with loads of charm and “pre-owned” bargains, on the site of the old Vietnam Vets store, is open Tues.-Fri. 11AM-6PM and Sat. 9AM-4PM.
Upcoming outreach events, in addition to Greentopia, include classes at new venues (a yoga studio and a library). And again, for a 4th time, the Jewish Community Center will offer the Plant-Based Nutrition class taught by RAVS’s own Ted D. Barnett, M.D. with recipes and food samples by Carol Barnett. See details on p. 8; call 461-2000 to register.
“Making a Case for Vegan Eating: Healthy People, Healthy Planet”: This class taught by RAVS Coordinators Ted & Carol Barnett will be given at the Grounded By Yoga studio in Bloomfield, on Sun. August 25 from 3:30-6 PM. Cost is $15/$18 at the door. Details on p. 8.
“Making a Case for Vegan Eating” will also be given at the Canandaigua Wood Library on Tuesday, September 17 from 6-8:30 PM. The class is free but you must register by calling (585) 394-1381.
EATING OUT VEGAN The Democrat and Chronicle has recently focused on a number of eateries that offer vegan options. Small World Food, a cooperative that makes bread, desserts, granola, hot sauce, and fermented and pickled vegetable products from locally grown organic ingredients, was profiled on 5/31/13. Small World is located at 90 Canal St. but also sells its products at farmers markets, Abundance Coop, and selected stores. The Owl House, 75 Marshall St., which has vegan variations on most of its menu items, was written up on 6/7/13. On 6/25/13, an article titled “Veggies Front and Center” highlighted the veggie bar at Pittsford Wegmans, and Wegmans Next Door Bar and Grill in Pittsford, and praised Restaurant 2Vine, 24 Winthrop St. for “bulking up its vegan options with rotating offerings such as roasted heirloom potatoes with rapini and tomato-braised chickpeas over quinoa and brown rice; a half-inch slab of cauliflower grilled like a steak with mushroom sauce; and a roasted-eggplant Mediterranean flatbread sandwich.” And the July 2013 issue of the D&C’s Rochester Magazine had a special feature on veggie burgers, including the Owl House’s vegan Gentle Lentil Burger, and the vegan Carrot-Chickpea Sliders with sweet pepper catsup at Lettuce B. Frank, Mobile Food Cart (locations at lettucebfrank.com).
ROCHESTER PREMIER OF GROUND-BREAKING FILM
Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate New York and RAVS will co-sponsor a showing of “Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home,” a film by Tribe of Heart. Following the film, Harold Brown of Farm Kind, who is featured in the film, will deliver brief remarks and lead a discussion. Free refreshments will be available after the film. This event is free and open to the public. See calendar on p. 8 for details.
MORE ABOUT THE FILM: “Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home” portrays the experience of five farmers, an animal rescuer, and a humane police officer as they engage in struggles of conscience regarding the role and treatment of animals in their lives; it includes rare footage providing insight into the emotional lives of animals. The 78-minute film premiered at the Moondance Festival in Boulder, Co., where it received the Best Documentary Award. It went on to receive the Best Documentary Award at Chicago’s Peace on Earth Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize at the Canada International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Environmental Film Festival at Yale, and the Best of Fest Audience Award at the Berkshire International Film Festival. For more information, visit tribeofheart.org.
Carol Barnett
Winter Solstice Gathering and Celebration!