February 2012

RAVS has been extremely busy and successful in recent months. In November, we welcomed a visit from Neal Barnard, M.D. of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (great website, pcrm.org), on tour with his new book 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart. Dr. Barnard signed books at a vegan tasting at Pittsford (thanks to Chef Eric Wendorff) and then gave a lecture at Monroe Community College attended by a large crowd. Then for our regular November meeting, we had as a speaker T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., author of The China Study. The large crowd was riveted by his message, and we are grateful that many new members joined that day.

In December we had a lively and well-attended holiday party (with accordion music by new member Dan Barski, as well as music by others in the group). In January, we had a wonderful program on local organic farmers and organizers of community supported agriculture. Thanks to Ryan Platte of Burning Bush Gardens; Kurt Forman of Clearview Farm; Cordelia Hall of East Hill Farm; Chris Phillips of Fiacre Gardens (who could not make it because of a family emergency); Kit Fallon and Gary Herrmann of Fiddler’s Greens; Genevra Petito of Genesee Valley Organic CSA (Peacework Farm); Chris Hartman of the Good Food Collective; Lisa Golden and Pat Martinez of Goldmar Farms; Suzy Farrell, standing in for farmer Erin Bullock of Mud Creek Farm; Emily Porter and Katy Porter of Porter Farms; and a huge thanks to Andy Fellenz of Fellenz Family Farm, who showed a Powerpoint presentation highlighting all of the farms.

RAVS has been doing lots of outreach. In November, VegMondays did a vegan tasting at the SUNY Brockport Healthy Mondays event: thanks to staffers Kimber Gorall, Martha Sullivan, and Carol Barnett. In early December we had a table at the MetroJustice Alternative Fair: thanks to staffers Shelley Adams, Ellie Cherin, David Daunce, Nancy Hallowell, Carol Manuel, Ken McBride, Yetta Panitch, and Carol Barnett; thanks also to those who provided vegan food and art work for sale: David Cherelin, Ellie Cherin, Handy Cowles, Katherine DaCosta, Tina Kolberg, Carol Manuel, Darren Mrak, Karen Shuler, and Scott Wagner. And in January, Ted Barnett, M.D. started a 6-week course at the Jewish Community Center called “A Plant-Based Diet: Eating for Health and Happiness” with Carol Barnett providing recipe handouts and food preparations for a sampling at the end of each class. The class has been a great success and continues through March 5.

This spring we look forward to a slate of exciting programs: a lecture on the critically important issue of hydrofracking, in February; a nutrition video and Dr. Greger in March; a fund raiser dinner in April; and  two speakers in May: Jack Norris, R.D. on the fine points of vegan nutrition and Gene Baur on the mission and message of Farm Sanctuary, which has a sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY and two in California. PLEASE NOTE the extra meetings in March and May are lectures without dinner; and neither meeting in May is on our usual 3rd Sunday. See p. 8 for details. v

CONGRATULATIONS to RAVS Board Member Nancy Hallowell who went to NY State Senator James Alesi’s health fair and had a photo taken of her giving a copy of the RAVS newsletter to Senator Alesi!

CONGRATULATIONS ALSO to Steve Foster, whose art show opened at the Spectrum Gallery, Lumiere Photo, 100 College Ave. in Rochester on January 6 and will run through February 25. The exhibition includes 38 works spanning over 30 years of his career.

Foster, whose photographic career started in the 1960’s, has exhibited his work throughout the U.S. His work was included in the seminal exhibition “Vision and Expression” at the George Eastman House in 1969, a show which helped define contemporary photography. Foster is Professor Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and now lives with his wife Gloria in Canandaigua. He has dedicated himself to environmental work as well as photography. His photography website is http://thedepartinglandscape.blogspot.com His hydrofracking website is http://notohydrofracking.blogspot.com

EATING VEGAN IN ROCHESTER

Amaya, 1900 South Clinton Ave. (241-3223), is a new Indian restaurant in Tops Brighton Plaza. Amaya is freshly renovated and has a fresh fusion take on food as well. Vegan items are clearly identified on the menu. Amaya will be the site of our April fund raiser dinner!

Asian Moon Café, 3193 Chili Avenue (571-9013) offers a lovely décor and a variety of vegetarian dishes, including a delicious version of Buddhist Delight.

Mooseberry Café, 2555 Baird Rd., Suite E (348-9022) is in the 3rd building north of Baird and Whitney on the left (almost in Fairport) and is open Tues-Fri, 9 to 5:30, w/ somewhat shorter hours on Mon and Sat. Owner/chef Mary Bartolotta caters to specialty diets. Lots of vegan items on the menu, such as Cinnamon Vanilla Toast or Oatmeal with Coconut and Almond for breakfast, or Toasted Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables, Brown Rice and Black Bean Chili, or Roasted Sweet Potato Soup for lunch/dinner. Mary makes her own vegan breads, and can make vegan Grilled Cheese or Pizza Bread. Vegan pastries and desserts include Almond Flour Chocolate Cookie with chocolate chips; Sweet Potato Brownies; Vegan Peanut Butter Balls; and Vegan Fudge made with almond milk and fair trade organic chocolate. Mooseberry can whip up chai tea, coffee, or smoothies with almond or coconut milk. For a party of 4 or more, please call ahead to reserve. The chef can also make cakes and specialty dishes to order, for events outside the restaurant.

Three Beagles Café, 616 Pittsford-Victor Rd. (249-9310) offers several vegan items, including the hummus and veggie wrap and the Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. They will substitute for the meat and cheese items in their Chef Salad without extra charge. The soup of the day is sometimes vegan, e.g. the Tomato Basil.

And further afield A recent email notified us that Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties, New York will soon be opening a vegan bed and breakfast. The beautiful pre-Revolutionary War-era home that graces the sanctuary’s entrance is being renovated using period materials and techniques. For more information, contact info@casanctuary.org.

Carol Barnett