IDA - Bay Area Events

IDA EVENTS
1. Protest Japan's Annual Dolphin Slaughter
2. World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco
3. Benefit Concert for IDA

OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS
1. Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"
2. Wildlife Conservation Expo
3. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue
4. Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Anti-Chaining Bill (SB 1578)
5. Andronico's Stops Selling Battery Cage Eggs


IDA EVENTS

1. Protest Japan's Annual Dolphin Slaughter

Every year from October through March in small towns along the Japanese coast, fishermen kill about 20,000 marine mammals in the most brutal way imaginable. They use loud noises to disorient and herd whole pods of dolphins, porpoises and small whales into shallow bays, then stretch nets across the mouth of the bay to close off all exits. The next morning, the slaughter begins, as fishermen use sharp spears and hooks to massacre the helpless cetaceans. Most of them are butchered for meat that is sold in restaurants and supermarkets, while some are sold to marine parks where they spend years in loneliness and deprivation while "entertaining" audiences.

This annual slaughter is the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere in the world, and it continues because the atrocity is deliberately hidden from the Japanese people. That is why each year on September 20th, a host of groups around the world join together to organize an international day of protest to expose the killing and put pressure on the Japanese Government to end it once and for all.

As part of this day of action, IDA and the Earth Island Institute ( http://www.earthisland.org ) will co-host a demonstration at the Japanese consulate in San Francisco to coincide with protests taking place around the world. Volunteers from both groups will carry signs and hand out literature condemning the slaughter. IDA will also hold protests at the Japanese consulates in Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, Ore.

What You Can Do:

- Attend IDA's protest on Wednesday, September 20th from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco, 50 Fremont St., Suite 2300 (directions - http://tinyurl.com/ec3pl )

Contact Melissa Gonzalez at (415) 388-9641, ext. 228 or Melissa [at] idausa.org if you have any questions. Also write, call and fax the Japanese Embassy to let officials know that you are appalled by their country's heartless massacre of marine mammals.

Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 238-6700
Fax: (202) 328-2187

- Visit http://www.SaveTaijiDolphins.org for more information about Japan Dolphin Day 2006.


2. World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco

San Francisco, California -- named for Saint Francis, patron saint of animals -- is one of the most vegetarian-friendly cities on the planet, making it a fitting location for a World Vegetarian Day celebration co-presented by the San Francisco Vegetarian Society (SFVS) (http://www.sfvs.org) and IDA.

SFVS and IDA's World Vegetarian Day celebration will take place at the San Francisco County Fair Building in beautiful Golden Gate Park ( http://tinyurl.com/pbrzd ) on Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) ( http://www.navs-online.org ), which started World Vegetarian Day in 1977, declared SFVS's 2005 celebration a winner in their Best World Vegetarian Day contest (group/institution category). Last year, approximately 3,000 visitors enjoyed SFVS's World Vegetarian Day festival. With IDA on board, we hope this year's event will be even bigger and better!

SFVS and IDA's World Vegetarian Day celebration will feature:

- World-renowned speakers John Robbins ( http://www.foodrevolution.org ), Howard Lyman ( http://www.madcowboy.com ), Dr. Alan Goldhamer ( http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/articles/meet.htm ), Dr. Joel Fuhrman ( http://www.drfuhrman.com ), Dr. Doug Graham ( http://www.doctorgraham.cc ), Dr. Milton Mills
( http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm06winter/mills.html ) and more

- The OrganicAthlete ( http://www.organicathlete.org ) Conference on Saturday, September 30th with speakers and presentations from top vegan athletes

- International vegan cuisine and healthy food demos

- Vegan vendors and non-profit booths

- A fabulous eco-fashion show

- Live entertainment, including a performance by acclaimed musician Nellie McKay ( http://www.nelliemckay.com )

- A catered vegan dinner (Saturday at 6:00 p.m.) for $12

World Vegetarian Day is free to kids, students and seniors. It is also free to everyone who comes before 10:30 a.m., after which a $5 donation is suggested.


3. Benefit Concert for IDA

On Saturday, November 4th, flutist and composer Carol Alban will play her second benefit concert to support IDA's campaigns for animals. The performance will again take place at the Chapel of the Chimes ( http://www.chapelofthechimes.com/oakland/index.html# ), a beautiful building in Oakland's Piedmont neighborhood filled with skylights, stone-carved archways and stained-glass windows. The recital will also feature Dylan Snodgrass on piano, Suellen Primost on cello, Nancy Tyler on flute and Ma Jie on pipa.

A classically trained musician, Alban began playing piano and flute at the age of nine, and studied under many accomplished classical musicians while pursuing her degree at San Francisco State University. She has played flute on a variety of CDs and recorded three albums featuring her own compositions. Visit http://www.myspace.com/carolalban to hear some of her music, then join us at her live performance.

What: IDA benefit concert featuring Carol Alban and friends
When: Saturday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Chapel of the Chimes ( http://tinyurl.com/ja3a3 ), 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland

Admission is a suggested donation of $10 - $20 with all proceeds donated towards IDA's campaigns to help animals.


OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS

1. Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"

Join IDA-sponsored Compassionate Cooks ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com ) for their next vegan cooking class, "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products," and learn to make five delicious, nutritious dishes including Magical Miso Soup w/Tofu & Veggies, Tasty Tofu Scramble, Terrific Tempeh Fajitas, Tempting Tempeh Sloppy Joes and (No-Bake) Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. This class will also feature a special taste test of various non-dairy milks.

Using local, in-season, mostly organic ingredients, Compassionate Cooks features easy-to-prepare recipes and debunks myths about plant-based diets. Join the class in September for yummy food samples and a lot of fun!

What: Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"
When: Saturday, September 16th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: The First Unitarian Church of Oakland ( http://uuoakland.org/directions.htm ), 685 14th Street (at Castro), Oakland

Be sure to register in advance either online ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com/reg.htm ) or by calling (510) 531-COOK. The $45 cost of the class includes instruction, food samples, copies of recipes, coupons for restaurants and groceries, and much more.


2. Wildlife Conservation Expo

The Wildlife Conservation Expo, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Network ( http://wildnet.org/index.htm ), features some of the foremost conservationists in the world. Expo attendees will have the chance to meet these experts and enjoy presentations, wildlife exhibits and film documentaries. Many animal protection organizations, including IDA-Africa, will have exhibit tables at the Expo.

What: Wildlife Conservation Expo
When: Saturday, October 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills ( http://wildnet.org/downloads/Map_Expo2006.pdf )

Admission is $35 ($20 for students with ID). To see the speaker schedule and exhibitor list, and to purchase tickets, please visit http://wildnet.org/expo2006_expo.htm .

Volunteers are needed to table with IDA at the Expo day! You will receive free admission, get to hear some great speakers and receive the satisfaction of a job well done. Please email Sarah [at] idausa.org or call (415) 388-9641, ext. 212 for more information.


3. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue

Romania Animal Rescue (RAR) ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com ) presents an evening at the theater to raise money for homeless animals in Eastern Europe. The performance, "Romania - Beyond Dracula," is directed by Silvian Centiu, star of the hit play "A Transylvanian in Silicon Valley" ( http://www.atransylvanian.com ), a harrowing and hilarious tale of his emigration from Ceausescu's Romania to seek a better life in California.

Funds raised from the performance will support RAR’s ongoing efforts to help homeless animals. Many shelters in Romania are overcrowded with as many as ten dogs living in pens smaller than 15 square feet. Proceeds from this special performing arts event will help establish comprehensive spay/neuter programs and provide food and medical attention for homeless animals in Romania.

What: RAR theater fundraiser: "Romania - Beyond Dracula"
When: Saturday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center ( http://www.fortmason.org/performingarts/cowell.shtml ), San Francisco

Tickets are $25 apiece advanced purchase, $30 at the door. Order tickets ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com/fundraising.htm#romfest )


4. Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Anti-Chaining Bill (SB 1578)

We are pleased to report that SB 1578, the bill to ban dog chaining as the primary means of confinement, has passed the California Assembly and Senate. Thank you to everyone who responded to IDA's Action Alert on July 13th in support of the bill. The success of this legislation shows that elected officials respond to the opinions of their constituents. All that remains in order for the bill to become law is for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign it.

Experts agree that chained dogs can become aggressive due to intense confinement, lack of socialization, and the inability to escape from perceived threats. According to media reports, at least 107 Americans were attacked (some fatally) by chained dogs between February 2000 and January 2006. About two thirds of those victims were children. At a time when many Californians are increasingly concerned about aggressive dog attacks, SB 1578 can help animal control representatives provide additional protection and prevention in our communities.

Chaining dogs is also inhumane and unsafe for these highly social animals. Chained dogs typically lack adequate veterinary care, food, water or shelter, and are often deprived of exercise and interaction with their families. Continually chained dogs can also suffer injuries when their collars become embedded in their necks or even strangle to death when their chains become entangled with trees or other nearby objects.

SB 1578 still needs Governor Schwarzenegger's signature to become law, so let's give this bill one final push to ensure that it passes.

What You Can Do:

Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to sign this important animal protection and public safety measure ( http://ga0.org/campaign/GovernorSB1578/nazt7wedj? ). He has until September 30th to either approve or veto the bill, so don't delay.

Also contact the Governor by phone, fax or postal mail, as these forms of communication carry more weight than emails. See IDA's sample email for talking points. Be sure to include your name and address in all communications so the Governor's aides know that you are a California resident.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Tel: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 445-4633
governor [at] governor.ca.gov


5. Andronico's Stops Selling Battery Cage Eggs

Following a six-month campaign by East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA) ( http://www.eastbayanimaladvocates.org ), grocery chain Andronico's Market ( http://www.andronicos.com ) has announced that as of October 1st, 2006 they will sell only cage-free eggs in all of their 10 Bay Area locations. Bill Andronico, president of the company, told EBAA, "We take all issues around this matter very seriously, from the welfare of our employees to the welfare of the hens."

EBAA started investigating the conditions in which Andronico's egg producers raised chickens in September 2005. The group documented hens crowded together into small, filthy battery cages with so little room that they couldn't even flap their wings or lie down comfortably. As in other battery cage operations, these chickens spent their entire lives confined in these cages without ever seeing the sunlight or stepping on grass.

By joining Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats Natural Marketplace and other retailers around the country in taking battery cage eggs off of their shelves, Andronico's is making a commitment to better treatment of animals. EBAA president Christine Morrissey stated, "Andronico's Market is taking a positive step by refusing to carry eggs from battery caged hens, and other grocers across the Bay Area should follow its lead."

What You Can Do:

Thank Andronico's for taking a bold stand against animal cruelty:
http://www.cal-eggs.com .