The VRG's Maryland Newsletter by Laura McGuiness March, 2014 To view the VRG Maryland Newsletter on the web, visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/local/201403local.php ]. 1. HOUSING FOR INTERNS 2. MID-TOWN MANHATTAN VENUE AVAILABLE FOR RENT 3. VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS 4. MARYLAND AREA EVENTS 5. VIGIL FOR ANIMALS USED IN ENTERTAINMENT 6. UPTON'S NATURALS SEITAN: DISCOUNT COUPON 7. DONATE YOUR CAR TO A GOOD CAUSE 8. BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG 9. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS 10. ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP 1. HOUSING FOR INTERNS The Vegetarian Resource Group periodically has out of town interns. If you live near our office in Roland Park, and would like to offer free or inexpensive housing, please let us know and send details to vrg@vrg.org. We will be having at least one eight week intern this summer who needs housing. ************************************************************************* 2. MID-TOWN MANHATTAN VENUE AVAILABLE FOR RENT Otarian, a vegetarian global fast casual restaurant located in Manhattan, New York, offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Their meals are free from animal derived processing aids, preservatives, colorings, artificial flavors, MSG, and GMO. They use all natural ingredients grown as locally as possible and pack their ingredients using sustainable materials. Recently, they have decided to invite similar likeminded concepts/companies who are interested in renting a space about 8x10 located on a prime retail corner, in mid-town Manhattan. This opportunity is great exposure with minimum commitment. There are two spaces available within the restaurant which will be rented to different similar minded concepts. Branding options can be discussed. Invitations to join Otarian will be valid until the end of March 2014; they are looking to start renting as soon as possible and hope to launch the venue by Spring 2014. They also have a commercial kitchen for rent in Long Island City, Queens which is available to businesses who don't have their own kitchen. Please call 212-470-7674 or e-mail info@otarian.com for more information. ************************************************************************* 3. VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS MARYLAND AREA OUTREACH EVENTS Baltimore VegFest - Baltimore, MD - 5/3 [ https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Annual-Baltimore-VegFest/263956273645903 ] NATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND AREA) EVENTS Valley VegFest - Florence, MA - Saturday, 3/29 [ http://www.valleyveg.org/vegfest/ ] Veggie Pride Parade - New York City, NY - 3/30 [ http://www.veggieprideparade.org/ ] Worcester VegFest - Worcester, MA - 4/6 [ http://worcestervegfest.com/ ] PA Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting & Exhibition - Bethlehem, PA - 4/24 [ http://www.eatrightpa.org/ ] Richmond VegFest - Richmond, VA - 6/21 [ http://www.veggiefest.org/ ] If you would like to volunteer at any of these events, contact Nina at vrg@vrg.org. If you would like to donate towards our veggie outreach, donate at: [ http://www.vrg.org/donate ]. Donations can also be sent to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Or call: (410) 366-8343. ************************************************************************* 4. MARYLAND AREA EVENTS VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MEET-UPS IN BALTIMORE, MD The Vegetarian Meet-up happens at Mango Grove, located at 8865 Stanford Boulevard, in Columbia, Maryland 21045, on the first Sunday each month at 12:30 PM. The Vegan Meet-up takes place at Mr. Chan Szechuan at 1000 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville on the third Wednesday every month at 7 PM. If you are vegan or vegetarian and would like to eat great food while socializing with others who share your interests, attend a meet-up! For more information about EarthSave's Vegan and Vegetarian Baltimore Meet-ups, see: [ http://www.meetup.com/vegetarian-9/ http://www.meetup.com/The-Baltimore-Vegan-Meetup-Group/ ] JUICE-ING IT UP WITH VEGAN DRINKS Vegan Drinks will be hosting their monthly event on March 8th at Patterson Bowling Center on 2105 Eastern Ave. Baltimore MD 21231 from noon to 3PM. Since Vegan Drinks had to pre-pay for the lanes, the required pre-paid registration for this event will be $30. This fee includes the lane rental, shoe rentals, as well as pizza and snacks from Johnny Rad's Pizzeria Tavern. Families and all ages are welcome. For more information about Vegan Drinks, visit: [ http://bmorevegan.com/ ] [ https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreVeganDrinks ] [ http://bmorevegan.com/%20 ] JOIN EARTHSAVE FOR A VEGAN POTLUCK Held on the last Saturday every month at the Learning Center of Your Prescription for Health, 10210 S. Dolfield Rd. in Owings Mills, EarthSave presents a vegan potluck and presentation. They eat first, make announcements, vote and present awards for their favorite dishes, and then have a presentation. This month, on March 29th, EarthSave will be featuring a screening of the documentary, "Genetic Roulette - The Gamble of our Lives." This movie discusses a time when the US government ignored repeated warnings by its own scientists and allowed untested genetically modified crops into our environment and food supply; it was truly a gamble of unprecedented proportions. This award winning documentary provides compelling evidence to help explain the deteriorating health of Americans, especially among children. It features commentary from a wide range of eminent physicians, scientists, policy makers and activist, and offers a recipe for protecting ourselves and our future. Dinner guests may choose to either bring a dish without animal products (to serve 8) plus a $5 donation, pay $12 to enjoy dinner and a presentation; or pay $5 for presentation only. Let us know in advance, if possible, if you plan to pay for dinner rather than bring a dish. RSVP by calling 410-252-3043, or emailing Baltimore@Earthsave.org. SPEND YOUR TUESDAYS DISCUSSING CURRENT ISSUES IN WHOLE-FOOD PLANT-BASED NUTRITION Held at 7:00PM on the second Tuesday of every month at varying locations, The Baltimore Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition Meet-Up meets to discuss some of the current topics and issues in whole-food plant-based nutrition. In March, you can join Mark and many others at Szechuan House, located at 1427 York Rd., Lutherville, MD on March 11 at 7:00 PM. This month's topic is: Protein: The Forgotten Vegetarian Nutrient. Meet-up fee is $5.00 per person. For more information, visit: [ http://www.meetup.com/Baltimore-Whole-Food-Plant-Based-Nutrition/ ] INTER-CULTURAL CUISINE Learn the cuisines of other cultures without leaving home. Past classes have included some of the following: sushi/wasabi, chana masala, aloo gobi, basmati rice, saag, chapati bread, moong dal, coriander chutney, potstickers, sweet and sour meatballs, pesto pizza, baked ziti, lasagna, baked spring rolls, hunan-style orange beef, paella, stuffed cabbage, seitan stroganoff, pad thai, and pho. No meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. $55/person; $100/two people; $50/VSDC, VRG, or COK members. Demonstration classes include recipes, organic food samples, manufacturers' samples coupons. Gift certificates are available for purchase. Email veggourmet@aol.com or call 703-643-2713 for space availability. Make checks payable to Mimi Clark and mail to 9302 Hallston Ct., Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Sorry, no phone or e-mail reservations and no walk-ins. Seventy-two hour cancellation policy for refund or credit. Class subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met. Check website for monthly class updates: [ http://www.veggourmet.wordpress.com ] ************************************************************************* 5. VIGIL FOR ANIMALS USED IN ENTERTAINMENT Join Open the Cages Alliance on Thursday, March 27th for a vigil honoring the animals used in entertainment. The vigil will be taking place from 9:00PM to 10:00PM outside the Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. It will take place as attendees leave the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus that evening. Those who attend the vigil will hold signs, leaflet, distribute animal-friendly entertainment list, have personal pledges for people to sign that pledge not to attend traveling animal acts and ask that Baltimore City Hall not allow Ringling or other traveling animal acts to return to Baltimore, as well as engage attendees of the circus and passers-by in conversation. To RSVP, e-mail info@openthecages.org or call 443-478-3074. ************************************************************************* 6. UPTON'S NATURALS: COUPONS AND SEITAN, ALL IN ONE PLACE Upton's Naturals is a vegan-owned seitan company based in Chicago. They make their products free of GMOs, without oil, devoid of artificial ingredients, packed with protein, certified Kosher, and completely cruelty-free. Today, they are offering us a coupon, so print this out and start buying Upton's Naturals seitan today! If you don't see them in your local grocery store, feel free to request their products at the customer service desk and start enjoying Upton's Naturals all year long. To redeem the coupon, visit: [ http://uptonsnaturals.com/PDFs/CouponVRG.pdf ] For more information, visit: www.uptonsnaturals.com ************************************************************************* 7. DONATE YOUR CAR TO A GOOD CAUSE A free, convenient service for converting that extra car, truck, or RV into a tax deductible donation benefiting The Vegetarian Resource Group. You can donate online or call 877-999-8322 to make your donation. Start now at [ http://www.vrg.org/donate ]. If you are not ready to donate, find out about donating your vehicle by browsing all the valuable information and links on our site at: [ http://www.v-dac.com/org/?id=52127903 ]. ************************************************************************* 8. BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG The Vegetarian Resource Group greatly appreciates the support given by our monthly donors. You can join our monthly giving group with a minimum gift of just $10 a month by going to www.vrg.org/donate. You will be part of a network of givers who support our outreach efforts on an ongoing basis. These donations allow us to continue vegan education in a wide variety of venues including schools, doctor and dietitian offices, libraries, various professional conferences, animal rights events, health fairs, environmental festivals, and much more. Thank you for your support! ************************************************************************* 9. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS CHIPOTLE TO EXPAND TOFU SOFRITAS TO NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND MARCH 3RD! [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/28/chipotle-to-expand-tofu-sofritas-to-new-york-and-new-england-march-3rd/ ] VEGETARIAN VIDEO SCHOLARSHIP 2014: ONE $500 AWARD, TWO $250 AWARDS! [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/28/vegetarian-video-scholarship-in-2014-one-500-award-two-250-awards/ ] VIVA LA VEGAN PIZZA AT LEDO'S PIZZA [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/26/viva-la-vegan-pizza-at-ledos-pizza/ ] JOIN VRG FOR TWO YEARS AND RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF SIMPLY VEGAN [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/26/join-vrg-for-2-years-and-recieve-a-free-copy-of-simply-vegan/ ] NEW VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN U.S. & CANADA ADDED TO OUR RESTAURANT GUIDE [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/21/new-vegan-restaurants-in-u-s-canada-added-to-our-restaurant-guide/ ] FARM'S ANNUAL MEATOUT - MARCH 20, 2014 [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/21/farms-annual-meatout-march-20th-2014/ ] INTRODUCING VEGGIE BURGERS AT YOUTH SPORTS TOURNAMENTS [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/19/introducing-veggie-burgers-at-youth-sports-tournaments/ ] TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE OFFERS BEYOND MEAT [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/17/tropical-smoothie-cafe-offers-beyond-meat%c2%ae/ ] UPDATED 2014 EDITION OF VEGAN GUIDE TO LEATHER ALTERNATIVES IS NOW AVAILABLE [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/02/12/updated-2014-edition-of-vegan-guide-to-leather-alternatives-is-now-available/ ] ************************************************************************* 10. ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP Our health professionals, activists, and educators work with businesses and individuals to bring about healthful changes in your school, workplace, and community. Registered dietitians and physicians aid in the development of nutrition-related publications and answer member and and media questions about vegetarian diets. The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization. Financial support comes primarily from memberships, donations, bequests, and book sales. The Vegetarian Journal, a print magazine, is a benefit of membership in The VRG. (For more information, please see the Vegetarian Journal online at: [ http://www.vrg.org/journal/ ]). To sign up for the The Vegetarian Resource Group national email newsletter, please visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]. We are also on Facebook and Twitter!! [ http://www.facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup/ ] [ http://www.twitter.com/VegResourceGrp/ ] If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, or find out more about The VRG, contact us at: The Vegetarian Resource Group P.O. Box 1463 Baltimore, MD 21203 Phone: (410) 366-8343 Fax: (410) 366-8804 E-mail: vrg@vrg.org Website: http://www.vrg.org/ To donate: [ http://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565/ ] Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2014 The contents of this newsletter, and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own. If you were forwarded this message and would like to sign up for our monthly local email newsletter, please see our website: [ http://www.vrg.org/local/ ]. If you do not wish to receive the Local Email Newsletter, visit [ http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-maryland_lists.vrg.org ] Instructions for unsubscribing will appear at the bottom of the page. -- Please support our outreach and assistance to others! Join VRG: http://www.vrg.org/journal/subscribe.htm Donate: https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565 Free email news: http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.htm#subscribe vrg@vrg.org http://www.vrg.org The Vegetarian Resource Group / Vegetarian Journal P.O. Box 1463 / Baltimore MD 21203 US (410) 366-8343 The VRG is an educational non-profit group providing information on vegetarianism& veganism.