Panel to Address Food Marketing, Labeling and Integrity

Join us at the First Congregational Church, 1124 SW Park in downtown Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 7 pm for an extraordinary opportunity to learn about food marketing and labeling. Is all the sustainable, organic food in the grocery store really what it claims to be? Learn how informed consumers can make food choices to benefit their families and the planet.

To benefit its members and the community, Northwest VEG has assembled a panel of experts in Food Certification to demystify the marketing dilemma. Ryan Wist, a food industry insider and Northwest VEG member, will moderate the panel.

Please join us for this rare opportunity to have your questions answered by the people who ensure marketers have to account for their label claims. Panelists include:

• John Foster, Inspector & Program Reviewer, Oregon Tilth Certified Organic—a highly respected and fully accredited USDA National Organic Program Certifying Agent.
• Roberta Anderson, Business Development Manager, Food Alliance—the most respected Certifier of sustainable agricultural and food processing practices in operation.
• Dan Kent, Managing Director, Salmon Safe—a regionally important standard that certifies a variety of companies’ practices based on their impact on threatened and encroached upon Pacific NW Salmon species.

The event is free, though donations are encouraged to help cover the venue rental. For more information, visit www.nwveg.org/Panel_1006.htm or contact (503) 224-7380 or info@nwveg.org.

Contents
Food Marketing Panel
Vegan Holiday Festival
Thanksgiving Celebration
Walk for Farm Animals
Dine-out News
VegFest Talks on CD
Sugar-Free Halloween
Earthlings to Screen
Vegan Tavern Opens
We Be Bloggin'
E-Coli Linked to Cattle

RSVP Early for Compassionate Thanksgiving Celebration

Join Northwest VEG for our 4th Annual Compassionate Thanksgiving Celebration, to take place at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southeast Portland on Sunday, Nov. 19, starting at 4:30 pm. Northwest VEG will supply dessert and drinks, including vegan pies from Sweetpea Baking Company.

Please bring a vegan or vegetarian main dish, salad or dessert, a card listing its ingredients, and plates and utensils for your use. If you come by yourself, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount four servings for each additional person in your party/family.

Our space is limited so reservations are required. For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Jill at jill@nwveg.org or (503) 297-8435. More event details will be provided with your confirmation.

Vegan Holiday Festival to Feature Speakers and Lots of Great Food

Mark your calendar for the Vegan Holiday Festival at Lincoln High School, 1600 SW Salmon St. in Portland, OR, set for Saturday, Nov. 18, from 11 am to 6 pm. The goal is to strengthen the vegan community — and celebrate and recognize local vegan businesses, organizations and individuals. Anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of where they stand on the food continuum.

The event is timed to recognize the holiday season and show how vegans can thrive during this time of year, which is typically focused on using animals for food and clothing. Robert Cheeke and Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness are presenting this event, with support from Northwest VEG. Speakers include 4th generation cattle rancher turned vegan activist Howard Lyman (pictured), Bo Rinaldi of Blossoming Lotus Cafe, Chef Al Chase of Culinary Awakenings, and Ani Phyo of Smart Monkey Foods. Exhibitors include Food Fight Grocery, Proper Eats, Blossoming Lotus and many more. Only $5 for the day! See the November newsletter for more information, or visit www.veganholidayfestival.com.

Featured Talks from Portland VegFest Now Available on CD

Did you miss VegFest last March or would you like to hear the outstanding talks by our featured speakers? Howard Lyman, cattle rancher turned vegan activist and author, discusses "Eating the Earth, A Bite at a Time." Author George Eisman (pictured), RD, discusses "The Health Benefits of a Meatless Diet and Dairy's Connection to Breast and Prostate Cancer," and Bo Rinaldi, writer, activist, and owner of Blossoming Lotus Café discusses "Ancient Food, Super Food, and the Future of Food."

The 1-hour CDs are $5 a piece or all three for $10. Include $2 for mailing and handling. Please make your check to Northwest VEG and send to Linda Sant'Angelo, Treasurer, 24305 NE Elkhorn Road, Brush Prairie, WA 98606.

Portland Walk for Farm Animals Turnout is Second Highest in North America

On September 30 hundreds, possibly thousands, of pedestrians and motorists in downtown Portland saw a large number of spirited walkers carrying signs, several wearing farm animal costumes (Laura Guimond as sheep, pictured) — and numerous dogs along for the fun. Our Walk for Farm Animals, a fundraiser for Farm Sanctuary, had 113 walkers, the second highest in North America, behind New York City.

Our signs read Stop Factory Farming, Farm Animals Have Feelings Too, Say No To Veal, and Go Veg. Spontaneous chants declaring these themes broke out at various times, raising our volume and intriguing passersby. Thanks to Northwest VEG for organizing the walk and Blossoming Lotus Café for providing drinks, cookies, and a superb location for the walk check-in! See photos of the walk at www.nwveg.org.

The $8,600 we raised collectively will go a long way to support Farm Sanctuary's rescue and protection campaigns. Thanks to all the walkers for their efforts to raise money to help this excellent cause! Walkers who raised $100 or more will receive prizes from Farm Sanctuary. In addition, top individual and team fundraisers will receive prizes donated locally by Food Fight Grocery, Kinta Restaurant, Mirador Community Store, Annie Bloom’s Books, artist Jessica Dadds, and photographer Charley Korns. Thanks to all of these generous donors and the volunteers who made the event a success!

We Be Bloggin'

According to one respondent to this summer's Veg Favorites Survey, the best interactive blog (and best way to spend a morning on the net) is OrangeClouds115 Vegetables of Mass Destruction on Daily Kos. Catch it every Sunday starting around 4:30 am to usually about noon, although they can be read anytime and comments can be left for couple weeks—usually 100 to 600 comments each week. Diaries are written by a vegan and usually include several seasonal vegan recipes.

Another recommended Daily Kos blog was What's For Dinner? It's a collaborative effort by three people who rotate posting the diary. Everyone is welcome and at least one of the authors is vegetarian (if not vegan) but all are supportive and have great tips. It's posted on Saturday afternoons and going into the evening.

Diners Enjoy Array of Dishes at Vegetarian House Dine-out
By Ardis Karr-Robak, Dine-out Coordinator

Have you ever thought about how great it would be to walk into a restaurant, be handed a thick menu with, oh, let's say, 75 entrees, and be able to choose any one of them? It can happen, at Vegetarian House in Chinatown, site of our September dineout. In the mood for something familiar and comfortable? Choose a vegetable, chow mein or fried rice dish. Looking for something different? There are nine mock fish dishes, six of them spicy. Try tofu hushpuppies, lemon or orange chicken, sweet and sour beef or beef in tangy sauce for memorable textures and flavors. The best way to sample the plethora of dishes is family style with 8-10 people, utilizing the lazy susan in the middle of one of the round tables. The weekday lunch buffet is also an excellent way to try multiple items. Portions are large and sauces are generous. The food is unique, savory, and consistently superior. Frozen faux meats are also available to take home. Vegetarian House, a Northwest VEG business partner, is open daily at 22 NW 4th Ave.

This month we'll meet at Casa Grande Restaurant, 2014 Main St., Vancouver, WA, (360) 694-7031. The extensive vegetarian menu (16 items) includes squash enchiladas and spinach tamales. Please RSVP the number in your party (required) to Ardis at ardis@nwveg.org or call (503) 224-7380 by Oct. 11. If your plans change after you RSVP, please let Ardis know before Oct. 14.

Successful Dine-outs Depend Largely on Courtesy of Guests
Everyone who has attended Northwest VEG dine-outs is important to our group, and so is your presence at our functions. We operate the dine-outs with a strict RSVP policy because it helps the event run more smoothly for everyone. It is difficult to maintain a good rapport with restaurants when they set up specifically for us then end up with empty seats because of no-shows. Latecomers also interrupt the event by leaving prompt diners unsure as to when to start ordering. Please contribute to successful dineouts by responding by the deadline, arriving on time, and notifying us when you will not be honoring your reservation. You may not think that one or two empty chairs are significant, but every individual is important and each absence negatively affects the event. Thank you for your cooperation.

Earthlings to Screen at PSU

Northwest VEG will partner with Food for Thought vegetarian restaurant to show Earthlings on Nov. 8 at Portland State University. The film is a feature length documentary about humanity's dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by actor Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Walk the Line) and features music by Moby.

With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, Earthlings uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, Earthlings is arguably the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests.

Earthlings will be shown on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 pm at the Multicultural Center, Smith Center Student Union, on the PSU campus. There is no cost, and light refreshments will be served. To learn more about the film, visit www.isawearthlings.com.

Sugar-Free Halloween Party Inspires “Name the Party” Contest

Holidays can be a hard time for children with diabetes. To make it a bit easier, Jeanne Duvall is organizing a “Sugar-Free Halloween Party” on October 29 so that children with diabetes can have fun without all the temptation of sweets that could cause them harm. Non-diabetic children will also find this great fun. They will have the traditional apple bobbing, face-painting, and prizes for best costumes and best carved jack-o-lanterns. In addition, Leapin’ Louie Lichtenstein will perform cowboy tricks, juggling, acrobatics, and music.

The party will be held Sunday, October 29, from 3 to 6 pm, at the Native American Community Center at Portland State University, at the corner of Southwest Broadway and Jackson. Jeanne is looking for more volunteers and sponsors to help support the party.

In addition, a contest is being held to come up with a great name for next year’s Sugar Free Party to make clear that this is about natural fun and not artificial sweeteners. Blossoming Lotus is donating a $100 gift certificate and a copy of the Vegan World Fusion Cuisine Cookbook to the person who comes up with the winning name. For more information or to submit an entry to the “Name the Party” contest, visit www.emmagene.com/party/index.htm.

Vegan Tavern Opens in Northwest Portland
By Charley Korns, E-Bits Editor

After running a café called Vegan Terra near L.A. for several years, Johnny Zukle moved to Portland and got busy. He chose the Rose City because of its lower property costs and veg-friendly atmosphere. The result is the 100% vegan Pirates Tavern, which opened in Northwest Portland last month, offering a limited menu. A grand opening is planned for Nov. 1.

Taste treats include Shaolin Temple, golden nuggets of mock chicken with steamed veggies and brown rice bathed in mildly spicy and sweet house made Sichuan sauce. The Sierra Madre involves marinated and baked tofu with steamed veggies and brown rice, topped with a house-made creamy white sauce. The Mediterranean is composed of house-made falafel, hummus and tabouli with whole wheat pita bread. Diners may also indulge in burgers, fries and soy shakes. Alcoholic beverages include organic beers and wines, as well as cocktails.

An ethical vegan for more than 20 years, Zukle is meticulous to ensure that all the food at Pirates Tavern is vegan and mostly organic. “My mission in life is to help Good flourish and to vanquish all Evil in this Universe and any others that may exist,” said Zukle. “Our first step must be to stop dining on murder victims.”

Although the prices at Pirates are higher than other local veg restaurants, diners may dig a little deeper to enjoy the novelty of “meaty” American favorites, comforted by the familiar combinations of "food groups" and the fact that no animal suffered for their dinner. Children are permitted in the restaurant but not the lounge; however, there is no children’s menu.

Pirates Tavern, located in Portland at 2839 NW St. Helens Rd., is open 11:30 am to 11:30 pm, and till 1:30 am Fri-Sat. Exit 405 on Vaughn St. and go past the Montgomery Park building. The street will slope to the right. At the stoplight turn left on Nicolai, which turns into St. Helens Rd. Visit www.piratestavern.com or call (503) 222-6600.

E-Coli Outbreak Linked to Grain-Fed Cattle

An article in the New York Times (9/22/06) traced last month’s E-coli outbreak to grain-fed cattle. Turns out this particular form of E. coli only survives in the stomach of grain-fed cattle; cattle that are fed their natural diet of hay, grass, and other foliage don't have this problem. Apparently, this E. coli from the feces of grain-fed cattle can contaminate groundwater and thereby the plants at neighboring farms, where spinach and other crops may grow.

The article by Nina Planck stated that the United States Department of Agriculture recognizes the threat from huge lagoons of feedlot waste and picks up 75 percent of the cost for a confinement cattle farmer to make manure pits watertight, either by lining them with concrete or building them above ground. “But taxpayers are financing a policy that only treats the symptom, not the disease, and at great expense. There remains only one long-term remedy, and it’s still the simplest one: stop feeding grain to cattle.

“California’s spinach industry is now the financial victim of an outbreak it probably did not cause, and meanwhile, thousands of acres of other produce are still downstream from these lakes of E. coli-ridden cattle manure. So give the spinach growers a break, and direct your attention to the people in our agricultural community who just might be able to solve this deadly problem: the beef and dairy farmers.”
Read the article>>

The Northwest VEG E-Bits is published via email around the first of every even-numbered month. If you would like to contribute to E-bits, or if you have any feedback, please contact Charley Korns, Editor, at charley@nwveg.org.