The VRG's Maryland Newsletter by Laura McGuiness
December, 2013

  1. BECOMING VEGAN -- HOLIDAY GIFTS AT 1/2 PRICE
  2. YEAR END DONATIONS
  3. CULTURE AND VEGAN CUISINE, ALL IN ONE PLACE
  4. NOWHERE CLOSE TO D.C.? COME ON OVER TO THE BMA, INSTEAD!
  5. VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS
  6. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS
  7. MARYLAND AREA EVENTS
  8. GIVING MINIMUM REQUIRED IRA DISTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITY
  9. APPLY TO THE VRG SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST NOW
  10. DONATE YOUR CAR TO A GOOD CAUSE
  11. DONATE TO VRG THROUGH THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC)
  12. BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG
  13. FLORIDA RESTAURANT SEARCHES FOR EXECUTIVE CHEF
  14. ABOUT VRG

1. BECOMING VEGAN -- HOLIDAY GIFTS AT 1/2 PRICE

Help spread the word. While supplies last, we can send you five Becoming Vegan books (282 pages) for $45, including shipping. Normal retail price is $99. Give copies as gifts to friend, relatives, libraries, and others. Use as raffle prizes for your organization. Included in Becoming Vegan is information on Protein, Phytochemicals, Fatty Acid Composition of foods, Pregnancy and Lactation, Seniors, Weight Loss, Weight Gain, and Vegan Athletes. Covered are Sources of Calcium, Iron, and Zinc, as well as Chromium, Copper, Fluoride, and Iodine, Magnesium, Selenium and Potassium. Also helpful is a chapter on B12, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Folate, and Biotin. Plus learn valuable info about Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. Also featured are 1600, 2200, 2500, and 4000 calorie menus. Help spread the word by buying these books, as well as also financially supporting our outreach. See picture of Becoming Vegan:
[ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=59 ]

For five books at half price, send $45 to

The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box, 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203

Call (410) 366-8343 Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM Eastern Time, or go to:
[ http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

Write your order in the Comments Section.

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2. YEAR END DONATIONS

Please support Vegetarian Resource Group outreach and research by donating at:
www.vrg.org/donate

Join at:
[ http://www.vrg.org/member/ ]

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3. CULTURE AND VEGAN CUISINE, ALL IN ONE PLACE

Vegan cuisine isn't just for granola toting hippies anymore. Washington D.C.-based chef, Todd Gray, and his partner, Ellen Kassoff-Gray, are serving up 100% plant-based dishes. Every Sunday, Todd Grays' Muse Cafe, located inside the historic Corcoran Gallery of Art, is offering an all vegan brunch.

Taking inspiration from the gallery's exclusive contemporary collection and rotating exhibitions, Chef Gray has created a culinary experience that highlights seasonal ingredients--many of which are sourced from Fresh Farm Market located near the White House.

Highlights from recent menus include: Red curry couscous risotto with coconut milk, kobucha squash, and crispy tofu; truffled macaroni and cheese with wild mushrooms, garlic parsley; and granola-crusted whole wheat French toast with quince and gold raisin compote.

In addition to a hearty, mouth-watering, all vegan buffet, guests will enjoy live music in the beautiful and historic atrium of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Muse Cafe's vegan brunch buffet is priced at $25/person ($12 for children under 12.) Beer, wine, and cocktails are also available for an additional charge.

Todd Gray's Muse Cafe is located at 500 Seventeenth St. in Washington D.C. Members of the Corcoran Gallery of Art receive a 10% discount.

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4. NOWHERE CLOSE TO D.C.? COME ON OVER TO THE BMA, INSTEAD!

If you're too far away from D.C. to make the trip over to Gray Cafe or if you're just in town and craving a bit of art with your vegan meal, try Gertrude's (the John Shields' restaurant at The Baltimore Museum of Art).

Along with several vegetarian items, they also offer vegan options, including their vegan crab cakes, chickpea couscous, Asian vegetable curry, and black bean burgers. In honor of the holidays, Gertrude's will be serving a holiday-inspired afternoon tea on special dates from Thanksgiving till New Year's.

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5. VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS

Valley VegFest - Florence, MA - Saturday, 3/29 [ http://www.valleyveg.org/vegfest/ ]

If you would like to volunteer at VRG events, contact Soren at [email protected].

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.

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6. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS

DEFOAMING AGENT
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/11/04/defoaming-agent/ ]
PARMESAN-ASIAGO CHEESE ON DOMINO'S PACIFIC VEGGIE PIZZA CONTAINS ANIMAL-DERIVED LIPASE
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/11/18/parmesan-asiago-cheese-on-domino%e2%80%99s-pacific-veggie-pizza-contains-animal-derived-lipase/ ]
BEING VEGETARIAN/VEGAN DURING HOLIDAYS OR FAMILY GATHERINGS
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/11/26/being-vegetarianvegan-during-holidays-or-family-gatherings/ ]

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7. MARYLAND AREA EVENTS

JUICE-ING IT UP WITH VEGAN DRINKS

Vegan Drinks will be hosting their annual Holiday Party at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary, located at 3950 White Rose Way, Ellicott city, MD 21042. Catering is done by Dora Siragusa ($25 per person) and a vegan cookie exchange and white elephant gift swap will be part of the event. RSVP required, space limited.

For more information about Vegan Drinks, visit:
[ https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreVeganDrinks ]
[ http://bmorevegan.com/%20 ]

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MEET-UPS IN BALTIMORE, MD

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!

Another gathering will take place at a very popular vegetarian restaurant with wonderful Indian cuisine. It's called Mango Grove. See their website at
[ http://www.themangogrove.net ] .

The location is

8865 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, Maryland, 21045

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/ ]

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. To RSVP, call: 410-252-3043 or e-mail: [email protected]. Dinner Guests may choose to either bring a dish made without animal products (to serve 8) plus $5 donation; pay $12 to enjoy dinner and presentation; or pay $5 for presentation only.

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8. GIVING MINIMUM REQUIRED IRA DISTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITY

According to Forbes, the fiscal cliff deal had a special tax break for donations by seniors.

Those 70 1/2 and older are able to transfer as much as $100,000 per year from their traditional IRAs to charity. The provision last expired at the end of 2011. In the tax deal, Congress has extended it through 2013.

Unless an IRA is a Roth, the account owner must take yearly minimum required distributions starting at age 70½ and pay tax on the distribution. With the charitable IRA rollover, as it is called, the donation can count against the minimum required distribution he/she would otherwise be required to take.

Instead of taking money out of an IRA, the owner asks the custodian of the account to send a certain sum directly to charity. Annual minimum distributions have to be taken by December 31st. In 2013, you must ask the IRA custodian to send the distribution directly to the charity. While there is no income tax deduction for the donor’s contributions, the sum going to charity is not included in gross income. IRA funds donated this way can not be used for contributions to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations or private non-operating foundations. Otherwise, the money can go to any organization to which you can make a gift that would qualify as a charitable deduction (such as The Vegetarian Resource Group) on your tax return.

This is not personal tax or legal advice. Please speak to your lawyer or financial advisor.

To make year end donations to The Vegetarian Resource Group, visit www.vrg.org/donate, call (410) 366-8343, or write to

The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203

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9. APPLY TO THE VRG SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST NOW

Each year, The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $10,000 in college scholarship money to graduating high school seniors who have worked hard to promote vegetarianism in their school and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl.

Only students graduating from a US high school in the spring of 2014 are allowed to enter; their applications must be sent in by February 20, 2014. Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student's US based college of choice.

For more on VRG's scholarship contest, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ] .

Good luck!

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10. 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 by clicking on "Donate Now" below. 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=521279034 ] .

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11. DONATE TO VRG THROUGH THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC)

Federal government employees can support The Vegetarian Resource Group through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Look for us under Health & Medical Research Charities of America.

We are also participating in the California State Employees Charitable Campaign. If you are a California state employee, please support Vegetarian Resource Group outreach.

Please also remember VRG in other workplace fund drives, matching gifts, etc.

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12. 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! www.vrg.org/donate

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13. FLORIDA RESTAURANT SEARCHES FOR EXECUTIVE CHEF

Job Opening for Executive Chef at Sublime in Ft.Lauderdale, Florida, located 10 minutes from beach & downtown. This vegan restaurant has received countless accolades for decor, food, and service. Locals, celebrities, and politicians dine at Sublime. Sublime's rooftop garden is one of 2 Sublime gardens supplying some ingredients.

Salary commensurate with ability. Send resume to [email protected]

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14. ABOUT VRG

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. Fianncial 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: [email protected]
Website: [ http://www.vrg.org/ ]

To donate: [ http://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565/ ]

Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2013 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.

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.