The VRG's Maryland Newsletter by Mary H.
July 2011

  1. A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
  2. LOCAL HELPING HANDS NEEDED
  3. UPCOMING VEG EVENTS
  4. ANNUAL PRE-THANKSGIVING DAY POTLUCK -- NOVEMBER 20, 2011
  5. WORLD VEG DAY & WORLD FOOD DAY DINNER at CHAN'S SUNDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2011 5PM
  6. PERFECT RECIPES FOR YOUR SUMMERTIME BARBEQUE
  7. A NEW CREDIT CARD FROM THE VRG
  8. FOOD INGREDIENT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE ON MOBILE DEVICES
  9. TOP 5 VEGAN FOOD SURVEY
  10. WELCOMING A NEW INTERN TO THE VRG OFFICE
  11. NEEDS BASED INTERNSHIP AVAILABLE -- ELEANOR WOLFE SCHOLARSHIP
  12. WORKERS NEEDED FOR NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST

1) A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

We hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend and was able to celebrate with family and friends! The summer brings plenty of great outdoor opportunities for outreach, networking, and having fun while promoting The Vegetarian Resource Group. So far we have had an active season and thanks to our wonderful volunteers we were able to participate in the following events:

  • The VRG represented and distributed materials at the ECOFair, which took place at Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, MD on June 5th. Thanks to Mark Rifkin and intern Jessica Friend!
    To read Jessica's report on the event, see: [ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/2011jun.php#s6 ]
  • Also on June 5th, intern Lindsey Siferd and volunteer Dorothy Kenny helped host our booth at Federal Hill Jazz Festival in Downtown Baltimore!
    To read Lindsey's report on the event, see: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/06/15/federal-hill-jazz-and-blues-festival-vrg-outreach-booth/_ ]
  • We were able to have a presence once again at Richmond Vegetarian Festival this year on June 18th thanks to the dedication and proactive position taken on by Dorothy Kenny! If you are interested in participating in any out-of-town outreach events we would love to hear from you. Contact Mary at [email protected]
  • Long time volunteers Ryan Andrews and Lisa Shapiro hosted The VRG's booth at Colorado VegFest 2011 on July 2nd!
  • Our office thoroughly appreciates the in-house help from volunteer Eric Kantor! Eric is a local high school student and has come in up to three times a week this summer to lend a hand with clerical duties. Thanks Eric!

Our involvement in the community is made possible by the generosity of kind hearted members and donors. If you would like to support The Vegetarian Resource Group's outreach activity, please see our donation page: [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]

2) LOCAL HELPING HANDS NEEDED

There are upcoming events for which volunteers are still needed for outreach booths, and we would be most grateful if you joined us! To get involved, please contact Mary at [email protected].

September 10th, Saturday--we are planning ahead for fall events. The more volunteers the better to help at Hampden Fest in North Baltimore. [ http://hampdenfest.blogspot.com/2006/08/what-is-hampdenfest.html ]

September 18th, Sunday--after a successful booth experience in June, we are going back again to connect with the crowd in Federal Hill at the Street Beat Festival. [ http://www.historicfederalhill.org/www/docs/4 ]

September 24th, Saturday--the annual VegFest in Washington D.C. hosted by VSDC and COK from 11:00AM-6:00PM will certainly be a festive celebration of all things vegetarian. [ http://dcvegfest.com/ ]

The VRG is grateful for the opportunity to showcase our materials and reach out to the communities in Baltimore at local farmers markets. Volunteers are need for upcoming Saturday mornings to help host these booths. For upcoming dates and more information contact Mary, [email protected]

At each event we also need an individual to take on the role of photographer so we can post pictures on our website of local fairs and festivals we take part in. If you are interested in getting behind the lens and snapping photos for The VRG we would be most grateful for your contribution!

3) UPCOMING VEG EVENTS

July 23rd, Saturday- 32nd Street Farmers Market
7:00AM-12:00PM Stop by The Vegetarian Resource Group's information table at the farmers market this Saturday while picking up fresh and locally grown & prepared baked goods, produce, fruit, prepared foods, or flowers. The Farmers Market is located at the parking lot on E 32 Street and Barclay Streets. [ http://www.32ndstreetmarket.org/ ]

July 23rd, Saturday- The Yabba Pot Presents...
2:00-4:00PM "Nelle's Secret to Natural Baby Food". Tasting and tutorial, by reservation only. Registration is $40. 7:00PM "The Roaring Twenties & More by Rosetta" 1920's attire, food, fun, dancing, and live performances! Admission costs $10. The Yabba Pot is located at 2433 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 and their phone number is (410) 662-8638. For reservations, email:[email protected] [ http://www.theyabbapot.com ]

July 30th, Saturday- Vegan Potluck & Live Talk: Michael Greger, MD: "Nutrition Update 2011"
Hosted by EarthSave, this Dinner Education Series takes place on the last Saturday of each month, from 6:00-9:00PM at the Learning Center/Yoga Studio of Your Prescription for Health, 10210 S. Dolfield in Owings Mills. Guests are asked to bring a vegan dish that serves 5-8 people and a $5 donation. email [email protected] or call (410) 252-3043.

August 6th, Saturday- First Saturday Vegan Potluck in Ellicott City, Maryland
The first Saturday of each month, The Sorak's welcome guests into their home and ask them to bring a vegan dish to share! Invite friends, kids, and the merely curious. Sign up for the Yahoo Group to hear about upcoming potlucks at [email protected] or [email protected].

August 12, Friday- Gene Baur to Speak at The Land of Kush
Gene, President of Farm Sanctuary will be highlighting milestones over the past 25 years of work for farm animals. $20 admission includes a vegan buffet and proceeds for Farm Sanctuary. To reserve your spot email, [email protected] [ http://www.farmsanctuary.org/farm/calendar/speaking_tour/events.html ]

August 14th, Sunday- Health Snacks & Desserts: Vegan Cooking Class& Book Signing at Fairfax Station, Virginia

From 10:00AM-1:00PM guest chef Emily Mainquist, author of "Sweet Vegan" and owner of Emily's Dessert Bakery & Kiosk in Baltimore will be demonstrating vegan recipes and offering samples from her new cookbook. Registration is $55. Email [email protected] or call (703) 643-2713. [ http://veggourmet.wordpress.com/ ]

4) ANNUAL PRE-THANKSGIVING DAY POTLUCK -- SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Mark your calendar now! The VRG's 2011 Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck will be held on Sunday November 20th at North Baltimore Mennonite Church in Roland Park at 5:00PM. Only a few months ahead and planning is underway! Volunteers needed for set-up starting at 3:00PM, to greet guests at the door and host the book table during the dinner, and for clean up after the event.

For more information, email Mary at [email protected]

5) WORLD VEG DAY & WORLD FOOD DAY DINNER at MR. CHAN's SUNDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2011 5:00PM

Join The Vegetarian Resource Group as we come together to celebrate World Vegetarian Day & World Food Day on Sunday October 23rd, 2011 at 5:00PM.

The menu includes: tea, choice of veggie hot & sour soup or veggie wonton soup, veggie egg roll, white and brown rice, and 5 main dishes served family style: crispy orange seitan, tempeh with kale, garlic szechuan green beans, yuba with eggplant and basil, grilled tofu with black bean sauce and broccoli.

$20 per person. Reserve your spot today by calling (410) 366-8343 or by mailing a check to PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.

*Refund made only if your seat is replaced *Menu subject to change

6) PERFECT RECIPES FOR YOUR SUMMER BARBEQUE

Have you gotten your copy of our newest publication, 'VEGANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY' by Chef Nancy Berkoff?? A great resource for throwing a successful gathering for vegetarians, vegans, and the veg curious! This creative and festive cookbook is full of hassle-free, plant-based recipes that fit right in line with the effortless, exciting summer season. Get your 'Party' book today!

To order, see: [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 ]

7) VRG'S NEW VISA PLATINUM REWARDS CARD IS NOW AVAILABLE

When a cardholder activates the card, The VRG receives $50 and for the life of the program The VRG will receive a portion of every dollar the cardholder charges. Add your support with every purchase when you use this card! Four beautiful card designs to choose from and no annual fee!

To apply, see: [ http://www.cardpartner.com/app/vrg ]

8) FOOD INGREDIENT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE ON IPHONE AND IPAD!

The VRG'sGuide to Food Ingredients is now available on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (iOS 4.0 or later)! Perfect for deciphering ingredient labels while you are on the go, the Guide lists the uses, sources, and definitions of 200 common food ingredients. Best of all, its FREE!

To download the app, click here: [ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/guidetoveganandvegetarianfoodingredients/id443466136?mt=8 ]

9) TOP 5 VEGAN CAMPUS FOOD SURVEY

The current interns in The VRG office, Jessica Friend and Lindsey Siferd are conducting a survey to determine the top 5 favorite vegan foods on college campuses across the country. Vegetarian and vegan college students are encouraged to participate!

Here is the link to the survey: [ http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5L839K8 ]

10) WELCOME A NEW INTERN TO THE VRG

LOCAL AND LONG-DISTANCE INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Vegetarian Resource Group is happy to introduce the newest addition to the office, Yasmin Radbod! Yasmin will be a junior at UMBC next year and is the President of UMBC Vegetarians. She has employed the skills she gained during her experience organizing at school and we are looking forward to having her help with upcoming projects, such as the National Restaurant Guide & Vegetarian Journal articles.

The Vegetarian Resource Group has intern positions available for local and long-distance volunteers for the upcoming Fall and Spring 2012. Know an eligible individual with a passion for vegetarianism? For more information, please visit:

[ http://www.vrg.org/student/index.php ]

Have room to host an intern in your home? There are times when long distance interns come to Baltimore to work in the office and housing is needed for those individuals. For more information, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].

11) NEEDS BASED INTERNSHIP AVAILABLE -- ELEANOR WOLFF SCHOLARSHIP

We also have one needs-based internship still available. The Eleanor Wolff Scholarship is a $2,500 paid internship at the VRG office in Baltimore for a student who is motivated to use the knowledge and skills they gain from the internship to impact and make effective change on behalf of vegetarianism. For more information please visit, [ http://www.vrg.org/student/eleanor_wolff_scholarship.php ]

If you would like to make a donation towards our intern training: [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]

12) WORKERS NEEDED FOR NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST

The Natural Products Expo East will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center from Thursday September 22nd to Saturday 24th. A temporary staffing agency is looking for articulate, outgoing veg folks who are reliable and responsible to work at this event. The individuals will be working at a booth with the manufacturer or a company representative and will be trained on the products being exhibited. Must be available to work all three days. Interested parties should email [email protected] for more information.

[ http://www.expoeast.com/expoeast2011/public/enter.aspx ]

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 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 Vegetarian Resource Group national email newsletter, please visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]

We are also on facebook and twitter!!
[ http://www./facebook/.com/pages/The-Vegetarian-Resource-Group/117682300680 ]
[ 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: [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565 ]

Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2011 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 wish to not receive the Local Email Newsletter, send an e-mail message to [email protected] with the phrase "remove me from local email newsletter".