The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Inside Books Volunteer Night

Inside Books Volunteer Night

Sundays

7:00 PM - 12:00 AM


Come and open letters from Texas inmates and send them books that they request. We need all the help we can get.
Also, we always encourage people to bring dictionaries and book donations (soft back, please)for our library.

This is a non-profit organization formed to help Texas inmates through literacy and self-education.

Thursdays 6pm-10pm
Sundays 7pm-12am

Location:
Rhizome Collective
(300 E Allen St)

Cost: FREE

Directions: To volunteer: On volunteer nights we can be found at 300 Allen Street in the Allen Street Warehouse. From the highway, take 7th Street east past Pleasant Valley. Once you pass Pleasant Valley you will go over a bridge. The first right turn after the bridge is Allen Street. Allen Street will dead end into the Allen Street Warehouse, which will be on your right.

Organizer:

URL: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=300+Allen+street&city=A

Confessions of an Economic Hitman

"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: What Next for the World?"
A talk, questions & answers, and book signing by John Perkins

Perkins is a former 'economic hit man' recruited by the US National Security Agency to uphold the "corpocracy" that keeps developing countries in perpetual conditions of subservience to the IMF and World Bank.

Economic Hit Men are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as Empire but one that has taken on terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization.

Location:
Garrison Auditorium (GAR 1)
Garrison Hall on the UT Campus

Cost: Free

Directions: for map see link:
www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/gar.html

Organizer:

URL: monkeywrenchbooks.org

Aktionstreffen "Freiheit für Sandra!"

E i n l a d u n g
zum nächsten Treffen der Aktionseinheit

Themen: Prozessbeobachtung, geplante Kundgebung/Demo, Koordinierung von Infotischen

Sonntag, 20. März - 17:00 Uhr
Vorstadtzentrum
Gußhausstr. 14/3, 1040 Wien

www.freiheitfuersandra.tk

Location:

Vorbereitungstreffen für den Wiener Kongress 2005

Von 11. - 17. Mai 2005 soll Wien zum Ausgangspunkt einer Neuordnung Europas werden. Eine Neuordnung, die sich an den Interessen und Bedürfnissen der Menschen - also vor allem auch unseren - orientiert und nicht einer kapitalistischen Verwertungslogik unterliegt.

Vorbereitungstreffen in der Arena, Baumgasse 80, 1030 Wien.

Schön langsam sollte der Ablauf konkretisiert werden. Um die Planung für Interessierte sichtbar zu machen, werden kurze Präsentationen der Inhalte auf der Kongress-homepage veröffentlicht werden (Vorschläge an wienerkongress-AT-gmx.net mailen bzw am Treffen einbringen).

Es wird Räume geben, die mit Inhalten und Veranstaltungen gefüllt werden können, bevorzugt wird jedoch so weit wie mögliche Selbstorganisation - wobei eine Koordination des zeitlichen Ablaufes in der Vorbereitung u.a. im Rahmen der offenen Treffen den Ablauf erleichtern soll. Benötigt werden neben inhaltlichen Inputs: interessierte TeilnehmerInnen, finanzielle Unterstützung und Bereitstellung diverser Ressourcen, Bewerbung des Kongresses (pdfs zur Vervielfältigung auf der Homepage), ÜbersetzerInnen, Räume & (Not)Schlafstellen, Voküs usw.

Kommt vorbei und beteiligt euch!

Und falls ihr mehr wissen wollt: Auf der Homepage finden sich mittlerweile einige interessante Informationen!

Location:
Arena, Baumgasse 80, 1030 Wien

URL: http://wienerkongress.info

Antifaschistischer Widerstand und irakischer Widerstand

Versuch einer Bewertung des irakischen
Widerstands aus antifaschistischer Perspektive

es diskutieren:

Albert F. Reiterer, Soziologe und Politikwissenschaftler
Winfried Garscha, Mitarbeiter des DÖW

**********

Mit welchem Recht kann der Widerstand
des irakischen Volkes gegen die amerikanische
Besatzung heute mit dem Widerstand gegen den
Faschismus damals verglichen werden?

Der historische Anti-Faschismus bedeutete, den Faschismus zu bekämpfen, mit dem Ziel Imperialismus und Kapitalismus zu überwinden. Der Begriff des Antifaschismus wie er heute von vielen verwendet wird scheint seine Bedeutung gewandelt zu haben:
Konservative Geschichts(um-)deutungen haben den Antifaschismus zu einem staatstragenden Element gemacht.
Antifaschismus bedeutet nach amerikanischer
Doktrin Kampf gegen den Totalitarismus:
In konkreter Ausführung heißt das Krieg gegen Jugoslawien und gegen den Irak.

Ebenso wie der Widerstand gegen den Faschismus die Hoffnung auf eine freie und egalitäre Welt in sich barg, so zeigt sich im Kampf der unterdrückten Völker der Wunsch nach einer gerechten und selbstbestimmten Zukunft.

Location:

Cost: -

URL: www.vorstadtzentrum.org

Wien: Vorführung des Videos: No Lager - Nowhere

"No Lager - Nowhere" - eine europäische Film- Koproduktion, rückt den internationalen Widerstand gegen Flüchtlingslager und Abschiebegefängnisse in den Mittelpunkt.

Das Video entstand im Rahmen der Vorbereitung zum europaweiten Aktionstag für Bewegungsfreiheit und Bleiberecht am 2. April 2005.

"No Lager - Nowhere". 39 Min., Berlin 2005, auf VHS oder DVD (englisch oder deutsch)

Ein kurzer Clip zum Video findet sich beim Umbruch Bildarchiv:
www.umbruch-bildarchiv.de/video/

Location:
Fluc Mensa, Wien Praterstern, http://fluc.at/

URL: http://no-racism.net/article/1137/

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

United Anti-War Rally Central Park NYC

The world-wide antiwar movement has called for massive demonstrations against the war on the weekend on March 19-20 -- the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We have a responsibility to respond with renewed determination and commitment in the face of the Bush Administration's launching of a new phase of the war against the Iraqi people.

Calls for United March on Central Park to End the Occupation

"Central Park Belongs to the People --March on Central Park on March 20 to End the Occupation!"

This call for a united effort of antiwar forces came from organizers and activists at the December 4 Emergency Antiwar Conference in New York City. It was greeted with thunderous applause and a renewed determination to be in the streets to fight the illegal occupation of Iraq. (see below for the text of the call)

We propose to set up an OUT NOW coalition, open to all individuals and organizations willing to work together to stop the war. The reason why we are proposing that we call this movement “OUT NOW!” is because these two simple words convey the absolute zero tolerance for the occupation of Iraq that must drive our organizing hence forth. We need everyone to know that the mass movement is re-opening a full-scale campaign to stop the war and end the occupation and that the movement means business.

See also:
www.iacboston.org
www.peoplejudgebush.org

Location:
Central Park New York City

Organizer:

URL: http://www.iacenter.org

The Great American Meatout

local event is 1-4pm in Boston

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:
Copley Square, Boston 1-4pm

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Protest on 2nd Anniv of Iraq War

ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE

GLOBAL DAY OF PROTEST ON THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR

* End the War * Bring the Troops Home Now * Rebuild Our Communities *

March 19-20 marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. bombing and invasion of Iraq. After all of the death and destruction, and with the Bush administration claiming a mandate to continue their war, there’s a new urgency and a stronger determination within the global antiwar movement to bring the troops home now.

LOCAL ACTIONS NATIONWIDE
UFPJ calls on supporters of peace and justice in every corner of the country, in communities large and small, to organize local protests against the war on Saturday, March 19. These can take many forms: vigils, rallies, marches, nonviolent civil disobedience. We especially encourage creative efforts to put the spotlight on the institutions of militarism at home by organizing actions outside military bases or military recruitment offices. List your activities on the UFPJ website calendar at www.unitedforpeace.org/events (select “March 19” under Event Type).

On the first anniversary of the war, at least 319 cities and towns across the United States organized protests. This year there is the potential to organize even more demonstrations, and to bring more people than ever out into the streets. The Bush Administration will soon ask Congress to pump as much as $100 billion more into the war; March 19 is an opportunity to call for an end to this disaster, and to demand that the billions be allocated instead for rebuilding our communities at home and paying for the damage in Iraq.

BEGIN PLANNING LOCAL MARCH 19th ACTIONS
Post your plans at www.unitedforpeace.org/events

Location:

URL: http://www.unitedforpeace.org

Chlotrudis Awards Ceremony

On Sunday March 20th, 2005, the Chlotrudis Society will hold its signature black-tie event, the 11th Annual Chlotrudis Awards ceremony, to honor the best of 2004’s independent films and film performances, and to recognize and celebrate the talents of individuals who have made a mark. Previous awardees include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kerry Washington and Hal Hartley.

CSIF is a Boston-based non-profit group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers.

Location:
TBA

URL: http://www.chlotrudis.org

Peace in El Salvador

Celebrate 20 years of working for peace in El Salvador!

Explore the meaning of solidarity today!

20th Anniversary Delegation

March 14-21, 2005

CRISPAZ invites you to commemorate with us our 20 years of working for peace in El Salvador.

Location:

Cost: $800

URL: http://www.crispaz.org

Sowing Seeds Workshops

The International Institute for Humane Education

Sowing Seeds Workshops

March 19-20, 2005: Boston, MA

Registration includes the workshop, a copy of The Power and Promise of Humane Education by Zoe Weil, and light breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday. (Registration does not include housing.)

All food is vegan. Participants are invited to walk to neaby vegan friendly stores and restaurants for lunch and dinner. Please contact IIHE if you have any food allergies or need assistance walking more than 4 blocks.

Register by March 10th
Student fee: $15 (please send copy of valid student I.D.)

The registration fee stays at the sliding scale of $20-$145 after March 10th, but there is no refund of the registration fee if you cancel after the 10th. Late registrations will be accepted if space is available.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!
Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. To
apply for a full or partial scholarship, please email a paragraph explaining how you think this workshop can benefit you: sowingseeds-AT-iihed.org

Schedule: Saturday: 8:30am-9pm Sunday: 9am-5pm

Registrants will receive more details approximately two weeks before the workshop by email or mail.

Agenda: We do not provide a specific agenda. Each group is unique, and we prefer to allow our facilitators the flexibility to best meet the needs of the group.

Location:
Cambridge College School of Education 80 Prospect St. Cambridge, MA

Cost: $20-145

URL: http://www.iihed.org

Boston Zine Fair 2005

Speak For Yourself: Boston Zine Fair 2005

March 19-20, 2005

Speak For Yourself is a weekend-long event with the aim of bringing together zinesters, artists, and other producers of independent media. The conference includes two full days of tabling and trading, a spoken word show, and potluck meals. There are also numerous hands-on workshops and discussion panels which give us the opportunity to learn new skills to use in our own creative enterprises, as well as to explore the importance of independent media in a corporate-owned world. Speak For Yourself is free and open to the public. In previous years the Boston Zine Fair has drawn hundreds of both local and national publishers, and has been a great way to build community and just enjoy each other's company. Hope to see you there!

The dates for this year's Zine Fair are March 19th & 20th, with a spoken word show taking place the evening of the 18th. All events will be taking place at the Massachusetts College of Art. Check back in the next few weeks for more info regarding the location, as well as new workshops, etc.

Finalized Workshop Schedule:

SATURDAY MARCH 19

Noon- Making a Political Zine (What's Up? Magazine)
Any new 'zine publisher can learn the tricks of the trade. What's a bit more difficult is making sure your activist publication is positive, diverse, and engaging to people outside of your immediate comfort zone. This workshop is about how to make sure your publication is read, understood, enjoyed, and respected. We will address some common initial problems with activist publications, and discuss how to put out high quality journalism that is powerful but not abrasive, emotional but not irrational, professional but not boring, inspiring but not soft-pedaling. We will also discuss the role of content and smart distribution in creating a diverse space that appeals to all progressive-minded people.

1pm- Bookbinding (Leslie Miller)
Don't be spineless! Bookbinding for beginners. Learn Japanese bookbinding techniques that are perfect for small run publications or special editions.

2pm- Screenprinting (Heather Q)
Learn to screen print using the drawing fluid/screen filler method. An easy, fairly on-toxic method of screen printing and can be done pretty inexpensively. A step up from stencilling! Photo-emulsion screen printing will be discussed (with pamphlet!) but not demonstrated. Also, some tips will be shared on cheap materials. Come with a shirt, blank patch or something fabric to print on!

3:30pm- DIY Event Organization (Ben Sisto)
In this general event-production overview, we will discuss topics such as age-restrictions, venue rental + care, city laws, sponsorship, promotion, security, and other aspects of DIY event planning. Special attention will be paid to working within the law to create longer-lasting spaces for underground art and music. This workshop will cover basics, and is recommended for those with little to no experience with event planning. Handouts will be provided. Ben Sisto runs the Honeypump Production Company and is Promotional Director for Great Scott in Allston MA.

4:30pm- Storming the Ivory Tower (Janaka Stucky)
A start-up guide to independent publishing.


SUNDAY MARCH 20

12noon- Blockprinting (Ciara)

1pm- Zine Etiquette and Tips for Beginners (Rosie Streetpixie)

2pm- Breaking Down Bars (Fanorama)
With the encroachment of technology and web zines, prisoner-created zines are one of the last bastions of true d.i.y. creativity in an increasingly bland, sterile and p.c. world. In addition, zines act as one of the only means of alternative information and non-corporate media able to crack through the concrete walls. Creating a zine while in a cage is not only an act of personal liberation, it is often one of defiance and self-transformation. People in prison need a publisher on the outside in order for their words, art and truths to see the light of day. Unfortunately, there are more prisoners that want to create zines than publishers willing to publish prisoner-created publications. Many zinesters have also been brainwashed, like most of society, to think of all prisoners as con artists, "dangerous"opportunists, rapists and serial murderers. In this workshop we'll explore the highs and lows of publishing prisoner-created zines, while exploring moreeffective ways for free-world zinesters to get their printed matter behind bars. The workshop will be facilitated by REB who publishes one of the longest running queer zines, Fanorama, and runs the Fanorama Society Prisoner Zine Distro.

3pm- Zines Can Look Good, Too! (V52 Press)
We know our zine content is good, but how often do we devote the right amount of attention to detail that a well-polished project needs? When V52 began, we made a commitment to make zines and books that would hold their own on any bookshelf, not just the bottom of the magazine rack at Newbury Comics. This workshop will discuss editorial standards, deadlines, how to edit collaboratively, book design, layout, and cover design. Most importantly (and most easily) we will talk about digital printing options that are both low-cost and so much better looking than staples at Kinkos. Not that there is anything wrong with staples at Kinkos.

4pm- DIY puppet making (Heather Q)
Materials supplied, but please bring your zine! Sock and paper bag puppet making with performances (readings from zines) by participants at the end of the workshop. We will address alternative sourcing for craft and art supplies as they apply to different cities. Get to know recycling and cheap shops in Portland, Chicago, Philly, Boston and Providence.

5pm- DIY Instrument making (Heather Q)
Materials supplied. DIY instrument making. Have a freakin' good time for once. geez! Make instruments with fellow zinesters. start a band and then fire everyone 15 minutes later and start a new super group. Alternative sourcing will be addressed during this workshop as well.

Location:
MassArt

URL: http://bostonzinefair.org

Birds: Flagships for the Planet

8th Annual Roger Tory Peterson Memorial Lecture
by Robert Bateman "Birds: Flagships for the Planet"

Canadian-born artist and naturalist Robert Bateman has become a spokesman for many environmental and preservation issues and has used his artwork to help raise millions of dollars for these worthy causes.

In this lecture, Bateman will describe his life's journey, what and who has influenced that path, and how he sees art as one way to raise consciousness about man's effect on nature.

(no time listed?)

Location:
Harvard Museum of Natural History 26 Oxford St. Cambridge, MA 02138

URL: http://www.harvardsquare.com/eventdesc.php?id=5508332

Peace Vigils all over Boston

Sojourners has issued an urgent call to action to honor the lives lost in war, and to advance the imperative for peace. Since March 19, 2003, more than 1,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed, as well as tens of thousands of Iraqis. U.S. citizens have also suffered on the domestic front, as crucial domestic programs that benefit low-income families have been threatened and the already- ballooning national deficit has swelled to compensate for the cost of war. Sojourners calls on readers to gather together in prayer and remembrance, and advocate for lasting peace and security in
the region.

- Vigil marking two years of war in Iraq
Main Street Andover
March 18, 2005,07:00 PM
Andover,MA
A public candlelight vigil from 7-8 P.M. in Andover Center at the Old Town Hall.

- Waltham Concerned Citizens Anniversary Peace vigil
Corner of Main and Moody Streets, Waltham, MA 02452
March 19, 2005,01:00 PM
Waltham,MA
We will gather on the Waltham Common from 1 -2 PM on March 19th. Bring peace signs. We will observe a time of silence

- Vigil marking two years of war in Iraq
Oul Town Hall, Main Street (Route 28), Andover Center
March 19, 2005,10:00 AM
Andover,MA
Public vigil from 10 A.M. to 12 noon at Old Town Hall, Main Street, Andover Center, on Rt. 28.

- Newton Dialogues on Peace and War Peace Vigil
Newton Center Green at Beacon and Center Streets.
March 19, 2005,01:30 PM
Newton, MA,MA
Gathering to express grief, outrage, and determination - Vigil with speakers - Sponsored by Newton Dialog on Peace and War, a local non-profit peace organization

- Prayers for Peace in Iraq
Trinity Church, Copley Square (between Clarendon and Dartmouth on Boylston) Boston
March 18, 2005,06:00 PM
boston, ma,MA
Trinity Associates for Peace will host a service of prayer, readings and reflection to mark the second anniversary of the Iraq War.

- Waltham Iraq War Second Anniversary vigil
Corner of Main and Moody Streets, assemble at the corner that's part of the commons (park).
March 19, 2005,01:00 PM
Waltham,MA
Commemorate the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Organizers are members of Waltham Concerned Citizens and/or First Parish in Waltham Unitarian Univeralist church. Signs are welcome.

- Vigil for Peace in Iraq
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul 138 Tremont Street
March 18, 2005,06:00 PM
Boston,MA
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul will sponsor a candlelight prayer vigil for peace in Iraq on Friday, March 18, at 6:00 p.m. on the steps of the Cathedral.

- END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ
Boston Mobilization 971 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215
Boston, Massachusetts,MA
Sunday, March 20, Boston Common 1:00pm In Solidarity with END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ Event in Central Park, NYC on March 19th as part of GLOBAL DAYS OF PROTEST on Second Anniversary of the U.S.

- Arlington United for Justice with Peace
Arlington Center, Corner of Pleasant Ave. and Mass Ave.
March 21, 2005,05:30 PM
Arlington,MA
Join us for our weekly vigil as we witness to the need for peace after two years of occupation in Iraq.

- Saturday vigil
Halls Corner Post Office (old A & P)
Duxbury, MA,MA
citizens for peaceful solutions vigils every Saturday from 11Am til noon at the Post Office

- United Church of Christ in Abington Candlelight Prayer Vigil
10 Bedford Street (Route 18) Abington
March 19, 2005,07:00 PM
Abington,MA
Vigil in recognition of the second anniversary of the Iraqi War. A brief service of prayer and meditation to honor those who are serving in the war and to remember those who have died in the war.

- First Church in Jamaica Plain, Unitarian Universalis Peace Vigil
corner of Centre and Eliot Streets by the Civil War Monument
March 19, 2005,07:00 PM
Jamaica Plain/Boston,MA
silent candlelight vigil

- Iraq Memorial Vigil
Gordon College 255 Grapevine Rd.
March 20, 2005,02:00 PM
Wenham,MA
Ecumenical peace vigil - candle lighting, reading names of those lost, singing and praying (student led)

- Peace Vigil
Market Square Newburyport MA 01950
March 19, 2005,12:00 PM
newburyport,MA
everyone is welcome with peace flags and appropriate signs.
 
Sojourners | 2401 15th Street NW | Washington, DC 20009  
Phone 202.328.8842 | Fax 202.328.8757 | sojourners-AT-sojo.net  

Location:

URL: http://sojo.demaction.org/event/nationalEventSearch.jsp?national_event_KEY=9&zip=02138&miles=30

Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land

by Bathsheba Ratzkoff & Sut Jhally

Time and Location TBD

Co-sponsored by the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Harvard College

Location:

URL: http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/jfp/main.htm

Truth & Justice Radio

WZBC Boston College Radio 90.3fm

Stan Robinson, Richard Krasner and Sally Giacosanzio carry on the vibrant tradition that Martin Voelker began, airing the week's public affairs, with substantive analysis from Boston events on: foreign policy toward Colombia, East Timor, Iraq, Chile; our role in global warming; alternatives to "the market"; water scarcity; sweatshop labor; biotechnology; the demonization of children for problems of the adult world.

Location:
on the radio 90.3fm

URL: http://www.wzbc.org

Women and the Media Conference

March 18 - 20, 2005

Cambridge, MA

Women and the Media 2005: Taking Our Place in the Public Conversation

KEYNOTES BY:

Medea Benjamin
Daisy Hernandez
Maria Hinojosa
Jill Nelson

Tired of what you hear on the nightly news -- and the absence of women sources, speakers, pundits, and subjects? Ready to see progressive women's ideas and lives treated as if we matter?

Then join us at WAM!, an annual conference where progressive readers, listeners, activists, authors, students, journalists, and concerned citizens meet, share skills, and strategize to increase women's influence in the media.

Don't miss these 2 days of workshops, keynotes, and connections. From the opening talk to the closing reception, you'll be taking your own place among women determined to change the conversation.

Friday, March 18

7pm
VIP RECEPTION with WAM! Keynoters
(An intimate kickoff cocktail reception with all four of this year's keynote speakers-- see registration for details & fees.)

8pm
Free opening keynote talk with Medea Benjamin

*****
Saturday, March 19

8:30am - 7:30pm

Continental Breakfast
Keynote talks by Maria Hinojosa & Jill Nelson
Morning Breakout Sessions
Networking Lunch
Two afternoon Breakout Sessions
Wine & cheese reception

*****
Sunday, March 20

10:00am - 1pm

Action Brunch with Daisy Hernandez: Taking the Next Steps
Conference Wrap-Up
_________________________________________

Featured speakers & panelists will include:

Monica Brady-Myerov (reporter, WBUR/NPR)

Lakshmi Chaudry (senior editor, AlterNet)

Christine Cupaiuolo (author of ms. musings & editor of poppolitics.com)

Liza Featherstone (contributing editor, The Nation, & author of Selling Women Short)

Renee Graham (writer & columnist for The Boston Globe & contributor to NPR's "Here & Now")

Rita Henley-Jensen (editor in chief, Women's eNews)

Janine Jackson (program director, FAIR, & host/producer of FAIR's radio show, CounterSpin)

Lisa Jervis (publisher & cofounder, bitch: a feminist response to pop culture)

Julianne Malveaux (economist, author, columnist & commentator)

Sonali Kolhatkar (host & co-producer, Uprising, & co-director of the Afghan Women's Mission)

Jep Sharp (Reporter, BBC, PRI & WGBH)

Noy Thrupkaew (senior correspondent, The American Prospect)

Helen Zia (author, journalist, & contributing editor to Ms. Magazine)

(read the complete current list of presenters online:
www.centerfornewwords.org/wampanelists2005.html)


Planned breakous sessions will include:

Working the Media: PR for Women's Groups

Being in the Media's Eye: Lesbian Weddings and Culture Wars

Bringing Women and Race Into the Story

Getting Women Heard: On Air, On-line, On Deadline

Feminists in the Media Reform Movement

Talking to Each Other: Media Insiders and Outsiders

Making Women's Opinions Matter: Refusing to be Dismissed

Taking Back the Language: Our Moral Values

(read the complete current list of planned sessions online:
www.centerfornewwords.org/wamsessions2005.html)

COST & REGISTRATION:

VIP Keynote Reception
Friday, March 18 @7pm
$35 before March 1, $45 March 1-17, $55 On-Site

Women & the Media:
Taking Our Place in the Public Conversation
Friday, March 18 - Sunday, March 20, 2005

$95 before March 1, $120 March 1-17, $150 On-Site
Students: $35 before March 1, $45 March 1-17, $55 On-Site

Work-study and Scholarships for those with limited income available - contact Andi via email or phone: 617-876-5310

WAM! registration includes entrance to all keynotes, workshops, and panels, as well as Saturday breakfast, box lunch, Saturday evening wine and cheese, and Sunday brunch. (Please note -- additional registration is required to attend Friday's VIP reception with Medea Benjamin, Maria Hinojosa, Jill Petty and Daisy Hernandez.)

CHANGE STARTS NOW. Take your place in the public conversation.

Location:
Stata Center M.I.T.

URL: http://www.centerfornewwords.org/wam2005.html

Radio with a View

Sundays 10-11:30 am
WMBR 88.1fm

Produced by dave goodman & marc stern for the Independent Broadcast Information Service www.ibisradio.org

*** PLEASE NOTE: Show time has changed to 10:00-11:30 ***

Location:
on the radio 88.1fm

URL: http://www.wmbr.org

Meatout in Salem, MA

Leafleting, Other

Salem and North Shore residents: Join the Salem Vegan Society on Sunday, March 20, 2005, the 20th Anniversary of Meatout, for educational leafleting in downtown Salem, Mass!

Come out and help us educate Salem residents about the many great benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

RSVP for this event no later than Saturday, March 19, and we will e-mail meeting place, time, and locations to you. Plan on joining us for lunch, soy lattes, or your choice after leafleting (location TBA).

Thanks in advance for helping us to celebrate veganism in Salem at Meatout 2005! Also, consider joining us on April 11 at Salem State College's Earth Days 2005. Check the Salem Vegan Society web site's Events page for details - www.salemvegan.org

www.meatout.org

Location:
Various downtown Salem locations

URL: http://www.salemvegan.org

Food and the Common Roots of Justice

Food and the Common Roots of Justice:
Why are we hungry and what are we hungry for?
Food, hunger and the spiritual journey
   
12:00 Simple soup-and-bread meal
(Suggested donation to The Food Project Contributions of staple foods for the food pantry at St. John’s church in North Cambridge are also welcome.

1pm – 3pm
Program Hunger in the US: What does spirituality have to do with it?

Presenter – John Cook has been researching poverty, food insecurity, and hunger in the US for 14 years, first at Tufts University and now at Boston University's School of Medicine.  He was principal investigator during 1995-1997 for the federal government's Food Security Measurement Study that developed measures of food security, food insecurity, and hunger for the US population, now administered by the Census Bureau in its annual Current Population Survey. He is a member of FMC and clerk of the Marriage & Family Life Committee.

Advance Readings for this session will be available on the table in the Friends Center front hall.

Program: Hunger in the US: What does spirituality have to do with it?
Hunger as a social problem in the US is officially described in terms of severe food insecurity. What is food in-security, and how do we know it exists? How is food insecurity related to hunger and poverty? In 2003, more than 36 million people in the US were food-insecure, including 13 million children. Why is this happening, and what does it mean? What kind of moral values allow nearly 13% of all citizens and over 18% of all children in the "wealthiest country in the world" to live without access to enough food for a healthy life? What does it imply about our spirituality? What is being done about this situation, and what can we do, as individuals and as a community? Is there a strong spiritual basis for ending food insecurity and hunger in the US?

Afternoon child care is available on request.
(Call Patricia Watson at 781-648-0072, five days in advance, please.)
For more information and to volunteer to help out with this initiative, contact David Damm-Luhr, 617-566-1205.

Location:
Friends Meeting at Cambridge

URL: http://www.bhfh.org/sqm/Food%20FMAC.html

Anti-Authoritarian Anti-Capitalist Anti-War Convergence

Call for a Boston Anti-Authoritarian & Anti-Capitalist Convergence on the
Second Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

On March 19th and 20th, popular movements across the world will march to
commemorate the invasion of Iraq two years ago and to oppose all ongoing
occupations worldwide.

As the state continues to send thousands of Iraqis and young working class
Americans to their graves for profit...As it looks to expand its empire to
Iran and Syria and Latin America...As it tramples on immigrants and women
and people of color in our land and on the life and dignity of people
everywhere...We must be ready to resist harder than ever.

We are Boston anti-authoritarians, anti-capitalists and anti-imperialists.
We are sick of feeling powerless and demoralized as we allow ourselves to
be herded into permitted routes and lame rallies by joint council of the
police and the self-appointed leaders of the anti-war movement. It's time
to open up the space for people to protest in their own ways and give
voice to their own languages of resistance.

On March 20th, we will take the streets on our own terms, and in
solidarity with the PGA Call, we will seek to take our actions straight to
the Boston homes of the war profiteers, state agencies and media outlets
responsible for perpetuating this war. We will invite everyone who wants
to split from those lame authoritarian speeches to join us in a public act
of mutiny against the war machine.

Bring your drums and buckets, pots and pans, banners and black flags!
Bring your plans to push through the boundaries of the typical protest!
Bring your uncontrollable spirit of defiance!

On March 20th, the whole city of Boston will be our Free Speech Zone, such
that the warmakers and ruling classes will tremble at the sound.

Location:
Across from the Armed Forces Career Center at 141 Tremont St.
On the Boston Commons

Cost: free

Directions: near Park St. station

Meatout in Boston

MARC will be holding a leafleting/sign holding event for The Great American MeatOut on March 20 this year from 1 to 4pm in Boston TBA.

MeatOut, which was started by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), is a yearly event to promote vegetarianism/veganism.

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

* Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.
* Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.
* One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."
* National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.
* Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.
* Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

www.meatout.org

Location:
Boston, TBA

Organizer:

URL: http://www.massachusettsanimalrights.com

The Koran

THE KORAN
with Afroze Mohammed and others

Sunday Afternoons - 2 - 5pm
March  20, & April 3, 2005

This course will provide an introduction to the study the Koran from various perspectives. An overview will be provided of how Muslims view the Koran.  We will discuss historical dimensions of the Koran, including the time frame over which the Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and the reaction it elicited, historically and today. 

The course will provide an opportunity to study central passages of the Koran.  We will listen to tapes of the recitation of the Koran in its original Arabic and also read different English translations.  There will be time for reflection and worship sharing on the passages read and discussion of Quaker perspectives on the role of scripture in religious experience.

Afroze Mohammed - Afroze Mohammed is a practicing Muslim who grew up in Pakistan and the United States and has seen the observance of Islam in both countries. She attended a Quaker school and is very familiar with Quakerism. By profession, she works in the marketing and management consulting fields.

Location:
Friends Meeting at Cambridge

Cost: $30

URL: http://www.bhfh.org/qsp/QSP-04-05.html

American Jewish Film Series

350th Celebration of the American Jewish Community Film Series

The Boston Public Library and The National Center for Jewish Film at Brandeis University in cooperation with The Jewish Women's Archive, The American Jewish Committee, and The Bernard G. and Rhoda G. Sarnat Center for the Study of Anti-Jewishness at Brandeis University present a film series exploring the American Jewish experience.

March 6
The Immigrant Experience: Hungry Hearts
(80 min. b/w. 1922) silent with English intertitles
Director: E. Mason Hopper
Speaker: Joyce Antler, Chair, Academic Advisory Council of the Jewish Women's Archive; the Samuel B. Lane Professor of American Jewish History and Culture, Brandeis University

March 13
Movie Mavens, Jews, and the Birth of Hollywood: Hollywoodism
(100 min. color and b/w. 1997)
Director: Simcha Jacobovici
Speaker: Sharon Pucker Rivo, Executive Director, The National Center for Jewish Film and Adjunct Associate Professor of Jewish Film, Brandeis University

March 20
The Sephardic Experience: Island of Roses: The Jews of Rhodes in Los Angeles
(55 min. color. 1995) English, Italian, French, and Latino with English subtitles
Director: Gregori Viens
Speaker: Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College

For more information, please visit:

The National Center for Jewish Film at Brandeis University
www.Jewishfilm.org

The American Jewish Committee
www.ajc.org

The Jewish Women's Archive
www.jwa.org

The Bernard G. and Rhoda G. Sarnat Center for the Study of Anti-Jewishness at Brandeis University
www.brandeis.edu/centers/sarnat

Location:
Rabb Lecture Hall (Ext. 2270)
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street Boston

URL: http://www.bpl.org/news/upcomingevents.htm

BVS at Grasshopper

Boston Vegetarian Society
Third Sunday Dinner at Grasshopper

We will not have our regular third Sunday speaker event this month in order to encourage attendance at the twonational veg events being held in Boston in March (see above and below).

But for those not attending, or for a treat following the Sowing Seeds workshops today, we will still gather for our regular third Sunday social dinner, a sumptuous vegan buffet for only $8.95 + tax.

Unlimited buffet includes appetizers, soups, several entrees, salad, and fresh melons.

Socialize and get to know others in the BVS community, and let us get to know you!

Location:
Grasshopper, 1 North Beacon Street (Union Square), Allston (Boston)

Cost: $8.95 + tax

Directions: Green Line "B" car (Commonwealth Ave.) Allston St. stop, also on several bus lines.

Organizer:

URL: http://www.bostonveg.org/

Arna's Children (Palestinian doc)

The Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Society of Arab Students proudly presents:

ARNA'S CHILDREN
a film by Juliano Mer Khamis

Arna Mer Khamis was a legendary activist against the Israeli Occupation. Born into a Jewish family she married a Palestinian Arab and spent her life campaigning for justice and human rights in her homeland. Arna founded an alternative education system for Palestinian children whose lives had been disrupted by Israeli occupation. In the Jenin refugee camp, Arna opened a theatre group where she taught the children to express anger, bitterness and fear through acting and art. The children slowly grew to trust and to love Arna: "She's like my mother," says one child. "She helps us. She saved us from the streets." Arna's son, Juliano Mer Khamis, was a director at the theater group and filmed his mother and the children rehearsing and performing over a six year period. When Arna died of cancer in 1995, the theater group struggled to continue for another two years but ultimately did not survive.

Five years after Arna's death, Juliano, now one of the region's leading actors, returns to the camp to discover what happened to "Arna's Children." Shifting back and forth in time, Mer Khamis's film juxtaposes the sweet-faced young boys with the militants and martyrs they become.

"Arna's Children" reveals the tragedy and horror of young lives trapped by the circumstances of occupation.

"Yousef committed a suicide attack in 2001. Ashraf was killed in the battle of Jenin. Ala leads a resistance group. I returned to the ruins of Jenin with my camera, to see what happened to the children I knew and loved...my film tries to tell their stories and to understand their choices."

Director, Juliano Mer Khamis

"A must-see documentary. Sure to spark controversy for its straightforward presentation of the Palestinian struggle, ['Arna's Children'] limns a devastating group portrait of the legacy of occupation." - Variety

Location:
Fong Auditorium, Boylston Hall, Harvard Yard, Cambridge

URL: http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/jfp/

Don't Get SCAMMED! Benefit for Independent & Community Media

Support the local independent media movement by joining us for a Benefit Show on Sunday March 20th.

The night will include performances
by local bands and singer/songwriters:

Carlisle Sound
Pants Yell!
Milo Jones
Rachael Cantu
Brett Saiia

Plus films and speakers!

Location:
Milky Way Lounge and Lanes
403-405 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Cost: $7

Directions: www.milkywayjp.com for directions

Organizer:

URL: http://www.scamm.org

"What's Up" Night at All Asia Cafe

Bringing you the kind of night you need every week....

Resident DJs:
DJ Ray: breaks, drum N bass, slow breaks, funk
raymucci (at ) yahoo.com
DJ Crow: funky beats, breaks, old skool jams
asthecrowspins (at ) yahoo.com

March 6:
Losstunnown: Tru skool hip hop dance and culture.
losstunnown.com

Write To Eat: Graffiti art crew, design
writetoeat.com

March 13:
DJ Yamin (beats not bombs): abstract hip hop, soul & dub

March 20:
Nomadik: old school hip hop, funk & soul
soulkore/nomadik.html

March 27:
resident djs battle to the death!

What's Up is a non-profit grassroots organization bringing arts and awareness to the streets through our monthy magazine and cool events like this one. What's Up provides jobs for anyone who needs one through our street vendor program.

Location:
All Asia Cafe
334 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge

Cost: $3 suggested donation

URL: http://www.whatsupmagazine.org

WSC - Ato Mundial d@s Grafiteir@s e Pixador@s Contra as Guerras

Bom pra quem não conhece, a WSC foi criada por alguns membros da SUAT (mhhob-sp), com o intuito de troca, informação, ação e organização dos grafiteiros. Como primeira ação, estamos propondo uma intervenção nos dias 19 e 20/03 em vários países que temos contatos, para que mostremos nossa posição contra o imperialismo, seja ele qual for. Pois nessa data fazem dois anos de ocupação estadunidense no Iraque.
A idéia é que cada um se manifeste localmente, sua rua, bairro, cidade e registre isso com fotografias para nos enviar. Com esse material montaremos uma página em memória desse bombardeio de atitude de tod@s @s grafiteir@s, pixador@s, e outr@s maloqueir@s. Assim daremos visibilidade as nossas reivindicações.

Peço que, na medida do possível, divulguem ao máximo, com colagens, emails, xerox... o que estiver ao alcance. Estou criando a página de referência do ato em três líguas diferntes (port/espanhol/ing) para que tenha uma maior divulgação.

O link é: atowsc.250Free.com No site tem opções em três linguas, baixem os cartazes em inglês e espanhol e enviem para os contatos dos gringos... assim o ato vai ficar mais montro ainda.


Se alguém quiser a imagem em alta resolução me avise que eu passo por email, ou façam o downlod no site, tem um arquivo em PDF que tá com resolução alta..


Bom é isso ae...

fico por aqui.

Location:
Todas as partes do mundo... na sua rua, seu bairro, sua cidade.

Cost: neurõnios e criatividade

Organizer:

URL: http://atowsc.250free.com

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

MARCH 19 2nd Anniversary of Iraq War

March 19th marks the 2nd anniversary of Iraq. Lets have a strong show of force and show up by the thousands. Bring signs, and noise makers. If anyone has a BULLHORN, bring it! Please encourage anyone you know, that doesn't feel this war is just to show up. We never get good media coverage, so load the local news phone numbers into your cell.

Also, I really appreciate the speakers who are coming out to this event, but we are going to get the our voices heard on a higher level if people turn out in the thousands and we take our message to the streets.

Location:
West Steps of Capitol Building at 1:00 PM

Cost: Free to attend

Organizer:

Jornades contra els centres d'internament

11h-pintada mural contra la repressió
12h xerrada:
Actualitat dels centres d'internament, 2 membres de l'observatori dels drets penals de la UB (Cristina i Marta monclus)
Situació dels menors no acompanyats. Vicens Galea
15h Dinar popular
16h Te i pastes: Assoc. cornella sense fronteres
17h concert i balls populars

Location:
Plaça sants, 12H

Organizer:

Concentració repulsa presència militars a Sant Cugat

Us convoquem a mostrar la repulsa per la presència d'una furgona de l'armada espanyola davant de l'auditori de sant cugat.

Concentració de repulsa dimarts 8 a les 17 h. davant de la biblioteca de sant cugat

Location:
Davant Biblioteca de Sant Cugat

Organizer:

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Picnic in the Park

Click here for the history of Food Not Bombs.
Food not bombs is an international movement of people who work along autonomous, egalitarian, decentralized, organization in order to share vegan and vegetarian food with the hungry and homeless, as well as protest social, economic, environmental, and animal injustice world wide.
Our three main principles are food recycling, non-violence, and consensus.
We feel food, being a substance necessary to sustain life, is a right, not a privilege.
According to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
We feel that the government spends too much money on weapons and war, and not enough to attend to the basic needs of its people.
We feel that by spending money on war instead of its own people, the government's main priority lies outside its own borders.
According to the Congressional Budgeting Office, the United State's will spend over $400 billion on defense alone, and only $387 billion on all other services (Table 10).
We do not feed the homeless. We have picnics and share food with anyone. The most hungry happens to be the homeless. We don't feed them. The food is shared; we sit with them, talk to them, and learn from them. This is not a soup kitchen or any other impersonal service.

Who is Hungry and Why?

According to the US Census, 12.1% (34.6 million people) of the population are current in poverty.
According to America's Second Harvest, the number of Americans who were hungry or food insecure was 33.6 million in 2001.
23.3 million people sought emergency food relief from their network of services in 2001.
The number of homeless people living in America is unknown, however the National Coalition for the Homeless cites an Urban Institute study which says that 3.5 million people (1.35 million children) will experience homelessness in any given year.
In Florida, America's Second Harvest states that the poverty rate is 12%, and that the childhood poverty rate is 18.8%.
The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County counts 6,481 homeless people.
There is no single cause of homelessness in the United States.
Some reasons include lack of jobs, lack of a living wage, decline in public assistance, a lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse (this may often begin after becoming homeless, as a way to deal with the harsh reality of living on the street).
The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough says the two biggest trends of homelessness in the county are a shortage in affordable housing and a rise in poverty, although other factors do have an influence.
There are homeless because our society needs them. It needs people on the bottom and it needs minimum wage earners/"flexible" labor/a reserve army of labor, etc. Why criminalize what we're doing? Doing what we are doing threatens the status quo, social stratification, the "necessary" reserve.. We are lifting the homeless up and treating them as equals - it's revolutionary.

Why Not Get a Permit?

See the main page, Information section, for all the documents the police have given us.
The permit application is expensive, around $100, although the application fee can be waved for non-profit organizations.
We cannot nor do we want to obtain 501(c)3 non-profit status. It is not beneficial to our organization.
The city requires $500,000 liability insurance (3.2).
Insurance purchased through the city costs $240 or more per event.
There is a $25-$50 fee for reservations, plus a $100 clean up fee (although we make no messes).
Permits can only be obtained three times per year.
According to page 2 (#16), of the City of Tampa Special Events Permit Application (the permit we have been arrested for not having) "food and drinks cannot be given away to the public". However it specifies food may be sold, although to do so requires an additional $100 vendor permit.
Overall, we feel that we do not need permission to share our food in our parks with those in need.
We take full responsibility for all food consumed. In fact, we are eating with the homeless, and keep all of our health and safety in mind.

Why Not Feed on Private Property?

Picnics and gatherings are what parks are for.
These are public parks, which means they are our parks, and we have a right to use them.
This is where the homeless live. We feel it is wrong to make the homeless come to us. We wish to share food and have them eat at their homes, and speak with them in their environment.
Tampa Food Not Bombs has been picnicking there for 8 years. The homeless know us and like us; some even prefer our food over others.
Herman C. Massey Park, according to the Tampa Government website, is solely dedicated for picnic use. The fact that there are no bathrooms is something the city must reconcile. What if a family was there to have a picnic and needed to use the bathroom? Where should they go?
The human body takes 4-8 hours to digest food. People are able to find bathrooms within that time, however, are often only able to use them after paying for goods. This excludes the poor, hungry, and homeless.
We have not encountered any problems with waste disposal.

Why is FNB Doing This?

It's the right thing to do!
The government isn't doing it.
We as a community feel we should take care of our fellow humans.
We wish to build and improve our community.
We wish to treat the homeless, hungry, and poor as equals, and raise awareness that they should be treated as such.
We wish to teach self-sustainability.
We wish to build confidence in the homeless.
We are doing this because it should not be illegal. To ignore the laws is to keep sharing food illegal.
We are doing this to change the laws in Tampa. We wish to amend or rescind the current city law that prevents us from sharing food.
For 8 years, we haven't had problems.
We feel this is a violation of our civil liberties guaranteed by the constitution, including the freedom of speech, and the freedom of assembly.
We feel that food is a right, not a privilege or commodity, and therefore it should be given away freely.
We do it out of love.
We feel we must raise awareness that the city is spending more money on redevelopment than on dealing with homelessness and poverty.
There are homeless because our society needs them. It needs people on the bottom and it needs minimum wage earners/"flexible" labor/a reserve army of labor, etc. Why criminalize what we're doing? Doing what we are doing threatens the status quo, social stratification, and the "necessary" reserve. We are lifting the homeless up and treating them as equals - it's revolutionary.

Why doesn't FNB Work with Churches?

We don't need to, the churches are working with us.
The work churches do are important, and we will refer people to utilize their services, however we are not a church, and have different goals, beliefs, and actions.
We are working together to change the laws.
However, we do not share the same goals.
Our organization works on consensus, and we decided through that method that we do not want to be affiliated with churches.
Not everyone in our organization is religious.
We are more secular based.
With religious services, there is no dialogue with the people. You do not get to sit, eat, and talk with those you feed. With us, we ensure open dialogue.
We do not believe humanitarian services should be accompanied by preaching.
We do not believe food should be exchanged for religious ideology.
Churches do not serve vegetarian meals.
Churches are not flexible.
Churches are hierarchical, we are not. We do not want to be entered into their hierarchy and bureaucracy.
Churches should not have a monopoly on feeding the homeless.
There are no requirements to eat food with us.
We feel that religious people often speak to others in a condescending tone.
Religious groups are often exclusionary: excluding different races, ethnicities, other religions, non-religious people, or even gays and lesbians.
We do more than feed. We try to improve lives, provide companionship, promote healthy living, build community, give clothes and books, and teach and learn from the homeless.
We do not push our beliefs on those we share food with.
We don't just feed the homeless; everyone is welcome at our picnics. We also share food at events and protests.

What are the Solutions to Homelessness?

There is no one solution.
We should ask them what they think the solution is.
Taking care of our communities should be our first priority..
We should try to build strong local infrastructures.
We should try to provide more jobs and houses.
We should build more homeless and community centers.
There should be free healthcare and education.
We should end unjust economic practices such as greed; overconsumption; waste; commodification of goods such as food, water, and healthcare; profit fixations, etc.
Mayor Iorio should visit the HUD meetings which have a very detailed blueprint for ending homelessness. She failed to attend the last meeting.
End the stigmatization of homelessness by ending the myths of laziness, violence, etc.
We need to come together to solve the problem because when people suffer, its everyone's problem.
Obviously, there should be money for food, not for bombs.

Location:
Downtown Tampa @ Herman Massey Park

Cost: Free to ALL

Directions: www.tampagov.net/appl_tampa_address_locate/mappage.asp

Organizer:

URL: http://www.TampaFNB.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

No Mandate for War!

Local communities and organizers have planned to hold a rally in Boston Common with speakers and entertainment followed by a march through downtown Boston and ending back in the Boston Common.

The focus:
*U.S. out of Iraq - bring the troops home now; *$80 Billion for jobs, education, housing and healthcare – not war and occupation; *Military recruiters out of our schools, end “stop loss,” no draft.

Location:
Boston Common Bandstand, Boston, MA

URL: volunteer@bostonmobilization.org

Bring the Noise! Resist the Occupation!

Local seacoast progressive and radical peace groups have made a call for autonomous actions in the Seacoast on March 20th, the date which marks two years of US occupation and massacre of Iraq. In addition, there will be a gathering in Market Square, Portsmouth at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20th. Please join us for a space to express the outrage so many of us feel! We aim to create a place where people can resist how they see fit, whether it is by vigil, play music, make art, drum, shout, howl, or march. Come as you are, we'll be in Market Square on Sunday, March 20th. We hope you too can find a way to resist the US occupation of Iraq. Enough is enough!

Global Day of Protest on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Iraq War
* End the War * Bring the Troops Home Now * Rebuild Our Communities *

Location:
Portsmouth Market Square

URL: www.unitedforpeace.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Peace and Poetry Music Vigil

Peace Vigil Concert for the anniversary of
the War and Occupation of Iraq
On Thursday, March 17, Poetry and Music from the Middle East and other places, kick off the observances of the second anniversary of the War in Iraq and the occupation. Darvak and the Arabs Anonymous/No Hay Moros project are pleased to present a stellar line-up of musicians and poetry at Voz Alta, located at 1544 Broadway, downtown.

The musicians include Darvak, a Persian music group located in San Diego and Abaa Koma from Ghana. The poetry reading will include works in the original from Kurdish to Farsi to Iraqi Arabic.

The doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 pm. A donation of between $5-10 is requested to help defray the costs of the performance. Because Arabs Anonymous/No Hay Moros has 501c3 status through the Media Art Center of San Diego and Voz Alta, any donations are tax deductible.

Guests are urged to come early for the best seating since it was standing room only at the last vigil concert in December 2004.

For further media inquiries or to book interviews, please contact either:

Location:
1544 Broadway, downtown San Diego

Cost: $5-$15 donaton

Organizer:

URL: www.geocities.com/darvaksd/events

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Storytelling Marathon & CD Release Event with Michael Katz

The CD is made up of stories from around the world Japan, Eastern Europe, Africa and Mexico (bi-lingual story).
Michael Katz will be telling original stories as well as folktales from around the world throughout the day.
Turn off the TV and turn onto community and storytelling!
I was hoping this event might be consistent with what you list on the calendar.

For more information, go to www.storytellermichael.com

Location:
SOhO - 1221 State St. in Santa Barbara, CA (Upstairs in Victoria Court)

URL: http://www.storytellermichael.com

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Peace Witness, Tallahassee

Join the Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace, Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Sundays and Thursdays in front of the Old Capitol, corner of Apalachee Parkway and Monroe Street
BUSH LIED; CHENEY LIED; RUMSFIELD LIED; POWELL LIED; THEY ARE ALL LIARS; AND THEY THINK YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. BUSH LIES - GIs DIE
Sundays 12:30 to 2:30.
Thursdays 4:00 to 6:00
www.tnjp.org
organize-AT-TNJP.org

Location:
Old Capitol, corner of Apalachee Parkway and Monroe Street

Cost: FREE!!!!!

Equinox Celebration and Cultural Constellation

To understand more about what it means to become native to this place, we will celebrate the Equinox, Sunday, March 20 beginning at 4:00. The equinox is the time midway between the first day of winter and the first day of summer when day and night are equal, and the season turns from winter to our glorious spring. As we sense ourselves as part of the complex and ever-changing web of the natural world in which we reside, we will share thoughts, music and ritual. All are welcome.

The second part of the event will be a Cultural Constellation. This is based on the therapeutic work of Bert Hellinger called Family Constellation work, a very effective type of brief therapy with significant results for individuals and families. The concepts will be extended to explore our lives embedded in culture. We have chosen the site of the first European encampment in this region; in the winter and spring of 1539-1540, Spaniards and Native Americans first encountered each other.

We have all inherited the consequences, good and bad, of that moment. And-- in the same way that a dry pile of leaves can reveal the shape of a spiraling wind-- constellations can help illuminate the field in which we, as a community, operate. We will observe what becomes visible through this process. It is both possible and necessary to align ourselves further with respect and love for this remarkable place and for each other, and this event is an offering to that possibility.

Location:
Corner of Desoto Park Drive and Lafayette Street

Cost: Free (Donations Appreciated)

Organizer:

URL: http://www.heartoftheearth.org/calendar.htm

TallahNOW Third Sunday Coffee

You don't have to drink coffee, or even tea. There are other beverages. If you like to talk about feminist issues and what actions we need to do to change public opinion and policy, this is the place to be. Male feminists welcome. Come for the ideas and to laugh. E-mail us to get action alerts and news in between our monthly gatherings at TallahNOW-AT-aol.com

Location:
Black Dog Cafe

Cost: Whatever you order from bar

Directions: Black Dog Cafe is on the north side of Lake Ella, behind the American Legion Hall, near N. Monroe and Tharpe Street.

Organizer:

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Tampa Food Not Bombs Picnic

Every week we gather at Massey Park to share vegan and vegetarian food with friends. Join us! Have fun!

Location:
Massey Park (Franklin & Tyler)

Organizer:

URL: http://www.tampafnb.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

10,000+ Drums for Peace

I would like to invite you and yours to join 10,000+Drums for
Peace in our second world wide drumming event on March 20th.

The Peace Wave.
A call for world peace and enviromental responsibility.

March 20th " International Earth Day, Spring Equinox, Alban Eilir,
Eostar, Eostre, Feast of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Festival of Trees, Lady Day, NawRuz , No Ruz, Ostara, The
Return of the Sun Serpent, Ostra, Rites of Spring, Setsubun, and
the Vernal Equinox", is celebrated all over the world as a day of
renewal and hope".

Over the last year the earth has been sending us messages in
the form of earthquake, floods, mudslides and tornados. We
need a world wide response to bring attention to the damage we
are doing to the mother of us all. A call for renewed commitment
to our planet in short eviromental responsibility.

This is also the day after the second anniversary of the start of
the Iraq war. There are Antiwar protests planned across the
country for March 19th. We need reach out to all of them. Inviting
them to join our circle. Join in our nonviolent but very loud world
wide call for peace.

Heres how it will work;
To celebrate this day we are asking drum circles in the eastern
time zone to start drumming at 12:00 noon EST and play the
heartbeat for peace for 15 minutes then drum freestyle with the
heartbeat as the root until 1:15 pm. Drummers in the central time
zone will start at 12:00 noon CTZ playing the heartbeat for 15
minutes then freestyle with the heartbeat as the root until 1:15
and so on across the country and then around the world. So its
easy, where ever you are in the United States start at noon and
play until 1:15pm. For drummers in New Zealand, Australia,
Japan, Asia, Middle East and Europe It will be noon on March
21st.

We can do this. We can drum a Peace Wave across the country
and around the World.

For the next 50 days please help me to spread the word around
the world.

If you are not already on the 10,000+ Drums for Peace up-date
list e-mail me at upkentucky-AT-yahoo.com and join our yahoo
group;
groups.yahoo.com/group/UP-Drums-for-Peace

Stop the War,
Protect the Earth
jerry moody
10,000+ Drums for Peace

Location:

Equinox Celebration and Cultural Constellation

To understand more about what it means to become native to this place, we will celebrate the Equinox, Sunday, March 20 beginning at 4:00. The equinox is the time midway between the first day of winter and the first day of summer when day and night are equal, and the season turns from winter to our glorious spring. As we sense ourselves as part of the complex and ever-changing web of the natural world in which we reside, we will share thoughts, music and ritual. All are welcome.

The second part of the event will be a Cultural Constellation. This is based on the therapeutic work of Bert Hellinger called Family Constellation work, a very effective type of brief therapy with significant results for individuals and families. The concepts will be extended to explore our lives embedded in culture. We have chosen the site of the first European encampment in this region; in the winter and spring of 1539-1540, Spaniards and Native Americans first encountered each other.

Location:
Corner of Desoto Park Drive and Lafayette Street

Cost: Free (Donations Appreciated)

Organizer:

URL: http://www.heartoftheearth.org/calendar.htm

Just Talking with Rev. Fuzz

'Just Talkin' with host, Pastor Enoch Fuzz
WVOL Radio am1470 /Sundays 5pm til 7pm

'Just Talkin' provide an important community forum to interview leaders and news makers who can share unique information and discuss issues pertinent to the lives of people and the community.
Phone calls with questions and comments are always welcome 227.1470 or 737.WVOL!!!

Editors note: This is an excellent community forum in Nashville which focuses on a broad range of issues relevant to progressives in middle tennessee including labor, civil rights, immigrant rights and urban development.

Location:

Mideast Peace Coalition

The mideast peace coalition is a progressive book discussion group and gabfest. It has also been an incubator for some of Nashville's most interesting social justice groups including the Peace Coalition. They meet at the nashville peace and justice center. 1016 18th Ave So.

Location:

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

The Great American Meatout

On March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and a host of other countries will hold informative and educational Meatout events. Events will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

The occasion is the 20th Anniversary of the Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

What Is Meatout?

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all US 50 states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts'), exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.

Over 30 million Americans have explored a meatless diet.

One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "in."

National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.

Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.

Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

What Are Meatout Mondays?

Meatout isn't a one-day affair. To keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year, we've developed Meatout Mondays, a new e-mail campaign and pledge option. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to avoid meat or animal products every Monday for the next six months. During this time, they receive a weekly e-mail containing recipes, product information, encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you're veg-curious or a long-time vegan, Meatout Mondays is for you. We invite you to sign-up yourself, your friends, your family or anyone who may be interested in participating by filling out the Meatout Mondays Registration Form.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates a plant based diet and the humane treatment of farmed animals through eight grassroots programs.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.

Producing and distributing display and handout materials.

Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.

Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.

Liaison with meatless food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.

Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.

Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.

Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

Supported by FARM, local coordinators plan, promote, and execute their own Meatout events.

Who Supports Meatout?

Meatout draws massive support from a broad cross-section of groups and individuals. Supporters include animal, environmental, public interest and consumer protection advocates; health care providers, educators, meatless food manufacturers and retailers; mass media, public officials and celebrity entertainers.

Supporters are deeply concerned about the devastation to consumer and environmental health wrought by intensive meat production and consumption. Meatout not only promotes better food choices, but also supports a positive future for the planet.

Every year, scores of governors and big-city mayors support Meatout by issuing official proclamations urging their residents to explore a healthy, nonviolent plant-based diet. We invite you to visit the Meatout Proclamations section of our website to view a few sample proclamations as well as a detailed listing of proclamations issued since 1985.

Many other public figures support Meatout. Celebrities include Ed Asner, Bob Barker, Dirk Benedict, James Cromwell, Doris Day, Peter Falk, Frances Fisher, Jennie Garth, Sara Gilbert, Chrissie Hynde, Casey Kasem, Rue McClanahan, Bill Maher, Hayley Mills, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, and Ally Sheedy. Sports figures include Tony LaRussa, Mark Levy, and Al Oerter. Authors and educators include Berke Breathed, Michael Jacobson, Frances Moore Lappe, John McDougall, Jeremy Rifkin, and Howard Lyman.

Why Meatout?

"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

It's time to begin your journey to healthy, compassionate eating.

Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Kit to find out how!

Location:

Organizer:

URL: http://www.meatout.org

Community Event On the Second Anniversary of the Iraq War

March 20 marks the second anniversary of the Iraq War. We cannot afford
to let this day pass without a large demonstration in our community. We
need to bring back the kinds of numbers we saw in February and March of
2003. We need you there with all your friends, family, and coworkers.

COME TOGETHER is an opportunity to stand together as a community -- with
family, friends and neighbors -- and call for an end to the disastrous
and immoral Iraq war, and to war and militarism in general.

It is a chance to stop and remember those Americans and Iraqis who have
died, and those who continue to suffer, as a result of this war.

COME TOGETHER is an opportunity to count the many indirect ways in which
this war threatens the things we all depend on in our lives: a clean
environment; housing at fair and affordable prices, good schools and
affordable child care for working parents; affordable, quality, health
care; jobs that pay a living wage; public transportation; and a social
safety net for our neediest citizens.

It is a chance to share information, hopes and strategies for bringing
back local, state and national priorities that support life rather than
destroying it.

It will take all of us, working together in our own spheres, in whatever
way we can, to change the direction of our country. It's not enough to
shake your head or nod in agreement; we must do something. COME TOGETHER
invites everyone to JOIN US in saying that another way is possible.

Organize your church, school, work place, union, or neighborhood! Make a
banner and stand together with us.

Refreshments indoors at Edwards Church, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location:
Candlelight Vigil Along Main Street, Northampton

URL: http://www.northamptoncommittee.org