Earth Day Events This Weekend - Ben Shaberman and MFA

Quick tip on a couple of great events to check out this weekend…

Plano Live Green Expo / Ben Shaberman

In addition to a wide array of green exhibits, vegan essayist Ben Shaberman presents a reading from his book of humorous essays, The Vegan Monologues, at 9:30am and 12:00pm. This is an an amazing opportunity to see a nationally published vegan author and show our Dallas Vegan support!

Plano Live Green Expo
Saturday, April 17, 2010
9am – 7pm
Plano Centre
2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy. Plano, TX 75074

Oak Cliff Earth Day

Head to the 4th annual Oak Cliff Earth Day celebration on Sunday. Our friends at Mercy For Animals will join over 100 exhibitors on everything from green living to tips on the environmental benefits of switching to a vegan diet. Check out what should be a great event!

Oak Cliff Earth Day 2010
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Noon – 5PM
Lake Cliff Park
1200 N Zang Blvd, Dallas, TX 75203

Email us at events@dallasvegan.comto get your event listed.

MFA Benefit concert – This Friday, March 26th

In support of opening a new office in Dallas, Mercy For Animals (MFA) is organizing a benefit concert this Friday, March 26th, at The Cavern. Show begins at 8:00 pm (doors at 7:00 pm), $5-10 donation (or more!). Check out some awesome bands and help the animals!

The show will feature five local veg-friendly bands including Museum Creatures, Division Of Power, Soft Environmental Collapse, Saboteur, and The Shortest Distance.

	Soft Environmental Collapse
	Saboteur
	Division Of Power
	Museum Creatures
	The Shortest Distance

About MFA

Dallas got its introduction to Mercy For Animals and its founder, Nathan Runkle, during the 2009 Alan Ross Freedom Parade when more than 60 volunteers marched on behalf of the organization.

During that visit, Runkle also screened Fowl Play, a documentary produced by MFA exposing inhumane treatment of factory-farm laying hens, to the media at a dinner hosted by Spiral Diner. While MFA had no formal presence in Dallas at the time, it made sense for an organization focused on defending the rights of animals raised for food to establish roots in a food-centric city such as Dallas.

Since then, former Dallas Vegan blogger Eddie Garza has worked on numerous fundraising activities for MFA. Thanks to his efforts and that of many generous donors, the establishment of a local MFA office has become a reality. We’re happy to have MFA in town to join so many other great organizations in defending the rights of all animals.

MFA Benefit Concert
$5-10 Donation (suggested)
Friday, March 26th
8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm)
The Cavern
1914 Lower Greenville
Dallas, TX

Free Screening of Award-Winning Documentary Fowl Play

Join Mercy For Animals for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Fowl Play.

This powerful film takes viewers on an unforgettable journey behind the closed doors of some of the country's largest egg production facilities and graphically illustrates the heartbreaking plight of laying hens condemned to lives crowded inside file-drawer-sized cages.

Through touching interviews with animal rescuers, undercover investigators, veterinarians, and animal behaviorists, we hear compelling stories motivated by kindness and courage from the dedicated individuals who are fighting to save the modern day hen - perhaps the most abused and exploited animal on earth.

To learn more about the film, visit www.FowlPlayMovie.com.

Contact Eddie Garza to RSVP, or for more information, via email at DallasVegan@gmail.com or by phone at (469) 826-2644.

Where: Clubhouse of Serendipity Apartments, 8780 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75231  

MAP

When: Friday, October 23, 2009 - 7 p.m.

If you need more information, click HERE to e-mail MFA.

Reposted from www.MercyForAnimals.org

Veg-Head of the Week: B.J. Hernandez

Here at DallasVegan.com, we’ve got the scoop on all things vegan in DFW. Yeah, we get around. And we never shy away from an opportunity to meet other like-minded people.

On our scouting missions, we’ve met some of the area’s coolest veg-heads! Well, we want you to know them too, so we’re starting a new feature on the site that will showcase a different DFW veg-head each week. Shoot us an e-mail at dallasvegan@gmail.com for your 15 minutes of fame!

Veg-Head of the Week: B.J. Hernandez

B.J. is currently a senior at Flower Mound High School, where he serves as principal trombonist of the award winning Flower Mound High School Wind Symphony. In addition to playing trombone in his high school band, B.J. is member of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, the Texas All-State Band, and he also doodles with the accordion.

But the coolest thing about B.J. is that he’s a kid with a conscience! B.J. recently participated in the Texas Freedom Parade with Mercy For Animals (MFA), and he’s known to distribute Vegan Outreach and MFA pamphlets to his peers in the burbs. Way to speak up for the animals, B.J.!

Years Veg: 4

Hobbies: Playing music, riding bikes, reading, gardening, camping, and cooking…mostly black bean burgers and flour tortillas.

Goals: Play trombone in a major orchestra and live healthy.

Favorite Recipe: Chocolate Walnut Fudge from The Good Heart Recipe Book by Jonsi (of Sigur Ros) and his partner Alex. Check it out!

Chocolate Walnut Fudge

3 cups walnuts
2 cups coconut
1/2 cup cacao powder
1/3 vanilla bean
3/4 cup agave nectar
pinch of salt

Blend the walnuts. Then blend the coconut. Then mix it together in a bowl with your hands…Add the other ingredients, then refrigerate for at least one hour…Last, cut into rectangles.

B.J.—keep being awesome!

A Note of Thanks/A Call to Action

It’s difficult for me to write this post, as I get extremely emotional thinking about the incredible events that occurred over the past few days. I tear up just thinking about it.

I have been on a not-so-secret mission to make Dallas—a city I love more than any other—a green-urban-hip place to live. I can now, without any hesitation, say I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

On Sunday, September 20, a large group of local animal rights activists came together to represent Mercy For Animals, an organization that focuses on farmed animal issues, at the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. Our mission: to let Dallas know that “no one is free when others are oppressed”!

The marching group was composed of people from all walks of life with one common belief—that all living beings have the basic right to live a life free of harm and suffering.

Nathan Runkle, my friend and founder of Mercy For Animals (MFA), flew in from Chicago to oversee our grassroots effort in Dallas, where more than 60 like-minded individuals marched in support of MFA’s work. Dallas’ MFA marching group outnumbered every other city’s this year!

How did this happen here in the land of beef, beef, and more beef? Because change is here! I wanted it. And you wanted it. Together, we're making it happen!









On Monday, Spiral Diner hosted a private dinner for Nathan Runkle, several high-profile animal rights activists, and a couple of media representatives. Restaurant owner Sara Tomerlin, and founders Amy McNutt and James Johnston prepared a Texas style vegan barbeque in honor of Nathan, and all proceeds went to Mercy For Animals.

Following dinner, Nathan spoke about MFA, and screened a documentary entitled Fowl Play, which illustrates the abuse and torture of farmed animals used for food. Arnold Jones of the Dallas Voice must have been so horrified by the film, he ran out of there before it was over. And who can blame him? Most of the scenes were too unbearable to watch!

Teresa Gubbins of PegasusNews was so moved by the event, she’s featuring it as the top story on PegasusNews tomorrow!

So I want to thank everyone involved in making these events so successful. I am so proud to know so many kind and compassionate people in Dallas! 

Thank you all so much for your supporting this cause that’s very close to my heart, and know that this is only the beginning of a movement that’s going to hit this city by storm!

We must stay active, though!!

Please start by supporting the amazing work Mercy For Animals does.

This is our chance to make Dallas truly shine!

And stay tuned to DallasVegan.com for more opportunities to be a part of this evolution.

Photos by Drew and Nathan

Mercy For Animals March – This Sunday

This Sunday, September 20th, vegans, vegetarians, and others compassionate towards animal rights will march in the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade representing Mercy For Animals (MFA).

So why is this big news? To start, not only is this the first organized MFA event in Dallas, but it’s the first in the entire state of Texas. The fact that Dallas can represent this well respected organization in the animal rights community is HUGE – and goes a long way to show the progressive, open-minded culture that exists in the city.

What’s even more amazing is that Nathan Runkle, the founder of MFA, is taking time out of his busy schedule to personally join the march participants on Sunday.

Nathan Runkle

In addition, on Monday evening following the parade, Mr. Runkle will present a private screening of MFA’s new film, Fowl Play, for select activists and local Dallas media. The film documents what goes on behind closed doors at Hy-Line, a major egg hatchery located in Iowa, in an effort to explain how eggs make their way on to the plate and the suffering involved in the process. Attendees will get a chance to speak with Mr. Runkle about the film and his organization.

An example of the cruelty caught on tape as male chicks are separated and ground-up alive

Nathan Runkle, who recently was inducted into the U.S. Animal Rights Hall Of Fame, founded Mercy For Animals in 1999 at the age of 15. The organization now boasts more than 25,000 members and is a leading activist for farmed animals. They employ a no-nonsense approach towards educating the public by providing information about the abuses occurring on factory farms – usually in the form of undercover investigations, as well as sharing helpful tips for making more cruelty-free choices. Their website, Chooseveg.com, is a wealth of information for those interested in learning more about their investigations.

With so many fantastic and award-winning restaurants, Dallas has come a long way in the vegan dining community. This event will help to solidify this city as a big supporter of animal rights as well.

Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade
September 20, 2009
Parade starts at 2:00 pm

*photos courtesy of http://www.mercyforanimals.org

Z Pizza in Flower Mound

Those of you following the “Veggie Guy” column on Dallas Observer's City of Ate already know about Flower Mound’s Z Pizza. The small California-based chain makes a mean vegan pie loaded with Daiya cheese. Yeah, we’re totally stoked! We understand, though, that FloMo might be a bit of a haul for some of you DFW veg-heads. But we’ve got a little motivational nugget for ya’ll...

We’re giving away two coupons for a free pizza at Z Pizza. With a purchase of $20 or more, you’ll get to take home a free 10-inch Z Pizza for breakfast—erm—we mean lunch…yeah. Just make sure to order your pies with regular or whole wheat crust (gluten-free crust contains egg).


To win, all you have to do is watch THIS CLIP from Fowl Play and leave a comment here by 11:59 PM on Monday, September 14, 2009. Two winners will be chosen at random. 

We’ll announce the lucky veg-heads by 8:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15, 2009. 

Ready—GO!

Dog Day at Lee Harvey's

Dog Day at Lee Harvey's benefitting Dog & Kitty City was a blast! The guys of Dallas Vegan met some really cool peeps and pups...and a few kittens, too. 

We took this opportunity to distribute Mercy For Animals and Vegan Outreach pamphlets, and also signed up a few more animal lovers for THIS EVENT. (You should join us!)

Jamey, Drew, and Eddie G

Jamey and Melanie

Drew (holding his new furry friend)

Nicole and Eddie G

Nicole and Jake

Nicole and the sweetest young ladies in Dallas

Dog Day at Lee Harvey's happens every Sunday. Go out and enjoy a few beers with your own furry friend! 

Mercy For Animals Does Dallas

Wow—what a fab time to be in Dallas! So many great things are happening in our city—and much more to come! We're well on our way to making Dallas an urban-green-hip place to live!

So did you guys see what went down at this year’s Chicago Pride Parade?

Well, with the help of seasoned activists Ari Nessel, Nathan Runkle, and the awesome peeps of Mercy For Animals, we're looking to do the same here in Dallas at the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. What a great way to celebrate our diversity and spread the word that “no one is free when others are oppressed.”

Dallas is on the brink of veg-explosion! Places like Spiral Diner, Bliss Raw Café & Elixir Bar, and Cosmic Cafe have already put us on the veg-map, and it’s only a matter of time before our city is recognized as one of the top veg-friendly hotspots in the nation! Believe it.

But we need your help!

If we want to make some WILD, AWESOME NOISE, it’s time for us to come together as a people and show our support for the animals and for each other!

March with us and help spread the word about our compassionate way of life.

Contact Eddie Garza at dallasvegan@gmail.com for more information.

Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade
September 20, 2009
Parade starts at 2:00 pm