Fifth Annual Veg Valentine's Potluck

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Taste some delicious veg food? Come to our veg potluck on Sunday, February 10! Bring your sweetheart or a friend, or come solo. This is a great opportunity to meet other animal-friendly people, eat good food, and play some fun games. Although some food will be provided, this is a potluck, so be sure to bring a vegetarian or vegan dish/drink that serves five to eight people!

Mark your calendars and invite all your friends and family!

Time: Sunday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m.
Location: President's Room (third floor) in Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis

Volunteer of the Month: Suzanne Sorenson

Suzy Sorenson became passionate about animal activism after an eye-opening scuba-diving experience. Witnessing the great multitude of sea life awakened her sense of interest in protecting creatures from the whims of humans. Although Suzy works full-time as a registered dietician and diabetes educator, she spends much of her spare time advocating for animals.

Suzy has been involved with CAA for almost two years, lending a hand in various areas. This past summer, Suzy took the initiative to resurrect CAA's Book Club, which gathers regularly to discuss animal and veg issues in literature. She is also involved in planning for our annual banquet this April and our Midwest animal advocacy conference in June. Last November, Suzy joined CAA's board of directors and now assists with personnel.

Suzy's efforts are guided by her strong convictions: "I think that animals used for food are probably the most oppressed and abused in the world. With no voice of their own, they can't speak for themselves, making it vital for us to take action," she says.

But volunteering with CAA has also opened up other doors for Suzy. "Working with the group has broadened my understanding of compassionate living, providing a good opportunity to learn from others and meet new mentors."

Feel inspired? Fill out our online volunteer application today to get started!

Book Club: The Dreaded Comparison

Our next book in CAA’s Book Club is The Dreaded Comparison by Marjorie Spiegel. This powerful and provocative book "presents an exploration of the similarities between the violence humans have wrought against other humans, and our culture's treatment of nonhuman animals."

This book is available through online booksellers for only about $5 and is free through the Hennepin and Ramsey county libraries. It is an older title, so you might have luck at your local used book store too!

Anyone is welcome to attend the book-club meeting, wherever you are in the book or if you just want to join in the conversation. If you would like to join CAA's book club or have questions, please contact Suzy at suzy@exploreveg.org.

Next Book Club Meeting:

Time: Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ecopolitan, 2409 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Book: The Dreaded Comparison by Marjorie Spiegel

Article: Video Reveals Violations of Laws, Abuse of Cows at Slaughterhouse

By Rick Weiss, as printed in the Washington Post
January 30, 2008

Video footage being released today shows workers at a California slaughterhouse delivering repeated electric shocks to cows too sick or weak to stand on their own; drivers using forklifts to roll the "downer" cows on the ground in efforts to get them to stand up for inspection; and even a veterinary version of waterboarding in which high-intensity water sprays are shot up animals' noses - all violations of state and federal laws designed to prevent animal cruelty and to keep unhealthy animals, such as those with mad cow disease, out of the food supply.

Moreover, the companies where these practices allegedly occurred are major suppliers of meat for the nation's school lunch programs, according to a company official and federal documents.

Read full article here

Watch the video here. (Warning: Graphic images)

Take action here