Update on CAA's 5th Annual Banquet

The event was completely sold out and raised over $4000 to help support Compassionate Action for Animals' advocacy for animals. One hundred and ten guests attended the event, which included a silent auction, six-course meal, and three presentations.

During the silent auction, guests were serenaded by classical piano music performed by the talented Huey-Ling Chen. Auction items were generously donated by individuals and businesses, and included:

• Polar fleece pillows by Sooo Sweet Fashion & Decor

• Champagne from Zipps Liquors
  

• V-dog dog food
  
• Custom pet portrait by Peter Littlewood
• 'Simply Fido' gift basked from Origins
  
• Paintings by Marly Cornell
• Infrared Sauna from Ecopolitan
  
• Bamboo salad bowl and mango wood spoons from Hampden Park Co-op
  
• Gift certificates for Phil Martens 501 Fit Personal Training and Strength Class
  
• Feminist Icon Clothing by Lindsey Keating-Moore
• 8-Session Yoga Class with Instructor Paul Busch at the St. Paul Yoga Center
• Ceramic Art and Pottery by Adrea Martine
• Tickets to Minnesota Orchestra
• "Joy of Vegan Baking" cookbook written by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
  

The fantastic all-vegan, six-course meal included coffee, juice, wine, baguettes, samosas, pizza bites, mixed greens salad, vegetable rice soup, tomato basil soup, marinated tofu with shallot-wine sauce, ginger-glazed carrots, sauteed spinach, and rice soubise. Delectable desserts included dark chocolate cake, orange dreamsicle cake, carrot cake, and chocolate-raspberry pudding pie. Food was generously donated from:

• Espresso Royale
  
• New French Bakery
  
• Pizza Luce
  
• Savithry Nambudiripad
• The Vegetarian
  
• Zipps Liquors
  
• Linden-Hills Co-op
  
• The Wedge Natural Foods Co-op
  
• Seward Co-op
  
• Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op

Additionally, dinner and dessert was prepared by the following talented chefs:

• Jared Rolsky
• Ben Acaso
• Betsy Born
• Lylee-Rauch-Kacenski
• Dave Rolsky
• John Thompson
• Joan Rolsky

Three speakers gave presentations following the meal. Dave Rolsky, long-time CAA volunteer and board member, described the past year's animal advocacy success stories, and future directions for progress. Next, Betsy Born

announced the upcoming opening of a 100% vegan cafe in Minneapolis! Greenway Cafe at Old Arizona, 2821 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, April 15. Finally, Justin Leaf, dancer with the James Sewell Ballet, delivered an inspiring talk about his personal journey towards veganism and a more compassionate lifestyle. 

And last but certainly not least, 47 dedicated volunteers helped the event to progress smoothly by preparing food,setting up, serving guests, taking pictures, and cleaning. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year's banquet a huge success!