April 20, 2007

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. As most vegetarians know, every day is Earth Day, and each meal is a vote. Did you know that in addition to saving the lives of 100 animals per year, a vegetarian also saves 1 acre of trees per year and uses 3700 less gallons of water per day?

The impacts of a meat-based diet on the Colorado landscape are immense – our dietary choices have a direct and measurable impact on the health of our air, fresh water supply and the soil from which our food sources arise. Read more about it at RMAD’s “For the Earth” section at VegColorado.com.

Speaking of veg options, word is out that Boulder’s latest addition, Rush!, has fantastic, delicious and refreshing non-dairy frozen treats. Rush! is located in at 207 13th St. and 4593 N. Broadway. Check them out!

This past week RMAD created a Power Point slideshow on canned hunting and executive director Dave Crawford presented it to the Boulder Valley Humane Society Board of Directors. Stay tuned for more on this issue in upcoming months.

Thank you to everyone who attended Partnership for Animal Welfare at CU’s recent event with Carol Adams. Carol’s presentation was fascinating and provocative as always, and CU catering did an excellent job providing an all-vegan buffet afterwards. Congrats and thanks to PAW for putting on a great event and for having RMAD join in.

The Prairie Dog Coalition, of which RMAD is a member organization, has an upcoming fundraiser. Please consider attending; the PDC’s work is crucial in protecting not only Colorado’s black-tailed prairie dog, but four other species as well. And Director Lindsey Sterling Krank always puts together a great event.

Living on Burrowed Time III
When: Friday, May 4, 7 p.m. sharp
Location: exhibitrek THE GALLERY, 1711 15th St., Boulder.
Details: The event will offer nouvelle cuisine, gourmet wine and beer, live music, laughter, auctions and art. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. PrairieDogCoalition.org / (720) 938-0788.

Be sure to take time to celebrate the great outdoors and its inhabitants this weekend. Thanks for reading.

April 5, 2007

April 4, 2007Hello!

The first of RMAD’s big blue distribution boxes has hit the streets. Point them out to friends and family, directing them to the Colorado’s best guide to vegetarianism. Veg is the lifestyle for 2007, whether it be for the animals, the environment (including climate change) or your health. There’s no reason not to go veg today.

Though they only offer one veggie burger, after many years of efforts by animal advocacy groups, Burger King, Inc. has announced a plan to decrease the suffering of many animals killed for its restaurants. Burger King has agreed to the following changes:

• Immediately begin purchasing 10 percent of its pig flesh from suppliers that do not use gestation crates – metal enclosures that confine mother pigs and are so restrictive that the animals cannot even stretch a limb or take a step – and double that amount by the end of 2007.

• Immediately begin purchasing 2 percent of its eggs from hens who are not confined to wire “battery cages” and more than double that amount by the end of 2007.

• Issue a statement to its egg suppliers saying that it will give purchasing preference to those that do not use battery cages.

• Issue a statement to its chicken-flesh suppliers stating that it will give purchasing preference to those that use or switch to “controlled-atmosphere killing” – which is by far the least cruel method of chicken slaughter available. RMAD is interested in knowing you all think about these proposed changes. Some questions to consider: Are incremental changes important? Do they alleviate the animals’ suffering? What should negotiation with corporations/entities that contribute to animal suffering look like when the stakes are this high? What becomes an area for compromise and what then, become our non-negotiables? Let us know what you think by emailing us at vegcolorado@rmad.org.

Finally, RMAD is looking for a committed volunteer to be in charge of our spring and summer tabling/outreach events coordination. We’re seeking someone to oversee the process from start to finish – from set-up to take-down. It’s a great way to get involved with the front lines of the organization, to meet people, and to introduce the public to the idea of compassion for all beings. If interested, please inquire within.

If you’d to help out as an outreach booth staffer, we’re also looking for help in that regards too. If you are interested in volunteering for these events, please email Chris Kirschbaum (more info on Chris below) or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend.