Upcoming Events

Online Course Helps Build More Confident, Effective Changemaker Monday, Sep. 6 Learn to live a joyful life more aligned with your values and to become a more effective, compassionate advocate. Sign up for A Better World, A Meaningful Life (September 6-October 1) a month-long online course through the Institute for Humane Education, and cultivate the skills, knowledge and motivation to assess your life, examine your values, explore new information and do more good for yourself, other people, animals, and the environment. The course includes a downloadable course booklet, an interactive online discussion forum, phone salons, support from the course advisor, and a copy of Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by IHE President, Zoe Weil. Past course participants have called the course "...powerful, inspiring and life-changing" and "...one of the best decisions that I have ever made." The Institute for Humane Education is offering a special discount to Northwest VEG members and supporters. The normal cost for A Better World, A Meaningful Life is $125, but if 4 or more supporters/members from Northwest VEG register together, they'll receive a special rate of only $80 each. To receive the special rate, email Amy@HumaneEducation.org with the names and emails of the 4 or more participants, and she'll send the link. Find out more about A Better World, A Meaningful Life: http://humaneeducation.org/sections/view/better_world_meaningful_life

How to Be an Agent of Change Tuesday, Sep. 14 (7:00 PM) Help create a sustainable future. If you are drawn to the vision of citizens working from the bottom up to create a sustainable future, the Portland Agent of Change Network has an invitation for you! This fall we will again expand the Network by offering at no-cost a course taken by over 500 in the Portland area who are now involved in the Network. Informational Meeting for the no-cost, six-session course beginning in October: How to Be an Agent of Change. Offered by the Center for Earth Leadership Join the local network of over 500 class graduates who are creating sustainable change at all levels in our community as agents of change! Ready to register for a fall Agent of Change class now? For registration, meeting location and general information, contact Emily Klavins, (503) 227-2315 or emily@earthleaders.org

Portland VegFest 2010 Saturday, Sep. 18 - Sunday, Sep. 19 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM) *Now Expanded to TWO DAYS!* Oregon Convention Center - Exhibit Hall A 777 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97232 10am - 6pm www.portlandvegfest.org VegFest celebrates and promotes sustainable, compassionate and healthy food choices and lifestyles. This low-cost, fun and food-filled event welcomes everyone! VegFest features: Food Samples! Speakers & Classes Cooking Demonstrations Ask the Experts Family Activities Restaurants Non-profit organizations

Green Sprouts Organic Baby and Family Festival Sunday, Sep. 26 (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM) Families come celebrate a greener lifestyle! 100+ Vendors, Music, Activities & Seminars focusing on holistic pregnancy, childbirth, healthy non-toxic homes, green products and early education. Featuring Portland Green Parenting's Clothing, Toy and Gear Swap, Zenana Spa and Wellness Center's Family Relaxation Station, Mother Nature's Diaper Derby and Teddy Bear's Organic Picnic by The Merry Kitchen and more. A $3 suggested donation goes to the International Center for Traditional Childbearing. www.GreenSproutsFest.com Where: Peninsula Park - 700 N Rosa Parks Blvd

Portland Potluck (Eastside) & Talk: Edible Wild Plants Sunday, Sep. 26 (5:00 PM - 7:30 PM) Join Northwest VEG for our monthly potluck event, and then later join us for a fascinating talk on "Adding Variety to the Everyday Diet With Edible Wild Plants." John Kallas, our speaker, has a Ph.D. in Nutrition, and Masters in Education, and is the Director of Wild Food Adventures. John has led expeditions on wild foods for over 30 years, published a Wild Food book and written about one hundred articles. Come learn the most common easily accessible, delicious, and nutritious edible wild plants within walking distance of your kitchen - foods you could easily incorporate into your everyday diet. This is easier and more fun than you think. The potluck will be at the Friends Meeting Hall, 4312 SE Stark St., Portland, and starts at 5 pm. John's talk will begin at about 6:30, and you can come just for the talk or just for the potluck. For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. Need plant-based ideas? Click here. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4–6 generously; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family. Northwest VEG potlucks are alcohol-free events, and we start eating at about 5:15. For more information, call 503-746-8344 or email info@nwveg.org. A donation of $2–5 per person is suggested to help cover the cost of the room rental.

Master Vegetarian Program Class 6 Begins Tuesday, Sep. 28 (6:45 PM - 8:45 PM) The "Master VEG" Program, a sustainable approach to food, is sponsored by NW VEG and co-sponsored by People's Food Co-op and the National College of Natural Medicine. The goal of the program is to provide information on following a plant-based diet. It is aimed at people who want to find out how our food choices affect our health, the environment, and our relationship with animals. The program is also service-oriented. Registration required. See www.nwveg.org/mvp.php for details.

Walk For Farm Animals Saturday, Oct. 2 Farm Sanctuary works to end cruelty to farm animals and promotes compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. We envision a world where the violence that animal agriculture inflicts upon people, animals and the environment has ended, and where instead we exercise values of compassion. Our annual Walk for Farm Animals raises awareness about the treatment of farm animals and raises vital funds to support Farm Sanctuary's life-saving mission. By participating in or supporting a local Walk, you can make a real difference in the lives of farm animals by sending a powerful message of hope and creating a positive voice for change. Portland Walk: October 2 Time and Route: TBA Register: www.firstgiving.com/farmsanctuary Portland Walk Coordinator, Krysta Vollbrecht: portland@walkforfarmanimals.org

18th Annual Animal Law Conference Friday, Oct. 15 - Sunday, Oct. 17 Join us in celebrating the 18th Annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark Law School, Animals in Crisis: Using the Laws We Have, Getting the Laws We Need. Dr. Sheri Speede of In Defense of Animals-Africa, and Katrina Sharman, general counsel for Voiceless, the Animal Protection Institute (Australia), will deliver two special keynote addresses. Dr. Speede and Ms. Sharman will present along with an exciting list of speakers: www.alawconference.org Several timely topics will be explored, including: Current animal law litigation and legislation The Gulf oil spill Humane labeling regulation and enforcement Laws that mandate and prohibit reporting animal abuse Primates in captivity Federal subsidies & CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) Using environmental laws to assist animal law objectives Explorations on how the animal advocacy movement has changed and progressed For more information and to register for the conference, visit: www.alawconference.org. Early-bird rates are available through September 15, 2010. This conference typically sells out well in advance, so please register early to avoid disappointment. For questions, contact Liberty Mulkani, conference coordinator, at: lmulkani@lclark.edu.