Author Archives: Vegan Kalamazoo

Saturday, 5/7: Tabling at Kalamazoo Humane Society Dog Walk and K9 Festival

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why-love-one-but-eat-the-other-puppy-piglet-dog-porkWe’ll be tabling at one of our favorite events, the Kalamazoo Humane Society Dog Walk and K9 Festival, where we hope to introduce Kazoo’s many dog lovers to the joys of compassionate, plant-based living.

We’ll also be asking the pertinent question, “Why love one and eat the other?”

Date: Saturday, May 7

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Prairie View County Park, 899 E U Ave., Vicksburg, MI (see below map)

Fee: Check event page.

If you’re attending, please stop by. We’re hoping to have coupons and samples of vegan dog foods.

If you’d like to help out at the table, email Hillary.

Venue Map

Tuesday 2/16 Vegan 101: The Joys of Plant-based Living

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Are you curious about veganism? You’re not alone! With celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Beyoncé and Morrissey—not to mention, countless others in all walks of life—extolling its virtues, interest in this super-healthy, sustainable,
compassionate and delicious lifestyle has never been higher.
Come join us for a fun and lively workshop on the basics: you’ll learn what vegans eat, how we stay healthy and where we get our food. We’ll also discuss hot button issues including
vegan fashion, vegan nutrition for athletes and coping with non-vegan friends and family, along with much more.
Finally, we’ll work together to create a custom plan
that will help you go vegan painlessly, a little at a time.
Bring your questions, ideas and concerns; we welcome them all!

Note: This class is being held at the WMU Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning. More info / to register here: http://wmich.edu/olli/courses

Dates & Times: Tuesday, 2/16, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Community/Wyndham
Fee: Members $10, Non-members $20
Course Capacity: 20
RSVP requested in advance on our Meetup or Facebook page.

Saturday 2/20 – Living Vegan Social Club

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Living Vegan is a social group/discussion group where we come together informally for fun times and fun discussions. Need a recipe? A vegan fashion tip? Tips for dealing with nonvegan family/friends? You’ll get it all at Living Vegan! We also have plenty of fun discussions on nonvegan topics like movies, TV, gardening, photography, and science fiction. And sometimes there’s a pool game or two!

justwanttodrinkcoffeeWe hope you’ll join us for our next get-together on Saturday, February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fourth Coast Cafe (816 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo) Event is free (except the cost of your food and drink); we do request and appreciate an optional $2 donation to cover group expenses.

Our gracious host is, as always, Laurie Oldfather. RSVP requested in advance on our Meetup or Facebook page.

As always, at Vegan Kalamazoo events, everyone is welcome, including vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and vegans-in-progress.

Monday 2/29 – Living Vegan Social Club

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Living Vegan is a social group/discussion group where we come together informally for fun times and fun discussions. Need a recipe? A vegan fashion tip? Tips for dealing with non-vegan family/friends? You’ll get it all at Living Vegan! We also have plenty of fun discussions on non-vegan topics like movies, TV, gardening, photography, and science fiction. And sometimes there’s a pool game or two!

The Portage Living Vegan Social Club will meet Monday, February 29 (Leap Day!) at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the home of Laurie Oldfather, 10252 S.Westnedge Ave., Portage. Bring any vegan dish; Laurie will provide plates, utensils, and limited beverage choices.

Parking at Laurie’s house is limited so it is suggested that people park across the street at the curb on Cliffwood Ave and walk over.

RSVP requested in advance on our Meetup or Facebook page. More info here.

As always, at Vegan Kalamazoo events, everyone is welcome, including vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and vegans-in-progress.

 

justwanttodrinkcoffee

 

Monday 1/25 – VENUE CHANGED! Living Vegan Social Club

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NOTE – LAST-MINUTE VENUE CHANGE. LODO’S LET US DOWN SO WE’LL BE MEETING AT LAURIE OLDFATHER’S HOUSE NEARBY. 10252 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, MI WE’LL HAVE FINGER FOOD AND UNLIMITED BLAZE PIZZA VEGAN PIZZA FOR $5. SEE YOU THERE!

Living Vegan is a social group/discussion group where we come together informally for fun times and fun discussions. Need a recipe? A vegan fashion tip? Tips for dealing with nonvegan family/friends? You’ll get it all at Living Vegan! We also have plenty of fun discussions on nonvegan topics like movies, TV, gardening, photography, and science fiction. And sometimes there’s a pool game or two!

justwanttodrinkcoffeeWe hope you’ll join us for our next get-together on Monday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at (New Venue!) LoDo’s (153 W. Centre Avenue in Portage)  Venue changed to Laurie Oldfather’s House – see note at top of post!

Our gracious host is, as always, Laurie Oldfather. RSVP requested in advance on our Meetup or Facebook page.

As always, at Vegan Kalamazoo events, everyone is welcome, including vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and vegans-in-progress.

1/23 (Sat) – Join us at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Festival of Health

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festivalofhealthVegan Kalamazoo will be tabling at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Festival of Health on Saturday, January 23, from noon – 4:00 p.m. We can’t wait to share information about the fantastic health benefits of veganism with attendees.  Please stop by and if you’d like to join us at the table, please let Hillary know.

Date / Time: Saturday, January 23, 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 North Rose Street Map + Parking

Cost: Free!

Description:

Local organizations are coming together to promote a healthy lifestyle, from exercise and nutrition to preventive medicines and medical practices. This event is for people of all ages. Play games and test your knowledge, ask a pharmacist your questions, learn to dance, get a massage, find out more about nutrition, and create your own fruit and cheese kebabs. Discover healthy and safe farming practices as well as local providers of organic produce and dairy products. Try your hand at first aid, have your vision and blood pressure tested, and browse and purchase books to get you started. Find the help you need to get and keep you fit!

Participating organizations include: Barnes & Noble, Belly Dance Costumes USA, Bronson Children’s Hospital, Bronson Family Medicine-The Groves, Bronson Healthcare Group, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Cornerstone Christian Counseling, Family & Children Services Foster Care, Family Health Center-Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County DHS, Kalamazoo Valley Health Focused Campus, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Lake Village Homestead Farms, Life EMS, MSU Extension, Rx Optical, Southwest Michigan District Dietetics Association, Spring House Press, and Vegan Kalamazoo.

Preparing for the Holidays

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If you’re buying holiday presents please support local vegan-friendly businesses!

A gift of vegan chocolates from Confections with Convictions, or a Buyer’s Club membership at the Natural Health Center, a loyal friend to Vegan Kalamazoo, will be very appreciated. Or, get your loved one a gift certificate from one of the many vegan-friendly restaurants and food stores in our area. We especially recommend Zooroona, which offers amazing Middle Eastern food in a gracious setting, and also put our “Vegan Options Inside” sticker right in the middle of their front door (see picture) so everyone knows Yes, There Really is a Vegan Kalamazoo!

Coping with the Social Pressures of Being Vegan (Pre-Holiday Special!)

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Just in time for the holidays we’ll have an informal, fun, supportive, and sustaining discussion on how to deal with the social pressures of being vegan. We’ll focus on how to cope with nonvegan family and coworkers, especially at holiday events. Bring your questions, concerns, worries, frustrations, and suggestions.

Irvings (in the Kzoo mall) always has a great selection of vegan entrees and snacks, including fresh tofu dishes. So come for dinner or just to talk.

Our “patron saint” for this meeting will be the late comedian Richard Pryor, who was not only an animal rights activist and winner of PETA’s 1999 Humanitarian of the Year award, but also famously said, “A family is like getting a life sentence for a crime you never committed.” 🙂

Time:
November 17th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location:
Irving’s Market and Deli
125 S. Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo City Center
Kalamazoo, MI

11/20 Holiday Potluck Party!

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When: Wednesday, November 20, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Home of Katia Burke-Pappas.

Please join us for a holiday potluck!

Indicate in the comments what dish you will bring. Remember all food must be vegan (no meat, dairy, eggs, ‘seafood,’ or honey). If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you to Katia Burke-Pappas for graciously opening her home once more, and see you at the party!

Please RSVP for all events on our Meetup (preferred) or Facebook page.

Wed 11/11: Discussion – Intersectionality: What it is and Why It’s Important for Veganism

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When: Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Gourdneck Room at Portage District Library.
Discussion Leader: Nathan Poirier.

We inaugurate our new Vegan Kalamazoo Discussion Group with a very important and timely discussion of intersectionality, the study of intersections between systems of oppression, domination or discrimination.

If you’ve ever wondered how animal oppression relates to oppression of women, people of color, gays, and other marginalized groups, you’ll find out here. And you’ll also learn why it’s important that vegan activism be inclusive and not marginalize anyone.

We’re truly lucky to have Nathan Poirier, who is currently getting a degree in Anthrozoology with a focus on Critical Animal Studies Critical Animal Studies, to lead this discussion.

Join us in the Gourdneck Room at the Portage District Library.

Please RSVP for all events on our Meetup (preferred) or Facebook page.