WMARA February Meeting - 2/21, 6:00-7:30 @ Cafe Evolution!

[Sheryl Becker]

I just sent this out. Hope you can join us!

 

~Sheryl

 

 

Hello WMARA Members,

Our February meeting will be Thursday, February 21st, 6:00-7:30 @ Cafe Evolution (directions at http://cafe-evolution.com/directions/). Remember to bring your appetite for some delicious vegan food! We'll be eating 5:00-6:00 (cafe closes at 6:00!).

Agenda topics/event dates (so far):

* Commerford Petting Zoo protests @ The Big E, 2/9 & 2/10 - review/discussion about how to prevent it from returning

* "Beyond the Myth" (http://www.beyondthemythmovie.com/) - April 6th, 1:00 @ Forbes Library, Noho!
* Leafleting on campuses (dates to be set soon)
* Northampton VegFest - March 2014!

* New website for vegetarians/vegans in Western MA - http://www.valleyveg.org/! Thank you Sara Tower! (Still in the works, so keep checking it out).
* Legislation (w/ Linda Huebner, MSPCA Deputy Director of Advocacy) - new bills will be introduced
* Other Items

* Discussion

Please let me know if you would like to add anything.

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WMARA News:

PLEASE try to attend the Commerford Petting Zoo protests next weekend, Feb. 9th & 10th, 12:00-2:00 @ The Eastern States Expo. (entrance 9)! This traveling zoo includes wild animals, many from tropical climates...kangaroo, elephants, zebra, monkeys, african antelope, emus, etc. There will be elephant rides too, using bullhooks. These animals are improperly cared for and must endure filthy, cramped, isolated conditions while traveling very long distances. Many can't even stretch their legs out when traveling. Commerford Petting Zoo is at The Big E each year...here are some pictures from the last two: https://picasaweb.google.com/sher1earth/BigE201202#, https://picasaweb.google.com/sher1earth/BigE2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqlvJTt4bTN1wE#. (The individual trailers (e.g., "World's Only Unicorn", "World's Largest Pig") are also Commerford's).

Commerford has also violated the Animal Welfare Act countless times (see http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/pdf/CommerfordPettingZooFactsheet_2010_11_09-pdf.pdf). In this long list is inadequate veterinary care, failure to maintain enclosures and transport trailers, failure to have an attendant present during periods of public contact, improper feeding, and poor housekeeping. An elephant with Commerford has been involved in three dangerous incidents while giving rides to children, causing injuries.

If you cannot attend, please write a letter to the editor (PMit...@gazettenet.com, let...@repub.com, edi...@valleyadvocate.com, ne...@reminderpublications.com, opi...@gazettenet.com, jwrobl...@turley.com) and to the Big E (expo...@TheBigE.com)! Attached is my letter to the editor...feel free to use to make your own.

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The film/speaker series kickoff, "The Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home", was a huge success, thanks to the help of some WMARA members, especially Joanne Ehret & Steve Baer. We raised $333 for Maple Farm Sanctuary! :)

Our next screening will be "Beyond the Myth" (http://www.beyondthemythmovie.com/) on April 6th, 12:00-2:00 @ Forbes Library. Please let me know if you'd like to help with this or upcoming film screenings. We could really use help posting flyers once they're made, both on and offline. Thank you! :) We plan to show more films late spring and early fall. Feel free to send your film suggestions.

The Valley VegFest (new name) planning subcommittee's next meeting will be March 10th, 12:00 @ Cafe Evolution. All are welcome! Our goal is to educate folks about the many benefits of going vegan/vegetarian with speakers, entertainment, exhibitors (including NPO's), & vendors. It will also help local businesses. If you'd like to simply share ideas or suggestions, feel free to contact me. We'll keep you updated on plans and where help is needed.

Also, thanks to a wonderful new WMARA member, Sara Tower, there is now a site for vegetarians/vegans in Western MA - http://www.valleyveg.org/! Awesome job, Sara! It's still in the works, but will eventually include info.about WMARA, the Valley Vegan Society, & Valley VegFest, so stay tuned.

Hope to see you on the 21st!

For the Animals,

Sheryl
(413) 374-1921