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Archive for October, 2009

Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project 8th Annual Spring Picnic

Bette Midler‘s New York Restoration Project (NYRP) was set to open the Target Bronx Community Garden today.

The NYRP is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and revitalizing parks, community gardens and public space in New York City.

The Target Bronx Community Garden connects the already existing Anderson Community Garden with the adjoining Woodycrest Community Garden to create an even bigger multi-use space.

“Once again we are thrilled with the work that Target and Sean Conway have done to make this garden a vital part of the neighborhood,” said Bette Midler, Founder of NYRP. “We applaud the ongoing commitment that Target has to underserved communities. Like NYRP, they recognize that each time they help create a beautiful oasis in a neighborhood, they invest in the future of the whole city.”

From Looktothestars.org:

Combining two adjacent properties provided the unique opportunity to create one large multi-functional open space not often found in urban neighborhoods. From the entrance at Woodycrest Avenue, garden visitors will pass through a small grove of trees which commemorate the lives of those lost in a tragic neighborhood fire in 2007. Next visitors will enter into a large open area which contains a large grass space for celebrations and gatherings, an outdoor kitchen where visitors can prepare meals al fresco, an elevated wooden sundeck, newly planted fruit trees and a berry patch, as well as raised open plots for community vegetable gardening. A third feature of the garden is the renovated rock outcropping which highlights the rugged natural beauty of this Bronx neighborhood. The elevated slope faces the community’s public elementary school on Anderson Avenue and will provide a welcoming invitation for neighborhood children to explore the outdoors in their own back yard.

Green space brightens any neighborhood and encourages people to get out and get healthy.

Hats off to Bette and the NYRP!

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Premiere Of Sony Pictures' "Zombieland" - Arrivals

It’s no secret now that Woody Harrelson had strict requirements for the set of Zombieland to be eco friendly during filming, including banning plastic water bottles and using biodegradable plates and utensils.

“The first two were fairly reasonable about casting and crew. The third was that we have an environmentally conscious set,” said director Ruben Fleischer.

Woody also wanted Fleischer to go to cheese rehab.

“And the fourth was that I don’t eat dairy for a week.”

No easy feat for Fleischer, the cheeseaholic.

“For me to not eat cheese is like for an alcoholic not to drink. I had a hard time, especially since it was Memorial Day when he asked me and there were all the summer barbecues. But I ended up being a vegetarian for 11 months as a result.”

via macondaily.com

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PETA Protests Jay Leno “The Jay Leno Show”

Written by Vegetarian Star on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 in Animal Issues, Food & Drink, TV Hosts.

Summer TCA Tour - Day 9

About an hour left before the animal rights group, People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), launches their protest against Jay Leno and The Jay Leno Show.

PETA is upset because Jay recently gave props to McDonald’s, a fast food establishment that PETA says is still using cruel methods to slaughter its chickens.

PETA members will arrive in chickens suits at The Jay Leno Show studios at NBC Studios in Burbank at 3000 W. Alameda Ave. at 2:30 p.m.

Ironically, Jay’s musical sidekick, Kevin Eubanks, is a vegetarian.

via blogs.laweekly.com

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Meatless Mouthful: Stella McCartney Calls Fashion “Heartless”

Written by Vegetarian Star on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 in Fashion, Meatless Mouthful.

Stella McCartney at 'The Corner' in Berlin, Germany

“I find it astounding, because fashion is supposed to be about change – I mean, we’re supposed to be about cutting edge! I can only think they don’t care as much as people in other industries. So, yes, I think people in fashion are pretty heartless. Why on earth would they use fur and leather otherwise?

“There’s no excuse for fur in this day and age. Baby kids are boiled alive. Foxes are anally electrocuted. If that’s not heartless, what is?”

—-vegetarian fashion designer Stella McCartney, on the fashion industry’s archaic and cruel use of fur and leather in clothing.

Rock on, Stella. You tell ’em!

via 3news.co.nz

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Jane Velez-Mitchell Farm Sanctuary Walk For Animals 2009 (Video)

Written by Vegetarian Star on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 in Events, Food & Drink, Journalists, Videos.

Jane Velez-Mitchell, one of several speakers featured at Farm Sanctuary’s Walk For Animals this past weekend, brings her dog for support as she stands up and gives a riling speech to the crowd.

Wow!

Jane sounds just like she does on TV when she’s giving someone the diatribe!

Jane uses the story of the woman paralyzed from eating an e. coli tainted burger to make her point.

“When are people going to get it?” she asked. “What is bad and cruel to animals is bad and cruel to us.”

Right on, Jane!

“And why is it so many highly intelligent, sophisticated intellectuals can’t figure this out?”

“Because people don’t want to look in the mirror and face the truth about themselves.”

Ouch!

Watch the entire clip above and be sure to watch Part 1 on Jane’s speech too.

Thanks a bunch to Tracie.

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Glenn Phillips and Works Progress Administration

Works Progress Administration: (Back row L-R) Greg Leisz, Sean Watkins, Pete Thomas, Luke Bulla, Benmont Tench (Front row L-R) Glen Phillips, Sara Watkins

The Works Progress Administration is a folk band named after FDR’s New Deal agency, with singer Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) at the helm.

Phillips says one of his favorite things to do in LA is visit Inaka Natural Foods Restaurant.

“There is something about the coffee at King’s Road that makes me really happy. And Benmont took us to a great macrobiotic vegan quasi-Japanese place called Inaka. But my favorite thing to do in LA is just catch up with friends. And again, as far as favorite places go, it doesn’t get better than Largo!”

Looking up a link to Inaka, the restaurant is under Yelp.com‘s “Japanese” and “Seafood” categories.

Reviewers have made comments like:

“I highly recommend their chocolate tofu mousse.”

So we take it some of Inaka is vegan.

But it gets real comically confusing as another reviewer expressed content with seafood and “tofu on the side.”

“Don’t miss their salmon (ask for it pan-fried with their light/dee-lish teriyaki on the side, OR try their incredible salmon patty and ask for their tofu dressing on the side for it…YUM!!!)”

Tofu dressing sounds delicious. Salmon patty…that’s another story.

Check out the entire interview with Glen and listen to a sample track of the Works Progress Administration at laist.com.

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Alton Brown “The Next Iron Chef” 80% Vegetarian

Written by Vegetarian Star on Monday, October 5th, 2009 in Chefs, Food & Drink.

Alton Brown | Credit Jen Segrest Wikimedia Commons

Alton Brown | Credit Jen Segrest Wikimedia Commons

Celebrity chef Alton Brown is no stranger to sustainable eating, taking interest after his then five year old daughter figured out chicken on the plate used to be her cute friend.

Good for children and all their hundreds of endless questions, because Alton describes himself as 80% vegetarian.

So what’s holding Alton back?

The Piven Syndrome.

At mnn.com, Alton says he encourages eating more sustainable fish and claims to keep a can of sardines in his suitcase.

Eww! Bet that suitcase smells worse than his dirty laundry.

Still, 80% is better than nothing and Alton would like to see more people adopt “diversification and seasonality when it comes to choosing vegetables.”

There’s no better way to do seasonal than the Farmer’s Market.

Alton’s new Food Network show, The Next Iron Chef, premiered October 4.

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“Amazing Race” Terence Gerchberg Vegan: Walk For Farm Animals

Written by Vegetarian Star on Monday, October 5th, 2009 in Animal Issues, Reality TV.

Terence Gerchberg was the poor vegetarian soul on The Amazing Race who ate sheep rear during an eating challenge-only to throw it up moments later and be disgusted with the whole ordeal.

Since his stint on Amazing Race, he’s become vegan, according to The “V” Word, and made an appearance at this weekend’s Farm Sanctuary Walk For Animals.

“There was a surprise visit from Terence Gerchberg who competed on The Amazing Race last season. Gerchberg was a vegetarian who faced a challenge to eat meat for money. Today Terence is a vegan who says if ever faced with such a challenge again, he would never go against his ethics and values. Inspiring!”

Way to go Terence!

Besides Terence, Jane Velez-Mitchell gave a speech on her rescue dogs, New York State Assembly member Linda Rosenthal spoke on pets and domestic violence situations, and Shawn Sweeney from the Jane Goodall Institute shared his experiences from the Institute.

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