IDA Bay Area Events

IDA EVENTS
1. Attend Benefit Concert for IDA
2. Katrina Animal Rescue Documentary Playing in San Rafael
3. National Feral Cat Summit in San Francisco
4. Join IDA's Protest of Japan's Annual Dolphin Slaughter
5. SFVS & IDA Co-Present World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco

OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS
1. Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"
2. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue
3. Tell D.A.'s Office to Shut Down Inhumane Pet Store


IDA EVENTS

1. Attend Benefit Concert for IDA

IDA is grateful to flutist and composer Carol Alban and friends for playing a benefit concert on Sunday, August 27th, with all proceeds donated towards our campaigns to help animals. The performance took place in Oakland's Piedmont neighborhood at the Chapel of the Chimes ( http://www.chapelofthechimes.com/oakland/index.html# ), a beautiful building filled with skylights, stone-carved archways and stained-glass windows. The recital was well attended by an audience of several dozen classical music lovers. After IDA founder and President Dr. Elliot Katz gave a brief talk about IDA's mission, listeners were treated to a program of stirring compositions about animals with names such as "Cry of the Seals," "Elephant Recess" and "Song of the Whale."

Afterwards, people enjoyed free vegan snacks from Trader Joe's ( http://www.traderjoes.com ) and cookies from Sun Flour Baking Company ( http://www.sunflourbaking.com ) while socializing and watching IDA's new short documentary about exotic birds, Wild Beauty Betrayed ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6E4pfBgFg ).

Carol Alban is a classically trained musician who began playing piano and flute at the age of nine, and studied under many accomplished classical musicians while earning her degree at San Francisco State University. She has played flute on a variety of CDs and recorded three albums featuring her own compositions. Visit http://www.myspace.com/carolalban to hear some of her music. IDA greatly appreciates that Carol, a longtime vegan and cat guardian, is using her musical talents to support animals.

We are also pleased to announce that Carol has agreed to play another benefit concert for IDA in November at the Chapel of the Chimes, which will feature Dylan Snodgrass on piano, Suellen Primost on cello, Nancy Tyler on flute and Ma Jie on pipa. Please join us at this live performance in support of IDA's campaigns for animals.

What: IDA benefit concert featuring Carol Alban and friends
When: Saturday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (get directions - http://tinyurl.com/ja3a3 )

Admission is a suggested donation of $10 - $20 with all proceeds donated towards IDA's campaigns to help animals.


2. Katrina Animal Rescue Documentary Playing in San Rafael

In observance of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, IDA is proud to present Dark Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues ( http://www.darkwaterrising.com ) at the San Rafael Film Center. IDA is sponsoring the 75-minute documentary nationally, beginning with coast-to-coast test screenings in twelve U.S. cities as part of our Guardian Campaign.

The film portrays many aspects of what being a guardian means, both for individuals and society at large, emphasizing just how important and irreplaceable each animal's life is. From the individuals who left animals tied to trees in their backyards like mere disposable property, to the government officials who refused evacuees the right to bring their animal companions when evacuating, to the heroes who risked their lives saving the thousands of dogs and cats stranded in the disaster-stricken city, at the film's heart is the message that animals need to be respected as the sentient creatures they are. By adopting guardian language and treating animals as companions, not property, our society will begin to make progress in bettering its treatment of animals.

What You Can Do:

- See the film on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the San Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth Street, (between A and B streets), San Rafael (click http://cafilm.org/nav1_1.html for directions). Admission is $10 (this screening will be a fundraiser for area animal shelters). Tickets can be purchased at:

- The San Rafael Film Center front box office. Tickets can be purchased whenever the box office is open (Monday - Thursday at 6:00 p.m., Friday at 4:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 p.m.). The box office is open one half hour before the first show of the day. Call (415) 454-1222 with any questions pertaining to ticket sales.

- The Marin Humane Society ( http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/AboutUs/Directions.html ), 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato. Hours of operation are Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

- IDA's home office ( http://tinyurl.com/hoc5h ), 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

- Also, watch the trailer ( http://www.darkwaterrising.com/trailer.html ) and order a DVD of Dark Water Rising ( http://www.filmbaby.com/product_info.php?products_id=1081 ). $5.00 will be donated to IDA for each DVD purchased by our supporters.

- Screen the film in your area to benefit the local humane society. Contact Mike Shiley at shidog1 [at] hotmail.com for more information.

- Learn more about IDA's Guardian Campaign ( http://www.GuardianCampaign.com ) and how you can be the impetus for change in your city.


3. National Feral Cat Summit in San Francisco

IDA is proud to co-sponsor the 3rd Annual National Feral Cat Summit on September 9th in San Francisco. We are pleased to announce that Michael Mountain ( http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/staffdepartments/biommountain.cfm ), President of Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, has just been added as the morning's Keynote Speaker.

In addition, IDA founder and President Dr. Elliot Katz will give the opening remarks. Other speakers include Paul Jolly (the PETCO Foundation), Esther Mechler (SPAY USA), Bryan Kortis (Neighborhood Cats), Sandra Monterose and Debora Bresch (the ASPCA), Nancy Peterson (The Humane Society of the United States) and Valerie Sicignano (IDA and Neighborhood Cats).

What: 3rd Annual National Feral Cat Summit
When: Saturday, September 9th from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: South San Francisco Conference Center ( http://www.ssfconf.com/accomodations/accom_directions.asp ), 255 South Airport Blvd., South San Francisco

Registration for the Summit is $40 before September 1st and $50 thereafter (the registration fee includes a vegan lunch). See the complete program and register today. ( http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/special/nfc_summit_2006.htm )


4. Join IDA's Protest of Japan's Annual Dolphin Slaughter

Every year from October through March in small towns along the Japanese coast, fishermen kill about 20,000 marine mammals in the most brutal way imaginable. They use loud noises to disorient and herd whole pods of dolphins, porpoises and small whales into shallow bays, then stretch nets across the mouth of the bay to close off all exits. The next morning, the slaughter begins, as fishermen use sharp spears and hooks to massacre the helpless cetaceans. Most of them are butchered for meat that is sold in restaurants and supermarkets, while some are sold to marine parks where they spend years in loneliness and deprivation while "entertaining" audiences.

This annual slaughter is the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere in the world, and it continues because the atrocity is deliberately hidden from the Japanese people. That is why each year on September 20th, a host of groups around the world join together to organize an international day of protest to expose the killing and put pressure on the Japanese Government to end it once and for all.

As part of this day of action, IDA and the Earth Island Institute ( http://www.earthisland.org ) will co-host a demonstration at the Japanese consulate in San Francisco to coincide with protests taking place around the world. Volunteers from both groups will carry signs and hand out literature condemning the slaughter. IDA will also hold protests at the Japanese consulates in Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, Ore.

What You Can Do:

- Attend IDA's protest on Wednesday, September 20th from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco ( http://tinyurl.com/ec3pl ), 50 Fremont St., Suite 2300. Contact Melissa Gonzalez at (415) 388-9641, ext. 228 or Melissa [at] idausa.org if you have any questions.

- Also write, call and fax the Japanese Embassy to let officials know that you are appalled by their country's heartless massacre of marine mammals.

Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 238-6700
Fax: (202) 328-2187

- Visit http://www.SaveTaijiDolphins.org for more information about Japan Dolphin Day 2006.


5. SFVS & IDA Co-Present World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco

San Francisco, California -- named for Saint Francis, patron saint of animals -- is one of the most vegetarian-friendly cities on the planet, making it a fitting location for a World Vegetarian Day celebration co-presented by the San Francisco Vegetarian Society (SFVS) ( http://www.sfvs.org ) and IDA.

SFVS and IDA's World Vegetarian Day celebration will take place at the San Francisco County Fair Building in beautiful Golden Gate Park ( http://tinyurl.com/pbrzd ) on Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) ( http://www.navs-online.org ), which started World Vegetarian Day in 1977, declared SFVS's 2005 celebration a winner in their Best World Vegetarian Day contest (group/institution category). Last year, approximately 3,000 visitors enjoyed SFVS's World Vegetarian Day festival. With IDA on board, we hope this year's event will be even bigger and better!

SFVS and IDA's World Vegetarian Day celebration will feature:

- World-renowned speakers John Robbins ( http://www.foodrevolution.org ), Howard Lyman ( http://www.madcowboy.com ), Dr. Alan Goldhamer ( http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/articles/meet.htm ), Dr. Joel Fuhrman ( http://www.drfuhrman.com ), Dr. Doug Graham ( http://www.doctorgraham.cc ), Dr. Milton Mills
( http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm06winter/mills.html ), Kenneth Williams ( http://www.idausa.org/kgw_frame.html ) and more

- The OrganicAthlete ( http://www.organicathlete.org ) Conference on Saturday, September 30th with speakers and presentations from top vegan athletes

- International vegan cuisine and healthy food demos

- Vegan vendors and non-profit booths

- A fabulous eco-fashion show

- Live entertainment

- A catered vegan dinner (Saturday at 6:00 p.m.) for $12

World Vegetarian Day is free to kids, students and seniors. It is also free to everyone who comes before 10:30 a.m., after which a $5 donation is suggested.


OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS

1. Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"

Join IDA-sponsored Compassionate Cooks ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com ) for their next vegan cooking class, "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products," and learn to make five delicious, nutritious dishes including Magical Miso Soup w/Tofu & Veggies, Tasty Tofu Scramble, Terrific Tempeh Fajitas, Tempting Tempeh Sloppy Joes and (No-Bake) Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. This class will also feature a special taste test of various non-dairy milks.

Using local, in-season, mostly organic ingredients, Compassionate Cooks features easy-to-prepare recipes and debunks myths about plant-based diets. Join the class in September for yummy food samples and a lot of fun!

What: Compassionate Cooks' September Cooking Class: "Demystifying Tofu & Tempeh & Other Whole Soy Products"
When: Saturday, September 16th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: The First Unitarian Church of Oakland ( http://uuoakland.org/directions.htm ), 685 14th Street (at Castro), Oakland

Be sure to register in advance either online ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com/reg.htm ) or by calling (510) 531-COOK. You can also mail a check to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, P.O. Box 18512, Oakland, CA 94619. The $45 cost of the class includes instruction, food samples, copies of recipes, coupons for restaurants and groceries, and much more.


2. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue

Romania Animal Rescue (RAR) ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com ) presents an evening at the theater to raise money for homeless animals in Eastern Europe. The play, "Romania - Beyond Dracula," is directed by Silvian Centiu ("A Transylvanian in Silicon Valley" - http://www.atransylvanian.com ). Don't miss this special performing arts event.

What: RAR theater fundraiser
When: Saturday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center ( http://www.fortmason.org/performingarts/cowell.shtml ), San Francisco

Tickets are $25 apiece advanced purchase, $30 at the door. Order tickets ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com/fundraising.htm#romfest )


3. Tell D.A.'s Office to Shut Down Inhumane Pet Store

The Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA recently seized about 200 fish, birds, rodents and other animals from Laurelwood Pets, located at 1232 W. Hillsdale Blvd. in San Mateo, for numerous county humane law violations. Animals were found without food and water in filthy cages and tanks. Some of the birds had suffered injuries and even had blood on their wings.

The seizure was conducted last week as part of a surprise probation search because store co-owner Mohammad Olfat had been charged with a misdemeanor in March for selling sick dogs and cats. In addition to serving a two-week jail sentence, Olfat was required to reimburse the animals' guardians and to stop selling dogs and cats. A probation violation could land him another 90 days in jail.

What You Can Do:

Please ask Deputy District Attorney Sarah Boxer to forbid Laurelwood Pets from selling animals.

Sarah Boxer, Deputy District Attorney
San Mateo County District Attorney's Office
1050 Mission Rd.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Tel: (650) 877-5454