If you plan on attending, please let us know by 10am on Friday, January 18, so we can provide a firmer count for our reservation. You can let us know by email to restaurantreviews@trianglevegsociety.org or by phone at 208-7391. If you are confirming for more than yourself, please tell us how many. It is also good if you can provide an alternate method of contacting you such as a phone number in case of a last minute change in schedule.

Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Joint Potluck with Kadampa Center for the Practice of Tibetan Buddhism (Potluck FAQ)
Kadampa Center
5412 Etta Burke Court, Raleigh (directions are below, see a map)
After we eat, Jim Barnes, PhD, will give a short presentation about what Tibetan Buddhism is and how it relates to vegetarianism. Jim Barnes is an adjunct professor of English at UNC's Friday Center for Continuing Education. He has been studying Buddhism for most of 20 years, and has been affiliated with the Kadampa Center for about 10 years.

As always, we ask that you bring your own place setting but in case you forget, paper plates and cups (but not utensils) will be provided in deference to both the water shortage and the Center's new and very limited kitchen facilities. They are still in the process of completeing the interior of the building and have only one utility sink and one refrigerator at this time, so reheating (no stove or oven yet) won't be an option.

From I-40, Get off at Exit 290 (Chapel Hill Rd.) and go east toward Raleigh. Turn right on Nowell Rd., and then left on Hillsborough St. Follow Hillsborough St. to the left where it merges with Western Blvd. Kadampa Center will be on your right. From I-440, get off at Exit 3 (Hillsborough St.) and head west toward the Fairgrounds. Past the Fairgrounds, stay left on Hillsborough St, and go under the railroad trestle. Kadampa Center will be on your left, but you cannot turn left - continue on Hillsborough St. to the stoplight. Turn left onto Buck Jones Rd. At the next light, turn left, and stay to the left so you are back on Hillsborough St. Kadampa Center will be on your right just before the railroad trestle.

Saturday, February 23, 2008- 6:00 pm
Potluck and talk on cohousing (vegan food only, please) (Potluck FAQ)
Pacifica Cohousing, 141 Viburnum Way, Carrboro (see a map)
933-0869
Karen McCollough, after we eat, will give a talk on cohousing and sustainability. See the Pacifica Cohousing website (a little out of date, though). You can read more about Pacifica in a February 5 News and Observer newspaper article. Please bring only vegan food for this potluck.

The community is located at the end of Hanna St in Carrboro (map). Go to the end of Hanna St and you will see a traffic circle and our colorful homes. Meet in the Common House which is the large white building in the middle of the community close to the traffic circle. Park anywhere around the community (it is not large & an easy walk from any space to the Common House) only in spaces that are not marked "reserved". Carpooling is encouraged.

Friday, February 29, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Restaurant Review, Solomon's Restaurant
Brierdale Shopping Center location
10410 Moncreiffe Rd, Raleigh (see a map)
313-1381
Solomon's cuisine is Mediterranean, and their menu is on their website, www.solomons-restaurant.com. They have a pretty good selection of vegetarian dishes, and quite a few are or can be made vegan.

If you plan on attending, please let us know by 10 am on Friday, February 29, so we can provide a firmer count for our reservation. You can let us know by email to restaurantreviews@trianglevegsociety.org or by phone at 208-7391. If you are confirming for more than yourself, please tell us how many. It is also good if you can provide an alternate method of contacting you such as a phone number in case of a last minute change in schedule.

Thursday, March 6 - 7 pm
The Corporate Takeover of Organic Agriculture and Who Really Owns the Organic Label?
Presentation by Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute

Will corporate investments in industrial scale farms, and monopolistic practices, and foreign imports decouple the organic farming movement from the environmental, animal husbandry and social justice ethics that consumers thought they were supporting? The meteoric growth of the organic marketplace was built on a loving partnership between consumers and family- scale farmers-but that's now breaking. Find out how consumers and farmers can join together to defend the integrity of the organic label.

Join us for a discussion on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the 'Rice House'. The speaker will be Mark Kastel from The Cornucopia Institute in Wisconsin. They are the country's most aggressive organic industry watchdog and have red-flagged important current issues such as: factory farms producing bogus "organic" milk, risks to our food supply from Chinese imports, mandating chemical treatment or irradiation of our food (without our knowledge) and new regulations that could force high-quality North Carolina vegetable farmers out of business - leaving us only with corporate-produced vegetables from California or even China. Mark has been described as one of the "most provocative voices in the organic community." Everyone will have the opportunity to share their views and experiences as well as listen to Mark's presentation. Mark's presentation is free and open to the public. For further questions please call Kitty at (919) 383-7276.

The Rice Diet Program
1644 Cole Mill Road
Durham, NC 27705

Thursday, March 20 - 7 pm
Cloned Meat: Should We Be Concerned When It's For Dinner?
(This non-TVS event was originally scheduled for March 6, and has been rescheduled for March 20.)

Every month, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will explore a science topic that's making headlines - or should be! While many Morehead programs are designed for children, Current Science Forums are planned specifically for adults.

The heart of each Current Science Forum is the roundtable discussion that follows an expert presentation. Coffee and cookies are provided as the conversation flows at your table! Talk, listen and learn. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill presents the next topic of its Current Science Forums series on Thursday, March 20, with "Cloned Meat: Should We Be Concerned When It's For Dinner?"

Is cloned meat the same thing as regular meat, and what is the research to back up the answer? Dr. Daniel Pomp, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences at UNC, will delve into some of the tough questions that arise when the use of cloning for consumption is brought into the mix. The program will explore the potential risks to health safety and food security while offering a look at the science and technology behind the cloning process.

"Cloned Meat: Should We Be Concerned When It´s For Dinner?" is free and open to the public. The program begins in MPSC´s Banquet Hall with the speaker´s introduction at 7 p.m. and follows with informal discussions in small groups.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is located at 250 E. Franklin Street, in downtown Chapel Hill.

Thursday, March 20
Great American Meatout
Invite your friends to enjoy a day without meat and take advantage of the many benefits that a plant-based diet affords for them and for the planet.

Saturday, March 22, 2008- 7:00 pm
Potluck Dinner (Potluck FAQ)
Jodi & Bill O'Neill's home
118 Turquoise Creek Dr, Cary (see a map)
462-0672, jeo@nc.rr.com
From Raleigh, take I-40 to Harrison Avenue exit. Turn left at the light at the top of the exit ramp. After several lights, turn right onto Cary Parkway. Follow Cary Parkway to High House Road (Preston Corners). Turn right onto High House Road. At the next light, turn right onto Prestonwood Parkway, then an immediate left onto Bridle Creek until it ends. Turn right onto Creek Park Dr., then the next right onto Turquoise Creek Dr. Jodi is at 118, 10th house on the Right.

From Durham or Chapel Hill, take I-40 East to Davis Drive exit. Turn left at end of exit ramp, going South about 5-7 miles. When you see Preston Village on Right - turn Left onto Hogan's Valley Way; take the next Right onto Glen Abbey, then right onto Preston Pines, then right onto Creek Park Drive. Turn left onto Turquoise Creek Dr; Jodi is at 118, the 10th house on the Right. To return: from Turquoise Creek turn left onto Creek Park Drive until it ends at Davis Drive, then turn right going north until Junction for I-40.

Friday, March 28
Call-A-Dietitian Day
The Vegetarian Resource Group, that TVS is a member organization of, is hosting free 20-minute phone consultations for members. Mark Rifkin, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian with a Master's Degree in Health Education, will be available from 2:30p - 5:30p on Friday, March 28th. To reserve time on his schedule, please email the Vegetarian Resource Group at vrg@vrg.org or call them at 410-366-8343.

Please note that these sessions are not individualized nutritional counseling. Such advice should only be provided through direct in-person contact with a qualified health professional. There is no charge, but if you do commit, please call on time.

Mark has been presenting on food-related topics for more than seven years. Currently, he has a private practice in Baltimore, MD that focuses on plant-based nutrition for prevention, as well as treatment of various chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, gout, women's health concerns, cancer, and early-stage kidney failure. In addition, Mark is offering in his private practice a 20% discount on any service for VRG members.

Saturday, March 29 - 7:00 pm
Restaurant Review, Thai Lanna
5410 NC Highway 55, Durham (see a map)
484-0808
Thai Lanna's menu is on their website, www.thailannarestaurant.com. They said everything could be made vegetarian as long as it is not a meat dish. They also said they can leave the fish sauce out of dishes and that their Pad Thai can be made vegan (for those Pad Thai fans among us).

If you plan on attending, please let us know by noon on Saturday, March 29, so we can provide a firmer count for our reservation. You can let us know by email to restaurantreviews@trianglevegsociety.org or by phone at 208-7391. If you are confirming for more than yourself, please tell us how many. It is also good if you can provide an alternate method of contacting you such as a phone number in case of a last minute change in schedule.

Saturday, April 26 - 6:00 pm
Potluck Dinner (Potluck FAQ)
Teri Beckman & Jo Pelligra's home
1105 Iredell St (between Club and Englewood), Durham (see a map)
286-9530
Potluck dinner and optional outing afterwards.
From I-40, take the Durham Expressway toward and past downtown Durham; Swift Ave. exit, turning toward Ninth St and Duke University East; Swift becomes Broad, just before Whole Foods on the L; L from Broad at gas station onto Englewood; 1st R Iredell; 3rd house on L.

Thursday, May 1 - 6:30 pm
Vegan dinner and Talk by Will Tuttle (please RSVP)
Presentation title: The Vegan Way: Exploring the Liberating Power of Non-violence
Sitar India Palace
3117-D Shannon Rd, Durham (see a map. If you turn on to Shannon Rd. from 15-501, turn left from Shannon Rd. onto Auto Dr. to enter the shopping center where Sitar is located.)
Questions and to RSVP: contact Loren Hart at 919-265-9985

See this flyer for more details about this event. We'll have dinner in the banquet room at 6:30, followed by a presentation titled "The Vegan Way: Exploring the Liberating Power of Non-violence". Open to the public. The vegan dinner will consist of a set menu of masala dosa, idli, sambar, coconut chutney dhal, papadum, okra, aloo gobi mutter, channa masala, aloo paratha, salad, sliced fruit, and mango juice. The cost will be a fixed price of $15 (including tax and tip).

It would be helpful to know how many are coming to the restaurant. Please contact Loren at 919-265-9985 to let him know that you are planning on attending.

Will Tuttle, advocate for veganism, peace, and the animals for 25 years, as well as author, musician, and author of the new book The World Peace Diet, will speak during his visit of the Triangle area. After we eat, we will be treated by a talk.

Will's activism includes having served on the board of advisors of EarthSave as well as being a frequent presenter at vegetarian and animal welfare/rights conferences. He has been a regular columnist with VegNews Magazine since its founding six years ago and is a co-founder of the Worldwide Prayer Circle for Animals, a non-denominational group using "action and the power of prayer, meditation, and/or focused thought to liberate all animals from human oppression and exploitation". Will has a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley focused on educating intuition and compassion.

Will travels full-time with his wife Madeleine, also a long-time vegan, a visionary artist from Switzerland, presenting lectures, as well as concerts of original uplifting piano music, workshops, retreats, and art exhibits. Among his CDs, AnimalSongs is well-loved by vegetarians because it includes the voices of non-human animals along with the music, as well as a discourse, Living in Harmony With All Life. His new book is said to be the first to make explicit the relationships between our culture and food, and to offer a positive transformation to our individual and collective lives.

Saturday, May 3 - 7:00 pm
Potluck and Talk by Will Tuttle (Potluck FAQ)
Presentation title: The World Peace Diet
Unity Spiritual Life Center
2604-H Carver Street, Durham (see a map)
Questions: contact Loren Hart at 919-265-9985

See this flyer for more details about this event. Will Tuttle, advocate for veganism, peace, and the animals for 25 years, as well as author, musician, and author of the new book The World Peace Diet, will speak during his visit of the Triangle area. After we eat, we will be treated by a talk and, if we're lucky, some music by Will.

Need ideas for vegan recipes? See the recipes section of our links page, as well as the Dinner with Dilip cooking blog written by TVS President Dilip Barman.

Will's activism includes having served on the board of advisors of EarthSave as well as being a frequent presenter at vegetarian and animal welfare/rights conferences. He has been a regular columnist with VegNews Magazine since its founding six years ago and is a co-founder of the Worldwide Prayer Circle for Animals, a non-denominational group using "action and the power of prayer, meditation, and/or focused thought to liberate all animals from human oppression and exploitation". Will has a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley focused on educating intuition and compassion.

Will travels full-time with his wife Madeleine, also a long-time vegan, a visionary artist from Switzerland, presenting lectures, as well as concerts of original uplifting piano music, workshops, retreats, and art exhibits. Among his CDs, AnimalSongs is well-loved by vegetarians because it includes the voices of non-human animals along with the music, as well as a discourse, Living in Harmony With All Life. His new book is said to be the first to make explicit the relationships between our culture and food, and to offer a positive transformation to our individual and collective lives.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 6:00 pm
Film, potluck, and talk on Judaism and Vegetarianism (Potluck FAQ)
Home of Barry and Tink Nakell
149 Dixie Drive, Chapel Hill (see a map)
919-967-7325
Come at 6:00 pm to watch A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values To Help Heal the World, or come at 7:00 for just the potluck and talk. When eating slows down, Barry Nakell will speak on the topic of Judaism and Vegetarianism.

Please be mindful of parking only in their driveway or in front of their house; there should be ample parking. Also, Barry and Tink kindly request that all please leave their shoes at the entrance of their home.

From East of Chapel Hill, take I40 W to exit 266, L onto Hwy 86, pass Weaver Dairy Rd after a few lights then a light at Westminister, get in L turn lane and turn L at Stateside, in 1 block R onto Dixie Dr, and they are on the left at 149 3-4 blocks on the L.

From West of Chapel Hill, take I40 E to exit 266 and turn R onto Hwy 86, then follow directions as above.

From downtown Chapel Hill, take Columbia St north - it will become MLK Blvd (previously known as Airport Rd), pass Estes Dr / Piney Mountain Rd / and Homestead Rd then take the first R onto Dixie Ln, in 1 block R onto Dixie Dr, then find their home at 149 2-3 blocks ahead on the L.

Sunday, June 1 - 1:30 pm
Potluck brunch (vegan food only, please) (Potluck FAQ)
Joy Anandi's home
15 Copper Hill Ct, Durham
489-3340
Celebrate the first day of June with a Sunday potluck brunch on Joy's lovely deck and inside spaces. Vegan only, please. Copper Hill is almost exactly a mile down Woodcroft Parkway from NC 751 (from I-40 take 751 North, cross NC 54, and turn right at the 2nd light just past Woodcroft Shopping Center).

Thursday, August 14 - Monday, August 18
Animal Rights 2008 National Conference
Sponsored by FARM (888-FARM USA)
The Animal Rights 2008 National Conference will be held at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, a close-in suburb of Washington, DC.

Saturday, October 4 - 7:00 pm
Potluck Dinner (Potluck FAQ)
Lucy Moore's home
Details TBA.