Looking for stuff to do this weekend? These are our picks:

Saturday, October 31st

Stray Cat Club Halloween Fundraiser: If we didn’t already have Halloween plans we would be at this event for sure. Last year’s Stray Cat Club was a blast and included a fantastic all vegan meal as well as great silent auction prizes. Tickets are still available for this even which is being held in Beverly Hills and and can be purchased online. Click here for all the info.

Sunday, November 1st:

World Vegan Day Rollerskating Celebration: As is rollerskating/rollerblading isn’t cool enough, the 65th Annual World Vegan Day LA celebration will feature vegan foods from various LA vegan restaurant vendors. You can win raffle prizes and skating prizes as well as vote to crown LA’s best vegan restaurant. Click here for more info.

For even more events happening this weekend, check out the calendar.

It was nice to see one of yesterday’s “Feature Articles” on CNN’s homepage was the article “Eating animals is making us sick” written by Jonathan Safran Foer. I have to admit, I haven’t read Jonathan’s new book “Eating Animals” but I have a $5 off Waldenbooks coupon sitting right in front of me which will be used this weekend to purchase said book. It’s amazing to see such high-profile articles getting coverage in mainstream media. That coupled with 3 books related to veganism in Amazon’s top 100 bestselling books is truly astounding. You can read Jonathan’s article here and you can also catch Jonathan discussing his new book at the Santa Monica Public Library on November 7th.

blogdowntown posted this article and photo gallery weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to write about it, but haven’t gotten around to it. Ed Fuentes followed Los Angeles’ Animal Sales Task Force on a recent Saturday during a sweep of Santee Alley looking for vendors selling small animals. As Ed reports, ten felony arrests were made including six with charges of animal neglect. It’s nice to see that the Animal Protection Unit for the City Attorney’s Office was there to explain to the gathered crowd why these animals are being confiscated, why people are being arrested and how these sales fall under animal abuse. You can read the full article with photos of the raid here. I’m hoping these raids on illegal pet sales will become more commonplace.

Looking for stuff to do this weekend? These are our picks:

Friday, October 23rd

International Animal Liberation Talk at EkoZone: Greg Kelly, long time international animal rights activist and co-founder to the NYC based group Win Animal Rights, will be speaking about international animal liberation efforts at Eko Zone in Venice Beach. As a member of the North American Animal Liberation Front Press Office he should have some keen insight into direct action and abolitionists struggles. The talk happens at 7:00 PM and vegan refreshments will be served. Click here for more info.

Saturday, October 24th:

Leaflet with Compassion Over Killing: As part of International Day of Climate Action, Compassion Over Killing will be handing out flyers in cities all over the US informing the public about the environmental benefits of a vegan diet. You can join them at Manhattan Beach Pier to help hand out leaflets to the eco-conscious community. RSVP to info@cok.net or call 301-891-2458. Click here for more info.

For even more events happening this weekend, check out the calendar.

We are happy to announce that Minneapolis’ Fast & Furless Vegan Emporium is now carrying The Vegan Collection wallets and belts in their shop. I have a particular fondness for this shop since I spent a good portion of the ’90s living in Minneapolis wishing there was a vegan friendly shop somewhere in town. I moved and then they opened. Bummer for me, great for the Twin Cities. We are thrilled to have them carrying our product. Check them out if you find yourself in the Seward neighborhood and stop by the Seward Cafe and have vegan biscuits and gravy for me (how I miss those biscuits and gravy)! Here’s their online shop.

UCLA has been pushing their pro-vivisection message for years, but last week they unveiled their new billboards around town as well as taking out an ad in the LA Times. UCLA’s Bruins For Animals is fighting back and holding 2 forums to address the claims in their latest campaign. This Wednesday, October 21st, PETA animal-experimentation specialist Dr. Alka Chandna will be speaking at Ackerman’s 2nd Floor Lounge and will address students at a UCLA forum aimed at exposing cruelty inside the school’s animal laboratories. Next Wednesday, October 28th, President and Co-Founder of Americans for Medical Advancement Dr. Rey Greek will be speaking at Humanities A51. He will be discussing the need for alternatives in animal testing on a purely scientific basis. Both events start at 7:00 PM. You can find out more on the Bruins For Animals events calendar here.

Looking for fun stuff to do this weekend? These are our picks:

Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18:

Healthy Lifestyle Expo: If you find yourself out in the valley this weekend, stop by the 2009 Healthy Lifestyle Expo. I have attended the Expo in previous years to check out some of the vendors. Generally they have a wide range of vegan vendors peddling their wears in an exhibit hall, but it looks like this year is more focused on the speakers and cooking panels. Still worth looking into if you’re passionate about healthy eating. Click here for more info.

Saturday, October 17th:

Paws On The Patio Pet Adoption:Come out and find your new BFF. LA Animal Services will be bringing both dogs and cats out to Pussy and Pooch Pet Store on Saturday. Every animal that is adopted gets a free goodie bag with food and accessories. Click here for more info.

Sunday, October 18th:

Walk For Farm Animals:Farm Sanctuary’s annual Walk for Farm Animals in October helps spread the word about the treatment of animals on factory farms. Join fellow animal rights activists this Sunday in Long Beach to raise funds and awareness for Farm Sanctuary. The special guest for the afternoon will be veterinarian and animal advocate Dr. Armaiti May. Click here for more info.

For even more events check out the calendar.

Here’s a great new volunteer run website. “Bound Angels” goal is to try and teach shelters a better way to market their animals. They are currently focusing on my neighborhood shelter, North Central, on Lacy Street. Here is a current sample.

Check out their site here and be sure to forward it on.

We are happy to announce we have two new additions to the online store:

The “National Wallet,” a medium sized bi-fold wallet which contains 5 card slots, 2 interior slip pockets, a clear ID window and a single bill section. The wallet measures 3.25″ x 4″ when folded and comes in 4 colors, traditional black and brown plus red and white. Price is $24.

The “Sampras Belt,” a faux-woven black belt with brushed aluminum buckle and loop. The belt measures 1.5″ wide, is available in 5 sizes and is priced at $23.

Both can now be found in The Vegan Collection online store. Go pick them up today. And don’t forget! 25% of our profits go to animal rights charities!

Looking for fun stuff to do this weekend? These are our picks:

Friday, October 9th:

Compassionate Cuisine Celebration: Sample food from all across the globe at today’s celebration of World Vegetarian Day. Tickets are $45 at the door, but all proceeds from this annual event benefit Animal Acres’ emergency rescue and refuge efforts. Click here for more info.

Saturday, October 10th:

Spork Foods Moroccan Cuisine Class: The sisters of Spork Foods are having a Moroccan cooking class. I’m sure I’m not the only vegan out there that doesn’t know anything about making a Moroccan meal. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how, here’s your chance! Click here for more info.

For even more events check out the calendar.