pl indicates potluck. please bring a vegetarian, preferably vegan, item to share, and please include a list of ingredients. please bring serving utensils, as well as a plate, glass, and utensils for yourself.

Th January 1, 1998 Happy New Year! Adopt as one of your resolutions to help with the Great American Meatout (March 20; see below) and plan to contact Dilip soon to volunteer.

Su January 11 1:30p - Lunch Social with Wayne County Vegetarian Society, T.S. Elliotts City Market Bistro, Raleigh 839-0405 (reservations required by Th Jan. 8). Our friends of the Wayne County Veg. Society in Goldsboro are coming to Raleigh for a social meeting and have arranged for this fine restaurant near Moore Square and in the historic City Market to be open just for this event. It will cost $17.95 plus tip and feature a vegan and a vegetarian choice for each of the three courses. Come meet and make some new friends from Goldsboro, about 2 hours southeast of Raleigh. One of our members will be talking about spirituality and vegetarianism with examples from Taoism. For more information, contact Dick Archie at (919)735-0098 (work) or 735-8802 (home) or by email at darchie@esn.net.

PL Sa January 24, 1998 7p - Sue, Keith, and Katie Barnett, 604 Broad Leaf Circle, RAL 27613 781-6904, sueandkeith@horizons.net. From Crabtree Valley Mall (near 70 and 440) in Raleigh, go west on Glenwood Ave past all the lights in front of Crabtree; R at light onto Creedmoor; up hill to first light - L onto Millbrook; at next light R onto Leesville (twisty road); R at 4th light onto Ray Rd; 1st L Autumn Chase (then see below). From Durham and points west, take 70 east toward Raleigh (one way is to take 40 to 540 just before the airport to 70); pass airport; mile or two past Umstead Park L at light onto Lynn Rd; 1st light R Leesville; L at first paved road - Ray; up steep hill and 1st immed L into Autumn Chase. Within Autumn Chase, bear R on Autumn Chase Dr as you go uphill; pass Oak Hollow, "garbage loop", and Broad Leaf Circle; at T, L at Broad Leaf Circle (not the one you pass earlier); in 1st set of condos about 3/4 toward end of building (look for toy in front)

Tu January 27 7p - Restaurant review, Cafe Parvaneh Persian Restaurant, 400J S.Elliott Rd. (in Galleria Shopping center down the street from Wellspring), Chapel Hill 929-2779. Contact Shelli Fein (969-1669) for details or for future monthly reviews.

Sa January 31 7p - Joint TVS - Duke Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Pizza Dinner. Duke University East Campus Union, 2nd floor meeting room. We will be ordering vegan pizzas and estimate it to cost $5 per person. please RSVP to Ann Williams at 613-1922 or aaw1@acpub.duke.edu. Afterwards, for those interested, we'll either see a movie or a video. You need to get on 147 (Durham Expressway) going N from the Triangle; from Chapel Hill, take 15/501 Bypass to 147 S, and from other points, take 40 to 147 N. Take the Swift Ave exit and turn toward 9th St and East Campus. Cross the RR tracks and R onto Main St; L at 2nd light onto Buchanan; L next light into campus; pass white house on R; R just before Crowell old brick building and look for parking. The Union is on the main quad toward the R. If you're interested in carpooling with an expert at getting around the campus, call Rondi at 572-0093.

Sa February 7 7p - planning meeting/dinner for Great American Meatout. please come and contribute your ideas and energy to help plan for the March 20th event. I would like to plan some local events, like cooking with school children, providing a homeless shelter with a meal, and literature tabling, along with good publicity. To tempt you to come, all the (vegan) food will be donated and catered by two TVS members. Tonya Adams (Word of Mouth Services) will provide a main course and desserts to tantalize you about her new vegetarian catering business, Lila Chung (Delight Food Co.) will be providing burgers and cold cut sandwiches (all vegan!), and TVS will pitch in for juices and spritzers. You don't even need to bring a plate - just come with your ideas and readiness to help out! please RSVP to Tonya (828-8525) by February 1. Durham Friends' Meeting House, 408 Alexander Avenue (near Duke University), Durham. From Chapel Hill, take 15/501 past South Square Mall; go past two bridges and at Hardee's L onto Nation Street; 1st L Vineyard to T and turn R onto Chapel Hill Rd.; L at 1st light onto Anderson; R onto Campus Drive; L Alexander; hall is almost immediately on L (park on street). Coming from Raleigh, take route 40 to 751 North toward Durham. Stay on 751 when it zigs onto University and then zags straight for Duke. R onto Campus Drive, L Alexander, hall on L. The hall has a phone - 286-4958.

Tu February 10 7:30p-8:30p Vegetarian Family Night at Barnes & Nobles Bookstore, 760 Maynard Rd SE (at Walnut St.), Cary 27511, 467-3866. TVS Nutrition Consultant Chip Law will be giving a talk and answering questions about vegetarian nutrition through the stages of life. Vegan hors d'oeuvres will be served. From 40, take exit 291 for Cary Town Blvd; R; L at 2nd light (Maynard); L next light (Walnut); store is ahead near Macaroni Grill, across from Cary Town Mall.

PL Sa February 21, 1998 7p - Joint potluck with NC Peace Action. Cyrus King of NC Peace Action will speak on issues of both national and local relevance for peace building. Durham Friends' Meeting House (see directions above).

W February 25 7p - Restaurant review, Blue Corn Cafe, Ninth St., Durham. Contact Shelli Fein (969-1669) for details or for future monthly reviews.

M March 2 7-8p Durham Food Coop Sponsored Talk. Tony Kleese, Coordinator, Organic Trade Association's Organic Certifiers Council, and Chairman, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's Certification Policy Board, will present An Overview of The Proposed National Organic Program, How it Affects you, and What You Can do About It. For background, check out the Pure Food Campaign and consider providing public comments that the USDA is soliciting until April 30. The Durham Food Coop is at 1101 W. Chapel Hill St. near downtown Durham. For additional information, contact Sharon LaPalme by email or phone (613-8088).

Sa March 7 noon - Kids' Outing, playspace, 400 Glenwood Ave., RAL 832-1212 (directions), 832-2617 (assistance). playspace is a delightful non-profit children's museum dedicated to the education and development of young children (6 months - 7 years) through play. We'll meet at 11:50 for the 12-12:50 (and optional 1-1:50) play session. Cost is $2/person for each session. (Hours in general are Tu-Sa 9-5, M 9-1.) They're located on the corner of Glenwood Ave. and North St. between Hillsborough and Peace Streets. From downtown Raleigh, go up Hillsborough towards NCSU; R Glenwood 3 blocks to playspace on your R. From Durham and Chapel Hill, 40E to Wade Ave.; Capital Blvd. exit toward downtown; soon come to Peace - R; 2 blocks L onto Glenwood; in 3 blocks playspace will be on your L. A small parking lot is just North of playspace on Glenwood and a bigger lot is 2 blocks to the East off Harrington St. (see parking signs).

PL Sa March 14 7:30p - Joint potluck with Jain Study Center of NC. Pravin Shah of TVS and the Jain Study Group will be giving a talk on Jainism and Vegetarianism. Raleigh Friends Meeting House, 625 Tower St., Raleigh. Tower runs parallel to Oberlin Rd near Cameron Village and a bit north of the NCSU campus. From 440, take Hillsborough St. (Hwy 54) toward downtown Raleigh; in about 2 miles turn L onto Chamberlain St; R Everett St; 1st L onto Tower. From points West via 40, take the Wade Avenue exit to Oberlin Rd ramp - R onto Oberlin toward Cameron Village; go .4 mile and R onto Bedford Ave; go .1 mile and L onto Tower; 625 Tower is .1 mile ahead. The number at the hall is 821-4414.

F March 20 - Great American Meatout. We have quite a few events planned for this weekend - contact Dilip to help.

F March 20 - TVS members will be working in Chapel Hill with Guy Phillips Middle School's home economics classes 10a-2:20p, cooking vegan dishes with 6th-8th graders.

F March 20 7-9p - UNC Student Environmental Action Coalition sponsors Erik Marcus for a free talk, "The Vegetarian Advantage". Erik's 1998 book, Vegan: the New Ethics of Eating, describes the advantages of plant-based diets, giving scientific evidence and personal descriptions of dietary risk factors and degenerative diseases, mad cow disease, factory farming, chemical agriculture, and cattle grazing politics. Some have praised his new book as an excellent version of "Diet for a New America" (an oft-cited book by John Robbins and considered by many to be the must-read book of vegetarianism) with updated research and statistics. In his talk, he starts with an overview of the "mad cow" crisis, presents new research results that show why vegetarians have lower heart disease and cancer rates and are more able to attain an ideal body weight, and discusses the condition of farm animals. Manning Hall, room 202, Univ. of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus. From route 54 or 40, follow signs to UNC in Chapel Hill and park in any of the lots or along the street. Manning is in the main quad kitty corner from the Davis Library (which is next to the student union and bookstore), West of Raleigh St., South of Cameron Ave., East of Columbia St., and North of South Rd. Contact Tina Yuen at 370-5553 or furies@email.unc.edu or Dilip Barman at barman@cs.unc.edu.

Sa March 21 - Homeless shelter meal. TVS will be providing a vegan meal for the Durham Rescue Mission to include chili, stew, rice, salad, mixed vegetables, corn bread, fruit salad, and sorbet. Noon. The Rescue Mission is at 1201 E. Main St (corner of Allston), north 3-4 blocks of exit 11 from the Durham Freeway and can be reached at 688-9641 (but contact Dilip to help).

Sa March 21 7-9p - Hindu Society of North Carolina sponsors Erik Markus' talk "The Vegetarian Advantage"; see description above (again, no cost). The temple is at 309 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville, centrally located near Raleigh-Durham Airport. From route 40, take exit 285 for Morrisville and turn toward Morrisville and away from the airport; pass Lake Crabtree on your left and in about a mile look for "Gamma Technologies" on the right - the temple is almost immediately after that on the right (about 1/4 mile before the road ends at Chapel Hill Rd and railroad tracks). Contact Madhu Dev (544-4854) or Dilip for more information.

M March 23 7:30p - Restaurant review, The Gypsy Cafe, 201 W Chatham
St at Harisson Ave in Downtown Cary (27511), 462-8000.
Contact Shelli Fein at 969-1669 for details or for future monthly reviews.

PL Sa April 4 7p - Joint potluck with Kadampa Tibetan Buddhist Center. Don Brown, spiritual director of the Center, will lead an interactive session about the relationship of Buddhism with compassionate living, non-violence, and vegetarianism. Durham Friends' Meeting House (see directions above).

Sa April 11 - Burlington Outlet Mall / Dinner meeting with Very Vegetarian Society of Winston-Salem. We will start in the early afternoon and carpool to the Burlington Outlet Mall (or to do something else in the Greensboro area), then meet the Very Vegetarian Society of Winston-Salem for a dinner and short program so our groups can get to know each other. We'll eat at 6p at the aptly named vegetarian Grapevine Cafe (336-856-0070) in Greensboro. please RSVP to Dilip by April 9 if you want to participate. (If you want to meet at the restaurant, take route 40 to the Jamestown/Guilford College exit; bear R and go to the R for 2 miles; turn R at Pizza Hut onto Tomahawk Dr - the Grapevine is just ahead.)

M April 22 - Earth Day. We will probably be tabling at Earth Day festivals in each of the Triangle cities the weekend before or after. Contact Dilip if you can help.

PL Sa April 25 6:30p - Donna & George Allison, 500 W. Bywood Drive, Durham 471-6227 Vegan preferred, please remember to bring your own plate and utensils. They are off Roxboro Road, just South of Norther High School. From Raleigh, take route 70 West to 85 South to Roxboro Road North; from Chapel Hill or Durham, go through town or take 85 North. In any case, go 7 mi north on Roxboro, see Eno Valley School on L, and turn L at light by the school onto Milton; 2 mi R Andover; 1st L Don Lee; 1st R W. Bywood; last house on L, #500 brown ranch.

Th April 30 7p - Jennifer Raymond talk and food demonstration. Very Vegetarian Society of Winston-Salem is sponsoring Jennifer Raymond, author of many vegetarian books such as "The Peaceful Palate" and many of the recipes featured in Dean Ornish's heart recovery plan, for a free talk and food demo. YWCA auditorium, 1201 Glade St., Winston-Salem. Take 40 West past Greensboro to business 40; Broad St. exit from business 40; L 4th St; bear to R at park w/ gazebo to join Glade St.; YWCA is on R. Contact the Very Vegetarian Society by email at annepw@prodigy.net for more details.

PL Sa May 2 6p Picnic potluck, Garrett Rd Park. The park is very close to Woodcroft in Durham. From route 40, take exit 274 for route 751 and go North toward Durham. In about a mile cross the light at route 54; almost immediately you will come to a second light. Turn L at this light onto Garrett Rd. The park is just ahead on the R, across from Jordan High School. From Duke or South Square areas of Durham, take 15/501 to the light at Darryl's Restaurant across from the mall with T.J. Maxx. This light is Garrett Rd - turn away from T.J. Maxx and pass Darryl's. Look for the park several miles ahead on the L, across from Jordan High School.

Sa-Su May 16-17 - Artsplosure Spring Jazz and Art Festival, downtown Raleigh. TVS will have a table on Sa from 10-7 and Su 11-6. Contact Dilip to help staff the table.

PL Sa May 23 7p - Joint Potluck with NC Network for the Animals. Dietrich von Haugwitz, long-time animal advocate and active member of the Network, will talk about current animal rights issues in the area, share his view of common ground both organizations share, and invite attendees to participate in Network activities. Durham Friends' Meeting House (see directions above).

PL Sa June 27 7p - Suzy Carlson and Bart Wendel, 5312 Covey Ct Apt B, Raleigh 27609, suzycarlson@juno.com. From CH, DUR, and points West, take 40E to 440 N/E; exit 10 for Wake Forest Rd; L at light (North away from downtown); once Wake Forest becomes Falls of the Neuse, get in far R lane, pass Millbrook Rd, and R (R turn only lane) onto Quail Ridge Rd; 5th L onto cul-de-sac Covey Ct -- park on the street here as there is no visitor's parking in the lot; at end of road in R back corner is big grey house, #5312; Apt B is on R upstairs. From points east,Take 440 N/W to exit 10 for Wake Forest Rd and R (away from downtown) at light, then as above. From North Raleigh, take Millbrook Rd and turn North on Falls of the Neuse (away from downtown), then follow directions as above.

Sa July 4 3-7 P.M. - Annual picnic at Dietrich & Eva von Haugwitz's.
Once again Dietrich and Eva von Haugwitz are generously providing their lovely grounds for our annual 4th of July potluck picnic. It will be from 3 till 7 P.M. with a possible group fireworks outing afterwards. Dietrich asks that you please avoid plastic or throwaways; please bring your own dishes and utensils (as with all potlucks). There is a natural (but somewhat muddy) pond that you're welcome to swim in, so bring appropriate attire that you'll need. There are limited chairs, so please try to bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Contact Dilip if you can bring lawn games or additional chairs, or to help with setup/cleanup. The von Haugwitz's live in Durham near Chapel Hill off of Erwin Road ; if you're lost, you can call them at 489-2512. Directions: From 15/501 at exit 270 of route 40, go north toward Durham. Turn L onto Mt. Moriah, R onto Erwin, and L onto Whitfield. They are at 5005 Whitfield Rd (the first driveway on the L; if you're lost, you can call them at 489-2512.

W-Su July 8-12 - Vegetarian Summerfest, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (it seems to be about an 8-hour drive from the Triangle). North American Vegetarian Society, (518)568-7970, navs@telenet.net.

Sa July 11 4-7p - Pool party at Manisha Shah's, clubhouse at The Villages Apts. in Carrboro at 1000 Smith Level Rd. From route 54, take the exit just W of UNC for Meritt Mill Rd and make a L onto Smith Level if coming from Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh; if coming from the West, turn R. In any case, go on Smith Level Rd away from downtown Carrboro. In less than a mile turn R at sign for "Villages". Go straight and look for the clubhouse. Bring tennis rackets if you want to play. Around 5:30 we'll make an order for vegan pizzas from Pepper's or other nearby pizza.

M July 13 7-9 P.M. - Neal Barnard, M.D., founder of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will be visiting us in the Triangle to give a lecture based on his most recent (June 1998) book. Radisson Governor's Inn, 1919 E Hwy 54, RTP 549-8631. From Chapel Hill, take route 40 to Davis Drive (exit 280) and go straight at the light at the end of the exit; the inn will be just ahead. From Raleigh, take route 40 to Davis Drive (exit 280) and turn L at the end of the ramp; go over the highway and R at the next light - inn will be just ahead. Locally from E. Durham or RTP, the inn is right off route 54E just before the post office and Davis Dr. (Note that he will also make an appearance at noon at the Regulator Bookshop at 720 9th St. in Durham.)

PL Sa July 25 - "Sword of Peace" Outdoor Drama, Snow Camp 5:30p (play at 8p) Monica Hundley, (910)376-9216 Monica_Hundley@DENTISTRY.UNC.EDU (she's 3 mi from outdoor drama and lives in the middle of the woods on 22 acres) 9849 Twisted Oak Trail, Snow Camp 27349. This is a special potluck in that it is combined with theatre under the stars. NC is known for its outdoor drama, and the "Sword of Peace" is about the Quakers' involvement with the revolutionary war (another long-time classic is "Pathway to Freedom" about the Quakers' help with the underground railroad in the Civil War). Tickets may sell out, so reservations are suggested (call Monica; tickets are around $10). The potluck starts at 5:30 and we'll leave for the play around 7:45. To get to her house, about 40min or 28 miles from Chapel Hill: 54W to Jones Ferry Road; L; cross University Lake then take R at first light onto Old Greensboro Hwy; go around 17 miles; over Haw River into Alamance County; at "downtown Eli Whitney" stop sign continue straight; go 7 more miles to downtown Snow Camp; at caution light L (see sign for "Pathway to Freedom"); 4 miles (pass drama location) and L onto Tom Boggs Rd. (it's the last road before Chatham County - she'll tie something red around the sign); 1st L is Twisted Oak Trail; only driveway on L.

Tu July 28-Su August 2 - 38th Annual Convention of the American Vegan Society, Olympia, WA. For more information, contact AVS at (609)694-2887.

F July 31-Tu August 4 - Annual conference of the American Natural Hygiene Society, Orlando Florida. This was sold-out last year; contact ANHS at (813)855-6607.

Sa August 8 - M August 10 TVS Outer Banks Outing (originally scheduled for May 9-11). Contact Dilip if you would like to participate. If we get enough people, we'll try to rent a house and have fun sharing cooking, bicycling, telling puns, and having a great time!

PL Sa August 22 7p - Joelle Hendrick and daughters Diana and Erica, 135 Berry Patch Ln, Chapel Hill, JJHendrick@aol.com. From Durham and Raleigh, 40 W to 15/501 exit for Chapel Hill, turn toward Chapel Hill (15/501 S), pass several lights till you come to Erwin - R onto Erwin, immed. L onto Dobbins Dr, 1st R into Summerfield Crossing, 2nd R onto Berry Patch Ln, #135 around curve on L. From Chapel Hill, take 15/501 N, turn L at Erwin, and follow directions as above.

Th-Su Sept. 10-13 - 20th annual Great Peanut Bicycle Tour. This is a fun set of rides in southern Virginia and northeastern NC with the famous watermelon rind pickle stop, cucumber
and tomato stops, and of course lots of peanuts. There are non-bicycling activities too like bird watching and edible plant walks. Contact (before 9 P.M.) (800)449-BIKE or www.3rddoor.com/gpt.html; this sold out the last 7 years, so try to register early and contact Dilip so we can go as a group.

F-Su Sept. 11-13 - 14th annual Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto (Canada). Our friends at the Toronto Vegetarian Association have North America's largest vegetarian society at around 1600-1700 members, and this excellent event draws over 10,000 people! Visit this lovely city and check out the food fair - contact TVA at (416)533-3897 or tva@veg.on.ca for details. Note that you may be able to get round-trip airfare for just over $100 - see News and Observer article.

PL Sa September 19 7p - Tellie and Anhill Torres, 113 Culbreth Park Dr, Chapel Hill 27514 929-1711 From 15/501 S, go through Chapel Hill and stay on 15/501 S (you actually have to take an exit for Pittsboro, also marked 15/501 - L end of exit); after the exit light, at the 2nd light R onto Culbreth Rd; go uphill about 1/4 mile and 1st L onto Culbreth Park Dr; #113 about 7th house on L lights; remember to label ingredients and no onions or garlic in any of the dishes, please.

Th September 24 7p - Dhosa dinner outing and reception for Rynn Berry. Sitar India Restaurant, Regency plaza in between Service Merchandise and Kroger near South Square Mall, Durham, 490-1326. Join author Rynn Berry the day before his talk for a delicious
South Indian Dhosa (paper-thin crepe stuffed with a savory mixture of potatoes and onions - one of my favorites!!) dinner. For $15, all-inclusive, we will have an all vegan dinner of appetizers, dhosa, dessert, and mango juice. Reservations required - contact Dilip by M September 21.

PL F September 25 7p - Rynn Berry, author of three vegetarian books and professor at New School for Social Research in New York City will be visiting us and speaking on vegetarianism and world religions. Durham Friends' Meeting House (see directions above).

Sa September 26 3p - Rynn Berry speaking at Quail Ridge Books in the Wellspring Shopping Center on Ridge Rd in Raleigh (828-1588).

Th Oct 1 - World Vegetarian Day (all of October is Vegetarian Awareness Month)

F Oct 2 - World Farm Animals Day; Gandhi's birthday

F Oct 2 - Su Oct 4 Culture & Animals' Foundation's 13th Annual Compassionate
Living Festival. Four Points Hotel Raleigh Crabtree. This is always an exciting event with many famous speakers, and TVS usually designs the menus. Among the many speakers are Dave Morris and Helen Steel, the "McLibel" defendants, and lecture topics include vegetarianism, "deep ethology", women and anti-vivisection, Gandhi and non-violence, compassion, ethics, and the nature of slaughterhouses. For details and to register (by Sept. 28), contact CAF at 782-3739.

pl Sa Oct 10 3p - Triangle Land Conservancy Hike and Potluck; Kevin Brice, 833-3662. Kevin and other TLC members will lead an easy-moderate 1-1.5h hike (3 miles at a slow pace, all on trail; sturdy walking shoes recommended, but sneakers that you don't mind getting dirty will probably work) to explore Richland Creek's role in connecting Umstead Park to Schenck Forest. We will gather at the Picnic area in Schenck Forest after the hike, around 5, for a talk about TLC, and then will eat at 5:30. Richland Creek at NCSU's Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest, Raleigh. Follow these directions to the picnic area for the hike at 3 and/or talk at 5 and/or potluck at 5:30. From Raleigh, Wade Ave west past Meredith College; exit Blue Ridge Rd and go R (north); .5 mi then L on Reedy Creek Rd (opp. NC Art Museum) and go 1.5 miles (Reedy Creek becomes gravel); L at sign for Schenck Forest and continue past open gate; go R and picnic area will be 1/4 mile on R. From Durham, Chapel Hill and points west, 40E to Wade Ave. exit; exit Blue Ridge Rd and turn L (north), then follow directions above. From Cary, Apex and all points south and east, take 440 Inner Beltline/40E to Wade Ave. and follow directions from Durham.

PL Sa Oct 24 7p - Joint potluck with Ethical Culture Society. After the potluck, three TVSers and three ECSers will be on a panel to discuss their views of ethics. This was an exciting event last year - let Dilip know if you want to be on the panel. Durham Friends' Meeting House (see directions above).

PL Sa Nov 7 7p - Jim Miller, 1733 Brooks Ave, RAL 27607 783-5961. From route 40, take the Wade Avenue exit; just before Wellspring, L Ridge Rd; within 1/4 mile or so R Churchill; several stop signs ahead is Brooks - L. Jim is on the L in the last block of Brooks, just before Lake Boone Trail. From downtown Raleigh, come up Hillsborough Rd, pass Morgan St. on your left (where the Irregardless Restaurant is), go another mile and a half or so, and R at light onto Brooks - go to last block as above.

PL Sa Nov 14 7p - Laurie Lynch of Living Well Health Center, 3305 University Dr (7/10 mile from South Square Mall), DUR, 490-1129. From route 40, take route 751 toward Durham (past Woodcroft), turning left when 751 zigs onto University; go a total of .6 miles on University; after the light at Dixon and the Phillips 66 gas station and just before 751 turns R to become Academy Rd, look for the "Living Well Health Center" sign on the L. Hippocrates said "Let medicine be your food and food be yourmedicine", and after we eat, Laurie will speak on eliminating illnesses by eliminating their causes through diet. Laurie is a naturopathic doctor, herbalist, nutritionist, iridologist (study of the eye to find underlying disease problems), and member of TVS.

Th November 26 11:30a-1:30p - Annual TVS Thanksgiving. Irregardless Cafe, 901 W. Morgan St., Raleigh 27603, 833-8898. $16 current members, $20 adult, $7 ages 5-10, free under 5; gourmet all-vegan food, all-inclusive with service. Reservations strongly recommended as this is a very popular event and has sold out in past years - please contact Lauren (363-8595, lab@korl.com) or Rondi (572-0093). Tentatively, the menu will be Grilled Portabello Steak with sauteed spinach and tomato "jam" (with ginger and molasses);Whipped Potatoes; Gumbo; Wild/Brown Rice Pilaf with dried cranberry raisins and almond slivers; Marinated Tofu Mixed Greens Salad with mango vinagerette; choice of Cake or Apple Brown Betty (apple crisp; a reprise from last year - the best apple dish I've ever had!); and tea, coffee, herb tea, and apple and cranberry juices. Morgan St. is off of Hillsborough St. between downtown and NCSU. >From RTP, Durham, Chapel Hill, or points west, take 40 East into Raleigh to the Wade Ave. split (stay to the R). Go 5 miles on Wade (6 lights) and turn R onto Oberlin Rd. In 1 mile, turn L onto Hillsborough St. and in 3/10 mile bear R. Irregardless is 2/10 mile ahead on the R, a green building with maroon awning at the corner of Morgan and Tryon Streets.

Th November 26 2p - post-Thanksgiving Reception at the nearby home of Vickie Martin, Dick Evans, and Emily, 1345 Brooks Ave., Raleigh 27607, 787-7337. Bring games, guitars, and anything you want to have fun with and relax with fellow TVSers! I'll probably bring the TVS videotape showing our media appearances, and may bring the McLibel video again this year. >From the Irregardless, continue on Morgan St. (which is 1-way), and L onto St. Mary's; L onto Hillsborough; go about a mile or mile and a half, pass Eckerd Drug on R, and at next light, R onto Brooks. They are a few blocks down on the L, at the corner with Churchill. (From route 40, take Wade Avenue exit; just before Wellspring, L Ridge Rd; within 1/4 mile or so R Churchill; several stop signs ahead is Brooks.)

F November 27 - International Buy Nothing Day - want to fight consumerism run amuck? Consider not buying anything for 24 hours and giving "Holiday Gift Exemption Vouchers", asking friends and family to skip gifts and spend time with you, not money on you. Sponsored by the MediaFoundation, (800)663-1243, buynothingday@adbusters.org.

PL Sa December 12 6p - Annual TVS Holiday Party Potluck, hosted this year by Dave, Renee, and Patrick Connelly, 3 Bland Spring place, Durham 27713, 544-6372, pedaling@mindspring.com. Take route 40 to exit 274 for route 751 and go south toward Jordan Lake. Go 6/10 mile and turn left (Massey Chapel Road) - look for sign for Stage Stop Development; take the first right onto Bland Spring place; theirs is the second house on the left (red door). We will have a low-/no- cost simple gift exchange - please bring something, wrapped, from around the house that you no longer use that others may find valuable; please bring one present per person. Children welcome!