Cocktails and Dinosaurs: VeganMoFo Edition Week 1

Semi-weekly posts with an assortment of news I found on the internet and then regurgitate for you here with links and stuff.

The month of October is the Vegan Month of Food, better known as VeganMoFo.  So if you're confused about what our blog is doing, you can read about it here.  While your at it, discover some great blogs, find amazing recipes, and look at hours of vegan food porn.

• Speaking of vegan food porn, we've been flooding our twitter account with tasty photos from our delicious food adventures.  Follow us @blog_scuse_me!

• Could Coachella switch to 100% Vegetarian Event if Morrissey and Johnny Marr will just put their differences aside and perform as the Smiths? According to Morrissey, yes.  What if after they played Coachella they went on a world tour?  Would the whole world go vegetarian?  There is only one way to find out.  Smiths Reunion Tour!!  (via Stereogum)

• If you read the Stereogum article above, then you know Eric Bana is Morrissey's favorite Australian animal.  Can we just take a moment to appreciate that?

• Do you like Sci Fi?  Are you a vegan?  Did you know Michael Dorn is a vegan?  Do you know who Michael Dorn is?  Well, if you've answered yes to most of those questions, then there a site for you!!  It's called VeganSciFi.com.

 

• Vegan hair care products tested on film stars?  I guess I can live with that.  Rosario Dawson, Natalie Imbruglia, and hair care expert Tara Smith team up to build a better coif. (via Veg News)
  
• On Grub Street this week, an article titled, "Eight Surprisingly Awesome New Vegan Dishes."  Is "surprisingly" necessary?  Anyway, "surprisingly" I've only been to one place this list so far.  Beyond Sushi is amazing and has had a table at the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival the past two years.  I can't wait to try these other spots.  

Cocktail of the Week:  Kentucky Ginger


This is a cocktail I got at The Campbell Apartment in Grand Central Station.  If my memory serves me correct, this cocktail contained Maker's Mark, Domaine de Canton (ginger-flavored liqueur), and some sort of muddling with rosemary.  Essentially, a pricier version of a bourbon and ginger ale (psst... that's my favorite drink).  It was tasty, but the slight flirtation of rosemary made me wish there was more.

 These are some pictures inside The Campbell Apartment which creates a really cool, old new york-esque atmosphere (i.e. makes me feel important as I eat olives and sip cocktails).

Send any news tidbits and cocktails ideas to: monicatara[at]gmail.com

Rooftop Party for Animals Asia

If you're in the New York City on August 16th (this coming Thursday), join us for cocktails and delicious vegan hors d'oeuvres in midtown Manhattan.  Get some friends together to watch the sunset* on a gorgeous rooftop bar in support of the Animals Asia Foundation before the summer is over. 

This event is being thrown by the US Veg Corp.  They are responsible for the annual NYC Vegetarian Food Festival (as well as other events like this one), so follow them on facebook and twitter to find out more about what they do and upcoming events.

Details: 
Come for beautiful rooftop views of the city with hor d'oeuvres from vegan friendly NYC-based restaurants (Beyond Sushi, Vegetarian Paradise 2, and Kyotofu) and drink specials. 

When:
August 16th, 2012 (Thursday) from 7-9pm

Where:
XVI Lounge
251 West 48th Street - Google Maps

"This roof deck atop a Hilton Hotel seeks to re-create the "decadent" era of Louis XVI. Presumably there are no impending beheadings." -Time Out New York

Tickets:
Get your tickets now!
$20.00 in advance
$25.00 at the door

Let them know you heard about this event from Monica!

Why:
A portion on the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Animals Asia Foundation!  Animals Asia is an Asian-focused registered charity with three flagship programmes:

End Bear Farming:

In countries across Asia, thousands of bears live a life of torture on bear farms, so that their bile can be extracted and used in traditional medicine to cure ailments ranging from headaches to hemorrhoids. Bears are confined in cages which vary from agonizingly tiny "crush" cages to larger pens, all of which cause terrible physical and mental suffering.

They have 250 rescued bears in sanctuaries in China and Vietnam and are working to reduce the demand for bear bile by promoting cruelty-free alternatives.

Cat and Dog Welfare:

Animals Asia is dedicated to protecting dogs and cats from cruelty, suffering and neglect and to restoring respect for animals which have proven to be our loyal companions and friends. Dogs and cats provide us with unconditional love and they deserve our protection. We develop programmes with individuals, welfare groups and governments to benefit animals and people alike.  

Their campaigns including Friends or Food (to end the consumption of cats and dogs in Asia) and Animal Therapy (offering pet-facilitated therapy to hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, etc. in Hong Kong and China).

Action Against Cruelty:
Speaking out for animals on issues as they emerge; bringing to public attention archaic and cruel practices that continue in the name of public entertainment and traditional medicine; exposing the reality of live animal markets.

Issues including live animal feedings at zoos and parks and wildlife consumption.

All this information can be found on their website as well as videos like this one of adorable juvenile bears playing at their Vietnam rescue center:


See you there!


* Keep in mind, I do not control the weather, if it's cloudy that day, I apologize for the lack of sunset views.