Turkey Time

[LorienLlewellyn]

"Farm Sanctuary is hosting coast-to-coast benefits to protect innocent turkeys and promote compassionate Thanksgiving traditions everywhere. Farm Sanctuary’s Celebrations FOR the Turkeys: Benefits for Our Feathered Friends — held in three locations this year — will feature decadent, gourmet vegan holiday feasts, inspirational guest presentations, and silent auctions that benefit the animals and provide for all your holiday shopping needs! Guests at our farm events will also have the opportunity to spend quality time with rescued animals and participate in our unique “Feeding of the Turkeys" ceremonies, in which the sanctuary turkeys are the guests of honor and get to feast on their favorite treats: squash, pumpkin pie and cranberries!

THE EVENTS

Farm Sanctuary’s Orland, CA Shelter • Saturday, November 21
Delight in a festive benefit featuring a candlelit gourmet dinner, entertainment and special presentations from actress and animal advocate Daniela Sea, Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter Director Leanne Cronquist, renowned cookbook author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, and Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. Musical performance by Jonathan Richman. $75 per person.

Farm Sanctuary’s Watkins Glen, NY Shelter • Saturday, November 21
Enjoy special presentations from distinguished animal rights philosopher Tom Regan, Farm Sanctuary’s Executive Director Dr. Allan Kornberg and National Shelter Director Susie Coston, as well as a lavish vegan feast. New and exciting for this year, the event will be held at Logan Ridge Estates in Hector, a Finger Lakes venue overlooking scenic Seneca Lake, and catered by Manndible Café, a local and sustainable eatery based in Ithaca, New York. $35 per person.

Tavern on the Green, New York City • Sunday, November 22
Indulge in an elegant vegan brunch at the landmark Tavern on the Green in Central Park with host Russell Simmons and inspiring presentations by Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-Founder Gene Baur, Executive Director Dr. Allan Kornberg and National Shelter Director Susie Coston. Brunch will be followed by a holiday reception featuring spiced cider, hot cocoa, holiday nog, and desserts from the city’s favorite vegan pastry chefs. $150 per person.

THANK YOU TO OUR HOST COMMITTEE

Dorr Begnal & John Talbot, Boston Baked Bonz; Sheridan Brown; Hope Ferdowsian & Nik Kulkarni; Tatiana Freitas; Brian & Lorien Higgins; Piper Hoffman & Aviv Roth; Libra Max; Jody Rasch & Ann Parkin, Wide Circle Vegan Fund; Michael Schwarz; Cheryl Tiffany & Robert Ball; and Jane Velez-Mitchell.

YOUR RSVP

Please join us! Reserve online by selecting one of the event listings above or by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 221. Reservations are required for all events by November 13, 2009. Space is limited, so reserve now. We regret that we may be unable to accommodate reservations received after the deadline. Confirmation and directions will be sent to all registrants.

YOUR DONATION

If you are unable to attend, please celebrate a compassionate Thanksgiving with us in spirit and support these efforts by making a special “Celebration FOR the Turkeys” holiday contribution."
http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/celebration/  

[LorienLlewellyn]

People who are interested but can't make it to the dinner might be interested in signing this petition:

"Every year at Thanksgiving, the president of the U.S. “pardons” two turkeys, sparing them from a grisly slaughterhouse death. Unfortunately, these turkeys have, for the last four years, been sent to a Disney theme park – either Walt Disney World or Disneyland – where at least half of them have died within one year. Because modern commercially-bred turkeys have been genetically manipulated for decades, they are prone to serious health issues that require specialized care. Disney’s track record shows that it simply is not able to provide the level of care necessary to keep these birds healthy, happy and comfortable for years.

Of course, we at Farm Sanctuary think all turkeys should be pardoned, and since 1986 our Adopt-A-Turkey Project has saved the lives of countless turkeys and encouraged millions of people to participate in a new compassionate Thanksgiving tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one. We believe that if President Barack Obama wishes to make a show of magnanimity by sparing two turkeys, those turkeys should be given real refuge and not be shuttled to an amusement park to be displayed as attractions while they await premature death.

By sending the pardoned turkeys to Farm Sanctuary’s shelter in Watkins Glen, New York, President Obama can send a clear message that farm animals are not merely props for a photo op but sentient creatures who deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity. Please sign our petition today, and help bring this year’s “pardoned” turkeys to the “happiest place on earth” for farm animals.

We must submit our petition by November 20 to be heard in time, so please sign now and ask all your friends, family and co-workers to do the same!"
https://secure2.convio.net/fsi/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=315