This Week's Bay Area Events

STOP EXTERMINATION OF EXOTIC DEER IN POINT REYES

The National Park Service is planning to kill much of the non-native deer population in Point Reyes National Seashore because they compete with native species for food. The deer were originally purchased in 1948 from the San Francisco Zoo by a Point Reyes resident who released them into the wild to hunt.
When Point Reyes became a national park in 1962, hunting was banned in the area and the remaining deer proliferated. At present, about 1,150 exotic deer live in the park.

The plan devised by the National Park Service proposes a combination of lethal and non-lethal control methods (such as
sterilization) to deal with the deer. The park's Environmental Impact Statement is available online at http://www.nps.gov/pore/home_mngmntdocs_exoticdeer_deis.htm .

What You Can Do:

1. The National Park Service is accepting public comments on their proposal between now and April 8, 2005. Please contact the Superintendent of Pt. Reyes and urge the use of non-lethal methods to control the deer. Let her know that humans caused the overpopulation problem, and any solution must take the interests of the deer into consideration.

Write to:
Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore Point Reyes, CA 94956
Attn: Non-native deer management plan
Email: ann_nelson [at] nps.gov


2. Attend a public information meeting being presented by the park to learn more about their plans, discuss alternatives, and convey your opinion in person.

When: Thursday, March 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Point Reyes National Seashore Park Headquarters in the Red Barn classroom.

ROCKET DOG RESCUE FUNDRAISER

In only four years, Rocket Dog Rescue has saved over 600 dogs in the overcrowded Bay Area shelter system from euthanasia, all without a facility and relying completely on volunteer foster help. Now founder Pali Boucher wants to save even more animals by purchasing and converting a San Francisco warehouse into a fully functioning urban dog sanctuary. You can help by attending Rocket Dog's High Tea & Crumpet Soiree at Lovejoy's Tea Room.
This special evening will include a raffle (for baseballs and uniforms autographed by Barry Bonds and Willie Mays, as well as other items), delicious food, "pet" psychics, tarot card readings and massages.

What: Rocket Dog Rescue's High Tea & Crumpet Soiree
When: Friday, February 11 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Lovejoy's Tea Room - 1351 Church Street in San Francisco

Tickets are $250 in advance. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today by calling Pali at (415) 756-8188 or e-mailing pali [at] rocketdogrescue.org. For more information, visit http://www.rocketdogrescue.org .

Rocket Dog Rescue is a 501-C3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible.



MONTHLY KFC PROTEST IN SF

Join Bay Area Vegetarians (BAV) in sticking up for chickens abused by fast food giant KFC. Undercover video documentation has shown slaughterhouse workers stomping on chickens and much worse, proving that the Colonel's "secret ingredient" is cruelty. You can help by handing out vegetarian starter kits outside of KFC restaurants with other animal activists. There are 11 KFCs in San Francisco, so BAV will leaflet a different store every month. Please attend the next event:

What: Monthly KFC Protest
When: Saturday, February 12 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Where: the KFC at 4150 Geary Blvd. (@ 6th Street Ave.)

Check BAV's event calendar at http://www.bayareaveg.org/events.php to confirm dates and see other Bay Area events. Visit http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com for more information on the nationwide campaign to urge KFC to treat chickens right.



FREE VEGETARIANISM WORKSHOP

East Bay Animal Advocates will present a free workshop about the benefits of a vegetarian diet.

When: Tuesday, February 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Deaf Community Center, 1550 San Leandro Boulevard in San Leandro



HELP CHOOSE A NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE OAKLAND ANIMAL SHELTER

Documented instances of animal cruelty, questionable euthanasia practices, disrespect of guardians' rights and unaccountability have plagued the Oakland Animal Shelter in recent years, especially during the tenure of erstwhile Director Glen Howell.
With Howell's recent departure, Oakland City Council President Ignacio de la Fuente has called a town hall meeting to discuss the hiring of a new Director. Please attend this forum, which offers animal advocates a great opportunity to let the Oakland City Council know what kind of person is needed for this job, and how the shelter can be run efficiently and humanely.

When: Thursday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall

If you have questions about the forum, contact Susan Click in Jane Brunner's office at (510) 238-7011.



MEET PETA'S INGRID NEWKIRK

PETA President and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk will be doing a free book-signing and speaking engagement to talk about her new book, "Making Kind Choices: Everyday Ways to Enhance Your Life Through Earth- And Animal-Friendly Living."

When: Thursday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books, located at 601 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

Check out the bookstore's website for more information on this
event:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/oop/click_ord/showdetail.html?sid=3471&isbn=0312329938&music=&buyable=1&assoc_id=



VEGETARIAN OUTREACH

Every Monday in February, join East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA) for vegetarian outreach in the East Bay. EBAA will give the public an opportunity to learn about the plight of farmed animals by handing out educational literature and urge them to make our planet a kinder place for animals.

Times and locations will depend on activists' availability. To volunteer, email info [at] eastbayanimaladvocates.org or call (925) 487-4419.



HELP FARM SANCTUARY FIGHT FOIE GRAS

As part of its national campaign against Wolfgang Puck, Farm Sanctuary is looking for a few good volunteers in the Bay Area to help organize and attend regular demonstrations outside Wolfgang Puck's "Postrio" restaurant in downtown San Francisco.

The demonstrations will be part of an ongoing, nationwide campaign to convince Puck to remove two items of egregious cruelty - foie gras and crated veal - from his menus. As perhaps the most high-profile celebrity chef in the U.S., with an extensive network of restaurants and eateries across the country, Puck holds a great deal of influence in the world of "fine" dining. Perhaps more than anyone else, Puck's menu decisions have a significant impact on the state of the veal and foie gras industries.

Currently, Los Angeles activists have garnered positive media attention for their weekly vigils outside Puck's "Spago"
restaurant in Beverly Hills. If you can help San Francisco do its part for this campaign, please contact Ariana Huemer:
ahuemer [at] farmsanctuary.org.

For more information on the campaign, see http://www.WolfgangPuckCruelty.org .



GOPHER GARDENING AT SAN FRANCISCO'S OCEAN BEACH

Join the San Francisco Wildlife Protection Project, a joint effort by IDA and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, to create a wildlife "sanctuary" along the Great Highway. By landscaping the area according to the Parks Department's specifications, volunteers create a habitat for native gophers and prevent them from being trapped and killed.
This is an on-going monthly effort, and happens on the first Saturday of each month. Please give us a hand down at the Great Highway on March 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information, please contact Kevin Connelly at (415) 388-9641, ext. 226 or via e-mail at: kevin [at] idausa.org.


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