I look forward to the Humane Society’s Genesis Awards every year because it’s a great evening full of delicious vegan food, rubbing elbows with celebrities and honoring people who do wonderful things for the animals. The entertainment industry is usually just that, entertainment, but on this night, Tinsel Town goes all out to shed light on those who love and help the voiceless in all aspects of the media.

This year, I met some exciting new people who I’ve not met in years past and again, got to devour a incredible meal. Back at The Beverly Hilton for the 26th Annual Genesis Awards, the gourmet vegan dinner was prepared by house chef, Chef Suki. Here is what this year’s Genesis attendees, along with my hungry self enjoyed:

• Salad – Arugula and field greens with champagne cashew cheese
• Entree – Encrusted vegan grain cutlet with tomato sauce and braised veggies
• Dessert – Mango custard and vanilla cake encased in chocolate dessert cups
  

  Delicious vegan meal by Chef Suki

After dinner came the award show. A star studded event that was kicked off by the veg friendly songstress, Colbie Calait. Hosted by Dancing With The Star’s Carrie Ann Inaba, the show was full fun highlights, laughs and some tears.  The HSUS’s 26th Genesis Awards celebrity presenters and attendees included Kaley Cuoco, Bill Maher, Colbie Caillat, Deepak Chopra, Ke$ha, Jason Ritter, Sophia Bush, Kristin Bauer van
Straten, John Bernthal, Rose McGowan, Bill Maher, Wendie Malick, Moby, Cloris Leachman, Fiona Gubelmann, Penelope Ann Miller, Pauley Perrette, Michael Vartan, Wilmer Valderrama and Uggie the Dog. Check out who took home top honors this year:

All smiles with Jason Ritter

• FEATURE FILM – RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX/CHERNIN ENTERTAINMENT
• FEATURE DOCUMENTARY – BORN TO BE WILD 3D – WARNER BROS. PICTURES, IMAX CORPORATION
• SID CAESAR COMEDY AWARD – THE COLBERT REPORT – COMEDY CENTRAL
• DRAMATIC SERIES – HAWAII FIVE-0 – “Lapa’au” – CBS

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

• TEEN – NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE , “Dangerous Crossroads: Human Animal vs. Wild Animal” – NICKELODEON
• PRE-SCHOOL -SID THE SCIENCE KID – “Save the Stump!” PBS KIDS
• TV NEWSMAGAZINE – 20/20 – ABC
• NATIONAL NEWS – NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
• LOCAL NEWS FEATURE – KTLA NEWS AT 10 (Los Angeles)
• LOCAL NEWS SERIES – WOIO-TV ACTION NEWS (Cleveland)
• MORNING NEWS SHOW – TODAY – NBC
• TALK SHOW – THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW – SYNDICATED
• TV DOCUMENTARY – GORDON RAMSAY: SHARK BAIT – BBC AMERICA
• REALITY SERIES – ANIMAL PLANET INVESTIGATES: CAPTIVE HUNTING EXPOSED
• BRIGITTE BARDOT INTERNATIONAL – THE MEDAN CONNECTION – CARTE BLANCHE M-NET SOUTH AFRICA
  

  Uggie mugs on the red carpet

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• MAGAZINE – VANITY FAIR – “Agony and Ivory”
• SERIES OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES – MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
• ONLINE AWARD – THE ATLANTIC.COM
• BRIGITTE BARDOT INTERNATIONAL – THE INDEPENDENT (UK)
• WILLIAM WILBERFORCE AWARD – PRISM – “A Call to Compassion”
• THE WYLER AWARD – IAN SOMERHALDER, INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN

After the awards, attendees party the night away at a food and booze filled reception. Photo booths, video games and other goodies, the reception is where everyone let’s loose and enjoys the rest of the evening. As always, the yummy desserts and post award show treats are vegan with savory finger foods to decadent cheesecakes. The silent auction is chock full of incredible prizes, with all proceeds going to the Humane Society.

Blowin' it up with Ke$ha

Stay tuned for my red carpet coverage coming soon and maybe you can join me next year!! Be sure to catch the 26th Annual Genesis Awards on Animal Planet on May 5, 2012 at 4pm.

Giggling with Cloris

The HSUS’s 26th Genesis Awards is sponsored in part by Misix, Market Development Group, The InterGroup Corporation, Hilton San Francisco Financial District, One Car One Difference, Prai Beauty Group, Tenet, Euro RSCG Edge, Honda, IMAX, Warner Bros., The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation, American Dog Rescue and Modern Dog.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our events Calendar, please do! There are listings for all sorts of worldwide events such as:

• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Eco/Green
• Health
• And more!

No matter where you may be, there is something for you. Entertainment, gatherings, conferences, festivals, singles meetups and so much more! Be sure to consult our calendar before you make any future plans! You never know who you might meet, what you might eat or the things you may learn ; ) Also, don’t hesitate to contact us about an upcoming event so that we may add it to the calendar.

Just in time for Earth Day, LA will be hosting the Go Green Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Go Green Expo pops up in major cities across the country promoting eco-friendly living and tons of green initiatives.  From celebs to film screenings, hands on demos and eco food, it’s fun for the whole family to learn how easy it is to be green! Check out the schedule of events below – we hope o see you there!!!

Open to Public
Saturday, January 24th • 10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 25th • 10am – 5pm

The Los Angeles Convention Center – South Hall J
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.lacclink.com

THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER IS THE FIRST CONVENTION CENTER IN THE U.S. OF ITS SIZE AND AGE AND THE FIRST L.A. CITY BUILDING TO BE AWARDED LEED® GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS BY THE USGBC

Travel:
RideAmigos.com, this year’s Go Green Expo Ridesharing Sponsor, is an online tool that offers ridesharing solutions to corporations, event planners, and the public, as well as luxury hybrid transportation services through Global Eco-Friendly Chauffeured Transportation providers. To use, simply Click Here, enter your destination, and you are immediately matched up with an Amigo near you to share the ride! After the trip, rideamigos will calculate the Expo’s total CO2 savings from shared rides, and let riders know the impact they have made.

Tickets:
Friday: Complimentary to Business Buyers  (please bring your business card for admission)
Saturday & Sunday: $10 for a full weekend pass / open to both business buyers & consumers.

DETAILS:

Business-to-Business Expo
Friday, January 23rd • 10am – 5pm

This day is exclusively for retail & wholesale buyers, purchasing managers & agents, government / city procurement officers and decision makers who make corporate purchases on behalf of their organizations, agencies & companies.

For a floorplan and a list of companies participating please click here

Panel Discussions & Speaker sessions: Download full schedule here

1:00 pm: Panel: Green Business Leaders & Eco-Entrepreneurs – tradeshow floor

2:00 PM Live Radio Broadcast: Sherry Beall, host and producer of Healthy Planet, Healthy Me on KFPK-FM radio will broadcast LIVE from the L.A. Convention Center,

3:00 pm: Keynote: Ed Begley Jr. (open to both business attendees & consumers) – tradeshow floor

5:00 pm: Film Screening of Sundance Film Festival Winner “FUEL” with its Director Josh Tickell for a panel discussion along with Peter Fonda, Mariel Hemingway & Tony Tracy. (FREE and open to the public)
Located in Room 304, directly above tradeshow floor

Business-to-Business & Business-to-Consumer Expo
Saturday, January 24th • 10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 25th • 10am – 5pm

These weekend days are for both business buyers and everyday consumers seeking eco-friendly products & services for their companies, homes, schools & children.

Saturday:

11:00 am: Panel: Healthy Living from best selling authors, magazine publishers & wellness professionals – tradeshow floor

1:00 pm: Panel: Sustainable Investing from eco-minded financial experts – tradeshow floor

2:00 pm – Entertainment Panel: “Broadcasting the Green Message” with Josh Dorfman, best selling Author & radio personality of “The Lazy Environmentalist,”Sherry Beal Host & Producer on KPFK-FM’s #1 Environmental Radio Show: “Healthy Planet, Healthy Me!,” and Boise Thomas Co-Star of “Alter Eco” on Discoverys Channel’s Planet Green network – tradeshow floor
(Josh Dorfman will have a brief book signing immediately following this panel at the “Book Soup” Boothlocated in front of this speaker area)

3:00 pm Keynote: Mariel Hemingway discussing overall wellness from her new book “Healthy Living from the Inside Out” – tradeshow floor
(Mariel will have a brief book signing immediately following this panel at the “Book Soup” Booth located in front of this speaker area)
4:30 pm: Panel: Charging into the Future with Electric Cars & Mass Transportationwith leaders from Plug In America and the transportation system – tradeshow floor

Sunday:

11:00 am: Keynote: Robert Holmes discussing the adventurous Green Living Project; eco-tourism & sustainability projects in Africa & beyond – Located in Room 304, directly above tradeshow floor

11:00 am: Panel: Greening your Business with regional business leaders – tradeshow floor

1:00 pm: Panel: Energy & Conservation from industry & environmental advocates – tradeshow floor

3:00 pm: Panel: Green Building & Design with sustainability experts, architects & designers along with a special presentation by members of the NRDC- tradeshow floor

LET’S (help) GET THE PARTY STARTED!

If you live in the greater New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco markets, you are invited to host a Cascal Celebration* for you and 10 or more friends –  just apply online by clicking here to host a party any time between Dec. 23rd, 2010 through Jan. 8th, 2011.  Whether you already have a party scheduled or need a reason to celebrate, Cascal will help get your party started! This can be a standalone party, or integrated into an already scheduled party. It’s your party, that’s all Cascal does is provide a little bit of flavor and fun! And, even though each of us at Cascal would love to attend each and every party, we will leave our names off of your guest list and keep your party limited to your closest friends and family!

Cascal is deliciously light and bubbly non-alcoholic drink that is crafted with the magic of fermentation to naturally highlight the flavors of its unique fruit combinations.

If selected (limited to 100-hosts), you’ll receive the Cascal Party Package which includes: (5) 4-packs of Cascal to share PLUS, a beautifully illustrated “The Seasons & Celebrations” cookbook.

Enjoy the alchemy of fresh flavors throughout the year, along with your own online planning page, recipes for you to serve, resources and additional incentives for all.

*Party hosting and subsequent giveaway open to U.S. confirmed hosts in the greater Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York markets. Confirmed Hosts will be contacted by email by Partique/Cascal when confirmed and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new host is chosen. Many thanks to Cascal for this Review and Giveaway Opportunity!

No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Partique/Cascal provided remuneration for this posting

If you’re in New York City this Wednesday, November 24th,
be sure to stop by the
Norma Kamali Wellness Cafe
Thanksgiving Holiday Gift event!
They will be showcasing their New Harvest Olive Oil line as well as their
olive oil gift sets for kitchen as well as for beauty!
It is a free event at the Norma Kamali store
form 11am to 3pm
Located at
11 West 56th St
NYC

Enjoy & have a Happy NYC Thanksgiving!

FORKS OVER KNIVES will be released in theaters on March 11, 2011, with advance screenings leading up to the release. Please see below for dates and locations.

Advance Screenings:

NOVEMBER 4 – TALLAHASSEE, FL – 7:30pm

FSU Student Life Cinema
942 Learning Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306

Free screening includes special guests Producer and FSU alumnus John Corry, Editor and FSU alumnus Michael Fahey, reality patient Joey Aucoin, and film interviewee and special consultant Pam Popper, N.D.

Availability on a first-come first-serve basis.

NOVEMBER 6 – JACKSONVILLE, FL – 5pm (6:30pm Q&A, 8pm reception)

Northeast Florida Veg Fest
5 Points Theatre
1028 Park Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

Q&A with George Eisman, R.D., and vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke.  Reception to follow.

For more information visit http://nfvegfest-com.doodlekit.com/home.

NOVEMBER 6 – DELRAY BEACH, FL – 2pm (approximately)

Delray Beach County Library
14350 Hagen Ranch Road
Delray Beach, FL 33446

“Sustainable Food Film Festival “ from 12 noon till 4:30 PM. “Forks Over Knives” will be the feature film and approximate viewing time around 2 -2:30 PM. There will be a short discussion after the film.

The event is free and no reservations are required. For more information call Brenda at (561) 706-9806

NOVEMBER 11 – LOS ANGELES, CA – 7:30pm

Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Hollywood and Highland Complex
6925 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028

Q&A with film subjects include Cook County Chief Medical Officer and former Commissioner of Health, City of Chicago, Terry Mason, M.D.; founders and directors of Exsalus Health and Wellness Center, Matthew Lederman, M.D. and Alona Pulde, M.D.; firefighter and Engine 2 Diet author Rip Esselstyn.  Filmmakers include creator and executive producer Brian Wendel, and writer and director Lee Fulkerson.

RSVP to spspecialevent@wholefoods.com.  A confirmation email will be sent and a reservation held until 7:15 the night of the screening.  ”Walk-ins” will be seated on a first-come first-serve basis, subject to availability.

NOVEMBER 13 – FORT WORTH, TX – 5:00pm

Fort Worth First Seventh-day Adventist Church
7051 McCart Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76133

Q&A with Dr. Errol Bryce and Dr. Carlos Japas

SOLD OUT!

NOVEMBER 13 – PALM SPRINGS, CA – 9am

Camelot Theatre
2300 E Baristo Road
Palm Springs CA 92262

Q&A and reception to follow screening. More details coming soon

NOVEMBER 17 – GRAND RAPIDS, MI – 7pm (6pm meet and greet)

Grand Rapids Community College
Applied Technology Center
151 Fountain (corner of Fountain and Ransom)
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Q&A to follow with Pam Popper, N.D.

Tickets are available by calling 616-942-7907 or by emailing scharfsue1@sbcglobal.net.  There is a suggested $5.00 donation for the Wellness Forum Foundation and students are free.

NOVEMBER 20 – MYSTIC, CT – 11am

Mystic Village Cinema
25 Coogan Blvd
Mystic CT 06355

The film will be followed by a reception sponsored by Whole Foods. Special Guests: authors Marlene Marcello and J Morris Hicks.

For tickets call the Wellness Concierge Center: 860-572-4805,
or visit: www.wellnessconciergecenters.com

Need I say more!
Join us this November 6th, 201o for the first ever
LA Vegan Beer Fest!
Vegan beers, vegan food vendors, bands and
a bunch of animal free mayhem!
Brought to you by Tony’s Darts Away, The Roxy on Sunset Strip &
my buddy Quarry Girl of QuarryGirl.com.
For more information and to buy tickets in advance
(which is highly recommended)
visit www.losangelesvegan.com

Se you there!!

Celebrate Compassion

The 5th annual World Go Vegan Week is taking place this year from October 24th through 31st. This week is a celebration of compassion and a time to take action for animals, the environment and everyone’s well-being. A plant-based diet not only improves your health, it significantly reduces your carbon footprint and preserves resources for future generations. So please join me in creating a healthy future and go vegan for World Go Vegan Week.

In celebration of World Go Vegan Week, IDA has teamed up with Mercy For Animals working with restaurants to offer delicious new vegan options during the weeklong celebration. Participating restaurants span the four cities where Mercy For Animals’ offices are located: Chicago , Illinois ; New York City , New York; Columbus, Ohio; and Dallas, Texas. Click here to see a listing of cities and their participating restaurants and what exciting new vegan dishes they are offering. If you live in one of the participating cities, be sure to stop in the restaurants for an incredible, cruelty-free lunch or dinner. Thank you Mercy for Animals for your outreach for World Go Vegan Week.

Take the Vegan Pledge and pledge to go vegan for the week of World Go Vegan Week, October 24 – 31. Join other compassionate and inspired people that are changing their diet, changing their life and changing the world! Then, hold an event to celebrate you commitment to World Go Vegan Week.

For more information, please visit www.worldgoveganweek.com

Artisanal LA is a weekend long community shopping, tasting, and learning experience showcasing the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24 in the penthouse of downtown’s historic Cooper Building. The event includes:

• Hosted beverages like Honest Tea, Dry Soda, Function and Bonadea
• Local craft beer and wine (21+)
• A one-of-a-kind tote bag for the first 1000 attendees
• Free workshops and cool handmade activities
• Family friendly arts & crafts
• Cookbook exchange
• Great speakers and chef demos
• Giveaways and door prizes all weekend long
• Souvenir copy of our vendor directory
• Unlimited re-entry all weekend long
• Donation based gift wrap to help kick off your holiday shopping
• DJ Bryan Davidson setting the mood
• Shopping from nearly 100 local, craft vendors!
• Partial proceeds benefit the LA Regional Food Bank and LAUSD Edible School Gardens

For more information, be sure to visit the Artisanal LA site!

Check out the 2nd annual NYC VegFest in Union Square Park on Saturday, October 23 from 10am-5pm.
This will be an exciting day of educational exhibits and events and it will benefit World Farm Animal Day.  NYC VegFest 2010 will include healthy living and vegan friendly exhibits, non profit exhibitors, and nationally known speakers.

Speakers include:

• Terry Hope Romero-Author
• Elizabeth Olsen-Fashion Designer
• Bettina May-Designer & Burlesque Performer
• Michael Weber from FARM
• Joseph Gonzales from The Cancer Project
• Meredith Geller-Lifestyle Consultant

So if you’re in the NYC area, be sure to visit VegFest!