It's been a hot summer, and that goes for RAVS, too. Membership is growing, attendance at meetings is high, and the community is interested in our message.

At our May meeting, cooking instructor Marita Rose Collins gave a lively presentation on quick and healthy vegan cooking, followed by a delicious tasting of Black Bean Hummus and Razzleberry Mousse. Both recipes are in her cookbook, The Light Body (available from RAVS). Special thanks to Karl Obine for coming to the rescue with the package of silken tofu Marita needed for her cooking demo!

In June, we welcomed Dr. Stephen J. Mesiti of the Advanced Wellness Center for a talk entitled "What Is Chiropractic?" Dr. Mesiti's discussion of chiropractic in the context of a philosophy of wellness was much appreciated by the audience. (And, he makes a mean vegan chili!)

Our July meeting was a picnic at the home of Ted and Carol Barnett. Despite the hot weather, the food and company were refreshing, and the post-meal activities included a tour of Ted's mammoth garden. We look forward to another summer picnic at the home of Flora and Bern Berg.

RAVS did a number of outreach activities this summer. In June we staffed a Wellness Fair at Pittsford Middle School, with volunteers Felicity Brach, Katherine DaCosta, Judy Dillon, Lisa Emerald, Leena Isac, and Ken McBride. They found the 8th grade clientele lively and challenging, however! Later in June, the Genesee Coop had a 25th Anniversary Celebration, and Shelley Adams, Leena Isac, Ted Potter, John Linton, and Hilana Shapir staffed a table there, aided by RAVS members and Coop employees Jon Greenbaum and Sue Morgan. On the same day, a number of RAVS members attended a memorial service at Farm Sanctuary for Regina Atwater, RAVS member and President of Animal Advocates of Upstate New York (AAUNY), who died in December 1998. The service was planned and organized by Kim Gorall, and the work of AAUNY continues under her leadership.

In July, RAVS shared a table at the Corn Hill Arts Festival with AAUNY and provided information on vegetarian diet along with water for thirsty dogs and people. Also in July, the North American Vegetarian Society had its 25th Annual Vegetarian Summerfest in Johnstown, Pa. Rochester attendees included David Cherin, Jennifer Relin, Carol and Ted Barnett, who sat on a panel discussing how to raise vegan children, and journalist Corydon Ireland. Cory, who writes the syndicated column which appears as "Vegetarian View" every other Tuesday in the Democrat & Chronicle, gave a session called "Being Heard: How to Get the Media to Get the Vegetarian Message."

On June 19, our Hunger Relief Committee, chaired by Lisa Emerald and Beth Hall, organized a vegan meal at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality. Thanks to the many volunteers! We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and join us this fall for a number of exciting events.