Let Live Foundation

Let Live Foundation Let Live Conference 2010. Almost there.

2010-06-11T20:30:07Z

Hello Let Live friends, supporters and fans:

We are a couple weeks away from our 2010 Let Live Animal Rights Conference! This email will share some information about this year's conference, which promises to be a weekend of enriching talks, community building, and skill-sharing. We truly hope you can join us over the weekend of June 25th-27th at the Portland State University Campus in downtown Portland.

Our roster of speakers includes some of the leading voices in the animal rights movement and this year we have put together some multi-speaker panels to share different viewpoints on various topics. A complete list of speakers and talks can be found on the Let Live website (http://www.letlivefoundation.org/conference/). We have incorporated your feedback into this year's conference by having some longer sessions with multiple speakers, and fewer, more focused talks.

We've also put together an opening night event that is sure to rival last year's legendary karaoke night. This year is an animal rights spelling bee. If you think you've got the skills, you could win some awesome stuff as well as the admiration of everyone you see over the weekend. If spelling isn't your strong suit, you can always join in the heckling. We've also set up a great Saturday night event at the newly re-opened Portobello Vegan Trattoria which will include an artshow, DJ, and amazing food after a long day of talks.

Thanks for your support and we hope to see you in a couple weeks at Let Live 2010.

xoxo Let Live Conference crew

ps. There are also plenty of demonstrations and other things going on over the weekend. Although we are not organizing them, we encourage you to check into them yourself and decide if they are for you. More info here: http://veganthis.org/blog/?p=736

pps. Any questions about conference stuff, feel free to email info@letlivefoundation.org

Let Live Foundation Let Live Skill Share and Conference News!

2010-04-09T13:25:18Z

Hey everybody... guess what? Two things.

First, our next event is coming up April 17th at the Bye and Bye (1011 Northeast Alberta Street, Portland, OR). Noon. Free.

What is it? An old fashioned "Skill Share," that's what.
The point of this thing here is for all of us to gather together and try to compile a list of local talent that whose services are available for local non-profits and folks in need.
Accountant? Grant writer? Leafletter? Massage giver? Pet sitter? Vet? Carpenter? Designer? Musician? Knitter?
Everybody has something to offer. Everybody. Really. Trust us. Show up with your thinking caps on and some willingness to pitch in.

If you wanna RSVP on Facebook, do it here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106452612717709

And second....

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010 CONFERENCE IS OPEN!!!

The Let Live Foundation (“Let Live”) is excited to announce the 2010 Animal Rights Conference will be held on June 25th – 27th at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. This year’s conference will focus on creative activism and expanding your activists skills to build relationships in the movement and beyond. We hope to help everyone realize their potential so they can utilize they’re unique abilities to further the movement as a whole. We have an exciting line up of speakers (TBA, check the site) who have taken what they love and used it to help animals. Talk to speakers, get inspired and make new friends. This is what community is all about.

Let Live would greatly appreciate any help you can offer to offset the costs of the event. We’re asking for a suggested donation of $15 which includes entrance to all of the weekend’s events. Putting on a weekend’s worth of talks with speakers isn’t cheap to do, so dig deep if you can afford it.

Due to space restrictions, we’re having to put a limit on the number of attendees to 350. We’ll allow some overbooking because realistically not everybody is going to need to be in our biggest room at the same time but to be safe book now to ensure you get a spot! Don’t worry though, we’ll still try to make room for folks who don’t show up until the day of the conference if at all possible – but we may be down to standing room only at that point!

Wanna register now and get it over with? The easy way is to send us $$ via Network for Good (http://tinyurl.com/y4trh27). Make sure you click on the box to include your full contact info. Also note in the designation box that you are registering for the conference. Somebody will write you back to confirm your registration. If you prefer, you can send a check (payable to Let Live Foundation)or well concealed cash, along with contact info to:

Let Live Foundation
c/o Food Fight Grocery
1217 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97214

Lots of other info is on the conference page. Check it: http://www.letlivefoundation.org/conference/

Thanks a lot for reading and we hope to see you soon.

xoxo

The Let Live Crew

ps. A really good way to keep up with what's going on is through our FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-Live-Animal-Rights/39734716664) and/or our Twitter account (@letliveAR).

Let Live Foundation Food Justice w/ lauren Ornelas (3/21)

2010-03-10T18:34:27Z

Please join us for our next Let Live event! Please? C'mon, lauren is an amazing speaker, come learn some stuff and mix it up with your peers.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 / 1:15-3:00pm
Matt Dishman Community Center (77 Northeast Knott Street, Portland, OR)

lauren Ornelas, Founder and Director of the Food Empowerment Project (www.foodispower.org), will be discussing how to use food choices to create a more just world.

Eating a vegan diet is certainly the first step in that direction, but do you drink soda or eat chocolate? Learn about how what you eat and drink might not be connected to animal exploitation but might indeed have direct connections to human exploitation!

Also learn about the unjust food system that currently exists in the U.S. regarding access to healthy foods.

lauren has been involved in the animal rights movement for more than 20 years and has done undercover investigations of factory farms and conducted successful campaigns against corporations such as Trader Joe’s and Pier 1 Imports.

Let Live Foundation Upcoming Let Live (and other) Events

2010-02-15T18:57:05Z

Hello dear friends of Let Live. Wanted to alert and invite you to a few events coming up.

First, our next Let Live event.

LET LIVE LETTER WRITING PARTY AND POTLUCK
Matt Dishman Community Center (77 Northeast Knott Street) on Sunday, Febraury 21, 2010, at 1:15pm

The written word is a powerful tool activist-consumers can use to effect change. Join us for a letter writing party targeting Nordstrom and its business practice of carrying designer clothing lines that feature fur.

As a family-owned store, Nordstrom prides itself on its responsiveness to the demands of its customers. Help us bring attention to this important issue and demand Nordstrom eliminate fur from its stores.

Letter templates and information about fur will be available to help get you started. Don't want to write to Nordstrom? No problem - work on a Letter to the Editor or anything that inspires you. Bring an appetizer/light dish to share, connect with other activists and get the word out!

Also...

We are pleased to announce the dates for this year’s Let Live Conference! Once again, on the campus of Portland State University. Plenty of details to work out, but at least we know it’s gonna be June 25,26, and 27. Start making plans.

The PSU Student Animal Liberation Coalition has some great things coming up too. For example...

“HISTORY OF ANIMAL RIGHTS IN THE PACIFIC NW
Saturday (2/20/10) at 6pm / Portland State University / Smith Building Cascade Room 236

There is a long and rich history of animal activism in the Pacific Northwest. Long-time activists will be sharing stories about the history and their personal experiences of being an animal rights activist in the PNW."

and....

"NATIVE WILDLIFE PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS: SPECIEES & THE SEALION DEFENSE BRIGADE
Wed, Feb 24, 2010 7:00 PM / Portland State University, Smith Building, Cascade Room 236

SPECIEES works to protect native wildlife on fragile island ecosystems worldwide by the active removal of feral dogs and cats. Sea Lion Defense Brigade works on the more local issue of Sea Lion protection namely at the Bonneville Dam. Both groups work to protect wildlife and this event is a discussion by members from both groups about the work that they do and how to get involved."

And finally, another event. Possibly the most important event Portland, nay, the WORLD has ever known...

From the trust fund punx at Food Fight Grocery:

"OUT TO PASTURE BENEFIT (PUNK) SHOW
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 7pm / Laughing Horse Books, 12 NE 10th St

Hey everybody, wanna come out to an old fashioned good time punk rawk show? We do, too. Want the money you spend at the door (a whopping $5) to go to a good cause? Well... save the date.

Who's playing? Glad you asked:

Attica! Attica! (PDX political acoustic good stuff)
Fuck You, Dad! (featuring current and ex members of Food Fight Grocery and Sweetpea Baking Company. Yes, they will be playing only covers.)
Mark Twain Indians (Portland, fantastic)
Calvin Johnson (Olympia, WA, kinda famous)

All money raised will be going to Out to Pasture Sanctuary.
Food Fight will be shelling out gas money for the out of town band. Feel free to dig deep and give more than $5, the animals would be stoked."

Thanks. Hope to see you soon.

Let Live Foundation
1217 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97214
www.letlivefoundation.org

Let Live Foundation Let Live Event: Margin of Certainty

2010-01-13T23:07:54Z

Hey folks, just shooting you a quick email about our upcoming event on 1/24. It should be great. Please try to make it. Let's get motivated. xoxo Let Live

+++++++++

Margin of Certainty: from Veganism to Activism
w/ Jasmin Singer

When: January 24, 2010 / 1pm
Where:Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Portland, OR 97212, Classroom A
Cost: Free

If you saw a dog getting kicked, you would probably do all you could to help her. But what if you don’t actually see her getting kicked, yet you know for sure it’s happening? Do you just shake your head and say “that’s too bad…”? As long as you’re not kicking the dog yourself, is it really up to you to do something about it?

Practicing non-violence is a necessary and harmonious way of life. But when it is up to you to take “Ahimsa” one step further and – in the words of Gandhi – truly “be the change you wish to see in the world”?

In many ways, we are gaining traction as a movement: pro-animal legislation is popping up left and right; vegan celebrities are coming out by the masses to speak up for animals; cruelty-free cuisine is becoming more widespread and delicious than ever before; positive animal rights-themed media coverage and book publications are on the rise; and it seems that people are “seeing the light” and going vegan before our very eyes.

Shockingly though, the percentage of vegans is so small that it is still considered by some to be within the “margin of error.” For those of us who spend our evenings at vegan potlucks, meet-ups, and social gatherings with like-minded friends, this can seem unreal. Still, outside of the “vegan bubble,” ditching meat and dairy is usually considered “fringe” and animal rights is often seen as “radical”.

That is why it is absolutely necessary that vegans extend their advocacy to beyond just their meals, and speak up for animals in their daily lives. If everyone did just one thing a day for animals – one thing that can easily fit into your life as you know it – perhaps we’d exit the margin of error, wake up the rest of the world to the fact that veganism is a moral imperative and animal rights is a must, and create real change.

Margin of Certainty: from Veganism to Activism is an interactive workshop which will be led by Jasmin Singer, Farm Sanctuary’s campaigns manager. Jasmin last visited Portland when she spoke at the 2009 Let Live Northwest Animal Rights Conference. She is one of the voices behind the blogs “Making Hay” and “VEGdaily,” and her writing has also appeared in blogs such as “Crazy Sexy Life” and “Civil Eats,” as well as print publications like Satya and Heeb. Jasmin is also a contributor to VegNews Magazine. She has presented at numerous conferences including Taking Action for Animals, SUNY Social Justice Conference, and Farm Sanctuary’s Hoe Down. Last year, at age 29, VegNews named her a “20 Under 30.” Visit her at www.jasminsinger.com.

Let Live Foundation Let Live Year End Community Party

2009-12-01T11:58:58Z

Hey everybody, hope things are going swell for you. Just wanted to tell you about our next Let Live event.

We are hosting a community get-together, please join us and help this event be a success. It'll be a great way to meet new folks and high-5 old pals and stuff your faces with random snacks.

When: Sunday, December 13th, 5-8pm
Where: Matt Dishman Community Center (77 NE Knott, Portland, OR)
Cost: Free

Activities:
• There will be a volunteering open house. Come meet local animal groups, see what they are all about, and see who you might like to get involved with.
• “Re-thinking the Holiday Table” talk with Michelle Schwegmann from Herbivore Clothing. Will you be sharing your holidays with non-vegans? Michelle will share some tips on how to keep the tension low, and will arm you with several sure to please recipes.
• Cooking demo with Aaron Adams, chef at Portobello Vegan Trattoria. Come hear Aaron discuss crowd pleasing vegan entrees everyone will love.
• Cooking demo with Lisa Higgins, owner of Sweetpea Baking Company. Lisa will discuss holiday desserts, come see how the pro’s do it.
• Come sample treats from local vegan companies.

We’d love you RSVP over at the Facebook Event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181458719612), thanks. We’d also love you to please help spread the word about this. Bring a friend or three. Repost on your FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, Blog, whatever. Anything helps.

Hope to see you there.

xoxo,
Let Live
www.letlivefoundation.org

Let Live Foundation November Events

2009-11-11T16:31:49Z

Hey Let Live folks. Just wanted to let you know about some great things going on this month. First, two official Let Live events. Then another thing. Please skim through this lengthy email and see if any of this suits your fancy.

______________________

The Let Live Series Presents How to Discuss the Fur Industry with Shannon Keith on November 15, 2009, at 1p.m. at the Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street in Portland, Oregon. ADMISSION IS FREE.

As the chill of winter descends across the United States, many will set their sights on the perfect winter coat: thick and fitted with a nice German Shepherd trim. Sound ridiculous? Unfortunately, it is not as far-fetched as it seems. Often purposely mislabeled by manufacturers as “faux fur,” dog and cat fur products are common in today’s marketplace despite being banned in 2000 after undercover video from Swiss Animal Protection, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and the Humane Society International exposed dogs and cats being disemboweled, skinned alive and hung still screaming from metal wire.

Such deceptive practices are common use in the fur industry, which kills more than 3 million animals in the United States alone. Despite a steep decline in demand in the 1980s and 1990s, fur has recently made a dramatic resurgence due to fashion campaign tactics toting fur as “green” and promises by manufacturers that the fur was obtained using “ethical fur sourcing.” This talk will focus on what these terms really mean and give you the tools you need to discuss the facts about fur knowledgeably and persuasively.

Shannon Keith is an animal activist and the driving force behind Uncaged Films and Animal Rescue Media and Education (ARME), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that funds educational documentaries that expose the truth behind animal abuse and exploitation. Keith’s next project, “Skin Trade”, will explore the fur industry’s latest attempts to mask their long-established practices using undercover footage, celebrity, designer and furrier interviews.

______________________

AND...

Please join us for an exclusive sneak peek at Skin Trade on Monday, November 16, 2009, at 7:00p.m. at the Hollywood Theatre, 4122 SE Sandy Blvd in Portland, Oregon. Director Shannon Keith will be on-hand for questions and welcomes your feedback for the final edit of the film. Suggested donation of $3 appreciated and encouraged. Donations of $20 or more receive a copy of Behind the Mask!

Despite increased awareness of consumers regarding fur farms and how fur products are made, fur is making a dramatic comeback on catwalks and fashion magazines worldwide. This is due in large part to the fur industry’s recent tactics to promote fur as a “green” product and assurances that fur was harvested using “humane” techniques.

Such campaigns give consumers the excuse they need to turn a blind eye. But the fur industry’s deceptive tactics expand far beyond the ignorant willing to include consumers who believe they are purchasing cruelty-free “faux fur” that is actually mislabeled dog and cat fur. In an industry concerned with profits over welfare, can we really afford to be an uneducated consumer?

Skin Trade exposes the truth behind the fur industry’s claims utilizing undercover footage, celebrity, designer and furrier interviews and takes you on an emotional journey that is sure to touch your heart and make you think twice about that faux fur collar. It is the second educational documentary from Uncaged Films and Animal Rescue Media and Education (ARME), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that uses media to expose animal abuse and exploitation. Uncaged Films’ first production, “Behind the Mask,” took an intimate look at the Animal Liberation Front and the government’s attempts to thwart animal liberation.

Sponsored by the The Let Live Foundation (LLF). LLF is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to promoting animal rights activism and education in Portland, Oregon.

______________________

And here's something important from In Defense of Animals about this year's Fur Free Friday:

“Join IDA on Fur Free Friday, November 27th, the day after Thanksgiving, for an march in downtown Portland past all the locations that continue to sell fur. This peaceful, family-friendly march has historically been the largest annual animal rights demonstration in the area, where activists take over the streets of downtown to share a message of compassion about fur-bearing animals.

What: Fur Free Friday March
When: Friday, November, 27; meet at 11 a.m. (march leaves at 11:30 a.m.)
Where: Corner of SW Yamhill and Broadway (in front of Nordstroms)

This year more than ever, we need your help to make it a success. The city of Portland has changed their policy on police-escorted street closures for free speech events, and we must have at least 200 participants this year in order to do our traditional march in the street. If we can’t get 200 people out for Fur Free Friday, our march will have to proceed on the sidewalks, which may complicate the event and compromise our impact.

For at least the past decade the Portland animal rights community has taken over the streets of downtown Portland to raise our voices in unison with activists all over the country and world on Fur Free Friday. Please, do everything you can to join us and spread the word to get more people involved. We need to rally at least 200 people to make this year’s street march happen. Signs, banners and literature will be provided, just bring people! If you have any questions or to comfirm your attendance, contact matt@idausa.org.“;
______________________

Thanks for reading and caring and all your support. Hope to see you soon.

Thanks,
Let Live

--

Let Live Foundation
1217 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97214
www.letlivefoundation.org

Let Live Foundation Let Live Presents "Change One Mile at a Time: Lisa Shannon and the Run for Congo Women"

2009-10-19T19:16:44Z

Hey everybody, please check out the press release below and make it out if you can, this should really be good. Thanks. Let Live ++++++++++++++ The Let Live Series Presents Change One Mile at a Time: Lisa Shannon and the Run for Congo Women As you read these words, the deadliest conflict since World War II is raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To date, the death toll is estimated to be over 5 million people � more than Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur combined. This war is not only brutal in its intensity but also in its tactics aimed at destroying the center of the Congolese community: women. It was a story about the violent war against Congolese women that inspired vegan activist Lisa Shannon to get off the couch and begin training to run the rugged forest of Portland�s Wildwood Trail � over 30 miles � in hopes of raising enough money to sponsor 31 women through Women for Women International, a program that supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid and education. What started as a lone run in 2005 has since blossomed into a global movement with runs in 10 states and 4 countries. Fresh from her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Shannon will share her thoughts on the intersection between veganism and human rights, the power of grassroots movement, uniting against oppression and how one person can make a difference. The Change One Mile at a Time: Lisa Shannon and the Run for Congo Women presentation will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at 1p.m. at Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street in Portland, Oregon. Admission is FREE. The Let Live Series is a monthly series of speakers, workshops and social events dedicated to promoting animal rights activism and education in Portland, Oregon. Sponsored by the Let Live Foundation. For more information, please visit: http://www.runforcongowomen.org http://www.womenforwomen.org

Final Let Live Conference Update

2009-06-23T22:30:56Z

Hey everybody! Less than a week to go, hope you're ready.
Just a few things we'd like to mention in no particular order and in handy bulleted points. Here we go:

• Please try and come to the opening party on Friday night if you can. Sure to be fun and Will Potter is always a great speaker.
• Don't forget the fun night at Bye and Bye on Saturday night. Come hang out and eat and talk to your new pals. All details on our website.
• Recheck the schedule, some things may have moved. Plan out in advance what you wanna see, there are some tough choices to make, sorry.
• There may be a couple of people trying to do interviews at Let Live. One person is working on a documentary and is renting out a room at PSU to film in. This does not mean that we know him, his true intentions, or endorse his project. We urge everybody to just use your best judgment with regards to talking to ANYBODY. I'm sure this doesn't even need to be said, but... we felt it should still be put out there.
• We're trying our darndest to make this event as eco-friendly as possible. All the food service items will be compostable and we've really tried to minimize paper usage, opting to print big schedule posters instead of individual registration packets like last year. Please bring your own scratch paper, pens, and reusable water bottles. Thanks in advance for help with this.
• Oh yeah, the full street address of the Smith Memorial Building is 724 SW Harrison St, Portland, OR 97201. Plop that into your internet direction makers or GPS or whatever.
• Ummm, what else? Parking info is on the conference page (http://www.letlivefoundation.org/conference/), take note.

That's about it. Come ready to learn, get inspired, and take your new energy home with you to get active for the fuzzy-wuzzies. They need you.

See you soon.

xoxo
the Let Live crew

Thanks, props, and shout-outs

2009-06-12T18:35:04Z

Hello everybody. Just sending out this special email to those who have generously offered financial support for this year's conference. Hopefully we're not forgetting anybody, and hopefully a few more will come in (hint, hint), but for now, here we go. Please take note of these folks and support 'em every chance you get, ok? Here they are (in alphabetical order, they're all super nice and equally important):

Blossoming Lotus
Bye and Bye
Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe
Earthly Gourmet
The Field Roast Grain Meat Co.
Farm Animal Reform Movement
Farm Sanctuary
Food Fight Grocery
Herbivore Clothing
H2OPE Biofuels, LLC
HELD Belts
In Defense of Animals
Jocelyn Richards
KingCat LLC
Lantern Books
Mooshoes
North American Animal Liberation Press Office
NWVEG
Papa G's Vegan Deli
Portobello Vegan Trattoria
Progressive Counseling
68 Anarchist Collective
Scapegoat Tattoo
Sip
Slingshot Dakota
Sweetpea Baking Co
Vegan Essentials
Vegan Outreach
Vegans for Animal Advocacy
VegNews Magazine
Win Animal Rights/SHAC-North America
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

And thanks to all of the generous individual donors who may or may not prefer to not be listed. We left all of you off this list, just in case. You're SO shy!

xoxo
the Let Live Crew

ps. You've already registered, right?

Let Live Conference Schedule

2009-06-09T23:28:37Z

Hey everybody. Real quick note. This is what you've been waiting for. There may be a tweak or two, but this is pretty solidly the final schedule for the 2009 Let Live conference (http://www.letlivefoundation.org/schedule/).! Take notes, make your schedule, get excited. Tell your friends. Hope you are as happy with this as we are.

Also, if you haven't registered yet, please do. It will help us to have as good a headcount as possible to prepare some of the details on this thing.

xoxo
Let Live Crew

Let Live Foundation
1217 SE Stark ST
Portland, OR 97214
www.letlivefoundation.org