Dear "VivaVine" readers: Pamela Teisler-Rice
The Viva Vine: vol #4, no #2: March / April 1995
There are a lot of changes with this issue of "The VivaVine," and I thought an explanation was
due to my readers.
To begin, I would like to welcome our three distinguished editorial consultants you can find
listed on the masthead on page 5.
First of all, there is Karen Davis, PhD, founder and president of United Poultry Concerns in
Potomac, Maryland, who has dedicated her life to the awesome task of protecting poultry. She
promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of chickens and other domestic fowl, using
her knowledge of these birds to educate people about their interesting personalities and social
life. In addition, she is a tireless monitor of the current poultry industry literature. But
she is not just a scholar, by any means; she is also an activist. Dr. Davis organizes actions
throughout the year, most notably her yearly "Spring Vigil for Chickens" (see p. 6). Dr. Davis
is also the editor of Poultry Press, the quarterly newsletter of United Poultry Concerns.
Henry Spira has been active in human and animal rights movements for half a century. He
coordinated successful campaigns to promote alternatives to the use of lab animals. He has been
a merchant seaman, auto assembly line worker, journalist, teacher, and an activist for civil
rights and trade union democracy. He is now focusing on the plight of the seven billion animals
who yearly suffer through our nation's farm systems.
Richard Schwartz, PhD is the author of Judaism and Vegetarianism as well as other books,
articles and pamphlets on mathematics, Judaism, vegetarianism, hunger, ecology and animal issues.
He lectures and appears regularly on cable and radio programs as a formidable debater for
vegetarianism within all streams of Judaism. On the Internet, he clearly and succinctly offers
up powerful and articulate arguments for vegetarianism, usually, but not exclusively, within the
context of the Jewish religion. He was selected "Jewish Vegetarian of the Year" by the Jewish
Vegetarians of North America in 1987.
All three of our new consultants command high positions of respect within and beyond the
circles of vegetarianism, and are stellar examples of effective advocates and champions of the
vegetarian way of life.
Each of them has many more years than I under his or her belt -- fighting our good cause. I
am both humbled and proud to have them on board "The VivaVine."
As for other innovations this issue of "The VivaVine," readers are going to find the advent
of paid advertising. We don't have very many ads now, but we're sure to see more soon. The
revenues from advertising will enable "The VivaVine" to promote itself more extensively. As all
promotions to extend readership have been successful in the past, I am led to believe that there
is a real demand for the unique perspective which "The VivaVine" offers.
To help in the promotion, "The VivaVine" is happy to now have Joan Zacharias as its
advertising manager. Upon request, she will handle your questions about readership, deadlines,
ad sizes and rates.
Our rate card is available to all who request it. A general mailing to potential advertisers
is already on its way out. Please contact The VivaVegie Society if you would like a rate card
sent to you.
No, I never anticipated the success that my little newsletter was going to receive some 3
years ago when I first published it, but I now feel obliged to not only keep this little "engine
that could" going, but to encourage its growth. We're going to try to stay with the new 8-page
format, even though it now involves nearly twice the work.
Now, if readers will take a peek on page 7, they'll see a new section: "cyber.vine." The
VivaVegie Society has gone "on line" this month. "Have modem, will surf." So far we have only
scratched the surface of what is out there. It is truly a mind-bending experience just imagining
the power such communication holds for the cause of vegetarianism.
Lastly, I would like to engage my readers to ask not what The VivaVegie Society can do for
you, but to ask what you can do for The VivaVegie Society.
With growth comes a lot more to do. The following is a list of how you can help The VivaVegie
Society (call if you can truly help):
1. Send computer discs with articles for publication in "The VivaVine." We can take just
about any format, IBM or Mac in any program.
2. Call regularly to ask if you can help with organizing files, taking part in mailings,
writing blurbs and filler pieces for the newsletter, or anything along these lines which comes
up. Those with publishing experience are especially welcome, but hard working, fast learners are
definitely worth their weight in broccoli. Best to call on short notice.
3. If you have a laptop powerbook, bring it over! There is always typing of hard copy, such
as letters to the editor or blurbs, to be done.
4. Also, most desperately, "The VivaVine" needs a copy editor. The stories in the newsletter
oftentimes need extensive editing. This would be an intern position only for the very best
writers.
5. The VivaVegie Society desperately needs storage space, necessarily near to its offices in
the SoHo / Little Italy section of Lower Manhattan. If you know of a business, an organization,
or a resident in the area sympathetic to the VivaVegie message, willing to donate storage space,
please give us a call.
6. Continue to send clippings of relevant news stories to "The VivaVine." We cannot get by
without this constant supply of reference material.
7. Law and accounting services are also desperately needed, especially in pursuit of our
vegetarian community center. Currently, The VivaVegie Society is working on a business plan for
the center as well as non-profit status for the society itself.
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