save the dragon

One of my favourite finds, as a new (vegan) Hamiltonian, was the Sky Dragon Centre. Being a homebody a lot of the time I haven't taken advantage of everything the Centre has to offer, and I haven't been there as often as I might like. Still I've enjoyed many non-dairy (and often non-soy) lattes, vegan baked treats, rice bowls, microbrews, and other yummy consumables there. I've shopped at the organic market, bought fair trade coffee for home, admired the art, enjoyed the ambiance. And that's just a taste of what's going on there.

It's been reassuring to know Hamilton can harbour this kind of sanctuary. But now that harbouring is in some doubt. Sky Dragon's mortgage is scheduled to be pulled on April 18th, leaving the coop in a very tenuous position. They need a new mortgage, and probably some restructuring to stay in operation. I'm not clear on all the details, but The Spec has published some information and the Sky Dragon blog has more info on the issues than I've had time to read. It sounds like it's going to take some community mobilization to keep the Centre going. If you're willing to help, read the blog, spread the word, and think about attending the community information meeting this Monday, March 29, 7pm – 9 at Ricca’s Furniture Building, 228 James St. North, Hamilton.

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And just a reminder for those of you in the Niagara area (I think I posted this before):

RADIO ACTION FOR ANIMALS BENEFIT CONCERT

WHEN: Sunday, April 11, 5:30pm- 11:00
LOCATION: L3 Nightclub, Downtown St. Catharines Ontario
DETAILS: $10 with all proceeds to Storybook Farm Primate Sanctuary. All ages. Free vegan food from Brooklyn's Restaurant. Live music from In Limbo, Chainsaw Lobotomy, Black Majik Movement, The Overfiend, and Sound Asleep. Raffles/door prizes. Contact BARC brockanimalrights@gmail.com for tickets.

helix and the spca: helping the animals

Thanks to keew mom for this tip...

Next Saturday (September 12) hard rock / metal elders Helix are doing a hometown SPCA benefit and auction at Kitchener's Edelweiss Tavern.

Today's KW Record has the backstory on the benefit – involving a book on exotic animals and rockers and a supposed 'sanctuary' charged with keeping animals in poor conditions.

The same issue of the newspaper features a report that the region's SPCAs are bursting at the seams with cats and kittens. (oh, how I wish we had more education and affordable/free spay and neuter programs...) If you're in KW/Cambridge and in the mood for adopting a new cat (that you're going to keep for the rest of its life!) it sounds like now's a good time.

And since I haven't done it lately, now seems like a perfect opportunity to pump Burlington Humane (not an SPCA) and Niagara Action for Animals, which has a spay/neuter program.

banging heads for the animals

If you're around St. Catharines, Ontario, Thursday night I've already got your evening planned out for you: checking out some heavy live music and supporting animal protection all in one shot.

Here are the important details:

"Radio Action for Animals" Benefit Concert: MDM, OverfienD, Journey to Aspen, Randi Townsend & Running Scared

Thursday, March 26th
L3 NightClub, James Street, St. Catharines
Doors open at 7:00 pm
All ages
Door prizes / Sample free vegan food

Tickets are $8 adv. at the NAfA Office (682-4970) or $10 at the door.

I've seen MDM before - solid Canadian industrial worth the $10 just on their own. The others I can't vouch for but they sound like they're worth checking out. I've heard of OverfienD, and according to their myspace page they're "Metal / Metal / Metal".

The night isn't all about the noise - Journey to Aspen are of the "Indie /Pop / Rock" persuasion, for instance. The others I don't know anything about, but hell, it might be worth showing up just for the vegan goodies.

The show's a benefit concert for Niagara Action for Animals, hosted by the Brock Animal Rights Club.