Cupcakefest 2010 is presented by Sweet Avenue Bakeshop and Planet Verge. It’s a celebration of music and cupcakes to benefit the Passaic Animal Shelter. Watch interviews and performances featuring Val Emmich (as seen on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty), Those Mockingbirds, Washington Square Park and Alchemy & the Queen. Plus, witness the Cupcake Eating Contest, meet the biggest dog at Cupcakefest, learn about shelter animals from Dr. Cantamessa, and get the Cupcakefest 411 from Sweet Ave. Planet Verge TV and Maverik Studios captured it all. Get it at PlanetVerge.com. Twitter @PlanetVerge

Meet Mason, the 150 pound AKC champion Leonberger, who holds the title of biggest and furriest attendee of Cupcakefest 2010.

Alchemy and The Queen’s Eric Schnare captured the dogs of Cupcakefest. Meet more of the four-legged attendees here.

Cupcakefest 2010 is presented by Sweet Avenue Bakeshop and Planet Verge. It’s a celebration of music and cupcakes to benefit the Passaic Animal Shelter. Watch interviews and performances featuring Val Emmich (as seen on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty), Those Mockingbirds, Washington Square Park and Alchemy & the Queen. Plus, witness the Cupcake Eating Contest, meet the biggest dog at Cupcakefest, learn about shelter animals from Dr. Cantamessa, and get the Cupcakefest 411 from Sweet Ave. Planet Verge TV and Maverik Studios captured it all.

Just some of the donations for The Passaic Animal Shelter from Cupcakefest 2010 attendees.

Dr. Tracey Cantamessa (Passaic Animal Shelter/Rutherford Animal Hospital) shares the benefits of owning a mixed breed dog and adopting shelter pets. Find out how you can help animals in need.

Cupcakefest 2010 is presented by Sweet Avenue Bakeshop and Planet Verge. It’s a celebration of music and cupcakes to benefit the Passaic Animal Shelter. Watch interviews and performances featuring Val Emmich (as seen on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty), Those Mockingbirds, Washington Square Park and Alchemy & the Queen. Plus, witness the Cupcake Eating Contest, meet the biggest dog at Cupcakefest, learn about shelter animals from Dr. Cantamessa, and get the Cupcakefest 411 from Sweet Ave. Planet Verge TV and Maverik Studios captured it all.

Bright Eyes at Concert for Equality

Downtown Benson in Omaha is a bit vintage, a bit industrial, and a vibrant part of what makes Omaha’s indie scene.  With venues like The Waiting Room, it’s easy to get intimate with the local musicians and hear great music without having to fight through the masses. It was here in downtown Benson where Conor Oberst’s Concert for Equality was held July 31, featuring performances by Bright Eyes, Cursive, Desaparecidos, Lullaby for the Working Class, David Dondero, Simon Joyner, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings just to name a few.  Oberst and 1% Productions put the concert together to raise money for the ACLU of Nebraska to help fight the immigration reform ordinance that was voted into place in June in Fremont, Nebraska (about 30 miles North-West of Omaha).

The Fremont law is similar to Arizona’s SB1070 bill that passed in April, but with a few key differences: the main one being that Fremont is looking to implement not just employment regulations but housing regulations as well.  The law would make it so that any renter in the town would need to gain a renter’s license stating that they are eligible to live in America for them to acquire any property in Fremont.   Sitting down with Laurel Marsh, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nebraska, I found that the biggest similarity between Arizona’s immigration law and Fremont’s was the motivating factor as to why the law was voted into place to begin with.

“I think that there is a disconnect at this point in time between, at least the perception of what our [federal] law is and how those laws are implemented, and I think the popular perception leads to a lot of frustration,” Marsh said. This led both Arizona on a state-level and Fremont on a local level to take action into their own hands.  It is also for those reasons that all of the new immigration laws being voted into place in Arizona and Fremont, as well as other cities in Pennsylvania and Texas, are currently in court.  Marsh explained that these laws are “in conflict with the United States Supremacy Clause.  Immigration policy is set by our federal government.  It applies to all 50 states, all communities within those 50 states and we are not well served when local states or local communities choose to develop immigration policy that is separate from or different than our national ;and they just don’t have the authority,” and it’s for this reason that the ACLU of Nebraska is appealing the Fremont immigration ordinance.

The next step in the fight against the Fremont law for the ACLU is to have the appeal heard and the verdict eventually ruled in federal court.  “This is an outrageous law.  It’s an unfair law.  It’s an unconstitutional law.  I think our ultimate goal is that no one in Fremont will ever be effected by this ordinance,” said Marsh. The goal of those putting on the Concert for Equality last weekend, was to help the ACLU achieve just that goal.

Desaparecidos at Concert for Equality

All ticket proceeds from the show went to the ACLU of Nebraska to help fund their fight against Fremont.  The concert was a reunion of sorts for some prominent Omaha bands that have been on hiatus, a major player being Desaparecidos, who played for the first time since 2002.  With the band’s longstanding political overtones, the timing was just right for them to get back together and play for a cause they could stand behind.  Desaparecidos’ guitarist Denver Dalley explained that the band wanted to get involved because their only album, Read Music, Speak Spanish, dealt a lot with questioning the American Dream.  “I think we’ve always encouraged people to challenge it or think about it and think ‘is this even for me?’ and I think that’s the important thing with this,” Dalley said.  “Obviously, this issue hits close to home and it’s in our backyard, I think it’s also important to stand up for yourself and have a voice and have an opinion and be heard and make an impact.”

One week prior to the Concert for Equality, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band played a benefit concert for the Sound Strike at the Palladium in Hollywood with dozens of others.  Conor Oberst is an outspoken supporter of the Sound Strike, which was started by Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine in direct response to the Arizona’s immigration reform law.  Arizona’s law is well-known and widely talked about, but Fremont has flown beneath the radar because of its much smaller playing field.  It has been refreshing to see such a large involvement in something that isn’t as widely publicized and it came as no surprise to see Oberst spearheading the Concert for Equality and helping to organize such a thought-provoking and controversial event in response to Fremont’s immigration reform.

The performances from all of the bands were phenomenal and the cause they stood behind is one that has become a hot-topic issue in current events, especially with the looming midterm elections happening in November.  All bands spoke out before their sets, and between changes, organizers from different non-profits hit the stage to discuss more about getting involved.  This is an issue that seems to be glossed over or just not understood for the most part and to see influential musicians like Conor Oberst, Denver Dalley, Tim Kasher, David Rawlings, and Gillian Welch get involved and speak up helps get others involved as well.

To learn more about the Sound Strike, sign the petition and get involved, you can visit the website here.  To learn more about the ACLU and becoming a member, you can check out www.aclu.org.

*By Karen, who has already signed the Sound Strike petition and has been a card-carrying member of the ACLU since high school.  She hopes everyone is inspired to get involved.

The Lives of Famous Men play Webster Hall in NYC and Dylan meets Megan from Peta2.

DYLAN’S DIARY FOR THIS EPISODE

So I recall a conversation between Jordana and I about why someone would choose a path to become vegan. “You mean you can’t eat fish? or even cheese?!” I asked. To me it sounded insane, unhealthy, and too costly. It was about then Jordana gave a pitying smirk and flattened my arguments. Then she told me I couldn’t hack it.

Here I am one month later, having not consumed any fish or cheese, or any animal products for that matter, and I feel the better than I ever have before. My once sound and resolute arguments seem juvenile, and now I am the one who feels pity when I hear comments like “How do you get your protein?” or “Aren’t you tired all the time?” Today I realize that most people just aren’t informed. I’ll admit that a month ago I really had no idea where my food was coming from or what exactly was in it, and frankly, I didn’t care to know. It’s easier that way. Now, I am privileged to have done the research.

People will debate for ages whether or not being vegan is healthy, but there really is something to be said about how good I feel. My skin has cleared up and is smoother, I have tons of energy, I smell better, I feel sharper and more focused, I lost 10lbs. and I’ve only been doing this for a month! I think above all, the most rewarding part of this challenge is the sense of accomplishment that has overcome me – I now feel as if I can do anything. For anyone who is thinking about becoming vegan but is unsure, my advice would be to set a goal for yourself, do tons of research, and when you’re through anticipate a rewarding feeling unlike any other.

I want to thank all of my friends and family who have supported me throughout the month, to Planet Verge for orchestrating the challenge, Peta2 and Vegan Essentials for the sponsorships, and especially to Jordana for this amazing experience.

Empowered and enlivened, I can safely say that I’m staying vegan. I feel too damn good to give it up. So with that, I guess the challenge continues tomorrow…

-Dylan Mandel, The Lives of Famous Men

ABOUT GOING VEGAN

No meat. No eggs. No cheese. No Jello.
Planet Verge challenged The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel to abstain from consuming animal products for one month and document the process for its On The Verge. The series, titled Going Vegan, will follow Mandel at his home in Portland and as he road trips across the USA, where he will cut flesh foods, eggs and dairy cold turkey (pardon the pun) from his diet. Follow him as he learns that being vegan goes beyond his diet, to his clothes, shampoo and even daily vitamins. He’ll meet vegan friends who help him along the way as he takes his 30 days one day at a time.

DYLAN’S DIARY FOR THIS EPISODE

Almost a month! In this episode we officially take this challenge on the road and I receive kind words and support from Cro-Mags frontman John Joseph and fellow bandmate Andrew Totemoff.

I gotta say, so far this new diet has been pretty easy and not too taxing on me, but the challenge has been taken to a whole new level of difficulty as I move out of our apartment and into the van. Besides a backpack and pillow, I’m armed with a big bag of my signature oatmeal concoction, some produce, mixed nuts, boiled quinoa, and some dry cereal. Not having a kitchen and fridge at my expense is kind of a concern, but I think I’ve done enough research so far to keep me healthy..

The first few days aren’t so bad – a hearty breakfast can keep me tied over for some time and almonds are great for hunger pangs. I’ve discovered that quinoa and hot sauce isn’t as bad as it sounds, and Subway has become my best friend. After about a week though I start to feel the effects of subsisting on only dry foods: lethargic, grumpy, tired to name a few. It’s surprising how much your body reacts when you subtract essential nutrients from it – both mentally and physically. I am short tempered in the van and especially exhausted after shows, this sucks actually.

But things get better when we have a few days on the east coast in the studio without shows. A refrigerator and stove?! Oh how I’ve missed you! Not only do I have the chance to go to a grocery store and stock up on some delicious goods but I also try Indian food for the first time(so good!). I’m happy, the guys are happy, and my tummy is happy. Life is ok

So a big thankyou to John Joseph for providing advice, support, and showing me that veganism on the road can work. He is a great example of success for me and anyone else out there who is considering trying this wonderful yet challenging way of life. I feel recharged and determined. Almost done!

-Dylan Mandel, The Lives of Famous Men

ABOUT GOING VEGAN

No meat. No eggs. No cheese. No Jello.
Planet Verge challenged The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel to abstain from consuming animal products for one month and document the process for its On The Verge. The series, titled Going Vegan, will follow Mandel at his home in Portland and as he road trips across the USA, where he will cut flesh foods, eggs and dairy cold turkey (pardon the pun) from his diet. Follow him as he learns that being vegan goes beyond his diet, to his clothes, shampoo and even daily vitamins. He’ll meet vegan friends who help him along the way as he takes his 30 days one day at a time.

Going VEGAN Episode 6: What’s Cooking?

DYLAN’S DIARY FOR THIS EPISODE

The Recipe!

Prep: Boil quinoa, steam collard greens

Wrap It Up!

-Mushrooms
-Tomatoes
-Celery
-Sprouts
-Cucumber
-Jalapeño
-Hummus
-Smoked Gouda cheese alternative (Ste Martaen)
-Soy Sauce
-Black Pepper
-Hot Sauce

-Dylan Mandel, The Lives of Famous Men

ABOUT GOING VEGAN

No meat. No eggs. No cheese. No Jello.
Planet Verge challenged The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel to abstain from consuming animal products for one month and document the process for its On The Verge. The series, titled Going Vegan, will follow Mandel at his home in Portland and as he road trips across the USA, where he will cut flesh foods, eggs and dairy cold turkey (pardon the pun) from his diet. Follow him as he learns that being vegan goes beyond his diet, to his clothes, shampoo and even daily vitamins. He’ll meet vegan friends who help him along the way as he takes his 30 days one day at a time.

DYLAN’S DIARY FOR THIS EPISODE

So this week Jordana and I had cooked up a big vegan feast and invited some friends over to partake in the festivities. Good friend, band mate, and vegetarian Dan Hall stopped by to share ideas over some delicious vegan mac ‘n cheese and other tasty treats.

After dinner we chatted about the movie “Earthlings” and the impact it had on me upon viewing. I can honestly say that after watching this movie, this one month challenge isn’t so challenging. In fact it has kicked off this veganism into full throttle. Anybody who is considering an animal free diet, or just wants to become more aware of the treatment inside factory farms, I highly recommend watching Earthlings and telling your friends. I’m not sure if I’ll keep this going after the month is up, but I can forthrightly say that I don’t think I can ever drink milk or consume dairy again now. It dawned on me how strange and peculiar it is that A)we’re the only species that continues to drink milk after adolescence and into adulthood, and not only that but B)we do it from another animal. Just simply stating those two facts, a tall glass of milk starts to seem strange and not very appealing.

I must say, I’m starting to notice a difference with my body – my skin is clearing up and becoming smoother, I smell better, and I feel all together lighter. Pretty sure it’s from cutting out the dairy.

So far so good! My friends are warming up to my new diet, and I’m receiving tons of support still. I feel the best I have in years! Hopefully I can keep this up..

-Dylan Mandel, The Lives of Famous Men

ABOUT GOING VEGAN

No meat. No eggs. No cheese. No Jello.
Planet Verge challenged The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel to abstain from consuming animal products for one month and document the process for its On The Verge. The series, titled Going Vegan, will follow Mandel at his home in Portland and as he road trips across the USA, where he will cut flesh foods, eggs and dairy cold turkey (pardon the pun) from his diet. Follow him as he learns that being vegan goes beyond his diet, to his clothes, shampoo and even daily vitamins. He’ll meet vegan friends who help him along the way as he takes his 30 days one day at a time.

Episode 4: Condoms Aren’t Vegan?

Sponsored by Peta2 and Veganessentials

DYLAN’S DIARY FOR THIS EPISODE:

No comment.

- Dylan Mandel, The Lives of Famous Men

ABOUT GOING VEGAN

No meat. No eggs. No cheese. No Jello.
Planet Verge challenged The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel to abstain from consuming animal products for one month and document the process for its On The Verge. The series, titled Going Vegan, will follow Mandel at his home in Portland and as he road trips across the USA, where he will cut flesh foods, eggs and dairy cold turkey (pardon the pun) from his diet. Follow him as he learns that being vegan goes beyond his diet, to his clothes, shampoo and even daily vitamins. He’ll meet vegan friends who help him along the way as he takes his 30 days one day at a time.