(Schedule is subject to change)

The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them
Wayne Pacelle

Photo courtesy of
Paul Markow Photography.

During his 17 years with the Humane Society of the United States, including seven as president and CEO, Wayne Pacelle has played a leading role in transforming the HSUS, the nation's largest animal protection charity, into a dynamic public force and voice for all animals. Taking a special interest in law reform, he has been the leading strategist for more than a score of successful ballot initiatives that outlawed cockfighting, cruel factory farming practices, bear baiting, negligent puppy mill operations and a host of other inhumane practices.

Pacelle is the author of the bestselling book "The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them." He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, and has appeared on almost all of the major network television programs--from 60 Minutes to the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. In 2008, The Los Angeles Times reported, "Pacelle has retooled a venerable organization seen as a mild-mannered protector of dogs and cats into an aggressive interest group..."

Pacelle was named one of NonProfit Times' "Executives of the Year" in 2005 for his leadership in responding to the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Pacelle received his B.A. in History and Studies in the Environment from Yale University in 1987.

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What does being healthy mean?
John Salley

Photo courtesy of
jsquaredphotography.com.

Most can achieve a goal and be pleasantly satisfied with their results but to continually create new tasks to accomplish and to reinvent yourself is the mark of a versatile and motivated individual. It is the definition of father, athlete, actor, entrepreneur, talk show host, philanthropist, wellness guru, vegan and champion: John Salley.

A proud native of Brooklyn, New York, John found a love for basketball at an early age. He accepted a Basketball Scholarship to Georgia Tech to play for legendary head coach Bobby Cremins. From there Salley went on to become a 15-year NBA veteran and was the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams. During the 80's, Salley was a member of the Detroit Piston "Bad Boys" squad. Salley went on to Chicago playing with Michael Jordan as part of the Bulls 1996 championship team. In 1999, Phil Jackson invited Salley to come to Los Angeles to provide experience and leadership to the 1999-2000 Lakers' championship team.

After his retirement from the NBA in 2000, Salley explored several opportunities in both television and film. John's film credits include Bad Boys 1 & 2, Eddie and Jerry Bruckheimer's Confession of a Shopaholic. John has served as host for numerous award shows and was also the host of The John Salley Block Party on 100.3 The Beat Morning Show in Los Angeles. John recently hosted the Reunion Show of VH-1's #1 rated show, Basketball Wives.

John recently concluded 7 years serving as the co-host of the Emmy nominated, critically acclaimed "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Fox Sports Net. He was also the host of the sports talk show "Ballers" on BET. John is also the head of his own production company, John Salley Presents, Inc., where John uses his uncanny ability to find unique and interesting people and projects for television and film. In April, 2011 John began hosting his own show Game On! airing on The Reelz Channel. In addition, John was recently a co-host on The Car Show airing on Speed Channel.

John is actively involved with Operation Smile and PETA. In addition, John is involved with PCRM and visited Washington in Nov '09 and May '10, speaking to Congress about the Child Nutrition Act, asking Members to support legislation that would increase vegetarian options in meals served in public schools.

John has adopted a plant based (raw vegan) lifestyle, which helped him reach the final round of the summer reality hit "I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!" on NBC. With a passion for real food, wine and spirits, John has contributed articles to Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado and LA Confidential. You can follow John on Facebook, Twitter @thejohnsalley and his website, www.johnsalley.com. John currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.

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Comfortably Unaware: Global Depletion and Food Responsibility
Dr. Richard Oppenlander

Dr. Richard Oppenlander has researched, and lectured extensively on global depletion and food choice responsibility for over 40 years. With relentless dedication to the healing of our bodies, the welfare of animals and the sustainability of our planet, Oppenlander wrote the acclaimed book, COMFORTABLY UNAWARE, to promote the eradication of eating animals while encouraging a plant-based way of life for our own health, the welfare of the animals and the sustainability of our planet. Ellen DeGeneres, among others, has recommended COMFORTABLY UNAWARE as a "must-read."

Dr. Oppenlander's book and lectures address the disconnect between our planet and food choices in a unique and compelling fashion within his book. Although portions of this particular topic are being addressed by one or two authors, Oppenlander presents an unapologetic and comprehensive view with new perspectives and the disclosure of information upon which many authors are unwilling to tread, or, at best, mismanage.

Oppenlander's objective is to raise the level of awareness and accuracy of information as it pertains to the critical topic of a plant-based diet being the best and only sustainable option for our bodies, the animals and the earth. Food choice is rarely positioned within the sustainability conversation, and often negligibly or wrongly discussed in information regarding our health. Oppenlander lectures around the country for the purpose of repositioning food choice as a critical component within the campaign for a more sustainable and healthy planet, and those who inhabit it.

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Reversing Our City's Bad Rep...for Obesity & Heart Disease
Dr. Joel Kahn

Joel Kahn, MD, FACC, FACP, FSCAI, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Medical Director, Preventive Cardiology and Employee Wellness, DMC-Cardiovascular Institute and Corporate Director, Wellness for Detroit Medical Center Hospitals, is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its subspecialty board of Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Dr. Kahn completed his cardiology fellowship at the University of Texas in Dallas and has completed advanced training in angioplasty at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City.

Reversing Our City's Bad Rep...for Obesity & Heart Disease
Dr. Kahn will discuss the relationship between fitness and heart health, the relationship between diet and heart disease, evidence that existing heart disease can be reversed through changes in diet, and a comparison of stents and bypass to medical therapy including diet.

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Weightloss WOW!
Dr. Kerrie Saunders

Dr. Kerrie Saunders, MS, LLP, PhD is an internationally known Presenter and Author with work featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, e-zines, and on radio. She has presented to audiences from Hawaii to Toronto, and her popular advice column, "Dear Dr. Kerrie," has been regularly featured in the award-winning, national lifestyle magazine, VegNews. She is currently the Coordinator of Michigan's Engine 2 Firefighter Challenge.

Weightloss WOW!
Designed especially for success! Food Friends and Foes; Common but little known sources of cholesterol; natural and botanical remedies for symptoms associated with menopause; fitness tips; the importance of correcting nutritional deficiencies to help curb cravings; safe JumpStart systems.

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Introduction to VegMichigan
Jim Corcoran

What is VegMichigan? Why join VegMichigan? You'll learn the answers to all these questions and more as Jim Corcoran explains VegMichigan's history and purpose and the benefits of a VegMichigan membership.

Jim Corcoran co-founded and served as president of VegMichigan for its first seven years. He is a retired fire captain/paramedic/training officer and has a BS in Emergency Medicine. He is also certified in the living foods lifestyle and is a certified fitness instructor. Jim has been leading life altering programs on health and the environment for over a decade. His critically acclaimed talks empower people to make informed and lasting changes in their lives. He also co-founded outreach organizations like VegFund, Plant Peace Daily and most recently Santa Fe Veg.

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Going Veg Q & A
Panel of VegMichigan Members

Photo seen here is of the 2007 "Going Veg for Dummies" panel.

Interested in going vegetarian, but not sure where to start? Or, maybe you are already vegetarian but getting a little tired of salads and tofu? Then come meet our panel of "veg experts." VegMichigan members and advisors will answer your questions and help you figure out where to eat, what to buy, where to buy it, and how to talk about your choices with your family, friends and coworkers. Going veg is easier when you have help!

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Note: Information is subject to change.