Vegan /Vegetarian Catering directories

Lots to think about in Vegetarian catering - from wines to food to garnishes to "anchovy-free Worchester sauce" ...

Here are few resources: HappyCow It's a nice directory, but rather limited. If you know any vegan cooks or caterers, suggest they enquire about adding their profiles. You have to email the directory for details, so not sure if there is a cost for listing. Lots of CA, some Florida, and a Torontonian...

Veg.ca is a Canadian directory. Coded for Veggie/ Vegan, and localized.

Lots of UK sources, of course. Veggies.org is a place to start

NY: Gay parents allowed both names on birth certificates

Good news - and a ripple effect: Their Children’s Birth Certificates: The Next Fight in LGBT Equality Lisa Derrick Sunday March 29, 2009 6:10 am

This week New York City joined the rest of the state in allowing married lesbian couples to list both women as parents from when one of them gives birth, though the state itself does not yet perform same-sex marriages. In May Gov. David Paterson had ordered state agencies to respect out-of-state same-sex marriages saying that recent court ruling could subject agencies to discrimination claims; this was implemented in December. New York City keeps its own vital statistics separately from the state; the city's Board of Health voted unanimously to make the change.

This New York state law is having an effect elsewhere. A federal judge ruled March 19th that Louisiana has 15 days to add the names of both fathers to the birth certificate of a boy born in Shreveport and adopted by a gay couple from New York who now live in Southern California. The boy's parents, Oren Adar and Mickey Ray Smith, adopted their Louisiana-born son in New York state, and want both their names on his birth certificate. Louisiana law only allows one single person or a married couple to adopt, but U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey ruled in December that because the adoption became formal in New York, the Office of Vital Records must recognize that state's adoption law on the matter.

Vermont Senate panel approves gay marriage bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. – A state Senate committee unanimously approved a gay marriage bill on Friday, moving Vermont one step closer to allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.

"It provides ... gay and lesbian couples the same rights that I have as a married heterosexual," said Sen. John Campbell, vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. The measure would replace Vermont's first-in-the-nation civil unions law with one that allows marriage of same-sex partners beginning Sept. 1.

The committee's vote ended an intense week highlighted by a public hearing Wednesday night in which more than 500 people swarmed the Statehouse to speak for and against allowing same-sex marriages. If approved, Vermont would join Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only U.S. states that allow gays and lesbians to marry. Civil unions, which confer some rights similar to marriage, would still be recognized but no longer granted after Sept. 1.

Both Houses, under Democratic control, are expected to pass the measure. The Senate is taking the lead and is expected to debate the bill next week. Exemption would not extend to justices of the peace and other public officials who perform civil marriages but who might object to officiating at same-sex unions. Those people are agents of the government and are barred by law from discriminating based on sexual orientation, Campbell said.

Vermont in 2000 became the first state in the country to pass a civil unions law, which grants many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples. But gay marriage advocates have argued since then that the law does not go far enough. California, New Jersey and New Hampshire also permit civil unions.

It's YOUR wedding: Family events vs Elopements

We often talk to couples who are discussing the size of their wedding - especially in challenging economic times. Many couples eventually opt for eloping (or a small private wedding) with the idea that they will have a larger celebration later. This is not a new idea, of course, as we pointed out in Get Married at Home, which discusses the concept of small family weddings. Many of our grandparents went to the county registry office or were married in the parlor, of course.

But the real question is not decisions about second cousins and invitations - it's whether you want your wedding to be a true elopement (no family present) or a private wedding(family or friends as witnesses, say under 10 people) or a family wedding, which is similar to any family event: enough friends and relatives to fit into your living room and backyard.

It's really about your relationship with your new spouse and your families, and it's not rocket science: If you are EMOTIONALLY CLOSE to your families - then find a way to involve them, if possible - on your terms, of course - whether it's in the actual ceremony, or some sort of celebration. And that is simply a logistical problem of distance, travel, health, work schedules, etc. The opportunity for your family members to be present as you form a NEW family is a unique event, and benefits all of you.

If your relationship with your relatives makes you at all uncomfortable, and you want your wedding to be personal and private - then simply make your own arrangements. And decide whether you're going to see everyone later en masse, at a party or informal event, (at your own new home, on neutral ground at an event space, or at someone else's house) or whether you'll go visiting, or however you decide to present your new status.

If your family lives close by, you may consider having a private elopement ceremony and a 'welcome home' reception. That's what my great-grandmother did - their best friends were their witnesses at the courthouse, and her mother stayed home and set up the reception. If your family is very close, they may want to attend the actual ceremony and be your witnesses (or take pictures), even at the courthouse or in the park.

Many couples are concerned about parents "taking over" their special day. It happens! But parents want to be needed, as much as anyone else. Keep your plans firmly in your own hands - including the ceremony, the guests, the amenities (it's YOUR wedding!) but do try to find things to ask them - it acknowledges their importance in your lives, and encourages their future support. A wedding is one day in your life, private or public - a marriage is a family event by it's nature. And whether you have a romantic private wedding or a family picnic in a park, do find some way to acknowledge and include your present (and new) relatives in your changed state - there are many life events ahead of you as a new couple, and your family will be involved in some degree in those events to come.