After October comes ... uh Thanksgiving, and with that the holiday season is upon us with its mall shopping, colorful decorations, festive parties, family and friends, and decadent food. To set the pace for a season that bypasses the decadent food, the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii presents its annual Thanksgiving Eve Dinner. Our friends at Govinda's Restaurant warmly welcome us back and will again do their best to make the evening memorable.

This event is well known for bringing together the diverse arms of the vegetarian community, including animal rights activists, environmentalists, health vegetarians, ethical vegetarians, and people of various religious groups. We are the Honolulu Vegetarian Family.   

Vegans, vegetarians, their friends and families, and anyone else interested in a healthy holiday meal are welcome. As the VSH welcomes non-members to its free monthly lectures, we welcome non-members and non-vegetarians to join us. The cooks at Govinda's never disappoint, and, with their family-style table arrangements, you are likely to make some new friends.

As always, the buffet meal will be cruelty-free, healthy, low-fat, and vegan. No hydrogenated oils, no MSG, no preservatives, and no artificial colors or flavors will be used. The ingredients will be organic wherever possible, and the traditional fare will be nearly entirely homemade. 

The cost is $14 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Seatings will be at 5 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21^st. Govinda's is located in the Hare Krishna Temple at 51 Coelho Way off the Ewa (Honolulu-bound) side of the Pali Highway, just before the Nuuanu Avenue exit. Call 595-3947 for recorded directions. 

For reservations, please call Teja at 271-4780. If you get a recording, just leave your name, phone number, the number of people in your party, and the seating time you prefer. Any questions about the meal should be directed to the friendly folks at Govinda's.