She hearts animals

Joan Jett may not give a damn about her reputation, but she clearly cares for the critters. The rock icon and longtime vegan, who headlines a show with her backing band the Blackhearts at the California State Fair, on Friday, July 18, will first make an afternoon detour at The Plum Cafe & Bakery (2315 K Street) for a special meet and greet to benefit Farm Sanctuary.

Farm Sanctuary, which has three locations including one in Orland, works to raise awareness about factory farming and animal abuse. It also shelters animals and advocates a vegan lifestyle.

Jett, who has previously worked with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is so committed to the cause she was once booted from a South Dakota parade float because local ranchers complained.

The singer became a vegetarian after reading John Robbins' 1987 book Diet for a New America.

“It got me thinking about farm to plate and soon I was thinking about slaughterhouses all day long,” Jett told The Guardian newspaper in 2010. “I'm not a preacher, I'm not dogmatic, I let people come to their own conclusions, but I promote it at a healthy level … through small talk.”

The event, which includes a vegan buffet and kombucha samples, starts at 2:30 p.m.; tickets are $100 and available in advance at http://plumcafebakery.com.