2008 Benefit - 4th Annual Concert - A Giant Success!

The old oak tree was the center of attention as more than 350 guests arrived at Hal & Mary Coffin’s fabulous Montecito Valley Ranch for Heal the Ocean’s 4th annual Benefit Concert on August 28, 2008. . . This was a particularly special evening as it was HTO’s 10th anniversary celebration and the long septic-to-sewer Rincon battle had finally just been won. . . As guests took their seats at elegant tables set in casual intimacy near the old oak tree, Jack Johnson and Zack Gill began to have fun in their fabulous musical way with words and song, acoustic guitar, and keyboards, and “Gone, Going, Gone".”

Our wonderfully funny hostess Julia Louis-Dreyfus initiated the new adventure of the evening by “paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln”…”do not let the enemy beguile you…into thinking septic systems near the beach are a good idea!”…”This is my very favorite party!” she chirped…and we believe her, because it is ours too… Executive Director Hillary Hauser then introduced friends who are dear to the heart of HTO – Jean-Michel Cousteau, who gave HTO his 501c3 non-profit status when the organization was first formed; Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay, Santa Monica; HTO co-founder Jeff Young; and then Fred Woocher, the Santa Monica elections lawyer who had just won and settled the Rincon sewer project lawsuit was presented certificates of appreciation from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties by Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal.

The evening continued with Morgan Maassen, a rising star among filmmakers, presenting his short film made for Heal the Ocean followed by our well-known and beloved filmmaker Mike deGruy, who conducted a very successful live auction filled with paintings, destinations and cruises…fast-moving and witty Brad Hall wrapped it up with a rousing “Ask,” and then….the finale….MUSIC! The beautifully talented Paula Fuga and Culver City Dub, a rock-out combo from Jack’s world tour had everyone on their feet instantly…and as we danced the night away we reflected upon how fortunate we were that these musicians took the time to be with us as they were going through town at the very end of their tour…It was an evening of love – for each other and for the ocean. Thank you, one and all!