A beautiful ocean and the sound of the waves accompanied Heal the Ocean’s 5th Annual Benefit Concert at the Coral Casino on September 26, 2009. . . Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the oceanfront patio while being serenaded by Pone and Jethro – Palmer Jackson and John Simpson. Local KEYT broadcaster John Palminteri called the guests to dinner and served as emcee for the evening’s lively program…Julia Louis-Dreyfus once again graciously acted as hostess and kept the filled-to-capacity audience laughing as she discussed recent news events. “The economy tanked, we have no health-care bill yet, but there was one bright spot – my dress at the Emmy’s got some very good press, and I might add, Heal the Ocean had a banner year.”

Executive director Hillary Hauser reported on HTO work, and Jean-Michel Cousteau spoke about the increasing dangers facing our oceans. The lively Ask gave high bidders specially-designed jewelry by Jes MaHarry, beautiful photographic sea books by Richard Salas, and gorgeous magnums of wine donated by Melville Winery (Melville, along with Alma Rosa Winery donated cases of wonderful wine to the evening)…Following the Live Auction, which brought to HTO the highest funds ever (thanks to auctioneer Larry Zucker), the evening opened up to the Big & Fabulous Fish Show as choreographed and produced by Matthew McAvene and his amazing crew of dancers, Brazilian drummers and puppeteers, who led the audience inside to dance to the music of Culver City Dub Collective, and New Zealand’s Black Seeds on their first U.S. tour…! It was a wild and fun evening, oceans of fun! Thank you, Dawn Sherry & Paul Noury for the GrandTimes trip, thank you John Maienza & GreggWilson for donating your beautiful Hawaii house, thank you Charlie Munger, Rachel & KingWilliams for giving the Channel Cat party cruise, thank you, one and all!