There was a lot of love in the room at the El Paseo on Saturday, October 27, 2018 when people came together to celebrate Heal the Ocean's 20th Anniversary. It was a night to remember.
(Photo: John Palminteri/KEYT.com)
Heal the Ocean Celebrates
20 Years of Water Improvements
Tributes from Jack Johnson and Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The following is from KEYT-3 by John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The ocean and water watchdog group Heal the Ocean celebrated its 20th anniversary over the weekend.
The event at the El Paseo restaurant featured videos, auction items andtributes. Among those honored were retiring Santa Barbara Coutny Fire Chief Eric Petersen and Retired City Fire Chief Pat McElroy.
Heal the Ocean has spoken out strongly about efforts to clean up and cap leaking oil wells along the Summerland coastline that have polluted the waters there. It helped to do aerial surveys and effort legislation through State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) that resulted in $14-million in state money for those projects.
It has also worked on multiple projects to bring neighborhoods on septic tanks get their system and into water treatment facilities if they are in areas where creeks and groundwater are impacted. They also supply biodegradable doggy bags for beaches and parks.
The group started in 1998 with hand-made flyers and stickers. They have led many efforts to speak to city and county leaders in support of ocean water cleanup projects.
"Thank you for all the work you continue to do," said singer Jack Johnson via video from Hawaii. "I wish I could be there." He donated two tickets at Aloha stadium to his upcoming show with the Eagles.
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus sent in a video from Washington D.C. where she was attending an event to receive a Mark Twain Award for comedy. She said, "You're turning 20 years old? What? That means next year you can drink! I send all my love." She then blew a kiss.
The event also featured a toast from Senator Jackson, and live music with Jason Libs from the Red Piano
AND MORE...
FROM THE MONTECITO JOURNAL
Thursday, November 1, 2018
by Richard Mineards
A tidal wave of generosity swept over the historic El Paseo restaurant when Heal the Ocean, celebrating its 20th anniversary, hosted its annual sold-out gala, raising around $200,000 from 200 guests.
The bustling bash had Montecito actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, recently recovered from a breast cancer scare, as honorary chair and Los Angeles auctioneer Rick Werner selling off a cornucopia of goodies, including a Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Oahu, getaway to see Jack Johnson and The Eagles, a week’s vacation to the Fijian island of Tavarua, and an oil painting of a Channel Islands sunset by artist Rick Garcia.
Among the tsunami of tony types flooding into the eatery for Hillary Hauser’s popular charity were John and Hazel Blankenship, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Heather Hudson, Shannon Trotta, Alison Thompson, John Palminteri, Mahri Kerley, Teresa McWilliams, Pat McElroy, Janet Wolf, Eric Peterson, Gregg Hart, Trish Reynales, and Das
Williams.
More pictures to come soon...
In the meantime, PLEASE VOTE! This election is very important for the ocean, for the environment, and for our quality of life.
Please get to the polls! Thank you!
