Ocean Wilderness: Protecting it Now for Generations to Come
More than 400 guests helped Coastkeeper celebrate its most successful fundraising benefit to date. Honorary Event Chair and former California State Senator Dede Alpert, Master of Ceremonies Loren Nancarrow from Channel 10 News, local community activists, concerned citizens and elected official were on hand to pay tribute to honorees and celebrate San Diego’s ocean wilderness, including Coronado’s Mayor Pro Tem Carrie Downey; newly elected City Councilmember’s Todd Gloria and Sherri Lightner and San Diego Unified School Board Trustees Richard Barrera and John Lee Evans to name a few.
Coastkeeper recognized Qualcomm with the Coastal Champion Business Award for their commitment to San Diego’s marine and water environment through their use of water and energy efficient building infrastructure and support of local marine habitats. San Diego Coastkeeper Board Member Sandy Kaupp was honored with the Coastal Champion Leadership Award for his leadership and commitment to helping Coastkeeper protect the San Diego’s waterways.
Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner of organic food from local and sustainable vendors, including our wine sponsor Quivira Vineyards. Attendees danced to the music of Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, and joined in exciting live auction hosted by Chuck Dreyer, silent auction, and our first ever Ocean Gallery which featured work from local artists. The Gallery featured live music by Karli Fairbanks, wine tasting, live art by Wade Koniakowsky and an amazing opportunity to bid on artwork donated by renowned galleries, such as K. Nathan Gallery in La Jolla.
This year, we aimed to make our Gala as green as possible. Guests enjoyed organic food, beer and wine from sustainable vendors. Our event materials were printed on recycled paper, using soy and vegetable ink. In addition, we hosted ‘green-themed’ live and silent auctions, including a gourmet sustainable dinner from local top chefs who use sustainable seafood, local foods and organic wines. Read our eco-elements page for more information on our green event.
Click here to see 944 Magazine’s photos of event.
| Date | ||
| Saturday, November 15, 2008 | ||
| 6:00pm- 7:00pm | VIP Reception | (Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres, Live Music by Karli Fairbanks, and Silent Auction Preview) |
| 6.30pm Ocean Gala Reception | (Cocktails and Silent Auction Begins) | |
| 8.00pm Dinner Program Begins | ||
| 9.00pm Coastal Champion Awards Presentation | ||
| 9.30pm Live Music by Lady Dottie and the Diamonds | ||
| 9.30pm Ocean Gallery Closes | ||
| 10.30pm Ocean Gala Ends | ||
Location
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, California
Click Here for Directions
Tickets
Tickets are $175 per person. VIP tickets are $250 per person.
Table at $1,750 includes one premier table of ten and name listed in the program.

Ocean Gala Ticket Remittance Form
Click here to view the Ocean Gala Save the Date postcard.
Gala Dinner
Guests will enjoy organic food from sustainable farms, including Natures Produce and Snake River Farms.
Salad
Organic Greens Salad
Strawberries, Feta, Candied Walnuts
Cabernet Vinaigrette
Beef Entree
Kobe Sirloin, Gouda Scalloped Potatoes and Baby Vegetables Roasted Shallot Bordelaise
or
Vegetarian Entree
Sweet Corn Russian Souffle, Toasted Fregola Salad and Sweet Pea Puree
Dessert
Dried Cherry Slump Cake with Fig and Cherry Sauce
Wine is being generously donated by Quivira Vineyards, a sustainable winery located in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley.
Attire
California Cocktail