Ninth Annual Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter Art Gala Celebrates Coastal Environment, Coastal

February 12, 2009 – Del Mar, Calif. – The San Diego Chapter of the
Surfrider Foundation will host its Ninth Annual Art Gala from 6 p.m.
to 10 p.m., Thursday, May 21 at The Powerhouse Community Center in Del
Mar, 1658 Coast Blvd.  Set in a picture perfect oceanfront setting,
the gala will feature beautiful art, delectable food and drink,
musical entertainment and coastal conservation highlights.



Attendees of this environmentally inspired event will enjoy silent and
live auctions of ocean-themed artwork from renowned local and national
artists, in addition to one-of-a-kind surfboards. There will also be a
slide show hosted by famed photographer Aaron Chang, a raffle, gourmet
food by Events by Christopher, fine wine and San Diego's best beer
from Stone Brewing Co.  Donations of artwork and non-art silent
auction items are still being sought. Email info@surfriderSD.org if
interested.

Proceeds from the art gala's ticket sales and auctions benefit the
Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter, helping fund the group's local
programs including water quality testing, education, outreach, beach
cleanups, pollution monitoring and advocacy efforts.  Last year's
event raised more than $40,000, aiding the chapter's effort to Save
Trestles, the Kids For Clean Water educational outreach program, Blue
Water Task Force water monitoring, the Rise Above Plastics campaign
and much more.



"Surfrider San Diego's annual Art Gala is an unusually fun way to 'buy
local,'" said Scott Harrison, Chair of Surfrider Foundation's San
Diego Chapter. "We serve up locally sourced treats in the form of
wine, beer, food and homegrown art, then put the proceeds to work in
the chapter's efforts to enhance the health of our own local beach
environments."



Tickets for the Art Gala are $80 each and include a grazing dinner,
drinks, entertainment and access to bid on and own unique works for
art.  Tickets to this exclusive event are limited to the first 150
people who purchase them, and will be available online at
www.surfriderSD.org



The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots environmental
organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's
oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Surfrider
Foundation has grown from a small group of dedicated surfers in
Malibu, California to a global movement made up of over 50,000 members
and 90 chapters worldwide.  Founded in 1992, Surfrider Foundation's
San Diego chapter is the largest within the Surfrider Foundation
Chapter Network. For more information, visit www.surfriderSD.org or
call (858) 792-9940.