Dan's Papers - June 19, 2009 - Eco-Friendly Gala Raises Funds for Environmental Group

On Saturday, June 20, the Group for the East End will present Ecofabulous in the East End, a gala at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard, 183 Sagg Road in Sagaponack. The group, led by the energetic Bob DeLuca, works to support the protection and restoration of Eastern Long Island's natural environment through education, citizen action and professional advocacy. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a silent EcoAuction. Dinner, dancing and live auction will begin at 8 p.m. The honorary auction host is Alec Baldwin while the honorary dinner host is Nicole Miller. The dinners will be locally sourced and prepared with power from bio diesel generators. Celebrity chefs Todd Jacobs, Gerry Hayden, Tom Schaudel, Michael Ross and Claudia Fleming will create a farm to table meal inspired by a conservative method. In the spirit of the occasion all potted centerpieces will be planted on the East End post-event. Chef Jacobs (who is working on a new project in Long Beach to open summer 2009 - the Atlantica at the Allegria Hotel & Spa, a beachfront eco-resort that anticipates gold LEED certification and will feature the same commitment to local, organic foods and top-notch service as the Hamptons outpost of Atlantica) said he was "happy to take my hard hat off for awhile and get into the kitchen to pull together certain pieces of the EcoFabulous meal. It's important that we continue to encourage people to eat locally - it's healthier food that supports the local economy and keeps the our landscape looking like nature intended."

Individual tickets start at $450 and escalate up to $1,250 and tables range from $5,000 to $50,000. The auction list contains items such as a private villa for six on St. Martin; a stay at Casa de Campo with eco-spa treatments at Cygalle Healing Spa; Tesla-for-a-weekend driving experience (100% electric sports car); a rare Beech Tree from Marder's Nursery; summer yacht cruises out of Sag Harbor; and a few surprises yet to be announced. Joining Baldwin as honorary auction host will be Christie's Auctioneer Alison Delaney. This annual benefit has the support of tastemakers including Gabrielle and Louis Bacon, Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones, Cynthia and Dan Lufkin, DeeDee Ricks, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Ron Lauder and many others.

Bill McChesney, chairman of the Group for the East End Board of Trustees said, "I am proud to be part of an environmental group that walks the walk. Our Ecofabulous benefit truly embodies a conservation ethic with local foods, local chefs and minimal waste set in the bucolic setting of the Wolffer Estate. I believe this is a most appropriate way to celebrate and support our Group dedicated to protecting and restoring the environment of Eastern Long Island." John Nida of Wolffer Estates, said he "is pleased to host the first ever installment of Ecofabulous in the East End." Wolffer Estate shares that commitment to the environment by practicing sustainable farming and is always seeking to improve and institute the best practices to strengthen that commitment.

Carrie Waible, a spokesperson for Ecofabulous, said anyone interested should visit the Web site eastendgala.org. She also gave some background on the Group for the East End. Established in 1972 as Group for America's South Fork, the organization has been inspiring East Enders to embrace and act upon a conservation ethic for 37 years. For more information visit eastendenvironment.org. She said DeLuca has worked tirelessly to make this night very special.