Photos from a Successful Ripple 2009

Next Year We Might Have to Call It Tidal Wave

Wow, what a crowd last night! Thanks to everyone who came. We hope you had a magnificent time.

Thanks also, and especially, to the awesome volunteer corps who made it all happen. From the advance planning to the door, bar, and buffet, to the cleanup crew--you guys truly deserve an epic session.

While we sold a lot of art last night, there's still plenty available. The show runs through June 26, so be sure to stop by this week and see it! Contact Megan Kelley if you would like to make a purchase. (Her contact info is posted in the gallery.)

If you purchased art, you can pick it up on Monday, June 29, from the gallery in the morning or the chapter's office in the afternoon. If that day doesn't work for you, let us know and we'll figure something out. E-mail dcchapter@surfrider.org to make arrangements.

Shaping Up

Six volunteers worked hard this afternoon to hang most of the art, and start arranging tables and auction items. The gallery has really transformed.

My favorite part of all is the lights. Bravo to Mike and Jimmie for executing that one perfectly.

A couple more hours of work tomorrow, and then party time!

The Clock Is Ticking

Advance ticket sales will end tonight at 11 pm. To save $5, buy your tickets now! The link is right over there --->

Of course you're more than welcome to pay at the door. We'll see you tomorrow night!

Closet Closeout

Now seems like a handy time to point out the post from last year, about our unusual dress code.

At Ripple 2008, we did indeed have a number of fellas in the top half of a tux or suit, and boardshorts. But we also had a number of Hawaiian shirts, and regular suits and polos and even jeans.

Ladies dolled up sundresses or went cocktail, but there were a few in shorts, even.

So really, it's flexible. The general vibe is fancy, but fun. We're Surfrider, after all.

ISD memberships

A week or so ago I wrote about the Beach in a Bag membership promo. At Ripple, you can give us $25 and we'll give you a member kit on the spot, with a canvas tote bag and stickers.

Or, you can join online. On June 20 only, online memberships (new and renew) are only $20, and you get a special ISD t-shirt, and your name in an upcoming issue of Surfing magazine.

And if you're feeling super generous, on Saturday only you can buy the ISD VIP Membership. This swanky deal is $620 (as in June 20), and gets you...

- an ISD t-shirt
- a regular Surfrider membership (new or renew)
- a subscription to Surfing
- a Dakine deck pad and leash
- an ISD-branded water bottle
- a limited edition, 25th anniversary Surfrider Foundation Casio G-shock solar-panel watch (only 2000 available in the US!)

AND

- your name and photo in an upcoming issue of Surfing magazine.

Pretty sweet deal. More info here.

International Surfing Day

This Saturday is the 5th annual International Surfing Day, being celebrated by all 70 US Surfrider chapters and at a number of locations around the globe. Every chapter does something different--many coastal chapters do paddleouts, surf lessons, cleanups, and other beach events. Given our geography, we opted for a surf-themed party.

But a big part of ISD is the challenge component. Tons of companies donated prizes to people who do extraordinary things. And even though we aren't doing the challenges at our event (since it's hard to ask people to collect trash at a fundraiser), you can still be in the game. The tasks vary from riding a wave on an unusual material (and videotaping it) to creating a playlist, and the prizes include cool stuff like boardshorts made of recycled plastic and an iPod Touch.

So, check out Surfing Magazine's ISD site for more info on the challenges. Good luck!

DC Bag Bill Is Law

The Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act passed the DC Council's second reading today. The vote was again unanimous.

Starting January 1, 2010, virtually all retailers that sell food in the District will charge 5 cents for each plastic or paper bag they distribute. One to two cents of the fee will return to the retailer, and the remainder will go into an Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund, to help restore one of the most polluted rivers in the country. The fund will also pay for reusable bags and an educational campaign for low-income, elderly, and other needy residents.

The bill also establishes a new special license plate (the first non-standard license plate in the city) and other voluntary revenue streams to keep the fund solvent. The city's CFO estimates that the fee will reduce demand for bags by 90 percent in 5 years.

Councilmember Tommy Wells, who drafted the legislation (and who is a special guest this Saturday at Ripple), announced today that Safeway is donating 10,000 reusable bags to distribute to low-income families in the city.

The bill was supported by a coalition of approximately 30 environmental and community groups. Surfrider's DC Chapter led the way on gaining public support for the bill, coordinating a postcard campaign to collect signatures at grocery stores and community events, and keeping an army of volunteers at the ready to answer questions and combat false information spread on blogs, news articles, and other online news sources. We also testified at the public hearing, met with several councilmembers and their staff, and even designed the coalition's logo.

You Heard the Man

Go forth: learn and conserve. The oceans need you.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as National Oceans Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the oceans and what can be done to conserve them.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

For more, see the PDF of the proclamation, posted (among other places) at our friends at Ocean Champions.

Schoolhouse Rock

I guess it sounds a little strange that we're holding Ripple in a school. But this is a very special school, and we're happy to be working with them to put on this event.

WVSA ARTs Connection is a nonprofit organization providing multiple creative environments, opportunities, and experiences for children and adults through arts-infused educational and vocational programs. The organization established the WVSA SAIL Public Charter School here in DC--where charter schools educate more than a third of the city's children--to use the arts as a medium for teaching students who might have trouble with a traditional curriculum. (SAIL stands for School for ARTs in Learning.) The school serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade, and also has programs for adults who need help with a GED, employment training, life skills, and art training.

Because the arts permeate everything the students do in school, there's a lot to display. Displaying the art reminds the students daily of their accomplishments and efforts. Some of their artwork is even available for sale. The school building has a large gallery space on the first floor, which is open to the public during the week. It's also available for rent, which is where Surfrider comes in. Our rental fee supports the school's programs, and therefore local kids and adults. Sort of like Oceans Affecting Art.

The gallery has been a delight to work with. If you're looking for a venue for an event or show, definitely check them out!

Special Membership Offer

Normally, to buy a Surfrider membership, you send in your money (snail mail or online), and some weeks later you get a member kit. What if you could walk away with a cool canvas tote, stickers, and your precious member sticker in hand?

Surfrider has introduced the Beach in a Bag membership promotion--just buy or renew a membership and get your swag on the spot! We'll have a load of these available at Ripple. Regular memberships are just $25; students and seniors can join for just $15. It's an easy, quick way to show your support for your oceans, waves, and beaches!

(Note: if you prefer to buy a membership online, join on June 20 for the International Surfing Day membership special! Info will soon be posted at http://www.surfrider.org/join.)

RIPPLE Featured Artist: Steve Mullen

Steve Mullen has been a professional photographer for over thirty years specializing in fashion and advertising. Before opening his Philadelphia studio, Steve was a senior staff member at the prestigious Antonelli School of Photography and has also given presentations and lectures at many east coast art schools and professional organizations. His commercial work has earned many awards including the Philly Gold, Art Directors Club and the Pennsylvania Trophy.

Steve’s fine art work has also been recognized with several Best of Show awards as well as being part of many group and one-man shows in tri-state area galleries. His photographs are part of many collections both public and private.

His latest project is capturing the rich and diverse culture of the surfing scene in New Jersey. The book should be complete by Fall 2010.

Steve was cofounder of the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation in 2002 and is still an active volunteer.

RIPPLE Featured Artist: Justin Parisi-Smith

Justin "Lil j” Parisi-Smith graduated from Alfred University where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in glassblowing and ceramic sculpture, while also earning an Art Education teaching certificate. Upon graduation Justin was an artist in residence at The Genesee Center for Arts and Education in N.Y. where he continued to work on his humorous six-foot tall clay sculptures of 1980s iconic figures.

His work is inspired by is love for outrageous humor, and his forward and open support of direct action toward human, environmental, and animal liberation. He has taught artists workshops and classes at Bennington College in Vermont, The Buck’s Rock Creative Arts Camp, and has been on the summer staff at The Pilchuck Glass School for the past four summers.

Five years ago Justin moved out to Utah to combine his interests in the arts and the outdoors. When Justin is not on the mountain snowboarding or biking, which is rare, he works as the Programs Director for Spiro Arts Workshop & Residency Program in Park City, Utah. His sister, Nicole Parisi-Smith, founded the Music Outreach Program for Surfrider's DC Chapter, and is currently the Music Outreach Coordinator for the San Francisco Chapter.

Chapter News (aka What You're Supporting)

Last week we had a great success when the DC Council unanimously voted in favor of the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act. We played a major role in the public outreach campaign for this bill, doing everything from designing the coalition's logo to printing postcards to delivering more than 1200 of them to Council Chair Vincent Gray back on May 4. The bill is one of the toughest such measures in the country, and the first one in a major city on the East Coast. Members of our executive committee attended every public hearing and meeting on the bill, and were on hand for the vote on June 2. Elation!

The required second vote is scheduled for June 16. What a great lead-in to celebration at Ripple! (And the author of the bill, Councilmember Tommy Wells, will be there to help!)


Then this past weekend we ripped it up at the Ocean City Longboard Contest, put on by our brothers & sisters at the Ocean City, MD, chapter. Our team made it to the quarterfinals--quite respectable for an inland team!

Over the weekend we also had a table at Celebrate Fairfax!, a huge music and entertainment festival in Northern Virginia. We began our efforts to get a bag bill in Virginia, and talked to passersby about how their actions upstream affect the ocean--in ways both good and bad.

And later this week chapter chair Julie Lawson is giving a presentation about the bag bill to a class at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School. Carl Pellegrino, husband of super-paddler and uber-ocean advocate Margo, will be on hand to film it. Very exciting!

RIPPLE Featured Artist: Megan Kelley

Megan exhibited a couple of pieces last year as part of our member art show at Ripple 2008. Her pieces sold so well that we asked her to be part of the main show this year. She is also curating the show.

If you'd like contribute a piece to this year's member art, please e-mail mike@headspringsolutions.com. Submissions are due June 14.

"The ocean is and always will be part of who I am. It is my grounding source, my inspiration, and the place that nourishes my creativity. It is where I feel most at home, and most connected to the universal currents of life."  ~ Megan Kelley
 
Megan Kelley grew up spending her summers down the Jersey Shore. She first saw the beach when just a baby, started surfing when she was fourteen, and has been making art for as long as she can remember. So it’s no doubt that her two passions – for the ocean and for art - would eventually merge together. 

As an artist and a surfer, the term “pura vida” captures the essence of Megan’s life and work. It is the Costa Rican motto for life, a phrase that describes a way of living in the moment and with passion. Megan first discovered its essence while surfing along the coast in Nosara, Costa Rica, and quickly adopted it as a guiding principle for her own life. The spirit of “pura vida” has infused her style of art making – and provides a source for noticing joy in the simple, & capturing the life that occurs within a moment.

Megan holds her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MA in Art Therapy from the George Washington University. She currently resides in Washington, DC where she is a member of the DC Surfrider Chapter.

RIPPLE Featured Artist: Brian Tucci

Brian Tucci (DC): "For me, painting is kind of like a bookmark. It's the synthesis of everything that I have going on at the time. . . . Somehow, it always falls together. I never know what I'm going to do until it's finished. I just know that the paintings have stopped, and then I know I'm done."

With a career spanning over 20 years, pro skateboarder Brian Tucci is revered an underground legend in the skateboarding world. He uses the same spontaneity and creativity in his approach to both skateboarding and art. Ever-evolving, Tucci says that he is contantly honing his skills, trying new techniques; fine tuning his voice.

All boards in this show have been ridden and retired by Brian Tucci.

RIPPLE Featured Artist: Jay Alders

From his website, www.jayalders.com:

Jay Alders earned his degree in the Arts from Montclair State University.

Jay is a New Jersey native and currently resides between New York City and Philadelphia in the Beach Town of Belmar, NJ.

The original Artwork and Photography of Jay Alders has been viewed around the globe. Jay's work has been featured in Galleries from New York City to California, Art Tours in Brazil, Surf Exhibitions on the North Shore of Oahu and ESPN's Xgames 2008. Companies like EmergenC, 9Fish Surfboards and Riviera Longboards all have licensed Jay's Surf Art for their Internationally Recognized Product lines.

Jay Alders has collaborated and/or toured with talented friends such as: Donavon Frankenreiter, Matt Costa, ALO, Sean Davey, G Love, Paula Fuga, Echo Movement, Robb Havassy and Guns N Roses' guitarist, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal to name a few.

Prestigious media outlets like Surfer Magazine, FuelTV, Surfline.com, Line Up Magazine, Longboard Magazine, FHM Magazine, Penthouse Magazine, Alma Surf Magazine all showcase Jay's artistic endeavors.

Alders [pronounced: 'all-derz'] is a passionate philanthropist and is proud to give back to the the community whenever possible and is a regular supporter to Surf Aid International, Surfrider Foundation, PETA and the ASPCA.

When not spending time being creative in the arts, Jay values his time with family, friends and with many of his life’s passions. Jay enjoys activities such as surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, playing guitar, scuba diving, meditating, exercising, singing in the shower, dancing, writing and traveling.

Jay leads a vegan lifestyle and strives to respect the environment, the universe and all living things.

Silent Auction Sneak Peek

The news may say the economy's rough, but our sponsors have been so generous this year. Check out some of the items up for bid in our silent auction:

- a week in Playa Negra, on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica

- 2 nights, with breakfast, at the new W Washington, next to the White House

- 3 nights in Fort Lauderdale, courtesy of Hyatt

- 2 nights at any Marriott Hotel in the U.S.

- 2 nights at any Omni Hotel in the U.S.

- 1 night at the DC Embassy Suites in the West End, courtesy of Hilton

- two tickets in the DC Council's box at an upcoming Nationals game, courtesy of Councilmember Tommy Wells (DC-6)

- a gift set of men's and women's skin care products from Sephora

Thanks to all of our donors! If you or your business would like to contribute an item or experience, please contact us at dcchapter@surfrider.org.

Introducing Brian Tucci

We've added an exciting new artist to our show, local skate legend Brian Tucci. You may have read his story in last weekend's Washington Post Magazine--I did, and knew Surfrider needed to work with him. He's bringing 5 pieces to RIPPLE, both skate decks and canvases. We're thrilled to have him in the show, and look forward to reaching out to ALL board riders, whether they prefer water, snow, or concrete.

Check out Brian's work on land:

Under a Month

Our volunteers have been busy! Beth and I went to the gallery yesterday to start figuring out decor. Tiki bars, grass skirts, and beach chairs are on the list.

Megan, our curator and one of our talented featured artists, has been organizing the other artists while also creating new watercolors. That's her work in the header for this blog. Beautiful stuff.

And of course we've been putting out inquiries for sponsors, and boy have they come through! We have some great travel packages lined up for the silent auction, with destinations on both US coasts, and of course Costa Rica.

Tickets went on sale today: $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks from Barefoot Wine and Heineken and scrumptious hors d'oeuvres. You can buy tickets online via Paypal. See the link over here. --->

Look forward to seeing you there!

RIPPLE 2009 Is Coming

RIPPLE 2009 will be

Saturday, June 20, 2009
8 pm to midnight

at

ARTiculate Gallery
1100 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(Metro: Farragut North)

Ticket prices and more info to come.

DC's most intriguing environmentalists will be there. Will you?

Ripple Video

Pictures!

SNEAK PREVIEW OF RIPPLE PICTURES

I have been a little behind on putting pictures of the shows put will do so today!

Here are some wonderful pictures by the very talented James Walker and Bernadette.

Erik and his awesome live painting piece!

Comparing theories on Erik Abels work

James, Shane and Shane

Patron in Awe in front of Eriks installation

Black Tie & ... What Now?

I've been getting questions about the dress code for Friday night's Preview Party.

Lots of Surfrider events, especially in California, use the "black tie and baggies" theme. First Coast Chapter, in Jacksonville, holds a BT&B benefit every year (see photo, and photo set). Obviously it's not your standard DC cocktail circuit attire, but surfers aren't the standard DC demographic.

What does it mean? Well, some of the guys will in fact wear a suit or tux shirt/jacket/tie with boardshorts. And some I'm sure will be in Hawaiian shirts and khakis. Dresses, be they sun- or cocktail, are a-okay for the ladies. If you're feeling bold and want to dress up a bikini, you'll still fit right in.

This isn't Movie Night, and it's not a backyard kegger. Let's wash behind our ears and get a little fancy, but also be sure to have some fun.

"So, what can we bid on?"

Of course we aren't going to kill trees and hand out auction catalogs Friday night. That would be silly. But, you of course want to be prepared and start getting your hopes up, don't you?

I've already written about the package at Las Flores Surf Camp. So what else is there?

• a week's stay at a house in Costa Rica - just a mile from the waves at Playa Negra
  
• 4 nights in San Diego - take in the bays (Mission and San Diego), courtesy of Sheraton and Hilton
  
• 2 nights at any Omni Hotel in the continental U.S. - where are the waves looking good this weekend?
  
• 2 nights at any Marriott Hotel in the continental U.S. - where are the waves looking good next weekend?
  
• 2 nights at the Grand Hyatt Washington in D.C. - for the trendiest buzzword in eco leisure, the "stay-cation"
  
• dinner for 2 at Finn & Porter, DC
  
• dinner for 2 at Water Table, Baltimore
  
• his and hers travel goodies from Patagonia and Sephora - sunblock and skincare for days at the beach, fleeces for cool nights, and an awesome carry-on bag to stow it all in