MAKING WAVES
Nearly a thousand beach lovers from near and far dipped their toes in the surf at the Jonathan Beach Club to help Heal the Bay celebrate its annual “Bring Back the Beach” gala. This year’s event was themed “Sea of Love,” and the sold-out event honored mega couple Julia Roberts and Danny Moder, as well as Amy Smart and Matthew Hart.
Ocean-loving A-listers were joined by government VIPs including Long Beach Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, as well as Hollywood celebs like Peter Fonda, Ali Larter and sports luminary Michelle Kwan.
Years before it became a target issue, Heal the Bay had been raising awareness about the dangers of plastic bags and damage to our oceans. Heal the Bay board members Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sharon Lawrence were both instrumental in leading the fight to ban single use plastic shopping bags.
After a little seaside mingling and dinner, the band Entourage provided high-energy, dance-along tunes that got partygoers out of their seats and up on stage, where they grooved until the midnight hour.
There were words of thanks from Heal the Bay executive director Karin Hall who said, “Heal the Bay is so gratified to have a strong, continued base of support in our communities across the Los Angeles region, who want to help protect what we all love, our neighborhoods, waterways, beaches and bay.
“A thousand guests enjoyed a beach party on the sand, where they had a chance to take in some breathtaking ocean views. They also celebrated the work that has been accomplished over the last year by our honorees.
“There was excitement in the air, as we were poised to win a ban on single use plastic bags in the city of L.A.” Less than a week later that goal became a reality. Hall called it “an accomplishment that would have been impossible without the encouragement and assistance of so many of our Bring Back the Beach guests.”
The splashy event raised $1 million to keep our oceans clean.
YEE-HA!
Longtime Malibu resident Larry Hagman is back…in Dallas! J.R. returns to the original series in his 10-gallon hat, cowboy boots and a whole lot of attitude. It’s an updated blast to the ‘80s past with evildoers, big shoulders and big hair. So take a break from Snooki, Kim, and Housewives and indulge in something sinfully delicious. J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen hit the ranch Wednesday nights on TNT.