fundraiser

Local Food Entrepreneur to Headline Organic Farming Gala

Carol Blake — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:20:48 -0400

Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley Hosts 1st Annual NOFA/Mass Fundraising Dinner November 14, 2009

(Shirley, MA) – The Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass) welcomes keynote speaker David Barber to its first annual NOFA Nourishes Massachusetts gala dinner on November 14, 2009 from 6 to 9pm. Hosted by The Bull Run Restaurant, located at 215 Great Road/Rt. 2A in Shirley MA, proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit NOFA/Mass’ ongoing education and advocacy activities. Tickets are $100 per person and reservations are first come, first served.

“We are so delighted to have food and farming entrepreneur David Barber headline our first annual fall fundraising dinner,” confirmed Julie Rawson, executive director, NOFA/Mass. “We’ll dine on locally grown products skillfully crafted by the Bull Run’s talented chefs while David shares his experiences and philosophy. Auction items are sure to please all discerning bidders, and we are grateful to The Bull Run for generously donating their time and talent to our cause. We welcome new friends and old to share in this event and celebrate the hardworking folks all across the Commonwealth who are actively and passionately nourishing our communities.”

NOFA Nourishes Massachusetts begins at 6PM with a silent auction and cocktails. A multi-course gourmet dinner follows, prepared by Bull Run Chef, Judith Basso, and her skilled team utilizing local and organic ingredients from Massachusetts farmers and producers. The evening culminates in a keynote presentation by David Barber.
Keynote speaker David Barber – originally from Great Barrington MA -- will address the role of small farms and restaurants in developing local food systems and food sheds. In 1999, Barber started the Blue Hill Restaurant in New York City (www.bluehillfarm.com) with family members, becoming a leader in the movement to promote locally produced food. In 2001, he also co-founded the not-for-profit Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, in Westchester County, NY (www.stonebarnscenter.org) on the site of a former Rockefeller farm barn complex. Today, the Center's farm provides the food for the Barbers' second Blue Hill Restaurant, which is located on site.

The first annual NOFA Nourishes Massachusetts fundraising dinner will be held at The Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley MA (www.bullrunrestaurant.com), a New England landmark since 1740. Long interested in the topic of local food systems and owners since 1946, the current generation of the Guericio family aims for today’s Bull Run to become a leader in promoting farm-to-table menus that connect the area’s farmers with their new chef, Judith Basso.

“Our mission is to revitalize and transform this one-of-a-kind pre-revolutionary tavern into a multifaceted center devoted to the local food movement, “confirmed George Tocci, Bull Run co-owner. “By working closely with NOFA/Mass, we are creating here a destination where families and individuals can eat fresh and local, participate in educational programs, and connect with the farming community in our region. History, entertainment, and healthy farm-to-table food can be found here at the new Bull Run.”

Tickets are $100 for NOFA members; $125 for non-NOFA Members, which includes a one-year NOFA/Mass membership. Purchase tickets online at <http://www.nofamass.org/news/nov14fundraiser.php> or at http://tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com/. Donations of auction items are also welcome. For more information, contact event organizer Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org.

NOFA Massachusets Press Room

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Free Family Fun as Hope and Olive Hosts Soup and Game Night to Support Struggling Dairy Farmers

Carol Blake — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:11:08 -0400

Greenfield, Ma - The Hope and Olive Restaurant will be hosting Free Soup and Game Night to support the state's dairy farmers. The fundraiser will be held Monday, August 3 from 5pm-8pm and promises to be a fun-filled evening for the whole family. The event is sponsored by the Dairy and Livestock Program of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.(NOFA/Mass).

There will be a variety of homemade soups filled with local vegetables. One soup will be yogurt-based made with yogurt from Sidehill Farm in Ashfield. The soups will be made by NOFA/Mass members, staff and local restaurants. Also included in the meal will be fresh salads, bread from Bread Euphoria, cheese from Chase Hill Farm in Warwick and Upinngill Farm in Gill, fresh melon from Upinngill Farm, homemade cookies, and coffee and fudge from Northfield Coffee and Books and delicious goat cheese truffles from Sangha Farm in Ashfield. Samples of raw milk will also be available. All the food is being generously donated.

The bar at Hope & Olive will be open during the evening and, after sampling local fare, participants can enjoy one of the many board games the restaurant has available. There is no charge for the meal but patrons are encouraged to leave a donation which will go to the NOFA/Mass Dairy Program. The program helps farmers who want to sell raw milk or learn about grazing and organic practices.

Kate Rossiter of the NOFA/Mass Extension and dairy program staff said “Now more than ever Massachusetts dairy farmers need our help. Dairy farmers are struggling to remain in business as the cost of production continues to rise and the amount farmers are paid for their milk decreases. Many farms are closing down altogether.”

The Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers reports that the number of dairy farms in Massachusetts dropped from 829 in 1980 to 189 in 2007. Referring to a recent survey completed by the NOFA/Mass dairy program, Ms. Rossiter continued that “despite this downtrend in the dairy industry, farmers who produce raw milk are still able to sell their product at a profit.” There are eight dairies in the Greenfield area that sell raw milk, some of which will provide the evening’s raw milk samples.

The Hope and Olive restaurant, located at 44 Hope St. in Greenfield serves homegrown, farm-inspired food and drink, presented simply, using the best ingredients from the neighborhood. Maggie Zaccaro, co-owner of the restaurant said “It is within our mission statement that we are here not only to serve delicious food and drinks, but that we use our business as a community building platform. Local farms are doing this work as well, and need our support. NOFA gives local organic farms the exposure they need to survive so that they can continue to thrive. Free Soup & Games Night is a fun way for us to offer our support to NOFA!”

For more information about this great event contact Kate Rossiter, NOFA/Mass Extension Staff, at krossiter@nofamass.org. For directions and information about the Hope and Olive Restaurant visit www.hopeandolive.com or call (413) 774-3150.
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NOFA Massachusets Press Room

RIVERKEEPER’S STAR-STUDDED EARTH DAY BENEFIT MARKS LAUNCH OF FESTIVITIES CELEBRATING 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF HENRY HUDSON’S VOYAGE

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:25:47 -0400

Tony Bennett Set to Perform at April 22 Gala in NYC; Mayor Bloomberg Among Honorees

NEW YORK – April 15, 2009 - A celebrity-filled guest list will add glamour and excitement to Riverkeeper’s Fishermen’s Ball, at Pier Sixty on the Hudson (Chelsea Piers, Manhattan) on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22. The evening will also feature an intimate live performance by Tony Bennett.

The dinner dance begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and honors for environmental advocates who have given generously to improve the health of our waterways, including the Honorable Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, “green” architect William McDonough, Majora Carter, Pete Seeger and others.

Riverkeeper’s Fishermen’s Ball marks the launch of festivities celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s memorable voyage of discovery. Special events are scheduled throughout summer and fall, including a 10-day river flotilla in June that marks the start of Hudson’s voyage and visiting Dutch dignitaries in September marking its completion.

Riverkeeper has produced a touring exhibit and lecture, titled: “A Hudson River Journey: 1609 - 2109” that will travel to communities throughout the Hudson Valley as a featured attraction at state sponsored and local events. The exhibition examines the Hudson River from three perspectives, including: pre-contact when the Lenape lived on the river’s shores, the present day, and a look ahead to a possible future for the Hudson 100 years from now.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Riverkeeper’s Chief Prosecuting Attorney and Waterkeeper Alliance founder, commented, “When Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor on the Half Moon in 1609, he found a vibrant and healthy river valley inhabited by our region’s first “riverkeepers” – Native Americans who lived off the abundance of the river and the river valley. Today, we are all stewards of the river, and it is our hope that this Anniversary inspires a renewed dedication to the protection and revitalization of the Hudson River.”

Alex Matthiessen, Hudson Riverkeeper and President, said, “The restoration of the Hudson River is one of our nation’s great environmental success stories. But major challenges remain. While overall water quality has improved in the nearly four decades since passage of the Clean Water Act, we are now witnessing more raw sewage overflows, significant declines in local fish populations, and an increase in the amount of radioactive material entering the river from Indian Point. This year’s annual dinner is dedicated to celebrating our long-term progress while recruiting a new generation of river advocates to help us address these new challenges.”

The April 22 Fishermen’s Ball is expected to raise more than one million dollars to benefit Riverkeeper’s critical, year-round environmental work. For more information, please email riverkeeper@eventassociatesinc.com or call 212-245-6570 ext. 23.

About Riverkeeper: Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper's mission is to protect the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard the drinking water supply of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Riverkeeper Press Room

RIVERKEEPER TO HOST STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:30:05 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 12, 2009

NEW YORK, NY – A celebrity-filled guest list will add glamour and excitement to Riverkeeper’s annual Fishermen’s Ball, which returns to the Chelsea Pier 60 dining room on Earth Day, Wednesday, Aprill 22. The evening will also feature intimate live performances by top performance artists. Recent appearances have included Lenny Kravitz and Patty Smyth.

The dinner dance begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and honors for environmental advocates who have given generously to improve the health of the earth, including “green” architect William McDonough, Majora Carter, Pete Seeger and others.

The event, which raises more than $1.5 million annually to benefit Riverkeeper’s critical, year-round environmental work, will also pay tribute to the Quadricentennial Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the mighty river bearing his name.

For more information, please email riverkeeper@eventassociatesinc.com or call 212-245-6570 ext. 23.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Star-Studded Art Auction to Raise Funds for Water Protection

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:14:48 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 23, 2009

Riverkeeper’s Reflected Light IV auction raises needed funds and awareness at IAC Building

Tarrytown, NY – This Tuesday, January 27, in the Frank Gehry-designed IAC Building in Manhattan, Riverkeeper—New York’s #1 clean water advocate—will host a star-studded art auction. Complimenting the evening’s bidding will be a cocktail party with an intimate acoustic performance by Deborah Harry and Paul Carbonara.

The evening’s special guest hosts include Matt Dillon, Richard Gere, Martha Stewart, Lauren Hutton, Carey Lowell, and Richard Belzer. Riverkeeper board members Robert F. Kennedy Jr., John McEnroe, Lorraine Bracco Bracco will also be in attendance and Doyle New York’s auctioneer Sebastian Clarke will be the evening’s auctioneer.

Riverkeeper’s Reflected Light IV collection offers distinguished works by prominent artists including: William Wegman, Philip Tsiaras, April Gornik, Horst P. Horst, Alexander Calder, Edward Burtynsky, Shepard Fairey, Romero Britto, Philip-Lorca di Corcia, Jacques Lowe.

The Silent Auction contains approximately 30 pieces of photography and art. The Live Auction offers premier excursions and adventures such as John McEnroe’s center court tickets to Wimbledon, a Caribbean Safari Experience at Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay and more.

Auction proceeds support Riverkeeper’s work protecting New York’s water resources.

What: Reflected Light IV Art Auction and cocktail party
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Where: The IAC Building at 555 West 18th Street at the West Side Highway in New York
Buy Tickets: at the event or online at http://www.riverkeeper.org/events_story.php/1692
Bid Online: view select auction items and bid online at http://www.charitybuzz.com/area.do?id=865

Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply.
For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Riverkeeper Art Auction at IAC offers Fine Art and Entertainment

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:56:33 -0500

Riverkeeper Art Auction at IAC offers Fine Art and Entertainment

Reflected Light IV auction items now available online at CharityBuzz.com

Tarrytown, NY – Riverkeeper, New York’s #1 clean water advocate, presents an exclusive art, photography, and one-of-a-kind-adventures benefit auction on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Frank Gehry designed IAC Building on Manhattan’s Westside. Complimenting the evening’s bidding will be a star-studded cocktail party with an intimate acoustic performance by Deborah Harry, Chris Stein and Paul Carbonara, founding members of Blondie.

Riverkeeper’s Reflected Light IV collection offers distinguished works by prominent artists including: William Wegman, Philip Tsiaras, April Gornik, Horst P. Horst, Alexander Calder, Edward Burtynsky, Shepard Fairey, Romero Britto, Philip-Lorca di Corcia, Jacques Lowe.

The Silent Auction contains approximately 30 pieces of photography and art. The Live Auction offers premier excursions and adventures such as John McEnroe’s center court tickets to Wimbledon, a Caribbean Safari Experience at Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay, a private photography workshop in Santorini, Greece with Conde Nast Traveler contributing photographer, William Abranowicz, and more still to be announced.

Auction proceeds support Riverkeeper’s work protecting New York’s water resources. Riverkeeper supporters in attendance will include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., John McEnroe, Lorraine Bracco, and more. Event co-chairs are William Abranowicz and Andrea Raisfeld.

What: Reflected Light IV Art Auction and cocktail party

When: Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Where: The IAC Building at 555 West 18th Street at the West Side Highway in New York

Buy Tickets: at the event or online at http://www.riverkeeper.org/events_story.php/1692

Bid Online: view select auction items and bid online at http://www.charitybuzz.com/area.do?id=865

Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply.

For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Riverkeeper Press Room