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PRESS RELEASE: BAY AREA GROUP RAISES
OVER $25,000 FOR GULF COAST RELIEF
WITH ALL STAR MUSIC SHOW
 As the Gulf Coast continues its ongoing battle against the invasion of crude and its slow recovery in cleaning its shores and
wetlands from the BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster, a Bay Area group of Louisiana transplants and their non-profit, For
the Bayou, put together an impressive benefit concert and auction raising over $25,000 for emergency efforts. The concert and
live auction, with donations by musicians, artists and merchants from New Orleans and San Francisco, netted over $25,000.
The Ittleson Foundation, Inc., a New York City based foundation, has committed matching funds. The total of $50,000 will
be used to launch the first Gulf Saver Bag restoration site in the wetlands of Louisiana in November, 2010.
A Gulf Saver Bag, an initiative born by Restore
the Earth Foundation, Inc. of New York, consists of a recycled
burlap oyster sack filled with a special soil mix packed with
billions of oil-eating microbes and natural nutrients to stabilize
and support root growth of native cordgrass, plugged into the
top of the bag. These Gulf Saver Bags will be planted by hired
local fishermen of the Vessels of Opportunity program and thousands
of registered volunteers, through the guidance of the Coalition
to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Restore the Earth Foundation,
Inc. Each bag restores one foot of wetlands.
 For the Bayou’s
founder, Elizabeth Welborn, commented, “For the Bayou is thrilled
to be able to assist in this major wetland restoration project
through the Gulf Saver Bag initiative with our partners. These
special bags break down oil that continues to wash into the wetlands
and shores of the Gulf, and protect areas form further damage.
They restore native wetlands and wildlife habitats and give Gulf
fishermen clean, green jobs as our fisheries continue to recover.
They also provide local communities the ability to engage in
volunteer efforts, protecting and restoring their wetlands and
local ecosystems that are natural nurseries for our seafood,
filter our waters and prevent flooding from storm surges and
hurricanes.”
The matching funds to For the Bayou’s benefit
are generously being provided by the Ittleson Foundation,
Inc.,
a New York City based foundation providing funds for new initiatives
and model projects that have the potential to greatly enhance
public policy and the lives of fellow citizens.
 The benefit concert was themed, Bay
Area For the Bayou, and took place the evening preceding the Saints-49ers
football game at the historic Bimbo’s 365 Club featuring an all-star
Louisiana music line up of over two dozen artists who generously
donated their time to the cause. Headlining were George
Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste of the legendary Meters, along with
Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville and Tab
Benoit. In true Louisiana
style,  the troupe jammed with many flowing on and off stage,
including Ian Neville, son of legendary musician- Art
Neville, Billy Iuso of the Wild Magnolias, Glenn Hartman of the New
Orleans Klezmer All Stars, Doug Gay and Cory Duplechin of Tab
Benoit,
and the popular New Orleans groups: Honey Island Swamp
Band, Juice and Bonerama. The inspirational and spirited night was
captured on a colorful canvas by New Orleans live music artist,
“Frenchy”.
 Guests included actress, singer and award-winning
documentary filmmaker, Renée Wilson, many of the Saints fans
in town for the game, Bay Area music lovers, and dozens of other
artists and musicians from the New Orleans area. Back in Louisiana,
people were able to see the concert in a segment on the New
Orleans Saints’ Sean Payton Show. VIPs enjoyed a gourmet tasting of hors
d’oeuvres by the Slanted Door, Range, Coda, Rose’s Café and CreoLa
with beverages by Tableaux Wines and Vivid Bliss. The over two
dozen musicians enjoyed complimentary, gourment food donated
by Town Hall and Patxi’s Pizza and Louisiana’s Abita Beer.
“I grew up on the Gulf Coast, and it has
been heartbreaking to watch the destruction of the wetlands from
afar,” said Elizabeth Welborn, founder of For the Bayou. “Thanks
to the incredible turnout, the Bay for the Bayou benefit was
a real display of
generosity and support for a unique American culture and a critical, endangered environment. And to top it off, it was an
incredible show,” she said.
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CLICK FOR PHOTOS FROM THE BAY FOR THE BAYOU 2010 BENEFIT -
BAY FOR THE BAYOU 2010 BENEFIT
THANK YOU'S!
Production
Michael Robelo, Erica Bell, Nichole Jackson, Merriman Matthewson, Nissa Teissier,
Dave Jordan of JUICE, Rueben Williams of Thunderbird, Ed Ingraffia of Honey Island
Swamp Band & Marcus Yelton
Event Chair
Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn
Host Committee Chairs
Merriman Matthewson & Nissa & Rick Teissier
Musicians
Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, Zigaboo Modeliste,
Doug Gay, Cory Duplechin, HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND with Aaron Wilkenson, Chris
Mulé, Sam Price & Garland Paul, JUICE with Dave Jordan, Jamie Galloway, Sam
Hotchkiss, Aron Lambert & CR Gruver, Billy Iuso, Glenn Hartman, Bonerama
with Mark Mullins, Craig Klein & Greg Hicks
Artists & Auction Donors
Alexa Pulitzer
Ashley Longshore
Aquarium Of The Bay
Blue Bear Music School
CC Lockwood
Chronicle Books
Zeb Goodell
Rodney Lough
Da Cajun Critter Cookbook
Dave McGuire
DJ Linda Seabright
Beverly Church
Bob Compton
Erik & Merriman Mathewson
Evelyn Jordan of Zoli
Frenchy
Luna Blue Hotel and Garden
Suzanne Sizer Photography
Heather Elizabeth Designs
Hearst & Elizabeth Welborn
Hot stone massage By Frances
James Michalopoulos
Jeremy Steinkoler of Mo'Fone
John Doherty
Harry Duncan - DJ Harry D
Kabuki Hotel
Karen Laborde
Kim Pfabe
Paul Levine of Bear Creek Music Festival
Massage by Michael Feldman
Massage by James Gerard
Massage by Mark Haviland
Maria de Los Reyes
Michelle Lazard of 22223
Mignon Faget
Moss Antiques
Mother Rue
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
NOLA Couture
Nola & Roux by Todd-Michael St. Pierre
Omni Royal Orleans
Oyster necklace by Helene
Royal Sonesta
Sabai Jewelry
Six Degrees Records
Tulane Alumni Association
MC, Speakers & Special Guests
Renée Wilson, Chunky B, Whistle Monsta, Mack the Quack
Auction
Merriman & Erik Mathewson, Nissa & Rick Teissier, Tully Forester, Jill
Keagy, Linda Seabright, Evie Simon, Nicole Jackson & The Junior League of
San Francisco
Poster Art
Suzanne Landry Holzman- 2010 Poster Artist
Therese Bushnell- Graphic Design
Food & Beverage Donors
The Slanted Door, Range, Rose's Café, Creola, Coda, Town Hall, Patxi's Pizza,
Tableaux Wines, Vivid Bliss
Public Relations
Erik Siebert of Revelry Media
Lex Tyndall of Tyndall PR
Melissa Mathews of The Mathews Group
Lori Puccinelli of Glodow Nead
Support from Organizations & Companies
Blue Bear Music School, The Junior League of San Francisco, Fast Atmosphere,
Creole, Music for Relief, BISS List, Sunset Promotions, Eyes of the World Travel,
NOLA Shirts, NOLAliscious, A Matter of Trust, The Aquarium of the Bay, Gulf Saver
Solutions, LSU Alumni Association, Tulane Alumni Association
About For the Bayou
For the Bayou is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in San Francisco
in 2008 by Louisiana natives to increase public awareness of
our nation’s disappearing Louisiana coastal wetlands, to foster
restoration and protection of this culturally significant coastal
environment and to aid and assist the people of Louisiana in the
event of a disaster. All directors and officers of the organization
are non-paid volunteers. More information can be found on their
website, www.forthebayou.org.
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