Surfing into the hearts of thousands

SAN DIEGO, CA, June 28, 2010… Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who lives a lifestyle of helping others by ‘pawing it forward’ (aka doing good deeds for others) and who recently won 3rd place in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf competition, has reached a new milestone – 10,000 fans on Facebook!  This fan base has also helped raise almost $30,000 in donations for Ricochet’s charitable causes!

Ricochet started her Facebook page Facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet in December of 2009, to help raise awareness and funds for her charities.  Now, just six months later, she’s reached the 10,000 fan mark and that number continues to increase daily.

Many people join Ricochet’s Facebook page after watching her inspirational YouTube video nearing 2.5 million views, “From service dog to SURFice dog” below. They often leave comments such as “I watched the video and couldn’t stop crying! She’s so inspiring, so amazing!”, or “Wow! After my tears dried I couldn’t wait to learn more about you and all that you do. You’re one of a kind!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Although folks join Ricochet’s page as “Fans”, they quickly become much more than that.  They share a connection… a common bond, which deepens the relationship to one of mutual support, inspiration and friendship.  Her 10,000th fan, Rosemary Catherine is the epitome of this shared connection, as both she and Ricochet support “Surfers Healing”, an organization that exposes autistic children to the unique experience of surfing.

Another fan, Lara Davis who is studying to be a teacher for children with special needs shared the 10,000th celebration by saying “I was truly touched (and in tears!) I love the message and the outreach efforts ricochet puts fourth. I’ve always thought animals such as Ricochet could make a big difference in the lives of children”.

Reaching this key milestone demonstrates how much Ricochet’s worldwide community supports her efforts.  Her supporters have helped her raise awareness and funds… to the tune of almost $30,000 for both human and animal causes!  In fact, two fund-raising campaigns were funded almost entirely by her Facebook supporters.  A canine cancer walk garnered $1820 in donations, and an arthritis walk raised over $5580 in donations.

Ricochet sincerely thanks each and every one of her supporters, and looks forward to a continued relationship of actively engaging them in Facebook conversations, while providing them with updates featuring her day-to-day activities, fund-raising efforts, causes, events, news, photos, videos, articles, and FUN!  She is currently fund-raising for Helen Woodward Animal Center’s orphaned animals, and anticipates another successful outcome with the help of her amazing supporters!

For more information on Ricochet and her wonderful causes and team, visit her website at SurfdogRicochet.com or on Facebook & Twitter under “Surf Dog Ricochet”

Photos courtesy of SurfdogRicochet.com & EppicSurf.com/Diane Edmonds. Video courtesy of Judy Fridono & Copyrighted by SurfDogRicochet.com

Free jazz on the bay!

The eagerly anticipated inaugural “Green Jazz on the Big Bay” is this Sunday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Embarcadero Marina Park North. The free event will fuse music and art with the message to reduce, reuse and recycle.  Vendors will present green energy solutions and products made from recycled materials, while the festival will utilize green solutions for energy and waste to create a fun family event with a very small footprint…

Did you know that the City of San Diego expanded their recycling program this year?  Attendees are asked to bring a recyclable plastic or aluminum container to the event to build awareness of items that the city collects for recycling.  A trash art exhibit will be on display, created by artists and architectural design students from the Escuela Superior de Artes Visuales in Tijuana.  Live music throughout the day will include Kenneth Crouch, Greg McKinney’s Kingdom Players, and Varsity String, made up of the top youth musicians from various San Diego high schools.

Green Jazz is one of many events that will be a part of the Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Waterfront event series. A portion of the proceeds will benefit San Diego Youth Services, a non-profit charitable organization that since founded, has stabilized the lives of over 500,000 homeless, runaway, abused and at-risk youth in the San Diego area. A little jazz, a little sun, a little do-goodism, what’s not to like!

Catch me if you can!!

Think you know San Diego?  Our finest city will be hosting its 3rd Annual City Chase this weekend, and this could be your chance to bring it!  Teams will be scouring the city, answering riddles and competing challenges to be the first team to cross the finish line at Tuna Harbor Park…

Think of it as our own, local version of ‘The Amazing Race’.  Teams of 2 people will select 10 of 19 possible challenges, led to the location by solving clues and traveling only via public transportation (no taxis allowed!) Sponsored by T-Mobile, City Chase will start at Tuna Harbor Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday June 19, and teams will have 6 hours to complete the course.  Family & friends are invited to cheer on participants as they finish at the same point.  Winning teams will advance to the national City Chase competition, and then on to the World City Chase.  Last year the series culminated in a three day event in Rome, Italy!

Stay Classy has been the local partner of the event, ever since it first hit San Diego streets 3 years ago.  Stay Classy is a  nonprofit organization serving the San Diego community through a series of philanthropic initiatives. This years San Diego City Chase will benefit the Invisible Children Foundation, which works to change the lives of children in war-torn countries like Uganda.

“Pet Day On The Bay” was a howling success last year down on San Diego’s Em‘bark’adero…

More than 500 dogs [and their humans] united paws to show their support for the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Love dogs & boating? Make your reservations here on Hornblower Cruises Official website – 3 departing times: 10:30, 12:00 & 1:30. Hurry, this is a sell out event!

Hornblower Cruises of San Diego  has helped the HWAC collect van-loads of much needed towels and blankets for use at the Rancho Santa Fe animal shelter. This annual event has developed quite a following, with many returning year after year to show their support and enjoy a sunny outing on the beautiful San Diego Bay.

Through word-of-mouth and on-line coverage (like SanDiegoSunCoast.com!)  last year’s impressive local support demonstrates San Diego’s special affection for animals in need. Helen Woodward Animal Center orchestrates a number of fundraisers each year. Events like the Surf Dog Surf-a-thon, neighborhood adoption events, and more.

Have a wild urge to help but missed the boat?

Click here to donate!

Celebrate the work of Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) this Saturday, April 10th at Balboa Park at their festival for pets & people – Woofstock 2010 and the Peace, Love, & Walk ‘n Roll fun dog walk!  A short 1.3 miles will go far to help raise funds for the work CCI does to enable people with disabilities through the help of assistance dogs.

The Woofstock festival will feature live music, munchies, and shopping for unique pet products. See dogs strut their stuff in Disc Dog, Flyball, and Canine Freestyle demonstrations, and watch working dogs in action. Join in the fun and compete in the Grooviest 60’s Costume contest, the Best Trick Contest, or the Biggest Paw & Smallest Paw Contests. Kids can play in the Fun Zone, and your pup can have some fun at the K9 Playground. Don’t forget to check out the cool pet products up for bid in the silent auction to benefit CCI.

Festival admission is $5 for adults (not participating in the walk) and free for children 10 years of age and under. Discount coupons for $2 off admission are available at many pet stores throughout San Diego County.  The Peace, Love, and Walk ‘n Roll fun dog walk steps off at 9 am, and participants will receive a tie-dye T-shirt and sWAG bag of goodies, plus free admission to the festival that follows. Participant registration for the walk is $35 for adults, $15 for children, or $60 for a family.

CCI is recognized for pioneering the concept of training dogs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness, since it was founded in 1975. Assistance dogs open up a world of independence and mobility for those with disabilities. Stop by and see for yourself what a difference their efforts have made at Woofstock 2010.

Woofstock 2010 Schedule of Events

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and everyone is feeling a bit of the luck o’ the Irish.  Not all are so fortunate, however. The annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser event for childhood cancer research is a great way to lend a hand & shed some locks for a great cause.

In San Diego, Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar is hosting the event this Saturday, March 13th at noon. Here’s why you’ll want to shave your head…

Over one hundred ’shavees’ are expected to attend the event, and the more the merrier!  Show up & enjoy drink & food specials with a $10 cover at the door, or pay $20 to also receive a T-Shirt and raffle tickets. All proceeds will go directly to St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Last year’s event raised $10,000 and this year’s goal is $15,000.

Beginning on St. Patrick’s Day in 2000, three executives got together to raise money for kids with cancer.  Instead of raising their goal of $17,000, the first St. Baldrick’s event raised $104,000.  Since then, events in 24 countries have raised more than $74 million!  The St. Baldrick’s Foundation uses the donations to fund research grants for childhood cancer by local institutions, and cooperative research on a national scale to help doctors work together to develop the best treatments for all children with cancer.

“Tired of the same old Saturday night dinner & a movie?”

The San Diego Zoo is once again rolling out their fabulous party and fundraiser, the “Celebration for the Critters” on Saturday, September 26th. This highly anticipated annual event is always a fantastic time. With appearances by our own Joan Embery, live music & dancing, many of San Diego’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries in attendance, extreme Silent Auction, and a veritable of who’s-who San Diegans, this is the party to attend!

As Zoo members & supporters, we never miss an opportunity to support this world class sanctuary, educational facility and saver of literally thousands of animals on a global scale. The Zoo has been instrumental in bringing back many species from the brink of extinction, ensuring  the future of the ‘critters’ for generations to come.

Here’s your chance to support the world renowed San Diego Zoo and have a blast! General admission tickets get you in at 7:30 PM, with the party going until midnight! Want to get in early to sample the delectable delights and preview the Silent Auction before everyone else? Click here for Early Admission tickets. Can’t make it to the party? You can still DONATE today by clicking here. For those who leap, crawl, spring, swing and roar, we thank you on their behalf!

Image © Copyright SanDiegoSunCoast.com.

We are not ones to pass up a good deed. When we received a personal VIP invite last year to help out a good cause, we were there. The occasion? The “1st Annual Eye Candy Hair & Fashion Show”, a charity event to benefit The Invisible Children.

The Invisible Children, a non-profit charity for peace in Uganda was the purpose of the night. A powerful video showed the plight of masses of displaced children forced to wander far away from their villages each night to avoid capture by rebel factions. We were moved to learn that students in our own schools were helping these children by raising money and awareness…

“Children helping children, it ’s a powerful lesson…”

Adorned in evening couture (think Sex In The City randomness) and the perfect strappy sandals, we set off into the night…

We arrived early to mingle, and so took advantage of the finger food, still at its peak. 4 stars for the Spring Rolls from Pacifica Del Mar… (5 stars if they hadn’t left sprouts in our teeth…)

Everyone gathered in the open urban courtyard above trendy  Salon Radius. DJ Mr. Biggs kept us entertained with some respectable beats while we nursed ring pops and snow cones. Fortunately, the show started before our sugar rush left us flat, and the night moved quickly. Fashions by Jeanomix, Jedidiah, L.A. Fairchild, Pink Lagoon, and Sundancer were deliciously edgy. Hair and makeup by Salon Radius stylists lit up the night. Salon co-owners David Linde and Abbie Kaplan used professional models as well as select clientele, and the latter (and their children) stole the show!

A sweet night out for the best of causes. Help bring the Invisible Children out of the shadows, give so that they can live. We CAN make a change, one deed at a time.

Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare…