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Arts & Entertainment

Encinitas Rotary Wine Festival

The 9th Annual Encinitas Rotary Wine Festival is being held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in the Hamilton Children’s Garden, the newest part of San Diego Botanic Garden. With taste sampling from local restaurants, wine/beer/alcohol tastings, musical entertainment, Silent Auction and Raffle, guests will have ample opportunity to stroll around the garden and enjoy the evening.

In partnership with 18 charitable organizations, the Encinitas Rotary Wine Festival hosted over 900 guests last year with a similar turnout expected for 2012.  In 2009 the festival moved to become a “Zero Waste” event.  With over 600 guests there were less than 5 gallons of non-recyclable trash. The goal for 2012 is to have zero non recyclables as well as offering a prize for carbon footprint reduction through carpooling.

Our event is unique in that the majority of monies raised are returned to our community charities. Valuing service to community as a cornerstone above all else, the Encinitas Rotary has chosen this year’s Rotary International theme of “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” as the theme for the annual art contest of which the winners will be celebrated at the Festival.

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Since its inception, the Encinitas Rotary Wine Festival has been able to distribute over $500,000 to local charities.  The goal this year is to raise $110,000 with 900 attendees. The net proceeds from the event will be divided between several worthy 501 (c) (3) charities. These charities fall into two categories Children’s Charities and Community Charities.  The Children’s Charities include, Cardiff Soccer League, Casa de Amparo, Microloans for Mothers, Diegueño Middle School Band Boosters, Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, Encinitas Educational Foundation, Encinitas Rotary Foundation,  Friends of Joshua, Jonathan Tarr Foundation, MAEGA, & San Diego North Coast Singers.  Community Charities include Coastal Community Foundation, Community Resource Center, North County Health Services, Rancho Costal Humane Society, San Diego Botanic Garden, San Dieguito Heritage Museum, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation.

Chairs of the event, Richard & Sandy Houk of RL Houk Construction, bring a strong knowledge of the participating charitable organizations, sponsors as well as the Encinitas Rotary Club as Richard has been a member for many years.

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Tickets are priced at 3 levels- $90, $135 & $500. The beneficiary receives $60 of each $90 ticket and 100% of the other two categories. We also have wonderful sponsor ship opportunities. We appreciate your support and attendance. 

For additional information, contact Richard Houk at (760) 753-1977 or at  rlhouk@pacbell.net . Web address:  www.encinitaswinefestival.com

Encinitas Rotary Club Foundation 501 (c) (3) #33-0553437 .

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