Page 5 - The Islander - December '23

The Islander, Page 5

Loggerhead News

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Announces

2024 Go Blue Awards Finalists

Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) has announced The Eleanor Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award was
the finalists for its prestigious 15th Annual Go Blue named for the Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s founder who
Awards, with presenting sponsor Tampa General Hospital was an innovative pioneer in marine conservation. Eleanor
(TGH). The Go Blue Awards recognizes individuals, Fletcher educated thousands of children about sea turtles
businesses, and nonprofits that promote, implement, or and initiated cultural change to preserve and protect the
contribute to a “blue” lifestyle of marine conservation, species. The recipient of this award exemplifies a lifelong,
while making significant impact improving and protecting extraordinary commitment to marine conservation education
our oceans, beaches, and wildlife. Tickets are on sale to through their work or volunteer activities.
attend the awards dinner at the center on Friday, Jan. 26, • Jim Toomey ─ Creator of the daily comic strip
2024, at 6 p.m. Sherman’s Lagoon, which is syndicated in more than 150

The Singles Scene Column © newspapers across 20 countries and in six languages.
Sherman’s Lagoon combines two of Jim’s lifelong passions:
art and marine life. His cartoon books have sold more than
500,000 copies worldwide. Jim has received the prestigious
Matchmaking Under The Mistletoe matchmaking system. We know it’s tough being single, newly Environmental Hero Award twice from the National Oceanic
single, or widowed this time of year. However, you can simply and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “for using art and
By Kelly Leary, M.S. and proactively flip the script. There is someone out there humor to conserve and protect our marine heritage.”
& Miranda Capperelli, who feels and thinks like you and is waiting to meet you too,
Special Holiday Edition especially in the here and now. The Blue Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes a
“A Very Merry Season and A gift of love (from YOU to YOU) will lift your spirits person who has made significant contributions to ocean
a Happy New Year. instantly. Taking ACTION right now will change your vibe for conservation through volunteering and work-related efforts.
Let’s Hope it’s a Good One the whole month...even if you decide you want your first date The finalists are:
without any Fear.” in January. You will enjoy your holiday more knowing you are • Nan Hauser ─ president and director of the Center for
Season’s Greetings, a client and your file is set up and ready to go. You will also
friends. Welcome to the beat the New Year rush. Cetacean Research and Conservation (CCRC), and director
most magical time of the Understand, many of your married friends are faking it and principal investigator of Cook Islands Whale Research
year. We are so glad you are through the holiday as if they were happy. Many will argue (CIWR). This nurse-turned-whale biologist has spent the
here! As always, if you are and bicker, unfortunately. YOU are in a great situation. YOU better part of three decades studying humpback whales
“spoken for” do share this are the designer of your love life, and YOU will choose who to in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, aiding in the creation of a
hopeful news with your single family and friends who may be kiss when the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve with our
struggling this time of year. help. Your future is waiting on you. So, put your name in our 2-million-square-kilometer whale sanctuary and educational
Dating in December is extra romantic. It’s the easiest time Santa Hat. New clients are revealed daily. It’s so impressive, research center in Rarotonga.
to choose date ideas and people are generally in a joyful mood. even more so in person, as we have met every one of our clients • Todd Steiner ─ founder and executive director of Turtle
First Date venue options abound! Imagine driving through your in-person in our private practice. Island Restoration Network, an ocean advocacy and research
favorite decked out holiday neighborhood or gift shopping at Know that December holds a mirror up and asks: “What nongovernmental organization with offices in California,
the mall with your new romantic beau. That would be a telling do you want this year, my dear?” or “How do you want to
second, third, or fourth date, right? How someone handles the end the year and start a new one?” I know what you want Texas, and Hawaii. For more than 30 years, Steiner and Turtle
holiday season is often a window to how they handle their entire because you are reading this column. The next step is your Island Restoration Network have been leading advocates for
life. Think about it! responsibility. Make an appointment to meet us and we will the world’s oceans and marine wildlife.
Cupid and Santa love to work in tandem too--as you now take care of the rest. • Scott Vogel ─ an LMC program assistant and hospital
know--making it even more possible for your dreams to come Wishing you an extraordinary Holiday Season and a interpreter, Vogel has lived a life of volunteer activism and
true. Even a giant Grinch can be transformed into a jolly soul Happy New Year!
this month. The odds of attracting a future partner are doubled Love more in 2024! education. He has a lifelong passion for ocean conservation,
in December. (Keep in mind: This doesn’t mean you have to Thank you for sharing your time with us today. The love in and has been active in promoting stewardship to future
spend the high holidays together if you just started dating. You us honors the love in all of you. biologists and conservationists.
don’t have to “meet the parents” yet...so to speak.) XoXo, Kelly & Miranda The Blue Hatchling Youth Award recognizes a student up
On the other hand, this time of year can bring on a case #BeatTheHolidayRush #GiftYourselfThisYear to the 12th grade who has contributed to marine conservation
of the Holiday Blues. Don’t skip your meds, please. Be nice #HolidaySparks #WhyWaitJustDate #Connected #LoveOffline
to yourself. Studies show, if you don’t prioritize yourself this #TellYourFriends #LoveMoreIn2024 #GoodHeartedGals through volunteer activities. The finalists are:
month, you will have regrets. You should not HALT dating just Revolution Dating Founder and • Marina Barto ─ president and cofounder of Surface71,
because it’s the holidays. Your children are likely grown and/ CEO, Kelly Leary, has 32 years in the a nonprofit organization run solely by students to raise
or you may be a single parent of school age children, which is dating industry and a Master’s Degree awareness about plastic pollution and ocean conservation
all the more reason to gift yourself. Give yourself permission in Clinical Psychology. She has also throughout Palm Beach County schools.
to splurge on you. Your children will respect you for it. You been written about in The Palm Beach
should absolutely step it up. There is no gain in being a martyr. Post, PalmBeacher Magazine, Stuart • Cash Daniels and Ella Grace Galaski-Rossen ─ founders
It is also a bad example for your offspring to see you alone year News, Modern Luxury Palm Beach, of the nonprofit The Cleanup Kids. Since they were 7 and 6
after year. Your happiness will be a gift to them, too. and Modern Luxury Manhattan plus years old, respectively, Cash and Ella have shown exemplary
So, let your heart be light and end the year strong with ease many more. Revolution Dating members are pre-screened in leadership skills and passion toward marine life conservation.
and brilliance! Consider the following details before you write person including background checks. Professional photos are • Asa Miller ─ a 16-year-old junior at Edgemont Jr./Sr.
down your December goals. It truly is a wonderful life when taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is NOT online dating or
you make the moments count. blind dating. In addition to providing matchmaking services High School in Scarsdale, N.Y., Asa is a coral reef restoration
The Upside of Being Single in December: that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive club specialist, diver, and filmmaker, particularly known for his
1. You don’t have to buy your romantic partner a gift. memberships, Kelly and her team work and research in his homeland of Cuba.
LOL (I’ve heard some men wait until after the holidays and also provide feedback from your dates The Blue Business of the Year Award/Nonprofit of the
Valentine’s Day, in order to skip gift giving. Bah humbug, right? when appropriate. Mock Dates are Year Award recognizes a business or nonprofit that has
Revolution Dating would shy away from representing a man available by request. Single Coaching
who thinks like this. i.e. This is NOT #MatchmakerApproved.) Sessions and Evaluations are also made outstanding contributions to promoting conservation
2. You can pick and choose where you want to go for holiday available by request for non-members or restoration of marine life or ecosystems through its work,
gatherings. Yeah! No more long drives or flights to the in-laws! or as an add-on to some memberships. outreach, practices, products, or technology. The finalists are:
3. You have more time for yourself and your family since *All inquiries are confidential. *By • Inwater Research Group ─ a small, nonprofit organization
you no longer have to split time between families. Celebrate demand, we now have a Manhattan/ dedicated to rescuing and researching numerous marine
how you want to, and if you’re wise, join the club after you TriState area Hub for our many North We WON! Best
finish this article. By taking steps now, you can pre-empt East clients with two homes. Matchmaker of 2023! species, including sea turtles, elasmobranchs, and bony
that lonely defeated feeling. This is incredibly empowering. #WellDeserved fishes. Inwater has a strong focus on marine conservation
Thank us later. and education, with research projects spanning across both
The DOWNSIDE of Being Single in December: coasts of Florida.
1. People will feel sorry for you, no matter what you say • Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival ─ founded in
or think. (Most single people can’t stand to hear it. However,
they would benefit from your helpful advice.) 2013 with the mission of raising funds and awareness for
2. You will be asked endless irritating questions that ocean conservation, Tortuga and Rock the Ocean have hosted
make your skin crawl: “Why are you still single?” Suddenly, more than 100 nonprofit organizations within the music
everyone is an expert. festival, and raised over $4 million for ocean conservation
3. You will have no one to kiss on New Year’s Eve when research, efforts, and education.
the ball drops (BIGGEST BUMMER EVER). Meet The Team: Miranda, Kelly, Don,
4. You will sleep alone on the most romantic nights of the Ron, & More! #LoveOffline #Winners • Upwell Turtles ─ a nonprofit committed to supporting
year. Is it ever fun to sleep alone? (You are in a Danger Zone Meet Michelle the research, data collection, conservation, and management
if you like to sleep alone. This means you have been alone & Alan, est. of open ocean habitats in the recovery of threatened or
too long. Be careful if it is you. Nip it in the bud while you October endangered marine turtles. Upwell launched the “Lost Years
have time.) 2023. Already Client photos are Initiative,” a satellite study that tracks sea turtle migration
THE GRAND SOLUTION: No matter what your age TRAVELING as taken on site. IDs &
is--30 or 80--you can find a new partner. We see it every day. an #RDcouple Background affirmed in hopes of protecting and preserving habitats.
Increase your odds of finding authentic and attractive people for accuracy. The finalists have been evaluated by an esteemed panel
to date with bravado and faith in our 32-year sustainable #SOLD #NoCatfish of independent judges who will review the submitted

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