Page 9 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '23

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 9
Loggerhead Marinelife Center Announces

2024 Go Blue Awards Finalists

Loggerhead Marinelife The Eleanor Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award
Ce nt e r (L MC) ha s was named for the Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s
announced the finalists founder who was an innovative pioneer in marine
for its prestigious 15th conservation. Eleanor Fletcher educated thousands of
Annual Go Blue Awards, children about sea turtles and initiated cultural change
with presenting sponsor to preserve and protect the species. The recipient of this
Tampa General Hospital award exemplifies a lifelong, extraordinary commitment
(TGH). The Go Blue to marine conservation education through their work or
Awards recognizes volunteer activities.
individuals, businesses, • Jim Toomey ─ Creator of the daily comic strip the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and nonprofits that Sherman’s Lagoon, which is syndicated in more than (NOAA) “for using art and humor to conserve and protect
promote, implement, or contribute to a “blue” lifestyle 150 newspapers across 20 countries and in six languages. our marine heritage.”
of marine conservation, while making significant impact Sherman’s Lagoon combines two of Jim’s lifelong The Blue Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes a person
improving and protecting our oceans, beaches, and passions: art and marine life. His cartoon books have sold who has made significant contributions to ocean conservation
wildlife. Tickets are on sale to attend the awards dinner more than 500,000 copies worldwide. Jim has received through volunteering and work-related efforts. The finalists are:
at the center on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at 6 p.m. the prestigious Environmental Hero Award twice from • Nan Hauser ─ president and director of the Center for
Cetacean Research and Conservation (CCRC), and director and
principal investigator of Cook Islands Whale Research (CIWR).
The Singles Scene Column © This nurse-turned-whale biologist has spent the better part of
three decades studying humpback whales in Rarotonga, Cook
Islands, aiding in the creation of a 2-million-square-kilometer
Matchmaking Under The Mistletoe matchmaking system. We know it’s tough being single, newly whale sanctuary and educational research center in Rarotonga.
single, or widowed this time of year. However, you can simply • Todd Steiner ─ founder and executive director of Turtle
By Kelly Leary, M.S. and proactively flip the script. There is someone out there Island Restoration Network, an ocean advocacy and research
& Miranda Capperelli, who feels and thinks like you and is waiting to meet you too,
Special Holiday Edition especially in the here and now. nongovernmental organization with offices in California, Texas,
“A Very Merry Season and A gift of love (from YOU to YOU) will lift your spirits and Hawaii. For more than 30 years, Steiner and Turtle Island
a Happy New Year. instantly. Taking ACTION right now will change your vibe for Restoration Network have been leading advocates for the world’s
Let’s Hope it’s a Good One the whole month...even if you decide you want your first date oceans and marine wildlife.
without any Fear.” in January. You will enjoy your holiday more knowing you are • Scott Vogel ─ an LMC program assistant and hospital
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. interpreter, Vogel has lived a life of volunteer activism and
most magical time of the Understand, many of your married friends are faking it education. He has a lifelong passion for ocean conservation, and
year. We are so glad you are through the holiday as if they were happy. Many will argue has been active in promoting stewardship to future biologists and
here! As always, if you are and bicker, unfortunately. YOU are in a great situation. YOU conservationists.
“spoken for” do share this are the designer of your love life, and YOU will choose who to The Blue Hatchling Youth Award recognizes a student up
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 to the 12th grade who has contributed to marine conservation
Dating in December is extra romantic. It’s the easiest time Santa Hat. New clients are revealed daily. It’s so impressive, through volunteer activities. The finalists are:
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 • Marina Barto ─ president and cofounder of Surface71, a
First Date venue options abound! Imagine driving through your in-person in our private practice. nonprofit organization run solely by students to raise awareness
favorite decked out holiday neighborhood or gift shopping at Know that December holds a mirror up and asks: “What about plastic pollution and ocean conservation throughout Palm
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 Beach County schools.
holiday season is often a window to how they handle their entire because you are reading this column. The next step is your • Cash Daniels and Ella Grace Galaski-Rossen ─ founders
life. Think about it! responsibility. Make an appointment to meet us and we will of the nonprofit The Cleanup Kids. Since they were 7 and 6
Cupid and Santa love to work in tandem too--as you now take care of the rest. years old, respectively, Cash and Ella have shown exemplary
know--making it even more possible for your dreams to come Wishing you an extraordinary Holiday Season and a leadership skills and passion toward marine life conservation.
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! • Asa Miller ─ a 16-year-old junior at Edgemont Jr./Sr.
in December. (Keep in mind: This doesn’t mean you have to Thank you for sharing your time with us today. The love in High School in Scarsdale, N.Y., Asa is a coral reef restoration
spend the high holidays together if you just started dating. You us honors the love in all of you. specialist, diver, and filmmaker, particularly known for his work
don’t have to “meet the parents” yet...so to speak.) XoXo, Kelly & Miranda and research in his homeland of Cuba.
On the other hand, this time of year can bring on a case #BeatTheHolidayRush #GiftYourselfThisYear The Blue Business of the Year Award/Nonprofit of the
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 Year Award recognizes a business or nonprofit that has
month, you will have regrets. You should not HALT dating just Revolution Dating Founder and made outstanding contributions to promoting conservation
because it’s the holidays. Your children are likely grown and/ CEO, Kelly Leary, has 32 years in the or restoration of marine life or ecosystems through its work,
or you may be a single parent of school age children, which is dating industry and a Master’s Degree outreach, practices, products, or technology. The finalists are:
all the more reason to gift yourself. Give yourself permission in Clinical Psychology. She has also • Inwater Research Group ─ a small, nonprofit organization
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 dedicated to rescuing and researching numerous marine species,
It is also a bad example for your offspring to see you alone year News, Modern Luxury Palm Beach, including sea turtles, elasmobranchs, and bony fishes. Inwater
after year. Your happiness will be a gift to them, too. and Modern Luxury Manhattan plus has a strong focus on marine conservation and education, with
So, let your heart be light and end the year strong with ease many more. Revolution Dating members are pre-screened in research projects spanning across both coasts of Florida.
and brilliance! Consider the following details before you write person including background checks. Professional photos are • Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival ─ founded in
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 2013 with the mission of raising funds and awareness for ocean
The Upside of Being Single in December: that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive club conservation, Tortuga and Rock the Ocean have hosted more
1. You don’t have to buy your romantic partner a gift. memberships, Kelly and her team than 100 nonprofit organizations within the music festival, and
LOL (I’ve heard some men wait until after the holidays and also provide feedback from your dates raised over $4 million for ocean conservation research, efforts,
Valentine’s Day, in order to skip gift giving. Bah humbug, right? when appropriate. Mock Dates are and education.
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 • Upwell Turtles ─ a nonprofit committed to supporting the
2. You can pick and choose where you want to go for holiday available by request for non-members research, data collection, conservation, and management of open
gatherings. Yeah! No more long drives or flights to the in-laws! or as an add-on to some memberships. ocean habitats in the recovery of threatened or endangered marine
3. You have more time for yourself and your family since *All inquiries are confidential. *By turtles. Upwell launched the “Lost Years Initiative,” a satellite
you no longer have to split time between families. Celebrate demand, we now have a Manhattan/ study that tracks sea turtle migration in hopes of protecting and
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! preserving habitats.
that lonely defeated feeling. This is incredibly empowering. #WellDeserved The finalists have been evaluated by an esteemed panel of
Thank us later. independent judges who will review the submitted criteria to
The DOWNSIDE of Being Single in December: select finalists and winners. This year’s judges include Sally
1. People will feel sorry for you, no matter what you say Murray, daughter of LMC Founder Eleanor Fletcher; Susan
or think. (Most single people can’t stand to hear it. However,
they would benefit from your helpful advice.) Murray, deputy vice president of Oceana U.S. Pacific and
2. You will be asked endless irritating questions that granddaughter of Eleanor Fletcher; Greg Marshall, marine
make your skin crawl: “Why are you still single?” Suddenly, biologist and filmmaker; Joel Sartore, longtime contributing
everyone is an expert. photographer to National Geographic magazine and author
3. You will have no one to kiss on New Year’s Eve when of The Photo Ark: One Man’s Quest to Document the World’s
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 Animals; Lad Akins, curator of marine conservation for the
year. Is it ever fun to sleep alone? (You are in a Danger Zone Meet Michelle Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science and an inductee
if you like to sleep alone. This means you have been alone & Alan, est. into the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame; Dr. Wallace J. Nichols,
too long. Be careful if it is you. Nip it in the bud while you October marine biologist and author; Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., president and
have time.) 2023. Already Client photos are chairman of Mission Blue and a National Geographic Society
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 Explorer in Residence; and Brian Skerry, award-winning
Increase your odds of finding authentic and attractive people for accuracy. National Geographic photographer and film producer.
to date with bravado and faith in our 32-year sustainable #SOLD #NoCatfish To purchase tickets or to sponsor the Go Blue Awards, visit
marinelife.org/connect/goblue.
Photos by Loggerhead Marinelife Center