Weekly News Digest from Mote
| 12/16 Friday's News@Mote | | |
| Published Friday, December 16, 2011 7:00 am |
by Hayley Rutger
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| Two Turtles Released on Lido • Saturday: Santa Jaws Making Last Appearance of 2011 • Dec. 31 Deadline: Bring Marine Science to Community Schools • Register for Mote Golf Tournament |
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PHOTOS
Two Turtle Tales End Happily with Release on Lido
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Loggerhead sea turtle Felicity is prepared for release on Dec. 16 at Lido Beach. Felicity was rescued by FWC law enforcement officer Nicholas Ridgway in a team effort with Mote Marine Laboratory staff and is named after Ridgway's daugther. From left: Nicholas and Felicity Ridgway pose beside Gretchen Lovewell and Amanda Patino of Mote Marine Laboratory.
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Two loggerhead sea turtles stranded in Englewood and Osprey and rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory returned to sea this morning from Lido Beach — a happy ending to two tales of rescue teamwork.
The turtles, nicknamed “Faith” and “Felicity,” were released near the northernmost lifeguard tower on Lido Beach by Mote caregivers and some of the people involved in the rescues.
Both turtles were brought to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital malnourished and sluggish, suffering from lethargic loggerhead syndrome — an illness of uncertain origin that can immobilize loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species protected by federal law.
Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has treated more than 283 patients since 1995. Learn more and support these efforts with a donation at www.mote.org/seaturtlehospital.
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Saturday
Santa Jaws Making Last Appearance of 2011
Don't miss your chance to meet Santa’s helper shark, who will make his last appearance of the year on Saturday at Mote Aquarium.
From noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 17, you can take pictures with Santa Jaws — Mote Mascot Gilly the Shark in his holiday finest.
Meeting Santa Jaws is free with paid Mote Aquarium admission: $17 for adults, $16 for seniors over 65, $12 for kids ages 4-12 and free for kids ages 3 and younger. Mote Members always get in free.
Mote Aquarium is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 365 days per year — including all holdays — at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.
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Through Dec. 31
Bring Marine Science to Community Schools with Gulf Coast Gives
This holiday season, you can give local schools the gift of Mote's ocean education through Gulf Coast Gives — a special program by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation that connects the needs of local charities with people in the community who want to help.
Through Dec. 31, you can support Mote's effort to bring the science of the sea to more than 900 Sarasota County students. The project's goal is to raise $5,000 to send Mote educators to about 30 local classrooms, sharing ocean education with school groups that cannot afford a field trip to Mote Aquarium.
How to help:
- Donate online: www.gulfcoastgives.org/projects/451
- Give by shopping at Westfield Southgate: Now through Dec. 31, shoppers who spend $200 in same-day purchases at Westfield Southgate shopping center, 3501 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, will receive a $25 Gulf Coast Gives Card. You can use this card to support Mote or another nonprofit of your choice.
(To receive a $25 Give Card, shoppers must provide a valid e-mail address and receipts to mall employees located in the management office, concierge desk, or Saks Fifth Avenue. Please see retail stores or visit www.GulfCoastGives.org for details.)
- Click to Watch: Aimee Cogan explains why she supports Mote and Gulf Coast Gives on Westfield Southgate's "Give With Purpose" video.
Learn more about Mote's education programs for all ages at www.mote.org/education.
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Register Now
Score a Hole in One for Marine Research on Jan. 20
Help marine life out of the “rough” — sign up now for the Third Annual Mote Marine Laboratory Golf Tournament, which supports Mote’s ocean science, conservation and education programs.
This shotgun-start, four-person team tournament takes place Jan. 20 at Laurel Oak Country Club, 2700 Gary Player Blvd., Sarasota. The event is sponsored by Mote’s Advisory Council, which supports Mote through ambassadorship and fundraising activities.
Registration includes 18 holes of golf, free range balls, dinner & awards celebration, two drink tickets and player’s packet giveaways. Prizes awarded for first and second place teams, highest-scoring team, longest drive, closest to the pin and hole in one.
Schedule:
- 11 a.m. Registration
- 11-12:30 p.m. Warm Up
- 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start
- 5-6 p.m. Cocktails (cash bar)
- 6-8 p.m. Buffet Dinner & Awards Celebration
Entry fee is $125 per player or $500 for a four-player team. Mote is seeking additional tournament sponsors. Sponsorships are $100 per hole or $250 to man the sponsored hole. Additional sponsorships — with more benefits — include $750 for bronze, $1,000 for silver and $1,500 for gold.
- For registration, detailed schedule information and full sponsorship benefit information, visit www.mote.org/golf or contact Barbara Meyer at 941-388-4441, ext. 309, or bmeyer@mote.org.
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About Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent nonprofit (501(c)3) marine research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  We are dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans through the study of marine and estuarine ecosystems, through our public Mote Aquarium and through an education division that provides unique programs for all ages. Mote scientific research focuses on sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals, coral reefs, the study of toxins in the environment and their effect on human health, aquaculture, coastal ecology and fisheries enhancement. Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.  
Contact: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. (941) 388-4441 or info@mote.org. |
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Media Contact: Hayley Rutger, Public Relations Coordinator, 941-388-4441, ext. 365, hrutger@mote.org |
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